venom....as pain med

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One of the world’s most beautiful and venomous snakes has a venom unlike that of any other snake, research involving University of Queensland scientists has revealed.

The School of Biological Science’s Associate Professor Bryan Fry said venom from South-East Asia’s long-glanded blue coral snake had been found to send a massive shock to the system, triggering full body spasms by causing all nerves to fire at once.

“This style of venomous predation is identical to that of a cone snail, and not like any other snake in the world,” he said.

Ironically, the discovery could eventually lead to improved pain treatment for humans.

“These snakes are  ‘killer’s killers’,” Professor Fry said.

“They specialise in preying on other venomous snakes, including young king cobras, so they play a ‘hunt the most dangerous’ game.

“With its combination of electric blue stripes and neon red head and tail, the blue coral snake is arguably one of the world's most striking species of snake.

“It also has the biggest venom glands in the world, extending over a quarter the length of its body.”

Associate Professor Fry said the Hollywood movies portrayal of venom causing instant death was not usually reflected in reality, with snakes such as cobras taking minutes to kill rodent prey, and longer to kill humans, sometimes taking hours.

“However some animals cause their prey’s nerves to become fried by a massive shock to the system,” he said.

“A cone snail instantly paralyses a fish into a rigid death mask, fully tensing the muscles in a tetanus-like spasm.

“This keeps the fish from escaping the immobile snail.

“Now it has been shown there is a snake that kills the same way.

“Their blazingly fast venom does not kill immediately. Instead, it turns on all the nerves of their fast-moving prey – who are also potential predators – at one time, almost instantly resulting in a frozen state.

“They do this by preventing the nerves from turning off their sodium channels, keeping the nerve firing continuously.”

Associate Professor Fry said the blue coral snake’s venom was not just of evolutionary interest.

“This venom hits a particular type of sodium channel that is important for the treatment of pain in humans,” he said.

“This is another in the long line of useful discoveries from venom that could benefit human health.”

The research, involving scientists from Australia, China, Singapore and the US, is published in the journal Toxins.

vitamin B complex

Vitamin B1
Chemical Names- Thiamine
Deficiency- Beriberi
RDA- 1.5 mg
Optimal Intake- 5-15 mg
Good Sources- Brewer's yeast, peanuts, milk, rice
Discussion- Thiamine is relatively safe.
Vitamin B2
Chemical Names- Riboflavin
Deficiency- Lesions on mouth, lips, skin, etc.
RDA- 1.7 mg
Optimal Intake- 5-20 mg
Good Sources- Milk, cheese, leafy vegetables
Discussion- Riboflavin is a mild antioxidant. Its bright yellow color colors urine after it is
taken. Also known as Vitamin G
Vitamin B3
Chemical Names- Niacin, Niacinamide, Nicotinic Acid
Deficiency- Pellagra
RDA- 20 mg
Optimal Intake- 50-500 mg
Good Sources- Lean meat, whole wheat, brewer's yeast
Discussion- Niacin in higher doses results in a "flush" reaction, while Niacinamide is
flush-free. Niacinamide does not have anti-cholesterol properties though. Also known as
Vitamin PP for "pellagra-preventative
"Vitamin B4*
Chemical Names- Adenine
Deficiency- Muscular weakness (in rats and chicks)
Good Sources- Widespread in animal and plant tissues
Discussion- Adenine is a purine base of nucleic acids. Its status as a human vitamin is
doubtful.
Vitamin B5
Chemical Names- Pantothenic Acid, Panthenol, Pantethine, (Calcium) Pantothenate
Deficiency- Hypoglycemia, ulcers, skin disorders.
RDA- 10 mg
Optimal Intake- 15-500 mg
Good Sources- Meat, whole grains, leafy vegetables
Discussion- Studies with rats by Dr. Roger Williams showed that Pantothenic Acid may
be highly beneficial in fighting the effects of stress.
Vitamin B6
Chemical Names- Pyridoxine
Deficiency- Anemia, dermatitis, glossitis
RDA- 2 mg
Optimal Intake- 10-100 mg
Good Sources- Brewer's yeast, soy beans, wheat germ
Discussion- As a methylating agent, B6 has potential to reduce blood levels of
homocysteine, possibly reducing the risk of heart disease. Amounts in excess of 200 mg/
day might lead to toxicity, expressed in nerve problems.
Vitamin B7*
Deficiency- Digestive disorders in pigeons.
Good Sources- Rice polish
Discussion- Also known as Vitamin I. See also Biotin which some have called "Vitamin
B7."
Vitamin B8*
Chemical Names- 5'-Adenylic Acid, Ergadenylic Acid, Adenosine Monophosphate
Deficiency- Decreases RNA, ADP, and ATP synthesis, inhibits breakdown of food into
energy, reduces hormone function.
Good Sources- Yeast
Discussion- This nucleotide is still listed as a "Nutrient" by the Merck Index. Many
sources now claim this substance is indeed an essential vitamin.
Vitamin B9*
Chemical Names- Mixture of multiple B Vitamins
Discussion- See Folic Acid. Some later researchers used Vitamin B9 to classify Folic
AcidVitamin B10*
Chemical Names- Pteroylmonoglutamic acid mixed with other B vitamins
Deficiency- Depressed growth and feathering in chicks.
Discussion- Also known as Vitamin R and "Factor R."
Vitamin B11*
Chemical Names- Pteryl-hepta-glutamic acid (?)
Deficiency- Depressed growth and feathering in chicks
Discussion- Also called Vitamin S and "Factor S."
Vitamin B12
Chemical Names- Cobalamin, Cyanocobalamin, Methylcobalamin
Deficiency- Pernicious Anemia
RDA- 6 mcg
Optimal Intake- 100-1,000 mcg
Good Sources- Meat products, cheese
Discussion- B12 reduces homocysteine levels in the blood, thus it possibly has a role in
heart disease prevention. B12 needs "intrinsic factor" to be absorbed, and some stomachs
do not produce enough, hence the need for injections or sublingual absorption.

Good night sweat dreams

Good night sweat dreams...yeah thats the last message we usually send to our dear one's every night,let us know something intresting about our daily wish

Dreams are basically stories and images our mind creates while we sleep. Dreams can be vivid. They can make you feel happy, sad, or scared. And they may seem confusing or perfectly rational.

Dreams can occur anytime during sleep. But most vivid dreams occur during deep, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when the brain is most active. Some experts say we dream at least four to six times per night.

There are many theories about why we dream, but no one knows for sure.

Studies have shown the importance of dreams to our health and well-being. In one study, researchers woke subjects just as they were drifting off into REM sleep

They found that those who were not allowed to dream experienced:

• Increased tension
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lack of coordination
• Weightgain
• Tendency to hallucinate

Many experts say that dreams exist to:

• Help solve problems in our lives
• Incorporate memories
• Process emotions

Sigmund Freud believed dreams are a window into our subconscious. He believed they reveal a person's:

• Unconscious desires
• Thoughts
• Motivations

Freud thought dreams were a way for people to satisfy urges and desires that were unacceptable to society.

Freud said that whether we intend it or not, we're all poets. That's because on most nights, we dream. And dreams are lot like poetry, in that in both, we express our internal life in similar ways. We conjure images; we combine incongruent elements to evoke emotion in a more efficient way than wordier descriptions can; and we use unconsciousand tangential associations rather than logic to tell a story.

Why Do Nightmares Occur?

Nightmares, or bad dreams, are common in children and adults. Often nightmares are caused by:

• Stress, conflict, and fear
• Trauma
• Emotional problems
• Medicationor drug use
• Illness

If you have a recurring nightmare, your subconscious may be trying to tell you something. Listen to it.

Keep in mind that no matter how scary a nightmare is, it is not real and most likely will not happen to you in real life

What Are Lucid Dreams?

Have you ever had a dream where you knew you were dreaming during your dream? This is called a lucid dream. Research has shown that lucid dreaming is accompanied by an increased activation of parts of the brain that are normally suppressed during sleep. Lucid dreaming represents a brain state between REM sleep and being awake.

Some people who are lucid dreamers are able to influence the direction of their dream, changing the story so to speak. While this may be a good tactic to take, especially during a nightmare, many dream experts say it is better to let your dreams occur naturally.

Why Are Dreams Hard to Remember?

Researchers don't know for sure why dreams are easily forgotten. Maybe we are designed to forget our dreams because if we remembered all our dreams, we might not be able to distinguish dreams from real memories.

Also, it may be harder to remember dreams because during REM sleep our body may shut down systems in our brain responsible for creating memories. We may only remember dreams that occur just before we wake, when certain brain activities have been turned back on.

Some say our minds don't actually forget dreams, we just don't know how to access them. Dreams may be stored in our memory, waiting to be recalled. This notion may explain why you may suddenly remember a dream later in the day -- something may have happened to trigger the memory.

Dreams are healthy for life ,enjoy every night dreaming…

porphyria cutanea tarda

Introduction

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is the most common subtype of porphyria.^[1] The disease is named because it is a porphyria that often presents with skin manifestations later in life. The disorder results from low levels of the enzyme responsible for the fifth step inheme production. Heme is a vital molecule for all of the body's organs. It is a component of hemoglobin, the molecule that carriesoxygen in the blood.

Hepatoerythropoietic porphyria has been described as a homozygous form of porphyria cutanea tarda,^[2] although it can also be caused if two different mutations occur at the same locus.

Signs and symptoms

Porphyria cutanea tarda (commonly referred to as PCT) is recognized as the most prevalent subtype of porphyritic diseases.^[3]

The disease is characterized by onycholysis and blistering of the skin in areas that receive higher levels of exposure to sunlight. The primary cause of this disorder is a deficiency of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD), a cytosolic enzyme that is a step in the enzymatic pathway that leads to the synthesis of heme. While a deficiency in this enzyme is the direct cause leading to this disorder, there are a number of both genetic and environmental risk factors that are associated with PCT.^[4]

Typically, patients who are ultimately diagnosed with PCT first seek treatment following the development photosensitivities in the form of blisters and erosions on commonly exposed areas of the skin. This is usually observed in the face, hands, forearms, and lower legs. It heals slowly and with scarring. Though blisters are the most common skin manifestations of PCT, other skin manifestations like hyperpigmentation (as if they are getting a tan) and hypertrichosis (mainly on top of the cheeks) also occur. PCT is a chronic condition, with external symptoms often subsiding and recurring as a result of a number of factors. In addition to the symptomatic manifestation of the disease in the skin, chronicliver problems are extremely common in patients with the sporadic form of PCT. These include hepatic fibrosis (scarring of the liver), cirrhosis, and inflammation. However, liver problems are less common in patients with the inherited form of the disease.^[5] Additionally, patients will often void a wine-red color urine with an increased concentration of uroporphyrin I due to their enzymatic deficiency.^[6]

Health benifits of raw onion

onion... no need of any special intoductioon as it is the very common vegetable that every one of us know...in india day with out onion is impossiable for sure ,it is not ironic to say that even politics in india runs around onion market rates,asa student of science i like even its botany,allium cepa a member of family lilliacae  

it has been enhancing the taste of everyone of our food daily,today let us know some benifits of onion raw one more precisely 

Onions produce the volatile chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. It stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands so they release tears. Scientists used to blame the enzyme allinase for the instability of substances in a cut onion.

 daily intake of 35 grams of raw onion along with our food is recommended as it can prevent many entero-gastric diseases,there are as many benifits that we cant count them on fingers

 i have listed few of them below

1. Asthma

Onions have antihistamine effects due to quercetin, an antioxidant that acts like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory agent. In test tubes, quercetin has proven to prevent immune cells from releasing histamine, which are chemicals that cause allergic reaction. Based on this observation, researchers believe the antioxidants may reduce histamine, and other allergic or inflammatory chemicals in the body, and can be a promising asthma treatment.

However, no human studies have examined whether it works or not. Stegall believes onions help alleviate asthma because they act as a powerful antioxidant. “Studies have shown that quercetin causes the bronchi of the respiratory tract to widen,” he said.

2. Cancer

Onions can help reduce cancer risk when combined with turmeric. Chemicals found in these two cooking ingredients. A 2006 study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatologyfound the combination of onions and turmeric creates a synergistic effect that reduces both the size and number of precancerous hosts in the intestine, therefore reducing colon cancer risk. Moreover, Stegall suggests regularly consuming onions can help detoxify potential carcinogens. Since they contain organosulfur compounds. “These compounds are found in the cell wall of the onion, and are released when the onion is chopped or chewed,” he said.

3. Diabetes

A high intake of onions could mean the lower the level of glucose. The essential oil of an onion, allyl propyl disulphide, is found to mediate this effect, and lower blood sugar levels by increasing the amount of free insulin that is available. The allyl propyl disulphide competes with the insulin, which is also a disulphide, to occupy the sites in the liver where the insulin is inactivated. This is what leads to an increase in insulin available, which lowers blood sugar levels. A 1975 study published in the journal Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry found onion’s essential oil led to a significant fall in blood glucose levels, and a significant rise in the serum of insulin levels after being administered to six normal volunteers after a 12-hour fast.

4. Heart Disease

When we think of heart healthy food, onions do not come to mind. However, quercetin is found to significantly reduce high blood pressure in hypertensive adults, according to a 2007study published in The Journal of Nutrition. Moreover, this vegetable is considered to exceed the heart-protective properties of red wine. Stegall shared, “Onions are involved in maintaining good blood pressure, inhibit hardening of the arteries, and keep the arteries elastic.”

5. Tooth Decay

Raw onions may make our breath stink, but they can actually improve our oral health. Simply chewing a raw onion can strengthen teeth and eliminate bacteria that can lead to tooth decay. Two to three minutes of chewing on an onion can kill most germs in the mouth, according toNaturalsociety.com.

To stay healthy and prevent the onset of these diseases, eat an onion a day to keep the doctor away.

Remove worms, act as an antibiotic and have antiseptic properties.

Alleviate pains, inflammations and spasms.

Are diuretic, digestive, fungicidal, a tonic and a stimulant.

Lower cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease & stroke.

Protect against tumour growths and a wide range of cancers.

Prevents gastric ulcers, stimulates the peristaltic movement of the intestines, removes flatulence & indigestion.

Relieves respiratory problems like cough, cold, flu, bronchitis and remove phlegm.

Are antiallergenic, lower blood sugar levels, maintain strong bones,prevent anaemia and tooth decay and oral infections.

Make the blood thin and retard blood clotting.

COFFEE A DAY RECOMMENDED

   Do  you know the most common sources of caffeine? Well, maybe two of the sources aren't too hard to name -- coffee and tea leaves. But did you know kola nuts and cocoa beans are also included among the most common caffeine sources? And do you know how much caffeine content can vary from food to food? Turns out it's quite a lot actually, depending on the type and serving size of a food or beverage and how it's prepared.

Caffeine content can range from as much as 160 milligrams in some energy drinks to as little as 4 milligrams in a 1-ounce serving of chocolate-flavored syrup. Even decaffeinated coffee isn't completely free of caffeine. Caffeine is also present in some over-the-counter pain relievers, cold medications, and diet pills. These products can contain as little as 16 milligrams or as much as 200 milligrams of caffeine. In fact, caffeine itself is a mild painkiller and increases the effectiveness of other pain relievers.

Caffeine Myth No. 1: Caffeine Is Addictive

This one has some truth to it, depending on what you mean by "addictive." Caffeine is a stimulant to the central nervous system, and regular use of caffeine does cause mild physical dependence. But caffeine doesn't threaten your physical, social, or economic health the way addictive drugs do. (Although after seeing your monthly spending at the coffee shop, you might disagree!)

If you stop taking caffeine abruptly, you may have symptoms for a day or more, especially if you consume two or more cups of coffee a day. Symptoms of withdrawal from caffeine include:

• headache
• fatigue
• anxiety
• irritability
• depressed mood
• difficulty concentrating

No doubt, caffeine withdrawal can make for a few bad days. However, caffeine does not cause the severity of withdrawal or harmful drug-seeking behaviors as street drugs or alcohol. For this reason, most experts don't consider caffeine dependence a serious addiction.

Caffeine Myth No. 2: Caffeine Is Likely to Cause Insomnia

Your body quickly absorbs caffeine. But it also gets rid of it quickly. Processed mainly through the liver, caffeine has a relatively short half-life. This means it takes about five to seven hours, on average, to eliminate half of it from your body. After eight to 10 hours, 75% of the caffeine is gone. For most people, a cup of coffee or two in the morning won't interfere with sleep at night.

Consuming caffeine later in the day, however, can interfere with sleep. If you're like most people, your sleepwon't be affected if you don't consume caffeine at least six hours before going to bed. Your sensitivity may vary, though, depending on your metabolism and the amount of caffeine you regularly consume. People who are more sensitive may not only experience insomnia but also have caffeine side effects of nervousness and gastrointestinal upset.

Caffeine Myth No. 3: Caffeine Increases the Risk of Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, and Cancer

Moderate amounts of daily caffeine -- about 300 milligrams, or three cups of coffee -- apparently cause no harm in most healthy adults. Some people are more vulnerable to its effects, however. That includes such people as those who have high blood pressure or are older. Here are the facts:

• Osteoporosis and caffeine. At high levels (more than 744 milligrams/day), caffeine may increase calcium and magnesium loss in urine. But recent studies suggest it does not increase your risk forbone loss, especially if you get enough calcium. You can offset thecalcium lost from drinking one cup of coffee by adding just two tablespoons of milk. However, research does show some links between caffeine and hip fracture risk in older adults. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine on calciummetabolism. If you're an older woman, discuss with your health careprovider whether you should limit your daily caffeine intake to 300 milligrams or less.
• Cardiovascular disease and caffeine. A slight, temporary rise in heart rate and blood pressure is common in those who are sensitive to caffeine. But several large studies do not link caffeine to highercholesterol, irregular heartbeats, or an increased risk ofcardiovascular disease. If you already have high blood pressure or heart problems, though, have a discussion with your doctor about your caffeine intake. You may be more sensitive to its effects. Also, more research is needed to tell whether caffeine increases the risk for stroke in people with high blood pressure.
• Cancer and caffeine. Reviews of 13 studies involving 20,000 people revealed no relationship between cancer and caffeine. In fact, caffeine may even have a protective effect against certain cancers.

  Caffeine Myth No. 4: Caffeine Is Harmful for Women Trying to Get Pregnant

  Many studies show no links between low amounts of caffeine (a cup of coffee per day) and any of the following:
  • trouble conceiving
  • miscarriage
  • birth defects
  • premature birth
  • low birth rate
  At the same time, for pregnant women or those attempting pregnancy, the March of Dimes suggests fewer than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. That's largely because in limited studies, women consuming higher amounts of caffeine had an increased risk for miscarriage.

  Caffeine Myth No. 5: Caffeine Has a Dehydrating Effect

  Caffeine can make you need to urinate. However, the fluid you consume in caffeinated beverages tends to offset the effects of fluid loss when you urinate. The bottom line is that although caffeine does act as a mild diuretic, studies show drinking caffeinated drinks in moderation doesn't actually cause dehydration.

  Caffeine Myth No. 6: Caffeine Harms Children, Who, Today, Consume Even More Than Adults

  As of 2004, children ages 6 to 9 consumed about 22 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is well within the recommended limit. However, energy drinks that contain a lot of caffeine are becoming increasingly popular, so this number may go up.
  Some kids are sensitive to caffeine, developing temporary anxiety or irritability, with a "crash" afterwards. Also, most caffeine that kids drink is in sodas, energy drinks, or sweetened teas, all of which have high sugar content. These empty calories put kids at higher risk forobesity.
  Even if the caffeine itself isn't harmful, caffeinated drinks are generally not good for kids.

  Caffeine Myth No. 7: Caffeine Can Help You Sober Up

  Actually, research suggests that people only think caffeine helps them sober up. For example, people who drink caffeine along with alcohol think they're OK behind the wheel. But the truth is reaction time and judgment are still impaired. College kids who drink both alcohol and caffeine are actually more likely to have car accidents.

  Caffeine Myth No. 8: Caffeine Has No Health Benefits

  Caffeine has few proven health benefits. But the list of caffeine's potential benefits is interesting. Any regular coffee drinker may tell you that caffeine improves alertness, concentration, energy, clear-headedness, and feelings of sociability. You might even be the type who needs that first cup o' Joe each morning before you say a single word. Scientific studies support these subjective findings. One French study even showed a slower decline in cognitive ability among women who consumed caffeine.
  Other possible benefits include helping certain types of headache pain. Some people's asthma also appears to benefit from caffeine. These research findings are intriguing, but still need to be proven.
  Limited evidence suggests caffeine may also reduce the risk of the following:
  • Parkinson's disease
  • liver disease
  • colorectal cancer
  • type 2 diabetes
  • dementia
  Despite its potential benefits, don't forget that high levels of caffeine may have adverse effects. More studies are needed to confirm both its benefits and potential risks.

Do you know where we are?

“Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there--on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”

CARL SAGAN

May be popular but need not to be correct

The March of Progress

What you think it means: This is evolution.

What’s wrong with it: This is not how evolution works.

Despite competition from a little fish with legs, there is no more a potent and popular symbol for evolution than this column of apes striding purposefully into the future. The problem is, that’s exactly what it isn’t. The March of Progress was drawn by illustrator Rudolph Zallinger for the “Early Man” volume of the popular Life Nature Library series by Time-Life books. Faced with the task of compressing several million years of human evolution into a single graphic, Zallinger chose to place the figures in a steady queue, starting with the oldest, and ending with the most recent. The original title was “The Road to Homo Sapiens”, which arguably even more inaccurate than its popular name, as both imply that our species is somehow the culmination of millions of years of directed evolution. The graphic flatters our perception that we are the crown in the tree of life, rather than one of its many side branches. In fact, the original image features fifteen hominids, including a few evolutionary blind alleys. It was not supposed to imply that each one led to the other, or that humans travelled through discrete stages of evolution to arrive where they were today. But, as the book’s author F. Clark Howell noted: “…it was read that way by viewers…. The graphic overwhelmed the text. It was so powerful and emotional”.

original

Lead leads to fall of roman empire

Lead molecular formula

In ancient rome lead was in  used a lot almost in every thing,intrestingly it was the first  known artificial sweatner  to man,in rome lead acetate was used as artificial sweatner in grape juice,with present day science we know that chronic ingestion of lead leads to plumbism which includes anemia,bone disorders and many more complications,often it can leads to infertility,that is the reason why lead was banned completely in many countries.

PLUMBISM,SATRUNISM

Acute or chronic intoxication by lead or any of its salts; symptoms of acute lead poisoning usually are those of acute gastroenteritis in adults or encephalopathy in children; chronic lead poisoning is manifested chiefly by anemia, constipation, colicky abdominal pain, neuropathy with paralysis (especially wrist-drop involving the extensor muscles of the forearm) bluish lead line of the gums, and interstitial nephritis; saturnine gout, convulsions, and coma may occur.

If you have prediabetes, do something about it now

do exercise daily

diet plan

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they usually have prediabetes or impaired fasting blood glucose. If your blood sugar level is over 100 mg/dL (5.5 mmol) but less than 126 mg/dL (7 mmol), you're considered to have prediabetes.

Prediabetes/diabetes has become a worldwide epidemic. There are 57 million people in the United States alone who have prediabetes and most don't know it, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Unfortunately, many people who believe they're "borderline diabetic" or have "a touch of diabetes" think that they're safe. However, research has shown that some long-term damage is being done to the body, especially to the heart and circulatory system.

• You're overweight or obese. This can keep your body from making and using insulin properly. Being overweight can also cause high blood pressure.
• You have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes. If you have a relative with type 2 diabetes, this more than doubles your risk of getting the disease.
• You're African-American, American Indian, Asian-American, Pacific Islander or of Hispanic/Latino heritage.
• You had gestational diabetes or gave birth to at least one baby who weighed more than 9 pounds (4.1 kilograms).
• You have high blood pressure.
• Your HDL or "good" cholesterol is below 35 mg/dL (0.9 mmol/L) or your triglyceride level is above 250 mg/dL (2.83 mmol/L).
• You exercise fewer than three times a week.

You can have prediabetes and not know it. Two tests are commonly used to diagnose prediabetes:

• Fasting blood glucose. Measures blood glucose first thing in the morning before you eat. A normal fasting blood glucose is between 70 to100 mg/dL (3.8 to 5.5 mmol). You have prediabetes if your fasting blood sugar is 101 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol).
• Oral glucose tolerance test. Measures blood glucose after fasting and again 2 hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink. Normal blood glucose is below 140 mg/dL (7.7 mmol) 2 hours after the drink. In prediabetes, the 2-hour blood glucose is 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L). If the 2-hour blood glucose rises to 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol) or above, you have diabetes.

If you have prediabetes, you should do something about it. Studies have shown that people with prediabetes can prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes by up to 58 percent through changes to their lifestyle, including modest weight loss (as little as 5 to 7 percent of your current weight) and increasing physical exercise. That is huge!

zika virus

Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

• Genre: Flavivirus
• Vector: Aedes mosquitoes (which usually bite during the morning and late afternoon/evening hours)
• Reservoir: Unknown

Signs and Symptoms

The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.

Potential complications of Zika virus disease

During large outbreaks in French Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015 respectively, national health authorities reported potential neurological and auto-immune complications of Zika virus disease. Recently in Brazil, local health authorities have observed an increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome which coincided with Zika virus infections in the general public, as well as an increase in babies born with microcephaly in northeast Brazil. Agencies investigating the Zika outbreaks are finding an increasing body of evidence about the link between Zika virus and microcephaly. However, more investigation is needed to better understand the relationship between microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus. Other potential causes are also being investigated.

Transmission

Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from theAedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. However, sexual transmission of Zika virus has been described in 2 cases, and the presence of the Zika virus in semen in 1 additional case.

Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported for the first time from the Pacific in 2007 and 2013 (Yap and French Polynesia, respectively), and in 2015 from the Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Cape Verde). In addition, more than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections indicating rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus.

Diagnosis

Infection with Zika virus may be suspected based on symptoms and recent history (e.g. residence or travel to an area where Zika virus is known to be present). Zika virus diagnosis can only be confirmed by laboratory testing for the presence of Zika virus RNA in the blood or other body fluids, such as urine or saliva.

Prevention

Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.

This can be done by using insect repellent regularly; wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible; using physical barriers such as window screens, closed doors and windows; and if needed, additional personal protection, such as sleeping under mosquito nets during the day. It is extremely important to empty, clean or cover containers regularly that can store water, such as buckets, drums, pots etc. Other mosquito breeding sites should be cleaned or removed including flower pots, used tyres and roof gutters. Communities must support the efforts of the local government to reduce the density of mosquitoes in their locality.

Repellents should contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR3535 (3-[N-acetyl-N-butyl]-aminopropionic acid ethyl ester) or icaridin (1-piperidinecarboxylic acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpropylester). Product label instructions should be strictly followed. Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick or elderly.

During outbreaks, health authorities may advise that spraying of insecticides be carried out. Insecticides recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers.

Travellers should take the basic precautions described above to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Treatment

Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.