25 Interesting Facts about Girls

25 Interesting Facts about Girls

1. The vagina is only as deep as your middle finger.

2. The vagina keeps itself clean and healthy by constantly producing mucus which turns white when it’s exposed to the air.Discharge also prevents the vagina from drying out. Discharge will begin to appear some time before your first period begins.

3. Females can ovulate before they have their period.

4. Cramps and painful periods may be caused by low calcium and magnesium levels.

5. The usual amount of blood lost during a period is between one and six tablespoons(120 ml blood and tissue).

6. Menstrual fluid is mostly made up of water.

7. A lot of girls’ hymen are broken through using a tampon or during active sports such as horse back riding or cycling. Masturbation, too, can break the hymen. There is an opening in the hymen that lets menstrual fluid flow out.

8. The fallopian tubes are about 10 cm long. The egg travels from the ovary to the uterus along these tubes.

9. Girls are born with about 300,000 eggs.

10. Ovary is about the size of a walnut/olive. The uterus is about the size of a pear/clenched fist.

11. The average woman has about 500 periods in her lifetime.

12. If a tampon has absorbed as much as it can and has to be changed within 4 hours, try a tampon with a higher absorbency. If a tampon still has lots of white patches showing when you take it out after about four hours, try a tampon with lower absorbency. Change your tampon every 4-8 hours.

13. PMS symptoms: breast tenderness, feeling swollen or bloated, change in appetite, headaches, acne or skin rash, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal cramps, feeling sad/tired/irritable or clumsy.

14. You get cramps when your uterus contracts (squeezes) slightly to help get rid of most of its lining.

15. If you are taking the birth control pill these five drugs may interfere with its effectiveness: antihistamines, alcohol, analgesics, antacids, antibiotics.

16. A pregnancy test only works 2 weeks after a suspected conception.

17.Girls’ primary school completion rates are below 50 per cent in most poor countries.

18.One in seven girls in developing countries is married before age 15, and 38 per cent are married before age 18.

19. In sub-Saharan Africa, more women than men are living with HIV, and young women 
aged 15–24  years are as much as eight times more likely than men to be HIV positive.

20. Both Barbie and Bratz dolls are so thin, they lack the internal proportions to have bodily organs like kidneys or large intestines; both would lack the 17-22% of body fat necessary for females to menstruate.

21. If Barbie were a real woman, she would be 7'2", weigh 101 pounds, and have a 19” waist and 39FF chest. A real woman with these proportions would be unable to support her upper body and stand up straight.

22. Female characters in children’s cartoon shows are five times more likely to be shown in revealing, skimpy clothing (even when they are animals) and three times more likely to be shown with physically-impossible tiny waists.

23. Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia used to start in the “tweens” – doctors are now treating them in girls as young as five or six.

24. Three-quarters of female characters in TV situation comedies are underweight; only 1 in 20 is average size. Moreover, female characters that are heavier tend to get made fun of more often, and 80% of the time these negative comments are rewarded with audience laughter.

25. By the time they graduate high school, children will have spent more time watching TV than in the classroom or talking with their parents.

Health Benefits of Different Types of Milk

Health Benefits of Different Types of Milk

1. Coconut milk:
Coconut milk is a common ingredient in South Indian cooking that makes the curry rich and delicious.

What are the health benefits of coconut milk?
Coconuts provide vitamins, minerals and fibers that prevent diseases like gallbladder stones and liver diseases, inflammation and skin diseases, to name a few. If you want proteins, coconut milk is a good source. It also provides iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, vitamins: C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6. Surprisingly coconut milk is far richer in calcium than regular milk. Rest assured that coconut milk also supports the immune system, helps in weight loss and is great for digestion.

2. Almond milk:
Almonds are a great snack if you are fasting or if you simply want a potent healthy snack to keep you full for longer. Some dishes also use almonds as garnish and it is an excellent medium in desserts.

What are the health benefits of almond milk?
Almond milk, just like coconut milk, is a great alternative for vegans. Almond milk is a good source for proteins; it is also low in calories unlike cow's milk. This milk contains vitamin E, magnesium, monounsaturated fats, manganese, copper and riboflavin. Boost your energy and lower heart diseases with almond milk.

3. Cow's milk:
This is the most commonly used milk in India. Cow's milk is also used to make enticing Indian sweets.

What are the health benefits of cow's milk?
This milk contains fats, minerals and vitamins like vitamin D, proteins, vitamin B, potassium, iodine and it is a good substitute to Omega 3. Cow's milk is not fattening but it should be complimented with a healthy diet. Besides strengthening the bones with calcium, cow's milk is known to control blood pressure as it contains potassium, iodine promote thyroid function and prevents gout.

4. Goat's milk:
Most Indians may not use goat's milk, but high up in the hilly regions of northern Indian, goat's milk is widely used. But the buck does not stop there, globalization and India's love for Italian food has seen an increase in the import of goat cheese.

What are the health benefits of goat's milk?
According to researchers, goat's milk helps prevent softening of bone and anemia. It also aids digestion and 'metabolic utilization of minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium'. The secret lies in the high presence of iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Apparently goat's milk has less fat, builds your immune system, and reduces anti-inflammation of the bowel.

5. Raw milk:
Consuming raw milk is a trend that promotes the importance of organic food. But is it a wise choice?

What are the health benefits of raw milk?
The debate still continues on the health benefits of raw milk over pasteurised milk. Raw milk contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, but scientists do not believe the claims of health benefits of raw milk. There are healthy bacteria in raw milk; some say that pasteurised milk kills these microbes, but scientists believe it's all for a good cause.

You need to know:
- Pasteurization DOES NOT reduce milk's nutritional value.
- Pasteurization DOES kill harmful bacteria.
- Pasteurization DOES save lives.

6. Soy milk:
This is a common substitute for those who are lactose intolerant or vegetarian. Soy milk also comes under probiotic food choice.

What are the health benefits of soy milk?
Soy milk contains fatty acids, proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the smooth functioning of our body. You can count on soy milk to improve good cholesterol and help in weight loss; the omega 3 and 6 in soy milk strengthens the blood vessels, claims to prevent prostrate cancer, osteoporosis and postmenopausal syndrome.

7. Cardamom or eliachi milk:
May not be a common ingredient in milk, but flavoured milk is always refreshing on a hot day. Cardamom milk is healthier than having flavoured milk like chocolate and strawberry.

What are the health benefits of cardamom milk?
Cardamom contains potassium, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-C and magnesium. It is also used as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. These are the traditional uses of cardamom.

Health Tips for Today - Healthy Food Recipes

Health Tips for Today - Healthy Food Recipes

SITAGLAPTIN USE AND HEART FAILURE RISK

Signals of a possible heart-failure (HF) hazard from second-line treatment with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes seen in recent randomized and observational studies have risen a few decibels^[1]. An analysis of patient-level data from nationwide US insurance records saw initiation of sitagliptin (Januvia, Merck), one the most commonly used DPP-4 inhibitors, pose an 84% increased risk (p=0.01) of new HF hospitalization among diabetic patients initially with HF who had been treated withmetformin or a sulfonylurea. The more than 7600 patients in the cohort had been followed a median of 1.4 years.

Sitagliptin therapy showed no sign of increasing risk for all-cause hospitalization or death, which was the primary end point of the study, published July 2, 2014 in Circulation: Heart Failureby first author Daniala L Weir (University of Alberta, Edmonton) and colleagues.

As in prior analyses hinting at similar risks from DPP-4 inhibitors, in which only some diabetic patients already had HF when the drugs were started, HF hospitalization was a secondary end point while primary-end=point outcomes for DPP-4 inhibition were, in contrast, often favorable or neutral.

The increased HF risk in the current analysis "is likely clinically relevant," according to the authors, with an observed number needed to harm of 29, "and may have implications for choice of add-on therapy for patients with HF and diabetes poorly controlled with other agents."

They continue, "Although our results are intriguing, it is clear that additional studies are required, specifically in patients with HF, to solidify the risk/benefit picture," especially given "inconsistent" evidence from clinical trials regarding any HF risk from DPP-4 inhibitors.

Recent Causes for Concern

The randomized SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial of saxagliptin (Onglyza, Bristol-Myers Squibb/AstraZeneca) showed a significant 27% increased risk of HF hospitalization in 16 492 diabetic patients with a CV history or otherwise at elevated CV risk. That was despite saxagliptin noninferiority for the primary end point of CV death, nonfatal MI, or nonfatal ischemic stroke vs placebo.

And the 5380-patient Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes with Alogliptin versus Standard of Care in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Acute Coronary Syndrome (EXAMINE) trial ofalogliptin (Nesina, Takeda Pharmaceuticals) showed a nonsignificant trend suggesting more HF in diabetic patients taking the DPP-4 inhibitor. Both studies had been reported by heartwire .

On the other hand, a recent unpublished post hoc analysis of the much smaller Vildagliptin in Ventricular Dysfunction Diabetes Trial (VIVIDD), which focused on echocardiographic rather than clinical end points, found no elevated risk of HF hospitalizations or other HF events in diabetic patients with HF who received vildagliptin (Galvus, Novartis).

Two observational studies presented recently at the International Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society joint scientific sessions, and covered by Medscape Medical News, gave somewhat conflicting results regarding DPP-4-inhibitor use and HF outcomes. One retrospective study of 13 185 outpatients with diabetes on metformin showed a significantly elevated HF risk over four years among those also taking a DPP-4 inhibitor compared with a different second-tier antidiabetic agent. And in the other study, a cohort of 32 419 matched pairs of patients with diabetes taking or not taking a DPP-4 inhibitor, DPP-4 inhibitors were not associated with an increased risk of CV events and may have even improved HF overall.Data from Diabetic Patients Initially With HF

The analysis of 7620 diabetic patients and HF (58% male) treated with metformin or a sulfonylurea but not a thiazolidinedione included 887 patients who started on sitagliptin sometime after their HF diagnosis.

In an adjusted analysis, there were no differences between sitagliptin users and nonusers for the primary end point of all-cause hospitalization or death, the secondary end point of HF hospitalization or death from any cause, or all-cause death or all-cause hospitalization by themselves. However, HF admissions went up significantly with sitagliptin.

In addition, treatment with metformin was associated with a 22% reduced adjusted risk of the primary end point (p<0 .001="" 10="" 16="" and="" end="" for="" insulin="" of="" p="0.004).</p" point="" raised="" sulfonylureas="" that="" users="" was="" whereas="">

"Before recent studies, there was little evidence, either clinical or basic science, to suggest DPP-4 inhibition would increase the risk of heart failure," write Drs Deepak L Bhatt and Matthew A Cavender (Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA) in an accompanying editorial^[2].

"In contrast, basic science data largely suggested that DPP-4 inhibition should improve cardiovascular events, including ventricular function," they continue, noting the confusing state of the evidence so far.

"The findings of this analysis, as well as other recent studies, highlight the need for well-designed trials that rigorously assess for HF in patients with diabetes. The ongoing . . .  Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin [TECOS] has randomized approximately 14 000 patients with type 2 diabetes [and preexisting CVD] to sitagliptin or placebo, and it may help establish whether the class of DPP-4 inhibitors does indeed cause HF."

Adjusted* Odds Ratio (95% CI), Exposure vs No Exposure to Sitagliptin and Metformin in Diabetic Patients With HF

End points	Sitagliptin OR (95% CI), p	Metformin OR (95% CI), p
All-cause death or hospitalization	0.84 (0.69–1.03), 0.10	0.78 (0.71–0.85), <0 .001="" td="">
All-cause death	1.16 (0.68–1.97), 0.59	0.52 (0.37–0.71), <0 .001="" td="">
All-cause hospitalization	0.93 (0.76–1.14), 0.46	0.79 (0.71–0.87), <0 .001="" td="">
HF-related hospitalization or death	1.34 (0.93–1.92), 0.12	0.70 (0.57–0.86), 0.001
HF-related hospitalization	1.84 (1.16–2.92), 0.01	0.87 (0.66–1.12), 0.28

*Adjusted for age and sex; type of medical insurance; household income; recent glycosylated hemoglobin, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and estimated glomerular filtration rate; history of CVD; antidiabetic drug therapies; CV drug therapies

CI=confidence interval

OR=odds ratio

The trial's primary end point is "time to first confirmed CV event (a composite defined as CV-related death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization)." Time to congestive HF is a TECOS secondary end point.

According to Weir et al, although the ongoing DPP-4 inhibitor trial as well as the earlier ones "enrolled patients with established cardiovascular disease or risk factors, none specifically identified individuals with established heart failure. Therefore, it is unlikely the upcoming results of the TECOS trial will provide evidence for the safety of sitagliptin therapy in those with preexisting HF, unless evaluated as a subgroup."

GENOMICS OF LUNG CANCER

Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and other centers have identified novel mutations in a well-known cancer-causing pathway in lung adenocarcinoma, the most common subtype of lung cancer. Knowledge of these mutations could potentially identify a greater number of patients with treatable mutations because many potent cancer drugs that target these mutations already exist. In addition, these findings, published online in Nature, may expand the number of possible new therapeutic targets for this disease.

Study Details

In this new study researchers from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network, led by Dana-Farber scientist Matthew Meyerson, MD, PhD, examined the genomes, RNA, and protein from 230 lung adenocarcinoma samples. In three-quarters of the samples, the scientists ultimately identified mutations that put a cell-signaling pathway known as the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway into overdrive.

“Lung adenocarcinoma is the leading cause of human cancer death. This is because there are so many ways to develop the disease, and many different pathways are altered in this cancer,” said Dr. Meyerson. “In recent years, we have made enormous progress in lung adenocarcinoma treatment by targeting EGFR, ALK, and other mutated proteins. Through this study, we are able to add to the range of such alterations and therefore gain potential new therapeutic targets.”

Mutations affecting the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway can cause it to become stuck in the “on” state. As a result, signals that promote cancer cell proliferation and survival are produced continuously. However, drugs are currently available that curb aberrant activity of this pathway and prompt therapeutic responses in patients.

“About 10% of patients have tumors with EGFR mutations, and these patients uniquely benefit from anti-EGFR therapy,” said Alice Berger, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Meyerson lab and coauthor of the study. “We were motivated to find genetic aberrations in patients that lack EGFR mutations and that might be similarly suitable for therapeutic targeting. Ultimately, we want to be able to provide every patient with an effective drug for their specific cancer.”

Oncogene Mutations Identified

In the group’s initial scan of the tumor samples, researchers identified oncogene mutations that would increase RTK/RAS/RAF pathway activity in 62% of the samples; these tumor samples were classified as oncogene-positive. To identify additional alterations, the investigators looked at DNA copy number changes, or changes in gene number resulting from the deletion or amplification of sections of DNA in the genome. In doing so, they detected amplification of two oncogenes, ERBB2 and MET, which are part of the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway in the oncogene-negative cancers. Gene amplification usually leads to increased expression of the encoded protein in cells.

Now that these amplifications have been identified in cancers without other activity of the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway, clinicians may be able to treat patients whose tumors have specific gene changes with drugs that are either currently available or under development.

“It is quite striking that we have now identified an actionable mutation in over 75% of patients with lung adenocarcinoma, a significant improvement from a decade ago,” said Dr. Meyerson.

Additional analysis identified other genes that may play important roles in lung cancer development. Mutations in one of these genes, NF1—a known tumor suppressor gene that regulates the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway—had previously been reported in lung cancer. Mutations of NF1 also put that pathway into overdrive. Another mutated gene, RIT1, is also part of the RTK/RAS/RAF pathway, and this is the first study to associate mutation of this gene with lung cancer.

“This is one of the most comprehensive studies of lung adenocarcinoma to date,” said coauthorJoshua Campbell, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Meyerson lab. “The TCGA data enabled us to profile and analyze DNA, RNA, and methylation from over 200 tumors, and it made the discovery of these rare alterations possible.”