Healing Connections

The Forsyth Institute has launched a new one-of-a-kind service for the research community. The Forsyth Microbial Identification Microarray Service (MIM) enables the rapid identification of bacterial species in clinical samples. The first service offering, Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray (HOMIM), will focus on detection of bacterial profiles from the oral cavity. Researchers can use this service to compare bacterial associations in health vs. disease, monitor the effects of therapy on the oral ecology and perform microbial perturbation studies.

The Forsyth research team led by Drs. Bruce Paster and Floyd Dewhirst has used molecular analyses based on 16S rRNA sequencing to identify 550 oral bacterial species. Using this information, they have developed HOMIM, which allows the simultaneous detection of about 300 of the most prevalent oral bacterial species, in a single hybridization. This high throughput technology will allow the evaluation of species that cannot yet be grown in vitro. Information about the service can be found online at www.forsyth.org/mim.

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The Technion- Israel Institute of Technology have developed an innovative device for monitoring respiration, especially in premature babies. The non-invasive technology, which is being clinically tested at the Carmel Medical Center in Haifa, uses sensors to monitor lung activity.

Existing equipment in intensive care units does not monitor for respiratory problems and up to six hours can elapse from when a problem occurs in lung ventilation until medical personnel detect it. Detection therefore generally occurs only when the baby is already exhibiting signs of distress and there is a danger of irreversible damage to the body’s organs.

The unique device developed at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering can detect respiratory irregularities in newborn babies at an early stage, reducing the risk of long-term damage to vital organs. Early detection of respiratory problems, such as accumulation of air between the lungs and chest cavity walls, partial blockage of the air passages, or breathing from only one lung is prevented, reducing the risk of complications and irreversible brain damage.

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When planning an exercise routine, most people want to incorporate some type of walking, jogging, or running. The multiple benefits of such activities – cardiovascular, bone density, muscles, weight loss, and energy, to name a few – are enough to encourage most to add this physical activity to the exercise plan.

Many often wonder, however, whether it is more beneficial to walk, run, or jog on a treadmill or the roads. For the most part, the physical benefits are the same. These activities involve moving muscle and bone against the force of gravity, and using the hard surface of concrete gives a slight benefit over the treadmill. The exception is jogging which should be done on a less rigid surface like a track or a treadmill – even the actual road has a more forgiving surface than the sidewalk.

On a treadmill, you can adjust the speed, incline, and resistance to give a more intense workout. For those who want to gradually increase those levels to provide more of a challenge, the treadmill has those features. However, some people find the same challenges by altering the routes, increasing speeds, and wearing arm weights for resistance.

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Everyone knows the importance of exercise in keeping our bodies fit and healthy. There are exercises for the muscles from the neck down, including those which focus on the upper, core, and lower body. We have body specific exercises for body sculpting, aerobic exercises to benefit our heart, yoga and more. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense to have exercises to tone and strengthen the 57 muscles of our face, neck and scalp.

This new craze called ‘facial yoga’ is packing sessions in health clubs and yoga studios across the United States. For around $250, participants, mainly female ranging in age from 30 to 70, learn how to control and strengthen the face muscles by employing resistance and isometric contractions using the thumbs and fingers. The exercises are based on a common sense approach: boost the circulation to your face, neck, scalp, eyebrows, and temple. This increases oxygen which is good for the cells.

Not only is facial yoga tightening tired faces, but it also helps increase mobility in people with partial facial paralysis and problems like crooked smiles. A Houston-based yoga instructor, Rose Hong Tran, worked with local physicians to develop a specialized yoga facial toning technique. Tran has certified other instructors throughout Texas and in Atlanta to use her technique.

As with any exercise program, the hardest part is keeping them up. Try to get into a routine, doing the exercises each morning, evening, or when watching television or taking a bath. You can even do them while you wait in line at the store or a drive through if you dare! Most participants reported seeing results within two weeks with as little as five minutes of daily face exercises.

Here are some basic facial exercises you can try at home. Dermatologists stress that good form is key in obtaining desired results.

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Hair and its removal is a complete perplexity to most adults. Those that have it want easier methods to remove it, those that don’t have it look for ways to recapture it.

Shaving is the most common way to remove hair. It’s quick and simple but it has its drawbacks. Since the hair is only removed at skin level, it starts growing back in as little as one day. Shaving actually stimulates the hair follicle and speeds up growth causing your hair to come back thicker and coarser than before. It’s also a good way to get those little nicks and cuts that sting!

Tweezing removes hair below the skin level and has fairly long-lasting results. It’s most commonly used to remove facial hair, especially from the eyebrows. Tweezing is a slow and painful process, as each hair has to be pulled out. But, the upside is that if you do it over a long period of time, it can lead to permanent hair removal.

Threading can be used on any part of the body but is most commonly used on the chin, upper lip and eyebrows. Rows of stray hairs are yanked out with twists of cotton thread. It’s good for people with sensitive skin but requires a lot of attention to detail and again, this is a method that has the “ouch” factor.

Pumice stones can also be used for hair removal by rubbing the hair briskly without actually grinding into the skin. It can be used on any part of the body, except for the face, with surprisingly good results. This method has a good following of those who wish to do things the all-natural way (without pain).

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Exfoliation has its benefits, but it is important to be gentle with sensitive or thinning skin. If exfoliation is done too harshly, it can irritate the skin’s inner layers. Look for natural and gentle methods to exfoliate. Harsh is not necessarily effective. If you routinely cleanse your skin, why exfoliate? Exfoliation removes those dead cells that leave your skin looking dull and lifeless and gives your skin a smooth and healthy radiance. Exfoliation also exposes fresh cells and promotes the growth of new ones. This keeps your skin looking younger and gives a softer, smoother appearance and takes the hard edge off of wrinkles. That’s a plus at any age!

Facemasks cleanse deeply and remove the build-up of products that clog pores. A good mask will nourish, moisturize, and replace minerals. If a mask includes toning, it shouldn’t dry or tighten the skin. It should leave your skin feeling soft and resilient with a healthy, glowing appearance. Applied on a regular basis, a mask can re-hydrate dry skin or soak up excess oil and tighten pores on oily skin. Be sure to use one that is appropriate for your skin-type.

Facials cleanse, hydrate and renew your skin. They are deep skin treatments that help minimize blemishes, acne and wrinkles while restoring moisture. Facials vary by skin type, age, and desired treatment. Choosing a facial that is right for your skin type involves different natural skin care products and ingredients that are used for specific purposes. An example would be an aromatherapy facial in which natural essential oils are used for specific curative properties. Facials are also very relaxing and help clear skin congestion and improve its functions. Doesn’t that sound luxurious? Jasmine and lavender may be just what the Dr. ordered!

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There are two things that all women want. Do you know what they are? Here are a few hints for Number one! The first thing all women want has a rock-musical by the same name and countless songs have it in their titles: from Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young’s “Almost Cut My Hair” to Led Zeppelin’s “The Girl I Love She Got Long Wavy Black Hair”. The Cowsills performed a song about it; the lyrics went like this:

“Oh give me a head with hair Long, beautiful hair Shining, gleaming, Streaming, flaxen, waxen”

That’s right – BEAUTIFUL HAIR! Hairstyles play a large role in a woman’s appearance. Women often use hairstyles to make a statement or to attract a mate. There is an entire industry dedicated to the care, preservation, and presentation of hair.

The true purpose of hair, however, is certainly not cosmetic. Hair was meant to provide protection against heat loss by trapping air adjacent to the skin and create insulating layer. Men, especially those living in extremely cold or windy areas, use their beards and hair to help keep them warm. Many mammalian species produce thick, winter coats for protection to adverse conditions.

Hair fiber forms a barrier which helps protect the epidermis from abrasions and harsh UV rays. The specialized hair of the eyebrows and eyelashes give protection to the eyes by sweeping away dust, debris and fluids. The hairs in our nasal passages trap harmful, airborne particles, preventing them from reaching the lungs.

The hair follicle plays an important role in the survival of mammals. The total number of hair follicles for an adult is estimated at five million, with one million of those being on the head. The only external areas of the body lacking hair follicles are the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Some hair follicles are surrounded by a highly developed network of nerves which provide useful information about our environment.

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Have you ever had an extremely bad day or a moment of anger in which you huffed off on foot, walking without thinking where you were going, and finally coming to your senses completely relaxed and in a good mood? Most of us would have to answer yes.

It’s the same effect as what marathoners say they experience – a sort of ‘runners high’. When you’re out on a run, somewhere along about the third mile, you lapse into a complete state of peace and long term energy, and just keep running. You just tapped into your body’s secret ‘morphine’ supply.

Morphine? Not Exactly. What your body is producing are actually endorphins. What are they? Endorphins are polypeptides containing 30 amino acid units that bind to a group of nerve endings (receptors) that respond to stimuli in the brain and bring out feelings of euphoria (great happiness, according to the Columbia Encyclopedia 6^th Edition). Endorphins are neurotransmitters (a chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses) found in the brain that have pain lessening qualities, There are three types of endorphins: Beta, (found in the pituitary gland), enkaphalins, and dynorhins are spread throughout the nervous system. So many similarities were found between endorphins and morphine. So much so that scientists named the chemicals endorphins meaning “made by the body”.

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What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

When you retire for the night, do your legs feel as if they have a mind of their own? If your legs semi-cramp, your toes twitch, you feel a slight flex in your thigh muscle, forcing you to twitch or jerk your feet and legs, you may have Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). The symptoms start mainly at night, after going to bed. The pain, or need to move the legs, can cause sleep interruption and fatigue which may last for several days.

RLS is also considered a Sleep Disorder; the condition can be very intense and cause the loss of sleep, which in turn, contributes to exhaustion and interferes with your daily activities. RLS may also interfere with your partner’s ability to sleep. After all, who can sleep with all that movement going on?

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