WORCESTER — Postmenopausal women who use antidepressant medication or suffer from depression might be more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI), larger waist circumference and inflammation—all associated with increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a study led by University of Massachusetts Medical School investigator Yunsheng Ma, PhD, MD, MPH, and published in the June 13 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

The UMass Medical School study investigated whether elevated depressive symptoms and antidepressant use are associated with biomarkers for glucose dysregulation and inflammation, BMI and waist circumference. The three main findings indicate that both elevated depressive symptoms and antidepressant use are each significantly associated with higher BMI and waist circumference; elevated depressive symptoms are associated with increased levels of insulin and insulin resistance; and antidepressant use is associated with increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, which increases the risk of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

"It may be prudent to monitor post-menopausal women who have elevated depression symptoms or are taking antidepressant medication to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Ma, associate professor of medicine, who with UMMS colleagues analyzed data from the landmark Women's Health Initiative (WHI).

Postmenopausal women were recruited into the WHI from 1993 to 1998, and data for this analysis were collected at regular intervals through 2005. Using data from 1,953 women who completed all relevant WHI assessments, the study found that elevated depressive symptoms were found to be significantly associated with increased insulin levels and measures of insulin resistance. Significantly, throughout the entire 7.6 years on average that women were enrolled in the WHI, those who had elevated depressive symptoms or were using antidepressants had higher average BMI and waist circumference than did women not using antidepressants or without depressive symptoms among 71,809 women. However, the associations were stronger for waist circumference.

Analysis of data from 2,242 women showed that both elevated depressive symptoms and antidepressant use was associated with higher CRP levels, a marker of inflammation.

"Identifying these markers in women is important for diabetes prevention because they can be monitored for possible action before progression to full-blown diabetes," said Ma.

Few studies have examined the association of BMI, waist circumference and biomarkers of glucose dysregulation and inflammation with depression, antidepressant medication use, or both. The UMMS study included a large, racially and ethnically diverse sample of post-menopausal women. Because the analysis was epidemiological, it could not determine a causal relationship, so further study is needed to confirm the results through clinical trials.

"Given that diabetes and cardiovascular disease can be effectively prevented or delayed in high-risk individuals with lifestyle modifications or pharmacological interventions, our findings indicate the prudence of monitoring BMI, waist circumference, along with established biomarkers for diabetes and cardiovascular risk including serum glucose, insulin resistance, and CRP among women with elevated depression symptoms, or who are taking antidepressant medication, to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease," adds Simin Liu, MD, MS, MPH, ScD, professor of epidemiology and medicine at Brown University, a WHI investigator and study coauthor. "Further intervention trial is needed to confirm our findings and identify the specific patterns of change associated with diabetic and cardiovascular disease risk markers and individual antidepressants and depression."

About the University of Massachusetts Medical School

The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), one of five campuses of the University system, is comprised of the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Graduate School of Nursing, a thriving research enterprise and an innovative public service initiative, Commonwealth Medicine. The University of Massachusetts Medical School's mission is to advance the health of the people of the Commonwealth through pioneering education, research, public service and health care delivery with its clinical partner, UMass Memorial Health Care. In doing so, it has built a reputation as a world-class research institution and as a leader in primary care education. The Medical School attracts more than $250 million annually in research funding, placing it among the top 50 medical schools in the nation. In 2006, UMMS's Craig C. Mello, PhD, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and the Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicine, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, along with colleague Andrew Z. Fire, PhD, of Stanford University, for their discoveries related to RNA interference (RNAi). The 2013 opening of the Albert Sherman Center ushered in a new era of biomedical research and education on campus. Designed to maximize collaboration across fields, the Sherman Center is home to scientists pursuing novel research in emerging scientific fields with the goal of translating new discoveries into innovative therapies for human diseases. 

States that want to reduce rates of adult smoking may consider implementing stringent tobacco restrictions on teens, suggests a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The researchers discovered that states with more restrictive limits on teens purchasing tobacco also have lower adult smoking rates, especially among women. And compared with states with less restrictive limits, they also tend to have fewer adult heavy smokers.

The study was published online June 13 in the American Journal of Public Health.

"In most states for many years, it has been illegal to sell cigarettes to people under 18, but few provisions are in place to prevent those sales," said the study's first author Richard A. Grucza, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry. "This study shows that more restrictive policies can prevent teen smoking and be beneficial down the road."

Grucza's team evaluated data from an ongoing National Cancer Institute survey that monitors smoking behavior in all 50 states.

Studying information gathered from 1998 to 2007 from 105,519 individuals ages 18 to 34, the researchers looked at whether people ever had smoked, whether they currently were smoking, and, if they did smoke, whether they smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day.

They also looked at the smoking restrictions in place in states when the study subjects were 17 years old. 

"We looked at age 17 because in most states, it was illegal for anyone under 18 to buy tobacco products," Grucza said.

But how individual states chose to enforce the laws varied. Grucza's team focused on nine smoking-related policies and found that in states with enforcement policies, not only did 17-year-olds have more difficulty purchasing cigarettes, but that when they reached their 20s or 30s, they were less likely to smoke.

"We estimated that if all states had effective policies in place, it would reduce the prevalence of smoking by about 14 percent and the rates of heavy smoking by 29 percent," he said.

The four most effective restrictions included those on cigarette vending machines, in which the machines either were eliminated or housed in locations inaccessible to those under 18; identification requirements for purchasing cigarettes; restrictions on repackaging cigarettes so that five or 10 could be sold at a time, rather than an entire 20-cigarette pack; and prohibiting distribution of free cigarettes at public events.

Because cigarettes have been regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2009, many of the more restrictive policies are in effect nationally, so Grucza's team believes future smoking rates among adults may decline at least partly as a result of those policies.

Interestingly, they found the policies to restrict youth access to tobacco had a big impact on women but didn't seem to influence smoking rates in men.

"We can only speculate about why, but a number of past studies have shown that underage women and girls often have an easier time getting alcohol or tobacco than underage men," Grucza said. "We suspect that policies like those that require checking IDs may have evened things out by making it just as difficult for underage women to buy cigarettes as it is for underage men."

As more states around the country implement and enforce more restrictive policies, Grucza expects they may further reduce smoking rates.

"A lot of states still have not adopted all of these policies," he explained. "In 2006, which is the last year for which we have data, only four states required a photo ID, and only 20 states had any kind of identification requirements at all. So there's still a lot of room for improvement."

Grucza said some states are considering restricting youth access even more. In New York, there is a proposal to raise the age for tobacco purchases to 21. Meanwhile, in Alabama, Mississippi, Alaska and Utah, the minimum age for tobacco purchases already has been raised to 19.

Funding for this research comes from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It also was supported by grants from the American Cancer Society and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. NIH grant numbers: R21 DA0266, R01 DA031288, R01 DA0269112, T32 DA07313, K01 DA025733, K02 DA021237 and P01 CA89392.

Grucza RA, Plunk AD, Hipp PR, Cavazos-Rehg P, Krauss MJ, Brownson RC, Bierut LJ. Long-term effects of laws governing youth access to tobacco. American Journal of Public Health, First Look vol. 103 (8), June 13, 2013. https://www.ajph.org

Washington University School of Medicine's 2,100 employed and volunteer faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals. The School of Medicine is one of the leading medical research, teaching and patient care institutions in the nation, currently ranked sixth in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched Know Hepatitis B, the first national multilingual, multi-year communications campaign to increase testing for hepatitis B among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Though this group makes up less than 5 percent of the U.S. population, they account for more than half of the 1.2 million Americans estimated to be living with hepatitis B.

The campaign aims to reach millions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, particularly those that need information in their languages. The campaign is a partnership between CDC and Hep B United, a nationwide coalition of community organizations working to increase hepatitis B awareness and testing.

“If you or your parents were born in Asia or the Pacific Islands, it is critical that you get tested for hepatitis B,” said Howard Koh, M.D., assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Everyone in the Asian American community – from individuals, to community leaders, to physicians – can all help us put an end to this epidemic by getting tested and talking about hepatitis B.”

In the U.S., Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are one of the groups hardest hit by hepatitis B, which can cause potentially fatal liver damage, including liver cancer. Hepatitis B-related liver cancer is a leading cause of death among many in these communities. Hepatitis B is especially common in many Asian and Pacific Island countries, and many with chronic hepatitis B became infected as infants or young children. It is usually spread when someone comes into contact with blood from someone who has the virus.

It is estimated that 1 in 12 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is living with hepatitis B. Yet, as many as 2 in 3 living with the virus do not know they are infected, because the disease often has no symptoms until serious liver damage has already occurred. Testing allows those with hepatitis B to take steps to protect their health, including starting treatment that can delay or reverse the effects of liver disease.

“Hepatitis B is one of the most severe health disparities facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” said John Ward, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis. “With greater awareness and testing, we can save lives and decrease the burden of hepatitis B in Asian American communities and throughout the United States.”

Know Hepatitis B is designed to resonate with those most affected by hepatitis B, and was developed with input from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders from around the country. It will deliver culturally relevant messages in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese, through a wide range of channels, including:

• Online and print ads and public service announcements in media outlets serving Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

• Social media and digital materials to encourage testing

• Outreach led by Hep B United and its local partners to mobilize communities to get tested

• Outreach to health professionals to educate them on the importance of hepatitis B testing for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Many of the campaign’s messages build on the strong family ties relevant to many Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures. For example, one ad features a father and his young daughter with the tagline, “I’m an invincible Dad, a thoughtful husband. I get tested for hepatitis B.” Another encourages U.S.-born Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to talk to their parents about getting tested.

Know Hepatitis B is part of CDC’s ongoing efforts to prevent illness and death due to hepatitis B.

For more information, including downloads of the campaign materials, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom. 

Smile and the world smiles with you — but new research suggests that not all smiles are created equal. The research shows that people actually anticipate smiles that are genuine but not smiles that are merely polite. The differing responses may reflect the unique social value of genuine smiles.

“These findings give us the first clear suggestion that the basic processes that guide responses to reward also play a role in guiding social behavior on a moment-to-moment basis during interactions,” explains psychological scientist and lead researcher Erin Heerey of Bangor University (UK).

The new research is reported in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

“No two interactions are alike, yet people still manage to smoothly coordinate their speech and nonverbal behaviors with those of another person,” says Heerey. She wondered whether the intrinsic value of different social cues like smiles may play a role in shaping our response to those cues.

Polite smiles, for example, typically occur when sociocultural norms dictate that smiling is appropriate. Genuine smiles, on the other hand, signify pleasure, occur spontaneously, and are indicated by engagement of specific muscles around the eye.

If genuine smiles are a form of social reward, Heerey hypothesized, people should be more likely to anticipate genuine smiles than relatively less rewarding polite smiles.

An observational study showed that pairs of strangers getting to know one another not only exchanged smiles, they almost always matched the particular smile type, whether genuine or polite.

But, they responded much more quickly to their partners’ genuine smiles than their polite smiles, suggesting that they were anticipating the genuine smiles.

Similarly, participants in a lab-based study learned key-press associations for genuinely smiling faces faster than those for politely smiling faces. Data from electrical sensors on participants’ faces revealed that they engaged smile-related muscles when they expected a genuine smile to appear but showed no such activity when expecting polite smiles.

The different responses suggest that genuine smiles are more valuable social rewards. Previous research shows that genuine smiles promote positive social interactions, so learning to anticipate them is likely to be a critical social skill.

One of the novel aspects of the research, says Heerey, is the combination of naturalistic observation and controlled experimentation, which allowed her to explore the richness of real-life social interactions while also affording her the opportunity to investigate possible causal relationships.

Heerey believes that this approach could yield important applications over time:

“As we progress in our understanding of how social interactions unfold, these findings may help to guide the development of interventions for people who find social interactions difficult, such as those with social anxiety, autism, or schizophrenia.”

Helen Crossley, also at Bangor University, was a co-author on the research.

Source: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/people-anticipate-others-genuine-smiles-but-not-polite-smiles.html

The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) have launched a new scholarship program to help dental assistants turn their professional development plans into reality. The ADAA/DANB Scholarship will be awarded to dental assistants who demonstrate a strong commitment to career growth and lifelong learning. The winner(s) will be able to use the scholarship funds for professional activities, such as continuing dental education, DANB exams or certification, some expenses associated with ADAA Fellowship or Mastership, or registration for a dental conference, among other possible activities.

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants should download and complete the application and submit a letter of intent, along with any required documentation. The scholarship is open to all ADAA members and student members in good standing. Applications will be accepted through August 31, 2013. ADAA/DANB Scholarship Application 

To learn more about the scholarship requirements and deadlines, download the application or visit www.dentalassistant.org or www.danb.org.

PRNewswire/ -- Are you inspired by a nonprofit in your community? Wish you had more time or resources to support local nonprofit community service projects? Tom's of Maine is offering simple ways to give back to communities through its 50 States for Good program. Anyone who is energized by the work of local nonprofit organizations can nominate their favorite for a chance to share in $150,000 in funding. Fifteen organizations will be awarded $10,000 each, as determined by a public vote in September. Nominations can be made beginning today at www.50statesforgood.com through July 8, 2013 via a short essay.  

Now in its fifth year, 50 States for Good celebrates and rewards nonprofit organizations committed to meaningful change and work that addresses local needs. This year's program presents individuals with an opportunity to help their favorite nonprofit organization secure funding. Fifty-one finalists – one from each state and the District of Columbia – will be chosen by a panel of independent judges from the pool of nominees and the public will vote for the winners.

"For the first time, we're inviting any individual who's passionate about a nonprofit to make a nomination," said Susan Dewhirst, public relations and goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "The best part is we've made it easy for anyone to give back to their community by nominating their favorite nonprofit."

In past years, Tom's of Maine has funded 50 States for Good projects that have built community playgrounds, maintained sustainable nature trails, provided shelter and food for the homeless and cared for animals, among many other initiatives.

Additional 50 States for Good program information and terms and conditions are available at www.50statesforgood.com.

Tom's of Maine offers every employee 5% of paid time off, up to 12 days a year, to volunteer in their community. The company is a longtime supporter of community programs including greater access to affordable dental care and other initiatives focused on healthy living and caring for the planet. In addition, Tom's of Maine donates 10% of its profits back to the communities.

About Tom's of Maine

Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care carrying high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant and bar soap products. The company has a long-standing commitment to supporting people, communities and the living planet. For over 42 years, TOMs has sponsored hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support human and environmental goodness and by encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of employee time to volunteer. TOMs employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Tom's of Maine products are vegan, Kosher, halal-certified and all packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. Tom's of Maine enjoys partnering with its consumers, vendors and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. Visit us online at https://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at https://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that only 5% of people who used the bathroom washed their hands long enough to kill the germs that can cause infections.

What’s more, 33% didn’t use soap and 10% didn’t wash their hands at all. Men were particularly bad at washing their hands correctly.

The study, based on observations of 3,749 people in public restrooms, appears in the Journal of Environmental Health.

“These findings were surprising to us because past research suggested that proper hand washing is occurring at a much higher rate,” said Carl Borchgrevink, associate professor of hospitality business and lead investigator on the study.

Hand washing is the single most effective thing one can do to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Failing to sufficiently wash one’s hands contributes to nearly 50 percent of all foodborne illness outbreaks

It takes 15 to 20 seconds of vigorous hand washing with soap and water to effectively kill the germs, the CDC says, yet the study found that people are only washing their hands, on average, for about 6 seconds.

Borchgrevink and colleagues trained a dozen college students in data collection and had them observe hand washing in restrooms in bars, restaurants and other public establishments. The student researchers were as unobtrusive as possible – by standing off to the side and entering results on a smart phone, for example.

The study is one of the first to take into account factors such as duration of the hand washing and whether people used soap.

Specific findings include:

• Fifteen percent of men didn’t wash their hands at all, compared with 7 percent of women.

• When they did wash their hands, only 50 percent of men used soap, compared with 78 percent of women.

• People were less likely to wash their hands if the sink was dirty.

• Hand washing was more prevalent earlier in the day. Borchgrevink said this suggests people who were out at night for a meal or drinks were in a relaxed mode and hand washing became less important.

• People were more likely to wash their hands if a sign encouraging them to do so was present.

Borchgrevink, who worked as a chef and restaurant manager before becoming a researcher, said the findings have implications for both consumers and those who operate restaurants and hotels.

“Imagine you’re a business owner and people come to your establishment and get foodborne illness through the fecal-oral route – because people didn’t wash their hands – and then your reputation is on the line,” he said. “You could lose your business.”

Borchgrevink’s co-authors were JaeMin Cha and SeungHyun Kim. All three are faculty members in MSU’s School of Hospitality Business.

A Pennsylviania dentist did not comply with a recommendation from state health officials to notify patients about a lapse in infection control procedures. Officials are reporting breaches in infection control and that her patients are risk for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. 

For more on this story, please click here. 

The percentage of people under age 65 in families having problems paying medical bills decreased from 21.7 percent in the first six months of 2011 to 20.3 percent in the first six months of 2012, according to a report from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.

The report, “Problems Paying Medical Bills: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, January 2011-June 2012,” also found that within each six month period from January 2011 through June 2012, children aged 0-17 years were more likely than adults aged 18-64 years to be in families having problems paying medical bills.  Medical bills are defined as bills for doctors, dentists, hospitals, therapists, medication, equipment, nursing home or home care.

However, the percentage having problems paying medical bills decreased for both age groups. Among children aged 0-17 years, the percentage of those who were in families having problems paying medical bills decreased from 23.7 percent in the first six months of 2011 to 21.8 percent in the first six months of 2012.  Among adults aged 18-64 years, the percentage in families having problems paying medical bills decreased from 20.9 percent in the first six months of 2011 to 19.7 percent in the first six months of 2012.

Other findings include:

• In the first six months of 2012, among persons under age 65, 36.3 percent of those who were uninsured, 14 percent of those who had private coverage and 25.6 percent of those who had public coverage were in families having problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months.

• During January 2011-June 2012, people under age 65 who were uninsured and those who had public coverage were about twice as likely as those who had private coverage to be in families having problems paying medical bills.

The report is available at www.cdc.gov/nchs.

ORLANDO, Fla.,  /PRNewswire/ -- Sm;)e Perfected™, for a limited time, will provide free whitening for patients through local dental offices that are Sm;)e Perfected providers in a campaign to help people land their dream job, one smile at a time. Sm;)e Perfected realizes that a great smile opens doors and they have pledged to do their part in order to help people struggling to find a job. 

Sm;)e Perfected™ knows that confidence and enthusiasm during a job interview is so important in making a positive impression.

A quick Google search for "Smile During a Job Interview" will bombard the searcher with how important a smile is during the job search.

Studies have shown that if an applicant doesn't like their smile they will consciously hide their smile.

Nicole Vulcan of Demand Media, outlined recently "How to Smile in an Interview" writing that it is the little things that can make the difference in a job interview. She continues to point out that a smile is more than common courtesy. A smile shows enthusiasm about the job and the interview.

Enthusiasm is key, says Richard Nelson Bolles, author; "What Color is Your Parachute?" as reported in a 2007 MSNBC successful job interview article. Prospective employers want to see energy, a willingness to work, and a bright smile will help convey that.

Nancy R. Mitchell, The Etiquette Advocate, states, "Don't Underestimate the Power of a Smile." She talks about how a lack of "smile" may imply being mad, nervous, or psychotic, emphasizing that a great smile shows a pleasant nature as well as confidence; it invites others to get to know one's true personality.

D.A. Hayden and Michael Wilder wrote an article and described "your smile during a job interview as your biggest secret weapon." They go on to say that a good smile shows the employer the prospect is warm, open and friendly, which are desirable assets for all employers.

In an interview with Sm;)e Perfected CEO, William L. Balanoff, DDS, MS, FICD, Dr. Balanoff explained that companies have a responsibility to help people in their community in ways that are imaginative and innovative. Dr. Balanoff can't hire everyone but he states that his company has the ability to impact people's lives by giving them a better smile. Travelling throughout the country, Dr. Balanoff states that many dental offices want to help their fellow citizens in their local hometowns. Dental offices can whiten the teeth of their unemployed or underemployed patients, giving them the confidence of white teeth and a great smile during an interview to improve their chances of landing their dream job.

Sm;)e Perfected will help defer the cost to the dental offices by giving the dental offices free Sm;)e Perfected Whitening kits provided the dental offices donate their time to deliver the whitening treatment to their unemployed patients at no cost.

This special opportunity presents a unique win-win scenario for the local dental offices, the offices spread good will in their community, boosting the dental practices' visibility and good standing. In turn, patients like to go to a dental practice that cares about the local community. Sm;)e Perfected is excited about the partnership with grass roots dentists and their dental team members, and eager to make a difference in the community helping feel better about themselves one beautiful smile at a time.

About Smile Perfected:

Sm;)e Perfected is the fastest growing 20 minute tooth whitening system in the market today – success hinged upon the importance of a dentist being involved in the whitening process for best results.

To achieve dramatically whiter teeth, in less time, and with reduced sensitive – contact the company today for complete details regarding the Sm;)e Perfected local dentist free whitening campaign today: https://www.smileperfected.com.