Dementia: problem, risks, effects, and management

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I had met my classmate around 4 months back and informed her also about my mom's death. But in a recent email, she wrote to me that I had met her a couple of years back. She also enquired about my mom. Seeing her email, the first thought that came to my mind was: is she suffering from early dementia. I hope not. Maybe, she just forgot about the time that I had met her a few months back. Maybe because it was a hurried and surprise visit.  Nonetheless, dementia is on the rise. It affects people after 60 years of age. The increased life expectancy means that one will see more of such cases in the near future.  India has around 10 million dementia cases out of the world total of 57 million. This is a huge percentage. It affects not only an individual but the whole family. There is this individual who is physically okay but mentally absent. The person needs custodial care and it could turn out to be expensive. It is also emotionally disturbing to see your loved one in that state of...
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Galapagos islands giant tortoises and the bacterial resistance in them!!!

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 Worldwide antibiotic resistance has shown a tremendous surge. The covid pandemic has led to more of this due to irrational use of antibiotics for this new and unknown viral disease. At the same time, scientists have found that it is spreading also to wildlife. The Galapagos tortoises who are in close contact with human settlements on the islands have also demonstrated a rise in antibiotics resistant bacteria in their body. 

The study on Galapagos tortoises

Researchers attached to Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine (ICM), the Animal Health Research Center (INIA-CISA), the Complutense University, and the European University of Madrid, with the staff from the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) conducted a study on the giant tortoises of the Galapagos islands. It was part of the Galapagos Tortoise Movement Ecology Program (GTMEP). 

They analyzed fecal samples of 270 tortoises from the famous islands. They were basically looking for 21 genes that are commonly associated with bacterial resistance in humans and animals (including farm animals on growth promoting antibiotics) to 8 commonly used antibiotics. 

The findings of the study

It revealed that tortoises who are close to human settlements and activities harbor more number of resistant bacteria in comparison to those that are in remote places like Alcedo Volcano on Isabela Island. 

The tortoises on Galapagos islands are a vital part of the ecosystem. They are gardeners and engineers of the ecosystem since they help disperse seeds and also has a role to play in its modification. They are also affected due to human population around them, indiscriminate use of antibiotics in farm animals and in veterinary medicine and also due to climate change. 

Giant tortoises of the Galapagos islands (Source: YouTube) 

It is not all bad news!!! 

All is not lost. The study tells that though the tortoises near humans and animals have larger number of bacteria with antibiotic resistance on them, but the amount is still in quantities lesser than those found elsewhere such as in intensive medical setups. Things could be brought under control there by awareness and education of people involved. It is all still in a reversible state. 

Immune age determination and its usefulness 

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