weight loss for Low-fat

Low-fat diets do not lead to greater weight loss in the long term compared to low-carbohydrate or Mediterranean diets of similar intensity, according to a new study. 

Researchers in US did a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomised trials comparing the effectiveness of lowfat diets to other diets, including no diet, at improving long-term weight loss (at least 1 year) in non-pregnant adults. 

They took into account the intensity of the diets which ranged from just pamphlets or instructions at the beginning of the programme to intensive multi-component programmes including counselling sessions, meetings with dieticians, food diaries, and cooking lessons. 

Analysis of 53 studies involving 68,128 adults showed no difference in the average weight loss between reduced-fat diets and higher-fat diets.

Male and female brains work the same

There is no such thing called a "male brain" and a "female brain", suggests new research that found no sex difference in the size of he hippocampus, 

"Many people believe there is such a thing as a 'male brain' and a 'female brain,'" said lead researcher Lise Eliot, associate professor of neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois, US.

"But when you look beyond the popularised studies -- at collections of all the data -- you often find that the differences are minimal," Eliot explained.

The team examined findings from 76 published papers, involving more than 6,000 healthy individuals.

"Sex differences in the brain are irresistible to those looking to explain stereotypic differences between men and women," Eliot said.

"They often make a big splash, in spite of being based on small samples. But as we explore multiple datasets and are able to coalesce very large samples of males and females, we find these differences often disappear or are trivial," Eliot pointed out.

Meta-analyses by other investigators have also disproved other purported sex differences in the brain, Eliot noted.

Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that allows researchers to combine the findings from many independent studies into a comprehensive review.

There is no difference in the size of the corpus callosum, white matter that allows the two sides of the brain to communicate, nor do men and women differ in the way their left and right hemispheres process language, according to the researchers.

Women at higher risk of having a stroke

The world stroke campaign has chosen to focus on this theme because a woman is considered more at risk of having a stroke, more likely to die from a stroke than a man, less likely to receive acute care and rehabilitation than a man, more likely to experience a severe decline in cognitive function and runs a higher risk of post-stroke depression and instutionalization according to WSO.

A stroke is a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disruption of blood supply to the brain. When stroke strikes, a blood clot or rupture of blood vessels causes bleeding in the brain and prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching the brain. It can be ischemic (more common with 85% cases being of this kind) or haemorrhagic (due to trauma or carotid injuries).

Dr M Madhusudana Babu, specialist in neurology at the King George Hospital (KGH), said, "After menopause, the level of protective hormone oestrogen decreases and owing to a longer life span women are more at risk of developing stroke. Besides, during pregnancy, the chances of blood clotting are also high and they can develop cortical venous sinus thrombosis. Stress, antibody syndrome and protein C deficiency syndrome are other triggering factors for stroke or blood clotting in the veins and arteries."

"Primary prevention of stroke includes controlling hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking, alcoholism and regular health check-ups after 50 years of age. While secondary prevention to check the second attack includes administration of anti-platelet drugs and certain drugs like statins to reduce cholesterol levels. Ischemic stroke can be treated through thrombolytic or clot bursting therapy and by giving TPA injections in the veins, while haemorrhagic stroke can be treated with medicines and surgery," added Dr Madhusudana Babu.

Meanwhile, on World Stroke Day, Care Hospitals in association with Andhra Pradesh Specialty

Hospitals Association (ASHA) organised a special awareness programme to educate people about the dangers of stroke. Speaking on the occasion, Dr G Kishore Babu, consultant neuro-physician at Care Hospitals said: "Aging, unhealthy diet, tobacco use, and physical inactivity fuel a growing epidemic of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and vascular cognitive impairment. Worldwide, stroke accounts for 5.7 million deaths each year and ranks second to ischemic heart disease as a cause of death and a leading cause of serious disability."

According to doctors, stroke is the third most common killer disease in India after cardiac ailments and cancer, but in around 80% of the cases, the patient can be saved from becoming crippled or death if treated within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. In India, around 18 lakh people get afflicted with stroke every year. Andhra Pradesh is also on the forefront when it comes to the incidence of stroke with nearly 75,000 people getting afflicted with stroke.

Amit Mishra Arrested on Charges

Mishra was booked under the Indian Penal Code sections 354

 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 328 (causing hurt with intent to commit an offence).

The complaint was registered during the last week of September when Mishra. The woman, who is reportedly a friend of the cricketer, alleged Mishra assaulted her in his hotel room with a kettle and even abused her.

Amit Mishra, a member of Team India's limited overs squad in the recently-concluded series against South Africa, was arrested by Bangalore police on Tuesday on charges of assaulting a woman friend during a national camp in the Garden City in September.

Mishra was charged with assaulting a woman friend in hotel room when Indian players had gathered in Bangalore for a preparatory camp ahead of the series against South Africa. Leg-spinner Mishra picked up four wickets in four matches. His best was a 2/47 in the first ODI in Kanpur that India lost.

"He was later granted bail as it's a bailable offence. We will have to gather more evidence now before we file the chargesheet against him."

Movie Review Pyaar Ka Punchnama - 2

RATING: 2.5/5

CAST: Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha, Omkar Kapoor, Ishita Raj, Sunny Singh, Sonnalli Seygall

DIRECTION:Luv Ranjan

GENRE :Comedy

DURATION:2 hours 36 minutes