Health
Know why highly transmissible Omicron variant does not harm lungs | Health News
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New Delhi: As India braces for the peak of the third Covid wave with Omicron taking over all other existing variants, scientists are scrambling to find how this heavily-mutated virus spreads so quickly and affects people at an alarmingly high rate, yet spares lungs that have been the key organ being hit by the Covid-19 respiratory disease.
OMICRON MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN OTHER VARIANTS
The Omicron variant multiplies about 70 times faster inside human respiratory tract tissue than the Delta variant, according to scientists at the University of Hong Kong.
Omicron also reaches higher levels in the tissue, compared with Delta, 48 hours after infection.
“The finding indicates that mutations in Omicron have sped up the process of entering or replicating (or both) inside the tissue,” reports NPR.
OMICRON IS LESS SEVERE THAN OTHER VARIANTS
However, it is less severe than the previous variants because it does not cause as much damage in the lungs, a spate of studies have suggested.
A study by a consortium of US and Japanese scientists on hamsters and mice, has found those infected with Omicron had less lung damage, lost less weight and were less likely to die than those who had other variants.
The Omicron variant, harbouring up to 36 mutations in spike protein, is known to evade vaccine efficacy.
Another recent study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard and MIT tested blood from people who received the Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines against a pseudovirus engineered to resemble the Omicron variant.
They included individuals that were both vaccinated recently or had recently taken booster doses, and also had prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The findings showed that the neutralisation of Omicron was ‘undetectable’ in most vaccinated individuals.
“The study demonstrates that Omicron drastically escapes vaccine-induced immunity after primary vaccination series with mRNA-1273 (Moderna), BNT162b2 (PfizerBioNTech) or Ad26.COV2.S (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) and exhibits increased infectivity in vitro, raising the potential for increased transmissibility,” said Wilfredo F. Garcia-Beltran, Department of Pathology, MGH at Boston.
OMICRON IS MORE INFECTIOUS
“Strikingly, Omicron was 4-fold more infectious than wild type (the original version of the virus) and 2-fold more infectious than Delta,” Garcia-Beltran and colleagues wrote in their study.
The data suggests Omicron may be able to infect people at a lower dose than Delta or the original variant.
Inside the lung tissue, Omicron has been reported to be less efficient at infecting cells than delta or the original version of the virus.
“The infection is more focused on the bronchia than the lungs and very fast,” Marc Veldhoen, an immunologist at the University of Lisbon, posted on Twitter.
Scientists now need to measure the viral loads inside people’s respiratory tracts.
With Delta, people have, on average, 1,000 times more virus particles in their respiratory tracts than with the original variants.
“I want to see what the viral loads look like for Omicron. Samples from people who are actually infected — that’s the gold standard. That’s where the action is,” said Garcia-Beltran.
On November 26, 2021, the WHO designated variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron.
Researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron.
“All variants of Covid-19, including the Delta variant that is dominant worldwide, can cause severe disease or death, in particular for the most vulnerable people, and thus prevention is always key,” according to the WHO.
The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the Covid-19 virus is to keep a physical distance of at least 1 metre from others, wear a well-fitting mask, open windows to improve ventilation, avoid poorly ventilated or crowded spaces, keep hands clean, cough or sneeze into a bent elbow or tissue, and get vaccinated when it’s their turn.
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Sweets
How to Make 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
This simple apple dump cake is the perfect dessert for fall. You’ll need a box of cake mix, apple pie filling and butter—that’s it!
I see dump cake recipe ideas all over TikTok because this dessert is so simple. The name, “dump cake,” refers to the way the ingredients are literally dumped into a baking dish—no mixing is required. A dump cake comes together in minutes and, after it’s baked, the flavor and textures are amazing. There are several types of dump cakes including peach cake, cherry pineapple cake and, of course, the ever-popular popular apple dump cake!
3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake Recipe
This easy apple dump cake uses cake mix and apple pie filling. Serve it on its own or topped with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
2 (20 ounce) cans apple pie filling
1 cup melted butter
Optional: 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar
You can also add vanilla extract, cinnamon or nutmeg to round out the flavors.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Then coat a 13×9-in. baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Layer the pie filling and cake mix
Pour the canned apple pie filling over the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, if desired. (I definitely did.)
Next, sprinkle the yellow cake mix over the canned apple pie filling.
Editor’s Tip: Be sure to spread the cake mix evenly. This will ensure the cake bakes evenly.
Step 3: Add the butter
Now it’s time for the melted butter! Pour evenly over the layers of apple pie filling and cake mix. Sprinkle with more cinnamon and sugar, if desired.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown on the top and bubbling around the edges of the baking dish.
Keep a close eye on the cake while it’s baking. Once you start to see bubbling around the edges, this usually means the filling has thickened in the middle and the cake is ready.
Let the cake cool for 10 to 15 minutes, to give the filling a chance to thicken a little more. Then it’s ready to serve!
Tips for Making Apple Dump Cake
Can you use fresh apples instead of apple pie filling?
You can certainly use fresh apples, but the apple dump cake will need to bake longer. If using fresh apples, peel the apples first, and be sure to add some extra cinnamon sugar to give the apples more flavor and balance out any tartness. Here are the best apples for apple bakes.
Does apple dump cake need to be refrigerated?
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Can an apple dump cake be frozen?
Baked apple dump cake can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the frozen dump cake in the refrigerator overnight, then bake at 350° for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave smaller servings for about 45 seconds or until warmed through.
Weight loss
Curd For Weight Loss: Does curd help in weight loss?
Yogurt is high in calcium. It helps in controlling BMI levels. The probiotics present in yogurt regulate the digestive system, thus facilitating the weight loss process.
Yogurt is something that we all include in our diet. It is rich in nutrients. Acts as a digestive stimulant. Yogurt is a probiotic dairy product. It is a very healthy food to add to your diet.
Yogurt is high in calcium. It helps in controlling BMI levels. The probiotics present in yogurt regulate the digestive system, thus facilitating the weight loss process.
It contains live bacteria known as Lactobacillus bulgaricus. This bacterium has been shown to alleviate dyspepsia.
Protein is an important nutrient for weight loss. Yogurt is high in protein. The bacterial content in curd helps in improving the functions of the intestines thereby resulting in proper digestion.
1 ounce of yogurt contains 12 grams of protein. Being a protein-rich food, yogurt keeps your stomach full for longer which keeps your hunger under control. It reduces excess fat.
Being a nutritious dairy product, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps in improving bone strength. Yogurt helps improve the thermogenesis process in your body, which increases the metabolic rate.
Yogurt contains important nutrients like calcium, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-2, potassium and magnesium which are essential for the overall development and growth of the body. These essential nutrients are extracted from the milk while making yogurt. However, yogurt is digested faster than milk.
Health
Bad Breath is no more, try these methods
Bad breath is a major problem facing many people today. Bad breath can be caused by anything from food waste to the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Here are some home remedies to get rid of bad breath
Although it may seem trivial, there are many among us who suffer from bad breath. Many people are unable to even speak in a group due to bad breath. Lack of confidence even to open mouth. Bad breath can be caused by the accumulation of food debris in the mouth and germs in the mouth. Dental and gum diseases are other common causes of bad breath.
Why, even digestive problems lead to bad breath. We do not have to worry about this problem anymore as we have some natural mouth fresheners at our fingertips that help to remove bad breath.
Cloves
Cloves are another common ingredient that is always found in our kitchen. Its anti-bacterial properties reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and reduce the risk of other dental problems such as bleeding and tooth decay. You can put a few cloves in your mouth and chew it to get rid of bad breath.
Water
Drinking very little water a day can also cause bad breath in your mouth. Water helps to expel bacteria from the mouth and prevent them from multiplying in the mouth. This will help keep your breath fresh. So, if you feel that your breath is stinking, drink plenty of water every day. You can also squeeze half a slice of lemon into your water to refresh your breath.
Honey and cinnamon
Honey and cinnamon have strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can help reduce the growth of bacteria in your mouth and maintain gum health. Regular application of honey and cinnamon on the teeth and gums can reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum bleeding and bad breath. Both ingredients are perfectly safe and can always be easily found in the kitchen.
Cinnamon, like cloves, has antibacterial properties that reduce the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. Just put a small piece of cinnamon in your mouth for a few minutes and then spit it out.
Salt Water
Rinsing the mouth with lukewarm salt water will prevent the growth of bad bacteria in the mouth and make your breath refreshing. Brine prevents the bacteria that cause bad breath from multiplying in the mouth and expelling them. Before going out, you need to mix 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of salt in a glass of water and rinse your mouth with that water.