Maarten and Linus were the first set of twins in the world to be treated, in utero, for a genetic disorder which could have resulted in a life-threatening condition – hyperthermia.

Mom of the twins, Corinna, already has a son who suffers from the genetic disorder, which was only discovered when he was two years old because he hadn’t grown any teeth.

When she found out that she was pregnant again, with twins, her doctors confirmed that both twins had the genetic disorder.

The disorder is known as a genetic deficiency of ectodysplasin A (EDA), which causes X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED). This results in irreversibly impaired development of the sweat glands.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes hyperthermia as being “too hot for your health”. It includes having abnormally high temperatures due to the failure of the heat-regulating mechanism in the body.

Regulating body temperature

If your body is unable to regulate temperature and you have an elevated temperature more often than not, it could result life-threatening conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The corrective treatment was conducted by doctors and professors at University Hospital Erlangen, Germany, and was documented in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study abstract states that two pregnant women were treated – Corrina and the mother of a single baby.

Doctors treated the twins by administering the protein intra-amniotically at the 26th week and then again at the 31st week, which was two weeks before they were born.

Protein replacement therapy

CNN reports that doctors used a “fusion protein” or “protein-replacement therapy” which contained the fundamental part of the EDA protein. It is important that it be administered at the right time in the development of the foetus.

The doctors who had been investigating the treatment had been treating mice and dogs with an adaptation of the disorder by injecting a protein into the amniotic fluid. This is the first time that they had tried the treatment on human beings.

After confirmation of the pregnancy and the genetic disorder, Corinna contacted Dr Holm Schneider, who was conducting the study and treating mice and dogs.

The German mom told CNN that they realised that the treatment had worked after doing a “sweat test” – they found wet car seats during the first summer and were excited that the treatment had worked.

The, now, two-year-old twins have never become overheated and sweat “normally” like any other two-year-old toddlers and they have more teeth than their older brother, who suffers from the genetic disorder.

Critical factors need addressing

A few health professionals around the world weighed in on the result of the study and said that while the success story of the twins is remarkable, a larger clinical trial is still required.

Schneider said that they are hoping to embark on a larger study with 15 to 20 pregnancies for their follow up clinical trial.

Dr Susan Klugman, a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York raised a few concerns about the dangers around diagnosis, reports CNN.

Klugman mentioned that injecting substances into the amniotic fluid may be harmful and have serious consequences, such as preterm birth or loss of the foetus.

“Timing is also crucial because doctors’ ability to treat genetic disorder in the womb is limited by how and when a foetus is screened. Genetic disorders in particular are not often tested for in a prenatal screen, but some families might test for a specific disorder, if they know it runs in the family. Even then, it can take time to get results back, leaving little time to act,” said Klugman.

Compiled by Stefni Herbert

She was once a terror on the soccer field – a dynamo in green and gold aptly nicknamed “Troublemaker” because of her ability to mess with the opposing team. But former Banyana Banyana midfielder Makhosi Luthuli (45) is a shadow of her once vibrant self.

Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, has taken over her life – as well as her face. Broke, alone and sick, she has been battling the debilitating cancer since it was diagnosed in 2011.

“When it started, I didn’t pay much attention,” she says. “I thought it was just a swelling on my upper jaw. But I got worried when the swelling grew rapidly.”

The former national star now lives with her nephew, Sihle Luthuli (32), in KwaPhumphele, in Mariannhill near Pinetown, Durban. Her only child, her son Mfundo Luthuli (20), lives with her sister, Teresa Dlamini, at Magabeni, 50 kilometres south of Durban.

Living with lymphoma is very difficult, she says. When news first surfaced of her condition, rumours spread that she had died. “I was sad but I didn’t let it affect me too much,” she says.

“I knew it was just malicious people saying these things. “I’m not scared of dying but I am not dying any time soon. Cancer has not taken my talent and skill away from me. I am still Makhosi, the Troublemaker,” she says.

When Makhosi first noticed the swelling on her face she went to a local hospital and was referred to King Dinuzulu Hospital in Durban for scans. She was then sent to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital “where I was eventually diagnosed with lymphoma cancer,” she says.

As defiant as she is about her disease, it’s clear the cancer has taken its toll. “I cannot breathe because my nose has been disfigured,” she says. “I cannot speak properly because my mouth has been affected. My jaws have been affected too – I’m losing teeth and I can’t eat properly. “My left eye and ear have closed and my kidneys have also been damaged because of the treatment.” Makhosi started chemotherapy and radiation therapy in 2012, which helped slow the march of cancer through her body but has not killed the rampant cells altogether. She is still receiving treatment and is desperate for more help. “In February I became so desperate that I barged into the mayor’s office without an appointment to request assistance,” she says. “The mayor did not hesitate. She quickly consulted with [KwaZulu-Natal businessman] Sandile Zungu, who donated R100 000 towards my treatment,” Makhosi says. eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede tells DRUM she was “touched by [Makhosi’s] bravery”.“That’s why I decided to contact businesspeople like Sandile to help,” she says. Makhosi survives on a disability grant of R1 690. “This is for supplements because my immune system needs to be boosted,” she explains. “I also use it for transport, groceries, medication, toiletries and other necessities. The grant is not enough because I have special needs. Because of my condition, I can eat only soft food.” Yet despite her hardships she hasn’t given up on life – or on her first love, soccer. She started a football academy for kids in 2011 – the same year she received her cancer diagnosis – in order to give back to her community. “I spend a lot of time on the field in sport development,” she says. “I also do the paperwork for the team and the rest of the time I do house chores, such as cleaning, cooking and laundry. “I hardly go to town because when I’m in public, people tend to stare at me.” Makhosi tries to stay positive and has accepted her condition as best she can. “I know there are people who are worse off than me, so I can’t live my life complaining. When I finally get healed I want to help others in a similar position.” She will need a team of doctors who specialise in this type of cancer to perform the operation she needs, she says. Johannesburg-based paediatric oncologist Dr Jennifer Geel says while treatment of the kind Makhosi needs is available in South Africa, “the only problem is that all the lymphoma cancer doctors have moved into private healthcare. So, while there are doctors available to do the operation, it is extremely expensive as patients can only do it privately.” Makhosi remains optimistic: “I understand that my condition is complicated but I also believe help is on its way. I am going to beat this and my life will get back to normal. This is the battle I have to fight and I know I’ll come out of it as a conqueror.”

Makhosi joined Banyana Banyana in 1997 and was the first South African woman to be trained as a coach for a national side. She finished her first coaching course in 2002 under her mentor, late SA soccer stalwart Ted Dumitru. She still needs to move up the various levels but believes she can do it – her disability is not a hindrance, she says.

“I feel sad because at my age and with my experience I should have had my own house and car. I should have been very far in life.

“I joined the Banyana squad at 25. At the time I was studying public administration at the Mangosuthu University of Technology but I didn’t finish that qualification because my parents didn’t have enough money. “Later I went to the University of KwaZulu-Natal where I got a Bachelor of Social Science degree.” She believes she was “dumped” from Banyana in 2005 when she still had lots of play left in her but she has no hard feelings and plenty of fond memories. “I can’t disassociate myself from Banyana Banyana – I’m part of that history. I wore the number 8 jersey and made huge contributions there. I miss playing, I miss my teammates and I miss that environment. Even if things haven’t gone in my favour, I know I served my country.”

Durban tycoon Sandile Zungu hopes the money he pledged will go some way towards helping Makhosi. But he knows it’s not enough. The businessman made the donation through the Zodwa Zungu Foundation, which he set up in 2016 after the cancer death of his wife, Zodwa. Sandile pledges something every year to mark his birthday and Makhosi’s appeal coincided with his 51st birthday. Makhosi is grateful and hopes she’ll get the treatment she needs, so she can leave her home without worrying about the stares of strangers.

Zama Chutshela

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced that the Department plans to run a massive cancer campaign in his Health Budget Vote speech for 2018/2019.

He also said that the department will, without compromise, target tobacco smoking and sugar intake.

In his speech, Dr Motsoaledi quoted a few portions of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address, one of them being, “We will also need to confront lifestyle diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular diseases. We will launch a huge cancer campaign, similar to the HIV counselling and testing campaign.”

Unhealthy lifestyles a contributor

Dr Motsoaledi said he’s aware that there are many causes for different cancers, including genetic and hormonal factors, but unhealthy lifestyle is also a major contributing factor.

“I am sure Honourable Members are aware that Cabinet has approved for public participation, the amendments to the anti-tobacco legislation in order to take tougher measures against tobacco.

“Please do not allow yourself to be rented by the tobacco and sugar companies to become their spokespersons here in Parliament and in the communities,” said Dr Motsoaledi.

Creating the cancer campaign

As the department plans to embark on their new cancer campaign, Dr Motsoaledi told the National Assembly that the department is consulting with stakeholders, including civil society organisations, as well as suppliers of diagnostic equipment and cancer drugs to co-design the cancer campaign.

The campaign aims to bring about more awareness and education around various cancers, especially breast, cervical and prostate cancers.

Dr Motsoaledi said, “While there are different causes for the different cancers, including genetic and hormonal factors, unhealthy lifestyles are also major contributing factors. We need to target all the causes of cancer to ensure that we have the best possible chance of decreasing their incidence.

“Cancer need not be inevitable, or a death sentence, or universally difficult to treat. We can prevent many cancers and successfully treat many of them if diagnosed early.

“Our campaign, therefore, will seek in the first instance to provide South Africans with the information that they need to prevent cancer, to self-screen, such as breast examinations, and to get tested for breast, cervical and prostate cancers, for example.”

Dr Motsoaledi added that a considerable portion of funding, which comes from the sugar tax, has been allocated to the Department of Health for the cancer campaign.

^{Image credit: iStock}

Stefni Herbert

Our skin is rife with oil and bacteria, much of which is temporarily stripped away when we use soap. Sounds like a good thing, but disrupting this fragile ecosystem creates an oil imbalance, causing our exterior to feel tight and dry after bathing.

Scientists have long studied how our epidermis adapts to changes in its environment and what that means when it comes to our self-care. I wanted to see for myself how my skin would adjust when I switched up my routine and stopped using soap.

Read more: How to detox your skin after overdoing the alcohol, sweets or salt

When I proposed the idea to my friends, they cringed. I live in the US, where it’s currently summer so perhaps it isn’t the best time to go soapless. The oppressive heat and humidity make a perfect breeding ground for filth.

Cleansers are supposed to rinse away these impurities, but would plain old water work just as well? New York City dermatologist Dr Dina Anderson, explained that unlike soap, water itself won’t bind to the oils and impurities and remove them from the skin.

Willing to put water to the test, I showered for two weeks without soap to see if I could remain unsullied. Here’s what happened.

I took hotter showers

During the first few days, I constantly had to remind myself not to reach for the suds. This was particularly challenging when I came home from a long run, drenched in a sticky mass of sweat and sunscreen. I craved a cold shower, but instead I cranked up the heat, since the hot water was my only option to combat the dirt.

After a few days of following this routine I began looking forward to my steam-filled showers. I soon relished in the sauna-like atmosphere that my bathroom had developed.

Read more: This guy took freezing cold showers every day for a week. Here’s what happened

My skin felt healthier

A week later I noticed a significant difference in my skin from not using soap. It transformed from a patchy dry scurf to a creamy soft glow. Stepping out of the shower once entailed a ceremonious ritual of slabbing on moisturisers to relieve my dry, constricted skin. The chemicals in soap are known to be dehydrating.

Dr Anderson says, “Your skin feels tight and dry from the surfactants, which make the lather, or the alkaline base, which helps remove the oils from the skin.”

Bathing with only water balanced out my skin’s essential oils. It felt healthier and smoother without the use of harsh chemicals typically found in cleansers.

Read more: The strange reason your skin itches when you work out

I saved time and money

I stopped using additional grooming products like lotions and exfoliants. Because I wasn’t stripping away my natural oils with irritating solvents, my skin didn’t require as much attention. Primping took half the time and cost as it did when soap was in the mix.

I didn’t stink

Most of my experiment went off without a hitch, but insecurity set in as I made my way to a job interview after a weekend hiking trip. Would I stink? It turns out bathing with water is sufficient in removing topical odours. Although I didn’t smell like a bouquet of roses, I also didn’t reek like a pile of sweaty socks.

With all the scents and perfumes pumped into cleansers, I discovered that soap doesn’t actually deodorise. It simply adds a mild top layer of fragrance, which evaporates within a few hours anyway.

I was taken aback at how little maintenance and stench my new soapless life presented. I know that lathering up every day isn’t vital to being squeaky clean. I wasn’t expecting any change in my usual preening or skin quality when removing soap from my life, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many benefits I garnered. It might do you some good to give your skin a soap vacation now and then.

Read more: Upgrade your grooming routine by downsizing your product stash, here’s how

^{This article was originally published on www.menshealth.com}

^{Image credit: iStock} 

Things masturbation causes: happiness, satisfaction, amazing orgasms. And now, some people on the Internet are apparently claiming that it causes acne, too.

I called a dermatologist to get all the details on this thought-provoking sex-turned-skincare dilemma.

What actually causes acne?

“Acne is caused by a combination of four things: excess sebum (oil) production, hyperkeratinisation of the pores (aka clogging of pores with keratin/dead skin cells, because they don’t know how to shed), bacteria and inflammation,” says dermatologist and pediatrician Dr Tsippora Shainhouse.

Read more: 7 struggles all adult women with acne understand

Okay… Does masturbation cause acne?

Notice what’s not part of that abovementioned foursome? Solo acts, twosomes, threesomes… Masturbation – and sex in general – is not making you break out.

Dr Shainhouse says that hormones (specifically testosterone and progesterone) can increase oil production, and can also increase the inflammatory response. That’s why your breakouts are often worse in the week leading up to your period – because that’s when your body is producing more progesterone and testosterone.

Read more: Where your acne breaks out on your face could be the key to solving your health woes

Why does the hormonal thing matter? “Hormones are charged up and unbalanced during adolescence and puberty (which is why adolescents develop acne),” says Dr Shainhouse. “Puberty can also be a time of self-exploration and, perhaps, masturbation, so the ‘fear’ likely arose that masturbation might be what is causing acne,” she says.

Dr Shainhouse says that while masturbation (and sex) can temporarily increase your testosterone levels, it’s not nearly enough to have an impact on your long-term skin health – especially since those levels shrink back to normal within minutes. (Sounds like another aspect of sex we know all too well, hmm?)

Read more: 6 things you’re doing that are causing your skin to break out badly

Does masturbation have any effect on your skin?

That’s not to say that your sex life isn’t affecting your skin in other ways. Dr Shainhouse says some research has shown that adrenaline levels rise in the blood during orgasm – which explains both the sweating and the healthy glow immediately after the act. (So yes, Samantha Jones really was onto something).

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com}

^{Image credit: iStock}