Hangovers decrease with age,finds study

Gum disease bacteria may worsen arthritis

Washington: Scientists have found that a bacteria responsible for gum disease can lead to earlier onset of arthritis and speed up the progression of the crippling condition. Researchers have found that the bacterium responsible for periodontal disease,Porphyromonas gingivalis,worsens rheumatoid arthritis RA by leading to earlier onset,faster progression and greater severity of the disease,including increased bone and cartilage destruction. They also found that P gingivalis produces a unique enzyme,peptidylarginine deiminanse PAD which then enhances collagen-induced arthritis CIA,a form of arthritis similar to RA produced in the lab. The enzyme changes residues of certain proteins into citrulline,and the body recognises citullinated proteins as intruders,leading to an immune attack. In RA patients,the subsequent result is chronic inflammation responsible for bone and cartilage destruction within the joints.