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Instablog9ja

We Didn’t Win Any Medal In The 2024 Olympics Because We Didn’t Have Enough Time To Prepare — Sports Minister.

~0.5 mins read

John Enoh, minister of sports development, has apologised for Team Nigeria’s “abysmal performance” at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In a statement his social media on Sunday, the minister said the country’s performance at the Olympics “fell short of expectations”.

Nigeria presented over 80 athletes in Paris but failed to win an Olympic medal — for the first time since 2012.

The contingent battled administrative lapses and poor technical decisions alongside abysmal performances.

In the statement, Enoh said the sports ministry would reflect on what went wrong towards better performance at the upcoming Paralympics.

The minister also revealed that there were no preparations in place for the Olympics upon assumption of office a year ago.

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Healthwatch

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

~4.0 mins read

Concept of confusion, yellow cutout of head with scribbles and question marks in brain and top of head opening; turquoise blue background

Many people know the form of dementia called Alzheimer's disease. But what is frontotemporal dementia (FTD)? Damage to nerves in certain parts of the brain causes a group of frontotemporal disorders, affecting behavior and language as I'll describe below.

Early signs of frontotemporal dementia

Have you noticed someone behaving differently? Is your coworker doing odd things, such as slapping each door as they walk down the hall? Or has your previously kind and caring spouse lost their capacity for empathy, such that when you told them about your cancer diagnosis, they complained that your treatment schedule would interfere with their golf game? If so, they might be showing early signs of the behavioral variant of FTD.

Maybe there's a problem with language, rather than behavior. Perhaps it started with difficulty finding words (like any older adult), but is your sibling now having trouble with grammar and getting out an intelligible sentence? Or does your friend not know the meaning of some ordinary words, like pizza, lemonade, wood, or metal? If so, they might be showing signs of primary progressive aphasia, which may also be due to FTD.

A common pathology inside the brain

What's the connection between these behavior and language problems? Why are they both part of FTD?

Both have the same underlying causes: a family of abnormal proteins that can be seen under the microscope. In fact, more than a dozen different pathologies can cause FTD. Each of them can lead to either behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia or the language difficulties of primary progressive aphasia.

Location, location, location

How can the same pathology — the same abnormal protein — lead to either behavior problems or language problems, or sometimes both? The answer is, it depends on where the pathology is.

The frontal lobes of your brain, behind your forehead, regulate and guide your personality, judgement, and behavior. So, if the frontotemporal pathology is in this region, it will cause changes in personality, judgement, and behavior.

The left temporal lobe (near your left ear and temple) and a part of the left frontal lobe just above it are the critical brain regions for language. When these areas are affected by frontotemporal pathology, language problems develop.

How does frontotemporal dementia compare with Alzheimer's disease?

Frontotemporal dementia affects people in middle age, usually between ages 45 and 65, although one-quarter of individuals are diagnosed after age 65. Alzheimer's usually affects people over 65.

In terms of symptoms, people with frontotemporal dementia experience either language or behavior problems, whereas people with Alzheimer's disease — the most common cause of dementia — usually have memory problems.

Because more than 12 different abnormal proteins can cause frontotemporal dementia, it has a very variable time course. From the time of diagnosis, people with frontotemporal dementia need nursing home–level care in two to 20 years. The typical range with Alzheimer's disease is four to 12 years.

Who is at risk for FTD?

Up to 40% of cases of frontotemporal dementia run in families, but that means at least 60% of cases do not. Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for frontotemporal dementia as they approach middle age.

What are common signs of the behavioral variant?

There are six common signs of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, and most people with the disorder have at least three of them. They are:

loss of self-control

apathy or inertia (not wanting to do anything)

loss of sympathy or empathy

repetitive or compulsive, ritualistic behavior

uncontrolled or unusual eating

difficulty doing complicated tasks.

One individual I cared for with this disorder would walk up to strangers, stand closer than would be comfortable, and say loudly, "You're handsome!" Another would eat almost anything left out in the kitchen. One woman I treated with this disorder tried to pick up men from a restaurant — while her husband was sitting at the next table. A previously kind and shy grandfather with frontotemporal dementia began to ask his daughter-in-law for sexual favors.

What are common signs of the language variants?

Two variants of primary progressive aphasia are part of the frontotemporal dementia family of diseases. Common signs are:

difficulty getting words and sentences out, although the meaning of words is preserved (nonfluent or agrammatic variant). People become frustrated because they know what they want to say but find it difficult or impossible to do so.

losing the meaning of words (semantic variant). I had one patient who did not know the meaning of the words shoe, pants, foot, knee, elbow, and many other words related to clothing and parts of the body.

Can frontotemporal dementia be treated?

Currently, there is no cure or way to slow these disorders down, so treatment is supportive. SSRI medications (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can help with some disinhibited behaviors.

Speech therapy can be helpful, at least initially, with primary progressive aphasia, but thus far no medications are effective.

What can I do if I suspect that someone has frontotemporal dementia?

FTD is difficult to diagnose. Because it affects people in middle age, dementia is usually not suspected. Early in the disease, people are often thought to be having a midlife crisis, depression, or perhaps a drug or alcohol problem. Many marriages end prior to the diagnosis because the spouse with the disorder has grown self-absorbed and inconsiderate over several years.

If you do suspect the disorder, start by simply asking the person if there is anything that you can help with. You may find out that it is another problem entirely. But if it is becoming clear that this or another form of dementia may be involved, encourage them and their family to discuss this possibility with their doctor.

Source: Harvard Health Publishing

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Instablog9ja

DaddyFreeze Reacts To A Miracle That Occurred At Pastor Jerry Eze’s Prayer Conference In The U.K.

~0.6 mins read

At Pastor Jerry Eze’s recent NSPPD event in the UK, a remarkable miracle took place that has captured widespread attention. A young girl, who had been unable to walk, experienced a sudden healing during the prayer conference, a testament to the event’s focus on divine intervention and faith. This miraculous moment has sparked various reactions, particularly from notable figures and the Nigerian public.

Media entrepreneur Daddy Freeze, known for his controversial views on religious matters, weighed in on the event. He expressed skepticism about the miracle, stirring a heated response from Nigerians. Freeze’s comments have been polarizing; while some support his critical perspective, others view it as undermining genuine faith and spiritual experiences. His comments included criticism of what he perceives as the commercialization of miracles, which has fueled further debate among followers.

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Investopedia

Insulin Pump Maker Insulet's Stock Slumps On User Growth Concerns

~1.4 mins read

Shares of Insulet (PODD) suffered the heaviest losses of any S&P 500 stock on Friday, dropping 8.8% after the maker of insulin management devices suggested new user growth could be lower than previously expected in the second half of 2024, despite topping second-quarter sales estimates.

Insulet reported diluted earnings of $2.59 per share on revenue of $488.5 million, growing from the year-ago period and exceeding analysts' estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Revenue gains were boosted by a 26.3% year-over-year jump in sales of the company's Omnipod device.

However, adjusted earnings per share of 55 cents slightly missed expectations as the company recognized the impact of a $13.5 million charge during the quarter related to inventory it anticipates will remain underutilized.

The company said it still anticipates users will grow in the second half of the year, though it suggested the pace of growth could be lower than previously anticipated, driven by a reduced numbers of patients switching from competing devices.

In a note released following the earnings report, Baird analysts said they heard concerns from investors about user growth, particularly in the U.S., but said Insulet could be poised to generate additional quarter-over-quarter improvements in global new patient starts this year.

Baird maintained an "outperform" rating and $238 price target for Insulet stock, highlighting the company's increasing margin strength and potential for global sales growth.

The company raised its guidance for full-year revenue growth to between 16% and 19%, up from a previous range of 14% to 18%.

With Thursday's losses, Insulet shares have fallen about 16% since the start of the year.

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