Imagine this. A young teenager, 17, years old, who is fully developed. Now imagine this, the same teenager has a fully developed extra set of limbs and a pelvis. That extra set of pair is attached with chest artery. But, how can this happen?

While it is extremely rare, and has a chance of less than one case occurring per 100,000 births. Such things do happen. This is called parasitic twin.

What Is A Parasitic Twin?

It is an extremely rare type of cojoined twin where a baby is born with an underdeveloped twin attached to its body. This condition is also known as vestigial twins. The condition is very closely related to conjoined twins, where babies are connected at birth and share organs. However, the main difference is that in conjoined twins, there are two developed babies, whereas in parasitic twins, only one is fully developed, other one is underdeveloped and non functional.

In such a case, the twin who is developed is medically known as the autositic or the dominant twin. The dominant twin is healthy in most aspect but may have extra tissue, organs, or limbs from the parasitic twin.

The parasitic twin may be attached with the dominant twin through several places. The common joints are at the head, torso, chest, pelvis, buttocks, or back. In these cases, the parasitic twin is not alive and they die either in the womb or during the childbirth.

Doctors Remove Parasitic Twin

Now, let's go back to the case we referred to, where a young teenager had an extra pair of limbs attached to chest. The teenager who has not been named is from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao neighbourhood, and was treated in AIIMS, Delhi. The team of doctors successfully removed the extra set of limbs from his body.

Dr Asuri Krishna, who led the team of specialist who surgically removed the extra limbs told the BBC that only 40 to 50 cases of parasitic twins have been documented in world medical literature, and in those cases, the surgery had been attempted on children. The doctor said that without much medical literature to guide them, the team of doctors depended on "intuition, skill and knowledge".

The doctor shared that the child had two fully formed legs, buttocks and external genitalia, which weighed around 15kg "protruding from his abdomen".

How Was The Surgery Performed?

The doctor shared that first they identified how interconnected the parasitic and host twins were. The doctors took scans and found that parasitic twin was attached to the teen's breastbone. The blood was being supplied from a vessel in his chest. However, "there wasn't much connection with other main organs like the liver or kidneys," said Dr Krishna. The team also found a large cyst in the teen's abdomen.

Then the surgery was performed in two stages. In the first stage, the parasitic twin was removed. Then the cystic mass was extracted from the surrounded area. The entire surgery was completed in two and a half hours and the team of doctors included radiologists, anaesthetists, and plastic surgeons.

The biggest challenge was when the teen's blood pressure dropped as 30 to 40% of his blood flowed to the parasitic twin, however, the doctors were prepared for it and they stabilized him.

Reality television personality Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi has revealed she has been diagnosed with stage-one cervical cancer after undergoing further testing for previously detected abnormal cells.

The Jersey Shore alum shared in a Feb. 20 TikTok video that a cone biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that develops in gland-lining cells. Doctors discovered the disease less than a month after she first announced the presence of cancerous cervical cells.

“Not the news I was hoping for,” the 38-year-old said, adding that the early detection significantly improved her outlook.

Detected Early After Years Of Tests

Polizzi said she had experienced abnormal Pap smear results for several years before undergoing the procedure that led to the diagnosis. She encouraged followers not to delay screenings out of fear or discomfort, noting early detection made the cancer potentially curable.

Medical teams also informed her that the cancer had not spread deeper into the cervix — an encouraging sign — though adenocarcinoma can be more aggressive and may spread to lymph nodes if untreated.

Further Scans And Likely Surgery

Doctors have scheduled a PET scan to determine whether the cancer has spread elsewhere in the body. Depending on the findings, treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.

Polizzi said she is leaning toward a hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, describing it as the most sensible course of action.

Message to Fans: Don’t Skip Screenings

The television star, a mother of three, thanked supporters for their encouragement and said she plans to keep sharing updates during treatment.

She also stressed the importance of routine check-ups, calling cervical cancer “nothing to joke about” and urging people to seek timely testing, even when it feels uncomfortable or frightening.

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, begins on the surface of the cervix and involves the growth of abnormal cells in its lining. Cervical cancer is primarily caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is preventable with a vaccine.

There are three main types of cervical cancer:

• Squamous cell carcinoma: This type forms in the lining of the cervix and accounts for about 70% of cases.
• Adenocarcinoma: This type forms in the cells that produce mucus and is less common.
• Mixed carcinoma: This type has features of both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

Preventive measures, including the HPV vaccine and regular screenings, are crucial in reducing the risk of cervical cancer. Early detection and treatment significantly improve the chances of successful outcomes.

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer

In its early stages, cervical cancer typically doesn’t show any symptoms, which is why regular screening is important to catch it at this stage. Once symptoms do start appearing, they include abnormal vaginal bleeding (in between periods) and unusual vaginal discharge. Pain during sex in the pelvic region is another common symptom. As the cancer worsens, patients may experience more severe symptoms like weight loss, fatigue and leg swelling.

Precancerous changes in cervical cells rarely cause symptoms. The only way to detect abnormal cells that may develop into cancer is through a cervical screening test. If these early cell changes progress into cervical cancer, the most common signs include:

• Vaginal bleeding between periods
• Menstrual bleeding that is longer or heavier than usual
• Pain during intercourse
• Bleeding after intercourse
• Pelvic pain
• Changes in vaginal discharge, such as increased discharge or discharge with a strong or unusual color or smell
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause

These symptoms can be caused by other conditions, but if you are worried or symptoms persist, it is essential to contact your doctor. This is important for anyone with a cervix, including individuals who are straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Early signs of cervical cancer can include:

• Pain during sex
• Unusual vaginal bleeding, such as after sex, between periods, after menopause, or following a pelvic exam
• Unusual vaginal discharge that is watery, bloody, and/or has a strong odour

As cervical cancer progresses, it can cause additional symptoms, such as:

• Pelvic pain
• Trouble urinating
• Swollen legs
• Kidney failure
• Bone pain
• Weight loss and lack of appetite
• Fatigue
• Backache
• Stomach pain

It is crucial to note that you might not notice symptoms of cervical cancer until it has advanced. Regular screenings and prompt medical consultation for any concerning symptoms are vital for early detection and effective treatment.

Adolescents who use cannabis could face a significantly higher risk of developing psychotic (doubled), bipolar (doubled), depressive and anxiety disorders, a study shows.

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente, the Public Health Institute's Getting it Right from the Start, the University of California, San Francisco and the University of Southern California, who studied 463,396 adolescents ages 13 to 17 through age 26, found that children between these ages were extremely prone to developing mental illnesses.

Lynn Silver, MD, program director of the Getting it Right from the Start, a program of the Public Health Institute, and study co-author noted: "As cannabis becomes more potent and aggressively marketed, this study indicates that adolescent cannabis use is associated with double the risk of incident psychotic and bipolar disorders, two of the most serious mental health conditions.

"The evidence increasingly points to the need for an urgent public health response - one that reduces product potency, prioritizes prevention, limits youth exposure and marketing and treats adolescent cannabis use as a serious health issue, not a benign behavior."

"Even after accounting for prior mental health conditions and other substance use, adolescents who reported cannabis use had a substantially higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders - particularly psychotic and bipolar disorders.

"This study adds to the growing body of evidence that cannabis use during adolescence could have potentially detrimental, long-term health effects. It's imperative that parents and their children have accurate, trusted, and evidence-based information about the risks of adolescent cannabis use," Kelly Young-Wolff, Ph.D., lead author of the study and senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, added.

The observational US-focused study also found that cannabis use was more common among adolescents enrolled in Medicaid and those living in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods.

How Does Cannabis Usage In Teens Affect Overall Health?

Strong links have also been found between adolescent cannabis use and mental health issues, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

Additionally, smoking cannabis can lead to breathing problems similar to tobacco, such as chronic bronchitis. It can also cause an increased heart rate, and some studies suggest a higher risk of heart attacks.

Early initiation, especially before age 16, increases the risk of developing Cannabis Use Disorder (addiction). High-potency products can lead to rapid onset of withdrawal symptoms, mood changes, and even physical complications like Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (severe nausea/vomiting)

Why Should Early Cannabis Usage Be Discouraged?

Compared to teens who don't use cannabis, those who do are more likely to drop out of high school or not finish a college degree. Using cannabis can cause several immediate and long-term problems for teens:

• Difficulty Thinking
• Memory Issues
• Poor Coordination
• Attention Problems
• School and Social Troubles
• Cannabis use can also lead to more serious issues that affect a teen's overall life.
• Increased Mental Health Risks

Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and unsafe, as it severely slows reaction time. Cannabis reduces coordination and concentration, impacting all the skills necessary for responsible and safe driving.

Around 30 percent of cannabis users are also known to develop an addiction (cannabis use disorder). Failing to quit or choosing the drug over family activities are signs. This risk is higher for frequent teen users.

Scientists have created a three-dimensional "heart-on-a-chip" (HOC) model that beats on its own, uses calcium to initiate muscular activity and responds predictably to common drugs in hopes that it will help fight against cardiovascular diseases and heart failure.

This engineered heart is the first to incorporate a dual-sensing platform that provides real-time tracking of activity throughout the heart tissue down to the cellular level, helping scientists measure cellular function, which is critical for preventing heart failure in patients with CVDs.

First author Ali Mousavi, a biomedical engineer at the University of Montreal: "The ability to observe the tissue's response to different compounds in real time represents a major advantage for preclinical development and translational research."

To create their heart-on-chip (HOC) models, researchers collected heart muscle and connective tissue cells from rats. They placed the cells in a gel rich in proteins and nutrients to help them grow, then put them onto tiny, flexible silicon chips.

To measure how the tissue worked, they used two types of sensors. First, they attached the engineered heart tissue between two small elastic pillars. Each time the tissue beat, the pillars bent slightly, and this bending showed how strong the heartbeat was.

Then they placed tiny, soft gel-based sensors inside the tissue. These very small droplets—about 50 micrometers wide—changed shape as the cells contracted. This allowed the researchers to measure mechanical stress at the level of individual cells.

Talking about this development, senior author Houman Savoji, a mechanical and biomedical engineer at the University of Montreal said: "This breakthrough brings us even closer to true precision health by giving us the ability to identify the most effective medication for each person before treatment is even administered."

The Rising Heart Attack Crisis

During a heart attack, a lack of blood flow causes the cells and tissue in the heart muscle to die, leading to irreversible damage that can result in serious complications like arrhythmias, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest.

It is one of the leading causes of death in the country. Four Indians experience a heart attack every minute, with one in four dying of the cause. Experts have also noticed a rising trend of nearly 50 percent of heart attack patients being under the age of 40, with half of all heart attacks in Indian men occurring under 50.

Coronary Artery Disease: The Silent KillerCoronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common illnesses that can cause a heart attack in people. It develops over years and has no clear signs and symptoms apart from a heart attack.

The illness begins due to a buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances known as plaque in and on the artery walls.

Over time, this can cause narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries and block the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart which can lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath and ultimately, heart attacks.

READ MORE: How This Chinese Medicine Can Improve Blood Flow In Angina Patients

Typically, those above the age of 45, having a biological family member with heart disease, lack of sleep, smoking, consuming saturated fats along with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, can increase the risk of developing CAD.

Nearly one in 10 Indian adults suffer from CAD and about two million people die from the disease annually. Apart from this, about 18 to 20 million American adults aged 20 and older are also affected about the disease.

How Much You Should Exercise To Prevent CAD?

Moreover, regular exercise can also reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as several types of cancer. It can also help improve sleep, cognition, including memory, attention and processing speed.

Dr Hayes recommends opting for a cardiac evaluation such as an electrocardiogram, or EKG; a stress test; a cardiac MRI or CT scan to generate images of your heart if you notice changes in your ability to exercise or cannot perform consistent levels of exercise.