Page 110 - Health Medical Pharma

Hypertension drug shows promise in liver disease

A drug used to lower blood pressure within a system of veins and inflammation could effectively treat a potentially life-threatening condition of the liver, say researchers, including one of the Indian origin.

Medtronic heart devices vulnerable to hacking: US

The US Homeland Security Department has issued an alert, describing two types of hacking vulnerabilities in 16 different models of Medtronic implantable defibrillators.

IMA to organise public awareness program for eliminating TB

The Indian Medical Association will organise an awareness program on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day to highlight the steps required to end the disease. The program aims to increase awareness about the disease among the public and ways to curb its instances and related mortality and morbidity by 2025, a statement by the IMA said. The World TB day is commemorated on March 24 every year. IMA's slogan for this event will be 'IMA Ka Naara, TB se Chutkara'. Its inauguration will be begin with lighting of a lamp by Santanu Sen, IMA's national president, followed by the release of 137 balloons to mark the 137th anniversary of the day. The awareness program will be carried out in all the 1750 branches of the IMA across India. Sensitizing the public through such events will be a step closer towards eliminating TB from the country, it said. Among the highlights of the event is a street play. Training sessions will also be imparted to many NGOs present on the occasion. Over 500 students, .

Anti-TB drugs can add to the risk of TB re-infection

A recent study revealed that treatments available for tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), may not always prevent re-infection.In a recent study published in the Journal of Mucosal Immunology, researchers have shown that anti-TB drugs caused changes to gut microbiota, the diverse community of microbes living in human beings' intestines, and increased susceptibility to Mtb infection.According to the study, "gut microbiota are critical to keep us healthy; digest food, combat pathogenic microbes and reinforce our immune system. Recent research has shown that chronic use of antibiotic leads to disruption of this community, which can in turn lead to dysregulation of the immune system."However, it remains unclear if changes in the composition of the microbes living in our gut have an influence on TB infection.A team of researchers found out the impact of anti-TB drugs on microbiome by treating mice with the most commonly used anti-TB drugs, isoniazid, rifampicin and

TB can cause infertility in women, say experts

Tuberculosis (TB) bacterium primarily affects the lungs, but can also spread and cause secondary infections to the uterus and even the fallopian tubes, which can reduce chances of pregnancy, health experts warned ahead of the World Tuberculosis Day that falls on March 24.

Modulating blood stem cells could facilitate harvest for transplants

A recent research reveals that modulating stiffness of blood-forming stem cells could possibly facilitate mobilisation procedures used for stem cell-based transplants.Results of the study from animal research were published in the Cell Stem Cell journal. Temporary squishiness could help drive blood-forming stem cells out of the bone marrow and into the blood, but the cells need to be stiff to stay put and replenish the blood and immune system, Scientists at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Georgia Tech have found out.How deformable cells are, and thus how stiff or squishy they are, plays an important role in retaining blood-forming stem cells in their marrow niches and thus preserving their long-term repopulation capabilities, informed lead author Cheng-Kui Qu, MD, PhD.The research provides insights into how alterations in blood stem cell biomechanics can be associated with certain blood disorders, including leukemias.'Bone marrow ...

Anti-TB drugs may not prevent reinfection: Study

Anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs cause changes to gut microbiota and increase susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) -- a major reason why current treatments are ineffective in preventing reinfections, say researchers.

Research identifies new drug for treating liver diseases

According to a recent study, the researchers have found a drug that can successfully treat potentially life-threatening liver diseases like Cirrhosis.The study was published in the Journal of Gastroenterology. While there are drug therapies to treat some forms of liver diseases like Hepatitis C and Autoimmune Hepatitis. But for conditions like portal hypertension, where there is an increase in pressure within the portal vein that carries blood from abdominal organs to the liver. This is associated with cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases.According to the researchers, a drug called Sivelestat may effectively lower portal hypertension, improving symptoms and outcomes for those patients. The study results were obtained from mouse models but have since been confirmed in liver samples from humans."This was an exciting confirmation of our findings and their applicability to human disease. Sivelestat has been safely used in humans with acute lung injury and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Weight loss drug phentermine, safe and effective for long term use: Study

A study recently found that the weight loss drug called Phentermine, which can only be used for a short while, may also be safe and effective for longer-term treatment.The inexpensive drug Phentermine is FDA approved to use. However, it can only be used for a period of three months and no longer than that. The researchers tried to understand how the long term use of this drug affects the general population. This study was published in the journal Obesity.The lead author Kristina H. Lewis said, "Although diet and exercise are critical components of any weight-loss program, up to half of the patients don't have long-term success with lifestyle changes alone. In some cases, medications or surgery can help. Generic phentermine is an effective and affordable option, but now that we view obesity as a chronic disease, it's important to have medications that can be used indefinitely. Most new weight-loss drugs are approved for long-term use, but unfortunately, the newer drugs can be expensive

Tahira calls for regular check ups, mammography

Writer-director and actor Ayushmann Khurrana's wife Tahira Kashyap, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, has called on everyone to get regular check ups and mammograms done if needed.

Maryam thanks Punjab govt for addressing Nawaz's 'deteriorating health'

Daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday thanked the Punjab government here for addressing her ailing father's 'deteriorating health'."I am told that MNS's blood samples to check his renal function (urea & creatinine) have been taken. Thank you very much. I hope the lab results, as soon as they come, will also be shared with me," Maryam tweeted while apparently referring to her father."Permission to meet MNS also granted. Thank you again," she added.Ailing Nawaz is currently serving imprisonment at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore in connection with graft cases.In her previous tweets, Maryam had said that Sharif's renal function is "deteriorating further" and "his kidney disease is on stage three", demanding the Punjab government to free her father.Maryam stated that the doctor who went for the medical check-up of Nawaz "was not allowed in and sent back." Maryam claimed that letters requesting permission to visit her father had been sent by her without any response ..

Indore: 41 dead due to swine flu in 2019

As many as 41 people have died due to swine flu in Madhya Pradesh's Indore."From January till date, we sent 644 samples for tests, out of which 152 were positive and reports of 10 are yet to come. 41 deaths reported out of which 20 were from Indore. Currently, 19 patients with swine flu are admitted," Praveen Jadiya, chief medical and health officer, Indore told ANI."We have increased the number of fever clinics and screening centres, patients are being given primary treatment there," Jadiya added.Swine flu is an infection caused by one of several swine influenza viruses (SIV), with the H1N1 strain being the most common across the country.H1N1 virus spreads when an individual touches an infected person or breathes droplets of coughs and sneezes that are in the air.

Handful of nuts daily can boost memory in elderly

While age is known as the strongest risk factor for cognitive decline, eating a handful of nuts every day can improve mental health and memory skills by up to 60 per cent, finds a study.

AIIMS launches mobile methadone vans to provide treatment to opioid addicts

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Friday launched mobile methadone vans to provide treatment to opioid addicts in inner city neighbourhoods. As a pilot project, the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of AIIMS has initiated the new service of delivering methadone through a mobile van in East Delhi. Opioid addiction is a significant problem in India, professor at NDDTC Dr Atul Ambekar said, adding these people require medicines such as methadone or buprenorphine for getting rid of the addiction. Methadone is a prescription drug given in a syrup form to patients as it helps in controlling the craving and withdrawals due to opioid addiction. The drug usually comes in liquid form but is also available in powder and tablet variants. It is usually taken under the supervision of a doctor because of its potential for abuse, Ambekar said. There are very few treatment centres providing these medicines while the need is very high. It is .

Excess male hormones in women may up blindness risk

Increased levels of hormone testosterone -- male sex hormone -- in women could cause a brain disorder that can lead to blindness, finds a new study.

FDA approves device to treat heart failure patients

The US Food and Drug Administration has given approval for a new device that would help treat patients with life-threatening heart failure, and address an unmet need in patients who fail to get adequate benefits from standard treatments and have no alternative treatment options.

Caplin Point Laboratories receives USFDA approval for Glycopyrrolate injection

According to IQVIA (IMS Health), Glycopyrrolate had US sales data of approximately $110.12 Million for the 12 month period ending December 2018. Caplin Steriles has developed and filed a total of 11 ANDAs, of which 7 are on its own (Caplin Steriles) and 4 with partners. We have 4 approvals so far of which three through partners and current approval is the first under our own name.

NATHEALTH elects Sudarshan Ballal as president for 2019-20

The healthcare industry's apex body NATHEALTH Friday said Manipal Health Enterprises Chairman Sudarshan Ballal has been elected as its president for the year 2019-20. He succeeds Fortis Healthcare's Daljit Singh as the president, the Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) said in a statement. While Rajit Mehta has been elected as senior vice-president, Preetha Reddy has been elected as the vice president for the duration, it added. Badhri Iyengar has been elected as the secretary of the NATHEALTH and Harsh Mahajan has been elected as treasurer for the period, NATHEALTH said. On the priorities of the federation, Ballal said: "Stringent governmental regulations, increased public and media attention on the cost of healthcare will substantially affect the delivery of healthcare in our country." The effect of demonetisation, GST and capping of prices would further impact healthcare in a big way, he added. "The greatest challenge for the healthcare sector is to deliver first world ...

Childhood abuse worsens depression later: Lancet

Facing trauma in childhood can significantly change the structure of the brain, which may result in severe depression which could even be recurrent in adulthood, say researchers.

Youth's Crushed Legs and Life Saved by Timely Treatment at Parvathy Hospital

/ -- Patient sustained extensive crush injury on his left foot while working with a power drill machine; the cost-effective treatment saved the patient's foot from amputation Parvathy Hospital, Chennai today announced that they had successfully conducted a complicated multiple surgical treatment to a patient who sustained extensive crush injury to the left foot while working with a power drill machine. The highly complex surgical treatment and procedure was conducted by team of surgeons headed by Dr. V.T.S. Arul Sivakumar, Plastic Surgeon and Dr. Dharmaraj, Orthopedic Surgeon, Parvathy Hospital, to a 32-year-old patient enabling him to walk on his own without any support. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/839843/Patient_Suresh_Kumar_after_surgery.jpg) The patient from Tiruvannamalai district, Mr. Suresh K had earlier sustained a grievous injury on his left foot while he was working with a power drill machine. Initially he was admitted to a nearby hospital where the wound was ..