Page 143 - Health Medical Pharma
Antarctic fungi can be used to treat childhood cancer: Experts
: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad working with scientists from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, have isolated Antarctic fungi that contain L-asparaginase, an enzyme-based chemotherapeutic agent used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). ALL is the most common childhood cancer. It occurs when a bone marrow cell develops errors in its DNA. A press release said here Tuesday that the isolation of L-asparaginase containing fungi from extreme environments could lead to development of new chemotherapeutic treatment methods that have fewer side- effects than the existing methods. One of the most frequently used chemotherapy drugs to treat ALL is the enzyme L-asparaginase which reduces the supply of asparagine, an amino acid that is essential for the synthesis of protein, to cancer cells. This prevents the growth and proliferation of the malignant cells, the release said. On the need to discover other sources of ...
'Killer cells' may pave way for life-long, universal flu vaccine
Killer immune cells that can fight all strains of influenza virus may pave the way for a universal, one-shot flu vaccine, according to a study. These microscopic killers are white blood cells that can maintain a memory of previous exposure to a flu strain, said researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia. If they recognise an invader, these cells start an immune response to target and kill off the virus -- stopping the infection, they said. Despite hopes that the 'memories' of killer cells -- formally known as CD8+T cells -- could be used to create a vaccine that would last for life, previous studies have shown that these cells could only mount a repeated attack against strain A. Using new technology, a study published in the journal Nature Immunology, reveals game-changing results -- the 'killer cells' can actually fight all influenza strains, A, B and C. "Our team has been fascinated by the killer cells for a long time," said Katherine Kedzierska, a professor at the ...
Gene therapy first to halt most common cause of blindness
Oxford researchers claim to have carried out the world's first gene therapy operation to halt age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of untreatable blindness in the developed world. Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula. It affects the central part of a patient's vision with gaps or 'smudges', making everyday activities like reading and recognising faces difficult. If successful, the treatment could have a beneficial impact of patients' quality of life and their ability to remain independent. "A genetic treatment administered early on to preserve the vision in patients who would otherwise lose their sight would be a tremendous breakthrough and certainly something I hope to see in the near future," said Robert MacLaren, Professor at the University of Oxford in the UK. The first person to undergo the procedure was Janet Osborne of Oxford, said MacLaren, who carried out the procedure at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the UK. Like many people with ..
Measles outbreak claims 130 lives in Manila
A measles outbreak this year in Manila has claimed 130 lives so far. Among dead are mostly children aged between one and four, health authorities confirmed on Tuesday.According to Al Jazeera, approximately 8,400 people in Manila have fallen ill due to the infection that rose up to more than 1,000 per cent in January this year, as compared to the previous year.Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday said that a massive immunisation drive that was initiated last week in Manila and four other provincial regions is most likely to restrict the outbreak from spreading further."No ifs, no buts, no conditions, you just have to bring your children and trust that the vaccines ... will save your children," Duque urged the people."That's the absolute answer to this outbreak," Duque added.The health officials further stated that most of the people who had lost their lives due to the measles outbreak were not immunised.Nearly 130,000 people were given anti-measles vaccinations in Manila ...
Gender transition hormone therapy may increase cardiovascular risk: Study
A new study revealed that patients receiving hormone therapy as a part of their gender-transition treatment are at an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, including strokes, heart attacks and blood clots.The study was published in 'Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association'. The results are based on an analysis of medical records of 3,875 Dutch individuals who received hormone treatment between 1972and 2015 as part of their gender transition."In light of our results, we urge both physicians and transgender individuals to be aware of this increased cardiovascular risk," said study author Nienke Nota."It may be helpful to reduce risk factors by stopping smoking, exercising, eating a healthy diet and losing weight, if needed before starting therapy, and clinicians should continue to evaluate patients on an ongoing basis thereafter," Nota added.Past research has shown that hormone therapy increases cardiovascular risk among people receiving it to alleviate ...
Antibiotic resistance spreading faster than thought: Study
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria spreads much faster and with more varied mechanisms than previously thought, say scientists who suggest exercising caution in the use of the drugs. By studying fish raised in aquaculture, researchers from the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen in Germany, the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and the University of Campinas in Brazil have shed new light on the mechanisms by which antibiotic resistance genes are transferred between bacteria. According to the study published in the journal 'Microbiome', those mechanisms are more varied than previously thought. "In the past 70 years, the use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine has steadily increased, leading to a dramatic rise in resistant microorganisms," said Michael Schloter, head of the Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analyses (COMI) at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen. It is especially alarming that many microorganisms are resistant not just to one antibiotic, but to a whole range of different
Discovery of immune cells to pave way for universal flu vaccine
Australian researchers have identified immune cells which could fight all strains of influenza virus, a finding that raises hope for a universal vaccine which does not need to be updated annually.
Oral antifungal drug linked to higher rates of miscarriage: Study
According to a new study, pregnant women may be at a higher risk of miscarriage if they take a commonly used medication, fluconazole which is used to treat vaginal yeast infections.The results of the study were published in 'CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)'.While topical treatments are the first in line for pregnant women with fungal infections, oral fluconazole is often used during pregnancy.Researchers looked at a data comprising 949 pregnancies from the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort between 1998 and 2015, linking to filled prescriptions listed in the Quebec Prescription Drug Insurance database.They found that taking oral fluconazole was linked to adverse outcomes."Our study shows that taking any dose of oral fluconazole while pregnant may be associated with a higher chance of miscarriage," said Dr. Anick Berard."Taking higher doses of fluconazole over 150 mg in early pregnancy may be linked to a higher chance of a newborn with a heart defect," added Berard.Fluconazole is not .
PM flags off first ever Diesel to Electric Converted Locomotive in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off the world's first Diesel to Electric Converted Locomotive at Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) campus in Varanasi.He also interacted with the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana - Ayushman Bharat at Banaras Hindu University.Accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Prime Minister also paid obeisance at the Ravidas temple here.Later in the day, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the newly constructed Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre of Banaras Hindu University.The hospital aims to provide affordable cancer care to patients in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttarakhand and even neighbouring countries like Nepal. He is also scheduled to inaugurate Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Lehartara.With the inauguration of both cancer hospitals, Varanasi is set to become an important centre for quality treatment and care in Cancer-related ailments.
Gene that may help reverse depression identified
Scientists have identified a gene that may be activated to reverse symptoms of major depression such as social isolation and loss of interest. The team found that making the SIRT1 gene inactive in excitatory neurons in male mice created symptoms of depression. According to the study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, a drug that activated SIRT1, reversed the symptoms. "It has an antidepressant-like effect," said Xin-Yun Lu, a professor at Augusta University in the US. That means drugs that activate SIRT1 and enable the usual high level of activity of these excitatory neurons might one day be an effective therapy for some with major depression, said Lu. The firing of excitatory neurons is definitely decreased in depression, and neurons are not communicating as they should. Problems like manic behaviour and seizures, on the other hand, indicate excessive firing. It is hard to get excited without energy, and another of SIRT1's known roles in brain cells is regulating cell ...
As medical costs mount, Japan to weigh cost-effectiveness in setting drug prices
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese doctor Yasushi Goto remembers prescribing the cancer drug Opdivo to an octogenarian and wondering whether taxpayers might object to helping fund treatment, which at the time cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, for patients in their twilight years.
Rajasthan: Swine flu claims 127 lives so far this year
Swine flu has claimed the lives of 127 people in Rajasthan so far this year.56 new cases have been reported in the state, taking the tally of patients to 3,564 in 49 days.Amongst the fresh cases, Jaipur witnessed the highest number of 18 patients, followed by Udaipur where nine people were tested positive.Six cases have been reported in Kota and five in Hanumangarh. Four positive cases of swine flu were reported from Baran and three cases have been reported from Jhunjhunu.Two cases each were reported from Bikaner and Dausa. One case each was reported from Ajmer, Tonk, Churu, Alwar, Sikar, Pali, and Dungarpur.Swine flu is an infection caused by one of the 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 that are in the air.The symptoms are the same as the seasonal flu, also known as viral fever. This includes a cough, sore throat, and body
'Killer' cells raise hope of universal flu vaccine
Scientists said Monday they had discovered immune cells that can fight all known flu viruses in what was hailed as an "extraordinary breakthrough" that could lead to a universal, one-shot vaccine against the killer disease. Influenza epidemics, largely seasonal, kill hundreds of thousands of people each year, according to the World Health Organization. Due to its mutating strains, vaccine formulas must be regularly updated and only offer limited protection currently. Researchers in Australia said that "killer T cells" -- found in over half the world's population -- had shown in testing to be effective in fighting all common flu varieties. This means the cells could potentially be used to develop an all-encompassing flu shot that did not need to be changed annually, and even be effective in people who don't naturally possess them. "Influenza viruses continuously mutate to evade recognition by our immune system, and they are vastly diverse, making it nearly impossible to predict and ...
J&J implant victims object to compensation package
Victims of Johnson & Johnson faulty Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip implants have written to the central expert committee (CEC) raising objections to the compensation package proposed by the government.
Cipla to acquire 11.71% stake in Wellthy Therapeutics
Drug major Cipla Monday said it has inked a pact to acquire 11.71 per cent stake in Wellthy Therapeutics. Goldencross Pharma, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cipla, has inked an agreement to acquire the minority stake in the Mumbai-based firm for a cash consideration of Rs 10.5 crore, Cipla said in a regulatory filing. As part of the deal, the partners plan to offer a combination of pharmacotherapy and digital therapeutics for improved patient outcomes in the chronic therapies of diabetology and cardiology, it added. Under the agreement, a multi-lingual clinically-validated digital disease management platform will be made available to patients living with diabetes or cardiovascular diseases via doctors' clinics or co-packaging on select Cipla brands. The platform brings together behavioural science, real-world clinical evidence and artificial intelligence to provide real-time monitoring, coaching and advice to patients, and virtual clinical assistance to doctors. "The future of health ...
Parents your child is carrying evidence of toxins from home flooring, furniture
In what could be worrying news for parents, a new study finds that children living in homes with all vinyl flooring or flame-retardant chemicals in sofas have higher concentrations of potentially harmful semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in their blood or urine than children from homes where these materials are not present.The research was conducted by Duke University and study experts presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C.Researchers found that children children living in homes where the sofa in the main living area contained flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in its foam had a six-fold higher concentration of PBDEs in their blood serum.Exposure to PBDEs has been linked in laboratory tests to neurodevelopmental delays, obesity, endocrine and thyroid disruption, cancer and other diseases.Children from homes that had vinyl flooring in all areas were found to have ...
Philippines says 136 people have died in measles outbreak
The Philippine health secretary said Monday that 136 people, mostly children, have died of measles and 8,400 others have fallen ill in an outbreak blamed partly on vaccination fears. A massive immunization drive that started last week in hard-hit Manila and four provincial regions may contain the outbreak by April, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. President Rodrigo Duterte warned in a TV message Friday of fatal complications and urged children to be immunised. "No ifs, no buts, no conditions, you just have to bring your children and trust that the vaccines ... will save your children," Duque said by telephone. "That's the absolute answer to this outbreak." Infections spiked by more than 1,000 percent in metropolitan Manila, the densely packed capital of more than 12 million people, in January compared to last year, health officials said. About half of the 136 who died were children aged 1 to 4 and many of those who perished were not inoculated, the officials said. Duque said
Meet stresses on making surgeries affordable for rural masses
: A three-day international symposium on surgical innovations and healthcare was inaugurated on Monday in Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences in collaboration with Harvard Medical School, USA, and Boston Childrens Hospital, also in the USA. The thrust of the symposium was on innovations for surgery affordable to the rural communities in India, with the participation of expert doctors from the Harvard Medical School and Boston Childrens Hospital along with surgeons and researchers from different parts of India. Speaking at the symposium, senior scientist from Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr C V Muralidharan said young engineers and medical professionals should embark on a journey towards technical innovation. Giving a glimpse of the current technical innovation trends that have currently found a space in healthcare, he exhorted the students to bridge the gap between the existing technology and the need of
Hormone therapy may up heart disease risk during gender transition: Study
Patients receiving hormone therapy as part of their gender-transition treatment have an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart attacks, strokes and blood clotting, researchers say.
Indian product designed to stop bleeding poised to go global
A product to stop bleeding, made by an Indian company with extract from shellfish, is poised to become a global brand with its widespread use by the defence forces and hospitals in various countries besides Indian forces.