Page 149 - Health Medical Pharma
Marine snail venom may improve insulin for diabetics
Insulin derived from the venom of marine cone snails may pave the way for a faster-acting drug to treat diabetes, scientists say. Although moderately mobile, marine cone snails have perfected several strategies to capture prey. Some fish-hunting species release venom into the surrounding water. Within the plume of toxic venom, the fish succumbs to fast-acting insulin that renders it immobile. As the fish flounders, the snail emerges from its shell to swallow the pacified victim whole. Researchers at University of Utah in the US detailed the function of cone snail insulins, bringing them one step closer to developing a faster-acting insulin to treat diabetes. "These snails have developed a strategy to hit and subdue their prey with up to 200 different compounds, one of which is insulin," said Helena Safavi-Hemami, assistant professor at University of Utah. "Every now and then, we learn something unique from nature and millions of years of evolution," said Safavi-Hemami. Insulin, a ...
Project PaTHWays : a partnership to improve NCD care implemented in Karnataka
India is currently faced with the triple burden of communicable, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries. According to the World Health Organization, NCDs in India have huge negative implications on the health and development of the nation. Lifestyle choices are largely responsible for this growing cause of concern. Malnutrition in all its forms (obesity, undernutrition and dietary risks) attribute to poor health. As recently published in The Lancet - obesity and undernutrition are a part of a trilogy to form the 'Global Syndemic' that affects everyone across various regions and countries worldwide. As per various recommendations made by global reports such as Global Accelerated Action for the Health of Adolescents (AA-HA!), risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and alcohol use require equal attention and it is crucial that interventions that cover all age groups are delivered with quality and universal coverage.Karnataka is one of the highest NCD burden states .
Here's how the brain evolved
Don't we all, at some point or the other, wonder where does our 'humanness' come from?Humans are genetically similar to chimpanzees and bonobos, yet there exist cognitive and behavioural differences between the two.A new research, conducted by researchers from the Salk Institute have developed a strategy to more easily study the early development of human neurons compared with the neurons of nonhuman primates.The study, which appeared in eLife on February 7, 2019, offers scientists a novel tool for fundamental brain research.Speaking on it, senior author Rusty Gage said, "This study provides insights into the developmental organization of the brain and lays the groundwork for further comparative analyses between humans and nonhuman primates."Two important processes in brain development include neuron maturation and migration. Maturation involves neuron growth as the neurons increase their connections between each other for better communication. Migration is the physical movement of ...
Low-calorie diet may improve cell performance
Consuming low-calorie food may have a protective effect against some diseases as the number of calories a person eats directly influences the performance of various cells, researchers say.
New TB drug may shorten treatment time for patients: Study
A new experimental antibiotic for tuberculosis (TB) may be more effective than isoniazid, a decades-old drug which is currently one of the standard treatments for the disease, a study claims. In mouse models, the drug showed a much lower tendency to develop resistance, according to the study published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. The drug remains in the tissues where the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria reside for longer, killing them more effectively. "The goal of TB drug development programmes is to develop universal treatment regimens that will shorten and simplify TB treatment in patients, which typically takes at least six months, and sometimes more than a year," said Gregory T Robertson, an assistant professor at Colorado State University in the US. The new drug, called AN12855, has several advantages over isoniazid, which requires conversion to its active form by a Mycobacterial enzyme, KatG, in order to kill the pathogen. This creates a couple of ...
Novel algorithm helps smartphones to diagnose diseases
Scientists have developed a new imaging algorithm that enables smartphones to diagnose diseases by analysing assays typically evaluated via spectroscopy, a highly sophisticated and powerful device used in medical research. Smartphones have emerged as powerful evaluation tools capable of diagnosing medical conditions in point-of-care settings, said researchers from the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in the US. They also are a viable solution for health care in the developing world because the devices allow untrained users to collect and transmit data to medical professionals. Although smartphone camera technology today offers a wide range of medical applications such as microscopy and cytometric analysis, in practice, cell phone image tests have limitations that severely restrict their utility. Through the analysis of more than 10,000 images, the researchers have been able to demonstrate that the saturation method they developed consistently outperformed existing algorithms under a .
Zydus Cadila gets USFDA nod for hypertension drug
Drug firm Zydus Cadila Wednesday said it has received final approval from the US health regulator to market Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide capsules, indicated to treat high blood pressure. The company has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market the drug in the strength of 37.5 mg/25 mg, Zydus Cadila said in a BSE filing. The company said it will manufacture the drug at the group's manufacturing facility at special economic zone (SEZ), Ahmedabad. Zydus Cadila said the fixed dose combination of Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide is indicated for the treatment of hypertension or edema in patients who have developed hypokalemia (low serum potassium levels) on Hydrochlorothiazide alone. This medication may be used alone or as an adjunct to other antihypertensive drugs. The company has more than 249 approvals and has so far filed over 350 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) since it commenced filings in 2003-04. Shares of the company's listed
Strides Pharma Science arm gets USFDA nod for skin ointment
Strides Pharma Science Wednesday said its step-down wholly-owned subsidiary has received approval from the US health regulator for Triamcinolone Acetonide cream, used to treat a variety of skin conditions. The approved product is a generic version of Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc's Triamcinolone Acetonide cream. Strides Pharma Global Pte Limited, Singapore, has received approval for Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP, 0.025, 0.1 per cent and 0.5 per cent from the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA)," Strides Pharma Science said in a BSE filing. Strides said, the product will be manufactured at its Bengaluru facility and will be marketed by Strides Pharma Inc in the US. Citing IQVIA data, the company said the US market for Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP, 0.025 per cent, 0.1 per cent and 0.5 per cent is approximately USD 55 million. Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream is used to treat a variety of skin conditions including treatment of eczema, dermatitis, allergies, rash and .
Strides Pharma Science receives USFDA approval for Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream
According to IQVIA MAT data, the US market for Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP, 0.025%, 0.1% and 0.5%. is approximately US$ 55 Mn. The product will be manufactured at flagship facility in Bangalore and will be marketed by Strides Pharma Inc. in the US market.
Consuming fewer calories can improve cell performance: Study
Diet consisting of fewer calories can improve cell performance, a recent study suggests.The result of the study suggests that the number of calories a person eats directly influences the performance of different cells."We are looking at how changes to the diet affect metabolism and how that ends up changing the odds of having diseases associated with aging," said Alicia Kowaltowski, lead author of the study.One of the group's experiments on mice shows how a low-calorie diet can protect the brain from neuronal cell death associated with diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy and cerebral vascular accident (CVA).'The mice were divided into two groups. The researchers calculated the average number of calories the group with no caloric restrictions would eat and then fed the other group 40% fewer calories. After 14 weeks, mice belonging to the two groups were given an injection containing a substance known to cause seizures, damage and neuronal cell death.While the animals in
NCI to be first govt hospital to provide proton therapy for cancer
Proton Therapy, a costly treatment for cancer patients will soon come into effect at newly built National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Haryana's Jhajjar district, making it the first government-run hospital to offer the service.
PM dedicates ESIC medical college, 510-bedded hospital to the nation
The central government is working to provide good quality medical care to every citizen of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said while dedicating an ESIC medical college and 510-bedded hospital in Faridabad to the nation "This medical college will provide medical facilities to the workers and their family members of the region," the Labour Ministry quoted Modi as saying in a statement. The ESIC medical college and 510-bedded hospital have been constructed at a cost of Rs 595 crore in a sprawling area of 30 acres, the ministry said. The associated hospital is equipped with modern equipment and will provide medical services in all specialities as envisaged under ESI Act. Services such as casualty/emergency, OPDs, wards, modular OTs, ICUs, dialysis, blood bank, radio diagnostics, amongst others will be available in the hospital. The college also has in-campus hostel for boys and girls and residence for doctors, nurses, staff. Besides, the college will also provide indoor
New TB drug may shorten treatment duration: Study
A new experimental antibiotic for tuberculosis (TB) has been shown to be more effective against TB than Isoniazid, a decades old drug which is currently one of the standard treatment for the disease, finds a study on mice.
New mechanism may pave way for Alzheimer's treatment
Scientists have identified a novel molecular mechanism that may help develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is characterised by profound memory loss and synaptic failure. Although the exact cause of Alzheimer's remains unclear, it is well established that maintaining memory and synaptic plasticity requires protein synthesis. "Alzheimer's is such a devastating disease and currently there is no cure or effective therapy," said Tao Ma, an assistant professor at Wake Forest University in the US. "All completed clinical trials of new drugs have failed so there is clearly a need for novel therapeutic targets for potential treatments," said Ma. The team have shown AD-associated activation of a signalling molecule termed eEF2K leads to inhibition of protein synthesis. In the study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, they wanted to determine if suppression of eEF2K could improve protein synthesis capacity and consequently alleviate the cognitive and synaptic ...
Tea exports down marginally in 2018
India's tea exports decreased marginally to 249.11 million kg in 2018 from 251.91 million kg exported in the previous year, according to data from Tea Board India.
Lupin launches generic Tadalafil tablets in US
Drug firm Lupin Tuesday said it has launched generic Tadalafil tablets used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in the American market. The company has launched Tadalafil tablets USP in the strength of 20 mg after having received an approval for them from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) earlier, Lupin said in a filing to BSE. The product is a generic version of Eli Lilly's Adcirca tablets in the same strength, it added. It is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to improve exercise ability. As per IQVIA MAT December 2018 data, the Tadalafil tablets, 20 mg had annual sales of around USD 474.3 million in the US. Shares of Lupin Ltd closed at Rs 812.85 per scrip on BSE, down 0.78 per cent from its previous close.
Novel humanised mouse model to study hepatitis B
Researchers have developed a humanised mouse model to study liver cirrhosis development induced by hepatitis B virus infection.
Novel device to detect low fluoride in water
Researchers have built a new device to accurately measure fluoride concentrations using only a few drops of water with even low contamination, finds a new study.
New mechanism that may prevent Alzheimer's identified
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism and a potential new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD), says a new study on mice.
PM inaugurates National Cancer Institute in Haryana, lays foundation stone for Ayush University
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of six development projects, including National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar and Shri Krishna Ayush University, Kurukshetra in Haryana. Modi was here to participate in 'Swachh Shakti 2019', an event to recognise the leadership role played by rural women in Swachh Bharat Mission towards achieving a clean and open defecation free country by October 2 this year. The event was attended by woman sarpanchs and women associated with the 'Swachhta' campaign from across the country. Modi distributed the 'Swachh Shakti 2019' awards. Modi also inaugurated the Rs 2,035-crore National Cancer Institute (NIC), Badhsa in Jhajjar district, through video conferencing. The NIC is a state-of-the-art tertiary cancer care-cum-research institute, constructed at the AIIMS Jhajjar campus. The 700-bed hospital, will have facilities like surgical oncology, radiation oncology, medical oncology, anaesthesia, palliative care and nuclear ...