Page 163 - Health Medical Pharma

Soon treatment for obesity, fatty liver disease

Israeli researchers have discovered 27 new molecules, which may lead to a potential treatment for fatty liver disease, obesity and to heal wounds.

New AI tool increases accuracy of schizophrenia diagnosis

A novel artificial intelligence (AI) enabled tool can help diagnose schizophrenia more accurately than other such systems, according to a study led by an Indian origin scientist. The tool called EMPaSchiz, developed by researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada, examined brain scans from patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and predicted the diagnosis with 87 per cent accuracy. The finding, published in the journal 'NPJ Schizophrenia', follows on a previous study in 2017 in which researchers at IBM and Alberta developed a tool capable of predicting schizophrenia with 74 per cent accuracy. "Schizophrenia is characterised by a constellation of symptoms that might co-occur in patients. Two individuals with the same diagnosis might still present different symptoms. This often leads to misdiagnosis," said Sunil Kalmady, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Alberta. "Machine learning, in this case, is able to drive an evidence-based approach that looks at thousands

Sleep apnoea patients struggle to recall memories

People with sleep apnoea struggle to remember details of memories from their own lives, which put them at risk of depression, finds a new research.

Mindfulness meditation could ease chronic pain

A new study now finds that mindfulness meditation is a promising option for easing chronic pain. The research, based on pooled analysis of available data was published online in the journal Evidence Based Mental Health on Thursday.The findings indicate that mindfulness meditation can lessen the severity and impact on daily life of chronic pain as well as the accompanying distress.The researchers say that the study is important because the most widely used psychological technique for treating chronic pain is cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT.Mindfulness is a type of meditation focusing on moment to moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and the immediate environment. The stress reduction element aims to help those affected develop ways of coping more effectively with their pain.The study, conducted with nearly 2,000 people found that there were no important differences between either of the two techniques.Both significantly improved physical functioning and ...

More people die after surgery than from HIV, TB, and malaria combined: study

Nearly 4.2 million people around the world die every year within 30 days after surgery, more than than those who die from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, according to a study. The analysis, published in a research letter to The Lancet journal, found that half of the post-operative deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is also a significant unmet need for surgery in LMICs and researchers at the University of Birmingham in the UK believe that if operations were provided for all patients who need them the number of global post-operative deaths would increase to 6.1 million. The researchers estimate that the number of people who die each year from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined is 2.97 million, way less than post-operative deaths. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery identified that 313 million surgical procedures are performed each year, but little is known about the quality of surgery globally, as robust postoperative death rates are ...

10 lakh patients treated so far under Ayushman Bharat scheme: FM

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal Friday said 10 lakh patients have been treated so far under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the world's largest health care programme. Presenting the Budget for 2019-20 in the Lok Sabha, Goyal also said the government has been providing cheaper drugs through Jan Aushadhi stores. Highlighting steps taken up by the Narendra Modi-led government to provide affordable health care to the poor, Goyal said 21 AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) have been established or operating in country, "of which 14 have been sanctioned since 2014". Another one will be in Haryana, he added.

Goyal wishes Jaitley speedy recovery

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday wished his predecessor Arun Jaitley a speedy recovery, good health and long life.

Directorate of Health Services signs 3 year partnership with Sanofi India

Through this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) collaboration, Sanofi India's team of medical experts and diabetologists will educate and upskill the State department's healthcare personnel serving the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) cell; and the Medical Officers of the Health and Wellness centers. Alongside, Directorate of Health services will also partner Sanofi India to run its international programme KiDS (Kids and Diabetes in School), to raise awareness of diabetes amongst school children.

Study finds statin therapy reduces cardiovascular disease risk in older people

A new study now finds that statin therapy reduces risk of cardiovascular disease in older people.The study saw researchers assessing the effects of statins in nearly 1,87,000 people who had taken part in 28 large clinical trials.Participants were divided into six age groups in order to assess the effects of statins on major vascular events (heart attacks/strokes/coronary revascularisations), cancer incidence and deaths.Speaking about the study, lead author Professor Anthony Keech, said, "Statin therapy has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease in a wide range of people, but there has been uncertainty about its efficacy and safety among older people. Our study summarised all the available evidence from major trials to help clarify this issue. We found that there were significant reductions in major vascular events in each of the six age groups considered, including patients aged over 75 at the start of treatment."Notably, statins help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein ..

Study finds more die after surgery than from HIV, TB, and malaria combined

A new study now reveals that around that world 4.2 million people die every year within 30 days after surgery. The study further states that half of these deaths occur in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).Researchers from the University of Birmingham published their findings in a research letter to The Lancet, where they estimate that more people die each year within 30 days after surgery than from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined (2.97 million).The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery identified that 313 million surgical procedures are performed each year, but little is known about the quality of surgery globally, as robust postoperative death rates are available for only 29 countries.Researchers at the University's NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery analysed available information to estimate how many people around the world die after operations - based on surgical volume, case-mix and post-operative death rates adjusted for country income.Dr Dmitri ...

Genetic testing improves diagnosis of developmental disorders during pregnancy: Study

The health of a child, during the course of any pregnancy, is a source of worry for to-be parents. A new study, published in The Lancet on Thursday sheds light on how genetic testing improves the diagnoses of abnormalities in developing babies that are picked up during ultrasound scans.Scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge, University of Birmingham, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and their collaborators used genome sequencing to improve the diagnoses of abnormalities detected by ultrasound by around 10 per cent. Without genomic information, these abnormalities may not have been diagnosed until after pregnancy, if at all.According to the experts, the findings suggest that if the results from genome sequencing can be delivered in the timeframe of a pregnancy, then there can be additiona;l diagnosis that can support the care, counselling and the family's decision-making during the course of the pregnancy.The study finds that approximately 3 per cent .

Exclusive: Teva's generic EpiPen launch stalls months after approval

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Many of the largest U.S. pharmacies and drug distributors do not have Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd's generic version of the life-saving EpiPen allergy treatment five months after it was approved for sale in the United States, pharmacy chains and a group that tracks drug shortages told Reuters.

All NACIN officers hospitalised with swine flu discharged

All officers from the National Academy of Customs and Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN) in Faridabad who were hospitalised with symptoms of swine flu have been discharged, official sources said."The nine officers who had tested positive for H1N1 influenza and four trainee officers presented with symptoms of swine flu were all admitted to hospital. All the officers have now been discharged after proper treatment," a statement by NACIN said on Thursday.No new cases have been reported among the officers after Tuesday and authorities said the Academy has taken necessary preventive measures, including treatment and fumigation of the entire campus in collaboration with district Health Department and empanelled doctors and hospitals.Trainee officers and staff of NACIN have also been given required vaccinations and medications and all necessary logistical support is being extended for proper care, officials said.There has been a total of 363 cases of seasonal H1N1 influenza reported from ..

Indian-origin boy first to receive new cancer therapy in UK

An 11-year-old Indian-origin boy has become the first patient to receive a pioneering new cancer therapy by the UK's state-funded National Health Service and is recovering in a children's hospital in London. Yuvan Thakkar suffers from relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and received the ground-breaking treatment known as Kymriah - a type of immunotherapy called CAR-T therapy, which modifies a patient's immune system cells, known as T cells, to attack the cancer cells. The young cricket fan is recovering at Great Ormond Street Hospital this week, with some time to go before the results are fully known. "I really hope I get better soon so I can visit Lego House in Denmark. I love Lego and am building a big model Bugatti while I'm in hospital," said Yuvan in a statement released by the hospital. The treatment has been tested in clinical trials in the US where it has been shown that approximately 50-62 per cent of patients survive without leukaemia for 12 months or more. Yuvan ...

Accenture's former CEO Pierre Nanterme dies

(Reuters) - Accenture Plc said Pierre Nanterme, who stepped down earlier this month as the company's chief executive officer due to health reasons, has died.

More than 10 lakh availed free treatment under Ayushman Bharat since its launch: President

Over 10 lakh poor have availed free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana since its launch and the reduction in cost of cardiac stents has led to an annual saving of Rs 4,600 crore for the poor and middle class, President Ram Nath Kovind said Thursday. He said the expenditure on medical treatment impoverishes poor families and the government's endeavour has been to reduce the burden of out-of-pocket expenses for the poor and the middle class. "We are fully aware that the burden of expenditure on medical treatment further impoverishes poor families. My government which empathizes with this pain launched the Ayushman Bharat Yojana last year. "In a short period of four months, more than 10 lakh poor have already availed free treatment from hospitals under this scheme," he said addressing the joint sitting of Parliament. Detailing other initiatives taken in this regard, Kovind said under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, 4,900 Jan Aushadhi centres have already ...

Anti-depressants raise risk of intestinal bleeding

If you are in the habit of popping anti-depressant pills used to treat anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, then you could be at a risk of intestinal bleeding which can range from mild to severe and can be life-threatening.

New copper implant to treat bone infection sans antibiotics

Researchers have developed a new copper implant that could help treat difficult-to-treat bone infection, without using antibiotics, finds a new study.

New cocktail-inspired male birth control reversible, effective

Chinese researchers have developed an experiment cocktail-inspired male birth control method that is long-lasting, effective and reversible.

Blood cancer accelerates ageing: Study

Blood cancer can accelerate ageing in healthy bone marrow cells, scientists have found for the first time, paving the way for anti-ageing drugs in the future. It is well known that ageing promotes cancer development. However, this is the first time that the reverse has been shown to be true, according to researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK. The study, published in the journal Blood, shows that healthy bone marrow cells were prematurely aged by cancer cells around them. The aged bone marrow cells accelerated the growth and development of the leukaemia -- creating a vicious cycle that fuels the disease. The study also identified the mechanism by which this process of premature ageing occurs in the bone marrow of leukaemia patients and highlights the potential impact this could have on future treatments. "Our results provide evidence that cancer causes ageing. We have clearly shown that the cancer cell itself drives the ageing process in the neighbouring ...