Page 172 - Health Medical Pharma
New experimental vaccine may boost fight against malaria
A new experimental malaria vaccine may offer long-lasting immunity against the persistent parasite that infects hundreds of millions of people each year, a study suggests. The approach, described in the journal PLOS ONE, uses a cytomegalovirus-based platform that is already being used in vaccines developed to battle HIV and tuberculosis. This new vaccine reduced the malaria-causing parasite's release from the liver and into the blood of infected rhesus macaques by 75 to 80 per cent. "The problem with most vaccines is that their effectiveness is often short-lived," said Klaus Fruh, a professor at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in the US. "Our cytomegalovirus-based vaccine platform can create and keep immunity for life. With further research and development, it could offer a lifetime of protection against malaria," Fruh said. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to humans through mosquito bites. It can cause
New experimental vaccine offers hope against malaria
An experimental new malaria vaccine is offering potentially long-lasting immunity against the persistent parasite that sickens hundreds of millions of people each year, a study suggests.
Maternal vitamin C treatment can cut babies' risk of heart disease
Maternal treatment with vitamin C antioxidant during a complicated pregnancy could protect the baby from developing hypertension and heart disease in adulthood, suggests a study.
One serving of fried chicken a day linked to 13 per cent higher risk of death in women
A new study on postmenopausal women in the US reveals that a regular serving of fried chicken or fish per day is associated with a higher risk of death from any cause except cancer.According to the study, women who enjoyed fried chicken once or more per day had a 13 per cent higher risk of death from any cause compared with women who did not eat any fried food, reported CNN.The study was published Wednesday in the medical journal BMJ and reported that women eating a daily portion of fried fish or shellfish saw a 7 per cent greater risk of death.According to the authors, limiting consumption of fried foods, in particular fried chicken and fish could be good for public health.Speaking about it, lead author of the study Wei Bao said, "We know fried food consumption is something very common in the United States and also around the world. Unfortunately, we know very little about long-term health effect of fried food consumption."The observational study is the first of its kind in the US ...
Doctors suggest to shift Sharif from jail to hospital
Doctors have recommended that Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif should be shifted to hospital from jail as he could be best treated there for his heart complications. A four-member (second) special medical board of the Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital Lahore examined Sharif, 69, in jail recently and recommended that for his "optimal treatment" he should be shifted to hospital. Sharif, who is serving a seven-year imprisonment in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail, was rushed to a hospital Tuesday after he complained of heart related complications. He was later discharged from the hospital and taken back to jail following the medical tests. The board also recommended some changes to his medicines to control blood pressure and diabetes besides further tests. "Given uncontrolled BP, stage 3 CKD with estimated GFR of 50 ml/ min, borderline raised troponin T level with significant history of ischemic heart disease and suboptimal care, Nawaz Sharif will benefit from ...
Zinc deficiency may lead to high blood pressure: Study
Lower-than-normal levels of zinc in the body may contribute to high blood pressure by altering the way the kidneys handle sodium, a study warned Thursday. Zinc deficiency is common in people with chronic illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, according to the study published in the American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology. The way kidneys either excrete sodium into the urine or reabsorb it into the body -- specifically through a pathway called the sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) -- also plays a role in blood pressure control. Less sodium in the urine typically corresponds with higher blood pressure, said researchers. Recent studies have suggested that zinc may help regulate proteins that in turn regulate the NCC, but a direct link between zinc-deficiency-induced hypertension has not been examined. Researchers compared male mice with zinc deficiency to healthy controls with normal zinc levels. The zinc-deficient mice developed high blood pressure and
Zinc deficiency may up hypertension
Lower-than-normal levels of zinc -- a nutrient that helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses -- may contribute to hypertension, finds a new study on mice.
'Gene study provides hope for infertile men'
Scientists say they have understood the importance of a gene in regulating the production of fully-functioning sperm, an advance that helps us to understand why some men might become infertile. The researchers at Newcastle University in the UK identified the role of gene, RBMXL2, which is very similar to a possible infertility gene found on the Y chromosome found only in men. This provided a model for the team to manipulate as the Y chromosome itself is very difficult to analyse, they said. The study, published in the journal eLife, sheds light on why some men may be infertile as RBMXL2 has been shown to be essential to make sperm. Scientists found that deleting the RBMXL2 gene from chromosome 11 blocked sperm production and this paves the way for further exciting research in this area. "Male infertility is a poorly understood topic, and this study helps us to understand why some men might become infertile," said Professor David Elliott from the Newcastle University. "This is ...
Health department sounds swine flu alert in Uttarakhand
An alert has been sounded in Uttarakhand after 11 people died of swine flu in less than one month, mostly in Dehradun, health officials said on Thursday.
Novel test may lead to personalised cancer treatment for children
Scientists say they have used a novel test to detect childhood tumours that may guide personalised treatments for children with cancer in the future. The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) Cancer Spectrum, analysed 28 childhood tumour samples from nine cancer types. Researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada found that the pediatric cancer-focused test discovered more genetic mutations per sample compared with tests used to analyse adult cancers, and better identified weaknesses that can potentially be targeted with drugs. From extracting DNA from cancer cells, to sequencing and analysing a sample, the whole process ideally takes two to three days in the lab. The new technology allows genes of interest to be amplified and can provide results for up to 16 patients in one week. At the end, researchers have a list of possible drugs that may target the pediatric cancer cells. "Pediatric cancers are often very aggressive, so doing ...
Chinese scientists clone 5 gene-edited monkeys
In a breakthrough, Chinese researchers have cloned five monkeys from a gene-edited macaque that had circadian rhythm disorders associated with depression, diabetic, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Novel test could guide personalised treatment for children with cancer
Researchers have used a new test for analysing paediatric tumours that may one day guide personalised treatment for children with cancer, according to new research.
Dr. Reddy's launch Propofol Injectable Emulsion in US market
Pharma major Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd on Thursday announced the launch of Propofol Injectable Emulsion, USP, in the US market.
Fried chicken, fish linked to increased risk of early death: Study
Regularly eating fried chicken or fish is associated with a higher risk of death from any cause, specifically heart-related mortality, according to a study on postmenopausal women in the US. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that reducing consumption of fried foods, especially fried chicken and fried fish/shellfish, could have a positive public health impact. Up to a third of North American adults have fast-food every day, and previous studies have suggested that a greater intake of fried food is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, researchers said. The US researchers investigated the association of eating fried food with death from any cause, and in particular heart and cancer-related death. They used questionnaire data to assess the diets of 106,966 women, aged 50 to 79, who enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) between 1993-1998 and who were followed up to February 2017. During this time, 31,588 deaths occurred, .
Study examines migraine's link to higher stroke risk
While earlier studies found that migraine with aura is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke, a recent post-hoc analysis published in Headache reveals unexpected results. The new study suggests that onset of such migraines before the age of 50 is not associated with such risks.The analysis included 447 migraineurs with aura (MA) and 1,128 migraineurs without aura (MO) among 11,592 participants (elderly men and women with a history of migraine). Over 20 years, there was a twofold increased risk of ischemic stroke when the age of MA onset was 50 years or older when compared with no headache.However, MA onset before 50 years old was not associated with stroke. Also, MO was not associated with increased stroke risk regardless of the age of onset.In the elderly population in the study, the absolute risk for stroke in MA was 8.27 per cent and in MO was 4.25 per cent.Speaking about the study, lead author Dr. X. Michelle Androulakis, said, "I think clinically this is very ...
Medical panel recommends Nawaz Sharif's hospitalisation
A medical panel has recommended that jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif be shifted to hospital for "optimal management" of his failing health, a media report said.A four-member special medical board of Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital that examined Sharif in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore also recommended some changes in his medication to treat his high blood pressure and diabetes as well as further tests, Dawn reported.Sharif is serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in Kot Lakhpat jail.The board in a report said that Sharif has a past medical history of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease and kidney stone disease.On Wednesday, Sharif's personal physician, Dr Adnan said that the deposed Prime Minister's health would be "at risk" if he is not hospitalised.The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader's daughter Maryam took to Twitter to express shock over the authorities for "sitting" on the medical reports of ...
Oxxy ties up with GPS to provide health support to tourists
Oxxy, India's largest healthcare network, Thursday announced a partnership with travel aggregator Global Panorama Showcase (GPS) to provide health support to tourists. Oxxy said the tie-up will help provide health support on the go for the first time in the country. "All the tickets issued through the (GPS) network will have full health support powered by Oxxy Healthcare. From ambulance to discounts for all tests, treatments, and surgeries to medicines to every healthcare need, Oxxy will take care of all the travellers during and after the journey," it said. Oxxy is now valued at over USD 3.6 billion and is the country's largest healthcare network that connects over 2 lakh hospitals, diagnostics, and pathology lab and provides 360-degree health solution, the statement said. GPS is a travel aggregator with over 35,000 travel agents under its network. "With the support of Oxxy, GPS can penetrate deeper into the Indian and international markets, as Oxxy is present in 1,500 cities," it ...
Tea Board floats tenders for tea lounge at headquarters
The Tea Board has invited tenders from private parties for opening a tea lounge on the first floor of its head office here. It has also floated tenders for reopening the non-functioning tea lounge at Mumbai, a source of the board said. "We are approaching private parties for setting up a tea centre at the Kolkata headquarters of Tea Board. We propose that tea lounges be opened with the view to popularise its consumption," he said. The move comes at a time when private companies like Goodricke and Wagh Bakri have already opened tea lounges in different parts of the country. Asked about the outlook for the industry in 2019, the source said, "It is good". The figures for 2018 are still being finalised, he added.
Breastmilk sugars differ in pregnant women on probiotics: Study
The composition of breastmilk changes in pregnant women on probiotics, a recent study suggests.The finding, published in the Journal of JAMA Pediatrics, upends what scientists thought of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) -- the sugar molecules found exclusively in human breast milk -- and could lead to future studies on how the compounds can be potentially influenced by diet and other factors.Though HMOs are indigestible for a newborn child, they are consumed by certain species in the microbiome and can significantly affect its composition. As a result, scientists have begun focusing on HMOs as a possible reason that infants who consume breastmilk are less likely to get certain viral and bacterial infections, and other severe conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis, along with allergic diseases like a food allergy.The study analysed data from 81 pregnant women who were enrolled in a probiotic supplementation study in Finland. The researchers then compared 20 different HMOs in ...
Inadequate access to food can led to obesity
According to a recent study, those with inadequate access to food are likely to suffer from obesity.Food insecurity, by definition, is the inability to acquire adequate food due to a lack of resources. As part of the study, researchers assessed the link between food-related hardships and obesity.The study was published in the Journal of Community Health. Results showed that the individuals who lived in food desert (geographic areas where residents do not have access to supermarkets or grocery stores) are at an elevated risk for obesity.Together, these findings suggest that people who either do not have enough to eat or live in areas without access to stores that sell affordable nutritious foods are at greater risk for obesity."The lack of access to food can be a major stressor on individuals, and our study finds that experiencing food hardships is particularly consequential for the health of women," said Jackson, one of the lead researchers.