Page 196 - Health Medical Pharma

Machinery driving deadly childhood brain cancer unveiled

Scientists have mapped the effects of biological machinery that drives a deadly brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). A team at St Jude Children's Research Hospital in the US created a genetically engineered mouse that offers ways to further understand such brain cancers, as well as a laboratory model for developing more effective treatments. DIPGs are incurable brainstem tumours that strike hundreds of children a year in the US, according to the study published in the journal Cancer Cell. Current treatments of radiation and chemotherapy are largely ineffective, and fewer than 10 per cent of children with the tumours survive more than two years. Although many cancers arise from mutations in the genes that directly drive abnormal cell proliferation or survival, others such as DIPGs arise from abnormalities in the cell's "epigenetic" machinery for managing gene activation, or expression. The researchers discovered that a key mutation called H3 K27M in the ...

Advanced brain simulator to help understand neurological disorder

In a bid to improve understanding of neurological disorders, researchers have created a fast and energy-efficient simulation of part of a rat brain by using computer chip manufacturer NVIDIA's Artificial Intelligence (AI) compute platform.

Shilpa Medicare gets USFDA approval for cancer treatment injection

Shilpa Medicare said the US market for Irinotecan HCL is approximately $18 million

'Atlas' of genetic factors behind osteoporosis developed

Researchers have succeeded in compiling an atlas of genetic factors associated with estimated bone mineral density (BMD), one of the most clinically relevant factors in diagnosing osteoporosis. The research, published in the journal Nature Genetics, identified 518 genome-wide loci, of which 301 are newly discovered, that explain 20 per cent of the genetic variance associated with osteoporosis. Having identified so many genetic factors offers great promise for the development of novel targeted therapeutics to treat the disease and reduce the risk of fracture. "Our findings represent significant progress in highlighting drug development opportunities," said Brent Richards, a geneticist at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) in Canada. "This set of genetic changes that influence BMD provides drug targets that are likely to be helpful for osteoporotic fracture prevention," said Richards. Osteoporosis is a very common age-related condition characterised by the progressive reduction of bone ..

New way to prevent phantom limb pain in amputees

Scientists have found that rerouting nerves during amputation can reduce debilitating phantom limb and stump pain in amputees even before it starts. Doctors at Ohio State University in the US are pioneering the use of primary targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) to prevent or reduce phantom limb pain -- a condition which causes an amputee to feel pain in the missing limb. TMR was first developed to allow amputees better control of upper limb prosthetics. Traditionally doctors perform the surgery months or years after the initial amputation. A study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery showed that primary TMR -- the rerouting of nerves cut during amputation into surrounding muscle -- greatly reduces phantom limb and residual limb pain. The research describes how to perform this technique in below-the-knee amputations and documents the benefits of primary TMR for preventing pain. "This paper provides a blueprint for improving patient outcomes and quality of life ...

New 'brain pacemaker' may help treat epilepsy, Parkinson's

Scientists have developed a wireless device that can stimulate the brain with electric current, potentially delivering fine-tuned treatments to patients with diseases like epilepsy and Parkinson's. The neurostimulator, named the WAND, works like a "pacemaker for the brain," monitoring the brain's electrical activity and delivering electrical stimulation if it detects something amiss, said researchers at the University of California, Berkeley in the US. These devices can be extremely effective at preventing debilitating tremors or seizures in patients with a variety of neurological conditions, according to the study published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering. However, the electrical signatures that precede a seizure or tremor can be extremely subtle, and the frequency and strength of electrical stimulation required to prevent them is equally touchy. It can take years of small adjustments by doctors before the devices provide optimal treatment. WAND, which stands for ...

Shilpa Medicare receives USFDA approval for Irinotecan HCL Injection

Irinotecan injection is used in the treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

Rahul Gandhi appoints 10 national spokespersons

Congress party president Rahul Gandhi on Monday approved the appointment of 10 persons as national spokespersons of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).Randeep Singh Surjewala, in-charge of communications, AICC, informed that Dr Syed Naseer Hussain, Member of Rajya Sabha, Pawan Khera, Jaiveer Shergill, Ragini Nayak, Dr Gourav Vallabh, Rajiv Tyagi, Akhilesh Pratap Singh, Sunil Ahire, Hina Kaware, and Dr Sravan Dasoju have been appointed as national spokespersons by the party president.

Blood to be provided free of cost at all government hospitals in Punjab from Jan 1

Blood will be provided free of cost in government-run hospitals across Punjab from New Year's Day, Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra said Monday. As part of 'Tandarust Punjab', all government hospitals across the state will provide blood and blood components free of cost to patients, a statement quoted Mohindra as saying. "Not only shall be blood provided free of cost, it will also be ensured that the blood is available round- the-clock in all the hospitals," the minister said. Mohindra said the move would benefit thousands of patients across the state who earlier had to pay processing charges of Rs 300 per unit in civil hospitals and Rs 500 per unit in government medical colleges. "From tomorrow blood and blood components like packed RBC, fresh frozen plasma, platelet rich plasma, platelet concentrate will be given free of cost to all the patients," he said. He added, "Through Tandarust Punjab Mission, the chief minister of Punjab has taken this vital decision for the

Bullet parts removed from Omani teenager's brain

Doctors at a private hospital here have removed parts of a bullet from an Omani teenagers brain and chin in an eight-hour surgery. Abdul Qader Mohammed Hamed Al Alawi, 17, accidentally fired his gun at himself while he was trying to kill a cat which attacked birds at his chicken farm in Jalan Bani Bu Ali, around 280 km from Muscat on November 20. A part of the bullet remained inside his chin while another part pierced through his tongue and nose and landed in his brain, a hospital release said Monday. Though the bullet parts inside his chin was partly removed at a government hospital in Oman, he was brought to the VPS Lakeshore Hospital here on December 18 to remove those inside his brain and chin, it said. Dr Sudish Karunakaran, Head of Neurosurgery, who led the team of doctors who performed the task, said the surgery was done in two parts. First, they did the frontal craniotomy to open the skull in order to access the brain, the release said. Later, a team of ENT and ...

The Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill 2018 introduced in Rajya Sabha

A bill aimed at regulating and standardising the education and services provided by allied and healthcare professionals was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 was introduced in the upper house by Union Health Minister J P Nadda. The bill provides for setting up of an Allied and Healthcare Council of India and corresponding State Allied and Healthcare Councils, which will play the role of a standard-setter and facilitator for such professions, an official statement stated. "Introduced the Allied & Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 in #RajyaSabha to provide regulation & maintenance of standards of education & services by allied & healthcare professional," Nadda later tweeted. The Union Cabinet had recently approved the bill. As per the bill, there will be 15 major professional categories including 53 professions in allied and healthcare streams. Offences and penalties clauses have been included in the bill to check ..

Lupin receives USFDA approval for Clobazam Oral Suspension, 2.5 mg/mL

Lupin's Clobazam Oral Suspension, 2.5 mg/mL is the generic version of Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals, LLC's Onfi Oral Suspension, 2.5 mg/ml. It is indicated for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in patients 2 years of age or older.

Why bereavement can lead to a 'broken heart'

While loss of a loved one or breakdown of a relationship is often linked to a "broken heart", not much is known why such emotional trauma could make someone physically ill. New research suggests that the body's own immune response could play a key role in the condition.

Lupin gets USFDA nod for Clobazam Oral Suspension

Drug maker Lupin Monday said it has received approval from the US health regulator for Clobazam Oral Suspension, used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. The company has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to market a generic version of Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals LLC's Onfi Oral Suspension, Lupin said in a regulatory filing. The drug is indicated for treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in patients of two years of age or older. Clobazam Oral Suspension (2.5 mg/ml) had annual sales of around USD 260.2 million in the US. Lupin shares Monday ended 0.78 per cent up at Rs 845.60 apiece on the BSE.

Free of cost blood in Punjab hospitals from Jan 1

Blood will be provided free of cost in government hospitals across Punjab from Tuesday (Jan 1), a Minister said on Monday.

NCW seeks report from Tamil Nadu over alleged transfusion of HIV infected blood to women

The National Commission for Women on Monday sought a report from Tamil Nadu authorities over the case of two women allegedly contracting HIV from blood transfusion. Calling it a matter of "serious concern", NCW chief Rekha Sharma wrote to Tamil Nadu Principal Secretary at the Department of Health and Family Welfare J Radhakrishnan and asked him to probe the matter. The official has been directed to send a report to the women rights body at the earliest. A 24-year-old pregnant woman in Virudhunagar contracted HIV allegedly after being transfused contaminated blood. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the blood bank staff had failed to screen the blood properly before supplying it to the private hospital. The personnel who tested the donor's blood had labelled it 'safe,' officials said. The state government had ordered a probe and an examination of all stocks at blood banks in the state after the incident. The Commission said that a 27-year-old woman had accused doctors at Kilpauk Medical

IIM-Bangalore to implement revamped tea e-auction system

India's leading B-school IIM-Bangalore has been entrusted to devise the revamping of the existing tea auction methodology for improved price discovery. A tea industry source said that the Tea Board has formed a special committee and put the process on fast track mode. The decision was taken 25 days ago, the source said. "Hopefully, price discovery will be better after the revamp, as the present prices in north India is making it difficult for the industry to survive," the source said. In north India, prices should rise by Rs 30 to Rs 35 per kg from the existing flat levels of Rs 153, as compared to south India, where prices were up by Rs 30 per kg from the present levels of Rs 100. "South Indian tea is cheap and poor in quality as compared to north India. Prices of such tea are rising because people are demanding cheap tea and marketers are making good efforts to make them saleable," he said. The source said that if prices do not increase in north India, many gardens ...

Bacteria found in Irish soil may fight superbugs: Study

Scientists have discovered a strain of bacteria in Irish soil that can effectively fight superbugs resistant to antibiotics. The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes the problem of antibiotic resistant superbugs as "one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today". The strain, named Streptomyces sp myrophorea, was discovered by a team based in Swansea University in the UK. The soil they analysed originated from an area of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, which is known as the Boho Highlands. It is an area of alkaline grassland and the soil is reputed to have healing properties. The search for replacement antibiotics to combat multi-resistance has prompted researchers to explore new sources, including folk medicines: a field of study known as ethnopharmacology. They are also focusing on environments where well-known antibiotic producers like Streptomyces can be found. One of the research team, Dr Gerry Quinn, a previous resident of Boho, County ...

Bacteria in Northern Ireland soil could combat superbugs: Study

A bacteria discovered in the soil from Northern Ireland can halt the spread of several antibiotic resistant superbugs, new research has found.

How gut bacteria can prevent ill effects of high BP

Gut bacteria can help defend against heart and vascular damage caused by high blood pressure, a study in mice has found. Gut microbes produce fatty acid propionate -- which calms the immune cells that drive up blood pressure from -- natural dietary fibre. The substance defends against the effects of high blood pressure, including atherosclerosis and heart tissue remodelling, researchers said. A large extent of our well-being depends on what bacterial guests in our digestive tract consume. Gut flora help the human body to utilise food and produce essential micronutrients, including vitamins, they said. Beneficial gut microbes can produce metabolites from dietary fibre, including a fatty acid called propionate. The research published in the journal Circulation showed how this substance protects against the harmful consequences of high blood pressure. Researchers from the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) in Germany fed propionate to mice with elevated blood pressure. ...