Page 306 - Health Medical Pharma
Banning tobacco displays may prevent children from buying cigarettes
Removing displays of tobacco products from shops may significantly reduce the number of children buying cigarettes, a study has found. The research, from Imperial College London (ICL) in the UK, assessed survey responses from 18,000 11-15 year olds across England between 2010 and 2016. The findings suggest tobacco display bans may have an important role in reducing the number of child smokers. However, the study also suggested that more than two in three child smokers had not been refused cigarettes when they last attempted to buy them - a figure that remained unchanged between 2010-2016. Majority of child smokers said it was easy to buy cigarettes in shops. This rose slightly from 61 per cent in 2010 to 65 per cent in 2016. In 2015 the display of cigarettes was banned in all shops in the UK. Before this, 57 per cent of children who smoked regularly bought their cigarettes in shops. However the latest study, published in the journal Tobacco Control, revealed this fell to 40 per cent ..
Govt mulling provision for compensation in case of adverse event caused by med device
The government is planning to bring a provision under which a medical device manufacturing company will have to offer monetary relief to patients in case of an adverse event. The move comes after complaints that patients had suffered due to faulty hip implants by a subsidiary of pharma giant Johnson and Johnson. The government has formed a high powered expert committee to evaluate the cases and determine the quantum of compensation to be given to the victims. Under the provision, to be introduced as part of the Medical Device Rules, 2017, companies will have to provide compensation to patients if the device causes injury, turns out to be unsafe, malfunctions or there is non-compliance with the licence rules, a Health Ministry official said. The value of the compensation to be given to patients will be decided on the severity of the case. "Once finalised the new rules will be notified," the official said. The Centre has constituted a five-member expert committee to determine the ...
Genomic study may help cure diabetes
Turns out, the study of all genes at the DNA, mRNA, and proteome levels, as well as the cellular or tissue level or simply the Genomic study can help cure type 2 diabetes.Most patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are treated with a "one-size-fits-all" protocol that is not tailored to each person's physiology and may leave many cases inadequately managed.A new study by scientists at Harvard University indicated that inherited genetic changes may underlie the variability observed among patients in the clinic, with several pathophysiological processes potentially leading to high blood sugar and its resulting consequences.By analysing genomic data with a computational tool that incorporates genetic complexity, the researchers identified five distinct groups of DNA sites that appear to drive distinct forms of the illness in unique ways.The work performed as the first step towards using genetics to identify subtypes of type 2 diabetes, which could help physicians prescribe interventions .
PM Modi to launch Ayushman Bharat today
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will roll out the Centre's flagship Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan AarogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY) in Ranchi today.Under the vision of Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) shall be implemented so that each and every citizen receives his due share of healthcare.This is considered to be the "world's largest government-funded healthcare program" targeting more than 50 crore beneficiaries.PMJAY will provide a cover of up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year, for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Over 10.74 crore vulnerable entitled families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) will be eligible for these benefits.The healthcare programme will provide cashless and paperless access to services for the beneficiary at the point of service. It will help reduce catastrophic expenditure for hospitalisation, which impoverishes people and will help mitigate the financial risk arising out of catastrophic health episodes.Entitled families
Dr Kafeel Khan arrested for 'disturbing' services in Bahraich hospital: Police
Dr Kafeel Khan, who is out on bail in connection with the death of infants at a state-run hospital in Gorakhpur last year, was arrested Saturday for arguing with doctors and "disturbing" treatment being given to patients at the district hospital here, police said. Kafeel's brother Adeel Khan said he was arrested just before he was going to address media on deaths due to acute encephalitis syndrome in the state. Superintendent of Police Sabharaj Singh said, "Police got information that a person entered the hospital and disturbed treatment being given to the patients admitted there. He was also arguing with the doctors. The person was later arrested and introduced himself as Dr Kafeel Khan". Kafeel is one of the nine accused in the case involving the death of 63 children within four days due to disruption in the supply of oxygen at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College in August 2017. He was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police in September 2017. The Allahabad High Court had granted him .
Punjab FDA team seizes substandard quality food products
A team of Punjab Food and Drug administration has claimed to have found food and other items of substandard quality and which were packaged in such a fashion so that they look similar to the famous brands. In a raid conducted at a factory premises in Punjab's Mansa district on Friday night, an inspecting team found products like 'ghee' (clarified butter) was being prepared and it was being packaged similar to brands like Verka, Amul and Milkfood, an official spokesman said. The ghee was produced with the use of vegetable fat mixture, spokesman said. About 700 printed packets of 'Tata Tea Gold' with low quality tea were also found. Entire stock including wrappers and packets was seized, spokesman said. In another case, the team found a firm which was labeling the rice bran oil as pure mustard oil in Sangrur, spokesman said. Notably, the Punjab Food and Drug administration had launched a campaign to check manufacturing of adulterated and substandard quality food products.
170 illegal clinics sealed in Kashmir
The authorities in Kashmir have sealed 170 illegal and unauthorised clinics across the valley, officials said here on Saturday. On the directions of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) has sealed 170 illegal and unauthorised clinics across the valley, an official spokesperson said. Khan had directed all Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to constitute teams comprising of members from health services and revenue department to conduct daily inspection of all clinical establishments and diagnostic laboratories across the valley and Leh and Kargil districts, the official said. The directions for the inspection came after several reports were received by the Divisional Commissioner's office regarding the operating of unauthorised clinical establishments in different areas across Kashmir, the official added. Khan had also directed them to take necessary action against such establishments which were operating in violation of rules,
Lack of hygiene among contact lens wearers may cause infection
Owing to poor hygiene, contact lens wearers in the UK are more at risk of developing a rare but preventable eye infection that can cause blindness, researchers have warned.
Delhi hospital treats woman with rare eye deformity
Doctors have given here a new lease of life to a woman who had been suffering from a rare eye deformity since birth.
Congo reports Ebola death close to busy Ugandan border
A Congolese woman who refused an Ebola vaccination and then disappeared has died of the virus near the heavily travelled border with Uganda, which is preparing to begin vaccinations as needed. The confirmed Ebola death highlights the challenges health workers are facing in a region of northeastern Congo that had never experienced an outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever before. Authorities have fought rumours and trained community members including traditional healers in efforts to calm and educate nervous residents. The 32-year-old woman had assisted in the burials of other Ebola victims and health workers had followed her as a possible case, but she refused a vaccination and disappeared from the city of Beni, said the vice governor of Ituri Province, Pacifique Keta. She died on Thursday at a hospital in Tshomia, on Lake Albert. It is the closest a confirmed Ebola death in the current outbreak has been to Uganda, which has said it was making arrangements with the World Health ...
Ayushmann' wife Tahira reveals cancer diagnosis, actor says she is a fighter
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana's wife Tahira Kashyap has revealed that she was diagnosed with "stage 0" breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy procedure. In an optimistic Instagram post, Tahira said she was "detected with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in my right breast with high grade malignant cells". "Simply put stage 0 cancer/ pre-cancerous stage, with cancer cells multiplying in a contained area. The result I have become a half Indian version of Angelina Jolie (since only one breast was involved)! I told my doctor now is the time to give some competition to the Kardashians since Pamela is pass. But no one listened to me, so now I have a portion of my back tissue in my breast. Perhaps now I can do chin-ups with my breasts!" she wrote. Ayushmann said that Tahira is doing well and has been discharged after the surgery. "Today is the good day as she is discharged now. We got the shocker. I am glad the surgery happened and was successful. She is a fighter. The last four days I was in ...
Insulin can help treat chronic bowel inflammation
Insulin, which plays a key role in managing blood sugar, also has potential against colitis -- a chronic bowel inflammation, finds a study.
Breast milk may help boost preemies' brain development
Premature babies fed with breast milk are more likely to have better brain development than those fed on formula milk, a new study has found.
New genetic disorder identified in human patient
In a first, US researchers have identified a new genetic disorder, which was previously described in animal models, in a human patient.
New blood test in pregnancy to predict autism risk in babies
Researchers have developed a novel blood test for pregnant mothers that can, with nearly 90 per cent accuracy rate, predict the probability of having a child that will be diagnosed with autism.
Stroke Prevention: Short video contest for college students
The Indian Stroke Association (ISA), an umbrella body of over 800 specialists across the country, has invited entries for a national short video contest from college students. This is part of spreading awareness about stroke, ahead of the World Stroke day on October 29. Contestants can choose subjects like 'Stroke - Symptoms and Early detection,' 'Lifestyle Factors and Stroke' and 'F. A.S.T', 'Life After Stroke', 'Stroke and Survival' and 'Preventing Stroke' to make their videos, a press release said. The videos, which should be of a minimum duration of 30 seconds and a maximum of 1 minute, can be made in English or Hindi. The contest is open to degree and postgraduate students of all disciplines, who can participate either individually or in groups. The last date for submitting entries is October 5 and only the first 100 entries received on or before the deadline would be evaluated. The first, second and third winners, as chosen by a jury comprising medical experts, ...
Cooking with wood, coal ups respiratory illness risk
Burning wood or coal to cook food a practice prevalent in low income countries like India -- may increase risk of hospitalisation or dying from respiratory diseases, a study has found. About three billion people around the world live in households that regularly burn wood, coal or other solid fuels to cook their food, researchers said. Solid fuels emit very high levels of pollutants, especially very small particles that can penetrate deep into the lungs. Typically, these households are found in the rural areas of low- and middle-income countries. Although China is rapidly urbanising, one third of its population still relies on solid fuels. Researchers from the Oxford University in the UK and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences found that chronic and acute respiratory disease hospitalisations or deaths were 36 per cent higher among those who used wood or coal for cooking compared to those who used electricity or gas. According to the study published in the American Journal of ...
Breast milk helps in brain development in premature babies
Breast milk sure has a lot of health benefits for babies. According to a new research, babies born before their due date show better brain development when fed breast milk rather than formula milk.Premature birth has been linked to an increased possibility of problems with learning and thinking skills in later life, which are thought to be linked to alterations in brain development. Experts say that helping mothers to provide breast milk in the weeks after giving birth could improve long-term outcomes for children born pre-term.Studies have shown that pre-term birth is associated with changes in the part of the brain's structure that helps brain cells to communicate with one another, known as white matter.Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied MRI brain scans from 47 babies from a study group known as the Theirworld Edinburgh Birth Cohort.The babies had been born before 33 weeks gestation and scans took place when they reached a term-equivalent age, an average of 40 weeks .
Eye infection in contact lens wearers can cause blindness
An outbreak of a rare but preventable eye infection, that can cause blindness, has been identified in contact lens wearers in the UK, scientists say. Reusable contact lens wearers with the eye infection are more likely to have used an ineffective contact lens solution, have contaminated their lenses with water or reported poor contact lens hygiene, according to the findings published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. "This infection is still quite rare, usually affecting 2.5 in 100,000 contact lens users per year in South East England, but it's largely preventable. This increase in cases highlights the need for contact lens users to be aware of the risks," said John Dart, a professor at the University College London in the UK. Acanthamoeba keratitis is an eye disease that causes the front surface of the eye, the cornea, to become painful and inflamed, due to infection by Acanthamoeba, a cyst-forming microorganism. Researchers found a threefold increase in Acanthamoeba keratitis
AFib linked to family history in blacks
According to a new research, black and Latino individuals are paradoxically more likely to experience higher rates of complications and even death as a result of atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib.Due to the development of a large, diverse registry of patients, researchers at the University of Illinois who have been studying AFib in minority populations think they have unlocked one small part of the mystery."Our analysis shows that there is a genetic predisposition to early-onset AFib in blacks and Latinos that is greater than what we see in whites," said Dr. Dawood Darbar, a researcher.Darbar added that the study offered the first research-based evidence in support of increased monitoring, even including genetic testing, of individuals and their families who have first-degree relatives diagnosed with AFib prior to the age of 60 as a preventive measure against complications that can develop as a result of the condition, including stroke."Many people with AFib do not know they ...