Page 315 - Health Medical Pharma

Regulators flag second impurity in China-made heart drug

FRANKFURT/BENGALURU (Reuters) - European and North American regulators have said they are examining a second potentially cancer-causing substance in a commonly-used blood pressure drug made by Chinese firm Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals.

Thalassaemia patients on the rise in Maldives

The Maldivian Blood Service has expressed concern over the rising number of Thalassaemia patients in the archipelago nation.

Spread awareness on curability of leprosy, end discrimination: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that awareness be spread about the free treatment available to cure leprosy and directed the central and state governments to formulate rehabilitation schemes for those suffering from the disease.

Kidney stones partially dissolve naturally: Study

Scientists have found that kidney stones partially dissolve and regrow again as they form, challenging previously held theories as well as raising hopes for new treatment.

Sexual minority youth at higher risk of drug use: Study

Young people who identify themselves as lesbian, gay or bisexual are at an increased risk of using substances such as alcohol, nicotine and marijuana, a new study has found.

Inhaled steroids may up risk of non-TB lung infections: Study

If you are asthmatic and use inhaled steroids to manage your breathing problems, think twice. You may be at greater risk for developing lung infections, say researchers, while cautioning doctors against prescribing them.

'New virus behind kidney disease uncovered'

Scientists said Friday they have discovered a brand-new virus strain, which could change the way chronic and childhood kidney diseases are treated. Researchers at the Centenary Institute in Australia noticed some immune-compromised laboratory mice were dying in middle-age, much earlier than their expected lifespan. Further investigation revealed the mice were succumbing to kidney failure, according to the study published in the journal Cell. Using leading-edge DNA sequencing technologies, the scientists, including those from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the US, were able to pinpoint the cause as an entirely new parvovirus. Parvoviruses are extremely small viruses that are generally benign, except in immune-compromised individuals. The researchers are currently looking at ways they can translate these findings into clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease. "This virus is very widespread and has been affecting laboratory mice for 40

Two children of family die of suspected food poisoning

Two children of a family died and another taken seriously ill due to suspected food poisoning in the Fakharpur area here, police said Friday. Sufiyan, 6, and Afsar Ali, 11, died of food poisoning on Thursday, while their sister Nagma, 14, was taken seriously ill in Rasoolpur Darheta village, Chief Medical Officer A K Pandey said. He said a medical team has been rushed to the village. Nagma is undergoing treatment at the district hospital here, Pandey added.

Anti-inflammatory diet may help you live longer: Study

A diet consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grain bread, low-fat cheese, olive oil and moderate amounts of red wine may help you live longer, a study claims. The study, published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, found that adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet was associated with lower risks of dying from any cause, from cardiovascular causes, and from cancer. The study by researchers at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland involved 68,273 Swedish men and women aged 45 to 83 years who were followed for 16 years. Participants who most closely followed an anti-inflammatory diet had an 18 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality, compared to those who followed the diet to a lesser degree. They also had a 20 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular mortality and a 13 per cent lower risk of cancer mortality, researchers said. "Our dose-response analysis showed that even partial adherence to the anti-inflammatory diet may provide a health benefit," said Joanna Kaluza, .

Testosterone replacement therapy may slow progression of COPD

Testosterone replacement therapy may slow the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study has found.

PLA doubles new recruits' training period to improve combat readiness

The Chinese military has doubled the training period for new recruits of its ground forces from three to six months in a bid to improve their combat capabilities, state media reported Friday. The new recruits of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) will be trained on professional skills before they are allocated to different companies, which have their own schedules and pace for professional skills training, Global Times quoted the PLA Army announcement as saying. The PLA is the world's largest military with two million troops. The new recruits could not keep pace with veterans, and veterans are not receiving enough training, the announcement said. The problem has influenced and curbed the sustainable development of the PLA Army's combat capability, an anonymous official of a training bureau was quoted as saying in the announcement. "Now the new recruit training is more effective, and they will be allocated to combat units after being fully trained to the standard of a qualified ...

This diet may help you live longer

Adhering to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread, nuts, olive oil and canola oil may help you live longer, a new study has found.

Environmental pollutants may harm your kidneys: Study

Certain highly pervasive environmental pollutants may have a harmful effect on your kidney health, a study warns. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of non-biodegradable compounds used in industrial processes and consumer products, and they are everywhere in the environment, said researchers from Duke University in the US. Humans are exposed to PFAS through contaminated soil, food, water, soil, and air, they said. The findings, which appear in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), point to the need for additional research to clarify and address these effects. To investigate whether PFAS exposure may be affecting kidney health, researchers searched the medical literature for relevant studies. "The kidneys are very sensitive organs, particularly when it comes to environmental toxins that can get in our bloodstream," said John Stanifer from Duke University. "Because so many people are now exposed to these PFAS chemicals, and to the

Suven secures product patents in New Zealand and Sri Lanka

Suven Life Sciences Friday said it has been granted a product patent by New Zealand and Sri Lanka corresponding to a new chemical entity (NCE) for the treatment of disorders associated with neurodegenerative diseases. These patents are valid till 2034 and 2031, respectively, the company said in a BSE filing. "We are very pleased by the grant of these patents to Suven for our pipeline of molecules in the CNS arena, which are being developed for cognitive disorders with high unmet medical need with a huge market potential globally," Suven Life CEO Venkat Jasti said. The compounds are being developed as therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Huntington's disease, Parkinson's and schizophrenia, it added. Suven Life Sciences shares were trading 2.38 per cent up at Rs 313.80 apiece on BSE.

Lupin intimates of successful USFDA inspection of its Nagpur facility

Lupin's Nagpurfacility is the company's latest site and manufactures Oral Solid Dosage products. The site also houses Lupin's state of the art injectable manufacturing facility.

Can testosterone replacement therapy reduce progression of lung disease?

According to a study, testosterone replacement therapy may slow the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. It is predicted by the World Health Organisation to be the third-leading cause of illness and death internationally by 2030. Low testosterone is common in men with COPD and may worsen their condition. Men with COPD have shortness of breath and often take steroid-based medications for an extended time, both of which increase their risk of low testosterone."Previous studies have suggested that testosterone replacement therapy may have a positive effect on lung function in men with COPD," said Jacques Baillargeon of The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.The goal of the study was to find out whether testosterone replacement therapy reduced the risk of respiratory hospitalisations in middle-aged and older men with COPD."We found that testosterone users had a ...

Environmental pollutants could weaken your kidneys

Certain environmental pollutants, according to a study, may be the reason for deteriorating kidney health in individuals.Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of manufactured non-biodegradable compounds used in industrial processes and consumer products, and they are everywhere in the environment.Humans are exposed to PFAS through contaminated soil, food, water, and air. Recently, they have been detected in military bases, where they are used in aqueous fire-fighting foams, as well as in public water supplies from industrial contamination and in agricultural and crop products.To investigate whether PFAS exposure may be affecting kidney health, John Stanifer of Duke University and his colleagues searched the medical literature for relevant studies."The kidneys are very sensitive organs, particularly when it comes to environmental toxins that can get in our bloodstream. Because so many people are now exposed to these PFAS chemicals, and to the newer, ...

Spread awareness on curability of leprosy, eliminate discrimination: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that awareness be spread about the free treatment available for leprosy patients and directed the central and state governments to formulate rehabilitation schemes for those suffering from the disease.

USFDA completes inspection of Nagpur facility, no observation issued: Lupin

Drug firm Lupin Friday said the US health regulator has completed inspection of its Nagpur facility in Maharashtra without any observation. The product specific pre-approval inspection by USFDA concluded without any observation, Lupin said in a BSE filing. Shares of Lupin were trading at Rs 972.80 apiece, up 1.72 per cent, from the previous close on BSE.

Sun Pharma and SPARC's XELPROS gets USFDA nod

Sun Pharma and its research arm Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd (SPARC) Friday said the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has approved its new drug application of XELPROS, used to reduce open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. "This approval is from Sun Pharma's Halol (Gujarat) facility. Sun Pharma in-licensed XELPROS from SPARC in June 2015 and this approval will trigger a milestone payment to SPARC," Sun Pharma and SPARC said in a joint statement. SPARC is also eligible for milestone payments and royalties on commercialisation of XELPROS in the US, it added. "This approval, coming less than one month following the approval of CEQUA (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.09 per cent, reaffirms the strength of Sun Pharma's fast-growing Ophthalmics division and its commitment to serving the needs of patients with ocular disorders," Sun Pharma CEO North America Abhay Gandhi said. XELPROS will be commercialised in the US by Sun Ophthalmics, the branded ophthalmic ...