Page 335 - Health Medical Pharma

New urine test detects cause of river blindness

Scientists have developed a new urine diagnostic to detect the parasitic worms that cause river blindness, also called onchocerciasis, a tropical disease that afflicts 18 to 120 million people worldwide.The new, non-invasive test may provide an inexpensive method of determining in real time whether a person has an infection, which would give public health officials and doctors critical information for tracking outbreaks and treating current infections.River blindness is a filarial disease, like elephantiasis, and occurs when the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus takes up residence in the skin. Adult worms pump out babies (microfilaria) at an alarming rate, which are ultimately re-spread by blackfly bites.The microfilariae can migrate to the eye and die, releasing toxins and causing inflammation. People with the disease will slowly go blind without medical intervention.Currently, onchocerciasis elimination programs rely primarily on mass drug administration of the therapy Ivermectin ..

Debunking myths about pregnancy

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes in a woman's life and also inhibitions around myths related to delivery day. Experts debunk many such myths for a woman to enjoy this beautiful phase.

C'garh girl on ventilator support dies as cylinder runs out of oxygen

A five-year-old girl died today after the cylinder attached to her ventilator support system ran out of oxygen while she was being shifted to another hospital 160 kms away in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division, an official said. Bijapur Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr B R Pujari said the incident took place when Bulbul Kudiyam, who was diagnosed with severe pneumonia and was on ventilator support, was being shifted to Jagdalpur Medical College Hospital in Bastar district from Bijapur district hospital. Kudiyam, a resident of Toynar village, had fallen ill at her ashram school in nearby Matwada village and was admitted in Bijapur district hospital on August 22, Dr Pujari told PTI. He said that last night it was decided to shift her to Jagdalpur, around 160 kms from Bijapur, as her condition had turned critical. Dr Pujari said the oxygen in the cylinder ran out by the time the ambulance reached Tokapal village in Bastar and Kudiyam was declared dead on arrival by doctors of the ...

Panacea Biotec enters into tripartite agreement with Natco and Breckenridge

For manufacture and supply of Azacitidine Injection for the U.S market

U.S. FDA proposes restricting compounding of 3 drug substances

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed excluding three substances from a list of ingredients that could be used to manufacture compounded medications in bulk for use by hospitals and doctors' offices.

Diet impacts emotional well-being in women: Study

Women may need a more nutrient-rich diet than men to maintain positive emotional well-being, according to a study. Researchers from Binghamton University in the US conducted an anonymous survey of 563 participants (48 per cent men and 52 per cent women) through social media. They found that men are more likely to experience mental well-being until nutritional deficiencies arise. Women, however, are less likely to experience mental well-being unless a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are followed. The study, published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience, may explain reports from previous studies that show women are at a greater risk for mental distress when compared to men. It emphasises the role of a nutrient-dense diet in mental wellbeing. "The biggest takeaway is that women may need a larger spectrum of nutrients to support mood, compared to men," said Lina Begdache, an assistant professor at Binghamton University. "These findings may explain the reason why women are twice .

Health Ministry deliberating report on 'faulty' hip replacement surgeries by MNC: Nadda

Union Health Minister JP Nadda today said his ministry is holding deliberations on an expert panel's report on "faulty" hip replacements surgeries by a multinational company in India. We are deliberating on it, he told reporters here, with elaborating. His comments came after reports appeared in the media, claiming pharma giant Johnson and Johnson "suppressed" facts on the harm caused by surgeries which were conducted on patients in India using "faulty" hip replacement systems. According to reports, the expert committee, set up to investigate complaints about hip implant devices, has suggested that the company pay compensation of around Rs 20 lakh to the affected patients.

Panacea inks pact with Natco, Breckenridge for cancer drug

Panacea Biotec today said it has inked a tripartite pact with Natco Pharma and Breckenridge Pharmaceutical Inc to manufacture and supply of Azacitidine injection, a chemotherapy drug, for the US market. As per the terms of agreement, Natco has provided the technology for manufacturing Azacitidine to Panacea Biotec's Baddi facility. Panacea will be responsible for manufacture and supply of the product, which will be marketed, sold and distributed by Breckenridge in the US. In a regulatory filing, Panacea said its application (prior approval supplement) for qualifying its site has been filed with the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the approval is expected in due course of time. "This collaboration will enable the company to grow its revenues and will also ensure increased capacity utilisation of our oncology plant at Baddi," Panacea Biotec Managing Director Rajesh Jain said. Shares of Panacea today ended 0.91 per cent down at Rs 256 on the BSE.

Less than 6 hours of sleep linked to hardened arteries

Sleeping less than six hours or waking up several times in the night is associated with an increased risk of asymptomatic atherosclerosis, which silently hardens and narrows arteries, warns a study.

Cooking with coal, wood may up cardiovascular death risk: Study

Long-term use of coal, wood, or charcoal for cooking may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, according to a study. "Our study suggests that people who use solid fuels for cooking should switch to electricity or gas as soon as possible," said Derrick Bennett from the University of Oxford in the UK. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels, and is the leading cause of death globally. It has been suggested that air pollution from cooking with solid fuels, such as coal, wood, or charcoal, may lead to premature death from cardiovascular disease, but there is limited evidence. The latest study assessed the association between solid fuel use for cooking and cardiovascular death, as well as the potential impact of switching from solid to clean fuel (electricity or gas). It included 341,730 adults aged 30-79 years recruited from ten areas of China in 2004 to 2008. Participants were interviewed about how often they cooked ...

J B Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals' facility at Panoli gets inspected by USFDA

Receives two minor procedural observations

No safe level of drinking alcohol: Lancet study

There is no safe level of drinking, according to a study which found that nearly three million deaths globally in 2016 were attributed to alcohol consumption. The study, published in The Lancet journal, analysed alcohol use and its impact on health for 195 countries and territories. "The health risks associated with alcohol are massive," said Emmanuela Gakidou from the University of Washington in the US. "Our findings are consistent with other recent research, which found clear and convincing correlations between drinking and premature death, cancer, and cardiovascular problems," Gakidou said. For years, experts have said that moderate drinking -- defined as up to a drink per day for women and up to two per day for men -- probably is not bad for overall health. "Zero alcohol consumption minimises the overall risk of health loss," Gakidou said. The study shows that in 2016, nearly three million deaths globally were attributed to alcohol use, including 12 per cent of deaths in males ...

Lupin launches contraceptive drug in the US market

Drug maker Lupin today launched Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol, Levomefolate Calcium tablets and Levomefolate Calcium tablets, used to prevent pregnancy, in the US market. The company has launched the product in the US after having received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) earlier, Lupin said in a BSE filing. Approval was granted in the strengths of 3 mg/ 0.02mg/ 0.451 mg and 0.451 mg. Lupin's product is a generic equivalent of Bayer's Beyazs tablets. Quoting IQVIA MAT June 2018 data, Lupin said Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol and Levomefolate Calcium Tablets and Levomefolate Calcium Tablets had annual sales of approximately USD 80.8 million in the US. Lupin shares were trading 0.38 per cent up at Rs 910.60 apiece on BSE.

Lupin launches Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol, Levomefolate Calcium Tablets and Levomefolate Calcium Tablets

Lupin's Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol, Levomefolate Calcium Tablets and Levomefolate Calcium Tablets, 3 mg/0.02 mg/0.451 mg and 0.451 mg, are the generic equivalent of Bayer's Beyazs Tablets. It is indicated for use by women to:

Sangath launches young artists's illustrated zine on mental health

International mental health expert and one of Time 100's most influential individuals, Dr. Vikram Patel has launched an art exhibition and series of illustrated books about mental health and depression by young artist and mental health advocate, Ishita Mehra at a large discussion event in New Delhi.Dr. Patel emphasised the importance of self-expression and art in helping break down mental health stigma, saying, "Even though mental health difficulties are common in young people and often hidden from view due to the stigma attached to these problems, using art can be a more effective way to engage young people and bring mental health out of the shadows," he also highlighted how important and significant it is that young people are joining this movement in such an inspiring way.The event was organised by Indian mental health NGO, Sangath, along with the American Center and the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Harvard University, and also featured youth health expert, ...

Mobile apps can provide timely medication reminder: Study

Smartphone apps could potentially save lives by helping people with heart disease keep on top of their medication, a study has found. The study, published in the journal Heart, shows the use of high-quality medication reminder apps increases people's adherence to cardiovascular medication. While medication apps have long been available online, this is the first time researchers have explored the evidence around their effectiveness in people with heart disease and whether they work in terms of health and behaviour. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death globally and around 40 per cent of patients do not adhere to their medications, therefore increasing their risk of subsequent heart attacks, researchers said. "Patients with coronary heart disease can become overwhelmed with the amount of pills they are taking as they are often prescribed up to four different types of medication, which need to be taken sometimes up to three times a day," said Julie Redfern, an associate ...

This AI system spots often-missed lung cancer tumours

Researchers from University of Central Florida in the US have taught a computer how to detect tiny specks of lung cancer in computed tomography (CT) scans, which radiologists often have a difficult time identifying.

Lack of sleep doubles heart disease risk in men: Study

Middle-aged men who sleep less than five hours a night have twice the risk of developing a major cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke, a study has found. Previous studies have generated conflicting evidence on whether short sleep is associated with a greater chance of having a future cardiovascular event. The study investigated this relationship in 50-year-old men. "For people with busy lives, sleeping may feel like a waste of time but our study suggests that short sleep could be linked with future cardiovascular disease," said Moa Bengtsson, of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. In 1993, 50 per cent of all men born in 1943 and living in Gothenburg were randomly selected to participate in the study. Of the 1,463 invited, 798 (55 per cent) men agreed to take part. Participants underwent a physical examination and completed a questionnaire on current health conditions, average sleep duration, physical activity, and smoking. The men were divided into four groups ...

Potential universal flu vaccine identified

Scientists have identified a potential universal influenza vaccine that could protect people against most strains of the virus. The candidate vaccine, described in the journal Nature Communications, elicited a strong antibody response to a structure on the surface of flu viruses, called the hemagglutinin (HA) stalk. It protected mice from infection by various flu strains, researchers said. It has the potential to be developed into a universal flu vaccine, which -- unlike the current seasonal flu vaccines -- could be given a few times over a lifetime to provide protection potentially similar to a tetanus vaccine. "This vaccine was able to do something that most other candidate flu vaccines have not been able to do," said Drew Weissman, a professor of at the University of Pennsylvania in the US. "It was able to elicit protective responses against a conserved region that offers broad protection," said Weissman. "If it works in humans even half as well as it does in mice, then the sky's ..

Inadequate sleep may fuel cardiovascular diseases in men

Men who sleep five hours or less per night have twice the risk of developing a major cardiovascular event during the following two decades than those who sleep seven to eight hours, according to a new study."For people with busy lives, sleeping may feel like a waste of time but our study suggests that short sleep could be linked with future cardiovascular disease," said Moa Bengtsson, author of the study which was recently presented at a meeting in Germany.Previous studies have generated conflicting evidence on whether short sleep is associated with a greater chance of having a future cardiovascular event. However, this study investigated the relationship in 50-year-old men.Participants were followed-up for 21 years for the occurrence of major cardiovascular events, which included heart attack, stroke, hospitalisation due to heart failure, coronary revascularisation, or death from cardiovascular disease.High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, smoking, low physical activity, and poor ..