Page 35 - Health Medical Pharma
US doctor charged with killing 25 patients with powerful opioid
A doctor in the US state of Ohio was charged Wednesday with the murders of 25 critically-ill hospital patients for allegedly administering lethal doses of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl to hasten their deaths. A grand jury indicted William Husel on 25 counts of murder for the deaths of patients under his care while he was employed by the Mount Carmel Health System hospital network in the Midwestern state's capital Columbus. "I've been a prosecutor for 22 years and I have not seen a 25-count murder indictment," Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien told a news conference. The indictment was the latest salvo in a case that exposed the failure of multiple healthcare safeguards, raising questions about the roles of the dozens of nurses and pharmacists who worked with Husel. Husel's alleged actions spanned four years and may have involved as many as 35 patients who were near death or critically ill, with most not expected to survive, authorities said. Cold-case homicide detectives
Cell migration mechanisms leads to breast cancer spreading to bones, study finds
A recent study examined the mechanisms of cell migration which further states how breast cancer cells generate and later settle into the bones.The study was published in the journal, ' Scientific Reports'.Jing Liu, one of the researchers believed that by examining the cancer cells through biophysics, it will be clear how cancer cells generate enough force to move from the primary tumour site through the body."From a physics point of view, all the cell migration is driven by force," Liu said."We really want to discover the force architecture of a cell and deliver the biomechanical and biophysical explanations toward cellular activities. The major focus of our lab is developing imaging methods to physically interpret cancer biology.""We are working with mathematicians and engineers to develop a mathematical model and physical model of the cell migration," he added.A Forster Resonance Energy Transfer-based tension, or FRET, the sensor was used to monitor the force dynamics during cell ...
Women cannabis users underrepresented in health research: Study
Women cannabis users are underrepresented in health research, and according to a recent study, this could limit the understanding of the impact of drugs on women.A team of researchers has found that the majority of cannabis use research reflects the experience of male cannabis users, with very limited information on how women react to the drug.They also found that there was little research on cannabis psychosis in countries where cannabis use is high.The findings were published in the Journal of Current Psychiatry Reports.Most of the researches tend to be focused in America, Europe, and Australia, missing the impact of the drug in Africa, Asian and the Middle East, where very little is known about the number of people that develop cannabis psychosis."Across the world governments are opening up access to cannabis for health or recreation. This means that it is important that people have access to information about the risks as well as benefits of using cannabis," said Ian Hamilton, ...
Researchers examine potential misuse of anti-anxiety medication: Study
As part of a recent study, researchers examined the potential misuse of anti-anxiety medication.There is concern about the misuse of the sedative anti-anxiety medication alprazolam because of the "high" it can create.According to the findings, published in the Journal of British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, non-medical use of alprazolam (anti-anxiety medication) in the United Kingdom is a significant issue, and it appears to be more prevalent in younger adults.The study examined results from a survey that included 10,019 adults in the United Kingdom. The estimated national prevalence of lifetime non-medical use of alprazolam was 0.32%, and 1.30% for diazepam (valium), another anti-anxiety medication.The prevalence of non-medical use in the last 90 days was significantly different when split by age category for alprazolam, but not for diazepam, with alprazolam non-medical use being more common among younger adults.The authors noted that most individuals taking alprazolam for ...
Man rushed to govt hospital in critical condition dies in Ker;
A 62-year old man, suffering from fever and breathing problems, died hours after being 'denied' admission at the government medical college hospital here where he was rushed in a serious condition from neighbouring Idduki, his relatives alleged. Jacob Thomas of Idukki was also turned away by two private hospitals here where they had taken him after leaving the medical college hospital, the relatives alleged. Taking a serious note of the incident, the state government directed the Medical Education Director to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. Health Minister K K Shailaja told mediapersons that action would be taken against hospital authorities if negligence on their part was proved in the probe. Talking to reporters, relatives of Thomas alleged he was refused admission at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital (KMCH) when he was brought there in an ambulance at 2.10 pm and he died about a couple hours later after being denied treatment in two private hospitals ...
Trump ending fetal tissue research by federal scientists
The Trump administration said Wednesday it is ending medical research by government scientists using human fetal tissue, a victory for abortion foes that comes despite impassioned pleas from scientists that some health problems can't be studied any other way. Research using fetal tissue that otherwise would be discarded has been funded by the government, under leadership of both political parties, for decades and has led to life-saving advances including development of vaccines for rubella and rabies, and drugs for the HIV virus. Officials said government-sponsored research by universities will be allowed to continue, subject to additional scrutiny. But ongoing research at the National Institutes of Health involving fetal tissue from elective abortion would not be allowed to proceed. The policy change will not affect privately funded research that uses human fetal tissue. "Promoting the dignity of human life from conception to natural death is one of the very top priorities of ...
Weak upper body strength in women associated with depression, anxiety
Weak upper and lower body fitness can cause serious depression and anxiety in midlife women, a recent study suggests.Although several studies have previously linked depression in midlife women with self-reported low physical activity, this new study evaluates objective measures of physical performance in relation to depression and anxiety in premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women.Depression and anxiety are prevalent symptoms experienced by midlife women. This latest study of more than 1,100 women aged 45 to 69 years found, in fact, that 15 per cent of participants, especially those of younger age, reported depression and or anxiety.Findings were published in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society.Because depression can cause disability, reduced quality of life, mortality, and heart disease, researchers felt it was important to identify potentially modifiable risk factors that could reduce morbidity and mortality.The study observed significant associations
Henry Lynch, pioneering cancer researcher, dead at 91
Henry Lynch, a pioneering cancer researcher who was among the earliest to probe its genetic causes, has died at the age of 91. During the 1960s, Lynch was one of the first researchers to examine familial susceptibility to certain cancers at a time when the prevailing wisdom held that environmental factors were the main driver. His death on June 2 was announced by the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in a statement late Tuesday. His early grant applications were frequently rejected but he persisted, founding in 1984 a hereditary cancer registry at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, which now contains the cancer histories of more than 3,000 families. ASCO said among his most notable achievements was the identification of a strain of inherited colon cancer that was named "Lynch syndrome" after him in 1984. He is also credited with the discovery of hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome, which led to the identification of the inherited BRCA gene mutations that affect
Weak public health leads to deteriorating vaccine coverage, study finds
A recent study by public health expert professor John Ashton highlights how the weakening of public health is leading to deteriorating the vaccine coverage levels.The study was published in the 'Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine'The health expert describes the recent fall in the uptake of other preventative programmes, including those for bowel, breast and cervical cancer and aortic aneurysm. The professor through his research indicates the fragmentation and weakening of the arrangements for public health, and especially the links with the NHS, since the 2013 reorganisation when directors of public health moved to local government.With over 900 cases of measles over the last 12 months in Britain, Prof Ashton writes that the current weaknesses in the public health delivery system should be resolved before resorting to legislation.The Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock, has recently suggested the possibility of fines for parents who refuse to have their children ...
Nipah virus in Kerala: Harsh Vardhan reviews public health measures, says situation under control
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who reviewed the public health measures put in place in Kerala after a college student tested positive for Nipah virus, Wednesday said the situation is under control and people need not panic. The 21-year-old college student's case is this year's first in Kerala. Last year, Nipah virus killed 17 people in the state. "I urge the people not to panic as the government is leaving no stone unturned to remedy the situation. I am personally reviewing the situation with Health Minister of Kerala, K K Shailaja, on a regular basis,"Vardhan said. The key focus of Wednesday's review meeting was updating of contact list (line listing with contact details), daily follow-up for symptoms and self-monitoring, the health ministry said in a statement. The team also discussed SOPs for quarantine of symptomatic contacts, sample collection or testing and dedicated isolation facility with trained health staff for care of cases and epidemiological investigation by ...
White meat is just as bad for health as red beef: Study
A recent study debunked all previous theories that red meat is the only food which has a great impact on cholesterol. The researchers found out that even white meat has an identical effect on cholesterol levels in the body.The study was published in the journal, 'American Journal of Clinical Nutrition'According to the researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, the study breaks the prolonged mentality of people that eating white meat will be less harmful to the heart as compared to red meat. Though there may be several other effects of eating red meat which can trigger cardiovascular diseases.Several non-meat protein products such as vegetables, dairy, and legumes, including beans, are the ones which show the best cholesterol benefit.It is generally known that saturated fats which are generally obtained from animal sources like butter, beef fat, poultry skin and many more increases the concentration of Low-Density Lipoproteins. in blood or "bad" cholesterol which is .
7 people suspected of Nipah virus in hospital: Kerala Health Minister
Seven people suspected of having contracted Nipah virus have been admitted to a hospital here and the condition of the patient diagnosed with the virus is now stable, Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja said on Wednesday after a review meeting with officials.The samples of six patients have been sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune and results . will be available by Thursday.Earlier in the day, Shailaja had informed that five more persons were under observation in the wake of a scare over Nipah virus.On Tuesday, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the Centre had rushed a team of doctors to Kerala for investigation in the wake of the scare of Nipah virus. He had asserted that he is "very vigorously" following the situation.Nipah virus, which killed 17 people in Kerala last year, is transmitted from animals to humans and then spreads through people to people contact, causing respiratory illness. Its symptoms include fever, muscle pain, ...
HRD minister congratulates toppers of NEET 2019
Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank congratulated the toppers of NEET 2019 on Wednesday. The results of the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2019 were declared on Wednesday, with Rajasthan's Nalin Khandelwal topping the exam. After the announcement of results, Nishank spoke to the toppers over the phone and applauded them for their great performance, the HRD Ministry said. The NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to MBBS and BDS courses in medical and dental colleges approved by the Medical Council of India and the Dental Council of India.
Nurse injures baby's thumb while cutting bandage, case filed
A police case has been registered against an unnamed nurse at a civic hospital here for injuring the thumb of a baby girl while removing bandage. While the girl's mother alleged that the nurse "cut off" the thumb, the hospital said it was only injured and a corrective surgery was performed. The incident took place at civic-run V S Hospital on June 2 where the five-month baby had been admitted for pneumonia. A nurse accidentally severed the thumb of the left- hand while cutting through the baby's bandage with scissors, her mother Farhan Banu alleged Wednesday. The thumb was reattached through a surgery on the same day but doctors said they were not sure it the surgery would be successful, she claimed. The doctors also asked her to take the baby to a bigger hospital, Banu said. "We are daily wage earners. We can not afford to go to a bigger hospital. I want to see her thumb as it was before," she said. Hospital's Resident Medical Officer Jitendra Parmar said an inquiry ...
Jagan Mohan Reddy halts convoy to help cancer patient
Newly elected Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, in a heartwarming gesture on Wednesday, halted his convoy and stepped up to help a cancer patient, whose friends stood with placards near Visakhapatnam airport, hoping to catch his attention.The chief minister, who was returning after visiting the Sarada Peetham airport, stopped when he saw a group of youngsters holding the banner "Please save our friend suffering from blood cancer". After he heard them the chief minister directed District Collector K Bhaskar to provide them with the required provisions for the operation.Neeraj Kumar, who has completed class 10 was diagnosed with blood cancer and had to procure Rs 25 lakhs for an operation before June 30. Kumar, whose father works as a coolie and his mother as a vegetable vendor, was admitted to Basava Tarakam Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad.His family says doctors at the hospital said operation for which Rs 25 lakhs is an unavoidable need. Neeraj's friends and teachers ..
Tata Memorial Hospitals to extend cashless facility to Reliance Health Insurance customers
Reliance Health Insurance has partnered with TATA Memorial Hospital to introduce cashless treatment facility to its customers across major Tata Memorial hospitals in India.Tata Memorial has been a front runner as far as treatment of cancer patients in India is concerned and has contributed significantly in the field of cancer treatment. TATA Memorial Hospital is counted among the leading cancer treatment centres worldwide, funded and managed by the Department of Atomic Energy; it has cured thousands of cancer patients so far.At Reliance Health, there has been a constant emphasis to make health insurance #EasytoUse, thus setting up a network hospital within 10 KM of every customer. Staying true to this promise, Reliance Health Insurance has become one of the fastest health insurance companies to onboard over 5000 hospitals across the length and breadth of the country.Every insurance company looks to empanel as many hospitals within their network, but very rarely, a specialist cancer ...
Bad sleep quality affects your blood pressure: Study
We all have heard "early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." While we all know the benefits of a good night's sleep, people hardly know how sleep deprivation harms the human body.According to a new study, a bad night's sleep may result in an increase in the blood pressure that night and the following day.The study, published in the journal 'Psychosomatic Medicine', offered one possible explanation for why sleep problems have been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke and even death from cardiovascular disease.Researchers carried out a study conducted on 300 men and women, ages 21 to 70, with no history of heart problems. Participants wore portable blood pressure cuffs for two consecutive days. The cuffs randomly took participants' blood pressure during 45-minute intervals throughout each day and also overnight.At night, participants wore actigraphy monitors - wristwatch-like devices that measure movement - to help determine their "sleep ...
Dietary supplements pose high health risks in young adults and children
Be it weight loss, muscle building or a boost in energy, people today are heavily relying on dietary supplements. A new study suggests that the consumption of these supplements as compared to that of vitamins is linked to the increased health risks in children and young adults.The study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health also highlighted that dietary supplements increase the three times."The FDA has issued countless warnings about supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building or sports performance, sexual function, and energy, and we know these products are widely marketed to and used by young people," said lead author Flora Or.The researchers analyzed the relative risk for severe medical events such as death, disability, and hospitalization in individuals aged 0 and 25 years that were linked with the use of dietary supplements sold for weight loss, muscle building, or energy compared to vitamins.Researchers found that there were 977 single-supplement-related adverse ...
More than 2 eggs/day deadly for your heart: Study
Egg lovers please take note. Researchers have warned that eating more than two eggs daily can increase the risk of death and developing cardiovascular diseases.
New research findings to help understand endocytosis better
Researchers at the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) here have shed new light on understanding endocytosis. The findings can help in treating depression better, according to a CCMB release. Endocytosis is the process by which a living cell takes up molecules bound to its surface. It is a key event in the therapeutic action of many of the drugs that act via GPCRs, the release said. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are tiny cellular nano machines, housed in thin fluid-like cell membranes that separate cells from each other. They help in communication between the exterior and interior of the cell. Due to their major role in cellular signaling, GPCRs represent prominent drug targets, it said. GPCRs are known to enter the inside of cells by the process of endocytosis. However, the details of regulation of endocytosis and the route the receptors follow during the process is still not fully understood, it said. In a recent finding published in the American
