Page 361 - Health Medical Pharma

Genes linked to aggressive breast cancer risk identified

Researchers have identified specific genes associated with the increased risk for triple-negative breast cancer, providing the basis for better risk management.

Get rid of uneven skin tone in smart ways

One of the things that is a major concern for many as they age is stubborn changes in the way your skin tone looks. Even if the skin is healthy, past exposure or medications can leave marks on the skin in the form of age spots and darker patches. If you have an uneven skin tone and are looking for ways to correct it, then look no further.

Targeting gut microbes may reduce heart disease risk

Researchers have designed a potential new class of drugs that may help reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease by targeting a specific microbial pathway in the gut.

Glenmark's partner Elite gets USFDA nod for opioid analgesic drug

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals today said its partner Elite Pharmaceuticals Inc has received approval from the US health regulator for generic opioid analgesic methadone hydrochloride tablets used for treatment of severe pain. The abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is for the tablets in the strengths of 5 mg and 10 mg, Glenmark said in a statement. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc, Elite's marketing alliance partner, will sell and distribute methadone for which Elite will receive manufacturing and licence fees, it added. "Based on Quintiles IMS Health data, the annual retail sales for the brand and generic products were approximately USD 30 million," Glenmark said. The product is indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, round-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate, it added. Methadone can also be used for maintenance treatment of opioid ...

'Smart wristband to monitor health, environment'

Scientists have developed a plastic wristband with a wireless connection to smartphones, that will enable the next-generation of personal health and environmental monitoring devices. The technology, described in the journal Microsystems & Nanoengineering, could be added to watches and other wearable devices that monitor heart rates and physical activity. "It's like a Fitbit but has a biosensor that can count particles, so that includes blood cells, bacteria and organic or inorganic particles in the air," said Mehdi Javanmard, an assistant professor at Rutgers University-New Brunswick in the US. "Current wearables can measure only a handful of physical parameters such as heart rate and exercise activity," said Abbas Furniturewalla, lead author of the study. "The ability for a wearable device to monitor the counts of different cells in our bloodstream would take personal health monitoring to the next level," Furniturewalla said. The plastic wristband includes a flexible circuit ...

Does your child still demand breast milk?

Breast milk is packed with nutrients that encourage a healthy Immune System and ensures that the baby is protected from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), middle ear infections, diabetes and decreases the risk of developing psychological disorders.Breastfeeding also has a positive effect on the mother. According to experts, it reduces the chances of breast and ovarian cancer, reduces uterine bleeding after birth, burns extra calories, etc."The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months; after that, complementary feeding is to be introduced. Breastfeeding should however continue till at least one year of age. After that, if the baby and mother both mutually chose to continue, breastfeeding can be continued for up to two years of the baby's age," said Dr Asmita Mahajan, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim.The 'wean off' stage may be different for different mothers. For instance, a stay-at home mom can continue to breastfeed for longer; a working .

Overuse of probiotics may cause bloating, brain fogginess

Consuming too much of probiotics can cause brain fogginess and disorientation, as well as rapid belly bloating, according to scientists - including one of Indian origin - who advise people against self-prescribing 'good' bacteria. In a study of 30 patients, researchers found that 22 who reported problems like confusion and difficulty concentrating, in addition to their gas and bloating, were all taking probiotics, some several varieties. When the researchers looked further, they found large colonies of bacteria breeding in the patients' small intestines, and high levels of D-lactic acid being produced by the bacteria lactobacillus' fermentation of sugars in their food, said Satish S C Rao, from Augusta University in the US. While probiotics can be beneficial in some scenarios, like helping a patient restore his gut bacteria after taking antibiotics, researchers advised caution against its excessive and indiscriminate use. "Probiotics should be treated as a drug, not as a food ...

A movement to make India eat safer, healthier food (Column: Active Voice)

India bears a terrible burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), with the lack of proper diet and safe food a major contributing factor. The country has seen an increase in the NCDs burden from 30 per cent in 1990 to 55 per cent in 2016.

West Bengal: Tea trade unions call for 3-day strike

Three-day strike in the tea industry, called by the joint forum of 26 tea trade unions over the implementation of minimum wages, entered its first day on Tuesday.The strike will be observed in Terai and Dooars regions of Siliguri in West Bengal. The forum has also announced that during the strike, tea would not be dispatched from gardens.Yesterday, several representatives of the Joint Forum met West Bengal Labour Commissioner Javed Akhtar ahead of the strike to resolve the matter but of no avail.The tea trade unions have been demanding the implementation of minimum wages in the tea gardens since long.Reportedly, to resolve the issues, a minimum wage advisory committee was also constituted by the government in 2015, in which numerous meetings were held too.

Suven Life Sciences secures Product Patents in Mexico and New Zealand

The granted claims of the patents include the class of selective H3 and 5-HT4 compounds respectively and are being developed as therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative disorders such as for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Huntington's disease, Parkinson and Schizophrenia and sleep disorders like Narcolepsy etc.

Cipla gets USFDA nod for osteoarthritis of joint pain relief gel

Drug major Cipla today said it has received final approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, indicated for the relief of the pain of osteoarthritis of joints such as the knees and hands. Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1 per cent is a generic therapeutic equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD), Voltaren Gel, 1 per cent of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health, Cipla in a BSE filing. Citing IQVIA data, the company said Voltaren Gel and its generic equivalents had US sales of approximately USD 353 million for the 12 month period ending June 2018. Cipla said the product will be available for shipping in the US in the upcoming week. The company's stock was trading 1.20 per cent lower at Rs 629.45 per scrip on BSE.

Sun Pharma gains on launching novel drug Kapspargo Sprinkle in US

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries rose 0.21% to Rs 576.80 at 9:46 IST on BSE after the company said it launched Kapspargo Sprinkle extended-release capsules in the US.

Cipla receives USFDA final approval for Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1%

Cipla's Diclofenac Sodium Topical Gel, 1% is AB-rated generic therapeutic equivalent to the reference listed drug (RLD), Voltaren Gel, 1% of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indicated for the relief of the pain of osteoarthritis of joints amenable to topical treatment, such as the knees and those of the hands.

Merck Cancer Access Program strengthening in Gambia, Lesotho, Botswana and Zimbabwe

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, continues their long term commitment to improve access to cancer care and to build capacity through their Merck Access Program in Africa.Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, met the First Lady of Gambia, H.E. Fatoumattah Bah-Barrow, First Lady of Lesotho, H.E. Maesiah Thabane, First Lady of Botswana, H.E. Neo Masisi and First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Auxillia Mnangagwa to discuss Merck Cancer Access Program and Merck Foundation long term partnership to build capacity in their countries in the fields of cancer, fertility and diabetes."We are committed to lead Africa to a better future through changing the landscape of Cancer care in the continent. Our meeting today was an effort in the same direction. Merck Foundation has been actively working to realise our vision and achieve our objectives of building professional capacity with the aim to increase the limited number of oncologists in more than 17 African countries. We ..

Corrected: China police probe vaccine maker after scandal sparks fury

(Corrects third paragraph of July 23 story to clarify that Changsheng falsified production documents related to a rabies vaccine and manufactured an ineffective vaccine for babies)

Excess screen time damages children's vision

Turns out, there is an increasing concern about potential harm to the visual development of children, who spend excessive time glued to screens.Ophthalmologists - physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care are seeing a marked increase in children with dry eye and eye strain from too much screen time. The American Academy of Ophthalmology is teaching parents with the facts, so they can make informed choices about their children's eye health.It is a fact that there is a worldwide epidemic of myopia, also known as nearsightedness. Since 1971, the incidence of nearsightedness in the US nearly doubled, to 42 percent. In Asia, up to 90 percent of teenagers and adults are nearsighted. Clearly, something is going on. But scientists can't agree on exactly what.A new study appearing offers further evidence that at least part of the worldwide increase in nearsightedness has to do with near work activities; not just screens but also traditional books.However, it remains unclear ...

Humoral response corresponds to production of antibodies

When the body is continuously exposed to pathogens, the immune system notably mounts what is known as a 'humoral response', which corresponds to the production of antibodies that can help fight infections and provide long-term protection.In a new study, the lab of Jacques Fellay at EPFL, working with the Pasteur Institute in Paris, has examined the humoral responses of 1,000 healthy people to common infections and vaccines.The scientists measured antibody responses to fifteen antigens (molecules that trigger humoral responses) from twelve infectious agents: cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus, influenza A virus, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B virus, Helicobacter pylori and Toxoplasma gondii.In order to assess the importance of non-genetic factors, the researchers looked at the impact of numerous demographic variables. They identified age and sex as the most important determinants of humoral response, with older ...

Whole grain carbohydrates must for oral health

One should stick to whole grain carbohydrates and avoid processed ones for better oral health, a recent study has found.An examination of research on oral health, commissioned by the World Health Organisation found that whole grain carbohydrates help improve oral health.Although the researchers found no association between the total amount of starch eaten and tooth decay, they did find that more processed forms of starch increased the risk of cavities. This is because they can be broken down into sugars in the mouth, by amylase found in saliva.Further findings, although based on very few available studies and weaker data, suggested a lower risk of oral cancer from consuming whole grain starches, and that whole grains may also offer protection against gum disease.Lead researcher Paula Moynihan, said, "The evidence suggests that a diet rich in whole grain carbohydrates is less likely to damage your oral health than one containing processed starches."In the review, 33 papers were ...

Andhra CM offers to pledge organ donation

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced that he is ready to donate his organs after death.

Over 43 lakh J&K children to be vaccinated under MRV campaign

More than 43 lakh children, aged between 9 months and 15 years, will be immunised in Jammu and Kashmir under the Measles-Rubella Vaccination (MRV) drive from September 1, an official said here on Monday.