Page 4 - Health Medical Pharma
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals slumps after USFDA issues CRL for Ryaltris
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals fell 6.05% to Rs 469.95 at 10:09 IST on the BSE after the company said that US drug regulator issued complete response letter For Ryaltris.
SC to hear plea on Muzaffarpur encephalitis outbreak today
The Supreme Court will hear on Monday the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two lawyers, in connection with the outbreak of the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district in which 130 children have lost their lives.The plea, filed by advocates Manohar Pratap and Sanpreet Singh Ajmani, seeks a direction to urgently constitute a team of medical experts for treatment of children suffering from encephalitis.A vacation bench of Justices Deepak Gupta and Surya Kant is slated to take up the plea.The petition sought a direction to the Centre and the Bihar government to immediately arrange a 500-bed ICU (intensive care unit) with required medical professionals to deal with the emergent situation, which has occurred due to the outbreak of AES.The two lawyers have also pleaded a direction to the Bihar government to notify an "extraordinary government order" directing all private medical institutions in the affected area to admit and provide treatment free of cost ..
The obesity rate is dropping among US preschoolers, study suggests
Preschoolers, who are receiving government food aid, are reaching healthier body mass index and contributing to a steady decline in obesity rates, recent findings suggest.As part of a recent U.S. study, the researchers noted that according to a report by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity rates dropped to about 14 per cent in 2016 (down from 16 per cent in 2010).The results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, USA Today reported.The findings of the study come as a welcome result for the health experts, following an upward trend of obesity in young children during 2000 and 2010.According to the team of researchers, all racial and ethnic groups recorded a noteworthy decline in obesity."It gives us more hope that this is a real change," said Heidi Blanck, head of the obesity prevention division at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).The team of researchers suggested that adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the nutrition ...
Glenmark partners with Novartis to commercialize and distribute respiratory products in Brazil
The products involved in the agreement are Seebri (Glycopyrronium bromide), Onbrize (Indacaterol) and Ultibro (combination of Indacaterol and Glycopyrronium), which are indicated for relief of symptoms in adults with COPD.
Consumption of unprocessed red meat higher than recommended level in US, finds study
Americans haven't changed their eating habits from almost the last two decades. They are still eating the same amount of Luncheon meat, sausage, hot dog, ham, bacon and fish as they did 18 years ago, finds a recent study.According to the study published in the journal of 'Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics', one-quarter of US adults are still eating more unprocessed red meat than the recommended level, and less than 15 per cent meet the guidelines for fish/shellfish consumption, which is not good news.On a positive note, Americans are eating less beef and more chicken than they did 18 years ago, and in fact, for the first time, consumption of poultry exceeds that of unprocessed red meat."Despite strong evidence linking processed meat with cancer risk, consumption of processed meat among US adults didn't change over the study period (1999-2016). While factors other than health (e.g., social, cultural, and economic) can influence Americans' food choices, the lack of widespread awareness
Tripura: Biplab Deb donates blood, promises annual calendar to overcome blood crisis in state
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb on Sunday donated blood at the annual blood donation camp of Tripura Civil Service Officers' Association (TCSOA).Addressing the event, the Chief Minister announced that Tripura is soon coming up with an annual calendar to overcome blood crisis in the state besides maintaining uniformity among major donor agencies."I am glad to announce that our state Tripura will soon come up with an annual calendar to overcome blood crisis," Deb said.150 TCSOA members also donated blood.
2 more AES deaths in Muzaffarpur, toll rises to 152
Two more children died in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Sunday due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) even as officials asserted that afflictions and casualties had begun to dwindle with the onset of rains. Both the deaths took place at the S K Medical College and Hospital, where 431 children, including two in the past 12 hours, have been admitted for AES treatment since June 1, according to figures released by the district administration. The total number of AES patients who have died at the SKMCH is 110. "There is a perceptible decline in the number of children who are being admitted with brain fever as also the number of deaths," hospital superintendent Sunil Kumar Shahi said. "It has always been observed that AES strikes at the peak of summer and the outbreak halts with the onset of rains." Two fresh cases have been registered, one on Saturday and another on Sunday, Shahi said. Besides the SKMCH, the Kejriwal hospital in the Muzaffarpur town has so far registered 162 AES cases
MP: Boy dies of 'viral brain fever' amid AES breakout in Bihar
A nine-year-old boy from Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh Sunday died of a "viral brain fever" and its symptoms were different from that of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), which has killed several children in Bihar, a medical officer said. Nonetheless, the authorities have launched a survey to check the health of the children in Jamner village in Dewas district, where the deceased boy- Aslam (9)- resided, the officer said. Aslam was admitted to the government-run Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital (MYH) here on Saturday night, but his family got him discharged from the hospital on Sunday and took him away citing personal reasons, health officials said. Thereafter, he died in route to Dewas district, they said. Talking to PTI, Indore Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Praveen Jadia said, "It is clear from Aslam's blood and other tests that he did not die of AES, which has wreaked havoc in Bihar. These tests were conducted in the lab of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial ...
Nitish Kumar responsible for deaths of children due to AES in Bihar: Upendra Kushwaha
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is solely responsible for the death of innocent children dying of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in the state, said Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief Upendra Kushwaha addressing a press conference here on Sunday."Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is solely responsible for the death of innocents and small children. He is just seeing that children are dying but is doing nothing substantial for it. The whole health administration is left at the mercy of God by him," said Kushwaha."The vacancies against the post of doctors are far less than required in Hospitals and health centres. Not even one doctor is sanctioned for each hospital. If he is not able to do anything then he should say sorry to the people and resign," said Kushwaha.The death toll due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) touched 130 in Muzaffarpur, with 110 deaths at government-run SKMCH and 20 at Kejriwal Hospital.On June 18, Bihar Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar informed that 12 extra ...
130 deaths in Muzaffarpur due to AES
Death toll due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) touched 130 in Muzaffarpur on Sunday with 110 deaths reported at government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) and 20 at Kejriwal Hospital.As the death toll continued to rise due to AES, senior Resident Doctor deployed at SKMCH, Dr Bhimsen Kumar on Saturday was suspended over alleged negligence of duty.On June 18, Bihar Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar informed that 12 extra doctors have been deputed at SKMCH from different districts in Muzaffarpur, of which 4 are from Darbhanga Medical College & Hospital, 4 from Nalanda Medical College & Hospital and 4 from Patna Medical College & Hospital.Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the children who died due to the AES. He had also given directions to the health department, district administration and doctors to take necessary measures for the containment of the disease.The AES is a viral ...
9-year-old boy dies after relatives take him away from ICU in Indore hospital
A nine-year-old boy, who was admitted to Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital here, died on Sunday after he was taken back from the hospital's ICU against the doctor's advice by his relatives."He was admitted to the hospital's ICU in a serious condition on Saturday. Today his relative took him back against our advice," Dr PS Thakur, Superintendent of the hospital, told ANI.Thakur, however, added that the child's symptoms were not similar to those of encephalitis and there was no reason for the people to panic."His fever's symptoms were different from those of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES). I would like to appeal to the public to not panic. We have kept a sample of his blood, which is being tested. Reports will be out by Monday," he said.AES has so far claimed the lives of 130 children in Bihar's Muzzafarpur district alone. With 110 deaths at the government-run Shri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) while 20 children died at Kejriwal Hospital in the district.
Swimming in oceans ups infection risk: Study
Swimming in the ocean alters the skin microbiome and may increase the likelihood of infection, a study has found. The researchers detected ocean bacteria on all participants after air drying and at six and 24 hours post-swim, but some participants had acquired more ocean bacteria and/or had them persist for longer. "Our data demonstrate for the first time that ocean water exposure can alter the diversity and composition of the human skin microbiome," said Marisa Chattman Nielsen, a PhD student at the University of California, Irvine in the US. "While swimming normal resident bacteria were washed off while ocean bacteria were deposited onto the skin," said Nielsen. The research was motivated by previous studies which have shown associations between ocean swimming and infections, and by the high prevalence of poor water quality at many beaches, due to wastewater and storm water runoff. Recent research has demonstrated that changes in the microbiome can leave the host susceptible to ...
A new miniature robot could assist in taking micro ultrasound images
Engineers have discovered a device which could replace the need for patients to undergo an endoscopic examination, a nonsurgical procedure used to examine a person's digestive tract.According to the study published in the Journal of Science Robotics, it is technically possible to guide a tiny robotic capsule inside the colon, part of the large intestine, to take micro-ultrasound images.In the place of a semi-rigid scope which was used to be passed into the bowel, leading to an invasive procedure that was painful will now be replaced by a device called Sonopill.Micro-ultrasound images also have the advantage of being better able to identify some types of cell change associated with cancer.The consortium has developed a technique called intelligent magnetic manipulation. Based on the principle that magnets can attract and repel one another, a series of magnets on a robotic arm that passes over the patient interacts with a magnet inside the capsule, gently maneuvering it through the ...
Bihar: Portion of roof falls outside ICU treating AES patients in Muzaffarpur
A portion of the roof outside a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of Sri Krishna Medical College, where several AES patient children are being treated, collapsed here on Sunday.As many as 43 children suffering from Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) have been admitted in the ICU of the hospital.Elaborating on the incident, Sunil Kumar Shahi, SKMCH, Muzaffarpur superintendent told ANI, "A patch of plaster from the roof fell off,nobody has been injured. It's not inside any ward but around the veranda area. PICU is in between ward number 6-7 but the patch fell between ward number 5-6."The hospital is the largest medical facility treating AES patients in the district. As many as 109 people have lost their lives fighting the AES at the hospital.The Bihar government is facing severe criticism in the wake of the children's death due to the disease.
15 Delhi govt hospitals to be upgraded; LNJP facility to get 22-storey mother-child-medicine block
As many as 15 city government-run hospitals are to be upgraded with improved civil and medicare infrastructure and increase in bed strength, to boost healthcare facilities in the national capital, officials said Sunday. The project also includes Lok Nayak Jayaprakash (LNJP) Hospital, where a "state-of-the-art" block will be constructed, they said. "We are seeking to boost healthcare facilities in the national capital. And, as part of a project, 15 Delhi government hospitals are to be upgraded. This will include remodelling of various buildings, increasing bed strength, augmenting medical care infrastructure, among other measures," a top official in the Delhi health department told PTI. Once upgraded, the improved infrastructure at these facilities, besides other upcoming hospitals, would help address growing needs of patients, officials said. During the recent nationwide strike by doctors, many medical bodies, including the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has sought increase in ...
Site, design of 100-bed PICU in Muzaffarpur finalised: Vardhan
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Sunday said the site and design of a 100-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district have been finalised. He reviewed the status of cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and Japanese encephalitis (JE) in the state with ministry officials. "The central and state teams have finalised the site and design of 100-bed PICU at Muzaffarpur, which will be supported under a centrally sponsored scheme," Vardhan said. He said that there has been one death due to the disease and one new admission on Saturday. There are 84 patients in SKMCH, of which four are in a critical condition and under constant watch, the minister said. Vardhan said that the multi-disciplinary central team has been camping at Muzaffarpur for over a week now. "With the support of state and district administration, efforts of social and behaviourial change at community level and early identification and management at primary healthcare facilities have been ...
Plants may be transmitting superbugs to humans
Plant-based foods can transmit antibiotic resistance to the microbes living in our gut, a study has found. Antibiotic-resistant infections are a threat to global public health, food safety and an economic burden. To prevent these infections, it is critical to understand how antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their genes are transmitted from both meat and plant-foods. Researchers have now shown how plant-foods serve as vehicles for transmitting antibiotic resistance to the gut microbiome. "Our findings highlight the importance of tackling foodborne antibiotic-resistance from a complete food chain perspective that includes plant-foods in addition to meat," said Marlene Maeusli, a PhD candidate at the University of Southern California in the US. Spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs from plants to humans is different from outbreaks of diarrheal illnesses caused immediately after eating contaminated vegetables. Superbugs can asymptomatically hide in (or "colonise") the intestines for ...
This behaviour of blood vessels of brain in zebrafish might explain some forms of stroke in humans
Scientists have discovered a unique behaviour (kugeln) of brain's blood vessels in zebrafish which could probably give an insight into some forms of stroke in humans.The study was published in the journal 'EMBO Reports'.No cell has ever been shown to develop kugeln in the past, possibly because they are easily mistaken for normal blood vessels. Kugeln contains a molecule called nitric oxide which is essential for the health of blood vessels.Tim Chico, lead author of the study said, "Stroke is a devastating disease that affects millions of people and their families each year across the world. It is extremely exciting to discover an entirely new process that only happens in brain blood vessels because this might explain why some mutations cause stroke but not diseases of other arteries."Some forms of stroke are caused by mutations in genes which the Sheffield researchers have shown are required to form kugeln.Although the function of kugeln is not yet fully understood, this link to ...
Do plants really transmit superbugs to people?
Antibiotic-resistance infections are a big challenge to public health, food safety, and economy.In their quest to find how antibiotic-resistance bacteria and their genes are transmitted from meat and plant-based foods, the researchers have found that plant-foods serve as vehicles for transmitting antibiotic resistance to the gut microbiome.The study is presented at the 'ASM Microbe 2019' annual meeting."Our findings highlight the importance of tackling foodborne antibiotic-resistance from a complete food chain perspective that includes plant-foods in addition to meat," said Marlene Maeusli, the lead author on the study.Spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs from plants to humans is different from outbreaks of diarrheal illnesses caused immediately after eating contaminated vegetables. Superbugs can asymptomatically hide in (or 'colonise') the intestines for months or even years, when they then escape the intestine and cause an infection, such as a urinary infection.The researchers ..
Health secy urges states to adopt recommendations on patients' rights
The Union Health Secretary has urged all states to adopt recommendations of the National Council for Clinical Establishments on patients' rights which ensures that patients have the right to second opinion, adequate information about their illness and informed consent. Under it, hospitals cannot deny the release of a patient's body for any reason. A patient and her representatives have a right to adequate information about the nature, cause of illness, proposed investigations and care, expected results of treatment, possible complications and expected costs, stated the National Council for Clinical Establishments, an apex statutory body comprising representatives of all stakeholders. The national council's recommendations are based on draft charter on patients' rights prepared by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The NHRC had submitted the charter to the Health Ministry, which it had put out in the public domain in September, 2018, inviting suggestions and comments from the
