Page 43 - Health Medical Pharma
Study identifies 'switch' that aids spread of breast cancer around body
A new study has identified a genetic 'switch' in breast cancer cells that facilitates the production of internal scaffolding, a type of protein called Keratin-80, which makes cancer cells more rigid and may make the cells travel in bloodstream to other parts of the body.The study published in 'Nature Communications' has found that the same switch is involved in breast cancer cells becoming resistant to the medication.Targeting this switch with a different drug could help reverse this resistance, and make cancer less likely to spread, explained Dr Luca Magnani, lead author of the study."Till now we didn't know the reasons behind this, but our early-stage study suggests a type of genetic switch -- called a transcription factor -- can turn on genes that cause the cancer cells to not only become resistant to the treatment but move into healthy tissue around the body," said Dr Magnani.According to the study, the switch that turns on genes that increase cholesterol production also activates
Being teased about weight makes children gain more kilos: Study
Children who are teased for their weight are likely to gain more body mass, according to a study which contradicts the belief that such ridicule may motivate youth to attempt to shed a few kilos. The study, by researchers from the Uniformed Services University in the US, involved 110 youth who were an average of 11.8 years of age when they enrolled. The participants were either overweight when they began the study or had two parents who were overweight or obese. At enrollment, they completed a six-item questionnaire on whether they had been teased about their weight. They then participated in annual follow-up visits for the next 15 years. The study, published in the journal Pediatric Obesity, shows that youth experiencing high levels of teasing gained an average of 0.20 kg per year more than those who did not. Researchers theorise that weight-associated stigma may have made youths more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviours, such as binge eating and avoiding exercise. Another ...
Better cancer-killing drill developed
Scientists are getting closer to perfecting molecule-sized motors that drill through the surface of cancer cells, killing them in an instant without damaging the healthy tissue. The researchers at Rice University and North Carolina State University in the US successfully activated the motors with precise two-photon excitation via near-infrared light. Unlike the ultraviolet light they first used to drive the motors, the new technique, described in the journal ACS Nano, does not damage adjacent, healthy cells. In 2017, the same team reported the development of molecular motors enhanced with small proteins that target specific cancer cells. Once in place and activated with light, the paddle-like motors spin up to three million times a second, allowing the molecules to drill through the cells' protective membranes and killing them in minutes. Since then, researchers have worked on a way to eliminate the use of damaging ultraviolet light. In two-photon absorption, a phenomenon predicted in
Natco settles patent litigation with Onyx Therapeutics on
Natco Pharma Ltd Thursday said it reached a settlement agreement with Onyx Therapeutics, Inc on patent litigation related to generic versions of 10mg, 30mg and 60mg of Kyprolis. According to a press release issued by the city-based drug maker, it has partnered with Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc to market the product in the United States. Kyprolis is used to treat adult patients with multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells) who have had at least one previous treatment for this disease. The parties have reached a settlement agreement and by virtue of that, Natco and Breckenridge have been granted a license permitting the launch of their generic carfilzomib product in 2027 or sooner depending on certain occurrences. Natco, which did not elaborate the terms of the settlement agreement said it believes that its 10mg ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) is sole "first to file" and could be eligible for 180-days marketing exclusivity under certain circumstances. Kyprolis
AstraZeneca opens new development operations centre in Bengaluru
Drug firm AstraZeneca Thursday said it has opened a new development operations centre in Bengaluru to support expansion of its clinical research footprint in India. "The development operations centre will employ over 30 clinical research experts that handle over 20 studies in 150 sites across India," AstraZeneca said in a statement. This expansion will focus on managing studies in India to not only support the global clinical drug development, but also the local business with clinical data and evidence, it added. "Because of the excellent skills of Indian clinical research experts and the improvement of regulations and approval timelines, we are pleased to expand our operations and continue to lead clinical research in India," AstraZeneca Development Operations (Site Management and Monitoring), Asia, Middle East & Africa (AMEA) Senior Regional Director Melissa Grady said. The unit will support development of AstraZeneca's medicines, hosting clinical trial experts focused on the ...
Domestic Tea Consumption Shows Steady Growth Of 2.36% In 2018
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Accelerate actions to slash tobacco use across South-East Asian Region: WHO
WHO Thursday asked its South-East Asian member countries including India to accelerate actions to slash tobacco consumption and said its use in all forms is a major cause of illness, disability and death across the Region. It also asked its member countries to undertake targeted actions like developing youth-focused anti-tobacco campaigns, increasing the cost of the product and protecting people from its exposure. On the eve of the World No Tobacco Day, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, Poonam Khetrapal Singh said Region-wide, almost 246 million people smoke tobacco and just below 290 million consume it in a variety of smokeless forms. "Together, both methods of consumption kill approximately 1.6 million people Region-wide every year, negatively impacting the sustainable development of whole communities and countries," Singh said. WHO's South-East Asia Region comprises of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, ...
Mammals' brain size, fertility may depend on who cares for offspring
In mammals, the evolution of larger brain size in offsprings is linked to paternal care whereas higher fertility in females is associated with the extra care they get from individuals other than their biological parents (alloparents), a study has claimed.The study was published in the journal 'Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology'.Researchers at the University of Zurich investigated the possible effects of energy inputs from different caregivers on the brain size and fertility of different species, comparing data on 478 mammal species, including lions, mice, meerkats, and monkeys and apes. Species data included information on care behaviours, brain size, and fertility.Dr Sandra Heldstab, the corresponding author of the study, said, "Both reproduction and brain tissue are energetically very expensive, and one way by which females can reduce its cost is by distributing that cost over other individuals by sharing the burden of care. Unlike previous studies, we distinguished between ...
Fairchem Speciality gets revision in credit ratings from CARE
1. For Long - term Bank Facilities: Rs. 83.43 crore CARE A (Single A); Under credit watch with developing implications.
lupin wins Packaging Award for its patient awareness initiative 'Lupin Sahayak'
The India Packaging Award 2019 given by UBM India was received for the category 'Innovation in Patient Awareness Award'.
Natco Pharma settles patent litigation with Onyx Therapeutics over cancer drug
Natco Pharma Thursday said it has settled a patent litigation with Onyx Therapeutics Inc in the US over a generic version of Kyprolis, an anti-cancer drug. The company said it has reached a settlement agreement with Onyx Therapeutics Inc related to generic versions of 10mg, 30mg and 60mg of Kyprolis, Natco Pharma said in a regulatory filing. Natco has tied up with Breckenridge Pharmaceutical Inc to market the product in the US. "The parties have reached a settlement agreement and the district court case has been dismissed. By virtue of the settlement, Natco and Breckenridge have been granted a licence permitting the launch of their generic carfilzomib product on a date that is held as confidential in 2027 or sooner depending on certain occurrences," it added. The company believes its 10mg ANDA is sole first to file and could be eligible for 180-day marketing exclusivity for the 10mg strength under certain circumstances, Natco said. Sales of Kyprolis stood at around USD 586 million for
Natco Pharma settles generic Carfilzomib Injection Patent Litigation in the US market
The parties have reached a Settlement Agreement and the District Court case has been dismissed. By virtue of the settlement, NATCO and Breckenridge have been granted a license permitting the launch of their generic carfilzomib product on a date that is held as confidential in 2027 or sooner depending on certain occurrences. The parties cannot make further comment as to the terms of the Settlement Agreement.
Body shaming leads to more weight gain in kids
Teasing and bullying overweight children could act as a catalyst in further increasing their weight by 33 per cent, compared to obese kids who do not suffer body shaming, a study suggests.
Merck Foundation partners with the First Lady of Liberia to build healthcare capacity and break infertility stigma in the country
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with the First Lady of Liberia, Clar Weah and Ministry of Health will launch new programs to build equitable healthcare capacity and break the infertility stigma in the country."We welcome the Merck Foundation to launch our joint programs which are going to be very beneficial for our people. Their initiatives are very innovative in nature and will help to change the healthcare scenario of our country", emphasized Clar Weah, the First Lady of Liberia and Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother."We are very happy to underscore our long term commitment to building healthcare capacity in Liberia. We are also very proud to work closely with H.E. First Lady of Liberia as the ambassador of Merck more than a Mother campaign to raise awareness about infertility prevention, male infertility and define interventions to break infertility stigma. Moreover, we will be happy to provide training to Liberian doctors in the fields of
Delhi: Woman falls from 4th floor, dies
A 55-year-old woman fell from the fourth floor while walking on the roof in West Delhi, police said on Thursday.Police said they received a call around 7:05 in the morning that a woman is lying in an unconscious state.The deceased identified as Sunita Singh was the resident of D Block Bharat Vihar. She was rushed to Rockland Hospital where she was declared brought dead.During the initial investigation, it was found that the deceased was a diabetic patient and was under depression.The investigation into the matter is underway. Further action will be taken by the probe officials after the post-mortem report.
'36 e-cigarette brands illegally operating in India'
Even as the union health ministry continues its efforts to prevent the entry of e-cigarette companies into India, a latest survey has found that 36 brands have been selling the devices illegally in the country since the last three years. The survey, released ahead of the World Tobbaco Day on May 31, was conducted by New Delhi-based Consumer Voice, a not-for-profit organisation that advises the government on prominent people-related issues. E-cigarettes involve a mechanism to deliver nicotine in an attractive format. They are marketed as a harm-reduction product which experts believe is contrary to the truth. The devices do not fall within the scope of existing national legislation on tobacco production, distribution and use, yet pose significant health risks that are similar to those of conventional cigarettes. While the union health ministry is repeatedly writing to the commerce ministry over banning the entry of e-cigarette brands into India, health experts in the country have ...
Cognitive behavior therapy can help to treat menopause symptoms
According to recent findings, cognitive behaviour therapy can help in treating multiple menopause symptoms.Although hormone therapy (HT) is the most commonly recommended treatment for menopause symptoms, research is ongoing for alternatives, especially nonpharmacologic options.Cognitive behaviour therapy has previously been proposed as a low-risk treatment for hot flashes, but a new study suggests it may also effectively manage other menopause symptoms.Results are published in the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).When it comes to the treatment of common menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, depression, sleep disturbances, and sexual function, women today have more options than ever before.Because of its proven effectiveness, HT still leads a long list of available treatment options. However, controversies regarding the adverse effects of HT have prompted some women to seek other options.Alternative treatments such as antidepressants have proven effective in ...
Energy drinks may harm your heart: Study
Consuming too many energy drinks in a short timespan may increase blood pressure and disrupt heart rhythm, a study has found. For the study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, enrolled 34 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 years. Participants were randomly assigned to drink 32 ounces of one of two commercially available caffeinated energy drinks or a placebo drink on three separate days. The drinks were consumed within a 60-minute period but no faster than one 16-ounce bottle in 30 minutes. Researchers at the University of the Pacific in the US measured the electrical activity of the volunteers' hearts by electrocardiogram, which records the way a heart is beating. They also recorded participant's blood pressure. All measurements were taken at the study's start and every 30 minutes for four hours after drink consumption. Both energy beverages tested contained 304 to 320 milligrams of caffeine per 32 fluid ounces. Caffeine at doses under 400 ...
Stress during pregnancy affects reproductive function in male offspring: Study
Stress during early pregnancy is linked to reduced reproductive function in male offspring, a recent study suggests.The findings suggest that men, whose mothers were exposed to stressful life during the first 18 weeks of pregnancy, may have reduced sperm counts when they become adults.The research suggested that the initial months of pregnancy is when male reproductive organs are at their most vulnerable stage of development.As part of the study, the researchers studied 643 young men aged 20 and found that those who were exposed to at least one stressful life event inside their mother's womb during early gestation (0-18 weeks) had worse sperm quality and lower testosterone concentrations than those who were not exposed, or who were exposed during later gestation, between 18-34 weeks.The findings come from Western Australia's Raine Study, a multi-generational study that recruited nearly 3000 women in their 18th week of pregnancy in the period between May 1989 and November 1991. The ...
Taxes, labelling are effective in reducing sugar consumption
Taxes on sugary products and labels on the packages can help reduce sugar consumption, recent findings suggest.The study, which included more than 3,500 people aged 13 and over on their purchasing behaviour last spring, also found that taxes could have the greatest impact if 100 per cent fruit juice was included in reduction efforts."Governments don't need to wait to implement these policies; they're already used in many other parts of the world and are successful in helping people make healthier food choices. Many people don't realize that fruit juice can have just as much sugar, or more, as regular pop, and these types of drinks aren't always included in a tax when evidence shows that maybe they should be," said Rachel Acton, lead researcher of the study.In the study, participants purchased food and snacks in scenarios involving different levels of sugar taxes, as well as different types of 'front-of-package' labels, including labels that have been proposed by Health Canada that ...