Page 5 - Health Medical Pharma
With onset of rain, no new AES case reported in Muzaffarpur
With the onset of rains, no fresh AES case has been reported in Muzaffarpur district on Sunday even as the health department cracked its whip on a doctor who was asked to report for duty in the brain fever-affected district, but failed to comply. "Dr Bhimsen Kumar, a senior resident doctor at the Patna Medical College Hospital, had been directed to report at the SKMCH Muzaffarpur by June 19. "He failed to do so and the department has taken a serious note of the lapse. He has been placed under suspension pending a departmental inquiry upon conclusion of which further action may be taken", Principal Secretary, Health, Sanjay Kumar told PTI over phone. Meanwhile, Sri Krishna Medical College Hospital (SKMCH) superintendent, Sunil Kumar Shahi said "AES is known to strike when the summer heat is at its peak and the incidences plummet no sooner than rainfalls lash the area. The same is happening this time and no child has been admitted during the day so far with the complaint even though AES
AIIMS Delhi to find out what causes Encephalitis
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): After Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) claimed 125 in Bihar, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi will soon study the actual cause behind the AES syndrome which is listed under 'unknown category'.The project is scheduled to begin next month and is funded by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) as part of CSR activity.Center of Excellence and Advanced Research For Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders, AIIMS, will be looking after 11 projects out of which, one is to find out how these acute and sub-acute AES syndromes are caused.In the study, chronic encephalitis syndrome affecting children from 1 month to 18 years of age will be the focus.While speaking to ANI, Professor Sheffali Gulati, Chief of Child Neurology Division, Department of Paediatrics AIIMS, said, "We have to treat the cases of AES as following the disease, every year mortality rate goes high. This ...
Harsh Vardhan, Health Ministry officials review status of AES cases in Muzaffarpur
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and other senior officers of health ministry reviewed the status of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases in Bihar's Muzaffarpur on Saturday.The death toll due to AES has mounted to 109 in government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH). With this, the number of AES casualties in Bihar rose to 125 on Sunday."The central and state teams have finalized the site and design of 100 bedded PICU at Muzaffarpur, which will be supported under a centrally sponsored scheme," said Harsh Vardhan.The Union Health Minister is reviewing the AES cases on a daily basis with the Health Ministry officials.The Health Minister 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 behaviour change at the community level and early identification and management at primary health care facilities have been strengthened," said Vardhan.He ..
At AES epicentre, experts count reasons, families rue: 'Poverty, malnutrition & lack of awareness'
"We all know poverty and malnourishment are some key reasons behind children's deaths but no one will talk officially as it is a very sensitive matter." A senior doctor at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital tries to find reasons as to why Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) has devastated so many families in north Bihar's district of Muzaffarpur in a matter of three weeks -- over 125 children have succumbed to the disease till Saturday. A visit to two facilities -- government-run SKMCH and the Kejriwal hospital, run by a trust -- that are dealing with most of the AES patients in the district makes it clear the doctor was right in his assessment. At least 127 children have died till 9 am Saturday -- 107 at SKMCH, 20 at Kejriwal hospital. Most of the patients came from economically poor families, with many being farm labourers or daily wage labourers. "Majority of the children admitted at the hospital belonged to lower strata on socioeconomic front," said SKMCH Medical ...
Indigenous oral health inequalities occur during childhood: Study
A recent study highlights the oral health inequality between indigenous and non-indigenous children across the country.The study was published in the journal 'Journal of Dental Research' on June 22 at Vancouver Convention Centre West Building, Vancouver, BC, Canada.This study compared relative oral health inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children and adolescents ages five to 15 years-old from Brazil, New Zealand, Australia and many more.Data were collected by the researchers from the most recent nationally representative oral health surveys in each country and gingival inflammation, dental caries experience, untreated decayed teeth and missing and filled teeth were assessed in the primary and permanent dentitions. Parent-reported child oral health was also evaluated.The authors of the study found that irrespective of country, Indigenous children had worse oral health than their non-Indigenous counterparts in all indicators. The magnitude of these differences was ...
Scientists find new target for Parkinson's disease
Contrary to earlier discovery that a chemical found in a synthetic opioid, MPTP, induced a form of Parkinson's disease, a new study has found that it is an enzyme in the body that can metabolise compounds formed in the brain from alkaloids causing a neurodegenerative condition in mice.The study led by Narayan Avadhani and Mrittika Chattopadhyay, suggested that the enzyme, mitochondrial CYP2D6, presents a potentially powerful new target for Parkinson's treatment."Over the past two or three decades, researchers have tried inhibiting the process by they believed MPTP was metabolised, with mixed success," said Avadhani."We believe that mitochondrial CYP2D6 is the more direct drug target, which might prove better in treating idiopathic Parkinson's disease," added Avadhani.The study published in the 'Journal of Biological Chemistry' investigated the mechanism of Parkinson's disease when a specific cause cannot be pinpointed.Previous studies have shown that MPTP and similar toxic compounds ..
AES Outbreak: Death toll mounts to 125 in Bihar
The death toll due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) mounted to 109 in government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), said an official. With this, the number of AES casualties in Bihar rose to 125 on Sunday."Since last evening, one more child was admitted and one died in SKMCH due to AES. In total, 225 patients have been discharged till now and 39 will be discharged today" Superintendent Sunil Shahi told ANI.With 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."We have received a letter from the government regarding the suspension of Dr Bhimsen Kumar" he added.The Health Department had deployed Kumar, a paediatrician at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) to SKMCH on 19 June after the AES outbreak.On June 18, Bihar Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar informed that 12 extra doctors have been deputed at SKMCH from different districts in Muzaffarpur, of ...
AIIMS Delhi to find out cause of AES listed in 'unknown category'
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): With the epidemical breakout of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi will soon study the actual cause behind the AES syndrome which is listed under 'unknown category'.The project scheduled to begin next month is funded by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) as part of CSR activity.Center of Excellence & Advanced Research For Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders, AIIMS, will be looking after 11 projects to find out how these acute and sub-acute AES syndromes are caused.In the study, chronic encephalopathy/encephalitis syndrome affecting children from 1 month to 18 years of age will be the focus.While speaking to ANI, Professor Sheffali Gulati, Chief of Child Neurology Division, Department of Paediatrics AIIMS, said, "We have to treat the cases of AES as following the disease, every year mortality rate goes high. ...
Our brain likes new information as much as money: Study
New information acts on the brain's reward system in the same way as money or food, according to a study that explains why people can't stop checking their phones, even when they are not expecting any important messages. The research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates that the brain converts information into same common scale as it does for money. It also lays the groundwork for unravelling the neuroscience behind how we consume information -- and perhaps even digital addiction. "To the brain, information is its own reward, above and beyond whether it's useful," said Ming Hsu, from University of California, Berkeley in the US. "We were able to demonstrate for the first time the existence of a common neural code for information and money, which opens the door to a number of exciting questions about how people consume, and sometimes over-consume, information," said Hsu. "And just as our brains like empty calories from junk food, they ...
Experts discuss safer use of nicotine as debate over e-cigarette continues
As raging debate over e-cigarette as harm-reduction product and its impact on younger generation continues in India, healthcare professionals from around the world gathered in Poland to discuss safer use of nicotine. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), popularly called e-cigarette, is a battery-powered vaporiser that simulates smoking by providing some of the behavioral aspects of smoking, including the hand-to-mouth action of smoking, but without combusting tobacco. Presently, about 3 per cent of adults in India are aware about e-cigarettes and an estimated 0.02 per cent of the population use it. Going tough on e-cigarettes, the health ministry has proposed to classify such alternative smoking devices as "drugs" under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, in a bid to ban their manufacture, sale, distribution and import. The Global Forum on Nicotine held last week in Warsaw saw participation of over 600 delegates from around the globe who discussed safer use of nicotine. Several ...
Swimming in oceans might increase likelihood of skin infection
However refreshing and fun it might be to swim in an ocean, new research has pointed out that it alters the skin microbiome and is associated with an increased likelihood of infection.The research was presented at the meeting 'ASM Microbe 2019'."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, the lead author.Recent research has demonstrated that changes in the microbiome can leave the host susceptible to infection, and influence disease states. Exposure to these waters like ocean, might lead to gastrointestinal and respiratory illness, ear infections, and skin infections.Researchers examined nine volunteers at a beach who met the criteria of no sunscreen use, infrequent exposure to the ocean, no bathing within the last 12 hours, and no antibiotics during the previous six months.Before the participants entered the water, researchers swabbed the participants on the back
AIIMS Delhi to find out cause of Encephalitis listed in 'unknown category'
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): With the epidemical breakout of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi will soon study actual cause behind the syndrome which is listed under 'unknown category'.The project scheduled to begin next month is funded by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) as part of CSR activity.Center of Excellence & Advanced Research For Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders, AIIMS, will be looking after 11 projects to find out how these acute and sub-acute AES syndromes are caused.In the study, chronic encephalopathy/encephalitis syndrome affecting children from 1 month to 18 years of age will be the focus.While speaking to ANI, Professor Sheffali Gulati, Chief of Child Neurology Division, Department of Paediatrics AIIMS, said, "We have to treat the cases of AES as following the disease, every year mortality rate goes high. This study .
Vacations are good for your heart: Study
Going on a vacation can lower the risk of developing a heart disease risk, scientists say. While there has been much anecdotal evidence about the benefits of taking a vacation from work, researchers from Syracuse University in the US reveal the benefits of a vacation for our heart health. "What we found is that people who vacation more frequently in the past 12 months have a lowered risk for metabolic syndrome and metabolic symptoms," said Bryce Hruska, an assistant professor Syracuse University. "Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. If you have more of them you are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease," Hruska said. "This is important because we are actually seeing a reduction in the risk for cardiovascular disease the more vacationing a person does. Because metabolic symptoms are modifiable, it means they can change or be eliminated," he said. Researchers are still learning what it is about vacations that make them beneficial for heart ..
UP: Woman, 3-yr-old child locked in room for five hours, one suspended
On person was suspended, while doctors and pharmacists were transferred on Saturday for locking a woman, along with her three-year-old child, inside a room of a community healthcare centre for nearly five hours.Speaking to media persons, Chief Medical Officer PS Mishra said: "Staff said it totally slipped out of their minds that there was a patient inside and they locked the doors. One person has been suspended for negligence and other doctors and pharmacists have been transferred."The incident took place on June 21.
AES outbreak: Doctor deployed at SKMCH suspended over negligence of duty
As the death toll continues to rise due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES), senior Resident Doctor deployed at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH), Dr Bhimsen Kumar on Saturday was suspended over alleged negligence of duty.The Health Department had deployed Kumar, a paediatrician at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) to SKMCH on 19 June after the AES outbreak.On June 18, Bihar Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar informed that 12 extra doctors have been deputed at Sri Krishna Medical College & Hospital (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.With one more death at SKMCH in the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday, the death toll due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) mounted to 129 in Muzaffarpur district.As per official data, the death toll in SKMCH has touched 109 while 20 children died at ...
Encephalitis death toll mounts to 129 in Bihar's Muzaffarpur
With one more death at government-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday, the death toll due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) mounted to 129 in Muzaffarpur district.As per official data, the death toll in SKMCH has touched 109 while 20 children died at Kejriwal hospital in the district due to the vector-borne disease.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 disease that causes flu-like symptoms such as high fever, vomiting and in extreme cases, brain dysfunction, seizure, and inflammation of heart and kidney.
UP: Unconscious patient remains locked inside healthcare centre, staff suspended
The staff of a state-run community centre in Muzaffarnagar on Friday shut the gates of the medical facility and left for home, unaware of the fact that an unconscious patient was inside. The incident occurred at Faloda village in Purkazi block.Sonia, 30, was taken to the centre for treatment on Friday.The staff and doctor left the centre in the afternoon, while the woman was still lying unconscious on a bed in the patients' room.The woman regained consciousness a few hours later and found herself locked inside the centre, following which, she shouted for help. Soon after her cries were heard by the locals, officials were informed about the matter and they rushed to the spot and took her out.Following the incident, Group D staff was suspended and four other officials, including Chief Pharmacist Praveen Kumar and Medical Officer Dr Mohit Kumar, were transferred, Chief Medical Officer Dr PS Mishra said while speaking to ANI.Sonia demanded strict action against the healthcare authorities .
Braving odds, Capt Kalpana provides medical cover to soldiers on China border
Braving odds, Captain Kalpana Kundu of Army Medical Corps (AMC) undertook a high altitude patrol in the Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh on June 20.She took the arduous task to provide medical cover to the Army personnel deployed along the Chinese border.The Indian Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the Indian Army which primarily provides medical services to all Army personnel, serving and veterans, along with their families.
Even one pint of beer can make you feel out of control
A recent study showed that drinking only one pint of beer or a large glass of wine is enough to significantly compromise a person's sense of agency, a feeling of being in control of our actions.This feeling is an important aspect of human social behavior, as it implies knowledge of the consequences of those actions, reported the study published in the Journal of Addiction Biology.This new study, Effect of alcohol on the sense of agency in healthy humans, is the first to test the effect of alcohol on a sense of agency. The study focused on low doses of alcohol, typically consumed during social drinking, that do not produce a large impairment of behavior. Until now, research has mostly focused on the loss of inhibitory control produced by obvious drunkenness, characterised by impulsivity, aggression, and risky behavior.Dr Silvana De Pirro, the lead author of the research paper, said: "Our study presents a compelling case that even one pint of beer is enough to significantly compromise a
Women don't regret embryo testing before IVF
A new study inquired if women who had their embryos tested before IVF was happy or they regretted the procedure, regardless of whether they had a normal embryo or not.Surprisingly, 94 percent of patients who were surveyed admitted that they were glad to have the information regarding the embryo will successfully implant during in vitro fertilization (IVF), reported a new study published in the Journal of Human Reproduction.This is the first study examining the risk of regret and anxiety following screening for chromosomal abnormalities in embryos before IVF."The traditional practice of IVF involves transferring an embryo, with an unknown likelihood of implantation, and finding out on the other end whether it will implant or result in a healthy pregnancy. We discovered that even after a negative outcome, most women found the information gained from embryo testing to be valuable for reproductive planning," said lead study author Dr. Kara Goldman."Older women understand their time is ...
