Page 559 - Health Medical Pharma

Paras Healthcare announces expansion plans; UP, Jharkhand to get hospitals

Leading hospital chain Paras Healthcare is set to come up with new hospitals in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh as part of its plans to expand presence and double its bed capacity in North India over the next three to four years.The new multi specialty hospitals are being especially planned in towns and cities which are currently off the map of quality tertiary care. In fact, the Group plans to double its bed capacity to about 1400 in the next three to four years from the existing 730 beds to meet the un-served states like Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand among others.The company currently has 730 beds spread over five hospitals in Delhi, Panchkula, Gurugram, Patna, Darbhanga."In the next three or four years, we are looking at doubling our bed capacity to about 1400. The new hospitals will come up in areas where there is unmet demand and where patients and their relatives are forced to travel long distances to avail quality medical services," said managing director and CEO Paras Healthcare, Dr

Stress can be contagious: study

Scientists, including one of Indian origin, have found that stress transmitted from others can change the brain in the same way as a real stress does. The study, in mice, showed that the effects of stress on the brain are reversed in female mice following a social interaction. This was not true for male mice. "Brain changes associated with stress underpin many mental illnesses including PTSD, anxiety disorders and depression," said Jaideep Bains from the University of Calgary in Canada. "Recent studies indicate that stress and emotions can be contagious. Whether this has lasting consequences for the brain is not known," Bains said. For the study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the researchers studied the effects of stress in pairs of male or female mice. They removed one mouse from each pair and exposed it to a mild stress before returning it to its partner. They then examined the responses of a specific population of cells, specifically CRH (Corticotropin releasing ...

Stress is contagious: Study

If your partner is stressed, the chances are high that you may suffer stress too, say researchers, including one of Indian-origin, who have found that stress is contagious.

Pollution even when 'safe' slows down brain growth in kids

Babies exposed to even "safe" levels of air pollution in the womb may be at an increased risk of having brain abnormalities that can contribute to impaired cognitive function by school-age, finds a study.

Childhood violence may lead to psychiatric disorders: study

Exposure to violence during childhood may lead to psychiatric disorders, a study has found. Results showed that having experienced any traumatic event and low socioeconomic status were associated with an internalising disorder such as depression and anxiety and an externalising disorder including attention-deficit hyperactivity. The study, published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, was conducted in two different neighbourhoods in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, one urban and one rural. Around 180 students from public schools and their caregivers were interviewed to determine the influence of previous violent events and of socio-economic status on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Researchers at Columbia University in the US evaluated psychiatric disorders including: internalising disorders (depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder) and externalising disorders (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder and oppositional-defiant ...

Advancells expects growth by 50 pct YoY for next three years

Vipul Jain, the intelligence behind Advancells, already owned a gamut of enterprises when he decided to enter the field of stem cell research. Just as any serial entrepreneur would do, Jain too acknowledged the untapped and unmatched potential of stem cells as the future of healthcare.Stem cell transplant has widely benefited over one million people to this day. In fact, a report by Grand View Research says that the international stem cell market may reach USD 15.63 billion in 10 years from now, at a CAGR or 9.2 percent.Set up on similar lines yet with a higher potential of benefiting the global healthcare industry is Advancells, an Indian startup that manufactures stem cells and use them in partner hospitals and clinics to treat neurological diseases and many more ailments. As Vipul, founder of Advancells mentions, "I got into it because it can save lives; research is only reducing costs."Today, the Noida based company is a B2B provider of stem cells with its clients ranging from ...

Effective treatment for co-morbid cardiovascular risk in COPD patients

COPD is no longer 'just a disease of the lungs'. Many COPD patients develop heart diseases that lead to higher mortality. A new study gives hope of a better treatment protocol.Patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - an obstructive lung disease characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow - are at an increased risk of developing co-morbid cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This, in turn, leads to higher rate of disability and death.Lung hyperinflation is common in people with COPD and has been linked to impaired cardiac function and worsening of COPD symptoms, especially breathlessness.Lung hyperinflation is caused due to blockages in the air passages/sacs that are less elastic, which interferes with the lung function.A recent research - CLAIM Study - is the first to investigate the effects of dual bronchodilation on cardiac function and lung hyperinflation.The CLAIM study, published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, demonstrated that treatment with ...

Chronology of events that led to SC recognising 'living will'

Following is the chronology of events related to today's landmark verdict by a five-judge Constitution bench, recognising 'living will' to be made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia: _ May 11, 2005: SC takes note of PIL of NGO 'Common Cause' seeking nod to allow terminally-ill persons to execute a living will for passive euthanasia. It seeks the Centre's response on the plea which seeks declaration of 'right to die with dignity' as a Fundamental Right under Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution. _ Jan 16, 2006: SC allows Delhi Medical Council (DMC) to intervene and asks it to file documents on passive euthanasia. _ Apr 28: Law Commission suggests a draft bill on passive euthanasia and says such pleas be made to HCs which should decide after taking experts' views. _ Jan 31, 2007: SC asks parties to file documents. _ Mar 7, 2011: SC, on a separate plea on behalf of Aruna Shanbaug, allows passive euthanasia for the nurse lying in vegetative state at a hospital in .

Antibiotic targeting gut bacteria may treat autoimmune disease

Targeting certain gut bacteria with an antibiotic or vaccine may offer a promising new treatment approach for autoimmune diseases, new research suggests.

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may lead to cognitive impairment: study

Exposure to residential air pollution during pregnancy may lead to cognitive impairment in children, a study warns. According to the research, published in the journal Biological Psychiatry, the air pollution levels related to brain alterations were below those considered to be safe. "We observed brain development effects in relationship to fine particles levels below the current EU limit," said Monica Guxens from Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain. This finding adds to previous studies that have linked acceptable air pollution levels with other complications including cognitive decline and foetal growth development. Exposure to fine particles during foetal life was associated with a thinner outer layer of the brain, called the cortex, in several regions. The study showed that these brain abnormalities contribute in part to difficulty with inhibitory control - the ability to regulate self-control over temptations and impulsive behaviour - which is related to mental health .

Childhood cancer survivors at great risk of heart problems

Survivors of childhood cancer are at great risk of heart problems in adulthood.According to a European Society Of Cardiology-led study, such survivors of are at increased risk of suffering prematurely from cardiovascular disease in adulthood.To investigate the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors, by means of systematic and comprehensive clinical evaluation of their health in comparison to the general population, researchers in Germany found that as adults these people were at increased risk of having high blood pressure and dyslipidaemia (abnormal, usually high, levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood).These conditions occurred six and eight years earlier respectively when compared with the general population.In addition, childhood cancer survivors had a nearly two-fold increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure and venous thromboembolism.Cardiovascular disease was found in 4.5 percent of survivors and occurred in the majority ...

SC allows Passive Euthanasia with guidelines

In a landmark ruling, The Supreme Court on Friday allowed passive euthanasia, or withholding treatment essential to life for a terminally-ill patient.Recognising the right to die with dignity, the apex court said, "Human beings have the right to die with dignity."The order was passed by a five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India Dipak Kumar Misra, Justice AK Sikri, Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.The bench said that passive euthanasia is permissible with guidelines.The Supreme Court said that 'living will' be permitted but with the permission from family members of the person who sought passive Euthanasia and also a team of expert doctors who say that the person's revival is practically impossible.Earlier in October last year, the apex court reserved its verdict on 'living will' in cases of passive euthanasia.The petitioner in the case argued before the court that the Right to .

Eat healthy, eat natural to keep cancer at bay (Health Tips)

While the medical fraternity is working on better cures for cancer, there are some simple alterations one can make to one's diet to prevent the feared disease.

Regular exercise slows down ageing: study

Regular exercise for a lifetime can slow down the ageing process and help in keeping the body active, a study claims. Researchers assessed the health of older adults who had exercised most of their adult lives to see if this could slow down ageing. "We now have strong evidence that encouraging people to commit to regular exercise throughout their lives is a viable solution to the problem that we are living longer but not healthier," said Janet Lord from the University of Birmingham in the UK. For the study, published in the journal Ageing Cell, the researchers recruited 125 amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79, 84 of which were male and 41 were female. The men had to be able to cycle 100 kilometres in under 6.5 hours, while the women had to be able to cycle 60 kilometres in 5.5 hours. Smokers, heavy drinkers and those with high blood pressure or other health conditions were excluded from the study. The participants underwent a series of tests in the laboratory and were compared to a group ..

Prosthetic limbs represented like real hands in brain

Prosthetic limbs are represented like real hands in brain, a new research has revealed.According to a University College London-led study, the human brain can take advantage of brain resources originally devoted to the hand to represent a prosthetic limb.Among people with only one hand, the brain area that enables us to recognise hands can also recognise a prosthetic hand, particularly among those who use a prosthesis regularly.The study provides the first account of how artificial limbs are represented in the brains of amputees."While the use of a prosthesis can be very beneficial to people with one hand, most people with one hand prefer not to use one regularly, so understanding how they can be more user-friendly could be very valuable," said the study's lead author, Dr Tamar Makin."If we can convince a person's brain that the artificial limb is the person's real limb, we could make prostheses more comfortable and easier to use," he added.The study included 32 people with one hand -

Childhood violence impacts mental health of youths

Exposure to childhood violence is linked to psychiatric disorders, according to a research.The results of the study conducted by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Federal University of Sao Paulo showed that having experienced any traumatic event and low socioeconomic status were associated with an internalizing disorder such as depression and anxiety and an externalizing disorder including attention-deficit hyperactivity.The study was conducted in two different neighborhoods in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, one urban and one more rural. One-hundred and eighty 12-year-olds from public schools and their caregivers were interviewed to determine the influence of previous violent events and of socioeconomic status on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders.Using structured interviews, the research team led by Silvia Martins, MD, PhD, Mailman School associate professor of Epidemiology, evaluated psychiatric disorders including: internalizing disorders

CSIR authorises private path lab for genetic tests

Hoping to use private pathology labs to reach out to people, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Thursday licensed a private lab for 27 genetic tests it has developed over years.

Microsoft expands its healthcare AI initiative in India

Microsoft today said it will expand its footprint in India's healthcare sector by bringing in artificial intelligence for cardiology. "One of the things you immediately find out is that there's tremendous possibilities in extracting insights from how health data lead to better outcomes in what doctors do," Dr. Peter Lee, corporate vice president, AI & Research, at Microsoft told PTI after he announced the initiative in Las Vegas on the sidelines of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition. Microsoft has partnered with Apollo Hospital to create an AI-focused network in cardiology. It has also announced the expansion of the Microsoft Intelligent Network for eyecare. The Apollo partnership, he said, will work to develop and deploy new machine learning models to predict patient risk for heart disease and assists doctors on treatment plans. The team is already working on an AI-powered Cardio API (application program interface) ..

NATHEALTH annual event 'NATEv2018' to be held on Mar 16

Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) is all set to brainstorm on several critical issues concerning the Indian healthcare sector during its fifth annual event 'NATEv2018' in Delhi on March 16. Union Health Minister, JP Nadda and Union Health Secretary, Preeti Sudan have been invited to inaugurate the event.Leaders and stakeholders representing various segments of healthcare would discuss and deliberate on the theme - 'Reinvent-->Empower-->Heal'.The inaugural session would be followed by a session on "Top Clinicians: Concerns and Challenges in today's Healthcare" where panelists from leading healthcare institutions would discuss on rising trust deficit between patients/families and healthcare professionals.The experts would discuss a number of critical aspects around informed consent, the cost and efficacy of different treatment paths/choices, time-starved professionals, information-starved patients, medical liability and how these need to come together for productive and ..

Can a person make 'living will' for passive euthanasia; SC verdict likely tomorrow

The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce tomorrow its judgement on a petition seeking recognition of 'living will' made by terminally-ill patients for passive euthanasia. Living will is a written document that allows a patient to give explicit instructions in advance about the medical treatment to be administered when he or she is terminally ill or no longer able to express informed consent. Passive euthanasia is a condition where there is withdrawal of medical treatment with the deliberate intention to hasten the death of a terminally-ill patient. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had on October 11 last year reserved its verdict on the plea. The bench, also comprising justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, had indicated during the hearing that it might recognise the execution of 'living will' in cases of passive euthanasia, as right to die peacefully is part of fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the ...