Page 579 - Health Medical Pharma

Novel 3D scaffolds to grow muscle developed

In a breakthrough, Australian scientists have successfully produced a 3D material that mimics nature to transform cells into muscle. The advance offers hope to people suffering from injuries where their muscles cannot repair themselves due to trauma or disease, researchers said. The team at RMIT University in Australia combined lab-made peptides with natural proteins and polymers to create a 3D "hydrogel scaffold". They have for the first time incorporated the natural processes of embryonic development to build a material that can more naturally communicate with stem cells for effective tissue repair. The scaffold uses natural mechanisms to incorporate signals found in the natural developmental environment to support and engineer stem cells into muscle fibre. "Our stem cells are at their best during development, where a scaffold drives them to produce all our tissues and organs; yet as people grow and age, they lose this ability and get a build-up of undesirable structures," said ...

Heavy alcohol use biggest risk factor for dementia: study

Heavy drinking may significantly increase the risk of all types of dementia, according to the largest study of its kind which found that alcohol use disorders are the most important preventable risk factors for the onset neurodegenerative disorders. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health journal, looked specifically at the effect of alcohol use disorders, and included people who had been diagnosed with mental and behavioural disorders or chronic diseases that were attributable to chronic harmful use of alcohol. In the study of over one million adults diagnosed with dementia in France, 57 per cent of the 57,000 cases of early-onset dementia (before the age of 65) were related to chronic heavy drinking. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines chronic heavy drinking as consuming more than 60 grammes pure alcohol on average per day for men (4-5 standard drinks) and 40 grammes (about 3 standard drinks) per day for women. Researchers suggest that screening, brief interventions

Number of years spent in obesity may up heart damage risk

The longer a person spends being obese, the higher is the risk of a "silent" heart damage, finds a study, which says "the number of overweight or obese years may "add up" to the risk.

Maternal depression continues to impact life-long: Study

Postnatal depression can impact the quality of relationship between mother and child into adult life and can also have a negative influence on the quality of relationship between grandmothers and grandchildren, new research has discovered.

Heavy drinking biggest risk factor for dementia: Lancet

Heavy drinkers are at increased risk of developing dementia, a progressive brain disease that generally begins with mild memory loss, suggests the largest study of its kind ever conducted.

Urgent need to scale up health services in Cox's Bazar: WHO

Calling for continued efforts to further scale up health services for nearly 1.3 million people in Cox's Bazar, Rohingyas and their surrounding host communities, the World Health Organisation today said six months after the start of the refugee crisis, the vulnerable populations remain at risk of several diseases and in need of critical services for survival."Commendable efforts have been made by the Government of Bangladesh and partner agencies to provide health services; prevent diseases such as cholera; and rapidly control outbreaks of measles and diphtheria. However, the challenges are huge, multiple and evolving. The magnitude of the crisis requires continued efforts and generous contributions by all partners to scale up health services for the vulnerable population," said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia.An estimated 688 000 Rohingyas crossed over to Cox's Bazar from Myanmar beginning 25 August 2017, joining nearly 212 500 others who had ...

New trick to reduce hospital readmission rates

Experts have come up with a new trick to reduce hospital readmission rates.According to a new study, lay-health workers may be able to significantly reduce readmissions rates to hospitals for high-risk patients following surgery.A lay-health worker is someone who has received some training to promote health or to carry out some health-care services and who acts as a link between formal health services and patients, especially those at high-risk. In the United States, lay-health worker programs first emerged as part of the Great Society domestic policies in the 1960s.Lay-health workers, who perform specific, delineated tasks, like assisting during medical appointments and providing access to transportation, can be deployed much faster than more highly trained health professionals.Often, they can improve patient experiences through culturally sensitive, community-based health services. They also serve as a resource for patients attempting to obtain health education or navigate the ...

Risk of dementia higher in people with congenital heart disease

Adults who were born with heart disease are at a higher risk dementia, according to a study.The study of more than 10,000 adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) in Denmark discovered a particularly increased risk for early dementia in middle-age adults."We've learned that CHD is a lifelong condition," says Nicolas Madsen, senior author of the study. "Research shows that children born with heart problems are at a greater risk for one or more neurodevelopmental issues when compared to children without heart disease. We can now say that the risk for these types of problems continues well into adulthood."Dr. Madsen and his colleagues at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark studied 10,632 adults born between 1890 and 1982. The researchers used medical registries and a medical records review covering all Danish hospitals to identify adults with CHD diagnosed between 1963 and 2012.The researchers found a 60 percent increased risk of dementia compared to the general population. The risk .

BJP MLA Kalyan Singh passes away in Rajasthan

Sitting BJP legislator from Rajasthan's Nathdwara, who had been suffering form cancer, passed away early on Wednesday in a hospital in Udaipur. He was 58.

Excessive alcohol use linked to early dementia risk

Heavy drinking can increase your risk of early-onset dementia, according to the largest study of its kind ever conducted.It looked over one million adults diagnosed with dementia in France.The research looked specifically at the effect of alcohol use disorders, and included people who had been diagnosed with mental and behavioural disorders or chronic diseases that were attributable to chronic harmful use of alcohol.Of the 57,000 cases of early-onset dementia (before the age of 65), the majority (57%) were related to chronic heavy drinking.The World Health Organization (WHO) defines chronic heavy drinking as consuming more than 60 grams pure alcohol on average per day for men and 40 grams per day for women.As a result of the strong association found in this study, the authors suggest that screening, brief interventions for heavy drinking, and treatment for alcohol use disorders should be implemented to reduce the alcohol-attributable burden of dementia."The findings indicate that ...

BJP MLA Kalyan Singh passes away

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kalyan Singh passed away at the GBH American Hospital in Udaipur from prolonged illness today.Singh, an MLA from Rajasthan's Nathdwara, was suffering from cancer since last three years.On Tuesday night, when his health deteriorated he was taken to the hospital in Udaipur.Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has expressed condolences on the demise of the BJP MLA.

Trump plan: Less-comprehensive health plans at lower cost

The Trump administration today cleared the way for a lower-cost, limited alternative to the comprehensive individual medical plans required under former President Barack Obama's health law. Proposed regulations from the administration would allow health insurers to sell individual consumers so-called "short-term" policies that can last up to 12 months, have fewer benefits, and lower premiums. The plans would come with a disclaimer that they don't meet the Affordable Care Act's consumer protections, such as guaranteed coverage, or the requirement to offer robust benefits. Insurers could also charge consumers more if an individual's medical history discloses health problems. Nonetheless, administration officials said they believe the short-term coverage option will be welcomed by people who need individual coverage but don't qualify for the ACA's income-based subsidies and face paying the full cost of their premiums. "We need to be opening up more affordable alternatives," Health and ..

Use potato slices to treat puffy eyes

Waking up with puffy eyes is rather common and it is easy to treat them. Drink sufficient water and use refrigerated slices of potatoes to get rid of the puffiness, suggest experts.

Probe begins into SCB fiasco as JDA strike enters 2nd day

Even as an in-house enquiry committee of SCB Medical College and Hospital today began probing into the alleged harassment and atrocities charges leveled against Urology department head Prof Datteswar Hota, the indefinite cease-work stir launched by junior doctors of the teaching hospital entered the second day. While the deposition of Prof Hota before the Committee remained inconclusive on the day, it (Committee) recorded the verbal and written statements of all the complainants, who are all senior residents of Urology department, said the medical college principal Dr Siddharth Das adding that the Committee is likely to submit its report to the Principal tomorrow. Accusing Hota of harassing and committing atrocities on them, all the 450 junior doctors of the teaching hospital had resorted to cease-work agitation from Monday afternoon demanding his removal. The striking doctors had alleged that Hota was forcing them to treat and take care of patients in his private ...

Rajasthan BJP MLA tests positive for swine flu

A BJP MLA from Rajasthan's Jalore district tested positive for swine flu today, prompting Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf to issue orders for screening of those who came into contact with the MLA and other people who have tested positive. Amrita Meghwal (32) tested positive for H1N1, an official release said here. The health minister asked the Director (Public Health) to instruct all district chief medical and health officers to screen people who came into contact with those who tested positive for swine flu, the release said. Saraf also directed that treatment for swine flu be started on anyone exhibiting symptoms of the disease, it said.

People with heavy thighs unlikely to become diabetic: Study

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday said the hospital, along with Motilal Nehru Medical College of Allahabad, has discovered a "simple and cost-effective screening tool" to identify people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Thomson Reuters says CEO Jim Smith to make full recovery after arrhythmia incident

TORONTO (Reuters) - Thomson Reuters Corp said on Tuesday Chief Executive Officer Jim Smith is in stable condition after an arrhythmia incident on Feb. 12 and is expected to be released from hospital within the next two weeks.

Indian, UK scientists discover origami-like farming solutions

Scientists from the UK and India have discovered a disposable diagnostic technology that uses paper folding, akin to origami, to process complex biochemical tests that can help farmers develop very low-cost diagnostics to improve the health of livestock. In a paper published in the journalACS Sensors, biomedical engineers, veterinary scientists and bacteriologists from Britain and India describe how the procedure helped farmers in India identify three separate reproductive infections in cattle. The new technique provides a new method for identifyingBrucella, Leptospira and bovine herpes virus-1 infections, which are particularly prevalent in India, along with many other countries in Asia, Africa and South America. All three infections can affect livestocks reproductive organs, reducing fertility and resulting in loss of milk production, with a significant impact on agricultural output. "These folded pieces of wax-printed paper, which can be made using a standard printer, may look ...

Two new vaccines may be effective in preventing TB: Study

Two new vaccines have shown promise in preventing tuberculosis, the world's leading infectious disease killer, results of new clinical trials show.

This gene helps grow blood vessels

A new gene that helps grow blood vessels when it senses inadequate blood flow to tissues has been identified, an advance that can help improve treatments for heart diseases and stroke.