Page 602 - Health Medical Pharma
Cell phone radiation linked to tumours in rats
It has come to light that high levels of cell phone radiations are linked to tumours in male rats.A new study has found out that male rats, when exposed to cellphone radiations, develop tumours in tissues around their heart. The findings also exposed that female rats and mice have no such effects on the subjection of radiations emitted by mobile phones.Trying to settle the debate over whether mobile phones' radiations are harmful or not, the researchers conducted the animal study.Intriguingly, the results were not extrapolated to humans. However, it gave rest to the ongoing debate and made the fact clear that safety limits on cellphone radiation can be non-harmful.About 6 percent of male rats, whose entire bodies were exposed to radiations developed schwannomas - a rare type of a tumour near their hearts. Meanwhile, there were no such tumours found in rats not exposed to radiations.It was noted that unlike ionizing radiations - emitted from gamma rays, X-rays, and radon - that can ...
Crash diets may harm heart's ability to pump blood: study
Crash diets - that involve drastically cutting calorie consumption for a few weeks - may harm heart function and reduce the organ's ability to pump blood, an Oxford study has found. Patients with heart disease should seek medical advice before adopting a very low calorie diet, researchers suggest. "Crash diets, also called meal replacement programmes, have become increasingly fashionable in the past few years," said Jennifer Rayner from University of Oxford in the UK. "These diets have a very low calorie content of 600 to 800 kilocal per day and can be effective for losing weight, reducing blood pressure, and reversing diabetes," she said. "But the effects on the heart have not been studied until now," she added. The study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the impact of a very low calorie diet on heart function and the distribution of fat in the abdomen, liver, and heart muscle. The study included 21 obese volunteers. The average age was 52 years, ...
This popular med may prevent severe disease's relapse
Turns out, a popular medicine used for common allergy can prevent a severe disease's relapse.It has been found that cetirizine - common allergy medication - is safe, well-tolerated, and may reduce relapses in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).NMO is a rare and severe disease that causes inflammation and demyelination - damage to the myelin, the protective coating of nerve cells - primarily in the optic nerve (optic neuritis), spinal cord (myelitis), and brainstem.The study followed sixteen NMO patients, taking 10mg/day of orally administered cetirizine for one year.Participants started taking cetirizine (10mg) orally daily and continued for one year, in addition to their established NMOSD disease-modifying therapy.They were monitored for new neurologic episodes and potential adverse events related to the study drug. Formal relapse assessments, as well as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, were completed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.Current standard treatments for NMO have focused on ...
Tumours grow where these gut bacteria thrive
Turns out, bacteria play an important role in driving sporadic colon cancer.According to a study, patients with an inherited form of colon cancer harbour two bacterial species that collaborate to encourage the development of the disease, and the same species have been found in people who develop a sporadic form of colon cancer.The study was led by a team of researchers from a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.A second study on mice was published concurrently by the same researchers showed a possible mechanism behind how one of these species spurs a specific type of immune response, promoting--instead of inhibiting--the formation of malignant tumours.Together, these findings could lead to new ways to more effectively screen for and ultimately prevent colon cancer, a disease that kills more than 50,000 people each year in the U.S. and is on the rise among younger adults age 20 to 50.The Science findings described a process in which these bacteria invade ..
Here's how you can cut side effect risk of a hard med
It has been found that a commonly-prescribed multiple sclerosis (MS) infusion medication, linked to a rare but serious side effect, is safer to use when dosing intervals are extended.According to a new study led by MS specialists NYU Langone Health, changing the dosing from 4 weeks to 5-12 weeks reduces the risk for Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML).PML is a rare but potentially fatal brain infection. The findings could influence how neurologists prescribe the medication."Neurologists have been looking for safer ways to administer natalizumab infusions to their patients, but there hasn't been clear data on whether decreasing dosing frequency improves safety", said first author Lana Zhovtis Ryerson.Lana continued, "Our safety findings are clinically and statistically significant, and we believe that extending the dosing schedule of natalizumab is practice changing and may save lives".Natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody, is used to prevent MS relapses, improve quality of ..
Food preservative shows promise in schizophrenia treatment
Researchers have found that a common food preservative can treat schizophrenia patients whose symptoms do not respond to available antipsychotic drugs.
World Cancer Day: Benefits of palliative care
Palliative care is an approach that aims at improving the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer.It helps the patients and their families through early identification, assessment, and treatment of pain. It also addresses the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of caring for cancer patients.When integrated with other treatment options for cancer at an early stage, palliative care can help the patients in dealing with their illness better and leading the remainder of their lives with acceptance. It not only enhances the quality of life for those with cancer but also has a positive influence on the course of the illness.Palliative care should begin during the early course of treating cancer and continue with the treatment. Research indicates patients who receive palliative care with treatment for cancer, survive longer than those who are only on medical treatment.However, palliative care is different from hospice care in that the latter begins after treatment of ...
Edible QR codes may lead to custom-made medicines
Scientists have developed a way to print edible QR codes using drugs, paving the way for medicines that are tailor-made for a patient's needs. For the last 100 years, researchers have constantly pushed the boundaries for our knowledge about medicine and how different bodies can respond differently to it. However, the methods for the production of medicine have not yet moved itself away from mass production. Many who have a given illness get the same product with equal amount of an active compound. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and Abo Akademi University in Finland have developed a new method for producing medicine. They produce a white edible material, on which they print a QR code consisting of a medical drug. A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that contains machine-readable information about the item to which it is attached. "This technology is promising, because the medical drug can be dosed exactly the way you want it to. This gives an .
Oncologists seek implementation of SC order on chewing tobacco
Oncologists are unanimous that 90 per cent of oral cancers could be prevented if the government implement the Supreme Court's order which banned chewing tobacco being sold rampantly in twin packs. The Supreme Court on September 23, 2016 had imposed ban on sale of tobacco in twin-packs such as gutka, tobacco, pan masala, khaini etc. "When we are aware what causes 90 per cent of oral cancers and the law is there to ban these chewing tobacco products in twin packs, then what is stopping the enforcement?" Head and Neck Surgery Oncologist, Dr Sourav Dutta, told PTI on the World Cancer Day today. Dutta, also the state patron of the Voice of Tobacco Victims, said it is alarming that about 10 lakh deaths are reported every year due to tobacco, and the government must strictly enforce the ban. "As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2017, there are 26.7 crore users of tobacco in India and 5500 children initiate tobacco use everyday. One-third of these tobacco users will die ...
Bill proposes affordable treatment to ASD-affected
The Centre shall ensure timely and affordable treatment to people affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), says a private member bill moved by NCP MP Supriya Sule. The Autism Spectrum Disorders (Recognition and Treatment) Bill, 2017 is aimed at recognising the rights of individuals suffering from autism spectrum disorders and making its treatment accessible and affordable. The bill proposes that treatment of ASD including counselling, therapeutic sessions and rehabilitative care shall be provided free of cost at public health centres. At the same time, state governments shall recruit more mental health care professionals in public hospitals to maintain the doctor-patient ratio. i.e. at least a doctor for every 40 patients suffering from ASD, it says. The proposed legislation also says that the central government shall provide funds for medical research, which will ascertain the causes of ASD and other developmental disorders. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ...
Is heart a casualty after cancer survival? (Feb 4 is World Cancer Day)
While cancer has almost become one among the lifestyle diseases today, advances in treatment have ensured a growing number of survivors. But, are these survivors living a healthy life going ahead? The answer seems to be no. Instead, they are more likely to die from heart diseases.
Greece observes World Cancer Day
Greece has observed World Cancer Day with a series of events aimed to raise awareness and help in the prevention of the disease and support of patients.
Uma Bharti admitted to AIIMS
Union Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Uma Bharti was reportedly admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Saturday.She was admitted to the hospital after she complained of "severe knee pain".Bharti is undergoing treatment at the hospital's new private ward.
Maharashtra government transfers 12 bureaucrats
The Maharashtra government today transferred 12 bureaucrats, a circular from the General Administration Department announced. It said that 1987 batch IAS officer VK Gautam , Principal Secretary, Finance was transferred as Principal Secretary (Tourism) in the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department. PN Bhapkar, Divisional Commissioner, Aurangabad was posted as Secretary, Agriculture Development Fund while SN Kendrekar, Commissioner, Sports and Youth, Pune was posted in place of Bhapkar. KK Kulkarni, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Amravati has been posted as Commissioner, Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune while MG Gursal was posted as Secretary, Fee Regularity Authority, Mumbai. The GAD circular stated that AA Gulhane, Joint Chief Executive Officer, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation had been transferred to the post of Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Wardha. K Manjulakshmi was made Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, ...
Tata Trusts to open 17 cancer care centres in Assam from 2019
Tata Trusts will operate 17 cancer care centres in partnership with Assam government across 15 districts in the state from next year, entailing an investment of around Rs 2,000 crore. "Tata group has a long standing relation with Assam. Assam is very close to us. Our cancer care programme will be launched in the state in coming days," Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said at the inaugural function of the Global Investors Summit 2018 here. Chandrasekaran said that the proposed healthcare initiative will be spread across 15 districts of the state. Tata Trusts signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Assam government during the ongoing 'Advantage Assam - Global Investment Summit 2018', giving a formal shape to the plans. Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "The paper works of the project have already been completed. We are going to set up a joint venture company, where both the parties will put in around Rs 1,000 crore each. So, the total ...
Biocon chief joins national body to fight oral cancer
Ahead of World Cancer Day on Sunday, biotechnology major Biocon's Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on Saturday joined hands with medical experts from across India to form an independent body to fight oral cancer.
Alarming increase in tobacco related cancer in TVM dist
Incidence of tobacco related cancer in Thiruvananthapuram district has shown an alarming increase of 220 per cent among men and 219 per cent among women over the periods from 2009-14. The number of cancer cases among men shot up sharply from 885 in 2009-11 to 2,835 in 2012-14, as per the latest publicly available Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCR) of the Indian Council of Medical Research, a press release said. An analysis of the registry reports reveals that the number of tobacco related cancers among women sharply went up from 272 cases in 2009-11 to 869 in 2012-14 in the district. Significantly, tobacco related cancers among men are the third highest in a ranking of 27 population-based registries in the country covered by the 2012-14 report with 2835 cases. This is the highest after Delhi (4185 cases) and Ahmedabad Urban (3085 cases). The PBCR Thiruvanathapuram was established in 2006 with the objectives of assessing the magnitude and pattern of cancer incidence
Uma Bharati admitted to AIIMS with 'severe knee pain'
Union Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Uma Bharti was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here after she complained of "severe knee pain". "She had this knee ailment for some years now. Last evening the pain was unbearable for her. She had to be admitted to AIIMS last night", a close aid of Bharati told PTI today. Bharti is undergoing treatment at the hospital's new private ward. "She is stable and undergoing required medication," a hospital source said.
If you lose a few kilos, your partner might too
People who make an effort to lose weight are not just helping themselves, they may be helping others too, a study suggests. Researchers have found that when one member of a couple commits to losing weight, the chances are good their partner will lose some weight too, even if they are not actively participating in a weight loss intervention. They tracked the weight loss progress of 130 couples over six months. In the study, about one third of the untreated partners lost three per cent or more of their initial body weight after six months despite not participating in any active intervention. A three per cent loss of body weight is considered a measurable health benefit. "When one person changes their behaviour, the people around them change," said Amy Gorin, from the University of Connecticut in the US. The study, published in the journal Obesity, also found that the rate at which couples lose weight is interlinked. In other words, if one member lost weight at a steady ...
Uma Bharti admitted to AIIMS for high BP
Union Minister Uma Bharti has been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) due to problems of hypertension, according to hospital authorities.