Page 646 - Health Medical Pharma
Smart toothbrush can detect heart problems
Scientists are developing a smart toothbrush that can monitor vital signs and detect deadly heart problems from human saliva. The device would be a simple way to incorporate heart check-ups into daily routines, and could prompt heart patients to adjust their medications as required. According to the scientists at the Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Spain, sodium levels in saliva could give an early warning of problems. "With a little information about their heart rate, pressure and some biological samples from saliva, it is possible to execute some minor corrections that should help the patient to be as healthy as possible," said Alvaro Marco, a cardiologist at Hospital Ramon y Cajal. The toothbrush could help patients to do this themselves rather than wait for medical reviews. "If we see that our patients are in a high heart rate or pressure, we adjust the therapy according to it," Marco was quoted as saying by 'The Times'. "I am co-operating with a top-notch tech company ...
Alternative drugs for mild infections could combat superbugs
Developing alternatives to antibiotics for small infections could prevent bacteria from developing drug-resistance and help humans win the battle against superbugs, scientists say. It has been widely reported that bacteria will evolve to render antibiotics mostly ineffective by mid-century, and current strategies to make up for the projected shortfalls have not worked. Doctors are often quick to prescribe strong antibiotics for mild infections, helping bacteria evolve resistance to even the most potent drugs. One possible problem is that drug development strategies have focused on replacing antibiotics in extreme infections, such as sepsis, where every minute without an effective drug increases the risk of death. However, the evolutionary process that brings forth antibiotic resistance does not happen nearly as often in those big infections as it does in the multitude of small ones like sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, and bladder infections, according to researchers
Calcium, vitamin D supplements may not lower fracture risk
Supplements containing calcium, vitamin D or both may not protect older adults against hip fracture and other bone breaks, a study claims. Practice guidelines recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements for older people to prevent fractures in those with osteoporosis, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Previous studies have come to mixed conclusions about an association between supplements and fracture risk, researchers said. The study conducted by researchers at the Tianjin Hospital in China included 51,145 adults over the age of 50 who lived in their communities and not institutions, such as nursing homes and residential care facilities. The adults participated in 33 randomised clinical trials comparing supplement use (calcium, vitamin D or both) with placebo or no treatment and new fractures. The study found that supplements were not associated with less risk for new fractures, regardless of the dose, the sex of
Cadila Healthcare advances after USFDA approval for drug
Cadila Healthcare rose 0.83% to Rs 437.20 at 12:31 IST on BSE after the company said it received final approval from the US drug regulator for Valacyclovir Tablets USP.
Diabetes drug could treat Alzheimer's disease
A diabetes drug may be used to treat Alzheimer's disease after "significantly" reversing memory loss in mice, say scientists.The research could bring substantial improvements in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease through the use of a drug originally created to treat type 2 diabetes.Lead researcher Professor Christian Holscher of Lancaster University in the UK said the novel treatment "holds clear promise of being developed into a new treatment for chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease."Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and the numbers are expected to rise to two million people in the UK by 2051 according to Alzheimer's Society, who part- funded the research.Dr Doug Brown, Director of Research and Development at Alzheimer's Society, said: "With no new treatments in nearly 15 years, we need to find new ways of tackling Alzheimer's. It's imperative that we explore whether drugs developed to treat other conditions can benefit people with .
New Year, new me, but same old health issues
Every year we vow to sleep better, eat better, exercise more and generally give our health more priority, but most of us fail to achieve the milestone we aim for.Our weight issues keep us worried, our stamina continues to deteriorate, and our health continues to suffer.The work will never end, but one day our life will. Treating our bodies like a temple is as important as other priorities and commitments in one's life.Here are a few suggestions from experts at Apollo Hospital to maintain a balanced lifestyle:1. Most metro cities are these days polluted due to heavy industrial presence. Delhi has recently been highlighted in the news for its deadly smog which enveloped the citizens in a haze for weeks. Skin, which is our first line of defence, bears the brunt of different forms of pollution. So, this new year, give your skincare precedence.Dr D M Mahajan, Sr Consultant, Dermatology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital said, "It is important to keep your skin moisturised, especially during ...
Diabetes drug may help treat Alzheimer's: study
A drug created to treat type 2 diabetes could be used to fight Alzheimer's disease, say scientists who found that the medicine significantly reversed memory loss in mice. The research, published in the journal Brain Research, could bring substantial improvements in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease through the use of a drug originally created to treat type 2 diabetes. The treatment "holds clear promise of being developed into a new treatment for chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease," said Professor Christian Holscher from Lancaster University in the UK. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and the numbers are expected to rise to two million people in the UK by 2051 according to Alzheimer's Society, who part- funded the research. Although the benefits of these 'triple agonist' drugs have so far only been found in mice, other studies with existing diabetes drugs such as liraglutide have shown real promise for people with ..
TB patient dies
A 17-year-old girl, who had become critical allegedly after taking expiry medicines for tuberculosis (TB), died today while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital here, hospital sources said. The girl, a native of the citys Rajabagicha area, was suffering from chronic category II tuberculosis. She was initially undergoing treatment at the City Hospital here where she was prescribed the medicines four months ago. But when her condition did not improve, she consulted a private clinic earlier this month, where another doctor found that she was taking medicines that have expired since September 2017. The Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) immediately ordered a probe into it. In a critical condition, she was referred to the SCB Hospital a fortnight ago and she died today while undergoing treatment in the TB ward of the Hospital. When contacted, CDMO B K Patnaik said preliminary investigations revealed that the patient was initially a defaulter of not ...
Cadaver donations up in PGIMER in 2017
The Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research here closed the year 2017 with a record number of 44 cadaver organ donations, up from 27 in 2016 and 26 in 2015. The kin of a patient from Nabha in Punjab were the latest to consent for organ donation of their dear one on December 29, thereby, giving a 'gift of life' to two chronic patients and the 'gift of sight' to another two, PGIMER Director, Prof Jagat Ram told reporters here. "Kidneys were the most widely donated organ. The other major organs harvested from deceased persons included liver, heart and pancreas. For the first time, transplant of lungs was also conducted during 2017. The cornea transplantation programme was also equally robust," he said. Amitabh Avasthi, deputy director (administration), PGIMER, said the much-awaited 250-bed hospital at the PGI is likely to be functional in June 2018. Asked to comment why rates of some medicines were high in the emergency area of the premier institute, ...
Poor zinc supply to lung cells behind respiratory diseases
Respiratory diseases that develop due to an overproduction of mucus is caused by an insufficient zinc supply to lung epithelial cells, a study has found. Obstructive pulmonary disease is a collective term for refractory respiratory diseases with chronic airway inflammation and excessive mucus retention that are accompanied by airway obstruction. They include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that presents with chronic bronchitis or pulmonary emphysema, and cystic fibrosis (CF), an intractable hereditary disease characterised by mucus retention and chronic bacterial infection. A main cause of COPD is cigarette smoke, and the global mortality rate for the disease now places it in third place. The onset and progression of the disease is caused by transporter proteins that allow ions to permeate ion channels into cells. COPD is thought to involve the overactivation of the epithelial sodium ion channel (ENaC). CF, on the other hand, is a frequently occurring ...
First brain surgery to treat neurologic condition in fur seal
A neurosurgical team has successfully performed what is believed to be a first-of-its- kind brain surgery on a Northern fur seal named Ziggy Star in an attempt to treat her worsening neurologic condition. Ziggy was first seen at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University in the US in September for a condition that had progressed over several years and was causing severe neurologic episodes, difficulty moving, reduced training response, and cluster seizures. An MRI revealed an accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain, a condition known as hydrocephalus. Mystic Aquarium took in Ziggy approximately four years ago after she was found stranded on the California coast and deemed non-releasable by the US government. At the time, she had an MRI that showed some neurologic abnormalities. She received treatment, but her symptoms continued to progress at a concerning rate, with the seizures emerging more recently. "The MRI taken recently by our team showed that
Ice pick lodged in man's chest successfully removed by docs
Surgeons at the AIIMS have successfully removed an ice pick lodged deep in the upper chest of a 27-year-old man through a minimally invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery. The man was stabbed in his back by an ice pick in a market. The five-inch metallic part of the ice pick went through his back, missing the spine, and pierced his left lung leaving him critical. Surgeons pulled out the ice pick by performing VATS (video-assisted thoracic surgery), which is a type of minimally invasive thoracic surgery, performed with a small videoscope using small incisions and special instruments to minimise trauma, without the need to open up the chest to gain access to the lungs or oesophagus. Professor of surgery at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, Biplab Mishra said the patient was initially taken to a nearby private hospital where they performed a CT scan of the area. However, nobody operated upon him and finally he was brought to the AIIMS Trauma centre. "Classically thoracotomy is ...
Eating more fibre can help you trim your waistline
Scientists have discovered that eating more fibre can help trim one's waistline and combat obesity.Fibre can be found in whole grains, fruit, vegetables and legumes, and it is recommended we consume around 30g a day.In the research, the scientists revealed that fibre intake could affect weight, as well as blood sugar, insulin sensitivity and bowel health.The study points out that the food group can be as important to a healthy diet as counting calories.This is because fibre helps promote gut health by being consumed as fuel by 'good' bacteria during digestion.They discovered that low-fibre diets led to weight gain, high blood sugar, and insulin resistance in mice.Talking about the research, Gunnar C Hansson, a study author from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said, "Diets that lack fibre alter the bacterial composition and bacterial metabolism, which in turn causes defects to the inner mucus layer, something that triggers inflammation and ultimately metabolic disease."In May, .
Zinc supply to lung cells linked to respiratory diseases
Japanese researchers have found that abnormal delivery of zinc to lung cells contributes to obstructive pulmonary diseases, a collective term for refractory respiratory diseases with chronic airway inflammation and excessive mucus retention that are accompanied by airway obstruction.
Why antidepressants may not work for everyone
Scientists have identified blood markers that may help understand why antidepressant drugs do not successfully alleviate depression in everyone. Researchers from University Medical Center Mainz and the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Germany developed a mouse model that allowed them to identify blood signatures associated with response to antidepressant treatment and could show the importance of the stress-related glucocorticoid receptor in recovery from depression. Major depression is the leading cause of disability according to the World Health Organization, affecting an estimated 350 million people worldwide, but only one-third of patients benefit from the first antidepressant prescribed. Although the currently available treatments are safe, there is significant variability in the outcome of antidepressant treatment. So far there are no clinical assessments that can predict with a high degree of certainty whether a particular patient will respond to a particular
Cancer overrides body clock to survive: study
Cancer cells alter the body clock to boost tumour growth and survive conditions that would kill normal cells, a study has found. For tumours to grow and spread, cancer cells must make larger than normal amounts of nucleic acids and protein, so they can replicate themselves. Yet in both normal and cancer cells that increase their synthesis of protein, a small percent of those proteins do not fold properly. When that happens, the cell activates its unfolded protein response (UPR), which slows down the making of new proteins while the misfolded proteins are refolded. Eventually, the buildup of misfolded proteins becomes toxic and leads to cell death. However, cancer cells have learned to use the UPR to slow protein synthesis when needed, in order to handle the backlog of misfolded proteins. This helps them survive in conditions that would kill normal cells. This pattern of adaptation is often seen in tumour cells, according to J Alan Diehl, from the Medical University of ...
Alarming rise in Ankylosing Spondylitis amongst young Indian workforce
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a condition often misunderstood as back pain, is not an age-related disease.There has been an alarming increase in the incidence of AS, amongst Indian young adults in their late twenties and early thirties. AS affects 1 in 100 of the adult population, and is particularly prevalent in men.Ankylosing Spondylitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints of the spine, reducing its flexibility, damaging the posture and posing the risk of loss of mobility. The symptoms of AS typically show as extreme pain in the joints between the spine and the pelvic region, and can also spread up to the joints of the neck.Constant pain impacts efficiency, thereby leading to psychological issues, which further affect the quality of life of patients.Youngsters, in their productive work years, are more prone to AS due to sedentary lifestyle, improper sitting posture, stress and highly demanding work life, which in turn aggravates the condition, making the pain ...
3D shapes created from living tissue: study
Scientists have developed a way to recreate complex 3D folded shapes from living tissues, an advance that may help better understand fundamental biology. By patterning mechanically active mouse or human cells to thin layers of extracellular matrix fibres, the researchers could create bowls, coils, and ripples out of living tissue. The cells collaborated mechanically through a web of these fibres to fold themselves up in predictable ways, mimicking natural developmental processes. "Development is starting to become a canvas for engineering, and by breaking the complexity of development down into simpler engineering principles, scientists are beginning to better understand, and ultimately control, the fundamental biology," said Zev Gartner, from the University of California, San Francisco in the US. "In this case, the intrinsic ability of mechanically active cells to promote changes in tissue shape is a fantastic chassis for building complex and functional synthetic ...
No need to gym, if you abide by this tip
In a world, where being fit has become a 'mantra' for everyone, a balanced diet is the most essential thing people need to take care of.And now a doctor has revealed that people don't need to sign up to a gym as a balanced diet of plenty of vegetables, fish, dairy and healthy fats can do wonders for their waistline, reports Daily Express.Dr. Aseem Malhotra also revealed that people can maintain fitness with lots of brisk walking, says the top doctor.Cutting sugar and refined carbohydrates, like cakes, pasta and pizzas, is also key to good health.Dr Malhotra noted, "It is clear that diet and lifestyle are far more powerful than drugs or taking to the gym. Lifestyle changes such as consuming less sugar are more powerful than any medication doctors can prescribe. You cannot outrun a bad diet - this should be what doctors are advising their patients. Eating junk food and then trying to beat the bulge with heavy workouts is a waste of time."Enjoying dark chocolate and a glass of wine in ...
Pain free insulin patches discovered for diabetes patients
If you are one of those who are suffering from Diabetes, then we might have some important news for you.In a new research, a group of scientists have created the special patch which stimulates the body's own insulin production - and is completely pain-free.According to Daily Express, the game-changing invention delivers a natural substance extracted from brown algae - completely removing the need for painful and unpleasant daily injections.Patients would apply the patch once a week and it would automatically stimulate the body to produce the required insulin.The patch would work by delivering a naturally produced substance, derived from brown algae, via microneedles.Dr Richard Leapman, scientific director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) in Maryland, US, where the patch has been developed, said, "This experimental approach could be a way to take advantage of the fact that persons with type 2 diabetes can still produce some insulin. A weekly ...