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Advances in Treatment of Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye's lens becomes cloudy and obstructs the passage of light to the retina. These obstructions can lead to vision loss. //Cataract is a major cause of blindness in India. Modern corrective surgery requires implantation of artificial lenses, however these implants often leave patients dependent on eyeglasses. But now, a recent study at Harvard Medical School has sh...

Low Cholesterol Linked to Severe Depression and Violent Behavior in Men

It is not high levels of cholesterol but low levels that are making news. Recent reports are indicating that Low levels of Cholesterol maybe linked to depression and violent behavior. A new study shows that men with relatively low cholesterol levels were up to seven times more likely to report symptoms of severe depression. Edward Suarez, PhD from Duke University Medical Center in Durha...

Recommendations for Treatment of Blood Pressue

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP),USA, have come out with recommendations to treat Hypertension.Control of systolic blood pressure is as important as control of Diastolic blood pressure. This is a crucial message for health care providers, patients, and their families. For many years, the importance of low...

Developmental, neurologic problems common in extremely preterm infants

Extremely preterm infants born before 25 weeks' gestation often have severe neurologic and developmental disabilities, researchers report in the August 10th issue of The New EnglandJournal of Medicine.The EPICure Study Group identified 308 children born at the gestational age of 25 weeks or earlier in the UK and Ireland. Of these, 283 were assessed for neurologic function Based on their l...

Thyroid hormone treatment hastens recovery after cardiac surgery

Thyroid hormone treatment after surgery requiring heart bypass speeds recovery in children undergoing correction of congenital heart defects, according to a clinical trial published in The Lancet. The effects were greatest in the patients who underwent long and difficult surgeries. Following trauma or surgery or during a critical illness, thyroid hormone concentrations plummet. Ma...

Feeding channel created by malaria parasite - a new target for malaria treatments

Researchers have found pore-like holes in the membranes of red blood cells infected by the deadliest form of the malaria parasite. The parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, apparently uses these holes to supply itself with the nutrients it needs to grow and reproduce. The discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for malaria, a widespread and devastating disease. Mala...

Transdermal HRT not cardioprotective in postmenopausal women with CAD

Transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not reduce the risk of cardiac events in postmenopausal women with existing coronary artery disease (CAD). In the PHASE trial (Papworth HRT Atherosclerosis Study), researchers randomized 255 postmenopausal women with angiographically proven coronary artery disease to receive either transdermal HRT--17-beta-estradiol with or without cy...

Indian Prime Minister has successful Knee Replacement Surgery

Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Prime Minister of India has successfully undergone left knee joint replacement by Dr. Chittaranjan Ranawat at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. "The operation, which started at around 10 a.m., was completed by 11.15 a.m. and went on very well, to my satisfaction," Dr. Ranawat said at a press briefing. ``He (Mr. Vajpayee) was awake and comfortable throughou...

Levothyroxine Thyroid Hormone Replacement, Approved for Hypothyroidism

The thyroid hormone replacement prescription drug, levothyroxine sodium (Unithroid) for hypothyroidism in adults and children has been approved for use in the United States by the FDA. The thyroid hormaone is involved in the regulation of a wide range of metabolic processes within the body in all age groups. In children thyroid hormones are essential for normal physical growth and i...

Transdermal HRT not cardioprotective in postmenopausal women with Coronary Artery Disease

Transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not reduce the risk of cardiac events in postmenopausal women with existing coronary artery disease (CAD). In the PHASE trial (Papworth HRT Atherosclerosis Study), researchers randomized 255 postmenopausal women with angiographically proven coronary artery disease to receive either transdermal HRT--17-beta-estradiol with or without cy...

Starvation in pregnant women can cause heart disease to their children

Starvation during pregnancy can lead to increased risk of heart problems to their children in their adult life. Adverse foetal environment contribute to several aspects of cardiovascular risks in adult life, but they depend on the gestational time. People whose mothers starved during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy can have heart diseases later in their adult life, Starvation during mid...

Now umbilical cord helps in stroke treatment.

Though the details are yet to be worked out and the project itself is in a primitive stage, the scientists...

Now AIDS treatment comes dirt-cheap

The war of the pharmaceutical giants has just begun. After waging wars over many drug formulations the pharma majors are now locking horns over AIDS treatment. The ball was set in motion by the dramatic announcement of Indian firm Cipla that a three-drug combination for AIDS treatment would cost less than a U.S. dollar a day. Not to be left far behind rival firm Ranbaxy announced...

Cancer drugs in development nearly doubled since 1995

The number of drugs being developed for the treatment of cancer has nearlydoubled during the past six years, according to a new survey of pharmaceuticalcompanies.Currently, 170 pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms various CancerInstitutes are investigating 402 compounds for the treatment of variouscancers, up from 215 in 1995. Many of the drugs are alternatives to standardradiatio...

Development of AIDS vaccine -- Chiron Corp in talks with four Indian cos

A NOVEL research-cum-manufacturing agreement between Chiron Corp, the US-based vaccine major, and an Indian company for the development of a potential AIDS vaccine to halt the spread of the deadly disease in the country is in an advanced stage of finalisation. Two Hyderabad-based biotechnology/pharma companies -- Shanta Biotechnics and Biological E -- are reportedly the front-runners f...

Breast cancer treatment to be determined by gene test

Women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, may opt for mastectomy over breast-conserving lumpectomy if they test positive for a breast cancer gene mutation, researchers said California on Monday. About 5% to 10% of all breast cancers are caused by an inherited genetic susceptibility. The majority of these cancers are linked to mutations or alterations in two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. It is...

Hemopurifier may revolutionise AIDS treatment

A new purifier, which has performed well during clinical trials, may be the in thing in AIDS treatment. A blood purifier, which separates the HIV from circulating blood, has been developed and if found to be successful, this purifier, might mark the beginning of the end of HIV’s vicious grip on human race. According to researchers at Aethlon Medical, a biotechnology firm in La Jolla, Cal...

Women suffer from sexual dysfunction too

Millions of postmenopausal women suffer from sexual dysfunctions- painful intercourse, sexual dissatisfaction and a multitude of physiological and psychological problems. However if the patients and their doctors communicated better, most of these problems can be treated properly. Almost all women, as they go through menopause, will gradually develop changes in genital organs-particularl...

New drug helps boost cancer treatment

Researchers at the Sloane Kettering Cancer Center, New York have achieved a breakthrough of sorts in cancer treatment, by designing a new drug, which attaches itself to a key position on cancer cells and gives new potency to failing chemotherapy drugs thereby extending survival of advanced colorectal cancer patients. IMC-C225, the new drug which is actually a monoclonal antibody, is desi...

Antidepressants come in handy for patients on treatment for hepatitis, cancers and multiple sclerosis

The sad part in the treatment of certain cancers, hepatitis and multiple sclerosis with interferon therapy is that while the treatment can extent life, it can seriously spoil its quality. Alpha interferon a drug used to fight these diseases can cause crippling depression. A new research now shows that the use of an antidepressant before starting the treatment can avoid this problem. Al...

Exclusive breast-feeding advised for six months in infants recommends World Health Organization

A resolution put forward by Brazil, at the annual assembly of the world health organization is to be accepted advising exclusive breast-feeding for the first six months in all infants. The resolution was passed at the committee stage on Wednesday after 2 hours of debate where many national delegates and members of charitable organizations argued vehemently for breast-feeding. Nestle, a...

Experimental treatment for Ebola Virus Shows promising results in mice

Scientists at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, have said that an experimental treatment for the deadly Ebola virus has shown promising results in mice. In the study, researchers led by Dr. Manish Gupta took antibodies from the immune systems of mice that had survived infection with the deadly Ebola virus and injected them into other Ebola-free mice...

Parke-Davis (India) runs into rough weather – Court orders attachment of asset

The global merger between Warner-Lambert and Pfizer on the Indian front has run into rough weather due to the legal problems faced by Warner-Lambert’s subsidiary Parke-Davis (India). A local court in Hyderabad has ordered the attachment of its assets located in the city. The vacation court of the Ranga Reddy district civil courts has ordered attachment of plant and machinery of Parke-...

Radioactive Seeds used in Prostate Cancer treatment can migrate with the body

In a shocking disclosure, Dr. Murali Ankem, a resident in Urology at the Robert Wood Johnnson Medical Centre of the University of New Jersey Medical and Dental School, New Brunswick, has said that radiactive seeds used in prostate cancer treatment can migrate to other parts of the body including the lungs. In a procedure called Brachytherapy, tiny metal pellets are implanted in and aroun...

Hypertensive Drug Improves Sexual Dysfunction in Hypertensive Men

Losartan, a new anti hypertensive drug appears to improve sexual function among the hypertensive men with erectile dysfunction. As the cause of impotence, really it is the disease process itself, probably from reduced vascular compliance. According to American Journal of Medical sciences, a study evaluated hypertensive men with erectile dysfunction and found that their overall sexual sat...

New dimension in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction is associated with loss of libido, low motivation and fatigue, most often occurring in women who have attained their menopause or whose ovaries had been removed surgically for some reason. Dehydroepiandosterone(DHEA), may serve as an effective treatment in such sexual dysfunction, according to a study released at the 96th annual meeting of the American Urologica...

Unravelling the secrets of ‘Huntingtin’ Protein - towards the treatment of ‘Huntingtons’ Disase

Huntingtons disease is an inherited disease of the nervous system due to the progressive gradual deterioration of the same, initially causing symptoms such as involuntary movements and balance problems and later on leading to declination of functions of speech as well. All these days, until now, it was thought that this disease is due to a mutated form of the protein 'huntingtin' which i...

Unravelling the secrets of ‘Huntingtin’ Protein - towards the treatment of Huntingtins’ Disese

Huntingtons disease is an inherited disease of the nervous system due to the progressive gradual deterioration of the same, initially causing symptoms such as involuntary movements and balance problems and later on leading to declination of functions of speech as well. All these days, until now, it was thought that this disease is due to a mutated form of the protein 'huntingtin' which i...

GLEEVEC - An Oral treatment for leukemia

The U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a conference in Washington, approves the new leukemia drug-GLEEVEC, first of its kind that directly removes the sign of a protein known to cause cancer. It is given as an oral treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Other molecular-targeting drugs previously approved by the FDA interfere with proteins associated with other cancer...

GLEEVEC - An Oral treatment for leukemia

The U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a conference in Washington, approves the new leukemia drug-GLEEVEC, first of its kind that directly removes the sign of a protein known to cause cancer. It is given as an oral treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Other molecular-targeting drugs previously approved by the FDA interfere with proteins associated with other cancer...

Brisk Walking lowers memory loss in women

According to a research presented during the American Academy of Neurology in Philadelphia, brisk walking may help women keep their brains young. Women who walk regularly are less likely to experience the memory loss and other cognitive declines in mental function that can come with aging.// In the study, they concluded that the least active women walked an average of about a half mile...

RANBAXY - enters anti-AIDS segment

The anti-AIDS drug market is currently dominated by the Mumbai based Cipla. Presently, Ranbaxy laboratories, the country's largest pharmaceutical company, is planning to enter the anti-AIDS drugs segment. According to Ranbaxy's regional director for India and west Asia, S D Kaul, the company is in a position to launch Lamivudine, Nevirapine, Aabacavir and Indinavir products in the Indian...

Hormone replacement Therapy a headache

Researchers from Sweden warn women undergoing hormone replacement therapy against the risk of uterus cancer. Hormone Replacement Therapy is advised for women to reduce menopausal side effects like hot flushes and night sweats, and to protect them from osteoporosis and heart disease.// Research has shown the drugs, which replace natural hormones that decrease with menopause,...

New treatment for Osteoporosis

In a few years, better treatments for osteoporosis could become available. As people age, their bones become weak and their sex hormone levels decrease. The most common treatment is hormone replacement therapy. But this can increase the risk of cancer, especially in women.// At the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Stavros Manolagas and Starvroula Kousteni have created f...

Iron supplementation for a common side effect

Hypertensive drugs in general have a common side effect- cough. Iron supplementation cures the annoying cough that often plagues people on a widely-used blood pressure medication. The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are often used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and other cardiac conditions. But up to 40% of people on ACE inhibitors are troubled by a cough....

Young womens woes

A new US research has found that young women are much more likely to die following a heart attack than young men.The study, which contradicts the stereotype that men are more likely to die of heart attacks, was published in The Annals of Internal Medicine this week. Researchers from Emory, Yale and Massachusetts Universities followed 6000 patients for two years after they were discharg...

Young women's woes

A new US research has found that young women are much more likely to die following a heart attack than young men.The study, which contradicts the stereotype that men are more likely to die of heart attacks, was published in The Annals of Internal Medicine this week. Researchers from Emory, Yale and Massachusetts Universities followed 6000 patients for two years after they were discharg...

Ear infection- a new treatment

The study in this week’s British Medical Journal shows that bacteria with the ability to inhibit the growth of the pathogens responsible for ear infections can be used successfully and may help reduce the use of antibiotics. Acute Otitis Media is one of the most common bacterial infections in young children, and is often treated// with large amounts of antibiotics. It is caused by the...

Doctor samples come under the ambit of advertisement

The supreme court of India has declared that distribution of physician's sample by pharmaceutical companies to the medical profession is in nature of advertisement expenditure falling within restrictive provisions of sub section (3A) of section 37 of Income Tax Act. The nature of the advertisement or publicity depends upon the nature and quality of the article in question. The p...

Heart Attacks during Menstruation!

Women with heart disease are more likely to have severe symptoms and possibly a heart attack at the beginning of their monthly menstrual cycle, according to new research from England. Angina is a heavy, squeezing chest pain which occurs when there is insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. It is more common in patients //with a history of heart disease. Researchers from the Cardiot...