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Use of Cellular Phones associated with Increased risk of Brain Tumors

A recent article published by a team in Sweden suggests that there is an increased risk of brain cancer in the areas of highest exposure in patients using digital telephones (Case Control Study on Radiology work, Medical X-Ray Investigations, and Cellular Telephones as Risk Factors for Brain Tumors, Hardell, et al, May 4, 2000, www.medscape.com). Their analysis focused on the effect of d...

Bypass Heart Surgery Performed Without General Anesthesia

A minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) procedure was performed at Pittsburgh while the patient was awake. The operation was done under thoracic epidural anesthesia. This approach may help in discharging the patient early from the hospital. Dr. Zenati from the team of doctors who performed the surgery said that patients who are operated in this way may not have to go t...

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...

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...

Inhaled Steroids Safe & Effective for Children with Asthma

A 5-year, 8-center study by "Childhood Asthma Management Program" (CAMP) has indicated that inhaled steroids are safe and effective for the long-term treatment of children with mild to moderate asthma. "Although asthma experts around the world have recognized the effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroids in treating asthma, their long term effects in children were not clear, and questions...

Patients With Filariasis More Prone To HIV Infection

According to a report published in the December issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases, HIV infection is significantly enhanced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from individuals with untreated filarial infection compared to PBMCs from infected patients treated with antifilarial agents. According to Dr. Ramya Gopinath and her team at the National Institute of Allergy and...

Fight Heart disease and Pain with Meditation

Latest research into transcendental meditation says it is possible to fight body pain and a host of risk factors of heart disease including high blood pressure and fatty deposition in blood vessels- atherosclerosis. The study indicates that transcendental meditation, practiced for 20 minutes twice a day, has a positive, measurable effect on the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries and al...

Brain death – How to cope with it

It is always traumatic to see a loved one die. More tragic is when the decision on his or her life and death hangs on a thin thread. Most patients of road traffic accidents, severe stokes, head injuries or cerebral hemorrhage are all confined to a situation where they live technically only on life support systems. The most difficult decision for the relatives of these victims is to give c...

Fight anemia by fortifying crops with iron!!!!!!!!

In a path breaking idea researchers at the just concluded Indian science congress in New Delhi have called for a collaborative effort with agricultural scientists to combat anemia with iron fortification of crops. Almost 50% of women and 75% children under 3 years of age are anemic in India. While iron supplementation is expensive, fortification of plants with iron and using it in turn to...

Individuals with sleep related breathing disorders more prone to heart disease

A good night’s sleep is a gift, exclusive to the blessed. The less fortunate are those with sleeping disorders, who may experience problems such as early morning headaches or serious daytime fatigue. Among the various sleep disorders, sleep apnea in its mild or moderate form is commonly experienced. Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep....

Gay capital reeling with rising HIV infection

The gay capital? of the world, San Francisco is now reeling under the shock waves of a rebound epidemic of HIV infection. In the past one-year the rate of infection has actually doubled in most areas and in some select high-risk pockets of gay men, who are also intra venous drug users, the rates are even higher. And what is the cause for this sudden spurt? Hold your breath! The successfu...

Controversial Levis jean ad to be withdrawn

It was an ad with a macabre sense of humour. It stirred up a controversy. Now it is being withdrawn from televisions all over the United States. Levis Strauss officially announced that the advertisement in question might not be used again. This followed complaints from many who felt that they did not enjoy the advertisement poking fun at organ donation. The ad shows an unconscious man fa...

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...

Chinese paracetamol may be slapped with dumping duty

The Directorate of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties, under the ministry of commerce and industry, has recommended provisional anti-dumping duties on paracetamol from China and Taiwan. This followed an investigation against imports of the commonly used drug on basis of a petition filed by three domestic companies - Hyderabad-based Triton Laboratories and Sri Krishna Pharmaceuticals; Solapur...

TB coupled with AIDS soars in Africa

Tuberculosis is back with a vengeance. The killer disease of the past is now killing millions in Africa as it has found a new partner in its destructive mission. Full-blown cases of AIDS coupled with TB is killing on an average three million people a year in Africa alone. What is alarming is that the death rate has gone up by 10% in 2 years and there are no signs of the destruction slowin...

Cipla holds talks with mining giant to supply AIDS drugs for South African workers

Indian pharmaceutical giant Cipla is holding talks with London based mining giant, Anglo American for supplying AIDS drugs to South African workers. About 11% of South African population is HIV positive, totaling around 4.7 million people, giving it the dubious distinction of being the country with the maximum number of HIV positive people in the world. The HIV scourge is sure to have a...

Fight arthritic pain with acupuncture

Arthritic pain is one of the worst types of chronic pain. Many people are immobilized and crippled because of this painful condition. But now there’s good news for the long-suffering arthritic patients. Acupuncture, which is one of the most popular forms of alternative medicine, is supposed to have magical cures for those suffering from arthritis. A team led by Dr. Jeanette Ezzo...

Kick Smoking with Nicotine Drink

First it was the nicotine patch, then came the gum, inhalers and other products intended to help smokers kick the habit by getting over their nicotine fixation. The new kid on the block in this ever increasing list is a nicotine solution that can be mixed with drinks, which scientists claim could be useful in over coming the addiction. Researchers at Duke University have tested and pate...

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...

Antibiotic induces liver damage in children with E.COLI infections.

The strain of bacteria known as E. coli 0157:H7 causes some of the most serious digestive infections in both children and adults. Infections with this organism are often caused by eating undercooked meat. A major study shows using antibiotics to treat children with E. coli bacterial infection increases the risk of developing a potentially deadly liver disorder. "Our data suggests that an...

Moderate Use of Analgesics - Not Associated With Kidney Dysfunction

According to a new study, occasional use of aspirin, acetaminophen, or other pain relievers for everyday aches and pains is not associated with kidney dysfunction among healthy men. As analgesic use is so common, even small increases in the relative risk of renal dysfunction could have a significant impact on rates of renal disease. Some earlier studies have suggested that regul...

Risk of Cancer can be reduced to 40% with a High Fiber Diet

A study was conducted with 400,000 people from nine countries, who were divided into five sets according to their consumption of fiber and presented at an International Conference in France. This study showed that fiber was particularly important in reducing cancer of the colon and rectum. Medical experts believe up to 30% of all cancers in the developed world are associated with n...

E Merck introduces Livogen Z with zinc sulphate

E Merck has launched Livogen Z, in the market with zinc sulphate.Livogen Z is one of the three versions of the trademark haematinic drug Livogen.Livogen was an old product of Glaxo India with Rs 3 crore revenue.Glaxo India Ltd has sold its Livogen brand to E Merck India Ltd. According to a notification sent to the // Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Glaxo India signed a memorandum of unde...

Lose Weight With New Wonder Slimming FDA approved Prescription Drug

There is a new wonder slimming FDA approved drug which can actually works. Not only that - it even lets you eat normally, all while you are slimming. This wonder slimming drug is XENICAL. Xenical allows about 30% of the fat eaten in a meal // to pass through the gut undigested. Your body cannot convert these excess calories to fatty tissue or use them as a source of energy. This will...

Bayer Voluntarily Withdraws BAYCOL - A Drug Associated With 50 Deaths

Baycol is a prescription drug manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Baycol, which was initially approved by the FDA, belongs to a statin group of drugs that lowers cholesterol by blocking enzymes that are essential in the synthesis of cholesterol in the body. Bayer Pharmaceuticals has voluntarily recalled its cholesterol drug Baycol( cerivastatin ) because // it has been linked to app...

Ovarian cancer in relationship with Hormone therapy

A major US study has found that women who have taken postmenopausal oestrogens for ten years or more are at substantially greater risk of fatal ovarian cancer. The risk persists for many years after therapy is discontinued, researchers from the American Cancer Society report// in the Journal of the American Medical Association.The study followed 201,681 postmenopausal women from 1982 t...

Novartis files application with FDA for Zometa

Novartis Pharmaceuticals has submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration, seeking marketing authorization for Zometa in the treatment of bone complications associated with a broad range of tumor types. These include prostate and lung cancer, for which no bisphosphonate therapy is currently approved. The spread of cancerous cells from the original tumor to the bone, can le...

Ranbaxy joins hand with Cipla to co-market ciprofloxacin

Two of the leading pharmaceutical industries, Ranbaxy Laboratories and Cipla announced an alliance to co-market Ranbaxy’s once-a-day formulation of Ciprofloxacin. The formulation had recently received Drug Controller General of India’s (DCGIs) approval for marketing in India. Ciproloxacin is a unique dosage form of the broad-spectrum antibiotic. The domestic market for ciprofloxacin is es...

Chemists prepare for face-off with manufacturers

There is new war brewing! Neither in the devastated NewYork of America nor in the Afghanistan! It is right here in the commercial capital of India --- Mumbai. And who are the warring parties? They are the pharmaceutical industry of the country and the RDCA or the Retail & Dispensing Chemists Association. The latter is a member body of over 5,000 retail druggists & chemists spread across t...

Alternative therapies popular with Parkinson's patients

Nearly half of people with Parkinson's disease are using one or more type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), such as vitamins, message or acupuncture. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US have carried out a survey of more than 200 people with Parkinson's disease. Forty per cent use one or more forms of CAM - and 12 per cent use five or more different ones. There...

More risks connected with live-donor liver transplants

A study published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that the risk of complications for the donor in a live-donor liver transplant is more than expected, while the risk of death for the donor is less than what doctors thought. The study indicated that donors in adult live-donor liver transplants had a 1-in-7 chance of serious complications for the donor. This typ...

Second hope for men with erectile dysfunction

Pfizer's Viagra was a blessing in disguise for the over 150 million around the world who silently suffered from the male sexual disorder called erectile dysfunction. Now, these men have a second hope with two new drugs introduced(and waiting for approval from the U.S. FDA) by the drug majors Eli Lilly and Bayer. The drugs, Cialis (tadalafil), by Eli Lilly, and Levitra (vardenafil), by Bay...

Brain aneurysms can now be treated with a less invasive procedure

Brain aneurysm is a weakness in one of the blood vessels in the brain, causing the vessel to bulge, ultimately resulting in a brain hemorrhage. Around thirty thousand Americans, on an average, suffer a brain hemorrhage in a year and they are treated surgically or non-surgically depending on the size of the neck of the bulge. A bulge with a narrow neck is treated non-surgically by filling...

Plastic surgery popular with men also!

A recent survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons(ASPS) has shown that men are as much concerned about their appearance, as women. They found that liposuction and laser hair removal are among the popular procedures preferred by men. More than two thousand men were surveyed, and when questioned about what they would like to change about their appearance, 45% of men wanted to cha...

Cervicogenic headache can be identified with a fibromyalgia test

Findings from a new study presented at the 19th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine by the Medical Director, John McFadden, MD, of the Tupelo Pain Clinic, Mississippi stated that patients with severe headache could benefit from an upper-body fibromyalgia examination to determine if the headache is potentially cervicogenic. According to Dr. McFadden many headaches of ce...

Blindness can be stopped with drug for acne treatment

Stargardt's macular degeneration, also called juvenile macular degeneration, is an inherited disease which affects one in 10,000 people. This condition results from a defect in the ABCR gene, which is responsible for coding for a protein that removes all-trans-retinaldehyde, a vision byproduct, from retinal rods and cones. Rods and cones are supported by retinal-pigmented epithelium (RPE...

Poorer breast cancer prognosis with reduced physical activity

A multicenter study headed by Melinda Irwin, M.D., from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale School of Medicine, have found that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are less active after the diagnosis leading to increase in body weight and body fat, which, in turn, leads to poorer breast cancer diagnosis. The population-based, multicenter study involved 856 pati...

The Benefits Of Chemotherapy For Women With Ovarian Cancer

Researchers have found that chemotherapy improves survival and reduces the risk of recurrence in women with stage I ovarian cancer // (cancer that has not spread beyond the ovary). About one quarter of all ovarian cancers are caught while confined to the ovaries, when five-year survival is 85 percent. Most doctors may prefer not to offer chemotherapy for their patients, since eight in 10...

Novel Actemra monotherapy in treating patients with early aggressive rheumatoid arthritis

The first Phase III study involving the use of Actemra in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has revealed that it is superior to conventional treatment modality that uses disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs to inhibit // joint destruction. It has also been found to provide symptomatic relief and improve sensation of pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating autoimmune...

Cervical Cancer Can Now Be Better Handled With Gene Silencing Therapy

Queensland University researchers have ventured into a new approach called ‘gene silencing’ for the treatment of cervical cancer. The technique is targeted towards turning // the cancer causing genes on and off to help cervical cancer patients. Certain genes called tumor suppressor genes are responsible for preventing the occurrence of a particular type of cancer. On the other hand, t...