Health

Chicago, July 21: Researchers have managed to reverse some of the damage caused by a heart attack using stem cells that were induced from connective tissue cells, according to a study.

The proof-of-concept study on mice is the first attempt to use induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to treat heart disease.

The goal is to one day be able to use a patient’s own cells to repair their heart rather than replace it with a donated heart, which are in short supply and require dangerous drugs to stop the body from rejecting the foreign organ.

New Delhi, July 21: Expenditure on healthcare in the country will grow nearly 6 percent per annum to cross $14 billion in 2013, says a report released here Tuesday.

“The health infrastructure across Indian states is projected to grow by an average of 5.8 percent per annum between 2009-2013, taking the total expenditure in 2013 to $14.2 billion,” said global consultancy KPMG in its report on India’s healthcare sector.

New York, July 21: Call them Swiss balls, Pilates balls, physio balls, exercise balls, balance balls, yoga balls or body balls.

Stability balls by any other name would still be the same hardworking multi-taskers of the fitness world.
“They can be used for balance training, for core training, with or without weights and for resistance training,” said Christina Geithner, of the American College of Sports Medicine.

“They are fun, versatile, inexpensive and relatively easy to use,” she said. “And they come in different sizes for different sized individuals and for different uses.”

Chicago, July 21: Researchers have managed to reverse some of the damage caused by a heart attack using stem cells that were induced from connective tissue cells, according to a study published on Monday.

The proof-of-concept study on mice is the first attempt to use induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to treat heart disease.

The goal is to one day be able to use a patient’s own cells to repair their heart rather than replace it with a donated heart, which are in short supply and require dangerous drugs to stop the body from rejecting the foreign organ.

Raipur, July 21: Work at Chhattisgarh’s biggest government hospital ground to halt with emergency operations also being put off Tuesday, five days after 250 junior doctors went on an indefinite strike.

Demanding an increase in stipend, the doctors at the 700-bed Bhimrao Ambedkar Government Hospital had struck work on July 16. The hospital treats over 400 patients every day.

‘The situation has worsened as emergency operations too have been deferred with striking doctors refusing to cooperate,’ a health department official said.

Cape Town, July 21: South Africa is launching clinical trials of two AIDS vaccines its researchers developed in collaboration with US experts, a major step for a developing country where political leaders once shocked the world with their unscientific pronouncements about the disease.

Trials to test the safety in humans of the vaccines begin this month on 36 healthy volunteers, Anthony Mbewu, president of South Africa’s government-supported Medical Research Council, said in an interview yesterday. Mbewu’s respected organization shepherded the project.

Chicago, July 21: Researchers have managed to reverse some of the damage caused by a heart attack using stem cells that were induced from connective tissue cells, according to a study.

The proof-of-concept study on mice is the first attempt to use induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to treat heart disease.

The goal is to one day be able to use a patient’s own cells to repair their heart rather than replace it with a donated heart, which are in short supply and require dangerous drugs to stop the body from rejecting the foreign organ.

Najat, July 21: More than 50 days after Cyclone Aila tore through West Bengal causing deaths and devastation in a large swathe of the Sunderbans delta, the victims are still suffering from acute diarrhoea and skin diseases due to use of contaminated water.

Doctors fear that the number of people suffering from water borne diseases and children falling prey to measles and other communicable diseases would increase once stagnant sea water recedes from the villages of the Sunderbans.

Bangalore, July 21: Eating disorders continue to increase in today’s society. It is a common misconception that only teenage girls suffer from the problem, but they form only part of the population.
Adult women are as obsessed with the desire to be thin. More women in their 30s, 40s and 50s are developing eating disorders. The onset of anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating can occur at any time in a person’s life.

Sydney, July 21: Intelligence really begins in the womb which shows up as improved numerical ability and literacy skills in early primary school, according to a new study.

The study shows that healthy foetal growth not only helps improve a child’s performance, but may contribute towards closing the achievement gap for children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

Director of Perth’s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and study co-author Fiona Stanley said the findings reinforce the need for better integration of health and education policy and services.

London, July 21: Researchers have found a genetic mutation that lies behind one type of male infertility and may have been a cause of unsuccessful In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments in some couples.

The discovery, made by researchers at Oxford University, Ghent University in Belgium, and the University of Massachusetts in USA and published in the journal Human Reproduction, may provide a new approach to help some couples that have been unsuccessful in IVF treatments, and also could potentially lead to the development of a male contraceptive pill.

Washington, July 21: Tamoxifen, an FDA-approved drug used for preventing recurrence of breast cancer shows promise in fighting life-threatening fungal infections common in immune- compromised patients, such as infants born prematurely and patients with cancer, a press release from the University of Rochester said Monday.

Abu Dhabi, July 21: Saudi health official are now recommending that anyone travelling to Makkah or Madinah should receive a seasonal flu vaccine at least two weeks prior.

News on the infection of two Iranians that had recently returned from Umra (small pilgrimage) to Makkah with the H1N1 virus has brought back fears of the possible spread of swine flu during the Hajj season among Hajj pilgrims and hence the increased global spread of the illness.

Mumbai, July 20: Ramakanth Panda, the Mumbai-based cardiac surgeon who conducted the bypass surgery on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier this year, was given the Bank of Baroda Lifetime Achievement Award here Monday.

‘The award is being given to Dr. Panda for his extraordinary contribution in the field of cardiac surgery,’ said a bank statement.

The annual award is conferred on eminent personalities in various disciplines in appreciation to their outstanding contribution to their field of expertise.

Bhopal, July 20: As many as 83 prisoners in various jails of Madhya Pradesh are AIDS affected with Bhopal central jail topping the list with 61 such patients, state Jail Minister Jagdish Devda Monday.

Replying to a question by Narayan Prajapati (Congress), Devda told the state assembly that 998 prisoners lodged in 24 different jails in Madhya Pradesh were tested for AIDS in the current year, out of which 83 were found to be suffering from the disease.

New Delhi, July 20: India’s swine flu cases continue to rise with 11 more people detected with influenza A (H1N1) virus Monday, taking the tally to 308 in the country.

‘So far, 1,595 people have been tested so far, of whom 308 are positive for Influenza A virus,’ a statement issued here said.

Of the 308 positive cases, 183 have been discharged, it added. Children continue to test positive for the flu.

The 11 new confirmed cases have been reported from Delhi (4), Hyderabad (2), Pune (2), Cochin (2) and Chennai (1).

London, July 20: Britain’s Health Secretary Andy Burnham urged people not to panic on Monday over H1N1 flu, as he sought to clear up apparent confusion over advice for pregnant women.

Britain is the worst-hit country in Europe, with estimates of 55 000 new cases of the A(H1N1) virus last week.

Speaking ahead of a statement on the pandemic to parliament, Burnham said people should go about their daily lives, but take precautions such as washing their hands regularly.

Pune, July 20: There has been a 10 per cent increase in cases of incomplete abortion, a scary side effect of non-surgical abortion

Easy availability of abortion inducing drugs over the counter have resulted in a 10 per cent increase in incidents of women suffering from the side-effects of Medical abortion (MA). In the Pimpri-Chinchwad area, the increase has been about 25 per cent.

Dusseldorf, July 20: Regular exercise and social contacts can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, according to Germany’s Alzheimer’s Research Initiative (AFI).

The progressive brain disease, which primarily affects elderly people, slowly destroys memory and thinking skills.

According to the AFI, as little as 30 minutes of exercise daily lowers the risk of developing the disease and elderly people who attend callisthenics, yoga or dancing classes also make new acquaintances, which likewise lowers the risk.

Berlin, July 20: Adults can also suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a malady chiefly associated with children, the Association of German Neurologists (BVDN) said.

It said that adults with ADHD were easily distracted, forgetful and had difficulty organizing themselves. Further symptoms were outbursts of rage and socially inappropriate behaviour. It is estimated that three to four per cent of all adults have ADHD.

London, July 20: A totally meatless diet lowers the risk of developing relatively rare types of cancer, according to a study by Britain’s Oxford University.

The study showed that vegetarians developed cancers of the stomach, lymph nodes, bladder and blood less frequently than meat eaters.

But the incidence of the most common types of cancer – affecting the breast, colon and prostate – was about the same in both groups. In the study, the Oxford scientists examined data from more than 61,000 patients.

Berlin, July 20: Asthmatics who are travelling should carry a written action plan with them in addition to their medications in case of an asthma attack, advises the German Society of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP).

It said the plan, containing important patient data, would help both the asthma sufferer and any bystanders to take the right actions. One action that helps alleviate acute difficult breathing is to assume a posture that facilitates breathing and to employ special breathing techniques, the DGP noted.

Cape Town, July 20: South Africa is launching clinical trials of two AIDS vaccines its researchers developed in collaboration with US experts, a major step for a developing country where political leaders once shocked the world with their unscientific pronouncements about the disease.

Trials to test the safety in humans of the vaccines begin this month on 36 healthy volunteers, Anthony Mbewu, president of South Africa’s government-supported Medical Research Council, said in an interview yesterday. Mbewu’s respected organisation shepherded the project.

New Delhi, July 20: Bariatric surgery may be the most popular way to shed that extra pound but one may consequently end up thinning the bones as well.

“Bariatric surgery is the most convenient way to lose weight for individuals who have been unable to achieve significant weight loss through diet modifications and exercise programmes alone, and helps attain a more healthy body weight,” says Dr Pradip Chowbey, secretary general Asia Pacific Bariatric Surgery Society and president Obesity Surgery Society of India.

New Delhi, July 20: Thirteen new confirmed A/H1N1 influenza cases were reported from different parts of the country on Sunday, with three cases each from Delhi and adjoining Gurgaon, taking the total to cases to 297, an official release said here.

It said two cases each were reported from Hyderabad and Chandigarh and one each from Roopnagar in Punjab, Kasargod in Kerala and Pune.

Of the three cases in Delhi, two one 12 year old girl and another 15 year old boy — were found to be school contacts of previous positive cases in Delhi, the release said.