Drug regulator

Drug regulator flags 47 medicines for failing quality tests (The IndianExpress: 2020117)

Abbott’s Udiliv, Mankind’s Ferikind-M and Torrent’s Lorvas among flagged.

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/companies/drug-regulator-flags-47-medicines-for-failing-quality-tests/

India’s top drug regulatory authority has flagged 47batches of medicines for failing quality tests in December, including Abbott India’s gallstonesmedication Udiliv 300, Mankind Pharma’s iron supplement Ferikind-M Suspension andTorrent Pharma’s high blood pressure tablets Lorvas SR.

At the same time, Abbott claims the failed sample was a counterfeit of its popular brand, whileTorrent claims the regulator failed samples of tablets manufactured as per specifications of oneof its export markets.

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The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) this month labelled specificbatches of these medicines to be “not of standard quality”.

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The regulator has flagged 44 other batches of drugs ranging from eye ointments, painkillersand heartburn medication to antibiotics and critical tablets used in the treatment ofhypertension. Over 35 other companies are listed in this alert, including firms like JacksonLaboratories, Aristo Pharmaceuticals, Zim Laboratories, Covalent Laboratories, ZuventusHealthcare, Maxmed Lifesciences, Montek Biopharma, Rajasthan Antibiotics, HindustanLaboratories and Zee Laboratories.

According to its findings, a batch (010924D7) of Abbott’s Udiliv 300 had failed“identification” tests, which are done to verify the identity of the product. Samples of Ferikind-M suspension failed tests related to “assay” of folic acid—which means there were lessquantities of this ingredient than required in the approved dose of the product. The regulatorhas flagged one batch (A6APS006) of the brand, manufactured by Akums Drugs andPharmaceuticals, for this reason.

A batch of Torrent’s Lorvas SR (CX23F011) was found substandard for failing “dissolution”tests, which are done to measure how soluble the drug is in the body.

However, the batch of Udiliv mentioned in the alert has been “confirmed” to be a counterfeitbatch of medicine and the firm didn’t manufacture it, said an Abbott India spokesperson. Acounterfeit is a fake imitation of a genuine product and runs the risk of being ineffective, whichmeans the patients consuming them may not be receiving the therapeutic effects they need toget well. “We alerted authorities and they took necessary action. Abbott takes the quality of itsmedicines very seriously. Genuine and high-quality Udiliv 300 manufactured by Abbottcontinues to be available in pharmacies across India,” the spokesperson told The IndianExpress. “For the safety and benefit of our patients, we will continue our efforts to alertauthorities against counterfeiters,” the person added.

Udiliv 300 is the top grossing brand in the Rs 611.8 crore ursodeoxycholic acid market,accounting for nearly 34 per cent in the 12 months ended December 2019, according topharmaceutical market research firm AIOCD Awacs Pharmatrac.

Torrent’s spokesperson said that the batch of Lorvas SR failed by the regulator had actuallybeen manufactured for the Russian market, which has different product specifications for theblood pressure drug than the Indian market.

“CDSCO (Baddi Zonal office) had intimated to our manufacturing unit regarding the failure ofLorvas SR tablet on January 2, for which sample was collected by CDSCO DI during WHO-GMP audit in September 2019. Accordingly, we have initiated investigation and found that thesaid batch was manufactured for Russia market,” a Torrent Pharmaceuticals spokesperson toldThe Indian Express.

“The manufacturing process and Specification is different for Russia market than the Indiamarket and is complying to the Russia specification. Since the batch was manufactured anddespatched for Russia market, there is no question of recall from India market,” the personsaid.

The company has already requested CDSCO to remove its product from the latest alert for thisreason and has also suggested that the regulator test the product as per Russian specifications“if needed”.

Lorvas SR accounted for nearly 14 per cent of the Rs 19.7 crore indapamide market as onDecember, according to Pharmatrac.

Emailed queries to Mankind Pharmaceuticals and Akums Drugs and Pharma about Ferikind-M remained unanswered by press time.

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7,000 leprosy cases

About 7,000 leprosy cases reported in last decade in Punjab (The Tribune:2020117)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/about-7-000-leprosy-cases-reported-in-last-decade-in-punjab-27488

In 2018, state’s average child leprosy rate was more than the national average of 9 per cent

Prevalence rate falls

In 1955, the National Leprosy Control Programme (NLCP) was launched to contain

leprosy infection

In 1983, its name was changed to the National Leprosy Eradication Programme

The programme in India has seen a reduction of prevalence rate from 57.8 per 10,000 personsin 1983 to less than 1 per 10,000 persons by 2005

Even after four decades of the launch of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme, thedisease has refused to die down in the state. About 7,000 cases were reported in the state in thepast 10 years.

On the national level, Punjab falls in the category of a “low endemic” state in terms ofprevalence of leprosy. Nevertheless, the disease has not been eradicated. In all, 6,897 caseswere reported between 2009 and 2019 in the state. Out of these, 1,054 were of Punjabipopulation.

The leprosy occurring in local population is a bigger cause for concern among dermatologyexperts. For the past five years, the prevalence rate of leprosy is around 0.20 per 10,000 personsin Punjab. This explains the “low endemic” tag for the state.

Dr Jastej Singh, State Programme Officer, National Leprosy Eradication Programme, said:“The situation is under control as the number of cases in the state is fewer than the nationalaverage.”

A study published in Indian Dermatology Online Journal around two years ago expressedconcern over new cases being reported among children in Punjab. The average national childleprosy rate was approximately 9 per cent in 2018. Punjab was among six states, others beingTamil Nadu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Bihar, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, where childleprosy cases were between 14 per cent and 23 per cent of total new cases.

Epidemiological status reveals that during the last 10 years, the number of total cases remainedless than 1,000 every year, but the rate of fall has not been consistent.

For example, the status of Grade-II disability shows that initially, the number of cases rose,then fell and then increased again. Sometime back, the Health Department’s internal analysisbrought out that the reason for the “inconsistency” in Grade-II disability cases and percentageswas issues related to reporting.

In the district-wise breakup, Ludhiana tops the chart. Around one-third of the total cases in thestate come from the district alone. Of the 389 cases reported in the state from April to December2019, 121 are from Ludhiana district alone. One of the main reasons is Ludhiana’s largemigrant population.

Jalandhar comes second on the list with 54 cases followed by Amritsar (37) and Mohali (34).Fazilka is the only district from where no new case was reported in the past nine months.

There are about 30 leper colonies in different parts of state; close to 2,000 people live there.

School education

Sorry state of schools

Fix accountability for skewed teacher-pupil ratio (The Tribune: 2020117)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sorry-state-of-schools-27207

Notwithstanding the well-intentioned policies framed periodically to improve school educationand high-sounding goals mouthed by officers and political leaders concerned, the situation onthe ground betrays apathy. Children of government schools in remote rural regions of bothPunjab and Haryana continue to suffer from glaring disadvantages emanating from manpowerand infrastructural deficiencies vis-a-vis the big towns and cities. That this crucial sector isplagued by the same old problems year after year reeks of an abject lack of will displayed bythe government to break out of the vicious circle in which poor village boys and girls arecondemned to an underprivileged life due to denial of equality in their learning tools.

Underscoring this stark reality are two latest stories: First, about only one teacher ofmathematics for 601 students of classes VI to X at a village school in Patiala district; secondly,the problem of too few classrooms and too many students in as many as 400 schools ofGurugram, necessitating double shifts; notably, in some cases, the problem has persisted for adecade. With the final examinations due in a couple of months, their results are, sadly, aforegone conclusion. Those responsible for the sorry state will yet again be allowed to get awaywith a knee-jerk reaction or band-aid application that is conveniently proffered to tide over asituation. Even as there is no magic wand to erase years of neglect, not enough has been doneto ensure a consistently conducive ecosystem. In store for the innocent unsuspecting youngstersdeprived of proper schooling are adverse lifelong repercussions. Unlikely to be equipped tosurmount the difficulties ahead, a fringe existence is likely to be their lot.

It is criminal that this inequitable distribution of resources, prohibited under the Right toEducation Act, is allowed to recur in a sector that is mandated to be the nursery of a robusthuman resource. Who is responsible for the below-par youngsters emerging in hordes annually

from our educational institutions, the primary building blocks for the development of society?Has any teacher unduly seeking a prized posting been punished? Or, any official heldaccountable for succumbing to such pressure?

6 infants die due to unknown illness

6 infants die due to unknown illness (The Tribune: 2020117)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/6-infants-die-due-to-unknown-illness-27436

Infants being treated at the sub-district hospital in Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district.

At least six infants have died and over 12 have been admitted in various hospitals due to spreadof an unknown disease in the Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district. Although locals haveclaimed that the number of deaths is above 12, the health authorities have deputed a team ofdoctors to investigate and submit detailed reports.

Though officials are tight-lipped over the serious health issue in Ramnagar, local sources haveclaimed that at least 12 infants have died after they complained of chest pain and kidney failure.

The panicked families from the mountainous tehsil have shifted their infants to hospitals afterthey developed the illness.

The district health authorities have confirmed six deaths. To take assessment of the situationand know the disease, the health authorities have constituted a team of three officials, includingthe District Health Officer (DHO) Mohammed Yaseen, physician Deepak Koul andpaediatrician Alok Raina from Udhampur. They have been directed to submit a report as earlyas possible.

In this regard, District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Piyush Singla directed the SE,PHE, to lift samples of drinking water for laboratory testing and ensure safe drinking water.

The authorities made an appeal to the public not to panic and if there were any symptoms offever, vomiting and low urine passage, a doctor must be consulted.

Sex ratio

Sex ratio at birth up 5 points in Kurukshetra (The Tribune: 2020117)

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sex-ratio-at-birth-up-5-points-in-kurukshetra-27529

Dist now ranked 8th in state | 130 in net since 2016 for involvement in gender tests

Tightening the noose around violators of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal DiagnosticTechniques (PCPNDT) Act, health officials have caught 130 persons, including doctors andtouts, for their involvement in sex determination rackets during 44 raids since 2016. The raidsincluded seven in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

The officials who conducted the raids claimed that strict measures over the last three years hadhelped the district in improving its sex ratio at birth. After remaining static at 924 girls per1,000 boys in 2017 and 2018, sex ratio at birth in Kurukshetra improved marginally to 929 in2019.

As per data procured from the Health Department, 15,967 children — 8,281 boys and 7,686girls — were born in Kurukshetra last year. The figure stood at 743 in 2012 and improved to887 in 2013. It witnessed a continuous decline for the next three years — 869 in 2014, 860 in2015 and 859 in 2016.

“Sex ratio at birth improved by five points and was recorded at 929 last year, better than thestate average of 923. The district is eighth in the state and efforts are on to improve the situationfurther,” said Dr RK Sahai, Deputy Civil Surgeon and nodal officer for the PCPNDT Act.

“The Health Department lodged 38 FIRs, 19 each under the MTP Act and PCPNDT Act, sinceApril 1, 2016. Ten ultrasound centres were sealed, of which one was opened on the directionof the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Registration of 11 ultrasound centres was cancelledand 15 were issued show-cause notices. Campaigns are being carried out and raids andinspections conducted by the department to improve sex ratio at birth,” he said.

“Whenever we get a tip-off that any person is involved in sex determination test, a team isformed and efforts are made to trap violators. The identity of the informer is not revealed andthey are given incentive. Eight persons have been given Rs1 lakh each for helping thedepartment in busting gender test rackets. The district got the national award for bestenforcement of the PCPNDT Act last year,” he added.

Bone marrow

Myeloma risk may be higher among Indians than whites’ (The Hindu:2020117)

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/myeloma-risk-may-be-higher-among-indians-than-whites/article30578593.ece

Study to probe any predisposition needed, says oncologist

The striking successes of the last 15 years or so in treating patients with myeloma, a cancer ofthe bone marrow, resulting in longer life spans and better

Toxic air

Delhi assembly elections: Why toxic air may not let contenders breathe easy(The Times of India: 2020117)

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/why-delhis-toxic-air-may-not-let-contenders-breathe-easy/articleshow/73310027.cms

Pollution has acquired a social dimension of its own (File photo)

NEW DELHI: In 2015, when the assembly elections neared, very few voters in Delhi wereaware of how severe the problem of air pollution had become. At the time, the city only hadseven air monitoring stations and the now easily recognised benchmark, CPCB’s Air QualityIndex, or AQI, was yet to be launched. Five years later, pollution has acquired a socialdimension of its own — so much so that it has become an election issue.

Since 2015, Delhi has added 31 more air quality monitoring stations, an indication that theproblem is regarded with the seriousness it deserves. Last month, the United Residents JointAction (URJA), an umbrella body of residents’ welfare associations, released a nine-pointPeople’s Manifesto on Clean Air 2020, signifying that RWAs are becoming vocal about theurgency in finding solutions to the capital’s bad air. The three prominent political parties in thefray, namely the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and BJP, have agreed to incorporate points fromURJA’s manifesto in their own.

Track the pollution level in your city

Atul Goyal, president, URJA, disclosed that its manifesto was drafted after consulting a numberof RWAs over three-four years. “Construction dust and vehicular pollution are problemsthroughout the year. They affect the whole of Delhi,” observed Goyal. “We have not had anyrespite from these two woes. In order to tackle Delhi’s air pollution, the state government needsto be committed to the cause of decongesting the city, switching to cleaner fuels, reducingvehicles on the road and improving public transport. Our green manifesto also asks for bettercooperation with neighbouring states instead of indulging in a blame game.”

Amit Aggarwal, a Vasant Kunj resident, said the public had begun to contribute to the fightagainst pollution, but the government needed to do a lot more to boost Delhi’s air quality. “Igot rid of my 15-year-old car though it was in perfect running condition and I used it for onlya kilometre or two each day,” the IT consultant said. “As a citizen, I did my bit, but I am notseeing the returns in terms of improved air quality. Since so much more obviously needs to bedone, why not tie the perks of MLAs to air quality in some manner?”

In New Friends Colony, which falls in the Okhla assembly constituency, people complain aboutthe area’s consistently high AQI. Okhla is one among 13 pollution hotspots identified by DelhiPollution Control Committee in 2019. The others are Narela, Bawana, Mundka, Punjabi Bagh,Dwarka, Wazirpur, Rohini, Vivek Vihar, Anand Vihar, R K Puram, Jahangirpuri and AshokVihar.

Madhavi Sachar, who lives in New Friends Colony, said people were becoming more consciousof pollution but felt the government needed to act strong a for sustained fight. “Measures likecars with odd-even licence plates using the road on alternate days raise awareness and cutemissions, but it’s tough to say what is being done in concrete terms to counter pollution,” shesaid. “Political parties now know they cannot get away with ignoring pollution.”

In Dwarka, numerous anti-pollution protests have taken place in the last five years. From strongvoices against felling trees to build the Dwarka Expressway to demanding the Bharat VandanaPark as an eco space, residents have been trying to stave off the reduction in green cover in thesub-city. “We are vocal because the government has to take strong measures to preserve treesand improve the air quality. So far, only the reverse is happening,” said V Selvarajan, a local.

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Many people feel air pollution as an election imperative is discussed only by the elite, withvoters in the economically lower categories focused more on existential problems like water,electricity and sewage. “You may not see people in Seelampur or Jahangirpuri worrying aboutpollution so much. Those who are anxious about the air quality are too few to make an impacton the elections,” rued Bhavreen Kandhari in Defence Colony.

Kandhari, however, is happy air pollution has emerged as a talking point now. “The stategovernment is taking notice of the protests and the voices against the bad air. We expect theparty that comes to power to focus on decongesting Delhi, reducing air pollution and improvingwaste management,” said a hopeful Kandhari.

Read more at:

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Blood pressure

When should you start worrying about your blood pressure? (The EconomicTimes: 2020117)

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/when-should-you-start-worrying-about-your-blood-pressure/articleshow/67643278.cms

Hypertension aka high blood pressure is a serious concern. The situation is so alarming thatMumbai-based Dr Ramakanta Panda shared hypertension will most likely end up being anepidemic in the near future as approximately one third population will suffer from it in the nexttwo years.

Normal blood pressure

When the reading is less than 120 (systolic) and 80 (diastolic) your blood pressure is completelynormal. But when it goes over 140/90, it’s a clear indication that the force of your blood ispressing too aggressively against your artery walls.

Blood pressure categories (1)

(With data from the Harvard Medical School)

What is systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

Blood pressure is measured in two numbers - 120/80 is considered normal blood pressure. Thefirst number i.e., 120 is the systolic blood pressure and the second number i.e., 80 is thediastolic blood pressure.

The first number, systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your blood vessels whenyour heart beats. The second number, diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in theblood vessels when your heart rests (between two heart beats).

What does high blood pressure do?

High blood pressure can damage your body quiet for years even before any symptoms appear.High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder thus making you prone to heart disease,stroke, vision issues and kidney failure.

People suffering from hypertension if not treated right and on time can die due to heart diseasescaused by the poor blood flow. Below are the details of problems caused by high blood

Damage arteries: The increased flow of blood due to hypertension can damage and narrow yourarteries. Healthy arteries are strong, elastic and flexible through which the blood flows freely.

Damage your brain: Just like your heart your brain depends on the good blood supply to surviveand work efficiently. But high blood pressure can cause stroke, dementia and cognitiveimpairment.

Damage your kidneys: The function of kidneys depends on healthy blood vessels. Kidney filterthe waste and excess fluid from your blood, which cannot be done if your blood vessels aren’tin a good condition. High BP can also lead to kidney scarring and kidney artery aneurysm(bulge in the wall of a blood vessel).

Damage your eyes: High BP can damage the eye blood vessels leading to the damage of opticnerve and retina.

Other problems caused by high blood pressure are sexual dysfunction, bone loss and troublesleeping.

Blood pressure rises so quickly that sometimes it can become a medical emergency and mayrequire immediate treatment with hospitalization.

In these situation, high blood pressure can cause:

- Stroke

- Damage to arteries

- Memory loss and personality changes

- Cheat pain and heart attack

- Kidney failure

- Sudden impaired pumping of the heart

What is the correct age to start getting your blood pressure checked?

According to doctors, high blood pressure can happen anytime. If you haven’t got your BPchecked in a while, you should get it checked now. The assumption that you are young andclear can be dangerous. Dr Priyanka Rohatgi from Apollo Hospital says, "People as young as22 years are suffering from high blood pressure, which compels us to be cautious by gettingour BP checked whenever we visit the doctor." Dr Romil Tikku, Internal medicine, MaxHospital adds with the increasing number of cases of hypertension, one should definitely gettheir blood pressure checked at least once a year from the age of 18.

Dr Romil Tikku, Internal medicine, Max Hospital says, "with the increasing number of casesof hypertension, one should definitely get their blood pressure checked at least once a yearfrom the age of 18."

High BP is common among men below 35

More young men than ever have hypertension today with the biggest problem being that itdoesn’t exhibit any symptoms.

Study

Studies claim that younger men are more likely to have high diastolic pressure. Older men, onthe other hand, have typically higher systolic pressure, which stiffens the arteries.

Why are more young men suffering from high BP

The rising rates of obesity in younger people and increased BMI are partially to be blamed foryounger people suffering from hypertension. Rising obesity is directly correlated with risingcases of hypertension.

Blood pressure changes with age

You are most likely to have high blood pressure as you age. Studies show 80 per cent peopleover the age of 65 have high blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure rises as you age and thediastolic number reduces.

If you have high blood pressure in your youth, this can be more of a problem as you age. Evenif you control this in the younger age, there are still chances that the numbers (reading) willincrease as you age.

Relation between age and BP

We are more likely to see a rise in BP as we age. But why so? This happens because your heartdoes not work as efficiently as it did when you were young. Also, other changes like hormonesand arteries can also lead to the problem. People over the age of 65 also tend to have more saltin their food because their taste buds become less sensitive.

When should you start worrying?

There is no specific age from when one should start getting their blood pressure checked.Whenever you visit your doctor for a regular checkup or for flu, get your BP checked and ifyour BP turns out to be 120/80 always, you can get it checked in every two years.

If your BP is even slightly above 120/80 (prehypertension), you need to get it checked at leastonce a year or often if your doctor suggests.

If your blood pressure is above 140/90, you need to monitor even more. No matter what yourage is, you should always know your BP. As your blood pressure rises with age, it’s never tooearly or never too late to be knowledgeable about it.

Depression and the pursuit of happiness

The surprising link between depression and the pursuit of happiness(Medical News Today: 2020117)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327493.php#5

People may think that valuing happiness leads to a happier life. However, new research hasfound that wanting to feel happy can also have a negative outcome.

Could focusing too much on happiness actually lead to depression?

Previous studies have concluded that excessively valuing happiness can cause a person to feelless happy. In some cases, it may even be associated with symptoms of depression.

Interestingly, there is a theory that this negative relationship only occurs in the Western world— particularly in the United States.

However, one 2015 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology found a positiveassociation between happiness value and well-being among Russian and East Asianpopulations.

One reason for this cultural discrepancy could be that Western cultures have a habit of basingtheir happiness levels on individual achievements, rather than universal goals.

Recent research, now appearing in the Journal of Happiness Studies, looked deeper into thisrelationship.

Studying people in the United Kingdom

Focusing on the U.K., another Western population, the authors of the new research used twoseparate studies to investigate potential causes of this negative association.

The researchers' theories ranged from impaired attentional control, which sees people focusheavily on negative emotional events as well as positive ones, to choosing ill-suited emotionalregulation strategies.

People tend to perceive these strategies as requiring less effort. They are based on"maladaptive" mechanisms, such as avoidance or suppression.

To test these theories, the researchers handed several questionnaires to a number ofundergraduate university students based in the U.K.

The team assessed their answers using a number of emotional and mental health scales, chosenfor their reliability.

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The first study involved measuring 151 students' levels of attentional control when faced witha variety of emotional events.

The researchers also assessed suppression and reappraisal, which are two differing emotionalregulation strategies.

The results showed a significant link between happiness value and depressive symptoms viaimpaired attentional control and the use of suppression to regulate emotions.

Diving deeper

A larger sample of 299 students took part in the second study. Attempting to duplicate itsprevious findings, the team went one step further by noting participants' nationalities.

Almost three-quarters were British, and 7% were dual nationality. In the non-British group,51% were European, 40% were Asian, 7% were African, and 2% were Australian.

The researchers also examined the participants' ability to appreciate positive emotions, andthey looked to see whether or not symptoms of mania had a role to play in the associationbetween happiness value and depression.

Again, the analysis found a significant link between depressive symptoms and the pursuit ofhappiness. Placing excessive emphasis on happiness also reduced a person's ability to savorpositive experiences.

However, the team did not see the same relationship with mania symptoms.

A cultural surprise

However, researcher Dr. Julia Vogt explains that "one of the most interesting things we foundwas how specific this was to [the] U.K. participants who took part."

"The relationship between valuing happiness and depressive symptoms was seen far moresignificantly in U.K. participants than those from other nationalities or dual citizens," adds Dr.Vogt, who is a psychologist at the University of Reading in the U.K.

"We don't go so far as to test what those differences are, but there seems to be a significantdivide between English-speaking Western cultures and other cultures when it comes to howour internal value of experiencing happiness shapes our experiences and mood."

Dr. Julia Vogt

"[T]his is the first time as far as we're aware," notes Dr. Vogt, "that the U.K. experience ofvaluing happiness has been looked at."

Further studies with a long-term focus will need to replicate the findings before researchers candraw any conclusions on cause and effect.

There is also a need to include more male perspectives, as both of the recent studies had asignificant male minority. With time, however, this field of research could help prevent andtreat conditions such as depression.

Cancer

Using salt to fight cancer (Medical News Today: 2020117)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327468.php#5

Although scientists continually refine cancer treatments, there is still much room forimprovement. A new study, carried out in mice, focuses on salt. The researchers havesuccessfully used sodium chloride nanoparticles to destroy cancer cells.

Injecting salt nanoparticles into mouse tumors restricted their growth significantly.

Over the decades, researchers have developed an ever-growing arsenal of drugs to combatcancer. However, many of these drugs are toxic, not only to cancer cells but to healthy tissue.

The hunt is still on to find more effective treatments with fewer negative consequences for therest of the body.

Scientists — many from the University of Georgia, in Athens — are looking to sodiumchloride, or salt, in nanoparticle form.

Sodium chloride is essential for life, but in the wrong place, it can cause cell death. To controlthis, ion channels on the plasma membranes that surround our cells prevent salt from entering.

Maintaining the right balance in the cell between sodium and chloride ions outside andpotassium inside drives many processes that help support homeostasis — a consistent cellularenvironment.

Salt as a Trojan horse

The authors of the new study, published in the journal Advanced Materials, tested their theorythat "Sodium chloride nanoparticles (SCNPs) can be exploited as a Trojan horse strategy todeliver ions into cells and disrupt the ion homeostasis."

SCNPs contain millions of sodium and chlorine atoms, but the ion channels responsible forkeeping salt out do not recognize them in this form.

Consequently, SCNPs are free to enter the cell, and once inside, they dissolve, releasing sodiumand chlorine ions that become trapped in the cell.

These ions disrupt cellular machinery and rupture the plasma membrane. As the cell membranebreaks open, the sodium and chlorine atoms are released. This, in turn, signals an immuneresponse and inflammation.

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Using a mouse model, the scientists tested their theory. They injected SCNPs into tumors andcharted their growth. They compared the growth of these tumors with those of mice in a control

group who had received the same quantity of sodium chloride in a solution, rather than asnanoparticles.

The team found that the SCNPs suppressed tumor growth by 66%, compared with the controlgroup. Importantly, there were no signs that the SCNPs caused damage to any of the mice'sorgans.

The importance of safety

This method appears to be safe. As associate professor and lead author Jin Xie, Ph.D., explains:"After the treatment, the nanoparticles are reduced to salts, which are merged with the body'sfluid system and cause no systematic or accumulative toxicity. No sign of systematic toxicitywas observed with SCNPs injected at high doses."

Also, cancer cells seemed to be more susceptible to SCNPs than healthy cells. This, the authorsbelieve, might be because cancer cells contain higher levels of sodium to begin with, makingthem more vulnerable to overload.

In recent years, many researchers have investigated whether various types of nanoparticlesmight be useful in medicine; yet very few have reached the clinic. As the authors of the studyacknowledge, "Primary concerns are [the particles'] toxicity, slow clearance, and unpredictablelong‐term impact to the hosts."

SCNPs, however, are different. The authors explain that "They are made of a benign material,and their toxicity is entirely hinged on the nanoparticle form."

A cancer vaccine?

In the second part of the study, the scientists investigated the effects of cancer cells that hadalready been killed by SCNPs. They injected these cells into mice and found that the animalswere more resistant to developing new cancer; in other words, the cells acted as a vaccine.

This, they believe, is because when the SCNPs cause the cancer cells to die and burst open,they spark an immune response.

In a similar vein, the scientists carried out further studies in isolated tumor tissue. They injectedSCNPs into primary tumors and measured the growth rates of secondary tumors.

The team found that the secondary tumors grew significantly slower than control secondarytumors, whose primary tumors had not been injected with SCNPs.

As skeptics often note, "Cancer has been cured thousands of times — in mice." With that said,all useful drugs must pass muster in animal research before scientists can test them in humans.

Xie is hopeful, saying that he expects SCNPs "to find wide applications in treatment of bladder,prostate, liver, and head and neck cancer."

Genetics

Genetics might explain the difference in our ability to ward off gut infections(New Kerala: 2020117)

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2020/8152.htm

Lausanne [Switzerland], Jan 17 : Individuals vary in the capability of their immune systems toward off gut infections due to bacteria viruses and other pathogens, but the latest researchsuggests that part of this can be explained by genetic factors.

Now, scientists at EPFL's Institute of Bioengineering have published two papers in GenomeBiology that make significant headway in uncovering the mechanisms by which geneticsinfluences the ability of an organism to mount an immune reaction to an invading gut pathogen.The research was carried out by Michael Frochaux and Maroun Bou Sleiman from BartDeplancke's research group at EPFL.

The scientists turned to the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to study this phenomenon sinceit shares many of the biological pathways involved in fighting gut infections in humans.

The scientists studied a large panel of genetically distinct fruit fly lines, which vary greatly intheir ability to resist gut infection by the severe pathogen Pseudomonas entomophila. To betterunderstand the molecular origin of this variation, the researchers isolated infected guts fromeach fly line and explored them using a wide array of approaches.

In the first paper, the researchers show that gut infection changes RNA splicing, which affectsthe production of messenger RNA (mRNA), a crucial molecule in the path from gene to protein.Specifically, the infection seems to lengthen one end of several mRNAs.

"It is as if the organism intends to add more information in these mRNAs that could then beexploited to further fine-tune the overall gut immune response," says Deplancke. The changein mRNA length seems to be mediated through a protein called Lark, which binds RNA to forma complex involved in gene expression. When this complexing ability is lost, the fruit flieswere less able to recover from a severe gut infection, clearly demonstrating the importance ofthis process in gut immunity.

The second paper reports the discovery of a number of genetic variants that alter the levels ofgene expression in the gut following infection. One particular variant could be directly linkedto variation in infection resistance because it modulates the expression level of a gene calledNutcracker. More resistant fly lines showed higher Nutcracker expression compared to lessresistant ones.

"This study provides an intriguing example of how variation in the non-coding part of thegenome could still critically affect complex traits such as height or disease susceptibility," saysDeplancke. "In this case, this includes gut immunocompetence, so we need to consider thewhole genome and not just its genes".

Smoking hookah

Smoking hookah may increase heart attack, stroke risk (New Kerala:2020117)

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2020/8144.htm

Smoking hookah may increase heart attack, stroke risk

Researchers have found that tobacco smoke from a hookah caused blood to functionabnormally and be more likely to clot and quickly form blood clots, which can increase the riskof heart attack or stroke.

The study, published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, foundthat tobacco smoke from a hookah caused blood clots to form within an average of about 11seconds, compared to an average of five minutes for clotting without exposure to hookahsmoke.

Exposure to the hookah smoke also caused other abnormalities related to the way the bloodflows, the research added.

Some studies have found that the smoke emitted from one hookah tobacco smoking episodecontains significantly more harmful chemicals compared to a single cigarette.

"Our findings provide new evidence that hookah smoking is as unhealthy - if not more so -than traditional cigarettes. "Smoking a hookah, cigarettes, e-cigarettes or other forms oftobacco all increase your risk for heart disease and stroke," said study researcher FadiKhasawneh from University of Texas in the US.

In this study, researchers exposed mice to hookah smoke from a smoking machine thatmimicked real-life smoking habits.

The smoking machine used 12 grams of commercially available, flavoured tobacco thatincluded tobacco, glycerin, molasses and natural flavour with nicotine and tar.

Researchers then compared platelet activity among the exposed versus the unexposed mice.

The study simulated the type of nicotine exposure that occurs with smoking a hookah, whichthe researchers verified by measuring the levels of cotinine, the nicotine metabolite.

In May 2019, the American Heart Association published a Scientific Statement, "Water Pipe(Hookah) Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease Risk," to analyse available research on thehealth effects of hookah smoking.

The statement noted that hookah smoking results in inhaling significant levels of toxicchemicals such as carbon monoxide and particulates from tobacco that can harm blood vessels,the heart and lungs, as well as creating a dependence on nicotine.

This study provides additional evidence that, contrary to popular belief, hookah smokingadversely affects cardiovascular health.

"Hookah smoking, which is becoming more popular in Western countries, is perceived as lessharmful than cigarettes, yet hookahs carry a toxic profile that is thought to be comparable or toeven exceed that of traditional cigarettes," Khasawneh added.

Vaccine

Group B Streptococcus: Hilleman Labs to make affordable vaccine (NewKerala: 2020117)

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2020/8059.htm

New Delhi, Jan 16 : Aiming to develop affordable vaccines in this healthcare sector, a researchand development organisation Hilleman Laboratories on Thursday announced its expansioninto the area of maternal and child health.

The vaccine, once ready for use, will act against the Group B streptococcus bacteria to makea positive impact for women and children living in low middle-income countries.

Streptococcus agalactiae, or Group B streptococcus (GBS), is a leading cause of seriousneonatal infections including septicaemia, pneumonia, and, less frequently, meningitis, urinarytract infections, chorioamnionitis, endometritis and bacteremia in women.

GBS is an opportunistic commensal constituting a part of the intestinal and vaginal physiologicflora in almost 25 per cent of healthy adult women. Maternal colonisation is the principal routeof GBS transmission.

GBS converts from the asymptomatic mucosal carriage state to a major bacterial pathogencausing severe invasive infections.

As per the 2017 World Health Organisation estimate, almost 18 per cent of pregnant women,totalling approximately 22 million, worldwide, carry GBS in all regions of the world, rangingfrom 11 per cent in eastern Asia to 35 per cent in the Caribbean.

India is one of the top five countries for GBS carriage with more than 2.4 million pregnantwomen affected with the disease followed by China, Nigeria, the US and Indonesia.

Various studies have established that a maternal vaccine may prevent 231,000 infant andmaternal GBS cases, and while several vaccines to prevent GBS are in development, none arecurrently available in the market.

"Hilleman Labs has embarked on a project to develop a safe, effective and affordable vaccineagainst Group B Streptococcus. In this project, we will design, assemble and test the vaccinewithin our Riamp;D centre in India." said Hilleman Laboratories CEO Davinder Gill.

The organisation plans to pay close attention to Group B Streptococcus strains that arereportedly prevalent in India and Southeast Asia.

Hilleman is looking at partnering with vaccine manufacturing companies for furtherdevelopment, manufacture and sale of the vaccine.

According to the lab, there is currently no approved vaccine for Group B streptococcus, andthus this initiative is an important one for women and children living in low middle-incomecountries.

Currently, patients who acquire Group B Streptococcus infections are prescribed antibiotics,which has resulted in the appearance of Group B streptococcus strains that are drug resistant.

According to Hilleman, there is thus an urgent need to develop alternate solutions such as safevaccines to prevent the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Virus

चीन म�रह�यमयी वायरस से दूसरे �यि�क�मौत, दज�न��भािवत (Dainik Jagran: 20200117)

https://www.jagran.com/world/china-second-person-killed-and-dozens-influence-in-china-by-mysterious-virus-19943428.html

रह�यमयी वायरस का असर दो अ�य एिशयाई देश�म�भी िदखाई दे रहा ह।ै

बीिजंग, एज�सी। अिधका�रय�ने कहा िक चीन म�रह�यमयी वायरस से एक दसूरे �यि�क�भी मौत हो गई ह।ै वह�, बताया गया िक इससे दज�न�

लोग �भािवत ह�ए ह�। इसका असर दो अ�य एिशयाई देश�म�भी िदखाई दे रहा ह।ै�थानीय अिधका�रय�ने कहा िक वहुान म�बुधवार को एक 69वष�य �यि�क�म�ृयु हो गई। बता द�िक चीनी शोधकता�ओंका कहना है िक उ�ह�ने एक बीमारी के पीछे एक नए वायरस क�पहचान क�है िजसनेपरेू एिशया म�दज�न�लोग�को सं�िमत िकया ह।ै चीन और अ�य जगह�पर �वा��य अिधकारी यह सिुनि�त कर रहे ह�िक इस नए वायरस का �कोप

कुछ और अिधक गंभीर न हो जाए। हालांिक, इसम�दो लोग जान गंवा चकेु ह�।

चीन म�शोधकता�ओं ने एक नए वायरस कोरोनोवायरस को �ारंिभक �प से पहचाना है, एक के पीछे रोगज़नक़ के �प म�रह�यमय, �यमूोिनयलाइकबीमारी िजसने वहुान शहर म�दज�न�लोग�को बीमार िकया ह।ै �रपोट�म�कहा गया है िक नया कोरोनावायरस िपछले मानव कोरोनवीरस से अलग ह।ैकोरोनावीरस वायरस का एक बड़ा प�रवार है जो जानवर�और लोग�को सं�िमत करता ह।ै

जानलेवा वायरस

चीन म�फैल रहा ये जानलेवा वायरस, अमे�रका ने अपने नाग�रक�को दी चेतावनी (Dainik Jagran:

20200117)

https://www.jagran.com/world/china-us-warns-citizens-in-china-against-pneumonia-outbreak-19938344.html

चीन के वहुान (Wuhan) शहर म�इसका सबसे �यादा असर देखने को िमल रहा ह।ै कोरोना वायरस क�वजह से लोग�को िनमोिनया

(Pneumonia) हो रहा ह।ै

िबिजंग, रॉयटर। चीन (China) म�जानलेवा कोरोना वायरस (Coronavirus) तेजी से फैल रहा ह।ै इसको लेकर अमे�रका ने अपने नगा�रक�

को चेतावनी जारी क�ह।ै अमे�रक�िवदेश िवभाग ने चीन म�रह रहे अमे�रिकय�को इस वायरस से बचने क�सलाह दी ह।ै चीन के वहुान (Wuhan)

शहर म�इसका सबसे �यादा असर देखने को िमल रहा ह।ै कोरोना वायरस क�वजह से लोग�को िनमोिनया (Pneumonia) हो रहा ह।ै इसक�वजह से एक �यि�क�मौत भी हो गई ह।ै

बुधवार के अमे�रक�रोग िनयं�ण और रोकथाम क��(U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) ने अलट�जारी

कर चीन के वहुान क�या�ा करने वाले नाग�रक�को जानवर�, जानवर�के बाजार�और पशु उ�पाद�के संपक�से बचने क�सलाह दी ह।ै इसके

अलावा नाग�रक�से कहा गया है िक जो वहुान क�या�ा पर गए थे और अब बीमार महससू कर रहे ह�, वो तुरंत िचिक�सक�य देखभाल ल�।

वायरस क�चपेट म�41 लोग

चीनी के �वा��य अिधका�रय�ने नए कोरोना वायरस के संपक�म�आने के 41 मामल�क�सचूना दी ह।ै वह�, सात लोग�क�हालत गंभीर बताई

जा रही ह।ै इसके अलावा रोिगय�के साथ संपक�रहने के कारण 419 डॉ�टर�सिहत लगभग 740 लोग�को िचिक�सा िनगरानी म�रखा गया ह।ै

WHO क�चेतावनी

िव��वा��य संगठन (World Health Organization) ने भी इस वायरस को लेकर दिुनयाभर के देश�को चेतावनी जारी क�ह।ै मंगलवार

को िव��वा��य संगठन ने चेतावनी देते ह�ए कहा है िक वायरस से सतक�रखने क�ज�रत ह।ै चीन को कोरोना वायरस के कारण�का ज�द-से ज�दपता लगाना होगा।

कोरोना वायरस के स�ण

कोरोना वायरस के सं�मण के सामा�य ल�ण�म�बुखार, खांसी, सांस लेने म�तकलीफ शािमल ह�। अिधक गंभीर मामल�म�सं�मण से िनमोिनया,गुद�क�िवफलता और यहां तक िक म�ृयु भी हो सकती ह।ै

वायरस से बचने के उपाय

कोरोना वायरस के असर से बचने के िलए कुछ उपाय बताए गए ह�। िजसम�िनयिमत �प से हाथ धोना, खांसने और छ�कने के समय मुंह और नाक

को ढंकना, मांस और अंडे को अ�छी तरह से पकाना शािमल ह।ै

सास�ने मचाई थी तबाही

बता द�िक इस नए वायरस को सास�से जोड़कर देख रहे ह।ै चीन म�इससे पहले साल 2003 म�सास�(Severe Acute Respiratory

Syndrome) नाम क�बीमारी फैली थी। एक आंकड़े के अनसुार सास�क�वजह से परूी दिुनया म�813 मौत�ह�ई थ�। िजनम�से अकेले चीन म�

646 मौत�ह�ई थ�।

Environmental Health

बढ़ता तापमान हर साल लील सकता है दो हजार जान�, आपदाओंक�िशकार ह�ई प�ृवी (Dainik Jagran: 2020117)

https://www.jagran.com/world/other-increasing-temperature-can-lead-to-two-thousand-lives-every-year-earth-fell-victim-to-disasters-jagran-special-19940215.html

अ�ययन म�कहा गया है िक गम�के साथ-साथ बढ़ती शराब क�खपत और सड़क दघु�टनाओ ं के कारण मरने वाल�क�सवा�िधक सं�या 15 से

34 साल क�उ�के प�ुष�क�होगी।

पे�रस, एएफपी। तापमान म�दो िड�ी सेि�सयस क�विृ�होने से संय�ुरा�य अमे�रका म�मरने वाल�क�सं�या बढ़ जाएगी। यह आकड़ा पहले क�

तुलना म�हर साल लगभग 2100 अिधक होने का अनमुान ह।ै �लोबल वािम�ग क�िवभीिषका का अनमुान और इसके खतर�के �ित आगाह करने

वाले एक अ�ययन म�यह दावा िकया गया ह।ै अ�ययन म�कहा गया है िक गम�के साथ-साथ बढ़ती शराब क�खपत और सड़क दघु�टनाओ ं के

कारण मरने वाल�क�सवा�िधक सं�या 15 से 34 साल क�उ�के प�ुष�क�होगी।

ि�टेन और अमे�रका के शोधकता�ओं का यह अ�ययन 1980 से 2017 के बीच हर साल सड़क दघु�टनाओ ं के कारण होने वाली मौत�पर

आधा�रत ह।ै शोधकता�ओं ने इन मौत�का वग�करण दो भाग�म�िकया। ये मौत�या तो आकि�मक होती थी जैसे- वाहन दघु�टनाओ ं से, िगरने से,

डूबने से, या जानबूझकर िकसी हमले और आ�मह�या से। इसके बाद उ�ह�ने ��येक काउंटी के असामा�य तापमान प�रवत�न�को �ैक िकया और

पाया िक गम�महीन�के दौरान चोट�से होने वाली मौत�म�विृ�ह�ई ह,ै खासकर कैिलफोिन�या, टे�सास और �लो�रडा जैसे दि�णी रा�य�म�। जन�लनेचर मेिडिसन म��कािशत इस शोध के लेखक ने कहा िक हमारे िन�कष�बताते ह�िक दघु�टनाओ ं के कारण मरने वाल�और जलवायु प�रवत�न केकारण वैि�क तापमान म�विृ�के बीच एक मजबूत संबंध ह।ै

आपात सेवाओ ं को बेहतर बनाने क�ज�रत

इस अ�ययन के व�र�लेखक और इपंी�रयल कॉलेज ऑफ लंदन के �ोफेसर मजीद इ�जती ने कहा, ‘ये नए प�रणाम बताते ह�िक यवुाओ ं पर

जलवायु प�रवत�न का िकतना असर पड़ रहा ह।ै हम�आपातकालीन सेवाओ,ं सामािजक सहायता और �वा��य चेतावनी के संदभ�म�बेहतर तैयारी के

साथ इस खतरे का सामना करने क�आव�यकता ह।ै’

मिहलाओ ं क�अपे�ा प�ुष�क��यादा मौत

नेशनल स�टर फॉर ह�ेथ �टेिट�स से जटुाए गए डाटा का िव�ेषण करने वाली टीम ने पाया िक वष�1980 से 2017 तक क�अविध म�18 लाख

लड़िकय�और मिहलाओ ं क�तुलना म�41 लाख लड़क�और प�ुष�क�दघुट�ना के कारण मौत ह�ई। शोधकता�ओं ने पाया िक तापमान म�विृ�के

कारण सड़क दघु�टनाओ ंऔर डूबकर मरने का खतरा बढ़ जाता ह।ै इस मौत�का संबंध शराब के अ�यिधक सेवन, खराब �ाइिवंग से भी ह।ै

सांि�यक�मॉडल के ज�रये िकया अ�ययन

इस अ�ययन के िलए शोधकता�ओं ने एक सांि�यक�मॉडल का उपयोग िकया, जो यह बताता है िक िकसी भी वष�म�तापमान म�1.5 से दो िड�ीसेि�सयस क�विृ�होने पर िकतने लोग�क�म�ृयु हो सकती ह।ै शोधकता�ओं ने कहा इस अ�ययन के प�रणाम बताते ह�िक यिद हम�वा�तव म�

जलवायु प�रवत�न के खतर�से िनपटना है तो हर रा��को 2015 म�ह�ए पे�रस समझौते के ल�य�पर काम करना होगा।

आपदाओ ंक�िशकार ह�ई प�ृवी

शोध टीम के मतुािबक, तापमान म�1.5 िड�ी सेि�सयस क�विृ�होने से हर साल 1600 लोग�क�अित�र�मौत�होगी और यिद गम�दो िड�ी

सेि�सयस बढ़ती है तो यह आंकड़ा बढ़कर 2100 से भी ऊपर तक पह�ंच सकता ह।ै बढ़ते तापमान क�भयावहता का अंदाजा इसी बात से लगाया

जा सकता है िक पवू�-औ�ोिगक समय से अब तक तापमान म�केवल एक िड�ी सेि�सयस क�विृ�होने से प�ृवी को कई गंभीर आपदाओ ं से जझूना

पड़ा ह,ै इस दौरान सैकड़�लोग�क�मौत ह�ई और लाख�लोग िव�थािपत भी ह�ए ह�।

Health Care Services (Navbharat Times: 2020117)

http://epaper.navbharattimes.com/details/87420-58237-1.html

Dental Health (Hindustan Times: 2020117)

https://epaper.livehindustan.com/imageview_506862_83604074_4_1_17-01-2020_7_i_1_sf.html

Obesity (Hindustan Times: 2020117)

https://epaper.livehindustan.com/imageview_506886_84207946_4_1_17-01-2020_22_i_1_sf.html

Drug regulator7,000 leprosy casesSchool education6 infants die due to unknown illnessSex ratioBone marrowToxic airBlood pressureDepression and the pursuit of happinessCancerGeneticsSmoking hookahVaccineVirusजानलेवा वायरसEnvironmental Health Health Care Services Dental Health Obesity