Health Newstrack

Pfizer’s anti smoking Chantix latest safety information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory to alert health care providers, patients, and caregivers to new safety warnings concerning Chantix (varenicline), a prescription medication used to help patients stop smoking. – Chantix (varenicline), a prescription medication used to help patients stop smoking reported to have certain adverse effects like changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and actual suicidal behavior. US FDA issued a Public Health Advisory to alert health care providers, patients, and caregivers.

Genetic mutation increases risk of preterm birth

Mutations in immune system gene linked to placental injury common in preterm babies – Genetic mutations in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene appear to have significant association with inflammatory injury to the placenta and developing baby, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh’s department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences report at the 28th annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Scientific sessions continue through Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Dallas Hyatt Regency at Reunion.

HIV testing before marriage in India

Maharashtra has proposed the testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be made compulsory before marriage in the state. – The Indian state Maharashtra government has proposed the testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) be made compulsory before marriage in the state. If the decision is made into law, Maharashtra would be the first state in the India to have such a scheme.

New bird flu outbreak at Karachi poultry farm, Pakistan

Pakistani authorities culled thousands of birds to control an outbreak of avian flu at poultry farms in the city of Karachi. – A new outbreak of the avian flu in Pakistan reported by the Pakistani authorities, and authorities took steps to cull a large number of birds at a poultry farm in the Karachi city, where 5,500 chickens died of the deadly disease earlier this week.

Better nutrition in childhood increases productivity in adulthood

Study first to show improving nutrition in early childhood leads to significantly higher incomes in adulthood. – Feeding very young children a high-energy, high-protein supplement leads to increased economic productivity in adulthood, especially for men, according to a study published in the current issue of The Lancet, a leading medical journal.

Obesity prescriptions up eight times in UK

In UK, more than 1 million prescriptions are made for obesity drugs a year – eight times the number dispensed seven years ago. – The number of prescriptions to treat obesity and overweight health problems in 2006 was increased eight times the number prescribed in 1999 in UK, revealed by Information Centre for health and social care (IC) as part of a wider report on obesity and the health of people in England.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviours from epilepsy drugs, alerts Medsafe

Medsafe, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health’s medicines regulatory arm, is alerting health care professionals in New Zealand about a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in patients taking anti-epileptic medicines. – Medsafe, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health’s medicines regulatory arm, is alerting health care professionals in New Zealand about a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours in patients taking anti-epileptic medicines.

Simple urine test detecting prostate cancer accurately

New, non-invasive prostate cancer test beats PSA in detecting prostate cancer, researchers report. Simple urine test leads to more accurate diagnoses, fewer false-positive results. – An experimental biomarker test developed by researchers at the University of Michigan more accurately detects prostate cancer than any other screening method currently in use, according to a study published in the February 1 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

27% lower mortality in top hospitals, finds HealthGrades

Hospital quality gap persists, resulting in 171,424 preventable deaths, according to HealthGrades’ Sixth Annual Hospital Quality and Clinical Excellence study. – Patients treated at top-rated hospitals in US are nearly one-third less likely to die, on average, than those admitted to all other hospitals, according to a study released by HealthGrades (Nasdaq: HGRD), the leading independent healthcare ratings organization.

3 m birds culled in West Bengal, India

Nearly 3 million birds culled in most of the 13 Bird flu affected districts of West Bengal, India.
– Nearly 3 million birds culled in most of the 13 Bird flu affected districts of West Bengal, India. Animal Resources Development Minister Anisur Rahaman told PTI in Berhampore that 27 lakh birds had been culled and the remaining one lakh would be destroyed by today.