India-China Joint Medical Mission

India-China Joint Medical Mission will offer free consultations to several poor areas in the two nations India and China. – A joint Medical Mission from India and China will offer free consultations to several poor areas in the two nations under an MoU signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit.

Bird flu spreading in West Bengal, India

Bird flu continued to spread in West Bengal on Thursday as three more districts of the state reported poultry deaths. – As per latest information received, a total mortality of 61,075 poultry birds has been reported from Birbhum, Dakshin Dinajpur and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal, India.

Use OTC cough and cold products with care

US FDA strongly recommends that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used for infants and children under 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects could occur. – US health agency FDA is recommending that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur from such use. OTC cough and cold products include decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines, and antitussives (cough suppressants) for the treatment of colds.

Osteoporosis drugs increase bone necrosis risk

FDA is highlighting the possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint, and/or muscle (musculoskeletal) pain in patients taking bisphosphonates. – A popular class of osteoporosis drugs, bisphosphonates nearly triples the risk of developing bone necrosis, a condition that can lead to disfigurement and incapacitating pain, revealed by researchers in a study. The research conducted by reasearchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Canada.

Enbrel, etanercept improved psoriasis in children and adolescents

Etanercept (Enbrel) significantly reduces psoriasis disease severity in children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. – A Phase 3 study showed that children and adolescents with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who received treatment with Enbrel experienced significant improvements in the signs and symptoms of their disease psoriasis.

Childhood asthma from mothers stress

Maternal distress in early life plays a role in the development of childhood asthma, especially if distress continues beyond the postpartum period. – Evidence is emerging that exposure to maternal distress in early life plays a causal role in the development of childhood asthma. Children whose mothers are chronically stressed during their early years have a higher asthma rate than their peers, regardless of their income, gender or other known asthma risk factors.

Selective reporting of antidepressant trials may have adverse consequences

Evidence-based medicine is valuable to the extent that the evidence base is complete and unbiased. Selective publication of clinical trials ? and the outcomes within those trials ? can lead to unrealistic estimates of drug effectiveness and alter the apparent risk?benefit ratio. – Selective publication in reporting results of antidepressant trials exaggerates the effectiveness of the drugs, and may have adverse consequences for researchers, study participants, health care professionals, and patients, revealed in a new study.

Exercise may benefit older breast cancer survivors

An Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute study will evaluate the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise and resistance training for breast cancer survivors who are at least two years post-treatment with chemotherapy or radiation. – An Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute study is examining different forms of exercise for women older than 65 who have had breast cancer. Different exercises may benefit older breast cancer survivors.

Genetic testing can gauge prostate cancer risk

Five genetic variants and a family history accounted for almost half (46 percent) of prostate cancer patients. Researchers identified five genetic locations associated with risk of developing prostate cancer: three on chromosome 8q24, one on chromosome 17q12 and one on 17q24.3. – Genetic testing of DNA in a blood sample can determine which men are likely to develop prostate cancer, as five genetic variants previously associated with prostate cancer risk have a strong cumulative effect.

Genetically modified carrots provide more calcium for osteoporosis patients

Genetically modifying carrots to express increased levels of a gene that enables the transport of calcium across membranes of plant cells can make the vegetables a better source of calcium. – A specially developed carrot has been produced to help people absorb more calcium. Researchers studied the calcium intake of humans who ate the carrot and found a net increase in calcium absorption. Adding this carrot to the diet can help prevent such diseases as osteoporosis.

Health Newstrack