Biomedical research and Education

Recent new drug approvals

2013-02-21T07:30:00.002+05:30

1. Icosapent ethyl (Vascepa) Indication: Adjunct to diet to reduce triglyceride (TG) levels in adult patients with severe (≥500mg/dL) hypertriglyceridemia. Pharmacology: Icosapent ethyl is an ethyl ester of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Studies suggest that eicosapentaenoic acid reduces hepatic very low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (VLDL-TG) synthesis and/or

Antibacterial activity of Nigella sativa seed in various germination phases on clinical bacterial strains isolated from human patients

2013-02-15T11:21:00.001+05:30

See full text of paper on antimicrobial activity of N. sativa in various germination stages against clinical strains. Nigella sativa is an important spice and flavoring agent which is widely used in various European and Asian cuisines. It harbors an array of medicinal properties as shown by various researches. Germination is a phenomenon during which rapid changes in metabolic activities and

Bioethics in India

2012-12-26T22:01:00.001+05:30

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Bioethics among Doctors in a Tertiary Care Government Teaching Hospital in India J Clinic Res Bioeth 2011, 2:118. 0:0, (2011) http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-9627.1000118

Drugs Update

2012-02-17T15:58:00.000+05:30

New drugs approved for marketing in India during November-December 2011 Source: http://cdsco.nic.in Diazinon Flea Drops Spot on Dogs 30.0% w/w For dogs infected with fleas. Cabazitaxel Injection 60mg / 1.5ml In combination with prednisone for treatment of patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostrate cancer previously treated with a

Top News From American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 scientific sessions

2011-06-06T00:57:00.000+05:30

The American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 Scientific Sessions took place in Chicago, Illinois, November 13-17, 2010. Key trials presented at the sessions include:ADVANCE: New LVAD equivalent to HeartMate II, nonrandomized study shows RAFT: CRT shows survival benefit for patients with class 2 and 3 HF who have low EF and wide QRS EMPHASIS-HF: Eplerenone shows large benefits in milder heart failure

Acceptability and safety profile of oral and sublingual misoprostol for uterine evacuation following early fetal demise

2011-05-24T19:39:00.002+05:30

Background: It has been established that sublingual (SL) route of misoprostol has a great potential to be developed for medical abortion, but there is dearth of evidence to reveal satisfaction rate and safety profile among patients of oral and SL routes. Thus, this study was conducted to provide an insight into the acceptability and safety profile of the same. Materials and Methods: A randomized

Promising Therapies in Diabetes Mellitus

2011-05-09T12:41:00.001+05:30

Diabetes mellitus (DM) results from defects in insulin secretion (type 1) or insulin resistance (type 2). Insulin is used to manage type 1 DM, and oral hypoglycemic agents are used to manage type 2 DM. These therapies are inconsistent in maintaining glycemic control and cause some severe adverse effects such as undue weight gain and hypoglycemia. New and appropriate therapies are needed to

Measures of Obesity

2011-03-10T00:25:00.000+05:30

There are several measures of obesity. Each has its own strengths and limitations. The gold standard is dual-energy X-ray absorption (DEXA). Body mass index (BMI) is calculated as mass (kg) per height2 (m2). Waist circumference is widely thought to be a better indicator of cardiovascular risk than BMI, although some studies have shown them to be equally predictive. Other measures include the

Key findings from American Heart Association (AHA) 2010 scientific sessions

2010-12-09T17:53:00.002+05:30

Some drug interactions

2010-12-07T12:05:00.000+05:30

Questioner: Edie Question: My 85 year old mother has been taking some form of sleeping pills for the past 50 years the last 20 years at least has been restoral she is prescribed 30 mg. (there is times she binges and takes 2 pills a night) She also takes Xanax, Tylenyol with Codeine. Should someone her age (or any age) be taking this much medication. She has recently started drinking again.

Patient of prostatitis due to E.coli not responding to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and doxycycline

2010-11-19T11:14:00.000+05:30

Questioner: Wong Question- I have been diagonsed with prostatitis. The offending organism is E.coli. I have been treated with Ciprofloxacin for 7 days and levofloxacin for 6 weeks with no improvement in symptoms. A later culture and sensitivity test showed that the bacteria is resistant to ciprofloxacin. Then I tried doxycycline for a month with no improvement. I asked my doctor to test other

New molecular entities (NMEs) approved in 2010

2010-11-17T23:36:00.000+05:30

Asenapine (Saphris, Merck & Co., Inc.) Bepotastine (Bepreve, ISTA Pharmaceuticals) Dronedarone (Multaq, Sanofi-aventis) Liraglutide (Victoza, Novo Nordisk) Tocilizumab (Actemra, Genentech) Ustekinumab (Stelara, Centocor Ortho Biotech) For details see http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/731720 New Drug Review 2010Jack DeRuiter, PhD; Pamela L. Holston, RPh, BS, BAPosted: 11/10/2010; US Pharmacist ©

Onabotulinumtoxin A for Migraine

2010-11-03T19:57:00.000+05:30

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox; Allergan Inc) for headache prophylaxis in patients with adult chronic migraine who suffer headaches on 15 or more days per month, each lasting more than 4 hours. To treat chronic migraine, onabotulinumtoxinA is given approximately every 12 weeks as multiple injections around the head and neck. The recommended

Which is more important for universities and colleges-Teaching or Research?

2010-11-02T15:25:00.000+05:30

In universities here, research is the main criterion for appointment as well as promotion and good researchers generally pay less attention to teaching. However, I feel one cannot remain abreast with recent developments in the field without being involved in research and the teaching will be very dogmatic. Also, only researchers can infuse a spirit of enquiry and innovation in their students.So,

Fish oil: benefits versus harms

2010-10-31T08:23:00.000+05:30

There are reports about prooxidant effects and aging accelerating effects of fish oils. Whatever we ingest has benefits as well as harms and we have to weigh the two. In case of fish oil, the benefits far outweigh the harms. 0.5-1.8 g/day is the recommended dose for healthy people. Higher doses will be harmful. See http://healthyomega3.com/fish-oil-dosage/

Great advice on how to help your child (and yourself) sleep well

2010-10-31T07:21:00.001+05:30

Excerpts from 'The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers' by Elizabeth Pantley Gentle Ways to Stop Bedtime Battles and Improve Your Child's Sleep The following sleep ideas are of value to almost any sleeper, regardless of age. These tips can bring improvement not only in your child’s sleep, but also in her daytime mood and, last, but certainly not least – improvements in your own

Statistical education and general interest: free resources

2010-09-29T07:37:00.000+05:30

Just came across a great resourse to learn statistics in an interesting way real life situations and examples. 'Statistics for the terrified'.Statistical education and general interest: free resources

The Telegraph - | Nation | Education boost by MCI

2010-09-21T23:11:00.001+05:30

New proposals from MCI have eased norms for new medical colleges to give boost to medical education. 1. Only 10 acre land is required 2. Binary campus allowed where hospital is situated within 5 Kms from teaching block having preclinical departments like pharmacology. 3. Lesser no. of beds required in hospital 4. Govt. can open medical colleges associated with district hospitals The Telegraph -

Effects of glycemic load on metabolic risk markers... [Am J Clin Nutr. 2010] - PubMed result

2010-09-21T21:53:00.001+05:30

A recent study suggests that diet with a decreased Glycemic Load does not ameliorate metabolic risk markers such as fasting plasma glucose, insulin , serum total cholesterol , LDL-cholesterol , HDL-cholesterol ,triacylglycerol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein and prothrombotic plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in

The Limits of Antidepressants: Exploring the Alternatives

2010-09-10T07:15:00.001+05:30

Antidepressants (TCAs as well as SSRIs) have been found to be similar to palcebo in mild to moderate depression. So, what does work for these patients? 1. Fish 2. Exercise 3. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplement 4. To understand their feelings and address unmet needs. Read more: Christiane Northrup, MD: The Limits of Antidepressants: Exploring the Alternatives

Selecting medical students : Need for a change

2010-09-04T22:19:00.001+05:30

Do the medical entrance tests correctly measure a student's ability to become a good doctor? Research shows otherwise. Here are some excerpts from a recent article published in The Lancet. 'performance in the premedical sciences is inversely associated with many of the personal, non-cognitive qualities so central to the art of medicine.'... students' undergraduate science grades and MCAT science

Free online database of ADME, PK, and physicochemical data

2010-09-02T07:15:00.000+05:30

Free online database of marketed drugs ADME, PK, and physicochemical data Aid your drug discovery and development Features Search the database for phys-chem, ADME and PK properties of marketed drugs Free online access via www.cloegateway.com 2D and 3D visualisation tools for viewing the relationships between ADME and physicochemical properties All drugs are classified using the WHO

SciVerse

2010-09-02T06:47:00.000+05:30

Effective August 28, 2010 ScienceDirect, Scopus and the targeted web content from Scirus have been integrated within one platform - SciVerse. (NB All existing URLs will remain active and there will be no interruption of inward or outward links to your subscribed content.) Go to www.sciverse.com to access the SciVerse platform. The home page for SciVerse is the new SciVerse Hub beta from which

Why Starved Flies Need Less Sleep - Science News

2010-09-01T07:13:00.000+05:30

I was wondering how we can do our normal routine work, even more work, in Ramadhan despite getting less than normal sleep. Also how do saints (buzurgs) cope up with less sleep and do a lot of mental work during the day? Here is the research which points to the answer. Fasting and having less food prevents building up of substances that induce sleep. For details see Why Starved Flies Need Less