Army chief, Antony's wife join cancer awareness march |  |
- Army chief, Antony's wife join cancer awareness march
- Reprogramming of diseased cells back into pluripotent stem cells provides model for studying the stages of cancer development
- Deficiency of the Dicer enzyme in retinal cells linked to age-related macular degeneration
- Over 40,000 childhood cancer cases in India every year: Experts
- Delhiites walk to mark cancer day
- Bhopal's nurses call off strike
- Bihar's junior doctors end strike; legislator surrenders
- Chandigarh institute awards degrees to 330 students
- Race on for Chandigarh medical institute's top job
- Help at hand for men with enlarged breasts
| Army chief, Antony's wife join cancer awareness march Posted: 06 Feb 2011 06:09 PM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Feb 6 - A group of children who have survived the deadly cancer took out an awareness march here Sunday, with Defence Minister A.K. Antony's wife Elizabeth and army Chief General Vijay Kumar Singh joining in to express solidarity. General Singh was accompanied by his wife Bharti Singh in the two-km march. The youngest participant and cancer surviving child was two-year-old Himanshu. Organised under the auspices of Indian Cancer Society, the rally witnessed participation from navy and coast guard personnel, National Cadet Corps volunteers and cancer survivors' societies from the capital. Some of the participants include the navy's Chief of Personnel Vice Admiral M.P. Muralidharan, Coast Guard Director General Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chopra, National Defence College Commandant Air Marshal P.K. Roy, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute's A.K. Dewan and D.S. Negi. Over 1,500 children from various schools and colleges in the city joined the march to support the cancer survivors, which also saw Olympian 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh, first Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest Santosh Yadav, Commonwealth Games wrestling gold medalist Sushil Kumar and his Arjuna awardee coach Satpal Singh. The main aim of the walk was to celebrate the undying spirit of cancer survivors as well as spread awareness about cancer amongst People like Us. Slogans like 'There is Life after Cancer', 'Conquest of Cancer by Choice; not Chance' and 'Cancer is Curable' demonstrated the spirit of the walk. The event was sponsored by the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, Indian Navy and the Navy Children's School. Speaking to reporters after presenting a cheque of Rs.50,000 in support of cancer patients, Singh said: 'This is in support of all those fighting against cancer and to express army's solidarity with them.' Elizabeth, a cancer awareness activist, has been running an NGO for the survivors. The armed forces have been, for many years now,... http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Posted: 06 Feb 2011 05:02 PM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) By reprogramming of diseased human bone marrow to become embryonic-like stem cells, a team of Wisconsin scientists has laid the groundwork for observing the onset of the blood cancer leukemia in the laboratory dish. "This is the first successful reprogramming of blood cells obtained from a patient with leukemia," says University of Wisconsin-Madison stem cell researcher Igor Slukvin, who directed a study aimed at generating all-purpose stem cells from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood. "We were able to turn the diseased cells back into pluripotent stem cells. This is important because it provides a new model for the study of cancer cells." The research was reported in the journal Blood (Feb 4) by Slukvin and colleagues from the WiCell Research Institute and the Morgridge Institute for Research, private research centers in Madison. Slukvin's group, using banked healthy and diseased bone marrow and cord blood, employed a technique developed in 2009 by Wisconsin stem cell pioneer James Thomson that sidesteps the problems posed by the genes and viral vectors used to induce mature cells to regress to a stem cell state. According to the new study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and The Charlotte Geyer Foundation, reprogramming blood cells to become induced stem cells is many times more efficient than the reprogramming of skin cells, which were the first mature cells to be guided back to an embryonic stem cell-like state. The new work could open to science vast repositories of banked tissue, both healthy and diseased, such as bone marrow, the soft tissue in bones that helps make blood, and umbilical cord blood. The work could underpin insightful models capable of unmasking the cellular events that go awry and cause cancers such as leukemia, and could aid the development of new stem cell-based therapies, according to Slukvin. Of particular note in the new study, says Slukvin, is the... http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Deficiency of the Dicer enzyme in retinal cells linked to age-related macular degeneration Posted: 06 Feb 2011 04:45 PM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) A team of researchers, led by University of Kentucky ophthalmologist Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, has discovered a molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy, the major cause of untreatable blindness in the industrialized world. Their article, "DICER1 Deficit Induces Alu RNA Toxicity in Age-Related Macular Degeneration," was published online by the journal Nature on Feb. 6 (DOI: 10.1038/nature09830). Concurrent with this discovery, Ambati's laboratory developed two promising therapies for the prevention of the condition. This study also elaborates, for the first time, a disease-causing role for a large section of the human genome once regarded as non-coding "junk DNA." Geographic atrophy, a condition causing the death of cells in the retina, occurs in the later stages of the "dry type" of macular degeneration, a disease affecting some 10 million older Americans and causing blindness in over 1 million. There is currently no effective treatment for geographic atrophy, as its cause is unknown. Ambati's team discovered that an accumulation of a toxic type of RNA, called Alu RNA, causes retinal cells to die in patients with geographic atrophy. In a healthy eye, a "Dicer" enzyme degrades the Alu RNA particles. "We discovered that in patients with geographic atrophy, there is a dramatic reduction of the Dicer enzyme in the retina," said Ambati, professor and vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the Dr. E. Vernon and Eloise C. Smith Endowed Chair in Macular Degeneration Research at the UK College of Medicine. "When the levels of Dicer decline, the control system is short-circuited and too much Alu RNA accumulates. This leads to death of the retina." Alu elements make up a surprisingly large portion — about 11 percent by weight — of the human genome, comprising more than 1 million sequences. However, their function has been unknown, so they have been called "junk" DNA or part of... http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Over 40,000 childhood cancer cases in India every year: Experts Posted: 06 Feb 2011 04:43 PM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Feb 6 - Over 40,000 cases of cancer in children are being reported in India every year, experts said here Sunday, adding that only a fraction of them manage to receive proper treatment. 'The number of cases of childhood cancer is increasing in India. Of the 40,000 that is reported, only 20-30 percent manage to get proper treatment,' senior consultant pediatric oncologist at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute Gauri Kapoor said at the institute's 10th annual conference here. 'Unlike cancer in adults, childhood cancers have a higher cure rate. But, this is only possible if the cancer is diagnosed at the right stage and the child is given right mode of treatment,' added Kapoor. The common cancers among children are acute lymphoblastic leukemia or blood cancer, germ cell tumour, brain tumour and liver and kidney cancer, among others. The annual conference saw participation from over 100 experts from the All Institute of Medical Sciences -, Tata Memorial hospital in Mumbai, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the US, and various other hospitals from across the world. The three-day conference culminated in a 'walk on awareness of childhood cancer' in the central Delhi area Sunday that saw nearly 2,000 people participate. 'The idea is to spread awareness on children who have survived the battle of cancer. Once they grow up, they are made to face discrimination due to the existent stigma in the society,' additional secretary of the Indian Cancer Society Jyotsna Govil told IANS. 'The cure rate for childhood cancer is high and we must make an effort to make life easy for these children who have won the battle,' added Govil. The conference also included an interactive workshop of 25 cancer survivors and doctors. 'The need is to develop more on dedicated pediatric oncology units that are equipped with adequate infrastructure and are viable to the masses,' said Kapoor. http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Delhiites walk to mark cancer day Posted: 06 Feb 2011 12:26 PM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Feb 6 - Hundreds of people, including cancer survivors, participated in a walk Sunday to mark World Cancer Day which was observed two days ago. Organsied by NGO CanSupport, the walk aimed to sensitise people about the growing threat of cancer and the need to face this challenge by aiding the growth of services that help people cope with the aftermath. Among those who walked were former US ambassador David Mulford and his wife Jeannie, a cancer survivor; Terhi Hakala, Finland's ambassador and another cancer survivor; Timothy J. Roemer, the present US ambassador and his wife; Mexican ambassador Jaime Nualart; and Syeda Hameed, member of the Planning Commission. Discuss player Krishna Poonia, who won a gold in the October Commonwealth Games, also took part in the walk. 'The kind of work done by organisations like CanSupport in the field of palliative care is commendable. It's good to see people in Delhi turning up in such large numbers,' she said. A special vintage car and a motorbike rally which carried the cancer survivors was one of the attractions of the walk. While most walked through the route in Chanakyapuri in south Delhi, there were others who jogged, driving home the message that exercise helps fight cancer. Reading out a message from Gursharan Kaur, wife of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Harmala Gupta of CanSupport said: 'The time is coming when with the help of science we shall be able to unravel cancer's terrible secrets. 'Till then, let us work together to arm ourselves with information, to create services to help those affected and to reach out with our hearts.' http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Bhopal's nurses call off strike Posted: 05 Feb 2011 12:01 AM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) Bhopal, Feb 5 - In a late night development, the nurses of Bhopal who were on strike along with those of four other medical colleges since the past three days called off their strike Friday after a meeting with health education department officials. The officers, led by principal secretary of health education Indranil Shankar Daani, after meeting a group of nurses also ordered release of 202 nurses who were arrested Thursday and also revoked suspension orders on some, said health department spokesperson Manoj Pathak. On Thursday, 202 nurses were arrested in Bhopal and 14 were suspended when they refused to call off their strike despite the Madhya Pradesh government invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act - to prevent any disruption of health services in the state. Around 3,500 nurses of five medical colleges - one each in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur and Rewa districts - were on an indefinite strike since Wednesday. They were demanding benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, raising their retirement age to 65 years and increasing the stipend given to trainee nurses. The state government invoked ESMA on Tuesday night. However, four other medical colleges nurses are still on strike and it would be interesting to see what step they take Saturday when their colleagues call off their strike unconditionally in the state capital. http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Bihar's junior doctors end strike; legislator surrenders Posted: 04 Feb 2011 09:20 PM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) Patna, Feb 4 - Junior doctors of Bihar's six hospitals ended their indefinite strike Friday after the legislator involved in an attack on medicos surrendered in the court and was sent to judicial custody for 14 days. An official said the strike caused the death of over a dozen patients under treatment, but the government has not confirmed it. Hundreds of junior doctors from six medical colleges were on strike since Monday demanding the arrest of Rashtriya Janata Dal - legislator Surendra Prasad Yadav and the enforcement of the Medical Protection Act. The strike began after three interns of Anugrah Narain Magadh Medical College in Gaya, about 100 km from here, were injured Sunday night when security guards of Yadav fired at them after a scuffle over the treatment of a woman patient. Police have arrested the two bodyguards who fired at the interns. Yadav surrendered in the court and was sent to judicial custody for 14 days Friday. The striking doctors were from the Nalanda, Patna, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Anugrah Narain Magadh medical college hospitals. 'Over a dozen patients have died in the last 24 hours due to lack of doctors and treatment in the hospital,' an official said. The official said that absence of doctors in the emergency wards had led to most of the deaths. However, the government is yet to officially confirm any death due to the doctors' strike. Earlier, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi had appealed to the striking junior doctors to end their agitation and resume work. Negotiations between striking doctors and the authorities had failed Thursday. Most of the wards of the hospitals wore a deserted look as hundreds of patients were forced to shift to private nursing homes. http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Chandigarh institute awards degrees to 330 students Posted: 04 Feb 2011 08:06 PM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) Chandigarh, Feb 4 - Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday gave away degrees to 330 students at the 31st convocation of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research - here. Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav was the chief guest at the convocation. Azad presided over the function held at Bhargava auditorium inside PGIMER premises. Yadav felicitated around 40 meritorious students with gold and silver medals for their outstanding research and academic excellence in different fields of medicine. 'Work is worship. They - have to be very disciplined in their work. They should not run after money but diagnose and treat their patients with dedication... money will automatically run after them. They have to maintain the ethics of this profession,' said Yadav. 'I thank India for its invaluable contribution in Nepal in the fields of education and health. I also appreciate India's continuous contribution in the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences,' said Yadav. Yadav, who turned 63 Friday, did his post-graduation in internal medicine from the PGIMER in 1985. Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil, his Haryana counterpart Jagannath Pahadia, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and various ministers from Punjab and Haryana were present at the convocation function. http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Race on for Chandigarh medical institute's top job Posted: 04 Feb 2011 09:25 AM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) Chandigarh, Feb 4 - Nearly 100 top names from the medical fraternity in the country are likely to be considered for the coveted post of director of the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research - here which falls vacant later this year. Sources in the PGIMER said nearly 100 nominations from leading doctors and top medical institute faculty members are expected as the process for applying for the director's post has already began. 'Thirty-one nominations by universities, medical institutes and colleges and government departments have already been received. More nominations are expected in the next few days,' a senior PGIMER functionary told IANS. Institute Director K.K. Talwar, a leading cardiologist, retires from the post April 30. He has held the post for seven years. Talwar was head of the cardiology department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences -, New Delhi, before he joined the PGIMER in April 2004. The nomination process for the new director has not been without controversy. The PGIMER governing council decided to keep the upper age limit for the director's post at 60 but relaxed the limit for government servants and retired officials. 'Even in AIIMS, the age bar is the same for all categories of candidates. This relaxation seems to have been made keeping in mind the eligibility of certain candidates,' said a faculty member who has applied for the post. Aspirants to the post need to have at least 14 years' teaching and seven years' administrative experience. PGIMER sources said over 25 senior faculty members of the institute were in the race for the director's post. 'There is a growing demand that the next director should be from within PGIMER,' a senior faculty member told IANS. Lobbying for the post is likely to intensify in the coming weeks as the institute's governing body, headed by union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, gets down to finalising the name of the next director. PGIMER... http://www.rxpgnews.com |
| Help at hand for men with enlarged breasts Posted: 04 Feb 2011 08:56 AM PST ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Feb 4 - Men sweat it out in the gym for a V-shaped torso and muscularity, but many are stumped when it comes to dealing with gynecomestia, or enlarged male breasts. Experts say liposuction and gland excision can solve the problem. 'Gynecomastia is associated with hormone fluctuations during puberty and it can also develop due to a variety of medical conditions, including testicular cancer,' Pritam Parichey, president, New Look Cosmetic Laser Center, told IANS. 'During puberty, male bodies produce the female sex hormone estrogen, although in much lower amounts than in women, and excess estrogen levels can cause male breasts to enlarge,' he added. Meenakshi Agarwal, a Mumbai-based cosmetic surgeon, says usually guys feel shy talking about it. 'Men indeed feel uncomfortable and with bulky chests they cannot go swimming or gyming. And youngsters in their teenage are often taunted by their friends which makes them feel awkward. They find it hard to lose their inhibitions,' she said. While most of the time the abnormality subsides naturally as one matures, for some it becomes a permanent problem. For them, liposuction and gland excision become the solution. 'I am getting three to four cases in a month and 15-20 enquiries in a day. They want to have flawless and tight bodies,' said Anup Dhir, a senior consultant at the department of cosmetic surgery, Indraprastha Apollo hospital. From boys as young as 14 to men in their 20s and 30s, many are gradually becoming aware and coming forward with the problem. 'In liposuction, a small incision is made to remove the fat accumulated near the breast area. The procedure hardly takes one or one-and-a-half-hours and the patient can immediately go home after surgery,' said Agarwal. 'After liposuction, the patients are asked to wear compression garments made up of lycra material until the breast gets the desired shape,' she added. During an excision procedure, the incision is made... http://www.rxpgnews.com |
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