Exciting New Strategies to Tackle Diseases

Exciting new strategies to tackle diseases is on the anvil , courtesy the efforts of an international team of academics. 
They have also announced the potential for more targeted treatments following their identification of proteins that play a vital role in the life of a human cell.
The teams are from the Centre for Molecular Biology at the University of Heidelberg and from the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Leicester.
"Our study describes novel and important insights into a key process involved in cell division. This work suggests novel approaches to the targeted treatment of cancer, " Nature quoted Professor Elmar Schiebel, who led the study from the University of Heidelberg, as saying.
Professor Andrew Fry, who led the University of Leicester team, added: "This is an exciting new development that offers potential for finding news ways of inhibiting unregulated cell division which is a characteristic of cancer and we are already working with colleagues in Newcastle and London to develop this research."
The scientists investigated the processes involved in cell division, which led to their identification of a new potential breakthrough.
Fry explained: "When cells divide they must accurately separate their genetic material on a scaffolding structure called the mitotic spindle. As cells divide in two, the mitotic spindle scaffold has two poles, or ends, to which the genetic material, carried on chromosomes, must separate.
"The poles of the spindle are generated by a pair of structures called centrosomes, which are normally held in close proximity in cells, but which at the start of cell division move to opposite ends of the cell. Failure of centrosome separation blocks division of cells and can ultimately lead to cell death.
Source:MedIndia

 

GPC to make registration process of pharmacists online

Come January, the Gujarat Pharmacy Council is all set to introduce online registration of pharmacists in the state in an attempt to ease the months-long process.

The online facility has come has a major relief for the pharmacists, who otherwise have to come to Ahmedabad to apply for the posts.

The new facility will also reduce the waiting period for issuing registration numbers to 15 days from 45 to 60 days for the candidates who have studied in Gujarat.

The waiting period for candidates who have studied outside the state has also been reduced to 15 days, which was four to six months previously. GPC president Pradip Trivedi said Gujarat is the first state in the country to have the facility. Around 90 per cent of the infrastructure is ready and rest will be completed very soon.

He said that pharmacists so far faced a lot of problems while collecting registration forms from the GPC’s office and then submitting it back. But now, the candidates will have to appear before the council only once after completing all the formalities.Trivedi added that the council is planning to set up a Drug Information Centre , which will provide authentic information on drugs and its side effects.

Source:Indian Express

Smoking In Pregnancy May Be Linked to Babies Who Grow Up As Criminal Offenders

Mothers who didn't give up smoking when pregnant, a new study has pointed out, are more likely to have kids who grow up to become repeat criminal offenders. 
The findings held true even after other factors statistically associated with criminal behaviour - mental illness and deprivation - were ruled out, the study found.Experts found an increased risk for women who smoked 20 or more cigarettes a day during pregnancy.
The researchers reviewed the health and criminal records of almost 4,000 American adults aged between 33 and 40 years old, who were part of a long-term health study in Rhode Island designed to track the long-term effects on children of conditions during pregnancy and around birth.
Information was collected about the smoking habits of the mothers, who were enrolled in the study between 1959 and 1966, during pregnancy.
In 1999/2000, when their children were aged at least 33, criminal record checks were carried out on the offspring.
The results showed that those children whose mothers smoked heavily were 30 percent more likely to have been arrested as those whose mothers never smoked, and were more likely to be repeat criminal offenders.
The findings were the same for both men and women.
"While we cannot definitively conclude that maternal smoking during pregnancy (particularly heavy smoking) is a causal risk factor for adult criminal offending, the current findings do support a modest causal relationship," concluded the researchers.
The study appears in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Source-ANI

 
 

Scientists Say Solar Cells Could be Used to Treat Cancer Effectively

New solar cell-powered cancer therapies are being developed that could make treatment faster, less painful and more effective. 
The new solar cells are similar to the black silicon panels that cover rooftops and harvest electricity from sunlight, yet are far smaller -- tiny enough that the human eye cannot see them unaided, reports Discovery News.The new microscopic solar cells absorb certain colors of light, like red, that can penetrate the skin and several inches of flesh. That light energy is then converted into electrical energy.
The electricity allows the scientists to impart a charge, either negative or positive. The microscopic solar cells would be coated with a drug that also has a charge, either positive or negative.
If both the solar cell and the drug end up with the same charge, the drug is pushed away from the solar cell and into the tumor, where it does its job.
Unlike other proposed targeted therapies using nanoparticles, which are coated with antibodies that recognize and stick to tumors, the new solar cells would be dispersed through the entire body. A few of them would eventually find their way to the tumor.
Source:MedIndia



 

Dr Naram to be Honored with Knight of Charity

With so many lives around the world being transformed and saved by Dr. Pankaj Naram, world-renowned Siddha Veda Master, the Ecumenical Medical-Humanitarian Order will give him their highest honor, and induct him into the Knights of St John of Jerusalem (“Knights of Charity”) on November 14th 2010 for his work of healing and lifting humanity.Dr. Pankaj Naram is best known for helping and healing over One Million people from more than 108 countries, including many noted individuals (such as the Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa, and a number of heads of state worldwide). Dr. Naram is a super-specialist in helping people overcome common and rare conditions, including Arthritis, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Asthma, Psoriasis, Depression, Anxiety, Phobias, Cancer, HIV, Heart Problems, Stroke, Ulcerative Colitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Obesity, Skin Issues, Hair Loss, Kidney Problems, ADD, ADHD, Autism.What not many people know about Dr. Naram is how many humanitarian projects he sponsors, including:Over 350 HIV patients are being treated in India, free of charge. Their treatment includes all Ancient Secrets Herbal Formulas, laboratory testing and necessary Panchakarma treatments. Having heard of Dr. Naram’s success in treating HIV patients, Mother Teresa approached him and asked for his assistance in creating an HIV hospital. Unfortunately, Mother Teresa passed away before this dream could be realized but Dr. Naram’s work carries on.Dr. Naram works directly with Serving Those Who Serve (www.stws.org), a non-profit organization in New York dedicated to the health and well being of workers and Volunteers who served at Ground Zero and related sites. More than 1000 people exposed to toxins following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 are being treated with the most incredible results. This project was funded by Dr. Naram as gift to the brave men and women who risked their lives to save the lives of others.Three schools providing medical care and education for children with sponsored through Dr. Naram’s Foundation. The students of these schools are trained and integrated into everyday social settings. Many now enjoy a healthy family life and hold regular jobs.Dr. Naram’s love for animals has led to providing thousands with care and treatment and freeing them from pain and discomfort. This has always been a major part of his lineage’s belief system and practice. After learning of the imminent shut down by the order of government due to lack of funds of three veterinary hospitals, Dr. Naram immediately responded by taking over the management and funding of the hospitals, saving the lives of many animals that would have otherwise been put down, due to the closures.Reforestation and replenishing plants and vegetation that are being used to create formulations is another passion of Dr. Naram’s. A substantial amount of funding has always been delegated to reforestation projects.“After having traveled the world, knowing healers from so many traditions, I can say Dr. Naram is the most powerful healer I have ever met.” ~Joseph Sugarman, Author and President of multiple companies that focus on health & longevity.

Source:Ayushakti-usa.com

Invention helps students learn surgical techniques before operating on patients

In the last 50 years, modern medicine has made astounding advances in surgery, yet many of today's veterinary and human medicine students still hone basic surgical and suturing skills on carpet pads and pig's feet before transitioning to a live patient. An invention by Colorado State University veterinarians provides students with artificial body parts that look, feel, behave, and even bleed just like real skin, muscles and vessels.The artificial replicas of sections of human and animal bodies -- such as an abdominal wall -- give students a realistic learning environment that will bridge the gap between classroom lectures and procedures such as surgical cuts and sutures on real human or animal patients."It is a significant, stressful leap for medical and veterinary students from the classroom to the surgery suite," said Dr. Dean Hendrickson, a veterinarian and director of CSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital and one of the inventors. "Industry standards for training sometimes actually teach incorrect techniques, or skills that don't translate into real-world situations, so students don't have the ability to realistically prepare for surgery before a live patient. These artificial simulations help students master their technique, dexterity and confidence before they operate for the first time on a person or someone's pet."The artificial tissues consist of layers of silicone that closely simulate skin, connective tissue and muscle. Built into the silicone are realistically placed and sized "blood vessels" that are connected to an artificial blood source that supplies the tissue with realistic bleeding. For example, students practicing sutures will experience blood coming into a wound or incision from both sides of the tissue at realistic locations and rates.Some models are colored realistically, such as a brown-skinned abdominal wall of a horse, with white layers and red layers representing muscles and tissues. However, students also may use simulated tissue in translucent material so they can better view and understand, for example, suture patterns from a three-dimensional perspective while learning correct stitches."Our hope is that, with this model, we can begin to help students build better skills that will make for better outcomes," said Dr. Fausto Bellezzo, a co-creator of the technology with Hendrickson. Bellezzo is also a veterinarian and researcher at CSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.The creators are working with CSU Ventures to identify investors and partners to advance development of the model for teaching animal and human medicine. CSU Ventures is a subsidiary corporation of the Colorado State University Research Foundation, a private, non-profit foundation that helps the university move technologies from the university into the commercial sector. The foundation has filed a provisional patent for the technology.

Source:Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News

Binge Drinking Fuels Male Impulsive Behavior

A new study has found that adolescents into binge drinking are more likely to engage in risk-taking behavior.
It is already known that impulsive behavior is caused by acute ingestion of alcohol, but new finding suggests that it may increase the level over a time.The researchers believe that adolescence is also a time when many individuals begin to drink, which can have serious effects on brain development. 

New research investigating impulsive behavior in male adolescents has indicated that there is a significant trend regarding the amount of alcohol an individual ingests, and changes in levels of impulsive behavior that follow. 
"Heavy alcohol use in adolescence may lead to alterations in brain structure and function that reduce behavioral (impulse) control, which could, in turn, promote further heavy drinking. We chose boys because they tend to drink heavier than girls during adolescence, and adolescent boys generally exhibit less impulse control than adolescent girls," said the first author of the study, Helene R. White, professor of sociology at the Center of Alcohol Studies at Rutgers University. 
The study involved annually following more than 500 first grade boys from the City of Pittsburgh public schools until age 20, with another follow up four to five years later. The researchers used questionnaires and interviews to obtain data regarding the subject's drinking and impulsive behavior, so they could determine if there was a correlation between the two.

 

 

High-level international body founded to promote traditional Chinese medicine

The International Alliance of Chinese Medicine was founded in Beijing Friday to develop and promote traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).Professor Cao Hongxin, president of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, was elected president of the alliance comprising almost 100 leading TCM experts from 20 countries.The alliance would be dedicated to improving high-level and all-around exchanges and cooperation in TCM, so as to promote the international status of TCM, said Cao at the founding ceremony.Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's legislature, said at the ceremony that he expected members of the alliance to make achievements by sharing resources and cooperation.Zhou said China would develop TCM amid ongoing reform of the national health care system.TCM generally refers to the comprehensive Chinese medical system based on the body's balance and harmony. Among the components of TCM are acupuncture, diet, herbal and nutritional therapy, physical exercise, and remedial massage.As a sign of the world's growing acceptance of TCM, acupuncture and moxibustion were inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Tuesday by UNESCO.TCM is widely used in China, and policy-makers are promoting TCM to reduce burdensome medical costs and allow universal access to health care.However, the share of TCM in the global medical market, which is dominated by Western medicine, remains low.

Source:Xinhua

3000 students to perform yoga

Over 3,500 students from across state will perform yoga as part of the Khel Mahakumbh celebrations to be held at Police Stadium here in city on Saturday. Of these, 2,500 students are from Ahmedabad while the rest have come from cities like Rajkot, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Surat and Limdi. "It will be a great event," said district education officer of Ahmedabad RI Patel. 
According to officials, the children have been given special training in yoga poses for 15 days. They will perform 18 yoga poses as part of the celebrations. Of the participants, 100 students have already participated in international yoga events. A yoga pyramid as well as postures on the mal-khambha are highlights of the show. In all, 38 different varieties of the yoga postures will be demonstrated. 
 Source:TNN

Centre for Research in Indian System of Medicine (CRISM) has been set up at the University of Mississippi, USA.

An International Cooperation (IC) Scheme has been implemented since the IX Plan for the promotion of AYUSH across the globe. The scheme has seven components as under:

(i) International exchange of experts & Officers. 

(ii) Incentive to drug manufacturers, entrepreneurs, AYUSH institutions etc. for international propagation of AYUSH and registration of their products by USFDA/EMEA/UK-MHRA for exports. 

(iii) Support for international market development and AYUSH promotion-related activities. 

(iv) Promotion of Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani and Yoga abroad through young Post Graduates. 

(v) Translation and publication of AYUSH books in foreign languages. 

(vi) Establishment of AYUSH information Cells/Health Centers in Indian Embasies/Missions and in the Cultural Centers set up by ICCR in foreign countries and deputation of experts. 

(vii) International Fellowship Programme for foreign nationals for undertaking AYUSH courses in premier institutions in India. 

Some of the major activities undertaken by the Department under the aforesaid scheme are as follows:- 

A Centre for Research in Indian System of Medicine (CRISM) has been set up at the University of Mississippi, USA. The Deparment had organized/supported conferences on Indian System of Medicine in Hungary, Germany, Slovenia, Malaysia, Korea, South Africa and Australia. Ayurveda experts have been deputed to give lectures in US Medical schools and Bulgaria. An AYUSH information cell has been set up in Malaysia. 

The Government of India has signed an MoU with the Government of Malaysia on 27.10.2010. The salient features of the MoU alongwith the areas of cooperation identified are as follows:- 

(i) Cooperation in the promotion of development Traditional medicines in the two countries’ health care systems. 

(ii) Promotion of cooperation in teaching, practice, drugs and drugless therapies of traditional medicine, mutual recognition of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Malaysian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. 

This information was given by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha today. 

Karnataka Ayurveda University gets Centre’s nod

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Thursday said that the cabinet would discuss the location for an Ayurveda University in the state.Speaking at an event related to the fourth international Ayurveda Congress and Argogya Expo, he said the Central government had approved the state’s proposal for setting up of the varsity.Union minister for medical education SA Ramadass said that the proposal had been pending for five years.“The Rajiv Gandhi University for Health Sciences already has a department for Ayurveda. This will, however, be the first time that an entire university would be dedicated to Ayurveda,” said Ramadass.He added that Rs2 crore has been allocated for the Ayurveda Congress, starting on December 9.
Source:DNA

Masala dosha

Ayurveda is all about leading a balanced life, in harmony with changing climates. The three factors 

that rule your well-being are what, when and how you eat, so that your doshas are in harmony. 

The revered Ayurvedic text Charaka Samita describes three biological humors or psycho physiological energies called doshas which make up one’s constitution: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Together, the doshas orchestrate all the activities occuring within us. People with more Vata in their constituents are generally thin with slender frames and prominent structure where as people with Kapha dosha tend to be on the heavier side.Each person has a combination of two doshas and when one  becomes more dominant than the other, it creates problems. “According to Ayurveda, the food should have six essential tastes — sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent and astringent. But the amount will differ from one dosha to another," says Dr Prashant of Birla Kerala aidyashala and lists certain super foods.
Pitta
Tell-tale signs:  If you are feeling constantly irritable, impatient and have constant acidity problem, stress may not be the culprit. If you are becoming increasingly intolerant and constantly feeling thirsty, you need to pacify your Pitta.
Diet:  To balance the liquid nature of Pitta, have more dry foods. Have less salty, pungent and sour tasting foods.
Ghee is said to have cooling effect on the mind and body. Cooling foods such as milk, coconut and sweet, juicy fruits, especially pear can calm a fiery pitta. Dry cereals, granola and rice cakes balance the liquid nature of Pitta. Have more leafy greens, cauliflower, bitter gourd, carrots. Sweet lassi will enhance digestion.
vata
Tell-tale signs:  It is time to calm your Vata if your bowel movements are restricted and sleep eludes you. If you are worried or anxious and feel tired all the time, stop having raw and cold foods.
People with Vata dosha are more prone to catching cold.
Diet:  To balance the cold and dry nature of Vata, include foods that are warm, liquid or oily in your daily diet. Include sweet, sour and salty tastes in your diet daily. Have less of the bitter, pungent and astringent tastes.
Add some ghee (clarified butter) to your foods. Avoid too many dry foods such as crackers, dry cold cereals.Milk and diary products are beneficial. Soak ten almonds overnight and have it in the early morning. Most spices are warming and enhance digestion, so cook with a combination of spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, dried ginger, black pepper.
Kapha
Tell-tale signs: If you are gaining weight easily and feeling sluggish all the time and your skin and scalp are oilier than usual, your Kapha must be dominant. Since Kapha is a combination of earth and water, the metabolic fire is low, leading to sluggishness.
Diet: If you need to balance Kapha, steaming foods and sautéing it in very little ghee is ideal. The three tastes that help balance Kapha are pungent, bitter and astringent, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Eat less of the salty, sweet and sour tastes. Avoid too many oily foods. Have rice gruel with diced vegetables. Stay away from too much salt. Eat snacks in moderation and avoid sugary snacks though honey is beneficial.
Choose lighter whole grains like barley. Grains such as rice or wheat, eat very small quantities should be had in moderation. Drink lassi infused with digestion-enhancing spices and herbs with lunch. Ginger rekindles the metabolic fire. So does garlic and ajwain.
Source:Mumbai Mirror

Magic of Yoga Shared by Yoga Master at Oz Yoga Aid Challenge

A yoga master revealed the magic of yoga at the Yoga Aid Challenge in Brisbane's Botanic Gardens. 
Simon Borg-Oliver, 50, an internationally trained yoga teacher, performed many twists, turns and folds that left more than 150 yoga enthusiasts, who were present there, in awe.One of his most awkward positions involved balancing on his head with his feet touching his head.
And he revealed that the secret to good yoga is to never over-strain.
"There's a lot of things that people do wrongly in exercise but it's important to build strength and flexibility without strain," the Courier Mail quoted him as advising.
The Brisbane event was part of the Yoga Aid Challenge where thousands of yogis joined together nationally to raise money for various charities.
Source-ANI
 

Michelle Obama Enjoys Ayurvedic Treatment While in India

First Lady Michelle Obama recently enjoyed a rare treat while she and President Obama were in India for a three-day visit. The first lady was looking forward to receiving an authentic ayurveda massage specially prepared for her by some of India’s top ayurveda specialists, and to emerging feeling several years younger.Ayurveda is the natural system of holistic health that originated in India thousands of years ago, and is, according to the World Health Organization, the oldest continuously practiced system of health care in the world.“Ayurveda promotes reducing the effects of stress on mind and body through health-promoting therapies including massage, good eating habits, balanced daily routine, yoga, meditation and a seasonal cleansing program known as panchakarma, which is recommended once a year or at the change of seasons. Panchakarma helps reduce the buildup of stress-related biochemicals and environmental toxins in the body believed to play a role in the development of ill health and to contribute to the adverse affects of aging,” says Karin Pirc, MD, PhD, a European physician practicing ayurveda for more than 20 years, and author of several publications on the benefits of ayurveda for everyday modern life. Pirc is currently visiting the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center in Lancaster, Massachusetts from Germany where she and her husband Lothar Pirc founded the award-winning Ayurveda Health Center in Bad Ems in 1993.“Many of these ancient ayurvedic recommendations are becoming popular in the United States, ranging from the simple things your grandmother would have told you such as 'early to bed and early to rise' or 'drink a cup of plain hot water a day,' to the more specialized and highly customized in-residence cleansing programs. A rapidly growing number of Westerners are finding the holistic ayurveda approaches to be effective ways to maintain the body’s youth, resilience and promote health, longevity and well-being.” says Andrea York, director of public relations at the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center Lancaster.

Source:http://www.skininc.com/

Yoga: Helps to kids fighting with cancer?

As a nurse, Casey Hooke has seen how kids can struggle after cancer treatment. They may have trouble sleeping and keeping their balance, or suffer from fatigue and anxiety.

Now she has a theory about how to help them: yoga.

Starting next year, Hooke will invite 48 children who have finished cancer treatment to take part in a six-week yoga class as part of a research study at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

"There's a huge body of work about the health benefits of yoga," said Hooke. Last spring, she learned about a study showing that yoga helped adult cancer survivors with sleep and fatigue problems.

"I thought, 'Well, why don't we try that with children?'" she said.

It's well-known, Hooke said, that people who survive childhood cancer tend to have higher rates of fatigue and sleep problems than others, even years after treatment. At the same time, chemotherapy can cause balance problems, she said, because of its effect on nerves.

She thinks that yoga, with its focus on breathing, stretching and meditation, can help all those areas, as well as with an overall "sense of wellness."

Some months ago, Hooke and her colleagues decided to test the water with a small study of "Peaceful Play Yoga." They invited hospitalized children and teenagers to take a single yoga class along with their parents, and they measured their anxiety levels before and after class. The kids showed no difference, but the teenagers and parents had "significant decreases in anxiety," according to the study published earlier this year.

Last month, Hooke won a $40,000 grant to expand the study, thanks to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, which raises money for research on children's cancer.

Hooke said she's delighted by the award. "I've taken yoga classes, and I think just the health benefits, both physically and mentally, are really great for everyone," she said, "and for our patients." For more information, call 612-813-6972.

By Maura Lerner Source: Star Tribune

GLIMPSES OF AYUSH DARPAN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2010

Kshar Sutra therapy ridding people of painful ailments

While the leech therapy is gaining popularity at the BHU, the Kshar Sutra therapy (an ayurvedic therapy for correcting ano-rectal ailments involving threads made of alkaline extracts of medicinal plant) is also gaining ground at the varsity. 
The success of the therapy led to the establishment of a national resource centre for Kshar Sutra at the faculty of ayurveda, BHU. 
The therapy is also witnessing a steady support of patients suffering from painful and chronic ano-rectal ailments like piles. 
"We are improving the infrastructural facilities at the centre and soon it would begin conducting research activities and offering patient-care and support services to make Kshar Sutra therapy more popular in the country," said M Sahu, coordinator, national resource centre for Kshar Sutra, BHU. The growing number of patients visiting the OPD and requesting for the therapy to get rid of painful ano-rectal ailments testifies people's faith in traditional medicine system, he added. 
It may be mentioned here that the therapy besides effectively treating ano-rectal ailments has also been found effective in the treatment of chronic wounds that need surgery. The technique not only reduces pain and bleeding during the surgery, but the healing properties of thread prepared from alkaline extracts of aparmarga (a medicinal plant) also enables speedy healing and recuperation from the painful conditions. 
Source:TNN
 

Garlic Can Help Treat High Blood Pressure

A new study has suggested that garlic may be useful in addition to medication to treat high blood pressure.
As part of the research, Australian doctors enrolled 50 patients in a trial to see if garlic supplements could help those whose blood pressure was high, despite medication.

Garlic supplements have previously been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce high blood pressure in those with untreated hypertension.
In the latest study, researchers from the University of Adelaide, Australia, looked at the effects of four capsules a day of a supplement known as aged garlic for 12 weeks.
They found systolic blood pressure was around 10mmHg lower in the group given garlic compared with those given a placebo.
"Garlic supplements have been associated with a blood pressure lowering effect of clinical significance in patients with untreated hypertension," the BBC quoted researcher Karin Ried as saying.
"Our trial, however, is the first to assess the effect, tolerability and acceptability of aged garlic extract as an additional treatment to existing antihypertensive medication in patients with treated, but uncontrolled, hypertension."
Experts say garlic supplements should only be used after seeking medical advice, as garlic can thin the blood or interact with some medicines.
The study has been reported in the journal Maturitas.
Source-ANI
 
 

Honey & clove aid Nitish voice

No sore throats, please, because the most challenging task before star campaigners is to ensure that their throat is all right. "After all it is 'gala' (throat) that matters in electioneering," said chief minister Nitish Kumar. 
Being the star campaigner of JD(U), Nitish Kumar has addressed more than 280 election meetings across 243 assembly constituencies since October 8. He will finally close his campaign on November 20 at Dumraon. By that time he is expected to touch the 300 figure. 
During these 40 days he took a break for only three days and that, too, because of Chhath. He campaigned on Diwali and will address a few meetings on Bakrid. 
"I used all pathies — allopathy, homoeopathy, naturopathy and ayurveda to keep my throat healthy. I also take honey and herbs, including clove. It helps me a lot," said Nitish, who is the son of an ayurveda practitioner. "I know some ayurveda drugs and herbs which suite me." 
He refused to give credit to any particular doctor for his almost "perfect throat". A doctor tried to take credit, but Nitish snubbed him, "Sorry. It was not your medicine alone. I used several things to keep fit during this crucial period." 
The microphone, however, plays a key role in the health of the throat. "If the mike is all right then I speak without any strain. But if the mike is bad, it puts much pressure and I have to speak loudly. Otherwise I don't speak loudly. Only those who have nothing to prove speak loudly," he said, hinting at his rival and RJD supremo, Lalu Prasad, who loves thundering over the microphone. 
Nitish addressed, on an average, eight election meetings every day. "I started with seven meetings for a few days and then graduated to nine without a break. Chhath was the only time when I suspended campaigning for three days," he said. 
For the past 40 days, Nitish's schedule was marked by a rush to the hanger and then flying out to different assembly constituencies and returning home only after sunset. Initially, he camped in Madhepura, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur and carried on his campaign from there. Among his companions were one of the two Sanjays — Sanjay Kumar Singh of JD(U) or Sanjay Jha of BJP, both MLCs. 
Everyday, Nitish spoke for around two hours at meetings. Some halts were not more than 15 minutes. He would take generous sips of tea as the hot beverage is believed to work wonders for the throat. 
"In this election Laluji could not find an issue and throughout he tried explaining his position and regrets for past mistakes. He tried to make some new points. But they backfired like the motorcycle to students or 'ghunghroo' for him," Nitish said. 
In no time Nitish started making a parody of these two points and Lalu stopped repeating them. "Later on I also avoided referring to them but the crowd would ask me to speak about motorcycle and ghungroo. It is at their prodding that I keep on telling them to give ghungroo to Lalu and vote to me!" he said with a guffaw.
Source:TNN
 

Maharashtra Doc Removes 1.72 Lakh Kidney Stones from Single Patient

A doctor in Maharashtra entered the Guinness Book of World Records for removing the most number of kidney stones from a single patient back in December last year with the total number of kidney stones documented as 1.72 lakh.
Forty five year old Dhanraj Wadile, who runs a paan shop in Shahada town in Dhule district experienced severe abdominal pains for more than six months even after taking a number of medications. He then approached Dr Ashish Rawandale-Patil at Tejnaksh Healthcare's Institute of Urology where it was found that he had Pelvi-Ureteric Junction obstruction of the left kidney.
Rawandale-Patil then decided to operate on Wadile to remove the huge number of renal stones and had to call in a diamond worker in order to accurately count the exact number of stones removed.
He then contacted the Guinness Book of World Records who requested the details of the operation before confirming that Rawandale-Patil had indeed created a record with the total number of stones removed.
“I got the hard copy of the certificate only a couple of days back. This is an important milestone for me and my institute. It is the combined effort of my team that could take this small town to an international level”, he said. 
Source;MedIndia

  

Body's 24-hour Clock Influences Depression

Depression is associated with a molecular-level disturbance in the body's 24-hour clock, new research has suggested. 
Scientists examined genes that regulate circadian rhythm in people with and without a history of depression. As a group, those with a history of depression had a higher level of activity of the so-called Clock gene, which has a role in regulating circadian rhythm, than did people with no mood disorders."If we look at people who have depression, they can have very different groups of symptoms. So if some of them have a biological profile that shows circadian dysfunction, there is a chance that a circadian type of treatment might be more helpful for them than for others," said Jean-Philippe Gouin, a graduate student in psychology at Ohio State University.
The researchers collected blood samples from, and conducted interviews with, 60 people: 25 who were providing at least five hours of care per week for a family member with dementia and 35 non-caregiving controls with similar demographic characteristics. Thirty participants had a lifetime history of depression, while the other 30 had never been clinically depressed.

Source:MedIndia


 

Homeopathy beneficial during Arthritis

University of Southampton scientists have revealed that rheumatoid arthritis can be controlled by using 

homeopathic medicines.

In 1796, Samuel Hahneman, a German physician, was the first to suggest the use of Homeopathy as an alternative medicine.

The research team found that just with in a six months time, arthritis patients had been significantly benefitted by the use of Homeopathy medicines in addition to their earlier treatments.

The study has been conducted on 83 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr Sarah Brien, a senior research fellow in complementary medicine at the University of Southampton, quoted that, "Homeopathic consultations differ from those in conventional medicine in that homeopaths focus on treating the patient, whereas conventional doctors tend to treat the illness." And added that "What we don't yet know is if it is possible to introduce some of the techniques or approaches used within these consultations into conventional medicine."

The study has been published in the journal Rheumatology, yesterday.

The authors suggested that "talking and listening" to patients had significantly improved their health as the patients who had five consolations with a doctor have shown significant improvement while the same treatment has been prescribed to others having no consolation with the doctor.

Source:Health Research TNM