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Healthcare online Keeping you up-to-date
VOL.  5     ISSUE:  4    April 26, 2007 Medical Services Department

SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

EDITORIAL

Dear Doctor:

Welcome to this edition of 'e-SQUARE' . Hope you are enjoying this online healthcare bulletin.

Our current issue focused on some interesting features like

"Drug Combo Improves Migraine !", "Blood Molecule Blocks HIV !", "Aspirin Cuts Cancer Risk !", "Breast Cancer Vs Breastfeeding !", "Sperms From Bone Marrow !", "Vaccine Against Hepatitis E !".

In our regular feature, we have some new products information of SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd. as well.

We will appreciate your feedback !

Click on to reply mode.

Yours sincerely,

 

Editorial Team

Reply Mode      : e-square@squaregroup.com

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of its editor or SQUARE PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.

 Drug Combo   Improves Migraine !

 Sumatriptan-Naproxen combination more effective against Acute Migraine Attacks

Researchers have found combination of two different types of medications results better relief from migraine than taking any of the drugs alone. Two studies conducted on a total of 2,956 patients diagnosed as having moderate to severe attacks of migraine at 118 US centers, were randomized to receive a single tablet containing Sumatriptan 85 mg and Naproxen sodium 500 mg combination, Sumatriptan 85 mg (monotherapy), Naproxen Sodium 500 mg (monotherapy) or placebo. The researchers found that Sumatriptan-Naproxen Sodium was more effective than placebo in headache relief, photophobia, phonophobia and nausea at two hours of dosing. The combination was also superior to monotherapy or placebo in 2-24 hours sustained pain-free response. The superior efficacy may be explained by multi-mechanism-targeted therapy to a number of pathogenic mechanisms attributed to migraine symptom complex. Besides, the combination did not show any significant increase in adverse effects. Hence the combined Sumatriptan-Naproxen sodium therapy may be advantageous than monotherapy.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Newswire, April 4, 2007.

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 Blood Molecule Blocks HIV !

Natural Ingredient In Blood Can Effectively Block HIV

German scientists have discovered a natural ingredient in human blood that prevents the HIV-1 virus strain from infecting immune cells. The research team found that fragments of a blood molecule called VIRus-Inhibitory Peptide or VIRIP is effective as a broad based inhibitor of HIV-1 and a few change in the amino acid sequence enhances its anti-retroviral activity against drug-resistant HIV strains. VIRIP specifically targets a conserved region in HIV-1 transmembrane glycoprotein called ‘gp41’, which is normally buried in the viral envelope and becomes exposed when the virus make direct contact with the host cell during entry. There are about 20 different anti-HIV drugs in use and they fall under four main categories based on their mode of action. However, most of the HIV strains are becoming resistant to these drugs with significant increase in resistance among same class of drugs. With a new peptide, that remains active against drug resistant HIV strains, a new class of anti-retroviral drug is likely to emerge.

SOURCE: HealthDay, April 19, 2007.

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 Aspirin Cuts Cancer Risk !

Long-term Daily Adult-strength Aspirin use may lower cancer risk

Researchers at the American Cancer Society report that, a daily aspirin may lower the possibility of colon, prostate or breast cancer in population with high risk of developing these malignancies. Both men and women, who use adult-strength aspirin daily (325 mg) for five or more years, had an overall 15 percent reduction in above mentioned cancer development. However, Aspirin may not have any effect on other cancer types examined, such as lung, bladder, pancreas, kidney, etc. The researchers found a significant 30% lower risk of colorectal cancer and a 20% lower risk of prostate cancer in men. On the other hand, the scientist could not confirm whether the 15% reduced risk of breast cancer in women were by chance or not. In the previous attempts low dose of aspirin could not show such efficacy. Also, those who have used aspirin less than 5 years may not get any benefit. However, recommendation for daily use of high-dose aspirin for preventing cancer is yet to come. Because of several adverse effects, safety of daily aspirin use at high dose for prolonged time is restricted and the researchers recommend a 10 year long follow up to confirm the efficacy first.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Newswire, April 18, 2007.

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 Breast Cancer Vs Breastfeeding !

Breastfeeding offers extensive breast cancer protection especially in aged primipara

Women who have high risk of breast cancer can escape invasive carcinomas at older ages by simply breastfeeding their children. Researchers have found breastfeeding can counteract the higher risk of breast cancer especially in women who got pregnant for the first time after the age of 25. The team studied the data for women aged 55 years or more having invasive breast cancers. And the evidence suggests that women who have children after age 25 can reduce the risk of breast cancer by choosing to breastfed. Previous studies demonstrated that, women who have children before age 25 have an increase protection against breast tumor that express estrogen and progesterone. The recent study denotes, breastfeeding provides protection against both estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and negative tumors. There is a higher risk of developing breast cancer in women who delay having children. As more and more mothers are deciding to have children after the age of 25 years, it is important that they breastfed their babies after birth.

SOURCE: Reuters Health, April 17, 2007.

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 Sperms From Bone Marrow !

Human Bone Marrow Used to Produce Early Stage Sperm Cells

German scientists have announced the production of artificial sperm cells using human bone marrow for the first time ever. A team of scientists took bone marrow from male volunteers and isolated the mesenchymal stem cells and cultured them in the laboratory to direct them into becoming male reproductive cells. The team eventually detected the presence of spermatogonial sperm cells.  These partly developed sperm cells are in the early stages of male germ cells which will eventually develop into mature functional sperms. The research mainly focused on a small population of bone marrow stem cells that could trans-differentiate into pre-reproductive cells. Although, the study did not extend up to full maturation of sperms, previous experiments in mice models have successfully produced matured murine sperms. However, to implement the similar process in human may take another three to five years. Nevertheless, the findings will definitely open up ways to produce sustained sperm production in males who are infertile and are keen to have offspring.

SOURCE: HealthDay, April 13, 2007.

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 Vaccine Against Hepatitis E !

New Vaccine Shows Promise Preventing Hepatitis E

A new vaccine against Hepatitis E virus may safely protect against acute hepatitis E infection. Researchers in Nepal found that the new vaccine was nearly 96 percent effective in preventing Hepatitis E infection. The vaccine was administered in three doses, with the second dose after one month and third dose after 6 months from the first dose of vaccination. Of the 1,794 volunteers, 898 received vaccine and another 896 were placed in placebo group. Hepatitis E developed in 69 people during the study period. Among them sixty-six people were in placebo group and the remaining three from vaccinated group. According to the study the vaccine was 95.5% effective. Hepatitis E is a very common form of viral hepatitis in the South-East Asia region including Bangladesh. Although it is a self-limited illness and most patients recover with no long-term consequences, high morbidity in pregnant women and a mortality rate of 20 percent in their third trimester makes it a serious disease. It is not known when the vaccine will be available for general use, but surely this vaccine will reduce the sufferings of lot of people in the Hepatitis E endemic regions.

SOURCE: HealthDay, March 1, 2007.

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New Products of SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Product Aviflu®
  Generic Name Oseltamivir Phosphate INN
  Strength 75 mg Capsule
  Dosage form Capsule
  Therapeutic Category Systemic Antiviral
  Product Filwel® Kids
Generic Name

Combination of Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, & Nicotinamide

Strength

Each 5 ml Syrup contains Cod Liver Oil 0.10 gm, Vitamin A 2000 IU, Vitamin D 200 IU, Vitamin B1 0.70 mg, Vitamin B2 0.85 mg, Vitamin B6 0.35 mg, Vitamin C 17.50 mg, Vitamin E 1.50 mg & Nicotinamide 9 mg

Dosage form Syrup
Therapeutic Category Multivitamin without minerals
  Product Suev®
  Generic Name Atomoxetine Hydrochloride
  Strength

10 mg

  Dosage form Capsule
  Therapeutic Category Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

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