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Healthcare online Keeping you up-to-date
VOL.  5     ISSUE:  6    June 28, 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 -

"Flu Shot For Fetus !", "Faulty Bone Marrow Micro-Environment !", "Genes Reveal More Secrets !", "Blood Test Detects Cancer !",
 "Type 1 Diabetes Vaccine !", "Lens Protein Reverse Paralysis !".

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.
 Flu Shot For Fetus !

Giving Flu Vaccine To Pregnant Mothers Triggers Fetal Immune System Against Influenza

Researches have discovered that, fetuses can develop immune response to vaccine given to pregnant mothers. A new study revealed that, when a pregnant woman is vaccinated against influenza, the baby in her womb can develop its own immunity against the vaccination. The finding is surprising because it is against common belief that newborn and very young infants cannot produce an effective immune system against infection and in this early stage of their life, relies entirely on immune protection acquired from their mother’s breast milk. The researchers used a new technique called MHC tetramer staining to examine blood from umbilical cord to analyze B-cell and T-cell immune responses after pregnant mothers were vaccinated with influenza vaccine. Anti-influenza antibody was detected in about 40 % of the blood samples. Not only that, T-cells made specifically against the vaccine was also found in the umbilical blood. This supports the theory that neonatal system can respond to environmental exposures. At one hand the study implicates how early immune response may develop and on the other it proves maternal vaccination both safe and beneficial for the fetus.
SOURCE: HealthDay, June 7, 2007

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 Faulty Bone Marrow Micro-Environment !

Bone Marrow Micro-Environment Can Be Responsible For Pre-Leukemic Blood Diseases

Defective hemopoietic stem cells give rise to pre-cancerous conditions that can sometimes lead to leukemia. However stem cells are not always the reason for producing such myeloproliferative syndromes. Two recent studies have shown that, abnormal bone marrow micro-environment can initiate pre-leukemic state. Hemopoiesis is maintained by integration of intrinsic signals of stem cells that undergo fate decisions and extrinsic signals derived from the bone marrow support cells. Researchers discovered that, support cells in bone marrow lacking retinoic acid receptors (RAR) can give rise to myeloproliferative diseases. Furthermore, transplant studies indicate that microenvironment can be the sole cause of hematopoietic disorders. Another study has found that, absence of Retinoblastoma (Rb) proteins, a key player in cell development, deregulates the process of cell differentiations and produces precancerous conditions. Findings from both of the study are of great value because they may give way to novel therapies. Besides, microenvironment will now be considered in case of stem cell transplants to give better treatment options for the patients in future.

SOURCE: EurekAlert, June 14, 2007

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 Genes Reveal More Secrets !

Previously Thought Useless Genes Are Probably Big Players Behind Many Diseases

The completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 resulted in a catalog of more than 30,000 genes that make up the genetic blue print of our human species. So far, sequencing all the human genome is like having an instruction manual to build the human body. Reading the manual and following all the instructions properly to know how the human body is built or correlating genetic information and disease pathogenesis is yet to be learnt. The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) consortium, organized by the National Human Genome Research Institute, reported result of their four year study on human genome which included startling findings regarding the genes. Until then only 1 to 2 percent of the genes that involved in coding proteins were thought to be useful. The rest of the genome, the so called ‘junk DNA’, do not encode protein and seemed to be useless. Surprisingly, the researchers found that these seemingly useless genomes have some importance after all. These genomes may interact with biologically active genes in producing proteins, function in activities to sustain life and even may act as reserve in natural selection. The researchers are also hopeful to find out the interaction of genetic information and disease pathogenesis and thus predict disease risk in the near future.
SOURCE: HealthDay, June 13, 2007

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 Blood Test Detects Cancer !

Certain Protein In Blood Could Be Useful For Monitoring Tumor Remission Or Relapse

With new diagnosis and treatment methods, lot has been change regarding management of cancer. Take throat cancer as for example. Even 20 years back surgical removal of throat cancer was the primary treatment. But now-a-days, first line of treatment is given with combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Main reason for this is surgical intervention can impair patient’s quality of life by compromising voice, speech and swallowing in the course of treatment. Due to the insidious nature of throat tumor it is not easy to determine tumor remission or relapse. However, researcher of University of Michigan has identified several proteins those changes with neck tumor growth or reduction. These includes cytokines such as Interleukin 6 and Interleukin 8 and three growth factors such as growth related oncogene (GRO)-1, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Whenever there is growth of cells or formation of new blood vessels these cytokines and growth factors increases in the blood. But when a tumor grows these proteins increases three to four fold. By determining the blood levels of these changes physicians can monitor whether chemotherapy and radiotherapy is remitting the cancer or if there is any relapse. As these growth factors are common in many other cancers, someday it might be possible that monitoring blood levels of these five proteins treatment strategy for curing cancer may be decided.
SOURCE: NIH News, June 1, 2007

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 Type 1 Diabetes Vaccine !

A New Vaccine Hold Promise For Preventing Type 1 Diabetes

It is reality that Type 1 diabetes has the most severe complications among all the types of diabetes mellitus. But early detection and proper treatment may reduce the complications and improve the quality of patient’s life as well. A recent vaccine was developed which act by slowing down the autoimmune attacks against beta cells of pancreas and was studied on human beings. Trials have revealed that preserving beta cells in newly diagnosed patients have altered the disease process. Even preserving a little bit of insulin production can keep the blood sugar at level and control some long term complications. Scientist would like to take a leap further. Their target is to prevent type 1 diabetes for good. They have tested this new vaccine on mice models prone to develop diabetes and found that if given early enough it prevents the animals from developing the disease. Although human trials are not done, this new invention holds great promise. If children can be vaccinated against type 1 diabetes, auto immune destruction of pancreatic beta cells will be prevented and these high risk children will be fine for the rest of their lives.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Newswire, June 6, 2007

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 Lens Protein Reverse Paralysis !

Multiple Sclerosis Can Be Prevented By A Naturally Occurring Protein In The Eye

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine in California discovered a naturally occurring protein in the eye called alpha B-crystallin, which may help to protect multiple sclerosis related nerve cell damage and thereby reduce symptoms such as paralysis and loss of motor control. The protein is primarily found in the lens of the eye. Although not present in the brain, it may develop in response to injuries inflicted by multiple sclerosis on nerve cells. When the researchers tested the protein on mice with multiple sclerosis like disease they found that alpha B-crystallin reduced inflammation and cell death of nerve cells and reversed paralysis. Even though this protein acts as a healing substance, body’s immune system attacks it producing symptoms of multiple sclerosis. If more protein is injected, it restores the situation and reverse the symptoms. Researchers are hopeful that if the protective effect of alpha B-crystallin can be duplicated in human body someday it might be used in human to treat multiple sclerosis. They are also enthusiastic that a naturally producing substance used in human promises a potentially safe therapeutic use.
SOURCE: HealthDay, June 13, 2007

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New Products of SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
  Product Erian® Suppository
  Generic Name Cinhocaine HCl BP + Hydrocortisone BP +
Framycetin Sulphate BP + Esculin BP
  Strength

Cinhocaine HCl BP 5 mg + Hydrocortisone BP 5 mg +
Framycetin Sulphate BP 10 mg + Esculin 10 mg
  Dosage form Suppository
  Therapeutic Category Topical Anti-hemorrhoidal
  Product Loratin® Plus
Generic Name

Loratadine USP and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP
Strength Loratadine USP 10 mg and Pseudoephedrine Sulfate USP 240 mg
Dosage form Bi-layer Tablet
Therapeutic Category Anti-Histamine and Systemic nasal decongestant combination
  Product Osmolax® 200 ml oral solution
  Generic Name Lactulose USP
  Strength 3.40 gm/5 ml
  Dosage form Oral solution
  Therapeutic Category Laxatives and others

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