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Healthcare online Keeping you up-to-date
VOL.  9     ISSUE:  11  2011 Medical Services Department

SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Features

EDITORIAL TEAM

OMAR AKRAMUR RAB

MBBS, FCGP, FIAGP,

P G Dip. Business Management

A. S. M. Shawkat Ali

MBBS, M Phil

MAHFUZUR RAHMAN SIKDER

MBBS, MBA

 

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 -

"Cystic Fibrosis !", "SIDS Risk !", "'Broken Heart' Syndrome !",       "Fight Gum Disease !",  "Higher Autism Risk !", "Low Vitamin D !".

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.

 Cystic Fibrosis !

Smoking Effect on Lungs Similar to Cystic Fibrosis

Smoking seems to have a similar effect on the lungs as cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease affecting the lungs and other organs, a new study reveals. Researchers found that like cystic fibrosis, smoking leads to the production of sticky mucus that causes dry cough and infections. They concluded that cystic fibrosis treatments could potentially be used to treat smoking-related diseases and vice versa. Cystic fibrosis interferes with the movement of salt and water in the cells lining the lungs, trapping bacteria in thick mucus, resulting in potentially fatal infections. The researchers said that smoking has a similar effect, resulting in mucus that causes several health problems, including dry cough, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In conducting the study, researchers examined how cigarette smoke affects a protein that helps the lungs stay hydrated, known as cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). They found that smokers had a 60 percent drop in CFTR activity, compared to non-smokers. The study also found cigarette smoke reduced the amount of liquid covering lung cells an effect that lasted for at least two and a half hours after exposure. The researcher pointed out this reduction was caused by interference with CFTR activity. The researchers also found that when lung cells exposed to cigarette smoke was treated with hypertonic saline (a treatment for cystic fibrosis), the amount of liquid covering them increased to more normal levels and reduced the amount of mucus in the lungs. The authors concluded that smokers and people with cystic fibrosis may benefit from some of the same treatments. But the bottom line remains: The most effective treatment for smoker's cough or worse is to “Quit Smoking Now," added the chief author. 

SOURCE: HealthDay News, October 2011

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 SIDS Risk !

 Breast Feeding, Vaccinations Lower SIDS Risk

Experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) say breast-feeding and proper immunizations can both lower baby's risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Since 1992, when the AAP recommended that all babies should be placed on their backs to sleep, SIDS has declined sharply in the United States, according to an AAP news release. But sleep-related deaths from other causes such as suffocation, entrapment and accidental strangulation have increased. AAP offer additional advice for parents to create a safe sleeping environment for their babies and include three important new recommendations: (i) Breast feeding-which is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS (ii) Infants should be immunized by all recommended vaccinations -research suggests immunization reduces the risk of SIDS by 50 percent (iii) Bumper pads shouldn't be used in cribs-the pads don't prevent injuries but can cause suffocation, strangulation or entrapment. Other recommendations for parents are: Place the baby on his or her back for every sleep time. Always place your baby on a firm sleep surface. Other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep. Baby should not sleep in the same bed as parents. Cribs should not have any soft objects or loose bedding. Do not use wedges and positioners. Pregnant woman should receive regular prenatal care. Don't smoke during pregnancy or after birth. Offer your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. Don't cover baby's head and avoid overheating. Don't use home monitors or commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS. Make sure baby is supervised, awake tummy time each day. This will help development and reduce the risk of flat head (positional plagiocephaly). 

SOURCE: HealthDay News, October 2011

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 'Broken Heart' Syndrome !

Women More Prone to 'Broken Heart' Syndrome

Broken heart syndrome, a temporary heart condition brought on by extreme physical or emotional stress, occurs overwhelmingly in women compared to men, a new study suggests. Whether preceded by the sudden death of a loved one, a frightening medical diagnosis, a car accident or even a surprise party. The phenomenon is 7.5 times more common in females and women older than 55 are 2.9 times more likely to develop broken heart syndrome than younger women, the researchers found. Exact causes are unknown, but it's with people who present symptoms of a heart attack that often occurs with a very stressful situation. Known clinically as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, broken heart syndrome causes a temporary enlargement of part of the heart, while the rest of the organ functions normally or with more forceful contractions. Symptoms mimic a heart attack and trigger chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat and generalized weakness. The condition is treatable and typically resolves within a week, though it is fatal in rare cases. The study analyzed records from a nationwide database in 2007 and found that of about 6,230 cases of broken heart syndrome, more than 89 percent were in women. About one-third of patients were between the ages of 50 and 65, while 58 percent were older than 65. In those aged 55 and older, the odds of developing broken heart syndrome were 9.5 times higher in females than males, the investigators found. Experts are still trying to discern why women suffer so much more from broken heart syndrome. Hormonal differences between the sexes and variations in coronary arteries may be factors, but more research is needed.

SOURCE: HealthDay News, November 2011

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 Fight Gum Disease !

Losing Weight May Help Fight Gum Disease

Losing weight appears to help fight gum disease, a new study indicates. It included 31 obese people who underwent treatment for gum disease. Half of the patients (average body-mass index, or BMI, of 39) had gastric bypass weight loss surgery and also had fat cells removed from their abdomen. The other patients (average BMI of 35) did not have gastric bypass surgery or fat removed from their abdomen. All the participants underwent nonsurgical periodontal (gum) treatments of scaling/root planing and received instructions for oral hygiene at home. Both groups showed overall improvement in gum health but those in the surgery group showed greater improvement on measures for periodontal attachment, bleeding, probing depths and plaque levels. The improved response to periodontal treatment may be due to reductions in insulin resistance and inflammation associated with weight loss, the researchers said.

SOURCE: HealthDay News, November 2011

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 Higher Autism Risk !

Low-Birth Weight Babies at Much Higher Autism Risk

Low-birth weight babies are five times more likely to develop autism than normal-weight babies, a new study says. It included 862 premature, low-birth weight infants born in New Jersey between October 1984 and July 1989 and followed until they were 21 years old. Their birth weights ranged from 500 grams (1.1 pound) to 2,000 grams (4.4 pounds). Five percent of the children in the study developed autism, compared with 1 percent of those in the general population, researchers found. Previous research has identified links between low birth weight and a number of problems with motor and cognitive skills, but this study is the first to show that low-birth weight children are also at increased risk for autism, according to the researchers. Cognitive problems in these children may mask underlying autism, lead author noted. If there is suspicion of autism or a positive screening test for ASD (autism spectrum disorders), parents should seek an evaluation for an ASD. Early intervention improves long-term outcome and can help these children both at school and at home. Future research will examine possible links between brain hemorrhage (a common complication of premature birth) and autism. This will be done by examining brain ultrasounds of the children taken when they were newborns.

SOURCE: HealthDay News, October 2011

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 Low Vitamin D !

Low Vitamin D May Increase Stroke, Heart Attack Risk in Women

Low levels of vitamin D may put women at greater risk for heart attack and stroke, according to new study on the important nutrient. After analyzing 16 years of data on more than 2,000 healthy, postmenopausal white women aged 45 to 58, researchers found that 788 women with a vitamin D deficiency had more risk factors for heart disease than 1,225 women with normal levels of the vitamin. Women with low vitamin D levels had higher levels of triglycerides; higher fasting glucose; a higher body mass index and lower HDL "good" cholesterol. The researchers noted 47 percent of the women who were deficient in vitamin D were smokers compared to 38 percent of the women with normal vitamin D levels. About 15 percent of the women deficient in vitamin D either died or suffered heart failure, a heart attack or stroke during the study period compared to 10.2 percent of the women who did not have this deficiency. Three other studies also looked at vitamin D's possible protective effects on the heart. One study found that people who took 4,000 units of vitamin D daily for five days following a severe heart event had less inflammation afterward than patients who didn't take the supplement. A third study found that chest pain patients with low Vitamin D levels were more likely to die during the next two years than those with adequate levels of the nutrient. Finally, a fourth study found that higher levels of vitamin D were associated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease. Researchers noted that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effects on the arteries.

SOURCE: HealthDay News, November 2011

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New Products of SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

  Product Norpill®
  Generic Name Levonorgestrel
  Strength

750 mcg

  Dosage form Tablet
  Therapeutic Category Emergency Contraceptive
  Product Efigrel®
Generic Name

Prasugrel

Strength 10 mg, 5 mg
Dosage form Tablet
Therapeutic Category Anti-platelet Agents
  Product Xten®
  Generic Name Tenoxicam
  Strength 20 mg
  Dosage form Tablet
  Therapeutic Category Antirheumatic, Anti-inflammatory

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