Medicosnext

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which results in reduced production of a neurotransmitter named striatal dopamine, and overproduction of alpha-synuclein, resulting in the formation of Lewy bodies. PD affects 1-2 per 1000 of the …

Roche’s SARS-CoV-2 antibody test included in Moderna vaccine trials After receiving US FDA emergency use authorization for its Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test on November 25, 2020, Roche has partnered with Moderna to utilize the test in the latter’s mRNA-1273 vaccine research trials. The antibody test measures the quantity of antibodies …

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the commonest functional gastrointestinal disorder, and affects about 20% of the world population at some point in their lives. It is a chronic, and sometimes quite a disabling, disorder of the large bowel function. Symptoms include defecation-related abdominal pain, usually associated with diarrhoea or constipation, …

  According to The New York Times’ “Corona Vaccine Tracker”, till Nov 17, 2020, there are 54 vaccines in clinical trials on humans, and at least 87 preclinical vaccines that are under active investigation in animals. Till date, 38 potential vaccines for COVID-19 are undergoing Phase 1 trials (safety and …

The growing evidence suggests that coronavirus, which was originally thought to impact only the respiratory tract, can cause damages to other vital organs like the heart, kidneys, liver, and the brain. Though the studies on long-term effects of COVID-19 are still scant, and the medical fraternity doesn’t know whether one …

In the case of a viral infection, the body’s first protective action is a non-specific innate response, where macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells slow the progress of the pathogen and may even prevent any symptoms from occurring. The next protective action is an adaptive response (cellular immunity), with the body …

Artificial organs Initially considered to be a ground-breaking technology for its ability to regenerate skin cells for skin draughts for burn victims, bio-printing is an emerging medical technology that is now giving way to even more exciting possibilities. Bio-printing can be used to create blood vessels and synthetic ovaries (perhaps even …

Based on early data from the first-ever clinical trial in humans in the US, genetically editing a cancer patient’s immune cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and infusing them back into the patient seems to be safe and feasible. Three participants in the trial (two with multiple myeloma and one with sarcoma) …

In ongoing lawsuits in the USA, claims have been made that Zantac and ranitidine contain unacceptable levels of the cancer-causing chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA. Lawyers have charged that NDMA contamination causes stomach, liver, and bladder cancer. In September 2019, an online pharmacy had alerted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration …

Once upon a time, getting a blood transfusion was a highly a risky affair, because some people receiving donated blood were apt to get chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation) from an unknown, mysterious disease. And, although the Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B viruses were discovered by the mid-1960s, in 1972, Prof. …