The U.S. government on Tuesday filed its first criminal charges against a major drug distributor and company executives over their alleged roles in fueling the nation’s opioid epidemic by putting profits ahead of patients’ safety. Rochester Drug Co-operative Inc (RDC); one of the 10 largest U.S. drug distributors; agreed to pay a $20 million fine…
Popular electronic cigarette products sold in the U.S. were; contaminated with bacterial and fungal toxins, according to new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study, which examined 75 popular e-cigarette products — cartridges and e-liquids — found that; 27% contained traces of endotoxin, a microbial agent found on Gram-negative bacteria; and…
An interdisciplinary care protocol for frail geriatric trauma patients significantly reduces the risk for delirium and 30-day readmission, according to a study published online April 5 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Geriatric population is the fastest growing segment of the total population. They represent about 12 % of the US population. Risk…
Depression, a state of low mood and aversion to activity, can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, tendencies, feelings, and sense of well-being. Symptoms of the mood disorder are marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration and a significant increase/decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping. A lot of people also have feelings of…
Scientists and patients from all over the world are gathering in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday and Saturday to discuss new discoveries and future direction in the treatment of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), a drug-induced disease that has a mortality of up to 50%. SJS/TEN 2019 is co-chair by Elizabeth Phillips, MD, professor of Medicine…
Fireworks commonly as “bangers” or “knockouts” are widely used in Nigeria during festivities such as Christmas; New Year, Eid-Maulud, Independence Day, and sporting activities. Fireworks are used in different parts of the world to commemorate national and religious events. The use of fireworks for purposes of celebration is with fireworks casualties. Eye injuries from fireworks…
Patients with advanced Hodgkin’s lymphoma who have large tumors at the time of diagnosis; may benefit from radiotherapy after chemotherapy even when all traces of the cancer appear to have gone; according to late breaking results presented at the ESTRO 38 conference today (Monday). Approximately 65-70% of patients with advanced stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma; can be…
One out of 10 patients hospitalized with a firearm injury will need to undergo vascular surgery to repair the damage caused by bullet(s) to major blood vessels. Annually, approximately 88,000 Americans survive gunshot injuries and these injuries vary based on which part of the body was injured; the number of bullets, type of gun etc.,…
Women who take antibiotics over a long period of time are at increased risk of heart attack or stroke; according to research carried out in nearly 36,500 women. Women aged 60 or older who took antibiotics for two months or more had the greatest risk of cardiovascular disease; but the long duration of antibiotic use was…
Zika virus infection during pregnancy was first linked to birth defects; during the outbreak in the Americas in 2015 and 2016; however, the Zika virus was; discovered decades ago. Why then were adverse outcomes during pregnancy; only recently recognized when the Zika virus; has been; circulating in Africa and Asia for decades? A provocative explanation…
Cancerous tumors are classified primarily based on their tissue of origin. However, the sequencing of the human genome and the development of powerful and affordable DNA sequencing technologies has ushered; in a new era of precision oncology, in which patients are; treated with customized therapies designed to target the specific mutations; within their tumor. This…
The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China was 10.8%. Clinically, disorders of the thyroid gland such as hypothyroidism and euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) often occur in CKD patients; especially in CKD stage 5. Patients with hypothyroidism can have clinically important reductions in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); which can attenuate by using thyroid…