New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Poshan Abhiyaan will fight malnutrition among women and children, which will improve health and boost economic productivity in the country, said Harsh Malhotra, Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road, Transport and Highways here on Friday.Malhotra noted that nutrition plays a vital role in a child’s growth and adequate nutrition is essential for children to reach their full potential. He added that a well-balanced diet can have long-term benefits for their physical and emotional development.“By addressing malnutrition and promoting good nutrition, Poshan Abhiyan can have a tremendous impact on India’s human capital, economic productivity, and wholesome sustainable development,” said Malhotra.“Poshan Abhiyaan is Modi Government’s effort to make a visible shift towards malnutrition reduction and improved health, wellness and immunity,” he added.As part of the Poshan Abhiyaan, the Minister also distributed around 300 nutrition kits to the beneficiaries at Aggarwal Dharamshala Bhawan, Shakarpur, Delhi.”Poshan Abhiyan is a crucial initiative for tackling malnutrition in the country and has advocated for a mission mode approach to address the situation,” Malhotra said.“The campaign targets children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers — a testament to the Modi Government’s focus on the holistic development of the community,” he added.Malhotra also applauded the Poshan Tracker which enables real-time monitoring of nutrition services at Anganwadi Centres where the beneficiaries can now self-register via the Poshan Tracker Web App for improved access.The Poshan Tracker enables Anganwadi Workers to manage attendance, growth monitoring, meal distribution, and early childhood education, ensuring that beneficiaries are well-tracked and supported.”Let’s make a commitment to work together, ensuring that every child, mother, and family in India has access to nutritious food and a healthy future, ” the Minister said. He stated that “access to better nutrition today can help for a brighter future tomorrow” which would transform the nation into a Healthier and Viksit Bharat.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) An international team led by Chinese scientists has developed revolutionary contact lenses that allow humans to see near-infrared light, a breakthrough that could transform medical imaging and visual assistance technologies.The study, published in the journal Cell on Thursday, combines visual neuroscience with rare earth elements to create transparent, wearable lenses that convert invisible infrared light into visible images, Xinhua news agency reported.The human eye only detects light with wavelengths between 400 and 700 nanometres, thus missing much of nature’s information.Near-infrared light, with wavelengths between 700 and 2,500 nanometres, excels at penetrating biological tissue with minimal radiation damage.The researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, Fudan University and the University of Massachusetts Medical School (US) engineered rare earth elements that transform three different infrared wavelengths into red, green and blue visible light.Previously, scientists in the team developed a nanomaterial that, when injected into animal retinas, enabled mammals to see near-infrared light naturally. Since retinal injections aren’t practical for humans, they started to design a wearable, non-invasive alternative using soft contact lenses.The team modified the surface of the rare earth nanoparticles, enabling them to be dispersed in polymer solutions and ultimately fabricate highly transparent contact lenses, according to the study.Human volunteers wearing the lenses could identify infrared patterns, temporal codes and even distinguish three different “colours” of infrared light, essentially expanding the human visual spectrum beyond its natural limitations.The non-invasive technology has potential applications in medical imaging, information security, rescue operations and treating colour blindness.Unlike night vision goggles, the lenses, capable of enhancing vision in low-visibility conditions such as fog or dust, require no power source and provide a more natural visual experience.While still at the proof-of-concept stage, the researchers believe the technology could eventually help people with visual impairments and revolutionise how humans interact with the invisible light spectrum.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) People with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infection are more likely to suffer from in-hospital cardiac events than those with flu or Covid-19, according to a study.Researchers at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases in Singapore conducted a nationwide study among 32,960 adults hospitalised for an RSV, flu, or Covid infection.They compared the risk of cardiovascular events (any cardiac, cerebrovascular, or thrombotic event) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission with or without a cardiovascular event among the patients.Of the 32,960 adult patients, 6.5 per cent had RSV, 43.7 per cent had flu, and 49.8 per cent had Covid.The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, showed that about 11 per cent of RSV patients had a cardiovascular event.“One in 10 patients hospitalised for RSV had a concurrent acute cardiovascular event. Odds of cardiac events were significantly higher in RSV vs Covid-19 hospitalisations in both vaccine-boosted and unboosted individuals,” the team wrote in the paper.The study showed that a total of 1,037 patients (3.2 per cent) required ICU admission. Of the 2,148 RSV patients, 10.9 per cent experienced an acute cardiovascular event, 94.1 per cent of which involved cardiac events (99 abnormal heart rhythm, 66 heart failure, and 61 ischemic heart disease episodes).The most common type of abnormal heart rhythm was atrial fibrillation or flutter (60.6 per cent). A history of cardiac disease was linked to a more than double likelihood of an acute cardiovascular event among RSV patients compared with those with flu or Covid-19.A higher probability of an abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure, and other cardiac events was also seen in RSV patients than in Covid patients who did not take booster doses. Lower odds of cerebrovascular events, however, were noted in RSV patients than in vaccine-boosted Covid patients.Individuals with a preexisting cardiac history were found to be at higher risk of acute cardiac events during RSV hospitalisation.”Cardiac manifestations of RSV are hypothesised to arise directly from myocardial injury or indirectly via a post-inflammatory response and increased cardiovascular strain attributed to pulmonary disease,” the researchers said.They stressed the importance of evaluating the role of vaccination in attenuating the risk of cardiovascular events associated with vaccine-preventable respiratory viral infections.–IANSrvt/

Rourkela, May 23 (IANS) Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have designd…

New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) US researchers have engineered a novel gene therapy to target the airway and lungs via a nasal spray.For gene therapy to work well, therapeutic molecules need to be efficiently delivered to the correct locations in the body. It is commonly done by using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) gene therapy.To improve the AAV’s ability to deliver therapeutics specifically to the lungs and airway, researchers at the Mass General Brigham engineered a new version, called AAV.CPP.16, which can be administered with a nasal spray.In preclinical models, AAV.CPP.16 outperformed previous versions by more effectively targeting the airway and lungs and showing promise for respiratory and lung gene therapy, said the researchers in the paper published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.”We noticed that AAV.CPP.16, which we initially engineered to enter the central nervous system, also efficiently targeted lung cells,” said senior author FengFeng Bei, from the Department of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.”This prompted us to further investigate AAV.CPP.16 for intranasal gene delivery to the respiratory airways,” Bei added.In the study, AAV.CPP.16 outperformed previous versions (AAV6 and AAV9) in cell culture, mouse models, and non-human primate models.“Our findings highlight AAV.CPP.16 as a promising vector for respiratory and lung gene therapy,” the team said.They then used the more efficient tool to deliver scar-preventing gene therapy for pulmonary fibrosis, using a mouse model of the respiratory disease.They also used the tool to deliver gene therapy for a viral infection, where the therapy prevented the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a mouse model of Covid-19.”Although further research is needed, our findings suggest that intranasal AAV.CPP.16 has strong translational potential as a promising delivery tool for targeting the airway and lung,” said Bei.–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Treatment with an experimental drug has shown significant improvements in young patients with a rare form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) — a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, said a team of US researchers on Friday.ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rare disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to the loss of motor neurons causing difficulty with movement, balance, coordination, and potentially even breathing. While experimental therapies have so far slowed down the disease or halted its progression, the new treatment using ulefnersen (previously known as jacifusen) — showed that functional losses in young patients can be reversed. “When testing new drugs for ALS, we do not expect to see clinical improvement,” said neurologist and scientist Neil Shneider at Columbia University. But, “what we’ve seen in one patient is really unprecedented functional recovery. It’s surprising and deeply motivating for us, the ALS research community, but also the community of ALS patients,” he added. Data from 12 patients — all treated with the novel therapy for a rare form of ALS caused by a genetic mutation in a gene called FUS — were presented in a case series published by Shneider online in The Lancet. Though these gene mutations are responsible for only 1-2 per cent of ALS cases, they cause some of the most aggressive forms of ALS that begin in adolescents and young adults. In patients with these mutations, toxic FUS proteins accumulate in the motor neurons that control the patient’s muscles, eventually killing the neurons. Two of the patients in the published case series showed a remarkable response to the experimental therapy, ulefnersen developed by Shneider in collaboration with California-based Ionis Pharmaceuticals. One young woman, who has received injections of the therapy since late 2020, recovered the ability to walk unaided and to breathe without the use of a ventilator, both previously lost to ALS. She has lived longer with this disease than any other known patient with this juvenile-onset form of FUS ALS. The second patient, a man in his mid-30s, was asymptomatic when he began treatment, but tests of electrical activity in his muscles indicated that symptoms would likely emerge soon. In three years of continuous treatment with the experimental drug, the man has yet to develop any symptoms of FUS-ALS and the abnormal electrical activity in his muscles has improved. Overall, after six months of treatment, patients in the series experienced up to an 83 per cent decrease in a protein called neurofilament light, a biomarker of nerve damage. “These responses show that if we intervene early enough and go after the right target at the right time in the course of the disease, it’s possible to not only slow disease progression but actually reverse some of the functional losses,” Shneider said. Though most of the other symptomatic patients in the series did not survive their aggressive disease, Shneider said “Several apparently benefited from the treatment. The progression of their disease slowed, and they lived a longer life as a consequence.” The case series also showed that the drug is safe and well tolerated, with no serious adverse events related to the drug. Following the results from the first of these patients, a global clinical trial of the drug is now in progress. “Now we are eagerly awaiting those results, which we hope will lead to the approval of ulefnersen,” Shneider said. –IANS rvt/

Jakarta, May 23 (IANS) Ninety-nine Indonesian haj pilgrims have been infected with pneumonia in Saudi Arabia, including one patient who has died, said the Indonesian Ministry of Health.

The Ministry warned that the increase in pneumonia cases requires urgent attention to prevent further complications.”The rise in pneumonia cases among our hajj pilgrims needs careful attention because it can get worse if not treated fast and correctly,” said Liliek Marhaendro Susilo, head of the Haj Health Centre at the Ministry, on Thursday.The infected pilgrims are currently receiving intensive care at hospitals in Saudi Arabia’s Mecca and Medina, Xinhua news agency reported.Liliek said the main risk factors for pneumonia among haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are extreme heat up to 47 degrees Celsius, tiredness from a busy schedule, crowded masses, and existing health problems or comorbidities.She asked pilgrims to stay careful by wearing masks, washing their hands, drinking enough water, and taking their medicines regularly if they have health issues.She also reminded pilgrims to keep their energy, avoid smoking, and quickly report any sickness to help make the haj safe and smooth.According to data from the Indonesian Haj Health Clinics (KKHI) in Mecca and Medina as of May 20, the affected pilgrims are spread across various sectors and groups.Liliek added that pneumonia can be life-threatening, particularly for those with underlying health conditions.Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs, typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.”In the crowded Haj environment and extreme heat, the risk of respiratory infection transmission increases,” she said.The Haj Health Centre has identified several risk factors for pneumonia among pilgrims, including high temperatures.Liliek further highlighted the risk posed by comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which can make individuals more susceptible to pneumonia.The ministry continues to monitor the situation closely as pilgrims complete their religious duties.Based on KKHI’s real-time data, Liliek said, the temperature on Thursday in Mecca and Medina ranged from 41-47 degrees Celsius.If there is a lack of fluid intake in conditions like this, it can cause dehydration that can make the body more susceptible to infection.–IANSint/khz

Bhubaneswar, May 22 (IANS) Amid worries over the detection of one Covid-19 positive case in Bhubaneswar, Secretary for Odisha Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) department, Aswathy S. on Thursday advised people not to panic over the sporadic incidents of Covid detection.Speaking to mediapersons, Aswathy said that a fresh Covid-19 case was detected in Odisha after two and a half years.She told the media that the health condition of the patient, who also suffers from other comorbidities, is stable now.She also assured that the situation is completely under control and there is no need to worry about the sporadic appearance of Covid cases.While advising people over the issue, Aswathy said: “There is no need to panic. There is no advisory from the Government of India or any other agency at the moment. Please rest assured that we are monitoring the situation and we are in complete control of the situation. We are alert, and we have been closely monitoring the situation.”The Health Secretary further added that sporadic and singular cases of Covid are continuously being detected in various parts of the country since the fall of the pandemic’s peak in 2020-21.She noted that, since then, the disease is well controlled and contained in Odisha.The rollout of free vaccines and mass vaccination coupled with continued government efforts reduced the spread and burden of the disease to a great extent in Odisha.”The sporadic cases are continuous phenomena, and these are managed as per the established protocols as and when they arise. As per National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and World Health Organisation (WHO) indicators, these sporadic cases are of ‘mild variety of known pre-existing strains’. They do not cause any grave disease. NCDC or WHO have not issued any new additional advisory with regard to sporadic cases. Health department is in all readiness to deal with the cases as and when they are detected,” Aswathy added.As per reports, one Covid case has been detected in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. The man had reportedly returned from Delhi. He is under quarantine now.It is worth noting that Maharashtra has reported two Covid-related deaths recently. It is worth noting that Maharashtra has reported two Covid-related deaths recently.–IANSgyan/pgh

Seoul, May 22 (IANS) Samsung Biologics, a biotech arm of South Korea’s Samsung Group, said on Thursday it plans to spin off its biosimilar development business to streamline its operations and focus on its core contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) services.According to a regulatory filing, the company will establish a new entity, Samsung Epis Holdings, which will later incorporate Samsung Bioepis Co., a biosimilar drug developer, as a wholly owned subsidiary, reports Yonhap news agency.The spinoff process will proceed with the submission of a securities report on July 29, followed by a shareholders meeting on Sept. 16 for final approval.Samsung Biologics explained that the split will allow the company to concentrate resources on its CDMO business, which operates under a different revenue model compared to biosimilars.CDMO refers to a company that handles not only the outsourced manufacturing of drug substances but also all of the innovation and development work that occurs prior to production.In particular, the company acknowledged that some customers have raised concerns over the possibility that proprietary technologies for original drugs might be shared with Samsung Bioepis, which operates in the biosimilar space.”As Samsung Bioepis has been expanding its biosimilar business, the concerns of Samsung Biologics’ customers have gradually increased, which has had some impact on the competitiveness of our orders,” said Ryu Seung-ho, chief financial officer at Samsung Biologics, during an online briefing.”After the separation, we expect our customers’ concerns about conflicts of interest will be better addressed.”Samsung Biologics originally established Samsung Bioepis as a joint venture with U.S. pharmaceutical company Biogen Inc. in 2012. It acquired Biogen’s stake for US$2.3 billion in 2022, making Bioepis a wholly-owned subsidiary.Ryu also emphasized that the spinoff is not part of any broader corporate governance restructuring within Samsung Group.In a separate statement, Samsung Bioepis said the spinoff will not impact its day-to-day operations.”Samsung Bioepis’ ongoing business operations, including research and development, manufacturing, supply distribution and commercialization of biologic medicines, will not be affected by the spinoff,” the company said.”We will continue to focus on our core business, and we remain committed to ensuring the continued development, manufacturing and distribution of high-quality biosimilar medicines to patients around the world without any disruption.”By separating the two businesses, Samsung Biologics said it aims to reinforce the independence of both entities, allowing each to sharpen its strategic focus. The company said this will enhance competitiveness, operational efficiency and long-term value for shareholders.Samsung Biologics is one of the world’s leading CDMO firms, reporting 4.54 trillion won ($3.3 billion) in sales and 1 trillion won in net profit in 2024.—IANSna/

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) People’s participation is critical for boosting public service delivery in the country, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said on Thursday.Chairing a ‘Kayakalp Manthan’ with Central government Hospitals, NGOs, and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry to boost ‘Jan Bhagidari’ (people’s participation) for achieving better health outcomes, the Union Minister highlighted substantial improvements made over the last decade and underlined the need for sustained efforts to further enhance public healthcare delivery.For effective public healthcare delivery, he stressed the role of Jan Bhagidari.”Involving local communities and encouraging a sense of belongingness to the healthcare facilities can enhance the effectiveness of the Kayakalp Scheme,” the Minister said.This needs to be fostered as a nationwide movement, he said, to ensure the sustained success of the initiative.The Union Health Minister stressed the importance of environment and ambience in healthcare facilities, emphasising that a positive hospital environment affects the mental well-being of both patients and staff.”While thousands of patients visit hospitals daily and receive quality treatment, there is a noticeable lack of positive feedback from the patients despite getting the best clinical treatment, which calls for introspection and better communication from the hospitals to patients and the public,” he said.A key point of discussion was the perception of government hospitals and the factors that contribute to the image building.The Minister urged all stakeholders to focus on understanding the root causes of these perceptions, including issues related to infrastructure, cleanliness, staff behaviour, amenities, and management, to identify and implement practical solutions.He stressed the need to address challenges encountered by hospitals through better management and prioritisation of services.Nadda also called for a stronger focus on state hospitals, especially at the grassroots level, including Sub-Health Centres (SHC), to ease the growing pressure on premium institutions in urban cities.”The future strategy will emphasise training, capacity building, innovation, and the adoption of eco-friendly approaches. A focus on enhancing people’s participation and integrating technology into healthcare delivery will also be critical to easing the burden on top-tier institutions,” he said.Launched in 2015, the Kayakalp Scheme aims to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control practices in public healthcare facilities across India.Initially rolled out in 10 Central government hospitals, the scheme now includes 25 Central government hospitals and institutions, expanding its reach to numerous healthcare centres across the nation.In state government hospitals and healthcare institutions, the Scheme is operative through the National Health Mission (NHM).–IANSrvt/vd