Articles

Your own genome can make your more susceptible to TB infection and recurrent TB

shekhar jha
March 7, 2018

Tuberclosis(TB) being the infectious disease is communicated almost exclusively by coughed aerosols carrying pathogens of Mycobacterium tuberclosis (Mtb). As reported by World Health Organization (WHO) it causes disease in 9.6 millions people each year and ranks with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a leading cause of disease. A well timed diagnosis and appropriate treatment can […]

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Testing Of New Drug For Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors

Docturnal
March 1, 2018

A researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center and his international team of colleagues have reported study results on a novel multireceptor-targeted somatostatin analogue called pasireotide (SOM230) manufactured by Novartis Pharma AG. The Phase II, open-label, multicenter study in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET) whose symptoms were no longer responsive to octreotide LAR therapy found that […]

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Greater Incidence Of Babies With Retinoblastoma In US-Born Latinas

Docturnal

In a large epidemiologic study, researchers at UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center found that the children of U.S.-born Latina women are at higher risk of having retinoblastoma, a malignant tumor of the retina which typically occurs in children under six. The study, which focused on babies born in California, also found that offspring of older fathers […]

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Diesel Soot Re-Classified As Carcinogenic, Causing Lung Cancer

Docturnal

Since June 2012, it is official: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified diesel soot as a lung carcinogen. Artur Braun, a physicist at Empa and an X-ray spectroscopy expert, has made crucial contributions to analyzing the structure and composition of soot particles. Soot particles are dangerous – there is nothing new in this knowledge. […]

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Grapefruit Juice Helps Anti-Cancer Drug Work Better

Docturnal

A new clinical trial published in the August edition of Clinical Cancer Research has revealed that cancer patients who drink one glass of grapefruit juice per day achieve the same benefits from an anti-cancer drug as they would get from more than three times as much of the drug by itself. It could also help […]

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Disease Management Programme Module On Heart Failure: Current Guidelines Indicate Some Need For Revision

Docturnal

On 14 February 2012, the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) published the results of a literature search for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of people with heart failure. The aim of the report is to identify those recommendations from current guidelines of high methodological quality that may be […]

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SPECT/CT Imaging Agent Solves The Problem Of Difficult To Diagnose Cases Of Infectious Endocarditis

Docturnal

When combined with standard diagnostic tests, functional imaging procedures have been shown to reduce the rate of misdiagnosed cases of infectious endocarditis. According to new research published in the August issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) with 99mTc-hexamethylpropleneamine oxime-labeled white blood cells (99mTc-HMPAO-WBC) can improve the […]

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Molecule Discovered That Converts Stem Cells Into Heart Cells

Docturnal

For years, scientists have been looking for a good source of heart cells that can be used to study cardiac function in the lab, or perhaps even to replace diseased or damaged tissue in heart disease patients. To do this, many are looking to stem cells. Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), the Human […]

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The Genetic Map Of The Jewish Diasporas Defined By New Genetic Study

Docturnal

A new genetic analysis focusing on Jews from North Africa has provided an overall genetic map of the Jewish Diasporas. The findings support the historical record of Middle Eastern Jews settling in North Africa during Classical Antiquity, proselytizing and marrying local populations, and, in the process, forming distinct populations that stayed largely intact for more […]

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Investing In Quality Of Care For Diabetic Patients Reduces Costs

Docturnal

University of Minnesota School of Public Health researchers have found that medical group practices can reduce costs for patients with diabetes by investing in improved quality of care. In the study, which appears in the August issue of Health Affairs, University of Minnesota researchers analyzed 234 medical group practices providing care for more than 133,000 […]

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Analysis Of Hemoglobin A1C Levels In Blacks, Whites Reveals Racial Differences In Diabetes Diagnostic Thresholds

Docturnal

Healthcare providers should take into account differences among racial groups when using hemoglobin A1C levels to diagnose and monitor diabetes, new research from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggests. In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers analyzed National Health and Nutrition Survey data from 2005 to 2008 to examine the association […]

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Protein That Boosts Longevity May Protect Against Diabetes

Docturnal

A new MIT study has found that a protein that slows aging in mice and other animals also helps fight against the damages of a high-fat diet, including diabetes. Over a decade ago, SIRT1’s longevity-boosting properties were discovered by MIT biology professor Leonard Guarente, who has continued to examine its role in various body tissues. […]

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Cataracts Risk Associated WIth Statins

Docturnal

The researchers analyzed 6,400 patients from the University of Waterloo’s optometry clinic in 2007 to 2008. Of those participants, 452 were struggling with type 2 diabetes. While controlling for factors such as sex, high blood pressure, and smoking, the experts evaluated diabetes and statin treatment as possible risk factors.

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Insulin – Mix

Docturnal

A lot of type-I diabetic patients in the country do not have an idea on what is the mix all about. You keep pumping a biphasic mix (30/70) twice a day and that’s it.  One portion of the mix being short acting and other a long acting do their job in the body as per the percentage […]

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Decoding Human Genome & Obesity

Docturnal

New England Journal of Medicine reported that there is no direct correlation between Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes. Until the recent past we all religiously believed that the obese had a greater chance for Type-2 Diabetes. I am not emphasising on the fruits derived from the human genome project but to actually look at the current state. Cancer, Diabetes and […]

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Prenatal Diagnostic Act – An Environmental Disaster

Docturnal

Every month, I wonder how much paper is wasted just to abide by the PNDT(Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques) Act. Briefly, let me explain what this act basically means. It came into force in 1994 and main focus was to prevent misuse of diagnostic tools like USG and other lab investigations to confirm the sex of the […]

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Sweet Route and Frozen Shoulders

Docturnal

In the last few years, I have come across a lot of people I know personally who have become SWEET around forty years of age. I mean they are diagnosed of DIABETES. Initially, I also thought it was a coincidence. But of late I am convinced that the numbers are increasing by the day. According […]

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Losing money over a lost Kidney

Docturnal

Time was ticking and I was unable to find the left kidney on a routine scan. Finally, I gave up and asked the patient for any previous history of any surgical removal or investigations suggesting absent kidney since birth. To my disbelief the patient pulled out a FAT file containing previous reports

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Oral Cancer – The Two Extremes

Docturnal

In India we often find the roads and walls painted red and the reason for this is nothing but the after effect of chewing a processed form of betel nut a.k.a  ‘Ghutka’.  Recently the Government of India imposed a ban on the packaging of this addictive substance but it is a little too early to speculate how the overall numbers in consumption might change nevertheless.

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HbA1c at your finger tips!

Docturnal

Yes that’s what I literally mean in that you do not have to visit your favourite diagnostic centre or someone from a diagnostic centre visit you to draw a sample of your blood.  The test can happen in the comfort of your house provided there is a refrigerator in the house which I assume is the case with most of the population out there and even if you don’t, feel free to approach your neighbour.

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Imaging and Imagination

Docturnal

Almost seventy five percent of cases referred to imaging department are either without any history or without a provisional diagnosis. So its the onus of the radiologist to diagnose just by looking at the images provided. They say “What the mind can’t think of, the eyes can’t see”. God help us, for we know not what we have to look for, unless of course, its really staring at us.

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My Tryst with Cancer

Docturnal

I have been reading some books on Cancer Survivors – Anup Kumar (The Joy of Cancer) and Sean Swarner (Keep Climbing). While I am not mentioning the author names, due credit goes to them in capturing the intricacies involved in the life of a cancer patient and their fight against the same.

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Non-Invasive Tuberculosis Screening

Docturnal
July 26, 2017

Docturnal has launched a beta version of its flagship product “TimBre” that screens/detects Tuberculosis (TB) primarily focusing on Pulmonary Category TB.

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Drug Adherence – Tuberculosis

Docturnal
November 6, 2013

Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) takes six to nine months and sometimes longer. The tablets you take may cause some side effects such as itchiness or an upset stomach. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis could become resistant to treatment if you do not take your medication regularly. Avoid drinking alcohol while on tuberculosis treatment. Some times […]

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Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) – Blockers/Inhibitors

Docturnal
October 25, 2012

There are a lot of naturally available weeds, fruits, flowers and vegetables that affect the TNF pathways. The most popular ones are curcumin (compound from turmeric), catechins (from green tea), and cannabinoid receptors (cannabis). In simple terms these provide anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting Tumor Necrosis Factor. By anti-inflammatory effect, what I mean as an example […]

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Autoimmune disorders – One thing leads to another

Docturnal
September 1, 2011

What is an auto immune disorder? Immune System malfunctions and starts troubling a part of the body instead of protecting it. One autoimmune disorder leads to another. While the count is finite, it might still be worth stopping another feather in your cap. Meaning, let’s start with diabetes followed by thyroid malfunction whether it is […]

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Matters of the heart

Docturnal
July 3, 2011

Ten simple steps for a healthy heart: 1) Have oatmeal in the morning for breakfast. Its available in every store 2) Eat one Pear a day 3) Breath easy OR paractise pranayama 4) Egg whites and avoid red meat 5) Set a goal every year for a marathon – 10KM, 21KM and a full marathon […]

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Every Breath You Take

Docturnal
May 26, 2011

Sigmund Freud developed his psychoanalytic theory through his correspondence with an ENT specialist (W Fliess) who together concluded that there are reflexes that exist between nasal lining and reproductive organs and this was termed as ‘nasal reflex neurosis’. Others who continued the research found that menstrual cramps were related to the inflammation and discoloration of […]

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Insulin Glargine (Lantus) and Cancer

Docturnal
March 3, 2011

One of our Docturnal bloggers has reported that Lantus worked for them in maintaining baseline sugar levels but was cynical about its long term side effects associated with Cancer as reported in the year 2007-2008. The blog can be found over here and here is some interesting information in response to the news on the side […]

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EECP – Enhanced External Counter Pulsation

Docturnal

EECP Therapy (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) is seen as a good alternative to treat coronary artery blockage which otherwise is subjected to Drugs, Angioplasty, Stent and Bypass Surgery. This is the ‘only’ non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical treatment approved by USFDA. During this treatment, BP like cuffs around the legs and buttocks are inflated and deflated at specific […]

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Personalized Oncology?

Docturnal
March 2, 2011

Till today very little has been known as to why cancer occurs in healthy human beings. Ofcourse, external factors such as smoking, radiation etc… increase your risk of cancer but the real internal mechanism of genes and protiens is still under intense research. With each day passing there are new findings. As our findings in […]

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Half of cardiac patients in India are below 40

Docturnal

Here’s a shocker on the World Heart Day — doctors in India say almost half their cardiac patients today are below 40! More than 2 million Indians died of cardiac related problems last year. And 23-year-old Pramod never saw any warning signs. Pramod, who had a heart attack at the age of 23, said: “It […]

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Quality of Life and Suicide Risk in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Docturnal

A 50+ year old lady commited suicide by jumping into a lake in the Secunderabad, India area due to diabetic complications. Her kids are settled in Australia and with a little bit of information, someone could have saved her  precious life. Will you change this? Click the link below to know more… http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/50/1/16

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My Tryst with Cancer

Docturnal
February 26, 2011

I have been reading some books on Cancer Survivors – Anup Kumar (The Joy of Cancer) and Sean Swarner (Keep Climbing).  While I am not mentioning the author names, due credit goes to them in capturing the intricacies involved in the life of a cancer patient and their fight against the same. The Epiphany was […]

Read More »

Imaging and Imagination

Docturnal
February 24, 2011

Almost seventy five percent of cases referred to imaging department are either without any history or without a provisional diagnosis. So its the onus of the radiologist to diagnose just by looking at the images provided. They say “What the mind can’t think of, the eyes can’t see”. God help us, for we know not […]

Read More »

HbA1c at your finger tips!

Docturnal
February 22, 2011

Yes that’s what I literally mean in that you do not have to visit your favourite diagnostic centre or someone from a diagnostic centre visit you to draw a sample of your blood.  The test can happen in the comfort of your house provided there is a refrigerator in the house which I assume is the case with most of the population out there and even if you don’t, feel free to approach your neighbour.

Read More »