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Life Sciences
Diet Low in Omega 3 May Trigger Disorders
New Vaccine for TB Developed
Insufficient omega-3 fatty acid in diet may cause harmful consequences on synaptic functions and emotional behaviours, a new study found. These fatty acids are “essential� lipids because the body cannot synthesise them from new. They must therefore be provided through food and their dietary balance is essential to maintain optimal brain functions. Researchers from Inserm and INRA and their collaborators in Spain collaboration, studied mice fed on a diet low in omega-3 fatty acid. They found that omega-3 deficiency disturbed neuronal communication specifically. This neuronal dysfunction was accompanied by depressive behaviours. The results can now corroborate clinical and epidemiological studies.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can safely improve the diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions in children, according to a study by researchers at Jena University Hospital, Germany. In the study, researchers used contrast-enhanced ultrasound to image 50 paediatric patients. They found that the procedure was not associated with any adverse safety events in children, and they were able to successfully differentiate between a benign cyst and a perfused tumour. According to the researchers, unlike CT and nuclear imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound does not expose patients to ionising radiation, and it can be used to assess kidney infections, organ blood flow and internal abdominal injuries. The researchers have called for additional clinical trials to validate the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in paediatric patients.
Corporate
Dr Sudarshan K Aggarwal conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award Dr Sudarshan K Aggarwal of DCA Imaging& Research Centre has been honoured with K.R. Gupta Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA), New Delhi. The award was presented to Dr Aggarwal at the 64th annual conference of IRIA held recently. He was felicitated for his contribution to the growth of
Radiology and for introducing advanced diagnostic technologies in India. Dr Aggarwal joined DCA Imaging & Research Centre in 1959 with a specialisation in Gastrointestinal and Uro-radiology. He took over management of the centre in 1989 and under his guidance the centre made remarkable progress in technology and expertise becoming one of the largest
standalone private radiology clinics in this region. DCA centres across Delhi offers a host of imaging modalities under one roof. He is the founder President for the SAARC society of Radiology and has been rewarded fellowship by the American College of Radiology, Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons, Glasgow) and the Royal Society of Medicine, London.
Product
Device in the Pulmonary Artery could Reduce Heart Failure An implantable device that monitors fluid build up in the lungs of heart failure patients and alerts doctors when intervention is needed can significantly reduce hospitalisations, according to a study published in The Lancet.
The device, manufactured by CardioMEMS, is placed in the pulmonary artery in the lung using a catheter in a minimally invasive procedure. In a study conducted by researchers, 550 patients with moderately severe heart
failure were randomised to receive the device plus standard of care or standard medical care only. During the first six months, 83 patients with devices were hospitalised for heart-failure related problems, compared to 120
patients who did not receive the device, a 30 percent reduction in hospitalisations. During 15-months of followup, patients with devices had 39 percent reduction in hospitalisations, compared to those who did not.
March 2011 < www.ehealthonline.org <
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