One more death due to Swine Flu in Orissa, death toll rises to 8

Medications A-Z

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Medications A-Z List - A

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Cancer Vaccines

Vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to mount an immune response against the target in the vaccine. For instance, the flu vaccine contains pieces of the flu virus, and stimulates the immune system to make cells that fight the flu virus. The flu vaccine needs to be given at least two weeks before exposure to the flu. This is an example of a preventive vaccine. The flu vaccine can stimulate long-lasting immunity to the strain of flu used in the vaccine.
Cancer vaccines are different in that they are not preventive. Rather, cancer vaccines are therapeutic-they are used to treat the disease rather than prevent it. Like the flu vaccine, cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to mount a response toward the target-in this case the cancer cells. Unlike flu virus which is foreign to the body, cancer cells are not foreign and generally do not stimulate a strong immune response on their own. So cancer vaccines use other substances or cells to help the immune response along.
Some of the substances in cancer vaccines are called cytokines, which act as “immune hormones.” Other substances are called heat shock proteins. Heat shock proteins and cytokines can help alert the immune system to the information about the cancer cells. This alert helps certain immune cells that are sensitive to the cancer cells to divide. This new “army” of cells will kill any cancer cell they come in contact with.
The cells that are most efficient at stimulating an immune response are called dendritic cells. Dendritic cells are a specialized immune cells found throughout the body. To make a vaccine, precursor cells are taken from a blood sample of the patient and grown in the laboratory. Information about the surface of the patient’s cancer cells is placed inside dendritic cells that are grown in the laboratory. When the cells are injected they can activate an immune response toward the cancer cells. As with cytokine and heat shock protein activation, the alerted cells divide and kill cancer cells they come in contact with.
Unlike chemotherapy cancer vaccines generally have few side effects. Here at the clinic we use all the types of cancer vaccines described above. The results achieved vary with tumor, type of tumor and stage of disease.
Cancer vaccines represent an innovative potential cancer therapy — a therapy that seeks to harness the body’s own defenses to fight the uncontrolled growth and spread of cancer cells.
The immune system has the ability to recognize the difference between “self” and “non self,” that which is and is not a naturally occurring molecule in the body. In the case of cancer, the difference between cancer cells and normal healthy cells is sometimes so slight that they go unnoticed by the immune system and no response occurs, or the immune system is overwhelmed. The body is “tolerant” of the cells allowing them to multiply in the body. Cancer vaccines seek to “break” this tolerance.
Cancer vaccines are designed to introduce molecules expressed on cancer cells into the body in a new way that awakens the immune system to respond and destroy the cancer cell. These vaccines attract immune cells such as dendritic cells that engulf the vaccine cells which include “antigens” or proteins on their cell surfaces, and then present (exhibit) fragments of these antigens. These immune cells, known as “antigen presenting cells” (APCs), then signal other immune cells to mature and attack the specific invading antigen. Lymphocytes, including helper T cells, killer T cells, and B cells, are called into action. Helper T cells release cytokines, chemical messages that recruit other immune cells, and killer T cells engulf the antigen (and the cell it is attached to) the APCs presented to it. In addition to awakening the cellular side of the immune system to the tumor cell, some cancer vaccines stimulate the humoral side of the immune system, which includes antibodies, into action as well.
Types of Cancer Vaccines
Research and development efforts are currently under way to develop therapeutic cancer vaccines for the treatment of multiple forms of cancers. Currently, there are two primary approaches being explored in the development of making cancer vaccines—the “antigen-specific” approach, and the “whole cell” approach.
Antigen-Specific Approach
The antigen-specific approach seeks to make a vaccine that stimulates an immune response to a specific antigen or antigens that are believed to be unique to a specific type of tumor. This approach may result in a highly specific antitumor response, however poses the challenge of successfully identifying the specific antigens that are most highly expressed on a given tumor. Failure to identify the appropriate antigens could result in lower or no efficacy.
One approach to developing an antigen-specific vaccine involves the removal and isolation of a patient’s dendritic cells, one type of APC. The dendritic cells are exposed to antigens that are believed to be associated with a specific tumor type, and are given time to ingest, process, and “present” the antigens. The cells are then reintroduced into the patient in vaccine form.
Whole Cell Approach
The whole cell approach uses whole cancer cells to make the vaccine, not just a specific antigen. Since whole cells express multiple—sometimes thousands of—antigens, there is potentially a greater chance of stimulating an immune response since this approach does not require choosing specific antigens which may or may not turn out to be appropriate for the patient. Cell Genesys is pursuing a whole cell vaccine approach with its GVAX® cancer vaccines.
Whole cell vaccines can be either patient-specific (made completely from the individual’s own tumor cells), non patient-specific (made from a “cell line”—tumor cells that are grown in a laboratory), or a mixture of the two. Patient-specific vaccines may offer some advantages over non patient-specific vaccines when treating cancers that involve many different cell types with few like characteristics (e.g. non small-cell lung cancer). Using the patient’s own tumor cells may increase the likelihood of creating an individualized vaccine that effectively stimulates an immune response against all cell types associated with specific form of cancer being treated.
Activating an Immune Response
While some cancer vaccines are designed to stimulate an immune response based solely on the presence of antigens, others are being developed that utilize antigens as well as cytokines to mount an attack against cancer cells. Cytokines are chemical messages that stimulate other immune cells to attack antigens. Some researchers are exploring the idea of creating vaccines comprised of cells that have been genetically modified to secrete a cytokine such as GM-CSF, interleukins, and interferons. The presence of these cytokines may potentially help “jump start” the immune system to launch a more robust and efficacious immune response.
Possible Benefits of Cancer Vaccines
In addition to providing a new treatment option for patients who have failed other therapies, clinical data suggest that cancer vaccines may offer therapeutic advantages over existing therapies:
1. Favorable Side Effect Profile: Unlike many traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, cancer vaccines have generally been associated with very few side effects. This favorable side effect profile may potentially enable patients to maintain a higher quality of life during the course of treatment.
2. Combination Therapy: Numerous clinical trials are being conducted evaluating the use of cancer vaccines in combination with other traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation. Combination therapies offer the potential of improving/enhancing the efficacy of these traditional treatments.
The Current State of Cancer Vaccines
Research and development efforts are currently under way at numerous organizations to thoroughly evaluate the safety and efficacy of different approaches to cancer vaccines. Currently, cancer vaccines are being evaluated in multiple human clinical trials for many types of cancer and are available only in the clinical trial setting.

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How To Prevent The Occurrence Of Swine Flu?

How To Prevent The Occurrence Of Swine Flu?

Prevention is always better and preferred than cure. Especially when it comes to the prevention of swine flu, there are many aspects to be considered. Firstly, keeping one self away from other person while traveling by maintaining a good distance while sitting or standing keeps away the bacteria. Secondly while sneezing or coughing, one must protect self by keeping a towel or a napkin against nose to prevent the inhale and spread of germs.
Shaking of hands should be avoided because of the fact that germs can easily spread from hands too. Otherwise wiping hands with a hand cleanser or a hand wash should be an immediate preference. The emphasis is, the more you care, the better for you always especially if you are a traveler or a tourist.  Apart from this, food intake should always be monitored. While traveling in a cold temperature, always cover yourself completely and never allow any little space of your body to remain uncovered.
By taking much care, you can always prevent swine flu.   Another important aspect is, try to keep yourself away from sick people because viruses are more active.
Pay lot of attention to your diet. What you are eating and what are the hygiene levels in which you are having your food. Almost every aspect of food should be given lot of attention and good care should be administered.
Apart from food, water should also be paid attention. Preferably mineral bottled water or filtered water should be considered while traveling. Because it is food and water that spreads swine flu. Therefore first care should be given in food and water and secondly, traveling care aspect which is discussed above should be followed.
No matter where you travel, you luggage, your belongings and yourself should be properly maintained in terms of hygiene. The point of emphasis is more hygiene because swine flu is a viral infection and virus spreads where there are unhygienic surroundings or premises.
All kind of remedies to prevent swine flu should be considered.  The first remedy is to check the in take of diet and secondly, keep off from sick people and take more precautionary measures while traveling.
If you can consult a physician and consider a swine flu vaccine it is more preferable. This way, you are not only safeguarding your health but also preventing the entry of it. Therefore this is an excellent practice.
Once you gain good knowledge about swine flu how it affects, what are the remedies available and how it can be prevented, you will be more careful in your workplace, travel and in your public presence.
This way, you can not only enjoy good health but can even advise people about how to protect from swine flu.  The more knowledge you gain about swine flu and take prevention, the better for you to stay healthy and fit.

 

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 WHO Says

H1N1 in post-pandemic period

The world is no longer in phase 6 of influenza pandemic alert. We are now moving into the post-pandemic period. The new H1N1 virus has largely run its course.


These are the views of members of the Emergency Committee, which was convened earlier today by teleconference.
The Committee based its assessment on the global situation, as well as reports from several countries that are now experiencing influenza. I fully agree with the Committee’s advice.
As we enter the post-pandemic period, this does not mean that the H1N1 virus has gone away. Based on experience with past pandemics, we expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behaviour of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come.
In the post-pandemic period, localized outbreaks of different magnitude may show significant levels of H1N1 transmission. This is the situation we are observing right now in New Zealand, and may see elsewhere.
In fact, the actions of health authorities in New Zealand, and also in India, in terms of vigilance, quick detection and treatment, and recommended vaccination, provide a model of how other countries may need to respond in the immediate post-pandemic period.
Globally, the levels and patterns of H1N1 transmission now being seen differ significantly from what was observed during the pandemic. Out-of-season outbreaks are no longer being reported in either the northern or southern hemisphere. Influenza outbreaks, including those primarily caused by the H1N1 virus, show an intensity similar to that seen during seasonal epidemics.
During the pandemic, the H1N1 virus crowded out other influenza viruses to become the dominant virus. This is no longer the case. Many countries are reporting a mix of influenza viruses, again as is typically seen during seasonal epidemics.
Recently published studies indicate that 20–40% of populations in some areas have been infected by the H1N1 virus and thus have some level of protective immunity. Many countries report good vaccination coverage, especially in high-risk groups, and this coverage further increases community-wide immunity.
Pandemics, like the viruses that cause them, are unpredictable. So is the immediate post-pandemic period. There will be many questions, and we will have clear answers for only some. Continued vigilance is extremely important, and WHO has issued advice on recommended surveillance, vaccination, and clinical management during the post-pandemic period.
Based on available evidence and experience from past pandemics, it is likely that the virus will continue to cause serious disease in younger age groups, at least in the immediate post-pandemic period. Groups identified during the pandemic as at higher risk of severe or fatal illness will probably remain at heightened risk, though hopefully the number of such cases will diminish.
In addition, a small proportion of people infected during the pandemic, including young and healthy people, developed a severe form of primary viral pneumonia that is not typically seen during seasonal epidemics and is especially difficult and demanding to treat. It is not known whether this pattern will change during the post-pandemic period, further emphasizing the need for vigilance.
As I said, pandemics are unpredictable and prone to deliver surprises. No two pandemics are ever alike. This pandemic has turned out to be much more fortunate than what we feared a little over a year ago.
This time around, we have been aided by pure good luck. The virus did not mutate during the pandemic to a more lethal form. Widespread resistance to oseltamivir did not develop. The vaccine proved to be a good match with circulating viruses and showed an excellent safety profile.
Thanks to extensive preparedness and support from the international community, even countries with very weak health systems were able to detect cases and report them promptly.
Had things gone wrong in any of these areas, we would be in a very different situation today

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Swine Flu death

Friday, August 13, 2010

 One more death due to Swine Flu in Orissa, death toll rises to 8

Bhubaneswar: The Swine Flu  death in the state is increasing. On Friday one Abhijit Parida (19) has been expired in Apollo Hospital here in Swine Flu . Abhijit is a resident of Cuttack Sikharpur area.

Swab of total 67 persons were tested, out of which Swab of 25 persons identified positive. Now the death in Swine Flu in the state increased to 8.
First Swine flu patient of Orissa expired in Apollo Hospital
Bhubaneswar : First Swine flu patient  ( A Doctor ) of Orissa  expired on Thrusday morning in Apollo Hospital ,New Delhi.
Dr. A.K.Banwal of Kiriburu Hospital of Keonjhar District suffered from Swine flu and  admitted to the Ispat General Hospital , Rourkela on 11 October and were underwent treatment in a separate room. But his condition were detrioting day by day. He was shifted to the Apollo Hospital of New Delhi on 18 October by a special flight and expired on Thrusday morning ( 6 am ) . The death of a Doctor by Swine flu is the first case in the Country.




Software Engineer dies of Swine Flu in Orissa 

Bhubaneswar: Breaking News! There is no respite from Swine Flu in India. A young Software Engineer became the latest Swine Flu victim. He succumbed to H1N1 at the SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack.

With this, the Swine Flu death toll in Orissa has gone up to four. The victim was identified as Biswanath Ekka from Rourkela. He was admitted to SCB Medical College this morning in a critical condition. He died in the afternoon.

Biswanath Ekka had come from Hyderabad recently. He was working with a Software Development company there. It is believed that he was infected with A H1N1 virus in Hyderabad.

Four people have died of Swine Flu in the state since August 1. Two persons died in Bhubaneswar, while another person died in Cuttack.

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SWINE FLU

The H1N1 “Swine Flu” Pandemic

 

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What is swine flu (novel H1N1 influenza A swine flu)?

Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease caused by viruses (influenza viruses) that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions, a barking-like cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior. Swine flu produces most of the same symptoms in pigs as human flu produces in people. Swine flu can last about one to two weeks in pigs that survive. Swine influenza virus was first isolated from pigs in 1930 in the U.S. and has been recognized by pork producers and veterinarians to cause infections in pigs worldwide. In a number of instances, people have developed the swine flu infection when they are closely associated with pigs (for example, farmers, pork processors), and likewise, pig populations have occasionally been infected with the human flu infection. In most instances, the cross-species infections (swine virus to man; human flu virus to pigs) have remained in local areas and have not caused national or worldwide infections in either pigs or humans. Unfortunately, this cross-species situation with influenza viruses has had the potential to change. Investigators think the 2009 swine flu strain, first seen in Mexico, should be termed novel H1N1 flu since it is mainly found infecting people and exhibits two main surface antigens, H1 (hemagglutinin type 1) and N1 (neuraminidase type1). Recent investigations show the eight RNA strands from novel H1N1 flu have one strand derived from human flu strains, two from avian (bird) strains, and five from swine strains.

Why is swine flu (H1N1) now infecting humans?

Many researchers now consider that two main series of events can lead to swine flu (and also avian or bird flu) becoming a major cause for influenza illness in humans.
First, the influenza viruses (types A, B, C) are enveloped RNA viruses with a segmented genome; this means the viral RNA genetic code is not a single strand of RNA but exists as eight different RNA segments in the influenza viruses. A human (or bird) influenza virus can infect a pig respiratory cell at the same time as a swine influenza virus; some of the replicating RNA strands from the human virus can get mistakenly enclosed inside the enveloped swine influenza virus. For example, one cell could contain eight swine flu and eight human flu RNA segments. The total number of RNA types in one cell would be 16; four swine and four human flu RNA segments could be incorporated into one particle, making a viable eight RNA segmented flu virus from the 16 available segment types. Various combinations of RNA segments can result in a new subtype of virus (known as antigenic shift) that may have the ability to preferentially infect humans but still show characteristics unique to the swine influenza virus (see Figure 1). It is even possible to include RNA strands from birds, swine, and human influenza viruses into one virus if a cell becomes infected with all three types of influenza (for example, two bird flu, three swine flu, and three human flu RNA segments to produce a viable eight-segment new type of flu viral genome). Formation of a new viral type is considered to be antigenic shift; small changes in an individual RNA segment in flu viruses are termed antigenic drift and result in minor changes in the virus. However, these can accumulate over time to produce enough minor changes that cumulatively change the virus' antigenic makeup over time (usually years).
Second, pigs can play a unique role as an intermediary host to new flu types because pig respiratory cells can be infected directly with bird, human, and other mammalian flu viruses. Consequently, pig respiratory cells are able to be infected with many types of flu and can function as a "mixing pot" for flu RNA segments (see Figure 1). Bird flu viruses, which usually infect the gastrointestinal cells of many bird species, are shed in bird feces. Pigs can pick these viruses up from the environment and seem to be the major way that bird flu virus RNA segments enter the mammalian flu virus population.
Picture of antigenic shift and antigenic drift in swine flu (H1N1).
Figure 1.

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