Wednesday 8 October 2014
Monday 1 September 2014
A Systematic Review of Medical Research
* Decide which studies to include in the review. The first and most important decision is to decide what research question will be answered. This is expressed as an aim, for example: 'To assess the effects of a new drug for a particular health problem in certain types of people.'
* Decide which studies to include in the review. This will be decided in part by the tightly defined research question, but there are further 'eligibility criteria' that must be decided in advance for the inclusion or exclusion of studies. Typically, all the studies need to be of a rigorous design, such as a randomized controlled trial.
* Search for the studies. The sources consulted, and the search terms used to trawl them are outlined for attack - in the case of Cochrane reviews, by specially trained search coordinators. Attempts should also be made in the search to reveal unpublished studies.
* Select the studies and collect data from them. Data are extracted from the studies that meet the eligibility criteria set out in advance. The data relevant to the research question being investigated may have to be extracted from varied formats.
* Assess the risk of bias in the included studies. This is a process to ensure that all the studies reviewed are relevant and reliable. For example, was the randomization in the trial double-blinded? Or was there a risk of bias over which participants were selected for either treatment or comparison? Some studies may be of a lower quality, but they can still be included, so long as this assessment of bias is taken into account.
* Analyze the data and undertake meta-analyses. This is the core process of a systematic review, the main step towards synthesizing conclusions. Researchers are warned not to jump straight into this process of data analysis without first defining the aims and taking the precautions in the above steps.
* Address any publication bias. One of the disadvantages of systematic reviews is publication bias, which effectively means study results being cherry-picked. The risk is that a systematic review misrepresents the true effects of treatment, so this step is designed to address that concern.
* Present the final results of the review.
Kidney stones may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke
A kidney stone is an accumulation of waste chemicals
in the kidney - calcium, oxalate,
cystine, phosphate, xanthine and irate - that become a hard mass. Normally,
these chemicals are passed out of the body through urine, but they can build up if
there is not enough liquid to get rid of them.
Once these stones are formed, they either stay in the
kidney or move down the urinary tract into the ureter. Smaller stones can be
passed out the body in urine without causing major discomfort, but larger
stones may become stuck. Urine can build up behind the stones, causing a lot of
pain.
Study results found that patients with kidney
stones are at 19% higher risk of coronary heart disease and 40% higher risk of
stroke.
Wednesday 20 August 2014
Commonly prescribed antibiotic 'could increase risk of cardiac death'
Clarithromycin belongs to a class of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics. It is used to treat an array of bacterial infections, including pneumonia, bronchitis and ear, sinus, skin and throat infections.
According to the research, macrolide antibiotics increase the duration of the heart muscle's electrical activity - known as the QT interval - which can lead to abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), a known risk factor for stroke and sudden cardiac arrest.
Heart failure: transplantation of animal organs into
human patients 'more viable'
Heart transplantation
is the main treatment for end stage heart failure. Heart patients awaiting a transplant
must rely on mechanical devices, which can increase the risk of infection,
blood clots and bleeding in the patient.
A proposed alternative has been to use animal hearts in human
patients, which is known as "xenotransplantation."
Scientists have
reported success in transplanting the hearts from genetically engineered
piglets into the abdomens of baboons, where the hearts have survived for more
than 1 year.
Firstly, pigs were genetically
engineered to be a source of donor organs. These pigs had human genes that make
their organs more compatible with human physiology. Pigs were chosen because
their anatomy is similar to human anatomy.
Monday 18 August 2014
Dear
All,
Please
find below the workshop brochure. If interested kindly mail us at smitha.p@acriindia.com. Post your confirmation, mode of payment would be communicated to you.
For any queries kindly contact - 08049203 714, 715, 09538872289.
ACRI-Clinical Research Institute
#33, 3rd Flr, 15th Cross, 100ft Outer
Ring Road,
2nd Phase J.P. Nagar, Bangalore – 560078
2nd Phase J.P. Nagar, Bangalore – 560078
Tuesday 5 August 2014
WORKSHOP ON BASIC SAS
We are pleased to invite you to a one day workshop on one of the
most significant topics – Basic
SAS [Statistical Analytical Software] which would be conducted by ACRI
in the first week of September, 2014.
SAS training would indeed provide a career with better growth
potential and more options in terms of variety of jobs. There is a steady
demand for SAS professionals throughout the pharmaceutical industry. It is
crucial for Pharmaceutical companies, Biotechs and CRO’s to have SAS expertise
from both statistical and data management point of view.
So come one, come all and get the best out of this valuable
workshop.
Kindly confirm your interest by
calling 08049203714/715.
Tuesday 29 July 2014
FDA OKs Injectable Dantrolene for
Malignant Hyperthermia
The US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has approved an injectable form of dantrolene sodium (Ryanodex, Eagle Pharmaceuticals)
for rapid treatment of malignant hyperthermia (MH), along with the appropriate
supportive measures.
MH is a
potentially fatal inherited disorder triggered by exposure to certain drugs
used for general anesthesia, including the neuromuscular blocking agent
succinylcholine.
Ryanodex
— which can be administered much more quickly than current formulations of
dantrolene will be available in single-use vials containing 250 mg of
dantrolene sodium in lyophilized powder form. It is formulated for rapid
reconstitution and administration in less than 1 minute to patients in MH
crisis. "Ryanodex should be administered by continuous rapid intravenous
push beginning with a loading dose of 2.5 mg/kg, and continuing until symptoms
subside."
EU approves Novartis glaucoma combo
The European Commission
has approved the eye drops to decrease elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in
adult patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, for which
monotherapy provides insufficient IOP reduction.
Simbrinza combines two
well-established treatments for elevated IOP into one multi-dose bottle,
"offering a simplified schedule compared to brinzolamide and brimonidine
administered separately," according to Novartis, which, it is hoped, will
help tackle current poor adherence rates to therapy.
Monday 21 July 2014
Drug made from Indian spices to
fight hypertension
A recently done study has found
out that commonly used Indian spices in soups, curries and rasam, when used in
a specific proportion with white lotus petals, can bring down blood pressure.
The study mentioned that Siddha
drug 'venthamarai chooranam,' a mixture of cardamom, ginger, cumin seeds, long
pepper (thippili), dill (sada kuppi), licorice (adimadhuram) and white lotus
petal could bring down blood pressure in rats during laboratory experiments.
Tuesday 8 July 2014
ONLINE ACRI
Benefit of taking online courses, and doubtless the most popular one,
would be that it offers flexibility to students.
The students can attend classes and courses whenever and wherever there is a computer and access to the internet, they can easily plan out a schedule that would work for them. Because of the flexibility offered by online learning, individuals who already have full-time jobs or other commitments are also able to take up courses and get their post graduate diploma certificate online.
Qualification
BSc/ MSc/ BAMS/ BHMS/ B.Tech (Biotechnology)/Pharmaceutical Science) /MBBS/ BDS/ B.Pharmacy/ M.Pharmacy
Course Content
Design and Development of Drug
Preclinical Studies
Clinical Research Introduction
Clinical Trials
Quality, Regulations and Ethics….
Teaching Mode
- Electronic copies will be shared to students.
- Lecture slides in PowerPoint format, as used for on-campus classes, made available for Online sessions.
- Additional notes arising from on-campus lectures and tutorials will be shared via mail.
Weekly and Monthly Evaluation
- Test paper will be shared with the candidates on weekly basis and Monthly basis.
- A feedback barometer, through which students are enabled to provide anonymous feedback as to how the subject is progressing on a weekly basis.
Additional Features of the course
- E books and SOP’S will be shared via mail to the candidates.
- Recent updates of clinical research will be provided to the students via mail.
System Requirement for Students
- The broad band connection (512kbps and above)
- Head Set
- Link will be sent to the students email id, they have to click on the link and get connected.
Duration - 3 months
Thursday 19 June 2014
New Diabetes Drug Approved by FDA
A new pill to treat adults with type 2 diabetes has been approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Farxiga
(dapaglifozin) tablets were approved to improve patients' blood sugar control,
in combination with diet and exercise. The approval is based on findings
from 16 clinical trials that included more than 9,400 people with type 2
diabetes.
An
increased number of bladder cancers were diagnosed among patients who took the
drug, so it is not recommended for patients with bladder cance, the FDA
said. The most common side effects among patients who took Farxiga were genital
fungal infections and urinary tract infections.
The FDA
ordered six post-approval studies for the drug. The studies will examine things
such as cardiovascular and bladder cancer risk, liver problems, and pregnancy
outcomes among patients taking the drug. Two studies will assess the use of the
drug in children.
Farxiga
is marketed by Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Monday 16 June 2014
Periodic
fasting 'may protect against diabetes in at-risk groups'
Insulin resistance is when insulin production becomes so
high that the pancreas can no longer produce the body's required levels of
insulin, which causes blood sugar to rise. The researchers believe fasting may
prevent this.
"The fat cells themselves are a major contributor to
insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes.” Because fasting may help to
eliminate and break down fat cells, insulin resistance may be frustrated by
fasting."
After 10-12 hours of fasting, the body begins to scavenge
other sources of energy throughout the body in order to sustain itself. The
benefit to prediabetics, is that because the body feasts on the LDL (or
"bad") cholesterol in fat cells, it negates the effect of insulin
resistance.
Thursday 12 June 2014
Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Clinical Database Management
The Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Clinical Database Management program conducted by ACRI in affiliation with Mysore University, invites BSc., MSc. in Life Sciences, M.Sc.in Health Sciences and B.Pharma and M.Pharma graduates to join the course and enjoy different opportunities offered by the Pharma and Clinical Research Sector.
The course starts in July 2014 and along with 7 months theory classes, there will be a 3 months compulsory internship program with reputed companies in the Industry.
As the Indian population grows at the rate of 1.5 % every year, the requirement for jobs will drastically increase. As a result of this, government spending will increase in various sectors and very significantly in the Healthcare sector.
As per the McKinsey report, government spending in healthcare will increase significantly. It has been growing at 18 per cent annually since 2005 to 2006, and is translating into a higher level of access in Tier-II and rural markets.
Secondly, there would be a demand for new therapies and innovative drugs due to aggressive players in market.
Sl NO
|
THERAPIES
|
GROWTH
|
1
|
OTC/Self-medicate
|
Grow over 14% annually
|
2
|
Biologics
|
3 billion segment by 2020
|
3
|
Vaccines
|
20 per cent over the next decade
|
In the base case scenario, all the important growth drivers will observe vigorous progress. The market will grow more than four times to reach USD 55 billion by 2020.
As the Indian population grows, the prevalence of diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease will also show drastic increase.
Insurance coverage would grow to cover the entire Indian population below the poverty line.
Moreover, the Pharma sector will influence the patient funnel by increasing awareness and treatment, thereby increasing the patient pool by 15 per cent.
Skill requirements for the Pharma and Clinical Research industries will increase manifold in the years to come.
Skill requirements for the Pharma and Clinical Research industries will increase manifold in the years to come.
Tuesday 10 June 2014
Tomato extract 'improves blood vessel function'
in CVD patients
Results of a study revealed that CVD patients
who received lycopene supplementation showed improved blood vessel response to
acetylcholine, compared with healthy volunteers, which indicated normalized
endothelial function.
Tomatoes and tomato products, including ketchup
and tomato puree, have the highest concentrations of lycopene. Lycopene improves
blood vessel response to acetylcholine by 53% in CVD patients. It works by
simulating the release of nitric oxide - a hormone that helps the blood vessels
to dilate, improves the function of
blood vessels in cardiovascular disease patients. It reinforces the need for a
healthy diet in people at risk from heart disease and stroke.
A daily 'tomato pill' is not a substitute for other treatments,
but may provide added benefits when taken alongside other medication.
Wednesday 14 May 2014
Invites
you to a
One
Day Free Awareness Workshop
24th May 2014
11.00 AM to 1.00 PM
Fundamentals of Drug
Discovery / Clinical Trial Process & Careers
WORKSHOP
OVERVIEW
This
workshop will deliver information on the stages of drug discovery and
development and especially will provide in-depth knowledge about phases of
Clinical Trials and its process.
Speaker: Dr. Smita
Singh
Kindly
share this invitation with your friends and help them be a part of the same.
Free
Registration
On
spot registration at 10:00 AM
For pre-registration, contact: 080 49203714 / 715 / 716 or Email us at smita.s@acriindia.com
ACRI-Clinical Research Institute
#33, 3rd Flr, 15th Cross, 100ft Outer
Ring Road, 2nd Phase J.P. Nagar, Bangalore – 560078
Ph: 080 26588910
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