Tumor-on-a-chip to revolutionize cancer drug testing

Touted as tumour-on-a-chip, this piece of equipment opens up new possibilities for testing several potential cancer-fighting drugs with greater accuracy and ease.

Kyoto [JAPAN]: Researchers from Kyoto University, Japan have created a new device that can culture cancerous cells in vitro in a three-dimensional fashion that better mimics the conditions present in the human body. Touted as tumour-on-a-chip, this piece of equipment opens up new possibilities for testing several potential cancer-fighting drugs with greater accuracy and ease.

The details of this new invention were revealed in the paper "Vascularized cancer on a chip: The effect of perfusion on growth and drug delivery of tumour spheroid" in the journal Biomaterials. ....read more

Unethical to involve doctors

The time has come for us to hang the convicted in the Nirbhaya rape case. At this time, it is also important to discuss the involvement of doctors in the process. The World Medical Association (WMA) provides ethical guidance to physicians through its Declarations, Resolutions and Statements. The same is adopted by CMAAO Asian Countries including Indian Medical Association.

WMA first adopted its resolution on physician participation in capital punishment in 1981, which then amended in 2000 and 2008. The revised Declaration of Geneva was adopted by the World Medical Association General Assembly on October 14, 2017, in Chicago. ....read more

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FDA approves first ever vaccine against ebola virus disease

Medical Dialogues

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced approval of Ervebo first vaccine for the prevention of Ebola virus disease (EVD). Ervebo is administered as a single-dose injection, and is a live, attenuated vaccine that has been genetically engineered to contain a protein from the Zaire ebolavirus. The Ebola virus disease is caused by Zaire ebolavirus in individuals 18 years of age and older. It is contagious and is transmitted through direct contact with blood, body fluids and tissues of infected wild animals or people, as well as with surfaces and materials, such as bedding and clothing, contaminated with these fluids. The approval has been granted to Merck & Co., Inc. by the Food and Drug Administration. “While the risk of Ebola virus disease in the U.S. remains low, the U.S. government remains deeply committed to fighting devastating Ebola outbreaks in Africa, including the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Anna Abram, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International Affairs. “Today’s approval is an important step in our continuing efforts to fight Ebola in close coordination with our partners across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as our international partners, such as the World Health Organization. These efforts, including today’s landmark approval, reflect the FDA’s unwavering dedication to leveraging our expertise to facilitate the development and availability of safe and effective medical products to address urgent public health needs and fight infectious diseases, as part of our vital public health mission.

Baby decapitated during delivery in Nagarkurnool

Telangana Today

Nagarkurnool: In a bizarre incident, the head of a yet to be born infant was severed during delivery time in the government hospital at Achampet. The incident happened on Wednesday, but came to light only on Friday. The woman was rushed to government maternal hospital in Hyderabad where the doctors were aghast to find the headless torso in the womb. The District Collector E Sreedhar has suspended Dr Tara Singh, Superintendent of Achampet Government Hospital and Dr Sudha Rani, duty doctor at the time of delivery on Wednesday. The relatives of Swathi (22), the mother of infant, protested at Achampet Government Hospital on Friday demanding justice.

Apollo Hospitals launches robot-assisted cardiac surgery unit

eHealth

Apollo Hospitals Bangalore recently launched a dedicated robot-assisted cardiac surgery unit which will offer patients with complex cardiac disease treatment with robotic assisted minimal invasive cardiac surgery. It will be equipped with the advanced fourth-generation ‘da Vinci Xi’ robotic surgical system and a dedicated team, Apollo Hospital said. “Our vision has always been to bring the most advanced medical technology to India to benefit our patients,” K. Hariprasad, President, Apollo Hospitals, was quoted as saying by IANS. “We are continuing on this path with the launch of the dedicated Robot-Assisted Cardiac Surgery Unit, which will be the first in India to offer a full-time robotic heart surgery programme,” he added. “With 18 cases successfully treated to date with robot-assisted cardiac surgery, we are confident that the dedicated unit will change the lives of many more patients who cannot undergo conventional cardiac surgery,” Hariprasad said. The innovative technology of the da Vinci Xi allows complex cardiovascular surgeries to be performed through smaller incisions and precise motion control, as compared to conventional open heart surgery, which involves opening up the chest by splitting the breastplate. The robot is docked near the operation table while the cardiac surgeon sits on a console from where commands are given to operate the smooth and dexterous robotic arms with a precision that would be impossible without the robot.