TheHindu June-July-Aug Part 1 of 3

6/13/2014 Mrunal [Science-Tech] TheHindu June-July-Aug: (Part 1 of 3) Medical research, Healthcare, Disease, OPV-IPV, Cloning, Three-Person IVF, Monocroto
http://mrunal.org/2013/09/science-tech-thehindu-june-july-aug-part-1-of-3-medical-research-healthcare-disease-opv-ipv-cloning-three-person-ivf-monocrotoph 1/21
[Science-Tech] TheHindu June-July-Aug: (Part 1 of 3) Medical research,
Healthcare, Disease, OPV-IPV, Cloning, Three-Person IVF, Monocrotophos,
Mid Day meal deaths, Pioglitazone
1. Prologue
2. Diseases Related
1. #1: Vaccine Derived Polio + Need for IPV
2. #2: Malaria
3. #3: Fluorosis
4. #5: Iodised Salt
5. #4: Migraine
6. #5: Aspergillosis
3. Research Related
1. HeLa Cell-line
2. Flu Related
1. #1: H7N9 Bird flu: potential bioweapon?
2. #2: MERC Coronavirus
3. Lab grown organs
1. #1: Lab-Grown: Meat
2. #2: Lab-Grown: Tiny Brain
3. #3: Lab-Grown: Liver
4. Cloning John Lenon
5. Three-person IVF / Mitochondria Transfer
6. Cancer Immune Naked Mole Rats
7. Silver Antibiotic
8. Neuro-science
1. #1: Human neurons and Carbon Dating
2. #2: Neuroplasticity
4. Banning Drugs and Chemicals
1. Mid Day Meal Deaths And Monocrotophos
2. Open Sale of TB Drugs
3. Pioglitazone: Banned & unbanned
4. Analgin: Banned
5. Dextropropoxyphene: Banned
5. Food related
1. #1: Honey
2. Food additives are Poisonous
6. Animal related
1. #1: Resilin, the rubber like protein
2. #2: Animals do self-medication
7. Misc.
1. Active Travel
2. Apoptosis
3. Pain Management Techniques
4. Elastic Energy and Human Shoulder
Prologue
Until now, Ive compiled Hindu Sci-Tech upto May 2013. You can access the entire
archive on Mrunal.org/snt now moving to next three months: June, July, and August
2013. This compilation runs in total three parts:
1. Medical / Healthcare related (given in present article)
2. Agriculture,Environment & Biodiversity (EnB), Natural disasters, clean energy
related
3. Space, IT, Electronics, Nano-tech, allied topics of physics/chemistry.
Although CSAT-2013 prelims paper didnt contain much current affairs, but Hindu
Science tech continues to remain important because it provides Science
Theory/principles that can be asked in MCQs (in four statement true/false type
questions) for example :
Q. Consider following statements
1. Honey has Acidic PH, and infants body cannot tolerate food with Acidic PH.
2. Infants body doesnt have well developed immune system to fight the bacterial
spores that are found in Honey.
3. Honey has a low glycemic index, therefore infant body cannot digest it properly.
For which of the above reason(s), do the doctors advice against feeding honey to infants?
Answer choices
1. only 1 and 2
2. only 2 and 3
3. only 2
4. All three.
Answer= (read this article, youll get it.)
Besides for CAPF and CDS, UPSC hasnt stopped asking Sci-Tech current affairs MCQ,
yet.
For the New syllabus of Mains:
Topics under New Mains
Syllabus
Topics covered from Hindu Sci-Tech under this article
(GS-II) Issues relating to
development and
management of Social
Sector/Services relating to
Health
1. Government didnt ban a dangerous pesticide despite
warning from FAO and WHO. Ultimately led to the
Mid-day Meal deaths in Chapra, Bihar.
2. The mismanagement over drug-regulation. An anti-
diabetic drug was banned in haste and then ban was
revoked. Many drugs are banned just now, while
theyve been banned in developed countries for
years.
3. Government banning open sale of TB drugs to
prevent drug-resistance.
4. Government is not switching toward IPV vaccine for
Polio, thus leading to case of vaccine derived polio
virus.
5. National Programme for Prevention and Control of
Fluorosis (NPPCF)
(GS3) Awareness in the
fields of bio-technology
1. Mitochontrial transfer, cloning
2. Lab grown meat, liver and brain
3. Resilin
Disclaimer
1. Just because Im providing compilation for June, July, August, doesnt mean the
end of topics happened in that time-frame. You should follow-up on your own,
reading / researching the topics from other sources. Because nothing prevents
UPSC from asking anything that is not covered/explained here.
2. Ive covered only Thursday edition. However newspapers also have Science tech
and allied news topics even in the Non-Thursday editions. And again, nothing
prevents UPSC from asking anything from there. So one should keep habit of
maintaining daily notes from the newspaper on his own.
3. In short, Mrunal.org is just a supplement and catalyst for the preparation- not a
substitute of TheHindu, Indianexpress, Yojana, Kurukshetra and other standard
reference sources. And same applies for any other website and coaching. UPSC
Success requires lot of self-study on your own.
Diseases Related
#1: Vaccine Derived Polio + Need for IPV
How does Oral Polio Vaccine work?
Oral polio vaccine contains a live, attenuated (weakened) vaccine-virus.
When a child is vaccinated, the weakened vaccine-virus replicates in the intestine
and enters into the bloodstream,
This triggers an immune response in the child, thus Child becomes immune to
(wild) polio in future.
What is Vaccine-derived polio?
In rare cases, the live-weakened virus from Oral polio vaccine itself becomes mutated.
Then child gets polio from the virus inside vaccine itself. This is known as Vaccine
Derived Polio.
Why in News?
In July 2013, an infant from Beed District Maharashtra was infected with ^this
Vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPVs) type 2 and got paralyzed.
Our Heath ministrys approach was thik-hai this is just an isolated case. But
WHO is worried and rushed a team to the Maharashtra.
What do Experts say?
That baby was not given sufficient number of polio doses (undervaccinated) so it
seems baby infected by a vaccine-derived poliovirus from another person.
Not every child who gets infected with VDPV will become paralysed but this baby
was already undernourished, hence paralyzed.
Will this remove Indias polio free status?
As per the WHO definition, only wild polio considered for deciding the polio-free
status of a country.
Therefore, this Maharashtra case will not alter Indias polio status. Because it was
from Vaccine derived poliovirus and not from wild variety of polio virus.
Although such technical juggling of definition will not bring that babys legs back,
nor it will reduce the danger of polio among other India kids.
Then what should be done?
The root cause of the problem is the use of live, weakened polio virus in the oral
polio vaccine (OPV)
But this virus are still alive and quite often undergoes genetic changes=> causes
polio.
Thus, the very vaccine that is supposed to protect children against polio causes the
disease.
Endgame / ultimate solution= introduce IPV (injectable polio-vaccine) instead of
using oral polio vaccine. In just two injections of IPV, child becomes 100%
immune to polio.
Challenges in introducing IPV?
1. we dont have enough trained doctors/nurses to give injections to all kids in rural
areas. + the recent case in Uttar Pradesh, where a rickshaw puller gave injection to baby
and the baby died.
2. IPV is more expensive to produce than OPV.
#2: Malaria
Mosquito Bites
Mosquitoes are
___
meaning ___
crepuscular
Theyre most active during dawn and dusk. However, they are all not
active at night.
ectothermic
they seek warmth
but are quite vulnerable to hot, dry conditions, hence hate
direct sunlight.
Male vs Female Mosquitos
Male
mosquito
Usually feed on nectar, juice and decaying matter, which serve as the
energy source
female
mosquito
need to ingest the blood meal that serves as the protein source for
developing the eggs.
We experience more mosquito bites at night. Why?
1. Mosquitoes are known to be attracted UV light. They use UV light to find damp
water sources.
2. But during daytime, Infra red light is more intense during day time is known to
curtail mosquito activity.
3. During evening and night, Mosquitoes thermal and odour receptors become more
efficient at detecting blood source.
4. A Mosquito can detect victim more quickly if the person is big or, pregnant,
exhaling more CO and has sweetish smell or had a pint of beer.
Malaria Vaccine: Haem Synthesis
Haemoglobin inside human blood=helps in oxygen transport.
When Malaria parasite consumes this Hemoglobin=> generates haem.
Malaria Parasite needs Haem for its own energy production.
So, if we can destroy parasites genes responsible for haem synthesis=> then we
can make a genetically attenuated parasite that might serve as a vaccine candidate
for malaria.
IISc, Bangalore working on this logic.
#3: Fluorosis
Cause: drinking water with excess fluoride content.
water with moderate level=> dental enamel becomes defective.
water with high level floride=>bones in skeletal system get affected. stiffness and
pain in the joints.
Fluorosis is a crippling disorder. Its effects are permanent and irreversible in
nature. Meaning there is no cure / treatment
permissible fluoride limit, as per BIS is 1 ppm in drinking water. But At least 19
States have been identified with fluoride in water level above the safe limit.
Concerned at increasing cases of fluorosis, the Union government has asked the
States to provide alternative source of drinking water to the people in areas with
high concentration of fluorosis in groundwater.
National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis (NPPCF)
WHO?
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (AND NOT Ministry of Drinking
water)
WHEN?
11
th
FYP
WHERE 100 districts in 17 affected states
WHAT?
support provided for: 1 district lab with staff, carry out water and urine
samples, + awareness.
#5: Iodised Salt
Iodised salt=essential to prevent mental retardation and goiter.
National Policy of Universal Salt Iodisation (1986)= recommends Iodine should
be mixed in salt for 15 parts per million.
but In Chhattisgarh alone 70 per cent public doesnt get access to iodised salt.
Success in Madhya Pradesh
Anjha Chulha (community kitchen), a state-wide joint feeding programme
It converges two existing national programmes, 1) Supplementary Nutrition
Programme of the Integrated Child Development Services and 2) Midday Meal
Scheme
Meals served at anganwadi centres and schools are prepared in a common kitchen,
by trained staff, and iodised salt is used.
#4: Migraine
Two Types Of Headaches
Primary headache secondary headache
more common among patients less
They occur for no obvious occur because of serious underlying conditions e.g.
reason. Example migraine,
tension-type headache.
brain tumor, inflammatory diseases, abnormalities
of the spinal fluid.
There are no tests for these
headaches, only tests to rule out
other causes.
can be detected through tests.
Migraine
1. Migraine is the commonest cause of all primary headaches
2. Migraine is a chronic disease, meaning youve to deal with for years.
3. Migraines are genetically inherited.
4. Migraine attacks are often linked to a trigger (unavoidable external conditions such
as heat, sunlight or sweat)
#5: Aspergillosis
Aspergillus= one type of Fungus
Aspergillosis=disease caused by above Fungus
Australian researchers found it to be deadly in cats, dogs and men. + Common
antifungal drugs failed to kill this fungus, hence more dangerous.
Research Related
HeLa Cell-line
In 1951, Henrietta Lacks died at an American hospital due to cervical cancer.
In that era, USA didnt have any regulations for genetic research. So, the doctors
used her biopsy sample to create HeLa celline, without her knowledge or consent.
Since then, these cells have been extensively used for a wide variety of biomedical
research.
They even played a part in several Nobel-Prize-winning scientific discoveries.
Her family didnt learn of the cells until 20 years after Lackss death, when
scientists began using her children in research without their knowledge. Later even
their medical records were released to the press and published without consent.
But now researchers have made an agreement with her family for controlled access
to the HeLa genome sequence.
Flu Related
#1: H7N9 Bird flu: potential bioweapon?
This year, H7N9 bird flu virus killed many people in China.
Chinese authorities order the closure of poultry markets => outbreak under
control.
But Scientists fear infections may rise again in the winter. There is always a chance
that virus will undergo mutation and become more dangerous.
Hence they want to carry lab-experiment on H7N9 virus, increase its virulence in
lab, and study its ability to spread between people.
Pro arguments
1. The proposed experiments should give scientists early warning of the kinds of
virus-mutations that could spark a pandemic.
2. The work will be done in high-security laboratories to minimise the risk of the
modified viruses escaping and causing any damage.
3. This will help in advance research into drugs and vaccines before pandemic
breakout of H7N9.
anti-argument
1. This could help terrorists create lethal viruses as bioweapons.
2. If virus escapes the lab because of some natural disaster (e.g. earthquake, tornado,
tsunami) =massive damage to population.
#2: MERC Coronavirus
2002
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), appeared in China and next year
exploded worldwide.
2012
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is viral respiratory illness first
reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. It is caused by a coronavirus called MERS-
CoV
Merc-COV:
1. It is a corona virus just like SARS.
2. Like SARS, it causes severe respiratory disease.
3. Like the SARS virus, it appears to have originated in bats.
4. MERS virus has crossed from bats into an animal that humans frequently come
into contact with. But which animal exactly ? was it bird/pig/goatthat is yet to be
found.
5. MERS-CoV can spread through close contact with a sick person, and such
transmission has occurred in families as well as in hospitals.
6. The SARS virus mutated over time and gained the ability to pass more easily from
one human to another. The big worry is that the MER-CoV might do something
similar.
Lab grown organs
#1: Lab-Grown: Meat
Scientists have succeeded in growing meat in vitro (=outside body, in a lab/petri-
dish)
using stem cells
But Cost of such meat burger- 2,50,000 euros.
Then why bother with artificially grown lab meat? why not just eat normal meat from
animals?
1. it help save more than 42 million cattle from being butchered every year in the
U.S. alone
As per FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) report, when cattle is raised for
meat alone, it leads to
18% share in greenhouse gas emissions
30% land use for just grazing and growing animal food/feed.
Such cattle is injected with variety of antibiotics => led to rise in drug-resistant
bacteria=> they jump from animals to humans and cause variety of diseases.
#2: Lab-Grown: Tiny Brain
Austrian scientists have grown tiny brain (called Cerebral organoid) in their lab
using stem cells.
This tiny brain has many key features of the brain in a nine-week-old human
embryo.
Limitations?
does not yet display all the brain regions organised in the fashion that would be
found in a developing embryo.
Since there are no blood vessels to bring oxygen and nutrients to cells deep
inside=> tiny brain will not develop beyond about four millimetres in size.
Benefits?
1. Microcephaly= is a genetic disorder, leads to greatly reduced brain size and
associated mental disabilities.
2. Earlier scientists tried to experiment on mice-brain to understand this disease but
did not succeed.
3. but now with tiny brain, they can do more research on Microcephaly disorder.
4. Ultimately theyll be able to research on more common disorders like
schizophrenia or autism
#3: Lab-Grown: Liver
Japanese scientists has used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) cells to
produce a rudimentary human liver that could function in mice.
iPS cells=created from normal cells, you dont need stem cells. (recall earlier
article about Yamanakas stem cell research).
http://mrunal.org/2013/09/science-tech-thehindu-june-july-aug-part-1-of-3-medical-research-healthcare-disease-opv-ipv-cloning-three-person-ivf-monocrotop 10/21
OPPORTUNITIES CHALLENGES
Will help patients with life-
threatening liver damage.
These lab-grown liver buds are too small
in size, must be produced in vast
numbers
same principle can be used to
make pancreas, kidneys and
lungs in the lab.
Itll take yet another 10 years before
such a method is ready for clinical trials
in humans.
Cloning John Lenon
Some Canadian dentist has a tooth of late British Pop legend John Lennon- he wants to
clone it.
What is Clone?
A clone is a cell or an organism that is produced asexually from an ancestor.
(=without sperm meeting egg)
A Clone cell genetically identical to its ancestor.
Thus the clone of Lennon, produced today, will be genetically the same John
Lennon of the 70s.
Dolly Sheep cloning
Scientists chose three sheep: Molly, Polly and Polly
Polly
(Black
face)
they removed genetic material from her egg-cell.Thus her egg remained
only an empty reaction vessel.
Molly
(White
face)
they took cells from her udder, extracted genetic material out of it, and
planted in Dollys empty egg cell. Thus an embrayo created.
Holly
they planted above embryo in Hollys womb. Thus holly served as a
surrogate mother.
Result: Dolly sheep was born. White faced, inherited the genes from Molly only. The
only male DNA of Dolly came from Mollys fathers DNA contained in her somatic
cells.
Sci-Tech-cloning Dolly
Whether Cloning
of Humans should be allowed or not? => Its a Group Discussion/Interview topic.
But whether Cloned John Lennon will be equally good singer-musician like
original John Lennon=> Answer is No.
Because a Man does not live by body alone. What goes into the brain is interaction
with the external world. Culture is not coded in our DNA. Experience, education,
environment all these matter.
Three-person IVF / Mitochondria Transfer
Why Mitochondria important?
Mitochondria crucial to the energy supply of cells.
Defective Mitochondria= disrupted energy supply to muscles, heart, liver and
brain.
Mitochondrial diseases are incurable.
In Britain alone, around one in 6,500 children is born annually with a severe
mitochondrial disease like muscular dystrophy.
Current methods can only reduce but not eliminate the risk; no treatment is
available either.
Solution: mitochondrial transfer/ 3-Parent IVF
mom
gives egg but her DNA material has defective genes for Mitochondria. So
that part related to Mitochondria is removed.
dad sperm
donor
(female)
gives DNA that has right codes for healthy Mitochondria.
Thus, with help of genetic material from ^three people, an IVF baby is created. Embryo
transferd to mother and baby is born without any disease related to mitochondria.
Why news/controversy/Anti-arguments:
1. UK government is planning to allow doctors to use ^this technique. But some MPs
are against this method citing this is also stem-cell research, You are playing
God and interfering with his creation and hence against the (Christianity) religion.
2. This research will lead to Designer babies for example, pick DNA of Sachin for
Stamina, DNA of Bacchan for Height, Hrithik Roshan for white skin and thus
assemble an embryo like assembling a mobile phone or computer.
3. Designer babies are bad because then society will be divided into two parts: those
with superior looks-body thanks to genetically engineering vs. those normally
born. Hitler was also trying similar thing: remove all the Jews, handicapped and
gypsies and create the strong Aryan race with pure genes.
Pro Arguments for Mitochondria-Transfer:
1. Mitochondria from a healthy woman donor doesnt affect the appearance of the
baby. It merely prevents baby from getting defective mitochondria related
diseases. Thus the donor-lady is not third parent.
2. Mitochondria are the power producers of a cell and do not in any way contribute to
the traits that make us humans. Hence, any fear that the latest development is a
slippery slope that would lead to producing designer babies is unfounded.
3. The inheritance of donated mitochondria, will stop with the succeeding generation
if the baby is male.
Cancer Immune Naked Mole Rats
Naked mole rats live underground
they can live for more than 30 years, almost seven times longer than normal rats.
They are also the only mammals that do not regulate their body temperature.
Unlike normal house rats, theyre immune to cancer.
Sci-Tech-Naked Mole Rat
Why in News?
Scientists use rats to do cancer study and test
various anti-cancer drugs.
To induce cancer in a rat, the scientists exporse
them to gamma radiation, transplanting tumours or
injecting cancer-causing agents.
But when scientists tried these cancer-tools on
naked mole rat=#epicfail, nothing happened. It
didnt develop cancer.
Reason?
Hyaluronan= a chemical found in all animals, helps to hold cells together, and
controls when cells grow in number.
Cancer= unregulated growth of cells. So hyaluronan was thought to be involved in
the progression of malignant tumours.
In Naked Mole rat, scientists found an unusually thick layer of ^this chemical.
Thick hyaluronan might have helped increase the elasticity of the rats skin,
allowing it to live in small tunnels underground. This trait might be helping in
preventing cancer cell growth as well.
Why beneficial? This mechanism may help us find cure for cancer.
Silver Antibiotic
Scientists are now interested in silver because Bacteria cant develop resistance
against silver.
silver unlike most antibiotics works in more than one way to kill bacteria.
Now, silver is combined with conventional antibiotics to make a killer combo.
First silver will weaken the bacterial cell membrane, then conventional antibiotics
will attack the bacteria.
Bacteria are broadly classified into two groups called Gram-negative and Gram-
positive.
Gram-negatives have an extra cell membrane that protects the bacteria; this
means that it is much more difficult for some antibiotics, such as gentamicin and
vancomycin, to penetrate the cell.
But with added silver, even weak antibiotics can fight with such strong gram
negative bacteria.
Neuro-science
#1: Human neurons and Carbon Dating
It is generally believed that brain cells stop growing in adults=>As your age
increases, your memory capacity decreases.
But Sweden researchers measured the rate at which new neurons are added in the
adult human brain, using Carbon dating method.
How does Carbon Dating work?
Carbon dating makes use of an isotope, carbon-14.
Carbon-14 is generated in the upper atmosphere when cosmic rays strike nitrogen
atoms. It then finds its way into different substances.
When scientists measure the amount of the isotope in them, they can calculate
how much of it there was originally based on how quickly it is radioactively
decaying.
This number can reveal the age of the substance, too.
#2: Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity = ability of the nervous system (brain) to modify its organisation
in response to conditions imposed on it.
Experiment on animals showed that increase physical exercise=increases grey
matter in the brain, promotes the formation of new nerve cells, blood vessels and
connections (synapses) between neurons
Thus exercise helps improve your brain, apart from keeping obesity, type 2
diabetes, stroke and hypertension away from your body.
Banning Drugs and Chemicals
Mid Day Meal Deaths And Monocrotophos
In Chapra (Bihar) >20 kids died after eating Mid day meal, contaminated with
pesticide known as Monocrotophos.
Monocrotophos is an organophosphorus pesticide.
Considered highly hazardous by FAO and World Health Organisation (WHO).
Already banned in Australia, China, the European Union and the United States, and
in many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
2004: WHO says this pesticide must be banned. But our (bogus) government
refused saying Monocrotophos pesticide = cheaper than its competitors and more
effective in controlling pests.
FAO+WHO+World Bank agree that Monocrotohpos and similar highly hazardous
products should not sold in Developing countries because:
1. Marketing-Distribution channels are not properly developed=> anyone can
buy such chemicals from anywhere and create havoc (same problem leading
to Acid-throwing on girls.)
2. Small scale farmers lack knowledge, proper sprayers, and protective gear and
storage facilities. They do not dispose the empty pesticide containers
safely=>environmental problems.
International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management
Adopted by FAO member- countries,
It establishes voluntary standards of conduct for all public and private entities
involved in pesticide management.
Code states that a hazardous pesticide should be banned if risk-assessment says
that given pesticide cannot be handled without unacceptable risk to humans and the
environment.
For monocrotophos, many governments have concluded that prohibition is the only
effective option to prevent harm to people and environment.
But India hasnt done it so far.
Open Sale of TB Drugs
Total more than 8 million TB patients in the world, among them more than 2 million just
living in India alone.
TB treatment
through Government funded DOTs program 65% patients covered
Through private clinics remaining 35%
What is the problem?
Patients receiving treatment through private clinics= they take drugs irregularly. As a
result, disease resurfaces and TB bacteria becomes more resistant to the drugs.
What is the solution?
Govt mulling ban on sale of TB drugs in open market
Under the new initiative, patients going to private practitioners for treatment will
get medicines free of cost from chemists but only after the doctor informs them
through a dedicated call centre to be set up by the government.
Allied topic: DOTS therapy and MDR-TB. click me
Pioglitazone: Banned & unbanned
Oral Antibiotic drug. Works as insulin sensitizer.
major players, such as Ranbaxy, Cipla and Sun Pharma, manufacture the drug.
Market >700 crores.
used by over 35 lakh diabetes patients across the country
2011
France bans this drug because it is believed to cause bladder cancer,
anemia and even heart failure.
but drug continues to be used in the US, the UK and other countries, albeit
with a warning label.
2013
A doctor files petition to drug controller general of India (DGCI) to ban
Pioglitazone after 8 cases related urinary bladder cancer were reported in the
Chennai.
June
2013
Ministry bans the drugs, on advice of the Central Drugs Standard Control
Organisation (CDSCO).
But Ministry didnt consult Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
July
2013
Indian doctors protest against the ban. Government refers the matter to
Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
DTAB recommends lifting the ban with some conditions
Finally, ban is lifted, with following conditions
1. Drug will now be sold with a box warning (that the drug carries a significant risk of
serious or even life-threatening adverse effects)
2. Doctors will also be told that pioglitazone should not be prescribed as the first line
of treatment.
Analgin: Banned
Painkiller drug.
Sold under the brand name Novalgin
Adverse effect: decreases WBC (white blood cell count)=>fatal.
Analgin is banned in many countries including US, France, Nepal but the medicine
continued to be sold in India as an over-the-counter drug for years.
Anyways finally government woke up and banned It (along with diabetic drug
Pioglitazon)
Dextropropoxyphene: Banned
Use?= mild pain killer and local anaesthetic effects
Who
banned?
directorate of food and drugs administration
How
banned?
under Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940.
Why
banned?
because already banned in USA, the UK, the European Union,
Australia, Canada, and Japan.
This drug has potentially life-threatening effects convulsions,
hypotension etc.
Food related
#1: Honey
Is it safe to give Honey for babies?
Honey contains spores from a certain bacteria, which find their way into honey
comb from dust and soil.
These bacterial spores have no effect on adults.
but for children, honey can cause death/paralysis, since the immune system of
infants has not matured.
Therefore, Paediatricians around the world strictly advise against feeding honey to
infants.
But if your child is above one year, honey is perfectly safe and can even offer
lasting relief from chronic cough.
Diabetes?
What? Glycemic index?
Honey 55
sugar 68
Food with Higher glycemic index= bad because
Foods with a higher glycemic index lead to a higher rise in blood sugar levels=
problem for diabetic patients.
Even in normal person, such food causes the body to keep releasing insulin from
the pancreas to process all that sugar. High insulin levels in the blood=> lead to
obesity.
Honey and Healing property?
before the discovery of antibiotics, honey was widely used in healing
Honey has Acidic PH=>prevents the growth of many bacteria
Honey has hydrogen peroxide=>gives antiseptic value
Honey has phytonutrients=> prevent colon and other cancers.
Honey and Weightloss?
It is a myth that honey does not add fat to your body.
Honey has just as much carbohydrates as sugar so it is best to restrict its use,
especially if youre trying to lose weight or are diabetic.
Raw vs Processed Honey?
Raw honey (that which has been directly collected from the honey comb and has
not been processed and packaged) => more effective anti-bacterial agent than the
processed honey.
when raw honey is subjected to excessive heat and preservatives during food-
processing, many nutrients/compounds are lost.
Honey Energy?
honey is a mixture of glucose and fructose, both forms of simple sugar. And much
like ordinary sugar, it is absorbed fairly quickly into your blood stream and has
almost the same effect on your body.
Food additives are Poisonous
Not much relevent from exam point of view, but before you eat junk food, wafers next
time, do check the labels to protect your own health:
Coloring Agents
Children like bright colored food. Therefore most baked goods (cupcakes, frosting) and
fast foods (like pastas, cereals and some ready-to-mix sauces) come in eye-catching
colours. Problem:
food coloring agent causes
blue#1 cancer
Red#40
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children
(which affects their ability to concentrate and focus).
Red#3 used as artificial colour to cherries. Causes thyroid tumors
Carmine/Conchineal
extract
Derived from insect. Gives pinking blush to candies, fruit
juices etc.While these are generally safe to consume, it can
cause adverse reactions in some people.
Sweetners
aspartame
used as a sugar substitute in diet soda, ice-creams etc. but it is
neurotoxin (affects the brain)
carcinogen (has the potential to cause cancer).
Acesulfame-
K
used in gums and gelatin (used in jellies) .causes cancer
Preservative
Monosodium
glutamate
(MSG)
Ingredient in many a restaurant-style Chinese meal.also found in
most packaged foods, from potato chips to soups and canned
meatsIncreases obesity , causes liver inflammation.
Sodium
Nitrate/Sodium
Nitrite (E 250)
used in canned pickles. causes cancer.
Breads
Potassium Bromide Used in banking breads. It gives a creamy white colour, and
elasticity to bread. But potassium bromate is a known carcinogen, but in the US
and in India, it is still legal.
therefore, it is better to use brown bread and ensure that you purchase a loaf that is
freshly baked.
Animal related
#1: Resilin, the rubber like protein
Resilin is a rubber-like protein
It helps dragonflies, grasshoppers and other insects to flap their wings, jump and
chirp
Resilin can stretch to three times its original length, then spring back to its initial
shape without losing its elasticity.
Scientists looking for its application in nanosprings, biorubbers, biosensors
etc.
Scientists have modified resilin with gold nanoparticles for possible use in
medical diagnostics.
#2: Animals do self-medication
Sparrows
pick up used cigarette butts and place them in their nests to reduce the
parasite infection affecting the eggs and baby birds in the nests!
Mongooes
feeds on chota-chand plant, before fighting cobras. Thus Nepalis found
out that Chota Chand is an antidote for snake bite.
Goat
From observing the goats eating the coffee plant, Men found that
coffee was a stimulant.
Caterpillars
chew on some medicinal plants to survive longer and produce healthier
eggs.
Fruit Flies
lay their eggs on food with high ethanol, to ward off infection by
parasites
Chimanzees
swallow whole leaves of some plants and defecate them in order to
flush out intestinal parasites
It would thus appear that the practice of natural medicine, including Ayurveda, has its
origin from the plant and animal kingdom.
Misc.
Active Travel
Active travel means walking, cycling or use of public transport
World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends active travel address the growing
burden of non-communicable diseases.
Apoptosis
It is the biological process clearing dead cells.
apoptotic cells= Cells that are aging, damaged or infected and about to die,
immune cells (phagocytes) engulf and destroy the apoptotic cells.
If a dying cell is not cleared it will go into a post-apoptotic stage called
necrosis=> leads to inflammatory diseases like lupus in humans.
Pain Management Techniques
Steroid
Injections
effective for patients suffering from arthritissteroid injections
greatly reduce inflammation (especially at the site of a nerve
compression) and can offer great relief from tortuous knee paibut
have side effects
Nerve Heating
The heat is transmitted to the tip of a needle => applied directly to
the paint transmitting nerves=>relieves pain and doesnt hamper with
any other body processes
Prolotherapy
Procedure involves injecting an combo of anaesthetic +
irritant, into the site of pain.
it also stimulates natural healing processes.
Antidepressent
when your pain is an obvious outcome of psychological issues,
anti-depressants are prescribed
These pills will restore the chemical seratonin in your brain, a
lack of which can lead to chronic pain.
But they should be taken as a long-term course in order to be
effective.
Elastic Energy and Human Shoulder
Humans do not have any of the characteristics so essential for hunting speed,
strength, agility, claws or sharp canines to hunt down and kill a prey.
Hence the ability to throw a spear or stone at high speed and great precision to
kill/injure an animal =part of evolution.
We can throw balls/stones/spears accurately because of the anatomical features
that allow the storage of elastic energy at the shoulder.
The human shoulder acts much like a slingshot during a throw. It stores and
releases large amounts of elastic energy is stored in the stretched ligaments and
tendons.
Chimpanzees, on the other hand, do not have much mobility at the waist hence
cannot throw objects at great speed.
For more on Sci-Tech Current affairs, visit Mrunal.org/snt
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2013/09/science-tech-thehindu-june-july-aug-part-
1-of-3-medical-research-healthcare-disease-opv-ipv-cloning-three-person-ivf-
monocrotophos-mid-day-meal-deaths-pioglitazone.html
Posted By Mrunal On 10/09/2013 @ 17:07 In the category Science

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6/13/2014 Mrunal [Science-Tech] TheHindu June-July-Aug: (Part 1 of 3) Medical research, Healthcare, Disease, OPV-IPV, Cloning, Three-Person IVF, Monocroto

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