Category: LIFESTYLE

New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) US researchers have found how resistance to chemotherapies may occur in some cancers, an advance that could help pinpoint treatment-resistant tumours.

Chemotherapy resistance is a major challenge in cancer treatment. It occurs when cancer cells stop responding to chemotherapy, allowing the tumour to grow again.

The team from Mass General Brigham focused on a pathway that harnesses reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill cancer cells. The study, published in the journal Nature, found that mutations to VPS35 — a key player in this pathway — can prevent chemotherapy-induced cell death.

“ROS play an important role in healthy and diseased cells, but pathways that sense and control cellular ROS levels are not well understood,” said corresponding author Liron Bar-Peled, of the Krantz Family Center for Cancer Research at the hospital.

“A clearer understanding of ROS could help us understand why chemoresistance occurs in some cases.”

Low concentrations of ROS are required for normal cell signalling, but higher levels of ROS can damage cells and contribute to diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.

Previous studies have shown that mitochondria play an important role in ROS production, but it has been unclear if ROS-sensing proteins influence the mitochondria. If they do, this could impact responses to some anti-cancer treatments.

To investigate the team screened cancer cells for ROS-sensing proteins that might contribute to chemoresistance.

They identified mutations that increased treatment resistance, and the team traced two of them to a protein called VPS35. Further studies showed that these mutations led to lowered ROS levels within the cell.

In addition, they analysed VPS35 expression levels in 24 patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), who received treatment at MGCC. They noted that higher tumoral VPS35 levels were associated with improved treatment responses and overall survival rates.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) The Ministry of Ayush is taking multiple initiatives, for the integration of Ayush systems, including Unani with modern medicine, said the government.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav noted that the government has set up the Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), New Delhi and National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bengaluru, for education and research in Unani system of medicine.

This includes the development of new drugs as well as conducting clinical trials on scientific lines.

“A satellite institute of the National Institute of Unani Medicine with a 200-bedded hospital is also established at Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. A total number of 21 clinical institutes/units are also working under the CCRUM across the country,” Jadhav said.

These clinical institutes/units provide treatment through general OPD, reproductive and child health OPD, geriatric OPD, non-communicable diseases clinics, etc.

“Both CCRUM and NIUM have taken up several clinical research studies for various diseases which include arthritis, bronchial asthma, anaemia, anxiety, depressive disorders, neuro-degenerative diseases, lifestyle disorders like hypertension, obesity dyslipidemia, diabetes and various skin diseases like vitiligo, etc,” the MoS said.

To boost Ayush and Unani into the mainstream of the healthcare system in the country the CCRUM is providing healthcare facilities through relocation/extension centre at several government hospitals. These have been set up to make the Unani treatment facility accessible and affordable to the public.

The CCRUM is also taking various research programmes including pre-clinical and clinical research, drug standardisation research, fundamental research, etc. to ensure accessibility and affordability to the public.

Five mobile apps have been developed and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on Ilaj-bit Tadbeer (IBT) are being developed. Standard Treatment Guidelines for Musculoskeletal disorders have also been developed.

Other measures include Ayush Vertical under the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) — a dedicated institutional mechanism for planning, monitoring, and supervising Ayush-specific public health programmes.

This vertical provides technical support to both Ministries in developing strategies for public health, healthcare, Ayush education, and training, Jadhav said.

Further, the Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) jointly established Integrated Ayush Departments in Central Government Hospitals to promote integrative healthcare.

As part of this initiative, the Department of Integrative Medicine has been set up and is operational at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.

The government has also adopted a strategy of co-location of AYUSH facilities at primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), and district hospitals (DHs), thus enabling the choice the patients for different systems of medicines under a single window.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) The Union government on Friday announced the creation of regional BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) Centers across India to accelerate startups and biomanufacturing.

At a high-level meeting of the Department of Biotechnology, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said the move will be launched in collaboration with States and will also harness the biotech potential in different parts of the country.

Singh emphasised the need for comprehensive mapping of states based on their biotech potential and directed the department to collaborate with them in establishing Bio E3 (Economy, Environment, and Employment) cells.

These specialised cells will provide the necessary support for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and scaling up biotech ventures.

“Encourage startups in biomanufacturing and bio foundries, attract FDI, and provide handholding and incubator support,” Singh said.

The MoS stressed that the Tripartite arrangement — a synergy between research infrastructure, startups, and industrial R&D — is the way forward for India’s biotech sector.

Singh also reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a biotech revolution across states through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and technical assistance. He noted that several States have expressed interest in setting up biotechnology parks, further strengthening India’s bioeconomy.

Singh instructed the Department of Biotechnology to “establish early industry linkages and work towards a 4P Model (Public-Private-People Partnership) for accelerating biotech growth”.

He also welcomed proposals to create BIRAC Centers at a global level to attract cutting-edge biomanufacturing technologies and investments.

Noting that India ranks third in biotech publications worldwide, with nearly two-thirds of research papers emanating from the Department of Biotechnology, Singh said “This reflects India’s growing influence and leadership in the international biotech arena.”

With these strategic directives, Singh reinforced the government’s vision to position India as a global leader in biotechnology, ensuring that biomanufacturing, research, and innovation drive the country’s economic and scientific growth to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat in 2047.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) Investing in adolescent nutrition is a national imperative, and key to tackling the country’s rising obesity issues, said Rajiv Bahl Secretary, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research on Friday.

He was speaking at a stakeholder consultation on the Let’s Fix Our Food (LFOF) Consortium, held in the national capital.

The LFOF Consortium is a multi-stakeholder initiative led by ICMR-NIN, PHFI, and UNICEF, working in collaboration with national and international organisations to create healthier food environments for adolescents.

At the event, the experts focused on providing Indian adolescents with healthy food environments to address the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity — directly linked to the rise in several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension and cancers.

“Investing in adolescent nutrition is not just a health priority but a national imperative. By fostering healthier food environments and implementing evidence-based policies like placing reasonable restrictions on advertising and marketing of foods to children, possible taxation of foods high in fats, sugars or salt, and promoting nutrition literacy, we can secure the well-being of future generations,” Dr. Rajiv Bahl Secretary, Director General, ICMR.

“The rising burden of overweight and obesity among adolescents is an emerging crisis. If left unaddressed, it will have long-term consequences on public health and economic productivity,” added Dr. V.K. Paul.

As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21), overall, 24 per cent of women and 23 per cent of men in India are overweight or obese.

There has also been an increase in the percentage of children under 5 years who are overweight (weight-for-height) from 2.1 per cent in NFHS-4 (2015-16) to 3.4 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21).

The LFOF Consortium aims to advance evidence-based policies, empower youth through nutrition literacy, and advocate for regulatory frameworks that promote healthier food choices. It recognises that bettering food environments for adolescents is essential to combating the growing problem of overweigRajiv Bahl Secretary, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research on Friday.ht and obesity.

During the event, the experts also released several policy briefs and research updates; as well as held a panel discussion to explore strategies to enhance multi-sectoral collaboration in fostering healthier food environments.

The experts deliberated on regulatory measures, adolescent-led advocacy, and fiscal policies, such as taxation on unhealthy foods, to curb the growing obesity epidemic.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) Hypertension or high blood pressure can have a significant impact on kidney function, much before clinical symptoms begin to appear, according to a study that stressed the importance of early detection.

The research, led by a team from the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, found that high blood pressure can lead to abnormalities in the podocytes — specialised cells in the renal filter — even without other pre-existing conditions such as diabetes.

“Early detection and treatment could help to slow the progression of kidney disease and prevent long-term damage,” said the researchers Rainer Oberbauer and Heinz Regele from the varsity.

For the study, published in the journal “Hypertension”, the team analysed kidney tissue from a total of 99 patients: who either suffered from high blood pressure (arterial hypertension) and type 2 diabetes or did not have either of the two conditions. High BP and diabetes are the most common causes of chronic kidney disease.

The study was conducted on unaffected renal tissue samples from tumour nephrectomies — a surgical procedure in which a kidney is removed in whole or in part to treat a kidney tumour.

Using modern imaging and computer-assisted methods, the size and density of the podocytes and the volume of the renal corpuscles (glomeruli) were determined in the tissue samples.

Podocytes are specialised cells of the renal corpuscles (glomeruli) that play a crucial role in the filtering function of the kidney. Their size and density are important indicators of the health of the kidney tissue.

Artificial intelligence in the form of deep-learning-based image analysis was used for the analysis. With the help of a specially trained algorithm, digital tissue sections were automatically analysed to precisely capture the structure of podocytes and glomeruli.

“The results show that patients with hypertension have a reduced density of podocytes compared to healthy controls and that their cell nuclei are enlarged compared to those of healthy controls,” said first author Christopher Paschen.

These changes occurred independently of the additional diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and likely represent the first microscopically visible step towards impaired renal function.

This indicates that high blood pressure can cause structural damage to the kidneys at an early stage and before clinical symptoms appear, the researchers explained.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed a bioink made from natural materials to boost 3D bioprinting of bone-like structures.

The new biocompatible, easy-to-use bioink is designed to address challenges in bone grafting and implants — commonly used to treat bone defects caused by injury or disease. It also supports bone regeneration.

“This research contributes to the growing field of 3D bioprinting by offering a bioink that is entirely natural, easy to apply, and capable of supporting bone regeneration,” said Prof. Devendra Verma, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, NIT Rourkela.

3D bioprinting is being increasingly explored as an alternative method for bone repair. It involves printing bone-like structures using bio-inks that contain cells and supportive biomaterials.

However, a major challenge with the existing bioinks is that the printed tissue must be maintained in a controlled environment for cells to grow and form functional bone before it can be used for treatment. This makes the process slow and difficult to implement in clinical settings.

On the other hand, the newly developed bioink stays liquid at room temperature but quickly turns into a gel when exposed to body temperature and the Potential of Hydrogen (pH).

“This allows it to be printed directly onto an injury, that is, the material is applied at the injury site instead of being printed separately and implanted later. This approach simplifies the process and makes treatment more efficient,” said the researchers, in the paper published in the Journal of Biomaterials Science, and Carbohydrate Polymers.

The developed bioink is composed of chitosan, gelatin, and nanohydroxyapatite, all of which are biocompatible and commonly used in biomedical applications. These materials closely resemble natural bone components, creating a suitable environment for bone regeneration.

The bioink also supports stem cell growth and differentiation into bone cells, helping to promote new bone formation.

In addition, the inclusion of specialised nanofibers enhances cell attachment and proliferation, which is important for the healing process.

“Further research and clinical trials will help determine its effectiveness in real-world applications, paving the way for its use in orthopedic and reconstructive surgery,” Verma said.

The team now plans to test the developed bioinks in suitable animal models and develop a scalable production process to facilitate clinical trials.

–IANS

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Mumbai, March 27 (IANS) Fertility clinic chain Indira IVF Hospital has withdrawn its draft initial public offer (IPO) papers, which were filed through the confidential pre-filing route.

The company cited an evaluation of various factors and commercial considerations as the reason for its decision.

However, the move came shortly after the release of a Bollywood biopic on Indira IVF’s founder, Ajay Murdia.

The film titled “Tumko Meri Kasam”, featuring Anupam Kher and Esha Deol, premiered on March 21, just over a month after the company submitted its draft papers to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on February 13.

This timing led to speculation about potential regulatory concerns over indirect self-promotion.

According to the SEBI’s latest update, the draft IPO document was officially withdrawn on March 19, 2025.

While reports suggested that the SEBI had raised concerns about the biopic’s release coinciding with the IPO filing, Indira IVF has denied any regulatory involvement.

In a statement, a company spokesperson clarified that the decision to withdraw the IPO was based purely on internal commercial evaluations.

They also dismissed reports suggesting that the SEBI had directed them to take this step.

“The company decided to withdraw the pre-filed DRHP pursuant to the evaluation of various factors and commercial considerations. Reports that suggest any direction from SEBI in this regard are incorrect,” the company’s spokesperson said.

Indira IVF is among several companies that have explored the confidential pre-filing route for IPOs.

This option allows firms to keep offering details private and adjust the issue size by up to 50 per cent until the Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus (UDRHP) stage.

It also gives companies 18 months to launch the IPO after receiving the SEBI’s final comments, compared to the 12-month limit in the traditional process.

Backed by Sweden-based investment firm EQT, Indira IVF had planned to raise Rs 3,500 crore through a pure offer-for-sale (OFS).

Of this, Rs 2,900 crore was expected to come from EQT, while Rs 600 crore would have been offloaded by the founders and promoter group.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) While sugary foods and beverages are more blamed for the global rise in obesity rates, a new study suggests that sodium — found in chips, processed meat products, bread, and dairy products, especially cheese — may also be a significant risk factor.

The research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) highlighted an alarming correlation between sodium intake and obesity, both in terms of overall body fat and abdominal fat.

The study, led by researchers from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland analysed data from over 5,000 men and women aged 18 and older, examining their sodium intake as well as urine sodium concentration about their obesity status.

Notably, all participants were found to exceed the recommended sodium intake of 5 grams or less per day — set by the World Health Organization.

The analysis revealed strong correlations between high dietary sodium intake and both general and abdominal obesity, particularly for women. Both high sodium and obesity levels are known risk factors for hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancers.

Participants in the highest sodium intake quartile were 4.3 times more likely to be classified as obese overall and 3.4 times more likely to suffer from abdominal obesity.

In the case of men, those in the highest quartile of urine sodium concentration were six times more likely to experience general obesity and 4.7 times more likely to have abdominal obesity.

“In general, men consume more food, and also more foods that are the main food sources of sodium in the diet, such as meat products, bread and bakery products, and cheese. Our analyses were adjusted for total energy intake and therefore the stronger associations in men might be due to the higher salt intake relative to total energy intake. However, regardless of the magnitude of the relationship, the associations were in a similar direction in both men and women,” said Annika Santalahti, from the Finnish Institute.

“These results strengthen the evidence of an association between sodium intake and obesity, with similar findings observed for both dietary sodium and urine sodium concentration. It is important to gain more understanding about the biological mechanism of the relationship,” she added.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) A research team at IIT Roorkee has identified a natural compound that can help weaken persistent superbugs and enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics.

The study suggests that thymol — a plant-based compound commonly found in thyme — may help weaken persister cells seen particularly in the bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii. It is known for causing persistent and chronic infections in hospitals.

The findings, published in the Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Journal, can also make last-resort antibiotics like meropenem more effective.

Preliminary findings indicate that thymol, in combination with meropenem, enhances the antibiotic’s activity, offering a potential approach for tackling persistent infections.

“The ability of thymol to disrupt bacterial persistence and enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics presents a promising avenue in addressing antimicrobial resistance,” said Prof. Ranjana Pathania, the lead researcher.

“By targeting persister cells, we may be able to improve treatment outcomes for chronic and recurrent infections,” she added.

The team found that thymol works through multiple mechanisms to weaken persister cells. It disrupts bacterial energy production, making survival more difficult. Additionally, it damages the protective outer membrane, increasing the bacteria’s vulnerability.

Thymol also generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which stress and weaken the bacteria and inhibit bacterial efflux pumps, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of meropenem.

While these findings provide valuable insights, additional research and clinical validation are required to assess thymol’s potential in real-world therapeutic applications.

“Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global challenge. This study demonstrates how innovative approaches, including natural compounds, could contribute to overcoming persistent infections. It reflects our institute’s commitment to research that addresses pressing healthcare challenges,” said Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee.

The next phase of research will focus on refining the thymol-meropenem combination and evaluating its potential through further studies.

If validated through clinical trials, this approach could contribute to new strategies for combating antibiotic persistence, offering an additional tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, said the team.

–IANS

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) Surveillance and vigilance are necessary to ensure South-East Asia region remains polio-free, said the World Health Organization on the 11th anniversary of being certified polio-free on Thursday.

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that largely affects children under 5 years of age. The highly transmissible virus invades the nervous system to cause paralysis.

In a historic milestone, 11 years ago on March 27, 2014, the WHO South-East Asia Region was certified as free of all types of wild polioviruses.

Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia stated that eradication of polio in the SE Asia region was a “daunting and uphill task” and “required relentless effort and innovative strategies”.

Lauding the efforts of health workers, Wazed said they “worked tirelessly to ensure that every child received vaccinations to protect against this debilitating disease”.

“We honour their contributions and celebrate the results of their hard work”.

Notably, India also eradicated polio, and the country was declared free of polio by the World Health Organization in 2014.

However, Wazed noted that the “work is not over” as the threat of poliovirus importation exists until polio is eradicated globally. She stressed the need to boost surveillance.

“A key role in sustaining our ‘polio-free’ status is played by surveillance and activities, which are indispensable for the detection and prompt interruption of poliovirus circulation. We must remain vigilant in surveillance and immunisation and ensure adequate capacities and capabilities at the country level are maintained,” the Regional Director said.

She urged all our countries and communities to continue supporting immunisation programme which can help strengthen our health systems. She also warned against misinformation about vaccines that can harm future generations.

“I am mindful that there is much misinformation and disinformation currently circulating about vaccines and immunisation. I urge you all to help combat this by joining us in spreading the indisputable message that vaccines are safe, and immunisation saves lives.

“We have to build on our successes together and ensure that future generations are free from the threat of polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

“On the anniversary of this milestone achievement, we renew our pledge to combat all vaccine-preventable diseases and reaffirm our commitment to surveillance and vigilance to ensure we remain polio-free,” Wazed said.

–IANS

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