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Tag: treatment

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Can Depression Be Cured?

Depression is a medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. 

Depression is different from being sad. So, can depression be cured?

Although depression can be cured with time, it depends on the type and severity of the depression. 

The first step towards getting over this disease is to have a better understanding of its causes.

Symptoms

There are many types of depression. Major depressive disorder(MDD) is the most common form of depression. Symptoms include:

  • Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Feeling fatigued
  • Changes in weight or appetite
  • Sleeping issues
  • Trouble in making decisions, thinking, and concentrating

Usually, symptoms persist for at least two weeks before a person is diagnosed with MDD.

Medications

Antidepressants can alleviate the symptoms of depression. They help you feel better and prevent relapses. 

It is important to note that antidepressants do not cure depression but merely alleviate the symptoms. 

They work by generating more serotonin in the brain. 

Moreover, it takes at least 4 to 6 weeks to work. So, you have to take the medications regularly.

Lifestyle Changes

Besides taking medications, certain lifestyle changes can also be made. 

One way is to avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a temporary fix people use to escape from reality and it does not treat the underlying problem.

Another way is to remain physically active and maintain a balanced diet. Regular exercise increases endorphins which will help to relieve depression.

Getting enough sleep may help your body to recover itself both mentally and physically. 

Other than managing your lifestyle, getting consultation and treatment from the right healthcare professionals can also help.

Importance of Treatment

Taking medications while maintaining a healthy lifestyle help to combat depression. 

It is important to take medications as a short-term relief measure while working on longer-term lifestyle changes.

Here at Mayflax, we provide drugs for almost every ailment. We also provide fast and efficient delivery. You can click here to know more about our service.

REFERENCES

  1. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/help-for-depression#other-resources
  2.  https://www.verywellmind.com/can-depression-stop-without-treatment-1067582
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Nanotechnology as a drug delivery in Cancer Treatment

Picture of nanotechnology cancer

Nanotechnology as a drug delivery in Cancer Treatment

What is Cancer ?

     Cancer is a leading cause of death and remains a difficult disease to treat. It was estimated that there would be 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer-related deaths by 2018 (Global cancer statistics 2018). Besides, cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation that spreads to other parts of the organs to cause death. Moreover, cancers can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign means tend to grow slowly and do not spread to other organs meanwhile malignant can grow rapidly, invade and destroy nearby healthy tissues, and spread to whole parts of the body.  Therefore, current technology as nanotechnology are being used to treat cancer.

Picture of cancer

How Does Nanotechnology as a Drug Delivery?

A nanotechnology is a great tool in the fight against cancer. It is safer and more precise. This application has led to several promising results in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Not only that, it includes drug delivery, gene therapy, detection and diagnosis, drug carriage, biomarker mapping, targeted therapy, and molecular imaging.

The nanotechnology cancer treatments work to destroy cancer tumors with minimal damage to healthy tissue and organs, as well as the detection and elimination of cancer cells before they form tumors.

Picture of nanotechnology cancer

However, nanotechnology diagnoses and treats disease at a very tiny scale. Frankly, the particles are 100 to 10,000 times smaller than human cells. Because of their small size, they can locate and kill cancer more precisely than current cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. However, many drugs are insoluble, so it difficult to administer. These compounds can be “solubilize” by combining them with organic or lipid nanoparticles, which keep them in circulation for longer periods, or by forming them into crystalline Nano suspensions stabilized by surfactants.

Nanotechnology treatments, for instance, the development of nanoscale drug delivery, can ensure precise cancerous tissue targeting with low side effects. Thus, it can easily cross the cell barrier due to its biological nature.

The tiny size of nanoparticles allows them to deliver medicines into which areas of the part of the human body that be hard to reach. For instance, the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier prevents foreign substances from entering into the brain and also prevents some medications from being absorbed. As a result of their small size, nanoparticles can pass through this barrier, making them a useful treatment for brain cancer.

Nanotechnology Tools Used in Cancer Diagnosis

Nanotechnology can validate cancer imaging at the tissue, cell, and molecular levels, according to current research. Its use in the development of nanomaterials, which include the following:

  1. Near Infrared (NIR) Quantum Dots
  2. Nanoshells
  3. Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles

Is Nanotechnology Now in Use?

Nanotechnology has been used for more than a decade by doctors to treat cancer. For instance,  abraxane and doxil, aid in the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs.

Abraxane is a nanoparticle made of the protein albumin and the chemotherapy drug docetaxel. It inhibits the division of cancer cells. Furthermore, this medication to treat breast cancer and pancreatic cancer that already spread to other parts of the body and non-small-cell lung cancer.

Doxil known as doxorubicin will wrap in a liposome, which is a fatty sac. It disrupts cancer genes, preventing cancer cells from dividing. This drug use to treat cancers of the ovary, multiple myeloma, and Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Does Nanotechnology for Cancer Have Side Effects?

Nanotechnology more precisely targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. However, nanotechnology drugs may have fewer side effects than chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In the case of nanotechnology-based treatments, abraxane and doxil do cause side effects which are weight loss, nausea, and diarrhea.

References:
  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7646098/
  2. https://www.webmd.com/cancer/guide/nanotechnology-for-cancer
  3. https://www.cancer.gov/nano/cancer-nanotechnology/benefits

Nanotechnology, cancer, cancerous, cancer cells,  drug delivery, treatment, death, cell proliferation, organs, benign, malignant, healthy tissues, body, safer, precise, diagnosis, tumors, cancer cells, tiny scale, human cells, kill, inhibits, chemotherapy, insoluble, solubilized, lipid nanoparticle, crystalline nano suspensions, stabilized, surfactants, nanoscale, cell barrier, blood-brain barrier, biological nature, medicines, drugs, foreign substances, Nanoshells, (NIR) Quantum Dots, Colloidal Gold Nanoparticles, chemotherapy, genes, side effects.

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Raihan Ridzuan

Raihan Ridzuan, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Pharmacology, is Customer Relationship Executive  of Mayflax, one of the nation’s leading healthcare and marketing company

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How to Set up a Medical Clinic in Malaysia
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How to Open and Set Up a Private Clinic in Malaysia

How to Set up a Medical Clinic in Malaysia

It might be a dream of yours to open and set up your own private clinic in Malaysia.

After years of acquiring experiences and knowledge, it really is a great idea for you to take the next step to open and set up your very own clinic in Malaysia.

Now, you might do some research on how to open and set up your own private clinic in Malaysia, but still haven’t found a clear answer yet, you’ve come to the right place!

Here, we will share with you the steps on how to open and set up a private clinic in Malaysia.

1. Location To Open and Set Up Your Clinic in Malaysia

You may already envision where the location is or even have purchased a location for your private clinic.

Setting up a private clinic also depends on a good location.

A good location is where the traffic is and not to forget, it must also be accessible.

However, you might also need to consider other factors such as patient demographics.

This factor closely affects your target patients.

Based on your expertise, find a location that is situated between the right age group.

For example, if you’re planning to set up a clinic specialized in pediatrics, then move to a location where the demographic is young parents.

Moreover, the average income of the location will also affect your consultation fees.

2. Register your company with SSM

Since you are going to open and set up your clinic in Malaysia, you have to register your company with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, under the Registration of Business Act 1956.

You may have already registered your company, but if you haven’t already, then these steps will help you to achieve this!

You will need to visit the nearest SSM office once for confirmation of identification.

The fee for the registration of a company is RM1,010.

A step-by-step guide on the registration of your company is as the following:

  1. Account registration on MyCoID portal
  2. Activate your account at SSM counter
  3. Then, you will receive MyCoID portal login credentials upon account activation
  4. Company name search on the Direct Incorporation Application on MyCoID portal homepage
  5. Other information under Name Search
  6. Super Form to clarify your proposed company name
  7. Business code selection and description
  8. Directors and shareholders information
  9. Application submission
  10. Make the payment of RM1,000 as an incorporation fee (before tax) and get a transaction receipt.
  11. Notice of Registration as proof of incorporation received through email

3. Approval of Signboard for Your Clinic From The Local City Council

A signboard can help to notify your local community of your soon-to-be-open clinic.

This will improve your clinic’s presence in the community.

You can apply for approval of the signboard online at your clinic’s local city council.

For example, if your clinic is located at Petaling Jaya, Selangor, then the application must be made to Petaling Jaya City Council ( MBPJ).

As such, requirements to apply for a signboard license may vary according to the respective local authority.

Generally, the documents that you need are as the following:

  • Copy of either the rental agreement or the sale and purchase agreement of the company’s business premise
  • Copy of the location plan of the company’s business premise
  • Photographs showing the location of the company’s signboard
  • Samples of the signboard indicating its design and colors
  • Samples of the signboard indicating its design and colors

4. Registration of Your Private Clinic in Borang A

In order to set up your private clinic and legally operate, your clinic must comply with Act 586 Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and its regulations.

Furthermore, you also have to obtain a Certificate of Registration to operate the private medical clinic.

In order for you to get this, you must register your clinic using Borang A.

So what exactly is Borang A?

Borang A is a form that must be filled out to set up a private clinic.

This is in accordance with Act 586.

You can fill Borang A online, from the CKAPS website or you can print out Borang A.

Fill Borang A accurately and completely.

For the instruction on how to fill in Borang A online, click here.

On the other hand, if you fill this form manually, only use a black ink pen and it must be written in capital letters.

In Borang A, you need to fill in all the details such as details of your clinic such as the clinic’s name and operation hours.

The name of your clinic should comply with the requirement. It should describe the services that your clinic provide.

For example, “Klinik Perubatan Dr. Tan” or “Klinik Pakar Kanak-Kanak Dr. Lee”.

On top of that, using names that may mislead customers or overclaim is not allowed.

Your clinic’s name must be the same on the clinic’s signboard and on the Certificate of Registration.

On top of that, you will also need to fill in details on the applicant’s information and details of the person-in-charge or ‘Orang Yang Bertanggungjawab’ (OYB), such as name, address and past working experience.

To add, you also need to fill in the details of the business.

Lastly, fill in details on employees as well as the clinic’s proposed floor plan.

The floor plan must be drawn on a scale of 1:100 (1cm=1m).

A complete floor plan must also include a symbol legend, measurements of each room and measurements of the door opening, and all the related rooms labelled.

Another thing is, all the documents must be certified by Commissioner for Oaths or Grade A Management or Professional Group.

The copies must also be made into 2 copies each.

5. Submit Borang A to Unit Kawalan Amalan Perubatan Swasta (UKAPS)

Now, since you’ve already completed Borang A, it must be printed out (if the form is done online).

A processing fee of RM500 must be paid in order to proceed to the next step.

If you fill the form manually, you should complete the processing fee to UKAPS Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri/Wilayah Persekutuan (JKN/WP) and submit for processing.

At this stage, UKAPS will review your application.

This also includes the proposed floor plan for your clinic.

The approved floor plan will be given a “No Objection Letter”.

Once you receive this letter, the renovation of your clinic can proceed.

The usual renovation period is 3 months.

In the event that the renovation takes longer than 3 months, a written letter notifying your local JKN/WP regarding this must be submitted.

However, there is also a chance that you may need to improve your floor plan.

Thus, you shall make an improvement on your floor plan and submit the document again to your local JKN/WP.

6. Renovation of your premise

Clinic Floor Plan Layout from EnviMedi consultant

As mentioned before, the layout of your clinic’s floor plan has to comply with the regulations set by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

There are several aspects of your clinic that need to comply with the regulation, which are infrastructure, documents available in the clinic and pharmaceutical services.

i) Infrastructure

As for the infrastructure, do ensure that your clinic’s main entrance has a clear door opening with at least 1.2 meters and does not swing to the corridors.

On top of that, your premises should not connect to other premises through doors or any other entrances.

For the waiting area, it must have adequate space and the height of the ceiling must be more than 2.4 meters for air-conditioned and more than 3 meters if non-air-conditioned.

The consultation room must also be commensurate with the number of personnel.

Justification and purpose of each consultation room must also be given if there is more than 1 consultation room.

Your clinic must also have the patient’s toilet, janitor’s closet, storeroom and staff restroom as well as basic emergency care services.

ii) Documents available in clinic

There are documents that must be readily available in your clinic.

This includes a written policy, policy statement, patient grievance mechanism plan and organisation chart.

A written policy may include a written contract between the practitioner and private clinic, the procedure of patient registration, attendance and referral as well as incident reporting, infection control, general maintenance and fee schedule.

On the other hand, policy statements comprise staff identification, billing procedure and patient’s right.

The patient Grievance Mechanism Plan is a mechanism where patients and their families can avail themselves when dissatisfaction occurs.

When this occurs, the licensee or person in charge is should provide a speedy resolution whenever possible.

Solutions include explanation and apology.

iii) Pharmaceutical Services

Every private clinic must have a dispensing counter.

The work counter must be an impermeable surface.

What’s more, the dispensing counter should also be equipped with medicine storage, a locked cabinet for narcotics, psychotropics, poisons and controlled drugs.

Additionally, a refrigerator must be available if you carry medications that require refrigeration, such as vaccines.

You should also record the temperature at least twice daily.

Do notify CKAPS after the completion of your clinic’s renovation through either letter, email or phone.

7. Inspection of Private Clinic by UKAPS

After notifying UKAPS of the completion of your clinic’s renovation, the date of inspection will be given.

During the inspection, aspects of your clinic, as listed above, must be complied with.

The inspection will also follow this guideline.

You can read through this guideline to have a better view and understanding of what will be evaluated during the inspection.

If everything complies with the requirement, your application will be sent to CKAPS in Putrajaya.

8. Evaluation of Private Clinic Application by Cawangan Kawalan Amalan Perubatan Swasta (CKAPS)

During this stage, your application will be evaluated thoroughly by CKAPS within 4 weeks by the processing officer.

The status of your application will be notified.

If your application is approved, you will be sent a letter to pay a withdrawal fee.

You will need to pay a fee of RM1,000. Payment must be made in either bank draft or money order to ‘Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia’.

Personal cheques or cash will not be accepted.

After payment, you will be able to print out Borang B, which enables you to start operating your private clinic.

9. Launch your Clinic

Now that you know how to set up your own private clinic, here are some tips and tricks on how to attract and retain customers to come to your clinic.

Firstly, your patients will be grateful if you keep them engaged with personalized, and timely outreach during their journey.

You should also drive more qualified leads to generate revenue.

Most importantly, improve your strategic advantage to attract patients.

As such, we at Mayflax can offer you the ease of mind on the procurement of drugs.

With over 2,000 products, our hassle-free ordering process and our fast delivery, you are able to focus more on your customers and ultimately see your patient population volumes grow faster!

Sign up here to get more information on our services.

Reference

  1. GARIS PANDUAN MEMPROSES PERMOHONAN PENDAFTARAN KLINIK
    PERUBATAN DAN PERGIGIAN SWASTA
  2. SENARAI SEMAK PELAN LANTAI DAN PEMERIKSAAN PRA-PENDAFTARAN KLINIK SWASTA (KLINIK PERUBATAN SWASTA)
  3. PROSEDUR PERMOHONAN-PERMOHONAN BERKAITAN PERAKUAN PENDAFTARAN BAGI KLINIK PERUBATAN SWASTA
  4. ACT 586 PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND SERVICES ACT 1998
  5. SYARAT KEPERLUAN DOKUMEN BAGI IKLAN PAPAN TANDA PREMIS

About the Author

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Nina Manaf

A registered pharmacist in Mayflax, one of the nation's leading healthcare and marketing companies.
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How to become a panel clinic?

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How to become a panel clinic?

The picture of doctor

What is a panel clinic?

Panel clinic provides medical treatment for any Insured Person under SOCSO due to ‘Employment injury ’.

The Insured Person can refer to the list of clinics to receive emergency treatments. 

Additionally, there are the following documents to fill in the Accident Report form, Occupational disease reports, or a cover letter from the employer.

How to register as a Panel Clinic for Insured Person?

  1. Letter of application together with a proposal clinic and clinic profile
  2. Copy of Identity card of every doctor
  3. Copies of recognized training occupational health certificates
  4. Copy of Form (Latest Annual Practising Certificate (APC) for every doctor)
  5. Copy of Form (Certificate of Registration)
  6. Copies of Form (Certification to Establish / Maintain / Handle / Provide Private Medical Care / Clinic)
  7. Panel List – Company or employer who appoints panel clinic
  8. Treatment quotation

Examples Of Occupational Health Training Certificate

  • Certificate In Occupational Medicine (MEDICAL PROGRESS INSTITUTE)
  • Workshop on Occupational Health  (NIOSH)
  • Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health (UKM)
  • Occupational Health Doctor (Module 1) (NIOSH)
  • Examination Doctors Health (NIOSH)
  • Occupational Health Course For Medical Practitioners (OEM)

Insurance Benefits for Employees

Employee benefits are optional compensation rather than wages given to employees to their fixed payment as an addition. It covers health, dentistry, vision, life, and others.

Disability income also protection plans, retirement benefits, childcare, tuition reimbursement, sick leave, vacation, education funding, and flexible and alternative work arrangements.

However, the purpose of medical benefits for employees in Malaysia is to improve the economic security of staff members. As well as, to increase employee retention throughout the organization.

Furthermore, the employee benefits will increase productivity in the workplace because they feel assured.

Moreover, employees with life insurance and personal injury can also use additional coverage such as income replacement to their serious illness or serious disability.

Four common types of Medical Benefits for Employees in Malaysia

  • Medical insurance

Medical insurance plans include hospital visits, doctor visits, surgeries, prescriptions, and possibly vision and dental. Therefore, as an employer, you will cover most of the premium.

  • Life insurance

For a company, if your employee accidentally dies, life insurance will provide compensation to the employee’s named beneficiaries. They will help to bear the cost of the funeral and the ongoing cost of living to the employee’s family.

  • Disability Insurance

The offer has short-term and long-term disability insurance. Even if your employee is injured or suffering from chronic illness, these benefits provide a payment throughout the period your employee is unable to work. Therefore, companies can add Critical Illnesses Plans riders to GTL plans.

  • Retirement Benefits

Retirement benefits are the most common type that allows the employee to deduct the amount of salary that needs to be paid for retirement savings. Meanwhile, some companies will choose one amount to match for the deduction.

 
 
References:

  1. https://www.perkeso.gov.my/en/33-social-security-protection/panel-clinics-dialysis-centres/60-panel-clinics.html
  2. https://www.redcover.com.my/employee-benefits-insurance/

 

 

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About the author

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Raihan Ridzuan

Bachelor of Science (Hons) Pharmacology, is a Customer Relationship Executive of Mayflax, one of the nation’s leading healthcare and marketing companies.

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Therapeutic potential in COVID-19 with colchicine

Cr. Fusion Medical Animation

Source from MIMS.com

Based on a study, survival rate in patients with COVID-19 was improved with the use of colchicine, which are usually used for the treatment of gout and other inflammatory disorders as compared with standard of care (SoC).

The well-recognised anti-inflammatory effects and potential antiviral properties made it as one of the drugs that was considered for the treatment of COVID-19.  140 hospitalized patients who contracted COVID-19 had their outcomes evaluated as they were treated with SoC (hydroxychloroquine and/or intravenous dexamethasone; and/or lopinavir/ritonavir) and in 122 patients treated with colchicine and SoC.

The SoC group, have lower serum concentrations of C-reactive prottein and ferritin, as well as neutrophil count but higher PaO2/FiO2 ratio at baseline.

Survival when being compared over 21 days of follow-up, it was more favourable in the colchicine than the SoC group. A lower risk of death was strongly associated with colchicine, on Cox proprortional hazards regression (hazard ratio, 0.151).

At entry, there were a higher serum levels of ferritin, worse Pa02/Fi02 and poor survival at older age for the risk factors. 

With no treatment discontinuation due to severe adverse events, colchicine had a good safety profile. In nine patients, dosing was reduced from 1 to 0.5 mg/day due to diarrhoea.

With the aim of preventing the patient’s autoinflammatory response, the current study provides proof-of-concept data supporting the possible use of colchicine in the treatment of the early phase of COVID-19.

To determine the efficacy and safety of colchicine, properly designed trials are needed with the best protocol in terms of dosage and timing of administartion in patients with COVID-19, said the researchers.

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Easy treatment for headaches

Cr. Adrian Swancar

Source from Healthline.com

Headache is defined as a pain arising from the head or upper neck of the body. The pain originates from the tissues and structures that surround the skull or the brain because the brain itself has no nerves that give rise to the sensation of pain (pain fibers). Several types of headaches exist, with tension headaches being the most common. Cluster headaches are painful and happen in groups or “clusters,” while migraines are a moderate-to-severe type of headache.

Keeping hydrate : The body need certain amount of fluid for it to properly function and by drinking too little, it may lead you to develop a headache. Researchers have found that the common cause of migraines and tension headaches mostly come from chronic dehydration. This can be relieved by drinking enough water which shown to relieve symptoms in dehydrated individuals within 30 minutes to three hours –  depending on their state.

Cr. LuAnn Hunt

Cr. Annie Spratt

Taking magnesium : A study suggests that treatment with 600mg of oral magnesium citrate per day helps in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Headaches could be cured with prescribed medicines and can be prevented with consuming food that have high content of magnesium such as pumpkin seed, broccoli and certain amount of beans.

Limiting alcohol intake : Evidence shown that alcohol can trigger migraines in about one-third of individuals who experience frequent headaches. It also cause tension and cluster headaches in many people. Alcohol is a vasodilator, which widens blood vessels and allows more flow of the blood which may cause headaches in some people. The body could lose fluids and electrolytes from frequent urination as alcohol also acts as a diuretic which can cause or worsen headaches.

Cr. Giovanna Gomes

Cr. Gregory Pappas

Getting enough sleep : Sleeping less than you required can be detrimental to your health and may even cause headaches in some people. It is found that people who has sleep deprivation had more frequent and severe headaches but getting too much sleep has also been shown to trigger headaches. It is advised to have a minimum of 6 hours sleep a day, depending on the individual.

Practice yoga : One of the ways to relieve stress and improve your overall quality of life would be relaxing with yoga. A study was conducted and it showed that the effects of yoga therapy on 60 people with chronic migraines were reduced more than those who received conventional care alone.

Cr. Kiki Vega

Cr. Peter Secan

Having caffeinated liquid : Drinking beverages with caffeine such as tea or coffee may provide relief for a headache. It improves mood, increases alertness and constricts blood vessels. It also helps increase the effectiveness of common medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen which are used to treat headaches with mindful caffeine intake.

Exercise : Increasing your activity level is said  to be one of the simplest ways in reducing headaches. A study which involved 91 people in 40 minutes of indoor cycling, three times a week was effective in reducing headache frequency than practicing relaxation techniques.

Cr. Jenny Hill

Cr. Dominik Martin

Sip some ginger tea : Ginger root has many beneficial compounds, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances and they also helps reducing nausea and vomiting, which usually are the common symptoms associated with severe headaches.

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TB antibiotics in reaching targets

Cr. Simone van der Koelen

Source from Sciencedaily.com

Researchers have built up another technique that empowers them to envision how well antibiotics against tuberculosis (TB) reach at their pathogenic targets inside human hosts. The discoveries, published in the journal Science, boost understanding of how antibiotics work and could help direct the development of new antibiotics, which are truly necessary in the fight against drug-resistance.

TB treatment

TB stays as one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, with over a million TB-related deaths worldwide every year.

At the point when an individual is infected with Mtb (mycobacteria), their immune system attempts to clear the microorganism by calling upon specialised immune cells called as macrophages that perceive and engulf Mtb. However, the bacteria frequently discover ways to survive and duplicate, causing illness. Patients require at least four antibiotics for at six months to defeat the disease.

It was previously unknown whether antibiotics enter all the compartments of the macrophage where the Mtb hide and duplicate.

The method pioneered in this study, which consolidates three kinds of imaging (correlated light, electron and nano-scale ion microscopy), permits researchers to picture the circulation of TB drugs in Mtb-infected human macrophages at high resolution, for the first time.

A test-case TB drug

Utilizing bedaquiline as an test-case, the group contaminated human macrophages with Mtb, and following up after two days, they treated them with the medication. Their imaging results revealed that bedaquiline accumulated in various compartments of the cell, most eminently, inside lipid droplets.

The bacteria can interact with and consume these lipid droplets. Be that as it may, the group (Crick-led team) didn’t know whether bedaquiline would be moved to the bacteria, or whether the lipid droplets were retaining the antibiotic and keeping it from arriving at the bacteria. Including a chemical that kept lipid droplets from forming significantly decreased the measure of bedaquiline in Mtb, proposing that the lipid drops are responsible for moving antibiotic to the bacteria.

“Now that we can see exactly where antibiotics go once they enter macrophages, we can build up a much clearer picture of how they reach their targets, and harness these observations to design more effective treatments in the future, not only for TB but for other infectious diseases too” says Max Gutierrez, Crick group leader and senior author of the paper.

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