Pulmonary Hypertension

What is pulmonary hypertension?
Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels for no apparent reason. The pulmonary artery is a blood vessel carrying oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle (one of the heart's pumping chambers) to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen, then flows to the heart's left side, where the left ventricle pumps it to the rest of the body through the aorta.
Hypertension is a medical term for abnormally high blood pressure. Normal average pulmonary artery pressure is about 14 mm Hg at rest. In patients with PPH, the average blood pressure in the pulmonary artery is greater than 25 mm Hg at rest and greater than 30 mm Hg during exercise. This abnormally high pressure (pulmonary hypertension) is linked with changes in the small blood vessels in the lungs. These changes increase resistance to blood flowing through the vessels. This increased resistance puts a strain on the right ventricle, which now must work harder than usual to move enough blood through the lungs.
What are the causes?
The exact cause of PPH is not known but there may be one or more causes. There is a low incidence of PPH, which makes learning more about the disease extremely difficult. It is thought that in most people who develop primary pulmonary hypertension, the blood vessels are very sensitive to certain factors that trigger this disease to develop.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptom is often fatigue or tiredness.  Other symptoms include:

·                              -   Difficulty in breathing, dizziness and even fainting 

·                              -  Swelling in the ankles or legs,

·                                 Bluish discoloration of the lips and skin, and chest pain more often occur later in the disease

One of the great difficulties in treating PPH is that the diagnosis is often delayed due to the slowly progressive and insidious onset of the symptoms.
How is it diagnosed?
Significant advances in PPH treatment over the past decade have markedly affected the survival and quality of life for people with this disease. The optimal medical and/or surgical treatment for patients with PPH depends upon a thorough diagnosis and evaluation. The diagnosis includes a right heart cardiac catheterisation. In this procedure the doctor places a thin, flexible tube (a catheter) through an artery or vein in the patient's arm, leg or neck, then threads it into the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. This is the only way to measure the pressure in the pulmonary artery and find out what medical therapy is appropriate for a given patient.
What is the treatment?
Doctors can choose from a variety of drugs that help lower blood pressure in the lungs and improve heart performance in many patients. Patients with PPH respond differently to the different medications that dilate or relax blood vessels and no single drug is consistently effective in all patients. During the course of the disease, the amount and type of medicine also may have to be changed. At present, about one-quarter of patients can be treated with calcium channel-blocking drugs given orally.
Intravenous prostacyclin is a vasodilator. It helps patients who don't respond to treatment with calcium channel blockers given orally. It is continuously delivered by a portable, battery-operated infusion pump. Despite this complexity, prostacyclin improves pulmonary hypertension and permits increased physical activity.
Anticoagulants, for example, can decrease the tendency of the blood to clot, thus permitting the blood to flow more freely. Diuretics reduce the amount of fluid in the body, further reducing the amount of work the heart has to do. Some patients also require supplemental oxygen delivered through nasal prongs or a mask if breathing becomes difficult. Some patients need oxygen around the clock.
Transplantation (heart-lung or lung) is reserved for patients who do not respond to medical therapy. The decision whether a patient requires heart-lung transplantation or lung transplantation is made after a thorough evaluation.
What is the prognosis?
Despite the complexity of some of the various medical therapies, accurate, early diagnosis and initiation of treatment can save the lives of patients with PPH. With optimal medical and/or surgical therapy, patients can often return to a virtually normal lifestyle, and participating in many physical activities.

Diseases Caused by Alcohol Abuse

Most people associate alcohol abuse with two diseases. The first is alcoholism, which is a syndrome of dependency that some believe is inherited. The other would be cirrhosis, a disease that can be brought on by excessive alcohol consumption. But there are a number of other diseases and conditions that can develop, including pancreatic, hypertension, osteoporosis and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Cirrhosis

• Cirrhosis is essentially a scarring of the liver. Healthy tissue of the liver is replaced with fibrosis, or scar tissue. As this scar tissue builds up, it prevents the liver from functioning properly, which can lead to bile build-up in the blood. Clotting may lessen and blood pressure may rise. Some of the most common symptoms of cirrhosis include lack of appetite, accompanied by weight loss, nausea, fatigue, jaundice, cognitive impairment (confusion and lack of concentration), tremors, internal bleeding and coma.

Pancreatitis

• Another common disease associated with alcohol abuse is pancreatitis, characterized by an inflammation of the pancreas and, much like cirrhosis, ultimate scarring of the organ. This scarring affects the production of insulin and the way in which sugar is released into the bloodstream. It often presents itself with severe abdominal pain that is typically accompanied by vomiting or nausea, the sweats and a fever.

Hypertension

• 

  While more of a condition than a disease, hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another result of alcohol abuse. This condition is distinguished by essentially too much blood being forced through the arteries, which can damage the walls of these arteries and lead to a stroke, heart disease, heart attack, angina, pulmonary edema and an aneurysm. Though high blood pressure is often seen as a hereditary condition, it can present itself in someone without a family history and even worsen hypertension in someone predisposed to it through genetics.

Osteoporosis

• One of the most surprising diseases caused by alcohol abuse is osteoporosis, which involves the thinning of the bones or loss of bone mass. This depletion makes bones more brittle. While it is most common in women, it can affect men, and excessive use of alcohol can diminish the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy bones, as well as but exacerbate the effects of someone developing osteoporosis.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

• This brain disorder is a serious condition that can be caused by alcohol abuse. Essentially, this condition is a combination of two disorders that develop from a vitamin deficiency and an actual change in the brain. Typically, people who suffer from Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome will experience blurred vision, memory loss, confusion and problems with mobility, usually isolated to the legs. Sadly, a portion of this syndrome (that which involves the brain) can be permanent.

  ***Reference eHow

About Depression

THERAPY, MEDICATION, AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES THAT CAN HELP

When you’re depressed, it can feel like you’ll never get out from under a dark cloud. But take heart. There are many effective ways to deal with depression, including exercise, therapy, medication, natural supplements, and lifestyle changes. Find the treatment options that will work best for you.

Depression treatment tips:

• Learn as much as you can about your depression. It’s important to determine whether your depression symptoms are due to an underlying medical condition. If so, that condition will need to be treated first. The severity of your depression is also a factor. The more severe the depression, the more intensive the treatment you're likely to need.
• It takes time to find the right treatment. It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and support that works best for you. For example, if you decide to pursue therapy it may take a few attempts to find a therapist that you really click with. Or you may try an antidepressant, only to find that you don't need it if you take a daily half hour walk. Be open to change and a little experimentation.
• Don’t rely on medications alone. Although medication can relieve the symptoms of depression, it is not usually suitable for long-term use. Studies show that other treatments, including exercise and therapy, can be just as effective as medication, often even more so, but don't come with unwanted side effects. If you do decide to try medication, remember that medication works best when you make healthy lifestyle changes as well.
• Get social support. The more you cultivate your social connections, the more protected you are from depression. If you are feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to trusted family members or friends, or seek out new connections at a depression support group, for example. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
• Treatment takes time and commitment. All of these depression treatments take time, and sometimes it might feel overwhelming or frustratingly slow. That is normal. Recovery usually has its ups and downs.

Lifestyle changes that can treat depression

• Exercise. Regular exercise can be as effective at treating depression as medication. Not only does exercise boost serotonin, endorphins, and other feel-good brain chemicals, it triggers the growth of new brain cells and connections, just like antidepressants do. Best of all, you don’t have to train for a marathon in order to reap the benefits. Even a half-hour daily walk can make a big difference. For maximum results, aim for 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic activity on most days.
• Nutrition. Eating well is important for both your physical and mental health. Eating small, well-balanced meals throughout the day will help you keep your energy up and minimize mood swings. While you may be drawn to sugary foods for the quick boost they provide, complex carbohydrates are a better choice. They'll get you going without the all-too-soon sugar crash.
• Sleep. Sleep has a strong effect on mood. When you don't get enough sleep, your depression symptoms will be worse. Sleep deprivation exacerbates irritability, moodiness, sadness, and fatigue. Make sure you're getting enough sleep each night. Very few people do well on less than 7 hours a night. Aim for somewhere between 7 to 9 hours each night.
• Social Support. Strong social networks reduce isolation, a key risk factor for depression. Keep in regular contact with friends and family, or consider joining a class or group. Volunteering is a wonderful way to get social support and help others while also helping yourself.
• Stress Reduction. Make changes in your life to help manage and reduce stress. Too much stress exacerbates depression and puts you at risk for future depression. Take the aspects of your life that stress you out, such as work overload or unsupportive relationships, and find ways to minimize their impact.

Ruling out medical causes of depression

If you suspect that you may be depressed, and lifestyle changes haven’t worked, make an appointment to see your primary care doctor for a thorough checkup. If your depression is the result of medical causes, therapy and antidepressants will do little to help. The depression won’t lift until the underlying health problem is identified and treated.

Your doctor will check for medical conditions that mimic depression, and also make sure you are not taking medications that can cause depression as a side effect. Many medical conditions and medications can cause symptoms of depression, including sadness, fatigue, and the loss of pleasure. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a particularly common mood buster, especially in women. Older adults, or anyone who takes many different medications each day, are at risk for drug interactions that cause symptoms of depression. The more medications you are taking, the greater the risk for drug interactions.

Finding a therapist to treat your depression

If there is no underlying medical cause for your symptoms of depression, then finding a mental health specialist is the next best step for treatment. Although there are many types of mental health professionals, one of the most important things to consider when choosing a therapist is your connection with this person. The right therapist will be a caring and supportive partner in your depression treatment and recovery.

There are many ways to find a therapist. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a good therapist. Your friends and family may have some ideas, or your primary care doctor may be able to provide an initial referral. National mental health organizations can also help with referral lists of licensed credentialed providers. If cost is an issue, check out local senior centers, religious organizations, and community mental health clinics. Such places often offer therapy on a sliding scale for payment.

Psychotherapy for depression treatment

Talk therapy is an extremely effective treatment for depression. Therapy gives you tools to treat depression from a variety of angles. What you learn in therapy gives you skills and insight to help prevent depression from coming back.

There are many types of therapy available. Three of the more common methods used in depression include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Often, a blended approach is used.

Some types of therapy teach you practical techniques on how to reframe negative thinking and employ behavioral skills in combating depression. Therapy can also help you work through the root of your depression, helping you understand why you feel a certain way, what your triggers are for depression, and what you can do to stay healthy.

Therapy and “the big picture” in depression treatment

One of the hallmarks of depression is feeling overwhelmed and having trouble focusing. Therapy helps you step back and see what might be contributing to your depression and how you can make changes. Here are some of the “big picture” themes that therapy can help with:

• Relationships. Understanding the patterns of your relationships, building better relationships, and improving current relationships will help reduce isolation and build social support, important in preventing depression.
• Setting healthy boundaries. If you are stressed and overwhelmed, and feel like you just can’t say no, you are more at risk for depression. Setting healthy boundaries in relationships and at work can help relieve stress, and therapy can help you identify and validate the boundaries that are right for you.
• Handling life’s problems. Talking with a trusted therapist can provide good feedback on more positive ways to handle life’s challenges and problems.

Individual or group therapy for depression treatment?

When you hear the word “therapy” you might automatically think of one-on-one sessions with a therapist. However, group therapy can be very useful in depression treatment as well. What are the benefits of each? Both group and individual therapy sessions usually last about an hour. In individual therapy, you are building a strong relationship with one person, and may feel more comfortable sharing some sensitive information with one person than with a group. You also get individualized attention.

Don’t rule out group therapy, however. Listening to peers going through the same struggles can validate your experiences and help build self-esteem. Often group members are at different points in their depression, so you might get tips from both someone in the trenches and someone who has worked through a challenging problem. As well as offering inspiration and ideas, attending group therapy can also help increase your social activities and network.

When the going gets tough in therapy...

As with remodeling a house, when you take apart things that haven't worked well in your life, it often makes them seem worse before they get better. When therapy seems difficult or painful, don't give up. If you discuss your feelings and reactions honestly with your therapist, it will help you move forward rather than retreat back to your old, less effective ways. However, if the connection with your therapist consistently starts to feel forced or uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to explore other options for therapy as well. A strong trusting relationship is the foundation of good therapy.

Medication treatment for depression

Depression medication may be the most advertised treatment for depression, but that doesn’t mean it is the most effective. Depression is not just about a chemical imbalance in the brain. Medication may help relieve some of the symptoms of moderate and severe depression, but it doesn’t cure the underlying problem, and it’s usually not a long-term solution.  Antidepressant medications also come with side effects and safety concerns, and withdrawal can be very difficult. If you're considering whether antidepressant medication is right for you, learning all the facts can help you make an informed and personal decision about how best to treat your depression.

If you are taking medication for depression, don’t ignore other treatments. Lifestyle changes and therapy not only help speed recovery from depression, but also provide skills to help prevent a recurrence.

Should you get antidepressants from your family doctor?

Family doctors might be the first professionals to recognize your depression. However, while they can prescribe antidepressants, it’s a good idea to explore your options with other mental health professionals who specialize in depression. Ask for a referral. You might end up working with a therapist and not needing medication at all. If you do need medication, a psychiatrist has advanced training and experience in depression, treatments, and medications.

Alternative and complementary treatments for depression

Alternative and complementary treatments for depression may include vitamin and herbal supplements, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga, or tai chi.

Vitamins and supplements for depression treatment

The jury is still out on how well herbal remedies, vitamins, or supplements work in treating depression. While many supplements are widely available over the counter, in many cases their efficacy has not been scientifically proven. If your depression symptoms are in part due to nutritional deficiency, you may benefit from vitamin supplements, but this should be on the advice of your healthcare professional.

If you decide to try natural and herbal supplements, remember that they can have side effects and drug or food interactions. For example, St. John’s Wort—a promising herb used for treatment of mild to moderate depression—can interfere with prescription drugs such as blood thinners, birth control pills, and prescription antidepressants. Make sure your doctor or therapist knows what you are taking.

***Reference Help Guide

Education as Fundamental and Human Right

Every citizen of India has the right to education. Some of the basic principles which guide us are –education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages; elementary education shall be compulsory;. technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Education for all

The Education for All movement is a global commitment to provide quality basic education for all children, youth and adults. The movement was launched at the World Conference on Education for All in 1990

Ten years later, many countries are far from this stated goal. Representatives from various countries met again in Dakar, Senegal and affirmed their commitment to achieving Education for All by the year 2015. They identified six key education goals which aim to meet the learning needs of all children, youth and adults by 2015.

As the lead agency, UNESCO is mobilising and harmonising the international efforts to reach Education coordination for All. Governments, development agencies, civil society, non-government organisations and the media are but some of the partners working toward reaching these goals.

The drive to achieve the EFA goals also contributes to the global pursuit of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially MDG 2 on universal primary education and MDG 3 on gender equality in education, by 2015.

Six specific education goals

• Expand and improve comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
• Ensure that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, those in difficult circumstances, and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to and complete, free, and compulsory primary education of good quality.
• Ensure that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life-skills programs.
• Achieve a 50 % improvement in adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults.
• Eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005, and achieve gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls' full and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality.
• Improve all aspects of the quality of education and ensure the excellence of all so that recognized and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills.

Why is EFA important 

Achieving the Education for All goals is critical for attaining all 8 MDGs—in part due to the direct impact of education on child and reproductive health, as well as the fact that EFA has created a body of experience in multi-partner collaboration toward the 2015 targets. Simultaneously, achieving the other MDGs, such as improved health, access to clean drinking water, decreased poverty, and environmental sustainability, are critical to achieving the education MDGs. Although there has been steady progress towards achieving many EFA goals, challenges remain. Today, there are many children of school age, who are still not in school due to financial, social, or physical challenges, including high fertility rates, HIV/AIDS, and conflict. Access to schooling in developing countries has improved since 1990—some 47 out of 163 countries have achieved universal primary education (MDG 2) and an additional 20 countries are estimated to be “on track” to achieve this goal by 2015. However, huge challenges remain in 44 countries, 23 of which are in Sub-Saharan Africa. These countries are unlikely to achieve universal primary education by 2015 unless domestic and international efforts are accelerated substantially. Although the gender gap in education (MDG 3) is narrowing, girls are still at a disadvantage when it comes to access and completion of both primary and secondary school. Despite recent gains in girls’ enrollment at both the primary and secondary levels—particularly in low-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—24 countries are unlikely to achieve gender parity at either the primary or at secondary level by 2015. The majority of these countries (13) are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poor learning outcomes and low-quality education also remain overriding concerns in the education sector. For example, in many developing countries, less than 60 percent of primary school pupils who enroll in first grade reach the last grade of schooling. Additionally, pupil/teacher ratios in many countries exceed 40:1 and many primary teachers lack adequate qualifications.

**Together Society

Breast Cancer

Cancer cells are abnormal cells. Cancer cells grow and divide more quickly than healthy cells. Some cancer cells may form growths called tumors. All tumors increase in size, but some tumors grow quickly, others slowly. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. This is called metastasis. Breast cancer is when cancer starts in the breast. Breast cancer can be found by mammogram, by a woman feeling a lump or by a doctor’s exam. 
To find breast cancer, it is important to: 
•  Do monthly self breast exams. 
•  Have a yearly exam by your doctor if you are over 40. These are done less often for younger women. 
•  Have a mammogram each year after age 40.

Breast Tissue 
A woman’s breasts may feel more firm and lumpy before menopause. A woman has less estrogen after menopause, so the breasts feel much softer and less lumpy. The firm, lumpy tissue can hide a small lump making it hard to feel. By checking your breasts each month, you become familiar with your breast tissue and notice changes. Small lumps can also be found by a mammogram or by a doctor during your exam. Some lumps are so small that only a mammogram can find them. 


Tests 

If a lump is found, a mammogram or ultrasound will be done. A biopsy is often done to check if the lump is cancer and if so, what type. A biopsy is a procedure to remove tiny pieces of tissue. The samples are then checked by a doctor. If the biopsy finds cancer, more tests may be done to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. 
Types of Treatment 
Based on your biopsy results and the type of cancer, you and your doctor will decide the best treatment for your breast cancer. 
Here are the treatments that may be done:  
Surgery 
Surgery is done to remove as much of the cancer as possible. Either the whole breast is removed, called mastectomy, or a part of the breast is removed, called lumpectomy. With either surgery, lymph nodes under the arm are checked for cancer. You and your doctor may also talk about reconstruction surgery. This surgery is done to create the look of a normal breast.

You may still need to have more treatment. Having a mastectomy or lumpectomy does not guarantee that the breast cancer is gone from the entire body. Small cancer cells that are too small to detect may remain 
in the body.

Radiation Therapy 
When a lumpectomy is done, it is often followed by radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is done to treat the entire breast. Radiation therapy often begins 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.  
Hormone Therapy and Chemotherapy 
Treatment may be needed to target cancer cells that may be remaining in the body. It may be done before surgery to shrink a tumor or after surgery to kill cancer cells that may have spread or that remain in the body. 
•  Hormone therapy is medicine in pill form taken to work against estrogen in the body. The most common side effect is signs of menopause.  
•  Chemotherapy is medicine given in an IV (intravenous) tube in a vein or as a pill. The medicine kills cancer cells. Common side effects include feeling tired, hair loss and nausea. These side effects are often temporary. 
*** Together Society

Asthma

Asthma is a disease in which the airways into your lungs become narrow and produce mucus. When this happens, it is hard to breathe. Some things that can trigger an asthma attack include allergies, cold viruses, 
medicines, dusts, chemicals, exercise or emotions.

Signs 
• Breathing faster than normal or trouble breathing


• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Coughing that may be worse at night or early in the morning
• Feeling tight in the chest
• Having a fast heartbeat
• Having head congestion
• Having a itchy, scratchy or sore throat
• Being tired
• If your doctor ordered a peak flow meter, having a drop in peak flow meter readings


You may have more signs of asthma if you:
• Have allergies
• Have a family member with asthma
• Are sensitive to air pollution
• Are exposed to smoke
• Have stress

Your Care

Your care may include:
• Taking different medicines to:
           - Open airways
           - Decrease your body’s response to allergens
           - Decrease the swelling of your airways
           - Decrease congestion
• Finding out what causes your signs.
• Allergy testing.
• Using a peak flow meter to check and prevent asthma attacks.
• Drinking a large glass of liquid every 1 to 2 hours. This helps keep your mucus thin. Thin mucus is easier for you to cough up and decreases the swelling in your lungs. Clear liquids are best, such as water, fruit juice, tea, broth and clear soups.
• Avoiding milk products when wheezing because they can thicken your mucus.
To Prevent Asthma Attacks

• Keep asthma medicine with you at all times. Take your scheduled medicines even if your signs go away.
• Avoid cigarette, pipe and cigar smoke.
• Stay away from foods, medicines or things that cause you to have signs of asthma. These are called triggers.
• Avoid contact with people who have a cold or flu.
• Rest and drink plenty of liquids at the first sign of a cold.
• Breathe through a scarf or other covering in cold weather.
• Talk to your doctor about an exercise to strengthen your lungs.
• Reduce stress.
Call your doctor right away if you:

• Have a cough, are wheezing or are having trouble breathing.
• Feel you need to take more medicine than your doctor has ordered.
• Have a temperature over 100.5 degrees F or 38 degrees C.
• Have mucus that is not white or clear, or mucus that is too thick to cough up.
• Have problems caused by your medicine such as shakiness, confusion, nervousness, upset stomach or a bad taste.
• Are not able to do your normal activities or exercise.

Predicting who will and won't survive a heart attack...

It may be possible to predict who will survive or die as the result of a first heart attack.

Researchers analysed data from 18,497 people in two of the largest American cardiovascular studies and pinpointed certain traits that could predict the risk that a heart attack would be fatal. Those traits included having high blood pressure, being black and having a very high body mass index (BMI) - a measurement based on height and weight.

For some people, the first heart attack is more likely to be their last. For these people especially, it is important that ways are found to prevent that first heart attack from ever happening because their chances of living through it are not as good.

It was found that high blood pressure and a high heart rate were stronger predictors of sudden cardiac death than coronary heart disease. Extreme high or low BMI was predictive of high risk of sudden cardiac death, but not of coronary heart disease. Certain markers that can be identified by doctors evaluating patients' electrocardiograms (ECGs) are associated with high risk of sudden cardiac death.

If the findings are validated and confirmed in future research, it will be possible to identify patients who are at greater risk of dying if they suffer a heart attack and prescribe ways to reduce their risk.

**Source: NDTV Doctor

Controlling tuberculosis in India

Click the link for detail information: Controlling tuberculosis in India

India has far more cases of tuberculosis than any other country in the world. There are about 2 million new cases each year and India accounts for nearly one third of prevalent cases globally.

TB in India:

• India has one third of all TB patients in the world
• 40% of the Indian population is infected with TB bacillus
• Each day, 20,000 get infected and 5,000 develop the disease
• Each year 18 lakh people develop TB, of whom 8 Lakh are infectious
• More women die of TB than all causes of maternal mortality put together

National Tuberculosis Control Programme

The Indian tuberculosis control programme is now one of the largest public health programs in the world. The programme has been remarkably successful, although it still faces many challenges. Direct health benefits to date include the treatment of 1.4 million patients, and prevention of more than 2,00,000 deaths. The programme has prevented more than 2 million tuberculosis infections and, therefore, more than 200,000 secondary cases. In rural areas, India has an established health infrastructure, with a large health centre for each 1,00,000 people, a smaller clinic for each 30,000 people, and a health post staffed by paramedical staff for every 5000 people.

Ek Prayaas- Support Education

Every child dreams of enjoying a happy childhood and looks forward to having a secure future. However, circumstances and situations force a sizeable majority of children to earn their livelihood at an age when they 

should be studying in schools. It is these vulnerable lives that Save the Children wishes to change with focused campaigns.

Any bright students coming from poor financial background who have finished their 10th standard this year & secured 80%, Please ask them to contact the NGO (Together-Ek Prayaas). The NGO will be conducting a written test & those who clear the test will be eligible for financial help for their further studies.

Please ask the students to contact the people mentioned below to get the form:

435, Civil Lines, Patel Nagar, Fatehpur, (U.P.) 212601, India

Contact: 

Amit Srivastava :  +91 9330924009

   Raj Modanwal : +91 8004345901

Even if you don't know any one, please pass this info, Some one might be in need of this help.

Fatty acids can fight cancer spread

Omega-3 agents could potentially block the path of primary cancer tumours, preventing more advanced cancers, according to researchers.

Michael Murray, professor of pharmogenetics at the University of Sydney University, says a life endangering consequence of malignant breast tumours is metastasis (disease spreading to distant sites or tissues) and at present there are no treatments.

He led his team to the discovery of the anti-metastatic actions of epoxides (omega-3 agents) which are produced within the body from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, according to a Sydney statement.

Murray says: "These agents are a bit like frontline soldiers blocking the assault of an invading army and now we want to advance our research which was published late last year and apply it to breast cancer cells.

"We know that epidemiological studies have reported that dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, decrease the risk of certain cancers. And many of us are including sources of omega-3 such as tuna and salmon in our diet as a precaution.

"Longer term we are aiming to develop a completely new class of anti-metastatic drugs designed to inhibit the spread of primary cancers," Murray says.

Ref: daily poineer