Frontpage News (3256)
Scientists Investigate mRNA Vaccine Technology for Cancer, HIV Cure
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In a related development, scientists are hoping that the mRNA vaccine technology could be used to cure cancer and HIV. The mRNA vaccines are believed to address any infectious disease or cancer target that would require an immune response against a protein antigen.
Scientists say mRNA vaccines could theoretically be programmed specifically for a patient’s cancer cells, to create personalised therapies. Since cancer mutations are unique and specific to every human being’s specific cancer, the mRNA vaccine would be tailored to a given patient.
It’s dangerous for Nigeria not to have facility for vaccine production –Scientist
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A Professor of Molecular Biology and Genomics in the Department of Biological Sciences, Redeemer’s University Nigeria, Ede, Osun State, Christian Happi, says it is dangerous for Nigeria not to have facilities for vaccine manufacturing.
Prof. Happi spoke on Thursday at a webinar organised by The Conversation Africa – a platform created to drive engaging discussion on socio-economic issues in Africa. Speaking at the webinar themed: ‘Nigeria and the next pandemic: preparedness, response, and vaccine,’ Happi said it is also dangerous for Africa not to have vaccine production facilities that can help respond to an epidemic or pandemic.
Virologists have disagreed on a preliminary study saying a combination of vaccines is safe. A new Oxford study called, Com-COV, has compared a mix of two-dose schedules of AstraZeneca vaccines, and found that in any combination, they produced a high concentration of antibodies against spike protein.
The trial results, according to BBC, also hinted that people who have already received two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine could have a stronger immune response if they were given a different jab as a booster if recommended in the autumn.
Doctor who discovered Nigeria’s first confirmed COVID-19 case wins award
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The medical doctor, Amarachukwu Allison who discovered the index case of COVID-19 in Nigeria has bagged the National Healthcare Excellence award for her professional diligence. The award is in the category of the Most Outstanding COVID-19 Professional of the year.
The award sponsored by Anadach – a healthcare consulting firm, was for the identification of the index case of COVID-19 in Nigeria and notification of appropriate authorities.Allison, who studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State works for an international organisation in Ewekoro, a town in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Stop production of fake drugs, unhealthy drinks to tackle insecurity, Reps tell FG
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The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, to eradicate fake and substandard foods and drinks in Nigeria. According to the lawmakers, the current security crisis in the country is linked to the widespread circulation and use of fake drugs and unwholesome drinks.
The call by the lawmakers was based on a motion moved by a member, Henry Nwawuba, which the House unanimously adopted at the plenary on Wednesday. The motion was titled ‘Need to Stop the Production and Circulation of Unwholesome Drinks and Fake Drugs in Nigeria.’
Supplement abuse can cause health complications, dietician warns
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A nutrition expert, Olusola Malomo has urged Nigerians to exercise caution with the way they take nutritional supplements.
Malomo, who is an Assistant Chief Dietician at Ajeromi General Hospital, Lagos, warned that improper intake of supplements could cause health complications. Nutritional supplements are products used to improve the diet and often contain vitamins, minerals, herbs or amino acids.
Cleaning ear with cotton bud could damage eardrum, surgeon warns
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A medical expert, Dr. Julius Idowu, on Sunday, warned against the unnecessary insertion of a cotton bud and other objects into the ear to avoid damage to the eardrum. Idowu gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria during a medical outreach at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate, Lagos.
The Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon at the Federal Medical Centre Ebute-Meta said that the functions of the ears included earring and balancing. He said that unhealthy objects, such as cotton buds and feathers, among others, could be associated with medical health problems like damage to the eardrum.
COVID-19 variants spreading faster than vaccine rollout, says WHO
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The World Health Organisation has alerted that variants of COVID-19 is spreading faster than the global vaccine rollout, noting that except prompt actions are taken the world could be overwhelmed by the pandemic.
According to the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the highly contagious Delta variant first identified in India, is “outpacing” vaccinations, Business Insider reported.
Mentholated ointment, camphor could trigger jaundice in babies, paediatrician warns
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A paediatrician with the University College Teaching Hospital, Ibadan Dr. Ifeoma Ude has cautioned parents against using mentholated ointment on their children as well as keeping their newborn babies’ clothes in camphor.
According to the physician, mentholated ointment and camphor could trigger jaundice in newborn babies. Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, the paediatrician said, “In addition to the normal causes, storing a baby’s clothes in camphor causes the breakdown of red blood cells.
Claims COVID-19 vaccines contain magnets false, says virologist
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A renowned professor of virology and former Vice-Chancellor at the Redeemer’s University Nigeria, Ede, Osun State, Oyewale Tomori says COVID-19 vaccines for COVID-19 do not contain metals that make recipients magnetic at the site of injection.
Reacting to a series of viral videos claiming to show magnets attracted to the arms of alleged vaccine recipients, Prof. Tomori said the claim is false. Speaking with PUNCH HealthWise, he said the claims in the viral videos not true. “It is not true. It is not possible that COVID-19 vaccines cause the body to be magnetic. There is no science behind it. It is fake false and fraud,” Tomori noted.
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WHO recommends new treatment guidelines for severe COVID-19 patients
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The World Health Organisation has updated its patient care guidelines to include interleukin-6 receptor blockers, a class of medicines that are lifesaving in patients who are severely or critically ill with COVID-19, especially when administered alongside corticosteroids.
The new recommendation was informed by findings from a network meta-analysis initiated by the WHO. According to the WHO, prospective and living network meta-analyses were the largest on the drugs to date, noting that data from over 10,000 patients enrolled in 27 clinical trials were studied.
Why there is no effective HIV vaccine 40 years after first patient, by experts
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Unlike COVID-19, which took less than two years for scientists to develop effective vaccines, there is yet no functional Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) jab, four decades after the first cases were documented.
Indeed, the month of June marks 40 years since the first cases of HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were documented, in 1981. Since that time, researchers and scientists have made huge strides in HIV treatment and today it is no longer a deadly disease, but rather a manageable condition.
Stroke warning signs often occur 10 years before attack, study suggests
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A new study has suggested that people who suffered stroke may have started experiencing signs of the health condition 10 years before the attack occurs.
Reporting in the BMJ Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, the team of scientists from the Netherland said that they wanted to determine the long-term trajectories of cognition and daily functioning before and after stroke because little is known of the cognitive decline that occurs before a stroke.
Cardiologists have warned about a growing silent epidemic of heart disease in Nigeria, noting that many people with very high blood pressure are unaware of their precarious health condition. The heart care medical experts said it has become imperative for all Nigerians to embrace the culture of going to pharmacies and hospitals to check their blood pressure and get treatment if it is high to ensure it is within the normal range.
The cardiologists warned that patients with very high blood pressure are like a ticking time bomb that can explode anytime. Uncontrolled blood pressure, they said, could cause health problems like stroke and cardiac complications anytime without giving a sign.
