Category Archives: Science & Technology

SISA brings in advance shoulder surgery techniques to Hyderabad

Science & Technology

Hyderabad based Sai Institute of Sports Injury & Arthroscopy (SISA) has brought in some of the advanced shoulder surgery techniques to Andhra Pradesh which may give a big relief to patients suffering from painful shoulder joint related problems in the state.

Three renowned shoulder surgery specialists, Dr Hannes Jonker from South Africa, Dr Raghuveer Reddy from SISA, Hyderabad and Dr Sachin Tapasvi from Pune demonstrated various advanced shoulder surgeries viz., Knotless Technology, Double row Technique and Reverse shoulder arthroplasty, which are all used to relieve patients from incapacitating and painful shoulder joint related problems.

Thanks to SISA for it has made available the much needed advanced technology and latest techniques in shoulder surgeries as this is going to give a big boost to serve especially patients from the sports and athletic community. The Knotless Technology, Double row technique & reverse shoulder arthroplasty are some of the most acclaimed latest shoulder surgeries techniques.

The ever increasing incidences of shoulder problems, in all age groups, have their origin in modern lifestyles. Due to the complex nature of the shoulder joint and lack of expertise in its management, patients were left to endure the pain and live with it. However, with SISA’s initiative it has given the much desired respite for all such silent sufferers by bringing in the most advanced techniques to Andhra Pradesh.

The new techniques now available for shoulder ailments, in the City at SISA, Shoulder Stabilisation Surgery with Knotless Technology is a technique used to repair repeated shoulder dislocations seen in young and those in productive age groups. This repair is done through an arthroscopy (key hole surgery). The technique permits speedy recovery and returning to their demanding work faster.

The Reverse shoulder arthroplasty technique addresses the irreparable rotator cuff tear with advanced stage shoulder arthritis in very elderly people. “Patients can now get their shoulder ailments rectified here in Hyderabad, by experts using the latest available techniques in shoulder joint management,” said Dr K Raghuveer Reddy, Shoulder & Knee Surgeon, SISA.

source: http://www.phramabiz.com / Home> Top News> Hospitals & Clinics / by PharmaBiz Bureau / Thursday, March 21st, 2013

Award for DRDO scientist

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

G. Satheesh Reddy, associate director of Research Centre Imarat (RCI), here has been awarded the Biren Roy Space Science and Design Award-2012.

The scientist from the Defence Research and Development Organisation lab was awarded at the international conference on regional transport aircraft held on the eve of 64th annual general meeting of the Aeronautical Society of India, Hyderabad.

It was conferred in recognition of his contribution to navigation sciences and aerospace engineering in the country.

The award consists of a memento, certificate and a cash prize of Rs 20,000.

Satheesh Reddy was recently inducted as an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in the US, according to a press release.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> News> Science / by The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad, March 18th, 2013

Seminar begins on natural resources

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology
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Anantapur: 
A two-day national-level seminar on ‘Rural Women and Natural Resources Management Opportunities, Policies and Challenges’ was began at the Department of Rural Development and Social Work of Srikrishnadevaraya University here on Friday.
Principal Prof K. Buddanna inaugurated the seminar sponsored under the UGC-SAP programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sreedhar of rural development said that about 90 research scholars from eight states in the country will participate in the seminar and presenting their research papers on rural women and natural resource management.
Interactive sessions with eminent social scientists were being conducted oversuccess and failures of natural resources management. Prof.Galib said that natural resource management was not properly done because of discrimination against the rural women.
source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home>News> Current Affairs / DC / Anantapur, March 16th, 2013

Herbs hold key to tribal medicare

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

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Visakhapatnam:

Andhra University researchers, who did an ethno-medicinal study on the use of medicinal plants by the tribals of Kotia Hills on the Andhra-Odisha border, Vizianagaram district, found that they were treating a range of illnesses — from rheumatoid arthritis and fractures to asthma, diabetes and malaria — with 62 such species.

The researchers observed that the usage was appropriate for curing the disease and that they had inherited the knowledge of traditional medicines over successive generations.

“The knowledge they have is precious and needs to be recorded. The studies done have also to be substantiated by phytochemical analysis and pharmacological screening for their active principles,” said Prof. M. Venkaiah, department of Botany of the univesity.

The tribals of these areas belong mainly to the Mannedora, Kondadora, Jatapu and Savara communities and the most cited plant family they used was the Lamiaceae or mint, with its widely used culinary herbs, such as basil (tulsi), mint (pudina), rosemary (kumkuma puvvu), sage and others. They used plants growing on the ground, rather than below, for medicinal purposes, the study found. They were also combining this with small quantities of milk, ghee or honey to make the taste palatable.

Another survey shows that more than 80 per cent of tribal populations maintain their animals’ health too through traditional medicines largely of plant origin.
A total of 108 plant species belonging to 99 genera and 51 families have been identified as a potential source for treating 47 types of ailments.

Eight species calling under the Solanaceae family are the most in use followed by Caesalpiniaceae with seven. The first consists of plants such as mirapa, ummettha, tomato, pogaku and others.
Medicinal plants have been playing an important role in the survival and wellness of the ethnic communities who live in remote villages in the Agency areas.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC /by P. V. Prasad / March 11th, 2013

Lifetime achievement award for Guntur doctor

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

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A Guntur-based phonosurgeon V. Phaniendra Kumar has been presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to the speciality in medicine.

At the 9 National Conference of the Association of Phonosurgeons of India ‘PHONOCON – 2013’ organised at Pinnamaneni Siddhardha Medical College, Vijayawada, he was given away the award, Dr. Phanineindra said in a release on Monday.

Phonosurgery is voice restorative surgery for victims of voice disorder.

The origin of the speciality in India is from Guntur. The national conference was organised on March 8, 9 and 10. Registrar of Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences S. Babulal, chief guest of the inaugural function, gave away the award.

About 100 ENT surgeons from different parts of the country attended as delegates.

International faculty members from the USA and New Zealand, national experts from the State, Kerala, Mumbai and New Delhi conducted technical sessions.

Dr. Phaniendra is the founder of the APSI and developed it over the years.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada /by Special Correspondent / March 12th, 2013

Dr Sripada Pinakapani dies at age 100

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

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Sripada Pinakapani.

Kurnool:

Dr Sreepada Pinakapani, noted Carnatic classical exponent, guru to well-known musicians, and professor of medicine, died at a hospital in Kurnool on Monday evening. He had been ailing for some time.

Dr Pinakapani, 100, is survived by three sons and three daughters. A medical doctor, Dr Pinakapani was also an administrator and professor in medicine, and a Carnatic musician of note.

Dr Pinakapani performed at major festivals and concerts, and also wrote several books on Carnatic music. His Gaanakalasarvasvamu ran into multiple volumes and contains minute details of the krithis.
Dr Pinkapani was born at Priya Agraharam in Srikakulam district on August 3, 1913. His mother Jogamma and father Kameswara Rao, a Carnatic musician, encouraged their son to learn classical music. He spent three months in the school run by violin maestro Dwaram Venkataswamy Naidu.

He did his MBBS from the Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, and graduated in April 1938. He completed his MD in general medicine in December 1945, from the same college. He also honed his skills in music simultaneously and attended concerts of leading musicians of the time.

He taught medicine at the Madras Medical College and at his alma mater, Andhra Medical College. He shifted to the Kurnool Medical College in 1957, from where he retired as professor.
Dr Pinakapani received many awards and honours for his services to Carnatic music. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1984 by then President Giani Zail Singh. He was awarded the Gana Vidya Vardhi by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams on August 3, 2012, on the occasion of his 99th birthday.

He also received the title of Sangeetha Kalanidhi. He was honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1977. Andhra University honoured him with the title of Kala Prapoorna in 1978.
Following news of his death, Ram Prasad, principal of the Kurnool Medical College, local political leaders and many others paid floral tributes to the doctor-musician at his residence in Kurnool. He has a stage named after him.

Anantapur Tyagaraya Gana Sabha paid homage to the vocalist for his service to society. Sabha secretary K. Gnaneswara Rao recalled that Dr Pinakapani presided over concerts by musical giants such as Ustad Bismillah Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar, in Anantapur. The concert stage at the Sabha is named after Dr Pinakapani after he performed there in 1975.

He trained Dr Nukala Satyanarayana, IAS officer Jayanthi Natarajan, Oleti Venkatesam, Srirangam Gopalaratnam, Nedunuri, Vasudhara Devi and the Malladi brothers, all of whom have made a mark in the world of Carnatic music.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / March 12th, 2013

Glaucoma Awareness Week in Hyderabad from March 10

Science & Technology

With the focus this year on early detection of glaucoma and prevention, city-based LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has decided to organise series of activities during the Glaucoma Awareness Week beginning from March 10.

“To bring public focus on the eye disease that affects both adults and children, we would like to stress the importance of screening the family members of patients with glaucoma, as this disease can affect siblings and children of patients with glaucoma in upto 10-20 per cent,” LVPEI (Glaucoma Care) Head Dr Sirisha Senthil said on Thursday.

Glaucoma is seen as the leading cause of irreversible blindness in India. It is a disorder associated with pressure in the eye, and is characterised by damage to the optic nerve leading to irreversible blindness.

Currently, 1.12 crore Indians suffer from glaucoma, with 11 lakh people bilaterally blind.

Though the exact cause of glaucoma in the majority of cases is not precisely known, it can occur in a minority due to a variety of causes ranging from the use of steroid eye drops, secondary to eye injury, or even complications after an eye surgery.

Glaucoma more commonly affects people beyond the age of 40 years.

High myopes, diabetics and those with a positive family history have higher risk of developing glaucoma, a release from LVPEI said.

What is worrying is that 90 per cent of Glaucoma in the community is undetected, mostly because of lack of awareness.

Most patients are unaware that, early diagnosis can reduce progression of the disease and prevent blindness and all it takes to prevent such a situation is regular eye check-up or screening.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA India / Home> India> Report / Place:Hyderabad, Agency:PTI / Thursday, March 07th, 2013

Cyberabad police to set up women help desks

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Hyderabad , MARCH 6:

In order to curb crime against women, Cyberabad Police has started the process of setting up exclusive women help desks across all its police stations.

The existing reception centres in 40-odd police stations under Cyberabad Police Commissionerate will also act as ‘exclusive women help desks’, Cyberabad Police Commissioner Ch. Dwarka Tirumala Rao told PTI.

“The reception centres are being strengthened and in addition to the reception work, they will function as women help desks with the posting of a woman police constable,” the Cyberabad Police chief said, adding that as of now one ‘exclusive women help desk’ is functioning through the police control room.

These help desks will look into the issues relating to women and crime against them by not only taking the complaints of women in distress, but also guide them properly and counsel them, Rao said.

These will be headed by women officials who will be in constant touch with the victims to ensure their safety. “The intention of setting up these help desks is to guide women properly besides following up the matter through regular communication with them once a complaint is lodged,” he added.

“Sensitive cases in which women are victims, will be handled by women inspectors under the supervision of Additional DCP (Crimes), also a woman officer,” the Commissioner said.

The complaints received by the desk would be monitored daily though an online system, another senior police officer said, adding that they have developed a software for petition monitoring system which will help keep a tab on the progress of cases at all stages.

The software which is being now tested, will shortly be updated with all police stations and will act as ‘grievance redressal system’ for all type of complaints, Rao said.

In 2012, 72 rape cases were registered in Cyberabad limits against 84 in 2011. The number of crimes against women decreased from 1,878 last year to 1,642 cases in 2011.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> News / by PTI / Hyderabad, March 06th, 2013

Now, pay less for stents

Science & Technology

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Central scheme cuts its ceiling rates on stents

In a move that could reduce prices of US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)-imported Drug Eluting Stents (DES) and encourage domestic manufacturing, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) has cut down its ceiling rates on stents.

The CGHS, which used to reimburse Rs. 65,000 for USFDA-approved DES, has now revised the rates and will pay Rs. 25,000 for a USFDA-approved DES. Interestingly, this rate is on a par with rates of DES that are manufactured by Indian companies.

Persons familiar with pricing of medical devices said that CGHS is the main body in the country that fixes reimbursement rates for costly imported stents and other medical devices.

Usually, almost all the insurance and reimbursement agencies and State governments consider CGHS rates as their yardstick and fix their reimbursement rates accordingly.

Discriminatory pricing

The old prices of DES set by CGHS in October 2011 were discriminatory in nature and discouraged local stent manufacturers who sold Drug Control General of India (DCGI) approved DES, senior doctors in the capital said.

“CGHS was reimbursing Rs. 65,000 to FDA-approved and Rs. 50,000 to stents that had CE mark, the European regulatory body for medical devices.

They used to reimburse only Rs. 40,000 to drug-eluting stents manufactured by Indian companies who had DCGI approval. The new rates, however, have levelled the playing field,” a senior cardiologist analysed.

Meanwhile, the new CGHS rates have put the authorities at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in a dilemma. The NIMS authorities have so far followed the CGHS rates in fixing the cost of drug-eluting stents approved by USFDA.

In fact, while finalising the rate contract of stents for 2012-13, the NIMS management had claimed that it is the only hospital in Hyderabad that has implemented rates of stents based on the ceilings of Government of India.

“So far, NIMS has not affected any revision in its stent rates. But, we are expecting that the NIMS management will act on the issue soon. If not, there will be a contradiction of sorts,” doctors said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / March 02nd, 2013

Hinduja Global Solutions opens delivery centre in Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Hyderabad , MARCH 1:

Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), a provider of BPO services, has announced the opening of its new delivery centre in Hyderabad.

This is a part of HGS International Services India Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HGS. It is the 54th global delivery centre of HGS, which serves over 500 clients through its centres in India, the US, Canada, UK, France, Italy and Germany.

The fourth HGS centre to be set up in Andhra Pradesh, it will have a capacity of 600 seats and will primarily cater to the company’s international healthcare operations. This 55000 sq. ft. facility is located in DLF Cyber City, a company release said.

somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home / The Hindu’s Bureau / Hyderabad, March 01st, 2013