All posts by Turacoz Group

World Blood Donor Day

Awareness Day/Month, , ,

Nations around the globe celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD), every year, on 14th June. The event was established in 2004 not only with the purpose to aware people about the importance and necessity of safe blood and blood products, but also to thank all the blood donors for their unconditional intention and effort to save lives.

The history of blood donation takes us back to the 17th century when blood transfusions performed with poor science knowledge led to some shocking outcomes for the patients. Richard, being the first one to safely transfuse blood among animals, raised a hope of similar practice among humans.  Subsequently, an obstetrician, in 1818, brought blood transfusion back into limelight. Since then, transfusion of blood and blood products is being used to spare many lives each year by supporting people experiencing life-threatening conditions.

This year, the theme of the WBDD campaign is “What can you do?“, with an optional message “Give blood. Give now. Give often“. The campaign underlines the role that every individual can play to save lives just by endowing blood. It additionally focuses on the frequency that should be followed by people in donating blood so as to maintain adequate stock in blood banks to meet crisis.

The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and World Health Organization (WHO) are playing an important role making the World Blood Donor Day, a success. They highlight the importance of this day and expect a satisfactory supply of blood through regular donations by intentional unpaid blood donors. In 2014, 60 nations had their national blood supplies in view of 99-100% voluntary unpaid blood donations, with 73 nations still dependent on family and paid donors. The WHO’s global objective is to get all their blood supplies from deliberate unpaid donors by year 2020. To attain the same, numerous events are held far and wide on June 14 to mark WBDD. These include football matches, shows and mobile blood donation camps, etc.

World Blood Donor Day

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions extends its support and cooperation to be a part of this campaign of blood donation. The most ideal approach to observe and celebrate WBDD is to go out and donate blood. Every drop is important, so even a solitary contribution from time to time will help save lives.

 

IMRAD in Original Research Articles

Health & Fitness, , ,

IMRAD is nothing but the acronym used for the 4 basic sections of an original research article, namely Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Any original article must include these 4 essential parts. Diagrammatic representation of IMRAD is depicted in Figure 1. Each of these sections are designed to answer certain questions as described below.

Introduction – Why was the study carried out? What is the specific question to be answered? What is already known, and what is being sought? What is the specific objective?

Introduction must be written in present tense. It must start with broad topics and gradually narrow down to the precise study topic. Thus, this section must provide the background information, set the stage for the article, and build-up the reader’s interest. It must highlight how the study intends to fill-in the existing gaps and what it will add to the current knowledge that already exists.

                                                                                          Figure 1. Diagrammatic Representation of IMRAD

Methods – When, where, and how was the study conducted?

Methods must be written in past tense. This section must clearly describe how the study was designed and carried out, what was the sample, and how it was collected. Procedures conducted must be described comprehensively in a chronological order. The methods section must describe the outcomes being evaluated in the order of their relevance to the research question. Statistical analysis methods used must also be described here. Methods must be presented such that the process could be reproducible.

Results – What was found?

Results must be written in past tense. This is the most important part of any research article as it provides answers to the questions asked in introduction section. Results must be presented in a simple structured way so that they are easy to read and understand. Tables and figures must be included to present the results. If required, results can be organized in subsections. All outcomes must be reported in this section in the same order in which they have been mentioned in the methods section of the article. Results must be only reported in this section and not interpreted or discussed. Specific statistical data such as p-values must be included.

Discussion –

What do the results mean? How do the results compare with the existing published literature? What are the implications and future directions?

Discussion must be written in both present and past tense. Established knowledge must be written in past tense and discussion of current results must be written in present tense. This is the most difficult section to write as the author must put everything together in a comprehensive way and should attempt to draw conclusions from the results obtained. Results must be discussed here with an emphasis on the most significant observations. These observations must then be compared with previously published similar studies. Strengths and limitations of the study must be mentioned. Some speculative discussion can be included, which can serve as the source for future research.

Discussion section can be followed by conclusion section where the overall findings can be summarized succinctly.

We, at Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS), provide customized medical communication support. Our wing, Turacoz Skill Development Program (TSDP), provides training solutions in various forms to help the healthcare and pharma professionals improve their skills. Although medical writing is a skill and one gets better at it only by practice, equipping oneself with certain basic tools would be a very good start. Here, we share the basic concept of IMRAD in original research articles, which will help budding writers to understand the importance of following this structure while developing manuscripts.

 

‘World No Tobacco Day’ (31st May 2017): Tobacco – A Threat to Development

Awareness Day/Month, ,

A yearly celebration since 1987, ‘World No Tobacco Day’ observed on 31st of May, is an initiative by World Health Organization (WHO). The main aim to mark this day is to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco consumption and advocate for implementation of effective policies which in turn can help in reducing tobacco uses.

Facts and Figures

  • Tobacco causes cancers (head and neck, lung, blood, stomach, kidney, pancreas, colon, bladder, cervix etc.) cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, pregnancy complications and still birth, congenital malformations and several other debilitating diseases.

  • Every year 6 million people die from tobacco use. By 2030, the number is predicted to rise upto 8 million, if intensified quick action is not taken.

  • National economies and health-care costs are negatively impacted by tobacco uses.

  • Low- or middle-income countries (LMIC) reports approximately 80% of premature tobacco‑related deaths.

  • Tobacco cultivation contributes to global deforestation (2% – 4%), water and land pollution (since growing requires large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers) and significant generation of solid waste.

  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in collaboration with WHO found that the global economy is burdened with US$1 trillion annually as a result of tobacco use.

 

 

According to the WHO 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries must prioritize and accelerate tobacco control efforts. Tobacco epidemic once controlled will support the health, economy and development of a nation. Alongside, it will lessen the environmental burden of tobacco growing, manufacturing, trade and consumption.

Indian Scenario

As per the National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), an Indian federation of 20 non-governmental organizations (founded in 1992) works towards networking and coordinating campaigns of various institutions and NGOs across the country and aims to bring about governmental policy changes which tackle the tobacco problem of our nation.

Way Forward and Developmental Goals

  • The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) treaty, signed with 180 Parties (179 countries and the European Union), guides countries to ward off interference from the tobacco industry in government tobacco control policy.

  • Increase in worldwide cigarette taxes will contribute to government revenue generation. Alongside, it will also reduce the demand for tobacco and help in financing national development activities.

Tobacco control laws and regulations generated and implemented around the globe can promote sustainable agriculture and economic growth, save people dying of hunger, break the poverty cycle, and fight against climate change.

We, Turacoz healthcare solutions, support ‘World No Tobacco Day’, 2017 and urge people to refrain from any form of tobacco consumption and use. We must all join hands and raise our voice against both active and passive smoking so that a brighter and healthier future is ensured for our younger generation and our nation. Healthy food, healthcare and education is what we all deserve, let us not lose it to the tobacco smoke.

World Health Day: Let’s Talk About Depression

Health & Fitness

World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates 7th of April every year, as World Health Day to mark the anniversary of WHO founding. This day provides us with an opportunity to spread awareness about a specific health topic of concern amongst people all over the world and take some action towards it.

Depression: The Theme for 2017

Depression is characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that a person normally enjoys, along with an inability to carry out daily activities. In addition, people with depression normally experience the following symptoms:

  • Anxiety
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Changes in sleeping patterns and habits
  • Decrease in concentration
  • Restlessness
  • Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

 

Depression may affect people from all walks of life, irrespective of their age group, gender and ethnicity or geographical location. Depression causes mental anguish and inhibits people’s ability to do the simplest tasks in day-to-day life. It may sometimes lead to devastating consequences for relationships with family and friends, and affect the livelihood of a person causing financial damage. At worst, depression can develop suicidal tendency in a person, making it the second leading cause of death among teenagers and young people.

Depression has spread its pangs into our society and grown into a worldwide problem. Looking at the gravity of this psychosocial disorder, the theme of 2017 World Health Day campaign is “Depression: Let’s Talk”.

 

It’s Okay to Talk About Depression and Seek Help

Talking about depression is the first step towards its treatment. Aim of this WHO campaign is to:

  • Make people more informed about depression, its causes and possible consequences, and what help can be given for prevention and treatment
  • Motivate people with depression seek help
  • Support and help family, friends and colleagues of people having depression

It is most important to make the people with depression feel that they are not alone, and that you care for them. Without having this intention and will, one can never help their friends or loved ones get out of depression. People who are facing this problem need great courage and moral support to cope up with this condition.

The more distant one gets from the family, the closer they get to depression. So, it is important to break the silence and speak about it. Let everyone be a part of the war against this mental illness. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions extends its support and cooperation to all those who are fighting depression.

World Down Syndrome Day – Let Them Be Heard!

Awareness Day/Month, , , ,

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. Every year it is observed on 21 March with the same zeal and enthusiasm. On this day, people with Down syndrome and their close friends and acquaintances throughout the world organize and participate in events to raise public awareness.

Why the Date March 21?

The date for this day was selected being the 21st day of the 3rd month to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which is the cause of Down syndrome.

Who Manages WDSD Platform?

The WDSD website is managed by the charity organization, Down Syndrome International (DSi). DSi created this platform as a single global meeting place where everyone can share their experiences, advertise their activities and participate in DSi’s WDSD initiatives. The website is a hub of activity taking place around 21 March each year. DSi, a global network of individuals and organizations from all over the world, is committed to improve the quality of life of people affected by Down syndrome and advocating their inherent right to be accepted.

What is the WDSD-Theme this year?

Each year DSi takes up a theme to champion the cause of Down syndrome. The theme for WDSD this year, My Voice, My Community, has been taken up to encourage people with Down syndrome, and their supporters to speak their mind, and let their voice influence government policy and action, to ensure that they can be included, on a full and equal basis with others, in all aspects of society.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines, and affecting approximately 1 in a few hundred live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Per an estimate given by the United Nations, the incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.

 

DSi encourages people all over the world to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, and how people affected with this disorder play a vital role in our lives and communities. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions, as a part of its corporate social responsibility, joins hands with DSi to raise awareness about Down syndrome and for the well-being of the affected people. Our aim is to communicate our concern and draw more people to be a part of this campaign for those who need our help.

To Eat, or Not to Eat : Is Mediterranean Diet Good for All?

Health & Fitness, , , , ,

A lot of talking about Mediterranean food and its benefits has been doing the rounds for quite some time now. Indeed, there are many advantages of planning for such a healthy diet. But first, we should know about the so-called ‘Mediterranean food’.

What is Mediterranean Diet?

The food habits followed in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea is referred to as the Mediterranean diet. This diet-plan emphasizes on eating fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, food prepared in extra virgin olive oil, herbs and spices, and minimal use of salt. A typical Mediterranean diet includes lots of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grain cereals and cereal products. It also contains moderate amounts of fish, white meat and some dairy produce.

What Are Its Benefits on Health?

Mediterranean diet is a combination of different elements that seem to bring health benefits. It includes healthy fats in the form of monounsaturated fats from olive oil and polyunsaturated fats from seeds, nuts, and fish oil. Such a diet plan is good for people who have:

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • High blood pressure
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Cardiovascular disorders

How to Start With?

The most important thing to do is to visit your healthcare provider or a registered dietician for a diet plan. Always seek expert advice from your dietician or healthcare provider before you set to take up a new diet plan.You will know about what to eat and what to avoid. In general, few things one should know about the foods included in Mediterranean diet:

  • Bing on fresh fruits- and vegetable salads
  • Cook food in extra virgin olive oil
  • Have about 100-125 grams fish at least twice a week
  • Have1-3 servings of dairy products daily (one serving equals 1 cup of milk /yogurt or 28 grams of cheese)
  • Include nuts, legumes and sprouted grains(wholegrain bread, pasta and brown rice)
  • Incorporate fermented grains (like, sourdough) for easier digestion and better nutrient absorption
  • Add herbs and spices to your food for taste enhancement
  • Reduce intake of salt
  • Include green tea with mint for antioxidant intake

Why Should we Think Twice Before Starting the Mediterranean Diet?

Mediterranean diet plan is based on the traditional food of the people residing in countries around the Mediterranean Sea which have maritime climate and Mediterranean vegetation. Though it has a lot of health benefits, it has some negative effects also.

  • Risk for Hypertensive patients– Mediterranean diet may not be healthy for all the hypertensive patients. Prefer having a diet which is suitable for your body-type and the place where you reside. Besides, food allergies can make this diet plan unsuitable for you.
  • Not cost-effective-Mediterranean food is not easily available in all countries and the cost of the food is also high. It is also not very easy to obtain the food items at places which have a different climate, or at places where seasonal fruits and vegetables are more easily available.
  • Only Mediterranean diet is not enough– Follow a healthy lifestyle to be fit. Regular physical exercise, staying away fromsmoking and alcohol consumption, and having an overall healthy diet is important for good health.
  • Increased intake of olive oil is unhealthy– Mostly people start with an increased consumption of olive oil in the form of fried food. Overeating of snacks which are deep fried in olive oil is definitely not a healthy way to gain the benefits of olive oil.

 

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions wants to make you aware of the health benefits and risks associated with Mediterranean diet. Mere following a new health trend and a new diet chart is not enough. You should know what kind of foods are suitable for your body. We hope to share more facts on healthcare in times to come.

5 Medical Writing Tips for Novice Writers

Medical Writing, , ,

5 Medical Writing Tips for Novice Writers

  • Always start with an outline and ensure that all the relevant questions are answered:
    •  What is the research topic and what is its importance?
    •  What is the hypothesis formulation strategy?
    •  What were the expected results and the major findings of the study?
  • Create an IMRAD strategy:
    •  Introduction: Importance of study, what is already known, hypothesis, objectives
    •  Materials and Methods: Materials, subjects, design, procedure used for study
    •  Results: Findings of the study and related to study
    •  Discussion and Conclusions: Discussion of supporting studies , previous literature, limitations, future prospects of study
  • Prepare the draft:
    •  Start with materials and methods
    •  Be specific, clear, concise, and objective in writing results (prepare figure/ table wherever required)
    •  Start with the introduction to attract the reader by highlighting the novelty of the study, followed by discussion
  • Review the draft as a reviewer:
    •  Review the paper thoroughly and revise it
  • Submit the final draft according to journal guidelines
    •  Follow the order: title page; abstract and key words; main text; acknowledgements (optional); conflicts of interest (optional); references; author information; figure legends; tables
    •  Be strict for word limits (total word count/ abstract’s word count)
    • Take care of number of figures and tables to include
    •  Make sure that the reference style in text as well as bibliography is followed

 

THS shares a few tips on medical writing for novice writers. At THS, we provide medical writing assistance to healthcare professionals. Medical writing is a creative way of communication for those who love to write and want to keep abreast with the recent developments in science. While writing a manuscript, try to follow these tips and prepare the manuscript as per the instructions given by a journal. However, its acceptance and publication is not at your will. You may, sometimes, face rejection at initial stages. Revise, edit and modify your paper. Keep practicing. Brush up your writing skills and get ready to type your next manuscript.

DASH it for Hypertension

Health & Fitness

Know About the DASH Plan

“DASH” or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is an eating plan which can reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, and also manage existing hypertension.

  1. The first DASH diet research showed that it could lower blood pressure as efficiently as the first line anti-hypertensive medications, even with a sodium intake of 3300 mg/day.
  2. Other than hypertension, DASH diet reduces the risk of many diseases like stroke, heart disease, heart failure, kidney stones, diabetes, and even some kinds of cancer.
  3. It can be considered as an Americanized version of the Mediterranean diet, and owing to its specific guidelines it is easier to follow.

 Advise to Follow the DASH Plan

  1. Seek Advice From Experts: The number of servings that is right for you may vary, depending on your caloric need. Hence, it is advisable to consult a nutritionist before adopting DASH diet.
  2. Track Your Diet Plan: A good way to start with the DASH eating plan is to keep a diary of your current eating habits to track down the time where you tend to eat high-fat food, or when you skip meals. Later, make necessary changes in your diet.
  3. Go Slow: Increase your servings of fruits, vegetables, and grains gradually, as DASH diet is high in fibre, and may temporarily cause bloating and diarrhoea.
  4. Know What’s Best for Your Tummy: If you have trouble digesting dairy products, try lactase enzyme pills or drops, or buy lactose-free milk or milk with lactase enzyme added to it.
  5. Look Before You Leap: Carefully read the food labels to compare fat content in packaged foods, as items marked low-fat or fat free are not always lower in calories than their regular versions.
  6. Beat Sugar Cravings: Limit foods with lots of added sugar, such as pies, flavoured yogurts, candy bars, ice cream, sherbet, regular soft drinks, and fruit drinks.
  7. Eat it Right: Instead of snacking on chips or sweets, eat unsalted pretzels or nuts, raisins, low-fat and fat-free yogurt, frozen yogurt, unsalted plain popcorn with no butter, and raw vegetables.

“DASH”is a dietary plan which is clinically proven to reduce blood pressure, and the risk of developing hypertension. We, at Turacoz Healthcare Solutions, consider it our corporate social responsibility to share the dietary approaches that can save you from the pangs of hypertension and many other diseases associated with it. Know how to manage hypertension with the DASH plan.

Turacoz Conducted a Seminar on Medical Writing at the National University of Singapore

News

Under the aegis of Turacoz Healthcare Solutions, Turacoz Skill Development Program conducted a seminar on medical writing at the National University of Singapore on 12th October, 2016. The seminar, headed by our lead trainer and medical director, Dr. Namrata Singh was focused on research proposal and publication, and medical writing as a career. With live assignments and discussion, Dr. Singh gave an update to the participants about how to write a research proposal, what is the importance of publication of a research, and how to initiate manuscript writing. She also emphasized on medical writing as a career option for medical students. The seminar was received with overwhelming response and valuable feedbacks.

Liver Cancer Awareness Month: October

Awareness Day/Month

Facts

  • Approximately 83% of liver cancer cases are diagnosed in developing regions of the world.
  • 1 year survival rate of patients with liver cancer is 44% while the 5-year survival rate is 17%.
  • 1 in 105 men and 1 in 195 women will present liver cancer during their lifetime.

The first step towards finding the right care for liver cancer is to have a better understanding of the disease. Liver cancer awareness month is observed to spread awareness among the general population and a bright emerald-green color ribbon is used to imply this objective.

Liver is the second most important organ in our body, weighing about three pound and located under the rib cage on the right side. It plays a major role in metabolism, hormone production, plasma protein synthesis, glycogen storage, bile secretion and detoxification. Liver cancer or hepatic cancer begins with the tissue of the liver and is the sixth most common cancer in the world.

Risk factors

  • Chronic hepatic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • Cirrhosis
  • Aflatoxins
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Male gender
  • Family history
  • Old age

Types

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer accounting of almost 75% of all liver cancer cases. Some other types of liver cancer are bile duct cancer, angiosarcoma, fibrolamellar carcinoma, hepatoblastoma etc. There is even a secondary type of liver cancer (liver metastasis) which develops when another primary cancer spreads to the liver (most commonly from colorectal cancer).

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms are not very specific and may include the following

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Diagnosis

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Treatment

Treatment generally depends on the number, size and location of the tumor. Also, the metastatic spread and the overall hepatic functionality determines the treatment course.

Liver transplantation, tumor ablation, embolization, targeted therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the current treatment options for liver cancer patients.

Prevention

The American Cancer Society mentions that reducing exposure to known risk factors can prevent some incidences of liver cancer cases. Some of the listed measures are:

  • Proper vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • Treatment of hepatitis infection
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Limiting tobacco use and alcohol consumption
  • Avoiding exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
  • Treatment of diseases like cirrhosis, which increase the  risk of liver cancer

Liver cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer, and in 2012 it was estimated to be responsible for nearly 746,000 cancer related deaths worldwide. People having some form of liver disease, are infected with HBV or HCV, and don’t even know it. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions supports the cause of Liver Cancer Awareness Month and urges everybody to become more conscious about their liver health and get screened for liver infections. Our accelerated efforts can help in preventing and treating liver cancer.