Author: Biz India

Probiotics Prevent and Decrease Duration of Bacterial and Viral Infections

Source: BioGaia Mar 19, 2020 – As there has been a considerable increase of questions, BioGaia has summarized the scientific information about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the possible beneficial role of probiotics in the current COVID-19 global outbreak. Questions: Could probiotics protect against SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and aid in avoiding COVID-19? Could probiotics help our immune system to prevent or potentially fight Coronavirus infections? Deep Immune Probiotic tablets – Image credit: Melaleuca What are the scientific facts and the credible sources? Below is summarized and updated information about this topic. Note that to date, the scientific information we have on the current COVID-19 outbreak in terms of viral transmission, physiopathology and disease control is still preliminary and might change as time passes and more information becomes available. Coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 disease: the facts Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses common among mammals and birds. “Corona” means “Crown” in Latin, and it refers to the distinctive shape of these viruses, where the genetic material (single stranded RNA) is contained within an envelope which has protein spikes pointing outside the structure. This gives a specific “crown morphology” to all Coronaviruses. In some cases, Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans in a process called spillover zoonosis, where many animal hosts can carry the virus before it reaches humans. When this happens, Coronaviruses can cause different types of respiratory and...

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Book Review: The Art of Pterygium Surgery–Mastering Techniques and Optimizing Results

Editor: Arun C. Gulani, MD Publisher:  Thieme – 163 pages Book Review by: Nano Khilnani Excellent outcomes has been the desire, and the ultimate goal of this book’s editor Dr. Arun Gulani in all his work, dating as far back as on his days as a resident in ophthalmology, and perhaps even way before that. Many of us have heard the saying: “Where there is a will, there is a way.” If your will is to perform at your peak level, then by all means arm yourself with the latest available knowledge in your sub-specialty within your specialty, familiarize...

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Book Review: Navigation and Robotics in Spine Surgery

Editors: Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD; Jaykar R. Panchmatia, MA; I. David Kaye. MD;   and Srinivas K. Prasad, MD Publisher:  Thieme – 211 pages, with 125 illustrations Book Review by: Nano Khilnani The specific aim of this book is to fill the need for techniques-based knowledge in the use of robotics in spine surgery. While robotics in itself is a relatively new method in surgeries of all kinds, and has many advantages over traditional surgery, its use is still not widespread because of the challenges posed by what is often referred to as a ‘learning curve’, both in knowledge and...

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Book Review: Operative Techniques in Epilepsy Surgery, 2nd edition

Editors: Gordon H. Baltuch, MD: and Arthur Cukiert, MD Publisher:  Thieme  – 237 pages, with 437 illustrations Book Review by: Nano Khilnani Worldwide, nearly 39 million people had epilepsy in 2015. Of these, there were 125,000 deaths, accounting for around one-third of one percent of the total.  But the 2015 number of deaths doubled from 112,000 from 25 years earlier in 1990. Why was that the case? First, take note that about 80 percent (31.2 million) of 39 million epilepsy cases occurred in developing countries in 2015, where information on correct and effective treatment, much less access to treatment,...

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Book Review: Surgery of the Brainstem

Editors: Robert F. Spetzler, MD, Yashar Kalani, MD, and Michael T. Lawton, MD Publisher:  Thieme – 473 pages Book Review by: Nano Khilnani The brainstem has been described in the surgical community as ‘a fool’s errand’ because it is nearly ‘unsurmountable,’ the editors of this book write in their Preface.  The good news is that recent advances in anesthesia, imaging, instrumentation, monitoring, and rehabilitative care, and surgical technique, have made it easier to approach this and other areas of the human brain. However, it is essential that the physician have an honest and frank discussion of the risks involved...

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