Alaska state medical examiner

Three decades ago, Brazilian researchers began studying a curious side effect from banana spider bites: the toxin left victims with priapism, a painful and persistent erection. The scientists were inspired to develop a synthetic molecule using some properties of the spider's poison to create a gel to treat erectile dysfunction, which is now undergoing promising clinical trials. Covered in thick brown hair, and with a maximum size of up to 15 centimeters (six inches), the arachnid is one of the most poisonous in the world. It is found in several South American countries, and was nicknamed for its common presence in banana plantations, but it is also called the "wandering spider" or "armed spider." In the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, it is found in rural areas as well as urban centers. At the Ezequiel Dias Foundation (FUNED), a medical research center in the state's capital Belo Horizonte, a biologist delicately grabs one of the spiders with a pair of tweezers … [Read more...] about Brazil’s banana spider aids erectile dysfunction treatment

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) said on Thursday it is monitoring people entering the city from regions hit by the Nipah virus, whose spread has killed two people in India's southern state of Kerala within one week. The southern Indian state recently reported six Nipah infections in one week, with two dead and a nine-year-old patient in serious conditions. More than 700 people, including healthcare workers, were tested for the deadly virus. The Kerala administration shut some schools, offices, and public transport in an attempt to curb the spread of the Nipah virus. Given the spread of the deadly virus, the HCDC ramped up efforts to monitor those entering the southern Vietnamese metropolis from virus-hit areas via Tan Son Nhat International Airport and seaports citywide to early detect and timely handle those with probable Nipah infection. Those who develop fever and headache symptoms along with respiratory problems such as coughing, a sore throat, and … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control stays vigilant against Nipah outbreak in India

The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) under the Ministry of Health on Wednesday said it has not received any reports indicating adverse effects of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche’s Avastin cancer drug, a treatment associated with 12 Pakistani patients losing their vision. The DAV affirmed that Avastin’s four previously-granted registration certificates for circulation within Vietnam remain active. The agency made the announcement following the Roche representative office in Vietnam’s update on the ongoing investigation into the use of the drug Avastin in Pakistan. The probe was carried out after 12 diabetic patients in Pakistan who were injected with a drug labeled 'Inj. Avastin 1.25mg/0.05ml' went blind. The drug was distributed by unauthorized provider Genius Pharmaceutical Service, but its label led to the misunderstanding that it was an authentic product produced by Roche. In fact, Genius Pharmaceutical Service 'altered/dispensed/diluted' Roche’s original Avastin … [Read more...] about Vietnam records no undesired incidents related to controversial cancer drug

SINGAPORE/HANOI -- Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC is among investors vying to buy up to 20 percent stake in grocer Bach Hoa Xanh from Vietnam's retail giant Mobile World Investment, in a deal that could value the grocery chain at up to $1.7 billion, two sources said. GIC declined to comment. Other bidders include companies from Thailand, the sources added, declining to be named as the matter is private. The identity of the potential buyers has not been reported previously. "The deal is nearing to the finalising stage and expected to close soon," one of the sources with knowledge of the matter said, adding that a deal could be sealed as early as the first quarter of next year if negotiations are successful. In a statement to Reuters , Mobile World said it would announce the information once the deal was concluded. "We are still in a private placement and have signed an agreement not to disclose information with interested bidders," it said. The potential deal would … [Read more...] about Singapore’s GIC among bidders vying for stake in Vietnam’s third largest grocery chain