INDIA’S IISC CREATES DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR SICKLE-CELL DISEASE

A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has created a diagnostic test for identifying sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trait.

A genetic disorder of the red blood cells, SCD causes recurrent episodes of debilitating pain.

The test was developed by a team led by IISc professor Sai Siva Gorthi in partnership with Dr Nisanth Nambisson from the Government Homeopathy medical college (GHMC), Bhopa, India.

It could become a low-cost alternative to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, which is time-consuming as well as being priced between $5.39 (Rs400) and $9.43 (Rs700).

Named HPOS, the absorbance spectroscopy-based test leverages an algorithm based on machine learning to classify samples.

It utilises low-cost reagents and a movable spectrometer to deliver results in 15 minutes.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO REPORT DETAILS SCOPE OF HEALTHCARE ALGORITHMIC BIAS

A report published by the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business has found that algorithms used to inform healthcare delivery and planning across the US are reinforcing racial and economic biases.

The Algorithmic Bias Playbook details how biased algorithms are influencing how patients are treated by hospitals, insurers and other businesses.

The playbook sets out a plan of action healthcare organisations can take to create an inventory of their algorithms, screen them for bias, adjust them or scrap them if the bias cannot be fixed and set up structures to prevent future bias.

The report flags biases in algorithms that: determine the severity of knee osteoarthritis; measure mobility; predict the onset of serious illness; and identify which patients may fail to attend appointments or may benefit from additional outreach to manage their health.

FDA GRANTS EUA TO ROCHE’S 20-MINUTE COVID-19 PCR TEST

Roche has received Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use of its cobas SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic acid test in point of care settings.

Indicated for screening symptomatic as well as asymptomatic people, the singleplex real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test can detect Covid-19 infections in 20 minutes.

The test could aid in the making of rapid, informed decisions at doctors’ offices, screening sites and emergency or primary care, as well as other point of care settings.

Authorised for use on the cobas Liat System, the test will be made available in markets accepting the FDA EUA and CE mark in July.

Roche Diagnostics Solutions point of care head Ian Parfrement said: “We learn more about Covid-19 every day and Roche continues to develop solutions that will help healthcare systems around the world slow and eventually defeat this pandemic.

“Preventing further spread of the virus is crucial for public health and the continued safe reopening of our communities worldwide.”

EXTHERA TO START TRIAL OF BLOOD PURIFICATION DEVICE FOR SEPSIS

ExThera Medical is set to commence a trial to analyse its Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter, a blood purification device that could potentially be used to treat sepsis among others.

The Seraph 100 has demonstrated the ability to lower both bacterial and viral loads in the bloodstream.

So far, the device has been used on more than 300 Covid-19 patients in the US and the European Union since April last year.

Authorised for emergency use, the device was found to lower mortality in severe cases of Covid-19.

ExThera obtained conditional approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to conduct the randomised, control, multicentre PURIFY-RCT study to treat critically ill subjects with pathogen-associated shock, a type of septic shock.

The study will assess the safety and efficacy of Seraph 100 blood purification treatment in subjects enrolled at various health centres in the US.

Analysing the efficiency of Seraph 100 against a variety of bloodstream infections that can cause sepsis will be the trial’s goal.

INDIA’S IIT ROPAR CREATES A SUBSTITUTE DEVICE FOR CPAP MACHINE

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has created a device called ‘Jivan Vayu’ that can be used as an alternative for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

CPAP is a treatment technique used for patients with breathing difficulties during sleep, a condition called sleep apnoea. Using mild air pressure, the CPAP machine keeps the airways open to aid breathing.

It is also used for treating infants whose lungs are not fully developed.

The machine is required during the initial stages of Covid-19 disease to mitigate lung damage and help patients recover from the inflammatory effects.

The new CPAP device does not require electricity and can be modified to both oxygen cylinders and oxygen generation pipelines in hospitals.

It is said to be leak-proof, cost-effective and made for a 22mm CPAP closed-circuit tube. The CPAP delivery system can also be modified according to tube size.

Furthermore, the device runs even during power failures and could be used during the transport of a patient.

PHILIPS RECALLS SLEEP AND RESPIRATORY CARE PRODUCTS OVER HEALTH RISKS

Royal Philips has voluntarily recalled breathing devices and ventilators after it found possible health risks linked to the polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam used in these products.

The recalled products are Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP), CPAP and mechanical ventilator devices.

Most of these devices within the recommended five-year service life are part of the first-generation DreamStation product line, the company noted.

So far, millions of Philips’ Bi-Level PAP, CPAP and mechanical ventilator devices have been made using the PE-PUR sound abatement foam. The recall will target three to four million devices, Reuters reported citing the company’s CEO.

According to the company, the foam could degrade into small particles that can enter the air pathway of the device and be consumed or inhaled by the user.