health $wellness blog

A research project supported by the National Institutes of Health has developed a tool to rapidly and inexpensively diagnose sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory disease marked by the growth of tiny lumps called granulomas in the lungs and other organs in the body. The tool, which uses a simple blood test, could allow for selective use of more invasive diagnostic tests often used to identify the disease. The findings published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. “Currently, diagnosing sarcoidosis isn’t a straightforward process, and requires tissue removal and testing with additional screenings to rule out other diseases, such as tuberculosis or lung cancer,” said James Kiley, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of NIH. “Using a blood test will help diagnose faster, particularly in those organs that are more challenging to biopsy and with less harm to the patient.” Though the exact caus...

China: Ferroptosis-related genes could be a novel therapeutic target for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a recent study published in BMC Nephrology has shown. This study identified the Hub ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and transcriptomic molecules from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in renal tubules, thus providing novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for FSGS. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is characterized by partial glomerular (focal) or partial glomerular capillary loops (segmental) sclerosis. In most world parts, FSGS is one of the main causes of glomerulopathy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). FSGS treatment primarily includes immunosuppressive therapy, corticosteroids, and kidney transplantation. However, FSGS patients have become resistant to immunosuppressive therapy and corticosteroids, thus showing a limited response to FSGS. The existing treatment modalities and efficacy of FSGS are inadequate in delaying ESRD progression, necessitating more...

Sweden: A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology for the first time has highlighted the potential role of early diet on psoriasis development and suggests a protective effect of breastfeeding. The prospective longitudinal birth cohort study from Sweden revealed an association between longer breastfeeding duration and a lowered risk of psoriasis development in early adulthood. "Babies introduced to infant formula before the age of 4 months were almost twice as likely to develop psoriasis later in life," the researchers reported. " Also, earlier consumption of larger amounts of dairy milk was also associated with an increased psoriasis risk." Psoriasis is a genetically determined systemic skin disease, although environmental trigger factors are needed for disease manifestation Some of these triggers, such as infections, stress, and drug exposure, have been identified. Johnny Ludvigsson, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden, and colleague...

Annual breast cancer screening beginning at age 40 and continuing to at least age 79 results in the highest reduction in mortality with minimal risks, according to a new study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. Despite research demonstrating that consistent participation in screening mammography can reduce breast cancer deaths by 40%, only 50% or less of eligible women actually participate in annual screening. “There is an ongoing debate over the recommendations for breast cancer screening, specifically about when to start and the frequency of screening,” said lead researcher Debra L. Monticciolo, M.D., professor of radiology at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine in Hanover, New Hampshire. Dr. Monticciolo said a recommendation by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2009 to screen every other year, or biennially, beginning at ...

Egypt: Repeated Low-Level Red Light (RLRL) treatment for childhood myopia treatment demonstrated significant benefits over single-vision spectacles, recent research published in BMC Ophthalmology has revealed. The systematic review and meta-analysis showed that RLRL treatment demonstrated significant benefits in terms of reducing axial length (AL), positively impacting subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and improving spherical equivalent refraction (SER) over a 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up. "Repeated Low-Level Red Light exhibited clinical significance as a short-term alternative for myopia control with good user acceptability and no documented functional or structural damage," the researchers wrote. However, the long-term effects of RLRL treatment and the rebound effect after cessation require further investigations." According to the researchers, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis investigating only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evidenc...

China: A recent meta-analysis published in Diabetes Therapy has shed light on the comparative safety and efficacy of tirzepatide in Asians and non-Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Jianjun Dong, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China, and colleagues revealed that tirzepatide is a novel agent for diabetes treatment and has different efficacy in Asians and non-Asians. They found that tirzepatide exhibited greater efficacy in regulating blood glucose levels among non-Asian patients versus Asian patients while demonstrating a more pronounced body weight reduction among Asian patients as opposed to non-Asian patients. Concerning adverse events, Asian patients exhibited a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events compared to non-Asian patients receiving the same dosage. Conversely, non-Asian patients showed a higher incidence of nutrition and metabolic disorders in comparison to Asian patients. "Asians were more likely to experience gastrointestinal adver...

USA: Evidence suggests that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that reduce obesity can reduce inflammation in the kidneys, liver and heart. The drugs even seem to dial down inflammation in the brain, leading researchers to hope that the compounds could be used to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, both of which are characterized by brain inflammation. A recent review listed more than 20 clinical trials that are exploring the drugs as therapies for the two conditions. “The next generation of drugs could be even more targeted to reduce these new inflammation pathways that we’ve identified,” says Daniel Drucker, an endocrinologist at the University of Toronto in Canada who co-authored a study investigating how the drugs dampen inflammation. “Maybe they would be more effective.” The GLP-1 receptor agonists include semaglutide, which is marketed as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity, and tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound for obesity and Mounjaro for d...

Cutaneous flushing is a common dermatologic concern often resistant to conventional treatments.Oral medication or light-based therapies including laser or intense pulsed therapy may not be effective in some cases of persistent erythema and flushing. Intradermal botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection can be used to treat intractable erythema and flushing, but studies with large samples and long-term observation have not been conducted to determine its effectiveness and safety.  A new research suggests that botulinum toxin, known for its diverse therapeutic applications, may offer relief for flushing symptoms. This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin in treating cutaneous flushing. This study was published in the journal of Dermatologic Surgery by Vincent and colleagues. A systematic review of databases including Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted to identify studies assessing the effect of botulinum toxin on ...

Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Gujarat's first All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot built at a cost of Rs 1,195 crore on February 25. The Institute will begin admitting patients to its 250-bed Indoor patient department (IPD).   This will be one of the five AIIMS to be dedicated to the nation by the prime minister from Rajkot on February 25, state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said on Friday. While the out-patient department (OPD) of the super-speciality hospital near Para Pipaliya village on the outskirts of Rajkot city is already operational, Modi will inaugurate the in-patient department (IPD), Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar. Also Read:AIIMS Rajkot likely to be fully operational by October 2023 Modi laid the foundation stone for Rajkot AIIMS through video-conferencing in December 2020. “Spread across 201 acres, Rajkot AIIMS is a world-class hospital with 720 beds, including ICU and super-speciality beds. On February 25...

New Delhi: India has made ''significant progress'' in scaling up molecular diagnostics and is implementing the largest digital programme for TB surveillance and monitoring, an official said during a convention for health writers in the national capital on Wednesday.  Experts discussed the latest innovations, challenges and collaborative solutions in the fight against TB at the National Health Writers and Influencers Convention held at AIIMS, Delhi. Even though tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India, affecting millions of people every year, doctors said the disease is "not a death sentence" and can be treated with proper treatment. Also Read:WHO announces updates to its forthcoming guidelines on TB preventive treatment Dr Sanjay K Mattoo, additional deputy director general, Central TB Division, NTEP, Union Health Ministry gave an overview of the NTEP and its aims and challenges at the event. NTEP or National T...

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have delved into the optimal approaches for managing hypertension (HTN) in patients undergoing Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) treatment, a revolutionary therapy for lymphoid malignancies. They found that managing HTN in patients undergoing BTKi treatment can be complex and may necessitate multiple anti-hypertensive medications. The study results were published in the journal Blood Advances.   While BTKis, such as ibrutinib, have proven to be generally well-tolerated and less toxic than traditional chemotherapy options, this research sheds light on the potential challenge of new or worsening HTN associated with their use. While Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) are typically well-tolerated and exhibit lower toxicity compared to chemotherapy options for lymphoid malignancies, notable concern arises as BTKis, including ibrutinib, may trigger the onset or exacerbation of hypertension (HTN). The optimal management of HT...

Silver diamine fluoride additional tool for addressing dentine hypersensitivity and improving QoL of patients states a study published in the Journal of Dentistry. A study was done to assess the clinical evidence for silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to reduce dentine hypersensitivity in adults. Two independent researchers searched the English literature in five databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library) up to 15th July 2023 for clinical trials investigating the desensitising effect of professionally applied SDF to manage dentine hypersensitivity in adults aged 18 or above at any follow-up period. The primary outcome was the change in dentine hypersensitivity between baseline and follow-up visits after SDF application regarding any validated pain outcome measures. The Cochrane guidelines were used for the risk of bias assessment. Results: Three hundred and thirty-one studies were identified, and four of them were finally included. Three of the included ...

New Delhi: The drug major AstraZeneca has got approval from the Subject Expert Committee SEC functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct the clinical trial of the anti-cancer drug Datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd, DS-1062a) 100mg/vial and Durvalumab (MEDI4736) 500mg/vial (50mg/mL). This came after the drug major AstraZeneca presented Phase III clinical study protocol No. D7630C00001 version 2.0 dated 11 September 2023. The above-mentioned study is a phase III, open-label, randomized study of Datopotamab Deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) with or without Durvalumab Compared with investigator’s choice of chemotherapy (Paclitaxel, Nab-paclitaxel, or Gemcitabine + Carboplatin) in combination with Pembrolizumab in patients with PD-L1 positive locally recurrent Inoperable or Metastatic Triple-negative Breast Cancer (TROPION-Breast05) Datopotamab deruxtecan (DS-1062; Dato-DXd) is a trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2)-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC...

China: A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology reveals the benefit of dietary antioxidant intake for improving periodontal health, possibly and partially by enhancing mitochondrial function. Periodontitis is a chronic and common inflammatory disease that has been one of the important public health problems worldwide. Periodontitis not only causes tooth loss and increases masticatory dysfunction risk but also affects the patient's general health and quality of life. Thus, it is necessary and very important to understand the factors related to periodontitis and to intervene as early as possible. Inflammation and oxidative stress are considered to be involved in the progression of periodontitis. Dietary antioxidants have been reported to be associated with periodontitis owing to their ability to remove free radicals and inhibit lipid peroxidation, but the evidence is limited. Yaping Pan, China Medical University, Shenyang, China, and colleagues conduct...

A recent study explores the efficacy of microcurrent neurofeedback in alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings were published in the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. 20 adult participants underwent sessions of IASIS microcurrent neurofeedback (I-MCN), an updated cutting-edge neurotechnology, over a span of 10 weeks. The results were gathered through meticulous assessments at baseline, 5 weeks and 10 weeks that showed significant improvements in depression, anxiety, PTSD risk and overall quality of life. The simplicity and effectiveness of the intervention offer a glimmer of hope for individuals burdened by treatment-resistant conditions. Unlike traditional therapies, which often carry cumbersome challenges and varying degrees of efficacy, this innovative approach demonstrates promising results in a relatively short timeframe. This study marks a significant milestone in mental health treatment after...

New Delhi: The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the drug major Cipla's proposal for updating the prescribing information for the bovine lipid extract surfactant without the provided precaution statement of "In minimal invasive techniques (LISA or MIST), the volume of surfactant should be small. After the installation of a large volume surfactant (Bovine) which can initiate cough reflex, the chance of failure is high. But the advantages of LISA (Less Invasive Surfactant Administration), or MIST (Minimal Invasive Surfactant Therapy) is much more than conventional surfactant therapy." This came after the drug major Cipla presented its proposal before the committee for updating the prescribing information without the provided precaution statement of "In minimal invasive techniques (LISA or MIST), the volume of surfactant should be small. After the installation of a large volume surfact...

Patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) often have hypercholesterolemia. However, its association with prognosis and lipid metabolism remains unclear. Researchers have  conducted a  study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of baseline total cholesterol (TC) levels in PBC and characterized the lipid metabolism. The study  published in  Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology  has   concluded that Primary biliary cholangitis patients with baseline total cholesterol levels above 5.2 mmol/L have unique lipidome characteristics. These patients are at greater risk of poor clinical outcomes. This study investigated the prognostic value of baseline total cholesterol (TC) levels in PBC and characterize lipid metabolism. The 531 PBC patients with no history of prior cirrhosis-related complications were divided into the derivation and validation cohorts (ratio of 7:3). Their complete clinical data were analyzed, with liver-related death, liv...

New Delhi: With an aim to streamline the regulatory submission procedure, and to enhance efficiency and facilitate smoother regulatory procedures, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has introduced an online application system for obtaining a Neutral Code for the manufacturing of medical devices intended for export purposes. The Neutral Code, crucial for manufacturers intending to export medical devices, will be issued by the Central Licensing Authority as per the guidelines outlined in the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. The online application system is now operational through the Online System of the Medical Devices portal (https://ift.tt/Box65vV). Applicants seeking a Neutral Code are required to submit their applications through this portal, adhering to the checklist provided therein. It is important to note that the issuance of the Neutral Code to manufacturers will be carried out by the Central Licensing Authority under the Medical Devices Rules of 2017. I...

Smaller interpregnancy interval linked to uterine rupture risk during labor after cesarean suggests a new study published in the American Journal of Obestretics and Gynecology. A study was done to describe the association between inter-pregnancy interval (IPI) and uterine rupture among individuals attempting TOLAC. This retrospective cohort study used US CDC data including birth and fetal death data files (2011-2021) and Period/Cohort Linked Birth-Infant Death Data Files (2014-2019). Participants had one previous livebirth by cesarean delivery (CD), no previous vaginal births and an immediately subsequent TOLAC. Rates of uterine rupture were described by IPI group and univariable logistic regression with first-order splines with one knot. Multiple imputation and multivariable logistic regression were used. Results: Among 42.5 million births, 506 666 TOLACs immediately after a CD were included in the multivariable logistic regression.The raw rate of uterine rupture was 0.40% for IPIs...

Iran: A recent systematic review published in PLOS One has revealed the positive impact of implementing social media interventions on multiple aspects of oral health among laypeople. Online platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Telegram can be effectively utilized to promote oral health among patients, the researchers suggested. They note that although social media offers efficiency and convenience for interventions aimed at preventing and promoting oral health, its utilization is not yet widespread. While social media can improve content accessibility and enhance knowledge transfer, the success of interventions depends on individual participation and evidence-based approaches, the study stated. However, it is important to note that there is no single method or platform that can be deemed universally suitable for all regions. Nevertheless, audio-visual platforms may be more effective than text-based social media in promoting oral health. Social media, described as ...

Canada: A recent study published in Cardiovascular Research has shed light on restoring blood vessel regeneration in the era of the combination of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy for diabetes and obesity. In the study, David A Hess, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, and colleagues focused on the clinical potential of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA therapy to improve oxidative stress levels in the human bone marrow to reverse regenerative cell exhaustion and restore vessel repair capacity. Finally, they explored the use of combination SGLT2i/GLP-1RA therapy to synergize cardiovascular benefits compared to SGLT2i and GLP-1RA monotherapy and commented on the future of this therapeutic strategy in improving RCE and vascular repair. As sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) therapies are emerging as a novel therapeutic opportunity for patients with poorly controlled hyperglycemia, potential additive...

Agitation associated with dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease is a prevalent neuropsychiatric symptom affecting approximately half of all Alzheimer's dementia patients. This condition substantially impacts the quality of life for patients, their families, and caregivers. Agitation associated with dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease encompasses various behaviors such as pacing, gesturing, profanity, shouting, shoving, and hitting. Additionally, this symptom is a consistent predictor of nursing home admission. Results from a phase 3 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of AVP-786 for treating agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. AVP-786 combines deudextromethorphan hydrobromide (d6-DM) and quinidine sulfate (Q), a CYP2D6 inhibitor. Deuteration reduces susceptibility to cytochrome P450 (CYP2D6) enzyme metabolism, increasing bioavailability. The study included 600+ patients aged 50+ with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and mod...

Migraine and vasomotor symptoms may increase CAD risk among young adults suggests a new study published in the Menopause. A study was done to examine whether vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and migraine headaches, hypothesized to be vasoactive conditions, are associated with a greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events including strokes. They performed secondary data analysis of a subset of women (n = 1,954) in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a population-based cohort, which began data collection at 18 to 30 y of age. We examined whether migraine headaches and VMS trajectories (characterized as minimal, increasing, and persistent) at CARDIA year 15 examination were associated with higher risk of CVD events and stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) using Cox proportional hazards regression models and adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors (age, cigarette use, and levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, high- and ...

In a recent groundbreaking trial conducted at a Danish academic tertiary care center, researchers have shed light on the safety and efficacy of midline catheters (MCs) compared to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in adult patients requiring intravenous therapy for a duration of 5 to 28 days. The trial found that there was a low incidence of Catheter-related bloodstream infections with no significant difference between MCs and PICCs in patients receiving medium- to long-term intravenous therapy. However, the use of MCs resulted in a higher incidence of overall catheter-related complications compared with PICCs. The trial results were published in the journal JAMA Network Open. Midline catheters (MCs) have become a common choice in medical settings, yet a comprehensive assessment of their safety and efficacy relative to peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has been lacking. This critical gap in knowledge has prompted researchers to delve into a thorough exami...

Having a heart attack significantly increases the risk of developing other serious long-term health conditions, a major new study shows. Researchers at the University of Leeds have analysed more than 145 million records covering every adult patient admitted to hospital over a nine-year period to establish the risk of long-term health outcomes following a heart attack-in the largest study of its kind. Whilst heart attacks are a serious and life-threatening condition, the British Heart Foundation estimates that nowadays more than seven in 10 people survive them, provided they receive quick and emergency treatment to get the blood flowing to the heart muscle again. Yet previous research has shown that heart attacks can have health implications for patients including further conditions which affect the heart and circulatory system, but also conditions affecting other parts of the body and mental health conditions. The new research, part funded by The British Heart Foundation and Wellco...