health $wellness blog

Puducherry-  The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, has issued a circular inviting online applications for the submission of proposals to the Institutional Ethics Committee Observational Studies for the April 2024 session. The last date for submission of proposals by faculty, PhD scholars, P.G. and U.G. Students to reach the office of the undersigned for consideration of approval by the Institutional Ethics Committee for April 2024 is on or before Tuesday, April 02, 2024. The proposals submitted before the last date will be taken up for discussion in the IEC Observational Committee meeting which will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Also Read:  JIPMER invites applications for Research Proposals To IEC Interventional Studies For April 2024, Details Candidates must submit one hard copy of certain documents to the Member-Secretary at the Institute Ethics Committee (IEC) office, Room no. 106, First floor, Administrativ...

Indore:  A protocol officer from the Madhya Pradesh Health Department has been suspended following the discovery that no doctor was designated for duty in the ambulance accompanying the convoy of Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot. The incident came to light when Gehlot's granddaughter fell ill while traveling through Indore district, prompting swift action and raising concerns over the adequacy of medical arrangements. "The Karnataka Governor's granddaughter, who was with him in the convoy, fell ill near Indore on Friday evening. But there was no doctor in the ambulance," Collector Ashish Singh told PTI. Also Read:Wrong blood transfused at Rajkot Hospital, Resident doctor suspended Subsequently, Gehlot's granddaughter was admitted to a private hospital, where she received necessary medical care and is reported to be in stable condition. However, the incident led to disciplinary action against the responsible protocol officer. "The protocol officer ...

Thiruvananthapuram:  CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) has pioneered a groundbreaking technology for the safe, sustainable, and cost-effective management of biomedical waste, marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the country. This innovative technology was unveiled at the Biomedical Waste Management Conclave, a one-day event hosted at the CSIR-NIIST campus in the city on March 26.  According to UNI, Dr M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi, inaugurated the meet, which was presided over by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Secretary, DSIR and Director General, CSIR, through videoconferencing. Also Read:Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital slapped Rs 10,000 fine for irresponsible disposal of waste near Operation Theatre Dr Srinivas emphasized the importance of innovative technologies in the biomedical field and reiterated AIIMS' commitment to collaboration with academic and research institutions, particularly CSIR. He com...

Customized Healing Abutments for Immediately Placed Implants are tied to Favorable Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Outcomes suggests a study published in The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants.  A study was done to evaluate the peri-implant outcomes of customized healing abutments (CstHA) placed on dental implants inserted in fresh tooth extraction sockets. Materials and Methods: The study was registered on PROSPERO: CRD42022304320. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted between April 2022 and October 2022 to identify clinical studies involving immediate implant surgery associated with CstHA placement. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal and RoB2 tool were performed for the risk of bias analysis. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, most of them with low risk of bias. Four studies compared CstHA vs conventional healing abutments (CnvtHA), two compared CstHA vs cover screw and collagen matrix (CMa), and six wer...

A recent study by Mayssan Muftah and colleagues explored the most effective dosing strategies for treating Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) which is a chronic immune system disease that affects the esophagus. The key findings of this study were published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Eosinophilic Esophagitis is marked by the accumulation of eosinophils in the esophagus that leads to inflammation, difficulty swallowing and food impaction. This comprehensive analysis involved a total of 305 newly diagnosed EoE patients and compared their histologic response rates among various dosing regimens of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a common treatment for the condition. This study meticulously evaluated the effects of different PPI dosages including standard (omeprazole 20 mg daily), moderate (either 40 mg once daily or 20 mg twice daily) and high (40 mg twice daily) doses were administered over a period of at least 8 weeks. Remarkably, these findings reveal a significant dispar...

Bonded retainers are best vacuum-formed retainers in maintaining alignment of incisors in the maxilla and mandible after 12 months of retention suggests a study published in the Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research. A study compared the clinical effectiveness of V-bend bonded retainers (BR) versus vacuum-formed retainers (VFR) regarding their capacity to maintain treatment stability and survival rates after 12 months. Patients finishing orthodontic treatment were randomly allocated into two groups. The Bonded retainers group received maxillary and mandibular BRs in the lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth. The VFR group received VFRs right after fixed appliance removal. The patients were evaluated at four time points: at fixed appliances removal (T0), after 3 (T1), 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3). In each time-point digital models were obtained and analysed with the OrthoAnalyzer™ software. Treatment stability based on occlusal outcomes and retainers' survival rates were evaluated....

The PROSPECT study published in The Lancet revealed a standard treatment protocol for early-stage breast cancer where a significant number of women can safely undergo adjuvant radiotherapy without compromising the recovery. The outcomes highlight the combination of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and the pathology findings as a more nuanced approach to assess the local tumor burden by potentially sparing patients from unnecessary treatment and its associated side effects. This multicentre, non-randomised study meticulously chose its participants through preoperative MRI screenings and postoperative tumor pathology assessments. The group 1 included women aged 50 and above who were diagnosed with cT1N0 non-triple-negative breast cancer and showed signs of unifocal cancer. They underwent breast-conserving surgery without the subsequent standard course of radiotherapy where their post-surgery pathology confirmed the cancer localization. The group 2 identified participants with addition...

In a study conducted in Shanghai, China, researchers have discovered a promising blood biomarker that could aid in the early detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often considered a precursor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study, which involved participants from the Heqing Community, has shed light on the potential role of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in identifying individuals at risk of cognitive decline. MCI, characterized by subtle cognitive deficits that do not significantly impact daily functioning, affects a substantial portion of the elderly population in China. Epidemiological investigations have shown that the prevalence of MCI among urban Chinese adults aged 60 and 65 is 15.5% and 20%, respectively, with approximately one-third of these individuals progressing to dementia.  The study, led by a team of dedicated physicians, recruited 750 participants aged 65 and above who underwent cognitive assessments using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA...

Consumption of dietary live microbes directly associated with improved periodontal health suggests a study published in the Oral Diseases. Investigate the link between live dietary microbe consumption and the prevalence of periodontitis. National health and nutrition examination survey (2009–2014) data was used to assess the association among adults. Live dietary microbe intake was categorized as low or medium to high. Regression models were employed to assess this association, adjusting for demographic variables and other covariates. Examined dose–response relationship and conducted subgroup analyses by ethnicity, age and gender. Multiplicative interactions were evaluated using likelihood ratio tests. Results: The analysis included 8574 participants. After adjusting for various factors including age, gender, ethnicity, dietary habits, dietary inflammatory index, alcohol consumption, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and oral health behaviors, individuals with daily in...

Prolonged use of certain progestogen hormone drugs is associated with an increased risk of developing a type of brain tumour known as an intracranial meningioma, finds a study from France published by The BMJ today. The researchers say this study is the first to assess the risk associated with progestogens used by millions of women worldwide, and further studies are urgently needed to gain a better understanding of this risk. Progestogens are similar to the natural hormone progesterone, which are widely used for gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, and in menopausal hormone therapy and contraceptives. Meningiomas are mostly non-cancerous tumours in the layers of tissue (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord. Factors such as older age, female sex, and exposure to three high-dose progestogens (nomegestrol, chlormadinone, and cyproterone acetate) are already known to increase the risk of meningioma. But there are many other progesto...

New Delhi: Pharmaceutical major Sanofi Healthcare India has got a go-ahead from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation CDSCO to import and market Nirsevimab solution for injection in prefilled syringes 50mg and 100mg indicated for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease. This came after the drug maker Sanofi Healthcare presented the proposal for a grant of permission to import and market Nirsevimab solution for injection in prefilled syringes 50mg and 100mg with local clinical trial waiver under unmet medical need indicated for the prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in: • Neonates and infants born during or entering their first RSV season. • Children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable to severe RSV disease through their second RSV season. The committee noted that the drug is approved in several countries globally including...

USA: A recent  clinical trial revealed that six months of daily low-dose aspirin significantly reduced hepatic fat quantity compared with placebo in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).  The most common chronic liver disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease characterized by an increased buildup of fat in the liver due to factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Such elevated fat poses serious health risks, but the clinical trial published in JAMA and conducted by investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, reveals that daily aspirin can significantly reduce liver fat content. “Since MASLD is estimated to affect up to a third of U.S. adults, aspirin represents an attractive potential low-cost option to prevent progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer, the most feared complications of MASLD,” said senior author Andrew T. Chan, MD,...

New Delhi: Reviewing the Phase I/II clinical study protocol of the anti-cancer drug ISB1442 presented by the drug major Glenmark, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has opined the firm to submit the current safety data including data of Indian subjects from the already approved clinical trial in India. This came after the drug maker Glenmark presented Phase I/II clinical study protocol No. ISB 1442-102, version 1.0 dated 16 Feb 2024. ISB 1442 is a bispecific, biparatopic antibody targeting CD38 and CD47, generated using Ichnos' Bispecific Engagement by Antibodies based on the T cell receptor (BEAT ) platform. ISB 1442 is designed to kill CD38-expressing tumor cells through multiple mechanisms of action including blocking the CD47-signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) axis to increase several antibody effector functions: antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxi...

Drugs, both legal and illegal, cause millions of cases of severe intoxication every year, leading to health complications and even fatalities. Often, they are also implicated in violent and sexual harassment crimes, as well as accidents. Obtaining detailed information about the drugs consumed by a criminal or victim is often challenging. Forensic professionals rely on drug screening techniques performed on biological samples, such as blood or saliva, to gather crucial evidence. Today, various types of practical drug screening methods exist, each with their own unique advantages and drawbacks. For example, immunological drug screening tests can provide results quickly, but are limited to very specific drugs and often show false positives. In contrast, techniques based on mass spectrometry (MS), which analyze the mass-to-charge ratio of captured ions, tend to be more accurate. However, conventional MS approaches require careful sample preparation steps, which makes them somewhat tedio...

Australia: A new retrospective cohort study revealed a clinically relevant reduction in the doses of insulin administered over the first 24 hours of treatment in patients with SGLT2 inhibitor-associated diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) compared with patients with type 1 diabetes DKA. There seems no clarity on whether the protracted duration of SGLT2 inhibitor DKA is a result of inadequate insulin dosing or the ongoing effect of SGLt2i. The findings of the study were published online in JAMA Network Open. "Median intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous insulin dose during the initial 24 hours of treatment was 44 units for patients with SGLT2 inhibitor-associated DKA versus 87 units for those with type 1 diabetes DKA," the researchers reported. Previous studies have shown a difference in the pathophysiology of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i)–associated DKA and that of T1D DKA. T1D DKA is driven by absolute insulin deficiency, leading to hyperglycemia and ketosis. In...

Higher supplemental oxygenation levels are not better for COVID-19 patients experiencing hypoxia suggests a new study published in the JAMA. Supplemental oxygen is ubiquitously used in patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxemia, but a lower dose may be beneficial. A study was done to assess the effects of targeting a Pao2 of 60 mm Hg vs 90 mm Hg in patients with COVID-19 and severe hypoxemia in the intensive care unit (ICU). Multicenter randomized clinical trial included 726 adults with COVID-19 receiving at least 10 L/min of oxygen or mechanical ventilation in 11 European ICUs from August 2020 to March 2023. The trial was prematurely stopped prior to outcome assessment due to slow enrollment. End of 90-day follow-up was June 1, 2023. Patients were randomized 1:1 to a Pao2 of 60 mm Hg (lower oxygenation group; n = 365) or 90 mm Hg (higher oxygenation group; n = 361) for up to 90 days in the ICU. The primary outcome was the number of days alive without life support (mechanical venti...

Puducherry-  The Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry is going to organize a workshop on “Mixed Methods Research” (MMR) 2024. In this regard, JIPMER has shared a brochure detailing the date, time, venue and course schedule of the program. This is an offline mode workshop and is scheduled to be held from April 23 to 25, 2024, from 9 am to 4.30 pm. Faculty, Postgraduate students, PhD scholars of the Department of Community Medicine/Public Health in medical colleges & research institutes can participate in this workshop. Each participant will also be given a certificate of participation after the end of the workshop. The Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER is committed to academic excellence and inculcating the philosophy of medical research among health professionals. One of the goals of the department is to improve the health of the community by sharing and impa...

Short-term exposure to higher heat may increase inflammation and interfere with normal immune system functions in the body, which may, in turn, increase susceptibility to infections and accelerate the progression of cardiovascular disease, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions 2024, March 18- 21, in Chicago. The meeting offers the latest science on population-based health and wellness and implications for lifestyle. Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s defenses against injury or infection, however, an inflammatory response that is longstanding-lasting weeks to months-or that occurs in healthy tissues is damaging and plays a key role in the build-up of plaque in the arteries. This may lead to atherosclerosis. Heat waves are known to promote inflammation, however, studies examining air temperature and biomarkers of inflammation have had mixed results. “...

New Delhi- The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Examination Section has issued a notice detailing the schedule for Phase II (Regular) professional exams for BSc Nursing Hons. B.Sc Hons Nursing Phase II (Regular) Professional Examination will be conducted in June 2024 from Monday 24th June to Monday 01st July 2024 from 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Convergence Block AIIMS, 1st Floor of Examination Section, New Delhi. Meanwhile, candidates are advised to contact the college or the concerned department for the Phase II practical examinations. Also Read:  AIIMS Delhi released Time Table for BSc Hons Nursing Phase I, IV Exams 2024 SCHEDULE OF PHASE-II Date Day Subject Paper No. 24.06.2024 Monday Medical Surgical Nursing-I I 26.06.2024 Wednesday (A) Pharmacology (B) Pathology & Genetics II 28.06.2024 Friday Community Health Nursing-I III 01.07.2024 Monday Communication and Educational Technolog...

For the thousands of people globally affected by the disease myasthenia gravis (MG), everyday activities become a struggle, and in severe cases, the disease can be life-threatening. Until now, there has been no muscle-specific and effective treatment against this rare autoimmune disease that leads to severe weakening of the muscles and fatigue. But now, a team of researchers from Aarhus University reveals a breakthrough in the treatment of MG that could give hope to many patients worldwide. "The patients simply became stronger because the new treatment improves the communication between motor nerves and muscle fibers," says Thomas Holm Pedersen, an associate professor at the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University, CEO of NMD Pharma, and the lead author of the study that has just been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Focusing on the link between nerve cells and muscles MG is a disease where the immune system attacks the connection between n...

New Delhi: The drug major Merck has got approval from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct a non-interventional study (NIS) of Avelumab concentrate for solution for infusion (Intravenous Infusion) in India. This came after the drug maker Merck presented the proposal to conduct an interventional Study (NIS) on the Bavencio (Avelumab concentrate for solution for infusion (Intravenous Infusion) in India vide protocol No. MS100070_0133, version 2.0 dated 08 Nov 2022. Avelumab is an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody used to treat metastatic merkel cell carcinoma, metastatic urothelial carcinoma, or renal cell carcinoma. Avelumab is a human IgG1 lambda monoclonal antibody that binds programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) to block its interaction with its receptors found on T cells and antigen-presenting cells. PD-L1 blockade removes the suppression of T-cell activity, resulting in T-cell-mediated, adaptive ant...

Topiramate is an antiseizure medication prescribed to treat epilepsy as well as migraines and bipolar disorder. Researchers at  Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have found in a new research that Prenatal exposure to antiseizure medication topiramate may not increase children’s risk of autism spectrum disorder.  The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many studies have examined the neurodevelopmental impacts of prenatal exposure to valproate and lamotrigine, two other antiseizure medications commonly taken by people living with epilepsy. Most of these studies have linked valproate to a heightened risk of ASD among children exposed to it prenatally but have found no additional risk linked to lamotrigine. Research into the neurodevelopmental safety of topiramate, meanwhile, has been limited, with mixed findings. “Our findings provide needed clarity on the possible neurodevelopmental impacts of this commonly used drug,” said lead author S...

Recently, there has been increasing interest in alternative remedies to support weight management, and one such remedy that has gained popularity is apple cider vinegar. A recent study conducted in Lebanon aimed to investigate the potential benefits of ACV consumption on weight reduction and metabolic health parameters. This study was published in the journal of BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health by Rony A. and colleagues. Obesity and overweight are significant global health challenges associated with various adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Natural remedies, such as ACV, have garnered attention for their purported weight loss benefits. The study recruited 120 overweight and obese individuals who were randomly assigned to different doses of ACV or a placebo over a 12-week period. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels were assessed at multiple time points throughout th...

New Delhi: I n a significant development aimed at enhancing healthcare services for ex-servicemen, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur and the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) wing of the Ministry of Defence.  The agreement, inked during a ceremony at AIIMS Raipur, aims to facilitate ex-servicemen in availing health benefits at the facility in a "capless and cashless manner". According to PTI, It was signed between the AIIMS-Raipur and the ECHS wing of Ministry of Defence, the senior official said.  Also Read:Lt Gen Ashok Kumar Jindal appointed as new Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Raipur AIIMS Raipur becomes only the second AIIMS hospital to be empanelled with ECHS, following AIIMS Bhopal, underscoring the growing collaboration between premier medical institutions and the armed forces to cater to the healthcare needs of veterans. This MoU will allow ex-servicemen to ava...

USA: Breast arterial calcifications (BAC) on a screening mammogram may identify women at potentially increased risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) without radiation exposure and additional cost, a recent study published in Clinical Imaging has found. In the cross-sectional study of women who underwent both screening mammography and cardiac computed tomographic angiography, BAC was found in 18% of women. Researchers found links between such calcifications and older age, younger age at first birth, diabetes, parity, and hypertension in women who underwent both screening mammography and cardiac CT angiography (CCTA). Additionally, they found that when neither BAC nor coronary arterial calcifications were present, the estimated 10-year risk of developing atherosclerotic CVD was lowest, whereas, the highest risk was observed when both calcifications were present. Breast arterial calcifications are incidentally observed on mammograms, yet there is no clarity on their implicati...