health $wellness blog

Uttar Pradesh-  From next year, MBBS students graduating from the Motilal Nehru Medical College (MLNMC), Prayagraj, will get degrees from Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University (ABVMU), Uttar Pradesh.  On this, MLNMC authorities have confirmed that the change will apply to the batch of MBBS students who will graduate in the academic year 2025. The decision has been taken to ensure a unified system of medical curriculum and examination in Uttar Pradesh as several medical colleges in the state are affiliated to ABVMU. Also Read:  NEET Counselling for this academic year to begin on July 6 to fill 9703 MBBS, 2,270 BDS seats in UP In this regard, speaking to HT , Dr Vatsala Mishra the Principal of MLNMC said, two years ago, MLNMC was affiliated with ABVMU and along with it the examinations are also conducted by the university. Therefore, from now onwards MBBS students will receive the degree certificates from ABVMU and along with MBBS students, MS and MD students will al...

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has allocated Rs 558.68 crore for establishing an Institute of Organ and Tissue Transplantation in Kozhikode. According to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, this initiative aims to tackle the rampant exploitation in the organ transplant sector. The state Cabinet, chaired by the Chief Minister on Wednesday, approved the Rs 558.68 crore project to be set up in Kozhikode. Also Read:Kerala Health Minister reintroduces Medical Audits, Death Audits in all government hospitals According to a PTI report, “With an estimated investment of Rs 558.68 crore, this initiative promises an affordable alternative for organ transplants, reinforcing Kerala’s remarkable strides in public health and ensuring equitable access to advanced medical care for all,” Vijayan said in a post on X.    He said the hospital will be established in two phases using KIIFB funds.    Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Union Health Minister and...

Ovarian cancer, often diagnosed at an advanced stage, presents significant treatment challenges because patients tend to develop resistance to conventional therapies quickly. Despite aggressive treatment, recurrence rates remain high, and managing this disease effectively requires innovative approaches. Poly-adenosine ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have emerged as a treatment option, targeting specific DNA repair mechanisms in cancer cells. However, their use is often limited by toxicity and emerging drug resistance. A new study led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center introduces an adaptive therapy approach that could optimize PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy, offering a more personalized and potentially less toxic treatment option for patients. Their work is featured as the cover article of the June 19 issue of Cell Systems. PARP inhibitors are a targeted therapy that block a protein that helps repair damaged DNA. This can keep cancer cells from repairing themselves on...

Testosterone improves lung function in males and females whereas sex hormone-binding globulin has a negative effect in males suggests a study published in the Thorax. Observational studies suggest that total testosterone (TT) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) may benefit lung function. Still, these findings might be spurious due to confounding and reverse causation. We addressed these limitations by using multivariable Mendelian randomisation (MVMR) to investigate the independent causal effects of TT and SHBG on lung function. They first identified genetic instruments by performing genome-wide association analyses of TT and SHBG in the large UK Biobank, separately in males and females. We then assessed the independent effects of TT and SHBG on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC using one-sample MVMR. We addressed pleiotropy, which could bias MVMR, using several methods that account for it. We performed subgroup MVMR analyses by obe...

Daily intake of milk protein concentrate may improve anthropometric and metabolic markers in obese women on a hypocaloric diet suggests a study published in the BMC Nutrition. Dairy consumption is associated with many health benefits. However, to our knowledge, no clinical trials examined the effects of milk protein concentrate (MPC) on metabolic health in overweight and obese adults. This study investigated the effect of supplementation with MPC on glycaemic status, lipid profile, biomarkers of inflammation, and anthropometric measurements in women with obesity under a weight loss diet. This is a single-blind, open-labelled, parallel-group, randomized trial. Forty-four healthy women with obesity were randomized into a control (n = 22) or MPC (n = 22) group. Participants in the MPC group were supplemented with 30 g of MPC per day for 8 weeks. Both groups were on a calorie-restricted diet plan with 800 Kcal lower intakes than their needs. Blood samples, dietary intake, and body compo...

Recent research study aimed to compare blood pressure (BP) values recorded by invasive and noninvasive methods during normotension, hypertension, and hypotension under general anesthesia. The study also compared mean arterial pressure (MAP) values calculated by an automated technique to those obtained using a predefined formula. The study was a prospective, observational study conducted in 250 adult patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anesthesia. Before induction, noninvasive BP (NIBP) was measured in the arm using an automated oscillometer. The radial artery in the opposite arm was then cannulated, and invasive arterial BP (ABP) was recorded simultaneously with NIBP during normotension, hypotension, and hypertension. The key findings were: The researchers concluded that during normotension and hypertension, DBP and MAP values were significantly higher with the NIBP technique compared to ABP, with comparable SBP. During hypotension, SBP was significantly higher wit...

New Delhi: The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has approved Zydus Life Science's Pertuzumab 30 mg/mL concentrate solution for infusion for the additional indication of early breast cancer. However, this approval is subject to the condition that the firm conduct a Phase IV study of the anticancer drug Pertuzumab. This came after Zydus Life Sciences presented the proposal for approval of additional indications of early breast cancer for the approved similar biologic Pertuzumab 30 mg/mL concentrate solution for infusion (rDNA origin) by way of extrapolation with a waiver of a local clinical trial. Pertuzumab is an antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in combination with other antineoplastic agents. Pertuzumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the extracellular dimerization domain (subdomain II) of the human epidermal growth factor re...

The US food and Drug Administration has approved red light LED lamp for patients with actinic keratosis.The new device was is recommend to be used in combination with aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride topical gel, 10% (Ameluz) as photodynamic therapy (PDT) for individuals with actinic keratoses of mild-to-moderate severity on the face and scalp.  This innovative device represents a significant advancement in the treatment of PDT with state-of-the-art engineering, robust but sleek construction and an intuitive user interface. It is designed to be simple to maneuver and able to accommodate various patient treatment positions in order to optimize ease of use. Biofrontera’s PDT drug, Ameluz®, is approved by the FDA in combination with either member of the RhodoLED lamp family. The introduction of the RhodoLED XL provides the option to illuminate a larger area in a single on-label Ameluz PDT treatment. "We are delighted to introduce the RhodoLED XL lamp to the dermatology community...

Belgium: In a pivotal move towards refining management strategies for heart failure patients, the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has issued a clinical consensus statement emphasizing the critical role of dietary sodium and fluid intake. This guidance represents a unified effort by leading experts to address a longstanding challenge in cardiovascular care: optimizing nutrition to improve patient outcomes. Heart failure (HF), a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide, imposes significant demands on healthcare systems and individuals alike. The delicate balance of sodium and fluid intake is central to its management, which directly influences cardiovascular function and symptom severity. The guideline, published in the European Journal of Heart Failure, underscores the need for tailored dietary approaches, acknowledging that individualized strategies are pivotal in mitigating symptoms and reducing hospitalizations. For these guidelines, i...

Israel: In a recent retrospective cohort study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology , researchers have uncovered a concerning association between prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM) exceeding 12 hours at term and increased infectious outcomes characterized by low-grade fever. The findings highlight potential risks for mothers in this clinical scenario. In women with rupture of membranes (ROM) (>12h) at term, the researchers reported higher neonatal and maternal morbidity among those with low-grade fever versus normal body temperature. Low-grade fever was associated with a higher Enterobacteriaceae isolates risk in chorioamniotic membrane cultures and might be the initial presentation of peripartum infection. "In term pregnancies with PROM (>12h), women with low-grade fever experienced higher rates of adverse events, including puerperal endometritis (OR 9.0), cesarean delivery, surgical site infections, umbilical cord pH<7.2 & NICU admis...

New Delhi : Noting that no new data, literature, or updates have been presented by the firm, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has rejected the drug major Pfizer Products India's proposal for waiver of local clinical trials for the grant of permission to import and market Elranatamab solution for injection. This came after the proposal was redeliberated for the grant of permission to import and market Elranatamab solution for injection 44mg/1.1mL (40 mg/mL) and 76 mg/1.9 mL (40 mg/mL), along with a request for a local clinical trial waiver. Elranatamab is a bispecific antibody used to treat adults with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Elranatamab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. In the US, it is approved for patients who have received at least four prior lines of therapy, including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory agent, and...

A recent randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of cabergoline and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) for lactation inhibition in postpartum women. This study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology provided clarity on which treatment is more efficient for mothers seeking lactation inhibition for personal, social or medical reasons.  The trial included a total of 88 postpartum patients who requested lactation inhibition. These women were randomly assigned to receive either cabergoline or pyridoxine. Cabergoline was administered in two different regimens according to departmental protocol, which was either a single 1 mg dose on postpartum day 1 or 0.25 mg twice a day for two days. Pyridoxine was given at a dose of 200 mg three times a day for seven days. Also all participants were screened to exclude those with conditions contraindicating the use of cabergoline like hypertensive disorders and fibrotic, cardiac or hepatic diseases. The patients assesse...

Various research studies have recently emphasized the integration of regional blocks alongside general anesthesia in pediatric surgeries, aiming to minimize anesthetic and analgesic needs while ensuring effective post-operative pain management and facilitating early hospital discharge. Recent research paper compared the effectiveness of two approaches for the quadratus lumborum block (QLB), a type of regional anesthesia technique, in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The study included 60 pediatric patients aged 1-6 years who were randomly assigned to receive either a posterior approach QLB (Group I) or an anterior approach QLB (Group II). The researchers measured several outcomes including 24-hour morphine consumption, duration of analgesia, face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) pain scores, and block performance time. The results showed that the anterior approach QLB (Group II) had significantly better analgesic outcomes compared to ...

USA: Parastomal hernias, a common complication of stoma formation, often pose a significant challenge to patients and surgeons. In a groundbreaking development, a recent randomized clinical trial (RCT) has compared two distinct approaches to parastomal hernia repair: Open Retromuscular Sugarbaker and Keyhole Mesh Placement. The results of this trial promise to redefine the standard of care for this complex condition. The randomized clinical trial revealed that the open retromuscular Sugarbaker mesh placement technique is not superior to the keyhole technique concerning 2-year parastomal hernia recurrence. "Using either retromuscular mesh placement technique based on patient anatomy and surgeon expertise is reasonable," the researchers wrote in JAMA Surgery. Parastomal hernias, a common complication following stoma formation, present a significant challenge in clinical practice. These hernias occur when abdominal contents protrude through the abdominal wall defect created...

Canada: In a groundbreaking development, large language models (LLMs) are poised to transform the landscape of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Recent research has demonstrated their efficacy in generating automated synoptic reports and accurately categorizing resectability status based on radiological images. In their study published in Radiology , the researchers revealed that Chat GPT-4 outperforms GPT-3.5 for creating structured, summarized radiology reports for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). They found that GPT-4 created near-perfect PDAC synoptic reports from original reports, GPT-4 with chain-of-thought achieved high accuracy in categorizing resectability, and surgeons were more efficient and accurate when they used AI-generated reports. "The study results are good news for clinicians and patients, as the AI tool could improve surgical decision-making," Rajesh Bhayana, University of Toronto, ON, Canada, and colleagues wrote. Pancreatic...

A recent study published in the BMC Cancer explored the potential link between antipsychotic medication and an increased risk of gynecological cancers. Female gynecological cancers already represent a critical global health issue with approximately 1.4 million new cases and over 6,70,000 deaths annually. However, this study suggests that antipsychotic drugs which were commonly prescribed for psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, may contribute to this statistic. This comprehensive meta-analysis reviewed studies from PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science that explored the correlation between antipsychotic use and the incidence of gynecological cancers. They applied DerSimonian and Laird random-effect models to compute the odds ratios (OR) for cancer incidence by ensuring robust statistical analyses using Review Manager 5.4.1. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed through effect size width and I-squared and Tau-squared statistics with ...

Menstrual Blood Loss Determines Iron Status in Premenopausal Blood Donors suggests a study published in the Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. A study was done to prevent blood donors from developing iron deficiency (ferritin <15 μg/L) and subsequent anemia (hemoglobin <120 g/L), blood services rely on information about known risk factors, including the donor's sex and age. For example, while Finnish women can donate whole blood with a minimum donation interval of 91 days, women in the 18 to 25-year-old age group are recommended to donate no more than once yearly. Menstrual blood loss is not accounted for in blood donation interval recommendations, despite being a known risk factor of iron deficiency. We aim to investigate to what extent menstrual bleeding is associated with ferritin and haemoglobin levels in female blood donors and quantify the association of other menstruation-related variables not currently accounted for by blood services (i.e., use of hormo...

The upper thoracic (T2) erector spinae plane block (UT-ESPB) has been suggested as a substitute for the interscalene brachial plexus block for pain management after shoulder surgery. Recent prospective exploratory study examined the efficacy of ultrasound-guided upper thoracic (T2) erector spinae plane block (UT-ESPB) for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing proximal shoulder surgery under general anesthesia. The primary outcome was the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy, while secondary outcomes included block characteristics, postoperative pain scores, analgesic requirements, and quality of recovery. A total of 43 patients were included in the study. The UT-ESPB was performed by injecting 0.4 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine with 4 mg of dexamethasone at the T2 level. Diaphragmatic movements were assessed using ultrasound to detect phrenic nerve palsy. The results showed that the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy was 0%. The sensory level achieved by the maximum number of patient...

Researchers have found that psoriasis significantly increases the risk of developing infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with permanent pacemakers (PPM). A recent study was published in the International Journal Of Dermatology by Chapman Wei and colleagues. This study highlights the need for heightened awareness and potential prophylactic measures to mitigate IE risk in this patient population. Device-related infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition with high mortality rates. Identifying comorbidities that heighten IE risk is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, is increasingly recognized for its cardiovascular implications. However, its impact on IE risk in patients with PPM has not been well studied until now. This study utilized the National Inpatient Sample database to analyze patients with PPM, distinguishing those with and without psoriasis. Demographic and comorbidity data were collected, and a 1:10,000 prope...

New Delhi:  Stating that the details sought under the RTI includes third-party information, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has refused to disclose the names of the medical colleges that fell short on faculty counts and other teaching infrastructure. Recently activist Dr. KV Babu filed an application under the Right to Information Act seeking the details of the notices issued by the NMC Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) to the medical colleges for deficiencies in Clinical Material and staff during the period from 01/01/2023 to 30/04/2024. He also sought to know the details of the fine imposed or the action taken by the NMC UG Board from 01/01/2023 to 30/04/2024. In response, the Apex medical regulatory body in India has said that the concerned information includes third party information. "Since the information sought by you, includes third party information, hence the same is exempted for as per Section 8(1) (j) of the Right to Information Act, 2005," th...

New Delhi: To prevent any possible commercial dealings involving foreign citizens in the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asking them to educate the foreign nationals regarding the guidelines and legal responsibilities concerning organ transplantation procedures in India.    According to the letter, the Union Health Ministry has asked both ministries to ensure that information regarding organ transplant laws is prominently displayed at airports and on the Bureau of Immigration's web portals. This measure aims to enhance the accessibility and awareness of these laws among a broader audience.  In the letter dated June 19, Union health secretary, Apurva Chandra said, “It is essential for these foreign nationals visiting India for organ transplants to understand the specific guidelines and legal requirements that regulate the process of organ transplantation ...

New Delhi: Responding to the demands of various medical aspirants who called out the alleged irregularties in conduct of NEET exam and demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter, the Ministry of Education has now entrusted the matter of alleged irregularities in NEET (UG) Examination 2024 to CBI for the comprehensive investigation. The confirmation to this has come late this evening in a government release post 11 pm that stated," National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted NEET(UG) Examination on 5th May 2024 in OMR (Pen and paper) mode. Certain cases of alleged irregularities / cheating / impersonation / malpractices have been reported," "For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India a after a review has decided to entrust the matter to thea Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation. Central Government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to pr...

Recent meta-analysis compared the classical and costoclavicular approaches for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block (ICB) in terms of onset, performance, and safety. The primary outcomes included sensory and motor block onset time, the number of patients with complete block at 30 minutes, and the secondary outcomes encompassed block performance time, number of attempts, duration of the block, and any incidence of complications. The review included five trials with 374 adult patients and found no significant difference in sensory and motor block onset times and block performance time between the classical and costoclavicular approaches of ICB. Additionally, the number of patients with complete block at 30 minutes did not significantly differ between the two approaches. The meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in motor block duration, number of attempts and redirections, duration of the block, or the incidence of complications between the cl...

A multidisciplinary panel of clinical experts developed new clinical guidelines for the use of vitamin D to lower the risk of various diseases in individuals without established indications for vitamin D treatment or 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) testing. The guidelines published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism journal come in response to numerous studies that demonstrated associations between serum concentrations of 25(OH)D and a variety of common disorders, including musculoskeletal, metabolic, cardiovascular, malignant, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Although a direct causal link between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and many disorders remains unproven, these links have led to widespread vitamin D supplementation and increased laboratory testing for 25(OH)D in the general population. The benefit-risk ratio of this increase in vitamin D use is still not completely clear, as are the optimal vitamin D intake levels and the role of 25(OH)D testing for diseas...

USA: In a groundbreaking study, researchers have uncovered compelling evidence suggesting that protein pacing with intermittent fasting induces significant changes in the gut microbiome and metabolomic profile, surpassing the effects of continuous caloric restriction. The findings shed new light on the potential benefits of protein pacing and intermittent fasting in metabolic health and gut microbiome composition. The study, published in Nature Communications, showed that a unique dieting regimen involving intermittent fasting may boost weight loss and offer particular benefits for gut health. The novel work provides insight into the gut microbiome (GM) and metabolomic profile of participants following intermittent fasting (IF)-protein pacing (P) or calorie-restricted (CR) diet, highlighting important differences in microbial assembly associated with weight loss (WL) and body composition responsiveness. "These data may inform future GM-focused precision nutrition recommendat...