health $wellness blog

With more than 24 million people globally living with dementia without a cure in sight, there is a lot of focus on ways to prevent and delay cognitive impairment. A new study suggests that severe menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and depression can negatively affect cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Results of the study are published online in Menopause , the journal of The Menopause Society. In conjunction with our aging population, dementia diagnoses are on the rise. It is estimated that 4.6 million new cases are diagnosed every year, which translates into one person being diagnosed with dementia every 7 seconds. That means dementia cases are expected to double every 20 years, reaching 81.1 million by 2040. The good news is that medical experts estimate that 40% of cases of Alzheimer disease, the most common form of dementia, can be prevented or, at minimum, delayed. Because of this fact, there is a lot of interest in identifying risk factors. Recent research has fo...

New Delhi: The drug major Novo Nordisk has got approval from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct the Phase III clinical trial of Etavopivat. This came after the drug maker Novo Nordisk presented Phase III clinical trial protocol No. NN7535-7807 version No.1.0 dated 18.04.2024. Etavopivat is an investigational, oral, small-molecule activator of erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PKR) in development for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) and other hemoglobinopathies. PKR activation is proposed to ameliorate the sickling of SCD red blood cells (RBCs) through multiple mechanisms, including reduction of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), which consequently increases hemoglobin (Hb)-oxygen affinity; increased binding of oxygen reduces sickle hemoglobin polymerization and sickling. In addition, PKR activation increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) produced via glycolytic flux, which helps preserve membran...

USA: In a randomized clinical trial, researchers have unveiled promising results for a novel surgical technique addressing vaginal vault prolapse. The study, which meticulously examined the efficacy of apical suspension repair, offers new hope for patients grappling with this challenging condition. The study, published in JAMA Surgery, revealed that sacrocolpopexy outperformed native tissue repair regarding composite primary efficacy outcome. Meanwhile, transvaginal mesh was found to be comparable to sacrocolpopexy, showing no inferiority. All treatment approaches demonstrated lasting improvements in patient-reported outcomes, and there were no significant differences in decision regret or overall satisfaction among the treatment groups. Vaginal vault prolapse is a condition where the top of the vagina sags or drops and often results from weakened pelvic support structures. It can cause significant discomfort and negatively impact quality of life, leading many to seek surgical int...

  Gurugram: P radhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is among the various schemes run by the central government to provide affordable treatment to the public. This scheme offers medicines at up to 90 per cent discount. In this context, ANI visited the Jan Aushadhi warehouse in Gurugram, Haryana, to observe how these medicines are made available to the public. Dr. Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, stated, "Jan Aushadhi is a flagship program of the Indian government. From the Red Fort, PM Modi announced that we will increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras from 10,000 to 25,000 over the next three years. Jan Aushadhi Kendras are rapidly opening across the country, with over 13,000 currently operational.." Ravi Dadhich, CEO of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), explained that India has 10,000 manufacturing units across various states involved in the productio...

A recent study highlighted a promising intervention to combat childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa through the mass distribution of azithromycin. The study was conducted in rural communities in Niger and suggests that twice-yearly distributions of the antibiotic to children between 1 to 59 months old can significantly reduce mortality rates when compared to more limited distribution among infants. The study has come at a time when childhood mortality remains a critical public health challenge in the region, it was designed to test the efficacy of azithromycin distribution across different age groups. The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously recommended limiting the distribution to infants aged 1 to 11 months to curb the rise of antimicrobial resistance. However, this restriction had not been tested on a large scale, prompting the need for this study. This randomized trial involved nearly 1,273 communities across Niger. These communities were divided into 3 groups, whe...

Postoperative pain is a common but undesirable outcome following surgery. It is crucial to effectively manage postoperative pain to facilitate proper recovery and minimize the negative effects of unmanaged pain. Recent prospective, observational study aimed to assess the use of nonpharmacological methods (NPMs) for postoperative pain management among patients following oncologic surgeries at a single center. The primary objective was to determine the incidence of NPM use, while secondary objectives were to correlate NPM use with pain scores, patient satisfaction, and physical/emotional outcomes. The study included 200 adult patients who underwent major elective surgeries and were followed for the first 72 hours after surgery. Patients were interviewed on the third postoperative day to assess their use of NPMs, beliefs about NPMs, and responses to the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ). The results showed that only 24.5% of the total study population used NPM...

Patients who overdose on opioids and have a pulse are often given naloxone (Narcan) by first responders, a common life-saving measure. However, emergency medical service (EMS) agencies have different protocols for administering naloxone, so there is little evidence to support its use in patients without a pulse who experienced opioid-associated out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). A recent study by UC Davis Health researchers set out to assess the effects of giving naloxone administration by paramedics to patients with OHCA. The study, published in Jama Network Open, concluded there was an association between naloxone administration, and both return of spontaneous circulation and survival to hospital discharge. “The incidence of drug-related cardiac arrests has skyrocketed in the past two decades, and there is an urgent need for evidence to guide possible naloxone use in this circumstance,” said David Dillon, assistant professor of Emergency Medicine and one of the study’s autho...

New Delhi: Responding to the proposal presented by Sanofi Healthcare India for updating prescribing information for Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (Adacel), the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has opined the firm to submit the data/publication in support of the proposed changes and post-marketing surveillance (PMS) data in the Indian population. This came after the vaccine maker Sanofi Healthcare India presented its proposal to update prescribing information of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed. Adacel is a vaccine that helps prevent whooping cough (pertussis), tetanus, and diphtheria. It's manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Limited and is approved for use in people aged 10-64 who have previously received childhood immunizations. Adacel can also be used during the third trimester of pregnancy to prevent pert...

Gastric bypass may reduce CV risk independent of weight loss, suggests a study published in the JAMA Surgery.  Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is associated with reduced cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, morbidity, and mortality. Whether these effects are specifically induced by the surgical procedure or the weight loss is unclear. A study was done to compare 6-week changes in CV risk factors in patients with obesity undergoing matching caloric restriction and weight loss by RYGB or a very low-energy diet (VLED). This nonrandomized controlled study (Impact of Body Weight, Low Calorie Diet, and Gastric Bypass on Drug Bioavailability, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Metabolic Biomarkers [COCKTAIL]) was conducted at a tertiary care obesity center in Norway. Participants were individuals with severe obesity preparing for RYGB or a VLED. Recruitment began February 26, 2015; the first patient visit was on March 18, 2015, and the last patient visit (9-week follow-up) was on August 9, ...

Intravenous sedation administered alongside spinal anesthesia offers benefits such as prolonged spinal anesthesia duration and improved postoperative pain management. In a recent prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial, the study aimed to compare the effect of intravenous bolus and infusion of dexmedetomidine versus ketamine on postoperative analgesia in fracture femur patients operated under subarachnoid block. The study enrolled 75 patients aged 18–65 years, randomly divided into three groups to receive ketamine, dexmedetomidine, or saline (control group). Postoperative pain was evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS), duration of analgesia, and analgesic consumption. The results showed that patients in the ketamine group had better postoperative analgesia with decreased pain on the NRS scale and reduced need for postoperative rescue analgesics. The duration of sensory block and motor block was prolonged in the ketamine group compared to the other two groups. T...

USA: In a pivotal two-year study, the eCoin implantable tibial nerve stimulation (ITNS) system was validated as a safe and effective treatment for urgency urinary incontinence, a challenging condition affecting millions worldwide. This innovative therapy, designed to address overactive bladder symptoms, has shown remarkable consistency in both safety and efficacy, offering new hope for patients who have not found relief through traditional methods. The findings, published in the Urology Journal, support it as an excellent treatment option for refractory patients. Urgency urinary incontinence, characterized by a sudden and intense urge to urinate, is a common yet distressing condition that can significantly impact daily life. For patients who do not respond to conventional treatments such as medications or behavioral therapies, implantable tibial nerve stimulation presents a promising alternative. Therefore, Vincent Lucente, Hamilton Court Professional Center, Allentown, PA, and co...

Multiple treatment modalities including occlusal devices, sleep hygiene, and muscle relaxation may achieve better control of bruxism suggests a study published in the Journal of Prosthodontics. The objective was the comparison of an occlusal device (OD), and sleep hygiene and progressive muscle relaxation (SH & PMR) on perceived stress and sleep bruxism activity (burst/episode and episode/hour) in participants with sleep bruxism. Sixty-six participants with self-reported sleep bruxism were selected and randomly allocated into two groups: OD group or SH & PMR group. Assessment of perceived stress and sleep bruxism activity were the primary outcomes. The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10 scale) was used to measure perceived stress and bruxism episodes/hour and bursts/episode recorded by electromyography of masseter and temporalis. These outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. The paired t-test assessed changes in PSS-10 scores and sleep bruxism activ...

New Delhi: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories has got the go-ahead from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to conduct a Phase III clinical trial of the Live Attenuated Varicella Vaccine to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the Varicella Vaccine (BARYCELA) in a healthy pediatric population 12 months to 12 years of age. However, this nod came in line with the condition that the firm should conduct immunogenicity analysis for all proposed 500 evaluable subjects in part 2 of the trial, with age stratification for all proposed age groups. This took place following the firm's presentation of the revised Phase III clinical trial protocol for the Live Attenuated Varicella Vaccine study titled “A Phase III, multicentre, randomized, observer-blind, active-controlled, parallel group, non-inferiority study to evaluate immunogenicity and safety of Varicella vaccine (BARYCELA) in Healthy Pediatric Population 12 months...

Chandigarh:  While considering a plea filed by White Medical College and Hospital, previously known as Chintpurni Medical College and Hospital, the Punjab and Haryana High Court recently slapped a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the institute for "misleading" the court. Filing the plea, the college was contesting an order issued in January by the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC), through which the Commission directed the transfer of students from the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 batches to other medical colleges. However, while considering the matter, the HC Division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal observed that the college had repeatedly and continuously failed to comply with the required standards. Also Read: 250 Chintpurni MBBS Medicos Accuse Management of Harassment, Vacate Hostels As per the latest media report by the Times of India , the HC bench also opined that it was inappropriate for NMC ...

A new study by Giulia Di Donato and team found that in individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the C reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) may provide evidence of ongoing disease activity. The findings of this study were published in the journal of BMC Rheumatology. The most common chronic rheumatic condition in children, JIA is a major contributor to both short- and long-term impairment as well as a lower quality of life. The last 20 years have seen the introduction of combination therapy plans and targeted medicines due to increased understanding of JIA etiology. New derivative indicators have emerged as promising biomarkers of systemic inflammation and disease activity in individuals with autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to recent scientific research. Studies on adult RA patients has demonstrated a favorable relationship between disease activity, likelihood of flare, and CRP to CAR. A...

The prevalence of pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) among women of reproductive age has increased globally by leading to a significant rise in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is a critical marker for diagnosing and monitoring PGDM and plays a vital role in determining the risk of congenital anomalies and complications based on its levels during the periconceptional period. A recent study published in The Israel Medical Association Journal  evaluated the association between periconceptional HbA1c levels and perinatal complications in pregnant women with poorly controlled PGDM. This retrospective analysis covered pregnancies from 2010 to 2019 and focused on women with HbA1c levels greater than 6% three months prior to conception or during the first trimester. The study cohort consisted of a total of 89 women divided into three groups based on their HbA1c levels; 49 women with HbA1c between 6-8%, 29 women with HbA1c between 8-10% and 11 women with HbA1c lev...

Researchers have found that the anastomotic leak rate is significantly lower when two surgeons participate in bowel surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, regardless of the surgical specialty. A recent study was published in JAMA Surgery by Jasmine Ebott and colleagues. It accentuates the positive effect of team-based care in the improvement of surgical outcomes among these patients. Extensive bowel surgery is often necessary to achieve complete cytoreduction in epithelial ovarian cancer patients. While bowel resections are high-risk procedures that result in complications related to anastomotic leaks, it remains unclear if the type of surgeon performing the operation impacts the outcome for the patient. This study aimed to compare surgical outcomes between a gynecologic oncologist, a general surgeon, and a two-surgeon team approach in this population. This is a retrospective cohort study comparing surgical outcomes for gynecologic oncologists, general surgeons, and a two...

For years, mouthwash has been marketed as an essential hygiene item to prevent bad breath, even though it offers minimal if any health benefits. But what if a mouthwash-based test to detect biomarkers can help physicians predict disease recurrence in head and neck cancer patients? That futuristic scenario seems closer to reality after a new study by researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, UC San Diego Health and collaborating cancer centers. Their findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, could improve how physicians predict and detect recurrence with these cancers. “Our study suggests biomarker detection in saliva collected from an oral rinse after initial treatment offers potential to readily assess recurrence risk,” said Elizabeth Franzmann, MD, a head and neck surgeon at Sylvester, and co-corresponding author of the study. “Elevated levels of either of two ...

A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association found that reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may lower the risk of adverse outcomes in veterans with comorbid type 2 diabetes (T2D). This research by the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) examined data from over a decade and illuminates the potential benefits of managing PTSD in reducing complications associated with diabetes. The study analyzed medical records of 10,002 veterans aged 18 to 80 years from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2022, all of whom had been diagnosed with both PTSD and T2D. The cohort predominantly consisted of men (87.2%), with a significant portion being older than 50 years (65.3%). The participants were diverse, with 62.7% identifying as White, 31.6% as Black, and 5.7% as other races. This research wanted determine whether veterans who showed improvement in PTSD symptoms experienced better outcomes in managing their diabetes when compared to the participant...

Larger stones, positive preoperative urine culture and higher Comorbidity Index may predict urinary septic shock after PCNL suggests a study published in the International Brazilian Journal of Urology. The study was done to identify risk factors for urinary septic shock in patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Data from PCNL procedures performed between January 2009 and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The study included all patients over 18 years old with kidney stones larger than 15 mm who underwent PCNL. Patients who underwent mini-PCNL or combined surgeries, such as ureteroscopy or bilateral procedures, were not included in the study. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the risk factors for urinary septic shock within 30 days post-operation in patients who underwent PCNL. RESULTS: Urinary septic shock was observed in 8 out of the 1,424 patients analyzed (0.56%). The presence of comorbidities, evaluated using the Charlson Comorbidity I...

Prehospital epinephrine may reduce biphasic reaction and decrease ED length of stay in pediatric anaphylaxis patients suggests a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Prompt epinephrine administration is important to improve outcomes in anaphylaxis. The objective of our study was to assess the impact of prehospital epinephrine on clinical outcomes of hospital admission, biphasic reactions, and ED length of stay (LOS) in a cohort of ED anaphylaxis patients including both children and adults. They conducted a single-center prospective and retrospective cohort study of anaphylaxis patients from April 2008 to December 2022. Associations between prehospital epinephrine administration with biphasic reactions and ED LOS were assessed with univariable models and the association with ED disposition was assessed with both univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: A total of 1107 patient visits were included for analysis. The median patient age w...

Giving probiotics to pregnant mice can enhance both the immune system and behavior of the mothers and their offspring, according to a new study led by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine. “These results suggest that certain probiotics given to mothers during pregnancy can improve their offsprings’ behavior and may affect the metabolism of common amino acids in our diets. Probiotics may also help counteract the negative effects of prenatal stress,” said study senior author Tamar Gur, MD, PhD, endowed director of the Soter Women’s Health Research Program and a researcher with Ohio State’s Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Study findings are published online in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. Probiotics are beneficial live microorganisms, such as bacteria, which help support healthy digestive and immune systems. Many studies have attested to the benefits of probiotics, which are...

Amid the nationwide outrage and protest against the rape-murder of a Kolkata doctor, a shocking incident of assault has been reported from Rohtak where a first-year BDS student of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) was allegedly physically assaulted and harassed for the past 7 months by a resident doctor of MD Anatomy first year. According to the student's statement, the accused doctor was stalking her and persistently pressured her to enter into a relationship. However, when she refused, the alleged assault, harassment and torture began. Although the alleged harassment started 7 months ago, it came to light when she shared a note on social media revealing her disturbing and traumatic experience that took place on August 16 and 17. For more information, click on the link below: 'Kicked, punched, tortured': 1st-year PGIMS BDS student alleges assault, harassment by MD anatomy medico for past 7 months, accused arrested from Medical News, Healt...

Use of spironolactone for dermatological conditions may not increase the risk of breast or uterine tumours suggests a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Spironolactone is a blood pressure and congestive heart failure medication used off-label for treatment of dermatological conditions in women. As per a Food and Drug Administration warning included in the package insert, rat studies showed tumorigenicity with high oral spironolactone doses.1 Due to antiandrogen properties and structural similarity to estrogen, it has been hypothesized that spironolactone may increase breast/gynecologic cancer risk.2 Therefore, we examined whether spironolactone exposure for acne, hair loss, and/or hirsutism indications is associated with increased breast and/or gynecologic tumor risk. Demographics and history of breast/gynecologic benign and malignant tumor diagnoses were collected for women with spironolactone exposure for acne, hair loss, and hirsutism indicati...

United States : A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that throughout the pandemic, the cumulative incidence of PASC during the first year after SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased whereas in the omicron era, the risk of post-acute sequelae of SARS-COV-2 infection remained substantial among vaccinated persons who had SARS-CoV-2 infection. Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), commonly referred to as long COVID. It refers to a range of symptoms that persist for weeks or months after the acute phase of COVID-19 has resolved. Fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath, cough, headache, joint pain etc are the common symptoms that are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Considering this, Yan Xie, from the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology (Y.X.), Washington University, St.Louis, et.al conducted a study to evaluate the cumulative incidence of PASC during the first year after SARS-CoV-2 infection. For this purpose, the research team used the reco...

New Delhi: Through a recent notice, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the Government of India, has fixed retail prices of 70 formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. This came in line with the decision of the 125th Authority meeting dated 25.07.2024 where the authority discussed new drug applications for price fixations under para 5 and para 15 of DPCO 2013. The Authority deliberated on 70 (seventy) cases of retail price fixation of new drugs falling under the purview of Para 2(1)(u) of DPCO, 2013. The Authority approved the retail prices of 58(fifty-eight) new drugs under Para 5 and 15 of the DPCO 2013, as detailed in Table 1. Furthermore, the authority with respect to 12 (twelve) cases, noticed that the companies have launched the formulations without obtaining price approval from NPPA. The Authority deliberated upon the worked-out price, claimed price, and the launched price and approved the lowes...