States with abortion bans saw greater drops in medical school graduates applying for residencies

Fewer U.S. medical school graduates are applying to residency programs, but the drop is more striking in states that ban abortion compared with other states.

Powered by WPeMatico

Under 4-minute milers’ longevity shows that extreme exercise doesn’t seem to curb lifespan

Extreme exercise doesn’t seem to shorten the lifespan as is widely believed, suggest the findings of a study on the longevity of the first 200 athletes to run a mile in under 4 minutes, and published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Powered by WPeMatico

Providing end-of-life care at home has environmental benefits, says study

A study led by Canadian researchers sheds new light on how to approach decreasing the carbon footprint of our health care system by thinking critically about end-of-life care.

Powered by WPeMatico

Hallmarks of precancer: Researchers investigate the principles governing the biology of early, precancerous lesions

Every oncologist and cancer researcher is familiar with the hallmarks of cancer, a series of functional capabilities that human cells acquire as they transition from a normal state to a neoplastic state (a state of excessive and abnormal growth). These hallmarks have been used (and updated) during the last quarter of a century as a “conceptual scaffold” to help “rationalize the complex phenotypes of diverse human tumor types and variants in terms of a common set of underlying cellular parameters.”

Powered by WPeMatico

Study: Deep learning-based whole-body PSMA PET/CT attenuation correction utilizing Pix-2-Pix GAN

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget, titled “Deep learning-based whole-body PSMA PET/CT attenuation correction utilizing Pix-2-Pix GAN.”

Powered by WPeMatico

Zydus Lifesciences completes enrolment for EPICS III Phase 2b/3 trial evaluating Saroglitazar Mg for Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Ahmedabad: Zydus Lifesciences Limited, a discovery-driven, global lifesciences company, has announced that it has completed
enrolment of Phase 2b/3 EPICS III trial of Saroglitazar Mg in patients with Primary Biliary
Cholangitis (PBC).

PBC is a rare, progressive autoimmune disease which gradually destroys the bile ducts,
resulting in an accumulation of bile in the liver which can result in fibrosis, cirrhosis, the need
for liver transplantation or death. PBC disproportionately affects women, with 1 in 1,000
women over the age of 40 being afflicted, 9 times the rate for men. PBC is characterized by
increases in biochemical markers, especially alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and liver
transaminases. Clinical symptoms include pruritus (itching) and fatigue, both of which can be
severe. PBC is a life-long condition and only medications can be used to manage and slow its
progression.

Saroglitazar Mg is a potent and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and
gamma dual agonist. Results of phase 2, prospective multicentre randomized double-blind,
placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Saroglitazar Mg in
patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (EPICS) was presented earlier at the Liver Meeting 2020, the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
(AASLD) [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03112681], and has been published in the ‘Journal
of Hepatology’.
Overall Principal Investigator for Saroglitazar Mg global development programme, Professor
Naga Chalasani, David W. Crabb Chair in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana
University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA lauded the Zydus team and investigators
across 3 countries for achieving this milestone in a record time. The results from this pivotal
trial holds potential to greatly improve the treatment choices available for this difficult to treat
and rare liver disorder.
The EPICS-III Phase 2(b)/3 trial is led by Lead Principal Investigator Prof Raj Vuppalanchi.
The late-stage clinical program with Saroglitazar Mg EPICS III trial is now fully enrolled and
will assess the efficacy and safety in patients with PBC who are uncontrolled on the usual first
line PBC treatment [ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05133336].
Prof Raj mentioned that “Patients with PBC often look for treatments that not only improve
liver health but also alleviate associated symptoms like itching and fatigue ultimately
enhancing overall quality of life. There is growing optimism that Saroglitazar Mg at optimal
dosage will address these needs with better efficacy, safety and tolerability compared to
existing options. Both patients and medical community are eagerly awaiting the outcomes of
this trial. I have strong hope that Saroglitazar Mg will establish itself as a primary therapy,
significantly improving the daily lives of individuals suffering with PBC.”
Speaking on the development, Chairman, Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., Mr. Pankaj Patel, said that,
“The conclusion of enrolment marks an important milestone for the for EPICS III Phase 2b/3
trial and we would like to thank all our clinical collaborators and patients. There is a high need
for new treatment options to reduce the risk of disease progression in patients living with PBC
and we are looking forward to working with patient advocacy groups.”
Saroglitazar Mg is an investigational compound in the USA, and is yet to be approved by the
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) or European Medicines Agency (EMA).
The
USFDA has granted ‘Orphan Drug Designation’ and ‘Fast Track designation’ to Saroglitazar
Mg for the treatment of patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). Fast Track is a process
of the USFDA which expedites the review of drugs to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet
medical need. A drug that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for Accelerated Approval
and Priority Review, if the relevant criteria are met. The European Medicines Agency (EMA)
has designated ‘Saroglitazar Magnesium’ with Orphan status for Treatment of Primary Biliary
Cholangitis. Orphan drug designation provides eligibility for certain development incentives,
regulatory fee exemptions, seven-year marketing exclusivity upon USFDA approval and a 10-
year period of market exclusivity if the treatment is eventually approved by EMA.

Read also: Zydus Lifesciences bags USFDA nod for Dapsone Gel for acne treatment

Powered by WPeMatico

SCB Medical College Hospital opens liver transplant OPD

Cuttack: To provide specialised care for patients with liver-related ailments, the SCB Medical College and Hospital has opened a dedicated outpatient department (OPD) for liver transplant patients. The services will be operational from 9 am to 1 pm every Thursday.   

The OPD services have been established in the super-speciality building, aiming to assist patients in the early detection of liver-related diseases, thus enhancing the chances of a more effective cure. Three doctors have been designated to provide these OPD services.

Patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver tumour, liver cancer, and segmental liver resection will be provided with specialized treatment at the liver transplant unit.    

Also read- Liver Transplantation: Normothermic Regional Perfusion Tied To Better DCD Liver Allograft Outcome, Study Reveals

As per a TOI news report, Patients can schedule OPD appointments to consult with their doctors at the liver transplant unit in SCB during the allocated time. Dr Rajesh Dora and Dr LN Mohanty will oversee the management of this facility.  

Talking to the Daily, Dr Rajesh Dora, head of the liver transplant unit said, “A dedicated OPD will classify the liver ailment patients immediately ensuring detection and diagnosis can be done faster. Many people will benefit from the service. The services will be operational from 9 am to 1 pm on Thursday. Three doctors have been engaged for the OPD and a patient will be thoroughly checked after they arrive in the unit.”  

“The OPD service will be convenient for doctors as well to detect the liver transplant patients immediately. Early detection can lead to better treatment,” he added.  

Dr Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra, superintendent of SCBMCH told Prameya, “Experts of the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology will help the SCB doctors in critical cases.”  

Also read- Doctors At Faridabad Hospital Perform Bloodless Liver Transplants In 2 Young Girls With Wilson’s Disease

Powered by WPeMatico

Zinc may slightly shorten duration of symptoms of common cold, finds study

A new Cochrane review has found that taking zinc may help to reduce the duration of common cold symptoms by about two days, but the evidence is not conclusive and potential benefits must be balanced against side-effects.

Since the 1980s, zinc products have been marketed as treatments for the common cold and are particularly popular in the USA. Zinc is an essential mineral naturally found in many foods and plays a role in immune function. Most people in high-income countries get enough zinc through their diets, although aging and some chronic diseases may lead to deficiency.

The theory behind zinc-based lozenges, sprays and syrups is that the zinc may interfere with viral replication when it comes into contact with viral particles in the nose, mouth and throat. Zinc has been shown to interfere with viral replication in petri dishes and mice, although this alone doesn’t tell us whether something will work in real people.

To test if zinc is useful in preventing or treating a cold, a team of researchers looked at 19 human trials examining zinc as a treatment and 15 as a preventative measure. They identified a lot of variation between the studies in how zinc was administered, how much was given, how they defined a ‘cold’ and what they measured.

Eight studies with 972 participants investigated zinc as a treatment to reduce cold duration. Combining the results of these studies yielded low-certainty evidence that it may help to reduce duration by around two days, down from an average week-long duration in the groups who received placebo.

The review found no strong evidence to conclude that zinc treatment impacts the severity of cold symptoms. The prevention studies showed no clear evidence of benefit from taking zinc before the onset of a cold; those taking zinc preventatively had similar outcomes to those who didn’t.

Common side-effects of zinc reported in the trials included bowel problems, nausea and unpleasant taste. There was no clear evidence of more serious side-effects directly resultant from zinc.

“People considering zinc to treat a cold should be aware of the limited evidence base and possible side-effects,” says Assistant Professor Daryl Nault of Maryland University of Integrative Health, first author of the review. “Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide whether the risk of potential unpleasant side-effects is worth the benefit of potentially shortening their illness by a few days. The best advice remains to consult your physician if you’re feeling unwell and inform them if you use any supplements. While there have been many trials investigating zinc, the approaches vary, so it is difficult to draw conclusions with certainty.”

The trials included in the review varied in many ways including the type of zinc, the dose of zinc given, whether it was given as a lozenge or nasal spray, and how the outcomes were reported and measured. Some trials measured for a fixed time window and asked participants if they still had a cold at the end. Others measured the time between symptoms starting and resolving, although this was defined slightly differently by each study. Few studies monitored the status of individual symptoms, such as sore throat, cough or fever, so there was insufficient evidence to draw any reliable conclusions about specific symptoms.

“The evidence on zinc is far from settled: we need more research before we can be confident in its effects,” says Assistant Professor Susan Wieland of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, senior author of the review. “Future studies should adopt standardized methods for administering and reporting treatments and defining and reporting outcomes. Additional studies focusing on the most promising types and doses of zinc products and using appropriate statistical methods to assess outcomes that are important to patients will enable us to understand whether zinc may have a place in treatment of the common cold.”

Reference:

Daryl NaultTaryn A MachingoAndrea G ShipperDaniel A AntiportaCandyce HamelSahar NourouzpourMenelaos KonstantinidisErica PhillipsElizabeth A LipskiL Susan Wieland, Zinc for prevention and treatment of the common cold, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD014914.pub2

Powered by WPeMatico

‘IDIOT’ syndrome is hampering asthma treatment, say doctors

Lucknow: A new syndrome known as Internet Derived Information Obstructing Treatment (IDIOT) is emerging as a significant obstacle in asthma management, according to experts at the respiratory critical care unit of King George’s Medical University (KGMU) Lucknow.

Experts said that patients, especially the educated ones, were often misled by information gathered online, especially about steroids which could hinder them from getting the right treatment.

According to an IANS report, Prof Rajendra Prasad, former head of respiratory medicine at KGMU, said that every week two to three patients, influenced by incomplete internet knowledge, resist steroid prescriptions for asthma.

He stressed that steroids, when prescribed and monitored by doctors, are the most effective asthma treatment.

Also Read:UP: KGMU launches new telephone line for OPD appointment

Prof Ved Prakash, Head of the respiratory critical care department of KGMU, highlighted that around 1.9 lakh people died due to asthma complications in India annually, a concerning statistic, given that asthma can be managed well with proper medical guidance.

He pointed out that poor air quality worsens asthma and emphasised the importance of awareness and accurate diagnosis.

Prof Sumit Rungta of the medical gastroenterology and dermatology department added that asthma, being an allergy, cannot be cured but can be managed.

Meanwhile, experts at KGMU said that according to a survey by the Department of Respiratory Medicine, about 60 per cent of 500 asthma patients were found using the inhalers incorrectly. This improper use impacts the inhaler’s delivery to the lungs, compromising asthma management.

Consequently, patients are often prescribed higher medication dosages (two to three times a day) due to perceived ineffectiveness, when once or twice daily usage might suffice with the correct technique.  

Experts noted that “incorrect inhalation may necessitate a separate inhaler for 10 per cent of patients”, reports news agency IANS.

Experts also underscored the importance of thorough mouth cleaning after inhaler use to manage respiratory diseases and prevent dental complications. He outlined key steps for effective inhaler usage, including shaking the inhaler before use, exhaling fully before medication administration, holding the inhaler in the correct position, inhaling deeply while dispensing the medicine, holding the breath for at least five seconds, and shaking the inhaler between puffs (if applicable).

Also Read:Children with asthma exposed to indoor pest allergens may face respiratory issues: Study

Powered by WPeMatico

Study Finds Diabetic Patients on GLP-1 Medications Less Likely to Experience Gallstones and Ileus

USA: In a significant breakthrough for diabetes management, a recent study has uncovered compelling evidence suggesting that patients on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medications may be at a reduced risk of developing gallstones and ileus compared to those on alternative treatments. The findings, published in Epic Research, shed new light on the potential benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists in mitigating gastrointestinal complications commonly associated with diabetes.

According to the study, diabetes patients who were prescribed GLP-1 medications were more likely to experience delayed gastric emptying or gastroparesis compared to patients not taking the GLP-1 drugs.

A separate study by Epic found that patients without diabetes who took the GLP-1 drugs semaglutide and liraglutide for weight loss were at greater risk of ileus, gastroparesis, and gallstones compared with people who took another class of drugs.

Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects, including gallstones, delayed gastric emptying, and ileus, have been associated with GLP-1 medications. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) required a safety label for Ozempic (semaglutide) warning of the potential risk of ileus.

Delayed gastric emptying is characterized by a slowdown in the food movement from the stomach to the small intestine. Moreover, complications such as gallstones and ileus, a condition characterized by impaired intestinal motility, pose additional challenges, often exacerbating the burden of managing this chronic metabolic disorder.

To further understand the correlation between GLP-1 medications and gastrointestinal side effects, the researchers studied 12 million diabetic patients, including 7.4 million not on GLP-1 medications and 4.6 million on GLP-1 medications. They wanted to increase the likelihood that only patients who are being actively managed, are studied. For the patients on GLP-1 medications, that prescription served as adequate evidence. For patients not on GLP-1 medications, Only those who had a completed HbA1c test were included.

The research team adjusted for patient age, sex, social vulnerability, race, BMI classification, ethnicity, and insulin usage.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • Delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) was more likely for diabetic patients on most GLP-1 medications studied compared to diabetics not on GLP-1.
  • Patients on exenatide had the greatest increase in the likelihood of this condition (135%), while those on tirzepatide had a 29% reduction in likelihood.
  • Gallstones and ileus were less likely for patients prescribed most of the GLP-1 medications studied compared to diabetic patients not prescribed a GLP-1.
  • Patients on semaglutide had a 22% reduced likelihood of gallstones, while those on tirzepatide did not experience a statistically significant change in the likelihood.
  • For ileus, tirzepatide had the greatest reduction in likelihood (62%), while exenatide had the lowest reduction (43%).

The findings revealed that diabetic patients prescribed four of the five GLP-1 medications studied experienced an increased likelihood of delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis) compared to those not on a GLP-1 medication. Diabetic patients prescribed GLP-1 medications are less likely to be diagnosed with ileus or gallstones compared to diabetic patients not on GLP-1 medications.

As further research continues to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying the benefits of GLP-1 medications in diabetes management, the study represents a crucial step forward in advancing our understanding of this complex metabolic disorder. Armed with this knowledge, healthcare providers are better equipped to empower diabetic patients in their journey toward improved health and well-being.

Reference:

Bartelt K, Deckert J, Allen S, Joyce B. Delayed Gastric Emptying More Likely, Gallstones and Ileus Less Likely for Diabetic Patients on GLP-1 Medications Compared to Diabetics on Other Treatments. Epic Research. https://epicresearch.org/articles/delayed-gastric-emptying-more-likely-gallstones-and-ileus-less-likely-for-diabetic-patients-on-glp-1-medications-compared-to-diabetics-on-other-treatments. Accessed on May 8, 2024.

Powered by WPeMatico