High-frequency ultrasound noninvasive tool for detecting peri-implant mucositis and PI disease progression: Study

High-frequency ultrasound noninvasive tool for detecting peri-implant mucositis and PI disease progression suggests a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology.

A study was done to apply high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) echo intensity for characterizing peri-implant tissues at healthy and diseased sites and to investigate the possible ultrasonographic markers of health versus disease. Sixty patients presenting 60 implants diagnosed as healthy (N = 30) and peri-implantitis (N = 30) were assessed with HFUS. HFUS scans were imported into a software where first-order greyscale outcomes [i.e., mean echo intensity (EI)] and second-order greyscale outcomes were assessed. Other ultrasonographic outcomes of interest involved the vertical extension of the hypoechoic supracrestal area (HSA), soft-tissue area (STA) and buccal bone dehiscence (BBD), among others. Results: HFUS EI mean values obtained from peri-implant soft tissue at healthy and diseased sites were 122.9 ± 19.7 and 107.9 ± 24.7 grey levels (GL); p = .02, respectively. All the diseased sites showed the appearance of an HSA that was not present in healthy implants (area under the curve = 1). The proportion of HSA/STA was 37.9% ± 14.8%. Regression analysis showed that EI of the peri-implant soft tissue was significantly different between healthy and peri-implantitis sites. HFUS EI characterization of peri-implant tissues shows a significant difference between healthy and diseased sites. HFUS EI and the presence/absence of an HSA may be valid diagnostic ultrasonographic markers to discriminate peri-implant health status.

Reference:

Galarraga-Vinueza, M. E., Barootchi, S., Mancini, L., Sabri, H., Schwarz, F., Gallucci, G. O., & Tavelli, L. (2024). Echo-intensity characterization at implant sites and novel diagnostic ultrasonographic markers for peri-implantitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13976

Keywords:

High-frequency, ultrasound, noninvasive, tool, detecting, peri-implant, mucositis, PI disease progression, study, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, Galarraga-Vinueza, M. E., Barootchi, S., Mancini, L., Sabri, H., Schwarz, F., Gallucci, G. O., & Tavelli, L.

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Microarray patches safe and effective for vaccinating children: Lancet

The phase 1/2 randomized trial compared results from the measles and rubella vaccine delivered by a microarray patch, a small sticking plaster-like device with an array of microscopic projections that painlessly penetrate the skin and deliver the vaccine, or by conventional injection with a needle and syringe.

The trial, which involved 45 adults (18-40 years old), 120 toddlers (15-18 months old) and 120 infants (9-10 months old) in The Gambia, found giving the measles and rubella vaccine by a microarray patch induced an immune response that was as strong as the response when the vaccine was given by conventional injection.

Over 90% of infants were protected from measles and all infants were protected from rubella following a single dose of the vaccine given by the microarray patch. The measles and rubella vaccine used in the study has been given to many millions of children globally by conventional injection and is known to provide reliable protection.

The trial found no safety concerns with delivering the measles and rubella vaccine using a microarray patch.

The trial was led by researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The patch was developed and manufactured by Micron Biomedical Inc, who sponsored and supported all aspects of the trial. Funding came from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Results are published in The Lancet.

The researchers hope microarray patches could help to achieve the very high levels of population immunity required to control childhood diseases such as measles and rubella, with WHO recommending at least 95% two-dose measles vaccine coverage and rubella requiring 80% population immunity. Microarray patches have been determined to be the highest priority innovation for overcoming barriers to immunization in low-resource settings.

In low-resource settings microarray patches have several advantages over conventional vaccination technologies. They promise to be easier to transport and to eliminate, or vastly reduce, the need for cold storage (refrigeration) of vaccines, both major barriers to reaching remote areas across sub-Saharan Africa. Microarray patches also do not need to be administered by a medical professional and it is expected that volunteers would be able to give the vaccines after only brief training. Unlike conventional needles and syringes, the microarray patches do not risk ‘needlestick’ injuries which can transmit infections such as hepatitis and HIV.

In countries, such as the UK, which have well-resourced childhood vaccination programmes, but which have also experienced rapid increases in measles cases recently due to low immunization coverage, microarray patches could offer greater convenience and a pain-free alternative to conventional injections. The hope is that offering vaccinations in a patch could encourage more parents, particularly those in disadvantaged areas, to get their child vaccinated.

Professor Ed Clarke, a paediatrician who leads the Vaccines and Immunity Theme at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM and co-author, said: “Although it’s early days, these are extremely promising results which have generated a lot of excitement. They demonstrate for the first time that vaccines can be safely and effectively given to babies and young children using microarray patch technology. Measles vaccines are the highest priority for delivery using this approach but the delivery of other vaccines using microarray patches is also now realistic. Watch this space.”

Dr Ikechukwu Adigweme, from the Vaccines and Immunity Theme at MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM and co-author, said: “The positive results from this study are quite gratifying to us as a team. We hope this is an important step in the march towards greater vaccine equity among disadvantaged populations.”

The trial had several limitations. As it was the first trial to use microarray patches to deliver vaccine to children it had a small sample size and selected healthy adults, toddlers and infants. The researchers say larger trials of microarray patches are now being planned with broadly representative groups of children and infants to inform decisions about whether to recommend the patches for widespread use in childhood vaccination programmes.

Reference:

Ikechukwu Adigweme, Mohammed Yisa, Michael Ooko, Edem Akpalu, Andrew Bruce, A measles and rubella vaccine microneedle patch in The Gambia: a phase 1/2, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised, active-controlled, age de-escalation trial, The Lancet, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00532-4.

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Frail elderly patients undergoing risky surgery more prone to Complications and mortality, finds study

Frailty is a well-established predictor of complications and death after surgery. However, patients over 65 who undergo a high-risk operation in the emergency room are at significantly increased risk of postoperative complications and death in comparison to the same patients who are assessed solely on their level of frailty, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).

In the United States, the elderly population is expected to double within the next 35 years. Emergency surgery for this population is challenging surgeons to consider more factors in decision making and plan for the most appropriate postoperative recovery.

“We are seeing a lot more elderly patients in the emergency department with acute surgical problems that require a major operation. And the outcomes for these individuals, compared to younger patients, are much worse,” said study co-author Raul Coimbra, MD, PhD, FACS, surgeon-in-chief of the Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley, and a professor of surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, both in California. “We need to counsel patients and their families about all the risks they are incurring when patients undergo a major emergency operation and be transparent about what to expect afterwards. Sometimes, the family believes the patient will return home. But in fact, a significant number of patients who have major surgery end up in nursing homes or rehab facilities and never go home.”

The researchers hypothesized that for the elderly population, the level of procedure risk (high or low) has a stronger impact on adverse outcomes when measured alongside frailty, compared with frailty status alone. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP), researchers examined the records of elderly patients (over age 65) who had undergone an emergency surgical procedure between 2018 and 2020. ACS NSQIP is the leading nationally validated, risk-adjusted, outcomes-based program to measure and improve the quality of surgical care in hospitals.

For the analysis, patients were classified as not frail, frail, and severely frail and then grouped according to procedure risk level — low-risk operations and high-risk operations. High-risk procedures included open cholecystectomy, open colectomy, laparoscopic colectomy, small bowel resection, and perforated ulcer repair. Low-risk procedures included appendectomies and cholecystectomies.

They then evaluated five outcomes-30-day mortality, 30-day postoperative complications, failure to rescue, hospital readmission, and 30-day reoperation. The purpose was to identify the impact of surgical procedure type on outcomes among elderly patients.

Key Findings

  • Of the study’s 59,633 elderly patient sample, 29.3% were classified as non-frail, 66.4% as frail, and 4.3% as severely frail.
  • Of those patients, 25,157 were in the low-risk procedure group and 34,476 in the high-risk procedure group.
  • Frailty and procedure risk were both associated with increased risk of mortality, postoperative complications, failure to rescue, and readmissions. However, when patients were grouped according to procedure risk versus frailty alone, procedure risk proved to be a stronger link to adverse outcomes.
  • For example, non-frail patients undergoing high-risk emergency surgical procedures had a 7.1% mortality rate, while the mortality rate of low-risk procedures was 0.2%. In contrast, frail and severely frail patients undergoing high-risk procedures had mortality rates of 11.5% and 25.8%, whereas mortality rates after low-risk procedures were 1.0% and 4.1%, respectively.
  • Among non-frail patients, high-risk procedures accounted for a 4-fold increase in surgical complications compared to low-risk procedures. Similarly, high-risk procedures also accounted for a 4-fold increase in surgical complications among frail and severely frail patients.
  • The difference between high-risk and low-risk procedures was at least four times greater in every outcome measure compared to frailty status alone. For instance, undergoing a high-risk procedure led to an 8-fold increase in 30-day mortality. In contrast, being severely frail resulted in a 3-fold increase in death within 30 days.

“What we also learned in this study is that a very significant number of elderly patients are coming to the emergency room for a major operation, urgently. And the reason is because elderly patients may not seek surgical care early on, and surgeons often shy away from solving the problems electively,” Dr. Coimbra said. “The problem is that diseases don’t disappear. They stay and progress and advance until these patients end up in the emergency department requiring an emergency operation.”

For elderly patients, putting off minor surgery may be detrimental to their long-term health and quality of life. The study authors hope these results will help shape new thinking about treating elderly patients earlier and about having more informed discussions with patients and their families about what to expect following emergency general surgery.

“The message from our study is that elderly patients should undergo surgical treatment when they first present with their disease. It should not be put off until complications develop to the point where an emergency operation is needed. Because that emergency operation is the most significant risk for mortality and complications,” he adds.

A major limitation of the study is that it is a retrospective study. Another limitation is that frailty is classified retrospectively. A more standardized description of frailty might have impacted the study’s findings.

Reference:

Zakhary, Bishoy BA, MPHa; Coimbra, Bruno C BSa,b; Kwon, Junsik MDa,c; Allison-Aipa, Timothy PhDa; Firek, Matthew BSa; Coimbra, Raul MD, PhD, FACSa,d,e. Procedure Risk vs Frailty in Outcomes for Elderly Emergency General Surgery Patients: Results of a National Analysis. Journal of the American College of Surgeons ():10.1097/XCS.0000000000001079, April 25, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001079.

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Optimal Pain Management Strategy Unveiled in Total Hip Arthroplasty Study

In a significant stride towards refining postoperative pain management
strategies following total hip arthroplasty, the RECIPE trial has shed light on
an innovative drug combination that showcases promise in reducing morphine
consumption and minimizing adverse events. The trial concluded that for adults
undergoing total hip arthroplasty, the combination of paracetamol, ibuprofen,
and dexamethasone proved to be the most effective in reducing morphine
consumption within the first 24 hours after surgery.

The trial results were published in the journal The Lancet Rheumatology.

Also Read: Robotic-assisted surgery and navigation do not alter the risk of PJI after total hip replacement surgery

Total hip arthroplasty often necessitates multimodal postoperative
analgesia, yet the optimal drug combination has remained uncertain. Hence
researchers conducted a randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled trial at
nine Danish hospitals to investigate the relative benefits and potential harm
associated with different combinations of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and the
analgesic adjuvant dexamethasone in treating postoperative pain.


The Recipe trial was carried out between March 5, 2020, and Nov 15, 2022,
and a total of 1060 participants were enrolled in the trial. Adults scheduled
for total hip arthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive various
combinations of oral paracetamol 1000mg every 6h, oral ibuprofen 400 mg every 6
h, and a single dose of intravenous dexamethasone 24 mg. The primary outcome assessed was 24-hour intravenous morphine
consumption, with a predefined minimal important difference of 8 mg.


Findings:

  • The results, encompassing a modified intention-to-treat population of
    1043 participants, unveiled intriguing findings.

  • The combination of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and dexamethasone demonstrated
    the lowest 24-hour morphine consumption following surgery.

  • Although the differences did not reach the predefined minimal important
    threshold of 8 mg, the paracetamol plus ibuprofen plus dexamethasone group
    exhibited a significant reduction in morphine consumption compared to other
    combinations.


  • Moreover, the safety profile of this innovative drug combination proved
    to be highly favorable.

    Adverse events were reported in 35% of participants in the paracetamol
    plus ibuprofen plus dexamethasone group, showcasing a lower incidence compared
    to 38% in the ibuprofen plus dexamethasone group, 39% in the paracetamol plus
    dexamethasone group, and a higher incidence of 63% in the paracetamol plus
    ibuprofen group.


  • The adverse events primarily included differences in nausea, vomiting,
    and dizziness.
Also Read: High preoperative blood sugar may increase risk of periprosthetic joint infection after THA


This novel approach to postoperative analgesia holds promise in
revolutionizing pain management strategies for total hip arthroplasty patients.
The combination of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and dexamethasone not only
demonstrated efficacy in reducing morphine consumption but also exhibited a
safer adverse event profile, marking a significant advancement in optimizing
patient care.

As the medical community continues to
explore innovative solutions for postoperative pain relief, the RECIPE trial’s
findings provide a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse, offering a
potential paradigm shift in enhancing the recovery experience for individuals
undergoing total hip arthroplasty.Top
of Form

Further reading: Steiness J, Hägi-Pedersen D, Lunn TH, et al. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and dexamethasone for pain treatment after total hip arthroplasty: protocol for the randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel 4-group, blinded, multicentre RECIPE trial. BMJ Open. 2022;12(9):e058965. Published 2022 Sep 1. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058965

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Rajasthan’s 2nd year MBBS student booked for impersonating in NEET 2024 exam

Mumbai- A 2nd-year MBBS student has been booked for posing as another student during the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2024 exam. The student was caught after the biometrics did not match with the original student’s Aadhaar card.

After being exposed, the student was booked by the CBD Belapur police on the very day of the examination.

During the investigation, police found out that the 20-year-old girl was a second-year medical student pursuing an MBBS course from a medical college in Rajasthan. 

Also Read: Social media posts claiming NEET 2024 Paper Leak ‘Completely Baseless’: NTA issues clarification

The incident took place at DY Patil College in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai which was one of the centres for the NEET UG 2024 exam. The NEET UG 2024 exam was conducted on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm, therefore before the exam began after the college conducted frisking and biometric testing of the students. During the testing, one of the student’s biometrics and the adhaar card were found mismatched.

Then, the supervisor informed college administrator Dr Debjani Dasgupta about the mismatch. In a bid to prevent chaos, the administrator ordered the supervisor to allow the student to appear in the examination and also to keep a watch on the student during the exam.

After the exam was over, the student was asked to check the biometrics once again but still it was mismatched. After this, the administrator informed the police about the incident and then the police reached the college for investigation. Police then registered a case under sections of the IPC and the Maharashtra Prevention of Malpractices Act, University, Board and Other Specified Examinations Act, 1982.

Also Read: Incorrect distribution of NEET 2024 question paper, NTA allows 120 aspirants to reappear in exam, denies ‘paper-leak’ claims

Speaking to the HT, a police officer from CBD Belapur police station said “When confronted, the dummy student confessed, revealing that her father had lost his job, and they were in desperate need of money, which led her to agree to participate in the deception. We are investigating further to find the money involved in the deal and if she has done this before. Presently, the case is registered against the student who posed as the dummy. However, we intend to pursue charges against the original student as well”.

Meanwhile, the dummy student has been served a notice as per CrPC.

Also Read:MBBS student Booked for allegedly hurling abuses at Doon Hospital’s HoD Gynaecology over attendance issue

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Biological E Gets CDSCO Panel Nod for Continued Safety study of 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine

New Delhi: The drug major Biological E has got approval from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDCSO) to conduct the Phase IV clinical study of the 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (Adsorbed).

This came after Biological E presented the Phase IV clinical trial protocol titled “A Phase IV multicentre follow-up study to assess the continued safety of Biological E’s 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine in subjects, who received 3-dose (3+0) primary PCV vaccination as part of BECT051 and BECT061 studies”.

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine can prevent pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. These bacteria can cause many types of illnesses, including pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs.

Biological E’s PCV14 contains 14 serotypes (1, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F). Biological E’s PCV14 contains the largest number of serotypes in India and offers expanded protection against two new serotypes 22F and 33F. These new serotypes have been reported recently to be causing infections.

At the recent SEC meeting for vaccines held on 30th April 2024, the expert panel reviewed the Phase IV clinical trial protocol titled “A Phase IV multicentre follow-up study to assess the continued safety of Biological E’s 14-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine in subjects, who received 3-dose (3+0) primary PCV vaccination as part of BECT051 and BECT061 studies”.
After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended the grant of permission to conduct a Phase IV clinical trial as presented protocol.

Also Read:Justify Rationality of FDC Meropenem plus Sodium Carbonate plus Avibactam: CDSCO Panel Tells Akum Pharmaceutical

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Issue of pharma pricing control in Australia raised by India

New Delhi: The issue of pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia, especially on generic medicines has been raised by India, in a bilateral meeting held between the Indian and Australian officials.

The two sides have decided to work closely on timely resolution of market access issues, deepen people-to-people contacts, and create an institutional mechanism for sharing of preferential import data, the commerce ministry said on Saturday.

The bilateral trade between the countries declined 7.7 per cent to USD 24 billion in 2023-24 as against USD 26 billion in 2022-23.
These issues among others were discussed during the first Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) in Canberra under India-Australia Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA).
“Both the sides while acknowledging the smooth implementation of the ECTA, briefly elaborated on ECTA implementation issues including MRAs (mutual recognition agreements) on organic products, market access issues related to products like okra, pomegranate, grapes, cottage cheese…pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia particularly on generics, progress made by the working group on whisky and wine,” the ministry said.
The aim was to address regulatory challenges and promote trade of these products, it said adding setting up of disease-free zones for shrimps and prawns in India was also discussed.
It added that the JCM meeting addressed certain critical services issues, including the consideration of India’s request for facilitation of cross border e-payments and MRAs in professions like nursing and dentistry.
Discussions were also held at the chief negotiators level between Additional Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal and Assistant Secretary Ravi Kewalram from DFAT under India-Australia CECA (comprehensive economic cooperation agreement) negotiations to review the progress made after nine rounds and the way forward for its completion with a view to reaching at a balanced outcome.
“Australia is an important trading partner of India in the Oceania region with merchandise trade between India and Australia reaching around USD 24 billion in 2023-24, signalling significant potential for further growth,” it added.
The meeting serves as a platform to further strengthen trade ties and explore new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation, investment promotion, as well as cooperation in other areas including support for technology

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58-Year-Old Female Patient undergoes Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Clip Procedure at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals

New Delhi: Indraprastha Apollo Hospital has successfully performed a rare transcatheter mitral and tricuspid clip procedure, providing an alternative to open heart surgery for a 58-year-old female with severe mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation. 

This innovative procedure, conducted by Dr Vanita Arora, Senior Consultant, Cardiac Electrophysiologist & Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospital, along with a team of specialized doctors and nurses, resulted in a significant reduction in regurgitation and a rapid recovery for the patient, who was discharged in stable condition within 48 hours. 

The patient, had been experiencing palpitations for the past 2-3 years. She previously underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) in 2020. Despite the procedure, she continued to suffer from atrial fibrillation with fast ventricular response (AF with FVR), as well as symptoms of weakness, fatigue, and breathlessness.

Also Read:Indraprastha Apollo Hospital doctors perform complex Aortic surgery on 55-year-old man

Upon admission, the patient was diagnosed with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), along with an increase in the size of the left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA). Additionally, her left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had fallen to 35%, with mild dilation of the left ventricle. Given these conditions, the patient was presented with the option of open-heart surgery for mitral and tricuspid valve repair/replacement. However, she opted for the Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Clips.

During the procedure, the team of doctors, successfully reduced the mitral regurgitation from Grade IV to Grade I by placing the mitral clip in the 12-6 o’clock position. The tricuspid clip was then placed, reducing the tricuspid regurgitation from Grade IV to Grade I. Both procedures were guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy, ensuring precise placement of the clips.

The patient was discharged in stable condition 48 hours after the procedure, with a 2D echocardiogram showing both clips in place and regurgitation reduced to Grade I. This case demonstrates that carefully selected patients can benefit from this minimally invasive technique, allowing for quicker recovery times and reducing the need for open heart surgery.

Dr Vanita Arora, Senior Consultant, Cardiac Electrophysiologist & Interventional Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals said, “This patient, who presented with complex cardiac conditions, could have required open-heart surgery, but our minimally invasive approach using transcatheter clips provided a safer alternative. The use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and fluoroscopy ensured precise placement, resulting in a significant improvement in the patient’s condition and a faster recovery.

I am extremely proud of our team of Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons – Dr. Gautam Naik, Dr. Mukesh Goel, Dr. Rekha Mishra, Dr. Vikas Singh, Dr. Deepa Sarkar, Sr. Anu (Nursing Incharge), Sr. Pui B and Mr. Shyam, Head cath lab Technician, for their collaborative efforts in making this procedure a success. This case is a clear example of how teamwork and advanced technology can lead to innovative healthcare solutions, allowing patients to recover quickly without major surgery. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is committed to continuing this approach, offering effective treatments with minimal recovery times”

Also Read:Doctors at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital successfully treats 39-year-old woman suffering from polymyositis

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Postponing NEET SS 2024 would Compound Existing Challenges for Aspirants: Doctors Urge NMC to clarify on exam date

New Delhi: Taking up the concerns of the aspirants regarding the possible date for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Super Speciality (NEET-SS) 2024 examination, the doctors have now requested urgent clarification and action regarding the exam from the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Writing to NMC, doctors under the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA-JDN) referred to the communication by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) dated 23.02.2024, through which the PG Board of NMC had indicated the possibility of not conducting NEET-SS 2024 in the current year and postpone it to 2025.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the said communication came to light after NMC shared the minutes of the meeting dated 23.02.2024 while responding to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by social and political activist Dr. Vivek Pandey.

Filing the RTI, Dr. Pandey had sought the details of the NMC meeting when the decision to prepone the NEET PG 2024 was taken. The concerned meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Vijay Oza, President of PGMEB on 21.02.2024 at 4:00 PM through virtual mode to discuss the examination and counselling schedule for NEET PG 2024 and the pattern of examination for NEET SS.

Regarding the NEET SS 2024 exam date, the minutes of the meeting stated, “Regarding NEET SS-2024, it was decided that as admissions for academic year 2021 for MD/MS and DNB courses were held only a January to May 2022, therefore, NEET SS-2024 may not be conducted in the current year. However exact date of counselling NEET SS- 2024 in the year 2025 will be decided later.”

Also Read: NEET SS 2024 may not be held this year: NMC

Writing to NMC, IMA JDN referred to this communication and pointed out that it has “instigated widespread confusion and distress among NEET SS aspirants nationwide.”

The association opined that postponing the examination would derail the career trajectory of the aspirants and also create uncertainty and anxiety. “While cognizant of the complexities posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptive impact on the academic calendar, the decision to defer the NEET SS examination for the academic year 2024 carries profound ramifications for aspiring candidates. Such a postponement not only derails their career trajectory but also engenders considerable uncertainty and anxiety among them.” the association mentioned in the letter.

“As we represent the large number of young medicos community of India, we implore the National Medical Commission to reconsider its stance and proceed with the NEET SS-2024 examination as initially scheduled. Upholding the sanctity of the examination process is paramount to ensuring equitable opportunities for all eligible candidates,” it further added.

Opining that postponement of the exam “would only compound the existing challenges by medical aspirants, particularly against the backdrop of unprecedented circumstances precipitated by the pandemic”, the association requested NMC for its “urgent intervention” to “provide clarity and assurance to NEET SS aspirants nationwide.”

“We earnestly appeal for a swift and favorable resolution that underscores the principles of fairness and transparency in medical education,” the letter added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the National Convener of IMA-JDN, Dr. Indranil Deshmukh said, “Regarding NEET SS 2024, it was decided that as admissions for academic year 2021 for MD/MS and DNB courses were held only in January to May 2022( due to COVID), therefore, batch of 2021 is not eligible to give the exam for this year. So NEET SS 2024 may not be conducted in the current year. But those students who are from 2020 batch and above are also not able to give the exam who are preparing for the exam by leaving their jobs. That’s why IMA JDN has raised this concern.”

There was a lot of uncertainty and confusion regarding the dates of NEET SS exam this year ever since the National Board of Examinations (NBE) announced the tentative dates of its forthcoming examinations for this academic year. However, the exam calendar released by NBE did not include the dates for the NEET SS 2024 exam even though the tentative dates for NEET PG 2024, FMGE June 2024 etc exams were given.

Earlier, expressing concern over this, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra, and the Maharashtra Chapter of the IMA Junior Doctors’ Network had written to the NBE and demanded clarification and sought to know the expected date of conducting NEET SS 2024.

Then, the doctors under the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) also wrote to the NMC and sought clarity regarding the NEET SS exam date. The association opined that not holding NEET SS 2024 would result in a delay in their career progression and also cause them distress. “We understand the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent disruptions in the academic calendar. However, not conducting the NEET SS examination for the academic year 2024 would have profound implications for aspiring candidates. It would not only delay their career progression but also cause significant distress and uncertainty among them,” stated the letter.

Also Read: NEET SS 2024 this year or next year? Doctors Seek Clarity from NMC

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Childhood sedentariness linked to premature heart damage: Light physical activity reverses risk, study shows

An increase in sedentary time from childhood causes progressing heart enlargement, a new study shows. However, light physical activity could reduce the risk. The study was conducted in collaboration among the Universities of Bristol, Exeter and Eastern Finland, and the results were published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

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