Fire at Gynaecology ward of LLRM Medical College, no casualties reported

Meerut: A massive fire broke out in the operation theatre of the gynaecology ward of Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial (LLRM) Medical College in Meerut on Friday. No casualties were reported, police said.

The incident took place on Friday morning.

Upon receiving the information, six fire tenders and personnel rushed to the spot.

According to Chief Fire Officer Santosh Kumar, no casualties have been reported.

Also Read:Fire breaks out at Noida District Hospital, 25 patients shifted

“The incident took place this morning. 6 fire tenders and personnel rushed to the spot and the fire was completely doused. No casualties have been reported,” CFO Kumar said, news agency ANI reported.

As per a media report in the TOI, LLRM spokesperson Rahul Singh said,” There is no human casualty, but the hospital suffered a loss of around Rs 1 crore .”

Chief fire officer Santosh Kumar Rai told TOI, ”A short circuit in an AC installed in the operation theatre caused the fire. Prima facie, the hospital administration didn’t turn off the AC for a long time, which put a burden on the power cables around 6:30 am. On receiving information about the blaze, six fire tenders rushed to the hospital. It took one-and-a-half hours to bring the fire under control.”

Earlier, a fire broke out in a garbage dump on Mathura Road in Aligarh city of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night, district authorities said.

Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot to put out the blaze.

“A fire has broken out in a garbage dump. Three fire brigades reached the spot to bring the blaze under control,” City Magistrate Om Prakash said.

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NIMHANS bags WHO’s Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion

Bengaluru: In a major achievement, the premier National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has been conferred with the Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion, established by WHO in 2019, recognizes individuals, institutions and/or governmental or non-governmental organizations that have demonstrated remarkable contributions to health promotion.

Union Health Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated NIMHANS on being conferred with this award. He stated that it is “a recognition of India’s efforts in inclusive healthcare.”

Also Read:NIMHANS and Ashraya Hastha Trust sign MoU to implement mental health programme in two taluks

Further, Shri Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary expressed his happiness at the recognition of India’s efforts and pioneering work in the field of mental health and congratulated NIMHANS for this achievement.

“We are immensely proud to receive the prestigious Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion at this juncture of our institutional journey,” said Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS. “This award is not only a recognition of our past and present achievements but also a validation to the enduring legacy and vision that has guided NIMHANS since its inception. It reinforces our resolve to continue our mission of promoting mental health and well-being – making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve”, she stated.

The award is a testament to NIMHANS’ dedication and outstanding contributions to promoting mental health and well-being. NIMHANS has been at the forefront of mental health and neurosciences, championing innovative approaches to research, education, and patient care.

It has been instrumental in initiating and implementing avant-garde mental health programs that address the needs of diverse populations. Its efforts in integrating mental health care into general health care, developing community-based strategies, and pioneering digital health interventions have been recognized globally.

This accolade arrives at a particularly momentous time for NIMHANS, as the Institute celebrates 50 years of its formation and the 70th anniversary of its precursor, the All India Institute of Mental Health (AIIMH). As NIMHANS marks the dual milestone, the award holds special significance, highlighting the Institute’s rich legacy and continuous evolution in the field of mental health and neurosciences.

India has made major strides in the field of mental health in recent times. Mental Health Units are supported in almost all districts of the country today through the National Health Mission. India’s national tele mental health helpline, Tele MANAS, which was launched on 10th Oct 2022 also recently achieved the landmark of having handled 10 lakh calls.

Ms. Hekali Zhimomi, Addl. Secretary, Union Health Ministry and other senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.

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Tripura CM Saha visits Netaji Subhas State Homeopathic Hospital, Stresses importance of Homeopathy

Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha visited the Netaji Subhas State Homeopathic Hospital in Rentas Colony, Sadhutilla on Wednesday, underscoring the government’s dedication to enhancing healthcare services, particularly in the realm of alternative medicine.

During his visit, Dr Saha toured the hospital’s facilities, interacted with both medical staff and patients, and assessed the various services offered by the institution. The Chief Minister was accompanied by several high-ranking officials from the state health department, who provided insights into the hospital’s operations and plans.

In his address, Dr Saha emphasised the importance of homoeopathic medicine as a complementary approach to conventional treatments. “Homeopathy plays a crucial role in our healthcare system, offering alternative solutions for various ailments. Our government is committed to supporting and enhancing such institutions to ensure holistic healthcare for all,” he stated to ANI.

Also Read:World Homoeopathy Day 2024: Encouraging scientific rigor will increase people’s confidence in Homoeopathy

The Chief Minister also announced plans for further development of the hospital, including the introduction of new diagnostic equipment and the expansion of the outpatient department to accommodate the increasing number of patients seeking homeopathic treatment. He emphasized the state’s efforts to integrate traditional and modern medical practices to provide comprehensive care.

The Chief Minister’s visit was well-received by the hospital staff and patients, who expressed their gratitude for the government’s continued support. The visit also provided an opportunity for the hospital administration to present their challenges and seek assistance in improving their services.

As part of his tour, Dr Saha met with several patients undergoing treatment, listening to their experiences and feedback. The patients expressed satisfaction with the care they were receiving and appreciated the government’s focus on homoeopathic medicine, news agency ANI reported.

The Netaji Subhas State Homeopathic Hospital has been a cornerstone of alternative medicine in Tripura, serving thousands of patients annually. The Chief Minister’s visit is expected to bring renewed attention to the hospital’s needs and catalyze improvements that will benefit the community at large. This visit marks a significant step in the Tripura government’s ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure and ensure access to quality medical services for all residents.

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Increased boiled potato consumption may reduce risk of cardiovascular mortality, States study

A recent study published in the The Journal of Nutrition examined the long-term health impacts of potato consumption and discovered that potatoes may play a significant role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. This revelation is poised to influence the dietary guidelines in regions where potatoes are a dietary staple.

The Norwegian study spanned over three decades and was set out to clarify the unclear relationship between potato consumption and long-term health outcomes. This research involved the participants from three Norwegian counties who were invited to health screenings between 1974 and 1988. The attendance rate was impressive with over 80% participation.

This study gathered dietary data through semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires which effectively enabled them to categorize participants based on their weekly potato consumption, which was; people eating six or fewer potatoes, people consuming seven to thirteen potatoes and people with an intake of fourteen or more potatoes per week. The daily cumulative mean intakes were calculated in grams per day to assess the impact on mortality risk. The team utilized multivariable Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between potato consumption and deaths from all causes, CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

The study analyzed data from a total of 77,297 participants with a mean baseline age of 41.1 years. Over a median follow-up period of 33.5 years, there were close to 27,848 recorded deaths, including 9,072 due to CVD. The results revealed that the participants who consumed fourteen or more potatoes per week had a significantly reduced risk of all-cause death when compared to the participants who ate six or fewer potatoes weekly. Also, the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality in the highest consumption group was 0.88 (95% CI 0.84, 0.93) that indicated a 12% reduction in risk.

The increased potato consumption was associated with a modestly lower risk of death from CVD, IHD and AMI. Each additional 100 grams of potatoes consumed daily correlated with a 4% reduction in the risk of death from all causes (HR=0.96; 95% CI 0.94, 0.98), as well as from CVD (HR=0.96; 95% CI 0.93, 0.99), IHD (HR=0.96; 95% CI 0.91, 1.00) and AMI (HR=0.96; 95% CI 0.91, 1.01). Overall, this extensive study illuminates the potential health benefits of potatoes in diets dominated by boiled potatoes. The findings suggest that higher potato consumption is associated with a modest reduction in the risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular conditions.

Reference:

Arnesen, E. K., Laake, I., Carlsen, M. H., Veierød, M. B., & Retterstøl, K. (2024). Potato consumption and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality – a long-term follow-up of a Norwegian cohort. In The Journal of Nutrition. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.05.011

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Podiatrist care within 3 months of diabetic foot ulcer may reduce risk of amputation and death, suggests study

Podiatrist care within 3 months of diabetic foot ulcer may reduce the risk of amputation and death suggests a study published in the JAMA.

Patients with kidney failure have an increased risk of diabetes-related foot complications. The benefit of regular foot and ankle care in this at-risk population is unknown. A study was done to investigate foot and ankle care by podiatrists and the outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with kidney failure. This retrospective cohort study included Medicare beneficiaries with type 2 diabetes receiving dialysis who had a new DFU diagnosis. The analysis of the calendar year 2016 to 2019 data from the United States Renal Data System was performed on June 15, 2023, with subsequent updates on December 11, 2023. The outcomes were a composite of death and/or major amputation, as well as major amputation alone. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate 2 to 3 years of amputation-free survival. Foot and ankle care by podiatrists and the composite outcome was examined using inverse probability-weighted Cox regression, while competing risk regression models were used for the analysis of amputation alone.

Results Among the 14 935 adult patients with kidney failure and a new DFU (mean [SD] age, 59.3 [12.7] years; 35.4% aged ≥65 years; 8284 men [55.4%]; Asian, 2.7%; Black/African American, 35.0%; Hispanic, 17.7%; White, 58.5%), 18.4% (n = 2736) received care by podiatrists in the 3 months before index DFU diagnosis. These patients were older, more likely to be male, and have more comorbidities than those without prior podiatrist visits. Over a mean (SD) 13.5 (12.0)-month follow-up, 70% of those with podiatric care experienced death and/or major amputation, compared with 74% in the nonpodiatric group. Survival probabilities at 36 months were 26.3% vs 22.8% (P < .001, unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analysis).

In multivariate regression analysis, foot and ankle care was associated with an 11% lower likelihood of death and/or amputation (hazard ratio [HR], 0.89 95% CI, 0.84-0.93) and a 9% lower likelihood of major amputation (above or below knee) (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.99) than those who did not. The findings of this study suggest that patients with kidney failure at risk for DFUs who receive foot and ankle care from podiatrists may be associated with a reduced likelihood of diabetes-related amputations.

Reference:

Tan T, Caldwell B, Zhang Y, Kshirsagar O, Cotter DJ, Brewer TW. Foot and Ankle Care by Podiatrists and Amputations in Patients With Diabetes and Kidney Failure. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(3):e240801. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0801

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JIPMER invites proposals for Early-Career Research Grants, Details

Puducherry- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) has invited proposals for Early-Career Intramural Research Grants for Faculty.

Intending to elicit high-quality, innovative research ideas from young faculty members, JIPMER has informed that a call for this proposal will be issued every 3-6 months.

The proposals can be in areas related to basic, translational, and clinical research. These will be reviewed by a Scientific Committee, including external experts if necessary. The projects will be prioritised based on-

1 Scientific merit: novelty, clarity of objectives and methodological rigour.

2 Feasibility, including timelines and resources required.

3 Applicability (direct or indirect) to health issues in the region, and likelihood of leading to continued future extramural-funded research on the particular topic in the Institute.

4 Projects with collaboration across disciplines.

It is to be noted that, the number of projects to be approved is flexible. Proposals with higher priority ranking will be funded. Funds will be disbursed on an annual basis through SFACTS, initially upon ethics clearance, and for 2″ years after evaluation of the annual progress report and receipt of the statement of expenditure.

On this, an official circular by JIPMER has stated that Principal investigators (PIs) applying for these grants must be permanent faculty members at the Assistant Professor level at the time of application (Puducherry or Karaikal). Co-investigators can be from within the Institute or from other institutions.

Furthermore, each proposal can have a budget of up to Rs. 5 lakhs and a duration of up to 2 years. A PI is eligible to get only one grant during a particular iteration, with a maximum of two concurrent intramural grants (approved at different times) at any time. Major equipment (costing, over Rs 50.000 each) or staff are not permitted.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be emailed to the official website of JIPMER as mentioned in the circular by June 20, 2024, and should also include-

1 A one-page cover letter with a self-explanatory proposal title, outlining the relevance.

2 A research proposal with title, justification/background, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes (in free format with the above headings; up to 5 pages; single-spaced; font size 12 with inter-paragraph space and 1″ margin all around), and budget on a separate page.

3 A short CV of the PI and external co-investigators (max 2 pages: only qualifications, work experience, and details of up to 5 original research papers in Vancouver format).

4 For PI, a table listing all intramural/extramural grants over the last 5 years as PI (with project title, start/end dates, funding agency, and the amount sanctioned for the JIPMER centre) should be annexed.

However, proposals that were not funded in the previous cycle can also be submitted, with the suggested modifications, the circular lastly added.

To view the circular, click the link below

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Fortis Healthcare plans Rs 1300 Crore Investment for Hospital Expansion

New Delhi: Fortis Healthcare plans to invest up to Rs 1,300 crore in expanding capacities at its existing hospitals over the next few years, according to a senior company executive. The healthcare provider aims to add approximately 2,200 beds during this period.

“So, some of the capex has already been incurred in that (addition of bed capacity).

According to a PTI report,”Additional capex will be somewhere around Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,300 crore, which includes equipment also, everything put together,” Fortis Healthcare CFO Vivek Goyal said in an analyst call.

Also Read:Fortis Healthcare launches AI-powered ‘Adayu’ app for mental healthcare

He noted that the healthcare provider is looking to add bed capacity at various existing facilities, including hospitals in Faridabad and Anandpur Sahib.

“At Faridabad, there is space available, and we have planned to further expand..in regard to Anandpur, we have acquired a company with a different land parcel. So, we want to operationalise that also. Post expansion of these 100 beds, we will be adding maybe another 50 beds in the next financial year in that unit,” Goyal said.

At Shalimar Bagh, Fortis is building another tower in the adjacent plot and that should give us another 200-plus beds, he said.

“This is already included in our overall plan of expansion of 2,200 beds,” Goyal said.

The healthcare provider expects to commence its Manesar facility by the second quarter of this financial year.

“We will be opening initially 100 beds, and we will see how the ramp-up goes on,” Goyal said.

Fortis is adding 100 beds at a facility in Kolkata for which it has received all the approvals, news agency PTI reported.

Besides, the healthcare provider is expecting the OC (occupancy certificate) to come for the Bengaluru facility (BG Road) at the end of the second quarter of this fiscal, he added.

Fortis Healthcare currently has over 4,500 operational beds across 28 hospitals in the country.

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COVID-19 Infection During Pregnancy Associated with Lower risk of Long COVID, finds study

A recent study by the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative unveiled significant findings regarding the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), commonly known as Long COVID in pregnant women. The study published in the Lancet eClinicalMedicine analyzed electronic health records from 19 U.S. health systems and indicated that women who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy underwent a lower incidence of Long COVID when compared to those who were infected outside of pregnancy.

This retrospective cohort analysis focused on females aged 18 to 49 with lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between March 2020 and June 2022.  The research utilized data from the Patient-Centred Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) and identified pregnant women who delivered at gestation over 20 weeks. The primary outcome assessed was the development of PASC which was defined using a computable phenotype in the PCORnet dataset, occurring 30 to 180 days post-infection.

Out of 83,915 non-pregnant women who had contracted COVID-19, 33.9% developed PASC. In contrast, among the 5,397 women who were infected during pregnancy, only 25.5% experienced Long COVID symptoms. After adjusting for baseline differences using inverse probability of treatment weighting, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) indicated a 15% lower risk (aHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.80–0.91) of developing PASC in the pregnant group.

Despite the overall reduced risk of Long COVID, this study found that pregnant women had a higher likelihood of certain PASC-related conditions. These included abnormal heartbeat (aHR 1.67), abdominal pain (aHR 1.34) and thromboembolism (aHR 1.88). Also, they had a reduced risk of undergoing symptoms such as malaise (aHR 0.35), pharyngitis (aHR 0.36) and cognitive problems (aHR 0.39).

These findings provide pivotal insights for clinicians and pregnant individuals where the reduced risk of Long COVID among pregnant women may influence clinical advice and treatment plans for expectant mothers. However, the increased incidence of specific conditions like abnormal heartbeat and thromboembolism underlines the need for targeted monitoring and intervention.

The study emphasizes the importance of continued research into the long-term impacts of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. Future prospective studies are imperative to validate these findings and to explore the mechanisms underlying the differential risk of PASC in pregnancy.

Source:

Bruno, A. M., Zang, C., Xu, Z., Wang, F., Weiner, M. G., Guthe, N., Fitzgerald, M., Kaushal, R., Carton, T. W., & Metz, T. D. (2024). Association between acquiring SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: RECOVER electronic health record cohort analysis. In eClinicalMedicine (Vol. 73, p. 102654). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102654

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Study Reveals Link Between Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Myocardial Infarction Risk

UK: In a landmark study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, researchers have uncovered a crucial link between coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack. The findings offer critical insights into the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular (CV) events, potentially revolutionizing the prevention and treatment of heart disease.

In patients with recent MI and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity prognosticates individual coronary arteries and patients at risk for myocardial infarction, the study revealed.

“We observed a link between vessel-level coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity and subsequent vessel-level MI among heart attack survivors,” the researchers wrote.

Previous studies have shown that total coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity across the entire coronary arterial tree is associated with patient-level clinical outcomes. Kang-Ling Wang, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, and colleagues aimed to determine if vessel-level coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity is associated with vessel-level myocardial infarction.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a secondary analysis of an international multicenter study of patients with recent MI and multivessel coronary artery disease, in which they assessed vessel-level coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity using coronary 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography to identify vessel-level myocardial infarction.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • The researchers found increased 18F-sodium fluoride uptake in 679 of 2,094 coronary arteries and 414 of 691 patients.
  • Myocardial infarction occurred in 4% of vessels with increased coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity and 2% of vessels without increased coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity (HR: 2.08). This association was not demonstrable in those treated with coronary revascularization (HR: 1.02) but was notable in untreated vessels (HR: 3.86).
  • Increased coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity in multiple coronary arteries was associated with heightened patient-level risk of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (HR: 2.43) as well as first (HR: 2.19) and total (HR: 2.50) myocardial infarctions.

The implications of this research are profound, offering a paradigm shift in the approach to cardiovascular risk assessment and management. By incorporating assessments of coronary plaque activity into clinical practice, healthcare providers can identify individuals at heightened risk of myocardial infarction and tailor interventions to address underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Ultimately, this could lead to significant improvements in cardiovascular outcomes and a reduction in the burden of heart disease worldwide.

“These findings provide the foundations for strategies to individualize patient risk and enhance preventative treatment using coronary atherosclerotic plaque activity,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Wang, K., Balmforth, C., Meah, M. N., Daghem, M., Moss, A. J., Tzolos, E., Kwiecinski, J., Molek-Dziadosz, P., Craig, N., Bularga, A., Adamson, P. D., Dawson, D. K., Arumugam, P., Sabharwal, N. K., Greenwood, J. P., Townend, J. N., Calvert, P. A., Rudd, J. H., Verjans, J. W., . . . Newby, D. E. (2024). Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque Activity and Risk of Myocardial Infarction. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 83(22), 2135-2144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.419

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Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces hyperuricemia risk: PLOS ONE

A recent study published in the Public Library of Science highlighted the complex relationship between physical activity and hyperuricemia (HUA) which is a condition characterized by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, which is a precursor to gout. While the relationship between physical activity and HUA has been inconsistent in past studies, this research was carried out to clarify the dose-response association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and HUA by offering insights into optimal activity levels for prevention.

The study utilized data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanned from 2007 to 2018 and included a robust sample of 28,740 non-gout adult Americans. The participants self-reported their physical activity levels using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, while their serum uric acid levels were measured using a timed endpoint method. This study applied restricted cubic spline analysis to model the dose-response relationship between MVPA and HUA. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationships between different MVPA levels and HUA risk.

The analysis revealed a U-shaped relationship between MVPA levels and the risk of HUA. Also, the participants with MVPA levels between 933 and 3423 metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes per week expressed a lower risk of developing HUA. Within this range, the risk was lowest at approximately 1556 MET-minutes per week. Further, the individuals with low activity levels (< 600 MET-minutes per week) had a higher risk of HUA, with an OR of 1.13 (95% CI, 1.02–1.26) when compared to the moderate activity group (600–2999 MET-minutes per week).

These findings suggest that maintaining a certain level of physical activity could be beneficial in preventing hyperuricemia. Also, engaging in MVPA within the range of 933 to 3423 MET-minutes per week appears to be optimal, with the lowest risk of HUA observed around 1556 MET-minutes per week. This translates to approximately 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, which aligns with the general physical activity guidelines for adults.

The U-shaped curve indicates that both insufficient and excessive physical activity could be associated with higher risks of HUA that highlights the importance of a balanced approach to exercise. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the prevention of hyperuricemia through physical activity. For individuals who want to reduce their risk of HUA, engaging in moderate levels of physical activity appears to be key.

Source:

Zeng, X., Huang, J., Shen, T., Xu, Y., Yan, X., Li, Q., Li, Y., Xing, X., Chen, Q., & Yang, W. (2024). Nonlinear dose-response association of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with hyperuricemia in US adults: NHANES 2007–2018. In Y. Nishida (Ed.), PLOS ONE (Vol. 19, Issue 5, p. e0302410). Public Library of Science (PLoS). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302410

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