The Lancet: Addressing 14 Factors may Cut Dementia Incidence by Nearly Half

Addressing 14 modifiable risk factors, starting in childhood and continuing throughout life, could prevent or delay nearly half of dementia cases, even as people around the world live longer and the number of people with dementia is set to rise dramatically in all countries, according to the third Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention, and care, which is being presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC 2024).

Based on the latest available evidence, the new report adds two new risk factors that are associated with 9% of all dementia cases-with an estimated 7% of cases attributable to high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol in midlife from around age 40 years, and 2% of cases attributable to untreated vision loss in later life.

These new risk factors are in addition to 12 risk factors previously identified by the Lancet Commission in 2020 (lower levels of education, hearing impairment, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury [TBI], air pollution and social isolation), which are linked with 40% of all dementia cases.

The new report estimates that the risk factors associated with the greatest proportion of people developing dementia in the global population are hearing impairment and high LDL cholesterol (7% each), along with less education in early life and social isolation in later life (5% each).

The Commission, authored by 27 world-leading dementia experts, calls for governments and individuals to be ambitious about tackling risks across the life course for dementia, arguing that the earlier we can address and reduce risk factor levels, the better. The report outlines a new set of policy and lifestyle changes to help prevent and better manage dementia.

More action needed worldwide to reduce dementia risks

Because of the rapidly ageing population around the world, the number of people living with dementia is expected to almost triple by 2050, rising from 57 million in 2019 to 153 million. Increasing life expectancy is also driving a surge in people with dementia in low-income countries. Global health and social costs related to dementia are estimated at over $1 trillion every year.

However, in some high-income countries, including the USA and UK, the proportion of older people with dementia has fallen, particularly among those in socio-economically advantaged areas. The report authors say that this decline in people developing dementia is probably in part due to building cognitive and physical resilience over the life course and less vascular damage as a result of improvements in healthcare and lifestyle changes, demonstrating the importance of implementing prevention approaches as early as possible.

Nevertheless, most national dementia plans do not make specific recommendations about diversity, equity, or inclusion of people from underserved cultures and ethnicities who are disproportionately affected by dementia risks.

“Our new report reveals that there is much more that can and should be done to reduce the risk of dementia. It’s never too early or too late to take action, with opportunities to make an impact at any stage of life”, says lead author Professor Gill Livingston from University College London, UK. “We now have stronger evidence that longer exposure to risk has a greater effect and that risks act more strongly in people who are vulnerable. That’s why it is vital that we redouble preventive efforts towards those who need them most, including those in low- and middle-income countries and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Governments must reduce risk inequalities by making healthy lifestyles as achievable as possible for everyone.”

To reduce dementia risk throughout life, the Commission outlines 13 recommendations to be adopted by governments and individuals, including (see key messages on page 2 of the report for the full list):

• Provide all children with good quality education and be cognitively active in midlife.

• Make hearing aids available for all those with hearing loss and reduce harmful noise exposure.

• Detect and treat high LDL cholesterol in midlife from around age 40 years.

• Make screening and treatment for vision impairment accessible for all.

• Treat depression effectively.

• Wear helmets and head protection in contact sports and on bikes.

• Prioritise supportive community environments and housing to increase social contact.

• Reduce exposure to air pollution through strict clean air policies.

• Expand measures to reduce smoking, such as price control, raising the minimum age of purchase, and smoking bans.

• Reduce sugar and salt content in food sold in stores and restaurants.

These actions are especially important given new evidence which shows that reducing the risks of dementia not only increases years of healthy life but also reduces the time people who develop dementia spend in ill health.

As Professor Livingston explains, “Healthy lifestyles that involve regular exercise, not smoking, cognitive activity in midlife (including outside formal education) and avoiding excess alcohol can not only lower dementia risk but may also push back dementia onset. So, if people do develop dementia, they are likely to live less years with it. This has huge quality of life implications for individuals as well as cost-saving benefits for societies.”

England could achieve cost savings of around £4 billion

In a separate study publishing in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal alongside the Commission, Professor Livingston, lead author Naaheed Mukadam, and co-authors modelled the economic impact of implementing some of these recommendations, using England as an example. The study’s findings suggest that using population-level interventions of known effectiveness to tackle dementia risk factors of excess alcohol use (more than 21 units per week), brain injury, air pollution, smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure could achieve cost savings of more than £4 billion and over 70,000 quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gains (one QALY equates to a year of life in perfect health). The authors stress that potential benefits may be even greater in low- and middle-income countries and any country where population-level interventions such as public smoking bans and compulsory education are not already in place.

“Given the much higher burden of dementia risk factors in low- and middle-income countries with the expected rise in dementia over the next few decades from rapid population aging and increased rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, we need urgent policy-based preventative approaches that will have huge potential benefits far in excess of the costs”, says report co-author Dr Cleusa Ferri from Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo and Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Sao Paulo Brazil.

Commission co-author Dr Naaheed Mukadam of University College London adds, “Prioritising population-level approaches that improve primary prevention (eg, reducing salt and sugar intake) and effective health care for conditions like obesity and high blood pressure, restricting smoking and air pollution, and enabling all children to gain a good education, could have a profound effect on dementia prevalence and inequalities, as well as significant cost savings.”

Prioritising advances in research and support for people living with dementia

The report also discusses the hopeful advances in blood biomarkers and the Anti-amyloid β antibodies for Alzheimer’s disease. The authors explain that blood biomarkers are a significant move forward for people with dementia, potentially increasing scalability and decreasing the intrusiveness and the cost of testing for accurate diagnosis. While there are promising clinical trials, the report authors caution that Anti-amyloid β antibody treatments are new, without long-term data available, and call for more research and expanded transparency about the short and long-term side effects.

Finally, the report calls for more support for people living with dementia and their families. The authors stress that in many countries, effective interventions known to benefit people with dementia are still not available or a priority, including activity interventions that provide enjoyment and reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms and cholinesterase inhibitors for slowing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. Similarly, many carers’ needs are unevaluated and unmet. They recommend providing multi-component coping interventions for family caregivers who are at risk of depression and anxiety, including providing emotional support, planning for the future, and information on medical and community-based resources.

The authors note that while nearly all the evidence for dementia still comes from high-income countries, there is now more evidence and interventions from LMICs, but interventions usually need to be modified to best support different cultures, beliefs, and environments. They also point out that the prevention estimates assume there is a causal relationship between risk factors and dementia, and while they were careful to only include risk factors with convincing evidence, they note that some associations may only be partly causal. For example, while unremitting depression in midlife may be causal, depression in late life may be caused by dementia. Finally, they note that this risk modification affects the population, and does not guarantee that any individual will avoid dementia.

Reference:

Prof Gill Livingston, Jonathan Huntley, Kathy Y Liu, Prof Sergi G Costafreda, Prof Geir Selbæk, Prof Suvarna Alladi, Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission, The Lancet, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0.

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Dezocine PCEA Effectivey controls Pain and Improves Patient Outcomes in Total Myomectomy, study finds

China: A recent study has shown the effectiveness of dezocine in patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) in controlling pain associated with total myomectomy, has less impact on patients’ sleep, and reduces the negative impact of stress factors, leading to fewer adverse effects. The findings were published online in the World Journal of Clinical Cases.

Uterine fibroids are frequently occurring benign gynecological conditions. Treatment typically involves medication for patients experiencing excessive menstruation, anemia, and pressure symptoms. In severe cases, a total hysterectomy may be necessary, although this procedure is invasive and can lead to significant postoperative pain. This discomfort may impact the patient’s sleep quality after surgery, affecting the overall recovery process.

Patient-controlled epidural analgesia is a widely used method for self-administered pain relief, typically employing low concentrations of opioid analgesics. Morphine is currently the predominant choice due to its effective pain management capabilities. However, it can induce side effects such as nausea and vomiting, especially in patients undergoing total hysterectomy, possibly due to hormonal and endocrine factors. Dezocine, a phenylmorphanolane derivative, exhibits analgesic effects that correlate closely with dosage. Comparative studies evaluating equivalent analgesic doses of sufentanil, fentanyl, and dezocine have demonstrated that dezocine offers a better safety profile with less impact on consciousness levels and fewer adverse reactions.

Against the above background, Feng-Feng Ning, Department of Anesthesiology, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-care Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China, and colleagues aimed to evaluate dezocine in patient-controlled epidural analgesia use for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing total myomectomy.

For this purpose, they selected 100 patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy for uterine fibroids. They randomized them into two groups; a control group received 0.2% ropivacaine plus 0.06 mg/mL of morphine, and an observation group received 0.2% ropivacaine plus 0.3 mg/mL of diazoxide in their PCEA. Outcomes evaluated included pain levels, recovery indices, sedation, stress factors, PCEA usage, and sleep quality.

The following were the key findings of the study:

  • The observation group showed lower visual analog scale scores, shorter postoperative recovery indices, fewer mean PCEA compressions, lower cortisol, and blood glucose levels, and better polysomnographic parameters than the control group.
  • The cumulative incidence of adverse reactions was lower in the observation group than in the control group.

The researchers conclude, “We explored the effectiveness of dezocine PCEA in pain management following total hysterectomy. Initial findings suggest that dezocine PCEA effectively alleviates post-procedural pain, mitigates the impact of stress factors, enhances sleep quality among patients, and reduces the incidence of adverse reactions. These outcomes offer significant implications for clinical anesthesia practices.”

Reference:

Ning, Feng-Feng, et al. “Application of Dezocine Patient-controlled Epidural Analgesia in Postoperative Analgesia in Patients With Total Myomectomy.” World Journal of Clinical Cases, vol. 12, no. 20, 2024, pp. 4265-4271.

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Treatment for Recurrent Uterine Cancer Advances to Next Research Phase

The latest trial of a new antibody drug that delivers potent chemotherapy directly to cancer cells for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer moves ahead to be studied further in a phase III trial.

Results of the phase II study led by Yale Cancer Center (YCC) researchers at Yale School of Medicine looked at the antibody drug conjugate sacituzumab govitecan (SG)-also known as Trodelvy.

The study’s results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The trial was sponsored by Gilead Sciences, Inc.

The findings are hopeful for patients with endometrial cancer (a type of uterine cancer), which is the most common gynecological cancer and the sixth most common cancer in women globally, with over 417,000 new cases and 97,000 deaths reported in 2020. When the combination first-line treatment for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer fails, there are currently few options.

“This is the first publication demonstrating the clinical activity of Trodelvy in uterine cancer,” said the study’s first author Alessandro Santin, MD, professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine and clinical research team leader for Gynecological Oncology at Yale Cancer Center. “In collaboration with Immunomedics and more recently Gilead investigators, I have been working with this antibody drug conjugate in my lab since the beginning of its development. This is a major ‘bench-to-bedside’ accomplishment for uterine cancer patients.”

SG is also being explored for its usefulness in delivering chemotherapy into the cancer cells of multiple types of metastatic solid tumors.

In the TROPiCS-03 phase II basket study (a study that looks at drug effectiveness in patients who have different cancers, but share the same biomarker), patients received 10 milligrams per kilogram of SG on day one and day eight of a 21-day cycle. In a heavily pretreated population (that is, patients had already received multiple rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy) with advanced, recurrent endometrial cancer, 22% responded to the treatment. Researchers reported that 61% of patients had a reduction in target lesions (22% of the patients fulfilled the criteria of partial response which was a 30% or more decrease in the size of the tumor). In patients that responded to the treatment, cancers remained stable for an average of 8.8 months without progressing.

As the trial continues, 29% of patients are still on treatment. No safety concerns were identified in the trial, and patients experienced manageable side effects such as fatigue and nausea.

Dr. Santin said the results of this trial, TROPiCS-03, mean researchers will be able to move forward to a phase III trial.

Reference:

Alessandro D. Santin, Bradley R. Corr, Alexander Spira, Lyndsay Willmott, James Butrynski, Ka Yu Tse, Jilpa Patel, Sabeen Mekan, Tia Wu, Kai-Wen Lin, Peiwen Kuo, and Ecaterina E. Dumbrava, Efficacy and Safety of Sacituzumab Govitecan in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors (TROPiCS-03): Analysis in Patients With Advanced Endometrial Cancer, Journal of Clinical Oncology, https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.23.02767.

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No Systemic Breach in NEET 2024! says Supreme Court, Slams NTA for ‘Flip-flops’ in Exam

New Delhi: Pronouncing its detailed order on the pleas concerning the National Eligibility-and-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination, the Supreme Court has said that it did not cancel the UG medical entrance examination amid concerns of the paper leak because there was no systemic breach of its sanctity. 

“…the various issues discussed until now do not lead to the conclusion that the integrity of the NEET was vitiated at a systemic level,” observed the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manij Misra.

Although the top court bench upheld the NEET UG 2024 exam, held on May 5, 2024, it also criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA), the authority in charge of conducting the NEET exam, saying that the agency must stop its flip-flops in holding the examination that was noticed this year.

“A body such as NTA which is entrusted with immense responsibility in relation to highly important competitive exams cannot afford to misstep, take an incorrect decision, and amend it at a later stage. All decisions must be well-considered, with due regard to the importance of the decision. Flipflops are an anathema to fairness,” observed the bench.

“…the manner in which NTA has organised the exam this year gives rise to serious concerns. The Court is cognizant of the fact that national-level exams with participation from tens of lakhs of students require immense resources, coordination, and planning. But that is precisely the reason for the existence of a body such as NTA. It is no excuse to say that the exam is conducted in myriad centres or that a large number of aspirants appear for the exam. NTA has sufficient resources at its disposal. It has adequate funding, time, and opportunities to organise exams such as the NEET without lapses of the kind that occurred this year,” it further noted.

While making these observations, the Apex Court referred to multiple occurrences in the conduct of the exam and highlighted the lapses made by NTA.

Security Lapses: 

It pointed out that the paper was leaked in Patna and Hazaribagh and in one of the centres, the rear door of the strongroom was opened and unauthorised persons were admitted to access the question papers. In this regard, the bench noted, “This indicates that there is a serious lapse in security and that security measures which are stringent and effective must be implemented by NTA.”

Further, the bench took note of the fact that the question papers were sometimes transported in e-richshaws and the services of private courier companies were available. Referring to the arguments made by the petitioners’ counsel Advocate Hooda, the Court noted that NTA did not specify a time by which the OMR sheets were required to be sealed after the conclusion of the exam.

“In the absence of a stipulation in this regard, dishonest persons may tamper with the OMR sheets even after the candidates have submitted them and exited the exam hall,” the bench observed.

“Another point of concern is that NTA relies on persons over whom it does not exercise direct oversight to be the invigilators for the exam. There are various methods which may be adopted to ensure appropriate oversight over invigilators and decrease the likelihood of the use of unfair means. All of these issues indicate that the security protocols must be tightened to decrease the possibility of malpractice and fraud and to lessen access by private persons to the question papers,” it further noted.

The Court also took note of the fact that in at least twelve centres, the question paper stored in Canara Bank was wrongly distributed to candidates. It also noted that in many centres, aspirants completed the incorrect question paper and were ultimately evaluated while in others, the relevant authorities realised the mistake and then distributed the correct question paper.

“This either indicates that the city coordinators were irresponsible and not fit for duty or that the information as to which question paper was to be distributed to candidates was not properly communicated to them. Certainly, neither Canara Bank nor SBI appear to have been notified as to whether the papers in their custody were to be released. As long as the city coordinators furnished proof of authorisation, the papers were released without question. The custodian banks have to be informed as to whether they should release the question papers in their possession. Had the custodian banks been informed whether or not to release the papers in their possession, the city coordinators would have been unable to collect the incorrect set of question papers, even if they made an honest mistake. NTA must consider the various possibilities and plan the protocol to be followed after careful consideration,” observed the Court.

“The use of mobile applications to communicate with the relevant parties would permit real-time communication and allow NTA to inform the banks even a few minutes before the time at which the city coordinator was authorised to collect the papers. This would ensure that no unscrupulous persons from the custodian banks can take advantage of the information made available to them. NTA already uses a mobile application to communicate with the city coordinators and others so it would not be difficult to communicate with the custodian banks. Other modes of communication may be explored and adopted, as long as the custodian banks are informed whether to release the papers they have stored for safekeeping,” the top court bench opined.

Multiple Number of Toppers: 

The Court highlighted that when the results were released, it appeared that sixty-seven aspirants had scored a perfect score of 720/720. After the removal of compensatory marks and conduct of re-test for 1563 candidates, there were 61 toppers. Subsequently, the court was informed that forty-four of the sixty-one top scorers had marked the incorrect option to the question in controversy. 

“It is a matter of serious concern that this number fell from sixty-seven to seventeen during the course of the hearing. The intervention of the Court, reports by the media, and representations by candidates ensured that these changes were made in the interests of fairness and justice. However, the system adopted by NTA should be such that just outcomes are reached even when these external catalysts are not present. The system must be such as to inspire public confidence,” observed the Court.

Grace Marks Issue: 

Another aspect that the Court highlighted was the issue of grace marks granted to 1563 candidates as compensation for loss of time. In this regard, the bench noted that a committee constituted by NTA first recommended that the compensatory marks be awarded.

“However, as the controversy surrounding the award of these marks became more prominent, a second committee was constituted. This committee recommended the cancellation of compensatory marks and the conduct of a re-exam in their place for those students. A body such as NTA which is entrusted with immense responsibility in relation to highly important competitive exams cannot afford to misstep, take an incorrect decision, and amend it at a later stage. All decisions must be well-considered, with due regard to the importance of the decision. Flipflops are an anathema to fairness,” observed the Court.

“NTA is directed to ensure that all the concerns highlighted by the Court in this judgment are addressed. The committee constituted by the Union Government is also requested to keep these issues in mind while formulating its recommendations,” the bench ordered.

Supreme Court’s Directions to the Expert Committee: 

The Apex Court bench has also given some additional directions to the expert committee, which was constituted by the Union Government on June 22 to examine the measures to ensure that the exam process is robust. 

Examination Security and Administration:

In the judgment, the Court has directed the Committee to

(1) evaluate and recommend reforms in the mechanism of administration of the exam. 

(2) formulate standard operating procedures which set out the timelines for registration, changes to preferred cities, the sealing of OMR sheets once candidates submit them to the invigilator, and other processes related to the conduct of the exam.

(3) review the process by which exam centres are currently allotted to candidates and recommend any changes which may be required in the interests of fairness and transparency. 

(4) recommend stricter procedures for verifying candidate identities. “Such processes may include, but are not limited to, enhanced identity checks at various stages of the exam (such as registration, entry to the exam centre, and before the commencement of the exam) and technological innovations to prevent impersonation. All procedures should comply with laws on privacy,” ordered the court.

(5) consider the viability of comprehensive CCTV surveillance systems at all examination centers, including real-time monitoring and recording of all activities. 

(6) review and suggest enhancements for the processes for the setting, printing, transportation, storage, and handling of question papers. 

(7) consider the viability of conducting regular audits and surprise inspections of examination centres. 

(8) recommend the development of a robust grievance redressal mechanism.

Data Security and Technological Enhancements:

Regarding data security issues, the Court asked the Committee to-

(1) research and suggest advanced data security protocols, including encryption and secure data transmission methods

(2) recommend systems to monitor and track digital footprints related to the examination materials.

(3) consider how regularly cybersecurity audits and vulnerability assessments must be conducted to identify and address potential weaknesses in the electronic dissemination and storage systems.

(4) explore technological innovations to enhance examination security and efficiency.

Policy and Stakeholder Engagement:

In respect to the policy and stakeholder engagement, the court directed the committee to-

(1) review and recommend updates to the policies and SOPs of NTA to align with best practices, ensuring that the agency is equipped to handle evolving challenges in examination security

(2) establish a transparent communication strategy to keep all stakeholders, including candidates, educational institutions, and the public, informed about the measures being taken to ensure the integrity and fairness of the examination process as well as of the response of NTA to any malpractice which is identified

(3) recommend the implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy to keep all stakeholders involved in the process — including banks, examination centres, and logistical partners — well-informed.

(4) recommend measures to address and mitigate any socioeconomic disparities that may affect candidates’ ability to participate in or benefit from the examination process.

Collaboration and International Cooperation:

Regarding collaboration and international cooperation, the committee has been directed by the Court to-

(1) consider the viability of NTA engaging in international cooperation with examination bodies and educational authorities from other countries to share best practices, security measures, and innovative solutions

(2) suggest the creation of a management framework to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks related to examination security.

Support and Training:

The court asked the committee to- 

(1) Recommend plans or strategies for the development and implementation of mental health support programs for students, including counselling services and stress management workshops.

(2) Consider the viability of NTA conducting comprehensive training programs for all staff involved in the examination process (including but not limited to question paper setters, invigilators, and administrative personnel).

Asking the Committee to submit its recommendations by 30.09.2024, the Court ordered, “The Ministry of Education constituted the committee by a notification dated 22 June 2024. The notification stated that the report of the committee shall be submitted within two months from the date of the issue of the notification. This would be 22 August 2024. However, in view of the expanded remit of the committee in terms of this judgment, additional time may be required for a holistic report on various aspects related to the conduct of the NEET. Therefore, the report of the committee shall be submitted to the Ministry of Education by 30 September 2024. The Ministry of Education shall take a decision on the recommendations made by the committee within a period of one month from receiving the report. It shall prepare and begin to implement a plan of action on this basis. The Ministry of Education shall report compliance with these directions within two weeks of taking the decision on the implementation of the recommendations.”

To view the full judgment, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/supreme-court-neet-246038.pdf

Also Read: Breaking News: Supreme Court junks Pleas Seeking Re-NEET

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Akums Drugs and Pharma Gets CDSCO Panel Nod to study Aceclofenac plus Drotaverine Hydrochloride tablet

New Delhi: The drug major Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals has got approval from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct the active post-marketing surveillance (PMS) studies of the fixed-dose combination (FDC) Aceclofenac plus Drotaverine Hydrochloride 80 mg tablet.

This came after Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals presented the proposal along with the active post-marketing surveillance (PMS) protocol before the committee.

Drotaverine plus Aceclofenac is a combination of two medicines: Drotaverine and Aceclofenac, which relieve abdominal pain and cramps. Drotaverine is an anti-spasmodic medicine that relieves contractions (spasms) associated with smooth muscles in the abdomen. Aceclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking the release of certain chemical messengers that cause abdominal pain and inflammation (swelling).

Aceclofenac, a phenylacetic acid derivative, is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It shares structural similarities with another NSAID, diclofenac. The drug was designed to improve tolerance and bioavailability. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. Aceclofenac is indicated for the relief of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Drotaverine is a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor used to alleviate gastrointestinal and genitourinary smooth muscle spasms. Drotaverine is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), which is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Inhibition of PDE4 leads to elevated levels of cAMP, leading to smooth muscle relaxation.

At the recent SEC meeting for reproductive held on July 4, 2024, the expert panel reviewed the proposal presented by the drug major Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals along with the active post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study protocol before the committee.

After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended conducting the Active PMS study.

In addition, the expert panel suggested that the result of the study should be submitted to CDSCO for review by the committee.

Also Read:CDSCO Panel Approves AstraZeneca’s Protocol Amendment Proposal to Study anti-cancer Drug Capivasertib

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Gynaecologist refuses to examine, woman dies at Uri Hospital; Inquiry ordered

Uri: Government doctors including a Gynaecologist at a Sub-district hospital in Uri have been accused of medical negligence following the death of a woman patient in Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.   

The deceased woman’s husband held the doctors responsible for his wife’s passing claiming that the on-duty gynaecologist when approached by him refused to examine her wife even after being informed of the seriousness of her condition.     

Also read- Denied treatment, 10-year-old boy dies at Chhattisgarh Hospital; Drunk doctor faces suspension

As per a Brighter Kashmir news report, the woman was admitted to the SDH Uri on July 18 and reportedly underwent ligation surgery. The next day she was discharged from the hospital. The husband claimed that her wife’s health worsened in the next few days following her discharge.  

On July 29, he brought his wife back to the hospital but the gynaecologist refused to treat her and she was eventually transferred to Baramulla by another doctor at the hospital. However, the woman died after reaching the hospital at Baramulla.  

Speaking to the media about the incident, the deceased husband said, “After some days, my wife’s health worsened, and her feet began to swell. On July 29, I brought my wife back to Uri Hospital in the evening. The gynaecologist on duty refused to examine her, despite explaining the severity of her condition.”  

Accusing the doctors of medical negligence, he appealed to the authorities for an inquiry into the matter.   

In response to this, the state health department on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the death of the woman. Block Medical Officer (BMO) Uri, Balvinder Singh said, “An inquiry team has been constituted to investigate the incident. Legal action would be taken against anyone found guilty.”   

Also read- Death of patient at Neyyattinkara General Hospital: IMA seeks probe into negligence allegations

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MBBS seats breakup in India revealed by Health Ministry

Among the 1,12,112 MBBS seats available in 731 colleges across the country, Karnataka has the maximum number of MBBS seats i.e. 12,345 MBBS seats, revealed the data shared by the Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda before the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of medical colleges i.e. 77 medical colleges followed by Karnataka (which has 73 medical colleges) Uttar Pradesh (which has 72 medical colleges) and Maharashtra (which has 70 medical colleges).
For more information, click on the link below:

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Health Bulletin 02/ August/ 2024

Here are the top health stories for the day:

AIIMS Rajkot launches rapid Zika Virus testing with 24-hour results

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot, Gujarat, has been recognized as a facility for Zika virus screening, reducing the need to send swab samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, Maharashtra, an official said on Wednesday.

According to a PTI report, “Our centre has been recognised for the screening of Zika virus (by Indian Council of Medical Research). We have received kits from the NIV, and are going to begin the tests very soon,” said Ashwini Agarwal, professor and head of the department of microbiology at AIIMS Rajkot.

For more information, click on the link below:

AIIMS Rajkot Launches Rapid Zika Virus Testing with 24-Hour Results


Chaos over NEET PG 2024: Candidates express frustration with exam center assignments on social media

The NEET PG 2024 aspirants are upset over the exam cities allotted to them by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

Taking to social media platform ‘X’, candidates have alleged that they have been allotted centers at faraway locations and those centers were allegedly last on their preference list.

For more information, click on the link below:

What a Mess: NEET PG 2024 Candidates take to social media to resenting Exam Center Allocations

Mass transfer of teachers to new medical colleges: State governments move to secure NMC approvals

After the recent directives issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC) seeking faculty details and also the Commission’s clarification regarding the final decision on the new medical colleges, State governments across the country have started transferring faculties to the new medical colleges.

TOI has reported that recently the Medical Education Division of the Rajasthan Government transferred more than 80 faculty from over 10 medical colleges to five other institutes that are seeking permission to start intake capacity for the MBBS course this year. This transfer order was issued a day after the Commission asked all the medical colleges to update their websites with the details of the faculties.

For more information, click on the link below:

Mass Transfer Spree: State governments scuttling teachers to new medical colleges to safeguard NMC approvals

NMC Secretary announces NEET UG 2024 counseling registrations to commence on August 14

Dr B Srinivas, Secretary of the National Medical Commission (NMC), stated that the registration process for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024 counselling is going to start on August 14.

Candidates will have to visit the MCC website for the latest updates and notices regarding counselling.

For more information, click on the link below:

NMC Secretary Confirms start of NEET UG 2024 counselling registrations from August 14

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NEET PG 2024 aspirants upset over allotted exam cities

The NEET PG 2024 aspirants are upset over the exam cities allotted to them by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

Taking to social media platform ‘X’, candidates have alleged that they have been allotted centers at faraway locations and those centers were allegedly last on their preference list.

For more information, click on the link below:

What a Mess: NEET PG 2024 Candidates take to social media to resenting Exam Center Allocations

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AIIMS Rajkot recognized for Zika virus screening

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot, Gujarat, has been recognized as a facility for Zika virus screening, reducing the need to send swab samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, Maharashtra, an official said on Wednesday.

According to a PTI report, “Our centre has been recognised for the screening of Zika virus (by Indian Council of Medical Research). We have received kits from the NIV, and are going to begin the tests very soon,” said Ashwini Agarwal, professor and head of the department of microbiology at AIIMS Rajkot.

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AIIMS Rajkot Launches Rapid Zika Virus Testing with 24-Hour Results

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