Wearable tech takes on heart health: Exploring advancements in cardiovascular disease monitoring

Cardiovascular diseases remain a global health crisis, spurring an urgent demand for innovative diagnostic tools that enable early detection and effective treatment. Wearable heart sound devices represent a significant shift in cardiac care, offering continuous, non-invasive monitoring with the potential to revolutionize the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. These cutting-edge advancements promise to enhance patient care and outcomes by providing real-time insights into heart health.

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Reprogramming cells for heart repair: New method transforms ordinary fibroblasts into mature cardiomyocytes

Cardiovascular disease continues to lead as the primary cause of death across the globe, taking millions of lives every year. Damage caused by these diseases is particularly difficult to repair, since the heart has minimal ability to regenerate itself. But what if we could reprogram the body’s own cells to restore damaged tissue?

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Engineered T cells could help patients overcome resistance to CAR T cell therapy

Physician-researchers with City of Hope have developed a way to add features to T cells to help them overcome mechanisms of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy resistance. Their new system is outlined in a paper published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.

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Engineering a smile: Stem cell–based conduits restore facial nerve function in animal study

A gesture as simple as a smile can often convey what words cannot. This is part of why nonverbal communication is so central to human interaction. It is also why facial nerve disorders and injuries can be devastating.

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New lung scanning method can show treatment effects in real time

A new method of scanning lungs is able to show the effects of treatment on lung function in real time and enable experts to see the functioning of transplanted lungs.

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Latest Study Finds Fixed-Dose Combination of Paracetamol, Phenylephrine, and Chlorpheniramine Maleate Effective and Safe for Common Cold in Indian Adults

The fixed-dose combination (FDC) of Paracetamol 500 mg, Phenylephrine 10 mg, and Chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg was effective and safe for the symptomatic
treatment of common cold in adults, according to a recent study published in
the Journal of The Association of Physicians of India.

Common cold is an acute and self-limiting upper respiratory tract
infection, causing symptoms like fever, nasal congestion, sore throat, and coughing. It generally affects adults 4-6
times annually, with symptoms lasting 5-7 days, and rhinovirus is the most
common cause. Despite the viral nature of the infection, antibiotics are often
over-prescribed, contributing to antibiotic resistance. Paracetamol, Phenylephrine, and Chlorpheniramine maleate are commonly used to treat
symptoms, but limited research exists on the efficacy and safety of their FDC.

This led the researchers to
conduct a study evaluating the efficacy and safety of FDC of Paracetamol 500 mg,
Phenylephrine 10 mg, and Chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg for treating common cold
symptoms in Indian adults.

Researchers enrolled 420 patients, aged 18
to 65 years, to assess the efficacy and safety of the FDC of the
investigational product. Of these, 318 patients completed the study. The FDC
was administered as one tablet orally three times, every 8-hourly, for 5 days. The patients visited
the clinical trial site on Day 1 (baseline), Day 3
(re-evaluation), and Day 5 (conclusion) for evaluation of efficacy and safety.
The efficacy
was measured using the total symptom score (TSS), while safety was evaluated
based on adverse events reported by the patients.

Key
findings from the study, are detailed below:

Efficacy
assessment:

  • The
    Total Symptom Score (TSS) decreased significantly from 9.016 at baseline to
    5.011 on the second visit and 0.495 on the third, reflecting a 44.42% reduction
    by the second visit and 94.51% by the third visit over five days.
  • At
    baseline, 315 patients presented with severe symptoms, while three exhibited
    moderate symptoms. By the third visit, none had severe symptoms, two had
    moderate, 48 had mild, and 268 (84.276%) were symptom-free, showing the
    treatment’s efficacy over five days. (Fig. 1A and B)

Fig. 1A and B: (A) Mean TSS on visit first, second, and third; (B) Percentage reduction in the mean TSS on visit second and third compared to baseline

Safety
assessment:

  • During
    the study, only 13 patients experienced mild adverse effects. Hyperacidity was
    reported by four patients, and drowsiness by nine patients likely due to the
    presence of Paracetamol and Chlorpheniramine maleate in the treatment. All
    adverse events were mild, non-serious, and did not require medical
    intervention.

The
researchers concluded that the study provides substantial evidence supporting
the efficacy and safety of the FDC containing Paracetamol 500 mg, Phenylephrine
10 mg, and Chlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg for managing common cold symptoms in
Indian adults. The findings demonstrated a significant reduction in TSS and a
high percentage of patients achieving complete relief.

They
recommended further randomised clinical trials with a larger sample size to
evaluate the treatment’s efficacy and potential adverse effects in Indian
adults suffering from the common cold.

Dr Mayuresh
Dilip Kiran, (MD Pharmacology) and lead author of the study
said, “The results of our study confirm the efficacy and safety of the
fixed-dose combination of Paracetamol, Phenylephrine, and Chlorpheniramine
maleate in providing rapid relief from common cold symptoms. With over 84% of
patients achieving complete symptom resolution by the fifth day, this
combination therapy offers a reliable and well-tolerated option for managing a
condition that significantly impacts daily productivity and quality of life”.

References:

  1. Kiran MD, Waghambare PD, Pawaskar L,
    Singh A. Fixed-dose Combination Therapy of Paracetamol, Phenylephrine, and
    Chlorpheniramine Maleate for the Symptomatic Treatment of Common Cold in Indian
    Adults. J Assoc Physicians India. 2024 Nov;72(11):45-48. doi:
    10.59556/japi.72.0729. PMID: 39563116.
  2. Worrall G. Common cold. Can Fam
    Physician. 2011 Nov;57(11):1289-90. PMID: 22084460; PMCID: PMC3215607.

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ICMR Develops AI Tool to Predict IVF Outcomes for Infertile Men

New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with Amity University, has developed an artificial intelligence-based tool aimed at detecting ‘Y’ chromosome microdeletion (YCMD) — a genetic cause of male infertility — and predicting the outcomes of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.

According to the PTI report, the study regarding the AI tool was published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics last week. 

In nearly 50 per cent of couples experiencing infertility, the problem is with the male partner, said Dr Deepak Modi, senior scientist at ICMR’s National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH) and the lead author of the study.

“In them there could be problems with sperm production. One of the leading causes, Y chromosome microdeletion (YCMD) is observed in one in every 10 men with infertility. Because of this genetic defect, the testes are unable to make enough sperm leading to infertility,” Dr Modi said.

Also Read:ICMR left indelible mark on India’s healthcare landscape, says Shri JP Nadda

Men with YCMD cannot benefit from medical treatment for improving the sperm count.

To become fathers, such men require assisted reproductive techniques such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for parenthood, he said.  

The AI-based tool — ‘Fertility Predictor’ — developed by the ICMR-NIRRCH in collaboration with Amity University, Noida can predict sperm retrieval rates and success rates of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in men having this genetic problem.

It also predicts the rate of fertilization, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates based on the type of Y chromosome microdeletion, Dr Modi said. This helps the couples make informed decisions, he said.

However, Dr Modi cautioned that the male babies born through IVF from men with YCMD will inherit the same defect and will be infertile as it is 100 per cent transmitted from fathers to their sons, news agency PTI reported.

Developing this tool took about two years by collating data of more than 500 men having YCMD and undergoing ART.

After applying an artificial intelligence algorithm based on machine learning on this data, the tool could predict the outcomes. This was then validated on another sub-set and it was found to have accuracy of about 80 per cent, Dr Stacy Colaco, a scientist at NIRRCH and the first author of the study, said.

“Fertility Predictor also provides a numerical output for chance of clinical pregnancy and live birth in men with YCMD. The validation studies indicated its robustness and high accuracy in predicting both these parameters solely based on the type of YCMD,” said Dr Abhishek Sengupta of Amity University, Noida.

Also Read:’First in the World Challenge’: ICMR calls for proposals to develop innovative health solutions

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Hamidia Hospital unveils Toy Ward to Alleviate Children’s Anxiety during Surgery

Bhopal: Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital has unveiled a unique “Toy Ward” within its Pediatric Surgery Ward to alleviate the stress and anxiety faced by hospitalized children. The new ward is adorned with colourful decorations, cheerful toys, and bright paintings to create a welcoming and comforting environment for children.

The goal is to ease the psychological and emotional challenges children often face during hospitalization, helping them cope with medical procedures more positively. 

Dr Kavita N Singh, Dean of Gandhi Medical College (GMC), officially inaugurated the Toy Ward and praised the hospital for its thoughtful initiative in enhancing the treatment experience for children. According to doctors hospitalization is a challenging experience for both children and their families.

Also Read: MP CM Mohan Yadav inspects Hamidia Hospital, announces facilities worth Rs 199 crore

During their hospital stay, a child’s routine is disrupted, and the hospital environment often evokes stress, fear, anxiety, and emotional trauma. This can affect both their physical and psychological well-being, making it more difficult for them to manage medical procedures. To address this, the hospital has worked to create a less intimidating environment, aiming to reduce negative emotions such as fear and anxiety, and ultimately make the treatment experience more positive and less stressful for young patients.

Dr Dhirendra Srivastava, head of the Pediatric Surgery Department at Hamidia Hospital, explained that the ward has been specially designed for children who are admitted for surgical procedures. This aids in the children’s swift recovery and contributes to their mental well-being. The doctor also mentioned that the new setup is intended to make the hospital environment less stressful for both the children and their families.

Also Read: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital celebrates National Pediatric Surgery Day

As per the recent media report, GMC dean Dr Kavita N Singh told Free Press Journal, “It is a positive initiative on the part of the hospital administration and it is very important to take care of the happiness and comfort of children during their treatment. The toy ward will give new energy and confidence to the children and serve as an inspiration to other hospitals to take up similar initiatives.”

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Infertility Clinics Set Up at Nanded Government Hospitals

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Nanded district has achieved an important milestone in the field of reproductive healthcare by becoming the first district in Maharashtra to establish infertility treatment centres in every government hospital. This initiative aimed at providing accessible reproductive healthcare especially beneficial to rural communities.

This initiative launched in March of this year, started with 19 government hospitals across the district, including one district hospital, six sub-district hospitals, and 12 rural hospitals. Since its inception, the program has successfully assisted 600 couples in addressing fertility challenges. The initiative is expanding to include all rural hospitals and primary health centres in the district, comprising one district hospital, six sub-district hospitals, 15 rural hospitals, and 72 primary health centres.

Also Read: Karnataka to Launch First Government-Funded IVF Centre at KMCRI by March

According to a recent media report, Nanded district collector Abhijit Raut told TOI, “As the initiative progresses, it offers hope to countless couples longing to start a family, proving that timely intervention and proper medical care can make a significant difference. We will hold a training camp in the first week of January, following which the services will start across the district.”

He stated that these centers have been operating every Thursday at the Nanded district hospital, six sub-district hospitals, and 12 rural hospitals since March. These centers are staffed with trained gynecologists, radiologists, and other specialists who offer counseling, conduct examinations and recommend appropriate treatments for couples struggling with infertility. He mentioned that the aim is to provide early intervention and support, particularly addressing the growing infertility concerns linked to stress and modern lifestyle factors.

The inability to conceive often causes significant distress, especially in rural areas, where the stigma surrounding infertility remains prevalent. This can have devastating emotional and psychological effects on couples. He emphasized that providing easy access to fertility services is crucial for reducing these challenges and ensuring that couples receive the support they need to overcome infertility.

Commenting on the standard operating procedure that will be followed at PHCs, Nanded district civil surgeon Dr Nilkanth Bhosikar told TOI, “We are training our existing health staffers for reorientation and imparting training for counseling of couples as well as basic investigations to ascertain the cause of infertility. Once it is clear that a couple requires specialized treatment, they are sent to centers at the district level with advanced facilities.”

Also Read: Natural cycles with properly scheduled oocyte retrieval benefits women with low ovarian reserve undergoing IVF: Study

Medical experts working in these clinics observed that over 50% of couples facing fertility challenges can become parents with basic counselling, initial investigations, and timely treatment. These clinics aim to address the issue holistically, reducing the stigma and emotional strain associated with infertility. “Our focus is to provide comprehensive support to couples and ensure that they have access to necessary medical care and guidance,” he said.

The initiative has received widespread praise, particularly for its focus on addressing infertility at the grassroots level. Its approach goes beyond just medical treatment, offering vital emotional and psychological support to couples, and helping them navigate the challenges of infertility without the stigma or isolation that often accompanies it. Health department officials believe this initiative will have a far-reaching impact and is seen as a model that other districts in Maharashtra, and potentially across the country, could replicate. By integrating fertility services into the public healthcare system, Nanded underscores the importance of accessible reproductive healthcare.

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Metabolic Syndrome Increases Risk of Glaucoma, Study Finds

Researchers have established that metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients are at a considerably increased risk of suffering from glaucoma, a common cause of irreversible blindness around the world. A recent meta-analysis that included more than 2.25 million participants revealed that MetS raises the odds of suffering from glaucoma by 34%. The study was conducted by Fei Li and colleagues which was published in the journal Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome includes hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which increase the risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Glaucoma is defined as a progressive optic nerve damage and has multifactorial risk factors, including intraocular pressure and vascular dysregulation. Despite some potential link between MetS and glaucoma, no consensus has been reached; thus, there is not enough evidence. This study aimed at performing a systematic review of the association of MetS with the risk for glaucoma by collecting data from several observational studies.

This meta-analysis looked at observational studies that appeared up to August 12, 2024. Databases searched included PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for the inclusion of relevant studies. In all, nine studies that included 2,258,797 participants were incorporated into this analysis. ORs with 95% CIs were used to measure the association between MetS and risk of glaucoma.

Heterogeneity was assessed by the I² statistics. A random-effects model was used due to high heterogeneity with I² = 75%. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were conducted for the investigation of factors that may modify the findings.

The authors also looked at the associations of individual components of MetS, that is, hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, and dyslipidemia with the risk of glaucoma.

Key Findings

Overall Association:

  • MetS was strongly associated with an enhanced risk of glaucoma (OR: 1.34, 95% CI 1.15–1.55, p < 0.001).

  • Hypertension and hyperglycemia were significantly related to glaucoma.

  • Obesity and dyslipidemia show no significance but differences were not statistically significant (p=0.05).

Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms linking MetS to glaucoma. Exploring whether controlling MetS can reduce glaucoma risk would also be valuable. This meta-analysis confirmed that metabolic syndrome is significantly associated with an increased risk of glaucoma. Such findings call for heightened awareness and integrated screening approaches for glaucoma among individuals with MetS to mitigate the risk of vision loss.

Reference:

Li F, Luo Y, Li X, Dai Y, Xiang Q. Association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of glaucoma: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2024 Dec 18;16(1):300. doi: 10.1186/s13098-024-01532-4. PMID: 39696489.

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