One hour’s screen use after going to bed increases your risk of insomnia by 59%, scientists find

Scientists have found another reason to put the phone down: a survey of 45,202 young adults in Norway has discovered that using a screen in bed drives up your risk of insomnia by 59% and cuts your sleep time by 24 minutes. However, social media was not found to be more disruptive than other screen activities.

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Play ‘humanizes’ pediatric care and should be key feature of a child-friendly NHS, report suggests

Play should be a core feature of children’s health care in forthcoming plans for the future of the NHS, according to a new report which argues that play “humanizes” the experiences of child patients.

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Preventable cardiac deaths during marathons are down, study finds

While more people than ever are running marathons in the U.S., the risk of dying from a heart attack during a run has fallen dramatically in recent years. That’s a key conclusion from a new study by Jonathan Kim, associate professor in the Emory School of Medicine. Kim’s research is a follow-up to a study he published in 2012—the first investigation into unexpected cardiac arrests during long-distance running events.

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Traveling overseas? You could be at risk of measles. Here’s how to ensure you’re protected

On March 26, NSW Health issued an alert advising people to be vigilant for signs of measles after an infectious person visited Sydney Airport and two locations in western New South Wales.

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Is wine as safe as we have been led to believe?

Many of us have indulged in a glass of wine (or perhaps a few) at social events. It might be our drink of choice to accompany a meal or unwind after a long day at work. When it comes to drinking alcohol, wine may seem like the safest choice. After all, most of us have likely heard that a glass a day can even improve our health.

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FIR against Gynaecologist for Allegedly Leaving Cotton Swab Inside Abdomen After C-Section

Meerut: In an alleged case of medical negligence, the police have registered a case against a female gynaecologist in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut for leaving a bundle of cotton inside a woman’s abdomen following a C-section delivery in 2018.

An FIR has been lodged against a female doctor here for alleged medical negligence after she left a bundle of cotton inside a woman’s abdomen following a C-section delivery, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place on June 30, 2018, when the woman gave birth to a daughter at Sirohi Nursing Home. Following the delivery, she began experiencing persistent stomach pain.

The case was registered at TP Nagar police station on Friday following a court order by Assistant Chief Magistrate Prachi Aggarwal on a complaint by Rajni Sharma, they said.

According to the PTI report, Sharma alleged that she gave birth to a daughter at Sirohi Nursing Home on June 30, 2018, where the surgery was performed by Dr Shikha Jain, a police officer said, citing the complaint.

She later experienced persistent stomach pain, but despite multiple consultations, the doctor diagnosed her with stomach ulcers, he said.

Also Read:2 Thane Hospital doctors booked for patient’s death

As her condition worsened, she underwent surgery at a medical college, where two operations were performed, the officer added.

Sharma further alleged that the pain was due to a cotton bundle left inside her abdomen due to Dr. Jain’s negligence, Station House Officer (SHO) Subodh Kumar Saxena said.

The complainant claimed that after receiving no response from authorities, including the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), she moved the court, the SHO said.

He said, “The case was registered on Friday following a court order of Assistant Chief Judicial Magistrate Prachi Aggarwal on the complaint by Rajni Sharma.” Meanwhile, Jain has denied all allegations, saying, “There is nothing like that. This is just a way to take money from the doctor.” When questioned about the alleged monetary demands from the woman, she told PTI that she was not aware of the specifics.

Meerut Chief Medical Officer Dr Ashok Kataria said that he was unaware of any complaint filed by Sharma at his office.

Police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

Also Read:Gynaecologist booked as woman dies after childbirth

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Lupin Launches Ajaduo M Forte, a Triple Fixed-Dose Combination of Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, and Metformin Extended Release (ER)

Global pharmaceutical company Lupin Limited has announced the launch
of Ajaduo M Forte, a novel triple
fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy for the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in India.

Ajaduo M Forte combines three well-established
agents- Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, and
Metformin Extended Release (ER)- into a single daily tablet, simplifying
treatment regimens for patients struggling with diabetes and its associated
complications.

The product will be available in two
strengths:

  • Ajaduo M Forte 25: Empagliflozin 25 mg +
    Linagliptin 5 mg + Metformin ER 1000 mg at 21 Rs/ Tab
  • Ajaduo M Forte 10: Empagliflozin 10 mg +
    Linagliptin 5 mg + Metformin ER 1000 mg at 19 Rs/Tab

Empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, promotes urinary glucose excretion and offers
cardiovascular and renal benefits. Linagliptin,
a DPP-4 inhibitor, enhances incretin levels to improve insulin secretion and
reduce glucagon release. Metformin ER
improves insulin sensitivity and suppresses hepatic glucose production.

With its focused Fixed dose combinations,
Ajaduo M Forte specifically targets multiple pathophysiological defects
described in the Ominous Octet model,
addressing key contributors such as insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction,
and increased renal glucose reabsorption. It is the only USFDA-approved
fixed-dose triple combination of Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, and Metformin,
providing a comprehensive approach to glycemic control. The formulation aligns
with globally recognized guidelines, including those issued by the ADA/EASD and RSSDI, reinforcing its clinical relevance and utility in modern
diabetes management.

Commenting on the
launch, Mr Gagan Arora, Vice President Sales and Marketing, “Ajaduo M Forte reflects our commitment to
delivering innovative, patient-centric solutions. This triple combination
simplifies therapy while offering robust efficacy aligned with international
recommendations, enabling better long-term outcomes for diabetes patients in
India.”

With Empagliflozin going off-patent, Lupin has
strategically expanded its diabetes portfolio by launching Ajaduo, a fixed-dose
combination (FDC) of Empagliflozin and Linagliptin, available in Ajaduo 10/5
and Ajaduo 25/5. Additionally, the company has introduced Ajaduo M Forte, a
triple FDC of Empagliflozin, Linagliptin, and Metformin Extended Release,
available in Ajaduo M Forte 25 and Ajaduo M Forte 10.

You can
read about it at the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/md-brand-connect/lupin-launches-empagliflozin-linagliptin-fdc-ajaduo-at-affordable-prices-144755

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Study explores whether osteoporosis drug denosumab regenerate beta cells?

City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and a top research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses, is leading a phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating an osteoporosis medication as a way to improve beta cell health in people with early type 1 diabetes.

The study, which is now open, will explore whether denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody that is Food and Drug Administration-approved for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone tumors, can protect and regenerate beta cells, which produce insulin to regulate blood sugar, in type 1 diabetes patients.

Type 1 diabetes arises when a person’s immune system destroys beta cells, and they no longer make the needed amount of insulin to stay healthy. However, in the early stages of type 1 diabetes, some beta cells are still alive and functioning.

The phase 1/2, randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of denosumab for improving beta cell function and blood sugar control among patients with early type 1 diabetes, who continue to make some insulin.

“This is an exciting new application of a known medication that, in addition to potentially protecting and/or expanding the beta cells that remain in early type 1 diabetes patients, might also be able to help other patients with diabetes to increase beta cell number and/or function,” said Fouad R. Kandeel, M.D., Ph.D., the Arthur D. Riggs Distinguished Chair in Diabetes & Metabolism Research at City of Hope and the trial’s co-principal investigator. “We are actively working to enroll qualified patients and look forward to seeing where this trial leads us.”

In the bone, denosumab works by inhibiting a protein called RANKL (Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kapp-B Ligand), blocking its interaction with the receptor RANK, thereby reducing bone damage.

“We have found that the same RANKL/RANK pathway can destroy beta cells,” said Rupangi Vasavada, Ph.D., City of Hope associate professor in the Department of Translational Research & Cellular Therapeutics and the trial’s co-principal investigator. “Previous studies in our lab by Nagesha Guthalu Kondegowda, Ph.D. have shown that denosumab can inhibit this detrimental pathway and improve beta cell health by protecting, increasing the number and/or improving the function of beta cells.”

By protecting and preserving beta cell function, the medication could slow down the progression of type 1 diabetes and improve blood sugar control.

Primary funding for this clinical trial comes from Breakthrough T1D, formerly JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. The trial is also funded by and part of The Wanek Family Project for Type 1 Diabetes at City of Hope, which seeks to find cures for the disease.

Patients are being recruited at City of Hope in the Los Angeles area and at two other locations: University of Alabama at Birmingham (led by Anath Shalev, M.D.) and Indiana University (led by Carmella Evans-Molina, M.D., Ph.D.). Participants must be adults, ages 18 to 50, with early type 1 diabetes, who are less than five years from initial diagnosis and have residual beta cell function.

Participants will be randomized with a 2:1 treatment to placebo ratio. The treatment group will enroll 30 individuals with the denosumab regimen of 60 milligrams injection given under the skin every three months for a total of four injections. The placebo arm will enroll 15 individuals and be administered with normal saline placebo using the same regimen. The study participants will be followed for 12 months for adverse events and tested for changes in beta cell function and blood sugar control parameters.

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Asundexian Shows Lower Stroke Risk in oral anticoagulant Naive Patients: JAMA

Researchers have found in a new study that oral anticoagulants OAC-naive patients experienced a smaller increase in stroke or systemic embolism with asundexian compared to apixaban. However, this effect was less pronounced in OAC-experienced patients. The underlying mechanism remains unclear and requires further research. The study published in JAMA Cardiology was conducted by John H.A. and fellow researchers.

The trial, a prespecified exploratory analysis of the OCEANIC-AF trial, examined whether the asundexian effect differed between OAC-naive and OAC-experienced patients. The trial enrolled 14,810 participants at 1035 sites in 38 countries, and data were analyzed in June-July 2024. Stroke or systemic embolism was the primary efficacy outcome, and the main safety outcome was major bleeding.

This analysis divided AF patients into two groups according to previous OAC exposure: OAC naive (≤6 weeks of previous OAC use) and OAC experienced (>6 weeks of previous OAC use). Patients were assigned randomly to asundexian, a new factor XIa inhibitor, or apixaban, an established anticoagulant. The study evaluated the rates of stroke or systemic embolism and major bleeding in the two groups to compare differences in anticoagulant efficacy and safety.

Key Findings

  • Out of 14,810 participants, 2493 (17%) were OAC naive (mean age: 72.6 years, 59% male), and 12,317 (83%) were OAC experienced (mean age: 74.2 years, 66% male).

  • Stroke or systemic embolism in the asundexian group occurred in 0.8% (10 of 1238) among OAC-naive patients versus 1.4% (88 of 6177) among OAC-experienced patients.

  • In the apixaban arm, stroke or systemic embolism happened in 0.6% (7 of 1255) of OAC-naive patients versus 0.3% (19 of 6140) in OAC-experienced patients.

  • OAC-naive patients had a lesser increase in stroke or systemic embolism with asundexian compared with apixaban (HR 1.42, 95% CI: 0.54-3.73) than OAC-experienced patients (HR 4.66, 95% CI: 2.84-7.65, p=0.03).

  • Major bleeding rates were reduced in OAC-naive (0.2%, 2 of 1228) and OAC-experienced (0.2%, 15 of 6145) patients receiving asundexian versus apixaban (1.0%, 13 of 1249 for OAC naive; 0.7%, 40 of 6115 for OAC experienced).

In the OCEANIC-AF trial, patients with nonexposure or limited prior OAC exposure had less increase in stroke or systemic embolism with asundexian than apixaban compared to patients with OAC exposure. The lower major bleeding risk with asundexian in both cohorts also underscores its potential as a safer anticoagulation therapy.

Reference:

Alexander JH, Lydon EJ, Piccini JP, et al. Asundexian or Apixaban in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation According to Prior Oral Anticoagulant Use: A Subgroup Analysis of the OCEANIC-AF Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. Published online March 26, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2025.0277

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Journal Club: Vilanterol vs formoterol in obstructive airway diseases: A comprehensive review of efficacy, safety, and clinical advantages in light of Global Initiative for Asthma 2024 and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease 2024 guidelines

This review has been published in the Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences published by Scientific Scholar.
This comprehensive review evaluates the comparative efficacy, safety, and clinical advantages of vilanterol versus formoterol in the management of obstructive airway diseases, with a specific focus on the latest Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2024 and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2024 guideline recommendations.
Vilanterol, a novel long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), 24-hour duration of action, once-daily dosing when compared to formoterol’s twice-daily requirement.
Clinical trials in both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have shown vilanterol-containing combinations to be at least as effective as formoterol-based treatments in improving lung function, symptom control, and quality of life.
However, the GINA 2024 guidelines emphasize formoterol’s role in as-needed and maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) approaches for asthma management.
In COPD, Vilanterol aligns well with GOLD 2024 recommendations, particularly in fixed-dose combinations. Safety analyses indicate a favorable profile for vilanterol, even in high-risk populations. The once-daily dosing of vilanterol offers potential improvements in patient adherence and satisfaction, especially relevant in COPD management.
While direct cost comparisons are limited, improved clinical outcomes suggest potential cost-effectiveness benefits.
This review concludes that while vilanterol presents several advantages, particularly in COPD management and once-daily regimens, the choice between vilanterol and formoterol should be individualized based on patient characteristics, disease features, and current guideline recommendations.

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