December 2024 - Page 37 of 88

NTRUHS to End Phase-II Web Options for Management Quota PG Medical Seats today

Andhra Pradesh- Dr NTR University of Health Sciences (Dr NTRUHS) is going to end the exercise of the web options process for Phase-II counselling for admission to Management Quota seats of PG Medical Degree/Diploma Courses in private unaided non-minority and minority colleges for the academic year 2024-25 by 8pm today.

As per the notification in this regard, the exercising of web options is going to end today i.e. 18 December 2024 at 08.00 PM. With this, all the eligible candidates whose names are in the provisional final Merit Position notified on the University Website are only eligible to exercise web options as per the dates and according to the Seat Matrix.

Also Read: Dr NTRUHS Begins Special Stray Vacancy Round for BDS Management Quota Seats

UNIVERSITY FEE

Selected Candidates have to log in and to pay the University fee of ₹.49,600/- for downloading the Allotment Order by using the Online payment method through the Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking. Candidates already paid in Phase I need not pay again. The University fee and other fees once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances.

TUITION FEE

The following is the Tuition fee structure for the academic year 2024-25 to be payable for the Competent Authority Quota seats in Private Un-aided Medical Colleges-

S.NO	NAME OF THE COURSE	FEE FOR CATEGORY-B (MQ) SEATS	FEE FOR CATEGORY-C NRI/INSTITUTIONAL QUOTA SEATS
1	Clinical Degree/Diploma	₹. 9,93,600/-	₹.57,50,000/-
2	Para Clinical Degree/Diploma	₹.3,10,500/-	₹.17,25,000/-
3	Pre Clinical Degree/Diploma	₹.1,40,760/-	₹.9,20,000/-

Also Read: NTRUHS to close 1st Phase Web Options For BSc Nursing admissions tomorrow, Details

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXERCISING WEB OPTIONS IN PHASE II COUNSELLING

1 All the candidates who have been allotted a seat in Phase-I and reported.

2 All the candidates who have not been allotted any seat in Phase-I counselling.

3 The Joined candidates of Phase-I/Phase-II Counselling are eligible for upgradation up to Phase-III (MoP Up) round only.

4 All candidates who have been allotted a seat in Phase I-

i but not reported/not joined the allotted colleges,

ii joined but resigned from the allotted seat as per University Notification on Free Exit, dated 12/12/2024 & 14/12/2024.

However, if a candidate has not joined/reported in the allotted seat of Phase-I or resigned from the joined seat, then that particular seat shall not be available for that candidate to exercise web options in Phase-II counselling.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXERCISING WEB OPTIONS IN PHASE III (MOP UP) COUNSELLING

1 All the candidates who have been allotted and reported to the Phase-I/Phase-II seat.

2 All the candidates who have not been allotted any seat in Phase-I/Phase-II counselling.

3 Phase-I joined/reported seat shall be the default last option.

4 The Joined candidates who are holding a seat in Phase-I Phase-II or Phase-III (Mop Up) Counselling are not eligible for Stray or any further rounds.

5 Candidates allotted a seat in Phase III (Mop-Up) cannot participate in subsequent rounds of State Counselling, regardless of whether they report to the allotted college.

6 All candidates who have been allotted a seat in Phase-I/Phase-II-

i but not reported/not joined the allotted colleges.

ii Joined but resigned from the allotted seat as per University Notifications for free exit.

DISTRIBUTION OF SEATS IS AS DETAILED BELOW

1 Management Quota-Subcategory- 1(S1): 25% of the sanctioned intake of seats, course-wise, in each institution, shall be filled by the candidates in General Merit based on the NEET PG-2024 ranking.

2 Management Quota-Subcategory-2(S2): 15% seats out of total intake capacity, course-wise, in each institution shall be filled by foreign students/ NRI/NRI sponsored candidates on the basis of inter-se-merit among the applicants qualified in NEET PG-2024.

3 Management Quota-Subcategory-3(S3): 10% seats out of total intake capacity, course-wise, in each Institution shall be Institutional preference/In- service management quota seats filled on the basis of inter-se-merit among the applicants qualified in NEET PG-2024.

4 15% of Subcategory-1 seats only are open to candidates from all over the Country – S1A

5 For the Remaining 85% of Subcategory-1 seats only Local Candidates of Andhra Pradesh i.e., AU/SVU are only eligible – S1B.

Also Read: Applying For PG Medical Admissions Under Management Quota At NTRUHS? Know The Fee Structure

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1 Candidates opting for Medical Degree/Diploma courses are informed that there is no limit of choices (number) for exercising web options. Candidates can exercise any number of options for any number of specialities and colleges available.

2 Candidates are instructed to be careful while exercising options on the Web and take the printout of the saved options. Candidates are advised to exercise options in Courses and colleges in which they are genuinely interested. If they are not interested in joining any speciality or college then they are advised not to exercise options for the same.

3 The selected candidates shall produce all the Original certificates, pay the Tuition fee, furnish necessary bonds etc., and complete the process of admission. If the candidate does not fulfil the criteria as per regulations to complete the admission process on the specified dates of admission, their admission will be cancelled automatically.

4 The verification of original certificates will be conducted at the time of admission in the respective College and in case of any discrepancy, the Provisional allotment will be cancelled and action will be initiated. If the candidate slides to other colleges (i.e., affiliated colleges of Dr.NTR UHS) during subsequent Phases of counselling the tuition fee will be sent to the slide college by the concerned college where the amount is held.

5 Candidates who have reported the allotted seat of Phase-I and/or Phase-II can opt for free exit as per the schedule which will be notified.

6 If any candidate joins the allotted seat of Phase-I of Competent Authority Quota (CQ) seat in A.P. State can slide to a seat allotted in Phase-II of Management Quota seat in AP State and in such case, the tuition fee already paid for the CQ will be returned to the candidate by the concerned college.

7 An allotted candidate can report at any one college/course either in CQ or MQ in case the candidate gets a seat in both CQ & MQ of Phase-II counselling. Candidates shall decide on choosing the allotted seat of admission for reporting. There shall not be any dual reporting of any candidate in CQ & MQ at different/same colleges.

To view the notification, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/dr-ntruhs-to-end-phase-ii-web-options-for-management-quota-pg-medical-seats-tomorrow-details-265192.pdf

Fact Check: Does application of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato and lemon juice for 5 mins permanently remove hair from underarms?

A viral Instagram reel claims that application of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and permanently remove hair from underarms. The claim by the user is False.

Claim

An Instagram reel claims that a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and prevents hair growth. The reek is posted by naturalcures26 and is captioned as “Permanent Fair Underarm In Just 5 min/Remove Tan.” In the reel, the user says “Clean your underarms in 5 minutes!” The user in the reel says to take 1 teaspoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of coffee powder, a little Colgate toothpaste, some tomato juice, and a few drops of lemon juice. The user further says to Mix them well and apply the mixture. As per the user, after applying this they will never have hair on their underarms again.

The viral reel, which has garnered 4.7 million views, 349,661 likes, 937 comments, and 335,000 shares, can be viewed here.

Fact Check

The claim by the user is False. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim

How Do Coffee, Tomato, and Lemon Benefit Your Health?

Coffee, derived from the genus Coffea within the Rubiaceae family, is widely appreciated for its invigorating effects and distinctive flavor. It is a natural, complex blend of chemical compounds that contribute to its numerous health-promoting properties. Among the notable bioactivities attributed to coffee are its antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-obesity effects. These benefits are primarily linked to its polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acids and their metabolites, as well as other components like caffeine and diterpenoid alcohols, including kahweol and cafestol. Coffee’s constituents are found to have support in chemo-protective effects and have been studied for their impact on various body systems, including the skeletal, reproductive, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. They also have an influence on homocysteine and cholesterol levels.

Tomatoes are a popular food globally, valued for their abundance of essential nutrients and antioxidants. They are a source of various minerals, vitamins, proteins, and essential amino acids like leucine, threonine, and lysine. Additionally, they contain monounsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids, carotenoids like lycopene and β-carotene, and phytosterols including β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. Lycopene, the primary carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato-based products have been associated with lower risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis. The antioxidants in tomatoes play a crucial role in defending the body against oxidative stress by neutralizing reactive oxygen species, which helps minimize damage to critical biomolecules such as membrane lipids, proteins, and DNA. As a result, consuming tomatoes regularly can boost antioxidant levels in the body and reduce the risk of conditions related to oxidative stress.

Lemon, scientifically referred to as Citrus limon (L.), belongs to the evergreen tree family Rutaceae and is commonly found in South Asia, particularly in Northeast India. A peeled lemon contains approximately 17 calories, while one with a peel has around 22 calories. A single tablespoon of lemon juice provides 3 calories, and as noted by “World’s Healthiest Foods,” a quarter cup of lemon juice contributes 31% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, 3% of folate, and 2% of potassium, amounting to 13 calories. Renowned for its wide-ranging applications, lemon holds significant value in the culinary, medicinal, and nutritional domains. Its primary distinction lies in its impressive medicinal and health benefits. Lemon juice is associated with aiding weight management and is utilized for conditions such as hypertension. Additionally, its components, including juice, leaf oil, citric acid, alkaloids, and various nutrients, are employed in addressing issues like osteoporosis, insomnia, asthma, nausea, vomiting, travel sickness, acne scars, throat infections, scurvy, fever, and pH balance regulation.

What causes underarm darkening?

Underarm darkening is a common condition caused by various factors, including frequent friction, shaving, and the use of certain deodorants or antiperspirants containing irritants. Excessive sweating combined with bacterial buildup can also contribute to discoloration. Medical conditions like acanthosis nigricans, often linked to insulin resistance, obesity, or hormonal imbalances, can cause thickened, darkened skin in the underarms. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, resulting from skin irritation due to shaving, waxing, or other treatments, may also lead to dark spots. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy or from disorders can further exacerbate pigmentation.

Dr Ruby Sachdev, Consultant Aesthetic Physician, Gleneagles Hospital Bengaluru explained, “Underarm darkening can occur due to several factors, including:

Friction: Regular shaving or tight clothing causes irritation.
Hormonal Changes: Conditions like PCOS or insulin resistance can lead to hyperpigmentation.
Deodorants and Antiperspirants: Certain chemicals can cause skin discoloration.
Dead Skin Accumulation: Poor exfoliation may lead to dark patches.
Medical Conditions: Acanthosis nigricans, commonly linked to diabetes, causes thickened, dark skin.”

Understanding Body Hair

Aside from a few places, like the palms of our hands or the soles of our feet, the entire surface of our body has hair on it. The two main types of hair are the shorter and thinner “vellus” hairs (peach fuzz) found on the body and the longer and thicker “terminal” hairs. Examples of terminal hairs include the hair on your head, facial hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic hair, chest hair and belly hair

Does a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice clean your underarms in 5 minutes and permanently remove hair ?

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and prevents hair growth. On the contrary, scientific research highlights potential side effects associated with the use of Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice on the skin.

Colgate toothpaste, which contains ingredients like fluoride, abrasives, flavors, humectants, and detergents, has been linked to various skin issues. A study by A. Skaare et. al. identified Colgate as a significant irritant, causing skin erythema and other skin issues. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence to support claims that it can clean underarms in five minutes or prevent hair growth or remove hair permanently.

There is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the use of tomato juice to clean your underarms in 5 minutes and prevent hair growth. Conversely, a study published in Antioxidants highlighted that the topical application of tomatoes can lead to adverse skin reactions, such as contact dermatitis and skin irritation, including burning sensations.

Lemon juice does not effectively clean underarms within five minutes or prevent hair growth; in fact, scientific evidence suggests potential side effects from its use. According to a study published in Clinical and Molecular Allergy, lemons are also unsuitable for direct application on the skin as they can cause harm. This underscores the importance of exercising caution and raising awareness about the risks of applying lemon juice to different areas of the body.

Further, it is important to recognize that underarm darkening can result from various factors, including acanthosis nigricans, genetics, hormonal imbalances, and other underlying conditions. Therefore, natural remedies cannot effectively address underarm darkening as they fail to target these root causes. Similarly, body hair removal is achieved through methods like shaving, waxing, depilatories, threading, laser hair removal, or electrolysis. Natural remedies cannot prevent hair growth effectively. Hence, the claim by the user is False.

In a conversation with Dr Ruby Sachdev, Consultant Aesthetic Physician, Gleneagles Hospital Bengaluru explained, “While home remedies like lemon juice and tomato may offer mild exfoliation due to their acidic nature, the suggested combination lacks scientific backing. Ingredients like baking soda or lemon juice may irritate sensitive underarm skin, worsening pigmentation. Additionally, no topical remedy can “prevent hair growth.” Hair growth is determined by genetics and hormones, and long-term solutions like laser hair reduction are the most effective options.

How to Effectively Manage Underarm Darkening:

Use gentle exfoliators like lactic acid-based creams to remove dead skin.
Opt for fragrance-free deodorants and avoid harsh chemicals.
Maintain skin hydration with moisturizers containing niacinamide or vitamin E.
Seek aesthetic treatments like chemical peels or laser therapy for lasting results.

For persistent concerns, consulting a dermatologist or aesthetic physician ensures safe and effective treatment tailored to your needs.”

Dr Safia Tanyeem, Dermatology, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Apollo Cradle & Children’ Hospital further said “Laser destroys the hair root responsible for hair growth and this helps patients experience a hair free period lasting from few months to even years, with approximately 8-10 sessions done 1 month apart. However damaged hair roots regrow back under the influence of hormones and few systemic factors, and therefore results aren’t permanent and patients will require maintenance shots. Compared to other methods of hair reduction, laser is safe, effective, adds to smoothness of skin and gives long-lasting results. Home remedies don’t work for hair removal and instead, cause skin irritation and burns and are therefore better avoided. “

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim made by Instagram user that a mix of soda, coffee, Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice cleans your underarms in 5 minutes and prevents hair growth is not supported by scientific evidence or medical consensus. On the contrary, studies indicate that ingredients like Colgate, tomato juice, and lemon juice can cause adverse skin reactions. Underarm darkening is often linked to underlying factors such as friction, acanthosis nigricans, genetics, or hormonal imbalances, which cannot be resolved with natural remedies. Similarly, effective hair removal requires proven methods like shaving, waxing, or laser treatments, as natural remedies cannot prevent hair growth.

Therefore, the claim by the user is False.

Boosting Healthcare by Supporting HealthTech Startups, says MoS Health

New Delhi: The Minister of State for Health, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, informed the Lok Sabha that the government is adopting several key strategies to improve digital healthcare accessibility. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), launched with the vision of creating a national digital health ecosystem, is the cornerstone of the government’s initiative.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) encourages the adoption of open standards for digital health solutions, enabling startups to integrate their services into the national health infrastructure.

Additionally, the government is ensuring that health-tech solutions are not only accessible to urban populations but also to those in rural areas where access to physical healthcare facilities may be limited. By providing digital health solutions, the government aims to make healthcare more equitable and inclusive.

Also Read: India has 1.18 crores Hepatitis B cases: MoS Health informs Rajya Sabha

The minister was responding to the questions raised by SH KC Venugopal about whether the Government has any strategy to combat the twin challenges of accessibility and acceptability of the health tech sector caused due to a digital divide and a lack of digital literacy among the public; the details thereof and if not, the reasons for therefor;

He seeks to know the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to address the rise in health tech startups; the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to improve ‘medical data consolidation and management’ in the country; and

Furthermore, he inquired, about the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for infrastructural development/improvement in quality healthcare through the digital healthcare system.

Also Read: Healthcare Initiatives for Elderly under NPHCE, Ayushman Bharat: MoS Health informs Rajya Sabha

In response to these questions, MoS Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav informed the Lok Sabha that the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has been launched with a vision to create a national digital health ecosystem that supports universal health coverage in an efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely and safe manner. The mission aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country to bridge the digital divide.

The Mission provides for assisted and offline modes for the creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) for areas with limited internet connectivity or hardware or both. Various applications such as the ABHA app, and Aarogya Setu app are multi-lingual and intuitive to use, to address the lack of digital literacy.

Health-tech startups have the potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector by supporting innovations. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) promotes the adoption of open standards by all digital health stakeholders including health tech startups. The government has set up an ABDM sandbox to integrate these solutions into the ABDM ecosystem. The government has also launched various initiatives like the Digital Health Incentive Scheme, microsites, and collaboration with pharmacies and laboratories to accelerate the adoption of digital health, particularly focused on the private sector including startups.

Health Data Management Policy (HDM Policy) was released on 14th Dec 2020 by the Union Ministry of Health as a guidance document highlighting minimum standards for privacy and data protection to be followed by the participants/stakeholders of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) ecosystem. Health Data Management Policy specifies that no data shall be shared with any other entity without the consent of the individual, added the Minister.

To ensure the effective implementation of ABDM, the Union Health Ministry provides financial assistance to States/UTs for human resources, information education & communication (IEC), and capacity building including necessary handholding support in onboarding the facilities/ health professionals and integrating state health digital health programs/solutions under ABDM ecosystem. Union Health Ministry also provides financial assistance to all States/UTs under the National Health Mission to strengthen health infrastructure for the implementation of IT interventions such as Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS) and telemedicine services across the country.

Kerala DNB Admissions 2024: CEE invites options confirmation from candidates, check details

Kerala- The Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE) has invited option confirmation for Second Round Allotment to DNB (POST MBBS) and DNB (POST DIPLOMA) admissions 2024.

The Second round allotment to DNB (Post MBBS) and DNB (Post Diploma)- 2024 has commenced as per the schedule attached below. This allotment is conducted to fill up the vacant seats after the first allotment and the seats expected to be released during the allotment process of the Second Round.

Eligible candidates included in the DNB Rank Lists published by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations can confirm their options through the website till 19.12.2024, 02.00 PM.

Candidates may enter their Application Number & Password in the link ‘DNB (Post MBBS) 2024 – Candidate Portal / DNB (Post Diploma) 2024 – Candidate Portal’ provided in the above website to log on to their home page. Then by clicking the menu ‘Option Confirmation’, candidates can confirm their options. The Allotment List based on the rank list and the options received up to 02.00 pm on 19.12.2024, will be published on 21.12.2024. Candidates who get allotment shall have to join the allotted colleges by paying the fees to the allotted college.

The tentative schedule for the Second Phase Allotment is given below;

16.12.2024	Website opens for Second Phase Option Confirmation
19.12.2024, 2.00 PM	Times ends for Option Confirmation
21.12.2024	Allotment Publication
23.12.2024 to 28.12.2024, 4.00 PM	Joining at Colleges
28.12.2024, 5.00 PM	Colleges authorities shall have to approve and submit the list of admitted candidates to the CEE through the Online Admission Management System (OAMS)

All details related to the counseling/allotment process are available in the Information Bulletin for admission to DNB (Post MBBS) and DNB (Post Diploma) – 2024 published on the CEE website.

To view the official Notice, Click here : https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/upload1-265248.pdf

WHO to observe Ayush Medical Coding and Records Day Annually on January 10

New Delhi: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that it will observe January 10th every year as “Ayush Medical Coding and Records Day”, beginning in 2025.

This was decided at the 10th World Ayurveda Congress in Dehradun, capital of Uttarakhand state, India.

Ayush is the acronym for the Indian ministry, which promotes a healthy lifestyle through traditional practices such as yoga and naturopathy as well as ancient Oriental medical systems, including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and homoeopathy (Ayush).

Also Read:Artificial Intelligence for Global Health: Experts to explore AI Integration in advancing Traditional Medicine

According to an ANI report, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ayush, has been tasked with the new annual observance on 10th January, the Indian government’s Press Information Bureau said in a press release.

The WHO’s main collaboration centre in India for “literary and fundamental research in traditional medicine” is the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH).

The CCRAS will work with the NIIMH on creating a “roadmap for capacity building and implementation of the international classification of health interventions in traditional medicine,” the press release said.

“These initiatives underscore the commitment of WHO Collaboration Centres, the CCRAS, the NIIMH and the Ministry of Ayush to advance the standardisation and global integration of ancient medical systems. They reinforced collaborative efforts between India and the WHO in promoting evidence-based traditional medicine,” it said.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Ministry of Ayush and National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad has successfully hosted a two-day workshop to gather requirements for the implementation of International Classification of Diseases, Traditional Medicine Module-2, Updating Ayurveda. Siddha, Unani International Terminologies and Scoping Review for the development of Sowa Rigpa Terminologies. NIIMH is a WHO Collaboration Centre for “Literary and Fundamental Research in Traditional Medicine”. The event took place at the 10th World Ayurveda Congress in Dehradun, Uttarakhand on 13th and 14th December 2024.

Also Read:AYUSH Ministry, WHO sign donor agreement for implementing Global Traditional Medicine Centre activities in Jamnagar

Cutaneous carbonyl stress markers associated with nerve damage in recent-onset type 2 diabetes: Study

A new study showed that in recent-onset type 2 diabetes, cutaneous carbonyl stress biomarker could indicate nerve damage. The key findings of this study were published in the journal of Diabetes Care. In individuals with recent-onset, metabolically well-controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D), increased cutaneous carbonyl stress is associated with slower nerve conduction and can predict the emergence of neuropathic impairments over a 5-year period.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are produced as a result of endogenous carbonyl stress. Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) may be prevented or treated by targeting AGEs. Gidon Bönhof and colleagues used new cutaneous biomarkers to describe endothelial cell damage, oxidative stress, immune cells, and cutaneous carbonyl stress in early type 2 diabetes in comparison to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) in this study.

This research looked at new cutaneous indicators for the start and progression of DSPN in 144 people with normal glucose tolerance and 160 people with recent-onset T2D (those diagnosed within 12 months or less), who were all recruited sequentially from the baseline cohort of the German Diabetes Study.

Clinical neuropathy ratings, quantitative sensory tests, and nerve conduction investigations were used to evaluate peripheral nerve function. Intraepidermal nerve fiber density, endothelial integrity, cutaneous oxidative stress markers, and cutaneous carbonyl stress markers, such as AGE autofluorescence and argpyrimidine area, were all examined using skin samples. An AGE reader device was used to assess skin autofluorescence noninvasively. After 5 years, a subgroup of 80 T2D patients had another evaluation to gauge the advancement of their neurophysiological impairments.

When compared to people with normal glucose tolerance, the patients with recent-onset T2D showed decreased nerve fiber density, higher AGE autofluorescence, and an argpyrimidine region. AGE autofluorescence was positively correlated with AGE reader measurements and negatively correlated with nerve conduction in T2D patients (P =.0002, P =.002, and P =.001 for median motor, peroneal motor, and sural sensory nerve conduction velocity, respectively).

Also, no such correlations were seen in patients with normal glucose tolerance. The changes in nerve function indices over a 5-year period were shown to be associated with baseline cutaneous indicators for endothelial cells and AGEs in the prospective T2D cohort. Overall, the findings suggests that carbonyl stress plays a part in the onset and course of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy and might be a target for treatment.

Reference:

Bönhof, G. J., Strom, A., Jung, T., Bódis, K. B., Szendroedi, J., Wagner, R., Grune, T., Roden, M., & Ziegler, D. (2024). Cutaneous Carbonyl Stress Is Associated With Nerve Dysfunction in Recent-Onset Type 2 Diabetes. In Diabetes Care. American Diabetes Association. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-1799

Intensive Glucose Lowering Cuts Vascular Risks for Diabetic Patients, Regardless of Age or Duration: ADVANCE Trial

Australia: Findings from the ADVANCE trial, published in the journal Diabetes Care strongly support intensive glucose management in diabetic patients, regardless of age at diagnosis or the duration of diabetes.

The trial, involving over 11,000 participants, demonstrated that intensive glucose lowering significantly reduced the risk of major vascular events, including both macrovascular and microvascular complications. Also, there were no significant differences in treatment effects based on age or the length of diabetes duration.

Diabetes remains one of the leading global health challenges, contributing to a range of serious complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and vision loss. Effective blood sugar control is a cornerstone of diabetes management. However, the optimal approach has long been debated, particularly regarding how factors like age at diagnosis and the duration of diabetes impact treatment outcomes. Considering this, Toshiaki Ohkuma, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and colleagues aimed to compare the impact of intensive versus standard glucose lowering on vascular outcomes in patients with varying ages at diabetes diagnosis and different durations of diabetes.

For this purpose, the researchers analyzed data from 11,138 participants in the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron MR Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) trial. Participants were grouped into subcategories based on age at diabetes diagnosis (≤50, >50–60, and >60 years) and the duration of their diabetes (≤5, >5–10, and >10 years).

The study revealed the following findings:

Intensive glucose lowering significantly reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of major macrovascular and microvascular events (hazard ratio 0.90).
There was no evidence of differences in treatment effects across subgroups based on age at diagnosis or diabetes duration.
Similar consistent reductions were observed for all-cause death and cardiovascular death.
The beneficial effects were also evident across individual components of major vascular events.

The findings suggest that intensive blood sugar management leads to a significant reduction in the risk of serious vascular complications, offering crucial insights for healthcare providers and diabetic patients alike. Notably, the reduction in risks was consistent regardless of whether patients were newly diagnosed or had been living with diabetes for years, and there was no notable difference in outcomes based on the age at diagnosis or the duration of diabetes.

“The ADVANCE trial’s findings signal a shift toward a more inclusive, evidence-based approach to glucose management, emphasizing its benefits across all ages and stages of diabetes. These insights provide a critical tool for healthcare professionals working to improve long-term patient outcomes,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Toshiaki Ohkuma, Katie Harris, Mark Woodward, Pavel Hamet, Stephen Harrap, Giuseppe Mancia, Michel Marre, Neil Poulter, John Chalmers, Sophia Zoungas, ADVANCE Collaborative Group; Intensive Glucose Lowering and Its Effects on Vascular Events and Death According to Age at Diagnosis and Duration of Diabetes: The ADVANCE Trial. Diabetes Care 2024; dc241516. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-1516

Smoking tobacco from childhood can cause premature heart damage, reports study

Cigarette smoking from childhood into early adulthood is associated with an increased risk of premature cardiac injury, according to a study published today in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology. This early damage to the structure and function of the heart can also significantly increase the chance of future cardiovascular (CVD) mortality in mid-life.

“Our goal is to provide data for policymakers, clinicians, and public health practitioners on crucial timing for preventing smoking and its early consequences in youth,” said Andrew Agbaje, MD, MPH, PhD, lead and senior author of the study and an associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Child Health at the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. “Parents and caregivers must lead by example and government agencies should be bold to address the preventable heart disease risk by creating a smoke and nicotine-free country. Raising tobacco taxes is insufficient because the cost of health care due to smoking-related diseases twice exceeds tobacco tax profits. Why should we pay for what is killing our teenagers softly?”

Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland collaborating with the University of Bristol used the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort data to examine the impact of tobacco smoking during growth from childhood to young adulthood and its association with structural and functional cardiac injury.

Cardiac injury refers to damage to the heart muscle, or the myocardium, and can occur from causes such as ischemia (reduced blood flow), inflammation, trauma or chronic diseases. Cardiac mass increase is the increase in size or weight of the heart and is often associated with cardiac hypertrophy, or the thickening of the heart muscle walls. Both conditions can affect heart function. Adolescent smoking has been associated with vascular injury in adolescence and CVD mortality in midlife. However, studies of cardiac structure and function in healthy children are scarce, since cardiac injury in childhood is usually due to rare clinical events.

The analysis included 1,931 young adults with complete smoking and echocardiographic measures at 24 years. The prevalence of smoking was 0.3%, 1.6%, 13.6%, 24%, and 26.4% at ages 10, 13, 15, 17, and 24 years, respectively, and 60% of those who initiated smoking in childhood continued smoking at 24 years.

Researchers found that tobacco smoking from age 10 to 24 years was associated with 33% to 52% odds of premature structural and functional cardiac injury. Additionally, it was associated with cardiac mass increase, even after controlling for competing risk factors.

Key study results include:

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy prevalence increased from 2.8% to 7.5% at age 24.
Left ventricular diastolic (LVD) dysfunction prevalence increased from 10.4% to 16.9% at age 24.
Increased risk of high relative wall thickness (RWT) and high left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP).
Increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in both unadjusted and adjusted models from ages 17 – 24 years.

“The increase of cardiac mass structure in just a few years of smoking should convey how dangerous the consequences are for people who continue to smoke from a young age,” Agbaje said.

“This study shows that teen smoking doesn’t just increase the risk of heart disease later in life – it causes early and lasting damage to heart muscle and function,” said Emily Bucholz MD, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Associate Editor of JACC. “It’s a wake-up call for prevention efforts to protect young hearts early.”

Limitations of the study include insufficient data on socio-environmental influences, including parental smoking, friends and peer smoking, or consuming alcohol. Also, cotinine levels, which help quantify true nicotine exposure, were unavailable to analyze. Lastly, most study participants were Caucasian, which may make findings ungeneralizable to other racial groups.

Reference:

Andrew O. Agbaje, Incidental and Progressive Tobacco Smoking in Childhood and Subsequent Risk of Premature Cardiac Damage, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.09.1229.

Sugary drinks significantly raise CVD risk, but occasional sweet treats don’t, finds research

A little of what you fancy does you good unless it’s a fizzy drink. Scientists studying the impact of sugar on the risk of cardiovascular disease have found that eating too much added sugar increases your risk of stroke or aneurysm, but eating a few treats is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, drinking sweetened beverages raises your risk of stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

“The most striking finding from our study is the divergent relationship between different sources of added sugar and cardiovascular disease risk,” said Suzanne Janzi, PhD candidate at Lund University and corresponding author of the article in Frontiers in Public Health. “This surprising contrast highlights the importance of considering not just the amount of sugar consumed, but its source and context.”

A spoonful of sugar

Although most public health bodies recommend limiting sugar consumption to protect your teeth and improve your diet, there has previously been limited evidence regarding the impact of sugar intake on cardiovascular diseases. These diseases are the leading cause of death and disease in Europe, and changing your diet is a comparatively easy way to reduce your risk.

To understand how sugar consumption affects cardiovascular disease risk, and whether consuming different kinds of sugar changes those risks, the scientists collected data from two major cohort studies, the Swedish Mammography Cohort and the Cohort of Swedish Men. These studies had diet questionnaires administered in 1997 and 2009, allowing the scientists to monitor participants’ diets over time.

Once exclusions had been made to ensure the two cohorts shared the same inclusion criteria and to remove independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, the scientists were left with a sample of 69,705 participants. They looked at three classes of sugar consumption-toppings like honey, treats like a pastry, or sweetened beverages like fizzy drinks-and seven cardiovascular diseases: two different types of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, aortic aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, and aortic stenosis.

The participants were monitored until they died, were diagnosed with one of the cardiovascular diseases, or reached the end of the follow-up period in 2019. During this period, 25,739 participants were diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease.

The scientists then used this data to break down how the different types of sugar intake affect the risk of different cardiovascular diseases.

Affairs of the heart

They found that consuming sweet drinks was worse for your health than any other form of sugar: drinking more sweetened drinks significantly increased the risk of ischemic stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“Liquid sugars, found in sweetened beverages, typically provide less satiety than solid forms-they make you feel less full-potentially leading to overconsumption,” said Janzi. “Context also matters-treats are often enjoyed in social settings or special occasions, while sweetened beverages might be consumed more regularly.”

Different cardiovascular diseases were affected differently by increased sugar intake, possibly because consuming additional sugar affected participants’ individual risk profile differently. Increased sugar in general raised the risk of ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm, as well as increasing the risk of heart failure in participants with a normal BMI.

However, the highest risks of a negative health outcome arose in the lowest intake category for treats. Consuming occasional treats was associated with better outcomes than no treats at all.

“This might reflect underlying dietary behaviors-individuals consuming very little sugar might have very restrictive diets or might be limiting sugar due to pre-existing health conditions,” suggested Janzi. “While our observational study cannot establish causation, these findings suggest that extremely low sugar intake may not be necessary or beneficial for cardiovascular health.”

However, the scientists noted that more work will be needed to understand the mechanisms involved in the differential effects of different types of sugar consumption. They also pointed out that diet is highly demographically and culturally specific.

“Our findings are based on a Swedish population, which may have dietary habits and lifestyle factors that differ from those in other populations,” said Janzi. “Particularly relevant in this context is the social custom of ‘fika’-regular coffee and pastry breaks that are deeply embedded in Swedish culture. These results may not directly translate to other populations with different dietary cultures.”

Reference:

Suzanne Janzi, Added sugar intake and its associations with incidence of seven different cardiovascular diseases in 69,705 Swedish men and women, Frontiers in Public Health, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1452085.

Daily nut consumption in elderly tied to lower dementia and healthier lifespan: Study

A new study published in the journal of Age and Ageing showed that daily nut consumption may help elderly persons avoid dementia and other forms of impairment. The world nations are dealing with an aging population. The complicated and multifaceted process of aging later in life is linked to a higher risk of morbidity. As people age, cognitive decline is frequent in addition to physical changes.

Dementia risk is increased by age-related increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction, which can cause cell death and synapse loss. Nuts are rich in fiber, phytosterols, polyphenols, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and a range of vitamins and minerals. It’s unknown how nut consumption and disability-free survival relate to one another. This study sought to determine if nut consumption and disability-free longevity differed based on the overall quality of the diet in a population of persons aged 70 and older.

A total of 9916 individuals from the ASPREE longitudinal research of older persons participated in this prospective cohort research. The participants were asked to categorize their normal intake of nuts as either daily [every day or many times a day], weekly [1–2 times/week, commonly 3–6 times/week], or no/infrequent [never/rarely, 1-2 times/month] after completing a 49-item Food Frequency questionnaire.

A composite of first-event death, dementia onset, or chronic physical impairment was the outcome being measured. The link between different amounts of nut consumption and disability-free survival was investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression models, which were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, health-related and clinical covariates, and overall dietary quality.

Individuals who regularly ate nuts were more likely to be female, younger, had a smaller waist circumference, and live in greater socioeconomic areas. Also, they were more likely to report having good oral health, never having smoked, having the best nutritional quality tertile, and expressing more athletic ability.

Daily nut eaters were also less likely to develop diabetes or be feeble, although they were more likely to drink more alcohol than was recommended. The individuals who ate nuts every day had a 23% lower chance of attaining the DFS goal over an average of 3.9 years of follow-up than the individuals who ate nuts infrequently or not at all.

Among the ones in the second dietary quality tertile, subgroup analysis showed a substantial correlation between daily nut consumption and a healthy lifespan. Overall, the results of this research imply that daily nut consumption is linked to a longer, healthier lifespan for older persons, even the individuals whose diet may not be the best.

Source:

Wild, H., Nurgozhina, M., Gasevic, D., Coates, A. M., Woods, R. L., Ryan, J., Beilin, L., Govindaraju, T., McNeil, J. J., & Owen, A. J. (2024). Nut consumption and disability-free survival in community-dwelling older adults: a prospective cohort study. In Age and Ageing (Vol. 53, Issue 11). Oxford University Press (OUP). https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afae239

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