Ditch TV and read a book: UniSA research delivers best moves to reduce dementia risk

It’s that time of the year when most of us get the chance to sit back and enjoy some well-deserved down time. But whether you reach for the TV controller, or a favourite book, your choice could have implications for your long-term brain health, say researchers at the University of South Australia.

Assessing the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 older adults (aged 60+), researchers found that the context or type of activity that you engage in, matters when it comes to brain health. And specifically, that some sedentary (or sitting) behaviours are better for cognitive function than others.

When looking at different sedentary behaviours, they found that social or mentally stimulating activities such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing a musical instrument, or chatting with others are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities. Yet watching TV or playing video games are detrimental.

Researchers believe that there is likely a hierarchy of how sedentary behaviours relate to cognitive function, in that some have positive effects while others have negative effects.

It’s a valuable insight that could help reduce risks of cognitive impairment, particularly when at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through modifiable lifestyle factors.

In Australia, about 411,100 people (or one in every 1000 people) are living with dementia. Nearly two-thirds are women. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that more than 55 million people have dementia with nearly 10 million new cases each year.

UniSA researcher Dr Maddison Mellow says that not all sedentary behaviours are equal when it comes to memory and thinking ability.

“In this research, we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement,” Dr Mellow says.

“We already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should certainly be prioritised if you are trying to improve your brain health. But until now, we hadn’t directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary behaviour for another.

“We found that sedentary behaviours which promote mental stimulation or social engagement – such as reading or talking with friends – are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect. So, the type of activity is important.

“And, while the ‘move more, sit less’ message certainly holds true for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviours and cognitive function.”

Now, as the Christmas holidays roll around, what advice do researchers have for those who really want to indulge in a myriad of Christmas movies or a marathon of Modern Family?

“To achieve the best brain health and physical health benefits, you should prioritise movement that’s enjoyable and gets the heart rate up, as this has benefits for all aspects of health,” Dr Mellow says.

“But even small five-minute time swaps can have benefits. So, if you’re dead set on having a Christmas movie marathon, try to break up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading, at some point. That way you can slowly build up healthier habits.”

References: Maddison L Mellow, PhD, Dorothea Dumuid, PhD, Alexandra Wade, PhD, Timothy Olds, PhD, Ty Stanford, PhD, Hannah Keage, PhD, Montana Hunter, PhD, Nicholas Ware, BSc, BPsyc (Hons), Felicity M Simpson, BPsyc (Hons), Frini Karayanidis, PhD … Show more

The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, Volume 79, Issue 11, November 2024, glae233, https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glae233

Published: 19 September 2024

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Phenolization Promising, Cost-Effective Treatment for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Sinus Tracts: Pilot Study Finds

France: In a recent pilot study, researchers are investigating the efficacy of phenolization as a treatment for sinus tracts associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition that often results in painful abscesses and scarring.

The study, which highlights phenolization as a potential game-changer suggests that this method may provide a quick, cost-effective, and safe therapeutic option for patients struggling with HS-related fistulas. The findings were published online in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Hidradenitis suppurativa predominantly affects areas rich in sweat glands, such as the armpits and groin, leading to painful lumps and recurrent sinus tracts. Traditional treatment options can be invasive and often require surgical intervention. In the pilot study, Céline Eldani, Department of Dermatology, Bordeaux University Hospital, Bordeaux, France, and colleagues sought to explore phenolization—a chemical procedure involving the application of phenol to the affected tissue—as a less invasive alternative. They evaluated the safety and efficacy of phenol application for treating fistulas in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

Twelve patients with 22 fistulas were treated under local anesthesia using an 88% aqueous phenol swab applied three times inside each fistula. At least half of the patients showed improvement in fistula symptoms based on various criteria at baseline and during a follow-up visit one month after the procedure. Most patients were able to resume their daily activities shortly after treatment and experienced healing within two weeks, with no serious adverse events reported.

As hidradenitis suppurativa remains a challenging condition with limited treatment options, the pilot study represents a promising step toward enhancing patient care.

The study advocates for phenolization as a viable therapeutic option for managing sinus tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and quality of life.

“Phenolization could serve as a fast, affordable, safe, and effective treatment option for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa fistulas,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Eldani, C., Cirotteau, P., Beylot-Barry, M., & Cogrel, O. Phenolization as a treatment option for sinus tracts in hidradenitis suppurativa: A pilot study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.20363

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Quitting Smoking Can Delay Lung Cancer Onset and Reduce Mortality Risk: BMC

A recent study highlighted the positive impact of smoking cessation on delaying lung cancer (LC) onset and reducing both all-cause and LC-specific mortality. The findings published in the BMC Cancer journal emphasize that quitting smoking can offer substantial health benefits for those at risk of LC even later in life.

The research utilized data from 2,671 smokers diagnosed with LC from the UK Biobank and evaluated the effects of smoking cessation on the age at onset (AAO) of LC and mortality outcomes. The participants were divided into a discovery set (1,872 individuals) and a validation set (799 individuals). Advanced statistical models analyzed how cessation timing and duration influenced health outcomes.

The study revealed that individuals over 60 years old who quit smoking experienced a delay in the onset of LC. The men showed a prolonged AAO by an average of 1.61 years, while women experienced a delay of 1.53 years. These findings underline the potential for smoking cessation to reduce the risk of early LC diagnosis, even for older adults.

A significant correlation was observed between the duration of smoking cessation and its benefits. Men who had quit smoking for more than 15 years were found to have a notably later AAO of LC by highlighting the enduring impact of long-term smoking abstinence.

The study also examined the relationship between smoking cessation and mortality. For individuals who stopped smoking before the age of 60, particularly those under 40, the reduction in mortality risk was substantial. Men in this group showed a 35% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 33% lower risk of LC-specific mortality. Also, women who quit smoking before 40 had a 38% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 32% lower risk of LC-specific mortality.

Even among individuals who had quit smoking for over 15 years, significant reductions in mortality risks were observed. Former male smokers demonstrated a 30% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 29% lower risk of LC-specific mortality. Women in the same category expressed a 32% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 31% decrease in LC-specific mortality.

Overall, this study reinforced the importance of integrating smoking cessation programs into LC screening initiatives. While the benefits of quitting smoking are most pronounced for individuals who stop at younger ages, the findings emphasized that it is never too late to quit. For those over 60, cessation can still contribute to delayed LC onset and reduced mortality risks.

Reference: 

Yin, W., Lin, Z., Gong, W.-J., Wang, W.-X., Zhu, Y.-Y., Fu, Y.-L., Yang, H., Zhang, J.-X., Lin, P., & Li, J.-B. (2025). Smoking cessation is a protective factor for lung cancer onset and mortality: a population-based prospective cohort study. BMC Cancer, 25(1), 86. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-13475-8

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Stable-State Hyponatraemia Linked to Increased Mortality and Exacerbations in COPD Patients: Study Finds

China: A recent study published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease has shed light on the impact of hyponatraemia—an abnormally low sodium level in the blood—on the survival outcomes of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

The findings suggest that COPD patients with stable-state hyponatraemia are at an increased risk of mortality. The research, which tracked 271 COPD patients over eight years, revealed that those with serum sodium levels below 135 mmol/L had a shorter overall survival (3.05 years versus 3.35 years), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.74. Furthermore, higher sodium levels were associated with fewer annual episodes of acute exacerbations and hospitalizations due to COPD.

Hyponatraemia is often considered a marker of underlying health issues and has been previously linked to poor outcomes in several chronic diseases. However, its role in COPD patients, particularly during periods when the disease is clinically stable, has not been thoroughly explored until now. To fill this knowledge gap, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China, and colleagues aimed to examine the effect of stable-state hyponatraemia on survival and the frequency of future exacerbations in patients with COPD.

For this purpose, the researchers included all COPD patients who were followed up at a regional hospital in 2015, reviewing their clinical outcomes over the next eight years. The study assessed the association between stable-state hyponatraemia and mortality. Stable-state hyponatraemia was defined as baseline serum sodium levels below 135 mmol/L, measured at least 90 days after the last acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD).

Key Findings:

  • The study included 271 COPD patients.
  • Hyponatraemia was linked to shorter overall survival, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.74.
  • The median overall survival was 3.05 years for patients with hyponatraemia, compared to 3.35 years for those without hyponatraemia.
  • Higher baseline serum sodium levels were significantly associated with fewer annual acute exacerbations of COPD and fewer hospitalizations due to AECOPD during the follow-up period.
  • Pearson correlation coefficients for the associations were −0.16 for annual AECOPD frequency and −0.14 for hospitalized AECOPD frequency.

The findings revealed that stable-state hyponatraemia is a common electrolyte imbalance in COPD, affecting 16.2% of patients. It is linked to higher mortality rates and potentially increased frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD. Regular monitoring of serum sodium levels and timely correction may help reduce mortality and exacerbation risk in COPD patients.

“Our findings further highlight the negative impact of stable-state hyponatraemia, showing its association with higher mortality and potentially increased frequency of subsequent AECOPD. These results emphasize the need for regular monitoring of serum sodium levels in COPD patients and suggest that proactive management of hyponatraemia is crucial for improving patient outcomes,” the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Kwok WC, Yap DYH, Tam TCC, Lam DCL, Ip MSM, Ho JCM. Impact of Hyponatraemia at Clinical Stable-State on Survival in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2025;20:127-135. https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S488309

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Slowly progressive subtype of type 1 diabetes tied to higher risk of end-stage renal disease, suggests study

Researchers have found that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is much more prevalent in patients with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes than those with acute-onset type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, but its course varies from patient to patient, sometimes taking a slowly progressive and at other times an acute onset course. A recent study was conducted by Hiroshi and colleagues in Japan which was published in the Journal of Diabetes Complications.

This cohort study included 521 patients diagnosed with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, with disease onset between 1959 and 1996. Data from 391 participants were analyzed. ESRD incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 person-years, categorized by sex, onset year, age at onset (before or after puberty), and diabetes subtype. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate ESRD risk factors, focusing on subtype differences.

The study showed that the ESRD incidence differed widely with other factors:

Total incidence: 525 per 100,000 person-years.

  • By sex: Female 538 and male 503.

  • By onset year: For 1959–1979: 893. For 1980–1989: 413. For 1990–1996: 225.

  • By puberty: Before puberty 420; after puberty: 715.

  • By subtype: Slowly progressive diabetes, 1388; Acute-onset diabetes: 432.

A total of 66 patients (17%) developed ESRD during the follow-up period. The Kaplan-Meier analysis further highlighted a significantly higher risk of ESRD in patients with slowly progressive diabetes.

The results suggest that slowly progressive type 1 diabetes carries a much greater risk for ESRD than its acute-onset counterpart. This might be a reflection of late diagnosis and therapy of hyperglycemia in slow progressions resulting in longer exposure to adverse metabolic environments. Changes in the temporal patterns of ESRD risks between onset years indicate gradual changes in the management of diabetes over time, but significantly higher rates in cases that began post-puberty point out that puberty has had a pivotal role on outcomes for renal function. This study shows that the incidence of ESRD is much higher in slowly progressive type 1 diabetes than in acute-onset cases. Early diagnosis and intervention are important for improving outcomes and reducing the risk of ESRD in this vulnerable population.

Reference:

Yokomichi H, Mochizuki M, Suzuki S, Ito Y, Hotsubo T, Matsuura N. Slowly progressive subtype of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes as a high-risk factor for end-stage renal disease: A cohort study in Japan. J Diabetes Complications. 2024 Nov 28;39(1):108922. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2024.108922. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39616658.

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NTRUHS NEET PG Round 3 Counselling Web Options for Non-Service Candidates To End Tomorrow

Andhra Pradesh- The Dr NTR University of Health Sciences (Dr NTRUHS) is going to end the Postgraduate (PG) Medical Phase 3/Mop-Up Counselling web options for the Non-Service candidates for admission into the competent authority quota (CQ) seats of PG Medical Degree/Diploma Courses available in the Government and Private Non-Minority and Minority Medical Colleges affiliated to Dr NTRUHS and SVIMC, Tirupati for the academic year 2024-25 tomorrow.

As per the notification in this regard, the Non-Service candidates can exercise the PG Medical Phase 3/Mop-Up Counselling web options till tomorrow i.e. 05th February 2025 upto 06.00 PM. The web options process began on 03rd February 2025, 06.00 PM. The candidates can exercise the web options process through the Dr NTRUHS official website.

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

UNIVERSITY AND TUITION FEE

While processing the web option the selected candidates have to pay the University fee of ₹.23,600/- for downloading the Allotment Order by using the Online payment method. However, candidates already paid in Phase-I/Phase-II need not pay again. Along with this, the candidates also need to pay the Tuition fee for the academic year 2024- 25 for the Competent Authority Quota seats in Private Un-aided Medical Colleges. Candidates have to pay Rs.4,96,800/- for a Clinical Degree/Diploma, Rs.1,55,250/- for a Para Clinical Degree/Diploma, and Rs.70,380/- for a pre-clinical degree/Diploma.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXERCISING WEB OPTIONS IN PHASE 3 (MOP UP) COUNSELLING

The following candidates are eligible-

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-II joined/reported seat shall be the default last option.

4 The Joined candidates who are holding a seat in Phase-I or 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 including Management Quota Counselling, regardless of whether they report to the allotted college.

6 All the joined candidates of AIQ Round 3 counselling will be blocked for State Phase-III/Mop UP and Stray counselling of both CQ & MQ even if they have exercised web options.

7 Candidates allotted/upgraded in CQ Phase-III irrespective of their reporting status will be blocked from participating in MQ Phase-III counselling, even though if they have exercised web options.

8 MCC of DGHS will share the data of joined candidates in Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3 counsellings with all the participating States. Similarly, the participating States will also share the data of joined candidates. Candidates who have joined up to Round 3 of MCC counselling and also the allotted candidates of the Stray Vacancy round of MCC counselling will be filtered and weeded out before processing for the Stray Vacancy round of counselling of AP State.

9 Candidates allotted/upgraded under CQ in Phase-III shall not have any claim on the seat held in Phase-I/Phase-II either in CQ or MQ

10 If a candidate is allotted a seat under CQ in Phase III, they must compulsorily report. The previously held MQ seat from Phase I/Phase II will automatically be vacated, regardless of whether the candidate reports to the new CQ seat in Phase III. The vacated MQ seat will be made available for allocation during MQ Phase-III Counselling.

Meanwhile, Dr NTRUHS has also released the tentative seat Matrix for Phase-III counselling under Competent Authority Quota 2024-25 for the Non-Service AU & SVU Regions after reverting Unfilled/Not Reported Service Seats. As per the tentative seat Matrix, a total of 529 seats are vacant across Medical Colleges of Andhra Pradesh.

TENTATIVE SEAT MATRIX

S.NO

COLLEGE

VACANT SEATS

1

ACSR.

12

2

AMCV.

47

3

APLC.

6

4

ASRA.

28

5

FIMS.

2

6

GEMS.

8

7

GMCA.

20

8

GMCG.

23

9

GMCK

27

10

GMCO

17

11

GMCS.

16

12

GSLR.

29

13

GVPT.

7

14

KATR

10

15

KMCK

28

16

KONA.

16

17

MAHA.

11

18

NARN

22

19

NIMR

4

20

NRIM.

22

21

NRVP.

10

22

PESK.

15

23

PSIM.

17

24

RMCK

35

25

SMCV

29

26

SRMC

15

27

SVIM.

10

28

SVMC

31

29

VMCK.

12

TOTAL

529

To view the notification, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/dr-ntruhs-272783.pdf

To view the seat matrix, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/tentative-seat-matrix-272782.pdf

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TN Health Extends NEET PG Round 3 Choice Locking Deadline

Tamil Nadu- Tamil Nadu (TN Health) has extended the lst date for choice locking for National Eligibility and Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET PG) Round 3 counselling for the academic year 2024-25 till tomorrow. Earlier, as per the schedule, the choice filling and locking process was scheduled to end on 03 February 2025, 5.00 pm.

As per the official notice in this regard, TN Health has extended the NEET PG Round 3 Counselling Choice Locking process after the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) extended the date to join All India PG MD/MS Counselling till today i.e. 04 February 2025. Therefore, the selection committee of TN Health has decided to extend the choice lock for Round 3 Counselling till tomorrow i.e. 05 February 2025 5.00 PM.

Also Read: TN Health Begins Round 3 PG Medical Counselling, details

Meanwhile, candidates who are participating in the online choice filling for PG degree/diploma courses have to deposit a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 1000/- for both the government and management quota. Candidates should be careful while choices filling. Candidates can edit their choices any number of times before locking, but once locked they will not be allowed to edit. Hence candidates are requested to check their choices and the order of preference before locking.

TN Health started the counseling process from 30 January 2025 which will end on 09 February 2025. In which, the registration process started from 30 January 2025 and lasted till 01 February 2025. Below is the complete schedule-

SCHEDULE

S.NO

PROCESS

DATE & TIME FROM

DATE & TIME TO

1

Registration/ Payment.

30th January 2025, 01:00 PM

1st February 2025, 05:00 PM

2

Choice Filling & Locking.

02nd February 2025, 10:00 AM

05th February 2025, 5.00 PM

3

Processing of Seat Allotment.

04th February 2025

4

Result.

05th February 2025

5

Downloading the Provisional Allotment Order From.

05th to 09 February 2025 03.00 PM

6

Last Date of Joining.

09 February 2025 05.00 PM

To view the notice, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/tn-health-extends-neet-pg-2024-25-round-3-choice-locking-deadline-till-tomorrow-272809.pdf

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Adverse childhood experiences in firstborns associated with poor mental health of siblings

Children are nearly three-quarters (71%) more likely to develop mental health problems between the ages of 5 and 18, if the firstborn child in their family experienced adversity during their first 1,000 days, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

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A familiar face at childbirth makes a difference: Emotional support for new mothers linked to reduced stress levels

Most animals, including other primates, give birth alone, but humans require assistance during childbirth due to the physiological complexities of the process.

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Guideline on migraine prevention says no clinically important advantages for newer, expensive medications

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has developed new recommendations to prevent episodic migraines in nonpregnant adults in outpatient settings. The clinical guideline, which includes three recommendations centered around monotherapy, is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

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