Medical Bulletin 01/ March/ 2025

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Continuous Glucose Monitoring can Overestimating Your Blood Sugar Levels, Study finds
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are growing in popularity but new peer-reviewed research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, from the University of Bath, suggests they may not be as accurate as many believe. Originally designed to help people living with diabetes manage their blood sugar, these devices are now being used by the health-conscious to track how different foods affect their glucose levels.
The research measured blood sugar responses in healthy volunteers using two methods: a CGM and the gold standard finger-prick test.
The research aimed to assess the accuracy of CGMs in measuring responses to various fruit-based products, ranging from whole fruit to smoothies.
The results showed that when participants consumed a smoothie, the Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 CGM overestimated the GI by 30%, reporting a GI of 69 compared to the traditional test result of 53.
Whole fruit was misclassified as medium or high-GI foods by CGMs, while the finger-prick test showed they were low-GI. This could lead users to mistakenly believe that fruit could cause harmful spikes in blood sugar.
CGMs overestimated the time spent above the blood sugar level threshold by nearly 400%, potentially causing unnecessary worry for people whose blood sugar is actually well-controlled.
The research concludes that CGMs are unlikely to be a valid method to determine whether a food is high or low-GI.
Ref: Katie M. Hutchins, James A. Betts, Dylan Thompson, Aaron Hengist, Javier T. Gonzalez,
Continuous glucose monitor overestimates glycemia, with the magnitude of bias varying by postprandial test and individual – A randomized crossover trial.,
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2025, ISSN 0002-9165, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.02.024.
New Study Reveals Schizophrenia’s Impact on Brain Structure
The symptoms of schizophrenia vary greatly from person to person. A new study shows how these differences manifest themselves in the structure of the brain.
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition that affects perception, thought and emotions. This complexity is reflected in the individual manifestations of the disease: for some patients, perceptual disturbances are the main problem, while for others, cognitive impairments are more prevalent. “In this sense, there is not one schizophrenia, but many, each with different neurobiological profiles,” says Wolfgang Omlor, first author of the study and senior physician at the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich.
Data was collected by comparing the brain structures of several thousand patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals, the variability of brain structure could be studied with a high degree of reliability.
While variable brain structures in schizophrenia may reflect differences in symptoms between patients, the uniformity of brain folding in the mid-frontal brain area suggests a developmental trait common to people with schizophrenia. Because brain folding is largely completed in early childhood, brain development during this period appears to be less flexible in schizophrenia patients, particularly in areas responsible for linking thinking and feeling processes.
While uniform brain folding may indicate possible mechanisms of disease development, regions with high variability in brain structure may be relevant for the development of individualized treatment strategies
Ref: Mancini V, Latreche C, Fanshawe JB, Varvari I, Zauchenberger C-Z, McGinn N, et al. Anticholinergic Burden and Cognitive Function in Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Psychiatry [Internet]. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2025 Feb 26 [cited 2025 Feb 26];0(0). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20240260
Unraveling the Connection between Colorectal Cancer Risk and Steatotic Liver Disease
Lifestyle-related disorders have become increasingly prevalent, representing a major health crisis. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in particular, affects over a quarter of the world’s population. In addition, it is closely linked to diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders, and constitutes a major risk for severe complications, including liver cancer and cardiovascular disease. While alcohol consumption and obesity are established risk factors for colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality, mounting evidence supports the association between NAFLD and CRC.
Hence, a research team led by Dr. Takefumi Kimura from the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Japan, along with Dr. Nobuharu Tamaki from Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Japan and Dr. Shun-Ichi Wakabayashi from Shinshu University School of Medicine, Japan, conducted a nationwide population-based study to compare the risk and incidence of CRC across patients with SLD. Their study was published online in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
The study included patients with SLD and individuals without known liver disease for comparative analyses. The incidence and risk of CRC were compared among the SLD subgroups. It was observed that 0.19% of patients were diagnosed with CRC over the 4.5-year follow-up period. In addition, the risk of CRC varied significantly among patients with SLD, with the highest CRC risk observed in patients with ALD, followed by MetALD and MASLD. The study highlights differences in CRC risk across patients with different subgroups of SLD, underscoring the need for comprehensive CRC screening and risk stratification based on the new consensus-based definitions of liver disease.
The differences in CRC risk across the different subgroups may be attributed to their underlying pathology and interactions with other comorbidities. Mechanistically, alcohol may trigger CRC development through the production of toxic metabolites, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. MASLD/NAFLD, on the other hand, is associated with increased inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and insulin resistance, which in turn, elevates the risk of CRC.
Ref: Colorectal Cancer Incidence in Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD, MetALD, and ALD), Kimura, Takefumi et al. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Volume 0, Issue 0

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Sun Pharma eyes to launch obesity drug in five years: MD

Mumbai: Pharma major, Sun Pharmaceutical, is gearing up to introduce its experimental anti-obesity and type 2 diabetes medicine in the next four to five years, Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director of the Company announced the ambitious plans on Friday.

With the weight-loss drug market projected to reach $150 billion globally by the end of the decade, several Indian pharmaceutical companies are racing to establish a foothold. Sun Pharma’s move follows the immense success of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, whose weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Zepbound, respectively, have seen surging demand, significantly boosting the valuation of both companies.

Sun Pharma’s novel investigational drug, also known as Utreglutide (GL0034), belongs to a drug class called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which suppress appetite by mimicking gut hormones and have also been found to have medical benefits for conditions beyond type 2 diabetes and weight loss.
The active ingredients in Wegovy and Zepbound also belong to the same class of drugs.
Sun Pharma, which expects to conduct mid-stage trials for the drug this year, earlier said it demonstrated clinically meaningful weight loss and significant metabolic improvements in the first phase of trials.
According to Reuters, the company said last year, “The findings highlight GL0034’s potential as a therapeutic option for individuals with obesity, providing not only weight loss but also improvements in key cardiometabolic biomarkers.” 
The company will focus on launching it in India as well as global markets, a source with knowledge of the matter said on Friday.
Sun Pharma said in August it would consider a partnership or licensing the product in large markets such as the U.S. and Europe for commercialization.
Generic drugmakers such as Dr Reddy’s, Cipla, Lupin, are also developing their own generic versions of these drugs, the launch of which is subject to patent expiry of active ingredients in original drugs.
Read also: Sun Pharma, Philogen complete patient enrollment in Phase III trial for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

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NBE To Close NEET SS 2024 Application Correction Window- check deadline

New Delhi- The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) opened the application correction window recently for all the applicants who have registered for the National Eligibility Entrance Test-Super Specialty (NEET SS) for the academic year 2024-25. The NEET SS 2024 form correction window is going to close on March 3, 2025. 

Candidates can process the correction window through online mode from the NBE official website. As per the NEET SS 2024 information bulletin, after the editing window closes, no edits will be acceptable to the information provided in the application form.

Also Read: Seeking Admission To DM and DrNB Interventional Radiology? Check Out Prior Entry Qualification

STEPS TO EDIT NEET SS 2024 APPLICATION

STEP 1- Visit the official website of NBE.

STEP 2- Select the ‘NEET SS’ tab from the homepage and then click on the ‘Application Link.’

STEP 3- Click on the ‘Login’ tab displayed on the screen.

STEP 4- Add the user ID and password and enter the given security code.

STEP 5- Modify the permitted fields as per the requirement

STEP 6- Carefully verify all changes before submitting the NEET SS application form.

Meanwhile, after the completion of the edit window process, NBE will also open the final edit window to correct defective and incorrect images, where correction of photo, thumb impression and signature will be allowed. The final edit window for NEET SS 2024 will be open from March 11, 2025, to March 13, 2025.

As per the official schedule, the NEET SS 2024 exam will be conducted on March 29 and 30, 2025, therefore, the admit card will be released from March 25, 2025. Whereas, the result is expected to be declared by April 30, 2025.

Also Read: Aspiring for DM Onco-Pathology? Know the Feeder Qualification

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‘Harmonizing’ the MRIs: A better way to compare images taken at different institutions

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an essential tool for medical clinicians, providing detailed views of the interior of the human body as well as valuable information on pathologies.

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Scientists solve mystery of how the drug retinoic acid works to treat neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor that occurs in children. When high-risk, the disease has a poor prognosis. Decades ago, adding the drug retinoic acid to neuroblastoma treatment increased survival by 10–15%. However, this effect was only evident in post-chemotherapy consolidation after bulky primary tumors had largely been eliminated. Why retinoic acid is effective in this setting but not against primary tumors, has been speculated about for nearly 50 years.

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War-related post-traumatic stress disorder: Researchers urge preventing effects of traumatic experiences

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 10% of road accident participants and as many as half of people who have experienced war, and victims of rape or violence. PTSD negatively affects the quality of life; it is also associated with greater costs of health care. That is why it is so important to prevent the effects of traumatic experiences, and if PTSD or other mental problems do occur—treat victims using evidence-based methods, argue scientists from SWPS University and the University of Warsaw.

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Nurse practitioners key to increasing health care access in less advantaged areas, study shows

Primary care practices that employ nurse practitioners (NPs) are more likely to serve socioeconomically disadvantaged communities than practices with no NPs on staff, Columbia University School of Nursing researchers report in JAMA Network Open. Assistant Professor Monica O’Reilly-Jacob, Ph.D., led the study, published online February 28, 2025.

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Genetic testing offers hope for targeted childhood cancer therapies

New research has looked into a comprehensive and structured approach to genetic testing, matching children and young people with cancer to targeted treatments. The study aimed to advance precision medicine in the UK to help young cancer patients receive more targeted cancer treatments, an important step towards increasing survival rates and reducing the side-effects of treatment.

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Madras HC seeks response on plea alleging lack of doctors to operate ultrasound machines

Chennai: The Madras High Court, highlighting the shortage of doctors to operate ultrasound machines in most rural primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in the district, has directed state authorities to respond regarding the non-functional ultrasound equipment in PHCs across the Madurai district.

The directive came in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by activist A Veronica Mary, highlighting the lack of essential prenatal diagnostic facilities in rural healthcare centers.

On Thursday, a division bench comprising Justice J Nisha Banu and Justice S Srimathy took up the plea and asked the government to respond to a petition that calls for an order to guarantee the functionality of ultrasound equipment in PHCs in the Madurai district.

Also read- Woman given nitrous oxide instead of oxygen in 2012: Madras HC directs day-to-day trial

The petitioner pointed out that there are 13 block-level PHCs in the district, which play a crucial role in maternal and infant healthcare, including perinatal care, delivery and immunization. Ultrasound scans, essential for monitoring fetal development, are unavailable at most rural PHCs. 

She claimed that due to the absence of these scanners, the pregnant women are forced to travel long distances to taluk hospitals, medical colleges, or private hospitals, where each scan costs between Rs 1,000- 1,200.

One such PHC in Chekkanurani, which is one of the most important in the region, witnesses 50 to 100 pregnant women every Tuesday, with at least 30 to 50 requiring an ultrasound. However, due to the absence of trained doctors, the equipment remains unused, reports TOI. 

She further pointed out that although the state had installed ultrasound machines in several block-level PHCs, a shortage of trained doctors has made them unusable. She came to know about the core issue, which is the shortage of specialist doctors at these PHCs after she submitted a representation to the authorities to make ultrasound equipment functional in all PHCs.

Following this, she approached the High Court and submitted her petition. The hearing in the case was adjourned for a week.

Also read- HC quashes FIR against Gynaecologist for not reporting POCSO Case: Doctors Not Liable for Verifying Victim’s Age

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Puttur Negligence Case: DHO Submits Preliminary Report

Mangaluru: Following the alleged medical negligence case in Puttur, where doctors at a private hospital reportedly left a surgical mop inside a woman’s stomach during a C-section delivery, a fact-finding team headed by DHO Dr. Thimmaiah HR has submitted a preliminary report.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a doctor associated with a private hospital in Puttur, Karnataka, had been accused of medical negligence for allegedly leaving a surgical mop inside a woman’s stomach while conducting her Caesarean-section surgery.

Also Read: Medical Negligence? Doctor accused of leaving surgical mop inside patient during C-section

The case stems from an allegation made by the husband of a woman who underwent a Caesarean section in November 2024. He claims that during the procedure, a surgical mop was left inside his wife’s abdomen, which led to complications. The patient, still receiving medication for the complications, has faced significant health challenges since the surgery. She has been unable to breastfeed her newborn, and her recovery process remains slow. This incident has sparked concern over patient safety and the standards of care in private hospitals, particularly regarding surgical procedures.

Speaking to TOI, the DHO said on Thursday that the report submitted to the health commissioner and the Dakshina Kannada SP, suggests medical negligence; however, a probe will help bring out the complete truth.

A team of six doctors was sent to the hospital to conduct an inquiry, where they interacted with medical staff, reviewed hospital records, and examined documents related to the surgery. The health authorities have vowed to take swift and appropriate action once the final report is submitted in the next two days. The Health and Family Welfare minister has directed the officials to submit the findings immediately.

This directive is expected to speed up the investigation, ensuring that the necessary steps are taken to address the issue and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Also Read: Chaos at Amethi’s Sanjay Gandhi Hospital! Doctor accused of being drunk during surgery

According to Udayvani, confirming the progress, DHO Dr Thimmaiah stated, “The final report will be compiled Thursday and submitted to the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department.”

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