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Pune: Pune’s maternity centers are facing a growing crisis despite ongoing efforts to address critical gaps in their services. A 2023 gap analysis by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) revealed several critical issues, such as a shortage of specialist doctors, the absence of blood banks, a lack of ICU units, and an inability to manage complicated cases.
Despite efforts to tackle these challenges, the shortage of qualified medical staff continues to be a pressing concern.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that in response to a pressing shortage of healthcare experts in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) run healthcare facilities, three ward medical officers (WMO) were transferred to maternity homes on Saturday. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been suffering from a shortage of expert doctors and staff. This lack of specialized doctors eventually caused inconvenience to citizens and patients.
Also Read: Pune Municipal Corporation transfers 3 gynaecologists to maternity homes
According to the news reports, PMC operates 21 maternity centres across the city, but a recent investigation has uncovered troubling gaps in the infrastructure and staffing. Of these 21 centres, two do not have operating theatres, which are essential for performing C-sections in case of emergencies. The remaining 19 centres, which do have operating theatres, are managed by just eight gynecologists.
In some cases, women in need of a C-section are rushed to hospitals that have the necessary medical staff, often at the last minute, which can delay crucial medical procedures.
These gynecologists are primarily stationed at Kamala Nehru Hospital, Sonawane Hospital, and Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, where the majority of deliveries take place. Despite the inauguration of a medical college alongside Kamala Nehru Hospital in 2022, the situation remains dire. Dr. Lata Trimbake, the medical superintendent of all the maternity centres, stated that despite having the college, resident doctors, and more manpower have not been secured.
The staff shortage has reached critical levels, with only six anesthetists available to cover all 19 maternity centers. This limited number means that only a few facilities are capable of performing C-sections or providing the level of care needed for high-risk pregnancies.
Also Read: Pune Municipal Corporation issues notice to 24 Private Hospitals
The shortage of skilled medical staff and the lack of proper infrastructure pose serious risks to pregnant women, especially those with complicated pregnancies. Officials mentioned that patients admitted to smaller centers are often instructed to either go directly to Kamala Nehru Hospital or are referred to Sassoon Hospital.
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Agartala: To ease the burden on underprivileged patients and their families, the Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital have launched a midday meal service priced at just Rs 10.
The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Rotary Club and the Patient Welfare Committee and aims to ease the financial burden on patients. Many of them travel from outside Agartala to GBP Hospital, one of the region’s oldest medical institutions, for treatment, news agency ANI reported.
Recognising the financial strain on these patients and their families, the hospital administration, along with the state government, has ensured that wholesome meals, including eggs, vegetables, and lentils, are made available at a nominal cost with support from the state government.
Speaking to ANI during the launch, the Tripura CM said, “Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, commonly known as GBP Hospital, is one of the oldest hospitals. It currently has 150 undergraduate students and about 89 postgraduate students.
Many patients come here from outside the city… I have worked at this hospital before, and recently, discussions were ongoing about the fact that patients often have family members accompanying them. In collaboration with the Rotary Club and the Patient Welfare Committee, a midday meal service has now been launched, providing meals for just Rs 10.
I personally provided a meal to a patient, and they were very happy. You can understand how significant it is to get a meal for Rs 10, which includes eggs, vegetables, and lentils.”
In addition to the meal service, a new shelter facility has also been constructed for families accompanying patients. This initiative ensures they have a place to stay and access to affordable food, significantly reducing their hardships.
“As the Honourable Prime Minister has emphasised the importance of such initiatives, we have ensured that this programme remains within our budget. Additionally, we are constructing a shelter room for those coming from outside, where they can stay and have meals. This facility has already been launched, and we are working further to enhance it,” Saha added.
One of the meal service beneficiaries, Pramila Debnath, who was also a family member of patients visiting the hospital, expressed her gratitude to the Chief Minister and said that this scheme would greatly benefit the poor.
“The Honourable Chief Minister recently introduced an initiative where a midday meal is available for just 10 rupees. I am very happy about this, as it has greatly benefitted the poor. This kind of facility was never available before, and I truly appreciate it,” Debnath said.
Another beneficiary of the meal service, Subhash Baishnab, said, “I really liked this initiative. For the past one and a half months, we have been here, but such a facility was not available before. Previously, we had to eat outside, whether it was day or night. But today, we have received this opportunity from the Tripura Government, and I truly appreciate it. I would like to tell the Chief Minister that no matter how many generations come in the future, we always hope to have a government like this that cares for us.”
With this meal service, the state government remains committed to further enhancing the programme, ensuring that every patient and their family receive adequate support during their stay at GB Hospital.
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Mumbai: The much-anticipated
Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) elections are scheduled for Thursday, April
3. A total of approximately 1.30 lakh registered doctors across the state will cast their votes to elect nine members who will serve on the council and oversee the regulation of the medical profession for the next five years.
The elections will be conducted via a secret ballot at designated polling centres in each district, under the supervision of the district collector. In Nagpur, voting will be held at Hostel No. 3, situated near the dean’s office at Government Medical College (GMC). The city will feature 16 polling booths, catering to the district’s 7,670 registered medical professionals, including 3,941 male and 3,729 female doctors. Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing ample time for medical practitioners to participate in the election process.
The Maharashtra Medical
Council serves as a quasi-governmental and quasi-judicial body responsible for
regulating medical practitioners across the state. With over two lakh
registered doctors under its purview, the Maharashtra Medical Council plays a pivotal role in
maintaining ethical medical standards, granting licences, investigating
complaints, and ensuring scientific advancements in medical practice, reports the Times of India. The
elected members will be responsible for making crucial decisions that impact
both healthcare professionals and patients throughout Maharashtra.
Currently, the MMC is
functioning under an administrator, as the term of the previously elected
general body concluded during the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying the elections.
Before the pandemic, the council was led by a body primarily composed of Indian
Medical Association (IMA) members. The IMA has once again introduced a panel of
nine candidates for this election, while the Parivartan panel is also
competing. Additionally, several independent candidates and other groups have
entered the contest, making this a highly competitive election, reports the Daily.
With 38 polling centres
set up across Maharashtra, the elections will play a crucial role in
determining the future course of medical regulations in the state. The nine
elected members will serve a five-year term, taking charge of vital
responsibilities that will shape the medical profession in Maharashtra. The
collector’s office said, “Only registered medical
practitioners with names on the electoral roll are eligible to vote.
Voters must carry one valid photo ID for verification.”
Medical
Dialogues had earlier reported that a medical practitioner from New Panvel has filed a
petition in the Bombay
High Court challenging the state medical education department, the
MMC, and returning officer Shilpa Parab on various grounds, including the
preparation of the electoral list and the returning officer’s eligibility.
Meanwhile Bombay High
Court refused to interfere with the upcoming MMC election scheduled for April 3.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Dr. Sudhir Naik and seven other
doctors, who challenged the election over concerns of low voter turnout. The
petition highlighted that the polling is scheduled for a weekday and has
limited centres. The court directed the MMC to increase the number of booths in
future elections to ensure better voter participation.
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USA: The STRIDE trial has demonstrated that semaglutide significantly enhances walking capacity in individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). After 52 weeks of treatment, patients receiving semaglutide experienced a 21% improvement in maximum walking distance compared to just 8% in the placebo group.
“The study found a significant difference between the two groups, with an estimated treatment ratio of 1.13 (95% CI 1.06–1.21; p=0.0004), highlighting the potential of semaglutide in improving mobility and quality of life for patients with PAD and diabetes,” Marc Bonaca, of CPC Clinical Research and University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora reported at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting. The study was also published online in The Lancet.
PAD, a progressive vascular disease that restricts blood flow to the lower limbs, affects over 230 million people worldwide and is associated with reduced functional capacity and increased cardiovascular risk. Despite its widespread prevalence, effective treatment options to enhance mobility and overall well-being remain limited. In the STRIDE trial, a phase 3b, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, the researchers aimed to assess whether semaglutide could improve walking ability and alleviate PAD-related symptoms in patients with concurrent diabetes.
Conducted across 112 clinical sites in 20 countries, the trial enrolled 792 participants aged 18 years and older, all diagnosed with T2D and PAD with intermittent claudication. Eligible participants were required to have a Fontaine stage IIa classification (walking ability over 200 meters) and an ankle-brachial index of 0.90 or lower or a toe–brachial index of 0.70 or lower. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a weekly 1.0 mg subcutaneous injection of semaglutide or a placebo for one year.
The study results showed that patients receiving semaglutide demonstrated superior improvements in walking ability compared to those given a placebo. In absolute terms, semaglutide led to a median improvement of 26.4 meters over the placebo in maximum walking distance, suggesting its effectiveness in addressing the mobility limitations associated with PAD in diabetic patients.
In terms of safety, the incidence of treatment-related adverse events was low. Serious adverse events were reported in 1% of patients in the semaglutide group and 2% in the placebo group, with gastrointestinal issues being the most common. Importantly, no treatment-related deaths were observed.
“These findings reinforce the potential of semaglutide as a therapeutic option for improving functional outcomes in patients with PAD and T2D. Further research is warranted to explore its benefits in PAD patients without diabetes and to better understand the mechanisms underlying its positive effects on vascular health and mobility,” the authors concluded.
Reference:
Semaglutide and walking capacity in people with symptomatic peripheral artery disease and type 2 diabetes (STRIDE): a phase 3b, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Bonaca, Marc P et al. The Lancet, Volume 0, Issue 0
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A new study published in the journal of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism showed a strong correlation between coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and an increased triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index. Atherosclerotic plaque that develops in the coronary arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart is the cause of coronary artery disease. A number of variables combine to promote atherosclerotic plaque development, which is a primary etiology that underlying the pathophysiologic processes of CAD.
Some risk factors, like smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension (HTN), etc., have been shown to play crucial roles in extensive epidemiological investigations. Numerous studies have demonstrated how insulin resistance (IR) contributes to the development of atherosclerosis by causing abnormal lipid metabolism. The TyG index, which is computed as the natural logarithm of [fasting TG (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], was created in 2008 as an affordable and easily available technique.
Global morbidity and death rates are significantly impacted by CAD, a serious public health issue. Evaluating IR as a risk factor for atherosclerosis development might reveal the pre-CAD state. A very trustworthy way to assess IR is the TyG index, which has demonstrated encouraging relationships with CAD. Thus, this study was to look at the relationship between CAD and the TyG index.
The study included a total of 2346 participants, who were divided into 5 groups, as the individuals without CAD, angiogram-negative (Ang−) patients, those with SVD, two-vessel disease (2VD), or three-vessel disease (3VD). The records were kept of biochemical analyses, illness histories, and demographic characteristics. Ln [fasting TG (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2] was used to compute the TyG index.
When compared to the healthy subjects, adjusted regression models showed that the probabilities of 3VD, 2VD, SVD, and a negative coronary angiography rose considerably with each unit rise in the TyG index. Furthermore, when compared to the Ang− group, a one-unit rise in the TyG index significantly enhanced the probabilities of becoming 3VD, 2VD, and SVD.
Overall, this study shows that the presence and severity of CAD are significantly correlated with an increased TyG index. Particularly in individuals with diabetes, higher TyG index values were consistently associated with a higher risk of multivessel CAD.
Reference:
Saffar Soflaei, S., Salehi-Sangani, P., Fallahi, Z., Imanparast, F., Marousi, M., Tajfard, M., Ferns, G. A., Moohebati, M., & Ghayour-Mobarhan, M. (2025). Triglyceride-glucose index association with severity of coronary artery disease. Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, 8(2), e70025. https://doi.org/10.1002/edm2.70025
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USA: A study published in Diabetes Care found that the rate of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the time of type 1 diabetes diagnosis has increased in recent years.
Researchers analyzed data from over 9,000 children and discovered that those with DKA at diagnosis had higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, higher body mass index (BMI), and greater insulin requirements one and two years after diagnosis. These children were also more likely to experience subsequent DKA episodes, indicating a potential long-term impact on diabetes management.
The study was conducted by Klemen Dovc, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia, and colleagues to examine the link between diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of type 1 diabetes and its impact on long-term glycemic control, insulin needs, BMI SDS, and the adoption of diabetes technology in youth.
For this purpose, the researchers analyzed data from nine countries—Austria, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the U.S. (Colorado)—focusing on youth aged 0.5 to 15.9 years who were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2019 and 2020 and followed for two years. Based on their DKA status at diagnosis, participants were categorized into three groups: no DKA, nonsevere DKA, and severe DKA. The study assessed HbA1c levels, insulin requirements, BMI SDS, and the adoption of diabetes technology, including automated insulin delivery (AID).
The following were the key findings:
“The findings suggest that both severe and nonsevere DKA at the onset of type 1 diabetes are linked to persistently elevated HbA1c levels and higher BMI SDS. However, automated insulin delivery use helps mitigate the impact of DKA at diagnosis on long-term glycemic control, reducing the differences in HbA1c levels over time,” the researchers concluded.
Reference:
Klemen Dovc, Vit Neuman, Gemulla Gita, Valentino Cherubini, G. Todd Alonso, Maria Fritsch, Claudia Boettcher, Carine de Beaufort, Reinhard W. Holl, Martin de Bock; Association of Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Onset, Diabetes Technology Uptake, and Clinical Outcomes After 1 and 2 Years of Follow-up: A Collaborative Analysis of Pediatric Registries Involving 9,269 Children With Type 1 Diabetes From Nine Countries. Diabetes Care 2025; dc242483. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc24-2483
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Netherlands: A recent real-world, long-term study from the BioDay Registry has highlighted a significant incidence of Dupilumab-Associated Ocular Surface Disease (DAOSD) in pediatric patients receiving dupilumab for atopic dermatitis (AD). The findings, published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy, emphasize the need for heightened vigilance in monitoring ocular symptoms, particularly in younger children who may have difficulty reporting their symptoms, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis.
The researchers reported that approximately one-third of pediatric atopic dermatitis patients receiving dupilumab developed DAOSD, with tarsal conjunctivitis present in all cases requiring treatment. They further noted that pruritus (75.0%), redness (72.2%), and tearing (58.3%) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Additionally, patients with elevated serum IgE levels (≥ 3000 kU/L) had a significantly higher risk of developing DAOSD (OR 4.65). Among those affected, 30% required anti-inflammatory therapy for symptom management.
While Dupilumab-Associated Ocular Surface Disease is a frequently observed side effect in pediatric atopic dermatitis patients receiving dupilumab, long-term real-world safety data remains limited. To address this gap, Marlies de Graaf, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, National Expertise Center for Atopic Dermatitis, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands, and colleagues examined the incidence of DAOSD in pediatric AD patients undergoing dupilumab treatment while also identifying potential risk factors associated with its development.
For this purpose, the researchers conducted a prospective study on pediatric AD patients (3–17 years) receiving dupilumab, assessing ocular symptoms every 4–12 weeks. Initial DAOSD management included lubricating and antihistamine eye drops or tacrolimus ointment, while persistent cases required ocular anti-inflammatory therapy and ophthalmological evaluation. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses identified predictors for DAOSD development.
Key Findings:
“The long-term, real-world study finds that 34.6% of pediatric AD patients on dupilumab develop DAOSD, with elevated baseline serum IgE (≥ 3000 kU/L) as a potential predictor,” the researchers wrote.
“The high incidence highlights the need for careful monitoring of ocular symptoms, especially in young children who may struggle to report them, risking delayed diagnosis,” they concluded.
Reference:
A. Zuithoff, N. P. Dupilumab-Associated Ocular Surface Disease in Paediatric Atopic Dermatitis Patients: Results From the BioDay Registry. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.70025
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A new study published in the International Journal of Women’s Health showed that the risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia may be increased by advanced endometriosis (ASMR stages III–IV).
Despite endometriosis’s effects on reproduction have been well studied, there is still rising interest in how it may affect pregnancy outcomes, particularly hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) including preeclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension disease (GHD). About 10% of pregnancies worldwide are affected with HDP, which includes GHD and PE. These conditions are among the most prevalent pregnancy problems.
Although the precise processes behind this relationship are yet unknown, there is growing evidence that endometriosis may be linked to an increased risk of hypertensive problems during pregnancy. Endometriosis-related immunological and inflammatory changes may disrupt placental function and lead to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, in order to give more conclusive insights into the link between endometriosis and hypertensive problems in pregnancy, this study intends to further analyze this relationship utilizing retrospective cohort analysis using Mendelian randomization (MR).
Using genetic variants linked to endometriosis from the Finnish database and outcome data for PE and eclampsia from the UK Biobank, a two-sample MR investigation was conducted. Subgroup analyses were carried out according to the anatomical site (uterus, ovary, deep infiltrating endometriosis) and the severity of endometriosis (American Society of Reproductive Medicine, or ASRM) stages I–II and III–IV.
To further evaluate the link, a retrospective cohort research was carried out, controlling for confounding variables such age, body mass index (BMI), uterine surgical history, dysmenorrhea, and adenomyosis. Based on the severity of endometriosis, the risk of PE/eclampsia was examined using multivariate logistic regression.
By utilizing Inverse Variance in MR, the weighted approach revealed a substantial correlation between PE/eclampsia and advanced endometriosis (ASRM stages III–IV), but not between lower stages or ovarian and uterine endometriosis.
After controlling for covariates, the original correlation between PE/eclampsia and the revised American Fertility Society (r-AFS) score in the retrospective cohort decreased. Age, dysmenorrhea, and the highest correlation with adenomyosis were shown to be significant risk factors.
Overall, the results point to a possible link between the risk of PE/eclampsia and advanced endometriosis. Age, dysmenorrhea, and adenomyosis, among other clinical characteristics, seem to have a greater impact on the risk, though.
Source:
Zu, Y., Xie, Y., Zhang, H., Chen, L., Yan, S., Wang, Z., Fang, Z., Lin, S., & Yan, J. (2025). Endometriosis severity and risk of preeclampsia: A combined Mendelian randomization and observational study. International Journal of Women’s Health, 17, 923–935. https://doi.org/10.2147/ijwh.s508174
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Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in seed oils such as soybean and safflower oil, and animal products including pork and eggs, specifically enhances the growth of the hard-to-treat “triple negative” breast cancer subtype, according to a preclinical study led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. The discovery could lead to new dietary and pharmaceutical strategies against breast and other cancers.
In the study, published March 14 in Science, the researchers found that linoleic acid can activate a major growth pathway in tumor cells by binding to a protein called FABP5. Comparing breast cancer subtypes, the team observed that this growth pathway activation occurs in triple-negative tumor cells, where FABP5 is particularly abundant, but not in other hormone-sensitive subtypes. In a mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer, a diet high in linoleic acid enhanced tumor growth.
“This discovery helps clarify the relationship between dietary fats and cancer, and sheds light on how to define which patients might benefit the most from specific nutritional recommendations in a personalized manner,” said study senior author Dr. John Blenis, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Professor of Cancer Research in the Department of Pharmacology and a member of the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Omega-6 linoleic acid is a diet-derived nutrient that is considered essential in mammals for supporting multiple bodily processes. However, the abundance of this fat in ‘Western-style’ diets has increased significantly since the 1950s, coinciding with the increased usage of seed oils in fried and ultra-processed foods. This has led to concerns that excessive omega-6 intake might be one of the explanations for rising rates of certain diseases, including breast cancers. But decades of studies have yielded mixed and inconclusive results, and have never uncovered any biological mechanism tying omega-6s to cancers.
In the new study, the researchers sought to resolve this confusion by initially looking at breast cancer, which has been linked to modifiable factors such as obesity. They looked at the ability of omega-6 fatty acids—particularly linoleic acid, the dominant one in the Western diet-to drive an important, nutrient-sensing growth pathway called the mTORC1 pathway.
A key initial finding was that linoleic acid does indeed activate mTORC1 in cell and animal models of breast cancers, but only in triple-negative subtypes. (The term “triple negative” refers to the absence of three receptors, including estrogen receptors, that are often expressed by breast tumor cells and can be targeted with specific treatments.) The scientists discovered that this subtype-specific effect occurs because the polyunsaturated fatty acid forms a complex with FABP5, which is produced at high levels in triple-negative breast tumors but not in other subtypes, leading to the assembly and activation of mTORC1, a major regulator of cell metabolism and cancer cell growth.
Feeding mice that model triple-negative breast cancer a high-linoleic-acid diet increased FABP5 levels, mTORC1 activation and tumor growth. The researchers also found increased levels of FABP5 and linoleic acid in the tumors and blood samples from newly diagnosed triple-negative patients.
The findings show that linoleic acid can have a role in breast cancer, though in a more targeted and defined context than previously appreciated. The study also is thought to be the first to establish a specific mechanism through which this common dietary ingredient influences disease.
The illumination of FABP5’s importance in this process suggests, moreover, that it could be a good “biomarker” to guide more personalized nutritional and therapeutic interventions for patients with triple negative breast cancer, which currently lacks any targeted therapy.
The researchers have only begun to investigate the effects of omega-6-FABP5-mTORC1 signaling in other diseases, but in the study, they showed that the same pathway can enhance the growth of some prostate cancer subtypes.
“There may be a broader role for FABP5-mTORC1 signaling in other cancer types and even in common chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes,” said study first author Dr. Nikos Koundouros, a postdoctoral research associate in the Blenis laboratory.
Reference:
Nikos Koundouros et al. ,Direct sensing of dietary ω-6 linoleic acid through FABP5-mTORC1 signaling.Science387,eadm9805(2025).DOI:10.1126/science.adm9805
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