MetALD, ALD Linked to Higher Liver Risks and Mortality in Steatotic Liver Disease: Study Shows

USA: A large cohort study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has revealed that adults with alcohol-associated forms of steatotic liver disease face significantly higher risks of liver complications and mortality compared to those with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The study, led by Dr. Pedro Ochoa-Allemant and colleagues from the University of Pennsylvania, sheds light on how different subtypes of liver steatosis influence long-term health outcomes.

“MetALD and ALD subtypes of steatotic liver disease showed higher liver complications (HR 1.56 and 2.33) and mortality (HR 1.42) vs MASLD, while cardiovascular risks were similar. Advanced fibrosis raised liver risks over 10-fold across all subtypes,” the researchers reported.

Steatotic liver disease, a growing global contributor to advanced liver disease, encompasses several subtypes, including MASLD, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), and a combined category termed MetALD (metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease). While prior studies have generally grouped these patients, the new analysis provides a clearer understanding of subtype-specific risks.

The retrospective study included over 341,000 adults with imaging-confirmed hepatic steatosis, all receiving outpatient care through the US Veterans Health Administration between 2010 and 2021. Patients were followed for a median of 5.5 years to track adverse liver outcomes—such as cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplants, or liver-related deaths—as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality.

The study revealed the following findings:

77.3% of patients had MASLD, 17.9% had MetALD, and 4.8% had ALD.
Liver-related complication rates were higher in MetALD (1.12 per 100 person-years) and ALD (1.78 per 100 person-years) compared to MASLD (0.61 per 100 person-years).
All-cause mortality was elevated in MetALD (HR 1.08) and ALD (HR 1.42) groups compared to MASLD.
Cardiovascular event rates were similar across MASLD, MetALD, and ALD subtypes.
Advanced liver fibrosis, reflected by higher Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores, was linked to a tenfold increase in liver-related complications across all subtypes.
ALD patients with high FIB-4 scores had a liver event rate of 5.05 per 100 person-years.
Severe alcohol use, alcohol use disorder, and diabetes were the strongest risk factors for adverse liver outcomes.

The study’s results emphasize the clinical value of assessing alcohol use and liver fibrosis in patients with hepatic steatosis. “Recognizing the nuanced risks associated with different subtypes of steatotic liver disease is critical,” the authors note, as it can help target those patients who may benefit most from closer monitoring and early interventions.

The authors concluded, “Overall, this study highlights the need for more personalized approaches in managing patients with fatty liver disease, particularly those with coexisting metabolic and alcohol-related risk factors.”

Reference:

Ochoa-Allemant P, Hubbard RA, Kaplan DE, Serper M. Adverse Liver Outcomes, Cardiovascular Events, and Mortality in Steatotic Liver Disease. JAMA Intern Med. Published online June 16, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.1809

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Aloe Vera useful and Viable Pre-Treatment in Endodontics, suggests research

Researchers have found in a new research that Aloe vera solution can serve as an effective alternative pre-treatment before cementing fiberglass posts using conventional dual-cure resin cement in endodontically treated dentin.

This study evaluated the effects of mechanical agitation of Aloe vera Barbadensis Miller solution at different concentrations using passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), XP Endo Finisher (XPF), XP Clean (XPC), and Easy Clean (ECL), compared to conventional endodontic irrigation (CIE), on bond strength and adhesive failure patterns in the cervical, middle, and apical thirds of the root canal. Aloe vera solutions at 1%, 3%, and 5% were tested to reverse collagen fiber collapse induced by hypochlorous acid, a free radical released by 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, which impairs dentin hybridization and the light curing of resin cement. Fiberglass posts were cemented using an etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Ambar; FGM) and conventional dual resin cement (Allcem Core) in root dentin across all thirds. Human teeth underwent chemical–mechanical preparation, and the Aloe vera solution was agitated using the CIE, PUI, XPF, XPC, or ECL protocols. Slices from each root third were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at 10× magnification and subjected to the push-out test. Cytotoxicity was assessed by applying various Aloe vera concentrations to stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) for 24 h, followed by analysis of cell metabolism (Alamar Blue), viability (Live/Dead), and proliferation (F-actin). Aloe vera demonstrated significant biological activity and enhanced bond strength, particularly at 3% and 5%, irrespective of the agitation method or root third. Thus, it can be concluded that using Aloe vera solution is an alternative for pre-treatment before the cementation of fiberglass posts with conventional dual-cure resin cement in endodontically treated dentin.

Reference:

Galvani, L. D., Bordini, E. A. F., Soares, D. G., Costa, J. L. d. S. G., Verbicário, J. R., Guastaldi, F. P. S., Kuga, M. C., & Vaz, L. G. (2025). Aloe Vera as an Adjunct in Endodontic Irrigation: Impact on Dentin Bond Strength and Cytotoxicity. Materials, 18(12), 2874. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122874

Keywords:

Aloe Vera , useful, Viable, Pre-Treatment, Endodontics, suggests research, adhesion; fiber post; aloe vera; bond strength; biocompatible materials; cell survival, Galvani, L. D., Bordini, E. A. F., Soares, D. G., Costa, J. L. d. S. G., Verbicário, J. R., Guastaldi, F. P. S., Kuga, M. C., & Vaz, L. G.

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PCKP has less risk of cement leakage than UPKP in treatment of vertebral compression fractures: study

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) have become a significant public health concern due to the high morbidity and limited efficacy of conservative treatment. Conventional unilateral percutaneous vertebral kyphoplasty (UPKP) is beset by technical limitations, including the uneven distribution of cement and the inherent risk of leakage. Conversely, percutaneous curved kyphoplasty (PCKP) involves the creation of an accessible contralateral bone tunnel through a curved bone auger, a technique that, in theory, optimizes cement distribution. However, the clinical benefits of PCKP remain a subject of debate.

Yang Fuguo et al conducted a study to prospectively compare the difference in near- and midterm efficacy between PCKP and UPKP for the treatment of single-segment OVCFs, and to clarify the clinical value of PCKP.

A total of 89 patients with single-segment OVCFs were divided into two groups: the PCKP group (n = 43) and the UPKP group (n = 46). At the 12-month follow-up, pain visual analog scores (VAS, Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI)) and cement distribution were assessed preoperatively, at 2 days, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively. The duration of surgery was recorded, as were the number of fluoroscopy, bone cement dose, and complications. Compare the two sets of parameters.

Key findings of the study:

(1) Functional improvement: the VAS score and ODI of patients in PCKP group was better than that of UPKP group at 2 days postoperatively (P < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the VAS score and ODI of the two groups at the rest of the follow-up points (P > 0.05).

(2) Bone cement: the amount of cement used in the PCKP group was significantly more than that in the UPKP group (P < 0.05), and the rate of excellent distribution and leakage rate were better (P < 0.05).

(3) Vertebral recovery: the degree of recovery of the height of the anterior margin of the vertebral body was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05).

(4) Complications: there was no difference in the rate of re-fracture (P > 0.05), and the risk of leakage was lower in the PCKP.

The authors concluded – “Both PCKP and UPKP can effectively treat single-segment OVCFs, but PCKP achieves better control of spatial distribution of cement through curved bone drilling technique and significantly reduces the risk of leakage, especially for patients with moderate and severe fractures, and PCKP has more advantages in early pain relief, but near- and intermediate term follow-up shows that the efficacy of the two converge.”

Study finds that common bacteria in the mouth can help predict the progression of head and neck cancer

For decades, oral healthcare has mainly focused on preventing cavities and gum disease. However, scientific research has increasingly highlighted the importance of the oral microbiome – a set of microorganisms that naturally inhabit the oral cavity. Recent studies have shown links between imbalances in this microbial ecosystem and the development of head and neck cancers, as well as a growing body of evidence associating it with colorectal cancer.

Fusobacterium nucleatum is one of the microbial species that has attracted the most attention from the scientific community. It is a bacterium that is normally found at low levels in the oral flora of healthy individuals. However, its uncontrolled proliferation has been associated with inflammatory diseases, such as periodontitis, and other oral health issues. More recently, it has been linked to an increased risk of developing malignant tumors in other parts of the body.

A few years ago, researchers from the Hospital de Amor (formerly the Barretos Cancer Hospital) in the state of São Paulo became interested in the association of F. nucleatum with tumors and began studying its role in colorectal cancer. Recently, with support from FAPESP and other funding agencies, the group expanded its research to investigate its potential role in head and neck tumors. They discovered that the presence of the bacteria is associated with a better prognosis and longer survival in these cases. The results were published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology.

The study, led by Rui Manuel Reis, scientific director of the Teaching and Research Institute at Hospital de Amor, used an ultrasensitive methodology (digital PCR) to detect the presence of F. nucleatum in tumor tissue. The researchers analyzed 94 samples from patients with different types of head and neck cancer who were treated at the institution.

“We performed the intratumoral analysis using paraffin-embedded archival material that was initially used for the diagnosis of these patients,” Reis explains. “Using more traditional methodologies, it’d be difficult to identify the presence of this bacterium with the same precision in degraded material such as paraffin. However, the ultra-sensitive PCR technique offers high reliability and sensitivity – even minimal traces of bacterial DNA can be detected,” he points out.

According to the researcher, the difference was detecting the bacteria inside the tumor cells, a surprising finding. “If we analyze a person’s saliva, we’re likely to find this bacterium since it’s normally present in the oral cavity and makes up the dental biofilm. What we didn’t expect, however, was for it to be located within the tumor microenvironment,” Reis points out.

Better prognosis

Over the course of approximately five years, the researchers monitored the patients’ clinical data and found that the presence of F. nucleatum in the tumors was associated with a more favorable prognosis. The bacterium was identified in 59.6% of cases, with a higher prevalence in oropharyngeal tumors (62.1%) than in tumors of the oral cavity (53.6%).

Patients whose tumors contained the bacteria had an average survival rate of 60 months, while those without the bacteria lived an average of 36 months – a significant difference. “We didn’t expect this result because, in other types of cancer such as colorectal cancer, the presence of these bacteria is usually associated with greater aggressiveness and lower survival,” says Reis.

Despite this promising finding, researchers still do not fully understand why the presence of F. nucleatum is associated with a better prognosis in head and neck cancer cases. One hypothesis is that the bacterium regulates immune factors, boosting the immune system’s response and making the tumor less aggressive. “We don’t have this answer yet, but we’re going to investigate further. That’ll be the next step,” says the researcher.

Another line of study will seek to understand whether the presence of F. nucleatum in tumors influences the response to therapies. This could pave the way for more personalized approaches to treating these patients. If confirmed, F. nucleatum could become an important biomarker for head and neck cancer prognosis.

“We showed that even using old material and in small quantities, we were able to detect this bacterium. In other words, if it’s validated as a biomarker in the future, we already have an effective technique for identifying it in tumor tissue,” Reis points out.

A possible oncobacterium?

According to Reis, analyzing the oral microbiome is becoming essential to understanding modern oncology. “Rather than presenting a definitive result, this pioneering study draws attention to the relevance of this bacterium in tumor development, not just oral disease,” Reis said.

This is just the beginning of a new line of research. “This bacterium is emerging as an important modulator in the context of cancer and could solidify the use of the term ‘oncobacterium,’” Reis says. “If proven to be involved in the origin of cancer, antibiotics could be considered a complementary therapy to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.”

Future research could reveal whether the presence of F. nucleatum is related to different treatment responses, paving the way for more personalized strategies. With this knowledge, we will be able to more precisely identify which therapies are potentially most effective for each type of cancer based on the presence or absence of the bacterium.

The disease in Brazil

Head and neck cancer is a group of malignant tumors that can appear in the mouth, oropharynx, larynx, nose, sinuses, nasopharynx, eye socket, neck, and thyroid. According to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), the main risk factors are smoking, alcoholism, HPV infection, poor oral hygiene, and malnutrition.

INCA data shows that approximately 80% of cases diagnosed in Brazil between 2000 and 2017 were identified in advanced stages, significantly reducing the chances of successful treatment. These figures underscore the importance of strategies for early diagnosis and the development of new prognostic tools, as discussed in this study.

Reference:

Datorre, J. G., dos Reis, M. B., Sorroche, B. P., Teixeira, G. R., Hatano, S. S., de Carvalho, A. C., … Reis, R. M. (2025). Intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with better cancer-specific survival in head and neck cancer patients. Journal of Oral Microbiology, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/20002297.2025.2487644

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New USC study links wildfire smoke exposure and heat stress to adverse birth outcomes

Exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress can negatively affect birth outcomes for women, especially in climate-vulnerable neighborhoods, according to a recent study led by USC postdoctoral researcher Roxana Khalili, PhD. The investigation, just published in Environmental Science & Technology, is one of the first to show that living in areas more susceptible to the harmful effects of climate-related exposures can significantly alter the effects of heat stress on adverse birth outcomes, even among women exposed to these conditions in the month before becoming pregnant.

“We already know that poor air quality is associated with adverse health outcomes and that pregnant women and fetuses are especially vulnerable,” said Khalili, a researcher in the department of population and public health sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and lead author of the study. “Our knowledge about the specific effects of wildfire smoke during pregnancy has been limited. We know even less about the impact of these hazards right around or before conception.”

Khalili worked alongside Rima Habre, director of USC’s CLIMA Center to explore the associations between exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress on infant health. They used data from the MADRES cohort (Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors), an ongoing study of pregnant women in Los Angeles.

“Where you live makes a difference in your health,” said Khalili. “So does the timing of your exposure during or immediately before pregnancy. We wanted to better understand how these risks might differ for women who lived in neighborhoods that experience more climate related stressors and have fewer resources to deal with them.”

Measuring exposure

The research team examined 713 births among MADRES participants between 2016 and 2020. They used data from CalFIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) to identify the location, size, and duration of every wildland fire in southern California during the study period. They used the NOAA hazard mapping system to calculate the smoke density from each fire and applied sophisticated modeling methods to calculate ground-level smoke concentrations, estimating how much particle pollution—tiny droplets of black carbon, soot, and burned vegetation—the women in the cohort were exposed to during these events based on their daily residential location histories.

Heat stress is another risk factor for pregnant women and fetuses, partly because pregnancy impedes a woman’s ability to regulate body temperature. To measure heat stress exposures in study participants, Khalili and her colleagues used meteorological data documenting the daily temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. They also factored in a separate measurement that takes into account sun angle and cloud cover to gauge heat stress in direct sunlight, providing a better measure of how hot a given day feels when outdoors.

Next, the team pinpointed those LA neighborhoods that are most vulnerable to climate risks with mapping data from the California Urban Heat Island Index and the US Climate Vulnerability Index, two geospatial tools that analyze and map layers of data. These tools allow researchers to conduct deeper, more nuanced analyses that better assess the cumulative impacts of factors ranging from excessive heat and wildfire smoke to socioeconomic conditions.

Where there’s smoke…

The researchers found that greater exposure to wildfire smoke and excessive heat during the month before conception and the first trimester of pregnancy was associated with greater odds of having a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) baby. An infant is considered SGA if their birth weight is below the 10th percentile of their expected weight based on their gestational age. SGA places an infant at greater risk of health problems, from immediate complications at birth such as low oxygen levels to long-term challenges, including potential metabolic, cognitive and neurodevelopmental impairments. The team also found an association between pregnant women exposed to moderate smoke-density days in the first trimester and having a low-birth-weight baby, or an infant weighing less than five pounds, eight ounces. Like SGA, low birth weight is linked to an array of potential health problems, both short and long term.

“Overall, we found consistent associations between increased exposure to wildfire smoke and heat stress during preconception and the first trimester with the odds of having an SGA infant,” Khalili said.

The study also suggested that living in a climate-vulnerable neighborhood could increase the odds of an SGA birth, particularly for women exposed to heat stress during preconception. For women living in the most climate-vulnerable neighborhoods, the study showed the effect of heat stress during preconception on the likelihood of an SGA birth almost doubled.

Khalili and her colleagues also found that Fenton Z-scores, which measure how much an infant’s size deviates from the average for their age, significantly decreased with more days of wildfires experienced during pregnancy. These findings are particularly relevant given the longer-lasting fire events that Los Angeles experienced in January 2025 and that many cities across the US are currently facing.

“Understanding what’s happening to women during wildfires and excessively hot days could help us identify protective measures, develop guidance, and plan interventions,” said Khalili.

Given how frequent and long California’s wildfire seasons are expected to become, such interventions are urgently needed. But these need to go beyond simple measures an individual can take – like staying indoors, running air filters or air conditioners-to truly understanding and addressing what makes a community more resilient to these impacts.

Habre, who developed and oversaw the project, agrees that the study breaks new ground-and also that more holistic, actionable research is needed.

“As the recent Los Angeles fires have demonstrated, infrastructure, socioeconomic, and health vulnerabilities can combine with excessive climate and environmental factors to magnify health risks,” said Habre. “It is only by looking at the cumulative impacts of burdens communities are facing, now and into the future, that we can start to truly quantify health risks of climate hazards and target interventions to strengthen community resilience.”

Reference:

Roxana Khalili, Yisi Liu, Yan Xu, Adverse Birth Outcomes Associated with Heat Stress and Wildfire Smoke Exposure During Preconception and Pregnancy, Environmental Science & Technology, DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c10194.

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Botox mitigates debilitating dry mouth in prostate cancer patients receiving radiopharmaceutical therapy: Study

A dual-protective approach using botulinum toxin (Botox) alongside an anti-nausea patch significantly reduces salivary gland toxicity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer undergoing PSMA-targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy.

The strategy led to a 30 percent decrease in PSMA uptake by the salivary glands without affecting the treatment’s cancer-fighting efficacy. This reduction may enhance treatment adherence and improve overall patient outcomes. The findings were presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2025 Annual Meeting.

Salivary gland toxicity from radiopharmaceutical therapy—particularly from alpha-emitting therapies like 225Ac-PSMA—is a critical dose-limiting side effect, often leading to debilitating dry mouth. Prior attempts to alleviate dry mouth using cold packs, single anticholinergics, or external cooling have shown minimal protective benefit.

“In order for patients to maintain a good quality of life and continue with their treatments, it’s essential to address these serious dry mouth issues,” said Tianzhi Zhao, research assistant at the Theranostics Centre of Excellence in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. “Our study explored the use of Botox paired with a nausea patch on reducing radiation uptake to the salivary glands.”

Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study and received Botox injections in the parotid and submandibular glands on opposite sides of the body three to four weeks prior to their combined 225Ac- and 177Lu-PSMA radiopharmaceutical therapy. Three days before treatment, nausea patches were applied behind the ears where they remained until two hours after the treatment. Molecular imaging was performed pre- and post-treatment to measure salivary gland uptake.

A significant reduction in PSMA radioligand uptake in the salivary glands was observed. Botox-treated parotid glands showed a mean 30 percent reduction in PSMA uptake compared to the opposite parotid gland. A mean 17 percent reduction in PSMA uptake was observed in injected submandibular glands compared to the opposite submandibular glands. The injections were well tolerated, with patients reporting mild injection pain but no serious or systemic side effects. No patient discontinued PSMA therapy due to dry mouth.

“This study demonstrates that Botox, administered at recommended doses in combination with a nausea patch, offers a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing radiation-induced salivary gland toxicity without compromising PSMA tumor uptake,” stated Jingjing Zhang, MD, PhD, assistant professor at the Theranostics Centre of Excellence in the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore. “The significance of this work lies in its direct patient benefit and its potential to expand the therapeutic utility of PSMA radiopharmaceutical therapy, particularly with alpha-emitting radionuclides like 225Ac.”

Both Botox and nausea patches are FDA-approved medications, already available in clinical practice for other indications. As this approach leverages approved medications with established safety profiles, this strategy could be immediately applied in experienced centers offering PSMA radioligand therapy.

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E-cigarette and cannabis social media posts pose risks for teens, study finds

Teens who see social media posts showing cannabis or e-cigarettes, including from friends and influencers, are more likely to later start using those substances or to report using them in the past month, according to surveys done by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Viewing such posts was linked to cannabis use, as well as dual use of cannabis and e-cigarettes (vapes). Dual use refers to youth who have used both cannabis and e-cigarettes at some point. The results were just published in JAMA Network Open.

The findings come amid a decline in youth e-cigarette use, reported in 2024 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, teen vaping, cannabis use and the dual use of e-cigarettes and cannabis remain a problem.

“While the rate of e-cigarette use is declining, our study shows that exposure to e-cigarette content on social media still contributes to the risk of using e-cigarettes with other substances, like cannabis,” said Julia Vassey, MPH, a health behavior researcher in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, also helps clarify how certain types of social media posts relate to teen substance use. Researchers surveyed more than 7,600 teens across two studies: a longitudinal study to understand whether viewing cannabis or e-cigarette posts on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube relates to a teen’s later choice to start using either substance or both, and a second survey looking at whether an association exists between the source of the content— friends, influencers, celebrities or brands—and substance use.

“Answering these questions can help federal regulators and social media platforms create guidelines geared toward preventing youth substance use,” Vassey said.

Links across substances

Data for the study came from California high school students, with an average age of 17, who completed questionnaires on classroom computers between 2021 and 2023. Researchers conducted two surveys, one focused on teens who used cannabis, e-cigarettes or both for the first time, the other focused on use during the past month.

In the first survey, which included 4,232 students, 22.9% reported frequently seeing e-cigarette posts on TikTok, Instagram or YouTube, meaning they saw at least one post per week. A smaller portion—12%—frequently saw cannabis posts.

One year later, researchers followed up with the students. Teens who had frequently seen cannabis posts—but had never tried cannabis or e-cigarettes—were more likely to have started using e-cigarettes, cannabis or both. Teens who had frequently seen e-cigarette posts on TikTok were more likely to have started using cannabis or started dual use of both cannabis and e-cigarettes. No such pattern was found for Instagram or YouTube. The data collected allowed researchers to look at platform-specific results for e-cigarettes posts, but not for cannabis posts.

“This is consistent with previous research showing that, of the three platforms, TikTok is probably the strongest risk factor for substance use,” Vassey said. That may be because TikTok’s algorithm pushes popular content broadly, including posts that feature e-cigarettes, even to users who don’t follow the accounts.

In the second survey, researchers asked 3,380 students whether they saw cannabis or e-cigarette posts from brands, friends, celebrities, or influencers with 10,000 to 100,000 followers. Teens who saw e-cigarette or cannabis posts from influencers were more likely than their peers to have used cannabis in the past month. Those who saw e-cigarette posts from friends were more likely to have been dual users of cannabis and e-cigarettes in the past month. Those who saw cannabis posts from friends were more likely to have used cannabis in the past month or to have been dual users of cannabis and e-cigarettes.

The link between e-cigarette posts and cannabis use is what researchers call a “cross-substance association” and may be explained by the similar appearance of nicotine and cannabis vaping devices, Vassey said.

The risks of influencer content

Influencer posts deserve special attention because they often slip through loopholes in federal rules and platform guidelines. For example, the FDA can only regulate content when brand partnerships are disclosed, but influencers—consciously or not—may skip disclosures in some posts.

Studies show that these seemingly unsponsored posts are seen as more authentic, Vassey said, making them particularly influential.

Most social media platforms already ban paid promotion of cannabis and tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Some researchers say those bans should be extended to cover additional influencer content. Others want platforms to partner with regulators to find a comprehensive solution.

“So far, it’s a grey area, and nobody has provided a clear answer on how we should act and when,” Vassey said.

In future studies, Vassey plans to further explore cannabis influencer marketing, including whether changes to social media guidelines impact what teens see and how they respond.

About this research

In addition to Vassey, the study’s other authors are Junhan Cho, Trisha Iyer and Jennifer B. Unger from the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California; Erin A. Vogel from the TSET Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City; and Julia Chen-Sankey from the Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies and the School of Public Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health [R01CA260459]and the National Institute on Drug Abuse [K01DA055073].

References: Julia Vassey, PhD1; Junhan Cho, PhD1; Erin A. Vogel, PhD2; et al

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Pregestational and Gestational Diabetes Raise Postpartum Kidney Disease Risk: Study

Researchers have found that women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) face a dramatically higher risk of postpartum kidney disease, and those with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) also experience elevated, though more modest, risks. This study was published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice journal by Amy Backal and colleagues.

Rates of PGDM and GDM have increased worldwide. Although their effects on fetal and maternal outcome during pregnancy are established, their effect on maternal renal health post-delivery is less understood. The risk of hospital readmission for kidney complications, acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), in the same calendar year as delivery was explored in this study.

Methods

The Nationwide Readmissions Database from the years 2010 to 2020 provided data for this research. The population was women aged 15 to 54 years who delivered over this time and did not have a previous history of kidney disease. The participants were classified into three groups: individuals with PGDM, which was a previous diagnosis of diabetes prior to pregnancy; individuals with GDM, which was a new diagnosis during pregnancy; and a comparison group of women with no kind of diabetes.

The response outcomes measured were readmissions to the hospital due to AKI or CKD within the same year of giving birth. Cox regression models incorporating confounding factors such as maternal age, race, co-existing medical conditions, and complications that arose during giving birth were used to analyze the data.

Key Findings

Pregestational Diabetes (PGDM):

Risk of AKI was 9-fold higher: adjusted HR = 9.07 (95% CI: 8.44–9.75)
Risk of CKD was ~21-fold higher: adjusted HR = 20.73 (95% CI: 18.00–23.87)

Gestational Diabetes (GDM):

AKI risk was elevated 25%: adjusted HR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.16–1.35)
CKD risk was elevated 34%: adjusted HR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.14–1.58)

These findings highlight a substantially elevated risk of postpartum kidney disease in women with pregestational and gestational diabetes. Interventions and monitoring policies addressed to kidney function in the postpartum period are mandatory to minimize morbidity and long-term complications in this expanding high-risk group.

Reference:

Backal, A., Vasudevan, S., Lee, R., Rosenfeld, E. B., & Ananth, C. V. (2025). Pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus and risk of postpartum kidney disease: A retrospective cohort study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 226(112330), 112330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2025.112330

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Pharma Firms To Face Periodic Inspection As HC Flags Effluent Risks

Sikkim: The High Court of Sikkim has disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the unauthorised release of effluents and extraction of groundwater by pharmaceutical companies, while directing the State Government to conduct periodic inspections of the companies and finalise the Sikkim Springs and Groundwater (Regulation and Management) Bill, 2025.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was hearing WP (PIL) No. 12 of 2017, filed to address the discharge of industrial waste into natural water bodies by pharma units, originally focusing on Singtam and later extended to cover the entire state.

“This Public Interest Litigation is pending before this Court since the year 2017… pharma companies situated in other parts of the State of Sikkim… were also extracting ground water – which is precious in Sikkim – even though surface water is available in abundance in this small Himalayan State,” the bench observed.

The court acknowledged the inspection report submitted by the Sikkim State Pollution Control Board, which stated that no effluent discharge was observed during the inspection of the 44 pharmaceutical units, out of which four were found shut down.

“…the learned Amicus and the officials of Sikkim State Pollution Control Board did not observe any effluents being discharged into the main rivers/streams/kholas within the State of Sikkim.”

The bench also noted that the final draft of the Sikkim Springs and Groundwater (Regulation and Management) Bill, 2025 has been submitted. It directed the learned Amicus Curiae to conduct a final review of the draft and suggested, without mandating, that the State may consider including a Central Ground Water Authority representative in the proposed regulatory body.

“We make it clear that the final say in this matter rests squarely with the State Government.”

Further, the court instructed the State Government to continue monitoring pharma units even after the closure of the PIL:

“The competent authority of the State Government shall carry out periodic inspection of all companies including the existing pharma companies within the State of Sikkim in order to find out whether they are still actually discharging effluents or not.”

Additionally, the Court ordered Rs 10,000 to be paid by each existing pharma company in the state to the Amicus Curiae, acknowledging their assistance in the matter.

The PIL was formally disposed of with liberty to apply in future, if necessary:

“With the above observations, the instant Public Interest Litigation… stands disposed of with liberty to the parties to apply in case of any difficulty which may arise in future…”

To view the original judgement, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/sikkim-hc-pharma-companies-605932watermark-1722927-292747.pdf

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ESIC Delhi Recruitment! SUPER SPECIALIST Posts, Check Eligibility, Walk-In-Interview Dates Here….

New Delhi: The Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), has announced vacancies for the Senior Resident post at ESI PGIMSR & Model Hospital, Basaidarapur, Delhi in different departments in this medical institute.

ESI is a statutory body constituted under an Act of Parliament (ESI Act, 1948) and works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.

ESIC Hospital Delhi Vacancy Details:

Total no of Vacancies: 22

The Vacancies are in the Departments of Surgical Oncology, Cardiology, Surgical Gastroenterology, Reproductive Medicine & Surgery, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Nephrology, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Urology, Neurology, Neonatology, Gastroenterology, and Medical Oncology.

The date of walk In Interview is 4th JULY 2025.

Venue and Reporting Time: 5th Floor, Dean Office, ESI-PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, New Delhi-110015 From 9 AM to 11 AM Only.

For more details about Qualifications, Age, Pay Allowance, and much more, click on the given link:
https://medicaljob.in/jobs.php?post_type=&job_tags=esic+delhi&location=&job_sector=all

The Following testimonials should be attached with application form:

1. Two recent passport size photographs.

2. Self-attested copies of certificates and testimonials in support of proof of age (Date of Birth), Educational Qualifications, Experience and Research Papers, Publications etc.

3. The candidates who is in Service should submit “No Objection Certificate” from the employer at the time of interview.

4. Caste Certificate for SC/ST & OBC candidates. OBC Certificate as per Central Govt. Performa not more than one year old at the time of Interview.

5. Income and Asset Certificate from issuing Authority as per DOPT letter No. 36039/1/2019-Estt (Res) dated 31.01.2019, must be submitted for the reservation for EWS category.

6. Registration Certificate issued by DMC.

1. The number of vacancies is provisional and may increase or decrease pending on actual requirement.

2. Age relaxation is applicable to reserved candidates as per rules in force.

3. Mere submission of application does not confer any right to the candidate to be interviewed.

4. The candidates are required to bring all the documents in original on the date of interview along with self-attested copies. The applications found to be incomplete will be summarily rejected.

5. Wrong declarations/submission of false information or any other action contrary to law shall lead to cancellation of the candidature at any stage.

6. The Interview will be conducted at DEAN OFFICE, 5TH Floor, MS Office Building, ESI-PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, Delhi-15. However, ESIC reserves the right to change the centre, if needed.

7. No TA/DA will be paid for appearing for interview.

8. The ESIC reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process at any stage at its discretion and such decision will be binding on all concerned. 9. Other terms and condition will be applicable as issued by competent authority/Hqrs office from time to time.

Also Read:VMMC VACANCIES 2025: SR Posts Through Walk-In-Interview In Various Dpt…Here’s Details

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