Stopping HRT leads to a period of higher risk of bone fracture for most women: Study

A new study has found that the bone fracture protection women get from menopausal hormone therapy (MHT, also known as HRT) disappears within a year of stopping treatment.

In the new study, published in Lancet Healthy Longevity, experts from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, also found that in most cases, stopping treatment is then followed by some years of elevated fracture risk compared to women who have never used MHT. Fracture risks then falls to be similar to, and then lower than women who have never used MHT.

The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) SPCR.

During menopause, all women experience a drop in hormone levels, particularly of oestrogen. This can cause a range of distressing mental and physical side effects, requiring use of MHT. However, oestrogen deficiency in women also leads to increased age-related bone weakening. Previous studies have confirmed a protective role of the oestrogen component in MHT treatments, and MHT is known to decrease fracture risk when it is being used.

However, MHT is also associated with increased risk of breast cancer and blood clots, so long-term MHT use is not recommended. For women using MHT to counteract increasing bone fragility, it is, therefore, important to know the strength and persistence of any protective effect after stopping treatment. Detailed information on this aspect from past studies has been unclear – covering only the first couple of years, and also being somewhat conflicting.

In this new study, experts used data for 6,000,000 women from around 2,000 GP surgeries in the UK, which allowed them to follow-up of fracture risk levels for up to 25 years. The researchers identified all women with records of first fracture (cases) and matched each to a number of women of the same age and from the same practice, but without record of fracture (controls). They then compared the MHT use in cases before their fracture with the MHT use among their matched controls.

Dr Yana Vinogradova, from the Centre for Academic Primary Care in the School of Medicine, and lead author of the study said: “The findings of our study confirmed that women on MHT show a progressively reducing fracture risk compared with women not using MHT. More importantly, we also observed a clear pattern of risk change after therapy was discontinued.

“For most women, the bone protective effect of MHT use disappears completely within about one year of treatment being stopped, then their fracture risk rises compared to never users, peaking after about three years, before declining to become again equivalent to never users – about 10 years after discontinuation – and then again continuing to decline relative to never users. So, even after stopping MHT, women should benefit from notably reduced fracture risk in their later decades.”

This observed risk pattern was the same for all menopausal hormonal treatments, but the level of excess risk depended on the treatment type and the length of past MHT use.

“Our comparative illustration of observed patterns of fracture risk for short and long use can help doctors and patients when discussing MHT treatment options, and to consider how fracture risk may change after stopping MHT use. Anticipating periods of increased risk might prompt doctors to check patients’ bone health at discontinuation, particularly for patients most at risk with other fracture risk factors such as smoking or inactivity.

“These novel findings may also usefully stimulate further clinical and biological research into these treatments,” adds Dr Vinogradova.

Reference:

Vinogradova, Yana et al. Discontinuation of menopausal hormone therapy and risk of fracture: nested case–control studies using routinely collected primary care data, The Lancet Healthy Longevity, DOI: 10.1016/j.lanhl.2025.100729.

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Study Uncovers role of vitamin C in skin regeneration

The skin acts as the body’s first line of defense against external threats. However, as we age, the epidermis—the outermost layer of skin—gradually becomes thinner and loses its protective strength. About 90% of the cells in this layer are keratinocytes, which originate from deeper layers of the epidermis and migrate upward, ultimately forming the skin’s protective barrier. To combat aging’s impact on skin, numerous studies have emphasized the benefits of vitamin C (VC), a vitamin well known for its role in skin health and antioxidant properties.

Now, researchers in Japan have discovered that VC helps thicken the skin by directly activating genes that control skin cell growth and development. Their findings, published online in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology on April 20, 2025, suggest that VC may restore skin function by reactivating genes essential for epidermal renewal.

This study was led by Dr. Akihito Ishigami, Vice President of the Division of Biology and Medical Sciences at Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology (TMIG), Japan, in collaboration with Hokuriku University, and ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Associate Professor Ayami Sato from TMIG (currently at the Toyo University); Associate Professor Yasunori Sato, Professor Toshiyuki Kimura, and Mr. Hideki Tanaka (currently at the University of Fukui Hospital) from Hokuriku University; and Ms. Florence, Ms. Akari Kuwano, Mr. Yasunari Sato, and Mr. Tsuyoshi Ishii from ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd also co-authored the study.

“VC seems to influence the structure and function of epidermis, especially by controlling the growth of epidermal cells. In this study, we investigated whether it promotes cell proliferation and differentiation via epigenetic changes,” explains Dr. Ishigami, while talking about this study.

To investigate how VC affects skin regeneration, the team used human epidermal equivalents, which are laboratory-grown models that closely mimic real human skin. In this model, skin cells are exposed to air on the surface while being nourished from underneath by a liquid nutrient medium, replicating the way human skin receives nutrients from underlying blood vessels while remaining exposed to the external environment.

The researchers used this model and applied VC at 1.0 and 0.1 mM—concentrations comparable to those typically transported from the bloodstream into the epidermis. On assessing its effect, they found that VC-treated skin showed a thicker epidermal cell layer without significantly affecting the stratum corneum (the outer layer composed of dead cells) on day seven. By day 14, the inner layer was even thicker, and the outer layer was found to be thinner, suggesting that VC promotes the formation and division of keratinocytes. Samples treated with VC showed increased cell proliferation, demonstrated by a higher number of Ki-67-positive cells—a protein marker present in the nucleus of actively dividing cells.

Importantly, the study revealed that VC helps skin cells grow by reactivating genes associated with cell proliferation. It does so by promoting the removal of methyl groups from DNA, in a process known as DNA demethylation. When DNA is methylated, methyl groups attach to cytosine bases, which can prevent the DNA from being transcribed or read, thereby suppressing gene activity. Conversely, by promoting DNA demethylation, VC promotes gene expression and helps cells to grow, multiply, and differentiate.

The study suggests that VC supports active DNA demethylation by sustaining the function of TET enzymes (ten-eleven translocation enzymes), which regulate gene activity. These enzymes convert 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) into 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC), a process in which Fe2+ is oxidized to Fe3+. VC helps maintain TET enzyme activity by donating electrons to regenerate Fe2+ from Fe3+, enabling continued DNA demethylation.

The researchers further identified over 10,138 hypomethylated differentially methylated regions in VC-treated skin and observed a 1.6- to 75.2-fold increase in the expression of 12 key proliferation-related genes. When a TET enzyme inhibitor was applied, these effects were reversed, confirming that VC functions through TET-mediated DNA demethylation.

These findings reveal how VC promotes skin renewal by triggering genetic pathways involved in growth and repair. This suggests that VC may be particularly helpful for older adults or those with damaged or thinning skin, boosting the skin’s natural capacity to regenerate and strengthen itself.

“We found that VC helps thicken the skin by encouraging keratinocyte proliferation through DNA demethylation, making it a promising treatment for thinning skin, especially in older adults,” concludes Dr. Ishigami.

Reference:

Sato, Yasunori, Vitamin C Promotes Epidermal Proliferation by Promoting DNA Demethylation of Proliferation-Related Genes in Human Epidermal Equivalents, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.03.040 

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Predicting the Unpredictable: Study finds Insights into Intraoperative Hypotension through HPI Evaluation

In a recent study comparing the Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI) values obtained from Acumen™ arterial pressure transducer and ClearSight™ continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitor, the primary objective was to assess the potential impact on intraoperative hypotension incidence and perioperative complications. Intraoperative hypotension is a significant concern due to its association with increased post-operative morbidities and mortalities, with 40% to over 90% of patients experiencing at least one hypotensive episode during general anesthesia. The HPI provides early warning of critical hypotension, aiding in earlier interventions to reduce its incidence. The HPI algorithm analyzes arterial pressure waveform features to predict hypotension, demonstrating over 80% sensitivity and specificity in previous studies.

Comparison of Monitoring Systems

The study compared HPI values obtained from invasive and non-invasive pressure inputs in adult patients undergoing general anesthesia. The data analysis included Bland-Altman analysis, correlation calculations, and concordance assessments to evaluate the agreement between the two monitoring systems. The results showed a bias of -8.4 between invasive and non-invasive HPI values, with a high correlation of 0.76. The concordance rates remained consistent across different exclusion zones, indicating a reliable agreement between the two systems.

Clinical Performance Evaluation

The clinical performance evaluation included Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analyses and HPI alerts agreement analysis. Both invasive and non-invasive systems showed comparable performance in predicting hypotensive events, with similar Area Under the Curve (AUC) measurements, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) at different time intervals before hypotensive events.

Conclusion

The study concluded that the HPI derived from the non-invasive ClearSight monitor exhibited reliable predictive performance comparable to the gold standard invasive arterial catheter. This suggests that the non-invasive HPI can be used effectively for continuous blood pressure monitoring in various surgical scenarios, potentially improving patient outcomes by predicting and preventing hypotensive episodes. However, the study highlighted the need for caution in generalizing the results to other patient populations and emphasized the importance of further validation in larger cohorts. Overall, utilizing the HPI parameter from non-invasive monitoring systems could enhance the management of intraoperative hypotension and reduce perioperative complications in a wider range of surgical procedures.

Key Points

– The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of using the Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI) from Acumen™ arterial pressure transducer and ClearSight™ continuous non-invasive blood pressure monitor on intraoperative hypotension incidence and perioperative complications.

– Intraoperative hypotension is a major concern during general anesthesia as it is linked to increased post-operative morbidities and mortalities, affecting a significant percentage of patients. The HPI algorithm, with over 80% sensitivity and specificity, can predict critical hypotension early, allowing for timely interventions.

– The study compared HPI values from invasive and non-invasive pressure inputs in adult patients under general anesthesia, revealing a bias of -8.4 between the two systems with a high correlation of 0.76, demonstrating reliable agreement.

– Clinical performance evaluation using Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analyses and HPI alerts agreement analysis showed that both invasive and non-invasive systems had similar predictive performance in detecting hypotensive events, with comparable Area Under the Curve (AUC) measurements, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV).

– The study concluded that the non-invasive HPI derived from the ClearSight monitor exhibited reliable predictive performance similar to invasive arterial catheters, suggesting its effectiveness for continuous blood pressure monitoring in various surgical settings. However, caution is advised in generalizing the results to other patient populations, emphasizing the importance of further validation in larger cohorts.

– Utilizing the HPI parameter from non-invasive monitoring systems could enhance the management of intraoperative hypotension and decrease perioperative complications across a broader spectrum of surgical procedures, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes.

Reference –

Kamron Sarhadi et al. (2025). Hypotension Prediction Index: Comparison Between Invasive And Non-Invasive Pressure Inputs. *BMC Anesthesiology*, 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-025-03086-y.

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Recent advancements in treatment of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains a leading cause of vision loss globally, with significant advancements in treatment options for both dry and wet AMD. As highlighted by Huang and colleagues, “Current therapies for dry AMD have limited effectiveness in halting the progression of geographic atrophy (GA), underscoring the need for innovative approaches”.

One of the most notable breakthroughs is the FDA approval of pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol, targeting the complement system to slow GA progression. Pegcetacoplan, a C3 inhibitor, reduced GA lesion growth by 19–22% in clinical trials, while avacincaptad pegol, a C5 inhibitor, showed a 35% reduction. These therapies address the inflammatory component of AMD, offering hope for a condition previously deemed untreatable.

For wet AMD, anti-VEGF therapies continue to dominate, but newer options like faricimab—a bispecific antibody targeting VEGF and angiopoietin-2—stand out. Faricimab allows extended dosing intervals (up to 16 weeks), reducing the burden of frequent injections. As Gao et al. note, “Combining complement inhibition with anti-VEGF therapy holds significant potential,” exemplified by IBI302, a dual-targeting drug currently in Phase III trials.

Surprisingly, photobiomodulation (PBM) emerged as a non-invasive option for dry AMD, improving visual acuity by 2.4 letters in the LIGHTSITE III trial. Meanwhile, gene therapy (e.g., RGX-314) and stem cell-based treatments show promise but remain experimental.

These advancements not only refine existing treatments but also challenge traditional paradigms. For instance, the shift from monthly injections to longer-acting therapies could revolutionize patient care. However, challenges like retinal vasculitis with pegcetacoplan remind us of the need for cautious optimism.

In summary, the AMD treatment landscape is evolving rapidly, with novel mechanisms and improved delivery systems offering brighter prospects for patients. As research continues, the focus on combination therapy and personalized precision medicine may further transform outcomes.

Reference:

Shan Liu, Danyang Lv, Junran Sun, Huixun Jia, Fang Zheng, Felipe Pereira, Siddharth Narendran, Zhenyu Dong, Haiyun Liu, Shunxiang Gao, Peirong Huang, Recent Advancements in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, https://doi.org/10.1002/mdr2.70009

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Rotary Instrumentation May Improve Pediatric Root Canal Outcomes, but Standardized Research Needed: Study

A new study suggests that using rotary instrumentation in root canal treatments for primary teeth could improve obturation quality and postoperative comfort in children. The findings indicate potential benefits over traditional hand instrumentation, including more consistent filling of root canals and reduced discomfort after the procedure.

However, researchers noted that the current evidence base is limited. Few high-confidence systematic reviews exist, and studies often use varied outcome measures, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. This lack of standardization in pediatric endodontic research hinders direct comparison between trials and weakens the ability to create evidence-based guidelines.

The authors recommend developing and adopting standardized protocols for outcome reporting in pediatric root canal studies. Consistent methodology, they argue, would help clarify whether rotary systems should be adopted as a standard approach in managing primary teeth requiring endodontic care.

For now, while rotary instrumentation shows promise, clinicians are advised to weigh individual patient needs, operator skill, and equipment availability until more rigorous, uniform research is available.

Reference:
Swaminathan K, Shan S, Kirubakaran E, et al. (July 06, 2025) Cleaning Effectiveness and Postoperative Pain Associated With Rotary Instrumentation in Primary Teeth: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Evidence. Cureus 17(7): e87369. doi:10.7759/cureus.87369

Keywords: Rotary instrumentation, pediatric dentistry, primary teeth, root canal, obturation quality, postoperative comfort, endodontics, standardized research

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FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Zongertinib for HER2-Mutated NSCLC

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to zongertinib (Hernexeos) for treating non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients with HER2 tyrosine kinase domain activating mutations.

The kinase inhibitor is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have HER2 (ERBB2) tyrosine kinase domain activating mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received prior systemic therapy.

This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

“With the approval of zongertinib, we have an effective, targeted, orally administered treatment option for patients with HER2 (ERBB2)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer in the U.S. that not only elicits a durable response but, importantly, has a manageable safety profile,” said Dr. John Heymach, MD, PhD, chair of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and coordinating investigator for the Beamion-LUNG 1 trial. “In a patient population where there are currently limited treatment options, this approval represents a significant advancement in cancer care.” 

Accelerated approval is based on data from the Phase Ib Beamion-LUNG 1 trial, demonstrating an objective response rate of 75% (N=71), 6% of patients had a complete response and 69% of patients had a partial response and a duration of response of ≥6 months in 58% of patients (n=53).1 Positive results from the Beamion-LUNG 1 trial were previously presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025 and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Zongertinib demonstrated a manageable safety profile with a 2.9% discontinuation rate. In the pooled safety population, the most common (> 20%) adverse reactions were diarrhea (53%), hepatotoxicity (27%), rash (27%), fatigue (22%), and nausea (21%).

“We are grateful to be able to bring forward HERNEXEOS, which has the potential to reset the benchmark for those living with HER2-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer, a condition associated with a particularly poor prognosis,” said Shashank Deshpande, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Believing in the power of scientific innovation, we aim to provide meaningful improvements to this patient population. Recognizing its potential, we accelerated development to deliver this new treatment option to patients within four years of starting the first clinical trial.”

Harnessing the power of precision medicine by targeting HER2 mutations in lung cancer

HER2 (ERBB2) mutations occur in approximately 2–4% of NSCLC cases and are associated with a poor prognosis and higher incidence of brain metastases.3,4,5 Alterations in the HER2 (ERBB2) gene, including mutations, amplification and overexpression, trigger uncontrolled cell proliferation, inhibiting cell death, and promoting tumor growth and spread.3,5 Comprehensive biomarker testing using next generation sequencing determines a patient’s eligibility for treatment with zongertinib by identifying HER2 (ERBB2)-mutant advanced NSCLC.

“The advocacy community is thrilled about the approval of zongertinib, as it is another testament to the importance of personalized options for lung cancer that allow for a much more targeted approach for a subgroup of patients who have been waiting many years for innovative treatments,” said Marcia Horn, President and CEO, International Cancer Advocacy Network and Executive Director of the Exon 20 Group/HER2 Warriors. “Understanding your cancer’s unique biomarkers, including HER2, through comprehensive testing is critical for all patients with NSCLC, as it can unlock targeted treatment options.”

About non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) 

Lung cancer claims more lives than any other cancer type and the incidence is set to increase to over 3 million cases worldwide by 2040. NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. Due to a lack of symptoms and misdiagnoses, most patients with NSCLC present at stage III or IV, where the disease has metastasized locally or to other organs. The estimated 5-year survival rate historically has been less than 10% for metastatic disease. People living with advanced NSCLC can experience a detrimental physical, psychological, and emotional impact on their daily lives.

About zongertinib

Zongertinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that selectively inhibits HER2 (ERBB2). This orally administered, targeted therapy was approved as HERNEXEOS® (zongertinib tablets) under the FDA’s Accelerated Approval Program, after securing Priority Review as well as Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track Designations.

The treatment is being evaluated in ongoing trials, across a range of advanced solid tumors with HER2 alterations.  

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NMC says Granting FMG registration as per HC order ‘Arbitrary Relaxation’- Andhra medical council files review plea

Vijayawada: Filing a review petition before the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the State Medical Council has sought more time and clarification regarding the two verdicts delivered by the High Court, granting permanent registration to foreign medical graduates.

This comes after issuing a seven-page clarification to Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC), the National Medical Commission (NMC) highlighted the importance of physical study of clinical courses by the FMGs in their respective foreign medical institutes and mentioned that it cannot be substituted by online study.

In its clarification dated August 7, 2025, the Apex Medical Commission suggested that APMC file a review petition in the High Court and seek clarity regarding the two recent verdicts concerning the issue of FMG internship tenure. On the same day, council filed a review petition.

Also Read: HC relief to FMG, Andhra Pradesh Medical Council ordered to issue permanent registration

As per the latest media report by the Times of India, NMC observed, “Complying with AP high court’s order in granting permission for permanent registration to foreign medical graduates leads to arbitrary relaxation of the regulation norms prescribed for ensuring uniform standards of study by FMGs across the country, which defeats the objective of such regulation.”

Following the disruption of Covid-19 outbreak and Russia-Ukraine war, the NMC issued two public notices on December 7, 2023 and June 16, 2024, saying in addition to one year of compulsory internship, FMGs are required to undergo one or two years of clerkship in India to compensate for the period of stay in India as applicable based on their passport entries.

NMC also clarified that compensation certificates issued by respective foreign medical institutions shall contain all the details of academic and clinical courses studied by FMGs during the extended period of study in their respective countries along with duration. In addition, such certificates need to be authenticated by Indian embassies in those respective countries, it said.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back on July 9, the HC bench had directed the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council to immediately grant permanent registration to a Foreign Medical Graduate (FMG), K Vamsi in a month to practice medicine in the country.

According to the NMC guidelines issued last year on 19th June, FMGs would be eligible for one year internship if the students duly compensated for their online studies. While APMC argued that it could not ascertain the genuineness of the compensatory certificates submitted by him, a division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati observed that the burden was on APMC to disprove the veracity of the document.

In another verdict delivered on August 4, the HC bench, while considering the plea by four FMGs seeking permanent registration, directed APMC to issue speaking orders in respect of these medical graduates from abroad in compliance with NMC norms.

The New Indian Express has reported that, following these rulings, Special Chief Secretary (Health) M.T. Krishna Babu, after consultations with Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, sought clarifications from the NMC on key issues, including the required duration of physical, on-site study to compensate for time lost to online classes during the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Further, clarification was sought regarding the details to be included in the compensation study certificate issued by foreign institutions. The state government also asked whether the standard course duration must be extended to make up for online study.

TNIE has reported that in order to resolve the issue, the State government had previously sent the APMC Chairman and Registrar to New Delhi for discussions with the NMC on July 7 and 8. After multiple rounds of consultations, NMC issued the formal clarification.

Consequently, addressing the issue, NMC in its clarification said, “Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations and Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship Regulations, 2021, require one year of compulsory internship by FMGs in India after completion of medical graduation in respective foreign medical institutions through offline study in normal situations. Further, in view of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, NMC issued two public notices on Dec 7, 2023, and Jun 19, 2024, asserting that in addition to one year of compulsory internship, FMGs are required to complete one or two more years of clerkship in India to compensate for the period of stay in India as applicable based on passport entries of FMGs.”

“Regulatory guidelines and public notices issued from time to time in the matter of permanent registration for FMGs were aimed at ensuring that FMGs are equipped with all the skills for practising medicine in India, and they need to be strictly complied with. The compensation certificates issued by the respective foreign medical institutions should contain all details of academic and clinical courses studied by FMGs during the extended period of study in the respective countries, along with the duration. In addition, the compensation certificates need to be authenticated by Indian embassies in respective countries,” clarified the Apex Medical Commission.

Since the deadline for the order dated July 9 was to expire on August 8, APMC filed a review petition on August 7 seeking both an extension and clarity regarding the second high court verdict. 

This was confirmed in a release from the Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department which stated, “APMC filed a review petition in the High Court on Thursday (August 7) seeking clarity in respect of two verdicts delivered by it in the matter of period of internship required for FMGs.”

Also Read: FMG Protest Intensifies, Andhra Pradesh Medical Council Stands Firm on NMC-Mandated Internship Norms

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3 DM, MCh seats added in AIIMS INI SS July 2025 session open round, details

New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi has announced the revised seat matrix for the Open Round of Institute Allocation for admission to DM, MCh super-speciality courses under the INI-SS July 2025 session.

DM Neurology now has one open seat each at AIIMS Patna and NIMHANS. For M.Ch. Trauma Surgery and Critical Care at AIIMS New Delhi, there is one open seat along with three sponsored seats.

S.no Department/Courses Institute EARLIER
SEATS		 REVISED
SEATS
1 DM-NEUROLOGY AIIMS
PATNA		 Open Sponsored F.N. Open Sponsored F.N.
0 0 0 1 0 0
2 DM-NEUROLOGY NIMHANS 0 0 0 1 0 0
3 M.Ch.
– TRAUMA SURGERY AND CRITICAL CARE		 AIIMS
NEW DELHI		 0 3 0 1 3 0

Schedule for online registration for open round Admission Round Institute allocation

Online Exercising of choices for participation in Open

Round of Institute allocation for admission to DM/M.Ch. courses for July 2025 session

From: 05.08.2025 (Tuesday) by 05.00 pm to 14.08.2025

(Thursday) by 05:00 pm

Result for allotment of Institute against applied subject in Open

Round

22.08.2025 (Friday)

Reporting & Submission of Documents

23.08.2025,(Saturday) to 30.08.2025, (Saturday) (upto

11:00 AM)

Eligibility:

Candidates who have appeared in INI-SS for July 2025 session held on Saturday, the 24th May, 2025 and obtained following will be deemed to be provisionally eligible (subject other criteria) to participate in the Open Round of Institute Allocation: –

a) All participating candidate having obtained 50% OR above marks are eligible for Open round of Institute allocation

b) Allocation of Institute will be done according to their merit in AML & CML.

c) Candidates applied for General seat will eligible only for General seats and applied for sponsored seats will eligible only for sponsored seats. There will no merging of seats from general to sponsored or sponsored to general.

d) Eligibility for AIIMS New Delhi & other AIIMS, Candidates should mandatorily be in AIIMS Merit List.

e) Candidates who are holding a seat at any Institute in previous round are not eligible for this Open round.

The Sponsored & Foreign National candidates may also participate in the open round.

To view the official Notice, Click here : https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/4-notice-for-corrigendum9aug2025-297423.pdf

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2 more doctors arrested in Hyderabad baby-selling racket

Hyderabad: The illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket linked to Universal Srushti Fertility Centre in Secunderabad is getting bigger and more complicated with every passing day. Hyderabad police have now arrested two more doctors from King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam for their alleged role in the case.

The accused- Dr Vasupalli Ravi, head of anaesthesiology, and Dr Usha Devi, associate professor in gynaecology at KGH, were arrested for their alleged links with Dr A. Namratha, the prime accused in the case. 

During the investigation, the police discovered that the arrested doctors were college mates of Namratha and had completed their MBBS together in 1988 from Andhra Medical College. They allegedly supported the illegal practices of Dr Namratha and defrauded childless couples in the name of IVF and surrogacy procedures. While Usha Devi provided obstetric care at Srushti Fertility Centre, Vidyullata is believed to have monitored the health condition of the babies.

Also read- Another doctor arrested in connection with Hyderabad baby selling racket

Their arrests come after Dr Namratha confessed to their involvement in the racket during the interrogation by the police. Acting on this information, the police went to Visakhapatnam on Thursday and arrested the two doctors.

Medical Dialogues, a few days ago, reported that another woman doctor, who is a paediatrician from KGH, was arrested by police at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) for her suspected involvement in the case. Her name surfaced during the probe, and she was named as an accused in one of the four fresh FIRs, after being alleged to have sold someone else’s child to a couple who had approached the clinic for IVF treatment. She was found to be acting as a substitute for Dr Namratha. She was produced before the court on Saturday and was granted conditional bail.

A senior police officer familiar with the development said that the investigating authorities are examining the suspects’ bank accounts and other details. 

Meanwhile, the police have also recently arrested three women—Vijaya, Saroja, and Ratna—who allegedly acted as intermediaries in the case. ETV Bharat sources said that the Hyderabad Police Commissioner is likely to hand the case to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the Central Crime Station, given its multi-state links and complexity.

Commenting on this, King George Hospital superintendent Dr I Vani told HT, “The hospital has no connection with the Universal Srushti Fertility Centre and its illegal activities. We have got to know about certain activities by a couple of doctors associated with KGH, but they possibly worked with the fertility centre in their individual capacity. We could not contact them over phone as they were switched off. We shall take legal action against them after receiving the investigation report from the police.”

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Hyderabad police busted a large-scale illegal surrogacy and baby-selling racket run by Dr A. Namratha, owner of a chain of fertility clinics across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Eight people, including Namratha and the biological parents of a baby, were arrested.

The racket came to light after a couple who paid Rs 35 lakh for surrogacy found through a DNA test that the baby they received wasn’t biologically theirs. The main accused, Dr A. Namratha, along with associates and agents, targeted vulnerable women, particularly those seeking abortions, and lured them into continuing pregnancies in exchange for money and other reasons. These newborns were then passed off as children conceived through surrogacy, misleading clients into believing the babies were biologically theirs.

The scam unfolded after the couple met Dr Namratha, who, after conducting fertility-related tests, advised them to go for surrogacy. The couple was directed to another branch of the clinic at Vishakapatnam for the collection of specimens and were told that the surrogate would be arranged by the clinic, and the embryo would be transplanted to the surrogate.

Over the course of nine months, the couple made several payments to the clinic. In June this year, the complainant was informed that the surrogate had delivered a baby boy via C-section in Vishakapatnam. Overall, the clinic took over Rs 35 lakh from the couple as consultation charges for the procedures.

The baby boy was handed over to the complainant along with documentation which showed the registration of the child as having been born to the couple themselves after creating a “false” birth certificate document. The baby was not shown as a child born to a surrogate, which drew their suspicion. Later, the couple went in for a DNA test, which revealed that the child’s DNA did not match theirs. When the couple tried to get in touch with the clinic, they were refused any documentation and were threatened, which prompted them to approach the police.

Also read- Hyderabad baby-selling racket: Doctor accused of using another doctor’s license to run clinic

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Routine childhood and adolescent immunizations declining in Michigan

Routine childhood and adolescent immunizations declined in Michigan between 2017 and 2023, particularly among counties with lower household income and higher uninsurance rates, a new study suggests.

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