Bariatric surgery associated with improved general health and cognition: JAMA

A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association explored the long-term neurological outcomes associated with bariatric surgery (BS). The study from Rijnstate Hospital in Arnhem, Netherlands and Radboudumc Neuroimaging and Cognition in Obesity focused on the participants with severe obesity who were eligible for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

This study followed a total of 133 participants aged 35 to 55 years over the period from September 2018 to March 2023. Emma Custers and team collected data before BS and at 6 and 24 months post-surgery. The primary outcomes included various parameters such as body weight, cognitive performance, brain volumes, cortical thickness and cerebral blood flow.

The results from two years post-BS found over 40% of participants experience a significant improvement in global cognition. The inflammatory markers decreased substantially, while the use of antihypertensive medications dropped by more than half. The participants also reported lower depressive symptoms and higher levels of physical activity. One of the major finding was the impact of BS on brain structure and perfusion. While most brain regions expressed lower perfusion post-surgery, the hippocampal and white matter volume remained stable.

The temporal cortex showed increased thickness and improved blood vessel efficiency that suggests a positive impact on cognitive function. These outcomes may improve treatment options for patients with obesity and dementia. This study provides long-term data on the neurological benefits of BS. These findings offer hope for patients and healthcare professionals as obesity rates and its association with cognitive decline are becoming increasingly evident.

Reference:

Custers, E., Vreeken, D., Kleemann, R., Kessels, R. P. C., Duering, M., Brouwer, J., Aufenacker, T. J., Witteman, B. P. L., Snabel, J., Gart, E., Mutsaerts, H. J. M. M., Wiesmann, M., Hazebroek, E. J., & Kiliaan, A. J. (2024). Long-Term Brain Structure and Cognition Following Bariatric Surgery. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 7, Issue 2, p. e2355380). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.55380

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Living kidney donors have lower risk of all types of fractures but excess risk of vertebral fractures: JAMA

USA: A recent survey study comprising 2132 living kidney donors and 2014 controls revealed a significantly lower overall rate of fractures among donors than controls. However, vertebral fractures were significantly more common among donors than controls.

After a mean follow-up of 25 years, the study found a lower rate of overall fractures but an excess of vertebral fractures among living kidney donors compared with controls. Treating excess vertebral fractures with dietary supplements such as vitamin D3 may decrease patient morbidity and the number of vertebral fractures. The study findings were published online in JAMA Network Open on January 24, 2024. 

There has been an increase in the prevalence of living kidney donation. Each year, about 30,000 persons worldwide become living kidney donors. Previous studies have shown an increased risk of fractures in living kidney donors due to lower concentrations of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, reductions in kidney mass, and secondary increases in serum parathyroid hormone.

Against the above background, Hilal Maradit Kremers, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues aimed to compare the overall and site-specific fracture risk among living kidney donors with strictly matched controls from the general population who would have been eligible to donate a kidney but did not do so.

For this purpose, the research team conducted a survey study between 2021 and 2023. 5065 living kidney donors from 3 large transplant centres in Minnesota were invited to complete a survey about their history of fractures and bone health and 16 156 population-based nondonor controls without a history of comorbidities were identified from the Rochester Epidemiology Project that would have precluded kidney donation and completed the same survey. 2132 living kidney donors and 2014 nondonor controls responded to the survey.

The rates of site-specific and overall fractures were compared between living kidney donors and controls using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs).

The study led to the following findings:

  • At the time of the survey, the 2132 living kidney donors had a mean age of 67.1 years and included 58.4% of women, and the 2014 controls had a mean age of 68.6 years and included 56.6% of women.
  • The mean time between the donation or index date and the survey date was 24.2 years for donors and 27.6 years for controls.
  • The overall rate of fractures among living kidney donors was significantly lower than among controls (SIR, 0.89).
  • There were significantly more vertebral fractures among living kidney donors than among controls (SIR, 1.42).

“In the study, we observed a reduction in overall fractures but an excess risk of vertebral fractures among living kidney donors compared with controls after a mean follow-up of 25 years,” the researchers wrote.

“Treating excess vertebral fractures with dietary supplements such as vitamin D3 may reduce the number of vertebral fractures and patient morbidity,” they suggested.

Reference:

Maradit Kremers H, Grossardt BR, Miller AR, et al. Fracture Risk Among Living Kidney Donors 25 Years After Donation. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(1):e2353005. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.53005

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New study highlights troubling trends in midlife mortality in the US and UK

A new study by researchers at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science (LCDS) and Princeton University reveals that US working-age adults are dying at higher rates than their peers in high-income countries; the UK is also falling behind. The study is published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

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Nudging public’s thirst for draft alcohol-free beers could significantly reduce alcohol-associated harms, says study

Making alcohol-free beer more widely available on draft in pubs and bars may help people switch from alcoholic to alcohol-free beer, a new study published in Addiction has found. Pubs and bars taking part in the University of Bristol-led trial saw an increase in sales of healthier non-alcoholic draft beer.

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The irony of smoking to stay thin: Smoking may increase belly fat

The worry of gaining weight is a common excuse for smokers not to quit. A new study published today in the journal Addiction has found that both starting smoking and lifetime smoking may increase abdominal fat, especially visceral fat, the unhealthy fat deep inside the abdomen that is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and dementia.

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MH Nursing CET 2024 registration deadline extended: Maha CET Cell

Maharashtra- Through a recent notice, the Government of Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell (MAHACET) has announced another extension in the registration process for the Common Entrance Test Cell MH-Nursing CET-2024. Earlier, the registration process for MH-Nursing CET-2024 was scheduled to take place between 09 to 29 February 2024, then later it was extended to 01 to 15 March 2024.

As per the recent notice, it states “The office has received a request from candidates and parents regarding an extension for registration. Hence, considering the academic interest of the candidates State CET Cell has decided to give a second extension for online Registration for MH-Nursing CET-2024”.

Also Read: No upper age limit for Nursing Programs: Maha CET Cell Announces age Limit relaxation for MH Nursing CET 2024

SCHEDULE

Name of CET

Online Registration and Confirmation of Application Form

Phase – 1

1st Extension

2nd Extension

09/02/2024

01/03/2024

16/03/2024

MH-Nursing CET-to

to

to

2024

29/02/2024

15/03/2024

31/03/2024

Interested candidates can complete the registration process through the official website of MAHACET.

Also Read: Maha CET Cell invites applications for MH Nursing CET 2024, details

STEPS TO APPLY

STEP 1- Go to the official website of MAHACET.

STEP 2- On the homepage, register with the required details and log in.

STEP 3- As a new window opens, fill out the MAH Nursing CET 2024 application form as asked.

STEP 4- Pay the application fee and upload the necessary documents as per the instructions.

STEP 5- Check all the details and submit the form.

REGISTRATION FEE

Candidates from Open and EWS categories will have to pay an application fee of Rs 1000, while candidates from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) categories will have to pay Rs 800.

MAH Nursing CET exam is scheduled to be held on May 7 in computer-based style which will be for 1 hour 30 minutes and will be conducted in English only. CET Cell also notified that there will be no maximum or upper age limit for admission to B.Sc (N), M.Sc (N), ANM, GNM, PBB SC (N), Post Basic Diploma and Nurse Practitioner programmes.

To view the official notice, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/2nd-extension-mh-nursing-cet-2024-234659.pdf

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AI tool predicts risk of side effects after surgery and radiotherapy in breast cancer patients

A team of international researchers has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can predict which breast cancer patients may be at risk of side effects after surgery and radiotherapy.

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Dramatic declines in global fertility rates set to transform global population patterns by 2100, says study

The world is approaching a low-fertility future. Although by 2100 more than 97% of countries and territories will have fertility rates below what is necessary to sustain population size over time, comparatively high fertility rates in numerous low-income countries, predominantly in western and eastern sub-Saharan Africa, will continue to drive population increases in these locations throughout the century.

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Bristol Myers Squibb concludes acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics

Princeton: Bristol Myers Squibb has announced that the Company has successfully completed its acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics, Inc. With the acquisition’s completion, Karuna shares have ceased trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Karuna is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb (“BMS”).

“We are excited to expand our neuroscience portfolio as we welcome Karuna to Bristol Myers Squibb,” said Chris Boerner, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb. “Importantly, this transaction aligns with our commitment to strengthening BMS’s growth profile in the latter half of the decade and beyond. We look forward to working with Karuna’s talented team to bring KarXT to patients with schizophrenia later this year.”

Through this transaction, BMS has added KarXT (xanomeline-trospium), an antipsychotic with a novel mechanism of action and a differentiated efficacy and safety profile, and Karuna’s early-stage and pre-clinical pipeline. KarXT has a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of September 26, 2024 for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. KarXT is also in registrational trials both for adjunctive therapy to existing standard of care agents in schizophrenia and for the treatment of psychosis in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, with potential to expand to additional indications, including Bipolar I disorder and Alzheimer’s disease agitation.

As previously disclosed, the transaction is expected to be dilutive to Bristol Myers Squibb’s non-GAAP diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.30 in 2024 from the financing cost of the transaction, which is primarily from a recently completed new debt issuance.

“Bristol Myers Squibb expects to offset the operational expenses of the transaction through continued disciplined resource allocation, cost efficiencies and portfolio prioritization. Bristol Myers Squibb’s cash flows and strong financial profile enable continued commitment to strong investment-grade credit ratings and investment for growth through business development opportunities and distributions to shareholders through ongoing dividends and share repurchases,” the release stated.

The transaction will be accounted for as an asset acquisition resulting in an approximately $12 billion one-time, non-deductible Acquired In-Process Research and Development (Acquired IPR&D) charge impacting both 2024 first quarter and full-year GAAP and non-GAAP EPS by approximately $5.93.

Consistent with past practice, Bristol Myers Squibb generally provides updates to its financial outlook once each quarter. When considering Bristol Myers Squibb’s financial outlook issued on February 2, 2024, investors and analysts should take into account the impacts outlined above. Bristol Myers Squibb will provide an update to its financial outlook when it reports first quarter 2024 results on April 25, 2024.

Gordon Dyal & Co. and Citi are serving as financial advisors to Bristol Myers Squibb, and Covington & Burling LLP is serving as legal counsel. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Karuna, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel.

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Dispute Over Profits: Female doctor allegedly assaulted by pharmacist, FIR registered

Pune: A heated argument unfolded between a female doctor and a pharmacist over a share of profits in the Khed taluka area leading to the doctor being subjected to alleged verbal abuse and physical assault by the accused.

Based on accusations of harassing and assaulting a female doctor at a private hospital, the Mahalunge MIDC police on Monday registered an FIR against a pharmacist under relevant sections of IPC. 

According to the police, the doctor and the pharmacist engaged in a heated dispute regarding the division of profits, leading to the doctor being subjected to alleged verbal abuse and physical assault by the accused. 

Also read- Viral Video: BJ Medical College Ophthalmology Resident Doctors Assaulted By Patient’s Kin

As per a TOI news report, the accused barged inside the doctor’s cabin at the hospital in Khed taluka on Saturday at around 8.30 pm when she was on duty. The argument started when the accused confronted the doctor and demanded a 50% share of the profit claiming that he was the reason she was getting patients.   

When the doctor refused to accept his demands and also denied his allegations, the duo engaged in a verbal dispute which soon escalated into assault. The doctor claimed that she was abused and pushed towards the wall by the accused. 

During the incident, the doctor called for help and one of her patients came to her rescue. The patient pushed the accused outside the doctor’s cabin following which the doctor called her husband.  

Sub-inspector G K Theurkar of the Mahalunge MIDC police told The Daily, “The woman stated that the pharmacist again came to the hospital. He abused and assaulted her husband before running away.”

Afterwards, the doctor filed a complaint at the police station against the pharmacist and an FIR was registered under sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Also read- 2nd Year PG Medical Student Beaten Up By Patient, Kin At Vellore Medical College; Suffers Neck Injury

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