NEET 2024 Registration deadline ends tomorrow, apply now

New Delhi- Candidates who are seeking admission to National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) courses must gear up with their registration process as it is going to end tomorrow- March 9, 2024.

With the latest update, applicants are required to submit and complete their registration process for NEET 2024 by 5 PM on March 9th, 2024. Along with this, the deadline for the application fee payment is set till March 9th, 2024, till 11:50 PM. Candidates have to fill out the application form online which is available on the official website of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The NEET UG 2024 entrance examination has been scheduled for May 5th, 2024, and the result is expected to be announced by June 14th, 2024. The application form for NEET 2024 was released on February 9.

Candidates are advised not to wait till the last minute to complete the NEET 2024 registration and application process. Since many applicants are already complaining about technical glitches in the NEET 2024 website, it is suggested not to delay the application process till the last moment. However, candidates are urged to follow the guidelines of NTA while filling out the NEET UG exam form as if even the slightest error is found then the testing agency may reject the application form.

As per the NTA notice, candidates must submit address proof (both present and permanent) such as an Aadhar Card, Domicile Certificate, Passport, Voter ID Card, etc., when applying for NEET UG 2024. If applicable, both documents should be combined and uploaded as a single PDF file. If a candidate’s current and permanent address are the same, a single document will suffice.

Meanwhile, all candidates have been asked to use only their Aadhaar number while registering for the NEET UG exam. The same Aadhaar number that will be used during registration will be used in various processes from admission to the NEET exam centre to admission to medical college. Any other number may lead to the cancellation of candidature for the NEET exam.

Below are some important points that candidates should ensure while filling out the application form for NEET-UG 2024 courses.

STEPS TO APPLY APPLICATION FORM

STEP 1- Visit the official website of NTA i.e.- exams.nta.ac.in

STEP 2- Enter your valid login credentials.

STEP 3- Register and fill out the NEET UG 2024 application form.

STEP 4- Upload the required documents.

STEP 5- Pay the registration fee and click on the ‘Submit’ button.

STEP 6- Download the payment receipt and keep a hard copy for future reference.

APPLICATION FEE

The registration fee is Rs 1,700 for General Category and NRIs, Rs 1,600 for applicants from EWS/OBC-NCL categories and Rs 1,000 for SC/ST/PWD/Third Gender categories.

DOCUMENTS

1 Passport size photograph

2 Postcard size photograph

3 Signature

4 Finger and thumb impressions of left and right hands

5 PWBD Certificate (if applicable)

6 Citizenship Certificate (for foreign nationals/OCI/PIO/NRI).

If any candidate faces any issue related to Aadhaar authentication or data while filling NEET UG 2024 form then they can log in to the website with their NEET application number and password. If any mistake is made while filling out the NEET exam form, the candidate will also get a chance to correct it. For any official help candidates can contact NTA through email ID or helpline number.

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New treatment could transform the mental health of children with epilepsy

A new psychological treatment for children with epilepsy, developed by a UCL-led team of scientists, has been shown to reduce mental health difficulties compared to standard care, a new study finds.

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Children with ‘lazy eye’ at increased risk of serious disease in adulthood, suggests study

Adults who had amblyopia (‘lazy eye’) in childhood are more likely to experience hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in adulthood, as well as an increased risk of heart attack, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.

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Many type 2 diabetes patients lack potentially lifesaving knowledge about their disease, researchers find

The body’s inability to produce enough insulin or use it effectively often results in type 2 diabetes (T2D), a chronic disease affecting hundreds of millions of people around the globe. Disease management is crucial to avoid negative long-term outcomes, such as limb amputation or heart disease. To counteract adverse consequences, it is crucial that patients have good knowledge about the day-to-day management of the disease.

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Individuals are more likely to have obesity in middle age if their parents had obesity, research finds

Individuals have six times the odds of living with obesity in middle age if both their parents lived with obesity at that age, new research to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2024, Venice, 12-15 May), has found. Having one parent living with obesity triples the odds.

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9 Common Blood Tests Prescribed By Doctors – Dr Deepak Sanghavi

India grapples with a high burden of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid, hepatitis and other fever-causing illnesses. India is also home to one of the largest number of diabetics. Factors like sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and stress contribute to the increasing prevalence of NCDs.

Diseases transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, including malaria, dengue fever, and chikungunya, pose significant health risks in many parts of India, particularly during the monsoon season.

Certain tests are ordered more often than others. Let us look at some of the most commonly ordered blood tests and their uses.

According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of medical decisions depend on laboratory test results, which shows clinical laboratories’ important role in healthcare diagnosis.

Furthermore, doctors usually prescribe multiple diagnostic tests for the early detection and monitoring of diseases with diagnostic tests such as blood tests, imaging scans, and genetic screening.

These tests not only help identify risk factors and detect diseases in their early stages but also assist healthcare professionals in tracking disease progression, adjusting treatment plans, and providing personalised care.

Some of these tests are :

1) Complete blood count: The Complete Blood Count (CBC), a blood test, measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Changes in the body, no matter how big or small—a mild infection, an immunological problem, or even cancer—first cause changes in the different blood components. Therefore, a routine Complete Blood Count (CBC) test can detect these slight variations, aiding your doctor in diagnosing any underlying medical conditions.

2) Blood Glucose Tests: There are several tests that help quantify the amount of glucose or sugar in the blood. The most common ones are the fasting blood sugar test and the HbA1c test, which helps in risk stratification of diabetes. Diabetes is associated with a number of serious complications that lead to hospitalisation, morbidity, and even premature deaths in diabetic patients.

3) Lipid Profile: This test assesses triglycerides, HDL (good cholesterol), and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. It aids in determining the risk of stroke and heart disease. High cholesterol itself does not cause any symptoms, so many people are unaware that their cholesterol levels are too high. Therefore, it is essential to find out what your cholesterol numbers are.

Too much cholesterol in your body is a risk factor for heart disease. Too much cholesterol in your blood builds up in the walls of your arteries, causing a process called atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease.

4) Liver Function Tests (LFTs): A liver panel test, also known as liver function tests (LFTs) or hepatic function panels, is a group of blood tests that assess the health and function of the liver. These tests typically measure levels of various enzymes, proteins, and substances in the blood produced or affected by the liver. Common components of a liver panel include alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, albumin, and total protein.

These tests help diagnose liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and fatty liver disease, as well as monitor liver function and the effects of certain medications or treatments. Abnormal results from a liver panel may indicate liver damage, inflammation, or dysfunction, prompting further evaluation and management by healthcare providers.

5) Kidney Function Tests (KFTs): A renal panel test is used to find or rule out potential kidney impairment or disease. Depending on the circumstances, it may be used for diagnosis, screening, or monitoring. This includes multiple measurements. The components tested include Serum blood urea nitrogen, Creatinine, BUN/creatinine ratio, Uric acid, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Electrolytes (Na/K/Cl), and Urine.

6) Tests for thyroid function (TFTs): Thyroid function tests typically include measurements of TSH, T3, and T4 levels to assess the thyroid’s health and function. Abnormal results from these tests can indicate thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), which can cause symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, and changes in heart rate.

Thyroid function tests help diagnose thyroid conditions and guide treatment decisions, including medication dosage adjustments and monitoring of thyroid function over time.

7) Blood Typing and Grouping: This test ascertains your Rh factor (positive or negative) and blood group (A, B, AB, or O). It is crucial for the transfusion of blood and organ transplants.

8) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): The ESR test, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate test, is a simple blood test used to detect inflammation in the body. It measures the rate at which red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube over a certain period. When inflammation is present, specific proteins in the blood cause red blood cells to clump together more quickly, resulting in a higher ESR.

While the ESR test does not diagnose specific conditions, it serves as a non-specific marker of inflammation. It is often used alongside other diagnostic tests to help identify and monitor various inflammatory conditions such as infections, autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers.

9) C-reactive Protein (CRP): This test measures levels of CRP, a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It helps assess the severity of inflammation and is used to diagnose and monitor conditions such as infections, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.

Healthcare providers in India commonly prescribe these tests for routine check-ups, screening, and diagnosing various medical conditions.

However, the specific tests ordered may vary depending on individual health needs and symptoms. It’s essential to consult with a doctor for personalised recommendations and interpretation of test results.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.

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Glenn Saldanha steps down as chairman of Glenmark Life Sciences

Mumbai: Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd has said its Chairman Glenn Saldanha and non-executive director VS Mani have resigned following change in ownership of the company.

Independent director Sridhar Gorthi has also tendered resignation, along with Saldanha and Mani, with effect from close of business hours on March 6, 2024, the company said in a regulatory filing.
In his resignation letter shared on BSE by the company, Saldanha said his stepping down from the board and as chairman of the company is “pursuant to the transfer of ownership of the company by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals to Nirma Ltd”.
He is also stepping down as a member of the nomination and remuneration committee and operations committee of Glenmark Life Sciences.
In September last year, Nirma Ltd had agreed to acquire 75 per cent stake in Glenmark Life Sciences for Rs 5,651.5 crore from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.
Mani also cited a similar reason for his resignation.
On the other hand, Gorthi cited increasing professional commitments and “inability to devote the required time to discharge the role and responsibilities” for his resignation, while also stepping down from the membership of all the committees of the board.
Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the drug major Glenmark had got approval from the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to conduct the clinical study of the anticancer drug ISB 2001 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
Headquartered in Mumbai, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a research‐led, global pharmaceutical company, having
a presence across Branded, Generics, and OTC segments; with a focus on therapeutic areas of respiratory, dermatology
and oncology. The Company was founded in 1977 by Gracias Saldanha. It has 10 world‐class manufacturing facilities spread across 4 continents, and operations in over
80 countries.

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African American patients on Medicaid less likely to undergo surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, finds study

African American patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are less likely than others to receive surgical treatment, reports the March issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

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GMC Jammu begins cancer genetic testing on NGS technology

Jammu: In a first of its kind, the Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu has successfully started genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations on cutting-edge Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology at Government Medical College. 

As per officials, as a capacity building in genetic sequencing and to provide most advanced technology in diagnostics as well as research, NGS was started in oncogenetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes targeting harmful mutations that predispose individuals, or their relatives, to cancer.

Also Read:Cancer Care: GMC Jammu to soon get NGS testing facility

“Having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes can increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, by the age of 70, to between 65-85 percent for BRCA1 mutations and between 40-85 percent for BRCA2,” they said.

The officials further added that positive BRCA1 or BRCA2 results allow women to make a choice well in advance about available options that could potentially reduce their risk of developing breast cancer well in advance.

The department will gradually add Human Papillomavirus NGS testing in the second phase, said officials.

With dynamic achievement under the fast-track administrative support of Principal and Dean, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, the Department of Microbiology, GMC Jammu with faculty and scientists trained in Bioinformatics and NGS becomes first ever Govt. institution in Jammu and Kashmir to start NGS diagnostic testing in the health care sector, they stated. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Jammu is going to be the first health institution in the Jammu region that will soon have an NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) testing facility for detecting and diagnosing early stage cancer. The NGS facility is expected to start in the Jammu GMC by February, official sources said. 

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Can Weather factors may influence pain and inflammation in patients with gout?

A recent meta-analysis highlights that the changes in weather factors does not increase the risk of knee, hip, or low back pain symptoms. This comprehensive review was published in the journal of Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism and challenged the common beliefs about the relationship between weather and conditions like arthritis, knee pain and back pain.

The study by Manuela Ferreira and team analyzed data from 11 case-crossover studies that involved over 15,000 participants. These studies investigated the transient risk of musculoskeletal health events associated with various weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, air pressure and precipitation.

The findings of this study suggest that weather might not be as significant a factor in musculoskeletal health as previously thought. The pooled analyses revealed no significant association between weather factors and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, knee pain or low back pain. The meta-analysis found that high temperatures combined with low humidity were associated with increased pain, redness, and joint swelling in individuals with gout. This suggests that weather may indeed play a role in specific musculoskeletal conditions.

This research emphasized the importance of evidence-based medicine in dispelling myths around weather and musculoskeletal health. Also, changes in weather factors do not influence the risk factors for most common musculoskeletal conditions despite the anecdotal reports from patients. However, the findings of this study highlight the significant influence of weather in gout disease. Further research on this subject is imperative to explore the complexities of weather and it’s impact on the musculoskeletal health, including the potential interactions with individual genetics and lifestyle factors.

Source:

Ferreira, M. L., Hunter, D. J., Fu, A., Raihana, S., Urquhart, D., & Ferreira, P. H. (2024). Come rain or shine: Is weather a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review with meta-analysis of case-crossover studies. In Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism (Vol. 65, p. 152392). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2024.152392

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