About one in five people taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro say food tastes saltier or sweeter than before

New research being presented at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna, Austria (15–19 September) shows that some individuals who are taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro find that foods taste sweeter or saltier than before.

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Type 2 diabetes may double risk of sepsis, large community-based study suggests

Living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may double the risk of developing sepsis—with those aged younger than 60 years and men particularly susceptible, according to a long-term community-based study in Australia, being presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Vienna (15–19 Sept).

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Type 2 diabetes may double risk of sepsis, large community-based study suggests

Living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may double the risk of developing sepsis—with those aged younger than 60 years and men particularly susceptible, according to a long-term community-based study in Australia, being presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Vienna (15–19 Sept).

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ZyVet releases generic treatment for Canine Urinary Incontinence in US

Pennington: ZyVet Animal Health, a generic pharmaceuticals company for animals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., itself a wholly owned subsidiary of Zydus Lifesciences Ltd., a global innovation led healthcare company, has released the FDA-approved generic of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets, a treatment for managing urinary incontinence in dogs, in the United States.

Phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride is commonly prescribed to treat urinary incontinence in dogs due to urethral sphincter hypotonus. Often seen in spayed females and aging dogs, urethral sphincter hypotonus can lead to frustrating and embarrassing accidents.
As per the release, ZyVet’s generic provides dependable symptom relief while supporting stronger long-term client compliance. Available in multiple strengths to support precise dosing, the product is designed with the needs of both veterinary teams and pet owners in mind.
Speaking on this development, Punit Patel, President and CEO, Zydus Americas, said “Urinary incontinence affects quality of life for both pets and their families. Our phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride tablets deliver on both clinical reliability and affordability, enabling veterinarians to confidently treat more patients and maintain client compliance. We’re proud to offer an option that removes cost as a barrier to compassionate care. With each launch, we reinforce that innovation doesn’t need to come with a premium price tag – and that every pet should have access to high-quality treatment options.”
Today, fewer than 20% of FDA-approved animal drugs have a generic version, highlighting the continued need for affordable veterinary therapies. 

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Noida sex determination centre busted, doctor among 5 arrested

Noida: The Haryana health department, in collaboration with authorities in Noida, busted a long-running sex determination racket operating out of a private radiology centre in Sector 37. The raid led to the arrest of five individuals, including the doctor, and the seizure of two ultrasound machines.

Acting on a tip-off received by health authorities in Panipat, the team coordinated with Dr. Chandan Soni, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Gautam Buddh Nagar, and conducted a sting operation on Friday. 

According to the news reports, authorities executed a sting operation by sending a pregnant woman to the scanning centre after negotiating a Rs 25,000 deal with a broker.

Also Read:Meerut doctor, 3 touts held for conducting illegal sex determination test

“Of the amount, Rs 20,000 was handed over to the staff on the day of the test, while Rs 5,000 was transferred online to the account of a woman named Maryam. Soon after the woman’s ultrasound, the staff distributed the cash among themselves and placed the remaining Rs 10,000 on the doctor’s table. The note was pre-identified with a serial number and matched with those found at the centre,” deputy CMO Soni said, reports TOI.

Following the raid, five individuals were arrested, including the clinic owner, a broker, a receptionist, a money handler, and a medical store operator. Two ultrasound machines were seized, and the team recovered marked currency note. According to officials, the centre had been operational for over a decade.

Speaking to TOI, the deputy CMO said, “An FIR has been filed under BNS 318(4) (cheating) and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994.”

The raid comes at a time when the government in neighbouring Haryana has launched a crackdown on sex determination clinics. At a recent meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Sudhir Rajpal, strategies were laid out to track and dismantle these networks using phone records, financial trails, and location data of those arrested.

Also Read:Haryana Health Dept officials told to Inspect MTP, Ultrasound Centers

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Prof Pradeep Kumar Prajapati takes over as Director of All India Institute of Ayurveda

New Delhi: Professor Pradeep Kumar Prajapati formally assumed charge as the Director of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, recently.

Prior to this appointment, Prof. Prajapati served as the Vice-Chancellor of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur. He has also been associated for a long period with Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, contributing significantly to research and academic development. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur.

A formal welcome ceremony was organized at AIIA to mark the occasion. The event began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and a Dhanvantari Vandana. The institute’s former Executive Director, Prof. (Dr.) Manjusha Rajagopal, Dean (PhD) Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Vyas and a large number of academic, medical, administrative, and nursing staff were present. All attendees extended a warm welcome to the new Director by presenting floral bouquets.

Also Read:AYUSH Ministry Launches Initiatives to Integrate Ayush Medicine with Allopathic System

In his first address as Director, Prof. Prajapati said:

“It is a matter of great pride and honour for me to have the opportunity to serve Ayurveda at this esteemed institution. With the government’s vision of taking Ayurveda to the masses, I am confident that, with the collective support of all, AIIA will achieve global recognition in the years to come.”

Former Executive Director Prof. (Dr.) Manjusha Rajagopal, in her welcome remarks, expressed gratitude to all and reaffirmed her commitment to team spirit and collaborative work. Dean Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Vyas highlighted that Prof. Prajapati’s experience with premier institutions in the country will help take AIIA to new heights.

Immediately after assuming charge, Prof. Prajapati participated in the valedictory session of a Continuing Medical Education (CME) program organized for faculty at the institute, where he also performed the ceremonial lamp lighting.

Prof. Prajapati holds a BAMS degree from Gurukul Kangri University and obtained his MD and PhD from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

It is noteworthy that his appointment as Director of AIIA was approved by the Union Cabinet. As per the terms, he will serve for a period of five years from the date of assuming charge or until the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier.

Also Read:9th Ayurveda Day: PM Modi launches Rs 12,850 crore healthcare projects, Lays Foundation stone of 7 ESIC projects

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Higher Semaglutide Doses Safely Boost Weight Loss and Health in Adults with Obesity, Confirm Two Clinical Trials

A higher weekly dose of semaglutide (7.2 mg) can significantly improve weight loss and related health outcomes in adults living with obesity, including those with type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to the results of two large-scale, international phase 3 clinical trials. The findings, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, suggest that a higher dose of semaglutide offers a promising new option for people with obesity, including those with T2D, who have not achieved sufficient weight loss with existing treatments.

The STEP UP and STEP UP T2D clinical trials are the first to investigate whether increasing the dose of semaglutide from the currently approved dose of 2·4 mg to 7·2 mg is safe and leads to additional weight reduction. Trial participants were randomised to receive either the higher 7·2 mg dose of semaglutide, the currently approved 2.4 mg dose, or placebo over 72 weeks. All participants-regardless of treatment group-received lifestyle interventions such as dietary counseling and increased physical activity recommendations.

In adults without diabetes, a 7·2 mg dose of semaglutide led to an average weight loss of nearly 19%, surpassing the 16% loss seen with 2·4 mg and 4% with placebo. Nearly half of the participants on the higher dose lost 20% or more of their body weight, with about one-third losing at least 25%. Participants also experienced improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels, all key factors in reducing obesity-related health risks. Similarly, in adults with obesity and T2D, the 7·2 mg dose resulted in an average 13% weight loss compared to 10% with 2.4 mg and 3.9% with placebo, along with significant reductions in blood sugar levels and waist size.

Both trials reported that the higher dose of semaglutide was safe and generally well tolerated. Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and diarrhoea, and some sensory symptoms like tingling, were the most common. However, most side effects were manageable, resolved over time, and did not lead to participants dropping out of the trial. No increase in serious adverse events or severe hypoglycaemia was observed with the higher dose.

By delivering greater weight reduction and metabolic benefits while maintaining a favourable safety profile, the authors say this higher dose could help more people reach their health goals and reduce the burden of obesity-related complications worldwide. However, they highlight that further research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits and risks.

Reference:

Wharton, Sean et al., Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(25)00226-8 

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Undiagnosed Sleep-Disordered Breathing Worsens Heart Function in HCM Patients: JAMA

UK: Researchers have found in a new study that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients and is linked to adverse myocardial remodeling, greater diastolic dysfunction, and elevated troponin-T levels, indicating subclinical myocardial injury. The findings support further trials on treating SDB to improve outcomes in HCM.

The study, published in JAMA Cardiology by Shahid Karim, William Harvey Research Institute, NIHR Barts Biomedical Centre, Queen Mary University London, London, United Kingdom, and colleagues evaluated the burden of SDB in patients with HCM and its association with cardiac function and injury.
A total of 154 adults with HCM, identified from an institutional registry between 2018 and 2024, underwent overnight polysomnography, the gold standard for diagnosing sleep-disordered breathing. Participants with a prior diagnosis of SDB or pregnancy were excluded. Researchers assessed echocardiographic measures, biomarker levels, and functional status, with data analysis conducted independently of sleep study results.
The study led to the following findings:
  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was identified in nearly 60% of patients, with most cases previously undiagnosed.
  • Patients with SDB showed higher left ventricular mass, greater diastolic dysfunction, and elevated baseline troponin-T levels, along with larger overnight rises in troponin, pointing to subclinical myocardial injury.
  • Over half of the HCM patients with SDB reported New York Heart Association class II or III symptoms, compared with only one-fourth of those without SDB.
  • Hypertension and diabetes were more common in patients with SDB, while rates of atrial fibrillation and prior myectomy were comparable between groups.
The authors highlighted that SDB may play a key role in worsening the structural and functional abnormalities seen in HCM, adding to the overall disease burden. As SDB is often silent and under-recognized, its presence in this population may go unnoticed without systematic evaluation.
The researchers noted certain limitations, including the single-center design, predominantly European cohort, and reliance on routine echocardiograms, which may have introduced variability. Classifying all hypopneas as obstructive could also have underestimated the true burden of central sleep apnea.
The study highlights the importance of considering SDB as a comorbidity in patients with HCM, particularly in those with unexplained worsening of symptoms or evidence of diastolic dysfunction. The authors stressed the need for randomized clinical trials to determine whether treating SDB can improve remodeling, arrhythmic risk, and long-term outcomes in this patient population.
Reference:
Karim S, Chahal A, Venkataraman S, et al. Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Sleep Apnea in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. JAMA Cardiol. Published online September 03, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2025.2877

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Study Links Metabolic Syndrome to Adverse Coronary Plaque Profiles in T2DM

China: A new study has found that metabolic syndrome (MS) independently contributes to more severe and unfavorable coronary artery plaque characteristics in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These include higher rates of mixed, noncalcified, and nonobstructive plaques, as well as spotty calcification and extensive plaque burden.           

The findings published in Frontiers in Endocrinology emphasize the importance of early detection and control of MS components to reduce cardiovascular risk in this vulnerable population. 
The research, led by Yu-shan Zhang and colleagues from the Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, assessed the effect of MS on coronary atherosclerotic plaques in patients with T2DM. Using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), the investigators analyzed plaque type, stenosis severity, high-risk plaque features, and measures of plaque extent, such as segment involvement score (SIS) and segment stenosis score (SSS). A total of 2,431 patients with T2DM who underwent CCTA between January 2015 and February 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and grouped based on the presence or absence of MS.
The key findings of the study were as follows:
  • 61.5% of the cohort (1,496 patients) had metabolic syndrome (MS).
  • Patients with MS showed a higher prevalence of noncalcified and mixed plaques.
  • They also had a greater occurrence of nonobstructive stenosis.
  • SIS (Segment Involvement Score) and SSS (Segment Stenosis Score) values were significantly higher in patients with MS.
  • The number of MS components correlated directly with worsening plaque features, including higher proportions of patients with noncalcified or mixed plaques, SIS ≥4, and SSS ≥7.
  • Multivariate logistic regression confirmed MS as an independent predictor of adverse plaque profiles.
  • MS was associated with higher odds of noncalcified plaques (OR=1.232).
  • MS increased the likelihood of mixed plaques (OR=1.307).
  • MS was linked with more nonobstructive stenosis (OR=1.615).
  • Patients with MS had greater odds of SIS ≥4 (OR=1.529).
  • MS was associated with SSS ≥7 (OR=1.387).
  • MS significantly increased the risk of spotty calcification (OR=1.870).
  • All associations remained significant even after adjusting for potential confounding factors.
The study concludes that metabolic syndrome plays a pivotal role in shaping the coronary artery disease profile of patients with T2DM. Among the individual components of MS, hypertension appeared to exert the greatest influence on coronary atherosclerosis in this group. This suggests that aggressive blood pressure management, along with broader MS control, could be essential in slowing plaque progression and reducing future cardiovascular events.
Despite its strengths, the authors acknowledged several limitations. The cross-sectional design prevents causal inference, and certain confounders, such as detailed lipid-related variables, were not captured. Moreover, the single-center setting and the exclusively Chinese patient population may limit generalizability. Nonetheless, the large sample size and comprehensive imaging analysis lend strong support to the conclusions.
Overall, this study highlights the pressing need for systematic screening and early intervention for metabolic syndrome in individuals with type 2 diabetes. By targeting modifiable risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia, clinicians may be able to reduce coronary plaque burden and improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes in this high-risk group.
Reference:
Zhang, Y., Shi, R., Jiang, Y., Gao, Y., Wang, J., Li, Y., & Yang, Z. (2025). Effect of metabolic syndrome on coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 16, 1595475. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1595475

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Cardiac MRI Workflow Improves Prediction of Sudden Cardiac Death in Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Study Shows

China: A new cardiac MRI-based workflow has shown promise in improving the prediction of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among individuals with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), offering clinicians refined tools for risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies. By establishing specific cutoff values for late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume fraction (ECV), the study demonstrates a more precise approach to identifying both high-risk and low-risk patient groups.

The findings were published on September 9 in Radiology by Di Zhou, MD, and colleagues from the Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. Their work highlights how quantitative cardiac MRI markers can outperform traditional visual assessments when estimating the risk of SCD in patients with DCM.
Dilated cardiomyopathy leads to enlargement of the heart chambers and, without timely management, can result in sudden death. While cardiac MRI with LGE is already recognized as a marker of myocardial scarring, its clinical use has been constrained by qualitative interpretation, especially in cases where LGE appears with intermediate signal intensity. To address this gap, the research team investigated whether quantitative thresholds could offer greater prognostic accuracy.
The study analyzed data from 1,105 patients with DCM who underwent cardiac MRI across four centers. The development cohort included 837 individuals enrolled between 2012 and 2019, while an external validation cohort of 268 patients was added from 2019 to 2021. Patients were followed for a median of 58.3 months, with primary endpoints including SCD, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks, and resuscitated cardiac arrest. Secondary endpoints consisted of death related to heart failure, heart transplantation, or the use of a ventricular assist device.
The study revealed the following findings:
  • An LGE extent of at least 7.2% of left ventricular mass was identified as a strong and independent predictor of sudden cardiac death (SCD)-related events, with a hazard ratio of 4.75.
  • This quantitative cutoff offered superior predictive performance compared to qualitative distribution assessments (C statistic: 0.783 vs. 0.732).
  • In patients with LGE below 7.2%, an extracellular volume fraction (ECV) threshold of 31.8% provided additional discriminatory value.
  • Individuals with preserved ejection fraction (>35%), LGE less than 7.2%, and ECV under 31.8% showed a very low annual SCD event rate of 0.2%.
  • Patients with LGE ≥7.2% demonstrated a significantly higher annual risk of 4.65%, independent of ECV or LGE distribution pattern.
By incorporating LGE, ECV, and ejection fraction into a single workflow, the investigators proposed a practical model for clinicians to tailor preventive interventions. “The proposed comprehensive workflow empowers clinicians to implement personalized strategies, which may ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes in this vulnerable cohort,” Zhou and colleagues wrote.
In an editorial accompanying the study, Hajime Sakuma, MD, PhD, of Mie University in Japan, emphasized the clinical value of these thresholds. He noted that they can help physicians identify not only patients who require aggressive intervention, such as ICD implantation, but also those for whom such measures may be unnecessary. Sakuma added that the straightforward design of the workflow makes it feasible for real-world practice.
The study’s insights advance the role of cardiac MRI in guiding precision care for nonischemic DCM, bridging the gap between imaging biomarkers and individualized patient management.
Reference:
Risk Stratification of Sudden Cardiac Death in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Arrhythmogenic Substrate Assessment in Cardiac MRI Di Zhou, Huaying Zhang, Wenjing Yang, Yining Wang, Leyi Zhu, Mengdi Jiang, Jing Xu, Fei Teng, Xinxiang Zhao, Shaocheng Zhu, Doudou Liu, Qiang Zhang, Arlene Sirajuddin, Andrew E. Arai, Shihua Zhao, and Minjie Lu. Radiology 2025 316:3

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