15 Percent of COPD Exacerbation Patients Develop Arrhythmias, Tripling In-Hospital Death Risk: Meta-Analysis

China: Cardiac arrhythmias are frequent among patients hospitalized for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and are strongly linked to higher short-term mortality, a new systematic review and meta-analysis has reported. The findings suggest that nearly one in six patients admitted with AECOPD develops abnormal heart rhythms, with atrial fibrillation posing the greatest threat to survival.

“Arrhythmias affect around 15% of patients admitted with AECOPD and are linked to a substantially increased risk of short-term mortality, especially in those with atrial fibrillation,” the authors wrote.
The analysis was conducted by Nan Ding and colleagues from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, and published in the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The team synthesized data from 28 studies to better understand the prevalence of arrhythmias in this high-risk group and the factors contributing to their occurrence.
From the combined analysis of more than two dozen studies, the researchers observed the following:
  • Around 15% of patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) developed arrhythmias.
  • The presence of arrhythmias was linked to a threefold higher risk of in-hospital mortality (RR 3.33).
  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) carried an even greater risk, raising mortality more than threefold (RR 3.70).
  • Older age was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of developing arrhythmias.
  • Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), reflecting systemic inflammation, further increased arrhythmia risk.
  • The use of long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) was tied to a lower risk of arrhythmias (OR 0.42).
While this suggests a possible protective effect, the researchers cautioned that the relationship requires careful interpretation and further investigation.
The study highlights the importance of vigilant cardiac monitoring in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. According to the authors, arrhythmias often remain underrecognized in this setting but carry significant implications for patient prognosis. Integrating routine ECG surveillance and adopting individualized risk stratification strategies could help clinicians detect arrhythmias early and intervene promptly.
Despite robust methodology and sensitivity analyses confirming the consistency of findings, the authors acknowledged some limitations. Most of the included studies originated from Europe, North America, and East Asia, with sparse data from regions such as South Asia, Central, and South America. This geographical imbalance could affect the global applicability of the results. Additionally, heterogeneity across studies was considerable, largely due to differences in populations, monitoring methods, and definitions of arrhythmia.
Nonetheless, the meta-analysis adds valuable evidence to the growing recognition of cardiovascular complications in COPD. It highlights the intertwined nature of pulmonary and cardiac health, particularly during acute disease flares. The authors emphasized the need for future prospective studies and standardized definitions of arrhythmia outcomes to refine risk prediction and improve management strategies.
“Aging and systemic inflammation are major drivers of this risk, while LABA therapy may offer some protection. Early detection, continuous monitoring, and personalized treatment approaches are key to improving outcomes for this vulnerable patient population, the authors concluded.
Reference:
Ding N, Qiu W, Chen J, Wang K, Chen Z, Cai R, Chen A. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Arrhythmias in Patients with Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2025;20:3059-3072. https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S545658

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Teriparatide Shows Strong Osteoanabolic Effects in Preclinical Guided Bone Regeneration Models: Review

Brazil: Researchers have found, in a new systematic review, that there is strong preclinical evidence that teriparatide (TP) enhances bone regeneration by promoting bone formation, osteoblast differentiation, angiogenesis, and graft integration, especially when combined with various biomaterials. Intermediate systemic and local doses were most effective, with greater benefits in mandibular, calvarial, and extraction socket models compared to sinus augmentation.

A systematic review, published in Current Issues in Molecular Biology by Jessika Dethlefs Canto and colleagues from the Department of Oral Surgery at Fluminense Federal University, evaluated the effectiveness of teriparatide in guided bone regeneration (GBR). Researchers analyzed 24 preclinical studies involving diverse craniofacial models such as mandibular, calvarial, sinus augmentation, extraction sockets, distraction osteogenesis, and segmental defects.
The following were the key findings of the study:
  • Teriparatide consistently promoted osteogenesis, graft integration, angiogenesis, and mineralization across various preclinical models.
  • The effects of teriparatide were amplified when combined with biomaterials such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP), biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), octacalcium phosphate collagen (OCP/Col), enamel matrix derivatives, autografts, allografts, xenografts (Bio-Oss), strontium ranelate, and bioactive glass.
  • Intermediate systemic doses of approximately 2 µg/kg/day and local doses between 20–40 µg produced the most favorable outcomes, whereas higher doses did not consistently offer additional benefits.
  • Anatomical differences influenced treatment effectiveness, with stronger responses observed in mandibular and calvarial models compared to sinus augmentation cases.
The authors note that despite these promising findings, the review highlighted critical methodological limitations. Most studies exhibited a moderate-to-high risk of bias, particularly in areas like randomization, allocation concealment, and blinding. The lack of adherence to established preclinical reporting standards, such as ARRIVE or PREPARE guidelines, further limited reproducibility and comparability. Variations in animal models, administration regimens, defect sizes, and follow-up periods also hindered the development of standardized protocols.
“While preclinical data strongly support teriparatide’s osteoanabolic effects, translating these results into clinical practice requires rigorously designed human trials,” the authors emphasized. They emphasized the importance of dose-escalation studies, investigations into combination therapies, and evaluations in clinically relevant scenarios, such as trauma-induced bone loss, reconstruction after tumor resection, osteoporotic conditions, and peri-implant bone regeneration.
The review concludes that teriparatide holds significant promise as an adjunctive therapy for guided bone regeneration in oral and maxillofacial surgery. However, its clinical application remains dependent on future high-quality randomized controlled trials to establish optimal dosing strategies, delivery methods, and long-term safety profiles.
“Robust, well-structured randomized clinical trials are essential to determine the ideal dosing strategies, effective delivery methods, and long-term safety of teriparatide for use in oral and maxillofacial bone regeneration,” the authors wrote.
Reference:
Canto, J. D., Mourão, C. F., Moraschini, V., Sartoretto, S. C., Diuana, M., Granjeiro, J. M., & Louro, R. S. (2025). Teriparatide for Guided Bone Regeneration in Craniomaxillofacial Defects: A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies. Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 47(8), 582. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47080582

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NTRUHS invites applications for BAMS, BHMS admissions 2025, check complete details

Andhra Pradesh- Dr NTR University of Health Sciences (Dr NTRUHS) is inviting online applications from candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria from the National Eligibility and Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) exam for the academic year 2025.

The applications have been invited for admission into BAMS and BHMS Courses under Management Quota and AIQ (All India Quota) seats in Private Unaided Non-Minority Ayurveda (BAMS) & Homoeopathy (BHMS) Colleges Affiliated to Dr. NTR UHS for the academic year 2025-26.

In this regard, Dr NTRUHS has released a notification detailing the Minimum cutoff score in NEET UG – 2025, schedule, number of seats and other important details. As per the notification, the Application is available on the official website of Dr NTRUHS from today, i.e. 12 September 2025, 10:00 AM to 17 September 2025, 09:00 PM. The processing fee is Rs 3540/- (Rs 3000/- + Rs 540/- (GST @ 18 %).

Also Read: NTRUHS invites applications for BAMS, BHMS, BUMS admissions 2025, check details

MINIMUM AGE

1 Candidates should have completed the age of 17 years as on the 31st December 2025.

2 Candidates who do not complete 17 years as on 31.12.2025 are not eligible.

3 Age shall be calculated on the basis of the date of birth as indicated in the Board of Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSC) or Equivalent Examination.

4 No upper age limit.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION UNDER MANAGEMENT QUOTA

FOR AYURVEDA (BAMS)

The candidates shall have passed 10+2 or its equivalent with subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Bio-Technology. The candidates securing a minimum qualifying percentile in NEET 2025 are compulsory.

FOR HOMEOPATHY (BHMS)

The candidates shall have passed 10+2 or its equivalent with subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Bio-Technology. The candidates securing a minimum qualifying percentile in NEET 2025 are compulsory.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION UNDER AIQ QUOTA

FOR AYURVEDA (BAMS)

The candidates shall have passed 10+2 or its equivalent examination from any recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology.

FOR HOMEOPATHY (BHMS)

The candidates shall have passed 10+2 or its equivalent examination from any recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Biotechnology.

PROCEDURE OF FILLING THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM AND PAYMENT OF THE FEE THROUGH ONLINE

1 The fee can be paid through a Debit card / Credit card, or Net Banking.

2 The fee paid by the applicants is not refundable under any circumstances.

3 Read the Notification, Prospectus / Regulations carefully regarding eligibility under local and non-local.

4 Visit the website through Internet Explorer 11 version only to fill the application form.

5 The Registration number, which will be sent to the registered mobile after entering the basic details, should be noted for further use. The Registration number should be kept confidential and should not be disclosed to others.

6 Fill in all the correct details in the online application form and upload all the documents, including the mandatory certificates.

7 The following Certificates are required to complete the online application process. The certificates are to be scanned and kept ready to upload. The application fee has to be paid online.

DOCUMENTS

The following Certificates are required to complete the application process. The certificates are to be scanned and kept ready to upload. The application fee has to be paid online.

1 NEET UG – 25 Rank Card (Mandatory). pdf 500KB.

2 Date of Birth Certificate (SSC Marks Memo) (Mandatory).

3 Qualifying Exam Certificate (Intermediate Marks Memo OR Equivalent – Grade Certificate not Accepted) (Mandatory).

4 Caste Certificate (If applicable).

5 Aadhaar Card (If applicable).

6 PWD certificate issued by the Competent authority (If applicable).

7 Candidate’s Latest passport-size Photo with name and date (Mandatory).

8 Specimen Signature of the Candidate (Mandatory).

NUMBER OF SEATS

List of Private Unaided Non-Minority AYUSH colleges with the number of seats available under Management Quota for the academic year 2024-25

BHMS COLLEGES

S.NO

NAME OF THE COLLEGE

NO OF MQ SEATS

1

Maharaja Institute of Homoeo Medical College, Vizianagaram.

43

2

KKC Homoeopathy Medical College, Parameswara Mangalam, Puttur, Chittoor District.

43

3

ASR Homoeopathic Medical College, Prathipadu, Tadepalligudem, West Godavari Dist.

43

4

Sri Adi Shiva Sadguru Ali Saheb Shivaaryula Homoeopathic Medical College, Guntakal.

43

TOTAL

172

BAMS COLLEGES

S.NO

NAME OF THE COLLEGE

NO OF MQ SEATS

1

Sri Adi Siva Sadguru Ali Saheb Sivaaryula Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Centre, Guntakal.

43

List of Private Unaided Non-Minority AYUSH colleges with the number of seats available under All India Quota for the academic year 2024-25

BHMS COLLEGES

S.NO

NAME OF THE COLLEGE

NO OF MQ SEATS

1

Maharaja Institute of Homoeo Medical College, Vizianagaram.

15

2

KKC Homoeopathy Medical College, Parameswara Mangalam, Puttur, Chittoor District.

15

3

ASR Homoeopathic Medical College, Prathipadu, Tadepalligudem, West Godavari Dist.

15

4

Sri Adi Shiva Sadguru Ali Saheb Shivaaryula Homoeopathic Medical College, Guntakal.

15

TOTAL

60

BAMS COLLEGES

S.NO

NAME OF THE COLLEGE

NO OF MQ SEATS

1

Sri Adi Siva Sadguru Ali Saheb Sivaaryula Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Centre, Guntakal.

15

To view both the notifications, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/dr-ntruhs-opens-online-applications-for-admission-to-bams-bhms-courses-under-management-quota-and-aiq-seats-in-private-colleges-1-300686.pdf

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/dr-ntruhs-opens-online-applications-for-admission-to-bams-bhms-courses-under-management-quota-and-aiq-seats-in-private-colleges-2-300687.pdf

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Tragic: Jabalpur Army doctor dies of cardiac arrest inside parked car

Jabalpur: In an unfortunate and tragic incident, Major Dr Vijay Kumar, posted at Jabalpur Military Hospital, was found dead inside his parked car on the driver’s seat after reportedly suffering a massive cardiac arrest. 

Originally from Bengaluru, Dr Kumar had travelled to the city for some personal work when his health suddenly deteriorated. Locals passing by noticed that he had been sitting in the car with the door open for too long, and the vehicle was not moving. 

On moving closer, they found him unconscious and immediately alerted the police. Upon reaching the spot, the police carried out a preliminary investigation and identified the vehicle as an army car.

Also read- Fifth Tragic Loss: Orthopaedician dies of heart attack at 45

Soon after, the army officials were informed, and Major Kumar was rushed to the Military Hospital in an ambulance, where doctors declared him dead.

According to a Free Press Journal report, the doctor’s car was parked near the Indian Coffee House in Sadar Bazaar, and the incident occurred around 11 AM.

While the police suggested the death was caused by a cardiovascular health issue, they are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area to understand how the situation unfolded. 

His body was sent for post-mortem late Wednesday night, and his family arrived from Bangalore on Thursday morning. After completing the necessary formalities, the body was handed over to his family.

The doctor’s untimely demise has left the medical fraternity in shock, underscoring the urgent need to prioritise the mental and physical well-being of healthcare professionals, who often exhaust themselves while working tirelessly to serve others.

Sharing the news on ‘X’, a doctor said, “Another Doctor Lost to Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A Wake-Up Call for the Medical Fraternity. The medical community has once again been struck with grief. Dr. Major Vijay Kumar, posted at Jabalpur Army Hospital, Madhya Pradesh, lost his life after suffering a massive cardiac arrest. He collapsed in his car in the market area, unable to receive timely help.”  

He further pointed out that this tragic incident highlights a larger, ongoing concern that doctors themselves are becoming increasingly vulnerable to lifestyle-related diseases.  

In recent times, there has been a worrying rise in reports of doctors dying young due to cardiac arrest and heart attacks. Long working hours, stress, and irregular lifestyles are taking a serious toll on their health, reminding us that even those who save lives are not spared from these silent killers. 

Medical Dialogues reported a series of tragic incidents involving the sudden deaths of five doctors over the past two weeks. Dr Gradlin Roy, a 39-year-old consultant cardiac surgeon at Saveetha Medical College, died of a massive cardiac arrest while on duty rounds. Similarly, 40-year-old Dr. Prakash Gupta, an anaesthesia specialist at Goyal Hospitals in Jodhpur, also succumbed to cardiac arrest.

Dr Gaurav Mittal, a 39-year-old critical care specialist; Dr Devan, a 42-year-old associate professor from the cardiology department at Manakula Vinayaga Medical College, and Dr. Sangram Sabat, a 45-year-old associate professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, all of them passed away from massive heart attacks.

Also read- 39-year-old Cardiac Surgeon dies of cardiac arrest while on duty

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Ozonated Water Shows Modest Benefits in Periodontal Therapy: Study

Periodontal disease remains one of the most prevalent oral health conditions worldwide, often managed through nonsurgical periodontal therapy such as scaling and root planing. Adjunctive agents, including antimicrobial rinses and irrigants, are frequently investigated to enhance treatment outcomes. One such option is ozonated water, which has been studied for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

A new clinical study published in Clinical and Experimental Dental Research evaluated the effects of ozonated water compared to tap water as adjuncts during nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

The randomized controlled trial measured probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival index (GI) to assess treatment outcomes. Both the ozonated water and control (tap water) groups demonstrated significant improvements across all clinical parameters after therapy, confirming the effectiveness of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in general.

However, the group receiving ozonated water irrigation exhibited slightly greater short-term reductions in CAL and GI compared to the control group. This suggests that while ozonated water may offer modest benefits, the differences were not large enough to indicate a substantial clinical advantage over conventional therapy using tap water. Importantly, no adverse effects were reported in the ozonated water group, supporting its safety as an adjunctive treatment option.

Researchers concluded that ozonated water could serve as a supportive strategy in periodontal management, particularly for patients seeking non-antibiotic-based adjuncts. Still, the modest effect size highlights the need for cautious interpretation. Long-term studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to better establish the clinical relevance and durability of these benefits.

The findings align with previous research suggesting that ozone therapy may reduce microbial load and inflammation, yet its superiority over conventional treatments remains uncertain. Clinicians may consider ozonated water as part of a comprehensive periodontal care plan but should not view it as a replacement for established therapies.

Reference

Alkan, B. A., Yıldırım, A., & Demir, T. (2025). Adjunctive use of ozonated water in nonsurgical periodontal therapy: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clinical and Experimental Dental Research, 11(5), 70216. https://doi.org/10.1002/cre2.70216

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A diet rich in vegetable protein and fiber helps maternal and infant health during pregnancy and breastfeeding: Study

A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fibre, vegetable proteins and healthy fats, benefits maternal health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition to improving intestinal function and mucosal immunity, it also prevents fat accumulation and optimizes the composition of the microbiota in the digestive system. In babies, this maternal dietary pattern helps to reduce the incidence and severity of infections.

These conclusions come from two studies published in the journal eBioMedicine, carried out with the support of La Marató de TV3 (2017). The research was jointly led by Francisco José Pérez-Cano, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the University of Barcelona and director of the Nutrition and Food Safety Research Institute (INSA-UB), based at the UB’s Torribera Food Campus, and the expert M. Carmen Collado, from the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC).

Led by researcher Karla Rio Aige (INSA-UB) as first author, the studies, coordinated globally by the UB, used data from the MAMI (Maternal Microbiome) cohort to identify relevant observations. Researchers also developed a preclinical model with animal models using the diets detected in the cohort with the aim of understanding the mechanisms of action involved.

Nutrition and mother-child health: many open questions

A balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle and habits are important for good health in pregnancy. Therefore, establishing optimal nutritional habits during pregnancy, lactation and early life is crucial for the health and well-being of mother and baby. However, the associated mechanisms linking maternal diet to maternal and infant health outcomes are still poorly understood.

María José Rodríguez Lagunas, a member of the project’s research team and of the UB’s Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, notes that understanding how maternal diet influences mother and infant physiology “is crucial, as its effects extend to short- and long-term outcomes for both mother and child.” However, she adds that “there is a notable lack of research on the underlying mechanisms, particularly those that could improve the physiological recovery of the mother after childbirth”.

The first study, at the preclinical level, compared the effects of two different diets during gestation and lactation on microbiota composition, immunity and lipid metabolism: the Mediterranean-like D1 diet, rich in fibre and vegetable protein, and a Western D2 diet, richer in animal protein and fats. During the nutritional intervention, various biological samples were analysed to see the effects of each diet on the epithelial barrier, lipid metabolism, microbiota composition, metabolites and immunity.

“The results reveal that a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet and enriched with fish oil, soya protein and inulin has beneficial effects on lipid metabolism, the composition of the microbiota and the immune response during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and improves maternal health,” says Professor Francisco J. Pérez-Cano.

“Furthermore, if this diet is maintained during breastfeeding, it seems to more effectively reverse the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, supporting immune function and limiting fat accumulation,” adds the expert.

Improving child health through maternal diet

The second study shows that a maternal diet rich in plant protein, fibre and polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the severity and frequency of infections in infants through the modulating effect of gut microbiota on the immune system.

The study, conducted on infants and animal models, analyses the effect of maternal diet on the health of offspring and reinforces the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation to strengthen infant health. The synergy of the INSA-UB and IATA-CSIC teams — institutions recognized with the María de Maeztu and Severo Ochoa seals of excellence, respectively — was key to obtaining the results.

In this context, the influence of the maternal diet emerges as a key factor in the composition of the defensive elements of milk during lactation. As essential elements, immunoglobulin A (IgA) in human milk and the diversity of the microbiota demonstrate their protective role against infections in infants.

These studies provide new insights that may lead to more precise dietary guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding women. On the one hand, they would help to strengthen the health of mothers and support their physiological recovery, and on the other hand, they would protect infant development in the early stages of life by reducing the risk of infections, thus supporting the wellbeing of babies.

“The study may also help to better understand the relationship between maternal diet, bioactive components of breast milk, infant microbiota and infant immunity. In the future, further research will be necessary to obtain more solid conclusions and better understand the mechanisms involved,” conclude experts M. Carmen Collado and Francisco José Pérez-Cano.​​​​​​​

Reference:

Rio-Aige, Karla et al. A diet rich in fibre and vegetable protein during gestation and lactation shapes maternal immunity, intestinal microbiota and lipid metabolism, EBioMedicine, DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105784 

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US COVID-19 school closures were not cost-effective, but other non-pharmaceutical interventions were, study finds

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic imposed enormous long-term costs while other measures delivered better health outcomes for far less money, according to new research led by Oxford University’s Department of Statistics and the Leverhulme Center for Demographic Science analyzing non-pharmaceutical interventions in the United States.

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North-south autism assessment divide in the UK leaves children waiting three years longer

Children in the North of England are waiting up to three years longer than those in the south for an autism diagnosis, new data analysis shows.

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Cataract surgery on both eyes can be carried out safely and effectively in one go, studies indicate

The results of two new studies show that it can be safe, effective and practical for most patients to have cataract surgery on both eyes in one day. Both studies were presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

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Innovative approach helps new mothers get hepatitis C treatment

Hepatitis C, a bloodborne virus that damages the liver, can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and death if left untreated. Despite the availability of highly effective treatments, the prevalence of hepatitis C infection remains high, particularly among women of childbearing age, who account for more than one-fifth of chronic hepatitis C infections globally.

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