Researchers have found that late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is an important predictor of sudden cardiac death in children and adolescents suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This finding suggests the inadequacy of currently used methods to predict sudden cardiac death among this younger population, where the risk stratification of patients is a challenging issue. A study was recently published in the journal JAMA Cardiology by Raymond H. and colleagues. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a genetic heart disorder characterised by hy ..read more

Good wound healing is critical to infection prophylaxis and satisfactory rehabilitation in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Currently, two techniques, i.e., barbed continuous subcuticular suture without skin adhesive or combined use skin adhesive (n-butyl-2) are being used for superficial wound closure of TKA. While a new skin adhesive (2-octyl) with self-adhesive mesh has been employed as an alternative to conventional surgical skin closure in TKA, its superiority, especially in reducing wound complications and improving wound cosmetic outcomes has not been investigated. Liu et al conducted a ..read more

A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has uncovered compelling evidence of a genetic link between bipolar disorder type I (BD-I) and epilepsy, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of these complex neuropsychiatric conditions. The study, published in Genomic Psychiatry on September 30, 2024, reveals shared genetic variants and a causal relationship between the two disorders, opening new avenues for research and treatment. Led by Dr. Ming Li from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, the study utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from European populations ..read more

Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) having a compromised blood supply, are at greater risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). With an estimated incidence as high as 22% among these patients, current clinical guidelines recommend using implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) to help mitigate the risk of SCD. Although the application of ICDs in patients with CHF is backed by substantial evidence, these studies did not include people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), who are an important clinical population. In other words, it is unclear whether the use of ICDs is justified in patie ..read more

Iran: A recent spanning eight years has shed light on the key factors contributing to post-surgical hypocalcemia (< 8.5 mg/dl) in laryngectomy patients. "Although average calcium levels showed no significant change, adjusting for albumin levels revealed a decrease in postoperative calcium. Total thyroidectomy, neck dissection, pre-operative hypocalcemia, and prior radiotherapy emerged as robust predictors of post-laryngectomy hypocalcemia," the researchers reported in the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. Laryngeal cancer represents a prevalent form of advanced ..read more

China: As insomnia continues to affect millions globally, the choice of treatment options remains crucial for patient health. Recent studies highlight a significant distinction in cardiovascular (CV) risk between two common classes of sleep medications: Z-drugs and benzodiazepines. This differentiation underscores the importance of informed prescribing practices for those with sleep disorders. A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology has revealed that Z-drugs for insomnia typically do not show a connection to cardiovascular issues, whereas benzodiazepines are ..read more

New Delhi: Reviewing the justification for the variability of the kinetic data of the bioequivalence (BE) study report of the fixed-dose combination (FDC) cardiovascular drug Sacubitril plus Valsartan film-coated sustained-release tablet presented, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) functional under the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted approval to Exemed Pharmaceutical to conduct the BE study under Fed condition. This came after the firm presented the proposal along with justification for the variability of the kinetic data of the BE study report along with the ..read more

Kozhikode: In a disturbing case of alleged medical negligence reported in the city, a 60-year-old heart patient lost his life at the hands of an unqualified medical practitioner, who had only completed the 12th grade and had been struggling to pass the second year of his MBBS course since 2011. Despite this, he worked as a Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at TMH Hospital in Kottakadavu, Kozhikode. After gathering evidence that the medical practitioner was a quack who enrolled in a hospital but still failed to complete his medical degree, the Kerala police arrested him under relevant sections of ..read more

Mumbai: Indoco Remedies Limited has announced the receipt of final approval from the USFDA for Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP, 10 mg (OTC), a generic equivalent of the Reference Listed Drug, Zyrtec Allergy Tablets, 10 mg of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP, 10 mg will be manufactured by Indoco, at their manufacturing facility located at L-14, Verna Industrial Area, Verna, Goa – 403722 in India. Cetirizine is used for relief of symptoms of hay fever and other allergic conditions. Commenting on the achiev ..read more

Taking a dose of the oral antibiotic doxycycline after a high-risk sexual encounter has dramatically reduced the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in places where the strategy is being tried. Despite its effectiveness, the new strategy, known as doxy-PEP, may come with risks, especially with chronic use. Experts worry about the impact on the community of gut bacteria, also known as the microbiome, and the potential that the antibiotic will give rise to resistant strains of bacteria.  Now, using metagenomic sequencing to see the impact of doxycycline on the gut microbiome of ..read more