Team JGJ

Dec 09,2024 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is contemplating banning Red 3, a synthetic food dye used in over 3,000 products, including popular snacks like Pez, Peeps, and Betty Crocker items. Known chemically as erythrosine and derived from petroleum, Red 3 adds a bright cherry-red hue to foods but offers no nutritional value. Public health concerns surrounding the dye have mounted, citing its potential links to cancer and behavioural issues in children. Speaking before the Senate Health Committee on Thursday, Jim Jones, FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, confirmed, “With Red 3, we have a petition in front of us to revoke the authorisation board, and we’re hopeful that in the next few weeks, we’ll be acting on that petition.” The move follows California’s decision last year to ban four food dyes, including Red 3, and comes amidst increasing pressure to align US regulations with stricter European Union standards. Concerns about health risks Red 3 has been banned from cosmetics since 1990 due to its carcinogenic effects in animal tests, a decision made under the 1960 Delaney Clause, which prohibits deeming a colour additive safe if it causes cancer in humans or animals. Despite this, the dye remains authorised in food. “There is simply no reason for this chemical to be in our food except to entice and mislead consumers by changing the colour of their food so it looks more appealing,” said Frank Pallone Jr, a Democrat and ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a letter to the FDA, reported The Guardian. While the FDA insists its approved dyes are safe when consumed as directed, studies highlight concerning impacts. A 2021 California review linked synthetic food dyes to hyperactivity and neurobehavioral problems in children, revealing sensitivity varies among individuals. “The evidence now shows pretty conclusively that when some kids eat these, they will experience nervous system effects that look like ADHD,” said Thomas Galligan, principal scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, as per NBC News. Robert F Kennedy Jr, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health secretary, criticised the FDA’s laxity, stating: “There are some departments such as the nutrition departments in the FDA that have to go, that are not doing their job, they are not protecting our kids.” European countries already require warning labels or ban certain dyes altogether, employing a precautionary approach to consumer safety. The FDA’s impending decision could set a significant precedent, influencing how the US addresses other synthetic additives in the food supply. Pallone added: “With the holiday season in full swing where sweet treats are abundant, it is frightening that this chemical remains hidden in these foods that we and our children are eating.” Source: Healthworld

Dec 11,2024 New Delhi: An ICMR study has conclusively documented that Covid vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India, instead lowering their odds, Union Health Minister J P Nadda told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death, he said responding to a question. He said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that the ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology conducted a study titled ‘Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India’ — a ‘multicentric matched case-control study’ — at 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union Territories during May-August last year. The cases were apparently healthy individuals without any known co-morbidity, who suddenly (less than 24 hours of hospitalisation or seen apparently healthy 24 hours before death) died of unexplained causes between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2023, Nadda said. Four controls were included per case matched for age, gender and neighbourhood. Information was collected regarding data on COVID-19 vaccination/infection, post-Covid conditions, family history of sudden death, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol frequency, binge drinking and vigorous-intensity physical activity two days before death among the cases / interviewed controls. A total of 729 sudden death cases and 2,916 controls were included in the analysis. It was observed that receipt of any dose of COVID-19 vaccine reduced the odds of unexplained sudden death. Receiving two doses of COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduced the odds of unexplained sudden death. Past Covid hospitalisation, family history of sudden death, binge drinking 48 hours before death/interview, use of recreational drug/substance and performing vigorous-intensity physical activity 48 hours before death/interview increased the odds of sudden death, the Union health minister said. “Hence, the study observed that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviours increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death,” Nadda said. He also told the House the Covid-19 Vaccine Administration Cell has informed that a robust adverse event following immunization (AEFI) surveillance system has been in place under the guidance of the national AEFI committee to evaluate each vaccine-related adverse event and fatalities reported. “The study mentioned has conclusively documented that COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India, and it has instead lowered the odds for unexplained sudden death,” Nadda said. The government has implemented several strategies to raise public awareness regarding vaccine side-effects reporting and to ensure timely medical interventions for affected individuals, he informed the Rajya Sabha. Nadda said guidelines were issued to states and Union Territories to direct district immunization officers to strengthen reporting of AEFIs following COVID-19 vaccination. For the reporting of COVID-19 vaccine AEFIs, the SAFEVAC (a web-based application for AEFI) has been integrated into Co-WIN for reporting of AEFIs. The Co-WIN SAFEVAC has the provision of reporting AEFIs by the vaccinator, district immunization officer and the beneficiary themselves. Besides, information, education and communication material on AEFI have been shared with states for translation into local language and display at the vaccination session sites. Awareness on AEFI-related information and messages were also amplified through social media and the engagement of various immunization partners. To ensure timely medical interventions for affected individuals, preventive measures have been put in place like compulsory observation of vaccine recipients for 30 minutes at the session site for any adverse events after vaccination, availability of anaphylaxis kit at each vaccination site and immediate referral to AEFI management centre for timely treatment. AEFI management of such cases has been provided free of cost treatment in public health facilities, Nadda added. Source: Healthworld

Dec 12,2024 New Delhi: Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) successfully performed a surgery to remove a 9.2-kg tumour from a 49-year-old woman with ovarian cancer, which is expected to increase her life expectancy remarkably. Without the surgical intervention, the patient would have survived about six months. Professor MD Ray from the department of onco surgery at AIIMS, explained that extracting a tumour of this magnitude presents significant difficulties as multiple organs are affected, particularly the gastrointestinal and urinary systems. He said that the patient recovered well, with an anticipated survival extension of at least 10 years. Following the surgery on Dec 2, she was discharged on Dec 9. Initially diagnosed with stage one granular cell tumor (GCT), a rare, slow-growing ovarian tumour originating from sex cord stromal cells, the woman underwent staging laparotomy in Dec 2011 at AIIMS Delhi’s gynaecology department. Post-operative assessment confirmed stage I disease. After being under observation, the patient discontinued follow-up for five years. In 2016, she returned to the medical oncology clinic with symptomatic recurrence. A tumour mass excision was attempted in 2017 in the gynaecology department but remained incomplete due to complications including multiple serosal tears. She then received six cycles of Paclit XL and Carbon Platinum chemotherapy, achieving 18 months of progression-free survival. Follow-up imaging revealed small abdominal and pelvic deposits, leading to conservative management under observation. The patient again discontinued follow-up for three years after the initial recurrence. She subsequently came to the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), AIIMS’s facility, in Oct 2024, displaying severe symptoms including a substantial abdominal mass, pain, constipation, post-meal vomiting, dependence on a liquid diet and substantial weight reduction of 15 kg over three months. Dr Ray stressed that whilst some cancer patients discontinue follow-up care, consistent monitoring remains essential for disease management. The medical team noted several complications: poor performance status (scale two), severe anaemia (6 grams per decilitre haemoglobin), reduced albumin (2.8 grams per decilitre), and compression of vital structures including the urinary bladder, sigmoid colon and ureters. For such an advanced condition, chemotherapy and radiotherapy would serve only as palliative care. This treatment option would have been viable if the patient received care at a distant facility. However, in this recurring case, surgery remained the only potentially curative option. Such procedures are exclusively available at specialised hospitals with comprehensive oncological facilities and complete medical teams, including anaesthesia specialists. Dr Ray highlighted that patients should not consider any complex abdominal procedures, including those involving abdominal masses, relapses or recurring conditions, as inoperable. Source: Healthworld

Dec 13,2024 New Delhi: You’ve probably heard “Don’t go outside in the winter with your hair wet or without a coat; you’ll catch a cold.” That’s not exactly true. As with many things, the reality is more complicated. Here’s the distinction: Being cold isn’t why you get a cold. But it is true that cold weather makes it easier to catch respiratory viruses such as the cold and flu. Research also shows that lower temperatures are associated with higher COVID-19 rates. As a professor of nursing with a background in public health, I’m often asked about infectious disease spread, including the relationship between cold and catching a cold. So here’s a look at what actually happens. Many viruses, including rhinovirus – the usual culprit for the common cold – influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, remain infectious longer and replicate faster in colder temperatures and at lower humidity levels. This, coupled with the fact that people spend more time indoors and in close contact with others during cold weather, are common reasons that germs are more likely to spread. The flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, tend to have a defined fall and winter seasonality. However, because of the emergence of new COVID-19 variants and immunity from previous infections and vaccinations decreasing over time, COVID-19 is not the typical cold-weather respiratory virus. As a case in point, COVID-19 infection rates have surged every summer since 2020. Virus transmission is easier when it’s cold More specifically, cold weather can change the outer membrane of the influenza virus, making it more solid and rubbery. Scientists believe that the rubbery coating makes person-to-person transmission of the virus easier. It’s not just cold winter air that causes a problem. Air that is dry in addition to cold has been linked to flu outbreaks. That’s because dry winter air further helps the influenza virus to remain infectious longer. Dry air, which is common in the winter, causes the water found in respiratory droplets to evaporate more quickly. This results in smaller particles, which are capable of lasting longer and traveling farther after you cough or sneeze. How your immune system responds during cold weather also matters a great deal. Inhaling cold air may adversely affect the immune response in your respiratory tract, which makes it easier for viruses to take hold. That’s why wearing a scarf over your nose and mouth may help prevent a cold because it warms the air that you inhale. Also, most people get less sunlight in the winter. That is a problem because the sun is a major source of vitamin D, which is essential for immune system health. Physical activity, another factor, also tends to drop during the winter. People are three times more likely to delay exercise in snowy or icy conditions. Instead, people spend more time indoors. That usually means more close contact with others, which leads to disease spread. Respiratory viruses generally spread within a 6-foot radius of an infected person. In addition, cold temperatures and low humidity dry out your eyes and the mucous membranes in your nose and throat. Because viruses that cause colds, flu and COVID-19 are typically inhaled, the virus can attach more easily to these impaired, dried-out passages. Source: Healthworld

Dec 14,2024 New Delhi: Paracetamol, a common over-the-counter medication, may increase the risk of gastrointestinal, heart- and kidney-related complications among adults aged 65 and above, a new study has found. Taken commonly for treating mild-to-moderate fever, paracetamol is also the first drug recommended for treating osteoarthritis — a chronic condition causing pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints due to wear-and-tear — as it is considered effective, relatively safe and accessible. However, some studies have provided evidence to contest the effectiveness of paracetamol in relieving pain while others have shown increased risks of gastrointestinal side effects, such as ulcers and bleeding, from prolonged use. The latest study, conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham, UK, found that paracetamol use was linked to a 24 per cent and 36 per cent increase in risk of peptic ulcer bleeding (bleeding due to ulcer in the digestive tract) and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, respectively. Taking the drug may also increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by 19 per cent, heart failure by 9 per cent and hypertension by 7 per cent. “This study shows a significant incidence of renal, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal side effects in older people, who are prescribed acetaminophen (paracetamol) repeatedly in the UK,” the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research. “Due to its perceived safety, paracetamol has long been recommended as the first line drug treatment for osteoarthritis by many treatment guidelines, especially in older people who are at higher risk of drug-related complications,” said lead researcher Weiya Zhang from the University of Nottingham’s School of Medicine. “Whilst further research is now needed to confirm our findings, given its minimal pain-relief effect, the use of paracetamol as a first line pain killer for long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis in older people needs to be carefully considered,” Zhang said. For their analysis, the researchers looked at health records of 1,80,483 (1.80 lakh) people repeatedly prescribed paracetamol (more than two prescriptions within six months). Their health outcomes were compared to those of 4,02,478 (4.02 lakh) people of the same age who were never prescribed paracetamol repeatedly. Data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink-Gold was analysed for the study. The participants were aged 65 and over (average age 75) and had been registered with a UK general practitioner for at least a year between 1998 and 2018. A 2016 study in The Lancet journal pooled and analysed data from 76 randomised trials, involving 58,451 patients, published between 1980 and 2015. Researchers from the University of Bern found that paracetamol did not provide the minimum levels of effective pain relief or improve physical function in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis. Source: Healthworld

Dec 13,2024 New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Thursday questioned AAP govt on why the centrally sponsored Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) was not being implemented in Delhi. The scheme promises a healthcare coverage of Rs 5 lakh. This coverage is intended to protect people from catastrophic expenses related to secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation in a wide network of empanelled public and private hospitals. The bench on Thursday pointed out that Delhi is not separate from the country and noted that the scheme had been rolled out in 33 states and Union territories. A special bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Manmeet PS Arora gave the govt a final opportunity to file its reply and posted the matter for hearing next year in Jan. The bench was hearing a PIL filed by all seven BJP MPs from Delhi seeking directions for the inclusion of Delhi in the scheme. The plea argues that the scheme was not implemented in Delhi, denying the target beneficiaries easy and efficient access to the promised Rs 5 lakh coverage. The court had earlier criticised Delhi govt for its poor health infrastructure and the lack of funds, wondering why it remained averse to central aid through the scheme. The court highlighted the lack of updated medical equipment, with many existing devices not working, and noted that CT scan facilities for needy patients are nearly unavailable. The petition also mentioned that a promise was made by Delhi govt in the 2020-2021 Budget speech on implement the scheme. “However, the petitioners contend that this commitment was rendered ineffective due to govt’s failure to take the necessary actions. This inaction, the plea asserts, amounts to a violation of Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution of India,” it said. The plea further highlights that the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched on Sept 23, 2018, as part of central govt’s Ayushman Bharat Scheme, is the world’s largest health insurance initiative. The special bench is now also monitoring steps being taken to revamp govt-run hospitals in the city, in which it is being assisted by the director of AIIMS. Earlier, a high-powered panel under Dr Sarin recommended measures to be taken to improve these hospitals. BJP said Ayushman Bharat is a welfare initiative and if, AAP govt has a better plan, it should have told the court. BJP state president Virendra Sachdeva said, “The anti-public face of Kejriwal and Atishi govt stand exposed…. Kejriwalji, decide a date, time and place, and let us have a public debate on the dire state of Delhi’s public health services,” he said. Source: Healthworld

Dec 13,2024 New Delhi: The AAP government on Thursday informed the Delhi High Court that Chief Minister Atishi, who holds the finance portfolio, has sent the CAG reports related to liquor duty, pollution and finance to the Lieutenant Governor for placing before the state assembly. The counsel for the Delhi government, however, clarified he did not have formal written instructions on this and sought time to place on record the developments in the matter. “I have oral instructions that the finance minister (Delhi Chief Minister Atishi) has forwarded the files to the LG. But I will not make any statement unless I get it in writing from them,” said senior advocate Sudhir Nandrajog, representing the Delhi government. Lieutenant Governor’s counsel said 10 files were received by the LG office on the night of December 11 to place them before the legislative assembly. The court granted time to the counsel for the Delhi government and the Lieutenant Governor to file their affidavits on the subsequent developments and posted the hearing on December 16. The petition has been filed by leader of opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta and BJP MLAs Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Kumar Bajpai and Jitendra Mahajan. They have contended the government was acting in breach of its statutory duty by failing to “promptly” lay crucial Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports on various issues such as pollution and liquor before the assembly. In its reply, the CAG said eight reports pertaining to Delhi were pending with the city government for laying before the legislative assembly in accordance with the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act. The CAG has said according to the legal framework, the Delhi government has to place the audit reports submitted by it before the assembly and it has in the past written to the principal secretary (finance), requesting him to do the same. According to the response, reports from 2022 to 2024 pertain to finance audits, air pollution, “revenue, economic, social and general sector and PSUs”, children in need of care and protection, liquor and public health. On October 29, the high court issued notices to the Delhi government, the office of the assembly speaker, the LG, the CAG and the accountant general (audit), Delhi, and sought their responses to the petition. The plea claimed the 12 CAG reports from 2017-2018 to 2021-2022 were pending with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, who also holds the finance portfolio. The plea alleged that despite the LG’s repeated requests, these reports were sent to him for tabling before the assembly. The petition, filed by advocates Neeraj and Satya Ranjan Swain, said the BJP MLAs approached the chief minister, chief secretary and speaker in the past but no action was taken. “Despite the LG’s repeated requests and constitutional obligation, these reports were not sent to the LG and consequently, could not be tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly,” it said. Source: Healthworld

Dec 14,2024 Bhopal: A division bench of MP high court on Friday ordered the removal of chairman of MP Nursing Registration Council (MPNRC), Jiten Chandra Shukla Anita Chand stating that they were themselves involved in the nursing college scam in one way or the other and their appointment on the key positions in MPNRC was unacceptable. Taking abrasion to the reply of the state govt that director, medical education has constituted a three-member committee to examine the complaints against Chand despite the court’s oral order to remove her and Shukla from the post, the bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi and Justice A K Paliwal, seized of a petition over a large number of fake nursing colleges operating in MP, asked the principal secretary, medical education, to remove the two officials in question forthwith and also directed the office of advocate general to forward a copy of the order to the chief secretary for compliance. Petitioner in the case, president of Law Students’ Association, Vishal Baghel, has moved two applications seeking removal of Chand and Shukla levelling specific charges against them about their involvement in the scam relating to recognition to fake nursing colleges in the state in large numbers and prayed the court to order their removal from the key positions in MPNRC as they can influence the evidence regarding the scam. Anita Chand was a member of the inspection committee which had submitted a false report on March 4, 2022 on the basis of which RKS Nursing college in Bhopal was given recognition though it was later cancelled, he said. Similarly, the application for removal of Jiten Chandra Shukla said that he was the director of MPNRC when several irregularities were committed in granting recognition to the nursing colleges. After hearing these applications, the court directed the respondents to submit their reply explaining as to why such persons have been placed on important posts of registrar and chairman, MPNRC and orally instructed for their removal. The court, however, noted that instead of doing so, the respondents showed a copy of order dated Dec 2, 2024 issued by the directorate medical education, wherein, a committee consisting of three members had been constituted to inspect and submit a report after analysing the complaints made against Anita Chand and inspecting the nursing colleges. The judges while stating that they were not satisfied with the constitution of the committee by the director with the approval of commissioner, public health & medical education and said, “We cannot allow such officers who were involved in the earlier process of granting recognition to hold such important posts in as much as there is every likelihood that such officers would, not only try to save their skin but also of other functionaries, try to tamper with the material. We despise such effort and find that it is nothing but an attempt to foil the endeavours made by the court for obviating the irregularities and illegalities in the process of granting recognition. In view of the above, we direct the principal secretary of the public health and medical education to forthwith remove Anita Chand from the post of registrar and Dr Jiten Chandra Shukla from the post of chairman of MPNRC and instead appoint some responsible officers, having unblemished service career, in their place. The chief secretary is also directed to take cognizance in the matter and ensure compliance of the order of this court. The office of advocate general is directed to immediately communicate a copy of this order to the principal secretary, public health & medical education and to the chief secretary for compliance,” said the order. Source: Healthworld

Dec 13,2024 New Delhi: A long-term exposure to air pollution could increase risk of blood clots in deep veins by 39 to over 100 per cent, according to a study that followed over 6,650 adults in the US for 17 years. Blood clotting conditions in deep veins are collectively known as ‘venous thromboembolism’, and if left untreated can block flow and cause serious complications. Researchers, including those from the University of Minnesota, analysed data on patients hospitalised for venous thromboembolism and air pollution, collected through community-level monitoring, such as by taking samples from the participants’ homes. The adults in the study lived in or near six major metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Of the group, 3.7 per cent (248 adults) were found to develop blood clots in veins located deep within the body, or deep veins, chances for which were linked to 39 per cent to over 100 per cent increase in risk due to exposure to PM2.5 and oxides of nitrogen. The findings are published in the journal Blood. While exposure to higher levels of PM2.5 pollution could increase risk of venous thromboembolism by up to 39 per cent, people exposed to higher levels oxides of nitrogen and nitrogen dioxide could experience a 120-174 per cent increase in risk, the researchers found. Being exposed to air pollution is known to increase risk of inflammation and contribute to blood clotting, which is in turn linked to cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. The researchers said that this is the largest, most comprehensive study in the US reporting on the link between developing blood clots in deep veins and exposure to different types of air pollutants. Source: Healthworld

Dec 13,2024 New Delhi: A fluctuating blood pressure in adults aged 65 years or above could increase chances of problems with thinking and memory, a study has found. Researchers from Rush University, US, found that individuals whose blood pressure varied the most had lower cognitive scores, compared to those showing the least changes. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a known risk factor for cognitive function. “With our ageing society and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, identifying prevention strategies to slow the decline of cognitive skills in older adults has become a public health priority,” Anisa Dhana, from Rush University and an author of the study published in the journal Neurology, said. “Managing blood pressure and its fluctuations is emerging as an essential risk factor that can be modified,” Dhana said. The researchers looked at 4,770 people with an average age of 71, who had blood pressure tests at the study’s start and then every three years for an average of 10 years. Thinking and memory tests were done at the start and end of follow-up period of 18 years. About 66 per cent of the participants were Black and the rest were white. The participants were divided into three groups based on how much their blood pressure varied over time. For the Black participants, those with the most variability in their blood pressure had lower scores on the cognitive tests, compared to those with the least variability, the researchers said — on average, their systolic blood pressure varied by 18 mmHg, compared to 16 mmHg among the white participants. The difference in scores was found to be the equivalent of 2.8 years of cognitive ageing. “These results suggest that fluctuation in blood pressure is a risk factor for cognitive problems beyond the negative effects of high blood pressure itself,” Dhana said. “Older adults should be routinely monitored for their blood pressure and any changes over time so we can identify people who may have this issue and work to alleviate it, which could potentially help to prevent or delay cognitive problems,” the author said. Source: Healthworld