Medically Speaking Team

Inactivity, high-sugar, high-salt diets, and obesity cause nine out of ten cases of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. A recent research on hypertension in children aged 6 to 16 recommends that families improve their overall health.

The conclusions of the heart health specialists’ consensus report were published in the European Heart Journal, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

“Parents are significant agents of change in the promotion of children’s health behaviours,” said first author Professor Giovanni de Simone of the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. “Very often, high blood pressure and/or obesity coexist in the same family. But even when this is not the case, it is desirable that lifestyle modifications involve all family members.”

Dietary suggestions for managing high blood pressure in children include focusing on fresh vegetables, fruits, and other high-fiber meals, minimising salt intake, and avoiding sugary beverages and saturated fat. Every day, children and adolescents should engage in at least one hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise, such as running, cycling, or swimming, and no more than two hours of sedentary activities.

“Parents should monitor the amount of time their children spend watching TV or using smartphones and suggest active alternatives,” said Professor de Simone.

Realistic goals should be set for weight, diet, and physical activity that focus on the aspects needing the most improvement. “Recording weight, eating habits and exercise over time — but without becoming obsessive — can help young people and their families to track progress towards their goals,” said Professor de Simone.

A “health-promoting reward system” is recommended. Professor de Simone said: “Ideal incentives are those that increase social support and reinforce the value of targeted behaviours, such as a family bike ride or a walk with friends.”

Childhood obesity and hypertension are referred to in the paper as “insidious siblings” that gradually become a severe health risk. Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, has been linked to an increase in the prevalence of paediatric hypertension, according to research.

It is estimated that less than 2% of normal weight children are hypertensive, compared to 5% of overweight and 15% of obese children. Professor de Simone said: “The rise in childhood hypertension is of great concern as it is associated with persistence of hypertension and other cardiovascular problems during adulthood.”

Early diagnosis of elevated blood pressure is crucial so that it can be managed with lifestyle and, if needed, medications. Even one blood pressure measurement by a doctor or nurse can identify children with high blood pressure, but a second visit is recommended for confirmation. Professor de Simone said: “Screening should be performed in the primary care setting at least yearly, regardless of symptoms. This is because hypertension in children, as in adults, is usually asymptomatic.”

When blood pressure tests indicate hypertension, a medical history and physical examination are required to rule out probable causes and uncover modifiable behaviours. Details on lifestyle, such as smoking, salt intake, alcohol consumption, physical exercise, and leisure time activities; and possible symptoms such as headache, nosebleeds, vertigo, visual impairment, low school performance, attention difficulties, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, and fainting are all provided.

Treatment of paediatric hypertension should begin with education and behaviour modification. If blood pressure targets are not met, a single low-dose medication should be administered. Small dosages of two medications may be required if one therapy is unsuccessful.

The authors urge public health organisations to prioritise hypertension prevention and management in children and adolescents. Campaigns to raise awareness of the risks of high blood pressure in young people, as well as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle that includes physical activity, a nutritious diet low in salt and sugar, and not smoking, for example. Other advised steps include setting aside time for youngsters to watch TV and use social media without promoting junk food or possibly harmful lifestyle behaviours.

According to data presented today at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery’s (SNIS) 19th Annual Meeting, stroke patients with COVID-19 have poorer outcomes and are frequently younger and healthier. COVID-19 carriers are more than 2.5 times more likely to have a negative outcome and a difficult recovery after a stroke.

The study, “Characteristics of a COVID-19 Cohort with Large Vessel Occlusion: A Multicenter International Study,” reviewed data for 575 patients with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) -; 194 who had COVID-19 and 381 who did not. These patients spanned nearly 50 thrombectomy comprehensive stroke centers across Europe and North America. The control group was composed of patients who presented with LVO and received a mechanical thrombectomy between January 2018 and December 2020. Thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter to reopen blocked arteries in the brain.

The scientists compared which individuals had successful revascularizations – a technique aimed at restoring blood flow into blocked arteries or veins – and left the hospital with little to no disability in the research. The severity of the virus at the time of stroke start was moderate in 75.5 percent of COVID-19 cases, severe in 15.8 percent, and critical in 8.7 percent. The average time between symptoms and stroke onset was roughly nine days, and a stroke was the first symptom of the condition for 34% of the COVID-19 group.

Researchers discovered that COVID-19 patients (who were younger and had less risk factors) were less likely to have effective revascularization. Furthermore, the thrombectomy and hospital stay were both extended in the COVID-19 group. Most concerning, fatality rates in the COVID-19 group were more than twice as high as in the control group. Overall, COVID-19 was a predictor of poorer outcomes, despite the fact that many of the patients were younger, healthier, and even had minimal viral symptoms prior to the start of stroke.

According to a new UNAIDS research, India has observed a decrease in HIV infections compared to the growing trend in Asia and the Pacific.

The HIV/AIDS campaign, on the other hand, has been struck hard internationally in the previous two years by the Covid epidemic and other global problems due to a lack of resources, according to the study In Danger, released ahead of the International AIDS Conference in Montreal, Canada.

It stated that India, one of 30 tuberculosis-HIV high-burden countries, is one of eight countries that have seen a decrease in tuberculosis-related fatalities among persons living with HIV.

According to the research, India was also one of the two nations that witnessed among of the most dramatic decreases in HIV infections despite the Covid-19 and other problems.

According to the research, India observed an 8% decrease in giving TB preventative medication to patients living with HIV in 2019 and 2020.

South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania were the other two nations that had a 30% decrease in treatment.

“These data show the global AIDS response in severe danger. If we are not making rapid progress, we are losing ground as the pandemic thrives amidst COVID-19, mass displacement, and other crises. Let us remember the millions of preventable deaths we are trying to stop,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.

According to a new UNAIDS research, India has observed a decrease in HIV infections compared to the growing trend in Asia and the Pacific.

India, one of 30 countries with a high tuberculosis-HIV burden, is one of eight that have seen a decrease in fatalities from these illnesses.

India was also one of the two nations that achieved among of the most dramatic declines in HIV infections despite being infected with Covid-19.

Globally, the number of new HIV infections fell by just 3.6% between 2020 and 2021, the lowest yearly fall since 2016.

In 2021, the AIDS epidemic claimed 650000 lives on average, despite better HIV therapy and methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat opportunistic infections.

The Centre has urged 14 states to expedite the construction of medical colleges in states with District/Referral hospitals. The Centre wants states to use federal funding as soon as possible under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

The government evaluated developments with the Health Secretaries and Directors (Medical Education) of 14 states and UTs during a review meeting led by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan.

The Union Health Secretary raised alarm over project delays. A total of 157 new medical schools have been sanctioned under the project for funding in three phases beginning in 2014.

He encouraged governments to hasten the completion of medical institutions so that UG courses may commence in the 2023-24 academic year.

The review meeting was attended by officials from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, and Punjab.

“It was pointed out that since the scheme will conclude on 31st March 2024, hence all projects need to be completed in time. It was informed that a sum of Rs. 7,500 crores have been allotted for the schemes of Human Resources for Health (HRH) and Medical Education (ME) for the financial year 2022-23,” said a statement by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

“However, due to the slow pace of expenditure of the States/UTs and since there has been no requisition for release of funds from the states, further release of funds by the Centre to States cannot take place. States were further informed that utilization certificates have to be furnished urgently without delay to enable the Centre to release balance funds,” the statement added.

The Union Health Secretary also stressed the benefits of modern technology, which allow for better resource use and faster project completion.

“States were advised to explore and use locally relevant and green technology options, and steel composite structures for the projects which are yet to start. It was also pointed out that some of the projects seem to be languishing as the construction companies lack requisite experience regarding the building of hospitals and provision of associated specialized services,” said the statement.

The Government of India had launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for “Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals” in January 2014, with fund sharing between the Central Government and States/UTs in the ratio of 90:10 for NE/ special category states and 60:40 for other states.

Covid-19 cases in India continue to rise, with the country reporting 20,409 new infections in the last 24 hours. According to Union Health Ministry figures, this brings the total Covid-19 tally in the country to 4,39,79,730.

At present, the country has a total of 1,43,988 active cases of Covid-19 infections.

A total of 32 Covid-19 patients have succumbed to the viral disease in the last 24 hours, taking the country’s death toll to 5,26,258 since the onset of the pandemic.

In India, the daily positivity rate is 5.12% while the weekly positivity rate is 4.82%, the ministry said. So far, more than 4.33 crore people have recovered from the coronavirus infection in the country including 22,697 in the past 24 hours. The recovery rate is 98.48% at present.

The country has conducted over 87.44 crore covid tests till date whereas 3,98,761 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

Under the Covid-19 nationwide vaccination program, a total of 38,63,960 doses were administered in the last 24 hours while more than 203.60 crore vaccine jabs have been inoculated to the eligible beneficiaries in the country so far.

NEET answers are scheduled to be released soon by the National Testing Agency, NTA. According to recent media sources, the NEET UG 2022 answer key is expected to be issued today, July 29, on the official website neet.nta.nic.in; however, NTA has yet to confirm the NEET answer key release date.

NTA will also make available the NEET OMR sheets of applicants who took the NEET UG 2022 test. Candidates will be able to compute their NEET scores before the official NEET 2022 results are released.

Here’s how to download NEET answer key:

1) Visit the official website of NEET: neet.nta.nic.in

2) Click on the NEET official answer key 2022 link once available

3) NEET 2022 official answer key will appear on the screen

4) Download the NEET answer key as per your question paper code

5) Match the responses mentioned in the answer key

6) Calculate the scores using the NEET answer key official

Once the NEET answer key is released, candidates can challenge the responses paying the applicable fee on NTA’s official website neet.nta.nic.in. For each challenged answer, there is an objection filing fee of Rs 200. This fee is non-refundable even if the authorities accept the challenge.

The genetic sequencing of samples from the first two cases of monkeypox reported in India earlier this month revealed that the strain circulating in the nation is distinct from those linked to the’super-spreader’ events identified in Europe.

This implies that a distinct strain of the virus has been quietly spreading across the worldwide population since at least 2021.

Scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) in Pune have uploaded the genetic sequences of the monkeypox virus to GISAID, a worldwide scientific project for researchers. ThePrint has obtained the information.

At the moment, the bulk of the approximately 20,000 monkeypox cases dispersed over 75 nations are thought to have occurred as a result of super-spreader events in Europe, with the majority of them, detected in 2022, belonging to the strain dubbed ‘B.1.’

However, a limited number of cases from throughout the world appear to be from a distinct strain known as ‘A.2’.

CSIR-IGIB (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology) genomic experts told ThePrint that just a few samples sequenced so far correspond to the A.2 cluster, with the earliest genomes going back to 2021.

Vinod Scaria, a renowned genomic scientist at IGIB, stated on Twitter that the A.2 genomes are from the United States and Thailand, and do not appear to have arisen from any occurrences in Europe.

He went on to note that the two genomes identified in Kerala belong to this small distinct A.2 cluster. “We might be looking at a distinct cluster of human-human transmission and possibly unrecognised for years (sic),” he said.

Scaria also pointed out that the few cases that belong to the A.2 strain — including the ones from India — seem to all have travel links to the Middle East or West Africa.

“The earliest sample in the cluster from USA is indeed from 2021 suggesting the virus has been in circulation for quite some time, and earlier than the European events,” he added.

Last month, genetic evidence from the United States indicated that at least two independent monkeypox epidemics are occurring at the same time.

The A.2 variety may have been quietly spreading in the worldwide population for some time and is only now being recognised as a result of the European monkeypox outbreak.

As the number of cases of monkeypox among men who have sex with men increased, the World Health Organization issued a warning on Wednesday to restrict exposure to the virus by lowering the number of sex partners and evaluating sex with new partners.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, encouraged men to consider minimising their sexual partners for a while and sharing contact information with any new partners to allow for follow-up if necessary.

“Although 98 per cent of cases so far are among men who have sex with men, anyone exposed can get monkeypox, which is why WHO recommends that countries take action to reduce the risk of transmission to other vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women and those who are immunosuppressed,” he added.

While Tedros stated that all governments must engage and empower communities of men who have sex with men to lower the danger of infection and transmission, he also advised states to protect human rights.

“The stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus,” he said.

Tedros further said that the monkeypox outbreak can be stopped, if the world takes the risks seriously.

Over 18,000 cases have now been reported to WHO from 78 countries, with more than 70 per cent of cases reported from Europe. So far, five deaths have been reported and about 10 per cent of monkeypox cases have been hospitalized.

“This is an outbreak that can be stopped, if countries, communities and individuals inform themselves, take the risks seriously, and take the steps needed to stop transmission and protect vulnerable groups,” Tedros said during a press briefing.

“The best way to do that is to reduce the risk of exposure. That means making safe choices for yourself and others,” he added.

According to Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a CDC expert working on the monkeypox response, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted illness, although persons who tested positive in the US had some amount of sexual activity. According to CNN, this can entail both penetrative encounters and oral sex.

The virus is mostly transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, but it can also be transferred through touching things such as sheets or towels that may have been used by someone with monkeypox, as well as through close face-to-face interactions such as kissing.

According to the CDC, the researchers are investigating whether the virus can be spread by someone who has no symptoms or through semen, vaginal fluids and faecal matter. CDC further said that condoms alone cannot protect against the spread of monkeypox.

However, the agency still emphasizes that condoms can prevent other sexually transmitted infections.

“Reducing your number of sexual partners may reduce your risk,” one of the WHO flyers reads as CNN reported.

“How can I protect myself?” another said adding, “To catch monkeypox, you need skin-to-skin contact, including during sex, with someone infectious or their contaminated belongings. To reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox: practice safer sex, keep your hands clean.”

People who consume the most ultra-processed foods, such as soft drinks, chips, and cookies, may be at a higher risk of developing dementia than those who consume the least of these things.

Researchers discovered that when ultra-processed meals were substituted in a person’s diet, unprocessed or less processed foods were associated with a decreased risk. The study did not find a relationship between ultra-processed foods and dementia. Only an association is displayed. The new study’s findings were published online in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Foods that have been ultra-processed are rich in added sugar, fat, and salt, but poor in protein and fibre. Soft beverages, salty and sweet snacks, ice cream, sausage, deep-fried chicken, yoghurt, canned baked beans and tomatoes, ketchup, mayonnaise, packaged guacamole and hummus, packaged breads, and flavoured cereals are among them.

“Ultra-processed foods are meant to be convenient and tasty, but they diminish the quality of a person’s diet,” said study author Huiping Li, PhD, of Tianjin Medical University in China. “These foods may also contain food additives or molecules from packaging or produced during heating, all of which have been shown in other studies to have negative effects on thinking and memory skills. Our research not only found that ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk of dementia, it found replacing them with healthy options may decrease dementia risk.”

Researchers chose 72,083 persons for the study from the UK Biobank, a vast database comprising health information on half a million people in the United Kingdom. Participants were 55 and older, and they did not have dementia when they began the research. They were watched over over an average of ten years. 518 persons were diagnosed with dementia by the conclusion of the trial.

Participants in the research completed at least two questionnaires on what they ate and drank the day before. Researchers calculated how much ultra-processed food people ate and compared it to the grammes per day of other foods to produce a proportion of their daily diet.

They then separated the subjects into four equal groups, ranging from the lowest to the greatest % consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Ultra-processed foods accounted up 9 percent of the daily diet of persons in the lowest category, or 225 grammes per day, compared to 28 percent of the daily diet of people in the highest group, or 814 grammes per day. 150 grammes was comparable to one dish of pizza or fish sticks. Beverages were the leading food group contributing to high ultra-processed food intake, followed by sugary goods and ultra-processed dairy.

In the lowest group, 105 of the 18,021 persons acquired dementia, whereas 150 of the 18,021 people in the top group developed dementia.

After controlling for age, gender, family history of dementia and heart disease, and other characteristics that may influence dementia risk, researchers discovered that for every 10% increase in daily intake of ultra-processed foods, participants had a 25% increased risk of dementia.

Researchers also utilised research data to predict what would happen if a person replaced 10% of ultra-processed meals with unprocessed or less processed items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes, milk, and meat. They discovered that making such a change was related with a 19% decreased incidence of dementia.

“Our results also show increasing unprocessed or minimally processed foods by only 50 grams a day, which is equivalent to half an apple, a serving of corn, or a bowl of bran cereal, and simultaneously decreasing ultra-processed foods by 50 grams a day, equivalent to a chocolate bar or a serving of fish sticks, is associated with 3% decreased risk of dementia,” said Li. “It’s encouraging to know that small and manageable changes in dietmay make a difference in a person’s risk of dementia.”

Maura E. Walker, PhD, of Boston University in Massachusetts, who wrote an editorial accompanying the study, said, “While nutrition research has started to focus on food processing, the challenge is categorizing such foods as unprocessed, minimally processed, processed and ultra-processed. For example, foods like soup would be classified differently if canned versus homemade. Plus, the level of processing is not always aligned with diet quality. Plant-based burgers that qualify as high quality may also be ultra-processed. As we aim to understand better the complexities of dietary intake, we must also consider that more high-quality dietary assessments may be required.”

One weakness of the study was that dementia diagnoses were established by reviewing hospital records and death registries rather than primary care data, so milder cases may have been missed.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), recommended men on Wednesday to consider limiting their sexual partners for a while after the UN health agency reported a rising monkeypox outbreak among men who have sex with men.

“For men who have sex with men, this includes, for the moment, reducing your number of sexual partners, reconsidering sex with new partners and exchanging contact details with any new partners to enable follow-up, if needed,” he said at a briefing.

Ghebreyesus presented the COVID concentration data among males and stated that there are 98% of such instances, which is why WHO recommends that the government take efforts to limit the risk of transmission to other vulnerable populations, including as children, pregnant women, and people who are immunocompromised.

While Tedros stated that all governments must engage and empower communities of men who have sex with men to lower the danger of infection and transmission, he also advised states to protect human rights.

“The stigma and discrimination can be as dangerous as any virus,” he said.

According to Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a CDC expert working on the monkeypox response, monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted illness, although persons who tested positive in the US had some amount of sexual activity. According to CNN, this can entail both penetrative encounters and oral sex.

The virus is mostly transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, but it can also be transferred through touching things such as sheets or towels that may have been used by someone with monkeypox, as well as through close face-to-face interactions such as kissing.

According to the CDC, experts are looking at whether the virus may be transferred by someone who is asymptomatic or through sperm, vaginal secretions, and faeces. The CDC also said that condoms alone cannot prevent the transmission of monkeypox.

However, the FDA continues to highlight the need of condoms in preventing other sexually transmitted illnesses.
Tedros’ remarks about minimising sex partners are among the most forceful yet on the subject. Other WHO statements have not been as severely labelled.

“Reducing your number of sexual partners may reduce your risk,” one of the WHO flyers reads as CNN reported.

“How can I protect myself?” another said adding, “To catch monkeypox, you need skin-to-skin contact, including during sex, with someone infectious or their contaminated belongings. To reduce the risk of contracting monkeypox: practice safer sex, keep your hands clean.”

“Remember that close physical contact, including sex, may increase your risk of exposure. Having multiple and frequent sexual contacts, including with anonymous partners, may put you more at risk of infection of monkeypox. To protect yourself practice safer sex,” a third WHO flyer advises.

Health officials in the US have also advised reducing sex partners but used softer language, according to CNN.

“Avoid skin-to-skin contact, including intimate contact, with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox. Other harm reduction actions include minimizing sexual activity with multiple or anonymous sexual partners,” CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said in mid-July.