Medically Speaking Team

Despite the fears of some academics and clinicians, a recent study at Oxford University found no relationship between menopausal hormone treatment and breast cancer recurrence.

The study’s findings were published in the journal “JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute.” Hot flashes and nocturnal sweats, as well as vaginal dryness and urinary tract infections, are common complaints among breast cancer survivors. These symptoms reduce patients’ quality of life and may cause them to abandon treatment.

Vaginal oestrogen treatment or menopausal hormone therapy may help to reduce these symptoms. The safety of systemic and vaginal oestrogen usage in breast cancer survivors, particularly those with oestrogen receptor-positive illness, has been questioned.

Also Read: Study reveals the reasons why many IVF embryos fail to develop

Following the discovery of an elevated risk of breast cancer recurrence in two trials in the 1990s, many clinicians advise breast cancer survivors against utilising menopausal hormone treatment. Although later studies did not find an increase in recurrence, they had major drawbacks, such as small sample numbers and short follow-up periods.

In this study, researchers looked at the relationship between hormonal therapy and the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death in a large cohort of Danish postmenopausal women with early-stage oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The study included longitudinal data from a nationwide cohort of postmenopausal women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer between 1997 and 2004 who underwent no treatment or five years of hormone therapy, as determined by Denmark’s national prescription registry.

Previous diagnosis of breast cancer

Following a breast cancer diagnosis, 1957 and 133 women who had not previously undergone vaginal oestrogen treatment or menopausal hormone therapy used vaginal oestrogen therapy or menopausal hormone therapy, respectively. There was no increase in the risk of recurrence or death for individuals who got either vaginal oestrogen treatment or menopausal hormone therapy, according to the researchers.

“This large cohort study helps to inform the nuanced discussions between clinicians and breast cancer survivors about the safety of vaginal estrogen therapy,” said Elizabeth Cathcart-Rake, who wrote an editorial to accompany the article.

“These results suggest that breast cancer survivors on tamoxifen with severe genitourinary symptoms can take vaginal estrogen therapy without experiencing an increase in their risk for breast cancer recurrence. However, caution is still advised when considering vaginal estrogen for breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors, or when considering menopausal hormonal therapy.”

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In humans, a fertilised egg does not guarantee successful reproduction. The majority of embryos stop developing and die within days of fertilisation, often due to an excessively large number of chromosomes. According to recent study from Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the bulk of these flaws are created by inadvertent errors occurring during DNA replication during the initial stages of cell division.

The study contributes to a better knowledge of the underlying biology of human reproduction and, in the long term, may improve the success rate of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The findings of this study were reported in the journal ‘Cell.’ Cell division begins around 24 hours after a human egg is fertilised.

Many human embryos made through IVF go awry, resulting in some cells having an abnormally high or low number of chromosomes.

According to study leader Dieter Egli, PhD, a Maimonides Assistant Professor of Developmental Cell Biology (in paediatrics) at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, “duplicating the DNA is a tough challenge for the early embryo.”

The penultimate stage of cell division, when the double sets of chromosomes divide into two identical daughter cells, has long been thought by researchers to be the time when mistakes happen. The mechanism that separates the two sets of chromosomes, the microtubule spindle, was found to be the primary cause of the majority of these failures.

Also Read: High blood pressure may double risk of severe COVID, despite full vaccination: Study

But according to Egli’s research, chromosomal defects result from mistakes that happen much earlier in cell division, when DNA from the genome is replicated. His research revealed that if the DNA is not duplicated properly, the spindle malfunctions and inserts the incorrect number of chromosomes into each daughter cell. The spindle does not operate normally when DNA duplication is aberrant. Why would the embryo allow the integrity of the genome to be disrupted when this is such a crucial prerequisite for normal development? This has mainly been ignored in prior studies. Egli claims.

Despite the fact that the trials involved embryos developed in a petri dish, including those from patients undergoing IVF and egg donors who were not seeking fertility treatment, the same issues may also affect embryos developed during normal human reproduction.

Obstacles within the double helix of the DNA appear to be the root of DNA copying mistakes in embryos. Despite the fact that the exact nature of these barriers is unknown, they cause DNA duplication to stall or even cease, which leads to DNA breakage and an abnormal number of chromosomes.

The researchers discovered that spontaneous DNA mistakes can happen during the first cell division cycle in human embryos, as well as during subsequent cell divisions. The embryo cannot develop further if there are too many chromosomally defective cells in the early embryo.

The majority of human embryos produced through IVF stop growing a few days after conception. The effectiveness of reproductive therapies is hampered by the inefficiency of human development.

“Many women receiving fertility treatment need several IVF rounds to become pregnant, and some of them never do. This is extremely expensive and draining emotionally, “says co-author of the study and reproductive specialist Jenna Turocy, MD, of the Columbia University Fertility Center.

Future studies will look at DNA damage during replication to better understand normal and disease-causing alterations in the human germ line. These findings may eventually lead to procedures that reduce the likelihood of genetic abnormalities and embryo attrition in IVF patients.

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High blood pressure more than doubled a person’s risk of hospitalisation from an Omicron-variant COVID-19 infection, according to a new analysis of adults hospitalised with COVID-19 in Los Angeles between December 2021 and April 2022 – even in the presence of full vaccination, including a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.

High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, remained to have an influence on the severe COVID-19 illness even in the absence of other chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, renal disease, or heart failure.

According to the study’s lead author Joseph E. Ebinger, M.D., M.S., an assistant professor of cardiology and the director of clinical analytics at the Smidt Heart Institute at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, “These findings are important since approximately half of the adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure.”

COVID-19 vaccines were used early in the pandemic to help reduce mortality as well as some of the severe side effects of the infection. An observational research conducted in Israel discovered that a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccination lowered the risk of serious disease by up to 70%. Nonetheless, during the initial Omicron variant epidemic, some patients who had taken the full dose and the booster dose required to be hospitalised for COVID-19.

The Omicron version, which is still the predominant type, was discovered for the first time in the United States in December 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seven Omicron subvariants have been found as of July 2022.

Even though the study group included participants who had received the whole COVID-19 vaccine series and a booster dose, Ebinger and colleagues sought to investigate the features of those individuals who had COVID-19 cases severe enough to necessitate hospital care.

The data revealed that other older persons without other underlying medical issues are also at risk, according to Ebinger.

Even if a person does not have any other significant chronic diseases, a breakthrough Omicron infection serious enough to require hospitalisation can affect an adult of any age, particularly if that person has high blood pressure. Not always who we assume they are are the folks who are most at risk. The discovery that they are not the sickest of the ill was unexpected.

During an Omicron surge, between December 2021 and April 2022, in the greater Los Angeles area, 912 adults who had received at least three doses of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, authorised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and were treated for COVID-19 underwent a retrospective cohort study. Age, gender, race, ethnicity, and clinical data from electronic health records were among the demographic details that were looked at. The existence of chronic medical illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, heart attack, heart failure, and past chronic pulmonary obstructive disease or asthma are examples of critical clinical traits and variables that researchers have uncovered.

Also Read: Study highlights benefits of physical, mental activity on thinking may differ in men and women

According to the data, roughly 16% of the 912 people who received the three doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination needed to be hospitalised.

* The risk of hospitalisation was found to be increased by advanced age, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, heart attack, heart failure, and the interval between the last immunisation and COVID-19 infection.

* Even when they had no other serious chronic health conditions, people with high blood pressure were 2.6 times more likely to need hospital care for a severe COVID-19 illness.

* Of the 145 patients admitted to the hospital, 125 (86.2%) had high blood pressure.

“We need to increase knowledge and comprehension that obtaining three doses of vaccination might not completely protect people from developing severe COVID-19, particularly in those with high blood pressure. Additionally, more research is required to determine the reasons behind the association between high blood pressure and a heightened chance of developing COVID-19 disease, according to Ebinger.

Researchers stated that more study is needed to reduce the chances of serious COVID-19 infection, whether by more specialised vaccination regimens, innovative therapies, or a combined strategy. Another area where experts feel more investigation is needed is the molecular mechanism behind the relationship between severe COVID-19 and high blood pressure.

Since the researchers employed data from a single medical facility for retrospective analysis, the findings may not be generalizable.

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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported 21,566 new COVID-19 infections in India in the previous 24 hours on Thursday.

With the addition of the additional infections, India’s active caseload now stands at 1,48,881. The daily positivity rate was 4.25 percent, while the weekly positivity rate was 4.51 percent.

The Ministry also stated that the country’s current recovery rate from COVID-19 infection is 98.46%, with 18,294 recoveries in the previous 24 hours bringing the overall number of recoveries to 4,31,50,434.

Also Read: Study highlights benefits of physical, mental activity on thinking may differ in men and women

Covid vaccination

India has delivered a total of 200.91 crore vaccine doses against the Covid-19 infection as part of the statewide immunisation programme, including 92.77 crore second doses and 6.34 crore precaution doses.

In the last 24 hours, India administered 29,12,855 COVID-19 vaccine doses.

India has “created history again”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday as the country achieved a big milestone of administering two billion vaccine doses in just 18 months.

Congratulating all Indians on crossing the “special figure”, PM Modi said that he is “proud of those who contributed to making India’s vaccination drive unparalleled in scale and speed”. He added that it has “strengthened the global fight against COVID-19”.

“India creates history again! Congrats to all Indians on crossing the special figure of 200 crore vaccine doses. Proud of those who contributed to making India’s vaccination drive unparalleled in scale and speed. This has strengthened the global fight against COVID-19,” wrote PM Modi on Twitter.

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According to research, engaging in both physical and mental activities can help prevent dementia and maintain cognitive performance. According to a recent study, these benefits may differ between men and women. The study was published online in the American Academy of Neurology’s medical publication.

The study looked at how physical and mental activities, such as reading, attending courses, playing cards, or playing games, affected cognitive reserve in the areas of thinking speed and memory. Cognitive reserve is a defensive mechanism that maintains people’s minds sharp even when their brains show the underlying abnormalities associated with dementia and cognitive decline.

The study’s creator According to Judy Pa, PhD, of the University of California, San Diego, higher levels of physical activity were connected to higher levels of thinking speed reserve in women but not in males. Increased mental activity was associated with greater reserves of thinking speed in both men and women.

Men and women who were more physically active had no larger memory reserves.

The 758 participants in the research had an average age of 76. Some people had dementia, whereas others had dementia with just minor cognitive impairment. Brain scans were performed on the patients in addition to memory and thinking-speed assessments.

To measure cognitive reserve, researchers compared the overall volume of the hippocampus, a prominent brain area damaged by Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other brain abnormalities connected to dementia, to people’s performance on thinking tasks.

People were also questioned about their average weekly physical activity. They were asked about their involvement in three types of mental activity in the past 13 months, including reading publications, newspapers, or books, attending classes, and playing cards, games, or bingo. They might get one point for each type of activity for a total of three points.

For mental activity, participants received an average of 1.4 points. On average, participants engaged in intense physical activity such as brisk walking and biking for at least 15 minutes every week.

Also Read: Covaxin booster dose increases immune response by 40 times, gives long-term immunity against COVID-19: Bharat Biotech

According to Pa, each additional mental activity a person participated in delayed the ageing of their thinking and processing skills by 13 years, or 17 years for men and 10 years for women.

“Prevention is essential because there are debatably few to no viable treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Pa once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It’s quite thrilling to see that people may possibly increase their cognitive reserve by making small changes like attending community centre classes, playing bingo with friends, or spending more time walking or gardening.

Based on the impact sizes reported in the study, doubling physical activity would be comparable to an estimated 2.75 less years of ageing in women’s processing speed and reasoning skills, according to Pa.

The researchers also looked at whether the APOE e4 gene, which is associated with the highest risk of Alzheimer’s disease, had an effect on the relationship between mental and physical exercise and cognitive reserve. They observed that having the gene reduces the advantages of the link between mental and physical activity and cognitive reserve in women.

The study found no relationship between enhanced cognitive reserve and either physical or mental activity. Only a connection is shown.

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The administration of the third dose of Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin (BBV152) after six months of two-dose vaccination dramatically increased neutralising antibody responses against both homologous and heterologous strains (Alpha, Beta, Delta, Delta Plus, and Omicron) and showed increased memory B cell response in subjects in controlled clinical trials, the company announced on Wednesday.

According to the company, the findings are based on a comprehensive study that demonstrated multiple benefits of Covaxin, including long-term immune response, cell mediated immunity, booster dose safety, immunogenicity against spike protein, N protein, and neutralising antibody responses against alpha, beta, delta, delta plus, and omicron variants.

According to the study, Covaxin-induced strong T cell responses remained for six months following antibody decrease. These T cell responses in vaccinated people were tracked for up to 12 months, regardless of whether the third dosage was received. T cell responses, in turn, aid in the production of B cell memory responses in response to antigen re-exposure. As a result, Covaxin gives long-term immunity.

Also Read: J&K revamps Covid protocols in public places amid resurge

According to Bharat Biotech, immune responses decreased after six months but surged by 40 times in those who got a booster dosage. When tested against variations of concern, immune responses lasted up to 12 months.

The trial included 184 participants who were randomly assigned to either a booster dose of BBV152 or a placebo 6 months following the initial series of two doses.

According to the business, subjects were examined for safety, neutralising antibody responses against worry variants, binding antibodies against spike protein, RBD, N proteins, and memory T and B cell responses to indicate cell-mediated immunity.

Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech, said, “Our team has now demonstrated that Covaxin is a multi-epitope vaccine with antibodies against spike, RBD and N proteins. Post booster dose, it has proven to neutralize antibody responses against variants of concern and long term protection through memory T and B cell responses. We have now achieved our goal of developing a safe and efficacious vaccine with long-term protection against a spectrum of variants.”

Covaxin, according to Bharat Biotech, is manufactured in such a way that the same dosage may be given to adults and children for both main and booster doses, making it a universal vaccine.

Bharat Biotech claims to have more than 50 million doses of Covaxin on hand, ready to be delivered as needed.

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The Jammu and Kashmir government mandated the use of face masks in all public locations, including colleges, schools, multiplexes, hotels, banks, and marketplaces, on Wednesday. The decision was made in response to a recent increase of COVID-19 cases in the Jammu district.

The public circular released by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu mentioned that “Various preventive measures have been recommended by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India which include wearing of face masks, maintenance of social distance and hand hygiene etc”.

The official notice also mentioned ensuring the implementation and observance of all preventive measures such as usage of face masks, and maintenance of social distance in all the public places across the district to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections.

PM Modi hails 2 billion Covid vaccination

Meanwhile, India just exceeded the 200-crore vaccination threshold, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to all vaccinators praising their efforts in the fight against COVID-19. “The magnitude and speed that India imparted to the world’s largest vaccination programme has been phenomenal, and this has happened owing to the efforts of individuals like you,” Prime Minister Modi said in an appreciation letter to vaccinators on Wednesday.

“Our COVID-19 immunisation adventure began on January 16, 2021, and we reached another milestone on July 17, 2022.” It was a historic day for the country as India exceeded the 200-million immunisation threshold. “This is a watershed moment in our fight against the COVID-19 epidemic,” PM Modi wrote in his letter.

Also Read: Kerala BJP holds protest outside NEET-UG exam centre after applicant complaints of being asked to remove innerwears

“Our vaccinators, healthcare workers, healthcare support personnel, and frontline employees have played an important part in saving Indians,” he continued. This is a great example of devotion to duty and delivering when it counts.”

In the midst of the controversy sparked by a NEET (UG) 2022 female applicant filing a complaint over the removal of her innerwear outside the examination venue in Kerala’s Kollam, BJP activists staged a protest outside the examination centre on Wednesday.

According to reports, on July 18, a few claimed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists staged a protest outside the Mar Thoma Institute of Information Technology, where female applicants were purportedly requested to remove their innerwear before entering the examination venue.

They were spotted protesting outside the institution while carrying BJP flags.

The incident was brought to light after a student submitted a report with the Superintendent of Police in Kollam.

Also Read: Cancer research discovers new path in its evolution, paving door for cancer treatment

According to reports, the girl students were compelled to take the exam in front of other guy students and male invigilators, which made them very uncomfortable and affected them psychologically and physically.

The parent cited the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) rules, noting that the NTA “had not indicated any prohibition on any sort of brassiere (bra) and hooks.”

The state’s women’s commission also opened an investigation into the affair.

According to reports, the number of complaints about the incidence is growing.

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In response to the virus’s rapid expansion in many nations, Holborn Wells India has developed a real-time PCR kit for the identification of the monkeypox virus (MPXV). The test was created in collaboration with Holborn Wells in the United Kingdom.

Monkeypox is a rare viral illness that mostly affects Central and Western Africa, according to Dr Sunil Kumar, Holborn Wells CTO, who was a prominent scientist at Duke University for a decade before to joining Holborn Wells India. It was originally found in laboratory monkeys in 1958.

Also Read: India reports first Monkeypox case, govt rushes high-level team

Although the monkeypox virus is zoonotic, human-to-human transmission can occur through contact with skin lesions, bodily fluids, and respiratory secretions. The Holborn Wells Monkeypox Real-Time PCR detection kit is very sensitive and gives results in 90 minutes.

Several clusters of the monkeypox virus have been identified throughout the world in recent weeks. Early detection with such tests is critical to assisting scientists and monitoring such emerging infectious disease concerns.

For research purposes, Holborn Wells test kits are available.

First Monkeypox case in India

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare verified the first monkeypox case in India on Thursday, with a tourist from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) who landed in Kerala three days ago testing positive for the viral illness. In response to a confirmed case of monkeypox in Kerala’s Kollam district, the Union Health Ministry dispatched a high-level multi-disciplinary team to work with state health authorities in implementing public health measures.

The Central delegation visiting Kerala included specialists from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr RML Hospital in New Delhi, top officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and experts from Kerala’s Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare.

(This post has been published from a wired news agency with some modifications to the text and headline.)

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya began the ‘Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav’ at the Covid Vaccination Camp in Nirman Bhawan here on Friday, urging people to acquire the free dosage to protect themselves against COVID-19.

“All Health Ministry employees initiated their inoculation of the free doses. My appeal to all citizens above the age of 18 years to get the free dose to ensure your protection against COVID19,” said “On ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, all eligible populations (18+) can get a free precaution dose for the next 75 days, starting today,” he added.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba is also expected to preside over a meeting with all Chief Secretaries of all states/UTs about the free prophylactic dosage campaign, which was inaugurated today and will last 75 days.

The free vaccination campaign was initiated with the goal of increasing the uptake of the COVID vaccine’s preventive dosage among the eligible adult population.

This particular vaccination push is part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations and seeks to deliver free prophylactic doses to all people (18 years and older) who are eligible at Government COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).

States and UTs were urged to give an intensive and ambitious push toward full COVID19 vaccination coverage by vaccinating all eligible beneficiaries and covering them with precaution dose in a virtual meeting with State/UT Health Secretaries and NHM MDs chaired by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday.

Also Read: Union Health Secy to hold VC with states & UTs ahead of Free Booster dose drive

States/UTs were asked to carry out a 75-day ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ as a ‘Jan Abhiyaan’ with large popular mobilisation using a camp strategy. They were urged to conduct special vaccination camps along the itineraries of the Char Dham Yatra (Uttarakhand), Amarnath Yatra (Jammu & Kashmir), Kanwar Yatra (all North Indian States/UTs), as well as important Melas and congregations.

The Union Health Secretary emphasised that the lower percentage of precaution dosages taken among those aged 18 and up (8%) and people aged 60 and above (27%), is reason for worry.

From July 15 to September 30, 2022, the Centre has announced a special programme called ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ that would distribute free prophylactic doses at all Government Covid Vaccination Centres for everyone aged 18 and up for 75 days.

All people above the age of 18 who have completed 6 months (or 26 weeks) since the administration of the second dosage are eligible for the precaution dose.