28/January/2022 Top Medical Bulletin

Here are todays top medical stories 

Proton MR spectroscopy could improve diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

It is important that multiple sclerosis (MS) is diagnosed and treated as early as possible in order to delay progression of the disease. The technique of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in this process.

A new MRI technique has been used at Med Uni Vienna as part of a research project that could pave the way to quicker assessment of disease activity in MS. The study was conducted by a research team led by Wolfgang Bogner at Med Uni Vienna's Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy and was recently published in the leading journal "Radiology".

Although conventional MRI can detect brain lesions, scientists are researching methods to detect the changes at an earlier microscopic or biochemical stage. The method known as proton MR spectroscopy has been identified as a promising tool for this purpose.

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New MRI technique could improve diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis

Natural supplements not necessarily safe, may adversely affect heart in athletes

Nutritional supplements intake is considered a healthy habit and taken most of the time to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  It is taken to boost athletic performance not necessarily safe and may be risky for heart, finds a new study. The study has been published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, a journal of the ESC.

"Nutritional supplements are commonly viewed as risk-free substances that may improve performance," states the paper. "Some nutritional supplements, including various plant and 'natural' extracts, may pose a serious health risk and athletes may even risk contravening anti-doping rules."

"Athletes who use supplements often have no knowledge regarding their effects on sports performance and overall health," continues the document. "It is reported that most athletes get nutritional advice from coaches, fellow athletes, family members and friends, suggesting that more wide reaching educational interventions, at an early age, are necessary."

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Natural supplements not necessarily safe, may adversely affect heart: ESC study 

CPAP significantly reduces tracheal intubation risk in COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure

Reintubation is also a leading cause of death due to declining oxygen levels, and inability to access the airway most of the covid-19 victims die despite of trying various intubation methods.

In a new study it was found that an initial strategy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) significantly reduced the risk of tracheal intubation or mortality compared to conventional oxygen therapy in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure caused by COVID-19, but there was no significant difference between an initial strategy of high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) and conventional oxygen therapy.

This study was conducted by Gavin D. Perkins and team with the objective to see if CPAP or HFNO improves clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure as compared to standard oxygen treatment. The findings of this study were published in the Journal of American Medical Association.

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CPAP significantly reduces tracheal intubation risk in COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure: NEJM 

Ginger supplementation reduces fasting blood sugar and BP in type 2 diabetes

Ginger the common spice of Indian food has more benefactrices and studies on it throw light on its goodness in human health. Ginger supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) led to significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP). Further, the researchers found no significant reductions in lipid profile following ginger supplementation. The study appears in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), known as a nontoxic spice, has been applied widely among herbal medicines for various conditions including different chronic diseases. Previous studies have greatly investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger. Some studies have demonstrated the positive effects of ginger supplementation on metabolic profile in patients with T2DM. However, the results have been conflicting.

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Ginger supplementation reduces fasting blood sugar and BP in type 2 diabetes: Study 

Probiotics and micronutrients during pregnancy reduce preterm birth

Proper nutrition is crucial for development of a healthy foetus, both mother and child need healthy nutritious food during the term. Supplementation with probiotics, myo-inositol, and micronutrients in pregnancy and during preconception does not improve gestational blood sugar but may reduce preterm birth, finds a recent study.

The findings published in the journal Diabetes Care, better metabolic and nutritional health during preconception is hypothesized to reduce preterm birth and promote gestational normoglycemia but there is limited evidence that supports improved outcomes with nutritional supplementation starting preconception. To determine the same, Keith M. Godfrey, MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K, and colleagues performed double-blind randomized controlled trial.

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Probiotics and micronutrients during pregnancy reduce preterm birth: Study