Automated oscillo-metric blood pressure monitoring

1. Automated oscillo-metric blood pressure monitoring: AOBPM is an office-based method in which multiple consecutive readings are obtained and averaged while the patient is (typically) alone. In a meta-analysis of 26 studies involving over 7000 patients AOBPM yielded measurements that were similar to daytime ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and home blood pressure monitoring, and that were lower than routine office blood pressure by 7 to 10 mmHg systolic and 4 mmHg diastolic (Hypertension 2019; 73:481)

2. Alpha blockers as medical expulsive therapy for ureteral stones: The acute treatment of symptomatic ureteral stones in the emergency department setting frequently includes the use of alpha blocker tamsulosin to facilitate stone passage. In a meta-analysis of 67 trials that enrolled over 10,000 patients, ureteral stone passage was significantly more likely with alpha blocker therapy than conservative treatment alone; in addition, stone passage occurred an average of 3.4 days faster with alpha blocker therapy. In a subgroup analysis, alpha blocker therapy was less effective for smaller stones (≤5 mm).

Based upon the findings of meta-analyses and other trials demonstrating benefit, one should start alpha blocker therapy for patients with symptomatic ureteral stones >5 mm and ≤10 mm to facilitate ureteral stone passage. [A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2018; 320:566.]

3. Intermittent Fasting Lowers Triglycerides More Than Regular Diet: A small, new study on intermittent fasting 5:2 diet, showed that this approach reduced triglyceride levels by 40% after meals, compared with a conventional, daily calorie-restricted diet in healthy but overweight/obese individuals. The study was presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference (DUPC) 2019. The diet involved (fasting on a 5:2 diet with 630 kcal/day, for 2 days, and healthy eating for 5 days) compared to modest daily dietary restriction (600 kcal below daily requirements)
4. Four tips for relieving BPH symptoms

Tense and nervous men urinate more frequently. Reduce stress.

When you go to the bathroom, take the time to empty your bladder completely. This will reduce the need for subsequent trips to the toilet.

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications may contribute to the problem.

Avoid drinking fluids in the evening, particularly caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Both can affect the muscle tone of the bladder and stimulate the kidneys to produce urine, leading to night-time urination.

5. The Delhi High Court will hear on March 12 a plea challenging a MCI notification which barred over 80 per cent of disabled persons from taking admission in medical education programmes. The court was hearing a plea filed by Mohd. Shaloo, having a benchmark disability of 90 per cent, challenging the February 4 notification which made him ineligible to study further medical course.

Shaloo is a doctor who has served as junior resident in RML Hospital and has cleared NEET PG with a good rank but now ineligible to do postgraduation due to the notification.

6. Alternate-day fasting has been proposed as a strategy to produce weight loss. In a systematic review of three randomized trials evaluating intermittent fasting, there was improvement in weight (loss of 6.5 percent of body weight in one 12-week trial).
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8. Alternate day fasting involves 25 percent of energy needs on fast days; 125 percent of energy needs on alternating "feast days"
9. Calorie restriction: 75 percent of energy needs every day
10. Disease Outbreak News (DONs)

Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

7 March 2019

Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection – Mexico

5 March 2019

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Oman

4 March 2019

Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

28 February 2019

Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 – Indonesia

27 February 2019

10. As per CDC website, “Drinking alcoholic beverages is not an indication to stop breastfeeding; however, consuming more than one drink per day is not recommended.”