Men and women have distinct CV reactions to mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia

1. Women with restless legs syndrome are at higher risk for cardiovascular death, according to a new analysis of data from the large-scale Nurses Health Study.
2. Men and women have distinct cardiovascular reactions to mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia as per Mental Stress Ischemia Mechanisms and Prognosis Study. Women show greater peripheral vasoconstriction during mental stress, while men have greater hemodynamic responses.
3. A slightly underactive thyroid gland, the low end of normal, can be the cause of infertility of unknown cause, according to findings of a cross-sectional study published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Nearly twice as many women with unexplained infertility (26.9%) had a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level greater than 2.5 mIU/L compared with control patients with normal fertility (13.5%) (P < .05), and on average, those with unexplained infertility showed higher than normal levels of TSH, which is usually elevated in women with underactive thyroid glands.
4. Hospital patients have a higher risk of developing a Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) during their inpatient stay if they are receiving proton pump inhibitors, H2 antagonists, sucralfate, or any of several specific antibiotics, according to a multi-centre retrospective cohort study published online December 20 in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Carbapenems, third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, metronidazole, and piperacillin/tazobactam all increased the risk for CDI. However, the risk dropped with use of clindamycin, macrolides, and tetracyclines.
5. ‘Mycobiome’ research suggests antifungals, probiotics could treat Crohn’s disease
6. While recent efforts have improved the understanding of the gut microbiome’s role in inflammatory bowel disease, most research has focused on gut bacteria while overlooking the fungal communities in the GI tract, or the “mycobiome,” according to a review published in Digestive and Liver Disease. 
7. Approximately 99% of infants who are born with very low birth weight receive antibiotics within the first 2 days of life, contributing to antibiotic resistance and the destruction of helpful bacteria in the gut microbiome, according to data presented in August at the NIH’s workshop, “The Human Microbiome: Emerging Themes at the Horizon of the 21st Century.” 
8. Researchers from Spain have developed a prototype of an electronic nose that can distinguish between patients with Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. Called Moosy 32 eNose can detect volatile organic compounds which act as diagnostic markers or to reveal the intensity level of the diseases activity. The concentration of these components can be a differentiating marker between certain bowel diseases. The system is being tested for further medical use, such as detecting prostate cancer
9. The Maharashtra Sales Tax Tribunal has passed an order saying sales tax cannot be levied on drugs and other items sold by a hospital pharmacy for treating in-house patients. Currently, the practice is the pharmacy pays tax while procuring these items, but doesnt pass it on to the patients. Instead, it claims a refund from the government. The tribunal said if the pharmacy was run by a third party supply of drugs to in-patients could be termed a sale. On the tax levied on food supplied to patients, the hospital said the same cannot be split from the room rent and it is part of the services. On the issue of mattresses required for treatment of patients, the hospital said those were special kind of beds and do not become the property of the patient, therefore, they should not be taxed.
10. Liver Abscess: For single abscesses with a diameter ≤5 cm, either percutaneous catheter drainage or needle aspiration is acceptable. Drainage catheters should remain in place until drainage is minimal (usually up to seven days). Repeat needle aspiration may be required in up to half of cases if a catheter is not left in situ. In diameter >5 cm, catheter drainage is preferred over needle aspiration (AJR Am J Roentgenol 2007;189:W138). 

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee Vice President CMAAO Group Editor-in-chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Immediate Past National President IMA