The US Food and Drug Administration has approved TNKase or Tenecteplase, which is a thrombolytic or clot-dissolving agent, for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in adults.

Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your brain. It can cause permanent brain damage and death. If enough brain cells die, you can also lose the abilities or body functions those cells control. They are also the most common types of stroke, with 80% of all strokes being ischemic strokes.

How is TNKase administered?

It is delivered as a single five-second intravenous bolus, which is faster than the standard of care Activase or alteplase, which is administered as an intravenous bolus followed by a 60-minute infusion. The manufacturer of TNKase, Genetech said a new 25-mg vial configuration will also be available in the coming months.

How Was TNKase approved?

The approval came at the backdrop of a study that compared TNKase to Activase in patients with acute ischemic stroke. These patients also presented with a disabling neurological deficit. Results show that TNKase was comparable to Activase in terms of efficacy and safety.

How Common Are These Strokes?

In the United States it self, it affects more than 795,000 people each year and is the leading cause of long-term disability. It is also the fifth leading cause of death. Since brain damage can happen if this progresses rapidly, one needs an immediate, fast-acting medical care.

TNKase thus provide a faster and simpler administration which can be critical for anyone. The chief medical officer and head of global product development at Genetech, Levi Garraway, MD., PhD., said, "Today's approval is a significant step forward and underscores our commitment to advancing stroke treatment options for patients."

What Are The Symptoms Of Ischemic Strokes?

Some of the most common symptoms include weakness or paralysis on one side of your face and body. You may also feel trouble speaking or have loss of speech, also known as aphasia. You may faced slurred or garbled speaking, also known as dysarthria. Other symptoms include loss of muscle control on one side of your face, or sudden worsening or loss of your senses, including vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.

Other symptoms include:

• Loss of coordination or clumsiness
• Blurry vision or double vision
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Mood swings or sudden personality changes
• Confusion or agitation
• Seizures
• Memory loss (amnesia)
• Headaches which are sudden and severe
• Passing out or fainting
• Coma

Are There Any Warning Signs?

While these are symptoms one has who is prone to this condition. However, often, many may confuse it with other illnesses. It is best to keep an eye out for warning signs. These could be looking out for yourself or your loved one. Note if there is a sudden loss of balance. Look out for sudden vision loss or changes in one or both eyes. Look for a droop on one or both sides of your face, especially when you smile. Raise both arms and see if one arm sags or drops in a way it usually does not. Note for your speech. Are you as fluent? Are you have trouble speaking? If you see any of such signs, start tracking it and talk to your healthcare provider.

The Metabolically Dysfunctional-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affected 1.3 billion people around the globe in 2023, according to a new study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal today.

The alarming study estimates the numbers to further spike by over 38 percent to reach 1.8 billion cases by 2050, causing substantial health and economic impacts worldwide.

The research, based on the Global Burden of Disease study across 204 countries and territories, showed that MASLD remains one of the most prevalent and rapidly growing liver conditions worldwide, with its prevalence marking a 143 percent increase between 1990 and 2023.

What Is MASLD? What Is Driving The Surge?

MASLD is an umbrella term for liver conditions that develop in the presence of 1 or more cardiometabolic risk factors—including high blood sugar, elevated body mass index (BMI), and hypertension—but in the absence of other causes of liver fat accumulation.

MAFLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, can be defined by excess liver fat accumulation (more than 5 per cent of liver weight) in the presence of metabolic dysfunction, independent of alcohol intake.

It encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

According to the study authors, the rising cases are primarily driven by global population growth in combination with changes in lifestyle, such as rising obesity and high blood sugar levels.

MASLD Lancet Study: Who Is More Affected?

The findings highlight that MASLD is increasingly affecting younger adults in low- and middle-income countries, amid urbanization and lifestyle changes.

Some regions, including North Africa and the Middle East, had disproportionately higher rates of MASLD compared with other regions.

India has shown a sharp rise in MASLD prevalence, up 23.19 per cent from 1990 to 2023. India’s age-standardized MASLD prevalence rate rose from 10,191 per 100,000 in 1990 to 12,555 per 100,000 in 2023. The findings show that the spike is increasingly driven by rising metabolic risk factors, including high blood sugar and obesity.

Also read: Why Metabolic Fatty Liver Disease Is Rising as India’s Most Common Liver Condition

The study examined 3 modifiable risk factors —smoking, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose. Of these, high fasting plasma glucose contributed the most to MASLD-related disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally, accounting for 2.2 per 100,000 people in 2023.

High BMI ranked second at 1.4 per 100,000, followed by smoking at 1.0 per 100,000. In North Africa and the Middle East, elevated fasting glucose alone contributed 9.13 DALYs per 100,000, approximately 4 times the global average.

Notably, men had higher age-standardized prevalence rates than women. However, women older than age 69 had higher DALY rates than men of the same age.

MASLD: Signs To Watch For? How To Prevent?

People with obesity, diabetes, central or abdominal fat, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance are more likely to have MASLD. Obesity is the strongest risk factor, with the likelihood rising steeply from overweight to severe obesity.

Other signs to watch for include

• persistent fatigue
• Digestive issues and bloating
• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Skin changes

Rapid dietary transition towards ultra-processed, high-calorie foods compounds the risk. Thus, a balanced diet without or with very low sugar and ultra-processed food, which helps in control of diabetes and cholesterol can help slow down disease progression. Regular physical activity also improves insulin sensitivity.

The number of children who have died from a mysterious illness in the northern state of Rajasthan has risen to 13, as health officials continue efforts to determine the cause.

According to media reports, a six-year-old girl from Bhugabhatt village of Gram Panchayat Bharkundi was the latest victim on Sunday (April 12) morning. There was another death from this mysterious illness on Saturday, Udaipur Times reported.

So far, seven children have reportedly died from the Lasadiya of Salumbar district six succumbed from Parsola village in the state's Pratapgarh district.

Notably, two children died in Dholi Magri and two in Mahudi Kheda, as per administrators Narayanlal Meena of Ambav and Shankarlal Meena of Lohagarh from the Dhariyawad subdivision of Pratapgarh district. However, the authorities are yet to find a link between the two.

All children reportedly experienced a sudden onset of fever that worsened rapidly, and claimed the lives of children within 24 hours.

The Health officials noted that at least 85 children were hospitalized with similar symptoms.

Speaking to the media, Salumber’s district collector, Muhammed Junaid, said that two teams from the health department have been monitoring the situation constantly for the last few days.

“They have collected blood, stool, and saliva samples from children with suspected symptoms. Their samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. We suspect it could be a kind of viral encephalitis, but we are yet to get the test report from NIV,” Junaid said

The Health Department has also started a door-to-door survey in the sub-division.

Junaid noted that the survey was conducted across 120,961 houses in the Udaipur division, during which over 940 children were found with similar symptoms.

The local MLA has written a letter to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma demanding an investigation into the matter.

Earlier, mosquito-borne viral encephalitis (brain infection) or a Chandipura virus variant was suspected to be the reason behind the illness and deaths. However, lab confirmation is still pending. Samples have been collected and sent for testing.

"Anti-larval activity has also been carried out in 5,532 places after medical teams suspected viral encephalitis,” Junaid said.

What Is Encephalitis?

Encephalitis is the inflammation of the brain, caused by viral or bacterial infections, or by immune cells mistakenly attacking the brain.

People with encephalitis often show mild flu-like symptoms such as

• fever,
• fatigue,
• headache,
• body aches,
• confusion,
• seizures,
• changes in behavior or personality.

What Is The Chandipura Virus Disease?

Chandipura virus is a type of arbovirus that is a member of the vesicular virus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family. It is transmitted primarily through phlebotomine sandflies and sometimes through ticks and mosquitoes.

First identified in India in 1965, the virus is named after the Chandipura village in Maharashtra where it was initially isolated.

Its symptoms include:

• sudden onset of high-grade fever,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• seizures,
• altered sensorium which can ultimately lead to death within 24 to 72 hours.

How To Prevent?

The risk of getting encephalitis can be reduced by protecting oneself from mosquito bites and staying up-to-date with vaccinations.

One must ensure getting vaccinated against mumps, chickenpox, measles, and rubella.

Vector control measures such as the use of insecticides, bed nets, wearing full-sleeved clothes, and improving sanitation can also help prevent the disease.

Some feel anxious because of work pressure, but there are others who feel agitated and stressed when they are not engaged. Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan falls into the latter group. The 83-year-old has never really retired and has continued to entertain his fans and rule their hearts through his work. Over the years, there have been several interviews about his routine, discipline, and how the actor likes to stay busy. In a recent blog, he opened up about feeling anxious and uneasy when he does not work every day.

In his blog, Mr Bachchan wrote, “You wonder why the day is not behaving the way you normally wish it to be. So, if there is some understanding of this element within us, then ‘may there be peace and calm around us’, but for some, it never happens, and that is an added anxiety. Living in anxiety, they say, is harmful for the mind and body, and leading an anxious day on the weakness of this phenomenon is unnecessary (sic).”

Through his post, the 'Piku' actor revealed that a day spent lazing around seems 'disturbing.' He continued to say that when one does not work every day as per a schedule, the day becomes a 'mystery of deeds', which hints at the importance of structure and how a strong routine can shape one's mental health. But what contributes to the anxiety of not being occupied?

Why do some people feel anxious when not working?

According to experts, many people underestimate the importance of a routine for mental health. Humans are wired to depend on structure for stability, and when that is eliminated, the mind has to reorganise internally. This does not come easily. However, from a psychological perspective, this can lead to an excessive cognitive load, triggering a stress response. This stress response can manifest as anxiety, uneasiness, irritability, or restlessness.

How to cope with the stress on a lazy day?

Experts say that unproductiveness need not be associated with work itself—one can also engage in household chores or a hobby to feel productive and engaged. On a free day with no schedule, creativity can offer an escape. One can try going for a walk, cooking, taking breaks from screens every few minutes, and even playing sports. This helps regulate the nervous system. It can support not just physical but also emotional recovery. This way, when the brain takes a break, it does not feel empty and recovers faster.

How to feel productive on your day off?

When not at work, there are some simple ways to avoid falling into a slump. You can take a break and still be productive, and here are some simple ways to do so:

1. Organise: If you spot clutter in any part of the house, work towards organising it better. This activity is not exhausting and is also a good way to feel productive.
2. Prepare meals: On your day off, prepare yourself a fancy meal. Not only does this engage the creative side of your mind, but it also releases happy hormones.
3. Sightseeing: If you are willing to go out on your day off, pick a spot in the city that you have never visited and go sightseeing. Even getting dressed for a day out can help you feel rejuvenated.
4. Engage in sports: Engaging in sports is a good way to take a break from busy workdays. Go swimming or play a sport such as tennis or badminton, and the activity will help release happy hormones.