NEPHROLOGY

A cross-sectional study involving 84 patients with stages 3, 4, and 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) explored the links between retinal changes, cardiac biomarkers, and CKD. Retinal vessel tortuosity, central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were found to correlate with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The non-invasive markers exhibit potential for assessing CKD progression, with macula volume identified as a potential indicator of cardiovascular disease risk in the CKD population.

Retinal Changes, Cardiac Biomarkers, and CKD Progression: Insights from a Study on Patients with Stages 3-5 Chronic Kidney Disease

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

IUGR, microcephaly and ACC may enable early prenatal detection of MOPD1 linked to RNU4ATAC variants.

Prenatal Ultrasound Findings in Rare MOPD1

A five-case study found that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), microcephaly and corpus callosum agenesis can signal MOPD1 as early as 18 weeks. All fetuses carried biallelic pathogenic RNU4ATAC variants, highlighting the need for genome or targeted testing beyond standard exome sequencing.

NEUROLOGY

Plasma p-tau217/Aβ42 may improve Alzheimer’s detection and identify amyloid-positive patients missed by p-tau217 alone.

p-tau217/Aβ42 Improves Alzheimer’s Detection

A 2026 Annals of Neurology study of 683 adults found that combining plasma p-tau217 with Aβ42 improved agreement with amyloid PET compared with p-tau217 alone. The ratio reduced diagnostic uncertainty and helped identify patients who developed amyloid-PET positivity during follow-up, supporting its potential for earlier and more accurate AD detection.

PSYCHIATRY

PEDIATRICS

Global experts call for better support and research for children bereaved by fatal family violence and homicide.

Global Initiative Supports Children Bereaved by Family Violence

An international workshop in Caen, France, brought together 33 researchers, clinicians, policymakers and advocates from 11 countries to develop a roadmap for children bereaved by fatal family violence. The initiative prioritizes survivors’ and caregivers’ voices, international resources and collaborative research to address long-term psychosocial impacts.

UROLOGY

ONCOLOGY

High-risk incidental prostate cancer was linked to greater years of life lost without active treatment, while low-risk cases were unaffected.

Active Treatment May Reduce Life Years Lost in Prostate Cancer

A SEER-based study of 7,324 men with incidental prostate cancer found a 0.23-year survival disadvantage versus population controls. The loss was greatest among untreated patients with Gleason 8–10 disease, reaching 3.02 years in those with T1b stage. Low-risk cases showed no survival disadvantage when active treatment was omitted.

Switching biologics improved symptoms in 70.6% of patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps.

Switching Biologics Improves Outcomes in Nasal Polyps

A 400-patient study found that 18% of adults with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps switched biologics, most commonly to dupilumab because of inadequate disease control. After switching, 70.6% improved, with SNOT-22 scores falling by 9.4 points, suggesting switching can benefit patients with refractory disease.

ORTHOPAEDICS

ACL T2* MRI metrics changed across the menstrual cycle, suggesting female sex hormones may affect ACL tissue properties.

Menstrual Cycle May Influence ACL Tissue Properties

A cohort study found significant changes in ACL T2* MRI measurements across the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women, with longer postovulatory values compared with preovulatory measurements. No significant changes occurred in anovulatory controls, suggesting hormonal fluctuations may influence ACL tissue water content and collagen organization.

Genetic testing identified rare causes of childhood interstitial lung disease, supporting earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Genetic Testing Reveals Rare Causes of Childhood ILD

A Turkish national registry study identified 37 children with rare genetic variants linked to childhood interstitial lung disease. Most had systemic disease or familial consanguinity, while CT commonly showed ground-glass opacities, infiltrations and septal thickening. Researchers highlight genetic testing for earlier diagnosis of rare systemic causes.

Cathepsin B levels may help identify infection-related inflammation and airway obstruction in children with cystic fibrosis.

Cathepsin B May Signal Inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis

A study of 213 children found elevated pro-CTSB and mature Cathepsin B activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from children with cystic fibrosis, particularly with Staphylococcus aureus. CTSB levels correlated with bacterial and fungal burden, inflammatory markers and poorer lung function, suggesting potential as a CF biomarker.

The RINH AI algorithm may predict early mCRPC progression using routine clinical variables, supporting personalized treatment.

AI Model Predicts Early Castration Resistance in Prostate Cancer

A multicenter study of 412 men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer developed and externally validated the RINH machine-learning algorithm to predict progression to castration-resistant disease within 12 months using routine clinical variables alone. The model outperformed conventional ML approaches but requires larger validation cohorts before clinical use.

Gantenerumab-related brain volume changes were not associated with ARIA or worse clinical outcomes in early Alzheimer’s disease.

Gantenerumab Brain Volume Changes Not Linked to Worse Outcomes

Analysis of the GRADUATE I and II trials found that gantenerumab was associated with greater brain parenchymal volume reduction than placebo, regardless of ARIA. Amyloid removal correlated with volume loss, while ARIA was linked to ventricular fluid shifts. Neither finding was associated with worse clinical outcomes.

DERMATOLOGY

Nine conversation cards were positively received as a practical tool for patient-centred hidradenitis suppurativa consultations.

Conversation Cards Support Hidradenitis Suppurativa Care

Researchers developed and tested nine conversation cards to help patients with hidradenitis suppurativa discuss priorities and difficult topics during consultations. In a 44-patient clinical evaluation, cards were well received by patients and healthcare professionals, though no significant differences were found versus standard consultations.

Oral probiotics may improve skin hydration, reduce water loss and wrinkles, but evidence remains limited and heterogeneous.

Oral Probiotics May Improve Skin Hydration and Wrinkles

A meta-analysis of 15 randomized trials involving 867 healthy adults found that oral probiotics significantly improved skin hydration, reduced transepidermal water loss and lowered wrinkle scores versus placebo. Evidence for improved elasticity was inconclusive, while study heterogeneity and low-to-moderate certainty warrant cautious interpretation.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Higher PRO-C6 endotrophin levels predicted liver-related events in patients with advanced HCV-related fibrosis.

Endotrophin May Predict Liver Events in Advanced HCV Disease

Analysis of 339 patients from the HALT-C trial found that higher blood levels of endotrophin, measured by PRO-C6, independently predicted liver-related events in advanced HCV-related fibrosis. Each doubling of PRO-C6 was linked to more than twice the risk overall, supporting its potential for liver disease risk stratification.

RHEUMATOLOGY

Autologous stem cell transplantation showed favorable survival and improved skin disease in severe systemic sclerosis.

Stem Cell Transplant Shows Promise in Systemic Sclerosis

A U.S. center reported favorable outcomes after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in 25 patients with severe systemic sclerosis. At 2 years, overall survival was 91.7% and event-free survival 74.5%, with significant skin improvement and stabilized lung function. Infectious complications occurred in 56% of patients.

ENDO-DIABETOLOGY

Two years of testosterone therapy did not significantly affect telomere length in overweight older men with dysglycemia.

Testosterone Therapy Does Not Alter Telomere Length

A randomized trial of 720 overweight men aged 50–74 with impaired glucose tolerance or newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes found that two years of testosterone therapy did not significantly change leucocyte telomere length compared with placebo. Researchers suggest larger, longer-term studies are needed to assess effects on biological ageing.

Correlating Retinal Chang...

Correlating Retinal Changes and Cardiac Biomarkers with Chronic Kidney Disease: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study