CARDIOLOGY

The immune system's role in heart failure is underutilized in clinical treatment, hindering the development of immunomodulatory therapies. This review explores how current heart failure treatments impact the immune system beyond their primary functions, offering insights for physicians and guiding future therapies. It identifies patient subgroups that could benefit from immunomodulation and highlights ongoing clinical trials in this field. Additionally, potential therapeutic targets for future research are outlined, along with strategies to harness existing treatments' immunomodulatory potential.

Immunomodulatory Therapies in Heart Failure: Impact of Current Treatments on the Immune System and Future Directions for Physicians

DERMATOLOGY

Sézary syndrome, mycosis fungoides, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, single-cell RNA sequencing, malignant T cells, KIR, JAK/STAT

Single-Cell Analysis Reveals New T-Cell States in Sézary Syndrome

A single-cell analysis of more than 144,000 immune cells from patients with Sézary syndrome and leukaemic mycosis fungoides identified three distinct malignant T-cell subtypes with different molecular programmes and potential vulnerabilities. The study also uncovered immune-evasion signals involving KIR–MHC-I and JAK/STAT pathways, offering clues for future targeted therapies.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Most pregnant women in northern Jordan met WHO activity guidelines, but activity was mainly from household tasks.

Pregnancy Physical Activity Levels in Northern Jordan

A study of 199 pregnant women in northern Jordan found that 83.4% met the WHO 2020 recommendation for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. However, activity was largely driven by household and caregiving tasks, while vigorous exercise was minimal. Employment was linked to higher activity, whereas household assistance and higher depression scores were associated with lower physical activity.

UROLOGY

Higher comorbidity was linked to increased complications, ED visits and admissions after suprapubic catheter placement.

Comorbidity Linked to Complications After Suprapubic Catheter

A study of 222 adults undergoing suprapubic catheter placement found that 31% experienced at least one complication within 90 days, while 15% visited the emergency department and 8% required hospital admission. Higher comorbidity scores were significantly associated with all four outcomes, highlighting the need for careful risk assessment and counseling before SPC placement.

PVDF mid-urethral slings showed less urethral encroachment than polypropylene slings on 3-month ultrasound.

PVDF Mid-Urethral Sling Shows Less Urethral Encroachment

A study comparing polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polypropylene mid-urethral slings found markedly less urethral encroachment with PVDF at 3 months. Urethral encroachment occurred in just 5% of PVDF cases versus 65% with polypropylene, while tape position was similar between groups. The findings suggest PVDF may offer favorable postoperative sonographic characteristics.

Ovulatory endometrial preparation reduced pregnancy loss and may improve live-birth rates after frozen-embryo transfer.

Ovulatory Preparation May Improve Frozen-Embryo Transfer Outcomes

A systematic review of 17 randomized trials involving 10,611 participants found that ovulatory endometrial preparation for frozen-embryo transfer reduced pregnancy loss by 25% compared with artificial cycles, while clinical pregnancy rates were similar. After excluding high-risk studies and an outlier, ovulatory cycles were also associated with higher live-birth rates.

Most PI-RADS 3 lesions regressed or remained stable, while clinically significant cancer was rare, supporting MRI surveillance in selected men.

MRI Surveillance May Be Safe for Selected PI-RADS 3 Lesions

A real-world study of 166 men found that 52% of PI-RADS 3 prostate lesions regressed, 29% remained stable and 19% progressed on follow-up MRI. Among 64 biopsied lesions, only 3% contained clinically significant prostate cancer, and both cases showed radiologic progression, supporting MRI surveillance for selected patients.

Older age was linked to fewer major complications but longer operative times after laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometriosis.

Older Age Linked to Lower Hysterectomy Complication Risk

A study of 6,768 patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for endometriosis found that older patients had lower odds of major postoperative complications despite longer operative times. Compared with women under 30, those aged 50 and older had 55% lower odds of major complications. Each additional year of age was linked to a 2% reduction in major complication risk.

Review explores when menopausal hormone therapy may be safe for gynecologic cancer survivors and available alternatives.

Hormone Therapy After Gynecologic Cancer: What Evidence Shows

As more women survive gynecologic cancers, treatment-induced menopause is becoming an important quality-of-life concern. A review suggests systemic menopausal hormone therapy may be appropriate for carefully selected survivors of most vulvar, vaginal, cervical and epithelial ovarian cancers. Hormone-sensitive cancers generally require avoidance of systemic therapy, with local or non-hormonal options considered.

Psychological support with outpatient care may improve glycemic control, emotional health and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes.

Psychological Support Improves Gestational Diabetes Outcomes

A study found that combining psychological intervention with 1-day outpatient care in women with gestational diabetes was associated with lower anxiety and depression, better glycemic control, higher spontaneous vaginal delivery rates, and fewer maternal and neonatal complications, suggesting that integrated care may improve pregnancy outcomes.

RHEUMATOLOGY

A deep learning tool accurately measures finger flexor tendon thickness on ultrasound in systemic sclerosis patients.

AI Tool Improves Tendon Assessment in Systemic Sclerosis

A deep learning tool developed to analyze hand ultrasound images in systemic sclerosis automatically measured finger flexor tendon thickness with strong agreement to expert assessments. The model successfully generated measurements in all images, with a mean error of just 0.25 mm and 90% of segmentations rated clinically acceptable, potentially enabling faster and more standardized tendon assessment.

Older age, obesity and comorbidities may predict poorer biologic response in psoriasis, supporting personalized treatment.

Predictors of Biologic Response in Psoriasis Identified

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 studies involving 13,902 patients identified baseline factors linked to biologic treatment response in psoriasis. Older age, higher BMI, greater comorbidity burden and special-site involvement were associated with lower odds of complete skin clearance, while a positive family history was linked to better outcomes, supporting more personalized treatment selection.

A small trial found GHK spicule treatment improved wrinkles, pores, roughness and dermal density with no adverse effects.

GHK Spicule Treatment Improves Facial Aging Indicators

A split-face clinical trial in 20 Asian women found that a GHK-conjugated spicule treatment improved several facial aging measures, including wrinkles, skin roughness, pores and dermal density. Adding a multi-ingredient glutathione-containing booster produced statistically greater improvements than the base regimen alone, with no adverse effects reported.

A 12-week trial found hydrolyzed collagen improved skin elasticity and wrinkle roughness in healthy Thai adults.

Collagen Supplement Improves Skin Elasticity and Wrinkles

A 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 140 Thai adults found that a hydrolyzed collagen formula containing glutathione and vitamin E significantly improved skin elasticity and crow’s feet wrinkle roughness compared with placebo. Skin hydration increased in both groups, while no product-related adverse events were reported, suggesting the supplement was well tolerated.

Plinest polynucleotide filler improved skin hydration, elasticity and aesthetic appearance over 4 months with mild side effects.

Polynucleotide Filler Improves Skin Hydration and Elasticity

A study of 28 participants found that three sessions of Plinest polynucleotide dermal filler improved facial, neck and décolleté skin hydration, elasticity and overall aesthetic appearance over 4 months. Participants reported high satisfaction, while treatment-related adverse events were mild and transient.

Stenotic large-vessel vasculitis affected 6.3% of GCA patients and was linked to substantial long-term vascular complications.

Stenotic Large-Vessel Vasculitis Raises Vascular Risk in GCA

A multicenter study of 3,149 patients with giant cell arteritis found stenotic large-vessel vasculitis in 6.3%. Stroke was the most common complication, followed by limb ischemia. Vascular complications reached 19.5% at 10 years, with older age and vertebral artery involvement independently linked to higher risk.

Immunomodulation and immu...

Immunomodulation and immunopharmacology in heart failure