FAMILY HEALTH

MediciNova, Inc. has attained a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application concerning MN-166 (ibudilast) in treating chlorine-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The patent claims encompass MN-166's application as a standalone therapy or in combination with other drugs for chlorine-induced ARDS treatment. Recent studies have showcased MN-166's notable efficacy, significantly enhancing pulmonary function and survival rates in chlorine-induced lung damage models. MN-166 operates by inhibiting phosphodiesterase type-4 (PDE4) and inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Besides ARDS, MN-166 is undergoing late-stage clinical development for neurodegenerative ailments like ALS, MS, and DCM, alongside exploration for conditions such as glioblastoma, Long COVID, CIPN, substance use disorder, and in ARDS-risk patients

MN-166 (Ibudilast) Patent Application for Chlorine-Induced ARDS Treatment: Efficacy, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Development Updates

OCT otoscopy enables noninvasive eardrum imaging, quantitative disease assessment and monitoring of disease progression.

OCT Otoscopy Improves Eardrum Disease Detection and Monitoring

A study of 55 subjects (63 ears) found that optical coherence tomography (OCT) otoscopy can distinguish normal, diseased, and postoperative eardrums. Measurements showed significantly increased eardrum thickness in abnormal ears, while surface mapping identified disease-related changes. Longitudinal imaging also tracked disease progression, supporting its potential for noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring.

CARDIOLOGY

AI analysis of heart sounds and ECG detects significant aortic stenosis with high accuracy, supporting echocardiography referral.

AI Model Detects Aortic Stenosis With High Diagnostic Accuracy

An external validation study involving 951 patients across three medical institutions found that an AI model analyzing phonocardiogram (PCG) and single-lead ECG signals detected moderate-or-greater aortic stenosis with 92.9% sensitivity and 87.9% specificity. The model achieved an AUROC of 0.9632, suggesting potential to support referral for echocardiography and earlier disease detection.

PSYCHIATRY

Psychoeducation may support trauma-exposed children, but evidence remains limited, highlighting the need for further research.

Psychoeducation for Trauma-Exposed Children: Systematic Review

A systematic review of seven studies found mixed evidence on stand-alone psychoeducation for children and adolescents exposed to potentially traumatic experiences. Some studies reported improved trauma-related knowledge, reduced anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms, and better psychosocial functioning. Researchers highlighted limited evidence and called for further studies on short- and long-term outcomes.

DENTISTRY

Zirconia and lithium disilicate crowns achieved 100% survival with improved esthetic satisfaction after 24 months.

Zirconia vs Lithium Disilicate Crowns: 24-Month Clinical Outcomes

A pilot randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 18 patients found that ultratranslucent monolithic zirconia and lithium disilicate posterior crowns both achieved 100% survival over 24 months. Both materials showed improved patient-reported esthetic satisfaction, with no fractures or secondary caries. One zirconia crown showed minor marginal discoloration.

NEUROLOGY

Higher genetic risk for ADHD was associated with increased 10-year cognitive impairment incidence in older adults.

ADHD Genetic Risk Linked to Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults

An analysis of 7,761 cognitively unimpaired older adults across eight cohorts found that higher genetic risk for ADHD was associated with greater risk of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease dementia. Ten-year incidence was 33.8% in the highest ADHD polygenic risk group versus 23.4% in the lowest, independent of several key risk factors.

PEDIATRICS

Cultural practices, socioeconomic status and home environments influence early motor development, a review of 166 studies finds.

Cultural Factors Influencing Gross Motor Development in Children

A scoping review of 166 publications found that cultural practices, socioeconomic status, home environment, parental expectations and preschool motor curricula are associated with gross motor development in children aged 0–5 years. Limited resources, restrictive caregiving beliefs and reduced outdoor activity were linked to lower motor performance, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate developmental assessments.

US survey finds youth with disabilities play sports more often weekly but spend less time annually in their primary sport.

Sports Participation Among Youth With Disabilities: US Survey

A US national survey of 1,725 caregivers found that youth with disabilities participated in sports more days per week but spent about one month less per year in their primary sport than peers without disabilities. They were more likely to play badminton, biathlon and canoeing, but less likely to play soccer and volleyball, highlighting potential barriers to inclusive sports participation.

Injection pharyngoplasty improves speech and swallowing in adults with acquired VPI, with a low reported adverse event rate.

Injection Pharyngoplasty for Acquired VPI: Treatment Outcomes

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies involving 107 adults found that treatments for acquired velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) improved speech in 88% and swallowing in 78% of patients. Injection pharyngoplasty, the most common intervention, showed similar speech benefits and a low adverse event rate of 5.2%, although evidence remains limited.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Fetal laser coagulation for bronchopulmonary sequestration achieved 96.6% survival in a 29-fetus cohort study.

Fetal Laser Surgery for Bronchopulmonary Sequestration: Outcomes

A 14-year prospective cohort study of 29 fetuses with bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) and large pleural effusion reported 96.6% overall survival following laser coagulation of the feeding vessel. Most births occurred at term, with low rates of prematurity and respiratory morbidity. One intrauterine death occurred following an intervention-related complication.

Exome sequencing improves genetic diagnosis in MCDA twins with discordant fetal anomalies, supporting testing of both twins.

Exome Sequencing for Genetic Diagnosis in MCDA Twin Pregnancies

A retrospective study of 170 monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies found that trio-exome sequencing added a 7.1% diagnostic yield, compared with 0.6% for chromosomal microarray analysis. Genetic differences between twins occurred in 8.8% of cases, supporting consideration of genetic testing in both twins when one fetus has structural anomalies.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

German data reveal declining recorded glaucoma cases and increasing use of multiple medications and fixed-combination therapies.

Glaucoma Trends in Germany: Diagnosis and Treatment, 2014–2023

A 10-year analysis of German health insurance data found that documented glaucoma cases declined from 2.13 million in 2019 to 2.03 million in 2023. Meanwhile, medical treatment increased, with combination therapy becoming more common. Prostaglandin analogue use rose, while beta-blocker prescribing declined, reflecting evolving glaucoma management patterns.

Electrical stimulation timing may influence synkinesis and botulinum toxin durability in patients with severe Bell’s palsy.

Electrical Stimulation in Bell’s Palsy: Timing and Recovery Outcomes

A retrospective study of 317 patients with severe Bell’s palsy found that electrical stimulation (ES) was associated with increased facial synkinesis and shorter botulinum toxin effects. Acute-phase ES was linked to worse outcomes, while chronic-phase stimulation showed potential benefits. Cumulative ES exceeding 4.64 hours was associated with poorer outcomes, warranting further research.

A study finds daytime naps improve memory retention, while sleep spindle patterns may offer clues to memory consolidation.

Daytime Naps Improve Memory Retention: Sleep Spindle Study

A study of 38 participants found that a 90-minute daytime nap improved declarative memory retention compared with staying awake. Researchers also observed potential links between memory performance and slow frontal sleep spindles clustered during non-rapid eye movement sleep, although these associations were not statistically significant in two-tailed testing, possibly due to the small sample size.

ENDO-DIABETOLOGY

Updated Korean medicine guidelines outline 20 obesity treatment recommendations and highlight the need for stronger evidence.

Korean Medicine Guidelines for Obesity: 20 Updated Recommendations

Updated Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines present 20 recommendations for obesity management, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, pharmacopuncture and combination therapies. Recommendations use the GRADE framework to assess evidence quality and strength, with most focusing on weight, BMI, waist circumference and body fat. Researchers highlight the need for higher-quality studies and regular guideline updates.

Eating behaviors and lifestyle factors mediate genetic obesity risk, highlighting potential targets for prevention and management.

Genetic Risk for Obesity: Role of Eating Behaviors and Lifestyle

A systematic review of 29 studies found that eating behaviors, diet and lifestyle factors mediate the genetic influence on obesity. Disinhibited eating explained 23%–56% of the genetic effect on BMI, while sedentary time accounted for 5%–43%. Findings suggest that targeting eating patterns, diet quality and physical activity may help prevent and manage obesity, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals.

MediciNova Secures Patent...

MediciNova Secures Patent for MN-166 in Chlorine-Induced ARDS Treatment