CARDIOLOGY

A study presented at the Heart Failure 2023 congress and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that sacubitril/valsartan, a combination drug, led to a greater reduction in plasma NT-proBNP levels compared to valsartan alone in patients with heart failure and an ejection fraction (EF) above 40%. The trial, called PARAGLIDE-HF, included 466 patients who had been stabilized after a worsening heart failure event. The study results suggest that sacubitril/valsartan may be beneficial for patients with EF over 40%, particularly those with EF below normal. The findings may influence future guidelines for the use of the drug in this patient population.

PARAGLIDE-HF Study: Sacubitril/Valsartan Reduces NT-proBNP Levels in Heart Failure Patients with EF >40% - Impact on Treatment Guidelines

NEUROLOGY

A new APOE genetic profile showed stronger links to cognitive decline than APOE ε4 in Hispanic/Latino adults.

APOE Profile Linked to Cognitive Decline in Hispanic/Latino Adults

A study of 13,025 Hispanic/Latino adults identified three APOE genetic clusters. Compared with Cluster 1, Cluster 3 was associated with a higher likelihood of significant age-adjusted cognitive decline (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.18–1.84), while the conventional APOE ε4 allele showed no significant association. The findings suggest the new APOE profile may improve risk assessment in this population.

ORTHOPAEDICS

Interportal and T-capsulotomy showed similar 2-year outcomes and reoperation-free survival after hip arthroscopy.

Interportal vs T-Capsulotomy Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy

A cohort study of 258 patients found comparable 2-year outcomes after interportal and T-capsulotomy during hip arthroscopy when capsular closure was performed. Rates of clinically meaningful improvement and reoperation-free survival were similar, with 98% survival in both groups. The findings suggest either technique may provide comparable outcomes when additional visualization from T-capsulotomy is not required.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Women with HDP showed persistent cardiovascular abnormalities during the first year postpartum, supporting extended surveillance.

Postpartum Cardiovascular Risk After Preeclampsia and HDP

A prospective study of 201 Chinese women found that those at high risk for preeclampsia who developed hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had persistent cardiovascular abnormalities during the first year postpartum, including higher blood pressure, LV mass and vascular resistance. Improvements were delayed compared with high-risk women without HDP, supporting longer-term postpartum cardiovascular surveillance.

PULMONOLOGY

COPD was associated with higher risks of falls and osteoporosis, with effects influenced by smoking status and sex.

COPD Associated With Higher Risks of Falls and Osteoporosis

A UK Biobank study of 474,669 adults found that COPD was associated with significantly higher risks of falls and osteoporosis over 12.1 years of follow-up. COPD was linked to a 51% higher risk of falls and 137% higher risk of osteoporosis. Smoking status modified the association with falls, while sex modified the osteoporosis association.

DENTISTRY

Poor sleep was associated with higher odds of periodontal disease, but evidence certainty was very low.

Poor Sleep Linked to Higher Risk of Periodontal Disease

A meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 126,425 participants found that adverse sleep characteristics, including poor sleep quality and shorter sleep duration, were associated with higher odds of periodontal disease. The pooled analysis showed 25% greater odds of periodontal disease, with a stronger association for severe periodontitis. However, evidence certainty was very low.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with periodontitis were linked to higher periodontal pathogens and inflammatory biomarkers.

Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Periodontitis: New Findings

A case-control study of 192 non-smokers and non-diabetics found higher levels of key periodontal pathogens and inflammatory biomarkers in people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, particularly when periodontitis was present. Psoriatic arthritis with periodontitis showed increased IL-17, survivin and OPG, supporting closer collaboration between dermatology and periodontal care.

Root canal infections shared a core microbiome, with modest geographic differences across Spain, Sweden, and the USA.

Geographic Differences in the Root Canal Microbiome

A comparative analysis of root canal microbiomes from Spain, Sweden, and the USA found a shared core microbial community alongside modest population-specific differences. Although microbial richness and composition varied between cohorts, geographic location explained only 6.8% of community variation. Larger, balanced studies are needed to determine the clinical relevance of these microbial signatures.

An AI framework classified root canal curvature from periapical radiographs with 89.6% accuracy, supporting screening for 3D evaluation.

AI-Based Root Canal Curvature Detection Using Dental X-Rays

A machine learning framework using periapical radiographs was developed to detect, segment and classify root canal curvature in mandibular premolars. In 1,644 radiographs, the hybrid geometric and deep-learning model achieved 89.6% accuracy and an F1-score of 86.77%. The authors suggest its use as a screening aid to identify canals requiring three-dimensional evaluation.

CRITICAL CARE

Chest CT identified new findings in 56.4% of ICU scans and changed clinical management in 30.9% of cases.

Chest CT Improves Diagnosis in Critically Ill ICU Patients

A retrospective study of 45 critically ill ICU patients undergoing 55 chest CT scans for acute respiratory failure found that CT identified new diagnostic findings in 56.4% of scans compared with chest X-ray. These additional findings led to changes in clinical management in 30.9% of cases, most commonly involving invasive interventions.

A 10-species salivary microbial signature showed potential for assessing dental caries risk across multiple cohorts.

Salivary Microbiome Signature for Dental Caries Risk Assessment

A multi-cohort study identified 10 salivary microbial species consistently associated with dental caries across full-length 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics. A detection-based microbial risk score was strongly associated with caries burden and replicated in two independent cohorts, suggesting potential value for microbiome-based caries risk assessment.

Positive methacholine challenge was associated with greater FEV1/FVC decline, but its independent prognostic value remains uncertain.

Methacholine Positivity and Subsequent Lung Function Decline

A retrospective longitudinal study of 1,092 adults found that a positive methacholine challenge was associated with a greater subsequent decline in FEV1/FVC compared with a negative result. The adjusted decline was 2.53 percentage points, while the probability of follow-up FEV1/FVC below 0.70 was 8.07% versus 2.63%. Independent prognostic value remains uncertain.

A 10-year study found cochlear implant impedance patterns varied by electrode design, cochlear region and patient age.

10-Year Study Tracks Cochlear Implant Impedance Changes

A 10-year retrospective study of 554 cochlear-implanted ears found that electrode impedance changes over time vary by electrode design, cochlear region and patient age. Impedance generally rose after implantation and then stabilized or declined, while basal contacts showed more variable long-term patterns. Early childhood recipients had higher overall impedance than adults.

Semaglutide protected human neural organoids from cholesterol-induced metabolic stress in a preclinical study.

Semaglutide Protects Neural Cells From Cholesterol-Induced Stress

Human forebrain organoid experiments found that cholesterol overload caused cellular stress and changes partly resembling Alzheimer’s disease signatures. Semaglutide reduced lipotoxic injury, lipid droplet accumulation and oxidative stress while helping preserve cellular communication and calcium activity. The findings identify GLP-1 receptor signaling as a potential protective pathway, but clinical benefits in Alzheimer’s disease remain unestablished.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Phase 3 data found motugivatrep 0.3% improved dry eye symptoms and quality of life, with early benefits and good tolerability.

Motugivatrep 0.3% Shows Benefit in Dry Eye Disease

A Phase 3 trial in 535 Japanese patients with dry eye disease and short tear break-up times found that motugivatrep 0.3% ophthalmic suspension significantly improved dry eye-related quality of life versus placebo at week 4. Symptom improvements appeared as early as week 1, while the treatment was generally well tolerated without major safety concerns.

A Thai tertiary-center study found optic nerve and disc disorders were the most frequently recorded neuro-ophthalmic diagnoses.

Optic Nerve Disorders Common in Tertiary Neuro-Ophthalmology Care

A 10-year retrospective study of a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology service in Thailand found optic nerve and optic disc disorders were the most frequently recorded diagnostic category, accounting for 47.2%–58.3% of annual cross-setting patient-years. Among 1,076 diagnostic records, optic neuritis, optic atrophy/optic neuropathy and ischemic optic neuropathy were most common. Findings reflect local referral practice.

Sacubitril/valsartan show...

Sacubitril/valsartan shows benefit in heart failure with ejection fraction above 40% - EurekAlert