PULMONOLOGY

This study examines asthma trends in South Asia from 1990 to 2021, highlighting reductions in asthma-related mortality and DALYs.

Asthma Trends and Risk Factors in South Asia

This study analyzes asthma trends in South Asia from 1990 to 2021, focusing on prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). While asthma-related mortality decreased by 37%, the burden remains high due to population growth and environmental risks. Risk factors like high BMI, smoking, and environmental exposures contributed significantly to DALYs, with females over 20 facing higher asthma-related DALYs. Targeted interventions are needed to further reduce asthma burden in the region.

OPHTHALMOLOGY

Glaucoma patients showed altered optic nerve blood flow responses, suggesting impaired vascular autoregulation.

Altered Optic Nerve Blood Flow Regulation Linked to Glaucoma

A cross-sectional study found that patients with early-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma showed an exaggerated increase in optic nerve head blood flow during isometric handgrip exercise compared with healthy controls, despite similar rises in blood pressure. The findings suggest impaired vascular autoregulation and support laser speckle flowgraphy as a potential tool for assessing vascular dysfunction in glaucoma.

NEUROLOGY

Brain cell-derived blood vesicles may detect early molecular changes in Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Blood-Based Brain Cell Vesicles Show Promise for Alzheimer’s Biomarkers

Researchers identified distinct brain cell-specific protein signatures in small extracellular vesicles isolated from blood samples of people with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s-related dementia. Early molecular changes were detected in neuronal, microglial and oligodendrocyte-derived vesicles, highlighting a minimally invasive approach for tracking neurodegeneration, inflammation and vascular dysfunction.

AI-assisted diabetic retinopathy screening reduced clinician grading costs by up to 62% in a Danish analysis.

AI Cuts Costs of Diabetic Retinopathy Screening by Up to 62%

A Danish cost-minimisation study found that AI-assisted diabetic retinopathy screening substantially reduced clinician grading costs compared with human-only screening. Labour costs fell by 33% in tertiary diabetes centres and 62% in private ophthalmology practices. Savings remained consistent across sensitivity analyses, supporting AI triage as a cost-saving approach for routine retinal screening.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Combined ultrasound and genetic testing may improve prenatal diagnosis and counseling for rare KBG syndrome.

Prenatal Testing Advances Detection of KBG Syndrome

A study of 19 fetuses with KBG syndrome found that prenatal features are highly variable, with fetal growth restriction and increased nuchal translucency among the most common findings. Genetic testing identified 16q24.3 microdeletions and ANKRD11 variants as key causes. Researchers support combining ultrasound, chromosomal microarray and whole-exome sequencing for accurate prenatal diagnosis and counseling.

Standardized cervical elastography showed high reproducibility, supporting its potential use in mid-pregnancy cervical assessment.

Cervical Elastography Shows High Reliability in Mid-Pregnancy

A prospective study of 301 pregnant women found that the cervical elastography index (EI), measured using a standardized strain elastography protocol, showed excellent intra- and interobserver reproducibility. Its reliability was comparable to cervical length measurement, supporting EI as a potentially consistent tool for assessing cervical properties during the mid-trimester of pregnancy.

ONCOLOGY

Specific ultrasound features may help identify higher-risk phyllodes tumors and improve surgical and diagnostic planning.

Ultrasound Features May Predict Higher-Risk Phyllodes Tumors

A study of 78 patients found that specific ultrasound features—including tumor size above 3.55 cm, irregular shape, wavy margins, calcification and internal cystic areas—were strongly associated with borderline phyllodes tumors. A combined five-feature model showed high diagnostic accuracy, suggesting ultrasound may help guide surgical planning and improve pathological assessment.

The new SNARE scale provides a reliable standardized method to assess healing after sinus and skull base surgery.

SNARE Scale Improves Assessment of Sinonasal Wound Healing

Researchers have developed the Sinonasal Assessment of Reepithelialization (SNARE), a four-stage endoscopic scale to track healing of sinonasal wounds after sinus and skull base surgery. Tested by 14 rhinologists using 59 postoperative videos, SNARE demonstrated good inter-rater and good-to-excellent intra-rater reliability, offering a standardized tool for evaluating postoperative wound healing and future treatments.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Sarcoidosis was linked to nearly threefold higher cirrhosis risk, especially in patients with multi-organ disease.

Sarcoidosis Linked to Increased Long-Term Cirrhosis Risk

A large Israeli cohort study found that adults with sarcoidosis had nearly three times the risk of developing cirrhosis compared with matched controls, despite no documented liver involvement at baseline. Risk was particularly high in patients with multi-organ disease, supporting greater awareness and targeted hepatic surveillance.

Optimal keratoplasty improved distance and near vision in hyperopic presbyopia with no significant complications.

Optimal Keratoplasty Improves Vision in Hyperopic Presbyopia

A 24-month study of 114 eyes in 57 patients found that VIS Optimal Keratoplasty improved uncorrected distance and near vision in hyperopic presbyopia without clinically significant complications. Distance vision gains remained functional for more than 2 years, while near-vision benefits lasted about 6 months and could be renewed with repeat treatments.

PEDIATRICS

Winter-born children showed better early cognitive and psychomotor development than summer-born peers in a rural China study.

Birth Season Linked to Early Childhood Development in Rural China

A longitudinal study of 866 children from low-income rural areas in China found that winter-born infants showed better cognitive and psychomotor development than summer-born children. The early advantage was linked to healthier feeding practices, greater social interaction and more caregiver stimulation. Seasonal conditions may therefore contribute to early developmental inequalities.

Review warns that apparently mild asthma in children may carry hidden risks and calls for standardized care and better prevention.

Pediatric Mild Asthma: Why “Mild” May Not Mean Low Risk

A narrative review highlights that pediatric mild asthma should not always be considered harmless, as children may experience overlooked or poorly controlled exacerbations. Differences in definitions, asthma phenotypes and treatment recommendations create clinical uncertainty. Experts call for standardized definitions, better risk prediction and improved access to asthma care globally.

Biologic therapies improved lung function and reduced exacerbations in patients with T2-high severe asthma after 12 months.

Biologics Improve Lung Function in T2-High Severe Asthma

A retrospective study of 80 patients with T2-high severe asthma found that biologic therapies—including omalizumab, mepolizumab and benralizumab—were associated with improved lung function and fewer asthma exacerbations after 12 months. Omalizumab and mepolizumab showed broad improvements in spirometry, while benralizumab improved selected airflow measures, supporting better control of distal airway limitation.

RESILIENT trial analysis suggests thrombectomy benefits may be reduced in elderly stroke patients in resource-limited settings.

Age May Modify Stroke Thrombectomy Benefits in Developing Countries

A subgroup analysis of Brazil’s RESILIENT trial found that increasing age was linked to lower functional independence after large-vessel stroke. Among 221 patients, younger adults showed substantial benefit from endovascular treatment, while benefits appeared markedly reduced in elderly and very elderly patients. The findings highlight the need for further research on thrombectomy outcomes in resource-limited healthcare systems.

Pro-inflammatory EBV antibodies were linked to relapses and active brain lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis.

EBV Antibodies May Drive Disease Activity in Multiple Sclerosis

A study of 60 people with relapsing-onset multiple sclerosis found that antibodies against Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) EBNA1 carry a distinctive pro-inflammatory signature with enhanced immune effector functions. Stronger Fc receptor binding by antibodies against EBNA1 and EBV-gp350 was associated with relapses and active brain lesions, suggesting EBV-specific immune responses may contribute to MS disease activity.

PROSE is a reliable new patient-reported scale that measures the long-term impact and recovery of autoimmune encephalitis.

PROSE: New Patient-Reported Scale for Autoimmune Encephalitis

Researchers have developed PROSE, a 40-item patient-reported outcome scale designed specifically for autoimmune encephalitis. Tested in 202 patients, the tool showed high reliability and captured cognitive, behavioral, emotional, physical and daily-life impacts. PROSE may help clinicians and researchers better measure recovery and disease severity beyond traditional clinical scales.

Asthma Trends and Risk Fa...

Asthma Trends and Risk Factors in South Asia