DENTISTRY

Phosphorylation of proteins is a key component of bacterial signaling systems that can control important functions such as community development and virulence. We report here the identification of a Ubiquitous bacterial Kinase (UbK) family member, designated UbK1, in the anaerobic periodontal pathogen, Porphyromonas gingivalis. The ubk1 gene is essential in P. gingivalis; however, overexpression of UbK1 showed that UbK1‐mediated phosphorylation of RprY functions predominantly to augment its properties as a transcriptional enhancer. These results establish that P. gingivalis possesses an active UbK kinase in addition to a previously described Bacterial Tyrosine family kinase. The RR RprY is identified as the first transcriptional regulator controlled by a UbK enzyme.

UbK1-Mediated Phosphorylation of RprY in Porphyromonas gingivalis: Implications for Bacterial Signaling and Virulence Control

NEUROLOGY

Traffic-related air pollution is linked to increased brain inflammation and cognitive changes, particularly in women at AD risk.

Air Pollution and Alzheimer’s Risk: Sex-Specific Inflammation

A study of 226 cognitively unimpaired, middle-aged individuals at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease found sex-specific associations between traffic-related air pollution and brain inflammation. Higher exposure was linked to increases in GFAP and IL-6, primarily in women. GFAP partially mediated the association between pollution exposure and worsening executive function and attention.

CRITICAL CARE

Higher vasopressor intensity in septic shock is linked to lower palliative care documentation and gaps in goals-of-care records.

Septic Shock: Vasopressor Intensity and Goals-of-Care Gaps

A retrospective study of 2,458 adults who died from septic shock found that higher vasopressor intensity was associated with a greater likelihood of death without documented goals-of-care markers. Patients receiving the highest vasopressor doses had lower palliative care documentation, highlighting a potential gap between worsening shock severity and end-of-life care documentation.

Review highlights severe alcohol-associated hepatitis management, prognostic tools, and early liver transplantation.

Severe Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis: Management and Transplantation

A review of severe alcohol-associated hepatitis highlights the importance of individualized corticosteroid use, nutritional support, infection surveillance, and management of acute-on-chronic liver failure. It examines prognostic tools, emerging therapies, and early liver transplantation, emphasizing multidisciplinary care and timely identification of patients unlikely to recover with medical treatment alone.

Review examines GLP-1 drugs' potential periodontal benefits, oral adverse effects, and gaps in clinical dental evidence.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Potential Benefits and Oral Health Risks

A critical review explores the potential effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on oral health. Preclinical studies suggest anti-inflammatory and bone-protective benefits for periodontal tissues, while pharmacovigilance data report dry mouth, taste disturbances, and smell disturbances. Gastrointestinal adverse effects may also increase tooth erosion risk, but prospective clinical evidence remains lacking.

Impella bridging enabled planned repair in 90% of patients with post-infarction ventricular septal rupture in a small study.

Impella Bridging for Post-Infarction Ventricular Septal Rupture

A retrospective study of 10 patients with post-infarction ventricular septal rupture found that an Impella-bridging strategy enabled scheduled surgical repair in 90% of patients. Hemodynamic parameters and lactate levels improved before repair, although organ dysfunction scores increased during bridging. Further studies are needed to optimize patient selection and repair timing.

CARDIOLOGY

Study links ferritin, transferrin and TIBC levels to 1-year mortality risk in critically ill patients with atrial fibrillation.

Iron Markers and 1-Year Mortality in Critically Ill AF Patients

A retrospective study using the MIMIC-IV database found that iron homeostasis markers were associated with 1-year mortality in critically ill patients with atrial fibrillation. Higher ferritin levels were linked to increased mortality, while higher transferrin and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) levels were associated with lower risk. Serum iron showed no significant association with mortality.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Study links MASLD to poorer survival and higher recurrence risk after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

MASLD and Survival Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A retrospective study of 910 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent liver resection found that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) was associated with poorer recurrence-free and overall survival than simple hepatic steatosis. Exploratory findings also linked lean MASLD and isolated low HDL cholesterol to worse outcomes, warranting further validation.

PULMONOLOGY

Study links altered brain connectivity in COPD with pulmonary function, oxygenation, cognition, mood, and health status.

COPD and Altered Brain Connectivity: Cognitive Function Findings

A study comparing 38 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 30 healthy controls identified differences in directed brain connectivity using resting-state functional MRI. These changes were associated with pulmonary function, oxygenation, cognition, mood, respiratory symptoms, and health status, suggesting a link between altered brain signaling and COPD's multidimensional clinical burden.

Mild amyloid burden may predict higher long-term cognitive impairment risk despite negative amyloid PET classification.

Subthreshold Amyloid Burden and Long-Term Cognitive Impairment Risk

A longitudinal study of 1,896 cognitively unimpaired individuals found that nearly half of amyloid-negative participants had mild amyloid burden and a 43% higher risk of developing cognitive impairment than those with the lowest amyloid levels. Cognitive trajectories diverged after approximately 10 years, suggesting current amyloid PET positivity thresholds may overlook individuals at elevated long-term risk.

Hemispheric asymmetry in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is associated with cognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Hemispheric Asymmetry in Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

A study of 585 individuals with sporadic early-onset Alzheimer’s disease across two cohorts found that left–right hemispheric asymmetry in amyloid, tau, and cortical atrophy varied across clinical phenotypes. Tau and brain-volume asymmetry were associated with hemisphere-specific cognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Longitudinal findings suggested that amyloid asymmetry remained stable, while tau asymmetry decreased and atrophy asymmetry increased over time.

PEDIATRICS

Survey highlights school-related challenges in cystic fibrosis and the need for proactive support from CF care teams.

Cystic Fibrosis and School Support Needs

A cross-sectional survey of 146 people with cystic fibrosis (CF), caregivers, and caregiver-patient pairs covering ages 2–21 identified key educational challenges, including medical appointment-related absences, school accommodations, infection control, and the impact of CF-related health issues on academic performance. Respondents preferred CF care teams to initiate discussions about school-related needs, highlighting the value of tailored resources to support academic achievement and well-being.

Nirsevimab implementation was associated with fewer PICU admissions and shorter hospital stays among infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis.

Nirsevimab and Bronchiolitis Outcomes in Infants

A prospective, single-center observational study of 574 infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis across two RSV seasons in Catalonia, Spain, found that nirsevimab immunization rates increased from 61.6% to 85.1%, while RSV detection decreased from 41.2% to 31.5%. Among immunized infants, the second season was associated with fewer pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions and shorter hospital stays. Admission during the second season was independently associated with lower odds of PICU admission.

DERMATOLOGY

Real-world data show rising repeat visits but persistent single-visit patterns in injectable aesthetic dermatology.

Long-Term Patient Visits in Aesthetic Dermatology

A retrospective study of 29,437 patients at a single aesthetic dermatology center from 2015 to 2024 found that annual patient-years with at least two visits increased from 17.6% to 27.2%. However, most patient-years involved a single visit. Among patients with resolvable geographic origin, those from distant areas had a lower rate of returning for a second visit. The findings highlight patterns in long-term utilization and the need to evaluate follow-up strategies prospectively.

RHEUMATOLOGY

Survey explores generative AI use and preferences among reproductive-age women with systemic autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.

Generative AI Use in Women With Rheumatic Diseases

A cross-sectional survey of 190 reproductive-age women with systemic autoimmune and rheumatic diseases found that 77.4% were familiar with generative AI, but only 29% had used it for health questions. Nearly 88% were willing to use a physician-recommended AI tool. Interest in AI support for disease management was associated with a desire for personalized recommendations, while participants emphasized that AI should complement—not replace—physician guidance.

Wearable activity data and patient-reported outcomes may help monitor rheumatoid arthritis treatment response beyond clinic visits.

Wearables and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study across 28 US community rheumatology clinics evaluated clinical measures, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and wearable activity data in patients with rheumatoid arthritis initiating upadacitinib or adalimumab. Mean Clinical Disease Activity Index scores improved by 13 points, while pain interference, fatigue, and sleep disturbance scores improved by 4–5 points. Changes in PROs explained 52% of the variability in changes in disease activity, supporting further evaluation of remote monitoring approaches.

Identification and charac...

Identification and characterization of a UbK family kinase in Porphyromonas gingivalis that phosphorylates the RprY response regulator