PEDIATRICS

Increased patient advocacy has resulted in a shift toward more active patient engagement in research. A scoping review was conducted to explore the literature on healthcare research priority setting wherein children, youths, or their families were involved in the priority-setting process. Six databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, Global Health and the James Lind Alliance website, were searched until September 2019. Descriptive thematic analysis was used to identify common themes. A total of 30 studies with 4247 participants were included. Less than half of the participants were pediatric patients and their families. This scoping review revealed priority research health topics from the perspectives of children, youths, or their families. The findings may be used as a foundation for future research to improve the health outcomes of children, youths, or their families according to their identified priorities.

Pediatric Patient and Family Involvement in Healthcare Research Priority Setting: A Scoping Review

CARDIOLOGY

A practical imaging framework outlines multimodality standards for safer left atrial appendage closure and postprocedural surveillance.

Multimodality Imaging Guidelines for Left Atrial Appendage Closure

A practical multimodality imaging framework outlines minimum standards for imaging across all phases of left atrial appendage closure, from preprocedural planning and intraprocedural guidance to postprocedural surveillance. It highlights the complementary roles of transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac CT, device-specific considerations for Watchman and Amulet systems, and emerging AI-driven imaging technologies.

Reduced LVEF reserve on PET imaging predicts higher mortality and identifies patients with high-risk coronary artery disease.

Negative LVEF Reserve Predicts Mortality and High-Risk Coronary Artery Disease

A multicenter study involving 34,976 patients found that reduced left ventricular ejection fraction reserve (LVEF-R) on PET myocardial perfusion imaging was independently associated with increased mortality. Negative LVEF-R also identified patients with a higher likelihood of high-risk coronary artery disease, including left main and three-vessel disease, highlighting its potential value in cardiovascular risk stratification.

ENDO-DIABETOLOGY

Review explores the benefits and safety challenges of GLP-1 therapies and tirzepatide as adjuncts to insulin in type 1 diabetes.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Tirzepatide in Type 1 Diabetes

A narrative review examines the evolving role of GLP-1 receptor agonists and tirzepatide as adjuncts to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes, particularly in adults with overweight or obesity. While these therapies may reduce body weight and insulin requirements, the review highlights concerns around hypoglycaemia, ketosis and diabetic ketoacidosis, emphasising careful patient selection, individualised insulin adjustments and glucose and ketone monitoring.

ONCOLOGY

Review explores combining immune-checkpoint inhibitors with locoregional therapies to improve outcomes in unresectable liver cancer.

Immunotherapy and Locoregional Treatments in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A review highlights the evolving role of combining immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with locoregional therapies in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Five phase III trials have demonstrated improvements in progression-free survival and objective response rates with ICI-based regimens combined with transarterial chemoembolization. Emerging evidence also supports combinations with radioembolization and radiotherapy, while highlighting the need for better patient selection, treatment sequencing and biomarker-guided approaches.

Study identifies increased passive ventricular stiffness as the primary mechanism of diastolic dysfunction in borderline left heart patients.

Ventricular Stiffness Drives Diastolic Dysfunction in Borderline Left Heart

A pressure-volume loop study in children with borderline left ventricles (bLV) found that diastolic dysfunction is primarily driven by increased passive ventricular stiffness rather than impaired active relaxation. These findings suggest that therapies targeting ventricular stiffness, including surgical endocardial fibroelastosis resection, may offer greater benefit than medications aimed at improving myocardial relaxation.

PSYCHIATRY

Study finds a widening educational attainment gap among young people accessing child and adolescent mental health services.

Educational Attainment Gap Widens Among Young People Accessing CAMHS

A nationwide longitudinal study in Wales found that young people accessing child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) face a significantly higher risk of failing to achieve basic GCSE qualifications than their peers. Despite overall improvements in educational attainment, this gap widened across successive birth cohorts, highlighting the need for targeted educational support for young people receiving mental health care.

DENTISTRY

Nano-Quercetin-modified dental adhesive demonstrates 100% retention at 12 months in non-carious cervical lesion restorations.

Nano-Quercetin Dental Adhesive Shows Promising 12-Month Clinical Outcomes

A split-mouth randomized clinical trial evaluated a nano-encapsulated Quercetin-modified universal adhesive in 86 restorations for non-carious cervical lesions. At 12 months, the modified adhesive achieved 100% retention compared with 97.7% for the conventional adhesive, with comparable marginal adaptation and staining outcomes. The findings support further research into bioactive dental adhesives without compromising early clinical performance.

Case report explores implant-assisted rotational path dentures to improve aesthetics, stability and function in distal extension cases.

Implant-Assisted Rotational Path Removable Partial Denture for Improved Aesthetics

A case report highlights an implant-assisted rotational path removable partial denture (RPRPD) approach to rehabilitate a Kennedy Class I partially edentulous arch. By integrating dental implants, the technique transforms the clinical situation into a Kennedy Class III configuration, improving prosthesis support, stability and biomechanics while minimizing visible anterior clasps. This approach expands the application of RPRPDs in distal extension cases and may enhance patient satisfaction and aesthetics.

A 12-gene transcriptomic score shows potential for predicting oral cancer transformation risk and improving patient stratification.

12-Gene Transcriptomic Score Predicts Oral Cancer Transformation Risk

A study developed a 12-gene time-to-transformation transcriptomic score (TT-score) to predict the risk and timing of oral cancer development in patients with oral leukoplakia and other potentially malignant disorders. Using longitudinal data from 86 participants, the model achieved a mean C-index of 0.740, with time-dependent AUCs increasing from 0.731 at 2 years to 0.811 at 5 years. The findings highlight its potential for improved risk stratification and personalized oral cancer surveillance, pending independent validation.

DERMATOLOGY

A novel micro-RF device demonstrates promising wrinkle reduction and safety outcomes in a four-week clinical trial.

Micro-RF Technology Shows Promise for Facial Wrinkle Reduction

A prospective clinical trial evaluated a novel micro-radiofrequency (RF) device featuring a 321-electrode MEMS array for facial rejuvenation. Among 42 participants, 90.5% achieved at least a one-point improvement in wrinkle severity after a four-week treatment protocol. Participants also reported high satisfaction, with no treatment-related pain, adverse events or device malfunctions, suggesting potential for precise, low-power RF-based skin rejuvenation.

A 12-week study explores how topical scalp serum use influences microbial diversity and scalp microbiome composition.

Scalp Serum Influences Scalp Microbiome Composition and Diversity

A 12-week study involving 56 participants investigated the effects of a topical scalp serum on the scalp microbiome and physiology. Serum use was associated with an increased bacteria-to-fungi load ratio, changes in bacterial community composition and increased fungal diversity. The findings suggest that topical cosmeceuticals may influence scalp microbial balance, highlighting the importance of microbiome-conscious approaches to scalp care.

Study links greater Mediterranean diet adherence to lower odds of acne vulgaris, while finding no independent association with dietary glycemic index.

Mediterranean Diet Adherence Associated with Lower Acne Risk in Young Adults

A case–control study involving 279 young adults found that greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with lower odds of acne vulgaris. Participants with acne had significantly lower Mediterranean diet adherence scores, while dietary glycemic index showed no independent association. Higher dietary antioxidant scores were also associated with acne, although this finding warrants cautious interpretation. The results highlight potential links between overall dietary patterns and acne risk.

Study explores factors associated with inflammation severity in root-filled teeth, highlighting the role of symptoms in assessing apical periodontitis.

Symptoms Reflect Inflammation Severity in Root-Filled Teeth with Apical Periodontitis

A cross-sectional study involving 109 patients investigated factors associated with inflammation severity in root-filled teeth with persistent apical periodontitis. Histological analysis revealed significantly different inflammation levels between asymptomatic and symptomatic cases (p = 0.023). However, demographic characteristics, dental history, and clinical or radiographic findings showed no significant associations with inflammation severity. The findings highlight the importance of caution when estimating inflammatory burden in asymptomatic lesions using conventional clinical indicators.

Study finds limited agreement between ChatGPT-5.5 and human experts in assessing systematic review quality using AMSTAR 2.

ChatGPT-5.5 vs Human Experts in Assessing Systematic Review Quality

A study evaluating 100 systematic reviews in endodontology found limited agreement between ChatGPT-5.5 and human experts when assessing methodological quality using AMSTAR 2. Overall-confidence agreement was 52% under the primary classification criterion, with weighted kappa of 0.182. Although ChatGPT-5.5 frequently produced consistent ratings across three accounts, this did not ensure alignment with expert assessments. The findings caution against using AI as an independent evaluator of systematic review quality and emphasise the need for expert verification.

Meta-analysis finds chemotherapy improves overall and disease-free survival in head and neck osteosarcoma, particularly in the neoadjuvant setting.

Chemotherapy Improves Survival in Head and Neck Osteosarcoma

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 studies involving 2,006 patients evaluated the impact of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on survival in head and neck osteosarcoma (HNOS). Chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival (HR 0.75) and disease-free survival (HR 0.79), with benefits particularly evident in the neoadjuvant setting. In contrast, radiotherapy showed no significant survival benefit. The findings support incorporating systemic chemotherapy alongside surgery in curative-intent treatment strategies.

Identifying research prio...

Identifying research priorities with children, youth, and families: A scoping review