ONCOLOGY

Study identifies unconventional artemisinin resistance in malaria parasites, revealing advanced ring-age resistance that eludes standard monitoring tests, urging for broader resistance tracking strategies.

Unconventional Artemisinin Resistance Identified in Malaria Parasites

In vitro, artemisinin pressure selected highly resistant malaria parasites from African, Asian, and South American field isolates. While only one strain acquired a validated pfkelch13 mutation, selected parasites displayed an unconventional resistance at advanced ring ages, which made them undetectable by standard “0-3 h” tests. These findings underscore the necessity for more comprehensive approaches to monitor artemisinin resistance in malaria.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Postnatal reassessment and selective exome reinterpretation identified genetic diagnoses after nondiagnostic prenatal testing.

Postnatal Reassessment Improves Genetic Diagnosis After Prenatal Exome Sequencing

A retrospective study of 61 liveborn children with prenatal structural anomalies found that postnatal medical genetics reassessment occurred in 41% of cases. Among reassessed children who underwent selective prenatal exome sequencing reinterpretation, 27% received an explanatory genetic diagnosis, representing 5% of the overall cohort. Findings support structured, phenotype-guided postnatal reassessment.

A dedicated research year modestly increased OHNS applicants' research output, mainly through unpublished work and presentations.

Research Year Modestly Boosts OHNS Residency Applicant Productivity

A retrospective review of 196 otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency applicants found that those completing a dedicated research year had more total research products than applicants without one (median 32 vs. 24). However, the difference was mainly driven by unpublished work and oral presentations, while published articles and first-author manuscripts did not significantly differ.

Persistent dysphagia was more common than recurrence after CPMD surgery, with most non-responders identified within 12 months.

Persistent Dysphagia More Common Than Recurrence After CPMD Surgery

A multicenter study of 160 patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction (CPMD) found persistent dysphagia in 14.3% after surgery, compared with recurrent dysphagia in 3.7%. Patients with persistent symptoms had higher preoperative EAT-10 scores, while recurrence was uncommon. Most persistent non-responders were identified within the first 12 months after surgery.

CARDIOLOGY

CAD and hypertension-related mortality increased in the US from 2000 to 2024, with substantial demographic disparities.

CAD and Hypertension Mortality Increased in the US Over 25 Years

A US mortality analysis of 3.78 million deaths from 2000 to 2024 found that age-adjusted mortality from coronary artery disease and hypertension increased overall. Mortality rose sharply from 2018 to 2021 before declining through 2024. Men, non-Hispanic Black adults, non-metropolitan populations, and Southern US residents experienced higher mortality rates.

A biophysical model accurately predicted platelet activation and receptor shedding in rotary blood pumps.

Biophysical Model Predicts Platelet Activation in Blood Pumps

A computational study evaluating four rotary blood pumps found that a biophysical damage model accurately predicted platelet activation and receptor shedding caused by non-physiological shear stress. CentriMag at 350 mmHg produced the highest levels, with 10-fold greater activation and six-fold greater receptor shedding than at 75 mmHg. Model predictions strongly correlated with experimental data.

GASTROENTEROLOGY

Mirikizumab achieved 52-week remission and sustained drug persistence in treatment-experienced ulcerative colitis patients.

Mirikizumab Shows 52-Week Real-World Efficacy in Ulcerative Colitis

A two-center real-world study of 120 treatment-experienced patients with ulcerative colitis found that mirikizumab achieved clinical remission in 28.3% at 52 weeks, with corticosteroid-free remission in 26.1%. Drug persistence was 64.6%, while adverse events occurred in 10.8% of patients. No new safety signals were identified during follow-up.

GNRI, PNI, and MUST were associated with week-14 vedolizumab remission in moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis.

Nutritional Indices Predict Early Vedolizumab Response in UC

A multicenter study of 184 patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis found that baseline nutritional indices were associated with response to vedolizumab at week 14. Higher GNRI and PNI scores and lower MUST scores were linked to greater likelihood of clinical remission. GNRI showed the strongest discriminatory performance, with an AUC of 0.697.

High subcutaneous adipose tissue density was associated with higher mortality and poorer survival in cirrhosis patients awaiting liver transplant.

High Adipose Tissue Density Linked to Mortality in Cirrhosis

A prospective multicenter study of 121 liver transplant candidates with cirrhosis found that higher subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) density on CT was associated with greater pre-transplant mortality and poorer overall survival. Patients with both low muscle density and high SAT density had the poorest survival. SAT density decreased significantly six months after transplantation.

DENTISTRY

Traumatic events altered healthcare utilization, increasing medical care use while some events reduced dental care use in Mexico.

Traumatic Events Influence Healthcare Use in Older Mexican Adults

An analysis of 39,875 observations from 17,424 middle-aged and older adults in Mexico found that traumatic life events were associated with distinct patterns of healthcare use. Natural disasters and the death of a child increased medical care use but reduced dental care utilization, while crime or accidents increased medical service use without a clear effect on dental care.

NEUROLOGY

Speech synchronization interventions were associated with improved speech fluency and production in adults with post-stroke aphasia.

Speech Synchronization Shows Promise for Post-Stroke Aphasia

A systematic review of 32 studies found that speech synchronization interventions were consistently associated with improvements in speech fluency and production among adults with post-stroke aphasia. Synchronization-focused approaches mainly improved speech rate and verbal output, while multicomponent interventions also reported gains in connected speech, lexical retrieval, and functional communication.

PULMONOLOGY

Diaphragmatic ultrasound detected morphofunctional changes during invasive mechanical ventilation in critically ill children.

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound Monitors Changes During Pediatric Ventilation

A longitudinal PICU study found that diaphragmatic ultrasound detected significant changes in children receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. Inspiratory and expiratory diaphragm thickness and excursion decreased over time, while thickening fraction increased. Neuromuscular blocking agent use was strongly associated with lower diaphragmatic thickening fraction.

PSYCHIATRY

Initial teacher preparation showed a stronger association with inclusion readiness than professional development across 47 countries.

Initial Teacher Training Linked to Greater Inclusion Readiness

An analysis of 153,682 lower secondary teachers across 47 countries found that both initial teacher-training preparedness and inclusion-focused professional development were associated with greater self-efficacy for teaching culturally diverse classrooms. Initial preparation showed a stronger association than later professional development, with a similar pattern observed for orderly classroom climate.

Untreated teeth were the leading source of severe endodontic infections requiring hospitalization in a retrospective study.

Untreated Teeth Linked to Severe Endodontic Infections Requiring Hospitalization

A retrospective study of 384 patients hospitalized with severe odontogenic infections found that 229 cases (59.6%) were of endodontic origin. More than half were linked to endodontically untreated teeth. Root-filling quality was inadequate in 85% of assessed cases, while 34% of patients received antibiotics without operative endodontic treatment before hospitalization, highlighting the importance of definitive dental care.

Olfactory dysfunction was associated with distinct psychological profiles, highlighting the importance of assessing emotional burden.

Olfactory Dysfunction Associated With Distinct Psychological Profiles

A study of 80 patients with olfactory dysfunction (OD) identified three distinct psychological profiles ranging from high to low emotional distress. High-distress patients had greater olfactory-related quality-of-life impairment, lower well-being, and higher negative affect. The findings suggest that subjective burden may not directly reflect objective olfactory performance.

Local inflammatory biomarkers were associated with olfactory dysfunction, particularly in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Inflammatory Biomarkers Associated With Olfactory Dysfunction in CRS

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that several local inflammatory biomarkers were associated with olfactory function in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IgE, CCL2, and CCL3 were inversely correlated with olfactory scores, while CXCL5 and VEGF-A showed positive associations. Associations were weaker and more limited in CRSsNP.

New Insights on Unconvent...

New Insights on Unconventional Artemisinin Resistance in Malaria