Press review
The essentials of recent medical publications, unpacked by our newsroom into a clear, sourced digest, specialty by specialty.
DentistryEdentulism and depressive symptoms
If tooth loss increases the risk of depressive symptoms, what impact do dentures have on this risk? Here, Japanese researchers have assessed the influence of dentures on the association between edentulism and depressive symptoms in the elderly. The cohort study involved 50,169 participants, with an average age of 72.8 years. Compared with patients who had at least 20 teeth, the relative risk of de
PneumonologyCystic fibrosis healthcare resources
In this study, researchers investigated healthcare resource utilization and assessed associated costs in the year prior to lung transplantation or death without lung transplantation in cystic fibrosis patients. They used and linked data from the French Cystic Fibrosis Registry and the National Health Data System between 2006 and 2017. Overall, 166 patients died without lung transplantation, with a
NeurologyAwakening during sleep
Waking phases are an intermediate state between wakefulness and sleep, and contribute to sleep-wake regulation. While clinically described as a single entity, they cover a wide range of EEG situations. Stereoscopic EEG has the potential to record intracranial activity in both superficial and deep structures. By combining this approach with polysomnography, researchers have defined two categories o
GynecologySurgical treatment for vaginal prolapse?
In recent years, surgeons have increasingly used synthetic or biological grafts in transvaginal repairs for vaginal prolapse. This Cochrane review is an update of one published in 2016 and aims to determine the safety and efficacy of transvaginal mesh or biological grafts, compared with native tissue repair or other grafts in the surgical treatment of vaginal prolapse. A total of 51 randomized con
Endocrinology and MetabolismPrevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
In this study, American researchers evaluated the prevalence and factors involved in diabetic ketoacidosis at the time of diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in participants in a clinical research program prior to diagnosis, compared with patients in the community. In total, the study involved 5,049 patients under 18 years of age, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2005 and 2021. Of these, 42 patient
OphthalmologyAcanthamoeba keratitis
In this retrospective study, researchers sought to identify the risk factors and clinical features of Acanthamoeba keratitis, among all cases of infectious keratitis. A total of 134 eyes (from 126 patients) were studied, including 24 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis, 22 cases of bacterial keratitis, 24 cases of fungal keratitis, 32 cases of herpetic keratitis and 32 cases of bacterial co-infection.
NeurologyGABA in autism spectrum disorders
Alterations in GABAergic (γ-aminobutyric acid) pathways have been implicated in sensory differences in people with autism spectrum disorders. In this study, researchers explored the GABA-dependent retinal response in patients with autism spectrum disorders, using electroretinograms. The study involved 61 adults, 22 of whom had autism spectrum disorders. They received either a placebo, or 15 or 30
Anesthesia and Intensive CareNeonatal endotracheal tube size
Clinical data underlying recommendations on neonatal endotracheal tube size remain limited. In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, researchers evaluated changes in neonatal endotracheal tube size as a function of weight in infants undergoing tracheal intubation. Changes in size relative to Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) recommendations were tracked within 7 days of intubation. A tot
Pharmacology and ToxicologyTherapeutic vaccines for non-small cell lung cancer
New immunotherapy strategies could enable the development of therapeutic vaccines against certain cancers. In this Cochrane review, researchers assessed the efficacy and safety of different types of therapeutic vaccines in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. A total of 10 studies involving 2,177 participants were included. Compared with placebo, racotumomab could slightly increase overall surviva
SurgeryWhat is the optimal treatment for deep partial-thickness burns?
No consensus has yet been reached on the treatment of deep partial-thickness burns, due to conflicting results in studies. Treatment options include conservative treatment with delayed excision and grafting if necessary, or early excision and grafting. In this new study protocol, researchers included not only patient survival, but also long-term scar quality and patient quality of life. The Dutch
NeurologyMental health of young people with epilepsy
In this randomized, multicenter, open-label, controlled trial, researchers evaluated the clinical efficacy of integrated mental health treatment for children and young people with epilepsy. A total of 334 young people, aged 3 to 18 (mean age 10.5), were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to a mental health intervention for children with epilepsy in addition to usual care, o
GynecologyThe IL-23/Th17 axis in the pathophysiology of endometriosis
Studies have suggested the involvement of Th17 cell deregulation in endometriosis, in relation to disease severity. In this study, investigators examined whether IL-23-induced TH17 cells contribute to features of lesion proliferation, vascularization and inflammation in endometriosis using patient samples, representative cell lines and a mouse model of endometriosis. The data reveal deregulation o