Press review
The essentials of recent medical publications, unpacked by our newsroom into a clear, sourced digest, specialty by specialty.
OphthalmologyAn immunological link between the eye and the brain
The eye is an anatomical extension of the central nervous system. In this study, researchers explored the immunological links between the posterior eye and the brain. They studied immune responses to HSV in the brain. They observed that intravitreal immunization was able to protect mice from intracranial infection. This protection applied not only to bacterial infections, but also to tumoral proce
InfectiologyMacrolides in cystic fibrosis
In this update of a Cochrane review, researchers assessed the potential effects of macrolide antibiotics on clinical status in terms of benefit and harm in people with cystic fibrosis. A total of 14 studies, involving 1,467 participants, were included. The studies ranged in duration from 28 days to 36 months, and all evaluated azithromycin. The researchers noted a slight improvement in respiratory
GynecologyAtypical HUS associated with pregnancy
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is a thrombotic microangiopathy, caused by uncontrolled activation of the alternative complement pathway in the context of autoantibodies or rare pathogenic genetic variants in complement proteins. Such a syndrome can occur during pregnancy, with serious or even fatal consequences. Diagnosis remains difficult due to clinical signs similar to other pregnancy compl
DentistryA new hydrogel for dental pulp regeneration
Regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex remains a challenge to this day. In this study, researchers hypothesized that dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) encapsulated in a collagen-based hydrogel of varying stiffness would regenerate functional dental pulp and dentin when injected concentrically into tooth slices. They conducted in vivo experiments by injecting PDSCs encapsulated in collagen hydrogels
Cardiology and Vascular MedicineInfluence of gender in chronic coronary artery disease
Women with chronic coronary disease are often older, have more comorbidities, but less atherosclerosis than men. Here, researchers explored gender differences in revascularization in patients with chronic coronary disease with stress ischemia, with or without invasive management. The ISCHEMIA (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches) trial invol
Endocrinology and MetabolismDrug treatment or bariatric surgery for type 2 diabetes ?
In this pooled analysis of four U.S. clinical trials conducted between 2007 and 2013, researchers evaluated the long-term glycemic control and safety of bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding) compared with lifestyle measures coupled with drug therapy for type 2 diabetes. A total of 262 patients were followed for 7 to 12 years. At the end of thi
Public Health and Social MedicineImpact of influenza vaccination in the USA
Mortality from seasonal influenza remained high in the USA, despite high uptake of vaccination campaigns. In this study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of the vaccination program on pneumonia and influenza-related mortality. Data were analyzed for the 2013-2014 to 2018-2019 winter seasons for adults and children over 6 months of age. The total number of influenza-related deaths over the p
Urology-nephrologySGLT-2 inhibitors in peritoneal dialysis patients
Volume overload is associated with high mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients. This overload is incompletely corrected by diuretics, fluid restriction or icodextrin-based solutions. Alternative strategies are therefore required. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, investigators are evaluating the value of SGLT-2 inhibitors for reducing volume overl
InfectiologyDetection of high-risk HPV viruses
The detection of high-risk HPV viruses is crucial for the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. In this study, researchers evaluated the value of a sample genotyping system compared with the traditional real-time PCR method. They randomly selected 365 samples (representing 7,259 women) after running them through real-time PCR, which they then analyzed using the fully automated GenPlex
Gastroenterology and HepatologyPericentral regeneration after liver injury
Liver injuries are often zoned, but the regenerative mechanisms acting at molecular and cellular level in these injuries are not clearly understood. Here, the researchers studied liver regeneration after acute pericentral injury. They found that pericentral regeneration was initially compensated for by expansion of the remaining pericentral hepatocytes, followed by expansion of the periportal hepa
OncologyDual targeting of HER2 and VEGFR in ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a common cancer of the female reproductive system, for which effective targeted therapies remain insufficient. In this study, researchers used clinical models of ovarian cancer to assess the therapeutic efficacy of RC48, a HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate. It was used alone or in combination with the anti-VEGFR drug cediranib maleate in the treatment of advanced ovarian canc
Cardiology and Vascular MedicineWhat anticoagulant therapy is required after stenting in patients with atrial fibrillation?
Anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy are recommended after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Current recommendations call for antiplatelet therapy to be discontinued 1 year after implantation of a drug-eluting stent (DES), due to excessive bleeding risk. But randomized clinical trials are lacking to validate this recommendation. The ADAPT AF-DES clinical tr