PubMed Trending Research Digest — May 11, 2026

Automated digest · 97 articles · 15 research areas · May 11, 2026

Overview

This week’s papers cluster around a shared push toward precision: better prediction (risk scores, proteomic clocks, peripheral immune phenotyping), better targeting (gene therapy for retinal disease, FcRn-targeted therapy for ITP, PARP1 inhibitors crossing the BBB, oligonucleotides for ALS), and better matching of treatment to biology (biomarker-directed NSCLC frameworks, glycolysis signatures in breast cancer, radiomics heterogeneity in HCC). Across oncology especially, multiple studies emphasize that response and resistance are not just “tumor-intrinsic” but are shaped by spatially organized tumor microenvironments—macrophage–fibroblast crosstalk in glioblastoma, TAM metabolic programs that exclude CD8 T cells, and endothelial signaling that governs monocyte recruitment in TMZ-resistant glioblastoma.

Outside cancer, the digest highlights mechanistic links between lifestyle/exposures and disease risk: dietary fibers and bile-acid pathways in obesity, maltol as a mediator of diabetes-associated fracture risk, and microplastics/additives as drivers of aquatic toxicity and pulmonary fibrosis mechanisms. Several clinical and guideline-focused articles aim to make care more consistent and scalable—algorithmic schizophrenia treatment, metformin prevention of antipsychotic weight gain, structured sepsis bundles, and evidence synthesis for diagnostic criteria (ALS) and monitoring (clozapine). Finally, advances in neurotechnology and neuromodulation (flexible high-density electrode arrays, focused ultrasound for pain circuits, and LED therapy comparisons) point toward increasingly precise, noninvasive or minimally invasive ways to measure and modulate brain function.

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Psychiatric risk prediction & treatment guidelines

Modifiable risk factors and risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder across severities of genetic risk.

This UK Biobank study examined whether the brain care score (BCS), a 12-factor modifiable risk tool, predicts incident schizophrenia (SCZ) or bipolar disorder (BD) risk across strata of genetic risk measured by polygenic risk scores (PRS). Higher BCS was associated with lower SCZ/BD risk, with effects varying by PRS-defined genetic risk level (interaction/stratified analyses). These findings support using modifiable brain-health behaviors to reduce psychiatric risk even among individuals with high inherited susceptibility.

Cui Y, Sun Y, Liu S et al. · Journal of affective disorders · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Platelet NLRP6 protects against microvascular thrombosis in sepsis.

This study investigated the role of nucleotide-oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) specifically in platelets during sepsis using platelet-specific NLRP6 knockout mice and a cecal ligation and puncture model. Platelet NLRP6 deletion increased mortality and worsened microvascular thrombosis in the lung and liver. The findings indicate that platelet NLRP6 is protective in sepsis and could represent a cell-specific therapeutic target to reduce thromboinflammation.

Jiang H, Chen S, Gui X et al. · Blood · (2025) · 14 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Noninvasive prognostic classification of ITH in HCC with multi-omics insights and therapeutic implications.

This multicenter study analyzed intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across 851 patients using noninvasive radiomics from multi-sequence MRI to define radiomics ITH (RITH) phenotypes. The RITH phenotypes correlated with prognosis and pathological ITH, and integrated multi-omics analyses identified molecular mechanisms underlying RITH, improving biological interpretability. Clinically, this provides a noninvasive framework for risk stratification and potential therapeutic guidance based on imaging-derived tumor heterogeneity.

Xie Y, Wang F, Wei J et al. · Science advances · (2025) · 16 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Catalytic neural stem cell exosomes for multi-stage targeting and synergistical therapy of retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

This study developed a catalytic neural stem cell exosome engineered with polylysine (K10) decoration and catalase expression (CataKNexo) to target retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) and tested it in vitro using retinal layered models. It found that CataKNexo reaches the outer nuclear layer and provides synergistic antioxidant and neuroprotective effects by countering H2O2-mediated oxidative stress associated with decreased catalase activity. Scientifically, it demonstrates a targeted, enzyme-replacement exosome strategy for treating oxidative-stress-driven retinal damage.

Yang W, Wang X, Zheng D et al. · Cell reports. Medicine · (2025) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Metformin for the Prevention of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain: Guideline Development and Consensus Validation.

This study developed and validated a clinical guideline for using metformin to prevent antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Using the AGREE II framework for guideline appraisal and consensus validation, the authors concluded that metformin should be recommended as the most effective pharmacologic option studied for AIWG prevention. The guideline aims to improve translation of evidence into routine care for SMI patients at high risk of obesity and metabolic complications from antipsychotics.

Carolan A, Hynes-Ryan C, Agarwal SM et al. · Schizophrenia bulletin · (2025) · 37 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Evaluating Monitoring Guidelines of Clozapine-Induced Adverse Effects: a Systematic Review.

This systematic review evaluated the content and quality of monitoring guidelines for clozapine-induced adverse effects in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The key finding is that existing guidelines may be incomplete, lacking one or more important monitoring recommendations across metabolic, neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal risks. The clinical significance is that better, more comprehensive monitoring standards could reduce morbidity from clozapine’s serious adverse effects.

Smessaert S, Detraux J, Desplenter F et al. · CNS drugs · (2024) · 17 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Reproductive biology & fertility (germ cells, ovarian aging, PCOS, implantation)

Male germ cell-specific deletion of Eif5 causes the apoptosis of mouse progenitor spermatogonia by excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress and defective DNA repair.

This mouse study used Stra8-Cre–mediated conditional knockout of Eif5 (Eif5 fl/fl; Stra8-Cre) to test how loss of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5 (eIF5) affects male germ cell survival and spermatogenesis. Male germ cell Eif5 deletion caused apoptosis of progenitor spermatogonia driven by excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and impaired DNA repair. The results identify eIF5 as a mechanistic regulator of germline maintenance and suggest potential molecular targets for idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (iNOA).

Wei H, Huang Y, Wang W et al. · Zoological research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

PGC-derived migrasomes couple PGC proliferation with migration.

This zebrafish developmental biology study investigated how primordial germ cells (PGCs) coordinate proliferation with migration using migrasomes, focusing on tspan7-dependent migrasome biogenesis and delivery of the growth factor GDF3. Migrasomes formed at retraction fibers and delivered GDF3 to neighboring PGCs via contact-dependent interactions, activating the TGF-β receptor acvr1ba to drive proliferation during migration. The work reveals a specific vesicle-mediated signaling mechanism that stabilizes mitogenic cues in migrating germ cells, informing how germline expansion is regulated.

Liu B, Jiang Z, Song W et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Vitamin C conveys geroprotection on primate ovaries.

This primate study investigated whether oral vitamin C can mitigate ovarian aging by measuring aging biomarkers and using a single-cell transcriptomic clock to estimate biological age in monkeys over 3.3 years. The key finding is that vitamin C reduces oxidative stress and follicular depletion and lowers the biological age of oocytes and somatic cells, with partial mediation via the NRF2 pathway to alleviate ovarian cell senescence. These results support vitamin C as a potential single-agent geroprotective intervention for preserving ovarian function during reproductive aging.

Jing Y, Lu H, Li J et al. · Cell stem cell · (2025) · 6 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Polycystic ovary syndrome.

This Nature Reviews Disease Primer studied polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women (and discusses possible relevance to men’s health), focusing on diagnostic criteria in adults versus adolescents. It highlights that adult PCOS diagnosis uses the International Evidence-based Guideline requiring two of three features (clinical/biochemical hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and/or ovarian morphology or elevated anti-Müllerian hormone), whereas adolescent diagnosis omits ovarian morphology and anti-Müllerian hormone considerations. The clinical significance is that age-specific diagnostic frameworks are needed to avoid misclassification and to improve early identification and management of PCOS-related metabolic and reproductive risks.

Stener-Victorin E, Teede H, Norman RJ et al. · Nature reviews. Disease primers · (2024) · 338 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Clinical Relevance of Vaginal and Endometrial Microbiome Investigation in Women with Repeated Implantation Failure and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

This review studied the clinical relevance of vaginal and endometrial microbiome assessment in women with repeated implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss. It reports that Lactobacillus dominance is generally associated with reproductive tract eubiosis and better implantation outcomes, whereas vaginal/endometrial dysbiosis may promote local inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines that impair endometrial receptivity. The significance is that microbiome profiling could become a biomarker-directed approach to improve fertility outcomes in these high-risk populations.

Gao X, Louwers YV, Laven JSE et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · (2024) · 69 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Neurotechnology & neuromodulation (implants, ultrasound, LED, pain)

Large-scale single-neuron recording in the human cortex using an ultra-flexible electrode array.

This translational neuroscience study developed and evaluated an ultra-flexible implantable neural electrode array (uFINE) for large-scale single-neuron recordings during intraoperative procedures in human patients. The uFINE array enabled reliable, high-density single-unit recordings while maintaining mechanical integrity through surgery. Clinically, this supports flexible electrode technology as a feasible platform for high-resolution human cortical recording that could advance brain-machine interface and neuroprosthetic development.

Wu S, Yan Z, Kong C et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Effects of intermittent pneumatic compression on delayed onset muscle soreness and recovery of muscular fatigue.

This randomized controlled trial studied whether intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) affects delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and recovery of muscular fatigue after plyometric exercise in 20 healthy untrained male college students. It compared an IPC group (n=10) versus a control group (n=10) to characterize IPC’s therapeutic effect on exercise-induced muscle injury markers. The clinical significance is that it tests a practical recovery modality for reducing DOMS and improving fatigue recovery in non-athlete populations.

Gu Z, Dai J, Xu K et al. · PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation · (2025) · 3 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Red and Green LED Light Therapy: A Comparative Study in Androgenetic Alopecia.

This comparative clinical study evaluated red versus green LED light therapy for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) using an LED helmet that delivered 40 J/cm² over 20 minutes to the frontal scalp. The study compared clinical photography, physician 7-point evaluations, patient satisfaction, and quantitative measures between red and green light exposure. The results are relevant for optimizing nonpharmacologic low-level light therapy parameters for AGA, especially given limited human data on green LED effects.

Tantiyavarong J, Charoensuksira S, Meephansan J et al. · Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine · (2024) · 8 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Six types of loves differentially recruit reward and social cognition brain areas.

The study used functional MRI in humans to compare brain activity during experimentally induced feelings of love toward six targets (romantic partner, children, friends, strangers, pets, and nature). Neural recruitment differed by love object, with distinct patterns across reward and social cognition brain regions. These findings clarify that “love” is not a single neural state and may help refine models of pair-bonding and social attachment circuitry.

Rinne P, Lahnakoski JM, Saarimäki H et al. · Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) · (2024) · 13 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound suppresses pain by modulating pain-processing brain circuits.

The study tested low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) in mouse models by using a 128-element ultrasound transducer with dynamic focus steering to target pain-processing brain circuits. Single-session focused ultrasound stimulation modulated pain-associated behaviors in vivo by altering activity in pain-processing networks. This is significant as it supports a nonpharmacological, spatially precise neuromodulation approach for chronic pain that could reduce reliance on opioids.

Kim MG, Yu K, Yeh CY et al. · Blood · (2024) · 28 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Preclinical Characterization of AZD9574, a Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrant Inhibitor of PARP1.

This preclinical study evaluated AZD9574, a blood-brain barrier–penetrant selective PARP1 inhibitor, using in vitro assays (selectivity, PARylation inhibition, PARP-DNA trapping, proliferation) and in vivo mouse xenograft models (subcutaneous and intracranial), with BBB penetration assessed in mouse, rat, and monkey. AZD9574 showed BBB crossing and PARP1-target engagement with antitumor activity alone and in combination with temozolomide (TMZ), while also being evaluated for hematotoxicity in rat models. These findings support AZD9574 as a candidate CNS-active PARP1 inhibitor for brain tumors where TMZ is standard-of-care.

Staniszewska AD, Pilger D, Gill SJ et al. · Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · (2024) · 57 citations · View on PubMed ↗

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Neurodevelopment & early embryogenesis mechanisms

R-loops orchestrate RNAPII transcriptional reprogramming for the maternal-to-zygotic transition.

This research investigated how R-loops regulate RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcriptional reprogramming during the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) in mammalian preimplantation development, focusing on CG density-dependent R-loop behavior. It found that loss of CG-poor R-loops causes severe MZT and early embryo defects by promoting premature activation of major zygotic genome activation (ZGA) genes. The study clarifies a mechanistic role for R-loop composition in early developmental gene regulation and genome activation timing.

Li Y, Li Q, Wang X et al. · Cell research · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cancer immunotherapy, tumor microenvironment & biomarkers

Phenotype of circulating tumor-reactive T cells predicts immune checkpoint inhibitor response in non-small cell lung cancer.

This study analyzed paired tumor-infiltrating and circulating CD8+ tumor-reactive T cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing. It identified circulating tumor-reactive T cells (cTR-T) by TCR “barcode” matching and showed that their phenotype—marked by surface markers such as CD49a, CD49b, and HLA-DR—predicts response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The work supports using peripheral T-cell phenotyping as a predictive biomarker to stratify NSCLC patients for ICI therapy.

Ito K, Iida K, Hirano T et al. · Nature communications · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

SLC2A1+ tumour-associated macrophages spatially control CD8+ T cell function and drive resistance to immunotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer.

This study examined how SLC2A1+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) spatially regulate CD8+ T cell function and drive resistance to immunotherapy in NSCLC, using human biopsies and murine tumor models. It showed that SLC2A1 expression in the tumor microenvironment is spatially negatively correlated with CD8+ T cell distribution, and that TAM-specific Slc2a1 deletion enhances spatial homogeneity and effector function of intratumoral CD8+ T cells, improving αPD-L1 efficacy. These findings identify TAM SLC2A1 as a mechanistic target to overcome checkpoint blockade resistance.

Wang L, Chu H, Chen D et al. · Nature cell biology · (2026) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Endothelial cells sense temozolomide resistance to facilitate monocyte-derived macrophage infiltration in glioblastoma.

This study investigated how temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in patient-derived glioblastoma organoids (GBOs) alters endothelial signaling to promote monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) infiltration, with a focus on mesenchymal and recurrent GBM. The key finding is that TMZ-resistant GBM drives endothelial “sensing” programs that facilitate MDM recruitment, identifying molecular gene changes in TMZ-resistant recurrent GBOs as candidate therapeutic targets to block this infiltration. Disrupting this endothelial–MDM recruitment axis could improve outcomes for patients with TMZ-resistant recurrent GBM by reducing a major immune microenvironment mechanism of treatment failure.

Gao W, Huang J, Deng K et al. · Drug resistance updates : reviews and commentaries in antimicrobial and anticancer chemotherapy · (2026) · 3 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Spatial-reprogramming derived GPNMB+ macrophages interact with COL6A3+ fibroblasts to enhance vascular fibrosis in glioblastoma.

This study analyzed glioblastoma (GBM) tumor microenvironment organization using integrated single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, then validated findings with multiplex immunohistochemistry and atomic force microscopy, focusing on GPNMB+ macrophages and COL6A3+ fibroblasts. The key finding is that spatially reprogrammed GPNMB+ macrophages physically interact with COL6A3+ fibroblasts to enhance vascular fibrosis in GBM. This macrophage–fibroblast crosstalk provides a mechanistic targetable pathway for overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) plus antiangiogenic therapy in GBM.

Du Y, Long X, Li X et al. · Genome medicine · (2025) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

The immune microenvironment of colorectal cancer.

This review studied how the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment (TME) shapes immune evasion and therapy response, with emphasis on why only a subset of patients benefits from immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The key finding is that immune-activated, microsatellite unstable CRC responds to ICB, whereas the predominant microsatellite-stable tumors are typically lowly immunogenic and immunosuppressed, limiting benefit. Strategically modulating the CRC TME to convert “cold” tumors into immune-activated states is therefore a central scientific and clinical direction for improving ICB outcomes.

Kennel KB, Greten FR · Nature reviews. Cancer · (2025) · 27 citations · View on PubMed ↗

HER2DX and survival outcomes in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer: an individual patient-level meta-analysis.

This individual patient-level meta-analysis evaluated whether the HER2DX genomic test risk score predicts survival outcomes in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer. Across included cohorts, HER2DX risk stratification was associated with differences in survival, indicating that the test captures clinically relevant biological heterogeneity beyond standard clinicopathologic factors. The findings support HER2DX as a tool for more personalized risk assessment and treatment decision-making in early HER2-positive disease.

Villacampa G, Pascual T, Tarantino P et al. · The Lancet. Oncology · (2025) · 14 citations · View on PubMed ↗

A novel glycolysis-related gene signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in breast cancer.

This study developed and validated a glycolysis-related gene (GRG) signature to predict prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in breast invasive carcinoma using TCGA-BRCA as a training set and GEO as a validation cohort. The authors identified a novel GRG-based prognostic model that stratified patients by survival risk and was associated with differences in immunotherapy response. The work supports glycolysis gene profiling as a potential biomarker strategy to improve risk prediction and guide immunotherapy selection in heterogeneous breast cancer patients.

Huang R, Li Y, Lin K et al. · Frontiers in immunology · (2025) · 5 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Disrupting B and T-cell collaboration in autoimmune disease: T-cell engagers versus CAR T-cell therapy?

This review compared strategies that disrupt B and T-cell collaboration in autoimmune disease, contrasting T-cell engagers and CAR T-cell therapy with B-cell depletion approaches such as anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (e.g., rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab) and other historical B-T interaction targeting agents. It emphasizes that incomplete B-cell depletion can leave pathogenic B-cell subsets (including IgD-CD27+ switched memory B cells, CD19+CD20- B cells, and plasma cells) that may limit response. The scientific significance is that it frames how next-generation T-cell–directed therapies might overcome limitations of current B-cell–focused treatments in refractory autoimmune disease.

Shah K, Leandro M, Cragg M et al. · Clinical and experimental immunology · (2024) · 31 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Biomarker-directed targeted therapy plus durvalumab in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase 2 umbrella trial.

This phase 2 umbrella trial studied biomarker-directed targeted therapy combined with durvalumab (anti–PD-L1) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly for tumors lacking currently targetable molecular alterations. The key finding is that the trial framework targets mechanisms of resistance to immune checkpoint blockade—such as DNA damage response/repair defects, STK11/LKB1 alterations, antigen-presentation pathway changes, and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment features—by matching therapies to biomarkers. Clinically, this approach aims to improve durability of benefit and overcome resistance to PD-(L)1 inhibitors in biomarker-defined NSCLC subgroups.

Besse B, Pons-Tostivint E, Park K et al. · Nature medicine · (2024) · 111 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

ANGPTL2+cancer-associated fibroblasts and SPP1+macrophages are metastasis accelerators of colorectal cancer.

This study analyzed colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis mechanisms by integrating bulk RNA-seq and clinicopathologic data from TCGA and GEO with CRC single-cell RNA-seq datasets (via TISCH) to characterize tumor microenvironment cell states. It found that ANGPTL2+ cancer-associated fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages act as metastasis accelerators of liver metastasis in CRC. The work suggests ANGPTL2/SPP1-associated stromal and myeloid programs as candidate targets to prevent or treat CRC liver metastasis.

Liu X, Qin J, Nie J et al. · Frontiers in immunology · (2023) · 58 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Cancer genomics, epigenetics & molecular mechanisms

SIRT3 deacetylates STEAP4 to modulate cuproptosis sensitivity via mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in HBV-related HCC.

This study examined how SIRT3 regulates cuproptosis sensitivity in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by deacetylating STEAP4 and altering mitochondrial metabolism. Integrative analyses of clinical specimens and HBx-transgenic mouse models showed HBV X protein (HBx) downregulated STEAP4, and mechanistically SIRT3 deacetylated STEAP4 to modulate cuproptosis susceptibility through mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming. These findings connect an HBV-driven molecular axis (HBx–SIRT3–STEAP4) to a regulated cell-death vulnerability that could be exploited therapeutically in HBV-associated HCC.

Du ZB, Wu XM, Lei JM et al. · Cell death and differentiation · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Multi-omics and machine learning reveal DPPC as a key contributor to colorectal cancer progression and tumor immune microenvironment remodeling.

This study used integrated multi-omics, two-sample Mendelian randomization, single-cell transcriptomics, and machine learning to identify metabolic drivers of colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and tumor immune microenvironment remodeling. It reported that DPPC (a phosphatidylcholine metabolite) is a key contributor to CRC progression and immune microenvironment changes, supported by computational prioritization and experimental validation. The results suggest DPPC as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target linking lipid metabolism to anti-tumor immunity in CRC.

Li X, Dong H, Jin Z et al. · Journal of translational medicine · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Structural basis for the recruitment and selective phosphorylation of Akt by mTORC2.

This study determined the structural basis for how mTORC2 selectively recruits and phosphorylates Akt by using semisynthetic probes to trap the mTORC2–Akt complex. The key finding was mechanistic insight into how mTORC2 recognizes Akt with high specificity for phosphorylation of Akt (and PKC) rather than closely related mTORC1 substrates. This advances fundamental understanding of PI3K/Akt pathway regulation and may inform therapeutic strategies targeting mTORC2 in cancer and diabetes.

Taylor MS, Chen M, Hancock M et al. · Science (New York, N.Y.) · (2026) · 5 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Guanine nucleotides drive ribosome biogenesis and glycolytic reprogramming in acute myeloid leukemia stem cells.

This work studied venetoclax (Ven)-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells (LSCs) to define how they rewire metabolism and ribosome biogenesis under OXPHOS inhibition. The key finding is that Ven-resistant LSCs switch to glycolytic reprogramming supported by upregulated de novo guanine nucleotide biosynthesis, which suppresses the impaired ribosome biogenesis checkpoint (IRBC), destabilizes TP53, and sustains MYC expression. Targeting guanine nucleotide metabolism or the IRBC–TP53/MYC axis may sensitize Ven-resistant AML LSCs and improve durability of therapy.

Kawano G, Ikeda R, Ishihara D et al. · Blood · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

RNA m1A methyltransferase TRMT61A promotes colorectal tumorigenesis by enhancing ONECUT2 mRNA stability and is a potential therapeutic target.

This study examined the RNA N1-methyladenosine (m1A) methyltransferase TRMT61A in colorectal cancer (CRC) using m1A quantification by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, multi-cohort clinical expression analyses, and functional testing in CRC cell lines, patient-derived organoids, xenografts, and transgenic mouse models. The key finding is that TRMT61A promotes colorectal tumorigenesis by enhancing ONECUT2 mRNA stability, and the authors propose TRMT61A as a therapeutic target using a nanoparticle-based small interfering RNA approach (TRMT61A knockdown). Clinically, targeting the TRMT61A–ONECUT2 mRNA stability pathway could represent a new precision strategy for CRC treatment.

Zhang X, Qin N, Ji F et al. · Cancer communications (London, England) · (2025) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Blood plasma proteome-wide association study implicates novel proteins in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases.

This study performed a proteome-wide association study (PWAS) to identify novel plasma proteins implicated in the pathogenesis of 26 cardiovascular diseases using UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project data from 53,022 individuals. By integrating SNP–protein weights with GWAS summary statistics, it implicated previously unrecognized proteins across cardiac, venous, and cerebrovascular disease categories. The approach expands the set of actionable molecular targets and prioritizes proteins for downstream validation in multiple cardiovascular disease subtypes.

Wang JH, Dong SS, Huang W et al. · Cardiovascular diabetology · (2025) · 4 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Cellular senescence-associated gene IFI16 promotes HMOX1-dependent evasion of ferroptosis and radioresistance in glioblastoma.

This study investigated how the cellular senescence-associated gene IFI16 affects ferroptosis evasion and radioresistance in glioblastoma using a radioresistant GBM cell model generated by repeated irradiation. The authors found that IFI16 promotes HMOX1 transcription via its pyrin domain, reducing lipid peroxidation, ROS production, and intracellular Fe2+ after irradiation to attenuate ferroptosis and drive radioresistance. Scientifically, it identifies an IFI16–HMOX1 axis as a mechanistic target to potentially sensitize glioblastoma to radiotherapy.

Zhou Y, Zeng L, Cai L et al. · Nature communications · (2025) · 32 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Autophagy in cancer development, immune evasion, and drug resistance.

This review article analyzed the roles of macroautophagy/autophagy in cancer development, immune evasion, and drug resistance, focusing on how autophagy can switch between tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting functions. It highlights that genetic and environmental modulation of key pathways determines whether autophagy inhibits or facilitates tumor progression and therapy resistance. Understanding these context-dependent mechanisms is clinically significant for designing autophagy-targeted strategies to overcome immune evasion and drug resistance.

Niu X, You Q, Hou K et al. · Drug resistance updates : reviews and commentaries in antimicrobial and anticancer chemotherapy · (2025) · 125 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Targeted therapies & drug development (including ADCs, oligonucleotides, biologics)

Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Efgartigimod PH20 in Adults With Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia (ADVANCE SC): A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial.

This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial (ADVANCE SC) evaluated subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 in adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who had platelet counts <30×10^9/L and received more than one prior ITP therapy. Subcutaneous efgartigimod PH20 produced clinically meaningful platelet responses compared with placebo, with efficacy and safety assessed over the study period. The trial supports a less burdensome route of administration for FcRn-targeted therapy in chronic ITP management.

Cooper N, Broome CM, Miyakawa Y et al. · American journal of hematology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Can Gene Therapy Revolutionize Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether gene therapy (primarily adeno-associated virus [AAV]-based anti-VEGF constructs) provides safe, clinically meaningful outcomes for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) compared with baseline or standard care. The analysis focused on visual acuity, anatomical response, treatment burden, and safety, aiming to address limitations of repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. If benefits are confirmed, gene therapy could reduce long-term injection burden while maintaining efficacy in nAMD patients.

Chen KY, Chan HC, Chan CM · American journal of ophthalmology · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates in cancer therapy: Potential and Promise.

This review article examined antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) as an evolution of antibody-drug conjugates, focusing on their modular design and gene-modulating payloads such as siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). It highlights the potential advantages of AOCs over traditional cytotoxic payloads, including more precise gene regulation and emerging therapeutic promise in oncology. The synthesis supports continued development and clinical translation of AOCs as next-generation targeted cancer therapeutics.

Meng Q, Yang M, Xing F et al. · Critical reviews in oncology/hematology · (2025) · 8 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Tofersen: A Review in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Associated with SOD1 Mutations.

This review summarized evidence for tofersen (QALSODY®), an antisense oligonucleotide that induces SOD1 mRNA degradation, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with SOD1 mutations. In the phase III VALOR trial, intrathecal tofersen reduced plasma neurofilament proteins and reduced total SOD1 protein in cerebrospinal fluid, with biomarker effects sustained in a long-term open-label extension. The review underscores tofersen’s mechanism- and biomarker-linked activity while contextualizing the degree of functional benefit reported in clinical outcomes.

McGuigan A, Blair HA · CNS drugs · (2025) · 10 citations · View on PubMed ↗

INTEGRATE: international guidelines for the algorithmic treatment of schizophrenia.

This consensus guideline project (INTEGRATE) studied how to algorithmically structure pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia by synthesizing an umbrella review, expert workshops, a consensus survey, and lived-experience focus groups across international contributors. It produced an international algorithmic treatment guideline and associated digital tool intended to be more concise and comprehensive than country-specific guidance. The significance is improved global standardization of stepwise medication selection while accounting for schizophrenia’s multiple symptom domains and comorbid physical health needs.

McCutcheon RA, Pillinger T, Varvari I et al. · The lancet. Psychiatry · (2025) · 54 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Tofersen for SOD1 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized clinical evidence on tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide targeting the SOD1 gene, for safety and efficacy in adults with SOD1-mutant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Across 12 included studies totaling 195 treated patients, the authors pooled data using random-effects models to characterize tofersen’s overall benefit-risk profile. The findings are significant for consolidating the evidence base supporting tofersen’s use in SOD1-related ALS and for informing clinicians and guideline updates.

Hamad AA, Alkhawaldeh IM, Nashwan AJ et al. · Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · (2025) · 23 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Tofersen for SOD1 ALS.

This article reviewed the therapeutic rationale and clinical evidence for tofersen in SOD1-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although a Phase III trial failed to meet its primary endpoint, open-label extension data suggested tofersen may slow progression in SOD1 ALS, consistent with its antisense mechanism reducing SOD1 mRNA and protein expression. The discussion is significant for ongoing clinical decision-making and future trial design in genetically defined ALS populations.

Everett WH, Bucelli RC · Neurodegenerative disease management · (2024) · 24 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Asciminib in Newly Diagnosed Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

In a phase 3 randomized trial in newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), patients received asciminib (80 mg once daily), a BCR::ABL1 inhibitor that specifically targets the ABL myristoyl pocket, versus an investigator-selected ATP-competitive TKI. The study demonstrated the comparative efficacy and safety of asciminib as a frontline option designed to reduce side effects relative to standard TKIs. This is significant for treatment selection in newly diagnosed CML by expanding targeted therapy options beyond ATP-competitive inhibition.

Hochhaus A, Wang J, Kim DW et al. · The New England journal of medicine · (2024) · 130 citations · View on PubMed ↗

A phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of atacicept for treatment of IgA nephropathy.

This phase 2b randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied atacicept (a dual BAFF/APRIL fusion protein) in 116 biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy patients, comparing atacicept 150 mg, 75 mg, or placebo given once weekly for up to 36 weeks. The key finding was that atacicept was evaluated for efficacy and safety using changes in urine protein creatinine ratio from 24-hour urine collections at weeks 24 and 36 as primary and key secondary endpoints. Scientifically, the trial tests whether dual B-cell activation factor blockade can reduce proteinuria and improve outcomes in IgA nephropathy beyond standard care.

Lafayette R, Barbour S, Israni R et al. · Kidney international · (2024) · 107 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Monoclonal Antibodies for Cognitive Decline in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid-beta (anti-Aβ mAbs) for cognitive decline in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease using randomized controlled trials up to March 31, 2023. It used R/JAGS and STATA to estimate and rank relative efficacy and safety across different anti-Aβ mAb drugs. The significance is that it provides a comparative hierarchy of anti-Aβ mAbs to inform evidence-based selection and risk–benefit assessment in early Alzheimer’s disease.

Qiao Y, Gu J, Yu M et al. · CNS drugs · (2024) · 34 citations · View on PubMed ↗

TROPION-Breast02: Datopotamab deruxtecan for locally recurrent inoperable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

This article describes the phase III TROPION-Breast02 clinical trial evaluating datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), an anti–TROP2 antibody-drug conjugate carrying a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, in patients with locally recurrent inoperable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The trial compares Dato-DXd versus investigator’s choice chemotherapy in patients previously untreated for this setting who are not candidates for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Clinically, it aims to establish whether TROP2-targeted ADC therapy improves outcomes in a high-need TNBC population.

Dent RA, Cescon DW, Bachelot T et al. · Future oncology (London, England) · (2023) · 52 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Clinical trials & comparative effectiveness (non-oncology and oncology)

A clinical review of cervical cancer.

This narrative clinical review summarized the epidemiology, risk disparities, and clinical burden of cervical cancer, including global incidence and mortality and U.S. projections. It highlighted that diagnosis commonly occurs in mid-adulthood and that Black, Latina, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native women experience higher incidence and mortality, partly driven by comorbidities and disparities in socioeconomic status and access to care. The review underscores the need for equity-focused prevention, screening, and treatment strategies to reduce cervical cancer outcomes.

Pullen RL, Ritchie S · Nursing · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

The global prevalence of eating disorders in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the global prevalence of eating disorders in children and young people by pooling population-level prevalence studies published between January 2013 and February 27, 2024. The key finding was a worldwide pooled prevalence estimate for eating disorders across child and adolescent populations, with heterogeneity assessed using I2 and study quality evaluated with the Hoy scale. These results provide an evidence-based baseline for global health planning and highlight the scale of ED burden in youth populations.

Faria C, Daneshi K, Baser A et al. · European child & adolescent psychiatry · (2026) · 3 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Comparative effectiveness of atogepant and rimegepant for migraine prevention in Japanese patients: an anchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison.

This anchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison compared atogepant versus rimegepant for migraine prevention in Japanese patients using data from three placebo-controlled trials (RELEASE and PROGRESS for atogepant; BHV3000-309 for rimegepant). The key finding was the relative comparative effectiveness on monthly migraine days (MMDs) and monthly acute medication use days (MUDs), along with differences in quality-of-life outcomes such as MSQ v2.1 RFR, MIDAS, and EQ-VAS. Clinically, it helps Japanese decision-makers estimate which CGRP receptor antagonist provides better preventive benefit when head-to-head evidence is unavailable.

Takizawa T, Ahmadyar G, Tyas E et al. · Expert review of neurotherapeutics · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Neuraxial anesthesia and pain management for cesarean delivery.

This review studied neuraxial anesthesia and postoperative pain management strategies for cesarean delivery, focusing on how patient, obstetrical, surgical, and anesthesia-related factors influence anesthetic blockade and analgesia. The key finding is that anesthetic choice and technique must be tailored to the clinical context (including emergency versus planned cesarean) to achieve safe, effective pain control. Implementing coordinated obstetric–anesthesia communication and best-practice selection of neuraxial approaches can improve maternal comfort and safety.

Landau R, Sultan P · American journal of obstetrics and gynecology · (2026) · 11 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Medication Adherence in Hypertension: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

This cluster randomized clinical trial tested whether a multicomponent intervention improves medication adherence in patients with uncontrolled hypertension by using linked electronic health record–pharmacy data to identify nonadherence and then providing team-based care to address barriers. The study evaluated the effectiveness of this scalable, data-driven adherence identification and intervention strategy in real-world clinical settings. If effective, the approach could reduce hypertension-related morbidity by targeting adherence gaps at the point of care using EHR-pharmacy linkage.

Blecker S, Mann DM, Martinez TR et al. · JAMA cardiology · (2025) · 4 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Cancer of the corpus uteri: A 2025 update.

This 2025 review studied endometrial (corpus uteri) cancer across patient populations, synthesizing evidence on histopathology, staging, surgical and non-surgical management, follow-up, and recurrent-disease treatment. It reports that endometrial cancer incidence and mortality are increasing and summarizes current approaches for risk stratification and management of heterogeneous disease subtypes. Clinically, the update supports more tailored care pathways for patients with different endometrial cancer histologies and stages, including strategies for recurrence.

Koskas M, Crosbie EJ, Fokdal L et al. · International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · (2025) · 18 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

PD-1 antibody camrelizumab plus apatinib and SOX as first-line treatment in patients with AFP-producing gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma (CAP 06): a multi-center, single-arm, phase 2 trial.

This multicenter, single-arm phase 2 trial evaluated first-line camrelizumab (PD-1 antibody) plus apatinib and SOX (S-1 and oxaliplatin) followed by maintenance camrelizumab plus apatinib in patients with AFP-producing gastric or gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma (CAP 06; NCT04609176). It assessed antitumor activity, safety, and biomarkers, with the primary endpoint being confirmed objective response rate. The significance is that it tests an immunotherapy–antiangiogenic combination strategy tailored to a rare, highly angiogenic and immunosuppressive AFP-producing gastric cancer subtype.

Wang Y, Lu J, Chong X et al. · Signal transduction and targeted therapy · (2025) · 11 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Spotlight on the 2024 ESC/EACTS management of atrial fibrillation guidelines: 10 novel key aspects.

This review highlighted 10 novel aspects of the 2024 ESC/EACTS atrial fibrillation management guidelines, focusing on the AF-CARE framework for improving patient outcomes. The key finding is the structured approach that integrates comorbidity/risk factor management, stroke/thromboembolism prevention, symptom reduction via rate/rhythm control, and ongoing reassessment. Clinically, it offers a practical framework to standardize AF care and reduce morbidity and mortality across patient pathways.

Rienstra M, Tzeis S, Bunting KV et al. · Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · (2024) · 85 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

The modeling of human implantation and early placentation: achievements and perspectives.

This review assessed achievements and future directions for modeling human implantation and early placentation using in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro systems. The key finding is that no single model fully recapitulates the complex maternal–fetal crosstalk, but each model type offers distinct strengths and limitations that can be triangulated with complementary approaches. Scientifically, it guides how researchers can select and combine implantation models to better study peri-implantation failures and enable potential clinical interventions.

Dimova T, Alexandrova M, Vangelov I et al. · Human reproduction update · (2025) · 22 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Transforming nursing work environments: the impact of organizational culture on work-related stress among nurses: a systematic review.

This systematic review examined how organizational culture in nursing work environments influences work-related stress among nurses. Across included studies, organizational culture factors were identified as key determinants of nurses’ stress levels, with implications for both nurse well-being and patient care quality. The findings support organizational-level interventions to reduce occupational stress in healthcare systems.

Kiptulon EK, Elmadani M, Limungi GM et al. · BMC health services research · (2024) · 51 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Correlation between ethical sensitivity and humanistic care ability among undergraduate nursing students: a cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study surveyed 656 undergraduate nursing students to assess the relationship between ethical sensitivity and humanistic care ability using validated questionnaires. Ethical sensitivity scores were positively correlated with humanistic care ability (r=0.426, P<0.0 as reported in the abstract). The results suggest that nursing education programs that strengthen ethical sensitivity may also enhance humanistic care competencies.

Zhang Y, Li S, Huang Y et al. · BMC nursing · (2024) · 8 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Incidence and risk factors of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence in ICU patients and identified risk factors and outcome impacts. By pooling ICU studies and applying quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale), the authors summarized both the frequency of VAP and which patient/clinical factors were associated with higher VAP risk. These findings are clinically significant for targeting prevention strategies and improving outcomes in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

Li W, Cai J, Ding L et al. · Journal of thoracic disease · (2024) · 21 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Review: sepsis guidelines and core measure bundles.

This review synthesized evolving sepsis screening tools and treatment protocols, focusing on guideline and core measure bundle implementation across healthcare systems. It highlights that changes in sepsis physiology understanding have driven updates to recognition and management standards, with implications for both in-hospital outcomes and post-discharge quality of life and readmission risk. The work is clinically significant because it frames how standardized bundles can improve timely sepsis care despite shifting definitions and evidence.

Desposito L, Bascara C · Postgraduate medicine · (2024) · 26 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX versus upfront surgery for resectable pancreatic head cancer (NORPACT-1): a multicentre, randomised, phase 2 trial.

This multicentre, randomized phase 2 trial (NORPACT-1) studied neoadjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX versus upfront surgery in adults with resectable pancreatic head ductal adenocarcinoma across 12 hospitals in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The key finding (as the trial’s objective) was to compare efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX against the standard upfront surgery strategy. Scientifically and clinically, it tests whether preoperative systemic therapy improves resectability-related outcomes and survival in resectable pancreatic cancer.

Labori KJ, Bratlie SO, Andersson B et al. · The lancet. Gastroenterology & hepatology · (2024) · 196 citations · View on PubMed ↗

ACVIM Consensus Statement on the management of status epilepticus and cluster seizures in dogs and cats.

This ACVIM consensus statement reviewed and synthesized the peer-reviewed evidence to develop evidence-based guidelines for managing status epilepticus and cluster seizures in dogs and cats. The key outcome was an expert agreement on appropriate diagnostic and treatment approaches for these seizure emergencies, addressing the lack of official guidelines and variability in current practice. Scientifically and clinically, it standardizes care for veterinary seizure emergencies to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Charalambous M, Muñana K, Patterson EE et al. · Journal of veterinary internal medicine · (2024) · 24 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation for Neurogenic Bladder After Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury (SCI) by pooling randomized controlled trials up to Dec 31, 2022. Across 11 trials (881 participants), TENS was assessed primarily by changes in maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) and residual urine volume (RUV), with additional urodynamic and diary outcomes analyzed using random-effects models. The findings inform evidence-based noninvasive management options for SCI-related bladder dysfunction.

Jiang Y, Li X, Guo S et al. · Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · (2024) · 11 citations · View on PubMed ↗

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Cardiovascular disease screening, arrhythmia & thrombosis

Cardiac Screening for Conditions Associated With Sudden Cardiac Death: Yield, Interventions, and SCA/SCD Incidence in 104,369 Young Individuals.

This study evaluated population cardiac screening (questionnaire plus electrocardiogram [ECG]) in 104,369 young individuals aged 14–35 years, including 9% athletes, enrolled between 2008 and 2018. The key findings were the diagnostic yield of the single screening, the rate and nature of subsequent cardiac diagnoses after initial clearance, and the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) during follow-up. These results inform the clinical value and downstream impact of broad ECG-based screening strategies for SCD-associated conditions beyond athletes.

MacLachlan H, Bhatia R, Raju H et al. · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Cardioneuroablation for the treatment of reflex syncope and functional bradyarrhythmias: A Scientific Statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) and the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS).

This scientific statement reviewed evidence for cardioneuroablation in patients with reflex syncope and functional bradyarrhythmias, including vasovagal reflex syncope and vagally induced sinus bradycardia-arrest or atrioventricular block. The key conclusion is that safe and effective use depends on careful patient selection and procedural technique, positioning cardioneuroablation as an alternative to cardiac pacing in selected cases. Clinically, it supports guideline-level decision-making for a growing interventional option in vagally mediated bradyarrhythmias.

Aksu T, Brignole M, Calo L et al. · Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology · (2024) · 61 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Impact of high-power short-duration atrial fibrillation ablation technique on the incidence of silent cerebral embolism: a prospective randomized controlled study.

This prospective randomized controlled study evaluated whether high-power short-duration (HPSD) atrial fibrillation ablation using the Smart Touch Surround Flow (STSF) catheter reduces silent cerebral embolism (SCE) compared with conventional ablation using the Smart Touch (ST) catheter. It randomized 100 AF patients to HPSD-STSF versus conventional ST and assessed SCE incidence as the primary outcome. The significance is that optimizing ablation power/time and catheter design may reduce subclinical brain embolic injury risk during AF procedures.

Chen WJ, Gan CX, Cai YW et al. · BMC medicine · (2023) · 10 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Versican Promotes Cardiomyocyte Proliferation and Cardiac Repair.

This study investigated how the extracellular matrix proteoglycan versican regulates cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac repair using neonatal and adult mouse models of myocardial injury (apical resection and myocardial infarction). Versican promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation and improved cardiac repair, linking extracellular matrix remodeling to the regenerative capacity of the neonatal heart. These results identify versican as a potential therapeutic target to enhance heart regeneration after injury.

Feng J, Li Y, Li Y et al. · Circulation · (2024) · 107 citations · View on PubMed ↗

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Metabolic health, diet, microbiome & endocrine axes

Oat β-glucan reshapes gut microbiota to enhance glucose homeostasis via coordinated modulation of bile acid conjugation and succinate-dependent intestinal gluconeogenesis.

This study tested whether oat β-glucan improves metabolic outcomes by reshaping gut microbiota and altering bile acid conjugation and succinate-dependent intestinal gluconeogenesis in obese mice. Oat β-glucan improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, increased GLP-1 secretion, and promoted secondary bile acids (including lithocholic acid and deoxycholic acid) alongside enrichment of taxa such as Faecalibaculum, norank_f_Muribaculaceae, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia. These data mechanistically link a specific dietary fiber to microbiome–bile acid–gluconeogenesis pathways that could be leveraged for diabetes prevention or treatment.

Meng Y, Li S, Zhou K et al. · Food chemistry · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Intermittent fasting boosts sexual behavior by limiting the central availability of tryptophan and serotonin.

This animal study investigated intermittent fasting (IF) in male C57BL/6J mice to determine how it affects age-related declines in reproductive behavior and mating success. IF preserved reproductive success in aged mice by improving mating behavior rather than sperm quality or endocrine measures, and it did so by limiting central availability of tryptophan and thereby reducing serotonin-mediated inhibitory signaling. The findings suggest a mechanistic link between dietary timing, tryptophan/serotonin neurobiology, and behavioral fertility outcomes during aging.

Xie K, Wang C, Scifo E et al. · Cell metabolism · (2025) · 10 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Berberine and magnolol exert cooperative effects on ulcerative colitis in mice by self-assembling into carrier-free nanostructures.

This preclinical mouse study tested whether berberine (BBR) and magnolol (MAG) cooperate to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) by self-assembling into carrier-free nanostructures. The authors reported that BBR and MAG formed nanostructures in aqueous solution and exerted cooperative anti-UC effects in mice (with assembly driven by charge interactions and π–π stacking). These findings are scientifically significant as a potential phytochemical nanomedicine strategy for UC with improved delivery characteristics.

Xu Y, Chen Z, Hao W et al. · Journal of nanobiotechnology · (2024) · 56 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Oral microsphere formulation of M2 macrophage-mimetic Janus nanomotor for targeted therapy of ulcerative colitis.

This preclinical study developed an oral sodium alginate microsphere formulation containing M2 macrophage membrane–coated Janus nanomotors (Motor@M2M) for targeted ulcerative colitis therapy. The M2 macrophage mimetic coating enhanced targeting to inflammatory tissues and acted as a decoy to neutralize inflammatory cytokines while the microspheres protected the nanomotors and enabled controlled release. The findings are significant because they address UC barriers (mucus penetration, harsh gastric conditions) and aim to reduce ROS and inflammatory signaling through biomimetic targeting.

Luo R, Liu J, Cheng Q et al. · Science advances · (2024) · 112 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Coordinated action of a gut-liver pathway drives alcohol detoxification and consumption.

Using mechanistic experiments in the context of alcohol use disorder, the study investigated a liver–gut axis controlling systemic acetaldehyde (AcH) clearance and voluntary alcohol drinking, focusing on aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) biology. It found that liver alone explains only part of systemic AcH removal, whereas coordinated gut-liver signaling synergistically drives AcH clearance and reduces alcohol consumption. This is clinically important because it identifies a gut-liver pathway as a potential therapeutic target beyond hepatic detoxification.

Fu Y, Mackowiak B, Lin YH et al. · Nature metabolism · (2024) · 52 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Comparative Evaluation of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet and a Mediterranean Diet in Overweight/Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 16-Week Intervention Study.

This 16-week intervention study compared a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD; <130 g/day) versus a Mediterranean diet in overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The key finding (as framed by the study’s objective) was to evaluate differential effects of these dietary patterns on metabolic outcomes relevant to T2DM and weight management. Clinically, it informs dietary selection by testing whether carbohydrate restriction provides advantages over Mediterranean-style eating in this patient group.

Currenti W, Losavio F, Quiete S et al. · Nutrients · (2023) · 18 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Bone, muscle & connective tissue (osteoporosis, cachexia, sarcopenia, wound healing, hair)

Maltol induces diabetic fragility fractures by disrupting the balance of bone remodeling.

This Cell Metabolism study combined clinical metabolomics with in vivo and in vitro experiments to determine whether maltol, a common food additive, contributes to diabetes-associated fragility fractures. Maltol accumulation in femoral neck tissue and elevated circulating maltol correlated with higher fracture incidence, and mechanistically maltol inhibited osteoblast differentiation via Wnt/β-catenin while promoting osteoclast maturation through NF-κB signaling. These findings identify maltol as a previously unrecognized mediator of skeletal fragility in hyperglycemia and suggest that targeting maltol exposure or its pathways could mitigate fracture risk in diabetes.

Wang J, Wang Z, Feng J et al. · Cell metabolism · (2026) · View on PubMed ↗

Fibroblast bioelectric signaling drives hair growth.

This study examined how fibroblast bioelectric signaling regulates hair growth by analyzing congenital generalized hypertrichosis terminalis (CGHT) genetics and testing mechanisms in mouse models. Chromatin disruption in CGHT upregulated the potassium channel KCNJ2 in dermal fibroblasts, and KCNJ2-mediated membrane hyperpolarization enhanced dermal fibroblast Wnt signaling response to promote hair growth. These results identify KCNJ2-driven fibroblast electrical signaling as a mechanistic lever for developing therapies for hair loss.

Chen D, Yu Z, Wu W et al. · Cell · (2025) · 11 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Alpha-Ketoisocaproate Attenuates Muscle Atrophy in Cancer Cachexia Models.

This study tested whether α-ketoisocaproate (KIC), a metabolite of L-leucine, attenuates muscle atrophy in cancer cachexia models by targeting myostatin, using BALB/c mice and C2C12 myotubes in C26- and 4T1-induced cachexia. KIC treatment reduced muscle atrophy phenotypes and modulated the myostatin axis in these models. The findings support KIC as a potential metabolic therapeutic candidate for cancer-associated muscle wasting with a defined myostatin-related mechanism.

Lim P, Woo SW, Han J et al. · Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · (2025) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

hUC-MSCs and derived exosomes attenuate DEX-induced muscle atrophy through modulation of estrogen signaling pathway.

This preclinical study evaluated whether human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and their derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) attenuate dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy by modulating estrogen signaling pathways. The interventions improved muscle atrophy outcomes in the DEX model and shifted estrogen-pathway signaling to counter catabolic changes. These results provide mechanistic rationale for MSC-Exos as a candidate strategy for sarcopenia/atrophy that leverages endocrine signaling modulation.

Li N, Liu X, Wang Q et al. · Stem cell research & therapy · (2025) · 4 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Akkermansia Muciniphila Alleviates Severe Acute Pancreatitis via Amuc1409-Ube2k-Foxp3 Axis in Regulatory T Cells.

This study examined how the gut commensal bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila influences severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in patients with acute pancreatitis and in Foxp3-DTR and IL-10 knockout mouse models. It found that Akkermansia abundance is reduced in patients with acute pancreatitis and inversely correlates with systemic inflammatory severity, and that A. muciniphila ameliorates SAP through an Amuc1409–Ube2k–Foxp3 regulatory axis in regulatory T cells. Scientifically, it links a specific microbial factor (Amuc1409) to Treg (Foxp3) control of inflammatory balance, suggesting a mechanistic target for modulating SAP-associated SIRS/CARS.

Xie J, Du L, Lu Y et al. · Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · (2025) · 9 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

The role of nutrition in wound healing and implications for nursing practice.

This narrative review examined how nutrition—specifically proteins, vitamins (A, C, E, K), and minerals (zinc, iron, copper, manganese)—affects each phase of wound healing (hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, remodeling) and translated these findings into nursing practice. The key finding is that adequate intake of these nutrients is mechanistically linked to collagen synthesis, immune function, and cellular activity that determine wound healing speed and quality. Clinically, the article emphasizes that nurses should assess nutritional status and implement targeted dietary interventions and education to optimize wound outcomes.

Hill B, Mitchell A, Szydlowska A et al. · British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing) · (2025) · 6 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells and the Microenvironment Regulation in Sarcopenia:A Review.

This review summarized current evidence on skeletal muscle stem cells (satellite cells) and how their microenvironmental regulation contributes to sarcopenia. The key finding is that satellite cell function declines in sarcopenia due to altered microenvironment signals, which impairs muscle regeneration and homeostasis. Scientifically, it highlights microenvironment-targetable pathways as potential therapeutic directions to prevent or reverse age-related muscle loss.

Gao T, Zhang Y, Zhang D et al. · Zhongguo yi xue ke xue yuan xue bao. Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae · (2024) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Colon-targeted engineered postbiotics nanoparticles alleviate osteoporosis through the gut-bone axis.

This Nature Communications study engineered colon-targeted postbiotics nanoparticles to deliver butyric acid to the colorectal site and tested their effects on osteoporosis via the gut-bone axis. The key finding was that surface-engineered polyvinyl butyrate nanoparticles with shellac resin enabled sustained butyric acid release in the colon, suppressing macrophage inflammatory activation, improving redox balance, and shifting gut microbiota composition to mitigate bone loss. The work is significant because it provides a targeted drug-delivery strategy that may improve the efficacy and safety of postbiotics for osteoporosis treatment.

Yu T, Bai R, Wang Z et al. · Nature communications · (2024) · 34 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Ophthalmology & retinal disease

Diabetic retinal disease.

This Disease Primer reviewed diabetic retinal disease (DRD) as a whole-retina condition rather than only diabetic retinopathy, summarizing preclinical and clinical evidence linking retinal changes to visual acuity and vision-related quality of life in people with diabetes. The key finding is that DRD encompasses microvascular plus neuronal and glial involvement, and ongoing research integrates retinal biomarkers with systemic health and biochemical milieu. This framing supports more comprehensive screening and therapeutic development aimed at preserving vision across the broader spectrum of diabetic retinal pathology.

Sivaprasad S, Wong TY, Gardner TW et al. · Nature reviews. Disease primers · (2025) · 21 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Antiosteoporosis medication in patients with posterior spine fusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis compared osteoporosis medications—teriparatide, bisphosphonates, denosumab, and romosozumab—in patients with low bone mineral density undergoing posterior spine fusion. It evaluated which drug classes improve fusion outcomes and reduce complications such as pseudarthrosis and screw loosening. The clinical significance is that it aims to inform perioperative pharmacologic selection to optimize spinal fusion success in osteopenic/osteoporotic surgical patients.

Jin H, Jin H, Suk KS et al. · The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society · (2025) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Impact on Chronic Ocular Disease Including Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

This retrospective cohort study used US electronic health records to evaluate whether glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) influence the risk of chronic ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, in adults older than 60 years. After propensity matching (1:1) against comparator medication groups (metformin, insulin, statin, aspirin), the study assessed differential ocular disease incidence associated with GLP-1RA exposure. The clinical significance is that it informs whether GLP-1RA therapy may confer ocular risk modification relevant to older patients with diabetes and other comorbidities.

Allan KC, Joo JH, Kim S et al. · Ophthalmology · (2025) · 32 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Comparative Effectiveness of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors, Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors, and Sulfonylureas for Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy.

This retrospective observational database study emulating a target trial evaluated adults with type 2 diabetes and moderate cardiovascular disease risk who initiated GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, or sulfonylureas, assessing risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. The key finding was that the choice of glucose-lowering agent was associated with different risks of developing sight-threatening retinal complications. Clinically, it supports medication selection considerations for preventing severe diabetic eye outcomes in T2D patients.

Barkmeier AJ, Herrin J, Swarna KS et al. · Ophthalmology. Retina · (2024) · 17 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Environmental health & toxicology (microplastics, metals, exposome)

The contribution of additives to microplastic aquatic toxicity - A testing approach with model additives on selected aquatic organisms.

This study developed and applied a testing methodology to disentangle physical (particle-related) effects from chemical effects contributed by microplastic additives using model additives and selected aquatic organisms. The key finding was that toxicity assessment can be more accurately attributed by comparing additive-loaded microplastics, pristine additive-free microplastics, and additives alone, alongside characterization of additive release and ageing effects. This approach improves mechanistic ecotoxicology of microplastics and supports more reliable risk assessment of additive-driven aquatic toxicity.

Perc V, Jemec Kokalj A, Drobne D et al. · Ecotoxicology and environmental safety · (2026) · 1 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

The exposomal imprint on rosacea: More than skin deep.

This article is a narrative review that studied the role of the “exposome” (environmental and lifestyle exposures) in rosacea pathogenesis, integrating evidence from genetics, immune dysregulation, microbiome changes, hormonal factors, psychosocial stress, and extrinsic triggers such as ultraviolet radiation and air pollution. The key finding is that emerging single-cell transcriptomics implicates fibroblasts as central mediators of inflammatory and vascular pathways in rosacea, alongside growing evidence for contributions from non-coding RNAs and RNA modifications. Understanding these multi-layered exposome–cellular interaction mechanisms could guide more targeted prevention and treatment strategies for rosacea beyond skin-deep factors.

Grafanaki K, Bakoli Sgourou D, Maniatis A et al. · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV · (2026) · 3 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics promote pulmonary fibrosis via AKT1, PIK3CD, and PIM1: A network toxicology and multi-omics analysis.

This study investigated whether polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET-MPs) exacerbate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and delineated mechanisms using network toxicology, molecular docking, Mendelian randomization, and single-cell sequencing. PET-MPs were predicted to be toxic and the integrated analyses implicated AKT1, PIK3CD, and PIM1 as key signaling nodes driving fibrosis-related pathways. These findings suggest PET-MPs may promote IPF through specific PI3K/AKT–PIM1-linked molecular mechanisms, supporting target-guided risk assessment and potential therapeutic exploration.

Zhao W, Yang S, Hu S et al. · Ecotoxicology and environmental safety · (2025) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Bat genomes illuminate adaptations to viral tolerance and disease resistance.

This comparative genomics study analyzed bat genomes from the Bat1K project (ten bat species) alongside 115 mammalian genomes to identify genetic adaptations underlying viral tolerance and disease resistance. The key finding was that signatures of selection in immune genes are more prevalent in bats than in other mammalian orders, consistent with bats’ generally asymptomatic viral infections. The results provide a genomic framework for discovering immune pathways that could be leveraged to improve antiviral tolerance and disease resistance in humans.

Morales AE, Dong Y, Brown T et al. · Nature · (2025) · 51 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Association between second-hand smoke exposure and lung cancer risk in never-smokers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis quantified the association between second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure and lung cancer risk specifically in never-smokers using epidemiologic studies. The study synthesized evidence to estimate the magnitude of lung cancer risk attributable to SHS exposure in this population. The results are important for public health policy and risk communication aimed at protecting never-smokers from SHS-related carcinogenic exposure.

Possenti I, Romelli M, Carreras G et al. · European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · (2024) · 30 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Exposure to metal mixtures and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes: A systematic review.

This systematic review synthesized evidence on prenatal exposure to metal mixtures and associations with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes (eg, low birth weight, preterm birth, small for gestational age) across human studies. The review aimed to strengthen and compare the consistency of mixture-based effects versus prior single-metal analyses and to identify research gaps to guide future studies and policy. Clinically, it helps clarify whether real-world co-exposures to metals warrant mixture-focused risk assessment during pregnancy.

Issah I, Duah MS, Arko-Mensah J et al. · The Science of the total environment · (2024) · 63 citations · View on PubMed ↗

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Diagnostic accuracy & clinical decision support (criteria, imaging safety, AI/LLM, adherence)

Organ-specific proteomic aging clocks predict disease and longevity across diverse populations.

This study developed organismal and organ-specific proteomic aging clocks using plasma proteomics and machine learning in UK Biobank participants (n=43,616) and validated them in independent cohorts from China (n=3,977) and the USA (n=800). The key finding was that accelerated organ aging predicted disease onset, progression, and mortality beyond clinical and genetic risk factors, with brain aging showing the strongest association with mortality, and that organ aging related to both genetic and lifestyle factors including associations with GABBR1 and ECM1 genes for brain aging. These proteomic clocks provide a scalable scientific tool to quantify biological aging across organs and to predict health outcomes across diverse populations.

Wang Y, Xiao S, Liu B et al. · Nature aging · (2026) · 7 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Diagnostic accuracy of the Gold Coast Criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis studied diagnostic accuracy of the Gold Coast Criteria (GCC) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared with Revised El Escorial Criteria (rEEC) and Awaji criteria (AC) in suspected ALS populations. The key finding is the comparative sensitivity and specificity of GCC versus rEEC/AC across eligible studies, assessed using QUADAS-2 and STARD and with sensitivity analyses (including exclusion of the largest imputed-data study). Clinically, clarifying which criteria perform best supports more reliable ALS diagnosis and improves consistency in research and practice.

von Quednow E, Husain N, Łajczak P et al. · Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology · (2025) · 2 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Mapping early human blood cell differentiation using single-cell proteomics and transcriptomics.

This study mapped early human blood cell differentiation by generating an in vivo single-cell proteomics dataset using mass spectrometry (scp-MS) across >2500 human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and integrating it with scRNA-seq. Integration identified proteins important for stem cell function that were not reflected by their mRNA transcripts, highlighting post-transcriptional regulation during differentiation. The work advances single-cell multi-omics strategies for defining differentiation trajectories and improving biomarker discovery beyond transcript-only approaches.

Furtwängler B, Üresin N, Richter S et al. · Science (New York, N.Y.) · (2025) · 16 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Large Language Model Influence on Diagnostic Reasoning: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This single-blind randomized clinical trial tested whether using a large language model (LLM) improves physicians’ diagnostic reasoning compared with conventional resources. Physicians using the LLM demonstrated changes in diagnostic reasoning performance relative to controls (as evaluated in the trial). If effective, LLM decision-support could meaningfully augment clinical diagnostic workflows across family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency medicine settings.

Goh E, Gallo R, Hom J et al. · JAMA network open · (2024) · 490 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

Large-Scale Proteomics Improve Prediction of Chronic Kidney Disease in People With Diabetes.

This cohort study in 2,094 people with diabetes from the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project constructed and validated a chronic kidney disease (CKD) protein risk score using nearly 3,000 plasma proteins and genetic information. The resulting score (11 proteins) improved prediction of incident CKD compared with a clinical risk model (CKD-PC) and was evaluated against a CKD polygenic risk score. Scientifically and clinically, it suggests that plasma proteomics can refine CKD risk stratification beyond traditional clinical and genetic predictors.

Ye Z, Zhang Y, Zhang Y et al. · Diabetes care · (2024) · 24 citations · View on PubMed ↗

Optimizing radiation safety in dentistry: Clinical recommendations and regulatory considerations.

This 2024 review studied radiation safety practices for dental radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in clinical dentistry, synthesizing recommendations and regulatory guidance. The key finding is that an expert panel consolidated evidence-based strategies to balance diagnostic value with minimizing patient and occupational radiation exposure, emphasizing appropriate imaging practices and dose-reduction measures. The significance is improved safety compliance and standardized decision-making to reduce unnecessary radiation in dental imaging.

Benavides E, Krecioch JR, Connolly RT et al. · Journal of the American Dental Association (1939) · (2024) · 60 citations · View on PubMed ↗ · Free PDF ↗

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Generated automatically on May 11, 2026 from PubMed’s trending articles. Summaries are AI-generated; always consult the original publication for clinical or research decisions.