Electrocardiographic Abnormalities In Patients With Covid-19 Pneumonia And Raised Interleukin-6
Sinus tachycardia followed by atrial fibrillation and right bundle branch block are common ECG changes in patients with COVID-19 infection with raised IL-6.
KEY FINDINGS: Sinus tachycardia followed by atrial fibrillation and right bundle branch block are common ECG changes in patients with COVID-19 infection with raised IL-6. The possible association of cardiac injury in patients with COVID-19 infection with coexisting raised IL-6 levels should be explored further.
BACKGROUND: Cardiac injury is associated with high mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection. Electrocardiographic changes can give clues to the underlying cardiovascular abnormalities. Raised inflammatory markers like raised interleukin-6 (IL-6) are associated with arrhythmia, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. However, past studies have not highlighted the electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 infection with raised IL- 6 levels. This study compared the electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in COVID-19 patients with high and normal IL-6 levels.
DETAILS: A retrospective analysis of ECG of 306 patients with COVID-19 infection was done, out of which 250 patients had normal IL- 6 levels, whereas 56 patients had raised IL-6 levels. IL-6 levels were measured in all the patients. Detailed clinicodemographic profile of all the serial COVID-19 patients admitted with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia was noted from the hospital record section. Electrocardiographic findings and biochemical parameters of all the patients were noted. Out of 56 patients with raised IL-6 levels, 41 (73.2%) patients had ECG abnormalities compared to 177 (70.8%) patients with normal IL-6 levels. This difference was not statistically significant. However, ECG abnormality such as sinus tachycardia was significantly more common in patients with raised IL-6 levels than those with normal levels. Among patients with raised IL-6 levels who were discharged, 5 (16.6%) had sinus tachycardia, 2 (6.6%) had ST/T wave changes as compared to 15 (57.6%), and 10 (38.4%) who had tachycardia and ST/T wave change respectably succumbed to death. This difference was statistically significant.
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Copyright © Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. All rights reserved.
Source: Kaeley, N., Mahala, P., Walia, R., et al. (2022). Electrocardiographic Abnormalities In Patients With Covid-19 Pneumonia And Raised Interleukin-6. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022; 11(10): 5902-5908. Published: October, 2022. DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_135_22.
Temporal Trends in Red Blood Cell and Platelet Transfusion Thresholds for Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants
In this cohort of US centers, authors observed declines in pretransfusion hemoglobin but not pretransfusion platelet counts from 2019 to 2023. These findings suggest evidence from recent RBC and platelet transfusion threshold trials may have been differentially translated into clinical practice for ELBW infants.
KEY FINDINGS: In this cohort of US centers, authors observed declines in pretransfusion hemoglobin but not pretransfusion platelet counts from 2019 to 2023. These findings suggest evidence from recent RBC and platelet transfusion threshold trials may have been differentially translated into clinical practice for ELBW infants.
BACKGROUND: Purpose of this study is to evaluate if hematologic thresholds for red blood cell (RBC) and platelet transfusions changed over time following publication of new evidence from randomized trials in a multicenter cohort of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
DETAILS: Authors analyzed data from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study-IV-Pediatrics study from April 2019 through December 2023. Authors compared pretransfusion hemoglobin and platelet counts closest to each transfusion within 24 hours by year using linear mixed models and used model interaction terms to determine if trends over time differed by postnatal weeks. Authors evaluated 981 ELBW infants. For trends in RBC transfusion thresholds, 785 infants (80%) received 5182 RBC transfusions, of which 4835 (93%) had a pretransfusion hemoglobin value. Pretransfusion hemoglobin declined over time (P < .0001), with trends differing by postnatal week (interaction P = .005). The greatest year-over-year decline in pretransfusion hemoglobin was in the third postnatal week or later. For platelet transfusions, 221 infants (23%) received 934 platelet transfusions, of which 900 (96%) had a corresponding pretransfusion platelet count. There was no change in pretransfusion platelet count over time (P = .24). These trends did not differ by postnatal week (interaction P = .14), although pretransfusion platelet counts were lower after the first postnatal week (P < .001).
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Microscopic Colitis Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Dementia in a Swedish Population
MC patients may be more vulnerable to dementia diagnosis in early disease course. The intriguing inverse association between MC and preexisting dementia implies a possible underdiagnosis of MC in demented population and warrants further investigation.
KEY FINDINGS: MC patients may be more vulnerable to dementia diagnosis in early disease course. The intriguing inverse association between MC and preexisting dementia implies a possible underdiagnosis of MC in demented population and warrants further investigation.
BACKGROUND: The microbiota-gut-brain axis has been implicated in dementia. Yet whether dementia is associated with microscopic colitis (MC), an age-related inflammatory colonic disease involving gut dysbiosis, remains unknown.
DETAILS: Using the nationwide ESPRESSO cohort in Sweden, authors compared MC patients histologically diagnosed 1990-2017 and aged >= 30 years to their population-based comparators and siblings, separately. MC association with incident and prevalent dementia diagnosis, respectively, was investigated in a matched cohort and a matched case-control design. Following 13,037 MC patients and 61,710 population comparators for a median of ~10 years, authors observed 4674 incident dementia cases (46% were Alzheimer's disease [AD]). During the first 5 years since biopsy, MC was associated with a 19% higher dementia risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.32). This short-term association applied to both AD and vascular dementia and appeared stronger as compared to siblings (aHR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.22-1.97). After 5 years, it attenuated to null in both comparisons, regardless of dementia subtype. Prior dementia was less prevalent in MC (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.65-0.82). This inverse association was independent from medications commonly prescribed in MC but was not supported by sibling findings (aOR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.81-1.51).
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Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved
Source: Kang, X., Bergman, D., Sun, J., et al. Microscopic Colitis Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Dementia in a Swedish Population. Journal of Internal Medicine. 2026; 299(2): 216-227. Published: February, 2026. DOI: 10.1111/joim.70046.
Factors Associated With Lactation Outcomes Among Mothers of Infants With Congenital Heart Disease
Mothers of infants with CHD, especially primiparous or those with diabetes, should receive prenatal lactation education, prenatal access to breast pumps, and postnatal lactation support. Research should explore interventions to improve lactation outcomes among this group.
KEY FINDINGS: Mothers of infants with CHD, especially primiparous or those with diabetes, should receive prenatal lactation education, prenatal access to breast pumps, and postnatal lactation support. Research should explore interventions to improve lactation outcomes among this group.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of mother's own milk (MOM) feeding among infants with congenital heart defects (CHD) is low. Objective of this study is to examine associations between maternal, infant, and clinical practice factors and lactation outcomes among mothers of infants with CHD during the first 14 days postpartum. Dyads were eligible if the infant was born at the institution and the mother provided MOM for feeding. Bivariate analyses, linear regression, and logistic regression analyses were performed.
DETAILS: Of the 93 mothers enrolled, 90 (96.8%) achieved secretory activation (SA), 45 (50%) achieved coming to volume (CTV), and 31 (34.4%) achieved full lactation. Mean time to SA was 92.17 ± 44.95 hours. Multiparity was associated with reduced time to SA by 32.93 hours (95% CI, -49.16 to 16.69; P < .001). A cubic increase in pumping frequency on days 3 to 5 inversely affected time to SA (P = .002). Multiparity was associated with a 3.35 (95% CI, 1.1201-9.366) higher odds of achieving CTV (P = .021) and diabetes with a 0.126 (95% CI, 0.032-0.492) lower odds (P = .003). Odds of reaching full lactation were lower in women with Medicaid insurance (0.333, 95% CI, 0.125-0.0886; P = 0.28) and those with diabetes (0.182, 95% CI, 0.307-0.905; P = .037) and higher in multiparous women (5.437, 95% CI, 1.538-19.217; P = .009).
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Copyright © The National Association of Neonatal Nurses. All rights reserved.
Source: Iapicca, L. C., Bendixen, M. M., Spatz, D. L., et al. Factors Associated With Lactation Outcomes Among Mothers of Infants With Congenital Heart Disease. Advances in Neonatal Care. 2025; 25(6): 607-616. Published: December, 2025. DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000001315.
Effects of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia in Older Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
In older adults with type 1 diabetes, CGM improves hypoglycemia; however, its role in improving IAH is variable, depending on the scoring method. This study highlights the limitations of the Clarke score.
Summary
A Post Hoc Analysis of the WISDM Study.
[Posted 28/Jan/2026]
AUDIENCE: Endocrinology, Nephrology
KEY FINDINGS: In older adults with type 1 diabetes, CGM improves hypoglycemia; however, its role in improving IAH is variable, depending on the scoring method. This study highlights the limitations of the Clarke score.
BACKGROUND: Although continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) reduces hypoglycemia and may improve impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH), its effectiveness in older adults at high risk remains unknown.
DETAILS: This post hoc analysis of the WISDM study focuses on CGM use over 52 weeks. IAH was assessed using the Clarke original score (Clarke-full) and its subscales, Hypoglycemia Awareness Factor (HAF) and Severe Hypoglycemia Experienced Factors (SHEF), at baseline, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks. After 26 weeks (n = 184) and 52 weeks (n = 94) of CGM use, Clarke-SHEF decreased significantly (P = 0.02 and P < 0.0001, respectively), whereas Clarke-full and Clarke-HAF remained unchanged. After 52 weeks, Clarke-full but not Clarke-HAF improved in the IAH subgroup, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate scoring method for IAH.
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Copyright © American Diabetes Association. All rights reserved.
Source: Bilal, A., Yi, F., Whitaker, K., et al. Effects of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Impaired Awareness of Hypoglycemia in Older Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Post Hoc Analysis of the WISDM Study. Diabetes Care . 2026; 49(1): 86-91. Published: January, 2026. DOI: 10.2337/dc25-0971.
High-Resolution Spatial Map of the Human Facial Sebaceous Gland Reveals Marker Genes and Decodes Sebocyte Differentiation
This research provides the first comprehensive, high-resolution molecular atlas of the human facial sebaceous gland. By decoding the dynamic process of sebocyte differentiation and identifying site-specific gene markers, the study offers a critical reference for future investigations into the pathophysiology of acne and other sebaceous-related disorders, potentially identifying new therapeutic targets.
KEY FINDINGS: This research provides the first comprehensive, high-resolution molecular atlas of the human facial sebaceous gland. By decoding the dynamic process of sebocyte differentiation and identifying site-specific gene markers, the study offers a critical reference for future investigations into the pathophysiology of acne and other sebaceous-related disorders, potentially identifying new therapeutic targets.
BACKGROUND: The sebaceous gland (SG) is a critical component of the pilosebaceous unit (PSU), responsible for producing sebum that maintains skin homeostasis through lubrication and barrier protection. Pathological dysregulation of SG activity is central to several common dermatological conditions, including acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, and various forms of alopecia. Historically, our understanding of human SG molecular biology has been limited by a heavy reliance on murine models, which do not fully mirror human physiology, and the technical difficulty of analyzing mature sebocytes, which often rupture during standard single-cell processing.
DETAILS: This study utilized a multi-omic approach to dissect the human SG at cellular resolution:
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- Study Population: Facial skin samples were obtained from $n=3$ healthy female White donors between the ages of 49 and 57 years.
- Technological Integration: The researchers integrated Stereo-seq (spatial transcriptomics) with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and validated findings using multiplexed error-robust FISH (MERFISH).
- Resolution: Stereo-seq provided high-resolution mapping with a bin size of 50, corresponding to approximately 25 µm cell diameter, allowing for the capture of transcriptomic profiles while preserving spatial orientation.
- Cellular Mapping: A total of 9,374 cells were analyzed, identifying various clusters including basal sebocytes, differentiating sebocytes, and "bursted" sebocytes representing holocrine secretion remnants.
The study yielded several significant molecular insights into the human SG:
- Differentiation Stages: Researchers identified four distinct stages of sebocyte differentiation, each characterized by a unique transcriptomic signature.
- Novel Genetic Markers: New markers for basal sebocytes were identified, including NNAT, IL-1R2, TINAGL1, and WFDC2. Additionally, S100A7, S100A8, S100A9, TYMP, and SERPINB4 were pinpointed as more effective markers for infundibular keratinocytes than traditional markers like K79.
- Signaling Pathways: Cyclophilin A (CyPA) was identified as a dominant autocrine signaling pathway within the SG. A previously unreported immune interaction was discovered where CD6, secreted by immune cells, is received by basal sebocytes via the ALCAM receptor.
- Spatial Dynamics: Unlike the anticipated radial pattern, differentiation was observed to progress apically from the gland's edge toward the sebaceous duct.
Copyright © Skyscape Editorial Team. All rights reserved.
Source: Düz, T., Torocsik, D., Simmering, A., et al. et al. High-Resolution Spatial Map of the Human Facial Sebaceous Gland Reveals Marker Genes and Decodes Sebocyte Differentiation. J Invest Dermatol.. 2026; 146(1): 40-54. Published: January, 2026. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.04.041.
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