Category: 8. Health

  • Profiling an invisible hazard: Equipping sites to work with hydrogen

    Profiling an invisible hazard: Equipping sites to work with hydrogen


    The Flame 1750 H2 detector can pick up a 1m flame at a distance of up to 40m within 5 seconds, according to Dräger.

    While hydrogen has advantages that explain its ongoing use as a putative green replacement for many other fuels, it does present a quite distinct set of safety challenges. But it seems the risks can be mitigated with sufficient awareness, and the deployment of appropriate technologies and best practices, as Envirotec discovered in conversation with industrial safety and gas detection expert Dräger. The firm assists organisations to work safely with hydrogen, and to equip their sites accordingly. Gas detection systems are a key ingredient.

    Hydrogen’s particular strength is with its versatility as a means to store, transport and distribute energy over large distances and between sectors – indeed, it’s the only at-scale technology able to do so. It can be produced wherever renewable energy such as wind or solar is generated, and then transported to where it is required. This is the ideal, at least.

    There are certainly similarities between hydrogen and methane, and some of the existing infrastructure for natural gas can be repurposed for it. Both are explosive, for one thing. But there are key differences in terms of their properties and the specific risks they present. Adam Pope, Marketing Manager and Gas Detection Lead with Dräger suggests this is not always apparent to operators and staff who have worked with natural gas or LPG. “They’ll maybe have some idea about the Hindenburg disaster,” he muses, referencing the 1937 calamity that drew a line under an earlier era’s exploration of hydrogen as a fuel, but they’ll often be unfamiliar with hydrogen’s special challenges, and the necessary risk-mitigation strategies.

    For one thing, hydrogen’s flame characteristics are quite distinct from other common fuels, in that it is difficult to detect with the naked eye in daylight (although it can be seen in darker conditions). It also emits very little heat – so you can’t feel it until you are in very close proximity.

    One way it can be detected is by the electromagnetic radiation emitted when it burns – a signature that can be picked up by certain classes of detector.

    Some of the key risk factors specific to hydrogen are listed in the side panel (“Hydrogen risk factors”, see end of article). Its flammability and propensity to leak from structures  place a premium on high-integrity storage. And leak detection is a vital element of safeguarding.

    These risk factors will obviously be unfamiliar where hydrogen is a recent add-on to an organisation’s core expertise. For example, at a wind or solar energy site where the operators have opted to produce hydrogen via electrolysis.

    Points of vulnerability in the value chain are explored in an ebook from Dräger.1 Even where existing infrastructure can be adapted there will be vital new ideas to grasp. For example, existing gas pipelines, where suitable, will require new monitoring and maintenance regimes.

    The ebook explains that “the probability of safety incidents increases when people are involved”. The document adds: “When heavy machines such as trucks are moved around, even minor bumps need to be taken seriously as they increase the risk of leakage.”

    Profiling a site
    Gaining a full picture of a site’s risks is a vital precursor to designing mitigation measures – and requires an individualised risk assessment, something Dräger’s literature recommends “before joining the hydrogen economy”.  There is no standard risk profile, seemingly, and the risks manifest in different ways in each site.

    Fire and gas mapping is one service the group introduces at this early stage, says Adam Pope, which will result in a colour-coded 3d map of a site intended to afford a clear understanding of the different risks, and of where leaked gases will travel in different circumstances.

    Fixed gas and flame detection is the primary means to protect a site from explosion risk, by alerting operators to the presence of a leak, so that premises can be evacuated and processes can potentially be shut down.

    A range of different technologies is used here, each with different strengths and weaknesses. Best practice involves a mix of technologies, as Adam explains.

    Three layers of protection
    Point detectors are the core technology for gas detection and form the foundation of most safety systems, he says. These will be located anywhere there is a danger that gas can accumulate, such as in confined spaces. The downside is that the gas must be able to make contact with the detector or it might be missed.

    The choice of sensor technology is crucial here. As Adam points out, the infrared sensors used to detect hydrocarbons are completely blind to hydrogen. Instead, catalytic bead (CatEx) sensors, or electrochemical (EC) sensors, can be used here. CatEx sensors offer a robust way to detect hydrogen up to the explosive limit (i.e., below 100% LEL, the Lower Explosion Level), providing a fast response time. EC sensors are typically used where lower (ppm) concentration levels of hydrogen are to be detected, and also offer a fast response time and high accuracy.

    An earlier warning of leakage is available with ultrasonic detectors, to be deployed as an additional layer of detection where appropriate. These exploit the fact that hydrogen’s small molecule size results in a high-frequency noise, wherever there’s a leak. The acoustic sensor can detect leaks occurring up to 7 – 15 m away from the leak source, and deliver an on/off signal that can be used to trigger an alarm or automatic shutdown of equipment.

    Ultrasonic detectors are good for outdoor locations, where the wind might otherwise carry hydrogen away from point detectors.

    The relative invisibility of hydrogen flames means an additional layer of detection can sometimes be appropriate for a site, in the form of hydrogen flame detectors. Two technologies appear to stand out: UV/IR detectors, and 3IR.2 A traditional option for detecting hydrocarbon fires is a UV/IR detector, employing one ultraviolet and one infrared sensor, and providing a swift response time but with some potential for false alarms, particularly when trying to detect hydrogen.

    To assist with hydrogen detection specifically, Dräger has adopted a technology called “3IR” – so-named for its use of three separate IR sensors, and this is incorporated in the company’s Flame 1750 H₂ detector. The 3IR technology produces a low rate of false alarms and a fast response – as Adam says, it can detect a 1m flame at a distance of up to 40m, within 5 seconds. It also provides a wide field of detection in comparison to UV/IR. A case study explores the details of these claims, which is also the focus of a recent white paper.

    Dräger’s flame-detection technology partner Micropack conducted the analysis and used HazMap3D software to model a complex industrial installation, and to indicate the detection coverage available with ten Dräger Flame 1750 H2 detectors.  A colour-coded analysis displayed the detected fire-risk areas in green, and blind spots in red. And this seemingly showed that it provided 64% coverage, with 36% of the target areas remaining outside the flame detector’s range or obstructed. In comparison, twenty UV/IR flame detectors in the same installation achieved only 44% coverage, leaving 56% unprotected. The conclusion? 3IR technology reduces cost and increases coverage.

    Multichannel approach
    Unlike hydrocarbon combustion, which is typically detected through CO₂ emissions, hydrogen flames are primarily identified by the presence of water vapour — a difference that appears central to this detection method. The 3IR detector focuses on the 2–4 µm region of the electromagnetic spectrum, where hydrogen’s characteristic spectral features are found. Each of the three separate IR sensors focuses on a specific region of this band: One focuses on the area where combustion signatures are strongest, and the other two provide reference channels, to help distinguish any detected hydrogen flame signature from other potential heat sources in the vicinity. By a continuous comparison of the three signals, the detector is able to filter out sources of false positives such as welding equipment or sunlight.

    A variety of issues come into play when safeguarding a site that uses or stores hydrogen in any way. When conducting a risk assessment, Dräger advises on issues such as the placement and choice of gas and flame detectors, in addition to matters such as suitable storage locations for hydrogen, and working out where any gas will go if it escapes.

    Safeguarding a site may also involve integrating gas and flame detectors with an internal alarm management system, and other systems that can, for example, shut down processes that might carry an explosion risk when combined with hydrogen.

    Dräger provides an end-to-end service which also incorporates third-party products such as alarms, “to create a seamless safety infrastructure”.

    While the landscape of risks might be unfamiliar to many at this point – or the world is in the process of getting familiar with them – a consistent message from Dräger seems to be that all the risks can be managed. With awareness of the appropriate safeguards, selection of the right technologies, and putting best-practice into action, this promising clean energy source can become as routine as any other form of fuel.

    Notes
    [1] “Hydrogen: How to meet the safety challenges.” Ebook available from Dräger. https://www.draeger.com/Content/Documents/Content/hydrogen-safety-challenges-ebk-11064-en-master.pdf.
    [2] “Detecting the Invisible: Understanding hydrogen flames and choosing the right detector”, PDF, available from Dräger.

    Hydrogen risk factors – SIDE PANEL
    The universe’s lightest element presents its own unique set of risk factors, some of which are listed here.

    • Explosion risk: While hydrogen is not explosive on its own, it becomes highly explosive when mixed with air in certain concentrations. It also has a relatively low ignition energy. After production, hydrogen will tend to be compressed to prepare it for storage or transport, and this adds to the explosion risk. It also produces a much bigger explosion than natural gas, with around 7x the explosion velocity.
    • Leak risk: With its small molecule size, and low viscosity, hydrogen leaks more readily than other fuels such as methane. A container that is “air-tight” for methane, might not necessarily be “air-tight” for hydrogen. This also means pipelines and other structures have to be engineered to hydrogen-ready specifications, and it will be important to ensure there are regular inspections of things like joints in pipelines.
    • Threat to structures: The small size of molecules also accounts for hydrogen’s ability to embrittle structures, by permeating their interior. To protect against this, storage tanks tend to be made of stainless steel or composites.
    • Forms gas pockets: Its lightness is one important difference with methane, and the fact of hydrogen’s being lighter than air means leaks are not so easily detected at ground level, even when dangerous amounts might be accumulating beneath a nearby ceiling, as Dräger’s literature explains. The placement of gas detectors should reflect this.
    • Odourless: Hydrogen is odourless, like methane. An odourant marker is added to the latter (most commonly a particular blend of mercaptans), to get around this nasal invisibility. Such a possibility is being investigated and trialled with hydrogen, but the results are still awaited.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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  • MRI May Aid Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection in Diabetes

    MRI May Aid Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection in Diabetes

    TOPLINE:

    MRI-based screening in patients older than 50 years with new-onset or deteriorating diabetes detected stage IB pancreatic cancer in a patient with deteriorating diabetes, highlighting the need for targeted screening in this high-risk population.

    METHODOLOGY:

    • New-onset diabetes in patients older than 50 years was found to increase the risk for pancreatic cancer by six- to eight-fold, and recent evidence suggests that the deterioration of diabetes in individuals with stable, long-standing disease may also be an indicator of subclinical pancreatic cancer.
    • Researchers conducted the PANDOME study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of MRI-based screening for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in patients with new-onset diabetes (n = 97; median age, 61 years; 63.9% women) or deteriorating diabetes (n = 12; median age, 68 years; 58.3% women).
    • New-onset diabetes was defined as elevated A1c levels within the past 12 months, whereas deteriorating diabetes was defined as long-standing diabetes (> 2 years) with a > 2% increase in A1c levels over the past 6 months not linked to weight gain or diabetes medication noncompliance.
    • All patients underwent MRI/cholangiopancreatography, blood biobanking, and anxiety/depression monitoring; MRI results were scored as normal, benign-abnormal, suspicious, or incidental findings.

    TAKEAWAY:

    • Compared with patients with new-onset diabetes, those with deteriorating diabetes had significantly higher A1c levels (P = .02), greater weight loss (P = .0038), and increased insulin requirements (P < .0001).
    • Among 109 participants, more than 50% had small cystic lesions with an average size of 6 mm, prompting seven endoscopic ultrasound procedures — four of which required biopsies. Of the four pancreatic biopsies performed, one revealed stage IB pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a patient with deteriorating diabetes.
    • Extra-pancreatic incidental findings were detected in 8.2% of cases, with two requiring biopsies, revealing one new diagnosis of follicular lymphoma and one diagnosis of recurrent lymphoma.
    • According to the Enriching New-Onset Diabetes for Pancreatic Cancer score — where a high-risk score predicts a 3.6% probability of pancreatic cancer within 3 years — the deteriorating diabetes group had a higher proportion of high-risk individuals than the new-onset diabetes group (75% vs 35.6%).

    IN PRACTICE:

    “Preliminary results from the PANDOME study support further MRI-based PC [pancreatic cancer] screening research efforts in individuals with NOD [new-onset diabetes] and DD [deteriorating diabetes],” the authors concluded.

    SOURCE:

    This study was led by Richard Frank, MD, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Nuvance Health, Norwalk, Connecticut. It was published online in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

    LIMITATIONS:

    T his study faced challenges with low accrual rates due to healthcare network realignments and high declination rates by potential participants. Selection bias potentially led to lower detection rates, as most participants were referred by primary care physicians or endocrinologists. Moreover, the majority of participants were White individuals (83%), despite higher pancreatic cancer risk among Black populations, limiting generalizability.

    DISCLOSURES:

    This study received support from a Tribute to Pamela/The Naughton Family Fund, the Rallye for Pancreatic Cancer, Pacific Crest Trail for Pancreatic Cancer, and the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation. The authors declared no conflicts of interest. 

    This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

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  • Anti-ageing skincare trend millennials retinol social media influence dermatologists advice

    Anti-ageing skincare trend millennials retinol social media influence dermatologists advice

    The skincare industry has seen a major shift from a 3-step cleansing routines to prioritising anti-ageing products.

    Previously, products specifically reserved for older age groups like retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) are now found in the beauty drawers of millennials and Gen Z.

    But what is driving this trend? Is it an educated choice based on skincare science or just a byproduct of changing beauty standards and skincare attitude? Although these products promise long-term gains, they also require careful usage and guidance to truly be effective and safe.

    CULTURAL, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES

    Society’s obsession with “youthful” and “glowing” skin has created an environment where proactive skincare is celebrated.

    With Instagram, healthcare routines have transformed into a content-creation ritual, a habit showcased to the public rather than solely for personal upkeep.

    Social media influencers tirelessly promote and disseminate “anti-ageing” tricks, alongside endless viral transformation highlights and product suggestion videos.

    Society’s obsession with “youthful” and “glowing” skin has created an environment where proactive skincare is celebrated. (Photo: Getty Images)

    “I started using anti-ageing products like retinol at around 19, although I don’t use them very often. I was influenced mostly by social media and the people around me who were starting to focus on skincare,” said 21-year-old Maria, who thinks that anti-ageing products could delay her wrinkles.

    The idea of “preventive care” has become popular online, not just with dermatologists but also among lifestyle creators.

    Preventing wrinkles, fine lines and dullness before they appear is now seen by many as responsible self-care.

    Beauty brands have cleverly promoted anti-ageing products as crucial youthful investments, appealing even to individuals showing no signs of ageing.

    Terms such as “prevention,” “repair,” and “anti-pollution” position these products as indispensable for the urban youth.

    Dr. Amit Bhasin, dermatologist and founder of PrivLux Skin & Wellness Clinic, explains, “This trend is driven by marketing pressure, where beautiful packaging, viral ads, or celebrity-endorsed brands (often without any research or dermatological backing) convince people to start treatments that may not be safe for them.”

    When he asks a patient why they purchased a certain product, the reply comes swift: ‘Because I loved the packaging’ or ‘I saw someone famous using it.’

    “This kind of impulsive buying, based on aesthetic appeal rather than science, is worrying,” he adds.

    Dermatologist Dr. Kiran Sethi, founder of Isya Aesthetics, agrees: “People fall for marketing, that’s why marketing exists. It works. That’s why doctors are needed to sift through the news.”

    WHEN SHOULD YOU START AN ANTI-AGEING SKINCARE ROUTINE?

    While many young adults turn to anti-ageing products thinking they will improve their skin texture, not everyone is aware of how their skin actually functions at that age.

    Skin in 20s is already naturally rich in collagen, the primary building block of the skin, and tends to have faster cell turnover, which is why dermatologists often recommend a minimal, protective routine instead of jumping into active-heavy formulas.

    “You are still net positive in collagen until the age of 25 and then the decrease is about 1% a year. But visible ageing typically happens in your 30s. I think we can consider anti-aging products after the age of 30,” Dr. Sethi points out.

    Aarushi, 27, started using retinol a few months ago after relocating from London to India. She noticed early signs of comedonal acne and neck lines and wanted to act early.

    “To fix these issues, I did some online research, then consulted my mother’s dermatologist and bought a famous K-beauty cream, not recommended by the doctor,” she says.

    She uses it two to three times a week, only at night, and has had a relatively smooth experience so far.

    “Thankfully I haven’t felt any negative effects until now. To be honest, I haven’t seen any changes in my neckline, but I have seen a huge difference in my acne. My acne has reduced quite a bit since I started using retinol,” she says.

    On the other hand, not everyone had professional input before starting. Maria, for instance, admitted, “I didn’t consult a dermatologist beforehand, so I wasn’t fully aware of the potential side effects or how to use it properly.”

    While many young adults turn to anti-ageing products thinking they will improve their skin texture, not everyone is aware of how their skin actually functions at that age, say experts. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Saleha, 28, also reflected on her past use. “I saw people online discussing how retinols help reverse ageing and get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, so that fueled most of my insecurities back then.”

    But over time, her approach changed. “Honestly, I’ve never been consistent with it, and it’s totally overhyped. Ageing is natural, we as women have been influenced by society and social media to look a certain way which isn’t ideal.”

    CAUTION IS NECESSARY

    Many dermatologists now say that overloading on actives at a young age may do more harm than good.

    “I see the consequences every day in my clinic, chemical burns, severe pigmentation, skin thinning, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), all because they self-medicated with actives like retinol without understanding how to use the,” Dr. Bhasin warns.

    Dr. Sethi adds that many young people power pack and combine a significant number of actives with rollers and guashas, and get barrier damage resulting in sensitive, rosacea-prone and irritated skin.

    “Overdoing it will do the opposite of the goal of great skin. Signs of overuse include red, inflamed, dry, acne-prone and sensitive skin,” she says.

    LESS IS MORE

    Dermatologists repeatedly emphasise that in your 20s, less is more.

    Building a strong foundation with cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen is more effective than experimenting with powerful actives without supervision.

    Introduce retinol later, when its actually needed, doctor says.

    For young people, focus on simplistic skincare routines with protective sunblock and antioxidative care to prevent environmental damage.

    Other ways to strike a balance is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle like having a balanced diet, getting regular sleep and managing stress.

    While the anti-ageing products can be beneficial, their use should be thoughtful and tailored to individual needs.

    (Article by Arima Singh)

    – Ends

    Published By:

    Daphne Clarance

    Published On:

    Jul 3, 2025

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  • Vaginal microbiome fights back against stubborn BV infections

    Vaginal microbiome fights back against stubborn BV infections

    New research reveals how the vaginal microbiome can sabotage antibiotic treatment, explaining why bacterial vaginosis keeps coming back, and what it will take to finally stop it.

    Study: Vaginal pharmacomicrobiomics modulates risk of persistent and recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Image credit: Kateryna Kon/Shutterstock.com

    Scientists have reviewed the available literature to document the effect of vaginal microbiome-drug interactions on the efficacy of antibiotics against recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV). This review has been published in Npj Biofilms and Microbiomes.

    Bacterial vaginosis: Prevalence, symptoms, and diagnosis

    BV is a common infection occurring in women of reproductive age causing discomfort and pain in the vagina. Although the majority of BV patients experience no symptoms, some women may have a prominent vaginal discharge with a fishy odor, along with burning and itching sensation.

    BV is characterized by vaginal bacterial dysbiosis, particularly a loss of Lactobacillus, which may pose severe health threats. For instance, it increases the risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI), pelvic inflammatory disease, preterm birth, and preeclampsia in pregnant women.

    Global prevalence of BV varies significantly. A recent survey estimated that approximately 30% of US women of reproductive age have BV, and this number increases to more than 50% in sub-Saharan African women.

    Since no single causative agent of BV is known, it is diagnosed using the Nugent Score. It is also diagnosed clinically through nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) or by identifying the presence of at least three Amsel criteria, including a pH greater than 4.5, characteristic homogeneous milk-like vaginal discharge, a fishy odor, and 20% clue cells.

    However, the authors emphasize that routine screening for asymptomatic BV is not generally recommended, as treatment may not significantly reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.

    High recurrence rate of bacterial vaginosis

    Although antibiotic therapy, such as metronidazole, tinidazole, or clindamycin, is recommended to treat BV, a high recurrence rate within one to six months of treatment has been recorded in approximately 20% to 70% of women.

    Key contributing factors, rather than a single cause, to high BV recurrence rates are the persistence of protective bacterial biofilm, and antibiotic resistance within the bacterial biofilm and vaginal canal. Other factors that contribute to this recurrence include non-adherence to multidose therapy, continual exchange of pathogenic bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria (BVAB) between sexual partners pre or post treatment, and inability to restore optimal levels of Lactobacillus in the vaginal microbiome.

    How vaginal pharmacomicrobiomics affect the efficacy of antibiotic therapy?

    Pharmacomicrobiomics involves the interaction between drugs and microbes, which is crucial for enhancing the scope of precision medicine. It focuses on understanding how microbiome variations affect drug disposition, toxicity, and efficacy. The microbiome present in various anatomic sites, such as the mouth, gut, skin, lungs, and vagina, may either improve or hinder the efficacy of drugs.

    Overexpression of a DNA repair protein (RecA) in Bacteroides fragilis, a common gut and vaginal commensal bacterium, elevates resistance to metronidazole. Previous studies have indicated that oral metronidazole only temporarily reinstates healthy vaginal microbiota in patients with recurrent BV. A higher prevalence of Prevotella before treatment and Gardnerella post-treatment has been associated with enhanced risk of BV recurrence.

    Many scientists have hypothesized that vaginal microbial dysbiosis is associated with modifications in drug disposition, activity, and toxicity, which contributes to antibiotic resistance and adverse reproductive outcome due to genital infection. For instance, the metabolism of the anti-HIV drug, tenofovir (TFV), by Gardnerella vaginalis has been linked to reduced HIV prevention efficacy. TFV reduced HIV incidence by only 18% in African women with G. vaginalis-dominated (BV-like) microbiota and 61% in women with Lactobacillus-dominant microbiota.

    Host-specific and drug-specific factors determine the systematic distribution of drugs in different body parts. Multiple studies have shown that a dysbiotic female genital tract causes BV to increase the local pH by trapping ions that reduce the effectiveness of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). It also promotes alterations in other factors essential for the drug compound to migrate across the female genital tract compartment to treat BV.

    Previous studies have also shown that T-cell uptake of TFV is influenced by alterations in vaginal microbiota and pH, contributing to the drug’s inconsistent efficacy in BV-positive individuals. An abundance of specific microbes, such as Lactobacillus, may alter the movement of drugs across the genital tract by modifying local drug transporters in a pH-dependent or independent manner. Bacteroides and Prevotella are two common BVAB highly resistant to metronidazole by altering pyruvate fermentation.

    The importance of vaginal pH on drug efficacy has also been shown in labor induction for term or preterm birth. It has been speculated that vaginal microbiota could indirectly influence the effectiveness of drugs by altering host drug metabolism and producing bacterial metabolites that compete with the drug receptor.

    Reproductive hormones directly regulate the composition and abundance of the vaginal microbiome during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, which may influence how drugs are absorbed and metabolized, particularly when using vaginal inserts or pessaries.

    Transporters recognize and export various antibiotics, including β-lactams, macrolides, and aminoglycosides, to their target sites. Multiple studies have shown that G. vaginalis, a renowned BVAB, upregulates efflux pumps and ABC transporters, which significantly contribute to bacterial colonization and infection of host tissues and multidrug resistance by actively eliminating various antibiotics and metabolites from bacterial cells.

    The authors hypothesize that transport proteins expressed on vaginal epithelial cells and bacteria may be exchanged via extracellular vesicles. This speculative but plausible mechanism could further contribute to resistance and drug clearance. In addition to resistance, transporter proteins may influence how efficiently antibiotics reach and accumulate in vaginal tissues, potentially explaining some cases of treatment failure due to insufficient local drug exposure.

    Conclusions

    The current study hypothesized that the efficacy of recommended antibiotics for treating BV is reduced by vaginal microbiota-associated factors including pH and metabolism, leading to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, to improve therapeutic outcomes and decrease the incidence of persistent and recurrent BV, it is essential to consider the vaginal microbiome-drug interactions and efficacy of antibiotics against recurrent BV.

    The authors emphasize exploring novel strategies to enhance treatment, including probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and bacteriophage therapies. They also suggest investigating the potential of transporter/enzyme inhibitors and new drug delivery systems to improve local drug exposure in the vaginal tract.

    They conclude that future research should leverage experimental models such as vaginal organ-on-chip systems and personalized metagenomic profiling to better understand these interactions and guide individualized treatment approaches.

    Download your PDF copy now!

    Journal reference:

    • Amabebe, E. et al. (2025) Vaginal pharmacomicrobiomics modulates risk of persistent and recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Npj Biofilms and Microbiomes. 11(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00748-0. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41522-025-00748-0

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  • Early Management of Suspected Cervical Spine Injury: A Real-World Insight From a London Major Trauma Centre

    Early Management of Suspected Cervical Spine Injury: A Real-World Insight From a London Major Trauma Centre


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  • Certain Plant-Based Foods May Cut Crohn’s Disease Risk

    Certain Plant-Based Foods May Cut Crohn’s Disease Risk

    TOPLINE:

    A high combined intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes was associated with a reduced risk for Crohn’s disease — driven largely by specific foods such as apples or pears, bananas, mushrooms, and onions or garlic. Alternatively, a high intake of potatoes was associated with an increased risk for ulcerative colitis.

    METHODOLOGY:

    • The International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease recommends eating more fruits and vegetables for their fiber benefits, but current guidelines do not distinguish between subcategories despite their differing compositions and potential effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) risk.
    • Researchers analyzed data of 341,519 participants without IBD (mean age, 52.1 years; 70% women) from a popular European cohort to evaluate how consumption of individual fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes influenced the risk for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
    • At baseline, validated food frequency questionnaires were used to assess dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes (including other tubers).
    • Participants in the lowest vs highest quartiles had median daily intakes of 291.6 vs 840.9 g/d of combined fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes; 17.0 vs 100.3 g/d of apples/pears; 6.6 vs 14.0 g/d of bananas; 2.1 vs 6.2 g/d of mushrooms; 4.1 vs 11.9 g/d of onions or garlic; and 64.7 vs 82.1 g/d of potatoes.

    TAKEAWAY:

    • The median follow-up period was 13.4 years, during which 149 participants developed Crohn’s disease and 379 developed ulcerative colitis.
    • A higher combined intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes was associated with a lower risk of developing Crohn’s disease (highest vs lowest quartile; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.76) but not ulcerative colitis (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.76-1.50).
    • A subsequent post hoc analysis showed that the pooled intake of apples or pears, bananas, mushrooms, and onions or garlic was linked to a comparable risk reduction for Crohn’s disease as total fruit, vegetable, legume, and potato intake (highest vs lowest quartile; pooled aHR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.33-1.02).
    • However, a higher intake of potatoes was associated with a higher risk of developing ulcerative colitis (highest vs lowest quartile; aHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.05-2.17).

    IN PRACTICE:

    “In conclusion, we found that high combined intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes is associated with a lower risk of developing CD but not UC. This was particularly apparent for apple/pear, banana, mushrooms, and onion/garlic intakes. A higher risk of UC was observed for a higher intake of potatoes,” the authors of the study wrote.

    SOURCE:

    This study was led by Antoine Meyer, MD, PhD, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France. It was published online in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

    LIMITATIONS:

    This study relied on food frequency questionnaires measured only at baseline, which may not have fully captured dietary changes over time. The mostly older, female population may not have represented the broader European or younger populations. As with all observational studies, residual confounding from unmeasured factors could not be ruled out.

    DISCLOSURES:

    The cohort was supported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, and other sources. Some authors declared receiving speaker fees, grants, consulting fees, and travel support from various pharmaceutical companies.

    This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

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  • PM vows to eradicate polio from Pakistan – RADIO PAKISTAN

    1. PM vows to eradicate polio from Pakistan  RADIO PAKISTAN
    2. New polio case from KP takes tally to 14  Dawn
    3. Pakistan records one more poliovirus case; countrywide tally reaches 14  The Hindu
    4. Pakistan: Over 60,000 polio vaccine refusals reported during April campaign, says report  ANI News
    5. Pakistan reports 14th polio case in 2025  Samaa TV

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  • Cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: from molecular signatures to personalized treatment | Cardiovascular Diabetology

    Cardiometabolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: from molecular signatures to personalized treatment | Cardiovascular Diabetology

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  • Cervical Cancer Risk Overlooked After Age 65

    Cervical Cancer Risk Overlooked After Age 65

    TOPLINE:

    Analysis of over 2.1 million women in China revealed that those aged 65 years or older vs those younger than 65 years had significantly higher rates of high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) infection (13.67% vs 8.08%) and cervical cancer (0.092% vs 0.01%) although most guidelines recommend discontinuing screening for women aged 65 years or older with a normal screening history.

    METHODOLOGY:

    • Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of cervical cancer screening data from Shenzhen, China (2017-2023), to assess hr-HPV distribution and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) prevalence in women aged 65 years or older vs those younger than 65 years.
    • Data collection encompassed 628 healthcare facilities, including 496 community health centers, 94 hospitals, 11 maternal and child health hospitals, and 27 other medical facilities.
    • Clinical records included demographic information, cytology results, HPV testing covering 14 hr-HPV genotypes (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68), and colposcopy/biopsy outcomes.
    • Analysis included 2,152,766 complete records from an initial collection of 2,580,829, yielding an 83.4% data validity rate.

    TAKEAWAY:

    • Analysis of 2,152,766 records revealed that women aged 65 years or older (n = 17,420; 0.81%) vs those younger than 65 years showed higher hr-HPV prevalence (13.67% vs 8.08%), CIN2+ detection rate (0.333% vs 0.155%), and cancer rate (0.092% vs 0.01%; P for all < .001).
    • Single, double, and triple hr-HPV infections were found in 10.56%, 2.32%, and 0.57% of women aged 65 years or older, with CIN2+ detection rates of 2.01%, 2.73%, and 4.04%, respectively, all exceeding rates in those younger than 65 years (P < .001).
    • A significant dose-response relationship emerged between hr-HPV infections and CIN2+ risk in women aged 65 years or older (P for trend < .001), with odds ratios being 55.86 (95% CI, 21.81-143.07), 65.95 (95% CI, 22.63-192.18), and 85.45 (95% CI, 24.15-302.35) for single, double, and triple infections, respectively.

    IN PRACTICE:

    “Currently, there is a significant global gap in cervical cancer prevention for older women, and urgent action is needed. First, screening and early diagnosis for women aged ≥ 65 should be strengthened, including affordable screening services and age-appropriate technologies to detect and treat precancerous lesions. Additionally, community engagement, health education, and media campaigns can raise awareness of cervical cancer risks and prevention among older women, encouraging active participation in screening programs,” authors of the study wrote.

    SOURCE:

    The study was led by Zichen Ye, He Wang, and Yingyu Zhong, who served as joint first authors. It was published online in Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Medicine.

    LIMITATIONS:

    The study faced several limitations despite using high-quality, large-sample, real-world cervical cancer screening data collected over 7 years in Shenzhen. Because women aged 65 years or older were not included in the national target screening population, participants may have had symptoms or concerns, introducing potential selection bias. The low number of hr-HPV infections in this age group led to some results trending toward extremes, affecting result stability. Additionally, data from a single region in China limited generalizability to other populations. The researchers could not obtain specific information about the types of cytologic detection products and HPV genotyping products used, which may have affected result precision and comparability.

    DISCLOSURES:

    The study was supported by the Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen (SZSM202211032). The authors reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.

    This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

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  • Bird flu: EFSA analyses situation in US and tracks possible routes of spread

    Bird flu: EFSA analyses situation in US and tracks possible routes of spread

    EFSA’s scientists highlight that key European stop-overs with high-density bird congregations, such as Iceland, Britain, Ireland, western Scandinavia, and large wetlands like the Wadden Sea on the Dutch, Danish and German coasts would be useful places for early detection of the virus during the seasonal migration of wild birds.  

    The report also addresses the potential for the virus to be introduced into Europe through trade, concluding that the importation of products with raw milk from affected areas in the USA cannot be completely excluded and therefore could be a possible pathway. The importation of dairy cows and bovine meat could also be a potential route for virus introduction. However, the virus has rarely been found in meat, animal imports are very limited, and very strict trade regulations are in place for meat and live animals entering the EU. 

    EFSA’s report also provides an overview of the situation in the USA, where 981 dairy herds across 16 states were affected between March 2024 and May 2025. The report, which was reviewed by the US authorities, highlights that cattle movement, low biosecurity, and shared farm equipment contributed to the spread of the virus.  

    By the end of the year, EFSA will assess the potential impact of this HPAI genotype entering Europe, recommending measures to prevent its spread.   

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