WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

A cancer specialist praises a foundation's efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials through scholarships and internships. Patients respond more positively to doctors of similar backgrounds, but barriers like lack of knowledge, access, and biases affect participation. Diversity in trials is crucial for accurate results, and initiatives like community engagement and education are key to overcoming these challenges.

Wake Forest University’s School of Medicine granted $2.5 million to cutting-edge medical tech labs through the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine (PTRME), aiming to establish the Triad as a biotech hub. Funded by the National Science Foundation, PTRME supports projects like tendon repair implants, tissue regeneration gels, and cancer-fighting organoids, attracting companies nationwide to relocate to the Triad. PTRME is renowned for pioneering regenerative medicine, notably with lab-grown organ transplants in 1999.

Pregnancy challenges for women with epilepsy include medication risks like valproate's link to autism and lower IQ, and the need for dose adjustments due to faster metabolism. A study followed 298 children of women with epilepsy to age 6, finding no difference in verbal abilities compared to healthy women's children, though medication levels in the third trimester had nuanced effects. Folate supplementation was beneficial, while acetaminophen showed risks. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of various epilepsy drugs and genetic factors influencing outcomes.

Mayo Clinic study finds GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce heart attacks, second strokes, and death in ischemic stroke survivors, with a 74% lower risk of death and 84% lower risk of heart attack. SGLT2 inhibitors showed a 67% lower risk of second stroke. The study, though limited by geographic and ethnic factors, suggests potential for clinical practice.

MD Anderson Cancer Center announces a focus on art to support facility revitalization, aiming to create a multisensory healing environment. Jennifer Finkel, Ph.D., joins as associate vice president for Art Experience to curate a nationally recognized art collection fostering inspiration and hope. The initiative seeks to enhance patient experience and well-being through art.

Matt Giegengack discusses brightness acuity testing post-endothelial cell therapy for corneal edema, highlighting promising results from El Salvador trials, where improvements in best-corrected vision and brightness acuity testing occurred in tandem. He anticipates similar benefits in a US trial for less severe cases, aiming to extend treatment to patients currently ineligible for DMEK.

FDA approves iota Biosciences' EFS for an implantable device to treat underactive bladder via electrical stimulation, with initial enrollment of 3 patients and potential expansion to 10.

The VISIBLE study showed strong results with guselkumab (Tremfya) for psoriasis in patients with skin of color, with significant skin clearance at week 48. The study enrolled participants 7 times faster than planned and maintained a 90% retention rate. It plans to release a photographic library to aid in recognizing psoriasis across all skin tones. The study's success was attributed to Janssen's commitment to patient inclusivity and effective recruitment strategies.

During Women In Medicine Month, UCSF Radiology & Biomedical Imaging honors women clinicians, researchers, and educators, focusing on Maggie Chung, MD, and Rita Freimanis, MD. Chung, an academic radiologist, balances clinical care and research, emphasizing AI applications in breast imaging and personalized risk assessment. Freimanis, with over 30 years of breast imaging expertise, advocates for curiosity and adaptability in medicine, currently leading a trial on 2D and 3D digital mammography.

Virginia Tech researchers found that hypoxic conditions increase _Fusobacterium nucleatum_ infection in colorectal cancer cells, altering cancer gene expression, which could inform future drug development.