Clinical intelligence & editorial.

PLOS

Gamma irradiation crosslinked fluorescent nanocarbon based biodegradable hydrogel for controlled release of antibiotics

Controlled and sustained antibiotic delivery is critical for combating antimicrobial resistance while minimizing side effects. Herein, a novel biodegradable hydrogel system, synthesized via gamma irradiation, incorporating fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) as multifunctional nano-crosslinkers, has been reported. The CDs, prepared from sustainable bio-precursors, reinforced the polymer network and enhanced the mechanical stability and swelling behavior, while simultaneously serving as intrinsic fluor...

Antibiotic

Rajeshwar Vodeti, Mokhtar Rejili, Venkata Ramana Singamaneni, Umme Hani, Farhat Fatima, Jeetendra Kumar Gupta, Patibandla Jahnavi, Ramenani Hari Babu, Sharuk L. Khan, Md. Faysal• January 16, 2026

PLOS

Alzheimer’s disease prediction via an explainable CNN using genetic algorithm and SHAP values

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are widely recognized for their high precision in image classification. Nevertheless, the lack of transparency in these black-box models raises concerns in sensitive domains such as healthcare, where understanding the knowledge acquired to derive outcomes can be challenging. To address this concern, several strategies within the field of explainable AI (XAI) have been developed to enhance model interpretability. This study introduces a novel XAI technique, GA...

Alzheimer’S Disease

Mohammad Zahedipour, Mohammad Saniee Abadeh, Shakila Shojaei• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Bidirectional and mediation Mendelian randomization of dietary intake and risks of gastric ulcer and gastric cancer.

Epidemiological studies have suggested associations between dietary intake and gastric ulcer (GU) or gastric cancer (GC), but the causal relationships remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify these links using bidirectional and mediation Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. We used genome-wide association study data for 226 dietary factors as exposures and GU and GC as outcomes, derived from the FinnGen database (7012 GU cases, 385,082 controls; 1423 GC cases, 345,118 controls). Single nucl...

Gastric Ulcer

Yang L, Li L, Chen L, Liu Z, Cai J, Wang W, Yang M, He Y, Meng Z, Li F, Wang Y, Luo X• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Characterization of avocado seeds aqueous extract and its therapeutic effects on gastric ulcer.

Background Helicobacter pylori infection and oxidative stress are most common factors for development of gastric ulcers which is consider to be a most common gastrointestinal disorder. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of avocado seeds aqueous extract as an adjunct to conventional ulcer treatment. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted with the participation of 99 patients diagnosed with gastric ulcers. Participants were randomly divided to a control...

Gastric Ulcer

Sultan A, Akhtar MN, Khalil AA, Jameel F, Ballal S, Singh A, Panigrahi R, Sharma A, Ateeq H, Ahmed A, Islam F, Afzaal M, Ndagire CT• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Differential energy partitioning occurs in response to high- and low-energy diets in Holstein cows during late lactation.

This study evaluated the impact of high-energy (HE) or low-energy (LE) diets during late lactation and the responsiveness of body condition changes to diet during the dietary treatment period. Sixty-six multiparous Holstein cows were blocked by parity and expected date of parturition and randomly assigned to HE (1.74 Mcal/kg DM) or LE (1.50 Mcal/kg DM) diets at 150 d of gestation to achieve high or average BCS by dry-off (233 d of gestation). Surprisingly, not all cows within dietary treatment g...

Lactation

Cunha TO, France TL, Arriola Apelo SI, Kalscheur KF, French EA, Toledo MZ, Wiltbank MC, Hernandez LL• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Integrating Artificial Intelligence Into Exposure Therapy: A One Year Follow-Up Case Report of Emetophobia With Comorbid Panic Disorder.

ABSTRACT Emetophobia is a specific phobia characterized by an intense fear of vomiting, often accompanied by panic attacks, hypervigilance to bodily sensations, and avoidance behaviors. This case study describes the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)‐based treatment of a 24‐year old woman with Emetophobia and comorbid panic disorder. Her symptoms caused significant impairment, leading her to avoid social settings, public spaces, and situations linked to vomiting (e.g., dining out, public transp...

Panic Disorder

Kilic US• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Extensive cutaneous involvement in pemphigus vulgaris in a pediatric patient: a rare clinical image.

Image in medicine A 4-year-old child presented with multiple hyperpigmented and hypopigmented macules and plaques over both forearms, with a history of recurrent flaccid bullae and erosions at the same sites. Nikolsky sign was positive during the active phase. Tzanck smear showed acantholytic cells, and skin biopsy revealed intraepidermal acantholysis. Direct immunofluorescence demonstrated intercellular deposition of IgG and C3 in a fish-net pattern, confirming the diagnosis. The child was tre...

Pemphigus

Vihirkar S, Wankhede DK• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Korean red ginseng extract ameliorates high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia by modulating the gut microbiota-liver metabolic axis.

Background Korean Red Ginseng is recognized for its ability to modulate immune responses, alleviate fatigue, and combat aging, and shows promise in treating hyperlipidemia. However, comprehensive insights into its gut–liver axis mechanisms remain limited. Methods Rats were assigned to a normal control group, an HFD-fed model group, and four groups treated with Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) at doses of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg. The treatment groups administered RGE by...

Hyperlipidemia

Zheng Y, Lv M, Xu H, Zhang E, Zheng M, Nguyen TTT, Wan S, Yuan M, Gu W• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Localized palmar mycosis fungoides: A case report.

Rationale: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, yet palmar MF is extremely rare and easily mistaken for chronic dermatoses such as psoriasis. Delayed recognition can lead to inappropriate treatment and worse outcomes. This case demonstrates how careful histopathology and immunohistochemistry can provide critical diagnostic clarity in atypical presentations. Patient concerns: A 63-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of erythema, dryness, scal...

Mycosis Fungoides

Zhao S, Xu P, Zhu J• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Impact of treatment interruption on the efficacy and safety of vunakizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: a post-hoc analysis of a phase 3 trial.

Objective Vunakizumab, a novel IL-17A inhibitor, has demonstrated satisfactory efficacy and safety for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. This analysis aimed to assess the impact of treatment interruption on the efficacy and safety of vunakizumab in the treatment of this disease. Methods This post-hoc analysis used data from a phase 3 trial of vunakizumab (NCT04839016) that enrolled patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. A total of 460 patients received vunakizu...

Plaque Psoriasis

Li Q, Yao W, Lei D, Xu Y, Zhang L, Zhao Z, He J, Guo T, Li J• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Chronic Plaque Psoriasis With Persistent Facial Involvement Successfully Treated With Risankizumab: A Case Report.

Chronic plaque psoriasis is a common immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease; however, facial involvement is relatively uncommon and may present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Facial psoriasis can mimic other inflammatory dermatoses and may demonstrate variable responses to systemic therapy. We report a case of a 37-year-old male with chronic plaque psoriasis who presented with extensive plaques involving the elbows and knees, along with diffuse, generalized facial erythema. The patien...

Plaque Psoriasis

AlQusaimi R, AlRujaib F, AlSharhan F, Alassaf S, Khoursheed L, Abdulrahman F, AlAwadhi D• January 16, 2026

PubMed

Hyaluronic acid injection aided by triamcinolone acetonide for treating periorbital depressed scars: A retrospective study.

This study aims to assess the clinical efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) injections combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) for treating periorbital depressed scars. Clinical data of periorbital scarring in 16 patients (26 cases of scarring in total) who attended the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University between January 2018 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Scars were scored using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) before and after treatment, and scar softness scores and sca...

Triamcinolone Acetonide

Xue Y, Yao X, Li H, Liu S, Kikkawa DO, Lu W• January 16, 2026