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MDSpire is an innovative platform aiming to create a smarter, faster, and more connected medical community.

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February 9, 2026

When Constipation Signals Something More

Kathryn Wighton
February 9, 2026
2 min

A 9-week-old infant diagnosed with botulism underwent timely treatment leading to complete neurological recovery. The infant, initially presented with constipat

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Infant presented with 10-day history of constipation and weakness.
Bedside nerve conduction studies indicated infant botulism.
Antitoxin administered on day 4 led to recovery.
Laboratory confirmed Clostridium botulinum type B by day
No source of exposure identified post extensive testing.
Public health authorities notified to initiate investigation.
Multidisciplinary approach essential for management.

February 9, 2026

Short TTP Linked to Infective Endocarditis Risk

Julie Greenbaum
February 9, 2026
4 min

A population-based study involving 463 adults in southern Sweden investigated the relationship between time to blood culture positivity (TTP) and infective endo

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Study evaluated 463 adults with S. agalactiae bacteremia.
Median patient age was 72 years, mostly male.
Shorter TTP associated with infective endocarditis but not mortality.
30-day mortality rate was 9%.
Limitations: retrospective design, preanalytical delay impact.
Skin and soft tissue infections were common.
Study strengths included large cohort and microbiological data.

February 9, 2026

Network Signatures of Propofol-Induced Anesthesia

Doug Brunk
February 9, 2026
3 min

A prospective observational study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals that propofol-induced general anesthesia leads to significant alterations in brain

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Study examines propofol anesthesia's impact on alpha-band connectivity.
High-density EEG analysis was conducted on 31 surgical patients.
Significant reductions in alpha-band connectivity linked to loss of consciousness.
87% accuracy found in distinguishing unconsciousness from wakefulness.
Alpha connectivity critical to consciousness transition identified.
Study acknowledged limitations and calls for further exploration.
Results underscore importance of brain functional networks in understanding anesthesia effects.

February 9, 2026

Poststroke Spasticity, Seen Too Late

Kathryn Wighton
February 9, 2026
4 min

Poststroke spasticity affects 30% to 80% of stroke survivors in the US, translating to about 1.8 to 5.6 million individuals. Despite effective interventions, ma

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30-80% of stroke survivors experience spasticity.
Early intervention can prevent complications.
Botulinum toxin has strong evidence for early effectiveness.
System-level changes needed for better awareness and access.
Telehealth can improve access to specialist care.
Spasticity may interfere with rehabilitation and cause pain.
The Modified Ashworth Scale is limited in assessing spasticity.
Comprehensive rehabilitation should start within 24-72 hours post-stroke.

February 9, 2026

What AI Can (and Can’t) Do in Surgery Training

Henry Thomas
February 9, 2026
2 min

A study published in JAMA Surgery revealed that surgical trainees using artificial intelligence (AI) systems coupled with human instructors achieved better perf

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Personalized instruction using AI data outperforms AI-only feedback.
87 medical students participated in the trial.
Study focused on virtual reality neurosurgical simulations.
Expert instructors improve learning outcomes significantly.
Trainees reported higher frustration yet demonstrated better performance.
Integrating AI as an adjunct is crucial for effective surgical training.

The Analytical Scientist

February 9, 2026

PFAS: New Frontiers, Emerging Solutions

James Strachan
February 9, 2026
16 min

Growing awareness around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as 'forever chemicals', highlights their persistence in the environment and

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PFAS are known as 'forever chemicals'.
They bioaccumulate and are present in various consumer products.
Advances in LC-MS have enhanced detection capabilities.
Remediation challenges include cost and scalability.
Collaboration among researchers in different fields is crucial for effective solutions.
Food contamination is a significant route of PFAS exposure.
Effective communication of scientific data is essential to inform the public.

February 9, 2026

Coffee, Tea Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

Kerri Miller
February 9, 2026
3 min

A prospective cohort study involving 131,821 participants from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study found that drinking 2 to 3 cups

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Caffeinated coffee and tea consumption linked to lower dementia risk.
2-3 cups of coffee/day associated with 18% lower dementia likelihood.
Study followed 131,821 participants over 43 years.
Objective cognitive function assessed via neuropsychological tests.
Potential reverse causation exists; limitations in self-reported data noted.

The Pathologist

February 9, 2026

When Inflammation Fuels Cancer in the IBD Colon

February 9, 2026
3 min

A recent study published in Immunity reveals the connection between chronic intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer de

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Study identifies TL1A's role in inflammation and colorectal cancer.
TL1A activates ILC3s leading to neutrophil production.
Neutrophils differ from those in acute infection.
Findings suggest immune pathways contribute to tumor environment.
Human samples showed increased neutrophil gene signatures in dysplastic lesions.
Anti-TL1A therapy reduced neutrophil markers in ulcerative colitis patients.
Study highlights challenges in distinguishing harmful neutrophils from protective ones.

The Ophthalmologist

February 9, 2026

Dropless Cataract Surgery: Redefining Postoperative Care

Bita Manzouri
Andrzej Grzybowski
David Lockington
February 9, 2026
6 min

Topical eye drops have traditionally been a mainstay in the postoperative care of cataract surgery, but dropless cataract surgery (DCS) now offers a viable alte

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Topical drops are common in cataract surgery recovery.
Dropless cataract surgery delivers meds during surgery.
Non-compliance with drops is prevalent, especially in elderly patients.
UKISCRS recommends intracameral antibiotics and subconjunctival steroids.
Dropless surgery reduces costs and environmental impact.
DCS aligns with current practices and patient-centered care.
Elderly patients benefit from reduced reliance on caregivers.

The Ophthalmologist

February 9, 2026

Budget Cuts Put Vision Health Progress at Risk, Warns Prevent Blindness

February 9, 2026
3 min

Prevent Blindness is expressing concern over Congress's funding cuts to the CDC's Vision and Eye Health program, reducing its budget from $6.5 million to $4.5 m

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Congress cut CDC's Vision and Eye Health program funding from $6.5 million to $4.5 million.
Prevent Blindness warns this will weaken efforts to prevent vision loss.
Vision Health Initiative integrates vision health into public health strategies.
VHI provides grants for glaucoma detection and operates surveillance systems.
Approximately 7 million Americans have uncorrectable vision impairment.
Vision loss is a leading cause of disability in the U.S.
Without investment, vision impairment rates could double by 2050.

February 9, 2026

The Unexpected Risks of Liquid Nitrogen Ingestion

Henry Thomas
February 9, 2026
3 min

A case report presented a rare instance of gastric perforation in a 34-year-old man after consuming a liquid nitrogen-infused cocktail in Mexico. He exhibited s

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Case of gastric perforation after liquid nitrogen ingestion.
Patient presented with severe abdominal symptoms.
Imaging revealed pneumoperitoneum.
Laparoscopic surgery repaired a 3-cm stomach perforation.
Awareness of cryogenic risks is crucial for prevention.
No thermal burns were noted, possibly due to Leidenfrost effect.

KFF Health News

February 9, 2026

The Assignment Some Doctors Refused

Amy Maxmen
February 9, 2026
14 min

Rebekah Stewart, a nurse, faced a moral dilemma when selected for deployment to Guantánamo Bay for the Trump administration's immigration detention operation. C

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Nurse Rebekah Stewart faced ethical dilemmas at Guantánamo Bay.
Many detainees were classified as low-risk with no criminal records.
Conditions at the facility included overcrowding and lack of natural light.
PHS officers struggled with providing adequate care.
Stewart and others resigned rather than comply with objectionable assignments.
Deployment numbers are increasing as immigration detentions rise.
The operational cost of detaining immigrants at Guantánamo is significantly higher than in the U.S.
Concerns about the humanitarian crisis continue to grow.

The Medicine Maker

February 9, 2026

Enhancing Sterile Drug Quality with AI-Driven Inspection

February 9, 2026
4 min

In sterile drug manufacturing, ensuring quality is paramount for patient safety. Regulatory standards from the FDA mandate a rigorous approach to quality contro

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Quality is non-negotiable in sterile drug manufacturing.
Inspections for visible particulates are critical before releasing products.
FDA mandates a holistic approach for visible particulate control.
AI can enhance inspection consistency and efficiency.
A study found an 84% reduction in false rejection rates with AI.
AI implementation saved approximately 60 hours of labor per batch.
Combining human expertise with AI offers a model for improved drug quality.
The industry is encouraged to adopt innovative quality strategies.

February 6, 2026

Autism Diagnosis Timing Varies by Sex

Kathryn Wighton
February 6, 2026
3 min

Recent research shows that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses are more prevalent in boys during childhood, while girls are often diagnosed later in adoles

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ASD diagnoses are more frequent in boys during childhood.
Girls often diagnosed later, in adolescence.
Study analyzed over 2.7 million individuals in Sweden.
Median age at diagnosis is 14.3 years.
Male-to-female diagnosis ratio declined over time.
Highest ASD incidence rates during 2020-
Limitations include reliance on registry data.
Systemic biases in diagnosis may affect autism recognition in females.

February 6, 2026

Tracking Opioid Refills After Surgery

Kathryn Wighton
February 6, 2026
4 min

A study analyzing opioid prescribing practices from 2017 to 2023 found that despite a decrease in discharge opioid prescriptions, opioid refill rates within 90

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Opioid prescribing reduced from 2017 to
Refills remained unchanged post-discharge.
Mismatches in prescribed vs. inpatient opioid doses increased refill risk.
Preoperative opioid use correlated with refills.
Prior refill strongest predictor of future refills.
Need for alignment in discharge prescriptions with inpatient consumption.
Study analyzed 4,132 adult patients in a large academic center.
Observational nature limits causal inferences.

Baptist Health South Florida

February 6, 2026

Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute Names Bruna Pellini, M.D., Chief of Thoracic Medical Oncology

February 6, 2026
3 min

Dr. Bruna Pellini has been appointed chief of thoracic medical oncology at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, bringing extensive experience in lung cancer t

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Dr. Bruna Pellini is the new chief of thoracic medical oncology.
She specializes in lung cancer treatment.
Formerly at Moffitt Cancer Center, she has extensive research experience.
Focus on liquid biopsy technologies for cancer care.
Authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles.
Participates in major oncology conferences and committees.
Patient care emphasizes communication and shared decision-making.

Baptist Health South Florida

February 6, 2026

Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute Names Justin M. Dubin, M.D., Director of Men’s Health

February 6, 2026
2 min

Dr. Justin M. Dubin, a board-certified urologist, has joined Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute as the director of Men’s Sexual Health. He specializes in tre

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Dr. Justin M. Dubin is the new director of Men's Sexual Health at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. He specializes in male infertility and sexual health. He aims to reduce stigma around men's health issues. Dr. Dubin co-hosts the podcast 'Man Up.' He previously worked at Memorial Healthcare System. He prioritizes clear communication with patients. He has extensive experience in medical publications and presentations.

Baptist Health South Florida

February 6, 2026

Miami Cancer Institute Immunotherapies Summit for Hematologic Malignancies, Seventh Annual

February 6, 2026
2 min

A live symposium scheduled for March 6-7, 2026, at JW Marriott Miami focuses on advancements in hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, lymphoma, and mult

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Symposium on hematologic malignancies scheduled for March 6-7,
Location: JW Marriott Miami, FL.
Designed for oncologists, hematologists, oncology nurses, and pharmacists.
Focus on immunotherapies, stem cell transplantation, and treatment combinations.
Aim: improve understanding of new strategies and emerging data relevant to patient management.

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