Staying #Up2Date 🚨

1: Vitamin D-elaying MS?

In this RCT, bi-weekly high-dose vitamin D significantly reduced disease activity in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) typical of MS (HR 0.66. 95% CI 0.50-0.87; P = .004). While it didn’t affect relapse rates, it prolonged median time to disease activity (432 vs 224 days; log-rank P = .003), suggesting a potential role for high-dose vitamin D in CIS and early relapsing-remitting MS.

2: Once-Yearly Lenacapavir: Phase 1 Trials

This phase-1 study compared 2 dosing intervals of the HIV PrEP lenacapavir in adults (18-55 years) without HIV: once-yearly intramuscular vs. twice-yearly subcutaneous injections. At 56 weeks, the once-yearly group had higher median plasma concentrations, and the dose was safe and well tolerated, supporting IM dosing as a viable option for biomedical HIV prevention.

3: People Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) and COVID-19

A cohort study of 52K Canadian patients presenting to ED with acute symptomatic COVID-19 examined whether homelessness affected prognosis. No differences were seen in mortality (OR 0.87, 95% CI; 0.43–1.74) or admission rates (OR 0.97, 95% CI; 0.77–1.21), but PEH were less likely to be admitted to critical care (OR 0.66, 95% CI; 0.44–1.00). These findings raise questions about potential healthcare disparities in vulnerable populations. 

Healthcare For All 🏳️‍🌈

How something as simple as a testosterone shot could save someone’s life

What happened: A new study has found that gender-affirming care could lower the risk of depression.

Why it’s interesting: The study tracked 3,592 transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse adults and found that prescribed hormones like estrogen or testosterone had a 15% lower risk of depression. One of the study’s authors said the results of the trial further proved that hormones are a medically necessary treatment as they play a critical role in the mental health of those who need them.

Despite the study’s success, the authors noted that other factors, like mental health treatments and social support, could have affected the results. Also, the study didn’t track whether participants had other gender-affirming surgeries before the study, nor did they track how long patients took hormones.

But: even though the numbers don’t lie, some US lawmakers are making it harder for trans people to access the care they need. Transgender people in the US are 2 to 3 times more likely to have a history of depression. One plastic surgeon who specializes in gender-affirming surgery said many of her patients feel hopeless and concerned because of the restriction of care.

39.4% of transgender youth live in states that have already passed bans on gender-affirming care. Though most of these states ban minors from receiving treatments, others like Oklahoma, Texas, and South Carolina have considered restricting access until the patient is 26, which could put their lives at risk.

Bottom line: Researchers hope that the study's findings will show US politicians that gender-affirming care is a right and a means for survival.

Hot Off The Press

1: ✈️ Trump’s 25% steel and aluminum tariffs aren’t just shaking up trade—they’re rattling aerospace giants on both sides of the border. Boeing’s turnaround plan now faces rising costs just as production picks up, while Canada’s C$19-billion F-35 jet deal is in limbo, with officials eyeing pricier European alternatives. From commercial planes to fighter jets, the trade war is hitting the skies hard.

2: 🐓 The US has reported a case of the deadly H7N9 bird flu, the first one in 8 years. The disease has a high death rate for humans, killing about 616 people since it was first detected in 2013 in China. The case came from a farm in Mississippi, which is home to over 40,000 commercial chickens. Luckily, WHO has said the strain of flu doesn’t seem to transmit easily from person to person.

3: 🐷The FDA has approved the first clinical trials for genetically modified pig kidney transplants, moving xenotransplantation from experiments to regulated testing. EGenesis and United Therapeutics are leading the effort, with eGenesis already performing a transplant. There’s hope for the 90,000 people on the US kidney waitlist, though risks remain.

4: 💊 A first-of-its-kind daily pill for endometriosis has been approved for NHS use in England, offering a more accessible treatment option. Relugolix-estradiol-norethisterone blocks the hormones driving endometriosis while providing necessary hormone replacement—all in a single pill, eliminating the need for clinic visits and injections. Experts call it a “potential step-change” in care.

Notable Numbers 🔢

9: the number of months two astronauts were stuck in space. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams left Earth last June for what was supposed to be an 8 day mission to test the Boeing Starliner’s capsule. But the capsule suffered technical issues, and Nasa kept the pair floating. Wilmore and Williams were welcomed back home safe and sound!

3.6 million: births were reported in 2024, an increase from 2023 by a little over 22,000. However, experts say it won’t reverse the long-term decline, and more research needs to be done to understand why there is a random surge in babies.

30 years: how long the Diabetes Prevention Program has tracked prediabetes and diabetes — until now. The NIH has halted funding, likely tied to the Trump administration’s decision to cut federal grants to Columbia University over its handling of antisemitism. Over $80 million was allocated to research sites nationwide, leaving investigators scrambling for answers.

Postcall Picks

😂Laugh: at this meme about the different types of medical therapies! 

🤑Save: is your adorable pet an expert in making messes? Bissell’s got your carpet covered with their Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner now for only $99 on Amazon!

📖 Read: a reminder from The Valley Investor blog on why you shouldn't panic. 

Here's a quick excerpt:

Relax

First Question: How you might describe someone with schizotypal personality disorder, colloquially

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