Emerging research suggests that the effects of obesity extend beyond metabolism, reaching the brain in ways that may influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Tune in as Dr. Stephen Wong discusses how fat-derived vesicles act as molecular messengers, potentially linking systemic inflammation and lipid imbalance to neurodegenerative changes. Dr. Wong is the John S. Dunn Presidential Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Engineering at Houston Methodist Hospital and Associate Director at Houston Methodist Cancer Center. He’s also a Professor of Radiology, Neurosciences, Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.
A cross-sectional study in Frontiers in Endocrinology assessed the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index as a potential screening marker for prediabetes in children and adolescents with obesity. Hear from ReachMD's Ryan Quigley as he discusses the findings from this research and explores how the TyG index could provide an accessible tool for early risk stratification.
Emerging data reveal a troubling trend: individuals with higher body mass index are significantly less likely to receive routine cancer screenings, raising urgent concerns about care equity. Join Dr. Vance Albaugh, Assistant Professor of Metabolic Surgery at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana State University, as he dives into the findings from this analysis.
How often are ICU patients conscious during intubation despite paralysis? Hear from Dr. Yana Zemkova as she discusses new findings on the incidence of awareness with paralysis and the urgent need for improved monitoring in critical care. Dr. Zemkova is Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine specializing in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Occupational Medicine at the University of Iowa, and she spoke about this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.
A large retrospective study across 38 endocrinology clinics in Turkey showed that liraglutide led to meaningful weight loss and metabolic improvements—even at slightly reduced doses. Hear from ReachMD's Ryan Quigley as he reviews recent real-world data on this GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Obesity impacts how the lungs function in a variety of ways, and understanding these impacts is essential for interpreting pulmonary function tests, identifying restrictive or obstructive patterns, and managing ventilation. Learn more with Dr. Sujith Cherian, who's an Associate Professor in the Divisions of Critical Care, Pulmonary, and Sleep Medicine at University of Texas Health-McGovern Medical School and the Director of Interventional Pulmonology and Pleural Diseases at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston. He also spoke about this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.
Cytology via thoracentesis remains the first-line approach for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE), yet its sensitivity is limited. leaving many patients undiagnosed or delayed in treatment. In this expert-led discussion, Dr. David Feller-Kopman explores the limitations of current diagnostic methods and the evolving role of biomarkers in enhancing both diagnostic accuracy and prognostic insight. Dr. Feller-Kopman is a Professor of Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, and he discussed this topic at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.
Discussing weight with pediatric patients and families is a nuanced challenge shaped by stigma, culture, and access—but it’s also a vital opportunity for early intervention. Dr. Jaime Moore shares how to build confidence, counter bias, and leverage practical tools and partnerships that support long-term, personalized care. Dr. Moore is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nutrition at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine and part of the Children’s Hospital Colorado Lifestyle Medicine Program. She also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition.
About 40 percent of patients with metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer have an activating mutation in the PIK3CA gene,1,2 which plays a key role not only in tumor growth, but also in driving resistance to endocrine therapy.3-5 And while there are several FDA-approved PI3K pathway-targeted agents for patients with PIK3CA tumor mutations,6-8 they come with challenges, like modest efficacy and on-pathway effects.9-12 Given this unmet need, the ReDiscover trial evaluated the investigational agent RLY-2608 in combination with fulvestrant in in patients with PIK3CA-mutated HR+/HER2- aBC previously treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor.13 Joining Dr. Charles Turck to share updated safety and efficacy data from the trial is Dr. Sarah Sammons, a Senior Physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
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In a 2025 study investigating salivary metabolites as potential biomarkers in cystic fibrosis, researchers identified distinct metabolic patterns linked with key complications as well as correlations with lung function. In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley discusses how a simple saliva sample could provide clinicians with an accessible, non-invasive tool to stratify patients, monitor therapies, and advance personalized care in cystic fibrosis. This topic was also discussed at the 2025 CHEST Annual Meeting.
Childhood trauma can profoundly alter brain and behavioral development, making it essential to recognize how trauma differs from other diagnoses like ADHD. Ryan Quigley sits down with Drs. Heather Forkey and Wynne Morgan, who presented on this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, to better understand how to identify trauma responses, avoid misdiagnosis, and implement supportive treatment strategies that prioritize safety, routine, and caregiver connection. Dr. Forkey is a Professor of Pediatrics and Vice Chair of Pediatrics and Dr. Morgan is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Early genetic evaluation plays a vital role in identifying potential causes of neurodevelopmental disorders and guiding families on next steps, expectations, and recurrence risks. Dr. Jennifer Kalish joins us to share practical insights for recognizing when to initiate testing, selecting the right tests, and addressing barriers such as insurance and interpretation. Dr. Kalish is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Director of the Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome Program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She also spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition.
Recognizing how inequities can significantly impact pediatric care outcomes is essential to improving access, trust, and long-term health. Dr. Shelina Ramnarine is joined by Dr. Yolanda Evans to discuss actionable strategies that can help us deliver more inclusive care, from social determinant screeners to equity-focused frameworks. Dr. Evans is a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist practicing in Seattle, Washington, and she spoke about this topic at the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition.
Neonatal food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (N-FPIES) is an underrecognized condition often misdiagnosed as necrotizing enterocolitis, despite distinct clinical and lab features that demand a different treatment approach. In this AudioAbstract, ReachMD's Ryan Quigley explores the early signs, immune pathways, and diagnostic markers of N-FPIES, offering essential insights to help pediatric clinicians identify this condition and initiate appropriate dietary management to avoid unnecessary interventions.
Pediatricians are often the first to encounter eye conditions that can range from common to life-threatening. Hear from Dr. Laura Enyedi as she shares highlights from her presentation on diagnosing childhood ocular disorders from the 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition. Dr. Enyedi is a Professor of Ophthalmology and an Associate Professor in Pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) presents with a wide range of clinical signs, making timely detection and coordinated care essential. This multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management can manifest in a number of ways, from clinical evaluation and laboratory testing to emerging biomarkers and evolving treatment options. Joining Dr. Gates Colbert to discuss how we can use these strategies to optimize IgAN care are Drs. Abdallah Geara and Ellie Kelepouris. Dr. Geara is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, the Clinical Director of the Glomerular Diseases Program, and Director of Onconephrology at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, and Dr. Kelepouris is a Professor of Clinical Medicine, the Vice Chief of Clinical Affairs, and the Medical Director of Outpatient Dialysis Programs at Penn Medicine.
Delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options have historically been barriers to optimal management of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), but that paradigm may be shifting. A paper published in Kidney International in April 2025 points out that significant nephron loss often occurs before diagnosis, making early, targeted treatment essential. The paper makes the case for lowering proteinuria thresholds, minimizing steroid use, and employing safer, more effective therapies in combination. Joining Dr. Charles Turck to discuss this developing approach to IgAN care is Dr. Jonathan Barratt, the Mayor Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Leicester in the UK and a coauthor of the study.
Reference:
Floege J, Bernier-Jean A, Barratt J, Rovin B. Treatment of patients with IgA nephropathy: a call for a new paradigm. Kidney International. 2025;S0085-2538(25)00076-6.
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has a decades-long progression that requires careful monitoring of key biomarkers to optimize management. Hematuria, proteinuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate levels are all critical to tracking the progression of the disease, and understanding how they’re connected can not only improve prognostication but also guide earlier, more targeted interventions to preserve kidney function. Joining Dr. Gates Colbert to walk through these markers and their importance is Dr. Abdallah Geara. He's an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Clinical Director of the Glomerular Diseases Program, and the Director of Onconephrology at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.
Every moment counts when meningitis is suspected. To help reduce the risk of poor neurologic outcomes, Dr. Jessica Snowden is here to review age-based considerations that guide empiric antibiotic and antiviral choices—from neonatal infections acquired at delivery to risks in unvaccinated older children. Dr. Snowden is a Professor of Pediatrics and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Tennessee.
Despite the success of meningitis vaccination programs, pediatricians must remain vigilant as cases still occur and can be life-threatening if missed. That’s why Dr. Jessica Snowden joins us to share how we can identify subtle behavioral cues, understand age-specific presentations, and diagnose patients using the gold-standard approach of lumbar puncture and CSF analysis. Dr. Snowden is a Professor of Pediatrics and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Tennessee.
