Innovation, Access, and the Future of Cardiac Care
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Quentin Youmans, a heart failure cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, explores the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced heart failure care. He shares insights into guideline-directed medical therapy, emerging device-based interventions, and the growing role of personalized medicine in improving outcomes for patients with complex cardiovascular disease. Dr. Youmans also addresses health disparities, access challenges, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in modern cardiology. Episode Highlights Advances in Guideline-Directed Medical...
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From Awareness to Action: Cancer Prevention & Patient Empowerment
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Aruna Anupindi, a consultant clinical oncologist based in Oxford, UK, joins the podcast to discuss evolving trends in breast and prostate cancer care. Specializing in breast and urological cancers, Dr. Anupindi shares insights from her clinical practice, highlights key takeaways from recent oncology conferences, and reflects on the growing importance of early detection, personalized therapies, and quality of life in cancer treatment. She also addresses disparities in screening uptake, emerging treatment strategies aimed at reducing chemotherapy exposure,...
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AI in Oncology: Building Smarter Clinical Trials and Closing Data Gaps
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Arsela Prelaj, a thoracic oncologist and AI researcher at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy, explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in oncology. Drawing from her background in medical oncology and bioengineering, Dr. Prelaj discusses how AI is revolutionizing clinical trial design, improving trial success rates, and expanding patient access to innovative therapies. She shares real-world examples of how machine learning, large language models, and synthetic data are being integrated into cancer research, while also...
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How Parity and Breastfeeding May Guard Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Sherene Loi, a medical oncologist and laboratory head at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia, discusses groundbreaking research published in Nature exploring how pregnancy and breastfeeding influence immune protection against triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Loi shares insights into how reproductive history reshapes the immune system, particularly T cell activity, and how these findings may inform future prevention strategies, screening approaches, and immunotherapy development. Episode Highlights: The Immune System’s Role in...
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Axial Spondyloarthritis: From Inflammatory Back Pain to Targeted Therapy
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Joel Wright, a rheumatology fellow at UCLA, provides an in-depth, practical discussion on axial spondyloarthritis and related spondyloarthritides. Dr. Wright breaks down evolving disease definitions, diagnostic challenges, imaging interpretation, and modern treatment strategies, while emphasizing a holistic, patient-centered approach to care. The conversation highlights how early recognition and individualized therapy can significantly improve long-term outcomes. Episode Highlights Defining Axial vs. Peripheral Spondyloarthritis Dr. Wright explains the...
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Vitamin D, Epstein-Barr Virus, and MS Risk
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Marianna Cortese, a medical doctor and epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, shares groundbreaking research on the link between vitamin D, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Her work, conducted within the U.S. military cohort, sheds new light on racial, genetic, and environmental factors influencing MS development and potential prevention strategies. Dr. Cortese discusses how vitamin D levels and immune response modulation play a role in MS prevention, and how EBV infection—now recognized as the...
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Living With HS: Tameka Carter’s Journey to Diagnosis and Treatment
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, patient advocate Tameka Carter shares her personal journey living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic, painful inflammatory skin condition often misdiagnosed for years. Tameka discusses the early signs of HS, the emotional and physical toll of delayed diagnosis, and the importance of finding a specialist who truly listens. She offers valuable insight into treatment decision-making, lifestyle changes, and the critical role of self-advocacy in managing a lifelong condition. Episode Highlights Early Symptoms and Delayed Diagnosis Tameka reflects on...
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How Ultra-Processed Food Impacts MS Progression
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Gloria Dalla Costa, a researcher at Harvard University, shares groundbreaking insights into the role of ultra-processed foods in multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. Drawing from her research on environmental and metabolic risk factors, Dr. Dalla Costa discusses how dietary habits may influence inflammation, disease activity, and long-term neurological outcomes in MS patients. Her work reveals compelling evidence that higher consumption of ultra-processed foods correlates with increased inflammatory markers, worsened MRI outcomes, and a greater risk of...
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Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis: Tracking Disease Progression
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Ahmed Abdelhak, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, explores the cutting-edge world of fluid biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS). With over a decade of experience as an MS clinical scientist, Dr. Abdelhak shares his expertise on the evolving role of biomarkers in understanding, predicting, and managing MS progression. He breaks down how markers like neurofilament light chain (NFL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and chitinase (CHIT1/CHIT3) offer insights into the underlying neuroinflammatory and...
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Optic Neuritis, MS Differentials, and Modern Treatment Pathways
MD Newsline
In this episode of MD Newsline, Dr. Nilüfer Kale, Head of the Department of Neurology at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, provides an in-depth look into optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and related demyelinating disorders. She discusses the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and treatment evolution of these conditions—offering valuable insights for clinicians managing autoimmune neuroinflammatory diseases. Dr. Kale also highlights the importance of accurate differential diagnosis, the role of neuroimaging and biomarkers, and how advancements in...
info_outlineIn this episode of MD Newsline, we welcome Peixuan Zheng, an exercise scientist at the University of Illinois Chicago, who shares her research on using step-based physical activity metrics to assess and enhance the daily function of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Peixuan discusses how wearable technology and new step-counting methods—like peak cadence—can provide more accurate insights into patients' real-world mobility compared to traditional clinical assessments.
She also dives into her intervention programs combining aerobic and resistance training to support cognitive and physical function in older adults with MS, highlighting improvements in learning, memory, and ambulation. The conversation explores the promise of personalized, at-home exercise prescriptions, the role of motivation in long-term adherence, and how machine learning and advanced wearable sensors could further revolutionize MS care.
Episode HighlightsReal-World Walking Metrics for MS Patients Peixuan introduces the use of wearable sensors to measure "step-based metrics" like daily steps and peak cadence, capturing real-life walking performance more accurately than traditional lab tests.
Reliability of Step-Based Metrics Validated over a six-month period, step-based data showed consistency across time, making it a reliable alternative for tracking changes in mobility outside clinical settings.
Home-Based Exercise Interventions Zheng shares results from a 16-week home-based program combining aerobic and resistance exercises aimed at improving cognition and mobility in older adults with MS.
Impact on Cognitive Function The intervention led to improved cognitive processing speed and learning/memory outcomes, measured by the BICAMS battery.
Role of Motivation and Personal Goals Understanding patient motivations—like walking better or engaging in family activities—helps tailor exercise plans, boosting adherence and long-term outcomes.
Machine Learning and Future Applications Zheng sees a future where AI and wearable technology help generate personalized exercise prescriptions based on real-time physiological and movement data.
Key TakeawayPeixuan Zheng's research shows that real-world step-based metrics and personalized, home-based exercise programs offer promising ways to monitor and improve mobility and cognition in people with MS. Her work supports a future of MS care grounded in precision, motivation, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
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