Remimazolam versus propofol on seizure adequacy in electroconvulsive therapy: a retrospective cohort study
ObjectiveElectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a core treatment modality for severe mental disorders, and the choice of anesthetic induction agent directly impacts seizure quality and therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to compare the effects of remimazolam versus propofol on seizure adequacy during ECT.MethodsThis retrospective secondary analysis was conducted using data from a prospective observational cohort. A total of 859 ECT sessions from 114 patients were included. The primary outcome was the rate of adequate seizure, defined as an electroencephalographic (EEG) ictal duration of ≥15 seconds. Secondary outcomes included EEG seizure duration, post-ictal suppression index (PSI), maximum sustained power (MSP), and average seizure energy index (ASEI). Stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting was employed to balance baseline covariates between groups, with balance assessed by standardized mean differences. Generalized linear mixed models were used to compare intergroup differences, accounting for random effects at the patient level. Subgroup analysis, E-value calculation, and propensity score matching (PSM) at 1:1 and 1:2 ratios were performed as sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the results. ResultsA total of 859 ECT sessions were included, with 179 in the remimazolam group and 680 in the propofol group. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between groups after weighting. The remimazolam group exhibited a significantly higher rate of adequate seizures compared with the propofol group (adjusted odds ratio: 12.054, 95% confidence interval: 5.758–25.233, P < 0.001), along with prolonged EEG seizure duration and elevated MSP. No significant between-group differences were observed in PSI or ASEI. The results of all sensitivity analyses were consistent with those of the primary analysis.ConclusionRemimazolam was associated with a higher rate of EEG seizure adequacy and longer EEG seizure duration; however, whether this electrophysiological advantage translates into better clinical outcomes remains to be investigated in prospective studies.
Latest developments in the use of e-cigarettes by people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders who smoke: a scoping review
BackgroundTobacco use is significantly more prevalent among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) compared to the general population, contributing to elevated rates of premature mortality from smoking-related diseases. Despite a decline in smoking prevalence in the general population, individuals with SSD continue to smoke at persistently high rates, driven by biological, psychological, and social factors. Standard smoking cessation approaches yield markedly poorer outcomes in this group compared to non-psychiatric populations. This scoping review aimed to map the emerging evidence on the use of e-cigarettes among individuals with SSD or serious mental illness (SMI).MethodsThis scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Population–Concept–Context (PCC) framework and reported following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The review focused on studies published between January 2020 and February 2026, searched on PubMed and EMBASE, providing an up-to-date synthesis of emerging evidence on e-cigarette use in this vulnerable population.ResultsThree studies reported across four publications were included (total N = 323); one research group (Pratt et al.) contributed two separate publications reporting distinct outcomes from the same study cohort. Findings suggest that e-cigarette-based interventions are feasible and acceptable in individuals with SSD and SMI, with preliminary evidence of smoking reduction and decreased exposure to tobacco-related carcinogens. However, sustained harm reduction appeared dependent on a combined approach considering that device provision was empowered in its efficacy to sustain harm reduction over time when integrated with behavioral support.ConclusionsThe available evidence, while preliminary and limited by the small number of included studies, should be interpreted with caution regarding generalizability to patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders exclusively, as three of the four included publications recruited participants with broader SMI diagnoses of which SSD represents only a subset. Further research, including larger adequately powered trials with standardized outcome measures and longer follow-up, is needed to establish the generalizability and long-term impact of these interventions.
ENVnet provides a global molecular resource of dissolved organic matter
Nature Biotechnology, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41587-026-03230-0
A resource of dissolved organic matter illuminates carbon and microbial life in Earth’s ecosystems.
A new additive in the opioid supply is causing disastrous complications
Nature Medicine, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04536-x
A new additive in the opioid supply is causing disastrous complications
Genomas Brasil program: building precision public health within Brazil’s Unified Health System
Nature Medicine, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04523-2
Brazil is embedding large-scale genomics into its universal public healthcare system, combining sequencing, infrastructure and clinical implementation at scale. The experience may provide a model for other countries in the global south that seek to deliver genomic equity and precision public health.
Individualized antisense oligonucleotides for SCN2A-related developmental epileptic encephalopathy
Nature Medicine, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04527-y
In two patients with SCN2A epileptic encephalopathy, treatment with personalized allele-selective antisense oligonucleotides led to a decrease in seizure frequency with a positive safety profile.
An iPSC-derived neural progenitor cell therapy for subacute spinal cord injury: a phase 1 trial with long-term follow-up
Nature Medicine, Published online: 21 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04549-6
A phase 1 trial evaluating the safety of iPSC-derived neural stem cell transplantation in subacute complete spinal cord injury, with 2–4 years of follow-up including MRI, neurological and functional assessments met its primary outcome.
Revvity Creates Program to Equip Young Biotechs with Scalable Informatics Capabilities Sooner than Later
Revvity reports that its Signals Software business is launching Signals for Startups, a new program designed to help emerging biotech companies adopt scalable informatics capabilities earlier in their growth journey.
Built for early-stage biotechs, the program combines access to Signals software with guided onboarding and best-practice configurations for smaller biotechs to help accelerate innovation, improve scientific productivity and shorten time-to-value, according to a company spokesperson.
Startup biotechs are often under pressure to move quickly with limited IT, informatics, and operational resources while managing increasingly complex discovery data. Signals for Startups addresses this challenge with a purpose-built, scalable Signals environment that helps teams focus on science while establishing a strong digital foundation from day one, explains Kevin Willoe, president of Revvity Signals Software, adding that out-of-the-box configurations for large and small molecules enable companies to accelerate adoption, standardize data, and enhance collaboration on a proven, scalable informatics infrastructure.
“Signals for Startups addresses a critical need for emerging biotech companies that want to move fast without creating data and workflow challenges that limit their ability to scale,” he continues. “By combining startup-friendly access with guided onboarding and scalable Signals workflows, we are helping early-stage teams build the digital foundation they need to advance discovery, support investor readiness and grow with confidence.”
Signals for Startups is expected to be available in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Africa later this month.
The post Revvity Creates Program to Equip Young Biotechs with Scalable Informatics Capabilities Sooner than Later appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
<![CDATA[Inside the ED psychiatric crisis pathway: rapid evaluation, safety triage, long-acting injectables,]]>