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Chilled platelets held for 21 days, upadacitinib regrew hair, and a plant-based plate cut calories

CHIPS validated chilled platelets for up to 21 days in cardiac surgery; upadacitinib in UP-AA1 and UP-AA2 regrew hair in severe alopecia; a low-fat plant-based diet cut 357 daily calories without shrinking the plate.

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A gloved hand lifts a pale amber platelet bag from an open medical refrigerator, with stocked bags, cold-air haze and a distant operating team visible through an interior window.

CHIPS validated 21-day chilled platelets in cardiac surgery

The CHIPS adaptive randomized trial asked whether platelets refrigerated for up to 21 days could control bleeding in cardiac surgery patients as well as room-temperature units kept under 7 days. Between December 2021 and March 2025 the study enrolled 1,000 participants at 27 sites in the United States and Australia, roughly a third of them children undergoing operations that expected to need platelets. Patients received either standard room-temperature platelets or chilled units; after every 200 completed cases independent analysts reviewed hemostasis and safety, and if chilled storage remained non-inferior the protocol allowed adding up to 5 more storage days, to a ceiling of 21 days. Results published in JAMA show that 21-day refrigerated platelets matched room-temperature products for stopping surgical bleeding. Platelets today last only 5 to 7 days at room temperature, and Philip Spinella, who led CHIPS, argues rural hospitals and blood banks could keep stock far longer if regulators accept the finding. The decision sits with the Food and Drug Administration, which is weighing whether to widen use of cold-stored platelets beyond the current 14-day allowance.[1]

Upadacitinib regrew hair in severe alopecia across UP-AA1 and UP-AA2

Upadacitinib, a JAK inhibitor already used for rheumatoid arthritis, was tested for severe alopecia areata in two phase 3 trials named UP-AA1 and UP-AA2. The trials enrolled 1,399 people who had to score 50 or above on the Severity of Alopecia Tool; adolescents aged 12 to 17 were included. UP-AA1 ran at 112 centres across 25 countries and UP-AA2 at 125 centres across 28 countries. Participants were randomized to 15 milligrams of upadacitinib a day, 30 milligrams of upadacitinib a day, or placebo. According to results in JAMA Dermatology, at 24 weeks nearly half of those on 15 milligrams a day and more than 54 per cent of those on 30 milligrams a day reached the threshold of 80 per cent scalp coverage, while about 2 per cent in the placebo group did. More than 35 per cent on 15 milligrams a day and about 46 per cent on 30 milligrams a day achieved 90 per cent coverage or more, compared with roughly 1 per cent on placebo. Eyebrow and eyelash regrowth also improved; acne and upper respiratory infections were common side effects, and serious adverse events were rare.[2]

A low-fat plant-based diet cut calories without shrinking the plate

Researchers at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine ran a 16-week randomized trial in adults with overweight to measure how a low-fat, entirely plant-based diet changes dietary energy density. Participants were given no calorie target and no portion limit, and the comparison group made no dietary change. According to the study in JAMA Network Open, those who switched to the plant-based diet took in about 357 fewer calories a day even though the total weight of food they ate stayed almost unchanged. Energy density remained flat in the control group but fell about 30 per cent in the vegan group, and the larger the drop in density, the greater the weight loss. Hana Kahleova says plant foods are high in water and fibre, so the plate stays full while calorie intake falls. The trial was run in adults with overweight and does not generalize directly to other groups.[3]

References

  1. News sourceMedical XpressPlatelets chilled for 21 days held up as well in cardiac surgery
    Primary paperJAMACold and Room Temperature Platelets in Cardiac Surgery: The Chilled Platelet Study
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  2. News sourceMedical XpressA rheumatoid arthritis drug regrew hair in severe alopecia within 24 weeks
    Primary paperJAMA DermatologyUpadacitinib for Severe Alopecia Areata in Adults and Adolescents
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  3. News sourceScienceDailyOn a low-fat plant-based diet the plate did not shrink, but the calories fell
    Primary paperJAMA Network OpenVegan Diets and Dietary Energy Density
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