The linear mixed model (LMM) has emerged as a powerful statistical tool in genetic association studies, enabling researchers to control for population structure and relatedness among study participants to reduce false positive findings. In the standard LMM framework, a hyperparameter η quantifies the relative contribution of random genetic effects versus random noise. While classical approaches treat η as known, genome-wide association studies require its estimation, typically via maximum likelihood (ML) or restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methods. Although likelihood ratio tests and Wald tests provide p-values for association testing under the LMM, Bayes factors offer distinct advantages—particularly when comparing multiple non-nested alternative models. However, no efficient method has been available for computing Bayes factors under the LMM framework in the context of genetic association studies.

A 71-year-old woman with a two-year history of a slowly deepening skin depression on her trunk was found to have atrophic dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)—a rare variant of skin cancer that mimics benign conditions such as scars or morphea. The case highlights the importance of biopsying firm, persistent atrophic lesions, as early diagnosis and complete surgical excision are key to preventing local recurrence.

A UK Biobank study of 260,118 people finds that body clock imbalance is linked to a higher risk of psoriasis, with the highest risk in those who also have high genetic susceptibility.

A 66-year-old man with bullous pemphigoid experienced worsening skin lesions during dupilumab treatment. The true cause was crusted scabies—not a disease flare. The case reminds clinicians to consider scabies when immunosuppressed patients show persistent crusting or itching.

This systematic review (12 studies, 2302 patients), published in Eye & ENT Research, synthesizes available evidence on the association between human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection and otorhinolaryngological manifestations. Acute otitis media was the most frequently reported ENT manifestation, and most patients were children (88.3%). Given the marked heterogeneity across studies, the findings point to a possible association, but causality cannot be established from the current evidence.