This continuing series gathers and presents original research results on the leading edge of medicine and biology. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial topical data across a broad spectrum. Topics discussed include the role of physical activity behaviour in hypertension and in overweight and obese children; bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units; rotator cuff disease; the effect of pressure on the hydraulic conductivity of the aorta wall layers and gastrointestinal leishmaniasis.