A US clinical trial confirms early use of targeted therapies like gefitinib can improve lung cancer patient outcomes. The study found that 31 out of 34 patients with sensitizing EGFR mutations showed significant tumor shrinkage or no growth after receiving Iressa treatment.
Researchers discovered a correlation between syndecan-1, E-cadherin and integrins with gastric cancer prognosis. The study suggests these markers could be important indexes for predicting the outcome of gastric carcinoma patients.
The NIAID research program aims to uncover mechanisms to enable scientists to outwit HIV and stimulate the production of long-lasting antibodies that can neutralize many strains of the virus. By understanding how B cells recognize antigens and producing broad-spectrum antibodies, researchers hope to develop a preventive HIV vaccine.
Researchers have discovered a better method for treating patients with portal hypertension, combining spironolactone and propranolol. The study found that this combination reduces the risk of variceal re-bleeding and is effective in patients who have never bled or have had previous episodes.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed an eye-tracking technology that can detect autism in babies as young as nine months old. This tool distinguishes between siblings with autism and those without at this early age, offering a faster and more objective diagnostic process.
A study of 1,889 participants found a graded relation between oxidized LDL and incident metabolic syndrome, with those having higher levels at increased risk. Oxidized LDL was also associated with abdominal obesity, high fasting glucose, and high triglyceride measurements.
The study shows that Perforomist Inhalation Solution delivers bronchodilation comparable to DPI delivery and has similar linear kinetics and excreted drug levels. This offers an effective, long-term treatment option for patients with COPD who may have difficulty coordinating other devices.
A post hoc analysis of a study on Lialda revealed significant improvements in time to symptom resolution for patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. The study found that Lialda, an aminosalicylate medication, lowered the time to initial symptom resolution by up to 17 days compared to placebo.
Researchers at Tufts University identified groups with inadequate vitamin B6 status, including women of reproductive age and smokers. The study found a significant link between oral contraceptive use and low plasma pyridoxal 5'- phosphate levels.
A three-year study will investigate how low levels of environmental chemicals affect sheep foetuses and potentially human health. The researchers aim to understand the long-term reproductive effects of exposure to hormone-like chemicals, which could have greater consequences for females than males.
Researchers found that COPD patients who lived longer than two years obtained more positive results from their PR program than those with end-stage COPD. The study suggests that other factors present at end of life may contribute to poorer outcomes in exercise capacity and quality of life.
Researchers found evidence of a large ornithopod dinosaur and a herd of 11 sauropods walking together along a Mesozoic coastal mudflat in Yemen. The discovery provides insight into dinosaur herding behavior, with the trackways preserved in rocks likely dating back to the Late Jurassic period.
A new approach measures animal emotional states based on human psychology findings that emotions affect information processing. Rats in standard conditions show stronger responses to lost rewards than those in enriched environments, suggesting a negative emotional state.
A new study finds that people who were overweight in adolescence have a higher risk of mortality from endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer, and respiratory diseases. The study of 230,000 Norwegian adolescents found an increased mortality rate among those with high BMI.
The OSTM/Jason 2 satellite will monitor global sea-level rise and study ocean circulation and its links to Earth's climate. The mission aims to improve weather and climate forecasts, providing better seasonal predictions and near-real-time data on ocean conditions.
A case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of Gardner syndrome with gastric polyposis in a 23-year-old female patient. The patient underwent restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis, showing gradual recovery from malnutrition and anemia.
Global menopause experts conclude that HRT is safe and beneficial for healthy women in the early postmenopausal period. The Zürich Summit reviews evidence on the safety, risks, and benefits of HRT, finding no increased risk of chronic heart disease or breast cancer in this group. HRT also maintains bone health and may delay cognitive d...
The combination of sodium phosphate and bisacodyl impairs small intestine quality during capsule endoscopy, accelerating transit time but having no effect on CE quality. Further studies are needed to identify effective preparation procedures.
A new study found that patients receiving budesonide/formoterol combination therapy reported significantly greater satisfaction with symptom relief, dosing management, and timeliness of medication effects. In contrast, patients treated with fluticasone/salmeterol combination therapy experienced lower levels of satisfaction in these areas.
A researcher studies job satisfaction among Chinese workers, examining unique labor market institutions such as membership in the Communist Party. His work also explores motivating factors for workers, including high performance workplaces, performance pay, and family-friendly practices.
Researchers found that serum type IV collagen is a predictive factor of esophageal varices in patients with severe alcoholic disease. The combination of abdominal ultrasound scan and type IV collagen correctly identified patients with esophageal varices at a high rate.
A new study analyzed SYMBICORT in children with persistent asthma, showing significant improvements in nighttime symptoms, rescue medication use, and lung function. The results indicate that SYMBICORT is effective for treating mild to moderate persistent asthma in children aged 6-15.
A survey of infectious diseases physicians found that patients taking immune-modulating therapies are at risk for nontuberculosis mycobacterial infections, histoplasmosis, and invasive S. aureus infections. Clinicians should be vigilant for these infections, particularly in patients with underlying lung disease.
Researchers found that long, thin multi-walled carbon nanotubes behave like asbestos fibers when inhaled, posing a risk of mesothelioma. The study suggests steps should be taken to prevent inhalation and regulate their use.
The study found that Chinese patients with reflux esophagitis had a peak age of onset between 40¨C60 years, with more male patients than female ones. The mean age of onset was lower in males than females. H pylori infection rates were significantly decreased in patients with esophagitis, but severity was not associated. Older age and h...
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that Pakistani patients with genotype-3 HCV who achieve rapid virological response (RVR) within four weeks of therapy are more likely to achieve sustained virological response (SVR). Patients with initial high levels of ALT were also more likely to attain RVR.
A study of farming mothers and their children found that those exposed to farms had higher functioning regulatory T cells, which can suppress immune responses. This increase was strongest among babies born to mothers who spent time on farms or drank farm milk, suggesting a potential preventive strategy against allergic diseases.
Researchers develop a technique to coat viruses with proteins, allowing for easier tracking and treatment of infectious diseases. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inherited disorders.
A re-analysis of PCPT data reveals that finasteride significantly reduces the incidence of prostate cancers, including higher-grade ones. The study also suggests that finasteride may suppress indolent cancers and could be useful in determining tumor aggressiveness.
A unique surgical case presented a patient with heterotopic gastric tissue simulating acute appendicitis. The inflammation from the gastric tissue caused localized pain and elevated white blood cell count. Removal of the inflamed lymph node containing the gastric tissue resolved the symptoms.
GAL-3 stimulates pancreatic stellate cell activation, which promotes the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. This interaction provides a new therapeutic target for controlling pancreatic cancer.
UT Southwestern researchers found gene mutations in mice that control electrical excitability in the brain involved in sleep create a human-like insomnia disorder. The mutant mice slept half as much as normal mice and did not readily get restful sleep even after sleep deprivation.
Researchers found that noninvasive ventilation (NIV) relieved symptoms more quickly than standard oxygen therapy, remaining effective after three hours. NIV also significantly reduced morphine use in the first 24 hours, improving communication with caregivers and relatives.
Critically ill patients with wide glycemic variability were more likely to die and develop nosocomial infections compared to those with low variability. The study identified age, previous diabetes history, and insulin control as predictors of high variability.
A study by Meeta Prasad analyzed in-hospital mortality across over 230,000 patients and found a small but significant decrease in mortality after working hour limits were enforced. The researchers suggest that medical training may not require such brutal hours and sleep deprivation.
Bariatric surgery shows promise as a treatment for adolescent obesity, with per-oral suturing procedures offering a safe and effective alternative. Probiotics also aid in weight loss and GI quality of life after gastric bypass surgery.
Researchers discover that burning frankincense activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain, alleviating anxiety and depression. Incensole acetate, a Boswellia resin constituent, activates TRPV3 channels, providing a potential new class of depression and anxiety treatments.
Researchers have confirmed that Jianpi Huoxue decoction inhibits targets in LPS-activated Kupffer cell signal pathway, reducing cytokine expression and endotoxin receptor activity. The study provides new evidence for JHD's potential therapeutic benefits for alcoholic liver injury.
Researchers investigated using gene therapy to inhibit NHE1 in human gastric carcinoma cells, leading to apoptosis of tumor cells. The study found that inhibition of NHE1 reduced malignant phenotypes and restrained tumor cell survival.
Researchers discovered a link between high oxidized LDL levels and increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease. Those with the highest levels of oxidized LDL were 3.5 times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome over five years.
A new TB treatment using Rifampin for four months is more effective than the current nine-month standard, saving healthcare systems $10,000 per patient. This shorter treatment also leads to better compliance rates and lower costs.
A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that reloading a multiband ligator instead of using a new one can significantly reduce the cost of treating esophageal varices. The procedure, which involves reusing the same band ligator for multiple sessions, resulted in a 58% reduction in costs.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that long-term survival and liver rejection rates are equivalent for African-American liver transplant patients as compared to patients of other races. The study suggests that race is not a predictor of survival, contrary to previous findings.
A study published in HortScience found that employees in offices with live plants and window views reported higher job satisfaction and overall life quality. The research suggests that adding green spaces to office environments can increase employee happiness and productivity.
A study found that even when patients with diabetes present with high blood pressure, there's only a 50-50 chance of receiving treatment. Uncertainty about the patient's blood pressure and other medical issues contribute to this 'clinical inertia'. More systematic guidelines for monitoring blood pressure in people with diabetes are needed
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a novel device that emits coherent Terahertz (THz) radiation at room temperature, overcoming a major hurdle in laser technology. The breakthrough has significant potential for applications ranging from security screening to chemical sensing.
Researchers at Northwestern University and Princeton University created a new kind of polymer that incorporates functionalized, exfoliated graphene sheets, exhibiting extraordinary thermal and mechanical properties. The polymer's electroconductivity is also being studied to create optically transparent conducting polymers.
A new study shows that DCE-MRI plus DWI can accurately diagnose residual or recurrent prostate cancer, improving patient outcomes. The two imaging studies have a combined accuracy rate of about 72% in detecting cancer after HIFU ablation.
TAK-390MR demonstrates consistently high healing rates and symptom relief for patients with erosive esophagitis, outperforming lansoprazole in phase 3 studies. The study's results showed that TAK-390MR produced significantly higher overall healing rates than lansoprazole across two studies.
Dr. Michael Brownlee, a renowned expert in diabetes research, has been awarded the prestigious David Rumbough Award by JDRF for his outstanding contributions to understanding diabetic complications. His innovative work on hyperglycemia-induced damage and the discovery of novel molecular pathways have significantly advanced the field.
New study results demonstrate significant relief of IBS-C symptoms in adult women treated with AMITIZA 8 mcg, improving overall quality of life. This approval marks a significant advancement in treating IBS-C, which affects approximately one-third of IBS cases.
A study found that college students often drink to excess on their 21st birthdays, with 34% of men and 24% of women consuming 21 drinks or more. The researchers estimated blood alcohol content, finding that 49% of men and 35% of women had levels indicating severe intoxication.
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center report positive results from a human trial of sorafenib, a cancer drug, as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension. Eight out of nine patients improved their exercise capacity and six experienced significant improvements in right ventricular ejection fraction.
Researchers have made significant progress in diagnosing and preventing celiac disease, a condition where gluten triggers an autoimmune response. A new therapy, AT-1001, has shown promising results in improving intestinal permeability and reducing symptoms.
A study by Rush University Medical Center found that the Z-plasty technique significantly improves nasal airflow and reduces recovery time compared to traditional open rhinoplasty. The minimally invasive procedure shows promise as an effective treatment option for patients with internal nasal valve collapse.
A comprehensive review of facial plastic surgery outcome measures identified 68 instruments, including patient-reported and clinical efficacy measures. The study found that most patient-reported measures were developed in the past decade and had varying levels of validation rigor.
The NIH's Undiagnosed Diseases Program aims to provide answers for patients with mysterious conditions that have long eluded diagnosis. The program will utilize the expertise of senior attending physicians from various specialties to evaluate patients and identify new diseases or treatments.
US researchers have created living computers by genetically altering bacteria, solving the burnt pancake problem in a matter of flips. The breakthrough showcases computing in living cells, offering potential advantages over conventional computers, including parallel processing and self-repair mechanisms.
A rare and intense stellar flare was detected by NASA's Swift satellite from the normally quiet red dwarf star EV Lacertae. The flare, which lasted for 8 hours, would have sterilized life-bearing planets' surfaces if they were nearby.
A study found that black patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher risk of dying in the early stages of the disease compared to white patients. The disparities are attributed to sociological factors, including poverty and access-to-care, rather than biological differences.