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Science News for May 19, 2019


Many with mild asthma, low sputum eosinophils respond equally well to steroids as placebo

A recent study of nearly 300 patients with mild persistent asthma found that inhaled steroids were no more effective than placebo in nearly three-fourths of the study patients. However, for those with high levels of eosinophils, inhaled steroids were better than placebo, suggesting a potential new approach to targeting specific therapies.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 19, 2019

Sedation and controlled paralysis do not improve survival of ICU patients with ARDS

A National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial found that light sedation and intermittent neuromuscular blockade is as effective as deep sedation and continuous paralysis in improving survival rates for ICU patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The trial, which involved over 1,000 patients across North Ame...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 19, 2019

Structural and functional mechanisms of a new class of bacterial sigma/anti-sigma factors revealed

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences uncovered the structural and functional mechanism of SigI/RsgI factors, a new class of σ/anti-σ factors responsible for regulating cellulosomes in Clostridia and Bacilli. The study reveals a unique complex structure and critical recognition specificity among different pairs of proteins.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateMay 19, 2019

SCAI and ACVP release consensus statement on cardiovascular catheterization laboratory economics

The statement emphasizes that high-quality CCL care should not be limited by fiscal concerns, and provides recommendations for balancing revenue and expenses. It also highlights the importance of aligning leadership, strategy, organization, processes, personnel, and culture to optimize outcomes and efficiency.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMay 19, 2019