A woman-owned spinout company, Chosen Diagnostics Inc, has received a $2.1M NIH grant to develop and commercialize a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker test for necrotizing enterocolitis. The test, called NECDetect, identifies 93% true positives and 95% true negatives in diagnosing the disease.
LSU Health has been awarded funding to support community health workers in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana, enabling them to serve as liaisons between healthcare services and under-resourced communities. The grants will promote health equity and provide essential public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Eric Lazartigues received a $2.6 million NIH grant to establish mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the brain, testing whether the virus can infect the brain and cause disease. The project aims to determine the cell types most affected by the virus and the effect on respiration control by the brain.
A new treatment approach targets angiogenesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in glioblastoma multiforme, reducing tumor volume and growth by up to 89%. The combination of LAU-0901, Elovanoids, and Avastin shows promise in improving survival rates for patients with this deadly cancer.
The LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing will increase the number of trained and certified SANES in rural and underserved communities in Louisiana with a $1.4 million grant. The program aims to address the high prevalence of sexual assault cases in southeast Louisiana, where 456 reported offenses were recorded in 2019.
A study found that initial treatment with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) plus glucocorticoids in children with Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular dysfunction. This is compared to IVIG alone, where left ventricular dysfunction occurred in 17% of patients.
The project will increase clinical training sites, diversify the nursing workforce, and provide tuition relief to prepare more psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in primary care settings, addressing a high demand for mental health services in Louisiana.
The LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise will sequence SARS-CoV-2 variants from cases among unvaccinated individuals and vulnerable patients, as well as those treated with immunosuppressants. The project aims to focus on underserved and minority patients in Louisiana.
A new study reports that Elovanoids, a bioactive compound, block the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering cells and protect lung tissue. The researchers found that Elovanoids also triggered the production of protective proteins that counteract lung damage.
Researchers identify immunosuppressive cells as key link between obesity and cancer risk, progression, and metastasis. Altered metabolic factors in obesity activate these cells, leading to poor survival and resistance to immunotherapy in cancer patients.
Researchers discovered a mechanism behind Herceptin resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer cells, citing increased IGF2/IRS1 signaling. A new approach may help overcome this resistance, offering hope for refractory breast cancer patients.
A study found that adequate levels of five antioxidants may reduce infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains associated with cervical cancer. Lower levels of serum albumin and four dietary antioxidants were linked to a higher risk of HPV infection, suggesting a potential nutritional strategy for prevention.
A study by LSU Health New Orleans identified how Zika virus disrupts neuronal development, leading to microcephaly and blindness. The research team found that a molecular motor called Kinesin-5 is targeted by the Zika protease, which causes cell division disruptions and loss of function.
A $1.06 million grant has been awarded to LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine to explore a new treatment for Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer (CPRC). The research focuses on the role of Prostate Derived ETS Transcription Factor (PDEF) in prostate cancer, with the goal of identifying novel targets for intervention.
A new study investigates how hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic affect each other and disaster response in southern Louisiana. Community-based organizations face new challenges, including reduced financial resources and service delivery constraints due to protocols to prevent SARS-CoV-2 spread.
A new LSU Health New Orleans study found a positive association between social vulnerability and COVID-19 incidence at the census tract level. Census tracts with higher levels of social vulnerability were associated with higher COVID-19 cumulative incidence, suggesting targeted interventions could reduce transmission in vulnerable popu...
A retrospective study by LSU Health New Orleans found that 63% of patients who dropped out of peritoneal dialysis did so due to psychosocial reasons. The researchers suggest that counseling and assisted dialysis programs may improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Researchers will investigate genetic factors linking obesity and estrogen-containing birth control pills to stroke risk, aiming to identify drug targets for prevention or reduction.
A recent study published in MMWR found that shortening the length of COVID-19 quarantine for college athletes can increase compliance without increasing risk. The analysis showed that nearly 49% of positive test results occurred within the first two days of quarantine, and the positivity rate decreased over time.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered a potential new RX strategy for stroke, combining an LSU Health-patented drug with selected DHA derivatives to protect brain cells and increase recovery. The study found that this combination therapy significantly reduced lesion volumes and improved behavioral scores, offering hope ...
A recent study led by LSU Health researchers discovered a reciprocal interaction between GABA and endocannabinoids in the brain, which accelerates the breakdown of molecules regulating brain cell communication. This imbalance is linked to neurological disorders and may be targeted for therapy.
A new study by LSU Health found that neighborhoods with higher levels of deprivation have a significantly higher risk of COVID-19 cases. The researchers used the Area Deprivation Index to examine the relationship between neighborhood poverty, education, and housing conditions on COVID-19 transmission.
Researchers found that deleting FATP4 increases cone photoreceptor survival and visual function nearly 10-fold in mouse models of Leber congenital amaurosis. This discovery establishes FATP4 as a promising therapeutic target to preserve daytime color vision in patients with RPE65 gene mutations.
Researchers found that the rate of myocarditis caused by COVID-19 is between 1.4% and 7.2%, significantly lower than previously reported rates. This finding should inform clinical colleagues about interpreting blood tests and heart radiology studies.
A recent review from LSU Health New Orleans found an association between heat-not-burn tobacco products and increased risk of heart problems, cell death, and circulatory dysfunction. The study highlights the need for further research into the health effects of these products.
South Rampart Pharma, a New Orleans life science company, has been awarded a $1.9 million NIH STTR grant to develop a new class of non-opioid medicines for pain relief and fever reduction. The company aims to create a safer treatment option for acute and chronic pain, which affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
A team of researchers has discovered a new mechanism that explains why patients with ocular hypertension do not develop glaucoma. They found increased antioxidant capacity and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid chemical messengers, providing potential resistance to elevated intraocular pressure.
A groundbreaking LSU Health study reveals that nonharmful stress can protect against disease in offspring, reprogramming heritability to promote resilience. The research used mild systemic hypoxia to trigger adaptive changes in adult mice, which were then passed on to their offspring.
A new LSU Health study reveals that the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor plays a crucial role in the multipronged SARS-CoV-2 attack, leading to widespread COVID-19 infection. The research found high ACE2 expression in various organs and tissues, including the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems.
A new tool for diagnosing COVID-19 has been developed by LSU Health New Orleans, using 3D digital models created from CT scans of patients with severe respiratory symptoms. The tool allows clinicians to visualize the distribution of the virus in the lungs and may help identify false negatives in RT-PCR testing.
Researchers at LSU Health have discovered a crucial mechanism in brain cell communication that can help protect against stroke. They found that DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, promotes the survival and integrity of neuronal cells by regulating key proteins involved in this communication.
A pilot study found that Snapchat improves diagnostic performance among radiology residents, who performed better on the platform than with traditional classroom screens. The results suggest a promising novel training method to enhance recognition of life-threatening imaging diagnoses.
Researchers from LSU Health New Orleans have identified microscopic evidence of inflammation in small cardiac vessels during autopsy of patient who initially recovered from COVID. The team notes the potential for increased clotting affecting pulmonary blood vessels beyond initial course of COVID-19.
A study of 22 COVID-19 patient autopsies found a unique pattern of cell death in scattered heart muscle cells, challenging traditional myocarditis theories. The researchers propose several theories to explain the cardiac injury and suggest further investigation for potential treatment interventions.
A team of researchers discovered a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever, excluding hepatotoxicity and opioid addiction. The findings have significant implications for acute and chronic pain management, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study highlights social media's benefits in Radiology, including educational content dissemination, professional networking, and collaboration. However, it also warns of challenges, such as maintaining patient privacy and avoiding e-professionalism.
Researchers suggest live attenuated vaccines like MMR can activate immune cells to combat sepsis and lung inflammation associated with COVID-19. A proposed preventive measure could offer a 'no harm, no foul' benefit for vaccinated adults if infected.
African American patients who died from COVID-19 had obstructed small vessels and capillaries in the lungs due to blood clots and associated hemorrhage. Elevated D-dimers were also found, but no myocarditis was observed, contradicting early reports suggesting a significant role in death.
A new study from LSU Health reveals that chronic nicotine inhalation increases blood pressure and leads to pulmonary hypertension, accompanied by changes in lung and heart blood vessels. The researchers also found the adverse effects of inhaled nicotine are largely isolated to the right heart.
Research led by Dr. Si-Qiong June Liu found that stress changes the structure of the brain and affects communication between nerve cells. A single stressful event can produce quick and long-lasting changes in astrocytes, which may lead to new pharmacological targets for preventing or reversing stress-induced changes.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs may raise the risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes due to increased ACE2 receptors in the lungs. Patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes, and chronic renal disease are more susceptible.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that pregnant and postpartum women in Louisiana are at a higher risk of experiencing a homicide. The research team analyzed vital records data from 2016-17, revealing an estimated rate of 12.9 per 100,000 compared to other causes of maternal death.
A recent study reveals that cancers have already spread in a high percentage of people by the time recommended screening begins for colorectal cancer. The rate of colorectal cancer incidence increased significantly between ages 49 and 50, with 92.9% of diagnosed cases at age 50 being invasive.
A team of researchers discovered a case of stagnant blood flow resulting in a clot in the internal jugular vein of an astronaut on the International Space Station. The study found that anticoagulation therapy was effective in reducing the size of the clot, but not eliminating it entirely.
Researchers aim to determine if short bursts of vigorous-intensity locomotor treadmill training can optimize motor learning and improve walking capacity, mobility, and performance for children with cerebral palsy. The study will enroll 72 participants aged 6-10 and assess the immediate and retention effects of the intervention.
Research led by Dr. Nicolas Bazan has discovered the critical role of MFRP and Adipor1 proteins in preserving retinal function. The study found that mutations in these proteins lead to retinal degeneration, highlighting their importance in preventing age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases.
A $299,641 grant will advance the development of a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker test for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening illness affecting neonates. The test aims to alleviate this devastating gut disease among premature babies.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine have discovered a new mechanism by which elovanoids may protect brain and retinal cells against neurodegenerative diseases. The study identifies elovanoids as a potential therapeutic approach for age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease.
A diagnostic study found a protein involved in managing bacteria to be a reliable biomarker for the noninvasive detection of NEC. Elevated levels of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (iAP) protein linked to NEC were shed in stool samples, with accuracy rates of 97% and 76% for severe and suspected NEC, respectively.
Dr. Jennifer J. Lentz and her team will research a treatment for vision loss in Usher using antisense oligonucleotides, targeting the human 216A mutation in the USH1C gene. The goal is to develop an effective treatment for vision loss in Usher Syndrome.