According to new Institute of Medicine guidelines, almost all Americans with healthy kidneys will have sufficient vitamin D levels if their blood levels are above 20 ng/ml. This translates to approximately 78.7 million adults who previously required supplementation no longer needing it.
A Loyola Medicine study reveals that breech births significantly increase the risk of complications for mothers and babies when the amniotic sac ruptures early. The study found that breech pregnancies were more likely to result in low amniotic fluid, premature birth, and serious neonatal outcomes.
A study by Loyola University Medical Center neurosurgeon Beejal Amin found that 25% of spine surgery patients' readmissions were not due to true quality-of-care issues. This suggests the current calculation method overstated true spine surgery-related readmissions.
Researchers found Botox injections to be equally effective to oral medication in treating urinary urgency incontinence, with a higher proportion of complete resolution. The study also showed improved quality of life without significant differences.
A study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that gender-specific group therapy reduced depressive symptoms in women with Type 2 diabetes by half compared to usual care. The therapy program, SWEEP, taught participants how blood sugar affects emotions and helped them recognize stress signs.
A new clinical trial at Loyola Medicine uses a genetically engineered immune system to fight melanoma. The treatment involves removing killer T cells from a patient and modifying them to recognize tumor cells as abnormal.
Balint's syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that badly impairs a patient's ability to make sense of what they see. Patients experience difficulties with eye movements, arm pointing, and visual field constriction.
A new study found that the endovascular technique for repairing ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms does not conclusively improve survival rates. The study, published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, compared outcomes between patients who underwent emergency endovascular surgery and those who had open surgery.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that combining two drugs extended the lives of women with metastatic breast cancer by more than six months. The combination treatment produced even greater benefits among women who had not previously taken tamoxifen, significantly improving survival rates.
A Loyola study found caregivers of stroke survivors experience high levels of perceived stress, caregiver burden, and poor sleep quality. These women are also at increased risk for depressive symptoms due to the physical and emotional toll of caregiving.
A study by David Shoham found that students with heavier friends were more likely to gain weight, while those with leaner friends tended to get trimmer. The research suggests that social influence plays a significant role in obesity, and targeted interventions may be necessary to prevent weight gain.
A new cancer drug, brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris), has dramatically improved survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma patients who have failed other treatments. In a multi-center study, 65% of patients were alive at 24 months, and 25% had no progression of the disease.
A study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine found that two new vitamin D test kits had poor performance, with results deviating from the gold standard method by up to 25%. This inaccuracy could lead to misdiagnoses and overtreatment of vitamin D deficiency.
A study published in the National Lipid Association Annual Scientific Sessions has shown that intensive cholesterol therapy involving a combination of drugs can be more effective over the long run than taking a single statin medication. After 20 years, patients on combination therapy had lower LDL and triglyceride levels, higher HDL, a...
A device used to prevent incontinence in women after pelvic-floor surgery shows promise, reducing symptoms but increasing side effects. Researchers suggest counseling women on risks and benefits prior to the procedure.
A study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment effectively improved motor function in Parkinson's disease patients for at least three years. However, improvements in health-related quality of life and cognitive abilities were gradually lost over time., The treatment was most effective for reducing tremors and muscle rigidity.
Researchers identified a simplified fruit fly gene that splits into two complex human genes playing roles in cancer and birth defects. This split made studying the genes easier, providing unique insights into massive human MLL2 and MLL3 genes.
Researchers have found that the omentum's fat cells can suppress the immune system by sequestering activated T cells, a finding that could lead to new drugs with fewer side effects. The omentum also helps regenerate damaged tissues through mesenchymal stem cells.
Patients with incomes under $50,000 were 27% less likely to participate than those earning more, with lower-income individuals expressing greater concerns about costs. The study highlights the need for better education and support for these patients.
A study by Loyola University Medical Center researchers found that 91 Facebook pages were used to solicit living kidney donors for patients aged 2-69. Twelve percent of the pages resulted in a successful transplant, while 30% reported potential donors being tested for compatibility.
Children born with cleft lip and/or palate face significant medical complications, including respiratory, feeding, speech, and hearing difficulties. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial in managing these patients.
A study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine found that only 15% of patients with low vision reported being recommended smartphones for their accessibility features. However, 24% of participants used smartphones, which can offer features like font size increase and GPS navigation to enhance quality of life.
A study found that brief conversations about healthy dialysis lifestyles increased patient satisfaction scores by 12% and improved compliance rates. Researchers used a 'talking control support therapy' approach, where health professionals had informal chats with patients while they underwent dialysis.
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing offers potential benefits but raises concerns about accuracy, interpretation, and sharing of results. Participants were willing to pay $10-$20 for the tests, but were hesitant due to costs ranging from $100 to $1,500.
Community-engaged research raises numerous ethical issues, including conflicts between academic and community partners, risks to groups not directly participating in the research, and distress among community partners. The authors propose several best practices and a detailed research agenda to address these concerns.
A study by Loyola Medicine found that routine urodynamics tests before stress incontinence surgery are not necessary for most patients, suggesting a potential cost savings. The study evaluated over 630 women with stress incontinence and compared those who underwent urodynamics testing to those who received only a doctor's evaluation.
A recent study by Loyola Medicine found that even relatively minor burns can lead to serious complications and prolonged hospital stays for binge drinkers. The study compared burn patients who were intoxicated above the legal limit with those who had no alcohol in their blood, finding similar rates of sepsis and pneumonia.
A new study by Loyola University Medical Center found that fetal membrane transplantation significantly reduces the risk of blindness in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The treatment, which involves placing amniotic membrane on the eye, can aid healing and minimize scarring.
A study by Loyola Medicine found that despite encouragement, some patients do not walk after surgery, with median steps recorded at 80. Early discontinuation of catheters and IV fluids, as well as improved pain management, have the potential to increase walking and overall outcomes for these patients.
Loyola researchers found a molecule called transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) that can amplify the immune response in some cases and suppress it in others. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to regulate the immune system, such as activating it to attack tumor cells or suppressing it to prevent organ rejection.
Researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine found bacteria in the bladders of some healthy women, challenging the common belief that normal urine is sterile. The study also revealed that standard urine collection methods can be contaminated by vaginal bacteria.
A study found that paramedics can identify stroke patients with a 99.3% accuracy rate, making it a reliable indicator to activate the hospital's stroke team. However, sensitivity rates are lower, indicating room for improvement in reducing time to treatment for acute stroke patients.
Researchers found genetic mutations associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in nearly 17.4% of patients, with children more likely to have these mutations than older adults. This study's findings will help develop new treatments and identify potential genetic tests for inherited forms of the disease.
A new study published in International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology found that ketorolac is a safe and effective pain medication for patients after sinus surgery, without the side effects of narcotics. The study compared ketorolac to fentanyl and found no significant differences in nasal bleeding or pain relief.
A landmark clinical trial found that plugging a hole in the heart is no more effective than medication in preventing strokes. The study enrolled 909 patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and suffered previous strokes or transient ischemic attacks, and found that closure device was not superior to drug therapy alone.
Researchers have identified a critical link in the signaling pathway that enables cancer cells to establish tumors in distant parts of the body. A new drug targeting this molecule may help prevent cancer from spreading, offering hope for improved treatment options.
A Loyola bioethicist calls Jon Stewart 'our greatest public intellectual' due to his promotion of serious ideas and discourse. Kayhan Parsi argues that Stewart, through 'The Daily Show,' creates a space for writers and intellectuals to discuss their work, making him a catalyst for independent thought.
A scientific method paper and video demonstrating a laboratory technique used to study mitochondrial dysfunctions in Alzheimer's disease and other disorders has gone viral. The technique, which measures the electrical potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane, has been accessed by more than 14,000 scientists worldwide.
Researchers developed a novel technique to turn immune system killer T cells into more effective weapons by delivering DNA into instructor cells. The method proved effective in jumpstarting defective immune systems in immuno-compromised mice and human killer T cells, paving the way for potential cancer therapy.
A Loyola University Chicago study discovered that patients who died from smoke inhalation injuries had lower inflammatory responses in their lungs compared to those who survived. Researchers found that immune system modulators were present at lower concentrations in the lungs of deceased patients, contradicting expectations.
A study by Marie Brenner and colleagues found that contact lenses improve retinal nerve fiber layer measurements in patients with higher refractive errors but have a negative impact on those with lower refractive errors. The researchers aim to improve glaucoma diagnosis and management through their findings.
Researchers have found a blood test that can predict how well a depressed patient responds to antidepressants, such as escitalopram. The test measures vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, with higher VEGF levels associated with greater relief from depression.
Two world's smallest surviving babies, Madeline and Rumaisa, have normal motor and language development despite extremely low birth weights. Advances in neonatal care have enabled the survival of smaller newborns, but successful outcomes are not typical for all micropreemies.
A new study found that taking two breast cancer medications together, anastrozole and fulvestrant, significantly extended the lives of women with metastatic breast cancer. Women who received the combination treatment lived over six months longer than those who took the drugs in sequence.
Researchers at Loyola University Medical Center report positive results from a clinical trial of an experimental drug targeting tumor stem cells. The study found that the drug turned off key genes responsible for making cancer stem cells resistant to conventional drugs.
Researchers will evaluate the relation between low vitamin D levels and risks for certain chronic diseases, including osteoporosis and heart disease. The study aims to define the optimal level of vitamin D in the multi-ethnic U.S. population by sampling African-origin populations across a range of latitudes.
Preemies with AB blood type are nearly three times as likely to die from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) as those with other blood types. Changing blood transfusion practices could significantly reduce NEC incidence by providing specific blood types.
A recent study published in Critical Care Medicine found that patients with severe smoke inhalation injuries experienced increased inflammation and spent more time on ventilators and in intensive care. The study also found that the severity of smoke-inhalation injury may play a role in the overall pulmonary inflammatory response.
A study by Loyola University Health System found that adding a nurse practitioner to a hospital staff can decrease unnecessary emergency department visits. The NP improved continuity of care and troubleshooting for patients, resulting in an improved use of resources and financial benefits.
Researchers found that boosting VEGF levels improves muscle coordination and balance in mice with SCA1. The study suggests a potentially useful treatment for the fatal disease, which affects 1-2 people per 100,000 population.