Researchers at InBio have made progress in developing a hypoallergenic cat by targeting the Fel d 1 protein using CRISPR-Cas9. The study suggests that Fel d 1 is nonessential for cats, paving the way for further experiments exploring genetic therapy to reduce cat allergens.
Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 continue to produce antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) for up to 3 months, indicating a more durable immune response in those with severe disease. ASC levels are higher in patients with more severe symptoms.
Research found that Black females and male individuals of Other racial groups had higher odds of having a positive COVID-19 test than their White counterparts. Mortality rates were similar across sexes. Individuals with opioid use disorder presented with an opioid overdose more often than a positive COVID-19 test.
A study published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination was safe for nursing mothers and their breastfed infants, with most symptoms reported being mild. The investigation did not reveal any significant increase in adverse events or complications attributed to the vaccine.
A novel approach using multi-omics data integration predicts blood pressure values with high accuracy, revealing interesting inter-omics associations. The study contributes to the understanding of hypertension as a complex, multi-factorial disease.
The National Collaborative for Health Equity has appointed Health Equity as its official journal, which will publish high-quality research on health disparities and health equity. The partnership aims to promote health equity by fostering racial healing, harnessing research, and catalyzing partnerships across various sectors.
The IL-1RL2 cytokine has been implicated in the development of inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis and IBD, while also promoting the expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Its role in controlling infection, including COVID-19 pathology, highlights its potential as a target for therapeutic interventions.
New research reveals a record high number of election litigation cases in 2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and unsuccessful post-election lawsuits. The trend is expected to continue as the 2022 midterms approach, with leading experts warning that minimizing meritorious litigation may deprive some litigants of justice.
A study of over 2,000 participants found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients reported an average of 3.5 problematic symptoms after a year, with physical symptoms declining and cognitive symptoms remaining constant. The research highlights the importance of addressing TBI-related symptoms in patients' daily lives.
Researchers found that dexamethasone administration after gene therapy increased liver transgene expression in mice. This finding suggests a potential strategy for reducing steroid side effects in future clinical trials.
Researchers have developed hybrid gelatin-poly-L-lactide scaffolds with tunable hydrophilicity, which structurally mimics the complexity of the extracellular matrix. These scaffolds produced a signal typical of collagen-containing biological fibers when excited by second harmonic generation.
A meta-analysis found that women with high-risk myocardial infarction experience increased hospitalization and mortality rates due to smoking, whereas no significant interaction was observed for mortality in the overall study sample. The study suggests intensified preventive strategies are necessary for this population.
A novel gene therapy approach using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) has shown promising results in treating Huntington's disease. The therapy targets the mutated huntingtin gene (HTT), providing efficient and precise processing of a primary artificial microRNA, leading to potent pharmacological activity for HTT lowering.
A new study found that social media use is correlated with higher levels of C-Reactive Protein, a marker of chronic inflammation, and more frequent somatic symptoms. This suggests that excessive social media use may negatively impact physical health in multiple ways.
A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that increased internet use during COVID-19 lockdowns was associated with reduced risk of hikikomori, a state of marked social withdrawal. The research, which included participants from 45 countries, also highlighted an increased risk related to online gaming.
A study found that cybersickness decreases when playing a virtual reality game compared to passive watching, suggesting eye movement patterns play a key role in its occurrence. The researchers suggest developing methods to detect and mitigate cybersickness to enhance the sense of presence in VR experiences.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in breastfeeding rates among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Southern California. Breastfeeding education and support services were disrupted due to the pandemic, which may have contributed to the decline.
A new study published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs found that people living with HIV were less likely to die from COVID-19 during the early months of the pandemic. However, a longer study period revealed higher levels of hospitalization and mortality among HIV patients compared to those without the virus.
A history of adverse pregnancy outcomes is associated with higher odds of midlife stroke. Nearly 4 in 10 women who suffered a stroke before age 60 had a history of APOs.
A first-in-human study of golodirsen, an exon-skipping therapy, demonstrated its efficacy in ambulatory patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The treatment significantly increased dystrophin protein expression and improved clinical outcomes, including a reduced decline in the 6-minute walk test.
A new study found that only 13.7% of women diagnosed with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy attended a blood pressure screening visit within 10 days of delivery. Women with inadequate prenatal care utilization had lower rates of screening attendance compared to those with adequate care.
A new study found that only 47% of women had a dental visit during pregnancy, highlighting barriers to care among Medicaid-enrolled women. Medicaid Pregnancy Dental coverage was often unaware or underutilized by reproductive-aged women, posing significant oral health risks.
A study published in Journal of Women's Health found that almost half of American Indian and Alaska Native women reported experiencing reproductive coercion in their lifetime. The research highlights the link between intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and poor reproductive health outcomes among this population.
A special collection of articles investigates the potential habitability of Venus' cloud layer, exploring its possibility as an astrobiology target and the detection of phosphine in its atmosphere. The research proposes investigations into habitable zones within clouds and Venus-like exo-atmospheres.
A study of reproductive-aged women found that tampon users had higher urinary concentrations of certain VOCs than those who used pads/liners. However, no statistically significant associations were found between the use of menstrual products and VOCs during the menstrual cycle.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommends keeping lactating mothers and their infants together, using direct breastfeeding over pump use whenever possible. The new guidelines also emphasize the importance of considering fluid needs, infection control, and creating a policy to support lactating mothers and breastfeeding children.
Two studies published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that COVID-19 vaccination results in minimal disruption of lactation and no adverse impact on the breastfed child. Researchers surveyed over 4,400 breastfeeding mothers and reported only a small percentage experienced negative impacts post-vaccination.
The study found that intraoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (IEGD) reduces hospital length of stay, radiation exposure, and costs compared to postoperative upper gastrointestinal (PUGI) radiographic series. IEGD also improves patient satisfaction with similar clinical outcomes.
A special issue of Telemedicine and e-Health explores the impact of telehealth on underserved populations, highlighting increased patient satisfaction and utilization. Studies show that telehealth improves access to care, especially for rural and low-income communities.
Researchers have developed a new scoring system to evaluate wound healing in mice, using parameters such as re-epithelization and granulation tissue thickness. The system was validated in four different skin wound models, providing a more accurate and reproducible assessment of wound dynamics.
A new study successfully recovered DNA from folded duct tape submerged in ocean water for up to 2 weeks, providing a complete short tandem repeat profile. The researchers found that the durability and adhesive nature of duct tape protected cellular material on its surface.
Correctional nurses have faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including limited access to personal protective equipment and high patient-to-staff ratios. A special issue of the Journal of Correctional Health Care provides firsthand accounts and evidence-based guidelines for pandemic response in correctional nursing.
The joint statement aims to address current controversies and evolving concepts in thyroid cancer care. Key findings include the use of molecular theranostics for refining management recommendations and indicators of response to RAI therapy. The statement was led by Seza Gulec, MD, and published in the peer-reviewed journal Thyroid.
Dr. Catherine F. Sinclair has been selected as the next Editor-in-Chief of VideoEndocrinology, a pioneering videojournal covering thyroid, parathyroid, and endocrine-related procedures. She brings extensive experience in surgical management of neck endocrine diseases and is an internationally recognized expert.
African American mothers face significant barriers to breastfeeding due to racism and lack of economic support. The authors identify three forms of institutionalized racism that perpetuate this disparity, including the exploitation of Black women's labor and lack of employer-based support.
Dr. Anna M. Sawka, a renowned Clinician Scientist and Endocrinologist, has been appointed the next Editor-in-Chief of Thyroid, the Official Journal of the American Thyroid Association. She will lead the journal in advancing scientific publication in the field of Thyroidology.
Scientists at Beam Therapeutics have created a redesigned base editor that successfully repairs the single-base mutation causing sickle-cell disease. The therapy targets an upstream regulatory pathway to express fetal hemoglobin, offering a potential solution for this genetic disorder.
A study published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that separating COVID-infected mothers from their babies can cause significant maternal distress and negatively impact exclusive breastfeeding. The research suggests that skin-to-skin care, rooming-in within arms' reach, and direct breastfeeding may be safe for infected mothers.
A COVID-19 telemonitoring program, implemented by Kaiser Permanente's Virtual Home Care Program, successfully reduced hospital admissions and ER visits. The program utilized daily telemedicine check-ins to monitor patients' oxygen levels, ultimately keeping them out of the hospital or emergency room.
The International Diabetes Closed-Loop (iDCL) Trial found that hybrid closed-loop insulin therapy significantly improved glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes. The use of this technology increased Time in Range by 13%, especially during nighttime hours, and reduced time spent at blood glucose levels above 180 mg/dL.
New gene editing strategies, including CRISPR technologies, are being investigated for treating inherited retinal diseases. Researchers aim to identify the most viable therapeutic approaches using human retinal tissue and organoids.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus blocks innate immune activation, preventing the production and signaling of type I interferon, a key component of host defense against viral infections. This suppression allows the virus to replicate unchecked, leading to COVID-19 disease progression.
New gene editing strategies, including CRISPR technologies, are being investigated for treating inherited retinal diseases. The article highlights the most viable therapeutic approaches and discusses safety concerns and challenges in extending the capabilities of CRISPR-Cas9.
The study investigates the biodistribution of AAV gene transfer vectors in nonhuman primates using quantitative positron emission tomography (PET). The results show that both AAVrsh.10 and AAV9 vectors distribute primarily to the liver, with lesser detection in the brain after intravenous administration.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine suggests that lactating women discuss the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination with their healthcare provider. The ABM statement is based on biological plausibility and expert opinion, considering there are no clinical data on vaccine safety in nursing mothers.
Researchers developed a multidimensional model of trophoblast motility using a functionalized gelatin hydrogel. The study revealed that EGF and TGF-beta1 play critical roles in modulating trophoblast motility, providing insights into implantation mechanisms during normal and complex pregnancies.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers who discovered the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The discovery was made possible by the perseverance and determination of thousands of scientists worldwide. Their work has paved the way for future research into HCV and potential cures.
The CRISPR Journal has published a special issue on expanding the CRISPR toolbox, featuring new research tools and discoveries. The collection includes articles on novel Type V-A Cas12 enzymes, in silico tools for CRISPR-Cas system identification, and advances in guide design and selection.
A new study identified an adenovirus gene therapy vector carrying a VEGF isoform that can improve uterine blood flow in placental insufficiency. Reduced uterine blood flow and lack of bioavailable VEGF are major causes of severe fetal growth restriction, leading to serious neonatal morbidity and death.
Researchers have discovered AAV capsid-promoter interactions in the non-human primate brain, which dictate cell-specific transgene expression. This finding has profound implications for vector design in gene therapy, challenging the traditional concept of the AAV capsid as a delivery truck.