A recent analysis of the AWAKEN study data found that repeat episodes of acute kidney injury in hospitalized infants do not increase the risk of death but can extend hospitalization. The study suggests that initial AKI is already dangerous and long-term effects are still under investigation.
The Medical University of South Carolina will be one of four sites exploring the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease in the Black community. The study, known as BLAAC PD, aims to genotype over 150,000 people worldwide and develop targeted treatments for this subtype of PD.
A new study shows that inhibiting TACC3 can restore the effectiveness of T-DM1 in HER2-positive breast cancer cells, which have developed resistance. This is achieved by inducing immunogenic cell death and enhancing the response to the drug.
A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that liver biopsy was essential to making the correct diagnosis in over a third of cases. Biopsy was particularly valuable in diagnosing autoimmune hepatitis and was also used to diagnose liver fibrosis more than two-thirds of the time.
A recent study published in World Neurosurgery found that the use of a 3D exoscope in spinal surgery resulted in more favorable outcomes for patients, including shorter hospital stays and operating room times. The device allows for increased visualization during procedures, leading to fewer errors and better patient outcomes.
A phase 3 trial has shown that the novel drug acoramidis achieves near-complete stabilization of TTR proteins, slowing or halting disease progression. The treatment reduced hospitalizations for heart-related events and increased distance walked over six minutes.
Researchers developed a training curriculum for community health workers to enhance cancer genetic screening in Black women. The 10-module program, KEEP IT, improved genetic knowledge and competencies among CHWs, who are trusted members of their communities.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that patients who received N-acetylcysteine (NAC) during spinal surgery reported lower pain scores and requested fewer opioids. This could lead to a reduction in opioid use after surgery, a crucial step towards minimizing addictive potential.
A clinical trial showed that an extract of Boswellia, a plant used in traditional medicine for centuries, has anti-proliferative effects against breast cancer. The study found a statistically significant reduction in tumor proliferation compared to non-treated patients, suggesting potential anti-cancer activity in humans.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that digoxin treatment significantly reduced mortality and the need for a transplant among infants undergoing a hybrid procedure for single-ventricle physiology. The researchers analyzed data from 259 infants who received digoxin during their interstage per...
A $2 million three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce will create a regional incubator for life sciences startups in South Carolina, providing them with expertise, resources, and networking opportunities.
A joint study by Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University found that teleconsent, a remote consenting method, is the preferred approach for clinical trial participation. This method eliminates travel costs and improves real-time communication between researchers and participants, increasing trust and understanding.
Researchers found that secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) is abundantly expressed in pancreatic cancer, with higher levels linked to poorer outcomes. Blocking SFRP2 may affect tumor growth, angiogenesis, and the immune system, making it a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers at MUSC and Cincinnati Children's have developed a novel colon organoid model with naturally occurring immune cells. The model has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for colon-related diseases such as cancer and IBD by providing a more complete human organoid system that can be used to model inflammation in the colon.
Researchers found that more young adults are starting to vape than use traditional cigarettes, with 56% of regular vapers having never smoked cigarettes. The trend is particularly concerning among young women, who have seen a slight increase in vaping popularity over time.
Researchers developed a drug that triggers the destruction of damaged mitochondria, restored motor function in aging mice with ALS-like symptoms. The results show promising promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center have identified new targets for treating breast cancer that has become resistant to hormone therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors. By understanding the molecular mechanisms of resistance, the team has found potential solutions using epidermal growth factor receptors and PARP inhibitors.
Researchers have successfully tested an MRI-equipped ambulance, enabling faster diagnosis of stroke patients and streamlining care. The device can provide diagnostic-quality images without radiation exposure, improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding a pathway contributing to liver fibrosis. Paxillin has been found to play a key role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells, leading to excessive extracellular matrix production and scarring. This discovery holds promise for developing new treatments for liver fibrosis.
Researchers documented a steady increase in cervical cancer incidence and death rates in Appalachian Kentucky from 2000 to 2019. The region's cervical cancer death rate is now twice the national average, with distant-stage cancers increasing by 5.5% per year.
A preclinical study suggests that nanowired cardiac organoids could repair hearts instead of just preventing further damage. The treatment, led by Dr. Mei and Ryan Barrs, showed a 69% increase in heart function, promising a new therapy for heart disease.
Researchers at Hollings Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in CAR-T-cell therapy by eliminating the need for lymphodepleting chemotherapy, which reduces the risk of severe side effects. In preclinical models, their method showed promising results in controlling cancer and creating memory cells trained on specific proteins.
Researchers have created a new method to investigate the sugars coating immune cells, which could lead to the identification of novel disease biomarkers and improved cancer detection. This technique allows for the isolation of distinct cell populations and analysis of glycosylation patterns in healthy versus diseased patients.
The South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute's program provides early-career clinicians with the time and training needed to establish a sustainable portfolio of clinical trials. Scholars attend 'meet the expert' presentations, discuss strategies with mentors, and select suitable trials.
A new US study shows that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking by reducing cravings and the number of cigarettes smoked. The naturalistic approach used in this study provides evidence that e-cigarettes are a valuable tool for adult smokers who have failed previous attempts to quit.
A multidisciplinary team at Hollings Cancer Center has launched a trial to reduce delays in starting radiation therapy after surgery, which can worsen outcomes. The ENDURE approach addresses organizational, team, and patient-level barriers to care, with promising preliminary results.
A recent commentary highlights the misconception that vaping is worse for adults who smoke. Experts emphasize the importance of educating adults about relative risks while preventing youth use. For those who can't quit with medications or counseling, transitioning to e-cigarettes may be a less harmful route.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina describe a new, non-surgical approach to managing hydrocephalus by implanting a shunt-clearing device and performing daily flushing. The study shows promising results, reducing revision surgeries and improving patient outcomes.
A multicenter team has identified three risk biomarkers for chronic graft-versus-host-disease, which can be measured at 90 days after transplantation. These markers include MMP3, DKK3, and CXCL9, which are associated with fibrosis, inflammation, and immune cell attraction.
A new phase II clinical trial will investigate the effectiveness of an accelerated course of transcranial magnetic stimulation in improving symptoms for patients with mild cognitive impairment and depression. The study aims to identify the optimal dose of stimulation needed to improve both depression and thinking difficulties in MCI, w...
A study suggests that bare minimum reimbursement rates could be a barrier to HPV vaccination, with non-pediatric specialties receiving lower rates. Family medicine doctors were found to be most sensitive to changes in reimbursement, which may contribute to geographic disparities in vaccination rates.
Extracellular vesicles from fibrotic lungs can activate dormant fibroblasts in healthy lungs, initiating fibrosis development and spreading. The study's findings support the potential use of EVs as a targeted drug therapy platform to slow fibrosis progression and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have identified a novel class of compounds that effectively lower cholesterol, triglycerides and apoB in human liver-like cells. These molecules work independently of the LDLR pathway and offer a new treatment regimen for patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.
Researchers at MUSC developed a noninvasive method of vagus nerve stimulation that accelerates treatment outcomes and improves motor function after stroke. The method, known as MAAVNS, uses timed electrical impulses delivered to the ear during motor rehabilitation, producing similar results as FDA-approved devices in half the time.
Researchers at MUSC have identified a potential novel biomarker for sepsis, which can be predicted by the contents of extracellular vesicles in the bloodstream. This discovery could lead to more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for sepsis patients.
Researchers are exploring psychedelic-based treatments as a potential game-changer for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders. Studies have shown improvements in symptoms of both conditions, offering new hope for those who have struggled with treatment-resistant disorders.
Researchers at MUSC suggest re-evaluating patients as a whole, considering factors beyond BMI when determining eligibility for total shoulder arthroplasty. This approach could help address health disparities and ensure that those in greatest need receive life-changing procedures.
A randomized trial will be conducted to test whether sticking with the initial medication or switching to a different one increases quitting success. The study aims to provide guidance for clinicians on handling relapses and may explore the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as an alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Decentralized trials aim to improve access to clinical research, but disparities in technology access and potential barriers to trust remain unknown. Rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the impact of decentralized trials on trial enrollment and pipeline aspects.
A study found that measuring three potential biomarkers on day three after a stem cell transplant can identify patients at risk of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). Patients with positive scores were 9.3 times more likely to develop SOS and more likely to die within 100 days.
Researchers at MUSC identified changes in pyramidal neurons contributing to drug seeking. Inhibiting enzyme protein kinase A restored normal function and reduced opioid-seeking behavior.
A new study published in JCI Insight identified a second target for treating depression using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), showing that each target alleviates a different set of symptoms. Patients who had high baseline depression and anxiety measures responded better to standard TMS treatment, while those with low baseline ...
The MUSC Hollings community health van has increased access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in South Carolina's underserved communities. The vaccine is linked to six different kinds of cancer, including cervical, throat, anal, penile, vaginal and vulvar cancers.
Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick received an award for contributing to the diversity and inclusiveness of the translational workforce, while Dr. ReJoyce Green was recognized with the Outstanding Trainee: Post-Doctoral Award for her high productivity and impact in public health.
A research team from the Medical University of South Carolina identified a protein called TACC3 that enables cancer cells to successfully divide despite an abnormality that should lead to their death. This discovery offers new hope for developing targeted therapies to selectively kill cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact.
Researchers found that vaping in the presence of supplemental oxygen can ignite oxygen, leading to burns, fires, or explosions. The risk is particularly concerning for patients with end-stage COPD on oxygen who want to quit smoking by switching to vaping.
A team approach to identifying patient cohorts using EHR data improves matching rates for certain e-phenotypes, such as infection and cancer. However, results vary across specialties and phenotypes, highlighting the need for expert collaboration in building accurate search queries.
Medical University of South Carolina researchers streamlined kidney transplant evaluations to increase access for African Americans. They used telehealth and partnerships with local providers to help patients complete the evaluation process, resulting in higher numbers of African Americans beginning and completing the evaluation.
A national survey found that South Carolina residents were more hesitant to receive COVID-19 vaccines due to low confidence in public health scientists and collective responsibility. Researchers hope that targeted education efforts will address these factors and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
A team of scientists at MUSC identified a key gene that plays a role in the link between long-term stress and a common type of depressive behavior in mice. The study suggests that there may not be one central mechanism by which stress causes depression, but rather multiple pathways connecting stress with different symptoms.