Paczesny will explore biomarkers and a new type of immune cell to identify and regulate acute lung injury after BMT. She aims to improve understanding of signaling mechanisms in lung injury after BMT, particularly as they relate to idiopathic pneumonia syndrome.
Researchers have developed a new therapeutic approach to block mutated RAS proteins, which are frequently found in cancers. The method, using small molecules, has the potential to work with multiple mutant forms of RAS in various types of cancers, including pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancers.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina and Clemson University published a roadmap for rolling out COVID-19 risk mitigation initiatives in educational institutions. The roadmap outlines a theory-based framework for evaluating the success of exposure notification mobile apps, which can help institutions hit the ground running.
Researchers at MUSC found that fungal infections are common in cirrhosis patients, often resistant to antibiotics. Patients with cirrhosis are immunocompromised and need proactive infection management.
Sophie Paczesny's research aims to validate biomarker panels that help doctors predict chronic GVHD risk and adjust immune suppression treatments accordingly. The study uses machine learning algorithms to analyze stored plasma and blood cell samples from over 1,300 BMT recipients.
Four MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers received American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grants worth $35,000 each. The grants support promising projects that aim to push cancer care forward. Researchers are working on various innovative projects, including a digital literacy training program for community health workers an...
Researchers use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) to track injected collagen in the heart. The technique allows for precise detection of therapeutic peptides and their distribution in the myocardial infarct.
Researchers at MUSC identified a potent antifibrotic peptide that reverses scarring in human and mouse tissues by activating an antifibrotic pathway. The E4 peptide has the potential to treat various diseases, including heart disease, lung fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and chronic kidney disease.
Researchers found that astronauts with SANS have increased intracranial dural venous volumes, suggesting an association between intracranial venous congestion and SANS. This study provides insight into the effects of gravity on the brain and eyesight in space.
Research from MUSC suggests that physicians should be cautious when using laboratory tests to diagnose alcoholic cirrhosis due to false negative results. Patients with advanced liver disease often show subtle signs and symptoms in the early stages of cirrhosis.
Researchers are part of a five-year global study examining the behavioral and long-term health impacts of different regulatory approaches to e-cigarettes and other new nicotine products among youth and adults in seven countries. The study aims to inform US public policy based on evidence, maximizing population health.
A pilot study found that virtually guided prolonged exposure therapy reduced PTSD symptoms more effectively than traditional exposure alone, using real-time psychophysiology to tailor stress levels. Most patients saw a clinically significant reduction in their PTSD Checklist score after 10-12 sessions.
The Medical University of South Carolina's Boeing Center for Children's Wellness offers a menu of wellness initiative options that schools can tailor to their needs. Schools with health professionals on the wellness committee implement 25% more initiatives, leading to a culture change and increased student participation.
A study found that long-term cannabis smokers have increased levels of Actinomyces meyeri in their saliva, which correlates with the length of cannabis use. This bacterium was shown to decrease activity and increase beta-amyloid production in mice, suggesting a link between oral microbiome disruption and brain health.
A study by the CDC found a strong association between obesity and diabetes, both of which are widespread in the U.S., and severe COVID-19 disease. In South Carolina, chronic diseases disproportionately affect Black communities, increasing their risk of developing severe COVID-19.
A new web-based application uses machine learning to predict lupus nephritis treatment response, considering various disease indicators. The tool may help physicians identify patients at risk of poor outcomes, enabling them to provide targeted care and preserve as much kidney function as possible.
A researcher at MUSC's Hollings Cancer Center is developing 'living drugs' by precision-engineering CAR Tregs to treat autoimmune diseases. The CAR Tregs can delay or reduce damaging inflammation, offering a potential solution for conditions like Type 1 diabetes.
The MUSC Health Chest Wall Injury Center provides access to a population of underserved patients with rib injuries. The center offers a range of treatments, including surgical stabilization procedures, multimodal pain medications, ultrasound therapy, and physical therapy recommendations.
Researchers from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Winship Cancer Institute discovered that pre-surgical anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is safe and effective for OCSCC patients. The studies identified potential molecular biomarkers in blood and tumors to predict treatment response.
A study found that adults with a history of childhood maltreatment, particularly sexual abuse, exhibit reduced brain connectivity in attention systems. Oxytocin treatment has been shown to increase connectivity, suggesting its potential as a treatment for PTSD and childhood trauma-related disorders.
Researchers found that hepatitis C treatment reduces the activity of proteins involved in cirrhosis, potentially indicating an early sign of liver recovery. The study suggests a possible pathway toward healing scarred liver tissue after virus elimination.
A preclinical study found that blocking the Bach1 protein slowed brain cell deterioration in Parkinson's disease. The researchers identified a potent inhibitor of Bach1 called HPPE, which protected cells from inflammation and oxidative stress, and showed promise as a potential therapeutic target.
The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers are exploring the role of macroenvironment in pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia to address this debilitating condition. The team aims to provide new biological insight, which will be coordinated by four cores within the program project grant.
Researchers at MUSC Health found that wearing a wireless wristband with vibrations during occupational therapy improves patients' hand function after stroke. The extra stimulus increases brain activity, leading to better motor output and more effective recovery.
A new locally acting treatment aims to reduce the severity of post-transplant ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) without affecting the immune system. The treatment targets specific neoepitopes exposed on injured donor organs, reducing the risk of organ rejection and improving transplant outcomes.
MUSC researcher Haizhen Wang receives R37 grant to investigate CDK6's role in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a aggressive cancer. The research aims to understand how the immune system can be used to reduce leukemia progression.
A science communications internship at MUSC helps scientists in training share research with the general public, improving laywriting skills and restoring trust. The program has produced over 100 science news stories and exposed interns to diverse career paths related to science communication.
Research by James Krause and his team has shown that people with spinal cord injuries who develop resilience tend to have better health outcomes and live longer. This resilience allows them to adapt and thrive in the face of difficult circumstances, including neuropathic pain and feelings of isolation.
Researchers at MUSC have discovered that hnRNP E1, a tumor suppressor protein, not only binds RNA but also DNA to maintain genome integrity and sense or prevent DNA damage. The protein's binding is sequence- and structure-specific, suggesting its potential role in preventing cancer metastasis.
Scientists use modern imaging technology to determine liver cancer subtypes, identifying specific sugar structures that correlate to different subtypes. This approach could lead to earlier detection and more personalized therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial disease are hospitalized sooner and more often than their age- and sex-matched counterparts, according to a study published in CHEST. The risk is higher for people with compromised immune systems or damaged airways.
MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researchers discovered a novel mechanism showing how a certain gene mutation can allow tumors to evade detection by the immune system in colorectal cancer patients. The study found that APC mutations lead to increased levels of PD-L1, which allows tumors to evade T-cell function and increase immunosuppression.
The CAPTIVA trial will enroll 1,683 patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis and determine if two new prospective therapies are more effective than aspirin plus clopidogrel at reducing the risk of a second stroke. Intensive medical management and lifestyle modifications will also be provided to all patients.
The Telehealth Service Implementation Model (TSIM) offers a comprehensive approach to developing and sustaining successful telehealth programs. TSIM addresses key challenges such as provider and patient engagement, technical, financial, regulatory, and administrative burdens.
Researchers at SpheroFill are developing a unique oral drug delivery platform using microsphere technology, protecting drugs from degradation and enabling targeted release. This technology has the potential to improve medication compliance and delivery of sensitive biological drugs.
Researchers at MUSC identify a type of fat called sphingolipid that could predict the severity of heart disease in African American patients with lupus. Higher levels of Lac-Cer are associated with increased disease activity and may have predictive value for patient progression.
Researchers have discovered that reduced levels of sphingosine are significantly associated with developing COVID-19 symptoms, while elevated sphingosine and acid ceramidase levels are linked to asymptomatic infections. This biomarker has a high degree of accuracy in predicting patient outcomes.
Research at MUSC Health found that adolescents who survive nonfatal gunshot wounds are at a higher risk of developing mental health disorders. Those with pre-existing conditions such as depression or conduct disorder are particularly vulnerable, highlighting the need for timely mental health care following a firearm injury.
Researchers at MUSC Health found that children with underlying mental illnesses are more likely to suffer from additional mental disorders after a nonfatal gunshot wound. The study also highlights the importance of addressing mental health needs in children who have suffered firearm-related injuries.
A researcher at MUSC has developed an AI algorithm that analyzes clinical notes to identify patients at risk of suicide. The algorithm achieved accuracy rates of around 98.5% when trained on electronic health records, and nearly 80% when validated against existing predictive models.
A phase 2 trial of Loncastuximab tesirine demonstrates efficacy in treating relapsed or refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), with a response rate of 48% among patients. The drug, an antibody-drug complex targeting CD19, provides a novel mechanism of action for this patient population.
Scientists have discovered a way to replace mutated osteoblasts with healthy ones, leading to improved collagen production and potentially paving the way for a cure for brittle bone disease. The breakthrough could be translated to other forms of OI and bone diseases in the future.
The new allocation system could result in reduced access to kidney transplants and longer wait times for patients in South Carolina. Researchers argue that the current system unintentionally worsens inequities and recommend improving access to transplant care.
Researchers at MUSC discovered a new target and immune mechanism for treating aggressive metastatic pediatric osteosarcoma. The SFRP2-PD-1 combination therapy effectively blocked cancer cell growth, providing an additive beneficial effect in preclinical models.
A study by MUSC researchers found that the transcription factor GATA6 plays a crucial role in liver cell development, allowing cells to differentiate into liver cells rather than other types. This finding could provide insight into how inherited liver diseases occur in children.
A novel tau protein conformation, cis P-tau, is a toxic early driver of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Silencing of this protein through immunotherapy has been shown to prevent disease pathology and memory loss in preclinical models.
Researchers have found a new four-month antibiotic regimen using rifapentine to be effective in treating TB, reducing the treatment duration by two months. The study showed that patients with HIV also cleared their TB just as well as those without HIV.
Researchers found that aging decreases T-cell survival and function, while ceramide signaling weakens anti-tumor T-cells. Blocking certain ceramide molecules improves the anti-tumor function of aging T-cells.
Haizhen Wang, a MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researcher, has received a $225,000 Young Investigator grant from the Melanoma Research Alliance. She will investigate the function of protein CDK6 in T-cells to improve melanoma therapy outcomes.
MUSC researchers develop peptide siRNA carriers that improve gene silencing and deliver siRNA into cancer cells. The modified carriers, such as RD3AD, use filopodia entry to efficiently deliver the therapeutic molecules.