An international consortium has proposed the first general selection criteria for lung transplantation in COVID-19 patients. The criteria include exhaustion of conservative treatment options, irreversible lung damage, and good physical condition.
A cohort study of 672 cancer patients found a cumulative incidence of venous thromboembolism at 12.9% and arterial thromboses at 1.8%. This risk appears to be independent of underlying cancer type or immune checkpoint inhibitor used.
A recent study published in Hepatology has identified a molecular signature for ER stress in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, which is associated with poorer prognosis and higher incidence of complications. The discovery opens up new treatment options by targeting ER stress with drugs already in clinical testing.
Decision theory enhances treatment choices by considering multiple possibilities in contradictory diagnostic findings, as shown in a study of 3753 breast cancer patients. The approach outperformed conventional statistics, providing more accurate results and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers have identified p62 as a multifunctional protein that influences inflammatory changes in diseased epidermis. Inhibiting p62 leads to alleviation of chronic inflammation, suggesting it as a promising therapeutic target for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
A research team from MedUni Vienna has confirmed a threshold value for a non-invasive imaging biomarker in breast cancer screening. This can be incorporated into short standard MRI scans to reduce biopsy rates by 30%. DWI, a special MRI technique, measures the motion of water molecules and can indicate whether a biopsy is necessary.
The Medical University of Vienna has received the original drawings and materials of the famous Pernkopf Atlas of Anatomy from Elsevier, along with funding for digitization and cataloguing. The donation supports historical reappraisal of the atlas's creation, which used models from executed victims of Nazi justice.
Approximately 4% of the population naturally lack the activation receptor NKG2C due to a genetic variation. This absence is associated with an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19, particularly in intensive care unit patients.
Researchers at Medical University of Vienna have found a previously unknown molecular connection between an inflammatory signalling molecule and one of the main oncogenes, c-Myc. This interaction causes slower degradation of c-Myc, leading to higher cell division rates and resistance to chemotherapeutics.
Researchers from MedUni Vienna and University of Vienna develop new oxytocin/vasopressin constructs with enhanced efficacy, inspired by naturally occurring dimers like locust neuropeptides. These bioactive molecules offer opportunities to optimize therapeutic application for various disorders.
Research using magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveals that SGLT2 inhibitors trigger a balance between glucose loss and new production in the liver, affecting metabolism in several organs. The study provides insight into the acute impact of these drugs on lipid and energy metabolism.
Researchers have developed targeted ultrasound techniques to treat various brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke. The new methods aim to improve brain functions by activating functional neurons without significant side effects.
Researchers studied how modern immunotherapeutic anti-cancer drugs interact with the immune system, finding that tiny molecular motions are key to their effectiveness. The study, published in Cancers, reveals how these drugs bind to specific receptors on killer cells without activating them.
A study by Karin Trimmel and Stefan Seidel found that insomnia patients are most likely to underestimate their actual sleep time, regardless of age or screening setting. The researchers analyzed polysomnography results and identified factors influencing this misperception.
A new biomaterial, CartiScaff, has been developed using the natural cartilage matrix to support cell growth and regeneration. This innovative material shows promise in improving cartilage repair and potentially expanding treatment options for joint injuries.
A recent study published in Gut journal reveals that beta-blocker treatment can reduce systemic inflammation in patients with advanced liver disease, resulting in fewer complications and lower mortality rates. By targeting portal hypertension, beta-blockers may provide a new therapeutic option for patients with cirrhosis.
The new guidelines provide uniform standards for treating brain tumour complications such as epileptic attacks, brain edema, haemorrhage, or thrombosis worldwide. The initiative aims to increase patient safety and improve treatment outcomes.
A recent study by MedUni Vienna found that blood biomarkers for systemic inflammation increase with liver cirrhosis stages, predicting complications in asymptomatic patients. The severity of portal hypertension also correlates with levels of inflammatory markers, increasing mortality risk.
A recent study by MedUni Vienna dermatologists has discovered that skin-resident and inactive T cells survive chemotherapy and radiotherapy intact and go on to cause inflammation after a stem cell transplant. In some cases, these tissue-resident T cells even prove beneficial to the recipient by assuming their role in immune defense.
Researchers found that CRYM protein binds to hormone T3 and blocks cell membrane formation, inhibiting tumour growth. Lower CRYM levels are associated with poor prognosis.
Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity by discovering the signalling pathways responsible for the development of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) in obesity. ATMs play a key role in preventing lipotoxicity, where fat molecules are deposited in non-adipose tissues.
A research team from MedUni Vienna found that around half of children with a migration background have no clinically relevant language acquisition impairment, but rather sociolinguistic factors such as limited input in their mother tongue. The 'Vienna Model' incorporates native speakers to facilitate more accurate diagnosis.
Researchers have identified isolated lymphoid structures (ILSs) as novel prognostic markers for metastatic colorectal cancer. ILSs, which are integral to the immune system, orchestrate multifaceted immune responses and can predict improved clinical outcomes in patients.
Researchers have identified seven distinct groups of symptoms in mild COVID-19, including flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and loss of smell and taste. These findings suggest that the disease leaves behind significant changes in the immune system, even after recovery, and could inform the development of more effective vaccines.
Researchers at MedUni Vienna's Institute of Pharmacology have isolated a beetroot peptide that inhibits prolyl oligopeptidase, an enzyme involved in the breakdown of protein hormones in the body. The study suggests that this peptide could be a promising drug candidate for treating neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers found that cold temperatures increase vitamin A levels, stimulating the conversion of white into brown adipose tissue and enhancing fat burning. This 'fat transformation' is a potential approach for novel obesity therapeutics.
Researchers have identified phosphorus-containing compounds as markers for thyroid hormone action in tissue using non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This allows for the measurement of hormone action in different areas of the body, potentially improving care for patients with thyroid dysfunction.
Researchers found that one third of human liver NK cells can remember viruses and respond specifically to them, making them an interesting target for prophylactic use in the fight against infections. This subset of NK cells exhibits a unique gene expression profile and could be used for specific vaccination strategies.
Researchers have identified STAT3 as an important factor in emotional reactivity, establishing a link between the immune system, serotonergic transmission, and affective disorders. STAT3 deficiency reduces emotional reactivity in mice, suggesting its role as a molecular mediator in regulating emotional behavior.
A systematic review found that hospitalized COVID-19 patients have a high risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), with ICU patients at the highest risk. The study estimated that up to 28% of critically ill patients may develop deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
A phase 3 clinical trial found that ipilimumab improved progression-free survival by two to three times in patients with metastasized, castration-resistant prostate cancer. The treatment also showed overall survival benefits compared to the placebo arm.
Researchers have found that specific DNA variants can affect the response to interferon-alpha-based treatments, leading to personalized therapy options. The discovery may improve treatment outcomes for patients with polycythaemia vera, a rare chronic malignant blood disease.