A new study from Saint Louis University finds that higher carb intake is associated with lower adropin levels, while higher fat intake may be linked to higher adropin. People with low adropin have higher fat content in the blood and are at a higher risk of heart disease.
The study found treating colon cancer cells with a combination of curcumin and silymarin resulted in increased cell death and inhibition of cell multiplication. The researchers believe phytochemicals could provide an alternate therapeutic approach to cancer treatments.
Scientists at Saint Louis University are studying an investigational vaccine for yellow fever, a potentially deadly disease spread by the same mosquito that transmits Zika virus. The vaccine aims to provide protection to vulnerable groups who are at increased risk of complications if they receive the current vaccine.
Researchers will study immune responses of 200 volunteers with diagnosed or symptomatic Zika, analyzing blood specimens to understand body's response. Understanding natural history and immune system could identify targets for treatments and vaccines.
Saint Louis University is conducting a human clinical trial of a Zika virus vaccine to prevent microcephaly and brain damage in babies. The study aims to protect people from the emerging infectious disease, which can be transmitted through mosquito bites or sexual contact.
Incorporating laboratory mice that are old and obese into immunotherapy treatments for cancer can hasten therapeutic breakthroughs. The use of young, healthy mice is often preferred, but this approach may not accurately reflect the human immune system's response to treatment.
Cells have evolved several tactics to cope with DNA lesions and replication stress, including fork repriming, fork reversal, and replisome dynamics. Improper repair of DNA lesions can lead to mutations and genetic abnormalities.
Saint Louis University researcher Fran Sverdrup is developing a treatment for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), a disease that causes muscle degeneration in 15,000 or more people. Ultragenyx will fund the process of turning SLU's initial discoveries into a drug that could demonstrate proof of concept.
Researchers found a compound that prevents scarring in the lungs and liver also shows promise in preventing pancreatic fibrosis. The study used an animal model to demonstrate the effectiveness of the integrin inhibitor in halting fibrosis and potentially preserving pancreatic function.
Enrico Di Cera's work on the Structural Biology Data Grid allows researchers to share and reproduce findings faster, advancing the field of structural biology. The grid supports archiving of raw experimental datasets, enabling rapid access for validation and improving existing models.
Ajay Jain, a SLU hepatologist, is researching preventative strategies for parenteral nutrition-associated injuries. He aims to understand the interplay of bile acid regulated pathways and assess the role of the gut microbiome during PN.
Research from Saint Louis University and Chongqing University found that younger Chinese teenage boys are less likely to start smoking than those born longer ago. The study suggests that urbanization and improved access to education may be contributing factors to the decline in smoking rates among Chinese male teens.
A recent study published in Annals of Family Medicine has found that long-term opioid use is associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset depression. The research, led by Dr. Jeffrey Scherrer, analyzed data from over 70,000 patients and found that longer duration of opioid analgesic use was linked to new-onset depression.
A Saint Louis University researcher proposes concrete steps to stem police shootings of black males, citing high homicide rates and racial biases in policing. Implementing body cameras, community review boards, and addressing prejudice are key recommendations.
SLU scientist John Tavis has received a $2.2 million NIH grant to develop a cure for the hepatitis B virus. His team aims to create a combination therapy that can kill the virus, which causes chronic infection and liver damage in millions of people worldwide.
Researchers at SLU are developing a biomarker to help diagnose sepsis early and improve treatment outcomes. Chlorinated lipids may hold the key to this discovery, as they appear under conditions of inflammation.
Researchers develop compound SR1078, which increases expression of genes linked to autism, reducing autistic behavior in mice. Studies with human brain cells also show increased gene expression, offering new hope for treating the underlying disorder.
Saint Louis University's Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit will study the safety and effectiveness of vaccines using omics technologies, including transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. The research aims to understand the immune system's response to infectious diseases.
Premature birth can be lifesaving with TPN, but it also causes liver damage. Dr. Ajay Jain is studying ways to prevent TPN-related complications in newborns.
A panel of world experts recommends annual brain health screenings for individuals 70 and older, citing high rates of memory problems among this age group. Lifestyle changes, such as a Mediterranean-type diet, exercise, and intellectual activities, can slow cognitive decline.
A Phase 3 clinical trial has been launched to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel RNAi investigational agent for treating patients with transthyretin-mediated familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy (FAC). The first US patient, Leon Silas, 76, was enrolled in the study after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2011.
SLU researcher Nicola Pozzi is seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms of prothrombin and thrombin to develop more effective life-saving drugs. The research builds on previous breakthroughs in blood-clotting protein structure, which may lead to a better understanding of how prothrombin is converted to thrombin.
SLU researchers suggest approach to fight common virus in immunosuppressed patients by targeting Type 1 interferon pathway. The study found that disrupting the STAT2 gene in Syrian hamsters resulted in 100-1,000 times more virus replication compared to wild-type control animals.
A recent study from Saint Louis University found that over 90% of hospital physicians fail to identify or address weight issues in children. Despite the importance of BMI calculations and universal screening, only a small percentage of physicians documented weight concerns or took action to address them.
The project aims to educate 1,100 health care students and providers on a team-approach to care for older adults, targeting underserved areas in Missouri. With the growing elderly population, the initiative seeks to increase primary care providers by 34 percent to meet their complex healthcare needs.
Saint Louis University research finds that a woman's weight during her first pregnancy can affect complications in her second baby. Women who were underweight or obese during their first pregnancy had increased risks of early birth, low birth weight, and other complications.
SLU pain researcher Daniela Salvemini has been awarded the NIH's Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award to develop new painkillers that can quell terrible pain while minimizing debilitating side effects. The two-year grant will support her search for innovative ways to mitigate opioid side effects and preserve their pain-relieving ability.
Researchers at SLU's Center for Vaccine Development are studying gamma/delta T cells, a subset of T cells that recognize and fight TB. The goal is to develop a novel vaccine that could significantly reduce TB infection and disease.
Researchers at SLU developed a drug that targets cancer metabolism, stopping most kinds of cancer by cutting off the energy supply. The drug, SR9243, has shown promising results in cultured cancer cells and human tumor cells grown in animal models.
A new study published in Diabetes Care found that calorie restriction and exercise both improve insulin sensitivity, with combining the two approaches resulting in greater reductions. This suggests that both diet and exercise play important roles in managing Type 2 diabetes risk.
A Saint Louis University study found that text messages can provide private support for at-risk mothers suffering from postpartum depression, with 86.1% of delivered messages successfully received by 54 mothers over six months. The low-cost intervention was well-received and had a positive impact on the child's development.
Researchers at Saint Louis University discovered that targeting the A3 adenosine receptor can 'turn off' pain signals in the spinal cord, providing potential relief for patients with chronic pain. The study found that activating this receptor promotes GABA signaling, which is often lost or diminished in chronic pain conditions.
Alessandro Vindigni's research reveals four-way junctions as a critical mechanism for resolving DNA lesions, enabling cells to resume replication and maintain genetic stability. New enzymes, including DNA2, play a key role in this process.
A study by Saint Louis University researchers found that salt pill consumption neither improved nor worsened performance in endurance athletes. High-dose sodium supplementation did not impact thermoregulation or related measures such as sweat rate, perceived exertion, and cardiovascular drift.
Researchers at SLU discover a mechanism to train potentially aggressive T-cells to become regulatory T cells that police other T cells' responses. Increased expression of CD5 helps these self-reactive T-cells survive and become 'T-cell policemen', minimizing the risk of autoimmune disease.
A Saint Louis University research review article suggests people are hardwired to fall out of love and move onto new romantic relationships. Brain imaging studies show an increase in neuronal activity in pleasure areas that become active with cocaine use, implying a similar attachment process.
A new flu vaccine that includes four strains of inactivated influenza has been found to be more protective than a similar vaccine containing only three strains. The addition of the fourth strain increases the chance the vaccine will match the circulating flu B strains without compromising protection against other strains.
Saint Louis University researchers have tested a promising drug candidate that stopped fatty liver disease from progressing to severe liver damage. The drug, SR9238, suppresses lipogenesis and reduces the liver's ability to produce fat.
A study by Saint Louis University found that patients taking higher doses of opioids for chronic pain were more likely to experience an increase in depression. The researchers hope their findings will inform better pain management strategies and improve outcomes for patients.
A study published in Molecular Metabolism found that adropin, a hormone regulating fat and sugar metabolism during feeding and fasting cycles, can improve insulin action in obese mice. This suggests that it may work as a therapy for type 2 diabetes.
A SLU scientist has discovered an evolutionary mechanism used by bacteria to evade antibiotics like azithromycin. The discovery reveals a universal stalling mechanism, suggesting a way to improve existing drugs' effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant strains.
Researchers at Saint Louis University have found a way to prevent type I diabetes in an animal model by blocking the autoimmune process that destroys beta cells. The study uses a selective ROR alpha and gamma t inverse agonist to reduce autoimmunity, suggesting a new treatment option for the illness.
A Saint Louis University researcher has discovered a way to control internal clocks using a small molecule that targets key clock proteins. The compound alters the circadian rhythm, increasing wakefulness and reducing anxiety in mice, suggesting potential treatments for sleep disorders and addiction.
Researchers at Saint Louis University discover a family of enzyme inhibitors that can suppress herpes simplex virus replication. The findings offer hope for new treatments that can work in combination with existing medications to completely suppress the virus.
Saint Louis University researcher Daniela Salvemini and colleagues have discovered a way to block a pain pathway in animal models of chronic neuropathic pain, suggesting a promising new approach to pain relief. Activating the A3 adenosine receptor subtype provides robust pain reduction across several types of pain.
A study found that living kidney donors are at a higher risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy. Despite this, most women who become pregnant after donating a kidney have healthy pregnancies.
A new treatment for Marfan syndrome, losartan, has shown comparable effectiveness to the commonly prescribed medication atenolol in managing heart issues. The study found no evidence that losartan is superior to atenolol but offers a reasonable alternative for patients who can't take beta blockers.
Research finds that a vaccine protecting against an old avian flu strain primes the immune system for a rapid response when a new vaccine is given a year later. Combining this with an adjuvant, a lower dose of the new vaccine works better in triggering an immune response than a stronger dose without it.
A consortium of Missouri universities and research institutions will examine how climate change affects agriculture in the state. Researchers will focus on plant stress, soil changes, and regional weather patterns.
Researchers at Saint Louis University have trapped the part of a virus responsible for inserting its DNA into human cells, a crucial step in understanding how HIV infects people. By capturing integrase with x-ray crystallography, scientists aim to develop new treatments and better understand how existing drugs work.