A nationwide clinical trial found that topical application of ruxolitinib was effective in repigmenting the skin of over 50% of participants with facial vitiligo. The treatment has an excellent safety profile and may lead to better results when combined with phototherapy and sunlight exposure.
A new online tool uses data from the PROMISE trial to predict patients at minimal risk for heart trouble, allowing primary care doctors to safely defer non-invasive cardiac tests. The tool considers 10 clinical variables and can help clinicians quantify minimal risk, opening a conversation with patients on whether a test is worthwhile.
Researchers found that angiogenin promotes hematopoietic regeneration by dichotomously regulating quiescence of stem and progenitor cells. ANG simultaneously reduces proliferation of stem cells and promotes proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells, which give rise to mature myeloid cells.
A study published in JAMA reveals that noninvasive prenatal testing for fetal chromosome abnormalities can detect underlying conditions in the mother, including cancer. The test analyzes placental and maternal DNA to identify chromosomal abnormalities, but may also reveal undiagnosed cancers in mothers.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics identified salivary biomarkers that can accurately predict oral feeding readiness in preterm newborns. The researchers found that a combination of gene amplification techniques and advanced computational analysis tools can identify specific genes associated with oral feeding success.
A study published in New England Journal of Medicine shows that dalbavancin is as effective as vancomycin in treating serious bacterial skin and skin-structure infections, including MRSA. The antibiotic has been proven to be an effective therapy for these infections, allowing for treatment once a week instead of several times a day.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies on antidepressants in pregnancy found a strong association between their use and increased preterm birth rates. The study suggests that antidepressant medications may be contributing to the rising trend of preterm births, which can lead to significant health problems and costs.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that noninvasive prenatal testing using cell-free DNA significantly reduced false positive results and had higher predictive values for detecting fetal trisomies 21 and 18 compared to standard screening methods.
A nationwide NIH-funded trial will determine if vitamin D supplementation can reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in people at high risk. The study, led by Tufts Medical Center, will involve 2,500 participants and aim to confirm a hypothesis about vitamin D's role in preventing diabetes.
Researchers at Tufts Medical Center have developed a novel drug approach to prevent deadly blood clots in heart disease patients without increasing the risk of serious bleeding. The new pepducin, PZ-128, inhibits platelet function and appears to be safe for human testing.
Researchers have identified a gene strongly linked to appetite regulation as a predictor of premature infants' feeding readiness. The NPY2R biomarker in saliva declines with maturity, allowing non-invasive testing for optimal feeding care.
A new study by Tufts Medical Center researchers provides insight into factors affecting Medicare decisions on medical technology coverage. The study shows that CMS uses clinical evidence to inform its 'reasonable and necessary' criteria, with alternative therapies influencing coverage decisions.
A study found a 44% increase in hospitals offering definitive emergency care for heart attacks since 2001, but only a 1% increase in access to that care. Regional variation is significant, with highest access in the Northeast and lowest in the South.
A twin study found that a diet rich in vitamin D, betaine, and methionine may slow macular degeneration progression. Higher smoking rates were linked to increased disease severity.
A new drug, DCC-2036, has shown potential in treating leukemia patients who have developed resistance to standard treatment. The study found that the drug was effective against human leukemia cells and prolonged survival in a mouse model of CML.