Researchers found four characteristics independently associated with recent overdoses in a San Francisco Bay Area population: homelessness, lengthy prison sentences, and sex work. Targeted interventions to decrease overdose risk are urgently needed, according to the study's lead author.
Researchers at Gladstone Institute discover HIV can infect naïve T cells, explaining how T-cell numbers diminish and leave the body susceptible to opportunistic infections. Infected naïve cells die, eliminating immune system's ability to respond to opportunistic infections characteristic of AIDS.
A UCSF study found that patients with substance abuse-related medical conditions benefit from integrated medical and addiction treatment, leading to improved abstinence rates and reduced inpatient use. The two-year study showed no significant differences in total abstinence rates between the integrated and independent care groups.
Researchers discovered two plant-derived chemicals that reduce damage from simulated strokes in cultured mouse brain cells. These PARG inhibitors could lead to a new class of stroke drugs, targeting the enzyme Poly-ADP-Ribose Glycohydrolase.
The UCSF Center for Addressing Disparities in Children's Oral Health will investigate causes and preventive measures for early childhood caries, focusing on racial and ethnic minorities. The center aims to improve oral health among young children through data-driven projects and interventions.
A UCSF study found that significant reductions in heart disease risk factors have saved over 430,000 deaths annually, with population-wide dietary changes and widespread use of medications being cost-effective.
A recent study by UCSF researchers reveals a significant shortage of dentists in California's rural and underserved communities. The study found that two-thirds of communities without dentists are rural and at least 20% of California communities face a dentist shortage, exacerbating oral health disparities.
Researchers argue that the cervix is a 'hot spot' for HIV infection and that physical barrier devices like the diaphragm could increase HIV prevention. The diaphragm's ability to block fluid transport may enhance the effectiveness of microbicides in killing HIV on contact.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that triggers blood cell adhesion in sickle cell disease, with P-selectin playing a key role. Inhibiting P-selectin has shown promise in reducing adhesion and potentially preventing pain crises and organ failure.
A UCSF/Harvard study analyzed 13,693 government inspections of nursing homes and found that for-profit facilities were cited for deficient care 46.5% more frequently than non-profits. For-profit homes had significantly lower staff-to-patient ratios, leading to concerns about the impact on patient care.
Researchers at the Gladstone Institute have discovered a new pathway that regulates the activity of NF-kB, a protein controlling key inflammatory and immune responses. The study reveals how acetylation and deacetylation control NF-kB's ability to trigger biological processes.
A new study finds that administering benzodiazepines to patients with status epilepticus en route to the hospital can significantly reduce seizures. Lorazepam was found to be at least as effective, if not more so, than diazepam in treating seizures.
UCSF researchers identified eight essential dimensions for evaluating nursing home quality. These categories include care, safety, and resident rights. The streamlined system aims to simplify inspections and provide more accurate information for consumers.
A recent UCSF study found that fine needle biopsy (FNAB) accuracy can be significantly improved with formally trained physicians. The researchers analyzed 927 women's medical histories and tissue samples, finding that less-well-trained practitioners were more likely to miss cancers due to errors in sampling.
Researchers from UCSF found that folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements can lower homocysteine levels by 25% and 7% respectively, resulting in a 8-13% decrease in heart disease rates and deaths. The study estimates that adding these supplements to daily grains could save $24 billion over 10 years.
The skin's acid coating, composed of fatty acids, helps maintain strength and cohesiveness. The discovery could aid in developing therapies for skin problems like psoriasis.
A UCSF study of exclusive receptive oral intercourse with a male partner found a very low probability of acquiring HIV. The study involved 198 participants, none of whom contracted HIV through oral sex.
Researchers at UCSF have found that two existing drugs, quinacrine and chlorpromazine, can effectively treat mouse cells infected with prions, which cause rare neurodegenerative diseases. The study suggests that these drugs may also be effective in patients with advanced disease, paving the way for potential new treatment options.
The report proposes differential pricing as a solution to bridge the gap between drug makers and activists. However, its implementation is uncertain, with experts disagreeing on how it should be set up or implemented.
A UCSF study of 1219 women found that 44.3% opposed mandatory reporting of domestic violence, with those who were young, non-white, and non-English speakers more likely to oppose it. The study suggests policy makers consider developing IPV reporting policies that balance patient autonomy with protection from abuse.
Researchers have developed a new HIV vaccine that provides full protection against vaginal transmission of an HIV-like virus. The vaccine combines elements of the successful Sabin oral poliovirus vaccine with genetic fragments of the AIDS virus, triggering a robust immune response.
Researchers propose individualized risk-benefit assessment to determine treatment for illicit drug-using patients. They argue that withholding treatment is unfair and ineffective, citing success stories from AIDS treatment.
Researchers have identified a potential link between the apoE4 protein and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that apoE4 may disrupt brain cell interactions and lead to the degeneration of neurons in this disease.
Gladstone researchers identified a key protein on cells that can be targeted to block Ebola and Marburg virus entry. This finding offers new hope for developing treatments against these deadly viruses.
A new report by the University of California, San Francisco, reveals that California's tobacco control program is 'stalled and adrift,' with a significant lack of funding. Despite initial optimism under Governor Gray Davis, the program has been slow to implement aggressive measures, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths from smoking.
The UCSF program will support senior-level nurses in executive roles with $45,000 over three years to develop key leadership competencies. The focus is on addressing complex issues in healthcare through a comprehensive leadership project and mentorship.
Researchers found that HAART decreased the HIV death rate to 38 percent of pre-HAART levels and opportunistic infections to 66 percent, supporting its effectiveness in advanced patients. The study analyzed data from 528 advanced AIDS patients who received HAART for an average of 15 months.
A UCSF study reveals that uninsured patients with chronic illnesses face significant challenges in managing their conditions, including poor symptom recognition and limited access to medication. This can lead to greater illness severity and premature death. Free community clinics are crucial for addressing these disparities.
A study by Gladstone researchers has identified a specific gene that contributes to the development of tuberculosis. The discovery highlights the importance of recruiting immune cells in controlling the disease, and raises concerns about the potential risks of CCR2 drugs.
Researchers discovered that introducing a tiny mutation in the telomerase enzyme can trigger a DNA damage response, inducing cell-cycle arrest or cell death in human cancer cells. This approach could lead to a new therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered a multi-layered protection mechanism in yeast cells that prevents duplicate genes from causing cancer. The system involves three overlapping controls requiring the reversal of multiple chemical processes before genes can be re-copied.
A large clinical trial found that hormone replacement therapy with estrogen and progestin did not increase or decrease the risk of stroke among postmenopausal women with heart disease. The study's lead author cautioned that the results may not apply to all women taking hormone therapy, and more research is needed.
A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that patients with heart failure can tolerate higher doses of ACE inhibitors without severe side effects. The research found that nearly all patients experienced only slight decreases in blood pressure and kidney function, which can be managed by adjusting the dose.
The American Legacy Foundation has awarded $15 million to UCSF to establish a permanent internet access to tens of millions of pages of tobacco industry documents and develop a center for scholarly study. This move aims to improve research in the field and ensure accessibility to scholars, health advocates, and the public.
Researchers have identified a pivotal early event in breast cancer development, where mammary epithelial cells spontaneously surmount senescence and acquire genomic instability. This finding could lead to new targets for very early detection and treatment of breast cancer, as well as broader implications for understanding carcinogenesis.
Jay Levy, MD, argues that an HIV vaccine aiming to reduce virus levels in blood and genital fluids could play a crucial role in controlling the epidemic. This approach would delay disease development and suppress the virus worldwide, rather than achieving sterilizing immunity.
Researchers found African Americans hospitalized at VA centers have a 25% lower mortality rate compared to white patients. The study suggests equal access to care may be the key factor behind this finding, but more research is needed to understand the underlying reasons.
A study published in JAMA found that insured homeless people are more likely to access outpatient care and adhere to medication regimens than their uninsured counterparts. The researchers identified factors associated with healthcare use, including sociodemographic characteristics, physical health, mental health, and substance abuse.
A national survey of 321 dentists found that most never screened for domestic violence, despite visible signs. Education on intervention increased likelihood of screening and responding appropriately. The study recommends standardized training and the AVDR model for dentists to recognize and respond to signs of abuse.
A new study suggests that scenario-based counseling can help patients seek hospital care sooner after a heart attack, potentially improving survival rates. The intervention teaches patients to recognize the diversity of symptoms and address emotional responses to a heart attack threat.
Researchers found that IL-7 increases in response to declining CD4+ cell counts, a hallmark of HIV disease. This cytokine stimulates the thymus and other immune tissues to produce new T-cells, potentially rebuilding the entire T-cell compartment.
A UCSF study found that elderly women who consume a higher amount of animal-based protein compared to vegetable-based protein are at an increased risk of bone loss and hip fractures. The researchers believe this is due to the high acid content in animal products, which can lead to bone dissolution over time.
Scientists at UCSF discovered a single defect in a protein causes severe auto-immune disease resembling lupus, affecting 100,000 people in the US. The finding provides evidence that lupus might be an inherited disease with a simple genetic root, rather than multiple genetic defects.
A new study from UCSF found that postmenopausal women with normal Pap smear results may not need annual screening, as the benefits are small and the risk of false-positive testing is high. Researchers also discovered that hormone replacement therapy did not significantly affect cervical cellular abnormalities.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that California's tobacco control program prevented an estimated 33,300 heart-disease deaths during its first nine years. The program also associated with a significant reduction in cigarette consumption, but budget cuts and changes weakened the effort in the mid-1990s.
Researchers found that women hospitalized for heart disease can benefit from nurse-managed relapse prevention programs, which teach coping strategies and provide social support. The programs have been shown to be feasible and well-accepted by both patients and healthcare providers.
A large-scale epidemiology study found that patients with TIA are at high risk for stroke, cardiovascular events, and death within 90 days. The study identified five independent risk factors associated with increased stroke risk, suggesting that aggressive treatment and targeted therapies may reduce stroke incidence in TIA patients.
The UCSF Center aims to improve nursing care for older Americans by training more gerontological nurse scientists. The center will prepare nurses to educate future nurses and conduct research on aging health care policy.
At least a third of the 1.6 million US nursing home residents may suffer from malnutrition or dehydration, according to UCSF researcher Kayser-Jones. Inadequate staffing and lack of individualized care contribute to this issue, with chronic conditions like depression exacerbating it.
A new clinical trial will compare the effectiveness of aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin in preventing heart attacks, strokes, and deaths in patients with chronic heart failure. The study, funded by the VA, will enroll 4,500 patients and provide insights into which medication is most effective, safe, and cost-efficient.