Researchers found that loss of the NEP enzyme fuels inflammation in mice with colitis, leading to increased substance P levels and bowel inflammation. Administering the NEP enzyme or blocking substance P can dramatically reduce inflammation, suggesting potential treatments for humans.
Researchers identified a new role of fibroblasts in cancer development, showing that epithelial cells engage in a molecular dialogue with surrounding fibroblasts to progress towards cancer. This finding could lead to new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
New research from UCSF reveals that HIV patients with high CD4+ counts are still at risk of opportunistic infections such as CMV retinitis. The studies found a relationship between the effectiveness of anti-CMV therapy and HAART, highlighting the need for careful consideration in treatment strategies.
Recent studies have found that high cortisol levels might be a cause of depression, potentially leading to new antidepressant drug strategies. Cortisol-lowering drugs have shown promise in reducing depressive symptoms, especially in patients with high cortisol levels.
A study found that despite comprehensive treatment, four patients became infected with HIV at least six months after initial exposure due to ongoing contact with infected partners. Counseling strategies targeting misconceptions about transmission are crucial to preventing future infections.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a protein enzyme that plays a key role in pain signaling, suggesting a possible target for broad-based pain therapy. The finding applies to inflammatory pain syndromes, such as arthritis and colitis, and has potential implications for post-operative pain relief.
Researchers found that treating small, asymptomatic, unruptured cerebral aneurysms may increase health risks and death. The study's complex analysis suggested that in some cases, aneurysm treatment is unnecessary, highlighting the need for personalized care.
Researchers found physicians who provided validation and confirmed patients' worth had a positive impact on those abused. Validation messages, such as 'battering is wrong', helped women realize the seriousness of their situation and move toward safety.
US cirrhosis mortality rates have increased and declined in tandem with hard liquor consumption, contrary to the expected association with beer and wine. The study found that excluding beer and wine from analysis revealed a strong correlation between hard liquor consumption and cirrhosis mortality trends.
The event will cover hormone replacement therapies, phytoestrogens, common herbs and dietary supplements, and health promotion strategies. UCSF experts will provide guidance on managing menopausal symptoms and maintaining long-term health.
A survey of older Californians ages 45-70 found that poor health is a significant contributor to early retirement, with nearly half retiring for health-related reasons. The study also revealed disparities in health coverage and poverty rates among early retirees compared to those who retired after age 50.
A new HIV drug intervention using nevirapine is significantly cheaper and more effective than three similar treatments, preventing 603 infections at a cost of $80,000 per year. The universal nevirapine program is the most cost-effective option, with a treatment cost of $138 to prevent one case of infant HIV.
Researchers found that people with heart disease can expect greater benefits from lowering cholesterol levels than those without, with a 60% decrease in heart attacks and 80% decrease in deaths. Emphasizing secondary prevention is now considered more cost-effective due to these significant benefits.
Scientists have identified a genetic defect linked to insulin resistance and adult diabetes, providing a target for potential new treatments. The Q allele of the PC-1 gene is three times more common among insulin-resistant people and twice as frequent among adult diabetics.
The UCSF Center for Health and Community will conduct four studies over five years, examining couples' decisions on assisted reproductive technologies, psychological effects, economic costs, and medical outcomes. The research aims to inform patients, physicians, and policymakers about infertility treatment options.
Researchers at UC San Francisco found that activated pain nerve fibers dampen the inflammatory response's first line of attack, preventing chronic diseases. The study suggests that pain acts as a negative feedback control of inflammation, which can help prevent chronic inflammatory diseases.
A study of 500 young gay men in San Francisco found that unprotected anal sex increased by a third to a half in four years. Approximately half of these cases involved partners of unknown or different HIV status.
A new study found that treating entire communities with oral antibiotic azithromycin effectively controls an infection causing widespread eye disease. The treatment reduces the number of infections by up to 90% compared to topical therapy, offering a promising solution for controlling trachoma in endemic areas.
Researchers found exposure to certain environmental factors that affect the immune system can decrease a person's risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Factors associated with increased risk include a history of splenectomy, gonorrhea, and polio, while decreased risks were linked to allergies, bee stings, and certain medications.
UCSF researchers discovered that pain elicits analgesia via the brain's reward pathway, releasing opioids and dopamine. This finding provides a new understanding of pain relief and its connection to addiction.
The UCSF Cancer Center has received designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), becoming the only NCI-designated cancer center in Northern California. The center will receive up to $850,000 per year for research infrastructure and administration.
A study found that primary care physicians in California often miss opportunities to screen for domestic violence, especially during routine medical exams. The researchers recommend increasing awareness and training to prevent domestic violence from happening in the first place.
A recent study found that approximately 4.2 million adolescents had no health insurance coverage in 1995, leaving them with significant obstacles to accessing adequate healthcare. The study suggests that a shift from private to public insurance has not led to an improvement in health insurance coverage for this age group.
A study by Daniel I. Sessler and colleagues found that surgical pain increases the risk of infection by reducing tissue oxygenation, which is crucial for fighting infection. The study showed that patients with minimal pain had higher tissue oxygenation concentrations and a lower risk of infection.
UCSF researchers suggest hospitalists should establish relationships of trust with patients and PCPs to ensure confidentiality, shared medical decision-making, and patient autonomy. Hospitalists can improve end-of-life care by discussing patients' preferences with PCPs and developing skills in addressing these issues.
A new UCSF study found that nearly all patients value primary care physicians for coordinating their care and serving as a first point of contact. However, nearly a quarter of patients feel their primary care physician or medical group limits access to specialists, leading to lower trust and satisfaction levels.
The Mangini Collection of 80,000 pages of documents chronicle R.J. Reynolds' struggle to hold onto market share as tobacco use declined, focusing on attracting young first-time smokers. The documents also reveal the company's efforts to refute findings that Joe Camel had a higher rate of recognition among schoolchildren than Mickey Mouse.
A multi-center study found that people infected with human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) are at a greater risk of acquiring bronchitis, bladder and kidney infections, oral herpes, and pneumonia. HTLV-II is primarily found in injection drug users and Amerindian tribes in South and Central America.
A UCSF report identifies three contributing factors to the problems facing allied and auxiliary workforce: market survival, flexible team members, and educators' skills preparation. The report recommends partnerships among health delivery organizations, workers, and educators to forge new approaches.
A nationwide study is being launched in six US cities to determine the most effective HIV prevention counseling program. The study, called EXPLORE, will compare two behavior interventions: standard risk reduction counseling and a client-centered approach that focuses on personal decision-making.
A new observational study published in JAMA found a significant correlation between low vitamin C levels and high blood lead levels among Americans. The study analyzed data from over 19,500 Americans and revealed that about half of one percent have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that tens of thousands of hospital patients are improperly treated for hyponatremic encephalopathy, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by low salt concentrations. The correct treatment involves increasing patients' salt concentration intraven...
The StAR protein plays a key role in the steroid-making system by partially unfolding to form a 'molten globule' conformation that enables it to work inside cells. This flexible state lowers energy required for channel opening in mitochondrial membrane, acting as an on/off switch for cholesterol transport.
A team of scientists has found a critical interaction between two brain proteins that could help explain the death of nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease. The discovery reveals that normal APP provides a protective function against cell death, while mutant forms do not.
The discovery of Complex II's structure is crucial for understanding the energy production system in cells and may lead to therapies correcting defects. This breakthrough increases scientists' knowledge of fundamental processes and their role in diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's.
In a groundbreaking two-year study, nearly two-thirds of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis regained their original bone mass after receiving a new treatment. The synthetic parathyroid hormone treatment was three times more effective than current medications in reversing bone loss.
A UCSF study found that raloxifene, an osteoporosis prevention drug, significantly reduced the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women by 76 percent. The drug also showed promise in preventing both breast and osteoporosis simultaneously.
A new study by UCSF researchers found a significant decline in TB rates in San Francisco from 1992 to 1997, attributing it to intensified control measures. The study used molecular epidemiology to track the disease and determine the effect of interventions on transmission rates.
A UCSF team has identified a key gene, sgk, that regulates blood pressure by mediating the effects of aldosterone. The discovery could lead to more effective therapies for hypertension and low blood pressure, two conditions affecting millions of Americans.
The University of California, San Francisco's HIV/AIDS website, HIV InSite, was recognized as one of the most comprehensive AIDS-related information resources in the world. The site, established two years ago, has garnered over 14 million hits from an international audience and is noted for its unbiased coverage of HIV/AIDS topics.
A new study found that enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) significantly reduces angina pain in patients. The treatment, which involves inflating cuffs on the legs during heartbeats, improves cardiac blood flow and pumping efficiency.
Researchers propose a revolutionary new theory about cell communication, suggesting that cytonemes relay messages between cells. The theory challenges conventional thinking on morphogen transmission and could fundamentally change our understanding of developmental biology.
Researchers found that signals from germ cells shorten lifespan, while somatic gonad signals increase lifespan in C. elegans. The balance between these signals influences the animal's rate of aging. This system may allow the animal to coordinate its aging with reproductive development.
A new study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco found no correlation between smoke-free restaurant laws and decreased hotel revenue or tourist volume. In fact, some cities experienced statistically significant increases in hotel revenues and international tourist numbers after implementing such laws.
Researchers have determined the atomic structure of clathrin, a versatile molecule that self-assembles into a protective sphere to transport nutrients and hormones into cells. The molecule's unique structure allows for precise regulation of molecular entry, ensuring safe transit and controlled transport.
The UCSF Family Alcoholism Study aims to investigate the links between behavior, personality characteristics, and biological factors associated with alcoholism. The nationwide project enrolls heavy drinkers and recovering addicts with a family member participating, using telephone interviews, personality tests, and genetic analysis.
Researchers found a functional abnormality in the brain's sound processing region in adults with dyslexia, contributing to difficulties in early speech and language learning. This deficit affects the ability to process rapidly successive sounds, leading to weaknesses in reading skills.
Researchers at UCSF found that groups of professionals, including sheriffs and psychologists, can detect lies with high accuracy when motivated and trained. However, even trained observers may not always be accurate, and most people struggle to detect deception without proper training or motivation.
Researchers will discuss cellular interactions in prostate cancer, new gene discoveries, and techniques for measuring patient outcomes. The symposium also features presentations on experimental agents, immunotherapies, and alternative therapies for treating prostate cancer.
A new study predicts that regular anal Pap smear screenings can lead to early detection of pre-cancerous lesions and treatment of anal squamous cell cancer among high-risk men. The screening is estimated to be cost-effective, saving an average of $16,000 per year of life gained.