A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals a substantial decrease in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, while rates of utilization of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have remained unchanged. The data analysis showed a 15% drop in annual CABG surgery rates between 2001 and 2008.
Kenji Taylor, a first-year medical student at Penn Med, has been named one of 15 Philadelphia Schweitzer Fellows for 2011-2012. He will launch the 'Cut Hypertension Program' to address hypertension in African American males through blood pressure screenings and preventive lifestyle coaching.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that black cardiac arrest victims are less likely to survive when treated in hospitals with a high proportion of black patients. The study analyzed Medicare records and found that only 31% of black patients treated in such hospitals survived, compared to 46% in pr...
Researchers have discovered that defects in RNA biology contribute to the development of ALS, a disease caused by misfolded proteins. The study found that genes related to stress granules can rescue FUS-related toxicity, suggesting new targets for developing drugs.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered how telomere caps, made up of G-quadruplexes, protect chromosomes from unraveling. This discovery has implications for studying human aging, Werner syndrome, and Bloom syndrome.
A study by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine investigators shows that mice lacking a key protein develop squamous cell cancers resembling human disease, supporting novel therapies and early detection strategies. The findings settle a 20-year debate and prove the protein's role as a tumor-suppressor.
Researchers have developed a new method to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using microRNAs, increasing efficiency by 100-fold compared to traditional methods. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a novel drug combination that successfully treats advanced cancer patients. The temsirolimus-hydroxychloroquine combination was shown to halt tumor growth in two-thirds of patients, including those with melanoma, colorectal, and head and neck cancers.
A recent Penn study found that heart patients support discussions about ICD deactivation at the end of life and post-mortem donation for product improvement or reuse. Most patients want their ICDs deactivated in an end-of-life illness, and many support donating their devices to improve global health disparities.
A drastic shift in prescribing patterns has led to a fivefold increase in opioid addiction admissions, with prescriptions for hydrocodone and oxycodone accounting for 84.9% of opioid scripts. Experts recommend comprehensive training and public education to protect vulnerable populations.
A cohort study analyzing over 3,600 patients with severe psoriasis found a 53% increased incidence of major adverse cardiac events compared to the general population. Patients with severe psoriasis have an additional 6% ten-year risk of MACE.
A study found that guilt motivates cardiovascular patients to make lifestyle changes, particularly those with children. Providers are advised to address guilt in routine care to improve patient outcomes. The study involved 100 adult cardiology outpatients and revealed that nearly two-thirds had experienced a major cardiovascular event.
A large-scale study identified four new genes linked to Alzheimer's disease, adding to the existing pool of genes that contribute to the risk. The findings provide valuable insights into the disease's underlying mechanisms and may lead to the development of more effective treatments and preventive measures.
A new biomarker for tau-related brain disorders has been identified, suggesting a potential target for drug discovery and biomarker development. Acetylation may play a role in faulty binding of tau to microtubules, contributing to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.
A new approach to studying the brain uses a mathematical sequence to strengthen fMRI data, revealing how nerve cells represent information. This method measures changes in brain responses and corrects an important limitation of fMRI, making it more powerful than before.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a novel way to treat pancreatic cancer by activating the immune system to destroy the cancer's scaffolding. The strategy was tested in a small cohort of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, resulting in substantial tumor shrinkage and reduced metabolic activity.
Trauma patients who arrive at hospitals on weekends are more likely to survive, according to new research. The study found that the unique organization and staffing of trauma systems provide a built-in protection for these critically injured patients.
A new Penn study reveals that nearly 80% of women who report domestic assaults to the police seek medical care in emergency rooms, but only 28% are ever identified as victims of abuse. The study highlights the need for routine screening and referrals to social services to help protect these women.
Researchers found that mouse neurons mature in their sense of smell after birth, enabling them to distinguish between their mother's scent, siblings', and home fragrance. This maturation process may provide an evolutionary advantage for altricial species by facilitating learning to identify family members.
A research team discovered molecules that act as 'shift workers' to maintain the daily rhythm of fat metabolism in the liver. The findings suggest that disruption of this rhythm can lead to fatty liver and metabolic disorders.
Scientists identified a class of RNAs called CIRTs that target genetic building blocks to guide protein synthesis in nerve cell dendrites. This discovery provides clues for understanding brain disorders and highlights the potential impact of viral infections on normal cellular function.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that protein p53 controls glucose metabolism, enabling cells to grow uncontrollably in tumors. This discovery may lead to new cancer therapeutics by targeting an inefficient metabolic pathway.
Researchers discovered a specific immune cell population that maintains immunity in the intestine of mice, producing anti-microbial proteins to fight infection. Elimination of these cells led to impaired immunity and ultimately mouse death.
A simple one-minute test can detect concussions in athletes, capturing impairments of eye movement, attention, and brain function. The King-Devick test has the potential to become a standard sideline test for athletes.
A new study finds that a measure of HDL function, called cholesterol efflux capacity, is more closely associated with protection against heart disease than HDL cholesterol levels. Increasing efflux capacity was linked to decreased likelihood of coronary artery disease and improved cardiovascular health.
Researchers have discovered how a malfunctioning gene associated with Lou Gehrig's disease leads to nerve-cell death in mice. The study found that the gene, TDP-43, causes neurons to die when it is bound up outside the nucleus and depletes the cell of normally functioning TDP-43.
Researchers found that male pattern balding may arise from a problem with stem-cell activation rather than the numbers of stem cells in follicles. The team discovered that bald areas had the same number of stem cells as normal scalp, but were depleted in progenitor cells.
A team of international researchers led by Daniel J. Rader will investigate the molecular mechanisms of six novel genes associated with heart disease. The five-year study aims to identify new potential therapeutic targets and establish an infrastructure for systematic evaluation of future genetic association studies.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Utrecht University has deciphered the atomic structure of two key transient enzyme complexes in the human complement system. The findings provide a molecular scaffold for designing novel drug therapeutics by targeting the complex and inhibiting its activation.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified P-Rex1 as a crucial protein in signal transmission from ErbB receptors, driving breast cancer growth and metastasis. The study suggests that targeting this pathway could improve responses to existing therapies.
A slowly progressive weightlifting regimen cut risk of developing lymphedema by 35 percent among breast cancer survivors. Women who had five or more lymph nodes removed during surgery saw a nearly 70 percent risk reduction, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A Penn study found that HDAC enzymes are essential for proper skin formation and development. Inhibiting these enzymes may be able to shut down the growth of tumors resembling embryonic skin cells.
The personalized vaccine is effective in preventing recurrence among certain follicular lymphoma patients with a specific protein on their tumor cells. The vaccine improves disease-free survival by nearly two years compared to placebo treatments.
Researchers developed a color-changing patch to indicate blast exposure and potential brain injury risk. The badges use nanoscale structures that change color with intensity of exposure.
A novel form of splicing in the cytoplasm of nerve cells dictates a special form of a potassium channel protein in the outer membrane, essential for coordinating electrical firing of nerve cells. This discovery highlights the importance of introns in regulating protein diversity and has implications for brain diseases such as epilepsy.
A University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study reveals that chest compression rates are lower and pauses longer during nighttime in-hospital cardiac arrests compared to daytime efforts. This disparity may be attributed to factors such as fatigue, lower staffing levels, and lack of supervision from supervising physicians.
A Penn-led study of over 18,000 patients with schizophrenia found no significant difference in nonsuicide mortality between ziprasidone and olanzapine, two second-generation anti-psychotics. The findings provide reassurance for clinicians prescribing these medications.
A new approach called Desktop Medicine involves clinicians gathering and analyzing risk factor information to prevent disease onset. This model has substantial implications for educating, training, and practicing medicine, including incorporating bedside and desktop medicine in office visits.
A study of 503 breast cancer survivors who underwent lumpectomy and radiation found that 30% rated their post-treatment breast appearance as 'fair' or 'poor'. The study highlights the need for additional patient education about potential cosmetic complications and encourages patients to take an active role in managing their health afte...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a way to harness the power of a 2-sided immune cell to shrink tumors. The study found that targeting a specific protein pathway could lead to improved treatment outcomes for cancer and some autoimmune diseases.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) minimizes gastrointestinal complications in prostate cancer patients. The study compared IMRT to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and found that men treated with IMRT had fewer serious bowel complications.
Researchers discovered that U1 plays a crucial role in protecting mRNA transcripts from premature termination. By binding to the transcriptome, U1 keeps the cleavage/polyadenylation machinery in check until the RNA polymerase enzyme reaches its finish line.
A new Penn study has found a class of drug that can enter the brain and stabilize degenerating neurons in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. The epothilone D class of microtubule-stabilizing drugs may offer hope for treatment by restoring microtubule tracks to their original supportive structure.
Researchers at Penn Medicine measured the collaborative nature of translational medicine using network analysis, finding that ITMAT members' collaborative papers doubled since 2006. They also discovered that researchers were more likely to collaborate within their own departments and institutions rather than across them.
Researchers at Penn School Medicine identified the steps controlling CD45 protein's different forms, essential for activating the immune system. The study's findings have implications for understanding autoimmune and neurological diseases.
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School Medicine discovered a three-way control mechanism for fetal heart cell proliferation. This finding could help cardiologists understand the natural repair process after heart attacks and develop new therapies to expand cardiac stem cells.
A new approach, Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), improves communication between child and caregiver to prevent chronic and sub-clinical PTSD in 73 percent of children. The intervention also promotes recovery more quickly than a comparison intervention.
The Penn Medicine Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center is one of 18 official study sites for the PPMI, a $40 million, 5-year observational clinical study that aims to identify biomarkers of Parkinson's disease progression. The study will use advanced imaging, biologics sampling, and behavioral assessments to provide valuab...
Researchers have found a possible new target for fighting cystic fibrosis, exploiting the crosstalk between two chloride ion channels in mucous gland cells. The study suggests that activating one channel could compensate for the lack of CFTR functionality in affected cells.
Researchers reveal the structure of CENP-A, a molecule that plays a central role in DNA duplication and equal distribution into two daughter cells. The study provides insights into how CENP-A marks centromere location on each chromosome.