A recent Penn study found that patients who receive care at large, urban, and teaching hospitals have a higher chance of survival after cardiac arrest compared to those in small, rural non-academic hospitals. The study also suggests that patients cared for in high-volume intensive care units are more likely to survive.
A study led by Nina Luning Prak found a lower level of antibody editing in mice and human blood samples from patients with lupus and type 1 diabetes. This suggests that not all autoimmunity is caused by errors in editing, requiring a targeted approach for treatment.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified stem cells in the esophagus that can grow into functional tissue. The researchers found that these stem cells can repair damaged tissue and potentially treat conditions like GERD and Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Smokers carrying a specific gene variant are more susceptible to concentration problems and cognitive deficits during abstinence, increasing the risk of relapse. The study paves the way for novel medications to treat nicotine addiction.
A research team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has discovered a key molecular partnership that coordinates body rhythms and metabolism, leading to leaner mice and improved insulin sensitivity. The study suggests that disrupting this partnership could be a valuable new weapon in the fight against obesity and diabetes.
A study found a correlation between genetic variations in donor-recipient HLA protein matches and increased risk of delayed allograft function. Researchers hope to validate their findings with larger datasets to improve matching and reduce complications.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine found that cells reorganize their internal skeleton to adjust their shape in response to external forces. This discovery validates a common theory in cell biology and has implications for understanding certain diseases, including cancer.
A novel protein marker identifies rare adult liver stem cells whose ability to regenerate injured liver tissue has the potential for cell-replacement therapy. The finding offers significant implications for treating chronic liver disease in the future.
Researchers have engineered T cells that can recognize HIV-1 strains that evade the immune system, a breakthrough with implications for treating patients with chronic infection. The engineered T cells respond vigorously to HIV, allowing fewer cells to control infection.
Researchers at Penn School Medicine have discovered a molecular balance that governs the number of mature B-cells in the blood stream, balancing immune responses and autoimmunity. By adding BLyS, the 'brakes' on immature B cells are relaxed, while neutralizing it allows memory B cells to survive.
Researchers mapped thousands of positions where PPAR gamma regulates genes in fat cells, potentially leading to new therapies for reducing fat cell numbers or altering function. The findings aim to decrease side effects associated with antidiabetic drugs.
The study identified a brain-specific enhancer that drives expression of the Shh gene in the hypothalamus, which regulates cell division of adult stem cells. A mutation in this enhancer sequence was found to cause a significant reduction in Shh activity, leading to holoprosencephaly.
Patients who receive written and verbal instructions on proper warfarin use are less likely to experience gastrointestinal and brain bleeding problems. Improved doctor-patient communication may also prevent a substantial number of injuries and resulting hospitalizations.
Researchers found that protein C5a promotes tumor growth by recruiting immune cells that block T-cell function. Blocking this receptor could lead to more effective cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
Researchers James Eberwine and Aaron Gitler at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have been awarded prestigious NIH awards to investigate RNA-based therapeutics and mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Their research aims to develop novel individualized therapeutics and understand protein folding and misfolding in y...
Researchers have developed a new class of heart disease medication that reduces the development of high-risk blockages in arteries. The study found that darapladib, which specifically inhibits lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, decreased the size and number of advanced plaques that cause heart attacks and strokes.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine have created a highly specific inhibitor, TPNLQ, that selectively blocks potassium channels in kidneys, opening a new avenue for treating hypertension. This breakthrough could provide a potential new approach to reducing salt reabsorption and lower blood pressure.
Penn researchers discovered that Fbx4, a naturally occurring enzyme, plays a key role in stopping the production of Cyclin D1, a protein contributing to cancer development. By understanding this mechanism, scientists can develop new therapies to reverse the process.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a baker's yeast protein, Hsp104, that can reverse protein aggregation in animal models of Parkinson's disease. This breakthrough finding holds promise for developing new treatments for the condition.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine expert discusses organ donation after cardiac death, a controversial topic that raises ethical considerations. The
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that FOXA2 regulates genes involved in maintaining proper bile levels. The study suggests that increasing FOXA2 expression may be a novel therapeutic goal for treating diseases like primary sclerosing cholangitis and biliary atresia.
A recent study published in Science has identified a gene that controls sleep in fruit flies, which may help understand the need for sleep and develop new treatments for insomnia. The Sleepless gene affects homeostatic regulation of sleep, and its mutation led to impaired coordination, restlessness, and reduced lifespan.
Researchers analyzed medication orders that were withdrawn within 45 minutes and found a 66% rate of errors. The study suggests a systematic method for identifying prescribing errors, which can be used to screen for errors and as a teaching tool.
Mutations in PS1 and PS2 proteins disrupt calcium ion flow, leading to increased amyloid beta production. The study identifies the inositol trisphosphate receptor as a potential target for new therapeutic options.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that myosin-I motors sense minute changes in force to regulate cellular processes. This discovery has implications for understanding hearing, balance, glucose uptake, and more.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a potential new way to vaccinate against avian flu by using synthetic DNA vaccines that induce broad immune responses against pandemic flu. This approach could allow for quick mobilization during an epidemic and has implications for non-avian types of flu.
Researchers found that barcoded technology is not fool-proof and nurses develop workarounds to compensate for its limitations. The study highlights 31 causes of problems with barcode systems, including unreadable medication-barcodes, malfunctioning scanners, and non-barcoded-medications.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have successfully modified T cell receptors using zinc fingers to develop a new type of AIDS treatment. The approach involves introducing mutations into the CCR5 gene, rendering it non-functional and preventing HIV entry into immune system cells.
A recent animal study found that inadequate sleep in elderly mice exacerbated cellular aging, leading to increased misfolded proteins and cell death. The unfolded protein response was impaired in old mice, failing to properly handle protein synthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum.
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine team proposes a new policy requiring transplant programs to disclose all foreseeable risks of the surgery to potential recipients at the waiting list. This change aims to promote greater equity in organ allocation and restrict 'cherry-picking' of organs from suitable but suboptimal donors.
Researchers from Penn Medicine found that increased activity of the Wnt pathway leads to expansion of lung stem cells. This discovery could hold promise for therapies to repair lung tissue after injury or disease.
Researchers discovered misfolded proteins TDP-43 accumulate throughout the brain of ALS patients, indicating broader neurological effects. The findings suggest new therapies for ALS should target molecular targets beyond just motor neurons.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds that a risk-based approach to labor induction can lead to healthier newborns and better birth outcomes for mothers. The Active Management of Risk in Pregnancy at Term (AMOR-IPAT) method reduces NICU admissions, cesarean rates, and mean Adverse Outcome Index scores.
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is a quicker and cheaper way to screen patients with chest pain for low-risk cardiac problems. Studies show CTA can accurately identify safe patients for discharge, reducing hospital admissions and testing costs.
Researchers found that reduced SMN protein levels impair the biochemical balance needed to make snRNP complexes for splicing RNA, producing abnormal mRNAs in various tissues. This discovery suggests that spinal muscular atrophy is a general disease of splicing that can affect all cell types.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania's CEET have discovered that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can lead to mutations in critical genes in lung cancer through oxidative stress. PAHs transform into oxygen free radicals, which bind to DNA and cause damage if not repaired.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a fruit fly protein called Argos that acts as a decoy receptor to neutralize tumor growth factors. This discovery may lead to new cancer drug designs by mimicking the silent binding of growth factors, similar to existing treatments like Avastin.
New research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals drug-eluting stents outperform bare metal stents in reducing mortality and need for future cardiac procedures. The study found that patients with drug-coated stents saved an average of $1,350 worth of follow-up care during the year.
Monitoring treatment adherence to AIDS therapy can predict risk of disease progression without blood tests. A simple blood-free method uses pharmacy prescription refill claims to track patient adherence, showing it's a better predictor than CD4 cell counts at 6 and 12 months.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a small molecule that selectively targets and dismantles misfolded protein fibers connected to Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases. This breakthrough has implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
A new study suggests that government-backed pay-for-performance programs may widen disparities in healthcare quality between rich and poor hospitals. Safety-net hospitals face smaller performance gains and are more likely to be financially penalized, which can damage their reputation and limit quality improvements.
Researchers found that darapladib safely and effectively lowers Lp-PLA2 activity, an enzyme associated with inflammation and increased risk for heart attack and stroke. The drug may reduce plaque inflammation and lower rates of clot formation among patients with coronary heart disease.
Penn researchers use a novel yeast model to identify segments of mutated TDP-43 protein causing disease. The approach allows for rapid genetic screening to find proteins that can reverse the harmful effects of ALS and FTD.
Researchers found that common versions of FGFR2 and TNRC9 genes increase breast cancer risk in women carrying damaged BRCA2 gene. The study suggests that knowledge of a BRCA mutation is necessary but not sufficient to fully understand cancer risk.
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine have developed a targeted therapy combination that overcomes treatment resistance in liver cancer by combining sorafenib with the TRAIL pathway. This combination restores sensitivity to cell death and kills cancer cells, offering new hope for patients.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that Notch signaling is not universally essential for maintaining stem cells in bone marrow. This finding opens up new possibilities for developing effective leukemia therapies without harming normal bone marrow.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered that leiomodin (Lmod) promotes the assembly of actin in heart muscle cells, directing it to form the pumping unit of the heart. The findings suggest Lmod could be relevant to cardiac muscle disease and require further study.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that juvenile cells on their way to becoming mature immune cells can develop into either T cells or other blood-cell types. This challenges the currently accepted model of T-cell development, which suggests that these cells are committed to the T-cell path from...
Researchers have found that two drugs can bind to receptor sites on some tumors in different places at the same time. This discovery implies the possibility of a new combination therapy targeting EGFR proteins, which are present on the surface of many types of cancer cells.
Researchers have found two more mutations in the TDP-43 gene that could become candidates for drug targets, providing direct evidence of its role in ALS and FTD. The study also suggests potential implications beyond these diseases.