Researchers found strong relationships between nephropathy and insulin resistance throughout follow-up, unlike other risk factors such as blood pressure and blood fats. Lifestyle changes like proper diet, exercise, and smoking cessation may help people with type 1 diabetes avoid kidney disease.
Pittsburgh researchers report a new clinical approach that radically reduces and eventually weans patients off all immunosuppression after small intestine transplants. Results show many patients can take minimal doses of a single anti-rejection drug, with some remaining drug-free for up to 38 years.
Researchers at Magee-Womens Research Institute found that the pregnancy hormone relaxin increases nitric oxide production in blood vessels, leading to improved blood flow. This discovery may lead to new treatments for high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers mapped the 11q13 amplicon, a common genetic defect in oral and head and neck cancers. A new gene, TAOS1, was identified as overexpressed in cell lines with 11q13 amplification, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh discovered that even mild elevations in liver enzymes ALT and AST are associated with a nearly twice higher death rate compared to normal levels. Elevated enzymes signal liver injury and can result from HIV treatment, viral hepatitis, or alcohol abuse.
A study found that over 90% of patients experienced significant improvement in GERD symptoms after gastric bypass surgery. Patients also saw a decrease in medication use, including proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 blockers.
A study published at the Endocrine Society meeting found elevated cortisol levels in cerebrospinal fluid of child-bearing-aged women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), a condition affecting 5% of reproductive-age women. Cortisol levels were higher than those in circulating blood, suggesting stress impacts more than fertility.
University of Pittsburgh researchers found combined PET/CT scans to be a valuable tool for staging and re-staging patients with difficult-to-track cancers. The technology identified additional cancerous lesions in 80% of ovarian carcinoma patients and 45% of cervical carcinoma patients, leading to changes in treatment plans.
A study of 200 type 1 diabetic patients found a significantly higher mortality rate among African Americans, due largely to acute complications. The results suggest an inadequacy in care for African Americans with type 1 diabetes, potentially linked to issues such as access to care and education.
A one-year study found that a diet reducing fat and calories, combined with walking, led to an average weight loss of 8.5% and improved blood sugar levels. Exercise was reported as the most beneficial behavior among participants.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine have made significant breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. Filtering antibodies from blood may decrease the risk of organ rejection, with experiments showing a 40-60% reduction when coated with specific antigens. Additionally, injecting drag-re...
Research suggests that preeclampsia may decrease the risk of preterm delivery when a woman smokes, but negative effects persist even without clinical preeclampsia. Abnormal implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus may also continue to affect pregnancy outcomes.
Research suggests a link between mild vitamin C deficiency and increased blood vessel stiffness in pregnant rats, potentially exacerbating preeclampsia risk. Pregnant women with a history of preeclampsia face an elevated chance of developing the disorder again in subsequent pregnancies.
Research suggests preeclampsia is associated with increased risk of preterm delivery and later-life hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Elevated sialic acid levels indicate inflammation and are linked to atherosclerosis, suggesting a potential preventive role for aspirin.
Researchers discovered a set of 511 genes that distinguish four groups of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), including those with symptoms and cancer. The findings suggest a potential link between BPH and prostate cancer, as well as a genetic 'field effect' in individuals with prostate cancer.
In a study, 50 patients with various voiding dysfunctions reported a 82% decrease or absence of incontinence after Botox injections. The treatment alleviated symptoms for approximately six months without long-term complications. Overactive bladder affects 17 million Americans, causing significant quality-of-life issues.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a promising new therapy for urinary incontinence using muscle-derived cells. The therapy, which uses genetically engineered muscle cells to replace damaged bladder muscles, shows long-term effectiveness in improving bladder function.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a unique population of muscle stem cells that can be transplanted into mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, delivering the key protein dystrophin and improving muscle regeneration. The study suggests these cells may hold promise for treating the genetic disease.
A new treatment option called TheraSphere appears safe and effective in reducing liver tumors and improving quality of life for patients with advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma. The novel treatment emits beta rays via microscopic glass beads, delivering a higher dose to the liver than standard radiotherapy.
The study demonstrated that gemcitabine was well-tolerated in patients with superficial bladder cancer, with no or very low levels of the drug found in plasma samples. The results suggest that gemcitabine may be a suitable alternative to current standard treatments, which often cause toxic side effects.
A new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that outpatient antibiotic treatment for PID is just as effective as inpatient treatment. The study, known as PEACH, involved 831 women with PID and showed no significant differences in outcomes between those treated inpatient or outpatient.
Primary care clinicians identified boys with similar parent-reported symptoms more likely, leading to differences in treatment. Boys were more likely to receive medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder problems.
A study by Dr. Anne B. Newman found that people with cardiovascular disease have a 30% increased risk of dementia, primarily due to vascular dementia caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain. Preventing cardiovascular disease may be an effective measure for preventing dementia in older adults.
Research reveals a significant drop in episiotomy rates from 56% to 31% between 1979 and 1997. However, the procedure remains overused, particularly among private practitioners, increasing the risk of rectal dysfunction and fecal incontinence for young mothers.
A long-term follow-up study found that only four out of 166 children treated with tacrolimus developed chronic rejection. The patients who experienced rejection had been off immunosuppression for extended periods due to life-threatening infections or complications, but were able to recover once they resumed normal dosages.
A new study suggests that liver transplant matching based on histocompatibility could reduce disease recurrence in patients with hepatitis C and primary biliary cirrhosis. The University of Pittsburgh study analyzed data from over 3,000 liver transplants and found that a match significantly decreases the incidence of acute and chronic ...
A new type of dendritic cell has been found to prevent diabetes in mice by causing T cells to die rapidly. In a study, researchers treated mice with this special dendritic cell and found that half remained diabetes-free at one year.
According to a University of Pittsburgh study, HIV patients who underwent liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus did not experience further progression of their HIV despite taking immune-suppressing anti-rejection drugs. The study found that all six surviving patients had undetectable HIV viral loads since their transplants.
Researchers found a link between polycystic ovary syndrome and increased coronary artery calcification, an early indicator of cardiovascular disease. Addressing insulin sensitivity and central obesity may reduce this risk in young women with PCOS.
Elderly individuals with untreated systolic hypertension are three times more likely to experience adverse cardiovascular events than those with normal blood pressure. Early treatment for high blood pressure significantly reduces cardiovascular risk, particularly among those free of detectable disease at study entry.
Researchers developed an ELISA test that accurately identifies patients with sensitized immune systems, increasing the chances of preventing rejection in pediatric heart transplant patients. The test has shown promising results in lung transplant patients as well, suggesting its potential to become a routine clinical care tool.
University of Pittsburgh researchers found that short abstinence periods, depression/anxiety bouts, and a caregiver's smoking history increase the risk of relapse. They also developed a non-invasive ultrasound technology to detect heart recovery, enabling successful weaning from left ventricular assist devices.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that heart transplant patients who resume smoking after a short abstinence period or with depression/anxiety within two months are more likely to relapse. The study also identified a strong predictor: caregivers who smoke.
Researchers at UPCI found that several plant extracts interact with estrogen receptors and induce strong estrogenic responses in female rats. The study highlights the need for caution when using these remedies, especially for women with a family or personal history of breast and uterine cancer.
Prostate cancer tumors produce factors that inhibit dendritic cell growth and induce apoptosis, explaining immunological non-responsiveness in advanced patients. Stimulating dendritic cell growth is a promising area for future prostate cancer therapies.
A University of Pittsburgh Medical Center study reveals that the protein cdc42 plays a crucial role in suppressing dendritic cell activity in cancer. The findings provide a new direction for therapeutic molecular immunopathology and may lead to the development of highly efficient vaccines for cancer therapy.
A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh has discovered a gene mutation responsible for hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF), a rare condition characterized by gum overgrowth. The discovery may lead to new therapies, including tissue engineering, and could have implications for treating common dental problems like period...
A study by Pitt researchers found that men and women have different genetic markers associated with severe depression, which may lead to better diagnosis and treatment strategies. The findings suggest that sex-specific genes for recurrent major depression may be the rule rather than the exception.
A commonly prescribed medication for treating endometriosis appears to elevate the risk of ovarian cancer, according to a new study. Women taking danazol were nearly three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those taking leuprolide, an anti-androgenic medication.
Researchers have found a genetic susceptibility locus on chromosome 1 that may contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa. The study used a genome-wide linkage analysis and identified a possible AN-susceptibility gene on chromosome 1p, adding to growing evidence supporting the role of genetics in eating disorders.
A study by Dr. Jennifer Grandis and colleagues identified a protein associated with lung cancer also expressed in head and neck cancer, leading to potential therapeutic strategies. The researchers found increased GRPR expression in head and neck cancer tissues compared to healthy controls.
The study found that in older people with MCI, the brain produces more choline acetyltransferase, an enzyme important for memory and cognitive functions. This increase may be the brain's attempt to maintain normal function as neurons die.
The University of Pittsburgh will conduct a long-term study on the impact of alcohol use and abuse on aging veterans with and without HIV. The study, VACS 5, aims to identify health and quality of life effects of alcohol consumption among this population.
Researchers found that astronauts' endogenous circadian pacemaker (ECP) loses its influence after about 90 days in space, leading to reduced sleep quality and duration. This could jeopardize performance on longer missions like those to Mars.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh identified Langerhans cell precursors that can be targeted to initiate or down-regulate the immune response, potentially leading to novel treatments for asthma and transplant rejection. The discovery could also enhance vaccine development.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have identified cyclin B1 as a promising new tumor antigen for cancer vaccine development. The study found that cyclin B1 is over-expressed in breast and lung cancer cells, making it an attractive target for immunotherapy.
Researchers found motor vehicle crashes cause 82% of traumatic fetal deaths, with young mothers aged 15-19 at highest risk. The study suggests incorporating fetal deaths into data systems and conducting prevention research to reduce crash risks.
Researchers found that maternal temperatures only slightly increased after epidural anesthesia, regardless of patient size or length of anesthesia. Epidural fever was experienced by 25 patients, but the risk was not correlated with body mass index or surface area.
A recent study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that a lower dose of mifepristone is as effective as higher doses when used with misoprostol for early pregnancy termination. The study showed that 72 out of 80 women experienced complete abortions after using the lower dose regimen.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have successfully implanted LBS-neurons into patients with chronic stroke, showing a greater than 10% increase in metabolic activity in damaged areas. The surrounding area showed maintained or improved function, suggesting integration of the new neurons.