A new procedure has shown promising results in avoiding leg amputation for patients with severe peripheral artery disease. The PROMISE II U.S. clinical trial found that 76% of patients were able to keep their legs and had completely healed or healing wounds six months post-procedure.
A survey of over 43,000 patient portal users found that 96% prefer immediate online access to clinical test results. Most respondents reported seeking additional information after reviewing their test results and valued the convenience of receiving results through a patient portal.
A study of one family with monogenic diabetes reveals that insulin deficiency is the principal factor leading to a smaller pancreas. The Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers discovered this through precise measurements of the pancreas taken from four family members.
The Strategically Focused Research Network on Obesity has published its findings, revealing new information about the causes of obesity and its link to cardiovascular disease. The research team made significant strides in understanding the interface between obesity and cardiovascular disease, including the role of a specific drug target.
A multicenter study found that chronically disrupted sleep may increase the risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Participants with irregular sleep durations had higher burdens of coronary artery calcium, plaque in carotid arteries, and stiff blood vessels.
A study published in the Journal of Urology found that using Mark Cuban's cost-plus drug pricing model could save Medicare an estimated $1.29 billion annually on urological drugs. This would lead to more affordable treatment options for patients and redirect taxpayer funds towards other important issues.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that underperforming organ procurement organizations significantly impact the nation's organ supply. The research analyzed data from 13 hospitals and identified large gaps between potential and actual donors, highlighting the need for improved oversight and performance standards.
The study found that implementing the Shed-MEDS protocol before discharge to a post-acute care facility reduced patients' medication burden. The intervention also decreased exposure to potentially inappropriate medications, with effects persisting for at least 90 days.
A large observational study found that heart failure risk is 19% higher for adults living in rural areas of the US compared to urban areas, with a significant disparity in Black men. The study highlights race- and sex-based inequities in heart failure risk, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to prevent heart failure.
The CLOVERS trial demonstrated that large volume fluid administration and vasopressor therapy led to nearly identical survival rates in patients with septic shock. The findings suggest that rapidly achieving normal blood pressure and systemic perfusion may be more important than the method used to achieve it.
A new genetic disorder causing immunodeficiency and susceptibility to opportunistic infections, including life-threatening fungal pneumonia, has been identified. The mutation affects the IRF4 gene and alters the protein's normal gene expression profile.
Autistic adults face unique health challenges, but federally funded research has overlooked their needs. Analysis finds that only four studies have examined treatment of physical health disparity conditions in autistic adults, with none addressing the issue.
A study published in Science Immunology has discovered a potential new approach for treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by targeting iron metabolism in immune system cells. Blocking the iron uptake receptor reduced disease pathology and promoted anti-inflammatory regulatory T cell activity in a mouse model of SLE.
Researchers have developed a new peptide drug that silences genes responsible for skin inflammation, suppressing lesions and healing skin without side effects. The topical treatment is being tested in a clinical trial for patients with eczema, offering hope for more effective treatments.
A new study published in The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety found that a peer messaging tool can effectively address disrespectful workplace behaviors in the nursing workforce. The study, which involved three academic medical centers, showed that most nurses who received feedback through the tool made changes to...
Researchers found that surgical risk for COVID patients diminishes with elapsed time from diagnosis, decreasing by half every 100 days and eventually leveling off at around 8% after 400 days. The study's findings suggest that doctors should consider the patient's proximity to COVID when deciding on surgery timing.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified the cardiac antigen α-myosin as the mechanism for immunotherapy-related myocarditis, a rare but deadly complication affecting less than 1% of patients. The discovery sets the framework to identify biomarkers and develop strategies to tolerate immunotherapy in at-risk...
The study, led by C. Buddy Creech, MD, MPH, shows the vaccine is safe and generates robust immune responses in young children, providing protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. The findings echo previous results, which found the vaccine to be effective in older children.
Researchers found that the universal behavior of singing to infants synchronizes caregiver-infant social engagement, supporting social development. Infants as young as 2 months old show a synchronized eye-look to caregivers' eyes when singing is rhythmically predictable.
Taking more than 8,200 steps per day may protect against obesity, sleep apnea, and other conditions. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 participants and found that increasing daily steps can reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
A consortium of researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Stanford Medicine, and others aims to create a comprehensive atlas of genetic variants that cause heart disease. The project, funded by the National Health Lung and Blood Institute, will generate data on function for thousands of variants, helping guide treatment fo...
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that neurologic complications are relatively common among children hospitalized with COVID-19, occurring in about 8% of cases. These complications can lead to life-altering conditions and increased hospital costs, highlighting the importance of vaccination and prevention strategies.
A clinical trial found that three smoking cessation treatments could also reduce alcohol consumption and found high rates of behavior change for both. Nicotine replacement therapy performed as well as prescription drugs in reducing alcohol intake.
A national clinical trial found that convalescent plasma therapy does not improve the ability to survive or recover for severely ill patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Despite receiving high-titer neutralizing antibodies, hospitalized patients did not benefit from the therapy.
A study found that a genetic variant associated with low white blood cell counts, common in people of African ancestry, is linked to discontinued or decreased azathioprine medication. This suggests considering genetic factors before altering treatments.
Scientists have discovered a significant genetic link to humans' ability to move in sync with music. The study identified 69 genetic variants related to beat synchronization and found connections between rhythm and health, while acknowledging that environment also plays a crucial role.
The study reveals that ZNG1 is a protein that puts zinc into other 'client' proteins, playing a crucial role in regulating cellular zinc homeostasis. ZNG1's identification opens up a new area of biology for exploration and may be one of the most important regulatory strategies by which humans cope with severe zinc starvation.
A new observational study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center compares an artificial intelligence algorithm with face-to-face screening for estimating suicide risk. The ensemble learning method produced nearly always better predictions across the board compared to C-SSRS or VSAIL alone.
A new paper highlights the need for uniform patient confidentiality policies for adolescents, as state laws vary significantly and often contradict medical societies' standards. The authors argue that this variability can lead to clinically significant consequences for adolescents seeking care for sensitive issues.
A laboratory study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers detected COVID-19 virus developing resistance to remdesivir through mutations in the polymerase enzyme. The study highlights the importance of monitoring for resistance and developing combination therapies.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered a mechanism Acinetobacter baumannii uses to survive in a dried state: producing hydrophilin proteins that protect against water loss. This finding could lead to new strategies for eliminating the pathogen from hospital surfaces.
A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers has cast doubt on the impact of a proposed ban on menthol-flavored tobacco cigarettes. The study found no statistically significant difference in quit rates between menthol and non-menthol smokers, despite earlier reports that menthols were harder to quit. The study's authors suggest cau...
A new study shows that three doses of mRNA vaccine provide substantially greater protection against severe COVID-19 for immunosuppressed transplant patients. Boosters appear to increase effectiveness, with a regimen of two doses only 29% effective and three doses 77% effective in preventing hospitalization.
Medicare beneficiaries without low-income subsidies were nearly twice as likely to not fill prescriptions for serious health conditions like cancer or hepatitis C treatment, according to a new study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers. The study found that 30% of patients without subsidies did not fill their prescribe...
A new study from Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that 10-second videos of white blood cell motion can predict blood cancer relapse in stem cell and bone marrow transplant patients. The study showed that patients with high adherence levels and rolling along vessel walls were more than three times as likely to have a relapse o...
Children with high diastolic blood pressure scores had reduced risk of in-hospital mortality and reduced time in the ICU and hospital after CHD repair surgery. Predictive models could be improved by adding blood pressure polygenic risk scores to identify children at risk for adverse outcomes.
A new study has found that World Trade Center responders have an increased mutational burden, elevating their risk for blood cancers and cardiovascular disease. The researchers compared DNA samples from 203 Nashville firefighters to a control group of 52 firefighters who were not exposed to particulate matter at the disaster.
A recent survey found that out of 21 million vaccinated children, only 21 cases met the definition of MIS-C. The risk of MIS-C after vaccination is estimated to be 1 in 1 million for all children and 1 in 3 million for those without known COVID exposure. This study provides reassurance on the safety of COVID vaccines in children.
A recent study published in NEJM Evidence found that azithromycin use during severe RSV bronchiolitis does not prevent subsequent wheezing episodes and may even increase the risk. The study recommends against antibiotics during acute RSV bronchiolitis due to its lack of effect on the acute illness.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that nearly 90% of COVID-19 patients who qualified for ECMO but did not receive it due to resource shortages died in the hospital. This suggests that hospitals need to invest in capacity to provide ECMO to more patients.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that gene variants increased the risk of acute kidney injury and death in African American veterans hospitalized with COVID-19. The study, which analyzed data from over 850,000 diverse veterans, identified APOL1 variants as a key contributor to this increased risk.
A recent study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine found that baricitinib significantly reduced all-cause mortality in critically ill COVID patients on mechanical ventilation. The drug showed a 62% lower mortality rate compared to placebo, with one additional life saved for every six people treated with baricitinib.
Researchers outline a comprehensive framework to tackle early-onset colorectal cancer, addressing epidemiology, molecular landscape, and treatment options. The framework emphasizes the need for tailored support, including peer support, educational counseling, and financial guidance.
A clinical score system developed by Vanderbilt researchers can guide PRRT treatment decisions, indicating that patients with a score of 4 or less may experience improved progression-free and overall survival. The study suggests that a minimum of three doses are needed to achieve meaningful DNA damage in neuroendocrine tumors.
A new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that a five-day course of antibiotics is superior to a 10-day strategy for treating community-acquired pneumonia in children under 6. The trial showed similar response rates and lower antibiotic resistance genes in the shorter treatment group.
Cancer-Immu, a new data portal, helps predict patient response to immunotherapies by integrating large-scale omics data and clinical phenotypes. The portal covers 16 cancer types and detects 182 genes with mutations significantly associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers have revealed mechanisms by which polyps develop into colorectal cancer, setting the stage for improved surveillance utilizing precision medicine. The study found that serrated polyps derive from metaplasia, an abnormal change of cells into non-native tissue.
A phase 1 clinical trial found that the DNA methylome of aggressive brain tumors can be reprogrammed with L-methylfolate, a folic acid-like drug. The treatment showed improved median overall survival in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, paving the way for future epigenetic studies and potential immunotherapy combinations.
Researchers found that buprenorphine providers are less likely to discriminate between Medicaid and privately insured patients, but patients face numerous barriers to obtaining an initial appointment. Despite this, disparities persist in access to OUD treatment.
Adults from sexual minority groups are more likely to use alternative therapies, skip medication doses, and delay prescription refills to reduce medication costs. The findings highlight a significant disparity in health outcomes for LGBTQ+ patients and underscore the need for improved access to medications.