Researchers identified a potential intervention for triple-negative breast cancer by targeting the MYCN oncogene. Experimental drugs called BET inhibitors showed promise when combined with MEK inhibition in model systems overexpressing MYCN.
A molecular marker in saliva is associated with childhood obesity emergence in preschool-aged Hispanic children. Salivary methylation of the NRF1 gene predicted childhood obesity three years later, even after controlling for maternal BMI and behavioral factors.
A new study suggests that investigational drug IW-3718 can reduce the severity of heartburn symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when combined with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The study, conducted by Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, found significant r...
A study published in JAMA found that polygenic risk scores are not a reliable predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients, contradicting long-held expectations. The researchers analyzed data from over 7,000 adults and concluded that these genetic tests provide limited information about who will develop CHD.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that fewer than 1 in 4 Tennessee infants exposed to hepatitis C at birth were tested, highlighting inadequate testing rates. The study also revealed disparities in testing rates based on the mother's racial background, with African American mothers being tested less frequently.
High levels of protein in urine shortly after an episode of acute kidney injury are associated with increased risk of kidney disease progression. The study suggests that measuring urine protein levels can help identify patients at highest risk and guide appropriate referrals to reduce adverse health outcomes.
A five-year follow-up study of over 2,000 U.S. men with localized prostate cancer found that radiation therapy was associated with significant declines in erectile function, while surgery improved function over time. Prostatectomy also resulted in worse urinary incontinence compared to other treatments.
A longitudinal study of 161 children with spina bifida found that fetal surgery improved mobility and reduced the need for follow-up surgeries. Fetal surgery also resulted in fewer shunt placements and better motor skills scores compared to traditional postnatal repair.
Researchers identified a rare genetic syndrome, CATIFA, caused by mutation of the RIC1 gene, characterized by cleft palate, intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, and ADHD. The study combined zebrafish models, pediatric genetic diseases, and electronic health records to define the underlying mechanism.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found a molecule produced by the brain that reduces anxiety-causing connections between two brain regions. This discovery could lead to pharmacologic treatments regulating anxiety and depressive symptoms in people with stress-related anxiety disorders.
A new study published in Health Affairs found that adults in Southern states with expanded Medicaid programs experienced lower rates of physical and mental health decline compared to those without expansion. The research suggests that access to the safety net is an inadequate substitute for coverage, highlighting the need for non-expan...
Patients transplanted with hepatitis C-positive donor hearts had comparable outcomes after one year compared to those receiving hearts from disease-free donors. The study suggests using such hearts can expand the donor pool, reduce wait times and improve patient survival rates.
The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommends evaluating breast cancer patients for genetic testing based on existing clinical criteria. Genetic testing should include full gene sequencing and be conducted in a lab certified by the College of American Pathologists or Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that children in low-resource countries are 100-200 times more likely to die after surgery. The pediatric surgery demand is growing, with over 50% of children requiring surgery before their 16th birthday.
A common insulin signaling pathway has been found across cancer and diabetes, revealing the importance of protein TRAP-alpha in maintaining protein homeostasis. Deleting TRAP-alpha triggered a 90% reduction in insulin content in pancreatic beta cells, highlighting its role in insulin biogenesis.
A genetic screen in worms reveals TRAP-alpha as a crucial component of the insulin synthesis pathway, affecting both early and late steps. The findings support the idea that defects in insulin synthesis contribute to Type 2 diabetes, and may lead to new approaches for prevention and treatment.
A new study reveals that male breast cancer patients require a lower recurrence score threshold for predicting mortality compared to females, highlighting distinct biology and prognostic factors between the sexes.
A new study reveals that frail patients are at a significantly higher risk of death after even minor surgeries, including laparoscopic gallbladder removal. The researchers found that patients classified as frail or very frail had mortality rates of up to 43% after moderate-stress procedures.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with increased infection events in children. Genetic testing can help identify patients at risk, allowing for tailored treatment and reduced side effects.
Daylight Saving Time transitions can have lasting impacts on health, causing biologic clocks to become desynchronized and increasing the risk of heart attacks and ischemic strokes. Average sleep duration shrinks by 15-20 minutes during DST, potentially leading to fatal accidents.
A high-fiber and yogurt-rich diet has been shown to reduce lung cancer risk by 33% compared to a low-fiber diet. The study's findings support the US Dietary Guidelines recommending a high fiber and yogurt diet for cardiovascular health and gastrointestinal cancer prevention.
A Vanderbilt University study found men with breast cancer have a 19% higher five-year mortality rate than women, attributed to clinical characteristics and undertreatments. The disparity persists even when considering cancer types, access to care, and lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity.
A new rapid testing method is being used to improve antibiotic treatment for sepsis patients, enabling medical teams to make quicker and more targeted therapy choices. The study found that providing rapid drug susceptibility information can lead to better patient outcomes and less unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use.
A special issue of Current Opinions in Psychology maps the state of mindfulness research, exploring its historical foundations, clinical applications, and social implications. The study reveals that mindfulness can be learned and applied uniquely across different contexts, with mobile apps emerging as a promising platform for deliverin...
Heather Pua, an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, has received a 2019 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's New Innovator Award. She will investigate the role of extracellular RNAs in allergic airway inflammation, with potential implications for new therapies and diagnostics.
A new observational study published in JAMA sheds light on the use of metformin for patients with Type 2 diabetes and impaired kidney function. The study found that metformin is associated with a 20% decreased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to sulfonylureas.
A recent study analyzed deaths associated with ibrutinib and identified several cardiovascular toxicities, including supraventricular arrhythmias and heart failure. The study highlights the need to improve management of patients taking this drug, which has a higher death rate compared to chemotherapy.
A single pill containing low doses of three medications reduced blood pressure and cholesterol levels in a US study, translating to a 25% lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The study enrolled mostly low-income, primarily black adults from Mobile, Alabama, and showed high adherence rates.
A study supports genetic testing for all metastatic breast cancer patients to identify additional patients with increased risk of certain mutations. This strategy may also help determine response to targeted therapies such as PARP inhibitors for HER2/ERBB2 negative breast cancer.
Heavy smokers who quit can lower their CVD risk by 39% in just five years, a finding that contradicts current clinical guidelines. The study's findings suggest that it may take up to 25 years for CVD risk to become as low as that of a non-smoker.
Researchers have identified a combination therapy of MDM2 compounds and CDK4/6 inhibitors as a possible solution for overcoming resistance to these drugs in melanoma patients. The therapy was shown to reverse resistance mechanisms in multiple mouse models and human tumor slice culture assays.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigated a cancer patient's fatal encephalitis after immunotherapy treatment, revealing a rare viral infection trigger. The study found that a specific T cell population may play a major role in immune-related adverse events and anti-tumor responses.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that 49% of independent physicians reported using electronic health records, compared to 70% of those in group practices and hospitals. Independent physicians may face higher costs and less authority over technology adoption, contributing to the disparity.
Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that women accumulate more tau protein in their brains than men, leading to a faster spread of the protein and increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. This sex-specific difference in tau spread may require tailored approaches for prevention and treatment.
A new study found that older patients with dementia received significantly less transitional care than those without dementia, including inadequate patient education and poor communication between healthcare teams. Researchers are calling for system-level changes to prioritize the needs of dementia patients and their caregivers.
A study published in Hospital Pediatrics found that concurrent benzodiazepine exposure impacts the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) more so than other substances. Infants exposed to both opioids and benzodiazepines were over 50% likelier to require medication treatment.
Researchers found that Medicare beneficiaries with high annual drug spending may pay more out-of-pocket for generics than brands if they use expensive specialty drugs. The study's lead author argues that policy changes are needed to address the issue and ensure generic drug users aren't overpaying.
Researchers analyzed payroll-based staffing data for over 15,000 US nursing homes, finding that 54% of facilities met expected staffing levels less than 20% of the time. Weekend staffing was particularly low, with an average of just 17 minutes per resident day for RNs.
The study found that African Americans are excluded from CT scans at a rate of 68%, compared to 32% of whites, due to conservative guidelines. Modifying the minimum smoking history and age thresholds could increase eligibility and reduce disparities.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that patients of surgeons with reported unprofessional behavior are more likely to experience complications during or after operations. Surgeons with higher numbers of reports were associated with increased rates of wound infections and other adverse outcomes.
A recent study found that over half of relapsed multiple myeloma patients treated with carfilzomib experienced cardiac issues during treatment. The study recommends routine monitoring with natriuretic peptide testing to mitigate this risk.
A clinical trial found that teplizumab, an immunotherapy drug, can delay the onset of type 1 diabetes in people at high risk. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a median delay of two years in children and adults.
Researchers found that successful epilepsy surgery can restore brain networks, leading to improved quality of life for patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The study showed significant improvements in brain network activity after surgery compared to healthy subjects.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center developed a cross-circulation technique to rehabilitate damaged lungs, extending the assessment time from six hours to 36 hours. The regenerated lungs meet transplantation criteria, potentially increasing organ availability.
A study led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Sheila Ridner found bioimpedance spectroscopy to be more accurate than a tape measure in identifying women at risk of developing lymphedema. The technology reduced rates of progression by approximately 10%, a clinically meaningful improvement.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a potential treatment target for malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT), a rare and aggressive childhood cancer. Blocking the MYC protein could be effectively treated in cancers driven by SNF5 loss, offering new hope for children with this lethal disease.
A pilot program investigates human-animal interactions (HAIs) in reducing suffering of children with cancer undergoing debilitating treatments. Children are randomly assigned to a group receiving usual care or a group receiving HAI plus therapy dog visits.
Researchers have discovered an unexpected role for the gene GRIK5 in linking vascular biology to eye disease, utilizing biobanks, electronic health records, and zebrafish. The study found reduced expression of GRIK5 associated with 18 different eye diseases, including retinal detachment, cataract, and glaucoma.
A team of scientists has identified 104 high-risk genes for schizophrenia, which may lead to the development of targeted treatments. The study's framework could also help track down genetic suspects in other complex diseases.
A multinational study led by Vanderbilt University researchers has found that diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in Asia, dramatically increasing the risk of premature death, especially among women and middle-aged people. The study highlights the urgent need for tailored diabetes management programs for Asian populations.