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Clinical trial finds nasal spray safely treats recurrent abnormal heart rhythms

A clinical trial found that a nasal spray called etripamil effectively and safely treated recurrent episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in patients. The study showed that two-thirds of participants experienced relief within an hour, with an average time needed for symptom relief being 17 minutes.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 9, 2024

Stopping aspirin one month after coronary stenting procedures significantly reduces bleeding complications in heart attack patients

Researchers found that withdrawing aspirin one month after PCI significantly reduced major and minor bleeding incidents by 55% compared to dual antiplatelet therapy. The study, ULTIMATE-DAPT, showed no increase in adverse ischemic events, suggesting continuing aspirin may cause harm without benefit.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 7, 2024

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers discover novel drug candidate to combat fatty liver disease

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have discovered a novel compound, 11c, a 5HT2A antagonist, which exhibits robust biological activity and a favorable safety profile. The compound has shown promising efficacy in preclinical models and is poised to advance the treatment of metabolic liver diseases.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 3, 2024

Women with serious mental illness want pregnancy information, resources from mental health providers

Research highlights gaps in information, support, and resources for women with serious mental illness who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. The study found that few women recalled discussions of pregnancy with their mental health providers and were dissatisfied with the information they received about potential safety concerns.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeSurvey·DateApr 3, 2024

Collaborative University of Cincinnati Cancer Center team opens Phase 2 brain tumor trial

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center team has opened a Phase 2 clinical trial to test a new combination treatment for glioblastomas, a deadly form of brain tumors. The treatment uses letrozole, a drug that targets an enzyme present in breast cancer cells, and temozolomide, a chemotherapy drug already approved as a GBM treatment.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 26, 2024

Implantable device delivers HIV antiviral with more potency than oral drugs

A new nanofluidic implant has been shown to deliver an HIV drug with increased potency compared to existing oral medications, providing a potential breakthrough in addressing treatment nonadherence. The device is intended for long-term controlled release and avoids repeated systemic treatment, which can lead to adverse side effects.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2024

Prenatal exposure to antiseizure medication topiramate may not increase children’s risk of autism spectrum disorder

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that prenatal exposure to antiseizure medication topiramate does not increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children. In contrast, valproate has been linked to a heightened risk of ASD.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 20, 2024

Study eases concern at antipsychotics use in pregnancy

A new international study led by UNSW Sydney found no increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and learning difficulties after exposure to antipsychotics during pregnancy. The study tracked the long-term risk of intellectual disability, poor academic performance in maths and language, or learning, speech and language disorders.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2024

UC study: Subcutaneous infusion pump safe, effective for Parkinson’s treatment

A phase 3 trial co-led by a University of Cincinnati researcher found that subcutaneous levodopa delivery through an infusion pump is safe and effective in reducing symptoms for longer periods. The study resulted in almost two hours of additional 'on time' compared to traditional oral medication, paving the way for potential FDA approval.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 15, 2024

Ginkgo biloba compounds improve cognitive function following stroke

A study published in Open Medicine found that Ginkgo Diterpene Lactone Meglumine (GDLM) improves cognitive function in patients who recently experienced an acute ischemic stroke. The treatment showed anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects, reducing inflammation and coagulation markers.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOpen Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 14, 2024

Study finds no safety concerns when the dapivirine vaginal ring is used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, according to results presented at CROI 2024

A new study by the Microbicide Trials Network found no safety concerns with using the dapivirine vaginal ring during all stages of pregnancy. The research provides sufficient evidence that the ring is safe to use throughout pregnancy to protect against HIV, which poses a higher risk than at any other time.

SourceMicrobicide Trials Network·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 5, 2024

University of Cincinnati study: Liraglutide safe, effective for weight loss in patients with stable bipolar disorder

A University of Cincinnati study found liraglutide to be efficacious and safe for weight loss in individuals with stable bipolar disorder, without destabilizing the illness. The drug reduced binge eating behavior and significantly lowered hemoglobin A1C levels.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychopharmacology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 4, 2024

Study reveals link between cannabis use and current asthma prevalence in US adolescents and adults

A recent study by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant link between cannabis use and current asthma prevalence among US adolescents and adults. The study analyzed data from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, finding that individuals who reported cannabis use in the past ...

Reduced blood lead levels linked to lower blood pressure

Researchers found that small declines in blood lead levels were associated with long-term cardiovascular health improvements, including reductions in systolic blood pressure and markers of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. This study suggests that even small decreases in blood lead levels can have meaningful health outcomes.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateJan 11, 2024

About 22 high school age adolescents died each week from overdoses in 2022, driven by fentanyl-laced prescription pills

A new study found that fentanyl-laced prescription pills are driving a surge in overdose deaths among high school age adolescents in the US. The death rate for this group has increased to 5.2 per 100,000, with Arizona and Colorado experiencing rates double the national average.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2024

A new weapon against the super tough C diff bacteria

A phase-one human clinical trial shows that Omadacycline causes a distinctly different effect on the gut microbiome than Vancomycin, making it a safe drug option for patients at high risk for C diff infection. The antibiotic achieves high concentrations in the gut quickly, reducing the risk of long-term colonization.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateDec 19, 2023

U of M-led study presents a promising alternative to viral vectors for cancer immunotherapy

A U of M-led study introduces an innovative genetic engineering method that avoids cost and safety concerns associated with viral vectors. The method combines CRISPR-Cas9 precision genome editing and a novel DNA integration mechanism, integrating large DNA sequences into human T-cells with high efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2023

Prenatal exposure to GLP-1 receptor agonists and other second-line antidiabetics may not pose greater risk to infants than insulin

A new study found no increased risk of major congenital malformations in infants exposed to second-line non-insulin antidiabetic medications during pregnancy compared to those treated with insulin. The study examined over 3.5 million pregnancies and provided reassurance on the safety of these medications for fetuses.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 11, 2023

SMART researchers pave the way for faster and safer T-cell therapy through novel contamination-detection method

A novel contamination-detection method enables faster and safer T-cell therapy production, reducing the risk for patients and speeding up treatment. The method uses cutting-edge technology to identify harmful microorganisms within 24 hours.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Immunotherapy drug is well tolerated in lung cancer patients with limited physical function, study suggests

A phase 2 trial found that durvalumab is safe and may benefit overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer patients with borderline performance status. The study also showed stable quality of life and a lower incidence of severe treatment-related adverse events compared to platinum doublet chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 21, 2023