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Pediatric TB may affect lung functioning, growth later in life

A new study reveals that young children diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis are at an increased risk of subsequent wheezing, poor lung function, and reduced height and weight. The study found that children who developed PTB before six months old had more than double the risk of wheezing after 6 months.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 18, 2023

Crowdsourcing can help researchers assess efficacy of Parkinson’s treatment, research finds

Researchers found that crowdsourced listeners can accurately assess voice quality for people with Parkinson's disease, supporting the use of crowdsourcing to evaluate speech samples. The study replicated a previous finding that intensive voice and articulation therapies improve voice quality.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Speech Language and Hearing Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 2023

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty, a novel treatment for chronic blood clots in lung arteries, gives patients a new lease on life, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University study shows

A novel treatment approach called balloon pulmonary angioplasty has been shown to be effective in treating chronic blood clots in lung arteries. The procedure improves exercise capacity and quality of life, with some patients able to stop medications altogether. Refinements in technique have improved the procedure's safety and efficacy.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalJACC Advances·DateApr 13, 2023

Higher dose corticosteroids associated with a 60% increased risk of death in hypoxic COVID-19 patients requiring only non-invasive oxygen therapy (The Lancet / RECOVERY trial)

A new study published in The Lancet found that higher dose corticosteroids are associated with a 60% increased risk of death in hypoxic COVID-19 patients requiring only non-invasive oxygen therapy. The RECOVERY trial also identified an excess of pneumonia and hyperglycaemia in the higher-dose corticosteroid group.

Could a vitamin deficiency cause ‘double-jointedness’ and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Tulane University researchers discovered a possible genetic cause of hypermobility and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, linking it to folate deficiency due to the MTHFR gene variation. Elevated folate levels in blood tests can aid in diagnosis, while methylated folate has shown promising treatment results for patients.

SourceTulane University·JournalHeliyon·TypeObservational study·DateApr 9, 2023

Patients with schizophrenia have favorable surgical risk, opening the door for ethical consideration of neurosurgical interventions like Deep Brain Stimulation

A study published in Frontiers in Surgery finds that patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have lower postsurgical mortality than those with Parkinson's disease, suggesting DBS as an ethical option for treatment-refractory cases. Comprehensive consideration of factors is done on a case-by-case basis for successful DBS.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalFrontiers in Surgery·DateApr 3, 2023

Asymptomatic, CT angiography-detected coronary artery disease associated with 8-fold increased risk for heart attack

A cohort study of over 9,000 persons found that asymptomatic middle-aged individuals with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis are at an 8-fold increased risk for myocardial infarction. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing obstructive coronary artery disease in patients without known cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 27, 2023

Cryo-electron microscopy captures structure of a protein pump

Researchers at Tohoku University used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the high-resolution 3D structure of human SPCA1a, a protein pump involved in calcium and manganese ion transport. The study provided insights into how the protein works and how mutations can cause Hailey-Hailey disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 24, 2023

Digital tools make physical exercise programmes more effective and easier to stick with

A metastudy found digital-based physical exercise interventions are at least as effective as face-to-face ones, but generic designs often fail to provide quality information. The researcher aims to improve the digital-health-based prescription of physical exercise to take account of patients' individual requirements.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalApunts Educación Física y Deportes·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

Debunking pain myths could help teens recover faster

A world-first study from the University of South Australia is providing valuable insights into how young people understand chronic pain, potentially helping thousands of sufferers to better manage their symptoms and long-term wellbeing. Researchers found that young people tend to make sense of chronic pain by explaining it as a softwar...

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Pain·TypeCase study·DateMar 15, 2023

Learning behavior differs between OCD and problem gambling

Research reveals that individuals with OCD exhibit lower-than-normal learning rates when rewards are less than expected, while those with problem gambling display boosted learning from high rewards and blunted learning from low rewards. This study highlights the benefits of using neurocomputational approaches to understand psychiatric ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2023

American Foregut Society white paper recommends expanding endoscopic classification of esophogastric junction integrity beyond hill grade

The American Foregut Society has proposed a new classification system to assess esophagogastric junction (EGJ) integrity, expanding beyond the Hill grade. The new classification takes into account EGJ disruption and hiatus hernia extent, providing a more comprehensive understanding of GERD.

SourceSAGE·JournalForegut The Journal of the American Foregut Society·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 3, 2023

High-flow nasal cannula usage outside of intensive care associated with longer hospital stays, higher costs

A study by Le Bonheur Hospital found that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) treatment for mild to moderate bronchiolitis is associated with longer hospital stays and higher costs. HFNC usage outside intensive care units resulted in increased resource utilization for pediatric bronchiolitis patients.

SourceLe Bonheur Children's Hospital·JournalHospital Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 2, 2023

Checklist Prompters Support ICU Rounds

A study published in the American Journal of Critical Care found that a single trained observer serving as a checklist prompter can accurately assess whether multidisciplinary rounds addressed key elements of the ABCDEF bundle. This approach enables customized, shorter checklists to streamline workflows and improve patient care.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAmerican Journal of Critical Care·DateMar 1, 2023

Electrodes grown in the brain – paving the way for future therapies for neurological disorders

Researchers have successfully grown electrodes in living tissue using the body's molecules as triggers, paving the way for fully integrated electronic circuits in living organisms. This breakthrough method allows for substrate-free organic bioelectronics and targets specific biological substructures for nerve stimulation.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2023

When is remdesivir effective for COVID-19?

A new analysis of COVID-19 patient data reveals that remdesivir significantly lowers mortality in unvaccinated patients with conventional oxygen support. The study found no evidence of varying treatment effects based on age, comorbidities, or inflammation levels.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 21, 2023