Articles tagged with Medical Treatments
The BIOPACE trial found a non-significant trend in favour of biventricular pacing over right ventricular pacing, but no significant improvement in outcomes. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% or less did not show any benefit from biventricular pacing.
The TASTE trial found that thrombus aspiration for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) does not reduce mortality or other clinical endpoints long term. The one-year follow-up results revealed no statistically significant difference in death rates between patients who received clot aspiration and those who did not.
The FAME 2 trial found that FFR-guided drug-eluting stenting significantly reduced major adverse cardiac events compared to medical therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease. The rate of death, MI, or urgent revascularisation was lower with PCI than MT.
The European Lead Extraction ConTRolled (ELECTRa) registry found that transvenous lead extraction is clinically successful in over 98% of cases, with a failure rate of 1.5%. Non-infective indications for lead extraction are becoming increasingly common, accounting for 47.3% of cases.
The NEART-HF trial found no clinical benefit of vagus nerve stimulation for heart failure patients, despite robust pre-clinical data suggesting a potential therapeutic effect. However, the treatment did show improvements in quality of life and functional classification.
Researchers at McLean Hospital found that xenon gas can reduce memories of traumatic events, potentially treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other memory-related disorders. The study used an animal model to demonstrate the effectiveness of xenon in blocking fear responses for up to two weeks.
A recent study analyzing data from over 1,700 patients found that the complication risk of deep brain stimulation (DBS) is similar for both older and younger Parkinson disease patients. The results suggest that age should no longer be a rigid exclusion criterion for DBS candidates.
Researchers at the NIH have developed a new animal model of severe Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection in marmosets. This model closely mimics the severe pneumonia experienced by people infected with MERS-CoV, making it an ideal option for testing potential treatments.
Two experts denounce clinical trials of highly implausible treatments, citing dubious science and lack of evidence. They advocate for science-based medicine, urging patients to exercise critical thinking when evaluating treatment options.
A study by UCLA and RAND Health found that providing futile treatment in the ICU sets off a chain reaction, delaying critical care for other ill patients. The study shows that on 16% of days when ICUs were full, one patient received futile treatment, causing others to wait longer for admission.
Researchers explore adipose-derived stem cells as a tool for improving nerve regeneration through bioengineered nerve grafts, aiming to revolutionize peripheral nerve repair. Adipose-derived stem cells have shown potential to stimulate improved nerve regeneration and could replace current clinical approaches.
The collaboration aims to understand the underlying genetics of IBD and potentially lead to new treatments. All study participants will receive 23andMe's Personal Genome Service at no cost.
A study found that different meta-analysis approaches can yield varying treatment outcome estimates, with some methods producing larger results. The researchers recommend assessing the robustness of their results through sensitivity analyses and comparing to other strategies.
A Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center study found that a turn-key intervention program significantly increased physical activity levels among children in daycare. The program achieved 91% of the physical activity goals set by daycare centers.
Researchers discovered that synthetic PAWP can initiate fertilization, promising a new method for diagnosing and treating male factor infertility. The protein's potential as a molecular marker for diagnosis and improvement of fertility treatments is being explored.
According to a recent editorial, nearly 6% of US children and teens are severely obese, with a significant increase in prevalence and poor long-term prognosis. Experts recommend more comprehensive strategies, including pharmacotherapy, weight loss surgery, and specialty medical weight management programs.
Scientists are working on seamless marriage between electronics and brain signaling to treat devastating diseases. They're developing ultraflexible circuits and injecting tiny electronics into the brain to integrate with existing biological networks.
Researchers found that brief acute psychological stress promotes healing in mouse models of three different types of skin irritations. The study revealed that the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal glands under stress are beneficial for inflammatory disorders and acute injury in both mice and humans.
Two research projects receive grants to develop tools to control Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the fungus causing White-Nose Syndrome. A naturally produced treatment using native soil bacteria and gene silencing technology are being tested.
Scientists analyzed horse tendons to understand aging mechanisms, revealing protein differences between young and old horses. They found that certain proteins alter with age, slowing healing processes. This research could lead to better treatment strategies for human tendon injuries.
Differences in proteins present in young and old tendons have been identified by researchers at Queen Mary University of London. Accumulated damage over time is thought to contribute to reduced ability of tendon cells to repair damage effectively, leading to increased risk of tendon injury with aging.
A Rutgers study found that positive emotions, even those viewed through a distorted lens, may play a role in fueling eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. Women with the illness often feel emotionally positive about their weight loss progress, which can lead to a vicious cycle of continued weight loss and disordered behaviors.
The American College of Physicians recommends a full-night sleep study for patients with unexplained daytime sleepiness to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity is the best documented risk factor for OSA, and symptoms include snoring, daytime sleepiness, and fatigue.
DWI-MRI predicts TIA patients who are at higher risk of disabling stroke, which can be prevented with immediate evaluation and treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging has changed the diagnosis of TIA from a time-based definition to a tissue-based one.
A survey of 13,860 German patients with aortic valve disease found over 80% were in the same or better state of health one year after intervention. TAVR and AVR procedures showed similar results, regardless of risk group, indicating excellent outcomes for conventional surgery.
Research at University at Buffalo found that treating overweight children with their parents leads to sustained weight loss for both, with parents losing an average of 14 pounds. This approach, compared to targeting only the child, resulted in a more appropriate weight gain while growing normally in height.
A panel of experts has called for improved screening and treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to help millions worldwide. The condition causes painful joint inflammation and can lead to irreversible joint damage if left untreated.
A new study found that peer-led interventions targeting parental well-being can significantly reduce stress, depression, and anxiety in mothers of children with disabilities. The interventions led to improvements in mental health, sleep, and life satisfaction, as well as fewer dysfunctional parent-child interactions.
Researchers advocate for a new discipline combining benefits of neuroscience and psychology treatments to address mental disorders. The 'mental health science' approach aims to uncover mechanisms of existing psychological treatments and leverage neuroscience insights to create improved therapies.
An interdisciplinary team of University of Arizona researchers is studying language abilities in patients recovering from a stroke. They will use combined language assessments with comprehensive brain imaging techniques to understand the neural processes underlying successful recovery.
A recent study found racial and ethnic disparities in alcohol services utilization among women, with Latina and Black women showing lower rates of treatment. This disparity highlights the need for targeted outreach programs to address the unique needs of female minority drinkers.
A new study suggests that getting patients in India quickly evaluated by the right doctors can be as effective at curbing tuberculosis as a highly accurate screening test. Improving access to Xpert MTB/RIF, a new TB test, could reduce new cases by 14.1 percent over 5 years.
A recent study published in JAMA found that hydroxychloroquine, a commonly prescribed treatment for primary Sjögren syndrome, did not improve symptoms in patients. The 24-week trial involved 120 patients and showed no significant difference between hydroxychloroquine and placebo groups.
A retrospective study found that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experienced a significant decrease in cavity rates as they received regular dental care. However, gum disease rates increased over time, highlighting the need for effective solutions to address these challenges.
Researchers at National Taiwan University have reviewed treatment options and imaging tools for peripheral nerve repair, contributing to knowledge in the field. The study proposes several imaging tools that may help visualize peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo and in real-time.
A randomized clinical trial found that women who received prenatal and infant/toddler home visits by nurses had lower maternal all-cause mortality rates compared to those who did not receive these services. Additionally, children whose mothers received home visits were less likely to die from preventable causes before the age of 20.
A NYU research team created a social/behavioral intervention that increased the number of African American and Latino individuals living with HIV/AIDS who enrolled in studies. The ACT2 program found nine out of ten eligible participants joined, compared to none in a control group.
The study analyzed over 230,000 sperm donation cycles in the UK and found no significant impact on live birth rates from sperm donor age. Instead, it highlighted the significance of female partner's age and sperm quality. The results suggest that advancing paternal age may not be as crucial for fertility outcomes as previously thought.
A study by Empa found that silver-coated textiles release hardly any nano-particles during washing, unlike conventional coatings. The team also discovered that these textiles generally lose less silver during washing due to the smaller amount of silver incorporated into fabric with nano-coating.
The Bestcilia project is launching an international patient registry for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare respiratory disease. The registry aims to collect prospective data on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes, ultimately improving therapeutic guidelines and quality of life for PCD sufferers.
A recent survey conducted at Washington State University found that half of Native American veterans say standard PTSD treatments don't work. Instead, many turn to traditional healing therapies like the Sweat Lodge ceremony, which helps dispel chronic 'ghost sickness' and provides a sense of community and spirituality.
A new study found that gastric bypass surgery leads to a greater reduction in adverse effects of obesity on quality of life compared to intensive weight loss programs. Patients who underwent gastric bypass surgery lost an average of 64.4 pounds and reported a 60% greater reduction in diabetes-related problems.
The American Dental Association has entered into an agreement with Elsevier to publish its flagship publication, The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), starting January 1, 2015. This partnership aims to enhance JADA's position among leading dental journals and accelerate its progress in advancing oral health.
UT Arlington researchers used a portable brain-mapping device to show limited prefrontal cortex activity among student veterans with PTSD during simple memorization tasks. The study found significant improvement in brain function after treatment, enabling mental healthcare providers to tailor treatment plans.
The EHRA White Book 2014 report highlights the growing use of complex therapies for heart rhythm abnormalities across Europe. The data shows a range in the number of CIED implantations and ablations among ESC member countries, with some countries reporting significant increases in CRT devices and loop recorders.
Suicides among mental health patients treated at home by crisis resolution home treatment teams have more than doubled in recent years, with an average of 163 deaths in 2010-2011. In contrast, suicides on psychiatric wards fell by over half during the same period.
A new special section in Optical Engineering highlights optics research for human vision improvement. The studies showcase new techniques for earlier disease diagnosis and more accurate guidance for treatment.
The Family Wellness Program, a behavioral treatment for obesity, shows promise in real-world settings. Children's body mass index improves, with 70% experiencing significant improvement and nearly half achieving weight loss. Parents' BMI also declines, leading to improved quality of life for children.
A new study suggests that light treatment tailored to increase circadian stimulation during the day can improve sleep quality, efficiency, and total sleep duration. The research also shows significant reductions in scores for depression and agitation.
A retrospective study found that children receiving non-dental primary care provider visits had lower tooth decay treatment rates and payments compared to those visiting dentists alone. The study suggests that preventive oral health services provided by non-dental providers may lead to a greater reduction in tooth decay treatment.
A Cochrane review found that rectal artesunate reduces deaths in young children with severe malaria, but its use in older children and adults is less clear due to low-quality evidence. The treatment could be a lifesaver in rural areas where injections are unavailable.
A new study suggests that individuals with obstructive sleep apnea who have supportive family relationships may be more likely to adhere to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The research found that married or partnered patients had better CPAP adherence after three months compared to singles.
A Stanford study found that most physicians choose a do-not-resuscitate status for themselves when terminally ill, yet tend to pursue aggressive treatment for patients facing the same prognosis. The study suggests that the medical system's focus on high-intensity care at end-of-life contradicts Americans' preferences.
A Penn Medicine research team found that recommendations supported by multiple randomized controlled trials were the most durable and least likely to change over time. The study analyzed over 600 Class I ACC/AHA recommendations, finding that 4 out of 5 remained valid across two guideline editions.
Two studies on bronchiolitis treatments yield conflicting results, with one finding less improvement in infants after nebulized hypertonic saline treatment and the other showing decreased hospital admissions. The editorial dissects the contradictory evidence, suggesting chance or differences in study design may be to blame.
The SYMPLICITY-HTN-3 clinical trial confirmed the safety of renal denervation, but questions remain about its efficacy in patients with difficult-to-control hypertension. Further research is needed to identify the best patients who will benefit from treatment with the procedure.
The EuroPCR panel stresses the importance of personalizing revascularization strategies for STEMI patients. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is considered the gold standard, but its availability can be limited in resource-scarce environments, making thrombolysis a viable alternative.
Leading scientists from ASH, AHA, and CDC convene a joint panel to discuss a global project improving treatment and control of hypertension worldwide. The project aims to standardize hypertension treatment globally, making it possible for other audiences to improve blood pressure control in their communities.
A study published in JAMA found that sepsis is a major contributor to hospital mortality, with approximately 1 in 2 to 3 deaths attributed to the condition. Most patients who died from sepsis had the condition present at admission. The study highlights the need for improved standardized care for patients with less severe sepsis.
A new study found that vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the rate of treatment failure or exacerbation of symptoms in adults with persistent asthma and low vitamin D levels. The study suggests that therapeutic vitamin D3 supplementation may not be an effective strategy for improving outcomes in patients with symptomatic asthma.