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First-of-its kind hormone replacement treatment shows promise in patient trials

A new hormone replacement therapy, Pulsatility, has shown promising results in improving symptoms and quality of life for patients with adrenal insufficiency conditions. The treatment, which delivers hydrocortisone in a pulsatile pattern, decreased fatigue by 10% and improved mood and energy levels by 30%.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 19, 2023

A step towards AI-based precision medicine

Researchers at Linköping University developed an AI-based method applicable to various medical and biological issues, accurately estimating people's chronological age and determining smoking status. The models identify previously known epigenetic markers used in other models, but also new markers associated with conditions.

SourceLinköping University·JournalBriefings in Bioinformatics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 11, 2023

Novel drug, NFX-179, inhibits MEK activity, prevents cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma development

Researchers at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute have identified a new drug, NFX-179, that can prevent the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with minimal side effects. The topical application of NFX-179 gel was shown to reduce tumor formation by up to 92% in pre-clinical models.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2023

Trial results indicate potential for organ transplantation without long-term immunosuppression

A new clinical trial has shown that infusing immune cells from living donors into recipients before transplantation may reduce the need for lifelong immunosuppressant medication. The treatment involves infusing donor-derived regulatory dendritic cells, which help the recipient's immune system distinguish between foreign and self-cells.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 11, 2023

Esketamine nasal spray effective against depression

A Phase IIIb study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that esketamine nasal spray achieved higher remission rates (27.1%) compared to quetiapine extended-release (17.6%) in patients with treatment-resistant depression, indicating its potential as a targeted therapy for this population.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 5, 2023

USC develops new preclinical system to better turn lab discoveries into effective treatments

A research team from USC Keck School of Medicine has developed a more rigorous system for conducting preclinical research on stroke treatments, identifying the strongest candidate for further study. The system uses a network of laboratories and animal models that resemble typical stroke patients to test new therapies.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2023

Three new articles in the Special Issue “Single-Cell and Spatially Resolved Omics - I” of Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis Articles describe how single-cell and spatially resolved omics can identify novel therapeutic targets

Researchers have identified novel therapeutic targets using single-cell and spatially resolved omics, including cannabidiol for colorectal tumors, Cux1 as a potential target for dry skin diseases, and microglia communication for Alzheimer's disease. These studies offer hope for future treatments.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 18, 2023

Promising gene-based approaches to repair lethal lung injury in the elderly from COVID-19, pneumonia, flu, sepsis

Researchers discovered a gene called FOXM1 that plays a crucial role in repairing blood vessels and improving survival rates. A low-dose repurposed drug, decitabine, was found to reactivate the gene and promote vascular repair in aged mice. An alternative approach using endothelium-targeted nanoparticle gene delivery also showed promise.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 18, 2023

UCI researchers announce publication of an open-label clinical trial suggesting that N-acetylglucosamine restores neurological function in Multiple Sclerosis patients

A study published by UCI researchers found that N-acetylglucosamine reduced multiple inflammation and neurodegeneration markers in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The dietary supplement also improved neurological function in 30% of patients, suggesting a potential new treatment for the condition.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of Neuroinflammation·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 14, 2023

UCLA researchers say embedding study recruitment in pre-appointment check-in may significantly boost participation

Researchers at UCLA have found that embedding study recruitment in pre-appointment check-in pages can increase participation rates up to 40 times higher than traditional methods. The new technique, called preCheck-in recruitment, resulted in a socio-demographically representative patient population without financial incentives or staff...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·TypeObservational study·DateAug 24, 2023

UT Health San Antonio, 7 collaborators garner $46 million from NIH to move discoveries into practice

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio will leverage the funding to translate scientific discoveries into therapeutic benefits, with a focus on reducing health disparities among Mexican Americans, active military personnel, and veterans. The research aims to push ideas along toward national application in the clin...

Synthetic antibiotic could be effective against drug-resistant superbugs

A new antibiotic strategy has been found to defeat gram-negative bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli by interfering with the outer lipid layer of the bacteria. The compound, LPC-233, is a small molecule that works fast and is durable in animal tests, with potentially vital applications against stubborn urinary tract infections.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2023

New Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis articles showcase promising therapeutic candidates for treating cancer and hearing loss

Researchers developed innovative techniques to treat challenging cancers and manage therapy side effects. Inhibitors targeting PRMT5, a histone-modifying enzyme, alleviated cisplatin-induced hearing loss, while nano-pills delivered combination drugs to liver cancer cells.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2023

Human antibody that targets carfentanil, fentanyl and related opioids reverses overdose effects in preclinical study

A human antibody that targets carfentanil, fentanyl, and related opioids has shown promising results in reversing overdose effects in a preclinical study. The antibody, developed by Scripps Research, binds tightly to the potent opioid variants and reverses respiratory depression caused by carfentanil.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalACS Chemical Neuroscience·DateAug 7, 2023

Researchers discover a novel pathway that minimizes liver injury during transplantation

Researchers have discovered a novel pathway that minimizes liver injury during transplantation by activating the protective CEACAM1-S version. This protective characteristic is regulated by HIF-1α and can be enhanced using molecular tools and alternative gene splicing, reducing organ injury and improving post-transplant outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

Scientists discover mechanisms that could explain high risk of complications from lung infections in Down syndrome

Researchers have discovered two major mechanisms that contribute to the high risk of complications from lung infections in individuals with Down syndrome: poor ciliary function, which impairs the respiratory tract's ability to clear mucus and viral particles, and immune hyper-reactivity, which leads to an overactive immune response. Th...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

Low binding affinity improves vaccine efficacy

Researchers developed a novel vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by selecting antigen variants with low binding affinity, resulting in higher neutralizing antibody concentrations. This design strategy may also improve vaccine efficacy for other coronaviruses and herpes viruses.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2023

Study optimizes patient-specific stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Researchers have made key discoveries in a new stem cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease, using patients’ own cells to replace lost neurons. The approach, called an autologous therapy, has shown promise in reversing symptoms of the disease in rat models and holds potential for clinical trials with improved success rates.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 19, 2023

IU-developed statewide initiative shows primary care clinicians can diagnose autism in young children with high accuracy

A new study led by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers shows that primary care clinicians who receive specialized training can make accurate autism diagnoses for over 80 percent of young children referred with developmental delays. The EAE Hub system, a statewide network providing training and collaborative learning, has ...

Ethics & Human Research, July-August 2023

The Hastings Center's Institutional Review Board (IRB) has implemented an evidence-based intervention to address racism and promote equity in biomedical research. The IRB now requires researchers to define racial and ethnic classifications, state whether they are describing or explaining differences between groups, and provide justific...

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalEthics & Human Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

Antibody treatment prevents graft versus host disease, a major bone marrow transplant complication, in advanced preclinical tests

Researchers have developed an experimental antibody treatment that largely prevented graft versus host disease in the intestines, without causing broad immune suppression. The treatment blocked donor T-cell attack and increased survival rates in preclinical models.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 28, 2023

Wearable monitor detects stress hormone levels across a full 24-hour day

A new wearable device can track adrenal steroid levels in real-time, providing insights into hormonal rhythms and revolutionizing endocrine disease diagnosis. The U-RHYTHM technology offers a more accurate picture of hormone balance than traditional tests taken at one point, enabling earlier treatment interventions.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2023

DNA test could broaden access to cervical cancer screening

Rice University engineers developed a low-cost, point-of-care DNA test for HPV infections that can be used to screen for cervical cancer. The test, which requires just two pieces of equipment and delivers results in 45 minutes, has the potential to make cervical cancer screening more accessible in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Blocking immune system 'messenger' may treat severe asthma

Researchers found that blocking histamine-releasing factor (HRF) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) interactions may provide relief for patients with severe asthma. The study, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, suggests two potential therapies, including HRF-2CA and a therapeutic antibody called SPF7-1.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2023

USC research identifies biomarker that may predict treatment response to chemoimmunotherapy

Researchers at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a biomarker, CX3CR1, that can predict which patients with non-small cell lung cancer will respond well to chemoimmunotherapy. Elevated levels of the biomarker in T-cells after six to nine weeks of treatment indicate long-term benefits from the combination therapy.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalCancer Research Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 11, 2023

People with NAFLD have decreased expression of a liver enzyme needed for medication processing, according to researchers from Indiana University and Eli Lilly

A study from Indiana University School of Medicine found that people with NAFLD have significantly decreased levels of the liver enzyme CYP2C19, which is important for medication processing. This decrease may lead to slower clearance of certain medications and reduced effectiveness of medicines like antidepressants and clopidogrel.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 6, 2023

Childhood asthma declines during COVID-19 pandemic

A new Rutgers study finds that childhood asthma diagnoses decreased by 52% in the US during the first year of the pandemic compared to previous years. Researchers attribute this decline to fewer colds and the practice of wearing masks, which may have reduced the risk of asthma triggers.

SourceRutgers University·JournalRespiratory Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 31, 2023

New mechanisms and therapeutic possibilities for heart failure uncovered by scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and Johns Hopkins University

Researchers at Temple University and Johns Hopkins University found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) loss underlies post-myocardial infarction heart failure. BDNF levels can be replenished therapeutically, abolishing damage to heart tissue and enabling recovery.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalCirculation Research·DateMar 30, 2023

New in The Lancet Neurology: Advances in brain modelling open a path to digital twin approaches for brain medicine

Researchers at the Human Brain Project present novel clinical uses of advanced brain modelling methods, enabling clinicians to simulate epileptic seizures and identify target areas. The approach has broad applicability in neuroscience, medicine, and neurotechnology, with potential improvements in data resolution and patient specificity.

SourceHuman Brain Project·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateMar 27, 2023