Articles tagged with Disease Control
Researchers found that elevated pepsin levels, a marker for gastric aspiration, are associated with acute rejection of lung transplants. Prolonged exposure to stomach fluids may contribute to lung injury and increase the risk of rejection.
A study found that drug resistance in the Onchocerca volvulus parasite, which causes river blindness, is emerging and could lead to a resurgence of the disease. Despite ivermectin treatment clearing most microfilariae, four communities showed significant repopulation of skin with microfilariae, allowing transmission of the disease.
A review of eight population-based studies found that none met criteria for accurate SIDS diagnosis, leading to inflated risk estimates. Families with initial investigation and no major risk factors can be advised that the risk of a second death is very small.
University of Manchester researchers have identified evidence of several new genes behind rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease that affects nearly all joints. The study, part of the largest ever genetics study, has provided insights into what leads people to develop RA and offers new avenues for treatments.
A £9 million study of 17,000 people has identified over 10 genes that predispose to common diseases, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as Crohn's disease. The findings have significant implications for understanding the genetic basis of disease and developing personalized treatments.
A survey of over 500 US healthcare centers found that VA hospitals more frequently adopted recommendations for preventing central venous catheter infections, including maximal sterile barrier precautions and chlorhexidine gluconate use. This may be attributed to centralized purchasing and communication within the VA.
A survey of 1,812 patients with moderate-to-severe asthma found that the disease was not controlled in 55 percent, despite regular health care visits. Uncontrolled asthmatics were more likely to experience severe symptoms and hospitalizations.
A new survey reveals that chronic hepatitis B patients often misunderstand the nature of their disease and its treatment. Despite being aware of the long-term consequences of the virus, many patients do not comply with their medication regimens, highlighting the need for improved patient education. The study suggests that enhanced pati...
A study found that soldiers in Iraq contracted multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter infections primarily from environmental contamination of field hospitals. ABC bacteria were also detected on skin samples but not soil, suggesting transmission occurred within healthcare facilities. The authors conclude maintaining infection control is es...
Two CDC studies will be presented at ATS 2007 on TB epidemiology, focusing on foreign-born persons and African Americans in the southeastern US. The studies aim to improve outreach and control efforts, targeting enhanced prevention and control among high-risk populations.
The completed Aedes aegypti genome sequence reveals over 1,000 transposable elements occupying approximately 50% of the genome. These elements may be developed as tools to study mosquito-virus interactions and potentially lead to controls on disease transmission.
Researchers have developed fully human antibodies that effectively control malaria in mice, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for the disease. The study's findings suggest that these novel reagents could be used as a test for therapeutic antibody efficacy and an important tool in malaria vaccine development.
Researchers found no evidence of drug-resistant bacteria Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex on the skin of uninjured US soldiers in Iraq. The study suggests that nosocomial transmission is the likely cause of infections, refuting prior assumptions about the source of the outbreak.
A comment in The Lancet raises concerns about the World Bank's new 10-year health policy, which prioritizes private market approaches and may undermine global health initiatives. The comment calls for a coherent long-term plan to repair fragmented and inequitable health systems in poor countries.
A UC Irvine study found that certain antibiotics reduce bacteria in ticks, leading to retarded growth and reduced reproduction. The discovery could lead to safer and more effective ways to control ticks and the diseases they transmit.
The study found a significant increase in arthritis prevalence from 36.8 million to 46.1 million adults between 1997 and 2003. Medical expenditures for prescription drugs almost doubled during this period, while inpatient expenditures declined, resulting in stable total medical care spending for individuals with arthritis.
A UK collaboration of scientists has identified three new genes that predispose individuals to develop type 2 diabetes. The study confirms the link between two previously-identified genes and brings the total number of genes known to be involved in the disease to nine.
A model predicting the probability of infection from one farm to another has been developed by Gert-Jan Boender and colleagues, highlighting two poultry-dense areas in the Netherlands where epidemic spread is possible. The authors conclude that local control measures are unlikely to halt an unfolding epidemic in these regions.
A recent analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBDS) and subsequent Global Burden of Disease Initiative (GBDI) reveals that childhood deafness is overlooked in disease control priorities. An estimated 718,000 infants worldwide suffer from permanent bilateral hearing impairment annually.
Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine have identified two variants of the natural tumor suppressor enzyme PHLPP, which control three different disease pathways. The findings suggest that therapies targeting PHLPP1 could improve insulin regulation in diabetes, while therapies targeting PHLPP2 could enhance cell survival in heart and ne...
Scientists at MIT have developed a way to reversibly silence brain cells using pulses of yellow light, potentially leading to the development of optical brain prosthetics. The method could enable specific treatments with few or no side effects, offering new hope for neurological and psychiatric diseases.
A randomized controlled trial in Senegal found that training health-care personnel, communication with patients, and considering local context improved treatment adherence by 20%. The action strategy also reduced defaulting rates by two-thirds. This approach aims to restrict disease spread and prevent resistant strains.
A large trial in eastern Zimbabwe showed that a community-based program with integrated peer education, condom distribution, and STI management did not decrease the overall incidence of HIV-1. In contrast, male participants benefited from the program with a decrease in HIV-1 incidence, unprotected sex reporting, and STI symptoms.
A review article argues that migratory birds are not the primary source of H5N1 virus dispersal. Human commercial activities, particularly poultry trade, are the major factors behind the global spread of the virus. The study suggests that strict health control and better animal welfare measures can help prevent disease transmission.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a small RNA molecule that regulates the contractility of the heart under stress. The study found that blocking this molecule might become a way to prevent or treat heart damage.
The article highlights the importance of healthcare workers in encouraging lifestyle changes to control heart disease risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, and obesity. The journal's mission is to address both medical and lifestyle aspects of disease management.
Researchers debate the validity of published research findings, exploring the role of replication in confirming hypotheses. New models suggest that probabilities for accepting false research findings depend on benefits and harms, sparking discussion on acceptable levels of error.
Researchers estimate malaria transmission to be much higher than previously thought, ranging from 1-3,000, with serious implications for disease control. The study suggests that targeting the most frequently bitten individuals could lead to local elimination of malaria.
A stable social structure in badgers can help control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB), ecologists have found. The study found that movement of individuals between groups is instrumental in driving disease dynamics at the population level.
Researchers have identified a set of genes controlled by Foxp3 that lie at the core of autoimmune disease. The discovery provides an initial map of regulatory T cell circuitry and may help develop new methods for manipulating immune system activity.
The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine is exploring how lifestyle choices impact heart disease. The journal focuses on recognizing and addressing the impact that lifestyle decisions have on health, emphasizing traditional therapies and lifestyle modalities to achieve superior outcomes in disease treatment.
Current guidelines only target US-born residents for TB testing; new changes aim to address the burden of latent TB infection in foreign-born populations, particularly those from high-risk countries. Eliminating TB will require a comprehensive strategy involving varying approaches for immigrant populations.
The University of Colorado has licensed its influenza chip technology to Quidel Corp for use in diagnostic tests. This collaboration enables the development of faster flu strain detection, critical for tracking emerging strains and combating epidemics.
Acromegaly, a condition caused by pituitary gland disorders, has seen improvements in diagnosis and treatment due to advances in medical technology and medication. Effective control of the disorder is now possible for many patients, reducing negative implications such as tissue damage and hormone imbalance.
Researchers at MGH found that individuals infected with both HIV and HCV who maintain low viral levels have stronger immune responses. Early antiretroviral treatment before CD4 levels drop may be crucial to preserve HCV control in co-infected patients. The study suggests a potential strategy for improving treatment outcomes.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that only 20% of inner-city children with chronic asthma receive the recommended daily controller medication to control flare-ups. This leads to over-reliance on fast-acting rescue drugs, increasing complications and risk of death.
New research by Brown University biologists debunks the notion of separate genes controlling sexual behavior and physical body differences. Doublesex gene plays a crucial role in regulating both male and female courtship behaviors, acting together with fruitless to establish wing-shaking come-ons and flirtatious flights.
Researchers have compiled genetic information on over 1,000 patients and controls in the largest-scale search for genes underlying sporadic ALS. The study aims to clarify the role of genes or lack thereof in the disease, with potential implications for therapies and a cure.
Four adults received highly concentrated, unlicensed botulinum preparation for cosmetic injections, resulting in toxin levels up to 40 times the estimated human lethal dose. Botulism can cause respiratory failure and death if left untreated.
A new comprehensive study by Saint Louis University researchers has identified the top 10 features of activity-friendly communities, which can help improve public health. The study's findings emphasize the importance of designing communities that encourage physical activity, such as mixed-use development, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
A novel home-based approach to AIDS care has been shown to improve adherence and response to antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda. The study, published in The Lancet, found that good adherence was associated with sustained suppression of HIV during the first year of treatment.
Sexual and reproductive tract infections like HPV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea have severe consequences such as cervical cancer, stillbirth, and tubal infertility. Effective measures like screening programs can prevent thousands of deaths and cases annually
A research team has identified a key molecular signaling switch involved in allergic disease, which could lead to the development of new strategies and target therapies. The discovery centers around ADAM10, an enzyme that releases a major allergy regulatory protein from cell surfaces, promoting a stronger allergic response.
Researchers found a two- or three-dose schedule may be as effective as the traditional four-dose schedule in preventing pneumococcal disease in young children. The vaccine showed high effectiveness against seven strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, with 96% efficacy in healthy children and 81% in those at risk.
A recent study from Brown Medical School and Harvard Medical School found significant racial disparities in Medicare managed care plans, even among high-performing plans. Blacks were more likely to have poor control of cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels compared to whites.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism by which Filoviruses, including Ebola and Marburg, cause immunosuppression. By targeting specific amino acid sequences, new drugs may be developed to disrupt the virus's ability to shut down the immune system.
Research found that Parkinson's disease patients developing impulse control disorders show increased rates of depression, appetite changes, and irritability compared to those without the disorder. The study identified nine patients with impulse control disorders, including pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and excessive shopping.
Two new blood tests, T-SPOT.TB and QuantiFERON-TB Gold, have improved the detection of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection. These tests offer more accurate results, faster turnaround times, and no return visits compared to traditional tuberculin skin tests.
Rural India sees a shift from infectious to chronic diseases as the leading cause of death. Cardiovascular disease and injuries now account for over 50% of deaths in rural areas.
A Florida State University study found that parental notification laws and consent requirements significantly reduced risky sexual behavior among teens, with a 20% decrease in gonorrhea rates among Hispanic girls. However, the results were not statistically significant for black girls.
Schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic disease, can be controlled through wide-scale drug treatment and socio-economic progress. Establishing strong health systems is crucial for integrating sustainable control measures and caring for patients.
A new supplement provides essential information on preconception care, emphasizing the importance of women's health before pregnancy. The supplement covers topics such as folic acid supplements, vaccinations, and screening for HIV, as well as measures to avoid harmful substances like alcohol and anti-epileptic drugs.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics has identified two distinct genetic profiles among modern Europeans, which can be used to control for ancestry in genetic studies. The findings have significant implications for understanding the distribution of genetic variation in European populations and their impact on disease research.
A new study found that removing deer from small areas can lead to increased tick populations and higher rates of tick-borne diseases. In contrast to previous studies, researchers discovered that smaller deer-free zones tend to harbor more ticks, making them potential disease hotspots.
A global health expert argues that up to seven neglected tropical diseases, including river blindness and trachoma, can be brought under control with increased coverage of existing programs. This could lead to the elimination of infections in some cases and improved health outcomes for millions of people in Africa.
A recent outbreak of corneal infection Fusarium keratitis is associated with the use of a specific contact lens solution, ReNu with MoistureLoc. The study found that users of this product were 20 times more likely to develop the infection compared to non-users.
The study found a significant decrease in the age-adjusted HSV-2 seroprevalence from 17.0% in 1999-2004 to 21.0% in 1988-1994, with decreases especially concentrated among persons aged 14 to 19 years. The prevalence of genital herpes caused by HSV-1 may be increasing.
New research reveals squirrel poxvirus is wiping out red squirrels in northern England at a rate 17-25 times higher than areas unaffected by the virus. Targeted grey squirrel control at narrow entry points is recommended to save the species.
MRSA is the most common cause of skin and soft-tissue infections among patients presenting in emergency rooms across the country, according to a UCLA study. The infection was found to be resistant to commonly used antibiotics, emphasizing the need for clinicians to culture infections and prescribe effective medications.
A new study shows that anakinra, a rare arthritis drug, brings marked improvement to children and young adults with the devastating inflammatory disease NOMID. The treatment reduces inflammation, improves symptoms, and has a significant impact on the central nervous system.