Articles tagged with Blood
A large-scale population study found that low cholesterol concentrations were associated with higher death rates among elderly people. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,500 men aged 71-93, suggested that long-term persistence of low cholesterol concentration increases the risk of death.
A new analysis of 27 studies reveals that depression is associated with increased numbers, severity and ratings of diabetes complications. The study suggests a complex relationship between depression and diabetes, where underlying mechanisms may be influenced by biological, social and psychological variables.
Researchers found that ACE inhibitors slowed kidney disease progression, especially for patients with proteinuria. The medications were beneficial for kidney patients and should be given to most patients with kidney disease.
Research confirms that nicotine reduces peak blood alcohol concentrations, leading to increased consumption of alcohol to achieve intoxication. This interaction can result in adverse effects on the liver, heart, and brain.
Researchers at WashU Medicine discovered an antibody that targets a specific region of the amyloid-beta protein, drawing it out of the brain and into the blood. The study found that mice treated with the antibody developed fewer amyloid plaques in their brains than control animals.
The ADEMEX study found that increasing small solute clearances through modified dosing doesn't impact patient survival, contrary to current practice. This enables tailored prescriptions for individual patients without sacrificing survival benefits.
Neuropathic Postural Tachycardial Syndrome (NPTS) affects approximately 500,000 people in the U.S., primarily women between 20 and 45. Researchers Dr. Giris Jacob and Dr. David Robertson found that NPTS can be caused by genetic mutations or disease after surgery, pregnancy, or inflammatory illness.
A new study led by Thomas Jefferson University researchers found that once-a-day injections of the blood thinner enoxaparin sodium are just as safe and effective as twice-daily treatments in treating blood clots. This finding has significant implications for medical cost savings.
Children with high blood cholesterol can benefit from a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet without adverse effects on growth or development. The Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC) found that reducing saturated fat and cholesterol intake lowered LDL cholesterol levels for up to three years.
A study found that pneumatic compression and extended anticoagulant drug therapy lower the risk of developing symptomatic blood clots after hip replacement surgery, with overweight patients most at risk. Pneumatic compression was effective in normal-weight patients, while warfarin therapy benefited all patients.
Researchers found that eating and drinking before flying increases cardiac output and improves oxygen levels in the brain and organs. This can reduce the risk of fainting spells and heart attacks by up to 21%.
A new blood marker, MIRF (Myocardial Ischemia Rating Function), has been found to be highly correlated with the incidence and severity of coronary artery disease. Combining this marker with age and gender can enhance disease predictability, allowing for a simple screening test.
The Kantrowitz CardioVad System is a new category of cardiac assist device that boosts the patient's own heart while preserving independence. By taking over up to 50% of the heart's function, patients can release themselves for short periods without compromising their condition.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a compact disc that can analyze blood samples and store medical information, using tiny reservoirs and channels to mix fluids. The technology enables the CD to measure glucose levels, store data, and even calibrate sensors.
The DASH diet, known for its blood pressure-lowering effects, also reduces homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease. Participants on the DASH diet had lower homocysteine levels compared to those on a control diet or one rich in fruits and vegetables.
A well-balanced diet, such as the DASH diet, significantly lowers blood levels of homocysteine, a by-product of protein metabolism. This reduction is predicted to lower the risk of heart disease by 7 to 9 percent. Additionally, reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol from the DASH diet should further reduce heart disease risk.
Researchers at University of Michigan have developed polymers that release nitric oxide gas, mimicking human endothelial cells. The polymers can be used to prevent blood clots on biomedical devices and coat implantable blood sensors for continuous vital monitoring.
A new prenatal screening test has been developed to detect Down syndrome cases in the first trimester, identifying over 90% of cases. The test combines a blood test and an ultrasound exam, detecting more cases than traditional triple tests and providing earlier reassurance to pregnant women.
A new screening test combining blood and ultrasound exams can identify over 90% of Down syndrome cases in the first trimester of pregnancy. The test, Ultrascreen, has the advantage of detecting more cases earlier than traditional tests.
Patients with chronic heart failure who underwent exercise training showed significant improvements in left ventricular function and blood circulation, including increased stroke volume and reduced heart enlargement. Long-term exercise training was also associated with a reduction in total peripheral resistance.
The Columbia University Asthma Coalition aims to improve asthma care among high-risk populations through a three-pronged approach. Researchers will implement culturally appropriate programs, increase public awareness, and form partnerships with primary care providers to ensure implementation of National Asthma Education and Prevention ...
A new NIH clinical advisory statement recommends using systolic blood pressure as the primary criterion for diagnosing and treating hypertension in middle-aged and older Americans. This shift aims to improve outcomes by targeting systolic pressure, which is associated with a higher risk of heart disease.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab are developing a noninvasive blood monitor for PET imaging that can measure glucose metabolism in the blood without puncturing an artery. The device uses a patented detector and has the potential to significantly improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as other diseases.
AIDS patients with CMV in their blood are at increased risk of death, a new study suggests. The study found that 90% of UNC's AIDS patients have CMV exposure, and those with detectable virus levels had an 11-fold increased risk of death.
A University of Maryland Medical Center study found that FK506 significantly lowers the risk of forming clots compared to cyclosporine. The research has important implications for understanding coronary disease after a transplant and improving outlook for heart transplant patients.
Researchers found three distinct shedding patterns in HIV-positive men, related to viral sources and genetic strains. This discovery shifts the focus of AIDS vaccine research from blood-borne viruses to multiple strains in semen.
Researchers found that smokers who engage in physical activity during the day tend to gain more weight after quitting, as their bodies burn fewer calories previously taken up by smoking. This study suggests that increasing physical activity levels may help smokers manage weight gain after cessation.
Researchers aim to develop an exercise regimen that can prevent fainting in healthy individuals. Dr. William H. Cooke's study found that a malfunction in arterial pressure sensors and inadequate neural response to blood volume decreases may cause fainting. The investigation explores the effects of different exercise training programs o...
A recent study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that moderate alcohol consumption can decrease production and circulating levels of fibrinogen by up to 20 percent, thereby decreasing harmful clotting. This reduction may lower the risk of heart attack and coronary artery disease.
Researchers are testing a new treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage with intraventricular extension, a rare form of stroke that affects younger people and African-Americans. The study aims to reduce mortality rates by using small doses of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), a clot-buster commonly used in heart attacks and many strokes.
A recent University of Maryland Medical Center study found that coenzyme Q10 has no detectable benefit in improving heart function or relieving symptoms for patients with congestive heart failure. The six-month study, involving 46 patients, showed no difference in heart function between those taking CoQ10 and a placebo.
A genetic abnormality in triglyceride regulation has been found to be common among Asian Indians, placing them at increased risk of heart disease. The study, which analyzed DNA from 100 people, suggests that this abnormality prevents blood fats from being broken down effectively.
A study published in Circulation found that a timed-release capsule of basic fibroblast growth factor improved blood supply and heart function in heart bypass patients. The treatment, which promotes angiogenesis, showed no serious adverse effects in a small but promising clinical trial.
A recent study suggests that consuming less trans fat and increasing magnesium, vitamin B6, and B12 intake can help prevent artery calcification. Researchers found that adequate magnesium levels can mitigate the risk of calcified ridges in arteries, which can block blood flow.
A new study by Princeton University researchers shows that switching from leaded to unleaded gasoline can reduce blood lead levels to an average of three micrograms per deciliter, well below the 10 ug/dL threshold considered cause for concern in the US. This reduction is significant, especially in countries still using leaded gasoline.
Heart cells secrete substances to regulate oxygen-rich blood flow, triggering vessel constriction or dilation as needed. Research reveals an optimal oxygen concentration of 6%, with narrow permissible windows above or below this level.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that prolonged mental stress increases the levels of atherogenic lipoproteins and decreases the rate at which fats are cleared from the blood after a meal. This can lead to higher lipid levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that patients with high levels of depression and anxiety had poorer results in reducing blood sugar levels, even after practicing relaxation techniques. However, those without these conditions experienced significant improvements in blood sugar control.
A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology reveals that low to moderate lead levels during pregnancy can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion. The research, conducted in Mexico City from 1994 to 1996, found that the risk nearly doubles for every five micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.
Researchers found that a single night of disrupted sleep increases levels of interleukin-6, leading to daytime fatigue and decreased well-being. Healthy young men with normal sleep patterns experienced increased IL-6 secretion during the day after missing a night of sleep.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found no link between mitral valve prolapse and stroke in young people, contradicting earlier studies. The study's authors used advanced imaging techniques to diagnose mitral valve prolapse accurately, revealing the condition occurs in only about 2% of the population.
A newly developed blood test detects 97% of adrenal gland tumors, providing earlier and more accurate diagnoses. The test measures levels of hormones metanephrine and normetanephrine, which are consistently elevated in pheochromocytomas.
Researchers found that folic acid fortification in grains increased plasma folate levels and reduced total homocysteine concentrations. This study provides important information on the impact of consuming specific amounts of folate on blood homocysteine levels, which may have implications for reducing heart disease risk.
Researchers have identified a compound with blood clot-forming abilities without normal clotting proteins, promising reduced bleeding on the battlefield. The Marine Polymer Technologies company found that poly-n-acetyl glucosamine effectively stops severe bleeding even without fibrin or thrombin.
The NHLBI Director notes a decline in hypertension levels from the 1950s to the 1980s, but reports that recent data show a slowdown in blood pressure control rates and a slight increase in stroke rates. The study highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent and treat hypertension.
A new study found that residential dust control measures are not effective in reducing blood lead levels in children. Despite parents' best efforts, lead contamination remains a significant concern, and experts call for stricter housing standards to protect children.
A Chinese condiment extract, Cholestin, has been shown to reduce total blood cholesterol by nearly 26% in elderly patients and 'bad' cholesterol by 32.8%. The supplement contains HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that inhibit liver-produced cholesterol production.
A recent study found that women who use oral contraceptives and smoke have significantly greater cardiovascular reactivity to stress, as well as increased lipid and fibrinogen levels. This can lead to a higher risk of heart disease.
A new experimental drug derived from snake venom, ANCROD, has shown promising results in reversing the physical and mental effects of stroke. In a 500-person trial, 42% of patients treated with ANCROD within three hours of stroke onset recovered their previous faculties.
A new assay method has been developed to measure chromogranin A in peripheral blood, allowing clinicians to follow the outcome of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. This method could also serve as a diagnostic marker for other types of neuroendocrine tumor, such as small-cell lung cancer in smokers.
A new study led by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill confirms the safety of digoxin, a commonly prescribed medicine for heart failure. The study found that taking digoxin at low doses and monitoring blood concentrations can significantly reduce toxicity risk.
A recent study found that bartenders' respiratory health and lung function improved significantly after a smoke-free environment was established in California bars. The study, supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, suggests that banning smoking in bars can have a positive impact on the health of bartending staff.
Researchers found that cord blood can restore bone marrow even with partial matches, offering hope to patients who need transplants. Four children received 'haplo-identical' sibling umbilical cord blood transplants and showed promising results.
A CSIRO study found that margarines high in polyunsaturated fats and low in trans fatty acids reduce LDL cholesterol by 11-15%, corresponding to a 20-30% fall in heart disease risk. The study also showed that these margarines can produce a greater fall in blood LDL-cholesterol than other types of margarine.
A study found that a gene called apolipoprotein E (apo)E influences blood cholesterol levels and predicts how much those levels are affected by weight gain, smoking, and other lifestyle factors. People with the apoE-2 variant have a beneficial cholesterol profile, but risk factors like smoking and obesity can negate this benefit.
A new surgical procedure that repairs the mitral valve may help extend and improve lives of people with severe CHF, offering an alternative to heart transplantation. The operation has shown promising results, with one-year survival rates reaching 80% and two-year survival rates at 70%.
The Healthy Heart Handbook for Women provides women with a personal action plan to reduce major risk factors and prevent cardiovascular diseases. Key statistics reveal that many women are at risk due to smoking, high blood pressure, and obesity, highlighting the importance of making lifestyle changes.
DHEA supplements, believed to have anti-aging properties, may stimulate the production of IGF-1, increasing prostate cancer risk. Dr. Goldberg recommends monitoring serum DHEA, PSA, and IGF-1 levels for men taking DHEA supplements.
Expert Bruce P. Lanphear argues that federal standards ignore existing scientific evidence and fail to protect inner-city children from lead poisoning. He proposes a primary prevention approach, focusing on eliminating residential lead hazards before exposure, to mitigate the harmful effects of low-level lead exposure.
In a six-year study, Maine's 0.05% law reduced fatal crashes among DWI drivers with BALs above 0.15% by 35%. The law also decreased fatalities among drivers in the 0.05-0.14% range. Maine was the first state to adopt this limit for prior DWI offenders.