Articles tagged with Clinical Research
Researchers at Northwestern University developed Lattice, a device that simulates human disease in multiple organs to analyze interactions and test new drugs. The technology can replicate complex disease processes, allowing scientists to study the effects of obesity on endometrial cancer, for example.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have conducted a study on rats, showing that small doses of psilocybin can increase resilience to stress and reduce compulsive behaviors. The study lends support to the benefits of microdosing as a therapeutic intervention.
Research found that women, Black and Asian people, and those from deprived areas are less likely to receive life-saving heart valve replacement in England. Timely intervention occurred in around two-thirds of those from the least deprived areas compared to just over half of those from the most deprived.
Researchers at Northwestern University identified a new evolutionarily conserved RNAi-based form of cell death called Death Induced by Survival gene Elimination (DISE), which targets essential survival genes in cancer cells. This mechanism is ancient and effective against all cancers tested.
A scoping review found that surgical scorecards can lower surgical procedure expenses by providing surgeons with direct feedback on their costs. The study analyzed data from 21 studies and identified key elements such as surgical supplies and operative time, revealing no significant impact on patient outcomes.
Researchers found that relying on existing diagnostic CT scans instead of new ones for simple palliative radiation treatments reduced patient wait times from nearly five hours to under 30 minutes. This novel workflow can improve the patient experience and reduce costs, making it a promising approach for expedited care.
Researchers have developed a new approach to treating invasive bladder cancer, combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which may preserve quality of life. In a phase 2 clinical trial, approximately 43% of patients achieved complete response without surgical removal of the bladder.
A real-world study of over 23,000 adults with type 2 diabetes found that semaglutide significantly improved blood sugar control and weight loss for up to 3 years. The study showed that patients who had never taken a GLP-1 RA or those with higher adherence achieved more pronounced reductions in blood sugar levels and weight loss.
A study published in The Lancet Oncology reveals a genetic explanation for increased second-cancer risk and mortality among childhood cancer survivors. The research identified specific genes associated with this increased risk, enabling personalized cancer screening and prevention strategies.
Researchers found that electrical signals in the hippocampus differ immediately before recalling true and false memories. The study used epilepsy patients to measure neural activity leading up to correct or false recall, revealing a reduction in low-frequency activity associated with contextual similarity.
A study of 33 physicians across 17 specialties found that chatbots provided largely accurate information to diverse medical queries. However, the chatbots had important limitations that require further research and model development.
The latest American Psychiatric Association journals offer insights into depression and PTSD factors, as well as guidance on handling drugs laced with fentanyl. The October issues also feature a joint commentary on nuclear war's impact on health professionals.
A new AI-powered app can detect autism in children with high accuracy, capturing a wide range of behavioral characteristics beyond eye movements. The app provides detailed information on which indicators led to its conclusions and why, enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions.
Researchers found that using electronic prompts during appointment scheduling for seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines can identify willing participants for HPV and shingles vaccines. Only 30% of those booking for these vaccines were already vaccinated against HPV, presenting a significant opportunity for targeted campaigns.
Patients who engage in regular sexual activity or vaginal dilation have a lower risk of long-term side effects, including vaginal stenosis. Regular dilation and/or sex were associated with lower risk of moderate-grade vaginal shortening and narrowing five years after treatment.
Two liquid biopsy tests identified patients with a high risk of cervical cancer recurrence after chemoradiation treatment, allowing for earlier detection and potential improvement in outcomes. The tests detected HPV ctDNA in the blood of patients with residual disease, providing insight before tissue biopsy becomes possible.
A panel discussion at ASTRO 2023 sheds light on physician burnout, highlighting the prevalence of the issue in radiation oncology. Expert strategies for achieving work-life balance are presented as crucial to preventing burnout among practicing physicians.
A recent study by Sylvester Cancer researchers used machine learning tools to predict tumor growth patterns in glioblastoma patients. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 86% in predicting three outcome classes, with 93% accuracy when predicting between no progression and any kind of progression.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that viral pathogens, particularly SARS-CoV-2, are a significant contributor to sepsis. The researchers found that approximately 1 in 6 cases of sepsis were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cancer researchers at University of Cincinnati Cancer Center are exploring a new method called lattice therapy, which delivers higher doses to tumors and lower doses to surrounding tissues. The approach has shown promise in reducing treatment time and improving patient outcomes for head and neck, lung, and brain tumors.
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute found that increasing access to care for Black people with prostate cancer could decrease mortality rates. The institute is also conducting a clinical trial for small cell lung cancer and developing an app to help adolescents manage cancer symptoms.
The American Heart Association calls for building on existing research and implementing cross-sector approaches to Food Is Medicine. FIM programs aim to improve health outcomes by providing healthy food resources to treat, manage, and prevent specific chronic conditions.
A new study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital predicts the formation of condensates in cancer-associated fusion oncoproteins, which promotes cancer development. The researchers used machine learning to analyze biomolecular features and established a framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying oncogenic properties.
Researchers discovered that a mutation in the gene ACTA2 causes moyamoya disease and strokes in young children. The mutation leads to dysfunctional smooth muscle cells in arteries, resulting in blockages and increased risk of stroke. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new treatments for moyamoya disease.
A pharmacist-led intervention has been shown to improve medication adherence among Latinos with type 2 diabetes, leading to significant reductions in blood sugar levels. The study found that patients who interacted with a pharmacist had an average 0.45% reduction in blood sugar, while systolic blood pressure remained unchanged.
NUTRITION 2024 will convene in Chicago to explore the latest nutrition research and share findings on diet and disease, artificial intelligence, and precision nutrition. The event promises to be a knowledge-packed experience with scientific symposia, educational sessions, and networking opportunities.
A new editorial paper highlights the importance of including older patients in lung cancer clinical trials, where they are often undertreated due to age-related factors. The paper emphasizes the need for increased collaboration among stakeholders to enhance enrollment and retention of older cancer patients.
Researchers analyze neuroendocrine tumors at single cell resolution, unlocking key insights into tumor biology and potential evolution of tumor characteristics. The study reveals heterogeneity within tumor subtypes and identifies potential targets for immunotherapy treatment.
The article discusses the need to reassess COVID-19 precautions in 2023, particularly for patients with hematologic malignancies. The researchers highlight the increased risk of poor response to vaccination and worse outcomes from COVID-19 infection among these patients.
Researchers found that etripamil nasal spray restored normal heart rhythms within 30 minutes in 54% of patients, making it a potential new option for self-treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. The study showed the medication to be safe and well-tolerated.
A Boston University-led study identified genetic signatures of TB-susceptible and TB-resistant macrophages, leading to a new approach to tweak the immune system to fight the disease. The research could lead to therapies targeting host immunity to tuberculosis.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology announced the winners of its new combination therapy challenge, which aims to improve prostate cancer treatments using relugolix in combination with radiation therapy. The three winning research proposals will receive funding over four to five years.
A study by the DZD found that losing abdominal fat can reverse prediabetes and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Participants who achieved remission showed improved insulin sensitivity and reduced markers of kidney damage, while maintaining similar weight loss as non-responders.
A Michigan Medicine-led report found that adding a mobile health application to wearable devices did not significantly improve physical activity levels in patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation. However, some short-term outcomes showed an increase in walking distance over six minutes for Fitbit users.
A significant increase in the need for treatment of eye diseases is expected due to the growing elderly population. The number of patients requiring anti-VEGF medication is projected to rise by 50% over the next five years.
A large study of 74,471 patients found that those who quit smoking after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have comparable rates of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths to non-smokers. However, heavy smokers showed no improvement in cardiovascular outcomes.
A study showed that yoga therapy can improve heart failure patients' endurance, strength, balance, symptom stability, and overall quality of life. Additionally, echocardiographic parameters revealed improved left ventricular systolic function in the yoga group compared to the non-interventional group.
A new paper describes clinical experiences of transgender people and identifies four themes: voyeuristic questions, pathologization, stigma, and ineffective care. Researchers recommend strategies to improve safety and quality of care for this patient population.
A qualitative study explores the challenges transgender people face when sharing health information with clinicians, including risk of substandard care. The authors argue that improving medical culture, policies, and data collection tools are necessary to enhance quality and safety of clinical care for transgender individuals.
Researchers identified four novel receptors potentially linking endometrial cancer with polycystic ovary syndrome, highlighting a major pathway involved in the increased EC risk in PCOS. The PI3K-AKT signaling pathway is consistent with a link between PCOS and EC.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have uncovered a novel mechanism for sorting endocytic cargo, revealing a specific compartment within the trans-Golgi network that determines the fate of cargo. This discovery has implications for understanding basic life processes and diseases caused by disruptions in endocytosis.
Researchers found that adding dendritic cell boosting therapy to radiation and CTLA4 inhibitor combination produced synergistic effect, eliciting tumor regression. This approach resulted in complete or almost complete elimination of targeted tumors.
Researchers found that parents who felt misunderstood or not listened to by their doctors were more likely to request out-of-hours consultations. Greater awareness and understanding on the part of GPs about parental feelings and expectations could improve satisfaction with primary health care and reduce after-hours care requests.
Researchers identified specific blood biomarkers that can accurately identify patients with long COVID, revealing distinct immune and hormone function differences. The study also found abnormal T cell activity, reactivation of latent viruses, and reduced cortisol levels in patients with long COVID.
Researchers have identified a specific error in the NOTCH1 gene that causes rare kidney cancer reninoma. The study found that using existing drugs targeting this gene could serve as an alternative treatment for patients where surgery is not recommended.
Clinician staff perspectives on implementing Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) screening in Los Angeles County Pediatric Clinics revealed that screening can elicit important patient information and build trust. However, challenges arise from insufficient time for screening, inadequate training, and limited referral resources.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that senescent macrophages in the lung promote tumor growth by blocking the immune system's response to abnormal cell growth. Eliminating these senescent cells delays tumor formation, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Primary care teams struggle to implement quality improvement efforts due to staff turnover, staffing shortages, and time constraints exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers recommend direct support for primary care to alleviate burnout and improve participation in quality improvement projects.
Clinical researchers developed a single prescriber account to centralize ordering and distribution of mifepristone, reducing barriers to providing abortion care. The new process mirrors other health system procedures and sets the stage for rapid expansion of medication abortion access in a post- Roe environment.
A new MU study found that APRNs recognize the importance of breast cancer survivorship care and can benefit from standardized education. The findings suggest that formalizing education on breast cancer survivorship could lead to improved healthcare for patients, including symptom management, monitoring, and follow-up appointments.
Researchers surveyed patients undergoing elective surgeries and found that reducing opioid prescriptions led to higher patient satisfaction with pain management. The study's results were used to develop evidence-based guidelines for prescribing opioids after surgery, aiming to balance managing pain and opioid use.
A learning collaborative enhanced educational and training support services for primary care doctors to use mifepristone for miscarriage management and abortion provision. Clinics increased knowledge of mifepristone and stockpiled the medication, despite existing financial barriers.
A study found that severe erythrocytosis, where hematocrit is over 54%, is a rare outcome of testosterone therapy in adults. Researchers recommend reevaluating the need for frequent lab screenings to minimize unnecessary draws among patients who prefer not to undergo regular checks.
A cross-sectional survey of 294 primary care patients found leg cramps are a common symptom (51.7%) associated with age-related decline and poor sleep quality. Clinicians should review resting leg cramps as a marker for impaired health and aging, and address the issue to optimize healthy aging.
The North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) has made foundational contributions to primary care research, including practice-based networks and community-based participatory research. The organization's future depends on strengthening primary care and primary care research with stronger support, infrastructure, training, an...
A qualitative study found that transgender individuals often perceive clinician questions as stigmatizing or voyeuristic, leading to pathologization and substandard care. To improve care, medical systems must adopt inclusive policies, procedures, and data collection tools, prioritizing the safety and well-being of transgender patients.
A qualitative study found that staff turnover, staffing shortages, and time constraints are major barriers to participation in quality improvement projects. The authors recommend policy makers provide direct support for primary care to alleviate burnout and address these challenges.
A dendritic cell vaccine targeting survivin protein showed safety and immunogenicity, inducing durable clinical responses in patients with high-risk multiple myeloma. The vaccine combination with autologous stem cell transplant was associated with a four-year progression-free survival rate of 71%.
Researchers explore kinase inhibitors as targeted therapies for specific CRC subsets, offering hope for improved treatment options. Key findings suggest that uncovering essential kinases for tumor growth can lead to more effective treatment strategies in metastatic or later-stage CRC patients.
Research found ginger consumption makes neutrophils more resistant to NETosis, a process that contributes to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Ginger supplementation also boosted chemical levels in neutrophils, inhibiting NETosis in response to disease-relevant stimuli.