Author: Marie Benz MD FAAD

25 Jun

Posted at 21:39h in Allergies, Author Interviews, Duke
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_62084" align="alignleft" width="200"]Professor Soman Abraham PhDGrace Kerby Distinguished Professor of Pathology Duke University. Dr. Abraham led the research when working in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore Prof. Abraham[/caption] Professor Soman Abraham PhD Grace Kerby Distinguished Professor of Pathology Duke University. Dr. Abraham led the research when working in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The degranulation of mast cells (MCs) is a process that leads to allergic symptoms, ranging from itching, redness, and swelling of the tissue to severe and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis involving multiple organ systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 10 per cent of the global population suffers from food allergies. As allergy rates continue to rise, so does the incidence of food-triggered anaphylaxis and asthma worldwide. In view of the fact that allergic diseases are difficult to prevent or treat, we sought to understand the underlying basis for anaphylactic reactions.

25 Jun

Posted at 16:27h in Author Interviews, Pediatrics, USPSTF, Weight Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_60371" align="alignleft" width="150"]John M. Ruiz, Ph.D Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology Department of Psychology University of Arizona Dr. Ruiz is the incoming editor-in-chief of the American Psychological Association (APA) journal, Health Psychology Dr. Ruiz joined the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in January 2022 Dr. Ruiz[/caption] John M. Ruiz, Ph.D Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology Department of Psychology University of Arizona Dr. Ruiz is the incoming editor-in-chief of the American Psychological Association (APA) journal, Health Psychology Dr. Ruiz joined the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in January 2022 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Almost 20 percent of children and teens in the United States have a high body mass index (BMI), the standard measure of obesity. However, there are proven ways that clinicians can help kids and teens manage their weight and stay healthy. We found that intensive behavioral interventions can help children age 6 and older who have a high BMI both achieve a healthy weight and improve their quality of life. 

25 Jun

Posted at 15:30h in Speech
Tongue twisters are not just for fun; they are powerful tools for enhancing speech clarity and confidence. Whether you're a kid or an adult, learning and practicing tongue twisters can significantly improve pronunciation skills and articulation. They make speech improvement an enjoyable and engaging activity that encourages frequent practice without feeling like a chore. Each tongue twister challenges your mouth and tongue to move in complex ways that can help hone your pronunciation skills. This repetitive exercise can increase your ability to articulate tricky sounds, making everyday conversations clearer and more confident. Moreover, using these fun phrases can provide a light-hearted approach to learning, which can be especially beneficial in easy speech therapy activities for both children and adults. By incorporating a variety of easy and entertaining tongue twisters into your daily routine, you create a playful yet productive environment for speech practice. This not only makes the process more enjoyable but also encourages consistent practice, which is essential for noticeable improvement. Ready to put your tongue to the test? Dive into our carefully selected list of 10 easy and fun tongue twisters designed specifically for speech improvement. Please note that this is an informational article and not a substitute for medical advice. If you need further assistance, consult a medical professional.

Key Takeaways

  • Tongue twisters are effective for improving speech clarity.
  • Regular practice boosts pronunciation skills and confidence.
  • They offer a fun and engaging way to enhance speech therapy activities.

24 Jun

Posted at 18:49h in Author Interviews, Diabetes, Environmental Risks
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_62064" align="alignleft" width="200"]Todd Hagobian, Ph.D.pronouns he/him/his Department Chair & Professor, Kinesiology and Public Health Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA FRANK H 2016 ilyfrankh.com Dr. Hagobian[/caption] Todd Hagobian, Ph.D. pronouns he/him/his Department Chair & Professor, Kinesiology and Public Health Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Previous observational studies have shown that urinary BPA is related to Type 2 diabetes risk. Meaning, higher urinary BPA is related to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. However, no published study to date has determined whether several days of BPA administration (participants consume BPA) increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. MedicalResearch.com: Where is bisphenol found?  Can exposure to bisphenol be limited in everyday life? Response:  BPA and other bisphenols are found in canned foods and plastics. BPA is one of the most widely used synthetic chemicals and we consume foods that are packed in this chemical. Most of BPA exposure comes from canned foods, and 93% of the US populations has detectable urine levels of BPA. We can limit BPA by reducing canned foods (or purchased BPA free cans) and plastic use.

24 Jun

Posted at 14:17h in Gastrointestinal Disease, Nutrition
Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It causes inflammation in the digestive tract, which can lead to severe symptoms. The inflammation often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue. Crohn's disease can be painful and sometimes may lead to life-threatening complications. abdominal-pain-crohns_pexels-sora-shimazaki-5938358 Symptoms of Crohn's Disease Symptoms of Crohn's disease vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain and cramping. People with Crohn's disease might also experience blood in their stool, mouth sores, reduced appetite and weight loss. The disease can affect different parts of the digestive tract in different people. The symptoms can change over time, with periods of severe symptoms (flares) and periods of no or mild symptoms (remission). Causes and Risk Factors The exact cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown. However, several factors may contribute to its development. These include immune system malfunctions, genetics and environmental factors. Crohn's disease tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic link. Smoking increases the risk of developing the disease and can make symptoms worse. People living in urban areas or industrialized countries have a higher risk, possibly due to diet and lifestyle factors.

22 Jun

Posted at 22:30h in Abuse and Neglect, Gout, Rheumatology
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_62055" align="alignleft" width="200"]Brian LaMoreaux, MD, MSInternist and Rheumatologist Executive Medical Director, Amgen Dr. LaMoreaux[/caption] Brian LaMoreaux, MD, MS Internist and Rheumatologist Executive Medical Director, Amgen MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How does KRYSTEXXA® (pegloticase) work in gout? Response: Many other diseases in gout have well-defined definitions of remission, but gout has lagged behind on this. With systemic consequences of gout becoming more apparent, the concept of treating gout to remission is increasing important to improving patient care and preserving patient health.   Our MIRROR randomized controlled trial (RCT) provides data beyond the primary and secondary endpoints and allows us to look at aspects like the rate of gout remission (i.e. serum urate level (SU) <6 mg/dL, absence of acute gout flare, absence of tophi, minimal gout-related pain, and minimal gout-related quality-of-life impact over a 12-month period) achieved with KRYSTEXXA-induced intensive urate-lowering. Continuing to advance knowledge that can positively impact patient care is our driving force for the research. KRYSTEXXA is approved for the treatment of uncontrolled gout, for those experiencing signs and symptoms of gout despite taking oral medicines. It is the only gout treatment that controls uncontrolled gout by changing uric acid into a water-soluble substance called allantoin that he body easily gets rid of through urine.

22 Jun

Posted at 21:36h in Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, JAMA
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_62050" align="alignleft" width="150"]Mabel Seto, PhDHarvard Aging Brain Study, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment Department of Neurology Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston, Massachusetts Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, Tennessee Dr. Seto[/caption] Mabel Seto, PhD Harvard Aging Brain Study, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment Department of Neurology Brigham and Women’s Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, Tennessee   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The background for this study is that individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease (i.e., one or more first-degree relatives) have a higher risk for the disease than individuals that don’t have a family history. Previous studies suggested a preferential maternal inheritance of AD, though they were limited in sample size and statistical power. In our study, we wanted to focus on a larger, cognitively unimpaired sample. Using data from the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s (A4) study, a randomized clinical trial aimed at AD prevention, we examined the relationship between a parental history of significant memory impairment as a proxy for AD (as some individuals may not have pursued formal diagnosis) and amyloid-beta burden in the offspring.

22 Jun

Posted at 21:22h in Author Interviews, PLoS, Sexual Health
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Karyn Anderson (she/her) PhD Candidate, Evolutionary Anthropology Lab of Dr. Julie Teichroeb University of Toronto, Scarborough MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: We sought out to determine if there were observations of same-sex sexual behavior in mammals that exist beyond the published record. We found that more people observe same-sex sexual behavior than they publish on it, and this appears to be due to a perception of researchers that same-sex sexual behavior is very rare. We found, however, that it was commonly observed by our survey participants.

20 Jun

Posted at 22:52h in Dermatology

For stubborn hyperpigmentation, professional treatments may be necessary. Chemical peels, laser therapy and microdermabrasion can significantly improve skin tone and texture. Consult a dermatologist to determine the best treatment plan tailored to your skin’s needs....

20 Jun

Posted at 15:27h in Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Genetic Research, JAMA
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_62041" align="alignleft" width="150"]Dr. Jeremy L. Davis M.D.Surgical Oncologist Center for Cancer Research Dr. Davis’ research focuses on sporadic and inherited forms of stomach cancer. National Cancer Institute Dr. Davis[/caption] Dr. Jeremy L. Davis M.D. Surgical Oncologist Center for Cancer Research Dr. Davis’ research focuses on sporadic and inherited forms of stomach cancer. National Cancer Institute   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Individuals who are born with a CDH1 gene mutation are at increased risk of developing specific cancers in their lifetime. Those cancers are called diffuse-type gastric cancer and lobular breast cancer. The background that is relevant here is that when mutations in this gene were first identified as the cause of inherited forms of these cancers, the estimated lifetime risk of gastric cancer, for instance, was around 60-83%. Because of this very high risk and because gastric cancer is particularly difficult to treat, many experts recommend prophylactic surgery to remove the stomach. In recent years, as we have seen more families who carry a CDH1 gene mutation, we have also observed that gastric cancer rates did not seem quite as high as those risk estimates would have suggested. We sought to re-evaluate lifetime risk of cancer with a large and diverse cohort of individuals throughout North America.

14 Jun

Posted at 16:20h in Author Interviews, Genetic Research, Heart Disease, Nature
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61964" align="alignleft" width="136"]Ben Omega Petrazzini, B.Sc.Associate Bioinformatician Ron Do Laboratory Ben Petrazzini[/caption] Ben Omega Petrazzini, B.Sc. Associate Bioinformatician Ron Do Laboratory [caption id="attachment_61965" align="alignleft" width="143"]Ron Do, Ph.D.Professor, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences Director, Center for Genomic Data Analytics Associate Director in Academic Affairs, The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine Charles Bronfman Professor in Personalized Medicine Dr. Ron Do[/caption] Ron Do, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences Director, Center for Genomic Data Analytics Associate Director in Academic Affairs, The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine Charles Bronfman Professor in Personalized Medicine Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai     MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Rare coding variants directly affect protein function and can inform the role of a gene in disease. Discovery of rare coding variant associations for coronary artery disease (CAD) to date have only had limited success. Genetic studies typically use standard phenotyping approaches to classify cases versus controls for CAD. However, this phenotyping approach doesn’t capture disease progression or severity in individuals. We recently introduced an in-silico score for CAD (ISCAD) that tracks CAD progression, severity, underdiagnosis and mortality (Forrest et al. The Lancet, 2023, PMID 36563696). ISCAD was built using a machine learning model trained on clinical data from electronic health records (EHR). Importantly, ISCAD is a quantitative score that measures CAD on a spectrum. The quantitative nature of the score provides an opportunity to discover additional rare coding variant associations that may not have been detected with the standard case-control phenotyping approach. Here in this study, we performed a large-scale rare variant association study in the exome sequences of 604,915 individuals for ISCAD, a machine learning-based score for CAD.

13 Jun

Posted at 22:10h in Author Interviews, Critical Care - Intensive Care - ICUs, Heart Disease, Kidney Disease, NEJM
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61951" align="alignleft" width="150"]Prof Giovanni Landoni, MDAssociate Professor Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milan, Italy Prof. Landoni[/caption] Prof Giovanni Landoni, MD Associate Professor Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milan, Italy MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects approximately 10-15% of hospitalized patients, and up to 50% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. In cardiac surgery one patient out of three will face AKI during the postoperative period, and this will lead to higher morbidity and mortality. AKI is associated with an elevated risk of chronic kidney disease, as well as, in the most severe cases, with the use of renal replacement therapy, which may double hospitalization costs, reduce quality of life, and increase long-term mortality. So far, no preventive measure with level I of evidence did exist for AKI. The PROTECTION trial is a multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted at 22 centers in 3 different countries. We recruited 3,511 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass to receive an intravenous infusion of amino acids (AA) (Isopuramin 10%, Baxter), at 2g/kg/day up to a maximum 100g/day, or an equivalent dose of placebo (Ringer’s solution), for a maximum of 72 hours. The primary outcome was the incidence of any stage of AKI, according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 creatinine criteria.

12 Jun

Posted at 10:57h in Author Interviews, Dermatology, JAMA, Salt-Sodium
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61942" align="alignleft" width="200"]Katrina Abuabara, MD, MA, MSCEAssociate Professor of Dermatology, UCSF Associate Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology UC Berkeley School of Public Health Dr. Abuabar[/caption] Katrina Abuabara, MD, MA, MSCE Associate Professor of Dermatology, UCSF Associate Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology UC Berkeley School of Public Health MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) has become increasingly common over recent decades, especially in industrialized countries, suggesting that environmental or lifestyle factors like diet could impact rates of disease. It is well established that sodium, consumed primarily in the form of salt, increases the risk of hypertension and heart disease through pro-inflammatory mechanisms. The role of sodium on other chronic inflammatory conditions like eczema has been less well-studied.

10 Jun

Posted at 18:11h in Aging, Author Interviews, Exercise - Fitness, JAMA, USPSTF
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61045" align="alignleft" width="150"]Li Li, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. The Walter M. Seward Professor and Chair of Family Medicine University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine Director of Population Health at UVA Health Dr. Li Li[/caption] Li Li, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H Walter M. Seward Professor Chair of Family Medicine Director of population health University of Virginia School of Medicine Editor-in-chief of The BMJ Family Medicine Dr. Li joined the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in January 2021 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings of the underlying studies? Response: Falls are the leading cause of injuries in older adults and can lead to serious disability and even death. To help prevent these incidents, the Task Force looked at the current evidence on ways that primary care clinicians can help prevent falls in adults aged 65 and older who live at home and are more likely to fall. We concluded that healthcare professionals should recommend exercise interventions for adults aged 65 and older who are at increased risk for falls. This could include gait, balance, and functional training, as well as strength, resistance, and flexibility training. Clinicians can also talk with their older patients who are most likely to fall about whether additional interventions might be helpful to reduce their risk of falling.

10 Jun

Posted at 17:34h in Health Care Systems, Health Care Workers
The US healthcare staffing market is massive, although you wouldn't think it with the constant barrage of news reports telling us that we've got no staff and staffing shortages are increasing. Still, perhaps they're spending all the money attempting to boost staffing levels. And it isn't about the money - it's that people aren't as motivated to work in healthcare anymore. Below, we'll explore why the spending is so big.

The Rise in Demand for Healthcare Professionals

US Healthcare Staffing MarketThe booming healthcare staffing market is driven by an increasing demand for medical practitioners. The US is grappling with a shortage of healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals - over 340,000 combined professionals are needed, including doctors and nurses. The issue is, that as more baby boomers retire, they often become more reliant on medical services, putting pressure on an already understaffed industry. But the issue also is that the demand for healthcare staff isn't being met. The US and the UK both use overseas staff to fill the numbers. The people training to be nurses in the US are becoming travel nurses, aesthetic practitioners, and basically avoiding the main healthcare system. Well, not all of them, but a big chunk are. The US has no choice but to rely on outsourced agencies like physician staffing companies.

08 Jun

Posted at 12:13h in ASCO, Author Interviews, Technology
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61909" align="alignleft" width="150"]Dr. Frederick Howard Dr. Howard[/caption] Frederick Howard MD Assistant Professor of Medicine Section of Hematology / Oncology University of Chicago MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: With the advent of AI language models like ChatGPT, these tools may be used to generate scientific literature or abstracts. Indeed, a survey conducted by Nature in 2023 found that nearly 30% of scientists were using AI tools to aid in the writing of scientific manuscripts. The use of AI in scientific literature can be difficult to identify, and previous studies suggest that human reviewers cannot distinguish between AI generated and human written scientific abstracts. Commercial tools designed to identify AI content may have a higher degree of accuracy, but the optimal approach to applying such tools to detect AI content within scientific literature is uncertain.

07 Jun

Posted at 10:54h in COVID -19 Coronavirus, Vaccine Studies
COVID-19 is a virus that devastated the healthcare systems around the globe. The main reason for this devastation was the speed of the spreading. Because it was spreading so fast, hospitals weren’t able to accommodate so many patients. We needed to figure out a better approach to dealing with the pandemic. So, this is where most of the people on Earth stood together by being apart. We were in lockdown, but our scientists and governments collaborated more on finding the right solution.

What Was the COVID-19 Impact on Research Priorities?

One of the major impacts of the pandemic was the speed of research. Because of the urgency and the need for a quick response, research was focused on the COVID-19 virus and therapy and vaccine development for it. The development of vaccines was heavily prioritized, but this does not imply that it is not being done presently. Epidemiology and therapeutic regimens continue to see some initiatives. However, research remains a priority with ongoing trials on many things you can participate in (link to site). This required a lot of funding and resources, so governments, private sectors, and international organizations collaborated and helped out the research process. We’ve proven that we can adapt in no time, and respond to great threats effectively and swiftly.

06 Jun

Posted at 21:38h in Author Interviews, Biomarkers, Cancer Research, Colon Cancer
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Jorge Moscat, PhD Maria T. Diaz-Meco, PhD Jorge Moscat Maria T. Diaz-Meco, Principal Investigators Moscat & Diaz-Meco Laboratories Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine New York, NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you describe the two different histological premalignant states? Response: Although much effort is devoted to understanding the biology and pathology of established malignant tumors and the formation of metastasis in order to identify new and more efficacious treatment approaches, much less is understood of how tumors initiate from normal cells. This is extremely important because treating incipient benign neoplasia should be easier and less toxic than treated already aggressive and disseminated cancer cells. In the case of colorectal cancer (CRC), routinary colonoscopies might identify still benign lesions that can be either “serrated” or “conventional” but that all present with reduced levels of two proteins called the aPKCs. As the tumor evolves, if the aPKCs are not upregulated, then the cancer becomes very aggressive and with very limited therapeutic options. Our work identifies precisely the initial mechanisms that determine if a benign adenoma would progress towards an aggressive phenotype. A full comprehension of these initial steps will lead to effective preventive therapies to stop cancer before it starts.

06 Jun

Posted at 17:58h in Food Poisoning, Infections, Nutrition
stomach-pain-pixbyFoodborne illness, or food poisoning as many call it, is a widespread and potentially life-threatening health issue. Therefore, understanding the causes and prevention of foodborne illness is crucial for everyone, from home cooks to professional chefs, food industry workers, and consumers. This article explores the causes of foodborne illness, identifies high-risk foods, and provides essential strategies for preventing this health issue.

Common Causes of Foodborne Illness

Symptoms of foodborne illness can show up quickly, sometimes within hours after you eat or drink a contaminated meal, or they might take a few days to appear. The following is an in-depth look at the common causes:

05 Jun

Posted at 10:20h in ASCO, Author Interviews, Breast Cancer, Genetic Research
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61845" align="alignleft" width="125"]Rima Patel, MDAssistant Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology The Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Dr. Patel[/caption] Rima Patel, MD Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology The Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The 21-gene Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (RS) and 70-gene MammaPrint (MP) assays provide prognostic information for distant recurrence and are used to guide chemotherapy use in hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer (EBC). Previous reports have demonstrated racial differences in the prognostic accuracy of the RS. In both the TAILORx and RxPONDER trials, Black women with low genomic risk (RS 0-25) had a higher recurrence risk than White women. In another study using the NCDB database, Black race was associated with worse overall survival in multivariate models including RS. The impacts of race/ethnicity on the MammaPrint assay are unknown.

05 Jun

Posted at 09:59h in ASCO, Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Race/Ethnic Diversity
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61813" align="alignleft" width="130"]Nina Bickell, MD, MPHAssociate Director of Community Engaged and Equity Research Co-Leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program Co-Director of the Center for Health Equity and Community Engaged Research The Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Dr. Bickell[/caption] Nina Bickell, MD, MPH Associate Director of Community Engaged and Equity Research Co-Leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program Co-Director of the Center for Health Equity and Community Engaged Research The Tisch Cancer Institute Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Recruiting diverse patients to clinical trials is essential to advance cancer treatments, yet accrual remains low. Efficient recruitment requires the ability identify patients at treatment decision points and determine eligibility for open clinical trials – a time and personnel intensive undertaking. We developed an automated Regular Expressions technology to identify, classify and match patients to clinical trials and overcome the limitations of more resource-intensive technologies like Natural Language Processing (NLP). We created a screener, parser and matcher to: use the electronic health record to identify patients at treatment decision points based on progress notes and imaging reports and classify their cancer type, stage and receptor status; extract and categorize breast, liver and lung cancer trial data based on cancer type, stage, and receptor status from the National Cancer Institute's ClinicalTrials.gov database; pair eligible patients with relevant trials based on stage and receptor status.

04 Jun

Posted at 22:25h in Author Interviews, Colon Cancer, Gastrointestinal Disease, Immunotherapy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61859" align="alignleft" width="130"]Steven H. Itzkowitz, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAFProfessor of Medicine and Oncological Sciences Director of the GI Fellowship Program Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Dr. Itzkowitz[/caption] Steven H. Itzkowitz, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF Professor of Medicine and Oncological Sciences Director of the GI Fellowship Program Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: This study looked at patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who had a history of cancer in the past 5 years and asked whether the medications they received for their IBD might have affected their rates of getting future cancer (new or recurrent cancers). Because many of the medicines that are used to treat IBD can affect the immune system in various ways, there has been concern that the medicines might predispose to subsequent cancers. We found that patients who received immunosuppressive medications had a numerically increased risk of subsequent cancer, this was not statistically higher than those who had not been exposed to these medications. While previous studies have looked at this question retrospectively, this is the first report that analyzed this issue prospectively using individuals from the United States.  Moreover, this study represents a multi-institutional collaboration among gastroenterologists at most of the major NYC healthcare systems.

03 Jun

Posted at 19:33h in Alcohol, Author Interviews, CMAJ
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61837" align="alignleft" width="125"]Rahel Zewude, MD FRCPCInfectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, PGY-5 University of Toronto Dr. Zewude[/caption] Rahel Zewude, MD FRCPC Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, PGY-5 University of Toronto MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you describe the syndrome of Auto-brewery syndrome? Response: Auto-brewery syndrome refers to a syndrome where the gut ferments alcohol from carbohydrates leading to high blood alcohol levels and intoxication without any consumption of alcoholic drinks.

30 May

Posted at 01:53h in Author Interviews, Kidney Disease
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61821" align="alignleft" width="156"]Silvi Shah, MD,MS,FASN,FACPAssociate Professor Internal Medicine | College of Medicine University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Dr. Shah[/caption] Silvi Shah, MD,MS,FASN,FACP Associate Professor Internal Medicine | College of Medicine University of Cincinnati College of Medicine MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: AKI  (Acute Kidney Injury) is a major contributor to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). About a third of patients with ESKD recover kidney function due to AKI. The study looked at the health outcomes of 22,922 patients from the U.S. Renal Data System from 2005 to 2014 to construct a clinical scoring system to predict kidney recovery within 90 days and 12 months after the start of dialysis for kidney failure patients due to acute kidney injury (AKI)

29 May

Posted at 17:32h in Author Interviews
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61816" align="alignleft" width="125"]Dr. Larry Kosinski, MDGastroenterologist and SonarMD Founder & Board Member Dr. Kosinski[/caption] Dr. Larry Kosinski, MD Gastroenterologist and SonarMD Founder & Board Member MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you briefly explain what is meant by the IBD group of diseases? Response:  Affecting up to 70 million Americans, the U.S. spends $136 billion each year on digestive health as these conditions are complex to predict, treat and manage. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) includes people specifically diagnosed with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, and these conditions require close monitoring to reduce the risk for complications that lead to lengthy hospital stays and significant medical spend. In addition to providing a holistic health program, the SonarMD digital platform risk stratifies patients and performs continuous symptom checks to identify deteriorating symptoms sooner and communicate changes to physicians, meaning that care teams can intervene faster to keep patients healthier and lower the overall cost of care. The two large, longitudinal studies that we presented at Digestive Disease Week 2024 evaluated several major drivers of medical costs in people living with IBD and enrolled in the SonarMD end-to-end, digital care coordination program to determine if SonarMD’s program reduced healthcare utilization and concurrently produced better health outcomes. To assess this, we looked at Emergency Department visits and In-patient Admissions compared to risk-matched control groups.

29 May

Posted at 15:28h in AHA Journals, Author Interviews, Blood Pressure - Hypertension, OBGYNE
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61675" align="alignleft" width="150"]Emmanuel Bujold, ReproductionMother and Child Health Unit CHU De Québec-Université Laval Research Center Université Laval Québec, QC Canada Dr. Bujold[/caption] Emmanuel Bujold, Reproduction Mother and Child Health Unit CHU De Québec-Université Laval Research Center Université Laval Québec, QC Canada     MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Would you briefly describe what is meant by preeclampsia? Response: Preeclampsia is a complication of the second half of pregnancy, manifesting as high blood pressure and renal dysfunction. The only current treatment is to deliver the baby before it becomes complicated by damage to maternal organs or fetal distress. A few years ago, we demonstrated that aspirin started in the 1st trimester can prevent the majority of preeclampsias in pregnant women at risk. It has therefore become urgent to identify pregnant women at risk as early as the 1st trimester.

28 May

Posted at 11:05h in Mental Health Research, Nursing
Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system, often serving as the frontline of patient care. Their responsibilities are vast and demanding, from administering medications to providing emotional support to patients and their families. Given the high-stress nature of their work, it is imperative to recognize the importance of mental health support for nurses. Mental health support not only enhances their well-being but also improves patient care and the overall efficiency of healthcare services. This article explores the various facets of mental health support for nurses and why it is essential for the healthcare industry.

The High-Stress Environment of Nursing

Nursing is inherently a high-stress profession. Nurses are often required to work long hours, deal with critically ill patients, and make quick decisions that can significantly impact patient outcomes. This constant exposure to stress can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression if not properly managed. The high-pressure environment can affect their mental and physical health, making it crucial to address these issues proactively. Providing mental health support helps nurses cope with the stressors of their job, ensuring they can continue to provide high-quality care without compromising their own health.

28 May

Posted at 10:45h in Exercise - Fitness, Orthopedics
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the most dangerous and physically demanding sports of our time. Fighters, like the ones we see competing in the UFC, need to be extremely resilient and physically fit to practice and perform effectively. While the sport involves the entire body, one particular joint that takes a lot of heat is the knees. In this article, we’re going into detail about why some knee strength and rehabilitation exercises should be a part of your training regime as an MMA fighter. Let’s begin.

What Knee Health Means for MMA Fighters

knee-exercisesThe knees are equally essential for us all — athlete or not. It’s the single most important joint for basic mobility. But, for MMA practitioners, it means much more than that. Due to the dynamic nature of the sport, the knees go through immense strain during training and fights. From kicking, takedowns, and submission defense, the knees do the heavy lifting for it all. To make matters worse, a “leg kick” to the knee can sometimes be enough to cause a fracture then and there. With all that in mind, it makes sense that ligament tears, strains, and knee sprains aren’t uncommon in this sport. Problems usually stem from insufficient rest or overuse, conditioning, poor technique, or just bad luck (for example if you’re fighting Justin Gaethje, the meanest leg-kicker). Your best bet against these risk factors is to build and maintain optimal knee health all year round. Have a proactive approach by incorporating knee rehab and strengthening exercises. Even if your knees aren’t injured, they can still be inflamed or overworked, so some rehabilitation movements could go a long way.

25 May

Posted at 13:19h in Addiction, Author Interviews, Health Care Systems
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61782" align="alignleft" width="150"] Srivastava Kodavatiganti, MBS[/caption] Srivastava Kodavatiganti, MBS Department of Medical Education Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Scranton, PA MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Prescription and illicit opioid misuse and overdoses have continued to escalate in the U.S. with annual overdoses exceeding 110,000[1]. There was a substantial rise from 2013 to 2022 in the number of opioid-related overdoses due to synthetic opioids [2]. Even nonfatal opioid-involved overdoses increased 4% quarterly between January 2018 and March 2022 as observed by encounters by emergency medical services [3]. Although the eastern U.S. has been particularly impacted by fatal overdoses, annual increases have increased as of last year in the western states including in Nevada (+27.9%), Washington (+36.9%), Oregon (+38.6%), and Alaska (+45.9%).  In contrast, other states have seen more modest changes (New Mexico = +1.3%) including decreases (South Dakota = -2.4%, Nebraska = -19.5%) [1]. These findings underscore the importance for understanding patterns in usage of prevention and treatment strategies. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. This crucial lifesaving tool is administered as an injection or as a nasal spray. This study characterized the patterns of naloxone prescriptions in Medicaid patients from 2018 – 2021 and Medicare patients for 2019. State level differences were also quantified as the fold difference in prescribing between the highest and lowest states when correcting for the number of enrollees in each state.

24 May

Posted at 07:06h in Author Interviews, Dermatology, Melanoma, Race/Ethnic Diversity
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_61776" align="alignleft" width="125"]Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPHVice-Chair for Diversity and Inclusion Department of Dermatology Dermatologist Center for Diverse Skin Complexions Weill Cornell Medicine – NY Dr. Alexis[/caption] Andrew F. Alexis, MD, MPH Vice-Chair for Diversity and Inclusion Department of Dermatology Dermatologist Center for Diverse Skin Complexions Weill Cornell Medicine – NY MedicalResearch.com: What are the main types of skin cancer?  Is the incidence changing? Response: The 3 main types of skin cancer are melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States1 and 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. (2) The overall incidence has changed as follows: • Melanoma: Rates doubled over past 30 years from 1982 to 2011.3 It differs by age group. o Adolescents and adults age 30 and younger: incidence rate is declining o Older age groups (e.g. 80 and older): incidence rate is increasing • Squamous Cell Cancer: o Incidence increased 263% between 1976-1984 and 2000-20104 • Basal Cell Cancer: o Incidence increased 145% between 1976-1984 and 2000-20104