Allergies, Author Interviews, NEJM, Pediatrics / 11.02.2025

Editor's note:  Do not attempt immunotherapy for peanut or other allergens without the express direction of your health care provider. Life-threatening reactions may occur. MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Scott H. Sicherer, MD Elliot and Roslyn Jaffe Professor of Pediatrics, Allergy and Immunology Director, Jaffe Food Allergy Institute Division Chief, Pediatric Allergy Medical Director, Clinical Research Unit Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Jack and Lucy Clark Department of Pediatrics Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital New York, NY 10029 MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: About 2% of people have a peanut allergy.  While many of them are exquisitely allergic to tiny amounts, about half can tolerate a half a peanut kernel or more before they have symptoms, although the symptoms can be severe. Current studies and FDA approved treatments for peanut allergy have typically focused on people reacting to about half a peanut or less.  We thought that those with higher threshold may be more easily treated. We focused on children ages 4-14 years who we identified through a medically supervised feeding test as having allergic reactions from 443 to 5043 mg of peanut protein.  A peanut kernel is about 250 mg of peanut protein. The 73 children were randomized to a treatment (oral immunotherapy, OIT) using home-measured, store bought peanut butter versus continuing the standard of care, avoidance.  OIT involves medically supervised dosing going from a small amount to gradually increasing larger amounts.  The increases are done under direct allergist supervision, then the tolerated dose is taken at home daily. Families are given instructions about avoiding things that can cause a reaction from dosing, such as exercise after a dose, and to skip dosing for illness.  Dosing can cause reactions and they were instructed on how to recognize and treat any such reactions.   We did increases every 2 months. Most of the children (62) stayed in the study to be tested after the period of treatment, that aimed for having a level tablespoon of peanut butter each day. All of the treated children who completed testing (32) were able to eat 9 grams of peanut.  Only 3 of 30 who continued to avoid peanut were able to do this. (more…)
Author Interviews, Gastrointestinal Disease / 11.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Arun B. Jesudian, MD Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine Medicine Weill Cornell Medical Center Transplant hepatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: In recent years, the demand for gastroenterologists continues to increase due to an aging population, increase in the prevalence of gastrointestinal and hepatology diseases, updates in screening and surveillance recommendations, and advances in therapeutic techniques. In this study, we set out to examine geographic distributions of gastroenterologists in the United States. MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response:  We found that on a national level, over 80% of the population lives within 25 miles of the closest gastroenterologist. However, 2,183 (69%) of the US counties do not have a practicing gastroenterologist, and 454 of the 1,167 metropolitan counties in the US do not have a gastroenterologist. Additionally, gastroenterologists in non-metropolitan counties tend to be older, with almost a third over the age of 65. (more…)
Author Interviews, Mental Health Research, Microbiome / 10.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Associate Professor Shawn Je Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What questions were you trying to address?  Response: The project started in 2013 when I met Professor Sven Petterson, then a visiting professor from the Karolinska Institute, during his time at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) in Singapore. At the time, our lab was studying autism, and we discovered that many children with autism also had gastrointestinal problems. This sparked my interest in the relationship between gut microbiota and brain disorders. Professor Petterson had already established a germ-free facility at NCCS to study the link between cancer and gut microbiota. I asked him if he could create germ-free C57BL/6 mice, a strain often used to study learning, memory and brain disorders. After developing the mice, we subjected them to behavioural testing at the Duke-NUS Behavioural Phenotyping Facility to assess their emotional responses (fear, anxiety, depression), cognitive abilities (learning and memory), and social interactions. We were surprised to find that the germ-free C57BL/6 mice exhibited increased anxiety, although no significant changes in social behaviours typical of autism were observed. Anxiety was assessed using tests in which mice were placed in an elevated arena with open and closed sections, and the time spent in each area was measured. The increased anxiety in these germ-free mice had not been reported before, so we repeated the tests several times to confirm the findings. Interestingly, other researchers had observed hyperactivity in germ-free mice of different strains, but our C57BL/6 mice showed unusual anxious behaviour, even though this strain typically has lower anxiety. This led us to investigate the underlying mechanisms behind the increased anxiety in these mice, with the goal of discovering why this particular strain exhibited such pronounced anxiety. (more…)
Author Interviews, JAMA, Salt-Sodium, Stroke / 09.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Xiong Ding, MPH School of Public Health Wuhan University Wuhan, China MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Patients who have previously experienced a stroke are at high risk of recurrence, and in China, this risk is even higher than the global average. It is well established that high blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke recurrence, and lowering blood pressure is an effective preventive strategy. Salt substitutes, which replace part of sodium chloride with potassium chloride, have been shown to lower blood pressure by reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake. However, before our study, there was limited direct evidence demonstrating whether salt substitutes could reduce the risk of stroke recurrence and death. Therefore, we conducted this research as part of the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS), specifically focusing on stroke survivors to determine the long-term health effects of salt substitution in this high-risk population. (more…)
Author Interviews, Infections / 05.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Prof. Vishnu Chaturvedi, Ph.D., HCLD Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology New York Medical College Department of Pathology, Westchester Medical Center Valhalla, New York, MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? How does Candida auris differ from Candida albicans, ie in clinical presentation or treatment?    
  1. Candida aurisis a newly discovered yeast that is considered a global health threat by the CDC and WHO. The sudden emergence and rapid spread of this multidrug-resistant pathogen is being explained by several published hypotheses. These include global warming, salt water tolerance, or agriculture use of fungicides as plausible causes. In the US, the NY-NJ metropolitan area was the first to suffer from drug-resistant Candia auris clade I genotype. None of the earlier hypotheses could explain the appearance in NY-NJ. Here, we set out to answer two related questions: “why NY-NJ?” and “why clade I?”
  2. Candida albicansis a well-known commensal yeast that frequents human mucosal surfaces in the mouth, vagina, etc. In contrast, Candida auris is a newly discovered yeast that colonizes the skin of hospitalized patients and long-term care residents. A small subset of those colonized develop Candida auris bloodstream and deep tissue infections.
  3. Candida auris differs from  albicans in its ability to cause healthcare-associated infection outbreaks. Candida auris is also prone to rapid acquisition of the resistance of multiple antifungal drugs. Finally, C. auris bloodstream infections cause high mortality.
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Author Interviews, Heart Disease, OBGYNE / 05.02.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Cande V. Ananth PhD MPH Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs Chief, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, NJ Editor-in-Chief, Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The rate of twin pregnancies worldwide has risen in recent decades, driven by fertility treatments and older maternal ages. MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response: Compared to singleton pregnancies with normal blood pressure, people with twins with normal blood pressure were around twice as likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease. For those with twins with high blood pressure during pregnancy, the risk was more than eight times higher.  (more…)
Author Interviews / 02.02.2025

The healthcare industry has seen significant change recently as more focus is on offering people more easily available and more effective medical treatments. Sometimes, a patient's capacity to get quick treatment is hampered because, in the past, medical attention required appointments that took a lot of time, long waiting times and frequent in-person visits. On the other hand, developments in healthcare solutions have streamlined the patient experience and guaranteed that people obtain high-quality medical treatment with the least disturbance.  Building medical care accessibility and convenience    Geography, mobility issues, or hectic schedules often make it difficult for patients to access medical treatments. Technology-driven healthcare solutions have significantly reduced these barriers by enabling remote consultations, online prescriptions, and timely treatments. Eliminating logistical challenges ensures that modern healthcare systems allow people to seek medical attention without disrupting their daily routines. This shift toward convenience particularly benefits patients with chronic conditions, who require ongoing care but may find frequent clinic or hospital visits challenging. Online providers such as Anytime Doctor are very important in ensuring patients get competent and timely treatment free from needless waits, optimising access to medical care. As digital healthcare develops, these developments will increase patient outcomes, improve accessibility, and redefine medical treatment. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cannabis, JAMA, Pediatrics, UCSD / 30.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: John Bellettiere, PhD Assistant Adjunct Professor Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science University of California, San Diego MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response:  Smoking is the most common method of cannabis use and generates harmful emissions.  Cannabis is often smoked indoors, which exposes non-smokers, including children, to these emissions. Our research analyzed in-home cannabis smoking practices to determine if there is an association between this behavior and the detection of cannabis biomarkers in children. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cannabis, Cognitive Issues, JAMA, Memory, Mental Health Research / 28.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Joshua Gowin PhD Assistant Professor, Radiology Anschutz Medical Campus University of Colorado  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Many people want to know how cannabis affects their brain and cognitive abilities. Previous studies have shown that cannabis use can impair learning and verbal memory function. Some evidence has shown that cannabis use is associated with smaller volume of areas of the prefrontal cortex. Our study investigated how cannabis use is associated with brain function. We examined brain function across 7 tasks in 1,000 adults. 88 of them had used cannabis over 1,000 times in their lives. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research / 28.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Christopher Choi, PhD, MBA Senior Vice President of Industry Partnerships Associate Professor of Oncology Technical Director of GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Buffalo, NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?  What is a GMP facility? Response: The opening of the Roswell Park GMP Engineering & Cell Manufacturing Facility (GEM) facility marks a significant milestone in advancing cell and gene therapy research at Roswell Park. Our GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility is a specialized manufacturing space designed to produce cell-based and gene-based products under stringent regulatory conditions to ensure product safety, quality and consistency. These facilities are critical for translating innovative research into clinical-grade products that meet regulatory standards for use in patient care. The GEM Facility is part of our commitment to driving the next generation of cancer treatments and other advanced therapies, addressing a critical bottleneck in the development of these transformative technologies. (more…)
Author Interviews, Immunotherapy, Lymphoma / 27.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Joshua Brody MD Director, Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hess Center for Science and Medicine New York, New York 10029   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
  • Patients with relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have poor outcomes.
  • Standard chemotherapy e.g. Gemcitabine + Oxaliplatin (GemOx) yields complete response in ~30% of these patients.
  • Epcoritamab, a CD3xCD20 bispecific antibody immunotherapy was recently approved for relapsed DLBCL as monotherapy but is not yet approved as part of combination therapy.
  • Other immunotherapies e.g. CAR-T have been difficult to combine with standard therapies.
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Author Interviews, Cannabis, JAMA / 25.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Silvia S. Martins, MD, PhD Associate Dean for Faculty Professor of Epidemiology Director, Substance Use Epidemiology Unit Co-Director, Substance Abuse Epidemiology T32 Program Department of Epidemiology Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health New York, NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Much has been speculated on whether the enactment of medical and recreational cannabis laws can have a role in decreasing prescriptions for opioid pain relievers, opioid use and misuse, opioid use disorder, and overdose in the U.S. However, findings on the associations of medical cannabis laws alone and recreational cannabis las + medical cannabis laws with opioid-related outcomes are mixed. By the end of 2019, 32 U.S. states had adopted medical marijuana laws (MCL) alone. All states that went on to adopt recreational marijuana laws (RCL) had previously adopted an MCL. (more…)
Author Interviews, Disability Research, Exercise - Fitness, Pain Research / 21.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Cheryl A. Krause-Parello, PhD, RN, FAAN Associate Vice President for Research Associate Executive Director & Faculty Fellow Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention (I-HEALTH) Director, C-P.A.W.W. Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors® Health Research Initiative for Veterans Professor (Secondary), Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Florida Atlantic University MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Chronic pain, especially chronic low back pain, is a significant issue for U.S. military veterans, affecting 40–70% of this population and often leading to disability. Veterans experience higher rates of chronic pain than civilians, with back pain being the most prevalent type. Younger veterans and those from recent conflicts report more severe pain, while older veterans frequently face persistent chronic pain. Complicating factors include comorbid conditions such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and behavioral disorders, as well as an increased reliance on opioids, which pose risks of addiction and overdose. This underscores the need for nonpharmacological interventions like qigong, a traditional Chinese practice combining movement, breathing, and meditation, to address the biopsychosocial challenges of chronic low back pain. (more…)
Author Interviews, Ophthalmology, Technology / 16.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Prof Alfonso Savastano Ospedale Generale Regionale “F. Miulli” - Acquaviva delle Fonti (BA) and Libera Università Mediterranea Degennaro (L.U.M.)- Casamassima (BA)  MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The SING IMT® (Smaller-Incision New-Generation Implantable Miniature Telescope) is a novel, intraocular device for people blinded in the central vision by late-stage, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of unpreventable blindness. It is approved for use in CE referenced countries and under investigation in the United States. Our study evaluated the intermediate-term visual and safety outcomes of the SING IMT in patients (n=35) 55 years and older at 6 months post-surgery and found that SING IMT implantation improved distance and near vision, with an expected impact on the corneal endothelium cell density and manageable safety outcomes. Key findings include:
  • At six months post-surgery, at least 1-, 2-, and 3-line gains in best-corrected distance (BCDVA) were achieved in 97.1 percent, 68.6 percent and 51.4 percent of operated eyes, respectively
  • The percentage of patients able to read at near distance increased from 28.6 percent at baseline to 97.1 percent at six months.
  • The study also found that corrected near visual acuity was also significantly improved by ⁓3 lines at 6 months post-surgery.
  • The mean (SD) change from baseline in corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) at six months in operated eyes was -280.7 (315.9) cells/mm2 (-11.4 %). This is a result similar to that seen with standard cataract surgery.
  • The most frequent adverse event was corneal edema, and all cases were resolved with topical medications.
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Author Interviews, Psychological Science / 16.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Xinyang Yu, PhD Candidate Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience King’s College London MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: This study explores how genetics, brain development, and mental health work together to influence eating behaviours in young people. By analysing data from nearly 1,000 adolescents, we investigated the relationships between eating behaviours, genetic predispositions for high BMI, and changes in brain structure and mental health from ages 14 to 23. The aim was to understand why disordered eating behaviours, such as restrictive dieting or emotional overeating, often emerge alongside mental health issues during adolescence—a time when eating disorders are increasingly common. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cannabis / 15.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Vishal A Shetty, MS, PhD Candidate
Center for Pharmacy and Innovation Outcomes, Geisinger
University of Massachusetts AmherstVishal A ShettyMS, PhD Candidate Center for Pharmacy and Innovation Outcomes, Geisinger University of Massachusetts Amherst MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: With more U.S. states moving toward the legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, recent studies have explored electronic health record (EHR) documentation to understand the nature of cannabis use among patient populations. However, these efforts have not been extended to patient portal messaging, which allows patients to describe health-related behaviors in ways that may not be sufficiently captured in standard EHR documentation. The primary objective of this study was to identify patient and provider secure messages that discussed cannabis and contextualize these discussions over periods prior to and after its legalization for medical purposes in Pennsylvania. (more…)
Author Interviews / 13.01.2025

routine-foot-care.jpg   Foot pain or dry, cracked heels often disrupt comfort and daily routines. Neglecting foot health can lead to discomfort, infections, and long-term issues. These challenges affect mobility and reduce overall well-being, especially without consistent care. Common foot problems often go unnoticed, worsening over time.   Routine foot care by a foot specialist plays a critical role in improving foot health and preventing serious issues. Regular preventive maintenance helps avoid infections, reduces discomfort, and promotes better mobility. It contributes significantly to overall health and ensures long-lasting comfort in daily activities.   This article offers practical insights into routine foot care for maintaining healthy feet. Simple, consistent care practices can prevent common problems and enhance foot health for all individuals. (more…)
Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, Herpes Viruses / 08.01.2025

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Or Shemesh PhD The Harvey M. Krueger Family Center for Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology School of Pharmacy - Institute for Drug Research The Hebrew University of Jerusalem MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Our study investigated the connection between herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathologies. We explored how HSV-1 proteins are present in the brains of individuals with AD and examined their interactions with tau, a key protein in AD pathology. MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response:  The main finding is that tau, traditionally seen as detrimental, might initially act as a protective response to HSV-1 by reducing neuronal death through an antiviral innate immunity pathway called cGAS-STING . Over time, this (initially beneficial) antiviral response of tau can manifest as the well established tau toxicity in Alzheimer's disease. (more…)
Author Interviews, Disability Research, Pediatrics / 08.01.2025

Author Bio: Lorraine Culpo is a dedicated writer with a focus on healthcare, disability advocacy, and family well-being. With a passion for shedding light on the importance of early pediatric support, she aims to empower readers with insights into how comprehensive care can shape brighter futures for children with disabilities. pediatric-care-academic-support.jpg Pediatric care plays an essential role in helping children grow and develop, especially those living with disabilities. Through early support, medical care, and learning resources, pediatric care improves children’s outcomes and builds a foundation for a more inclusive society. Understanding how pediatric care shapes disability support can help families, educators, and healthcare providers create an environment where every child can thrive.

Early Support Changes Lives

Early support services can make a big difference for children with disabilities. When doctors and specialists spot developmental challenges early, children can get help sooner. This early start allows them to build important skills at key stages of growth. For example, speech therapy can help a child with delayed language skills improve their ability to communicate. Physical therapy can help children with motor challenges gain strength and coordination. These interventions work best when they begin as early as possible, which increases the chances that children will meet milestones that lead to more independence. In many cases, NDIS treatment plans for children ensure that the support they receive is tailored to their specific developmental and medical requirements. It provides a structured approach that aligns with their long-term goals. (more…)
Author Interviews / 02.01.2025

Please note: Supplements are generally not FDA tested or approved. Some supplements can interfere with medications and/or cause side effects. Do not delay seeking medical attention for medical concerns by taking supplements without medical advice. Please discuss any and all supplements you take with your health care provider and be sure to follow your provider’s recommendations for your prostate and overall health. Supplements should not be given to children, breast feeding or pregnant women without the specific advice or your medical provider.   Have you ever felt like you’re constantly battling colds or other illnesses? Whether it’s the flu season, allergy season, or just the daily grind, your immune system works hard to keep you healthy. Your immune system is your body’s defense system, protecting you from harmful germs, bacteria, and viruses. A strong immune system helps you recover quickly, while a weak one leaves you feeling run-down. Keeping your immune system strong year-round isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about forming healthy habits and giving your body the support it needs. By making smart choices with your diet, lifestyle, and stress management, you can boost your immune health and feel your best. In this blog, we will share practical ways to support your immune system and stay healthy throughout the year.

Eat a Balanced and Nutrient-Rich Diet

If you want a stronger immune system, start with what’s on your plate. Your body needs vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to fight off illness. Focus on adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to your meals. Foods like citrus fruits, berries, spinach, nuts, and chicken give you key nutrients like vitamins C, D, and E, plus zinc. These help keep your body ready to defend you. Eating a balanced diet doesn’t have to be complicated—stick to simple, whole foods, and your body will thank you.

Support Your Gut Health

A large part of your immune function is located in your digestive tract. When your gut is healthy, your body can better fight off harmful invaders. Probiotics, prebiotics, and supplements that support your gut lining can help maintain a healthy immune system. Using supplements like Mega Mucosa can help support a healthy mucosal barrier, which is essential for strong immune defenses. This supplement contains ingredients that promote microbial diversity and help maintain the gut lining. At places like Lakeland Drug Company, you can find products designed to give your immune system the support it needs. They provide trusted options to help you care for your immune health year-round. (more…)
Author Interviews, Technology / 01.01.2025

advancing field medicine Field medicine has changed greatly over the years. The focus has been on creating faster, more efficient, and easier-to-use healthcare tools. Portable medical systems are especially important because they help provide immediate care during emergencies, natural disasters, and military operations. These advancements are making a big difference in how healthcare professionals handle challenges in remote areas for tactical combat casualty care. Portable systems are improving response times and saving lives. This article looks at some of the key innovations and what they mean for the future.

Why Portable Medical Systems Matter

In emergencies, having portable medical devices can save lives. Lightweight and compact equipment allows healthcare teams to reach places where traditional machines cannot go. These tools ensure that doctors and nurses can deliver care even in remote locations or areas with little infrastructure. Portable ultrasound machines, for instance, help healthcare workers see real-time images of injuries or conditions without needing a hospital setting. In emergency zones, an army medical tent equipped with these devices can serve as a lifesaving center and help provide rapid assessments and care. Similarly, handheld ECG devices let providers monitor heart activity during transport. These tools are not only smaller but also built to last in tough environments. (more…)
Author Interviews, Nutrition, Prostate Cancer / 29.12.2024

By Dr. Dan Sperling M.D., D.A.B.R. Medical Director and Chief of Interventional Uroradiology at the Sperling Prostate Center in Florida Medical Director of its parent practice, the Sperling Medical Group If the name Dr. Dean Ornish rings a bell, it’s probably because over 30 years ago he became the poster boy for preventing heart disease through diet and exercise. His 1990 book, “Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease,” made the NYTimes best seller list. To this day, when we think of Dr. Ornish, we think of a long and heart-healthy life. Although we don’t link Dr. Ornish with prostate health, there’s good reason to do so—but most men don’t know it. In 2008, the National Academy of Sciences published research  by Dr. Ornish and his team in an article titled “Changes in prostate gene expression in men undergoing an intensive nutrition and lifestyle intervention.” They broke new ground in our understanding of preventing prostate cancer (PCa). Dr. Ornish and his team showed that a comprehensive lifestyle program they designed actually caused changes in gene regulation. They designed an experimental lifestyle protocol and tested is on 30 PCa patients; all 30 had been diagnosed with low-risk PCa and were on Active Surveillance (no other treatment). At the start of the 3-month study, each patient’s biopsy samples were used to profile his PCa gene activity. Then all participants adhered faithfully to the following protocol:
  • A vegan (plant-based) diet (with 10% of calories from fat
  • Physical activity (walking 30 minutes a day for 6 days a week)
  • Stress reduction (yoga, progressive relaxation, breathing, meditation)
  • Dietary supplements (vitamins C and E, soy, fish oil, selenium)
  • A weekly support group to provide advice and sustain adherence to the program.
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Author Interviews / 26.12.2024

Chronic illness management has grown easier due to technological developments and inventive treatments. From wearable gadgets to real-time health tracking, technology is changing the way patients receive treatment. These advancements enable people to monitor and control their health proactively from home. As healthcare providers adopt these tools, patient outcomes improve, and the burden on facilities decreases. With a focus on seamless communication, digital health tools foster stronger doctor-patient relationships.  In this article, we will explore how technology is revolutionizing chronic disease management, focusing on its practical applications and benefits. Let’s discuss five key ways technology is driving change. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Lymphoma, Nutrition, University of Pennsylvania / 24.12.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Shan Liu, PhD, Postdoctoral fellow Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Our study provides evidence that the efficacy of CAR T cell immunotherapies can be influenced by an important lifestyle factor: diet.   MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response:  Our study found that a ketogenic diet can enhance CAR T cell function through its metabolite, β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Importantly, instead of altering the diet, providing BHB via oral supplementation in our preclinical model is sufficient to improve the anti-tumor function of CAR T cells. However, it's important to note that we’re still in the early stages, and we’re not yet recommending any dietary changes or supplements for patients. (more…)
Author Interviews, Clots - Coagulation, Environmental Risks / 17.12.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Pamela L Lutsey PhD, MPH Professor, Division of Epidemiology & Community Health University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Air pollution is ubiquitous. In order to understand the impact of exposure on health, it is necessary to look across diverse health conditions. Associations with lung disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are more established. Less is known about the role of air pollution exposure on coagulation and venous thromboembolism (VTE). MedicalResearch.com: Are individuals less ambulatory in heavily polluted areas? The study did not address this question directly. The association did persist across a wide range of subgroups of the sample, including those who were not smokers and who had no evidence of lung disease. (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Exercise - Fitness, Hematology / 16.12.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Janine Joseph, MS, MBA Senior Research Specialist Cancer Prevention & Control Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Buffalo, NY MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Due to improvements in treatments, patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are experiencing longer lifespans and seeking ways to enhance their quality-of-life.  Fatigue, pain and negative psychological states such as anxiety and depression are common in cancer patients, including patients with MM.  Pain is particularly relevant, as MM can cause painful osteolytic (bone) lesions. The trials we discussed at ASH were aimed at evaluating the effect of exercise, specifically supervised resistance training and unsupervised walking exercise, on these and other states, including physical function and immune profile. (more…)
Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, Biomarkers / 11.12.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Alberto J. Espay, MD, MSc, FAAN Professor of Neurology Director and Endowed Chair Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings Response:  Because aducanumab, lecanemab, and donanemab were only in a minority of anti-amyloid treatments showing a benefit, I was interested in finding out what makes them special. It turns out that they not only clean the brain from amyloid, like other monoclonal anti-Aβ antibodies, but they also increase Aβ42 in the spinal fluid, which is a measure of the normal protein in the brain. Everyone with Alzheimer’s has low Aβ42 levels because this protein clumps into amyloid plaques. I tested the hypothesis that increasing Aβ42 could explain the cognitive outcomes at least as well as decreasing amyloid, and that’s exactly what we found. This suggests that restoring the normal protein levels, Aβ42, may explain why some anti-amyloid treatments (presumably those that increased those levels the most) come with benefits. (more…)
Author Interviews, Medical Imaging / 05.12.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Miriam A. Bredella, MD, MBA Bernard and Irene Schwartz Professor of Radiology & Vice Chair for Strategy Associate Dean for Translational Science Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute NYU Grossman School of Medicine NYU Langone Health Translational Research Building 743 New York, NY 10016   MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: We perform >80 million CTs every year in the US, and there is a lot of information on these CTs that is not used and “thrown away.” Opportunistic imaging or opportunistic screening with the help of AI takes advantage of this information and automatically detects and quantifies vascular calcification, bone mineral density, abdominal fat or muscle mass. In our study, we wanted to detect whether calcification of the abdominal aorta, quantified using AI, could predict coronary artery calcification and major cardiovascular events (e.g. myocardial infarction, cardiac revascularization, stroke, or death). (more…)
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, NEJM, NIH, OBGYNE / 05.12.2024

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Diana W. Bianchi, M.D. Senior Investigator Center for Precision Health Research Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institutes of Health MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The ability of prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing to incidentally detect maternal cancers has been demonstrated by several retrospective studies from commercial or national laboratories. However, there are no standardized approaches to the identification and medical management of prenatal screening results that might indicate a maternal cancer. We sought to prospectively identify DNA sequencing patterns and other biomarkers that could distinguish which women with nonreportable or unusual cfDNA sequencing results had cancer and to determine the best approach for diagnostic work-up of pregnant people who receive these results. (more…)