MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Amrut V. Ambardekar, MD
Medical Director Cardiac Transplant Program
Division of Cardiology, Section of Advanced Heart Failure-Transplant Cardiology
University of Colorado
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: As left ventricular assist device (LVAD) technology has improved, the appropriate timing for implant of these devices (essential a form of an artificial heart pump) in patients with advanced heart failure is unknown.
The goal of the MedaMACS study was to describe the prognosis of a group of patients with advanced heart failure who currently do not require intravenous therapies, and determine how they compare to a similar group of patients who received a LVAD.
The main finding from this study is that the “sickest” group of patients with advanced heart failure on oral medical therapy (known as INTERMACS profile 4 patients) have very poor outcomes with a strong trend for improvement in survival with LVAD therapy.
The other take home message is that among all of the patients enrolled in the study on medical therapy, only approximately half were alive after an average of 12 months of follow up without needing a heart transplant or LVAD placement.
Author Interviews, Diabetes, Technology / 04.04.2017
One Drop | Mobile APP Leads To Improved A1c in Diabetes
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Chandra Y. Osborn, PhD, MPH
VP, Health & Behavioral Informatics
One Drop
Informed Data Systems, Inc.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: There are over 1,500 mobile apps for people with diabetes, but minimal evidence on their benefit. The One Drop | Mobile app launched in April 2015. Users manually and automatically track their blood glucose and self-care activities via One Drop's | Chrome glucose meter, other Bluetooth-enabled meters, CGMs or other health apps. Users leverage One Drop’s food library, medication scheduler, automatic activity tracking, educational content, recipes, health tips, user polls, and peer support (‘likes’, stickers, and data sharing), and can set blood glucose, medication, carbohydrate intake, and activity goals, receive data-driven insights to draw connections between their behaviors, goals, and blood glucose readings. They can also self-report and track their hemoglobin A1c (A1c) and weight.
In July 2016, we queried data on ~50,000 people using One Drop | Mobile. In March 2017, we queried data on >160,000 users. Only users who had entered an A1c value when they started using the app, and entered a second A1c at least 60 days apart, but no more than 365 days apart, were included. In July 2016, people with diabetes using One Drop | Mobile reported a nearly 0.7% reduction in A1c during 2-12 months of using One Drop. In March 2017, users reported a 1.0% reduction in A1c for the same timeframe. A more recent diabetes diagnosis and using One Drop to track self-care activities was associated with more A1c improvement.
Author Interviews, Cognitive Issues, Multiple Sclerosis, NYU/NYMC / 01.03.2017
Multiple Sclerosis Patients Show Cognitive Benefit From Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_32556" align="alignleft" width="149"]
Dr. Charvet[/caption]
Leigh E. Charvet, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Department of Neurology
New York University Langone Medical Center
New York, NY
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for transcranial direct current stimulation? What are the main findings of this study in multiple sclerosis patients?
Response: The application of tDCS is a relatively recent therapeutic development that utilizes low amplitude direct currents to induce changes in cortical excitability. When paired with a rehabilitation activity, it may improve learning rates and outcomes.
Multiple repeated sessions are needed for both tDCS and cognitive training sessions to see a benefit. Because it is not feasible to have participants come to clinic daily for treatments, we developed a method to deliver tDCS paired with cognitive training (using computer-based training games) to patients at home. Our protocol uses a telemedicine platform with videoconferencing to assist study participants with all the procedures and to ensure safety and consistency across treatment sessions.
When testing our methods, we enrolled 25 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) completed 10 sessions of tDCS (2.0 mA x 20 minutes, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left anodal) using the remotely-supervised telerehabilitation protocol. This group was compared to n=20 MS participants who completed 10 sessions of cognitive training only (also through remote supervision).
We administered cognitive testing measures at baseline and study end. We found that both the tDCS and cognitive training only group had similar and slight improvements on composites of standard neuropsychological measures and basic attention. However, the tDCS group had a significantly greater gain on computer-based measures of complex attention and on a measure of intra-individual variability in response times.
Dr. Charvet[/caption]
Leigh E. Charvet, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Department of Neurology
New York University Langone Medical Center
New York, NY
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for transcranial direct current stimulation? What are the main findings of this study in multiple sclerosis patients?
Response: The application of tDCS is a relatively recent therapeutic development that utilizes low amplitude direct currents to induce changes in cortical excitability. When paired with a rehabilitation activity, it may improve learning rates and outcomes.
Multiple repeated sessions are needed for both tDCS and cognitive training sessions to see a benefit. Because it is not feasible to have participants come to clinic daily for treatments, we developed a method to deliver tDCS paired with cognitive training (using computer-based training games) to patients at home. Our protocol uses a telemedicine platform with videoconferencing to assist study participants with all the procedures and to ensure safety and consistency across treatment sessions.
When testing our methods, we enrolled 25 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) completed 10 sessions of tDCS (2.0 mA x 20 minutes, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left anodal) using the remotely-supervised telerehabilitation protocol. This group was compared to n=20 MS participants who completed 10 sessions of cognitive training only (also through remote supervision).
We administered cognitive testing measures at baseline and study end. We found that both the tDCS and cognitive training only group had similar and slight improvements on composites of standard neuropsychological measures and basic attention. However, the tDCS group had a significantly greater gain on computer-based measures of complex attention and on a measure of intra-individual variability in response times.
Author Interviews, Heart Disease, JACC, Mayo Clinic, Technology / 27.02.2017
New Recording System Enables Identification of Complex Cardiac Arrhythmias
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_32456" align="alignleft" width="200"] Jay Millerhagen[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Clinical Electrophysiology (JACC CEP) publication entitled, “Novel Electrophysiology Recording System Enables Specific Visualization of the Purkinje Network and Other High-Frequency Signals” reports important findings obtained using BioSig Technologies’ PURE EP System during a series of pre-clinical studies conducted at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. These studies are part of a company-funded Advanced Research Program announced on March 28, 2016. The JACC CEP manuscript provides an excellent example of the PURE EP System’s ability to record challenging high frequency signals known as Purkinje potentials. These signals are of great interest to electrophysiologists when assessing arrhythmia syndromes dependent on the Purkinje network.
Jay Millerhagen[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Clinical Electrophysiology (JACC CEP) publication entitled, “Novel Electrophysiology Recording System Enables Specific Visualization of the Purkinje Network and Other High-Frequency Signals” reports important findings obtained using BioSig Technologies’ PURE EP System during a series of pre-clinical studies conducted at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. These studies are part of a company-funded Advanced Research Program announced on March 28, 2016. The JACC CEP manuscript provides an excellent example of the PURE EP System’s ability to record challenging high frequency signals known as Purkinje potentials. These signals are of great interest to electrophysiologists when assessing arrhythmia syndromes dependent on the Purkinje network.
AHA Journals, Author Interviews, Technology / 23.02.2017
Medtronic Pipeline Embolization Device Found Safe For Smaller Aneurysms
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_32290" align="alignleft" width="120"] Dr. Hanel[/caption]
Ricardo A Hanel, MD PhD
Endovascular and Skull Base Neurosurgery
Director, Baptist Neurological Institute
Endowed Chair, Stroke and Cerebrovascular Surgery
Jacksonville, FL
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Medtronic Pipeline Embolization Device has been approved for carotid artery aneurysms over 10mm in size, from the petrous to clinoid segment but given the efficacy of results on these larger lesions, it has been widely utilized for treatment of smaller lesions. PREMIER came from the need of assessing the results , safety and efficacy, of pipeline for use of aneurysms under 12mm, located on the carotid artery, all segments, and V3 segment of the vertebral artery.
PREMIER enrolled 141 patients treated at 22 centers (21 US, 1 Canada). Primary Safety effectiveness defined as total aneurysm occlusion, core lab adjudicated , at 1 year was 83.5%; with safety endpoint of major stroke/death at 30 days of 1.4% (2 patients), with 1-year major stroke and death rate of 2.1%.
Dr. Hanel[/caption]
Ricardo A Hanel, MD PhD
Endovascular and Skull Base Neurosurgery
Director, Baptist Neurological Institute
Endowed Chair, Stroke and Cerebrovascular Surgery
Jacksonville, FL
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Medtronic Pipeline Embolization Device has been approved for carotid artery aneurysms over 10mm in size, from the petrous to clinoid segment but given the efficacy of results on these larger lesions, it has been widely utilized for treatment of smaller lesions. PREMIER came from the need of assessing the results , safety and efficacy, of pipeline for use of aneurysms under 12mm, located on the carotid artery, all segments, and V3 segment of the vertebral artery.
PREMIER enrolled 141 patients treated at 22 centers (21 US, 1 Canada). Primary Safety effectiveness defined as total aneurysm occlusion, core lab adjudicated , at 1 year was 83.5%; with safety endpoint of major stroke/death at 30 days of 1.4% (2 patients), with 1-year major stroke and death rate of 2.1%.
Author Interviews, Sexual Health, Technology / 16.02.2017
Radiofrequency Therapy For The Treatment Of Vaginal Laxity
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_32094" align="alignleft" width="160"] Dr. Michael Krychman[/caption]
Dr. Krychman is Executive Director, President, and CEO of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, Irvine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a Member of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) and a Certified Sexual Counselor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). He served as a member of the Standards Committee for the International Society for Sexual Medicine during their 2016 International Consensus Meeting.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this technology and study? What are the main findings?
Response: Viveve Medical, Inc. is a women's health and wellness company committed to advancing new solutions to improve women's overall well-being and quality of life. The internationally patented Viveve® technology and the GENEVEVE™ treatment, incorporates clinically-proven, cryogen-cooled monopolar radiofrequency (CMRF) energy to uniformly deliver non-ablative, deep penetrating volumetric heat into the submucosal layer of the vaginal introitus (opening) while gently cooling surface tissue to generate robust neocollagenesis. One 30-minute in-office session tightens and restores the tissue around the vaginal introitus addressing the common medical condition of vaginal laxity and can improve a woman’s sexual function.
VIVEVE I is a landmark study. Results of the VIVEVE I clinical study, "Effect of Single-Treatment, Surface-Cooled Radiofrequency Therapy on Vaginal Laxity and Female Sexual Function: The VIVEVE I Randomized Controlled Trial," were recently published in the February 2017 issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM) under the Female Sexual Function category. Some of my high-level thoughts to reiterate from this study are:
It is the first-ever large, randomized, sham-controlled study to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of energy-based procedures in gynecological applications, including vaginal laxity, which is a significant medical condition affecting millions of women worldwide that may lead to a reduction in sexual function.
The primary endpoint of the VIVEVE I study was a comparison of the proportion of women reporting no vaginal laxity in the treatment group versus the sham group at 6 months post-treatment.
Subjects receiving the active treatment were three times more likely to report no vaginal laxity at six months versus the sham group (p-value = 0.006).
Statistically significant and sustained improvement in sexual function (baseline FSFI total score ≤26.5) after a single treatment, with an adjusted mean difference in the active group vs sham group of 3.2 at 6 months (p-value = 0.009). "Placebo Effect" in the sham group did not rise above dysfunctional (FSFI ≤26.5) and diminished at 6 months.
Statistically significant improvement in sexual function was achieved in 93% of subjects in the active group vs the sham group in two individual key domains of FSFI (p-value = 0.007).
Bottom line: Geneveve is a safe effective treatment that can be performed as an outpatient in one 30-minute visit to improve sexual function as it has been affected by vaginal laxity.
Dr. Michael Krychman[/caption]
Dr. Krychman is Executive Director, President, and CEO of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, Irvine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is a Member of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) and a Certified Sexual Counselor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). He served as a member of the Standards Committee for the International Society for Sexual Medicine during their 2016 International Consensus Meeting.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this technology and study? What are the main findings?
Response: Viveve Medical, Inc. is a women's health and wellness company committed to advancing new solutions to improve women's overall well-being and quality of life. The internationally patented Viveve® technology and the GENEVEVE™ treatment, incorporates clinically-proven, cryogen-cooled monopolar radiofrequency (CMRF) energy to uniformly deliver non-ablative, deep penetrating volumetric heat into the submucosal layer of the vaginal introitus (opening) while gently cooling surface tissue to generate robust neocollagenesis. One 30-minute in-office session tightens and restores the tissue around the vaginal introitus addressing the common medical condition of vaginal laxity and can improve a woman’s sexual function.
VIVEVE I is a landmark study. Results of the VIVEVE I clinical study, "Effect of Single-Treatment, Surface-Cooled Radiofrequency Therapy on Vaginal Laxity and Female Sexual Function: The VIVEVE I Randomized Controlled Trial," were recently published in the February 2017 issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM) under the Female Sexual Function category. Some of my high-level thoughts to reiterate from this study are:
It is the first-ever large, randomized, sham-controlled study to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of energy-based procedures in gynecological applications, including vaginal laxity, which is a significant medical condition affecting millions of women worldwide that may lead to a reduction in sexual function.
The primary endpoint of the VIVEVE I study was a comparison of the proportion of women reporting no vaginal laxity in the treatment group versus the sham group at 6 months post-treatment.
Subjects receiving the active treatment were three times more likely to report no vaginal laxity at six months versus the sham group (p-value = 0.006).
Statistically significant and sustained improvement in sexual function (baseline FSFI total score ≤26.5) after a single treatment, with an adjusted mean difference in the active group vs sham group of 3.2 at 6 months (p-value = 0.009). "Placebo Effect" in the sham group did not rise above dysfunctional (FSFI ≤26.5) and diminished at 6 months.
Statistically significant improvement in sexual function was achieved in 93% of subjects in the active group vs the sham group in two individual key domains of FSFI (p-value = 0.007).
Bottom line: Geneveve is a safe effective treatment that can be performed as an outpatient in one 30-minute visit to improve sexual function as it has been affected by vaginal laxity.
Author Interviews, Psychological Science, Technology / 09.02.2017
We Spend More Time on Facebook Than We Think
[caption id="attachment_31888" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dr Dinkar Sharma and Dr. Lazaros Gonidis[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Lazaros Gonidis PhD candidate
Postgraduate Researcher
University of Kent
MedicalResearch.com: In general, why do we tend to underestimate time when we are distracted versus when we are doing something boring? Is the adage that “time flies when you’re having fun” true?
Response: In order to be accurate at time “keeping” we need to attend to it. Anything that distracts us makes us less accurate, and to be more specific, it makes us underestimate the duration of events. In simple terms when we experience an event that last 10 minutes a distraction could make it feel like 5 minutes. On the other hand when we are bored, let’s say during a non-interesting event, we tend to focus more on time keeping looking forward for the event to finish. In this case we would overestimate the event and 10 minutes could feel like 15 minutes.
Dr Dinkar Sharma and Dr. Lazaros Gonidis[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Lazaros Gonidis PhD candidate
Postgraduate Researcher
University of Kent
MedicalResearch.com: In general, why do we tend to underestimate time when we are distracted versus when we are doing something boring? Is the adage that “time flies when you’re having fun” true?
Response: In order to be accurate at time “keeping” we need to attend to it. Anything that distracts us makes us less accurate, and to be more specific, it makes us underestimate the duration of events. In simple terms when we experience an event that last 10 minutes a distraction could make it feel like 5 minutes. On the other hand when we are bored, let’s say during a non-interesting event, we tend to focus more on time keeping looking forward for the event to finish. In this case we would overestimate the event and 10 minutes could feel like 15 minutes.
Author Interviews, Cancer Research, Technology / 01.02.2017
Simulating Tumour Growth and Angiogenic Response Towards Improving Delivery of Cancer Therapies
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_31687" align="alignleft" width="186"] Vasileios Vavourakis[/caption]
Vasileios Vavourakis
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow
Centre for Medical Image Computing
Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering
Front Engineering Building, Malet Place
University College London
WC1E 6BT, London, UK
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: It is already known that chemical factors play an important role in pathological angiogenesis, the process whereby cancer induces the formation of new blood vessels to provide it with nutrients. However, there is little knowledge about how mechanical forces induced by tumour growth affect the development and functionality of this pathological vasculature. By developing a mathematical & computational model – also referred in the research community as in-silico model – of the physical and chemical interactions occurring during angiogenic cancerous growth, we aimed to provide insights about how mechanical forces influence cancer-induced angiogenesis. The most important finding of our study is that mechanical forces play a key role in solid tumour-induced angiogenesis.
Vasileios Vavourakis[/caption]
Vasileios Vavourakis
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow
Centre for Medical Image Computing
Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering
Front Engineering Building, Malet Place
University College London
WC1E 6BT, London, UK
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: It is already known that chemical factors play an important role in pathological angiogenesis, the process whereby cancer induces the formation of new blood vessels to provide it with nutrients. However, there is little knowledge about how mechanical forces induced by tumour growth affect the development and functionality of this pathological vasculature. By developing a mathematical & computational model – also referred in the research community as in-silico model – of the physical and chemical interactions occurring during angiogenic cancerous growth, we aimed to provide insights about how mechanical forces influence cancer-induced angiogenesis. The most important finding of our study is that mechanical forces play a key role in solid tumour-induced angiogenesis.
Author Interviews, Technology, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K / 17.01.2017
Screening Tears, Not Blood, For Vitamin Deficiencies
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_31318" align="alignleft" width="130"] Dr. Adrienne Minerick[/caption]
Adrienne R. Minerick, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research & Innovation, College of Engineering
Assistant to the Provost for Faculty Development
Professor, Chemical Engineering
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI 49931
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: With seed funding from the Gerber Foundation, we asked two scientific questions.
1. Are vitamins present in tears and could we reliably detect them?
2. Do the vitamin levels in tears correlate with the vitamin levels in blood?
This research, conducted by recent PhD graduate Maryam Khaksari, illustrated that vitamins are present in tears. The majority of the essential vitamins are water soluble, which were present in tears in higher concentration than fat soluble vitamins. Given that tears are 98% water, this result wasn’t surprising. This study developed up protocols to reliably detect both water and fat soluble vitamins. The limits of detection and limits of quantification did vary by vitamin, so there is ample room to improve this technique.
The second question was answered by a small clinical trial with UP Health: Portage Hospital’s Pediatric Clinic. During the 4-month well-baby check-up, willing parents and their infant each donated both a blood sample and a tear sample. Vitamin concentrations were determined in the samples and correlations quantified. Fat soluble vitamin K showed the strongest concentration correlation between blood and tears. The strength of additional vitamin correlations were noted. These early-stage results demonstrate that vitamin screening from a single drop of tears (35uL or microliters) is feasible – with additional refinement.
Dr. Adrienne Minerick[/caption]
Adrienne R. Minerick, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research & Innovation, College of Engineering
Assistant to the Provost for Faculty Development
Professor, Chemical Engineering
Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI 49931
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: With seed funding from the Gerber Foundation, we asked two scientific questions.
1. Are vitamins present in tears and could we reliably detect them?
2. Do the vitamin levels in tears correlate with the vitamin levels in blood?
This research, conducted by recent PhD graduate Maryam Khaksari, illustrated that vitamins are present in tears. The majority of the essential vitamins are water soluble, which were present in tears in higher concentration than fat soluble vitamins. Given that tears are 98% water, this result wasn’t surprising. This study developed up protocols to reliably detect both water and fat soluble vitamins. The limits of detection and limits of quantification did vary by vitamin, so there is ample room to improve this technique.
The second question was answered by a small clinical trial with UP Health: Portage Hospital’s Pediatric Clinic. During the 4-month well-baby check-up, willing parents and their infant each donated both a blood sample and a tear sample. Vitamin concentrations were determined in the samples and correlations quantified. Fat soluble vitamin K showed the strongest concentration correlation between blood and tears. The strength of additional vitamin correlations were noted. These early-stage results demonstrate that vitamin screening from a single drop of tears (35uL or microliters) is feasible – with additional refinement.
Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Compliance, Gastrointestinal Disease, Pharmacology, Technology / 18.11.2016
New Capsule Can Reside in Stomach and Deliver Drugs for Several Weeks After Single Ingestion
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_29758" align="alignleft" width="143"] Dr. Traverso[/caption]
C. Giovanni Traverso, MB, BChir, PhD
Gastroenterologist and biomedical engineer
Division of Gastroenterology at BWH
Instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We developed a drug delivery system capable of safely residing in the stomach for 2 weeks. Furthermore we demonstrated the capacity of the novel dosage form, in the shape of a star, to protect the drug from the acidic stomach environment and also slowly release drug over the course of 14 days.
We applied this new technology towards efforts targeting the elimination of malaria. Specifically, we focused on a drug called ivermectin that has been used to treat parasites but also has the benefit of being toxic to malaria-carrying mosquitos when they bite someone who has ivermectin in their system.
Dr. Traverso[/caption]
C. Giovanni Traverso, MB, BChir, PhD
Gastroenterologist and biomedical engineer
Division of Gastroenterology at BWH
Instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: We developed a drug delivery system capable of safely residing in the stomach for 2 weeks. Furthermore we demonstrated the capacity of the novel dosage form, in the shape of a star, to protect the drug from the acidic stomach environment and also slowly release drug over the course of 14 days.
We applied this new technology towards efforts targeting the elimination of malaria. Specifically, we focused on a drug called ivermectin that has been used to treat parasites but also has the benefit of being toxic to malaria-carrying mosquitos when they bite someone who has ivermectin in their system.
Author Interviews, Personalized Medicine, Technology / 16.11.2016
Supermagnetized Crystals May Deliver Precision Drugs Directly To Medical Targets
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Kezheng Chen
Lab of Functional and Biomedical Nanomaterials
College of Materials Science and Engineering
Qingdao University of Science and Technology
Qingdao China
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: From a view point of practical applications, superparamagnetism is usually highly desirable, because it can prevent the magnetic particles from irreversible aggregation and ensure an excellent dispersity once the applied magnetic field is removed.
Up to now, the largest size of reported superparamagnetic clusters is around several hundreds of nanometers, which are composed of numerous nanocrystals, and hence exhibiting polycrystalline nature. In this sense, how to realize well pronounced superparamagnetism in large-size single crystals is of great interest to the general public.
Author Interviews, JAMA, Pediatrics, Sleep Disorders, Technology / 01.11.2016
Study Recommends Children Avoid Mobile Screens Before Bedtime
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_29335" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Ben Carter[/caption]
Dr Ben Carter PhD
Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics
Statistics Editor for the Cochrane Skin Group
(Honorary Associate Professor, Nottingham University)
Institute of Primary Care and Public Health
Cardiff University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This study leads from the growing use of mobile and media device use in children. We report the impact of devices leads to poorer sleep outcomes.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Using or even merely access to your mobile and media device should be restricted 90 minutes prior to bedtime.
Dr. Ben Carter[/caption]
Dr Ben Carter PhD
Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics
Statistics Editor for the Cochrane Skin Group
(Honorary Associate Professor, Nottingham University)
Institute of Primary Care and Public Health
Cardiff University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This study leads from the growing use of mobile and media device use in children. We report the impact of devices leads to poorer sleep outcomes.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Using or even merely access to your mobile and media device should be restricted 90 minutes prior to bedtime.
Author Interviews, Electronic Records, JAMA, NYU/NYMC, Technology / 07.10.2016
Machine Learning and Free-Text Analysis of Notes Improves Patient Identification
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_28567" align="alignleft" width="144"] Dr. Saul Blecker,[/caption]
Saul Blecker, MD, MHS
Department of Population Health
New York University Langone School of Medicine,
New York, NY 10016
Saul.Blecker@nyumc.org
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The identification of conditions or diseases in the electronic health record (EHR) is critical in clinical practice, for quality improvement, and for clinical interventions. Today, a disease such as heart failure is typically identified in real-time using a “problem list”, i.e., a list of conditions for each patient that is maintained by his or her providers, or using simple rules drawn from structured data. In this study, we examined the comparative benefit of using more sophisticated approaches for identifying hospitalized patients with heart failure.
Dr. Saul Blecker,[/caption]
Saul Blecker, MD, MHS
Department of Population Health
New York University Langone School of Medicine,
New York, NY 10016
Saul.Blecker@nyumc.org
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The identification of conditions or diseases in the electronic health record (EHR) is critical in clinical practice, for quality improvement, and for clinical interventions. Today, a disease such as heart failure is typically identified in real-time using a “problem list”, i.e., a list of conditions for each patient that is maintained by his or her providers, or using simple rules drawn from structured data. In this study, we examined the comparative benefit of using more sophisticated approaches for identifying hospitalized patients with heart failure.
Author Interviews, Brain Cancer - Brain Tumors, Case Western, MRI, Radiology, Technology / 19.09.2016
Computer Bests Neuroradiologists in Distinguishing Tumor Recurrence From Radiation Necrosis
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_28107" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Pallavi Tiwari[/caption]
Dr. Pallavi Tiwari PhD
Assistant Professor biomedical engineering
Case Western Reserve University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: One of the biggest challenges in neuro-oncology currently is distinguishing radionecrosis, a side-effect of aggressive radiation, from tumor recurrence on imaging. Surgical intervention is the only means of definitive diagnosis, but suffers from considerable morbidity and mortality. The treatments for radionecrosis and cancer recurrence are very different. Early identification of the two conditions can help speed prognosis, therapy, and improve patient outcomes.
The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the role of machine learning algorithms along with computer extracted texture features, also known as radiomic features, in distinguishing radionecrosis and tumor recurrence on routine MRI scans (T1w, T2w, FLAIR). The radiomic algorithms were trained on 43 studies from our local collaborating institution - University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and tested on 15 studies at a collaborating institution, University of Texas Southwest Medical Center. We further compared the performance of the radiomic techniques with two expert readers.
Our results demonstrated that radiomic features can identify subtle differences in quantitative measurements of tumor heterogeneity on routine MRIs, that are not visually appreciable to human readers. Of the 15 test studies, the radiomics algorithm could identify 12 of 15 correctly, while expert 1 could identify 7 of 15, and expert 2, 8 of 15.
Dr. Pallavi Tiwari[/caption]
Dr. Pallavi Tiwari PhD
Assistant Professor biomedical engineering
Case Western Reserve University
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: One of the biggest challenges in neuro-oncology currently is distinguishing radionecrosis, a side-effect of aggressive radiation, from tumor recurrence on imaging. Surgical intervention is the only means of definitive diagnosis, but suffers from considerable morbidity and mortality. The treatments for radionecrosis and cancer recurrence are very different. Early identification of the two conditions can help speed prognosis, therapy, and improve patient outcomes.
The purpose of this feasibility study was to evaluate the role of machine learning algorithms along with computer extracted texture features, also known as radiomic features, in distinguishing radionecrosis and tumor recurrence on routine MRI scans (T1w, T2w, FLAIR). The radiomic algorithms were trained on 43 studies from our local collaborating institution - University Hospitals Case Medical Center, and tested on 15 studies at a collaborating institution, University of Texas Southwest Medical Center. We further compared the performance of the radiomic techniques with two expert readers.
Our results demonstrated that radiomic features can identify subtle differences in quantitative measurements of tumor heterogeneity on routine MRIs, that are not visually appreciable to human readers. Of the 15 test studies, the radiomics algorithm could identify 12 of 15 correctly, while expert 1 could identify 7 of 15, and expert 2, 8 of 15.
Author Interviews, Frailty, Geriatrics, Lancet, Technology / 19.09.2016
Addition of Virtual Reality To Treadmill Training Reduced Falls in Older Adults
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_28141" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Anat Mirelman[/caption]
Anat Mirelman, PhD
Director- Laboratory of Early Markers of Neurodegeneration (LEMON)
Center for the study of Movement , Cognition and Mobility (CMCM)
Department of Neurology
Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The main aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of using a motor cognitive training using virtual reality in reducing fall frequency and fall risk in older adults.
Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. The prevalence of falls is huge, with one out of every 3 adults aged 65 years or older will fall at least once per year, with approximately half of these fallers suffering multiple falls in this period . These statistics are even higher in neurodegenerative conditions such as in Parkinson’s disease and in people with cognitive impairments. For example, studies have shown that as much as 80% of people with Parkinson’s disease fall each year. So many older adults are falling.
The consequences of falls are huge.
The most dramatic result is hip fracture. But this is relatively rare. However, even in the absence of a fracture or other injury, falls often lead to fear of falling, social isolation, and depression, which in turn often leads to inactivity, muscle weakness, impaired balance and gait, more falls, more social isolation. In other words, falls often start a vicious cycle, which has many important negative health consequences. Falls are associated with morbidity and mortality and they also have a huge economic impact. In many western countries, 1-2% of healthcare dollars are spent on falls.
For many years, age-associated changes in muscle strength, balance and gait were viewed as the key factors that contribute to the risk of falls. However, more recently, we and others showed that certain aspects of cognition are also critical to safe ambulation. For example people with AD often fall, almost to the same amount as people with PD, highlighting the cognitive component of falls. This makes sense intuitively if we Imagine the cognitive skills we need just to cross a busy intersection. These tasks require executive function, specially, planning, the ability to avoid obstacles, and the ability to perform two or more tasks at the same time.
Dr. Anat Mirelman[/caption]
Anat Mirelman, PhD
Director- Laboratory of Early Markers of Neurodegeneration (LEMON)
Center for the study of Movement , Cognition and Mobility (CMCM)
Department of Neurology
Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center
Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The main aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of using a motor cognitive training using virtual reality in reducing fall frequency and fall risk in older adults.
Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. The prevalence of falls is huge, with one out of every 3 adults aged 65 years or older will fall at least once per year, with approximately half of these fallers suffering multiple falls in this period . These statistics are even higher in neurodegenerative conditions such as in Parkinson’s disease and in people with cognitive impairments. For example, studies have shown that as much as 80% of people with Parkinson’s disease fall each year. So many older adults are falling.
The consequences of falls are huge.
The most dramatic result is hip fracture. But this is relatively rare. However, even in the absence of a fracture or other injury, falls often lead to fear of falling, social isolation, and depression, which in turn often leads to inactivity, muscle weakness, impaired balance and gait, more falls, more social isolation. In other words, falls often start a vicious cycle, which has many important negative health consequences. Falls are associated with morbidity and mortality and they also have a huge economic impact. In many western countries, 1-2% of healthcare dollars are spent on falls.
For many years, age-associated changes in muscle strength, balance and gait were viewed as the key factors that contribute to the risk of falls. However, more recently, we and others showed that certain aspects of cognition are also critical to safe ambulation. For example people with AD often fall, almost to the same amount as people with PD, highlighting the cognitive component of falls. This makes sense intuitively if we Imagine the cognitive skills we need just to cross a busy intersection. These tasks require executive function, specially, planning, the ability to avoid obstacles, and the ability to perform two or more tasks at the same time.
Author Interviews, Education, Pediatrics, Technology / 14.09.2016
Playing Video Games By Children May Be Helpful In Moderation
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_27906" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Jesus Pujol[/caption]
Jesus Pujol, MD
Director of the MRI Research Unit.
Department of Radiology. Hospital del Mar
Barcelona
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The pros and cons of video gaming in children have been extensively debated. There are relevant amounts of data indicating both the positive and negative effects of video games. Nevertheless, a key question for many parents remains unanswered: How long should children play? To provide some clarity, we have investigated the relationship between weekly video game use and certain cognitive abilities and conduct-related problems.
Dr. Jesus Pujol[/caption]
Jesus Pujol, MD
Director of the MRI Research Unit.
Department of Radiology. Hospital del Mar
Barcelona
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The pros and cons of video gaming in children have been extensively debated. There are relevant amounts of data indicating both the positive and negative effects of video games. Nevertheless, a key question for many parents remains unanswered: How long should children play? To provide some clarity, we have investigated the relationship between weekly video game use and certain cognitive abilities and conduct-related problems.
Author Interviews, Technology, Weight Research / 18.08.2016
Vagal Nerve Blocking (vBloc) for the Treatment of Obesity Demonstrates Meaningful Weight Loss
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_27115" align="alignleft" width="145"] Dr. Katherine Tweden[/caption]
Katherine Tweden Ph.D.
Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory
EnteroMedics® Inc
St. Paul, Minnesota 55113
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This report summarizes 2 year outcomes of the pivotal study that evaluated the safety and efficacy of EnteroMedics’ vagal blockade (vBloc Therapy) delivered by our Maestro Rechargeable System neuromodulation device for the treatment of obesity. The study demonstrates that the device continues to have a promising safety profile and that the weight loss achieved through 2 years is clinically meaningful as shown by the positive impact of vBloc Therapy on participant’s co-morbid conditions, quality of life, and eating behaviors.
Specifically, the study showed 21% excess weight loss and approximately 50% reduction in pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome for those participants who presented with the syndrome at baseline.
In addition, cardiovascular parameters improved in those at risk with approximately 10 mmHg drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to baseline in participants with elevated blood pressure and 16 and 46 mg/dL drop in LDL and triglycerides, respectively, in participants with elevated lipids compared to baseline. In addition, metabolic parameters improved with a reduction in hemoglobin A1c of 0.3 percentage points. Participants’ quality of life improved by 20 units compared to baseline and their control over their eating behavior, such as hunger and the ability to control the amount they eat, was significantly improved by approximately 50% compared to baseline.
Dr. Katherine Tweden[/caption]
Katherine Tweden Ph.D.
Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory
EnteroMedics® Inc
St. Paul, Minnesota 55113
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This report summarizes 2 year outcomes of the pivotal study that evaluated the safety and efficacy of EnteroMedics’ vagal blockade (vBloc Therapy) delivered by our Maestro Rechargeable System neuromodulation device for the treatment of obesity. The study demonstrates that the device continues to have a promising safety profile and that the weight loss achieved through 2 years is clinically meaningful as shown by the positive impact of vBloc Therapy on participant’s co-morbid conditions, quality of life, and eating behaviors.
Specifically, the study showed 21% excess weight loss and approximately 50% reduction in pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome for those participants who presented with the syndrome at baseline.
In addition, cardiovascular parameters improved in those at risk with approximately 10 mmHg drop in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to baseline in participants with elevated blood pressure and 16 and 46 mg/dL drop in LDL and triglycerides, respectively, in participants with elevated lipids compared to baseline. In addition, metabolic parameters improved with a reduction in hemoglobin A1c of 0.3 percentage points. Participants’ quality of life improved by 20 units compared to baseline and their control over their eating behavior, such as hunger and the ability to control the amount they eat, was significantly improved by approximately 50% compared to baseline.
Author Interviews, Heart Disease, Technology / 16.08.2016
Absorbable Scaffold May Replace Metal Stents For Some Coronary Artery Procedures
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_27013" align="alignleft" width="143"] Dr. Theodore Schreiber[/caption]
Dr. Theodore L. Schreiber MD
President of the Detroit Medical Center Heart Hospital and DMC Cardiovascular Institute.
Doctor Schreiber is involved in ongoing research in carotid artery stenting, has been the principal or co-principal investigator on numerous cardiovascular research studies and has written dozens of book chapters, articles and abstracts on interventional cardiology.
Abbott announced July 5, 2016 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the company's Absorb bioresorbable heart stent,
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this stent? What are the main advantages?
Response: The Absorb™ bioresorbable vascular scaffold is an advance in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which affects 15 million people in the United States and remains a leading cause of death worldwide despite decades of therapeutic advances. For this reason, DMC Heart Hospital, which serves a population at high risk of cardiovascular disease, was among the first in the state of Michigan to adopt this new stent.
While stents are traditionally made of metal, the Absorb™ stent is made of a naturally dissolving material, similar to dissolving sutures. Absorb™ disappears (except for two pairs of tiny metallic markers that remain in the artery to enable a physician to see where the device was placed) in about three years, after it has done its job of keeping a clogged artery open and promoting healing of the treated artery segment. By contrast, metal stents are permanent implants.
Dr. Theodore Schreiber[/caption]
Dr. Theodore L. Schreiber MD
President of the Detroit Medical Center Heart Hospital and DMC Cardiovascular Institute.
Doctor Schreiber is involved in ongoing research in carotid artery stenting, has been the principal or co-principal investigator on numerous cardiovascular research studies and has written dozens of book chapters, articles and abstracts on interventional cardiology.
Abbott announced July 5, 2016 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the company's Absorb bioresorbable heart stent,
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this stent? What are the main advantages?
Response: The Absorb™ bioresorbable vascular scaffold is an advance in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which affects 15 million people in the United States and remains a leading cause of death worldwide despite decades of therapeutic advances. For this reason, DMC Heart Hospital, which serves a population at high risk of cardiovascular disease, was among the first in the state of Michigan to adopt this new stent.
While stents are traditionally made of metal, the Absorb™ stent is made of a naturally dissolving material, similar to dissolving sutures. Absorb™ disappears (except for two pairs of tiny metallic markers that remain in the artery to enable a physician to see where the device was placed) in about three years, after it has done its job of keeping a clogged artery open and promoting healing of the treated artery segment. By contrast, metal stents are permanent implants.
Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Dermatology, Science, Technology / 28.07.2016
‘Cold Lasers’ May Stimulate Platelets in Thrombocytopenia
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_26574" align="alignleft" width="138"] Dr. Mei Wu[/caption]
Mei X. Wu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Wellman Center for Photomedicine
Massachusetts General Hospital
Dermatology Department
Harvard Medical School
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: An abnormally low count of platelets, a disorder called thrombocytopenia, is life-threatening owing to a high risk of uncontrollable bleeding. The disorder can be caused by a variety of conditions like trauma, an autoimmune disorder that attacks platelets, side-effects of some drugs especially chemotherapeutic drugs, and in premature newborns and patients with HIV-infection or a genetic defect leading to insufficient platelet generation. Platelet transfusion is the most effective modality to treat the disorder, but it is associated with complications including allergic reaction, fever, infection, and immunosuppression and limited only to the most severe patients. Several FDA-approved drugs are currently used in the clinics or clinical trials to increase platelet levels, which however must be carefully dosed to avoid excessive platelet production that is also dangerous and are not suitable to many forms of thrombocytopenia.
Dr. Mei Wu[/caption]
Mei X. Wu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Wellman Center for Photomedicine
Massachusetts General Hospital
Dermatology Department
Harvard Medical School
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: An abnormally low count of platelets, a disorder called thrombocytopenia, is life-threatening owing to a high risk of uncontrollable bleeding. The disorder can be caused by a variety of conditions like trauma, an autoimmune disorder that attacks platelets, side-effects of some drugs especially chemotherapeutic drugs, and in premature newborns and patients with HIV-infection or a genetic defect leading to insufficient platelet generation. Platelet transfusion is the most effective modality to treat the disorder, but it is associated with complications including allergic reaction, fever, infection, and immunosuppression and limited only to the most severe patients. Several FDA-approved drugs are currently used in the clinics or clinical trials to increase platelet levels, which however must be carefully dosed to avoid excessive platelet production that is also dangerous and are not suitable to many forms of thrombocytopenia.
Author Interviews, Orthopedics, Science, Technology / 21.07.2016
Titanium-Gold Compound May Extend LIfe of Joint Implants
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_26353" align="alignleft" width="191"] Dr. Emilia Morosan[/caption]
Emilia Morosan PhD, Professor
Rice University
Physics and Astronomy
Houston TX 77005
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Morosan: My group works mainly on searching for compounds with magnetic properties. The first step in the characterization of such compounds is powder X-ray diffraction, which requires grinding the samples to fine powder. When we discovered such a compound based on (titanium) Ti and (gold) Au, we were unable to grind it because of its apparent hardness. This prompted the hardness measurement on the magnetic compound (with equal amounts of Ti and Au) and also on other mixtures of the two metals. The main result of this study was that the particular compound beta-Ti3Au was the hardest among all Ti-Au mixture in our study and compared to previous hardness measurements on these binary alloys. Most remarkable was the four-fold increase in hardens in beta-Ti3Au over Ti, or most other biocompatible engineering alloys. Furthermore, beta-Ti3Au also has higher wear resistance, meaning its durability extends beyond that of other alloys.
Dr. Emilia Morosan[/caption]
Emilia Morosan PhD, Professor
Rice University
Physics and Astronomy
Houston TX 77005
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Morosan: My group works mainly on searching for compounds with magnetic properties. The first step in the characterization of such compounds is powder X-ray diffraction, which requires grinding the samples to fine powder. When we discovered such a compound based on (titanium) Ti and (gold) Au, we were unable to grind it because of its apparent hardness. This prompted the hardness measurement on the magnetic compound (with equal amounts of Ti and Au) and also on other mixtures of the two metals. The main result of this study was that the particular compound beta-Ti3Au was the hardest among all Ti-Au mixture in our study and compared to previous hardness measurements on these binary alloys. Most remarkable was the four-fold increase in hardens in beta-Ti3Au over Ti, or most other biocompatible engineering alloys. Furthermore, beta-Ti3Au also has higher wear resistance, meaning its durability extends beyond that of other alloys.
Author Interviews, Dermatology, Infections, Technology / 19.07.2016
Lunula Laser for the Treatment of Fungal Nails
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Kerry Zang
Founder of the Arizona Institute of Footcare and
Dr. Robert Sullivan
Clinical Director, Midleton Foot Clinic
MedicalResearch.com Editor's note: Dr. Zang and Dr. Sullivan discuss the recent announcement of FDA approval of the Lunula Laser for the treatment of Onychomycosis.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this new technology?
Response: “For two decades, Erchonia Corporation studied the clinical utility of low-level laser devices for the treatment of numerous medical ailments. Dr. Sullivan and I worked with Erchonia on the Lunula laser to revolutionize the way the medical community treats onychomycosis. Lunula underwent four independent clinical investigations for the treatment of onychomycosis. More than 500 subjects participated with increasingly effective results and each completed without a single adverse event.”
- Dr. Kerry Zang
Response: “There has never been a non-pharmaceutical treatment for onychomycosis. When I became aware that there was a small study completed by Dr. Zang, I became interested in the potential of this new technology. Erchonia was very helpful in bringing me up to speed with what this technology may do. The results of my extended study were unbelievable.”
-Robert Sullivan
Author Interviews, Education, Pediatrics, Technology / 18.07.2016
Toddlers Can Understand and Learn From Interactive Facetime
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_26208" align="alignleft" width="150"] Dr. Lauren Myers[/caption]
Lauren J. Myers, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Psychology Department
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Many families with young children use video chat to connect with family and friends--but what do children understand about the on-screen people and content of these interactions? The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for kids under 2 years because children who watch a lot of media often have poor language skills, and they miss out on other activities that would be more developmentally appropriate. However, in this study we wondered whether there is a difference between putting a baby in front of a television and having an interactive exchange via video chat.
Dr. Lauren Myers[/caption]
Lauren J. Myers, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Psychology Department
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Many families with young children use video chat to connect with family and friends--but what do children understand about the on-screen people and content of these interactions? The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages screen time for kids under 2 years because children who watch a lot of media often have poor language skills, and they miss out on other activities that would be more developmentally appropriate. However, in this study we wondered whether there is a difference between putting a baby in front of a television and having an interactive exchange via video chat.
Author Interviews, JAMA / 01.07.2016
Some Over-the-Counter Nasal Strips and Clips Found To Be Effective Dilators
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Christopher Badger, MS3
PRIME-LC
UC Irvine School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: Which over-the-counter mechanical nasal dilators are effective at relieving nasal valve obstruction?
Response: In this systemic review, 33 over-the-counter mechanical nasal dilators were identified and classified by mechanism. Ten peer reviewed articles identified six effective devices.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: External nasal dilators and nasal clips may be an effective treatment for the relief of nasal valve obstruction.
Author Interviews, Melanoma, Technology / 21.06.2016
OCT Technology Improves Diagnosis of Skin Cancer
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_25328" align="alignleft" width="159"] Dr. Orit Markowitz[/caption]
Orit Markowitz, MD
Director of Pigmented Lesions and Skin Cancer
The Mount Sinai Hospital and
Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Director of Pigmented lesions clinic
Brooklyn VA,
Adjunct Professor, Dermatology
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Chief of Dermatology
Queens General Hospital, Jamaica, NY
MedicalResearch.com Editors’ Note: As part of an ongoing series of occasional article on cancer prevention, Dr. Markowitz from The Mount Sinai Hospital discusses skin cancer and the use Optical Coherence Tomography in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
MedicalResearch.com: How common is the problem of non-melanoma skin cancer? Are they difficult to detect and treat?
Dr. Markowitz: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Non melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, are the most common malignancies of the skin, constituting around 80 percent of all skin cancers. The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated at $8.1 billion, with $3.3 billion for melanoma.
Dr. Orit Markowitz[/caption]
Orit Markowitz, MD
Director of Pigmented Lesions and Skin Cancer
The Mount Sinai Hospital and
Assistant Professor of Dermatology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Director of Pigmented lesions clinic
Brooklyn VA,
Adjunct Professor, Dermatology
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY
Chief of Dermatology
Queens General Hospital, Jamaica, NY
MedicalResearch.com Editors’ Note: As part of an ongoing series of occasional article on cancer prevention, Dr. Markowitz from The Mount Sinai Hospital discusses skin cancer and the use Optical Coherence Tomography in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
MedicalResearch.com: How common is the problem of non-melanoma skin cancer? Are they difficult to detect and treat?
Dr. Markowitz: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Non melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, are the most common malignancies of the skin, constituting around 80 percent of all skin cancers. The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated at $8.1 billion, with $3.3 billion for melanoma.
AHA Journals, Author Interviews, Heart Disease, Technology, Yale / 17.06.2016
WATCHMAN Device to Control Atrial Fibrillation May Be More Cost Effective than Anticoagulation
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_25276" align="alignleft" width="183"] Dr. James Freeman[/caption]
Dr. James V. Freeman MD
Assistant professor of cardiology and
Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
Internal Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Freeman: Randomized trials of left atrial appendage (LAA) closure with the Watchman device have shown varying results, and its cost-effectiveness compared to anticoagulation has not been evaluated using all available contemporary trial data.
We used a Markov decision model to estimate lifetime quality-adjusted survival, costs, and cost-effectiveness of LAA closure with Watchman, compared directly with warfarin and indirectly with dabigatran, using data from the long-term (mean 3.8 year) follow-up of PROTECT AF and PREVAIL randomized trials. Using data from PROTECT AF, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) compared to warfarin and dabigatran were $20,486 and $23,422 per quality adjusted life year (QALY), respectively. Using data from PREVAIL, LAA closure was dominated by warfarin and dabigatran, meaning that it was less effective (8.44, 8.54, and 8.59 QALYs, respectively) and more costly.
Dr. James Freeman[/caption]
Dr. James V. Freeman MD
Assistant professor of cardiology and
Assistant Clinical Professor of Nursing
Internal Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Freeman: Randomized trials of left atrial appendage (LAA) closure with the Watchman device have shown varying results, and its cost-effectiveness compared to anticoagulation has not been evaluated using all available contemporary trial data.
We used a Markov decision model to estimate lifetime quality-adjusted survival, costs, and cost-effectiveness of LAA closure with Watchman, compared directly with warfarin and indirectly with dabigatran, using data from the long-term (mean 3.8 year) follow-up of PROTECT AF and PREVAIL randomized trials. Using data from PROTECT AF, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) compared to warfarin and dabigatran were $20,486 and $23,422 per quality adjusted life year (QALY), respectively. Using data from PREVAIL, LAA closure was dominated by warfarin and dabigatran, meaning that it was less effective (8.44, 8.54, and 8.59 QALYs, respectively) and more costly.
Author Interviews, Biomarkers, Cancer Research, Infections, Technology, University of Pittsburgh / 13.06.2016
‘Epi-Chip’ Aims To Reconstruct Entire Infection Exposure History From Drop of Blood
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_25161" align="alignleft" width="160"] Dr. Donald Burke[/caption]
Donald S. Burke, M.D.
Dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
Director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Burke: At the University of Pittsburgh we developed a unique method for detecting antibodies in the blood of patients in a proof-of-principle study that opens the door to development of simple diagnostic tests for diseases for which no microbial cause is known, including auto-immune diseases, cancers and other conditions.
We used a technique pioneered by co-author Thomas Kodadek, Ph.D., of the Scripps Research Institute, that synthesizes random molecular shapes called “peptoids” hooked onto microscopic plastic beads. The technique can produce millions of molecular shapes. The peptoids are not organic, but if they match to the corresponding shape on an antibody, that antibody will connect to them, allowing the scientist to pull out that bead and examine that peptoid and its corresponding antibody.
My team chemically generated a huge library of random molecular shapes. Then, using blood from HIV-infected patients and from non-infected people, we screened a million of these random molecular shapes to find the ones that bound only to antibodies present in the blood of HIV-infected patients, but not the healthy controls. No HIV proteins or structures were used to construct or select the peptoids, but the approach, nonetheless, successfully led to selection of the best molecular shapes to use in screening for HIV antibodies.
We then resynthesized that HIV-antibody-targeting peptoid in mass and tested it by screening hundreds of samples from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), a confidential research study of the natural history of treated and untreated HIV/AIDS in men who have sex with men (supported by the National Institutes of Health). Study co-author Charles Rinaldo, Ph.D., chair of Pitt Public Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology and director of the Pittsburgh arm of the MACS, selected the samples, but blinded the testers to which samples were HIV-positive or -negative. The test distinguished between the samples of HIV-positive blood and HIV-negative blood with a high degree of accuracy.
Dr. Donald Burke[/caption]
Donald S. Burke, M.D.
Dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
Director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Vaccine Research
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Burke: At the University of Pittsburgh we developed a unique method for detecting antibodies in the blood of patients in a proof-of-principle study that opens the door to development of simple diagnostic tests for diseases for which no microbial cause is known, including auto-immune diseases, cancers and other conditions.
We used a technique pioneered by co-author Thomas Kodadek, Ph.D., of the Scripps Research Institute, that synthesizes random molecular shapes called “peptoids” hooked onto microscopic plastic beads. The technique can produce millions of molecular shapes. The peptoids are not organic, but if they match to the corresponding shape on an antibody, that antibody will connect to them, allowing the scientist to pull out that bead and examine that peptoid and its corresponding antibody.
My team chemically generated a huge library of random molecular shapes. Then, using blood from HIV-infected patients and from non-infected people, we screened a million of these random molecular shapes to find the ones that bound only to antibodies present in the blood of HIV-infected patients, but not the healthy controls. No HIV proteins or structures were used to construct or select the peptoids, but the approach, nonetheless, successfully led to selection of the best molecular shapes to use in screening for HIV antibodies.
We then resynthesized that HIV-antibody-targeting peptoid in mass and tested it by screening hundreds of samples from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), a confidential research study of the natural history of treated and untreated HIV/AIDS in men who have sex with men (supported by the National Institutes of Health). Study co-author Charles Rinaldo, Ph.D., chair of Pitt Public Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology and director of the Pittsburgh arm of the MACS, selected the samples, but blinded the testers to which samples were HIV-positive or -negative. The test distinguished between the samples of HIV-positive blood and HIV-negative blood with a high degree of accuracy.
Author Interviews, Infections, Technology / 22.05.2016
Filters Made From Green Algae Nanofibers Can Remove Viruses From Water
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Albert Mihranyan, PhD Pharm
Professor of Nanotechnology
Wallenberg Academy Fellow
Nanotechnology and Functional Materials
Department of Engineering Sciences
Uppsala University
Sweden
[caption id="attachment_24568" align="alignleft" width="277"] Mille Feuille Paper Filter[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Mihranyan: We describe for the first time a paper filter that can remove even the worst-case viruses from water with high efficiency and at industrially relevant rates. The filter is produced from 100% naturally derived cellulose and is formed into paper sheets using very simple processing, which is essentially the same as that for making paper on a large scale. Filter paper is used ubiquitously in every day life from coffee filters to chemistry classrooms but these filters have normally too large pores to retain microbes, let alone viruses.
We show for the first time that we can remove viruses as small as 20 nm! How is it possible? We use cellulose nanofibers from green algae and we possess know-how to control the distribution of the pores inside the paper to be able to remove such small particles. One important aspect, which we discuss in detail in the article, is the special internal layered structure of the filter, which is remarkably similar to French pastry mille-feuille- hence, the name mille-feuille filter.
Mille Feuille Paper Filter[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Mihranyan: We describe for the first time a paper filter that can remove even the worst-case viruses from water with high efficiency and at industrially relevant rates. The filter is produced from 100% naturally derived cellulose and is formed into paper sheets using very simple processing, which is essentially the same as that for making paper on a large scale. Filter paper is used ubiquitously in every day life from coffee filters to chemistry classrooms but these filters have normally too large pores to retain microbes, let alone viruses.
We show for the first time that we can remove viruses as small as 20 nm! How is it possible? We use cellulose nanofibers from green algae and we possess know-how to control the distribution of the pores inside the paper to be able to remove such small particles. One important aspect, which we discuss in detail in the article, is the special internal layered structure of the filter, which is remarkably similar to French pastry mille-feuille- hence, the name mille-feuille filter.
Author Interviews, Gastrointestinal Disease, Infections, Technology / 18.05.2016
Simple Test Kit Can Detect E. Coli In Contaminated Water Samples
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_24460" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Sushanta Mitra[/caption]
Sushanta K. Mitra, PhD, PEng
Associate Vice-President Research
Kaneff Professor in Micro & Nanotechnology for Social Innovation
FCSME, FASME, FEIC, FRSC, FCAE, FAAAS Y
York University Toronto
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Mitra: As a mechanical engineer I got interested in the water problem when I had discussions with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India and the tertiary public health centre doctors near Mumbai, where the doctors had to deal with large number of patients with water-borne diseases. This was hugely a challenge from resource point of view as the doctors would much preferred to have their attention focused on more pressing diseases. They approached me about developing tools for rapid detection of water-borne pathogen in drinking water. Hence, my journey started on water quality monitoring.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Mitra: Here, we have developed a low-cost compact E. coli and total coliform detection system, which uses commercially available plunger-tube assembly. We incorporate a hydrogel (porous matrix) inside the tube so that the plunger-tube assembly act as a concentrator and a detector at the same time. Specially formulated enzymatic substrates are caged inside the hydrogel so that an E. coli cell trapped within the hydrogel will be lysed and react with the enzymatic substrates to produce a red color.
Dr. Sushanta Mitra[/caption]
Sushanta K. Mitra, PhD, PEng
Associate Vice-President Research
Kaneff Professor in Micro & Nanotechnology for Social Innovation
FCSME, FASME, FEIC, FRSC, FCAE, FAAAS Y
York University Toronto
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Mitra: As a mechanical engineer I got interested in the water problem when I had discussions with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India and the tertiary public health centre doctors near Mumbai, where the doctors had to deal with large number of patients with water-borne diseases. This was hugely a challenge from resource point of view as the doctors would much preferred to have their attention focused on more pressing diseases. They approached me about developing tools for rapid detection of water-borne pathogen in drinking water. Hence, my journey started on water quality monitoring.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Mitra: Here, we have developed a low-cost compact E. coli and total coliform detection system, which uses commercially available plunger-tube assembly. We incorporate a hydrogel (porous matrix) inside the tube so that the plunger-tube assembly act as a concentrator and a detector at the same time. Specially formulated enzymatic substrates are caged inside the hydrogel so that an E. coli cell trapped within the hydrogel will be lysed and react with the enzymatic substrates to produce a red color.
Author Interviews, Brigham & Women's - Harvard, Ophthalmology, Technology / 17.05.2016
Corneal Crosslinking Using Brillouin Microscopy May Lead To Better Treatment of Nearsightedness
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_24430" align="alignleft" width="200"] Sheldon j. .J.Kwok[/caption]
Sheldon J.J. Kwok
MD/PhD Candidate
Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology | Harvard Medical School
Yun Bio-Optics Lab
Wellman Center for Photomedicine
MGH
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) using UV light and riboflavin has become a popular and effective technique for treating corneal ectatic disorders, such as keratoconus, by mechanically strengthening the corneal stroma. We were interested in enhancing the capabilities of CXL using the principle of two-photon excitation, which uses a femtosecond laser to confine crosslinking to only where the laser is focused. By scanning the laser, this allows us to crosslink any arbitrary three-dimensional region deep inside tissue.
With two-photon collagen crosslinking (2P-CXL), treatment of thin corneas is possible without affecting the underlying endothelium. Irradiation can also be patterned to improve keratocyte viability. Furthermore, selective crosslinking in three dimensions offers the possibility of modulating corneal curvature for refractive error correction.
Sheldon j. .J.Kwok[/caption]
Sheldon J.J. Kwok
MD/PhD Candidate
Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology | Harvard Medical School
Yun Bio-Optics Lab
Wellman Center for Photomedicine
MGH
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) using UV light and riboflavin has become a popular and effective technique for treating corneal ectatic disorders, such as keratoconus, by mechanically strengthening the corneal stroma. We were interested in enhancing the capabilities of CXL using the principle of two-photon excitation, which uses a femtosecond laser to confine crosslinking to only where the laser is focused. By scanning the laser, this allows us to crosslink any arbitrary three-dimensional region deep inside tissue.
With two-photon collagen crosslinking (2P-CXL), treatment of thin corneas is possible without affecting the underlying endothelium. Irradiation can also be patterned to improve keratocyte viability. Furthermore, selective crosslinking in three dimensions offers the possibility of modulating corneal curvature for refractive error correction.
Author Interviews, Kidney Disease / 16.05.2016
Trial Finds Human Acellular Blood Vessels Save and Effective for Dialysis Access
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_24415" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Laura E. Niklason[/caption]
Dr Laura E Niklason, MD PhD
Department of Anesthesia & Biomedical Engineering
Yale University, New Haven, CT
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Niklason: For end stage renal disease patients who are not candidates for fistula, dialysis access grafts are the best option for chronic hemodialysis. However, polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafts suffer from high rates of thrombosis, infection and intimal hyperplasia at the venous anastomosis.
We are conducting two, single arm Phase II trials where a novel bioengineered human acellular vessel (HAV) was implanted into the arms of patients for hemodialysis access. Primary endpoints were safety (freedom from immune response/infection, aneurysm, or mechanical failure, and incidence of adverse events), and efficacy as assessed by primary, primary assisted and secondary patencies at 6 months. Secondary endpoints included patency and intervention rates at 12, 18 and 24 months, and changes in panel reactive antibodies following implantation. All patients were followed for at least one year, or had a censoring event.
Human acellular vessels were implanted into 60 patients at 6 centers in the US and Poland. The average duration of follow-up was 16 months (range 12 to 30); all patients have completed at least 12 months of follow-up (or been censored).
Dr. Laura E. Niklason[/caption]
Dr Laura E Niklason, MD PhD
Department of Anesthesia & Biomedical Engineering
Yale University, New Haven, CT
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Niklason: For end stage renal disease patients who are not candidates for fistula, dialysis access grafts are the best option for chronic hemodialysis. However, polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafts suffer from high rates of thrombosis, infection and intimal hyperplasia at the venous anastomosis.
We are conducting two, single arm Phase II trials where a novel bioengineered human acellular vessel (HAV) was implanted into the arms of patients for hemodialysis access. Primary endpoints were safety (freedom from immune response/infection, aneurysm, or mechanical failure, and incidence of adverse events), and efficacy as assessed by primary, primary assisted and secondary patencies at 6 months. Secondary endpoints included patency and intervention rates at 12, 18 and 24 months, and changes in panel reactive antibodies following implantation. All patients were followed for at least one year, or had a censoring event.
Human acellular vessels were implanted into 60 patients at 6 centers in the US and Poland. The average duration of follow-up was 16 months (range 12 to 30); all patients have completed at least 12 months of follow-up (or been censored).
