ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Many NIH-funded clinical trials go unpublished over two years after completion, U.S. study shows
• New clues to human deafness found in mice
• Hydrogen sulfide reduces glucose-induced injury in kidney cells
• Risk factors in rising trend of liver cancer identified
• Maternal liver grafts more tolerable for children with rare disease
• New aortic valve replacement procedure
• New program improves care for those with advanced illness
• Heart attack patients in the U. S. More likely to be readmitted to the hospital than patients in other countries
• Bariatric surgery associated with reduction in cardiovascular events and death
• When overeating, calories, not protein, contribute to increase in body fat
• Autism may be linked to abnormal immune system characteristics and novel protein fragment
• Quantitative CT helps identify COPD patients at risk for exacerbations
• Researchers create a healthier cigarette
• Advance in early diagnosis of spatial neglect after stroke
• Not equal: Quality of care, cost for PAD sufferers
• Home monitoring may help manage and reduce costs for heart failure
• Novel compound to halt virus replication identified
• Death rate measure used to judge hospital quality may be misleading
• Anti-sense might make sense for treating liver cancer
• Smaller sibling protein calls the shots in cell division
• Boy or girl? Simple blood test in the first trimester predicts fetal gender
• Agent shows ability to suppress brain metastasis and related damage
• Scientists crack medieval bone code
• Females may be more susceptible to infection during ovulation
• 'BINGO!' game helps researchers study perception deficits
• Pirfenidone for the lungs: Extent of added benefit assessed
• New forms of torture leave 'invisible scars,' say researchers
• Potential boost for IVF success
• Alzheimer's damage occurs early
• A shot of young stem cells made rapidly aging mice live much longer and healthier
• Age-related degeneration can be caused by defects of energy metabolism in tissue stem cells
• Deer antlers inspire a new theory on osteoporosis
• Hepatitis C virus hijacks liver microRNA
• Microbial communities on skin affect humans' attractiveness to mosquitoes

Many NIH-funded clinical trials go unpublished over two years after completion, U.S. study shows Posted: 03 Jan 2012 06:10 PM PST In a study that investigates the challenges of disseminating clinical research findings in peer-reviewed biomedical journals, Yale School of Medicine researchers have found that fewer than half of a sample of trials primarily or partially funded by the National Institutes of Health were published within 30 months of completing the clinical trial.

New clues to human deafness found in mice Posted: 03 Jan 2012 03:52 PM PST Researchers have identified a gene that is required for proper development of the mouse inner ear. In humans, this gene, known as FGF20, is located in a portion of the genome that has been associated with inherited deafness in otherwise healthy families.

Hydrogen sulfide reduces glucose-induced injury in kidney cells Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST Hydrogen sulfide, a noxious gas that smells like rotten eggs, may have beneficial effects in the kidney. Researchers found that this gas diminishes high glucose-induced production of scarring proteins in kidney cells. Considerable work remains to be done before studies can move to animal models.

Risk factors in rising trend of liver cancer identified Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST Doctors have known for years that the incidence of deadly liver cancer is on the rise, but what is causing that trend has remained a mystery. Two recent studies offer a clearer picture of the rise of hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer, which has tripled in the IS in the last three decades and has a 10 to 12 percent five-year survival rate when detected in later stages.

Maternal liver grafts more tolerable for children with rare disease Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST Children with a rare, life-threatening disease that is the most common cause of neonatal liver failure -- biliary atresia -- better tolerate liver transplants from their mothers than from their fathers, according to a new study.

New aortic valve replacement procedure Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST Some individuals with severe aortic stenosis -- also known as narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart -- who are not well enough to undergo open heart surgery have a new treatment option thanks to a new procedure now available.

New program improves care for those with advanced illness Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST A new program, which was created by health care professionals two decades ago in an effort to ensure the wishes of those with advanced illness are followed, has now spread to 34 states in the United States.

Heart attack patients in the U. S. More likely to be readmitted to the hospital than patients in other countries Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST In an analysis of data from more than 15 countries that included the US, Canada, Australia, and many European nations, patients in the US who experienced a ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI; a certain pattern on an electrocardiogram following a heart attack) were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital at 30 days after the heart attack than patients in other countries.

Bariatric surgery associated with reduction in cardiovascular events and death Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST Among obese individuals, having bariatric surgery was associated with a reduced long-term incidence of cardiovascular deaths and events such as heart attack and stroke, according to a new study.

When overeating, calories, not protein, contribute to increase in body fat Posted: 03 Jan 2012 01:50 PM PST In a study conducted among 25 healthy individuals living in a controlled setting who were randomized to overconsumption of different levels of protein diets, those consuming the low-protein diet had less weight gain compared to those consuming normal and high protein diets, and calories alone, and not protein appeared to contribute to an increase in body fat, according to a new study.

Autism may be linked to abnormal immune system characteristics and novel protein fragment Posted: 03 Jan 2012 12:07 PM PST Immune system abnormalities that mimic those seen with autism spectrum disorders have been linked to the amyloid precursor protein (APP), according to new research. The study, conducted with mouse models of autism, suggests that elevated levels of an APP fragment circulating in the blood could explain the aberrations in immune cell populations and function -- both observed in some autism patients.

Quantitative CT helps identify COPD patients at risk for exacerbations Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:56 AM PST Researchers report that a computerized form of radiology, known as quantitative CT, can offer valuable prognostic information about patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The findings indicate that quantitative CT scans can help identify patients at greater risk for damaging exacerbations of their disease. They also help identify distinct phenotypes among the COPD patient population, who could benefit from individualized, targeted management of their disease.

Researchers create a healthier cigarette Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:56 AM PST From a health care perspective, the best cigarette is no cigarette, but for the millions of people who try to quit smoking every year, researchers may have found a way to make cigarette smoking less toxic.

Advance in early diagnosis of spatial neglect after stroke Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:55 AM PST Bedside clinical evaluation can be optimized to diagnose spatial neglect, a disabling disorder that impedes recovery after stroke, according to stroke specialists. Often overlooked, it is associated with prolonged hospital stays, accidents, falls, safety problems and chronic functional disability. Early recognition and targeted cognitive rehabilitation may improve outcomes for the 30-50 percent of stroke survivors with this hidden disability that can be more disabling than paralysis.

Not equal: Quality of care, cost for PAD sufferers Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:55 AM PST Although minimally invasive treatments for patients with peripheral arterial disease result in shorter hospital stays and the potential to save Medicare millions of dollars each year, a new study reveals that the quality of care and cost depend on who's providing the treatment.

Home monitoring may help manage and reduce costs for heart failure Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:55 AM PST Experts have discussed the importance of heart failure disease-management and early identification, as well as the treatment of body-fluid congestion, using a number of home-monitoring strategies.

Novel compound to halt virus replication identified Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:55 AM PST Researchers have identified a novel compound to halt virus replication. The findings could lead to the development of highly targeted compounds to block the replication of poxviruses, such as the emerging infectious disease monkeypox.

Death rate measure used to judge hospital quality may be misleading Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:55 AM PST Hospitals, health insurers and patients often rely on patient death rates in hospitals to compare hospital quality. Now a new study questions the accuracy of that widely used approach and supports measuring patient deaths over a period of 30 days from admission even after they have left the hospital.

Anti-sense might make sense for treating liver cancer Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:54 AM PST A new study shows that it is possible to selectively target and block a particular microRNA that is important in liver cancer. The findings might offer a new therapy for this malignancy, which kills an estimated 549,000 people worldwide annually. The study focused on miR-221, which is consistently present at abnormally high levels in human liver cancer. The treatment significantly prolonged survival in an animal model and promoted the activity of important tumor-suppressor genes.

Smaller sibling protein calls the shots in cell division Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:54 AM PST Scientists have found at least one instance when the smaller sibling gets to call the shots and cancer patients may one day benefit.

Boy or girl? Simple blood test in the first trimester predicts fetal gender Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:54 AM PST New findings could lead to a non-invasive test allowing expecting mothers to learn the sex of their baby as early as the first trimester. Specifically, researchers discovered that various ratios of two enzymes (DYS14/GAPDH), which can be extracted from a pregnant mother's blood, indicate if the baby will be a boy or a girl. Such a test would be the first of its kind.

Agent shows ability to suppress brain metastasis and related damage Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:54 AM PST Brain metastasis remains an unconquered challenge in cancer treatment. Pigment epithelium-derived factor suppressed brain damage. Agent is already being studied for macular degeneration.

Scientists crack medieval bone code Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:54 AM PST The existence of brucellosis, an infectious disease still prevalent today, has now been confirmed in ancient skeletal remains.

Females may be more susceptible to infection during ovulation Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:53 AM PST A woman's ovarian cycle plays a role in susceptibility to infection, according to new research. Specifically, researchers found women are most susceptible to infection, such as Candida albicans or other sexually transmitted diseases, during ovulation than at any other time during the reproductive cycle. This natural "dip" in immunity may be to allow spermatozoa to survive the threat of an immune response so it may fertilize an egg successfully.

'BINGO!' game helps researchers study perception deficits Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:53 AM PST Bingo, a popular activity in nursing homes, senior centers and assisted-living facilities, has benefits that extend well beyond socializing. Researchers found high-contrast, large bingo cards boost thinking and playing skills for people with cognitive difficulties and visual perception problems produced by Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Pirfenidone for the lungs: Extent of added benefit assessed Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:53 AM PST Pirfenidone inhibits the development of inflammation and scarring in lung tissue and has been approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis since the beginning of 2011. The added benefit from pirfenidone is accompanied by greater harm in the form of adverse events, according to researchers. The overall conclusion of a recent evaluation is that the extent of added benefit from pirfenidone should be classified as "no proven added benefit."

New forms of torture leave 'invisible scars,' say researchers Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:53 AM PST Use of torture around the world has not diminished but the techniques used have grown more complex and sophisticated, according to new research.

Potential boost for IVF success Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:51 AM PST A new technique has already been successfully used in mice to identify embryos likely to result in a successful pregnancy. A new study suggests the same technique could be used in humans, potentially boosting IVF success rates and helping to reduce the number of multiple births.

Alzheimer's damage occurs early Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:51 AM PST The first changes in the brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease can be observed as much as ten years in advance – ten years before the person in question has become so ill that he or she can be diagnosed with the disease.

A shot of young stem cells made rapidly aging mice live much longer and healthier Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:51 AM PST Mice bred to age too quickly seemed to have sipped from the fountain of youth after scientists injected them with stem cell-like progenitor cells derived from the muscle of young, healthy animals. Instead of becoming infirm and dying early as untreated mice did, animals that got the stem/progenitor cells improved their health and lived two to three times longer than expected.

Age-related degeneration can be caused by defects of energy metabolism in tissue stem cells Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:49 AM PST New findings increase the understanding of mechanisms of age-related degeneration. The results are a breakthrough in revealing the unexpected importance of energy metabolism in regulating stem cell function and tissue maintenance.

Deer antlers inspire a new theory on osteoporosis Posted: 03 Jan 2012 10:49 AM PST The loss of manganese could mean that calcium does not stick to bones and could cause osteoporosis. This is the new theory put forward after studying deer antlers. The hypothesis still needs to be confirmed by the scientific community.

Hepatitis C virus hijacks liver microRNA Posted: 02 Jan 2012 03:08 PM PST Scientists have now shown for the first time how a small RNA molecule that regulates gene expression in human liver cells has been hijacked by the hepatitis C virus to ensure its own survival -- helping medical scientists understand why a new antiviral drug appears to be effective against the virus.

Microbial communities on skin affect humans' attractiveness to mosquitoes Posted: 29 Dec 2011 06:18 AM PST The microbes on your skin determine how attractive you are to mosquitoes, which may have important implications for malaria transmission and prevention, according to a study published Dec. 28 in the online journal PLoS ONE.

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