International team identifies genetic model for predicting primary myelofibrosis outcomes
A group of investigators from Mayo Clinic and multiple academic research centers in Italy have identified a genetic model for predicting outcomes in patients with primary myelofibrosis who are 70 years or younger and candidates for stem cell transplant to treat their disease. The group's findings were presented today at the 59th American Society of Hematology annual meeting in Atlanta by lead authors Alessandro Vannucchi, M.D., from the University of Florence and Ayalew Tefferi, M.D., a hematologist at Mayo Clinic.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/mc-iti120817.php
St. Jude gene therapy improves immunity in babies with 'bubble boy' disease
Preliminary findings indicate gene therapy pioneered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is safe and effective for babies with a devastating inherited disorder that leaves them with little or no immune protection.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/sjcr-sjg120817.php
Study explores use of checkpoint inhibitors after relapse from donor stem cell transplant
Immunotherapy agents known as checkpoint inhibitors have shown considerable promise in patients with hematologic cancers who relapse after a transplant with donor stem cells. Preliminary results from the first clinical trial in these patients of one such agent -- nivolumab -- indicate that along with signs of effectiveness, it also produced significant side effects at the dose initially studied. The findings indicate a need for further clinical trials in this group before being considered for off-label use with these patients, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators report.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/dci-seu120717.php
Immunotherapy drug nearly eliminates severe acute graft-versus-host disease
Results from a phase 2 clinical trial, presented by Seattle Children's Research Institute at the 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, show that the drug Abatacept (Orencia) nearly eliminated life-threatening severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/sc-idn120717.php
Physical activity data, emojis on Apple Watch correlated with patient-reported outcomes
Wearable activity monitors, such as the Apple Watch, provide objective, continuous activity data that correlate with established patient-reported outcomes for cancer patients, according to a poster presentation by Mayo Clinic researchers that was presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in Atlanta.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/mc-pad120717.php
For leukemia patients, transfusion needs may delay hospice care
Researchers report that thousands of leukemia patients who received frequent transfusions had very short stays in hospice at the end of life, suggesting that transfusion dependence presents a barrier to making meaningful use of palliative care.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/bu-flp120317.php
USC researchers develop method to ensure human rights in public health services
When measuring the success of public health work -- from immunizations to family planning services -- experts rely on sets of standardized indicators. But these indicators often neglect the voices and human rights of people who use the services, according to USC researchers. The USC Program on Global Health & Human Rights and the World Health Organization developed a new method to determine the extent to which commonly used public health indicators capture human rights concerns.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uosc-urd120817.php
What's in a name? How Taking a spouse's surname can define power in marriage
A new study led by a UNLV psychology professor shows that a wife's choice of surnames may influence perceptions of her husband's personality and the distribution of power in the marriage.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/uonl-wia120817.php
Scientists channel graphene to understand filtration and ion transport into cells
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and their colleagues have demonstrated that nanometer-scale pores etched into layers of graphene can provide a simple model for the complex operation of ion channels.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/nios-scg120817.php
In lab research, scientists slow progression of a fatal form of muscular dystrophy
Saint Louis University researchers report that a new drug reduces fibrosis (scarring) and prevents loss of muscle function in an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/slu-ilr120817.php
Boosting the antibiotic arsenal
MIT researchers have discovered a way to make bacteria more vulnerable to a class of antibiotics known as quinolones, which include ciprofloxacin and are often used to treat infections such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-12/miot-bta120817.php
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/
