Rare Diseases

Pregnancy-adjusted screening tools were found to have high predictability rates for sepsis and chorioamnionitis in women during childbirth hospitalizations. A case-control study comparing pregnancy-adjusted and non-adjusted screening tools showed that the former had the highest prediction rate and lowest false-positive rates for sepsis. The study, conducted by Elliot K. Main, MD, and colleagues, assessed the…

Despite multiple failures in the past, HIV researchers are hopeful about a new strategy to develop an effective vaccine. This strategy involves teaching the immune system to produce powerful and protective antibodies through exposure to different vaccine molecules. Studies in mice and monkeys have shown promising results in guiding immune cells to produce antibodies that…

World leaders and the World Health Organization are proposing a new international treaty for pandemic preparedness and response in light of the covid-19 pandemic. The goal is to strengthen global resilience to future pandemics and improve international cooperation. Drafting of the agreement is ongoing, with the hope of adopting a legally binding text at the…

A study led by UT Health San Antonio found that long-term ketogenic diets may induce cellular senescence in normal tissues, affecting heart and kidney function. However, intermittent ketogenic diets with breaks did not have the same effects. The research suggests that taking breaks from a strict ketogenic diet may be beneficial to prevent long-term consequences….

A recent study in the European Heart Journal Open focused on the impact of sex on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) assessment of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) in heart failure (HF) diagnosis. The study highlighted the need for gender-specific diagnostic and treatment approaches in heart disease, particularly in women. The research identified sex-specific differences in…

New research suggests that some patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who died after life support was withdrawn may have survived and even recovered to at least partial independence if treatment had continued. The study, conducted with data from the TRACK-TBI project, found that delaying decisions on life-support withdrawal could benefit some patients. However,…

A study found that men with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing complications such as cardiovascular disease, eye issues, foot and leg problems, and kidney complications compared to women, regardless of the duration of the disease. The study included survey responses from 267,357 people in Australia, with 25,713 having diabetes. Men had higher…

A new drug called Imdelltra has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of small cell lung cancer. This aggressive type of cancer often relapses after chemotherapy, but Imdelltra offers a new treatment option. The drug is an immunotherapy that targets a protein abundant in small cell lung cancer cells. Clinical trial results showed…

The author reflects on the legacy of appreciating Robert Burns, a Scottish poet, and contrasts the behavior and civility between Dublin and Bordeaux. The installation of the ‘Portal’ art sculpture in Dublin led to lewd and inappropriate behavior, highlighting a lack of respect and decorum. The author also discusses the behavior of some consultants in…

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, tremors, and epilepsy. It involves implanting electrodes in specific parts of the brain to regulate neuron activity and correct timing errors that cause symptoms. By providing electrical stimulation to activate neurons directly, DBS can help improve symptoms like tremors, rigidity,…