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Gene-based method for selecting doses of warfarin no better than standardized dosing methods

A new study led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has determined that a gene-based method for selecting patients' doses of the popular heart medication warfarin is no better than standardized dosing methods. The study was presented today at the 2013 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine.

20 Nov 2013

New biomarker predicts that concussion victims may have cognitive dysfunction following mTBI

A new blood biomarker correctly predicted which concussion victims went on to have white matter tract structural damage and persistent cognitive dysfunction following a mild traumatic brain injury.

20 Nov 2013

Researchers report long-term benefits of gene therapy in advanced heart failure patients

Researchers from the Cardiovascular Research Center at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reported the long-term benefits of a single dose of their gene therapy AAV1/SERCA2a in advanced heart failure patients on Nov. 19 at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2013.

20 Nov 2013

Once-daily edoxaban prevents stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 800,000 Americans die each year from heart disease and stroke. Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability and death in the US. In addition to lifestyle changes, medications such as anti-blood clotting drugs are helpful in the prevention of stroke.

20 Nov 2013

Topokine initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of XAF5 Gel for double chin treatment

Topokine Therapeutics has initiated dosing in a Phase 2, randomized controlled clinical trial of XAF5 Gel for reduction of excess submental fat, commonly known as "double chin." XAF5 Gel is a proprietary skin formulation of a compound already known to reduce fat around the human eye. Study participants are applying XAF5 Gel or placebo once a night to skin under the chin.

20 Nov 2013

Brain signals in fibromyalgia patients: an interview with Dr. Marco Loggia from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston

Fibromyalgia patients suffer from a variety of symptoms, including widespread body pain and myofascial tenderness. They are ‘hyperalgesic’, which means that if you give them a stimulus that in healthy subjects is just mildly painful (or even completely innocuous), they may perceive it as excruciatingly painful.

19 Nov 2013

Weill Cornell Medical College receives grant to support research efforts designed to end women's cancers

MasterCard today announced a $500,000 grant to Weill Cornell Medical College to support research efforts designed to end women's cancers.

19 Nov 2013

Intraoperative RLN monitoring prior to thyroid surgery improves surgical outcomes

Intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring has gained popularity with approximately 53 percent of general surgeons and 65 percent of otolaryngologists using intraoperative nerve monitoring in select or all cases.

19 Nov 2013

Heart failure patients receiving LVAD may benefit from injection of powerful cells directly into heart

A multicenter team of researchers within the NIH-funded Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, have found end-stage heart failure patients who receive a surgically implanted left ventricular assist device heart pump may also benefit from a single dose of millions of powerful cells injected directly into their heart during surgery.

19 Nov 2013

Study reveals substantial economic impact of HAIs following cardiac surgery

After cardiac surgery, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are common complications associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and use of resources.

19 Nov 2013

Study on women's preferences, decision-making patterns regarding treatment for depression during, after pregnancy

Women with depression in the perinatal period experience a high degree of conflict in deciding whether and how to treat their depression, but strongly prefer treatments other than antidepressant medications, reports a study in the November Journal of Psychiatric Practice®. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

19 Nov 2013

Eating tree nuts reduces risk of pancreatic cancer, shows women’s health study

According to a long-term women's health study recently published, women in the study who ate a one-ounce serving of tree nuts two or more times a week had a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those studied who did not include nuts in their diet.

19 Nov 2013

Preschoolers can learn about healthy eating and exercise through Sesame Street

In a study presented on November 18 at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013, preschoolers in Bogotá, Colombia participating in a structured curriculum that used Sesame Street's Healthy Habits for Life materials improved their knowledge, attitudes and habits related to a heart-healthy lifestyle. Also, the percentage of children at a healthy weight improved by 13 percent.

19 Nov 2013

$Faster surgery after hip fracture may be better for older patients, say researchers$

Faster surgery after hip fracture may be better for older patients, say researchers

The speed of surgery after a hip fracture may have a significant impact on outcomes for older patients, and faster may be better, say researchers at McMaster University.

19 Nov 2013

GW SMHS takes applications for spring 2014 Bachelor's Degree Program in Emergency Health Services

The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Emergency Health Services program is now taking applications for the spring 2014 semester for the bachelor's degree in Emergency Health Services Management. The online program focuses on management competencies and is aligned with the competencies developed by the National EMS Management Association and the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education program.

19 Nov 2013

Breast biopsies can affect short-term quality-of-life in younger patients

Breast biopsies can adversely affect short-term quality-of-life, and the effects are more pronounced in younger patients, according to a new study published online in the journal Radiology.

19 Nov 2013

Study examines two surgical approaches for treatment of severe ischemic mitral regurgitation

The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, whose Data and Clinical Coordinating Center is at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is reporting for the first time evidence on whether or not there is any significant difference between the two current surgical approaches to treat patients with severe ischemic mitral regurgitation -- mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement.

19 Nov 2013

Women & Infants gets $3M grant to identify infants at greatest risk for developmental impairment

Advances in technology and medical care have dramatically improved survival for infants born prior to 30 weeks gestation and weighing less than three pounds. However, up to 50 percent of these infants may develop physical, cognitive, language and/or behavioral impairments that require extensive health care, educational and psychosocial community resources through adulthood. At this time, there is no reliable method to identify those infants who will go on to develop impairments and those who will not.

19 Nov 2013

TOPCAT trial results of spironolactone presented at AHA Scientific Sessions

A late-breaking clinical trial, known as the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist trial, to be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, November 18, 2013, demonstrates that spironolactone did not reduce the primary outcome of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, nor surviving a cardiac arrest in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (pump function). However, spironolactone did reduce the major burden faced by these patients-the risk of repeated hospitalizations for heart failure.

19 Nov 2013

BIDMC pilot study shows promise for age-related cognitive disorders

It's well known that the brains of meditators change, but it's not entirely clear what those changes mean or how the changes might benefit the meditator. A new pilot study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggests that the brain changes associated with meditation and stress reduction may play an important role in slowing the progression of age-related cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

18 Nov 2013

Medical School News and Research

Gene-based method for selecting doses of warfarin no better than standardized dosing methods

New biomarker predicts that concussion victims may have cognitive dysfunction following mTBI

Researchers report long-term benefits of gene therapy in advanced heart failure patients

Once-daily edoxaban prevents stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation

Topokine initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of XAF5 Gel for double chin treatment

Brain signals in fibromyalgia patients: an interview with Dr. Marco Loggia from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston

Weill Cornell Medical College receives grant to support research efforts designed to end women's cancers

Intraoperative RLN monitoring prior to thyroid surgery improves surgical outcomes

Heart failure patients receiving LVAD may benefit from injection of powerful cells directly into heart

Study reveals substantial economic impact of HAIs following cardiac surgery

Study on women's preferences, decision-making patterns regarding treatment for depression during, after pregnancy

Eating tree nuts reduces risk of pancreatic cancer, shows women’s health study

Preschoolers can learn about healthy eating and exercise through Sesame Street

Faster surgery after hip fracture may be better for older patients, say researchers

GW SMHS takes applications for spring 2014 Bachelor's Degree Program in Emergency Health Services

Breast biopsies can affect short-term quality-of-life in younger patients

Study examines two surgical approaches for treatment of severe ischemic mitral regurgitation

Women & Infants gets $3M grant to identify infants at greatest risk for developmental impairment

TOPCAT trial results of spironolactone presented at AHA Scientific Sessions

BIDMC pilot study shows promise for age-related cognitive disorders

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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