Sepsis News and Research RSS Feed - Sepsis News and Research
Sepsis is a life-threatening illness. Your body's response to a bacterial infection usually causes it. Your immune system goes into overdrive, overwhelming normal processes in your blood. The result is that small blood clots form, blocking blood flow to vital organs. This can lead to organ failure. Babies, old people and those with weakened immune systems are most likely to get sepsis. But even healthy people can become deathly ill from it. A quick diagnosis can be crucial, because one third of people who get sepsis die from it. Sepsis is usually treated in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU). IV antibiotics and fluids may be given to try to knock out the infection and to keep blood pressure from dropping too low. Patients may also need respirators to help them breathe.
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Researchers identify novel biomarkers for predicting mortality in ICU patients

Researchers identify novel biomarkers for predicting mortality in ICU patients

A metabolic profile of intensive care unit patients based on biomarkers of four metabolites can be used to accurately predict mortality, according to a new study. [More]

New research reveals how endothelium maintains highly efficient barrier function

The endothelium, the cellular layer lining the body's blood vessels, is extremely resilient. Measuring just a few hundred nanometers in thickness, this super-tenuous structure routinely withstands blood flow, hydrostatic pressure, stretch and tissue compression to create a unique and highly dynamic barrier that maintains the organization necessary to partition tissues from the body's circulatory system. [More]

Researchers create first US map that pinpoints hotspots for infection and sepsis related-deaths

In the past, researchers have sought to determine the geographic distribution of many life-threatening conditions, including stroke and cardiac arrest. Now, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have created the first U.S. map that pinpoints hotspots for infection and severe sepsis related-deaths - with notable clusters located in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and the South. [More]
Physician's choice of words play important role in determining critical end-of-life decisions

Physician's choice of words play important role in determining critical end-of-life decisions

A physician's choice of words when talking with family members about whether or not to try cardiopulmonary resuscitation if a critically ill patient's heart stops may influence the decision, according to a study by University of Pittsburgh researchers in the June edition of Critical Care Medicine and now available online. [More]

PCNL procedure to remove kidney stones in women has risen in recent years, study reveals

While the number of people - especially women - who have a minimally invasive procedure to remove kidney stones has risen in recent years, so has the rate of complications related to the surgery, according to a published study by Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. [More]
U-M launches new center for treating patients with critical conditions

U-M launches new center for treating patients with critical conditions

America's emergency, trauma and intensive care teams provide some of the world's most advanced care, bringing patients back from the brink of death on a regular basis. [More]
Scientists pursue new therapies as H7N9 flu spreads in China

Scientists pursue new therapies as H7N9 flu spreads in China

An experimental drug has shown promise in treating influenza, preventing lung injury and death from the virus in preclinical studies, according to University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers publishing in the journal Nature on May 1. [More]
Pancreatitis and diabetes drugs: an interview with Dr Sonal Singh, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Pancreatitis and diabetes drugs: an interview with Dr Sonal Singh, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas which leads to leakage of pancreatic enzymes. Apart from certain drugs such as GLP-1 based therapies, the most common causes of pancreatitis are Gallstones and Alcohol use. [More]
Personalized PSA testing using genetic variants reduces unnecessary prostate biopsies

Personalized PSA testing using genetic variants reduces unnecessary prostate biopsies

With the help of genetics, prostate specific antigen screenings may become more accurate and reduce the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies, according to a new study from Northwestern Medicine. [More]
ViroPharma announces results of VP20621 Phase 2 study for preventing recurrent CDI

ViroPharma announces results of VP20621 Phase 2 study for preventing recurrent CDI

ViroPharma Incorporated, an international biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative products that address unmet medical needs and rare diseases, today announced the results of a Phase 2 study of VP20621 (non-toxigenic Clostridium difficile; NTCD) a novel treatment approach for preventing recurrent C. difficile infections. [More]
Researcher discovers additional mechanical properties of articular cartilage result in osteoarthritis

Researcher discovers additional mechanical properties of articular cartilage result in osteoarthritis

A researcher at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has discovered additional mechanical properties of articular cartilage, a protective cartilage on the ends of bones that wears down over time, resulting in the development of osteoarthritis. [More]
Average annual incidence of sepsis varies depending on method used

Average annual incidence of sepsis varies depending on method used

Though the toll of sepsis is known to be enormous - it is estimated to cost the U.S. health care system $24.3 billion each year, and is the nation's third-leading killer, behind heart disease and cancer - the true magnitude of incidence of and death from the illness remains unknown. [More]

Correcting prostate specific antigen levels for genetic variants can have significant consequences

Genetic variants have been identified which can increase serum prostate specific antigen concentrations and prostate cancer risk. A new study published in The Journal of Urology reports that correcting PSA levels for these genetic variants can have significant consequences, including avoiding unnecessary biopsies for some men and eliminating false complacency for others. [More]
Research findings could lead to new targets for treating inflammatory disorders

Research findings could lead to new targets for treating inflammatory disorders

Researchers at UC Davis have shown how the innate immune system distinguishes between dangerous pathogens and friendly microbes. Like burglars entering a house, hostile bacteria give themselves away by breaking into cells. However, sensing proteins instantly detect the invasion, triggering an alarm that mobilizes the innate immune response. [More]
Research findings could improve treatments for pneumonia, other inflammatory conditions

Research findings could improve treatments for pneumonia, other inflammatory conditions

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a new biological pathway of innate immunity that ramps up inflammation and then identified agents that can block it, leading to increased survival and improved lung function in animal models of pneumonia. [More]

Research roundup: Despite some cuts, hospitals will benefit from Medicaid expansion; Medicare's rising costs propel efforts to revamp the program

The authors write that, because of the health law's expansion of Medicaid coverage to adults making below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, "hospitals' public insurance revenue [will create] a larger Medicaid coverage pool. [More]
GE Healthcare seeks approval to supply Optison to EU market from Oslo manufacturing facility

GE Healthcare seeks approval to supply Optison to EU market from Oslo manufacturing facility

GE Healthcare today announced that it has submitted an application to amend its European Marketing Authorisation that will allow the company to manufacture Optison 0.19 mg/ml dispersion for injection within its own facility. [More]
Inflammation and epigenetics: an interview with Dr Belkina and Dr Denis, Boston University School of Medicine

Inflammation and epigenetics: an interview with Dr Belkina and Dr Denis, Boston University School of Medicine

Inflammation can be thought of as taking two major forms: acute or chronic. Acute inflammation, which can be painful, usually arises quickly and resolves quickly. It accompanies bacterial infections, traumatic injury and is useful to fight infections and promote healing. [More]
FDA clears Soligenix's IND application for SGX942 for treatment of oral mucositis

FDA clears Soligenix's IND application for SGX942 for treatment of oral mucositis

Soligenix, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today that the Food and Drug Administration has completed its review and cleared the Investigational New Drug application for SGX942 for the treatment of oral mucositis resulting from radiation and/or chemotherapy treatment in head and neck cancer patients. [More]

Minimally invasive procedure to remove kidney stones rise among women: Study

While the number of people - especially women - who have a minimally invasive procedure to remove kidney stones has risen in recent years, so has the rate of complications related to the surgery, according to a published study by Henry Ford Hospital. [More]