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Study: Death rates after liver transplantation drop by more than 50% in the UK

In the past two decades, death rates after liver transplantation have dropped by more than half in the UK, according to a recent analysis of almost 10,000 liver transplant recipients published in BJS (British Journal of Surgery).

4 Mar 2020

UAB research reveals hydrogen sulfide as new culprit for deadly tuberculosis

A new culprit -- hydrogen sulfide -- has been found for the deadly infectious disease tuberculosis. Hydrogen sulfide gas is known for its rotten egg smell, yet it has normal physiological roles in the human body to communicate among cells.

3 Mar 2020

Researchers detect a novel cause of acquired lipodystrophy

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is mostly diagnosed in overweight and obese people. However, severe forms of NAFLD can also be detected in rare genetic diseases such as lipodystrophy or in patients with HIV, putting them at a high risk for developing liver failure, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

3 Mar 2020

Updated USPSTF recommendations on hepatitis C screening

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection screening for adults in the age group 18 to 79 years. This update comes against the background of increasing HCV over the last ten years, primarily due to higher injection drug use, and closer monitoring. The recommendation ensures that this screening will be covered by insurance as well without cost-sharing.

2 Mar 2020

New direct-acting antiviral therapies effectively target Hepatitis C virus

New direct-acting antiviral therapies are highly effective at eliminating the Hepatitis C virus infection, according to a systematic evidence review by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University.

2 Mar 2020

How cannabis interacts with medications

A new practice guideline published in the journal CMAJ in February 2020 describes five types of drug interactions possible with the use of cannabis. Cannabis is a plant-derived drug containing the psychoactive ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD). These cannabinoids are broken down by the liver enzymes cytochrome P450 C(YP)34A, and CYP2CC9.

2 Mar 2020

WFIRM scientists develop miniature organ model to test drug toxicity

Scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicinehave developed the world's most sophisticated laboratory model of the human body, creating a system of miniaturized organs that can be used to detect harmful and adverse effects of drugs before they are prescribed to patients.

2 Mar 2020

Researchers develop multi-organ-on-a-chip for drug toxicity screening

Researchers in the US have developed a new multi-organ-on-a-chip to test how new drugs affect the human body's vital organs.

2 Mar 2020

New genetic tool developed to label specific genes in human organoids

Researchers from the group of Hans Clevers at the Hubrecht Institute have developed a new genetic tool to label specific genes in human organoids, or mini organs.

2 Mar 2020

People with drug-induced liver damage could continue taking life-saving medications

When you ingest a drug--whether over-the-counter Tylenol or medication prescribed by a doctor--your liver is your body's first responder.

28 Feb 2020

Research shows how physical cues drive cell migration, cancer metastasis, and treatment

Cancer cells are a product of their environment. The surrounding cells, extracellular matrix, and other features influence disease progression and spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.

28 Feb 2020

Novel technique helps trace individual chromosomes during embryonic development

The spatial arrangement of genetic material within the cell nucleus plays an important role in the development of an organism.

28 Feb 2020

First evidence of rare amino acid in the fruit of durian tree

Researchers at the Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich have confirmed the presence of the rare amino acid ethionine in a plant - or more precisely, in the fruit of the durian tree.

28 Feb 2020

Major investment can help improve technology aimed at turning bad fat to good fat

A significant investment from a Purdue University alumnus and his wife will help further develop technology aimed at treating obesity and diabetes by turning bad fat into good fat inside the body.

28 Feb 2020

Eating less prolongs life

A new study published in the journal Cell in February 2020 reports that eating less is associated with better immunity, reduce inflammation all over the body, and reduced odds of diseases related to old age, as well as increasing the odds of living longer.

27 Feb 2020

Human stem cells cure diabetes in mice

Diabetes is characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar and is tied to various health complications. The condition is a global health issue with the number of people with diabetes increasing from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014.

27 Feb 2020

New radiopharmaceutical could aid in more accurate diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor metastases

The newly developed [55Co]55Co-DOTATATE imaging agent has emerged as a more accurate and sensitive radiopharmaceutical to aid in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor metastases.

27 Feb 2020

NTHU research team develops new treatment for cancer

A research team led by Dr. Yunching Chen and Tsai-Te Lu of National Tsing Hua University have recently developed a new treatment for cancer, in which blood vessels within malignant tumors are normalized by injecting a specially developed nanodelivery system for nitric oxide (NanoNO), which also facilitates the delivery of cancer drugs and immunocytes into the tumor.

27 Feb 2020

Optimal preoperative definition of malnutrition varies by cancer type

The best approach for surgeons to identify malnourished cancer patients before they have a cancer operation may be specifically related to the type of cancer the patient has, according to researchers who found that common definitions of malnutrition do not apply equally to all cancers in assessment of preoperative risk.

26 Feb 2020

New discovery will change our understanding of bile production

Forget what you know about bile because that's about to change, thanks to a new discovery made by Michigan State University and published in the current issue of Nature.

26 Feb 2020