Respiratory News and Research

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AF deaths more likely on the weekend

In-hospital mortality rates for patients who have atrial fibrillation are significantly higher on the weekend than on weekdays, show US study results.

23 Jul 2012

Fat grafts ‘safe’ following breast reconstruction

Autologous fat grafting following breast reconstruction does not increase the long-term risk for tumor recurrence, US research shows.

23 Jul 2012

Research roundup: Gastric bypass costs, paying for psychotherapy

Health Expenditures Among High-Risk Patients After Gastric Bypass and Matched Controls -- A few studies have shown that bariatric surgery can help reduce health care spending by obese patients, particularly those with conditions such as diabetes. This latest study looked at 847 patients who received bariatric surgery through the Veterans Affairs medical system. Inpatient and outpatient spending both before and after surgery were compared to 847 obese patients who did not have the operation.

21 Jul 2012

Pfizer receives positive opinion from EMA CHMP for crizotinib to treat ALK-positive NSCLC

Pfizer announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion recommending that crizotinib be granted conditional marketing authorization in the European Union (EU), for the treatment of adults with previously treated anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

21 Jul 2012

Vitamin D might modify damaging effects of smoking on lung function

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with worse lung function and more rapid decline in lung function over time in smokers, suggesting that vitamin D may have a protective effect against the effects of smoking on lung function, according to a new study from researchers in Boston.

21 Jul 2012

Choir participation improves quality of life factors for cancer survivors and their carers

The Welsh cancer charity Tenovus and Cardiff University, both based in the UK, have reported that participation in a choir improves a number of quality of life factors for cancer survivors and their carers.

20 Jul 2012

Study describes 2010 whooping cough epidemic and details strategies to reduce infection incidence

Because whooping cough (pertussis) is almost as contagious as measles (affecting ~12-17 individuals with each case), clinicians are required to report cases of this bacterial respiratory tract infection to the state's department of public health. In 2010, California had the highest number of cases of whooping cough in 60 years. A new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics describes the 2010 whooping cough epidemic and details strategies to decrease the incidence of this infection.

20 Jul 2012

A world of consequences due to physical inactivity

Physical inactivity accounted for an estimated 5.3 million of the 57 million deaths in 2008, a report shows.

20 Jul 2012

CPAP benefits extend to mild OSA patients

The use of continuous positive airway pressure treatment, an effective option for severe obstructive sleep apnea, should be extended to sleepy patients with milder OSA, say US researchers.

20 Jul 2012

Knee surgery blood loss reduced with single tranexamic acid dose

A single intraoperative dose of tranexamic acid is effective at reducing blood loss in patients undergoing minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty, research suggests.

20 Jul 2012

Unsuccessful fertility treatment reduces young-onset breast cancer risk

Women who are treated unsuccessfully with fertility drugs have a significantly reduced risk for developing young-onset breast cancer, compared with nonusers of such drugs, show the results of a sister-matched case-control study.

20 Jul 2012

Breast-conserving surgery carries high reoperation risk

Women who undergo breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer may be at an increased risk for reoperation, research suggests.

20 Jul 2012

Alcohol abuse spills over into critical care resources

A quarter of patients admitted to intensive care units in Scotland have alcohol problems, while a fifth have chronic alcohol disease, a survey finds.

20 Jul 2012

CPAP effectively reduces symptoms and improves QOL in sleepy patients with milder OSA

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), well established as an effective treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is also effective in patients with mild and moderately severe OSA and daytime sleepiness, according to a new study.

20 Jul 2012

Teva contributes $2.5M to The Franklin Institute for development of neuroscience exhibit

The Franklin Institute has received a $2.5 million contribution from leading global pharmaceutical company Teva Pharmaceuticals to develop a signature innovative exhibit at the museum exploring neuroscience and the human brain, entitled Your Brain. This contribution brings The Franklin Institute's Inspire Science fundraising campaign total to $65 million.

20 Jul 2012