RxPG News : Surgery

226.3% increase in male sclerotherapy since 2002

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:01:29 PST

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is pleased to announce the results of its 2007 Procedural Data. This information is collected by polling the Academy’s U.S.-based members.

Spectral imaging system for colon surgery- study done on mice

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:20:52 PST

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are developing a spectral imaging system that could result in shorter operating times for infants undergoing surgery for Hirschsprung’s disease, according to a mouse study reported in the Journal of Biophotonics.

Financial struggles plague families of children with autism

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The information that a child has been diagnosed with autism often throws parents into an emotional tailspin. A new study from a University of Missouri researcher says most people don't immediately consider the major financial struggles that follow. She suggests more outreach is needed to help families plan and cope with the profound financial life changes they may face.

Study finds good outcomes for older lung transplant patients

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:40:00 PST

In the world of organ donation, it has been common practice to exclude older patients from receiving transplants because of limited donor supply and lower survival rates.

Stanford study finds transplant patient thrives 2 years after stopping immunosuppressive drugs

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

STANFORD, Calif. - Luck smiled on Larry Kowalski when his brother agreed to donate a kidney Kowalski needed to live. He was even luckier that his brother's kidney was such a good match.

Researcher transplants stem cells to try to save patients' legs

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

CHICAGO -- A Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine researcher has launched the first U.S. trial in which a purified form of subjects' own adult stem cells was transplanted into their leg muscles with severely blocked arteries to try to grow new small blood vessels and restore circulation in their legs.

Z-shaped incision enhances minimally-invasive surgery

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

A novel surgical technique allowing doctors to operate on patients by making a Z-shaped incision inside the stomach could potentially replace certain types of conventional surgery in humans, according to Penn State medical researchers who have successfully demonstrated the procedure in pigs.

Light and sound -- the way forward for better medical imaging

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

Detection and treatment of tumours, diseased blood vessels and other soft-tissue conditions could be significantly improved, thanks to an innovative imaging system being developed that uses both light and sound.

Exercise testing may help predict seriousness of mitral regurgitation

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Dec. 11, 2007) -- In as many as one in five people over age 55, when the heart contracts to send blood around the body, some degree of backward leakage occurs across the mitral valve, a condition known as mitral regurgitation (MR). When sufficiently severe, MR causes buildup of blood in the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing (dyspnea, or shortness of breath), a serious condition called congestive heart failure. MR also can cause heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmias) such as atrial fibrillation, which can lead to strokes and other problems, and ventricular tachycardia, which can cause sudden death.

Implanting embryonic cardiac cells prevents arrhythmias

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

When researchers at Cornell, the University of Bonn and the University of Pittsburgh transplanted living embryonic heart cells into cardiac tissue of mice that had suffered heart attacks, the mice became resistant to cardiac arrhythmias, thereby avoiding one of the most dangerous and fatal consequences of heart attacks.

Robotics lab helps stroke patients with recovery

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

HOUSTON, Dec. 4, 2007 -- Robotics engineers at Rice University are teaming with doctors from Memorial Hermann|TIRR to develop a PC-based system for physical rehabilitation.

Huge numbers willing to go under knife to alter their appearance, study finds

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Most women, and large numbers of men, are interested in having cosmetic surgery, UCLA scientists report in the October issue of the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Procedure helps to eliminate sleep apnea

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

(Chicago, IL, October 24, 2007) � A procedure known as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) may help some patients improve or even eliminate their obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study. The research, presented at CHEST 2007, the 73rd annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), says the procedure, which removes excess tissue in the throat or mouth to widen the airway, can reduce the amount of treatment required by patients with OSA. In addition, researchers say UPPP also can eliminate OSA completely in some patients.

2 carotid artery stenting studies show results comparable to AHA guidelines

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Washington D.C., October 23, 2007 - Two carotid stenting trials examining patient outcomes demonstrated results that are comparable to guidelines established by the American Heart Association (AHA) for patients treated with carotid artery surgery. The results of these studies were presented today at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's 19th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium by William A. Gray, M.D., FACC, associate professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of Endovascular Services at the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in New York. Dr. Gray is the director of Endovascular Services at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

An eye for an eye: using stem cells to treat damaged eyes and a rare skin disorder

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Doctors and scientists in Italy have shown how stem cells can be used to treat damaged eyes and, in combination with gene therapy, a rare and debilitating skin disease.

UCLA doctor develops new technique to treat varicose veins

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Dr. Peter Lawrence, UCLA's chief of vascular surgery, picks up size 7 crochet hooks from a fabric store � not to make sweaters or scarves but to use in a new technique he has developed to treat varicose veins.

Cross-species transplant in rhesus macaques is step toward diabetes cure for humans

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

St. Louis, Oct. 18, 2007 � With an eye on curing diabetes, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have successfully transplanted embryonic pig pancreatic cells destined to produce insulin into diabetic macaque monkeys � all without the need for risky immune suppression drugs that prevent rejection.

Reunion with patient inspires follow-up study on treatment for DiGeorge syndrome

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

More than 20 years ago, doctors at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA performed a successful bone marrow transplant on a baby girl who was born without a thymus gland and was suffering from severe immune deficiency. It marked the first time a bone marrow transplant, rather than a thymic transplant, had been used to treat the genetic condition known as DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS).

Chemistry turns killer gas into potential cure

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Despite its deadly reputation, the gas carbon monoxide (CO) could actually save lives and boost health in future as a result of leading-edge UK research.

Some obese patients more likely to return to work following gastric bypass surgery

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Obese Medicaid patients who undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery may be more likely to return to work than obese Medicaid patients who do not undergo the surgery, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Surgery, a theme issue on bariatric surgery.

Weight loss before bariatric surgery linked to shorter hospital stay, faster weight loss

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

High-risk morbidly obese patients who lose 5 to 10 percent of their excess body weight before undergoing gastric bypass surgery appear to have shorter hospital stays and more rapid postoperative weight loss, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Surgery, a theme issue on bariatric surgery.

Stanford analysis shows little difference in risk rates for angioplasty, bypass procedures

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

STANFORD, Calif. - Patients with heart disease who undergo coronary angioplasty have an equivalent risk of death and heart attack as patients who undergo coronary bypass surgery, according to Stanford University School of Medicine researchers. The analysis is the largest comparison of bypass surgery and angioplasty, two of the most common major medical procedures performed in North America.

New 'seed' therapy helps pinpoint breast tumors with more accuracy

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

DALLAS � Oct. 11, 2007 � Physicians at UT Southwestern Medical Center are the first in Texas to use a new technique in which a small radioactive pellet, or �seed�, is implanted into a mass or suspicious lesion in the breast to pinpoint its exact location for surgical removal.

Generating 'oohs' and 'aahs': Vocal Joystick uses voice to surf the Internet

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

The Internet offers wide appeal to people with disabilities. But many of those same people find it frustrating or impossible to use a handheld mouse. Software developed at the University of Washington provides an alternative using one of the oldest and most versatile modes of communication: the human voice.

MIT aids creation of neural prosthetic devices

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--MIT researchers have developed a new algorithm to help create prosthetic devices that convert brain signals into action in patients who have been paralyzed or had limbs amputated.

Treatment blocks pain without disrupting other functions

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A combination of two drugs can selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats without impairing movement or other sensations such as touch, according to a new study by National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported investigators. The finding suggests an improved way to treat pain from childbirth and surgical procedures. It may also lead to new treatments to help the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain.

Trial seeks 'genetic fingerprint' for predicting drug effectiveness

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI�University of Cincinnati (UC) physician-scientists believe identifying a genetic �fingerprint� could help predict which specific therapies will be most effective for patients with gastric cancer.

Kidney research points to ways to more effectively use organs

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. � Several new studies suggest how transplant surgeons can make more effective use of kidneys from deceased donors � even those that are at the outer limits of acceptance criteria � according to researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Immune system modulation can halt liver failure in animals

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers have a developed a totally new approach to treating liver failure � manipulating the immune response. If the results of the animal study can be applied in human patients, the approach may be able to keep patients alive until donor organs become available or to support liver function until the organ can regenerate itself, eliminating the need for a transplant. The findings are being reported in the journal PLOS One.

Cardiologists and heart surgeons meet for 'Controversies and Advances' conference

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

LOS ANGELES (September 25, 2007) � Stem cell therapy for cardiac regeneration and the controversial issue of medicine and the media will be the focus of the keynote addresses at the seventh annual �Controversies and Advances in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease� conference. Conducted by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Oct. 4 and 5, the conference is co-sponsored by the California Chapter of the American College of Cardiology, the California Chapter of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Promedica International CME.

Brown scientists take the petri dish to new dimensions

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] � A team of Brown University biomedical engineers has invented a 3-D Petri dish that can grow cells in three dimensions, a method that promises to quickly and cheaply produce more realistic cells for drug development and tissue transplantation.

Sexual function affected by stem cell transplant according to long-term study

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2007 -- A long-term study found that a type of stem cell transplant used for patients with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma, results in decreased sexual function and activity for recipients. Further, males are likely to recover from these changes over time, while the sexuality of female patients remains compromised. In addition, neither male nor female long-term cancer survivors regained levels of sexual activity and function equal to those of their peers who have not had cancer, according to a Blood First Edition Paper prepublished online today. Blood is the official journal of the American Society of Hematology.

Study finds limiting work hours for surgical residents enhances training

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO (Sept. 17, 2007) � Contrary to concerns that restricting work hours for surgical residents negatively affects the quality of patient care or the residents� education, a study in the September issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that limiting work hours does not compromise education or the quality of care. In addition, the study found that the new model improved overall teaching effectiveness and increased the amount of operating room experience that residents receive.

Smaller breast reduction surgeries provide health benefits and should be reimbursed

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2007) -- Smaller-framed women reap significant health and quality-of-life benefits from breast reductions that involve the removal of under 500 grams of tissue per breast, according to a first-of-its-kind study from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and the New York University School of Medicine.

Natural aorta grafts have few side effects for infection-prone patients

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

DALLAS � Sept. 10, 2007 � A vascular surgery technique pioneered at UT Southwestern Medical Center, in which veins are removed from the thigh to repair the aorta does not create blood-flow problems and painful side effects in a majority of patients, researchers report.

Embryonic stem cells used to grow cartilage

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

HOUSTON, Sept. 6, 2007 � Rice University biomedical engineers have developed a new technique for growing cartilage from human embryonic stem cells, a method that could be used to grow replacement cartilage for the surgical repair of knee, jaw, hip, and other joints.

Clopidogrel does not increase postoperative bleeding risk in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 08:39:45 PST

Aspirin combined with clopidogrel is the treatment of choice for acute coronary syndromes. Although the maintenance of aspirin until surgery does not affect postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, the latter may be dramatically increased when clopidogrel is continued over a period of 5 days preoperatively.

U of M begins nation's first clinical trial using T-reg cells from cord blood in leukemia treatment

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

University of Minnesota researchers have initiated a ground breaking clinical trial to determine the optimal dose and safety of T regulatory cells (T-regs) to decrease the risk of immune reactions common in patients undergoing blood and marrow transplantation.

UC health news: molecular pathway may predict chemotherapy effectiveness

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI�A common molecular pathway could help physicians predict which lung cancer patients will benefit from chemotherapy drugs, according to new research from a multidisciplinary team at the University of Cincinnati (UC).

Melanoma drug revs immune cells but cancer cells ignore it

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS , Ohio � A new study shows that an important drug used in the treatment of malignant melanoma has little effect on the melanoma cells themselves. Instead, it activates immune-system cells to fight the disease.

Star Trek medical device uses ultrasound to seal punctured lungs

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A stretcher races through the entrance of a busy hospital. The car-accident victim lies on top and grimaces in pain. While surface injuries look gruesome, the real medical danger is invisible - internal organ damage caused by being crushed against the steering wheel.

Inhaling nitric oxide helps transplant success

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. � Administering inhaled nitric oxide (NO) during surgery helps protect liver transplant patients from organ failure, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Facial transplantation may be a safer option, study shows

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

CINCINNATI/LOUISVILLE�Researchers in Cincinnati and Louisville report that immunosuppressive risks associated with facial transplantation may be lower than thought, possibly making the procedure a safer option for people who have suffered severe facial injuries.

Better life support for artificial liver cells

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS , Ohio -- Researchers at Ohio State University are developing technology for keeping liver cells alive and functioning normally inside bioartificial liver-assist devices (BLADs).

Single-incision belly-button surgery to remove kidney performed first at UT Southwestern

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

DALLAS - Aug. 23, 2007 - Surgeons specializing in laparoscopic procedures at UT Southwestern Medical Center have successfully removed a patient?s kidney by performing a unique nephrectomy entirely through the belly button.

NYC-area 1st: Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital performs transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Aug. 21, 2007) -- A breakthrough new procedure may improve quality of life for children and adults with a common type of congenital heart defect that interferes with the body's ability to oxygenate blood through the lungs.

Broad-based group of physicians calls for improvement in stroke treatment

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

(August 21, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC) � A coalition of physicians representing a wide range of medical specialties has issued a call to action to improve the treatment of stroke. The group, which includes nationally recognized leaders in neurology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, and cardiology, was drawn together by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) to address one of the most pressing medical needs in this country�the rapid treatment of stroke using catheter-based techniques.

Study compares surgical options for severe intra-abdominal inflammation

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Performing a repeat surgery for patients with peritonitis (severe intra-abdominal inflammation or infection) only when clinical improvement is lacking may have some advantages compared with having the repeat procedure routinely scheduled after the operation, according to a study in the August 22/29 issue of JAMA.

New research discovers independent brain networks control human walking

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

(Baltimore, MD) - In a study published in the August issue of Nature Neuroscience, researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland found that there are separate adaptable networks controlling each leg and there are also separate networks controlling leg movements, e.g., forward or backward walking. These findings are contrary to the currently accepted theory that leg movements and adaptations are directed by a single control circuit in the brain. The ability to train the right and left legs independently opens the door to new therapeutic approaches for correcting walking abilities in patients with brain injury (e.g., stroke) and neurological disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis).

Miniature implanted devices could treat epilepsy, glaucoma

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University researchers have developed new miniature devices designed to be implanted in the brain to predict and prevent epileptic seizures and a nanotech sensor for implantation in the eye to treat glaucoma.

Electrical implant steadies balance disorder in animals

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Hearing and balance experts at Johns Hopkins report successful testing in animals of an electrical device that partly restores a damaged or impaired sense of balance.

Does this child have appendicitis? Watch out for key signs

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A 5-year-old with abdominal pain, nausea and fever may have appendicitis or any of a number of other problems. But how does the childs doctor decide whether to schedule an emergency appendectomy to surgically remove a presumably inflamed appendix a procedure that carries its own risks like any surgery or wait and observe what could be a ticking time bomb that could rupture and kill the patient in a matter of hours Its a classic physicians dilemma, but a new study led by the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center may ease the pediatricians problem-solving and parents anxiety.

New treatment for glaucoma shows promise in laboratory, say Iowa State researchers

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

AMES, Iowa Iowa State University researchers have developed a new technique that successfully treated rats for blindness caused by glaucoma. Their experimental treatment will be used on canine patients in the next year. If successful, it is expected to move to human trials.

First case of successful ovarian tissue transplantation between two, nonidentical sisters

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

A woman, whose ovaries had failed due to damage caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, has received a successful ovarian transplant from her genetically non-identical sister. The transplant restored her ovarian function, she started to menstruate and, after a year, doctors were able to recover two mature oocytes from her ovaries and fertilise them to produce two embryos.

UF to lead research on life-threatening fungus

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Hear the word fungus, and mushrooms and mold might leap to mind. But the University of Florida is about to house the nation's first research repository for one species that has nothing to do with pizza toppings or marbling blue cheese: Aspergillus, which increasingly poses a major health threat to cancer patients andtransplant recipients.

New technique to 'see' and protect transplants successful in diabetic animal model

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found a way to overcome a major stumbling block to developing successful insulin-cell transplants for people with type I diabetes.

The future of medicine -- Insert chip, cure disease?

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Imagine a chip, strategically placed in the brain, that could prevent epileptic seizures or allow someone who has lost a limb to control an artificial arm just by thinking about it.

Radiation therapy combined with microsurgery shows promise for curing injured spinal cord

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Research on rats with crushed spinal cords, similar to human injury, reveals that treatment soon after injury combining radiation therapy to destroy harmful cells and microsurgery to drain excess fluids significantly increases the bodys ability to repair the injured cord leading to permanent recovery from injury, according to the study published in the July 18 peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE. Since repair of damaged cord directly correlates with prevention of paralysis, this research demonstrates that conventional clinical procedures hold promise for preventing paralysis from spinal cord injuries.

Scientists a step closer to understanding how anaesthetics work in the brain

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

An important clue to how anaesthetics work on the human body has been provided by the discovery of a molecular feature common to both the human brain and the great pond snail nervous system, scientists say today. Researchers hope that the discovery of what makes a particular protein in the brain sensitive to anaesthetics could lead to the development of new anaesthetics with fewer side effects.

High-definition laparoscopic cameras at Cedars-Sinai have clear advantages in telesurgery

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

LOS ANGELES (July 17, 2007) -- As a surgeon performs a minimally invasive procedure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, surgeons observing in Boston or Mexico City or London will notice a remarkable improvement in clarity, compared to the view they would have had in the past.

Certain type of colitis now more common, severe among hospitalized patients

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

The rate of cases of colitis (colon inflammation) caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile more than doubled among patients hospitalized in the United States between 1993 and 2003, and the illness was more severe and associated with an increased mortality rate, according to a report in the July issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Surgical technique helps to reanimate paralyzed faces

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A surgical technique known as temporalis tendon transfer, in conjunction with intense physical therapy before and after surgery, may help reanimate the features of those with facial paralysis, according to a report in the July/August issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Tumor painting revolutionizes fight against cancer

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

SEATTLE: July 15, 2007 -- A tumor paint developed by researchers at Seattle Childrens Hospital Research Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will help surgeons see where a tumor begins and ends more precisely by illuminating the cancerous cells. The study, published in the July 15, 2007 issue of Cancer Research, shows that the tumor paint can help surgeons distinguish between cancer cells and normal brain tissue in the operating room. The paint is a scorpion-derived peptide called chlorotoxin that is linked to the molecular beacon Cy5.5.Until now there has been no way to allow surgeons to see tumors live during surgery.

Sports hernia repair technique coupled with innovative rehabilitation program speeds return to play

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

CALGARY, Alberta -- Surgical repair of athletic hernia using tension-free mesh and a standardized rehabilitation protocol are successful in returning athletes to competition, according to new research released today at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine at the Telus Convention Center (July 12-15).

Sports hernia repair surgery plus innovative rehab program helps athletes return to play

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

St. Louis, July 15, 2007 In recent years, sports hernias have sidelined many high-level athletes for months and, occasionally, prevented a return to competitive sports all together. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that surgical repair of sports hernias using tension-free mesh, coupled with an innovative rehabilitation program, successfully returned athletes to competition in 93 percent of cases.

Tennis elbow procedure demonstrates long-term success

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

CALGARY, Alberta -- Arthroscopic treatment of tennis elbow has shown to be successful at long-term follow-up, according to new research released today at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine at the Telus Convention Center (July 12-15).

Women and arthritis sufferers have poorer short-term recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

CALGARY, Alberta -- The factors associated with poor short-term recovery from knee surgery appear to be different than those found to mar long-term outcome from the same surgery, according to new research released today at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine at the Telus Convention Center (July 12-15).

St. Jude study shows temporary improvement of tumor blood flow can improve chemotherapy

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A treatment for neuroblastoma that lands a one-two punch works best when the second punch is timed to take maximum advantage of the first one, according to results of studies at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Neuroblastoma is a pediatric solid tumor that arises from cells in the peripheral nervous system.

First mouse lung transplants lay groundwork for new ways to prevent transplant rejection in humans

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

St. Louis, July 11, 2006 Lung transplants have been performed successfully for more than 20 years in humans but never before in mice until now. Surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed the first mouse model of lung transplantation, and theyre hoping it will help explain why the success of the procedure in humans lags far behind other solid organ transplants.

Neuroscientist comments on stem cell study's success in helping primates with Parkinson's

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Tampa, FL (July 10, 2007) -- A University of South Florida neuroscientist reports that the cutting-edge research study of human stem cells in primates with Parkinsons disease is compelling on several fronts particularly how the transplanted cells did their job of easing disease symptoms.

Cigarette smoking impairs ligament healing, researchers find

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 10:00:00 PST

The list of reasons you shouldn't smoke has gotten longer. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis are reporting that smoking interferes with ligament healing.

Rheumatologists overestimate physical disability of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:08:00 PST

Rheumatologists substantially overestimate the physical disability of patients with rheumatoid arthritis ? which may lead to inaccurate evaluations of the patient?s ability to work and need for lifestyle modifications, a new study found.

Electric pulses can be used to destroy cancer cells

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:00:00 PST

A team of biomedical engineers at Virginia Tech and the University of California at Berkeley has developed a new minimally invasive method of treating cancer, and they anticipate clinical trials on individuals with prostate cancer will begin soon.

A gene that protects from kidney disease

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Michigan have discovered a gene that protects us against a serious kidney disease. In the current online issue of Nature Genetics they report that mutations in the gene cause nephronopthisis (NPHP) in humans and mice. NPHP is a disease marked by kidney degeneration during childhood that leads to kidney failure requiring organ transplantation. The insights might help develop effective, noninvasive therapies.

Tough tubes -- Carbon nanotubes endure heavy wear and tear

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Troy, N.Y. -- The ability of carbon nanotubes to withstand repeated stress yet retain their structural and mechanical integrity is similar to the behavior of soft tissue, according to a new study from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Ablation procedure proves safe, effective and fast

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:02:00 PST

Multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective way of treating patients with liver cancer that can be completed in less time than current ablation techniques, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Minimally invasive lung surgery should be standard care

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:00:00 PST

Major U.S. academic medical centers can successfully?and safely?integrate minimally invasive lung surgery into their training programs with a standardized, step-by-step plan, according to University of Cincinnati (UC) thoracic surgeons.

Scientists identify a mouse embryonic stem cell more like our own

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Scientists have discovered a new type of mouse embryonic stem cell that is the closest counterpart yet to human embryonic stem (ES) cells, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced today. The cells are expected to serve as an improved model for human ES cells in studies of regeneration, disease pathology and basic stem cell biology.

First study transplanting angina patients' purified stem cells shows safety and symptom relief

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO --- The first U.S. study to transplant a potent form of purified adult stem cells into the heart muscle of patients with severe angina provided evidence that the procedure is safe and produced a reduction in angina pain as well as improved functioning in patients' daily lives, reports the lead researcher at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.

More than just bare bones -- New research suggests emotions can affect recovery from hip surgery

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. LOUIS -- A patients emotional state plays a significant role in his or her recovery from hip surgery, suggests Saint Louis University research published this month.

Demonic possession and miraculous healing

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Latest research into health in medieval Europe taking in everything from demonic possession to miracles of healing is to be revealed at The University of Nottingham.

Scientists identify first gene linked to scoliosis

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Physicians have recognized scoliosis, the abnormal curvature of the spine, since the time of Hippocrates, but its causes have remained a mystery -- until now. For the first time, researchers have discovered a gene that underlies the condition, which affects about 3 percent of all children.

New vaccine prevents CMV infection and disease in mice

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have patented a strategy for developing a human vaccine to prevent against Human Cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection and disease.

Gene therapy study shows safety and statistically significant improvement in Parkinson's disease

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

FORT LEE, NJ (June 21, 2007) -- Neurologix, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: NRGX) today announced the publication in the June 23 issue of the journal The Lancet of positive results from the first ever gene therapy trial for Parkinsons disease and the first report of direct gene transfer into a patients own brain cells for any adult neurodegenerative disease.

Promising results from first gene therapy clinical trial for Parkinson's disease reported

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (June 21, 2007) -- In what could be a breakthrough in the treatment of neurological disease, a team led by physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has completed the first-ever phase 1 clinical trial using gene therapy to battle Parkinson's disease.

A faster way to recover from chemotherapy and marrow transplant

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at Childrens Hospital Boston report finding a new way to increase stem cells in blood, suggesting a possible treatment to help patients who undergo chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant for leukemia and other cancers recover their immune function more quickly. In the June 21 issue of Nature, they demonstrate that a stable analog of prostaglandin can enhance the blood-forming system, both during embryonic development and after its been damaged.

$1 million gift establishes the Leonard and Fleur Harlan Clinical Scholar Award

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (June 20, 2007) -- A gift of $1 million from Leonard and Fleur Harlan has established the Leonard and Fleur Harlan Clinical Scholar Award at Weill Cornell Medical College to support an outstanding junior faculty member in the field of neurological surgery. Dr. Roger Härtl, director of the spine program and assistant professor of neurological surgery, has been named the first Leonard and Fleur Harlan Clinical Scholar.

Pauletta and Denzel Washington family scholarships to be awarded in Shreveport, June 24

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

LOS ANGELES (June 18, 2007) Pauletta and Denzel Washington will present two research scholarships bearing their familys name Sunday, June 24, in a ceremony that begins at 3 p.m. on the Shreveport campus of Southern University.

Bariatric surgery appears to be safe for carefully selected older, Medicare patients

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Complications after bariatric surgery appear similar between patients younger and older than age 60 and also between Medicare recipients and non-recipients, according to a study in the June issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Clot-dissolving agent may be beneficial in treatment of severe frostbite

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

A preliminary study suggests that a blood clot-dissolving medication that is administered to some patients following a stroke or heart attack may help to reduce the risk of amputation following severe frostbite, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Elevated pepsin levels may lead to rejection of lung transplants

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers in the United Kingdom have demonstrated that high levels of pepsin, a digestive enzyme that is a marker for gastric aspiration, are associated with acute rejection of a lung transplant. This research provides further evidence that lung rejection may be caused by factors other than alloimmunity, the attack the body mounts to protect itself against foreign cells.

Newspaper articles on organ transplantation mostly positive, study shows

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A content analysis of newspaper stories about organ and tissue donation, conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo, found an almost 4:1 ratio of positive-to-negative articles on the subject.

UD awarded $11M for osteoarthritis research and unique mentoring program for women scientists

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

The University of Delaware has been awarded $11 million from the National Institutes of Health for leading-edge, translational research on osteoarthritis that includes a unique mentoring program to foster the development of women biomedical researchers at UD.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers develop 'off-the-shelf' vascular grafts

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

TORONTO, June 15 University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine investigators have engineered artificial blood vessels from muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) and a biodegradable polymer that exhibit extensive remodeling and remain free of blockages when grafted into rats. The results of their study, which is being presented at the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) North America Chapter meeting being held June 13 to 16 at the Westin Harbor Castle conference center in Toronto, has potentially significant implications for the treatment of heart and kidney diseases, where there is a critical need for new sources of blood vessels for vascular grafts.

University of Pittsburgh researchers culture blood-forming stem cells from human fat tissue

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

TORONTO, June 14 Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have successfully isolated and cultured human hematopoietic stem cells from fat, or adipose, tissue, suggesting that they have found another important source of cells for reconstituting the bone marrow of patients undergoing intensive radiation therapy for blood cancers. They are presenting this ground-breaking research at the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) North American Chapter meeting being held June 13 to 16 at the Westin Harbor Castle conference center in Toronto.

Red cells count: Study shows pre-op levels affect post-op outcomes

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] Men over 65 with even slightly abnormal red blood cell counts either too low or too high are at greater risk of post-operative death or car-diac events following a major non-cardiac surgery, according to a new study by researchers at the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Pre-operative high or low red blood cell count linked with poorer outcomes in older patients

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Older patients with mild degrees of pre-operative anemia (low red blood cell count) or those with a very high red blood cell count have a higher risk of post-operative death or cardiac events following major noncardiac surgery, according to a study in the June 13 issue of JAMA.

To keep fit in space, train like an athlete

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

If one part of your car isn't properly maintained, it can affect how the entire vehicle runs especially if you're taking a long trip. The same can be said for the human body. Thats why, when it comes to fitness in space, its important to create a program addressing the whole system, parts included.

Carnegie Mellon scientists devise method to increase kidney transplants

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

PITTSBURGHComputer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new computerized method for matching living kidney donors with kidney disease patients that can increase the number of kidney transplants and save lives.

Blood pressure drop during bypass surgery associated with increased risk of cognitive decline

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Patients whose mean arterial blood pressure drops during bypass surgery may be at risk for early difficulties in thinking, learning and memory, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the August 2007 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.