Matthew Gavidia

Key features of the lung microbiome (bacterial burden, enrichment with gut-associated bacteria) were found to predict outcomes in critically ill patients, representing a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory failure, according to study findings.

Researchers exhibit recent advances in the basic characteristics of interleukin (IL)-24, a member of the IL-20 family of cytokines associated with pro-inflammatory autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases, as a catalyst in the pathogenesis of allergic skin inflammation.

Medical cannabis was found to exhibit an overall positive effect on maintaining nightime sleep in patients with chronic pain, but frequent use was associated with problems of both waking up at night and falling asleep, according to study findings.

In study findings demonstrating differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among healthy patients and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), researchers show that key genes CYP1B1, VEGFA, BCL2, and CDKN1A may have significance in analyzing the development and progression of COPD.

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) published a draft evidence report on crizanlizumab (Adakveo), voxelotor (Oxbryta), and L-glutamine (Endari) for sickle cell disease, as well as a draft scoping document on valoctocogene roxaparvovec, an investigational gene therapy, and emicizumab (Helimbra) for hemophilia.

Innovaccer’s survey-based report titled, “The Science of Value-based Care: An Industry View,” details the current state of readiness of healthcare organizations in employing value-based care, while also providing tips on how minor changes in one’s system framework can contribute to clinical excellence and technical efficiency.

Teprotumumab, which was approved this week by the FDA, resulted in a greater frequency of proptosis reduction compared with placebo for patients with active thyroid eye disease, according to study results released Wednesday.

Researchers discuss optimal approaches to treating hypertension in patients with COPD, with a given patient’s underlying lung function and any coexisting conditions highlighted as important factors of drug therapy choice.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals announced today it had redeemed its priority review voucher to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA on January 21, 2020; the company seeks approval for JZP-258, an investigational medication to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients 7 years and older with narcolepsy.

Interviews with researchers and opinion leaders that took place during the 61st American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida, December 7-10, 2019.

Researchers highlight new therapeutic attempts and potential future approaches to treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, fibrosing idiopathic interstitial lung disease.

Compared with other biologics approved for psoriasis treatment, excluding recently approved biologics, ixekizumab and brodalumab were shown to have greater cumulative clinical benefit for patients with psoriasis, according to study findings.

Tracheobronchial colonization by pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown to increase the mortality risk of outpatients with chronic obstructive plumonary disease (COPD) by 47%, according to study results.

In the evolving treatment landscape for sickle cell disease, current standards of treatment involve 4 drugs that have been FDA approved, with further innovations and limitations adding to the paradigm of care.

Sleep duration was found to reflect the profile of specific circulating microRNAs in the blood of school-aged children and adolescents, indicating the potential efficacy of a blood test to examine those at risk of negative health outcomes related to insufficient sleep, according to study findings.

While prevalence rates of psoriasis are lower among the Latino population compared with the white and black populations in the United States, Latinos are shown to be disproportionately affected by poorer quality of life and intensified disease severity, according to study findings.

The overall cancer death rate declined by 29% from 1991 to 2017, with a 2.2% decline from 2016 to 2017 serving as the largest single-year drop in reported cancer mortality, according to research published today; however, obesity-related cancer deaths are rising and prostate cancer deaths remain stagnant.

In a poll of people with Parkinson disease, more than 1 in 4 (26%) participants reported having been misdiagnosed, with a further 21% having to see their general provider 3 times before being referred to a specialist.

Specific cancer drugs were shown to inhibit cell signaling processes that contribute to neutrophils, immune cells that cause inflammation to the lungs and serve as the main driver of lung damage in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to study findings.

In a statement published today by he American Heart Association, researchers provide key resources needed to diagnose and treat fulminant myocarditis successfully.

People who regularly sleep less than 4 hours or more than 11 hours were found to be 2 to 3 times more likely to have pulmonary fibrosis compared with those who sleep for 7 hours a day, according to study results.

No statistically significant difference in central macular thickness (CMT) between patients with and without diabetes was found preoperatively and in the early postoperative period after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery, according to study results.

In MassMutual’s 2019 Workplace Financial Wellness Study, survey data gathered by Greenwald & Associates reported that a large majority of employers believe their employees are struggling financially in saving for retirement, settling debt, and dealing with medical costs.

The motor and non-motor symptoms of patients with Parkinson Disease were shown to slightly improve with a weekly exercise regimen of physical and cognitive exercises, according to research presented at Future Physiology 2019.

In a news brief published by AHIP, initiatives employed by health insurance providers AmeriHealth Caritas, Geisinger, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and UPMC plan to address issues ranging from the opioid crisis to behavioral healthcare access.

People who sleep 9 or more hours a day, take midday naps lasting more than 90 minutes, or have poor sleep quality may be at an increased risk of stroke, according to study findings.

The National Business Group on Health released its list of healthcare trends to watch in 2020, highlighted by growing employer initiatives on high quality, high value healthcare, and an increased focus on mental health issues.

Sleep fragmentation, which is defined by low sleep efficiency, was linked with higher odds of migraine onset on day 1, according to study findings published this week.

Caregivers of patients with Parkinson disease (PD) experiencing symptom recurrence after a period of symptom control, known as OFF periods, reported that PD had a greater impact on their paid employment through variables such as loss of earnings, loss of opportunities, or ability to maintain employment compared with caregivers for patients without OFF periods.

Study results presented at AMCP Nexus 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland, showed that 65.4% of patients with parkinson disease reported experiencing symptom recurrence, known as OFF periods, which impedes work productivity and employment.