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Internal Medicine
A structural blueprint of nanoparticles to target acute lung inflammation
A structural blueprint of nanoparticles to target acute lung inflammation
Targeting neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that, when overactive, contributes to acute lung inflammation, is a potential new route to diagnose and treat acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Heart disease-protective diabetes drug is not used equitably
Heart disease-protective diabetes drug is not used equitably
The medication GLP-1 RA treats diabetes and is linked to positive outcomes for heart disease patients, yet a Penn Medicine study has found inequities in its use along racial, ethnic, and economic lines
Common cardiac device implants and persistent opioid use overlap
Common cardiac device implants and persistent opioid use overlap
A new study from Penn Medicine shows that about 12% of patients who receive implantable cardiac devices will continue taking pain medication in the months afterward.
Common gene variants linked to sepsis and COVID-19 severity in African Americans
Common gene variants linked to sepsis and COVID-19 severity in African Americans
Two genetic risk variants that are carried by nearly 40% of Black individuals may exacerbate the severity of both sepsis and COVID-19. A Penn Medicine study identifies two potential pathways to reduce the health disparities driven by these gene mutations.
Novel gene therapy for hemophilia A
Novel gene therapy for hemophilia A
The multicenter study, led by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, showed improved and sustained production of a needed clotting factor and reduced bleeding events.
A self-help guide to treating IBD
A self-help guide to treating IBD
In her new book, clinical psychologist Melissa Hunt offers a cognitive behavioral therapy approach to helping people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis improve their quality of life.
Can food assistance influence diabetes trends in the U.S.?
Can food assistance influence diabetes trends in the U.S.?
In a new study, researchers investigate the relationship between the prevalence of diabetes at the county-level and state SNAP policies, with findings that suggest SNAP could play a key role in the health of communities.
New study illuminates the biology of common heart disorder
New study illuminates the biology of common heart disorder
Dilated cardiomyopathy, an often fatal heart disorder, due to titin gene mutations involves both a shortage of good titin and a buildup of mutant, potentially “bad” titin.
A ‘dented’ internal clock informs shift workers’ weight gain and diabetes
A ‘dented’ internal clock informs shift workers’ weight gain and diabetes
Weight gain and high blood sugar caused by a damaged internal clock was corrected by Penn researchers, who changed the length of the day in tests.
Red blood cells play much larger role in immune system via DNA-binding
Red blood cells play much larger role in immune system via DNA-binding
Penn Medicine researchers have uncovered mechanism of how red blood cells detect and bind DNA, opening a new area of research for treatment of inflammatory diseases.
In the News
Science Daily
Researchers discover test to predict which patients with rare blood disease will respond to only FDA-approved treatment, and identify alternative therapy
David Fajgenbaum and Sheila Pierson of the Perelman School of Medicine discuss their latest research and findings in the treatment of Castleman disease.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Tower Health’s liver and kidney transplant program will move to Penn Medicine
Tower Health announced Wednesday that instead of closing the liver and kidney transplant program it inherited two years ago from the shuttered Hahnemann University Hospital outright, it will let Penn Medicine take it over. Patient screening and pre- and post-transplant care will continue at Reading Hospital in Berks County, but surgeries will move to Penn’s Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in mid-December.
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The New York Times
Organ transplants dive amid virus crisis, start to inch back
Peter Reese of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the resumption of organ transplants. “Transplant centers and patients really want to get going again, but there are all these questions,” he said. “We need to be finding places that maintained their transplant rates and finding out what they did.”
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The New York Times
Can melatonin vapes safely help people sleep?
Julio Chirinos of the Perelman School of Medicine wrote an editorial to accompany a new study about the effects of marathon running on the heart. “Exercise is great for the entire body, including the arteries,” he said.
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U.S. News & World Report
What is syphilis, and why are rates rising?
Amy Forrestel of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the symptoms, spread, and long-term effects of syphilis. If left untreated, the sexually transmitted infection “can wreak a lot of havoc” on the body, said Forrestel.
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Associated Press
Study: Safe to transplant hepatitis C-infected hearts, lungs
Peter Reese of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on a recent study about the safety and efficacy of pairing hepatitis C-infected organ transplants with fast, preventative treatments to block recipients from contracting the infection. The combination may work “because maybe the virus hasn’t had the chance to establish itself,” said Reese.
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