8.21
Internal medicine
Treatment doctor tested on himself can put others into remission
Treatment doctor tested on himself can put others into remission
Five years ago, David C. Fajgenbaum both a Penn Medicine researcher and patient, tried an experimental treatment for Castleman disease based on his laboratory research findings in the hopes of saving his own life. He has been in remission ever since.
Looking into the immune system to better fight disease
Looking into the immune system to better fight disease
A rare, short-lived population of immune cells in the bloodstream may serve as ‘periscopes’ to monitor immune status via lymph nodes deep inside the body, researchers say.
A cohort study comes of age
A cohort study comes of age
For nearly two decades, a major national study of kidney disease led and coordinated at Penn has defined key risk factors in an all-too-common silent epidemic.
Keeping parasites from sticking to mosquito guts could block disease transmission
Keeping parasites from sticking to mosquito guts could block disease transmission
Researchers at the School of Veterinary Medicine show how a new model for studying the way parasites known as kinetoplastids adhere to mosquitoes’ insides could illuminate strategies for curbing diseases.
A new drug target for chemically induced Parkinson’s disease
A new drug target for chemically induced Parkinson’s disease
An enzyme that modifies chemicals formed in the body by alcohol, tobacco, and certain foods may be a new target for treating Parkinson’s disease. The altered compounds may play a role in triggering the onset or advancing the progression of the neurodegenerative condition.
Novel model for studying intestinal parasite could advance vaccine development
Novel model for studying intestinal parasite could advance vaccine development
The intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium causes frequent outbreaks in the U.S., and has been historically difficult to study. A novel model of infection from Penn Vet serves as a new tool to pursue a vaccine.
How to quell a cytokine storm
How to quell a cytokine storm
An international team finds new ways to dampen an overactive immune system, and can influence new drug targets for lupus and other autoimmune disorders.
We’re only as good as our microbiomes are happy
We’re only as good as our microbiomes are happy
Understanding the microbiome, the collection of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the gut, is helping to sort out the intricacies of diet, chronobiology, cancer treatment, and more.
Certain strains of bacteria associated with diabetic wounds that do not heal
Certain strains of bacteria associated with diabetic wounds that do not heal
A new study finds that whether a wound like a diabetic foot ulcer heals or progresses to a worse outcome, including infection or even amputation, may depend on the microbiome within that wound.
App predicts risk of developing hernia following abdominal surgery
App predicts risk of developing hernia following abdominal surgery
A Penn-developed app can predict the likelihood that a patient will develop an incisional hernia following abdominal surgery, utilizing electronic health records to identify the most common risk factors for patients.
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
E-Cigarettes Disappoint in a Workplace Quit-Smoking Study
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Scott Halpern led a study on the effects of vaping on smoking cessation. Halpern found that e-cigarettes were no more helpful than other stop-smoking tools, and that “the very best way to help them quit is to offer them money.”
FULL STORY →
WHYY (Philadelphia)
New Blood Test for Pregnant Women Could Predict Preterm Birth
The Perelman School of Medicine’s Michal Elovitz discussed the results from her research exploring methods for predicting preterm births. The study’s results were published in Science.
FULL STORY →