Dava Stewart

It appears that 300 mg of omalizumab (Xolair/Genentech) is effective in reducing angioedema, according to the results of a new study.

Living in a neighborhood with high rates of crime, both violent and crimes of property, appears linked to the prevalence and severity of childhood asthma, a study of Mexican American children in Chicago found.

The researchers report that the results of this study “confirmed the rapid and sustained effectiveness of MP-AzeFlu under conditions of routine care around Europe.”

Leukotriene B4 levels are higher in the sputum of some asthma patients than in others, according to the results of a recent study.

Both albuterol multidose dry powder inhaler (MDPI) and albuterol hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) outperformed placebo in a recent phase II trial.

A recent review of current research on atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments found that a clearer understanding of the pathogenesis of the phenotypes involved in the disease will lead to advances in new therapies.

Although DAAs achieve sustained virologic response rates above 90%, they are expensive in both Canada and the US. A recent Canadian study examined the limitations hepatitis C patients there face in receiving reimbursement for their treatment.

Measuring the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigen in patients who are receiving protease inhibitors (PI) could provide an alternative to monitoring treatment response, according to a recent study.

Though testing patients in the emergency department for hepatitis C adds time to their length of stay, the benefits of detection are self-evident.

“With the development of monoclonal antibodies that neutralize specific cytokines and the aid of biomarkers, new avenues for the treatment of asthma have been explored.”

Direct current stimulation can improve certain reaction times in MS patients.

Metered dose inhalers with a dose counter integrated could reduce the number of visits to emergency departments.

Researchers believe new therapeutic options, including tiotropium, will emerge to help doctors and patients improve the management of asthma.

Socioeconomic status is associated with stroke prevalence, and can be mapped by neighborhood. These geographic patterns could be useful in designing interventions for people at risk of stroke.

Keeping patients coming back after they start hepatitis treatment requires interventions sometimes--but there are many low-tech tactics that work.

Although there are difference in how and to whom oral anticoagulants (OACs) are prescribed, UK researchers have found that those taking apixaban seem to have higher persistence rates.

Large-scale educational programs can effectively change behaviors that can lead to stroke, an Australian effort showed.

A robotic device designed for use in the home could improve outcomes for stroke survivors.

Patients who are depressed and who have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could benefit from evidence-based treatment for depression and adherence counseling, according to recent research.

There's more to HIV/AIDS prevention than instructions in condom use, behavioral researchers note. A team outlines next steps in confronting complex health-related behaviors.

As new HIV strains gain ground, it is important to keep testing which antivirals will work to halt them. A study focused on HIV-1 subtype C infection.

The authors assert that “there remains a need to identify inexpensive and non-toxic therapies that target the underlying pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders” and that “Blockade of the opioid growth factor (OGF)-OGF receptor (OGFr) pathway with low dose naltrexone (LDN) has been explored as one such therapy.”

The researchers report that “rituximab was relatively well tolerated," though complications were reported.

Scientists are working to identify factors that can accurately predict outcomes for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). One study found “higher baseline brain volume predicted better long-term clinical outcomes, while larger increases in Expanded Disability Status Scale score during the first 24 months predicted worse outcomes."

Sudden hearing loss is a rare but real potential complication in multiple sclerosis.

Patients with multiple sclerosis have new ways to self-report outcome measures for sleep and sleepiness.

Scientists have gotten a step closer to finding novel anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies, by investigating tripartite motif 14 (TRIM14) as a mitochondrial signaling adapter.

Controlling blood pressure may be more important in stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation than thought.

Patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who have T2 spinal cord (SC) lesions detected through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) early in the course of the disease are likely to have a worse prognosis, according to recent research.

A new tool called X-map may be useful to supplement a standard computed tomography (CT) scan, but cannot replace it in diagnosing acute cerebral infarction.