Health & Medicine
Significance of patient positioning guidelines in endoscopic procedures
Patients are placed on an operating table for surgery or, in the event of endoscopic treatment, on a trolley. Surgery may need patient placement that is not at all comfortable, posing challenges for the patient. There are well-established rules for patient positioning during surgical operations, but no such criteria are available for endoscopic treatments. A study conducted by Dr Vera […]
The role of testosterone in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Data from multiple countries has shown gender imbalances in COVID-19 severity and risk of mortality, with worse outcomes seen in men. To explore why male gender is a major risk factor for more severe disease, Marta Camici, of The Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases (IRCCS), has explored the links between testosterone and COVID-19. Her research findings suggest that […]
The role of digital health in paediatric obesity treatment
The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is at high levels. Novel approaches are needed to provide effective care to this population and to minimise the risks of long-term health complications. Digital health has progressed hugely over recent years and offers an attractive option for delivering paediatric weight management interventions. Louise Tully, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences […]
PNIRSAsia–Pacific: Building bridges between East and West
The field of psychoneuroimmunology – the study of relationships between the nervous and immune systems – has pioneered significant discoveries in areas like stress, mindfulness, ancient exercise, and dietary interventions. The Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society (PNIRS) formed a Chinese branch in 2012, and following its success, expanded to include all of Asia–Oceania. Keith W Kelley of the University of Illinois, and […]
Long-term outcomes in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Due to the degeneration of the knee joint in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), walking becomes difficult. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can restore the ability to walk. Several reports have been published highlighting the survival rate of TKA in RA patients, however, no study has focused on the prospect of outdoor walking. Dr Fumiharu Yamashita and his team from the […]
Harnessing the health benefits of plants
Plant-derived medicines have been used by humans for thousands of years. Currently, there is much focus on phytocannabinoids, usually extracted from cannabis plants. However, these health-benefitting compounds can also be found in other plants. Dr Bianke Loedolff, Dr Shaun Peters, Ethan Hunter, Alukhanyo Xonti and Vincent Malizukiswe Vacu at Stellenbosch University are investigating the role of plants in developing new […]
Establishing a new care pathway for deep vein thrombosis
Dr Tony Wan of St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver identified a gap in the treatment pathway of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), causing repeat visits to the emergency department (ED) and putting pressure on a department that is already prone to overcrowding. The new care pathway saw the expansion of St Paul’s Hospital Thrombosis Clinic, where patients are referred directly after […]
Seasonal competition between mould spores and respiratory viruses
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is one of a number of respiratory viruses that demonstrate a clear seasonal incidence. Professor Gregory Retzinger and colleagues have explored the relationship between influenza-like illnesses (ILIs), COVID-19 and bioaerosol burden. They found an inverse relationship between mould spores and cases of ILIs and COVID-19 which is potentially due to competition for the same […]
Comfort Talk®: Transforming the experience of pain and anxiety in clinical settings
Dr Elvira Lang – founder of Comfort Talk® – and colleagues, developed a mobile self-hypnotic relaxation app to improve pain and anxiety management in clinical settings. The app has been developed based on previous findings from Dr Lang’s team showing that specific word sequences can be used to improve patients’ experiences in clinical settings. The results of their placebo-controlled clinical […]
Promising potential treatment for ovarian cancer reaches final stages of clinical trials
Ovarian cancer is one of the most dangerous forms of cancer. A treatment approach using platinum-based chemotherapy compounds is commonly used, however some tumour cells are resistant to the drugs used in this process. VBL Therapeutics is developing a promising new anti-cancer gene therapy: VB-111. With its unique dual mode of action, it targets the tumour environment by disrupting the […]