A recent study has found that a popular over-the-counter menthol compound (Vicks® VapoRub® | Proctor & Gamble) used to relieve chest congestion symptoms may lead to mucus obstruction of small airways and increase nasal resistance in infants and small children. The findings of the research, published in the journal CHEST, corroborate the product labeling, which contraindicates its use in children younger than 2 years. Continue Reading

BK polyomavirus nephropathy is an increasingly common complication of renal transplantation, affecting 1-10% patients worldwide and resulting in graft failure in around 90% of the cases. In spite of this, there is a lack of non-invasive and accurate tests to diagnose the renal disease. Now, researchers from the University of North Carolina, USA have discovered a novel non-invasive test that measures urinary Haufen, a cast-like three-dimensional viral aggregate, which is formed in the kidneys of polyomavirus nephropathy patients. The findings of the study, published in the recent online issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), may facilitate in the early diagnosis of the complication and prompt quicker treatment initiation. Continue Reading

The recent findings of a study published in the latest issue of the journal Neurology show that postmenopausal hormone therapy is associated with reduced volumes of hippocampal and frontal regions of the brain in elderly women. The reduction in brain size has been previously shown to be associated with enhanced risks for developing major depression and dementia. Continue Reading

Caffeine is one of the most popular psychoactive substances listed as a “Multiple Purpose Generally Recognized as Safe Food Substance”, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A recent study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, reports that midlife coffee and tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer disease (AD) during late-life. Continue Reading

Scientists from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), Canada, have developed a new compound comprising of collagen and a tetrasaccharide carbohydrate called sialyl Lewis^x (sLe^x), which induces angiogenesis in damaged tissues through the formation of a scaffold. The biomaterial attracts progenitor cells and supports blood vessel regeneration, thereby using the body’s own cells for repairing cardiac damage and restoring its function. Continue Reading

Bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) is more beneficial than the best medical therapy for advanced Parkinson disease (PD), according to a study, published in the January issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. DBS is a recognized therapy in PD, but comparative studies with other treatment modalities are scarce. Continue Reading

Stelara (Ustekinumab | Centocor, Inc.) has gained the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults. Centocor holds the exclusive marketing rights for ustekinumab in the United States. Continue Reading

In the recent years, the identification of the potential of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to differentiate into myogenic, osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, has opened up diverse clinical applications in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. However, reconstructing the complexities of bone tissues in three-dimensional in vitro models has been identified as one of the greatest challenges confronted by scientists. Now, a team of US researchers report the successful creation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) using patient-specific stem cells and a ‘biomimetic’ scaffold-bioreactor system. Continue Reading

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), secondary to high dose intravenous nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates, is a known adverse effect of this class of drugs; however, the risk with oral administration, believed to be negligible until now has not been studied earlier. Now, a study, published in the latest issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association, has demonstrated that even short-term oral bisphosphonate use may pose a risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw. Continue Reading

Human hemoglobin (Hb) is a known source of biologically active peptides with antimicrobial activity. Now, a recent study published in the January issue of the journal Human Reproduction reports that hemoglobin and its derived peptides play a crucial role in maintaining the host defense mechanism against vaginal pathogens. Continue Reading