Regression of Neuroblastoma in Infancy Common
March 25th 2008Localized neuroblastoma in infancy often regresses spontaneously, and a watchful-waiting strategy that avoids chemotherapy and extensive surgery may be appropriate in some patients, according to new research published in the March 20 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Genetic Role in Early Onset of Behcet's Disease
March 25th 2008The prevalence of familial cases in juvenile-onset Behcet's disease indicates that there may be a genetic component to early expression of the disease, according to study findings published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Fluoroquinolone-Resistant S. Pneumoniae Emerging
March 24th 2008In South African children with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, treatment with fluoroquinolones may have led to the emergence of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by fluoroquinolone-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, according the results of a study published online March 24 in The Lancet.
Cockayne Syndrome Linked to Ancient Genetic Activity
March 21st 2008Cockayne syndrome, an especially severe type of progeria often caused by mutations in the CSB gene, may be linked to a fusion protein that dates back in primates at least 43 million years, according to research published online March 21 in PLoS Genetics.
AAAAI: Studies Provide Insight into Origins of Asthma
March 21st 2008Rhinovirus infections, diesel exhaust particles, bacterial endotoxin and mouse allergens may all be associated with the development or worsening of asthma symptoms, according to research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this month.
Hemoglobin Mutation Protects Against Malarial Anemia
March 21st 2008Children with a genetic mutation in their hemoglobin have an increased number of abnormally small red blood cells, which protects them from severe malarial anemia due to a lower concentration of hemoglobin per red blood cell, according to a report published online March 18 in PLoS Medicine.
Two Lancet Papers Offer Overviews of Leukemia
March 21st 2008Two types of leukemia that predominantly strike at the opposite ends of the age spectrum -- acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which peaks in prevalence between the ages of 2 and 5 years, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which is typically diagnosed in patients' 70s -- are the subject of overviews in the March 22 issue of The Lancet.
Shared Supply Could Help Meet Cord Blood Stem Cell Demand
March 21st 2008In the United Kingdom, Virgin Health Bank's model of keeping one-fifth of cord blood for private use while making the remainder available for public use could help solve the supply problem, according to an analysis published in the March 22 issue of BMJ.
Study Explores Risk of Cancer After Lymphoma Treatment
March 21st 2008Among survivors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the risk of developing subsequent treatment-related solid tumors remains elevated for up to 30 years after the initial diagnosis, according to an article first published online March 17 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
AAAAI: Peanut Allergy May Arise By Sensitization Via Skin
March 20th 2008Research exploring the mechanism by which peanut allergy develops as well as a potential desensitization treatment for peanut allergic individuals were among study findings presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this month.
AAAAI: Web-Based Tool Aids Asthma Management
March 20th 2008A new Web-based tool, ASTHMA IQ, helps asthma specialists apply newly updated asthma guidelines into their clinical practice with the goal of improving the quality of care delivered to patients with asthma. ASTHMA IQ was unveiled at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Annual Meeting in Philadelphia this month.
ICEID: S. Aureus Pneumonia May Be Increasing Problem
March 20th 2008Community-acquired pneumonia caused by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium has been estimated to account for 3 percent to 5 percent of all cases, but the actual figure may be significantly higher and may include infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains, according to research presented this week at the 2008 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta.
ICEID: Leafy Greens Account for More Food-Borne Illnesses
March 19th 2008Leafy greens account for an increasing proportion of food-borne disease outbreaks that is not entirely due to an increase in leafy green consumption, according to research presented this week at the 2008 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta.
Time for FDA to Give Guidance on Antibiotic Trial Design
March 19th 2008It's time for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to decide on the type of study design it finds acceptable for the approval of new antibiotics, urges a Leading Edge editorial in the April issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
ICEID: Vaccine Reduces Pneumococcal Disease Rates
March 19th 2008Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) for children under age 5 in 2000, rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) have significantly declined in all age groups while rates of IPD caused by non-vaccine strains have increased modestly, according to research presented this week at the 2008 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta.
Gene Variations Linked to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
March 18th 2008Four single nucleotide polymorphisms of the FKBP5 gene -- which is involved in glucocorticoid signal transduction -- may predict the development of adult post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients who experienced severe physical or sexual child abuse, according to research published in the March 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Postburn Pathologic Scarring Very Common
March 18th 2008There are several, identifiable risk factors for postburn pathologic scarring, and early identification of patients most at risk can help ensure they get optimum treatment, according to a report published in the March/April issue of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.
Weight an Issue in Return of Sleep-Disordered Breathing
March 17th 2008Obese children and those with an accelerated body mass index gain are more likely to have recurrence of sleep-disordered breathing after adenotonsillectomy, according to research published in the March 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.