Lessons learned from first genetically modified pig heart transplanted into human patient

A new study published today in The Lancet has revealed the most extensive analysis to date on what led to the eventual heart failure in the world’s first successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a human patient. This groundbreaking procedure was conducted by University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) physician-scientists in January 2022 and marked an important milestone for medical science.

Surgical stabilization of odontoid fractures shown to improve outcomes

Odontoid fractures—those occurring in the second cervical vertebra—are common in elderly patients after a low-energy fall. However, whether the initial treatment should be surgical or non-operative still isn’t known. Previous studies haven’t accounted for differences in injury severity, or the presence or absence of neurologic impairment, which can affect patients’ results.

Proteome of rare liver cancer sheds new light on basic biology

Doctors have long puzzled over a mystery at the heart of fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare and deadly liver cancer that mainly affects children and young adults. Like more common liver cancers, and liver failure itself, fibrolamellar can end in an ammonia spike that leads to coma and death. Curiously, however, the conventional methods for treating ammonia spikes in other liver diseases are somehow rendered ineffective in fibrolamellar.

Staging pancreatic cancer early with minimally invasive surgery shows positive results in patient prognosis, finds study

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that performing a minor surgical procedure on patients newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer helps to identify cancer spread early and determine the stage of cancer. The researchers add that the surgery ideally should be performed before the patient begins chemotherapy.

Study: HIV patients in Washington, D.C. reported intense distress during pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had substantial psychological impacts on the nation and around the world. New research shows patients with HIV were particularly susceptible to psychosocial challenges like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, loneliness and more. The study was co-authored by HIV/AIDS expert Michael Horberg, MD, and published in AIDS Research and Therapy.