Proactive care saves lives of seniors, study finds

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PORTLAND, Ore. – Can a patient-centered, care management program utilizing nurse care managers and interdisciplinary teams, supported by electronic tracking and care coordination systems reduce the rate of deaths and hospitalizations among chronically ill older adults? The answer – based on a three-year study involving more than 3,400 chronically ill seniors led by Oregon Health & Science University researcher David A. Dorr, M.D. – appears to be "yes."

Tracking the molecular pathway to mixed-lineage leukemia

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Dec. 15, 2008) — Infants and adults with the blood cancer mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) typically have a poor prognosis, and most infants die before their first birthdays. Although there are varying causes of MLL, most cases are caused by a fusion of two genes, the MLL and the AF4 genes.

University of Denver uses 'gross' messaging to increases handwashing, fight Norovirus

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DENVER – Research conducted by University of Denver (DU) Associate Professor Renée Botta suggests that it takes "gross" messaging to get undergraduate students to wash their hands more frequently after going to the bathroom.

In fall quarter 2007, researchers posted messages in the bathrooms of two DU undergraduate residence halls. The messages said things like, "Poo on you, wash your hands" or "You just peed, wash your hands," and contained vivid graphics and photos. The messages resulted in increased handwashing among females by 26 percent and among males by 8 percent.

Alcohol and a polymorphism of the monoamine oxidase A gene predict impulsive violence

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The language of intoxication: The term 'drunk' doesn't really cut it any more

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Hospitals using quality improvement program increase compliance to stroke treatment guidelines

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Hospitals participating in a voluntary quality improvement program for stroke treatment increased adherence to national recommendations, researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

In the five-year study, the largest on acute stroke care for hospitalized patients, researchers tracked guidelines compliance among hospitals participating in the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines–Stroke (GWTG–Stroke) program. They found:

Breathing problems during sleep associated with calories burned at rest

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Individuals with sleep-related breathing disorders appear to burn more calories when resting as their conditions become more severe, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Higher levels of obesity-related hormone found in patients with psoriasis

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Patients with the skin disease psoriasis appear more likely to have higher levels of leptin (a hormone produced by fat cells that may contribute to obesity and other metabolic abnormalities) than persons without psoriasis, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Allergies alone not associated with increased risk of nighttime breathing problems

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Allergic rhinitis does not appear to be associated with snoring or daytime sleepiness, but individuals with obstructed nasal passages are likely to experience both regardless of whether they have allergies, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Study examines association of race, insurance status with diverticulitis presentation and treatment

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Among patients undergoing surgery for diverticulitis, race was associated with a complicated presentation and in-hospital mortality, but not with receiving a colostomy, whereas insurance status was associated with complicated presentation, in-hospital mortality and receiving a colostomy, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The results suggest that racial disparities in outcomes may be related to the patients' initial condition rather than differences in treatment.