Monthly Archives: August 2017

When sampling techniques matters

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Induced and spontaneous sputum sampling are techniques used to study lung inflammation and microbes and are less invasive alternatives to a bronchoscopy. But can choice between these two sampling techniques impact researchers’ conclusions when examining a patient’s lungs? Solveig Tangedal, lead author of new research published in Respiratory Research exploring this issue, tells us more.

Medicine

Towards early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease: the role of DNA methylation

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Abnormalities in DNA methylation have been linked to a number of health conditions and there’s now growing interest in the role this plays in Parkinson’s disease. New research published in Genome Medicine is the largest study into this association to date. Here, author Yu-Hsuan Chuang tells us about the research and how the findings could lead to earlier diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

Medicine

The Renin-Angiotensin System: a fresh new direction in the treatment of depression

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A recent review article published in BMC Medicine explores the potential positive effects that angiotensin blockers, acting on the renin-angiotensin system, may have on depression. The authors hope that filling gaps between serendipitous observations and targeted molecular observations can contribute to antidepressant development in a new era in depression treatment.

Health Medicine

The role of Medicaid in reducing addiction treatment disparities for Mexican Americans

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Recent expansion of Medicaid has been a first step in reducing health-care disparities in the United States. This is particularly true for publicly funded substance use disorder treatment, for which Medicaid has become the largest payer. Recently published research in Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy looked to explore whether disparities in addiction treatment were associated with treatment programs’ acceptance of Medicaid payments.

Health Medicine

New guidance for reporting patient and public involvement in research

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There is growing evidence for the benefits of patient and public involvement and engagement within research to ensure it’s asking the right questions and is usable in practice. However, when it comes to its reporting, it is often less than adequate. Here, co-Editors-in-Chief of Research Involvement and Engagement, Sophie Staniszewska and Richard Stephens, discuss the first international guidance for reporting patient and public involvement in research, co-published today in Research Involvement and Engagement and The BMJ.

Health Medical Evidence Medicine

Ensuring Cochrane Reviews remain trusted, and trustworthy, evidence in an era of fake news

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When it comes to health decisions, we want them to be informed by trustworthy, rigorous and reliable evidence. The current gold standard in providing this evidence are Cochrane Reviews, but with false and sensationalized information surrounding us how do we ensure that they remain trustworthy, efficient and sustainable? Here to explore this issue are authors of newly published research in Systematic Reviews, Tari Turner and Karla Soares-Weiser.

Medical Evidence Medicine