Philips Recalls PAP Devices
Royal Philips has recalled several positive airway pressure devices due to potential health risks related to the polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam contained in the devices. Most of the bi-level PAP, CPAP, and mechanical ventilator devices affected by the recall are in the first-generation DreamStation product family. Philips has determined that the PE-PUR foam could degrade into particles that could enter the airway pathway of the devices and be ingested or inhaled by the user. The foam could potentially off-gas certain chemicals as well. The company believes the degradation may be exacerbated by using unapproved cleaning methods such as ozone and high heat and humid environments. Read More
System in the Works to Differentiate Between Viral, Bacterial Infections
The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) teamed up with Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply Chain Defense and two leading biotechnology companies, Predigen and Biomeme. Together, they will develop a new tool that will allow front-line medical workers to quickly determine if an infection is viral or bacterial. The Host Response Test System consists of a portable device that uses just a drop of the patient’s blood to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections in about an hour. The system works even in asymptomatic patients. “The portability of the technology allows you to use it anywhere,” said Dr. Ephraim Tsalik, chief investigator at Predigen and associate professor of medicine at Duke University. “It serves as a tool to identify people who may be sick and don’t even realize it.” The investigators believe a prototype of the system could be ready to go within a year. Read More
Study to Look at Local Policies on Flavored Tobacco
University of Kentucky College of Medicine researchers received a five-year, $2.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to support a study on how local policies impact at-risk groups most likely to use flavored tobacco products like menthol cigarettes. The investigators hope their work will help inform more equitable policies that will lead to lower consumption of these products. “We already know that stopping the sale of these products can reduce their availability and use in these communities,” said principal investigator Shyanika Rose, PhD. ”But understanding the impact of policies across race and socioeconomic status will give guidance about what kinds of policies work and have the most equitable benefits.” Read More
PFF Launches New Website for Patients and Providers
Thanks to a grant from the Three Lakes Foundation, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) has launched a new website — pulmonaryfibrosis.org — to provide news and education to patients with the condition and continuing medical education and research opportunities for health care professionals. The clinical information on the site will help inform the care patients receive. Providers will also access position statements on genetic testing, stem cell therapy, and other topics. “Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating diagnosis, and our new website is designed to help patients, their caregivers, and loved ones navigate their disease journey with trusted information and resources,” said PFF President and CEO William T. Schmidt. “Our goal is for the PF community to use this site to easily access what they need to empower them to become more knowledgeable and to achieve a better quality of life with PF.” Read More
NCI Grant to Support Work on Lung Cancer Metabolism
The Lung Cancer Metabolism Working Group at the Moffitt Cancer Center has received a National Cancer Institute $10.2 million grant to further research aimed at unveiling common metabolic mechanisms regulated by common genetic drivers across non-small cell lung cancer, specifically lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer. Information gleaned from the studies can then be used to better treat patients with the standard of care therapeutics or develop new therapies to target the common molecular signatures. According to Eric Haura, MD, co-principal investigator, improvements made can appropriately apply standard of care treatments and even develop new, targeted therapies. “But first, we need to further our understanding of the basic biology of lung cancer disease progression,” Haura said. “These four projects will help our team do just that.” Read More
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Debbie Bunch is an AARC contributor who writes feature articles, news stories, and other content for Newsroom, the AARC website, and associated emailed newsletters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, photography, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Connect with Debbie by email or on AARConnect or LinkedIn.
