Pulmonary Research: Treating pulmonary diseases using Alaska pollock gelatin ♦ White blood cells guards against tumor lung metastasis ♦ New study explores how anxiety can aggravate asthma

A subpopulation of white blood cells guards against tumor lung metastasis Among foot soldiers on the immune front line is a subpopulation of white blood cells called “patrolling monocytes,” whose job is to cruise the bloodstream, cart off cellular debris, and block invasion of a less benign population of inflammatory cells. Now, a study illustrates that patrolling monocytes may also play an anti-cancer role, particularly in the lung.
Lung cancer surgery can be beneficial for high-risk patients with early stage disease

Surgical lung resection, in which part of a lung is removed, can be a safe and effective treatment option for high-risk patients with early stage lung cancer,

New study explores how anxiety can aggravate asthma A new study involved mimicking asthma symptoms to see how anxiety sensitivity affected asthma sufferers. The researchers recruited 101 college undergraduates who reported having asthma. The experiment aimed to mimic asthma symptoms by having study participants breathe in-and-out through a narrow straw, about the width of a coffee-stirrer straw.
Treating pulmonary diseases using Alaska pollock gelatin In recent years, patients with pulmonary emphysema have been increasing mainly among middle-aged and elderly males due to aging and excessive smoking. Emphysema makes brittle lungs, and in severe cases, holes develop in the lung tissue, causing air leakage. Researchers have developed a new sealant to close holes developed in lungs and blood vessels using Alaska pollock gelatin, and have reported that the sealant is about 12 times stronger than conventional sealants.

Health News How white blood cells limit muscle regeneration ♦ Urban ERs see high rates of hepatitis C infection ♦ Viruses thrive in big families

Viruses thrive in big families, in sickness and in health Every child puts a household at increased risk for viral infections. A new study showed that childless households had infections during 3-4 weeks of the year, while families with six children were infected for 45 weeks. But only half who tested positive reported feeling ill. These results can help families and health care providers know when illness should be cause for concern.

How white blood cells limit muscle regeneration Researchers have identified a protein produced by white blood cells that puts the brakes on muscle repair after injury in mice. The findings point to a target for potential treatments aimed at enhancing muscle regeneration.

Opioid use and sexual violence among drug-using young adults in NYC New research seeks to identify the potential role of drug use in increasing risk of sexual violence among young adult opioid users in New York City, and to identify the specific social and contextual factors surrounding this group's experiences of sexual violence.

Urban ERs see high rates of hepatitis C infection An urban emergency department that set up a hepatitis C testing protocol saw high rates of infection among intravenous drug users and Baby Boomers, with three-quarters of those testing positive unaware they were infected.

High blood sugar of diabetes can cause immune system malfunction, triggering infection Scientists may have uncovered a molecular mechanism that sets into motion dangerous infection in the feet and hands often occurring with uncontrolled diabetes. It appears that high blood sugar unleashes destructive molecules that interfere with the body's natural infection-control defenses