June 2020

New insights into hepatic encephalopathy

Categories:Baylor Scott & White Research Institute|Baylor University Medical Center|Research

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), which manifests as decreased brain function, is a common, debilitating condition seen in patients with liver disease. The symptoms can range from attention deficits to coma and are largely reversible. The healthcare burden of HE is profound: HE is the leading cause of 3-month readmission for patients with cirrhosis in North America and is associated with increased mortality. Researchers at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute have summarized the latest insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of HE in a recent issue of Nutrition in Clinical Practice.

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June 2020

Advanced genome sequencing identifies new genetic links for leukodystrophy

Categories:Baylor Scott & White Research Institute|Research

During the last decade, incredible improvements in the speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of whole-genome sequencing have accelerated our understanding of genetic disorders. An international Leukodystrophy Study Group, including researchers with Baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI), has used these next-generation sequencing methods to reveal the genetic abnormalities in a cohort of 71 persistently undiagnosed individuals with suspected leukodystrophy. Leukodystrophies are rare genetic disorders that disrupt the myelin sheath, which forms the white matter in the brain.

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May 2020

Improved criteria for diagnosing osteomyelitis

Categories:Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple|Baylor Scott & White Research Institute|Research

Prevalence of the bone infection osteomyelitis (OM) has increased along with the increased prevalence of diabetes. It is estimated that OM is a complication for at least 10% of diabetic foot ulcers and approximately 50% of severe cases. Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of OM can lead to poor patient outcomes and high healthcare costs. However, an accurate and timely diagnosis of OM is hindered by a lack of clear guidelines for histopathological assessment. Therefore, researchers from Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, along with their collaborators, have created a new diagnostic framework for OM.

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May 2020

Study finds nurse-administered behavioral interventions could help chemotherapy patients manage anticipatory nausea and vomiting

Categories:Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple|Baylor Scott & White Research Institute|Research

Research published in Cancer Medicine demonstrated that the use of two behavioral interventions, mindfulness relaxation (MR) and relaxing music (RM), helped to reduce incidents of mid-chemotherapy anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV) in patients.

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May 2020

COVID-19 forces transplant programs to reassess their approach to transplant allocation decisions

Categories:Baylor University Medical Center|COVID-19|Transplant Services

As the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has taken hold in the United States, transplant programs have had to prepare to make critical decisions during a time of severely constrained resources. A transition must be made from the traditional “justice versus utility” approach in organ allocation to a more nuanced allocation scheme based on ethical values that drive decisions in times of absolute scarcity. The goal of this new mind-set is to help guide programs in deciding which patients to transplant, which donors to accept, how to minimize risk and how to ensure the best utilization of transplant team members.

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