Co-Administration of Albumin with Lactulose Reverses Hepatic Encephalopathy and Reduces Mortality in Liver Cirrhosis

A multidisciplinary team of investigators based in New Delhi randomized 120 patients with liver cirrhosis and overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) to receive oral lactulose therapy or oral lactulose plus 1.5 g/kg/day of human albumin. The primary study endpoint was complete reversal of HE; secondary endpoints included mortality and length of hospital stay.

IVIG Highly Protective in Ferrets After Challenge with Severe Pandemic pH1N1 and Avian H5N1 Influenza Strains

Australian investigators tested the ability of intravenous immune globulin to protect against potential pandemic influenza virus in outbred ferrets, which are naturally susceptible to human influenza viruses and considered a relevant small animal model of human influenza infection.

Fibrin Sealants: When More Is Needed to Stop the Bleeding

Many years after the first products were introduced in the late 1990s, the need for fibrin sealants continues to increase.

Superbug Apocalypse: A Post-Antibiotic Era?

Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. But now, widespread antimicrobial resistance caused by environments, hosts and overmedication may soon be the demise of these “wonder drugs.”

Interventions in the Treatment and Prevention of Adult Cancer Cachexia

Studies are shedding light on this long-misunderstood and devastating condition that may soon have approved treatments to help prolong cancer patients’ lives.

Human Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Improves Early Posttransplant Lung Function in Pig Lung Transplant Model

Investigators at Toronto General Research Institute used a pig lung transplant model to determine whether human A1AT could attenuate reperfusion injury after prolonged hypothermic preservation.

Going Up: What’s Behind the Growth in IVIG Demand

The U.S. market for IVIG continues to grow well over 5 percent annually. What is driving the market demand?

Toward the Ultimate Cure: Gene Therapy for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

Gene therapy is the one remaining therapeutic option for treating severe combined immunodeficiency by correcting it at its most fundamental genetic level.

Stem Cell Therapies: The Era of Regenerative Medicine?

Advancements in stem cell therapy may soon eliminate surgeries and cure disease, but first, the debate between two different schools of thought concerning how best to proceed needs to be resolved.

Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin May Improve Outcomes in Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy

Intravenous administration of recombinant soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) may improve recovery and survival compared to other treatments in patients with transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), according to a retrospective analysis of 254 consecutive patients at a single Japanese institution.