Study finds diet as effective and less expensive than drugs in treating esophageal inflammation
Dr. Daniel Erim and colleagues found that a six-food elimination diet was as effective as topical corticosteroids -- and less expensive -- in treating eosinophilic esophagitis, a condition in which inflamed esophageal tissue leads to a person’s difficulty in swallowing solid foods. Erim is a doctoral student in health policy and management.
UNC researchers create first model of MERS-CoV virus in mouse populations
Researchers from UNC have announced a new mouse model for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. This publication marks the first time that an animal model has successfully reproduced the MERS-CoV disease symptoms seen in human patients.
UNC, Duke-NUS team identifies first step to neutralizing Zika
A team of researchers from the UNC Gillings School and the Duke-NUS Medical School has discovered the mechanism by which C10, a human antibody previously identified to react with the Dengue virus, prevents Zika infection at a cellular level.
Study raises concerns about timely follow-up to positive mammogram for the uninsured
Uninsured women under age 65 who received their mammogram at community screening clinics in North Carolina were less likely to get follow-up within a year of a positive mammogram, according to a study led by senior author Louise Henderson, PhD, adjunct assistant professor of epidemiology.
JAMA study finds more patients obtain medications when they are prescribed electronically
A recent study published by JAMA Dermatology analyzed possible reasons why some patients do not fill prescriptions for dermatologic medications. Study researchers, including Elizabeth A. Suarez, doctoral student of epidemiology at the Gillings School, found that patients are more likely to obtain medications if they are prescribed in an electronic, rather than paper, format.
Linking maternal mortality files to violent death reporting system reveals more pregnancy-associated suicides, homicides
A recent study co-authored by Anna Austin, doctoral student of maternal and child health, and Dr. Catherine Vladutiu, Gillings School alumna and adjunct faculty member in epidemiology, revealed that violent deaths occurring during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum are under-reported. Linking traditional maternal mortality surveillance system records with the North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System captured 55.6 percent more pregnancy-associated violent deaths than traditional surveillance alone.
Study finds genetic variation may protect against certain oral cancers
A key variation in the genetic region important for regulation of the immune system provides heightened protection against the development of head and neck cancers in people infected with HPV. This is the finding of a new large-scale genetic study co-authored by Dr. Andrew Olshan, chair of the Department of Epidemiology.
Menachery receives prestigious award from International Cytokine and Interferon Society
Dr. Vineet Menachery is one of four recipients of the Seymour and Vivian Milstein Young Investigator Award for notable contributions to cytokine research, presented by the International Cytokine and Interferon Society.
Particular HPV strain linked to improved prognosis for throat cancer
Gillings School researchers including Dr. Jose Zevallos and Dr. Andrew Olshan confirmed findings that a particular strain of HPV, a virus linked to a number of cancers, resulted in better overall survival for patients with oropharyngeal cancer than patients whose tumors contained other strains of the virus.
Genetic variations specific to African ancestry may increase kidney disease risk in Hispanic, Latino populations
A new study has revealed that genetic alleles linked to African ancestry may contribute to chronic kidney disease among Hispanics and Latinos, especially those with roots in the Caribbean region. Study co-authors from the Gillings School are Drs. Nora Franceschini and Jianwen Cai.
