(Press-News.org) A rare bleeding disorder that can lead to life-threatening bleeding episodes is misdiagnosed in 15 per cent of cases according to findings from a new international research project led by a Queen's professor.
"Correct diagnosis is critical because it determines the treatment decision," says Maha Othman, a professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology who led the three-year research project on the rare platelet type of von Willebrand disease (VWD).
Patients with VWD are commonly treated with drugs that help control their condition. However, these drugs aggravate bleeding in patients with the rarer platelet form of the disease, and misdiagnosis can leave these patients vulnerable to severe life-threatening bleeding episodes in situations like pregnancy and surgical operations.
Although both forms of VWD are genetic disorders that share many diagnostic features, the defect actually lies in two different genes. A correct diagnosis can only be made by closely examining certain areas of both genes to determine where the defect lies.
Dr. Othman's study is the first large study to investigate the occurrence of the two types of VWD worldwide and to evaluate DNA analysis as a diagnostic tool.
In addition to pioneering this international project, Dr. Othman has also created an online registry aimed at determining the frequency of the rare platelet form of VWD and to collect data about the disorder. Despite its relative rarity, VWD is actually the most common genetically inherited bleeding disorder, affecting about one per cent of the general population.
Dr. Othman's research will be published in the March issue of the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Journal.
### END
Research improves diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorder
A rare bleeding disorder that can lead to life-threatening bleeding episodes is misdiagnosed in 15 percent of cases according to findings from a new international research project led by Maha Othman
2011-02-17
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Global warming may reroute evolution
2011-02-17
ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Rising carbon dioxide levels associated with global warming may affect interactions between plants and the insects that eat them, altering the course of plant evolution, research at the University of Michigan suggests.
The research focused on the effects of elevated carbon dioxide on common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Milkweed is one of many plants that produce toxic or bitter chemical compounds to protect themselves from being eaten by insects. These chemical defenses are the result of a long history of interactions between the plants and insects ...
Children of working moms face more health problems
2011-02-17
Children of working mothers are significantly more likely to experience health problems, including asthma and accidents, than children of mothers who don't work, according to new research from North Carolina State University.
"I don't think anyone should make sweeping value judgments based on a mother's decision to work or not work," says Dr. Melinda Morrill, research assistant professor of economics at NC State and author of the study. "But, it is important that we are aware of the costs and benefits associated with a mother's decision to work."
The study looked at ...
Conservation of whitebark pine may hinge on preservation of ponderosa
2011-02-17
The caching of whitebark pine seeds by the Clark's nutcracker in late summer and early fall may not be enough to regenerate populations of the imperiled conifer in most of its range, scientists have found.
Their research—which is featured in the February issue of Science Findings, a monthly publication of the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station—suggests, for the first time, that the success of whitebark pine restoration may be linked to the conservation of another tree species: ponderosa pine.
"Whitebark pine is a keystone species in the high-mountain ...
2 knee replacements may be better than 1
2011-02-17
Replacing both knees in one surgery, or simultaneous total knee replacement (TKR) was associated with significantly fewer prosthetic joint infections as well as other revision knee operations within one year after surgery, compared with total knee replacements performed in two separate procedures. However, simultaneous replacement was associated with a moderately higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes within 30 days, according to a study presented today at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
This study included 11,445 ...
Broader psychological impact of 2010 BP oil spill
2011-02-17
Baltimore, MD – Feb. 17, 2011. The explosion and fire on a BP-licensed oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010 had huge environmental and economic effects, with millions of gallons of oil leaking into the water for more than five months. It also had significant psychological impact on people living in coastal communities, even in those areas that did not have direct oil exposure, according to researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who worked in collaboration with the University of Florida, Gainesville. Study results will be published in the ...
Total knee replacement patients functioning well after 20 years
2011-02-17
Most patients who undergo total knee replacement (TKR) are age 60 to 80. More than 90 percent of these individuals experience a dramatic reduction in knee pain and a significant improvement in the ability to perform common activities. However questions have been raised about the decline in physical function over the long term despite the absence of implant-related problems. New research revealed today at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) evaluates patient functionality 20 years after knee replacement.
"It is a common concern ...
Healthy lifestyle, positive attitude can help improve patient outcomes
2011-02-17
Joint replacement patients who improve their lifestyle and maintain a positive mindset prior to surgery are more likely to have better functional outcomes than those who do not, according to research presented today at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Multiple studies found that patients who smoke, misuse alcohol, fail to control blood sugar levels or simply have a poor attitude prior to undergoing total hip or knee replacement (THR/TKR) surgery can, in some cases, double their odds of post-operative complications.
Data were ...
New Diet Books Offers Solution for Those Who Want a Flat Stomach and Ideal Body Weight
2011-02-17
The simple way to a permanently flat stomach and ideal body weight is given in a new book by Elizabeth Hartley, The Flat Stomach Diet: Get Rid Of Stomach Bloating Quickly, Easily And Permanently (ISBN-10: 145387304X; publisher Create Space).
Frustrated dieters will rejoice when they learn how easy it is to reshape their diet so they can continue to eat the foods they enjoy and still obtain a flat stomach and ideal body weight. Hartley has provided a simple, easy way for anyone to obtain visible results in just three to seven days.
"There are no foods banned from your ...
iFunia Video Converter Pro Now Available on the Mac App Store
2011-02-17
iFunia, a professional developer of Mac multimedia software today is pleased to announce the flagship product iFunia Video Converter Pro (http://www.ifunia.com/video-converter-mac.html) is currently available on Mac App Store. iFunia Video Converter Pro is a premier tool for Mac users that effortlessly converts video(including HD) into numerous video/audio formats for use on personal computers or popular portable players such as iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, PSP, BlackBerry, PS3,etc.
"We'e excited to bring iFunia Video Converter Pro to the Mac App Store," remarked Amy ...
BuzzDrivers CMO releases a free e-book entitled 'Attentionism: The Way of the Modern Marketer'
2011-02-17
We are bombarded with countless ads every day, but very few penetrate our minds. As consumers, we became less receptive to brand communication, and this is due to ad saturation and malpractice. Consumer attention become scarcer as the modern lifestyle gets busier. This attention-deficit challenges the old beliefs and practices of marketers and advertisers.
Brands are at the losing end of this situation. The way consumers perceive and process advertisements changed, and ignoring this fact can lead to costly mistakes. Marketers must adopt consistently as consumers do ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
SKKU research team unravels the origin of stochasticity, a key to next-generation data security and computing
Flexible polymer‑based electronics for human health monitoring: A safety‑level‑oriented review of materials and applications
Could ultrasound help save hedgehogs?
attexis RCT shows clinically relevant reduction in adult ADHD symptoms and is published in Psychological Medicine
Cellular changes linked to depression related fatigue
First degree female relatives’ suicidal intentions may influence women’s suicide risk
Specific gut bacteria species (R inulinivorans) linked to muscle strength
Wegovy may have highest ‘eye stroke’ and sight loss risk of semaglutide GLP-1 agonists
New African species confirms evolutionary origin of magic mushrooms
Mining the dark transcriptome: University of Toronto Engineering researchers create the first potential drug molecules from long noncoding RNA
IU researchers identify clotting protein as potential target in pancreatic cancer
Human moral agency irreplaceable in the era of artificial intelligence
Racial, political cues on social media shape TV audiences’ choices
New model offers ‘clear path’ to keeping clean water flowing in rural Africa
Ochsner MD Anderson to be first in the southern U.S. to offer precision cancer radiation treatment
Newly transferred jumping genes drive lethal mutations
Where wells run deep, biodiversity runs thin
Q&A: Gassing up bioengineered materials for wound healing
From genetics to AI: Integrated approaches to decoding human language in the brain
Leora Westbrook appointed executive director of NR2F1 Foundation
Massive-scale spatial multiplexing with 3D-printed photonic lanterns achieved by researchers
Younger stroke survivors face greater concentration, mental health challenges — especially those not employed
From chatbots to assembly lines: the impact of AI on workplace safety
Low testosterone levels may be associated with increased risk of prostate cancer progression during surveillance
Analysis of ancient parrot DNA reveals sophisticated, long-distance animal trade network that pre-dates the Inca Empire
How does snow gather on a roof?
Modeling how pollen flows through urban areas
Blood test predicts dementia in women as many as 25 years before symptoms begin
Female reproductive cancers and the sex gap in survival
GLP-1RA switching and treatment persistence in adults without diabetes
[Press-News.org] Research improves diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorderA rare bleeding disorder that can lead to life-threatening bleeding episodes is misdiagnosed in 15 percent of cases according to findings from a new international research project led by Maha Othman