News
The protein STAT3 helps the immune system to recognise leukemic cells. This interaction, which is important for future immunotherapies, is now understood in detail thanks to a study at the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (KL Krems). The study showed that STAT3 influences the formation of surface structures on leukemic cells that make them vulnerable to the immune system. If these structures are missing, leukemic cells can escape the body's innate immune surveillance. The expression of STAT3 in and the surface structures on leukemic cells could be a potential biomarker for future immunotherapies.
After two cancellations due to CoVID-19 and a delay of two years, the 37th annual conference of the ÖGHMP (Austrian Society for Hygiene, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine) finally took place. Especially for most of the young researchers of the ICC Water and Health (www.waterandhealth.at), to which our research unit "Water Quality and Health" at the KL belongs, it was the first opportunity to present and discuss their results in lectures and posters with a broad scientific audience.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the associated social measures have had a negative impact on the well-being of the population. Studies have shown increased anxiety, depression and stress during the pandemic among the older population, in particular those who had experienced Covid-19 infection in the social circle. Own infection experiences have also been shown to negatively affect mental health. However, questions on the impact of social proximity in combination with infection severity on psychological burden were previously left unanswered.
Nausea and vomiting is often present in patients with advanced cancer. Alternative treatment methods to alleviate symptoms are well accepted by patients and caregivers although proof of their effectiveness is often missing.
An international team led by a physician from the Karl Landsteiner University for Health Sciences, Krems, describes for the first time a mutation of the IL-33 gene in the human genome that results in multiple allergic disease manifestations, and autoimmune disease.
The number of elderly (65+) recieving a cochlear implant (CI) is increasing. Docotors have recognised that the better and more intensive the training with the new hearing prosthesis, the higher the satisfaction, especially among older, hearing-impaired patients.
On the occasion of the Day of Nursing on 12 May 2022, Univ. Prof. Dr. Hanna Mayer gave a lecture on the topic of "Professional Pride in Nursing".
Medical decisions on diagnosis and treatment of dyspnea in palliative care
KL graduate Magdalene Heim was able to publish her first research work in the journal „Supportive Care in Cancer“ with support of Dr. Gudrun Kreye form Krems University Hospital. Together with senior physician Dr. Klaus Hackner she investigated the selection of diagnosis and treatment options of acute respiratory distress in patients with advanced lung cancer.
Diabetes is one of the most common non-communicable diseases. The treatment of diabetes as well as associated long-term complications cause enormous costs for health care systems worldwide. Those affected are highly self-responsible for a good disease management. Social support improves self-management behaviour.
Call for inclusion in treatment guidelines
Lung cancer is responsible for the most cancer-related death. Decisions on the exact treatment of lung cancer are based on tumour size and lymph node involvement.
In larger organisational and institutional structures, as KL University has become, there is a need for low-threshold and non-hierarchical approaches to solving problems as well as impartial, confidential and mediating action with regard to complaint management. These are, for example, ombudsman's offices that take care of mediating and resolving problems for groups of people or processes.
