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World Health Organization Study: Atrial Fibrillation is a Growing Global Health Concern Atrial fibrillation, long considered the most common condition leading to an irregular heartbeat, is a growing and serious global health problem, according to the first study ever to estimate the conditions worldwide prevalence, death rates and societal costs. The World Health Organization data analysis, led by Sumeet Chugh, MD, shows that 33.5 million people worldwide or .5% of the worlds population have the condition. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

Clinical Trial Aims to Identify Why Some Breast Cancer Patients Are at High Risk for Post-Treatment Fatigue Although the prevalence and impact of cancer-related fatigue has been well established, very little is known about its predictors, mechanisms for development, and persistence post-treatment. A new research study at the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, in partnership with UCLA, is aimed at identifying breast cancer patients most susceptible to post-treatment fatigue by measuring biological, behavioral and social risk factors. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

Rose Parade Offers Kidney Donor Opportunity to Honor Her Brother-In-Law Terie Cota, an elementary school administrator from Santa Maria, Calif., describes herself as an average 56-year-old woman. She has been married 34 years, is the mother of four sons and grandmother of two little girls. But there is nothing average about Terie Cota because she chose to do something few others would think to do: She donated one of her healthy kidneys to a total stranger. CONTACT: Laura Coverson, 310-423-5215; Email laura.coverson@cshs.org

Cedars-Sinai Researchers Target Cancer Stem Cells in Malignant Brain Tumors Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute identified immune system targets on cancer stem cells cells from which malignant brain tumors are believed to originate and regenerate and created an experimental vaccine to attack them. Results of laboratory and animal studies are published in the online edition of Stem Cells Translational Medicine, and will appear in the March 2014 print edition. CONTACT: Sandy Van, 808-526-1708; Email sandy@prpacific.com

Physicians Now Analyze Mothers Milk to Determine if Premature Babies Are Getting Correct Dosages of Nutrients Physicians in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Maxine Dunitz Childrens Health Center launched a pilot study in which mothers breast milk is analyzed to determine whether premature infants are receiving the correct amounts of nutrients they need to thrive. The study could lead to a new innovation in personalized medicine: individually optimized nutrition for the smallest patients. CONTACT: Soshea Leibler, 213-215-8000; Email Soshea.leibler@cshs.org

Researchers Identify Key Proteins Responsible for Electrical Communication in the Heart Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute researchers have found that six proteins five more than previously thought are responsible for cell-to-cell communication that regulates the heart and plays a role in limiting the size of heart attacks and strokes. The smallest of these proteins directs the largest in performing its role of coordinating billions of heart cells during each heartbeat. Together, the proteins synchronize the beating heart, the researchers determined. CONTACT: Sally Stewart, 310-248-6566; Email sally.stewart@cshs.org

Research Advancements Made in Diabetes-Induced Blindness Investigators at the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute have identified new molecular abnormalities in the diabetic cornea that could contribute to eye problems in affected patients. With this new knowledge, investigators aim to accelerate the process of healing and repair in damaged corneas to ultimately reverse the effects of diabetes-induced eye complications. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

Research for Her TM, an Online Clinical Research Registry, Honored With Distinguished National Award Research for HerTM , a Cedars-Sinai online medical research database aimed at increasing womens participation in clinical studies, received the 2013 Award for Excellence from the Health Improvement Institute for its user-friendly electronic consent form. The Research for Her registry allows women to register for potential participation in clinical trials through an online, verified consent process that is just two pages long and written in nontechnical, easy-to-understand language. In comparison, a typical clinical trial consent form, even for low-risk clinical trials, is a printed document ranging from eight to 15 pages and includes complex medical and legal terminology. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email cara.martinez@cshs.org

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January Tipsheet From Cedars-Sinai Medical Center