National Audit Shows Dying Patients Receive High Quality Care

The second National Care of the Dying Audit of Hospitals (NCDAH) published today, shows that patients on the Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient (LCP) are receiving high quality care in the last hours and days of life. The audit covers the use of the LCP in 155 hospitals, looking at the records of almost 4000 patients.

Discovery Of New Links Between Epilepsy And Brain Lipids

In mice that are missing a protein found only in the brain, neural signals "go crazy," leaving the animals with epileptic seizures from a young age, researchers have found. The report in the September 18th Cell, a Cell Press publication, details what it is that happens when the protein encoded by plasticity related gene-1 (PRG-1) gets lost, revealing an important fine-tuning mechanism for brain function.

Dangerous Radioactive Sources Removed From Lebanon By IAEA

An IAEA mission to get powerful radioactive sources out of Lebanon was completed 30 August 2009, after a plane carrying the high-activity cargo safely touched down in Russia, where the sources are now securely and safely stored. They comprised 36 Cobalt-60 sources, with a combined activity of 3.500 curies. A single source is powerful enough to kill a person within minutes, if directly exposed. Mr. Robin Heard, an IAEA radioactive source specialist, oversaw the mission.

New Data Show Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain Maintained Pain Reduction On Duloxetine

New data show patients with chronic low back pain on duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta®) maintained reductions in pain for 41 weeks.[i] In patients who initially responded to duloxetine, this maintenance of pain reduction was accompanied by further reduction in pain that was statistically significant as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) average pain rating.

New TAU Study Uses Breakthrough "Brain Profiling" To Detect Combat Soldiers At Risk Of Suicide

According to a recent Washington Post study, approximately 20% of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are psychologically damaged. Among them are a substantial number with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the high rate of suicide among PTSD sufferers has become unacceptable to Army commanders and the soldiers' families.

By Age 6 Parts Of Brain Involved In Social Cognition May Be In Place

Social cognition - the ability to think about the minds and mental states of others - is essential for human beings. In the last decade, a group of regions has been discovered in the human brain that are specifically used for social cognition. A new study in the July/August 2009 issue of the journal Child Development investigates these brain regions for the first time in human children. The study has implications for children with autism.

Cancer Safety Fears Of Most Common Heartburn Treatment Rejected By Major Clinical Study

Fears about the cancer causing effects of the second most prescribed group of drugs in the Western world have been put to rest, following the largest ever study into their use. 'Proton pump inhibitors' (PPI) are the most commonly used treatment for chronic acid reflux, or 'heartburn', a painful burning sensation in the chest, neck and throat which is experienced by almost a third of people in developed countries.

Implantable Defibrillators Not Associated With Reduced Risk Of Death In Women With Heart Failure

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators do not appear to be associated with a reduced risk of death in women with advanced heart failure, according to a meta-analysis of previously published research in the September 14 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Heart failure affects about 5.3 million Americans, almost half of them women, according to background information in the article.

A New Mechanism Regulating Fetal Growth And Neonatal Survival Revealed By Canadian Scientists

Dr. Sylvain Meloche, Principal Investigator at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal, and his colleagues have uncovered the critical role played by the protein kinase Erk3 in fetal growth potential and lung maturation.

American Veterinary Medical Association Survey Indicates Most Starting Salaries Are Up For New Veterinarians

The results of an annual survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reveal an economic mixed bag when it comes to what new veterinary graduates encountered in 2009. The survey results appear in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in a Sept. 1, 2009, article entitled, "Employment, starting salaries, and educational indebtedness of year-2009 graduates of US veterinary colleges.

Occupational Chemical Exposure Associated With Parkinson's Disease

A report in the September issue of Archives of Neurology (one of the JAMA/Archives journals) shows that individuals whose occupation involves contact with pesticides appear to have an increased risk of having Parkinson's disease. According to background information in the article, the development of Parkinson's disease related to chemical exposure was identified in the late 20th century.

Bioheart Inc. Announces Positive Results In The MARVEL Phase II/III Clinical Trial

Bioheart, Inc. (OTCBB:BHRT), presented positive efficacy data from part 1 of its Phase II/III clinical trial at the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Thomas Povsic, MD, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at Duke University, presented the final data for Part 1 of the MARVEL Phase II/III Clinical Trial as a part of the Late Breaking Clinical Trials Session. Along with Dr.

Reliability of efficacy in men with erectile dysfunction treated with tadalafil once daily ...

Maimonides Medical Center and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. (Source: UroToday)

Multiple Sclerosis: National Search For Proteins That Cause MS

Australian researchers will aim to discover the proteins that cause multiple sclerosis (MS), thanks to a new nationwide research effort. The national research project is the first of its kind in Australia and one of the first of its kind in the world. "This collaborative research project has the potential to find crucial answers about a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide," says the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

Study finds association between hepatitis B and pancreatic cancer

Past hepatitis B infection was twice as prevalent in patients with pancreatic cancer as in healthy people. [J Clin Oncol].

Bayer Announces New Data On Oncology Portfolio To Be Presented At The ECCO-ESMO Congress 2009

Bayer HealthCare announced that data from more than 30 clinical trials evaluating three products in the company's oncology portfolio - Nexavar(R) (sorafenib) tablets, regorafenib (BAY 73-4506) and Alpharadin(TM) - will be presented at the joint 15th European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) and 34th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Multidisciplinary Congress, September 20-24, 2009 in Berlin, Germany.

Mindblind Eyes: An Absence Of Spontaneous Theory Of Mind In Asperger Syndrome

Highly intelligent adults with Asperger Syndrome still have difficulties in day-to-day social interaction. These difficulties may be explained by 'mindblindness', the idea that they are unable to predict what other people will do by thinking about their mental states, that is, their knowledge and beliefs.

Outcomes Appear To Be Improving For Conservative Management Of Localized Prostate Cancer

A comparison of outcomes of different eras of conservative treatment for localized prostate cancer indicates that overall and prostate cancer-specific survival rates are higher for men diagnosed from 1992 through 2002 compared to men diagnosed in the 1970s and 1980s, according to a study in the September 16 issue of JAMA. "Among men, prostate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States.

What Is Physical Therapy (physiotherapy)? What Does A Physical Therapist (physiotherapist) Do?

Physical therapy or physiotherapy (UK/Ireland/Australia) is a branch of rehabilitative medicine aimed at helping patients maintain, recover or improve their physical abilities. Physical therapists or physiotherapists (UK/Ireland/Australia) work with patients whose movements may be undermined by aging, disease, environmental factors, or sporting hazards.

Improvement In Survival For Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia With Dexamethasone-Based Therapy

An article published Online First and in the October edition of The Lancet Oncology reports that a dexamethasone-based treatment reduces the risk of relapse and improves the rate of cure in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This can be achieved without the use of cranial radiation and some commonly used chemotherapy drugs, therefore minimising the risk of unnecessary side-effects.

Cutaneous Application Of Nanoparticles Offers Hope For Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction

Cutaneous application of nanoparticles may offer a new means of delivering drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), according to findings presented at the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA). Topical treatments for ED may offer localized therapeutic results with the benefit of lower dosage and the avoidance of adverse side effects due to systemic absorption.

Prostate Cancer Survival Improving Among Older Men Who Have Conservative Management

Older men whose localized prostated cancer is not aggressively treated with surgery or radiation but follows a conservative management regime also known as "watchful waiting" are surviving longer, according to a new US study. These are the conclusions of Senior author Dr Grace L.

Veterans Affairs Tries To Keep Up With Surge Of Need

The Department of Veterans Affairs is experiencing a surge of treatment requests and disability claims as soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan, overwhelming VA clinics. The Christian Science Monitor reports "the VA is experiencing an unprecedented demand for its services.

Boosting Pine Beetle Fight And Improving Cancer Research With The Help Of New UBC Sequencing Technique

UBC researchers have helped develop a cheaper, faster way to compile draft genome sequences that could advance the fight against mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation and improve cancer research. Current sequencing methods have a variety of advantages and disadvantages -- including the cost involved.

Pancreatic Tumor Rejection Can Be Induced By Autoimmune Response

Immune responses are capable of killing tumors before they can be directed toward normal body tissue, according to new scientific findings published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. "There are extremely precise mechanistic methods augmenting the ability of the immune system to distinguish between normal tissues and tumors," said lead researcher Richard G. Vile, Ph.D.

ACLU Files Lawsuit Against Miss. Over Religious-Themed Abstinence Summit

The American Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the Mississippi Department of Human Services alleging that the agency included religious music and Bible teachings during a state-sponsored event promoting abstinence until marriage, the AP/Hattiesburg American reports. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S.

Researchers To Probe Whether Lyme Disease Will Follow Spread Of Ticks Across U.S.

Potentially debilitating Lyme disease doesn't afflict people everywhere that the ticks harboring it are found. At least not yet. A five-university consortium led by a Michigan State University researcher wants to find out why. "These ticks are on the move. As ticks expand into new areas, more people will likely become infected," said MSU fisheries and wildlife assistant professor Jean Tsao, who will lead the four-year, $2.5 million study.

Davis Phinney Foundation Announces New U.S. Study To Evaluate The Long-Term Physical And Emotional Effects Of Parkinson's Disease.

The Davis Phinney Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson's disease (PD), has announced that it has awarded four Parkinson's disease research centers with support to conduct a landmark study on the long-term changes in quality of life and mobility that occur in people with PD.

Plastic Surgeons Should Be Part Of Disaster Relief Planning, Response

When a terrorist bomb explodes, a tornado rips through a town, a hurricane devastates a region, or wildfires ravage homes and businesses, plastic surgeons are not typically atop the list of emergency responders. But they should be, UT Southwestern Medical Center plastic surgeons and disaster experts recommend in the September issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Hand Hygiene Monitor Tested At VCU Medical Center

A wireless, credit-card-sized sensor that can detect whether health care workers have properly washed their hands upon entering a patient's room is being studied at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. The device could greatly reduce the number of hospital acquired infections nationwide since most are transmitted through contact due to poor hand-washing practice.

Acute Kidney Injury Patients More Likely To Need Dialysis Within 5 Years

Patients who sustain injury to their kidneys and require in-hospital dialysis are three times more likely to need long-term dialysis later in life compared to those without a history of this condition, says a new study from St. Michael's Hospital. Patients with acute kidney disease are a high-risk group for whom early medical surveillance and intervention may prevent progression to irreversible end-stage kidney disease.

Anthrax Attack Requires Early Detection & Quick Response

A large attack on a major metropolitan area with airborne anthrax could affect more than a million people, necessitating their treatment with powerful antibiotics. A new study finds that in order for a response to be effective, quick detection and treatment are essential, and any delay beyond three days would overwhelm hospitals with critically ill people.

After Menopause, Hormone Therapy Plus Physical Activity Reduce Belly Fat, Body Fat Percentage

Older women who take hormone therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms may get the added benefit of reduced body fat if they are physically active, according to a new study. The results were presented at The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Roflumilast Treatment Shows Promise For Some Patients With COPD

Roflumilast, an oral, once a day anti-inflammatory agent, improves lung function and reduces exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have chronic respiratory symptoms and are at greater risk of exacerbations. The effect persists even when roflumilast is added to conventional treatment with inhaled long-acting bronchodilators. Thus, roflumilast therapy has the potential to become an important treatment for these patients.

Defining 'Nano'

The same properties of nanoparticles that make them so appealing to manufacturers may also have negative effects on the environment and human health. However, little is known which particles may be harmful. Part of the problem is determining exactly what a nanoparticle is.

Reflexologists To Join Voluntary Register, UK

The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) opens its register to reflexology practitioners which means that members of the public will be able to choose their registered reflexologist in the knowledge that they meet national standards of conduct and competence.

In Vitro Fertilization Less Successful With Alternative Fertility Treatments

The common belief is that it won't hurt to try alternative fertility treatments before reverting to in vitro fertilization (IVF). But a new study from Denmark finds that the success of IVF treatment is 30% lower among women who have used alternative medicine. The researchers included over 700 IVF users over a 12-month period.

E-Health Vision Takes Shape; 'Easier Said Than Done,' Brits Say

President Obama has pushed electronic medical records as a key reform tool, though it's unclear exactly how the system - incentivized by stimulus bill funding - would take shape in the U.S. In Britain, NPR's Planet Money blog reports, "the current battle over these records in the U.K. shows, figuring out a system may be harder and more expensive than it looks.

Psychologists Set To Discuss The Psychosocial Impact Of The Internet

The internet now plays a major role in many people's lives. Over the last 20 years psychologists have built up a substantial body of knowledge about people's social interactions in cyberspace.

Adult ADHD, Risk Factors And Genetics

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood. Worldwide, 3% of children are affected with the disorder. Key symptoms of ADHD include age-inappropriate hyperactive and impulsive behaviour and/or a reduced ability to focus attention.

Depression Increases Cancer Patients' Risk Of Dying

Depression can affect a cancer patient's likelihood of survival. That is the finding of an analysis published in the November 15, 2009 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The results highlight the need for systematic screening of psychological distress and subsequent treatments. A number of studies have shown that individuals' mental attitudes can impact their physical health.

Conservatives Commit To Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Campaign To Decriminalise Single Dispensing Errors

Reflecting on comments made by Shadow Health Minister Andrew Lansley, at the annual conference of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), President Steve Churton said: "I am delighted that Andrew Lansley has responded to the commitments which the RPSGB has today made

Theravance And Astellas Announce FDA Approval Of VIBATIVTM (telavancin) For The Treatment Of Complicated Skin And Skin Structure Infections

Theravance, Inc. (NASDAQ: THRX) and Astellas Pharma US, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved VIBATIV™ (telavancin) for the treatment of adult patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, both methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) strains.

Parent-Child Interactions Negatively Impacted By Background TV

More than a third of American infants and toddlers live in homes where the television is on most or all the time, even if no one's watching. A new study looks for the first time at the effect of background TV on interactions between parents and young children - and finds that the effect is negative. The study, in the September/October 2009 issue of the journal Child Development, was carried out by researchers at the University of Massachusetts.

University Of Southern California Study Explains Major Cause Of Drug-Resistance In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) have discovered high concentrations of a specific mutator protein in cells that develop resistance to drug treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The finding helps explain why CML cells become drug-resistant and may lead to the development of therapies that improve survival in CML patients.

A Potential Therapeutic Agent For Hepatic Fibrosis

Accumulating evidence suggests that connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) plays a central role in fibrotic conditions in many organ systems. Fibrosis is a scarring condition that is characterized by excessive collagen production that impedes normal cell function and can cause organ dysfunction and failure.

Major Scots Study Tackles Bowel Disease In Kids

Scotland has one of the highest rates in the world of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its incidence is rising among Scots children. Now researchers have begun a major Scotland wide study into IBD - which encompasses Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis - which afflicts around 1,000 people under 18 years old in Scotland. Their work - led by the University of Aberdeen - is being supported by a research grant of £182, 235 from the Chief Scientist Office.

Palliative Care Intervention For Patients With Advanced Cancer Provides Quality Of Life And Mood Benefits

Patients with advanced cancer who received a palliative care intervention focused on addressing physical and psychosocial issues and care coordination that was provided at the same time as cancer treatment reported improved quality of life and mood but did not experience a significant change in the number of days in the hospital or the severity of their symptoms compared to patients who received usual care, according to a study in the August 19 issue of JAMA.

FDA Defers Final Action On Milnacipran New Drug Application

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) and Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYPB) (the "Companies") announced that the U.S.

ASGE Recognizes 10 Endoscopy Units For Quality As Part Of Its Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recognized 10 endoscopy units as part of its program specifically dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines. To date, 134 endoscopy units have been recognized by ASGE.

MDA Re-Elects Three Researchers To National Leadership Roles

Three prominent figures in the field of neuromuscular disease research have been re-elected to national leadership positions with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Stanley H. Appel of Houston, R. Rodney Howell of Miami, and Louis M. Kunkel of Boston were re-elected to one-year terms on MDA's Board of Directors at the Association's recent annual meeting in Los Angeles. Howell is chairman of the board.

Electronic Health Records: A Focus For Big Tech Companies

"On one proposal for health care reform at least, there is a rare bipartisan consensus: the push to computerize patient records," The New York Times reports. The federal recovery package sets aside $19 billion "to encourage doctors and hospitals to install and use electronic health records.

Diagnostic HYBRIDS Releases Thyretain ™ For The Specific Detection Of Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI)

Diagnostic HYBRIDS announces the FDA clearance, for marketing under the 510(k) pre-notification process, of the Thyretain TSI Reporter BioAssay. Thyretain is an in vitro diagnostic use test that specifically detects auto-antibodies called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) in patient serum. Thyretain is the first FDA-cleared test that specifically detects TSI and is to be used as an aid in the differential diagnosis of Graves' disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder.

Obesity, migraine, ED sufferers may experience more emotional pain

According to a new survey, people who are obese, or who suffer from chronic migraines or erectile dysfunction, may experience more emotional trauma than people diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

The Dioxin Poisoning Of Victor Yushchenko: Need For Methods In Routine Analysis Of Metabolites Of The Poison TCDD

An article published Online First exposes the facts of the poisoning of Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko in 2004. It is the work of Professor Jean Saurat, from the Swiss Centre for Human Applied Toxicology, and the University Hospital, in Geneva, Switzerland, and his collaborators. It establishes that there is a need for routine analytical techniques to test for metabolites of TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) which is a type of dioxin and the poison that was used.

WFP Appeals For $5.2M To Feed At Least 500,000 Malawaians Through Dec. 2010

The U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP) made an international appeal Thursday for $5.2 million to help feed more than half a million people in Malawi through the end of next year, Agence France-Presse reports. Anne Callanan, the WFP's country director, said although the country's maize yield of 3.

New Insights Into Cardiac Aging

Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have found that the conserved protein d4eBP modulates cardiac aging in Drosophila (fruit flies). The team also found that d4eBP, which binds to the protein dEif4e, protects heart function against aging. This research enhances our understanding of the TOR and FoxO signaling pathways and provides a more specific target for further research into cardiac aging.

Siemens Introduces Dedicated Ultrasound Solution For Obstetrics And Gynecology

Siemens Healthcare introduces a dedicated ultrasound solution for Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Acuson X300 ultrasound system, PremiumEdition (PE) - Women's Imaging at the International Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG). The system features exceptional clinical performance across all modes, including 3D/4D imaging. Unique workflow tools such as automated biometry measurements of the fetus streamline the exam process for greater patient throughput.

2008 - American Society of Clinical Oncology - 44th Annual Meeting

The ASCO Annual Meeting was held in Chicago, May 30 - June 3, 2008.

Dangerous Radioactive Sources Removed From Lebanon By IAEA

An IAEA mission to get powerful radioactive sources out of Lebanon was completed 30 August 2009, after a plane carrying the high-activity cargo safely touched down in Russia, where the sources are now securely and safely stored. They comprised 36 Cobalt-60 sources, with a combined activity of 3.500 curies. A single source is powerful enough to kill a person within minutes, if directly exposed. Mr. Robin Heard, an IAEA radioactive source specialist, oversaw the mission.

Jefferson Award Honors Doctor Determined To Cure Rare Disease HIBM

A Los Angeles doctor who has made it his life's work to find a cure for the rare disease Heredity Inclusion Body Myopathy, or HIBM, has won this month's Channel ABC7 (Los Angeles) Jefferson Award. Through media partnerships throughout the US the Jefferson Award organization, which was co-founded by Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis in 1972, acknowledges and honors people who have made a difference in their community.

Luminex Receives 510(K) Clearance For New Cystic Fibrosis Test

Luminex Corporation (NASDAQ: LMNX), the worldwide leader in multiplexed solutions, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new cystic fibrosis (CF) test: the xTAG® Cystic Fibrosis 39 Kit v2. Designed with years of feedback from clinicians and technicians, the newly cleared xTAG test detects for 39 CF-causing gene mutations.

2009 Charles River Laboratories' Excellence In Refinement Award

Paul Flecknell, PhD, widely recognized for his expertise in the identification and management of pain in laboratory animals, is the 2009 recipient of the Charles River Laboratories' Excellence in Refinement Award. This award was presented on September 3 at the 7th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences in Rome.

Families Fighting Flu Urges Seasonal Flu Vaccination In Kids

Families Fighting Flu (FFF) reminds parents to get their children vaccinated against the seasonal flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children six months through 18 years of age get a seasonal flu vaccination each year. This is the first year that this full influenza vaccination recommendation for children will be implemented by all doctors.

Alzheimer's Society Calls For An End To Complex Care Charging System

A fifth of carers face difficulties in applying for benefits under the current 'complex and confusing' system according to The Public Accounts Committee. The group of MPs has published a report examining the steps the Department for Work and Pensions has taken to improve the delivery of benefits to carers and the support it provides to help them find employment.

LED Light And Green Tea Cream To Smooth Facial Wrinkles

Scientists in Germany are reporting a major improvement in their potential new treatment for facial wrinkles that could emerge as an alternative to Botox and cosmetic surgery. The non-invasive technique combines high-intensity light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a lotion made of green tea extract. It works ten times faster than a similar anti-wrinkle treatment that uses LEDs alone, the researchers say. Their study is scheduled for the Oct.

Injury Research And Health Organizations Urge Congress To Save Lives And Money By Including Injury Prevention In Health Care Reform

A group of 18 research centers, professional organizations and advocacy groups have joined together to urge Congress to include injury prevention in health care reform. Each day, 475 Americans die from injuries related to motor vehicle crashes, assaults, fires and other trauma. This results in 170,000 deaths every year, more than twice that from diabetes and more than four times that of breast cancer.

Diet & Exercise & Transdermal Testosterone Reverses Metabolic Syndrome And Improves Glycaemic Control In Men With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

UroToday.com - It was formerly firmly believed that testosterone had no essential role to play in male physiology, other than on sexual and reproductive functioning. Over the last three decades it has become apparent that testosterone plays a significant role in glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. The metabolic syndrome is a clustering of risk factors predisposing to diabetes mellitus type 2, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Acceptance Of Submission For Belatacept Biologic License Application

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted, for filing and review, the company's submission of a biologic license application for belatacept, which is in ongoing phase III development for use in kidney transplantation. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) goal date for the FDA is May 1, 2010.

The Safety Of Planned Home Birth With Registered Midwife

The risk of infant death following planned home birth attended by a registered midwife does not differ from that of a planned hospital birth, found a study http://www.cmaj.ca/press/cmaj081869.pdf published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Retail Clinics Offer More Treatments For Chronic Diseases

Retail health clinics are reevaluating their offerings. The Wall Street Journal reports: "Retail health clinics are adding treatments for chronic diseases such as asthma to their repertoire, hoping to find steadier revenue, but putting the clinics into greater competition with doctors' groups and hospitals.

SAPHRIS(R) (asenapine) Meets Primary Endpoint In Long-Term Extension Study In Patients With Predominant, Persistent Negative Symptoms Of Schizophrenia

Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) announced that its investigational agent SAPHRIS(R) (asenapine) met the primary endpoint over one year of treatment in an extension study in patients with predominant, persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia include apathy, lack of emotion and poor social functioning, among others. In the study, these symptoms were assessed using the validated 16-item Negative Symptom Assessment scale (NSA-16).

What Is Hypothyroidism? What Causes Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland, which supplies hormones to keep the metabolism in working order, is not functioning properly. This results in lower-than-required levels of essential hormones that are distributed to the rest of the body - undermining the body's ability to function efficiently.

Those Blinded By Brain Injury May Still 'See' New Study Shows

Except in clumsy moments, we rarely knock over the box of cereal or glass of orange juice as we reach for our morning cup of coffee. New research at The University of Western Ontario has helped unlock the mystery of how our brain allows us to avoid these undesired objects.

Can-Fite-Completed Patient Enrollment For The Phase II Trial In Psoriasis With CF101

Can-Fite BioPharma (TASE:CFBI), a biotechnology company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, has achieved yet another goal by completion of patients' enrollment in its phase II Psoriasis trial. Approximately 70 patients were enrolled to this study, randomized into 4 groups treated with 1, 2 and 4 mg of CF101 and placebo. Patients are taking the drug for 12 weeks plus 2 weeks of follow-up. The trial is being conducted in 10 sites in Israel and Europe.

Oticon Medical Receives FDA Clearance To Market Innovative Bone Anchored Hearing System

Oticon Medical, a global medical device company within the William Demant Group, announced that it has obtained 501(k) clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to market the innovative Ponto bone anchored hearing system. The Ponto System features an easy-to-operate computer fitting platform to enable a more precise match between patient and sound processor.

Cardiac Arrest Mortalities Form A Valuable Source Of Donor Kidneys

A pilot study of a system for harvesting kidneys from non-heart-beating donors where attempts of resuscitation after a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have failed (uncontrolled NHBDs) resulted in 21 successful kidney transplants - a 10% increase in the transplantation rate - over 17 months.

Joint Commission To Help Hospitals Fix Patient Safety Problems

"The Joint Commission announced today that its newly-formed Center for Transforming Healthcare will work on new collaborative programs with leading hospitals and health care systems to find a cause of the most deadly breakdowns in patient care, and put a stop to them," The Wall Street Journal's Health Blog reports.

Additional Alabama Deaths Linked To 2009 H1N1 Influenza

The Alabama Department of Public Health has been informed that a resident of Bullock County and a resident of Macon County have died. The men, one in his 40s and one in his 50s, died at a Montgomery hospital. Specimens from both men tested positive for H1N1 influenza. These deaths serve as reminder of the need for everyone to take additional precautions because of the early onset of influenza in Alabama.

What Is Scurvy? What Causes Scurvy?

Scurvy is a condition where an individual has a vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency. The name scurvy comes from the Latin scorbutus, and humans have known about the disease since ancient Greek and Egyptian times. Scurvy commonly is associated with sailors in the 16th to 18th centuries who navigated long voyages without enough vitamin C and frequently perished from the condition. Modern cases of scurvy are very rare.

Insomnia: Studies Confirm Calcium And Magnesium Effective

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six out of ten Americans report having insomnia and sleep problems at least a few nights a week. Insomnia is defined as "An inability to fall asleep or remain asleep long enough to feel rested, especially when the problem continues over time." In an effort to combat this, as many as 25 percent of the people in the United States use medications to help them sleep.

With Summer Jobs, Med Students Experience Health System Challenges First Hand

A group of University of Washington medical students had an eye-opening experience with the health care system this summer, The New York Times reports. A record number of students from the university this year participated in a summer program that sends rising second-year medical students "across the Northwest to provide primary care in rural or underserved areas.

News From The Journals Of The American Society For Microbiology

New Antibiotic Shows Promise in Fighting Malaria A new study suggests that tigecycline, the first member of a new class of antibiotics, shows significant antimalarial activity on its own and may also be effective against multi drug-resistant malaria when administered in combination with traditional antimalarial drugs.

Multiple Sclerosis: National Search For Proteins That Cause MS

Australian researchers will aim to discover the proteins that cause multiple sclerosis (MS), thanks to a new nationwide research effort. The national research project is the first of its kind in Australia and one of the first of its kind in the world. "This collaborative research project has the potential to find crucial answers about a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide," says the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

Is Somatic Hypersensitivity A Predictor Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Although visceral hypersensitivity is considered a hallmark feature of IBS, conflicting evidence exists regarding somatic hypersensitivity in this patient population. Several investigators have found no evidence for heightened somatic pain sensitivity in IBS patients. Also, others have reported similar cold presser pain tolerance in IBS patients and controls. These conflicting findings may result from differing somatic pain testing procedures.

Flu Advice For Asthma And Allergy Sufferers

According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67% of children who died with the new H1N1 flu virus had at least one high-risk medical condition. Any individual with an underlying respiratory condition such as asthma is more likely to experience serious health problems if he or she contracts the flu, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

Many High Health Costs Remain Mysterious

Health care's high costs are a main reason lawmakers are taking on health reform, but it's also a challenge to identify and target the many reasons care is so expensive. NPR takes a look at medical devices, like plastic tubes and scalpels, that boast surprisingly big price tags.

Analysis: Marketing Research Sheds Light On Low Vaccination Rates In Some Developing Countries

Despite progress in raising the vaccination rates in the world's poorest countries, some countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia and Nigeria continue to have vaccination rates "below 50% in certain regions, compared with the 80% or more needed to achieve a low risk of the disease spreading," Douglas Holt, Oxford University professor of marketing, and Jacob McKnight, also of Oxford University, write in a

New Treatment Shows Promising Results In Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

A new treatment involving the intramuscular injection of an antisense molecule is safe and effective at increasing the production of the protein dystrophin-the absence of which causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). As such, this treatment could benefit a significant proportion of patients with DMD, concludes an Article published Online First and in the October edition of The Lancet Neurology.

Additional Phase II Data Demonstrate Improvement In Reported Symptoms In Patients Who Still Experience GERD Symptoms Despite PPI Therapy

Adding AZD3355, a novel GABAB receptor agonist, to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), resulted in a 35% reduction in the mean total number of reflux episodes 0-24 hours after dose, compared with placebo.[i] These data were presented at the Digestive Diseases Week annual meeting (DDW®, 30 May - 4 June, Chicago).

What Is Vertigo? What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is a sensation that everything around you is spinning or moving, which is usually caused by a problem in the inner ear, but can also be caused by vision problems. People with vertigo commonly feel things are moving when they are standing completely still and everything around them is still. Vertigo is medically different from dizziness, lightheadedness, and unsteadiness. Lay people commonly use the terms dizziness and vertigo indistinctly.

New Method Monitors Early Sign Of Oxidative Stress In Cancer

The growth of cancerous tumors is fueled, at least in part, by the buildup of free radicals---highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules. It stands to reason, then, that cancer should respond to treatment with antioxidants, which inhibit the rogue radicals, or with pro-oxidants, which go the opposite direction, increasing "oxidative stress" on cancer cells to the point of vanquishing them.

Hovione's TwinCaps(R) Inhaler Delivers Successfully In Phase III Clinical Trials For Influenza

Hovione is pleased to announce that its TwinCaps(R) inhaler licensees Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) and Biota Holdings Ltd (Victoria, Australia) have both announced successful Phase III trials for CS-8958, a new long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor for treatment of influenza (known as a prodrug of laninamivir).

Texas Newspapers Call For Comprehensive Sex Education To Address Teen Pregnancy

Two Texas newspapers recently published editorials and an opinion piece responding to a recent Child Trends report that ranked Texas No. 1 in the U.S. for repeat teen pregnancies. According to a recent Dallas Morning News

With Summer Jobs, Med Students Experience Health System Challenges First Hand

A group of University of Washington medical students had an eye-opening experience with the health care system this summer, The New York Times reports. A record number of students from the university this year participated in a summer program that sends rising second-year medical students "across the Northwest to provide primary care in rural or underserved areas.

Genetic Causes Of Schizophrenia

In collaboration with colleagues from across Europe, researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark have found mutations in the human genome that lead to an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. This discovery brings about a new understanding of the interplay between genes and the environment, i.e.

How Significant Is The Bleeding Toxicity After External Beam Radiotherapy For Prostate Cancer Patients On Anticoagulation Therapy?

UroToday.com - Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, especially in elderly men. Since these men often also have cardiovascular diseases that require anticoagulation therapy, it is not uncommon for prostate cancer patients to be on anticoagulants, such as Coumadin and Plavix. External beam radiotherapy is one of the standard treatment options for localized prostate cancer, and it may be the preferred choice for older patients with significant comorbid illnesses.

Practice Guidelines For Nutrition Care For Patients With Spinal Cord Injury Published By ADA

The American Dietetic Association has published new evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines for registered dietitians on nutrition care for patients with spinal cord injury.

Sticky Protein Helps Reinforce Fragile Muscle Membranes

A new study by scientists at the University of Iowa shows why muscle membranes don't rupture when healthy people exercise. The findings shed light on a mechanism that appears to protect cells from mechanical stress.

Potent "Tomato Pill" Launched As New Approach To Treatment Of High Cholesterol

A new pill that contains a potent version of the naturally occurring compound lycopene, a carotenoid found in tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables, was launched today as a new approach to the treatment of high blood cholesterol and atherosclerosis.

BMI Of Texas Bariatric Surgeons Selected As National Training Center For REALIZE Gastric Band

The Bariatric Medical Institute of Texas ("BMI of Texas") announced surgeons Mickey Seger and Terive Duperier have been selected by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. as one of the five training sites in the U.S. to host a preceptorship for the Ethicon Endo-Surgery REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band. The REALIZE™ Adjustable Gastric Band, which was approved by the U.S.

Daycare Doubles Early Respiratory Problems, Does Not Prevent Later Asthma And Allergy

New research hints that the common belief that kids who go to daycare have lower rates of asthma and allergy later in life might be nothing more than wishful thinking. While young children in daycare definitely do get more illnesses and experience more respiratory symptoms as a result, any perceived protection these exposures afford against asthma and allergy seem to disappear by the time the child hits the age of eight.

What Is Huntington's Disease? What Causes Huntington's Disease?

Huntington's disease is an incurable, hereditary brain disorder. It is a devastating brain disorder for which there is no currently 'effective' treatment. Nerve cells become damaged, causing various parts of the brain to deteriorate. The disease affects movement, behavior and cognition - the affected individuals' abilities to walk, think, reason and talk are gradually eroded to such a point that they eventually become entirely reliant on other people for their care.

Interrnational Agency For Research On Cancer For Reconfirmation Of Asbestos Dangers And New Evidence Of Related Ovarian Cancers

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the leading organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, today applauded the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)'s reconfirmation this week that all commercial asbestos fibers - including chrysotile, the most commercially used form of asbestos - cause lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Also In Global Health News: India Drug Patent Rejection; Iranian Female Health Minister; Hunger In North Korea; Rape In The Congo; More

Indian Health Officials Welcome Patent Rejections Of HIV/AIDS Drugs Reuters examines Indian health officials' positive reaction to the recent decision by the country's patent office to reject patent applications on two "life-saving HIV/AIDS drugs.

Anti-Smoking Law Helps Waiters To Quit Smoking

Researchers from the Catalan Institute of Oncology have studied the impact of the law banning smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants on those working in these places. The results are positive - 5% of waiters have stopped smoking, and the number of cigarettes smoked by those who still smoke has fallen by almost 9%. On 1 January 2006, a smoking ban came into force in public places in Spain.

USA Today Examines Salaries Of CEOs At U.S. Government-Funded Foreign Aid Non-Profits

USA Today reports on its investigation into the salaries of "government-funded non-profit" CEOs who "are paid to deliver U.S. foreign assistance," which revealed four of the top 10 largest foreign aid contractors made more than a half-million dollars in 2007.

Novel Anti-inflammatory Molecules Of Microbial Origin

By studying the mycobacteria(1) that cause tuberculosis, molecules with anti-inflammatory properties have been identified by the team led by Valérie Quesniaux in the Laboratoire Immunologie et Embryologie Moléculaires, working in collaboration with the Institut de Chimie Organique et Analytique (both based in the University of Orléans/CNRS). These molecules, as well as several new analogs, have been synthesized.

Inhaling A Heart Attack: How Air Pollution Can Cause Heart Disease

It's well known that measures such as exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking can help reduce high blood pressure, but researchers at the University of Michigan Health System have determined the very air we breathe can be an invisible catalyst to heart disease. Inhaling air pollution over just two hours caused a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure, the lower number on blood pressure readings, according to new U-M research.

Discovery Of Tiny Protein-Activator Responsible For Brain Cell Damage In Huntington Disease

Johns Hopkins brain scientists have figured out why a faulty protein accumulates in cells everywhere in the bodies of people with Huntington's disease (HD), but only kills cells in the part of the brain that controls movement, causing negligible damage to tissues elsewhere. The answer, reported this week in Science, lies in one tiny protein called "Rhes" that's found only in the part of the brain that controls movement.

Novel Use Of Neurotechnology To Solve Classic Social Problem Developed By Caltech Scientists

Economists and neuroscientists from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have shown that they can use information obtained through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measurements of whole-brain activity to create feasible, efficient, and fair solutions to one of the stickiest dilemmas in economics, the public goods free-rider problem - long thought to be unsolvable.

For Older Women With Diabetes, Two Dietary Oils, Two Sets Of Benefits

A study comparing how two common dietary oil supplements affect body composition suggests that both oils, by themselves, can lower body fat in obese postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes. The two oils compared were safflower oil, a common cooking oil, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a compound naturally found in some meat and dairy products that has been associated with weight loss in previous studies.

Consumer Reports To Parents: Think Twice About Free Prescription ADHD Drug Samples For Your Children

According to a new Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs report, parents should be skeptical if their doctors offer them free prescription drug samples, especially for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Free samples can hook consumers on high-priced brand name drugs that are not any better or safer than less expensive generic medicines.

Ovarian Cancer Risk: Scientists From University Of Hawaii At Manoa Find Genetic Marker

A new genetic marker associated with ovarian cancer risk was recently discovered by an international research group, led by scientists from the Cancer Research Genetic Epidemiology Unit in the United Kingdom. Drs.

Stroke Survivors At Risk Of Another Cardiovascular Event May Be Identified By A Simple Test

Measuring circulation in the ankle using a device similar to a blood pressure cuff can help identify asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) in stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) survivors, a group at much higher risk of subsequent cerebrovascular events, according to a study in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Technology Similar To An Inkjet Printer Could Aid Toxin Detection

If that office inkjet printer has become just another fixture, it's time to take a fresh look at it. Similar technology may soon be used to develop paper-based biosensors that can detect certain harmful toxins that can cause food poisoning or be used as bioterrorism agents.

Discovery Of Gene That Protects High-Fat-Diet Mice From Obesity

University of Michigan researchers have identified a gene that acts as a master switch to control obesity in mice. When the switch is turned off, even high-fat-diet mice remain thin. Deleting the gene, called IKKE, also appears to protect mice against conditions that, in humans, lead to Type 2 diabetes, which is associated with obesity and is on the rise among Americans, including children and adolescents.

State Governments Join Push For Health IT

State governments around the country are working to facilitate, and in some cases, enhance, Washington's stimulus-funded incentives for doctors and hospitals that adopt new health information technology. "A group of the nation's governors and state officials has released a guide for state implementation of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act," the formal name for the portion of the stimulus bill,

New Strategies For Reperfusion Therapy

A new trial has begun in order to ascertain once and for all whether the best strategy for patients who cannot receive P-PCI is early fibrinolysis, together with mandated angiography. This is the STREAM trial whose principal investigators are Profs Frans van der Werf, Paul Armstrong and Tony Gershlick. Acute occlusion of a major coronary artery due to disruption of an atheromatous plaque and the formation of occlusive thrombus has major clinical implications.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Easily Converted From Liposuction Leftovers: Stanford Study

Globs of human fat removed during liposuction conceal versatile cells that are more quickly and easily coaxed to become induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells, than are the skin cells most often used by researchers, according to a new study from Stanford's School of Medicine. "We've identified a great natural resource," said Stanford surgery professor and co-author of the research, Michael Longaker, MD, who has called the readily available liposuction leftovers "liquid gold.

Sciele Pharma And Plethora Solutions Announce That PSD502 Demonstrates Substantial Benefit In The Treatment Of Premature Ejaculation

Sciele Pharma, Inc. a Shiongi Company, and Plethora Solutions Holdings PLC ("Plethora" - AME:PLE) today presented highly encouraging results from a European Phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of PSD502 for the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). In this study, men treated with PSD502 five minutes before intercourse were able to delay ejaculation up to six times longer than those who used a placebo.

'Reproductive Health Care' Is More Than Abortion, Opinion Piece States

In a Des Moines Register opinion piece responding to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's comment that "'[r]eproductive health care is abortion,'" former Iowa Lt. Govs.

ADAO Praises Senate For Passage Of Fifth Annual Resolution That Establishes "National Asbestos Awareness Week"

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the leading organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, celebrates the passage of S.RES.57, a resolution that declares the first week of April as "National Asbestos Awareness Week" and urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate Americans on the severe hazards of asbestos exposure. ADAO praises Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) for his work in introducing the important resolution.

Baucus Aims For Health Agreement In Advance Of Obama Speech Tonight

Democrats are promising to send President Obama a health reform plan this year as Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus continues to try to get key Republicans on board with a new proposal.

Newborn Blood Data Used To Study Cerebral Palsy

A statewide team of researchers led by a Michigan State University epidemiologist are hoping Michigan's archive of newborn blood spots will help them uncover the causes of cerebral palsy, the most common disabling motor disorder in children with annual health costs of $12 billion. The research team, led by MSU's Nigel Paneth and recently awarded $1.

TURis Plasma Vaporization Electrode From Olympus Revolutionises The Therapy Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

About one third of men over the age of 50 and half of those over 70 suffer from the effects of an enlarged prostate gland. From the age of 30, a man's prostate can begin to enlarge as a natural process of aging whereby it increasingly presses on the urethra and thus narrows it. This can lead to the typical voiding disorders: a weak urine stream, dribbling after urination, feeling that the bladder is not completely empty and/or the need to pass urine frequently at night.

Death Rate From Unintentional Poisoning Triples In Middle-Aged White Women

While the total mortality rate from unintentional injury increased in the U.S. by 11 percent between 1999 and 2005, far larger increases were seen in some subgroups analyzed by age, race, ethnicity and type of injury by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy. Their analysis found that white women between 45 and 64 years old experienced a 230 percent increase in the rate of poisoning mortality over the study period.

Court Rules Family Of Girl Who Underwent Forced Genital Mutilation Can Seek Political Asylum

On Monday, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled 3-0 that a family in Northern California whose daughter underwent forced genital mutilation in Indonesia can seek political asylum in the U.S., the San Francisco Chronicle reports. According to the appeals court, any female genital mutilation is "horrifically brutal.

MDA Re-Elects Three Researchers To National Leadership Roles

Three prominent figures in the field of neuromuscular disease research have been re-elected to national leadership positions with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Stanley H. Appel of Houston, R. Rodney Howell of Miami, and Louis M. Kunkel of Boston were re-elected to one-year terms on MDA's Board of Directors at the Association's recent annual meeting in Los Angeles. Howell is chairman of the board.

Scientific And Medical Facts About Chrysotile Asbestos Released By The Environmental Information Association And The ADAO

The Environmental Information Association (EIA) and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) today announced the development of the Chrysotile Asbestos Fact Sheet (CAFS). The EIA and ADAO concluded, along with the majority of scientific agencies, that there is sufficient evidence to support that all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, are carcinogenic and are responsible for asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma, laryngeal and ovarian cancers.

Progress Made In Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment And Diagnosis

Pioneering research to improve outcomes for 'signature injury' of Iraqi war unveiled at Military Health Research Forum New research on traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being presented this week at the Military Health Research Forum (MHRF), a scientific meeting hosted by the Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Service men and women are particularly susceptible to TBI given the nature of combat.

More Than Half Of Women With Ovarian Cancer Face Delay In Diagnosis

Many women with ovarian cancer can go undiagnosed for months because their symptoms are not always being investigated promptly, warn researchers in a study published on bmj.com today. The study identifies three key symptoms associated with ovarian cancer that should help clinicians decide whether to investigate further. Yet one of these symptoms is not included in current guidance for urgent investigation.

Boost Minimum Training, Don't Reduce It - UNISON Tells Commission, UK

UNISON, the UK's leading public sector trade union, is urging the Care Quality Commission* to ensure training requirements in health and social care are boosted, rather than remove minimum standards. The union, along with it's members who work as inspectors in the Care Quality Commission, is warning that cutting minimum training standards could leave people with a lower standard of care.

Finding The Best Heart Disease And Stroke Treatments For Patients With Diabetes Using New Tool

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Mayo Clinic have developed a computer model that medical doctors can use to determine the best time to begin using statin therapy in diabetes patients to help prevent heart disease and stroke. "The research is significant because patients with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease and statins are the single most commonly used treatment for patients at risk of heart disease and/or stroke," says Dr.

Soweto Township Gays Experience High HIV Infection Rate

New research from UCSF examining HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the township of Soweto in South Africa has found that a third of gay-identified men are infected with HIV. The study's authors were the first to examine HIV and the community of men who have sex with men in the Soweto Township, an area on the periphery of Johannesburg reserved for black South Africans during apartheid.

Study Helps Understand How Alcohol Consumption Disrupts Circadian Rhythm In Humans

Chronic alcohol consumption blunts the biological clock's ability to synchronize daily activities to light, disrupts natural activity patterns and continues to affect the body's clock (circadian rhythm), even days after the drinking ends, according to a new study with hamsters. The study describes the changes that drinking can produce on the body's master clock and how it affects behavior.

Infections May Hasten Memory Loss In Alzheimer's

New research sponsored by the UK's Alzheimer's Society suggests that having an infection like a cold or stomach bug may hasten memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease. The research was the work of Dr Clive Holmes of the University of Southampton in the UK, and colleagues, and is to appear as a paper this week in an advanced online September 2009 issue of the journal Neurology.

Japanese Health Care: Lower Costs And Nearly No Bankruptcy

The New York Times, in a series of ongoing stories about health care delivery in other countries, interviewed John Creighton Campbell, of the University of Michigan and visiting researcher at the Tokyo University Institute of Gerontology who has studied Japan's health care system.

Karolinska Development Portfolio Company Completes Successful Phase II Clinical Trial

Karolinska Development (publ) announced that one of its portfolio companies, Dilafor AB, has concluded an extensive clinical study of its candidate drug, tafoxiparin, a new drug substance for the prevention of protracted labor during childbirth. The promising results of the Phase II trial bring the project closer to exit in line with Karolinska Development's business strategy.

New Speedy Orthodontics Prompt Adults To Go Back To Teenage Years, England

A leading London cosmetic dentist has announced a significant rise in the number of adults coming for orthodontic treatment, with four out of five (78 per cent) of those actually having ditched treatment during their teenage years. Dr Anoop Maini of Aqua Dental Spa (http://www.aquadentaspa.

Impact Of The Economic Crisis On Children Investigated In Special Issue Of Global Social Policy

As the economy continues to unravel, a series of papers just published assess the effects of the crisis on children's health, education, and rights in East Asia and the Pacific. Crisis for Children, a special issue of the journal Global Social Policy, asserts investments can be made that will not only advance children's rights and break the cycle of poverty, but also safeguard countries' future economic growth and human development.

Insomnia Is Bad For The Heart

Can't sleep at night? A new study published in the journal Sleep has found that people who suffer from insomnia have heightened night-time blood pressure, which can lead to cardiac problems. The investigation, which measured the 24-hour blood pressure of insomniacs compared to sound sleepers, was conducted by researchers from the Université de Montréal, its affiliated Hôpital du Sacré-Cour de Montréal Sleep Disorders Centre and the Université Laval.

New Cancer-Causing Role For Protein Identified By Researchers

The mainstay immune system protein TRAF6 plays an unexpected, key role activating a cell signaling molecule that in mutant form is associated with cancer growth, researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report in the Aug. 28 edition of Science. "The mechanism that we discovered activates Akt and also contributes to hyperactivation of a mutant form of Akt found in breast, colon and other cancers," said senior author Hui-Kuan Lin, Ph.D.

Genetic Variations May Underlie Multiple Psychiatric Conditions

Similar submicroscopic variations and rearrangements appear in the genetic material of individuals with schizophrenia, autism and mental retardation, suggesting that the three disorders may share a developmental pathway, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Cell's Ribosomes Captured At Work, Could Aid In Molecular War Against Disease

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have for the first time captured elusive nanoscale movements of ribosomes at work, shedding light on how these cellular factories take in genetic instructions and amino acids to churn out proteins. Ribosomes, which number in the millions in a single human cell, have long been considered the "black boxes" in molecular biology.

FDA Advisory Committee Makes Favorable Recommendation For Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline's Candidate Cervical Cancer Vaccine

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted that clinical data support both the efficacy and safety of CERVARIX((R)), the company's candidate cervical cancer vaccine (12-1 and 11-1, respectively).

Center For Health Studies Becomes Group Health Research Institute

Group Health Research Institute is the new name of Group Health Center for Health Studies. Since 1983, it has been doing research to improve health and health care for all. The Institute is the research arm of Group Health Cooperative, and it is changing its name to reflect this relationship more clearly. "Our connection to Group Health is among our greatest strengths," said Eric B. Larson, MD, MPH, the Institute's executive director.

Oticon Medical Receives FDA Clearance To Market Innovative Bone Anchored Hearing System

Oticon Medical, a global medical device company within the William Demant Group, announced that it has obtained 501(k) clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to market the innovative Ponto bone anchored hearing system. The Ponto System features an easy-to-operate computer fitting platform to enable a more precise match between patient and sound processor.

FDA Approves LIVALO(R) For Primary Hypercholesterolemia And Combined Dyslipidemia

Kowa Research Institute (KRI) based in Morrisville, NC and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. (KPA), a privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Montgomery, AL, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved LIVALO(R) (pitavastatin), a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin), for the primary treatment of hypercholesterolemia and combined dyslipidemia.

Scientists Discover Why Teeth Form In A Single Row And How Each Tooth Signals The Next To Start Growing

A system of opposing genetic forces determines why mammals develop a single row of teeth, while sharks sport several, according to a study published today in the journal Science. When completely understood, the genetic program described in the study may help guide efforts to re-grow missing teeth and prevent cleft palate, one of the most common birth defects.

Bacteria Detected Instantaneously By New Biosensor

A research group from the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) in Tarragona has developed a biosensor that can immediately detect very low levels of Salmonella typhi, the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. The technique uses carbon nanotubes and synthetic DNA fragments that activate an electric signal when they link up with the pathogen. "We have developed a new biosensor that can detect extremely low concentrations of bacteria immediately, easily and reliably", F.

Los Angeles Times Examines Ongoing Feud Between Operation Rescue Leader, Founder

The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday examined the relationship between Randall Terry, the founder of the radical antiabortion-rights group Operation Rescue, and Troy Newman, the group's current president.

For Its Palliative And End-Of-Life Efforts OHSU Wins National Award

Oregon Health & Science University has been named a Circle of Life Award winner for its innovative program that improves the care of patients near the end of life or with life-threatening conditions. OHSU is one of three recipients of the Circle of Life Award this year, along with two others that were awarded citations of honor. The Circle of Life Award celebrates programs across the nation that have made great strides in palliative and end-of-life care.

Migraine Sufferers Benefit From Forehead Lifts

Migraine headaches are a drain - not only on the estimated 30 million Americans who suffer from them, but on the economy, too. Because pain and other symptoms caused by migraine headaches can be quite severe, it is projected that nearly $13 billion is spent every year in headache treatment and loss of time from work, which no one can afford these days.

Washington, D.C., HIV Health Care Providers Prepare For Expected Swine Flu Surge

In Washington, D.C., where HIV prevalence stands at 3 percent, "HIV positive [residents] are bracing for the fall - and the flu," News8.net reports.

African Health Ministers Adopt Resolutions To Improve Health As WHO Regional Meeting Closes

At the conclusion of the 59th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, African health ministers agreed on four resolutions that aim to improve health on the continent, the

Adolescents And Young Adults Diagnosed With Leukemias And Lymphomas Live Longer Today Than In Years Past

A recent analysis has found that adolescents and young adults who were recently diagnosed with blood-related cancers have better long-term survival rates than those who were diagnosed in the 1980s.

Flexcin Arthritis Remedy Proves Worthy Substitution For Acetaminophen

An advisory panel for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently recommended limiting sales of acetaminophen products like Tylenol and also recommended banning prescription pain medications Vicodin and Percocet. This recommendation will prompt more people to change their habits and focus on joint pain remedy and pain relievers found in the natural vitamin supplements industry for arthritis treatment.

Yoga Benefits Back-pain Patients

People with chronic low-back problems who do yoga also do better at overcoming pain and depression than people treated conventionally for back pain, a West Virginia University study funded by the National Institutes of Health shows. The three-year, $400,000 study, published in the September issue of the journal Spine, showed lifted mood, less pain and improved function in the group that did yoga postures compared with a control group who received standard medical therapy.

Link Between Pressure To Look Attractive And Fear Of Rejection In Men And Women

People who feel pressure to look attractive are more fearful of being rejected because of their appearance than are their peers, according to a new study by researchers at the University at Buffalo and the University of Kent. The study of appearance-based rejection sensitivity among college students was conducted by Lora Park, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology and graduate student Ann Marie DiRaddo, of the University at Buffalo, and Rachel Calogero, Ph.D.

Is It Just Pain...or Is It Fibromyalgia?

Months of constant pain, restless sleep and being drained of energy will make anyone seek help. Yet after the doctor has prescribed three different treatment regimens, the pain remains, the sleep is still restless and the body still lacks the proper energy to function. The patient becomes discouraged, as each attempt at healing the problem proves fruitless.

Yoga Relieves Chronic Lower Back Pain, Study Suggests

US researchers studying people with chronic lower back problems found that those who did Iyengar Yoga were better at overcoming pain and depression than those who followed conventional treatments for lower back pain.

Kennedy's Contributions To HIV/AIDS, Gay Rights Policies Recalled

Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), who died Tuesday, is being remembered as "the most powerful voice in the Senate for gay rights, as a strong supporter of HIV/AIDS funding, hate crimes legislation and same-sex marriage," the Associated Press reports.

Heart Abnormalities In Athletes: Need For Mandatory Screening To Prevent Sudden Death

Several studies in the first of a series of quarterly partnership issues between the British Journal of Sports Medicine and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are dedicated to injury prevention in elite sports. They report that young athletes should be routinely tested for heart abnormalities. This is to prevent sudden cardiac death that is triggered by vigorous exercise, using a simple protocol, which includes a heart trace, such as an electrocardiogram or ECG.

Groundbreaking Results In The RE-LY® Trial - Novel Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor Dabigatran Etexilate Convincingly Beats Warfarin

Boehringer Ingelheim announced data from the landmark RE-LY® study the largest atrial fibrillation (AF) outcomes trial ever conducted (18,113 patients in 44 countries worldwide) presented for the first time at the European Society of Cardiology Congress and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine.1 Results show that dabigatran etexilate 150mg BID significantly reduces the risk of stroke and systemic embolism by 34% (p

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd.: FDA Accepts For Review The Complete Response Submission To Ceftobiprole NDA

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SWISS: BSLN) announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the response submitted by the sponsor Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (PRD) as complete. The Complete Response submission addresses the FDA Complete Response Letter issued in November 2008 concerning the ceftobiprole NDA for complicated skin and skin structure infections.

PAION Announces Patient Recruitment For Phase IIa Study With Its Short Acting Anesthetic/Sedative CNS 7056 Successfully Completed

The biopharmaceutical company PAION AG (ISIN DE000A0B65S3; Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Prime Standard: PA8) today announces the successful completion of the Recruitment for the Phase IIa clinical trial assessing the new short-acting intravenous anesthetic/sedative CNS 7056 in patients undergoing endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. "Again our development team has beaten our expectations. We will be able to provide headline data by November," commented Dr.

Possible Medicinal Use For Kudzu, The Vine That Ate The South

Kudzu, the fast-growing vine that has gobbled up some 10 million acres in the Southeast, may prove to be a valuable dietary supplement for metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects 50 million Americans, say researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Can Psychosocial Stress At Work Put At Risk Of Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis?

A Swedish study published in one of the latest issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics discloses new relationships between stress at work and development of rheumatoid arthritis. Psychosocial work stress, in terms of high psychological demands, low decision latitude or the combination of these stressors (job strain), is associated with an increased risk of several diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease), but it has not been studied in relation to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Phase 3 Study Of Subcutaneous Relistor For Opioid-Induced Constipation For Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE), and Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PGNX) announced today that a phase 3 clinical study investigating RELISTOR® (methylnaltrexone bromide) subcutaneous injection to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with chronic, non-cancer pain achieved statistical significance for the primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints.

Today's Selection Of Opinions And Editorials

Comparative-Effectiveness Research - Implications of the Federal Coordinating Council's Report

Infections May Hasten Memory Loss In Alzheimer's

New research sponsored by the UK's Alzheimer's Society suggests that having an infection like a cold or stomach bug may hasten memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease. The research was the work of Dr Clive Holmes of the University of Southampton in the UK, and colleagues, and is to appear as a paper this week in an advanced online September 2009 issue of the journal Neurology.

Human Genome Sciences And GlaxoSmithKline Announce Positive Phase 3 Study Results For BENLYSTA(TM) In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) and GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) announced that BENLYSTA(TM) (belimumab, formerly LymphoStat-B(R)) met the primary endpoint in BLISS-52, the first of two pivotal Phase 3 trials in patients with serologically active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Should The Public Health Response To Swine Flu Be Considered Alarmist?

In a paper just published on bmj.com, a US expert says that the public health measures taken in response to swine flu may be seen as alarmist, overly restrictive, or even unfounded. Peter Doshi is a doctoral student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He argues that plans for pandemics need to have further considerations than the worst case scenarios. He recommends a new outline in relation to epidemic disease.

Proton Pump Inhibitors Do Not Counteract Benefits Of Antiplatelet Drugs Clopidogrel Or Prasugrel In Patients After An Acute Coronary Syndrome

An article published Online First and in a future edition of The Lancet reports that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) do not interfere with the clinical benefit of the anticlotting drugs clopidogrel or prasugrel (thienopyridines) in patients after an acute coronary syndrome such as heart attack or unstable angina. PPIs are a commonly prescribed antacid medication. The article is the work of Dr Michelle O'Donoghue, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA, and colleagues.

PTS, Inc. Hails New Study Linking High Cholesterol Levels To Increased Risk For Developing Alzheimer's Disease Or Vascular Dementia

Polymer Technology Systems, Inc. (PTS, Inc.), manufacturer of the CardioChek® PA point-of-care instrument and the CardioChek® home cholesterol analyzer, released a statement hailing the new study by Kaiser Permanente that suggests high cholesterol levels are a significant risk factor for developing dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) later in life.

FDA Clears Hologic's MammoSite(R) ML Radiation Therapy System For The Treatment Of Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Company's 510K application for the MammoSite((R)) ML radiation therapy system.

Study Into Search-And-Destroy Antigen For Deadly Skin Cancer Launched By UT Southwestern Researchers

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers are studying a new antigen to see whether it can track down and kill cancer cells in patients with recurring melanoma, the leading cause of skin cancer deaths. Researchers are testing a tumor-specific protein called recombinant human melanoma antigen A3 (MAGE-A3) that researchers hope will interact with the body's immune system and generate a search-and-destroy program targeting deadly melanoma cells.

CAD May Increase Risk with Hormones for Prostate Cancer (CME/CE)

Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy for prostate cancer doubled the risk of death in men with heart failure or myocardial infarction secondary to coronary artery disease, data from a large retrospective study showed.

During Hepatitis C Therapy Men Experience Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual impairment is common among men with chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. This is the first time a study evaluating the combination therapy, peginterferon and ribavirin, has identified sexual dysfunction as a side effect.

Basil Plants Have Anti-Arthritic Properties

Two varieties of Basil that are widely used in Ayurvedic medicine have been scientifically shown to reduce inflammation and swelling, suggesting that they could have potential in arthritis treatment.

Dramatic Decline In Rheumatoid Vasculitis In US Veterans

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health examined records of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from the national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system to determine the prevalence of rheumatoid vasculitis (RV) in this population. The study found a downward trend in the number of RA patients who go on to develop RV, with a significant drop of 53% among inpatients and 31% among outpatients between 2000 and 2001.

In Treating Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, Generics Less Effective/Safe Than Branded Medications

Men taking generic drugs may be more likely to have less effective results and more adverse events than if they were using branded medications, according to new data from researchers in New York.

Karolinska Development Portfolio Company Completes Successful Phase II Clinical Trial

Karolinska Development (publ) announced that one of its portfolio companies, Dilafor AB, has concluded an extensive clinical study of its candidate drug, tafoxiparin, a new drug substance for the prevention of protracted labor during childbirth. The promising results of the Phase II trial bring the project closer to exit in line with Karolinska Development's business strategy.

New Study Suggests New Drug-Resistant TB Strains Could Become Widespread

The emergence of new forms of tuberculosis could swell the proportion of drug-resistant cases globally, a new study has found. The finding raises concern that although TB incidence is falling in many regions, the emergence of antibiotic resistance could see virtually untreatable strains of the disease become widespread.

Cardiovascular Medication Costs In Canada Double

The number of prescriptions in Canada for cardiovascular medications has been increasing over the past decade, with a 200% increase in costs, found a new study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). In 2006, total costs of cardiovascular medications exceeded $5 billion, with statins accounting for almost 40% of the expenditure. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature death and disability in Canada, exerting a significant societal burden.

Pilot Study Finds Inexpensive Drug Appears To Relieve Fibromyalgia Pain

For Tara Campbell, the onset of her fibromyalgia began slowly with repeated sore throats, fevers and fatigue. By the time she was diagnosed, a year later, she had become so debilitated by flulike symptoms and exhaustion that she often couldn't get off the couch all day. "Fall, a year ago, I hit my very, very worst," said Campbell, 39, of Walnut Creek, Calif. "I felt overall pain to the point that even when my children or husband just touched me it hurt.

Lung Cancer Research Advances Announced At Conference

Dr. Glen Weiss of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare has announced two significant advances in treating lung cancer at an international cancer research conference. Dr. Weiss, M.D., an Associate Investigator in TGen's Cancer and Cell Biology Division and Director of Thoracic Oncology at TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, made both announcements at the 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer in San Francisco.

Lupus Drug Benlysta Effective In Phase 3 Trials

In what has been described as the first lupus drug in decades to show effectiveness in phase 3 clinical trials, the announcement that Benlysta (belimumab) outperformed placebo has surprised Wall Street, where many had assumed the drug was going nowhere.

Genetic Cause For Type Of Deafness Identified By Scripps Research Scientists

A team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has discovered a genetic cause of progressive hearing loss. The findings will help scientists better understand the nature of age-related decline in hearing and may lead to new therapies to prevent or treat the condition. The findings were published the September 3, 2009, in an advance, online issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, a publication of Cell Press.

Compliance With NICE Recommendations For The Management Of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Now Made Easier

NICE guidelines now recommend testing for anti-CCP, a highly specific marker for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in the management of patients with suspected RA where tests for rheumatoid factor (RF) are negative (ref 1). The Elecsys nti-CCP assay from Roche is one of the first fully automated, second generation tests for the determination of human IgG autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) in serum or plasma.

Heart Disease Patients Don't Take Their Medicines

At least a quarter of people with heart disease don't take vital medicines they have been prescribed to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Results of a study reported at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's annual event, the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester, confirm that doctors need to pay more attention to the way patients take their medicines, in line with recommendations in recent NICE guidance.

FDA Approves Saphris Tablets (asenapine) To Treat Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Saphris tablets (asenapine) to treat adults with schizophrenia, a chronic, severe and disabling brain disorder, and to treat bipolar I disorder in adults, a serious psychiatric disorder that causes shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. "Mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can be devastating to patients and families, requiring lifelong treatment and therapy," said Thomas Laughren, M.D.

$10M Grant To Tackle Alzheimer's Disease Mystery

A researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine has been awarded more than $9.8 million to head a five-year National Institute on Aging Program Project Grant. The project will bring together a "dream team" of researchers from five institutions to examine the biology of the most important risk factor in Alzheimer's disease, the cholesterol-carrying protein apolipoprotein E (apoE), and its receptors in the central nervous system.

Scientists Discover Why Teeth Form In A Single Row And How Each Tooth Signals The Next To Start Growing

A system of opposing genetic forces determines why mammals develop a single row of teeth, while sharks sport several, according to a study published today in the journal Science. When completely understood, the genetic program described in the study may help guide efforts to re-grow missing teeth and prevent cleft palate, one of the most common birth defects.

FDA Approves ULORIC(R) (febuxostat) For The Chronic Management Of Hyperuricemia In Patients With Gout

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., announced today that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ULORIC(R) (febuxostat) 40 mg and 80 mg for the chronic management of hyperuricemia in patients with gout.

Could Science Use The Common Cold To Cure Cystic Fibrosis?

In 1989 scientists identified the gene mutation that causes cystic fibrosis (CF), which led to the hope that CF lung disease could be 'cured' using gene therapy. The premise of gene therapy is that modified viruses or other gene-based systems could be used to deliver a corrected version of a gene into affected tissues. However, the projected cure has been hampered by the natural ability of the lung to limit the introduction of foreign genes into its cells.

The Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) Announces New Survey Results Highlighting Major Gaps In Public Awareness Of Gout

The Gout & Uric Acid Education Society announced that new survey results reveal alarming gaps in the public's awareness of gout, a painful and potentially debilitating form of arthritis that affects three to five million Americans. In a survey of more than 2,000 Americans, 65% of adults admitted to being "not at all knowledgeable" about gout and just over 70% did not know that gout is a form of arthritis. In fact, gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis among adults.

Codeine Use After Tonsillectomy Warning

A report out of The University of Western Ontario, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, warns the use of codeine to treat pain following a tonsillectomy could prove fatal for some children. Dr. Gideon Koren, who holds the Ivey Chair in Molecular Toxicology at Western, zeroed in on the danger after investigating the death of a two year old boy following a relatively easy operation to remove his tonsils.

Mixed Message on Insulin Glargine Cancer Risk (CME/CE)

HOUSTON (MedPage Today) -- Studies examining a possible cancer link to insulin glargine (Lantus) produced mixed conclusions that drew quick, reassuring messages from diabetes authorities.

University Of Queensland Researcher Trials New Treatments For Whiplash

For physiotherapist Associate Professor Michele Sterling, treating whiplash is all about thinking outside of the box. The NHMRC-funded researcher, from UQ's

Studying The Protein Modifier SUMO To Help Prevent Liver Disease During Pregnancy

One way in which men and women differ is in their expression of liver proteins that control a large number of whole-body processes such as energy generation and lipid and steroid hormone production and turnover. Now, Walter Wahli and colleagues, at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, have identified a new mechanism underlying this differential expression of proteins in male and female mice.

VYVANSE CII Provided Significant Efficacy At 14 Hours After Administration In Adults With ADHD In An Adult Simulated Workplace Environment

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced results from a Phase 3b study that found VYVANSE® (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) CII demonstrated significant efficacy at 14 hours after administration during a simulated workplace environment study in adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Community Hospital Emergency Department Offers Alcohol Abuse Screening/Brief Interventions

There are an estimated 7.6 million alcohol-related emergency department (ED) visits each year in the country. A first step in identifying an alcohol problem is screening all ED patients utilizing two well-researched screening tests. Once identified, one technique that has proven successful is motivationally-based brief interviews focused on reducing alcohol use.

Model predicts renal cancer disease free survival at 12 years

Unique statistical model that predicts the probability of a
patient being cancer free 12 years after initial surgical treatment.


J Urol.

Los Angeles Times Examines Ongoing Feud Between Operation Rescue Leader, Founder

The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday examined the relationship between Randall Terry, the founder of the radical antiabortion-rights group Operation Rescue, and Troy Newman, the group's current president.

Scouting For Breakthroughs In Bioscience

The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has organized an unprecedented summit that will bring some of the world's top bioscience companies with innovative scientists, entrepreneurs, and some of the nation's leading universities to explore the next generation of biomedical solutions that may lead to groundbreaking discoveries in medicine.

New Tool May Help With Early Detection Of Deadly Pancreatic Cancer

A new diagnostic tool developed by Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) scientists has shown promising results when used with patients of pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer due to the difficulty of diagnosing it in its early stages. The method, which studies carbohydrate structures in the bloodstream, could lead to the development of blood tests that can detect cancer more effectively.

Targacept Announces Decision By AstraZeneca To Advance AZD3480 Program In ADHD

Targacept, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRGT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR Therapeutics (TM), announced that AstraZeneca has informed Targacept that it plans to conduct further development of AZD3480 (TC-1734) for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has agreed to make a $10 million milestone payment to Targacept. AstraZeneca also confirmed plans to continue development of AZD1446 (TC-6683) for Alzheimer's disease.

Justice Department Announces Largest Health Care Fraud Settlement In Its History

American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. and its subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc. (hereinafter together "Pfizer") have agreed to pay $2.3 billion, the largest health care fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice, to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from the illegal promotion of certain pharmaceutical products, the Justice Department announced today.

New York City Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta Opens The 21st Annual Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress For Burn Survivors

More than half a million Americans are treated for burn injuries every year, but many do not have the specific skills necessary to cope with the experience of living with a burn injury after they leave the hospital.

Indirect Transmission Can Trigger Influenza Outbreaks In Birds

New data on the persistence of avian influenza viruses in the environment has allowed a team of University of Georgia researchers to create the first model that takes into account both direct and indirect transmission of the viruses among birds. The model, which is detailed in the early online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has the potential to shed new light on how outbreaks begin in wild bird populations.

Study Published In PNAS Reveals Side Effects Of Experimental "Gene-Silencing" Treatment

The side effects of an experimental "gene-silencing" treatment that is currently being investigated for a variety of diseases are even more wide-ranging than previously discovered, according to a study by a University of Kentucky researcher. Following up on groundbreaking research published last year in the journal Nature, Dr.

Biological Warfare In Bacteria Offers Hope For New Antibiotics

Scientists are to study a group of proteins that are highly effective at killing bacteria and which could hold the key to developing new types of antibiotics. Researchers from the Universities of York and Leeds have been awarded £3.3m from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to find out how a family of proteins known as colicins force their way into bacterial cells before destroying them.

Neither Side 'Telling Whole Truth' About Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Bills, WSJ Opinion Piece Says

"You know things have gotten confusing when even the independent 'fact checking' organizations can't agree with each other," Steven Waldman, founder of Beliefnet, writes in the Wall Street Journal, adding that the "question that tripped them up" is whether heath care reform proposals cover abortion services.

Effects Of Once-Daily Tadalafil On Erectile Function In Men With Erectile Dysfunction And Signs And Symptoms Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

UroToday.com - Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS; BPH-LUTS) such as urinary frequency, urgency, intermittency, nocturia, straining, incomplete emptying, or weak urinary stream. BPH-LUTS and erectile dysfunction (ED), both highly prevalent conditions in aging men, are frequently associated in the same men, may have common pathophysiological mechanisms, and contribute negatively to quality of life.

Endo Pharmaceuticals Gives Update On Regulatory Status Of Testosterone Undecanoate For Men With Hypogonadism

Endo Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ENDP) announced that it has been informed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the agency has extended its review period for its long-acting testosterone undecanoate injection for men diagnosed with hypogonadism, from Sept. 2, 2009 to Dec. 2, 2009.

Blood Pressure In Non-Adherent Hypertensive Patients Can Be Improved By Intensive Management

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that patients with uncontrolled hypertension respond to treatment intensification regardless of their degree of adherence to antihypertensive medications. This study, which has been published online in Hypertension could have an immediate impact on clinical care, as it challenges a widely held assumption. The BUSM researchers studied 819 patients with hypertension.

Medical Fraud Creates Unknown Amount Of Waste

Lawmakers seek a reduction in the amount of money lost each year to medical fraud. Meanwhile, two Miami doctors are convicted of Medicare fraud. NPR reports: "In the midst of the health care debate, there's a point of certainty. Everyone - Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives - would like to see health care fraud wiped out.

Also In Global Health News: U.S. Global Development Policy; DDT In Uganda; Potential Drought, Famine In Ethiopia

New Presidential Directive Signals More Coordinated Approach To Development Policy "President Barack Obama has signed a Presidential Study Directive [PSD] authorizing a U.S. government-wide review of global development policy, according to sources briefed on the review by the White House," Foreign Policy's blog, "

Anti-inflammatory drugs may mask prostate cancer marker (PSA)

Regular use of aspirin and ibuprofen may reduce serum levels of PSA altering the detection of prostate cancer. [Cancer].

American Association Of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons Says Only Trained Dental And Medical Practitioners Should Administer And Monitor Anesthesia

In the wake of news reports concerning the possible use of such anesthetic drugs as Diprivan (propofol) by the late Michael Jackson, questions have been raised about the availability and administration of such agents.

Significant Changes Documented In The Profile Of Prostate Cancer Patients

New research published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Vol. 101, Issue 18) by a team of investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), shows significant changes in the profile of prostate cancer patients since the late 1980s. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Unraveling The Roots Of Dyslexia

By peering into the brains of people with dyslexia compared to normal readers, a study published online on March 12th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, has shed new light on the roots of the learning disability, which affects four to ten percent of the population.

Intense, Prolonged Exposure To World Trade Center Attack Associated With New Health Problems Several Years Later

Large number of individuals, such as recovery and rescue workers, nearby residents and office workers, who experienced intense or prolonged exposure to the World Trade Center attack have reported new diagnoses of asthma or posttraumatic stress 5-6 years after the attack, according to a study in the August 5 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on violence and human rights.

Aradigm Receives Orphan Drug Designation For Inhaled Liposomal Ciprofloxacin To Treat Cystic Fibrosis In Europe

Aradigm Corporation (OTCBB:ARDM) (the "Company") announced yesterday that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) granted Orphan Drug Designation to the Company's inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin drug product candidate for the treatment of lung infections associated with cystic fibrosis ("CF").

New Fertility Treatment Option Now Available For Cancer Patients

Cancer patients who want to start a family in the future now have a new option. Montefiore's Institute for Reproductive Medicine & Health is the only site in the New York metropolitan area and one of approximately 25 sites across the country to offer a new treatment option to preserve fertility for female patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Urine And Wood Ash Produce Large Harvest

Results of the first study evaluating the use of human urine mixed with wood ash as a fertilizer for food crops has found that the combination can be substituted for costly synthetic fertilizers to produce bumper crops of tomatoes without introducing any risk of disease for consumers. The study appears in the current issue of ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication.

GPs Urge To Close The Loop In ePrescribing, Australia

As the Australian Department of Health and Ageing continues to work with The National E-Health Transition Authority Limited (NEHTA) on implementation packages for ePrescribing, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) highlights the need for any electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) program to report back to a GP that a script or a repeat has been filled.

International Event Brings World's Top Cancer Doctors To Queen's

Over 200 of the world's top cancer specialists will be in Belfast this week to share their knowledge at an International Cancer Symposium organised by Queen's University. The event, being hosted by the Centre for Cell Biology and Cancer Research (CCRCB) on Wednesday and Thursday, will be attended by leading academics from across America, Australia and Europe, including those from Harvard Medical School in Boston and from Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Discovery Of New HIV Antibodies Opens Door To Effective AIDS Vaccine

By examining blood samples donated by infected people in developing countries, US researchers have found two new powerful antibodies to HIV that open the door to a new and effective AIDS vaccine.

Three Steps For Healthy Feet

We ask a lot of our feet, we take them for granted and scarcely give a thought to how best to keep them healthy until something goes wrong. In this month's Harvard Health Letter, there is a four page article about how feet work and "three steps" on how to look after them from Dr. James Ioli, chief of podiatry at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and colleagues.

Refining Analyses Of Human Gene Mutations With The Aid Of Species Diversity

In the new era of personalized medicine, physicians hope to provide earlier diagnoses and improve therapy by evaluating patients' genetic blueprints. But, as a new bioinformatics study emphasizes, the first step must be to correctly decipher the deluge of information locked in our DNA and determine its impact on human health. In the September issue of Genome Research, Dr.

University Of Southern California Study Shows Persistence Of Metabolic Syndrome May Predict Type 2 Diabetes In Obese Hispanic Teenagers

A study by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) found that obese Hispanic teenagers with persistent metabolic syndrome had progressively increasing risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.

Radiation Toxicity In Zebrafish Reduced By Inhibition Of NF-kappa B, A Key Inflammatory Protein

Directly inhibiting the activity of a key protein mediator of inflammation reduced radiation toxicity in zebrafish embryos, and may ultimately be of help to patients receiving radiation therapy, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.

Family, Friends May Impact Breast Cancer Surgery Decision

About three-quarters of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer have a friend or family member with them at their first visit with a surgeon. And that person plays a significant role in the patient's decision of what type of surgery to have, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Members Of Congress Say They Will Advocate For More Health Funding In Rwanda

Five members of Congress who are visiting Rwanda said they will advocate for more funding for the country's health sector, New Times/allAfrica.com reports. The delegation includes Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), and Melvin Watt (D-N.C.) (Musoni, 9/1). The group will visit "several development projects funded by the U.S.

For Dying And Seriously Ill Children, Hope For Better Care

Kaiser Health News reports on hospice and palliative care services for seriously ill children. "New models of care similar to hospice but not limited to children who are dying have emerged in a handful of states, and many more are moving in that direction.

Mortality On Lung Transplant Wait List Remains High For Some

Mortality remains high among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension awaiting lung transplant, despite changes to the allocation system that were designed to reduce mortality and increase the equitable distribution of donor organs, according to new research out of University of California San Francisco. The study is reported in the September 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society.

Doctors Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder In Children Should Consider Irritability A Symptom, Study

New research from the US adds to mounting evidence that when diagnosing bipolar disorder in children doctors and clinicians should consider irritability as a possible symptom. The study, by researchers at the Bradley Hospital and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, both in Rhode Island, and colleagues from other centers, is published online in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Are Your Child's Eyes Ready For School?

As children return to school, parents naturally consider how to help their children learn and succeed. Good vision and eye health are key to students' ability to do well in the classroom, on the playground, in sports, and when studying at home. September is Children's Eye Health and Safety month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages families to make sure students receive

Benefits Of Anti-Clotting Medications Reduced By Common Heartburn Drugs

The anti-clotting action of the medication clopidogrel (Plavix) can be compromised by common drugs for the treatment of heartburn and ulcers resulting in a roughly 50% increase in the combined risk of hospitalization for heart attack, stroke and other serious cardiovascular illnesses, according to a new study presented at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions.

CytRx's INNO-206 Significantly Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Growth In Animal Trials

CytRx Corporation (NASDAQ: CYTR), a biopharmaceutical research and development company engaged in the development of high-value human therapeutics, announced that treatment with its cancer drug candidate INNO-206 resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the average primary tumor size in an animal model of pancreatic cancer, outperforming the broadly used chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin, as well as the current standard of care in pancreatic cancer treatment, gemcitabine.

Denosumab a Winner in Phase III Osteoporosis Trials (CME/CE, with audio)

An investigational biologic drug for osteoporosis increased bone density and reduced fractures in men and women in two large, placebo-controlled trials.

FDA: Cancer Warnings Required For TNF Blockers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring stronger warnings in the prescribing information for a class of drugs known as TNF blockers. The warnings, which include an updated boxed warning, highlight the increased risk of cancer in children and adolescents who receive these drugs to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammatory bowel disorder, Crohn's disease, and other inflammatory diseases.

$1 Million Grant To RI Hospital M.D. For Primary Care Melanoma Screening Training Program

Rhode Island Hospital dermatologist Martin Weinstock, MD, PhD, has received a $1 million, 2-year Team Science Award grant from the Melanoma Research Alliance to serve as principal investigator to develop a training program for primary care physicians to improve melanoma screening in primary care. The goal is to develop a web-based training module that will lead to earlier detection of melanoma and ultimately reduce the number of melanoma deaths by half.

A strict Mediterranean diet helps reduce deaths from major chronic diseases

Mediterranean diet protects against heart disease, cancer and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Br Med J.

Teflon-coated Cells Could Help Treat Type 1 Diabetes

Scientists have invented a tiny implant covered in Teflon coating that contains transplanted insulin-producing cells. Teflon, the chemical used to coat non-stick pans, has been used in medicine for more than 30 years, as it is compatible with human tissue and does not cause the immune system to attack itself when implanted in the body.

Doctors Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder In Children Should Consider Irritability A Symptom, Study

New research from the US adds to mounting evidence that when diagnosing bipolar disorder in children doctors and clinicians should consider irritability as a possible symptom. The study, by researchers at the Bradley Hospital and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, both in Rhode Island, and colleagues from other centers, is published online in the July issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Cardiac Muscle Patch Succeeds In Animals

Scientists in Israel have successfully grown heart muscle in the abdomen and then used it to patch and repair the hearts of rats after they had suffered heart attack. This is the first study to show it is possible to improve the health of a heart after it has been damaged through heart attack.

In A New Way Of Treating The Flu, Both The H And N Portions Of The Virus Are Targeted

What happens if the next big influenza mutation proves resistant to the available anti-viral drugs? This question is presenting itself right now to scientists and health officials this week at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, as they continue to do battle with H1N1, the so-called swine flu, and prepare for the next iteration of the ever-changing flu virus.

Democrats Appeal For Health Legislation To Honor Kennedy

Democrats "evoked memories" of Sen. Edward Kennedy to urge health care reform, as many acknowledged that his absence leaves a leadership gap. The Associated Press: "One longtime Kennedy friend and ally, Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn.

Cytomegalovirus, A Common Virus, Shuts Down Antiviral Defenses By Destroying MHC I Protein

Viruses have numerous tricks for dodging the immune system. In the September 7, 2009 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, Stagg et al. reveal a key detail in one of these stratagems, identifying a protein that enables cytomegalovirus to shut down an antiviral defense (online August 31). Cytomegalovirus, which most people contract at some point in their lives, eludes immune system surveillance by targeting the protein MHC I.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Be Relieved By Acupuncture

Polycystic ovary syndrome, a common condition among women, can be relieved by the use of acupuncture and exercise. This has been shown by a recent study at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Nearly 10% of women of reproductive age have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Protalix Receives FDA Fast Track Designation For PrGCD

Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE-Amex:PLX), announced that it has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prGCD, the Company's proprietary plant-cell expressed recombinant form of glucocerebrosidase (GCD) for the treatment of Gaucher disease.

Study Links Arm/Hand Swelling To Number Of Lymph Nodes Removed During Breast Cancer Surgery

In older breast cancer survivors, the number of lymph nodes removed during surgery and the presence of cancer in the lymph nodes were the two factors most directly linked to the development of lymphedema, swelling of the arm and hand, according to a study from the Medical College of Wisconsin's Center for Patient Care and Outcomes Research in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Susceptibility To Cleft Palate Revealed By Genetic Profile

For the first time, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine have identified a series of genetic mutations that appear to be linked to significant risk for cleft palate and other dental abnormalities. These are devastating conditions that cause tremendous social isolation, and also are associated with decreased lifespan, a higher risk of cancer and increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, even after surgical repair.

Clodronate Improves Survival in Metastatic Prostate Cancer (CME/CE)

Men with advanced prostate cancer lived significantly longer when treated with oral bisphosphonate sodium clodronate, but the bone density drug did not affect survival in localized prostate cancer, British investigators reported.

Today's Opinions And Editorials

Obama's Health Rationer-in-Chief Wall Street Journal Dr. Emanuel is part of a school of thought that redefines a physician's duty, insisting that it includes working for the greater good of society instead of focusing only on a patient's needs. Many physicians find that view dangerous, and most Americans are likely to agree (Betsy McCaughey, 8/27).

Researcher Investigates Ultrasound Use To Treat Cancer

It's hard to imagine that cells and sound are related, but they are. According to one Ryerson University researcher, this relationship could mean big changes in cancer treatment, including more effective treatment monitoring, less invasive procedures and health care savings. Dr.

Sleep Quality Negatively Impacted By GERD, Results In Considerable Economic Burden

There has been much debate about the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep. Three new studies in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology explore GERD's effect on sleep quality and the health-care system as well as how a widely prescribed sleeping pill may mask the disease. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology is the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

Supplement recalled for unlisted ED ingredient

Manufacturer Haloteco has recalled their supplement Libipower Plus, saying the product contains an active ingredient used to treat erectile dysfunction that was not listed in the ingredients.

American Soldiers To Undergo Mental Toughness Training

American soldiers are to undergo training in mental toughness or "resiliency" as part of the Army's larger "Comprehensive Soldier Fitness" program, that aims to ensure troops' mental toughness matches their physical toughness. According to a bulletin posted on 19 August, the first part of the program has already started: some 100 unit leaders and drill sergeants have just completed the first of two classes in learning to teach "master resilience training" to their units.

The Path To New Antibiotics

Researchers at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and University of Maryland have demonstrated that an enzyme that is essential to many bacteria can be targeted to kill dangerous pathogens. In addition, investigators discovered chemical compounds that can inhibit this enzyme and suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Also In Global Health News: Flu, Cholera In PNG; Improving Life Awards; HIV/AIDS In Rwanda; Men And Maternal/Child Health; MDR-TB In India

Flu, Cholera Strikes Papua New Guinea "Twin outbreaks of a flu-like illness and dysentery in a remote region of Papua New Guinea have killed 47 people and infected another 2,000 villagers, a senior medical official said Monday," Agence France-Presse reports.

Researcher Investigates Ultrasound Use To Treat Cancer

It's hard to imagine that cells and sound are related, but they are. According to one Ryerson University researcher, this relationship could mean big changes in cancer treatment, including more effective treatment monitoring, less invasive procedures and health care savings. Dr.

The Risks And Benefits Of Medical Imaging

WHAT: In a new study of nearly one million adults between the ages of 18 and 64, nearly 70 percent of participants underwent at least one medical imaging procedure between July 2005 and December 2007, resulting in an average effective dose of radiation nearly double the amount they would otherwise be exposed to from natural sources.

Maternity Staff Working Hard To Improve Safety But Barriers Remain, According To New Report, UK

Maternity professionals are doing more to ensure safe care is delivered reliably to mothers and babies, but there are still significant barriers impeding their progress, according to a new report published today by The King's Fund.

More Kids Using ADHD Drugs To Get High

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects between 8 percent and 12 percent of children and 4 percent of adults worldwide. There has been a significant increase in the use of prescription stimulants to treat ADHD. The most frequently prescribed ADHD medications include mixed amphetamine salts and methylphenidate.

Octapharma Targeting The Major Risk Of Hemophilia Treatment - FVIII Antibodies

Octapharma AG is leading an international initiative focused on confronting the major risk associated with hemophilia A therapy anti-factor VIII (FVIII) antibodies, also known as inhibitors. This initiative, combined with Octapharma's efforts to pursue the first recombinant FVIII therapy produced from a human cell line, could dramatically impact the treatment of an estimated one in every 5,000 to 10,000 men born with hemophilia A worldwide.

Safety Of Drug-Eluting Stents: First Results From The ISAR-TEST-4 Study

Drug-eluting stents (DES), which slowly release medication to inhibit the build-up of scar tissue, have proved very successful in preventing restenosis (renarrowing) of stented coronary arteries. However, several studies have shown persistent risk of blood clot formation inside DES over a longer time period after implantation than observed with bare metal stents.

St. Jude Medical Announces European Launch Of New Version Of Remote Patient Care Network

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced European launch of the next generation Merlin.net™ Patient Care Network (PCN), a secure, Internet-based remote care system for patients with implanted medical devices. Merlin.

University Of Southern California Study Finds Changes In DNA Patterns Are Linked To Prenatal Smoke Exposure

School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) has found that the life-long effects of maternal smoking during pregnancy may occur through specific changes in DNA patterns. The study found that children exposed in the womb to maternal smoking had differences in DNA methylation, an epigenetic mechanism in which small chemical compounds are added to DNA.

Link Between Migraines And Reduced Breast Cancer Risk Confirmed

US researchers have recently confirmed the findings of an earlier smaller study they published last year that suggested women with a history of migraine are likely to have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. They estimated that among both premenopausal and postmenopausal women with a clinical diagnosis of migraines, the risk of getting breast cancer was 26 per cent lower compared to women without a history of migraines.

Toshiba Installs Milestone 800th Vantage MR System At Elkview General Hospital

Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., an industry leader in magnetic resonance (MR) technology, reached a significant achievement in installing its 800th Vantage™ 1.5T MR system at Elkview General Hospital in Hobart, Okla. Elkview is using the Vantage system for orthopedic, neuro and abdominal imaging.

'NHS Failures Lead To Premature Deaths And Shocking Treatment Of Vulnerable Families' - MPs And Peers Call For Urgent Action, UK

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Muscular Dystrophy heavily criticises the way in which the NHS plans services for rare conditions, following an in depth investigation, which took evidence from key clinicians, researchers, patients and NHS commissioners from across the UK.

FDA Approves Saphris Tablets (asenapine) To Treat Schizophrenia And Bipolar Disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Saphris tablets (asenapine) to treat adults with schizophrenia, a chronic, severe and disabling brain disorder, and to treat bipolar I disorder in adults, a serious psychiatric disorder that causes shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. "Mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder can be devastating to patients and families, requiring lifelong treatment and therapy," said Thomas Laughren, M.D.