Afinitor(R) Approved In US As First Treatment For Patients With Advanced Kidney Cancer After Failure Of Either Sunitinib Or Sorafenib

Novartis announced that Afinitor(R) (everolimus) tablets has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after failure of treatment with Sutent(R) (sunitinib) or Nexavar(R) (sorafenib). Prior to Afinitor, no other therapy has been studied in a Phase III trial in this patient population where there is an important unmet medical need(1). Complete news at...

Pitt Alzheimer's Researchers William Klunk And Chester Mathis To Receive The 2009 Ronald And Nancy Reagan Research Institute Award

The Alzheimer's Association will present the 2009 Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute Award to University of Pittsburgh researchers William E. Klunk, M.D., Ph.D., and Chester A. Mathis, Ph.D., for their outstanding contributions to the research, care and advocacy of Alzheimer's disease patients and their caregivers. The award will be presented during tonight's National Alzheimer's Gala at The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Drs. Read more ...

Bowel Cancer Screening Should Start At 25 For High Risk Groups

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) have discovered that a genetic marker can detect whether relatives of bowel cancer patients are 20 times more likely to develop the disease than the general population. The research suggests these high risk people should be screened from the age of 25. The study is published today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology*. More at...

Tiny But Toxic: MBL Researchers Discover A Mechanism Of Neurodegeneration In Alzheimer's Disease

Tiny But Toxic: MBL Researchers Discover A Mechanism Of Neurodegeneration In Alzheimer's Disease
Tiny, toxic protein particles severely disrupt neurotransmission and inhibit delivery of key proteins in Alzheimer's disease, two separate studies by Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) researchers have found. The particles are minute clumps of amyloid beta, which has long been known to accumulate and form plaques in the brain of Alzheimer's patients.

News From The American Journal Of Pathology, 25-Mar-2009

News From The American Journal Of Pathology, 25-Mar-2009
Tracking Acute Kidney Injury Dr. Eisei Noiri and colleagues at the University of Tokyo, Japan identified a novel biomarker to monitor acute kidney injury. They present their data in the April 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology. Acute kidney injury may be reversible if treated promptly and appropriately. Novel biomarkers therefore need to be developed to identify injury at early time points as well as to estimate the severity of the damage.

Rhode Island Sees Increase In Norovirus Cases

The Rhode Island Department of Health advises people that there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of norovirus infections in the state.

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) advises people that there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of norovirus infections in the state. HEALTH regularly investigates reports of norovirus clusters in licensed facilities and investigates illness complaints associated with food establishments or other licensed facilities. Since January 1, 22 long-term care facilities have reported noro-like illness and HEALTH laboratories have confirmed norovirus in 14.

Source: 

Rhode Island Department Of Health

More at...

Brain Surgeon Refuses Treatment For Own Angina Attack Until Finished Operating

An Italian brain surgeon who had an angina attack while performing routine surgery to remove a glioblastoma tumor from the brain of a patient, refused to be treated until he had finished the procedure. After completing the brain operation in a Naples hospital, 59-year old Claudio Vitale then underwent his own operation to clear an artery. Vitale is chief neurosurgeon at the Cardarelli Hospital, one of Southern Italy's largest hospitals. Continue reading ...

Gene Variation Found To Help Predict Surgical Outcomes Of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Patients

A study with far-reaching implications for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery has identified human genetic variants that could help doctors predict the potential for certain patients to suffer poor heart function. Amanda A. Fox, M.D. Complete news at...

Breast Cancer Deaths May Rise As Fewer Women Opt For Routine Screening, USA

American women may be setting themselves up for a future increase in breast cancer mortality as fewer premenopausal women follow guidelines favoring routine annual screening mammography, according to a study on mammography use from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mammographers worry that the trend could lead to the erosion of screening services and of preventive care in general. Read more ...

The 'Trojan Horse Drug' And The 'Miracle Dogs'

The 'Trojan Horse Drug' And The 'Miracle Dogs'
Diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of cancer called anal sac adenocarcinoma, Oscar's future seemed bleak. Bedridden and unresponsive to chemotherapy or radiation, he would be lucky to survive three months. But thanks to an innovative new drug treatment, Oscar's cancer receded and he was walking again within two weeks. Oscar's recovery was extraordinary enough, but his case was unusual for another reason.

Intensive Insulin Therapy Risks For Critically Ill Patients

Intensive Insulin Therapy Risks For Critically Ill Patients
A new study in CMAJ indicates that intensive insulin therapy considerably increases the risk of hypoglycemia in critically ill patients. http://www.cmaj.ca/press/cmaj.090206.pdf Numerous intensive care units worldwide use rigorous insulin therapy to control blood sugar.

New Technique Used To Profile Anthrax Genome

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have used a new approach, known as RNA-Seq, to profile the gene expression of the bacterium that causes anthrax, Bacillus anthracis. Complete news at...

Malnutrition Risk Underappreciated In Laryngeal Cancer Patients

Almost half of all patients with cancer of the voice box (larynx) who receive radiotherapy treatment will experience malnutrition, according to new data presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology's Symposium on Cancer and Nutrition (Zurich, 20-21 March 2009). Larynx cancer is one of the most common head and neck cancers, with 159,000 new cases and 90,000 deaths reported worldwide each year. Continue reading ...

'Stent 4 Life': A Campaign Is Launched To Increase The Use Of Primary PCI In Acute Coronary Patients

'Stent 4 Life': A Campaign Is Launched To Increase The Use Of Primary PCI In Acute Coronary Patients
The aim is to improve the quality of care and reduce mortality rates A campaign which will reduce mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes has been launched by a coalition which includes the ESC Working Group on Acute Cardiac Care and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI).

Cognitive Decline Begins In Late 20s, U.Va. Study Suggests

Cognitive Decline Begins In Late 20s, U.Va. Study Suggests
A new study indicates that some aspects of peoples' cognitive skills - such as the ability to make rapid comparisons, remember unrelated information and detect relationships - peak at about the age of 22, and then begin a slow decline starting around age 27.

UK: MRSA Bloodstream Infections Continue To Fall

The Health Protection Agency has today published its latest quarterly report on MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bloodstream infections.

The Health Protection Agency has today published its latest quarterly report on MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bloodstream infections.

The latest figures from the Agency's mandatory surveillance of MRSA bloodstream infections show that there were 676 cases reported in England during the October to December quarter of 2008. This represents a 7% decrease on the previous quarter (July to September 2008) when 725 reports were received and a 38% reduction in the corresponding quarter of 2007 (October to December 2007) when 1,092 reports were received.

Source: 

Health Protection Agency

Continue reading ...

Opexa's Stem Cell Therapy For Diabetes Shows Progress

Opexa's Stem Cell Therapy For Diabetes Shows Progress
Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPXA), a company dedicated to the development of stem cell therapies for diabetes announced new preclinical data to support its autologous stem cell therapy program. Opexa completed confirmatory studies within its c-GMP facility showing that cells obtained from peripheral blood have the ability to differentiate into stem cells and ultimately into pancreatic-like cells.

Dance By Protein Linked To Parkinson's And Alzheimer's Diseases Reveals Unprecedented Twists And Turns

Dance By Protein Linked To Parkinson's And Alzheimer's Diseases Reveals Unprecedented Twists And Turns
In an Early Edition publication of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) this week, the researchers demonstrate the "alpha-synuclein dance" - the switching back and forth of the protein between a bent helix and an extended helix as the surface that it is binding to changes.

Mercy Integrated Labs Implements PNA FISH(R) Tests To Help Clinicians Provide Best Care For Patients With Bloodstream Infections

Mercy Integrated Labs Implements PNA FISH(R) Tests To Help Clinicians Provide Best Care For Patients With Bloodstream Infections
AdvanDx announced that Mercy Integrated Labs in Toledo, Ohio has implemented AdvanDx's PNA FISH(R) tests to identify bloodstream pathogens 1 to 3 days earlier than conventional methods to help physicians, pharmacists and nurses at hospitals served by the lab to improve care and outcomes for patients with bloodstream infections (1).

Limited Benefit Of Defibrillators For Elderly Patients With Comorbidities

Limited Benefit Of Defibrillators For Elderly Patients With Comorbidities
A study in CMAJ establishes that implanted defribrillators do not provide a significant survival benefit for elderly patients with comorbidities or individuals with numerous hospital stays linked to heart failure. The investigation was carried out by researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg611.pdf .

Cinryze Infusion Reverses Plasma Activation In Hereditary Angioedema

Cinryze Infusion Reverses Plasma Activation In Hereditary Angioedema
WASHINGTON DC - New data show that replacement therapy with Cinryze (C1 inhibitor-nf) infusion reverses all abnormalities of the plasma bradykinin-forming pathway and fibrinolysis that are responsible for the swelling attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Promising Results In The Use Of Bioabsorbable Stents

A study published online in The Lancet presented two year data for the bioabsorbable everolimus coronary stent. More at...

Doctors Prescribing More Drugs And Ignoring Guidelines To Help Heart Disease Patients Lead Healthier Lifestyles

Doctors Prescribing More Drugs And Ignoring Guidelines To Help Heart Disease Patients Lead Healthier Lifestyles
Young patients with heart disease are smoking more and twice as many suffer from diabetes compared to 12 years ago. Heart disease prevention in routine clinical practice is inadequate, with only a third of patients being referred to and joining prevention and rehabilitation programmes, whilst doctors are prescribing more and more drugs. Yet lifestyle programmes should be the backbone of preventive care.

Food Allergies Limit Where And How Families Vacation

Food Allergies Limit Where And How Families Vacation
Families with food allergic individuals make significant lifestyle alterations when it comes to vacation planning, according to a study presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Stephanie A. Leonard, MD, and colleagues looked at how having a food allergic family member impacts the vacation planning process using a survey that was filled out by 410 participants.

Prevalence Of Anergia - Fatigue - In Those With Failing Hearts

Prevalence Of Anergia - Fatigue - In Those With Failing Hearts
With the help of a non-invasive method of monitoring human activity, doctors and researchers at Columbia University Medical Center are shedding new light on a syndrome affecting nearly 40 percent of older adults with heart failure: anergia. Anergia, or lack of energy, is a newly delineated, criterion-based geriatric syndrome that is often overlooked or dismissed by doctors and patients alike as simply a natural tiredness associated with "old age.

PolyMedix Completes First-in-Man Phase I Clinical Study With Novel Heparin Antagonist PMX-60056

PolyMedix, Inc. (OTC BB: PYMX), an emerging biotechnology company developing acute care products for infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, has successfully completed its first-in-man clinical study with the novel heparin antagonist drug PMX-60056. Continue reading ...

Explaining Trends In Heart Attack: Prevention Has Improved, Mortality Rates Are Down, Hospitalisation Remains The Same

Explaining Trends In Heart Attack: Prevention Has Improved, Mortality Rates Are Down, Hospitalisation Remains The Same
A report in Circulation from the Framingham Heart Study, which compared acute myocardial infarction (AMI) incidence in 9824 men and women over four decades, has proposed an explanation for the apparent paradox of improved prevention, falling mortality rates but stable rates of hospitalisation.(1) The study found that over the past 40 years rates of AMI diagnosed by ECG decreased by 50%, whereas rates of AMI diagnosed exclusively by infarction biomarkers doubled.

Identification Of Key Molecules That Inhibit Viral Production May Aid In The Development Of Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Drugs

The research, led by Professor Donny Strosberg of Scripps Florida, was published on March 4, 2009, in the Journal of General Virology's advance, online edition, Papers in Press. In the new study, Strosberg and his colleagues describe peptides (molecules of two or more amino acids) derived from the core protein of hepatitis C. Continue reading ...

Understanding Why Tribal Populations Are Free From Clinical Symptoms Of Infection With H Pylori Strains

Helicobacter pylori is of growing concern today because of its crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases and in the multi-step carcinogenic process of gastric cancer. However, it is still an enigma why few strains are associated with ulcer formation with relevant clinical symptoms while others are not associated with any disease manifestation. Read more ...

Being Prepared For Sudden Cardiac Arrest In N.C. High Schools

A new study at Wake Forest University School of Medicine reveals that many N.C. high schools are not adequately prepared to handle the immediate medical needs of a student or employee who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest on campus. The findings were used to support a new statewide program to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in high schools. The study, scheduled to appear in the May/June 2009 issue of the North Carolina Medical Journal, evaluated how prepared N. Complete news at...

New Research Sheds Light On How Stem Cells Turn Into Blood Cells

Researchers funded by the Canadian Cancer Society have discovered how certain messages that are carried within stem cells can trigger those cells to become blood cells. The findings were published online on the 5th March 09 in Cell Stem Cell. More at...

Powder Free Gloves In Hospitals Decreases Allergy Risk

Powder Free Gloves In Hospitals Decreases Allergy Risk
Using powder-free latex gloves rather than those with cornstarch powder greatly reduced the number of workers' compensation claims related to latex-related illness, a recent Geisinger study found. Healthcare workers use latex gloves to reduce the spread of infection and disease when caring for patients. The gloves also protect workers from exposure to chemicals, bodily fluids and other potentially dangerous substances.

First U.S. Patient Receives Transoma Medical's Sleuth AT™ Implantable Cardiac Monitoring System

Transoma Medical, Inc., manufacturer of Sleuth and Sleuth AT, the first wireless, automated implantable cardiac monitoring systems, announced that the first U.S. patient has received the company's new Sleuth AT™ (Advanced Trending) Implantable Cardiac Monitoring System. The implant was performed on March 2 by Dr. Troy Rhodes, an electrophysiology fellow under the supervision of Dr. Mahmoud Houmsse at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. More at...

Researchers Use 454 Sequencing System For Rapid Sequencing Of Avian Influenzas

A team of researchers at the Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute Insel Riems, in Germany has developed a simple and rapid method for preparing Avian Influenza samples of infected individuals for sequencing with the Genome Sequencer FLX system. Read more ...

New Studies On Pneumococcal Disease In Africa Reinforce Need For Life-Saving Vaccines

Two new studies from the Pneumococcal Awareness Council of Experts (PACE) highlight the increased risk for children in Africa of contracting pneumococcal disease and suffering its devastating consequences. The studies were presented at the Sabin Vaccine Institute's 4th Regional Pneumococcal Symposium in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to PACE, the results reinforce the urgent need for improving access to life-saving vaccines and treatments throughout the continent. More at...

Salmonella Outbreak In Nebraska Source Identified

The number of salmonella cases in eastern Nebraska initially detected last week has increased, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. So far, there are approximately 14 lab-confirmed cases, with 4 considered probable ones and an additional 8 to 10 suspect cases indentified on the basis of reported symptoms. The outbreak preliminarily has been linked to a source-alfalfa sprouts from a local grower, CW Sprouts from Omaha. Continue reading ...

Risk Of Barrett's Esophagus May Be Lowered By 1 Glass Of Wine A Day

Drinking one glass of wine a day may lower the risk of Barrett's Esophagus by 56 percent, according to a new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in the March issue of Gastroenterology. Barrett's Esophagus is a precursor to esophageal cancer, the nation's fastest growing cancer with an incidence rate that's jumped 500 percent in the last 30 years. More at...

Clinical Study Evaluates MORAb-009 Plus Standard Of Care For Extending Survival Of Patients With Mesothelioma

Morphotek®, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Corporation of North America, has announced that it has commenced a multi-centered Phase II study of its MORAb-009 monoclonal antibody in mesothelioma. The study will evaluate MORAb-009, plus the chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed and cisplatinum, as a first-line treatment for patients with mesothelioma. Continue reading ...

Self-Digestion As A Means Of Survival

In times of starvation, cells tighten their belts: they start to digest their own proteins and cellular organs. The process - known as autophagy - takes place in special organelles called autophagosomes. It is a strategy that simple yeast cells have developed as a means of survival when times get tough, and in the course of evolution, it has become a kind of self-cleaning process. More at...

Alcohol Types And Socioeconomic Status Are Associated With Barrett's Esophagus Risk

Alcohol Types And Socioeconomic Status Are Associated With Barrett's Esophagus Risk
Additional study suggests drinking alcohol in early adulthood may increase reflux esophagitis risk Although the relationship between alcohol and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is well established, studies investigating the association between alcohol intake and reflux esophagitis (RE), Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) have reported inconsistent findings.

New Incision-Free Procedure For Severe Acid Reflux

A national leader in incision-free surgery performed through natural orifices, the Center for Scarless Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center is now offering patients with severe, chronic acid reflux disease a unique incision-free procedure called TIF, or transoral incisionless fundoplication. Complete news at...