Swine Flu Should More Accurately Be Called North American Flu

Swine Flu Should More Accurately Be Called North American Flu
The Office International des Epizooties (OIE), the global organization that manages the fight against animal diseases globally, has said that the term North American Flu would be more accurate than Swine Flu.

PharmAthene Presents Data For SparVax(TM), A Novel Vaccine For The Prevention And Treatment Of Anthrax Infection

PharmAthene Presents Data For SparVax(TM), A Novel Vaccine For The Prevention And Treatment Of Anthrax Infection
PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PIP), a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, announced that results from a second Phase II study of SparVax(TM) were presented yesterday at the 12th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research, being held in Baltimore, MD, April 27-29, 2009. The conference is sponsored by the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases. David P.

Asthma Sufferers Should Be Cautious Of Swine Flu

As news of the swine flu situation develops, it is important for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions to be aware of the basic facts about influenza and how it is spread, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "The typical influenza vaccine does not provide immunity to swine flu," said Executive Vice President Thomas B. Casale, MD, FAAAAI. "As with other influenza viruses, this virus typically attacks the respiratory tract. More at...

Phase II Study Suggests Future For Radioembolisation In Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Phase II Study Suggests Future For Radioembolisation In Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)
Radioembolisation with Yttrium-90 (Y-90) glass microspheres is a safe and effective treatment for patients with advanced HCC ± portal vein thrombosis, according to new research presented today at EASL 2009, the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to the researchers, these findings create the foundation for a trial comparing and combining radioembolisation with multi-targeted kinase inhibitor, sorafenib.

Opexa Publication Of Tovaxin(R) Clinical Data In Journal Of Clinical Immunology

Opexa Publication Of Tovaxin(R) Clinical Data In Journal Of Clinical Immunology
Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: OPXA), a company developing a novel T-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) and a stem cell therapy for diabetes, today announced that data from its Phase I/II dose escalation study has been recently published in the May 2009 edition of the prestigious Journal of Clinical Immunology. Encouraging data from this clinical study paved the way for the larger Phase IIb TERMS trial that was completed in late 2008.

Ohioans Urged To Vaccinate Against Pertussis

Pertussis – also known as whooping cough – sickens hundreds of Ohioans every year and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) wants to help you protect yourself and your loved ones from this vaccine-preventable disease.

Pertussis – also known as whooping cough – sickens hundreds of Ohioans every year and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) wants to help you protect yourself and your loved ones from this vaccine-preventable disease.

“This common and potentially serious illness can be prevented with vaccine,” said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. “Please see your doctor to see if pertussis vaccine is recommended for you and your loved ones.”

Source: 

Ohio Department of Health

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An Independent Study Reports On The Utility Of ImmuKnow(R), The Cylex(TM) Immune Cell Function Assay, For Monitoring Heart Transplant Recipients

An Independent Study Reports On The Utility Of ImmuKnow(R), The Cylex(TM) Immune Cell Function Assay, For Monitoring Heart Transplant Recipients
Since it was cleared as an in vitro assessment of cell-mediated immunity in immunosuppressed patient populations, numerous clinical investigations have contributed to defining the role of the Cylex ImmuKnow assay among recipients of solid organ transplants.

Mathematical Model Used To Explain Viral Extinction

Two researchers from the Spanish Centre of Astrobiology (INTA-CSIC) have developed a mathematical model which demonstrates that a mild increase in the mutation rate of some viruses can reduce their infectivity, driving them to extinction. The study, published recently in Europhysics Letters, could have clinical uses in the medium term. Complete news at...

Potential Therapies For Dengue Fever Following New Understanding Of Dengue Virus

Doctors have no specific drugs to treat dengue fever, a viral illness spread by mosquitoes that sickens 50 million to 100 million people worldwide each year. Instead, the only treatments they can recommend for this painful and sometimes fatal illness (20,000 deaths globally each year) are fluids, rest and non-aspirin pain and fever reducers. More at...

Research Team Wins Funds To Unravel A DNA Mystery

An international research team headed by two University of Adelaide researchers has been awarded a US$900,000 grant to help unravel the phenomenon of "DNA looping". DNA looping is responsible for controlling the expression of genes in cells. It is believed to play a key role in a number of diseases, including many cancers. The looping occurs due to the binding of proteins to different regions of the DNA. Complete news at...

RapidArc Radiotherapy Technology Enabling Fast, Accurate Treatments For Pennsylvania Cancer Patients

RapidArc Radiotherapy Technology Enabling Fast, Accurate Treatments For Pennsylvania Cancer Patients
Two patients, both in their 70s, have become the first people in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to receive a new, faster, more precise form of radiotherapy for cancer. A 72-year-old man was treated for prostate cancer, while a 70-year-old woman received treatment for a brain tumor at the base of her skull.

Circassia's Allergy Therapy Begins Phase II Clinical Trial In Asthma Patients

Circassia's Allergy Therapy Begins Phase II Clinical Trial In Asthma Patients
Circassia Ltd, a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on allergy, announced that it has initiated a phase II clinical study of its ToleroMune(R) technology in allergy patients with asthma. The trial builds on positive phase II results that demonstrated the potential clinical benefits of ToleroMune allergy therapy, and extends clinical investigations to those with allergy-associated asthma.

Biomerica Receives CE Mark Approval For 5-Minute Home Test For Kidney Disease Screening For Diabetic And Hypertensive Individuals

Biomerica Receives CE Mark Approval For 5-Minute Home Test For Kidney Disease Screening For Diabetic And Hypertensive Individuals
Biomerica, Inc. (OTCBB: BMRA) announced that it has received approval to CE mark its 5-minute home diagnostic test for detecting Microalbumin, micro amounts of albumin in urine. Albumin is normally found in the blood and filtered by the kidneys. When the kidneys are working properly, albumin is not present in urine in significant amounts. However, when the kidneys are damaged, small amounts of albumin leak into the urine, resulting in elevated levels.

Grow Healthy Raises Cancer Awareness

Grow Healthy Raises Cancer Awareness

The Florida Department of Health’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program announces the “Grow Healthy” – Community Garden Project to support healthy lifestyles and cancer awareness.

The Florida Department of Health’s (DOH) Comprehensive Cancer Control Program announces the “Grow Healthy” – Community Garden Project to support healthy lifestyles and cancer awareness. Research has shown that a nutritious diet and exercise can diminish the risk for colon and breast cancer. Floridians can also lower their risk of cancer and other chronic diseases by not smoking and getting appropriate screening to treat problems early.

Source: 

Florida Department Of Health

Heart, Stroke Care For Disadvantaged Minorities

Heart, Stroke Care For Disadvantaged Minorities
UCLA has been awarded a four-year, $3.89 million grant from the American Heart Association to establish a new research center focused on improving the health of disadvantaged minority patients at risk for stroke and heart attack. In addition to training future scientists, the center will collaborate with community partners on two studies exploring how to prevent stroke survivors from suffering a second stroke.

New Data On Highly Effective Treatment For Chronic Rhinosinusitis Presented By OptiNose

New Data On Highly Effective Treatment For Chronic Rhinosinusitis Presented By OptiNose
OptiNose has announced important new results from a Phase II trial of its novel nasal drug delivery device with fluticasone for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Patients in the active treatment group experienced significant improvements in nasal symptoms, nasal discomfort and sense of smell. There was also a highly significant and progressive reduction in nasal swelling.

GlobeImmune Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial With NCI In CEA - Metatastic Cancers

GlobeImmune Initiates Phase 1 Clinical Trial With NCI In CEA - Metatastic Cancers
GlobeImmune, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial to investigate the safety and tolerability of a new Tarmogen, GI-6207, in patients with metastatic cancers that over-express carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This is the third new Tarmogen(R) product candidate to enter human clinical trials over the last four years. James L. Gulley, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P.

Researchers Find Lack Of Key Molecule Leads To Deafness

Researchers Find Lack Of Key Molecule Leads To Deafness
Researchers have identified tiny molecules that may lead to big breakthroughs in the treatment of hearing loss and deafness. An international team, including researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel and Purdue University, found that lack of these molecules causes abnormal development of the inner ear and leads to progressive hearing loss.

Medtronic To Launch Talent™ Thoracic Stent Graft In Japan

Extending the availability of its endovascular innovations into another major world market, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced regulatory approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) for the Talent™ Thoracic Stent Graft, a lifesaving technology that allows more patients to benefit from a minimally-invasive treatment for certain types of aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta. Continue reading ...

Prostate Vaccine News "Reason For Optimism"

Prostate Vaccine News "Reason For Optimism"
Below is a comment from Otis W. Brawley, M.D., American Cancer Society chief medical officer, on the announcement that the experimental vaccine Provenge increased survival in men with prostate cancer. "This announcement is reason for optimism about a vaccine that has generated controversy for several years.

Shedding Light On Inflammatory Disease

Shedding Light On Inflammatory Disease

Shedding Light On Inflammatory Disease.JPG

Scientists have found that understanding the precise timing of communication between cells that coordinate the body's response to disease could be key to new drug developments.

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found that understanding the precise timing of communication between cells that coordinate the body's response to disease could be key to new drug developments.

Researchers, in collaboration with AstraZeneca and the Universities of Manchester and Warwick, are investigating the NF-kappa-B signalling system, which governs the responses within cells to stimuli such as stress and infection. It plays a central role in conditions such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.

Source: 

Universities Of Liverpool

Honey And Lozenges For Children With Non-specific Cough

Chronic non-specific cough is a chronic, dry cough of in the absence of identifiable respiratory disease or known aetiology; although it is usually not reflective of an underlying severe illness, it does cause significant morbidity, and as such relief from it is often sought. The use of honey and lozenges to soothe upper respiratory tract irritation is common, inexpensive, and potentially more effective in treating the symptoms than pharmacological interventions. Complete news at...

The Best Minimally Invasive Route For Brain Tumor Surgery

A landmark study by neurosurgeons at John Wayne Cancer Institute and Saint John's Health Center is giving brain surgeons the edge in planning delicate operations. The study focuses on two minimally invasive "keyhole" approaches used to remove brain tumors: operating either through a nostril (endonasal transsphenoidal route), or through an eyebrow (supra-orbital route). Continue reading ...

Meeting Summary: Consultation on Serosorting Practices among Men who Have Sex with Men

CDC's HIV research activities include prevention, diagnostic testing, microbicides and vaccines. Complete news at...

Hayfever Puts Relationships Under Pressure

Nearly half of all hayfever sufferers are more irritable while they are suffering from hayfever symptoms, impacting on their relationships, according to a new survey published today.[1] The survey suggests that up to 2 million people with hayfever[2] feel less affectionate in relationships and up to 600,000 people with hayfever have had an argument due to their hayfever symptoms. Read more ...

New Study Highlights Safety Of Probiotic Strain Bacillus Coagulans

The results of a safety study to be published in the May issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology demonstrate that the probiotic strain, GanedenBC30™ (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), is safe for human consumption, even in massive amounts. Many experts recognize the health benefits of probiotics, but some have stressed that probiotic strains must first demonstrate safety before recommendations can be made about their widespread use. Continue reading ...

Brigham And Women's Hospital Surgeons Perform Facial Transplant

Brigham And Women's Hospital Surgeons Perform Facial Transplant
A plastic surgery team at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, led by Dr. B Pomahac, has carried out a partial face transplant. This is the second partial face transplant to be performed in the United States. The seven plastic surgeons, as well as an ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon, along with nurses, anesthesiologists and residents spent 17 non-stop hours replacing the mid-face area of a patient.

Brigham And Women's Hospital Surgeons Perform Facial Transplant

A plastic surgery team at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, led by Dr. B Pomahac, has carried out a partial face transplant. This is the second partial face transplant to be performed in the United States. The seven plastic surgeons, as well as an ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon, along with nurses, anesthesiologists and residents spent 17 non-stop hours replacing the mid-face area of a patient. Read more ...

Telemonitoring Changes The Working Practice Of Cardiac Nurses

The 9th Annual Spring Meeting of the European Society of Cardiology Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP), organised in cooperation with the Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association (INCA), is being held at the Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland, on 24-25 April. The meeting - considered by many to be the premier international event for nurses and allied health professionals - will show case the latest advances in practice, education and research. Continue reading ...

New Strategy To Improve Lymphoedema Services

New Strategy To Improve Lymphoedema Services

Welsh Assembly Government launches consultation on a new strategy to improve lymphoedema services across Wales.

Welsh Assembly Government launches consultation on a new strategy to improve lymphoedema services across Wales.

A new consultation on plans to strengthen lymphoedema services in Wales was launched today by Health Minister Edwina Hart.

Source: 

Welsh Assembly Government

Removing The Adverse Side Effects From An Effective Drug

Nicotinic acid is one of the most effective drugs for raising levels of "good" cholesterol and lowering levels of "bad" cholesterol and other lipids (fats), thereby reducing the risk of heart attack. However, patients often stop taking the drug due to one specific side effect, flushing of the skin that often includes an intense burning and itching sensation. Read more ...

Children and teens being prescribed significantly more diabetes and blood pressure drugs

Children and teens being prescribed significantly more diabetes and blood pressure drugs
Between 2004 and 2007, Joshua N. Liberman, Ph.D. and colleagues of CVS Caremark in Hunt Valley, Md., reveal that the number of children and teens prescribed with high blood pressure or diabetes medications have increased. Their evaluation was carried out with information about prescription records of more than five million commercially insured individuals covered by a pharmacy benefits manager between the ages of 6 to 18.

Premature Ejaculation Spray Enables Men To Last Six Times Longer After Penetration

Premature Ejaculation Spray Enables Men To Last Six Times Longer After Penetration
Men with premature ejaculation who used a topical spray five minutes before intercourse were able to delay their orgasm six times longer than normal, according to a study in the April issue of BJU International. Three hundred men with clinically diagnosed lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) from 31 centres in the UK, Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, were randomised into two groups. Two hundred used the PSD502 spray, which contains 7.5mg of lidocaine and 2.

Trial Provides New Hope For Those Living With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A unique health supplement could give fresh hope to those living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as trials reveal it can reduce symptoms of the chronic condition, affecting up to one in five of the UK population1. "Second generation" galactooligosaccharide Bimuno® was found to reduce abdominal pain and bloating, ease bowel movements and improve stool consistency in those diagnosed with IBS. More at...

The Promises And Perils Of Proton Radiotherapy: Two-Day Symposium In Baltimore

The Promises And Perils Of Proton Radiotherapy: Two-Day Symposium In Baltimore
Proton therapy has been hailed as a revolutionary cancer treatment, with higher cure rates and fewer side effects than traditional X-ray photon radiotherapy. Proton therapy is the modality of choice for treating certain small tumors of the eye, head, head or neck. It is also safer -- especially for young children -- because it exposes less of the tissue surrounding a tumor to the dosage, proton therapy lowers the risk of secondary cancers later in life.

[(11)C]Choline PET/CT In Prostate Cancer Patients With Biochemical Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy

[(11)C]Choline PET/CT In Prostate Cancer Patients With Biochemical Recurrence After Radical Prostatectomy
UroToday.com - Use of [11C]choline PET/CT in prostate cancer (CaP) imaging has demonstrated mixed results. The usefulness of labeled choline in cancer imaging is based upon the fact that the rate limiting enzyme choline kinase and the specific choline transporter are upregulated to support increased cell proliferation and concomitant membrane forming with major components being various phospholipids. Dr.

Study Reveals Worrying Survival Gap Between Rich And Poor After Heart Surgery, England

People from the most deprived areas of England have a far higher risk of death after cardiac surgery than people from the least deprived areas, finds a large study published on bmj.com today. Cardiovascular disease is the commonest cause of early death in the Western world and is closely related to social and economic deprivation. Complete news at...

Making Cancer Research Dollars Count By Resurrecting Dormant Compounds

Making Cancer Research Dollars Count By Resurrecting Dormant Compounds
Discovering new chemotherapy agents is one of the most difficult tasks in medicinal chemistry, and, given the deepening recession, resources are threatening to hit all-time lows. Of the thousands of active compounds synthesized, very few have progressed beyond early clinical development.

Redefining What It Means To Be A Prion

Redefining What It Means To Be A Prion
Whitehead Institute researchers have quintupled the number of identifiable prion proteins in yeast and have further clarified the role prions play in the inheritance of both beneficial and detrimental traits.

Blood Protein May Hold Key To Stopping Tumor Growth In Cancer Patients

Blood Protein May Hold Key To Stopping Tumor Growth In Cancer Patients
A recent discovery by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine could clear the way for a new drug that inhibits tumor growth in cancer patients and could potentially help in the healing of wounds.

More Effective Antiseptics From A Combination Of Tea Tree Oil And Silver

More Effective Antiseptics From A Combination Of Tea Tree Oil And Silver
In the fight against infected skin wounds, mixing tea tree oil and silver or putting them in liposomes, (small spheres made from natural lipids), greatly increases their antimicrobial activity and may minimise any side effects.

Pathwork Tissue Of Origin Test Validation Study Published In Journal Of Clinical Oncology

Pathwork Tissue Of Origin Test Validation Study Published In Journal Of Clinical Oncology
Pathwork Diagnostics, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company focused on oncology, announced that the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) has published the results of the Pathwork(R) Tissue of Origin Test validation study in a paper entitled, "Multicenter Validation of a 1,550-Gene Expression Profile for Identification of Tumor Tissue of Origin.