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Autologous skin grafts heal chronic foot ulcers

Scientists have successfully treated chronic diabetic foot ulcers using skin grafts grown from individual patient cell samples.

13 Sep 2012

Pam2Cys nasal spray may be useful agent against pandemics and emerging viral strains

In an advance toward development of a nasal spray that protects against infection with influenza and spread of the disease, scientists are reporting identification of a substance that activates the first-line defense system against infection inside the nose. They describe effects of a synthetic form of a natural substance found in bacterial cell walls in ACS' journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

13 Sep 2012

Breakthrough for dengue vaccine development

A live-attenuated vaccine against the four strains of dengue virus known as CYD-TDV has demonstrated promising efficacy in a phase IIb trial.

12 Sep 2012

Combination chemotherapy confirmed viable for penile cancer

A combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, show study findings.

12 Sep 2012

Early CATCH improves thrombocytopenia outcomes

One in five patients using heparin to protect against venous thromboembolism develops thrombocytopenia, reveal results from the CATCH Registry.

12 Sep 2012

Blood pressure, oxygen saturation predict death in terminally ill

The most reliable events that predict impending death in terminally ill cancer patients being treated palliatively are decreased blood pressure and low oxygen saturation, show study results.

12 Sep 2012

Alarm raised over preoperative hyponatremia

Preoperative hyponatremia is common and, even when mild, carries a risk for perioperative complications and mortality, shows a large cohort study.

12 Sep 2012

Colon cancer lymph node target ‘overambitious’ for rectal disease

The lymph node yield needed during rectal cancer surgery following long-course radiotherapy may be considerably less than that recommended for colon cancer, say the authors of a systematic review.

12 Sep 2012

Edison receives EMA COMP orphan designation for EPI-743 to treat Leigh syndrome

Edison Pharmaceuticals announced today that the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP), European Medicines Agency, has granted orphan designation to EPI-743 for the treatment of Leigh syndrome.

12 Sep 2012

Many pediatric respiratory hospitalizations unnecessary

Study findings suggest that a large number of pediatric hospitalizations, particularly those of a respiratory nature, could be prevented.

11 Sep 2012

CT shows promise in predicting COPD exacerbation risk

Measurement of the pulmonary artery-to-aorta ratio can predict the risk for exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, particularly those that require hospitalization, say the authors of a US study.

11 Sep 2012

End-stage renal patients 'suffer stroke-related impairments'

Stroke symptoms are relatively common among patients with end-stage renal disease and are associated with cognitive impairments and reduced ability to perform daily activities, the results of a US study indicate.

11 Sep 2012

Evidence shows endovascular repair may be of more use than operative

Endovascular repair may be more viable for some patients with peripheral arterial trauma than operative repair, experts say.

11 Sep 2012

Strep throat should be treated with penicillin or amoxicillin: IDSA guidelines

Although people often say they have "strep" throat, most sore throats actually are caused by a virus, not streptococcus bacteria, and shouldn't be treated with antibiotics, suggest guidelines published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses.

11 Sep 2012

Warning over sirolimus in HCV-positive liver transplantation

Sirolimus, whether given at the time of liver transplantation or after, is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with hepatitis C virus infection compared with those who do not take the immunosuppressant, shows a US study.

10 Sep 2012

Partial pressure measures could be used in neonates after surgery

End tidal carbon dioxide and transcutaneous carbon dioxide could be useful to monitor partial pressure of arterial CO2 in neonates after surgery, a study shows.

10 Sep 2012

Complete mitral valve ring repair reduces recurrent regurgitation

Mitral valve repair with complete versus partial ring annuloplasty results in lower levels of recurrence in patients with functional mitral regurgitation, conclude US investigators.

10 Sep 2012

Intern work-hour restrictions? Get a physician extender, night float

The most common response by surgical chiefs at Veterans Affairs medical centers to the work-hour restrictions put in place by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in July 2011 is to hire a physician extender, report US investigators.

10 Sep 2012

Phase III data for Suvorexant, an investigational insomnia medicine, announced

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced new data for suvorexant, the investigational medicine Merck is developing for the treatment of insomnia. The new data are from one of the longest, continuously-dosed, placebo-controlled trials of a sleep medication ever conducted.

10 Sep 2012

New oral antiseptic spray effective in killing 99.9% of infectious airborne germs

University Hospitals Case Medical Center clinical researchers will present findings about a one-two punch to prevent colds and flu in San Francisco at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) on Sept. 9.

10 Sep 2012