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Viron Therapeutics' three drug candidates granted U.S. patents

Viron Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering the development of virally-derived protein therapeutics, today announced that it has been granted U.S. patents related to three of its drug candidates, VT-111, VT-346 and VT-384.

23 Dec 2009

Back pain problems continue to rise in U.S.

The Bonati Spine Institute, the leader in minimally invasive laser spine surgery, reports the results of studies that Americans are increasingly reporting back pain and spending more on back pain, but cautions consumers to carefully research the experience and the surgical outcome results when choosing their spine team.

23 Dec 2009

Darbepoetin alfa does not reduce cardiovascular problem in anemic patients on dialysis

An international study authored by a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher has concluded that the anemia drug darbepoetin alfa works no better than a placebo in several other applications previously thought to be promising.

22 Dec 2009

Disability-related problems continue to rise among older adults

Disability rates among non-institutionalized older Americans increased between 2000 and 2005, a trend that could seriously impact the quality of life of seniors in the coming decades if it continues, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkeley.

22 Dec 2009

Declining use of Advair for COPD, Spiriva patient share increasing

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that since the 2008 retrospective analysis of patient-level claims data, Boehringer Ingelheim/Pfizer's Spiriva has closed the gap in patient share between itself and GlaxoSmithKline's Advair in newly diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Although Advair's patient share in the first line is still greater than Spiriva's, Spiriva has surpassed Advair in the second line and will continue to overcome and widen the gap between itself and Advair over the next two years.

22 Dec 2009

Newly identified targets in treating inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Digestive-disease-associated mortality accounts for a major part of all deaths in Western societies and inflammatory diseases such as GI infections, viral hepatitis, GERD or cancers due to chronic inflammation have a tangible economic and social impact.

22 Dec 2009

Health and education leaders commend school for promoting physical activity among students

During a visit today to Conrad Weiser Middle School, Department of Health Secretary Everette James and Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak commended the school for its efforts to increase physical activity among students.

22 Dec 2009

Patients in dialysis centers demonstrated better clinical results after acquired by DaVita, study shows

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today released a study finding patient outcomes in the company’s newly acquired centers showed dramatic improvements over the two years following their switch to DaVita® ownership.

22 Dec 2009

UV Flu Technologies introduces the UV 400 VIRAGUARD air purification product

UV Flu Technologies, Inc. wishes to advise it has recently acquired the assets of AmAirpure, Inc. in order to implement management's plans to move forward as an innovative developer, manufacturer and distributor of bio technology products initially targeting the rapidly growing Indoor Air Quality("IAQ") industry sector.

22 Dec 2009

A properly managed metabolic detoxification program can benefit

“Detox” programs have been in the spotlight recently, with a bevy of Hollywood celebrities citing their “detox” programs as the secret to looking great on the red carpet. But, what exactly is detoxification? Is it merely the latest health and beauty fad, or is it a true health therapy? And can anyone besides the Hollywood elite benefit from it?

22 Dec 2009

TB bacterium does not contain genes needed for spore formation

But a new study by researchers at Loyola University Health System and other centers casts doubt on the TB spore theory. Researchers were unable to detect spores in TB cultures and demonstrated that the TB bacterium doesn't even contain genes related to those needed to produce spores. Researchers also failed to find any spores in frogs infected with TB bacteria, which would have been expected if TB bacteria produced spores in the course of infection.

22 Dec 2009

Health experts offer recommendation to improve school meal programs

More fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, less sodium and a limit on calories served per meal—those are just some of the recommendations a committee of experts has made on how to improve the nation’s school lunch and breakfast menus.

22 Dec 2009

US Family Health Plan achieves 2009 member satisfaction

One might call it “the little healthcare plan that could.” While the debate over healthcare reform rages, the US Family Health Plan, a Department of Defense-sponsored healthcare plan administered by CHRISTUS Health of Houston for about 11,000 military family members in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, has achieved a 2009 member satisfaction rating 44.5 percent above the national average.

22 Dec 2009

Omega-3 fatty acids lower AMD and chronic kidney disease, improve heart health

Start 2010 right: consume more seafood omega-3 fatty acids. Improvements or lower risks in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), chronic kidney disease and heart health have been reported in people with higher intakes of fatty fish or the omega-3s they contain.

22 Dec 2009

New study suggests nasal allergy may be involved in chronic sinus disease

Exposing patients with chronic sinus disease to allergens and then obtaining repeated images by X-ray or ultrasound reveals that nasal allergies may be involved in some cases of chronic sinus disease, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

22 Dec 2009

Amedisys recognized as top investment pick by Fortune magazine

Amedisys, Inc., one of America's leading home health nursing companies, today announced that Fortune magazine named Amedisys on its list of the 10 Best Stocks for 2010 in its issue dated December 21, 2009.

22 Dec 2009

Bioheart makes breakthrough in stem cell treatment for critical limb ischemia

Bioheart, Inc. offers yet another medical breakthrough with the next-level stem cell treatment for critical limb ischemia patients. The stem cells aid in promoting angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels and providing support for the healing of damaged blood vessels.

22 Dec 2009

IBM announces new Research collaboratory in Taiwan

IBM today announced a new Research collaboratory, located in Taipei, Taiwan. The collaboratory will focus on using technologies -- including cloud computing, analytics and mobile devices -- to advance wellness-centric healthcare that manages diseases more efficiently and effectively to keep people healthier.

22 Dec 2009

HQP enters into agreement with Aetna to provide nurse care management services

Health Quality Partners (HQP) has entered into a three-year agreement with Aetna to provide nurse care management services to Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan members with certain chronic health conditions who receive their care at participating practices in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania.

22 Dec 2009

New minimally invasive orthopedic knee procedure brought to San Antonio

Foundation Surgical Hospital of San Antonio today announced it has brought MAKOplasty®, a minimally invasive orthopedic knee procedure, to San Antonio.

22 Dec 2009