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Omecamtiv mecarbil fails to achieve primary endpoint in phase II ATOMIC-AHF study

Omecamtiv mecarbil, a cardiac myosin-activator, did not achieve its primary efficacy endpoint in reducing dyspnoea (shortness of breath) in patients with acute heart failure, according to the results of the phase II ATOMIC-AHF (Acute Treatment with Omecamtiv Mecarbil to Increase Contractility in Acute Heart Failure) study.

3 Sep 2013

Researchers create specific tests to detect cancer biomarkers in patients with dermatomyositis

Researchers from major universities in the U.S. have developed specific tests to identify cancer biomarkers in patients with dermatomyositis-a systemic inflammatory disease associated with increased risk of malignancy.

3 Sep 2013

Authors of new paper outline possible factors to identify metabolically healthy obesity

Metabolically healthy obesity – where an individual has a Body Mass Index of greater than 30 but does not appear to be at increased risk of the health complications usually associated with excess weight – has only been recently widely recognised by medical practitioners.

3 Sep 2013

Facebook groups are effective tool for increasing HIV testing among at-risk populations

Peer-led Facebook groups are an acceptable and effective tool for increasing home-based HIV testing among at-risk populations. HIV infection is a major health concern for men who have sex with men (MSM), especially among African Americans and Latinos who have high rates of incident cases and new diagnoses.

3 Sep 2013

Proteins in blood could predict woman at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia

Researchers from The University of Manchester and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust have identified proteins in the blood that could be used to predict whether a woman in her first pregnancy is at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

3 Sep 2013

BP variability a long-term challenge

Blood pressure variability over the long term predicts mortality among patients receiving treatment for hypertension, a study shows.

2 Sep 2013

Argininosuccinic aciduria (ASA) and gene therapy: an interview with Dr Julien Baruteau, UCL Institute for Women's Health, London

This rare genetic condition can theoretically affect patients at any age but symptoms are more often observed in childhood and even uncommonly during the first days of life.

2 Sep 2013

New quick test promises to reduce economic, health burden of syphilis cases in Latin America

Demystifying the chemical processes that create a wine's aroma, and the invaluable potential application of that understanding in winemaking, is the new objective of scientists in Uruguay who, with European partners, also recently sequenced the genome of the high-value Tannat grape, from which "the most healthy of red wines" are fermented.

2 Sep 2013

Women are 25% less likely to die post TAVI than men, says doctor

Dr Sherif said: "Earlier studies on the impact of gender on outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have had conflicting results. A Canadian study reported in 641 consecutive patients that female sex is associated with a better long-term and short-term survival after TAVI.1 An Italian study of 305 high risk patients found no gender differences in composite safety and efficacy endpoints at 30 days and one year after TAVI."2

2 Sep 2013

NPS MedicineWise reiterates safety messages around newer oral anticoagulants

NPS MedicineWise is reiterating safety messages around the newer anticoagulants dabigatran (Pradaxa) and apixaban (Eliquis) following their PBS listing for preventing stroke on 1 September 2013 – and again for rivaxabaran (Xarelto) which was PBS listed in August for the same purpose.

2 Sep 2013

ddPCR technology can be used to reproducibly quantify microRNA in plasma

A study published online in Nature Methods today demonstrated that Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR-) technology can be used to precisely and reproducibly quantify microRNA (miRNA) in plasma and serum across different days, paving the way for further development of miRNA and other nucleic acids as circulating biomarkers.

2 Sep 2013

Low temperature triggers acute myocardial infarction

Professor Claeys said: "Air pollution and temperature changes are the most frequently reported environmental triggers for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Epidemiologic studies have focused mainly on one environmental condition, but most environmental triggers are related to each other and may attenuate or reinforce the triggering effect of a single environmental factor."

2 Sep 2013

Leisure-time physical activity might reduce risk of SCD among men with low CRF

Dr Laukkanen said: "Sudden cardiac death (SCD) accounts for approximately 50% of deaths from coronary heart disease. SCD typically occurs shortly after the onset of symptoms, leaving little time for effective medical interventions, and most cases occur outside hospital with few or no early warning signs. Finding ways to identify individuals at elevated risk of SCD would allow early interventions on risk factors to be implemented."

2 Sep 2013

Mass screening programme of 75-76 year olds to identify undiagnosed AF

Stroke is the second cause of death worldwide. Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmia in Europe, affecting approximately 1.5-2% of the general population.1 Prevalence is estimated to double in the next 50 years as the population ages.

2 Sep 2013

Combination of music and exercise training improves endothelial function in CAD patients

Professor Deljanin Ilic said: "In the setting of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease the endothelium loses its normal function.1 Since endothelium derived nitric oxide is necessary to maintain an adequate vascular response, correction of endothelial dysfunction has become a goal of therapy."

2 Sep 2013

Common blood pressure drug reduces fatal cardiac problem in patients with Marfan syndrome

A common drug that is used to treat high blood pressure in the general population has been found to significantly reduce a dangerous and frequently fatal cardiac problem in patients with Marfan syndrome.

2 Sep 2013

Use of anticoagulant does not reduce ischemic events among patients undergoing PCI

Use of the novel anticoagulant otamixaban did not reduce ischemic events compared with unfractionated heparin plus eptifibatide but increased bleeding among patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; procedures such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement used to open narrowed coronary arteries), according to a study published by JAMA.

2 Sep 2013

Effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation programme for cardiovascular prevention

With a growing incidence of cardiovascular disease in Asia, lifestyle modification such as weight loss and routine exercise plays an important role in early primary cardiovascular disease prevention.

2 Sep 2013

Drug for children with sickle cell anemia reduces hospitalizations and treatment costs

A drug proven effective for treatment of adults and children with sickle cell anemia reduced hospitalizations and cut annual estimated medical costs by 21 percent for affected infants and toddlers, according to an analysis led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The report appears today in the advance online edition of the journal Pediatrics.

2 Sep 2013

Deaths from cardiovascular disease higher in winter and lower in summer, says doctor

Dr Marques-Vidal said: "Deaths from cardiovascular disease are higher in winter and lower in summer. We decided to conduct a large scale study to see whether cardiovascular risk factors have a seasonal pattern which could explain the seasonality in deaths."

2 Sep 2013

Blood News and Research

Omecamtiv mecarbil fails to achieve primary endpoint in phase II ATOMIC-AHF study

Researchers create specific tests to detect cancer biomarkers in patients with dermatomyositis

Authors of new paper outline possible factors to identify metabolically healthy obesity

Facebook groups are effective tool for increasing HIV testing among at-risk populations

Proteins in blood could predict woman at increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia

BP variability a long-term challenge

Argininosuccinic aciduria (ASA) and gene therapy: an interview with Dr Julien Baruteau, UCL Institute for Women's Health, London

New quick test promises to reduce economic, health burden of syphilis cases in Latin America

Women are 25% less likely to die post TAVI than men, says doctor

NPS MedicineWise reiterates safety messages around newer oral anticoagulants

ddPCR technology can be used to reproducibly quantify microRNA in plasma

Low temperature triggers acute myocardial infarction

Leisure-time physical activity might reduce risk of SCD among men with low CRF

Mass screening programme of 75-76 year olds to identify undiagnosed AF

Combination of music and exercise training improves endothelial function in CAD patients

Common blood pressure drug reduces fatal cardiac problem in patients with Marfan syndrome

Use of anticoagulant does not reduce ischemic events among patients undergoing PCI

Effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation programme for cardiovascular prevention

Drug for children with sickle cell anemia reduces hospitalizations and treatment costs

Deaths from cardiovascular disease higher in winter and lower in summer, says doctor

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