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Study finds link between parental smoking and COPD

Studies have shown that family history is a risk factor for COPD, but have not accounted for family history of smoking. Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, the University of Colorado, and National Jewish Health compared 821 COPD cases with 776 control smokers from the COPD Gene Study, capturing parental smoking and COPD histories, along with environmental tobacco smoke exposure.

28 Jul 2011

SMRT DNA sequencing technology reveals genetic profile of German E. coli bacteria

An international team of scientists has successfully employed single molecule, real-time DNA sequencing technology from Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. to provide valuable insights into the pathogenicity and evolutionary origins of the highly virulent bacterium responsible for the German E. coli outbreak.

28 Jul 2011

ELPA, WHA to launch PATH B programme for patients with chronic hepatitis B

The European Liver Patients Association (ELPA) and the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), announced today on the 4th annual World Hepatitis Day that 'PATH B - "Patients and Professionals Acting Together for Hepatitis B" - My journey with chronic hepatitis B', a comprehensive educational resource designed to improve the lives of people living with chronic hepatitis B, is to be launched in August 2011.

28 Jul 2011

Arterial spin labeling shows areas of brain activity in chronic low back pain patients

Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) uses a new imaging technique, arterial spin labeling, to show the areas of the brain that are activated when patients with low back pain have a worsening of their usual, chronic pain.

28 Jul 2011

Eli Lilly introduces physician payment registry for public

Eli Lilly and Company today announced the launch of a physician payment registry to help the public better understand how the company works with U.S. physicians and compensates them for their services – and how these collaborations benefit patient care.

28 Jul 2011

Two large insurers profit by Americans' postponement of care

WellPoint Inc and Aetna Inc , the second and third-biggest U.S. health insurers by market value, are set to report second-quarter earnings on Wednesday that will likely be helped by Americans avoiding doctor visits and delaying medical procedures. The industry has benefited from Americans postponing such care during the weak economy.

28 Jul 2011

Reprogrammed kidney cells could make transplants and dialysis things of the past

Approximately 60 million people across the globe have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and many will need dialysis or a transplant. Breakthrough research published in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology indicates that patients' own kidney cells can be gathered and reprogrammed.

28 Jul 2011

Hip and knee replacement surgery linked to increased risk of clot development

When tennis star Serena Williams underwent emergency treatment for a pulmonary embolism earlier this year, the world's attention was drawn to this often fatal medical condition which, although surprisingly not uncommon, is unfamiliar to most men and women.

28 Jul 2011

Social media may improve public health system's ability to prepare, recover from disasters

Social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare may be an important key to improving the public health system's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, according to a New England Journal of Medicine "Perspective" article from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania to be published this week.

28 Jul 2011

Control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases can help treat HIV/AIDS

There is a growing body of evidence revealing the connection between neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and HIV/AIDS, prompting experts to call for greater integration of national NTD treatment programs with HIV/AIDS initiatives.

28 Jul 2011

Des Moines hospital faces review; $9 million hospital bill in Tampa

In state hospital news, federal regulators have ordered Iowa officials to study the Mercy Medical Center, and Florida officials say a Tampa hospital has filed a $9.2 million claim against the estate of a former patient. In other news, officials begin the process of closing Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

28 Jul 2011

Medicare Part D ups patient compliance, reduces hospital costs

The findings, which were published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association, suggested that for seniors, access to affordable prescription drugs would reduce their need for emergency and short-term nursing care.

28 Jul 2011

Inspiration presents OBI-1 pivotal study data on hemophilia at 23rd ISTH congress

Ipsen today announced that its partner Inspiration Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. presented data from its clinical development program for OBI-1, an intravenous (IV) recombinant porcine factor VIII product (rpFVIII), intended for the treatment of bleeding in people with hemophilia A with inhibitors and in people with acquired hemophilia.

28 Jul 2011

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery can lead to effective weight loss

Imperial College London. The findings, published in the American Journal of Physiology—Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology, suggest a new mechanism by which some types of bariatric surgery lead to long-term weight loss.

28 Jul 2011

Moody's: States face Medicaid budget issues, cuts will affect hospitals

Modern Healthcare reports that hospital reimbursements — because of the end of the enhanced federal matching rate that became law as part of the 2009 stimulus package — will be pinched. In addition, congressional action and the federal debt debate is also causing concern at the state level.

28 Jul 2011

Puget Sound Blood Center, Seattle Children's inaugurate new on-site lab

Today, Seattle Children's and Puget Sound Blood Center opened a new blood laboratory to serve Children's patients exclusively. Located within Seattle Children's main campus and staffed by Puget Sound Blood Center employees 24 hours every day of the year, the facility will bring the lab closer to the patient.

28 Jul 2011

State roundup: Cuomo's N.Y. home health reform spurs complaints

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's effort to overhaul New York state's $6 billion home health-care industry is coming under scrutiny from patient advocates and other industry players who say the administration is bowing to the interests of large, politically connected providers.

28 Jul 2011

Dilemma of single vs. double embryo transfers

Elsevier announced the publication of several commentaries in the scientific journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online on the subject of how many embryos it is safe and proper to place in a uterus, and how best to regulate this decision. It is a dilemma faced by all patients anxiously caught between no pregnancies at all or facing the prospect of twins or triplets. In this difficult place it is often all too easy to think that the latter option must be the best. But is it?

28 Jul 2011

Cardiac rehab can prolong patients' lives and reduce risk of second heart attack

Twenty-eight year-old Alex Holton is an active young Torontonian, but five years ago, shortly after receiving life-saving heart surgery, Alex Holton was unsure he'd ever be active again.

28 Jul 2011

BD to acquire Carmel Pharma

BD, a leading global medical technology company, announced today that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Carmel Pharma, Inc., a Swedish company that manufactures the PhaSeal System, the leading closed-system drug transfer device for the safe handling of hazardous drugs that are packaged in vials.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 28 Jul 2011