Blood News and Research

RSS

Black women are more prone to peripartum cardiomyopathy around childbirth time

A study examining the incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy in women who gave birth at a Medical College of Georgia's teaching hospital between July 2003 and July 2008, showed that while 55 percent of the women were white, 93 percent of those who developed cardiomyopathy were black, said Dr. Mindy B. Gentry, an MCG cardiologist.

23 Feb 2010

Acute stroke care and clinical outcomes improve substantially with stroke program

Acute stroke care and clinical outcomes have improved significantly at hospitals participating in the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program, according to a large study in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a journal of the American Heart Association.

23 Feb 2010

FDA grants Haemonetics clearance to collect two RBC on Cymbal system

On January 27, 2010 the FDA cleared the Haemonetics 510(k) for its expanded nomogram to collect two Red Blood Cells on the Cymbal® Automated Blood Collection System from female donors who are at least 150 pounds and are 63 inches in height. The Cymbal is a small, portable, battery operated instrument that automates blood collection from volunteer donors, improving process control and helping alleviate blood shortages.

23 Feb 2010

CINJ researchers test malaria drug for colorectal cancer treatment

While new cases of colorectal cancer continue to decline in the United States, it remains the third leading cause of cancer death in the nation, according to the American Cancer Society. That is why researchers at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey are looking to add a drug known for fighting malaria to traditional chemotherapy for colorectal cancer to see if treatment can be made more effective for patients.

23 Feb 2010

Medical test for aging adults could be helpful in determining infants’ intestinal conditions

A medical test initially researched for aging adults also could be helpful for premature babies, according to scientists with Texas AgriLife Research.

23 Feb 2010

AAN guideline evaluates drugs’ safety and efficacy for treatment of muscle cramps

A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology recommends that the drug quinine, although effective, should be avoided for treatment of routine muscle cramps due to uncommon but serious side effects.

23 Feb 2010

BioSante Pharmaceuticals' ongoing LibiGel Phase III clinical development program: Additional positive data

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced additional positive safety data in its ongoing LibiGel Phase III clinical development program. For the second time, unblinded data have been reviewed by the independent DMC of the LibiGel Cardiovascular and Breast Cancer Safety Study. Based on this review, the DMC once again unanimously recommended continuation of the study as described in the FDA-agreed LibiGel safety study protocol, with no modifications.

22 Feb 2010

Cord Blood America announces aim to be world's largest stem cell storage facility

Cord Blood America, Inc., the umbilical cord blood stem cell preservation company focused on bringing the life saving potential of stem cells, a biological insurance policy, for families nationwide and internationally, said today in an interview of Matthew Schissler, co-founder and CEO, by analyst Francis Gaskins, that its goal is to be the world's largest stem cell storage facility.

22 Feb 2010

ResMed launches S9 sleep apnoea therapy platform in Europe

ResMed, a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of sleep and respiratory medical equipment, today introduced its new cutting-edge sleep apnoea therapy platform called the S9 Series in Europe. The S9 Series combines a sleek design with superior functionality and more comfort. Combined climate control and humidification delivers unsurpassed comfort to the patient by controlling both the temperature and humidity that the patient breathes.

From ResMed Corp 22 Feb 2010

New gene locus influencing risk for atrial fibrillation identified

Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac arrhythmia - a chronic irregularity of heartbeat - which affects an estimated 1 million people in Germany. Although the condition is not acutely life-threatening, it does increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses, such as cardiac insufficiency, stroke and dementia. In the third of a series of genomewide asssociation studies, an international team of researchers, led by LMU physician PD Dr. Stefan K--b, now reports the identification of a new gene locus that has a significant influence on risk for atrial fibrillation.

22 Feb 2010

Researchers identify common gene variant associated with atrial fibrillation

An international research team has identified a common gene variant associated with a form of the irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. In their report in the journal Nature Genetics, being published online, the investigators describe finding that variations affecting a protein that may help control the heart's electrical activity appear to increase the risk of what is called lone atrial fibrillation (AF), a type seen in younger individuals with no other form of heart disease.

22 Feb 2010

U.S. government's decision helped stem-cell researchers concentrate on science, but limitations remain

The United States government's decision last year to lift restrictions on federally-funded stem cell research has helped the nation's stem-cell researchers concentrate on science, but limitations remain - even under the new policy, according to George Daley, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Children's Hospital Boston.

22 Feb 2010

Robot-assisted surgery advantageous over laparoscopic surgery for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction

A comparison of two types of minimally invasive surgery to repair kidney blockages that prevent urine from draining normally to the bladder found that robot-assisted surgery was faster and resulted in less blood loss and shorter hospital stays.

22 Feb 2010

Study proposes potential molecular mechanism at play in mild TBI

Douglas Smith, MD, director of the Center for Brain Injury and Repair and professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, will present information on the molecular mechanism at play in mild TBI (mTBI), commonly called concussions. Although mTBI affects over 1 million people each year in the United States, it is generally ignored as a major health issue. However, this 'mild' form of injury induces persisting neurological and cognitive problems in many of these patients, exacting an enormous emotional and financial toll on society.

22 Feb 2010

Scientists develop new mathematical model to understand CML better

Doctors can now understand better chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), including how it responds to therapy, thanks to a new mathematical model for the disease, developed by scientists in Portugal, Belgium and the United States. The work, to be published in the June edition of the journal Haematologica, also reveals that current therapies - which are not believed to cure CML - with the right protocol can actually get rid of the disease, and provides guidelines on how to do that.

21 Feb 2010

Two genetic alterations linked to benign enzyme condition keep hepatitis C patients anemia-free

Many people who undergo treatment for hepatitis C develop hemolytic anemia, a disorder that destroys red blood cells. In some cases, it is so severe they have to reduce their medication or stop therapy altogether. But now, scientists in Duke University's Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy have discovered two genetic alterations linked to a benign enzyme condition that keep some patients anemia-free.

21 Feb 2010

Brain and tissue sample repository to help advance understanding and treatment of psychiatric diseases

Johns Hopkins Children's Center neurovirologist Robert Yolken, M.D., and collaborators from the Stanley Medical Research Institute have developed a large repository of brain and tissue samples to advance the understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder, major depression and schizophrenia.

20 Feb 2010

El Tejano Magazine article: Medical innovation and research help many Americans live longer, healthier

An article that recently appeared in El Tejano Magazine highlighted the fact that many Americans are living longer, healthier and more productive lives because of medical innovation and research.

20 Feb 2010

Early treatment and prevention of gum disease can positively impact many medical conditions

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but research is demonstrating that the mouth is the gateway to good health. In fact, a dental exam can reveal early symptoms of more than 100 diseases, as well as identify gum disease, which can have a negative effect on the body’s overall health.

20 Feb 2010

Physio-Control restarts unrestricted global shipments of LIFEPAK defibrillators following FDA approval

Physio-Control Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc., announced today it received notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that having successfully met requirements for improvements to the quality system, the company may resume unrestricted worldwide shipments of its external defibrillators.

20 Feb 2010

Blood News and Research

Black women are more prone to peripartum cardiomyopathy around childbirth time

Acute stroke care and clinical outcomes improve substantially with stroke program

FDA grants Haemonetics clearance to collect two RBC on Cymbal system

CINJ researchers test malaria drug for colorectal cancer treatment

Medical test for aging adults could be helpful in determining infants’ intestinal conditions

AAN guideline evaluates drugs’ safety and efficacy for treatment of muscle cramps

BioSante Pharmaceuticals' ongoing LibiGel Phase III clinical development program: Additional positive data

Cord Blood America announces aim to be world's largest stem cell storage facility

ResMed launches S9 sleep apnoea therapy platform in Europe

New gene locus influencing risk for atrial fibrillation identified

Researchers identify common gene variant associated with atrial fibrillation

U.S. government's decision helped stem-cell researchers concentrate on science, but limitations remain

Robot-assisted surgery advantageous over laparoscopic surgery for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction

Study proposes potential molecular mechanism at play in mild TBI

Scientists develop new mathematical model to understand CML better

Two genetic alterations linked to benign enzyme condition keep hepatitis C patients anemia-free

Brain and tissue sample repository to help advance understanding and treatment of psychiatric diseases

El Tejano Magazine article: Medical innovation and research help many Americans live longer, healthier

Early treatment and prevention of gum disease can positively impact many medical conditions

Physio-Control restarts unrestricted global shipments of LIFEPAK defibrillators following FDA approval

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News