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Major study of perfusion imaging under way to assess value of alternative diagnostic methods

Cardiologists and heart imaging specialists at 15 medical centers in eight countries, and led by researchers at Johns Hopkins, have enrolled the first dozen patients in a year-long investigation to learn whether the subtle squeezing of blood flow through the inner layers of the heart is better than traditional SPECT nuclear imaging tests and other diagnostic radiology procedures for accurately tracking the earliest signs of coronary artery clogs.

3 Feb 2010

Penn Medicine experts available to offer medical insight and commentary during 2010 Winter Olympics

Experts from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are available to offer expert medical insight and commentary during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver on issues ranging from the effects of performance enhancing drugs to concerns about the spread of novel H1N1, head trauma and more.

3 Feb 2010

Gene variants protect sexually-abused victims from alcohol dependence, says study

Exposure to severe stress early in life increases the risk of alcohol and drug addiction. Yet surprisingly, some adults sexually abused as children - and therefore at high risk for alcohol problems - carry gene variants that protect them from heavy drinking and its effects, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

3 Feb 2010

LLS increases maximum benefit for myeloma patients to $10,000

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is pleased to announce that, effective Feb. 1, 2010, patients with myeloma and waldenstrom macroglobulinemia will now be able to receive up to $10,000 in support to help offset the costs of prescription drug co-pays and other insurance related expenses.

3 Feb 2010

Apple Valley Medical Center to hold free Heart Failure Community Education Evening

A free Heart Failure Community Education Evening will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at the Apple Valley Medical Center.

3 Feb 2010

Multiple ultrasounds may not be necessary for diagnosing DVT in some low-risk patients

An analysis of previous studies suggests that for patients with a suspected blood clot in a deep vein of a leg, withholding anticoagulation therapy after a negative whole-leg compression ultrasound is associated with a low risk of developing a blood clot during the subsequent 3 months, suggesting that multiple ultrasounds may not be necessary for some low-risk patients, according to an article in the February 3 issue of JAMA.

3 Feb 2010

New 3D scaffold for stem cell renewal

Medical researchers were shocked to discover that virtually all human embryonic stem cell lines being used in 2005 were contaminated. Animal byproducts used to line Petri dishes had left traces on the human cells. If those cells had been implanted in a human body they likely would have been rejected by the patient's immune system.

3 Feb 2010

Study linking autism and vaccines is retracted by medical journal

The Lancet has formally retracted a controversial paper published 12 years ago that purported the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine causes autism.

3 Feb 2010

Hypertension drug market to decrease through 2013 due to generic erosion and few emerging therapies

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that, in addition to extensive generic erosion, the hypertension drug market will be constrained through 2018 by a pipeline containing very few emerging therapies with novel mechanisms of action. Gilead's darusentan was positioned to be the next emerging therapy with a novel mechanism of action to reach the hypertension market. However, following darusentan's failure to meet its primary endpoint in the recent DORADO-AC Phase III clinical trial, further development of the agent has been terminated.

3 Feb 2010

CDC reports shows one in five American teens faces risk of developing heart disease

Pamphlets detailing the warning signs associated with heart disease may soon end up in an unexpected location: your child's pediatrician's office. According to new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five American teens has at least one risk factor for developing heart disease in adulthood.

3 Feb 2010

Decreased levels in brainstem of serotonin associated with increased risk for SIDS

Preliminary research indicates that decreased levels in the brainstem of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]; a neurotransmitter involved in several brain functions) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH2; an enzyme involved in the synthesis of serotonin) are associated with an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to a study in the February 3 issue of JAMA.

3 Feb 2010

Researchers find three different degenerative brain disorders linked by toxic form of Elk-1 protein

For the first time, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that three different degenerative brain disorders are linked by a toxic form of the same protein. The protein, called Elk-1, was found in clumps of misshaped proteins that are the hallmarks of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease.

3 Feb 2010

One-third of doctors and diabetes patients prioritize health conditions differently

About one-third of doctors and their patients with diabetes do not see eye to eye on the most important health conditions to manage, according to a survey by the University of Michigan Medical School.

3 Feb 2010

Play soccer to eliminate lifestyle-related diseases

Other parallel experiments on both women and men further demonstrates that a regular game of soccer affects numerous cardiovascular risk factors such as maximal oxygen uptake, heart function, elasticity of the vascular system, blood pressure, cholesterol and fat mass far more than e.g. strength training and just as much if not more than running.

3 Feb 2010

Surgical Risk Solutions introduces new web-based insurance product for surgical patients

Surgical Risk Solutions, LLC announced today the introduction of a unique new insurance product designed to provide financial resources to surgical patients in the event that they have adverse outcomes following surgery.

3 Feb 2010

10 new kits available for fast and simple isolation of nucleic acids from blood, plasma and serum

Norgen Biotek Corp., an innovative privately held Canadian biotechnology company focusing primarily on advancing powerful tools for nucleic acids (NA) and protein purification, today announced the launch of 10 new kits for the fast and simple isolation of nucleic acids from blood, plasma and serum, including circulating nucleic acids.

3 Feb 2010

AACE approves A1c as additional diagnostic criterion for type 2 diabetes

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) today has approved the use of A1c as an additional diagnostic criterion for type 2 diabetes. An A1c of 6.5 or greater is now considered an alternate criterion for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

3 Feb 2010

Pall launches Leukotrap Affinity Plus Prion and Leukocyte Reduction Filter System

Pall Corporation, a global leader in filtration, separation and purification, today announced the launch of the Leukotrap® Affinity Plus Prion and Leukocyte Reduction Filter System. The new blood filter reduces prions and leukocytes in a single step.

From Pall Corporation 3 Feb 2010

Repros Therapeutics receives FDA confirmation for initiating Androxal IND

Repros Therapeutics Inc. today announced that the Company has received verbal confirmation from the Division of Metabolic and Endocrine Drug Products of the Food and Drug Agency that the Company may initiate its Investigational New Drug Application for the study of oral Androxal® in the treatment of hypogonadal men with Type II Diabetes (T2D) with a Phase IIa trial.

3 Feb 2010

Tips for heart-healthy diet

Lurking in your kitchen may be a killer. According to Saint Louis University cardiologist Melda Dolan, M.D., the fast, convenient and processed foods that fill American's freezers and pantries are bad news for your heart and waistline, as well as your taste buds.

3 Feb 2010

Blood News and Research

Major study of perfusion imaging under way to assess value of alternative diagnostic methods

Penn Medicine experts available to offer medical insight and commentary during 2010 Winter Olympics

Gene variants protect sexually-abused victims from alcohol dependence, says study

LLS increases maximum benefit for myeloma patients to $10,000

Apple Valley Medical Center to hold free Heart Failure Community Education Evening

Multiple ultrasounds may not be necessary for diagnosing DVT in some low-risk patients

New 3D scaffold for stem cell renewal

Study linking autism and vaccines is retracted by medical journal

Hypertension drug market to decrease through 2013 due to generic erosion and few emerging therapies

CDC reports shows one in five American teens faces risk of developing heart disease

Decreased levels in brainstem of serotonin associated with increased risk for SIDS

Researchers find three different degenerative brain disorders linked by toxic form of Elk-1 protein

One-third of doctors and diabetes patients prioritize health conditions differently

Play soccer to eliminate lifestyle-related diseases

Surgical Risk Solutions introduces new web-based insurance product for surgical patients

10 new kits available for fast and simple isolation of nucleic acids from blood, plasma and serum

AACE approves A1c as additional diagnostic criterion for type 2 diabetes

Pall launches Leukotrap Affinity Plus Prion and Leukocyte Reduction Filter System

Repros Therapeutics receives FDA confirmation for initiating Androxal IND

Tips for heart-healthy diet

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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