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ThromboGenics initiates Phase II trial of microplasmin for wet AMD

ThromboGenics NV, a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative medicines for eye disease, vascular disease and cancer, announces today that it has started a Phase II trial of microplasmin for the treatment of exudative (wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

11 Dec 2009

Phosphatases can prevent inflammation and formation of blood clots

Polyphosphate from blood platelets plays a key role in inflammation and the formation of blood clots, scientists from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have shown. The study, which is presented in the prestigious scientific journal Cell, describes how this mechanism can be used in treatment.

11 Dec 2009

Chemotherapy improves overall survival in postmenopausal breast cancer patients

Chemotherapy generally improves survival in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, according to a landmark study led by Dr. Kathy Albain of Loyola University Health System.

11 Dec 2009

Latest findings on how blood clots form can open door to the development of new drugs

The latest findings on how blood clots form could open the door to the development of new and better-targeted drugs for patients at risk of strokes or heart attacks.

11 Dec 2009

FDA approves Fenwal's InterSol platelet additive solution

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved InterSol, the first solution approved to replace a portion of plasma used when storing platelets for up to five days, allowing some of the donor plasma to be used for other purposes.

11 Dec 2009

Cardiac myosin-binding protein C identified as potential new diagnostic biomarker for heart attacks

Though they remain a leading killer, heart attacks can be effectively treated provided they can be rapidly diagnosed following initial onset of symptoms. In a study appearing in this month's Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, researchers have identified cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) as a potential new diagnostic biomarker for heart attacks, one that may be particularly valuable for mild attacks in which traditional diagnostic proteins may not be abundant enough.

11 Dec 2009

Tasigna demonstrates greater efficacy over Gleevec in chronic Ph+ CML patients

In a large Phase III clinical trial, Tasigna (nilotinib capsules) demonstrated greater efficacy over Gleevec (imatinib) in the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) in chronic phase. The new clinical data were just presented as a late breaking abstract at the 51st annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), in New Orleans, Louisiana.

11 Dec 2009

NIH launches a $37 million program to reduce obesity

The National Institutes of Health is launching a $37 million program that will use findings from basic research on human behavior to develop more effective interventions to reduce obesity.

11 Dec 2009

Carotid endarterectomy can benefit patients with chronic kidney disease

Physicians should be comfortable referring some patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) for effective stroke prevention surgery, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The findings indicate that CKD patients gain a significant benefit from the procedures without an increased risk of dying from surgical complications.

11 Dec 2009

Drop in U.S. colorectal cancer deaths

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) lauds the recent news of the decline in U.S. colorectal cancer death and incidence rates. The report, released this week, shows that from 1975 to 2000, incidence rates dropped 22 percent and death rates dropped 26 percent.

10 Dec 2009

ARKRAY's Assure Platinum Blood Glucose Monitoring System receives FDA clearance

ARKRAY, Inc., the world's 5th largest manufacturer of diabetes self-monitoring systems, today received FDA clearance on the new Assure Platinum Blood Glucose Monitoring System.

10 Dec 2009

FDA clears AdvanDx' 90 minutes PNA FISH protocol for S. aureus and CNS tests

AdvanDx today announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for a fast, 90 minutes protocol for its S. aureus PNA FISH® and S. aureus/CNS PNA FISH® tests. The faster protocol reduces the PNA FISH turn-around time from the original 2.5 hours to 90 minutes by reducing PNA probe hybridization from 90 minutes to 30 minutes.

10 Dec 2009

Vitamin K2 in Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica

Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, today announced its Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® has achieved another nutritional first. Already the most nutritious Spirulina in the world, it is also a good source of Vitamin K2.

10 Dec 2009

Fourth-quarter and full year fiscal 2009 results announced by Biodel

Biodel Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

10 Dec 2009

Pneumatic tube systems still going strong

One of the most important working parts of Stanford Hospital is practically invisible ― and its invention dates back more than 200 years.

10 Dec 2009

Historical study reveals stress was a apart of ancient Peruvian's daily lives

The first study of its kind, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, detected the stress hormone cortisol in the hair of ancient Peruvians, who lived between 550 and 1532 A.D.

10 Dec 2009

Glucose can aid in preventing low sodium levels in patients undergoing prostate surgery

In men undergoing prostate surgery, excessive fluid absorption can lead to dangerously low sodium levels. Adding a small amount of glucose to the irrigation fluid used during surgery can help anesthesiologists to prevent this rare but potentially serious complication, reports a study in the December issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

10 Dec 2009