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Doctors view on surrogate decision making process

A growing number of hospitalized adults are incapable of making their own health decisions, but little research has explored how doctors feel about making medical decisions with a patient's surrogate decision maker.

9 Sep 2009

Study to test efficacy of lapatinib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Use of the molecularly targeted agent lapatinib to delay tumor growth and improve the survival of patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver cancer, only benefited certain subgroups of patients. While results of this study were largely negative, patients that exhibited toxicity from the drug in the form of a skin rash appeared to have a greater tumor response and longer survival.

9 Sep 2009

Butzel Long expands national health care practice in New York

Alan Lambert, M.D., an attorney with a diverse practice representing healthcare providers and institutions, has joined Butzel Long and is Of Counsel in the firm’s Health Care practice. He is based in New York.

9 Sep 2009

FDA approves ISTA's Bepreve for treating ocular itch

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ISTA) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bepreve(TM) (bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution) 1.5% as a twice-daily prescription eye drop treatment for ocular itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis in patients two years of age and older.

9 Sep 2009

Genetic risk factor involved in cystic fibrosis discovered

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered a genetic risk factor for severe liver disease in people with cystic fibrosis. Those who carry a particular variant of the SERPINA1 gene (also known as alpha-1-antitrypsin or alpha-1-antiprotease) are five times more likely to develop cirrhosis and other liver complications than patients who carry the normal version of the gene.

9 Sep 2009

Philadelphia MCAN project as model for managing childhood asthma and reducing H1N1 risk

Nearly a dozen 7th graders with asthma were welcomed along with other classmates back to school today by a special guest who had a message for them about staying healthy - Kathleen Sebelius, 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

9 Sep 2009

Research study highlights unique aspects of tumor immunology

Immune responses are capable of killing tumors before they can be directed toward normal body tissue, according to new scientific findings published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

9 Sep 2009

Inactivation of ClpX gene may help treat anthrax poisoning

Scientists from the University of California (San Diego) have identified a gene in B. anthracis that not only contributes to the severity of the anthrax disease but also makes it more difficult for a patient's immune system to fight the infection.

8 Sep 2009

Mid-Atlantic region’s first laparoscopic gastric banding surgery performed at AEHN

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network (AEHN) announced today that its chief bariatric surgeon successfully performed the Mid-Atlantic region’s first laparoscopic gastric banding surgery, which is performed through a single incision in a patient’s umbilicus (or belly button), ultimately resulting in the potential for no visible scar.

8 Sep 2009

African health ministers adopt resolutions to improve health as WHO regional meeting closes

At the conclusion of the 59th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, African health ministers agreed on four resolutions that aim to improve health on the continent, the Guardian reports.

8 Sep 2009

PPJ Enterprise purchases medical billing service

PPJ Enterprise (PPJ) (PINKSHEETS: PPJE), a leader in proprietary automated healthcare multi-specialty provider reimbursement cycle technology and EHR development/information management digital system software for health care providers. PPJ is generating momentum for their strong comeback. The Company's short term strategic goal is to invest into a business that can sustain its everyday operational costs. So PPJ is developing alliances and making acquisitions/mergers in the medical billing service industry to eventually regain their position in the market.

8 Sep 2009

Recipients of Charles C. Shepard Award announced

Jill Van Den Bos, a healthcare consultant in Milliman's Denver Health practice, and her colleagues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been named recipients of the prestigious Charles C. Shepard Award.

8 Sep 2009

Valeant develops an acne drug with a low concentration of BPO combined with clindamycin

One of the most widely prescribed drugs for acne vulgaris is benzoyl peroxide (BPO). However, at concentrations of 5-10%, BPO has the potential for skin irritation and dryness leading to poor patient compliance. Increasingly, BPO is combined with clindamycin in a fixed combination where the efficacy effects of the two ingredients are synergistic.

8 Sep 2009

Exposure to air pollution can cause heart attack

It's well known that measures such as exercise, a healthy diet and not smoking can help reduce high blood pressure, but researchers at the University of Michigan Health System have determined the very air we breathe can be an invisible catalyst to heart disease.

8 Sep 2009

Rosetta Genomics and AXA Diagnostics sign exclusive distribution agreement

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG), a leading developer of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, and AXA Diagnostics, a privately owned company that markets specialized diagnostic tests, announced today the signing of an exclusive distribution agreement in Italy for Rosetta Genomics’ three currently available diagnostic tests.

8 Sep 2009

Research to develop new techniques for studying wild and transgenic mice's nervous system

Researchers of the Pablo de Olavide University (Seville) have started different projects based on the study of phenotype techniques in mice and their applicability to the pharmaceutical industry and neurodegenerative medicine.

8 Sep 2009

BEST bags orders for state-of-the-art synchrotron instrumentation

Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, Inc. (BEST) today announced that its subsidiary Bruker ASC GmbH in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, has been awarded several significant contracts for state-of-the-art synchrotron instrumentation from leading research institutions worldwide.

8 Sep 2009

CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation for Independence Blue Cross

Philadelphia-based Independence Blue Cross has received CEO Cancer Gold Standard™ accreditation, recognizing the organization’s commitment to taking concrete actions to reduce the cancer risk of its employees and their families through screenings, early detection, and healthy changes in lifestyle and in the workplace.

8 Sep 2009

Zinc finger nucleases utilized for modifying hESCs and hiPSCs

Scientists from The Whitehead Institute used zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) designed by Sangamo BioSciences, Inc., (Nasdaq: SGMO) to efficiently and precisely modify the genomes of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).

8 Sep 2009

FDA approves DuraSeal spine sealant for the U.S. market

Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved DuraSeal™ spine sealant for use in the United States.

8 Sep 2009