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FDA approves generic donepezil hydrochloride orally disintegrating tablets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first generic versions of Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating tablets on Dec. 11. Donepezil hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer's disease.

5 Jan 2010

CSC completes a Series B financing round

California Stem Cell, Inc. (CSC), a leading stem cell company, announced that it has completed a Series B financing round with private investors. The financing will enable the company to support the advancement of its therapeutic products to human clinical trials, as well as the generation and distribution of its tools to aid in stem cell research and drug discovery.

21 Dec 2009

Headache on rare occasions can be a warning sign of potentially serious disorder

Headaches are extremely common. Almost everyone has experienced a severe headache at least once in his or her lifetime. In most cases, headaches are minor nuisances that resolve within a short time. However, a headache can on rare occasions be the warning sign of a potentially serious disorder that requires immediate medical attention.

19 Dec 2009

CSC's stem cell-derived motor neuron product for SMA receives FDA orphan drug designation

California Stem Cell, Inc. (CSC) and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) announced today that the FDA has granted orphan drug designation to MOTORGRAFT™, a stem cell-derived motor neuron product, for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

9 Dec 2009

New breakthrough study shows reconstruction of human mandible bone with dental stem cells

In a statement today, StemSave(TM), Inc., the market leader in the field of stem cell recovery and cryo-preservation lauds research published in the November issue of the European Cells and Materials Journal citing the reconstruction of the human mandible bone with autologous dental pulp stem cells.

9 Dec 2009

Study reveals that majority of all vaccine preventable deaths occur in those 65 and older

Ninety percent of all vaccine preventable deaths occur in those 65 and older, including residents in nursing homes, according to highlighted studies in the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority's 2009 December Patient Safety Advisory.

4 Dec 2009

New study sheds light on feeding challenges faced by premature infants

A recent study conducted by researchers and physicians at Nationwide Children's Hospital sheds new light on feeding challenges often faced by premature infants. Although the prevalence of this disorder is well recognized, the feeding milestones for infants have not been well described.

3 Dec 2009

Roche ships additional quantities of Tamiflu oral suspension

Roche announced today that it has begun shipping additional quantities of Tamiflu® (oseltamivir phosphate) oral suspension (liquid).

3 Dec 2009

ImThera Medical implants its aura6000 neurostimulation device in two OSA patients

ImThera Medical, Inc. today announced that two patients have been surgically implanted with ImThera’s aura6000™ neurostimulation device for treating tongue-based Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Patients are being enrolled in ImThera’s pilot clinical investigation in Belgium with the first results expected to be published in the first half of 2010.

2 Dec 2009

Presentations at Tuesday's RSNA conference

A new study from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reports that beverage can stay-tabs pose a potential ingestion risk. In the 1970s, U.S. manufacturers switched to the stay-tab design after safety concerns about pull-tabs. The new study found 19 cases of stay-tab ingestion at a single institution, mainly among teenagers.

30 Nov 2009

New study reveals current beverage can pull-tabs are still unsafe

Three decades ago, a study revealed that beverage can pull-tabs were being swallowed by children, prompting a switch by U.S. manufacturers to stay-tabs. But a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) found that the new tabs are still potentially unsafe.

30 Nov 2009

Combination therapy improves survival rates of patients with head and neck cancer

Cancer Research UK scientists have found that a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy improves survival from advanced head and neck cancer in patients who are not able to have surgery.

23 Nov 2009

America's Got Talent Donald Braswell to participate in "Songs for Sara" Benefit Concert

Donald Braswell, 4th place winner from TV's "America's Got Talent" 2008 season, and William Stokking, retired principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, are featured in the "Songs for Sara" Benefit Concert for Sara Ann Kronrot, a six-year-old Collingswood girl with profound cerebral palsy.

21 Nov 2009

Boston Scientific's WallFlex Fully Covered Esophageal Stent receives FDA clearance and CE Mark approval

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark approval to market its WallFlex® Fully Covered Esophageal Stent for the treatment of malignant esophageal strictures (obstructions) caused by tumors in patients with resectable or non-resectable esophageal cancer.

20 Nov 2009

Sexual relationships were significantly affected after a stroke, says study

Dr Assumpta Ryan and Hilary Thompson recently published findings from a study involving 16 married stroke survivors - nine males and seven females - aged between 33 and 78.

3 Nov 2009

Shortage of Tamiflu in liquid form contributes to dosage errors

Two pediatric patients in Pennsylvania hospitals received overdoses of the drug Tamiflu to treat their flu symptoms because of unawareness among staff as to the concentration of the drug given in an alternative liquid form. Both children were unharmed as a result of the errors, but details of the near misses have been published in a supplementary Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory to raise awareness of the issue.

2 Nov 2009

World Journal of Gastroenterology reports a case of metallic foreign body in lower mid-abdomen

Foreign body ingestion is a frequent gastrointestinal emergency. However, long spoon swallowing is a rare event. Most swallowed spoons have been found in the stomach. Previously, there has been no reported case of a long spoon reaching the jejunum.

29 Oct 2009

Dementia patients face higher risk of flu mortality; refine guidelines needed for testing and vaccination policies

An epidemiological study on pneumonia and influenza (P&I) in adults age 65 and over reports that patients with dementia are diagnosed with flu less frequently, have shorter hospital stays, and have a fifty percent higher rate of death than those without dementia.

28 Oct 2009

BMC surgeons use new EsophyX TIF for treatment of acid reflux or GERD

Boston Medical Center (BMC) surgeons are now offering patients an incisionless alternative to laparoscopic and traditional surgery for treatment of acid reflux or GERD.

27 Oct 2009

Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Repligen partner to develop a treatment for SMA

Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) announced today that it has entered into a groundbreaking exclusive license agreement with Repligen Corporation for the development of a potential treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

23 Oct 2009