Kidney News and Research

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Loneliness can raise blood pressure

Chronic feelings of loneliness take a toll on blood pressure over time, causing a marked increase after four years, according to a new study at the University of Chicago.

18 Mar 2010

Cryotherapy may become the future treatment for cancer

Cryotherapy, an interventional radiology treatment to freeze cancer tumors, may become the treatment of the future for cancer that has metastasized in soft tissues (such as ovarian cancer) and in bone tumors.

18 Mar 2010

NICE leaves many patients with rarer forms of cancer without drugs

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is failing to follow its own guidance aimed at making live-extending treatments available on the NHS, leaving many patients with rarer forms of cancer without drugs that could prolong their lives, a campaign group has said.

18 Mar 2010

Pathway Genomics' personal Genetic Health Report now available

Pathway Genomics Inc., a U.S. based genetic testing company, announced the immediate availability of its personal Genetic Health Report. This customized and innovative personal genetic health report contains information on more than 70 health conditions, including pharmacogenetics (prescription medication response), propensity for complex disease, and carrier status (pre-pregnancy health).

17 Mar 2010

Researchers evaluate novel organ sharing system that could help save more lives

Saint Louis University's Center for Outcome Research has received a $1 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases to review regional kidney and liver distribution in the United States and equalize the access to transplantation among patients with similar stages of organ failure across the country.

17 Mar 2010

Human amniotic fluid skin cells "reprogrammed" to pluripotency

In a breakthrough that may help fill a critical need in stem cell research and patient care, researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have demonstrated that skin cells found in human amniotic fluid can be efficiently "reprogrammed" to pluripotency, where they have characteristics similar to human embryonic stem cells that can develop into almost any type of cell in the human body. The study is online now and will appear in print in the next issue of the journal Cellular Reprogramming, to be published next month.

16 Mar 2010

Bovie Medical reports revenues totalling $6.5M for fourth-quarter 2009

Bovie Medical Corporation, a manufacturer and marketer of electrosurgical products, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

16 Mar 2010

Promedior raises $12M in Series C financing

Promedior, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing novel therapies to treat inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, today announced that it has raised $12 million in a Series C financing round. Forbion Capital Partners led the round, with participation from existing investors Morgenthaler Ventures, HealthCare Ventures, Polaris Venture Partners, and Easton Capital. The Series C financing brings the total capital raised by Promedior over the past year to $27 million.

16 Mar 2010

Lipitor 80 mg may help reduce risk of major cardiovascular events in high-risk patients

Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium) 80 mg was associated with a significantly reduced risk of major cardiovascular events compared with Lipitor 10 mg among patients with both coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were obese or had metabolic syndrome. These data, from two sub-analyses of the Treating to New Targets (TNT) trial that were designed and completed following the completion of TNT, were presented today at the 59th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in Atlanta, Ga.

16 Mar 2010

NKF: Certain ethnic minorities are at higher risk for developing CKD

Certain ethnic minorities, including African Americans and Hispanics, are at a higher risk than the general population for developing potentially life-threatening chronic kidney disease (CKD), which has been linked to higher rates of diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

16 Mar 2010

Cheetah Medical closes $20M financing round; plans to expand hemodynamic monitoring market

Cheetah Medical, a worldwide leader in noninvasive hemodynamic and cardiac output monitoring technology, announced today the closing of a $20 million financing round. The financing was led by Ascension Health Ventures (AHV) and also included Robert Bosch Venture Capital (RBVC), MVM Life Science Partners (MVM) and existing investors.

16 Mar 2010

XOMA 052 reduces adverse consequences that lead to development of congestive heart failure

XOMA Ltd., a leader in the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics, announced results demonstrating that a murine equivalent of XOMA 052, its novel, high-affinity antibody to interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), significantly reduced adverse consequences that usually lead to the development of congestive heart failure in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).

15 Mar 2010

Combination therapy does not reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients

Lowering blood pressure to normal levels - below currently recommended levels - did not significantly reduce the combined risk of fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular disease events in adults with type 2 diabetes who were at especially high risk for cardiovascular disease events, according to new results from the landmark Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) clinical trial.

15 Mar 2010

XOMA initiates Phase 2 clinical trial of XOMA 052 in Type 1 diabetes patients

XOMA Ltd., a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, announced the initiation of a Phase 2 clinical trial of XOMA 052, its antibody to interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), in Type 1 diabetes patients. Funding for the trial is being provided by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the largest patient advocacy organization of Type 1 diabetes research worldwide.

12 Mar 2010

Growing incidence of chronic kidney disease: Early detection and knowledge of treatment options vital

As the incidence of diabetes and hypertension continues to grow worldwide – and increasing numbers of patients progressing to kidney disease and kidney failure place a financial strain on public health systems – the need for early patient education about kidney disease and treatment options, including home-based treatments, has become critical.

From Baxter International Inc. 12 Mar 2010

A new way to control blood pressure

The control of blood pressure is central to people's wellbeing. One in three Australians suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension), a condition which can lead to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure.

11 Mar 2010

Researchers identify a novel source of adult stem cells: Foreign body-induced granulation tissue

In a pioneering new study published in the journal Translational Research, Dr. Jilpa Patel and her research group at Hektoen Institute of Medicine and Cook County Hospital in Chicago have isolated and characterized adult stem cells from granulation tissue in rats. A granulation tissue is a new regenerating tissue formed in response to an inert foreign body placed in the subcutaneous tissue.

11 Mar 2010

DaVita recognized as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Companies in 2010

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been recognized as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Companies in 2010 for the fifth consecutive year.

11 Mar 2010

Investigators develop new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data

Investigators have developed a new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data derived from complex mixtures of immune cells. This approach, when combined with well-established techniques, readily identifies changes in small samples of human whole blood, and has the potential to distinguish between health and disease states.

11 Mar 2010

Controlling cholesterol using biologically active molecules isolated from algal infusion

Researchers at Wayne State University's Department of Nutrition and Food Science believe they've uncovered a unique method to control and regulate cholesterol using biologically active molecules isolated from ProAlgaZyme™ -- a proprietary algal infusion produced by Health Enhancement Products, Inc., of Scottsdale, Arizona.

11 Mar 2010