Bleeding News and Research

RSS

New findings on snake venom toxin hold promise for developing heart disease, cancer therapies

Researchers seeking to learn more about stroke by studying how the body responds to toxins in snake venom are this week releasing new findings that they hope will aid in the development of therapies for heart disease and, surprisingly, cancer. The Japanese team is reporting in a Journal of Biological Chemistry "Paper of the Week" that they are optimistic that inhibiting a protein found on the surface of blood cells known as platelets may combat both irregular blood clotting and the spread of certain cancers throughout the body.

30 Jul 2010

NMF raises $30,000 in 30 days to help women have gynecologic surgery

Natividad Medical Foundation President & CEO Linda Ford announced NMF has raised $30,000 in 30 days – enough for about 12 women to have the gynecologic surgery they so desperately need. The announcement is part of the launch of The Onyx Fund for Women – named in honor of a Natividad Medical Center patient named Onix who inspired a hospital's doctors and a philanthropic fund.

29 Jul 2010

Intensive chemotherapy may benefit elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia

The prognosis for nearly three-quarters of elderly patients on intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is poor, with a median survival of less than six months, according to a study published online today in Blood, the journal of the American Society of Hematology. AML is the most common form of acute leukemia among adults and is a rapidly growing cancer of the bone marrow that requires immediate treatment. The average age at diagnosis is 67, and more than 12,000 people will be diagnosed with AML this year (according to the National Cancer Institute).

29 Jul 2010

Scientists develop new surgical procedure for prostate cancer using natural orifices

With a recent first of its kind surgery, physicians at Mayo Clinic in Arizona have developed a new surgical procedure for the treatment of prostate cancer using natural orifices - signaling the next step in the evolution of minimally invasive surgery.

29 Jul 2010

Taiwanese hemophiliacs infected by HIV-contaminated medications petition US Supreme Court

Baum Hedlund announces that Taiwanese hemophiliacs infected by HIV-contaminated medications have petitioned the United States Supreme Court to allow their claims to proceed in California. Their suits contend that California-based defendants illegally used paid plasma donors at high risk for transmitting blood-borne diseases (i.v. drug users, prisoners, and promiscuous urban gay males) to make injected anti-hemophilia medications.

28 Jul 2010

CTC is not cost effective compared with colonoscopy: Study

A UNC physician authored an editorial in the July 27 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) commenting on results of an analysis of the cost effectiveness of colonoscopy versus computed tomographic colonography (CTC).The cost effectiveness analysis concluded that CTC or virtual colonoscopy is not cost effective compared with colonoscopy if reimbursed at the same rate as colonoscopy

28 Jul 2010

Dengue fever emerges as major health threat in Gulf coast cities

Several cases of dengue fever, a potentially fatal viral disease transmitted by the bite of urban dwelling Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, have recently been reported in the continental United States. Prevalent in Central America and the Caribbean, dengue fever's most common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, and body aches lasting several days. The disease's more threatening form, dengue hemorrhagic fever, can cause internal bleeding, loss of blood pressure, and death. Over the past five years, outbreaks of both forms of the disease have been reported in Texas and Florida.

28 Jul 2010

Iverson Genetic Diagnostics receives CMS approval for Warfarin clinical study

Iverson Genetic Diagnostics today announced the company has received approval from CMS to conduct a WARFARIN Clinical Study. The two-year (2) study will assess the impact of genetic information in calculating doses and the changes in the rate of adverse events when initiating Warfarin drug therapy. These changes will be compared against doses initiated without genetic data. The randomized and blinded, multi-center study will involve more than 7000 participants at over 50 sites nationwide.

27 Jul 2010

Orthovita's PMA supplement for new collagen processing facility receives FDA approval

Orthovita, Inc., an orthobiologics and biosurgery company, reported today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Orthovita's PMA supplement for a new collagen processing facility in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Orthovita will use the new facility to process the highly purified form of collagen used in its VITAGEL™ Surgical Hemostat product. VITAGEL is a composite liquid hemostat used in surgical procedures as an adjunct to hemostasis when control of bleeding by ligature or conventional procedures is ineffective or impractical.

26 Jul 2010

Obesity linked to rising womb cancer in women: Report

According to a new report from the Charity Cancer Research (CCR) in Britain, the number of women with womb cancer or uterine cancer is on the rise and obesity may be a clue to such rise.

26 Jul 2010

First generic version of Lovenox receives FDA approval for DVT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic version of Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium injection), an anti-coagulant drug used to prevent deep vein thrombosis, a potentially deadly blood clotting condition.

23 Jul 2010

New model of inflammatory bowel disease explores interactions of cells in immune system

Scientists at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech have constructed a mathematical and computational model of inflammatory bowel disease that allows researchers to simulate the cellular and molecular changes underlying chronic inflammation in humans. The model allows scientists to explore different interactions of cells in the immune system, check how these cells are linked to inflammation in the colon, and identify intervention points to perhaps stop the disease in its tracks.

23 Jul 2010

Repros granted IRB approval to commence low dose Proellex study

Repros Therapeutics Inc. today announced it has received IRB approval to commence the low dose Proellex® study. The contract for clinical services was previously awarded to ICON. The new low dose study is designed to explore both safety and signals of efficacy in an escalating dose fashion. The study will test 5 different doses of Proellex (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mg) with 1 mg being the first dose tested. In previous studies a 12.5 mg dose was well tolerated and yielded statistically significant efficacy signals for both uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

22 Jul 2010

AlexTriVantage pigment-specific lasers for multi-colored tattoo removal

In the past, the only options for removing tattoos were dermabrasion and excision – neither was entirely effective and both were painful. But thanks to the latest advancements in science and technology, there are now pigment-specific lasers that can target more colors than ever before.

22 Jul 2010

Womb cancer is the fourth most common cancer among UK women: Research

Womb cancer cases are highest ever for over three decades.The number of women diagnosed with womb cancer is at its highest for over 30 years according to new figures published today by Cancer Research UK which show more than 7,530 people now develop the disease each year in the UK.

22 Jul 2010

Genentech disappointed with FDA ODAC's recommendation against Avastin

Genentech, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 12 to one that use of Avastin® (bevacizumab) in combination with paclitaxel for previously untreated (first-line) advanced HER2-negative breast cancer be removed from Avastin's U.S. label.

21 Jul 2010

Over 50% of neurosurgical procedures performed on Afghan children were for battlefield-related injuries

War inevitably takes a tragic toll on innocent bystanders including civilians and children. Military neurosurgeons have a long history of helping US and coalition troops and civilians overcome devastating and life-threatening neurological injuries incurred as a result of military strife. While stationed at US military facilities, neurosurgeons also contribute to invaluable humanitarian efforts, operating on patients with injuries and conditions unrelated to battle.

17 Jul 2010

People needing non-emergent care can now turn to walk-in centers

For many, summer time means cook-outs, family hikes, and trips to the beach. However, while the good weather brings an increase in outdoor activities, for some it can also mean a trip to the local emergency room.

17 Jul 2010

National Trauma Institute launches 'Stop the Bleeding' awareness and giving campaign

The National Trauma Institute (NTI), a non-profit organization dedicated to funding trauma research in the United States, launched a powerful awareness and giving campaign in the heart of New York City today. While the images in the 15-second message may disturb some, trauma surgeon and NTI chairperson Dr. Timothy Fabian said, "We can't ignore the bloody truth—traumatic injury kills more than 170,000 people each year, not counting our soldiers overseas. Action is needed."

16 Jul 2010

BARRX Medical closes $15 million Series D financing

BARRX Medical, Inc. today announced the closing of a $15 million Series D financing, which was led by new investor Highland Capital Partners and joined by existing investors Delphi Ventures, Alloy Ventures, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, Sutter Hill Ventures, Greenspring Associates and others. BARRX Medical, Inc. develops endoscopic treatment solutions for treating precancerous lesions of the esophagus as well as other chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

14 Jul 2010