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Elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease

A meta-analysis of approximately 80,000 individuals from 32 prospective studies was published in The Lancet on May 1, 2010. The data shows that elevated levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a vascular-specific inflammatory enzyme, are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease similar in magnitude to that with non-HDL cholesterol or systolic blood pressure.

20 May 2010

Phase I study of SNS-032 demonstrates safety, potential clinical activity in treating B-cell malignancies

A Phase I clinical trial of SNS-032, one of the first in a new class of drugs that inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases, demonstrated the drug's safety and potential clinical action against advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cyclin-dependent kinases are enzymatic proteins that are integrally involved in cellular metabolism, renewal and signaling, and are thought to play key roles in the growth of cancers.

20 May 2010

Vaccinations recommended for adults

Yearly vaccinations aren't just for kids any more. You probably heard a lot about a seasonal or H1N1 flu shot last fall, but you should know that a battery of other adult vaccinations might also become part of your health care routine. Pneumonia and shingles vaccines are preventive-care essentials for older adults, and meningitis and tetanus shots are now college rites of passage. Even the vaccines of childhood—measles, mumps and rubella, and whooping cough—are recommended for adults who missed out in their younger years.

19 May 2010

Abviva receives Japanese patent for Mammastatin Serum Assay

Abviva, Inc., a biomedical company engaged in the development and commercialization of breast cancer related applications of Mammastatin, announced today that the Japanese Patent Office issued two patents on the core technology that may be used for therapeutic applications and in the Company's breast cancer risk assessment test, the Mammastatin Serum Assay (MSA).

18 May 2010

Tests of kidney function, damage predict risk of death from cardiovascular diseases: Study

Common tests of kidney function and damage predict the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases and all causes, according to a paper from the Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium, established last year by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes.

18 May 2010

GE Healthymagination Fund invests $5M in CardioDx

GE Healthcare, the healthcare business of GE and CardioDx, a pioneer in cardiovascular genomic diagnostics, announced today that the companies have entered into a strategic alliance to advance and co-develop diagnostic technologies to improve the care and management of patients with cardiovascular disease.

14 May 2010

Mutation causing light chain amyloidosis identified

Light chain amyloidosis, a deadly protein misfolding disease, is caused by multiple mutations in cells that are intended to protect the body. Instead, the mutations send misfolded bundles of proteins through the bloodstream, potentially destroying the heart, kidneys, liver or other organs. Mayo Clinic researchers have identified one of these mutations and have shown that the molecule's shifting position is as important as its unique shape. The findings appear in the current issue of the journal Structure.

12 May 2010

Colorectal cancer screening rates much lower among African Americans: Study

Among African Americans, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related death. With the proper screening, it has a 90 percent cure rate, yet screening rates are much lower among this group than other ethnic groups.

12 May 2010

Many pregnant women in the U.S. have insufficient vitamin D levels: Study

Seven out of every ten pregnant women in the United States are not getting enough Vitamin D according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. While prenatal vitamins do raise Vitamin D levels during pregnancy, the study shows that higher doses may be needed for many women.

12 May 2010

Immunomedics third-quarter revenues increase to $10.7 million

Immunomedics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer and other serious diseases, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company also highlighted recent key developments and planned activities for its clinical pipeline.

10 May 2010

New blood test could increase success of lung cancer drug erlotinib: Study

A new blood test could increase the success of a popular lung cancer drug called erlotinib by allowing doctors select which patients will react positively to the drug.

6 May 2010

Data shows rates of colorectal cancer screening vary by race, ethnicity and method

Rates of colorectal cancer screening vary by race and ethnicity as well as method, according to data being presented at Digestive Disease Week- 2010. Scientists examine data on minority and older populations as well as utilization rates of virtual and optical colonoscopies to better understand adherence to recommended screening guidelines.

5 May 2010

New diagnostic tool could help detect heart attacks

A diagnostic tool developed by Rice University scientists to detect heart attacks using a person's saliva is being tested at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

4 May 2010

Growth hormone boosts sprinting capacity in athletes but may have serious side effects

Human Growth Hormone (hGH) has long been used among athletes and body builders for stronger and a more muscular bodies over the past four decades. However it is only now that Sydney-based researchers have published a study that shows that hGH offers no such benefits.

3 May 2010

Decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates associated with CPOE system: Researchers

Researchers at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University School of Medicine have shown for the first time that a significant decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates can be associated with implementation of a computerized physician order entry system.

3 May 2010

Health outcomes explored at DDW 2010

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which may soon be the leading indication for liver transplant, is found to be significantly associated with worse transplant outcomes. In addition, a new tool for diagnosing NAFLD represents an alternative to liver biopsy, which is more expensive and prone to complications, and ultrasound and alfafeprotein blood test screening are an effective alternative to CT scan and MRI for patients with cirrhosis at high risk for hepatocellular cancer.

3 May 2010

NLV Partners closes second tranche of $26 million Series D financing in Oxford Immunotec

New Leaf Venture Partners (NLV Partners) announced today the closing of the second tranche of a $26 million investment in Oxford Immunotec Ltd., a leading manufacturer and marketer of T cell-based diagnostic tests. The Series D financing was led by NLV Partners, and additional participants included new investor Kaiser Permanente Ventures and existing investors Clarus Ventures, Wellington Partners, Kuwait-based National Technology Enterprises Company, SPARK Ventures, DFJ Esprit, Oxford University and The Dow Chemical Company.

30 Apr 2010

Power3 Medical Products to present four abstracts at International Congress of Alzheimer's Disease

Power3 Medical Products, Inc. announced that four abstracts were accepted for presentation to the annual meeting of the International Congress of Alzheimer's Disease on July 12, 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The presentations will cover results from protein biomarker discovery, drug response, test development, and ongoing clinical validation trials of the NuroPro AD biomarkers and blood test for Alzheimer's disease.

29 Apr 2010

Five-minute screening test could cut risk of developing bowel cancer: Research

A five-minute screening test could cut the risk of developing bowel cancer by a third and save thousands of lives from what is the UK's second biggest cancer killer, according to new research led by Imperial College London, published today in the Lancet.

28 Apr 2010

'Flexi-Scope' test reduces incidence of bowel cancer

A one-off screening test that takes just five minutes could reduce the risk of bowel cancer by one-third and save thousands of lives, UK scientists have said.

28 Apr 2010

Blood Test News and Research

Elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease

Phase I study of SNS-032 demonstrates safety, potential clinical activity in treating B-cell malignancies

Vaccinations recommended for adults

Abviva receives Japanese patent for Mammastatin Serum Assay

Tests of kidney function, damage predict risk of death from cardiovascular diseases: Study

GE Healthymagination Fund invests $5M in CardioDx

Mutation causing light chain amyloidosis identified

Colorectal cancer screening rates much lower among African Americans: Study

Many pregnant women in the U.S. have insufficient vitamin D levels: Study

Immunomedics third-quarter revenues increase to $10.7 million

New blood test could increase success of lung cancer drug erlotinib: Study

Data shows rates of colorectal cancer screening vary by race, ethnicity and method

New diagnostic tool could help detect heart attacks

Growth hormone boosts sprinting capacity in athletes but may have serious side effects

Decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates associated with CPOE system: Researchers

Health outcomes explored at DDW 2010

NLV Partners closes second tranche of $26 million Series D financing in Oxford Immunotec

Power3 Medical Products to present four abstracts at International Congress of Alzheimer's Disease

Five-minute screening test could cut risk of developing bowel cancer: Research

'Flexi-Scope' test reduces incidence of bowel cancer

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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