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Research study to develop rapid, inexpensive blood screening test for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

A clinical research study to develop a rapid and inexpensive blood screening test for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer has been launched by Henry Ford Health System and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

14 Jan 2011

FibroGen initiates FG-3019 open-label phase 2 study in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

FibroGen, Inc. today announced initiation of an open-label phase 2 study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of FG-3019, a human monoclonal antibody against connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), in individuals with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic, progressive, fatal lung disease for which there are no FDA-approved therapies.

13 Jan 2011

Endosense initiates enrollment in TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter Study for Atrial Fibrillation

Endosense, a medical technology company focused on improving the efficacy, safety and accessibility of catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, has announced first patient enrollment in the TOCCASTAR (TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter Study for Atrial Fibrillation) clinical study at Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic, by study investigator Petr Neuzil, M.D.

12 Jan 2011

Bone marrow stem cell transplantation provides therapeutic benefit to patients with end-stage liver disease

Transplanting their own bone marrow-derived stem cells into 48 patients with end-stage liver disease resulted in therapeutic benefit to a high number of the patients, report researchers publishing in the current issue of Cell Transplantation. Yet, the mechanism by which the infusion of CD34+ stem cells improves liver function remains elusive, they say.

11 Jan 2011

MDCT provides efficient way to analyze wounds from bullets and explosive devices

Multidetector computed tomography provides an efficient, effective way to analyze wounds from bullets and explosive devices, according to a study published online and in the March issue of Radiology.

11 Jan 2011

OpEds: Health reform repeal; CBO's numbers; Reviving public option?

[A]s a political matter, an outright repeal isn't really a winner. Most Americans dislike the law, but few are gunning to do away with it altogether. They don't like its mandates and costs, but they'd prefer to see a scaled down law that still provides more access to health care. Republicans run the risk of overreaching on this, as Democrats did in pushing a vast expansion of government into the health care field.

10 Jan 2011

Key Equipment Finance and Hitachi Medical Systems America enter new partnership

Key Equipment Finance, one of the nation's largest bank-held equipment finance companies and an affiliate of KeyCorp today announced that the company has entered into an exclusive, long term, program agreement with Hitachi Medical Systems America. Hitachi Medical Systems America is the U.S. distributor of Hitachi Medical Corporation's diagnostic imaging products.

10 Jan 2011

Choosing between EGFR therapeutic options in metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and women in the USA, with a new diagnosis made every 3.5 minutes and an associated death every 9 minutes.

6 Jan 2011

Tomatoes contain nutrient which prevents vascular diseases

They are the most widely produced fruit in the world and now scientists in Japan have discovered that tomatoes contain a nutrient which could tackle the onset of vascular diseases. The research, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, reveals that an extracted compound, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic, has anti-dyslipidemic affects.

6 Jan 2011

RadNet completes acquisition of Brooklyn and Orchard Park imaging centers

RadNet, a national leader in providing high-quality, cost-effective, fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 200 fully-owned and operated outpatient imaging centers, today reported it has completed the acquisition from Presgar Imaging and affiliated entities of imaging centers in Brooklyn and Orchard Park, New York for cash consideration of $2.2 million plus the assumption of approximately $700,000 of debt.

6 Jan 2011

State roundup: Minn. Medicaid expansion, Mass. health costs, Calif. free clinic

[Gov.] Dayton is scheduled to sign an executive order that would expand Medicaid coverage in Minnesota -- a move Republicans in the Legislature oppose. Dayton's decision won't put an end to the debate (Scheck, 1/5).

6 Jan 2011

OpEds: Sebelius, Fla. Attorney General, USA Today, Wash Post opine about repeal strategies

Over the past nine months, I've traveled around the country and seen the benefits of this law firsthand. Unless we want to take coverage away from cancer patients, reduce oversight for insurance companies, raise prescription drug costs for seniors, weaken Medicare, add $1 trillion to the deficit and undo dozens of other reforms that are improving health around the country, we can't afford repeal (Kathleen Sebelius, 1/5).

6 Jan 2011

Smiths Medical introduces new implantable ports with CT identifiers

Smiths Medical, a leading global medical devices manufacturer, announced today that they have launched new implantable ports with CT identifiers for easy viewing using X-rays or CT scout scans.

5 Jan 2011

Alnylam presents ALN-VSP Phase I trial results for liver cancer

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a leading RNAi therapeutics company, today presented new clinical data from its ALN-VSP Phase I liver cancer trial in a presentation at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Results from molecular analysis of human biopsy samples showed achievement of pharmacologically relevant siRNA drug levels in tissues.

5 Jan 2011

New research finds physicians are not following standard care guidelines for OA

New research found clinicians who care for patients with osteoarthritis are likely not following standard care guidelines that are based on current medical evidence.

5 Jan 2011

Towers Watson acquires Aliquant

Towers Watson, a leading global professional services company, announced today the completion of its acquisition of Aliquant, a privately held, full-service health and welfare benefits administration outsourcing firm. The acquisition enables Towers Watson to strengthen its position as a premier provider of high-quality health and welfare benefits outsourcing services.

5 Jan 2011

Clinicians rely upon analgesics and surgery; overlook exercise and weight loss for OA patients

New research found clinicians who care for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) are likely not following standard care guidelines that are based on current medical evidence. Researchers noted physicians were prescribing medications for pain and inflammation, or opting for surgical interventions rather than recommending weight loss plans or exercise programs to OA patients.

4 Jan 2011

RadNet completes acquisition of Imaging On Call

RadNet, Inc., a national leader in providing high-quality, cost-effective, fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 198 fully-owned and operated outpatient imaging centers, today reported it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Imaging On Call, LLC.

4 Jan 2011

Clinical Decision Support Systems help reduce unnecessary CT and MRI scans

Researchers from Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA, have found that clinical decision support systems can help reduce inappropriate medical imaging, including unnecessary computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, according to a study in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology (www.jacr.org).

4 Jan 2011

Caution over frequent use of diagnostic tests for kids

The rapid growth in use of medical diagnostic imaging, such as CT scans, has led to widespread concern about radiation exposure in adults and the potential for future cancer risk in patients undergoing these tests.

4 Jan 2011