Hemoglobin News and Research

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New advances in sickle cell disease

Excruciating pain episodes, recurrent pneumonias, strokes, severe infections, chronic hemolytic anemia, and secondary pulmonary hypertension are common complications of sickle cell disease, a life-threatening inherited defect in blood that causes normally disc-shaped red blood cells to take on a sickle shape.

6 Dec 2004

Children with sickle cell disease who are at risk for a stroke need ongoing blood transfusions to reduce their risk

“This important study shows the value of continuing periodic blood transfusions in preventing the serious and debilitating consequences of stroke,” says NHLBI Acting Director Barbara Alving. “At the same time, there are risks of chronic transfusions and the decision to continue with this treatment must be made on a case-by-case basis.”

6 Dec 2004

Study focused on patients with chemotherapy-related anemia

Findings from an interim analysis of a new study comparing the hemoglobin response rates of Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of chemotherapy-related anemia were published in the November 15, 2004 issue of the Medical Journal 'Blood' as part of the American Society of Hematology 46th Annual Meeting and Exposition.

4 Dec 2004

Guidelines needed for the use of androgens for women with sexual dysfunction

The Endocrine Society, which represents more than 12,000 endocrinologists who are specially trained to diagnose, treat and conduct basic and clinical research on complex hormonal disorders, has called for new clinical guidelines on the use of androgens in women/female sexual dysfunction.

3 Dec 2004

Low testosterone production appears to be a common complication of type 2 diabetes in men

Moreover, results of the investigation show that this condition, known clinically as hypogonadism, is caused not by a defect in the testes, where testosterone is produced, but by improper functioning of the pituitary gland, which controls production of testosterone, or of the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that controls the pituitary.

29 Nov 2004

Sit down rounds improve outcomes for kidney dialysis patients

"Sit-down" medical rounds, during which a health care team meets to review a patient's medical record and discuss short- and long-term needs, are associated with better outcomes for kidney dialysis patients, a Johns Hopkins-directed study has found.

17 Nov 2004

Protease inhibitors used to treat HIV-1 infection may also be effective for treatment or prevention of malaria

The study found protease inhibitors inhibited the growth of P. falciparum, the malaria parasite that causes most disease. These findings may also expose a previously unexplored vulnerability in the parasite that could lead to a new class of anti-malarial drug.

8 Nov 2004

First ever study in hemodialysis patients to show stable hemoglobin levels

New data confirm that subcutaneous injection of the innovative new anti-anemia agent CERA (Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator) delivers rapid, sustained and stable correction of anemia in a broad spectrum of patients with chronic kidney disease at dosing intervals of up to 4 weeks.

1 Nov 2004

New study of blood substitute for use in trauma cases

The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center launched a study Monday on an experimental blood substitute, PolyHeme, that will be given to critically injured and bleeding victims before they arrive at the hospital.

26 Oct 2004

Organic molecules spontaneously organize themselves into large spherical structures

A critical step in the emergence of life was the spontaneous self-organization of identical small units into large symmetrical structures.

21 Oct 2004

Technique for genetically modifying blood stem cells brings cure for blood diseases closer

The condition of mice with a genetic blood disease called beta-thalassemia improved significantly following treatment of their blood forming cells with a gene that enabled them to produce the type of hemoglobin normally found only in the fetus.

12 Oct 2004

Exposure to carcinogens called arylamines is associated with bladder cancer risk in both smokers and nonsmokers

Exposure to a family of carcinogens called arylamines is associated with bladder cancer risk in both smokers and nonsmokers, according to a new study in the October 6 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

5 Oct 2004

Patent pending discovery could help type 2 diabetics

Scientists from MitoChroma Research have recently announced a patent-pending discovery that could complement current medical management modalities for Type 2 Diabetes, insulin resistance and the set of related conditions called "Metabolic Syndrome."

4 Oct 2004

Unrecognized iron deficiency can impair immunity in older women

Iron deficiency, which can masquerade as routine, old-age symptoms, was found to impair measures of immunity from 28 percent to 50 percent in a group of seemingly healthy, well-nourished, homebound, older women, age 60 and above, in a Penn State study.

29 Sep 2004

Link between elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics and increased risk of life-threatening forms of cardiovascular disease

A Johns Hopkins study suggests that people with type I and type II diabetes would be well advised to monitor their blood sugar levels more than the usual twice daily to make sure that levels are not elevated over 150 milligrams per deciliter for sustained periods.

20 Sep 2004

Vanilla may become a drug to treat sickle cell disease

In addition to its popular role in flavoring ice cream, fudge and cake frosting, vanilla may have a future use as a medicine. Recent laboratory research has strengthened the possibility that a form of vanilla may become a drug to treat sickle cell disease.

20 Sep 2004

Potential new drug for the treatment of sickle cell disease

The results were published in the June 2004 issue of The British Journal of Haematology (BJH). MX-1520 is a prodrug of vanillin, a very popular food additive generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

13 Sep 2004

Inhaled nitrite spray may help babies diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center and the Loma Linda University School of Medicine have found that use of an inhaled nitrite spray may help babies diagnosed with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

13 Sep 2004

Veterans Affairs patients with diabetes are better cared for than managed care patients

Researchers have found that Veterans Affairs patients with diabetes are more likely to receive recommended tests and have better outcomes than managed care patients.

17 Aug 2004

Scientists determine structure of staph, anthrax enzyme

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have determined the crystal structure of sortase B, an enzyme found in the bacteria that cause staph and anthrax. While an antibiotic is probably five to seven years away, the structure could provide the first clue in developing a treatment for the infections.

15 Jul 2004