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Researchers develop genetic screening method to identify drug-resistant HCV strains

In recent human trials for a promising new class of drug designed to target the hepatitis C virus (HCV) without shutting down the immune system, some of the HCV strains being treated exhibited signs of drug resistance.

30 Sep 2010

Researchers identify gene activator that allows stem cells to transform any type of cell

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. was energized Monday by news that researchers in North Carolina may have identified the gene activator that allows stem cells to reproduce and become any type of cell in the body.

29 Sep 2010

New genetic screening program to reduce risk associated with Plavix

Beginning this month, all patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at Vanderbilt University Medical Center will be tested for a genetic variation that can affect their response to Plavix, the most commonly prescribed clot-preventing drug for heart patients and one of the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide.

29 Sep 2010

c-Met could be a potential personalized target for metastatic HCC

Targeting c-Met may be a promising personalized treatment method for approximately 45 percent of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have c-Met-positive tumors, according to study results presented at the Fourth AACR International Conference on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development.

29 Sep 2010

Bayer’s new oral contraceptive receives FDA approval

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new oral contraceptive, Beyaz (drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol / levomefolate calcium tablets and levomefolate calcium tablets).

28 Sep 2010

Onconova Therapeutics to present Ex-RAD radioprotectant data at RRS Annual Meeting

Onconova Therapeutics, Inc. is presenting new data in five posters and an oral presentation this week summarizing several studies with the company's radioprotectant Ex-RAD- at the 56th Annual Meeting of the Radiation Research Society (RRS), September 25-29 in Maui, Hawaii.

28 Sep 2010

AASLD, TFAH report calls for action to help identify Americans living with HBV, HCV

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the Trust for America's Health issued a new report today calling for action to be taken to transform how the country deals with viral hepatitis – to help identify millions of Americans who know they are living with chronic forms of hepatitis B and C and to assure access to treatment for all who need it, to prevent even more Americans from becoming infected.

28 Sep 2010

New study shows peripheral nerves regenerate themselves after injury

Unlike nerves of the spinal cord, the peripheral nerves that connect our limbs and organs to the central nervous system have an astonishing ability to regenerate themselves after injury. Now, a new report in the October 1st issue of Cell, a Cell Press publication, offers new insight into how that healing process works.

28 Sep 2010

Novel therapies for HCV treatment can precipitate several changes: Report

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that the launch of novel therapies for the treatment of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), including Vertex/Johnson & Johnson/Mitsubishi Tanabe's telaprevir and Merck's boceprevir, will precipitate several changes in HCV treatment.

28 Sep 2010

Chelsea Therapeutics initiates CH-4051 Phase II trial in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Chelsea Therapeutics International, Ltd. has initiated enrollment in a multinational, 12-week, double-blind Phase II trial designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of CH-4051 against methotrexate (MTX) in 250 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are experiencing an inadequate response to MTX treatment.

27 Sep 2010

Study finds increasing number of elderly people are prone to celiac diseases

Working to solve the puzzle of when people develop celiac disease has led researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Celiac Research to some surprising findings. They have found that the autoimmune disorder is on the rise with evidence of increasing cases in the elderly.

27 Sep 2010

FDA approves Beyaz tablets to increase folate level in women

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Beyaz tablets, an estrogen/progestin combined oral contraceptive that also contains a folate (levomefolate calcium 0.451 mg).

27 Sep 2010

Researchers report MALAT1 gene regulates pre-mRNA splicing in cancer

Researchers report this month that MALAT1, a long non-coding RNA that is implicated in certain cancers, regulates pre-mRNA splicing a critical step in the earliest stage of protein production. Their study appears in the journal Molecular Cell.

24 Sep 2010

Pet dog decreases risk of obesity in kids: Study

According to the latest research in England, children who have a dog for a pet are less likely to be obese. Children who are obese in childhood are at increased risk of developing a range of chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, bone and joint problems, asthma, disrupted sleep patterns, liver and gall bladder disease, early physical maturity and depression.

23 Sep 2010

SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart wins 2010 Kerrin Rennie Award

On Sept. 15, the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart was awarded the 2010 Kerrin Rennie Award for Excellence in Medical Technology by the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA).

23 Sep 2010

First intestine transplant in Michigan performed on 50-year-old Port Austin patient

The first intestine (bowel) transplant in Michigan was performed on a 50-year-old patient from Port Austin by physicians at Henry Ford Hospital.

23 Sep 2010

Hyponatremia may lead to neurological complications

A new study published in the October issue of the journal Hepatology found that patients with severe portal-hypertensive bleeding who are treated with terlipressin may experience an acute reduction of sodium in their blood. This reduction in serum sodium, known as hyponatremia, can cause adverse reactions such as neurological complications, and is rapidly reversible upon terlipressin withdrawal.

23 Sep 2010

Scientists create human liver cells using stem cells

Emerging Healthcare Solutions President and CEO Cindy Morrissey said Tuesday that a recent study at the University of Cambridge seems to indicate that realistic stem cell therapies to replace diseased or damaged tissues may be closer than ever.

23 Sep 2010

U.S. joins whistleblower suit against Pfizer for drug marketing

The Wall Street Journal: "The Justice Department is trying to take the lead in a lawsuit accusing Pfizer Inc.'s Wyeth unit of improperly promoting an organ-transplant drug for unauthorized uses and paying illegal kickbacks to doctors. The lawsuit was filed by two former Wyeth sales representatives who were responsible for promoting Rapamune, an immunosuppressant used to prevent the body's rejection of transplanted kidneys.

23 Sep 2010

Weight-based taribavirin reduces anemia, increases sustained virologic response

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and 50 other centers found that weight-based dosing of taribavirin reduces rates of anemia while increasing sustained virologic response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). Full details of this study are available in the October issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).

23 Sep 2010