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BG Medicine receives US patent for galectin-3 testing to detect heart failure

BG Medicine, a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostics based on biomarkers, today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,888,137, entitled "Method For Identifying a Subject at Risk of Developing Heart Failure by Determining the Level of Galectin-3 or Thrombospondin-2" to the University of Maastricht. BG Medicine has an exclusive license to this issued patent, which pertains to galectin-3 testing for individuals at risk for heart failure.

16 Feb 2011

Break-induced Replication more likely to cause genetic mutation than normal cell repair

Researchers from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Umea- University report in a study published in the February 15, 2011, issue of PLoS Biology that a method by which cells repair breaks in their DNA, known as Break-induced Replication, is up to 2,800 times more likely to cause genetic mutation than normal cell repair.

16 Feb 2011

Researchers develop new DNA test for accurate detection of Turner syndrome in children

As a child grows, a short stature is not usually cause for concern, but it is often the only sign of a condition called Turner syndrome. Prevalent in girls, Turner syndrome is a genetic defect that short-circuits normal growth and leads to cardiac and renal problems. It is not commonly detected until age 10 or older when a youngster's unusually short height raises suspicions.

16 Feb 2011

Bone remodeling inflammatory protein linked to metastatic lung cancer development in mice with breast cancer

When doctors discover high concentrations of regulatory T cells in the tumors of breast cancer patients, the prognosis is often grim, though why exactly has long been unclear.

16 Feb 2011

Smoking during radiation treatments reduces chance of overall survival

Smokers who continue to smoke while undergoing radiation treatments for head and neck cancer fare significantly worse than those who quit smoking before therapy, according to a study in the February issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology·Biology·Physics, an official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

16 Feb 2011

Life and death: Cardiologist explores the connection

In 1.58 Seconds, author Dr. Alfred Sparman provides a revealing look into near-death episodes through a fictional take on his own experiences. Vividly descriptive, the book gives readers a captivating look at the pressures inside the operating room. Among many gripping scenes, it details a setting involving a 9mm pistol pointed at the chest of a potential patient and the fractured facial bones of another.

16 Feb 2011

Flu vaccine update

This new vaccine which could become available in the United States in the next few years, is made by growing the influenza virus in cultures of animal cells rather than in the chicken eggs that have been used for more than five decades. This shortens the process by six months. Using animal cells, which are grown in enclosed steel tanks, also reduces the risk of bacterial contamination, which has led to shortages of seasonal vaccines in some years. The study was reported in The Lancet this Tuesday.

16 Feb 2011

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia establishes Jeffrey Modell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Immunology Research

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia today announced the establishment of the Jeffrey Modell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Immunology Research.

16 Feb 2011

Congress must address unprecedented shortage of primary care physicians

The American College of Physicians (ACP) today told leaders of the House of Representatives that ACP understands the serious financial constraints on the federal budget at this time and supports bipartisan efforts to reduce funding for discretionary programs that do not achieve sufficient value, but firmly believes that Congress must continue on a path towards reversing an unprecedented shortage of primary care physicians in this country.

16 Feb 2011

Study finds chances of dying early are higher in north of England due to health inequalities

Since 1965, the chances of dying early are a fifth higher in the north of England than the south, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

16 Feb 2011

Study finds water softener does not provide benefit to children with eczema

The first study of its kind in the world — involving 336 children aged between six months and 16 years old — has shown that installing a water softener for three months brings no additional relief for eczema sufferers.

16 Feb 2011

Study explores role of proline containing peptides in inhibiting anti-apoptotic function of XIAP

Basic and translational research on cancer, and development of new cancer therapeutics, has focused on different aspects of cancer cellular function. One area of focus is the life and death of a cancer cell. Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, is a fundamental process of cells including cancer cells. The signal transduction pathways of apoptosis involve many different proteins and their interactions with each other.

16 Feb 2011

Northwestern Memorial Hospital partners with CeaseFire to prevent violence in Chicago

Northwestern Memorial Hospital's emergency department treats approximately 1,000 traumas annually, one third of which are related to shooting or stabbing incidents. In response, Northwestern Memorial has become a CeaseFire site and has staffed its emergency department with violence interrupters who are specially trained to intervene and minimize the risk of retaliation or repeat injury following a violent incident.

16 Feb 2011

WINCS detects and measures serotonin levels in brain through deep brain stimulation

Mayo Clinic researchers have concluded that, through deep brain stimulation, a Wireless Instantaneous Neurotransmitter Concentration System (WINCS) can detect and measure serotonin levels in the brain. The findings suggest that in the future such measurements of serotonin may help establish a therapeutic mechanism of deep brain stimulation for psychiatric disease.

16 Feb 2011

Study: BPS is safe and effective for patients undergoing therapeutic endoscopy

Researchers from Korea report that, compared with conventional sedation, balanced propofol sedation using propofol in combination with midazolam and meperidine, provided higher health care provider satisfaction, better patient cooperation, and similar adverse event profiles in patients undergoing therapeutic endoscopic procedures.

16 Feb 2011

New study finds 35% of imaging costs ordered for defensive purposes in Pennsylvania

Nearly 35 percent of all the imaging costs ordered for 2,068 orthopaedic patient encounters in Pennsylvania were ordered for defensive purposes, according to a new study presented today at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

16 Feb 2011

Obesity and knee osteoarthritis will lead to loss of 86 million healthy years of life

An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from knee osteoarthritis (OA), making it one of the most common causes of disability in the US. Due to obesity and symptomatic knee OA, Americans over the age of 50 will together lose the equivalent of 86 million healthy years of life, concluded researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), who investigated the potential gains in quality and quantity of life that could be achieved averting losses due to obesity and knee OA.

16 Feb 2011

Sanofi-Aventis, Boehringer, World Heart Federation collaborate to raise awareness about AF

The World Heart Federation, sanofi-aventis and Boehringer Ingelheim have announced their collaboration on the AF AWARE campaign today, to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its links to severe consequences including cardiovascular mortality, stroke and CV hospitalizations.

16 Feb 2011

Research: Whole genome sequencing on tumors can treat pancreatic cancer

Whole genome sequencing - spelling out a person's entire DNA genetic code - has moved one step closer to being a medical option for direct patient care.

16 Feb 2011

Majority of parents continue to give OTC cough and cold medicines to children under 2

Research has linked over-the-counter cough and cold products to poisoning or death in hundreds of children, ages 2 and younger. Studies have also shown that these medicines do little to control symptoms. As a result, in 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration formally recommended that OTC cough and cold products not be given to children under age 2.

16 Feb 2011

Medicine News and Research

BG Medicine receives US patent for galectin-3 testing to detect heart failure

Break-induced Replication more likely to cause genetic mutation than normal cell repair

Researchers develop new DNA test for accurate detection of Turner syndrome in children

Bone remodeling inflammatory protein linked to metastatic lung cancer development in mice with breast cancer

Smoking during radiation treatments reduces chance of overall survival

Life and death: Cardiologist explores the connection

Flu vaccine update

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia establishes Jeffrey Modell Endowed Chair in Pediatric Immunology Research

Congress must address unprecedented shortage of primary care physicians

Study finds chances of dying early are higher in north of England due to health inequalities

Study finds water softener does not provide benefit to children with eczema

Study explores role of proline containing peptides in inhibiting anti-apoptotic function of XIAP

Northwestern Memorial Hospital partners with CeaseFire to prevent violence in Chicago

WINCS detects and measures serotonin levels in brain through deep brain stimulation

Study: BPS is safe and effective for patients undergoing therapeutic endoscopy

New study finds 35% of imaging costs ordered for defensive purposes in Pennsylvania

Obesity and knee osteoarthritis will lead to loss of 86 million healthy years of life

Sanofi-Aventis, Boehringer, World Heart Federation collaborate to raise awareness about AF

Research: Whole genome sequencing on tumors can treat pancreatic cancer

Majority of parents continue to give OTC cough and cold medicines to children under 2

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 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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