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UCB initiates EXXELERATE study in rheumatoid arthritis

UCB today announced the start of the EXXELERATE study which will evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) plus methotrexate (MTX) compared with that of Humira(adalimumab) plus MTX in the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The start of this study confirms previously announced plans.

21 Dec 2011

PRI now offers latest surgical robotics for patients with kidney tumors

The Porter Robotics Institute (PRI) now offers the latest in advanced surgical robotics available to patients with kidney tumors, allowing surgeons the ability to remove just a portion of the kidney.

21 Dec 2011

ABC News' 20/20 examines maternal health, mortality worldwide

ABC News' 20/20 on Friday examined maternal health and mortality worldwide in a program titled "Giving Life: A Risky Proposition." The show was a sort of "sequel" to a series launched last year called "Be the Change: Save a Life," host Diane Sawyer said.

20 Dec 2011

New UA cancer research centre to focus on personalised treatment options

A new cancer research centre established at the University of Adelaide will focus on treatment options tailored to the individual, taking into account DNA and genetic variations between people.

20 Dec 2011

Viewpoints: Is Wyden-Ryan Medicare plan a game changer?; The GOP and the individual mandate

In the maelstrom of dysfunction and partisanship better known as the 112th Congress, it is always surprising and gratifying when lawmakers from opposing parties manage to work together. That is particularly true when their collaboration involves an issue as politically charged and substantively complex as Medicare. So we begin by congratulating Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for having the tenacity to try again, with a revamped version of Medicare reform unveiled last week.

20 Dec 2011

Atox Bio to advance AB103 Phase 2 study with $3.25M financing

Atox Bio, developer of therapeutics for diseases mediated by an excessive inflammatory response, today announced that it has raised $3.25 million in an initial closing. The investment was co-led by Esperante and a private US-based investor and will be used to advance AB103, currently in phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections (NSTI).

19 Dec 2011

Individualised approach to cancer medicine considering genetic variations

A new cancer research centre established at the University of Adelaide will focus on treatment options tailored to the individual, taking into account DNA and genetic variations between people.

19 Dec 2011

GSK initiates rhACE2 phase IIa study for Acute Lung Injury

APEIRON Biologics AG announced today that GlaxoSmithKline, exclusive, worldwide licensee for Apeiron's new investigational recombinant human Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (rhACE2, name: GSK2586881, formerly APN01), has initiated a phase IIa study in patients suffering from Acute Lung Injury.

19 Dec 2011

UHC launches turbocharged version of physician profile tool

UHC today announced the new Physician Insight Report, a robust comparative data tool that enables its academic medical center (AMC) members to quickly and easily create reports customized to their needs.

19 Dec 2011

Clinical trials highlight beneficial effect of CRT in heart failure

However, large-scale clinical trials have highlighted the beneficial effect of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) in the improvement of symptoms and reduction of mortality, and CRT is now recommended in the major European and American guidelines for the treatment and prevention of heart failure.

19 Dec 2011

Many maternal deaths from pre-eclampsia in the UK linked with substandard care

An editorial published this week in the Lancet online highlights the shocking fact that many maternal deaths in the UK are associated with substandard care and are potentially preventable.

17 Dec 2011

Study aims to reduce mortality disparities by education

A study in the December issue of the American Sociological Review has brought new understanding as to why death rates for less educated middle aged adults are much higher than for their more educated peers despite increased awareness and treatments aimed at reducing health disparities.

16 Dec 2011

Evidence-based interventions to reduce newborn and maternal mortality

Some 56 evidence-based interventions will sharply reduce the 358,000 women who still die each year during pregnancy and childbirth and the 7.6 million children who die before the age of 5, according to a massive three-year global study.

16 Dec 2011

Critical Diagnostics receives FDA clearance for Presage ST2 Assay

Critical Diagnostics, a U.S.-based biomarker company focused on cardiovascular diseases, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the company's Presage ST2 Assay for use as an aid in assessing the prognosis of patients diagnosed with chronic heart failure.

16 Dec 2011

ONC gives gift with vision to reduce blindness and mortality among children

This holiday season, Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC) is giving a gift with vision. ONC, the largest supplier of Omega-3 EPA/DHA ingredients in the world, is helping to reduce blindness and mortality amongst children in the developing world by donating five million doses of vitamin A to Vitamin Angels.

15 Dec 2011

Vaginal progesterone safe and effective in preventing preterm birth

Women with a short cervix should be treated with vaginal progesterone to prevent preterm birth, according to a landmark study by leading obstetricians around the world. Vaginal progesterone decreased the rate of preterm birth by 42%, and significantly reduced the rate of respiratory distress syndrome and the need for mechanical ventilation, as well as a composite of several complications of premature newborns.

15 Dec 2011

Vaginal progesterone reduces rate of preterm birth and neonatal complications

A team of investigators of the National Institutes of Health housed at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) and Wayne State University (WSU) published today that performing a cervical ultrasound in all pregnant women and treating those with a short cervix with vaginal progesterone reduces the rate of preterm birth and neonatal complications.

15 Dec 2011

Malaria mortality rates down, but progress threatened by funding shortfall, WHO report says

"Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25 percent globally since 2000, and by 33 percent in the WHO African Region, according to the World Malaria Report 2011, issued Tuesday by the WHO," the organization reports in a press release.

15 Dec 2011

Scientists evaluate toxicity of Peruvian plant species in traditional medicine

Many developing countries rely on traditional medicine as an accessible and affordable treatment option for human maladies. However, until now, scientific data has not existed to evaluate the potential toxicity of medicinal plant species in Peru. Scientists from the William L. Brown Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis led a study using brine shrimp to determine the toxicity of 341 Northern Peruvian plant species commonly ingested in traditional medicine.

15 Dec 2011

Angioplasties can be safely performed at centers that do not have on-site surgical capability

Contrary to current guidelines, Mayo Clinic researchers have found that elective or primary (in patients who have had heart attacks) angioplasties performed at centers without on-site cardiac surgery capabilities pose no increased risk for patient death or emergency bypass surgery.

14 Dec 2011