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Psychiatric disorders definitions to be revised

The definition of depression is proposed to be changed and now the diagnosis would characterize grieving as a disorder and greatly increase the number of people treated for it.

26 Jan 2012

FDA clears OptiMedica's Catalys Precision Laser System

Global ophthalmic company OptiMedica Corp. has announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) market clearance of its Catalys Precision Laser System, a next generation laser cataract surgery system that brings unequaled precision and accuracy and a markedly streamlined workflow to the laser cataract procedure.

22 Dec 2011

Optical coherence tomography measures changes in retinal cone cells

Humans see color thanks to cone cells, specialized light-sensing neurons located in the retina along the inner surface of the eyeball. The actual light-sensing section of these cells is called the outer segment, which is made up of a series of stacked discs, each about 30 nanometers (billionths of a meter) thick. This appendage goes through daily changes in length.

21 Dec 2011

Even as it faces attack, health law implementation — and challenges — continue

The Hill and Reuters report on the health law's numerous 2012 battle fronts -; starting with the Supreme Court's review of the law and moving toward the November elections. Meanwhile, however, other news outlets report on continuing implementation of the measure, including the creation of a federal health exchange and defense of its prevention fund.

20 Dec 2011

Drugmakers get more time to record gifts to doctors

U.S. drugmakers and device companies got an extension on the deadline to record all payments and gifts to doctors because of a delay in a proposed rule from health officials.

16 Dec 2011

FDA approves modernized labeling for ViroPharma's Vancocin Capsules

ViroPharma Incorporated today announced the modernization of labeling for Vancocin (vancomycin hydrochloride, USP) Capsules made effective through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of a supplemental new drug application.

15 Dec 2011

Researchers shown how BRCA1 inactivation raises cancer risk

Working with human breast cells, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have shown how the inactivation of a single copy of the breast cancer gene BRCA1 leaves breast cells vulnerable to cancer by reducing their ability to repair DNA damage, causing genetic instability.

12 Dec 2011

caprotec's CCMS technology identifies novel co-targets of three anti-cancer drugs

caprotec bioanalytics GmbH announced today the discovery of previously unknown specific drug-protein interactions for several anti-cancer drugs and the identification of potential novel co-targets of the drug molecules through the use of company's CCMS technology.

9 Dec 2011

Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore establish Office of Clinical trials

Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have established an Office of Clinical Trials (OCT) to bring new therapies more rapidly to patients through the facilitation of efficient, compliant and timely conduct and management of clinical studies.

6 Dec 2011

House Energy and Commerce Committee gives nod to CLASS Act repeal bill

House Republicans inched closer to their goal of eliminating the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Program, or CLASS Act, on Wednesday when the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bill to repeal the long-term care program established in last year's healthcare reform law.

2 Dec 2011

Ariz. hospitals file suit to stop cuts in Medicaid reimbursements

Arizona hospitals on Tuesday filed suit to block a 5 percent reduction in the rates they're paid to care for Medicaid patients. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix, argues that the rate cut will reduce patient access to health-care providers, in violation of federal law.

1 Dec 2011

HHS approves Ariz. Medicaid cut; La. officials find common ground on Medicaid needs

Federal officials approve an additional 5 percent cut in payments to Arizona hospitals and other providers. Meanwhile, in Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration has rare kind words for Sen. Mary Landrieu and New York struggles with its Medicaid payment computer system.

29 Nov 2011

State roundup: Calif. hospital allegedly overbilling Medicare; Wash. hospitals ER 'boom'; Rehab scams in Florida?

Health policy news from California, Florida, Washington state, Oregon, Vermont and Texas.

28 Nov 2011

State roundup: Another Medi-Cal lawsuit; medical homes in Tenn.; Pa. moving forward on exchanges

Some California hospitals would take a significant and long-lasting hit from Medi-Cal reimbursement cuts recently approved by CMS, according to the California Hospital Association, which this week filed a petition in federal court to put a temporary halt to those reductions. CHA's lawsuit and injunction request are separate from the court action taken earlier this week by the California Medical Association and other provider organizations.

24 Nov 2011

Super committee still at loggerheads on deficit, agreement still elusive

With just days remaining to overcome the impasse, deficit panel members appear to be making no progress toward an agreement to reach the 10-year savings target. Still, meetings and discussions continued regarding possible tax increases and cuts in the growth of programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

19 Nov 2011

Longer looks: The Supreme Court and health law politics; Obama and drug shortages

There are eighty-two Planned Parenthood affiliates nationwide, operating nearly eight hundred clinics. Planned Parenthood says that one in five women in the U.S. has been treated at a Planned Parenthood clinic. Critics of Planned Parenthood, who are engaged in a sustained attack on the organization, say that most of those women are going to the clinics to have abortions, paid for, in violation of the Hyde Amendment, with taxpayer money.

18 Nov 2011

Low-temperature plasmas can kill bacteria for a week after treatment

University of California, Berkeley, scientists have shown that ionized plasmas like those in neon lights and plasma TVs not only can sterilize water, but make it antimicrobial - able to kill bacteria - for as long as a week after treatment.

16 Nov 2011

International consortium develops first-in-class adiponectin receptor agonist

A compound that mimics the effects of adiponectin, a beneficial protein that is produced by fat tissue in healthy weight individuals and may exhibit protective effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory conditions and insulin resistance has been developed by an international consortium lead by Dr. Eva Surmacz, Associate Professor in Biology (Adjunct) and director of the Obesity and Cancer Program at the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine at Temple University's College of Science and Technology.

16 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: Questions of partisanship and timing could complicate Supreme Court's decision on health law

The Supreme Court's decision to review the constitutionality of health care reform means it will be issuing a ruling in the middle of the 2012 presidential campaign. This can be a highly politicized court, and, for the public good and its own credibility, it must resist that impulse.

16 Nov 2011

Elixir Medical announces initiation of DESolve Novolimus Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System study

Elixir Medical Corporation, a developer of products that combine state-of-the-art medical devices with advanced pharmaceuticals, announced enrollment initiation for a 120-patient, international pivotal clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the DESolve Novolimus Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System designed to resorb in the body within 1 to 2 years after implantation and return the patients' coronary vessel to de novo state.

11 Nov 2011

OCT News and Research

Psychiatric disorders definitions to be revised

FDA clears OptiMedica's Catalys Precision Laser System

Optical coherence tomography measures changes in retinal cone cells

Even as it faces attack, health law implementation — and challenges — continue

Drugmakers get more time to record gifts to doctors

FDA approves modernized labeling for ViroPharma's Vancocin Capsules

Researchers shown how BRCA1 inactivation raises cancer risk

caprotec's CCMS technology identifies novel co-targets of three anti-cancer drugs

Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore establish Office of Clinical trials

House Energy and Commerce Committee gives nod to CLASS Act repeal bill

Ariz. hospitals file suit to stop cuts in Medicaid reimbursements

HHS approves Ariz. Medicaid cut; La. officials find common ground on Medicaid needs

State roundup: Calif. hospital allegedly overbilling Medicare; Wash. hospitals ER 'boom'; Rehab scams in Florida?

State roundup: Another Medi-Cal lawsuit; medical homes in Tenn.; Pa. moving forward on exchanges

Super committee still at loggerheads on deficit, agreement still elusive

Longer looks: The Supreme Court and health law politics; Obama and drug shortages

Low-temperature plasmas can kill bacteria for a week after treatment

International consortium develops first-in-class adiponectin receptor agonist

Viewpoints: Questions of partisanship and timing could complicate Supreme Court's decision on health law

Elixir Medical announces initiation of DESolve Novolimus Eluting Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System study

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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