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Cook Medical's controlled-release esophageal stent receives FDA clearance

Cook Medical's controlled-release esophageal stent fully covered in silicone has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), making available yet another advanced solution from Cook Medical, the only full-line supplier of endoscopic devices.

9 Nov 2010

Women prefer silicone implants after double mastectomy

A new study has found that women who receive silicone implants after a double mastectomy are more satisfied with their breasts than women who receive saline implants. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings may help physicians and breast cancer survivors as they together make decisions related to postmastectomy reconstructive surgery.

9 Nov 2010

Denosumab superior to Zometa in preventing SREs in breast cancer patients with bone metastases: Study

Amgen today announced the publication of results from a pivotal Phase 3 study of 2,046 patients which compared denosumab with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) in delaying or preventing skeletal-related events (SREs) in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. An SRE consists of any of the following: a pathologic fracture, the need for radiation or surgery to ameliorate bone pathology secondary to tumor growth, or spinal cord compression.

8 Nov 2010

Excess levels of TNF immune signaling protein key factor in AD

Three new studies provide converging evidence pointing to a new therapeutic target in Alzheimer's Disease(AD). These studies, from independent academic centers in the U.S., England, and China, point to excess levels of a protein called TNF as a key factor in AD. TNF is an immune signaling protein that regulates both inflammation and neuronal communication in the brain.

8 Nov 2010

Soy-based drug could prevent prostate cancer metastasis

Northwestern Medicine researchers at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University have found that a new, nontoxic drug made from a chemical in soy could prevent the movement of cancer cells from the prostate to the rest of the body.

8 Nov 2010

Thirteen myths about arthritis and rheumatic disease

A diagnosis of arthritis or another rheumatic disease can cause someone to feel anxious and even a little overwhelmed. Being a knowledgeable and empowered patient can help alleviate some of those feelings, and being able to navigate through the many misconceptions about arthritis and rheumatic diseases is vitally important.

8 Nov 2010

Crescendo Bioscience launches multi-biomarker blood test for RA

Crescendo Bioscience announced today the commercial launch of Vectra DA, its first-in-class multi-biomarker blood test designed to aid physicians in managing patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Vectra DA analyzes 12 key serum biomarkers to produce a single objective score that quantifies RA disease activity.

8 Nov 2010

MedCath to sell Texsan Heart Hospital

MedCath Corporation announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all the assets of Texsan Heart Hospital, owned by MedCath and its physician investors, to Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio. The transaction is expected to close during MedCath's second fiscal quarter of 2011, which ends March 31, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

8 Nov 2010

CMU receives $2.9 million DOD research grant to develop therapy for amputees

CMU's Jeffrey O. Hollinger, director of the center, and Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski have received a three-year, $2.9 million U.S. Department of Defense research grant to develop a therapy that would aid amputees, specifically wounded soldiers. The therapy aims to prevent bone nodules from forming in the muscle at the site of amputation, a painful condition that makes it difficult for amputees to wear limb prostheses.

8 Nov 2010

Laparoscopic surgery safe and effective for removing bowel tumours

Laparoscopic or 'keyhole' surgery is a safe, effective way of removing bowel tumours and should be offered to all patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer, according to researchers from the University of Leeds.

8 Nov 2010

Research findings on RGL2 protein can lead to new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer

One of the most frustrating problems faced by doctors who treat pancreatic cancer is the lack of effective therapeutic options. More than 38,000 people in the United States die of the disease each year, and new drugs and treatments are desperately needed.

8 Nov 2010

Prophylaxis can prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting

Vomiting is unpleasant. Nearly 30% of all patients suffer from nausea and vomiting after surgery. The financial repercussions of this are longer patient stays in the recovery room, with increased need for personnel. Appropriate prophylaxis and treatment can prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. In a systematic review of the literature, Dirk Rüsch and co-authors investigate how treatment recommendations for nausea after general anesthesia can be improved.

8 Nov 2010

AHRQ grants $34 million to prevent healthcare-associated infections

HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality today announced the award of $34 million for projects focused on preventing one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States - healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This new funding will help improve the quality of care delivered to patients and expand the fight against HAIs in hospitals, ambulatory care settings, end-stage renal disease facilities and long-term care facilities.

8 Nov 2010

Hospitals in Florida, New York try new ways to boost finances

Jackson Health System in Florida is trying to boost profitable services but faces one overwhelming challenge, They don't know which procedures make money, The Miami Herald reports.

8 Nov 2010

Scientists discover new way to create human blood from adult skin

In an important breakthrough, scientists at McMaster University have discovered how to make human blood from adult human skin. The discovery, published in the prestigious science journal Nature today, could mean that in the foreseeable future people needing blood for surgery, cancer treatment or treatment of other blood conditions like anemia will be able to have blood created from a patch of their own skin to provide transfusions.

7 Nov 2010

Omeros third quarter net loss increases to $7.6 million

Omeros Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and commercializing products focused on inflammation and disorders of the central nervous system, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2010.

4 Nov 2010

Viking Systems third quarter sales decreases 8% to $1,832,502

Viking Systems, Inc. today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2010. The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 of $632,565 or $0.01 per share and net loss of $1,378,865 or $0.03 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

4 Nov 2010

Novel serum test may help diagnose early pregnancy location and outcome

Researchers may have identified a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancy, according to a study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). In the western world, deaths from ectopic pregnancy are not common but in the developing world one in ten women who are admitted with an ectopic pregnancy die.

4 Nov 2010

RF Surgical introduces new RF Assure Detection platform

RF Surgical Systems, Inc., the market leader in the prevention and detection of retained surgical sponges, today announced the availability of the RF Assure™ Detection System Model 200.

4 Nov 2010

Level of prostate-specific protein after salvage radiation therapy predicts mortality and disease progression

Removal of the prostate gland often eradicates early-stage cancer. But patients whose cancer has spread may need to follow up with what is known as salvage radiation therapy. Researchers at Fox Chase have now determined a better way to monitor outcomes after this procedure.

4 Nov 2010