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Sedation interruption does not reduce mechanical ventilation duration

Daily sedative interruption of mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units does not reduce the time they are on ventilation or improve their clinical outcomes, report researchers in JAMA.

29 Oct 2012

Stay active to keep a healthy mind in very old age

Poor physical performance, especially a slow walking speed, is significantly associated with dementia in individuals aged over 90 years, show study results.

29 Oct 2012

Experts explore decline in throat infection admissions

Hospital admissions for acute throat infection in children have increased significantly over the past decade in the UK, while the rate of tonsillectomy has declined, researchers report.

29 Oct 2012

Autoantibody aids identification of hyperexcitability disorders

Researchers have found that testing for a glycine receptor autoantibody aids the identification of a broad spectrum of autoimmune brainstem/spinal cord hyperexcitability disorders.

29 Oct 2012

Catamaran wins top innovation award for enhanced coordination of benefits program

Catamaran Corp., a leading provider of technology and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services, was awarded two prestigious awards this month for its continuous dedication to developing innovative solutions that improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

29 Oct 2012

Employees face sticker shock as more companies roll out high deductible insurance plans

Over the next 18 months, between one quarter and one half of Americans who get insurance coverage through their employers will pay more of their doctor bills themselves as companies roll out healthcare plans with higher deductibles, benefits consultants say.

29 Oct 2012

Positive interim data from XBiotech monoclonal antibody Phase II study for type 2 diabetes

XBiotech, a privately held biotechnology company, announced positive interim analysis results today from a Phase II study using a True Human monoclonal antibody (MABp1) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results from this study continue to reinforce the role of IL-1α as a master regulator of chronic inflammation in multiple disease states, and the therapeutic benefits of neutralizing antibodies produced from the XBiotech platform.

29 Oct 2012

Antidepressant doxepin eases pain associated with oral mucositis

An oral rinse of the antidepressant doxepin significantly eased pain associated with oral mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck, a study led by Mayo Clinic found. The findings were presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology annual meeting in Boston.

29 Oct 2012

Scientists decode epigenetic programming of three virulent forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A team of national and international researchers, led by Weill Cornell Medical College scientists, have decoded the key "software" instructions that drive three of the most virulent forms of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). They discovered ALL's "software" is encoded with epigenetic marks, chemical modifications of DNA and surrounding proteins, allowing the research team to identify new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

29 Oct 2012

Ultra-high performance SPECT systems announced by MILabs

MILabs, B.V. the Netherlands‐based innovator and manufacturer of pre‐clinical SPECT/PET/CT imaging devices announces the release of the Plus! Systems: the U‐SPECT+ and U‐SPECT+ /CT.

29 Oct 2012

New prostate cancer therapy triggers questions about cost, effectiveness and safety

Because proton therapy can be targeted much more precisely, it should minimize any damage to sensitive nerves and tissue around the prostate.

29 Oct 2012

AOAC-PTM validates 3M Tecra Listeria Visual Immunoassay

3M Food Safety announced today that its 3M Tecra Listeria Visual Immunoassay (VIA) for Environmental Testing (#091201) has received validation from the AOAC Research Institute's Performance Tested Methods Program.

29 Oct 2012

Par to acquire Handa's ANDA for generic Seroquel XR

Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. today announced that its Par Pharmaceutical, Inc. operating subsidiary has entered into an exclusive acquisition and license agreement with Handa Pharmaceuticals, LLC to acquire Handa's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for quetiapine fumarate extended-release tablets, the generic version of AstraZeneca's Seroquel XR.

29 Oct 2012

Isis commences ISIS-FXIRx Phase 2 study in knee replacement surgery patients

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 2 comparator-controlled study evaluating ISIS-FXIRx in patients undergoing knee replacement surgery, also referred to as total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

29 Oct 2012

Medicare, health law are common themes in various House and Senate races

The Associated Press reports that outside spending -- which includes ads about Medicare and abortion rights -- are rocking various House campaigns. Plus: updates regarding Senate races in Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin.

29 Oct 2012

Botanical treatment holds hope for triple-negative breast cancer

A unique formula made from medicinal mushrooms, traditional Chinese herbs and other natural ingredients inhibits aggressive, human triple-negative breast cancer and breast-to-lung metastasis in mice. This is the third peer-reviewed study to demonstrate the botanical formula's anticancer effects.

29 Oct 2012

AstraZeneca commences FASLODEX Phase III study for hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer

AstraZeneca today announced the start of a Phase III study (FALCON), a global clinical trial which will involve 450 postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have not previously been treated with any hormonal therapy. The Phase III study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of fulvestrant 500 mg compared to anastrozole 1 mg in this patient population.

29 Oct 2012

Nonclinical data on Provectus PV-10 oncology drug presented at 27th SITC

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, presented nonclinical data on PV-10 at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) 27th Annual Meeting on October 26 and 27, 2012 in North Bethesda, MD.

29 Oct 2012

Nano-reinforced plastics improve friction resistance of orthodontics

Brackets made from clear plastic polymer used in dental correction orthodontics have produced very good results in recent years, especially in relation to the improved esthetics when compared to metal brackets, but they do present certain problems of wear and tear within the mouth.

29 Oct 2012