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High prevalence of nocturnal teeth grinding in patients with OSA

There is a high prevalence of nocturnal teeth grinding, or bruxism, in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly in Caucasians. New research presented at CHEST 2009, the 75th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), found that nearly 1 in 4 patients with OSA suffers from nighttime teeth grinding; this seems to be especially more prevalent in men and in Caucasians compared with other ethnic groups.

3 Nov 2009

FDA updates Byetta prescribing information following reports of kidney problems

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today acted on new safety information about possible kidney function problems, including kidney failure, in patients taking Byetta (exenatide), a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

3 Nov 2009

ASTRO commends CMS for limiting payment reductions proposed for radiation oncology

ASTRO, the American Society for Radiation Oncology, today praised the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for limiting the payment reductions initially proposed for radiation oncology and spreading the remaining cuts over four years.

3 Nov 2009

Seasonal Vitamin D supplement launched by USANA Health Sciences

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. today launched its seasonal Vitamin D supplement. The supplement will be available every year from November to March, the months when many people do not get enough vitamin D.

3 Nov 2009

AST develops two new holiday season tip sheets for families of children with autism

Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), an agency providing behavior therapy and other autism services throughout Southern California, has developed two new holiday season tip sheets especially for families of children with autism: Stress-Free Holidays and Top Toy Recommendations.

3 Nov 2009

Public option might be only a minor player in changing health care

Kaiser Health News staff writers Eric Pianin, Mary Agnes Carey and Julie Appleby combine efforts to provide this analysis of the reach of the public option in terms of its potential impact on the health care system.

3 Nov 2009

Mortal combination of health problems that can double the risk of heart attack identified

Researchers at the University of Warwick have identified a particular combination of health problems that can double the risk of heart attack and cause a three-fold increase in the risk of mortality.

3 Nov 2009

Pregnant women tolerate the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine, mount strong immune response

Healthy pregnant women mount a robust immune response following just one dose of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, according to initial results from an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.

3 Nov 2009

With state budgets tight, services are cut; Kansas looks to avoid mandates

California cut program budgets aimed at providing care for the poor while in Wyoming, the programs themselves are forced to close their doors because of a funding shortfall. In Kansas, lawmakers are examining — ahead of final consideration of health care reform in Congress — how they can shield themselves from health care mandates to carry insurance.

3 Nov 2009

NHLBI survey results reveal COPD awareness continues to grow in the United States

Awareness of COPD-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-continues to grow in the United States, according to national survey results released today by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

3 Nov 2009

The Advisory Board Company announces fiscal 2010 second-quarter results

The Advisory Board Company today announced financial results for the second quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. Revenue for the quarter increased 1.2% to $58.3 million, from $57.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Contract value grew 3.0% to $237.6 million as of September 30, 2009, up from $230.6 million as of September 30, 2008.

3 Nov 2009

Brain disorder that causes early dementia is highly hereditary: Study

New research shows that a rare brain disorder that causes early dementia is highly hereditary. The study is published in the November 3, 2009, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 Nov 2009

Cipher Pharmaceuticals to defend alleged patent infringement of CIP-TRAMADOL ER

Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. today announced that Purdue Pharma Products L.P. and Napp Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. have filed a complaint against Cipher in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, for alleged infringement of two U.S. patents. The action relates to Cipher's New Drug Application ("NDA") filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for CIP TRAMADOL ER, the Company's extended-release tramadol product.

3 Nov 2009

Psychiatric Solutions sells its EAP business to Aetna for $70 million in cash

Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. today announced that it has completed the sale of its employee assistance program (“EAP”) business to Aetna for approximately $70 million in cash. PSI intends to use the net proceeds from the sale to reduce its debt.

3 Nov 2009

FDA: Guidance document on diagnostic tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today published a guidance document that should help manufacturers develop diagnostic tests for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Although there are not any FDA-approved or cleared tests that diagnose this specific infection, during this pandemic, manufacturers can submit a request to the FDA for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

3 Nov 2009

EpiCept's request for continued listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market granted by Nasdaq Hearings Panel

EpiCept Corporation today announced that a Nasdaq Hearings Panel has granted the Company’s request for continued listing on The Nasdaq Stock Market.

3 Nov 2009

Marriage for adult survivors of childhood cancer? Not likely, says new study

Adult survivors of childhood cancer are 20 to 25 percent more likely to never marry compared with siblings and the general population, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

3 Nov 2009

WHO, UNICEF launch 6-year $39B plan to prevent, treat pneumonia; World Pneumonia Day coverage

To mark the first World Pneumonia Day on Monday, the WHO and UNICEF launched a $39 billion Global Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia (GAPP) aimed at preventing 5.3 million child deaths from the disease by 2015, the Associated Press reports (Cheng, 11/1).

3 Nov 2009

Top-line results from Phase 3 linaclotide trial for chronic constipation

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Forest Laboratories, Inc. today announced positive top-line results from two Phase 3 clinical trials assessing the safety and efficacy of once-daily dosing of the investigational drug linaclotide in patients with chronic constipation (CC).

3 Nov 2009

CareTech Solutions signs agreement to acquire IGCN

CareTech Solutions, Inc. (www.caretechsolutions.com) announced today the firm has reached agreement in principle to acquire IGCN (www.IGCN.com). CareTech Solutions is an information technology and web products and services provider for hospitals and health systems and IGCN provides solutions for hospitals to build and manage robust websites.

3 Nov 2009