Public Health
The Scottish Government is launching Better Diabetes Care - a consultation to improve diabetes care over the next three years - Diabetes UK Scotland is encouraging everyone to take part.
The San Jose Mercury News blasted the governor"s plan to gut health care funding for children and the poor. In an editorial published Sunday, the Merc said: ". . . the cuts the governor has proposed so far inflict far more damage than necessary, in part because they needlessly throw away federal dollars. He has better options. Schwarzenegger is suggesting California eliminate its Healthy Families program and enact a $750 million cut in Medi-Cal eligibility, both so pound-foolish that we can"t even call them penny-wise."
Eating red or white meat, including meat cooked at high temperatures, does not increase the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to a large study conducted by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. The study was published this month in the International Journal of Cancer.
Scientists in Portugal and France managed to follow the patterns of gene expression in food-poisoning bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) live during infection for the first time. The work about to be published in PLoS Pathogens shows how the bacterial genome shifts to better adapt to infection by activating genes involved in virulence and subversion of the host defences, as well as adaptation to the host conditions. This is the first time that the molecular interactions between L. monocytogenes and its host, as they occur during the different steps of infection, are followed in real time paving the way, not only to the development of new therapies against this potentially lethal bacterium, but also for the study of other pathogen/host interactions.
UnitedHealth Group"s Center for Health Reform and Modernization on Wednesday suggested 15 steps that could be taken to save $540 billion in federal in health care costs over the next 10 years, the AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports (Werner, AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 5/27). Simon Stevens, head of the center, said that the report "puts some flesh on the bones" of the pledge made by health care industry groups earlier this month to cut health care costs, noting that the recommendations already are being used by UnitedHealth to reduce costs and can be applied to Medicare (Reuters, 5/27).The recommended steps include:
Summaries of recent developments related to health care overhaul appear below.
Candela Corporation (NASDAQ: CLZR) announced that two studies have reported superior results on patients who benefited from the Candela Vbeam® laser treatments for bruising resulting from cosmetic procedures. The studies concluded that the Vbeam pulsed-dye laser significantly expedited the healing process, improved outcomes, and provided greater overall patient satisfaction.
Academic Press, a division of Elsevier, would like to announce the publication of a new title in psychology; Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment by Peter Miller, PhD.
Burger King Corp.(NYSE:BKC) announced today that it is enhancing its BK® Kids Meal menu with offerings that meet its stringent nutrition criteria for advertised Kids Meals, as part of the company"s commitment to its BK Positive StepsSM program. With three new additions, Burger King Corp. now offers a total of four BK® Kids Meal options that comply with Burger King Corp."s advertising pledge through the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) Children"s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI).
The health of our skin - one of the body"s first lines of defense against illness and injury - depends upon the delicate balance between our own cells and the millions of bacteria and other one-celled microbes that live on its surface. To better understand this balance, National Institutes of Health researchers have set out to explore the skin"s microbiome, which is all of the DNA, or genomes, of all of the microbes that inhabit human skin. Their initial analysis, published in the journal Science, reveals that our skin is home to a much wider array of bacteria than previously thought.
Mice carrying a "humanized version" of a gene believed to influence speech and language may not actually talk, but they nonetheless do have a lot to say about our evolutionary past, according to a report in the May 29th issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication.
Portions of the brain that activate when people view pictures of objects compared to scrambled images can also be activated by touch alone, confirms a new report published online on May 28th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.
Drs. Timothy Halliday and Sally Kwak, economics professors at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, recently published a paper in Economics and Human Biology titled, "Weight Gain in Adolescents and Their Peers." The article examines trends in adolescent body mass index (BMI) in a nationally representative dataset.
The Board of Somerset Primary Care Trust will be holding its next Board meeting at 10.00 am on Wednesday 3rd June 2009 at Wynford House, Lufton Way, Lufton, Yeovil. Somerset. BA22 8HR.
Just as our world buzzes with distractions - from phone calls to e-mails to tweets - the neurons in our brain are bombarded with messages. Research has shown that when we pay attention, some of these neurons begin firing in unison, like a chorus rising above the noise. Now, a study in the May 29 issue of Science reveals the likely brain center that serves as the conductor of this neural chorus.
Two new studies address donor factors that could affect outcomes for liver transplant recipients, particularly those with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). One found that donor steatosis, or fat in the liver, does not affect liver disease progression or three-year survival in recipients with or without HCV. However, transplants from people higher on the Donor Risk Index did adversely affect the outcomes of HCV-positive recipients more than recipients without HCV.
President Barack Obama and Energy Secretary Steve Chu are consistent in their message that when it comes to transportation fuels, carbon-neutral biofuels as an alternative to gasoline are coming. While the focus of a shift from gasoline to biofuels has been on global warming, such a shift could also impact human health. A grant from the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) has produced a novel and comprehensive "Life Cycle Impact Assessment" to measure the benefits on human health that might result from a switch to biofuels. Although there are a number of uncertainties that must be addressed for a more accurate picture, these early results show that a biofuel eliminating even 10-percent of current gasoline pollutant emissions would have a substantial impact on human health in this country, especially in urban areas.
Pain, the most common reason for adults to visit a primary care physician, and depression, the most frequent mental complaint requiring a doctor"s appointment, occur together as often as half the time.
Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) announced that based on recent input from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding Incyte"s request for a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for INCB18424 for patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF), post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis (PPV-MF) and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (PET-MF), it is clear that the most appropriate single primary endpoint for Incyte"s U.S. Phase III trial is the proportion of treated patients achieving a 35% reduction in spleen volume as compared to patients receiving placebo.
Cytori (NASDAQ: CYTX) announced publication of the first preclinical study to demonstrate adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) significantly improved cardiac function after a heart attack. This preclinical cardiac cell therapy study was reported online ahead of print in the International Journal of Cardiology. The study was funded by Cytori Therapeutics and conducted at Tulane University.
Women over age 30 who regularly exercise decrease their chances of breast cancer, according to a study presented today at the American College of Sports Medicine"s 56th Annual Meeting in Seattle.
Frequent air travelers, as well as people who fly only occasionally, are often inconvenienced by the effects of jet lag, according to research presented today at the American College of Sports Medicine"s 56th Annual Meeting in Seattle. Christopher Berger, Ph.D., Chair of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Task Force on Healthy Air Travel, "Exercise is Medicine™ On the Fly," explains that jet lag, medically called desynchronosis, is the physiological response to alterations to circadian rhythms.
Interactive video games - such those played on the Nintendo Wii - may raise heart rate and provide exercise intensity levels high enough to meet federal physical activity guidelines, according to a pair studies presented at the American College of Sports Medicine"s 56th Annual Meeting in Seattle.
The vast majority of advanced colon cancer patients in a clinical trial were not concerned about the cost of prescription drugs for managing chemotherapy side effects, such as infection, pain and nausea and few adopted strategies to reduce drug cost burdens after joining the clinical trial, according to a study led by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Although few patients reported substantial worry about drug costs, still fewer reported discussing drug cost issues with their physicians, suggesting there are opportunities for improving how physicians integrate discussions about drug costs into clinical practice.
APS Healthcare, a leading provider of specialty healthcare solutions, has been selected by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Medical Assistance Programs, to manage its statewide Medicaid disease and medical care management programs. The integrated program will assist Oregon"s Medicaid and SCHIP fee-for-service clients to access healthcare, minimize catastrophic health events and improve health outcomes through education and interventions that help promote behavior change.
Not yet convinced about keeping your healthy teeth, here"s another reason.
Certain individuals have long been regarded as particularly susceptible to developing behavioural and emotional problems when they experience negative environmental conditions, due to the fact that they carry so-called "vulnerability genes". Existing research suggests, for instance, that such "genetically vulnerable" individuals are most likely to become impulsive and hyperactive if their mothers smoked while pregnant, to behave anti-socially if subjected to child abuse, and to become depressed if exposed to many negative life events (e.g., divorce, unemployment). But a new evaluation of existing gene-by-environment interaction (GXE) research highlighting such genetic vulnerability to adversity challenges this traditional interpretation of existing evidence. Research published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that those carrying "vulnerability genes" are not only more likely than others to be adversely affected by negative experiences but to also benefit more than others from positive environments, making them more malleable or plastic, not just vulnerable. This novel interpretation of old and new findings suggests that "vulnerability genes" might be better conceptualised as "plasticity or malleability genes" because carriers are more affected, for better and for worse, by positive and negative environmental conditions.
The WHO (World Health Organization) reported yesterday evening that the total number of swine flu A(H1N1) confirmed human cases of infection has exceeded 15,510, including 99 deaths. The real figure is higher because there is a delay between local health authority reports and the WHO global report. The A(H1N1) influenza virus is nowhere near as virulent (aggressive, dangerous) as was originally feared. Experts say it is not more deadly than normal seasonal human influenza.
A new, international study found that the combination of two drugs delays disease progression for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results from the Phase III "ATLAS" trial were presented today by Dr. Vincent Miller of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
Scientists at Singapore"s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), have identified the protein, WIP1, as the molecular "brake" that curbs severe inflammation in the body.
Ballerinas and female athletes share quadruple health threats
People who feel pressure to look attractive are more fearful of being rejected because of their appearance than are their peers, according to a new study by researchers at the University at Buffalo and the University of Kent.
The Nebraska Legislature on Wednesday voted to advance a bill (L.B. 675) that would require abortion providers who perform ultrasounds on women seeking the procedure to tell women that a view of the fetus will be available and display the screen in a way that the image can be easily seen, the AP/Lincoln Journal Star reports. The bill also would require the state to compile a list of clinics that offer no-cost ultrasound services. State Sen. Brenda Council (D) criticized that particular provision, saying it would force the state Department of Health and Human Services to spend more taxpayer money.Lawmakers advanced the bill by voice vote after approving an amendment to clarify language surrounding the qualifications of health professionals performing ultrasounds. Advocates for the bill claim it would provide more information to women seeking abortion procedures, while opponents of the bill argue that it would allow the government to interfere in a private procedure. The bill faces a final vote before going to Gov. Dave Heineman (R). If the bill becomes law, Nebraska would join more than a dozen states that have similar laws, the AP/Journal Star reports (Ortiz, AP/Lincoln Journal Star, 5/27).
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is circulating an outline of health care overhaul legislation that includes a requirement that all individuals obtain coverage and requires contributions from employers, the Washington Post reports. According to the Post, the legislation "closely resembles" the Massachusetts health insurance law enacted in 2006, the Post reports. According to the draft summary, the bill calls for a public, government-sponsored health insurance option that would compete with private insurers. The measure also would expand Medicaid eligibility, according to the Post. Kennedy spokesperson Anthony Coley said that the outline is not yet finalized. He said, "We are still actively negotiating with members" of the Senate HELP Committee. According to a top White House official, Kennedy is expected to introduce his measure on Monday. A timetable released by Kennedy"s office calls for Senate HELP Committee Democrats to meet June 2 (Connolly, Washington Post, 5/29). A bipartisan walk-through of Kennedy"s bill is scheduled for June 5 and June 9. Hearings on the bill would then take place on June 10 or June 11. The mark up of the bill is scheduled from June 16 through June 25 (Bogardus, The Hill, 5/28). If Kennedy holds to the schedule, he will be ahead of other congressional Democrats, including Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.), on proposing overhaul legislation (Washington Post, 5/29). Coley said, "These are target dates that are not set in stone." Although Senate Democrats are hoping to pass health care reform legislation before the August recess, several senators have questioned whether that timeline is feasible (The Hill, 5/28). Reform Supporters Call For Removal of Ad
Aetna, Cigna and Humana ranked highest nationally on criteria including speed of health claim payments and fewest claims denied, according to the 2009 PayerView Rankings, the Boston Globe reports. The rankings -- prepared by Athenahealth in collaboration with Physicians Practice management journal -- evaluated 172 national, regional and government payers in 40 states.According to the data, insurers paid physicians an average 5.3% faster in 2008 and denied an average of 9% fewer medical claims compared with 2007 figures. On average, national health insurers paid physicians in 33 days and denied 9.2% of claims.According to the Globe, the rankings reveal some of the obstacles that can result from the complexities and bureaucracy involved in the medical billing process, with each insurer operating in different ways. Jonathan Bush, chair and CEO of Athenahealth, said, "This is the biggest problem we have in health care -- the inability to close supply chains and to practically and tactically connect doctors with payers and patients," adding, "These connections are broken" (Weisman, Boston Globe, 5/28).
National HIV prevention strategies in at least five African countries are not reaching the groups most at risk of infection, according to a report from UNAIDS and the World Bank conducted in conjunction with the national HIV/AIDS authorities of Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Uganda, IRIN/PlusNews reports. The study was conducted between 2007 and 2008 to determine how and where most HIV cases were occurring in each country. It also aimed to examine whether prevention programs and spending aligned with those findings. According to the report, most prevention initiatives are not based on evidence of the behaviors that spread HIV in the five surveyed countries. For example, most new infections in Lesotho occur because of concurrent sexual partnerships, both before and after marriage. However, the country does not have any prevention strategies aimed at concurrent partnerships, or couples who are married or in long-term relationships. In addition, the report found that in Mozambique, an estimated 19% of new HIV infections were spread through commercial sex work, 3% from injection drug use and 5% among men who have sex with men. According to the report, few programs in the country target sex workers, while none are tailored to IDUs or MSM. According to the report, spending on HIV prevention often is low in the surveyed countries. Lesotho spends 13% of its national HIV/AIDS budget on prevention, while Uganda spends 34%. Director of the World Bank"s Global HIV/AIDS Unit Debrework Zewdie said that the economic downturn makes it important to maximize the impact of HIV prevention investments. "These syntheses use the growing amounts of data and information available to better understand each country"s epidemic and response and identify how prevention might be more effective," she said. The report includes recommendations on how the surveyed countries can better implement evidence-based prevention efforts. It said that Lesotho should revise its prevention messages to address multiple concurrent partnerships and integrate the subject into future initiatives. In addition, Mozambique should focus condom promotion on groups such as sex workers, the report said. According to IRIN/PlusNews, the five-country program aims to enhance capacity to ensure that the countries can conduct similar studies in the future (IRIN/PlusNews, 5/27).
The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) announced the award of four new NSYCF-Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller Fellows. These New York-based post-doctoral scientists join 13 extraordinarily accomplished stem cell researchers from leading research institutions who have been supported by the fellowships program since 2006.
A leading expert has warned that the UK can expect to be hit by a swine flu pandemic in the autumn when students go back to school and
Scottsdale Healthcare, through its strategic alliance with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), is one of three clinical research sites in the United States that will participate in a three-year investigation into new approaches to treating pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
There is a frenzied push by mental health providers--almost all of whom have
Minutes after receiving a single, powerful non-invasive radiosurgery treatment, John Sisco, 64, happily walked out of the treatment room without any need for an overnight stay in the hospital, and left for home. Doctors at Somerset Medical Center, in Somerville, New Jersey, used the advanced Novalis Tx™ platform from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) and BrainLAB to deliver the accurate, image-guided treatment designed to eradicate an abnormal tangle of blood vessels, called an artereo-venous malformation (AVM), that had grown near Sisco"s brainstem.
Patients with inflammatory arthritis completing a health-related quality of life questionnaire report levels of pain that result in their health being rated as "worse than death" by members of the general population.
A series of free seminars, one in Belfast, has been organised to raise awareness of women"s health and rights in a 21st century where new biomedical techniques allow surrogate motherhood, test-tube babies, organ transplants and other medical developments.
First Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) Research Fellowships announced
Boehringer Ingelheim will present new data on the company"s two lead oncology compounds, BIBW 2992* and BIBF 1120** at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the company announced today. Two studies in the LUX-Lung clinical development programme for BIBW 2992 and a Phase II study of BIBF 1120 in ovarian cancer patients will be presented.
Of all cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents one of the greatest unmet needs for an effective and life-prolonging treatment. The condition, which accounts for 85 per cent of all lung cancers - roughly 1.4 million worldwide each year - is rarely diagnosed at its earliest and most potentially curable stage when it is amenable to surgical resection. Most patients are diagnosed when the tumour has already advanced to stage III, where it has invaded the chest tissues or mediastinal lymph nodes and is inoperable, or to stage IV where it has spread to other organ sites. Around 30 per cent are diagnosed at stage III and 40 per cent at stage IV. Both stages carry a poor prognosis. From stage III, and following chemo and radiotherapy treatment, median survival has been at best only between 13 and 18 months.
The NPA is asking its members to utilise the new NPA IT forums website to comment on the criteria that should be used to demonstrate that EPS is operationally functional ahead of national roll-out. The NPA believes that EPS must work technically, be business and operationally functional, improve service delivery at pharmacies, and is safe for patients, before full roll-out can be contemplated. The website, http://itforums.npa.co.uk, provides an opportunity for members throughout the UK to voice their opinions on the IT programmes affecting their country or on general IT topics which affect all nations.
The lead article in a special supplement on clinical handover in the Medical Journal of Australia relates a tragic case in which an elderly man died for want of effective handover.
An editorial and a case report on Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) in the Medical Journal of Australia highlight the need for early diagnosis and effective risk management in these rare but potentially life threatening cases.
Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a worldwide leader in diagnostic imaging, announces that it has completed patient enrollment of CaRES (Contrast Echocardiography REgistry for Safety Surveillance), the first, multicenter Phase IV observational registry that evaluates the use of ultrasound imaging agents in routine clinical practice. The 1,060 patients who were enrolled at 15 sites in the U.S. were 18 years old or older and required DEFINITY® Vial for (Perflutren Lipid Microsphere) injectable suspension-enhanced echocardiography because of a previous suboptimal, unenhanced echocardiogram.
A new survey published in the British Journal of Cardiology suggests that inconsistencies in clinical guidance for the ongoing management of post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients may contribute to significant variation in clinical practice reported by GPs and practice nurses.1a These findings indicate that, in some areas of the UK, care for post-MI patients after leaving hospital may not be optimal,1b according to authors from the Follow Your Heart group. *
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the world"s largest sports medicine and exercise organization, rang the closing bell at the NASDAQ stock market last week (Wednesday, May 6), using the international platform to promote the health benefits of physical activity, especially for businesses and employers in the U.S. and worldwide.
A new surgical technique could allow surgeons to perform a radical hysterectomy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer-with fewer complications, reduced morbidity, and a lower risk of local tumour recurrence than current surgical methods, according to an Article published Online first and in the July edition of The Lancet Oncology.
A new pill that contains a potent version of the naturally occurring compound lycopene, a carotenoid found in tomatoes and other fruits and
Clive N. Svendsen, joint leader of the widely-respected Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center at the University of Wisconsin, has been named director of the new Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute, effective Dec. 1, 2009.
There are striking differences in treatment regimens for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, based on both age and geography, according to a new market research study conducted by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, presented as a poster on Saturday at the 2009 ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) meeting in Orlando, Florida (Abstract no.: 8053; Poster no.: N15). Performed in conjunction with TNS Healthcare, the representative study shows that among patients with advanced NSCLC, monotherapy is used most often among those 70 or older, while combination therapies are administered most frequently to younger patients. Location also is a key factor in determining therapy choice, with a chemotherapy doublet plus a targeted agent far more common in the US than in Europe.
bioTheranostics, a bioMerieux company that discovers, develops and commercializes new molecular diagnostic tests in oncology, announced that a recent study demonstrated the company"s THEROS CancerTYPE ID(R) molecular diagnostic test predicted cancer origin with 75 percent accuracy in patients whose primary cancer was initially "unknown" using traditional diagnostics. Findings were presented at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fl.
Raptor Pharmaceuticals Corp. ("Raptor" or the "Company") (OTC Bulletin Board: RPTP), announced that it has dosed the first patient in its Phase 2b clinical trial, conducted in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego ("UCSD"), to evaluate Raptor"s proprietary delayed-release cysteamine bitartrate ("DR Cysteamine") capsules in nephropathic cystinosis ("cystinosis"), a rare genetic lysosomal storage disease. Under Raptor"s open Investigational New Drug application ("IND"), UCSD is performing the Raptor-sponsored trial at its General Clinical Research Center.
Researchers studying a difficult-to-treat form of childhood epilepsy called infantile spasms have developed a line of mice that experiences seizures with features closely resembling those occurring in patients with infantile seizures. These genetically engineered mice provide a new opportunity for scientists to test treatments that may benefit children.
Most of our cells possess an internal clock, a group of genes displaying a cyclic expression pattern that reaches a peak once a day. A large number of circadian genes are expressed by organs such as the liver, whose activity needs to be precisely regulated over the course of the day. A team of researchers of the National Centre of Competence in Research Frontiers in Genetics, based at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, reveals that an important regulator of this molecular oscillator is a specific microRNA. The latter belongs to a class of small RNA molecules that regulate the production of proteins in our cells. Thus far, little was known about their function within the circadian clockwork. The study by Ueli Schibler"s team, published in the 1st June edition of Genes & Development, fills in this important gap.
A vaccine for one of the most lethal cancers, advanced melanoma, has shown improved response rates and progression-free survival for patients when combined with the immunotherapy drug, Interleukin-2, according to researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Researchers have identified a gene that is overexpressed in up to 20 percent of breast cancers and that could be blocked in the lab by a currently available blood pressure drug, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Catholic constitutional law professors Doug Kmiec of the Pepperdine University School of Law and Robert George of Princeton University on Thursday during a forum at the National Press Club debated the Obama administration"s abortion policies and whether opposing sides in the abortion-rights debate should work toward finding "common ground," the Washington Times reports. Kmiec -- a Republican who broke rank with many Catholics and supported President Obama"s run for the presidency -- stressed that the president is serious about reducing the need for abortion. However, George "challenged the administration to do something concrete," such as ban certain abortion procedures, according to the Times. He said that Obama "rejects what we and pro-lifers propose is common ground. ... He does not believe human beings acquire rights until after birth."Kmiec and George also debated the role of Catholics in politics, such as whether Catholics who support abortion rights should be denied Holy Communion or whether Catholic bishops should speak out against politicians who support abortion rights. In April 2008, a Los Angeles priest denied Kmiec Communion because of his support for Obama. Kmiec asked, "Are we as Catholics expected to sit on the sidelines aloof with the truth talking to ourselves or are we to engage our fellow citizens and offer that faith? The 2008 election was very much a test of that." He said that he does not believe that intimidation is the correct way to address abortion-rights issues, adding that the "denial of Communion is intimidation." Kmiec said that Catholic bishops" opposition to abortion-rights supporters who are Catholic "is not either an effective nor a Catholic approach. Nor is it a Catholic approach to endorse candidates. Yet certain bishops endorse candidates. Nor should churches allow materials in their vestibule saying it is a sin of the highest order to cast a vote for Barack Obama." He noted that 54% of Catholics voted for Obama.George opted to focus on Obama"s legislative record instead of the issue of Catholics in politics. He said, "Obama"s record as an activist, legislator and now as president is that an unborn baby possesses no rights. Throughout his career, he has denied every fundamental legislation that would discourage its practice or limit its liability" (Duin, Washington Times, 5/29).
A study in the June 1 issue of the journal SLEEP demonstrates that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic insomnia significantly improves insomnia severity, daytime fatigue, and sleep quality. Online treatment also reduces erroneous beliefs about sleep and pre-sleep mental arousal.
New research published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, shows most mental health settings in England have faced challenges in introducing smoke-free policies.
A team led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) compared the genes of 730 men who had developed testicular cancer with the genes of healthy men. They found many of the men who had suffered cancer shared common DNA variants on chromosomes 5, 6 and 12 that the healthy men did not have.
The editors of Disability & Rehabilitation and its sister publication, Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology have announced an annual award which will be given for the best review paper published in either of the two journals. Commencing in 2009, the Informa Best Review Paper Award will recognise valuable, high-impact research in the fields of disability, rehabilitation and assistive technology.
Carol Nadelson, M.D., past-president of APA, has been
It"s hard to miss the huge eye of a squid. But now it appears that certain squids can detect light through an organ other than their eyes as well.
The four-type (6, 11, 16, 18) human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine,
Soccer players and exercise enthusiasts now have another reason to reach for lowfat chocolate milk after a hard workout, suggests a new study from James Madison University presented at the American College of Sports Medicine annual meeting. Post-exercise consumption of lowfat chocolate milk was found to provide equal or possibly superior muscle recovery compared to a high-carbohydrate recovery beverage with the same amount of calories.
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIOP) announced today that it presented positive data from both a Phase Ib clinical trial and preclinical dosing studies of orally administered indibulin (ZybulinTM or ZIO-301), the Company"s novel tubulin binding agent, at the 45th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting held in Orlando, FL, May 29th to June 2nd.
"Facing difficult economic times and the uncertainties of national health care reform, some Maryland hospitals are choosing to be swallowed up by larger medical systems, with an unusual string of mergers over the past 16 months and more likely on the way," The Baltimore Sun reports. The consolidations could offer benefits to all those involved. Small hospitals gain "the hope of safe harbor from whatever financial storms are on the horizon, hospital chains "get footholds in new areas, where they can build market share and increase the number of patients they serve," and patients may "gain access to large networks of top-notch doctors, even if the patients live many miles from a major medical institution."
While the majority of patients with common vision problems can find glasses or contact lenses fairly easily, others who suffer from diseases of the eye that affect the focus of light have more limited options and may simply have to learn to live with poor vision.
Depomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:DEPO) announced that it has completed enrollment of the Phase 3 clinical trial of DM-1796 for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia.
Infants" sleep patterns and their parents" influence on it are the focus of the SIESTA II project, supported by a five-year, $2.67 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to Douglas M. Teti, professor of human development and psychology, Penn State.
We want our husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles and grandfathers, all indispensable parts of our families, to live long, healthy lives. Reliv International nutritional supplements can help them do just that. Distributors of Reliv supplements are honoring National Men"s Health Week, June 15th to June 21st, by offering tips on how men can step up their healthy defenses.
ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZIOP) announced today that it presented positive data from both Phase II intravenous (IV) and Phase I oral studies of darinaparsin (ZinaparTM or ZIO-101), the novel organic arsenic molecule, as part of the prestigious Clinical Cancer Symposia at the 45th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting held in Orlando, FL, May 29th to June 2nd.
PhotoMedex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PHMD), a leader in the development of proprietary excimer laser and fiber optic systems as well as other products for dermatological applications, announced the availability of its groundbreaking XTRAC Velocity™ Excimer Laser, a device expected to redefine laser treatment options for patients suffering from psoriasis and vitiligo.
Today, June 1, kicks off Sun Safety Week, and while the sun is a fundamental, life-fueling force, Health Net Inc. (NYSE:HNT) wants to remind everyone that it"s important to remember that this standout star also is responsible for thousands of deaths annually due to skin cancer and heat-related illnesses.
In an effort to increase the public"s awareness of the health consequences of cigarettes, the WHO on Friday called on international governments to require that cigarette packages feature images of the harmful effects smoking can have on the body, the AP/Google.com reports (Klapper, AP/Google.com, 5/29).
Plexxikon Inc. today announced preliminary data from a Phase 1 clinical study investigating PLX4032 (R7204). PLX4032 is a novel, oral and highly selective drug that targets the BRAFV600E cancer-causing mutation that occurs in most melanomas and about eight percent of all solid tumors. In patients whose cancer harbors this mutation and who were treated with therapeutic doses of PLX4032, tumor shrinkage and extended progression-free survival have been observed. Currently, two extension studies are being conducted in mutation-positive melanoma and colorectal cancer patients. Following the initial positive findings announced today, larger clinical trials to support a registration program for product approval are targeted to start later in 2009. Plexxikon and Roche are co-developing PLX4032 under their 2006 license and collaboration agreement.
The Santa Maria Times examines how California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger"s (R) plan to reduce state spending by more than $5 billion over the next two fiscal years, which includes millions of dollars in funding cuts to HIV prevention, education and treatment programs, could affect county residents (Womack, Santa Maria Times, 5/31). According to the Times, hundreds of residents in Santa Barbara County -- including more than 100 AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) clients -- would potentially be affected by the funding cuts (Santa Maria Times, 5/31). The proposal also would result in $1.8 million in cuts to programs for low-income residents living with HIV in Riverside County, the Desert Sun reports (Brambila, Desert Sun, 5/29). The plan, issued by Schwarzenegger last week, includes $55.5 million in cuts to California"s ADAP and other state Office of AIDS programs (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 5/27).
The Los Angeles Times on Sunday examined how the recession is impacting people living with HIV in California. Brad Hare, medical director of University of California-San Francisco"s Positive Health Program at San Francisco General Hospital, said that people living with HIV who have lost their jobs and private health insurance are turning to public and nonprofit clinics for the first time and are responsible for a 12% increase this year in the clinic"s overall patient visits. He added that many of the patients he sees have gone months without receiving medical care. In addition, at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, which also provides HIV treatment, the number of new patients has doubled over the last year, Thomas Soule, a spokesperson for the center, said. The Times also profiled a client of the center (Lin, Los Angeles Times, 5/31).
Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, announced new findings regarding a correlation between an important serologic marker used in the detection of Crohn"s disease and particular genetic markers in patients at risk for celiac disease. In an oral presentation yesterday at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in Chicago, Prometheus reported a statistically significant correlation between antibodies to the flagellin CBir1 and HLA haplotypes DQ2.5 and DQ8 in a study of 5,406 patients at risk for celiac disease who are EMA positive. Blood and serum samples were analyzed using PROMETHEUS(R) Celiac PLUS and PROMETHEUS(R) IBD Serology 7 diagnostic tests.
CuraGen Corporation (Nasdaq: CRGN) reported three data presentations from its ongoing clinical trials of CR011-vcMMAE, an antibody-drug conjugate that targets GPNMB, in patients with advanced breast cancer and melanoma at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Orlando, Florida.
ChemoCentryx, Inc., announced that Phase II/III clinical data from the company"s PROTECT-1 (the Prospective Randomized Oral Therapy Evaluation in Crohn"s disease Trial) of Traficet-EN(TM) (CCX282-B) in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn"s disease demonstrated evidence of clinical efficacy in the reduction of disease severity, as defined by a decrease from baseline in the Crohn"s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) score of at least 70 points over the course of 12 weeks; the more stringent criterion of at least a 100 point decrease in the CDAI score was also met by week 12. In addition, Traficet-EN treatment resulted in colonoscopic evidence of improvement. These data, reported from the Induction Stage of the ongoing PROTECT-1 trial, were presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2009 in Chicago, IL, by Satish Keshav, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Gastroenterology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University, in an oral session today.
B. Braun Medical Inc. (B. Braun), a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, said today it anticipates U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for 2g Cefazolin for Injection USP and Dextrose Injection USP in B. Braun"s DUPLEX(R) Drug Delivery System.
When should a parent schedule a comprehensive eye assessment for a baby? Clinical research has shown that at 6 months, the average baby has reached a number of critical developmental milestones, making this an appropriate age for the first eye and vision assessment.
Local news coverage details concerns about Medicare and Medicaid spending reductions that could affect senior and nursing care.
The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii"s (CRCH) Minority Based
Research from a survey by Tesco Dental Insurance has revealed Brits are finding it increasingly difficulty to find an NHS dentist. The results also show that rising dental costs are putting people off visiting the dentist.
Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor is scheduled to meet with key senators today as Republican leaders indicate that they will try to slow her confirmation process over the summer, the Washington Post reports. Sotomayor, in preparation for her meetings, has been working with White House lawyers to complete a 10-page Senate questionnaire, which aims to reveal details of her legal work, professional associations, personal finances, speeches, and legal and other writings. White House officials said the document will be finished "in the next couple of days." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that he will provide Sotomayor"s background information to Republicans "as quickly as possible," adding that he "want[s] to make sure she"s ready to go" when the next Supreme Court term begins in October. Sotomayor is scheduled to meet today with Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and the panel"s ranking member, Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.). She also is scheduled to meet with Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), and New York Democrats Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, the Post reports.While Sotomayor prepares for her meetings, Republican leaders indicated that they will try to impede President Obama"s push to confirm her before the Senate leaves for summer recess on Aug. 7. McConnell said that the GOP will determine its own schedule regarding Sotomayor"s confirmation, adding that although the GOP will "insist that the confirmation process be conducted in a fair and professional manner, ... respectful doesn"t mean rushed." Senior Senate aides from both parties said that a deal to expedite the confirmation process is unlikely, despite informal negotiations between Sessions and Leahy (Fletcher/Murray, Washington Post, 6/2). Sessions said it would be his "preference" for a confirmation after the August recess but before October. He added that there are "some things that have been raised that we need to explore" and that Sotomayor "deserves an opportunity to deal with the complaints against her" (Rushing, The Hill, 6/1).Conservative Groups Push for Filibuster According to the New York Times "The Caucus," a coalition of conservative groups recently sent a letter to McConnell urging Republicans to filibuster Sotomayor"s confirmation. The letter, which was obtained by the Times, is signed by a range of conservative groups, including antiabortion-rights groups, gun-rights advocates, evangelical leaders and others. Manuel Miranda, a former judicial adviser to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), organized the letter. Although Miranda has criticized Democratic filibusters in the past, he said that a Republican filibuster of Sotomayor would help the GOP promote its differences with the Democratic Party on judicial philosophy and the role of the courts. However, Senate Republican leaders thus far have shown little interest in a filibuster, according to the "The Caucus" (Savage, "The Caucus," New York Times, 6/1). The Post reports that the GOP likely does not have enough votes to block Sotomayor"s confirmation with a filibuster, but Republicans could be able to slow the process until September. In this case, Sotomayor still would be able to take her place on the bench when the court reconvenes Oct. 1 (Washington Post, 6/2).The AP/USA Today reports that Republicans are taking a "two-sided strategy" in which they are urging for a respectful debate against Sotomayor while still allowing conservative commentators -- such as Rush Limbaugh and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) -- to criticize her, the AP/USA Today reports. By allowing the political attacks from commentators, Republicans who are facing re-election "can avoid potential backlash if they derail a historic nomination," the AP/USA Today reports (AP/USA Today, 6/1).
Researchers at The Cancer Institute of
Revolutionary ultrasonic nanotechnology that could allow scientists to see inside a patient"s individual cells to help diagnose serious illnesses is being developed by researchers at The University of Nottingham.
The first artificial organ for liver patients that uses immortalized human liver cells, the Extracorporeal Liver Assist Device, or ELAD®, is a bedside system that treats blood plasma, metabolizing toxins and synthesizing proteins just like a real liver does.
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced that the European Medicines Agency"s (EMEA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion for the use of ALIMTA® (pemetrexed for injection) as monotherapy for the maintenance treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with other than predominantly squamous cell histology in patients whose disease has not progressed immediately following platinum-based chemotherapy.
Roche and Plexxikon announced interim results from a phase I study with PLX4032 (R7204) a new, highly selective and potentially promising oral treatment for patients with advanced melanoma whose cancer harbours the BRAF mutation (known as mutation-positive). Patients treated with PLX4032 lived for a median of six months without their disease getting worse and more than half experienced significant shrinkage of their tumours; this included patients where the cancer had spread to the liver, lung and bone.1 Historically, less than 5% of metastatic melanoma patients are still alive five years after diagnosis.2
Dr. Dev GnanaDev, president of the California Medical Association, issued the following statement after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called on the state Legislature to swiftly enact his proposed budget cuts.
The Health Care Professionals Council has today struck off Arts Therapist Derek Gale following wide ranging incidents of misconduct and abuse towards patients in his care. However, Gale has only been banned from practicing as an arts therapist, and under current legislation, can continue to practice as a psychotherapist or counsellor (1). Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, supported by Jonathan Coe, Chief Executive of WITNESS, said:
Violence, sexual abuse, harassment, appalling living conditions, and a serious lack of access to essential healthcare define the desperate lives of thousands of Zimbabweans in South Africa today, warned the international medical humanitarian aid organization, Doctors Without Borders/Mçİdecins Sans Frontiç¨res (MSF).
Fast and affordable genome sequencing has moved a step closer with a new solid-state nanopore sensor being developed by researchers at the University of Illinois.
New research findings published by Dr Metin Basoglu, Head of Section of Trauma Studies at King"s College London and the Istanbul Centre for Behaviour Research and Therapy, examines the psychological impact of war captivity, "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment" (CIDT) and physical torture. Findings revealed that being held captive in a hostile and life-threatening environment, deprivation of basic needs, sexual torture, psychological manipulations, humiliation, exposure to extreme temperatures, isolation, and forced stress positions appear to cause more psychological damage than physical torture.
Travelers book plane tickets online, bank customers can check their accounts at any computer, and busy families can grocery shop online. Someday, even doctor visits could be among the conveniences offered via the Internet. Researchers considering the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual doctors visits report that patients and physicians found that evaluations done through videoconferencing were similar to face-to-face visits on most measures, according a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare.
Researchers are calling for space headache to be established as a new secondary disorder after carrying out a study of 17 astronauts, published in the June issue of Cephalalgia.
A University of Michigan study has identified a likely reason: feeling emotionally close to a friend increases levels of the hormone progesterone, helping to boost well-being and reduce anxiety and stress.
The scientific and medical publisher, BMJ Group, is to publish additional themed editions of the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM), supported by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it was announced today.
A study of targeted educational initiatives between the clinical staff at Fox Chase Cancer Center and the hospitals within their Partners program suggest that educational interventions by academic cancer centers can improve quality of care for cancer patients at community hospitals. The study, to be presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, looked specifically at the number of lymph nodes that were surgically removed in colorectal cancer patients at Fox Chase"s partner hospitals and the impact that educational initiatives by clinical staff had on improving the number of nodes removed.
Researchers at the Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience (CMBN) at Rutgers University in Newark have identified the need to develop a new framework for understanding "perceptual stability" and how we see the world with their discovery that visual input obtained during eye movements is being processed by the brain but blocked from awareness.
While most nutrition experts agree that school lunches should include more whole-grain products, a new study from the University of Minnesota finds that food-service workers lack understanding and the res to meet that goal.
Low-cost baked goods that have zero trans fat. Processed foods that taste salty but contain little salt. Biodegradable fabrics made from ecologically-friendly fibres. And an all-natural product that reduces the health risks associated with kidney disease. These are just some of the latest innovations in food, nutrition and bio-materials that will be unveiled at a leading scientific conference in Guelph later this month.
In a move intended to significantly accelerate the pace of MS research, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada announced the establishment of five research and training centres involving over 100 established scientists and 250 trainees.
- 1 confirmed case in Wales (a 31 year old male from the Caerphilly local authority area. He has had mild flu symptoms, has been offered antivirals and is recovering at home).
Leading UK maternity charity, MIDIRS, has launched a new e-update facility designed to assist health care professionals and student midwives with their continuing professional development. Registration to the service is free and available NOW!
An innovative University of Georgia graduate program in special education that has prepared scores of Georgia teachers to work with elementary-age students with autism over the last several years has received a new 4-year, $793,000 federal grant to train teachers to work with similarly challenged secondary-age students.
Stiefel Laboratories, Inc. announced the completion and analysis of a pivotal phase III clinical trial for Hyphanox(TM) (itraconazole) tablet. The 200 mg itraconazole tablet formulation was developed using the proprietary Meltrex(R) technology.
ATS Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATSI), manufacturer and marketer of state-of-the-art cardiac surgery products and services, announced participation in the upcoming International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) Meeting in San Francisco on June 3-6, 2009. The ISMICS meeting is a significant gathering of cardiovascular surgeons from around the world whose interests include the latest developments in less invasive forms of heart surgery. The annual ISMICS meeting provides an excellent venue for the Company to exhibit its growing portfolio of clinically relevant products designed to meet the needs of cardiac surgeons.
Lee Scott MP for Ilford North who has been campaigning in the House of Commons for parents, carers, children and adults with Asperger"s Syndrome is calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Government to increase the carer"s allowance for possibly over a million carers who are looking after children and adults with autism and Asperger"s Syndrome in the United Kingdom.
Statement attributable to: Nancy H. Nielsen, M.D.
Low Medicare reimbursement rates are not keeping up with costs at hospitals in Iowa and California while a grant helps boost Medicare enrollment in Missouri.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is preparing to revive competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment that industry members helped sink last summer when it was originally scheduled to take effect, CQ HealthBeat reports. The agency had anticipated a 26 percent savings for wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and other pieces of equipment through the program. But a lobbying group for the suppliers, the American Association for Homecare, successfully urged Congress to shut down the program before it went into effect.
The U.S. government recently announced a commitment to double its support for Malawi"s efforts to fight HIV/AIDS to $45 million annually, Xinhua reports (Xinhua, 6/2).
It"s a curious paradox. Black adults are more likely to smoke than white adults and most smokers start as teenagers. But statistics show that fewer black youths than whites begin smoking as adolescents.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced
This paper investigates 26 patients with painful metal-on-metal resurfacing arthroplasties and describes three tests for the investigation of the phenomenon. The tests are metal artefact-reduction MRI, 3-D CT measurement of the position of the component and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
The long term success of the Charnley low-frictional arthroplasty has been demonstrated today with a follow-up study of patients 30 to 40 years after treatment. Overall, 90% of the hips were free from pain and activity was reported as normal in 58% of patients.
Despite the efforts of college students to quit smoking, recent research conducted by Joyce M. Wolburg at Marquette University suggests that an extended trial and error period is necessary. Given that most college students begin smoking in high school, another study by faculty at HEC Montreal and University of Texas at San Antonio provides insights into how graphic cigarette warning labels impact intentions of American and Canadian teens. Both studies appear in the Summer 2009 issue of the Journal of Consumer Affairs.
Your immune system plays an important function in your health - it protects you against viruses, bacteria, and other toxins that can cause disease. In autoinflammatory diseases, however, the immune system goes awry, causing unprovoked and dangerous inflammation. Now, researchers from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), part of the National Institutes of Health, and other institutions have discovered a new autoinflammatory syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects children around the time of birth. The findings appear in the current issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
It"s been a decade since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first total ankle-replacement system for patients with severe ankle arthritis.
A rare, deadly developmental disorder of the lungs called alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV) that usually kills the infants born with it within the first month of life results from deletions or mutations in the FOXF1 transcription factor gene, said a consortium of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine (www.bcm.edu) in a report that appears in the American Journal of Human Genetics.