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Blogs Comment On World Population Day, Health Care Reform, Other Topics
The following summarizes selected women"s health-related blog entries. ~ "World Population Day 2009 -- Time To Finally Make Maternal Health a Priority," Sharon Camp, Huffington Post blogs: World Population Day on Saturday "serves as an urgent reminder that ... governments around the world must boost investments in global health," especially maternal health, despite the global economic recession, Camp, president and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute, writes. Efforts "have fallen short" to date as the "financial res and political will needed to promote maternal health have been lagging," Camp writes. She notes that the nations are "hardly any closer" to achieving the United Nations" Millennium Development Goals of reducing maternal deaths by 75% and achieving universal access to reproductive health services by 2015. A "critical shortcoming" of recent efforts to achieve the MDGs has been the "reluctance of some governments and advocates to accept that better maternal health cannot be achieved without acknowledging, committing and fully funding sexual and reproductive health services," Camp writes. In particular, "this includes contraceptive services to help women time and space pregnancies as well as treatment of septic or incomplete abortions," and "providing safe abortion services consistent with individual country law," according to Camp. However, there is "some good news," she writes, noting that "[n]ew momentum behind worldwide advocacy efforts may yield the res and political commitment needed to make a difference." Camp concludes, "It is precisely because res are scarce that they must be used wisely and efficiently in a way that serves both humanitarian and economic development goals. Investing in saving women"s lives fits this bill" (Camp, Huffington Post blogs, 7/9).~ "Proposed Amendments Would Deny Health Care to Women," Lois Uttley, RH Reality Check: In a blog post addressed to "Gentlemen of the Congress," Uttley asks if they have "forgotten about the women" in their lives as they work on crafting health care reform legislation. Uttley writes,"[S]ome of you are wasting valuable time and taxpayer dollars proposing amendments that would deny health care" to several groups of people, including women. She writes that Republican Sens. Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Orrin Hatch (Utah) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) this week submitted amendments to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that would ban coverage for abortion services; protect health care providers and insurers from ""discrimination" for refusing to provide health care requested by their patients," including abortion and emergency contraception; allow federally qualified health centers to "not provide abortions and still get government grants"; and require that "[a]ny independent medical board appointed to determine the benefits that would be included in national health reform coverage would have to include "professional ethicists ... with specialty in rights of the life of the unborn."" Meanwhile, Democrats "are spending far too much time trying to win over colleagues who are never going to vote for health reform, no matter if you offer them abortion exclusions or new provider "conscience" laws or other provisions that would hobble health reform," Uttley writes. She continues, "Don"t forget that women are among the strongest supporters of moving quickly on health reform this year" because they are "grassroots experts on what is broken in the current health system," such as insurers" labeling of pregnancy as a "pre-existing condition," using "gender rating" in individual policies and excluding contraception coverage. She asks, "So what do women want?" Uttley provides a "list we"ve been compiling at Raising Women"s Voices for the Health Care We Need." Among the priorities, the list stresses that lawmakers should keep "moral values" out of the debate and that health insurance must be affordable, more simple to understand, fair, portable and universal (Uttley, RH Reality Check, 7/9).~ "Reports
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Tuberculosis Vaccine Too Risky For HIV-Infected Infants
HIV-infected infants risk contracting a deadly form of tuberculosis from the bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, instead of receiving protection against the disease, according to research published today in the international public health journal, the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
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Cyberonics Provides Update On Depression Post-Approval Study
Cyberonics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CYBX) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has approved the company"s proposal to amend the protocol of its D-21 post-approval dosing study in depression patients treated with VNS Therapy(TM).

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Abbott And AstraZeneca Submit New Drug Application To The FDA For CERTRIAD(TM), An Investigational Treatment For Mixed Dyslipidemia

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and AstraZeneca announced that the companies have submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an investigational compound for the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia, a combination of two or more lipid abnormalities including high LDL- cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), high triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). The NDA submission for this investigational compound, containing the active ingredients of CRESTOR(R) (rosuvastatin calcium) and TRILIPIX(R) (fenofibric acid), is supported by data from multiple studies, including efficacy and safety studies with the 5mg, 10mg and 20mg doses of rosuvastatin combined with fenofibric acid. Pending approval of the NDA, the treatment will be marketed as CERTRIAD(TM).

California HIV/AIDS Advocates To Appear At Hearing On Proposed Budget Cuts

On Friday, HIV/AIDS advocates in California will appear at the state Legislature"s Budget Conference Committee hearing to urge lawmakers to block proposed health-related budget cuts, the Bay Area Reporter reports. According to the Reporter, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger"s (R) latest budget proposal includes cutting $67.8 million from state HIV programs and an additional $12.3 million from the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Anne Donnelly of Project Inform said, "We realize we may have to take cuts to our programs. But let"s make sure they are minimized and that we continue to deliver the essential services to those people living with HIV and those also at risk." Next week HIV/AIDS advocates also plan to convene on the steps of the state Capitol to protest the proposed budget cuts (Bajko, Bay Area Reporter, 6/4).

Michigan Lawmakers Approve Request For State Health Agency To Use Private Funds For HIV/AIDS Program

The Michigan Department of Community Health recently received approval from state lawmakers to use $3.2 million in private funds to support the state"s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, the AP/Detroit News reports. Michigan"s House and Senate Appropriations Committees also approved requests by other state agencies to shift funds as a means to continue public programs that were affected by budget cuts ordered last month (Eggert, AP/Detroit News, 6/4).

Body And Weight Checking May Signify An Eating Disorder

Everyone checks their body to some extent, but many people with eating disorders repeatedly check their body and often in a way that"s unusual.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Physician-Scientists Present At 2009 American Transplant Congress In Boston

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center physician-scientists presented new research at the 2009 American Transplant Congress in Boston, May 30 to June 3. Topics included minimizing steroid exposure for liver transplant patients with hepatitis C; hypothermic machine perfusion vs. cold storage for preserving donor livers; and the effectiveness of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in predicting colorectal liver metastases in liver cancer patients undergoing transplantation.

Institute For Oneworld Health Announces Successful Collaboration To Fight Neglected Diarrheal Diseases In Developing Countries

The Institute for OneWorld Health, the US-based non-profit pharmaceutical company that develops drugs for people with neglected infectious diseases in the developing world, today announced that it has successfully completed its first screening campaign of the Roche proprietary compound library and will select up to 40 new drug leads for further study intended to identify a new treatment for childhood diarrhea.

CMA Condemns Shooting Of Kansas Doctor

The California Medical Association issued the following statement about the tragic shooting of Dr. George Tiller of Kansas:

Colon Cancer Alliance Statement Regarding CMS\' Decision To Not Cover Virtual Colonoscopies

The following is a

Spike In Severe Weather And Looming Alzheimer\'s Disease Epidemic - A Formula For Disaster

As the 2009 hurricane season begins, the MIT AgeLab and the Advance 50 Team of gerontologists at The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., offer new research and life-saving tips to help caregivers, family and friends of those with Alzheimer"s disease who live at home prepare for a natural disaster and get their lives back on track in the aftermath.

CE Mark Extended For Disc Dynamics\' DASCOR(R) Disc Arthroplasty System

Disc Dynamics, Inc., a leading developer of minimally invasive treatment options for low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease (DDD), announced that the CE Mark received in the European Union for its DASCOR® Disc Arthroplasty System has been expanded to incorporate a posterior-lateral surgical approach, as well as an endoscopic approach.

Eating Curry Every Week \'could Prevent Dementia\'

Eating a curry once or twice a week could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer"s disease and dementia. The magic ingredient in curry is curcumin, a component of the spice, turmeric.

Better Outcomes With Computer Aided Surgery - High Costs As An Obstacle To Broad Use

There are many indications that computer aided surgery has a major role to play in improving results in orthopaedic surgery, says Dr. Stefano Zaffagnini, who has played a pioneering role in the use of this technology and who moderates a symposium on this theme at the Congress of the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT), taking place from June 3 to 6 in Vienna, with more than 8,000 participants from around the world. This technology should allow total knee prosthesis using minimally invasive surgery to become a standard procedure within a decade. Osteotomy and hip operations are only two of the many other fields where computer aided surgery can also markedly improve results for patients, experts state at the EFFORT Congress in Vienna.

Godel Technologies Europe Helps NHS Save Lives With Online Training Technology, UK

Manchester based software engineering company, Godel Technologies Europe Ltd, is to implement a virtual learning portal for the NHS.

Rampant Disease Osteoporosis: Under-diagnosed, Under-treated - Experts Call For Earlier Diagnosis And Therapy

"With a continuously ageing population the incidence of osteoporosis is steadily rising. This does not only pose problems to the individuals concerned but is also an enormous challenge for our societies" according to Professor Wolfhart Puhl, past president of the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT). Prof. Puhl, of the Orthopç¤dikum Allgç¤u, Germany, who is in Vienna for the EFORT Congress, emphasized that the problem"s "dimension is frequently underestimated. Policy makers and funding agencies do not always consider this development sufficiently in their planning."

Prestigious French Award For Heart Research Won By Olson

Dr. Eric Olson, chairman of molecular biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has been awarded the Institut de France"s prestigious Lefoulon-Delalande Foundation Grand Prize for his work on gene regulation in the cardiovascular system.

Nanoparticle To Treat Cardiovascular Disease In Mice Tested By Reasearchers

Scientists and engineers at UC Santa Barbara and other researchers have developed a nanoparticle that can attack plaque - a major cause of cardiovascular disease. The new development is described in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

International Diabetes Federation Kicks Off World Diabetes Day Campaign

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) launched its World Diabetes Day campaign under the slogan "Understand diabetes and take control."

Cigarette Smoking Does Not Affect Everyone In Same Way

Cigarette smoking induced COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a disease that results in severe breathing difficulty. According to World Health Organization (WHO) it is the fourth leading killer worldwide. However the mechanisms responsible for some smokers developing COPD and others evading the disease have not been well understood.

Can Virtual Humans And Micro-lungs Bring The End Of Animal Research?

Science fact meets science fiction as experts imagine a future without animal research and how we might get there - at this year"s Cheltenham Science Festival.

Versartis Publishes Preclinical Abstracts For Two Product Candidates At 2009 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions

Versartis, Inc., a new company developing novel biologics with enhanced properties for patients with metabolic diseases, published abstracts for preclinical data on its two product candidates, VRS-859 (exenatide-rPEG) and VRS-808 (glucagon-rPEG), at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions annual meeting beginning today in New Orleans.

What Is Dandruff? What Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff affects the scalp and causes flakes of skin to appear - it is a common condition. Our skin cells are forever renewing themselves. When the skin cells on our scalp are renewed the old ones are pushed to the surface and out of the scalp. For a person with dandruff the renewal is faster, meaning more dead skin is shed, making the dandruff more noticeable. Dandruff can also occur if the scalp is frequently exposed to extreme temperatures. Dandruff is also known as scurf - its medical term is Pityriasis capitis.

New Anesthesia Technique Lets Patients Cooperate During Carotid Surgery

Can a patient be awake and communicating with the anesthesiologist and surgeon during general anesthesia? With a new "cooperative patient" anesthesia technique, the answer is yes, according to a study in the June issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

Groundbreaking DKT/TOTAL Ethiopia Initiative To Promote Condoms To Housemaids Launched

DKT Ethiopia and TOTAL Ethiopia have formed a groundbreaking partnership to run a pilot project to promote condoms to housemaids and other low-income women.

JDRF Launches Innovative Cure Collaboration Partnership With Sanford Health

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the world"s leading charitable funder and advocate of diabetes research, said that it is partnering with Sanford Health, an integrated health care system in South Dakota and the Midwest, in an innovative "cure collaboration" to speed the pace of diabetes research and delivery of cures at the point-of-care.

White House Submits Sotomayor\'s Questionnaire To Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee"s vetting of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama"s nominee for the Supreme Court, officially began Thursday when the White House delivered her written responses to a comprehensive questionnaire designed by the committee"s leadership, Roll Call reports. The questionnaire -- developed by Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) -- will be used as part of preparations for Sotomayor"s as-yet-unscheduled round of confirmation hearings (Stanton, Roll Call, 6/4).Sotomayor disclosed a large amount of information in the questionnaire, such as her net worth and a timeline for when she learned that she was under consideration by the White House as a potential replacement to retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter (Perine, CQ Today, 6/4). According to Roll Call, Sotomayor"s responses might offer members of both parties "fodder to support or oppose her nomination."Leahy, who has the authority to schedule the confirmation hearings, said in a statement that Sotomayor "has advanced the confirmation process by promptly complying with this Senate requirement, and now the Senate should promptly schedule hearings to fairly consider her nomination to our highest court," adding, "The unfair attacks that have been leveled at her from outside the Senate are all the more reason to give her the chance to respond." Earlier this week, he said that he would announce a start date for the hearings after Sotomayor"s responses were received (Roll Call, 6/4). Meanwhile, Sotomayor on Thursday continued another round of private meetings with senators on Capitol Hill, including a few GOP senators who earlier had expressed concerns about her past comments and actions, CQ Today reports (CQ Today, 6/4).Questions Over Sotomayor"s Position on Abortion-Rights Issue RemainIn related news, USA Today on Friday examined how Sotomayor in the past 17 years as a federal judge "has left no clear footprints revealing" her position on abortion-rights issues. This week, some Democratic senators in private meetings with Sotomayor attempted to seek answers, while advocates on both sides of the debate are urging senators to question her about her views on Roe v. Wade during the expected confirmation hearings. On Wednesday, following a meeting with Sotomayor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said that she believes Sotomayor has respect for judicial precedent. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said, "I don"t have concerns about this nominee in the sense that I think there is something on the record (against abortion rights)," adding, "We just think it"s important for Supreme Court nominees to say where they stand." Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life, agreed, noting the lack of a definitive position on abortion rights in Sotomayor"s record. Feinstein also said that she will persist on abortion-rights issues. "I remember what it was like when abortion was illegal, and the lives of young, desperate women were in jeopardy," she said, adding that she is concerned "Americans no longer appreciate what it would mean if (abortion rights) were taken away" (Biskupic, USA Today, 6/5).

Antiabortion-Rights Advocate To Oversee HHS Office Of Faith-Based And Community Partnerships

President Obama has named Alexia Kelley -- Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good co-founder and former executive director -- to the position of director of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships at HHS, Salon"s "War Room" reports. According to Salon"s the "War Room," CACG primarily has worked to find ways to reduce the demand for abortion procedures rather than advocate for laws to restrict access. However, CACG"s Web site reads, "Catholics in Alliance believes in the sanctity of all human life -- from conception until natural death" (Madden, "War Room," Salon, 6/4).Catholics for Choice President Jon O"Brien writes in The Hill"s "Congress Blog" that the appointment is "a defeat for reason and logic" and "calls into question whether President Obama"s administration is serious about reducing the need for abortion." According to O"Brien, Kelley "is on record with her support for restrictions on access to abortion," although CACG has sought to "avoid the question of legalization at every turn." O"Brien continues that the group also used "flawed economic data to support anti-poverty measures as a means to reduce the number of abortions," and "opposed evidence-based prevention methods such as contraception and comprehensive sexuality education" (O"Brien, "Congress Blog," The Hill, 6/4).Officials at the White House and HHS did not return calls for comment. CACG spokesperson Jennifer Goff said, "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good is working toward reaching common ground in order to make real progress on the moral and political challenges our country faces instead of resorting to spurious attacks launched by those who are more concerned with inflaming the culture wars than effecting positive change" ("War Room," Salon, 6/4).

Key Health IT Definition Expected Soon

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology"s number-two man, Charles Friedman, told industry members that an official definition of the term "meaningful use" of health information technology is "in the works" and they should expect its release "in the not too distant future." "Meaningful use" refers to the criteria the government will use to determine whether to pay providers for adopting the technology, Modern Healthcare reports.

WHO Recommends Worldwide Use Of Rotavirus Vaccine For Children

To reduce an estimated half million deaths and two million hospitalizations from diarrhea caused by rotavirus each year, the WHO on Friday recommended that oral rotavirus vaccines be added to national childhood immunization programs, broadening access to the vaccine in the developing world,

HIV Specialty Clinics Across U.S. Closing, Changing Focus, Citing Lack Of Funding, Other Reasons

HIV Specialty Clinics Across U.S. Closing, Changing Focus, Citing Lack Of Funding, Other Reasons. The Scripps Howard/Kansas City infoZine examines how some medical clinics across the U.S. that specialize in treating patients with HIV are closing due to lack of funding and decreased demand, among other reasons.

Mutations Extending Lifespan Induce Expression Of Germline Genes In Somatic Cells

In the sense that organisms existing today are connected through a chain of life - through their parents, grandparents and other ancestors - almost a billion years back to the first animals of the pre-Cambrian era, an animal"s reproductive cells can be considered to be immortal. These germline cells generate their offspring"s somatic cells - other cells involved in all aspects of growth, metabolism and behavior, which have a set lifespan - and new germline cells that continue on, generation after generation.

Is It Time To Consider A Role For MRI Before Prostate Biopsy?

UroToday.com - The prevailing view is that MRI has a limited role in the management of prostate cancer. Currently, the threshold for requesting a pre-treatment staging MRI is variable with most advocating this for only those classified as high risk localized prostate cancer, although some also advocate men with intermediate risk disease.

Radiofrequency Ablation Durable After 2 Years, Compares Favorably With Endoscopic Resection For Advanced Disease, Reduces Risk For Cancer Progression

Results from a number of clinical trials were presented during the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in Chicago this week, revealing new outcomes data related to endoscopic radiofrequency ablation using the HALO ablation system for eradicating a pre-cancerous esophageal condition known as Barrett"s esophagus. Among them, reports included durability outcomes from a randomized sham-controlled trial, safety and efficacy outcomes from a large U.S. registry of 429 patients, a randomized trial comparing ablation to endoscopic resection, and the largest European series to date in patients with high-grade dysplasia and early cancer.

New Clinical Study Shows Over Half Of Eligible OGIB Patients May Benefit From Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy As Recommended By GI Society Guidelines

Given Imaging Ltd. (NASDAQ: GIVN) announced a new study that shows over half of the eligible patients with occult or obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) may benefit from the additional diagnostic information provided by small bowel capsule endoscopy in accordance with existing gastrointestinal (GI) society guidelines, which call for the patient-friendly, non-invasive procedure following a negative upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Additional studies advocate broader utility of capsule endoscopy in iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and suspected small bowel Crohn"s disease. The studies were presented at the Digestive Disease Week(R) (DDW) 2009 conference taking place in Chicago from May 30 - June 4, where Given Imaging also demonstrated a new, simplified procedure for performing PillCam(R) capsule endoscopy of the small bowel and the latest version of its RAPID(R) Software Suite at booth #2235 at the conference.

Protecting The Value Of Long-Term Care Insurance

Today, U.S. Senators Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Herb Kohl (D-WI) of the Special Committee on Aging examined the long-term care insurance industry. The high cost of long-term care and the current economic instability are creating significant financial planning challenges for baby-boomers, seniors, and individual states. The committee discussed the industry"s current limitations and how to prepare for the growing number of seniors who will be in need of long-term care.

Argenta Discovery And Porsolt Join Forces To Provide Fully-integrated CNS And Pain Contract Drug Discovery Services

Argenta Discovery and Porsolt announced they have entered into an alliance to provide unparalleled CNS and pain drug discovery services and expertise on a fee-for- service basis. The collaboration enables Argenta and Porsolt to undertake fully integrated CNS and pain-focused drug discovery programmes for their clients, from hit identification to development candidate nomination. Both companies bring a wealth of "Big Pharma" industry based experience and know-how in CNS and pain research. This alliance will leverage those key skills for its partners to ensure the rapid generation of high quality development candidates.

Schwarzenegger\'s Call To Consider Marijuana Legalization To Boost Taxes Is "Irresponsible," Says Chairman Of DARE Board

Recent calls by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others to study the legalization of marijuana as a way of boosting tax revenues are "irresponsible" and send a dangerous message, the chairman of the board of the drug abuse education program D.A.R.E., prominent Los Angeles attorney Louis "Skip" Miller, said today. "Marijuana is a dangerous drug with numerous demonstrable ill effects on health," Mr. Miller added.

Advances In Nutritional Support For The Hospitalized Patient

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SPECT MPI With Cardiolite(R) Used In BARI 2D Study To Evaluate Type 2 Diabetes And Coronary Artery Disease Treatment Strategies

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a worldwide leader in diagnostic imaging, announced today that the company"s leading imaging agent, Cardiolite® (Kit for the Preparation of Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi for Injection), was used in a recently completed five-year study examining appropriate treatment regimens for patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. The results of this study, known as The Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D), will be presented by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health at a special symposium on Sunday, June 7, 2009, from 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. (CT) at the American Diabetes Association 69th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.

PolyMedix Initiates Dosing In Second Phase I Clinical Study Of Novel Systemic Antibiotic Compound

PolyMedix, Inc. (OTC BB: PYMX), an emerging biotechnology company developing acute care products for infectious diseases and acute cardiovascular disorders, has initiated dosing in a second Phase I clinical trial with its defensin mimetic antibiotic compound, PMX-30063. PolyMedix received a notice of no objection from Health Canada for the Company"s Clinical Trial Application ("CTA") for PMX-30063 on May 21, 2009. PMX-30063 is a defensin mimetic antibiotic compound, the first of an entirely new class of antibiotic drugs that is believed to work in such a way that makes bacterial resistance unlikely to develop.

Advanced Arm Dynamics Fits Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) Patient In Indiana

A few weeks ago, Hank Esmond would not have dreamed that he would be operating his prosthetic arms through his thoughts. Mr. Esmond is the first upper extremity amputee in Indiana to be fit with the DynamicArm TMR manufactured by Otto Bock. Advanced Arm Dynamics, the nation"s leading provider of upper extremity prostheses, working with Sam Santa-Rita, CP, owner of SRT (Superior Rehabilitation Techniques) based in Ft. Wayne, recently fit Mr. Esmond with his first set of prosthetic limbs.

Policymakers To Discuss Alternatives To Custody

Experts in criminology will discuss "Alternatives to Custodial Sentencing" at a Parliamentary seminar organised by the British Psychological Society and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Services and Policy. The event takes place at Westminster on Tuesday 16 June (4.30 - 6.00 p.m.)

Ever Shorter Hospital Stays After Orthopaedic Operations Present A Major Challenge To Rehabilitation - Pre-operative Training Can Improve Results

"Rehabilitation medicine is facing a major challenge today," says Dr. Karsten Dreinh̦fer (Head of Department for Orthopaedics and Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Park Berlin Humboldtm̿hle, Germany) speaking at the EFORT Congress in Vienna. "Not only in Germany but in many other European countries too, the trend is towards the shortest possible stay in an acute hospital after orthopaedic or trauma-related surgery. This means patient care is shifting increasingly to the rehabilitation sector, which must then be appropriately equipped and trained." But demographic developments are also presenting a significant challenge to orthopaedic rehabilitation: with modern surgical procedures, surgery such as joint replacement operations can be carried out on more and more patients, including the elderly and the very elderly, who then require special care and mobilization assistance, says Dr. Dreinh̦fer, who has been appointed to the professorship for musculoskeletal rehabilitation, prevention and health care research at the Charit̩ in Berlin. Broad interdisciplinary cooperation is also necessary, he says. "Multimodal concepts have proven to be especially effective in numerous diseases of the musculoskeletal system," says Dr. Dreinh̦fer, speaking of a further important trend. "This involves orthopaedics working together with other disciplines, such as physiotherapy, psychotherapy and sports sciences, to be able to help effectively such common complaints as back pain." He says it is also important to cooperate across various health sectors. "It is increasingly important to optimise, via treatment pathways, the transition from the pre-inpatient sector, to acute care and to rehabilitation."

Financial Crisis Caused By Banking Chiefs Plagued With Hubris Syndrome

The current financial meltdown has in part been caused by bankers who display the attributes of Hubris Syndrome, a former leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has claimed.

A National Autistic Society (NAS) Response To The National Audit Office (NAO) Report On Adults With Autism

Mark Lever, NAS chief executive said; "In the current economic climate the Government cannot possibly ignore the huge cost savings and benefits, identified by their own auditing body, of providing adults with autism with the right support at the right time. Neither the Government, people with autism nor the taxpayer are getting value for money from existing autism services and support, leaving those affected by the condition feeling isolated, ignored and often at breaking point. This is simply unacceptable.

Study Shows Consistent Use Of Insulin Pump Therapy, Augmented With Continuous Glucose Monitoring, Results In Significant A1C Reductions

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced results of a randomized, controlled trial to demonstrate the benefits of an insulin pump therapy augmented with real-time continuous glucose monitoring (Personal CGM) versus a conventional pump and self-monitoring of blood glucose in type 1 diabetes patients with poor metabolic control. Study findings showed that patients who used Personal CGM more than 70 percent of the time achieved nearly a full percentage point reduction in A1C (average blood glucose levels). The results were presented at the 69th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in New Orleans.

Bypass Or Angioplasty No Better Than Drug Therapy In Reducing Deaths Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Heart Disease

There is no difference in mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes and stable heart disease who received prompt bypass surgery or angioplasty compared to drug therapy alone, according to a landmark study focused exclusively on patients with both conditions. The study, which was led by investigators at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, published in the June 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Diabetes Association 69th Scientific Sessions, also found that while prompt bypass in patients with more severe heart disease did not lower mortality, it lowered their risk of subsequent major cardiac events.

Genes Play A Role In Glycemic Control In People With Type 1 Diabetes

Researchers have proven that glycemic control in type 1 diabetes is not fully dependent on the individual"s behavior, but is in part subject to genetic influence, according to a presentation here today at the American Diabetes Association"s 69th Scientific Sessions.

Overall Cardiovascular Safety Of Rosiglitazone Confirmed In 5 1/2-Year Study

Results of the long-awaited Rosiglitazone Evaluated for Cardiac Outcomes and Regulation of Glycaemia in Diabetes (RECORD) study were presented here in a symposium at the American Diabetes Association"s 69th Scientific Sessions. The results are being simultaneously published online in The Lancet.

Take Care When Amending Medical Notes, Warns MDDUS, Scotland

Doctors must take care when amending medical notes to avoid potential charges of tampering with evidence, warns the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) today.

China Quarantines New Orleans Mayor And Wife Over Swine Flu

Although they have no symptoms themselves, the mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, Ray Nagin, his wife and a member of his security staff

What Is Cystitis? What Causes Cystitis?

Cystitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the bladder. It usually occurs when the normally sterile urethra and bladder (lower urinary tract) are infected by bacteria and become irritated and inflamed. Cystitis is fairly common and can affect both men and women and people of all ages. However, it is more common in women.

New Heart Ultrasound Research Reveals Life-Saving Treatment Alternatives And Advancements For Heart Patients

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) welcomes the world"s leading researchers in cardiovascular medicine to present their most-recent findings at its 20th Annual Scientific Sessions, June 6-10, at the Gaylord National Convention Center in Washington, DC. This year, NBA basketball player and former heart patient, Ronny Turiaf will be in attendance to talk about how echocardiography, otherwise known as heart ultrasound, saved his life.

Automated \'Artificial Pancreas\' Controls Blood Glucose Levels In Diabetes Patients For First Time

UC Santa Barbara and Sansum Diabetes Research Institute scientists have demonstrated for the first time that an automated artificial pancreas system (APS) can safely and effectively maintain desired blood glucose levels in patients with type 1 diabetes. The clinical study results will be presented today in a late-breaking poster session(1) at the American Diabetes Association"s 69th Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.

Groundbreaking New Guide For Patients With Secondary Breast Cancer

The UK"s first guide to help secondary breast cancer1 patients struggling to access necessary levels of support and care has been launched today.

Multi-Agency Working Needed To Tackle \'Worryingly High\' Prison Deaths

Mental health care must improve to halt the staggering number of suicides occurring in prisons, new research has revealed.

New Orleans HIV Awareness Billboards Sparking Controversy

A billboard campaign in New Orleans that seeks to raise awareness of HIV has sparked controversy as some residents consider the ads - which feature characters that represent specific sexually transmitted infections - offensive, WDSU.com reports. The campaign, run by St. John Faith Church, features a group of so-called "HIV prevention mobsters." The group, which has several billboards across the city, contends that the campaign is effective because there has been an increase in the number of people calling the church seeking information about HIV testing (WDSU.com, 6/5).

Ongoing Refugee Crisis In Pakistan Overwhelms Health System

The AP/Washington Post examines how the millions of Pakistani refugees fleeing from the army"s offensive against the Taliban in the northwest of the country are overwhelming the country"s health care system. "The crisis has exhausted doctors, used up limited supplies of medicines and buried hospitals in a mountain of red tape as they try to get money and medicine for the crisis" pushing the entire health system to the brink of collapse, the AP/Washington Post writes.

BioVex To Report Phase I/II Clinical Trial Results For The Front Line Treatment Of Head And Neck Cancer

BioVex Inc, a company developing next generation biologics for the treatment and prevention of cancer and infectious disease, announced that the results from a Phase I/II combination study in previously untreated patients with head and neck cancer will be presented at the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, which will take place May 29, 2009 - June 2, 2009 in Orlando, FL.

St. Petersburg Times Examines Work Of Paul Farmer, Potential Candidate For USAID, State Department Position

The St. Petersburg Times examines the work of Paul Farmer - "the Harvard-educated doctor who, starting in Haiti, built a multinational organization on the radical idea that poor patients deserve the same care as rich ones" and is reportedly being considered for a high-level job with USAID or the State Department. The newspaper reports that though it"s "not a sure thing, even his candidacy indicates how far the international aid establishment has come around to Farmer"s way of thinking, health care experts say."

\'Roll Call\' Solicits Strong Opinions On Health Reform

Roll Call published a special section today that pulls together opinion pieces from 20 major players from all corners of the health care debate, including Tom Daschle, Michael Tanner, Dick Gephardt and Tommy Thompson and Newt Gingrich and Jim Frogue.

American Journal Of Men\'s Health Accepted To MEDLINE

The American Journal of Men"s Health (AJMH), published by SAGE, has been accepted for inclusion in MEDLINE, the premier bibliographic database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), containing more than 16 million journal article citations.

Diabetes: Long And Short Sleep Durations Are Associated With Increased Risk

According to a research abstract presented on Monday, June 8, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, both long and short sleepers are at greater risk for diabetes. Individuals sleeping for more than eight hours per night may be particularly vulnerable.

University of Michigan Study Finds Women Underrepresented In Cancer Research

Women are under-represented in clinical cancer research published in high-impact journals, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Understanding How A Drug To Treat Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Degraded

L-Asparaginase is one of the key drugs used to treat children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, some children fail to achieve therapeutic levels of L-asparaginase after receiving the drug. The mechanisms underlying such therapeutic failure are not well defined. But now, Vaskar Saha and colleagues, at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, United Kingdom, have found that leukemic cells from some patients with ALL express two proteins capable of degrading ASNase, one of the commercially available s of L-asparaginase. Importantly, expression of one of these proteins, AEP, is predominantly observed in individuals with high-risk forms of ALL. By modifying one amino acid of ASNase, the authors were able to render it resistant to cleavage by AEP; however, the modified drug was not as active. The authors hope that this description of a potential mechanism to explain why some children fail to achieve therapeutic levels of L-asparaginase after receiving ASNase will enable optimization of L-asparaginase therapy to the benefit of children with ALL.

Zimbabwean Nightmare Of Neglect Continues In South Africa

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, warned the international medical humanitarian aid organization, Doctors Without Borders/Mç©decins Sans Frontiç¨res (MSF).

Discovery Of Genetic Link Between Anxiety, Depression And Insomnia

The genes that play a role in adolescent insomnia are the same as those involved in depression and anxiety, according to a research abstract presented on June 8, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

Women With Chest Pain Less Likely Then Men To Get Proper Treatment From Paramedics

Women with chest pain are less likely than male patients to receive recommended, proven therapies while en route to the hospital, according to new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Despite evidence showing that the drugs aspirin and nitroglycerin are important early interventions for people who may be having a heart attack, women don"t get them as often as male patients with the same types of symptoms, says a new study that will be presented Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine"s annual conference.

Merger Of PMETB With GMC Moves Closer, UK

The process of achieving the merger of the Postgraduate Medical Education Training Board (PMETB) with the General Medical Council (GMC) has taken a significant step forward with the launch of Department of Health (England) consultation document and draft legislation. Subject to the outcome of the consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny, the legislation will transfer the functions of PMETB to the GMC by April 2010.

New Study Shows Boys Face Serious Issues Which Are Being Ignored

Both boys and girls have issues, but boys seem to be the ones getting the raw deal. According to Judith Kleinfeld, professor of psychology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the US, issues affecting boys are more serious than those affecting girls, but they have been neglected by policy makers. Her review1 of issues characterizing American boyhood, how they compare to those affecting girls, and the lack of initiatives in place to address them has just been published in the June issue of Springer"s journal Gender Issues.

Cognitive Impairment Associated With Reduced Survival Among Both African-American And White Older Adults

Alzheimer"s disease and its precursor, mild cognitive impairment, appear to be associated with an increased risk of death among both white and African American older adults, according to a report in the June issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

British Medical Journal Group Provides Medical Information For Doctors On The Move

Health professionals across the world can now get on-the-spot access to expert opinion, guidelines and the latest clinical evidence on their mobile phone.

Nicotine\'s Double Role In Lung Cancer

A lung cancer treatment that inhibits nicotine receptors was shown to double survival time in mice, according to Italian researchers.

Working To Boost The Effectiveness Of The Flu Vaccine

Vaccines intended to help the body to fight off the flu bug may actually give the bug an edge, researchers say.

What Are Electrolytes?

An electrolyte is "any compound that, in solution or in molten form, conducts electricity and is decomposed (electrolyzed) by it. It is an ionizable substance in solution" (Medilexicon"s medical dictionary). An electrolyte is any substance that contains free ions that behaves as an electrically conductive medium (conducts electricity). All higher forms of life cannot exist without electrolytes, and that includes humans.

Global Walk To End World Hunger

This Sunday, thousands of people around the globe will join the

Jellyfish Shed Fluorescent Light On How The Brain Works

Scientists at the University of Leicester are developing new ways of studying how brain cells work -thanks to jellyfish!

Early Childhood Health Interventions Could Save Billions In Health Costs Later In Life

Promoting the health of young children, before five years of age, could save society up to $65 billion in future health care costs, according to an examination of childhood health conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The results are published in the May 15, 2009, issue of Academic Pediatrics.

Arete Therapeutics Presents Positive Clinical And Preclinical Data For AR9281

Arete Therapeutics Inc. announced the presentation of three posters that validate the mechanistic activity and therapeutic potential of the company"s lead drug candidate, AR9281, an orally-administered soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor that is in a Phase II clinical program for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. sEH is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid, a key signaling molecule implicated in diabetes, hypertension and inflammatory disorders.

Friendly Societies Back Pharmacist Support Service

The Pharmacists" Support Service (PSS) has been boosted with the announcement that

Swine Infects 36 Countries So Far, 8,451 Cases, And 71 Confirmed Deaths

The World Health Organization announced today that swine flu, or influenza A(H1N1) has now infected humans in 36 cases, making a total of 8,451 people ill, and causing the deaths of 66 people in Mexico, 4 deaths in the USA, and 1 death in Canada. All data indicate the virus strain is not a virulent one (an aggressive and dangerous one).

Development Of Prototype Scanner Designed To Help Police Identify Criminals Carrying Guns And Knives

Scientists have developed a prototype scanner designed to help police identify criminals carrying guns and knives without putting themselves in the line of attack.

California HIV/AIDS Advocates Continue To Protest Proposed Funding Cuts

On Monday, HIV/AIDS advocates staged a rally in Fresno, Calif., to protest a budget proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) that would cut an estimated $80 million statewide in HIV/AIDS services, KMPH.com reports. The proposed cuts would eliminate or reduce funding for HIV testing services, financial assistance for people living with HIV and other programs, according to KMPH.com. A larger rally at the state capitol is planned for Wednesday (KMPH.com. 6/9).

Opinion: Second-Line ARVs In India; PEPFAR Funding

Access To Second-Line Antiretrovirals In India

Surgeon General Releases Call To Action To Promote Healthy Homes

Statement of Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO:

Factors Affecting Benefit/Harm Of Intensive Glucose Control In Type 2 Diabetes Reported

Factors affecting whether intensive glucose control is likely to reduce or increase the risk of cardiovascular events, including death, based on evidence in the VA Diabetes Trial, were reported in a symposium here today at the American Diabetes Association"s 69th Scientific Sessions.

California Restaurant Association Asks U.S. Supreme Court To Weigh Employer Mandate Question

A California Restaurant Association has asked the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of San Francisco"s mandate that employers pay for health care coverage for employees, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Fate Of Tiller\'s Clinic Expected To Be Decided This Week

The family of murdered Kansas abortion provider George Tiller is expected to decide this week whether his Wichita clinic will reopen, NPR"s "Morning Edition" reports. Tiller"s clinic is one of the few in the U.S. that performs abortions later in pregnancy, and many abortion-rights advocates are concerned whether women in need of abortions in the second and third trimester would be able to obtain care if it were not reopened. LeRoy Carhart, a Nebraska abortion provider who worked with Tiller at his clinic for four years, said that although it is a difficult time for abortion providers, he hopes that the family will reopen the clinic. "This is a job that we took, and we were well-aware of the risks when we started, as was Dr. Tiller," he said. Providing abortion services in the second and third trimester is "a service that"s so needed that it"s worth the risks," he added (Lohr, "Morning Edition," NPR, 6/9). Carhart also said that although no decision on Tiller"s clinic has been made, he "want[s] to assure the press and the women of America ... that we will somehow, somewhere continue to provide abortions later in gestation" (Duin, Washington Times, 6/9).According to Carhart, there are only about 10 providers in the U.S. who perform abortions in the second and third trimesters, including a few hospitals that do not advertise the services. "Morning Edition" reports that most women"s health care providers either are not trained or do not want to receive training to perform the procedure later in pregnancy. Providers who do tend to be older and face extreme pressure from antiabortion-rights advocates. Data from the Guttmacher Institute show that about 1% of all abortions performed in the U.S. occur after 21 weeks" gestation. Elizabeth Nash of Guttmacher said that 37 states have laws that limit access to abortion after a certain point in pregnancy, "usually around 24 weeks, which is at the end of the second trimester." She added that most of those states only allow abortions to save the life of the woman or if her physical health is in jeopardy. Pratima Gupta, an ob-gyn in California, said that she is concerned about what will happen to Tiller"s patients. Gupta said Tiller "had patients that were scheduled for Monday morning. What happened to those patients for the rest of the week, the rest of the month? Those patients are the ones who need us" ("Morning Edition," NPR, 6/9).

Body Chemistry May Identify Type 2 Risk, UK

Body chemistry changes that lead to Type 2 diabetes begin several years before symptoms become apparent, according to new research.

Stable Marriage Is Linked With Better Sleep In Women

Being stably married or gaining a partner is associated with better sleep in women than being unmarried or losing a partner, according to a research abstract that will be presented on Wednesday, June 10, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

Abbott And AstraZeneca Submit New Drug Application To The FDA For CERTRIAD™, An Investigational Treatment For Mixed Dyslipidemia

Abbott Park, Illinois (NYSE: ABT) and London, UK - Abbott and AstraZeneca announced that the companies have submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an investigational compound for the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia, a combination of two or more lipid abnormalities including high LDL- cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol), high triglycerides and low HDL-cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). The NDA submission for this investigational compound, containing the active ingredients of CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin calcium) and TRILIPIX® (fenofibric acid), is supported by data from multiple studies, including efficacy and safety studies with the 5mg, 10mg and 20mg doses of rosuvastatin combined with fenofibric acid. Pending approval of the NDA, the treatment will be marketed as CERTRIAD™.

A Bidirectional Relationship Between Chronic Stress And Sleep Problems shown by study

According to a research abstract that will be presented on Wednesday, June 10, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, people with chronic stress report shorter sleep duration, worse sleep quality, and more daytime functioning impairments. Conversely, daytime functioning impairments and shorter sleep duration demonstrated a predictive relationship with habitual stress complaints.

Alzheimer\'s Society Comments On New Alzheimer\'s Test

A new self administered cognitive screening test for detecting Alzheimer"s disease has been developed by researchers at Addenbrooke"s Hospital in Cambridge, according to a study in bmj.com.

After Extreme Sleep Deprivation, Caffeine Intake Prevents Risk Taking

According to a research abstract that will be presented on Wednesday, June 10, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, caffeine use prevents increased risk taking that occurs after several nights of total sleep deprivation.

Improved Academic Success Associated With Better Sleep In Adolescence

According to a research abstract that will be presented on Wednesday, June 10, at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, getting more high-quality sleep is associated with better academic performance. The positive relationship is especially relevant to performance in math.

Link Between Dioxins In Food Chain And Breastfeeding Ills

Exposure to dioxins during pregnancy harms the cells in rapidly-changing breast tissue, which may explain why some women have trouble breastfeeding or don"t produce enough milk, according to a University of Rochester Medical Center study.

Moms, Tell Your Kids If You Have Done Drugs

Moms who have used drugs may be doing their teens a favour by admitting to it, University of Alberta research shows.

New Method For Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Developed By VBI Researchers

Three researchers from the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech have developed and evaluated a new one-step bioanalytical approach that allows them to profile in detail complex cellular extracts of proteins. The method has allowed the scientists to look at how the levels of proteins change in breast cancer cells when they are treated with hormones or cancer drugs like tamoxifen.

Stellar Pharmaceuticals Inc. Announces Watson Pharma, Inc. Has Received A Conditional IDE Approval For Stellar\'s Uracyst(R) From The FDA

Stellar Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Stellar" or the "Company") (OTCBB:SLXCF) is pleased to announce that its United States licensee, Watson Pharma, Inc. ("Watson") (NYSE:WPI), has received a conditional approval of their Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) to conduct clinical work with Uracyst® from The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America ("USA"). This will allow Watson to continue to move their Uracyst® development program forward towards the eventual approval for the sale of Uracyst® in USA. The conditional approval allows Watson to begin a blinded, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical trial in 100 subjects at 20 clinical study centers in the USA.

Retirement Study: Hypertension Among Lower-Status Employees Lingers Well Into Retirement

Retirement from some occupations may not provide relief from the potentially devastating health effects of work-related hypertension, according to a new study from UC Davis.

Continued Promise In Colon Cancer Screening Technique Shown By New Study

Recent clinical trials show that a new colon cancer screening technique created by Northwestern University researchers has a high enough sensitivity that it could potentially be as or more successful than a colonoscopy in screening for colon cancer.

University Of Central Lancashire To Deliver Nurtured Heart Workshop, UK

Residential childcare and fostering agency, Perpetual Care, and the University of Central Lancashire"s School of Nursing & Caring Sciences are jointly developing an introductory workshop on the ground-breaking Nurtured Heart Approach, which seeks to improve social and educational outcomes for many children and young people. Experts from UCLan and Perpetual are currently designing an awareness workshop, which will provide an overview of the approach, examine existing US research findings and explore its potential role in UK residential childcare and fostering, particularly in the light of revised NICE guidelines relating to children with ADHD. The first session is scheduled at UCLan"s Preston campus in late June this year and should be of interest to registered social workers, local authority placement officers and other social care and health professionals concerned with the well-being of challenging young people.

For People With Overactive Bladders Botox Injections Can Significantly Improve Quality Of Life

Botox is well known for its cosmetic uses, but researchers have now found that it can also significantly improve people"s quality of life if they suffer from another problem that increases with age, an overactive bladder (OAB).

Lower College GPA And Evening Chronotype In High School Students Linked

According to a research abstract at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, students who consider themselves to be evening types (that is someone who feels more alert and does their best work later in the day) have poorer sleep hygiene scores than morning and intermediate types. Sleep hygiene is the group of behaviors linked to good sleep and alertness. Examples include having a regular bedtime routine, a regular wake time, a regular bed time, and sleeping in a comfortable bed. The researchers found that this poor sleep hygiene was related to poorer academic performance and a decline in grade point average (GPA) during the transition from high school to college.

Risk For Sleep Apnea In Musicians May Be Reduced By Playing A High Resistance Wind Instrument

The naturalistic respiratory muscle training with high resistance wind instruments may potentially reduce musicians" risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a research abstract presented at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

Childhood Epilepsy Tackled By Rutgers Research

Rutgers researchers have discovered a potential new way to treat childhood epilepsy using a widely available therapeutic drug.

Hope Offered To Patients Suffering From Refractory Epilepsy By An Innovative Surgical Technique

Clinicians from the Centre hospitalier de l"Universitç© de Montrç©al (CHUM) have perfected an operation, which was previously considered too dangerous, to control refractory insular epilepsy, using an innovative microsurgery technique. According to a study published as the feature article in the latest issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery, the new surgical technique is both safe and beneficial for patients.

Opposition To Abortion Rights \'Purity Test For Remaining In GOP Inner Circle,\' Opinion Piece Says

People "will not be surprised" by the recent Republican "purge" and "un-eulogies" of several conservative abortion-rights supporters -- including retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter, former Republican Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.) and former Secretary of State Colin Powell -- given that "abortion is the purity test for remaining in the GOP inner circle," syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman writes in a Memphis Commercial Appeal opinion piece. The U.S. is "in for another battle centered, again, on Roe v. Wade" as President Obama nominates a replacement for Souter, she writes, adding that the "purge has led me to wonder what would have happened if the first abortion case to arrive at the Supreme Court" were Struck v. Secretary of Defense, rather than Roe. "What if it had been brought by the woman who did not want an abortion?" Goodman writes, noting that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg has recently "mused out loud about the case that got away -- the one she would have liked to argue before the court back when she was a women"s rights litigator."According to Goodman, Susan Struck was a captain in the Air Force who became pregnant in 1970 and was told by her commanding officer that she could either resign or have an abortion. "Struck picked a third choice: a lawsuit," and Ginsberg -- a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union -- "argued that the regulation prohibiting pregnant women from military service was sex discrimination," Goodman writes. Ginsberg also argued that Struck"s choice to carry her pregnancy to term was a personal one and that government intervention was a violation of her liberty. However, as the case was heading to the Supreme Court, the defending lawyer "figured that he was going to lose. So the savvy solicitor advised the armed services to change the rules and the case became moot," Goodman writes."It is mind-bending to think about how different the whole debate might have been if the first Supreme Court case arguing for the right to decide had been brought by a woman wanting to have a baby," Goodman continues. She asks if the U.S. would "have better understood this reality: a government that can force a woman to have an abortion is the same government that can force a woman to continue the pregnancy? Would it have changed a Republican Party that was traditionally so wary of government power-grabs?" (Goodman, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 5/14).

Revised Vienna Classification For Diagnosing Colorectal Epithelial Neoplasias

Considerable discrepancies have been reported between diagnoses of colorectal epithelial neoplastic lesions made by Western and Japanese pathologists from endoscopic cold biopsies and resected specimens of the same lesions

Therapeutic Contact Lenses And Patients\' Own Stem Cells Used To Rehabilitate Damaged Eye Surfaces

In a world-first breakthrough, University of New South Wales (UNSW) medical researchers have used stem cells cultured on a simple contact lens to restore sight to sufferers of blinding corneal disease.

What Is Exercise? The Benefits Of Exercise

When we talk about exercise, we nearly always refer to physical exercise. Exercise is the physical exertion of the body - making the body do a physical activity which results in a healthy or healthier level of physical fitness and both physical and mental health. In other words, exercise aims to maintain or enhance our physical fitness and general health. People exercise for many different reasons. Some of them are included below:

Parents Should Choose Zero Tolerance Alcohol Policy

Restaurants in Germany legally sell alcohol to teenagers after their sixteenth birthdays and French children drink wine with dinner at an early age, but U.S. parents who follow this relaxed European example, believing it fosters a healthier attitude toward alcohol, should be careful -- it may increase the likelihood that their children binge drink in college.

Redefining How A Chronic Auto-Immune Disease Is Diagnosed

New research from Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience (JHN) may redefine how Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is diagnosed. Eduardo De Sousa, M.D., assistant professor of Neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, and director of the Electrodiagnostic Neuromuscular Lab at JHN, led the study which looked at the number of demyelinating features that are needed to differentiate between CIDP, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig"s disease) and diabetic neuropathy. His research suggests a minimum number of three demyelinating features can be used to positively identify CIDP in a patient. CIDP is a neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms. It affects about 50,000 people in the United States. The study, available in the current edition of the Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Disease, may help doctors more effectively diagnose and treat CIDP.

Exposure To Controversial Chemical May Be Greater Than Dose Considered Safe

People are likely being exposed to the commonly used chemical bisphenol A (BPA) at levels much higher than the recommended safe daily dose, according to a new study in monkeys. The results will be presented Thursday at The Endocrine Society"s 91st Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Mice With Parkinson\'s Disease Gene May Point The Way To New Treatments

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have developed a new mouse model of Parkinson"s disease (PD) that successfully reproduces the impairments of movement and the degenerative brain changes that occur in the human disease. Their research, performed in collaboration with investigators at Columbia University Medical Center, appears in the June 7 issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

PEAK Surgical Announces First Use Of PEAK PlasmaBlade(TM) In Europe

PEAK Surgical, Inc., announced the first use of its PEAK(R) Surgery System by surgeons in the European Union, where the innovative tissue dissection system received its CE Mark in January.

NeurogesX Provides U.S. Regulatory Update For Qutenza(TM)

NeurogesX, Inc. (Nasdaq: NGSX) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed to its proposed study to evaluate Qutenza(TM) in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) following pretreatment with an FDA-approved topical anesthetic. As part of its ongoing new drug application (NDA) review, the FDA wants to determine whether pretreatment with an FDA-approved topical anesthetic would provide similar tolerability to the topical agent used as a pretreatment in the clinical development program.

Strativa\'s New Drug Application For Ondansetron Orally Dissolving Film Strip Accepted By FDA

Strativa Pharmaceuticals, the proprietary products division of a wholly owned subsidiary of Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PRX), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its New Drug Application (NDA) for ondansetron orally dissolving film strip (ODFS). Strativa is seeking approval of ondansetron ODFS for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with highly- and moderately-emetogenic chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Reports From The White House And Kaiser Family Foundation Address Health Care Disparities

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and White House Health Czar Nancy Ann DeParle held a discussion of minority health issues at the White House yesterday, where Sebelius "said the Obama administration is committed to addressing the "alarming disparity in the delivery of quality health care"," which she said was necessary to lower costs, the Associated Press reports. The White House also "issued a summary report on minority health care showing that African-Americans are seven times more likely as whites to have HIV/AIDS, that blacks and Hispanics have diabetes rates nearly twice as high as whites, and that black men are 50 percent more likely than whites to have prostate cancer" (Evans, 6/9).

BPA May Cause Heart Disease In Women, Said Scientists Studying Rats

A team of scientists in the US suggested that bisphenol A (BPA) may harm the heart, particularly in women, because of what they discovered in tests

Dose-Reduction Techniques Associated With Decreased Amount Of Radiation Exposure From Cardiac Scans Without Impairing Image Quality

An intervention that includes techniques to reduce the amount of radiation from cardiac computed tomography angiography (scanning used to diagnose coronary artery disease) was associated with decreasing patient exposure to radiation without significantly changing the quality of the images, according to a study in the June 10 issue of JAMA.

Leading Authority On Alzheimer\'s Disease To Present At Community Lecture

Jason Karlawish, M.D., associate professor of medicine, University of Pennsylvania, will share the latest information on Alzheimer"s disease at a community lecture at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 10 at Rodef Shalom Congregation, 4905 Fifth Ave., Shadyside. The event is free and open to the public.

Pharmacists Have Solution To Address White House\'s Economic Case For Health Care Reform

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) applauds the report by The White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) which provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of health care reform.

Potential Shown In Breast Cancer Biomarker

SCIENTISTS have found a new biomarker that can predict the outcome of breast cancers that have spread to the lymph nodes, reveal findings published in the British Journal of Cancer .

New Jersey Senator Proposes Plan To Avert HIV/AIDS Drug Copayments

New Jersey state Sen. Joseph Vitale (D) -- chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee -- earlier this week proposed a plan to temporarily reduce rebate checks to senior citizens earning $100,000 to $150,000 in an effort to alleviate the effects of possible budget cuts on certain populations, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. Vitale"s proposal also would avert planned $6 to $15 prescription drug copayments for people living with HIV/AIDS in the state (Livio, Newark Star-Ledger, 5/12). The copayments are part of Gov. Jon Corzine"s (D) $29.8 billion spending proposal for the state"s new fiscal year and would collect $1.36 million by creating copayments for HIV/AIDS drugs based on a sliding scale determined by income. The copayments would affect 9,000 people living with HIV/AIDS who have obtained no-cost medicine from the state because they do not qualify for other assistance programs. Advocates said that the copayments will hurt patients who are already struggling because of the poor economy (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/23). According to the Star-Ledger, Vitale"s proposal would save the state $15.7 million, including $9.7 million needed to allow 17,000 low-income families to enroll in the state"s health insurance program, FamilyCare. Senate Budget Committee Chair Barbara Buono (D) said that she does not believe it is possible to restore program cuts "given the collapse of revenues." According to the Office of Legislative Services, the current deficit for this year"s budget, which ends June 30, is at least $1.2 billon. Vitale said, "Our convictions are going to be tested as we come to terms with the fact that we simply don"t have enough money to fund all of the state"s priorities." He added, "But unless funding is restored for programs like NJ FamilyCare, Medicaid drug benefits and the AIDS Drug Distribution Program, I will be voting against the" fiscal year 2010 budget (Newark Star-Ledger, 5/12).

Cancer Therapeutics, Inc.\'s Partner NanoTherapies, Inc. Utilizes Revolutionary Solution For Disrupting And Treating Cancer

Cancer Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB: CTHP), an emerging biotechnology business incubator with a specific emphasis on disruptive cancer treatments and nanotechnology, announced its new partner, NanoTherapies, Inc., is utilizing calcium phosphate nanoparticles to detect and treat cancer. These particles are about 350 times smaller than a human cell while providing both a safe and effective way to transport drugs and imaging materials into diseased cells.

Advisory: If You Have Taken Flomax(R), Tell Your Ophthalmologist BEFORE Having Cataract Surgery

The results of a new study reinforce an advisory that patients taking Flomax® (Tamsulosin) to treat prostate enlargement and urinary problems should inform their ophthalmologist about their use of this drug before undergoing eye surgery. The advisory was issued by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and updates the advisory the organizations released in 2006. The new study, published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that the alpha-blocker Flomax increased the risk of certain complications following cataract surgery.

AVI BioPharma, Inc. To Present At 7th Annual Biodefense Vaccines & Therapeutics Conference In Washington, D.C.

AVI BioPharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVII), a developer of RNA-based drugs, announced that Patrick Iversen, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Strategic Alliances, will present at the upcoming 7th Annual Biodefense Vaccines & Therapeutics conference taking place in Washington, D.C.

Placenta Harmed By Cocaine And Heroin

Cocaine and heroin increase permeability of the placenta. Researchers writing in BioMed Central"s open access journal Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology have shown that exposure to the drugs causes an increase in the passage of some chemicals into the fetus.

Public Hearing Examines Issues Faced By Children In Thailand, Including HIV/AIDS, Lack Of Sex Education

Thailand"s Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable People earlier this week held a public hearing to discuss various risks facing the country"s children, including HIV/AIDS, Thailand"s The Nation reports. The office plans to present a draft report on the state of child rights in the country. The report will be sent through the Foreign Affairs Ministry to the United Nations" Convention on the Rights of the Child in July, according to ministry deputy director Saran Samarnphan. Young people were among some of the attendees at the public hearing, according to The Nation.Youth representative Natkamon Tumpaeng said that the government has not provided adequate sex education to young people, which has resulted in unwanted pregnancies and the spread of HIV. He said, "Without sex education, many youths have clearly engaged in unsafe sex." Passacha Pachuen, a public relations official for a council on children and youth in the Surin province, said that at many schools, teachers are forcing sex on students. "Many teachers demand sex or other favors from their students in exchange for good grades," Passacha said. In addition, Amnat Siangsawas, the deputy chair of the council of youth and children in the city of Nakhon Sawan, said that a lack of res often leads many children into the labor market, where they are being exploited. Amnat added that officials should "put in place mechanisms that will help them" (The Nation, 5/13).

Report On The Experience Of Patients In Black And Minority Ethnic Groups, UK

The following statistics were released by the Department of Health: Report on the experience of patients in Black and Minority Ethnic groups, based on data up to and including 2008 patient surveys. This report produced by the Department of Health with input and advice from the Care Quality Commission, examines variations in the self-reported views of NHS patients from different ethnic groups. Results are presented from the 2008/09 adult inpatient, 2008/09 emergency department, 2007/08 primary care services and 2007/08 community mental health patient surveys. These findings give us insight into the areas of NHS service provision where experience of the service looks different to patients from different ethnic groups. Results are based on data from the National Patient Survey programme, led by the Care Quality Commission.

Availability Of Diagnostic Tests Drive Success In Hospitalist-Run Short-Stay Units

The most important factors for a successful stay in hospital short-stay units (SSUs) are the types of diagnostic tests performed and whether or not specialty consultations are needed. When hospitalists staff these units, they can ensure that only patients who need readily accessible services are admitted. These are the findings of a study published today in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.

Alexion\'s Soliris(R) Receives 2009 Prix Galien France For Most Innovative Drug For Rare Disease

Alexion Pharma France and Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) today received the 2009 Prix Galien France for Soliris® (eculizumab) in the category of medicines for rare diseases. The award recognizes the scientific innovation represented by the complement-inhibition technology of Soliris, and the impact the drug is having on the lives of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), an ultra-rare, debilitating and life-threatening blood disorder.

Medical Acoustics Highlights Of The 157th ASA Meeting, May 18-22 In Portland

Bionic ears, bubbles, blast waves and biofilms