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Report shows 3.4% of adult Minnesotans suffer from COPD

The nation's fourth leading cause of death, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is now being measured by the Minnesota Department of Health's Environmental Public Health Tracking Program. The program focuses on three major causes of hospitalizations in Minnesota that can be triggered or made worse by environmental factors such as secondhand smoke or outdoor air pollution — asthma, heart attacks and COPD.

10 Feb 2010

Cholesterol lowering drugs also reduce risk of developing cataracts

Statins, a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels, have been successfully fighting heart disease for years. A new study from Tel Aviv University has now found that the same drugs cut the risks of cataracts in men by almost 40%.

10 Feb 2010

Data provide key information about epigenetic profiles for gastric cancer

Gastric cancer, one of the most common types of cancer, is associated with high mortality rates. In the last decades, a decrease in the worldwide incidence has been observed with some changes in the therapeutic and diagnostic options.

10 Feb 2010

Volcano acquires Xtract Thrombus Aspiration Catheter device from Lumen Biomedical

Volcano Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of precision intravascular therapy guidance tools designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today that it has acquired the Xtract™ Thrombus Aspiration Catheter device line from Lumen Biomedical.

9 Feb 2010

Leading researchers discuss latest breakthroughs and best forms of cancer prevention

Eating a balanced diet and preparing your food in the correct way may be your best defense against developing cancer, according to top cancer researchers

9 Feb 2010

NNK induces epigenetic alteration during cancer formation and inhibits tumor suppressor genes

In the history of humans fighting against cancer, the relationship between tobaccos and cancer has been an important subject for the academic and clinical research. By understanding the mechanism of why cancer is caused by tobaccos, scientists around the world all anticipate to solve the mystery of cancer and find the way of prevention and cure.

9 Feb 2010

Innovative nerve graft transplant successful in treatment and prevention of posterior pressure ulcers

The Plastic Surgery Center today announced that an innovative nerve graft transplant performed by Dr. Andrew Elkwood has proven to be successful in treating and preventing posterior pressure ulcers – one of the leading causes of mortality among paraplegics. 49-year old Tory Cavalieri, who underwent the procedure last January, has regained sensation in his posterior and is free of acute pressure sores, which had left him bedridden for years.

9 Feb 2010

U.S. PSA screening efficacy lower than in ERSPC-Rotterdam due to lower testing sensitivity

Fewer prostate cancers were detected by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in the U.S. than in a European randomized trial because of lower screening sensitivity, according to a new brief communication published online February 8 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

9 Feb 2010

Poor handgrip strength linked to premature mortality, disability and other health complications in older people

Poor or declining handgrip strength in the oldest old is associated with poor survival and may be used as a tool to assess mortality, found an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) (pre-embargo link only) http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj091278.pdf. The fastest growing segment of the elderly population is the group older than 85 years, classified as the oldest old.

9 Feb 2010

Glaucoma medications appear to reduce mortality risk

Glaucoma patients who take medication for the condition appear to have a reduced likelihood of death, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

9 Feb 2010

Study suggests environmental factors play a significant role in the etiology of Crohn's disease

Although inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [comprising mainly Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)] is thought to affect about 150 000 people in the United Kingdom, the prevalence of severe IBD is not known. Mortality following hospitalization for IBD is significant but little has been reported on long-term follow-up.

6 Feb 2010

AMAG Pharmaceuticals releases safety update on Feraheme Injection

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of a therapeutic iron compound to treat anemia and novel imaging agents to aid in the diagnosis of cancer and cardiovascular disease, today provided a safety update on Feraheme® (ferumoxytol) Injection for intravenous use.

6 Feb 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

A Lancet study examines childbirth practices and the relationship between these practices and maternal and perinatal outcomes in nine Asian countries, as assessed by a WHO global survey. Based on the analysis of over 107,000 deliveries, the authors conclude, "To improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, caesarean section should be done only when there is a medical indication" (Lumbiganon et al., 2/6). These findings "should help us to prioritise our strategies to reduce unnecessary interventions in childbirth," write the authors of a Lancet comment.

5 Feb 2010

BioTime announces results of independent Hextend study in hemodynamically unstable trauma patients

BioTime, Inc. today reported recently-released results from an independent study evaluating the use of Hextend® in hemodynamically unstable trauma patients. Hextend (6% Hetastarch in Lactated Electrolyte Injection) is BioTime’s commercially-available blood plasma volume expander used to treat hypovolemia (low blood volume). The study, conducted at the University of Miami Ryder Trauma Center, reported that initial resuscitation with Hextend was associated with no obvious coagulopathy and reduced mortality compared to fluid resuscitation without Hextend.

5 Feb 2010

Personalized risk assessment tools can help improve smoking cessation

Giving smokers information about their own individual risk of serious illness helps motivate them to quit smoking, according to a paper published in the current issue of Postgraduate Medical Journal.

5 Feb 2010

Spinal muscular atrophy screening, not cost effective

In a study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting -, in Chicago, researchers will unveil findings that show that it is not cost effective to screen for spinal muscular atrophy.

5 Feb 2010

Opinions: G8 and maternal, child mortality; rebuilding Haiti

In a National Post opinion piece, Canadian Member of Parliament Keith Martin, "who chaired the drafting committee at the 2009 G8 International Parliamentarians' Conference in Rome, which put together a plan of action to reduce maternal and infant mortality," welcomes the recent announcement by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that maternal and child mortality will be a focus of the G8 summit this summer.

5 Feb 2010

Prehistoric data suggests link between tooth enamel defects and early mortality

Ancient human teeth are telling secrets that may relate to modern-day health: Some stressful events that occurred early in development are linked to shorter life spans.

5 Feb 2010

Closing funding gap for federal viral hepatitis education, screening and surveillance programs stops liver cancer

With most liver cancer caused by undetected or untreated hepatitis B or C viral infection, the 22,000 new cases of liver cancer that are diagnosed each year could be dramatically reduced if Congress took decisive action to close the funding gap for federal viral hepatitis education, screening, and surveillance programs, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) said today.

4 Feb 2010

New African Union chair's focus to include food security; First Ladies discuss HIV/AIDS

The African Union (AU) Summit concluded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday with newly elected AU chairman Bingu Wa Mutharika, of Malawi, encouraging African leaders to make agriculture and food security a top priority, Angola Press reports (2/2).

4 Feb 2010

Mortality News and Research

Report shows 3.4% of adult Minnesotans suffer from COPD

Cholesterol lowering drugs also reduce risk of developing cataracts

Data provide key information about epigenetic profiles for gastric cancer

Volcano acquires Xtract Thrombus Aspiration Catheter device from Lumen Biomedical

Leading researchers discuss latest breakthroughs and best forms of cancer prevention

NNK induces epigenetic alteration during cancer formation and inhibits tumor suppressor genes

Innovative nerve graft transplant successful in treatment and prevention of posterior pressure ulcers

U.S. PSA screening efficacy lower than in ERSPC-Rotterdam due to lower testing sensitivity

Poor handgrip strength linked to premature mortality, disability and other health complications in older people

Glaucoma medications appear to reduce mortality risk

Study suggests environmental factors play a significant role in the etiology of Crohn's disease

AMAG Pharmaceuticals releases safety update on Feraheme Injection

Recent releases in Global Health

BioTime announces results of independent Hextend study in hemodynamically unstable trauma patients

Personalized risk assessment tools can help improve smoking cessation

Spinal muscular atrophy screening, not cost effective

Opinions: G8 and maternal, child mortality; rebuilding Haiti

Prehistoric data suggests link between tooth enamel defects and early mortality

Closing funding gap for federal viral hepatitis education, screening and surveillance programs stops liver cancer

New African Union chair's focus to include food security; First Ladies discuss HIV/AIDS

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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