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CFHR5 nephropathy linked to genetic mutation in innate immune system

A rare form of kidney disease linked to a genetic mutation in the innate immune system has been identified by researchers funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

26 Aug 2010

Researchers to test new plantain based food product to treat Crohn's disease

Crohn's is a condition that affects one in 800 people in the UK and causes chronic intestinal inflammation, leading to pain, bleeding and diarrhoea. Researchers are working with biotechnology company, Provexis, to test a new plantain based food product that could treat patients with the disease.

26 Aug 2010

Biogen to publish data on two-step assay for anti-JC virus antibody detection

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc today announced data has been published in the Annals of Neurology on an investigational, two-step assay to detect anti-JC virus (JCV) antibodies in human serum and plasma

26 Aug 2010

CHX reports positive results from final pivotal trial of Prevora antibacterial tooth coating for cavity prevention

CHX Technologies Inc., a private Canadian pharmaceutical company that is developing new treatments for the prevention of dental diseases, today announced successful results in its final controlled pivotal trial of Prevora, its proprietary antibacterial tooth coating for the prevention of cavities. The trial surpassed objectives set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protocol, clearing the way for CHX to start the process of seeking FDA approval for use in the United States.

25 Aug 2010

PTCB CPhTs to play critical role in immunization efforts at retail pharmacies nationwide

With flu season fast approaching, PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians will again play a critical role in immunization efforts at retail pharmacies across the country. For example, last year Walgreens successfully immunized over 7.4 million patients against H1N1 and seasonal influenza with the direct support of PTCB CPhTs.

25 Aug 2010

Diarrhea, skin diseases increase among children in flood-affected areas of Pakistan: Survey

World Vision says assessments conducted over the last few days near the towns of Muzaffar Garh and Kot Addo in Punjab paint a bleak picture of the impact of the flooding. The Christian humanitarian organization says its reports from Sukkur in the Sindh Province are equally dire. Contaminated water, cramped living conditions and a lack of sanitation are contributing to a rapid increase in cases of diarrhea and skin diseases in children.

25 Aug 2010

ZymoGenetics completes enrollment in Phase 2b PEG-IFN lambda clinical trial

ZymoGenetics, Inc. today announced enrollment has been completed in the Phase 2b clinical trial with PEG-Interferon lambda and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

25 Aug 2010

Experts unveil preventive measures for Lyme disease

Lyme disease is not only a potentially serious disease, but one that often is missed by physicians, which makes prevention more important. The only way to get Lyme disease is from the bite of an infected deer tick. The best prevention, then, is to avoid deer and their ticks.

25 Aug 2010

Current egg recall highlights shortcomings in food safety system, sets up call for Senate action in September

Politico: Problems in the nation's response to the current salmonella outbreak and the resulting recall of 600 million eggs is related to the Senate's year-long stall of pending food safety legislation, according to consumer groups and experts. "The House approved its version of the food safety bill in July 2009 — that was more than 60 recalls of Food and Drug Administration regulated products ago, according to a report by the Make Our Food Safe Coalition.

25 Aug 2010

Informed specific consent should be sought before blood transfusion

The authors state that there are serious infectious, as well as non-infectious risks associated with blood transfusions and that it should now be viewed as a legal requirement for patients to be informed about specific risks posed by blood transfusions. This would work in the same way as they are currently informed about risks associated with the medical treatment and/or surgery they undergo.

25 Aug 2010

Improvement in mumps vaccine administration needed to prevent future outbreaks

Although immunity to mumps is high in the United States, mumps vaccine coverage must be maintained and improved to prevent future outbreaks, according to a new study, now available online (http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1086/655394), in the September 1, 2010 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

25 Aug 2010

New TRIM5α-based treatments can knock out HIV in humans: Research

Using a $225,000 microscope, researchers have identified the key components of a protein called TRIM5α that destroys HIV in rhesus monkeys.The finding could lead to new TRIM5α-based treatments that would knock out HIV in humans, said senior researcher Edward M. Campbell, PhD, of Loyola University Health System.

25 Aug 2010

Study finds measurable immunity to pandemic H1N1 virus in Norway population

By autumn 2009, almost half of the population of Norway had been vaccinated against the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus. Many had also been infected by the virus during the summer and autumn outbreaks. The majority of those who were vaccinated or were infected are expected to have developed immunity to the virus.

25 Aug 2010

Survey finds women interested in human papillomavirus vaccination

Cost but not convenience plays a significant role in attitudes about vaccination for common human papillomaviruses for women over the age of 26, according to the authors of a recent article in the journal Sexual Health.

25 Aug 2010

Parents should give their children's lunches a sugar makeover: Delta Dental Plans Association

As parents send their kids off for the first day of school, it's a good idea to put as much thought into what they're packing in their kids' lunchboxes as they do into their school supplies.

25 Aug 2010

BioAlliance Pharma launches Oravig drug in the U.S. market

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the supportive care and treatment of cancer patients, today announces the launch in the United States of Oravig® (known as Loramyc® in Europe) for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in adults by its commercial partner, Strativa Pharmaceuticals, the proprietary products division of Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc..

25 Aug 2010

Researchers develop high-resolution technology to visualize individual virus particles

In the war against infectious disease, identifying the culprit is half the battle. Now, research professor Shaopeng Wang and his colleagues from the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, describe a new method for visualizing individual virus particles. Their research opens the door to a more detailed understanding of these minute pathogens, and may further the study of a broad range of micro- and nanoscale phenomena.

25 Aug 2010

Also in Global Health News: IDUs in Kenya; Haiti recovery; Pandemic preparedness; Somalia hunger; HIV in Mozambique; Strengthening immune system against HIV

In Kenya, "[i]ntravenous drug users (IDUs) have been largely ignored by the government's HIV programmes on the basis that drug-taking is illegal, but a new policy is being drafted with the aim of reducing HIV transmission among this high-risk group," IRIN/PlusNews reports. The article includes comments from Nicholas Muraguri, head of the National AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme, who said that the policy would treat drug use as a health issue, not a criminal one.

25 Aug 2010

Merck and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commit additional $60M to support Botswana's ACHAP

Merck today announced the Merck Company Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are committing an additional $60 million to support Botswana's African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP). Merck is known as MSD outside the US and Canada. A unique program developed with and led by the Government of Botswana, ACHAP is one of sub-Saharan Africa's oldest, most successful public-private partnerships.

24 Aug 2010

Pharmasset commences dosing in PSI-7977 Phase 2b study for chronic hepatitis C

Pharmasset, Inc. announced today that dosing has begun in a Phase 2b study of PSI-7977, a nucleotide analog polymerase inhibitor for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV). The trial will evaluate PSI-7977 200mg QD and 400mg QD in combination with pegylated interferon alfa 2a and ribavirin, the current standard of care (SOC) in patients with HCV genotype 1 who have not been treated previously.

24 Aug 2010

Disease/Infection News

CFHR5 nephropathy linked to genetic mutation in innate immune system

Researchers to test new plantain based food product to treat Crohn's disease

Biogen to publish data on two-step assay for anti-JC virus antibody detection

CHX reports positive results from final pivotal trial of Prevora antibacterial tooth coating for cavity prevention

PTCB CPhTs to play critical role in immunization efforts at retail pharmacies nationwide

Diarrhea, skin diseases increase among children in flood-affected areas of Pakistan: Survey

ZymoGenetics completes enrollment in Phase 2b PEG-IFN lambda clinical trial

Experts unveil preventive measures for Lyme disease

Current egg recall highlights shortcomings in food safety system, sets up call for Senate action in September

Informed specific consent should be sought before blood transfusion

Improvement in mumps vaccine administration needed to prevent future outbreaks

New TRIM5α-based treatments can knock out HIV in humans: Research

Study finds measurable immunity to pandemic H1N1 virus in Norway population

Survey finds women interested in human papillomavirus vaccination

Parents should give their children's lunches a sugar makeover: Delta Dental Plans Association

BioAlliance Pharma launches Oravig drug in the U.S. market

Researchers develop high-resolution technology to visualize individual virus particles

Also in Global Health News: IDUs in Kenya; Haiti recovery; Pandemic preparedness; Somalia hunger; HIV in Mozambique; Strengthening immune system against HIV

Merck and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commit additional $60M to support Botswana's ACHAP

Pharmasset commences dosing in PSI-7977 Phase 2b study for chronic hepatitis C

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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