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Findings suggest adipose inflammation is necessary for fat cell turnover

It has been a common opinion that inflammation in adipose tissue may cause insulin resistance, and thereby type 2 diabetes. However, recent research from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, question the theory that inflammation in the body fat is only pernicious.

25 Mar 2010

Biogen Idec and Elan begin comparative trial of MS treatments

Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc (NYSE: ELN) today announced enrollment of the first patient in a global Phase IIIb, randomized, rater-blinded, active-controlled study designed to evaluate switching to TYSABRI® (natalizumab) from Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate) or Rebif® (interferon beta-1a) in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

25 Mar 2010

Alzheimer's Foundation of America applauds dementia-related provisions in health reform law

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is extremely pleased that the historic health reform signed into law by President Obama late this morning, after passing the U.S. House of Representatives on Sunday and the U.S. Senate in December, includes a number of provisions that are especially significant for AFA's constituents—and bode well for improving quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and their family caregivers. In particular, we are grateful that the final action addresses many of the practical and financial needs faced daily by this population, speaks to preventative issues and bolsters training of dementia care professionals.

25 Mar 2010

Hepatic encephalopathy drug XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets receives FDA marketing approval

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval for XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in patients 18 years of age or older. HE is a serious disorder caused by chronic liver failure, resulting in cognitive, psychiatric and motor impairments. This approval was supported by findings from the largest randomized trial of maintenance therapy in HE conducted to date, which assessed the efficacy and safety of XIFAXAN 550 mg tablets and demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in the risk of overt HE recurrence.

25 Mar 2010

Biocompatible electronics could enable new surgical applications

Arrhythmic hearts soon may beat in time again, with minimal surgical invasion, thanks to flexible electronics technology developed by a team of University of Illinois researchers, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Northwestern University.

25 Mar 2010

Head trauma can cause loss of smell and taste sensations

The ability to taste and smell can be lost or impaired after a head injury, according to a new study by scientists from the Universit- de Montr-al, the Lucie Bruneau Rehabilitation Centre, as well as the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal. Published in the journal Brain Injury, the investigation established that mild to severe traumatic brain injury could cause olfactory loss.

25 Mar 2010

Anesthesia can increase behavioral changes, risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

The use of repetitive anesthesia with isoflurane (one of the most common anesthetics by inhalation) increases the risk of developing changes similar to those observed in AD brains in mice with mutations of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). This is the main conclusion of Spanish researchers coordinated by Doctors Maria -ngeles Mena and Justo Garc-a de Y-benes, from CIBERNED (Centro de Investigaci-n Biom-dica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas).

25 Mar 2010

Colorectal cancer survivor shares her experience

For Hempstead resident Lynette Love, mother of four and grandmother of five, surviving colorectal cancer took courage, diligence and faith. Now a 3-year survivor, Love is giving the love back to the community through her participation in the Sprint for Colorectal Oncology Prevention and Education (SCOPE) run.

25 Mar 2010

NIH grant for study on impact of gastric bypass surgery on Type II diabetes patients

Gastric bypass surgery, thought of by many as the last hope of morbidly obese people for losing weight, has many other benefits researchers are only beginning to understand.

25 Mar 2010

China, now the largest diabetic population in the world

With one in ten adults in China being diagnosed with diabetes the largest population of the world is also the largest diabetic population in the world. A report published by New England Journal of Medicine reported that 92 million people in China were diabetic. This means China has overtaken India which had a 50 million strong diabetic population to date.

25 Mar 2010

Experimental vaccine can help delay IBD and colon cancer

An experimental vaccine against an abnormal protein found in some tumors has the potential to delay the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and in turn prevent progression to colon cancer, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

25 Mar 2010

Canadian Diabetes Association launches new tools to help optimize diabetes care

Today the Canadian Diabetes Association launched new tools for people living with diabetes and healthcare practitioners to help optimize diabetes care across the country.

25 Mar 2010

China’s 3rd Annual Asia Scientific Congress programs feature latest updates on cancer

In an effort to curb the cancer rates, the country has adopted evidence-based treatment guidelines and continues to strengthen a number of strategic collaborations with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) as demonstrated by several NCCN programs scheduled throughout China this spring.

25 Mar 2010

Bariatric surgery may delay onset of type 2 diabetes, says study

A team of researchers, led by a UC Davis veterinary endocrinologist, has shown for the first time that a surgical procedure in rats that is similar to bariatric surgery in humans can delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

25 Mar 2010

Researchers explore ethnic differences in asthma incidence

A study of UK schoolchildren has revealed that Black Africans, Indians and Bangladeshis have a similar or lower prevalence of asthma than White children, while Black Caribbean and Mixed Black Caribbean/White boys are more likely to have asthma.

25 Mar 2010

Agendia brings new personalized treatment for breast cancer patients

Agendia, a world leader in molecular cancer diagnostics, today announced that its breast cancer product offering, consisting of breast cancer recurrence test MammaPrint(R), and TargetPrint(TM), has been expanded with BluePrint (TM) to report important additional information on tumor subtypes.

24 Mar 2010

Stretchable electronic device holds promise for treating irregular heart rhythms

The electronics can bend, stretch and twist. No small feat. Now the flexible and stretchable electronics can map waves of electrical activity in the heart with better resolution and speed than that of conventional cardiac monitoring technology.

24 Mar 2010

Fertility remains a significant issue for majority of breast cancer patients

The use of chemotherapy and hormonal treatments in young women can have significant implications for their fertility.

24 Mar 2010

Abbott/Eisai's Humira termed as most efficacious therapy for psoriasis

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that surveyed dermatologists view Abbott/Eisai's Humira as the most efficacious therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Thirty-two percent of surveyed dermatologists selected Humira as the most efficacious, followed by Centocor Ortho Biotech/Merck/Mitsubishi Tanabe's Remicade. The current sales leader Amgen/Pfizer/Takeda's Enbrel was selected as the most efficacious therapy by only 23 percent of dermatologists surveyed.

24 Mar 2010

Policymakers should determine risk-reduction initiatives to improve health systems, says new report

Tackling the increasing rates of cardiovascular disease in developing nations will require input from multiple partners, including the business community and international companies as well as global health and development agencies and the governments of these countries, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

24 Mar 2010