Health and Medical News Headlines for February 10, 2010

UPDATE 2-Nobel Biocare Q4 disappoints, eyes growth in 2010

* Says dental implant market may return to growth this year
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 2:45 am

Australian anti-racism vindaloo campaign

Thousands of Australians will let their tastebuds do the talking when they sit down later this month for "Vindaloo Against Violence", a mass dining event to protest attacks against Indians.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 1:58 am

UPDATE 3-Daily Mail Q1 sales decline stable, January better

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - British media company Daily Mail & General Trust said supermarket price wars and new mobile phones had lifted newspaper advertising in January, after reporting an 8 percent...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 1:57 am

UPDATE 1-UK firm gets final green light for stem cell trial

* ReNeuron shares up 12.5 percent (Adds rise in shares)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 1:57 am

China declares new national food-safety campaign (AP)

AP - China declared a new food-safety campaign Wednesday after contaminated milk products from an earlier scandal showed up repackaged in several places around the country, exposing weaknesses in the country's promise to stop such problems from happening again.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 10 Feb 2010 | 1:35 am

Hard times in Gaza fill ranks of Hamas police

Taher al-Mazlum is desperate to join the Hamas-run police in the Gaza Strip, not because he agrees with the Islamist group's hardline ideology, but because he needs money to get married.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 1:27 am

UPDATE 1-Dana Petroleum makes second gas find offshore Egypt

* Says discovery reinforces attractiveness of region * Co-owns concession with GDF Suez
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 1:07 am

Australian study supports gastric surgery for obese teens (AFP)

AFP - Australian researchers Wednesday said a new study supported the use of lap-band surgery for severely overweight teenagers after it found the procedure helped them lose 80 percent of their excess fat.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:53 am

Advertising: Stress Relief Online, Aromatherapy by Mail

The online program, called Upliv, offers stress analysis, weekly sessions that teach relaxation strategies and toiletries with scents.

Source: NYT > Health | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:17 am

Long-Term Care Hospitals Face Little Scrutiny

Lawsuits, state inspections and federal statistics paint a troubling picture of the care offered at some hospitals.

Source: NYT > Health | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:11 am

UK firm gets final green light for stem cell trial

LONDON (Reuters) - British biotech company ReNeuron and a team of doctors in Scotland have won final approval to start a pioneering clinical trial to assess whether stem cell therapy can...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:10 am

UPDATE 1-Nexans says 2009 profits down, sees slow 2010 start

* FY sales down but meets 6 pct profit margin target
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:09 am

UPDATE 3-Toshiba to resume $8.9 bln chip expansion -Nikkei

* To spend 800 billion yen to build NAND memory plant -Nikkei
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:06 am

UK firm gets final green light for stem cell trial

LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - British biotech company ReNeuron and a team of doctors in Scotland have won final approval to start a pioneering clinical trial to assess whether stem cell therapy can help...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

Genta Initiates Phase 2 Study Of Tesetaxel, The Leading Clinical-Stage Oral Taxane, In Patients With Advanced Melanoma

Genta Incorporated (OTCBB: GETA) announced that the Company has initiated treatment of the first subject in a new Phase 2 trial of tesetaxel in advanced melanoma. Tesetaxel is the Company's newest clinical-stage small molecule. As a late Phase 2 oncology product, tesetaxel is the leading oral taxane currently in clinical development. The new trial builds on more than ten years of Genta's experience in melanoma clinical research. Unlike standard taxanes (paclitaxel [Taxol®] or docetaxel [Taxotere®]) that must be infused intravenously, tesetaxel is a capsule that can be taken by mouth...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 10 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

Changes proposed in how psychiatrists diagnose (AP)

AP - Don't say "mental retardation" — the new term is "intellectual disability." No more diagnoses of Asperger's syndrome — call it a mild version of autism instead. And while "behavioral addictions" will be new to doctors' dictionaries, "Internet addiction" didn't make the cut.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 11:25 pm

Childhood Obesity Battle Is Taken Up by First Lady

The initiative led by Michelle Obama is intended to revamp the way American youngsters eat and play.

Source: NYT > Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 11:00 pm

Researchers Report Elevated Levels Of TÎ²4 Levels Predict Patient Survival In Hepatitis B Virus-related Liver Failure

Regenerx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex:RGN) announced that researchers have correlated TÎ²4 levels with the clinical course of patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver failure. It was reported that serum thymosin Î²4 levels were significantly lower in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection and that the magnitude of the reduction of thymosin Î²4 was closely related to the severity of the hepatic injury and to patient death. Since patients with higher TÎ²4 levels survived the disease, changes in TÎ²4 values could reflect outcome in some liver failure patients...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 11:00 pm

F.D.A. to Increase Medical Radiation Oversight

The agency said it would move to more stringently regulate the most potent sources, including CT scans.

Source: NYT > Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 10:58 pm

Sweet Tooth in Children May Be Linked to Alcoholism (LiveScience.com)

LiveScience.com - Most kids won't turn down a sugary treat, but it turns out some children prefer more intense sweetness than others. Those kids drawn to sweeter-than-cola drinks are also more likely to have a family history of alcoholism and depressive symptoms, a new study finds.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 10:25 pm

Revising Book on Disorders of the Mind

Changes to the psychiatry guidebook that largely sets society’s line for normal behavior could affect treatment.

Source: NYT > Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 10:21 pm

Sweet Tooth in Children May Be Linked to Alcoholism

Children who like intense sweet taste more likely to have family history of alcoholism.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 10:18 pm

Kamada Announces Enrollment Of First Patient In Its Pivotal Study For Inhaled AAT In Europe

Kamada, a bio-pharmaceutical company engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of specialty life-saving therapeutics, announced today that it has enrolled the first patient into its pivotal clinical trial with its new breakthrough compound of inhaled alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) delivered by an Investigational eFlow Nebulizer System (PARI Pharma GmbH), in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pm

Health Tip: Protect Your Child at Day Care (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Children who attend day care are at increased risk of getting sick or acquiring an infection.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 9:49 pm

Medicare Cost-Saving Moves Can Backfire (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- After Medicare sweetened payments for simple office-based endoscopic procedures, doctors in one New York City practice performed many more in-office bladder biopsies, but the volume of hospital procedures stayed roughly the same, a new study finds.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 9:49 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 9, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 9:49 pm

Gastric Banding Most Effective for Obese Teens (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Feb. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Severely obese teens who received gastric banding surgery lost significantly more weight than those who made lifestyle changes such as dieting and exercise, Australian researchers report.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 9:49 pm

No Cause Found for Cluster of Birth Defects

Health officials said there was no evidence of a single cause for defects in a California town that is next to the largest hazardous waste landfill in the West.

Source: NYT > Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 9:21 pm

Verdezyne Produces Adipic Acid Biologically

Verdezyne, Inc., a privately-held synthetic biology company developing processes for renewable chemicals and fuels, today announced they are developing a new fermentation process for the production of adipic acid. Verdezyne achieved proof of concept in this development program by demonstrating production and recovery of adipic acid by a yeast microorganism from an alkane feedstock. Using proprietary technologies, Verdezyne discovered and is engineering a proprietary metabolic pathway that can utilize sugar, plant-based oils or alkanes...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm

Statement Of Health And Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius On American Heart Month February 2010

American Heart Month is a time to spread awareness of the dangers of heart disease and stroke, and recommit to strengthening prevention, improving treatments, and helping all Americans live longer, healthier lives. Hundreds of thousands of American families are devastated each year by heart disease. Even though the risk factors for heart disease can be prevented or controlled, it is the leading killer of both men and women in the United States. And yet, heart disease is preventable. By leading a healthy lifestyle, Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pm

Amneal Receives FDA Approval For Tramadol/APAP Tablets

Amneal Pharmaceuticals is pleased to announce that it received U.S. FDA approval to manufacture combination Tramadol HCl in 37.5 mg strength and Acetaminophen in 325 mg strength (Tramadol/APAP) in tablet form effective December 9, 2009. Amneal's generic is an AB-rated, therapeutically equivalent alternative to Ultracet® (a licensed trademark of Ortho-McNeil Janssen). U.S. sales of Tramadol/APAP were $61 MM according to June 2009 IMS Health market data. Tramadol/APAP is a centrally-acting analgesic indicated for the short-term management of moderately severe acute pain...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 7:00 pm

HIV phobia

Mystery 'paranoia' illness baffles doctors in China
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 9 Feb 2010 | 6:42 pm

Pa. ex-aide discusses sex life in corruption trial (AP)

AP - The intimate details of the sex life of a former state legislative aide became fodder for the jury in a public corruption trial Tuesday as he explained that his affair with an aide ended prematurely because he struggled to perform sexually.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 6:10 pm

Raise Your Hand In Support Of Millions Of Americans Affected By Rare Diseases

In support of Rare Disease Day 2010, set for February 28, Lundbeck Inc. today launched the Raise Your Hand to Fight Rare Diseases campaign. The web-based initiative is designed to generate support for people with rare diseases and is being conducted in partnership with the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the sponsor of Rare Disease Day in the United States. Individuals simply click the 'Raise Your Hand' icon posted on the Rare Disease Day 2010 website and can also spread the word through social networking sites, including Facebook and Twitter...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 6:00 pm

Researchers find sex-specific lung cancer genes (Reuters)

Reuters - Lung cancer is often dramatically different in women than it is in men, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday in another study that suggests ways to tailor treatment for cancer patients.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:38 pm

Pesticide ban

Georgina Downs' 10 year fight against farm chemicals
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:10 pm

Tick tock

Science cannot hold back the hands of the fertility clock
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:04 pm

Sweet tooth 'hints at depression'

While most children like sugary foods, those with an extra-sweet tooth may have depression, say researchers.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:02 pm

New Study Finds Specialized Support Programs Can Increase Treatment Adherence And Persistence, Reduce Relapses For People With Multiple Sclerosis

A new study reveals that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients enrolled in a seven-month disease therapy management (DTM) program show greater adherence to injectable MS medications and treatment persistence than patients who receive injectable MS medications through a community pharmacy. In addition, the percentage of DTM patients who reported an MS relapse decreased by more than a third at the end of the program. These findings provide important insights into the benefits that DTM programs provide in helping patients better manage their health, while also yielding potential cost savings...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 5:00 pm

Ally for the Poor in an Unlikely Corner

Through his work in poor countries, Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, has positioned his company as the leader among drug makers in advancing world health issues.

Source: NYT > Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 4:30 pm

18 and Under: When to Worry if a Child Has Too Few Words

Every pediatrician knows the frustration of trying to quantify the speech and language skills of a screaming toddler.

Source: NYT > Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 4:21 pm

Update: Recovery Matches a Marathon Operation

After a surgeon removed a huge cancerous tumor from his abdomen, Robert Collison, 59, spent eight weeks in the hospital with infections and other complications.

Source: NYT > Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 4:17 pm

Providence Medical Centers Host 16th Annual Cardiovascular Symposium

Designed for a wide spectrum of generalists and specialists who diagnose and manage cardiovascular conditions, the Providence Medical Centers' 16th Annual Cardiovascular Symposium will explore new advances in preventive and interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and vascular and cardiovascular surgery. Held Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, California, a highlight of the Symposium will be a live feed carotid stent procedure performed by Zahi Nassoura, MD, FACS...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 9 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

Murtha's procedure rarely deadly

In rare cases, gallbladder surgery can be deadly. Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania recently died after complications from the procedure after doctors "hit his intestines" during surgery, a source close to the late congressman told CNN.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:49 pm

New Guidance for In-Hospital Torsades De Pointes

Hospitalized patients can be at increased risk of sudden death associated with torsades de pointes, a polymorphic VT that can be a side effect of certain drugs and promoted by a number of genetic mutations, but the risk is often accepted in exchange for the drugs' benefits, observes an American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology scientific statement.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:46 pm

Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Beneficial for In-Stent Restenosis

The overall rate of target lesion revascularization after sirolimus-eluting-stent implantation was 11% at four years, with an overall incidence of stent thrombosis of less than 1% annually, report investigators.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:46 pm

Aspirin's US REACH: 25% of Secondary-Prevention Patients Not Treated

A new registry analysis should remind physicians to step up use of aspirin in patients proven to benefit but also gives a snapshot of aspirin use in primary prevention that may prove helpful when results come in from the large trials in this group.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:46 pm

Use of Glaucoma Medications Linked to Reduced Likelihood of Death

Patients with glaucoma who took medication for the condition had a 74% reduced risk for death during a 4-year period vs those with no glaucoma medication use.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:39 pm

Fact Check: The cost of obesity

The White House on Tuesday unveiled its campaign to fight childhood obesity. First lady Michelle Obama is spearheading the effort.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:24 pm

Spinal Cord Stimulation Shows Good Long-Term Results for Visceral Abdominal Pain

Chronic pancreatitis patients showed a big drop in opioid use a year after spinal cord stimulation.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:23 pm

Management of Erectile Dysfunction Reviewed

A review for family physicians discusses management of erectile dysfunction in the family practice setting.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 9 Feb 2010 | 3:07 pm

Nerve Graft Transplant Can Prove Successful In Eliminating Many Life-Threatening 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. "We are absolutely thrilled with Tory's results and the incredible implications for the wheelchair-bound community at large," said Dr. Elkwood...