Health and Medical News Headlines for April 24, 2010

Blood Test Enables Heart-Transplant Recipients To Undergo Fewer Biopsies, Stanford Study Shows

After his heart transplant in 2005, Ramon Llenado underwent a biopsy every week, then every month, then every three months. Most heart transplant patients face a lifetime of these invasive tests, which involve snipping out tiny pieces of heart to check for possible organ rejection. "Doctors thread this little wire through your neck all the way to your heart," said Llenado, of Walnut Creek, Calif. "It's not so much painful as it is nerve-wracking." But for the past two years, Llenado, 63, hasn't had any biopsies at all...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Apr 2010 | 12:00 am

Spanish hospital claims 1st full-face transplant (AP)

AP - A team of surgeons has carried out the world's first full-face transplant on a young Spanish farmer unable to breathe or eat on his own since accidentally shooting himself in the face five years ago.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 11:40 pm

Mayo Clinic Finds Exercise And Computer Use May Reduce The Risk Of Mild Cognitive Impairment

A new Mayo Clinic study found that physical exercise and computer use may help protect against mild cognitive impairment , a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities. In previous studies, both physical exercise and cognitive activities (including computer use) were separately found to help reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment. In this new study, the combination of these two activities appears to be even more beneficial. The study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Toronto on April 15...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 11:00 pm

Tracheostomy tubes recalled after 3 deaths (AP)

AP - A Massachusetts company is recalling tracheostomy tubes used to help patients on ventilators breathe after receiving reports that three people died while using them.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 10:52 pm

Health Care Cost Increase Is Projected for New Law

Republicans said their concerns have been vindicated, while the White House saw bright spots in a Medicaid actuary’s study.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Apr 2010 | 10:38 pm

Mayo Clinic Research Provides New Insight Into Tissue Damage In Multiple Sclerosis

A new Mayo Clinic study has found that the type of tissue damage changes throughout the course of multiple sclerosis (MS). In early relapsing disease stages, the plaques, or areas where the nervous system is inflamed or demyelinated, are predominantly active with distinct heterogeneous patterns of myelin damage. Later in the chronic progressive phase of the disease, smoldering and inactive plaques predominate, and are characterized by a uniform pattern of tissue damage...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 10:00 pm

Patient Money: Caring for Hips and Knees to Avoid Artificial Joints

If your crucial joints are still intact, or just beginning to creak, here are some ways to keep osteoarthritis — and the cost of hip or knee replacement — at bay.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Apr 2010 | 9:56 pm

Injection Helps Treat Hard-to-Control Type 2 Diabetes (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with type 2 diabetes who can't control their blood glucose levels with the drug metformin alone do better after adding injections of the drug liraglutide compared to oral doses of another drug called sitagliptin, researchers report.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 9:47 pm

How, When Child Develops Autism May Determine Outcomes (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Children with autism whose social and communications skills regress around age 3 tend to have more severe autism than children who show signs of the neurodevelopmental disorder at younger ages, new research finds.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 9:47 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Apr. 23, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 9:47 pm

Early Surgery Best for Children With Hearing Loss (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Inserting cochlear implants early significantly improves spoken language comprehension and expression in young children who have severe hearing loss, a new study shows.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 9:47 pm

F.D.A. Steps Up Oversight of Infusion Pumps

Infusion pumps, used to deliver medicines into a patient’s body, have been linked to 710 deaths in five years.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Apr 2010 | 9:44 pm

Clinical Study Using The BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System Combined With Chemotherapy To Treat Pediatric Tumors Shows Promise

BSD Medical Corporation ("BSD") (NASDAQ:BSDM) today reported clinical study data showing that hyperthermia, using the BSD-2000 Hyperthermia System, combined with chemotherapy has the potential to improve control rate and long-term survival for the treatment of children with high-risk cancer who have a dismal prognosis. The clinical study data will be presented by RÃ¼diger Wessalowski, M.D...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 9:00 pm

Teaching Kids How To Eat-Not How To Diet-Key To Obesity Battle

More than anything, bad habits are to blame for the childhood obesity epidemic. For Alejandra and her parents, food was an expression of love. But overeating and other unhealthy habits led this 11-year-old Hispanic girl to become an overweight kid. More than 25 million American children are obese or at risk for becoming obese. Overweight children face serious health risks, including diabetes and heart disease. Today, Alejandra has learned that you can love cooking and eating, and still be healthy...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 8:00 pm

Tracheostomy tubes recalled after 3 deaths

A Massachusetts company is recalling tracheostomy tubes used to help patients on ventilators breathe after receiving reports that three people died while using them. The company told the
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 7:25 pm

UPDATE 1-Bank of Montreal picks up Amcore assets from FDIC

TORONTO, April 23 (Reuters) - The Bank of Montreal said on Friday its Harris unit would acquire assets and liabilities of U.S. lender Amcore from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp in a deal that boosts...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 7:24 pm

Affymax(R) Announces Self-Imposed Quiet Period As The Company Analyzes Phase 3 Results For Hematide™/peginesatide

Affymax, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFY) today announced that it has instituted a quiet period to curtail discussions with the investor community and the media in connection with the analysis of Phase 3 results for the investigational drug, Hematide, in four clinical trials (PEARL 1, PEARL 2, EMERALD 1 and EMERALD 2) which evaluated Hematide for the treatment of anemia in chronic renal failure patients...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 7:00 pm

Pfizer Discontinues Phase 3 Trial Of Sutent(R) In Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Pfizer Inc. announced today the discontinuation of the SUN 1170 Phase 3 open-label study of Sutent(r) (sunitinib malate) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or liver cancer. Following a review by the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), the study was discontinued based on a higher incidence of serious adverse events in the sunitinib arm compared to the sorafenib arm and the fact that sunitinib did not meet the criteria to demonstrate that it was either superior or non-inferior to sorafenib in the survival of patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 6:00 pm

Pfizer And Medicines For Malaria Venture Seek To Expand Fight Against Malaria With Intermittent Preventive Treatment Option For Pregnant Women

Pfizer Inc. and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) entered into an agreement for the development, access and delivery of a fixed-dose combination treatment consisting of azithromycin dihydrate (AZ) and chloroquine phosphate (CQ) for the Intermittent Preventive Treatment of P. falciparum malaria in pregnancy (IPTp). There is currently an unmet need for new treatment options and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that some 30 million pregnant women are at risk for malaria in endemic areas in Africa each year...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 5:00 pm

Rare killer fungus identified

A rare but life-threatening tropical fungus that causes lung infections in both people and animals has been seen in the Pacific Northwest and could spread, researchers are reporting.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Apr 2010 | 4:36 pm

U.S. to WellPoint: Stop dropping breast cancer patients (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has called on health insurer WellPoint to stop dropping coverage for patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer, calling the practice "deplorable."
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 4:18 pm

UPDATE 3-US to WellPoint: Stop dropping breast cancer patients

* Sebelius letter prompted by Reuters report on Thursday (Adds WellPoint response, changes dateline, previous BOSTON)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 4:16 pm

US Coast Guard suspends search for 11 rig workers

HOUSTON, April 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday suspended a search for 11 workers missing after an oil rig exploded and sank into the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 4:14 pm

Genentech Submits Supplemental Application To FDA For Herceptin In Advanced HER2-Positive Stomach Cancer

Genentech, Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced today that the company submitted a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Herceptin® (trastuzumab) plus chemotherapy in people with advanced, HER2-positive adenocarcinoma of the stomach, including gastroesophageal junction cancer...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 4:00 pm

FACTBOX-UAL-Continental merger would create industry giant

April 23 (Reuters) - A merger of UAL Corp's United and Continental Airlines would create a new industry leader, surpassing Delta in traffic and revenue. [ID:nN23125059] Below is current data for the...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:59 pm

Liraglutide Superior to Sitagliptin When Added to Metformin for Glycemic Control

Researchers say the results support the use of liraglutide to achieve glycemic goals in patients with inadequate control on metformin.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:50 pm

A Second Look? New Study Supports Full-Field Cardiac CT to Find Incidental Lung Cancers

Cardiac CTs that do not cover the whole chest miss 89% of incidental lung cancers, including many at the resectable stage, a new Korean study finds.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:50 pm

Vatican to finance adult stem cell research (AP)

AP - The Vatican is pushing for research of adult stem cells as an alternative to the use of embryonic stem cells, which the Catholic Church opposes because it maintains that the destruction of the embryo amounts to the killing of human life.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:43 pm

Ultrathin, Silk-Based Biomaterial Shows Promise in Brain Electrical Applications

Researchers have used an animal model to test a new type of biomaterial that may represent an advance over current brain monitoring technology.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:32 pm

UPDATE 1-Pfizer wins Protonix patent case vs Teva

NEW YORK, April 23 (Reuters) - A New Jersey jury handed a victory to Pfizer Inc on Friday, ruling that the patent on its Protonix acid reflux drug is valid and infringed by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:23 pm

MET Proto-Oncogene a Candidate Gene for Schizophrenia

Genetic variation in cancer-associated gene is tied to schizophrenia and cognitive ability.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:12 pm

Updated Advice On Mixing Medicines - Nursing & Midwifery Council

Due to a change in the law, we have updated our advice for nurses and midwives on mixing medicines. The changes in the legislation mean that nurse and midwife independent prescribers are able to mix medicines themselves and direct others to mix them...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Apr 2010 | 3:00 pm

UPDATE 5-Sears buys more of Canada unit, gives strong view

* Sears sees Q1 EPS at nil to 31 cents, above Street view
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 2:52 pm

UPDATE 5-Sears buys more of Canada unit, gives strong view

* Sears sees Q1 EPS at nil to 31 cents, above Street view
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 2:52 pm

UPDATE 1-Lions Gate to allow Icahn vote on poison pill

LOS ANGELES, April 23 (Reuters) - Lions Gate Entertainment Corp and Carl Icahn are poised for a major battle at a shareholders meeting in May, after the studio reversed course and said it will let the...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 2:51 pm

WellPoint routinely targets breast cancer patients (Reuters)

Reuters - Shortly after they were diagnosed with breast cancer, each of the women learned that her health insurance had been canceled. There was Yenny Hsu, who lived and worked in Los Angeles. And there was Patricia Reilling, a successful art gallery owner and interior designer from Louisville, Kentucky.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Apr 2010 | 2:42 pm

Grassley takes aim at CDC over financial conflicts

CHICAGO, April 23 (Reuters) - A U.S. senator has asked the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to spell out how the agency is policing conflicts of interest among scientists who...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Apr 2010 | 2:39 pm

FDA Launches Campaign to Improve Infusion-Pump Safety

Rise in number and severity of product recalls prompts agency to take industry-wide approach to a "rampant" problem.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 2:35 pm

Genital Herpes Affects Approximately 16% of Americans Aged 14 to 49 Years

An MMWR report showed that HSV-2 prevalence among women is almost twice that of men, and that prevalence is 3 times higher among blacks than whites.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 2:22 pm

Fall Training Feasible for Osteoporosis Patients

Impact-reducing martial arts techniques are likely safe for patients with osteoporosis.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 1:56 pm

FDA Issues Class 1 Recall of LIFEPAK 15

The recall affects the monitor/defibrillators manufactured and distributed between March 26, 2009 and December 15, 2009.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 1:26 pm

Churning Over TIDE: Experts Mull Informed Consent and Repercussions of Potential Halt

The FDA's response to a Senate investigation of rosiglitazone has led to new speculation about the likelihood that the head-to-head TIDE trial will continue and just what would be lost or gained if it were halted. Also alluded to in Commissioner Hamburg's letter are questions of whether patients in the trial have been made well aware of the safety concerns. Not everyone agrees.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 1:26 pm

Delay in Filling First Clopidogrel Script After Stenting Increases Risk of Death/MI

One in six patients do not immediately fill their initial prescription for clopidogrel after hospital discharge, and such a delay is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, a new study shows.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Apr 2010 | 1:26 pm

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