Health and Medical News Headlines for June 8, 2010

Lung cancer drug 'extends life'

Early trial results show a drug can extend life for women with advanced lung cancer.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jun 2010 | 3:24 am

More Nigeria poison deaths feared

Hundreds more children could die of lead poisoning in northern Nigeria, an expert tells the BBC, but officials downplay fears.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:56 am

Tekmira Partner Alnylam Presents ALN-VSP Preliminary Phase 1 Clinical Trial Results At American Society Of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation (TSX:TKM), a leader in RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics, announced that one of the Company's pharmaceutical partners, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALNY), presented preliminary data from an ongoing Phase 1 human clinical trial of ALN-VSP. ALN-VSP utilizes Tekmira's lipid nanoparticle technology (stable nucleic acid-lipid particles or SNALP) and is a systemically delivered novel RNAi product being developed as a treatment of advanced solid tumors with liver involvement. Dr. Mark J...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

Baylor Health Care System And The City Of Dallas Join Efforts To Fight Diabetes In South Dallas

Baylor Health Care System announced the opening of a new Diabetes Health and Wellness Institute in an underserved community in South Dallas that it believes will ultimately influence the way diabetes is treated and prevented around the country. The Institute will bring treatment and prevention where it is needed most. Residents in the Institute's ZIP code are three-times more likely to die from diabetes compared to those living in Dallas as a whole...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

Medtronic Launches Next-Generation Continuous Glucose Monitoring System For Advanced Diabetes Management In 49 Countries Around The World

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) announced yesterday the launch of iPro™2 Professional CGM, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system used by physicians to help improve diabetes management, in 49 countries around the world. This simplified, yet more advanced fourth-generation CGM system is valuable for detecting high and low glucose fluctuations that can lead to dangerous health complications, which often go undetected with traditional A1C tests (a measurement of glucose control over a two-to-three-month period) and glucose meter measurements...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

Haruo Ohtani, Wolf Fridman, Jerome Galon To Receive The 2010 William B. Coley Award From The Cancer Research Institute

The Cancer Research Institute, Inc. (CRI), a nonprofit organization that supports and coordinates laboratory and clinical efforts to harness the disease-fighting power of the immune system to treat, control, and prevent cancer, announced the winners of the 2010 William B. Coley Award for Distinguished Research in Basic and Tumor Immunology. CRI bestows this annual award upon one or more scientists whose discoveries in the fields of immunology or tumor immunology contribute to the advancement of immune system-based therapies for cancer...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

Experimental Targeted Therapy Shows Early Promise Against Medulloblastomas -A Type Of Childhood Brain Cancer

Researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC) presented today at the American Society of Clinical Oncology the findings of a pediatric brain tumor study using an experimental drug that targets the underlying genetic makeup of the tumor. The research focused on a new way to attack the tumors by blocking the Hedgehog pathway that is linked to approximately 20 percent of medulloblastomas. The study is the first to report that the drug can be safely administered to children...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

Maintenance Treatment With Oral Lenalidomide After Stem Cell Transplant Reduces Risk Of Disease Progression For Multiple Myeloma Patients

Updated data from a National Cancer Institute-sponsored clinical trial conducted by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) are being presented at the 46th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The study evaluated the benefits of maintenance treatment with lenalidomide (Revlimid®) administered orally following an autologous stem cell transplant for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, compared to placebo. Maintenance therapy is an ongoing treatment given after patients achieve remission with initial therapy to try to prolong remission...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

'With' Us Rather Than 'At' Us - NHS Alliance

The coalition government needs to focus on cultural change, if it is to deliver on its health reforms, according to the NHS Alliance. The NHS Alliance - a primary care coalition that brings together PCTs with practices, clinicians with managers and board members - believes that the Department of Health cannot take a top down approach and cascade instructions down to the frontline. Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance said: "Command and control won't work. What we need now is distributed leadership and trust...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

HDMA, SBDA To Integrate Specialty Distribution Advocacy Activities

The Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA), the trade association representing America's primary healthcare distributors, and the Specialty & Biotech Distributors Association, an association dedicated to advancing policies that promote efficient, secure distribution of specialty pharmaceuticals and biologics, announced that their respective boards of directors have approved a proposal to integrate associations and operations...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

FDA Takes Action Against California Soy-Product Manufacturer Lifesoy

Lifesoy Inc., a San Diego-based manufacturer of ready-to-eat soy products cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for preparing, packing, and holding articles of food under insanitary conditions, has entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The consent decree requires Lifesoy to stop manufacturing and distributing food products until the company registers with the FDA and complies with federal laws regarding sanitary practices...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

Society Of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography Names Finalists For Fourth Annual Young Investigator Award

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), the leading international professional society dedicated to research, education and clinical excellence in cardiovascular computed tomography (CT), has named the finalists of the fourth annual Young Investigator Award. Sponsored by Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. through an unrestricted educational grant, the Young Investigator Award will be awarded to two residents or fellows in either radiology or cardiology for their patient care research in the categories of technical and clinical advancement of cardiovascular CT...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jun 2010 | 1:00 am

UPDATE 1-Northern Petroleum sees output rising this year

LONDON, June 8 (Reuters) - Northern Petroleum said it expects its production rate to rise about 33 percent this year helped by the first output from a further two gas fields in the Netherlands.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:56 am

UPDATE 1-Roche wins wider EU label for arthritis drug

ZURICH, June 8 (Reuters) - Roche said on Tuesday the European Commission had extended the label for its drug Roactemra to reduce the rate of progression of joint damage and improve physical function in...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:50 am

UPDATE 1-Rockhopper to raise funds for Falklands exploration

* To raise 48.5 mln stg via placing at 280 pence per share
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:48 am

Genmab says zalutumumab trial got good results

COPENHAGEN, June 8 (Reuters) - Danish drug developer Genmab said a trial with its zalutumumab human antibody got good results in patients with refractory head and neck cancer.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:39 am

RPT-UPDATE 1-Cheap gout drug proves useful for heart pain-study

* Drug may be cheap alternative to Roche, Servier medicines
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:37 am

Romania - Factors to Watch on June 8

BUCHAREST, June 8 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Romanian financial markets on Tuesday.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:21 am

Some 440 medical pot shops ordered to close in L.A. (Reuters)

Reuters - Around 440 self-described medical marijuana dispensaries across Los Angeles were under orders to close on Monday, nearly five months after city officials voted to shut most of them down.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:20 am

UPDATE 1-ABB buys Chloride Group for $1.25 billion

ZURICH, June 8 (Reuters) - ABB is buying Chloride Group for an agreed 860 million pounds ($1.25 billion), the Swiss engineering group said on Tuesday, announcing its second acquisition within a month...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jun 2010 | 12:11 am

UK to boost safety inspections after BP oil spill

LONDON, June 8 (Reuters) - Britain said it would increase its inspection of North Sea drilling rigs and monitoring of offshore practices in the light of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 7 Jun 2010 | 11:51 pm

Casey's to ask shareholders to reject Couche-Tard bid-WSJ

June 8 (Reuters) - U.S. convenience store Casey's General Stores Inc is expected to ask its shareholders to reject the $1.9 billion hostile bid from its Canadian rival, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc ,...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 7 Jun 2010 | 11:36 pm

Zain has received $7.9 bln from Bharti - report

KUWAIT, June 8 (Reuters) - Kuwaiti telecoms firm Zain has received $7.9 billion from Bharti Airtel and will announce the formal closing of its asset sale to the Indian firm, a newspaper reported on Tuesday...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 7 Jun 2010 | 11:24 pm

Albany Passes Big Health Cuts in Emergency Bill

The cuts, a step toward a budget agreement, will affect hospitals, nursing homes and other programs.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 10:34 pm

National Briefing | Rockies: Colorado: New Regulations for Medical Marijuana

Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. signed two bills into law on Monday intended to increase oversight of Colorado’s medical marijuana industry.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 10:31 pm

Researchers Report Treatment Headway Against Lung Cancer (HealthDay)

HealthDay - SATURDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers report they prolonged survival for some patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, for whom the median survival is currently only about six months.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:48 pm

Novel Drug Combats Advanced Melanoma (HealthDay)

HealthDay - SATURDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists say that a new drug to treat melanoma, the first in its class, improved survival by 68 percent in patients whose disease had spread from the skin to other parts of the body.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:48 pm

Targeted Therapy Shows Promise Against Deadly Brain Cancer (HealthDay)

HealthDay - SATURDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- A preliminary study has found that a targeted treatment for medulloblastoma -- the most common malignant brain cancer in children -- may one day be able to treat drug-resistant forms of the disease.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:48 pm

Health Tip: Secure a Child's Swingset (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- A child's swingset must be properly assembled and secured to prevent serious injury.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:48 pm

Mouth Cancer Prognosis Improves When Cervical Cancer Virus Involved (HealthDay)

HealthDay - MONDAY, June 7 (HealthDay News) -- For patients battling a type of cancer that affects the back of the mouth, the chances of survival increase if the tumor contains the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer, new research shows.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:48 pm

Vital Signs: No Sex, Please: You’re Sleeping

Researchers found that among 832 patients at a Toronto center 7.6 percent reported either having had sex or engaging in other sexual activity while they were asleep.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:40 pm

Doctors and Hospitals Say E-Record Goals Are Unrealistic

Critics say the Obama administration’s criteria for computerizing medical records are too strict and ambitious.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:21 pm

Scientist at Work: George M. Church: A Mission to Sequence the Genomes of 100,000 People

The Harvard geneticist has co-founded or advises some 22 businesses that focus on things like synthetic biology, genetic sequencing and providing genetic testing to consumers.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:20 pm

Findings May Alter Care for Early Breast Cancer

One study has questioned the need for lumpectomies and another has challenged standard radiation therapy, finding a single-dose treatment just as effective.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 9:20 pm

Personal Health: Small Advances Against Pancreatic Cancer

There are hints of progress in fighting the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 8:00 pm

Revealed: How Tibetans Survive Thin Air

Tibetans are genetically adapted to high altitude.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 7:36 pm

New Way to Destroy Some Cancerous Cell Found

Technique kills B cell lymphoma, a cancer of immune molecules called B cells.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 7:28 pm

Gout drug 'works for heart too'

A drug commonly used to treat gout can also relieve angina, experts find.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 7 Jun 2010 | 6:01 pm

Global Update: Agriculture: In Poor Countries, Experts Set Up Shop to Help Farmers Handle Plants and Insects

CABI, the organization that dispatches the experts, runs clinics in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Congo, India, Uganda, Vietnam and other places; it hopes to expand to 40 countries.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 5:39 pm

Really?: The Claim: Keep Stitches Dry and Covered Up After Surgery

Is a wound more likely to get infected if it gets wet?

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 5:38 pm

Letters: Feeding the Family Pet (1 Letter)

A letter to the editor.

Source: NYT > Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 5:30 pm

Depression, PTSD plague many Iraq vets

Up to 31 percent of soldiers returning from combat in Iraq experience depression or post-traumatic stress disorder that affects their jobs, relationships, or home life, according to a new study by Army researchers.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 7 Jun 2010 | 3:30 pm

Intermittent Exercise Helps Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Rest breaks during exercise lead to less fatigue and longer exercise time for patients with multiple sclerosis.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 1:25 pm

Vasectomy Reversal Is Effective Treatment for Postvasectomy Pain

Vasectomy reversal has a very high likelihood of relieving symptoms of postvasectomy pain, with 75% of patients experiencing complete symptom relief.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 12:55 pm

Reducing Fluid Overload May Be Better Than Antihypertensive Drugs for Blood Pressure Control in ESRD

A review suggests that avoiding medication-directed blood pressure control may help to achieve dry-weight and reduce the risk for pressure-volume overload.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 12:49 pm

Low-Dose Transdermal HRT Does Not Appear to Increase Stroke Risk

Low-dose transdermal hormone replacement therapy does not appear to increase stroke risk compared with no HRT use.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 12:47 pm

Antidepressant Use During Pregnancy May Increase Miscarriage Risk

Use of antidepressants, especially paroxetine and venlafaxine, may increase the overall risk for miscarriage in pregnant women, according to a large case-control study from Canadian researchers.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 12:25 pm

Crizotinib in ALK-NSCLC; Response Rate "Unprecedented"

In patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLS) with a rearrangement of the ALK gene, the investigational ALK inhibitor showed a 90% response rate.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 12:11 pm

Prompt Cholecystectomy in Elderly Saves Lives and Money: Study

Cholecystectomy should be done the first time elderly patients are hospitalized for acute cholecystitis, according to researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 11:44 am

Circumcision May Prevent Sex-Related Penis Injuries

A new study finds that circumcised men appear less likely to sustain cuts, abrasions and other minor injuries to the penis during sex -- which may help explain why circumcision lowers the risk of HIV transmission from heterosexual sex.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 11:44 am

Adding Exhaled CO2/O2 to D-Dimer Level Improves Segmental PE Detection

When added to an elevated D-dimer level, a reduced ratio of exhaled CO2/O2 enhances the detection of segmental pulmonary embolism (PE) in moderate risk patients, according to a report published online May 6th in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 7 Jun 2010 | 11:44 am

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