Health Tip: Recovering From C-Section
Cesarean section is a surgical alternative to vaginal birth. After this surgery, the new mom needs time to recover. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists offers this list of what moms who have delivered by cesarean can expect:
Health Tip: Symptoms of Postpartum Depression
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Computer Simulation Mimics Cat Brain
Researchers say they've created a computer simulation of a cat's cerebral cortex, which could prove an important step in efforts to develop computers that "think" like brains.
The simulation -- which uses 147,456 processors and 144 terabytes of main memory -- doesn't mean the computer thinks like a cat, but it does provide a model of how thoughts form in the brain and how a cat brain's one billion neurons and 10 trillion synapses work together, the Associated Press reported.
The research, by an IBM team, was presented at a supercomputer conference in Portland, Ore.
Previously, the same scientists simulated the full brain of a rat, 40 percent of a mouse's brain, and 1 percent of a human's cerebral cortex, the AP reported.
The ability to make computers think like brains could lead to major advances in various fields, including medicine and economics.
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Hyper-Resistant Bacteria Major Health Threat: Experts
New, hyper-resistant bacteria that are emerging because of continued overuse and misuse of antibiotics pose a serious global health threat, experts warned at a European conference.
"Some bacteria are becoming resistant to all treatments, forcing us to use older, toxic antibiotics or combinations of drugs that we are only familiar with on paper," Dominique Monnet, a European Center for Diseases Prevention and Control specialist on the issue, told Agence France Presse.
The problem is particularly serious in southern and eastern Europe, where antibiotic use is higher than anywhere else.
Monnet and a colleague surveyed about 100 European intensive care doctors and found that in the last six months more than half had treated at least one patient with a bacterial infection that was totally or almost totally resistant to antibiotics.
"Without effective antibiotics, modern medical treatments such as operations, transplants and intensive care will become impossible," warned ECDC director Zsuzsanna Jakab, AFP reported.
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Mini Pump Improves Heart Failure Patients' Survival: Study
A miniature heart pump improved survival among severe heart failure patients, say researchers who conducted the first trial of this kind of new-generation device as a permanent treatment.
The HeartMate II pushes blood continuously instead of simulating a heartbeat, which is what older pumps do, the Associated Press reported. Last year, the HeartMate II was approved for short-term use in patients awaiting a heart transplant.
This study tested the device as a permanent therapy in severe heart failure patients who weren't candidates for a heart transplant. After two years, 46 percent of patients who received the new pump were alive without having suffered a stroke or a device failure, compared with 11 percent of patients who received an older pump.
The study, sponsored by California-based device maker Thoratec Corp., was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at an American Heart Association conference.
The HeartMate II costs $80,000 while surgery to implant the device and the related hospital stay is about $45,000, the AP reported.
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RockHard Dietary Supplement Recalled: FDA
A dietary supplement called "RockHard Weekend" has been recalled because it poses a potential health hazard, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA said the product might contain sulfoaildenafil, an analogue of sildenafil, which is approved to treat erectile dysfunction. Sulfoaildenafil can interact with some prescription drugs and lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, United Press International reported.
The voluntary recall by RockHard Laboratories of Atlanta includes "RockHard Weekend" in blister packs with an expiration of "10/11," "3/12" or "8/12"; in three-count bottles with an expiration date of "09/12," and in eight-count bottles with an expiration date of "06/12."
For more information, consumers can contact RockHard Laboratories at 800-562-0543.
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Microsoft Co-Founder Diagnosed With Lymphoma
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, 56, has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to an email sent by his sister to employees of Allen's investment company, Vulcan.
"Paul is feeling O.K. and remains upbeat," Jody Allen, Vulcan's chief executive, wrote in the message, The New York Times reported. "He continues to work and he has no plans to change his role at Vulcan. His health comes first, though, and we'll be sure that nothing intrudes on that."
The diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was made this month. It's a relatively common form of lymphoma.
In 1983, Paul Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and left Microsoft to undergo radiation therapy and a bone marrow transplant. He never returned to day-to-day operations at Microsoft, but his stock in the company made him the 17th richest man in the United States, The Times reported.
Health Tip: Thinking About Organ Donation?
Being an organ donor means you agree to allow your healthy organs and tissues to be donated upon your death to others who need transplants. In most cases, you can fill out an organ donor card or simply sign the back of your driver's license to make your wishes known, says the National Women's Health Information Center. Anyone under age 18 must have the consent of a parent or guardian to become a donor, notes the center. Organs and tissues that may be donated include bone marrow, bones, kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines and skin. Being an organ donor will not affect in any way the medical care that may be used to save your life in an emergency, the center says. Health Tip: Manage Pain Without Drugs
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Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, 56, has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, according to an email sent by his sister to employees of Allen's investment company, Vulcan.
"Paul is feeling O.K. and remains upbeat," Jody Allen, Vulcan's chief executive, wrote in the message, The New York Times reported. "He continues to work and he has no plans to change his role at Vulcan. His health comes first, though, and we'll be sure that nothing intrudes on that."
The diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was made this month. It's a relatively common form of lymphoma.
In 1983, Paul Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and left Microsoft to undergo radiation therapy and a bone marrow transplant. He never returned to day-to-day operations at Microsoft, but his stock in the company made him the 17th richest man in the United States, The Times reported.
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Ketamine Affects Memory: Study
Regular use of the drug ketamine can cause memory problems, say English researchers who conducted memory and psychological tests on 120 users and non-users.
Those who frequently used the drug -- dubbed Special K -- performed significantly worse when asked to recall names, conversations and patterns. Performance on the tests was even worse when the University College London researchers conducted a follow-up a year later, BBC News reported.
The study appears in the journal Addiction.
Ketamine, which is popular among club goers, acts as a stimulant and induces hallucinations. Previous studies have suggested the drug could cause bladder and kidney damage, BBC News reported.
Lead researcher Dr. Celia Morgan said "many young people who use this drug may be largely unaware of its damaging properties and its potential for addiction. We need to ensure that users are informed of the potentially negative consequences of heavy ketamine use."
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Critics Question Drug Price Increases
The wholesale prices of brand-name prescription drugs in the United States increased by about 9 percent in the last year, a sharp contrast to the 1.3 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index.
Critics say drug companies are trying to establish a higher base price before Congress passes legislation to slow drug spending, but drug makers say they have valid business reasons for the price increases, The New York Times reported.
With the increases, the average yearly cost for a brand-name prescription drug taken daily has increased by about $200 to more than $2,000, according to Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, a professor of pharmaceutical economics at the University of Minnesota.
"When we have major legislation anticipated, we see a run-up in price increases," he told The Times.
Drug companies claim the price increases are necessary to maintain the profits they need to invest in research and development of new drugs.
"Price adjustments for our products have no connection to health care reform," Merck spokesman Ron Rogers told The Times.
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Brain Scans Detect Hypnosis Effects
The effects of hypnosis can be seen on brain scans, say English researchers.
They found that hypnotized volunteers had decreased activity in the parts of the brain associated with daydreaming or allowing the mind to wander. But the same effect wasn't seen in people who weren't susceptible to being hypnotized, BBC News reported.
"This shows that the changes were due to hypnosis and not just simple relaxation. Our study shows hypnosis is real," said study leader Dr William McGeown, a lecturer in the department of psychology at Hull University.
The study appears in the journal Consciousness and Cognition.
The findings show that hypnosis can work by "priming" a person to respond more effectively to suggestions but does not prove that people being hypnotized are in an actual "trance," Dr. Michael Heap, a clinical forensic psychologist in Sheffield, told BBC News.
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Little Impact So Far From Electronic Medical Records: Study
Electronic health records have done little so far to improve the cost and quality of patient care, say U.S. researchers who compared 3,000 hospitals at various stages in the adoption of computerized health records.
"The way electronic medical records are used now has not yet had a real impact on the quality or cost of health care," said study leader Dr. Ashish K. Jha, an assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, The New York Times reported.
The findings were to be presented Monday at a conference in Boston.
It's believed that widespread use of electronic medical records instead of paper records will improve health care and could save the U.S. health care system as much as $100 billion a year, The Times reported.
The findings of this study aren't surprising because only a few hospitals are using the full capabilities of computerized health records, said Dr. Karen Bell, senior vice president for health information technology services at the nonprofit group Masspro.
"There will be no clear answers on the overall payoff from the wider use of electronic health records until we get further along, five years or more," Bell toldThe Times. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't go forward."
Health Tip: Make Your Home Fall-Proof
Falls in the home can lead to serious injury, including the all-too-common broken hip. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these suggestions to minimize the risk of falling:
Health Tip: Protect Your Eyes
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Critics Question Drug Price Increases
The wholesale prices of brand-name prescription drugs in the United States increased by about 9 percent in the last year, a sharp contrast to the 1.3 percent decrease in the Consumer Price Index.
Critics say drug companies are trying to establish a higher base price before Congress passes legislation to slow drug spending, but drug makers say they have valid business reasons for the price increases, The New York Times reported.
With the increases, the average yearly cost for a brand-name prescription drug taken daily has increased by about $200 to more than $2,000, according to Stephen W. Schondelmeyer, a professor of pharmaceutical economics at the University of Minnesota.
"When we have major legislation anticipated, we see a run-up in price increases," he told The Times.
Drug companies claim the price increases are necessary to maintain the profits they need to invest in research and development of new drugs.
"Price adjustments for our products have no connection to health care reform," Merck spokesman Ron Rogers told The Times.
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Brain Scans Detect Hypnosis Effects
The effects of hypnosis can be seen on brain scans, say English researchers.
They found that hypnotized volunteers had decreased activity in the parts of the brain associated with daydreaming or allowing the mind to wander. But the same effect wasn't seen in people who weren't susceptible to being hypnotized, BBC News reported.
"This shows that the changes were due to hypnosis and not just simple relaxation. Our study shows hypnosis is real," said study leader Dr William McGeown, a lecturer in the department of psychology at Hull University.
The study appears in the journal Consciousness and Cognition.
The findings show that hypnosis can work by "priming" a person to respond more effectively to suggestions but does not prove that people being hypnotized are in an actual "trance," Dr. Michael Heap, a clinical forensic psychologist in Sheffield, told BBC News.
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Little Impact So Far From Electronic Medical Records: Study
Electronic health records have done little so far to improve the cost and quality of patient care, say U.S. researchers who compared 3,000 hospitals at various stages in the adoption of computerized health records.
"The way electronic medical records are used now has not yet had a real impact on the quality or cost of health care," said study leader Dr. Ashish K. Jha, an assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, The New York Times reported.
The findings were to be presented Monday at a conference in Boston.
It's believed that widespread use of electronic medical records instead of paper records will improve health care and could save the U.S. health care system as much as $100 billion a year, The Times reported.
The findings of this study aren't surprising because only a few hospitals are using the full capabilities of computerized health records, said Dr. Karen Bell, senior vice president for health information technology services at the nonprofit group Masspro.
"There will be no clear answers on the overall payoff from the wider use of electronic health records until we get further along, five years or more," Bell toldThe Times. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't go forward."
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FDA Warns of Steel Particles in Genzyme Drugs
Doctors should watch out for bits of steel, rubber and fiber in five drugs made by Genzyme Corp., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday.
The FDA said contaminants were believed to be in less than 1 percent of the drugs, and that it had received no reports of adverse events, Dow Jones reported. The medicines are Cerezyme, Fabrazyme, Myozyme, Aldurazyme and Thyrogen.
The drugs, used to treat rare diseases, will remain on the market because few alternative treatments exist, the FDA said. In explaining the decision, the agency said it "carefully considered the potential for serious adverse events from foreign particle contamination," Dow Jones said. But the FDA said it is "acutely aware of the critical need for patients to have continued access to these important products."
Quality reports submitted by Genzyme alerted the FDA to the problem. Possible adverse effects could include damage to blood vessels or anaphylactic and allergic reactions, the agency said.
Medical personnel should carefully examine the products, which come in liquid and powder form, Dow Jones said
Anyone noticing a problem with drugs should call the agency at 1-800-FDA-1088, report problems via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178 or fill out a form online at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/hcp.htm.
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Disease Prevention Important to Americans: Poll
Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of Americans favor increased spending on disease prevention, and 70 percent believe investing in prevention will save, rather than cost, money, according to a national poll released Friday by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The findings from the survey of 1,008 respondents shows that disease prevention is one of the most popular components of health reform, according to the groups.
"This poll shows that Americans strongly favor specific proposals that focus on keeping Americans healthier in the first place instead of only treating them after theyve become sick," Jeff Levi, executive director of TFAH, said in a news release.
"Investing in proven prevention programs and policy changes that make it easier for all Americans to make healthier choices is essential for building a healthier America, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said in the release.
Among the other poll findings:
Health Tip: Remedy a Hammer Toe
A hammer toe occurs when a toe bends over in a hammer-like or claw-like shape. Most common in the second toe, the condition can affect any toe. A person can be born with a hammer toe, or it can develop over time, particularly from wearing shoes that are too small. Early treatment may prevent the need for surgery. The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of other potential treatment options:
Health Tip: Treating an Ingrown Toenail
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Health Tip: Pack Your Child's Lunch
Between helping with homework, making dinner, and the nightly bedtime routine, it's difficult to find the time to pack a healthy lunch each day for your child.
The Nemours Foundation says it's worth the effort. It offers these benefits of packing your child's lunch:
Health Tip: Sources of Childhood Stress
Kids often get stressed, even without the pressures of adult life. Just as in adults, stress needs to be addressed in children.
The Nemours Foundation lists these possible sources of childhood stress:
Health Tip: Dealing With Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) raises the risk of a stroke or heart attack. But PAD can be managed by making certain lifestyle changes, notably getting enough physical activity. The American Heart Association offers these suggestions:
Health Tip: Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
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FDA Warns of Steel Particles in Genzyme Drugs
Doctors should watch out for bits of steel, rubber and fiber in five drugs made by Genzyme Corp., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday.
The FDA said contaminants were believed to be in less than 1 percent of the drugs, and that it had received no reports of adverse events, Dow Jones reported. The medicines are Cerezyme, Fabrazyme, Myozyme, Aldurazyme and Thyrogen.
The drugs, used to treat rare diseases, will remain on the market because few alternative treatments exist, the FDA said. In explaining the decision, the agency said it "carefully considered the potential for serious adverse events from foreign particle contamination," Dow Jones said. But the FDA said it is "acutely aware of the critical need for patients to have continued access to these important products."
Quality reports submitted by Genzyme alerted the FDA to the problem. Possible adverse effects could include damage to blood vessels or anaphylactic and allergic reactions, the agency said.
Medical personnel should carefully examine the products, which come in liquid and powder form, Dow Jones said
Anyone noticing a problem with drugs should call the agency at 1-800-FDA-1088, report problems via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178 or fill out a form online at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report/hcp.htm.
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Disease Prevention Important to Americans: Poll
Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of Americans favor increased spending on disease prevention, and 70 percent believe investing in prevention will save, rather than cost, money, according to a national poll released Friday by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The findings from the survey of 1,008 respondents shows that disease prevention is one of the most popular components of health reform, according to the groups.
"This poll shows that Americans strongly favor specific proposals that focus on keeping Americans healthier in the first place instead of only treating them after theyve become sick," Jeff Levi, executive director of TFAH, said in a news release.
"Investing in proven prevention programs and policy changes that make it easier for all Americans to make healthier choices is essential for building a healthier America, Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said in the release.
Among the other poll findings:
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Foodborne Illnesses Can Cause Long-Term Problems
Foodborne infections can have long-lasting health effects that can be as serious as kidney failure, paralysis, seizure, mental disability or death, according to the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention.
Children are especially at risk because their developing immune systems don't have the same ability as adult immune systems to fight foodborne pathogens. In addition, children's stomachs don't produce the same volume of acids as adult digestive systems, the Los Angeles Times reported.
It's believed that the long-term effects of foodborne infections cause more disability, doctor visits and hospitalizations than the immediate symptoms, such as stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea.
In a report released Thursday, the Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention listed the main causes of foodborne illness in the United States and the possible long-term effects:
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Texting Linked to Shoulder Pain: Study
Too much text-messaging may cause shoulder damage, say U.S. researchers who determined the association is stronger in males than in females.
The study of 138 college students found a link between higher numbers of text messages and shoulder discomfort, the Los Angeles Times reported.
More research is needed, but it may be wise to monitor musculoskeletal symptoms among people who spend a lot of time using hand-held devices, said study lead author Judith Gold, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work at Temple University in Philadelphia, and colleagues.
"Looking around our campus, you see every student on their cellphones, typing away," Gold said in a news release, the Times reported. "It's the age group that texts the most, so it's important to know what the health effects may be to learn whether it will cause long-term damage."
The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.
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FDA Can't Expect All Drug Risk Info in Web Ads: Experts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration can't expect online drug ads to contain all the required risk information, drug and advertising experts said at an FDA meeting Thursday.
The two-day (Thursday and Friday) session, convened by the FDA in order to get input on how it should regulate drug ads on the Internet, has attracted several hundred drug, advertising and social media specialists, Dow Jones Newswiresreported.
The drug industry lobby group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America suggested that the FDA create a universal logo that would indicate a Web site displays accurate information about drug risks.
But some at the meeting questioned how the FDA could guarantee the accuracy of information when Web sites are often updated daily or even hourly, Dow Jonesreported.
It's believed the FDA won't release any drug industry Web ad guidelines or regulations for at least a year.
Health Tip: Signs That You Might Be Malnourished
You know that it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet with all the nutrients that your body needs. A poor diet lacking in essential vitamins and minerals can lead to serious health problems. Here are warning signs of serious malnutrition that warrant a visit with your doctor and prompt treatment:
Health Tip: Dietary Needs of Aging Women
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FDA Can't Expect All Drug Risk Info in Web Ads: Experts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration can't expect online drug ads to contain all the required risk information, drug and advertising experts said at an FDA meeting Thursday.
The two-day (Thursday and Friday) session, convened by the FDA in order to get input on how it should regulate drug ads on the Internet, has attracted several hundred drug, advertising and social media specialists, Dow Jones Newswiresreported.
The drug industry lobby group Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America suggested that the FDA create a universal logo that would indicate a Web site displays accurate information about drug risks.
But some at the meeting questioned how the FDA could guarantee the accuracy of information when Web sites are often updated daily or even hourly, Dow Jonesreported.
It's believed the FDA won't release any drug industry Web ad guidelines or regulations for at least a year.
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Nearly $1 Billion a Year Spent on Blood Thinners in U.S.: Report
In 2007, nearly $900 million was spent in the United States on outpatient prescriptions for blood thinning (anticoagulant) drugs, according to a federal government report released Thursday.
Anticoagulants are used to help prevent blood clots, which can cause heart attacks, strokes and pulmonary embolisms.
About 4.2 million Americans age 18 and older used an anticoagulant in 2007, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The average cost and out-of-pocket payment for a brand name anticoagulant was $65 and $29, respectively, compared with $18 and $7, respectively, for generic anticoagulants.
Among the other findings:
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Scientists Manage to Neutralize Cancer Protein
A method of neutralizing a protein believed to play an important role in leukemia and other cancers could lead to new treatments, say U.S. researchers.
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute team made their breakthrough by examining the structure of a protein called Notch and identifying a potential weak spot. They then developed a peptide that disrupts Notch, BBC News reported.
Tests in mice showed use of the peptide limited cancer growth by reducing activity of genes both directly and indirectly controlled by Notch.
The study appears in the journal Nature.
Previous attempts at neutralizing Notch had failed, leading scientists to conclude nothing could be done to disrupt the protein, BBC News reported.
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Researchers Developing Method to Re-Grow Breasts
Australian researchers are testing a technique that may lead to the ability to re-grow breasts in women who've had a mastectomy, offering them an alternative to breast implants.
The procedure involves implanting a chamber beneath the skin and connecting a blood vessel to fat tissue in order to help it grow. The idea is to use a biodegradable chamber that dissolves inside the body after it fills with fat tissue, a process that would take about 24 months, CBS News reported.
So far, tests have been limited to pigs, but the team at the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery in Melbourne plans clinical trials on women who have lost breasts to cancer.
"We are starting what is called a prototype in the next three to six months -- a proof of principle trial with about five to six women, just to demonstrate that the body can re-grow its own fat supply in the breast," Dr. Phillip Marzella told Sky News, CBS News reported.
The procedure may be ready for use within three years.
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200 Million Children Have Stunted Growth: UNICEF
Stunted growth affects nearly 200 million children who don't have enough to eat, says a UNICEF report released Wednesday.
The agency said more than 90 percent of children with stunted growth are in Africa and Asia, the Associated Press reported. Last year, the rate of stunted growth in Africa was about 34 percent and 30 percent in Asia.
UNICEF also said that undernutrition is linked to more than a third of all deaths in children under 5. Without proper nutrition, children aren't able to fight off diseases and complications.
"Unless attention is paid to addressing the causes of child and maternal undernutrition today, the costs will be considerably higher tomorrow," UNICEF executive director Ann M. Veneman said in a news release, the AP reported.
UNICEF said wider use of programs to provide vitamin A supplementation and promote breast-feeding could cut the death rate in children by up to 15 percent.
"With more than 1 billion people suffering from malnutrition and hunger, international leadership and urgent action are needed," Veneman said.
Health Tip: Create Baby's Bedtime Routine
Babies are never too young to benefit from a bedtime routine, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. The agency offers these suggestions for developing bedtime habits from the start:
Health Tip: Putting Baby to Bed
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200 Million Children Have Stunted Growth: UNICEF
Stunted growth affects nearly 200 million children who don't have enough to eat, says a UNICEF report released Wednesday.
The agency said more than 90 percent of children with stunted growth are in Africa and Asia, the Associated Press reported. Last year, the rate of stunted growth in Africa was about 34 percent and 30 percent in Asia.
UNICEF also said that undernutrition is linked to more than a third of all deaths in children under 5. Without proper nutrition, children aren't able to fight off diseases and complications.
"Unless attention is paid to addressing the causes of child and maternal undernutrition today, the costs will be considerably higher tomorrow," UNICEF executive director Ann M. Veneman said in a news release, the AP reported.
UNICEF said wider use of programs to provide vitamin A supplementation and promote breast-feeding could cut the death rate in children by up to 15 percent.
"With more than 1 billion people suffering from malnutrition and hunger, international leadership and urgent action are needed," Veneman said.
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FDA to Consider Rules for Online Drug Ads
Drug makers want the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to make it easier for them to market their products online.
Under current regulations for traditional media, drug ads must include a detailed list of possible side effects. That rule has severely limited their ability to advertise drugs on the Web, according to pharmaceutical companies.
In response to those concerns, the FDA will hold a two-day meeting beginning Thursday to consider developing rules for online drug advertising, the Associated Press reported.
At the meeting, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America will suggest the FDA develop a logo that could be used in ads in place of lengthy statements about drug risks. Clicking on the logo would take users to a full listing of a drug's risks.
The FDA likely won't release final regulations until 2011, the AP reported.
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FDA Approves Glaxo Swine Flu Vaccine
A swine flu vaccine made by British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is now approved for use in the United States.
In a news release, the company said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved the unadjuvanted influenza A (H1N1) pandemic vaccine, Agence France Presse reported.
"The United States Department of Health and Human Services has placed an order to fill 7.6 million doses of unadjuvanted H1N1 pandemic vaccine from GSK, which will contribute to the approximately 250 million doses secured by the U.S. government," the company said.
The makeup of the GSK swine flu vaccine approved for use in the United States is different than that of Pandermix, the company's drug recently approved in Europe to treat swine flu, AFP reported.
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Ricin Antitoxin First to Go Into Production: U.K. Scientists
British scientists say their antitoxin against the deadly poison ricin is the first to move into production and should be available within a few years.
They said the antidote can protect against death when given up to 24 hours after exposure to ricin, which is about 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide and could be used in a bio-terror attack, BBC News reported.
To produce the antitoxin, an inactive form of ricin is injected into sheep, which triggers the production of antibodies. The antibodies are harvested from the sheep to create a freeze-dried product that can be reconstituted with water and injected into patients.
"In the past there has been lots of research carried out using different methods. But this is the first [antitoxin] that has been moved into production," Dr. Jane Holley, of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, told BBC News. "It is anticipated that a product will be available for use in the next couple of years."
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Genes Linked to Melanoma Patients' Survival
Genes that may predict survival and help determine treatment options for patients with advanced melanoma have been identified by U.S. researchers.
A team at New York University's Langone Medical Center studied 38 patients whose melanomas had recurred after being surgically removed and pinpointed 266 associated with shorter or longer survival, United Press International reported.
"We found that patients who survived longer had gene activity consistent with an immune response," said study senior author Dr. Nina Bhardwaj. "Patients who didn't survive as long didn't have an up-regulation of those genes, but tended to have higher levels of genes associated with cell proliferation, suggesting that if your cells are growing more actively, the tumor is going to grow faster."
Bhardwaj noted that if doctors knew more about "what was happening in those patients, within the tumor itself, perhaps we'd be able to help them in terms of what therapy they might go on," UPI reported.
The study was published online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
