Drug Week back issues from March 2009:
Early release news from Annals of Internal Medicine.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... The National Comprehensive Cancer Network estimates that 50 u 75 percent of all uses of cancer therapy are off-label. Yet the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services limit coverage of cancer drugs for off-label indications to those indications listed in specified compendia (a ...
Kidney disease affects response to blood thinner.
Mar 06, 2009 ... Patients with reduced kidney function require lower doses of the anticoagulant drug warfarin, and may need closer monitoring to avoid serious bleeding complications, suggests a study in the April 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN) (see also American ...
'Badly fragmented' forensic science system needs overhaul.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... A congressionally mandated report from the National Research Council finds serious deficiencies in the nation's forensic science system and calls for major reforms and new research. Rigorous and mandatory certification programs for forensic scientists are currently lacking, the report ...
Biomarker predicts disease recurrence in colorectal cancer.
Mar 06, 2009 ... Findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Association by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University show that the presence of a biomarker in regional lymph nodes is an independent predictor of disease recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer (see also Thomas Jefferson ...
Hope for preventative treatment for cystic fibrosis lung disease.
Mar 06, 2009 ... Heidelberg researchers have succeeded in preventing cystic fibrosis lung disease in an animal model by spraying amiloride into the lungs of young mice. This is the first therapy to successfully attack the root cause of the widespread hereditary disease in a living organism (see also ...
Cracking the species code for plants.
Mar 06, 2009 ... Plants are essential to our survival and that of most other animals on earth. It is easy to overlook this fact because they have become discretely embedded into our everyday lives. Plants provide us with food, medicines, and raw materials used by our industries. In spite of their ...
Research on anesthesia detailed by scientists at University of Pecs.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "The application of EMLA (R) cream is indicated for topical anesthesia of the skin in connection with IV cannulation. Recently, we described that EMLA cream has an antibacterial effect in vitro," scientists in Pecs, Hungary report (see also Anesthesia). "The impact of the local ...
New research on anti-infectives from D.W. Mortara and co-authors summarized.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Concern for drug-induced QT prolongation has caused significant investment in QT measurement to safety-test new compounds. Manual methods are expensive and time-consuming," scientists in the United States report (see also Anti-Infectives). "Reliable automatic methods would be ...
Research reports on anti-infectives from A.M. Ramsey and colleagues provide new insights.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from the United States, "Although the incidence of hospitalizations with infection due to vancomycin-resistant pathogens in the United States remained stable during 2000-2003, it increased from 4.60 to 9.48 hospitalizations per 100,000 population during ...
Recent findings in antibiotics described by M. Kutlay and colleagues.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from Istanbul, Turkey, "Kutlay M, Colak A., Simsek H, Yildiz S, Topuz K, Kaya S, Cetinkal A, Demircan M.Antibiotic and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of post-operative discitis. Undersea Hyperb Med 2008; 35(6):427-440." "Despite the use ...
Reports summarize antibiotics study results from J. Adrian and co-researchers.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Barcelona, Spain, "Immunoreagents appropriately produced to detect a wide range of sulfonamide antibiotic congeners have been used to develop a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The selectivity has been achieved by combining antibodies ...
Research from S.Y. Zhu and co-authors yields new data on antibiotics.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Beijing, People's Republic of China, "Cathelicidins, a group of vertebrate-specific immune effector molecules, developed into a multigene family through gene duplication in the Cetartiodactyla lineage, in which structural changes of the antimicrobial domains ...
Scientists at World Health Organization target antibiotics.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "To evaluate a community education program about treatment of acute respiratory infection (ARI). First, community case definitions for severe and mild ARI were developed," researchers in Geneva, Switzerland report (see also Antibiotics). "The intervention was then evaluated ...
Reports summarize antifungals research from R.G. Vitale and co-authors.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from Buenos Aires, Argentina, "The antifungal activity of six drugs was evaluated against 41 clinical and environmental isolates of Cladophialophora carrionii and its sister species C. yegresii. Drugs tested, including their ranges, were: 16-0.016 g/ml for ...
Researchers from University of Texas publish new studies and findings in the area of antifungals.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Frequently, diseases caused by black yeasts are chronic in nature with a high morbidity. In addition, these infections are often fatal and relapse is common, even after prolonged treatment," investigators in the United States report (see also Antifungals). "Although the CLSI ...
Findings from Royal University broaden understanding of antimicrobials.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "is recognized as a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and colitis," scientists in Saskatoon, Canada report (see also Antimicrobials). "Antimicrobial agents have been repeatedly recognized as a causative risk for C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) and more ...
Investigators at University of Bern have published new data on antimicrobials.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "The skin is constantly exposed to commensal microflora and pathogenic microbes. The stratum corneum of the outermost skin layer employs distinct tools such as harsh growth conditions and numerous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to discriminate between beneficial cutaneous microflora and ...
Reports by D.N. Schwartz and co-researchers describe recent advances in antimicrobials.
Mar 06, 2009 ... Researchers in the United States conducted a study "To describe and measure reliability of a computer-assisted method of case vignette assembly and expert review to assess the appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy for hospitalized adults. Feasibility and reliability analysis of ...
Research from R. Galinier and co-authors yields new data on antimicrobials.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "We report here the screening of five marine invertebrate species from two taxa (tunicates and echinoderms) for the presence of cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMP) in defence cells (hemocytes). Antimicrobial activities were detected only in the two tunicates Microcosm us sabatieri and ...
Reports from East Carolina University, Medical Department add new data to research in apoptosis.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1) is known to radioprotect the gastrointestinal tract, but the mechanism by which this protection occurs remains unclear. These studies were undertaken to investigate whether the radioprotective potential of IL-1 may be linked to an ability to reduce apoptosis ...
Researchers from Wroclaw University report details of new studies and findings in the area of arteriosclerosis.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Wroclaw, Poland, "The role of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-18 in induction of the inflammatory reaction underlying arteriosclerosis, and protective effect of an anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in this process, have been confirmed by experimental and clinical ...
New arthritis research from U.S. Skjoldborg and co-researchers described.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "To investigate the issue of conjoint reliability over time. A discrete choice experiment was applied using scenarios that describe the effect of treating rheumatoid arthritis patients with TNF-alpha inhibitors, a novel class of highly effective, but expensive antirheumatic agents," ...
Study data from N. Nagai and co-authors update knowledge of arthritis.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "It is well known that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have significant side effects, such as gastroenteropathy, and that rheumatoid arthritis patients taking NSAIDs are more susceptible to NSAIDs-induced gastric lesions as compared with patients with other diseases. We ...
Researchers from University of Jena detail findings in atopic dermatitis.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Atopic dermatitis has been shown to be associated with neurogenic and psychosocial factors. In related atopic diseases such as rhinitis or asthma, a shift in autonomic balance towards a parasympathetic modulation has been described," scientists in Jena, Germany report (see also Atopic ...
Cardium's Exchange Listing Compliance Plan Accepted by NYSE Alternext US.
Mar 06, 2009 ... Cardium Therapeutics (NYSE Alternext US: CXM) reported that its exchange listing compliance plan submitted on January 23, 2009 has been accepted by the NYSE Alternext US LLC (formerly the American Stock Exchange) (see also Cardium Therapeutics). As reported on December 30, 2008, ...
Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder: a Treatment Model and an Array of Methods and Techniques for Treating BPD Clients.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/92ad89/schema_therapy_for) has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new report "Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder" to their offering (see also Research and Markets). This book was ...
Study results from University of Guelph update understanding of addiction medicine.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Despite the growing literatures on cannabis dependence, and urgent declarations as to treatment need, there is a scarcity of data on cannabis problems as a primary reason for treatment. This article compares characteristics of cannabis treatment seekers with those of a nontreatment sample ...
New adipose tissue study findings recently were published by J. Nie and co-researchers.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from the United States, "SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) modulates interactions between cells and extracellular matrix and is enriched in white adipose tissue. We have reported that SPARC-null mice accumulate significantly more fat than ...
New adverse drug reactions study findings have been reported by researchers at Auckland Hospital.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Dermatological surgery performed in an outpatient setting is common and generally perceived as safe, but the potential for serious adverse events does exist. Furthermore, there is a current lack of guidelines regarding preoperative and intraoperative monitoring of such patients," ...
Research on adverse drug reactions discussed by scientists at GlaxoSmithKline.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from the United States, "Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have a major impact on patients, physicians, health care providers, regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Identifying the genetic contributions to ADR risk may lead to a better understanding of the ...
New aging study findings have been reported by M. He and co-researchers.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Shenyang, People's Republic of China, "The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenolic constituent of green tea, in aging mice induced by D-galactose (D-gal). The aging mice ...
Reports outline aging study findings from Brigham Young University.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from the United States, "The present study examined therapists' training in aging issues, and their knowledge and attitudes about aging. One hundred and ninety-one clinicians completed a web-based questionnaire." "The majority of respondents reported ...
Data from Columbia University advance knowledge in alcoholism.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from the United States, "We sought to study the association between adverse events occurring in childhood and adolescence and lifetime alcohol dependence in a representative sample of American adults. With data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol ...
Research reports on alcoholism from Uppsala University provide new insights.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "In human alcoholics, the cell density is decreased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and other brain areas. This may be due to persistent activation of cell death pathways," scientists in Uppsala, Sweden report (see also Alcoholism). "To address this hypothesis, we examined the ...
Scientists at University of Wurzburg release new data on alcoholism.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Wurzburg, Germany, "In spite of the impact of biographical factors on alcoholism and on the therapy of alcoholics, there are few studies that statistically investigate the biographical data of alcoholics. This is the reason why biographical variables in addition ...
Study data from T.D. Fernandez et al provide new insights into allergic reactions.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Malaga, Spain, "Skin test sensitivity in patients with immediate allergy to penicillins tends to decrease over time, but no information is available concerning in vitro tests. We analysed the negativization rates of two in vitro methods that determine specific ...
Report summarizes allergies study findings from A. Lifrani and co-researchers.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Food allergy can cause food-related anaphylaxis. Food allergen labeling is the principal means of protecting sensitized individuals," scientists writing in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry report (see also Allergies). "This motivated European Directive 2003/89 on ...
Research from Semmelweis University, Medical Department has provided new data on allergies.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Budapest, Hungary, "Periocular contact dermatitis may appear as contact conjunctivitis, contact allergic and/or irritative eyelid and periorbital dermatitis, or a combination of these symptoms. The clinical symptoms may be induced by several environmental and ...
Research results from P.J. Bousquet and colleagues update understanding of allergies.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Nonallergic hypersensitivity and allergic reactions are part of the many different types of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Databases exist for the collection of ADRs," scientists writing in the journal Allergy report (see also Allergies). "Spontaneous reporting makes up the ...
Researchers from Ohio State University detail findings in allergies.
Mar 06, 2009 ... In this recent study, researchers in the United States conducted a study "To assess the comfort and efficacy of epinastine 0.05% ophthalmic solution in contact lens wearers with a history of allergic conjunctivitis and contact lens intolerance during allergy season. One hundred forty-six ...
New Alzheimer disease research from N. Fukumitsu et al outlined.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Adenosine is an endogenous modulator of synaptic functions in the central nervous system. The effects of adenosine are mediated by at least four adenosine receptor subtypes," scientists in Chiba, Japan report (see also Alzheimer Disease). "Decreased density of adenosine A1 ...
Research from University of Toronto yields new findings on ambulatory surgery.(Clinical report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Preoperative testing has been criticized as having little impact on perioperative outcomes. We conducted a randomized, single-blind, prospective, controlled pilot study to determine whether indicated preoperative testing can be eliminated without increasing the perioperative incidence of ...
Studies from University of Paris describe new findings in analgesics.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Background and objective Administering various combinations of acetaminophen, ketoprofen, nefopam and ketamine, though sometimes discussed, is expected to provide superior pain relief and reduce opioid analgesic-related side effects. However, some studies have indicated that multimodal ...
Data from N. Elhindy and colleagues advance knowledge in anesthesia.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... " The primary aim of this study was to detail anaesthetic techniques and complications for cataract surgery in the UK. The Cataract National Dataset was extracted from 12 National Health Service Trusts that used the same electronic patient record system between November 2001 and July 2006 ...
Findings from T. Nishiyama and co-authors provide new insights into anesthesia.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research published in the European Journal of Anaesthesiology, "Background and objective This study compared an anaesthetic-conserving device (AnaConDa) and a conventional vaporizer in terms of sevoflurane and emergence from anaesthesia using a total gas flow 4 l ...
Investigators at Fourth Military Medical University target anesthesia.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Intracarotid propofol infusion was studied in canines as an experimental basis for application of propofol in the Wada test. First, efficacy and side-effects of propofol anaesthesia were studied in eight mongrel dogs that received intracarotid and i.v. propofol infusions for 30 min ...
New anesthesia findings from Hirosaki University, Medical Department published.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Orexins (OXs) regulate wakefulness, and a lack of OX Type-I receptors cause narcolepsy. OX selectively increases norepinephrine (NE) release from rat cerebral cortical slices, and brain noradrenergic neurons are involved in the sleep-wakefulness cycle," scientists in Hirosaki, Japan ...
New anesthesia research has been reported by T. Tanabe et al.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Background and objective It is known that esmolol, a short-acting beta(1)-blocker, reduces anaesthetic requirement. In this study, we evaluated whether a low dose of landiolol, a new ultra-short-acting beta(1)-blocker, can reduce the sevoflurane requirement," investigators in Sasebo, ...
New findings reported from F.S. Xue and co-authors describe advances in anesthesia.(Clinical report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from Beijing, People's Republic of China, "We designed this randomized, double-blind clinical study to compare the safety and efficacy of 2% and 4% lidocaine during airway topical anesthesia with a spray-as-you-go technique via the fiberoptic bronchoscope ....
Report summarizes anesthesia study findings from S.A. Fernandez and co-researchers.(Clinical report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from Pontevedra, Spain, "This study compared the efficacy of topical anaesthesia with levobupivacaine 0.75% vs lidocaine 2% during cataract surgery by phacoemulsification. A prospective, randomized, double-blind study comparing two agents for topical ...
Reports from Stanford University, Medical Department add new data to research in anesthesia.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Anesthesia is produced by a depression of neuronal signaling in the central nervous system (CNS); however, the mechanism(s) of action underlying this depression remain unclear. Recent studies have indicated that anesthetics can enhance inhibition of CNS neurons by increasing current flow ...
Reports outline anesthesia research from J. Sawyer and colleagues.(Clinical report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, "We compared the lidocaine/tetracaine patch [Synera (TM) (USA), Rapydan (TM) (Europe)], a novel heat-aided patch using a eutectic mixture of lidocaine 70 mg and tetracaine 70 mg, with a eutectic mixture of ...
Research from University of Auckland yields new findings on anesthesia.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Trained assistance for the anaesthetist appears likely to improve safety in anaesthesia. However, there are few objective data to support this assumption, and the requirement for a trained assistant is not universally enforced," scientists in Auckland, New Zealand report (see also ...
Scientists at Charite University detail research in anesthesia.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from Berlin, Germany, "Prediction of movement responses to noxious stimuli during anaesthesia is of clinical importance. Susceptibility of a parameter of immobility to both hypnotic and analgesic influences could pose an advantage." "Here, nociceptive ...
Research from F. Luo et al broadens understanding of aneurysm.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from Beijing, People's Republic of China, "We had previously reported that plasma concentrations of endothelin (ET) decreased significantly in the operating room during desflurane anesthesia. The purpose of the present Study was to explore whether changes in ...
Scientists at University of Calgary discuss research in aneurysm.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research published in the journal Neurocritical Care, "Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates occur frequently following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and may be associated with worse outcomes. The etiology, natural history, and prognosis of infiltrates occurring ...
Data from B.B. Frericks and colleagues advance knowledge in angiology.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from Berlin, Germany, "Magnetic resonance (MR)-guided interventions have evolved from a pure research application to a preclinical method over the last decade. Among the device-tracking techniques, susceptibility artifact-based tracking relies on the contrast ...
Findings from Baylor University provide new insights into angiology.(Clinical report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "A randomized prospective study comparing the treatment of superficial femoral artery occlusive disease percutaneously with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)/nitinol self-expanding stent graft (stent-graft) vs surgical femoral to above knee popliteal artery bypass with synthetic ...
New angiology data have been reported by researchers at University of Maryland.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) have become an increasingly recognized entity. Stroke as a result of these injuries can have devastating consequences," scientists in the United States report (see also Angiology). "Optimal screening criteria, diagnostic imaging, and ...
New angiology research from T. Abe and co-researchers described.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from the United States, "We investigated the preclinical characteristics of the neuroprotective effect of the prostaglandin E2 type 1 receptor (EP1) antagonist SC51089 in models of focal cerebral ischemia produced by occlusion of the mouse middle cerebral ...
New angiology study findings have been reported by scientists at Harvard University.(Report)
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Cerebral vasoconstriction is associated with increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in vascular smooth muscle, presumably due to Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. We tested the hypothesis that dantrolene (a blocker of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release from the ryanodine ...
Research from E. Weigang et al broadens understanding of angiology.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Conventional surgical therapy of aortic arch aneurysms consists of aortic arch replacement requiring cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. This method is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, mainly due to neurologic complications and the sequelae ...
Research from Northwestern University yields new findings on angiology.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to a study from the United States, "When performed properly, a transposition is the most efficient and most durable procedure for reconstructing the subclavian artery for proximal occlusive disease or to extend the landing zone in the aortic arch prior to endovascular therapy for ...
Scientists at German Heart Center publish research in angiology.
Mar 06, 2009 ... "Machining of shape memory alloys based on Nitinol (NiTi) creates difficulties due to its ductility and severe strain hardening. In this experiment, different cutting edges and grinding parameters were tested to optimize cutting results on NiTi-based blades intended for endovascular heart ...
Study findings from Nara Medical University broaden understanding of angiology.
Mar 06, 2009 ... According to recent research from Nara, Japan, "The present study is designed to investigate the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the regulation of vascular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity under basal and angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated conditions ....