Women's Health Weekly back issues from March 2003:
More regulation, long-term studies needed, says magazine.(Popular Science article on reproductive technology)(Brief Article)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- In an article in its March 2003 issue, Popular Science magazine describes the need for long-term studies and more regulation in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The article "Sallie has Two Mommies & One Daddy," explores the ...
Caregiving raises risk in women.(coronary heart disease risk increased in women caregivers)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women who spend 9 or more hours a week caring for an ill or disabled spouse have an increased risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new study. The study shows, however, that providing care for a disabled or ill parent, sibling, ...
Structure of key receptor determined.(HER2 receptor in breast cancer studied)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A team of scientists from Johns Hopkins and the biotechnology company Genitope has unlocked the 3-D structure of a receptor that goes awry in 20-30% of breast cancers. The scientists also figured out how the receptor, known as HER2, ...
Pelvic exercises reduce likelihood during and after pregnancy.(urinary incontinence risk reduced)(Brief Article)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A new study finds that an intensive program of pelvic-floor-muscle exercises may reduce the risk of urinary incontinence during and following pregnancy. Pregnancy and vaginal delivery are considered to be main risk factors leading to ...
Acrobeads test useful for assessing fertility after varicocele repair.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Acrobeads testing can be a useful way to evaluate the fertility potential of men who have undergone surgery to remove varicoceles, researchers in Japan say. "The Acrobeads test was performed on semen samples from 43 patients with ...
Neighborhood variables a rationale for birth weight differences in urban babies.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from the United States, "differences in maternal characteristics only partially explain the lower birth weights of infants of African-American women. It is hypothesized that economic and social features of urban neighborhoods ...
Different aspects of physical activity differ between male and female youth.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from the United States, "a four-page survey was administered to 535 adolescents at two single-sex (one male, one female) high schools in Cincinnati, Ohio, to examine whether perceptions of physical activity differed by gender. ...
Degradation of ER-alpha by TGF-beta 1 could control tumor growth.(estrgen receptor, transforming growth factor)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Normal mammary epithelial cells are rapidly induced to G; they arrest by the widely expressed cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1). Studies in established breast cancer cell lines that express the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) ...
Immunohistochemical distinction of invasive from noninvasive breast lesions.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research in the United States, "Identification of myoepithelial cells using antibodies to cytoskeletal proteins, such as smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMM-HC) and calponin, can play an important role in distinguishing ...
Mutation in BRCA2 compromises the interaction with replication protein A.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes predispose women to familial, early onset breast cancer. Both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 proteins appear to function in the homologous recombination pathway of DNA double strand break repair. Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 ...
Protein is overexpressed in endothelial cells of mouse breast tumor vessels.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Switzerland, "angiogenesis is a key process in a variety of human diseases, including cancer. The ability to target selectively the tumor vasculature is potentially useful for the diagnosis and treatment of ...
Relief for radiation therapy sought on the grapevine.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The humble grape could tackle a painful side effect of breast cancer radiotherapy for which there is currently no effective treatment. A clinical trial funded by Cancer Research U.K. and conducted by the Royal Marsden Hospital and the ...
Foreign DNA prevents mammary adenocarcinoma in transgenic mice.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers in Italy have identified antisense oligodeoxynucleotides that not only treat but also prevent mammary adenocarcinomas in transgenic mice by heightening the innate immune response system. According to a study from Italy, ...
Family dynamics play role in etiology of bulimic behavior.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Italy, "the numbers of studies on the familial environment and personality of bulimic women have increased in recent years and results have revealed interesting features." "In this study, we evaluated ...
FDA grants Fast Track designation for investigational oral mucositis drug.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Aesgen, Inc., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to the company's investigational new drug, Aesgen-14 (AES-14), for oral mucositis associated ...
Gender and hormonal status modulate the effects of psyllium in humans.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The effects of psyllium on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels tend to depend on a person's gender and hormonal status, according to new research from the United States. "Psyllium (PSY) intake decreases plasma low-density ...
Papillomavirus' E6 and E7 proteins differentially protect from cell apoptosis.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from the United States, "Cervical cancer cells express high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 and E7 proteins, and repression of HPV gene expression causes the cells to cease proliferation and undergo senescence ....
Growth arrest of HPV-positive cells is independent of E6/E7 oncogene expression.(human papilloma virus)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) are capable of arresting growth in cervical carcinoma cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Although HPV E6/E7 mRNA steady-state levels appeared to be constant after prolonged treatment, time-course ...
Bethesda and other grading terminology should remain in the interim.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from Germany, "The criteria currently used for grading cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are arbitrary and subjective with consequent considerable observer variability. None of the currently used criteria make a clear ...
Phase II clinical data reported for 7-day patch.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Agile Therapeutics, Inc., announced that an analysis of data from the Phase II clinical trial of its seven-day translucent contraceptive patch indicates that ovulation was suppressed by more than 95% throughout the three-month study. ...
Clinical study tests Botox's effectiveness in reducing chin wrinkles.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The first U.S. clinical trial to test the effectiveness of Botox to smooth deep wrinkles and lines on the chin is being conducted in West Palm Beach, Florida. The principal investigator is Dr. Kenneth Beer, a board-certified cosmetic ...
Parents' and daughters' perceptions of body esteem may not correlate.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Parents and their adolescent daughters may have incongruent perceptions about body esteem, according to a study from Canada. "This study examined parents' awareness of their daughters' attitudes, beliefs, and feelings about their bodies ....
Knowledge of pregnancy prevention alternatives lacking among Danish women.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Denmark, "the aim of this study was to describe knowledge about and use of emergency contraception (EC) among Danish women requesting termination of pregnancy. The study included 1514 women (response rate 83.7%) ...
Estrogen can stimulate an ERE-driven gene to promote DNA synthesis.(estrogen response element)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Estrogen 17beta-estradiol (E2) rapidly modulates several signaling pathways related to cell growth, preservation, and differentiation. The physiological role of these nongenomic effects with regard to downstream outcomes, and the relationship with ...
Hormone replacement maintains vaginal integrity after ovarian removal.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement on vaginal tissue integrity and vaginal lubrication in basal conditions and in response to pelvic nerve stimulation (PNS)," researchers in the United ...
Initial center-based program promotes long-term adherence to fitness training.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS, senior medical writer - Initiating an exercise program at a center where supervision is available increases adherence to fitness training when compared with beginning an exercise program at home, according to results of ...
TNF-alpha is potential target for treatment intervention.(tumor necrosis factor)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from New Zealand, "Increased production of PGs by gestational membranes is believed to be a principal initiator of term and preterm labor. Intrauterine infection is associated with an inflammatory response in the ...
Hormone therapy could help prevent preterm births.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Injections of a progesterone-type hormone may be able to prevent more than a third of preterm births in women with a history of giving birth early, reported Paul J. Meis, MD, of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, at the Annual Meeting ...
Low amniotic fluid no risk to normal birth.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Doctors may not have to deliver a baby early if it has low amniotic fluid surrounding it, Johns Hopkins obstetricians report. In a study presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in San Francisco, ...
Serum profile of isosorbide mononitrate after vaginal administration in the third trimester.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from Scotland, "vaginally administered nitric oxide donors such as isosorbide mononitrate have been used to ripen the uterine cervix in pregnancy. The pharmacokinetics of isosorbide mononitrate following vaginal administration ...
Stress during pregnancy can affect fetal heart rate.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Stress-related changes in a pregnant woman's heart rate and blood pressure, along with chronic anxiety, can affect the heart rate of her developing fetus, a new study has concluded. Although the study did not report any negative effects ...
Actonel significantly reduces fractures in high-risk women.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Newly published data show that treatment with 5 mg Actonel (risedronate sodium tablets) daily reduced the risk of spinal fracture in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients at higher risk of fracture because of age or low bone mineral density (BMD) at ...
Preos maker provides clinical update.(lead drug candidate for treating osteoporosis, NPS Pharmaceuticals )
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- NPS Pharmaceuticals (NPSP) briefed the investment community on its most advanced clinical development programs during its recent presentation at the Merrill Lynch Global Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, and Medical Device Conference. NPS ...
Strontium ranelate prevents early postmenopausal bone loss.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from Belgium, "early postmenopausal women (n = 160) were randomized to receive placebo or strontium ranelate (SR) 125 mg/day, 500 mg/day or 1 g/day for 2 years (40 participants per group). All participants received calcium 500 ...
Study: Weight-bearing activities in teens promote healthy bone mass.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Regular physical activity has been shown to influence good bone health throughout life and has shown promise as a means of prevention and intervention for osteoporosis. Recent data suggests that bone may be most responsive to the ...
Chromosome analysis detects cell lines ideal for studying gene transfer.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers in Australia have identified several ovarian cancer cell lines that would be ideal candidates for studying cancer gene therapy, based on their analysis of chromosome 8. "The short arm of chromosome 8 undergoes frequent loss ...
Risk of malignancy low in small, ovarian cystic tumors, study shows.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A comprehensive study released at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists annual meeting on Women's Cancer shows that the risk of malignancy in ovarian cystic tumors less than 10 cm in diameter is very low. These findings suggest that ...
Expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 differs in two types of cancer.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins in 13 ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinomas arising from endometriosis (group 1) and compared the findings with 15 otherwise similar cases without associated ...
ATP activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase in neoplasia.(adenosine triphosphate )
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Recent research from Canada investigated "the role of ATP in ovarian tumorigenesis, examining the expression of the P2U purinoceptor (P2U-R) and effect of ATP on growth stimulation in preneoplastic and neoplastic ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) ...
Viral load could be used as a marker for risk of cervical cancer.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "HPV infections are believed to be a cause of cervical cancer. Viral burden, as a surrogate indicator for persistence, may help predict risk of subsequent SIL. We used results of Ill test and cytology data, repeated every 4-6 months, in 2081 women ...
E-cadherin and beta-catenin expression are downregulated in trophoblast.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Peoples R China, "E-cadherin and beta-catenin are cell-cell adhesion molecules, which are thought to play an important role in trophoblastic differentiation and remodeling during gestation. Their expression may be ...
Oxidative stress is suspected, due to differences in placental blood flow.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from England, "Onset of the maternal-placental circulation was studied by Doppler ultrasonography in 65 pairs of age matched normal and abnormal pregnancies. In normal pregnancies intervillous blood flow increased with ...
Property of pregnant uterus may be of importance in preventing fetal rejection.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Protecting the fetus and placenta from the maternal immune system has long been considered a function of placental trophoblasts," researchers in the United States report. "Here, we present two related lines of evidence that contradict ...
Risk factors for bacterial vaginosis in early pregnancy outlined in new study.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Poland, "the main aim of this prospective study was to determine the socioeconomic, demographic and environmental factors that may be associated with the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis at early pregnancy in an ...
Increased risk may be linked to presence of common bacterium in amniotic fluid.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A scientist at Weill Cornell Medical College has discovered that the presence of the microorganism Ureaplasma urealyticum in the amniotic fluid is linked with an increased risk of preterm labor. Results from the U.S. National Institutes ...
Heparin and aspirin are the simplest, most effective treatments.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from India, "The most compelling association between pregnancy loss and autoimmune phenomena has been with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody. The antiphospholipid ...
Sperm DNA fragmentation higher among some couples with recurrent miscarriage.(Brief Article)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Some couples who experience repeated pregnancy loss may be hosts to sperm DNA fragmentation, according to researchers in the United States. "Previous studies have indicated that sperm quality may be related to unexplained recurrent ...
Genetic typing of Chlamydia trachomatis affirms data collection.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from Canada, "sexual and social network analysis have been proposed as novel sexually transmitted disease control and research tools. Here, the concordance between chlamydia genotype data and a large sexual network constructed ...
IND application filed for chlamydia vaccine.(investigational new drug)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antex Biologics Inc. (AMEX:ANX) has filed an initial investigational new drug (IND) application for its TracVax vaccine with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). TracVax is a recombinant subunit vaccine designed to prevent and ...
Gender, ethnic differences in anxiety may affect intervention and recovery.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Orthopedic surgeons studying gender and ethnic differences among patients undergoing joint replacement find that fear and anxiety may play a significant role in delaying surgery, resulting in increased pain and poorer preoperative functional ...
Molecular studies of Escherichia coli based infections are needed.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- "Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequently acquired bacterial infections and Escherichia coli accounts for as many as 90% of all UTIs seen among ambulatory populations," researchers in the United States report. "Risk ...
RU-486 found useful in shrinking fibroids.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Mifepristone, the drug also known as RU-486 used for early medical abortion, may prove to be an effective alternative treatment for fibroids, according to a new study. Researchers at the University of Rochester in New York studied 40 ...
Expression and functional activity of NHE isoforms in endometrial epithelium.(Na+/H+ exchangers)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from the Peoples Republic of China, "The luminal fluid microenvironment of the uterus is important for sperm capacitation and embryo development. "In an attempt to understand the possible role of Na+/H+ ...
Nonculture-based techniques useful for studying vaginal microbiota.(Brief Article)
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from Canada, "the vaginal bacterial microbiota of 19 premenopausal women was examined by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)and sequencing of the V2-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Ten of the ...
Estrogen receptors interact with the Fas ligand promoter in human monocytes.
Mar 06, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to a study from the United States, "The predominance of autoimmume diseases among women suggests that estrogen may modulate immune function. "Monocytes and macrophages are important in initiating, maintaining, and resolving ...
No correlation in postmenopausal women.(increased estrogen levels have no connection to changes in cognitive functioning)
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- In confirmation of previous research, and contrary to findings from two recent studies, scientists at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine have shown that increased levels of estrogen do not correlate with changes in ...
Women with RA have marked risk for heart attack.(rheumatoid arthritis)
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher risk of heart attack compared with those without arthritis, according to a new study. The findings demonstrate that RA should be a recognized marker for increased risk of a heart ...
Gender and ethnicity affect patient-physician communication about depression.
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Gender and ethnicity affect the way patients and physicians communicate about depression and anxiety. According to a study from the United States, "the purpose of this study was to describe the influence of patient gender and ethnicity ...
Physical activity is complementary to the initiation of hormone replacement.
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Physical activity is complementary to the initiation of hormone replacement. "Hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) and physical activity are both related to aging and health. U.S minorities are more likely to be inactive and less likely ...
Vitamins, exercise, weight training may improve bone density.
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- As the debate over the safety of hormone replacement therapy continues, University of Florida (UF) nurse researchers have shown in a small but promising study that a combination of vitamin supplements, exercise, and weight training may provide ...
Survival odds improve with immediate chemotherapy following surgery.(ovarian cancer outcome)
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The combined results of two clinical trials have shown that women with early ovarian cancer, which is restricted to the ovary, have a better chance of survival after surgery if they are treated immediately with platinum compound-based ...
Epidural analgesia during delivery does not affect the pelvic floor.
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Epidural analgesia during spontaneous delivery does not adversely affect the pelvic floor. "The aim of the study was to assess the effects of epidural analgesia on pelvic floor function. Eighty-two primiparous women (group 1, ...
Women's physical function suffers more than men's from cardiac-related chest pain.
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Women with chronic chest pain associated with angina pectoris experience more detrimental effects on their quality of life than men, according to a new study. Angina pectoris occurs when the demand for blood by the heart exceeds the ...
As few as four questions can help screen for eating disorders.(Brief Article)
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- As few as four questions can help screen for eating disorders. "Current screening instruments for eating disorders are cumbersome to administer and have not been validated in primary care populations. We compared the performance ...
High levels of growth factor could be marker for metastatic breast carcinoma.(vascular endothelial growth factor D)
Mar 13, 2003 ... 2003 MAR 13 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- by Sonia Nichols, senior medical writer - Scientists have long suspected that growth factors associated with angiogenesis contribute to the spread of certain cancers. A research team in Japan have concluded that at least one marks the metastatic ...