Health News

EU Parliament unites with patient and professional organisations to fight head and neck cancer: Action urgently needed to improve patient outcomes

Date: Sep-24-2013
On September 24th the European Head and Neck Society (EHNS) and the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) will join forces with the European Parliament to highlight the challenges in treating head and neck cancer. Member of European Parliament (MEP) Daciana Sarbu will be hosting a parliamentary meeting for political and patient advocacy representatives to launch a head and neck cancer white paper and call-to-action - both demonstrating a commitment to improving standards of care and delivering best outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer across Europe...

Ohio state vet discusses investigation into mystery dog illness

Date: Sep-24-2013
Several dogs in Ohio have recently presented with vomiting and bloody diarrhea, and four of them have died. The symptoms aren't uncommon, but the cause might be. Veterinarians across the country are currently investigating these cases to see what sickened or killed the dogs in Ohio, including a possible link to a newly emerging canine circovirus. In the latest podcast from the American Veterinary Medical Association, Ohio State Veterinarian Dr...

NIDA updates its consumer treatment guide in recognition of National Recovery Month

Date: Sep-24-2013
People seeking addiction treatment for themselves or loved ones will now have an updated resource with questions they should ask potential treatment centers. The revised consumer guide, Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask, is evidence-based and is being released in recognition of this year's National Recovery Month. The month of September marks the 24th anniversary of National Recovery Month , a national observance led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)...

Mental health 'eye test' breakthrough up for national award

Date: Sep-24-2013
An eye movement test to assist diagnosis of major adult psychiatric disorders has made the final stage of a prestigious national contest recognising Scotland's entrepreneurial innovations.  Devised by researchers from the University of Aberdeen, the test recognises unusual eye movements to help clinicians identify illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression.  It is hoped the assessment will make the process of reaching an accurate diagnosis more efficient...

RELVAR™ ELLIPTA™ receives regulatory approval in Japan

Date: Sep-24-2013
Skyepharma PLC (LSE: SKP), the expert oral and inhalation drug delivery company, announces that the regulatory committee (Bunka-Kai) of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ("MHLW") has approved RELVARTM ELLIPTATM (FF/VI) for the treatment of bronchial asthma (in cases where concurrent use of inhaled corticosteroid and long- acting inhaled beta2 agonist is required). RELVARTM ELLIPTATM is not indicated for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ("COPD") in Japan...

Approval of once-daily dual bronchodilator Ultibro® Inhalation Capsules in Japan (QVA149) for the treatment of COPD

Date: Sep-24-2013
Vectura Group plc (LSE: VEC) ("Vectura"), confirms that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) approved Novartis' once-daily Ultibro® Inhalation Capsules (glycopyrronium 50 mcg / indacaterol 110 mcg), delivered through the Breezhaler® device, for relief of various symptoms due to airway obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ultibro® Inhalation Capsules were developed under the name of QVA149 and will be available to the 5.3 million Japanese patients who may be living with COPD[4]...

Clinical trial strives to provide optimal care during high-risk pregnancies with smaller than normal babies

Date: Sep-24-2013
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to help determine the best timing of delivery in preterm pregnancies complicated by poor fetal growth. Preliminary results from the trial, which are published early online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, demonstrate better than expected health outcomes in this high-risk group of fetuses. Doctors are faced with a dilemma when deciding about the timing of delivery of a baby who does not grow adequately as a fetus, a condition called fetal growth restriction...

Norgine and Takeda announce the new drug application approval of Oblean (cetilistat) tablets 120mg in Japan

Date: Sep-24-2013
Norgine and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited has announced that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved the New Drug Application (NDA) of OBLEAN Tablets 120mg for the treatment of obesity with complications. OBLEAN is a lipase inhibitor discovered by UK-based Alizyme Therapeutics Limited. Norgine acquired all rights to the product from Alizyme in October 2009. In 2003 Takeda acquired the rights for development and commercialisation for Japan...

Dopamine cells critical in sugar/sweetener choice, leading to a higher likelihood of sugar consumption later

Date: Sep-24-2013
The results of the new study imply that it is hard to fool the brain by providing it with 'energyless' sweet flavours. Our pleasure in consuming sweet solutions is driven to a great extent by the amount of energy it provides: greater reward in the brain is attributed to sugars compared to artificial sweeteners. Professor Ivan de Araujo, who led the study at Yale University School of Medicine USA, says: "The consumption of high-calorie beverages is a major contributor to weight gain and obesity, even after the introduction of artificial sweeteners to the market...

A clear look at a crucial step in cancer metastasis

Date: Sep-24-2013
Cancer cells metastasize in several stages -- first by invading surrounding tissue, then by infiltrating and spreading via the circulatory system. Some circulating cells work their way out of the vascular network, eventually forming a secondary tumor. While the initial process by which cancer cells enter the bloodstream -- called intravasation -- is well characterized, how cells escape blood vessels to permeate other tissues and organs is less clear. This process, called extravasation, is a crucial step in cancer metastasis...