Health News

First Patient Enters KBSA301 Antibody Trial, For Treatment Of Pneumonia

Date: Jun-21-2012
Last week Kenta Biotech announced an important step towards a more efficient treatment of hospital infections: The first patient was enrolled in the phase I/II clinical trial with KBSA301, a fully human antibody for the treatment of severe pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In this clinical trial, 44 patients suffering from severe pneumonia caused by S. aureus admitted in intensive care units around Europe will be administered a single dose of KBSA301, or placebo, in addition to standard antibiotic therapy...

Genetic Discoveries Related To Male Pattern Baldness

Date: Jun-21-2012
Using data from its unique online research platform, 23andMe, a leading personal genetics company, has contributed to the finding of six novel genetic associations for early onset male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) in a genome-wide association study now published online in the journal PLoS Genetics. "The 23andMe Research Platform is a robust source of new genetic discoveries. Nearly 90 percent of our more than 150,000 customers participate in our online research, " stated 23andMe CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki...

Identification Of New Indicator For Breast Cancer Relapse

Date: Jun-21-2012
Researchers at the IMIM (Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar) have proven that the absence of the 14-3-3 protein sigma in breast cancer cells is directly associated with these cells' capacity to activate the signalling of a protein complex called NF-kB, which is related to tumour progression. The activation of NF-kB in tumours was also identified as the best indicator for relapse in breast cancer patients, compared to other parameters currently used, such as the presence of affected ganglions or the tumour's size and degree...

Eating Disorder Behaviors And Weight Concerns Are Common In Women Over 50

Date: Jun-21-2012
Eating disorders are commonly seen as an issue faced by teenagers and young women, but a new study reveals that age is no barrier to disordered eating. In women aged 50 and over, 3.5% report binge eating, nearly 8% report purging, and more than 70% are trying to lose weight. The study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders revealed that 62% of women claimed that their weight or shape negatively impacted on their life...

In Challenge To Preferred Target Of Deep Brain Stimulation For Parkinson's, A Call For More Research

Date: Jun-20-2012
When a neurologist and neurosurgeon believe deep brain stimulation may help a patient suffering from Parkinson's disease they target either of two structures - the internal globus pallidus or the subthalamic nucleus - in an area of the brain that controls voluntary muscle movements...

Breast Cancer Screening Should Start At 40, Says American Medical Association

Date: Jun-20-2012
Women, when they reach 40 years of age, should be eligible for screening mammography, and should have that screening covered by insurance, says the American Medical Association (AMA), in what it describes as a recommendation update. The AMA emphasized that while mammography is the most reliable breast cancer screening tool available today for the general population, it does have its limitations. AMA board member Patrice A. Harris, M.D...

Heart Disease Patients Benefit From Online Treatment

Date: Jun-20-2012
A new study reveals that patients with vascular disease have an elevated risk of experiencing a further event or death. Evidence shows that the risk can be effectively reduced by nurse practitioners that treat any vascular risk factors. However, this is costly and time-consuming and goals are often not achieved. Unlike previous studies, which failed to demonstrate clear benefits, the new study focused on the 1-year effect in a fairly large patient cohort...

Chronic Kidney Disease And Heart Attack Risk

Date: Jun-20-2012
An article published Online First in The Lancet reveals that the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with chronic kidney disease is as high as that of patients who had a previous heart attack. Scientists have long known that chronic kidney disease patients have a higher risk of heart attacks. However, researchers from the University of Alberta decided to conduct a new and the first large-scale, long-term study to assess whether kidney disease carries the same risk in terms of future coronary events than that of people who previously suffered a heart attack...

Chest Pain And Heart Disease Risk - New Scoring System

Date: Jun-20-2012
A study featured in BMJ (British Medical Journal) reveals that it is possible to identify patients with a high risk of coronary artery disease, who may require further diagnostic work, by using a new risk prediction tool, which is more accurate than existing models, and which can easily be integrated into electronic patient records or mobile applications. Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The condition occurs when fatty deposits restrict the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients...

How Protein Clumps Are Pulled Apart

Date: Jun-20-2012
Amyloid fibers are protein aggregates, and although they are associated to many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, they can also play beneficial, protective roles. In yeast, for example, these fibers are associated with evolution and increased survival. In humans, amyloid fibers form biological nanostructures that house pigments and other molecules, and may also play an important role in long-term memory...