Health News

Policy statement suggests ways to improve drug safety and efficacy in children

Date: Feb-25-2014
With less than half of medications including specific labeling for children, Kathleen Neville, MD, MS, a physician at Children's Mercy Hospital, recently led an American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) committee in updating the policy with new recommendations guiding the off-label use of drugs in pediatric patients. The policy statement, "Off-Label Use of Drugs in Children," was published online in the March 2014 issue of Pediatrics.Dr. Neville is chair of the AAP Committee on Drugs and Director of Experimental Therapeutics in Pediatric Cancer at Children's Mercy.

Significant increase reported in overdoses involving heroin in Kentucky

Date: Feb-25-2014
A new report from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC) reveals the prevalence and charges associated with drug overdose in the Bluegrass state. The report, "Drug Overdose Deaths, Hospitalizations, and Emergency Department Visits in Kentucky, 2000‐2012", analyzes overdose morbidity and mortality among Kentucky residents and documents the enormous societal and financial toll on the Commonwealth's population. KIPRC, located in the UK College of Public Health, is a bona fide agent for the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Degradation of viral DNA in the cell nucleus is opening up new treatment for hepatitis B

Date: Feb-25-2014
Viruses such as HBV can persist by depositing their genetic information (DNA) in the cell nucleus, where the DNA is normally not degraded. This prevents antiviral drugs from eliminating these viruses. But the newly discovered mechanism could make this possible without damaging the infected cell in the liver. In the current issue of the prestigious journal Science, the scientists report that now new therapeutic possibilities are consequently opening up.

Enzalutamide for metastatic prostate cancer: IQWiG assessed data subsequently submitted by the manufacturer

Date: Feb-25-2014
Now indication and hint of major added benefit for patients with metastatic prostate cancerEnzalutamide (trade name: Xtandi) has been approved since June 2013 for men with metastatic prostate cancer in whom the commonly used hormone blockade is no longer effective and who have already been treated with the cytostatic drug docetaxel.

Personnel exposed to meaningful levels of Agent Orange, contrary to current position held by Air Force and VA

Date: Feb-25-2014
Air Force reservists, who flew in about 34 dioxin-contaminated aircraft used to spray Agent Orange and returned to the US following discontinuation of the herbicide spraying operations in the Vietnam War, were exposed to greater levels of dioxin than previously acknowledged, according to a study published in Environmental Research."These findings are important because they describe a previously unrecognized source of exposure to dioxin that has health significance to those who engaged in the transport work using these aircraft," says lead investigator Peter A.

AIDS mortality decreased in heterosexuals by reducing HIV transmission among drug injectors

Date: Feb-25-2014
Although community network studies show that sexual relationships occur between members of "risk groups" -- men who have sex with other men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), non-injection drug users (NIDU) -- and heterosexuals, researchers at New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR) note that little research has been done to help explain how HIV epidemics and programs in one population affect others and how to reduce the risks of transmission.A recent study conducted by researchers from CDUHR, led by Samuel R.

Reducing HCV infections for injecting drug users

Date: Feb-25-2014
Despite a number of social/behavioral intervention and educational programs, the spread of hepatitis C (HCV) in people who inject drugs (PWIDs) remains a chronic problem. Now, researchers affiliated with New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR) are focusing on intervention strategies that highlight the lesser-known dangers of HCV transmission through the sharing of other injection equipment such as cookers, filters, drug-dilution water and water containers.

Task meaningfulness influences learning and memory in multiple sclerosis

Date: Feb-25-2014
Kessler Foundation researchers have found that among persons with multiple sclerosis, self-generation may be influenced by variables such as task meaningfulness during learning and memory. They also found that type of task (functional versus laboratory) had a significant effect on memory. This is the first controlled investigation of therapeutic and patient-specific factors that supports the inclusion of self-generation in cognitive rehabilitation. The study was published in a recent issue of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation: An International Journal. (Yael Goverover, Nancy D.

Self-reported memory complaints might predict clinical memory impairment later in life

Date: Feb-25-2014
Erin Abner, an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, asked 3,701 men aged 60 and higher a simple question: "Have you noticed any change in your memory since you last came in?"That question led to some interesting results. "It seems that subjective memory complaint can be predictive of clinical memory impairment," Abner said. "Other epidemiologists have seen similar results, which is encouraging, since it means we might really be on to something.

Lung-damaging molecule identified in higher concentrations in cystic fibrosis patients during symptom flare-ups

Date: Feb-25-2014
A molecule previously linked to lung injuries in factory workers producing microwave popcorn might play an important role in microbial infections of the lung suffered by people with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to a recent study led by San Diego State University postdoctoral researcher Katrine Whiteson. The molecule, known as 2,3-butanedione or diacetyl, can be detected in higher concentrations in CF patients than in healthy ones.