Health News

FDA clearance of automated Direct Renin assay on the IDS-iSYS system

Date: Jan-10-2014
Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings plc ("IDS" or '"the Company") announces that it has received USA FDA (Food and Drug Administration) clearance for its Direct Renin assay for use on its IDS-iSYS system, enabling IDS to enter the US market with this product. The IDS-iSYS Direct Renin immunoassay is used to determine the amount of active renin present in the blood. Results of the test are used in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory data to assist clinicians in the investigation of hypertension related disorders such as primary aldosteronism and renovascular hypertension.

Express yourself: UCLA researchers develop novel approach to study how genetic differences affect gene expression

Date: Jan-10-2014
Individuals differ from each other genetically, each carrying a unique version of the human genome. Some of the genetic differences influence traits such as height, weight or vulnerability to certain diseases. But precisely what these genetic variants are and how they exercise their impact is still mostly unknown. However, UCLA researchers have developed a novel approach to study how these differences between individuals affect how strongly genes are expressed, or translated into the proteins that do the actual work in cells.

Does too much hygiene cause diabetes?

Date: Jan-10-2014
The incidence of auto-immune diseases like type 1 diabetes and allergies has risen dramatically in developed countries over the past fifty years. The reasons for this trend are not fully understood but a theory known as the 'hygiene hypothesis' links it to a rise in hygiene standards. According to this theory, eliminating bacteria in food and the environment of infants may be depriving the immune system of the stimulus it needs to develop adequately, especially during the first critical years of childhood.

First nonprofit psoriasis registry may improve treatments and outcomes for nation's most common autoimmune disease

Date: Jan-10-2014
To advance understanding of psoriasis - the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting up to 7.5 million Americans - and help scientists and clinicians improve treatments and patient outcomes, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America, Inc. (CORRONA) will create the first psoriasis registry co-developed and co-administered by a nonprofit.

Drug-free migraine treatment Cefaly®: Publication of a study conducted on 2,313 patients

Date: Jan-10-2014
The efficacy and safety of the Cefaly (R) medical device for migraine treatment had already been reported early 2013 in the scientific journal "Neurology" (Official Journal of the American Academy of Neurology). Published data on a large number of individuals confirm the significant improvement for a majority of patients. Following 2 months of treatment, 54.4% of the patients described a very substantial improvement and decided to purchase the device.

Plants use 'unusual' microbial-like pathway to make essential amino acid

Date: Jan-10-2014
Purdue University researchers have discovered a microbial-like pathway in plants that produces phenylalanine, an amino acid that is a vital component of proteins in all living organisms.Plants mainly synthesize phenylalanine through a chain of chemical reactions that converts the organic acid arogenate to phenylalanine. But Purdue researchers demonstrated that plants also use an alternative pathway found in most microorganisms to make phenylalanine from phenylpyruvate.

Miracor discloses interim data for its PICSO® Impulse System to treat severe heart attack patients post-primary PCI

Date: Jan-10-2014
Miracor Medical Systems GmbH has announced that it has completed four months' follow-up of patients enrolled in its "Prepare RAMSES" clinical trial of its PICSO® (Pressure-controlled Intermittent Coronary Sinus Occlusion) System designed to improve myocardial perfusion following primary PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, or angioplasty). Interim data from early results indicate a strong trend towards a larger reduction in infarct size at four-month follow-up for patients receiving the PICSO therapy in complement with primary PCI as compared to a historical control group.

Health experts urge government action on obesity

Date: Jan-10-2014
The International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO) has published a 10-point action plan for governments to tackle obesity. The IASO Policy Briefing comes at a time when there is increasing need to tackle the rising levels of obesity and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in virtually all countries of the world."We've seen the evidence, we've got the strategies, now what we need is action," said IASO Policy Director, Dr Tim Lobstein. The proposals come as governments prepare to report on their progress on tackling obesity and NCDs at the United Nations later this year.

Pediatric fractures may indicate bone-density problems

Date: Jan-10-2014
Broken bones may seem like a normal part of an active childhood. About 1 in 3 otherwise healthy children suffers a bone fracture. Breakage of the bone running from the elbow to the thumb side of the wrist (distal forearm fracture) is the most common. It occurs most often during the growth spurt that children typically undergo in early adolescence.But a recent study at Mayo Clinic, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, indicates that certain types of fractures may have implications for a child's long-term bone health.

DMP is largely consistent with COPD guidelines

Date: Jan-10-2014
Current guidelines are more detailed regarding some aspects of treatmentThe German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) has published the results of a literature search for evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on the treatment of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of the report is to identify those recommendations from current guidelines of high methodological quality that may be relevant for the planned revision of the disease management programme (DMP).