Health News

CYP2B6*6 is an independent determinant of inferior response to fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Date: Dec-24-2013
The backbone of therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the combination of fludarabine and cyclophosphamide (FC). In order to exert its cytotoxic effect, cyclophosphamide must first be converted to its active form by CYP2B6, an isoform of cytochrome P450. In this week's issue of Blood, Johnson and colleagues present a study discussing the impact of genetic variation in CYP2B6 on CLL response to FC regimens by screening for the most common variant of CYP2B6 that defines the *6 allele.

The risk of venous thrombosis in individuals with a history of superficial vein thrombosis and acquired venous thrombotic risk factors

Date: Dec-24-2013
Although superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) has traditionally been viewed as a benign disease, it is associated with an increased risk of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). However, there are almost no data to suggest which patients may be at increased risk of subsequent DVT following SVT. In this week's issue of Blood, Roach and colleagues analyze results from a case-controlled study of nearly 5,000 individuals with DVT and more than 5,700 controls to determine how previous SVT could influence DVT risk in the setting of other risk factors.

The EBV oncogene LMP1 protects lymphoma cells from cell death through the collagen-mediated activation of DDR1

Date: Dec-24-2013
The malignant Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (RS) cell is embedded in a collagen-rich microenvironment. In this week's issue of Blood, Cader and colleagues elucidate a potentially important collagen-mediated signaling pathway supporting the survival of RS cells in Epstein-Barr virus-positive (EBV+) Hodgkin Disease (HD), demonstrating that expression of the EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1) upregulates the expression of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1), a collagen-activated receptor tyrosine kinase.

GSK Cervarix® two-dose schedule receives European marketing authorisation

Date: Dec-24-2013
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that the European Commission has granted marketing authorisation for its cervical cancer vaccine Cervarix® [Human papillomavirus bivalent (types 16 and 18) vaccine, recombinant] as a two-dose schedule for girls aged 9 to 14. This is the first time a cervical cancer vaccine has been approved as a reduced dosing schedule and signifies potential for greater vaccination coverage rates and improved cervical cancer protection worldwide. "GSK is delighted to receive approval for Cervarix as a 2-dose schedule.

Hair analysis found elevated stress hormone concentrations in obese children as young as 8

Date: Dec-24-2013
Obese children naturally produce higher levels of a key stress hormone than their normal weight peers, according to new research accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.The body produces the hormone cortisol when a person experiences stress. When a person faces frequent stress, cortisol and other stress hormones build up in the blood and, over time, can cause serious health problems. This study measured cortisol in scalp hair, which reflects long-term exposure and has been proposed to be a biomarker for stress.

Unequal treatment in the US workplace reported by foreign-educated nurses

Date: Dec-24-2013
New study raises ethical and practical concerns for recruiters and health-care facilitiesForty percent of foreign-educated nurses working in U.S. hospitals and other health care facilities say their wages, benefits or shift assignments are inferior compared to their American colleagues, according to a study published today by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS).

U.S. health continues to be threatened by heart disease and stroke

Date: Dec-24-2013
Heart disease and stroke remain two of the top killers of Americans and pose a significant threat to millions of others, according to the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update 2014, published in its journal Circulation.The update reflects the most up-to-date statistics on heart disease, stroke, other vascular diseases and their risk factors. It is the only source for current prevalence data on cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the U.S. and stroke is the No. 4 cause.

Greater meaning in life enjoyed by residents of poorer nations

Date: Dec-24-2013
While residents of wealthy nations tend to have greater life satisfaction, new research shows that those living in poorer nations report having greater meaning in life.These findings, published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, suggest that meaning in life may be higher in poorer nations as a result of greater religiosity. As countries become richer, religion becomes less central to people's lives and they lose a sense of meaning in life.

Criminology scholars debunk 11 myths about mass murder in a special issue of Homicide Studies

Date: Dec-24-2013
With the one-year anniversary of the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, many are left with questions about what leads to this and similar tragedies throughout the U.S. While some have theorized about the common personality traits of mass murderers, the frequency of these incidents, and the policy that can stop them, such speculation has led to many myths and misconceptions.

New survey finds marijuana use in Washington state higher than previously estimated

Date: Dec-24-2013
Marijuana consumption in Washington state is about twice as large as previously estimated, according to a new RAND Corporation study.Using federal data and information from a new survey of marijuana users in Washington state, researchers say marijuana consumption likely will range from 135 metric tons to 225 metric tons during 2013, with 175 metric tons as the median estimate.