RxPG News : Pharmacology

Intensive blood sugar treatment in trial of diabetes and cardiovascular disease changed

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 23:40:00 PST

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has stopped one treatment within a large, ongoing North American clinical trial of diabetes and cardiovascular disease 18 months early due to safety concerns after review of available data, although the study will continue.

Chronic pain harms the brain

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

CHICAGO -- People with unrelenting pain don't only suffer from the non-stop sensation of throbbing pain. They also have trouble sleeping, are often depressed, anxious and even have difficulty making simple decisions.

Direct Intraclot Injection of Alteplase - effective treatment for deep vein thrombosis

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:26:04 PST

A novel treatment for blood clots in the legs appears to be safe and effective, according to a pilot study published in the February issue of Radiology. The study found that injecting or “lacing” the clot with a fiber-binding thrombolytic agent effectively treats deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and reduces the risk of subsequent recurrence or bleeding.

Naked mole-rats bear chili pepper heat

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

Pity the tiny naked mole-rat. The buck-toothed, sausage-like rodent lives by the hundreds in packed, oxygen-starved burrows some six feet under ground. It is even cold-blooded -- which, as far as we know, is unique among mammals.

Use of opioids for pain in ERs on the rise, but racial differences in use still exist

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

In the last 15 years, use of opioid medications to treat patients with pain-related emergency department visits has improved although white patients were more likely to receive opioids than patients of a different race/ethnicity, according to a study in the January 2 issue of JAMA.

Constipation most common cause of children's abdominal pain

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

A new study led by a University of Iowa researcher showed that acute and chronic constipation together accounted for nearly half of all cases of acute abdominal pain in children treated at one hospital.

Study shows pine bark naturally reduces osteoarthritis knee pain

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

Smoked cannabis proven effective in treating neuropathic pain

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Smoked cannabis eased pain induced in healthy volunteers, according to a study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR.) However, the researchers found that less may be more.

Role of a key enzyme in reducing heart disease identified

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified the role of a key enzyme called CEH in reducing heart disease, paving the way for new target therapies to reduce plaques in the arteries and perhaps in the future, help predict a patient�s susceptibility to heart disease.

Watching funny shows helps children tolerate pain longer, study finds

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Watching comedy shows helps children tolerate pain for longer periods of time, according to a study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the nonprofit organization Rx Laughter.

Acupuncture reduces pain, need for opioids after surgery

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

DURHAM, N.C. � Using acupuncture before and during surgery significantly reduces the level of pain and the amount of potent painkillers needed by patients after the surgery is over, according to Duke University Medical Center anesthesiologists who combined data from 15 small randomized acupuncture clinical trials.

UI researchers seek to ease children's pain during medical procedures

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new system under development by a team of researchers at the University of Iowa will help children better cope with pain during difficult medical procedures.

Virtual game helps children escape realities of burn unit

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nurses and physicians at Nationwide Children�s Hospital are using the latest technology to help young burn victims endure the extreme pain of dressing changes and wound care. Instead of traditional distraction devices, such as books and music, Nationwide Children�s Hospital Burn Center is now using virtual reality games to distract patients while nurses attend to the patients� burn wounds.

Cholesterol metabolism links early- and late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Oct. 4, 2007 -- Although the causes of Alzheimer's disease are not completely understood, amyloid-beta (A-beta) is widely considered a likely culprit � the sticky protein clumps into plaques thought to harm brain cells.

Treatment blocks pain without disrupting other functions

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

A combination of two drugs can selectively block pain-sensing neurons in rats without impairing movement or other sensations such as touch, according to a new study by National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported investigators. The finding suggests an improved way to treat pain from childbirth and surgical procedures. It may also lead to new treatments to help the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic pain.

Women with severe PMS perceive their sleep quality to be poor

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

WESTCHESTER, Ill. � Women with severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) perceive their sleep quality to be poorer in association with their symptoms in the late luteal (premenstrual) phase, despite there being no specific alterations in sleep structure associated with premenstrual symptoms, according to a study published in the October 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

Low maternal cholesterol tied to premature birth

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Pregnant women who have very low cholesterol may face a greater risk of delivering their babies prematurely than women with more moderate cholesterol levels, a team led by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reported today.

New test could help consumers avoid surprise headaches from chocolate, wine

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers in California are reporting development of a fast, inexpensive test suitable for home use that could help millions of people avoid those �out of the blue� headaches that may follow consumption of certain red wines, cheese, chocolate, and other aged or fermented foods.

ACP and APS issue comprehensive guidelines for treating low-back pain

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2, 2007 - The American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Pain Society (APS) today released joint guidelines on diagnosing and treating low back pain.

Treating obstructive sleep apnea, preventing heart attacks and strokes

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers in Brazil have found that treating patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) dramatically reduces early indications of atherosclerosis in just months, linking OSA directly to the hardening or narrowing of the arteries. Until now, no study has demonstrated such a direct relationship between the two.

'Bad carbs' not the enemy, University of Virginia professor finds

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

The latest common wisdom on carbohydrates claims that eating so-called �bad� carbohydrates will make you fat, but University of Virginia professor Glenn Gaesser says, �that�s just nonsense.� Eating sandwiches with white bread, or an occasional doughnut, isn't going to kill you, or necessarily even lead to obesity, he said.

Doctors learn to control their own brains' pain responses to better treat patients

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

Physicians apparently learn to �shut off� the portion of their brain that helps them appreciate the pain their patients experience while treating them and instead activate a portion of the brain connected with controlling emotions, according to new research using brain scans at the University of Chicago.

Why don't painkillers work for people with fibromyalgia?

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich. � People who have the common chronic pain condition fibromyalgia often report that they don�t respond to the types of medication that relieve other people�s pain. New research from the University of Michigan Health System helps to explain why that might be: Patients with fibromyalgia were found to have reduced binding ability of a type of receptor in the brain that is the target of opioid painkiller drugs such as morphine.

Mixing large doses of both acetaminophen painkiller and caffeine may increase risk of liver damage

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 2007 -- Consuming large amounts of caffeine while taking acetaminophen, one of the most widely used painkillers in the United States, could potentially cause liver damage, according to a preliminary laboratory study reported in the Oct. 15 print issue of ACS� Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal. The toxic interaction could occur not only from drinking caffeinated beverages while taking the painkiller but also from using large amounts of medications that intentionally combine caffeine and acetaminophen for the treatment of migraine headaches, menstrual discomfort and other conditions, the researchers say.

Common abdominal pain may be due to a potentially treatable newly recognized inflammatory reaction

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As many as one in four people in westernized countries experience pain or discomfort in their upper abdomen, and physicians have almost nothing to offer except anti-acid medicines, which usually don�t work. Now, in a small but novel study, researchers have found evidence that an abnormal amount of inflammatory cells populates the upper intestine of affected individuals, which suggests a fresh way of understanding the common complaint.

Smaller breast reduction surgeries provide health benefits and should be reimbursed

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2007) -- Smaller-framed women reap significant health and quality-of-life benefits from breast reductions that involve the removal of under 500 grams of tissue per breast, according to a first-of-its-kind study from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and the New York University School of Medicine.

Preventing or reducing enlarged heart decreases risk of heart failure

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Sept. 10, 2007) -- For high-blood-pressure patients, preventing or reducing enlarged heart (left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH) reduces risk of heart failure. The study is published in the Sept. 4 Annals of Internal Medicine and led by physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.

Depression in women with migraine linked to childhood abuse

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. PAUL, Minn. � Childhood abuse is more common in women with migraine who suffer depression than in women with migraine alone, according to a study published in the September 4, 2007, issue of Neurology�, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Metabolic study in mice could lead to 'good cholesterol' boosters

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers have identified a new player in the control of so-called good cholesterol that circulates in the bloodstream and reduces heart attack risk, according to a report in the August issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. Should the metabolic pathway uncovered in mice operate similarly in humans, the new discovery could point the way to therapies that protect against heart disease by boosting concentrations of the beneficial high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Older is better -- Top-10 comparison of diabetes drugs give metformin top grade

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A type 2 diabetes drug taken orally and in widespread use for more than a decade has been found to have distinct advantages over nine other, mostly newer medications used to control the chronic disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins.

Restless legs genetics on the move

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

In Germany alone 8 million patients are affected by RLS, which makes it one of the most common neurological diseases. The patients suffer from an urge to move and paresthesia in the legs in the evening and during the night, when they come to rest, which can only be relieved by moving or walking around. The consequence may be severe sleeping disorders, chronic sleep loss and associated with it daytime fatigue. In severe cases the disease may lead to depression and social isolation. The frequency of RLS increases with age: up to ten per cent of over 65 year olds are affected, albeit in very different forms. Children can, however, also contract the disease.

Advice, devices ineffective in preventing worker back pain

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Back pain is the number one cause of worker-compensation complaints, second only to the common cold in causing lost workdays. Consequently, employers and regulators have pushed training programs to teach specific lifting methods, and some recommend or require the use of assistive devices such as hoists for hospital workers. However, a new review of the research on lifting advice and handling devices has found that they do not prevent work-related back pain.

Sports hernia repair surgery plus innovative rehab program helps athletes return to play

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

St. Louis, July 15, 2007 In recent years, sports hernias have sidelined many high-level athletes for months and, occasionally, prevented a return to competitive sports all together. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that surgical repair of sports hernias using tension-free mesh, coupled with an innovative rehabilitation program, successfully returned athletes to competition in 93 percent of cases.

Bak protein sets stressed cells on suicide path, researchers show

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

When a cell is seriously stressed, say by a heart attack, stroke or cancer, a protein called Bak just may set it up for suicide, researchers have found.

Insulin sensitizer also serves as energy-conserving signal to the brain

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A fat-derived protein known for its effects on the liver and skeletal muscle might also serve as an energy-conserving signal to the brain during periods of starvation, suggests a new study in the July issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. The substance, known as adiponectin, acts on the brain to boost appetite and slow energy expenditure in an effort to maintain adequate fat stores during lean times, the researchers report.

Macrochem acquires option to license pexiganan

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MacroChem Corporation (OTCBB: MACM - News) today announced that it has signed an exclusive option to acquire exclusive worldwide license rights for drug uses of pexiganan, a novel, small peptide anti-infective for topical treatment of patients with mild diabetic foot infection (DFI), from Genaera Corporation (Genaera).

New heart disease risk score will help minimize health inequalities

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new score for predicting the risk of heart disease gives a more accurate measure of how many UK adults are at risk of developing the disease and which adults are most likely to benefit from treatment.

How pain distracts the brain

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

Anybody whos tried to concentrate on work while suffering a headache knows that pain compellingly commands attentionwhich is how evolution helped ensure survival in a painful world. Now, researchers have pinpointed the brain region responsible for pains ability to affect cognitive processing. They have found that this pain-related brain region is distinct from the one involved in cognitive processing interference due to a distracting memory task.

Protein's role in lipid absorption may be important to future weight-loss strategies

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:00:00 PST

July 5, 2007 -- Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a protein absorbs lipids in the upper part of the intestine, and they believe its key role in this process may provide a novel approach for obesity treatment in the future.

SSRI antidepressants do not pose major birth defect risk

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Boston, MA -- Researchers from Boston Universitys Slone Epidemiology Center have found that certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants do not appear to increase the risk for most kinds of birth defects. The findings, to be published in the June 28, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that individual SSRIs may increase the risk for some specific defects, but these are rare and the absolute risks are small.

Weight management program cuts diabetes risk, improves BMI in overweight children

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

A family-based weight management program developed by researchers at Yale School of Medicine was more effective at reducing weight, body fat, body mass index (BMI) and insulin sensitivity than traditional clinic-based weight counseling.

Community Oncology explores pitched debate over anemia-fighting drugs

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

The June issue of Elseviers Community Oncology takes an in-depth look at the charge that ESAs, generally considered vital to cancer patients quality of life, are overprescribed for profit. Scientists, oncologists, and critics of oncologists are in a heated debate now over the use of ESAs, or erythropoiesis-stimulating agentsdrugs that fight anemia by boosting levels of oxygen-carrying red blood cells and the protein hemoglobin.

More than just bare bones -- New research suggests emotions can affect recovery from hip surgery

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

ST. LOUIS -- A patients emotional state plays a significant role in his or her recovery from hip surgery, suggests Saint Louis University research published this month.

Further legitimization of fibromyalgia as a true medical condition

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Philadelphia, June 25, 2007 -- Fibromyalgia, a chronic, widespread pain in muscles and soft tissues accompanied by fatigue, is a fairly common condition that does not manifest any structural damage in an organ. Twenty-five years ago, Muhammad B. Yunus, MD, and colleagues published the first controlled study of the clinical characteristics of fibromyalgia syndrome. That seminal article, published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, led directly to formal recognition of this disease by the medical community. In the June 2007 issue of Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, Dr. Yunus once again makes an enormous contribution to the field of chronic pain and fatigue by meticulously synthesizing and interpreting the extensive body of scientific literature on fibromyalgia and his own insights into the concept of central sensitivity syndromes (CSS).

K-State researcher examining why common anti-inflammatory drugs harm intestines

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

MANHATTAN, KAN. -- New versions of drugs like buffered aspirin and Vioxx could produce fewer harmful side effects thanks to research being done at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Diachrome improves blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

Nutrition 21, Inc. today announced new published results from a 447 subject, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study that showed Diachrome, a patented combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, significantly improved glycemic control in patients with poorly controlled blood sugar levels who were being treated with oral anti-diabetic medication (OADs). Patients in the treatment group showed significant improvements in glycemic control (A1C) compared with placebo (an absolute decrease of 0.54%). The greatest improvement was seen in those patients with the poorest glycemic control (baseline A1C levels equal to or greater than 10%). These patients saw an additional absolute A1C decrease of 1.76% despite the fact that they were taking one or more OAD medications.

Old memory traces in brain may trigger chronic pain

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO --- Why do so many people continue to suffer from life-altering, chronic pain long after their injuries have actually healed

Detecting cold, feeling pain: Study reveals why menthol feels fresh

Wed, 30 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Scientists have identified the receptor in cells of the peripheral nervous system that is most responsible for the body's ability to sense cold.

Exercise may slightly boost 'good' cholesterol levels

Mon, 28 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Regular exercise appears to modestly increase levels of high-density lipoprotein, or good, cholesterol, according to a meta-analysis study in the May 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Smokeless cannabis delivery device efficient and less toxic

Tue, 15 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

A smokeless cannabis-vaporizing device delivers the same level of active therapeutic chemical and produces the same biological effect as smoking cannabis, but without the harmful toxins, according to UCSF researchers.

Reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors when discontinuing hormone replacement therapy

Tue, 15 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been shown to reduce many cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, but many women have stopped using HRT due to reports from the Womens Health Initiative that HRT may increase the risk of breast cancer and heart disease. In a study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health examined whether the increased CVD risk from stopping HRT could be minimized by lifestyle change intervention.

Stenting of abdominal arteries offers welcome relief for 'intestinal angina'

Fri, 11 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

(May 11, 2007ORLANDO, FL)Using catheter techniques perfected in the arteries of the heart, interventional cardiologists are successfully treating chronic mesenteric ischemia, a condition akin to intestinal angina. According to a study reported at the 30th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), May 912, 2007, in Orlando, FL, angioplasty and stenting of clogged arteries in the abdomen successfully restored blood flow to the intestines and relieved painful symptoms in more than 90 percent of patients, without major complications.

Employee health program improves blood pressure, diabetes control

Thu, 10 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, May 10 Employees who participated in a worksite health program improved blood pressure control by 9 percent and diabetes control by 15 percent, researchers reported at the American Heart Association's 8th Scientific Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke.

Counseling, coping skills could reduce arthritis disability

Thu, 10 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Arthritis sufferers who undergo psychological counseling and learn skills for coping with pain have less disability and better quality of life, according to a new systematic review.

BEMA Fentanyl demonstrates substantial transmucosal delivery

Mon, 07 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

Morrisville, North Carolina, May 7, 2007 -- BioDelivery Sciences International, Inc. (Nasdaq:BDSI) announced the results of a 12 subject, crossover study comparing the absorption of fentanyl from both single and multiple BEMA Fentanyl discs, as well as oral and intravenous doses of fentanyl. The data demonstrates that the absolute bioavailability (i.e. the total amount absorbed from the delivery system) of fentanyl through the BEMA disc was more than 70%, with 50% absorbed through the buccal mucosa (the inner lining of the cheek). The study further demonstrates that equal doses administered as either a single disc or multiple discs produced nearly identical plasma concentrations (i.e. two 200 mcg discs provided nearly equivalent plasma concentrations as one 400 mcg disc, etc.)

Scripps research team sheds light on long-sought cold sensation gene

Wed, 02 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

The discovery, reported in the May 3 issue of the journal Neuron, might one day lead to the development of drugs that induce cold sensation as an analgesic, or block it to prevent certain forms of chronic pain associated with cold sensation.

MU researchers find statin drugs also may help reduce risk of heart failure, sudden cardiac death

Tue, 01 May 2007 04:00:00 PST

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Statin drugs, known primarily for their ability to lower cholesterol, also may reduce the overactive sympathetic nervous system response that contributes to the worsening of heart failure and increases the risk of sudden cardiac death, two University of Missouri-Columbia researchers have found. Heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.

Does execution by lethal injection involve conscious asphyxiation?

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Execution by lethal injection may cause death by asphyxiation, and prisoners being executed may be conscious and may experience pain, claim the authors of a new study published this week in PLoS Medicine. Leonidas Koniaris and colleagues from the University of Miami assessed data from two US states that release information on executions together with previously published work on the drugs used in the protocols for lethal injections. They conclude that these protocols may not reliably effect death through the mechanisms intended.

Did drug reps encourage doctors to prescribe gabapentin for nonapproved uses?

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

A new study published in PLoS Medicine suggests that so-called detail visits to doctors made by drug company representatives can involve promotion of drugs for non-approved, off-label uses. This may subsequently result in increased prescribing of the drugs for such purposes. Michael Steinman and colleagues from the University of California, San Francisco based their study on visits to doctors made by representatives of the company Parke-Davis between 1995 and 1998 to promote the drug gabapentin.

Morphine kills the pain, not the patient

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Professional and public anxieties about the effects of morphine continue to hinder adequate prescribing of this vital painkiller for genuine pain relief, claims a Comment in this week's edition of The Lancet.

Tai Chi boosts immunity to shingles virus in older adults, NIH-sponsored study reports

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese form of exercise, may help older adults avoid getting shingles by increasing immunity to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and boosting the immune response to varicella vaccine in older adults, according to a new study publishsed in print this week in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. This National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study is the first rigorous clinical trial to suggest that a behavioral intervention, alone or in combination with a vaccine, can help protect older adults from VZV, which causes both chickenpox and shingles.

Kelp Supplementments Implicated in Arsenic Poisoning

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:34:47 PST

A study of herbal kelp supplements led by UC Davis
public health expert Marc Schenker concludes that its medicinal use may cause inadvertent arsenic poisoning and health dangers for consumers, especially when overused. Schenker and two researchers evaluated nine over-the-counter herbal kelp products and found higher than acceptable arsenic levels in eight of them.

Researchers call for national database of epidural complications

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 04:00:00 PST

Researchers have called for a national database to be set up to identify major complications arising from epidural pain relief after a small number of serious problems were identified during a six-year UK study, according to the April issue of Anaesthesia.

MS patients need better socio-economic support as well as medical care

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

People with multiple sclerosis need much more practical help and better care support, according to a study published in the latest Journal of Advanced Nursing.

Higher trans fat levels in blood associated with elevated risk of heart disease

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

Boston, MA -- High consumption of trans fat, found mainly in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and widely used by the food industry, has been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). New York and Philadelphia have passed measures eliminating its use in restaurants, and other cities are considering similar bans. A new study from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) provides the strongest association to date between trans fat and heart disease. It found that women in the U.S. with the highest levels of trans fat in their blood had three times the risk of CHD as those with the lowest levels. The study was published online on March 26, 2007, and will appear in the April 10, 2007 print issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

Infusion with reconstituted HDL may have some benefit for atherosclerosis

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

Preliminary research suggests that use of reconstituted HDL may have some benefit in coronary atherosclerosis, according to a JAMA study published online March 26. The study is being released early to coincide with its presentation at the American College of Cardiology's annual conference.

Headache-related work absences have a considerable socio-economic effect

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PST

Eight out of ten people who took part in a study carried out by a specialist headache centre felt they were much less effective at work and 91 per cent said they felt hampered by headaches on a daily basis, according to the March issue of Cephalalgia.

Women need expanded musculoskeletal care during pregnancy, study finds

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 05:00:00 PST

(Arlington, Va.) -- Despite the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy, few women in underserved populations receive treatment for their low back pain, according to a February 2007 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT). Moreover, researchers found that pain in a previous pregnancy may predict a high risk for musculoskeletal complaints in future pregnancies.

Single genetic defect causes early heart disease

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 05:00:00 PST

A team of researchers from the United States and Iran has identified a genetic mutation that causes early onset coronary artery disease in members of a large Iranian family. The genetic mutation leads to heart disease by causing high blood pressure, high blood levels of bad cholesterol and diabetes, all risk factors for heart disease. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.

Pharmacist-driven outreach lowers metabolic syndrome rates

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 28 -- Adults who met with pharmacists or pharmacy students during a community outreach and screening project about metabolic syndrome, returned four months later with lower risk factors for heart disease, researchers reported today at the American Heart Associations 47th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

McGovern Institute Scolnick Prize awarded to David Julius

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

CAMBRIDGE, MA. Feb 27, 2007 The McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT announced today that David Julius, a physiologist at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), will be the 2007 recipient of the Edward M. Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience. The Scolnick prize is awarded each year by the McGovern Institute to recognize an individual who has made outstanding advances in the field of neuroscience. Dr. Julius, who a is a professor and vice chair of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at USCF, receives the 2007 prize for his discovery of the molecular receptors for temperature and inflammatory pain.

Garlic does not appear to lower cholesterol levels

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

Three forms of garlicincluding raw garlic and two types of commercial garlic supplementsdid not significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad) cholesterol during a six-month trial, according to results published in the February 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

New device safeguards against medication errors at home

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:00:00 PST

CAMDEN -- Patients suffering from chronic illness such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and depression, can take six-to-nine different medications a day oftentimes more. Skipped doses, misinterpretation or labels, or confusion over what pills to take at what time can be fatal.

Study finds surfing safer than soccer

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 05:00:00 PST

Providence, RI -- While public perception may frame surfing as a dangerous sport, new research begs to differ. In the first study of its kind, researchers have computed the rate of injury among competitive surfers and found they are less prone to harm than collegiate soccer or basketball players. Led by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School, the findings of the study are published in the January 2007 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Genetic mechanism helps explain chronic pain disorders

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

CHAPEL HILL - Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that commonly occurring variations of a gene trigger a domino effect in chronic pain disorders. The finding might lead to more effective treatments for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) and other chronic pain conditions.

Psychological treatments improve outcomes for back pain sufferers

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

Psychological interventions for chronic low back pain are effective, a new review of studies has found. Not only do these approaches improve psychological outcomes such as depression and health-related quality of life, they also reduce patients' experience of pain.

Pain control is a mind game

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:39:51 PST

40 pain-free volunteers took part in an experiment funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign using an artificial pain stimulus, and were led to expect reduced pain after the application of a cream which was actually a placebo.

Pain relief effectiveness down to mind-set?

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

Research by the Human Pain Research Group at The University of Manchester suggests that people's responses to placebo or 'dummy' pain relief varies according to their way of thinking.

Workers' compensation ratings don't accurately predict disabilities

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

CHAPEL HILL -- A study of settlement decisions in workers' compensation claims for low back pain has found almost no relationship between the rating of the disability's severity when the claim was settlement and reported pain and disability 21 months later.

Study explains how NSAIDs halt cancer growth

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

BOSTON -- Scientists have discovered that induction of a gene known as MDA-7/IL-24 is the molecular mechanism that enables nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to halt the growth of cancer cells, a finding that could eventually lead to the development of targeted cancer treatments.

'Best of both worlds' -- Targeting a single gene could inhibit bone decay and stimulate bone growth

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

(PHILADELPHIA) -- Researchers at the University of Pennsylvanias School of Medicine have found by targeting the function of a single gene that it is possible to inhibit bone decay while simultaneously stimulating bone formation. This concept may lead to drug treatments for osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Senior author Yongwon Choi, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and colleagues report their findings in the December issue of Nature Medicine.

Statin users risk heart attacks by dropping treatment or taking low doses

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

Thousands of statin users worldwide are suffering preventable heart attacks, simply because they are not complying with their treatment or are taking too low a dose, according to new research published on-line (Thursday 7 December) in European Heart Journal[1].

Origin of inherited pain disorder pinpointed

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 05:00:00 PST

The genetic basis for a rare inherited disorder that causes severe burning pain with no warning has been pinpointed by researchers. They found that paroxysmal extreme pain disorder (PEPD) is caused by specific mutations in porelike sodium channels in peripheral nerve cellsa discovery that they said emphasizes the role of such channel disorders in inflammatory pain. Such findings of abnormal function in disease also provide insights into the normal function of such channels, they said.

ILLUMINATE study: Pfizer Stops All Torcetrapib Clinical Trials

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 17:48:26 PST

FDA was notified that Pfizer will suspend a large, Phase 3 trial evaluating the investigational cardiovascular therapy torceptrapib/atorvastatin (T/A) due to an increased rate of mortality (death) in patients receiving the combination compared to those receiving atorvastatin alone. With the T/A development program, as it does with all such development programs, FDA assured that Pfizer had the appropriate protections in place for patients participating in the drug’s development, including informed consent, a Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for its outcome study, and that the development program was done in a careful, stepwise manner.

Low impact aerobic exercise reduces fatigue in auto-immune conditions says multi-study review

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

Low impact aerobic exercise, such as walking and cycling, can effectively reduce fatigue in adults with chronic auto-immune conditions, according to a research review in the latest issue of the UK-based Journal of Advanced Nursing.

Hypnosis helps women cope with breast biopsy

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

CHICAGO -- Radiologists are using an unusual approach, hypnosis, to ease patient pain and anxiety during breast biopsy procedures. A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston found that women who were guided into a state of hypnotic relaxation during biopsy experienced less pain and anxiety during the procedure. The study was presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Spacer insertion may offer less invasive option for lumbar problems

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

Implanting a small spacer between lumbar vertebrae during a procedure called interspinous process decompression may be an effective and minimally invasive way to treat spinal stenosis, according to a new report.

Chronic back pain linked to changes in the brain

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

CHICAGO -- A German research team using a specialized imaging technique revealed that individuals suffering from chronic low back pain also had microstructural changes in their brains. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Weight cycling associated with increased risk for gallstones among men

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

Intentionally losing weight and then regaining it may increase mens risk for gallstones later in life, according to a report in the November 27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Aching back? Sitting up straight could be the culprit

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

CHICAGO -- Researchers are using a new form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to show that sitting in an upright position places unnecessary strain on your back, leading to potentially chronic pain problems if you spend long hours sitting. The study, conducted at Woodend Hospital in Aberdeen, Scotland, was presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Phase Ib Trial Is Evaluating Bavituximab Administered With Common Chemotherapy Regimens

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 22:32:00 PST

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPHM), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, today announced initiation of patient treatment in its Phase lb clinical trial to evaluate its lead anti-phospholipid immunotherapy agent bavituximab given in combination with common cancer chemotherapy agents. The trial is expected to enroll up to 12 patients at three clinical sites in India.

Enbrel first biologic with up to 9 years rheumatoid arthritis safety, sustained efficacy data

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., November 12, 2006 -- Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced that Enbrel? (etanercept) is the first biologic with published data to show improvements in multiple measures of efficacy that were sustained in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients completing up to nine years of therapy. These new data are being presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Antioxidants: New kid on the block for pain relief?

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:00:00 PST

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Antioxidant-based pain killers may one day become a viable alternative to addictive medications such as morphine.

Two-component lantibiotic with therapeutic potential discovered

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 16:13:00 PST

The discovery and preparation of a naturally occurring antibiotic could open the door to new therapeutic drugs for treating nasty infections. The rapid spread of drug-resistant bacterial strains poses a persistent threat to human health, and requires new sources of antibiotics to treat infections. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are tackling this problem by discovering and preparing natural antibiotics called lantibiotics.

New biologic treatment for tennis elbow may replace surgery for chronic sufferers

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

Rosemont, Ill. October 23, 2006 A person suffering from tennis elbow may not have to look any further than his or her own body for the most effective treatment, according to a study published in the November issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Molecule discovered to be key to pain sensitivity

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

Sensitivity to pain and the risk of developing chronic pain appear to be influenced by levels of a molecule known to be required for the production of major neurotransmitters. In the November issue of Nature Medicine, an international research team based at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) describes this unexpected role for the molecule called BH4 and their findings that a particular set of variations in a human gene involved in synthesizing the molecule appears to reduce pain sensitivity.

Gene variation affects pain sensitivity and risk of chronic pain

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

A new NIH-funded study shows that a specific gene variant in humans affects both sensitivity to short-term (acute) pain in healthy volunteers and the risk of developing chronic pain after one kind of back surgery. Blocking increased activity of this gene after nerve injury or inflammation in animals prevented development of chronic pain.

Prescription pain medication abuse on rise

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 02:16:00 PST

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found prescription pain medication (PPM) abuse is a rapidly growing problem with surprising and often unpredictable distribution patterns. The research was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Anesthesiologists in Chicago, October 13, 2006.

New study reveals postcode lottery for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 04:00:00 PST

New research published in the medical journal Rheumatology [1] today (11 October 2006) reveals that, despite the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) approving anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) therapy for RA in 2002, many primary care trusts are refusing to fund it adequately or are putting a cap on the numbers of patients that can be treated.

Antibiotic inhibits cancer gene activity

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 01:39:00 PST

A little-known antibiotic shows early promise as an anti-cancer agent, inhibiting a gene found at higher-than-normal levels in most human tumors, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine.