Fifty-three percent of U.S. residents said that they or a family member have cut back on medical care in the past year because of cost concerns, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll released Thursday, the AP/Kansas City Star reports. The study found that the most common ways of cutting back on care to avoid costs were relying on over-the-counter drugs or home remedies instead of seeing a doctor (35%) or skipping a dentist visit (34%). In addition, 27% said their household put off needed medical care. Of that group, 19% percent skipped a doctor's visit for a temporary illness and 19% skipped preventive care. Twenty-one percent chose not to fill a prescription and 15% cut pills in half or skipped doses, according to the poll. Sixteen percent chose not to deal with a major medical problem by forgoing a doctor's visit for a chronic illness or postponing surgery, the poll found (Mokrzycki, AP/Kansas City Star, 2/26).
"Experts and policymakers have multiple agendas in health reform, but when half the public reports skimping on care because they can't afford it, it's very clear that what the public wants most from health reform is relief from health care costs," said Kaiser President and CEO Drew Altman (Kaiser Family Foundation release, 2/25).
The poll also found support for President Obama's proposed health care overhaul despite the economic recession. Sixty-two percent said that "it's more important than ever to take on health care reform now," while 34% said that the nation cannot afford health reform at this time. The poll found 59% believe that the U.S. would be better off if Congress and the president overhauled the health care system, while 38% said that their own family would be better off and 43% said that it would make no difference for their family (AP/Kansas City Star, 2/26). Democrats (79%) believe health reform is more important than ever and 57% of independents believe so. On the other hand, 58% of Republicans say the nation cannot afford to tackle health care reform at this point (Kaiser Family Foundation release, 2/25).
The poll questioned 1,204 adults by landline and cell phone between Feb. 3 and Feb. 12. The sampling error was plus or minus three percentage points (AP/Kansas City Star, 2/26).
The poll is available online.
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2009 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Commitment To Conducting More Basic Research In Search For HIV/AIDS Vaccine 'Prudent,' Editorial Says
The cancellation last fall of a Merck HIV/AIDS vaccine trial was "branded as a 'catastrophe' by one scientist and as setting the race for a cure 'back to square one' by others," a Washington Post editorial says, adding, "The hyperbole is understandable, but some perspective is in order."
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has "cut a destructive path across entire continents and all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic groups," the editorial says. It adds, "Americans and people around the world have agitated against government indifference and public apathy to instill a sense of urgency to develop medicines that would ease suffering of those with the disease and to ultimately find a vaccine." However, finding a "vaccine is neither easy nor fast," and "failure of human vaccine trials is common," according to the Post. There is "still much that isn't known about the virus or AIDS," the editorial says, adding, "So what might look like a devastating failure to the public could be a steppingstone to advanced medications and an eventual cure." Scientists involved in the Merck trial answered the "series of questions" they were "looking to answer," the Post says, adding, "The answers just weren't the ones the scientists were hoping for."
Scientists involved in HIV/AIDS vaccine research last month at a meeting convened by NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases "rededicated themselves to conducting more basic research," according to the editorial. This "approach is prudent," the editorial says, concluding that although the "impatience of those who want a cure" is understandable, "that solution will require better science" (Washington Post, 4/21).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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The HIV/AIDS pandemic has "cut a destructive path across entire continents and all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic groups," the editorial says. It adds, "Americans and people around the world have agitated against government indifference and public apathy to instill a sense of urgency to develop medicines that would ease suffering of those with the disease and to ultimately find a vaccine." However, finding a "vaccine is neither easy nor fast," and "failure of human vaccine trials is common," according to the Post. There is "still much that isn't known about the virus or AIDS," the editorial says, adding, "So what might look like a devastating failure to the public could be a steppingstone to advanced medications and an eventual cure." Scientists involved in the Merck trial answered the "series of questions" they were "looking to answer," the Post says, adding, "The answers just weren't the ones the scientists were hoping for."
Scientists involved in HIV/AIDS vaccine research last month at a meeting convened by NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases "rededicated themselves to conducting more basic research," according to the editorial. This "approach is prudent," the editorial says, concluding that although the "impatience of those who want a cure" is understandable, "that solution will require better science" (Washington Post, 4/21).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Energy Dept's Office Of Science Awards 95 Million Hours Of Supercomputing Time To Advance Research
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science announced today that 45 projects were awarded a total of 95 million hours of computing time on some of the world's most powerful supercomputers as part of its 2007 Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE) program. DOE's Under Secretary for Science Dr. Raymond Orbach presented the awards at the Council on Competitiveness in Washington, DC.
Supercomputers are playing an increasingly important role in scientific research by allowing scientists to create more accurate models of complex processes, simulate problems once thought to be impossible, and to analyze the increasing amount of data generated by experiments. The supercomputers will allow cutting-edge research and design of virtual prototypes to be carried out in weeks or months, rather than the years or decades that would be needed using conventional computing systems.
"The Department of Energy's Office of Science has one of the top ten most powerful supercomputers in the world and 4 of the top 100 and we're proud to provide these resources to help researchers advance scientific knowledge and understanding," Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman said. "I look forward to witnessing the promise of these efforts as some of the world's greatest thinking minds use some of the world's greatest thinking computers."
Of the programs selected, nine are from industry and include five new proposals and four continuations from last year. This will double the number of companies with INCITE awards in 2007 compared to 2006 - a clear indication that U.S. industry has realized the potential benefits of our nation's investment in high-end computing.
Launched in 2003, the INCITE mission is to advance American science and industrial competitiveness. These awards will assist in that mission by support computationally intensive, large-scale research projects and award them large amounts of dedicated time on DOE supercomputers. The projects, with applications from aeronautics to astrophysics, consumer products to combustion research, were competitively chosen based on the potential impact of the science and engineering research and the suitability of the project for use of supercomputers.
"One of the most important aspects of the INCITE program is that the resulting knowledge will largely be available, so that the information and technologies can be used by other researchers, further broadening the impact of this work," Dr. Orbach said. "Our scientific leadership underpins nearly every aspect of our economy and by making these resources available to a broad range of science and engineering disciplines, we believe the resulting work will make us more competitive in the years and decades to come."
Processor-hours refer to how time is allocated on a supercomputer. A project receiving one million hours could run on 2,000 processors for 500 hours, or about 21 days. Running a one-million-hour project on a single-processor desktop computer would take more than 114 years.
Research areas to be addressed in 2007 include accelerator physics, astrophysics, chemical sciences, climate research, computer science, engineering physics, environmental science, fusion energy, life sciences, materials science, nuclear physics and nuclear engineering. Fact sheets describing the projects can be found at: science.doe/ .
Practical applications of the research include designing quieter cars, improving commercial aircraft design, advancing fusion energy, studying supernova, understanding nanomaterials, studying global climate change, and the causes of Parkinson's disease.
For 2007, the projects were awarded time at DOE's Leadership Computing Facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, and the Molecular Science Computing Facility at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington.
Industrial firms receiving new 2007 INCITE awards include Corning Inc., Fluent Inc., General Atomics, and Procter and Gamble. Firms with renewed awards are DreamWorks Animation, Pratt and Whitney, The Boeing Co., and General Atomics.
University researchers receiving INCITE awards represent Auburn University; Fisk University; Northwestern University; the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; the University of California campuses at Davis, Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Cruz; the University of Chicago; the University of Colorado; the University of Michigan; the University of Rochester; the University of Washington; and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
DOE scientists receiving awards conduct research at Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge and Sandia National Laboratories, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
Awards were also made to researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the Max-Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Germany.
The Council on Competitiveness is the only non-governmental group of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and labor leaders committed to driving U.S. competitiveness through the creation of high-value economic activities such as the INCITE program, to ensure the prosperity of all Americans.
DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and helps ensure U.S. world leadership across a broad range of scientific disciplines. For more information about the Office of Science, go toscience.doe/.
Contact: Jeff Sherwood
DOE/US Department of Energy
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Supercomputers are playing an increasingly important role in scientific research by allowing scientists to create more accurate models of complex processes, simulate problems once thought to be impossible, and to analyze the increasing amount of data generated by experiments. The supercomputers will allow cutting-edge research and design of virtual prototypes to be carried out in weeks or months, rather than the years or decades that would be needed using conventional computing systems.
"The Department of Energy's Office of Science has one of the top ten most powerful supercomputers in the world and 4 of the top 100 and we're proud to provide these resources to help researchers advance scientific knowledge and understanding," Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman said. "I look forward to witnessing the promise of these efforts as some of the world's greatest thinking minds use some of the world's greatest thinking computers."
Of the programs selected, nine are from industry and include five new proposals and four continuations from last year. This will double the number of companies with INCITE awards in 2007 compared to 2006 - a clear indication that U.S. industry has realized the potential benefits of our nation's investment in high-end computing.
Launched in 2003, the INCITE mission is to advance American science and industrial competitiveness. These awards will assist in that mission by support computationally intensive, large-scale research projects and award them large amounts of dedicated time on DOE supercomputers. The projects, with applications from aeronautics to astrophysics, consumer products to combustion research, were competitively chosen based on the potential impact of the science and engineering research and the suitability of the project for use of supercomputers.
"One of the most important aspects of the INCITE program is that the resulting knowledge will largely be available, so that the information and technologies can be used by other researchers, further broadening the impact of this work," Dr. Orbach said. "Our scientific leadership underpins nearly every aspect of our economy and by making these resources available to a broad range of science and engineering disciplines, we believe the resulting work will make us more competitive in the years and decades to come."
Processor-hours refer to how time is allocated on a supercomputer. A project receiving one million hours could run on 2,000 processors for 500 hours, or about 21 days. Running a one-million-hour project on a single-processor desktop computer would take more than 114 years.
Research areas to be addressed in 2007 include accelerator physics, astrophysics, chemical sciences, climate research, computer science, engineering physics, environmental science, fusion energy, life sciences, materials science, nuclear physics and nuclear engineering. Fact sheets describing the projects can be found at: science.doe/ .
Practical applications of the research include designing quieter cars, improving commercial aircraft design, advancing fusion energy, studying supernova, understanding nanomaterials, studying global climate change, and the causes of Parkinson's disease.
For 2007, the projects were awarded time at DOE's Leadership Computing Facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, and the Molecular Science Computing Facility at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington.
Industrial firms receiving new 2007 INCITE awards include Corning Inc., Fluent Inc., General Atomics, and Procter and Gamble. Firms with renewed awards are DreamWorks Animation, Pratt and Whitney, The Boeing Co., and General Atomics.
University researchers receiving INCITE awards represent Auburn University; Fisk University; Northwestern University; the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; the University of California campuses at Davis, Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Cruz; the University of Chicago; the University of Colorado; the University of Michigan; the University of Rochester; the University of Washington; and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
DOE scientists receiving awards conduct research at Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge and Sandia National Laboratories, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
Awards were also made to researchers at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and the Max-Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Germany.
The Council on Competitiveness is the only non-governmental group of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and labor leaders committed to driving U.S. competitiveness through the creation of high-value economic activities such as the INCITE program, to ensure the prosperity of all Americans.
DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and helps ensure U.S. world leadership across a broad range of scientific disciplines. For more information about the Office of Science, go toscience.doe/.
Contact: Jeff Sherwood
DOE/US Department of Energy
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Fc-gamma RIII: The Alternative To The TCR For NKT Cell-activation
A small subpopulation of T cells known as NKT cells (because in addition to proteins expressed by other T cell-populations they also express markers of NK cells, which are a distinct immune cell-type) promotes disease in an antibody-induced mouse model of arthritis. But researchers have yet to determine how the NKT cells are activated to cause disease in this model of arthritis. In a study appearing online on August 17 in advance of print publication in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Doo Hyun Chung and colleagues from Seoul National University College of Medicine show that engagement of Fc-gamma receptor III (Fc-gamma RIII) by aggregated IgG can activate NKT cells and promote disease. The authors showed that the only Fc-gamma receptor expressed by NKT cells is Fc-gamma RIII and that stimulation of NKT cells through this receptor using aggregated IgG was sufficient to activate the cells. Importantly, wild-type NKT cells, but not NKT cells lacking Fc-gamma RIII, mediated antibody-induced joint inflammation when transferred to mice lacking NKT cells and the ability to stimulate NKT cells through their TCR. The demonstration in this study that NKT cells can be activated by stimulation through Fc-gamma RIII alone should impact approaches for the treatment of autoantibody-induced joint inflammation.
TITLE: Fc-gamma RIII engagement provides activating signals to NKT cells in antibody-induced joint inflammation
AUTHOR CONTACT:
Doo Hyun Chung
Seoul National University College of Medicine
Seoul, Republic of Korea
E-mail: doohyunplaza.snu.ac.kr
View the PDF of this article at: AUTOIMMUNITY
JCI table of contents: August 17, 2006
Contact: Karen Honey
Journal of Clinical Investigation
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TITLE: Fc-gamma RIII engagement provides activating signals to NKT cells in antibody-induced joint inflammation
AUTHOR CONTACT:
Doo Hyun Chung
Seoul National University College of Medicine
Seoul, Republic of Korea
E-mail: doohyunplaza.snu.ac.kr
View the PDF of this article at: AUTOIMMUNITY
JCI table of contents: August 17, 2006
Contact: Karen Honey
Journal of Clinical Investigation
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Innovative Program Connects Minority Computer Science Students To Prepare Them For The Future
Javier Rosa is a on a mission. As an undergraduate at Rutgers University double-majoring in computer science and mathematics, he hopes to one day pursue an advanced degree in computer science with a focus on computational biology or bioinformatics and work to fight cancer.
Many college students studying at top-tier research universities have similarly ambitious goals, but two factors make Javier's academic journey particularly remarkable. For one thing, his passion for fighting cancer is personal--he was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year. Secondly, he is one of the few students from a minority background studying computer science at a tier-one research institution.
According to Richard A. Tapia, professor at Rice University, many minority students enrolled in undergraduate computer science programs at these institutions feel isolated and unsupported. As a result, he says, many leave the field to pursue a different major. "Students migrate to more welcoming degree programs," Tapia says, "where they feel they have support and a high probability of success."
Tapia and colleagues at nearly a dozen universities have teamed up with private industry and other groups to provide that support and prevent what he calls the "loss of the precious few" minority students majoring in computer science. He serves as director of the Empowering Leadership (EL) Alliance, an organization supported by funding from the National Science Foundation to provide these students with a community of support as they pursue their degrees.
"At the nation's top institutions, there are many choices inside and outside the university environment that offer vibrant opportunities and a welcoming environment," Tapia says. "We aim to provide both within the computing disciplines."
The EL Alliance's work could not come at a more crucial time. Despite the importance of information technology to the U.S. economy and society, the number of students from all backgrounds pursuing doctorates in computer science has actually declined in recent years. The statistics are even more dire for students from minority backgrounds. Such students are under-represented as undergraduates, and at the graduate level only 3 percent of doctorate students in computer science are African-American, Native American or Hispanic. Given that minority populations are the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, this trend will continue unless efforts are made to reverse it.
One of the tools the EL Alliance uses is bringing these students together so they can meet and support each other. This past October, hundreds of students from around the country, many from the EL Alliance, came to Orlando for the Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing conference where they interacted with national leaders in computing from the academic and business sectors. The Alliance has also established an online mentoring group that connects undergraduate and graduate students with national leaders in the computing fields who can offer their experience and advice as students make their way through their academic careers. The Alliance has also created a group on Facebook for its members to connect with each other.
These are just a few of the activities that Alliance members have in mind as they enter their second year. The partnership itself is comprised of universities, including Rice University; Boston University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Texas, Austin; University of IllinoisArizona State University, Auburn University, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Duke University, Harvey Mudd College, Portland State University, Princeton University, Purdue University, University of Maryland, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Several national laboratories and research centers such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Center for Women in IT, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Renaissance Computing Institute, Sandia National Laboratories are also involved, along with several professional societies such the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Computing Machinery, the Computing Research Association and corporations such as AMD Corporation, HP, IBM, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation and Texas Instruments.
Rosa attended the Tapia Celebration and said it helped him visualize his own participation in academic conferences, something he plans to do in the near future. "I really enjoyed the exposure to other people who were promoting their ideas and experiences," Rosa says, "as well as the opportunity to meet with so many role models and fellow students."
Source: Dana Cruikshank
National Science Foundation
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Many college students studying at top-tier research universities have similarly ambitious goals, but two factors make Javier's academic journey particularly remarkable. For one thing, his passion for fighting cancer is personal--he was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year. Secondly, he is one of the few students from a minority background studying computer science at a tier-one research institution.
According to Richard A. Tapia, professor at Rice University, many minority students enrolled in undergraduate computer science programs at these institutions feel isolated and unsupported. As a result, he says, many leave the field to pursue a different major. "Students migrate to more welcoming degree programs," Tapia says, "where they feel they have support and a high probability of success."
Tapia and colleagues at nearly a dozen universities have teamed up with private industry and other groups to provide that support and prevent what he calls the "loss of the precious few" minority students majoring in computer science. He serves as director of the Empowering Leadership (EL) Alliance, an organization supported by funding from the National Science Foundation to provide these students with a community of support as they pursue their degrees.
"At the nation's top institutions, there are many choices inside and outside the university environment that offer vibrant opportunities and a welcoming environment," Tapia says. "We aim to provide both within the computing disciplines."
The EL Alliance's work could not come at a more crucial time. Despite the importance of information technology to the U.S. economy and society, the number of students from all backgrounds pursuing doctorates in computer science has actually declined in recent years. The statistics are even more dire for students from minority backgrounds. Such students are under-represented as undergraduates, and at the graduate level only 3 percent of doctorate students in computer science are African-American, Native American or Hispanic. Given that minority populations are the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, this trend will continue unless efforts are made to reverse it.
One of the tools the EL Alliance uses is bringing these students together so they can meet and support each other. This past October, hundreds of students from around the country, many from the EL Alliance, came to Orlando for the Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing conference where they interacted with national leaders in computing from the academic and business sectors. The Alliance has also established an online mentoring group that connects undergraduate and graduate students with national leaders in the computing fields who can offer their experience and advice as students make their way through their academic careers. The Alliance has also created a group on Facebook for its members to connect with each other.
These are just a few of the activities that Alliance members have in mind as they enter their second year. The partnership itself is comprised of universities, including Rice University; Boston University; University of California, Berkeley; University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Texas, Austin; University of IllinoisArizona State University, Auburn University, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Duke University, Harvey Mudd College, Portland State University, Princeton University, Purdue University, University of Maryland, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Several national laboratories and research centers such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Center for Women in IT, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Renaissance Computing Institute, Sandia National Laboratories are also involved, along with several professional societies such the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Computing Machinery, the Computing Research Association and corporations such as AMD Corporation, HP, IBM, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation and Texas Instruments.
Rosa attended the Tapia Celebration and said it helped him visualize his own participation in academic conferences, something he plans to do in the near future. "I really enjoyed the exposure to other people who were promoting their ideas and experiences," Rosa says, "as well as the opportunity to meet with so many role models and fellow students."
Source: Dana Cruikshank
National Science Foundation
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Influenza's Achilles Heel Discovered By Scientists
As the nation copes with a shortage of vaccines for H1N1 influenza, a team of Alabama researchers have raised hopes that they have found an Achilles' heel for all strains of the flu - antioxidants. In an article appearing in the November 2009 print issue of the FASEB Journal (fasebj) they show that antioxidants - the same substances found in plant-based foods - might hold the key in preventing the flu virus from wreaking havoc on our lungs.
"The recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza and the rapid spread of this strain across the world highlights the need to better understand how this virus damages the lungs and to find new treatments," said Sadis Matalon, co-author of the study. "Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu."
Matalon and colleagues showed that the flu virus damages our lungs through its "M2 protein," which attacks the cells that line the inner surfaces of our lungs (epithelial cells). Specifically, the M2 protein disrupts lung epithelial cells' ability to remove liquid from inside of our lungs, setting the stage for pneumonia and other lung problems. The researchers made this discovery by conducting three sets of experiments using the M2 protein and the lung protein they damage. First, frog eggs were injected with the lung protein alone to measure its function. Second, researchers injected frog eggs with both the M2 protein and the lung protein and found that the function of the lung protein was significantly decreased. Using molecular biology techniques, scientists isolated the segment of the M2 protein responsible for the damage to the lung protein. Then they demonstrated that without this segment, the protein was unable to cause damage. Third, the full M2 protein (with the "offending" segment intact) and the lung protein were then re-injected into the frog eggs along with drugs known to remove oxidants. This too prevented the M2 protein from causing damage to the lung protein. These experiments were repeated using cells from human lungs with exactly the same results.
"Although vaccines will remain the first line of intervention against the flu for a long time to come, this study opens the door for entirely new treatments geared toward stopping the virus after you're sick," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal, "and as Thanksgiving approaches, this discovery is another reason to drink red wine to your health."
Details: Ahmed Lazrak, Karen E. Iles, Gang Liu, Diana L. Noah, James W. Noah, and Sadis Matalon. Influenza virus M2 protein inhibits epithelial sodium channels by increasing reactive oxygen species. FASEB J. doi:10.1096/fj.09-135590 ; fasebj/cgi/content/abstract/23/11/3829
Source: Cody Mooneyhan
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
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"The recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza and the rapid spread of this strain across the world highlights the need to better understand how this virus damages the lungs and to find new treatments," said Sadis Matalon, co-author of the study. "Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu."
Matalon and colleagues showed that the flu virus damages our lungs through its "M2 protein," which attacks the cells that line the inner surfaces of our lungs (epithelial cells). Specifically, the M2 protein disrupts lung epithelial cells' ability to remove liquid from inside of our lungs, setting the stage for pneumonia and other lung problems. The researchers made this discovery by conducting three sets of experiments using the M2 protein and the lung protein they damage. First, frog eggs were injected with the lung protein alone to measure its function. Second, researchers injected frog eggs with both the M2 protein and the lung protein and found that the function of the lung protein was significantly decreased. Using molecular biology techniques, scientists isolated the segment of the M2 protein responsible for the damage to the lung protein. Then they demonstrated that without this segment, the protein was unable to cause damage. Third, the full M2 protein (with the "offending" segment intact) and the lung protein were then re-injected into the frog eggs along with drugs known to remove oxidants. This too prevented the M2 protein from causing damage to the lung protein. These experiments were repeated using cells from human lungs with exactly the same results.
"Although vaccines will remain the first line of intervention against the flu for a long time to come, this study opens the door for entirely new treatments geared toward stopping the virus after you're sick," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal, "and as Thanksgiving approaches, this discovery is another reason to drink red wine to your health."
Details: Ahmed Lazrak, Karen E. Iles, Gang Liu, Diana L. Noah, James W. Noah, and Sadis Matalon. Influenza virus M2 protein inhibits epithelial sodium channels by increasing reactive oxygen species. FASEB J. doi:10.1096/fj.09-135590 ; fasebj/cgi/content/abstract/23/11/3829
Source: Cody Mooneyhan
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
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Study By Anthony Norman Advocates Higher Intake Of Vitamin D To Help Prevent Diseases
Essential for life in higher animals, vitamin D, once linked to only bone diseases such as rickets and osteoporosis, is now recognized as a major player in contributing to overall human health, emphasizes UC Riverside's Anthony Norman, an international expert on vitamin D.
In a paper published in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Norman identifies vitamin D's potential for contributions to good health in the adaptive and innate immune systems, the secretion and regulation of insulin by the pancreas, the heart and blood pressure regulation, muscle strength and brain activity. In addition, access to adequate amounts of vitamin D is believed to be beneficial towards reducing the risk of cancer.
Norman also lists 36 organ tissues in the body whose cells respond biologically to vitamin D. The list includes bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and the uterus.
According to Norman, deficiency of vitamin D can impact all 36 organs. Already, vitamin D deficiency is associated with muscle strength decrease, high risk for falls, and increased risk for colorectal, prostate and breast and other major cancers.
"It is becoming increasingly clear to researchers in the field that vitamin D is strongly linked to several diseases," said Norman, a distinguished professor emeritus of biochemistry and of biomedical sciences who has worked on vitamin D for more than 45 years. "Its biological sphere of influence is much broader than we originally thought. The nutritional guidelines for vitamin D intake must be carefully reevaluated to determine the adequate intake, balancing sunlight exposure with dietary intake, to achieve good health by involving all 36 target organs."
Vitamin D is synthesized in the body in a series of steps. First, sunlight's ultraviolet rays act on a precursor compound in skin. When skin is exposed to sunlight, a sterol present in dermal tissue is converted to vitamin D, which, in turn, is metabolized in the liver and kidneys to form a hormone. It was Norman's laboratory that discovered, in 1967, that vitamin D is converted into a steroid hormone by the body.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 200 international units (IU) for people up to 50 years old. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 400 IU for people 51 to 70 years old and 600 IU for people over 70 years old. Norman's recommendation for all adults is to have an average daily intake of at least 2000 IU.
"To optimize good health you must have enough vitamin D," he said. "Vitamin D deficiency is also especially of concern in third world countries that have poor nutritional practices and religious customs that require the body to be covered from head to toe. Ideally, to achieve the widest frequency of good health by population, we need to have 90 percent of the people with adequate amounts of vitamin D."
About half of the elderly in North America and two-thirds of the rest of the world are not getting enough vitamin D to maintain healthy bone density, lower their risks for fracture and improve tooth attachment.
"There needs to be a sea change by various governmental agencies in terms of the advice they present to citizens about how much vitamin D should be taken," Norman said. "The tendencies of people to live in cities where tall buildings block adequate sunlight from reaching the ground, to spend most of their time indoors, to use synthetic sunscreens that block ultraviolet rays, and to live in geographical regions of the world that do not receive adequate sunlight all contribute to the inability of the skin to biosynthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D."
Found in minute amounts in food, vitamins are organic substances that higher forms of animals need to grow and sustain normal health. Vitamins, however, are not synthesized in sufficient amounts to meet bodily needs. Therefore, the body must acquire them through diet or in the form of supplements.
Because it is found in very few foods naturally, milk and other foods (often orange juice) are fortified with vitamin D.
While deficiency of vitamin D impacts health negatively, ingestion of extremely high doses of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, a condition in which the blood's calcium level is above normal. The highest daily 'safe' dose of vitamin D is 10,000 IU.
"More than ever we need to increase the amount of research on vitamin D, with more funding from government agencies and pharmaceutical companies, to meet the challenge of preserving or improving the health of everyone on the planet," Norman said.
Norman is the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Ernst Oppenheimer Award from the Endocrine Society; the Mead Johnson Award and the Osborne and Mendel Award from American Institute of Nutrition; and the William F. Neuman Award from the American Society of Bone & Mineral Research. He is a fellow of the American Association Advancement Science as well as the American Society for Nutritional Sciences.
A grant he received in the late 1960s from the National Institutes of Health to study vitamin D has been renewed consecutively for 41 years, totaling more than $9 million.
The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment of about 17,000 is expected to grow to 21,000 students by 2020. The campus is planning a medical school and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion. To learn more, visit ucr.edu/.
Source: Iqbal Pittalwala
University of California - Riverside
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In a paper published in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Norman identifies vitamin D's potential for contributions to good health in the adaptive and innate immune systems, the secretion and regulation of insulin by the pancreas, the heart and blood pressure regulation, muscle strength and brain activity. In addition, access to adequate amounts of vitamin D is believed to be beneficial towards reducing the risk of cancer.
Norman also lists 36 organ tissues in the body whose cells respond biologically to vitamin D. The list includes bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and the uterus.
According to Norman, deficiency of vitamin D can impact all 36 organs. Already, vitamin D deficiency is associated with muscle strength decrease, high risk for falls, and increased risk for colorectal, prostate and breast and other major cancers.
"It is becoming increasingly clear to researchers in the field that vitamin D is strongly linked to several diseases," said Norman, a distinguished professor emeritus of biochemistry and of biomedical sciences who has worked on vitamin D for more than 45 years. "Its biological sphere of influence is much broader than we originally thought. The nutritional guidelines for vitamin D intake must be carefully reevaluated to determine the adequate intake, balancing sunlight exposure with dietary intake, to achieve good health by involving all 36 target organs."
Vitamin D is synthesized in the body in a series of steps. First, sunlight's ultraviolet rays act on a precursor compound in skin. When skin is exposed to sunlight, a sterol present in dermal tissue is converted to vitamin D, which, in turn, is metabolized in the liver and kidneys to form a hormone. It was Norman's laboratory that discovered, in 1967, that vitamin D is converted into a steroid hormone by the body.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 200 international units (IU) for people up to 50 years old. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 400 IU for people 51 to 70 years old and 600 IU for people over 70 years old. Norman's recommendation for all adults is to have an average daily intake of at least 2000 IU.
"To optimize good health you must have enough vitamin D," he said. "Vitamin D deficiency is also especially of concern in third world countries that have poor nutritional practices and religious customs that require the body to be covered from head to toe. Ideally, to achieve the widest frequency of good health by population, we need to have 90 percent of the people with adequate amounts of vitamin D."
About half of the elderly in North America and two-thirds of the rest of the world are not getting enough vitamin D to maintain healthy bone density, lower their risks for fracture and improve tooth attachment.
"There needs to be a sea change by various governmental agencies in terms of the advice they present to citizens about how much vitamin D should be taken," Norman said. "The tendencies of people to live in cities where tall buildings block adequate sunlight from reaching the ground, to spend most of their time indoors, to use synthetic sunscreens that block ultraviolet rays, and to live in geographical regions of the world that do not receive adequate sunlight all contribute to the inability of the skin to biosynthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D."
Found in minute amounts in food, vitamins are organic substances that higher forms of animals need to grow and sustain normal health. Vitamins, however, are not synthesized in sufficient amounts to meet bodily needs. Therefore, the body must acquire them through diet or in the form of supplements.
Because it is found in very few foods naturally, milk and other foods (often orange juice) are fortified with vitamin D.
While deficiency of vitamin D impacts health negatively, ingestion of extremely high doses of vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia, a condition in which the blood's calcium level is above normal. The highest daily 'safe' dose of vitamin D is 10,000 IU.
"More than ever we need to increase the amount of research on vitamin D, with more funding from government agencies and pharmaceutical companies, to meet the challenge of preserving or improving the health of everyone on the planet," Norman said.
Norman is the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Ernst Oppenheimer Award from the Endocrine Society; the Mead Johnson Award and the Osborne and Mendel Award from American Institute of Nutrition; and the William F. Neuman Award from the American Society of Bone & Mineral Research. He is a fellow of the American Association Advancement Science as well as the American Society for Nutritional Sciences.
A grant he received in the late 1960s from the National Institutes of Health to study vitamin D has been renewed consecutively for 41 years, totaling more than $9 million.
The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment of about 17,000 is expected to grow to 21,000 students by 2020. The campus is planning a medical school and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion. To learn more, visit ucr.edu/.
Source: Iqbal Pittalwala
University of California - Riverside
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Fully Integrated Electronic Medical Records Developed At UMass Memorial Health Care
UMass Memorial Health Care is undertaking an electronic medical record integration project of incredible scope. Known as Cornerstone, the project is a multi-year, multi-entity corporate initiative to implement common patient clinical and financial systems and to reduce variability in processes and workflows across the system. Currently in full design and implementation mode and continuing over the next four years, the way UMass Memorial collects, views, shares, manages, and interacts with all patient information will drastically change and improve.
"Cornerstone integrates all of the clinical and financial patient information from the various electronic systems throughout the five-hospital UMass Memorial Health Care enterprise into one," said Karen Marhefka, associate chief information officer and executive leader of the Cornerstone project. "With our patients at the epicenter, we are building this solution with the emphasis on clinical data interoperability, quality improvement and efficiency for our patients, our providers, and our administrative functions."
"Hospitals throughout the US are being mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) to institute electronic medical records," said George Brenckle, PhD, senior vice president and chief information officer at UMass Memorial Health Care. "Cornerstone will take UMass Memorial Health Care well beyond the minimum requirements, providing better coordination between providers, increased ability to prevent medical and medication errors, and less variability in the delivery of care."
With five hospitals and more than 1500 physicians, the health care system needs to be able to coordinate critical patient information between a large academic medical center and a single physician's office. The system is able to provide interoperability with its EMR system to community physicians, regardless of their relationship with UMass Memorial. "Through Cornerstone, UMass Memorial can help make electronic medical record software available to physicians and small physician groups throughout the Commonwealth," said Willis Chandler, vice president of business development at UMass Memorial Health Care. "Regardless of whether community physicians purchase EMRs with our help or if they buy them on their own, Cornerstone will enable an interoperative environment that will allow for patient data sharing both from within and outside of the system."
UMass Memorial Health Care is comprised of Clinton Hospital, HealthAlliance Hospital, Marlborough Hospital, Wing Memorial Hospital, and UMass Memorial Medical Center.
"UMass Memorial Health Care is changing the way we interact and communicate with our patients and with each other through the development of Cornerstone," said John O'Brien, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care. "Rather than trying to patch our systems together, we have made the investment of time and resources to build a truly patient-centered, safer, and more efficient record system."
Source:
Robert Brogna
University of Massachusetts Medical School
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"Cornerstone integrates all of the clinical and financial patient information from the various electronic systems throughout the five-hospital UMass Memorial Health Care enterprise into one," said Karen Marhefka, associate chief information officer and executive leader of the Cornerstone project. "With our patients at the epicenter, we are building this solution with the emphasis on clinical data interoperability, quality improvement and efficiency for our patients, our providers, and our administrative functions."
"Hospitals throughout the US are being mandated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) to institute electronic medical records," said George Brenckle, PhD, senior vice president and chief information officer at UMass Memorial Health Care. "Cornerstone will take UMass Memorial Health Care well beyond the minimum requirements, providing better coordination between providers, increased ability to prevent medical and medication errors, and less variability in the delivery of care."
With five hospitals and more than 1500 physicians, the health care system needs to be able to coordinate critical patient information between a large academic medical center and a single physician's office. The system is able to provide interoperability with its EMR system to community physicians, regardless of their relationship with UMass Memorial. "Through Cornerstone, UMass Memorial can help make electronic medical record software available to physicians and small physician groups throughout the Commonwealth," said Willis Chandler, vice president of business development at UMass Memorial Health Care. "Regardless of whether community physicians purchase EMRs with our help or if they buy them on their own, Cornerstone will enable an interoperative environment that will allow for patient data sharing both from within and outside of the system."
UMass Memorial Health Care is comprised of Clinton Hospital, HealthAlliance Hospital, Marlborough Hospital, Wing Memorial Hospital, and UMass Memorial Medical Center.
"UMass Memorial Health Care is changing the way we interact and communicate with our patients and with each other through the development of Cornerstone," said John O'Brien, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care. "Rather than trying to patch our systems together, we have made the investment of time and resources to build a truly patient-centered, safer, and more efficient record system."
Source:
Robert Brogna
University of Massachusetts Medical School
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NCQA Report: Quality, Spending Not Linked; Autism Fears Suspected As Children's Vaccinations Decrease In Private Plans
The new State of Health Care Quality report from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has two new findings about the nation's health care:
- Health plans that spend the most on care don't always deliver the best quality
- Vaccination rates have dropped for kids in private plans, while rates continue to rise for Medicaid children
The State of Health Care Quality is NCQA's annual analysis of the overall quality of American health care.
Relative Resource Use (RRU): Insight into Value
News that high-spending health plans don't always deliver the best care comes from findings on relative resource use (RRU) - documented for the first time in the report across five common, costly and chronic diseases.
RRU indicates how intensively health plans use health care resources (such as physician visits and hospital stays), compared with other plans in the same region, serving similar members. When used alongside quality measures, RRU makes it possible to talk about quality and cost simultaneously.
Given the definition of value as the intersection of health plans' spending (resource use) and their results, RRU reveals the value that plans offer.
RRU analysis shows that many plans that deliver below-average quality use above-average levels of resources. More care is not always linked to better results, confirming that the saying "you get what you pay for" does not apply to health care.
New Trends in Use of Vaccines
Childhood vaccination rates in 2009 declined by almost four percentage points in commercial plans.
A possible cause of this drop is commercial plan parents may refuse vaccines for their children based on the unproven, but increasingly popular, notion that vaccines cause autism. Celebrity activists are outspoken advocates of this view. Interestingly, we see vaccination rates in Medicaid - the program serving the poor - continuing to steadily improve.
"The drop in childhood vaccinations is disturbing because parents are rejecting valuable treatment based on misinformation," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "All of us in health care need to work together to get better information to the public."
The State of Health Care Quality Report examined quality data from over 1,000 health plans that collectively cover 118 million Americans.
Source:
NCQA
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- Health plans that spend the most on care don't always deliver the best quality
- Vaccination rates have dropped for kids in private plans, while rates continue to rise for Medicaid children
The State of Health Care Quality is NCQA's annual analysis of the overall quality of American health care.
Relative Resource Use (RRU): Insight into Value
News that high-spending health plans don't always deliver the best care comes from findings on relative resource use (RRU) - documented for the first time in the report across five common, costly and chronic diseases.
RRU indicates how intensively health plans use health care resources (such as physician visits and hospital stays), compared with other plans in the same region, serving similar members. When used alongside quality measures, RRU makes it possible to talk about quality and cost simultaneously.
Given the definition of value as the intersection of health plans' spending (resource use) and their results, RRU reveals the value that plans offer.
RRU analysis shows that many plans that deliver below-average quality use above-average levels of resources. More care is not always linked to better results, confirming that the saying "you get what you pay for" does not apply to health care.
New Trends in Use of Vaccines
Childhood vaccination rates in 2009 declined by almost four percentage points in commercial plans.
A possible cause of this drop is commercial plan parents may refuse vaccines for their children based on the unproven, but increasingly popular, notion that vaccines cause autism. Celebrity activists are outspoken advocates of this view. Interestingly, we see vaccination rates in Medicaid - the program serving the poor - continuing to steadily improve.
"The drop in childhood vaccinations is disturbing because parents are rejecting valuable treatment based on misinformation," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "All of us in health care need to work together to get better information to the public."
The State of Health Care Quality Report examined quality data from over 1,000 health plans that collectively cover 118 million Americans.
Source:
NCQA
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Efficacy Of CT Perfusion In Diagnosis Of Acute Ischemic Stroke Demonstrated By WVU Study
A study conducted by a team of stroke experts from West Virginia University Health Sciences Center demonstrates that CT (computed tomography) perfusion imaging - a technology which measures blood flow and is available to most hospitals - may dramatically improve fast and accurate stroke diagnosis, enabling physicians to provide more targeted care and helping avoid potentially life-threatening complications of "clot buster" therapy. The WVU study is the largest to date of the lifesaving technology's utility in diagnosing stroke and staging its treatment.
The study, published in the October 2008 issue of The Journal of Emergency Medicine, shows that using CT perfusion to diagnose stroke may be as valuable as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - an imaging technology that takes far longer to use at a time when every second counts before treatment is initiated. The CT technology allows physicians to identify patients who are suitable candidates for treatment, utilizing either clot busting medicines or clot retrieval devices.
WVU researchers believe this research could change national protocols on how stroke patients are triaged and potentially extend treatment opportunity beyond the three-to-six hour window.
"Our study reveals that the widespread use of CT perfusion is a practical way to help busy emergency departments save precious time in stroke diagnosis, target treatment and reduce the risks of inappropriate thrombolytic use," said Ansaar T. Rai, MD, Assistant Professor of Neuro Radiology & Neurointerventional Radiology. "CT perfusion was able to pinpoint strokes with high levels of accuracy, particularly the major intracranial vessel strokes that result in more devastating outcomes."
Key findings of the study include:
CT perfusion has a very high sensitivity rate - 92% - for detecting infarcts due to a major vessel occlusion, the most debilitating kind of stroke.
The specificity rate for detecting acute ischemic stroke was perfect - 100%.
The researchers, who have used CT perfusion in clinical practice with the largest reported number of suspected stroke victims of any center in the U.S., also report that the average time between emergency room neurological exam and CT scan was 35 minutes.
Under National Institutes of Health guidelines, hospitals should administer tPA (a clot-busting, or thrombolytic, drug) to patients within a three-hour window of stroke onset. After six hours, the medicine is considered too risky, due to the possibility of a deadly hemorrhage. Just one to two percent of stroke patients receive clot busters. Experts believe this is due largely to perceived risks and uncertainty about whether patients are actually having strokes. A fast, accurate and accessible means of diagnosis of could change these statistics.
To determine CT perfusion's utility, Rai and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis with 867 patients who underwent CT perfusion as part of a routine evaluation for suspected stroke at WVU's Ruby Memorial Hospital. Only patients who had a follow up MRI scan within one week - 422 - were included in the analysis. CTP abnormalities in these patients were compared with subsequent diffused weighted image (DWI) abnormalities seen on follow up MRI scans.
Magnetic resonance imaging tests (MRIs) are considered the gold standard for post-stroke analysis, but they are rarely performed and generally impractical because: they take 30 minutes to perform, require a stroke patient to be still to capture clean images, require doctors to check for metal in the patient's body (which may be impossible if the patient is not verbal) and the MRI units themselves are often understaffed or not located near the emergency room.
CT perfusion offers distinct advantages because most hospital emergency rooms use CT scanners for other purposes, they take one to two minutes to scan, and provide clear images even if a patient cannot lie perfectly still. Most hospitals need only to buy software (at a relatively low cost) to upgrade their systems and institute training programs. In addition, CT angiograms are necessary to locate blockages - and these can be done simultaneously with the perfusion CT, saving valuable time.
With the publication of this study, WVU is leading a high tech effort to integrate care across multiple practice locations and make use of its collection of stroke brain scans, which is one of the largest in medicine. The study findings may have the greatest effect on rural care, but also will help crowded urban centers utilize resources to improve diagnostic times and extend the life of imaging equipment. In addition, the study shows that a hospital and emergency department where comprehensive services are available can potentially serve as the nexus of a "tele-stroke network" in triaging patients and increasing outcomes.
The WVU study can be viewed online at sciencedirect/, keywords "CT Perfusion".
About Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death among Americans - the American Stroke Association notes that 780,000 strokes occur in the United States each year - about 600,000 are first or new strokes and, 180,000 occur in people who have already had a stroke before.
A study conducted at the University of Michigan and published in Neurology estimated that the economic burden of stroke in the U.S. will soar to more than $2.2 trillion over the next 45 years. Much of the stroke-related costs will be shouldered by African-American and Latino stroke patients, who tend to suffer from strokes at an earlier age and receive poorer preventive care. The American Heart Association estimates the cost of stroke in 2008 will climb to $65.5 billion.
About West Virginia University Stroke Center
The West Virginia University Stroke Center was established in 2000 to provide rapid, advanced care for stroke patients and potential stroke victims in West Virginia and surrounding regions. One of the most comprehensive stroke centers in the country, the WVU Stroke Center is a pioneer in applying state-of-the-art technologies and therapies to stroke treatment. The study published in The Journal of Emergency Medicine validates WVU's ongoing development of an integrated care program that optimizes treatments in Morgantown and uses telemedicine to connect doctors in rural areas with its specialists.
The researchers of this study are available for interview. To request interviews with the researchers, please contact Dennis Tartaglia. For interviews or more information on WVa University Health Sciences Center, contact Amy Johns.
Source: Dennis Tartaglia
Widmeyer Communications
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The study, published in the October 2008 issue of The Journal of Emergency Medicine, shows that using CT perfusion to diagnose stroke may be as valuable as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - an imaging technology that takes far longer to use at a time when every second counts before treatment is initiated. The CT technology allows physicians to identify patients who are suitable candidates for treatment, utilizing either clot busting medicines or clot retrieval devices.
WVU researchers believe this research could change national protocols on how stroke patients are triaged and potentially extend treatment opportunity beyond the three-to-six hour window.
"Our study reveals that the widespread use of CT perfusion is a practical way to help busy emergency departments save precious time in stroke diagnosis, target treatment and reduce the risks of inappropriate thrombolytic use," said Ansaar T. Rai, MD, Assistant Professor of Neuro Radiology & Neurointerventional Radiology. "CT perfusion was able to pinpoint strokes with high levels of accuracy, particularly the major intracranial vessel strokes that result in more devastating outcomes."
Key findings of the study include:
CT perfusion has a very high sensitivity rate - 92% - for detecting infarcts due to a major vessel occlusion, the most debilitating kind of stroke.
The specificity rate for detecting acute ischemic stroke was perfect - 100%.
The researchers, who have used CT perfusion in clinical practice with the largest reported number of suspected stroke victims of any center in the U.S., also report that the average time between emergency room neurological exam and CT scan was 35 minutes.
Under National Institutes of Health guidelines, hospitals should administer tPA (a clot-busting, or thrombolytic, drug) to patients within a three-hour window of stroke onset. After six hours, the medicine is considered too risky, due to the possibility of a deadly hemorrhage. Just one to two percent of stroke patients receive clot busters. Experts believe this is due largely to perceived risks and uncertainty about whether patients are actually having strokes. A fast, accurate and accessible means of diagnosis of could change these statistics.
To determine CT perfusion's utility, Rai and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis with 867 patients who underwent CT perfusion as part of a routine evaluation for suspected stroke at WVU's Ruby Memorial Hospital. Only patients who had a follow up MRI scan within one week - 422 - were included in the analysis. CTP abnormalities in these patients were compared with subsequent diffused weighted image (DWI) abnormalities seen on follow up MRI scans.
Magnetic resonance imaging tests (MRIs) are considered the gold standard for post-stroke analysis, but they are rarely performed and generally impractical because: they take 30 minutes to perform, require a stroke patient to be still to capture clean images, require doctors to check for metal in the patient's body (which may be impossible if the patient is not verbal) and the MRI units themselves are often understaffed or not located near the emergency room.
CT perfusion offers distinct advantages because most hospital emergency rooms use CT scanners for other purposes, they take one to two minutes to scan, and provide clear images even if a patient cannot lie perfectly still. Most hospitals need only to buy software (at a relatively low cost) to upgrade their systems and institute training programs. In addition, CT angiograms are necessary to locate blockages - and these can be done simultaneously with the perfusion CT, saving valuable time.
With the publication of this study, WVU is leading a high tech effort to integrate care across multiple practice locations and make use of its collection of stroke brain scans, which is one of the largest in medicine. The study findings may have the greatest effect on rural care, but also will help crowded urban centers utilize resources to improve diagnostic times and extend the life of imaging equipment. In addition, the study shows that a hospital and emergency department where comprehensive services are available can potentially serve as the nexus of a "tele-stroke network" in triaging patients and increasing outcomes.
The WVU study can be viewed online at sciencedirect/, keywords "CT Perfusion".
About Stroke
Stroke is the third leading cause of death among Americans - the American Stroke Association notes that 780,000 strokes occur in the United States each year - about 600,000 are first or new strokes and, 180,000 occur in people who have already had a stroke before.
A study conducted at the University of Michigan and published in Neurology estimated that the economic burden of stroke in the U.S. will soar to more than $2.2 trillion over the next 45 years. Much of the stroke-related costs will be shouldered by African-American and Latino stroke patients, who tend to suffer from strokes at an earlier age and receive poorer preventive care. The American Heart Association estimates the cost of stroke in 2008 will climb to $65.5 billion.
About West Virginia University Stroke Center
The West Virginia University Stroke Center was established in 2000 to provide rapid, advanced care for stroke patients and potential stroke victims in West Virginia and surrounding regions. One of the most comprehensive stroke centers in the country, the WVU Stroke Center is a pioneer in applying state-of-the-art technologies and therapies to stroke treatment. The study published in The Journal of Emergency Medicine validates WVU's ongoing development of an integrated care program that optimizes treatments in Morgantown and uses telemedicine to connect doctors in rural areas with its specialists.
The researchers of this study are available for interview. To request interviews with the researchers, please contact Dennis Tartaglia. For interviews or more information on WVa University Health Sciences Center, contact Amy Johns.
Source: Dennis Tartaglia
Widmeyer Communications
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An Adjuvant Vaccination With Reniale Prolongs Survival In Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma Following Radical Nephrectomy
UroToday - The authors presented at the annual meeting of the AUA, a secondary analysis on their previously published work with the tumor vaccine Reniale (made from tumor lysate) in the adjuvant setting for patients at high risk of relapse following surgery. This secondary ITT analysis was performed on 477 patients (233 in the Reniale group and 244 in the control group) The authors found that there was a significant improvement in recurrence free survival but not overall survival in the group that received Reniale in the adjuvant setting. In a smaller subgroup of patients treated "per protocol", there was a statistically significant benefit in both RFS and OS for the Reniale group as compared to control.
Doehn C, et al., Germany
Reported by UroToday Contributing Editor Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS
UroToday - the only urology website with original content global urology key opinion leaders actively engaged in clinical practice.
To access the latest urology news releases from UroToday, go to:
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----------------------------
Copyright © 2007 - UroToday
Reproduced for blog with permission of UroToday.
----------------------------
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Doehn C, et al., Germany
Reported by UroToday Contributing Editor Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS
UroToday - the only urology website with original content global urology key opinion leaders actively engaged in clinical practice.
To access the latest urology news releases from UroToday, go to:
www.urotoday
----------------------------
Copyright © 2007 - UroToday
Reproduced for blog with permission of UroToday.
----------------------------
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No More Metal, Now Biodegradable: New European Artery Stent For Coronary Blockage
When patients undergo surgery to unblock clogged arteries, it has been standard procedure to insert a coronary artery stent made up of a metal framework. However, in a breakthrough innovation, these stints may now be placed to unclog vessels, and then will dissolve within approximately two years, leaving patients with a treated vessel free of a permanent metallic implant.
Typically, as the stent is a foreign object it incites an immune response. This may cause scar tissue to rapidly grow over the stent and there is a strong tendency for clots to form at the site where the stent damages the arterial wall. Since platelets are involved in the clotting process, patients must currently take dual antiplatelet therapy afterwards, usually clopidogrel and aspirin for one year and aspirin indefinitely. In order to reduce the treatment, new generation of stent has been developed with biodegradable polymer.
Abbott, a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, has gained European approval of the world's first drug eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) for the treatment of coronary artery disease and will be branded as "ABSORB."
Patrick W. Serruys, M.D., Ph.D., professor of interventional cardiology at the Thoraxcentre, Erasmus University Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands explains:
"The CE Mark approval for ABSORB in Europe is a significant accomplishment that validates the impressive clinical results that have been observed with this device. Abbott's ABSORB has the potential to change the way patients with coronary artery disease are treated, as it does what no other drug eluting coronary device has been able to do before; completely dissolve and potentially restore natural vessel function in a way not possible with permanent metallic implants."
Since a permanent metallic implant is not left behind, a patient's vessel now may ultimately have the ability to move, flex and pulsate similar to an untreated vessel. This process is called vascular restoration therapy (VRT). Further research indicates that the anti-platelet therapy to patients may be reduced because the temporary scaffold is completely resorbed. ABSORB is made of polylactide, a proven biocompatible material that is commonly used in medical implants such as resorbable sutures. The device is designed to restore blood flow by opening a clogged vessel and providing support to the vessel.
The coronary arteries that run on the surface of the heart are called epicardial coronary arteries. These arteries, when healthy, are capable of autoregulation to maintain coronary blood flow at levels appropriate to the needs of the heart muscle. These relatively narrow vessels are commonly affected by atherosclerosis and can become blocked, causing angina or a heart attack.
Robert B. Hance, senior vice president at Abbott continues:
"Our ABSORB technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of coronary artery disease with the prospect for positive therapeutic outcomes resulting from its unique ability to treat a blocked vessel, potentially restore natural vessel function and disappear within approximately two years after implant. Receiving CE Mark is a significant milestone on the path to providing patients with new treatment options for coronary artery disease. Abbott is committed to building the clinical and economic benefits of this therapy in anticipation of making it widely available in Europe by the end of 2012."
European approval was supported by data from the ABSORB clinical trials, which included patient monitoring for three years. In 2011 there are plans to initiate a randomized, controlled clinical trial in Europe. The trial will provide additional data to support European commercialization and reimbursement activities.
A global trial, including the U.S. and other geographies at up to 100 centers in Europe, Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America is planned and Abbott hopes this will prove as a global solution to better coronary stint procedures.
SOURCE: Abbott
Sy Kraft, B.A.
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Typically, as the stent is a foreign object it incites an immune response. This may cause scar tissue to rapidly grow over the stent and there is a strong tendency for clots to form at the site where the stent damages the arterial wall. Since platelets are involved in the clotting process, patients must currently take dual antiplatelet therapy afterwards, usually clopidogrel and aspirin for one year and aspirin indefinitely. In order to reduce the treatment, new generation of stent has been developed with biodegradable polymer.
Abbott, a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, has gained European approval of the world's first drug eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) for the treatment of coronary artery disease and will be branded as "ABSORB."
Patrick W. Serruys, M.D., Ph.D., professor of interventional cardiology at the Thoraxcentre, Erasmus University Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands explains:
"The CE Mark approval for ABSORB in Europe is a significant accomplishment that validates the impressive clinical results that have been observed with this device. Abbott's ABSORB has the potential to change the way patients with coronary artery disease are treated, as it does what no other drug eluting coronary device has been able to do before; completely dissolve and potentially restore natural vessel function in a way not possible with permanent metallic implants."
Since a permanent metallic implant is not left behind, a patient's vessel now may ultimately have the ability to move, flex and pulsate similar to an untreated vessel. This process is called vascular restoration therapy (VRT). Further research indicates that the anti-platelet therapy to patients may be reduced because the temporary scaffold is completely resorbed. ABSORB is made of polylactide, a proven biocompatible material that is commonly used in medical implants such as resorbable sutures. The device is designed to restore blood flow by opening a clogged vessel and providing support to the vessel.
The coronary arteries that run on the surface of the heart are called epicardial coronary arteries. These arteries, when healthy, are capable of autoregulation to maintain coronary blood flow at levels appropriate to the needs of the heart muscle. These relatively narrow vessels are commonly affected by atherosclerosis and can become blocked, causing angina or a heart attack.
Robert B. Hance, senior vice president at Abbott continues:
"Our ABSORB technology has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of coronary artery disease with the prospect for positive therapeutic outcomes resulting from its unique ability to treat a blocked vessel, potentially restore natural vessel function and disappear within approximately two years after implant. Receiving CE Mark is a significant milestone on the path to providing patients with new treatment options for coronary artery disease. Abbott is committed to building the clinical and economic benefits of this therapy in anticipation of making it widely available in Europe by the end of 2012."
European approval was supported by data from the ABSORB clinical trials, which included patient monitoring for three years. In 2011 there are plans to initiate a randomized, controlled clinical trial in Europe. The trial will provide additional data to support European commercialization and reimbursement activities.
A global trial, including the U.S. and other geographies at up to 100 centers in Europe, Asia Pacific, Canada and Latin America is planned and Abbott hopes this will prove as a global solution to better coronary stint procedures.
SOURCE: Abbott
Sy Kraft, B.A.
Buy Vesicare Without Prescription
Personalised Therapies For Inflammation Created By Researchers Able To Mimic Body's Own Healing Potential
Scientists at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Harvard Medical School, Boston have found a way of mimicking the body's natural mechanism of fighting inflammation. During inflammation cells release very small particles termed 'microparticles' that retain features of their parent cell. The scientists discovered that certain microparticles were beneficial to health, and that these microparticles contained anti-inflammatory lipids, which help terminate inflammation and return the body to its normal balance.
The discovery, featured online in the current edition of the Journal of Immunology, paves the way for new personalized treatments to target uncontrolled inflammation that need not rely on synthetic biomaterials, therefore reducing potential toxicity.
Inflammation of joints and muscles is implicated in many human diseases including cardiovascular disease, arthritis and temporomandibular disorders and its treatment remains an unmet medical need.
Led by Dr Lucy V Norling (a Foundation Fellow of the Arthritis Research UK), researchers from the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Harvard Medical School (laboratory of Professor CN Serhan) investigated the properties of microparticles during inflammatory episodes showing them to contain beneficial lipids (fat molecules) that are precursors for compounds that stimulate the resolution of an inflammatory episode. The researchers then mimicked this natural communication process to make a new personalized delivery system for anti-inflammatory therapeutics based on natural human microparticles instead of synthetic biomaterials, which bring adverse immunotoxic effects.
The many benefits of these humanized particles, coined 'nano-proresolving medicines' are that they can be loaded with anti-inflammatories (e.g. resolvins or other small molecules) to enhance their protective bioactions.
Dr Norling said: "These results uncover a novel way of targeting anti-inflammatories therapeutics to the site of inflammation using a natural delivery system. I think this new mode of delivery could have application for numerous inflammatory diseases including those of the joint such as arthritis and temporomandibular disorders. "
Source:
Alex Fernandes
Queen Mary, University of London
Buy Reglan Without Prescription
The discovery, featured online in the current edition of the Journal of Immunology, paves the way for new personalized treatments to target uncontrolled inflammation that need not rely on synthetic biomaterials, therefore reducing potential toxicity.
Inflammation of joints and muscles is implicated in many human diseases including cardiovascular disease, arthritis and temporomandibular disorders and its treatment remains an unmet medical need.
Led by Dr Lucy V Norling (a Foundation Fellow of the Arthritis Research UK), researchers from the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry and Harvard Medical School (laboratory of Professor CN Serhan) investigated the properties of microparticles during inflammatory episodes showing them to contain beneficial lipids (fat molecules) that are precursors for compounds that stimulate the resolution of an inflammatory episode. The researchers then mimicked this natural communication process to make a new personalized delivery system for anti-inflammatory therapeutics based on natural human microparticles instead of synthetic biomaterials, which bring adverse immunotoxic effects.
The many benefits of these humanized particles, coined 'nano-proresolving medicines' are that they can be loaded with anti-inflammatories (e.g. resolvins or other small molecules) to enhance their protective bioactions.
Dr Norling said: "These results uncover a novel way of targeting anti-inflammatories therapeutics to the site of inflammation using a natural delivery system. I think this new mode of delivery could have application for numerous inflammatory diseases including those of the joint such as arthritis and temporomandibular disorders. "
Source:
Alex Fernandes
Queen Mary, University of London
Buy Reglan Without Prescription
Former FDA Commissioner McClellan Says Agency Should Review Health Care Databases To Improve Prescription Drug Safety Efforts
Former FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan on Monday during a speech at an Institute of Medicine symposium said the agency should increase its efforts to mine large public and private health care databases to detect emerging drug safety problems, the Washington Post reports (Washington Post, 3/13). McClellan said increased use of the databases, which contain the pooled health information of 100 million U.S. residents, would enable FDA to broaden its surveillance of drug safety problems while maintaining patient confidentiality. McClellan noted that such oversight might have more quickly detected the increased risk of heart attack and stroke related to the painkiller Vioxx, which was withdrawn from the market in 2004. According to the AP/Boston Herald, McClellan's comments "echoed a key recommendation" from a 2006 IOM report, which criticized FDA's drug safety oversight following the Vioxx withdrawal. FDA's Gerald Dal Pan told the symposium that the agency already has collaborated with the Department of Veterans Affairs and others to review database information, but he added that FDA needs more epidemiologists and computer programmers to do the work. At present, FDA often must rely on the limited numbers of adverse event reports that are given to the agency from drug companies and doctors to detect safety problems, the AP/Herald reports. In 2006, FDA received nearly 449,000 adverse event reports. Experts believe that for each report the agency receives, another nine problems go unreported. McClellan said, "It's the 21st century, and we have the potential to bring that whole iceberg out of the water -- or at least see it" (AP/Boston Herald, 3/12).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
View drug information on Vioxx.
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"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
View drug information on Vioxx.
Buy Savella Online no Prescription
Efforts Raise Diabetes Awareness, Encourage Health Care Equity, Offer Pregnancy Advice For Minorities
The following summarizes efforts that seek to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.
Diabetes: St. Catherine Hospital's Stop Diabetes Program organizes education seminars at local churches to increase diabetes awareness among blacks and Hispanics. The program launched in 2006 and initially was a part of the American Diabetes Association's Power Project program, but it severed ties with the organization a year later because of costs. Eight churches and 150 people have participated in the program. Organizers recently appointed a nurse to handle screening appointments at churches. The Indiana University School of Nursing's World Health Organization Collaborating Center recently presented Stop Diabetes with the Indiana Healthy Cities and Communities Award (Levy, Gary Post-Tribune, 11/23).
Health Insurers: The National Minority Quality Forum recently commended the American Medical Association for the development of a Heath Insurer Code of Conduct, citing a need to address disparities in the current health insurance system. The group said it will encourage physicians and patient advocates to adopt the rules with the hopes of ensuring that high-risk populations receive quality health care (PR Newswire release, 11/20).
Pregnancy: Long Island Newsday on Sunday profiled author Kimberly Seals-Allers, who wrote "The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy," which addresses health issues specifically faced by black women during pregnancy. Seals-Allers said statistics showing black women's increased health risks during pregnancy prompted her to write the book. The book addresses fibroids, low birthweight infants, the safety of chemically processed hair and other issues. The book now is a part of Seals-Allers' Mocha Manuals, which offer advice on other subjects and target minority women (Whitehouse, Long Island Newsday, 11/23).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Diabetes: St. Catherine Hospital's Stop Diabetes Program organizes education seminars at local churches to increase diabetes awareness among blacks and Hispanics. The program launched in 2006 and initially was a part of the American Diabetes Association's Power Project program, but it severed ties with the organization a year later because of costs. Eight churches and 150 people have participated in the program. Organizers recently appointed a nurse to handle screening appointments at churches. The Indiana University School of Nursing's World Health Organization Collaborating Center recently presented Stop Diabetes with the Indiana Healthy Cities and Communities Award (Levy, Gary Post-Tribune, 11/23).
Health Insurers: The National Minority Quality Forum recently commended the American Medical Association for the development of a Heath Insurer Code of Conduct, citing a need to address disparities in the current health insurance system. The group said it will encourage physicians and patient advocates to adopt the rules with the hopes of ensuring that high-risk populations receive quality health care (PR Newswire release, 11/20).
Pregnancy: Long Island Newsday on Sunday profiled author Kimberly Seals-Allers, who wrote "The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy," which addresses health issues specifically faced by black women during pregnancy. Seals-Allers said statistics showing black women's increased health risks during pregnancy prompted her to write the book. The book addresses fibroids, low birthweight infants, the safety of chemically processed hair and other issues. The book now is a part of Seals-Allers' Mocha Manuals, which offer advice on other subjects and target minority women (Whitehouse, Long Island Newsday, 11/23).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Boston Scientific Announces Clinical Data Supporting Safety And Efficacy Of Platinum Chromium PROMUS Element™ Stent
Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced data from its PLATINUM QCA study, which is designed to evaluate the Company's PROMUS Element™ Everolimus-Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent. The results provided 30-day and nine-month clinical outcomes and nine-month quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) data supporting the safety and efficacy of the PROMUS Element Stent. Analysis of the data was presented by Ian Meredith, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., Director of Cardiology at the Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne, Australia and Principal Investigator of the PLATINUM QCA study, at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics scientific symposium in Washington, D.C.
The PROMUS Element Stent features a novel platinum chromium (PtCr) alloy and innovative stent design, which combine to offer greater radial strength and flexibility while reducing stent recoil. The stent geometry helps create consistent lesion coverage and drug distribution while improving deliverability, which is enhanced by an advanced catheter delivery system. The higher density PtCr alloy provides superior visibility while permitting thinner struts compared to prior-generation stents (1).
"The nine-month angiographic and IVUS data from the PLATINUM QCA study are impressive and show the acute performance advantages of the platinum chromium PROMUS Element Stent," said Prof. Meredith. "With the same drug and polymer loading and comparable release kinetics as the PROMUS® Stent, the PROMUS Element Stent achieved similar late loss and significantly better stent apposition. These results give me great confidence in the transferability of the everolimus drug and its proven clinical outcomes, as well as the potential benefits of the new platinum chromium alloy."
The PLATINUM clinical program is evaluating the safety and efficacy of the PROMUS Element Stent in five multi-center studies totaling more than 1,800 patients, including a randomized controlled trial for workhorse lesions, as well as single-arm studies evaluating small vessels, long lesions and pharmacokinetics. The prospective, single-arm PLATINUM QCA study enrolled 100 patients at 14 sites.
The PLATINUM QCA primary endpoint of 30-day composite cardiac events was 1.0 percent, which included cardiac death (0.0 percent), myocardial infarction (0.0 percent), target lesion revascularization (TLR, 1.0 percent) and stent thrombosis (ARC (2) definite/probable, 1.0 percent). Of the 100 patients studied, one patient experienced a peri-procedural stent thrombosis and TLR. No additional major clinical events were reported from 31 days to nine months.
The study also met its pre-specified efficacy endpoint of in-stent late loss in workhorse lesions at nine months as measured by QCA compared to historical TAXUS® Express® Stent data. The PROMUS Element nine-month in-stent late loss of 0.17 mm +/- 0.25 mm was superior to the performance goal of 0.44 mm (p
The study met a second pre-specified efficacy endpoint of post-procedure incomplete stent apposition as measured by IVUS compared to PROMUS (Xience V) data from the SPIRIT III trial. The PROMUS Element post-procedure incomplete stent apposition of 5.7 percent was significantly below the performance goal of 34.4 percent (pBuy Provera Without Prescription
The PROMUS Element Stent features a novel platinum chromium (PtCr) alloy and innovative stent design, which combine to offer greater radial strength and flexibility while reducing stent recoil. The stent geometry helps create consistent lesion coverage and drug distribution while improving deliverability, which is enhanced by an advanced catheter delivery system. The higher density PtCr alloy provides superior visibility while permitting thinner struts compared to prior-generation stents (1).
"The nine-month angiographic and IVUS data from the PLATINUM QCA study are impressive and show the acute performance advantages of the platinum chromium PROMUS Element Stent," said Prof. Meredith. "With the same drug and polymer loading and comparable release kinetics as the PROMUS® Stent, the PROMUS Element Stent achieved similar late loss and significantly better stent apposition. These results give me great confidence in the transferability of the everolimus drug and its proven clinical outcomes, as well as the potential benefits of the new platinum chromium alloy."
The PLATINUM clinical program is evaluating the safety and efficacy of the PROMUS Element Stent in five multi-center studies totaling more than 1,800 patients, including a randomized controlled trial for workhorse lesions, as well as single-arm studies evaluating small vessels, long lesions and pharmacokinetics. The prospective, single-arm PLATINUM QCA study enrolled 100 patients at 14 sites.
The PLATINUM QCA primary endpoint of 30-day composite cardiac events was 1.0 percent, which included cardiac death (0.0 percent), myocardial infarction (0.0 percent), target lesion revascularization (TLR, 1.0 percent) and stent thrombosis (ARC (2) definite/probable, 1.0 percent). Of the 100 patients studied, one patient experienced a peri-procedural stent thrombosis and TLR. No additional major clinical events were reported from 31 days to nine months.
The study also met its pre-specified efficacy endpoint of in-stent late loss in workhorse lesions at nine months as measured by QCA compared to historical TAXUS® Express® Stent data. The PROMUS Element nine-month in-stent late loss of 0.17 mm +/- 0.25 mm was superior to the performance goal of 0.44 mm (p
The study met a second pre-specified efficacy endpoint of post-procedure incomplete stent apposition as measured by IVUS compared to PROMUS (Xience V) data from the SPIRIT III trial. The PROMUS Element post-procedure incomplete stent apposition of 5.7 percent was significantly below the performance goal of 34.4 percent (pBuy Provera Without Prescription
Uganda Lawmakers Drafting Bill That Would Penalize People Who Knowingly Transmit HIV, Official Says
Ugandan lawmakers are drafting a bill that would penalize people who knowingly transmit HIV, Emmanuel Otala, state health minister in charge of primary health care, said on Tuesday at the East African Civil Society Network for HIV/AIDS conference in Kampala, Uganda, the Daily Monitor reports. According to Otala, the Ministry of Gender is working to have the bill considered by Parliament within two months.
According to the Monitor, President Yoweri Museveni earlier this year suggested that a law be drafted and enacted to penalize people who knowingly transmit HIV. "People who infect others [with HIV] deliberately are killers," Museveni said, adding that a person living with the virus "should first declare that he is infected."
Otala also called on delegates at the conference to support efforts aimed at reducing the stigma associated with the disease. More than 40 delegates from HIV/AIDS-related nongovernmental organizations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are attending the meeting. He also asked delegates to encourage the public to receive HIV tests and counseling. According to Otala, only 6.4% of HIV-positive people in Uganda are aware of their status. Over 1,000 people register monthly to receive no-cost antiretroviral drugs in Uganda, Otala said, adding that only 30% of the country's population voluntarily has been tested. According to a recent survey, there are one million people living with HIV/AIDS in the country, but only 95,000 have enrolled to receive no-cost antiretrovirals, Otala said. He added that the survey found HIV/AIDS prevalence is increasing among married couples compared with unmarried people in the country (Magumba/Muyita, Daily Monitor, 6/21).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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According to the Monitor, President Yoweri Museveni earlier this year suggested that a law be drafted and enacted to penalize people who knowingly transmit HIV. "People who infect others [with HIV] deliberately are killers," Museveni said, adding that a person living with the virus "should first declare that he is infected."
Otala also called on delegates at the conference to support efforts aimed at reducing the stigma associated with the disease. More than 40 delegates from HIV/AIDS-related nongovernmental organizations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are attending the meeting. He also asked delegates to encourage the public to receive HIV tests and counseling. According to Otala, only 6.4% of HIV-positive people in Uganda are aware of their status. Over 1,000 people register monthly to receive no-cost antiretroviral drugs in Uganda, Otala said, adding that only 30% of the country's population voluntarily has been tested. According to a recent survey, there are one million people living with HIV/AIDS in the country, but only 95,000 have enrolled to receive no-cost antiretrovirals, Otala said. He added that the survey found HIV/AIDS prevalence is increasing among married couples compared with unmarried people in the country (Magumba/Muyita, Daily Monitor, 6/21).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Maxygen's Next-Generation Interferon Alpha Enters Phase Ia Clinical Trial
Maxygen, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MAXY) announced today that Roche has initiated a Phase Ia clinical
trial in New Zealand to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic
and pharmacodynamic profile of Maxy-alpha, a next-generation interferon
alpha for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.
The Phase Ia clinical trial is a double-blind, dose-escalation,
controlled study of a single sub-cutaneous administration of Maxy-alpha in
healthy volunteers with both placebo and PEGASYS(R) (peginterferon alfa-2a
(40KD)) control groups. Maxy-alpha, also known as R7025, Roche's internal
designation for the molecule, is a novel PEGylated interferon alpha variant
created through the use of Maxygen's proprietary MolecularBreeding(TM)
directed molecular evolution technologies. Maxy-alpha has been designed to
have more anti-viral activity against the hepatitis C virus and be more
effective in stimulating immune responses to help combat the infection.
Preclinical data comparing Maxy-alpha to PEGASYS(R) demonstrated that
Maxy-alpha has increased anti-viral and immune stimulatory activity
compared to PEGASYS(R). Roche and Maxygen worked together to PEGylate
Maxy-alpha to ensure comparable pharmacokinetics and dosing convenience to
Roche's currently marketed PEGylated interferon alpha, PEGASYS(R).
Maxygen will receive a $2 million dollar milestone payment for the
commencement of the Phase Ia trial.
"Maxy-alpha is the first 'shuffled' protein to enter clinical
development," said Russell Howard, Chief Executive Officer of Maxygen.
"This demonstrates how Maxygen's proprietary technologies can be used to
specifically enhance desired properties of potential protein drugs. We
designed this molecule to have greater potency over the currently marketed
interferon alpha drugs in the hopes of addressing the large percentage of
patients that are not effectively served by current therapies. We are
hopeful that the forthcoming clinical trials of Maxy-alpha will demonstrate
a significant improvement in the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.
Roche is an ideal partner for Maxygen's next-generation interferon alpha
and we are encouraged by their enthusiasm and commitment to the program."
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus infection causes chronic inflammation in the liver.
In a majority of patients, hepatitis C virus infection can persist for
decades and eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Hepatitis C virus infection represents a significant medical problem
worldwide. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C
virus infections. The standard treatment for hepatitis C virus infections
is a combination of PEGylated interferon and ribavirin, a small molecule.
About Alpha Interferon
Alpha interferon is a natural protein that is produced by many cell
types, including T-cells and B-cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial
cells, osteoblasts and others, and is an important component of the
anti-viral response, stimulating both macrophages and natural killer (NK)
cells.
Market Opportunity
Based on currently available market data, worldwide sales of drugs for
the treatment of hepatitis C virus infections, including PEGylated
interferon alpha and ribavirin, were approximately $2.75 billion in 2005.
Sales of drugs to treat hepatitis C virus infections are expected to grow
due to improved market penetration through improvements in therapies,
increased awareness and improved diagnosis rates.
About Maxygen
Maxygen, Inc., headquartered in Redwood City, California, is committed
to the discovery, development and commercialization of improved
next-generation protein pharmaceuticals for the treatment of disease and
serious medical conditions. For additional information on Maxygen,
including access to Maxygen's SEC filings, please visit Maxygen's website
at maxygen. Maxygen and the Maxygen logo are trademarks of
Maxygen, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements about our
research and business prospects, including those relating to: the ability
or intent of Roche to successfully conduct and complete clinical trials of
Maxy-alpha and, if successful, to commercialize Maxy-alpha; the ability or
intent of Roche to otherwise perform its obligations under its
collaboration agreement with us for the Maxy-alpha program, our ability to
perform our obligations under the collaboration agreement and to
effectively manage our relationship with Roche; the potential safety,
tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of Maxy-alpha;
the expected safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
profile of Maxy-alpha compared to other interferon alpha products; whether
Maxygen's therapeutic products will exhibit improved properties in humans
as compared to currently marketed drugs; and the potential market
opportunity for sales of alpha interferon products and other drugs to treat
hepatitis C virus infections. Such statements involve risks and
uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set
forth in these statements. Among other things these risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to: changing research and business priorities
of Maxygen and/or Roche; the inherent uncertainties of pharmaceutical drug
development; the uncertain timing of therapeutic drug development;
competitors producing superior products; and our ability to establish and
maintain our research and commercialization collaborations and
manufacturing arrangements. These and other risk factors are more fully
discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, including
under the caption "Risk Factors," and in our other periodic SEC reports,
all of which are available from Maxygen at maxygen. Maxygen
disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement
contained in this release as a result of new information or future events
or developments.
Maxygen, Inc.
maxygen
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(Nasdaq: MAXY) announced today that Roche has initiated a Phase Ia clinical
trial in New Zealand to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic
and pharmacodynamic profile of Maxy-alpha, a next-generation interferon
alpha for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.
The Phase Ia clinical trial is a double-blind, dose-escalation,
controlled study of a single sub-cutaneous administration of Maxy-alpha in
healthy volunteers with both placebo and PEGASYS(R) (peginterferon alfa-2a
(40KD)) control groups. Maxy-alpha, also known as R7025, Roche's internal
designation for the molecule, is a novel PEGylated interferon alpha variant
created through the use of Maxygen's proprietary MolecularBreeding(TM)
directed molecular evolution technologies. Maxy-alpha has been designed to
have more anti-viral activity against the hepatitis C virus and be more
effective in stimulating immune responses to help combat the infection.
Preclinical data comparing Maxy-alpha to PEGASYS(R) demonstrated that
Maxy-alpha has increased anti-viral and immune stimulatory activity
compared to PEGASYS(R). Roche and Maxygen worked together to PEGylate
Maxy-alpha to ensure comparable pharmacokinetics and dosing convenience to
Roche's currently marketed PEGylated interferon alpha, PEGASYS(R).
Maxygen will receive a $2 million dollar milestone payment for the
commencement of the Phase Ia trial.
"Maxy-alpha is the first 'shuffled' protein to enter clinical
development," said Russell Howard, Chief Executive Officer of Maxygen.
"This demonstrates how Maxygen's proprietary technologies can be used to
specifically enhance desired properties of potential protein drugs. We
designed this molecule to have greater potency over the currently marketed
interferon alpha drugs in the hopes of addressing the large percentage of
patients that are not effectively served by current therapies. We are
hopeful that the forthcoming clinical trials of Maxy-alpha will demonstrate
a significant improvement in the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection.
Roche is an ideal partner for Maxygen's next-generation interferon alpha
and we are encouraged by their enthusiasm and commitment to the program."
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus infection causes chronic inflammation in the liver.
In a majority of patients, hepatitis C virus infection can persist for
decades and eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Hepatitis C virus infection represents a significant medical problem
worldwide. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C
virus infections. The standard treatment for hepatitis C virus infections
is a combination of PEGylated interferon and ribavirin, a small molecule.
About Alpha Interferon
Alpha interferon is a natural protein that is produced by many cell
types, including T-cells and B-cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial
cells, osteoblasts and others, and is an important component of the
anti-viral response, stimulating both macrophages and natural killer (NK)
cells.
Market Opportunity
Based on currently available market data, worldwide sales of drugs for
the treatment of hepatitis C virus infections, including PEGylated
interferon alpha and ribavirin, were approximately $2.75 billion in 2005.
Sales of drugs to treat hepatitis C virus infections are expected to grow
due to improved market penetration through improvements in therapies,
increased awareness and improved diagnosis rates.
About Maxygen
Maxygen, Inc., headquartered in Redwood City, California, is committed
to the discovery, development and commercialization of improved
next-generation protein pharmaceuticals for the treatment of disease and
serious medical conditions. For additional information on Maxygen,
including access to Maxygen's SEC filings, please visit Maxygen's website
at maxygen. Maxygen and the Maxygen logo are trademarks of
Maxygen, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements about our
research and business prospects, including those relating to: the ability
or intent of Roche to successfully conduct and complete clinical trials of
Maxy-alpha and, if successful, to commercialize Maxy-alpha; the ability or
intent of Roche to otherwise perform its obligations under its
collaboration agreement with us for the Maxy-alpha program, our ability to
perform our obligations under the collaboration agreement and to
effectively manage our relationship with Roche; the potential safety,
tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of Maxy-alpha;
the expected safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic
profile of Maxy-alpha compared to other interferon alpha products; whether
Maxygen's therapeutic products will exhibit improved properties in humans
as compared to currently marketed drugs; and the potential market
opportunity for sales of alpha interferon products and other drugs to treat
hepatitis C virus infections. Such statements involve risks and
uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set
forth in these statements. Among other things these risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to: changing research and business priorities
of Maxygen and/or Roche; the inherent uncertainties of pharmaceutical drug
development; the uncertain timing of therapeutic drug development;
competitors producing superior products; and our ability to establish and
maintain our research and commercialization collaborations and
manufacturing arrangements. These and other risk factors are more fully
discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, including
under the caption "Risk Factors," and in our other periodic SEC reports,
all of which are available from Maxygen at maxygen. Maxygen
disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement
contained in this release as a result of new information or future events
or developments.
Maxygen, Inc.
maxygen
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Experts Unite To Create New Online Resource For Restless Legs Syndrome
The website Under the Covers of RLS brings together leading medical experts in the field of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) who have undertaken to explain key facts and symptoms of this condition, which affects people's sleep pattern, their ability to perform tasks which require longer periods of immobility, and negatively impacts patients' quality of life. This educational tool, consisting of contributions from renowned RLS experts dedicated to research and treatment of this neurological disorder and contributions of patients affected by the condition, is the result of a joint initiative between Boehringer Ingelheim and the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM). The website is launched today on World Sleep Day and will hopefully help to improve recognition of this serious condition which is one of the most common causes of sleep disturbance.1
"Nobody knows how bad it is. You cannot explain this horrible feeling in your legs that makes you move constantly." says RLS patient Sue, featured on the website, who tries to articulate the condition that affects up to one in 10 of the adult population (aged between 30 and 79).2 Like Sue, up to one-third of those affected experience symptoms at least twice every week, causing moderate to severe distress.3 RLS is characterised by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and often painful sensations in the legs.4,5 These symptoms are usually worse when at rest or during the evening or night, which makes it difficult for those with RLS symptoms to fall asleep and stay asleep.3,6 In fact, those with moderate to severe RLS may sleep less than five hours per night.6 This can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and compromise work/daytime performance.3
"I have conducted medical research in the field of RLS for over 30 years, but still encounter many misconceptions about the condition. Among neurologists and people living with RLS, there is no doubt that, in its moderate to severe form, the symptoms have a serious impact on quality of life. The condition warrants appropriate medical attention just as would any other neurological condition", commented Professor Richard P. Allen, Secretary of the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and Committee Member of World Sleep Day 2009, "The joint collaboration between WASM as a scientific society, international medical experts and the pharmaceutical industry has provided an excellent opportunity to share a wealth of knowledge with those in search of accurate information on RLS via a comprehensive and creative website. WASM is very pleased with this initiative and we hope it will help to clarify misconceptions that can often delay or hinder correct diagnosis and help people to better understand how serious RLS can be for those affected."
The website Under the Covers of RLS (rlsunderthecovers) offers the viewer key insights into:
-- The history of RLS
-- RLS symptoms
-- The impact of RLS on quality of life and sleep quality (including patient insights)
-- RLS diagnosis and management
About Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterised by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by unpleasant and sometimes painful sensations in the legs. Restless Legs Syndrome affects up to ten percent of the population worldwide aged between 30 and 79 years2 and around one-third of sufferers experience symptoms more than twice weekly causing moderate to severe distress.5 The motor-restlessness worsens during the evening and night causing difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. The sleep disruption can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and compromise work performance. Restless Legs Syndrome also has considerable impact on social activities that require immobility.
About World Sleep Day
The World Sleep Day, an annual event which was put on the health agenda by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) in 2008, is intended to be a call to action on many fronts related to sleep including education, social issues and driving. The World Sleep Day Committee declare that "disorders of sleep are preventable and treatable medical conditions in every country of the world". The event is sponsored by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and many local groups in different countries throughout the world.
About the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM)
The World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) is an international organisation comprised of healthcare professionals primarily active in the field of sleep medicine. Its goal is to advance knowledge about sleep and sleep disorders among healthcare personnel and among the public worldwide and the Association was founded to improve sleep health worldwide and to encourage prevention and treatment of sleep disorders.
WASM is working towards increasing worldwide awareness of the importance of sleep and the adverse consequences resulting from lack of sleep, due either to enforced lifestyle or to sleep disorders themselves. The Association aims to act as a link between various sleep associations and cultures, i.e. as an international nexus among sleep clinicians and researchers in the advancement of worldwide sleep health. A special goal of the Association is to foster dissemination of expertise in sleep medicine everywhere in the world.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 135 affiliates in 47 countries and 39,800 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
References:
1 Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome: a review of clinical and pathophysiologic features. J Clin Neurophysiol 2001; 18(2): 128 - 147.
2 Phillips B et al. Epidemiology of Restless Legs Symptoms in adults. Arch Intern Med 2000; 160(14): 2137 - 2141.
3 Hening W et al. Impact, diagnosis and treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome in a primary care population: REST (RLS epidemiology, symptoms and treatment) primary care study. Sleep Med 2004; 5(3): 237 - 246.
4 Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome prevalence and impact: REST general population study. Arch Intern Med 2005; 165(11): 1286-1292.
5 Silber MH et al. An algorithm for the management of Restless Legs Syndrome. Mayo Clin Proc 2004; 79(7): 916 922.
6 Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome: diagnostic criteria, special considerations, and epidemiology A report from the Restless Legs Syndrome diagnosis and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health. Sleep Med 2003; 4(2): 101 - 119.
Boehringer Ingelheim
www.boehringer-ingelheim
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"Nobody knows how bad it is. You cannot explain this horrible feeling in your legs that makes you move constantly." says RLS patient Sue, featured on the website, who tries to articulate the condition that affects up to one in 10 of the adult population (aged between 30 and 79).2 Like Sue, up to one-third of those affected experience symptoms at least twice every week, causing moderate to severe distress.3 RLS is characterised by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and often painful sensations in the legs.4,5 These symptoms are usually worse when at rest or during the evening or night, which makes it difficult for those with RLS symptoms to fall asleep and stay asleep.3,6 In fact, those with moderate to severe RLS may sleep less than five hours per night.6 This can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and compromise work/daytime performance.3
"I have conducted medical research in the field of RLS for over 30 years, but still encounter many misconceptions about the condition. Among neurologists and people living with RLS, there is no doubt that, in its moderate to severe form, the symptoms have a serious impact on quality of life. The condition warrants appropriate medical attention just as would any other neurological condition", commented Professor Richard P. Allen, Secretary of the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and Committee Member of World Sleep Day 2009, "The joint collaboration between WASM as a scientific society, international medical experts and the pharmaceutical industry has provided an excellent opportunity to share a wealth of knowledge with those in search of accurate information on RLS via a comprehensive and creative website. WASM is very pleased with this initiative and we hope it will help to clarify misconceptions that can often delay or hinder correct diagnosis and help people to better understand how serious RLS can be for those affected."
The website Under the Covers of RLS (rlsunderthecovers) offers the viewer key insights into:
-- The history of RLS
-- RLS symptoms
-- The impact of RLS on quality of life and sleep quality (including patient insights)
-- RLS diagnosis and management
About Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterised by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by unpleasant and sometimes painful sensations in the legs. Restless Legs Syndrome affects up to ten percent of the population worldwide aged between 30 and 79 years2 and around one-third of sufferers experience symptoms more than twice weekly causing moderate to severe distress.5 The motor-restlessness worsens during the evening and night causing difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. The sleep disruption can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and compromise work performance. Restless Legs Syndrome also has considerable impact on social activities that require immobility.
About World Sleep Day
The World Sleep Day, an annual event which was put on the health agenda by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) in 2008, is intended to be a call to action on many fronts related to sleep including education, social issues and driving. The World Sleep Day Committee declare that "disorders of sleep are preventable and treatable medical conditions in every country of the world". The event is sponsored by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and many local groups in different countries throughout the world.
About the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM)
The World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) is an international organisation comprised of healthcare professionals primarily active in the field of sleep medicine. Its goal is to advance knowledge about sleep and sleep disorders among healthcare personnel and among the public worldwide and the Association was founded to improve sleep health worldwide and to encourage prevention and treatment of sleep disorders.
WASM is working towards increasing worldwide awareness of the importance of sleep and the adverse consequences resulting from lack of sleep, due either to enforced lifestyle or to sleep disorders themselves. The Association aims to act as a link between various sleep associations and cultures, i.e. as an international nexus among sleep clinicians and researchers in the advancement of worldwide sleep health. A special goal of the Association is to foster dissemination of expertise in sleep medicine everywhere in the world.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 135 affiliates in 47 countries and 39,800 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
References:
1 Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome: a review of clinical and pathophysiologic features. J Clin Neurophysiol 2001; 18(2): 128 - 147.
2 Phillips B et al. Epidemiology of Restless Legs Symptoms in adults. Arch Intern Med 2000; 160(14): 2137 - 2141.
3 Hening W et al. Impact, diagnosis and treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome in a primary care population: REST (RLS epidemiology, symptoms and treatment) primary care study. Sleep Med 2004; 5(3): 237 - 246.
4 Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome prevalence and impact: REST general population study. Arch Intern Med 2005; 165(11): 1286-1292.
5 Silber MH et al. An algorithm for the management of Restless Legs Syndrome. Mayo Clin Proc 2004; 79(7): 916 922.
6 Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome: diagnostic criteria, special considerations, and epidemiology A report from the Restless Legs Syndrome diagnosis and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health. Sleep Med 2003; 4(2): 101 - 119.
Boehringer Ingelheim
www.boehringer-ingelheim
Buy Ventolin Online no Prescription
Researchers Warn Steep Climb Ahead To Get Hospitals To Go Digital
Contrary to conventional wisdom, only a tiny fraction of U.S. hospitals have full health information technology (HIT) systems in place to improve how they deliver care, says a new study published in the March 26 on-line edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. A survey of nearly 3,000 hospitals shows that less than 2 percent use comprehensive electronic health records (EHRs), and about 8 percent use a basic EHR in at least one care unit that includes physician or nurse notes. The findings are the first reliable estimates of the prevalence of HIT adoption in U.S. hospitals, and come amid concerted efforts by Congress and the Obama Administration to stimulate wider use of EHRs in the health care sector.
"HIT adoption levels are abysmally low in American hospitals. We have a long way to go to achieve a health care system that is fully electronic," says lead author Ashish Jha, MD, an Associate Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health. "The $19 billion in federal help is a great start but it is only a down payment. This is a big mountain to climb," he adds.
The study, which is based on data collected in 2008, shows that larger, urban teaching institutions are somewhat more likely to have EHRs than other hospitals, partly because they may have more financial resources at their disposal. Inadequate capital and high maintenance costs were the major barriers cited among non-adopters.
Jha conducted the study with researchers at the Institute for Health Policy and the Biostatistics Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, The Brigham and Women's Hospital, the VA Boston Healthcare System, and the Department of Health Policy at George Washington University. The study was funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the federal government's Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
The survey follows one released in 2008 by the same group of authors that showed that only 17 percent of doctors are using EHRs, and only 4 percent use full EHRs. "Despite the promise that HIT holds for better health, the accumulating evidence shows that many of those who deliver care have yet to be convinced," says David Blumenthal, MD, director of the Institute for Health Policy and senior author of this study. "This survey continues to make the case for why the federal government needs to step in and exercise its fiscal and policy muscle to spur adoption," adds Blumenthal.
Other highlights of what the study found:
Computerized physician orders for medications were widely available in 16 percent of U.S. hospitals;
More than three-quarters of hospitals reported adoption of electronic laboratory and radiology results reporting systems
Barriers To Be Removed
The largest barrier to HIT adoption among hospitals still remains the cost. HIT systems are expensive and can cost between $20 million and $100 million, depending on the size of the hospital and the complexity of the system. To make matters worse, many of the financial benefits of HIT systems may not accrue to the hospital that makes the investment. If hospitals become more efficient, they could potentially even lose money in terms of lower reimbursement for insurance companies. This makes the business case for HIT far more difficult.
Another hurdle to overcome is interoperability - or allowing for easy exchange of patient care information between hospitals or from hospitals to physicians' offices. Right now, the market is very fragmented with different standards and different vendors. The lack of ease with which information can be shared "reduces the potential value of these systems and may have a dampening effect on adoption," says the study. Until there is more clarity in the marketplace and until these systems become far more interoperable, many hospitals will resist adopting EHRs, the authors warn.
What Can the Government Do?
The government can take steps to address this problem. Rewarding hospitals - especially those with the least access to capital - for using HIT can help stimulate the diffusion of EHRs. Other approaches that could help: creating incentives for the support and training of more IT support staff, harmonizing interoperability standards, and creating disincentives for not using HIT.
The Veterans Health Administration has had EHRs in place for more than a decade and has produced dramatic improvements in health care quality. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands also have successfully spurred HIT adoption, though, like in the United States, most of their progress has been in ambulatory care. "Few countries have yet to make substantial progress in the inpatient setting," the authors say.
Although HIT adoption rates are pretty low, Jha is worried that the economic recession could make things worse, at least in the short term. This hasn't been a good year for hospitals to make capital investments, he says, so it's doubtful that much change will occur in 2009. Nevertheless, he and his co-authors say that since many institutions have parts of EHRs in place, policy interventions and financial help could increase their prevalence in hospitals over the long term.
"Modernizing health care systems with electronic health records is a critical piece of any health reform effort," adds John Lumpkin, MD, senior vice president of the Health Care Group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "While the adopted rates are discouraging, this report helps us understand the key barriers we need to overcome to achieve higher rates of HIT adoption and better health and health care for all Americans."
Notes:
The study: "The Use of Electronic Health Records in U.S. Hospitals," appeared in the March 26, 2009, on-line edition of the New England Journal of Medicine
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 30 years, the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. By helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in our lifetime.
The Institute for Health Policy (IHP) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Partners Health System is dedicated to conducting world-class research on the central health care issues of our time. The mission of the IHP is to improve the health and health care of the American people through conducting health policy and health services research, translating new healthcare knowledge into practice, informing and influencing public policy, and training scholars and practitioners of health policy.
Source:
Kay Campbell
Burness Communications
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"HIT adoption levels are abysmally low in American hospitals. We have a long way to go to achieve a health care system that is fully electronic," says lead author Ashish Jha, MD, an Associate Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health. "The $19 billion in federal help is a great start but it is only a down payment. This is a big mountain to climb," he adds.
The study, which is based on data collected in 2008, shows that larger, urban teaching institutions are somewhat more likely to have EHRs than other hospitals, partly because they may have more financial resources at their disposal. Inadequate capital and high maintenance costs were the major barriers cited among non-adopters.
Jha conducted the study with researchers at the Institute for Health Policy and the Biostatistics Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, The Brigham and Women's Hospital, the VA Boston Healthcare System, and the Department of Health Policy at George Washington University. The study was funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the federal government's Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
The survey follows one released in 2008 by the same group of authors that showed that only 17 percent of doctors are using EHRs, and only 4 percent use full EHRs. "Despite the promise that HIT holds for better health, the accumulating evidence shows that many of those who deliver care have yet to be convinced," says David Blumenthal, MD, director of the Institute for Health Policy and senior author of this study. "This survey continues to make the case for why the federal government needs to step in and exercise its fiscal and policy muscle to spur adoption," adds Blumenthal.
Other highlights of what the study found:
Computerized physician orders for medications were widely available in 16 percent of U.S. hospitals;
More than three-quarters of hospitals reported adoption of electronic laboratory and radiology results reporting systems
Barriers To Be Removed
The largest barrier to HIT adoption among hospitals still remains the cost. HIT systems are expensive and can cost between $20 million and $100 million, depending on the size of the hospital and the complexity of the system. To make matters worse, many of the financial benefits of HIT systems may not accrue to the hospital that makes the investment. If hospitals become more efficient, they could potentially even lose money in terms of lower reimbursement for insurance companies. This makes the business case for HIT far more difficult.
Another hurdle to overcome is interoperability - or allowing for easy exchange of patient care information between hospitals or from hospitals to physicians' offices. Right now, the market is very fragmented with different standards and different vendors. The lack of ease with which information can be shared "reduces the potential value of these systems and may have a dampening effect on adoption," says the study. Until there is more clarity in the marketplace and until these systems become far more interoperable, many hospitals will resist adopting EHRs, the authors warn.
What Can the Government Do?
The government can take steps to address this problem. Rewarding hospitals - especially those with the least access to capital - for using HIT can help stimulate the diffusion of EHRs. Other approaches that could help: creating incentives for the support and training of more IT support staff, harmonizing interoperability standards, and creating disincentives for not using HIT.
The Veterans Health Administration has had EHRs in place for more than a decade and has produced dramatic improvements in health care quality. The United Kingdom and the Netherlands also have successfully spurred HIT adoption, though, like in the United States, most of their progress has been in ambulatory care. "Few countries have yet to make substantial progress in the inpatient setting," the authors say.
Although HIT adoption rates are pretty low, Jha is worried that the economic recession could make things worse, at least in the short term. This hasn't been a good year for hospitals to make capital investments, he says, so it's doubtful that much change will occur in 2009. Nevertheless, he and his co-authors say that since many institutions have parts of EHRs in place, policy interventions and financial help could increase their prevalence in hospitals over the long term.
"Modernizing health care systems with electronic health records is a critical piece of any health reform effort," adds John Lumpkin, MD, senior vice president of the Health Care Group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "While the adopted rates are discouraging, this report helps us understand the key barriers we need to overcome to achieve higher rates of HIT adoption and better health and health care for all Americans."
Notes:
The study: "The Use of Electronic Health Records in U.S. Hospitals," appeared in the March 26, 2009, on-line edition of the New England Journal of Medicine
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 30 years, the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. By helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in our lifetime.
The Institute for Health Policy (IHP) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Partners Health System is dedicated to conducting world-class research on the central health care issues of our time. The mission of the IHP is to improve the health and health care of the American people through conducting health policy and health services research, translating new healthcare knowledge into practice, informing and influencing public policy, and training scholars and practitioners of health policy.
Source:
Kay Campbell
Burness Communications
Buy Elavil Online no Prescription
Unstable Leukemia Stem Cells May Predispose Patients To Drug Resistance
The BCR-ABL gene in chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells has a tendency to quickly mutate, and this may help explain why patients are predisposed to resistance to drugs like imatinib that target that gene, according to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Treatment with imatinib causes clinical remissions in most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, but relapses are common and the cancer can become resistant to the drug. The oncogene, BCR-ABL, is the cause of chronic myeloid leukemia. Researchers have hypothesized that the relapses are due to chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells with specific BCR-ABL gene mutations that make them resistant to the drug long before they are exposed to it.
Xiaoyan Jiang, M.D, Ph.D., and Connie Eaves, Ph.D., of the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver, and colleagues isolated chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells from patients and analyzed them to identify mutations in the BCR-ABL gene.
The stem cells were found to be genetically unstable and had a high frequency of mutations, even in the absence of imatinib. The researchers identified more than 70 BCR-ABL mutations in the stem cells and their immediate progeny, many of which would be expected to alter the BCR-ABL protein - he target of imatinib. This could result in resistance to the drug.
"Although this study was not designed to identify mutations that would contribute to disease progression, our results suggest that these would also be found. These considerations highlight the importance of gaining further understanding of the control of DNA replication and repair in the leukemic stem cells from patients with chronic phase [chronic myeloid leukemia] in future efforts to devise therapies with curative potential," the authors write.
In an accompanying editorial, Margret Rodrigues, Ph.D., and Martin Sattler, Ph.D., of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, discuss the possible causes of genetic instability in the BCR-ABL gene and future approaches to developing successful therapies for chronic myeloid leukemia. "A future challenge will be to devise approaches that overcome drug resistance within these [chronic myeloid leukemia stem] cells without selecting for additional drug-resistant populations," the authors write.
Contact:
* Article: Nicole Adams, BC Cancer Agency
* Editorial: Teresa Herbert, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Citation:
* Article: Jiang X, Saw KM, Eaves A, Eaves C. Instability of BCR-ABL Gene in Primary and Cultured Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells. J Natl Cancer Inst 2007; 99: 680-693
* Editorial: Rodrigues MS, Sattler M. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Progenitors Display a Genetically Unstable Personality. J Natl Cancer Inst 2007; 99: 662-663
Note: The Journal of the National Cancer Institute is published by Oxford University Press and is not affiliated with the National Cancer Institute. Attribution to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute is requested in all news coverage. Visit the Journal online at jnci.oxfordjournals//.
Contact: Liz Savage
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
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Treatment with imatinib causes clinical remissions in most patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, but relapses are common and the cancer can become resistant to the drug. The oncogene, BCR-ABL, is the cause of chronic myeloid leukemia. Researchers have hypothesized that the relapses are due to chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells with specific BCR-ABL gene mutations that make them resistant to the drug long before they are exposed to it.
Xiaoyan Jiang, M.D, Ph.D., and Connie Eaves, Ph.D., of the British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver, and colleagues isolated chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells from patients and analyzed them to identify mutations in the BCR-ABL gene.
The stem cells were found to be genetically unstable and had a high frequency of mutations, even in the absence of imatinib. The researchers identified more than 70 BCR-ABL mutations in the stem cells and their immediate progeny, many of which would be expected to alter the BCR-ABL protein - he target of imatinib. This could result in resistance to the drug.
"Although this study was not designed to identify mutations that would contribute to disease progression, our results suggest that these would also be found. These considerations highlight the importance of gaining further understanding of the control of DNA replication and repair in the leukemic stem cells from patients with chronic phase [chronic myeloid leukemia] in future efforts to devise therapies with curative potential," the authors write.
In an accompanying editorial, Margret Rodrigues, Ph.D., and Martin Sattler, Ph.D., of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, discuss the possible causes of genetic instability in the BCR-ABL gene and future approaches to developing successful therapies for chronic myeloid leukemia. "A future challenge will be to devise approaches that overcome drug resistance within these [chronic myeloid leukemia stem] cells without selecting for additional drug-resistant populations," the authors write.
Contact:
* Article: Nicole Adams, BC Cancer Agency
* Editorial: Teresa Herbert, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Citation:
* Article: Jiang X, Saw KM, Eaves A, Eaves C. Instability of BCR-ABL Gene in Primary and Cultured Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells. J Natl Cancer Inst 2007; 99: 680-693
* Editorial: Rodrigues MS, Sattler M. Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Progenitors Display a Genetically Unstable Personality. J Natl Cancer Inst 2007; 99: 662-663
Note: The Journal of the National Cancer Institute is published by Oxford University Press and is not affiliated with the National Cancer Institute. Attribution to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute is requested in all news coverage. Visit the Journal online at jnci.oxfordjournals//.
Contact: Liz Savage
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Buy Urivoid Without Prescription
North Texas Experiences Increase In Clinics Treating Mostly Uninsured, Undocumented Immigrants
Over the last 10 years, the Dallas area has experienced "a tenfold increase in the number" of health clinics that are treating the "growing numbers of people without health insurance, especially [undocumented] immigrants who are fearful to use government-affiliated clinics or hospitals," the Dallas Morning News reports. According to a Dallas County Medical Society association, there are more than 40 charity clinics in the area.
Many of the clinics are staffed by volunteers, including doctors, nurses, translators and social workers. Use of the clinics has increased to the point where some must "regularly turn away patients," the Morning News reports.
Connie Webster, community health director for the Dallas County Medical Society, said the growth of the clinics "really shows the alarming situation in our community of the uninsured growing." Texas leads the nation in the percentage of residents who are uninsured, the Morning News reports.
Some of the clinics are required to ask patients for Social Security numbers or other proof of residency, though many clinics' staff members say that treating patients regardless of legal status is the priority, according to the Morning News. Julia Grenier, a local nurse who runs a clinic at the Plano Day Labor Center, said that while county officials "want to make sure everyone we serve is documented ... they know darn well that some of our people aren't" (Solis, Dallas Morning News, 7/14).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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Many of the clinics are staffed by volunteers, including doctors, nurses, translators and social workers. Use of the clinics has increased to the point where some must "regularly turn away patients," the Morning News reports.
Connie Webster, community health director for the Dallas County Medical Society, said the growth of the clinics "really shows the alarming situation in our community of the uninsured growing." Texas leads the nation in the percentage of residents who are uninsured, the Morning News reports.
Some of the clinics are required to ask patients for Social Security numbers or other proof of residency, though many clinics' staff members say that treating patients regardless of legal status is the priority, according to the Morning News. Julia Grenier, a local nurse who runs a clinic at the Plano Day Labor Center, said that while county officials "want to make sure everyone we serve is documented ... they know darn well that some of our people aren't" (Solis, Dallas Morning News, 7/14).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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California Files Lawsuit Against Hospital Chain Seeking End To 'Balance Billing' Practices
The California Department of Managed Health Care on Friday filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court seeking to stop the hospital chain Prime Healthcare Services from billing patients for the cost of services above what their HMOs are willing to pay, the Los Angeles Times reports. The practice is known as "balance billing."
In 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) ordered state regulators to ban the practice. DMHC officials worked for two years trying to negotiate a compromise between insurers and health providers, and the agency this spring drafted regulations that will bar hospitals and physicians from charging patients for emergency services that insurers have not paid. The regulations are not expected to be adopted until the fall, which led the state to take action against Prime in court, a DMHC spokesperson said.
DMHC Director Cindy Ehnes said, "Prime Healthcare's ongoing practice of putting consumers in the middle of billing disputes between providers and health plans is the largest example of this egregious practice we've seen to date, and it must be stopped."
Prime Healthcare acknowledged it was using balance billing and said it believed it was legally allowed to send the bills to patients. Mike Sarrao, Prime's general counsel, criticized DMHC's action and said Prime believes that the agency lacks "the requisite legal or equitable standing to bring the suit forward."
According to the Times, Prime is "one of the fastest growing hospital chains" in California. When the company acquires a hospital, it often cancels most private insurance contracts, making it possible to charge insurers higher out-of-network fees for treating their members, the Times reports. In a lawsuit filed this spring, Kaiser Permanente brought similar charges against Prime and won an injunction barring the chain from seeking payment from more than 5,000 Kaiser members for bills the HMO had not paid (Costello, Los Angeles Times, 7/2).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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In 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) ordered state regulators to ban the practice. DMHC officials worked for two years trying to negotiate a compromise between insurers and health providers, and the agency this spring drafted regulations that will bar hospitals and physicians from charging patients for emergency services that insurers have not paid. The regulations are not expected to be adopted until the fall, which led the state to take action against Prime in court, a DMHC spokesperson said.
DMHC Director Cindy Ehnes said, "Prime Healthcare's ongoing practice of putting consumers in the middle of billing disputes between providers and health plans is the largest example of this egregious practice we've seen to date, and it must be stopped."
Prime Healthcare acknowledged it was using balance billing and said it believed it was legally allowed to send the bills to patients. Mike Sarrao, Prime's general counsel, criticized DMHC's action and said Prime believes that the agency lacks "the requisite legal or equitable standing to bring the suit forward."
According to the Times, Prime is "one of the fastest growing hospital chains" in California. When the company acquires a hospital, it often cancels most private insurance contracts, making it possible to charge insurers higher out-of-network fees for treating their members, the Times reports. In a lawsuit filed this spring, Kaiser Permanente brought similar charges against Prime and won an injunction barring the chain from seeking payment from more than 5,000 Kaiser members for bills the HMO had not paid (Costello, Los Angeles Times, 7/2).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Buy Cyklokapron Without Prescription
New Data Show Mobile Devices Increase Productivity In Everyday Clinical Practice And Support Patient Care, UK
New data presented this afternoon at The King's Fund show mobile technology is an integral part of modern clinical practice, but one that is costly for individual health professionals and rarely reimbursed by healthcare providers. d4 is a new UK charity which recognises that mobile technology is critical to improving efficiency within UK clinical practice, and that cost should not be a barrier to use. Today, d4 is calling on healthcare professionals to collaborate and to use group-buying power to improve access to the right information at the right price, and support the needs of modern medicine.
An online survey by d4 of 474 UK registered health professionals showed that 80 percent rely on a mobile phone at work for a range of purposes, with the most commonly cited reasons being communicating with colleagues (82 percent) and accessing information on the intranet/internet (46 percent). With increasing pressure being placed on health professionals to deliver cost-effective, high quality care, it is no surprise that technological innovations are being utilised to share knowledge, help make informed decisions and expedite improved health outcomes.
Yet the survey also showed that the benefits of mobile technology for clinical practice may not yet be recognised by healthcare managers, with very few health professionals reporting that their use of mobile technology is financially supported by their employer. Only eight percent of respondents incurring a work-related expense for use of mobile technology reported receiving compensation for the cost incurred.
The need for good communication in such an inherently mobile and highly complex industry as healthcare is perhaps unparalleled. d4 estimates that poor communication costs NHS hospitals in England alone in excess of ВЈ1 billion through wasted doctor and nurse time, and patients remaining in hospital beds for longer than necessary.1 The survey data and other key trends are analysed in the report, "A survey of mobile phone usage by health professionals in the UK", which is made available today.
Chairman and Senior Medical Trustee of d4, Professor Michael Orme, commented, "We know that the ability to share information and ideas quickly is a cornerstone of modern medicine, but the problem is that the cost of mobile technology use within the NHS is largely borne by the individual. Health professionals should be supported to use innovative, cost-effective technologies to help deliver improved patient care."
d4 was born out of the realisation that more could be done to help improve professional access to mobile technology and ultimately improve patient safety, care and outcomes and reduce cost of ownership for the individual. Supported by practicing clinicians, d4's overarching goal is to provide health professionals with mobile devices and key applications at prices that are lower than those offered through typical retail channels. This will be achieved in a manner similar to that of a co-operative, by harnessing the buying power of health professionals - one of the largest sectors of the UK workforce - with over 1.4 million registered in the UK.
CEO of d4, James Sherwin-Smith said, "Our research confirms that the use of mobile communications by health professionals in the workplace is rapidly gaining momentum and importance. It's time that we support this. Today d4 calls on doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to speak with one voice so that modern technology can be placed in the hands of health professionals at an appropriate price by visiting here to join our online community."
To launch d4 and demonstrate the value of the initiative, the charity is pleased to announce collaboration with Happtique, the first health app store designed specifically to meet the needs of health professionals. Created by healthcare professionals, d4.Happtique will make it easier for UK health professionals to discover and use healthcare apps, bringing healthcare leaders, mobile industry innovators, application developers, content providers, and end users together to improve information flow.
d4's vision is simple: to support better communication and achieve better care for patients. The charity is calling on health professionals to register, show their support for the initiative and demonstrate to healthcare technology providers that the UK medical community has a shared voice and demands competitive pricing. Health professionals are encouraged to join d4 by visiting here.
Notes
The availability of technology will increase and develop as the size of the group expands in size.
A free version of the report, "A survey of mobile phone usage by health professionals in the UK", is available to the media upon request.
References
1. Click here to view the reference
Source:
d4
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An online survey by d4 of 474 UK registered health professionals showed that 80 percent rely on a mobile phone at work for a range of purposes, with the most commonly cited reasons being communicating with colleagues (82 percent) and accessing information on the intranet/internet (46 percent). With increasing pressure being placed on health professionals to deliver cost-effective, high quality care, it is no surprise that technological innovations are being utilised to share knowledge, help make informed decisions and expedite improved health outcomes.
Yet the survey also showed that the benefits of mobile technology for clinical practice may not yet be recognised by healthcare managers, with very few health professionals reporting that their use of mobile technology is financially supported by their employer. Only eight percent of respondents incurring a work-related expense for use of mobile technology reported receiving compensation for the cost incurred.
The need for good communication in such an inherently mobile and highly complex industry as healthcare is perhaps unparalleled. d4 estimates that poor communication costs NHS hospitals in England alone in excess of ВЈ1 billion through wasted doctor and nurse time, and patients remaining in hospital beds for longer than necessary.1 The survey data and other key trends are analysed in the report, "A survey of mobile phone usage by health professionals in the UK", which is made available today.
Chairman and Senior Medical Trustee of d4, Professor Michael Orme, commented, "We know that the ability to share information and ideas quickly is a cornerstone of modern medicine, but the problem is that the cost of mobile technology use within the NHS is largely borne by the individual. Health professionals should be supported to use innovative, cost-effective technologies to help deliver improved patient care."
d4 was born out of the realisation that more could be done to help improve professional access to mobile technology and ultimately improve patient safety, care and outcomes and reduce cost of ownership for the individual. Supported by practicing clinicians, d4's overarching goal is to provide health professionals with mobile devices and key applications at prices that are lower than those offered through typical retail channels. This will be achieved in a manner similar to that of a co-operative, by harnessing the buying power of health professionals - one of the largest sectors of the UK workforce - with over 1.4 million registered in the UK.
CEO of d4, James Sherwin-Smith said, "Our research confirms that the use of mobile communications by health professionals in the workplace is rapidly gaining momentum and importance. It's time that we support this. Today d4 calls on doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to speak with one voice so that modern technology can be placed in the hands of health professionals at an appropriate price by visiting here to join our online community."
To launch d4 and demonstrate the value of the initiative, the charity is pleased to announce collaboration with Happtique, the first health app store designed specifically to meet the needs of health professionals. Created by healthcare professionals, d4.Happtique will make it easier for UK health professionals to discover and use healthcare apps, bringing healthcare leaders, mobile industry innovators, application developers, content providers, and end users together to improve information flow.
d4's vision is simple: to support better communication and achieve better care for patients. The charity is calling on health professionals to register, show their support for the initiative and demonstrate to healthcare technology providers that the UK medical community has a shared voice and demands competitive pricing. Health professionals are encouraged to join d4 by visiting here.
Notes
The availability of technology will increase and develop as the size of the group expands in size.
A free version of the report, "A survey of mobile phone usage by health professionals in the UK", is available to the media upon request.
References
1. Click here to view the reference
Source:
d4
Buy Lamisil Without Prescription
UCL And GSK Join Forces To Develop Combined Small Molecule-Antibody Treatment For Rare Disease
UCL (University College London) and GlaxoSmithKline join forces to develop combined small molecule-antibody treatment for rare disease
A collaboration to develop a world first drug-antibody dual treatment for the rare and often fatal condition amyloidosis has been formed between the University College London spinout company Pentraxin Therapeutics Ltd and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Amyloidosis is a disease caused by build up of abnormal proteins (amyloid) in body tissues, leading to organ failure. The heart, kidneys, liver and almost any other organ can be affected. Around 500 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK. Despite the best available therapy, the prognosis for patients with amyloidosis is poor and new treatments are urgently needed.
"We initially developed the small molecule drug, CHPHC, and while we had promising early results, they were not enough to benefit patients with advanced disease. Something more dramatic is needed," explained Professor Mark Pepys FRS, the head of Pentraxin and the UCL Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins which includes the UK National Amyloidosis Centre.
"We then combined CPHPC treatment with an antibody that seeks out the amyloid deposits in the organs in mice. This combination triggered a rapid clearance of the deposits."
With this new agreement, the research teams from UCL and GSK will work together to convert the mouse antibody into one that can be used in humans in combination with CPHPC. The aim is to find out if the benefits seen in the animal model can be replicated in patients with amyloidosis.
The collaboration brings together UCL's clinical and science expertise and the development expertise of GSK's Academic Discovery Performance and Biopharm Units.
"We are delighted to enter into this alliance," said Mike Owen, Senior Vice President, Biopharmaceutical Research, GSK. "Our biopharmaceutical and clinical development capabilities and Prof Pepys's team's knowledge of the disease provide a synergistic collaboration that will greatly enhance our chances of success."
Under the terms of the agreement, Pentraxin will receive undisclosed early stage success-based milestones plus drug development milestones and royalties.
Notes:
About Pentraxin Therapeutics
Pentraxin Therapeutics Ltd is a company spun out from University College London (UCL) by UCL Business PLC (UCLB) to hold and develop the intellectual property of Professor Mark Pepys and his colleagues in the UCL Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins. This clinical and basic science research centre houses the UK NHS National Amyloidosis Centre and it leads the world in both research and clinical management of amyloidosis (www.ucl.ac/medicine/amyloidosis)
About UCL
Founded in 1826, UCL was the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, the first to admit students regardless of race, class, religion or gender, and the first to provide systematic teaching of law, architecture and medicine. UCL is the seventh-ranked university in the 2008 THES-QS World University Rankings, and the third-ranked UK university in the 2008 league table of the top 500 world universities produced by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. UCL alumni include Marie Stopes, Jonathan Dimbleby, Lord Woolf, Alexander Graham Bell, and members of the band Coldplay. UCL currently has over 12,000 undergraduate and 8,000 postgraduate students. Its annual income is over ВЈ600 million.
UCL Business PLC
UCL Business PLC (UCLB) is the organisation responsible for commercialising research across all disciplines, generated from within UCL and associated organisations. It is primarily responsible for protecting inventions and transacting commercial activity including options, licences and collaborative commercial research. UCLB also has responsibility for creating and spinning-out companies from UCL. UCLB is wholly-owned by UCL and operates as an independent company with its own Board of Directors.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline at www.gsk.
Source: Ruth Metcalfe
University College London
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A collaboration to develop a world first drug-antibody dual treatment for the rare and often fatal condition amyloidosis has been formed between the University College London spinout company Pentraxin Therapeutics Ltd and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Amyloidosis is a disease caused by build up of abnormal proteins (amyloid) in body tissues, leading to organ failure. The heart, kidneys, liver and almost any other organ can be affected. Around 500 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK. Despite the best available therapy, the prognosis for patients with amyloidosis is poor and new treatments are urgently needed.
"We initially developed the small molecule drug, CHPHC, and while we had promising early results, they were not enough to benefit patients with advanced disease. Something more dramatic is needed," explained Professor Mark Pepys FRS, the head of Pentraxin and the UCL Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins which includes the UK National Amyloidosis Centre.
"We then combined CPHPC treatment with an antibody that seeks out the amyloid deposits in the organs in mice. This combination triggered a rapid clearance of the deposits."
With this new agreement, the research teams from UCL and GSK will work together to convert the mouse antibody into one that can be used in humans in combination with CPHPC. The aim is to find out if the benefits seen in the animal model can be replicated in patients with amyloidosis.
The collaboration brings together UCL's clinical and science expertise and the development expertise of GSK's Academic Discovery Performance and Biopharm Units.
"We are delighted to enter into this alliance," said Mike Owen, Senior Vice President, Biopharmaceutical Research, GSK. "Our biopharmaceutical and clinical development capabilities and Prof Pepys's team's knowledge of the disease provide a synergistic collaboration that will greatly enhance our chances of success."
Under the terms of the agreement, Pentraxin will receive undisclosed early stage success-based milestones plus drug development milestones and royalties.
Notes:
About Pentraxin Therapeutics
Pentraxin Therapeutics Ltd is a company spun out from University College London (UCL) by UCL Business PLC (UCLB) to hold and develop the intellectual property of Professor Mark Pepys and his colleagues in the UCL Centre for Amyloidosis and Acute Phase Proteins. This clinical and basic science research centre houses the UK NHS National Amyloidosis Centre and it leads the world in both research and clinical management of amyloidosis (www.ucl.ac/medicine/amyloidosis)
About UCL
Founded in 1826, UCL was the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, the first to admit students regardless of race, class, religion or gender, and the first to provide systematic teaching of law, architecture and medicine. UCL is the seventh-ranked university in the 2008 THES-QS World University Rankings, and the third-ranked UK university in the 2008 league table of the top 500 world universities produced by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. UCL alumni include Marie Stopes, Jonathan Dimbleby, Lord Woolf, Alexander Graham Bell, and members of the band Coldplay. UCL currently has over 12,000 undergraduate and 8,000 postgraduate students. Its annual income is over ВЈ600 million.
UCL Business PLC
UCL Business PLC (UCLB) is the organisation responsible for commercialising research across all disciplines, generated from within UCL and associated organisations. It is primarily responsible for protecting inventions and transacting commercial activity including options, licences and collaborative commercial research. UCLB also has responsibility for creating and spinning-out companies from UCL. UCLB is wholly-owned by UCL and operates as an independent company with its own Board of Directors.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information, visit GlaxoSmithKline at www.gsk.
Source: Ruth Metcalfe
University College London
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