Osteoarthritis :: Rock climbing does not increase risk of osteoarthritis
A study in the US has found there is no greater risk of osteoarthritis in rock climbers compared to non climbers, contrary to previous theory.
Health
Lymphoma :: Berlex Oncology Evaluating Combination Therapy for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Berlex Oncology, a business unit of Berlex Laboratories, a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany (FSE: SCH; NYSE: SHR), today announced that a national clinical study is underway investigating a new approach to treating follicular B-cell lymphoma, a sub-type of non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma (NHL). NHL is the fifth most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 56,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Follicular B-cell lymphoma is an indolent, or slow-growing, type of NHL that comprises approximately 30% of all diagnosed cases.
Hepatitis :: Glaxo eltrombopag improved platelet count in hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia
GlaxoSmithKline plc [NYSE:GSK, LSE:GSK] announced results from a global Phase II study of eltrombopag, an investigational non-peptide oral platelet growth factor. In this study of 74 hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia, (a condition where the blood has low platelet levels) more than 95% (p< 0.001) of patients treated with the highest dose of eltrombopag (75mg) had increased platelet counts. In addition, 71% - 91% of patients in all treatment groups were able to initiate antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon-α (IFN) and ribavirin, and 65% were able to be maintained on therapy.1 Full results from this Phase II study are being presented today at the 57th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) in Boston, Massachusetts.
Cholesterol :: Pfizer’s torcetrapib/atorvastatin clinical trials – raising good cholesterol HDL
Pfizer Inc provided an update on the preliminary results of its torcetrapib/atorvastatin clinical trials in connection with the release of an American Heart Association abstract of a Phase 3 study in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) that shows the drug significantly raising ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol (56 percent) and additionally lowering ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol (27 percent) versus patients taking atorvastatin alone.
Back Pain :: Physical Therapy for the Lower Back – How to Prevent and Treat Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common causes of job-related disability and why some people miss work. It is also the second most common neurological ailment in the United States, second only to headache. In fact, approximately 80% of adults in Western countries have, at some point, experienced lower back pain.
Multiple Sclerosis :: Alarming trend shows women face higher risk for MS
The number of women being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in Canada is growing faster than the incidence among men, say researchers who suspect an environmental link. Multiple sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS).
Salmonellosis :: CDC investigating salmonella outbreak in US – 171 cases, 19 states
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state departments of health and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is investigating an outbreak of infections caused by a type of Salmonella called Salmonella Typhimurium.
Baby Care :: Defective serotonin pathways in the brainstem may increase infants’ vulnerability – SIDS
New autopsy data provide the strongest evidence yet that sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is not a “mystery” disease but has a concrete biological basis. In the November 1 issue of JAMA, researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston document abnormalities in the brainstem — a part of the brain that regulates breathing, blood pressure, body heat, and arousal — in babies who died from SIDS. The term cot death is often used in the United Kingdom, and crib death in North America.
Pregnancy :: Folate fortification may not be enough for mothers
Despite the introduction of mandatory folic acid fortification of grains as much as a third of women of childbearing age are not getting the recommended amounts, says a study from Canada.
OCD :: Children needed for imaging study of Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Children between the ages of 10 and 17 years are needed to participate in a research study of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at the University of Pittsburgh. The study will use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to attempt to identify which areas of the brain are active when responding to certain stimuli.