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Hepatitis :: PEG-INTRON, peginterferon and REBETOL, ribavirin in Hepatitis C — Schering-Plough

Schering-Plough reported data from EPIC3, a large ongoing clinical study, showing that retreatment with PEG-INTRON(R) (peginterferon alfa-2b) and REBETOL(R) (ribavirin, USP) combination therapy can result in sustained virologic response(1) (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C who failed previous treatment with any alpha interferon-based combination therapy, including peginterferon regimens. In this study, 56 percent of patients who had undetectable virus (HCV-RNA) after 12 weeks went on to achieve SVR with a 48-week course of therapy. Of the first 1,354 patients retreated, approximately 38 percent had undetectable virus at week 12. Importantly, patients who did not have undetectable virus at 12 weeks had little chance of achieving SVR. Overall, 23 percent of patients achieved SVR.

ADHD :: Lilly’s Strattera, atomoxetine effective in treating ADHD in children and adolescents

New data suggest that Strattera? (atomoxetine HCl) improved ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents who had both ADHD and a reading disorder, like dyslexia. Results were announced at a meeting of child and adolescent psychiatrists.

Parenting :: Pick up your newborn baby when she cries

Parents should listen to their instincts and pick up their newborn babies when they cry, Queensland University of Technology researcher Professor Karen Thorpe said. A joint study with QUT and the Riverton Early Parenting Centre has found many parents of infants up to 12 weeks, were uncertain about how best to settle their crying baby and whether or not it was “right” to pick them up.

Hypertension :: Results of TROPHY study on hypertension are misleading

There may be as many as 70 million Americans with prehypertension. If these people can be treated pharmacologically to avoid or delay progression to clinical hypertension, there would be significant benefits to them and the overall health of the population. The recent TROPHY study seems to lead to that conclusion. However, two editorials published in the November issue of the American Journal of Hypertension emphatically argue that the study is flawed and the conclusions reached are misleading.

Depression :: Persistent adolescent depression impacts on adult functioning

Adolescents who experience persistent depression appear to be at greater risk of abnormal psychosocial and mental functioning in young adulthood than those who have episodic depression, research reveals.

Schizophrenia :: Neurophysiological link between cannabis use and schizophrenia

Researchers have found altered neural synchronization in people who smoke cannabis, providing evidence to support the link between the use of this drug and schizophrenia.

Depression :: Rumination may trigger neuroticism and depression

Study findings have suggested that rumination may be a risk factor for depression in adolescents, possibly mediating, at least in part, the relationship between neuroticism and the psychiatric disorder.

Prostate Cancer :: Hong Kong scientists identify cancer-blocking protein

Scientists in Hong Kong have identified a protein that can help suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells, the third most common cancer in men worldwide, and the finding might pave the way for the making of a new drug but not so soon.

Asthma :: Bronchial thermoplasty reduces asthma attacks

The removal of muscle tissue in the hyperactive airways of asthma patients by exposing the tissue to heat reduces disease exacerbations and significantly improves the patients’ quality of life.

Pregnancy :: Omega-3 is very good for fetuses, especially those whose mothers have HIV

Tom Brenna of Cornell University in America has conducted research on how fatty acids, in particular, plant and animal forms of omega-3, are essential to the development of the brains of infants. He particularly stresses the importance of the animal form, called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), present in oily fish and the eggs of hens fed seeds high in plant omega-3.