ScienceDaily: Health & Medicine News

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• Conflict of interest declarations in off-label drug use inadequate, experts say
• New non-toxic disinfectant could tackle hospital infections
• Thinner diabetics face higher death rate
• Cholesterol levels appear to be improving among US youths
• Drug successfully halts fibrosis in animal model of liver disease
• Nanoparticle discovery opens door for pharmaceuticals
• Composite nanofibers open next chapter in orthopaedic biomaterials
• Genetic analyses reveal novel mutations as causes of startle disease
• New gene linked to PTSD identified
• Corticosteroids not effective for treating acute sinusitis, study suggests
• TRPM7 protein key to breast cancer metastasis in animal models
• Using millions of years of cell evolution in fight against cancer
• Should young men be vaccinated against human papilloma virus?
• Health insurance: Those who are covered, recover
• Lower risk of serious side-effects in trials of new targeted drugs, study suggests
• Dyslexia caused by faulty signal processing in brain; Finding offers clues to potential treatments
• High risk of bleeding from brain blood vessel abnormalities during pregnancy
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be linked to increased cataract risk
• Why do infants get sick so often? Cell signaling prevents growth of essential immune cells, study shows
• Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts found in former finasteride users
• Few kids use recommended safety restraints in cars
• Cannabis as painkiller
• Epileptic fits are like raging thunderstorms: Astrocytes help reduce long-term damage, surprising new research shows
• Children's healthy diets linked to higher IQ
• A 'learning health system' moves from idea to action
• Mothers, children underestimate obesity in China
• The scientific side of steroid use and abuse
• Implantable defibrillators lead to decrease in cardiac arrests
• Long-term use of blood pressure meds promoting sun sensitivity may raise lip cancer risk
• 'Green biased' yellow fever swept through Irish Immigrants in 19th century US
• Outmuscling major depression with creatine
• Preparation of anti-tumor nanoparticles using tiger milk mushroom
• Long waiting times for heart bypass surgery linked to higher risk of death
• Researchers test new drug for patients with neuroendocrine tumors
• Off-label drug use common, but patients may not know they’re taking them
• New method provides fast, accurate, low cost analysis of BRCA gene mutations in breast cancer
• 'Multi-Hit' mouse to help unravel mutations that can give rise to cancer

Conflict of interest declarations in off-label drug use inadequate, experts say Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:42 PM PDT Conflict-of-interest statements made by physicians and scientists in their medical journal articles after they had been allegedly paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers as part of off-label marketing programs are often inadequate, highlighting the deficiencies in relying on author candidness and the weaknesses in some journal practices in ensuring proper disclosure, according to a new study.

New non-toxic disinfectant could tackle hospital infections Posted: 07 Aug 2012 04:40 PM PDT A new disinfectant, Akwaton, that works at extremely low concentrations could be used in healthcare settings to help control persistent hospital-acquired infections such as Clostridium difficile. Researchers tested the new compound, Akwaton, against bacterial spores that attach to surfaces and are difficult to destroy. Previous work has shown Akwaton is also effective at low concentrations against strains of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Thinner diabetics face higher death rate Posted: 07 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT American adults of a normal weight with new-onset diabetes die at a higher rate than overweight/obese adults with the same disease, according to a new study.

Cholesterol levels appear to be improving among US youths Posted: 07 Aug 2012 01:10 PM PDT In a study involving more than 16,000 U.S. children and adolescents, there has been a decrease in average total cholesterol levels over the past 2 decades, although almost 1 in 10 had elevated total cholesterol in 2007-2010.

Drug successfully halts fibrosis in animal model of liver disease Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT A potential new NADPH oxidase inhibitor therapy for liver fibrosis, a scarring process associated with chronic liver disease that can lead to loss of liver function.

Nanoparticle discovery opens door for pharmaceuticals Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT What a student thought was a failed experiment has led to a serendipitous discovery hailed by some scientists as a potential game changer for the mass production of nanoparticles.

Composite nanofibers open next chapter in orthopaedic biomaterials Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT Scientists have developed and validated a new technology in which composite nanofibrous scaffolds provide a loose enough structure for cells to colonize without impediment, but still can instruct cells how to lay down new tissue.

Genetic analyses reveal novel mutations as causes of startle disease Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT Two new studies identify genetic mutations that play important roles in the condition commonly referred to as startle disease. Startle disease is characterized by an exaggerated response to noise and touch, which can interfere with breathing, cause catastrophic falls and even result in death. The newly identified genetic mutations affect how the signaling molecule glycine, which is responsible for sending messages between nerve cells, is both moved around and used in these cells.

New gene linked to PTSD identified Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT Investigators have identified a new gene linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings indicate that a gene known to play a role in protecting brain cells from the damaging effects of stress may also be involved in the development of PTSD.

Corticosteroids not effective for treating acute sinusitis, study suggests Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:22 AM PDT Corticosteroids, frequently prescribed to alleviate acute sinusitis, show no clinical benefit in treating the condition, according to a randomized controlled trial.

TRPM7 protein key to breast cancer metastasis in animal models Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:20 AM PDT The protein transient receptor potential melastatin-like 7 (TRPM7) is a critical determinant of breast cancer cell metastasis, according to new study.

Using millions of years of cell evolution in fight against cancer Posted: 07 Aug 2012 10:20 AM PDT Researchers are focusing on ways to fight cancer by attacking defective genes before they are able to make proteins. They are studying micro RNAs (miRNAs), a class of small RNAs that interact with messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that have been linked to a number of diseases, including cancer. Scientists placed two different miRNAs (MiR-7 and MiR-128) into ovarian cancer cells and watched how they affected the gene system.

Should young men be vaccinated against human papilloma virus? Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:33 AM PDT Vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) is recommended for young women to protect them from HPV infection and cervical cancer. Male HPV immunization is increasingly a topic of debate in the medical community.

Health insurance: Those who are covered, recover Posted: 07 Aug 2012 08:32 AM PDT Underinsured CVD patients die sooner than patients with private insurance, irrespective of race.

Lower risk of serious side-effects in trials of new targeted drugs, study suggests Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:49 AM PDT Patients in early clinical trials of new-style targeted cancer therapies appear to have a much lower risk of the most serious side-effects than with traditional chemotherapy. Researchers analyzed data from 36 Phase I trials. The study found the overall risk to patients of suffering a life-threatening side-effect was around seven times less than for traditional cytotoxic agents.

Dyslexia caused by faulty signal processing in brain; Finding offers clues to potential treatments Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:49 AM PDT Researchers have made a major step forward in understanding the cause of dyslexia. The scientists have discovered an important neural mechanism underlying dyslexia and shown that many difficulties associated with dyslexia can potentially be traced back to a malfunction of the medial geniculate body in the thalamus. The results provide an important basis for developing potential treatments.

High risk of bleeding from brain blood vessel abnormalities during pregnancy Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:47 AM PDT A new study supports what neurosurgeons have long suspected —- that pregnancy is an important risk factor for bleeding from arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the brain.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be linked to increased cataract risk Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:47 AM PDT Patients using cholesterol-lowering statin drugs may be at increased risk of developing age-related cataracts, according to a study.

Why do infants get sick so often? Cell signaling prevents growth of essential immune cells, study shows Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:13 AM PDT Babies can get sick often, but parents shouldn't take the blame. A new study shows essential immune cells that help fight infections don't develop until adulthood.

Depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts found in former finasteride users Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:13 AM PDT Men who developed persistent sexual side effects while on finasteride (Propecia), a drug commonly used for male pattern hair loss, have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts.

Few kids use recommended safety restraints in cars Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Despite the fact that car crashes are the leading cause of death for children older than three years in the U.S. and send more than 140,000 children to the emergency room each year, new research has found that low proportions of U.S. children are using age-appropriate safety restraints and many are placed at risk by riding in the front seat.

Cannabis as painkiller Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Cannabis-based medications have been demonstrated to relieve pain. Cannabis medications can be used in patients whose symptoms are not adequately alleviated by conventional treatment. The indications are muscle spasms, nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy, loss of appetite in HIV/Aids, and neuropathic pain, experts say.

Epileptic fits are like raging thunderstorms: Astrocytes help reduce long-term damage, surprising new research shows Posted: 07 Aug 2012 07:12 AM PDT Epileptic fits are like thunderstorms raging in the brain: Nerve cells excite each other in an uncontrolled way so that strong, rhythmic electrical discharges sweep over whole brain regions. In the wake of such a seizure, the nerve cells are severely affected, and permanent damage is possible. The glia, a class of cells that surround the neurons in the brain, was long suspected to contribute to the damaging effects of epilepsy. Quite the opposite is the case, researchers show for the first time.

Children's healthy diets linked to higher IQ Posted: 07 Aug 2012 06:57 AM PDT Children fed healthy diets in early age may have a slightly higher IQ, while those on heavier junk food diets may have a slightly reduced IQ, according to new research.

A 'learning health system' moves from idea to action Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:13 PM PDT In the United States, clinicians are struggling to provide better and more affordable health care to more people -- while keeping up with new scientific developments. The idea of a "learning health system" is one proposed solution for rapidly applying the best available scientific evidence in real-time clinical practice. Experts now describe the experience of turning this intriguing concept into action.

Mothers, children underestimate obesity in China Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Childhood obesity is on the rise in China, and children and parents there tend to underestimate body weight, according to Penn State health policy researchers.

The scientific side of steroid use and abuse Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Scientists are investigating the cellular basis for behavioral changes seen with the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids. New research looks at three major behavioral systems typically associated with steroid abuse -- reproduction, aggression in males, and anxiety in both sexes. Studies have shown there are "critical periods" -- periods of time during adolescence when exposure to steroids can impose permanent changes in both brain organization and function.

Implantable defibrillators lead to decrease in cardiac arrests Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Researchers estimate that implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) account for a third of the decrease in cardiac arrests caused by ventricular fibrillation (VF). The incidence of VF-related cardiac arrest dropped significantly between 1995 and 2008. In greater Amsterdam, ICDs prevented 81 cardiac arrests between 2005 and 2008.

Long-term use of blood pressure meds promoting sun sensitivity may raise lip cancer risk Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:19 PM PDT Long-term use of commonly used blood pressure medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight is associated with an increased risk of lip cancer in non-Hispanic whites, according to a new study.

'Green biased' yellow fever swept through Irish Immigrants in 19th century US Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:12 AM PDT New research has found why yellow fever had a green bias in 19th century fever outbreaks in the southern states of the US. Almost half of the 650 people killed by yellow fever in Savannah Georgia in 1854 were Irish immigrants.

Outmuscling major depression with creatine Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:59 AM PDT Women battling stubborn major depression may have a surprising new ally in their fight—the muscle-building dietary supplement creatine.

Preparation of anti-tumor nanoparticles using tiger milk mushroom Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:56 AM PDT Tapping into the power of natural ingredients for safer treatment is the next frontier in the battle against cancer. A recent breakthrough uses tiger milk mushroom to prepare anti-tumor nanoparticles is bringing us one step closer.

Long waiting times for heart bypass surgery linked to higher risk of death Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:21 AM PDT In the Canadian healthcare system, patients with longer than recommended waitlist times for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are at increased risk of dying in the hospital, reports Medical Care.

Researchers test new drug for patients with neuroendocrine tumors Posted: 06 Aug 2012 06:39 AM PDT Researchers have reported study results on a novel multireceptor-targeted somatostatin analogue called pasireotide (SOM230). The Phase II, open-label, multicenter study in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET) whose symptoms were no longer responsive to octreotide LAR therapy found that the drug was effective and well tolerated in controlling patient symptoms.

Off-label drug use common, but patients may not know they’re taking them Posted: 06 Aug 2012 06:39 AM PDT Many people have probably heard of off-label drug use, but they may not know when that applies to prescriptions they are taking, a new analysis found. Off-label drug use occurs when a physician prescribes medication to treat a condition before that use has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

New method provides fast, accurate, low cost analysis of BRCA gene mutations in breast cancer Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:51 AM PDT Individuals with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a significantly higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Families at risk have been seeking genetic testing and counseling based on their mutation carrier status, but the standard method of direct sequencing is labor-intensive, costly, and it only targets a part of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. A group of scientists has now developed a new sequencing approach to provide a more effective method of BRCA1/2 mutational analysis.

'Multi-Hit' mouse to help unravel mutations that can give rise to cancer Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:51 AM PDT Despite a huge amount of research effort, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the transition from a "normal" cell to a cancerous cell are only poorly understood.  After the discovery of the first cancer-causing genes or oncogenes and the finding that they are mutated forms of normal cellular genes, it was widely believed that a single mutation was enough to cause cancer.  Subsequent research, however, has revealed that most cancers only develop as a result of several mutations.  A bewildering variety of combinations of mutations have been shown to have the potential to give rise to cancer.  Finding out which combinations are dangerous has to date been largely a matter of trial and error, but this should change with the development of the 'Multi-Hit' mouse -- a tool to identify mutations that really do collaborate to cause cancer.

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