Scientists to study the role genes play in treating TB – The University of Liverpool has been awarded funding to determine whether differences in our genes determine how patients respond to drugs used to treat Tuberculosis (TB) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ordinary chickens may be extraordinary in fighting cancer, says Texas A&M researcher – The common barnyard chicken could provide some very un-common clues for fighting off diseases and might even offer new ways to attack cancer. James Womack, Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, is co-author of a paper detailing the team’s work that appears in the current issue of PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
Cranberry products associated with prevention of urinary tract infections – Use of cranberry-containing products appears to be associated with prevention of urinary tract infections in some individuals. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections and adult women are particularly susceptible.
The most contaminated surfaces in hotel rooms – – TV remote and bedside lamp switch – An experiment of surfaces in hotel rooms finds television remotes to be among the most heavily contaminated with bacteria and items on housekeeping carts carry the potential to cross-contaminate rooms, revealed by researchers from the University of Houston.
Vanderbilt researchers find common antibiotic carries heart risk – Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a rare, but important risk posed by the antibiotic azithromycin, commonly called a “Z-pack.” The study found a 2.5-fold higher risk of death from cardiovascular death in the first five days of taking azithromycin when compared with another common antibiotic or no antibiotics at all.
Drug-proof ‘pig MRSA’ makes leap from livestock to humans — Pig-to-Human ‘Superbug’ May Be Due to Animal Antibiotics – A strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria that humans contract from livestock was originally a human strain, but it developed resistance to antibiotics once it was picked up by farm animals. The findings illustrate a very close link between antibiotic use on the farm and potentially lethal human infections.
Treating acute sinusitis with antibiotic does not appear helpful – Treatment with the antibiotic amoxicillin for patients with acute uncomplicated rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal cavity and sinuses) did not result in a significant difference in symptoms compared to patients who received placebo.
FDA expands use of Prevnar 13 vaccine for people ages 50 and older – Prevnar 13, a pneumonia vaccine, is approved for people ages 50 years and older to prevent pneumonia and invasive disease caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Treatment of acne using oral antibiotics associated with reporting symptoms of sore throat – Taking oral antibiotics for treatment of acne appears to be associated with reporting symptoms of pharyngitis (sore throat). The results are proving many inconsistent concerns true about the safety of long-term use of antibiotics.
Professional dental cleanings may reduce risk of heart attack and stroke – Tooth scaling at least once a year reduced heart attack and stroke risks. Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a study from Taiwan presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011.
FDA approves Remicade to treat ulcerative colitis in children older than 6 years – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Remicade (infliximab) to treat moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) in children older than 6 years who have had inadequate response to conventional therapy.
FDA confirms Listeria monocytogenes on Jensen Farms? Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupes — Jensen Farms voluntarily recalled product last week in response to outbreak – US Food and Drug Administration announced that it found Listeria monocytogenes in samples of Jensen Farms’ Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupe taken from a Denver-area store and on samples taken from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility.
