New genes linked to gout

Three genes are associated with increased risk of higher levels of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout. – Researchers have identified two new genes ? and confirmed the role of a third gene ? associated with increased risk of higher levels of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout, a common, painful form of arthritis.

Poor weight loss in some after gastric bypass surgery

Gastric bypass results in substantial weight loss in most patients. Diabetes and larger pouch size are independently associated with poor weight loss after GBP. – Individuals with diabetes and those whose stomach pouches are larger appear less likely to successfully lose weight after gastric bypass surgery, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Vitamin C injections slow tumor growth

High-dose injections of vitamin C may reduce tumor weight and growth rate by about 50 percent of brain, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, – High-dose injections of vitamin C, also known as ascorbate or ascorbic acid, reduced tumor weight and growth rate by about 50 percent in mouse models of brain, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) report in the August 5, 2008, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

International AIDS Society updates treatment guidelines for HIV infection

The availability of new antiretroviral drugs and formulations, including drugs in new classes, and recent data on treatment choices for antiretroviral-naive and -experienced patients warrant an update of the International AIDS Society?USA guidelines for the use of antiretroviral therapy in adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. – An evaluation of recent data has led to an update in the guidelines and recommendations for antiretroviral treatment of adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, according to an article in the August 6 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on HIV/AIDS.

Boxed warnings on fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified manufacturers of fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs that a Boxed Warning in the product labeling concerning the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is necessary. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requests boxed warnings on fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs. FDA seeks this to strengthen warnings concerning increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.

Gender may play role in kidney transplant

Female who receive a kidney from a male donor are more likely to reject the kidney or graft, suggested by the Swiss researchers. – There are more chances of kidney rejection in a woman who gets a kidney from a male donor, revealed by Swiss researchers in a research paper published in the current issue of the medical journal The Lancet from UK.

Type 1 diabetes rising in Australian children

New research shows the rate of type 1 diabetes among Australia’s children is on the rise and is higher than that of other countries in the world. – The incidence of new cases of Type 1 diabetes in children is rising at around 3% a year, according to a report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).

Hearing loss common in diabetes patients

Hearing loss is nearly twice as common among diabetic adults than their healthy counterparts, according to a new study by NIDDK. – Hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease, according to a new study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

PVC vinyl shower curtains toxic to health

As many as 100 toxic chemicals associated with adverse health effects are released into the air from polyvinyl chloride (PVC ) shower curtains. – Shower curtains made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic contain many harmful chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates and organotins; these PVC shower curtains are potentially toxic to the health of consumers, revealed by a recent study.

High blood pressure patients advised to use home monitors

High blood pressure is notoriously difficult to treat to goal ? many patients fail to reach target levels despite treatment, and studies show home monitoring can help. – People with hypertension should routinely monitor their blood pressure at home to help manage the disease, according to a new joint scientific statement from the American Heart Association, American Society of Hypertension and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses’ Association.

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