Health Newstrack

Aspirin resistance increases heart attack, stroke risk

Increased risk of heart attack or stroke for patients who are resistant to aspirin — Aspirin ‘resistance’ and risk of cardiovascular morbidity : Systematic review and meta-analysis – Being resistant to aspirin makes patients four times more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or even die from a pre-existing heart condition, according to a study published in British Medical Journal, UK. The study relates to patients who are prescribed aspirin long term as a way of preventing clots from forming in the blood.

BMA supports UK organ donation report

The British Medical Association (BMA) will be happy to work with the UK’s Task Force to raise awareness about organ donation. – Commenting on the initial report released by the Organ Donation Task Force, the Chairman of the British Medical Association’s Medical Ethics Committee (MEC), Dr Tony Calland, applauded the report’s recommendations to improve current systems for organ donation.

NEJM Antidepressant’s Publication study may discourage depressed people

Mental Health America response to New England Journal of Medicine Study, “Selective Publication of Antidepressant Trials and Its Influence on Apparent Efficacy”. – Mental Health America notifies the potential harm of the NEJM’s Selective Publication of Antidepressant Trials study that it may discourage people with depression from seeking appropriate care and evidence-based treatments that work for them. Mental Health America is one of America’s leading mental health advocacy groups.

Prodesse’s ProFlu+ Test for Respiratory Viruses receives FDA clearance

Prodesse’s ProFlu+ Test for Respiratory Viruses receives FDA clearance for Marketing Real-Time Test, detects four viruses, including influenza; results available in about 3 hours. – Prodesse, Inc., the leader in multiplex real-time PCR for infectious disease, announced that it received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its ProFlu+? Assay.

Intelence, etravirine HIV Drug approved in US

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved etravirine tablets for the treatment of HIV infection in adults who have failed treatment with other antiretrovirals. Etravirine is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that helps to block an enzyme which HIV needs to multiply. – US FDA approved Tibotec Therapeutics’ Intelence, etravirine tablets for the treatment of HIV infection, to be used in combination with other anti-HIV medications, in adults who have failed treatment with other antiretrovirals.

Chromosomal abnormalities play substantial role in autism

Chromosomal abnormalities play substantial role in autism, revealed in a study. Noting this change would help early diagnosis for autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – a kind of developmental disorder. – Genome-wide scans of families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have revealed new evidence that previously unknown chromosomal abnormalities have a substantial role in the prevalent developmental disorder, according to a report published online Jan. 17th in the American Journal of Human Genetics, a publication of Cell Press.

Strong health system in Canada by 2020, says CNA

Integration of Canada?s individual provincial and territorial health systems will support improved efficiency and effectiveness of the system. Integration will mean Canadians can readily access health services both where they live and where they travel, whether it?s across the country or around the world. – By 2020, problems with access to health services will be eradicated and registered nurses will be central to Canada’s primary care system, predicts the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) in Vision for Change a vision statement for Canada’s health system and a signature component of their 100th anniversary.

Immune system can help heal patients with heart failure

The ability to change or modulate the patient?s immune response has now been shown to be attainable as well as successful in treating certain stages of heart failure. – Modifying the immune system of a patient with heart failure reduces the patient’s risk of death and the need for hospitalization, according to research published in recent edition of The Lancet.

Pfizer updated CHANTIX label to quit smoking with more warnings

Pfizer’s CHANTIX label in the U.S. to include a warning for neuropsychiatric symptoms, including changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. – Cigarette smoking is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, with more than 438,000 U.S. deaths annually attributable to smoking. Patients who smoke cigarettes should be counseled to quit. CHANTIX was approved in May of 2006 in the U.S. as an aid to smoking cessation.

HIV is infecting men, women and children of all ages

Educating the public about the real risks is a better HIV prevention strategy, says Bradford McIntyre, aHIV+ since 1984, from Positively Positive, Vancouver, Canada. – Not everyone, who becomes infected with HIV, originates from a ‘High Risk’ group. The common usage of the words ‘high risk’, in reference to people, who are most likely to become infected with HIV, has led many to believe misguidedly that they are not at risk. Unfortunately, this belief couldn’t be further from the truth.

GVAX cancer immunotherapy improves prostate cancer survival

Interim analysis supports continuation of Cell Genesys’ VITAL-1 Phase 3 Clinical Trial of GVAX Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer – Cell Genesys, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEGE) announced that the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) for VITAL-1, the first of two ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials of GVAX immunotherapy for prostate cancer, has completed a pre-planned interim analysis and has recommended that the study continue, as GVAX cancer immunotherapy improves prostate cancer patients survival.

Lhx2 creator gene for brain tissue repair

UCI study identifies the specific role for gene linked to cortical development, cerebral cortex points to potential stem cell treatments. – University of California, Irvine researchers have identified a gene that is specifically responsible for generating the cerebral cortex, a finding that could lead to stem cell therapies to treat brain injuries and diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer’s.