ScienceDaily (Aug. 29, 2012) Eating a moderate amount of chocolate each week may be associated with a lower risk of stroke in men, according to a new study published in the August 29, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "While other studies have looked at how chocolate may help cardiovascular health, this is the first of its kind study to find that chocolate, may be beneficial for reducing stroke in men," said study author Susanna C. Larsson, PhD, with the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. For the study, 37,103 Swedish men ages 49 to 75 were given a food questionnaire that assessed how often they consumed various foods and drinks and were asked how often they had chocolate. Researchers then identified stroke cases through a hospital discharge registry. Over 10 years, there were 1,995 cases of first stroke. Men in the study who ate the largest amount of chocolate, about one-third of a cup of chocolate chips (63 grams) per week, had a lower risk of stroke compared to those who did not consume any chocolate. Those eating the highest amount of chocolate had a 17-percent lower risk of stroke, or 12 … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Aug. 29, 2012) Chronic stress, prompted by major life stressors and type A personality traits, is linked to a high risk of stroke, finds research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Chronic stress, manifested as physical and/or mental symptoms in response to stressors lasting longer than 6 months has been linked to a heightened risk of heart disease. But its impact on the risk of stroke has not been clear. The research team base their findings on150 adults, with an average age of 54, who had been admitted to one stroke unit, and 300 randomly selected healthy people of a similar age who lived in the same neighbourhood. Levels of chronic stress were assessed using the combined quantitative scores of four validated scales, looking at major life events; symptoms, such as anxiety and depression; general wellbeing; and behaviour patterns indicative of type A personality (ERCTA scale). Type A behaviours include hostility, aggression, impatience and a quick temper. A score of 24 or higher on the ERCTA scale is considered to be indicative of a type A personality. Participants were also assessed for known biological risk factors for stroke, including diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, … Continue reading →

PESEUX, Switzerland--(BUSINESSWIRE)-- Pulmonx, an emerging leader in interventional pulmonology, announced today that its European notified body has granted CE approval for revised labeling of its Zephyr Endobronchial Valve (EBV). The approval was based upon an independent review of two separate clinical data sets in which patients with hyperinflation associated with a genetic form of emphysema, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), were treated using the Pulmonx Zephyr EBV. These new data sets reported improvements for FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) and Residual Volume in AATD patients treated with Zephyr endobronchial valves, showing that patients with hyperinflation associated with emphysema can benefit from EBV treatment, independent of the underlying cause of the disease. No new procedural or device risks that may be associated with the treatment of AATD patients with the Pulmonx EBV were observed. The newly approved labeling provides a therapeutic option for physicians to use the Zephyr EBV to treat patients afflicted with hyperinflation associated with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. We have seen great success in the use of endobronchial valve therapy in selected patients suffering from Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, said Gunnar Hillerdal, Associate Professor of Lung Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. The treatment options for these patients were … Continue reading →

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SureGene has chosen PGXL as laboratory provider for its proprietary STA2R genetic panel, which promises to revolutionize the treatment of schizophrenia. The STA2R panel turns intuitive treatment into precision treatment, says Dr. Roland Valdes Jr., Chairman and President of PGXL. It removes the trial and error from the medication of schizophrenia. Its a perfect application of personalized medicine entirely aligned with PGXLs vision. The STA2R agreement marks the first collaboration between SureGene and PGXL, two companies that spun out of University of Louisville research labs. SureGene researchers discovered and patented the SULT4A1-1 genetic signature. PGXL Laboratories independently developed the STA2R panel and will perform the tests for healthcare providers around the United States. Both SureGene and PGXL are promoting the test, PGXL through its own distribution system and SureGene direct to psychiatric healthcare providers. PGXL has long been a leader and innovator in personalized medicine. When SureGene needed a lab partner, PGXL was the obvious choice. The synergies from both companies being located in Louisville was an added bonus, says Bill Massey, President of SureGene. The panel analyzes five genes, including SureGenes patented SULT4A1, and uses the results of those tests to help identify the right treatment … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/49mg4f/personalized_medic) has announced the addition of the "Personalized Medicine - A Strategic Analysis of Industry Trends, Technologies, Participants and Environment" report to their offering. Personalized Medicine- A Strategic Analysis of Industry Trends, Technologies, Participants, and Environment by Kelly Scientific Publications is a comprehensive assessment of this developing industry thus far. This report tackles the growing market interest in personalized medicine (PM), pharmacogenomics, companion diagnostics and the associated market environment. Individualized or personalized medicine aims to increase the efficacy of therapeutics via genetic testing and companion diagnostics. As we progress through the era of genomic medicine, patients will benefit by more effective therapies and less side effects. Developmental and diagnostic companies will benefit from lower discovery and commercialization costs and more specific market subtypes. The average drug-to-market cost varies but is estimated at $500 million, however with the advent of personalized therapeutics and companion diagnostics this cost could be dramatically reduced. Only 30% of drugs recover the cost to market however personalized therapeutics and associated companion diagnostics will be more specific and effective thereby giving pharma/biotech companies a significant advantage to recuperate costs. Personalized medicine will reduce the frequency of adverse drug reactions and therefore have … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vxph8f/quickfact_edition) has announced the addition of the "QUICKFACT Edition Personalized Medicine - A Strategic Analysis of Industry Trends, Technologies, Participants and Environment" report to their offering. The QUICKFACT's edition of Personalized Medicine- A Strategic Analysis of Industry Trends, Technologies, Participants, and Environment by Kelly Scientific Publications is a compact report on key facts of the personalized medicine industry and its impact on the health system. Individualized or personalized medicine aims to increase the efficacy of therapeutics via genetic testing and companion diagnostics. Personalized therapeutics and associated companion diagnostics will be more specific and effective thereby giving pharma/biotech companies a significant advantage to recuperate R&D costs. Personalized medicine will reduce the frequency of adverse drug reactions and therefore have a dramatic impact on health economics. Developmental and diagnostic companies will benefit from lower discovery and commercialization costs and more specific market subtypes. The average drug-to-market cost varies but is estimated at $500 million, however with the advent of personalized therapeutics and companion diagnostics this cost could be dramatically reduced. Only 30% of drugs recover the cost to market however personalized therapeutics and associated companion diagnostics will be more specific and effective thereby giving pharma/biotech companies a … Continue reading →

Public release date: 29-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Sarah Stamper sarah.stamper@liv.ac.uk 01-517-943-044 University of Liverpool Scientists at the University of Liverpool are leading a 1.65 million project to produce and test the first nanomedicines for treating HIV/AIDS. The research project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), aims to produce cheaper, more effective medicines which have fewer side effects and are easier to give to newborns and children. The new therapy options were generated by modifying existing HIV treatments, called antiretrovirals (ARVs). The University has recently produced ARV drug particles at the nanoscale which potentially reduce the toxicity and variability in the response different patients have to therapies. Drug nanoparticles have been shown to allow smaller doses in other disease areas which opens up possibilities to reduce drug side-effects and the risk of drug resistance. Nanoscale objects are less than one micron in size a human hair is approximately 80 microns in diameter. Professor Steve Rannard, from the University's Department of Chemistry, said: "Nanomedicines are being used daily to treat a range of conditions around the world. There are, however, no current nanoparticle HIV therapies that are providing this kind of patient benefit. This … Continue reading →

Published on Aug 29, 2012 Madam Purwati receiving a blood transfusion to treat her cancer. -- PHOTO: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CANCER INSTITUTE When Madam Usdiati Endah Purwati, 52, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma earlier this year, she braced herself for a treatment that she knew could cost as much as $70,000. After all, the stem cell transplant the school principal needs to treat the bone marrow cancer will keep her in the hospital for three weeks. But her bill ended up being half of that amount, and she did not have to be hospitalised at all. This arrangement was possible because of a new treatment regimen introduced last year at the National University Cancer Institute that offers outpatient autologous stem cell transplants to multiple myeloma patients. In such procedures, the patient's stem cells are taken and stored; and after chemotherapy - which destroys much of the blood-producing stem cells along with the cancer cells - the stem cells are transplanted back to the same patient to help the body produce blood at a normal rate again. Link: New stem cell treatment cuts costs, hospital stay … Continue reading →