Biotech Week articles from May 2009

Biotech Week archives from May 2009

Pain relievers ibuprofen and naproxen may delay -- not prevent -- Alzheimer's disease.
May 6, 2009... A new study shows that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the pain relievers ibuprofen and naproxen do not prevent Alzheimer's disease, but they may instead delay its onset. The study suggests a need for re-interpretation of...

Vitamin D levels linked to asthma severity.(Report)
May 6, 2009... New research provides evidence for a link between vitamin D insufficiency and asthma severity (see also American Thoracic Society). Serum levels of vitamin D in more than 600 Costa Rican children were inversely linked to several indicators...

FANTOM findings boost for biologists.
May 6, 2009... Genomic regulatory blocks have unique features that may explain their ability to respond to regulatory inputs from very long distances, according to a special thematic series of companion articles from the FANTOM4 consortium. This research, to...

Mystery shoppers cut underage smoking.
May 6, 2009... Enforcement of laws against the sale of cigarettes to minors does result in a reduction in underage smoking. Research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health provides the first evidence that enforcement programmes can be...

The herbal remedy: Teens use cannabis for relief, not recreation.
May 6, 2009... When legal therapies let them down, some teens turn to cannabis. A new study, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Substance Abuse, Treatment, Prevention and Policy suggests that around a third of teens who smoke cannabis on a...

Shopping behavior: Consumers flock together, but don't necessarily buy.
May 6, 2009... Consumers are attracted to crowds in stores, but they are not likely to buy something from a crowded location, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research (see also University of Chicago Press Journals). Authors Sam K. Hui...

Study: Lizards bask for more than warmth.
May 6, 2009... Keeping warm isn't the only reason lizards and other cold-blooded critters bask in the sun. According to a study published in the May/June issue of Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, chameleons alter their sunbathing behavior based on their...

Middle school youth as young as 12 engaging in risky sexual activity.(Report)
May 6, 2009... HOUSTON - (April 8, 2009) - Middle school youth are engaging in sexual intercourse as early as age 12, according to a study by researchers at The University of Texas School of Public Health (see also University of Texas Health Science Center at...

The life histories of the earliest land animals.
May 6, 2009... The fossil record usually shows what adult animals looked like. But the appearance and lifestyle of juvenile animals often differ dramatically from those of the adults. A classic example is provided by frogs and salamanders. New discoveries...

Surgical education programs have demand for physician assistants and nurse practitioners.(Report)
May 6, 2009... New research published in the April issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons indicates that large numbers of physician assistants and nurse practitioners - collectively known as physician extenders (PEs) - have been hired by...

Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy for Integrated Delivery Networks.
May 6, 2009... Blue Spoon Consulting Group, LLC, published a strategy for pharmaceutical companies to create a new value proposition for integrated delivery networks, and to work collaboratively with IDNs on improving health outcomes in the United States....

New Study Shows Fish Oil Improves Cholesterol Levels in Professional Football Players.
May 6, 2009... Fish oil given to professional football players has proven to be effective for improving cholesterol levels, according to a study published in the January/February 2009 issue of Sports Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach (see also Clinical...

Gilead Sciences Completes Acquisition of CV Therapeutics.
May 6, 2009... Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) announced that it has completed its acquisition of CV Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CVTX) (see also Gilead Sciences, Inc.). On April 17, 2009, CV Therapeutics merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of...

Hacking the Industrial Network.
May 6, 2009... The global financial crisis has succinctly demonstrated the fragile inter-dependence of world markets and production. Correspondingly, utility and production disasters can cause huge financial losses (see also Innominate Security Technologies)....

Study Finds Mannatech's Ambrotose[R] Complex Significantly Improves Visual Discrimination and Working Memory in Healthy Young Adults.(Clinical report)
May 6, 2009... Mannatech, Incorporated (NASDAQ - MTEX) announced the results of a study, showing that a single one-tablespoon serving of Ambrotose® complex significantly improved visual discrimination and working memory (1). Drs. Atiya N. Stancil and...

PCI Reading Program Named 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award Finalist by the Association of Educational Publishers.
May 6, 2009... The Association of Educational Publishers has named PCI Reading Program Level Two a 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award finalist in the special education category for grades K-5. Published by PCI Education, the number-one provider of resources...

truth(R) Campaign Can Save Half a Million Lives and Billions of Dollars.
May 6, 2009... The truth(R) youth anti-smoking campaign has the power to save hundreds of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in smoking-related health care costs and productivity losses, according to the Citizens' Commission to Protect the Truth, a...

Pivotal Clinical Data Published for the Only Laser Phototherapy Device Cleared by the FDA for Hair Growth.
May 6, 2009... Findings of the pivotal clinical trial of the HairMax LaserComb that provided clear evidence of efficacy and safety to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be published in the prestigious peer review journal, Clinical Drug Investigation...

Smokefree Innotec Signs with Filter Manufacturer.
May 6, 2009... Smokefree Innotec, Inc. (Pink Sheets: SFIO) announced that AHN Biotechnologie GmbH in Nordhausen, Germany, signed a letter of intent for the production of mouthpieces for the Company's "tobacco innovation," the first truly smoke-free cigarette...

U of M Study Suggests Need for Safer Packaging, Storage, and Transportation of Fluorescent Lamps.
May 6, 2009... Researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health found most containers employed for storage and transportation of used fluorescent lamps to recycling centers do not provide necessary levels of protection against mercury vapors...

New University of Minnesota Study Documents Mercury Vapor Emission Levels and Need for Safer Packaging, Storage and Transportation of Fluorescent Lamps.
May 6, 2009... Results of a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences suggest that most containers used for storage and transportation of used fluorescent lamps to recycling...

Study results from University of Amsterdam broaden understanding of acidosis.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Netherlands, " Mechanical ventilation (MV) may cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Present models of VILI use exceptionally large tidal volumes, causing gross lung injury and haemodynamic shock." ...

Reports outline acquired hyperostosis syndrome research from University of Ferrara.
May 6, 2009... In this recent study, researchers in Ferrara, Italy conducted a study "To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous (i.v) pamidronate in patients with SAPHO syndrome refractory to first line treatments and to review the available literature on...

Researchers from University of Victoria detail new studies and findings in the area of addiction medicine.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Victoria, Canada, "We investigated whether high-risk drinking patterns are restricted to a few high-volume drinkers or are evenly distributed across the population to inform discussion regarding the optimal mix...

Study findings from T.N. Greenwell et al broaden understanding of addiction medicine.
May 6, 2009... "Dysregulation of the stress-related corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system has been implicated in the development of drug dependence. The present study examined the effects of administering CRF type 1 (CRF1) receptor antagonists on heroin...

Studies conducted at A. Termaten et al on advanced nursing recently published.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Netherlands, "At Rotterdam University in The Netherlands, the master's advanced nursing practice (ANP) program focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) and emphasizes leadership development. An...

Research reports on adverse drug reactions from University of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute provide new insights.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "The authors sought to identify predictors of self-harm adverse events in treatment-resistant, depressed adolescents during the first 12 weeks of treatment. Depressed adolescents (N=334) who...

Researchers at University of Connecticut target aggression.(Report)
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "An evaluation was conducted of 134 university students (93 female, 41 male) with the Aggression Questionnaire of Buss and Perry (1992) and a Gender-Typical Play Behavior Questionnaire...

Report summarizes aggressive fibromatosis study findings from G. Castellazzi and co-researchers.(Report)
May 6, 2009... "Aggressive fibromatosis is an invasive non-metastasizing soft-tissue tumor. Until recently, the standard treatment combined surgery and radiation therapy, but new studies reported that conservative strategies with or without medical treatment...

New aging study findings recently were published by R. Holliday and co-researchers.
May 6, 2009... "The anti-aging medicine movement proposes to alter the human body in order to achieve extreme longevity. To do this it has to reverse or by-pass the multiple causes of human aging," scientists writing in the journal Biogerontology report (see...

Reports outline aging study findings from Hokkaido University, Medical Department.(Report)
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Sapporo, Japan, "Lung injuries are generally more serious and cause high mortality in aged humans and animals. Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is known to be readily inducible in alveolar macrophages (AMs) and airway...

Research on aging described by scientists at Louisiana State University.
May 6, 2009... "With progressive aging, adipocytes are the major cell types that constitute the bulk of thymic microenvironment. Understanding the origin of thymic adipocytes and mechanisms responsible for age-related thymic adiposity is thus germane for the...

Researchers at Aarhus University have published new data on aging.
May 6, 2009... According to a study from Aarhus, Denmark, "Dicarbonyls glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MGO) produced during the autoxidation of reducing sugars are a source of macromolecular damage in cells." "Since an accumulation of damaged...

Researchers at University Medical Center publish new data on aging.
May 6, 2009... "Older adults often show bilateral brain activation, compared to unilateral activation in younger adults, when performing tasks in domains of age-associated cognitive impairment, such as episodic and working memory. Less is known about...

Scientists at University of Texas target aging.
May 6, 2009... "The widely accepted oxidative stress theory of aging postulates that aging results from accumulation of oxidative damage. Surprisingly, data from the longest-living rodent known, naked molerats [MRs; mass 35 g; maximum lifespan (MLSP) > 28.3...

Studies from University of Nottingham yield new information about aging.(Report)
May 6, 2009... "The objectives of these studies were to determine the effects of cumulus Cell removal and caffeine treatment on the development of in vitro matured ovine oocytes aged in vitro until until fertilization. Oocytes were denuded (DO) at 24 h...

Study findings on aging are outlined in reports from Zhejiang University of Technology.
May 6, 2009... "Chronic administration of d-galactose (d-gal) is a useful method for establishing a model of natural aging," researchers in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China report (see also Aging). "However, whether animal age or jet lag influences...

New findings reported from Tufts University, Department of Agriculture describe advances in alcoholism.(Report)
May 6, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Moderate intake of alcohol has been reported to have beneficial effects on bone. However, different classes of alcoholic beverages have not been investigated." "Our aim was to determine the...

New allergies research has been reported by R. Yanagisawa et al.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine, "Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles are produced abundantly and used ubiquitously in various cosmetic products. However, it remains to be determined...

New allergies study findings recently were reported by E. Suarthana and co-researchers.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, "Risks for development of occupational sensitisation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, rhinoconjunctival and chest symptoms at work associated with...

Research conducted at Hadassah University has provided new information about allergies.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Jerusalem, Israel, "Asthma and allergy are common chronic diseases caused by genetic and environmental factors. To study the effect of different environments on the prevalence of both diseases in an isolated...

Research from M.B. Zimering and co-researchers in the area of type 2 diabetes described.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen that does not normally circulate. Yet plasma bFGF-like bioactivity was increased in association with persistent...

Research reports from A.B. Singh and co-authors provide new insights into allergies.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Delhi, India, "Allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis are dramatically increasing all over the world including developing countries like India. Today, more than 30%...

Saga University, Medical Department reports research in allergies.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Saga, Japan, "Allergic rhinitis is 1 of the most common atopic diseases with strong similarity to asthma. Interleukin (IL) 27 is all immunosuppressive cytokine, and lack of the IL-27 receptor (WSX-1) resulted...

Studies from Mukogawa Women's University yield new data on allergies.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Nishinomiya, Japan, "Allergy-preventive activity was demonstrated for the MeOH extract (HM) of the petals of Hibiscus mutabilis L. 'versicolor' MAKINO in a continuing search for allergy-preventive substances...

Study findings on allergies are outlined in reports from R. Misnan and colleagues.(Report)
May 6, 2009... "The purpose of this study was to characterize major allergens of Indian scad (Decapterus russelli) which is among the most commonly consumed fish in Malaysia. Raw and cooked extracts of the fish were prepared," investigators in Kuala Lumpur,...

New research on allied health from University of Western Sydney summarized.
May 6, 2009... " Some emergency departments (EDs) in the UK, North America and Australia have provided occupational therapy (OT) services for over 10 years; however, little is known about practice patterns as previous literature has focussed on single...

Investigators at Baskent University release new data on alveolar bone loss.(Report)
May 6, 2009... "Statement of problem. In edentulous patients, alveolar bone loss Is a critical factor that affects denture retention, stability, and masticatory function," scientists in Ankara, Turkey report (see also Alveolar Bone Loss). "In addition to...

Research from University of Alabama provides new data on Alzheimer disease.
May 6, 2009... "one of the characteristic pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neuritic plaques that consist of amyloid peptide (A beta). To improve diagnosis and treatment evaluation, neuroimaging tools that make use of A beta-binding...

Research on Alzheimer disease reported by A. Patat et al.
May 6, 2009... According to a study from Paris, France, "WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT center dot Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a victim's memory and cognitive processes. center dot Currently there...

Researchers from GE Healthcare report details of new studies and findings in the area of Alzheimer disease.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research published in the journal BMC Neurology, "Kinetic modeling using reference Logan is commonly used to analyze data obtained from dynamic Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies on patients with Alzheimer's disease...

Researchers from Trinity College publish findings in Alzheimer disease.(Report)
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Dublin, Ireland, "Visual perception has been shown to be altered in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients, and it is associated with decreased cognitive function. Galantamine is an active cholinergic agent, which has...

Scientists at Kyoto University release new data on Alzheimer disease.
May 6, 2009... "Protection of neurons from neuronal damage and cell death in neurodegenerative disease is a major challenge in neuroscience research. Donepezil, galantamine and tacrine are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors used for the treatment of Alzheimer's...

Studies from K. Duerson et al have provided new data on Alzheimer disease.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "Disturbed glutamate homeostasis may contribute to the pathological processes involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Once glutamate is released from synapses or from other intracellular...

Findings from R.P. Onders and co-researchers advance knowledge in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
May 6, 2009... "There is a paucity of literature concerning general anesthesia and surgery in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). This report summarizes the largest series of surgical cases in ALS during multicenter...

Research from Toyama University has provided new information about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
May 6, 2009... "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons. There is no effective treatment or drug against ALS, and the precise mechanisms leading to the selective loss...

Research on anatomy discussed by scientists at Oregon State University.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "During the reign of Louis XIV, anatomical demonstrations became a public attraction in Paris." "At the Jardin du Roi, the star performer was Joseph-Guichard Duverney, who attracted...

Scientists at Food & Drug Administration publish new data on toxicology.
May 6, 2009... "The studies presented in this work were designed to evaluate the genetic toxicity of methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) in non-human primates (NHP) using a long-term, chronic dosing regimen. Thus, approximately two-year old, male rhesus...

Studies from Dicle University, Medical Department update current data on anesthesia.(Clinical report)
May 6, 2009... According to a study from Diyarbakir, Turkey, "The aim was to investigate the effect of magnesium sulfate on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption after remifentanil-based anesthesia. Forty women 18 to 65 years old were enrolled in this...

New findings from Kumamoto University in the area of angiography described.
May 6, 2009... "The objective of our study was to investigate the effect on aortic enhancement of iodine doses adjusted for the patient estimated lean body weight (LBW) at CT angiography (CTA). CTA for the whole aorta using a 64-MDCT scanner was performed in...

Research results from University of Erlangen update knowledge of angiography.
May 6, 2009... "The purpose of our study was to systematically compare the image quality of dual-source CT coronary angiography using 100 kV instead of 120 kV. One hundred patients with a body weight = 85 kg were included," investigators in Erlangen, Germany...

Scientists at University of Leeds target angiology.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research published in the Journal of Membrane Biology, "Our understanding of vascular endothelial cell physiology is based on studies of endothelial cells cultured from various vascular beds of different species for varying...

Studies in the area of angiology reported from H. Vontenggkobligk and co-researchers.
May 6, 2009... In this recently published article, scientists in Heidelberg, Germany conducted a study "To avoid intravenous contrast media application, new MRA sequences using inherent blood contrast are available. The clinical use of these...

Study findings from University of Valladolid provide new insights into angiology.
May 6, 2009... "Agapito MT, Sanz-Alfayate G, Gomez-Nino A, Gonzalez C, Obeso A. General redox environment and carotid body chemoreceptor function. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 296: C620-C631, 2009," scientists in Valladolid, Spain report (see also Angiology)....

Research from Laval University provide new insights into angiotensins.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from Canada, "Champetier S, Bojmehrani A, Beaudoin J, Lachance D, Plante E, Roussel E, Couet J, Arsenault M. Gene profiling of left ventricle eccentric hypertrophy in aortic regurgitation in rats: rationale for...

Researchers from Zonguldak Karaelmas University report recent findings in ankylosing spondylitis.
May 6, 2009... "Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease. Involvement of costovertebral and costotransverse joints results in rigidity of the chest wall and inability to expand the chest fully on inspiration," scientists...

Studies from R. Campagna and co-researchers yield new data on ankylosing spondylitis.
May 6, 2009... According to a study from Paris, France, "The purpose of this article is to illustrate the spectrum of MDCT and MRI appearances of spinal fractures in ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis." "Spinal fractures...

Recent findings from University of Tubingen highlight research in anti-infectives.
May 6, 2009... "Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a widely used animal model of the human acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, which is the most common subtype of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. EAN is pathologically characterized by...

Wuhan University details research in antiarrhythmics.
May 6, 2009... According to a study from Wuhan, People's Republic of China, "The effects of the antiarrhythmic drug propafenone at c-type kv1.4 channels in Xenopus laevis oocytes were studied with the two-electrode voltage-clamp techinique. Defolliculated...

Research data from F. Vargas and colleagues update understanding of antibiotics.
May 6, 2009... "We synthesized and determined the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as O-1(2), O-.-(2), (OH)-O-., H2O2 during the photolysis with UV-A light of three antibacterial quinolones and their naphthyl ester derivatives," investigators in...

Research from University of South Australia in the area of antibiotics published.
May 6, 2009... In this recent article published in the Medical Journal of Australia, scientists in Adelaide, Australia conducted a study "To determine whether proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use is associated with hospitalisations for pneumonia and with...

Studies from Sutcu Imam University further understanding of antibiotics.
May 6, 2009... "Loracarbef has antibacterial activity and is oxidizable at the glassy carbon electrode. The electrochemical oxidation of Loracarbef was investigated using cyclic, linear sweep, differential pulse, and square wave voltammetric techniques,"...

Research on antifungals detailed by scientists at Case Western Reserve University.(Report)
May 6, 2009... "Recent studies suggest that differences in antifungal activity among echinocandins may exist. In this study, the activities of three echinocandins (anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin) against Candida parapsilosis isolates from burn...

Research on antifungals published by scientists at Chiba University.
May 6, 2009... According to a study from Matsudo, Japan, "An actinomycete strain, Amycolatopsis sp. CsO-2, produces a 27-kDa chitosanase." "To reveal the molecular characteristics of the enzyme, its corresponding gene ctoA was cloned by a reverse genetic...

Reports from Iowa State University highlight recent research in antimicrobials.
May 6, 2009... "Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is used to determine the membrane-bound topological structure of a cationic beta-hairpin antimicrobial peptide in which the number of Arg residues has been halved. The parent peptide, PG-1, was previously found to...

Reports summarize antimicrobials research from O. Lobos and co-authors.
May 6, 2009... In this recently published study, investigators in Talca, Chile conducted a study "To determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of bacteriocin PsVP-10, chlorhexidine and triclosan on S. mutans and S. sobrinus and to study the...

Research reports from I. Rauch and co-authors provide new insights into antimicrobials.
May 6, 2009... "Previously, alpha-MSH, a 13-amino acid neuropeptide and the tripeptide alpha-MSH have been shown to possess potent antimicrobial properties," scientists in Salzburg, Austria report (see also Antimicrobials). "We performed microplate based...

Researchers from China Pharmaceutical University describe findings in antimicrobials.
May 6, 2009... "Perinerin, an antimicrobial peptide (GenBank No. P84117), was isolated and characterized from Asian marine clamworms, Perinereis aibuhitensis Grube," investigators in Nanjing, People's Republic of China report (see also Antimicrobials). ...

Study results from Hokuriku University update understanding of antimicrobials.(Report)
May 6, 2009... "This study on the structure-activity relationship of polymyxin B, a cyclic peptide antibiotic, used sixteen synthetic polymyxin B-3 analogs including alanine scanning analogs to elucidate the contribution of the side chains to antimicrobial...

Reports outline anxiety disorders study results from Emory University.(Conference notes)
May 6, 2009... "Contemporary commercial music (CCM) performers rely heavily on their voice, yet may not be aware of the importance of proactive voice care. This investigation intends to identify perceptions and barriers to seeking voice care among CCM...

Research conducted at Texas A&M University has provided new information about anxiety disorders.
May 6, 2009... "The second to fourth (2D:4D) digit ratio, a sexually dimorphic, phenotypic characteristic putatively associated with perinatal androgen action, has been used to evaluate the hypothesized relation between prenatal hormonal factors and a variety...

Data from INSERM advance knowledge in apoptosis.
May 6, 2009... According to recent research from France, "Gestational deficiency in methyl donors such as folate and vitamin B12 impairs homocysteine metabolism and can alter brain development in the progeny. Since short hypoxia has been shown to be...

Data on apoptosis detailed by N. Engedal and co-authors.
May 6, 2009... "The effect of the immune regulator vitamin A on T cell death has been poorly characterized. In the present study, we demonstrate that an active metabolite of vitamin A, retinoic acid (RA), promotes cell death in Jurkat leukemic T cells by...

Investigators at Emory University, Medical Department publish new data on apoptosis.
May 6, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Cells normally undergo physiological turnover through the induction of apoptosis and phagocytic removal, partly through exposure of cell surface phosphatidylserine (PS). In contrast, neutrophils...