New cancer treatment shows promise in lab trials

Much of research to beat cancer tends to concentrate on the various genetic mutations behind different cancers. About Prograf (Tacrolimus) with no Rx Now, a new study in the journal Cancer Cell takes a different approach - it targets the pathways that hungry cancer cells use to satisfy their voracious appetite for energy. The drug killed cancer cells by shutting off their two preferred sources of energy without harming healthy cells. Cancer cells grow fast and divide, and to do this they rely on preferred ways of getting energy - even if other means are available. The idea of foiling cancer by undermining the way it uses energy differently to healthy cells is not new, but it has received more attention lately. For their study, researchers at Saint Louis University, MO, focused on two metabolic pathways that senior author Thomas Burris, professor and chair of pharmacology and physiology, says cancer cells are "addicted to." "They need tools to grow fast," explains Prof. Flomax (Tamsulosin) with no Rx Burris, "and that means they need to have all of the parts for new cells and they need new energy." One pathway that cancer cells use to make the parts they need, is called the Warburg effect, which ramps up use of glucose, and the other is called lipogenesis, whereby the cells can make their own fats for rapid growth. Diltiazem (Diltiazem Hcl) without prescription SR9243 shuts off cancer cells preferred fat and sugar energy sources In their study paper, the team explains how a small molecule that selectively targets these two pathways stopped cancer cell growth in cultured tumor cells in the lab and in human tumor cells grown in animals without harming healthy tissue or inducing weight loss, inflammation or liver damage. The small molecule - called SR9243 - started off as an anticholesterol drug candidate. About Biogaran with no Rx The drug targets fat synthesis in cells so they can t produce their own fat. About Lisinopril (Hydrochlorothiazide) with no prescription It also suppresses abnormal glucose consumption and cuts off cancer cells energy supply. The molecule stops these two processes by turning down the genes that drive them. Buy Fat Burners online Denied their favorite fat and sugar energy sources, the cancer cells cannot make the parts they need to thrive and die. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com The researchers say that because the Warburg effect is not a feature of normal cells and because most normal cells can get their fat from outside, SR9243 only kills cancer cells and does not harm healthy cells. Prof. Burris explains that some cancers are more sensitive to the drug than others: "It worked very well on lung, prostate and colorectal cancers, and it worked to a lesser degree in ovarian and pancreatic cancers." The team found SR9243 also seems to work on glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that is very hard to treat. However, the drug is not able to cross the blood-brain barrier very effectively, so the challenge will be to find a way to help it to do that. It also appears that SR9243 can increase the effectiveness of existing chemotherapy drugs when used in combination with them. Meanwhile, Medical News Today recently learned how correcting disruption to a tumor suppressor gene in mice successfully reverted colorectal cancer cells to normal functioning cells. Within 2 weeks, the tumors regressed and disappeared, or reintegrated into normal tissue, say researchers writing in the journal Cell. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Study identifies barriers to abortion services in developed countries

. About Becoride with no prescription new study published in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care finds women in developed countries face significant difficulties when it comes to getting an abortion in early pregnancy, despite developed countries having fewer legal barriers to abortion. Negative attitudes toward abortion from health care providers are one of the main factors restricting access to the procedure, according to the researchers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 5 pregnancies around the globe end in abortion - defined as the termination of pregnancy so it does not result in the birth of a baby. In the US, a medical abortion procedure is an option in the early weeks of the first trimester, in which a woman receives a drug called methotrexate either orally or by injection, followed by oral or vaginal administration of a drug called misoprostol 3-7 days later. In the second and third trimesters, only surgical abortion procedures - such as dilation and curettage or dilation and extraction - may be performed. About Minipress (Prazosin) with no prescription Buy Norvasc (Amlodipine) with no Rx While surgical abortion procedures are very safe when performed legally under sufficient regulation, WHO estimate that for every 100 live births globally, around four unsafe abortions are performed - defined as a "procedure for terminating a pregnancy that is performed by an individual lacking the necessary skills, or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both." Negative attitudes toward abortion remain a key barrier For their study, Frances Doran and Susan Nancarrow, of the School of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Cross University in Australia, conducted a systematic review of more than 2,500 studies published between 1993 and 2014 that investigated access to abortion services in developed countries during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Of these studies, the researchers identified 38 that involved early abortion and included views from both women and health care providers regarding factors that may be preventing women from accessing abortion services. From their review, Doran and Nancarrow found that the main barriers to abortion services cited by health care providers were moral opposition to abortion, lack of sufficient training, lack of health care professionals able to carry out the procedure, insufficient hospital resources - primarily in rural areas - and harassment of medical staff by individuals opposed to abortion. Women included in the studies cited health care professionals negative attitudes toward abortion, the cost of the procedure - particularly in North America - as barriers to abortion services. Buy Dry Vitamin E online Isordil (Isosorbide Dinitrate) without prescription A lack of local abortion services was also named as a key barrier, especially among low-income women, those living in rural areas and those from minority groups. Commenting on their findings, the researchers say: "Despite the safety and frequency with which legal, regulated abortions are performed, this review identifies several avoidable factors that limit the provision of, and access to, abortion services." How can these barriers be broken down? The team points to a number of ways to increase access to abortion services, including providing appropriate training of health care providers in how to treat women wishing to have an abortion in early pregnancy. "Negative attitudes and beliefs of health professionals toward abortion create obstacles for women seeking access to abortion," they note. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com Zyban (Bupropion) with free Rx "Regardless of practitioner values, they should be trained to refer appropriately, and provide services that are in the best interests of the woman." Doran and Nancarrow say making abortion services free or affordable to women to avoid requiring referral could be another way to increase access, as could providing abortion services that are part of a multidisciplinary clinic to lower associated stigma. The researchers also point out that increasing access to medical abortion may also boost access to the procedure during early pregnancy, noting that in some countries - such as Canada - medical abortion is unlicensed. "The provision of medical abortion via telemedicine has clear benefits for the woman and the provider with excellent clinical outcomes," they add. "Furthermore, if women could procure safe medical abortifacients from non-physician providers outside their local community, or in an outpatient medical setting, termination then becomes a private decision between the doctor and the patient, which is less susceptible to the outside scrutiny of external conservative anti-abortion attitudes and pressures." In February, Medical News Today reported on a WHO study that found low contraception in 35 low- and middle-income countries is behind 15 million unwanted pregnancies globally every year. Written by Honor Whiteman

Lab-made blood to enter human trials in 2 years

Artificial blood grown in a lab from stem cells is one step closer to being available to people with complex blood types for whom it is difficult to find matching donors. The trial will compare the survival of red blood cells grown in the lab with that of standard red cells from blood donors. The UK s NHS (National Health Service) Blood and Transplant say manufactured blood will be used in clinical trials with human volunteers within 2 years. The aim is one of several that the joint England and Wales special health authority has entered into with top universities to develop transfusion, transplantation and regenerative medicine over the next 5 years. The intention is not to replace human donation, says Dr. Buy Luvox (Fluvoxamine) Nick Watkins, NHS Blood and Transplant assistant director of research and development, but to offer specialist treatment for specific patient groups. The health authority say there is a need to increase the availability of better-matched blood for patients with rare blood types. Lotemax (Loteprednol) without Rx These include patients with blood conditions like sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia, who require regular blood transfusions. The authority collects 1.7 million units of blood each year. Trental (Pentoxifylline) without prescription Hospitals in England and Wales need around 6,000 units a day, they say, and volunteer blood donors are vital. The pressure is building not only because of demand, but also because of a shortage of donors. Buy Avandia without Rx In 2014, 40% fewer people volunteered as new donors compared with 10 years earlier. To ensure the nation s stock of blood remains at a safe level, NHS Blood and Transplant say there is a need to recruit 204,000 donors in 2015. Teams around the world are trying to develop artificial blood Dr. Buy Parlodel (Bromocriptine) with free Rx Watkins says teams around the world have been trying to make artificial red blood cells as an alternative to donated blood, and adds: "We are confident that by 2017 our team will be ready to carry out the first early phase clinical trials in human volunteers." The team includes scientists from NHS Blood and Transplant and the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford, also in the UK. The first trial is likely to be small - 20 volunteers will be transfused with a small amount (5-10 mls) of lab-produced blood. Buy Cuts - Bumps - Bruises online It will compare the survival of red blood cells grown in the lab with that of standard red cells from blood donors. The scientists are using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) sourced from adult and umbilical cord blood to make the lab-grown red blood cells. "Research has laid the foundation for current transfusion and transplantation practices," Dr. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com Watkins explains, and adds: "The manufactured red cell trials form part of our world-leading work in regenerative medicine and one of eight research goals for 2015-2020 that will bring long-term improvements for patients and donors." In 2013, Medical News Today reported a study that suggested the shelf life of blood is nearer to 3 weeks than the 6 weeks that blood banks regard as standard for blood used in transfusion. The researchers came to this conclusion after showing that red cells in stored blood lose their ability to deliver oxygen where it is most needed once the 3-week shelf life is exceeded. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Cognitive behavioral therapy alters Tourette syndrome brains

. Buy Citrus Oil online A new study has found the cognitive behavioral therapy used to reduce chronic tics in people with Tourette syndrome can also alter the functioning of their brains. The researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy normalized activity in the supplementary motor area of the brains of study participants with Tourette syndrome. The findings of the study will be presented at the First World Congress on Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders in London, UK, and could have implications for the future treatment of people with the neuropsychiatric disorder. Tourette syndrome is an inherited tic disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics - repetitive semi-voluntary movements or vocalizations with no apparent purpose. "There is still no definitive explanation of the causes of this syndrome, but we know that tics are related to an impaired communication between the supplementary motor area - a region of the cerebral cortex - and deeper areas called the basal ganglia," said Simon Morand-Beaulieu, a student in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Montreal, Canada. Many people do not require any treatment for Tourette syndrome, but for some the tics can be disruptive and can - for young people in particular - make learning and socializing difficult. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com Isordil Sublingual (Isosorbide Dinitrate) with free Rx For these individuals, certain forms of treatment are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a blend of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy that focuses on helping people to focus on their problems and how they might solve them, assisting them to identify problematic forms of behavior and change them. In people with Tourette syndrome, CBT helps to normalize activity in the supplementary motor region of the brain by utilizing relaxation and exercises targeting muscles associated with tics. "In addition to the beneficial effects on tics, we wanted to see if CBT effectively alters the brain function of people with [Tourette syndrome]," says Morand-Beaulieu. CBT affected supplementary motor region but not frontal region activity For the study, participants with Tourette syndrome completed a task designed to prompt activity in the supplementary motor region of the brain. Niaspan (Niacin) with no prescription The task involved responding to the color of an arrow that was pointing to the left or the right. The researchers noted overactivity in the supplementary motor region while there were deficits in the appropriate selection and preparation of the participants physical responses. Following this task, the participants with Tourette syndrome received CBT and then later repeated the task. Buy Keflex (Cephalexin) with no prescription The researchers found that not only were the Tourette syndrome tics reduced, but the brain functioning of the participants in the supplementary motor region was similar to that of participants without Tourette syndrome. Interestingly, the researchers also observed overactivity in the frontal region of the brains of the participants with Tourette syndrome when movement was inhibited. Buy Ascorbicap with free prescription This overactivity was present both before and after CBT. "This could be an adaptive mechanism deriving from the patients experience of inhibiting their own tics," explains study supervisor Marc Lavoie, a researcher at the Institut universitaire en sane mental de Montr eal. Proscar (Finasteride) without prescription "As a result, they are able to perform as well as participants without [Tourette syndrome] during tasks requiring cognitive control, but at the cost of greater frontal cortex activity." The researchers believe that their findings will help improve therapeutic strategies for Tourette syndrome and have a practical impact on the quality of life for people with the disorder. "It will soon be possible to share this neurophysiological data with psychologists conducting CBT and thus correct or enhance treatment of people affected by [Tourette syndrome]," Lavoie concludes. Previously, Medical News Today reported on a study identifying a chemical in the brain called GABA that could play a major role in controlling tics associated with Tourette syndrome. Written by James McIntosh

Fasting what are the health benefits and risks?

Fasting is commonly associated with the month of Ramadan. Isordil Sublingual (Isosorbide Dinitrate) with free Rx As you read this, billions of Muslims around the world are engaging in this declaration of faith that involves abstaining from food and drink from dawn until dusk. Niaspan (Niacin) with no prescription While fasting for Ramadan is down to spiritual beliefs, many of us choose to fast with the belief that it benefits our health. Buy Keflex (Cephalexin) with no prescription But does it? A number of studies have suggested intermittent fasting has numerous health benefits, including weight loss, lower blood pressure and reduced cholesterol. In recent years, numerous studies have suggested that intermittent fasting - abstaining or reducing food and drink intake periodically - can be good for us, making it one of the most popular diet trends worldwide. One of the most well-known intermittent fasting diets is the 5:2 Fast Diet - a plan that involves eating the recommended calorie intake for 5 days a week but reducing calorie intake to 25% for the remaining 2 days - to 500 calories a day for women and 600 a day for men. According to Dr. Buy Ascorbicap with free prescription Michael Mosley - author of The Fast Diet books - this eating plan can not only help people lose weight, but it offers an array of other health benefits. "Studies of intermittent fasting show that not only do people see improvements in blood pressure and their cholesterol levels, but also in their insulin sensitivity," he adds. In June 2014, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting periodic fasting - defined in the study as 1 day of water-only fasting a week - may reduce the risk of diabetes among people at high risk for the condition. Another study, conducted by Dr. Proscar (Finasteride) without prescription Valter Longo and colleagues from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, found longer periods of fasting - 2-4 days - may even "reboot" the immune system, clearing out old immune cells and regenerating new ones - a process they say could protect against cell damage caused by factors such as aging and chemotherapy. But what are the mechanisms underlying the suggested health benefits of fasting? The potential benefits of intermittent fasting Since the body is unable to get its energy from food during fasting, it dips into glucose that is stored in the liver and muscles. Buy Citrus Oil online This begins around 8 hours after the last meal is consumed. When the stored glucose has been used up, the body then begins to burn fat as a source of energy, which can result in weight loss. As well as aiding weight loss, Dr. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com Razeen Mahroof, of the University of Oxford in the UK, explains that the use of fat for energy can help preserve muscle and reduce cholesterol levels. When the body has used up glucose stores during fasting, it burns fat for energy, resulting in weight loss. "A detoxification process also occurs, because any toxins stored in the body s fat are dissolved and removed from the body," he adds, noting that after a few days of fasting, higher levels of endorphins - "feel-good" hormones - are produced in the blood, which can have a positive impact on mental well-being. As mentioned previously, the study by Dr. Longo and colleagues suggests prolonged fasting may also be effective for regenerating immune cells. "When you starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged," Dr. Longo explains. In their study, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, the team found that repeated cycles of 2-4 days without food over a 6-month period destroyed the old and damaged immune cells in mice and generated new ones. What is more, the team found that cancer patients who fasted for 3 days prior to chemotherapy were protected against immune system damage that can be caused by the treatment, which they attribute to immune cell regeneration. "The good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting," says Dr. Longo. "Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system." With the potential health benefits of fasting widely hailed by nutritionists worldwide, it is no wonder many of us are putting our love of food to one side in order to give it a try. But intermittent fasting isn t all bells and whistles, according to some researchers and health care professionals, and there are some people who should avoid the diet altogether. The health risks According to the UK s National Health Service (NHS), there are numerous health risks associated with intermittent fasting. People who fast commonly experience dehydration, largely because their body is not getting any fluid from food. As such, it is recommended that during Ramadan, Muslims consume plenty of water prior to fasting periods. Other individuals following fasting diets should ensure they are properly hydrated during fasting periods. If you are used to having breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between, fasting periods can be a major challenge. As such, fasting can increase stress levels and disrupt sleep. Dehydration, hunger or lack of sleep during a fasting period can also lead to headaches. Fasting can also cause heartburn; lack of food leads to a reduction in stomach acid, which digests food and destroys bacteria. But smelling food or even thinking about it during fasting periods can trigger the brain into telling the stomach to produce more acid, leading to heartburn. While many nutritionists claim intermittent fasting is a good way to lose weight, some health professionals believe such a diet is ineffective for long-term weight loss. "The appeal is that [fasting] is quick, but it is quick fluid loss, not substantial weight loss," says Madelyn Fernstrom, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center s Weight Loss Management Center. "If it s easy off, it will come back quickly - as soon as you start eating normally again." "My experience has been that [this] way of eating does not produce weight loss even in the short term," dietitian and author of Diet Simple Katherine Tallmadge told ABC News in 2013. Some health professionals believe intermittent fasting may steer people away from healthy eating recommendations, such as eating five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Many fear fasting may also trigger eating disorders or binge eating. In a blog for The Huffington Post last year, fitness and nutrition expert JJ Virgin wrote: "The anything goes mentality some experts permit during the feeding state could lead someone to overeat, creating guilt, shame, and other problems that only become worse over time. For someone with emotional or psychological eating disorders, intermittent fasting could become a convenient crutch to amplify these issues." While Dr. Mosely says there is no evidence to suggest the 5:2 Fast Diet is associated with eating disorders, he stresses people who have eating disorders should not engage in intermittent fasting. Other people who should not follow this diet include people who are underweight, individuals under the age of 18, pregnant women, people with type 1 diabetes and individuals recovering from surgery. Could we reap the benefits of fasting without fasting? While intermittent fasting may have health risks, nutritionists claim it can be good for us if individuals consult with their doctors before adopting such a diet and adhere to it correctly. But could there be a way to reap the potential health benefits of fasting without actually having to fast? Dr. Longo believes so. Researchers say a fasting-mimicking diet could simulate the effect of fasting without the food deprivation and side effects. Earlier this week, Dr. Longo and colleagues from USC published a study in the journal Cell Metabolism revealing how a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) triggered immune cell regeneration and extended the lifespan of mice. What is more, on testing the diet in humans - who adhered to it for only 5 days a month for 3 months - they found it reduced a number of risk factors associated with aging, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and cancer. The FMD is low in protein, low in unhealthy fats and high in healthy fats, according to the researchers. It stimulates markers linked to fasting, such as low glucose levels and high levels of ketone bodies, in order to mimic the effects of prolonged fasting. Dr. Longo and colleagues say their diet could promote immune cell regeneration and longevity associated with fasting without the need for food restriction and the potential adverse effects that come with it. "Although the clinical results will require confirmation by a larger randomized trial," they add, "the effects of FMD cycles on biomarkers/risk factors for aging, cancer, diabetes, and CVD, coupled with the very high compliance to the diet and its safety, indicate that this periodic dietary strategy has high potential to be effective in promoting human healthspan." The team hopes that clinicians will one day have the ability to prescribe this diet to patients. "This is arguably the first non-chronic preclinically and clinically tested anti-aging and healthspan-promoting intervention shown to work and to be very feasible as a doctor or dietitian-supervised intervention," says Dr. Longo. It may be a while before the FMD receives approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use. First, the team needs to put the diet through a rigorous testing process. Further research is required to gain a better understanding of the exact benefits and risks the FMD poses, and this appears to be the case with existing fasting diets. One thing is clear, however; talk to your doctor before engaging in any form of fasting. Written by Honor Whiteman

Women with a history of stillbirth 'up to four times higher risk of recurrence'

. Buy Silagra (Sildenafil Citrate) with no prescription new study published in The BMJ finds women are up to four times more likely to experience stillbirth if they had a stillbirth in a previous pregnancy. Women who have experienced stillbirth in a previous pregnancy may be up to four times higher risk of stillbirth in a subsequent pregnancy, according to researchers. Stillbirth - the death of a fetus after 20 weeks gestation - occurs in approximately 1 in 160 pregnancies in the US, with the majority happening before labor. Poor fetal growth, placental problems - such as placental abruption - birth defects, infections and chronic health conditions among mothers are some of the known causes of stillbirth. But as study author Sohinee Bhattacharya and colleagues from the UK s University of Aberdeen note, the cause of stillbirth is often unclear, and it is important to gain a better understanding of factors that may contribute to increased risk of stillbirth. "Stillbirth is one of the most common adverse obstetric outcomes and a traumatic experience for parents yet until recently was largely ignored," they note. Buy Chicken Collagen online Famvir (Famciclovir) without prescription "Couples who have experienced a stillbirth need to understand why it happened and want to know the risk for future pregnancies." For their study, Bhattacharya and colleagues set out to see how a history of stillbirth may impact the risk of experiencing stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies. The team analyzed data from 13 cohort and three case-controlled studies involving 3,412,079 women from the US, Australia, Scotland, Denmark, Israel, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, among other high-income countries. Of these women, 99.3% (3,387,538) had a live birth in an initial pregnancy, while 0.7% (24,541) of the women had a stillbirth in an initial pregnancy - defined in the study as the death of a fetus after 20 weeks of pregnancy or a weight of at least 400 g at birth. Pregnancies after a stillbirth should be closely monitored for fetal compromise The researchers identified 14,283 stillbirths in a subsequent pregnancy. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com Buy Pletal (Cilostazol) Of these, 606 (2.5%) occurred among women who experienced stillbirth in a previous pregnancy, while 0.4% occurred among women who had no history of stillbirth. After adjusting for potential confounders, such as maternal age, smoking status during pregnancy and socioeconomic status, the team calculated that women who experienced a stillbirth in a previous pregnancy had up to four times greater risk of experiencing stillbirth in a subsequent pregnancy, compared with women who had no history of stillbirth. The authors note that only two studies included in their analysis included women who had a history of unexplained stillbirth, and as such, the subsequent risk of stillbirth among these women was unclear. Still, the team says their findings support previous research suggesting a history of stillbirth as an important risk factor for stillbirth recurrence, which may have important implications for clinical practice. Risperdal (Risperidone) with no prescription They add: "Current management of pregnancies should take account of pregnancy history and make use of pre-pregnancy counseling services. Antiflu with no Rx Based on the available evidence identified by this review, a stillbirth in an initial pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of a subsequent stillbirth, and pregnancies after a stillbirth should be closely monitored with a view to intervene at the first sign of fetal compromise." In July 2014, Medical News Today reported on a study associating Cesarean section in a first birth with greater risk of subsequent stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy. Written by Honor Whiteman

Defibrillators 'grossly underused' in older heart attack patients

A new study has found that less than 1 in 10 of older heart attack patients eligible for implanted defibrillators receive one of the devices within a year of having a heart attack. The implantation of a defibrillator can significantly improve survival after a heart attack. The study, published in JAMA, investigated Medicare patients who experienced heart attacks between 2007 and 2010 and had low ejection fraction, an indicator of how well the heart s left ventricle pumps blood with each beat. About Demadex (Torsemide) without Rx Previous research has associated the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) with a lower risk of death in the 2 years following implantation. "Defibrillators are life-saving therapies that have a lot of evidence supporting their use," says senior author Dr. About Rulide (Roxithromycin) with free prescription Tracy Wang, an associate professor of cardiology at the Duke University School of Medicine. Buy Ovral (Ethinyl estradiol / Norgestrel) "But not every older patient wants one. About Amerge There is a trade-off between the risks and benefits of the device. Buy Sustiva (Efavirenz) without prescription But current data suggests that we are grossly underutilizing this therapy." ICDs shock the hearts of patients back to pumping if they experience a sudden cardiac arrest. Buy Calcium & Vitamin D online These arrests can be fatal; according to the study authors, more than 350,000 people experience sudden cardiac death in the US every year. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com Research suggests that as many as 80% of these patients were eligible for ICDs but did not have one implanted. Although the benefits of using these devices have been demonstrated in previous studies, most clinical trials have focused on patients in their 60s. As a result, the benefits to defibrillator use in older adults has yet to be established. For the study, the researchers examined ICD implantation rates and associated mortality rates among 10,318 patients with a median age of 78 who had experienced heart attacks and had ejection fractions of 35% or less. Data were obtained from 441 hospitals across the US, each participating in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry. They found the cumulative 1-year ICD implantation rate among these patients was 8.1%. Those that received ICDs within a year of their heart attack were more likely to be male, younger than average for the sample group, have larger areas of heart damage and have had previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery than patients that did not receive ICDs. Patients that received ICDs also had a one third lower risk of death for the 2 years following their heart attacks. Recommended wait before implanting could influence rates of use The researchers suggest that the low rates of use could likely be due to the advanced age of some of the participants, transitions between hospital and outpatient care and a mandatory waiting period to get an ICD implanted. "The optimal timing for implanting a defibrillator is still in question, but current guidelines recommend that patients wait at least 40 days after their heart attack," states lead author Dr. Sean Pokorney, a cardiology fellow at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC. "If the patient s heart is still having trouble pumping blood after 40 days, they would be eligible. But a lot can happen in that 40 days." During this 40 day period, patients are typically discharged from hospital and care is transitioned to an outpatient care team. Those that remain in contact with their cardiologist and keep their follow-up appointments are more likely to receive ICDs than patients that do not. "We believe that age alone should not prevent eligible people from getting devices," Dr. Pokorney says. "We should be trying to understand how to refine patient selection toward those who are most likely to benefit from the device, and close any system-level gaps that present a barrier to optimal defibrillator use." As the study is a retrospective observational study, further research will be required to inform approaches to ICD use in eligible patients and to reveal how clinicians can improve patient follow-up and communication after heart attacks. "Even if the ICD implantation rate were twice what Pokorney et al found, it is concerning that so few potentially ICD-eligible elderly patients are undergoing implantation, especially considering that ICDs significantly improve survival," states Dr. Robert G. Hauser, of the Minneapolis Heart Institute, writing in an accompanying editorial. Recently, Medical News Today reported on new research warning that electromagnetic interference from smartphones can affect the functioning of ICDs. Written by James McIntosh

Analysis finds 23% of children are victims of cyberbullying

Published in JAMA Pediatrics, a review of 36 social media studies finds that 23% is the median percentage of children and adolescents who reported being the victims of online bullying. About Cellcept (Mycophenolate Mofetil) without Rx The review also confirms a consistent relationship between cyberbullying and depression. As there is potential for online abuse to be anonymously spread and continued, there is concern that cyberbullying may even exceed traditional forms of bullying in terms of intensity. Recent reports suggest that 95% of American teenagers use the Internet, with 85% of this group using social media. About Temovate (Clobetasol) with no prescription More than half of adolescents were also found to log in to a social media website more than once a day, with 22% logging in to their favorite social media portal more than 10 times each day. Because adolescents are at a stage in their development when they are vulnerable to peer pressure and have limited capacity to self-regulate, there is concern over the potential risks of social media use among this group, including the potential for cyberbullying, online harassment and privacy issues. As there is potential for online abuse to be spread by others and continued - and for those bullies to remain anonymous - there is concern that cyberbullying may even exceed traditional forms of bullying in terms of intensity. Although it is a new field of research, some studies have found associations between cyberbullying - both for victims and perpetrators - with depression, low self-esteem, behavioral problems, substance abuse and self-harm. A recent meta-analysis of three studies found a stronger association between cyberbullying and having suicidal thoughts than with traditional bullying, although the data in the review were limited. Girls most likely to be victims of cyberbullying For the new analysis, researchers from the University of Alberta, Canada, reviewed 36 studies to assess the effects on the health of children and adolescents of cyberbullying through social media. About Super Kamagra (Sildenafil with Dapoxetine) with no prescription Most of the analyzed studies were based in the US and participants were mostly between the ages of 12 and 18. The most commonly used social media platform in the studies was Facebook - 89% of the social media users in the studies reported having a Facebook account. In the studies, the prevalence of cyberbullying ranged from 4.8% to 73.5%. Alendronate with no prescription Based on this data, the authors of the review calculated that the median percentage of children and adolescents who reported having experienced cyberbullying was 23%. The authors also found that girls were more likely to be cyberbullied than boys, and that relationship issues were the most common reason for online bullying. The most common forms of bullying were name-calling, spreading gossip and rumors and circulating pictures. Uniphyl Cr (Theophylline) Victims of this kind of bullying would usually use passive strategies to deal with the abuse, such as blocking the sender. Buy Black Walnut online However, the children in the study did not believe much could be done to stop cyberbullying. The authors write in their conclusion: "The evolution of social media has created an online world that has benefits and potential harms to children and adolescents. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com Cyberbullying has emerged as a primary concern in terms of safety, and, while publications remain inconclusive regarding its effects on mental health, there is some evidence to suggest that there are associations of harms with exposure to cyberbullying as well as cyberbullying behavior. This review provides important information characterizing the issue of cyberbullying that will help inform prevention and management strategies, including attributes of the recipients and perpetrators, reasons for and the nature of bullying behaviors, and how recipients currently react to and manage bullying behaviors." Although some of the studies in the review found weak or inconsistent links between cyberbullying and anxiety, the relationship between cyberbullying and depression was consistent and strong across the studies. Written by David McNamee

Sinusitis Therapeutics Pipeline Review, H1 2015

. About Acular DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (.researchandmarkets.com/research/j47w98/sinusitis) has announced the addition of the "Sinusitis - Pipeline Review, H1 2015" report to their offering. This report provides comprehensive information on the therapeutic development for Sinusitis, complete with comparative analysis at various stages, therapeutics assessment by drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type, along with latest updates, and featured news and press releases. About VigRX Plus () without Rx Buy Avapro (Irbesartan) It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Sinusitis and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. The report enhances decision making capabilities and help to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. Buy Ashwagandha online Buy Viagra Soft (Sildenafil Citrate) with no Rx It strengthens R&D pipelines by identifying new targets and MOAs to produce first-in-class and best-in-class products. Companies Involved in Therapeutics Development Amgen Inc. Clarassance, Inc. Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. F. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com Super P-Force (Sildenafil with Dapoxetine) with no prescription Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Knopp Biosciences LLC Myelo Therapeutics GmbH Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Zambon Company S.p.A. For more information visit .researchandmarkets.com/research/j47w98/sinusitis

Thailand reports first MERS case

Thailand has confirmed the country s first case of Middle East respiratory syndrome, while South Korea, the country most affected by MERS outside of the Arabian Peninsula, confirms case number 166. Infection with MERS-CoV - shown here in lung tissue - leads to severe acute respiratory illness, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. On Thursday, Thailand s public health minister Rajata Rajatanavin told the press that a 75-year-old man from the Middle East, who had recently traveled to the kingdom with his family, has tested positive for Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). On Friday, South Korea s Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the country s 166th confirmed case of MERS in a family member of a patient being treated at the Samsung Medical Center in the capital Seoul. MERS is a respiratory illness caused by infection with the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Buy Adalat (Nifedipine) with no prescription It first appeared in humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has since spread to several other countries, including the US. People who become infected with MERS-CoV develop severe acute respiratory illness, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. Zithromax (Azithromycin) with no prescription About 36% of patients confirmed with MERS-CoV infection have died. Nobody knows where MERS-CoV comes from, but there is evidence that it likely arose in animals. Buy Brand Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) with free Rx MERS-CoV has been found in camels in several countries, and there is also genetic evidence that MERS may have started in bats in Saudi Arabia. WHO say MERS not a Public Health Emergency of International Concern The case in Thailand brings to 16 the total number of countries outside the Arabian Peninsula to have reported confirmed cases of MERS. Abilify without Rx The other countries include: Austria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, South Korea, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK and the US. As well as Saudi Arabia, countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula with MERS cases include: Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The new patient in Thailand is thought to have traveled from Oman. MERS has spread most alarmingly in South Korea, where since it was first reported there in May 2015, it has claimed 24 lives. Buy Zithromax (Azithromycin) without prescription Most of the patients who died were older, high-risk, patients with underlying medical conditions such as cardio- cerebrovascular disease, cancer and chronic respiratory disease. Meanwhile, following an emergency meeting to discuss MERS-CoV, the World Health Organization (WHO) say while they consider the MERS outbreak to be "a wake-up call," they conclude that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have not been met. WHO say that in a highly mobile world, all countries should be ready for unexpected outbreaks of this nature and that the current situation highlights "the need to strengthen collaboration between health and other key sectors, such as aviation, and to enhance communication processes." A recent joint mission between WHO and the Korean authorities concluded a number of factors contributed to the spread of MERS in South Korea. Buy Air Fresheners online These include: lack of awareness among health workers and the public, inadequate infection control in hospitals, crowded emergency rooms and multibed rooms in hospitals, the custom of visitors staying with infected patients, and the practice of "doctor shopping" where patients seek care at multiple hospitals. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend that Americans change their travel plans because of MERS. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com The current CDC travel notice remains at Watch Level 1, and the federal agency website lists precautions travelers can take to prevent MERS. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Colorectal cancer cells reverted to normal functioning cells in lab

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Correcting disruption to a tumor suppressor gene in mice has successfully coaxed colorectal cancer cells back into normal functioning cells. Gene silencing triggered a cancer-like response (left); reactivation restored normal cell division (right). Picture credit: Kevin P. O Rourke The tumor suppressor gene known as adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is thought to have been affected by inactivating mutations in "the vast majority" of colorectal tumors, the researchers publishing in the journal Cell say. They found that restoring normal levels of the human colorectal cancer gene in mice stopped tumor growth and re-established normal intestinal function within just 4 days. According to information from the CDC, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the US, with 135,260 people receiving the diagnosis in 2011. Ziagen (Abacavir) without prescription The authors of the study say: "APC mutant colorectal cancer cells account for more than 600,000 deaths annually worldwide." While their scientific findings are early, the potential reach is illustrated by senior author Scott Lowe, PhD, of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY: "Treatment regimes for advanced colorectal cancer involve combination chemotherapies that are toxic and largely ineffective, yet have remained the backbone of therapy over the last decade." "Remarkably," say the researchers, tumors were eliminated within 2 weeks of the gene reactivation, and there were no signs of cancer a number of months later. Proof of principle - that restoring the function of a single tumor suppressor gene can lead to tumor regression - is established by this laboratory work. Casodex (Bicalutamide) with no Rx It opens avenues for the development of effective cancer treatments. Do the gene mutations maintain the cancer as well as initiate it? Although the inactivating mutations were thought to initiate colorectal cancer, it was not clear whether APC inactivation also played a role in tumor maintenance, which is what the team set out to test. "We wanted to know whether correcting the disruption of APC in established cancers would be enough to stop tumor growth and induce regression," says first author Lukas Dow, PhD, of Weill Cornell Medical College, also in NYC. Lowe and his team needed to overcome an experimental challenge in answering this question. Buy Acarbose with no prescription Excess gene activity can often be triggered by attempts to restore function to lost or mutated genes in cancer cells. To overcome this effect on normal cells, the team used a genetic technique that would precisely and reversibly disrupt APC activity in a new mouse model of colorectal cancer. Consistent with previous findings, APC suppression in the animals activated the WNT signaling pathway, which is known to control cell proliferation, migration and survival. When APC was reactivated in the laboratory models: WNT signaling returned to normal levels Tumor cells stopped proliferating Intestinal cells recovered normal function. Within 2 weeks, tumors regressed and disappeared, or reintegrated into normal tissue - and there were no signs of cancer within a 6-month follow-up. The scientists also found their approach was effective in mice with malignant colorectal cancer tumors containing Kras and p53 mutations - these are found in about half of colorectal tumors in humans, they say. Although APC reactivation is unlikely to be relevant to other types of cancer, the experimental technique may have broad implications. "The concept of identifying tumor-specific driving mutations is a major focus of many laboratories around the world," Dr. Buy Zetia (Ezetimibe) with no prescription Dow says. Buy Alfalfa online "If we can define which types of mutations and changes are the critical events driving tumor growth, we will be better equipped to identify the most appropriate treatments for individual cancers." There is some work to do before the laboratory work finds clinical relevance. "It is currently impractical to directly restore APC function in patients with colorectal cancer," Dr. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com Lowe says, "and past evidence suggests that completely blocking WNT signaling would likely be severely toxic to normal intestinal cells." "However, our findings suggest that small molecules aimed at modulating, but not blocking, the WNT pathway might achieve similar effects to APC reactivation. "Further work will be critical to determine whether WNT inhibition or similar approaches would provide long-term therapeutic value in the clinic." Written by Markus MacGill