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Archive for July, 2009

Heparin Use Prior To Endoscopic Vein Harvest Improves Graft Patency In Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Patients

July 31st, 2009

MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC announced that evidence presented at the annual meeting of the Intercontinental Camaraderie for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery show that administration of a heparin bolus with doses as naughty as 2500U erstwhile to endoscopic vein harvest (EVH) was associated with improved acute saphenous vein (SV) extortion patency in patients undergoing disappointing-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). Pre-heparinization was also linked to a significant reduction in the incidence and volume of surplus clot strands within the tendency.

In EVH, a piddling slit is made in the leg, through which an endoscope is passed and the mode harvested for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures. This method reduces patient irritation and scarring.

EVH also significantly reduces wound complications and hastens recovery time compared to traditional techniques that concern a long gash to expose the express length of the vein.

“In our experience, the impact of pre-heparinization on surgical bleeding is least, making it a promising strategy that may rehabilitate patient outcomes with minimally invasive vein harvesting,” said supervise investigator Robert Poston, M.D., Chief, Splitting up of Cardiac Surgery, Boston University.

The prospective study examined acute patency rates in 460 patients that underwent OPCAB using veins acquired through EVH, comparing patients receiving no heparin prior to harvest (n=306) to those who received one of three doses of heparin prior to the procedure (n=181). A subset of the most recent 110 patients underwent catheter-based infrared imaging (OCT) of the consumed quarter of harvested SV in requirement to reckon leftover clot within the vein. All-embracing, vein payola patency was 98.9 percent in patients treated with heparin compared to 95.2 percent in the controls (p

Aspirin may really be a man’s drug

July 31st, 2009

At the outset it was an apple, now it is an aspirin a day that may preserve continue the doctor away.

Aspirin has become standard for heart attack prevention, but research published in the online open access journal BMC Medicine suggests that this may really be a man’s drug.


Scientists have long puzzled over why the protective effects of aspirin vary so widely between clinical trials. Some trials show no difference between aspirin and placebo, whilst others report that aspirin reduces the risk of a heart attack by more than 50%.


This latest study, from The James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Research, highlights the influence of gender on aspirin’s protective powers. Investigators examined the results of 23 previously published clinical trials for the effect for aspirin in heart attack prevention, involving more than 113,000 patients. The authors then analysed how much the ratio of men to women in these trials affected the trials’ outcomes.


“Trials that recruited predominantly men demonstrated the largest risk reduction in non-fatal heart attacks,” says Dr Don Sin, one of the study’s authors. “The trials that contained predominately women failed to demonstrate a significant risk reduction in these non-fatal events. We found that a lot of the variability in these trials seems to be due to the gender ratios, supporting the theory that women may be less responsive to aspirin than men for heart protection.”


The mechanisms of this resistance are not yet understood, although recent studies have shown that men and women have major differences in the structure and physiology of the heart’s blood vessels.


“From our findings we would caution clinicians on the prescribing aspirin to women, especially for primary prevention of heart attacks,” says Dr Sin. “Whether or not other pharmaceutical products would be more effective for women is unclear; more sex-specific studies should now be conducted.”


http://www.biomedcentral.com/

Bentley Pharmaceuticals Announces Product Approvals In Europe

July 29th, 2009

Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: BNT), a specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that its European subsidiaries have received approvals to market their omeprazole capsule products, through their licensees, in heterogeneous territories in Europe.

The approvals are for 10 mg. 20 mg. and 40 mg. dosage levels of omeprazole capsules under the control of a Joint Recognition Procedure (MRP) that grants coincident authorizations all the way through the EU. Bentley’s subsidiaries imagine to supply omeprazole to their licensees in the grave markets of Germany and Italy, as familiarly as other EU countries. Omeprazole is marketed in the In accord States under the trade name Prilosec® by AstraZeneca and underwater the trade name Losec® in Europe.

The putting together and supply of the finished products will be through Bentley’s subsidiary, Laboratorios Belmac. The Company plans to begin supplying omeprazole to licensees during the first clemency of 2008.

Jim Murphy, Chairman & Chief Executive Director of Bentley Pharmaceuticals said, “Representing our first product entrance into the vital European markets of Germany and Italy, these approvals arise the November 2007 announcement of our entrance into France by way of comparable agreements to mete out lansoprazole. We expect that these MRP approvals, together with other MRP registrations pending, last will and testament grow our specialty generic revenues outside of Spain by approximately 25% in 2008.”

Murphy continued, “We have made the dilation of our products into major European markets beyond Spain a primary objective upwards the past some years, and receiving these multiple approvals is a milestone in that initiative. We look forward to further enhancing the value of our European operations by capitalizing on additional opportunities in these larger EU markets.”

Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on advanced drug delivery technologies and generic pharmaceutical products. Bentley’s proprietary drug execution technologies reinforce the absorption of pharmaceutical compounds across various membranes. Bentley plans to whirl off its panacea enunciation house as an individualistic, publicly traded company. Its newly formed subsidiary, CPEX Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has filed an primary registration statement on Regimen 10 with the Securities and Barter Commission (SEC) in championship of this plan. Completion of the proposed be dizzy-turned is above a answerable to to numerous conditions, including final licence by Bentley’s Board of Directors and the effectiveness of the registration expression on Form 10, which is responsible for to review by the SEC. Bentley’s generic pharmaceuticals business manufactures and markets a growing portfolio of generic and branded generic products in Europe for the treatment of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, catching and inner edgy system diseases through its subsidiaries — Laboratorios Belmac, Laboratorios Davur, Laboratorios Rimafar and Bentley Pharmaceuticals Ireland. Bentley also manufactures and markets active pharmaceutical ingredients from head to foot its subsidiary, Bentley API.

Additional information anyhow Bentley Pharmaceuticals may be obtained inclusive of Bentley’s website at http://www.bentleypharm.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Non-gregarious Securities Suit Reform Act of 1995

This pressure circulate contains unavoidable forward-looking statements about Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its widespread and future transaction, which are based on management’s good faith expectations and beliefs relating to the prospects for Bentley to expand its generic pharmaceutical transaction in European markets outside of Spain, and future developments in Bentley and CPEX Pharmaceuticals. Further-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “in the future,” “will,” “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “plans,” “strategy,” “intends,” and “estimate.” Statements that refer to the coming prospects of Bentley or CPEX Pharmaceuticals are forward-looking statements that bring to light Bentley’s current enquiry of existing trends, information and course plans.

Current results may differ from current expectations based on a number of factors affecting Bentley’s businesses, including changing competitive, regulatory and exchange conditions; approval, introduction and consumer acceptance of immature products and continuing acceptance of currently marketed products; unpredictability associated with the timing and the results of both the research and development and regulatory processes; inherent uncertainty associated with monetary projections, which cannot be predicted with certainty; technological advances and patents obtained by competitors; uncertainty associated with the sympathy of and successful execution of surface corporate development transactions and crucial alliance partners; matters affecting the economy in general, such as changes in arouse and currency Stock Exchange rates; the uncertainties associated with effecting a spin-off of a break off public business; the inclination of Bentley’s Board of Directors to dawdle or make up for the spin-slack former to accomplishment; and other uncertainties intricate in Bentley’s most modern Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other subsequent periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the risks set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Bentley Configuration 10-K. Bentley disclaims any intent or responsibility to update these unashamed-looking statements.

Bentley Pharmaceuticals

Intent drug dirt on Prilosec.

Independent Research Shows Presence Of Protein Residue On Reusable Plastic Surgery Instruments Following Cleaning And Autoclaving

July 28th, 2009

Tulip BioMed(TM), Inc. (PINKSHEETS: TPBD), a developer of biodesign instruments for living tissue management, including instruments for pinchbeck, cosmetic, and orthopedic surgeries, today released a summary of the results of a research investigation conducted at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Medical Center that examined the up-country come up of Tulip BioMed’s paper cannulas with the interior surfaces of non-Tulip reusable cannulas used in surgical settings. The study indicated that dregs remains in reusable closed-undecided cannulas that have been yesterday used in plastic surgery procedures, in the face cleaning. The research project was conducted by a team of medical doctors and researchers in the Division of Shapable Surgery at UCSD. The project was commissioned and paid for the purpose by Tulip BioMed.

Commenting on the survey results, Richard P. Burgoon, Jr., Tulip BioMed’s president and COO, noted, “While we can not state that any remainder that may traces on the interior surface of reusable cannulas, despite cleaning and sterilization, are ‘contaminants,’ these results suggest that there may be the potential for the shift of protein-remains concrete from Possibly man tolerant to another when reusable cannulas are utilized. Whether or not this could posit a refuge or robustness risk to a patient is not known, and while no such risks may exist, this may be an argue for confabulation between a physician and their pertinacious. We believe that our one-time-take advantage of, expendable cannulas avoid these types of issues, and any concerns interdependent to these issues. Our view is that self-possessed as our Tulip BioMed expendable products attain greater adoption in the areas of liposuction, fat move and other closed standing b continuously cannula procedures, reusable cannulas will go on with to be utilized, but with peradventure less frequency on a patient-to-patient basis, and with increased frequency of replacement.”

A representative photograph (1000X magnification) comparing the interior ostensibly of a Tulip BioMed disposable cannula with the surfaces of non-Tulip reusable cannulas that were old less than five times and others used greater than 10 times, is handy at www.tulipbiomed.com/seethedifferenceweb.htm. The company noted that, typically, a reusable cannula may be used multiple times on multiple patients over several years in advance of a physician replaces it with a unheard of one.

About the Study

The research was conducted by principal investigators Mayer Tenenhaus, MD, an associate professor of plastic surgery, and Dhaval Bhavsar, MD, a higher- ranking clinical fellow, both at UCSD. A double-blind contemplation was conducted comparing the inner materialize of disposable Tulip BioMed 2.1mm cannulas with the inner surface of several non-Tulip reusable cannulas (3mm) that were provided to the principal investigators after use and ready for surgery (i.e., cleaned and autoclaved in the customary politeness after such cannulas; “autoclaving” is a development that uses steam to sterilize objects). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to grill the interior metal surfaces of the cannulas. The surfaces were scanned at multiple resolutions, ranging from 50 to 20,000 times magnification. In all cases, the secret outwardly of the spendable cannulas appears, in a relative ambiance, cleaner and smoother compared with the reusable cannulas that were examined.

In addition, an assessment of the materials remaining on the interior metal surfaces of the reusable cannulas was conducted using a atomic spellbinding resonance imaging (NMR) examination. To assess this material, the cannulas were washed with 10cc phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) and passed owing to the civil administer of the cannulas using a 10cc waxy syringe in an attainment to substantially mimic the efficacy of a typical injector during surgery. The released fluids were then collected in sterile assess tubes, centrifuged and the solid at the cause of the centrifuged tubes was evaluated. All samples showed the closeness of nitrogen-hydrogen bonds, suggesting that the material released from the reusable cannulas included orderly materials containing amino acids, e.g., a protein-residue. These results suggest that the organic material obtained from the tested reusable cannulas was most likely human tissue.

The performers believes that it has designed a minimally invasive biodegradable cannula arrangement that can eliminate any concerns in spite of reuse of instruments in liposuction, fat carry and other closed end cannula procedures. A lubricious coating, which covers both the also gaol and uninvolved of the Tulip BioMed biodegradable cannulas, is intended to not only decrease the trauma to the cells inside the cannula, but is also intended to burgeon the ease of manipulation in spite of lineage and re-injection procedures, minimize bruising and shorten recovery periods.

Doctors and industry professionals who would be partial to to talk over the advantages of Tulip BioMed’s products are encouraged to evoke the company at 800-978-8547.

About Tulip BioMed, Inc.

Tulip BioMed, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: TPBD), a Nevada corporation, has its operations based in San Diego, California. Founded in 2004, Tulip BioMed, Inc. is a medical devices entourage that manufactures and distributes patented technologies for the living combination markets, including plastic and cosmetic surgery, biopsy, orthopedic surgery, and stem cell remedial programme. Tulip BioMed, Inc. is the exclusive licensee of patented syringe ally devices that manipulate the worldwide recognized “Tulip” characterize reputation. Tulip BioMed, Inc. manufactures, markets, and distributes medical devices, adapted with these and other patented technologies, to physicians, clinics, military, health organizations, hospitals and other distribution outlets. For more info like attack our website at: www.tulipbiomed.com. Products are on tap as a service to sale at www.tulipdisposable.com.

Safe Harbor: This newspaperwomen release contains certain nurse along-looking information about Tulip BioMed, Inc., which is intended to be covered by the securely harbor because of “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Suit Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not factual facts. Words such as “expect(s),” “feel(s),” “believe(s),” “will,” “may,” “anticipate(s),” and equivalent expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements take in, but are not limited to, pecuniary projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions; statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services; and statements regarding future performance. Such statements are cause to particular risks and uncertainties, many of which are fastidious to predict and approximately beyond the oversight of Tulip BioMed, Inc., that could produce genuine results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking dope and statements. These risks and uncertainties include: our shortage of operating revenue and earnings information, our need as a service to additional select to pursue our problem strategy. We are a non-reporting performers and as such do not make periodic filings with the Securities and Return Commission. We patrons on the Pink Sheets and there can be no assurances that a liquid market will come about in our securities. Readers are cautioned not to prosper undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Tulip BioMed, Inc. does not undertake any obligation to republish revised onward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Metabolite Linked To Aggressive Prostate Cancer Discovered By Researchers

July 28th, 2009

Researchers from the University of Michigan Encompassing Cancer Center have identified a panel of small molecules, or metabolites, that appear to indicate hostile prostate cancer.

The finding could premier to a simple test that would help doctors detect which prostate cancers are hesitant-growing and which be missing unhesitating, aggressive treatment.

Results of the study rise in the Feb. 12 contend of Nature.

“One of the biggest challenges we allow in prostate cancer is determining if the cancer is bellicose. We end up overtreating our patients because physicians don’t identify which tumors determination be cautiously-growing. With this probing, we have identified a potential marker for the aggressive tumors,” says senior study author Arul Chinnaiyan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Michigan Center someone is concerned Translational Pathology and S.P. Hicks Endowed Professor of Pathology at the U-M Medical Creed.

The researchers looked at 1,126 metabolites across 262 samples of web, blood or urine associated with benign prostate combination, premature stage prostate cancer and advanced, or metastatic, prostate cancer. They mapped the alterations in metabolites and identified about 10 that were present more time after time in prostate cancer than in the sympathetic cells and were present most often in the advanced cancer samples.

“When we’re looking at metabolites, we’re looking very many steps beyond genes and proteins. It allows us to look very strongly at some of the functions of the cells and the biochemistry that occurs during cancer development,” says Chinnaiyan, a Howard Hughes Medical Pioneer investigator.

Individual metabolite in discrete, sarcosine, appeared to be one of the strongest indicators of advanced malady. Levels of sarcosine, an amino acid, were elevated in 79 percent of the metastatic prostate cancer samples and in 42 percent of the early stage cancer samples. Sarcosine was not found at all in the cancer-free samples.

In the study, sarcosine was a better incriminate in of advancing disease than the traditional prostate unambiguous antigen, or PSA, evaluation that is currently used to monitor or screen for prostate cancer. Sarcosine was detected in the urine, which has researchers hopeful that a simple urine examine could be used.

In addition, the researchers base that sarcosine is involved in the still and all pathways that are linked to cancer invasiveness. This suggests sarcosine as a potential target in the service of following deaden development.

“This scrutinize gets at characterizing the chemical complexity of a sample of blood. In the time to come, this science intention ride how doctors make treatment recommendations towards their patients,” says think over author Christopher Beecher, Ph.D., professor of pathology at the U-M Medical School.

Results are overture introduction at this in the matter of and will necessary years of further testing and increment ahead this technology would be available as a remedy for patients.

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original correspondents release.
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Prostate cancer statistics: 186,320 Americans will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and 28,660 last will and testament die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society

Additional authors: From the University of Michigan: Arun Sreekumar, Laila M. Poisson, Thekkelnaycke M. Rajendiran, Amjad P. Khan, Qi Cao, Jindan Yu, Bharathi Laxman, Rohit Mehra, Robert J. Lonigro, Yong Li, Mukesh K. Nyati, Aarif Ahsan, Shanker Kalyana-Sundaram, Bo Han, Xuhong Cao, Jaemun Byun, Gilbert S. Omenn, Subramaniam Pennathur, John T. Wei and Sooryanarayana Varambally. From Metabolon Inc.: Danny C. Alexander, Alvin Berger and Jeffrey R. Shuster. From Penn Situation University: Debashis Ghosh.

Funding: National Cancer Institute Early Detection Research Network, National Institutes of Health, an MTTC grant, the Burroughs Wellcome Understructure, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation

Disclosure: The University of Michigan has exclusively licensed all pending patents covering this technology to Metabolon, a company with expertise in discovering biomarkers using metabolomics. Beecher, Alexander, Shuster and Chinnaiyan own equity in Metabolon and Chinnaiyan serves on its Orderly Advisory Board. Beecher is a previous worker of Metabolon.

Reference: Description, Vol. 457, No. 7231, pp. 910-915, Metabolomic profiles delineate potential role for sarcosine in prostate cancer advancement

Resources:

U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, http://www.mcancer.org

Michigan Center because Translational Pathology, http://www.med.umich.edu/mctp

Fountain-head: Nicole Fawcett

University of Michigan Health System