Health and Medicine Week

Business Update - American Retirement Corporation cooperates in Medicare probe

Business & Finance - WebMD reports increased fourth quarter revenue

Business & Finance - South Dakota state agency gets more funds for anti-tobacco efforts

Business & Finance - Rhode Island Governor creates a central Office of Health and Human Services

Business & Finance - Pharmaceutical company makes significant strides in 2003

Business & Finance - Pharmaceutical company announces vitamin E contract

Business & Finance - Pharmaceutical company enters agreement to sell MVI product business

Business & Finance - Network of rehabilitation providers posts $162 million in national claims

Business & Finance - Montana coalition proposes increasing tobacco taxes

Business & Finance - Kaiser achieves operating margin of 3.9%, announces upgrades

Business & Finance - Genetic research planned at Cincinnati's new $115 million research facility

Business & Finance - Hawaiian insurer reports $10.8 million profit, but still pushes rate hike

Business & Finance - EPA awards contract for development of anthrax decontamination product

Business & Finance - Drug development services provider expands facility and increases credit line

Business & Finance - Drug development company announces reduced loan principal

Business & Finance - Company opens new sales office in India for SLICES and distribution of shares

Business & Finance - Dermatology company emerges from Chapter 11 protection with new owners

Business & Finance - Biosciences company updates stock plan, gets patent

Business & Finance - Cigarette tax discussed by Kentucky farmers, health advocates

Business & Finance - Audit criticizes Hawaii Health Department's financial practices

Breast Implants - Implant products receive full EU Class III medical device certification

Business & Finance - Antibody company files for initial public offering

Breast Cancer - Women with familial cancer risk understand risk of prophylactic mastectomy

Breast Cancer - Variance exists in confidant and breast cancer patient reports of QOL issues

Breast Cancer - Study: Self exam increases women's concerns, has no effect on mortality

Breast Cancer - Patients switched from tamoxifen to exemestane more likely to stay cancer-free

Breast Cancer - Radiologists with higher mammogram "recall rates" find more early cancers

Breast Cancer - Estrogen interacts with estrogen receptor and SP proteins to control VEGF

Breast Cancer - Fulvestrant gains E.U. marketing approval

Breast Cancer - Eating habits early in life may affect cancer risk

Breast Cancer - Black women in U.S. more likely to have delayed diagnosis, treatment

Brain Tumors - Soluble factors from glioblastoma cells can disrupt the blood-brain barrier

Brain Tumors - Proton therapy offers advantages for children with brain tumors, study shows

Brain Cancer - IL-2-activated NK cells enhance effect of tumor vaccine in brain cancer

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy - Projections of beef production drop following mad cow disease scare

Avian Influenza - Avian flu threat prompts poultry group to cancel banquet

Awards - Medical device company announces internationally received awards

Awards - Technology company receives award for pharmaceutical automated sales tool

Bacillus - Method to identify protease genes from B. thuringiensis developed

Bacteriology - Acyl-homoserine lactone binding in Vibrio fischeri is reversible

Bacteriology - YefM antitoxin family carries novel antibacterial target

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - Uroxatral marketed in U.S. for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Bioengineering - The biosurfactant MEL-A cultivates vigorous liposomal transfection

Bioprostheses - Mosaic and Freestyle porcine-tissue heart valves reintroduced in Japan

Biosecurity - HHS will lead effort to enhance bioterror research in "dual use" funding

Biotechnology - Peptide array used to identify Ang II inhibitory peptide

Biotechnology - SdFFF system aids study of PFC emulsion particle stability

Bioterrorism - NIOSH approves mask for protection from biological, chemical, and nuclear attack

Body Composition - A large-sample QTL study in mice examined body composition

Bone Loss - Low vitamin B-12 levels linked to bone loss in older women

Bone Tumors - Cross-pin fixation helps maintain the stability of endoprosthetic stems

Parkinson Disease - Disposition of 1,2,3,4,-tetrahydroisoquinoline in rat brain reported

Partner Abuse - Nurses urged to increase safety-promoting behaviors of abused women

Patents - Additional patent granted on phenotype microarray technology

Patents - Company receives third ISA247 patent

Patents - Donation of patents may accelerate new treatment for global health problem

Patents - Preliminary injunction relating to Tannate 12d S will delay initial shipments

Patents - Tissue engineering company announces approval of Canadian patent

Patient Monitoring - FDA clears monitoring system

Patient Privacy - Group testifies against creating database of the disabled

Patient Privacy - Minnesota senate panel blocks bill to repeal parental notice law

Patient Privacy - New Mexico hospital criticized for patient information handling

Patient Safety - Care of patients who transition across healthcare settings needs improvement

Pediatric Epidemiology - Community issues diminish the effects of IMCI on infant mortality in India

Pediatric HIV/AIDS - HLA-A2-restricted anti-Nef CD8 cell response limited in children

Pediatric Obesity - America's teens are growing up and out

Pediatric Obesity - Dairy, moderate fat, carbohydrate intakes reduce obesity in young teens

Pediatric Obesity - Problems controlling anger lead to weight gain for teens

Pediatrics - Clinical judgment as good as guidelines for treating febrile infants

Pediatrics - Most preterm infants in Brazil need preventive antimicrobials

Pelvic Cancer - Genitourinary complications of pelvic radiation therapy can be severe

Peripheral Neuropathy - Sensory impairments from peripheral neuropathy improve in Anodyne study

Personnel - Aetna chief financial officer joins ophthalmology company board of directors

Personnel - Andrew M. Clarkson and J. Kenneth Glass join board of men's health company

Personnel - Ashley Bush signs 10-year consultancy agreement with biotech firm

Personnel - Baptist Health System chairman resigns

Personnel - Biomaterials company announces new vice president of sales

Personnel - Bioscience company appoints new chairman

Personnel - Biotech company reports board changes, new governance structure

Personnel - Biotechnology company elects Eric H. Bjerkholt to board of directors

Personnel - Canadian biotech company announces CFO change

Personnel - Carroll named chief business officer at firm developing nanofluidic systems

Personnel - Chief financial officer John McCarthy leaves genomics firm

Personnel - Consumer health organization names new chairman of the board

Personnel - DNA-test provider appoints experts to its medical advisory board

Personnel - Daniel Wiens named executive VP of operations, MED3OOO Group, Inc.

Personnel - Device company names new board member

Personnel - Device firm names new members of management, board

Personnel - Drug-discovery company names new CEO

Personnel - Genomics company appoints Paulette Dillon chief business officer

Personnel - Genomics company appoints financial expert to board of directors

Personnel - Glycoprotein company makes development appointment, opens new office

Personnel - Healthcare company announces new member of board of directors

Personnel - Jacque J. Sokolov, MD, named to MedCath board

Personnel - Joseph C. Connors, general counsel, plans to leave company.

Personnel - Joseph Harris named to board of EndoVenous laser treatment maker

Personnel - Leon E. Rosenberg, MD, joins biopharma's board

Personnel - Medical device manufacturer appoints new medical director

Personnel - Medical investment company appoints new member to its board of directors

Personnel - Medical technology company elects new board member

Personnel - Montgomery named VP of business development at pharmaceutical firm

Personnel - Neonatologist to join Pediatrix as vice president, research and education

Personnel - New Center for Medicare Management administrator named

Personnel - New chief administrative officer named for South Pointe Hospital

Personnel - New leader named for Nebraska's Health and Human Services Department

Personnel - Northwestern Memorial names Patrick McCarthy as chief of cardiac surgery

Personnel - Obourn named senior VP at health insurance firm

Personnel - Papadopoulos named to board of directors at genomics firm

Personnel - Pharmaceutical company announces new members of scientific advisory board

Personnel - Pharmaceuticals company announces new scientific advisory board members

Personnel - Pharmacy benefits management company names new vice president, customer care

Personnel - Plattner named head of research at anti-infectives pharmaceutical firm

Personnel - Promotion, appointment of regulatory affairs post reported at drug firm

Personnel - Protein therapeutics company adds to senior management team

Personnel - Research-based startup names first chief executive officer

Personnel - Spitz named marketing and sales VP at drug delivery firm

Personnel - VitalWorks appoints new member to board of directors

Pharmaceutical & Drug Development - Intestinal solute carriers improve oral drug absorption

Pharmaceutical & Drug Development - Microwave accelerated oligonucleotide labeling expands research possibilities

Pharmaceutical & Drug Development - Peptide ester conjugates for ester prodrug stability developed

Phytohormone - Newly discovered 8-prenylnaringenin is a strong angiogenesis inhibitor

Prescription Drug Benefits - United Methodist Church offers discounts on prescription medications

Preventive Medicine - Panel discusses new "before-onset care" paradigm

Prion Disease - Fibroblast cell lines susceptible to TSE agents

Privacy Issues - Judge denies request for abortion records

Professional Training - Insurer announces $3 million in nurse training scholarships

Prostate Cancer - Active surveillance is a new management strategy for early prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer - Finasteride adversely affects the early diagnosis of prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer - Metastasis-associated protein 1 signals prostate cancer progression

Prostate Cancer - Misonix to distribute prostate cancer product in Europe

Prostate Cancer - Peptide vaccine helpful for HLA-A2-positive patients with prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer - Testing could better select patients for prostate-related radiation treatments

Prostate Cancer - VEGF plays a fundamental role in the promotion of osteoblastic metastasis

Protein Expression - Multi-affinity tag system to produce proteins in E. coli developed

Protein Mapping - Protein-protein interaction map of virulence-related genes published

Proteomics - Antithrombins suppress angiogenesis by down-regulating perlecan

Proteomics - Formin induces nucleation of actin filaments

Proteomics - Gene structure new member of Tieg family of proteins reported

Proteomics - Integrated lysis and affinity purification plates introduced

Proteomics - Ku86 deficiency reduces intrachromosomal homologous recombination

Proteomics - Tumor endothelial marker 8 interactions mediate tumor angiogenesis

Psychology - The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy is a reliable tool for assessing nurses

Public Health - AAA chief urges treating highway crashes as public heath epidemic

Public-Employee Health Insurance - Albuquerque city employees on military duty receive insurance warnings

Pulmonary Fibrosis - Study links lung disease with heart problems

Pulmonary Medicine - Excess placenta growth factor exacerbates pulmonary emphysema

Pulmonary Medicine - VEGF and proteolytic enzyme show a strong correlation with pleural effusions

Quality Assurance - Insurance complaints in Oregon for second year

Quality Assurance - STAT Care Inc. announces clinical software to reduce ER medical error risk

Quality Assurance - Stark differences in care revealed at top U.S. hospitals

Quality Assurance - Strategic alliance helps health plans monitor quality of network care

Radiation Therapy - Long-term risks of medical radiation often ignored

Radiology Resources - Cardiac imaging digital community launched

Rankings - Diagnostics company named best in people development by Training magazine

Rankings - MRI systems manufacturer named Boston area's fastest growing private company

Receptor Studies - G-protein coupled receptors in neuroendocrine pathways are oligomeric

Receptor Studies - ORL1 receptor modulation of calcium channels is agonist-independent

Regenerative Medicine - Interest in regenerative medicine heats up

Regulatory Issues - 'Certificate of Need' laws lead to improved patient outcomes for some procedures

Reimbursement - AMA panel agrees to establish Category I CPT code for Essure

Removable Stent - Stent maker receives regulatory clearance for benign indication

Renal Disease - HCV elicits abnormal immunology in a patient with kidney disease

Reproductive Biology - Finding refutes doctrine of a finite supply of eggs in mammals

Reproductive Medicine - Ovarian tissue transplant in monkey may hold promise for cancer survivors

Reproductive Medicine - Transcription factor required for lamina propria differentiation

Research Funding - Florida Governor approves $30 million for medical research

Respiratory Medicine - LTB4 promotes neutrophil recruitment to inflamed pleural space

Respiratory Therapy - Rotech Healthcare announces new agreements with Gentiva Health Services

Restenosis - FDA approval granted for Taxus Express2 paclitaxel-eluting stent system

Revision Hip Arthroplasty - Impacted cancellous graft added to cement in hip revision restores bone stock

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Lipid peroxidation decreased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatology - Interleukin gene therapy expands options for treating osteoarthritis

Rotavirus Vaccine - HIV-1 Tat peptide-rotavirus enterotoxin protein stimulates immune response

SARS - Company announces discovery of compound for the potential SARS treatment

SARS - Hong Kong health chief apologizes over SARS crisis handling

SARS - Hong Kong may drop some control measures against SARS

SARS - SARS without pneumonia could be common in outbreak areas

Schistosomiasis - IL-12 enhances immunity of Schistosoma mansoni fatty acid-binding protein

Schizophrenia - Brain model enhances understanding of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia - Impaired AKT1-GSK3 beta signaling plays role in schizophrenia

Sealant System - Trial completed on CryoSeal system in Japan

Sepsis - Inhibition of myocardial cytochrome C oxidase involved in sepsis

Sex Education - Health advocates rally against abstinence-only plan

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Patient demographics and provider differences affect abortion outcomes

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Pledging abstinence does not reduce teen STD rate, study finds

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Previous Chlamydia trachomatis infections adversely affect male fertility

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Research shows growing challenges in controlling STDs among gay and bisexual men

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Scientists defend government-funded sex health studies

Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Bush Administration weighs condom warning

Skin Cancer - Reconstructive surgery improves appearance, outcomes for patients

Skin Cancer - Topical celecoxib treatment can inhibit acute oxidative tissue damage

Sleep Apnea - New medical device company to focus on obstructive sleep apnea

Small-Cell Lung Cancer - Vinorelbine plus doxorubicin in relapsed small-cell lung cancer is highly toxic

Smallpox - Clinical trial of smallpox vaccines to be conducted in St. Louis

Smallpox - New inoculations show promise

Smallpox - Recommendations issued on development of drugs for vaccine side effects

Smoking Ban - New York health department studying effects of smoking ban on employees

Smoking Cessation - New drug helps smokers quit while limiting post-cessation weight gain

Spinal Surgery - Abington Memorial Hospital orthopedists testing new surgical materials

Spinal Surgery - Motor evoked potentials are improved by double-train electrical stimulation

Sports Medicine - Hormone supplement used by athletes may not increase testosterone

Staffing - MT Ultimate Healthcare signs with CABS Nursing Home

Staph Infections - Altastaph receives FDA fast track designation

State Medicaid - Budget tug-of-war threatens Medicaid program funding in Georgia

State Medicaid - Florida KidCare bill signed, removing 90,000 kids from waiting list

State Medicaid - Governor looks to university medical center to help reform TennCare

Stem-Cell Research - Endothelial progenitor cells are detected in infantile hemangioma

Stem-Cell Research - Four-color immunofluorescence enables mesenchymal stem cell identification

Stem-Cell Research - New human embryonic cell lines to be made available to researchers

Stem-Cell Research - OLIG2 inhibits astrocyte differentiation

Stem-Cell Research - Olfactory bulb neural stem cells lack hematopoietic potential

Stem-Cell Research - PU.1 supports proliferation of immature erythroid progenitors

Stem-Cell Research - SOCS3 negatively regulates granulopoiesis and G-CSF receptor signaling

Stem-Cell Research - TRAIL regulates erythroid maturation via ERK signaling

Stem-Cell Research - U.S. lawmakers want to ease stem cell research restrictions

Stem-Cell Research - Verotoxin and IFN-alpha have synergistic effect on erythropoiesis

Stem-Cell Transplantation - Fetal cytokine production during MLRs determined

Stem-Cell Transplantation - RIC SCT feasible for patients with advanced solid tumors

Stem-Cell Transplantation - Treosulfan-fludarabine conditioning regimen safe and effective

Stomach Ulcers - New 10-minute test for ulcer screening introduced

Stroke - Association tools help hospitals improve stroke care

Stroke - Early treatment confirmed as key to stroke recovery

Stroke - Folic acid fortification may have lowered stroke deaths

Stroke - Lack of awareness about stroke hinders use of life-saving drugs

Stroke - Neuroendovascular intervention shows promise for greater stroke patient outcomes

Stroke Epidemiology - Rural South Africa faces stroke crisis similar to affluent Western countries

Stroke Rehabilitation - Arm stimulation soon after stroke improves function years later

Substance Abuse - Inhalant abuse among younger children rising; new campaign announced

Surgery - Surgical training should be emphasized in gynecologic oncology fellowship

Thyroid Cancer - SAGE identifies genes that are differentially expressed in thyroid carcinoma

Thyroid Disease - Thyroid radiation doses "too high"

Tick-borne Disease - Antibodies to tick salivary antigens detected in patients from Spain

Tick-borne Disease - Cases of spotted fever rickettsioses in U.S. travelers summarized

Total Hip Arthroplasty - Alumina-on-alumina hip arthroplasty is effective in young patients

Total Hip Arthroplasty - Computer simulation improves preoperative planning for total hip replacement

Total Hip Arthroplasty - Fractures of ceramic bearings in total hip arthroplasty occur infrequently

Total Hip Arthroplasty - Large femoral canals and Type IV defects should not receive longer stems

Total Hip Arthroplasty - New, two-incision approach to total hip arthroplasty is described

Total Hip Arthroplasty - Stress shielding after porous-coated THA is not problematic

Total Hip Arthroplasty - The Charnley classification is the best predictor of THA long-term success

Total Joint Implants - One-dimensional porous hydroxyapatite is useful to evaluate bone ingrowth

Transfusion Medicine - Effects of cryopreservation on cord blood cell immunogenicity determined

Transplant Medicine - Depression is less common among married transplant recipients

Transplant Medicine - Living donor liver transplantations face technical challenges

Transplant Medicine - Mediastinal stiffening and chest wall scarring can restrict lung inflation

Transplant Medicine - Miniaturized heart pump for children approved by FDA

Transplant Medicine - New children's heart pump may save lives

Transplant Medicine - Percutaneous dilational tracheotomy is effective in solid-organ transplantation

Transplant Medicine - Study shows recipients' livers grow more than donors'

Transplant Medicine - Transplantation of tissues enhances quality of life in many patients

Tropical Medicine - Congenital Trypanosoma cruzi abounds in Bolivia despite reduced poverty

Tuberculosis - Biotechnology company licenses gene target identification technology

Tuberculosis - TB often underlies cervical lymphadenopathies in Mexican women

Tuberculosis - Tuberculosis cases increased in South Dakota in 2003

Tuberculosis - Unique proteins identified in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis Diagnostics - Bactec MGIT 960 provides accurate TB drug resistance profiles

Tuberculosis Enzymology - Structural features of M. tuberculosis AKmt identified

Tuberculosis Enzymology - Structure of M. tuberculosis RpiB characterized

Tuberculosis Epidemiology - Factors linked to TB clustering in Spain identified

Tuberculosis Pathogenesis - STAT1 plays key role in defense against pulmonary TB in mice

Tuberculosis Proteomics - Structure of M. tuberculosis MPT51 protein characterized

Tuberculosis Therapy - Fast-flow EPR spectroscopy enables observation of isoniazid hydrazyl radical

Tuberculosis Therapy - Location of M. tuberculosis KatG radical formation identified

Tuberculosis Vaccine - Prospects for new tuberculosis vaccines reviewed

Tumor Classification - New system combines molecular biology and classic pathology

Type 2 Diabetes Pathogenesis - Reducing oxidative stress improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Therapy - Protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor acts as antihyperglycemic agent

Urinary Incontinence - Bladder neck mobility increases the odds for post-pregnancy stress incontinence

Vaccine Development - Acetyl and phosphate groups quantified in vaccine polysaccharides

Vaccine Efficacy - Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine booster effective in adults

Vector Development - Expression of exogenous genes in Trypanosoma cruzi improved

Vector Development - Lentiviral vector encoding NY-ESO-1 induces effective CTL response

Vector Development - Silk-elastin-like hydrogels convey genes to human cancer cells

Veteran Care - Donation accepted to build veterans clinic in Sumter County, Florida

Virology - A new continuous nonradioactive assay monitors RNA polymerase activity

Virology - Harmless virus associated with longer life for some HIV-positive men

Virology - Human TT virus variants may be associated with pathology

Virology - Key steps optimize the propagation of gene deleted Sendai virus vectors

Virology - Two-step purification confirms that RNA viruses replicate within RNP complexes

Weight Loss - Doctor's statement reveals dark side of low-carb diets

Weight Reduction - Group calls for comprehensive solutions to help reduce obesity

West Nile Virus - U.S. CDC warns Oregon could be hit with West Nile this summer

West Nile Virus - Virus is blamed on hybrid mosquito

Women's Health - AHA responds to findings from Women's Health Initiative

Women's Health - Brazil announces health, domestic violence measures

Women's Health - Chemo improves survival after cryoreductive surgery for ovarian, peritoneal cancer

Women's Health - Genetics may play part in miscarriages

Women's Health - Rape exploits women's increased vulnerability to HIV infection

Wound Care - Skin substitutes and wound healing reviewed

siRNA Targeting - siGENOME siRNA targets entire human genome

Parainfluenza Vaccine - Parainfluenza type 3 vaccine safe and effective in children

Palliative Care - Hawaii house tables measure on 'death with dignity' proposal

Pain Medicine - Drug safe and effective for the elderly

Ovarian Cancer - Combo paclitaxel/carboplatin is effective as second-line ovarian cancer therapy

Osteoporosis - When combined, alendronate and HRT have no added benefit for gaining bone mass

Osteoporosis - Vertebral fractures are under-reported in elderly patients

Osteoporosis - Risedronate reduces nonvertebral fracture risk within 6 months of initiation

Osteoporosis - Premenopausal women show specific chromosomal links to bone mineral density

Osteoporosis - Research services company announces osteoporosis contract

Osteoporosis - MMP-9 gene changes associate with bone mineral density in men but not women

Osteoporosis - Hydrocortisone increases the differentiation rate of human osteoblasts

Osteoporosis - Fitness and nutrition programs can reduce osteoporosis risk, doctor advises

Osteoporosis - Estrogen receptor genotypes explain perimenopausal bone loss rates

Osteoporosis - Assessments of medieval bones show activity mitigates osteoporotic fracture

Osteomyelitis - Acceptable treatment failure rates of osteomyelitis in diabetes listed

Orthopedics - FDA clears new biologic bone paste

Osteoarthritis - Clinical study confirms efficacy of Lyprinol in treating osteoarthritis

Orthopedics - Body composition associates with type of hip fracture among elderly women

Organ Donation - HIV patients could donate organs to others with the virus under Illinois bill

Organ Donation - Regulatory group seeks to caution living organ donors

Ophthalmology - Study documents incidence of and risk factors for dry eye in older people

Ophthalmology - Biochemical inhibitors may be able to prevent diabetic retinopathy

Oncology - Signals for c-erbB-2 and VEGF combine to assess breast cancer prognosis

Oncology - MMP-9 promoter screening could discern the value of cancer gene therapy

Oncology - C-Myc inhibition shows the potential for treating liver cancer

Oncogenesis - Protein tyrosine phosphatase gamma is a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer

Oncogenes - Researchers find a protein that controls cell growth

Oligodontia - Missense mutation in PAX9 causes non-syndromic oligodontia

Obstetrics - The accuracy of reported preterm birth rates is questionable

Obstetrics - When lactation ends bones regenerate to prepare mothers for more reproduction

Obstetrics - Study finds abortion doesn't affect birth weight of future babies

Obstetrics - Mother-to-child transmissions of HTLV type I have fallen in Japan

Obstetrics - Fetal short femur length identifies babies at risk for skeletal dysplasias

Obesity Therapy - Web-based assessment tool targets bariatric surgery program analysis

Obesity Therapy - Exercise augments CB1-receptor inverse agonist effects on weight loss in mice

Obesity Therapy - 5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan suppresses food intake in stressed rats

Obesity Epidemiology - Prevalence of obesity in southeast Spain increasing

Obesity Epidemiology - Obesity, diet, and physical activity in college students assessed

Obesity - Women with weight problems earn 30% less

Obesity - Iowa Senator vows to make obesity-related issues a top legislative priority

Obesity - Obesity could top smoking as No. 1 cause of preventable death in the U.S.

Nutrition - Parents need to set example by eating more fruit and vegetables

Nutrition - McDonald's stops super sizing and everyone pays attention

Nutrition - FDA to consider petition for more extensive health claims for calcium

Nursing Practices - Delnor-Community Hospital wins "magnet" designation from ANA

Nutrition - FDA gives favorable review for OmegaTech DHA

Nuclear Medicine - Company announces commercial availability of lutetium, rhenium

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - p53 gene mutations are found in exhaled breath condensate of NSCLC patients

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - Pivotal trial initiated for Pixantrone

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - Diets high in fat and animal protein linked to increased risk of lymph cancer

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma - Long-term chemotherapy in children with NHL adversely affects teeth

Neurotoxin - Trimethyltin induces apoptosis via caspase activation in PC12 cells

Neuroscience - The symptoms of spinal cord infarction warrant caution in pregnant women

Neuroscience - Gender influences interhemispheric interconnectivity in the corpus callosum

Neuroscience - Erythropoietin cDNA protects rodent brains against hypoxia-ischemia

Neuroscience - A novel technique highlights the elements of early neuronal development

Neuroscience - Dopamine neurons mediate excitatory signals via glutamatergic synapses

Neurobiology - Neuroscience company raises $19.4 million in private equity financing

Myocardial Infarction - State-required continuing medical education does not affect heart attack care

Myocardial Infarction - State-required CME: No effect on heart attack care, boosts use of branded drugs

Myocardial Infarction - MCIP1 overexpression preserves post-infarction cardiac function

Myocardial Infarction - Hospitals following heart attack guidelines have better outcomes

Local Anesthetics - Company reports results of ENT-103 expanded preclinical testing

Lung Cancer - Adenovirus-mediated p53 expression uses other genes to stimulate apoptosis

Lung Cancer - Translational research seeks ways to avoid radiotherapy-induced lung toxicity

Lung Disease - EPA examines link between microwave popcorn and lung disease

Lupus Nephritis - New medicine offers hope to lupus patients with kidney disease

Lymphoid Cancer - European approval granted for once weekly NeoRecormon

Lymphoma Therapy - Post-SCT immunological recovery similar in CLL, NHL patients

Lymphoproliferative Disease - Reduced-intensity BEAM-alemtuzumab SCT effective

Macular Degeneration - Search for eye disease genes narrows

Macular Degeneration - Smoking linked to blindness

Malaria Drug Resistance - Crt and Mdr1 orthologues not involved in P. chabaudi chloroquine resistance

Malaria Therapy - ACT adherence low for pediatric patients in Zambia

Malaria Therapy - Mefloquine-artesunate effective for treating uncomplicated malaria

Malaria Transmission - No Plasmodium infection found in donated blood from Turkey

Male Pattern Baldness - Homspera deemed dermally nontoxic

Manufacturing Agreement - Ligand inks agreement for manufacturing and packaging of AVINZA

Market Analysis - Americans might be getting better deal on pharmaceuticals than Europeans

Market Analysis - Biotech was up nearly 2% in February

Market Analysis - Twenty-two year analysis shows overall media coverage of HIV/AIDS decreasing

Market Trends - Report: Key opinion leaders trend toward specialization

Medical Devices - Nonprofit medical device organization formed

Medical Errors - Analysis, biopsy of sarcomas should be done by experienced professionals

Medical Errors - New Mexico doctors face license loss

Medical Errors - Patients may have received wrong results for HIV, hepatitis tests

Medical Errors - Talking chips invented for prescription bottles

Medical Ethics - Research ethics and placebo use debated

Medical Malpractice - Chiropractor sentenced to 18 months in prison for patient death

Medical Malpractice - Debate over limiting jury awards comes to Pennsylvania Senate

Medical Malpractice - Doctor suspended after allegedly showing up for surgery drunk

Medical Malpractice - Insurer to leave Wyoming

Medical Malpractice - Pennsylvania Senate approves bill to cap liability awards

Medical Malpractice - Pennsylvania doctor convicted in drugs-for-sex trial

Medical Malpractice - Prosecutors say dentist performed unnecessary surgery

Medicare - Florida doctor convicted of fraud

Medicare - Health insurance plans moving forward on drug discount card for beneficiaries

Medication - Doctors say take medication with milk when food is unavailable

Medulloblastoma - ERBB2 protein might identify medulloblastoma patients resistant to treatment

Menopausal Symptoms - Research validates efficacy of herbal remedy MenoCare

Menopause - Many variables affect hair thickness and its other properties in aging women

Menopause - Ovarian failure changes reproductive mechanisms, not energy balance

Menstruation - Prostacyclin plays a pivotal role in normal and dysfunctional menstruation

Mental Health - Child soldiers are the subject of study on hidden trauma

Mental Health - Judge approves murderer's release from Wisconsin mental health facility

Mental Health - Maine's court master says courts should no longer manage psychiatric facilities

Mental Health - Mental healthcare accreditation debated in Louisiana

Mental Health - Missouri Governor signs bill to improve mental health care for kids

Mental Health - Oregon settlement sends 69 patients home from mental hospital

Mergers & Acquisitions - Amedisys finalizes deal to purchase home care agencies from Tenet

Mergers & Acquisitions - Analytical technology company completes acquisition of NuGenesis Technologies

Mergers & Acquisitions - Anthem-WellPoint merger wouldn't hurt consumers, regulators say

Mergers & Acquisitions - Assets of Hematronix purchased by diagnostics services company

Mergers & Acquisitions - Assets of biotech firm involved in immune regulation, hepatitis acquired

Mergers & Acquisitions - Attentus Healthcare reiterates interest in acquisition of SunLink

Mergers & Acquisitions - Biotech company initiates mergers and acquisitions plan for cord blood bank

Mergers & Acquisitions - Cancer therapy systems manufacturer to acquire medical software supplier assets

Mergers & Acquisitions - Equity interest taken in Detekt Biomedical

Mergers & Acquisitions - Fisher completes acquisition, expands its portfolio of proprietary products

Mergers & Acquisitions - Holding company acquires Skyline Orthopedics, Inc.

Mergers & Acquisitions - Invacare acquires California seating-products maker

Mergers & Acquisitions - LabOne completes acquisition of Northwest Toxicology

Mergers & Acquisitions - Molina Healthcare to acquire Health Care Horizons in New Mexico

Mergers & Acquisitions - MultiPlan closes acquisition of BCE Emergis U.S. provider network operations

Mergers & Acquisitions - National Health Services, Inc., acquisition completed

Mergers & Acquisitions - Neutron Enterprises, Inc., completes merger; retains legal, accounting firms

Mergers & Acquisitions - Pure Encapsulations acquired for $50 million in cash

Mergers & Acquisitions - RehabCare Group, Inc., announces acquisitions

Mergers & Acquisitions - Respiratory products developer announces acquisition

Mergers & Acquisitions - SHPS Holdings, Inc., and Landacorp, Inc., sign merger agreement

Metastatic Breast Cancer - CNS metastases from breast cancer can occur after trastuzumab treatment

Migraine - Off-label use of drug gives children relief

Military Health - Report says U.S. Defense Department failed to bill private insurers for millions

Mitral Regurgitation - Clip device accomplishes endovascular, nonsurgical repair of faulty heart valve

Molecular Biology - Microchambers and interconnecting plumbing automate the gene isolation

Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia - Parathyroidectomy is needed to prevent recurrent hyperparathyroidism in MEN 1

Multiple Sclerosis - Stress of losing a child increases risk of MS

Myelodysplastic Syndrome - Protein 4.1 deficiency linked to acquired elliptocytosis

Myelodysplastic Syndrome - Revlimid receives orphan drug designation by the European Commission

Myocardial Infarction - Beta blockers usage low despite insurance

Myocardial Infarction - Community hospitals do not transfer high-risk heart patients for aggressive therapy

Myocardial Infarction - Emory researchers find race and gender gaps in treatment of heart attack

Myocardial Infarction - Following care guidelines reduces risk of death within 1 year of heart attack

Attention Deficit Disorder - Better driving by teens with ADHD may be due Concerta

Atrial Fibrillation - Studies reinforce potential benefits of new stroke-prevention drug

Atherosclerosis - Progenitor cells predict heart disease severity

Asthma - Inhaled steroid therapy does not reduce fetal growth

Atherosclerosis - Endothelial catalase overexpression attenuates oxidant-mediated injury

Assisted Reproduction - Study to explore use of PGD in lowering multiple birth rates

Artificial Blood - Progress in development of blood substitutes reported

Arterial Blockage - AccuMist Stent Coating System sales announced

Arrhythmias - New technique tracks irregular heartbeats

Arrhythmias - World Trade Center attack linked to rise in irregular heartbeats in Florida patients

Arrhythmias - Implanted defibrillators not covered for patients who could benefit

Antibiotics - Partnership to develop novel formulation of amoxicillin

Antibacterials - FDA approves Cecure anti-bacterial spray for poultry

Antibiotics - Major determinants of activity of antibiotic peptide described

Anthrax Vaccine - Phase I clinical trial results of anthrax vaccine candidate reported

Anthrax Vaccine - FDA-licensed anthrax vaccine supplied to Taiwan

Angiotensin - Angiotensin II attenuates caspase-3 activation in cortical neurons

Angioplasty - Drug-coated stents aid heart procedure

Angiology - Polymorphism in gene promoter linked to increased bilirubin and HDL levels

Anemia - Detecting vitamin B12 deficiency prevents anemia and memory loss

Angiology - Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is needed for revascularization after ischemic injury

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Studies support role of glutamate, RNA processing in muscle-wasting disease

Alzheimer Disease - Vaccine shows promise in animal model

Alzheimer Disease - Physiological role of beta-amyloid peptide explains Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer Disease - New study shows need for quick Alzheimer test

Alzheimer Disease - Common bacteria linked to brain disease

Alzheimer Disease - ACE gene polymorphism linked to damage in Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer Disease - A-beta antibody levels not changed in patients with Alzheimer disease

Allergy Medicine - Phase II/III trial initiated for ragweed allergy immunotherapy

Allergy Medicine - Increased thrombin activity occurs after allergen challenge

Alcoholism - Babies born to alcoholic mothers may suffer permanent nerve damage

Alcoholism - Alcoholism and obesity may involve overlapping neuropeptide pathways

Adolescent Health - Teens taking home pregnancy tests may be hoping for baby

Age-Related Macular Degeneration - Macugen data presented at Aspen Retinal Detachment Society meeting

Adolescent Health - Study links teens' "sense of self" to alcohol, drug use, and sex

Adolescent Health - Six states plan anti-huffing program for teens that get high on inhalants

Adipose Tissue - Preadipose cell changes into smooth muscle-like cells investigated

Addiction Medicine - Women, drinkers, and older people are at risk for prescription drug misuse

Adipose Tissue - Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists increase apoptosis of adipose tissue

Addiction Medicine - Study: Alcohol treatment meds, behavioral therapy effective for cocaine addiction

Addiction Medicine - GABA_B receptor agonists exert bidirectional effects on dopamine

Acute Coronary Syndrome - Analysis from TACTICS-TIMI 18 trial published

Actinic Keratosis - FDA approval granted for immune response modifier for precancerous skin lesions

Abortion - Ultrasounds are advised for all women who request pregnancy termination

Abortion - Florida senate panel okays parental notice measure for minors seeking abortions

Abortion - Judge orders University of Michigan to turn over abortion records

Nutrition - Will an apple a day keep the doctor away?

Geriatrics - Tai chi training may help reduce falls in the elderly

Cognitive Function - Evidence suggests that the brain can switch to "automatic pilot" during learning

Angina - Daily aerobic activity treats chest pain, at half the cost of stenting

Sleep Apnea - "White coat hypertension" common among sleep apnea patients

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder - Losing consciousness can stop you from getting PTSD

Pediatric Obesity - Metabolic "footprint" may be new measure of heart risk in obese kids