Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles
Benefits Of Grapefruit

AAMC/HHMI Committee Defines Scientific Competencies For Future Physicians
A new report, issued by an expert committee convened by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), for the first time defines scientific competencies for future medical school graduates and for undergraduate students who want to pursue a career in medicine.
generic viagra online
How Genetics Influences Humans When Choosing A Mate
New light has been thrown on how humans choose their partners, a scientist told the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics on May 25. Professor Maria da GraÃýa Bicalho, head of the Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility Laboratory at the University of Parana, Brazil, says that her research had shown that people with diverse major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) were more likely to choose each other as mates than those whose MHCs were similar, and that this was likely to be an evolutionary strategy to ensure healthy reproduction.
News of the day
Reducing Gasoline Emissions Will Benefit Human Health
President Barack Obama and Energy Secretary Steve Chu are consistent in their message that when it comes to transportation fuels, carbon-neutral biofuels as an alternative to gasoline are coming. While the focus of a shift from gasoline to biofuels has been on global warming, such a shift could also impact human health. A grant from the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) has produced a novel and comprehensive "Life Cycle Impact Assessment" to measure the benefits on human health that might result from a switch to biofuels. Although there are a number of uncertainties that must be addressed for a more accurate picture, these early results show that a biofuel eliminating even 10-percent of current gasoline pollutant emissions would have a substantial impact on human health in this country, especially in urban areas.
Oncology

Additional Phase II Data Demonstrate Improvement In Reported Symptoms In Patients Who Still Experience GERD Symptoms Despite PPI Therapy

Adding AZD3355, a novel GABAB receptor agonist, to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), resulted in a 35% reduction in the mean total number of reflux episodes 0-24 hours after dose, compared with placebo.[i] These data were presented at the Digestive Diseases Week annual meeting (DDW®, 30 May - 4 June, Chicago). Additional data from a proof of concept study also reported that add-on treatment with AZD3355 to a PPI resulted in a higher proportion of reported symptom free days for heartburn (36 percent vs 21%) and regurgitation (37percent vs 23 percent) in patients with persistent symptoms despite daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.[ii] The most common adverse events occurring with an incidence 牥6 percent in any group were diarrhea, paraesthesia, nausea and fatigue. ii GERD develops as a result of stomach contents refluxing into the esophagus causing troublesome symptoms and/or complications.[iii],[iv] The recommended treatment for GERD is PPI therapy. However, clinical studies have found that 20-30% of the patients still have persistent symptoms while taking a PPI.[v] Reflux symptoms occur mainly when the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) (located between the stomach and the esophagus) relaxes in the absence of swallowing, known as Transient Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxations (TLESRs), and causes reflux of stomach contents.[vi],[vii],[viii],[ix] As a GABAB receptor agonist, AZD3355 targets the LES to decrease reflux episodes. x, xi, xii Guy Boeckxstaens, Professor of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Leuven, Belgium said: "PPIs are the cornerstone of therapy for GERD patients, however there are many patients who still experience persistent, recurring symptoms, despite PPI treatment. Research and innovation to address the pathophysiology of reflux are important in order to find other treatment options besides PPIs to address the unmet need in this patient group." Data from a study on healthy volunteers presented today showed that AZD3355 reduced the mean number on TLESRs by 36% compared to placebo.xiii In addition, AZD3355 significantly increased LES pressure, reduced esophageal acid exposure and proximal reflux events when used as add-on treatment to a PPI in patients with GERD with symptoms despite PPI therapy.i The findings provide proof of concept of AZD3355 and a direction for further development of the drug.ii About Digestive Diseases Week DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 30 - June 4, 2009, at the McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. For more information, visit http://www.ddw.org. 瀃 References [i] Boeckxstaens, G. Effect of AZD3355, a Novel GABAB Agonist, on Reflux and Lower Esophageal Sphincter Function in Patients With GERD With Symptoms Despite Proton Pump Inhibitor Treatment. Data to be presented at Digestive Diseases Week 2009 - Poster M1861 [ii] Boeckxstaens, G. Efficacy and Tolerability of the Novel Reflux Inhibitor, AZD3355, as Add-on Treatment in GERD Patients with Symptoms Despite Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy. Data to be presented at Digestive Diseases Week 2009 - Poster M1875 [iii] Vakil N, Van Zanten SV, Kahrilas P, Dent J, Jones R and the Global Consensus Group. The Montreal Definition and classification of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a global evidence-based consensus. Am J Gastroenterol 2006;101:1900-20. [iv] Malfertheiner P, Hallerb÷¤ck B. Clinical manifestations and complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Int J Clin Pract 2005; 59:346࿽࿽"55. [v] Fass R, Drugs 2007; 67: 1521-30 [vi] Kahrlias PJ, Shi G. Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: the antireflux barrier and luminal clearance mechanisms. In Orlando RC. ed Gastroesophageal reflux disease. New York: Marcel Dekker. 2000. 137-64. [vii] Mittal RK, Balaban DH. The esophagogastric junction. N Engl J Med. 1997.336: 924-32. [viii] Dodds WJ, Dent J, Hogan WJ, et al. Mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with reflux esophagitis. N Engl J Med. 1982. 307: 1547-52. [ix] Dent J, Dods WJ, Friedman RH, et al. Mechanism of gastroesophageal reflux in recumbent asymptomatic human subjects. J Clin Invest. 1980. 65: 256-67. F [x] Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L. Effect of acute and chronic administrations of the GABAB agonist baclofen on 24 hours pH metry and symptoms in control subjects and in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Gut 2003;52:464-470. [xi] Boeckxstaens GE, Tytget GNJ: More pathophysiologically oriented treatment of GORD? Lancet 2002, 359:1267-1268. [xii] Hirsch DP, Tytgat GNJ, Boeckzstaens GEE: Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations: a pharmacological target for gastroesophageal reflux disease [review]. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2002, 16:17-26. [xiii] Boeckxstaens, G, Rydholm, H, Adler J, Ruth, M. Effect of AZD3355, a Novel GABAb Receptor Agonist, on Transient Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxations in Healthy Subjects. Data to be presented at Digestive Diseases Week 2009 - oral presentation 772 AstraZeneca


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009