Early osteoarthritis diagnosis

INSTITUTE

The world's first cheap cholera vaccine has been approved in India, a move that opens that way for global use, says the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).

The new vaccine, costs about $1 per dose, compared to the existing internationally licensed oral vaccine that can cost up to $18 a dose, Agence France Presse reported.

The new vaccine was tested in India, and initial results showed it provided significant protection against cholera, which claims an estimated 120,000 lives a year.

"The use of safe and effective cholera vaccines in cholera-endemic areas could lead to a significant and rapid decline in cholera incidence and, ultimately, to its control worldwide," said John Clemens, director-general of the IVI, AFP reported.

Published in MedicineNet.com

April 20, 2009

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(4) LOW-CALORIE DIET CAN INFLUENCE LIFESPAN: STUDY

A low-calorie diet can affect two genes in a way that increases lifespan, suggest U.S. researchers, who studied the gene TOR in tiny roundworms called C. elegans. TOR regulates cell growth and plays a role in the development of cancer.

A loss of TOR has been shown to slow aging in C. elegans, which shares similar genetics to humans.

"Our work with C. elegans reveals that TOR depends on a second gene called pha4/FoxA to control the aging process," said study co-author Susan Mango of the University of Utah, United Press International reported.

Mango and colleagues also found that an abundance of food increases TOR activity, which decreases the action of pha4/FoxA and results in a shorter lifespan.

Published in MedicineNet.com

September 22, 2008

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(5) GROUP WANTS NEW TERM FOR SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME

Instead of "shaken baby syndrome," doctors should use the term "abusive head trauma," says a new American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement.

The group said the new diagnostic term is a more comprehensive diagnosis for brain, skull and spinal injuries caused by severe shaking and other forms of abuse, the Associated Press reported.

The new term should be used in medical records, and it may provide more clarity in legal cases, the academy said in the new policy statement, which is being published in the May issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Physicians should watch for signs of head trauma in infants that could be caused by abusive shaking and need to teach parents safe ways to calm upset babies and how to avoid shaking, the policy recommends, the AP reported.

Published in MedicineNet.com

April 28, 2009

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(6) NEW TECHNIQUE MAY PROVIDE

EARLY OSTEOARTHRITIS DIAGNOSIS

A minimally invasive microscopic technique could provide an early diagnosis of osteoarthritis so that patients can take steps to protect their cartilage, Swiss researchers say.

Their experimental "atomic force microscope" involves tapping on the surface of a joint with a tiny tip that responds to stiffness. This technique could give up to six months of warning to people prone to the disease, Agence France Presse reported.

There are no treatments to slow or stop cartilage loss in people with osteoarthritis, caused by an erosion of the cartilage between joints and a decrease in the fluid that lubricates joints. But the researchers said an early diagnosis of the disease would enable patients to begin cartilage-conserving measures such as exercising or losing weight, AFP reported.

Published in MedicineNet.com

February 2, 2009

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(7)TRIALS TEST STEM CELL TREATMENTS

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