The GP leading on swine flu for the BMA has told Pulse the planned vaccination campaign will be delayed by ‘at least six weeks’. Such a delay would ruin the Government’s plans of having the first doses of swine flu vaccine available by the end of August. Instead, the vaccine would not become available until October at the earliest – when a major surge of swine flu cases is expected.

Dr Peter Holden, lead GP negotiator on swine flu for the BMA, told Pulse lengthy delays would be inevitable because of the logistical nightmare of trying to run two different flu vaccine campaigns at once.

The problem has been compounded because of the lack of crossover between the seasonal and swine flu priority groups – as revealed by Pulse last week – limiting the potential for combined flu clinics.

Dr Holden said: ‘We will be negotiating on the assumption that in patients eligible for seasonal and swine flu vaccines, one of the swine flu doses will be given at the same time.

‘But the August prediction is far too optimistic. I don’t think we will have confidence to deliver both vaccination campaigns until at least six weeks later.’

Dr Holden’s comments suggest the seasonal flu campaign, which normally begins in September, could also face delay.

He advised GPs to begin cleaning patient lists and clearing fridge space to ensure they were as prepared as possible for the huge workload of two different vaccine campaigns.

But GPs warned they could be overwhelmed once the two vaccination campaigns began.

Dr James Larcombe, a GP in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, said: ‘We’ll have to be careful to ensure quality of care doesn’t suffer – the chances are we’ll miss some QOF targets [for treating chronic illness].’

Richard Hoey, editor of Pulse, said: ‘Part of the problem GPs face is a complete lack of information from the Government about when the swine flu vaccine will be available, exactly who will be getting it and what resources will be available to support its delivery.

‘In theory GPs will be leading on a major vaccination campaign in just a matter of weeks, but there is a complete information vacuum and therefore no opportunity for planning. In those circumstances Dr Holden is surely right – a delay must be absolutely inevitable.’

Source
Pulse

Research published by the BMJ suggests that taking newer antipsychotic drugs could increase the chances of developing dangerous blood clots.

This large and important study adds to the growing body of evidence which suggests antipsychotic drugs increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and adds significantly to understanding of the serious detrimental effects of antipsychotics to the health of people with dementia. Researchers from the University of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire County Teaching Primary Care Trust studied 25,532 eligible cases (15,975 with deep vein thrombosis and 9,557 with pulmonary embolism) recorded between 1996 and 2007 in people aged between 16 and 100.

Alzheimer’s Society comment:

‘Alzheimer’s Society believes, beyond a shadow of a doubt that antipsychotic drugs should only ever be used as a last resort for people with dementia.’

‘The massive over-prescription of antipsychotics to people with dementia leads to an estimated 1,800 deaths a year – this must end. These drugs double the risk of death, triple the risk of stroke and accelerate cognitive decline. The drugs also have a profound effect on quality of life, leaving people heavily sedated.’

‘Training staff in dementia care can increase their understanding of the condition and eliminate the need for antipsychotics. Training must be made an immediate priority. It also is of paramount importance to develop safe alternative treatments for distressing behavioural symptoms in people with dementia.’

Professor Clive Ballard

Director of Research

Source:

Alzheimer’s Society

Lack of adequate sleep can lead to increased injuries among preschool children, new research shows. This study published in Public Health Nursing shows that the average number of injuries during the preschool years is two times higher for children who don’t get enough sleep each day as described by their mothers.

Each year approximately 20-25 percent of all children in the United States sustain injuries that require medical attention. Childhood injury is one of the 10 Leading Health Indicators being tracked over the next 10 years by the U.S. Public Health Service.

Christina Koulouglioti, Ph.D., R.N., and colleagues, Dr Rle & Dr H.Kitzman, of the University of Rochester School of Nursing collected data from nearly 300 mothers and their preschool children over the course of 2 ВЅ years. Mothers reported on their child’s sleep, and data on injuries were collected through self-report and medical records. The study was funded by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.

The study found a direct negative relationship between children’s sleep and injuries. Children who get an adequate amount of sleep sustain fewer injuries. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children three to six years of age get 11 hours or more of sleep a day.

The increased risk of injuries associated with inadequate sleep was significant even after taking into account factors including maternal age, education, and the child’s temperament. The ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of participants shows the relevancy of this issue across different backgrounds.

“The results of our study have significant implications for the prevention of injuries,” Koulouglioti concludes. “The findings provide additional support for the essential role of poor sleep as a risk factor for injuries among preschool children.”

###

This study is published in the March/April 2008 issue of Public Health Nursing.

Christina Koulouglioti, PhD, RN, is affiliated with the School of Nursing at the University of Rochester.

Public Health Nursing publishes empirical research reports, program evaluations, and case reports focused on populations at risk across the lifespan. The journal also prints articles related to developments in practice, education of public health nurses, theory development, methodological innovations, legal, ethical, and public policy issues in public health, and the history of public health nursing throughout the world.

Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with Wiley’s Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on Wiley-Blackwell, please visit blackwellpublishing/ or interscience.wiley/.

Source: Amy Molnar

Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

UroToday – This study sought to compare survival in a prospective randomized trial of radiotherapy (XRT) alone vs. XRT with 6 months of ADT. 206 men were accrued and randomized. They all had at least one unfavorable-risk factor. 70 Gy of XRT was given. The lymph nodes were not treated. ADT was 2 months prior, during and 2 months after XRT. Salvage ADT was given for a PSA >10ng/ml. The study compliance was very high, but 29% had the antiandrogen held primarily due to hepatic or GI toxicity. The median PSA was 11ng/ml and 73% had Gleason 7 or higher. Thus it is a mix of intermediate and high-risk patients.

The PCSM difference was 10%, favoring combined therapy. Overall survival was favored by 13%. Most patients in the study had only mild comorbidity. A history of MI was the reason for moderate or severe comorbidity in 25%. At 8 years, there is a 26% overall survival benefit if the patient had only mild comorbidities. In moderate or severe comorbidities, there was a worse overall survival by 29% if they received XRT and ADT. This surprising result suggests that sicker patients had interaction of ADT with their existing comorbidities (such as coronary artery disease) to result in worse survival. He suggested that future studies should include a pre-treatment comorbidity randomization strategy.

Presented by A. V. D’Amico at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) – 2008 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium – A Multidisciplinary Approach – February 14-16, 2008 San Francisco, California, USA

Reported by UroToday Contributing Editor Christopher P. Evans, MD, FACS Professor & Chairman Department of Urology University of California, Davis, School of Medicine Sacramento, CA

UroToday – the only urology website with original content global urology key opinion leaders actively engaged in clinical practice.

To access the latest urology news releases from UroToday, go to:
www.urotoday

—————————-
Copyright © 2007 – UroToday
Reproduced for blog with permission of UroToday.
—————————-

Joppel Corp. announced today the launch of its powerful Medicare-plan search tool for consumers. The Web-based application, available at Joppel, is a free tool designed to search Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) health plans simultaneously from all insurance carriers to match consumers to the plan that fits their coverage needs. During the search process, consumers can invite up to four co-browsers for assistance. Joppel is a California corporation founded by shareholders from the nation’s leading senior health organizations.

Choosing a health care plan is considered one of the most important and difficult health-care decisions consumers make. At age 65, many retirees shift from employer-enrolled plans to self-enrolled Medicare plans. Turning 65 at a rate of 5,500 per day, these newcomers join a cohort of more than 40-million seniors shopping for the right insurance plan for the coming year.

Today, it is a crowded, confusing marketplace. Approved carriers offer thousands of Medicare plans, each consumer is eligible for dozens of plans, and for many consumers, plans must be selected in a compressed six-week time frame to avoid penalties.

“Joppel is the first of its kind,” said Joppel CEO Kathy Feeny. “It’s a tool for consumers and caregivers that breaks down barriers to understanding Medicare plans and their costs. It narrows the field from hundreds to a handful of plans. At Joppel, consumers can compare plans from any carrier, talk to each other during the process, and confidently select the right combination of coverage and costs.” Feeny is a former senior leader from SecureHorizons, the largest Medicare provider in the United States.

Consumers are in the process of selecting Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plans for 2009 now. The enrollment period for 2009 plans is November 15 through December 31, 2008.

“Seniors shouldn’t have to worry about health care coverage. Joppel makes it easy for seniors and their advocates by leading them through a series of questions that matches them to the right plan every time,” said Feeny.

About Joppel

Joppel is a consumer-oriented search tool that matches consumer criteria to appropriate benefit plans from all carriers. Joppel allows consumers to enter their cost tolerance for premiums, copays and deductibles and to view up to three plans at a time in a side-by-side view. Joppel was created through collaboration of experts in senior health care, e-commerce and usability design.

Abstract:

Leaders from senior health insurance companies today launched Joppel, a powerful Medicare-plan search tool for consumers. The Web-based application is a free tool designed to match consumers to Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) health plans.

Joppel Corp.

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSIR) announced that it has achieved $2 million in milestone payments from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for progress made on a Phase II clinical trial evaluating Prochymal, a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, for patients recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The payments were triggered when Osiris accomplished certain clinical and regulatory milestones including initiating patient treatments.

“Due to the long-term effects of type 1 diabetes, there is a critical need to develop more effective therapies,” said Jay S. Skyler, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami. “Our ultimate goal with this research is to develop a treatment that we could give a patient at the onset to safely halt progression of the disease and preserve enough islet cell function to avoid the need for insulin administration all together.”

Type 1 diabetes is a disorder where a patient’s own immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas, resulting in the loss of control of blood sugar. Currently, there are no approved treatments for preventing the progression of the disease. Preclinical studies suggest MSCs have the ability to delay the progression of type 1 diabetes. In human clinical trials Prochymal has already show great promise for treating Graft vs. Host disease (GvHD) and Crohn’s disease, both severe immune-mediated diseases. Prochymal is currently in Phase III trials for both disease and has been given Fast Track status by the Food and Drug Administration.

“Because Prochymal has been shown to home to sites of inflammation and inhibit immune system attack in other disease states, we are very excited about evaluating its potential to alter the course of this debilitating condition,” said Kashif Latif, M.D., Medical Director of the AM Diabetes and Endocrinology Center and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. “Our treatment of the first patient in this landmark trial is an important step towards examining the long-term therapeutic benefit of Prochymal for the improvement of pancreatic insulin production.”

For more information about the trial and how to participate, please visit the Osiris website at Osiris.

About the Phase II Type 1 Diabetes Trial

The Phase II trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of Prochymal in preserving insulin production in patients 18-30 years old recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The design is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial with a target enrollment of 60 patients. The primary endpoint of the trial will be the measurement of C-peptide produced after glucose stimulation. This test is frequently used in diabetic patients to assess the pancreas’ ability to produce insulin. Patients will be followed for safety and efficacy for a total of 2 years.

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease which strikes suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in FY2007. In FY2007, the Foundation funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries.

About Osiris Therapeutics

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. is a leading stem cell therapeutic company focused on developing and marketing products to treat medical conditions in the inflammatory, orthopedic and cardiovascular areas. Osiris currently markets and sells Osteocel for regenerating bone in orthopedic indications. Prochymal is being evaluated in Phase III clinical trials for three indications, including acute and steroid refractory Graft versus Host Disease and also Crohn’s disease, and is the only stem cell therapeutic currently designated by FDA as both an Orphan Drug and Fast Track product. Osiris also has partnered with Genzyme Corporation to develop Prochymal as a medical countermeasure to nuclear terrorism and other radiological emergencies. Prochymal is also being developed for the repair of heart tissue following a heart attack, the protection of pancreatic islet cells in patients with type 1 diabetes, and the repair of lung tissue in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Company’s pipeline of internally developed biologic drug candidates under evaluation also includes Chondrogen for arthritis in the knee. Osiris is a fully integrated company, having developed capabilities in research, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of stem cell products. Osiris has developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect the company’s technology including 47 U.S. patents each having one or more foreign counterparts. Osiris, Prochymal, Chondrogen and Osteocel are registered trademarks of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. More information can be found on the company’s website, Osiris. (OSIR-G)

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: our product development efforts; our clinical trials and anticipated regulatory requirements; the success of our product candidates in development; status of the regulatory process for our biologic drug candidates; implementation of our corporate strategy; our financial performance; our product research and development activities and projected expenditures, including our anticipated timeline and clinical strategy for MSCs and biologic drug candidates; our cash needs; patents and proprietary rights; ability of our potential products to treat disease; our plans for sales and marketing; our plans regarding our facilities; types of regulatory frameworks we expect will be applicable to our potential products; and results of our scientific research. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Osiris Therapeutics

Data published in the April 2004 issue of Urology supports long-term use of AVODART in men with symptomatic BPH and an enlarged prostate.

New clinical study findings showed that men with symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, taking AVODART for four years had sustained, long-term improvement in three major markers of BPH — urinary symptoms, urinary flow rates and prostate volume reduction. AVODART is the first and only dual 5alpha-reductase (5AR) inhibitor approved for the treatment of BPH.

The new data, published in the April 2004 issue of Urology, are the pooled results from two recent US phase III multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of two year duration with a two year open-label extension.

Men taking AVODART for all four years experienced a significant improvement in urinary symptoms (mean of 6.1 point reduction in American Urological Association – Symptom Index (AUA-SI)) as well as significant prostate volume reduction (26.2 percent compared to baseline).

Men treated with two years of placebo followed by two years of AVODART experienced an average symptom improvement of 5.3 points on the AUA-SI and a 20.7 percent prostate volume reduction compared to baseline.

“Physicians now have compelling evidence that long-term use of AVODART in men with BPH provides meaningful, sustained and significant symptom improvements,” said Claus Roehrborn, MD, the principal trial investigator, professor and chairman of the Department of Urology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

“BPH is a prevalent and progressive disease. This study demonstrates that AVODART effectively improves symptoms, reduces the volume of the prostate and arrests the disease process.”

A total of 2,802 men were randomized into the double-blind phase of the two studies; 1,908 completed the two year double-blind portion. In the open-label phase, 1,570 subjects were enrolled, 778 of whom previously received placebo, and 792 who previously received AVODART. Overall, 569 subjects received AVODART for 4 years. (1)

“The improvements compared to baseline demonstrate the ability of AVODART to help ease the symptoms of BPH, which can help improve the quality of life for the patient,” commented Dr. Roehrborn.

Additionally, long-term treatment resulted in a low incidence of drug-related side effects. The incidence of drug-related side effects decreased with duration of treatment. In year four, the most frequently observed drug-related side effects for men treated with AVODART for four years were: gynecomastia (breast enlargement and breast tenderness) (1%); impotence (0.4%); ejaculation disorders (0.1%).

About AVODART

AVODART, the first and only dual 5ARI for the treatment of BPH, inhibits both the type I and type II isoenzymes responsible for the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary male hormone responsible for the enlargement of the prostate. AVODART provides the power to suppress DHT by 93%, reduces prostate volume as early as 1 month, improves symptoms and arrests the BPH disease process.

AVODART is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic BPH in men with an enlarged prostate to improve urinary symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention, and reduce the risk of prostate surgery. While some men have fewer problems and symptoms after 3 months of treatment with AVODART, a treatment period of at least 6 months is usually necessary to see if AVODART will improve symptoms. Only a doctor can tell if symptoms are from an enlarged prostate and not a more serious condition such as prostate cancer. Women and children should not take AVODART. Women who are, or could become, pregnant should not handle AVODART due to the possibility of a specific birth defect. Men treated with AVODART should not donate blood until at least 6 months after their final dose. Caution should be used in patients with liver disease. Possible side effects include sexual side effects and breast tenderness and/or swelling. These side effects occur infrequently. For full prescribing information, see www.avodart.

About BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent and progressive condition in aging men, effecting 90% of men over the age of 80 and 50% of men aged over age 50.(2) The progressive nature of the disease is associated with an increased risk of acute urinary retention (a sudden inability to urinate) and BPH-related surgery. The 2003 AUA guidelines recommend the use of a 5ARI as an appropriate and effective option for the treatment of men with symptomatic BPH and an enlarged prostate.

About AUA-SI

The AUA-SI is a tool used in evaluating the severity of BPH symptoms, including frequent or urgent urination, weak or intermittent urine stream, sensation of incomplete emptying, the need to strain and frequent urination during bedtime hours. Patients with AUA-SI scores of 7 or less are considered to have mild symptoms. Patients with AUA-SI scores between 8 and 19 are considered to have moderate symptoms and those with scores of 20 to 35 are classified as having severe symptoms. An improvement in AUA-SI score of 3 points or greater is considered meaningful to the patient.(3)

About GSK

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Company information line: 1-888-825-5249. Website address: www.gsk

References

1. Roehrborn C, Marks L, Fenter T, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Dutasteride in the Four-Year Treatment of men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Urology. 2004; 63(4): 709-715.

2. Presti JC Jr. Neoplasms of the prostate gland. In: Tanagho EA, McAninch JW, eds. Smith’s General Urology. 15th ed. New York, NY: Lange Medical Books/ McGraw-Hill Health Professions Division; 2000: 399-421.

3. Barry M, Williford W, Chang Y, et al. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia specific health status measures in clinical research: How much change in the American Urological Association symptom index and the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index is perceptible to patients? Urology. 1995; 154: 1770-1774.

Contact:Michael Fleming
919-483-2839
GlaxoSmithKline

View drug information on dutasteride.

Sarah Cox had a heart transplant at the age of 23 days – making her the youngest surviving heart transplant patient in the UK (by age at transplant).

Sarah is one of the youngest people ever to undergo a heart transplant in the UK, and is now a delightful and cheeky little girl who lives life to the full.

Her mother, Jennie Cox said: “Sarah was four weeks premature, so technically she had a transplant before she was even due to be born.”

Her father, Nigel Cox, said: “Sarah has not just had the gift of life…she has had the gift of a normal life. Most of the time, unless we’re with family and friends, we need not even discuss her medical condition.”

Although not keen for the limelight, Jennie and Nigel have gone public to encourage families to join the NHS Donor Register. They said: “We’re aware of the heartbreak the donor family went through. They lost a child. Without their courage and selflessness, our daughter would not be alive. We urge people to think about becoming donors, and what they would do if a tragedy hit their children.”

Dr Mike Burch, Director of Cardiothoracic Transplantation at Great Ormond Street Hospital said: “Being so young Sarah was an unusual transplant case for us at GOSH, as donated organs for children of her age are very rare. Sarah is now thriving, and as a team we are delighted with the progress she has made.

“A heart transplant didn’t just give Sarah a chance of life, it gave her a chance to lead a very good quality of life, and there is no reason why she can’t go on to live a full and active childhood just like her friends.”

Sarah’s story

Sarah was born healthy, if slightly early. At the age of six days she contracted viral meningitis, and spent a week in her local hospital, however the enterovirus affected her heart. Sarah was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by the specialist CATS (Children’s Acute Transportation Service), and then to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU).

At first it was thought she would be placed on ECMO – a heart and lung machine – to see if her heart recovered. She got better, but then suddenly around three weeks, she deteriorated. The virus had destroyed parts of her heart and there was little chance of recovery.

Jennie said: “With Sarah aged just 21 days, we were told it might be 12-48 hours before she left us. We had her baptised and then tried to start saying goodbye.”

Then came the surprising news that a heart had become available, via a European hospital. An intensive care consultant called Jennie and Nigel in, and told them “Actually, a heart transplant is a possibility as we have been offered a compatible heart.”

Nigel said “I think I stopped breathing at that point. I could not take it what I had heard as I believed there was no hope. We knew nothing about transplants. The nurse specialist sat us down and gave us the two hour basic briefing we needed.”

They said yes to the transplant. The operation took place on Sarah’s 23rd day. Just over three weeks later, she was home and has since been active and well.

Jennie said “The press imply a heart transplant is a cure…it’s not a cure. Sarah will have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life, but she has a good quality of life, and hopefully many years of it.”

Sarah was lucky, partly because it is not currently possible for organs to be donated from children under two months of age in the UK. In Sarah’s case, her heart came from an overseas donor.

Jennie concluded: “We understand Sarah was extremely lucky. We would welcome more discussion of the UK rules and codes of practice regarding organ donation and the very young.”

To join the NHS Organ Donor Register: call the Organ Donor Register line on 0845 60 60 400, or log onto the website: organdonation.nhs or text the word ‘GIVE’ to 84118. Standard text rates apply.

Notes

1. All media enquiries are to come through Great Ormond Street Hospital press office.

2. Sarah is the youngest surviving heart transplant patient in the UK going by age at transplant.

3. Great Ormond Street Hospital is the largest heart and lung transplant unit for children in the UK

4. In October 2008 a UK code of practice for the diagnosis and confirmation of death, produced by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, cited that for infants aged between 37 weeks gestation and 2 months it is rarely possible to confidently diagnose brain-stem death (the medical definition of death).

5. Britain’s youngest ever heart transplant patient, a patient of Sir Magdi Yacoub, sadly died in his late teens.

6. We request that the media do not print or speculate about the date of transplant or the country of origin of the heart, as this violates the privacy and dignity of the donor family, and could jeopardise future attempts to get consent to donate. Any media speculation about the country of origin of the heart has not been confirmed by the hospital.

7. Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust is the country’s leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof. With the UCL Institute of Child Health, we are the largest centre for paediatric research outside the US and play a key role in training children’s health specialists for the future. Our charity needs to raise ВЈ50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. With your help we provide world class care to our very ill children and their families.

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust
London
England
ich.ucl.ac

UroToday – While mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon and breast demonstrate poor and favorable prognoses, respectively, the clinical behavior of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate (MC) is unknown. A report by Dr. Lane and associates at the Cleveland Clinic suggest that the clinical course of MC is similar to conventional prostate adenocarcinoma (AC). This paper appears in the October 2006 issue of Urology.

Between 1987 and 2005, complete data on 2,572 radical prostatectomy (RP) patients who did not receive adjuvant therapy was available for analysis. A total of 32 cases were identified: 14 with MC and 18 with AC with focal mucin (AFM). Pathological and clinical variables were correlated with outcomes. All pathology was re-reviewed by a single pathologist.

In the MC cohort, pathologic Gleason score was 6 in one, 7 in 4, and 8 in three patients. In 6 patients it was not evaluable due to neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Non-organ confined disease was present in 12 (37.5%) with MC or AFM including 12 with extraprostatic extension, 6 with positive surgical margins, and 4 with seminal vesicle invasion. One-half of patients had a pelvic lymphadenectomy and none had metastatic disease. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients with MC, AFM or AC with regard to PSA levels, clinical T stage, biopsy or pathologic Gleason score, or non-organ confined disease.

In follow-up, 26 patients had at least 2 follow-up PSA tests. Of these 26 men, biochemical failure occurred in 1 patient with MC and 5 patients with AFM (23%) at a median of 4.2 years. Overall survival showed no statistical difference among those with MC, AFM or AC. The 5-year overall survival rate was 100%, 100%, and 96.6%, for those with MC, AFM or AC, respectively. The overall 5-year biochemical recurrence-free survival rate was 100%, 69.2%, and 77.8%, for those with MC, AFM or AC, respectively.

This data is the largest known series of MC patients and suggests that MC can be treated in a fashion similar to AC.

Urol 2006;68:825-830

Reviewed By UroToday Contributing Editor Christopher P. Evans, M.D

UroToday – the only urology website with original content global urology key opinion leaders actively engaged in clinical practice.

To access the latest urology news releases from UroToday, go to:
www.urotoday

Copyright © 2006 – UroToday

Human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCB) used to treat cultured rat brain cells (astrocytes) deprived of oxygen appear to protect astrocytes from cell death after stroke-like damage, reports a team of researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair.

Their study was published in the August, 2010 issue of Stem Cell Review and Reports.

The USF study was carried out with astrocytes cultured in the laboratory (in vitro) and then subjected to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) and glucose deprivation to model what happens in the human brain during a stroke.

Astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord, perform several functions, including support of cells that make up the blood-brain barrier separating circulating blood and spinal fluid.

“When we compared survival of astrocytes grown with and without human umbilical cord blood cells during a period of hypoxia and reduced nutrients, we found that the cord blood cells stabilized the brain cell environment and aided astrocyte survival,” said lead author and professor Alison Willing, PhD. “However, the cord blood cells also had an impact on cytokines – small proteins secreted by cells of the immune system – and also on glial cells that carry signals between cells.”

The researchers discovered that the HUCBs changed cytokine “expression” – sometimes suppressing inflammation and other times enhancing it.

“The effects of cord blood cells on astrocytes are not clear and more research is needed to clarify the issue,” said Dr. Willing. “HUCBs are composed of different types of immune cells and have the ability to secrete both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This suggests that the cells may promote recovery following stroke by regulating inflammatory responses and providing support for neural cells, such as astrocytes.”

“Our data demonstrated that the different types of HUCBs alone do not enhance astrocyte survival,” concluded Dr. Willing. “This result suggests that either another cell component is neuroprotective, or the interaction of all cell types within the entire HUCB population aids protection.”

Source:
Randolph Fillmore
University of South Florida (USF Health)