MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'anemia'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:55:23 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5076972&cid=t_114775_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FJeVr6RW5KD0%2F The Chilean salmon farming industry has been severely affected by disease caused by infectious salmon anemia virus. Salmon eggs shipped from Norway to Chile in 2007 are the cause of the outbreak (New York Times): A virus that has killed millions of salmon in Chile and ravaged the fish farming industry there was probably brought over from Norway, a major salmon producer has acknowledged. Infection salmon anemia virus is a member of the orthomyxovirus family, which also includes influenza virus. The virus causes disease in Atlantic salmon and has caused economic losses on fish farms in Canada, Norway, Scotland and Chile. We discussed the virus on This Week in Virology #41: Fish flu. (Source: virology blog) virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5076972 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:58:23 +0100 5076972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934646&cid=t_114775_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FDwssmUnlML8%2F Photo Via Ragesoss When men are diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, the first thing doctors usually do is check for internal bleeding. When women are diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, they’re given an iron supplement and told to eat more broccoli. Why the discrepancy? The main cause of iron deficiency in men is upper-gastrointestinal bleeding, so it makes sense for doctors to rule this out first. However, a 1999 study on anemia in women found that “on women for whom a gynecological source was diagnosed by a specialist” — i.e., women whose anemia was blamed on their periods — 86 percent actually had a gastrointestinal disease. “The majority of the women in that study were bleeding internally, and no one had figured it out until then because they had periods,” writes Pr... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934646 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:35:04 +0100 4934646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4704872&cid=t_114775_134_f&fid=35213&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fblogspot%2FYNchP%2F%7E3%2FXcN4gNZiSaQ%2Fahhhtomorrow.html Hubby's staff gifted me with a full day at a local spa and the day is tomorrow! Can't wait! My "reward" for taking care of him the last 2 months. But I wonder, can you make yourself too busy....trying to escape caregiving, the illness? I taught all day Saturday. Yesterday I attended a genealogy meeting in the morning, then taught a little girl how to sew in the afternoon. Today, we got puppy food, groeries, went out to lunch Tomorrow is my spa day Wednesday I teach one craft class in the morning Thursday, we go to the surgeon's office and hour away, then over to assist an elderly couple with their computers Friday I have a playday with another artist Saturday - I teach again all day. Hmmmm.....and I wonder why life is flying by. So, update on him. I can't tell, but I'd bet his l... Wife of a Diabetic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4704872 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 03:27:00 +0100 4704872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4658559&cid=t_114775_134_f&fid=35213&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fblogspot%2FYNchP%2F%7E3%2Fj7yiz93YPfE%2Fanemia.html Oh, the things you just keep learning - does it ever end? The kidneys produce erythropoietin (EPO) which stimulates the bone marrow to produce the proper number of red blood cells neeeded to carry oxygen to viatl organs. When the kidneys fail, EPO productions tops. Diseased kidneys don't produce enough of it. Anemia sets in. When hubby was on dialysis, he got daily injections of EPO. But none since coming home. How can you tell if you are anemic? Pull the lower eyelid down. If it is bloody red, then you are not anemic. If it is pale pink or washed out, then you are. Pretty simple, pretty accurate test for anemia. Hubby is seriously anemic and has been since hospital discharge. Not getting any better. He goes to the nephrologist on 4/1 and we will talk to him about EPO injections. ... Wife of a Diabetic blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4658559 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 00:40:00 +0100 4658559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592695&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FQzD6otG0mCU%2F One of the big gripes among biotech investors is that Amgen has refused to pay a dividend. No matter how many times the issue has been raised, execs have refused to consider the prospect. Never mind that the stock has been battered amid a raft of struggles, notably FDA warnings over health risks associated with the Aranesp and Epogen anemia meds, concerns about reduced Medicare reimbursement and uncertainty about its pipeline and acquisition strategy (see this). At one point, the combination of setbacks and miscues resulted in Kevin Sharer being named one of the worst chief executives a few years ago (see this). Now, though, attention is focused on the possibility of a dividend since Wall Street anticipates the issue will be addressed at the upcoming annual shareholder meeting. Investors, ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592695 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:59:30 +0100 4592695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4540739&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fy-ozTQgTevA%2F Five former Amgen execs have ‘taken the Fifth’ in depositions that were conducted as part of a False Claims Act lawsuit scheduled to go to trial in federal court in Boston later this year. And the former Amgen sales rep and product manager who brought the lawsuit is fighting to have the depositions filed in court and made public. At issue are allegations that Amgen provided free ‘overfills’ of its Aranesp anemia medication and encouraged doctors to bill Medicare and Medicaid for the extra amounts. The lawsuit, which was filed by Kassie Westmoreland, also charges the biotech offered kickbacks to doctors in the form of fictitious consulting arrangements and weekend getaways in order to steal market share from Johnson & Johnson, which sells the rival Procrit treat... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4540739 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 03:02:31 +0100 4540739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372048&cid=t_114775_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsynthetic-blood-via-artificial-cells-and-platelets-from-stem-cells%2F2011.01.19 There’s hema­tology news, times two (at least): 1. Progress in devel­oping syn­thetic red blood cells A University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill research group has created hydrogel par­ticles that mimic the size, shape and flex­i­bility of red blood cells (RBCs). The researchers used PRINT® (Particle Replication in Non-wetting Templates) tech­nology to gen­erate the fake RBCs, which are said to have a rel­a­tively long half-life. The findings were reported on-line yes­terday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) (abstract available, sub­scription required for full text). According to a PR-ish but inter­esting post on Futurity, a website put forth by a con­sortium of major research uni­ver­sities, tests of the par­ticles’ ability to ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372048 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:47 +0100 4372048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300551&cid=t_114775_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fremembering-gene-goldwasser-discoverer-of-epo-a-cure-for-anemia%2F2010.12.30 Gene Goldwasser died last week. He was 88, and he was my friend. I wrote previously about a series of conversations I conducted with Gene and Rabbi A.J. Wolf a few years ago. I met Gene one spring day after calling to invite him to sit in on a class I was teaching to a small group of medical students about social issues in healthcare. I’d read about him in a book called “The $800 Million Pill,” by Merrill Goozner. In the book, Goozner writes the story of Gene’s two-decade hunt to isolate the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Part of the story relates how Gene tried to interest traditional big pharma companies in his discovery, only to be brushed aside. Instead, Gene wound up sharing his discovery with what became Amgen. The company went on to make a windfall from recomb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300551 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4300551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4074445&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FjXyjAatMwKk%2F Good morning, everyone. Another day is on the way, but this one brings us to the weekend. And not a moment too soon, yes? Have any special plans? Watching a ball game? Picking apples? A nap on the couch? For our part, we hope to spend time with Mrs. Pharmalot and all of the Pharmalittles, and catch up with a favorite relative, too. Whatever you do, enjoy. Meanwhile, here are a few items to help you glide through the day. Have a great weekend and see you soon… CVS Fined For Allowing Meth Ingredient Sales (Associated Press) EMA Tightens Guidelines For Impartiality On Commitees (PharmaTimes) Sanofi Says MS Drug Cuts Relapses By 31 Percent (Reuters) Reckitt Fined By UK Regulators Over Heartburn Drug Supplies (Bloomberg News) FDA May Limit Anemia Drugs For Kidney Use (Associated Press) (... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4074445 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 11:41:40 +0100 4074445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954159&cid=t_114775_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fpernicious-anemia-classic-clinical-syndrome%2F weakness, sore tongue, paresthesias initially in tips of toes (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954159 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:09:44 +0100 3954159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802551&cid=t_114775_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F29%2Fresearchers-identify-missing-link-underlying-dna-repair-platinum-drug-resistance%2F Researchers have discovered an enzyme crucial to a type of DNA repair that also causes resistance to a class of cancer drugs most commonly used against ovarian cancer. Scientists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Life Sciences Institute of Zhejiang University in China report the discovery of the enzyme and [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802551 Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:45:58 +0100 3802551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753737&cid=t_114775_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fcancer-cecum%2F The astute clinician will always have a high index of suspcion for the presence of cecal cancer in any elderly patient who presents with anemia and signs and symptoms of appendicitis. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753737 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:47 +0100 3753737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3672036&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FXG8ViSrcrXA%2F Rise and shine. Another day is on the way. Hello, everyone, hope all is well as you gear up for those meetings and deadlines. We can relate. To cope, we are brewing the mandatory cup of stimulation. Feel free to indulge yourself, or grab a water bottle if you prefer. Meanwhile, here are a few items to help you get started. Have a good one and stay in touch… Pay For Delays Deals Nearing A Turning Point? (Bloomberg News) FDA To Decide On Orexigen Obesity Pill In January (Reuters) Merck To Cut 800 Jobs In France (La Tribune) Merck KGgA Resumes Vaccine Trial For Lung Cancer (Reuters) UK’s NICE Refuses To Cover Roche’s Tarceva (PharmaTimes) Medicare To Review Coverage Of Anemia Drugs (Reuters) AstraZeneca May Fight Canadian Court Ruling On Nexium Generic (Bloomberg) Industry G... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3672036 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:55:27 +0100 3672036 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3610389&cid=t_114775_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FyGUzhb9BIxU%2F FULL OF GLUTEN           A nursing friend and former colleague of mine has had celiac disease (CD) for quite some time.  I didn’t know much about the disorder until she went to Italy for a whole month and I learned about her eating habits while she was gone.  This is a disease that is more common than one would think.  It actually affects 1 in 133 people in the United States, and only 3% of these are diagnosed.  I also learned that it is an inherited disease, there is no cure, it can become active at any age BUT it can be treated.  Gluten is the culprit in this disease – it acts like poison to those that have it.  It is also known as gluten intolerance or celiac sprue.  The disorder is characterized by damage to the mucosal lining in the small intestine, which is known... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3610389 Fri, 28 May 2010 21:19:14 +0100 3610389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3435144&cid=t_114775_129_f&fid=36038&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Ftrevis-life-with-multiple-sclerosis-ms%2Fwhen-ms-wrings-you-out%2F MS is a condition which, no matter how well we plan, takes us by surprise now and again.  Go to bed “fine” wake up with part of our body not responding to a call to action.  A simple battle with the circulating bug du jour and a fever sits you down like a crumpled boxer in his corner. Vertigo, which can make a turn of the head into a cyclone-spiral to the floor… MS can really wring one out…with little warning! I’m currently on a planned slide into anemia after my treatment on Monday.  I’ve been able to pretty much plan a lighter schedule (ok, who am I kidding?) knowing that I’d be far from 100%.  Still there are things which should get done by me.  It’s just taking a little extra effort. So, it got me to thinking about those times when our requirements wander beyond t... Life with MS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3435144 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 18:18:02 +0100 3435144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287725&cid=t_114775_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D410 Recently we saw a story, a heartbreaker, really, about a boy with Sickle Cell Anemia, a serious disease in which the body makes misshapen red blood cells who had a bone marrow transplant. To have the transplant, the child had to go through chemotherapy to kill his immune system – a standard protocol for the transplant. According to the article, the the source of the transplant was donated umbilical cord blood.  The sad result is that the transplant did not work. The family uncovered some research that has yet to be analyzed fully and released for public consumption, and the study shows that unmatched stem cells do not help a sickle cell patient. The poor parents only found this out by word of mouth (the article doesn’t cite the research so we can’t provide that to you) a... Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287725 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:33:13 +0100 3287725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149320&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIsAn9nT5-Mg%2F The agency plans to hold an advisory committee meeting because studies have found that high dosages of Amgen’s Aranesp and Epogen and Johnson & Johnson’s Procrit boost the risk of heart attacks, strokes and blood clots in anemia patients with kidney disease. The purpose of the meeting, which hasn’t been scheduled yet, is to determine the appropriate dosages. Known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or ESAs, the drugs boost hemoglobin levels in anemics, but the drugmakers have been plagued by cardiovascular risks that caused sales to decline. As it turns out, using large doses to cause hemoglobin to return normal levels may also increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, instead of lowering the risk. “Randomized trials have endeavored to show that using ESA... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149320 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:07:53 +0100 3149320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2981366&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fofm1qp3e9H0%2F Nice to see you again. A few gloomy clouds are hovering over the Pharmalot corporate campus this morning, but our spirits are relatively sunny. And why not? Every brand new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift, the Morning Mayor would say. So untie your own ribbon and grab a cup of something stimulating as you get started on those meetings and deadlines. Cheers, everyone… Novartis Plans $200M Ad Blitz For OTC Prevacid (Wall Street Journal) Sanofi Expands Discovery Deal With Regeneron (New York Times) Glaxo To Close Irish Plant, Axe 250 Jobs (Irish Times) Anemia Drugs Pose Clotting Risks (Reuters) Morning shot thx to Flickr Creative Commons NicholasT (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2981366 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:53:59 +0100 2981366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838952&cid=t_114775_105_f&fid=39005&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allkidney.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fanemia-in-kidney-disease.html This study revealed that adults learned more efficiently the arbitrary association between visual and auditory novel … (show more) This study revealed that adults learned more efficiently the arbitrary association between visual and auditory novel stimuli when the visual stimuli were explored with both vision and touch. The results are discussed from the perspective of how they relate to the functional differences of the manual haptic modality and the hypothesis of a “haptic bond” between visual and auditory stimuli. Association and Haplotype Analyses of Positional Candidate Genes in Five Genomic Regions Linked to Scrotal Hernia in Commercial Pig Lines: Scrotal hernia in pigs is a complex trait likely affected by genetic and environmental factors. A large-scale associatio... All Kidney News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838952 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:49:56 +0100 2838952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741090&cid=t_114775_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_twiv%2Fwww.twiv.tv%2FTWiV041.mp3 Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dick Despommier, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit On episode #41 of the podcast “This Week in Virology”, Vincent, Dick, Alan and Rich Condit chat about infectious salmon anemia virus, virus-resistant grapevines, virulence of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, origin of 1918 influenza virus, holy water ban to halt influenza, frequency of human WU and KI polyomavirus infection, rabies in China, and host species of sin nombre virus. Download TWiV #41 (51 MB .mp3, 73 minutes) Subscribe to TWiV in iTunes, by the RSS feed, or by email Links for this episode: Wal-Mart stops buying Chile salmon on virus outbreak Virus-resistant grapevines Virulence of H1N1 pandemic influenza virus in animal models Did 1918 influenza virus originate in birds or not? Holy water ban ... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741090 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:41:38 +0100 2741090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2615361&cid=t_114775_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2Fmgg_jApUR7Y%2F Bone marrow is the seat of stem cells which give rise to the cells that circulate in blood. These cells are: Red cells (erythrocyte) - carry oxygen White cells (leukocyte) - fight infections Platelets (thrombocyte) - help with blood clotting Blood Cell Lineage Image source: Wikipedia There are a number of diseases in which the bone marrow stem cells may die, be replaced by fibrous tissue or by cancer which then leads to decreased blood cells. This defect will then lead to fatigue, tiredness (due to decreased red cells), repeated infections (due to decreased white cells) and easy bleeding (due to decreased platelets). The technique of harvesting stem cells from a donor bone marrow for transplant to a recipient whose marrow is not functioning is a life saving procedure. Howe... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2615361 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:49:46 +0100 2615361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2572977&cid=t_114775_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F6f4pAeZ0-Ao%2F Sickle cell disease, like many chronic health conditions, comes with a large financial cost. New research shows that “the annual cost of medical care in the US for people who suffer from sickle cell disease exceeds $1.1 billion.” The disease cause an abnormality in hemoglobin, where “red blood cells can block small blood vessels.” The result is tissue damage, stroke, and other complications. Each patient pays an average of almost $2,000 per year to manage the disease. Image: sxc.hu. Share and Enjoy: Post from: Blisstree Costs of Sickle Cell Disease (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2572977 Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:29 +0100 2572977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458185&cid=t_114775_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FooF6HNq4jHA%2F Finding a match for bone marrow is a difficult task (Bone marrow transplants - would you be a donor?) And, for certain groups of people, it’s harder than difficult - it’s nearly impossible. Lucas Blake is an 8-year-old boy who has Fanconi anemia, a disease that will eventually kill him if he doesn’t receive a successful bone marrow or stem cell transplant. What makes his case particularly difficult is he is of mixed race heritage: his father is of Jamaican heritage and his mother of Portugese. Rather than writing the story all over, I invite you to read about Lucas and his family, and their search for a bone marrow match. At the end of the article is information for people who want to get tested to see if they may be a match for him or anyone else who needs bone marrow: M... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458185 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:12:35 +0100 2458185 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2326617&cid=t_114775_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F07%2Fgog-reports-on-evaluation-of-pemetrexed-in-treatment-of-recurrent-platinum-resistant-ovarian-cancer%2F A phase II Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) clinical study found that pemetrexed (Altima®)-an antifolate antineoplastic agent that disrupts folate-dependent cell replication metabolic processes-is sufficiently active in the treatment of recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer to warrant further investigation.  “Thus [pemetrexed] should be considered for combination with other agents, especially carboplatin, in first-line therapy,” said David Miller, [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2326617 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:48:07 +0100 2326617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2235722&cid=t_114775_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F05%2Fevaluation-of-neoadjuvant-chemotherapy-and-debulking-followed-by-intraperitoneal-chemotherapy-in-women-with-stage-iii-and-iv-epithelial-ovarian-fallopian-tube-or-primary-peritoneal-cancer%2F It is well known that intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy prolongs survival in optimally cytoreduced (or debulked) ovarian cancer patients.  For patients who can not be optimally debulked, it is possible to administer neoadjuvant chemotherapy to place that patient in a position to be optimally debulked (i.e., 1 cm or less of residual disease post surgery) , [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2235722 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:43:55 +0100 2235722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2210667&cid=t_114775_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FKWmmExI83hg%2F Too often, people only hear about the bad effects of alcohol on the liver (and the good affects on the heart) but most body systems are actually affected in an adverse manner. This is a brief presentation of the effects of alcohol on the hematopoietic system (blood and bone marrow). Alcohol & Blood View more presentations from Sudeep Bansal. (tags: hematopoiesis erythrocyte) addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fmedicineandman.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2F23%2Falcohol-and-blood%2F'; addthis_title = 'Alcohol+and+Blood'; addthis_pub = ''; (Source: Medicine and Man) Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2210667 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:55:16 +0100 2210667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011173&cid=t_114775_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FarEW-fKrv6w%2F Scientists are used to being cautious. But I was reading this article and I was beside clapping for the science! See, whenever we get very good results from our experiments, we always tell ourselves "let’s test this some more", "let’s confirm this in some other population". Well, let’s. But the results of this new study are so encouraging that we ought to celebrate with virtual champagne! Gene therapy has successfully treated sickle cell anemia in mice! OK, so it’s in mice but read on first. The scientists introduced the gene for gamma-globin into the mice’s blood-forming cells and then introduced those altered cells into  (sickle-cell anemic) mice. The investigators found that months after they introduced the altered blood-forming ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011173 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:20:02 +0100 2011173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739491&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F377045349%2F The biotech is responding to practices that were criticized for contributing to overuse of its flagship anemia drug at the same time safety concerns were growing, The New York Times reports. Specifically, Amgen will no longer offer rebates to oncology clinics for their use of Aranesp, although larger discounts will be offered at the time of purchase. But discounts will not be offered on two other drugs, Neulasta and Neupogen, based on a doctor’s purchase of Aranesp, the paper writes. Critics have said that by providing hundreds of millions of dollars in discounts and rebates each year to cancer clinics, Amgen provided an incentive for doctors to use more of the drug. Oncology practices typically buy the drugs they use and then are reimbursed for them by patients and insurers. If the doc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739491 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:23:26 +0100 1739491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1683615&cid=t_114775_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2008%2F08%2F05%2Ftreatment-with-anti-anemia-drugs-may-not-be-safe-for-multiple-myeloma-patients%2F How will this affect the treatment of anemia? Will it mean more transfusions and less ESAs? I’ve only ever had a few shots of Procrit, and have never had red blood cells (just platelets). What I’m afraid will happen is that people will be afraid of ESAs. If you think about it, the statement at the end of the summary makes a lot of sense. Were the patients in the group who were given the ESAs just more sick, with a poorer prognosis? Public release date: 4-Aug-2008 Contact: Sean Wagner swagner@wiley.com 781-388-8550 Wiley-Blackwell Treatment with anti-anemia drugs may not be safe for multiple myeloma patients Thessaloniki, Greece - August 4, 2008 - A recent study published in American Journal of Hematology demonstrated that Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), a widely used ... beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1683615 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:44:45 +0100 1683615 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1668762&cid=t_114775_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F351321495%2F Amgen has recently been told by the FDA to reword the labeling of its flagship anemia drugs - Aranesp and Procrit - to further restrict their use in treating cancer patients. The move, which the F.D.A. announced on Wednesday, represents the first time the agency has invoked authority under a 2007 law that empowered it to order changes in a drug’s prescribing information. Previously, the F.D.A. could only negotiate with a drug’s manufacturer to change the label. Sales of the drugs, Aranesp and Procrit, have already plummeted in the last year because of studies suggesting that their use to treat the anemia caused by chemotherapy could actually make cancer worse or shorten lives. Procrit is manufactured by Amgen but sold under license by Johnson & Johnson. Read more from NY Times. Tag... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1668762 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:09:34 +0100 1668762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1639266&cid=t_114775_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2F339997366%2F New York Times has an excellent in depth review of anemia which everyone should read. Thanks to advertisements for the once-popular tonic Geritol, most people of a certain age know about “tired blood,” a disorder more accurately called anemia, involving a shortage of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues and cleanse them of carbon dioxide. Reference: Anemia - Reporter’s File - ‘Tired Blood’ Warning: Ignore It at Your Peril - NY Times Health The red blood cells of a person suffering from anemia (right) are a very light pink when stained, and they are often less round and full when viewed under a microscope. The round, plump bodies of normal red blood cells (left), when stained, are a bright pinkish-red. Hemoglobin is the substance that gives normal cells the... Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1639266 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:16:50 +0100 1639266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1416519&cid=t_114775_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fconstipation-in-recovery%2F People in recovery from alcoholism and addiction face a host of potential causes of constipation, including: Past or present use of medications Decreased eating or physical activity as a result of depression or another psychiatric disorder Anxiety Bad habits learned throughout their drinking or drugging career Medical conditions gained through their addiction that decrease bowel movement. This condition also can make people stop taking medications. Constipation carries a tremendous cost in terms of resources and quality of life. People can avoid the discomfort and quality-of-life consequences by promptly dealing with constipation and following a process that has shown value to others. Symptoms of constipation Straining to move bowels Lumpy or hard stools Sensation of incomplete evacua... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1416519 Fri, 02 May 2008 17:45:17 +0100 1416519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1414901&cid=t_114775_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2008%2F5%2F2%2Fco-evolution-a-case-of-biological-warfare.html By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.DOne of the more fascinating aspects of evolution is the continuous “battle of the species”; one species trying to fend off the attack of another, parasitic species. It is a classic warfare of measure/counter-measure, not unlike modern warfare. But unlike human warfare, a successful parasite is not the one that kills its host—that would spell  the demise of the parasite; that would be self defeating, won't it? Success is defined as the capacity to live off the host, and efficiently spread to other individuals. The host, on the other hand, is successful if it can avoid being killed by the attack and keep the attacker in check. And so we can see a battle of adaptations: a parasite honing its “skills” so as to attack, but not kill... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1414901 Fri, 02 May 2008 03:46:12 +0100 1414901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1128857&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F210651068%2F The agency says it’s received new data from two studies that provide further evidence of the risks of anemia drugs, which are also known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, or ESAs. The studies show that patients with breast or advanced cervical cancers who received ESAs to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy died sooner or had more rapid tumor growth than similar patients who didn’t receive the anemia drug, the FDA says. These two studies were not among the six studies that were described in revised labeling last November, which strengthened warnings about ESAs in cancer patients. Taken together, all eight studies show more rapid tumor growth or shortened survival when patients with breast, non-small cell lung, head and neck, lymphoid or cervical cancers received ESAs compared t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1128857 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:03:04 +0100 1128857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1013358&cid=t_114775_93_f&fid=34899&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mexicomedstudent.com%2F2007%2F11%2F701 You’d think I was speaking figuratively, but actually, that’s precisely what happened. I had an EGD (endoscopy) the other day. It represented my first actual “procedure” here in Mexico which actually carried some risk/doubt about it. I had no qualms about my doctor per se, but previous (minor) experience as a patient and what I’ve seen as a trainee had already cemented the fear regarding crappy pain/analgesic management here. The reasons why are very complex and include cultural factors and a bit of severe government retardation in the way of what/how “controlled” substances are controlled. I don’t want to say something incorrect, about it so I won’t, but trust me–acceptable pain management standards are not a given everywhere and... Mexico Medical Student blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1013358 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:50:55 +0100 1013358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=928758&cid=t_114775_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F10%2F5%2Fthe-age-of-individual-medicine-is-dawning.html  By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.DHere is some exciting news from the Biotech world: the time is fast approaching when your personal DNA sequence will be readily available. So what’s the big deal? Read on.The human genome projectIn 2003, the first complete genetic blueprint was published with great fanfare (President Bush, believe it or not, was present at the announcement). At the time, scientific pundits, journalists, and self-appointed crystal ball-gazers, fell over each other proclaiming the benefits of this scientific feat. Indeed, the possibilities were, and still are, simply huge. People expected the advances to come tumbling down almost immediately; it did not happen. Why? Money! It cost about 3 billion dollars to complete the first sequencing in 2003. At that price, it would hav... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=928758 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 06:10:13 +0100 928758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908785&cid=t_114775_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F162085546%2F The crisis continues for Amgen ceo Kevin Sharer. Now, the European Medicines Agency, or EMEA, is proposing special warnings and reduced dosing recommendations for Amgen’s top-selling Aranesp and Epogen, as well as Johnson & Johnson’s Procrit (or Eprex). New prescribing info may say studies show more deaths associated with increased dosing of anemia meds and that the drugs haven’t been shown to improve overall survival in cancer patients with anemia. An EMEA panel recommends that anemia drugs be given to boost hemoglobin levels to 10 to 12 grams per deciliter of blood, according to an Amgen statement. Previously guidance ranged from 11 to 14 grams, in kidney failure patients; the ceiling was 13 for cancer patients. Earlier this month, an FDA panel voted to keep the m... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=908785 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:40:39 +0100 908785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=781334&cid=t_114775_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F06%2Famgen-challenges-new-medicare-policy-for-anemia-drugs-for-cancer%2F Filed under: Politics, Daily newsLast Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services relaxed some of the limits that it had proposed in May for the use of anemia drugs in cancer patients, in the face of an outcry from cancer patients and their physicians.However, CMS said it is still going to deny payment for drugs like Aranesp and Epogen from Amgen and Procrit from Johnson & Johnson if a patient's hemoglobin level is greater than 10 grams per deciliter. Physicians generally aim for a hemoglobin level of 10 to 12 g/deciliter in their cancer patients. Normal range is 12 to 18 g/deciliter.Amgen is challenging this new limit, saying that such a limit will increase the need for blood transfusions. The company also noted such limits contradict the FDA's approved labeling for the dru... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=781334 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 781334 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=807339&cid=t_114775_158_f&fid=36021&url=http%3A%2F%2F3genfamily.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F08%2Fupdate-on-unexplained-anemia%2F What do you do when anemia keeps coming back? In a previous post on Anemia, I talked about my 84 year old Dad’s recurring problem with fatigue and anemia. He (and I) thought the doctors had found the problem and taken care of it with medical procedures to stop the bleeding, most recently in his bladder,  and by making changes to his regimen of nine medications. I was so relieved that the bleeding has stopped! Several units of blood later, my father was starting to look and feel a bit better. His kidneys were failing, though. He would need to start dialysis right away and he was willing to try it. I believed that Dad could now start to recover some quality of life. For most of his over 40 life, he has been able to bounce back from serious illness with a determination that was f... 3GenFamily Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=807339 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 19:09:00 +0100 807339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=711677&cid=t_114775_87_f&fid=34866&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecardioblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F03%2Fthe-link-between-heart-and-kidney-disease%2F Filed under: Family history, Prevention, ResearchIf you've cared for someone with heart disease, you may already know about the heart and kidney connection. Because the same two common conditions damage the heart and the kidneys -- high blood pressure and diabetes -- diseases of both organs commonly go hand in hand.Though health experts have long known of the connection, a recent study of 37,000 adults -- average age 53 -- found that the effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the heart is much more alarming than first thought. During the study, experts looked for three markers that indicated CKD: the rate the kidneys filtered blood the level of the protein albumin in the urine anemia What they found was that as these markers rose, so did the risk of heart disease, and that those... The Cardio Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=711677 Tue, 03 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 711677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=682725&cid=t_114775_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F20%2Fknow-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-myeloma%2F Filed under: Blood Cancer, Bone CancerThe American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 16,600 new cases of myeloma are diagnosed each year in the United States. Bone pain is the most common early symptom of myeloma. Most patients feel pain in their back or ribs, but it can occur in any bone. The pain is usually made worse by movement.Patients fatigue more easily and often feel weak. They may also have a pale complexion from anemia which is a common medical problem for patients with myeloma and may contribute to the fatigue. If the disease progresses, the concentration of normal cells in the blood may also decrease. Headaches, bruising, nose bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, and tingling or numbness in extremities are all symptoms of myeloma. Patients may have repeated infections... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=682725 Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 682725