Heart and bone damage from low vitamin D tied to declines in sex hormones

Researchers at Johns Hopkins are reporting what is believed to be the first conclusive evidence in men that the long-term ill effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of the key sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone. more  

Young athletes need dual screening tests for heart defects, study suggests

To best detect early signs of life-threatening heart defects in young athletes, screening programs should include both popular diagnostic tests, not just one of them, according to new research from heart experts at Johns Hopkins. more

FDA clears first rapid test for bacterial contamination in pooled platelets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for marketing the Platelet PGD Test System, the first rapid test for the detection of bacterial contamination in pooled platelets derived from whole blood. more  

FDA to look into safety of caffeinated alcoholic beverages

The Food and Drug Administration today notified nearly 30 manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it intends to look into the safety and legality of their products. more

New report recommends enhanced food tracing guidelines  

The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) today released a report from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), which recommends clear objectives be set for all users of a simpler, globally accepted food supply chain that can benefit from existing commercial systems. more

Questions and answers for health care providers: Renal dosing and administration recommendations for Peramivir IV  

The dosing recommendations for peramivir in patients with varying degrees of renal impairment were derived based on the results of a pharmacokinetic study in renally impaired patients conducted by BioCryst. The results of the study indicate that the systemic exposure (as assessed by the area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve, called AUC) is increased by approximately 24%, 420% and 530% in patients with mild, moderate and severe renal impairment, respectively. more

Heart failure: Proven treatments not always used

Fewer than one-third of patients with heart failure are taking the three types of medications that are most effective in prolonging life and improving quality of life. The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter provides an overview of treatments recommended by national guidelines. more

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