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The Answer To Frequent Fillings - A Polymer That Can Heal Cavities
American scientists claim to have found the answer to frequent fillings - a material that heals cavities. They are working on a dental composite, which can actually encourage teeth to repair their own small holes. The composite materials contain amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), which can produce the natural mineral hydroxyapatite that is found in bones and teeth. more
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US Public Health Service Guideline On Infectious Disease Issues In Xenotransplantation
Several developments have fueled the renewed interest in xenotransplantation --- the use of live animal cells, tissues and organs in the treatment or mitigation of human disease. The world-wide, critical shortage of human organs available for transplantation and advances in genetic engineering and in the immunology and biology of organ/tissue rejection have renewed scientists' interest in investigating xenotransplantation as a potentially promising means to treat a wide range of human disorders. This situation is highlighted by the fact that in the United States alone, 13 patients die each day waiting to receive a life-saving transplant to replace a diseased more
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FDA Grants Approval To Novartis' Drug Visudyne For The Treatment For Pathologic Myopia And Ocular Histoplasmosis
Novartis Ophthalmics, the eye health unit of Novartis AG, and QLT Inc. today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Visudyne (verteporfin for injection) therapy for the treatment of predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to pathologic myopia (severe near-sightedness) and presumed ocular histoplasmosis. Visudyne is currently the only drug treatment approved for these eye conditions. more
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Prescribing Information: Visudyne
Visudyne, (verteporfin for injection) is the first drug therapy for patients with age-related macular degeneration with predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). The administration of Visudyne therapy, consists of a two-step process beginning with administration of the drug, or "photosensitizer," by intravenous injection into the arm. While circulating in the bloodstream, the drug attaches to molecules called lipoproteins. Because cells undergoing rapid proliferation (cell division and growth) require a greater amount of lipoproteins than non-dividing cells, the drug is delivered more quickly and in higher concentrations to these types of cells. Once the concentration of drug reaches appropriate levels in target cells, it is activated with a pre-calculated dose of light at a particular wavelength much less damaging than the current thermal or hot laser treatment - laser photocoagulation - which can leave permanent blind spots. The activated Verteporfin subsequently causes the conversion of normal oxygen found in tissue to a highly energized form called "singlet oxygen." The singlet oxygen, in turn, causes cell death by disrupting normal cellular functions. The Therapeutic effect is not observed until drug and light are combined. more
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Assent 3 Shows Heart Attack Patients Receive Most Benefit From Tenecteplase/Enoxaparin
Heart attack patients who received a new therapy regimen consisting of the single-bolus thrombolytic agent TNKase(TM)/Metalyse(R) (tenecteplase) and the low-molecular-weight heparin Lovenox(R) (enoxaparin sodium) Injection experienced the most significant clinical efficacy and safety benefits in the ASSENT 3 (ASsessment of the Safety and Efficacy of New Thrombolytic regimens) trial. The treatment regimen also yielded the lowest 30-day mortality rate (5.35 percent) ever reported in a large-scale clinical trial of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Results of the study are published in the 25 August 2001 issue of The Lancet. more
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