A novel artificial cervical disc, BRYAN® developed by Medtronic, Inc. gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of single-level cervical disc diseases like radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. A titanium-polyurethane device, the Bryan Cervical Disc is implanted in milled pockets of adjacent vertebral bodies from C3-C7 to substitute a diseased or bulging natural cervical disc. The disc permits flexion/extension, translation, axial rotation, and lateral bending of the cervical spine and circumvents the limitations associated with the potential alternative, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Continue Reading

A remarkable rise in antibiotic resistance has necessitated the exploration of novel approaches for combating several bacterial illnesses. Now, a recent study published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, reports that iron triple helicate ([Fe₂L₃]⁴⁺), a synthetic metallomolecule, exhibits bactericidal activity by binding to the major groove of bacterial DNA, causing coiling and preventing its replication. Owing to the direct interaction with DNA, the molecule has been suggested to overcome multi-drug resistance. Continue Reading

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is characterized by the early onset of puberty before the age of 8 in girls and 9 years in boys. Early, basal levels of gonadotropin using radioimmunoassays were measured to diagnose CPP. Owing to its inability to differentiate prepuberty from puberty, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH analog (GnRHa) stimulation testing were established as the gold standard for confirming central precocious puberty. Additionally, third-generation assays were found to be more specific and sensitive. However, the techniques are associated with increased time consumption and discomfort to the patient, validating the need for a simple and convenient laboratory method. Now, a study published in the online issue of Pediatrics, has shown that majority of girls with CPP can be diagnosed with a single basal (unstimulated) luteinizing hormone (LH) level, using either of the 2 third-generation assays: solid-phase 2-step fluoroimmunometric assay or microparticle 2-step immunoassay. Continue Reading

External beam partial breast irradiation (EB-PBI), a type of accelerated partial breast radiation therapy (APBI) associated with societal economic benefits and improved cosmesis, has gained wide acceptance among oncologists and breast cancer patients. Now, a recent study published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics highlights the incremental cost-effective ratio of EB-PBI, in comparison to brachytherapy partial breast irradiation (brachy-PBI) and whole-breast radiation therapy (WBRT), for the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. Continue Reading

Renal cell cancer, the most common type of kidney cancer, develops in the lining of the kidney tubules. Several drugs are being studied to treat the cancer as a single agent or in combination with other anti-tumor drugs. Now, a phase I trial has reported the safety and efficacy of the combination treatment involving temsirolimus (TEM) and bryostatin (BRYO) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Findings of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, held at Orlando, Florida, during May 29-June 2, 2009. Continue Reading

Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT), the most common type of cancer affecting men between 15 to 44 years of age, has been strongly associated with genetic inheritance; however, the genetic factors linked to the development of the neoplasm are ambiguous. Now, the results of two independent genome-wide association studies conducted by US and UK researchers have reported genetic variations on chromosomes 5, 6 and 12 that considerably heighten the risk of developing TGCT. These variants are supposedly the first genetic risk factors identified for the cancer. Both the study findings are published in the recent online issue of the journal Nature Genetics. Continue Reading

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common vaginal infection affecting women of childbearing age, is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, spontaneous preterm birth, and enhanced risk for contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. According to a recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition, the deficiency of vitamin D is associated with the increased prevalence of BV during the first trimester of gestation. Continue Reading

A recent multicenter phase II study suggests that weekly administration of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel (ABRAXANE® | Abraxis BioScience, Inc.) has superior antitumor activity and safety compared to docetaxel (Taxotere® | Sanofi-aventis) for the first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. A statistically and clinically significant progression-free survival of >5 months was noted in patients receiving 150 mg/m² nab-paclitaxel weekly than those receiving 100 mg/m² docetaxel every three week (q3w). The study results are published in the recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Continue Reading

A team of US researchers have linked the age of onset of natural menarche and menopause with 10 genetic variants identified at two chromosomal regions and 13 genetic variants at four chromosomal regions, respectively. As the early commencement of menarche and early/late onset of menopause are identified as risk factors for breast and endometrial cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, etc., this association marks a crucial step in developing preventive strategies for these conditions. Continue Reading