Roche Drug to Raise ‘Good’ Cholesterol Fails (WSJ): The drug’s failure in a large human trial spelled a setback for pharmaceutical companies that see an opportunity in medicines that seek to ward of heart disease by raising so-called “good” cholesterol. Competitors Merck and Eli Lilly said they remain confident in late-stage drugs in their pipelines that work similarly. Study Examines Depression and Aging Brain (WSJ): The onset of depression late in life can be an early warning of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia later, according to a new study of 13,535 Kaiser Permanente members. A Regime’s Tight Grip on AIDS (New York Times): Cuba’s AIDS rate is only one-sixth that of the U.S., thanks in part to aggressive tactics taken in the early years of the epidemic, such as forced quarantines for people who tested positive for HIV. F.D.A. Staff Raises Concerns About Arthritis Drug (New York Times): Documents released ahead of a Food and Drug Administration review Wednesday show regulators are concerned a new Pfizer treatment for rheumatoid arthritis raised concerns of significant side-effects. Court Dismisses Vets’ Suit on Mental Health Care (San Francisco Chronicle): A San Francisco appeals court dismissed a five-year-old suit by veterans groups accusing the Department of Veterans Affairs of delaying needed mental health services. Drug-Defying Germs from India Speed Post-Antibiotic Era (Bloomberg): The widespread use of antibiotics in India is helping cultivate new breeds of drug-resistant bacteria bred from otherwise benign microorganisms.

The Health Blog has been writing about the nasty bug Clostridium difficile for a while now. As other infections associated with health-care contact have gone down, C. diff infections have been on the rise — and only recently have leveled off. Some 14,000 deaths each year are linked to the bug, which lives in the gut and can cause diarrhea. The CDC had some new stats on C. diff yesterday. Specifically, it says that 94% of the infections in 2010 were picked up after an encounter with the health-care system — say, a stay in a nursing-home or rehab facility. While this was traditionally thought to be mostly a problem for hospitals, the CDC report finds that 75% of those health-care-associated infections had onset in people who weren’t currently hospitalized. That includes patients recently discharged from the hospital, outpatients and nursing-home residents. “This is a patient-safety concern everywhere medical care is given,” said L. Clifford McDonald, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC, on a teleconference with reporters. More than half of infections reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network were actually present on hospital admission, the report says. Hospitals “are partly at the mercy of surrounding facilities because patients so often transfer back and forth” between them, said McDonald. So what’s a doctor to do? Well, handwashing — a cheap and easy way to prevent many health-care-related infections — “may not be sufficient,” according to the CDC. And hand sanitizers won’t work against C. diff spores. The CDC recommends careful prescribing of antibiotics to avoid killing off the healthy bacteria that can keep C. diff in check. It says patients should be tested for the bacterium when they have diarrhea while taking antibiotics, or within a few months of finishing a course, since that can be a sign of infection. Patients found to be infected should be isolated, and clinicians should wear gloves and gowns when treating those folks. Room surfaces should be cleaned with bleach or another product that can kill the spores. And when an infected patient is transferred, the new facility should be notified. Patients should take antibiotics only as prescribed, should tell their physician if they’ve been on antibiotics and get diarrhea within a few months, should wash their hands after using the bathroom and should try to use a separate bathroom if they have diarrhea to avoid spreading a possible infection. Hospitals participating in prevention programs were able to lower C. diff infections by 20% over about 21 months, the report says. Image: Photo Researchers

Two studies about a genetically altered strain of H5N1 influenza, a deadly avian flu, should be published in their full form, but not yet, experts at a meeting organized by the World Health Organization concluded Friday. There has been concern the research on bird flu could be used for terroristic purposes. WHO said in a statement that "understanding of this research through communications and the review of biosafety and biosecurity" issues that the research raises is crucial, but did not say specifically how or when this review will happen. WHO also said that it would extend the temporary moratorium on research with the laboratory-modified viruses, but research on the avian influenza found in nature must continue for public health protection. The naturally occuring H5N1 bird flu virus has a high death rate associated with it; 60% of all humans who have been infected have died, said Dr. Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general of health security and environment for the World Health Organization. A research group in the Netherlands and a separate group at the University of Wisconsin have each created a mutated version of the H5N1 virus that can more easily transmit from mammal to mammal than the virus found in nature.  They tested the mutated virus on ferrets, which closely mimic the human response to the flu. The journal Science was going to publish the Dutch paper, and the journal Nature was going to publish the American paper. Both journals decided to refrain from publishing the studies so far. Concerns about the research were first raised in December, the fear being that a highly transmittable virus could be used in a biological weapon. The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity said in January that the data could be used to help prepare for a possible outbreak in the future.  However, the board recommended the studies be published without "methods or details" to prevent misuse by terrorists.  Science and Nature jointly released a statement on the matter . Friday, the World Health Organization said more public health benefit would come from publishing the entire manuscripts than "urgent" partial publishing.  But the WHO is going to continue its assessment of the biosafety and biosecurity aspects first. "If you just have scientists in the room and no security people, it’s not enough," Science Editor-in-Chief Bruce Alberts said Friday at the American Association for the Advancement of Science  meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.  "The other side of the equation is, what do we know about the ease at which al Qaeda, for example, could actually produce this thing?" Alberts said the original plan was to publish a redacted version of the papers in the middle of March, but that will not happen in light of the WHO decision.  "My reading is that both Nature and Science are to wait until we get some further information from WHO and other authorities about when we are to publish the full manuscripts," Alberts said. Experts say it's important to get this information out about avian influenza to the people doing surveillance, especially in countries like Indonesia that have the biggest problems with this disease.  But considering the risks for terrorism is important, Alberts said. "Obviously this cannot go on for years," he said. The best outcome would be the establishment of an international version of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, he said. There also is talk of other ways to get information to people who need it besides publication of the papers, Alberts said. For instance, there could be a list of 50 genetic mutations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that could be screened for; the technology for that exists.  That could be done openly because all the mutations of H5N1 that are being kept secret have already been found individually in other viruses.  It's only in combination that these mutations are dangerous.  Alberts suggests a database of these mutations could be available to public health officials in developing countries, for example.  So where is this secret information?  The Science paper is in a locked electronic file, and everyone who reviewed the papers was told to destroy their copies, Alberts said.  The whereabouts of the Nature paper were not revealed at the American Association for the Advancement of Science  meeting. Filed under: Flu Tagged: Elizabeth Landau – CNN.com Health Writer/Producer

While there’s nothing quite like running outdoors, frosty temps can make it impossible to do. For those freezing days, there’s the trusty treadmill. Whether you are a beginner runner or advanced, we’ve got the perfect treadmill workout for you. From a treadmill workout that mimics running up and down San Francisco hills to another that has you ascending a mountain, you’ll swear you’re actually running outside. Getting Started : If you’re new to running, try our 40-minute beginner treadmill workout . The workout combines walking and running to get your heart rate up while also priming your body for distance and speed. If you feel like the workout is too easy or hard, play around with the speed, but be sure to give your body time to adjust to the physical demands of running for the first time. Woggle Workout : Once you’re feeling a bit more comfortable on the treadmill, give this wogging workout a chance. This 60-minute workout alternates between walking briskly, jogging, and running slowly; plan to burn around 300 calories. Pyramid Intervals : Keep boredom at bay with this pyramid interval treadmill workout . By changing your running speed every minute, you’ll also be winning the war against weight gain. See the more advanced, calorie-busting treadmill workouts after the break!

Peek inside the Healthy Fellow kitchen pantry and you’ll find an assortment of dried leaves and powders that are intended for brewing or mixing with hot water. And, now that Winter has finally taken hold, I’m putting them to use on a daily basis. But, my pantry selections aren’t just predicated upon preference and taste. Related posts: Argentinian Health Trends Best Of Theaflavins and Heart Health The Health Benefits of Coffee Tea Gargling for Health Yerba Mate and Holistic News

When the sciatic nerve is irritated by a contraction of the piriformis muscle, it is called piriformis syndrome. The symptoms caused by piriformis syndrome are similar to many spinal conditions that also affect the sciatic nerve and cause radiating leg pain ( sciatica ). Most treatments deal with reducing the tightness in this muscle to remove pressure on the sciatic nerve. read more

It appears that the economy, not controversy, is shutting down the first clinical trial to use cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in humans. Due to the "current environment of capital scarcity and uncertain economic conditions," Geron CEO Dr. John Scarlett said his company will be focusing on developing cancer treatments instead. In January 2009, after many years of research, Geron became the first company to get FDA approval for human trials using cells grown from human embryonic stem cells.  The the FDA asked for more research, which led to final approval in July of last year.  Three months later, a 21-year-old nursing student from Alabama became the first human to be injected with these cells. The purpose of this trial was to determine safety.  Embryonic stem cells have the ability to turn into any type of cell. Cells that had been coaxed into becoming nerves cells were injected into patients who had  just suffered a spinal cord injury that paralyzed them from the chest on down. Patients had to receive these injections within two weeks of being paralyzed. Geron had FDA approval to test at least eight patients, to see whether the injections were safe and could be tolerated by patients.  So far  four patients had received injections. Any other patients who had already consented to participating could still be part of this clinical trial, says Scarlett. Dr. Stephen Kelsey, Geron's chief medical officer and head of research and development,  says that the cells have been "remarkably well tolerated" but that they have not received any information about their impact on the patient. "We have not observed any neurologic function at that stage," he says. Experts in the field agree that Geron paved the way for other companies to seek FDA approval for embryonic stem cell trials. Shortly after Geron's trial began, the FDA approved the second clinical trial using cells derived from human embryonic stem cells for a different company,  Advanced Cell Technology. In this case, cells are being injected into the eyes. But on Monday, Geron, which received no federal funding, halted the 13-month-old trial, saying it was too expensive.  "We will discontinue further development of our stem cell programs and are seeking partners for these assets," Scarlett said. Geron's chief financial officer, David Greenwood, told investors and reporters Tuesday that stem cell-related research and development costs, if they were to continue, would total about $25 million per year for the next several years.  So the company has to decided to focus instead on two cancer therapies that have moved further down the research pipeline than stem cells and will provide more shareholder value. "We anticipate having sufficient financial resources to reach these important near-term value inflection points for shareholders without the necessity of raising additional capital," says Scarlett. One of these drugs, called imetelstat, blocks an enzyme that helps cancer cells grow. It's in Phase 2 clinical trials being tested in lung cancer, breast cancer and two blood cancers (essential thrombocythemia and multiple myeloma). Geron says results from these trials are expected by the end of next year. The other therapy is called GRN1005, and first results for safety trials (phase 1) were presented at a cancer conference  on Tuesday.  GRN1005  is meant to treat brain cancer that has spread from other parts of the body, by binding an already-approved cancer drug called Taxol to a protein. This combination would allow the cancer drug to cross the blood-brain barrier, something that Taxol alone can't do, according to Scarlett.  Study results show that this combination drug was safe and well tolerated by the patients, "with encouraging evidence of anti-tumor activity against brain metastases," according to a company press release. With the cancer drugs further down the research pipeline, Geron is now looking for a partner to take over the stem cell program, which not only includes research into spinal cord injuries, but also heart disease, diabetes and cartilage damage.  While Geron will not enroll any new patients, whoever invests in this branch of the company could choose to do so, executives say.  It all depends on what final deal is made.

While studies are mixed as to whether or not vitamin C reduces the severity of a cold , it is an essential vitamin that keeps your immune system strong and healthy. Here are the top five vitamin C packed fruits and vegetables that are in season during November. Guava (one medium fruit / 280 percent vitamin C daily value) Broccoli (one cup / 168 percent vitamin C daily value) Orange (one medium fruit / 128 percent vitamin C daily value) Brussels Sprouts (one cup / 125 percent vitamin C daily value) Kiwi (one medium fruit / 120 percent vitamin C daily value) Remember that vitamin C is water-soluble, which means cooking reduces the vitamin content . Lightly steam or blanch your broccoli and brussels sprouts to maintain as many nutrients as possible. Other seasonal vegetables high in vitamin C include bok choy, butternut squash, and leafy greens like Swiss chard. What is your favorite way to load up on vitamin C? Picture Source: Flickr User Esther Gibbons Nutritional Source: Calorie Count

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar! Diet Tips from Ashley Korff, RD by the editors at Fitness Magazine Do you wake up every morning and bounce out of bed, ready to take on the new day? Probably not, but registered dietitian and FITNESS advisory board member Ashley Koff says that fantasy can be a reality. In her new book Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged , co-authored by trainer Kathy Kaehler, Koff shares simple suggestions for moms – or anyone! – to live a more pep-filled life. “Today we’re giving out our energy to so many different spaces. It’s really important to focus on how to bring some energy back in your life,” Koff says. Here are her top five tips for a diet that will rev your engine: Aim for better energy, not just more. “The pursuit of more energy can lead to harmful highs and lows, as people often turn to espresso, sugar, or supplements. I tell my clients to aim for ‘better’ energy by following the next four steps.” Watch your portion sizes. “Think of one carbohydrate serving as about the size of your fist and one protein serving as the size of your palm. I don’t recommend cup measurements because caloric and nutritional needs depend on your body size.” Be a “qualitarian.” “The type of fuel dictates how your body runs. Try to make the highest quality choices available, and you will get more nutrients. Our bodies perform best on foods that it recognizes – in other words, non-processed foods .” Keep reading for more energizing tips from Ashley.

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – An Alabama pharmaceutical issued a voluntary nationwide recall for birth control pills over what’s called a systemic “packaging error.” The packaging error isn’t impacting a woman’s health, according to Qualitest Pharmaceuticals. However, the instructions may end up with women unintentionally becoming pregnant while taking the medication. The recall involves 1.4 million packages that have been distributed since last year. Qualitest urged those who have their products to use a “non-hormonal” form of birth control. The recall affects these products: Cyclafem 7/7/7; Cyclafem 1/35; Emoquette; Gildess FE 1.5/30; Gildess FE 1/20, Orsythia, Previfem; and Tri-Previfem. Customers can call 1-877-300-6153 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT to get their questions answered, arrange to return their pills or report problems. Information is also available at http://www.qualitestrx.com/pdf/OCRecall.pdf .