MERS Vaccine Found Successful In Animals

By Dr Deepu

BBC News (8/21) reports that a study published in Science Translational Medicine found that “a prototype vaccine against the lung infection MERS coronavirus has shown promising results.” The vaccine successfully protected monkeys and camels from the disease, and researchers hope it will work for humans with additional research and development.

CPAP Alternatives For Traveling With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

By Dr Deepu

The Sleep Review (8/20, Wolski) reports on “easy to use, effective, and unobtrusive” alternatives to CPAP for patients with OSA while traveling. Dr. Glenn Adams, medical director and sleep medicine specialist at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, said one of the most effective options is “Provent, which goes over the nose and creates back pressure to treat OSA,” but is not covered by insurance. The piece also discusses the option of oral appliances.

FDA grants “fast track” designation to pneumonia drug

By Dr Deepu

FDA grants “fast track” designation to pneumonia drug

The Triangle (NC) Business Journal (8/19, deBruyn, Subscription Publication) reports that Chapel Hill-based drug developer Cempra Inc. received “Fast Track” designation from the FDA to expedite the review process for “Cempra’s experimental drug solithromycin, a treatment for community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP).” The drug is “currently in Phase 3 development for the treatment of CABP and Cempra plans a New Drug Application submission in 2016.”

High-Flow Nasal Therapy Effective As NIV In Preterm Infants

By Dr Deepu

Medscape (8/18) reports that an analysis published in the journal Pediatrics found that high-flow nasal cannula therapy “is as safe and efficacious as conventional modes of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in preterm infants.” The study, which compared high-flow therapy with nasal continuous positive airway pressure, found “no significant differences between groups with respect to a variety of secondary outcomes,” such as the duration of time in the neonatal unit or respiratory support.

Study: COPD Patients With Comorbid Mental Issue Have Higher Readmission Risk

By Dr Deepu

According to Lung Disease News (8/18, Semedo), a recent study in the journal CHEST found that psychological conditions such as depression anxiety, or psychosis were associated with a higher risk of hospital readmission for COPD complications. “These psychological disorders are more likely to predict early readmission than other significant factors,” said Gurinder Singh of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. “This is likely related to the limited ability of these patients to handle the COPD, poor social support or community resources and non-adherence with treatment,” Singh added.

E-Cigarettes Not Gateway Drug Among British Youth, Survey Says

By Dr Deepu
The Guardian (UK) (8/17, Meikle) reports that an online survey by the British anti-tobacco group Action On Smoking and Health found that “experimentation with e-cigarettes is rising among 11- to 18-year-olds in Britain but is most common among those who already smoke or who have done in the past.” The group suggests that the results show it is “unlikely” that e-cigarettes are being used as a gateway drug to tobacco. Also covering the story are the Daily Mail (UK) (8/17, Duell) and the Independent (UK). (8/17, Connor)

Helicobacter Pylori May Be Common In Patients With COPD

By Dr Deepu
The Daily Mail (UK) (8/16) reported that “the bacteria helicobacter pylori” may “be common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).” Research has “found that levels of the bacteria are up to three times higher in people with COPD, and one theory is that infection in childhood may affect the growth of the lungs, making them more vulnerable to disease.”

Researcher Identify Factors That May Put COPD Patients At Higher Risk For Falls

By Dr Deepu

Reuters (8/15, Rapaport) reported that research suggests that older individuals with COPD may have a higher likelihood of experiencing falls if they have additional medical conditions, prior falls, or a lengthier smoking history. The findings were published in Respirology.

Trans fats, but not saturated fats, linked to greater risk of death and heart disease

By Dr Deepu

Higher trans fat intake associated with 20-30% increased risk, say researchers

Saturated fats are not associated with an increased risk of death, heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes, finds a study published in The BMJ this week. However, the findings show that trans fats are associated with greater risk of death and coronary heart disease.

The study confirms previous suggestions that industrially produced trans fats might increase the risk of coronary heart disease and calls for a careful review of dietary guidelines for these nutrients.

Guidelines currently recommend that saturated fats are limited to less than 10%, and trans fats to less than 1% of energy to reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.

Saturated fats come mainly from animal products, such as butter, cows' milk, meat, salmon and egg yolks, and some plant products such as chocolate and palm oils. Trans unsaturated fats (trans fats) are mainly produced industrially from plant oils (a process known as hydrogenation) for use in margarine, snack foods and packaged baked goods.

Contrary to prevailing dietary advice, a recent evidence review found no excess cardiovascular risk associated with intake of saturated fat. In contrast, research suggests that industrial trans fats may increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

To help clarify these controversies, researchers in Canada analysed the results of observational studies assessing the association between saturated and/or trans fats and health outcomes in adults.

Study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias, and the certainty of associations were assessed using a recognised scoring method.

The team found no clear association between higher intake of saturated fats and all cause mortality, coronary heart disease (CHD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic stroke or type 2 diabetes, but could not, with confidence, rule out increased risk for CHD death. They did not find evidence that diets higher in saturated fat reduce cardiovascular risk.

However, consumption of industrial trans fats was associated with a 34% increase in all cause mortality, a 28% increased risk of CHD mortality, and a 21% increase in the risk of CHD.

Inconsistencies in the included studies meant that the researchers could not confirm an association between trans fats and type 2 diabetes. And they found no clear association between trans fats and ischemic stroke.

The researchers point out that the certainty of associations between saturated fat and all outcomes was "very low," which means that further research is very likely to have an important impact on our understanding of the association of saturated fats with disease. The certainty of associations of trans fat with CHD outcomes was "moderate" and "very low" to "low" for other associations.

They also stress that their results are based on observational studies, so no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. However, they say their analysis "confirms the findings of five previous systematic reviews of saturated and trans fats and CHD."

And they conclude that dietary guidelines for saturated and trans fatty acids "must carefully consider the effect of replacement nutrients."

Link to article

Nicotine-degrading bacteria show therapeutic promise in smoking cessation!!!

By Dr Deepu

An early-phase study developing a new drug to aid smoking cessation has found that an enzyme made in the lab could digest nicotine before it reaches the brain.
In the Journal of the American Chemical Society, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) report how the enzyme can consume nicotine, indicating the potential to significantly reduce the length of time that nicotine remains in the blood.
The team assessed a protein extracted from Pseudomonas putida bacteria in mouse models. P. putida was originally isolated from a tobacco field and is now known to rely on nicotine as its sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The team isolated the nicotine-degrading enzyme, NicA2, from the bacteria to establish whether this protein was stable and whether the process would continue once the protein was isolated.
The results showed that the protein reduced the half-life of the nicotine from one cigarette from 2–3 hours to 9–15 minutes. The team found no evidence of any negative physical or behavioural effects of the enzyme on the mice and, at this stage, the by-products from the process of breaking down the nicotine do not appear to be toxic.
The authors state that further studies are necessary, particularly with regard to any human immune-response to the protein.

Two Clinical Trials Indicate Tasimelteon May Help Establish Normal Sleep Rhythms For The Blind

By Dr Deepu

Reuters (8/12, Rapaport) reports that Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that two clinical tests for Hetlioz (tasimelteon) showed that the drug helped blind patients achieve normal sleep rhythms. Last year, Hetlioz was approved by the Food and Drug Administration with orphan drug status, which allowed it to receive approval based upon smaller trials. The two studies examined 104 totally blind patients throughout 27 clinical trial centers in the US and Europe.

CDC issues recommendations on influenza vaccination for 2015-16

Updated recommendations on influenza vaccination for the 2015–16 season have been issued by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. As reported in MMWR, changes from the 2014–15 season include the following:

• Trivalent vaccines will include A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, an A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (Yamagata lineage) virus. These A (H3N2) and B viruses are different from the previous season.
• The Fluzone Intradermal Quadrivalent vaccine is expected to replace the trivalent Fluzone Intradermal vaccine for adults aged 18 to 64.
• Children aged 6 months to 8 years who are receiving their first influenza vaccine still need two doses at least 4 weeks apart, but special consideration of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination is no longer needed, since current vaccines incorporate that viral antigen.
• Live-attenuated vaccine (previously preferred for children aged 2–8 years) is no longer recommended over inactivated vaccine, because observational studies failed to support the superiority of live-attenuated vaccine seen in randomized trials.

Here is the link to the article published in CDC Click here

Bigger Families May Deal With More Viral Infections

By Dr Deepu

HealthDay (8/7, Preidt) reports that “being part of a big family boosts the risk of passing on viral infections that cause colds, flu and other respiratory woes,” according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases journal. The study of “108 people from 26 Utah families” revealed that “people in childless households were infected with viruses an average of three to four weeks a year.” Viral infections “rose to 18 weeks a year in families with one child, and up to 45 weeks a year in households with six children,” the study found.

        Meanwhile, HealthDay (8/7, Preidt) reports, “An online program that encourages people to wash their hands reduced the spread of cold and flu viruses within families,” according to a study published online in The Lancet that involved some 20,000 UK adults. The online “program also led to fewer gastrointestinal illnesses, doctor appointments and antibiotic prescriptions,” the study found.

Lung Cancer Patients May Often Experience Delays In Treatment And Miss Diagnostic Steps Before Surgery

By Dr Deepu

The Houston Chronicle (8/7, Hawryluk) reports that research published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery suggests that “lung cancer patients often experience delays in treatment and miss diagnostic steps before they proceed to surgery, which could reduce their already low chance of a cure.” Investigators “found many patients had to wait more than month to six months after an initial X-ray showed signs of possible lung cancer.” Meanwhile, just “one in 10 patients received all three of the diagnostic tests recommended before surgery.”

Limited Resection May Not Be Equivalent To Lobectomy When Used To Treat Older Patients With Stage IA Lung Cancer Of Invasive Cell Types

By Dr Deepu

MedPage Today (8/6, Jackson) reports that research suggests that “limited resection is not equivalent to lobectomy when used to treat older patients with stage IA lung cancer of invasive cell types, namely invasive adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.” Rather, “these patients may be considered for completion lobectomy or for adjuvant treatments,” researchers “report online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.”

Lung Function May Decline In Patients With Moderate To Severe COPD After Steroid Withdrawal

By Dr Deepu

                   

MedPage Today (8/5, Minerd) reports that research indicated that individuals “with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experienced significant decreases in lung function for up to 5 years after discontinuing long-term inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment.” Additionally, these individuals “experienced steady worsening in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and quality of life.” The findings were published in CHEST Journal.

Optical Fluorescent Molecular Real-Time Imaging During Surgery May Be Used To Differentiate Lung Adenocarcinomas From Normal Lung Parenchyma

By Dr Deepu

MedPage Today (8/4, Jackson) reports that research indicates that “optical fluorescent molecular real-time imaging during surgery can be used to differentiate lung adenocarcinomas from surrounding normal lung parenchyma.” The findings were published in The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

Thoroughness, Accuracy Of Pre-Op Lung Cancer Evaluation Could Be Improved, Study Suggests

By Dr Deepu

Cancer Therapy Advisor (8/4) reports that research suggests “for suspected lung cancer patients, the thoroughness, accuracy, and timeliness of preoperative evaluation could be improved.” The findings were published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Companies Work To Help Employees With Insomnia

By Dr Deepu

The Washington Post (7/31, McGregor) reports research from Harvard is showing that “insomnia results in the loss of 11.3 days of productivity each year” for the average worker and represents a total national loss of $63.2 billion. As a result of the “impact on insurance costs and worker productivity,” some companies have implemented means to help their employees get better sleep.

Abatacept May Benefit Children With Common Variable Immune Deficiency

By Dr Deepu

Medscape (7/31, Kelly) reports that “enhanced understanding of immune system protein regulation led to the discovery of what might be the first effective treatment for a devastating genetic autoimmune disorder in children, and it involves a drug already approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).” The study’s “senior author Michael B. Jordan, MD...told Medscape Medical News that the researchers were both surprised and gratified to find that abatacept had ‘major positive impact’ on three patients with common variable immune deficiency (CVID) who were treated for 5 or more years.” The “treatment appeared particularly effective at reversing the devastating lymphocytic interstitial lung disease caused by CVID.” The findings were published in Science. Bernice Lo, PhD, from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases was one of the researchers.