Pediatric leukemia patients benefit from less painful drug delivery
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of pediatric cancer, can safely receive intravenous infusions of a reformulated mainstay of chemotherapy that has been delivered via painful intramuscular injection for more than 40 years, research suggests.Researchers looked at the four-year, event-free survival and toxicity of E. coli L-asparaginase delivered via IV in its polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated formulation or through IM injection in its native formulation. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - December 12, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma Source Type: news
Molecular Targeted Viral Nanoparticles as Tools for Imaging Cancer
Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) are a novel class of bionanomaterials that harness the natural biocompatibility of viruses for the development of therapeutics, vaccines, and imaging tools. The plant virus, cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), has been successfully engineered to create novel cancer-targeted imaging agents by incorporating fluorescent dyes, polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers, and targeting moieties. Using straightforward conjugation strategies, VNPs with high selectivity for cancer-specific molecular targets can be synthesized for in vivo imaging of tumors. Here we describe the synthesis and purification of CPMV-based VNP...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - November 20, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
NuLytely (Polyethylene Glycol 3350, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate and Potassium Chloride for Oral Solution) - updated on RxList
(Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)
Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs - October 7, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
GoLytely (Polyethylene Glycol 3350 and Electrolytes Oral Solution) - updated on RxList
(Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)
Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs - October 4, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
FDA Panel Endorses ReSure Sealant, With ProvisosFDA Panel Endorses ReSure Sealant, With Provisos
The novel polyethylene glycol sealant was seen as helpful in stopping leaks after cataract surgery, but panel members expressed caution about overselling its advantages. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - September 20, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Ophthalmology News Source Type: news
PEG Relieves IBS Constipation, but Has No Effect on PainPEG Relieves IBS Constipation, but Has No Effect on Pain
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 plus electrolytes may be of help in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients with constipation, according to a new study from the manufacturer. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines - August 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Gastroenterology News Source Type: news
Excellent guidelines for managing salicylate overdose
The American College of Medical toxicology has issued a “Guidance Document” outlining management priorities in treating acute or chronic salicylate toxicity. The document does an excellent job in summarizing important issues, and there is a pearl in practically every sentence. It is well worth reading in its entirety.
The following are some of the key points:
“Salicylate-poisoned patients are almost universally volume depleted at the time of presentation” and volume resuscitation is an early priority.
Salicylate levels should be checked frequently (many toxicologists recommended doing this every 2 ...
Source: The Poison Review - June 27, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical acmt american college of medical toxicology aspirin overdose guidelines management salicylate toxicity Source Type: news
Eight prehistoric boats surface at Fens creek in record bronze age find
3,000-year-old fleet discovered in a Cambridgeshire quarry on the outskirts of PeterboroughA fleet of eight prehistoric boats, including one almost nine metres long, has been discovered in a Cambridgeshire quarry on the outskirts of Peterborough.The vessels, all deliberately sunk more than 3,000 years ago, are the largest group of bronze age boats ever found in the same UK site and most are startlingly well preserved. One is covered inside and out with decorative carving described by conservator Ian Panter as looking "as if they'd been playing noughts and crosses all over it". Another has handles carved from the oak tree t...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - June 3, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Maev Kennedy Tags: The Guardian News Archaeology UK news Science Source Type: news
Weekly Web Review: ricin, gila monsters, and Hitler’s food taster
Caster beans and ricin: At the ToxTalk podcast, Matt Zuckerman, Jen Carey, and Ed Boyer from the University of Massachusetts toxicology program have a level-headed discussion as to whether or not one should panic if an envelope filled with ricin arrives in the mail. I was especially interested to hear about their recent case of a suicidal man who put 30 castor beans through a blender and swallowed the slurry. Tests for urine ricinine were strongly positive. Consistent with TPR‘s long-held belief that the furor about ricin is much ado about (mostly) nothing, the ensuing nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort qui...
Source: The Poison Review - April 27, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical beta blocker poisoning calcium channel blocker toxicity gila monster ricin ToxTalk weekly web review Source Type: news
What Causes Constipation?
Discussion
Constipation generally is defined as infrequent or painful defecation. Constipation can be very disturbing to the patient and family who believe the stools are too infrequent, too hard or too difficult to pass. Most children develop constipation after the child begins to associate pain (e.g. a hard bowel movement) with defecation. The child then begins to withhold the stools trying to decrease the defecation discomfort. As stool withholding continues, the rectum dilates and gradually accommodates with the normal defecation urge disappearing. Passing large hard stools infrequently reinforces the defecation pain. ...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - February 25, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
Horizon scanning: Eziclen®/Izinova® for bowel cleansing completes European decentralised registration procedure
Source: MarketWatch
Area: News
According to a Market Watch report, the sulphate-based bowel cleansing preparation Eziclen® / Izinova® (containing sodium, magnesium and potassium sulphates) has successfully completed its European decentralised registration procedure involving 16 countries, with launch expected by the end of 2013. The product will be indicated in adults for bowel cleansing prior to any procedure requiring a clean bowel (e.g. bowel visualisation including bowel endoscopy and radiology or surgical procedure). Each Member State (including the UK) should now adopt a national decision within 30 days.
...
Source: NeLM - News - February 11, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news
The Distress Of Constipation In Seniors
For seniors who are constipated, the use of polyethylene glycol and lactulose are effective, according to a review of current treatments published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). The article reviews the latest evidence on the efficacy and safety of treatments to help doctors treat their patients. Constipation, which increases with age, is a common complaint in seniors that can have serious health consequences and affect quality of life. Excessive straining in frail people can cause fainting and the risk of injury from falling or restrict blood flow to the heart and brain... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 30, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Source Type: news
Abuse of Opana ER (oxymorphone) associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
3.5 out of 5 stars
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)-Like Illness Associated with Intravenous Opana ER Abuse — Tennessee, 2012. MMWR 2013 Jan 11;62:1-4.
Full Text
This paper describes a 2012 CDC investigation into a cluster of 15 cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)-like illness in the state of Tennessee. TTP-like illness was defined as microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (hemolytic anemia anemia based on haptoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase with schistocytes and an admission platelet count < 50,000/μL. Typical TTP-like signs and symptoms included nausea (11 patients), abdominal pain (11), f...
Source: The Poison Review - January 15, 2013 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical opana oxymorphone thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura ttp Source Type: news
