Commonly consumed doses of glucosamine do not increase serum HDL cholesterol or its main component, apolipoprotein (apo) A1, in people with diabetes and low HDL cholesterol, researchers found in a small placebo-controlled crossover study. Reuters Health Information
In cirrhotic patients with well preserved liver function and severe portopulmonary hypertension (PPHT), treatment with bosentan appears to improve clinical status and offer a survival advantage, German researchers report. Reuters Health Information
Dabigatran (Boehringer Ingelheim), an investigational oral direct thrombin inhibitor, has shown efficacy and safety at defined doses in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Reuters Health Information
Results of a randomized trial show alcohol-dependent patients with liver cirrhosis were able to attain alcohol abstinence at a higher rate with baclofen than with placebo. The researchers say the drug might play an important role in the management of these patients. Medscape Medical News
The FDA has approved first-time generic formulations for nifedipine extended-release tablets in 90-mg strength; norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets (28-day) in 1 mg/0.02 mg, 1 mg/0.03 mg, and 1 mg/0.035 mg strengths; and norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets (21-day) in 1 mg/0.02 mg, 1 mg/0.03 mg, and 1 mg/0.035 mg strengths. Medscape Medical News
Pneumococcal vaccine reduces the carriage of vaccine serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae without influencing Staphylococcus aureus carriage in young children with acute otitis media, according to a report in the December 15th issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Reuters Health Information
Sleeping problems at ages 2 to 4 years are associated with an increased risk of becoming obese in young adulthood, according to a prospective birth cohort study. Reuters Health Information
Two studies project the prevalence of future coronary heart disease in adulthood based on current increased rates of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Medscape Medical News
Variants in genes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 encoding P450 enzymes can predict therapy response or failure in patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer treated with tamoxifen, according to German researchers. Reuters Health Information
Amgen Inc said on Thursday it is talking with U.S. regulators about updating safety warnings for anemia drugs, after data from two studies stoked concerns about their use by breast and cervical cancer patients. Reuters Health Information
