Cardiovascular Research: How low to go for blood pressure? ♦ Diabetes drug reduces risk of heart failure ♦ Long-term effects of wireless heart failure monitor.

How low to go for blood pressure? Lower target could affect millions of Americans At least 16.8 million Americans could benefit from lowering their systolic blood pressure to 120 mmHg, much lower than current guidelines.

Diabetes drug reduces risk of heart failure and may prevent it, Research shows that a type 2 diabetes drug significantly reduces hospitalizations and death from heart failure. At the end of the trial period, investigators found that patients treated with the drug experienced reductions in blood sugar and blood pressure, as well as weight loss. They also found major significant reductions in hospitalizations for heart failure (35%); the combined result for heart failure hospitalization or dying from heart disease (34%).

Long-term effects of wireless heart failure monitor just released Long-term data collected on the use of an FDA-approved wireless heart failure monitor shows the treatment cut hospitalizations nearly in half and significantly reduced risk of death in patients.

Combination therapy reduces occurrence, number of migraines following cardiac procedure Scientists randomly assigned 171 patients with an indication for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure and no history of migraine to receive dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + clopidogrel [the clopidogrel group], n = 84) or single antiplatelet therapy (aspirin + placebo [the placebo group], n = 87) for 3 months following transcatheter ASD closure.

11/24/14 Illegal Drug Residue in Beef ♦ History of Contaminated Sprouts ♦ Polyps do not cause cancer ♦ Fluorescent nanoprobe identify and monitor tumors

FDA WARNING LETTERS: DRUG RESIDUES TOP LIST OF PROBLEMS AT FOOD FIRMS

Illegal drug residues in dairy cows slaughtered for meat were the main problem cited in recent warning letters from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to firms found in violation of regulations stipulated by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Letters to four dairy producers warned that illegal levels of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs...Continue Reading

PUBLISHER’S PLATFORM: ONE, TWO THREE SPROUTS YOU’RE OUT

Three sprout outbreaks caused by Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria outbreaks since August?  One has been deadly and all have sent dozens to the hospital. As of yesterday, the CDC has reported a total of 63 persons infected with Salmonella Enteritidis from 10 states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode... Continue Reading

Marker polyps do not cause cancer, experts say

Although serrated polyps usually are associated with colorectal cancer, it turns out that such polyps are themselves not dangerous, according to a study Continue Reading

Fluorescent nanoprobe could become a universal, noninvasive method to identify and monitor tumors

Researchers have developed a hybrid metal-polymer nanoparticle that lights up in the acidic environment surrounding tumor cells. Nonspecific probes that can identify any kind of tumor are extremely useful for monitoring the location and spread of cancer and the effects of treatment, as well as aiding initial diagnosis Continue Reading