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Second Pediatric Death From H1N1 Virus Was Ten Year Old Girl
The Pima County Health Department is releasing additional
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Bionovo's Estrogen Receptor Beta Selective Drugs Have Unique Gene Expression And Cell Type Specificity
Bionovo, Inc. (Nasdaq: BNVI) announced that a study of the gene regulation in multiple cell lines by several of their estrogen receptor beta (ERb) candidates will be published in Public Library of Science One.
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New Urine Test Detects Chlamydia In Men
A new rapid urine test for chlamydia in men identified 84% of infections, according to a study of 1,200 men published Tuesday in the British Medical Journal, Reuters reports. Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection among women and can be treated easily with antibiotics. However, the STI often goes undiagnosed and causes no symptoms in 70% of cases. It can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. It also can make women more vulnerable to HIV.Rapid tests for chlamydia in men often have been inconclusive and uncomfortable, involving a painful swab of the urethra. The developer of the new test, Helen Lee of the University of Cambridge, said, "This has led to many cases of infection in men going undiagnosed and being transmitted to their female partners, with potentially more serious complications." The new test is "both accurate and swift, allowing men attending the clinics to be tested and treated on site in one visit," according to Lee. She said that the test already is approved in France and soon will be available in Italy, Spain, Portugal and other European countries (Reuters, 7/28).
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Genzyme Receives European Approval Of Renvela For Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced that the European Commission has approved Renvela(R) (sevelamer carbonate) for the control of serum phosphorus in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The approval includes patients not on dialysis with serum phosphorus levels greater than or equal to 1.78 mmol/L (5.5 mg/dL), and covers both the tablet and powder formulations. "With this marketing authorization, Renvela is the first phosphate binder for patients not on dialysis approved through the centralized procedure in Europe," said Dan Regan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Genzyme"s renal business. "This is an important step toward improved patient care, and we are pleased that CKD patients in Europe will now have access to this proven therapy." Renvela is a next-generation version of Renagel® (sevelamer hydrochloride), a calcium-free, metal-free, non-absorbed phosphate binder, and has the added benefit of a carbonate buffer. In a clinical study comparing Renvela to Renagel, both drugs controlled serum phosphorus equally to within the recommended KDOQI range. "Hyperphosphatemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD, and frequently starts before patients reach dialysis," said Markus Ketteler, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Nephrologist, Klinikum Coburg, Academic Teaching Hospital of the University of WÃørzburg, Germany. "Renvela is an important addition to the therapeutic options available to nephrologists, and gives them the opportunity to treat hyperphosphatemia earlier." Elevated serum phosphorus levels are common in patients with CKD because phosphorus is not easily filtered by the diseased kidneys and as a result builds up in the body. This build up is associated with calcification of tissues, and therefore controlling serum phosphorous is an important element in the care of patients with CKD. Genzyme has been working with regulatory officials worldwide to secure additional approvals for Renvela. The company this quarter launched Renvela in India for CKD patients on dialysis. This week, Genzyme also received approval for the treatment in Brazil, the second-largest market for sevelamer outside of the United States. The Brazil approval is for the treatment of CKD patients on dialysis; the company also plans to seek approval in that country for the product"s use in hyperphosphatemic CKD patients who are not on dialysis. In the United States, Genzyme launched Renvela tablets for patients with CKD on dialysis in March 2008, and the company anticipates FDA approval of the powder formulation for this indication during the second half of this year. Genzyme has also been in discussions with the FDA regarding the treatment of hyperphosphatemic CKD patients not on dialysis. Genzyme now anticipates that its discussions with the agency will continue beyond midyear, and given the nature of this process, the company cannot provide an anticipated timeframe for the agency"s decision on this indication. Genzyme"s 2009 guidance will not be affected. About Renvela and Renagel Renvela (sevelamer carbonate) and Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride) are currently the only phosphate binders available that do not contain either calcium or a metal. Sevelamer, the active moiety in both Renagel and Renvela, has an established safety profile and is not systemically absorbed. It is used by approximately 450,000 patients worldwide. Sevelamer is contraindicated in patients with hypophosphatemia or bowel obstruction. Caution should be exercised in patients with dysphagia, swallowing disorders, severe gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders including severe constipation or major GI tract surgery. Common adverse events reported with sevelamer include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, and constipation. Other events reported include pruritus, rash, fecal impaction, and intestinal obstruction. Drug-drug interactions may occur with some medications and should be taken into consideration when instructing patients how to take sevelamer. Patients should be informed to take sevelamer with meals and to adhere to their prescribed diets. Genzyme


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