Little Colby Boudreaux is moving his legs and feet. While this is something most parents take for granted, for Colby it’s remarkable. He underwent a life-changing surgery at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans to correct the myelomeningocele birth defect, the most serious form of spina bifida… 12 weeks before he was born. During a groundbreaking surgery, Ochsner Medical Center’s fetal surgery team of 18 physicians and nurses operated on the 23-week-old fetus while still in his mother’s uterus, a procedure that fewer than 10 hospitals in the United States are able to perform.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/59661-ochsner-medical-center-first-in-utero-surgery-corrects-mmc-birth-defect
Asuragen Inc., a leading molecular diagnostics company, today announced results from a study demonstrating that a new molecular test called Xpansion Interpreter® can improve the determination of a woman’s risk of having a child with fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism, compared to existing risk measures. The Xpansion Interpreter Test is based on a technology breakthrough that reveals both the number and position of “interrupting” DNA sequences in the fragile X gene of the mother and more accurately estimates the likelihood that her child will have fragile X syndrome. The study will be published in the April issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics and presented today at the 2013 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting in Phoenix, AZ.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60719-asuragen-xpansion-interpreter-xi-test-data-fragile-x-syndrome-autism
Littered cigarette butts are more than just an eye sore. According to environmental clean-up reports, cigarette butts are the No. 1 littered item on U.S. roadways and the No. 1 item found on beaches and waterways worldwide. A new survey conducted by Legacy, shows that while more than 88 percent of Americans surveyed think that cigarette butts are an environmental concern, more than 44 percent of those polled who had ever smoked admit to having dropped a cigarette on the ground and nearly 32 percent have dropped a cigarette out of a car window.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53122-legacy-leave-no-trace-psa-toxic-waste-cigarette-litter-earth-day
New research has revealed that the use of Antimicrobial Copper surfaces in hospital rooms can reduce the number of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) by 58% as compared to patients treated in Intensive Care Units with non-copper touch surfaces. In the United States, 1 out of every 20 hospital patients develops an HAI, resulting in an estimated 100,000 deaths per year. Although numerous strategies have been developed to decrease these infections, Antimicrobial Copper is the only strategy that works continuously, has been scientifically proven to be effective and doesn’t depend on human behavior, according to a recently published study in the SHEA Journal of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61120-antimicrobial-copper-surfaces-reduce-healthcare-acquired-infections
Today, Easter Seals released the Spanish version of the online developmental screening, the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ), making it one step closer to its goal of having all kids under five screened for developmental delays, autism and other disabilities, and allowing for every family to access the screening free of charge.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55359-easter-seals-week-of-the-young-child-free-online-developmental-screening
Addiction can destroy careers and ruin lives. It can be devastating to watch a loved one descend into addiction, and family members often can’t understand why an addict continues to use drugs or alcohol despite the ruinous consequences.
In a series of new videos at besmartbewell.com/addiction, leading experts explain how addiction affects the brain and offer insight into why it is so hard for addicts to stop using drugs and alcohol.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61017-be-smart-be-well-explores-the-science-of-addiction
Urgent action is needed to improve the diagnosis and management of CDI, which is the main cause of hospital-acquired (nosocomial) diarrhoea in industrialised countries.2 In a report launched today, during a meeting hosted by the European Healthcare and Hospital Federation (HOPE), experts from across Europe highlight the current deficiencies in the management of CDI and outline the steps that are needed to address them.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60637-astellas-report-diagnosis-management-CDI
Children International, a leading humanitarian organization, is providing fuel-efficient Ecocina cookstoves that can save lives among poor families in rural Honduras. The stoves are also better for the environment because they reduce wood consumption and harmful pollutants – a great reason to celebrate on Earth Day. In stark contrast to modern kitchens where burners can be turned on and off at will, “kitchens” in rural areas of the developing world often consist of open flames inside highly flammable primitive homes.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57996-children-international-provides-stoves-that-save-lives-in-latin-america
Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. (“Raptor” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: RPTP), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved PROCYSBI™ (cysteamine bitartrate) delayed release capsules for the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis in adults and children 6 years and older. In a Phase 3 study, PROCYSBI showed consistent cystine depletion over the full 12-hour dosing period. Sustained levels of cysteamine have not historically been achieved in the majority of patients in this population. Studies have shown that sustained cystine depletion in patients may significantly delay disease progression, including kidney dysfunction, dialysis, kidney transplant, organ failure and premature death.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61338-raptor-pharmaceutical-procysbi-fda-approval-nephropathic-cystinosis
In recognition of Melanoma Monday® and National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention MonthTM, MELA Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: MELA) visited the NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square today to ring the Opening Bell and sponsor free skin cancer checks.
One American dies every hour from melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer. MELA Sciences, Inc. is the pioneer company behind MelaFind®, the first and only FDA-approved diagnostic tool that helps dermatologists detect melanoma at its most curable stage. MelaFind® was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in Fall 2011, and since then has strategically rolled out the technology to dermatology practices across the country.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/61584-mela-sciences-rings-opening-bell-awareness-melanoma-detection-prevention
