UPMC seeks case consolidation, alleges Highmark pocketed bulk of premium hikes

Posted by Adam Kenny 18 Jul, 2011

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Latest from The Business Journals UCSF, Stanford hospitals make U.S. News’ top 20 hospitals list (again)UPMC, Allegheny General recognizedPitt receives .3 million grant Follow this company on Wednesday filed a motion in the U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, seeking to consolidate a lawsuit recently filed by Highmark Highmark Latest from The Business Journals Senate committee plans hearingsHighmark, UPMC contract negotiations may cause issues for Medicare Advantage membersHighmark sues UPMC over advertising Follow this company Inc. w

Read more…

(0) Comment Categories : Health Reviews

Review finds differences in bioactivities of insulin and insulin analogues

Posted by Justin Murphy 17 Jul, 2011

There are many insulin preparations currently available in the market, with varying biological activities and potencies. The differences in bioactivity between human insulin and insulin analogues were investigated in a systematic review of in vitro studies of the last 20 years. An extensive literature search of papers published from 1990 to 2010 was performed. A total of 50 publications were identified, consisting of 45 full papers and 5 abstracts. The following insulin preparations were compared: human insulin; the rapid acting analogues insulins lispro, aspart, glulisine; and the slow acting analogues insulins glargine and detemir.

Read more…

(0) Comment Categories : Health Protection

Feeling Stressed? Skip That Glass Of Wine

Posted by Hayden Solomon 17 Jul, 2011

Having a cocktail may not be the best way to unwind after a stressful day.

New research in the medical journal “Alcoholism” shows drinking alcohol to release tension doesn’t allow people to deal with the root of their stress, which can make the stress last even longer.

The study also finds that stress can reduce alcohol’s intoxicating effects, which can cause people to drink even more.

(0) Comment Categories : Health Guide

“Good” Brown Fat Might Help People Lose Weight

Posted by Justin Murphy 17 Jul, 2011

Body fat is like two twins: one evil and one good.  In this case, white fat-the kind that likes to cluster around the abdomen and hang on to calories-is the bad stuff. The “good” fat is brown, and it has been found to assist the body in burning calories, thus helping keep weight down.

Now researchers at Harvard Medical School and Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston may have found a way to get the body to grow more brown fat cells. If so, their approach could help in the treatment of obesity, although they caution that it would only be a supplement to healthy diet and exercise.

The researchers took pre-fat cells, called pre-adipocytes, from samples of brown fat taken from human patients. According to Dr.

Read more…

(0) Comment Categories : Health Protection

Soon, a test to tell your infection risk!

Posted by Adam Kenny 17 Jul, 2011

A team of scientists, including one of Indian-origin, is reporting on a detection method, which could be used to detect harmful bacteria in our bodies before an infection takes over.

This could potentially prevent the overuse of antibiotics and the development of drug-resistance, as well as save lives.

In vivo tests, lead author Associate Professor Niren Murthy and team injected bacteria into the thigh muscle of rats. They then injected maltodextrin-based imaging probes into the rats jugular vein so that they could spread throughout the body.

Sixteen hours later, they used a fluorescence imaging system to take photos of the infection site.

Read more…

(0) Comment Categories : Health Reviews

Former Congressman Mark Foley resting comfortably tonight after prostate surgery

Posted by Hayden Solomon 16 Jul, 2011

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley was resting tonight at Florida Hospital in Orlando after having surgery for prostate cancer.

Foley, 56, this morning had a procedure called robotic radical prostatectomy, which involved the removal of his prostate gland through a small hole in the abdominal cavity.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Vipul Patel in the Global Robotics Institute at the hospital.

It went very, very well, Foley told The Post in a telephone interview this evening. We went into surgery at 7. About 11 o’clock, I awoke from the anesthesia. I made my first walk about the hall. It was somewhat traumatic, but it wasn’t as bad as I feared.

Foley said that, pending the outcome of a follow-up exam, he could be released as early as noon Saturday.

Read more…

(0) Comment Categories : Health Guide