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Loan Repayment Legislation Includes Physical Therapists As Frontline Providers
Legislation to establish a Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program that includes physical therapists was introduced Tuesday by Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA). The Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2009 (HR 2891) would encourage physical therapists to practice in underserved areas, says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).
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FDA Recommends Gardasil Recipients Sit, Lie Down After Receiving Vaccination
In a posting aimed at health care professionals, FDA on its Web site on Wednesday said that recipients of Merck"s human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, should be closely observed afterward for 15 minutes while they remain seated or lying down to avoid the possibility of fainting, the Wall Street Journal reports. FDA said that since October 2007, Gardasil"s labeling for both health care providers and patients has included a discussion about fainting. The agency said the strengthened recommendation comes in response to reports of "traumatic injuries" among some recipients who experienced fainting (Corbett Dooren, Wall Street Journal, 6/10). Gardasil protects against the strains of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that girls ages 11 and 12 receive the three-dose vaccine before they are sexually active. Girls and women ages 13 to 26 who have not been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series also should receive the vaccine (CDC fact sheet, June 2008). On Wednesday, FDA also approved changes to Gardasil materials that place warnings about fainting in a more prominent place on drug labels and handouts. The agency said that the new recommendations are intended to "prevent falls and injuries" (Wall Street Journal, 6/10).
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Researchers Effectively Treat Tumors With Use Of Nanotubes
By injecting man-made, microscopic tubes into tumors and heating them with a quick, 30-second zap of a laser, scientists have discovered a way to effectively kill kidney tumors in nearly 80 percent of mice. Researchers say that the finding suggests a potential future cancer treatment for humans.
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Amarillo Biosciences And CytoPharm Announce Start Of Enrollment For Hepatitis C Study In Taiwan

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. (ABI) (OTCBB: AMAR) and CytoPharm, Inc. today jointly announced the start of enrollment for a study of ABI"s oral interferon-alpha lozenges for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The aim of the trial is to reduce the virologic relapse rate for those patients who have completed the standard combination therapy, which consists of high dose injectable interferon-alpha and Ribavirin. Although most patients respond to the standard therapy, up to 50% of those with certain "high-risk" viral genotypes relapse after treatment. The study will be conducted under the direction of Dr. Chau-Ting Yeh at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan. A total of 165 patients who test positive for a "high-risk" hepatitis C viral genotype will receive one of two different doses of human interferon-alpha or placebo given daily for 24 weeks. Following completion of treatment, patients will be monitored for relapse for an additional 24 weeks. Full study enrollment is expected by the end of the year with study completion targeted for the 4th quarter of 2010. Approximately 170 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus worldwide, with an additional 3-4 million cases occurring each year. The incidence of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients is 10 to 20%, and 1 to 5% develop liver cancer. In addition to sexual and perinatal transmission, hepatitis C virus infection is common following direct contact with contaminated blood, typically due to inadequately sterilized needles and syringes. Currently, there is no effective vaccine against hepatitis C virus. Separately, the companies announced that CytoPharm is planning a study of oral interferon lozenges in the treatment of influenza to be launched during the 2009/2010 flu season in Taiwan. About Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. is a U.S. biotechnology firm operating in global partnership with the Hayashibara Group, which also holds 7% of Amarillo Biosciences" shares and has provided over $18 million in loans, grants and equity investments. The Company"s primary focus is extensive and ongoing R&D into the use of low-dose, orally administered interferon as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including influenza, hepatitis C, chronic cough, and opportunistic infections in patients who are HIV positive. In its 25-year history, the Company has invested nearly $40 million to establish oral interferon as a therapeutic agent. The majority of those funds were invested in clinical trials in an effort to achieve FDA approval for interferon. Additional information is available on the web site at http://www.amarbio.com/. CytoPharm


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