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Novel Clinical Practice Guideline Manual Released By ENT Society
The world"s largest ear, nose, and throat professional medical association, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), has released a manual detailing best practices for the creation of new clinical practice guidelines. The manual is published as a supplement to the June issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

Blood-Borne Molecule Helps Regulate Blood-Vessel Integrity
Although maintaining the integrity of blood vessel walls is essential for life, well-controlled temporary leakage of blood contents through the walls of blood vessels into the tissues is a hallmark of inflammation. Although the molecule S1P is known to act on the cells that line blood vessels (endothelial cells) to regulate the permeability of blood vessel walls, the in vivo of SIP in this process remains unknown, and whether it has a role in inflammation has not been determined. In a new study, Shaun Coughlin and colleagues, at UCSF, San Francisco, have shed light on these issues, revealing that mice that lack S1P selectively in plasma (the liquid component of blood) have increased leakage from the blood vessels in response to a variety of stimuli, including inflammatory ones. As the leakage was reversed by treatment with either S1P-containing red blood cells or an agonist for the protein to which SIP binds, the authors conclude that S1P in the blood regulates blood-vessel integrity and prevents potentially lethal decreases in blood volume after exposure to leak-inducing stimuli.
News of the day
Global Fund-Financed Programs Reaching More People, Report Shows
The most recent statistics on programs funded in 140 countries through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria released Wednesday reveal "[m]ore than 2 million people living with HIV have been reached with life-saving treatment," the UN News Centre reports (7/8).
Endocrinology

Cook Medical Announces FDA Clearance For Advance(R) 35LP PTA Balloon Dilatation Catheter

Cook Medical has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its newest balloon dilatation catheter, the Advance® 35LP. The device is intended for use in patients with lesions in the femoral, iliac and renal arteries and rounds out Cook"s complete line of low-profile PTA balloons. The Advance 35LP will play an integral part in Cook"s Leg Therapy Program, an initiative geared toward helping physicians address the anatomical challenges of treating Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) and deliver clinically effective interventional solutions to the patients who need them most. Commonly associated with diabetes, hypertension and coronary disease, PVD can result in amputation or death if left untreated. Few are aware of the minimally invasive treatment options available apart from amputation or surgical bypass, the latter of which is the current gold standard in treating this disease. The Advance line comprises three low-profile balloons (14LP, 18LP, 35LP) that range in size and composition to treat lesions in the peripheral arteries as well as obstructive lesions of native or synthetic arteriovenous dialysis fistulas. The Advance 35LP balloon, compatible with a .035-inch wire guide, is designed to address common above-the-knee blockages. The Advance 18LP, compatible with a .018-inch wire guide, is geared toward the femoral artery and popliteal region of the leg. The Advance 14LP, compatible with a .014-inch wire guide, is reserved for treatment of the most tortuous anatomies of the lower leg, including the popliteal and infrapopliteal arteries. Each balloon features a low crossing profile and small-sheath compatibility, which helps reduce the need for an invasive arterial entry and may shorten patient recovery time. Advanced thermal setting of the balloon folds improves rewrap and sheath pull-back, and a unique double-lumen shaft construction using optimized nylon-blend material reduces balloon inflation/deflation time and improves pushability while maintaining kink resistance. Cook Medical


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