Mixed Bag

Design flaws plague many animal-based drug studies, researchers say
Many pharmaceutical studies in animals that lead to trials in humans have serious design flaws, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed 63 animal studies of popular cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins—drugs such as Crestor, Lipitor and Zocor. Some of the studies were funded by the government and other non-industry sources, while others were paid for by drug companies. MedicalXpress

IV Saline Solution in Short Supply, Flu May Be to Blame
The FDA is reporting a shortage of intravenous solutions, including saline used for volume repletion. The agency says there may be increased demand because of influenza-related hospitalizations. Previously, the agency reported a shortage of the oral suspension of the antiviral oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Journal Watch

Deaths higher for heart attack patients at night and weekends
Mortality is higher, and emergency treatment takes longer, for heart attack patients who arrive at hospital during the night or at weekends compared with regular hours, finds a study published in BMJ today. The results suggest that presenting outside regular hours may lead to thousands of extra deaths every year. They also show a longer 'door to balloon time' - an emergency procedure to inflate the coronary artery. MedicalXpress

Hearing loss linked to accelerated brain tissue loss
Although the brain becomes smaller with age, the shrinkage seems to be fast-tracked in older adults with hearing loss, according to the results of a study by researchers from Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging. The findings add to a growing list of health consequences associated with hearing loss, including increased risk of dementia, falls, hospitalizations, and diminished physical and mental health overall. Eurekalert!

Regenstrief, IU study: Half of hospitalized adults over 65 need surrogate decision-makers
Nearly half of hospitalized American adults age 65 and older require decision-making assistance from family members or other surrogates because the patient is too impaired to make decisions independently, according to a new study from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University Center for Aging Research. The vast majority of surrogates are children or spouses, and some patients have two or more family member making decisions together.  Eurekalert!

Modest familial risks for multiple sclerosis
The estimated risks in this study turned out lower than the previously reported high risks. The risk for a sibling to a person with multiple sclerosis for developing disease was seven times higher compared to the general population, while the risk for a child of an MS patient was five times higher. The study found no increase in risk for grandchildren and nieces/nephews. Karolinska Institutet

High-protein diets, like the Dukan diet, increase the risk of developing kidney disease
High-protein diets, like the popular Dr. Dukan diet, increase the long-term risk of developing kidney disease and have a negative effect on renal urinary and morphological markers. What's more, they may promote serious pathologies like nephrolithiasis (calcium kidney stones) because they drastically reduce urinary citrate (an inhibitor of calcium salt crystallization) and urinary pH, and increase urinary calcium (to compensate for the metabolic acidity caused by excess protein). MedicalXpress