Ulcerative Colitis

...On the flip side, depression might also be linked to developing FI.According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), FI can also be described as not being able to hold a bowel movement before getting to a toilet.

Besides the ones mentioned above, other causes can include chronic constipation or diarrhea; loss of storage capacity in the rectum due to rectal surgery, radiation treatment and inflammatory bowel disease; and pelvic floor dysfunction.More than 5.5 million Americans have FI, reports the NDDIC, a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, which is a part of the National Institutes of Health.

It affects people of all ages, but is more common in women than men, as well as older than younger people.

"Doctors need to ask about fecal incontinence, just as they have learned to ask about urinary incontinence.

Only then can it be evaluated and hopefully treated," said Pamela R.

Yoder, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Women's Health Center for the Revolution Health Group's Medical Advisory Board.Women also need to take an active role, Yoder added.

"[Fecal incontinence] has received little attention in the media and in doctors' offices.

However, urinary or fecal incontinence can have a tremendous impact on the w...

...The recommendation was made by the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use to the European Medicines Agency to expand use of the monoclonal antibody for The panel based its recommendation on clinical trial data revealing that Remicade showed a response in up to 69 percent of patients, compared with an up to 37 percent response rate in those given placebo.

In Europe, Remicade is currently approved to treat Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and most recently, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Johnson & Johnson shares fell 62 cents to $58.09, and Schering-Plough shares fell 43 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $19.65 in premarket activity.

Separately, Schering-Plough reported fourth-quarter earnings that fell just shy of Wall Street estimates.

Copyright 2005, by The Associated Press.

All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

BW MALL SPONSORED LINKS Free Hot Stock Picks from The Stockster Free commonsense stock picks that can turn your portfolio into a monster performer.

Review our unbiased research for free and remember to bookmark our page for future picks!

Home Equity Loans - E-LOAN Get cash in as few as 12 days.

Apply for hassle-free home equity loans at E-LOAN.

No len...

... Schering-Plough Reports FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Oral HCV Protease Inhibitor SCH 503034 Schering-Plough Reports FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Oral HCV Protease Inhibitor SCH 503034 KENILWORTH, N.J., Jan.

30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Schering-Plough today reported that the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to its investigational oral hepatitis C protease inhibitor (SCH 503034), currently in Phase II clinical development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

The FDA granted Fast Track designation for the following reasons: The proposed first indication for SCH 503034 is for treatment of HCV in patients with HCV genotype 1 virus who have not responded to combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, the current standard of care, thus representing an unmet medical need.

SCH 503034 is an orally active inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus serine protease that inhibits HCV replication.

This mechanism is distinct from those of current therapies, thus SCH 503034 represents a novel class of HCV inhibitor.

Fast Track designation allows FDA to expedite review of drugs and biologics for serious or life-threatening conditions and which demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs.

An important feature of Fast Track designation is that it emphasizes the critical nature of close, early communication between the FDA and the sponsor compa...