MANCHESTER, England, September 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Vaginal rings, similar to those used for contraception and hormone replacement therapy, could protect women from sexually-transmitted HIV, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Researchers from the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University in Belfast, in conjunction with the International Partnership for Microbicides in the USA, found that a 'matrix' vaginal ring provided long-term release of the HIV microbicide dapivirine, both under laboratory conditions and in patients.

MANCHESTER, England, September 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The fight against fake medicines could soon be aided by a small, portable device that quickly measures the hardness of a tablet, revealing whether it is counterfeit, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

The study tested a series of dummy paracetamol tablets made with varying degrees of real medicine, versus lactose (an ingredient used by counterfeiters to replace the active drug). Tests showed that the fake tablets were harder than the tablet with the correct amount of paracetamol, and were more difficult to crush.

MANCHESTER, England, September 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Egg secretions from a worm that causes a deadly human disease may prove useful in gene therapy, according to research presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Gene therapy is a method of correcting faulty genes responsible for certain diseases, particularly cancers. It involves using a carrier, or 'vector', to insert new genetic material to mend a faulty gene in the affected cells of the person or 'host'. To achieve this, the vector must be able to survive the host's various defence systems and travel through the cell to its nucleus, which holds the host's genes.

A drug used to increase blood production in both medical treatments and athletic doping scandals seems to also improve memory in those using it. New research published in BMC Biology says that the memory enhancing effects of erythropoietin (EPO) are not related to its effects on blood production but are due to direct influences on neurons in the brain. The findings may prove useful in the treatment of diseases affecting brain function, such as schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s.

Patients given EPO to treat chronic kidney failure had been observed to have improved cognition after starting the drug. “These effects of EPO were thought to result from the blood-boosting effects of the drug,” explains Hannelore Ehrenreich at the Max Planck Institute, “but the finding of receptors for EPO on nerve cells in the brain suggests that some other mechanism might be involved.”

Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company, has introduced Glowelle, a dietary supplement that they say protects and hydrates the inner and outer layers of the skin. Their marketing blurb says it is formulated with a proprietary(naturally) blend of high antioxidant vitamins (like vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E), phtyo-nutrients, botanical and fruit extracts and that drinking it will help fight the signs of aging.Glowelle's antioxidants help defend against the damage caused by free radicals, which are caused by pollution ... and the sun.

You know, the sun. Source of all life on Earth. It's apparently bad for you. Except for that vitamin C antioxidant they put in Glowelle, which you can get for free ... from the sun.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide but many people with cardiovascular disease have none of the common risk factors usually blamed, such as smoking, obesity and high cholesterol.

Researchers say they have discovered a new link between gum disease and heart disease, according to a presentation at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn meeting being held this week at Trinity College, Dublin.

In recent years chronic infections have been associated with a disease that causes "furring" of the arteries, called atherosclerosis, which is the main cause of heart attacks. Gum disease is one of the most common infections of humans and there are now over 50 studies linking gum disease with heart disease and stroke.

PRINCETON, New Jersey, September 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Princeton Financial(R) Systems LLC ("Princeton Financial"), a subsidiary of State Street Corporation and a leading provider of portfolio management and accounting solutions for global institutional investors, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement pursuant to which Princeton Financial will acquire all of the outstanding stock of Aquin Components GmbH ("Aquin"), one of Europe's leading software vendors for international asset management and the fund industry and market leader in investment compliance.