- - European weblog on food, health and environment
News - Week 40 - 2008
EU - Rapex Weekly Report
RAPEX is the EU rapid alert system for all dangerous consumer products, with the
exception of food, pharmaceutical and medical devices. It allows for the rapid exchange of
information between Member States and the Commission of measures taken to prevent or
restrict the marketing or use of products posing a serious risk to the health and safety
of consumers. Both measures ordered by national authorities and measures taken voluntarily
by producers and distributors are covered by RAPEX. The report includes detailed
information on the products concerned, the risks, the notifying Member State, and the
measures adopted in response. Pictures are included where available.
Energy Saving lamps : Scientific
opinion on possible aggravation of symptoms for patients with specific diseases
On 23 September 2008, the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health
Risks (SCENIHR) adopted an opinion on the possible contribution of certain types of
energy-saving lamps to the aggravation of symptoms of patients with certain diseases. At
present, there is a trend in the European Union of promoting the wide-spread use of
energy-saving light bulbs. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are currently the main type of
energy-saving light bulbs on the market. It has been claimed that the symptoms of several
diseases may be aggravated by the use of compact fluorescent lamps and SCENIHR has been
asked to evaluate the validity of these claims. To begin with, the SCENIHR did not find
suitable specific scientific data on the relationship between CFLs and symptoms in
patients with specific conditions.
Therefore, SCENIHR examined whether the following three lamp characteristics could act
as potential triggers for aggravation of some disease-related symptoms:
· Flicker[1]
· Electromagnetic fields
· UV and blue light radiation.
Of all these CFLs properties, only UV/blue light radiation was identified as a
potential risk factor in the aggravation of existing light-sensitive symptoms in some
patients with diseases such as chronic actinic dermatitis and solar urticaria. No evidence
was found that would indicate that either EMF or flicker could be a significant
contributor. The Committee drew attention to the fact that under extreme conditions (i.e.
prolonged exposures at distances <20 cm) it has been observed that some single-envelope
CFLs may lead to UV exposures approaching the current workplace limit set to protect
workers from skin and retinal damage. The SCENIHR notes though that the use of commonly
available double-envelope energy saving bulbs or similar technology would largely or
entirely mitigate the risk for approaching workplace limits on UV emissions in extreme
conditions described above, as well as the risk of aggravating the symptoms of
light-sensitive individuals Due to the lack of relevant data, the number of all
light-sensitive patients in the European Union, who might be at risk from the increased
levels of UV/blue light radiation generated by CFL is difficult to estimate. However, a
preliminary rough estimation of the worst-case scenario yields a number of around 250,000
individuals (0.05% of the population) in the EU.
For more information on the SCENIHR opinion please visit the following link:
Modify diet to reduce arthritis pain. Suggestions for nutritional supplements.
Proposed federal study on genes and
environment
An overview of a proposed large-cohort study on genes and the environment. Made as part
of the Genetics and Public Policy Center's Public Consultation on Genetics, Environment,
and Health.
Chamomile Tea Could Help Prevent
Complications Of Diabetes
Drinking chamomile tea daily with meals may help prevent the complications of diabetes,
which include loss of vision, nerve damage, and kidney damage, researchers in Japan and
the United Kingdom are reporting.
Keeping a cell phone on talk mode in a pocket can decrease sperm quality, according to new
research from the Cleveland Clinic. “We believe that these devices are used because
we consider them very safe, but it could cause harmful effects due to the proximity of the
phones and the exposure that they are causing to the gonads,” says lead researcher
Ashok Agarwal, the Director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine.
RAPEX is the EU rapid alert system for all dangerous consumer products, with the
exception of food, pharmaceutical and medical devices. It allows for the rapid exchange of
information between Member States and the Commission of measures taken to prevent or
restrict the marketing or use of products posing a serious risk to the health and safety
of consumers. Both measures ordered by national authorities and measures taken voluntarily
by producers and distributors are covered by RAPEX. The report includes detailed
information on the products concerned, the risks, the notifying Member State, and the
measures adopted in response. Pictures are included where available.
Although results from any of the three commonly used assays may be analytically accurate,
they might not be clinically accurate, which is, ultimately, what matters. Therefore,
I’d like to review the essentials of vitamin D testing again, and give you a vital
update on how to ensure you’re actually getting accurate test results.
Culture greatly shapes young
people's drinking habits
Whether young people get drunk as a purposeful behavior or as an unintended consequence
depends on what country they live in, according to new research on young people in seven
countries. The research finds that young people's views on alcohol and drunkenness were
influenced more by culture than by factors such as age and sex. "Tragically, too many
young people purposefully pursue drunkenness as a form of 'calculated hedonism' bounded by
the structural and cultural factors that affect young people in different countries,"
says Fiona Measham, PhD, co-editor of the book and criminologist at Lancaster University.
"We need to work to change this culture of extreme drinking," says Marjana
Martinic, PhD, co-editor and vice president for public health at ICAP. "We need to
look at cultures in countries like Italy and Spain where moderate drinking is an ordinary,
every-day part of family life." Research on young people's drinking shows that rates
of drunkenness and extreme drinking are significantly lower in the Mediterranean countries
than in Northern European countries. For example, 49 percent of Swedish 17-year-olds
report having been drunk, compared with around 10 percent of Italian, French, and Greek
youth. "Changing the culture of extreme drinking requires looking beyond traditional
responses and getting all relevant stakeholders involved," concludes Dr. Martinic.
"This means governments, the public health community, the beverage alcohol industry,
the criminal justice system, and civil society must have a role in reducing extreme
drinking among young people."
Weight loss surgery may be
associated with bone loss
Weight loss surgery may be linked to deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D and bone loss,
according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of
Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). With the growing epidemic of obesity, many
people are opting for surgical procedures to help promote weight loss. While these
procedures result in significant and sustained weight loss and reverse many of the
complications of obesity, this new study shows there may be harmful effects on calcium and
bone metabolism. "Our research shows that deficiencies of calcium and vitamin D
absorption occur following gastric bypass surgery," said Dr. Shonni J. Silverberg,
professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New
York, N.Y., and coauthor of the study. "When analyzing hip bone density, we found
that those who lost the most weight also lost the most bone." In this study,
researchers evaluated 23 morbidly obese men and women who underwent gastric bypass
surgery. Dr. Silverberg and her colleagues measured serum calcium, vitamin D, and
parathyroid hormone levels before surgery and at three, six, and twelve months after
surgery. Researchers also measured bone mineral density before and after surgery using
dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). One year after weight loss surgery, patients had
lost an average of 99 pounds and had significant declines in hip bone mineral density
(both total hip and femoral neck measurements).
Low sperm count may be associated
with prenatal testosterone excess
Exposure to an excess of sexual steroids, like testosterone, during fetal development may
be a potential risk factor for low sperm count and motility, according to a new study
accepted for publication in Endocrinology, a journal of The Endocrine Society. "The
majority of disorders affecting sperm count in humans are originated during fetal
life," said Professor Sergio Recabarren of the University of Concepcion in Chillan,
Chile and lead author of the study. "A developing fetus is very vulnerable to its
environment, and when that environment is exposed to excess sexual steroids, it may have a
significant deleterious effect on a male offspring's fertility." Prenatal exposure to
excess sexual steroids can occur in two ways, said Dr. Recabarren. First, the exposure may
be a product of increased sexual steroids in the maternal environment due to a hormonal
condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Second, humans are exposed to several
industrial pollutants which can act as steroid mimics, causing the body to inhibit or
accelerate native steroid production. In this study, researchers treated pregnant sheep
with 30 mg testosterone propionate twice weekly from days 30 to 90 of pregnancy and with
40 mg testosterone propionate from days 90 to 120 of pregnancy. They found a significant
reduction in body weight, scrotal circumference, and sperm count in male sheep born to
these mothers compared with control sheep.
Radiation Before Surgery Reduces
Quality of Life and Risk of Recurrence for Rectal Cancer Patients
The use of a short one week course of radiation before surgery for rectal cancer leads to
a reduced risk of recurrence but with some impairment in quality of life for sexual and
bowel function,according to an international study presented September 22, 2008, at the
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in
Boston.
Acupuncture Reduces Side Effects of
Breast Cancer Treatment As Much As Conventional Drug Therapy
Acupuncture is as effective and longer-lasting in managing the common debilitating side
effects of hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive sweating (vasomotor symptoms)
associated with breast cancer treatment and has no treatment side effects compared to
conventional drug therapy, according to a first-of-its-kind study presented September 24,
2008, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual
Meeting in Boston. Findings also show there were additional benefits to acupuncture
treatment for breast cancer patients, such as an increased sense of well being, more
energy, and in some cases, a higher sex drive, that were not experienced in those patients
who underwent drug treatment for their hot flashes. “Our study shows that physicians
and patients have an additional therapy for something that affects the majority of breast
cancer survivors and actually has benefits, as opposed to more side effects. The effect is
more durable than a drug commonly used to treat these vasomotor symptoms and, ultimately,
is more cost-effective for insurance companies,” Eleanor Walker, M.D., lead author of
the study and a radiation oncologist at the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Radiation
Oncology in Detroit, said.
New Understanding/New Therapies for
Inflammatory Diseases
Andrew Chan of Genentech explores new therapies for inflammatory diseases Series:
Inflammation as Cause and Consequence of Disease
Brain-Immune Connections in Health
and Disease
The UCSD School of Medicine and the Diana Padelford Binkley Foundation bring you the
newest installments of this innovative series targeted at successfully managing pain in
women. Studies show women often receive inadequate care as pain manifests uniquely in the
sexes and requires distinctive treatment strategies. In this program, Esther Sternberg,
M.D., a national expert from American University, discusses how the brain and immune
connections affect health and can help us prevent and treat disease.
Complementary and Alternative
Medicine: Gender Differences
The UCSD School of Medicine and the Diana Padelford Binkley Foundation bring you the
newest installments of this innovative series targeted at successfully managing pain in
women. Studies show women often receive inadequate care as pain manifests uniquely in the
sexes and requires distinctive treatment strategies. In this program, Margaret Chesney,
Ph.D., Deputy Director, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
updates us on gender differences in the use of complementary and alternative medicine.
Three Week Radiation Therapy as
Effective as Five Weeks for Early-stage Breast Cancer
Early-stage breast cancer patients who receive a more intensive course of radiation to
their whole breast over three weeks is as effective as the standard, less intensive
five-week whole breast radiation and offers patients more convenience at a lower cost,
thereby providing a better quality of life, according to a randomized, long-term study
presented September 22, 2008, in the plenary session at the American Society for
Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in Boston. The cost of this
shorter treatment, called accelerated hypofractionated whole breast irradiation, is
two-thirds of the cost of the standard whole breast radiation. It is also less expensive
then other new approaches such as partial breast irradiation.
Cancer Patients Experience
Increased Risk of Learning and Memory Problems When Whole Brain Radiation Added to
Radiosurgery
Cancer patients with tumors that have spread to the brain (brain metastases) who undergo
stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and whole brain radiation have more than double the risk
of developing learning and memory problems, compared to those who only have stereotactic
radiosurgery, according to a randomized study presented September 22, 2008, at the
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in
Boston. “Results of this study show that initial stereotactic radiosurgery alone,
coupled with close observation, could become the standard of care for patients newly
diagnosed with brain metastases to best preserve their neurocognitive function,” Eric
L. Chang, M.D., lead author of the study and a radiation oncologist at M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center in Houston, said. “Results of this study could change the practice of
how brain metastases are managed in the United States.”
Hormone Therapy Before Radiation
Seed Implants for Prostate Cancer May Shorten Life for Older Patients
Men over 70 years of age with early-stage prostate cancer have 20 percent higher mortality
if they are treated first with hormone therapy before being treated with radiation seed
implants (brachytherapy), compared to men who are treated with brachytherapy alone,
according to the largest cohort study of its kind presented September 23, 2008, at the
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting in
Boston. New research shows that hormone therapy can have negative effects on survival, in
addition to many other previously known side affects from this treatment. This is
important to consider when weighing treatment options, especially since hormone therapy
(called neoadjuvant hormone therapy or NHT) is sometimes used to shrink the prostate
before brachytherapy treatment of localized prostate cancer but does not improve the
patient’s chance of being cured. Localized prostate cancer means it has not spread
outside of the prostate.
Pancreatic enzymes are important in ensuring that individuals with cystic fibrosis digest
food and absorb nutrients. The vast majority of CF patients in Canada have been on enzymes
for a number of decades with good results. The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF)
is writing to let you know about an incidental finding of a recent study. A team of
Canadian researchers has found unexpected levels of phthalates (pronounced
—THA-lates“) in the urine of children with CF who were taking pancreatic
enzymes. Phthalates are used in the coating of some pancreatic enzymes and are found in
the FDA‘s list of inactive ingredients for FDA-approved drugs. We want to bring this
recent finding to everyone‘s attention because of the general public concern about
the presence of some particular phthalates in our environment. Phthalates are a group of
chemicals used in many products, such as drugs, medical supplies, toys, vinyl flooring,
wall covering, detergents, lubricating oils, food packaging, cosmetics and personal care
products. In CF care, phthalates are used to allow the medicine to pass through the
stomach and be released in the intestine, where nutrients are absorbed. Little is known
about the effect of these chemicals on humans. Some research on animals suggests toxic
effects from certain phthalates.
UNC study - parenting can override
effect of genes in how babies respond to stress
Now, it appears how infants respond to stress is linked to if they have a particular form
of a certain gene, according to a new study from the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. Just as significantly, researchers say they have also found that good
parenting – as early as within the first year of a child’s life – can
counter the effect the gene has in babies who initially do not respond well to stressful
situations. “Infancy is an important time for developing behavioral and biological
processes,” said the study’s lead author, Cathi Propper, Ph.D., research
scientist at UNC’s Center for Developmental Science. “Although these processes
will continue to change over time, parenting can have important positive effects even when
children have inherited a genetic vulnerability to problematic behaviors.”
UC Davis researchers discover new
drug target for inflammatory disease
UC Davis researchers have defined a cellular process that promotes inflammation and, at
the same time, found an important starting point for identifying and testing new drugs for
diseases such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
The scientists discovered that a protein called sPLA2-IIA binds to two integrins labeled
alpha-V-beta-3 and alpha-4-beta-1, causing them to rapidly multiply and boosting an immune
system response already gone awry due to disease.
A team of researchers has identified the active compounds that contribute to the health
benefits of pre-germinated brown rice; the healthy components are a related set of
sterol-like molecules known as acylated steryl-beta-glucosides (ASGs). Pre-germinated rice
(PR) is an emerging health food whereby brown rice is soaked in warm water prior to
cooking; the warm bath induces germination, or sprouting, which stimulates rice enzymes to
produce more nutrients. One such nutrient is the important brain chemical GABA (PR is thus
often referred to as "GABA rice"), and animal studies have shown that a PR-rich
diet can improve cognitive function. Other studies have found that PR can also act as an
anti-diabetic.
Aspirin has become one of the most widely used medications in the world, owing to its
ability to reduce pain, fevers, inflammation, and blood clotting. In animal studies,
aspirin has also been shown to prevent atherosclerosis, though none of its known
mechanisms of action would seem to account for this. In a new study, though, researchers
have uncovered the mechanism that may explain aspirin's ability to prevent arterial plaque
buildup. Using cell culture and mouse models, Sampath Parthasarathy and colleagues
observed that aspirin –specifically its active byproduct salicylate– can greatly
increase the expression of two proteins: paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and apolipoprotein A1
(ApoA1); in the mouse studies, low dose aspirin supplements could increase PON1 and ApoA1
levels by 7- and 12- fold, respectively. Both of these proteins are beneficial components
of the HDL complex, the "good cholesterol" that helps prevent atherosclerosis;
ApoA1 removes bad cholesterol from the bloodstream while PON1 is an antioxidant that
breaks down toxic lipid peroxides. The researchers also noted that the heightened
expression of PON1 was accompanied by an increase in a receptor called AHR (aryl
hydrocarbon receptor); this was intriguing as a chemical known to attach to AHR is
resveratrol, the "heart healthy" component of red wine.
Hidden infections crucial to
understanding, controlling disease outbreaks
Scientists and news organizations typically focus on the number of dead and gravely ill
during epidemics, but research at the University of Michigan suggests that less dramatic,
mild infections lurking in large numbers of people are the key to understanding cycles of
at least one potentially fatal infectious disease: cholera.Using a model developed with
new statistical methods, U-M researchers and their collaborators came up with results that
challenge longstanding assumptions about the disease and strategies for preventing it.
Their findings appear in the Aug. 14 issue of the journal Nature. The goal of the study
was to develop a model that would explain puzzling patterns seen in 50 years of cholera
death records from 26 districts in Bengal, cholera's "native habitat." "In
that region, we see two cholera seasons per year, with peaks in spring and fall,"
said assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology Aaron King, the study's lead
author. In addition, longer-term ups and downs can be seen over periods of three to five
years, with many cholera cases reported during some periods and few during others.
Explanations have been proposed for both the seasonal and multi-year cycles, and King and
coworkers wanted to test the validity of those and other possible scenarios. In
particular, they wanted to explore the impact of infection-induced immunity on the
dynamics of cholera outbreaks. It's surprisingly hard to get really sick with cholera, an
intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. The bacterium that
causes the illness, Vibrio cholerae, lives in surface waters, and in areas where
sanitation is poor, food and water are commonly contaminated with the bug. But it takes
100 billion bacteria to cause severe illness when ingested with water; 100 million when
taken in with food (which protects the bugs from stomach acid). As a result, in areas like
Bengal where exposure is high, lots of people are walking around infected, but not ill.
Morbid obesity nearly doubles the risk of early death and is often accompanied by
severe side effects such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
Gastric Bypass can be an ideal solution. Join host David Granet, M.D., as he talks with
world-renowned expert, Alan Wittgrove, M.D., Wittgrove Bariatric Center at Scripps
Memorial Hospital, to learn more about this disease and treatment options. Known as the
"father" of laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Wittgrove was the first in the world to
perform this surgery.
Alfred Bama works at the Limbe Wildlife Centre, a sanctuary for young primates and
great apes orphaned by the illegal bush-meat trade. He has hand-reared nearly all of the
apes from infancy. It is both a deep and touching relationship with the gorillas
perceiving him as a father and part of their group.
Iron-moving malfunction may
underlie neurodegenerative diseases, aging
A glitch in the ability to move iron around in cells may underlie a disease known as Type
IV mucolipidosis (ML4) and the suite of symptoms---mental retardation, poor vision and
diminished motor abilities---that accompany it, new research at the University of Michigan
shows.The same deficit also may be involved in aging and neurodegenerative diseases such
as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, says lead author Haoxing Xu, an assistant professor of
molecular, cellular and developmental biology. An interest in iron transport led Xu to
investigate ML4, another symptom of which is iron-deficiency anemia. Perhaps, he and his
collaborators reasoned, impaired iron transport could explain both the anemia and the
other problems that go hand-in-hand with ML4, a genetic disorder that mainly affects Jews
of Eastern European background. Children with ML4 begin showing signs of developmental
delay and eye problems during the first year of life and typically fail to progress beyond
the level of a 15-month-old. Although the disease is rare, recent discovery of some
children with milder forms of the condition raises the possibility of additional mild,
undiagnosed cases. To explore the possible role of iron transport in the disease, Xu's
group focused on a protein called TRPML1. A mutation in the gene that produces TRPML1 is
known to cause ML4, so the protein seemed like a logical starting point for investigating
mechanisms responsible for the disease, even though TRPML1 had never been shown to be
involved in iron transport. The only protein with that distinction was DMT1, which
facilitates iron uptake in the gut and in cells that will become red blood cells, but not
in most other cell types. "Essentially all cells, including nerve cells and muscle
cells, need iron," Xu said. "We wondered what happens in those cells where DMT1
isn't found, and we thought there must be an unidentified iron transporter protein,
possibly TRPML1."
You might want to make curcumin part of your daily diet. This active ingredient of the
Indian curry spice, turmeric, not only lowers your chances of getting cancer and
Alzheimer's disease, but may reduce the size of a hemorrhagic stroke, say Medical College
of Georgia researchers. Second-year medical student Jay McCracken is working with Dr.
Krishnan Dhandapani, neuroscientist in the MCG School of Medicine, using animal models to
study curcumin's effect on intracerebral hemorrhages, bleeding in the brain caused by
ruptured vessels. Patients with this type of stroke are often treated for symptoms –
such as headache and nausea – with medications, but not the stroke itself. Invasive
surgery to remove the clot is usually needed, but some patients may not be good
candidates, says Mr. McCracken. About 17 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic, according to
the American Stroke Association, and usually occur in people with high blood pressure.
Getting Lost – A Newly
Discovered Developmental Brain Disorder
Feeling lost every time you leave your home? You may not be as alone as you think.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research
Institute recently documented the first case of a patient who, without apparent brain
damage or cognitive impairment, is unable to orient within any environment. Researchers
also believe that there are many others in the general population who may be affected by
this developmental topographical disorder.
Risk of colorectal cancer extremely
low 5 years after a normal colonoscopy screening
A study appearing in the Sep. 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine shows that
among individuals with no colorectal neoplasia (abnormal growths) on initial screening
colonoscopy, the five-year risk of colorectal cancer is extremely low. The data provides
support for re-screening at an interval of five years or longer after a normal
colonoscopic examination.
Secondhand smoke linked to
peripheral artery disease in women
Secondhand smoke significantly increased the risk of women developing peripheral artery
disease (PAD) in a Chinese study, researchers reported in Circulation: Journal of the
American Heart Association. In a population-based study of 1,209 women in Beijing, China,
researchers found a 67 percent increased risk of PAD in those exposed to secondhand smoke
compared to those who were not exposed. The women were 60 years and older and had never
smoked. Of these women, 39.5 percent were exposed to secondhand smoke at home or in the
workplace. Secondhand smoke exposure was defined as exposure to another person’s
tobacco smoke for at least 15 minutes daily for more than one day every week for at least
two years during the past 10 years. “This is the first study to show the adverse
effects of secondhand smoke on peripheral artery disease in women,” said Yao He,
M.D., Ph.D., the study’s lead author and professor of epidemiology at the Chinese PLA
General Hospital in Beijing.
The cells lining blood vessels are known to be important for maintaining health, but
researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine believe these cells may perform
an unsuspected task -- controlling the development of fat cells. Their findings are
reported in the September issue of the journal Stem Cells. The researchers found that
precursor or stem cells have a markedly reduced tendency to develop into fat cells when
placed in direct contact with healthy endothelial cells, which are the cells that line
blood vessels.
Pittsburgh Researchers Identify
Population of Adult Stem Cells Found in Blood Vessels With Broad Ability To Regenerate
Other Tissues
In a promising finding for the field of regenerative medicine, stem cell researchers at
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have identified a source of adult stem
cells found on the walls of blood vessels with the unlimited potential to differentiate
into human tissues such as bone, cartilage and muscle. The scientists, led by Bruno
Péault, PhD, deputy director of the Stem Cell Research Center at Children’s
Hospital, identified cells known as pericytes that are multipotent, meaning they have
broad developmental potential. Pericytes are found on the walls of small blood vessels
such as capillaries and microvessels throughout the body and have the potential to be
extracted and grown into many types of tissues, according to the study. “This finding
marks the first direct evidence of the source of multipotent adult stem cells known as
mesenchymal stem cells. We believe pericytes represent one of the most promising sources
of multipotent stem cells that scientists have been searching for in the quest to make
regenerative medicine possible,” Dr. Péault said. “The encouraging aspect of
this source is that blood vessels are the one structure that all tissues in the human body
have in common. These cells can be extracted easily and painlessly from convenient sources
such as fat tissue, dental pulp, umbilical cord and placental tissue, then grown in
culture to large numbers and, possibly, re-injected into the patient to heal a broken
bone, a failing joint or an injured muscle.”
New technology paves the way for
the future of identifying proteins inside cells
A new technology which enables scientists to identify proteins by making a map of the
energy flow inside the protein is revealed today in Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences (PNAS) journal. The scientists behind the new technology hope to develop a tool
which can be used to analyse human cells and find out which proteins are present and in
what quantities. Being able to sensitively analyse the protein make-up of cells is
important because proteins are involved in every process in human cells, from facilitating
immune responses to cell-to-cell communication, and when a cell becomes diseased, for
example with cancer, the number of different kinds of proteins in a cell changes. The new
research outlines how an imaging technique known as coherent two-dimensional infrared
spectroscopy, 2DIR, has been used to successfully identify proteins in laboratory tests.
The technique uses an ultra short pulse of infra-red laser light to cause a vibration in
one part of the protein molecule. The researchers then track the movement of energy from
this vibration as it moves through the protein, building up an energy flow map of the
protein which enables them to identify what kind of protein it is. Professor David Klug
from the Single Cell Proteomics project at Imperial College London, one of the authors of
the new paper, explains the significance of their study: "We have proved the
principle that it is possible to use this type of spectroscopy to identify proteins and we
are now looking to use this knowledge to develop a new tool that can be used to further a
broad range of research including drug discovery, diagnostics, biomarker discovery and
basic biology."This is the first time in over 20 years that a new method for
identifying proteins has been discovered, and we're very excited about the possibilities
that it will bring to our field."
The Cholesterol Lie: What Your
Doctor Doesn't Know
According to research, heart disease is caused by the food additives glucose and
fructose. Cholesterol is necessary for life, is made by the liver, and occurs in almost
all living organisms. Many heart attack victims have normal cholesterol levels. High
fructose corn syrup, added to many processed foods and colas, is the number one source of
calories in the US. This explains why so many people have heart disease and diabetes.
Diabetes is reversible in at least 95% of all cases. Good nutrition causes LDL particles
to be larger, which is important because this keeps them from getting stuck during
transport and causing damage. Cholesterol drugs do not affect particle size, have serious
side effects, and kill thousands of people each year.
Food Matters Official Trailer
"Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food." -- Hippocrates.
That's the message from the founding father of modern medicine echoed in the controversial
new documentary film 'Food Matters' from first-time Producer-Directors James Colqhuoun and
Laurentine ten Bosch. "With nutritionally-depleted foods, chemical additives and
ourtendency to rely upon pharmaceutical drugs to treat what's wrong with our malnourished
bodies, it's no wonder that modern society is getting sicker. 'Food Matters' sets about
uncovering the trillion dollar worldwide "Sickness Industry" and giving people
some scientifically verifiable solutions for curing disease naturally." - James And
in what promises to be the most contentious idea put forward, the filmmakers have
interviewed several world leaders in nutrition and natural healing who claim that not only
are we harming our bodies with improper nutrition, but that the right kind of foods,
supplements and detoxification can be used to treat chronic illnesses as fatal as
terminally diagnosed cancer. 'Food Matters' is to be launched globally via the internet
using full screen video technology.
Half of trials supporting FDA
applications go unpublished
The researchers also found evidence of selective reporting of the results from these
trials. For example, Sim and colleagues report that a pivotal trial in which a new drug
works better than an old drug is more likely to be published than a trial in which the new
drug does no better. This is a form of publication bias that may lead to an
inappropriately favorable record in the medical literature of a drug's true risk-benefit
profile relative to other standard therapies, and can lead to preferential prescribing of
newer and more-expensive treatments, say the authors. These new results provide a baseline
for monitoring the effects of the FDA Amendments Act 2007, which was introduced to improve
the accuracy and completeness of drug trial reporting. Under this Act, all trials
supporting FDA-approved drugs must be registered when they start and the results of all
the outcomes declared at trial registration as well as specific details about the trial
protocol must be publicly posted within a year of drug approval on the US National
Institutes of Health clinical trials.gov site.
Variant of vitamin D receptor gene
linked to melanoma risk
A new analysis indicates an association between a gene involved in vitamin D metabolism
and skin cancer. Published in the November 1, 2008 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed
journal of the American Cancer Society, the study suggests that individuals with certain
variants in a vitamin D-related gene, called BsmI, may be at an increased risk of
developing melanoma. Research has shown that vitamin D in the body has significant
protective effects against the development of cancer because it regulates cell growth,
cell differentiation and cell death. This is supported by evidence that sun exposure,
which helps in the production of vitamin D, can have anticancer effects. Vitamin D exerts
its effects by binding to a receptor located within cells. Because there are genetic
differences in this vitamin D receptor among individuals, investigators suspect that
different people have different levels of vitamin D activity within their bodies.
Therefore, some individuals may naturally be able to achieve more vitamin D-related
protection against cancer than others. However, study results on this topic have been
conflicting, and no review of the available data has been performed to date.
Delirium after elective surgery
among elderly patients taking statins
The use of statins is associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium among
elderly patients undergoing elective surgery. Delirium is an acute change in mental status
that is worrisome to patients and families, especially after elective surgery. This
condition may contribute to delays in extubation, a prolonged need for intensive care,
increased risk of nosocomial infections and about a 1-week rise in total length of stay in
hospital for the average patient.
Key proteins identified in the
quest for male contraceptive
In an advance toward a long-sought new male contraceptive, researchers in China have
identified key proteins in men that suppress production of sperm and could become new
targets for a future male birth control pill. Their study is scheduled for the October 3
issue of ACS' monthly Journal of Proteome Research.Jiahao Sha and colleagues point out
that scientists do not understand one effect of the male sex hormone, testosterone —
how injections of the hormone suppress production of sperm. Building on a previous study
showing almost total sperm suppression with an injectable testosterone combined with a
synthetic hormone called levonorgestrel (LNG), the researchers sought new insights into
how hormones affect sperm-producing cells in the testicles.In a new study on men, they
found that testosterone combined with LNG changed the body's production of 31 proteins
compared to only 13 proteins for men given only testosterone. The scientists identified
proteins that could serve as both targets for new male contraceptives as well as
medications for treating infertility.
Effect of Allergens and Tobacco
Smoke on Laryngeal Mucosa
Everyday exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, allergens, and air pollution may be the
root of chronic cases of laryngitis, says new research presented at the 2008 American
Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual
Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL. Laryngitis symptoms include hoarseness of the
voice, cough, and chronic clearing of the throat. Researchers and physicians generally
attribute laryngitis to a viral infection and overuse of the voice. Other factors,
including consistent exposure to second-hand smoke, have also been cited as a trigger.
Researchers have now found through animal models that exposure to different environmental
pollutants, including dust mites and everyday air pollution, can cause what they term as
"environmental laryngitis." The findings are significant, given recent reports
on diminishing air quality and increased unhealthy levels of ozone and particle pollution,
especially in countries like China, which could lead to more cases of laryngitis and
chronic laryngitis.
Sinusitis patients suffer pain
similar to patients with arthritis, depression
Although muscle and joint aches are common complaints for patients who suffer with chronic
sinusitis, the seriousness of these issues is now better appreciated. In a paper presented
at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation
(AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, researchers revealed that the level
of bodily pain in patients with chronic sinusitis is similar to that noted by individuals
65 years and older, and similar to the pain of patients with arthritis or depression.
Sinus surgery, however, offers significant help. In the first review of its kind,
researchers performed a meta-analysis of 11 studies to statistically analyze the
connection between generalized bodily pain, sinus problems, and surgery to relieve clogged
sinuses. They found that the daily experience of pain affecting the body in general was
much more common in patients with sinus disease than in the overall population.
Children with hay fever more likely
to experience headaches, facial pain
Children who suffer from bouts of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) are also more likely to
suffer from headaches, facial pain, and ear aches than children without these allergies,
says new research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and
Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL. Allergic
rhinitis is a collection of symptoms predominantly in the nose and eyes, caused by
airborne particles of dust, dander, or plant pollens. Patients usually suffer from
congestion, runny noses, itchy eyes, and cough. Researchers used the Pediatric Allergies
in America study, a national survey of parents of 500 children with current symptoms of
nasal allergies and 504 children without nasal allergies, to further determine if children
suffered additional problematic side effects of allergic rhinitis. Parents of children
with allergic rhinitis reported to researchers that their children had an increased
occurrence of headaches (55 percent vs. 19 percent), facial pain/pressure (29 percent vs.
3 percent), and ear pain/pressure (23 percent vs. 5 percent) compared with parents reports
of children without hay fever. Furthermore, headache, facial pain/pressure, and ear
pain/pressure were rated moderately or extremely bothersome by more than half of parents
and older children who reported the symptoms.
‘Friendly’ Bacteria
Protect Against Type 1 Diabetes, Yale Researchers Find
In a dramatic illustration of the potential for microbes to prevent disease, researchers
at Yale University and the University of Chicago showed that mice exposed to common
stomach bacteria were protected against the development of Type I diabetes.The findings,
reported in the journal Nature, support the so-called “hygiene hypothesis”
– the theory that a lack of exposure to parasites, bacteria and viruses in the
developed world may lead to increased risk of diseases like allergies, asthma, and other
disorders of the immune system. The results also suggest that exposure to some forms of
bacteria might actually help prevent onset of Type I diabetes, an autoimmune disease in
which the patient’s immune system launches an attack on cells in the pancreas that
produce insulin. The root causes of autoimmune disease have been the subject of intensive
investigation by scientists around the world.
Normal gut bacteria are thought to be involved in colon cancer but the exact mechanisms
have remained unknown. Now, scientists from the USA have discovered that a molecule
produced by a common gut bacterium activates signalling pathways that are associated with
cancer cells. The research, published in the October issue of the Journal of Medical
Microbiology, sheds light on the way gut bacteria can cause colon cancer. There are more
bacteria in our bodies than there ever have been people on the Earth. In fact, there are
more bacteria in the colon than there are human cells in our bodies. Most of the bacteria
in our guts are harmless and many are beneficial to our health. However, for several
decades scientists have thought that some microbes living in the gut may play a role in
the formation of sporadic colorectal cancer. Enterococcus faecalis is a normal gut
bacterium. Unlike most gut bacteria, it can survive using two different types of
metabolism: respiration and fermentation. When the bacteria use fermentation they release
by-products. One of these is a kind of oxygen molecule called superoxide, which can damage
DNA and may play a role in the formation of colon tumours. "We wanted to investigate
how colon cells respond to normal gut bacteria that can damage DNA, like E.
faecalis," said Professor Mark Huycke from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center in Olklahoma City, USA. "We found that superoxide from E. faecalis led to
strong signalling in immune cells called macrophages. It also altered the way some cells
in the gut grew and divided and even increased the productivity of genes that are
associated with cancer."
ENT/sleep apnea patients experience
higher levels of depression
Patients who experience a range of ear, nose, and throat-related health problems exhibited
a greater prevalence of depression than is observed in the general population, says new
research presented at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck
Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Chicago, IL. In any given
one-year period, approximately 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million
American adults suffer from a depressive illness. The new study, which analyzed the health
of 12,516 distinct otolaryngology patients, found that 30 percent of these patients either
had been diagnosed with depressive illness or took antidepressants. The study further
broke down different otolaryngologic diagnoses to determine which conditions had the
highest co-morbidity with depression. Researchers found that patients diagnosed with sleep
apnea had the highest levels of depression and use of antidepressant medications (21
percent and 46 percent).Findings from this study could help clinicians diagnose and treat
co-morbid depressive and otolaryngolic symptoms in patients.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, and recurrence is
common, even after initial treatment with surgery and radiation. When the cancer does
return, treatment options are often limited to chemotherapy, but researchers at Georgetown
University Hospital’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center are utilizing the
precision allowed by CyberKnife® to see if radiosurgery is a viable treatment option in
select patients. “When treating recurrent pancreatic tumors, there are a number of
factors to evaluate before we can consider radiosurgery as an additional treatment
option,” explains Christopher Lominska, M.D., lead author of the study and a resident
in radiation medicine at Lombardi. “First, treatment must be safe, which is
demonstrated in this study. We also designed a treatment that can be delivered in a short
period of time -- a critically important quality-of-life factor in this patient
population.”
Study suggests some breast cancer
patients facing radiation after a mastectomy may be over-treated
A new study suggests standard radiation therapy for some breast cancer patients may not be
medically required and may, therefore, be causing unnecessary serious side effects such as
lymphedema and pulmonary problems. The research conducted at Fox Chase Cancer Center
involved women who got a mastectomy, but whose lymph nodes were negative. "When a
woman has a tumor greater than 5 centimeters and negative lymph nodes, a mastectomy
followed by radiation is recommended," said Penny Anderson, M.D., attending physician
in the radiation oncology department at Fox Chase. "We typically irradiate the chest
wall because it's been shown to improve survival. Out of an abundance of caution, many
radiation oncologists also treat the surrounding lymph nodes, but there is little evidence
that this improves outcome." Irradiation of axillary (under arm) and supraclavicular
(above the collarbone) lymph nodes can lead to lymphedema, a swelling of the extremities
caused by fluid build up because the nodes which allow the fluids to drain have been
damaged by radiation. There are also pulmonary radiation risks including pneumonitis,
inflammation, scarring and fibrosis.
Dark chocolate - Half a bar per
week to keep at bay the risk of heart attack
An Italian study, the first outcome of a large epidemiological investigation, finds new
beneficial effects of chocolate in the prevention of cardiovascular diseaseMaybe gourmands
are not jumping for joy. Probably they would have preferred bigger amounts to sup-port
their passion. Though the news is still good for them: 6.7 grams of chocolate per day
represent the ideal amount for a protective effect against inflammation and subsequent
cardiovascular disease. A new effect, demonstrated for the first time in a population
study by the Research Laboratories of the Catholic University in Campobasso, in
collaboration with the National Cancer Institute of Milan. The findings, published in the
last issue of the Journal of Nutrition, official journal of the American So-ciety of
Nutrition, come from one of the largest epidemiological studies ever conducted in Europe,
the Moli-sani Project, which has enrolled 20,000 inhabitants of the Molise region so far.
By studying the participants recruited, researchers focused on the complex mechanism of
inflammation. It is known how a chronic inflammatory state represents a risk factor for
the development of cardiovascular disease, from myocardial infarction to stroke, just to
mention the major diseases. Keeping the inflammation process un-der control has become a
major issue for prevention programs and C reactive protein turned out to be one of the
most promising markers, detectable by a simple blood test. The Italian team related the
levels of this protein in the blood of examined people with their usual choco-late intake.
Out of 11,000, researchers identified 4,849 subjects in good health and free of risk
factors (normal cholesterol, blood pressure and other parameters). Among them, 1,317 did
not use to eat any chocolate, while 824 used to have chocolate regularly, but just the
dark one.
I was shocked to watch ABC I-Team news about your organic products. The show pointed
out how you have been deceiving your customers for years including more...me. Your
products stated certified organic Californian etc while it printed with small letters in
the back Made in China. We all know the Chinese products are not certified organic by FDA
and there is no way you can insist they are. I was shocked to watch ABC I-Team news about
your organic products. The show pointed out how you have been deceiving your customers for
years including me. Your products stated certified organic Californian etc while it
printed with small letters in the back Made in China. We all know the Chinese products are
not certified organic by FDA and there is no way you can insist they are.
Rare genetic disorder gives clues
to autism, epilepsy, mental retardation
A rare genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is yielding insight into a
possible cause of some neurodevelopmental disorders: structural abnormalities in neurons,
or brain cells. Researchers in the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Children's Hospital
Boston, led by Mustafa Sahin, MD, PhD, and Xi He, PhD, also found that normal neuronal
structure can potentially be restored.If this could be done safely in humans, it might be
possible to ameliorate the symptoms of epilepsy, mental retardation and autism, which are
frequent complications of TSC, say the researchers. Their findings, accompanied by
commentary, were the cover article of the September 15 issue of Genes &
Development.TSC causes benign tumor-like lesions, which can affect every organ in the body
and are called tubers when they occur in the brain.
Is Bcl-2 protein a major obstacle
in treating colorectal carcinoma?
Apoptosis resistance has been shown to contribute to the development of different cancer
entities, such as colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Moreover, apoptosis resistance of carcinoma
cells provides an explanation for low response rates in patients with advanced cancer
receiving chemotherapy. Thus, new treatment options to sensitize carcinoma cells to
apoptosis induction are needed. It has been previously shown that anti-apoptotic Bcl-2
proteins, such as Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, are expressed in CRC. These proteins inhibit apoptosis
induction by interacting with pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, thereby blocking the
activation of mitochondria. Since mitochondria are central organelles in apoptotic signal
pathways, activation of mitochondria is an approach to sensitize CRC cells to apoptosis
induction. In patients suffering from CRC, new anti-cancer agents have proven to improve
survival rates. Further modern approaches target death receptors expressed on CRC cells,
such as the death receptor TRAIL-R1 and –R2. So far, it is not known, if the
modulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins influences the apoptosis sensitivity of CRC
cells towards modern therapy approaches.
Pioneering study links holiday drug
taking to acts of violence
A new study shows that high levels of drug and alcohol consumption are behind the growth
in violence among young tourists. The research work, focusing on Mallorca and Ibiza, shows
that 5% of tourists visiting these areas become involved in some kind of violence during
their stay. Ecstasy was the only drug consumed that the scientists have not linked to
violent acts. Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations for young Europeans,
with Mallorca and Ibiza, islands famous for their beaches and exciting night life, being
especially popular. For this reason, three teams of researchers studied the link between
the consumption of alcohol and other drugs and violent behaviour in recreational tourist
areas there. “Young people increase their consumption of alcohol and other drugs
during the holidays – and violence rises in line with this,” Montse Juan,
researcher at the European Institute of Studies of Prevention (IREFREA) and one of the
study’s authors, told SINC. “Despite this, very few studies exist to inform us
about this, particularly within the tourism context, where this predominates.”
Study of 'Big Eaters' could lead to
better asthma treatments
A new study into the role of a particular immune cell in the lungs could lead to better
treatments for the 5 million people in the UK affected by asthma. Scientists from the
University of Southampton's School of Medicine will study the role of macrophages
(literally 'big-eaters' in Greek) in the lungs of people with asthma and examine how they
affect the airway narrowing that can worsen asthma symptoms.Macrophages are the
predominant type of white cells found in the lungs and their function is to clear any
particulate matter, bacteria or damaged cells that may be present in the airway.Asthma is
characterised by damage to the cells lining the airway and the act of removing these
particular damaged cells can cause the macrophages to switch to working in a negative
rather than a positive way. They start releasing chemicals that recruit and activate other
inflammatory cells to the lung, which can cause further damage to the airway. At the same
time, the macrophages also release growth factors that can re-model the airways leading to
narrowing and increased twitchiness. What is not understood is why macrophages from the
lungs of people with asthma release these inflammatory and growth factors, while
macrophages from those without asthma do not.
Patients who stop smoking four weeks before an operation reduce the risk of complications,
according to a doctoral thesis from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet.
Moreover, many of those who receive help with this ahead of operations remain non-smokers
for a long time afterwards. Smokers who undergo surgery suffer complications, such as
wound infections and poorly healing wounds, more often than non-smokers. Research has
shown that the risk of complications is reduced if the patient stops smoking ahead of the
operation, but it is unclear how long beforehand it has to happen. Dr David Lindström
works as a surgeon at the Stockholm South General Hospital (Södersjukhuset). He now shows
in his doctoral thesis that quitting tobacco use as late as four weeks prior to an
operation is effective. His study involved 117 patients, half of whom were offered a
chance to take part in a stop smoking programme four weeks before surgery. The patients in
the control group went on to have roughly twice the number of complications as the
programme patients.
Interferon-beta treatment in
multiple sclerosis - Analysis of neutralizing antibodies
Here, we studied several clinically relevant aspects of IFN-beta NAbs. We identified
differences between the IFN-beta preparations regarding the frequency of NAb induction,
which we refer to as seroprevalence, but also regarding titer levels of induced NAbs,
which we refer to as immunogenicity. In a population-based sample of MS patients we
demonstrated that these parameters vary between IFN-beta preparations. Further, we
identified titer levels that are critical for retaining the in vivo bioactivity of
IFN-beta, vital for the interpretation of individual NAb tests. We showed that NAb titers
are commonly stable with a greater tendency of fluctuation of mid-range titers. Finally,
we showed that a clinical impression of worsening is poorly predictive of NAb status,
implicating the necessity of regular NAb testing. Although NAb testing and its
interpretation remains a complex area, our results have provided clinically useful
knowledge of relevance in the management of MS patients treated with IFN-beta.
Molecular mechanisms of
antidiabetic effects of estrogen
In conclusion, our data provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind
the antidiabetic effects of E2. E2, acting via ERalpha exerts its beneficial effects on GT
and insulin sensitivity mainly by regulating the expression of genes involved in the
control of fatty acid synthesis and of G6pc expression, and also by modulating of
adipokine signaling.
In the last study presented in this thesis we validated the method used in previous
studies and in the projects included in this thesis to identify human mast cells in vivo.
Tryptase is the most abundant protein in mast cell granules and is frequently used as a
mast cell marker in vivo. Here we show that different Hodgkin lymphoma cell lines also
express tryptase in vitro. In vivo the tryptase expression is almost exclusively
restricted to mast cells and the rare tryptase positive Hodgkin and Reed Stenberg cells
are easily distinguished from mast cells by their characteristic morphology. In
conclusion, this thesis elucidates some aspects of the function of mast cells in different
chronic inflammatory diseases.
Our findings imply that female sex hormones influence the occurrence of meningioma and
glioma. The results also indicate that immunological factors are of importance for glioma
tumorigenesis. Non-participation related to socioeconomic factors should always be
acknowledged as a potential source of selection bias, but the influence was not large in
our study due to the fact that the level of participation was comparable between cases and
controls and participation was similarly influenced by socioeconomic factors among cases
and controls.
High salt levels in processed food could be a thing of the past, thanks to new research
which has found that a certain type of seaweed can be used as a natural, health boosting
alternative that doesn't affect the taste or adversely affect the shelf life of the food.
In a project that could revolutionise the food industry and improve the health of
millions, researchers at Sheffield Hallam University have been working with Seagreens® to
develop the use of seaweed granules as an alternative to salt (sodium chloride) in
processed food. Around 75 per cent of our daily salt intake comes from processed foods,
with the average adult consuming 50 per cent more salt than the recommended limit of six
grams per day. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which triples a person's
chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Experts predict that if all adults cut
their salt intake down to recommended levels then 70,000 heart attacks and strokes would
be prevented each year in the UK. As well as cutting salt, seaweed also has other reputed
benefits and has been credited for playing a beneficial role in a number of common health
conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, thyroid problems, breast cancer and cardiovascular
disease.
Mayo Clinic Identifies When Brain
Aneurysms are Most Likely to Rupture
A new international collaborative study led by Mayo Clinic found that the risk of a brain
aneurysm rupturing over time depends on the location and size of the aneurysm. This study
will be presented at the 6th World Stroke Congress meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Sept.
25, 2008. A brain aneurysm, also known as an intracranial or cerebral aneurysm, is an
abnormal sac or tiny balloon on a blood vessel to the brain. Aneurysms can rupture and
bleed into the area between the brain and the surrounding membrane, leading to stroke and
death. An estimated 2 percent of Americans, approximately 6 million people, have brain
aneurysms. These aneurysms rupture in about 25,000 people each year.
Mayo Clinic Discovery May Help
Diabetic Gastric Problem
Mayo Clinic researchers have found what may provide a solution to one of the more
troubling complications of diabetes — delayed gastric emptying or gastroparesis. The
researchers showed in animal models that a red blood cell derivative increases production
of a key molecule, normalizing the digestive process. The findings appear in the current
online issue of the journal Gastroenterology.
Mayo Clinic Identifies Potential
New Therapeutic Target for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
A new Mayo Clinic study has found that two particular enzymes were elevated in patients
with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The levels of these enzymes also were associated
with the patients' levels of disability. These findings give researchers new hope in
developing a therapy for patients with progressive MS.
cholesterol-Lowering Drugs And The
Effect On Muscle Repair And Regeneration
Statins are powerful drugs that reduce “bad” cholesterol and thus cut the risk
of a heart attack. While these medications offer tremendous benefits to millions, they can
carry side effects for some. The most frequently reported consequence is fatigue, and
about nine percent of patients report statin-related pain. Both can be exacerbated when
statin doses are increased, or physical activity is added. The results of a new study may
offer another note of caution for high-dose statin patients. Working with primary human
satellite cell cultures, researchers have found that statins at higher doses may affect
the ability of the skeletal muscles–which allow the body to move–to repair and
regenerate themselves. The study is entitled “Simvastatin Reduces Human Primary
Satellite Cell Proliferation in Culture.” It was conducted by Anna Thalacker-Mercer,
Melissa Baker, Chris Calderon and Marcas Bamman, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
For Overweight Patients With
Insulin Sensitivity, Even One Session Of Exercise Can Improve Metabolic Health
One out of every three Americans is obese. These individuals are at greater risk for
additional diseases, since obesity leads to other health problems, such as diabetes.
Obesity-related complications are associated with an abnormal fat metabolism in the
muscle. As a result, accumulated fat by-products inside the muscle affect insulin
resistance. To avoid the build up of fat by-products, fat must either be oxidized (burned,
as in exercise) or stored (as benign fat) in muscle. A team of researchers has examined
the effect of exercise on fat accumulation in a new study involving five obese women. In
one session the women overate and did not exercise; in a follow-on session they overate
and did exercise.
How does ellagic acid exert
anti-cancer effect on pancreatic cancer cells?
A research group from the University of California Los Angeles investigated the
anti-cancer properties of ellagic acid. They found that ellagic acid has strong
pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects on pancreatic cancer cells.
What is the relationship between
serum folate/vitamin B12 and MTHFR C677T genotype?
Transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes by hypermethylation of CpG islands
located in the promoter region is very common in human colorectal cancer. Dietary
folate/vitamin B12 intake and MTHFR C677T genotype was suggested to protect against
colorectal cancer. However, only a few studies have addressed the joint effects of
circulating levels of folate/vitamin B12 and the MTHFR C677T genotype on the risk of
epigenetic inactivation of specific tumor suppressor genes in CRC patients. A research
article to be published on 21 June 2008, in the World Journal of Gastroenterology
addresses this question. The research team led by Prof. Naghibalhossaini from Department
of Biochemistry of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences investigated the association
between serum folate/vitamin B12, MTHFR C677T genotype, and promoter methylation of three
tumor-associated genes in solid tumors among sporadic CRC patients. They found that 29.1 %
of cases had tumors with at least one methylated gene promoter. In case-case comparison,
no significant association was found between methylation in tumors and any single
genotype. However, in comparison to controls with the CC genotype, an increased risk of
tumor methylation was associated with the CT genotype (OR = 2.5; 95%CI, 1.1 – 5.6).
In case-case comparisons, folate/vitamin B12 was positively associated with tumor
methylation. Adjusted odds ratios for tumor methylation in cases with high (above median)
versus low (below median) serum folate/vitamin B12 levels were 4.9 (95%CI, 1.4 –
17.7), and 3.9 (95%CI, 1.1 – 13.9), respectively. The frequency of methylated tumors
was significantly higher in high methyl donor than low methyl donor group, especially in
those with MTHFR CT (p = 0.01), and CT/TT (P = 0.002) genotypes but, not in those with the
CC genotype (P = 1.0).
Apoptin is a protein encoded by the chicken anemia virus and can cause apoptotic cell
death. In this study, a secretory protein was designed by adding a secretory signal to the
N-terminal of TAT-Apoptin. The study demonstrated that the SP-TAT-Apoptin induces
apoptosis only in malignant cells, and its secretory property might greatly increase its
potency for cancer therapy in vivo.
Researchers note differences
between people and animals on calorie restriction
calorie restriction, a diet that is low in calories and high in nutrition, may not be as
effective at extending life in people as it is in rodents, according to scientists at
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Previous research had shown that
laboratory animals given 30 percent to 50 percent less food can live up to 50 percent
longer. Because of those findings, some people have adopted calorie restriction in the
hope that they can lengthen their lives. But the new research suggests the diet may not
have the desired effect unless people on calorie restriction also pay attention to their
protein intake.
New predictive tool can help
determine treatment of breast cancer patients
A new predictive measurement, called a PEPI score, could bring good news to many women
diagnosed with early stage breast cancer — a low PEPI (preoperative endocrine
prognostic index) score could show that they have little risk of relapse and can safely
avoid chemotherapy after surgery. For others, a high PEPI score could warn that the risk
of relapse after breast surgery is large and indicates that careful follow-up and
aggressive therapy may be needed, say researchers at Washington University School of
Medicine in St. Louis and collaborating institutions in Europe.
Sugar Beverage Demonstration on
CN8's Your Morning
The video segment features Elizabeth Walker from Nemours Health and Prevention Services
and Maryanne Bourque from A.I. duPont Hospital for Children demonstrating the amount of
sugar found in most popular beverages.
CU-Boulder study suggests air
quality regulations miss key pollutants
A new study led by the University of Colorado at Boulder reveals that air quality
regulations may not effectively target a large source of fine, organic particle pollutants
that contribute to hazy skies and poor air quality over the Los Angeles region. According
to the study, a much smaller percentage of organic haze than was previously thought is
directly emitted by vehicles and industrial processes. Instead, 75 percent of fine,
organic particle pollutants form when reactive gases called VOCs, or volatile organic
compounds, are oxidized and condense onto existing particles in the air. "Air quality
regulations today effectively target most sources of 'primary,' or directly emitted
particles," said lead author Ken Docherty, a researcher with the university's
Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. "Yet our study
indicates that the 'secondary,' or chemically formed particles contribute more
significantly to poor air quality, even in very polluted urban regions. "Our study
suggests that regulations need to focus much more attention on the gases -- such as
gasoline vapors -- that form secondary organic particles and create visible haze," he
said. Other examples of VOCs include vapors from paints, varnishes, cleaning supplies,
automotive products and dry-cleaned clothing.
Working environment is one cause of
rheumatoid arthritis
It has long been known that environmental factors play a part in the development of
rheumatoid arthritis; smoking and drinking alcohol, along with heredity, are particularly
instrumental in increasing the risk of the disease. Scientists at Karolinska Institutet
have now produced results that suggest that working environment factors can also increase
the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis.This is especially true of psychosocial
workload, in particular what is called "low decision latitude", according to the
results of a study in progress due to be published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.
The project is being led by Professor Lars Alfredsson of the Department of Environmental
Medicine and Professor Lars Klareskog of the Department of Medicine. "We've uncovered
clear correlations between the disease and jobs in which one cannot control one's own
situation," says Professor Alfredsson.
An infant diet that includes fish before the age of 9 months curbs the risk of developing
eczema, indicates research published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in
Childhood. The prevalence of atopic eczema and other allergic disease has risen sharply in
developed countries in recent decades, say the authors. Environmental and dietary factors
are thought to play a part. The researchers quizzed the parents of 6 month old babies born
in western Sweden in 2003 about their child's diet and any evidence of allergic eczema.
They were quizzed again when the children reached the age of 12 months. The children were
all part of an ongoing health study, Infants of Western Sweden, which is tracking the long
term health of almost 17000 babies.
In China, the incidence of liver cirrhosis is still high, although new therapeutic
approaches have recently been proposed, there is no established therapy for liver
fibrosis, and Authors investigated the prevention effects of Chinese Medicine
Qianggan-Rongxian Soup on liver fibrosis induced by DMN in rat. Chinese Medicin
Qianggan-Rongxian decoction can inhibit hepatic fibrosis resulted from chronic liver
injure, retard the development of cirrhosis, and notably ameliorate the liver function. It
may be a safe and effective therapeutic drug for patients with fibrosis. The research team
led by Chun-Hui Li from affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medicine College studied the
inhibitory effect of Huangqi Zhechong decoction on liver fibrosis in rat.
Qianggan-Rongxian decoction, especially the medium-dose administration could decrease the
area-density percentage of collagen fibrosis. HA, LN, and type IV collagen are good serum
markers of hepatic fibrosis. In this study, the serum contents of these 3 markers in the
model group were much higher than those of the controls. And the Qianggan-Rongxian
decoction groups had significantly low HA, LN, and type IV collagen levels in serum than
those in the controls, ALT and AST are indexes to describe liver functions. Most part of
ALT is presented in the cytoplasm of liver cell, discharged in blood when degeneration,
hyper permeability and necrosis of liver cells occur. So the increase of ALT level in
serum reflects the degree of liver cell injury. Our study showed that the
Qianggan-Rongxian decoction could decrease serum levels of ALT and AST in rats with
hepatic injury caused by DMN. It indicates that Qianggan-Rongxian decoction may work
through protecting the liver cells, which indicated that Qianggan-Rongxian decoction could
successfully prevent hepatic fibrosis.
Simple, inexpensive and objective
tools for the assessment of mucosal inflammation
UC and CD, the two major forms of IBD are chronic, idiopathic inflammatory conditions of
the gut with a typically relapsing and remitting course. A prominent feature in mucosal
biopsies from patients with active IBD is infiltration by neutrophil granulocytes.
Moreover, the number of eosinophil granulocytes is also increased in IBD. Upon activation,
neutrophils release Calprotectin and MPO, two major neutrophil proteins, while eosinophils
release the protein, EPX. Previous studies have shown that fecal markers may be used to
differentiate IBD from functional gastrointestinal disorders, but the usefulness of these
markers in monitoring therapy of patients with active relapse of IBD needs further
evaluation. A research article to be published on September 28, 2008 in the World Journal
of Gastroenterology addresses this question. A research team led by Associate professor M
Carlson, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, evaluated patients with
previously diagnosed UC or CD before starting treatment, and after 4 and 8 week of
treatment. Treatment outcome, based on clinical activity and endoscopic findings in UC
patients, and clinical activity in CD patients, was evaluated together with fecal levels
of FC, and compared with fecal MPO and EPX. Fecal samples were analyzed for FC with ELISA,
and MPO and EPX with RIA. The authors have previously reported that elevated fecal levels
of EPX and MPO may be useful in monitoring therapy in UC. The present study confirmed
previous findings that patients with a relapse of IBD had elevated fecal markers.
Interestingly, this study also demonstrated that normalized FC level may be used as a
surrogate marker for successful treatment outcome in IBD patients. However, patients with
persistently elevated FC levels need further evaluation. FC and MPO provided better
assessment of treatment outcome than EPX in patients with UC, whereas EPX has the
potential to identify treatment outcome, especially in patients with CD. These findings
suggest that fecal markers can be used as surrogate markers for successful treatment
outcome in IBD patients. Fecal markers are simple, inexpensive and objective tools for the
assessment of mucosal inflammation.
Probiotic bacteria can induce
monocyte-derived dendritic cells maturation?
Probiotic bacteria are defined as living microorganisms that have beneficial effects on
human health. The mechanisms behind these actions are not yet fully characterized. A group
in Finland investigated the capacity of nine probiotic bacteria to induce the maturation
and the production of cytokines in human dendritic cells. The ability to induce cytokine
production in leukocytes may exemplify one of the health promoting effects of probiotic
bacteria.
Neuroscientists at Children's Hospital Boston have identified the first known "master
switch" in brain cells to orchestrate the formation and maintenance of inhibitory
synapses, essential for proper brain function. The factor, called Npas4, regulates more
than 200 genes that act in various ways to calm down over-excited cells, restoring a
balance that is thought to go askew in some neurologic disorders. The findings appear in
the September 24 advance online edition of the journal Nature. Synapses, the connections
between brain cells, can be excitatory or inhibitory in nature. At birth, the rapidly
developing brain teems with excitatory synapses, which tend to make nerve cells
"fire" and stimulate their neighbors. But if the excitation isn't eventually
balanced, it can lead to epilepsy, and diseases like autism and schizophrenia have been
associated with an imbalance of excitation and inhibition. The creation of inhibitory
connections is also necessary to launch critical periods -- windows of rapid learning
during early childhood and adolescence, when the brain is very "plastic" and
able to rewire itself.
Caffeinated energy drinks may
present health risks
Johns Hopkins scientists who have spent decades researching the effects of caffeine report
that a slew of caffeinated energy drinks now on the market should carry prominent labels
that note caffeine doses and warn of potential health risks for consumers. "The
caffeine content of energy drinks varies over a 10-fold range, with some containing the
equivalent of 14 cans of Coca-Cola, yet the caffeine amounts are often unlabeled and few
include warnings about the potential health risks of caffeine intoxication," says
Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., one of the authors of the article that appears in the journal
Drug and Alcohol Dependence this month.
In Women, Oversize Waistlines are a
Potent Risk Factor for Heart Disease
A heart expert at Johns Hopkins is calling for all women with a waistline measuring more
than 35 inches to get an annual check-up and detailed risk assessment for heart problems
because excess abdominal fat, even in the mildly obese and overweight, leads more than a
third of women to underestimate their lifetime risk of having a heart attack, stroke or
chest pain (angina.) Cardiologist Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S., who plans to make her pitch
Sept. 23 directly to colleagues during a special lecture at The Johns Hopkins Hospital,
says the recommendation is based on a national, multicity screening of 8,936 women, ages
35 to 63, for heart disease risk factors. The screening, she says, found a strikingly high
number of overweight American women whose stretched girth was tied to a serious
underestimation of risk using traditional tools to assess heart health.
The effect of Curcuma wenyujin on
human HepG2 cancer cell
Nowadays in China, the essential oil of Curcuma wenyujin has been used as injection to
cure paediatric disease such as acute upper respiratory infection, viral myocarditis and
acute pneumonia. A group from China investigated the effect and mechanism of CWO induced
growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in human HepG2 cancer cell.They found that
CWO exhibits an antiproliferative effect in HepG2 cell by inducing apoptosis which is
associated with cell cycle arrest, cytochrome C translocation, caspase 3 activation, PARP
degradation, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and this process involves
mitochondria-caspase dependent apoptosis pathway. As apoptosis has been an important
therapeutic target in cancer research, these results suggest the potential valus of
development of CWO as a chemotherapeutic agent.This is the first study to report the
biological activity and mechanism of action of CWO on HCC cells. CWO induce apoptosis in
HepG2 cells through activation of mitochondrial and caspase-3-pathway and the result
suggests the potential value of development of ezhu on treatment of liver diseases and
further study on anti-apoptotic effect of CWO may lead to identification of new lead
compounds and novel drug targets for treatment of liver cancer and diseases.
Why does Gecko, a chinese
traditional medicine, have anti-tumor effects?
The incidence and mortality of tumor keep ascending all over the world. Gecko had definite
effect on malignant tumor in clinical practices reports. However, there was no study on
the pharmacological studies of Gecko and its mechanisms of anti-tumor action remained
unclear. A research team led by Prof. Wang from Henan University of China addressed this
question, and their findings were published on 7 July 2008, in the World Journal of
Gastroenterology. As we know, the effect on anti-tumor of traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM) is related to more pathways and more targets. Most studies on action mechanisms of
TCM in anti-tumor showed that TCM could inhibit tumors though supporting the healthy
energy and strengthening the body resistance. The article showed that Gecko could not only
reinforce immunity of organism but also induction of tumor cell apoptosis and the
down-regulation of protein expression of VEGF and bFGF. Chemotherapy, one of the major
methods to treat cancer in Western medicine at present, has a poor selectivity and strong
toxic and side effects, thus influencing its anticancer effect. In the past 40 years,
Chinese experts have gained remarkable achievements in cancer treatment by integrating TCM
with chemotherapy. This article gives us pharmacological studies of Gecko about antitumor
and thus may provide foundation for its effective constituent.
Study finds antioxidant deficiency
linked to pulmonary hypertension
recent study shows that a loss of antioxidants in the endothelial cells that line blood
vessels in the lungs contributes to the loss of vasodilator effects and, ultimately, to
the development of pulmonary hypertension. The findings appear in Clinical and
Translational Science. The study, led by Serpil Erzurum of the Cleveland Clinic, evaluated
antioxidant activities in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH),
a fatal disease characterized by progressive increase in pulmonary artery pressure and
vascular resistance. Erzurum's study found that the inactivation of these oxidants inside
the cell is achieved mainly by the cell's own line of defense against oxidants.
Additionally, the researchers determined that this process may contribute to low levels of
nitric oxide, identified in IPAH and a fundamental component in the pathogenesis of
pulmonary hypertension. According to Dr. Erzurum, there is a potential long-term benefit
to the care of patients with IPAH due to the study's findings. "Antioxidant
augmentation in patients might be used to increase nitric oxide vasodilator effects,
reduce pulmonary artery pressures and potentially improve clinical outcomes," she
said.
The dietary supplement genistein
can undermine breast cancer treatment
Women taking aromatase inhibitors to treat breast cancer or prevent its recurrence should
think twice before also taking a soy-based dietary supplement, researchers report.
Genistein, a soy isoflavone that mimics the effects of estrogen in the body, can negate
the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors, which are designed to reduce the levels of
estrogens that can promote tumor growth in some types of breast cancer. The new study,
which included researchers from the University of Illinois, Virginia Polytechnic and State
University and the National Center for Toxicological Research, appears in the journal
Carcinogenesis. Aromatase inhibitors are a mainstay of breast cancer treatment in
post-menopausal women. These drugs work by interfering with the enzyme aromatase, which
catalyzes a crucial step in converting precursor molecules to estradiol, the main estrogen
in the body. About two-thirds of all cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. are
estrogen dependent or estrogen sensitive, which means that the tumors grow more rapidly in
the presence of estrogen.
Duke Team Finds Compounds that
Prevent Nerve Damage
Duke University Medical Center scientists have made a significant finding that could lead
to better drugs for several degenerative diseases including Huntington’s disease and
Alzheimer’s disease. Compounds that block the activity of a specific enzyme prevented
brain injury and greatly improved survival in fruit flies that had the same disease
process found in Huntington’s disease.
Jefferson Scientists Deliver Toxic
Genes to Effectively Kill Pancreatic Cancer Cells
A research team, led by investigators at the Department of Surgery at Jefferson Medical
College of Thomas Jefferson University and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, has
achieved a substantial “kill” of pancreatic cancer cells by using nanoparticles
to successfully deliver a deadly diphtheria toxin gene. The findings – set to be
published in the October issue of Cancer Biology & Therapy – reflect the first
time this unique strategy has been tested in pancreatic cancer cells, and the success seen
offers promise for future pre-clinical animal studies, and possibly, a new clinical
approach. The researchers found that delivery of a diphtheria toxin gene inhibited a basic
function of pancreatic tumor cells by over 95 percent, resulting in significant cell death
of pancreatic cancer cells six days after a single treatment. They also demonstrated that
the treatment targets only pancreatic cancer cells and leaves normal cells alone, thus
providing a potential ‘therapeutic window.’ Further, they are targeting a
molecule that is found in over three-quarters of pancreatic cancer patients. “For the
pancreatic cancer world, this is very exciting,” says the study’s lead author,
molecular biologist Jonathan Brody, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Surgery at
Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, who works closely with the
Samuel D. Gross Professor and Surgeon, Charles J. Yeo, M.D. “There are no effective
targeted treatments for pancreatic cancer, aside from surgery for which only a minority of
patients qualify. We are in great need of translating the plethora of molecular
information we know about this disease to novel therapeutic ideas.
Penn Biophysicists Create New Model
for Protein-Cholesterol Interactions in Brain and Muscle Tissue
Biophysicists at the University of Pennsylvania have used 3,200 computer processors and
long-established data on cholesterol’s role in the function of proteins to clarify
the mysterious interaction between cholesterol and neurotransmitter receptors. The results
provide a new model of behavior for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a well studied
protein involved in inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia,
epilepsy, the effect of general anesthetics and addiction to alcohol, nicotine and
cocaine. Moreover, the results apply to closely related receptors that bind serotonin and
GABA, which are neurotransmitters directly involved in regulation of mood and sleep. The
findings have broad implications for, among other fields, pharmacology. Drug development
in this arena has to take into account the structure and chemical makeup of this receptor,
both of which researchers now say were incomplete. Drugs acting on the receptor have been
thought to interact with the protein as though it were isolated. Now, researchers believe
that drugs binding to the receptor not only interact with amino acids — the building
blocks of the protein receptor — but also cholesterol tucked away within the protein.
The shift in thinking transforms the understanding of this receptor in many ways, from
shape and structure to its interaction with its environment and its response to
neurotransmitters. The new model should spark a reexamination of several decades of
research on the receptor's structure and function. Researchers demonstrated that the
receptor, also know as nAChR, contains internal sites capable of containing cholesterol
which serve to stabilize the protein’s structure. Furthermore, molecular simulations
revealed that both surface sites and deeply buried sites within the protein require
cholesterol, which directly supports contacts between the agonist-binding domain and the
pores that are thought to be essential for activation of the receptor.
Endoscopy may not be necessary in
asymptomatic children after caustic ingestion
A new study from researchers in Italy reports that endoscopy may not be necessary in
children who show no symptoms after a caustic ingestion. The results demonstrated that the
incidence of severe abnormalities of the esophagus in children without any early symptoms
is very low and an endoscopy could be avoided. The study appears in the September issue of
GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal of the
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). In the pediatric population, the
ingestion of caustic substances remains a difficult problem to assess because of the
unclear relationship between signs and symptoms, and the extent of esophageal damage. The
most efficient method for assessing the upper-gastrointestinal tract lining after a
caustic ingestion is an upper endoscopy, or esophogogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). An important
characteristic of cases of ingestion in the pediatric age group is that they are generally
accidental, whereas in adolescents and adults, the substance was usually deliberately
ingested. "Whether or not an urgent endoscopy should be performed on children after a
caustic ingestion is still a matter of debate, particularly in asymptomatic
patients," said study lead author Pietro Betalli, MD, University of Padova, Padova,
Italy. "Our study looked to determine if the symptoms at presentation can predict the
presence of esophageal lesions. We found that the risk of severe damage increased
proportionally with the number of signs and symptoms, indicating that an endoscopy should
always be performed in symptomatic patients."
Researchers Investigate Impact of
Stress on Police Officers' Physical and Mental Health
Results from Violanti's pilot studies have shown, among other findings, that officers over
age 40 had a higher 10-year risk of a coronary event compared to average national
standards; 72 percent of female officers and 43 percent of male officers, had
higher-than-recommended cholesterol levels; and police officers as a group had
higher-than-average pulse rates and diastolic blood pressure. "Policing is a
psychologically stressful work environment filled with danger, high demands, ambiguity in
work encounters, human misery and exposure to death," said Violanti, a 23-year
veteran of the New York State Police. "We anticipate that data from this research
will lead to police-department-centered interventions to reduce the risk of disease in
this stressful occupation." Violanti and colleagues are using measures of cortisol,
known as the "stress hormone," to determine if stress is associated with
physiological risk factors that can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes and
cardiovascular disease. "When cortisol becomes dysregulated due to chronic stress, it
opens a person to disease," said Violanti. "The body becomes physiologically
unbalanced, organs are attacked, and the immune system is compromised as well. It's
unfortunate, but that's what stress does to us."
Research underway to give sleep
apnea sufferers relief and rest
For some, a full night’s rest can be anything but restful. That’s because they
have sleep apnea, which causes them to struggle for breath in bouts throughout the night.
Six percent of the population is affected by the condition—but many don’t even
know they have it. “They don’t make the connection between the fact that they
snore loudly at night and they complain about being tired during the day,” says
Samuel Krachman, D.O. , professor of medicine and director of the Sleep Disorders Center
at Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital. “They think that they’re
just tired, not getting enough sleep or just working too hard. But in reality, it’s
related to the sleep apnea.”
Researchers study how pistachios
may improve heart health
Going green may be heart healthy if the green you choose is pistachio nuts, according to
researchers at Penn State who conducted the first study to investigate the way pistachios
lower cholesterol. "We investigated mechanisms of action to explain the
cholesterol-lowering effects of the pistachio diets," says Sarah K. Gebauer, recent
Penn State Ph.D. recipient, currently a post-doctoral research associate, USDA Beltsville
Human Nutrition Research Center. The researchers conducted a randomized, crossover design,
controlled feeding experiment to test the effects of pistachios added to a heart healthy
moderate-fat diet on cardiovascular disease risk factors. Controlled feeding experiments
provide all the food eaten by study subjects for the duration of the study segment.
Scientists unmask key HIV protein,
open door for more powerful AIDS drugs
Scientists have provided the most detailed picture yet of a key HIV accessory protein that
foils the body's normal immune response. Based on the findings, the team is searching for
new drugs that may someday allow infected people to be cured and no longer need today's
AIDS drugs for a lifetime.
OHSU Cancer Institute Researcher
Combines Radiation Technology With Immunotherapy for Greater Effectiveness
Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researchers have found the right
formula of radiation and immunotherapy for fighting lung cancer tumors in mice, which they
hope will translate to better treatment in human lung cancers. The study was presented
today at the 50th annual American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
conference in Boston. Principal investigator Marka Crittenden, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues
designed the study in order to look at the effects of stereotactic body radiation therapy
(SBRT) on the immune system. This type of radiation is delivered in three large doses over
several days. The extreme precision of this technology helps to spare normal, healthy
tissue, more accurately targeting the cancerous tumor. “We studied the consequences
of SBRT radiation doses in preclinical tumors and found that there were fewer of the cells
that turn off the immune system and more of the good ‘killer’ immune cells
following these radiation doses,” said Crittenden, OHSU Department of Radiation
Medicine, OHSU School of Medicine. Researchers then selected a form of immunotherapy that
could boost the immune response while working with the immune response generated by the
SBRT. Cancer immunotherapy works to boost the body’s own immune system to attack
tumor cells. They found that SBRT combined with immunotherapy was much more effective at
clearing the tumor than either used alone.
Can alternative medicine ease
suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
OHSU is seeking veterans to participate in a study to determine if mind-body medicines
such as neuro-feedback, meditation, and other complementary therapies are effective for
treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “Mind-body medicine appears to be an
ideal way to help people with PTSD because the disorder affects the body’s immune
system, hormone system and nervous system,” says Helané Wahbeh, N.D., a naturopathic
physician researcher at OHSU. “I don’t believe you can effectively treat PTSD by
only focusing on one aspect of the illness. For example, if we only give people suffering
from PTSD anti-depressants, we may only be treating one aspect of the illness.” The
first phase of the OHSU study will measure changes in hormones, heart rate, brain activity
and the immune system in both relaxing and stressful situations. Mary Lu, M.D., a
psychiatrist with the Portland VA Medical Center, will provide PTSD screening.
New approach to gene therapy may
shrink brain tumors, prevent their spread
Massachusetts General Hospital researchers are investigating a new approach to gene
therapy for brain tumors -- delivering a cancer-fighting gene to normal brain tissue
around the tumor to keep it from spreading. They have found that inducing mouse brain
cells to secrete human interferon-beta suppressed and eliminated growth of human
glioblastoma cells implanted nearby.
How a stuck accelerator causes
cancer cell expansion
The cellular oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are analogous to the accelerator and
brake pedals in a car. If an oncogene is permanently active, similar to a stuck
accelerator in a car, cells divide without restraints and a tumor develops. The c-MYC
proto-oncogene is activated aberrantly in about 50% of all tumors. As a result the c-MYC
protein is produced in excessive amounts, which in turn activates processes associated
with cell proliferation. A group of research scientists led by Prof. Heiko Hermeking
(Institute of Pathology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany) has now identified a mechanism
that allows c-MYC to drive cellular proliferation in the presence of substances that would
lead to a block in cell division in normal cells, as for example chemotherapeutic agents.
“In future this knowledge may allow a more specific inhibition of tumor growth”
Hermeking hopes. This study has been published in the current edition of the Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS).
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Humira
Linked to Psoriasis, Herpes, Possibly Cancer
n six short years, Humira (adalimumab), Abbott Laboratories' rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
medication, cited in both articles, has gone from wonder drug to
wonder-how-it-got-approved drug; more results from safety reviews are expected in
November.
Tumor cell lines - living cells taken from tumors and cultured in the laboratory - are the
mainstay of cancer research at the most fundamental level, and are used as the model for
studying tumor behavior and response to treatment. For the past 25 years, most of the
laboratory research into metastatic breast cancer has been based on a single breast tumor
cell line known as MDA-MB-435. At least 650 papers have been published on studies
involving this cell line. Yet it has been revealed that this supposed breast cancer cell
line may in fact not be composed of breast cancer cells at all. Instead, it appears that
the cells are derived from melanoma. For 25 years, therefore, breast cancer research using
this cell line - and it is one of the most widely used - has been based on an incorrect
model. Melanoma-derived tumor cells are not biologically equivalent to breast cancer
cells; they have different molecular and genetic characteristics.
