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EurekAlert - Biology
American Academy of Neurology 2010 Annual Meeting
First blinded study of venous insufficiency prevalence in MS shows promising results
More than 55 percent of multiple sclerosis patients participating in the initial phase of the first randomized clinical study to determine if persons with MS exhibit narrowing of the extracranial veins, causing restriction of normal outflow of blood from the brain, were found to have the abnormality.
Contact: Lois Baker
ljbaker@buffalo.edu
716-645-4606
University at Buffalo
Public Release: 10-Feb-2010
Blocking cell movement for cancer, MS treatment
University of Adelaide researchers in Australia are finding new ways to block the movement of cells in the body which can cause autoimmune diseases and the spread of cancer.
Contact: Professor Shaun McColl
shaun.mccoll@adelaide.edu.au
61-414-303-425
University of Adelaide
Public Release: 9-Feb-2010
Molelcular Immunology
Research could lead to way to halt deadly immune response
Scientists have published new details of their research into the complement reaction, an immune system response that kills thousands annually. The study is published in the journal Molecular Immunology.
Contact: Doug Gardner
gardneda@evms.edu
757-446-6073
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Public Release: 9-Feb-2010
Human Mutation
Comprehensive study using bioinformatics predicts the molecular causes of many genetic diseases
It is widely known that genetic mutations cause disease. What are largely unknown are the mechanisms by which these mutations wreak havoc at the molecular level, giving rise to clinically observable symptoms in patients. Now a new study using bioinformatics, led by scientists at the Buck Institute for Age Research, reports the ability to predict the molecular cause of many inherited genetic diseases. These predictions have led to the creation of a web-based tool available to academic researchers who study disease.
National Science Foundation, Indiana University Biomedical Council, Indiana University, Showalter Trust, Indiana Genomics Initiative
Contact: Kris Rebillot
krebillot@buckinstitute.org
415-209-2080
Buck Institute for Age Research
Public Release: 9-Feb-2010
JAMA
Certain genetic profiles associated with recurrence-free survival for non-small cell lung cancer
An analysis of genetic and clinical data for nearly 800 patients with non-small cell lung cancer has identified differences in genetic characteristics that are associated with age and sex specific patterns of increased or decreased recurrence-free survival, according to a study in the Feb. 10 issue of JAMA.
Contact: Michelle Gailiun
michelle.gailiun@duke.edu
919-660-1306
JAMA and Archives Journals
Public Release: 8-Feb-2010
Genome Research
Method of the future uses single-cell imaging to identify gene interactions
Cellular imaging offers a wealth of data about how cells respond to stimuli, but harnessing this technique to study biological systems is a daunting challenge. In a study published online in Genome Research, researchers have developed a novel method of interpreting data from single-cell images to identify genetic interactions within biological networks, offering a glimpse into the future of high-throughput cell imaging analysis.
US Department of Energy, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Contact: Peggy Calicchia
calicchi@cshl.edu
516-422-4012
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Source - Science Daily:
Please note : Due to the format restrictions of Science Daily articles, you must click on the URL (web address) below the article summary ,rather than the article title.
Research Could Lead to Way to Halt Deadly Immune Response
February 10, 2010 — Scientists have published new details of their research into the complement reaction, an immune system response that kills thousands annually. Researchers have teased out the molecular process that ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209183127.htm
New Way to Kill Pediatric Brain Tumors
February 10, 2010 — Researchers have identified a previously unrecognized target, a protein called STAT3, at which they can aim new drugs for the treatment of cancer in neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1), a genetic condition ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209191447.htm
New Approach to Treating Breast and Prostate Cancers
February 9, 2010 — In a new approach to developing treatments for breast cancer, prostate cancer and enlarged hearts, researchers are zeroing in on a workhorse protein called RSK. When activated, RSK is involved in ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209091846.htm
Detecting Cancer Early
February 9, 2010 — A new testing method is being developed to detect cancer soon after the tumor has formed. It will identify characteristic substances in the blood which accompany a certain type of tumor. The first ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201101907.htm
Marijuana Ineffective as an Alzheimer's Treatment
February 9, 2010 — The benefits of marijuana in tempering or reversing the effects of Alzheimer's disease have been challenged in a new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208091926.htm
Plant Derivative Could Help Refine Cancer Treatment
February 9, 2010 — Researchers are seeking to refine cancer treatment with an anti-inflammatory plant derivative long used in Chinese ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100203161432.htm
Enhancing Arrest of Cell Growth to Treat Cancer in Mice
February 9, 2010 — New research has identified a new type of cellular senescence (i.e., irreversible arrest of cell growth) and determined a way to enhance it to suppress prostate tumor development and growth in mice. ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100208185202.htm
Neuroimaging Study May Pave Way for Effective Alzheimer's Treatments February 9, 2010 — Scientists have determined that a new instrument known as PIB-PET is effective in detecting deposits of amyloid-beta protein plaques in the brains of living people, and that these deposits are ...http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209183240.htm
Transforming Human Fat Into Stem Cells Using Virus-Free Technique February 8, 2010 — Tiny circles of DNA are the key to a new and easier way to transform stem cells from human fat into induced pluripotent stem cells for use in regenerative medicine, say scientists. Unlike other ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100207145349.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: Feb. 10, 2010
- Boredom May Be Deadly
- Cribs Linked to Three Deaths Recalled
- Target Pulls Valentine's Day Bears From Shelves
- First Double Hand Transplant Patient Released From Hospital
- HHS Secretary Challenges Health Insurer's Rate Increases
Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 10, 2010
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
FDA Seeks Reduction in Radiation From Medical Scans
Unnecessary exposure from CT scans and fluoroscopes may increase cancer risk, officials say
Genes Play Role in Prognosis With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers
Age, gender, genetics affect odds of remaining recurrence-free, research shows
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Sequenom licenses rights to potential test - AP - Tue 10:46 am ET
Diagnostic test maker Sequenom Inc. said Tuesday it licensed worldwide rights to a potential test for a form of blindness called age-related macular degeneration.
StemCells, Inc. Announces First Human Neural Stem Cell Transplant in Landmark Myelination Disorder Trial - GlobeNewswire - Wed 9:00 am ET
PALO ALTO, Calif. -- StemCells, Inc. announced today that its proprietary HuCNS-SC® human neural stem cells have been used to treat the first patient enrolled in its Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease , a myelination disorder that afflicts male children. The stem cells were administered yesterday at the University of California, San Francisco Children's Hospital by direct injection into the brain of a patient with connatal PMD, the most severe form of the disease. This marks the first time that neural stem cells have been transplanted as a potential treatment for a myelination disorder, and the second clinical trial involving the use of HuCNS-SC cells in a neurodegenerative disease.
Source - Google Health News:
British stem cell trial approved
Aljazeera.net
Britain's Gene Therapy Advisory Committee gave its approval to ReNeuron on Wednesday, paving the way for the first patient in the study to receive treatment ...
Alzheimer's Research Enters Second Phase
The Emory Wheel
By Andrew Hull Posted: 02/08/2010 Emory is investigating the effectiveness of gene therapy in CERE-110, an experimental medication that may help alleviate ...
Transforming Human Fat Into Stem Cells
Science Daily (press release)
Kay's laboratory invented the minicircles several years ago in a quest to develop suitable gene therapy techniques. At the same time, Longaker was ...
Stem cell infusion shows promise for treating heart disease
Wisconsin State Journal
It's one of seven studies for cardiovascular disease at UW Hospital involving regenerative medicine: the use of stem cells, gene therapy or growth factors ...
Research aims to halt disease progression
Ethiopian Review
The group is using a viral-based gene therapy approach to up-regulate these proteins in the diseased neurons, with the hope that this will prevent the ...
Source - Medical News Today :
Inovio Biomedical Corporation (NYSE Amex: INO), a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, announced today additional interim safety and immunogenicity data from its therapeutic cervical cancer vaccine (VGX-3100) trial. VGX-3100 is a DNA vaccine targeting the E6 and E7 proteins of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 and is delivered via in vivo electroporation. Similar to previously reported data from the initial lowest dose cohort of this phase I trial, the vaccine was found to be generally safe and well tolerated. While previously reported data showed significant cellular and humoral immune responses, data from this second, intermediate dose group highlighted a significantly increased and dose-related immune response specific to the antigens targeted by the vaccine. "We are extremely pleased with the safety and tolerability profile of VGX-3100. Furthermore, analyses of the vaccinated subjects from the first two cohorts indicate that this vaccine is highly immunogenic, generating antigen-specific T-cell and antibody responses that are amongst the highest reported from any previous human studies of DNA vaccines," stated Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President and CEO.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/178631.php
Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) announced new data from a clinical study that began in May of 2009 among healthy adults 18 to 49 years of age with Novavax's trivalent seasonal influenza Virus-like Particle (VLP) vaccine. The vaccine matched the influenza strains recommended for the 2008-2009 influenza season including H1N1 A/Brisbane/59/2007, H3N2 A/Brisbane/10/2007, and B/Florida/04/2006 strains. The study enrolled 241 subjects, including 221 who were randomized to receive either VLP vaccine at 15 mcg or 60 mcg doses or a placebo and 20 subjects who received a licensed inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV). Novavax reported safety and hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibody titers from this study in a poster presentation at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). In addition to the HAI titers, functional antibody against the Neuraminidase enzyme was measured in the sera of immunized subjects using a neuraminidase inhibition assay (NAI) developed by Novavax scientists. Inhibition of neuraminidase activity may be important in reducing the spread of influenza virus down the respiratory tract and severe influenza disease. Since neuraminidase mutates less rapidly than hemagglutinin(HA), the antibody against neuraminidase may be more effective in protecting against drifted seasonal strains or new, emerging strains of influenza virus.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/178530.php
Bioheart, Inc., (OTCBB:BHRT) announced that the company has commenced work on its REGEN trial, a Phase I Clinical Trial to test genetically modified MyoCell® in patients suffering from Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Bioheart's MyoCell® is a regenerative cell therapy that uses myoblasts, or muscle stem cells,that are grown from a patient's own muscle. MyoCell® has been tested successfully on patients in four clinical trials. The REGEN trial is designed to test the safety and effectiveness of a composition of muscle stem cells that have been gene-modified to induce a greater than usual release of the SDF-1 protein. The SDF-1 protein is a molecule in the human body that, after an injury, is naturally released by most tissues to attract stem cells. The stem cells assist with the healing process. Unlike other tissues, the heart muscle does not release enough SDF-1 to attract the number of stem cells that would result in complete self-healing. As a result, scar tissue forms and impairs normal heart function.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/178385.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review :
Genetic Testing Heads to the Pharmacy
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24513/
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