GBP Health / Biotech News 02-16-2010:
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EurekAlert - Biology
Public Release: 16-Feb-2010
Materials Science and Engineering A
New material mimics bone to create better biomedical implants
A "metal foam" that has a similar elasticity to bone could mean a new generation of biomedical implants that would avoid bone rejection that often results from more rigid implant materials, such as titanium. Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed the metal foam, which is even lighter than solid aluminum and can be made of 100 percent steel or a combination of steel and aluminum.
National Science Foundation
Contact: Matt Shipman
matt_shipman@ncsu.edu
919-515-6386
North Carolina State University
Public Release: 16-Feb-2010Cancer Research
Study reveals genetic link between mammographic density and breast cancer
A University of Melbourne study has revealed that certain breast cancer genetic variants increase mammographic density, confirming the link between mammographic breast density and breast cancer.
Contact: Rebecca Scott
rebeccas@unimelb.edu.au
61-383-440-181
University of Melbourne
Public Release: 15-Feb-2010PLoS Biology
Protein identified that helps heart muscle contract
UCSF researchers have discovered that a protein called B1N1 is necessary for the heart to contract. The findings, published in the Feb. 16 issue of the open access journal PLoS Biology, shed light not only on what makes a heart beat but also on heart failure, a disease where cardiac cells are no longer able to contract and pump blood through the body.
Contact: Robin Shaw, M.D., Ph.D.
shawrm@medicine.ucsf.edu
415-476-0212
Public Library of Science
Public Release: 15-Feb-2010Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Induced neural stem cells: Not quite ready for prime time
The great promise of induced pluripotent stem cells is that the all-purpose cells seem capable of performing all the same tricks as embryonic stem cells, but without the controversy.National Institutes of Health, ALS Association
Contact: Su-Chun Zhang
zhang@waisman.wisc.edu
608-265-2543
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Public Release: 14-Feb-2010Nature Biotechnology
Shifting cellular energy metabolism may help treat cardiovascular disease
Drugs that target the way cells convert nutrients into energy could offer new approaches to treating a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. Using a new way to screen for potential drugs, a team led by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers has identified several FDA-approved agents, including an over-the-counter anti-nausea drug, that can shift cellular energy metabolism processes in animals.American Diabetes Association, Smith Family Foundation
Contact: Sue McGreevey
smcgreevey@partners.org
617-724-2764
Massachusetts General Hospital
Public Release: 12-Feb-2010ASN NEURO
Catching calcium waves could provide Alzheimer's insights
New insights on what causes Alzheimer's disease could arise from a recent discovery made by bioengineers from the University of California, San Diego. The finding concerns the infamous amyloid beta peptides (Aâ) -- fragments of which form plaques thought to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. The bioengineers found that amyloid beta peptides spontaneously trigger calcium waves in purified cultures of astrocyte cells extracted from the cortex region of rat brains and grown in the lab.NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Contact: Daniel Kane
dbkane@ucsd.edu
858-534-3262
University of California - San Diego
Public Release: 11-Feb-2010Tissue Engineering, Part B
Animal models that help translate regenerative therapies from bench to bedside
Clinical testing and development of novel therapies based on advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine will one day enable the repair and replacement of diseased or damaged human muscle, bone, tendons and ligaments depends on the availability of good animal models. The highlights of a recent workshop that explored the need for and current status of animal models for musculoskeletal regenerative medicine are presented in a special issue of Tissue Engineering, Part B: Reviews.
Contact: Vicki Cohn
vcohn@liebertpub.com
914-740-2156
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
Public Release: 16-Feb-2010Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
Fetal surgery continues to advance
Repairing birth defects in the womb. Inserting a tiny laser into the mother's uterus to seal off an abnormal blood flow and save fetal twins. Advancing the science that may allow doctors to deliver cells or DNA to treat sickle cell anemia and other genetic diseases before birth. Practitioners at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia describe the current state of the science in fetal surgery in a special issue of Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine.
Contact: Joey McCool Ryan
McCool@email.chop.edu
267-426-6070
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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.
Scientists Discover Molecular Pathway for Organ Tissue Regeneration and Repair
February 16, 2010 — Scientists have discovered a molecular pathway that works through the immune system to regenerate damaged kidney tissues and may lead to new therapies for repairing injury in other organs. The study ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100215174134.htm
Stem Cells Sabotage Their Own DNA to Produce New Tissues, New Study Suggests
February 16, 2010 — Stem cells intentionally cut and then repair their own DNA as a mechanism of activating genes that promote the development of new tissues, according to new research. This is a new way of activating a ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100215173955.htm
Biologists Image Birth of Blood-Forming Stem Cells in Embryo
February 16, 2010 — Biologists have identified the specific region in vertebrates where adult blood stem cells arise during embryonic development. The researchers say their time-lapse imaging of the process, by which ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100214143125.htm
Certain Pain Medications Do Not Appear to Be Associated With Skin Cancer Risk
February 16, 2010 — Contrary to previous hypotheses, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs does not appear associated with risk of squamous cell skin cancer, according to a new ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100215174127.htm
Switch That Turns on the Spread of Cancer Discovered
February 15, 2010 — Researchers describe the discovery of a specific protein called disabled-2 (Dab2) that switches on the process that releases cancer cells from the original tumor and allows the cells to spread and ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100214143135.htm
Attacking Cancer Cells With Hydrogel Nanoparticles
February 15, 2010 — Researchers are using hydrogels -- less than 100 nanometers in size -- to sneak a particular type of small interfering RNA into cancer cells. Once in the cell the siRNA turns on the programmed cell ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216140404.htm
New Risk Factor for Second-Most-Common Form of Early-Onset Dementia
February 15, 2010 — Examining brain tissue from over 500 individuals in 11 countries, researchers found a new risk factor for the second-most-common cause of early-onset dementia after Alzheimer's ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216101150.htm
The 'Secret Weapon' of Retroviruses That Cause Cancer
February 15, 2010 — Oncogenic retroviruses are a particular family of viruses that can cause some types of cancer. Scientists have now identified a "virulence factor" that inhibits the host immune response and allows ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100215130341.htm
Scientists Synthesize Unique Family of Anti-Cancer Compounds
February 13, 2010 — Scientists have streamlined the process for synthesizing a family of compounds with the potential to kill cancer and other diseased cells, and have found that they represent a unique category of ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100212141106.htm
Self-Cannibalizing Cancer Cells Targeted
February 12, 2010 — Scientists have embarked on a major new project to unravel the secret lives of cancer cells that go dormant and self-cannibalize to survive periods of stress. The work may help produce new cancer ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100211151649.htm
3-D Structure of Bullet-Shaped Virus With Potential to Fight Cancer, HIV Revealed
February 11, 2010 — A recent study demonstrates that with advanced imaging technique, the vesicular stomatitis virus can be modified to serve as an anti-cancer agent because it displays high selectivity in killing ...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209111757.htm
Source - Health Day:
Health Highlights: Feb. 16, 2010
- Kellogg Told To Fix Sanitary Issues at Eggo Plant
- Study Links Poverty, Gene Mutation, Breast Cancer Survival
- Traffic Pollution Accelerates Hardening of Arteries: Study
- Foot-Long Surgical Tool Left in Woman's Abdomen
- Well-Being Highest in Western Cities, U.S. Survey Shows
Most Americans Think It's Others Who Are Unhealthy
Survey found most people thought they were fine, while their docs disagreed
NSAIDs Won't Shield Against Skin Cancer
Researchers find anti-inflammatories show no effect on squamous cell carcinoma
Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 16, 2010
- Pediatric Migraine
- Low Back Pain
- Elderly Insomnia
Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 15, 2010
- Depression
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- Bacterial Vaginosis
Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 11, 2010
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Oral Contraceptive
- Gout
Source - Yahoo Biotech News:
Dendreon's Biggest Provenge Problem? Managing Demand
Shire reports positive data on Gaucher drug
Source - Google Health News:
ReNeuron Receives Final Regulatory Approval to Commence Landmark Stroke ...
ADMET.net
ReNeuron Group plc announces that the UK Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC) has given a full and final Favourable Opinion to ReNeuron's proposed ...
NIH Grants to Children's Hospital Will Advance Novel Stem Cell Treatments for ...
PR Newswire (press release)
... by gene therapy pioneer Katherine A. High, MD Paul J. Gadue, Ph.D., and Deborah L. French, Ph.D., will lead important components of the overall program. ...
Neurologix Gene Therapy for Parkinson's Disease Phase II Trial Results in 2010
Gerson Lehrman Group
Neurologix Inc. has the second of three competing gene therapy products for the treatment of PD to complete the Phase II trial process. ...
'Eye is very suitable for gene therapy'
Times of India
University College of London has found vision improvements in three out of eight clinical trial subjects treated with gene therapy. They were suffering from ...
Source - Medical News Today:
NIH Grants To CHOP Will Advance Novel Stem Cell Treatments For Blood Disorders
The new decade may herald an era of cell therapy-treating human diseases by delivering highly specific beneficial cells. In the wake of an NIH decision late last year permitting federally funded researchers to use new lines of human embryonic stem cells , the door has opened more widely to stem cell research. Anyone who has ever undergone a bone marrow transplant has received a type of cell therapy, but current progress in stem cell research holds the potential of precisely controlling cell development for a broader variety of clinical treatments than ever before.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179221.php
An article published Online First in The Lancet Oncology reports that a new multi-targeted "chemo-switch" drug regimen shows promising anti-tumour activity with manageable side effects in patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). This is a disease with few treatment options. The treatment combines a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) chemotherapy (gemcitabine) with metronomic chemotherapy (frequent low-dose chemotherapy with capecitabine) plus sorafenib (a targeted drug). It results in greater progression-free survival (PFS). The tumour response is better than previously reported with sorafenib alone or with chemotherapy. These findings might provide a new first-line treatment option for patients with advanced kidney cancer . Causing over 102,000 deaths worldwide each year, RCC is the most common form of kidney cancer. However, treatment options are limited and survival is poor. The responses to chemotherapy, hormonal and biological therapy, and standard treatment with targeted drugs remain modest.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179234.php
Source - MIT's Technology Review:
Genetic Testing Heads to the Pharmacy
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24513/
An Early Warning System for Cancer
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24505/
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