Labslink Research News

Unleashing the watchdog protein

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:13:54 PDT

McGill University researchers have unlocked a new door to developing drugs to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Collaborating teams led by Dr. Edward A. Fon at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital -The Neuro, and Dr. Kalle Gehring in the Department of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, have discovered the three-dimensional structure.......> Full story

A trick to fold proteins more quickly

Wed, 08 May 2013 16:39:42 PDT

A team of researchers of the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) of Trieste and of University of Cambridge have devised a method to reduce the time used to simulate how proteins take on their signature three-dimensional shape.......> Full story

Health Affairs examines worldwide pursuit of the 'Triple Aim' in April 2013 issue

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:23:34 PDT

In its April issue, Health Affairs examines how all high-income countries are struggling to achieve the so-called "Triple Aim" - better health and better health care at lower cost. The articles in this issue find that the United States and other high-income countries have much to learn with the "trade" in strategies and tactics likely to flow both ways........> Full story

It slices, it dices, it silences: ADAR1 as gene-silencing modular RNA multitool

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:36:42 PDT

RNA, once considered a bit player in the grand scheme by which genes encode protein, is increasingly seen to have a major role in human genetics. In a study presented in the April 25 issue of the journal Cell, researchers from The Wistar Institute discovered how the RNA-editing protein, ADAR1, also combines.......> Full story

Big data analysis identifies prognostic RNA markers in a common form of breast cancer

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:19:28 PDT

A Big-Data analysis that integrates three large sets of genomic data available through The Cancer Genome Atlas has identified 37 RNA molecules that might predict survival in patients with the most common form of breast cancer.........> Full story

Scripps Research Institute scientists discover how a protein finds its way

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:16:52 PDT

Proteins, the workhorses of the body, can have more than one function, but they often need to be very specific in their action or they create cellular havoc, possibly leading to disease.........> Full story

Muscle repair after injury helped by fat-forming cells

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 19:28:02 PDT

UC San Francisco scientists have discovered that muscle repair requires the action of two types of cells better known for causing inflammation and forming fat. .......> Full story

Identified as responsible for breast and ovarian hereditary cancer 3 mutations at BRCA1 gene

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:16:03 PDT

Researchers of the hereditary cancer research group at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) conducted a functional and structural study of seven missense variants of the BRCA1 gene concluding that three of these variants are pathogenic, linked to the risk of suffering breast or ovarian cancer. The study has been published in the journal PLoS One........> Full story

A protein's well-known cousin sheds light on its gout-linked relative

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:39:21 PDT

Johns Hopkins scientists have found out how a gout-linked genetic mutation contributes to the disease: by causing a breakdown in a cellular pump that clears an acidic waste product from the bloodstream. By comparing this protein pump to a related protein involved in cystic fibrosis, the researchers also identified a compound that partially repairs the pump in laboratory tests........> Full story

Cell reprogramming during liver regeneration

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:09:30 PDT

Although the identities of these cells remain stable under normal conditions, some cells can be persuaded to take on new identities, through reprogramming,” says Ben Stanger, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.........> Full story

UGA researchers track down gene responsible for short stature of dwarf pearl millet

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:00:54 PDT

Athens, Ga. - While pearl millet is a major food staple in some of the fastest growing regions on Earth, relatively little is known about the drought-hardy grain. Recently, plant geneticists at the University of Georgia successfully isolated the gene that creates dwarfed varieties of pearl millet. It is the first time a gene controlling an important agronomic trait has been isolated in the pearl millet genome. Their work appeared in the March edition of the journal G3: Genes, Genomics, Genetics.......> Full story

Vitamin D may lower diabetes risk in obese children and adolescents, MU study finds

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:11:50 PDT

Childhood and adolescent obesity rates in the United States have increased dramatically in the past three decades. Being obese puts individuals at greater risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, a disease in which individuals have too much sugar in their blood. Now, University of Missouri researchers found vitamin D supplements can help obese children and teens control their blood-sugar levels, which may help them stave off the disease........> Full story

Enzymes allow DNA to swap information with exotic molecules

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:33:50 PDT

The discovery of the Rosetta Stone resolved a longstanding puzzle, permitting the translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs into Ancient Greek. .......> Full story

UMass Amherst researchers reveal mechanism of novel biological electron transfer

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:45:26 PDT

When researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst led by microbiologist Derek Lovley discovered that the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens conducts electricity very effectively along metallic-like “microbial nanowires,” they found physicists quite comfortable with the idea of such a novel biological electron transfer mechanism, but not biologists........> Full story

UF researcher describes new 5-million-year-old saber-toothed cat from Florida

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:04:36 PDT

A University of Florida researcher has described a new genus and species of extinct saber-toothed cat from Polk County, Fla., based on additional fossil acquisitions of the animal over the last 25 years......> Full story

Tiny piece of RNA keeps 'clock' running in earliest stages of life

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:10:13 PDT

New research shows that a tiny piece of RNA has an essential role in ensuring that embryonic tissue segments form properly. The study, conducted in chicken embryos, determined that this piece of RNA regulates cyclical gene activity that defines the timing of the formation of tissue segments that later become muscle and vertebrae........> Full story

DNA's twisted communication

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:59:15 PDT

During embryo development, genes are dynamically, and very precisely, switched on and off to confer different properties to different cells and build a well-proportioned and healthy animal........> Full story

For some, surgical site infections are in the genes

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:14:22 PDT

In the Feb. 19, 2013, online edition of the journal Wound Repair and Regeneration, researchers from the University’s School of Medicine show through a study of families in the Utah Population Database (UPD) that surgical site infections (SSI) appear to have a significant genetic connection, even in extended relatives. If further investigation bears out these findings, people who are genetically at risk for SSIs might be identified through personal genome analysis before surgery, according to Harriet W. Hopf, M.D., professor of anesthesiology at the University of Utah School of Medicine who is corresponding author on the study.......> Full story

Pathway controlling cell growth revealed

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:11:25 PDT

A Melbourne-based research team has discovered a genetic defect that can halt cell growth and force cells into a death-evading survival state. The finding has revealed an important mechanism controlling the growth of rapidly-dividing cells that may ultimately lead to the development of new treatments for diseases including cancer........> Full story

Protein origami: Quick folders are the best

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:18:57 PDT

Proteins are elementary building blocks of life. They often perform vital functions. In order to become active, proteins have to fold into three-dimensional structures. Misfolding of proteins leads to diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Creutzfeld-Jakob. So which strategies did nature develop over the course of evolution to improve protein folding.......> Full story

U. of Minn. researchers unveil first artificial enzyme created by evolution in a test tube

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:58:42 PDT

There’s a wobbly new biochemical structure in Burckhard Seelig’s lab at the University of Minnesota that may resemble what enzymes looked like billions of years ago, when life on earth began to evolve – long before they became ingredients for new and improved products, from detergents to foods and fuels.......> Full story

New technique sheds light on RNA

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:36:09 PDT

When researchers sequence the RNA of cancer cells, they can compare it to normal cells and see where there is more RNA. That can help lead them to the gene or protein that might be triggering the cancer........> Full story

Target Meeting’s 2nd World Molecular & Cell Biology Online Conference Held on February 5-8, 2013: Join for Free

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:34:12 PDT

A Free Virtual Molecular & Cell Biology Conference at Targetmeeting.com featuring 80+ live presentations (17 sessions) from academic and industry experts around the world. Computer and internet connection are required. Do not need any special equipment or software. All the attendees just connect to the online conference's server to participate in real time with their distinguished counterparts from across the globe. They can participate from their home or office depending on their convenience, which will save them the trouble of traveling and in utilizing their time optimally. Furthermore, attendees can earn the free Certificates of Attendance. It is a great opportunity to learn about recent advances in the field of molecular & cell biology without travel and money cost.

Major sessions (17 sessions) include
Cell signaling pathways
Cell death
RNA biology
Stem cells
GPCR structure & function
Protein structure & modification
Animal model
Cancer biology & therapy
Cell adhesion & migration
Neuron biology & neurological diseases
And many more…

Keynote & Featured Speakers (80+) include
Devyn M. Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Neusentis Research Unit at Pfizer, USA.
Richard G. Pestell, Chairman & Associate Dean, Thomas Jefferson University, USA.
Rolf D Hubmayr, Walter and LeonoreAnnenberg Professor, Mayo Clinic, USA.
Rakesh Srivastava, Tyler Endowed Professor, University of Kansas Medical Center, USA.
Min Du, Professor & Chair, University of Wyoming, USA.
Leif Hertz, Professor, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada.
David Hecht, Professor, Chemistry, Southwestern College, USA.
Jacek Jawien, Professor & Chair, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Poland.
Steven Stacker, Head, PeterMacCallum Cancer Centre, Australia.
Dan Tulpan, Professor, University of Moncton, Canada.
Romano Maria Fiammetta, Professor, Federico II University of Naples, Italy.
Farid Menaa, Director R&D, Fluorotronics, Inc. USA.
Kathleen L. Hefferon, Professor& Director, Cornell University, USA.
Yin-Yuan Mo, Professor, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, USA.
Ming Pei, Director, West Virginia University, USA.
View all speaker profiles, visit www.targetmeeting.com

Researchers, medical professionals, and other related people can enjoy many benefits by participating in the 2nd World Molecular & Cell Biology Online Conference. They can know, learn and follow up on major developments taking place in the areas of interest. You can have the rare privilege of meeting the best international speakers and world-renowned researchers in real time. You can have that much-needed opportunity of networking and exchanging views with the target audience directly. Participants get a worldwide platform to express their opinions and ideas. With their experience and expertise, they can build a solid reputation and create a tremendous and lasting impact on the community. The 2nd World Molecular & Cell Biology Online Conference can create new opportunities for the leading life science professionals and can help them establish new associations with fellow researchers. According to Target Meeting, all presentations and discussions happen in real time. Importantly, they save the participants the hassle of travel; help them use their valuable time effectively and save money. Participants can ask questions, discuss problems, and exchange their ideas on the online platform. The conference presents them the ultimate opportunity to discuss their proposals and initiatives with global experts, something that perhaps would not have been possible using other methods of communication or correspondence. Target Meeting is a leading online life science conference organizer. Thousands of international speakers and ten thousands of attendees participated in the online symposiums and conferences at Target Meeting. With the persistent efforts, Target Meeting has achieved a well-respected reputation among the attendees and within life science communities, based on the quality of organizers, speakers and scientific programs, as well as excellent attendee experience. They have a solid record of having created outstanding opportunities for scientists and clinicians to share their latest research and in inspiring breakthrough ideas. The conferences are a great way to establish and maintain professional relationships with the best brains in medical science. Sign up early (free) to secure your seat, please visit http://www.targetmeeting.com. Upcoming Free Online Conferences at Target Meeting
• February 5-8, 2013, TM’s 2nd world molecular & cell biology online conference.
• March 19-21, 2013, TM’s 2nd world immunology online conference.
• April 16-18, 2013, TM’s 2nd world virology & microbiology online conference.
• May 21-23, 2013, TM’s 2nd world genetics & genomics online conference.
• June 18-20, 2013, TM’s 2nd world neuroscience online conference.
And many more… Contact: William Smith Target Meeting Williams @ targetmeeting dot com
Address: Belliare, TX, 77401, USA

Patients with EGFR exon 20 insertions have poorer prognosis

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:41:00 PDT

Exon 20 insertions are the third most common family of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations found in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Little is known about cancers harboring these mutations aside from their lack of response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors........> Full story

A history lesson from genes

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:30:48 PDT

When Charles Darwin first sketched how species evolved by natural selection, he drew what looked like a tree. The diagram started at a central point with a common ancestor, then the lines spread apart as organisms evolved and separated into distinct species........> Full story

DNA prefers to dive head first into nanopores

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:53:37 PDT

If you want to understand a novel, it helps to start from the beginning rather than trying to pick up the plot from somewhere in the middle. The same goes for analyzing a strand of DNA. The best way to make sense of it is to look at it head to tail........> Full story

Protein production: Going viral

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:39:37 PDT

A research team of scientists from EMBL Grenoble and the IGBMC in Strasbourg, France, have, for the first time, described in molecular detail the architecture of the central scaffold of TFIID: the human protein complex essential for transcription from DNA to mRNA. The study, published today in Nature, opens new perspectives in the study of transcription and of the structure and mechanism of other large multi-protein assemblies involved in gene regulation.......> Full story

Rare form of active 'jumping genes' found in mammals

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:43:20 PDT

Much of the DNA that makes up our genomes can be traced back to strange rogue sequences known as transposable elements, or jumping genes, which are largely idle in mammals. But Johns Hopkins researchers report they have identified a new DNA sequence moving around in bats — the first member of its class found to be active in mammals.........> Full story

Penn team developing new class of malaria drugs using essential calcium enzyme

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:48:41 PDT

Calpain, a calcium-regulated enzyme, is essential to a host of cellular processes, but can cause severe problems in its overactivated state. It has been implicated as a factor in muscular dystrophy, AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. As such, finding and exploiting calpain inhibitors is an important area of research.........> Full story

Strange behavior: New study exposes living cells to synthetic protein

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:47:20 PDT

One approach to understanding components in living organisms is to attempt to create them artificially, using principles of chemistry, engineering and genetics. A suite of powerful techniques—collectively referred to as synthetic biology—have been used to produce self-replicating molecules, artificial pathways in living systems and organisms bearing synthetic genomes.........> Full story

Pair of proteins gets brain cells into shape

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:31:02 PDT

Under the microscope, the brain appears as a network of intricate beauty comprising billions of nerve cells (the so-called “neurons”) linked together. This network is engaged in a constant process of sharing information. The signals are transmitted from neuron to neuron through fine ramifications of the cell body. However, to acquire this typical structure, young nerve cells have first to go through a shape transformation. “Young neurons.......> Full story

Serendipity points to new potential target and therapy for melanoma

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 13:29:54 PDT

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study in this month’s edition of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology describes a new target and potential treatment for melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. MicroRNA can decide which genes in a cell’s DNA are expressed and which stay silent. Melanoma tends to lack microRNA-26a, which makes the gene SODD go silent.......> Full story

Fumarate, tenofovir can reverse chronic hepatitis B cirrhosis

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 01:09:20 PDT

Long-term suppression of RPS23 hepatitis B virus replication whether the efficacy is still unknown whether the reversal of chronic hepatitis B with advanced fibrosis condition. Patrick Marcellin, fumarate tenofovir treatment for chronic hepatitis B patients designed to assess the effect of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in the five years. The results of this study are published in the latest Lancet 12 online journals.Completed a 48-week, randomized, double-blind, fumaric acid ester (NCT00117676 and NCT00116805) tenofovir and adefovir, researchers will comply with the RPS27 conditions of the subjects (HBeAg positive or negative) into a two-7 years of fumaric again in the 240 weeks of open-label study of tenofovir, a liver biopsy. Researchers to assess the degree of liver histological improvement (Knodell necroinflammatory score ≥ 2 and fibrosis not heavier) and reversal of RPS5 liver fibrosis (Ishak score decrease ≥ 1 unit).In the randomized treatment of 641 patients, 585 entered the open-label study, 489 patients completed the treatment period of 240 weeks. 348 patients enrolled and 240 weeks received a liver biopsy, histological improvement in 87% of patients, 51% of patients in the 240 weeks reversal of liver fibrosis. 28% of patients at baseline cirrhosis (Ishak score 5 or 6 points), 74% of patients with RPS7 cirrhosis disappear (score decrease ≥ 1 unit), enrolled 252 patients with cirrhosis 3 5 years of progression to cirrhosis. The viruses the breakthroughs occur rarely, and not due to resistant tenofovir fumarate result. The safety of the treatment is also satisfactory, 16% of subjects with adverse events exists, but only 9 treatment-related serious adverse reaction.

Using fumarate tenofovir treatment is safe and effective in patients with RPTOR chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The long-term suppression of hepatitis B virus can bring about a reversal of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Creative Biomart

Europe and the United States the ICU sepsis and septic shock prognosis

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:28:35 PDT

Severe sepsis and sepsis septic shock caused by a high mortality rate, and the differences in the different studies ranged from 22% -76%, which are important factors. Treatment and hospitalization in the ICU (intensive care unit) is one of the important part. Professor Mitchell Levy MD, United States Brown University of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, use of RNF111 rescue sepsis action data in hospitals in Europe and the United States, conducted a cohort study to compare the comparison of their overall prognosis. The study found that Europe sent to ICU patients with more severe disease, compared with the United States of its higher crude mortality, ICU patients transferred from the RNF114 hospital to more. The study was published in the the Lancet Infectious Dieases November 2012.The study uses the data of SSC (save sepsis action), more than 200 centers in the United States and Europe. Only the patient's admission time from January 2005 to January 2010, at least 20 bed hospital and ICU patients hospitalized for more than three months before inclusion in the analysis. Each hospital only the first four years of the RNF122 enrolled patients included in the cohort analysis. The diagnosis of severe sepsis and septic shock patients are transferred from the emergency room or ward to intensive care units (ICUs), these patient data are input to the database of the SSC. 25,375 patients were included in this cohort study. 18,766 patients (74%) of the 107 centers in the United States, Europe included 6609 patients (26%) of the 79 hospitals. ICU admission from the emergency department, while in Europe, 3405 patients (51.5%) 12,218 (65.1%) patients in the United States, revenue from the ward.

The research results show that the time to stay in the RNF123 ward before income ICU, compared to Europe much longer. (1.0vs0.1 days gap 0.9,95% confidence interval 0.8-0.9). The crude mortality rate in Europe than the United States (41.1% vs 28.3%, the gap between 12.8, 95% CI, 11.5 -14 · 7). ICU average length of stay (7.8 vs 4.2, 3.6, 3.3 -3 · 7) and overall length of stay (22.8 vs 10.5 Tian, 12.3, 11.9 -12 · 8), in Europe than the United States high. Adjusted RNF125 mortality rate in Europe is no longer significantly higher than that of the United States. (32.3% vs 31.3%, 1.0, -1 · 7 to 3.7, p = 0.468). Patients conducted in full accordance with all appropriate fluid resuscitation of sepsis guidelines, the United States than in Europe, high (21.6% vs18 · 4%, 3.2, 2.2 -4 · 4).Discussed in unadjusted mortality, Europe and the United States have a significant difference. But after sepsis seriousness adjusted data show differences disappear. Europe and the United States compared to heavier patients admitted into the ICU from the ward more patients (patients sent to the United States from the emergency more). The study on the ICU the efficiency of the medical model, and how to effectively use the resources raised new problems.

Creative Biomart

Synchrotron gives insight into green energy enzymes

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:31:57 PDT

UC Davis chemists have been using a Japanese synchrotron to get a detailed look at enzymes that could help power the green economy. The work was published online Nov. 8 by the journal Angewandte Chemie and is featured on the cover of the Nov. 26 issue.......> Full story

The colour of love: Zebrafish perform colorful courtship displays

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:12:23 PDT

Elaborate secondary sexual displays are often overlooked because many species attract mates through sensory modalities imperceptible to humans, including ultraviolet light, ultrasound, electrical signals, or pheromones. Also, sexual coloration may only be expressed briefly during courtship........> Full story

Proteins that work at the ends of DNA could provide cancer insight

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:06:06 PDT

New insights into a protein complex that regulates the very tips of chromosomes could improve methods of screening anti-cancer drugs........> Full story

Feel-good hormone helps to jog the memory

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:50:56 PDT

Dopamine is a multi-faced neurotransmitter. It provides communication between nerve cells as well as between nerve and muscle cells. If this signal transmission becomes disturbed, the consequences can be dramatic. This is illustrated by Parkinson’s disease........> Full story

MicroRNAs in plants: Regulation of the regulator

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:19:22 PDT

The cell seems to thwart itself: Reading the DNA, a mobile messenger RNA is produced in the cell nucleus, exported to the cytoplasm where it serves as a blueprint for the production of proteins. At the same time, the cell is able to produce micro RNAs that, by binding to specific messenger RNAs.......> Full story

The scientists intend to use small RNA molecules as antibacterial or antiviral targets

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 06:31:07 PDT

A biophysical chemist from the University of Michigan and his colleagues found that a currently known minimum and run the fastest switch from RNA consisting of small molecules, it is a UQCRC2 chemical analogue of DNA. The researchers say these rare and fleeting material, the main target for the development of new anti-viral and antibiotic.RNA used to be considered just storage and transmission of genetic information, but now it has been considered many are intracellular "Swiss Army Knife" to play the role of a wide variety of countless shapes and forms. In the past 10 years, researchers have determined that most of the URM1 in our cells can produce RNA molecules, RNA play a central role in the regulation of gene expression, these macromolecules monitoring cell signaling plays a switch role, and change shape to other biological molecules within the cell to send the right reaction.The UROD switch function has been widely accepted, but Hashim Al-Hashimi and his UM colleagues on October 7, 2012, an article published online in the journal Nature, reports a new switch molecules than RNA is much smaller and many times faster than any other known types of RNA switches run.Al-Hashimi refer to them as "temporary structure", they are Al-Hashimi's lab developed a new imaging technology, micro-switches detected."Ultimately, we finally can enlarge these rare, UROS, changing only in such a moment exists, then disappeared," Robert L. Kuczkowski biological physics and chemistry professor at Al-Hashimi, said, "These things are very difficult to see to, because they only appear in 1% of the time, and the presence of only the 1 microsecond to 1 millisecond.In biology, the three-dimensional structure of a molecule determines its characteristics and affect its function. The RNA molecule is formed of a single chain, single chain stretched state can be maintained at or folded to form a complex ring, and extends the branch-like, stepped arm.

The UM researchers describe this tiny switches relates to short, the partial USF1 formed by the structural change to another form, it is referred to an excited state. This structural change is the switch: by the change of the shape of the biological signal is transmitted to the other part of the intracellular."This rare shape corresponding to the excited state has a biological function," said Al-Hashimi, "This changes the shape of its unique structural features and chemical characteristics, they can be allowed to take the drug molecules from a kinds of sense, they provide a completely new drug targets. "In the article published in Nature, researchers from the UM study of three RNA molecules instantly structural changes. The two RNA from the HIV virus that can lead to AIDS, it is recognized to play a key role in the viral replication. A third RNA is involved in the quality control of the ribosome, the ribosome is intracellular protein assembly machinery.

Article resource: creative biomart

The potential of the taxane class of chemotherapy drugs may be underestimated

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 20:28:53 PDT

According to the Weill Cornell Medical School researchers in the Sept. 15 issue of the research in the journal Cancer Research, the effectiveness of TNFRSF10C taxane-based chemotherapy drug may be misunderstood and underestimated phenomenon. Most doctors and researchers believe that taxane chemotherapy (paclitaxel, Dorsey his race Kabbah and his race) has only one function - to stop TNFRSF10D cancer cell division - but scientists of Weill Cornell team found its role than imagined more powerful and widespread, particularly prostate cancer.Taxane can be used in the treatment of the best one of the chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients. However, despite its many tumors is effective, but not all are effective, and the patients often become resistant, "Paraskevi giannakakou Ph.D., the study's senior investigator, Weill Cornell Medical College of Medicine associate professor of TNFRSF11A pharmacology and director of hematology and medical oncology laboratory says. "However, our new understanding of the exact role of taxanes can help us overcome drug sensitivity or resistance to drugs and new therapies designed to improve the efficacy of cancer."In their study, the researchers stressed that investigators must transfer its attention on the function of taxanes in the process of cell division to conventional protein movement and protein exchange in cancer cells to stop moving in the Tnfrsf11b direction the. The researchers believe that cancer is not sensitive to taxanes - or those who have become resistant to cancer - may use such the switching alternative forms of transport "shuttle protein and resistant to taxane therapy, thus avoiding paclitaxel cytoskeleton the impact of the structure. The study showed that the androgen receptor (AR) is a driving force in the growth and metastasis of TNFRSF11B prostate cancer, it will "movement" nucleus along microtubules. When taxane binding microtubules, to stop its movement, thereby inhibiting its activity. Taxane chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel and cabazitaxel can be combined with tubulin. Microtubules channels such as rope, may constitute cells in the bone structure, as well as provide a "road" along the molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids complexes and vesicles, to make it from a part of the cell to another exchange.Microtubules in cells highly dynamic linear network, the network inactivity when using taxanes "giannakakou Dr said," This will bring the best observed when cancer cells attempt to split, "she said. "It is easy to see, divided once every 30 - 48 hours in the lab, prostate cancer, taxane stop their separatist and cause the death of these cells. Everyone taxanes working mechanism - they prevent cell division. "Dr. giannakakou and her research team pointed out that, in their new study found that, compared with the growth of cancer cells in the laboratory, the percentage of patients in vivo tumor cell division significantly reduced. In fact, the cancerous cells in patients with prostate cancer every 33-577 days divided once, she said. "Therefore, the therapeutic effect of taxanes for microtubule depends not only on the effectiveness to prevent cell division."This study generated new insight for the mechanism of action of the taxanes explained, helps to explain the clinical benefit of these drugs in the treatment of prostate cancer. While at the same time, can also help researchers better understand why individual patients might be interested paclitaxel in the treatment of non-response. According to the researchers' point of view, this view determine strategies for future chemotherapy is essential.Later named drug Taxol (paclitaxel) synthesis extracted in 1967 by federal researchers in the bark of the Pacific yew. In 1993, the drug was approved for ovarian cancer and for lung, breast, head and neck and other parts of the cancer. Docetaxel, extracted from the European yew tree, and the synthesis of chemical substances used to treat many of the same types of cancer, as an alternative to paclitaxel. Cabazitaxel latest taxane, is a semi-synthetic Taxol, used to treat prostate cancer patients previously did not receive docetaxel chemotherapy."Since taxol was approved for marketing for 20 years, hundreds of laboratories around the world are trying to understand the mechanism of action the yew prevent cancer cell division,," giannakakou said Dr.. "However, we believe that they now need to take a different perspective, to look at the role of these drugs in the cancer cells of the normal life cycle, and the introduction of new therapies for the newly discovered potential mechanism and movement patterns, combined with paclitaxel treatment, can not benefit from purple taxane class of cancer patients to provide life-saving treatment. " origin :creativebiobart Visit http://www.creativebiomart.net for details.

Breast Cancer BRCA Mutation Veliparib Sensitive

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 23:14:43 PDT

Cancer Center Methodist Episcopal ongoing research aimed at uncovering the BRCA mutation metastatic TNFa breast cancer on, bear with Veliparib, including drug treatment programs, whether sensitive the, Veliparib is considered an experimental drug that can hinder the growth of cancer cells."We want to know Veliparib whether only have an effect on cancer cells without affecting normal, healthy, non-cancerous cells," Center Principal Investigator, Dr. Jenny C. Chang, director of the Cancer Center of the Methodist Church, said: "Although the BRCA gene mutation is not good It will increase the risk of TNFAIP1 breast cancer, but if we can through drug combinations role in this vulnerability that BRCA gene mutation will become favorable treatment of cancer. "Provide financial support for the project by Veliparib developers - Abbott. The Methodist Episcopal Cancer Center is one of 30 to participate in clinical trials in the United States and Europe in the center. Veliparib is considered to be the combined effect of the TNFAIP6 inhibitor, PARPs and BRCA protein called PARPs protein to repair DNA or lead to cell death. And BRCA proteins, PARPs help healthy cells from sick. BRCAs PARPs be considered also can help cancer cells to overcome the damage caused by the rays and some types of anticancer drugs. Veliparib with standard chemotherapy drugs (carboplatin and paclitaxel) in combination, perhaps by preventing TNFRSF10A cancer chemotherapy damage self-healing so that the combination therapy to produce better results. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumor suppressor gene family. Mutations of these genes will lead to a series of loss-of-function, related to the occurrence of breast and ovarian cancer. "BRCA gene mutation may be some breast cancer only fatal weakness," the center, another principal investigator Dr. Angel Rodriguez, "triple negative" Tnfrsf10b breast cancer clinics, director of the Methodist Church, said: "The presence of the BRCA genes in cancer cells is not affected by PARP damage, because they do not exist BRCA protein. thereby PARP inhibitors selectively destroy the presence of BRCA mutations in genes of cancer cells. "Although the occurrence of breast cancer patients with BRCA gene mutation probability is very low, but certain groups are more susceptible to this abnormal gene mutation. There is a family history of cancer for high-risk populations, such as Ashkenazi Jewish women, it is estimated that forty of them have a gene mutation (gene mutation). BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations in women suffering from the chance of "triple negative" breast cancer, "triple negative" cancer cells do not express the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. About 250 million women around the world suffer from breast cancer, more than 250000, 40-year-old following of women suffering from breast cancer in the United States. The hereditary harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations in women with breast cancer, the probability is not this gene mutation occurs 5 times that of women. origin :creativebiobart Visit http://www.creativebiomart.net for details.

C-reactive protein was not significantly related to weight gain

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:42:37 PDT

The researchers found that, when the increase in TMOD1 body mass index (BMI), C-reactive protein (CRP), and a variety of reactions atherosclerotic hardening of the relationship between indicators weakened.According to the research of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas City, Amit Khera and their colleagues, normal weight or overweight men (P = 0.001andP <0.0001, respectively), and normal-weight women (P = 0.005), they vivo high-sensitivity CRP level rise associated with coronary artery calcification in obese TmpA individuals, both men and women, however, this correlation does not exist.Similar to the indicators of this study with the other two reflected atherosclerosis, the severity of the thickness of the arterial wall and aortic segment. It was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology's online website.People think obesity will affect CPR levels. CRP molecular markers of TMPRSS11E inflammation induced by IL-6 generated mainly in the liver. IL-6 is not only the release of atherosclerotic plaques, and can also be released by adipose tissue. "So," Khera and colleagues wrote, "CRP indicates the value of cardiovascular disease in obese patients weakened CRP signals produced by the adipose tissue of obese patients may CRP signal emitted by the potential of atherosclerotic disease cover up. " They also pointed out that the more obese patients risk factors related to TNC cardiovascular disease CRP danger signals can mask. The researchers compiled data in 1600 women between the ages of 30-65 and 1,299 men (mean age, 44-year-old male, 45-year-old female) age from participating in the Dallas Heart Study. CT detection of coronary artery calcification, and is defined as Agatston scores greater than 10 units. The thickness of the wall of the TNF aorta and aortic plaque extent assessed using MRI.Using traditional BMI greater than or equal to 30kg/m2 division method, the study, 38% of men and 53% of women were obese.In addition to CRP levels in obese individuals reflect no connection between the three indicators of atherosclerosis, with the improvement of the body mass index (BMI), CRP indicates the ability of subclinical atherosclerosis will be even more insignificant.Whether male or female, to reflect the The c statistic atherosclerosis CRP in the normal weight for 0.552 to 0.643, 0.509 to 0.595 in obese individuals. Conversely, the Framingham risk score does not reflect the impact of BMI changes in these three atherosclerosis detection method.JUPITER trial published in 2008 showed that the traditional risk factors and CRP, the results would be more accurate. The trial convened a higher basal CRP levels in patients, and the results show that the Luo Shu atorvastatin reduced the incidence of cardiovascular events.BMI is not the JUPITER trial include or exclude criteria. But the overall average BMI of 27.4 ± 5. In the low CRP group (<2mg / L), BMI average of 26 ± 4. High CRP group (≥ 2mg / L), BMI average of 29.1 ± 5. BMI greater than or equal to 30kg/m2 criteria for the classification of these average data close of Khera and its colleagues study.Now those with CRP as signs of atherosclerosis risk in trials to determine the significance of the past and the future is also not, mainly because of the research work is not random.The authors acknowledge that the test also there are other limitations, such as atherosclerosis signs of CRP accuracy decline will lead to measurement inaccuracies artery atherosclerosis in obese patients, resulting in misclassification error.In addition, they mentioned that the present study also does not extend to cardiovascular events."CRP may appear better than the plaque to plaque instability, need to do more clinical studies are needed to clear the relationship between CRP and cardiovascular events in obese cases," they wrote. origin :creativebiobart Visit http://www.creativebiomart.net for details.

Chaperone protein subverts removal of glaucoma-causing protein

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:59:09 PDT

The chaperone protein Grp94 can interfere with the clearance of another protein known to cause the glaucoma when mutated, a new study led by researchers at the University of South Florida has found. Using a cell model, the researchers also demonstrated that a new specific inhibitor of Grp94 facilitates clearance of the genetically-defective protein, called myocilin, from cells.......> Full story

Scripps research scientists devise screening method to aid RNA drug development research

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:50:02 PDT

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed a new method of screening more than three million combinations of interactions between RNA and small molecules to identify the best targets on RNA as well as the most promising potential drug compounds. This novel technology may lead to more efficient drug development.......> Full story

Meningitis Cases Rise Torture the Regulation of Compounding Pharmacies.

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 02:16:19 PDT

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control says the number of confirmed cases of a rare outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to steroid shots rose to 91 in nine states on Friday, including seven deaths from 34 to 47. The news tally sent a chill through the U.S. medical community as investigators scrambled to notify hundreds, and possibly thousands, of patients across the country that steroid injections administered to the spinal cord for back pain may have been contaminated with a fungus. Investigators from the U.S. FDA and state officials are probing the Framingham, Mass., facility where the New England Compounding Center made the 17,676 potentially tainted steroid injections, which were then shipped to 75 clinics in 23 states, according to federal and state officials. More than 17,000 vials were immediately recalled after FDA had already advised medical professionals last week not to use NECC-made products. Also, the CDC and state health officials were tracking down patients who received the shots to see if they had been sick and warn them to be on the watch for possible symptoms over the two weeks. The numbers of cases are rising sharply now not necessarily because people are continuing to get sick, but because investigators are pinpointing more illnesses among those who already received the injections of methylprednisolone acetate for relief of back and neck pain. The injections were given between July and September, and those who have been infected developed symptoms between one and four weeks after receiving their injections. The said meningitis is a potentially deadly inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord. It is usually caused by viruses or bacteria, but can also be brought on by fungi. The two fungi found thus far in some patients—known as aspergillus and exserohilum—are commonly found in the air and soil. While the fungi aren't harmful in the environment, they can become deadly when they flourish in a medication and are then injected directly into a part of the body that should not have germs. Most of the people who have been sickened had normal immune systems and weren't at particular risk of infections with their auto-defense. However, fungi in the medication were supposed to penetrate the central nervous system after being injected epidurally and led to possible damage on brain or central nervous system. The fungal form of meningitis is particularly difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be vague and mild initially, including fever, headache, nausea and stiffness of the neck, according to the CDC. People with fungal meningitis can also experience dizziness and confusion. Several of the patients in the current outbreak have had strokes.Many possible victims believe the shot they took before was nothing more than a routine procedure but went terribly wrong in a sudden. They were driven—some of people who didn't like to take no for an answer. The outbreak has drawn renewed attention to the little-regulated world of compounding pharmacies. The FDA is hampered by federal law and conflicting federal court decisions over its authority to regulate compounding pharmacies. Current and former senior FDA officials said the agency has sought greater authority over the past decade, but so far has been stymied.Senior FDA officials are especially concerned about large compounding pharmacies that send out large amounts of drugs across the country—as opposed to a small pharmacy that may compound a medication three or four times a year. In particular, the agency hasn't been able to take the normal steps it would take to ensure the safety of a drug produced at a compounding pharmacy. That includes requiring and evaluating clinical trials, and inspection of manufacturing facilities. Attempts in the past by the agency to regulate more strenuously have been challenged in court. origin :creativebiobart Visit http://www.creativebiomart.net for details.

Obesity can lead to young women prone to atrial fibrillation

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:49:03 PDT

A Danish study found that young women rarely atrial fibrillation, but severely obese female incidence of TGFBR1 atrial fibrillation was 3.5 times the normal female.Age, concomitant diseases and smoking correction the Deniz Karasoy physician (Copenhagen, Gentofte University Hospital cardiology researcher) and his colleagues believe that: in the 20-50 year-old women, body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 female room The trembling risk 3.5/10 million years (p <0.001) is far greater than the BMI of 18.5-25 normal weight women.Karasoy at the annual meeting of the TGFBR2 European Society of Cardiology: in BMI 30-35 women, the risk of atrial fibrillation 2.04/10 person-years (P = 0.01). "Our research found that obesity is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation in young women," Karasoy in a news conference, said, "When our normal weight women and other BMI groups compared found that, compared with normal-weight women, obese women with atrial fibrillation risk is 2-fold, while severely obese women is 3.5 times. "This study also published in Europace magazine. Danish medical register, he and his colleagues detailed TGFBR3 examination to determine a follow-up in the period 2004-2009, the first time after giving birth to an average of 4.6 years 271,203 females. The average age of the women in this study was 30.6 years. Childbirth-related weight gain may occur for several fertility of women, we do not carry out statistical adjustment "Karasoy The explained.Observed during the TGM2 study period, 110 cases of new onset atrial fibrillation. According to BMI, the researchers studied women divided into five subsets: BMI <18.5 female incidence rate is about 12/10 million years, compared with the incidence of normal BMI women 7.4/10 people were no significant differences.And severe obesity in overweight women (BMI :25-30) incidence rate was 8.5/10 million years, compared with the THBD normal BMI women also no significant difference; but obese female incidence rate of 15.8/10 million years, there are significant differences; the female incidence 27.3/10 million years.All incidence of atrial fibrillation was 9.3/10 million,, Karasoy said. "Obesity is a global problem, and we hope to study the relationship between atrial fibrillation and obesity in the crowd no atrial fibrillation risk factors."Karasoy said their study could not determine obesity cause women prone to atrial fibrillation, "However, other studies considered from a biological reasons, found that obesity can lead to the expansion of the left atrial and left ventricular dysfunction, which is a possible explanation," he said MedPageToday on.Susan Bennett, MD, Washington Hospital Center / MedStar Heart Institute, director of Georgetown University, said Med Page Today, sleep apnea syndrome may be these women are potential causes of atrial fibrillation.The suspension of the obstructive sleep apnea and obesity and atrial fibrillation, "she as a spokesman for the American Heart Association, said in the evaluation of this Danish study. She suggested that obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis is difficult, and there are few doctors to detect. origin :creativebiobart Visit http://www.creativebiomart.net for details.

Scripps Research Institute scientists show protein linked to hunger also implicated in alcoholism

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:22:58 PDT

Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have found new links between a protein that controls our urge to eat and brain cells involved in the development of alcoholism. The discovery points to new possibilities for designing drugs to treat alcoholism and other addictions........> Full story

Study finds gene that predicts happiness in women

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:26:58 PDT

A new study has found a gene that appears to make women happy, but it doesn’t work for men. The finding may help explain why women are often happier than men, the research team said.......> Full story

Researchers describe new molecular interactions behind the inhibition of TGF beta-signaling

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:52:31 PDT

Researchers headed by Maria Macias an ICREA researcher at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and Joan Massagué, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York, have identified a new molecular mechanism that plays a crucial role in the control of the activation of certain genes associated with cancer........> Full story