Health News

Lymphoma development and progression may be promoted by inhibition of CDK4

Date: Mar-24-2014
Anticancer agents that target a cell-cycle regulatory protein to inhibit tumor growth might actually promote the development and progression of certain B-cell lymphomas, according to a new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James).The study indicates that inhibiting CDK4, a regulator of the cell cycle, promotes genetic instability and the development or progression of B-cell lymphomas that are driven by the MYC oncogene.

Health improvements likely following studies of gut flora in infants and toddlers

Date: Mar-24-2014
Breastfeeding until at least nine months of age increases prevalence in the gastrointestinal tract of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, species which are known to contribute to development of a healthy immune system, according to a paper describing the establishment of the intestinal microbiota during the first three years of life. The research was published ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.In the study, the investigators sampled the gut microbiota in the feces of 300 children at 9, 18, and 36 months of age.

More psychological support needed for breast cancer patients

Date: Mar-24-2014
For women who are suffering from breast cancer, concern for their children is the greatest source of worry. A researcher at The Sahlgrenska Academy has shown this, and believes that women who are at the earliest stage of the treatment should be offered support by a psychologist or a social worker.One out of every ten women in Sweden is affected by breast cancer at some time in her life.

Preclinical study suggests HPV eradicated by AHCC supplement

Date: Mar-24-2014
Treating cervical cancer cells with AHCC led to the eradication of HPV, human papillomavirus, as well as a decrease in the rate of tumor growth in-vitro and in-vivo, in research presented at the Society of Gynecological Oncology 45th Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer in Tampa, Florida. The study was led by Dr. Judith A. Smith, Pharm.D., at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) Medical School at Houston.In the study cervical cancer cells were treated with AHCC and incubated for 72 hours with sampling every 24 hours.

A way discovered to potentially slow down progression of Alzheimer's disease

Date: Mar-24-2014
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have discovered a way to potentially halt the progression of dementia caused by accumulation of a protein known as tau.Normally, tau protein is involved in microtubule formation, which acts as a brain cell's transportation system for carrying nutrients in and waste out. In the absence of tau protein, brain cells become dysfunctional and eventually die.

Breast cancer outcomes adversely affected by obesity and diabetes

Date: Mar-24-2014
Both obesity and diabetes have adverse effects on outcomes in breast cancer patients who receive chemotherapy as primary treatment before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), according to research presented at the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-9). Although a high body mass index (BMI) is known to have a negative impact on cancer development and prognosis, until now there has been uncertainty as to whether having a high BMI had an equal effect on patients with different types of breast tumours.

Cheaper, greener way to make new drugs by shifting evolution into reverse

Date: Mar-24-2014
This alternative approach to creating artificial organic molecules, called bioretrosynthesis, was first proposed four years ago by Brian Bachmann, associate professor of chemistry at Vanderbilt University. Now Bachmann and a team of collaborators report that they have succeeded in using the method to produce the HIV drug didanosine.The proof of concept experiment is described in a paper published online by the journal Nature Chemical Biology."These days synthetic chemists can make almost any molecule imaginable in an academic laboratory setting," said Bachmann.

Major mechanism identified that drives kidney cancer progression

Date: Mar-24-2014
The shortage of oxygen, or hypoxia, created when rapidly multiplying kidney cancer cells outgrow their local blood supply can accelerate tumor growth by causing a nuclear protein called SPOP - which normally suppresses tumor growth - to move out of the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it has the opposite effect, promoting rapid proliferation.In the journal Cancer Cell, researchers from Chicago and Beijing describe the mechanisms that enable hypoxia to cause the overexpression of SPOP.

Experts recommend policy changes as age-friendly technologies emerge

Date: Mar-24-2014
From smart phones to smart cars, both public and private entities must consider the needs of older adults in order to help them optimize the use of new technologies, according to the latest issue of Public Policy & Aging Report (PP&AR), titled "Aging and Technology: The Promise and the Paradox." A total of eight articles all from authors affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab are featured.

A braking system for immune responses

Date: Mar-24-2014
For the first time, researchers have identified a receptor on human cells that specifically recognizes crystals. It is found on immune cells and binds uric acid crystals, which trigger gout but also control immune responses. The team, led by researchers from Technische Universität München (TUM)'s Klinikum rechts der Isar hospital have published their findings in the Immunity journal.The surface of immune system cells is home to a number of receptors which are able to detect pathogens.