Health News

Fungal surface protein promotes host cell

Date: Dec-31-2013
Opportunistic infection of individuals on immunosuppressive therapy are a major problem for patient outcome, despite current prophylactic strategies. While the ability to prevent infection with well-characterized pathogens has improved, infection by less-known microbes have been on the rise. One such example is the increasing occurrence of mucormycosis, a life-threatening infection caused by Mucorales fungi. A defining characteristic of Mucorales is the ability to invade host cells via interaction with glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) on the surface of endothelial cell.

Learning requires constant reconfiguration of the connections between nerve cells

Date: Dec-31-2013
Two new studies now yield new insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the learning process.Learning and memory are made possible by the incessant reorganization of nerve connections in the brain. Both processes are based on targeted modifications of the functional interfaces between nerve cells - the so-called synapses - which alter their form, molecular composition and functional properties. In effect, connections between cells that are frequently co-activated together are progressively altered so that they respond to subsequent signals more rapidly and more strongly.

Insight into epilepsy provided by new research

Date: Dec-31-2013
Experiments using mice have led to new research results showing that the amount of microRNA-128 has a great impact on the musculoskeletal system. If the level of microRNA-128 is increased, it leads to lower neuron activity and can thereby help reduce uncontrolled movements in connection with epilepsy or Parkinson's disease. MicroRNA-128 can similarly be decreased to boost the neuron activity.

The body and copper

Date: Dec-31-2013
New research from Aarhus University provides deeper insight into causes of serious diseases involving copper metabolism. Mapping the mechanism that regulates the transport of copper across the cell membrane and out of the body's cells actually provides a new understanding of conditions related to chronic imbalance in the body's level of copper.Copper is a heavy metal that is essential for a number of the body's vital functions, but harmful in excessive amounts. Human health therefore depends on the body's ability to regulate the level of copper in the cells.

New mechanism that permits selective capture of microRNAs in nanovesicles that shuttle between cells

Date: Dec-31-2013
The study presents the first description of a set of related nuceleotide sequences essential for the role of these small molecules in intercellular communication.The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) is fundamental for the correct moment-to-moment adjustment in the expression of target genes.

Images of modified vulvas can significantly influence women's perceptions of what is considered normal and desirable

Date: Dec-31-2013
Women's perceptions of what is considered normal and desirable female genitalia may be influenced by exposure to modified images, suggests a new study published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.Requests for labiaplasty (reducing and making the labia minora symmetrical) has become the most widely performed female genital cosmetic procedure covered by the NHS over the past decade, increasing five-fold between 2001 and 2010.

New molecular tools for controlling production of compounds important for flavors, human health, and biofuels

Date: Dec-31-2013
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have identified a new way to regulate the production of phenols, a class of plant products with a wide range of applications for humans. These compounds serve as an important source of flavors, fragrances, and pigments; some are of interest for their possible health-promoting effects; and through their contribution to the construction of plant cell walls, (poly)phenols are the major factor influencing how easy it is to convert biomass to biofuels.

Success in mouse model of aniridia is first instance of drug reversing a congenital deformity

Date: Dec-31-2013
University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health scientists have developed a potential cure for a rare eye disease, showing for the first time that a drug can repair a birth defect.They formulated the drug Ataluren into eye drops, and found that it consistently restored normal vision in mice who had aniridia (ANN-uh-ridee- uh), a condition that severely limits the vision of about 5,000 people in North America. A small clinical trial with children and teens is expected to begin next year in Vancouver, the U.S. and the U.K.

Mangafodipir treatment for oxaliplatin-associated neuropathy

Date: Dec-31-2013
An unfortunate side effect of the platinum-chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin is the development of neurotoxicity, which can adversely affect a patient's quality of life; therefore, the benefit of oxaliplatin-based therapy must be balanced with prevention of neuropathies. Currently, there are no therapeutic interventions available to relieve oxaliplatin-associated neurological symptoms, which are thought to be a result of reactive oxygen species-associated damage.

Dysfunctional TGF-beta signaling contributes to Loeys-Dietz syndrome-associated aortic aneurysm

Date: Dec-31-2013
Patients with the connective tissue disorder Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) are at high risk for aortic aneurysm. LDS results in the presence of missense mutations within either of the genes encoding receptors for TGF-β. LDS-associated mutations are predicted to reduce TGF-β signaling; however, aortic tissue samples from LDS patients indicate that TGF-β signaling may be enhanced.