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Thread: Interesting Medical News (Non-WCG Related Projects) |
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Sekerob
Ace Cruncher Joined: Jul 24, 2005 Post Count: 20043 Status: Offline |
Antibiotics 'could help slow Multiple Sclerosis' (better known as MS and not to be confused with MD - Muscular Dystrophy)
----------------------------------------http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7136088.stm Adding antibiotics to standard drug therapy may slow down the progress of multiple sclerosis, research suggests. Patients showed fewer symptoms, and fewer signs of tissue damage when they took the antibiotic doxycycline alongside the MS drug beta interferon.
WCG
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Former Member
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Cloned cats glow in ultraviolet
Seoul - South Korean scientists have cloned cats by manipulating a fluorescent protein gene, a procedure which could help develop treatments for human genetic diseases, officials said Wednesday. In a side-effect, the cloned cats glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet beams.......  |
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Former Member
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Researcher: Cause and Treatment for Parkinson's "In Our Sights":
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=cause-and-treatment-for-parkinsons-in-sight |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
---------------------------------------- [Edit 1 times, last edit by Former Member at Dec 31, 2007 4:36:36 PM] |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Psychedelic Healing?
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=psychedelic-healing&page=1 Hallucinogenic drugs, which blew minds in the 1960s, soon may be used to treat mental ailments |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Researchers Move Two Steps Closer to Understanding Genetic Underpinnings of Autism
Reports from three groups validate earlier finding 01-10-2008 Phoenix, AZ, January 10, 2008-Today's issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics (AJHG), describes what might be a corner piece of the autism puzzle-the identification and subsequent validation of a gene linked to the development of autism by three separate groups of scientists. An accompanying commentary by Dr. Dietrich Stephan, Director of the Neurogenomics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute's (TGen), further explains the findings. Autism is a perplexing disease whose cause remains unexplained. It has long been suggested that environmental factors, linked with genetics, play a role in causing the disorder. As recently as last week, researchers in California published a study that found no proof linking autism with a mercury-based preservative found in childhood vaccines. While there are no clear-cut answers, researchers are one step closer to understanding autism's genetic cause. In March 2006, Dr. Stephan, Director of TGen's Neurogenomics Division, led a team of researchers at TGen and collaborators at the Clinic for Special Children (CSC) in Strasburg, PA, that identified a gene called CNTNAP2. When mutated, this gene indicated a predisposition to autism in a specific population of Old Order Amish children from Pennsylvania. One of the most important principles in science is the ability to replicate results. Now, three groups of researchers from Yale University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Johns Hopkins University, have replicated the initial finding in the general population, unequivocally implicating this gene as causing the newly defined Type 1 autism. All three studies plus Dr. Stephan's commentary are published in the January edition of AJHG. According to Dr. Erik Puffenberger, Laboratory Director of the Clinic for Special Children, "Our previous finding of association between loss of CNTNAP2 function and autistic behavior has been validated in the general population. This is a very exciting step for autism research. It also highlights the enormous potential of the 'small science' approach. Our initial work used only four affected Amish children. Careful study of these four patients uncovered the association between CNTNAP2 and autistic behaviors. From that small beginning, CNTNAP2 has now been implicated as a significant risk factor for autism." Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broadly used term for a set of developmental disorders that emerges in infants and young children. ASD impairs a child's intuitive thought, language and social development to varying degrees. Most individuals diagnosed with ASD require lifelong supervision and care; the most severely affected are unable to speak. ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S. Two decades ago, roughly one child in 10,000 was diagnosed with ASD; it now affects one in 150 births. "The field of genetics is replete with examples where researchers are unable to reproduce results. Here we have independent confirmation in multiple groups using large samples sizes," said Dr. Stephan. "Now that the results of the initial CNTNAP2 gene finding have been replicated, it strongly supports the notion that the 'broken version' of CNTNAP2 is recognized as a cause of autism in the general population." In collaboration with the Phoenix-based Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), a nonprofit community-based organization dedicated to research, education and resources for individuals with ASDs and their families, TGen will apply these research findings to children in Arizona who have been diagnosed with ASD. "The heterogeneity of the disorder has frustrated our past efforts in the search for causes of autism," said Dr. Raun Melmed, medical director and co-founder of SARRC. "This exciting discovery will further our capacity to individualize approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of autism." The next step, noted Dr. Stephan in the commentary, is to develop a diagnostic to test for the CNTNAP2 mutation. If physicians could implement behavioral interventions early enough, children with autism may have a better chance of developing normally. The initial discovery of CNTNAP2 in autism was published in the March 30, 2006, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. # # # About TGen The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on developing earlier diagnostics and smarter treatments. Translational genomics research is a relatively new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project and applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other complex diseases. TGen's research is based on personalized medicine. The institute plans to accomplish its goals through robust and disease-focused research. About the Clinic For Special Children The Clinic for Special Children was established in 1989 to provide early diagnosis, affordable laboratory services, and comprehensive medical and nutritional care for Old Order Amish and Mennonite children that suffer from genetic disorders. The clinic mission encompasses four aims: 1) Make high-quality medical care for special children accessible, affordable, and culturally effective; 2) Develop comprehensive methods of newborn screening and follow-up care for genetic disorders prevalent among the Plain people; 3) Develop practical clinical applications for modern molecular genetic technologies; and 4) Elucidate disease mechanisms for the purpose of improving patient treatment and outcome. Clinical work at the CSC is funded by private donations from individuals, foundation contributions, and an endowment fund established for this purpose. Many collaborating scientists and laboratories donate specialized services. The CSC receives no money from state or federal sources and is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable institution. About SARRC Founded in 1997, the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to autism research, education and resources for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and their families. SARRC undertakes self-directed and collaborative research projects, serves as a satellite site for national and international projects, and provides up-to-date information, training and assistance to families and professionals about ASDs. For more information about SARRC, call (602) 340-8717 or visit http://www.autismcenter.org/ Media Contacts: Amy Erickson, TGen: (602) 343-8522 Caroline Morton, Clinic for Special Children: (717) 687-9407 Stephanie Jarnagan, SARRC: (480) 201-7572 |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
New data show Menveo(TM) to be the first quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine to provide immunogenicity in infants
* Data in JAMA show Menveo may provide infants protection against four of the most common meningococcal serogroups - A, C, W-135 and Y * Menveo stimulates broad immune response against meningococcal disease in infants from two months old Basel, January 9, 2008 - Menveo(TM) (MenACWY-CRM), a vaccine in development by Novartis, may protect infants using a schedule beginning at two months of age against four of the most common causes of meningococcal disease. Menveo is the only meningococcal vaccine shown to generate protection against a broad range of serogroups in infants, potentially filling a large unmet medical need. New data, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, show that Menveo was well-tolerated and generated high levels of immunogenicity in infants against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y with a standard infant vaccination dosing schedule. Infants have the highest rate of meningococcal disease, a potentially deadly bacterial infection. However, no currently available quadrivalent vaccine including Menomune® [1] and Menactra® [2] has demonstrated a strong and lasting immune response for this age group. "These important data show that this new MenACWY vaccine has the potential to protect infants as part of the routine infant vaccine schedule, expanding the potential serogroup coverage of currently available vaccines," said study investigator Andrew Pollard, FRCPCH, PhD, Reader in Paediatric Infection & Immunity, University of Oxford and Honorary Consultant Pediatrician at Children's Hospital in Oxford, England. "Infants have the highest rate of meningococcal disease, and to date no quadrivalent vaccine has been immunogenic in this high risk age group," said Steve Black, MD, Adjunct Professor of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Stanford University. "These new data are encouraging and offer promise that we will soon have a vaccine to protect all children against a broad range of serogroups that cause meningococcal disease." These new results build on numerous other clinical trial findings, which support that Menveo generates a strong immune response across all age groups. Novartis plans regulatory submissions for Menveo in the European Union and the United States in 2008. "Novartis is making great progress toward our goal of protecting all age groups from all causes of meningococcal disease," said Joerg Reinhardt, CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. A rare but potentially vaccine-preventable disease, invasive meningococcal disease is an acute, contagious and potentially fatal disease that causes sepsis and meningitis, an infection of membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Each year, approximately 500,000 cases occur around the world, causing about 50,000 deaths. Meningitis symptoms - which can include sudden onset of fever, rash, headache and stiff neck - can progress rapidly. Even with early and appropriate treatment, patients can die, typically within 24-48 hours. Up to 20% of those who survive infection are left with life-long disability, such as deafness, neurological damage or limb loss. About the trial The Phase II randomized, open-label trial included 421 infants from the UK and Canada and evaluated multiple schedules including two 3-dose primary schedules, at either 2, 3 and 4 months and 2, 4 and 6 months. Some participants received either an additional dose of MenACWY-CRM or a plain meningococcal polysaccharide at 12 months. One month after the last primary immunization, the percentage of participants with hSBA titers greater than or equal to 1:4 in the 2, 3, 4-month group was 93% or above for all four serogroups. Immunization at 2, 4 and 6 months resulted in a similarly high percentage of participants achieving immune response for serogroups C, W-135 and Y, and 81% for serogroup A. The dose at 12 months generated a strong immune response across all four serogroups, was shown to increase levels of immunity, and is likely to provide sustained protection. The hSBA titer is the human serum bactericidal antibody assay, which measures the body's protective immune response to the meningococcus. About Menveo Menveo is currently in multiple Phase III clinical trials involving infants, young children, adolescents and adults. It is based on the same technical expertise Novartis used to produce Menjugate®, a meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine approved outside the United States since 2000 for use in individuals from two months old through adulthood. The polysaccharide conjugation technique used to produce MenACWY-CRM improves immunization responses compared to older polysaccharide vaccines, which are poorly immunogenic in infants. Currently the only conjugate vaccines approved and available for use in infants protect only against serogroup C; these serogroup C vaccines are not approved in the United States. Menveo will therefore provide the opportunity to protect infants against a broad range of serogroups that cause meningococcal disease. Novartis is a global leader in providing effective meningococcal vaccines, having distributed more than 26 million doses of Menjugate around the world and producing MenZB, a vaccine against a strain of meningococcus B specific to a recent outbreak in New Zealand. Novartis is also developing a recombinant vaccine to provide broad coverage against multiple strains of serogroup B, which no vaccine currently available can achieve. About Novartis Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics is a division of Novartis focused on the development of preventive treatments. The division has two businesses: Novartis Vaccines and Chiron. Novartis Vaccines is the world's fifth-largest vaccines manufacturer and second-largest supplier of flu vaccines in the US. The division's products also include meningococcal, pediatric and travel vaccines. Chiron, the blood testing and molecular diagnostics business, is dedicated to preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the development of novel blood-screening tools that protect the world's blood supply. Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics, human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in these areas. In 2006, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 37.0 billion and net income of USD 7.2 billion. Approximately USD 5.4 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 100,000 associates and operates in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com. # # # [1] Menomune is a registered trademark of Sanofi Pasteur [2] Menactra is a registered trademark of Sanofi Pasteur Novartis Media Relations John Gilardi Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 3018 (direct) +41 79 596 1408 (mobile) john.gilardi@novartis.com Beth Birke Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics +1 (617) 871 4281 (direct) +1 (617) 803 4359 (mobile) nvd.communications@novartis.com <mailto:eric.althoff@novartis.com> e-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Novartis Investor Relations International North America Ruth Metzler-Arnold Katharina Ambuehl Pierre-Michel Bringer Jason Hannon Thomas Hungerbuehler Richard Jarvis Isabella Zinck Central phone no: +41 61 324 7944 e-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Jill Pozarek +1 212 830 2445 Edwin Valeriano +1 212 830 2456 |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Embryos Survive Stem Cell Harvest:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=embryos-survive-stem-cell-harvest |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
It would appear the disease, Alzheimer's is somehow caused by the Herpes Simplex I virus(cold sores). Brain infection with herpes?
Cold Sore Virus Might Play Role In Alzheimer's http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070103110103.htm Cold sore virus might play role in Alzheimer's disease http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-01/uorm-csv010307.php Herpes research hints at link to Alzheimer's disease http://www.brown.edu/Administration/George_Street_Journal/vol28/28GSJ07a.html Herpes Research Uncovers Possible Clue To Alzheimer's Disease http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/11/031107055048.htm |
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Former Member
Cruncher Joined: May 22, 2018 Post Count: 0 Status: Offline |
Infected for life: How the Herpes Simplex Virus Uses MicroRNA to Hide Out in Cells
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060612184600.htm |
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