Featured

Image Courtesy: Nissim Benvenisty, PLoS

Study Reports Breakthrough in Muscular Dystrophy Treatment using Stem Cell Therapy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), one of the most prevalent genetic dystrophies caused by a mutation in the gene coding for the dystrophin protein, afflicts approximately one in 3500 live male births globally. In the recent online issue of Cell, researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, USA, have reported that functional engraftment of myogenic stem cells may help in the restoration of healthy muscles and also improvement in muscle function in patients affected with muscular dystrophy.
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Image Courtesy: Lance Liotta Laboratory

Oral Nanotechnology Formulation Found to be Effective against Angiogenesis and Cancers

Lodamin, an oral nanotechnology formulation of the conjugated antiangiogenic drug, TNP-470, has demonstrated significant positive results against a wide range of cancers in mice models, according to a research published in the latest online issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology. Read more »

Diabetes

Lipid Mediators can Target PMN-induced Inflammation and Tissue Injury in Diabetes

Diabetes induces alterations in immune cell functions such as the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines from monocytes or polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). A recent research demonstrates that the inflammatory activities of diabetic PMN can be decreased with naturally occurring endogenous lipid mediators such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-derived resolvin-E1 (RvE1) and aspirin-triggered lipoxin A4 stable analog (ATLa), thereby reducing inflammation and tissue injury in diabetics. The study results were presented at the 86th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research held in Toronto, Canada, during July 2nd to 5th, 2008. Read more »

Drug Delivery Through Microneedles to Revolutionize Ocular Treatment

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, have discovered a microscopic needle-based innovative strategy for effective administration of drugs to the eyes, providing a possible breakthrough for millions of patients afflicted with macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. The study results were presented at the Ophthalmic Drug Delivery symposium, held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), in London on June 30th, 2008. Read more »

Stem Cells

Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Stem Cells Used to Treat Liver Disease

A collaborative study conducted by a group of Spanish scientists from the University of Granada and Leon has concluded that mononuclear blood cells derived from the human umbilical cord blood can be used to treat liver disease, such as hepatitis. The study results will be published in the upcoming issue of Cell Transplantation. Read more »

Genetically Modified Embryonic Stem Cells Used to Reverse Neurodegenerative Deficits

Isolation of pure neuronal cell lines from stem cells, their survival, and the risk of tumor formation following transplantation in the brain, have been some of the major issues plaguing stem cell research aimed at treating neurological diseases and disorders. A new study, published in the recent issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, reports the possibility of treating neurodegenerative disorders by transplanting neuronal cells obtained from genetically modified embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Read more »

HIV | AIDS

Capsaicin Patch May Alleviate Pain in HIV Neuropathy

HIV-associated distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP), the most common neurological complication of HIV infection, is associated with the development of debilitating chronic pain. In a new study, Researcher Simpson DM and colleagues have reported that Capsaicin patches may help in reducing HIV neuropathy. The study has been published in the June 2008 issue of Neurology. Read more »

Topical Estrogen May Help in the Prevention of HIV Transmission

According to global statistics from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), an estimated 33.2 million people had HIV/AIDS infection, with around 2.5 million newly reported cases in 2007. The fatal disease, which has caused more than 25 million deaths since 1981, is being worked on extensively in the pursuit of developing new and effective treatment modalities. Research in the field of HIV/AIDS has seen various novel methods in attempting to control the retroviral infection. According to a recent study published in the PLoS ONE journal, researchers have found that HIV/AIDS could be prevented by the topical application of estrogen to the human penis. Researchers speculate that estrogen inhibits the virus infection by increasing the thickness of the keratin layer of the foreskin. Read more »

Featured Video

Medicine

Ventricular Size to Aid in the Early Detection of Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is currently diagnosed on the basis of neurocognitive assessments, and definitive diagnosis is possible only after the death of the individual,... Read more »

July 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

SSRIs Up the Risk of Upper GI Bleeding

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a class of antidepressants, may increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, according to a study by a... Read more »

July 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Lipid Mediators can Target PMN-induced Inflammation and Tissue Injury in Diabetes

Diabetes induces alterations in immune cell functions such as the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines from monocytes or polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN).... Read more »

July 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment

TNF- α Blocker May Inhibit the Progression of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

A team of researchers at the Stowers Institute for medical research, Kansas City, Missouri, have discovered the role of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis... Read more »

June 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Pharma

Ceftaroline Demonstrates Efficacy Against Complicated Skin Infections

Ceftaroline, a broad-spectrum cephalosporin being developed by Forest Laboratories, Inc., demonstrated comparable efficacy to vancomycin/ aztreonam combination,... Read more »

July 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Pine Bark Extract, Pycnogenol®, May Help Reduce Menstrual Pain

Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is the most common, and often debilitating, gynecologic condition affecting around 45 to 90% US women of reproductive age. Recent... Read more »

June 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Study Indicates Antidepressant Effect of Hunger Hormone, Ghrelin

Researchers from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas have reported that higher levels of the hunger hormone, ghrelin, may help in beating... Read more »

June 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Biotechnology

Polyethylene Glycol Therapy Reduces Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Behavioral Symptoms

Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a non-toxic, ethylene oxide polymer, can reduce the behavioral complications associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) when administered... Read more »

July 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment

New Skin Patch Based Vaccine Shows Promise against Traveler’s Diarrhea

A vaccine skin patch, containing heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), reduces the rate and severity of traveler’s diarrhea,... Read more »

June 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Basic Sciences

Sudden Loss of Hearing May Predict Future Stroke

A pioneering study headed by scientist Herng-Ching Lin and colleagues from the Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, has concluded that there is an increased risk of... Read more »

July 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Study Finds Common Mechanism For Insulin Resistance, Hypertension, and Immunosuppression

Bioengineering scientists working at the University of California, San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, USA, have elucidated a single molecular mechanism... Read more »

July 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Dental Science

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Used for Alveolar Bone Regeneration

Researchers from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, have reported successful alveolar bone regeneration using extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).... Read more »

July 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Antileukemic Treatment May Impair Oral Defense Mechanism in Children

Chemotherapeutic treatment in children diagnosed with leukemia decreases the antibacterial potential of saliva, according to a study published in the latest issue... Read more »

June 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Consumer Health

Physical Activity May Slow the Progress of Alzheimer Disease

Early stage Alzheimer disease (AD) patients who are more physically fit have reduced brain atrophy compared to those with lower physical fitness, according to a... Read more »

July 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Prebiotic Effect of Almond May Help in Increasing Beneficial Gut Flora

A study conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute of Food Research, United Kingdom, has demonstrated that almonds, which are associated with numerous... Read more »

July 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Study Indicates Poor Knowledge of Heart Attack Symptoms Among Cardiac Patients

Effective therapy for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) depends on the patient’s ability to identify the symptoms and take immediate decision to seek medical treatment.... Read more »

June 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment


Surgical Specialties

Rapid Prostate Cancer Progression Linked To Breast Cancer Gene 2 Mutation

Several studies have suggested the role of BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes involved in the development of breast and ovarian cancer, in the progression of prostate cancer.... Read more »

July 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Medtronic’s Active Fixation Left-Heart Cardiac Resynchronization Lead Bags FDA Approval

Medtronic, Inc. receives US FDA approval for Attain StarFix® OTW (over-the-wire) lead, a new solution for the accurate placement and stability of the left ventricle... Read more »

June 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment


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