The increased risk for neurological impairment and disability remains a major challenge for physicians, in spite of the improvements in perinatal healthcare which have significantly reduced the mortality rates of preterm infants. A recent study published in the December issue of the Journal of Pediatrics reports that late preterm birth (at 34 to 36 weeks) is linked to long-term neurodevelopmental consequences, with risks inversely proportional to the decrease in gestational period. Continue Reading

A group of Spanish researchers have reported that a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) rich in nuts will aid in the management of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The results of the study have been published in the latest issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. Continue Reading

Hepatitis C infection is currently treated with a short course of peginterferon and ribavirin therapy, but a sizeable proportion of patients are unresponsive to this treatment, with the disease progressing to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Now, a recent study, published in the latest issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, has established that prolonged therapy with peginterferon has not been found useful in patients with advanced cases of chronic hepatitis C, who are unresponsive to standard treatment with interferon and ribavirin. Continue Reading

Pancreatic islet transplants have been found to be potentially advantageous than whole-gland transplant for the treatment of type I diabetes. However, its clinical use is limited due to post-transplantation challenges such as poor revascularization, host immune rejection, and nonspecific inflammatory response. Now, a recent study published in the December issue of the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics has reported that genetic modification of islet cells through gene silencing may aid in improving its effectiveness as well as extending its clinical use. Continue Reading

Selenium (Se), an essential trace element, is crucial for the maintenance of normal cellular metabolism. Several epidemiological studies have reported a potential link between selenium deficiency and severity of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), signifying the element’s protective role against HIV infection. Now, a study published in the recent issue of The Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that increased production of thioredoxin reductase-1 (TR1), a selenoprotein in blood cells, could slow down the replication of HIV up to ten fold. Continue Reading

Recent research has found that the use of a new magnetic resonance-compatible hand-induced robotic device (MR_CHIROD) in conjunction with functional MRI (fMRI) increases cortical brain activation following chronic stroke, thereby suggesting its potential in enhancing stroke rehabilitation. The results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) held at Chicago during November 30 to December 5, 2008. Continue Reading

Brachytherapy, also known as endocurietherapy, is a form of radiotherapy wherein radioactive seed implants are positioned through catheters either in or near the tumor region, to facilitate exposure of a small target area to high irradiation in short bursts. A recent study demonstrates that brachytherapy, on early-stage breast cancer patients with breast augmentation, helps to achieve better cosmetic outcomes and eliminates the risk of implant hardening when compared to whole-breast radiation therapies. The findings of the research have been presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), held at Chicago during November 30 to December 5, 2008. Continue Reading

Previous researches have demonstrated that elderly with diabetes mellitus are at a higher risk of falls; attributing the risk to probable complications linked to the disease conditions, which include reduced vision and peripheral neuropathy, and their effects on muscle strength, balance, and gait. Now, a study by Denise K Houston, Assistant Professor from the Section on Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Sticht Center on Aging, Wake Forest University, North Carolina, USA, and colleagues have indicated that increased levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) may be associated with incident falls in well-functioning elders with diabetes. The study has been published in the November issue of the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. Continue Reading

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a potentially fatal group of conditions that includes emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis, is estimated to become the third leading cause of death in the United States by 2020. Although inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICS) is prescribed to provide symptomatic relief to stable COPD, earlier studies on its use have yielded contradictory findings in relation to survival and adverse effects. Now, a recent research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that inhaled corticosteroids, the widely prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, increases the risk of pneumonia by 3 times in COPD patients. Continue Reading

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold tremendous potential in the field of regenerative medicine, clinical therapy and in basic scientific research. However, susceptibility of detached or dissociated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to apoptosis is one of the major challenges faced by researchers in developing an efficient cryopreservation protocol. Poor viability and high differentiation rates associated with conventional cryopreservation methods, including slow-freezing/rapid thawing and vitrification of colonies in suspension make these techniques unsuitable for cryopreservation of dissociated hESCs. Now, a recent study published in the December issue of the journal Human Reproduction reports an effective method for cryopreservation of dissociated hESCs using a selective Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Continue Reading