Belgium researchers have found that serum progranulin (PGRN) concentrations could predict an individual’s risk for developing frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), one of the most common forms of dementia occurring in persons less than 65 years of age. Published in the March issue of the journal Annals of Neurology, the study is considered as the first to provide in vivo evidence on at least certain missense mutations in PGRN gene that may contribute to the partial loss of progranulin. Continue Reading

The relationship between type 2 diabetes and obesity has been extensively studied with researches indicating that around 90% of the diabetics are obese, with obese individuals in turn at an enhanced risk of developing the metabolic disorder. Now, a recent research published in The American Journal of Medicine, has suggested that bariatric surgery has the potential to reduce or eliminate the clinical and laboratory manifestations of obesity-induced diabetes. Continue Reading

Transdermal patches, a drug delivery system that uses medicated adhesive skin patches facilitate the controlled delivery of active ingredients through the skin into circulation. For the past 25 years, this mode of drug administration has become an accepted approach owing to several significant clinical advantages such as: the drug bypasses the gastrointestinal tract preventing mucosal irritation, and also avoids first pass inactivation by the liver. Recently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning on the use of transdermal patches during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as they may cause skin burns. Continue Reading

A recent study has demonstrated that women in a strained marriage are at a higher risk than men, for developing several ailments such as depression and metabolic syndrome, which in turn increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Continue Reading

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder, is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, stroke, renal failure, retinopathy, bone and joint disorders, in addition to long-term complications like digestive, skin, teeth, and gum problems. Now, a study published in the recent issue of the journal, Diabetes Care has demonstrated that patients with type 2 diabetes, compared to non-diabetics, are at 1.5 and 1.6 times increased risk for developing cognitive decline and dementia, respectively. Also, an inverse relationship was found between hemoglobin A1C, an indicator of the average of blood glucose concentrations over 2 to 3 months, and cognitive function in diabetics. Continue Reading

Artemisinin-resistant parasites of malaria have emerged along the Thai-Cambodia border, the World Health Organization (WHO)-supported surveillance programs and research studies have revealed recently. Continue Reading

Brain and spinal cord of the fetus develop from the neural tube that is formed during the first month of pregnancy. Now, a recent study suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency just before and after conception may be associated with up to 5 times the risk of having babies with neural tube defects (NTD). Conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Trinity College Dublin, and the Health Research Board of Ireland, the findings of the study have been published in the recent issue of the journal Pediatrics. Continue Reading

Scientists have successfully created induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from human skin cells that could function as an alternative source for stem cell therapies. However, the use of viruses for genetic modification increases the risk for developing cancerous conditions that could limit the clinical applications of this method. Now, a recent study published in the online issue of the journal Nature reports that the non-viral transfection and subsequent elimination of reprogramming factors is an efficient and safe strategy to transform somatic cells to iPS cells Continue Reading

Many studies have hypothesized the differential role played by dairy foods and calcium in cancer. However, results have been inconsistent and limited, with the effect on total cancer being unclear. Now, a study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine reports that calcium intake may be associated with a lower risk of total cancer in women. The study also reported that the risk involved with cancer of the digestive system, especially colorectal cancer, was particularly lower in both men and women consuming higher amounts of calcium. Continue Reading

Several studies have reported the association of diabetes with depression in the general population, but not much has been studied about its link with pregnancy and motherhood. Now, a study published in the recent issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association demonstrates that diabetic women almost double the risk of developing perinatal depression as compared to those without diabetes. Continue Reading