Several former studies have demonstrated the association of vascular cognitive impairment risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and atherosclerosis with the impairment of cognitive functions. However, the link between heart rhythm disorder and Alzheimer disease (AD) has not been clearly defined. Now, a study presented at the annual scientific sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society, held during May 13-16, 2009, at Boston, reports an enhanced risk of developing Alzheimer disease in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. Continue Reading

Several studies suggest that transplant recipients possess a high risk of developing cancer; however, the outcomes of de novo cancer in this population of patients have not been clearly defined. Now, researchers from the University of Cincinnati report the adverse outcomes of new cancers arising in transplant recipients compared to that of the general population, in the recent issue of the journal, Transplantation. Continue Reading

Non-invasive tests, such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) estimation and digital rectal examination, are currently available for the detection of prostate cancer. However, the determination of the aggressiveness of the cancer for immediate treatment and surgery is a major challenge for medical professionals. Now, a study published in the recent issue of the British Journal of Cancer shows that the RNA present in the urinary exosomes (fatty capsules) of cancer patients act as effective biomarkers for predicting the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Continue Reading

Urinary incontinence, a condition characterized by the involuntary loss of urine, is estimated to impair the quality of life of more than 13 million women and around 5 million men, in the US alone. A recent randomized, blinded, multi-dose study reports that autologous muscle-derived cell (AMDC) transplantation into the bladder is safe in wide dosage ranges and effective in relieving the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The study results were presented at the 104^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA), held at Chicago. Continue Reading

The sleep disorder, narcolepsy has been found to arise due to the lack of the hormone hypocretin, which promotes wakefulness. Earlier, researchers have proposed that the hypocretin-producing cells might get selectively destroyed in individuals with one or more human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1*0602 alleles. Now, the findings of a recent study published online in Nature Genetics, confirms the long-harbored suspicion that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. This is touted to be the first documentation of the genetic association of T-cell receptor alpha (TRA@) locus that encodes the major HLA-peptide receptor, with any autoimmune disease. Continue Reading

Iloperidone (Fanaptâ„¢ | Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.), an atypical antipsychotic drug, received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults. The approval is based on safety data from over 3,000 patients and the results of two placebo-controlled short-term clinical studies, demonstrating the efficacy of iloperidone in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia. Continue Reading

The dependence of various cancer cells on the glycolytic pathway for their energy requirements has also been correlated with the aggressiveness of different types of tumors. Now, a recent study has found a novel glycolysis inhibitor, 3-BrOP that lowers the growth of neuroblastoma by 75% in xenograft models. The results of the study have been presented at the 22^nd annual meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology held at San Diego, California, during April 22-25, 2009. Continue Reading

The recent outbreak of a new strain of the influenza A virus (H1N1) has been causing major havoc across the world, with various public health organizations taking aggressive steps to contain the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alert level for H1N1, earlier referred to as ‘Swine Flu’, to phase 5 on the six-point scale, which confirms human to human spread of the disease, and also indicates the increased chances for a flu pandemic. The WHO has currently reported 4,694 laboratory confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza virus across 30 countries. Continue Reading

The ethical and moral issues associated with the use of human embryonic stem (HESC) cells for treatment of diseases, have contributed to extensive research in the reprogramming of human somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). Now, a team of US researchers has zeroed in an effective way to transform human blood cells into iPS cells, which could provide a readily accessible source for generating stem cells and also a potential alternative to embryonic stem cells. The study results were pre-published online in the March issue of the journal Blood. Continue Reading

Aortic stenosis (AS), a valvular heart disease, is most commonly treated by aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery in severe symptomatic cases. However, the conventional surgery is contraindicated in patients of advanced age, and with comorbidities and extensive ascending aorta calcification. Now, a recent study published in the journal, Deutsches Ärzteblatt International demonstrated clinical improvements in AS patients at a high risk for open surgery, with a safer and less invasive catheter-based aortic valve implantation. Continue Reading