Recent Posts
- A potential chemotherapeutic drug to treat hepatocellular carcinoma
- 30 million women to benefit from health reform law
- Vanishing bile duct syndrome secondary to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate pancreatic cancer
- Brain potentials reveal spectator effect
- A leap forward in addiction awareness and control
- Snake venom studies yield insights for development of therapies for heart disease and cancer
- UCLA scientists for the first time identify a cell-of-origin for human prostate cancer
A potential chemotherapeutic drug to treat hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, particularly in China. However, HCC remains one of the more difficult cancers to treat. It is important to screen for new anti-cancer drugs. A number of dietary compounds possess anti-cancer properties. These dietary compounds may modify the activity of specific targets that control cell proliferation and apoptosis. Galangin could inhibit the methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activity of CYP1A2, CYP1A1 and P-form phenolsulfotransferase. Galangin induced apoptosis in several cancer cell lines and arrested the cell cycle, modulated the expression of cycline/cdk, and decreased Bcl-2. It was suggested that galangin may be a potential anti-tumor agent. However, the mechanism by which galangin exerts its anti-tumor activity is unknown.
30 million women to benefit from health reform law
Premium subsidies, bans on higher premiums and coverage denials based on gender, and required maternity and newborn care coverage among most significant in reducing women’s exposure to health costs
Vanishing bile duct syndrome secondary to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV
Vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) refers to a group of disorders characterized by destruction and disappearance of intrahepatic (inside the liver) bile ducts. Multiple causes have been identified including infections, malignancies, autoimmune conditions and adverse effects of medications. The usual course of this condition is variable and many patients with VBDS respond to treatment of the underlying condition and/ or removal of the offending agent. However, others progress to cirrhosis and end stage liver disease requiring liver transplantation.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (the disease commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer) carries the worst prognosis of any cancer. As current treatments offer minimal benefit, entirely new approaches are needed. Given the success of local therapies, as opposed to intravenous systemic therapies, for liver diseases (such as hepatocellular carcinoma), it is thought that similar local therapies may benefit patients with pancreatic cancer. To develop such therapies, it would be useful to devise targets that are easy to obtain and can indicate the efficacy of these new therapies in models of pancreatic cancer.
Brain potentials reveal spectator effect
The neurological responses caused by observing somebody else playing a game have been uncovered. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Neuroscience found differing responses for neutral observers, compared to those who wished the player to fail and those who wanted to see the player succeed.
A leap forward in addiction awareness and control
Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) the study designed the two programmes and examined their effectiveness in helping excessive drinkers reduce their drinking. The AACTP and LEAP programmes address the challenges faced by excessive drinkers, including a preoccupation with drinking made worse by alcohol-related stimuli around them. . The study also addressed excessive drinkers’ difficulties with motivation which prevent them focusing on and achieving goals which provide alternative healthy activities to drinking alcohol.
Cancer Treatment
A potential chemotherapeutic drug to treat hepatocellular carcinomaHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, particularly in China. However, HCC remains one of the...
Functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate pancreatic cancerPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (the disease commonly referred to as pancreatic cancer) carries the worst prognosis of any cancer....
Researchers identify key enzyme in DNA repair pathwayProtein complex helps cancer cells fight platinum-based drugs by fixing DNA cross-links HOUSTON - Researchers have discovered an enzyme...
Snake venom studies yield insights for development of therapies for heart disease and cancerBETHESDA, Md., July 29, 2010 Researchers seeking to learn more about stroke by studying how the body responds to toxins in snake...
Stem Cell Research
Engineered stem cells may limit heart attack damage, improve functionAmerican Heart Association meeting report Rancho Mirage, Calif., July 20, 2010 Implanting tiny plastic scaffolds seeded with genetically...
First stages of tissue production in human embryonic stem cells isolated by UCLA scientistsScientists at the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center have described a population of cells that mark the very first stage of differentiation...
Improving clinical use of stem cells to repair heart damagePresenting at the UK National Stem Cell Network annual science conference today (13 July), Professor Michael Schneider describes a...
Mouse stem cell study offers new insights into body fat distributionNew research being presented today (12 July) at the UK National Stem Cell Network Annual Science Meeting in Nottingham shows that adding...
Diabetes
One molecule, many more insulin-producing cells to treat diabetes, says Pitt teamPITTSBURGH, July 28 With a single stimulatory molecule, human insulin-producing beta cell replication can be sustained for at least...
Implanted glucose sensor works for more than 1 yearBioengineers lead glucose-sensing project Bioengineers at the University of California, San Diego and GlySens Incorporated have developed...
ACCORD eye study finds 2 therapies slow diabetic eye disease progressionWINSTON-SALEM, N.C. Friday, July 23, 2010 In high-risk adults with type 2 diabetes, researchers have found that two therapies...
Could diabetes be in your bones?Our bones have much greater influence on the rest of our bodies than they are often given credit for, according to two new studies...
Heart Disease
Snake venom studies yield insights for development of therapies for heart disease and cancerBETHESDA, Md., July 29, 2010 Researchers seeking to learn more about stroke by studying how the body responds to toxins in snake...
Biomarkers found for postmenopausal cardiovascular diseaseAnalysis of blood protein data from the Women’s Health Initiative cohorts has revealed new biomarkers for stroke and coronary...
New mathematical model could aid studies of cardiac muscleResearchers have developed a new mathematical model that may provide a simpler and better way of predicting ventricular function during...
ISHLT issues new guidelines for the care of heart transplant recipientsPublished in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation New York, New York, July, 26, 2010 Since the dawn of heart transplantation...



