Way back last month, I wrote about a protein known as Dystrophin that was lacking in those with Duchenne and how researchers had found a way to produce more of this protein to help those with the disease. Well, even more good news is occurring as researchers have now identified a protein known as Biglycan. This protein stabilizes synapses at the neuromuscular junction between muscle and bone. This helps us control movement as well as ensure the health of motor neurons and muscles alike.
The way this relates to Dystrophin is that Biglycan promotes Utrophin which takes over for Dystrophin. Therefore, both promoting Dystrophin and also Utrophin can be a double pronged attack that could someday lead to the end of Duchenne and other types of muscular dystrophy.
Another role of Biglycan is that it binds and targets an receptor enzyme known as MuSK that regulates the building and stability of the neuromuscular junction.
This should lead to testing on animal models in the near future; a necessary precursor to human trials.
Soak up some knowledge here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/241680.php
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
New Blood Test Could Act as Biopsy Lite
Scientists that the Scripps Research Institute have discovered a way to use an advanced blood test to detect CTC's, or circulating tumor cells, that break away from solid tumors in the blood stream. It will allow doctors to monitor, predict, and understand the progression of tumors much better than they do at this time.
The HD-CTC test isolates cancer cells in differentiation from red and white blood cells that are healthy. They then use digital microscopes and image-processing algorithms to study the morphologies, which are the size and shape of the cells to fully differentiate the cancer cells from the regular cells.
5 new studies from California and the Netherlands have shown the accuracy and effectiveness both in identifying cancer cells but also one day they hope to be able to early diagnose patients with cancer as well as improving the research within a lab setting.
Discover the wonders here:
http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/20120202kuhn.html
The HD-CTC test isolates cancer cells in differentiation from red and white blood cells that are healthy. They then use digital microscopes and image-processing algorithms to study the morphologies, which are the size and shape of the cells to fully differentiate the cancer cells from the regular cells.
5 new studies from California and the Netherlands have shown the accuracy and effectiveness both in identifying cancer cells but also one day they hope to be able to early diagnose patients with cancer as well as improving the research within a lab setting.
Discover the wonders here:
http://www.scripps.edu/news/press/20120202kuhn.html
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Who Would Have Thought; Using Your Own Heart Cells Could Help Repair It?
Ok, enough with the sarcasm, this is actually good news. Researchers have figured a way to use stem cells from your own heart muscle, to help your heart to develop new heart cells after a heart attack. In fact, this will lessen the scars that people have after suffering a myocardial infarction (heart attack). They found that the average patient treated in this manner, lessened their scarring from 24% of the heart, to 12% of the heart. Approximately a 50% reduction in scar size. This took one year of treatment and healing of course.
This news challenges the held belief that once tissue of the heart was lost, it was gone permanently and the scarring was there to stay. Apparently, that has changed, not just in theory, but in applied reality as well. The technology is currently under application of a patent and may soon become a regular treatment option. No timetable has been set, but that still doesn't take into account the good news.
Extra, Extra, Read ALL ABOUT IT:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213185441.htm
This news challenges the held belief that once tissue of the heart was lost, it was gone permanently and the scarring was there to stay. Apparently, that has changed, not just in theory, but in applied reality as well. The technology is currently under application of a patent and may soon become a regular treatment option. No timetable has been set, but that still doesn't take into account the good news.
Extra, Extra, Read ALL ABOUT IT:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213185441.htm
Friday, February 3, 2012
National Cancer Day is Upon US
Short post today. Let's all remember those that have Cancer, have lost the fight against Cancer, and keep them in our hearts, prayers, and minds. We're going to keep up the fight against this disease and we're going to beat it through helping those that research the cure. Remember that we can beat this on National Cancer Day. If you know someone, give them a call, or better yet, see them if you can and show your support. Goodnight all.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Further Possibilities to Ending Breast Cancer
It always seems that there's some protein or gene involved in the spread or stoppage of disease. In this case, there's another one, HSP90, which when blocked, mitigates migration inhibitory factor. What is this last long sounding factor you might ask. Well, it's function includes driving the spread of breast cancer tumors. So when HSP90 is blocked, it essentially inhibits MIF and helps to stop the spread of breast cancer tumors.
Researchers have been successful with female mice blocking this protein. They've also found that it helps in stopping the spread of leukemia as well. So there is a possible link between the two diseases. That link being HSP90. Human trials are a ways off, but it marks another possibility in the fight against these two deadly diseases.
Check out some info here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/240669.php
Researchers have been successful with female mice blocking this protein. They've also found that it helps in stopping the spread of leukemia as well. So there is a possible link between the two diseases. That link being HSP90. Human trials are a ways off, but it marks another possibility in the fight against these two deadly diseases.
Check out some info here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/240669.php
Friday, January 27, 2012
Can Parkinson's Be Stopped at Inception?
That's what researchers may be on to with new breakthroughs. At Michigan State University, researchers think they have identified synuclein proteins as the cause of aggregation, or clumping, which is the first sign, or step, of Parkinsons.
While scientists don't know exactly how proteins are formed, they do know that as they form, they fold together. This folding can be done incorrectly and clump together, where plaques can form and lead to Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
While not a cure, this is a key first step in not only identifying a cause, but also in one day stopping the disease at inception. They are now looking into ways to stop the aggregation that is the underlying cause. One day, they'll not only be able to stop the initial problem, but prevent it from ever happening in the first place.
Absorb some more of it here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/240423.php
While scientists don't know exactly how proteins are formed, they do know that as they form, they fold together. This folding can be done incorrectly and clump together, where plaques can form and lead to Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig's Disease).
While not a cure, this is a key first step in not only identifying a cause, but also in one day stopping the disease at inception. They are now looking into ways to stop the aggregation that is the underlying cause. One day, they'll not only be able to stop the initial problem, but prevent it from ever happening in the first place.
Absorb some more of it here:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/240423.php
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tips For Those With Paralysis During Winter
It's been awhile, but I've been a bit under the weather so today we're getting back on track and we're also doing something a bit different. With Winter in full swing, I wanted to help those out that aren't able to move about as easily as some of us. I'm referring to those with mobility issues, including paralysis. I found an interesting article with tips to help you this Winter. There are 23 of them.
1) Invest in good quality, name brand outer wear like The North Face.
2) Wear loose, lightweight clothes in layers if you live in a cold region.
3) Avoid cotton due to it getting wet and staying wet. Wear man-made fibers or better yet, wool.
4) Wear mittens if you have a hard time moving fingers.
5) Carry 2 sets of gloves in case one gets wet.
6) If you need to warm your hands, put them in your arm pits or groin area as this will warm them fastest.
7) Wear a hat to keep heat from evaporating from your head.
8) If in outdoor sports, wear mask and neck warmer/scarf.
9) Keep calves warm with leggings. Even guys can do this; or wear long johns.
10) Use something like Grabber warmers in gloves or pockets to keep hands warm.
11) Use boot warmers such as the one by Bootronic or other equivalent.
12) Wear sunscreen. Just as you can get burned on an overcast day, down 30 feet diving, you can also burn on a Winter's day despite the rays being weaker and it taking longer.
13) Apply Vaseline to uncovered facial skin. It will insulate the moisture to keep face from drying out.
14) If skin is white or greyish-yellow, it may be frostbite. Move to warm area and cover the affected area. Never rub the skin.
15) Always check for uncovered skin from say, a shirt or jacket rolling up from the back of a wheelchair.
16) Invest in snow tires for wheelchair as well as the car if you live in snowy regions. Soft rubber works the best for grip. You never know when this could help you sliding down a hill and keeping you out of the gutter.
17) Mountain bike tires can be used on the back of your wheelchair for optimal grip.
18) Snow tires on cars are specifically designed with special tread patterns for grip and not getting stuck. Snow chains may be needed in deeper or slick snows.
19) Don't use cruise control as it may take longer to turn it off than you actually have.
20) Keep hydrated. Dehydration helps cold to set in. Skin also dries out more in the Winter from the exposure to heat and cold as well as less humidity in the air.
21) You can become more dehydrated in drier or higher climates.
22) Carry a survival kit in your car or backpack. Include the following: Water, matches, food, shovel of some sort, flashlights, blankets, sleeping bag, and flares. I realize that is unfeasible possibly for a backpack and is more in line with your car. However, make sure you have at least some water, food, matches, flashlight, and blanket with you. The flashlight can flash for help and the rest will keep you until help arrives. If you live in an area with bad reception, then a few flares are a good idea in case you get stranded. Always let someone know where you'll be going if it's either a new area or somewhere where you could potentially get stuck.
23) Keep batteries warm with covers of some sort. When the temperature reaches 0 degrees, batteries lose 60% of their charge.
These tips are more suited for those with disabilities, but some are useful for anybody really.
Extra, Extra, Read All About IT -
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.6543277/k.FE28/The_Top_23_Winter_Survival_Tips_for_People_Living_with_Paralysis.htm
1) Invest in good quality, name brand outer wear like The North Face.
2) Wear loose, lightweight clothes in layers if you live in a cold region.
3) Avoid cotton due to it getting wet and staying wet. Wear man-made fibers or better yet, wool.
4) Wear mittens if you have a hard time moving fingers.
5) Carry 2 sets of gloves in case one gets wet.
6) If you need to warm your hands, put them in your arm pits or groin area as this will warm them fastest.
7) Wear a hat to keep heat from evaporating from your head.
8) If in outdoor sports, wear mask and neck warmer/scarf.
9) Keep calves warm with leggings. Even guys can do this; or wear long johns.
10) Use something like Grabber warmers in gloves or pockets to keep hands warm.
11) Use boot warmers such as the one by Bootronic or other equivalent.
12) Wear sunscreen. Just as you can get burned on an overcast day, down 30 feet diving, you can also burn on a Winter's day despite the rays being weaker and it taking longer.
13) Apply Vaseline to uncovered facial skin. It will insulate the moisture to keep face from drying out.
14) If skin is white or greyish-yellow, it may be frostbite. Move to warm area and cover the affected area. Never rub the skin.
15) Always check for uncovered skin from say, a shirt or jacket rolling up from the back of a wheelchair.
16) Invest in snow tires for wheelchair as well as the car if you live in snowy regions. Soft rubber works the best for grip. You never know when this could help you sliding down a hill and keeping you out of the gutter.
17) Mountain bike tires can be used on the back of your wheelchair for optimal grip.
18) Snow tires on cars are specifically designed with special tread patterns for grip and not getting stuck. Snow chains may be needed in deeper or slick snows.
19) Don't use cruise control as it may take longer to turn it off than you actually have.
20) Keep hydrated. Dehydration helps cold to set in. Skin also dries out more in the Winter from the exposure to heat and cold as well as less humidity in the air.
21) You can become more dehydrated in drier or higher climates.
22) Carry a survival kit in your car or backpack. Include the following: Water, matches, food, shovel of some sort, flashlights, blankets, sleeping bag, and flares. I realize that is unfeasible possibly for a backpack and is more in line with your car. However, make sure you have at least some water, food, matches, flashlight, and blanket with you. The flashlight can flash for help and the rest will keep you until help arrives. If you live in an area with bad reception, then a few flares are a good idea in case you get stranded. Always let someone know where you'll be going if it's either a new area or somewhere where you could potentially get stuck.
23) Keep batteries warm with covers of some sort. When the temperature reaches 0 degrees, batteries lose 60% of their charge.
These tips are more suited for those with disabilities, but some are useful for anybody really.
Extra, Extra, Read All About IT -
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.6543277/k.FE28/The_Top_23_Winter_Survival_Tips_for_People_Living_with_Paralysis.htm
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