Diabetes :: Human insulin producing cells of the pancreas

Scientists at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases have induced human insulin-producing cells of the pancreas to revert to islet precursor cells. These precursor cells are capable of expansion and appear to naturally and efficiently differentiate into clusters of islet-like cells. This work may help to clarify the natural lifecycle of the beta cell and may eventually have applications for diabetes treatment. The study appears on-line today in Science Express, the rapid publication web site of the journal Science.

Multiple Sclerosis :: Natalizumab – antibody treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

FDA today licensed a new biologic approach to treat patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) to reduce the frequency of symptom flare-ups or exacerbations of the disease. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord.

Heart Disease :: Link between Obesity and Atrial Fibrillation

There appears to be an association between obesity and the risk of developing the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation, according to a study of participants in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Framingham Heart Study. The study is published in the November 24 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Heart Disease :: Decline in Cardiovascular Disease Rates

Adults with and without diabetes have benefited similarly from the decline in cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates over the last several decades, according to a study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). However the study, which is published in the November 24 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that people with diabetes still have twice the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to people without diabetes.

Asthma :: Homeopathic cure for Asthma patients

Asthma, a day to day dreaded term used by the patients and their family members is quite a conditon which required a newer and deeper look in its treatment and ultimately Cure through Homoeopathy said Dr. A.K. Gupta in the recently held Free Homoeopathic Camp on ASTHMA Organised at OVIHAMS (Sh.Om-Vidya Institute of Homoeopathy and Allied Medical Sciences) on Sunday the 21st November.

Ultrasound :: Ultrasound-aided therapy better than stroke drug alone

Using ultrasound in combination with the drug t-PA can improve response to an ischemic stroke, according to a study involving 126 patients. This first-of-its-kind human trial compared the safety and efficacy of ultrasound and t-PA versus use of t-PA alone. The trial was funded in part by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The finding appears in the November 18, 2004, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Cancer :: Scientists create model that predicts follicular lymphoma survival

Scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, have created a model that predicts the survival of follicular lymphoma patients based on the molecular characteristics of their tumors at diagnosis. The model is based on two sets of genes – called survival-associated signatures – whose activity was found to be associated with good or poor prognosis for patients with the cancer. The scientists’ results, to be published in the November 19, 2004, New England Journal of Medicine, suggest that immune cells infiltrating follicular lymphoma tumors have an important impact on survival – both signatures came from such immune cells.

Cancer :: Prostate cancer leads for men and Breast cancer for women

The most comprehensive federal report available on state-specific cancer rates for the first time includes information on incidence and death rates, as well as data for Hispanics and a new section on mesothelioma and Kaposi’s sarcoma. U.S. Cancer Statistics: 2001 Incidence and Mortality includes quality-assured incidence data from 43 states, six metropolitan areas, and the District of Columbia, covering 92 percent of the U.S. population – up from the coverage rate of 84 percent for the report issued last year. The report supplies essential state, population, racial, ethnic and gender information for tailored cancer prevention and control programs nationwide.