Body | Page 163 of 274 | SpiritIndia.com

Breast Cancer :: Glaxo’s Tykerb drug delays spread of breast cancer

GlaxoSmithKline’s new drug Tykerb dramatically slows the spread of aggressive late-stage breast cancer. Data from a Phase III study reporting that Tykerb? (lapatinib) plus Xeloda? (capecitabine) is superior to capecitabine alone in women with HER2 (ErbB2) positive advanced breast cancer who had progressed following prior therapy, including Herceptin? (trastuzumab), was published today in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Hemophilia :: Spleen tissue transplant cures hemophilia

In hemophilia, a mutated gene prevents the production of a blood-clotting protein. Treatments for hemophilia and other genetic diseases may consist of risky blood transfusions or expensive enzyme replacement therapy. But what if the body could be induced to begin producing these proteins by transplanting healthy tissue with the abilities that are lacking? The Weizmann Institute’s Immunology Department showed how such a transplant might be made feasible.

Blood Pressure :: For kids with high blood pressure, surgery can help when medicines fail

High blood pressure may seem like something that only adults get, but children can develop it too — and it can pose serious risks to their hearts, brains and lives. While medications may help some children, a new study shows that for kids with a rare but especially dangerous form of hypertension, surgery is the best option.

Gene :: Gene discovered for brittle bone disease – Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered that a previously unexplained fatal form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta — a disorder that weakens bones and which may cause frequent fractures — results from a genetic defect in a protein involved in the production of collagen.

Gene :: Inflammatory genes linked to salt-sensitive hypertension

One key to your high blood pressure might just be your inflammatory genes. It may sound odd but mounting evidence suggests that inflammation, a part of the immune response implicated in diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes, may also help translate stress into high blood pressure.

Gene :: Complexity Constrains Evolution of Human Brain Genes

Despite the explosive growth in size and complexity of the human brain, the pace of evolutionary change among the thousands of genes expressed in brain tissue has actually slowed since the split, millions of years ago, between human and chimpanzee, an international research team reports in the December 26, 2006, issue of the journal, PLOS Biology.

Exercise :: Pet owners sick more, exercise less

A common perception is that pet owner is a young person who is full of action, exercises a lot, and actively plays with a pet, particularly with a dog. The reality is different, however.

Stem Cell :: 3-D scaffold for growing stem cells

Stem cells grew, multiplied and differentiated into brain cells on a new three-dimensional scaffold of tiny protein fragments designed to be more like a living body than any other cell culture system.

Liver :: Liver X Receptor’s role in glucose metabolism and fat synthesis

In a new study, scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have described for the first time a glucose-activated sensor that acts as a switch to decrease production of endogenous glucose in the liver, and increase conversion of glucose to fat for storage in adipose tissue. This dual action makes the sensor, Liver X Receptor, a potential target for new therapies aimed at obesity and diabetes. The research may also have implications for heart disease and stroke.

Pancreatic Cancer :: Pancreatic cancer aggressive due to CapG and Gelsolin proteins

Scientists have pinpointed a possible reason why pancreatic cancer is such an aggressive disease. Pancreatic cancer cells overexpress gelsolin family-capping proteins, which contribute to their cell motility.