Medical | Page 312 of 472 | SpiritIndia.com

Gene :: MGH Cancer Center researchers find new gene associated with Wilms tumor

Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center have discovered a novel gene mutation associated with Wilms tumor, the most common pediatric kidney cancer. The newly identified gene is mutated in about 30 percent of cases of Wilms tumor and is located on the sex-determining X chromosome, which means that a single altered copy would be sufficient for tumor formation. The new gene does not appear linked to inherited forms of the disease.

Pregnancy :: Pregnant women in the dark on prenatal screening

Soon-to-be mums admit they feel “left in the dark” when it comes to being told about the possible implications of prenatal screening – tests which could lead them down a path where they have to make difficult decisions about their unborn child.

Kidney Transplant :: Make kidney transplant allocation more equitable

Stefanos A. Zenios, a professor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, renowned for his application of Operations Research to tackle some of modern medicine’s thorniest problems, has completed new research that could revolutionize kidney allocation for transplant waiting list candidates. The paper, “Recipient Choice Can Address the Efficiency-Equity Trade-Off in Kidney Transplantation: A Mechanism Design Model,” was recently published in the journal Management Science.

Cancer :: Teens overlooked in cancer research

McMaster University pediatric cancer specialist Dr. Ronald Barr says the teen gap in cancer care has been overlooked for far too long. Statistics show that gains in survival rates for teenagers and young adults (age 15-29) with cancer are dismal when compared to those for youngsters and older adults with the disease.Barr is one of the editors of the recently released and first definitive document on the incidence, survival and mortality of 15-29 year-olds.

Hepatitis :: Interferon-treated hepatitis C patients likely to experience retinopathy

Persons with chronic hepatitis C being treated with Interferon (IFN) are at risk of developing retinopathy as early as two weeks into treatment according to the results of a new study published in the January 2007 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS).

Alzheimer’s Disease :: Cold sore virus might play role in Alzheimer’s disease

A gene known to be a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease puts out the welcome mat for the virus that causes cold sores, allowing the virus to be more active in the brain compared to other forms of the gene. The new findings, published online in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, add some scientific heft to the idea, long suspected by some scientists, that herpes somehow plays a role in bringing about Alzheimer’s disease.

Heart :: Costly implanted heart devices unnecessary

This year, tens of thousands of heart patients will have high-tech devices implanted in their chests. Called ICDs or implantable cardioverter defibrillators, the expensive devices are designed to shock damaged hearts back into rhythm and save patients from sudden cardiac death. But a new study finds that while many of these patients will benefit from their ICDs, a large number won’t — and a simple heart-rhythm test can tell who’s who.

Prostate Cancer :: Prostate cancer – speeding development of novel tracer

The collaborative work being performed by professionals across medical disciplines in the promising area of molecular imaging — from research scientists to nuclear medicine physicians, urologists, radiochemists and even veterinarians — provides encouraging news in fighting prostate cancer. This type of progressive — or translational — research can be seen in two papers published in the January issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Hypertension :: Moderate drinking cuts heart attack risk in hypertensive men

Men with high blood pressure who have a drink or two per day may be at lower risk for heart attack than men who don’t drink at all, new research suggests.

Hypothyroidism :: Study identifies hypothyroidism among patients taking sunitinib

Abnormal thyroid function is common among patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma taking a new drug called sunitinib, and these patients’ thyroid levels should be routinely monitored, a new study finds.