Medical | Page 371 of 472 | SpiritIndia.com

Breast Cancer :: Some key laboratory breast cancer cell lines are, indeed, good models for the ‘real’ disease

In this era of molecular medicine, controversy among cancer researchers is increasing as to whether the laboratory cells they study — and upon which human treatment is based — accurately reflect the biology of “real” tumors growing in a person’s body. Some argue that cancer cells that learn to live in a flat lab dish cannot reflect cancer in the body, but others say that without any other way to study cancer, they seem to have performed well.

Alzheimer’s Disease :: New alzheimer’s drug shows promise in clinical trial

The only drugs currently available for Alzheimer’s patients are those that alleviate symptoms, but a team of scientists led by Paul Aisen, MD, director of the Memory Disorders program at Georgetown University Medical Center, is testing a new class of drugs that actually target the molecule believed to cause the disease. Aisen and his colleagues report that a compound called tramiprosate reduced levels of a marker for the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in a Phase II clinical trial in the November 1 electronic version of Neurology.

Health :: Tiny worm provides model for the genetics of nicotine dependence

The unassuming C. elegans nematode worm, a 1-millimeter workhorse of the genetics lab, is quite similar to human beings in its genetic susceptibility to nicotine dependence, according to University of Michigan researchers.

Cystic Fibrosis :: Newly discovered proteins associated with cystic fibrosis

Researchers have found a highly unusual distribution of two proteins in the lungs and airways of people with cystic fibrosis, a discovery that could be a step in determining how the disease progresses. The proteins, first uncovered as a result of the human genome project, are thought to play a role in the body’s immune system.

Health :: Researchers writing story of the ‘alcoholic lung’

Chronic alcohol abuse disrupts the proteins that keep fluids out of the lung, lowers a protective antioxidant, disrupts immune defenses and can lead to a condition known as “alcoholic lung,” according to research to be presented at the conference, “Physiological Genomics and Proteomics of Lung Disease.” The findings give insight into how excessive drinking can harm the molecular life of the lung and lead to serious illness, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS.

Flu :: Your genes may hold key to how sick you get from the flu

With the help of some high tech equipment, well-defined mouse models and analytical know how, researchers are trying to understand why a flu virus kills some people but not others. Studies to be presented at “Physiological Genomics and Proteomics of Lung Disease” found that a strain of mice more likely to die of influenza infection mounts a dramatically enhanced immune response in the lungs compared to a strain of mice that generally develops milder disease.

Autism :: Autism Summit to present latest research and treatment options

UT Southwestern Medical Center will host the North Texas Autism Summit, featuring presentations by national and local experts in autism research and treatment on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Health :: New Team Training Tool for Health Care Settings

The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Department of Defense’s military health system today released TeamSTEPPS, a new evidence-based team training and implementation toolkit that demonstrates techniques of effective communication and other teamwork skills. The new toolkit, which responds to the Institute of Medicine’s call for “interdisciplinary team training programs that incorporate proven methods for team management” to prevent medical errors, is designed to optimize team performance and outcomes across the health care delivery system.

Health :: Australians will have access to better, more affordable mental health care

Australians will have access to better, more affordable mental health care through new Medicare mental health items and support services costing $538 million over five years. The new MBS items for mental health will make Medicare rebates available for GPs who provide early intervention, assessment and management of patients with mental disorders as part of a GP Mental Health Care Plan.

Child Care :: Pediatric Telephone Care

Pediatricians may seek payment in some instances for medical advice and care provided by telephone, according to a new American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement.