Pancreas News and Research

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The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine. These enzymes help in the further breakdown of the carbohydrates, protein, and fat in the chyme.

Researchers discover novel enzyme that promotes insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes animal model

A signal that promotes insulin secretion and reduces hyperglycemia in a type 2 diabetes animal model is enhanced by the inhibition of a novel enzyme discovered by CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM) and University of Montreal researchers.

26 May 2014

Pain receptors may hold key to treating obesity, diabetes and improving metabolic health

Blocking a pain receptor in mice not only extends their lifespan, it also gives them a more youthful metabolism, including an improved insulin response that allows them to deal better with high blood sugar.

23 May 2014

Scientists uncover early steps of totipotency in sperm precursors

In the body, a skin cell will always be skin, and a heart cell will always be heart. But in the first hours of life, cells in the nascent embryo become totipotent: they have the incredible flexibility to mature into skin, heart, gut, or any type of cell.

20 May 2014

Low risk prostate cancer not always low risk

More and more men who believe they have low-risk prostate cancers are opting for active surveillance, forgoing treatment and monitoring the cancer closely with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, digital rectal exams and ultrasounds at regular intervals to see if their tumors are growing. Nearly 400 men are now enrolled in the UCLA Active Surveillance program, the largest in Southern California.

19 May 2014

Data from phase III trials supports safety, efficacy of linagliptin in treating T2D in African-American adults

Data from a retrospective pooled analysis of eight phase III trials (two 18-week and six 24-week) of linagliptin 5 mg once-daily, showed reductions from baseline A1c at 18 (eight trials) and 24 (six trials) weeks compared to placebo in African-American adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D),

16 May 2014

CVD risk factors may differ between men and women with type 2 diabetes, shows study

Type 2 diabetes greatly increases a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A new study showing that cardiovascular risk factors such as elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels differ significantly between men and women is published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

16 May 2014

Treating older men with early-stage prostate cancer does not help live longer

Treating older men with early-stage prostate cancer who also have other serious underlying health problems with aggressive therapies such as surgery or radiation therapy does not help them live longer and, in fact, can be detrimental, according to a study by UCLA researchers.

13 May 2014

5-year survival of diabetic kidney transplant patients now on par with nondiabetic recipients

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that the five-year survival of diabetic kidney transplant patients is now on par with the five-year survival of nondiabetic kidney recipients.

9 May 2014

Johns Hopkins to use $65 million gift to expand Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins will use a $65 million gift toward the construction of a new patient care building that will be named for the late Albert P. “Skip” Viragh, Jr., a Maryland mutual fund investment leader and philanthropist.

7 May 2014

ERYTECH Pharma gets authorization to initiate Phase II study in pancreatic cancer

ERYTECH Pharma, a French biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative treatments for acute leukemia and other oncology indications with unmet medical needs, announces that the ANSM, French healthcare agency, has granted the authorization to start a Phase II study in second line treatment of patients affected by pancreatic cancer.

6 May 2014

AGA announces recipients of its annual recognition awards 2014

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has announced the recipients of its annual recognition awards, given in honor of outstanding contributions and achievements in gastroenterology.

6 May 2014

Mixing stem cells with clay to regenerate human tissue

Gels made from clay could provide an environment that would stimulate stem cells to regenerate damaged tissues such as bone, skin, heart, spinal cord, liver, pancreas and cornea.

5 May 2014

Researchers capture circulating pancreas cells in bloodstream during early stages of pancreatic cancer

Cancer cells are on the move in the bloodstream in the very early stage of pancreatic cancer, and can be detected before cancer is diagnosed, according to research by the University of Michigan Health System.

30 Apr 2014

Two internationally known scholars join Huntsman Cancer Institute

Two internationally known scholars, one in the field of cancer prevention and the other in the field of molecular biology, will join Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah as early as Sept. 1.

29 Apr 2014

Severe diabetes linked to brain atrophy

Type 2 diabetes may be associated with brain degeneration, according to a new multicenter study published online in the journal Radiology. The study also found that, contrary to common clinical belief, diabetes may not be directly associated with small vessel ischemic disease, where the brain does not receive enough oxygenated blood.

29 Apr 2014

Researchers develop data-based model that accurately estimates A1c using self-monitored blood glucose

Hemoglobin A1c is the standard measurement for assessing glycemic control over time in people with diabetes. Blood levels of A1c are typically measured every few months in a laboratory, but now researchers have developed a data-based model that accurately estimates A1c using self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) readings, as described in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics (DTT), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

25 Apr 2014

Enhanced recovery approach used for colorectal surgery cut hospital stays

Changes in managing patients before, during and after colorectal surgery cut hospital stays by two days and reduced readmission rates, according to researchers who led a study of the approach at Duke University Hospital.

25 Apr 2014

‘Profile America’ features world's most important medicine, insulin

One of world's most important medicines — insulin —became available for general use this month in 1923, saving the lives of millions of people suffering from diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is critical in the processing of carbohydrates in the human body. I

22 Apr 2014

Research: Drugs used to treat lung, breast and pancreatic cancers promote drug-resistance, spur tumor growth

Most drugs used to treat lung, breast and pancreatic cancers also promote drug-resistance and ultimately spur tumor growth. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a molecule, or biomarker, called CD61 on the surface of drug-resistant tumors that appears responsible for inducing tumor metastasis by enhancing the stem cell-like properties of cancer cells.

21 Apr 2014

Alcresta signs agreement with CFFT to support nutritional status of people with cystic fibrosis

Alcresta, a leading medical nutrition company developing innovative enzyme-based products for individuals with unique nutritional needs battling acute conditions or chronic diseases, today announced the company has signed an agreement with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics (CFFT) to accelerate the development of Alcresta's enzyme-based point-of-care products to support the nutritional status of people with cystic fibrosis (CF).

17 Apr 2014