Toxins News and Research

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Plant-derived bioscavenger protects against pesticide and nerve agent organophosphate poisoning

The brain is forever chattering to itself, via electrical impulses sent along its hard-wired neuronal "Ethernet." These e-messages are translated into chemical transmissions, allowing communication across the narrow cleft separating one neuron from another or between neurons and their target cells. Of the many kinds of molecules involved in this lively chemical symposium, acetylcholine is among the most critical, performing a host of functions in the central and peripheral nervous system.

24 Nov 2010

Pericyte cells become key players in shaping blood flow in the brain

Cells in the brain called pericytes that have not been high on the list of targets for treating diseases like Alzheimer's may play a more crucial role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases than has been realized.

18 Nov 2010

New findings reveal complexities in close chemical combat waged among bacteria

Like all organisms, bacteria must compete for resources to survive, even if it means a fight to the death. New research led by scientists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the University of California, Santa Barbara, describes new complexities in the close chemical combat waged among bacteria.

18 Nov 2010

Researchers reveal mechanism of early-stage anthrax infection

Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have determined a key mechanism by which Bacillus anthracis bacteria initiate anthrax infection despite being greatly outnumbered by immune system scavenger cells. The finding, made by studying genetically modified mice, adds new detail to the picture of early-stage anthrax infection and supports efforts to develop vaccines and drugs that would block this part of the cycle.

18 Nov 2010

Selenium secures NIH grant to apply patented antimicrobial technology for ear infections

Selenium, Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company focused on unique solutions to meet antimicrobial coating and therapeutic needs, has been awarded a research grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one of the National Institutes of Health. With the $155,387 NIH grant the company will apply its proprietary antimicrobial technology to researching the inhibition of biofilms on tympanostomy tubes.

18 Nov 2010

Research on P450 compound I may help eliminate toxins

Chemical reactions are happening all over the place all the time on the sun, on the Earth and in our bodies. In many cases, enzymes help make these reactions occur. One family of enzymes, called cytochrome P450s (P450), is important because they help us eliminate toxins.

15 Nov 2010

Infant foods must be protected against fumonisin toxin

An international team of scientists calls for protecting complementary food for infants in developing countries - especially those where corn is a staple food - against fumonisin, a toxin produced by fungi. Until now, physicians thought the growth retardation of children in those regions was to be blamed on the poor nutritional value of the complementary maize porridge they receive when breast milk is no longer sufficient. But toxins indeed are involved, the scientists report in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.

10 Nov 2010

UC Davis researchers identify new pathway to repair oxidative-damaged DNA

UC Davis researchers have found a new pathway for repairing DNA damaged by oxygen radicals. The results are published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

10 Nov 2010

Blood 'metabolomics' study uncovers liver, heart, and kidney toxicity in healthy smokers

Examining the blood "metabolomics" profile of smokers immediately after they had a cigarette revealed activation of pathways involved in cell death, inflammation, and other forms of systemic damage, say researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Georgetown University Medical Center.

9 Nov 2010

Innovative lifesaving device for patients with advanced heart failure

Bradley Cantley, 41, headed home from UC San Diego Medical Center connected to a lifesaving heart machine called a left ventricular assisted device (LVAD). For patients with advanced heart failure, the mechanical pump rapidly improves circulation throughout the body and serves as a bridge to transplant. Cantley is the first of many patients, locally and globally, who will benefit from the expanded heart surgery program at UC San Diego Health System.

2 Nov 2010

Mechanism of rogue cell killer discovered

A team of Melbourne and London researchers have shown how a protein called perforin punches holes in, and kills, rogue cells in our bodies. Their discovery of the mechanism of this assassin is published today in the science journal Nature.

1 Nov 2010

Scientists use electron microscopes to study mechanism of perforin protein to punch holes in rogue cells

Scientists from the UK and Australia have seen the human immune system's assassin a protein called perforin in action for the first time. The UK team, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Wellcome Trust, is based at Birkbeck College where they used powerful electron microscopes to study the mechanism that perforin uses to punch holes in rogue cells.

1 Nov 2010

Proteins to punch holes in cancer cells to kill them: Study

In a medical breakthrough scientists have found a protein called perforin that kills rogue cells in the human body especially the ones causing cancer. The team comprising of experts from Melbourne and London found that perforin punches holes and kills these cells. The research appeared in the acclaimed journal Nature.

31 Oct 2010

Expert shares information on detoxification to promote better health

Cold and flu season is right around the corner, so it's time to start taking the steps to keep your body protected. Natural chelation and detoxification expert, Dr. Isaac Eliaz is re-shaping the way we look at detox methods by examining ways to enhance your body's natural defenses and prevent germs from attacking. Dr. Eliaz has profound information on various modalities of detoxification, including effective detox diets, integrative supplement formulas, lifestyle modifications, and detoxification therapies.

27 Oct 2010

Revance presents results of RT001 two Phase 2b clinical trials for lateral canthal lines at Chicago annual meeting

Revance Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the results of two Phase 2b clinical trials on RT001, a topical botulinum toxin type A which is under investigation for the treatment of lateral canthal lines (crow's feet wrinkles) were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery in Chicago.

25 Oct 2010

Scorpion’s toxins can reduce heart bypass failures: Research

A toxin found in the venom of the Central American bark scorpion (Centruroides margaritatus) could hold the key to reducing heart bypass failures, according to research from the University of Leeds.

22 Oct 2010

Morphotek receives DOD contract to support mAb therapies against pathogenic strains

Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., announced today that it has been awarded a contract for $2.5 million from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to support the continuing development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies against staphylococcal-derived toxins and pathogenic staphylococcal strains.

22 Oct 2010

Coal seam gas toxins raise questions

Routine testing by Australia Pacific LNG found traces of four toxic chemicals, including benzene and toluene, in their wells in the Surat Basin. There are fresh calls for a ban on the extraction of coal seam gas in southern Queensland.

19 Oct 2010

Study finds IAP enzyme maintains normal microbial population in gastrointestinal system

An enzyme that keeps intestinal bacteria out of the bloodstream may also play an important role in maintaining the normal microbial population of the gastrointestinal system.

19 Oct 2010

Researchers report progress on two eye disease challenges at AAO-MEACO 2010 Joint Meeting

At the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting today, researchers report progress on two top eye disease challenges treating advanced "dry" age-related macular degeneration, and preventing blindness in people with diabetes.

18 Oct 2010

Toxins News and Research

Plant-derived bioscavenger protects against pesticide and nerve agent organophosphate poisoning

Pericyte cells become key players in shaping blood flow in the brain

New findings reveal complexities in close chemical combat waged among bacteria

Researchers reveal mechanism of early-stage anthrax infection

Selenium secures NIH grant to apply patented antimicrobial technology for ear infections

Research on P450 compound I may help eliminate toxins

Infant foods must be protected against fumonisin toxin

UC Davis researchers identify new pathway to repair oxidative-damaged DNA

Blood 'metabolomics' study uncovers liver, heart, and kidney toxicity in healthy smokers

Innovative lifesaving device for patients with advanced heart failure

Mechanism of rogue cell killer discovered

Scientists use electron microscopes to study mechanism of perforin protein to punch holes in rogue cells

Proteins to punch holes in cancer cells to kill them: Study

Expert shares information on detoxification to promote better health

Revance presents results of RT001 two Phase 2b clinical trials for lateral canthal lines at Chicago annual meeting

Scorpion’s toxins can reduce heart bypass failures: Research

Morphotek receives DOD contract to support mAb therapies against pathogenic strains

Coal seam gas toxins raise questions

Study finds IAP enzyme maintains normal microbial population in gastrointestinal system

Researchers report progress on two eye disease challenges at AAO-MEACO 2010 Joint Meeting

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