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Ronin, Hcf-1 bind together to control gene program that stimulates growth of stem cells

Ronin, crucial to the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, and a co-regulator called Hcf-1, binds to a small strand of DNA called a hyperconserved enhancer element to control a gene "program" that stimulates growth of the stem cells and may even play a role in cancer, said a group of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine in a current report in the journal Genes and Development.

1 Jul 2010

Lensless cell phone microscope

Cell phones are accumulating a Swiss Army Knife-esqe assortment of capabilities; substituting as cameras, providing internet access, and soon operating as medical labs if Aydogan Ozcan's plans come to fruition. This month's cover article of the journal Lab on a Chip features the latest creation by the Ozcan group, a functioning prototype of a cell phone microscope.

1 Jul 2010

MPIB researcher makes methodical progress in the area of genetic code engineering

Proteins are the main actors in our body: They transport substances, convey messages or carry out vital processes in their role as molecular machines. The "helmsmen of the cell" are composed of amino acids, whose sequence is already defined by the heritable information in every living being. The translation of this information during the production of proteins (protein synthesis) is determined by the genetic code.

1 Jul 2010

USPTO grants Semafore method patent for PI3K inhibitors

Semafore Pharmaceuticals today announced the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has issued United States Patent Number 7,745,485 entitled "Compositions and methods for identifying agents which modulate PTEN function and PI-3 kinase pathways." This patent covers methods of inhibiting the spread of cancer in patients using phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.

1 Jul 2010

Individual variants of environmental toxins can affect body's hormone systems: Research

Marianne Kraugerud's doctoral research has led to the discovery that individual variants of the environmental pollutants PCB and PFC can affect several of the body's hormone systems in a more complex way than previously supposed. Humans and animals are constantly exposed to these toxins through the food they eat and the air they breathe. Kraugerud concludes that the impact of these pollutants should be taken into account when carrying out risk appraisals of PCB and PFC.

1 Jul 2010

Nanostructured assemblies for dental application

Scientists are reporting an advance toward the next big treatment revolution in dentistry - the era in which root canal therapy brings diseased teeth back to life, rather than leaving a "non-vital" or dead tooth in the mouth. In a report in the monthly journal ACS Nano, they describe a first-of-its-kind, nano-sized dental film that shows early promise for achieving this long-sought goal.

1 Jul 2010

Follicle aspiration needle Swemed Sense gives less pain, bleeding compared with conventional needle

“The follicle aspiration needle Swemed Sense™ makes it possible to work in a new way, which is more favourable for patients, and at the same time it meets all the other quality requirements for a follicle aspiration needle”

1 Jul 2010

Researchers uncover potential drug treatment for noise-induced hearing loss

Researchers from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, have discovered that a potent new drug restores hearing after noise-induced hearing loss in rats. The landmark discovery found that injection of an agent called 'ADAC', activates adenosine receptors in cochlear tissues, resulting in recovery of hearing function. The finding paves the way for effective non-surgical therapies to restore hearing loss after noise-induced injury. Dr. Srdjan Vlajkovic and his team's work1 is published in a special edition of Springer's journal Purinergic Signalling, focusing on the inner ear.

1 Jul 2010

Mutations in Siglec-8 gene may play role in asthma: Research

A gene that encodes a protein responsible for determining whether certain immune cells live or die shows subtle differences in some people with asthma, a team led by Johns Hopkins researchers reports in the June European Journal of Human Genetics.

1 Jul 2010

Afinitor more than doubles progression-free survival in advanced pancreatic NET: Study

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced today that results of a Phase III study show Afinitor® (everolimus) tablets plus best supportive care (BSC) more than doubled progression-free survival, or time without tumor growth, versus placebo plus BSC in patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NET). The study, RADIANT-3, was presented at the 12th World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer and is part of the largest clinical trial program in patients with advanced NET.

1 Jul 2010

Commonly used type of bone marrow stem cell may help treat sepsis, new study suggests

A new study from researchers in Ottawa and Toronto suggests that a commonly used type of bone marrow stem cell may be able to help treat sepsis, a deadly condition that can occur when an infection spreads throughout the body. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, shows that these cells can triple survival rates in an experimental model of sepsis.

1 Jul 2010

PIKAMAB secures exclusive rights to issued U.S. patent from UABRF

PIKAMAB, a biopharmaceutical company specializing in stratified medicine, announced today that it has secured exclusive rights to an issued U.S. patent (US 6,986,987) from the UAB Research Foundation. This patent pertains to the discovery that the functional polymorphism (Ser/Gly248) in the cytoplasmic domain of Fc alpha receptor determines the proinflammatory potential of serum IgA autoantibodies through cell signaling and production of cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1β in an allele-dependent manner.

1 Jul 2010

New guide to get pregnant

Infertility affects about 7 million Americans -- that's about one in six couples during their childbearing years. There are many reasons for infertility, with equal chances it's his medical issue as it is hers. A new book, "A Baby at Last!: The Couples' Complete Guide to Getting Pregnant" (Fireside Books, Simon and Schuster), points the way for couples to get past the emotionally wrenching obstacle of infertility and finally bring home their bundle of joy.

1 Jul 2010

Rubicon Genomics' PicoPlex linear WGA technology proves effective in clinical study

Rubicon Genomics today announced that its PicoPlex linear whole genome amplification technology was proven to be effective in an independent clinical study organized by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology. At a press conference during its 26th Annual Meeting in Rome, ESHRE reported the success of its "groundbreaking proof of principle study" showing that a new approach incorporating PicoPlex could more accurately detect and characterize chromosomal abnormalities in human eggs.

1 Jul 2010

CDC issues new guidelines on detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections

Today the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new and important guidelines on the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections, the causative agent of tuberculosis. In these landmark guidelines, CDC advises that Interferon Gamma Release Assay blood tests are now preferred over the 100+-year-old tuberculin skin test for diagnosing TB infection in certain populations, including people who typically do not return for the necessary reading of TST results, and those who have received Bacille Calmette-Guerin as a vaccine or for cancer therapy

1 Jul 2010

Pre-clinical data of BiTE antibody technology published in PNAS

Micromet, Inc., today announced the publication of pre-clinical data in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrating the potency of new product candidates based on the Company's proprietary BiTE antibody technology. BiTE antibodies are a new class of agents designed to harness a patient's T cells to kill cancer cells.

1 Jul 2010

XOMA reaches enrollment goal of 325 patients for Phase 2b clinical trial of XOMA 052

XOMA Ltd., a leader in the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies, announced that it has reached the enrollment goal of 325 patients for its Phase 2b dose-ranging clinical trial of XOMA 052, and that it expects patient enrollment to close in July 2010, with top-line results available in the first quarter of 2011. XOMA 052 is a therapeutic antibody candidate that inhibits the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) which drives the inflammatory cause of Type 2 diabetes.

1 Jul 2010

ResponseDX: Lung genetic test panel launched to detect EML4-ALK gene variants in lung cancer patients

Response Genetics Inc., a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, today announced that it has expanded its ResponseDX: Lung genetic test panel to detect the presence of EML4-ALK gene variants in lung cancer patients. EML4-ALK fusion genes are present in about four percent of tumors from patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

1 Jul 2010

Cubist commences enrollment in Phase 2 study of CXA-201 for complicated intra-abdominal infections

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading acute care therapeutics company, today announced the enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 2 study with CXA-201. This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, study will compare the safety and efficacy of intravenous CXA-201 with an active comparator in patients with complicated intra-abdominal Infections (cIAI). This international study is expected to enroll 120 patients.

1 Jul 2010

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests. It appears in ACS' weekly journal Biochemistry.

1 Jul 2010

Cell News and Research

Ronin, Hcf-1 bind together to control gene program that stimulates growth of stem cells

Lensless cell phone microscope

MPIB researcher makes methodical progress in the area of genetic code engineering

USPTO grants Semafore method patent for PI3K inhibitors

Individual variants of environmental toxins can affect body's hormone systems: Research

Nanostructured assemblies for dental application

Follicle aspiration needle Swemed Sense gives less pain, bleeding compared with conventional needle

Researchers uncover potential drug treatment for noise-induced hearing loss

Mutations in Siglec-8 gene may play role in asthma: Research

Afinitor more than doubles progression-free survival in advanced pancreatic NET: Study

Commonly used type of bone marrow stem cell may help treat sepsis, new study suggests

PIKAMAB secures exclusive rights to issued U.S. patent from UABRF

New guide to get pregnant

Rubicon Genomics' PicoPlex linear WGA technology proves effective in clinical study

CDC issues new guidelines on detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections

Pre-clinical data of BiTE antibody technology published in PNAS

XOMA reaches enrollment goal of 325 patients for Phase 2b clinical trial of XOMA 052

ResponseDX: Lung genetic test panel launched to detect EML4-ALK gene variants in lung cancer patients

Cubist commences enrollment in Phase 2 study of CXA-201 for complicated intra-abdominal infections

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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