Taking More Than One Anti-inflammatory Drug May Lead To Complications

February 2, 2008 — A new study found that taking two NSAIDs was associated with lower scores on a health-related quality of life assessment. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat arthritis, ... > full story

• Study Paves Way For Development Of Macular Degeneration Cures
• February 2, 2008 — A new study of age-related macular degeneration, the disease that affects more than nine million Americans, will pave the way for the biopharmaceutical industry to develop better treatments and ... > full story
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• Virtual Human In HIV Drug Simulation
  February 2, 2008 — The combined supercomputing power of the UK and US 'national grids' has enabled scientists to simulate the efficacy of an HIV drug in blocking a key protein used by the lethal virus. The method -- an ... > full story
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• People Had More Intense Dreams After Sept. 11, 2001, Sleep Research Shows
  February 2, 2008 — The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, changed our lives in a number of different ways, not only socially and politically, but also in the way in which we dream. According to the results, dreams ... > full story
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• Smoking Can Double Risk Of Colorectal Polyps
• February 2, 2008 — Smokers have a two-fold increased risk of developing colorectal polyps, the suspected underlying cause of most colorectal cancers, according to a new ... > full story
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• Anemia Treatment May Improve or Worsen Disease, Based on Timing
• February 2, 2008 — A treatment commonly given for anemia, promotes blood-vessel growth in the eye, an effect that could either improve/worsen disease for patients with cancer, diabetic retinopathy, or retinopathy of ... > full story
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• Chronic Insomnia Can Predict Future Functioning Of Adolescents
  February 2, 2008 — Youths with insomnia, particularly chronic insomnia, are at greater risk of future somatic and especially psychological problems, according to one of the largest epidemiologic studies of insomnia ... > full story
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• Protein Associated With Poor Breast Cancer Prognosis
  February 2, 2008 — High levels of the Ki-67 protein are associated with poor prognosis in early breast cancer patients, but it may not able to predict which patients will benefit from additional chemotherapy. The ... > full story
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• Expression Patterns Of MicroRNAs Appear Altered In Colon Cancer, And Associated With Poor Outcomes
  February 2, 2008 — Preliminary research has found an association between certain microRNA expression patterns and poor survival and treatment outcomes for colon cancer. Colon cancer is a major cause of cancer death ... > full story
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• New Gene Linked To Fragile X Syndrome -- Suggests Potential Targets For Autism And Other Neurological Disorders
  February 1, 2008 — Scientists have discovered a new gene involved in fragile X syndrome, a condition that often shares many symptoms of autism. The discovery may lead to new tests or treatments for several neurological ... > full story

Genes Linked To Lupus In Women Identified

ScienceDaily (Jan. 21, 2008) — An international consortium of scientists has identified multiple genes that are linked to systemic lupus erythematosus, a devastating autoimmune disease that affects between 1 million and 2 million Americans. Reporting in Nature Genetics, the scientists also confirmed earlier findings linking lupus to several other genes -- highlighting the role that genetics plays in the disease.

These findings underscore that numerous genes, which are often immune-function related, contribute to the risk of developing lupus," said Carl D. Langefeld, Ph.D., senior author from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and co-director of the International Consortium for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Genetics.

"These results suggest biologic pathways that help us understand the condition better and suggest additional genetic and non-genetic triggers," said Langefeld. "In addition, they help delineate the genetic distinctions between rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases, which could lead to earlier, more accurate diagnoses."

Systemic lupus can involve the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain and blood. The disease occurs in about 31 out of every 100,000 people and affects women nine times more frequently than men. Scientists believe that lupus is caused by genetic variants that interact with each other and the environment.

The current study was made possible because of advances in technology that allow researchers to take a more systematic approach to looking at the entire genome.

The researchers studied the DNA of 720 women of European descent with lupus and 2,337 women without lupus. They scanned the entire genome for more than 317,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are locations on chromosomes where a single unit of DNA, or genetic material, may vary from one person to the next. The goal was to identify SNPs linked to lupus. They confirmed these results in another independent set of 1,846 women with lupus and 1,825 women without lupus.

The scientists found evidence of an association with multiple SNPs in three genes: ITGAM, KIAA1542 and PXK, and also at SNP rs10798269, which is not within any known gene. ITGAM is important for both the adherence of immune cells and for cleaning up pathogens. KIAA1542 is important for translating the DNA code into proteins. PXK encodes a molecule that transmits signals and controls complex processes in cells. These scientists also found association in genes previously associated with lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

The scientists are now focusing their attention on specific pathways and genes identified in this study, trying to dissect the precise molecular mechanisms by which these genes contribute to the risk for lupus. Genetic factors likely predict specific complications or patterns of complications. If so, it might be possible to intervene earlier in the process to delay or prevent their onset.

"This initial, important discovery will prove invaluable to all those affected by lupus," said Barbara Boyts, president of the Alliance for Lupus Research, which supported the study and continues to support SLEGEN's efforts to uncover genetic information about lupus. "We are hopeful that this information will lead to new and better treatment possibilities and, eventually, a cure for lupus."

"Lupus is a decimating illness," said John Harley, M.D., Ph.D., lead author and SLEGEN director, from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. "As researchers, our goal is to reduce the burden of suffering caused by this disease. These findings have opened many new doors, and we're excited to investigate what's inside each of them."

Other researchers in SLEGEN include: Marta E. Alarcon-Riquelme, M.D., Ph.D., the University of Uppsala in Sweden, Lindsey A. Criswell, M.D., MPH, the University of California at San Francisco, Chaim O. Jacob, M.D., Ph.D., the University of Southern California, Betty P. Tsao, Ph.D., the University of California at Los Angeles, Robert P. Kimberly, M.D., the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Kathy L. Moser, Ph.D., the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and Timothy J. Vyse, M.D., Ph.D., the Imperial College in London.

This research was supported by the Alliance for Lupus Research and the National Institutes of Health.

Adapted from materials provided by Wake Forest University Baptist Medicl Center.

Saline Nasal Wash Helps Improve Children's Cold Symptoms

January 22, 2008 — A saline nasal wash solution made from processed seawater appears to improve nasal symptoms and may help prevent the recurrence of respiratory infections when used by children with the common cold, ... > full story

• Can Hantavirus Infection Spread Among Humans?
  January 22, 2008 — In connection with last year's epidemic, a research team at Umea University in Sweden has managed for the first time to show that hantavirus exists in human saliva. This raises the question of ... > full story
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• Battling Potential Disease Outbreaks Online
  January 22, 2008 — Researchers have found that automated electronic medical laboratory reporting improves both the completeness and timeliness of disease surveillance, significantly bettering the odds of stopping the ... > full story
• Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation A New Treatment Of Bulimia Nervosa?
  January 22, 2008 — Researchers report on a new modality of treatment for bulimia nervosa, transcranial magnetic stimulation, in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive, ... > full story
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• Chromosomal Abnormalities Play Substantial Role In Autism
  January 22, 2008 — Genome-wide scans of families affected by autism spectrum disorder have revealed new evidence that previously unknown chromosomal abnormalities have a substantial role in the prevalent developmental ... > full story
• New View Of Drugs Used To Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
  January 22, 2008 — Powerful drugs used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a profound, previously unrecognized effect on the immune system, breaking up molecular "training camps" for rogue cells that play ... > full story
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• Rapid Effects Of Intensive Therapy Seen In Brains Of Patients With Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  January 22, 2008 — In a study that may significantly advance the understanding of how cognitive-behavioral therapy affects the brain, researchers have shown that significant changes in activity in certain regions of ... > full story
• Altering Brain's Lipid Metabolism Reduces Alzheimer's Plaques In Mice
  January 22, 2008 — Increasing levels of a protein that helps the brain use cholesterol may slow the development of Alzheimer's disease changes in the brain, according to researchers studying a mouse model of the ... > full story
• Vascular Disease: Majority of Device Malfunctions Occur With Off-label Use Of Biliary Stents, Study Suggests
  January 22, 2008 — Although approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a palliative treatment for cancer patients who have developed bile-duct obstructions, biliary stents are sometimes used "off-label" for the ... > full story
• Does It Help To Continue Antidepressant Drug Treatment For Preventing Recurrence In Depression?
  January 22, 2008 — Apparently it doesn't help much, according to a new study in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Maintenance antidepressant (AD) medication is the most commonly used preventive strategy in a highly ... > full story