August 27th, 2007 by
A therapy has appeared in the august issue of molecular and cellular proteomics which says that communications among neurons can prevent deteriorating the conditions for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The latest research efforts for treatment of AD were focusing on main part of a neuron but this recent study examines how neuronal communications can impair human diseases.
A neuron interacts with another neuron using an extension called an axon which releases chemicals diffused across a tiny gap between the neurons called a synapse and crosses the other neuron. Deterioration of synapses and axons can be delayed due to a protein created by a gene called the slow Wallerian degeneration gene.
Thomas H Gillingwater studied that 16 proteins affect Wlds gene. The scientists found that some of the proteins deteriorate synapses and axons, but, unexpectedly, eight proteins regulate the function of mitochondria cellular organelles that supply energy to cells.
It was revealed that mitochondria are involved in the protection of neurons provided by the Wlds gene and suggested that some of the proteins may lead to novel therapies for the treatment of AD, motor neuron diseases, and prion diseases.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization with over 11,900 members in the United States and internationally.
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August 27th, 2007 by
A report in British Journal of Cancer states that alcohol consumption may lower the risk of kidney cancer.
Dr. Alicja Wolk of Karolinska institute, Stockholm and colleagues have investigated that the association of different alcoholic beverages with risk of cancer on large number of population in Sweden.
Around 855 patients with kidney cancer and 1204 without kidney cancer were studied. Standard alcohol consumption was set for these subjects as 200mL of beer, 100mL of wine and 40mL of strong wine.
The team found that the chances of developing kidney cell cancer was about 40-percent lower among those who consumed 620 g ethanol per month compared to those who did not consumed at all.
Research said that drinking more than two glasses of red wine per week will reduce kidney cell cancer risk by 40 percent. The same trend was found with white wine and strong beer.
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August 27th, 2007 by
According to the studies a drug used for treating acute migraine can be safely used long term to prevent migraines some of women experience during their menstrual periods.
For prevention of menstruation related migraine naratripation should be taken twice a day for 6 continuous days per month for up to 1 year.
Dr. Jan Lewis Brandes of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville reported that approximately 18 percent of US women suffering with migraine have menstruation as a major trigger for migraine attacks.
Naratriptan is not approved for long term treatment of migraine but has been tested as effective for short term prevention of menstrual migraine. The triptan is tolerated for short term use but not for long term.
Brandes studies have confirmed that 1 milligram naratriptan twice daily should be consumed 3 days before expected start of menstrual cycle and should be continued for a total of 6 days. This amount with additional 2.5 milligram dose for breakthrough migraines is tolerable.
Study was done on 318 women for 6 months and 131 women for 12 months. All women tolerated the naratriptan well with only adverse of ear, nose and throat infection. Only 2 percent of women showed these side effects.
Women reported that 50 percent of times they did not had migraine during their menstrual period. The treatment also removed headache and depressive feelings for women who used it for up to 12 months.
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August 27th, 2007 by
Laparoscopic specialized surgeons fruitfully removed a patient’s kidney by performing an exceptional nephrectomy through belly button.
The associate professor of urology and radiology, Dr. Jeffrey Cadeddu performed the first of its kind “single keyhole access” surgery. The procedure was done with just a single incision which will leave patient with a barely noticeable scar in navel.
Dr. Cadeddu, owner of clinical centre for minimally invasive treatment of urologic cancer said that he is proud of such a surgical technique. He said that laparoscopic surgeries give very small incisions, less pain and faster recovery to patients. The further extension of laparoscopic surgery is transumbilical technique which will literally remove scarring from patient’s body.
The chairman of urology at UT southwestern, Dr. Claus Roehrborn told that single access surgery is major advancement which will make surgeries less persistent. He is also the director of the Sarah M. and Charles E. Seay Center for Pediatric Urology and was proud that Dr. Cadeddu is the first to perform such a surgery. He proudly said that the removal of intact organ in this manner is a testament of advancement in clinical medicines made at UT southwestern.
Dr. Cadeddu used recently developed set of high dexterity instrument known as RealHand for this surgery. The instrument is manufactured by Novare Surgical Systems. This high tech instrument allowed surgeons to perform maneuvers which were otherwise difficult to perform.
The success of new laparoscopic procedures will explore options for surgeons. Through this technique less painful and reduced incision surgeries can be done.
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