- Seen: How a cell becomes cancerous
Seen: How a cell becomes cancerous
Gina Kolata | NYT News Service | Jan 30, 2016, 04.05 AM IST
The cell was not a cancer yet. But its state was surprising: It was a cell that had reverted to an embryonic form, when it could have developed into any cell type. As it began to divide, cancer genes took over and the single primitive cell barreled forward into a massive tumour.
Those were the findings of Dr Leonard Zon of Boston Children's Hospital, Dr Charles K Kaufman, and their colleagues, in a study published on Thursday in the journal Science that offers new insight into how cancers may develop.
The researchers stumbled on that first cell of a melanoma when they set out to solve a puzzle that has baffled cancer investigators: Why do many cells that have cancer genes never turn cancerous?
Much more study is needed, but researchers say the result can help understand why melanomas and possibly other cancers form, and potentially prevent them.
It may provide a way to stop melanomas from growing back after they have been cut down by drugs.
The prevailing idea about the development of a cancer is that genes randomly mutate in a healthy cell, perhaps from sun exposure, perhaps from simple bad luck.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Seen: How a cell becomes cancerous
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Multiple sclerosis patients may walk again
Kashmira Gander | The Independent | Jan 19, 2016, 05.41 AM IST
A new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) has enabled some patients to walk again by "rebooting" their immune systems.
As part of a clinical trial at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital involving around 20 patients, scientists used stem cells to carry out a bone marrow transplant. The method, known as an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), works by using chemotherapy to destroy the area of the immune system which causes MS. The trial has been documented as part of a BBC Panorama programme. The trial has been so effective for some patients that they have been able to walk once more.
Professor John Snowden, consultant haematologist at Royal Hallamshire Hospital, said that the patients' immune systems were "reset or rebooted" back to a time point before it caused MS. "It's clear we have made a big impact on patients' lives, which is gratifying."
Professor Basil Sharrack of the Royal Hallamshire described the treatment as a "major achievement". MS affects the central nervous system, and is generally diagnosed when a person is in the 20s or 30s. More than 100,000 people in the UK are currently living with the incurable neurological disease.
Clinial trial patient Holly Drewry was diagnosed with MS aged 21, but her condition became worse after she gave birth to her daughter Isla and she began using a wheel chair."Within a couple of months I got worse and worse. I couldn't dress or wash myself; I didn't even have the strength to carry my daughter," she told the BBC.
As part of a clinical trial at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital involving around 20 patients, scientists used stem cells to carry out a bone marrow transplant. The method, known as an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), works by using chemotherapy to destroy the area of the immune system which causes MS. The trial has been documented as part of a BBC Panorama programme. The trial has been so effective for some patients that they have been able to walk once more.
Professor John Snowden, consultant haematologist at Royal Hallamshire Hospital, said that the patients' immune systems were "reset or rebooted" back to a time point before it caused MS. "It's clear we have made a big impact on patients' lives, which is gratifying."
Professor Basil Sharrack of the Royal Hallamshire described the treatment as a "major achievement". MS affects the central nervous system, and is generally diagnosed when a person is in the 20s or 30s. More than 100,000 people in the UK are currently living with the incurable neurological disease.
Clinial trial patient Holly Drewry was diagnosed with MS aged 21, but her condition became worse after she gave birth to her daughter Isla and she began using a wheel chair."Within a couple of months I got worse and worse. I couldn't dress or wash myself; I didn't even have the strength to carry my daughter," she told the BBC.
Following the treatment, Drewry was able to walk out of the hospital, and there is no evidence of the active disease in her scans. She said, "It's been a miracle. I got my life and my independence back and the future is bright again in terms of being a mum and doing everything with Isla."
Amy Bowen, director of service development at the MS Trust, said the treatment is "very powerful" but has "significant risks as well as potential benefits". "It's a long way from being a routine treatment for MS," Bowen said."We still need more clinical trials to understand who is most likely to benefit from treatment, to develop safer treatment procedures and understand what the long-term effects of treatment might be."
Dr Emma Gray , head of clinical trials at UK's MS Society, said, "Ongoing research suggests stem cell treatments such as HSCT could offer hope, and it's clear that, in the cases highlighted by Panorama, they've had a life-changing impact.However, trials have found that, while HSCT may be able to stabilise or improve disability in some people with MS, it may not be effective for all types of the condition."
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Red wine not good for you after all, doctors to reveal
(Representative image)
RELATED
Red wine's supposed health benefits are set to be rubbished by Government experts, according to reports.
A landmark report by Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies published on Friday will destroy the long-held belief that red wine can cut the risk of cancer, heart disease and memory loss when drunk in moderation, according to the Sun.
Instead, the first alcohol guideline shake-up since 1995 will reportedly say that even a glass of red wine a day could increase the risk of breast cancer by 13 per cent.
Previous studies have lauded the number of antioxidants in red wine, saying the drink cuts the risk of a heart attack and prevents memory loss.
The new guidelines will say the negatives of drinking outweigh any positives - and similar results that come from drinking a glass of red wine a day can be achieved simply by eating less and exercising more.
The guidelines could recommend avoiding alcohol for a few days a week and drinking water and eating while drinking.
The Department of Health has confirmed that new guidelines are under embargo until Friday, when the report will be published. Rates of alcohol consumption have dropped by almost a third in recent years, with a greater number of teetotalers than ever before, with one in five adults claming not to drink according to an ONS study.
The new guidelines may also suggest that there shouldn't be a difference between amounts consumed by men and women. Currently, men are permitted 3-4 units a day, or one and a half beers, and women just 2-3 units, or a single glass of wine.
A landmark report by Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies published on Friday will destroy the long-held belief that red wine can cut the risk of cancer, heart disease and memory loss when drunk in moderation, according to the Sun.
Instead, the first alcohol guideline shake-up since 1995 will reportedly say that even a glass of red wine a day could increase the risk of breast cancer by 13 per cent.
Previous studies have lauded the number of antioxidants in red wine, saying the drink cuts the risk of a heart attack and prevents memory loss.
The new guidelines will say the negatives of drinking outweigh any positives - and similar results that come from drinking a glass of red wine a day can be achieved simply by eating less and exercising more.
The guidelines could recommend avoiding alcohol for a few days a week and drinking water and eating while drinking.
The Department of Health has confirmed that new guidelines are under embargo until Friday, when the report will be published. Rates of alcohol consumption have dropped by almost a third in recent years, with a greater number of teetotalers than ever before, with one in five adults claming not to drink according to an ONS study.
The new guidelines may also suggest that there shouldn't be a difference between amounts consumed by men and women. Currently, men are permitted 3-4 units a day, or one and a half beers, and women just 2-3 units, or a single glass of wine.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
hypoglycaemic encephalopathy'.due to Litchi fruit
Litchi toxin causes AES, says Vellore doc’s study
Banjotkaur Bhatia | TNN | Jan 6, 2016, 11.28 PM IST
Patna:
Even as consensus has eluded researchers for years on the cause of
Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) which has claimed several children's
lives in Muzaffapur district of Bihar, Vellore-based paediatrician and
epidemiologist Dr T Jacob John has now said a toxin in litchi causes the
disease. The study by Dr John was commissioned by the Bihar government.
Earlier, US-based Centre for Disease Control (CDC) had said that Jamaican Ackee - a fruit resembling litchi - is known to have a toxin that causes AES-type disease in African nations.
Even though Dr John is yet to submit his report to the Bihar government, the findings have been published in the recent edition of Current Science, a journal of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The paper is jointly authored by Dr John and Arun Shah of Indian Institute of Toxicology Research-Lucknow.
Responding to TOI's emailed queries, Dr John said, "The CDC research of 2013 said litchi seeds contain a toxin that causes hypoglycaemia; that is, fall in sugar level. However, children seldom swallow seeds. They swallow litchi fruits, hence it (the cause) remained a mystery. Our research confirmed both ripe and semi-ripe litchis contain a toxin called methylene cyclopropyl-glycine (MCPG) that causes hypoglycaemia in children, which leads to death."
The paper contains a table which shows the highest amount of MCPG is found in litchi seeds, followed by semi-ripe and ripe litchi fruits. The paper also clarifies AES is not encephalitis, but encephalopathy. In encephalitis, brain is primarily affected due to viral infection. In encephalopathy, brain is "secondarily affected" and not by a virus. Dr John has termed the disease as 'hypoglycaemic encephalopathy'.
However, AES is also killing children in Gorakhpur (UP) and Malda (West Bengal), where they are not exposed to litchis. To this, Dr John replied his research is based only on Muzaffarpur kids. "The AES of Gorakhpur remains to be diagnosed. There is no litchi connection in Gorakhpur. In Malda, however, there are litchi orchards, and what is called AES there could be 'hypoglycaemic encephalopathy'," he said.
According to the State Health Society of Bihar, the number of AES cases in 2015 was 390 compared to 1,028 in 2014. In this regard, Dr John said, "In 2015, the litchi yield was apparently low. Besides, the health department spread awareness that children shouldn't go to sleep without meal as this could lead to hypoglycaemia. Supervision by adults on litchi consumption is another factor."
Earlier, US-based Centre for Disease Control (CDC) had said that Jamaican Ackee - a fruit resembling litchi - is known to have a toxin that causes AES-type disease in African nations.
Even though Dr John is yet to submit his report to the Bihar government, the findings have been published in the recent edition of Current Science, a journal of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The paper is jointly authored by Dr John and Arun Shah of Indian Institute of Toxicology Research-Lucknow.
Responding to TOI's emailed queries, Dr John said, "The CDC research of 2013 said litchi seeds contain a toxin that causes hypoglycaemia; that is, fall in sugar level. However, children seldom swallow seeds. They swallow litchi fruits, hence it (the cause) remained a mystery. Our research confirmed both ripe and semi-ripe litchis contain a toxin called methylene cyclopropyl-glycine (MCPG) that causes hypoglycaemia in children, which leads to death."
The paper contains a table which shows the highest amount of MCPG is found in litchi seeds, followed by semi-ripe and ripe litchi fruits. The paper also clarifies AES is not encephalitis, but encephalopathy. In encephalitis, brain is primarily affected due to viral infection. In encephalopathy, brain is "secondarily affected" and not by a virus. Dr John has termed the disease as 'hypoglycaemic encephalopathy'.
However, AES is also killing children in Gorakhpur (UP) and Malda (West Bengal), where they are not exposed to litchis. To this, Dr John replied his research is based only on Muzaffarpur kids. "The AES of Gorakhpur remains to be diagnosed. There is no litchi connection in Gorakhpur. In Malda, however, there are litchi orchards, and what is called AES there could be 'hypoglycaemic encephalopathy'," he said.
According to the State Health Society of Bihar, the number of AES cases in 2015 was 390 compared to 1,028 in 2014. In this regard, Dr John said, "In 2015, the litchi yield was apparently low. Besides, the health department spread awareness that children shouldn't go to sleep without meal as this could lead to hypoglycaemia. Supervision by adults on litchi consumption is another factor."
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the Health dept should take care of the these opinions.Muzaffarpur-based Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital's paediatrics HoD Dr Braj Mohan agrees with Dr John's research, but with a caveat. Dr Mohan, who has years of experience of treating AES-affected kids and who was earlier critical of the litchi theory, said, "I would add that the kids who have a compromised liver and/or are malnourished are more susceptible to the litchi toxin."
Homeopathy is bogus, harmful: Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishna
- Bhartesh Singh Thakur, Hindustan Times, Chandigarh |
- Updated: Jan 06, 2016 10:22 IST
India-born Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan has refused to attend the Indian Science Congress ever in future (royalsociety.org)
Pointing out that India is the only country where a constitution asks for promoting scientific temper, the chemistry scientist said India needs a more rational outlook on such practices.
Explaining that astrology evolved from the human tendency to look for “patterns, generalise and believe”, Ramakrishnan said, “There is no scientific basis for how movement of planets and stars can influence our fate. There is no reason for time of birth to influence events years later. The predictions made are either obvious or shown to be random.”
“Once beliefs take root, they are hard to eradicate,” he commented, adding, “A culture based on superstitions will do worse than one based on scientific knowledge and rational thoughts.”
Contrary to the general notion that homeopathy originated in India, the scientist also clarified that it was a practice started by a German.
“They (homoeopaths) take arsenic compounds and dilute it to such an extent that just a molecule is left. It will not make any effect on you. Your tap water has more arsenic. No one in chemistry believes in homoeopathy. It works because of placebo effect.”
Ramakrishna was however appreciative of modern day astrology considering the more specific scientific advancements made.
“Alchemy is based on beliefs but accumulated huge amount of data about properties of substances and led to modern chemistry. Astrology was struck in past but modern astronomy has made huge exciting discoveries like the black hole, pulsars etc.”
The onus ultimately lies on humans, for science to be accurate. “Scientists are humans. We have egos, superstitions etc. What is required is to test our ideas by experiments which protect us from false beliefs.”
To elaborate, he cited the cold fusion theory. Initially claimed by Martin Fleischmann and Stanley Pons, the much-hyped theory was later proved to be unfounded. “In 2011, it was claimed from CERN experiments that neutrinos travel faster than light. Later, it came out that it was a measurement error,” Ramakrishnan said and added that sometimes scientists propose ideas well outside their area of expertise and make mistakes.
So did planes really exist in ancient India, as claimed at the Indian Science Congress in Mumbai last year?
“It was surprising for me that Indian science academies did not condemn it. Science has to be based on data. You have to show that you did it and others should be able to verify it. It is impossible that India had plane technology 2000 years ago.”
Science in India has nevertheless become more exact over time. “In the last century alone, life expectancy has doubled. It is because medicine has become scientific and evidence based. There is better understanding of physiology and biochemistry and many diseases have been eradicated.”
Ramakrishnan, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2009, was speaking at the Panjab University at Chandigarh to deliver the Har Gobind Khorana lecture on ‘On Nobody’s Word: Evidence and Modern Science’.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Inherited traits linked to bipolar disorder identified
Inherited traits linked to bipolar disorder identified
Inherited traits linked to bipolar disorder identified (Getty Image)
RELATED
In
the first study of its kind, researchers have identified a dozen
inherited traits related to sleep, awake and activity cycles that are
associated with severe bipolar disorder.
Researchers also were able to tie the traits to specific chromosomes, providing important clues to the genetic nature of the disorder, as well as potential new avenues for prevention and treatment.
"We were able to identify 13 sleep and activity measures, most of which are inherited, that correlated with whether an individual had bipolar disorder. In addition, we were able to trace some of these traits to a specific chromosome," said Joseph Takahashi from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in th US.
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, causes dramatic mood shifts - often called episodes - in which the person is overly excited, extremely sad or depressed, or a mixed state of both, including irritable or explosive behaviour.
Causes of bipolar disorder (BP) are thought to be both genetic and environmental, and researchers have long suspected that disruption in normal daily circadian rhythms, including sleep and wake cycles, can precede mood shifts.
This study, involving more than 500 members of 26 families from Costa Rica and Colombia, found that those with bipolar disorder awoke later and slept longer, on average were awake fewer minutes overall, and were active for shorter periods than those without the disorder.
Researchers also found that those with bipolar disorder displayed lower activity levels while awake and had greater variations in sleep and wake cycles.
"This study represents a key step in identifying the genetic roots of this disorder and, in turn, providing targets for new approaches to preventing and treating bipolar disorder," Nelson Freimer from University of California, Los Angeles, pointed out.
This study is the first large-scale delineation of sleep and activity traits in bipolar-affected individuals and their relatives and the first genetic investigation of such a comprehensive set of sleep and circadian measures in any human study, the researchers said.
The findings appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers also were able to tie the traits to specific chromosomes, providing important clues to the genetic nature of the disorder, as well as potential new avenues for prevention and treatment.
"We were able to identify 13 sleep and activity measures, most of which are inherited, that correlated with whether an individual had bipolar disorder. In addition, we were able to trace some of these traits to a specific chromosome," said Joseph Takahashi from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre in th US.
Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive illness, causes dramatic mood shifts - often called episodes - in which the person is overly excited, extremely sad or depressed, or a mixed state of both, including irritable or explosive behaviour.
Causes of bipolar disorder (BP) are thought to be both genetic and environmental, and researchers have long suspected that disruption in normal daily circadian rhythms, including sleep and wake cycles, can precede mood shifts.
This study, involving more than 500 members of 26 families from Costa Rica and Colombia, found that those with bipolar disorder awoke later and slept longer, on average were awake fewer minutes overall, and were active for shorter periods than those without the disorder.
Researchers also found that those with bipolar disorder displayed lower activity levels while awake and had greater variations in sleep and wake cycles.
"This study represents a key step in identifying the genetic roots of this disorder and, in turn, providing targets for new approaches to preventing and treating bipolar disorder," Nelson Freimer from University of California, Los Angeles, pointed out.
This study is the first large-scale delineation of sleep and activity traits in bipolar-affected individuals and their relatives and the first genetic investigation of such a comprehensive set of sleep and circadian measures in any human study, the researchers said.
The findings appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Friday, January 1, 2016
using a non-pathogenic carrier called adeno-associated virus, or AAV, to deliver the gene-editing system.
Gene editing tool to help treat muscular dystrophy
RELATED
WASHINGTON: Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have
successfully used a gene editing tool to treat a genetic disease in a
fully developed living mammal for the first time, an advance that may be
translated in humans. Researchers from Duke University used CRISPR to
treat an adult mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
They had previously used CRISPR to correct genetic mutations in cultured cells from Duchenne patients, and other labs had corrected genes in single-cell embryos in a laboratory environment. But the latter approach is currently unethical to attempt in humans, and the former faces many obstacles in delivering treated cells back to muscle tissues.
Another approach, which involves taking CRISPR directly to the affected tissues through gene therapy techniques, also faces challenges, particularly with delivery.
Researchers including Aravind Asokan of University of North Carolina, overcame several of these obstacles by using a non-pathogenic carrier called adeno-associated virus, or AAV, to deliver the gene-editing system.
They had previously used CRISPR to correct genetic mutations in cultured cells from Duchenne patients, and other labs had corrected genes in single-cell embryos in a laboratory environment. But the latter approach is currently unethical to attempt in humans, and the former faces many obstacles in delivering treated cells back to muscle tissues.
Another approach, which involves taking CRISPR directly to the affected tissues through gene therapy techniques, also faces challenges, particularly with delivery.
Researchers including Aravind Asokan of University of North Carolina, overcame several of these obstacles by using a non-pathogenic carrier called adeno-associated virus, or AAV, to deliver the gene-editing system.
liver hormone ibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) -- suppresses the consumption of simple sugars
Novel liver hormone cuts cravings for sweets, alcohol
A hormone produced by the liver -- fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) -- suppresses the consumption of simple sugars.
RELATED
WASHINGTON:
In a good news for those who cannot shun their drink and also have
"sweet tooth", scientists have discovered for the first time a liver
hormone that works via brain to reduce cravings for sweets and alcohol
in mammals.
The team found that a hormone produced by the liver -- fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) -- suppresses the consumption of simple sugars.
"This is the first time a hormone made in the liver has been shown to affect sugar and alcohol preference in mammals," said Steven Kliewer, professor of molecular biology and pharmacology at UT Southwestern medical centre and co-senior author of the study.
The hormone is associated with environmental stress such as extreme dietary changes or cold temperature exposure. It is also produced when mammals consume carbohydrates.
Because of FGF21's unique effects, forms of the protein are being evaluated as drugs for the treatment of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and alcohol dependence.
"Our findings raise the possibility that FGF21 administration could affect nutrient preference and other reward behaviours in humans, and that the hormone could potentially be used to treat alcoholism," Kliewer added.
The researchers found that mice with elevated levels of FGF21 showed reduced preference for sweetener and alcohol-laced water as well as a marked decrease in levels of dopamine -- a neuro-transmitter that plays a central role in reward behaviour.
"We found that FGF21 administration markedly reduces sweet and alcohol preference in mice and sweet preference in larger animal models," said co-senior author David Mangelsdorf.
"We have known for a while that FGF21 can enhance insulin sensitivity," noted Lucas BonDurant, doctoral student at University of Iowa.
Now, there is this dimension where FGF21 can help people who might not be able to sense when they have had enough sugar, which may contribute to diabetes, he pointed out.
"However, FGF21 does not reduce intake of all sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose) equally. FGF21 also does not impact the intake of complex carbohydrates," noted researchers from the University of Iowa.
The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, suggest that additional studies are warranted to assess the effects of FGF21 on sweet and alcohol preference and other reward behaviour in humans.
The team found that a hormone produced by the liver -- fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) -- suppresses the consumption of simple sugars.
"This is the first time a hormone made in the liver has been shown to affect sugar and alcohol preference in mammals," said Steven Kliewer, professor of molecular biology and pharmacology at UT Southwestern medical centre and co-senior author of the study.
The hormone is associated with environmental stress such as extreme dietary changes or cold temperature exposure. It is also produced when mammals consume carbohydrates.
Because of FGF21's unique effects, forms of the protein are being evaluated as drugs for the treatment of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and alcohol dependence.
"Our findings raise the possibility that FGF21 administration could affect nutrient preference and other reward behaviours in humans, and that the hormone could potentially be used to treat alcoholism," Kliewer added.
The researchers found that mice with elevated levels of FGF21 showed reduced preference for sweetener and alcohol-laced water as well as a marked decrease in levels of dopamine -- a neuro-transmitter that plays a central role in reward behaviour.
"We found that FGF21 administration markedly reduces sweet and alcohol preference in mice and sweet preference in larger animal models," said co-senior author David Mangelsdorf.
"We have known for a while that FGF21 can enhance insulin sensitivity," noted Lucas BonDurant, doctoral student at University of Iowa.
Now, there is this dimension where FGF21 can help people who might not be able to sense when they have had enough sugar, which may contribute to diabetes, he pointed out.
"However, FGF21 does not reduce intake of all sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose) equally. FGF21 also does not impact the intake of complex carbohydrates," noted researchers from the University of Iowa.
The findings, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, suggest that additional studies are warranted to assess the effects of FGF21 on sweet and alcohol preference and other reward behaviour in humans.
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This is a very good news .... but Modi is not available for comment today.... He is screaming like Azam Khan's buffalo b... Read MoreNalayak Narendra