Biotech Week articles from February 2009

Biotech Week archives from February 2009

Socially active and not easily stressed? You may not develop dementia.
February 4, 2009... A new study shows that people who are socially active and not easily stressed may be less likely to develop dementia. The research is published in the January 20, 2009, print issue of Neurology[R], the medical journal of the American Academy of...

Study helps explain connection between sleep apnea, stroke and death.
February 4, 2009... BETHESDA, Md. (Jan. 6, 2009) - Obstructive sleep apnea decreases blood flow to the brain, elevates blood pressure within the brain and eventually harms the brain's ability to modulate these changes and prevent damage to itself, according to a...

Salt reduction may offer cardioprotective effects beyond blood pressure reduction.
February 4, 2009... A study published in the February 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that salt reduction may offer cardioprotective effects beyond blood pressure reduction. The study was led by Kacie Dickinson of Flinders...

BUSM researcher solves mystery of 9-month-old.
February 4, 2009... A researcher from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has determined that a 9-month old infant who was admitted to a local Boston hospital with seizures and a bulging soft spot was actually suffering from rickets caused by vitamin D...

Burnham researchers discover 'on switch' for cell death signaling mechanism.
February 4, 2009... Scientists at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have determined the structure of the interactions between proteins that form the heart of the death inducing signaling complex (DISC), which is responsible for triggering apoptosis...

Hind wings help butterflies make swift turns to evade predators, study finds.
February 4, 2009... New tires allow race cars to take tight turns at high speeds. Hind wings give moths and butterflies similar advantages: They are not necessary for basic flight but help these creatures take tight turns to evade predators (see also Cornell...

Scientists glean new insights into convection in planets and stars.
February 4, 2009... A new study by UCLA planetary scientists and their colleagues in Germany overturns a longstanding scientific tenet and provides new insights into how convection controls much of what we observe in planets and stars (see also University of...

Research exposes the risk to infants from the chemicals used in liquid medicines.
February 4, 2009... A team of medical scientists from the University of Leicester has published research which looks into the harmful substances in liquid medicines that premature babies are being exposed to (see also University of Leicester). Research...

Growing years cut short for toddlers from poor families.(Report)
February 4, 2009... This release is available in French (see also University of Montreal). Montreal, January 19, 2008 u Continuous poverty during toddler years can curb the height of children by the time they reach kindergarten, even in industrialized...

Nuance Extends Offer to Acquire Zi Corporation.
February 4, 2009... Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) announced that it is extending its previously announced offer to purchase all of the outstanding common shares of Zi Corporation (NASDAQ: ZICA, TSX: ZIC) for US$0.40 per share in cash to 5:00 p.m....

New data from I. Durursubasi et al illuminate research in abscess.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Erzurum, Turkey, "A subperiostal abscess of the frontal bone as a complication of osteomyelitis, appearing as a puffy, indolent tumor of the forehead, was first described by Pott." "This less-common complication...

New achondroplasia study findings reported from Korea University.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Seoul, South Korea, "Knowledge of bone age in achondroplasia is required for the prediction of adult height, timings of limb lengthening, and epiphysiodesis procedures. The purpose of this investigation was to...

New findings from University of Aberdeen describe advances in acid reflux disease.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from Scotland, " To determine the relative benefits and risks of laparoscopic fundoplication surgery as an alternative to long term drug treatment for chronic gastro- oesophageal reflux disease ( GORD)....

Research from R.E. Delahoz and co-authors yields new data on acid reflux disease.(Report)
February 4, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most prevalent conditions among former World Trade Center (WTC) rescue and recovery workers. The reason for this proposed association with an inhalation...

Researchers from University of South Australia publish findings in acid reflux disease.(Report)
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from Australia, "Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common in Western societies, although the prevalence of reflux symptoms in the community is not well described. In this study we determined the prevalence of...

New research on acute pancreatitis from S. Marusic and co-authors summarized.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Zagreb, Croatia, "The aim of the study was to analyze the evidence-based use of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of acute pancreatitis and to identify factors influencing the introduction of antibiotic therapy in...

Reports from University of Bath describe recent advances in addiction medicine.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Bath, the United Kingdom, "Family members of people with serious alcohol or drug problems are negatively affected by the behaviour and problems of their substance misusing relative. Conduct a feasibility study, testing...

Findings from L. Brunaud and co-authors broaden understanding of adenoma.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from France, "Our aim was to determine the learning curve for robotic adrenalectomy and factors that influence operative time and cost. We prospectively evaluated of 100 consecutive patients who underwent robotic,...

New adenoma data have been reported by researchers at University of Amsterdam.(Report)
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Netherlands, "MYH-associated polyposis (MAP) is a disorder caused by a bi-allelic germline MYH mutation, characterized by multiple colorectal. adenomas. These adenomas typically harbor G:C → T:A transversions in...

Reports outline adrenalectomy research from Catholic University.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from Rome, Italy, "The choice in between the laparoscopic lateral transabdominal (LTA) or the posterior retroperitoneoscopic (PRA) approach for adrenalectomy is usually based on surgeon's preference, rather than on...

New findings from Z.H. Wang and co-authors describe advances in adrenoleukodystrophy.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Fuzhou, People's Republic of China, "Mutations in the ABCD1 gene lead to X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, a neurodegenerative disorder. Hundreds of hereditary mutations of the gene have been reported in patients with...

Studies from University of Tubingen have provided new data on age-related maculopathy.(Report)
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Tubingen, Germany, " Patients with early age-related maculopathy ( ARM) do not necessarily show obvious morphological signs or functional impairment. Many have good visual acuity, yet complain of decreased visual...

University of Groningen publishes research in aggression.
February 4, 2009... "The present study aims at delineating violence from aggression, using genetically selected high (SAL, TA, NC900) and low (LAL, TNA NC100) aggressive mouse strains. Unlike aggression, violence lacks intrinsic control, environmental constraints...

Studies from S. Kumar and colleagues reveal new findings on aging.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from India, "Dementia is one of the age related mental problems and characteristic symptom of various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. This impairment probably is due to the vulnerability of...

Research data from University of Michigan update understanding of alcoholism.(Report)
February 4, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Neurocognitive deficits in chronic alcoholic men are well documented. Impairments include memory, visual-spatial processing, problem solving and executive function." "The cause of impairment...

Reports from University of Amsterdam highlight recent research in allergic contact dermatitis.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from Netherlands, "To evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacies of topical drugs, models of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) can be used, but the conventional murine models of CHS need revision in this respect. These...

Findings from Baylor College of Medicine, College of Medicine advance knowledge in allergies.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from the United States, "Partial DiGeorge syndrome (pDGS) presents with thymic hypoplasia and a variable decrease in T-cell numbers. Although lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens is generally preserved, it is uncertain...

New allergies research from K. Rossbach and co-researchers described.
February 4, 2009... "Effects of the histamine H-4 receptor antagonist JNJ 7777120 (1-[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methylpiperazine) were tested in two models of allergic contact dermatitis. Dermatitis was induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene and...

Recent findings in allergies described by researchers from University of Verona.
February 4, 2009... "Chronic eczematous cheilitis comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders, the cause of which often remains obscure. Our object was to investigate the frequency of contact allergy in a cohort of patients with chronic eczematous cheilitis...

Report summarizes allergies study findings from N. Hiraki and co-researchers.(Clinical report)
February 4, 2009... In this recent report, researchers in Kitakyushu, Japan conducted a study "To investigate the relationships among nasal obstruction (NO), snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in working people with or without allergic rhinitis (AR)....

Research on allergies reported by scientists at University of Zurich.
February 4, 2009... "High dose bee venom exposure in beekeepers by natural bee stings represents a model to understand mechanisms of T cell tolerance to allergens in healthy individuals. Continuous exposure of nonallergic beekeepers to high doses of bee venom...

Scientists at University of Copenhagen report research in allergies.
February 4, 2009... "It is not known if reduced elicitation thresholds are evident among polysensitized individuals when using allergens to which the patients are already sensitized. Reduced elicitation thresholds may be an expression of increased reactivity in...

Studies from Malmo University reveal new findings on allergies.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Malmo, Sweden, "Disperse dyes (DDs) are the most common sensitizers among textile dyes, but there is little knowledge of the clinical relevance of positive patch test reactions. To investigate if patient-reported...

Studies from S. Koyanagi and co-researchers update current data on allergies.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Kumamoto, Japan, "Hyposensitization, in which causative antigens of allergic diseases are injected, is the sole means of a radical cure for allergic diseases. Since the therapeutic allergens currently used are...

Study results from University of Queensland in the area of allergies published.
February 4, 2009... "Bahia grass. Paspalum notatum, is a clinically important subtropical grass with a prolonged pollination season from spring to autumn. we aimed to clone and characterise the major Bahia grass pollen allergen, Pas n 1. Grass pollen-allergic...

Reports from T. Hasegawa and colleagues advance knowledge in allograft vasculopathy.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "Ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) catalyzes the terminal phosphohydrolysis of 5'-adenosine monophosphate and is widely expressed on endothelial cells where it regulates barrier function. Because...

Data on alopecia reported by M. Eldomyati and co-researchers.
February 4, 2009... "Androgenetic alopecia is a common hair disorder, resulting from interplay of genetic, endocrine and aging factors. Meanwhile, it is unclear if an altered degree of proliferation or increased apoptosis could contribute to its pathogenesis,"...

Studies conducted at K.T. Tan et al on alopecia recently published.
February 4, 2009... "Frontal fibrosing alopecia is an uncommon condition characterized by progressive frontotemporal recession due to inflammatory destruction of hair follicles. Little is known about the natural history of this disease," scientists in Singapore,...

Scientists at University of Alabama describe research in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
February 4, 2009... "The alpha coded testing (ACT) study offers free and confidential testing for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) and includes surveys to provide data to study the psychosocial correlates of genetic testing. The purpose of the current study...

New Alzheimer disease research from University of Kuopio outlined.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from Kuopio, Finland, "Genetic and molecular studies have confirmed the central role of amyloid-beta production and fibrillation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the pathological pathways...

New Alzheimer disease study findings recently were published by H. Hanyu and co-researchers.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Tokyo, Japan, " To determine the relationship of differing levels of education on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fifty-three patients with AD followed-up for an average...

New Alzheimer disease study findings recently were published by researchers at University of Kuopio.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research published in the journal Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, "Many studies have shown differences in carbonylation and nitration of individual proteins in brain and body fluids of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients....

Research from New York University yields new findings on Alzheimer disease.
February 4, 2009... " The objective of the study is to compare the diagnostic value of regional sampling of the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose metabolism (MRglc) using [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) and amyloid-beta...

Research from University of Yamanashi in the area of Alzheimer disease published.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from Yamanashi, Japan, "Transthyretin (TTR) binds amyloid-beta (A beta) and prevents A beta fibril formation in vitro. It was reported that the lack of neurodegeneration in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's...

Researchers at University of Genoa target Alzheimer disease.
February 4, 2009... " The purpose of the study is to evaluate the combined accuracy of episodic memory performance and F-18-FDG PET in identifying patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) converting to Alzheimer's disease (AD), aMCI non-converters,...

Researchers from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company detail new studies and findings in the area of ambulatory surgery.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Munich, Germany, "Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the most widely used drugs for analgesia. We aimed to investigate the use of a ready-to-use intravenous (i.v.) paracetamol 1 g solution (Perfalgan((R))) as...

Research data from Fukui University update understanding of amyloidosis.
February 4, 2009... "A beta 2M (beta(2)-microglobulin-related) amyloidosis is a frequent and serious complication in patients on long-term dialysis. Partial unfolding of beta 2-m (beta(2)-microglobulin) may be essential to its assembly into A beta 2M amyloid...

New amyotrophic lateral sclerosis study findings have been published by scientists at Cornell University, Medical Department.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "Our previous Studies implicated vitamin E deficiency as a risk factor For equine Motor neuron disease, a possible model of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and showed direct effects of...

Researchers from Mayo Clinic provide details of new studies and findings in the area of anaphylactic shock.
February 4, 2009... "Reported incidences of anaphylaxis range from 3.2 to 20 per 100,000 population. The incidence and trend over time has meaningful public health implications but has not been well characterized because of a lack of a standard definition and...

Findings in anatomy reported from M.T. Sberna and co-researchers.
February 4, 2009... "To evaluate the use of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) for qualitative and quantitative analysis of root canal anatomy and for assessing the extent of canal enlargement during root canal instrumentation. The volume variation...

Research on anatomy detailed by scientists at University of Zurich.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research published in the Journal of Anatomy, "We present reconstructions of petrosal anatomy based on high-resolution X-ray computed tomography scans for the fossil mammal Necrolestes and for the marsupial mole Notoryctes...

Studies by R.A. Lazenby and co-authors describe new findings in anatomy.
February 4, 2009... "Variation in trabecular microarchitecture is widely accepted as being regulated by both functional (mechanical loading) and genetic parameters, although the relative influence of each is unclear. Studies reporting inter-site differences in...

Studies from C. Belentani and co-researchers in the area of anatomy published.
February 4, 2009... "The purpose of this cadaveric study was to describe the normal MR anatomy of the triceps brachii tendon (TBT) insertion, to correlate the findings with those seen in anatomic sections and histopathologic analysis, and to review triceps tendon...

University of Louisville details research in anatomy.(Report)
February 4, 2009... "This study provides a model of the complex deltoid origin and end tendons, as a basis for further anatomical, biomechanical and clinical research. Although the deltoid is used in transpositions with upper limb paralysis, its detailed...

Study results from Seoul National University in the area of anesthesia published.(Report)
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Seoul, South Korea, "We have conducted this study to investigate whether unilateral or bilateral spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine induces different sensitivity to intravenous (i.v.) midazolam for sedation. Forty-two...

New aneurysm research has been reported by J.F. Alen et al.(Report)
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Madrid, Spain, "In the past, several possible explanations for idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage (ISAH) have been proposed; however, neuroimaging studies have never provided conclusive data about the structural cause...

Researchers from University of Frankfurt detail new studies and findings in the area of aneurysm.
February 4, 2009... "To analyze the incidence and impact of an intracerebral hematoma (ICH) on treatment and outcome in patients with aneurysmal Subarachnoid hemorrhage. Data of 585 consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage from June 1999 to December 2005...

New angiofibromas study findings reported from F. Tosun and co-authors.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from Ankara, Turkey, "There are several studies addressing regression of residual nasopharyngeal angiofibroma after surgery, but spontaneous regression of this tumor has been reported in only 2 cases. We present a...

New angiology research reported from University of Tampere, Medical Department.
February 4, 2009... "The present study was designed to investigate the effects of estrogen receptor 2 gene (ESR2) rs1256049 polymorphism to carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT), as part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. The frequencies of...

New angiology study findings have been published by scientists at University Hospital.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Geneva, Switzerland, "A stenosis of the internal carotid artery may cause 10-20% of all ischemic strokes. Duplex ultrasound is the diagnostic cornerstone, and CT angiography or MR angiography may be used to confirm the...

New angiology study results reported from J.P. Li et al.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, "The objective was to study the relationships among the optic nerve, posterior paranasal sinuses, and ophthalmic artery. The identification of reliable anatomic...

Reports outline angiology study findings from Cambridge University.
February 4, 2009... "Ionizing radiation exposure is an inherent component of endovascular surgery. As procedures become more complex, greater radiation exposure is incurred by both staff and patient," scientists in Cambridge, the United Kingdom report (see also...

Research data from A.J. Wagner and colleagues update understanding of angiology.
February 4, 2009... In this recently published article, scientists in the United States conducted a study "To evaluate the scapular free flap based on the angular artery in complex head and neck reconstruction. Case series. A tertiary referral center." "A...

Studies from S.W. Robertson and colleagues provide new data on angiology.
February 4, 2009... In this recent report, researchers in the United States conducted a study "To examine the effects of swallowing and side-to-side head turning on stents in the internal carotid artery. Seven patients (4 men; mean age 76.9 years) who underwent...

Studies from F. Castriota and co-researchers in the area of angioplasty published.
February 4, 2009... In this recently published article, scientists in Cotignola, Italy conducted a study "To report a prospective feasibility study of Cutting Balloon angioplasty (CBA) applied in the predilation phase of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in highly...

Research from B.V. Patel and co-authors in the area of angiotensins published.(Report)
February 4, 2009... "Diuretics are recommended as initial treatment for hypertension. Several studies have suggested suboptimal persistence and adherence to thiazide diuretic monotherapy; this study compared patient persistence and adherence with...

Study findings from INSERM provide new insights into angiotensins.(Report)
February 4, 2009... "Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic emergent virus which replicates in cells that can express ABH histo-blood group antigens. The heavily glycosylated SARS-CoV spike (S) protein binds to...

New research on ankylosing spondylitis from C. Lukas and co-authors summarized.
February 4, 2009... In this recently published article, scientists in Netherlands conducted a study "To develop a new index for disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis (ASDAS) that is truthful, discriminative and feasible, and includes domains/items that are...

Reports outline ankylosing spondylitis study results from N. Cheng et al.(Report)
February 4, 2009... "The aim of this study was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the Chinese Han population," scientists in Shanghai,...

Data on anti-infectives reported by J. Teras and co-researchers.
February 4, 2009... "In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, multinational, controlled trial, 546 patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections received tigecycline 100 mg/day (a 100-mg initial dose and then 50 mg intravenously twice daily) or...

Scientists at Hebrew University target antibiotics.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Jerusalem, Israel, "It was recently reported that the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is a common mechanism of cell death induced by bactericidal antibiotics. Here we show that triggering the Escherichia...

Scientists at Sichuan University publish research in antibiotics.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Chengdu, People's Republic of China, "Hemoglobin is a precursor of antibacterial peptides. Our aim was to identify an antibacterial peptide in human endometrium." "We tested the antimicrobial activities of...

Scientists at University of Nairobi, Medical Department describe research in antibiotics.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research published in the journal Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, "Seven medicinal plant extracts traditionally used in Kenya, mainly for management of infectious conditions, were chosen and screened for their...

Research data from Oregon State University update understanding of antifungals.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "The antifungal agent validamycin A is an important crop protectant and the source of valienamine, the precursor of the antidiabetic drug voglibose." "Inactivation of the valN gene in...

Research from A. Dongo and co-researchers provides new data on antifungals.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Angers, France, "We have shown that the plant pathogen Alternaria brassicicola exhibited very high susceptibility to ambruticin VS4 and to a lesser extent to the phenylpyrrole fungicide fludioxonil. These compounds are...

Studies from R. Ells et al further understanding of antifungals.(Report)
February 4, 2009... "During Candida albicans infection, arachidonic acid (AA) is released from phospholipids of infected host cell membranes and used by C. albicans as the sole carbon source and for production of eicosanoids. AA can be incorporated into the...

Data on antimicrobials discussed by R.E. Mendes and colleagues.(Report)
February 4, 2009... "The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and dissemination of acquired carbapenem-hydrolysing class D beta-lactamase (class D carbapenemase)- and metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-encoding genes among Acinetobacter spp. isolates...

Research from C. Mutai and co-authors yields new data on antimicrobials.
February 4, 2009... "Acacia mellifera has been used widely in traditional African medicines against various diseases. Among the Kipsigis community of Kenya, water extracts from the plant is used for the treatment of skin diseases, coughs and gastrointestinal...

Researchers from Seoul National University report on findings in antimicrobials.
February 4, 2009... "The aim of the study was to determine the susceptibility of active and dormant cell populations from Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms to non-antibiotic antimicrobial agents such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide and silver ions in comparison with...

Study findings from University of Munich provide new insights into antimicrobials.
February 4, 2009... "To assess the antimicrobial efficacy of aqueous (1.25-20 mu g mL(-1)) and gaseous ozone (1-53 g m(-3)) as an alternative antiseptic against endodontic pathogens in suspension and a biofilm model. Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans,...

Study findings on antimicrobials are outlined in reports from K.R. Silva and colleagues.(Report)
February 4, 2009... "Kefir grains originate from the Caucasus region and are used for preparing beverages using sugar solution, milk, and fruit juice. As long as they are formed by a microbial consortium useful in the intestine, the produced drinks can be called...

New antiretrovirals data have been reported by scientists at University of Bordeaux.
February 4, 2009... "A randomized trial was launched in Cote d'Ivoire in 2002 to compare continuous antiretroviral treatment (hereafter, ''C-ART'') to an ART regimen of 2 months off and 4 months on therapy (hereafter, ''2/4-ART''). We report the final analysis,"...

Researchers at Uppsala University have published new data on anxiety disorders.
February 4, 2009... According to a study from Uppsala, Sweden, "Placebo may yield beneficial effects that are indistinguishable from those of active medication, but the factors underlying proneness to respond to placebo are widely unknown. Here, we used functional...

Studies from University of Florida have provided new data on anxiety disorders.
February 4, 2009... According to recent research from the United States, "This review considers recent research assessing psychophysiological reactivity to fear imagery in anxiety disorder patients. As in animal subjects, fear cues prompt in humans a state of...