MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'b cell'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:54:11 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592394&cid=t_195329_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-new-treatment-for-lupus%2F2011.03.15 Lupus, an autoimmune disease, [recently] turned up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). It cropped up, also, on the first page of the New York Times business section, and elsewhere. Scientific American published a nice online review just now. The reason is that the FDA has approved a new monoclonal antibody for treatment of this condition. The drug belimumab (Benlysta), targets a molecule called BlyS (B-lymphocyte Stimulator). The newspapers uniformly emphasize that this drug marks some sort of triumph for Human Genome Sciences, a biotech company that first reported on BlyS in the journal Science way back in 1999. BlyS triggers B cells to produce antibodies that in patients with lupus tend to bind and destroy their own cells’ needed machinery, causing various joint, lung... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592394 Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:00:36 +0100 4592394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549708&cid=t_195329_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwaldenstroms-macroglobulinemia%2F Pathophysiology 1) type of B-cell lymphoma 2) characterized by monoclonal proliferation of IgM and hyperviscosity syndrome Signs and Symptoms 1) lymphadenopathy 2) hepatosplenomegaly 3) dizziness 4) headache 5) peripheral neuropathy 6) deafness 7) ecchymoses and purpura (especially of the legs) 8) hemorrhagic infarct of fingers and toes 9) recurrent infections 10) visual problems and blindness 11) dilated retinal veins 12) coma Characteristic Test Findings Laboratory – 1) increased serum IgM 2) Bence Jones’ proteins in urine (kappa or alpha immunoglobulin light chains) 3) decreased factor 8 4) positive Coombs’ test Histology/Gross Pathology 1) cells are small lymphocytes with moderate cytoplasm, eccentric nuclei, and plasmacytoid differentiation 2) Dutcher’s bodies ... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549708 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 06:13:45 +0100 4549708 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287685&cid=t_195329_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fburkitts-lymphoma%2F Pathophysiology 1) type of B cell lymphoma 2) occurs in an “endemic” form in equatorial Africa and Papua New Guinea and a “sporadic form” in the rest of the world Signs and Symptoms 1) sporadic – onset is usually in adolescence or early adulthood and sites affected are usually abdominal 2) endemic – onset is usually by age 7 years and sites affected are the abdomen and jaw (usually) 3) metastases occur to the CNS Histology/Gross Pathology 1) small, noncleaved cell with round to oval nucleus 2) high mitotic rate 3) “starry sky” pattern Associated Conditions 1) endemic – strongly associated with infection with EBV 2) 1,000 times increased incidence in HIV 3) tumor lysis syndrome and related hyperuricemia, lactic acidosis, hyperkalemia, an... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287685 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:57:46 +0100 3287685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2966800&cid=t_195329_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Febna-2.html Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-2 (EBNA-2) plays a key role in B-cell growth transformation by initiating and maintaining the proliferation of infected B-cells upon EBV infection in vitro. EBNA-2 is one of the first viral genes expressed after virus infection. By activating viral as well as cellular target genes EBNA-2 initiates the transcription of a cascade of primary and secondary target genes, which eventually govern the activation of the resting B-cell, cell cycle entry and proliferation of the growth transformed cells. The growth transformed B-cells exhibit a phenotype reminiscent of antigen activated B-cells. In addition, EBNA-2's anti-apoptotic activities protect the infected B-cell. The multiple mechanisms by which EBNA-2 exerts its function are reflected by the association of ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2966800 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:21:00 +0100 2966800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2741099&cid=t_195329_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2Fk58Ma4Y2Mlk%2F The immune response to viral infection comprises innate and adaptive defenses. The innate response, which we have discussed previously, functions continuously in a normal host without exposure to any virus. Most viral infections are controlled by the innate immune system. However, if viral replication outpaces innate defenses, the adaptive response must be mobilized. The adaptive defense consists of antibodies and lymphocytes, often called the humoral response and the cell mediated response. The term ‘adaptive’ refers to the differentiation of self from non-self, and the tailoring of the response to the particular foreign invader. The ability to shape the response in a virus-specific manner depends upon communication between the innate and adaptive systems. This communication i... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2741099 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:00:11 +0100 2741099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1668810&cid=t_195329_136_f&fid=36162&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myelomablog.com%2F2008%2F07%2F30%2Fhow-molecules-out-of-balance-lead-to-human-multiple-myeloma-and-other-cancers%2F ScienceDaily (2008-07-28) — An international team of scientists has identified processes that are heavily implicated in human multiple myeloma and other B cell cancers, moving us closer to developing quick tests and readouts that could help in the tailored treatment of patients. “We already know that the over-expression or mutation of molecules known as NIK and TRAF3 in B cells is associated with human multiple myeloma,” said Professor Mackay. “Our collaborative research uncovered two distinct processes involving these molecules that help explain why.” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080729133616.htm (Source: beth's myeloma blog) beth's myeloma blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1668810 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:16:09 +0100 1668810