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 'gene'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:53:02 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159670&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F22%2Fparp-inhibitor-olaparib-has-activity-in-high-grade-serous-ovarian-cancer-without-inherited-brca1-or-brca2-gene-mutations%2F Researchers affiliated with the British Columbia Cancer Agency reported Phase 2 clinical study results indicating that advanced ovarian cancer, with and without germline (inherited) BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutations, responded to treatment with the PARP inhibitor olaparib. The Phase 2 study results were published online in the August 21 edition of The Lancet [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159670 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 18:39:54 +0100 5159670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140181&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F18%2Fu-k-researchers-launch-clinical-trial-of-mercaptopurine-6-mp-in-women-with-hereditary-breast-and-ovarian-cancer%2F A Cancer Research UK-funded clinical trial of a new drug for patients with advanced breast or ovarian cancer due to inherited BRCA gene mutations has been launched at the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre at the University of Oxford. A Cancer Research UK-funded trial of a new drug for patients with advanced breast or ovarian cancer [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140181 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:07:56 +0100 5140181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140183&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F17%2Fpenns-genetically-modified-t-cells-create-antitumor-effect-in-mice-with-folate-positive-ovarian-cancer-clinical-trial-pending%2F In a recent issue of Cancer Research, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania showed for the first time that engineered human T cells can eradicate deadly human ovarian cancer in immune-deficient mice. A clinical trial involving the modified T cells is expected to be announced within the next few months. In a recent issue of Cancer Research, Daniel [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140183 Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:50:23 +0100 5140183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125923&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F12%2Ffda-approves-clinical-protocol-for-additional-phase-1-study-of-tkm-plk1-in-primary-liver-cancer-or-liver-metastases%2F The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the clinical protocol for an additional Phase 1 study of TKM-PLK1 in patients with either primary liver cancer or liver metastases associated with select cancers including ovarian. RNA Interference Nucleic acids are molecules that carry genetic information and include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). Together these [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125923 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:03:27 +0100 5125923 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118924&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F11%2Fgene-transfer-therapy-destroys-tumors-in-chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-patients-holds-promise-for-ovarian-cancer%2F Penn researchers have shown sustained remissions of up to a year among a small group of advanced chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients treated with genetically engineered versions of their own T-cells. This genetically-modified “serial killer” T-cell approach could provide a tumor-attack roadmap for the treatment of lung and ovarian cancer, myeloma and melanoma as well. [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118924 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:11:37 +0100 5118924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103482&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F05%2Fin-depth-review-the-cancer-genome-atlas-reports-on-landmark-analysis-of-high-grade-serous-ovarian-cancer%2F An analysis of genomic changes in high grade serous ovarian cancer provides the most comprehensive and integrated view of cancer genes for any cancer type to date. Ovarian serous adenocarcinoma tumors from 489 patients were examined by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network and its analyses are reported in the June 30, 2011 issue [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103482 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:24:26 +0100 5103482 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5057704&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F008193.html What's important here is the meta. A number of drugs can help lower dangerously high cholesterol, but as many as half a million people worldwide are resistant to existing therapies. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of therapies using RNA, aims to begin human tests of a treatment that could make a drastic dent in drug-resistant high cholesterol. Another drug for lowering cholesterol is not so important in the long run. What is at stake: If an RNA drug can work then that opens the door to a huge number of highly effective drugs that can do things that conventional chemical compound drugs can never do. An RNA drug delivers more information and can alter the cell's execution of... (Source: FuturePundit) FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5057704 Sat, 23 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5057704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050471&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F008191.html Rabbits the world over are celebrating the good news that a gene therapy for rabbits prevents clogging up of arteries. Rats and mice seethe in jealousy and resentment. A one-dose method for delivering gene therapy into an arterial wall effectively protects the artery from developing atherosclerosis despite ongoing high blood cholesterol. The promising results, published July 19 in the journal Molecular Therapy, came from research in rabbits. The gene therapy turns on a protein thought to be involved in delivering the benefits of high HDL blood cholesterol. The deployed gene produces a protein that is likely responsible for the beneficial effects of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, commonly known as good cholesterol. This substance is apolipoprotein A-1, or apoA-1. It pumps... (Source: Fut... FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050471 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5050471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4975123&cid=t_104700_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FafmmTOiAVac%2F Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Dickson Despommier Vincent, Alan, and Dickson discuss the reduction in genome size of Mimivirus upon passage in amoeba, and analysis of the microbiome of honeybees. Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV #139 (96 MB .mp3, 80 minutes). Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, by email, or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Links for this episode: Mimivirus genome reduction after amoebal culture (PNAS) Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes database Analysis of the honey bee microbiome (PLoS One) The colony-collapse blues (TWiV 104) Blessed are the beekeepers (Wall Street Journal) TWiV on Facebook Letters read on TWiV 139 Weekly Science Picks Alan – Life Before the Dinos... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4975123 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:18:27 +0100 4975123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902644&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F04%2F2011-asco-women-with-brca-gene-mutations-can-take-hormone-replacement-therapy-safely-after-ovary-removal%2F Women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which are linked to a very high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, can safely take hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) to mitigate menopausal symptoms after surgical removal of their ovaries, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Women with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, which are linked [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902644 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 20:16:50 +0100 4902644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893810&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F03%2F2011-asco-matching-targeted-therapies-to-specific-tumor-gene-mutations-key-to-personalized-cancer-treatment%2F Customizing targeted therapies to each tumor’s molecular characteristics, instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach by tumor type, may be more effective for some types of cancer, according to research presented today at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. In patients with end-stage disease, matched patients achieved a 27% [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893810 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:36:14 +0100 4893810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841887&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F19%2Fasco-2011-maintenance-therapy-with-parp-inhibitors-could-play-important-role-in-treatment-of-recurrent-ovarian-cancer%2F A randomized phase II clinical trial showed that the oral PARP inhibitor drug olaparib (AZD2281), given after chemotherapy, improved progression-free survival in women with the most common type of recurrent ovarian cancer. ASCO Releases Studies From Upcoming Annual Meeting – Important Advances in Targeted Therapies, Screening, and Personalized Medicine The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841887 Thu, 19 May 2011 18:03:58 +0100 4841887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4723963&cid=t_104700_109_f&fid=38953&url=http%3A%2F%2Frileyjennifer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fgene-therapy-for-depression.html This recent article looks at a novel way of treating depression through gene therapy. The study was done on mice and the investigators were able to both cause and treat depression like symptoms (motivation).“Because retroviral vectors are thought to insert themselves at random positions in the host genome, insertional mutagenesis as a potential risk of retroviral gene therapy has been debated for some years…The manipulations needed to create genetic therapy add enormous complexity to considerations of safety and preclinical toxicity testing.”http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMp020184According to this recent opinion article, there have been recent attempts to find safer viral vectors, but that has yet to be discovered.Risks associated with gene therapy include negative immune res... Psych Scamp blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4723963 Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:38:00 +0100 4723963 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570546&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhat-to-do-about-fever%2F2011.03.10 Fever is often a part of life as a parent, particularly with young children in the winter time (read: six to 10 colds a year is the norm.) Although I sincerely don’t like it and do feel naturally uneasy when my boys have a fever, as a pediatrician I know to take fever as one of many symptoms they develop when responding to infection. I certainly use medications like Tylenol when my boys are feverish, refusing to eat, punked out, and exhausted. Thing is, it works! And often they respond beautifully, bouncing back, regaining energy, and improving their fluid intake and appetite. But I don’t treat every fever they have and I don’t recommend you run for the medicine cabinet when you feel that warm forehead. It’s not necessary to treat every fever. And it’s certainly not ideal to trea... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570546 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:00:26 +0100 4570546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433289&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F03%2Ffda-awards-1-6m-orphan-drug-grant-for-clinical-phase-ii-development-of-egen-001-for-treatment-of-ovarian-cancer%2F EGEN, Inc. announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarded the company a four-year grant of $1.6 million to assist in the phase II clinical development of EGEN-001, the company’s lead product. EGEN-001 is under clinical development for the treatment of advanced recurrent ovarian cancer. EGEN, Inc. announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433289 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:52:52 +0100 4433289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450453&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fcoriell-and-osu-integrate-gwas-into-emr.html Ok, so enough with the acronyms.....I am back and will be blogging more often again. So for those who still lurked around, tell the others that the Howard Stern of Genomics is back. I took a social networking holiday for a solid 2 months, plus the addition of having my practice change quite a bit after my USA Today and follow ups in the local papers.....Today I want to announce that Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative and Ohio State University will be using data from an arm of the CPMC and OSU to integrate genetic risk data into the medical record.Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't know of anyone else doing this exact same thing.Ideally they will also continue to roll things in like PGx data. (I know this data will be coming soon)By integrating things like Plavix response, you c... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450453 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 02:04:00 +0100 4450453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399450&cid=t_104700_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fuk-scientists-isolate-gene-cancer-spread%2F Dr. Andrew Chantry and his team have isolated the gene that they claim allows a cancer to become metastatic and spread throughout the body. The gene, known as WWP2, appears to be involved in virtually all cancer spread. The research article is appearing in the journal Oncogene. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399450 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:29:54 +0100 4399450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4361071&cid=t_104700_109_f&fid=34752&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPsychsplash%2F%7E3%2FlpNJ0F7ljeY%2F URL: http://www.findingbalance.com/ Our Mission is to remove the stigma surrounding eating and body image issues, promote prevention, and empower those who struggle to find a Christ-centered path to freedom. For: Anyone, Anyone, ConsumersTopics: Abnormal, Anger, Child and Adolescent, Clinical Psychology, Emotional Health, Family Therapy, General Psychology, Life, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Parenting, Pediatric Depression, Behaviour Management, Clinical Psychology, Depression, Eating Disorders, General Psychology, Life, Lifestyle, Physical Health, Self-help, Treatment PlanningFeatures: Advertising, Articles, Books, Collaborative News, Group Management, Information, Links, Articles, Clinical Tools, Collaborative News, Commentary and Blogs, Community and Social Networking, Conferences, Group M... PsychSplash blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4361071 Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:00:42 +0100 4361071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4349659&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F14%2Fcaris-life-sciences-launches-molecular-profiling-service-for-ovarian-cancer-patients%2F Caris Life Sciences announces the launch of a new molecular profiling service for ovarian cancer patients Caris Life Sciences, Inc. (Caris), a leading biosciences company focused on enabling precise and personalized healthcare through the highest quality anatomic pathology, molecular profiling, and blood-based diagnostic services, announced the launch of a new, Caris Target Now™ molecular profile [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4349659 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:11:53 +0100 4349659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314006&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhenrietta-lacks-and-her-immortal-cells%2F2011.01.05 If you like science, true history, and an engaging story, pick up the new book by journalist Rebecca Skloot, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” and prepare for a great read. I knew nothing about the young black woman whose cells were taken back in 1951 by a scientist at Johns Hopkins Hospital and how those cells have revolutionized modern cell biology and research. The HeLa (named after HEnrietta LAcks) cells were taken as she lay dying on the “colored” ward at Johns Hopkins Hospital of aggressive cervical cancer at age 30. Everyone who studies basic cell biology has heard of HeLa cells because they were the first human cell line to be successfully grown in culture and they are alive today. HeLa cells were sent to researchers all across the globe and have been... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314006 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4314006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4302898&cid=t_104700_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fcreating-something-out-of-nothing.html Society takes great pride in depicting business barons as being role models of success. They are revered as "wealth creators" and admired in a capitalistic society.However, in reality, many of these businessmen are just traders . They do not actually create anything - they just accumulate money. While it's great to be rich, all they have done is merely transfer assets from others into their pocket, without creating anything new.The real creators are the creative artists, who actually produce something out of nothing. However, while it's true that a work of music is a piece of art, this is a luxury which only affluential societies can afford to indulge in !The true creators are the farmers ! Unfortunately, most of us have never been to a farm, so it's hard to remember what a miracle growing... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4302898 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 03:33:00 +0100 4302898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300551&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fremembering-gene-goldwasser-discoverer-of-epo-a-cure-for-anemia%2F2010.12.30 Gene Goldwasser died last week. He was 88, and he was my friend. I wrote previously about a series of conversations I conducted with Gene and Rabbi A.J. Wolf a few years ago. I met Gene one spring day after calling to invite him to sit in on a class I was teaching to a small group of medical students about social issues in healthcare. I’d read about him in a book called “The $800 Million Pill,” by Merrill Goozner. In the book, Goozner writes the story of Gene’s two-decade hunt to isolate the hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Part of the story relates how Gene tried to interest traditional big pharma companies in his discovery, only to be brushed aside. Instead, Gene wound up sharing his discovery with what became Amgen. The company went on to make a windfall from recomb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300551 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:00:00 +0100 4300551 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4298767&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F29%2Fuh-biochemist-works-to-revolutionize-ovarian-cancer-treatment-by-unleashing-the-power-of-micrornas-nanotechnology%2F The day when an ovarian cancer patient can treat her tumor with a single, painless pill instead of a toxic drug cocktail is the ultimate goal of the pioneering research of a University of Houston (UH) scientist.  Preethi Gunaratnee, assistant professor in the department of biology and biochemistry, is studying a class of tiny genetic [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4298767 Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:01:17 +0100 4298767 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285301&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2FrYtx4OOtgDY%2F Though a bit cliche, I think the metaphor of “presents under the tree” of some new plant pathogen genomes summarized in 4 recent publications is still too good to resist.  There are 4 papers in this week’s Science that will certainly make a collection of plant pathogen biologists very happy. There are also treats for the general purpose genome biologists with descriptions of next generation/2nd generation sequencing technologies, assembly methods, and comparative genomics. Much more inside these papers than I am summarizing so I urge you to take look if you have access to these pay-for-view articles or contact the authors for reprints to get a copy. These include the genome of biotrophic oomycete and Arabidopsis pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis (Baxter et al). Wh... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285301 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:11:50 +0100 4285301 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4265682&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJr_njfecfxQ%2F By David RittgersThe House passed a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) yesterday, and it appears that the Senate will take up the measure sometime next week. Good. DADT should end. I’ve said so, and debated the issue with repeal opponent Stuart Koehl (posts 1, 2, 3, and 4). Most servicemembers I know (appropriate disclaimer here) already have a mindset of Don’t Ask, Don’t Care, and its time for official policy to catch up. We should note that a legislative effort is the right way to change the current policy. DADT is based on a law – 10 U.S.C. § 654 – enacted with the FY1994 National Defense Authorization Act. Some have argued (and here, and here) that President Obama could stop enforcing DADT by executive order. The President does have control over enlisted separations ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4265682 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:40:28 +0100 4265682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4251110&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhumans-and-food-why-we-love-ice-cream%2F2010.12.11 Scientists know that our perceptions about taste and texture drive our food preferences. They know quite a lot about the role of taste in this regard, and the results of some recent experiments have shed new light on the role of texture as well, particularly as it relates to foods containing starch. Starch is a major component of potatoes, rice, corn, wheat and the enormous variety of foods derived from them. It is also added to many other products from maple syrup to pudding. In fact, starch accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the calorie content in the average Western diet, and more than that in many Asian and third-world diets.  Humans begin digesting starch in the mouth, where the salivary glands secrete an enzyme known as amylase. This enzyme breaks down starch and other complex carboh... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4251110 Sat, 11 Dec 2010 14:00:13 +0100 4251110 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230162&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-new-superbug%2F2010.12.04 Scientists have discovered a new, highly-transmissible gene that could, quite easily in fact, open a frightening new front in the ongoing global war against superbugs. The antibiotic-resistant gene, NDM-1, was first identified in 2008 a Swedish patient that had received hospital care in New Delhi. NDM-1 produces an enzyme that allows bacteria to destroy most antibiotics. It exists on plasmids, which are pieces of genetic material that are easily shared between bacteria including E coli and other species that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and blood stream infections. NDM-1 probably evolved in parts of India where poor sanitation and overutilization of antibiotics provide a perfect environment for the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The gene has been identified i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230162 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 15:00:17 +0100 4230162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4205935&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbiological-cinematography-animating-the-cells-of-life%2F2010.11.27 The New York Times published an article (with VIDEO) about molecular animators, scientists who can visualize the microscopic segments of life in a professional way: If there is a Steven Spielberg of molecular animation, it is probably Drew Berry, a cell biologist who works for the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, Australia. Mr. Berry’s work is revered for artistry and accuracy within the small community of molecular animators, and has also been shown in museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. In 2008, his animations formed the backdrop for a night of music and science at the Guggenheim Museum called “Genes and Jazz.” “Scientists have always done pictures to explain their ideas, but now we’re discov... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4205935 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 15:00:29 +0100 4205935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4175920&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F16%2Fdana-farber-researchers-oncomap-the-way-to-personalized-treatment-for-ovarian-cancer%2F Researchers have shown that point mutations – mis-spellings in a single letter of genetic code – that drive the onset and growth of cancer cells can be detected successfully in advanced ovarian cancer using a technique called OncoMap. The finding opens the way for personalized medicine in which every patient could have their tumor screened, [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4175920 Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:24:47 +0100 4175920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4159429&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F11%2F11%2Fnew-assay-test-predicts-that-50-of-ovarian-cancers-will-respond-to-in-vitro-parp-inhibition%2F U.K. researchers develop a new test that could be used to select ovarian cancer patients who will benefit from a new class of drugs called “PARP inhibitors.” U.K. researchers have developed a new test that could be used to select which patients with ovarian cancer will benefit from a new class of drugs called “PARP [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4159429 Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:19:19 +0100 4159429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4155341&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fconsumer-genetic-testing-for-heart.html Here are the top ten reasons why in its current state, direct to consumer or otherwise, genomic testing for cardiovascular disease risk is dead in the water 1. Family History Risk paints a far better picture and IT IS FREE2. Reynolds and Framingham risk paint a more accurate picture3. An independent panel has reviewed 58 variants, 29 genes, and gave the thumbs down.4. The highest increased risk from any of these tests is 30%, Fam Hx can be as high as 500%5. Kif6 was just shot down as a useful marker.6. Clinical Utility has not been evaluated in ANY of these tests. 7. Spit Parties don't lower cholesterol8. The FDA is hunting down these type of crazy claims!9 . Topol's heart attack gene didn't pan out, why would these?10. A recent 23 gene panel failed to make the grade as well.Let me be crys... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4155341 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:50:00 +0100 4155341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4142712&cid=t_104700_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fsessile-serrated-colon-polyps-part-1-2%2F Sessile serrated colon polyps (aka sessile serrated adenomas) are polyps that have mixed hyperplastic and adenomatous components and are considered premalignant lesions. Carcinomas originating from these polyps have high microsatellite instability secondary to a hypermethylation process of the MLH1 gene, which results in DNA mismatch repair. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4142712 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 06:35:13 +0100 4142712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4117955&cid=t_104700_146_f&fid=38266&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsleepeducation.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fsleepy-gene-worsens-effects-of-sleep.html (Source: Sleep Education) Sleep Education blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4117955 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:01:00 +0100 4117955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119475&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Ffor-personalized-medicine-cpmc-is-gold.html Ok,So I just wrapped up a meeting with some, well, nearly all of the most brilliant minds in Pharmacogenomics. Where was I? Yes, on the cover of USA Today's life section.....But where was I really?Conference? No.VC event? No.I was at the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC) Pharmacogenomics Advisory Group meeting.Yes, that sleepy 'Ol Cell Line joint in Camden New Jersey.I am certain you all know about the CPMC now. But in case you have been sleeping. Coriell is climbing the mountain, gaining collaborators, building camps. They are essentially doing all the hard work of study analysis so that you don't have to.Brilliant if you ask me. Who in the world has the time or money to cull data, looking for important findings?Google funded "projects", Academic Programs and Not For Prof... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119475 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 02:43:00 +0100 4119475 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060087&cid=t_104700_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_twiv%2Fwww.twiv.tv%2FTWiV102.flv Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Andrew Baker, Karl-Klaus Conzelmann, Peter Palese, and Katharina Eisenächer Episode #102 of the podcast This Week in Virology is a conversation about the RNA sensor RIG-I, adenovirus gene therapy, a universal influenza vaccine, and rabies virus, recorded in Munich, Germany at the SFB455 symposium ‘Viral offense and immune defense’. Download TWiV #102 (67 MB .mp3, 95 minutes) Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email, or listen on your mobile device with Stitcher Radio. Links for this episode: SFB455 Symposium scientific program Letters read on TWiV 102 Virologists having fun (YouTube video) Video of this episode – view below or download .mov (394 MB) or .wmv (506 MB) Weekly Science Picks... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060087 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:06:02 +0100 4060087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013319&cid=t_104700_113_f&fid=39278&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogsite.mdbuyline.com%2F%3Fp%3D29 One very exciting but rarely talked about technology is the identification of the P450 gene to predict drug compatibility and dosage.  Now being studied in a breath-based format, it will make testing cheaper and quicker.   But why should we care? I just read an article that discussed how over $3.5 billion of adverse drug events accrued in hospital alone can be avoided.  That’s almost $7 million for every hospital in the U.S!  According to the CFOs I speak with, that’s more than enough savings to become a focal point in any budget or safety meeting. A recent article stated, “Genetic testing of the P450 gene is a relatively simple test that will help doctors determine how a patient will react to dosage amounts.  This test may help determine how effective or dangerous a drug m... MD Buyline blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013319 Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:07:58 +0100 4013319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946452&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fjamas-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-article-getting-the-facts-straight%2F2010.09.08 Journalist Andrew Holtz has been a colleague for longer than probably either one of us wants to remember. He is currently one of our story reviewers on HealthNewsReview.org. In fact, he was one of the reviewers on four stories we analyzed last week on the same study. He thought there were some important take-home messages that rose above the walls of our formal systematic review, so he wrote this guest blog post, and we thank him for it: The Sept. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association included an article that is likely to have a strong influence on the advice given to women who have a very high risk of breast and ovarian cancer linked to mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Of the four stories we reviewed, only the AP report scored well on our review criteria. I kno... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946452 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:00:38 +0100 3946452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3933264&cid=t_104700_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FY1mPWKn66W4%2F Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we’ll share with it others. That’s right. Send us your announcements and we’ll find a home for them. Don’t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is something that’s become a regular feature. Send us a photo and we will spotlight a different person each week. This time around, we note that PRTM hired Sidney Mazel as executive vp of transaction services for the health care business group. He will manage acquisition, divestiture and integration services for biopharma, device, health care service and private ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3933264 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:04:33 +0100 3933264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3913104&cid=t_104700_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fpromising-melanoma-drug-tested%2F A drug against melanoma being described by researchers as “phenomenal” is one step closer to being widely available to patients after results of an early study were released two days ago. The gene therapy drug acts against the BRAF protein that causes skin cells to abnormally replicate. Dr Keith Flaherty of the Developmental Therapeutics Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Lynn Schuchter at the University of Pennsylvania took part in the study and comment. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3913104 Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:14:41 +0100 3913104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858094&cid=t_104700_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fmedical-tourists-risk-spreading-superbug-bacteria-resistant-antibiotics%2F Medical tourists to India and Pakistan are being blamed for the international spread of bacteria that carry the NDM-1 gene that is easily passed between bacteria and that allow them to become resistant to almost all antibiotics. Dr. Anders Ekblom of AstraZeneca comments. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858094 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:39:36 +0100 3858094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833424&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsocial-drinking-is-it-in-your-genes%2F2010.08.07 Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, published a very interesting paper focusing on the genetic background of social drinking. Specific gene variants might increase the risk for extensive alcohol use or abuse when spending time with heavy-drinking peers. An excerpt from Medical News Today: Drinking alcohol increases levels of dopamine –- a brain chemical that causes pleasure and makes us feel good. The dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) has been shown to be involved in motivation of seeking out rewards. Research has suggested that carrying a specific form (or variant) of this gene –- one that includes seven or more repeats of a certain section of the gene –- may be associated with craving caused by alcohol-related cues. Psychological scientist ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833424 Sat, 07 Aug 2010 18:00:34 +0100 3833424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816657&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F03%2Flargest-study-matching-genomes-to-potential-anticancer-treatments-releases-initial-results%2F The largest study to correlate genetics with response to anticancer drugs released its first results on July 15. The researchers behind the study, based at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, describe in this initial dataset the responses of 350 cancer samples (including ovarian cancer) to 18 anticancer therapeutics. U.K.–U.S. [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816657 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:43:59 +0100 3816657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790886&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F26%2Fyale-identifies-kras-gene-variant-in-ovarian-cancer-patients-with-non-brca-family-history-of-breastovarian-cancer%2F A team of Yale researchers have identified a genetic marker that can help predict the risk of developing ovarian cancer, a hard to detect and often deadly form of cancer. A team of Yale researchers have identified a genetic marker that can help predict the risk of developing ovarian cancer, a hard to detect and [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790886 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:00:00 +0100 3790886 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3764269&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F18%2Fchallenges-of-enriched-environment-significantly-curb-cancer-growth-in-mice%2F Living in an environment rich with physical, mental and social stimulation – a setting that causes mild stress – appears by itself to curb cancer growth in mice, according to a new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3764269 Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:32:50 +0100 3764269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3762903&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwill-science-succeed-with-an-anti-aging-revolution%2F2010.07.17 Wouldn’t it be great if we could find a way to prolong our lives and to keep us healthy right up to the end? Ponce de León never found that Fountain of Youth, but science is still looking. What are the chances science will succeed? How’s it doing so far? In his new book The Youth Pill: Scientists at the Brink of an Anti-Aging Revolution, David Stipp tries to answer those questions. From the title of the book, I expected hype about resveratrol or some other miracle pill, but instead it is a nuanced, levelheaded, entertaining, informative account of the history and current state of longevity research. It makes that research come alive by telling stories about the people involved, the failures and setbacks, and the agonizingly slow process of teasing out the truth with a series of experi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3762903 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 12:00:59 +0100 3762903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743644&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2FqAGH5CCKq5k%2F I am excited to announce the publication of another mushroom genome this week. The mushroom Schizophyllum commune is an important model system for mushroom biology, development of genome was sequenced as part of efforts at the Joint Genome Institute and a collection of international researchers.  The data and analyses from these efforts are presented in a publication appearing in Nature Biotechnology today. Studies in mushrooms can have important impact on other research areas.  They can be useful in biotechnology as protein biosynthesis factories for producing compounds or even as an edible delivery mechanism for new drugs.  What we found in the analysis of this genome include clues to mechanisms of how white rotting fungi degrade lignin through analysis of enzyme families.  We also ... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743644 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:12:10 +0100 3743644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740787&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F09%2Fesmo-clinical-practice-guidelines-regarding-brca-gene-mutations-ovarian-cancer-supportive-cancer-care%2F The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) is the leading European professional organization committed to advancing the specialty of medical oncology, and promoting a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment and care. …  The ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines include coverage of  (i) BRCA gene mutations in breast and ovarian cancer, (ii) gynecologic tumors, and (iii) supportive [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740787 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:27:51 +0100 3740787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726742&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F05%2Fucl-scientists-discover-how-to-switch-on-critical-ovarian-cancer-protector-gene-arrest-tumor-growth%2F A new University College London study reveals that a gene [EPB41L3] which normally protects against ovarian cancer is switched off in 66% of ovarian cancer cases and switching it back on arrests tumor growth. A new University College London study reveals that a gene which normally protects against ovarian cancer is switched off in 66% [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726742 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:58:27 +0100 3726742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3726782&cid=t_104700_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fasian-alcoholism-genetics%2F New Findings on Asian Alcohol-Protection Gene Only certain East Asian populations have a high prevalence of a gene that protects against alcohol over-consumption, and researchers speculate that some event must have occurred over the past few thousand years to make this genetic protection advantageous, Reuters reported. Yale University researchers said that unknown environmental factors are the likely cause for the prevalence of the ADH1B*47His gene variant among some Asian populations, but not others. The gene causes rapid metabolism of alcohol into acetaldehyde, a chemical that produces hangovers, flushing, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms that make even moderate drinking a poor experience. Researchers found that the gene variant was very prevalent in East Asia, fairly common in West ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3726782 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:27:00 +0100 3726782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718107&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fplant-viral-vectors.html%23unique-entry-id-152 for Protein Expressionfrom Yuri Y. Gleba and Anatoli Giritch writing in Recent Advances in Plant VirologyPlant-virus-driven transient expression of heterologous proteins is the basis of several mature manufacturing processes that are currently being used for the production of multiple proteins including vaccine antigens and antibodies. Viral vectors have also become useful tools for research. In recent years, advances have been made both in the development of first-generation vectors (those that employ the 'full virus' strategy) as well as second-generation vectors designed using the 'deconstructed virus' approach. This second strategy relies on Agrobacterium as a vector to deliver DNA copies of one or more viral RNA replicons. Among the most often used viral backbones are those of Tobacc... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718107 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3718107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710720&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2FHmUqNNb51wE%2F I’ll indulge a bit here to happily to point to the cover of this week’s PNAS with an image of Coprinopsis cinerea mushrooms fruiting referring to our article on the genome sequence of this important model fungus.  You should also enjoy the commentary article from John Taylor and Chris Ellison that provides a summary of some of the high points in the paper. Stajich, J., Wilke, S., Ahren, D., Au, C., Birren, B., Borodovsky, M., Burns, C., Canback, B., Casselton, L., Cheng, C., Deng, J., Dietrich, F., Fargo, D., Farman, M., Gathman, A., Goldberg, J., Guigo, R., Hoegger, P., Hooker, J., Huggins, A., James, T., Kamada, T., Kilaru, S., Kodira, C., Kues, U., Kupfer, D., Kwan, H., Lomsadze, A., Li, W., Lilly, W., Ma, L., Mackey, A., Manning, G., Martin, F., Muraguchi, H., Natvig, D.,... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710720 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:35:11 +0100 3710720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3702851&cid=t_104700_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_twiv%2Fwww.twiv.tv%2FTWiV088.mp3 Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Marc Pelletier On episode #88 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent, Alan, and Marc discuss using a virus for beetle control, RNA based gene therapy for AIDS, and reconstitution of a endogenous human retrovirus. This episode is sponsored by Data Robotics Inc. Use the promotion code TWIVPOD to receive $75-$500 off a Drobo. To enter a drawing to receive 50% off the manufacturers suggested retail price of a Drobo S or FS at drobostore.com, fill out the questionnaire here. Download TWiV #88 (68 MB .mp3, 91 minutes) Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email, or listen on your mobile device with Stitcher Radio. Links for this episode: Controlling the palm rhinoceros beetle with a virus The viro... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3702851 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:03:35 +0100 3702851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695741&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fno-more-23andme-blog-posts-sherpa-has.html I am absolutely done talking about 23andMe.Yes, you have heard correctly.That doesn't mean I will stop watching what they are doing.It means that I have coerced them into doing what's right. For now. From the very beginning 23andMe had potential, heck Dr. Jeremiah Mahoney told me they came up to Yale to see them.They must have not liked what Yale said, because they went further up the line and partnered with George Church.Well, they def. didn't like what I had to say.I had even conjectured about DTCG and what this landscape may look like and even warn about the shortcomings, I had been pointing all of you to SACGHS to watch where this regulatory environment may go. The environment was heated with these companies going in.So I knew I had to pay attention to what they were doing, especially ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695741 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:41:00 +0100 3695741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691022&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2FMmHPW-7YeJU%2F There are several databases that include orthology prediction for fungi. These all have pros and cons. Some are more comprehensive and have many more species. Some are curated orthologies and paralogy which should be pretty stable. Some are automated and groupings and ortholog group IDs change at each iteration. A phylogenetic approach from a Saccharomyces perspective is at PhylomeDB. Fungal Orthogroups is based on Synergy algorithm from I. Wapinski formerly of the Regev group at the Broad Institutue. Yeast gene order browser (YGOB) for Saccharomyces spp and CGOB for Candida spp. OrthoMCL database based on whole genomes, not a ton of fungi but useful starting set. Ensembl Genomes provides ortholog prediction as part of the Compara pipeline though there is a limited phylogenetic diversity ... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691022 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:13:09 +0100 3691022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695817&cid=t_104700_151_f&fid=35805&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ftwelvestepfacilitation%2FwAgT%2F%7E3%2FUUeQOwQ1cyQ%2F New Findings on Asian Alcohol-Protection Gene Only certain East Asian populations have a high prevalence of a gene that protects against alcohol over-consumption, and researchers speculate that some event must have occurred over the past few thousand years to make this genetic protection advantageous, Reuters reported. Yale University researchers said that unknown environmental factors are the likely cause for the prevalence of the ADH1B*47His gene variant among some Asian populations, but not others. The gene causes rapid metabolism of alcohol into acetaldehyde, a chemical that produces hangovers, flushing, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms that make even moderate drinking a poor experience. Researchers found that the gene variant was very prevalent in East Asia, fairly common in West ... Twelve Step Facilitation.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695817 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 06:18:17 +0100 3695817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671766&cid=t_104700_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Ftriple_punch_gene_therapy_for_aids_patients_clears_its_first_safety_test_in_humans.php © 1Droid JamLosA triple punch gene therapy has cleared its first safety test in humans as it gives human stem cells three ways to defy HIV. Four AIDS patients were injected with these cells and they tolerated the treatment and for up to two years, the cells produced anti HIV weapons. Researchers are optimistic that after further clinical trials, combination therapy can replace or complement anti-retroviral drugs for treatment of HIV patients. The trial piggybacked on a standard treatment where AIDS patients were ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671766 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:13:46 +0100 3671766 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3607816&cid=t_104700_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F5EI31TVBif4%2F And so another week will soon draw to a close, although it will be a longer-than-usual weekend on this side of the pond. Have any interesting plans? So many choices, we know. Our own agenda includes walking the Pharmalot mascot, driving through the countryside, quaffing beverages with Mrs. Pharmalot and keeping the short and not-so-short people amused (wish us luck). Whatever you do, we hope you have a grand time. Meanwhile, here are a few items to help you speed through the day. Have a good one and see you soon… Amgen’s Prolia Osteoporosis Drug Wins EU Approval (PharmaTimes) Teva Stops Making The Propofol Sedative (Reuters) Daiichi Sankyo Is Confident About Resolving Ranbaxy Ban (Bloomberg News) Breast Cancer Patients Win Right To Sue Wyeth (Canadian Broadcasting) AstraZeneca&... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3607816 Fri, 28 May 2010 11:49:19 +0100 3607816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603573&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSA6hCAPXJyA%2F By David RittgersPresident Obama is sending 1,200 National Guard troops to the border with Mexico. This should not be viewed as an innovative solution; Bush sent 1,600 troops to the border under parallel circumstances in 2002. As Ilya Shapiro recently wrote, sending some Guardsmen is no substitute for substantive immigration policy reform. The National Guard, and the military generally, should not be seen as the go-to solution for domestic problems. Certainly the role they will play on the border will not be as offensive as policing the streets of an Alabama town after a mass shooting (which the Department of Defense found was a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, but declined to pursue charges) or using a city in Iowa as a rehearsal site for cordon-and-search operations looking for weap... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603573 Thu, 27 May 2010 02:13:47 +0100 3603573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3590328&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2FOQq_wOiJvsw%2Fgeneticswatch-creating-life-and-curing.html GeneticsWatch Creating Life and Curing Blindness May 21, 2010 Tags: Venter, DNA, creating life, genome, American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, gene therapy, blindness I’ve been at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy annual meeting this week, garnering tales for my book, tentatively entitled “The Forever Fix.” It is largely the story of 9-year-old Corey Haas, who was on his way to certain blindness when gene therapy performed at the University of Pennsylvania in September 2008restored his failing vision. Francis Collins, director of the NIH, told Congress about Corey last week.Corey, his parents, and “Dr. Jean” Bennett, who made it all possible, were the stars of a press conference and a huge symposium. Corey got up on stage and calmly and clearly ... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3590328 Sun, 23 May 2010 01:41:35 +0100 3590328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585219&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fhistone-like-hu-proteins.html%23unique-entry-id-75 Bacterial histone-like HU proteins are critical to maintenance of the nucleoid structure. In addition, they participate in all DNA-dependent functions, including replication, repair, recombination and gene regulation. Their function is typically architectural, inducing a specific DNA topology that promotes assembly of higher-order nucleo-protein structures. Although HU proteins are highly conserved, individual homologs have been shown to exhibit a wide range of different DNA binding specificities and affinities. The existence of such distinct specificities indicates functional evolution and predicts distinct in vivo roles. Emerging evidence suggests that HU proteins discriminate between DNA target sites based on intrinsic flexure, and that two primary features of protein binding contribute... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585219 Wed, 19 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3585219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3570008&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fpotential-of-genomic-medicine-lost.html I was reading and often read Mark Henderson of the TimesThe piece I just read about the "Potential of genomic medicine could be lost, say science think-tanks"The piece basically comes down to one conclusion. We have no proof that most of this stuff is useful in any form.This is something that I have been shouting from the roof tops ever since some self deluded socialite from Mountain View decided to say "Genetic testing is for fun"Seriously DTCG. You knew this day was coming. You tried to play yourself off as hip, cool, sexy/ Yet at the same time to avoid regulation you played, not serious, not clinical, and in essence, not valuable.I was deeply concerned about precisely this issue. By putting yourselves out there as an invalid in the clinical world, you cheapened the field and some of the... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3570008 Mon, 17 May 2010 14:11:00 +0100 3570008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538090&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdo-you-own-your-genome%2F2010.05.06 As the costs of sequencing our DNA shrink and the roles of digital media in our lives expand, we will need to understand who (or what) controls the ownership, access and use of our genomic information. From state regulation to Google to Facebook, who controls the acquisition, transmission and replication of our genomic information and material will become an important battle in the 21st century. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Phil Baumann* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538090 Thu, 06 May 2010 14:00:11 +0100 3538090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3522769&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2FkPpXpM9_1uw%2F Another result from the analysis of the recently published genome of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Nancy Moran and Tyler Jarvik present a study of the origin of the carotenoid production gene in pea aphid. Animals typically cannot make carotenoids so they sought to discover how this is possible. They find that it is derived from a horizontal gene transfer event of a fungal gene into the aphid lineage. This gene is responsible for the red-green color polymorphism in the aphid. It appears the gene is derived from a ‘zygomycete’ or relative in the early branching lineage of the fungi. One gene, a carotenoid desaturase, is encoded in a 30kb genomic region that is missing in green aphids but present in the red morphs. The region is apparently maintained in the population by f... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3522769 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:49:08 +0100 3522769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519707&cid=t_104700_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FACDBPJSAVNM%2F Patricia Bayne, a senior manager of policy and public affairs at Lilly’s Canadian unit, is now part of a nine-member advisory committee formed to sift through recommendations for an Alberta Health Act. And the committee, which was appointed by Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky, will identify policy issues the government needs to address and provide advice on the new legislation. Not everyone likes this idea. “The concern is that she’s got a vested interest,” NDP Leader Brian Mason tells The Calgary Herald. “It’s a clear conflict and I don’t think the minister should have appointed her. She is clearly a senior official and a registered lobbyist for one of the biggest drug companies in the world.” Bayne, by the way, described by the government as ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519707 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:52:57 +0100 3519707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515071&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsensory-mechanisms-bacteria.html%23unique-entry-id-58 from Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal RecognitionBacteria have evolved extraordinary abilities to detect physical and chemical signals, both within their own cells and in the extracellular environment. The interaction of a signal with its receptor (usually a protein or RNA molecule) triggers a series of events that lead to reprogramming of cellular physiology, typically as a consequence of altered patterns of gene expression. In this way, the bacterial cell is able to mount appropriate and effective responses to changing physical and/or chemical environments. The versatility with which many bacteria adapt to environmental change underlies many important aspects of microbiology. For example, pathogens encounter multiple environments as they invade a host from the ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515071 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515070&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fthiol-based-sensory-factors%2520.html%23unique-entry-id-59 from Haike Antelmann and Peter Zuber in Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal Recognition Bacteria regularly encounter Reactive Oxygen, Nitrogen and Electrophilic Species (ROS, RNS, RES) that are generated inside the cells by incomplete reduction of molecular oxygen, imbalanced metabolic processes or applied externally by toxic or antimicrobial compounds. The response to such reactive agents is mediated by redox-sensitive transcription factors that exploit the unique chemistry of cysteine thiol groups. Redox-sensitive regulatory proteins bear cysteine residues that can undergo post-translational modification, leading to either activation or inactivation of the transcription factors. This in turn results in responses that are aimed to detoxify the reactive species or a... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515070 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515578&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fstaying-abreast-of-better-health-practices%2F Steven Narod, MD, is a foremost authority on BRCA cancers. I met him after my genetics team at the University of Michigan referred Sister to him in Canada. Dr. Narod is affiliated with the Women’s College Research Institute in Toronto and is what you would expect from a passionate researcher — quirky and optimistic. Sister has been proactive about her diagnosis and is involved in a study in Canada where she is tested twice yearly; she receives a mammogram in January and an MRI in May. Her goal is to keep her breasts, and aggressive monitoring will identify any sign of a breast tumor early. She also stays abreast (pun intended) of continuing research and findings regarding genetic breast cancers. A hysterectomy two years ago reduced Sister’s risk of both breast cancer and ovarian canc... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515578 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:35:30 +0100 3515578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508396&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F26%2Fon-the-path-to-early-detection-fox-chase-sloan-kettering-researchers-identify-early-ovarian-cancers%2F Researchers at the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center discover early tumors and precancerous lesions in cysts that fold into the ovary from its surface, called inclusion cysts. “This is the first study giving very strong evidence that a substantial number of ovarian cancers arise in inclusion cysts and that there [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508396 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:01:54 +0100 3508396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508394&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fwhos-really-controlling-your-health-care%2F For the past year I have been debating health-care reform on the national front at Washingtonpost.com. People in America have been so concerned about big government takeover of health care that their fears have played right into the hands of big business. The practice of targeting and cancelling policies of people diagnosed with serious and chronic illness is well documented. Last week the news agency Reuters reported that WellPoint, the country’s largest insurance agency with nearly 34 million policyholders, had cancelled the policies of at least two women diagnosed with breast cancer [Editor’s note: WellPoint has issued a statement denying these allegations]. This isn’t new — breast cancer is expensive to treat and easy to profile, so insurers know what groups of people are most ... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508394 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:30:19 +0100 3508394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501581&cid=t_104700_111_f&fid=39123&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fnursingcomments%2Ftdtc%2F%7E3%2FfTeyILguohY%2F           Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive, inherited and degenerative brain disorder that produces physical, mental and emotional changes.  Named after George Huntington, the physician who first described the illness in 1872, Huntington’s disease was formerly known as Huntington’s chorea, from the Greek for choreography, or dance.  The name refers to the involuntary, jerky movements that can develop in later stages of the illness.  Approximately 30,000 people in the United States have Huntington’s disease, which affects men and women equally across all ethnic and racial lines.  While more common in adults, juvenile Huntington’s accounts for about one-sixth of all cases.  Every child of a parent who carries the HD gene has a 50% chance... Nursing Comments blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501581 Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:29:03 +0100 3501581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501683&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F23%2Fparp-inhibitor-olaparib-benefits-women-with-inherited-ovarian-cancer-based-upon-platinum-drug-sensitivity%2F Olaparib (AZD2281), a new type of cancer drug known as a “PARP inhibitor,” produced promising results in patients with platinum-refractory, platinum-resistant, and platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer linked to an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. A new type of cancer drug — known as a “PARP inhibitor” — produced promising results in patients with ovarian cancer linked [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501683 Sat, 24 Apr 2010 00:38:57 +0100 3501683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499253&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2F99-usd-dna-day-and-patient-letters.html Yes,What a great DNA Day! Today started with my twitter feed notifying me that 23andMe had dropped their prices to 99 USD today. Which almost had me encouraging people to get testing, until I remembered that 23andSerge would then have your DNA..........FOREVER! Then I opened my email and read this great note"Dear Dr. Murphy,Thank you so very much. I am so lucky to have found your team. Who would have thought my Plavix might not be working for me? Only when you told me about how it could not work did I realize that I might be taking something that is worthless. Thanks for testing me. Now that I am on Effient I feel much safer!Thank you Dr. Murphy,You saved my life!"That's right. A genetic test, may have saved this patient from a heart attack. A genetic test I do regularly. Who has this pati... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499253 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:29:00 +0100 3499253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494508&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F21%2Fresearchers-identify-a-new-breast-ovarian-cancer-susceptibility-gene%2F German researchers identify a new breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene known as “RAD51C.”  The risk for breast cancer in women with the RAD51C mutation is 60 to 80 percent, while the risk for ovarian cancer is 20 to 40 percent. The discovery 15 years ago that the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer high risks for [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494508 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:46:29 +0100 3494508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494506&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fmy-hair-is-back-and-so-is-my-vanity%2F Finally! After five years, my hair is back to where it was before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. When my hair first started growing back after chemotherapy, it was completely different than what I was expecting. It was dark and curly, and the texture was thicker than my ”real” hair. I didn’t mind it much, mostly because I was so grateful not to be bald anymore. It was also a novelty to have short, dark, curly hair when most of my adult life I had shoulder-length, blond, straight shiny hair. As my hair continued to grow, it lost the curliness and I had long wavy brown hair — this was a novelty for me too. I actually felt like a sexy, sultry brunette. What I didn’t feel was like myself. For a few years, I struggled with my appearance. I liked how I looked as a brunette, bu... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494506 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:06:34 +0100 3494506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487291&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2FSJN6vdlBV3U%2F A new paper from the Zilberman lab at UC Berkeley shows the application of high throughput sequencing to the study of DNA methylation in eukaryotes.  They generate an huge data set of whole genome methylation patterns in several plants, animals, and five fungi including early diverging Zygomycete. The work was performed using Bisulfite sequencing (Illumina) to capture methylated DNA, RNA-Seq of mRNA. The also performed some ChIP-Seq of H2A.Z on pufferfish to look at the nucleosome positioning in that species. For aligning the reads, they used BowTie to align the bisulfite sequences (though I’d be curious how a new aligner, BRAT, designed for Bisulfite seq reads would perform) to the genome.  They also sequenced mRNA via RNA-Seq to assay gene expression for some of the species. They... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487291 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:00:05 +0100 3487291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3471772&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMnaO7gg739U%2F By David BoazTony Blankley, former press secretary to Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, exults in the Washington Times that Americans are waking up “to our heritage of freedom” and to the abuse of the Constitution: All the following acts have suddenly awakened Americans to their Constitution: (1) The nationalization of car companies and banks; (2) the subordination of the car companies’ legal bondholders to union bosses; (3) the creation of trillion-dollar slush funds (the stimulus package) used for, among other purposes, the corrupt purchase of congressional votes; (4) the mandating of individual health insurance purchase against the will of Americans; (5) the attempt to have Obamacare “deemed” to have been enacted, rather than actually publicly voted on by... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3471772 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:20:24 +0100 3471772 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3472003&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Ffiber-does-good-things-for-my-family%2F Fiber is big news in nutrition. Every time I look into eating better and ways to improve my health or lose weight, I find another article on fiber — and I’ve gotten a lot of great information right here on EverydayHealth.com. Lately I have been looking into claims that increasing fiber in your diet can reduce the risk of colon cancer and even other cancers, including breast cancer. I can’t confirm these claims with what I have learned so far, but I can’t imagine that it would hurt. The one thing that I can tell you for sure is that fiber has done great things for my family. My boys have grown up with whole-wheat bread in our house, and in the past few years, I have bought only cereal, crackers, and baked goods made from 100% whole-wheat flour. My husband got on the fiber b... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3472003 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:34:23 +0100 3472003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463578&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fw6MrqfWcBOg%2F By Jim HarperLast week, coincidence brought together a pair of worthy articles attacking the political adage that terrorism is an “existential” threat. Gene Healy debunked “existential” in his Examiner column. “Conservatives understand that exaggerated fears of environmental threats make government grow and liberty shrink,” he writes. “They’d do well to recognize that the same dynamic applies to homeland security.” John Mueller and Mark Stewart, meanwhile, have an article on Foreign Affairs’ web site titled: “Hardly Existential: Thinking Rationally About Terrorism.” They show that conventional assessment methods place terrorism so low on the scale of risks that additional spending to further reduce its likelihood or consequences is probably not justified. B... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463578 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:14:28 +0100 3463578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463795&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbreast-cancer-is-the-winning-story-at-the-masters-tournament%2F In May 2009, Amy Mickelson was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has been battling the disease for the past 11 months and has been bedridden for much of that time. Amy is a mother of three children and the wife of Phil Mickelson, the winner of the 2010 Masters golf tournament. Like many people, I tuned in to watch the Masters this past weekend because Tiger Woods was playing. I am not a huge fan of Tiger’s, but like a lot of people I was disappointed when I learned of his lapse in character and integrity over the past years. I am hoping for his family’s sake that Tiger can get his career and personal commitments back on track, so I tuned in hoping to see him do well. I can relate to his wife, Elin Nordegren, since I was betrayed by my first husband in a similar way. For obvious reasons... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463795 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:56:58 +0100 3463795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460323&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.discovermagazine.com%2Fgnxp%2F2010%2F04%2Fwhen-a-trait-isnt-a-trait-isnt-a-trait%2F One of the great things about evolutionary theory is that it is a formal abstraction of specific concrete aspects of reality and dynamics. It allows us to squeeze inferential juice from incomplete prior knowledge of the state of nature. In other words, you can make predictions and models instead of having to observe every last detail of the natural world. But abstractions, models and formalisms often leave out extraneous details. Sometimes those details turn out not to be so extraneous. Charles Darwin’s original theory of evolution had no coherent or plausible mechanism of inheritance. R. A. Fisher and others imported the empirical reality of Mendelism into the logic of evolutionary theory, to produce the framework of 20th century population genetics. Though accepting the genetic inh... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460323 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:15:19 +0100 3460323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460395&cid=t_104700_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fr4doEN28UV4%2F The answer is unclear, although no doubt many pharma execs and FDA officials won’t miss Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat who is retiring from Congress after a nasty brawl over health care reform and, in particular, abortion coverage (background here). As chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Stupak regularly took on safety issues. Along with John Dingell, who formerly headed the House committee, Stupak investigted Merck and Schering-Plough for allegedly delaying the release of unfavorable clinical trial data for their Vytorin cholesterol med (see here and here). He also subpoenaed FDA investigators for approving the Ketek antibiotic, despite knowing a key safety study was fraught with problems; Sanofi-Aventis execs wer... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460395 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:21:04 +0100 3460395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3457819&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Four-absolute-favorite-video-of-the-week-stephen-colbert-on-tiger-woods%2F By now you’ve seen the new Nike TV ad featuring Tiger Woods and the voice of his inquisitive (yet deceased) dad. Genius marketing, state-of-the-art technology, top-flight manipulation. But have you heard Ward Cleaver from Leave It to Beaver and Gene Wilder’s character from Young Frankenstein giving sage advice to ol’ Tiger? Much, much funnier. Check out this clip from an episode of The Colbert Report this week on Comedy Central: Post from: BlissTree Our Absolute Favorite Video of the Week: Stephen Colbert on Tiger Woods (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3457819 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 23:18:50 +0100 3457819 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456849&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fno-one-owns-the-breast-cancer-gene-anymore%2F About 10 years ago, a cousin of mine introduced me to the Human Genome Project. He was very excited about the science and process of identifying all the human genes and their sequences. The potential for scientific and medical breakthroughs was staggering. As I got interested in the research and began to follow the project, I was appalled by the business interests involved. Specific business groups began the process of patenting some of the genetic components and findings. It would be like you owning your home and property only to find that someone else owned and had the rights to all the earth on your lot. Although companies argued that by being able to profit from their findings they could continue research and development, it is pretty obvious that individuals and stock holders would b... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456849 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:23:55 +0100 3456849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3443742&cid=t_104700_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fgene_therapy_using_nanoparticle_delivery_restores_vision_in_mice.php © Kyle MayIn a research report published in the April 2010 print issue of The FASEB Journal, scientists describe how they were able to reverse a type of blindness in mice using a form of gene therapy that does not involve the use of modified viruses. They used a non-viral, synthetic nanoparticle carrier to improve and save the sight of mice with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease characterized by progressive vision loss and eventual blindness. Using mice with the retinal degeneration slow (Rds) gene, ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3443742 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:37:30 +0100 3443742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3432839&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fyou-know-youre-unwell-if-youre-gene-simmons%2F Gene’s philosophy might be “hardcore”, but we’re not sure it’s a healthy approach to life: Post from: BlissTree You Know You're Unwell If...You're Gene Simmons (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3432839 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:00:13 +0100 3432839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433052&cid=t_104700_129_f&fid=35709&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FUniqueButNotAlone%2F%7E3%2F44B9S_TDaus%2Falpha-1-sucks-life-right-out-of-you.html This video is a public service announcement from the Alpha-1 Foundation. I know it is controversial but in my opinion, it is a fabulous advertisement. It grabs your attention, and that is exactly... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Unique But Not Alone) Unique But Not Alone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433052 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 04:07:00 +0100 3433052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429166&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FTkO58KX2lDs%2F By David RittgersBrian Walsh of The Heritage Foundation and Paul Rosenzweig have a new book out, One Nation Under Arrest: How Crazy Laws, Rogue Prosecutors, and Activist Judges Threaten Your Liberty. For an example of how our federal criminal laws have morphed into a leviathan that threatens the liberty of average citizens, take the case of inventor and entrepreneur Krister Evertson: In May 2004, FBI agents driving a black Suburban and wearing SWAT gear ran Evertson off the road near his mother’s home in Wasilla, Alaska. When Evertson was face down on the pavement with automatic weapons trained on him, an FBI agent told him he was being arrested because he hadn’t put a federally mandated sticker on a UPS package. A jury in federal court in Alaska acquitted Evertson, but the fed... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429166 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:22:37 +0100 3429166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420680&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fend-of-gene-patents.html With the NY district court ruling in ACLU et.al. v USPTO/MYGN it appears clear that the bar for gene patents is super high and most will likely not reach it. Does this mean the end of gene patents or even just the BRCA1/2 patents?No, but it is the beginning of slipshod sequencing and a whole host of labs testing for BRCA1/2 sequences. It is also the making of a SCOTUS case.But here's why I think Myriad STILL is the gold standard.A. They have the experience doing this testingB. They have the infrastructure to handle national samplesC. They have the ability to analyze rare variants best. Why? They have the samples.....That being said, could Quest or LabCorp begin BRCA testing? Yes and they would do a hell of a job.One thing is for certain, Myriad will have a hard time justifying that 3120 US... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420680 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:44:00 +0100 3420680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408573&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35005&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Ffungalcompgenomics%2F%7E3%2FGNOX5BmVgp0%2F I spy a picture of Neurospora growing on the cover of Genetics this month.  The cover highlights the results from the work of the lab of Luis Corrochano who works on  light regulation in a variety of systems like Neurospora and Phycomyces.  This work describes their work on the fluffy gene which regulates conidiation (production of conidia or asexual spores). They show that an important interplay between an inducer of light response, the White Collar Complex (WCC), and the FLD protein on fluffy.  The data from indicate hat FLD represses fluffy as a response to dark but that this repression is removed in response to light through the action of WCC. Olmedo, M., Ruger-Herreros, C., & Corrochano, L. (2009). Regulation by Blue Light of the fluffy Gene Encoding a Major Regulator of Co... Fungal Genomes and Comparative Genomics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408573 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:49:41 +0100 3408573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378671&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmoment-of-clarity-some-dtcg-is-not-bad.html Ok,Here is the G-d's honest truth. Not all SNP/DTCG companies are bad. What do I mean by bad? Not all SNP/DTCG companies misrepresented that which is not medically useful as medically useful.I look at Pathway and Counsyl for example. Fast followers looking to say what they do and mean what they say.Some of these DTCG tests could be clinically relevant and useful. The problem I have, is that there is no point at which I can say, "Hey I just want the clinically relevant stuff!" No ear wax please.I need that as a clinician. If I want a huge panel of say CYP450 tests, where do I go? there are some labs that do this and charge and arm and a leg. One company, who I used charged the patient thousands of dollars because insurance wouldn't pick it up.That cannot ever happen again.With the addition ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378671 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:52:00 +0100 3378671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339622&cid=t_104700_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fschizophrenia%2F Pathophysiology 1) group of disorders marked by disturbances in thought patterns, speech, behavior, and perception 2) subtypes – paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, and residual 3) cause is unknown, but major risk factors are genetic susceptibility, early developmental insults, in utero viral influenza exposure, and winter birth (possibly related to influenza exposure) Signs and Symptoms Positive symptoms – 1) disorganized thought 2) delusions 3) hallucinations Negative symptoms – 4) social withdrawal 5) loss of functioning 6) flat affect 7) anhedonia Histology/Gross Pathology 1) enlarged third and lateral ventricles 2) cortical atrophy 3) decreased size of hippocampus, amygdala, right prefrontal cortex Associated Conditions 1) birth complications 2) Rh factor incompatibil... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339622 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:56:09 +0100 3339622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322326&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F006981.html About 1 in 6000 babies is born with a genetic disorder of the nervous system called Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The mouse equivalent of SMA has now been treated with gene therapy with substantial improvement. COLUMBUS, Ohio – Reversing a protein deficiency through gene therapy can correct motor function, restore nerve signals and improve survival in mice that serve as a model for the lethal childhood disorder spinal muscular atrophy, new research shows. This muscle-wasting disease results when a child’s motor neurons – nerve cells that send signals from the spinal cord to muscles – produce insufficient amounts of what is called survival motor neuron protein, or SMN. This reduced protein in motor neurons specifically – rather than in other... (Source: FuturePundit) FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322326 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3322326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318122&cid=t_104700_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_twiv%2Fwww.twiv.tv%2FTWiV071.mp3 Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit Vincent, Dickson, Alan, and Rich answer listener questions about maternal infection and fetal injury, viral gene therapy, eyeglasses and influenza, filtering prions from blood, eradication of rinderpest, Tamiflu resistance of H1N1 influenza, bacteriophages and the human microbiome, H1N1 vaccine recalls, human tumor viruses, RNA interference, and junk DNA. This episode is sponsored by Data Robotics Inc. Use the promotion code VINCENT to receive $50 off a Drobo or $100 off a Drobo S. Win a free Drobo S! Contest rules here. Download TWiV #71 (63 MB .mp3, 88 minutes) Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email. Links for this episode: Maternal infection and fetal neurologic... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318122 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:00:22 +0100 3318122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311655&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1bwyS25Me0Q%2F By Daniel GriswoldRep. Gene Taylor, D-MS, thinks so. According to CongressDaily, Taylor is about to introduce a two-page bill that would withdraw the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement. Taylor blames the agreement with Canada and Mexico for the loss of 5 million manufacturing jobs since it was enacted in 1994. This is a popular but false charge. Manufacturing jobs have declined in the past 15 years for one big reason: soaring productivity. Overall output at U.S. factories was actually 37 percent higher in 2009 compared to 1993, the year before NAFTA took effect, according to Table B-51 in the latest Economic Report of the President. We are producing a higher volume of stuff with fewer workers because individual workers are so much more productive than they were in t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311655 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:31:24 +0100 3311655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294568&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBjnkC52U_wk%2F By Michael F. CannonThe Cato Institute had already scheduled a policy forum for noon today where the Urban Institute’s Gene Steuerle and I will discuss the implicit tax rates in the House and Senate health care bills. We’ve already been able to calculate the implicit tax rates that President Obama’s new proposal would impose on low- and middle-income workers. We have also been able to calculate the incentives to drop coverage under the president’s proposal. Upshot: The president’s proposal would result in higher implicit tax rates on low-wage workers than the House and Senate bills. The president’s proposal would result in greater incentives for higher-income workers to drop coverage than under the House and Senate bills. That would cause insurance markets to unravel even fast... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294568 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:58:30 +0100 3294568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3270996&cid=t_104700_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fretinoblastoma%2F Pathophysiology 1) neoplasm originating in retinal neurons 2) malignant spread is either via the optic nerve into the cranial vault or via the blood system (hematogenously) 3) able to grow toward vitreous body (endophytic) or between retinal layers (exophytic) Signs and Symptoms 1) white pupil reflex (leukocoria) 2) red and painful eye 3) squinting 4) vision loss 5) detached retina 6) cat’s eye reflex (yellowish glint in eye) Characteristic Test Findings Funduscopic exam – 1) mass 2) detached retina Histology/Gross Pathology 1) whitish tumor mass with chalk-like flecks (calcification) 2) morphologically can have Flexner-Wintersteiner rosettes (radial cells around central cavity) or a fleur-de-lis pattern Associated Conditions 1) secondary glaucoma in affected eye 2) metastasiz... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3270996 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:04:27 +0100 3270996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262550&cid=t_104700_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fturcots-syndrome%2F Pathophysiology familial polyposis syndrome with association of large intestine adenomatous polyps and brain tumors Histology/Gross Pathology 1) polyps are adenomas 2) polyps are found uniformly throughout colon and rectum (no skip areas) Associated Conditions colorectal adenocarcinoma develops in virtually 100% of patients by age 40 years Biochemistry impaired DNA repair occurs Inheritance/Epidemiology 1) polyps almost always present after puberty 2) associated with deletion in long arm of chromosome 5 that codes for tumor suppressor gene APC 3) autosomal dominant Treatment 1) total colectomy with ileoanal anastomosis 2) screening test in offspring (who have 50% risk of disease) is flexible sigmoidoscopy (if disease occurs, there is always rectal involvement Tips for USMLE in any patient ... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262550 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:39:16 +0100 3262550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236048&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F02%2Fdisarming-specialized-stem-cells-might-combat-deadly-ovarian-cancer%2F Eliminating cancer stem cells (CSCs) within a tumor could hold the key to successful treatments for ovarian cancer, which has been notoriously difficult to detect and treat, according to new findings published this week in the journal Oncogene by Yale School of Medicine researchers. Eliminating cancer stem cells (CSCs) within a tumor could hold the key [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236048 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:56:20 +0100 3236048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231102&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2010%2F02%2Fmicrobial-phylogenetics-horizontal-gene.html Efforts to construct the tree of life take their conceptual motivation from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Until the advent of molecular biology, however, a universal tree of life was well beyond the scope of the data and methods of traditional organismal phylogeny. The rapid development of these methods and bodies of genetic sequence from the 1970s onwards resulted in major reclassifications of life and revived ambitions to represent all organismal lineages by one true tree of life. Subsequent realization of the significance of lateral gene transfer and other non-vertical processes has subtly reconceptualized and reoriented attempts to construct this universal phylogeny.Gene transfer has affected the formation of groups of organisms. Gene transfer can make it more difficult to defi... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231102 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:39:00 +0100 3231102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231107&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2010%2F02%2Fmultilocus-sequence-analysis.html Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) represents the novel standard in microbial molecular systematics. In this context, MLSA is implemented in a relatively straightforward way, consisting essentially in the concatenation of several sequence partitions for the same set of organisms, resulting in a "supermatrix" which is used to infer a phylogeny by means of distance-matrix or optimality criterion-based methods. This approach is expected to have an increased resolving power due to the large number of characters analyzed, and a lower sensitivity to the impact of conflicting signals (i.e. phylogenetic incongruence) that result from eventual horizontal gene transfer events. The strategies used to deal with multiple partitions can be grouped in three broad categories: the total evidence, separate... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231107 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:29:00 +0100 3231107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231108&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2010%2F02%2Fmicrobial-phylogenetics-methods.html The purpose of phylogenetic analysis is to understand the past evolutionary path of organisms. Even though we will never know for certain the true phylogeny of any organism, phylogenetic analysis provides best assumptions, thereby providing a framework for various disciplines in microbiology. Due to the technological innovation of modern molecular biology and the rapid advancement in computational science, accurate inference of the phylogeny of a gene or organism seems possible in the near future. There has been a flood of nucleic acid sequence information, bioinformatic tools and phylogenetic inference methods in public domain databases, literature and worldwide web space. Phylogenetic analysis has long played a central role in basic microbiology, for example in taxonomy and ecology. In a... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231108 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:25:00 +0100 3231108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220511&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaCkqZa3u09U%2F By Chris Moody Cato experts give Obama’s State of the Union a video fisking. Are we watching the History Channel or something?  Because this new president sure does sound a lot like the old one. Time for the SOTU fact check:  Cato experts put some of President Obama’s core State of the Union claims to the test. Here’s what they found. Flashback to February 2009: Gene Healy on how “the president talks too much.“ During this year’s SOTU, President Obama criticized the Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case. Today’s podcast examines the Court’s ruling. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220511 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:44:38 +0100 3220511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193799&cid=t_104700_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F21%2Fdavid-berreby-interviews-frans-de-waal%2F Situationist friend and author David Berreby recently conducted a fascinating interview of  primatologist Frans De Waal on BloggingHeads.  A rough table of contents of their discussion is listed just below the video. * * * * * * Frans’s latest book, “The Age of Empathy” (04:11) Empathy as a social contagion (06:54) A biological basis for morality and soccer hooliganism (18:48) Does religion have to be at war with science? (12:48) The fragility of empathy (04:08) Enron, the selfish gene, and Nazi pseudoscience (08:14) * * * To read about Frans de Waal’s latest book, The Age of Empathy, click here. To check out David Berreby’s excellent blog, Mind Matters, click here. For a sample of related Situationist posts, see “The Science of Morality,” “The Si... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193799 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:01:12 +0100 3193799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189126&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaxTtFN283XA%2F By Chris Moody Gene Healy on today’s election in Massachusetts: “If Republican Scott Brown wins the Massachusetts special election Tuesday, the Bay State will have its first GOP senator since the era when disco was king. And Brown will have the much-derided Tea Party legions to thank.” Why opportunistic politicians need to stop using times of crisis for their own ends and let the next one go to waste. George W. Obama? “Bush’s successor—who actually taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago—is continuing much of the Bush-Cheney parallel government and, in some cases, is going much further in disregarding our laws and the international treaties we’ve signed.” Can Google beat China? Cato’s Timothy B. Lee tackles the questi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189126 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:02:39 +0100 3189126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171889&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FqfHgYHyCgPg%2F By Michael F. CannonIn a new study titled, “Obama’s Prescription for Low-Wage Workers: High Implicit Taxes, Higher Premiums,” I show that the House and Senate health care bills would impose implicit tax rates on low-wage workers that exceed 100 percent.  Here’s the executive summary: House and Senate Democrats have produced health care legislation whose mandates, subsidies, tax penalties, and health insurance regulations would penalize work and reward Americans who refuse to purchase health insurance. As a result, the legislation could trap many Americans in low-wage jobs and cause even higher health-insurance premiums, government spending, and taxes than are envisioned in the legislation. Those mandates and subsidies would impose effective marginal tax rates on lo... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171889 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:31:52 +0100 3171889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153592&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F07%2Felevated-proteins-may-warn-of-ovarian-cancer-but-sufficient-lead-time-predictive-value-still-lacking%2F Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center researchers discovered that concentrations of the serum biomarkers CA125, human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and mesothelin began to rise 3 years before clinical diagnosis of ovarian cancer, according to a new study published online December 30 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. However, the biomarkers became substantially elevated only [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153592 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:22:08 +0100 3153592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142512&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBJy2Fs_Ja2c%2F By Chris Moody Cato Vice President Gene Healy grades President Obama. (Hint: He doesn’t give him a “B+”). Afghanistan: A war we cannot afford. “Democrats say raise taxes. Republicans say no worries. The best policy would be to scale back America’s international commitments.” Doug Bandow: The war in Afghanistan was justified at the beginning, but to escalate now is the  “geopolitical equivalent of shutting the barn doors after the horses have fled.” How U.S. membership in the World Trade Organization enhances the liberty and prosperity of all Americans. Podcast: “TARP: A Congressional Failure” featuring John Samples. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142512 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:51:21 +0100 3142512 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126578&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D8151 MSNBC Health reports: Individually designed music therapy may help reduce noise levels in people suffering from tinnitus, or ear ringing, German scientists said on Monday. The researchers designed musical treatments adapted to the musical tastes of patients with ear-ringing and then stripped out sound frequencies that matched the individual’s tinnitus frequency. After a year of listening to these “notched” musical therapies, patients reported a distinct decrease in the loudness of ringing compared with those who had listened to non-tailored placebo music, the researchers wrote in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal. Someone who might benefit from this notched music therapy is Metellica drummer Lars Ulrich. Playing loud rock mu... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126578 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3126578 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092892&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fprinceton-scientists-find-way-to-catalog-all-that-goes-wrong-in-a-cancer-cell%2F A team of Princeton University scientists has produced a systematic listing of the ways a particular cancerous cell has “gone wrong,” giving researchers a powerful tool that eventually could make possible new, more targeted therapies for patients. A team of Princeton University scientists has produced a systematic listing of the ways a particular cancerous cell has [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092892 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:53:24 +0100 3092892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071433&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F08%2Fmagp2-gene-expression-signature-a-potential-ovarian-cancer-personalized-treatment-target%2F A multi-institutional study has identified a potential personalized treatment target for the most common form of ovarian cancer. In the December 8 issue of Cancer Cell, the research team describes finding that a gene called MAGP2 – not previously associated with any type of cancer – was overexpressed in papillary serous ovarian tumors of patients [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071433 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:17:59 +0100 3071433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052345&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fbeating-cancer-is-a-family-affair%2F This Thanksgiving I did something a little different; I went to Canada to see family. Although they had already had their feast last month, it was really nice to have the time with them. Sister was a little under the weather and hasn’t been sleeping well lately. I think there is a lot going on with her since the hysterectomy to reduce her risk for ovarian cancer. As a BRCA carrier she has taken steps to address her risks for breast and other cancers due to the gene mutation. I have to say I worry about her. I also got to see my niece and her new baby. Nicole also tested positive for the BRCA II gene mutation and having her babies in her twenties is something we have heard can help reduce her risk. More importantly, once she has had all her children she can turn her efforts to other w... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052345 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:53:39 +0100 3052345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044689&cid=t_104700_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F01%2Fwho-can-design-a-logo-for-the-medlibs-round%2F According to Bertalan Mesko, blogger at ScienceRoll, one of the important things of a blog carnival is to Find out a proper name. For example, the carnival of genes and gene-related diseases is called Gene Genie; the genetic carnival is Mendel’s Garden. The most well known Medical Blog Carnival is Grand Rounds According Bertalan it may [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044689 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:10:37 +0100 3044689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3036958&cid=t_104700_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fsirna_drug_to_treat_genetic_skin_disease_pachyonychia_congenita.php In the November 24 online issue of the journal Molecular Therapy, scientists report a new treatment for pachyonychia congenita, an ultra-rare genetic skin condition due to mutations in the keratin gene. The disorder is characterized by painful, blistering calluses on the feet and limbs that limit a patient's ability to walk, usually with other ther skin and nail problems. The new treatment involves a relatively new class of drug called siRNA, and works by preventing the gene with the mutation from being expressed but permitting the ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3036958 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:06:27 +0100 3036958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3026400&cid=t_104700_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FG1R4h8kDa74%2F X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare neurologic disease caused by a defect in a gene required for normal ABCD1 transporter function. The lack of this function leads to progressive demyelination, severe neurologic disease and death in males, often in childhood. ALD disease progression can be controlled by allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in those patients for whom bone marrow donors can be found. This unusual correction occurs because bone marrow-derived monocyte-macrophages are known to migrate into the central nervous system and form functional microglial cells. These corrected microglial cells provide the patients with cells with normal ABCD1 transporter activity and allow normal myelin function. Two patients with progressive ALD with no available allogeneic H... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3026400 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:23 +0100 3026400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3015261&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F006730.html An MIT press release about the use of nanoparticles to deliver gene therapy contains an interesting statistic about the size of the overall effort to develop clinically useful gene therapies: In the United States alone almost 1000 gene therapy clinical trials are underway. That's a surprisingly large number. Is it true? Seems too high to be possible. There are nearly 1,000 clinical trials under way in the United States involving gene therapy, for diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders. However, no gene therapy treatments have been approved in the United States. This is an example of why it is hard to predict the future. It is hard to predict the success rate of those many attempts. Once some... (Source: FuturePundit) FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3015261 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3015261 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993830&cid=t_104700_113_f&fid=36504&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicalRecordShow%2F%7E3%2FaV8hcUgnvhA%2F At the latest NextGen Users Group Meeting in DC, I saw examples everywhere of storytelling par excellence. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich and Vermont Governor Howard Dean sprinkled stories of constituents and personal experiences throughout their keynote addresses, as they made their respective (and mostly complementary) points on the healthcare reform debate. The first day’s keynote speakers, Gene Kranz of Mission Control and Commander Jim Lowell from Apollo 13, were all about storytelling. 99% of their stage time was a recounting of details of raw ingenuity and failure truly not being an option — and 45 minutes into the session, folks were still attentive enough to laugh and groan in all the right places. It’s like we’re hardwired to put everything aside and sit bac... The EMR/EHR Show: Making Your Electronic Medical Records Really Work blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993830 Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:49:53 +0100 2993830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984780&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2qJlkHq0m8U%2F Things you might not want to know: Have you ever thought about how dirty the money in your wallet might be? The case for dropping out of NATO. Gene Healy on the “arrogance of power” involved in running for president these days: “What sort of person wants the job badly enough to spend years living out of a suitcase, begging for cash, glad-handing through primary states, and saying things that no intelligent person could possibly believe?” Doug Bandow: “The fall of the Wall, and the evil system behind it, deserves to be celebrated. Not just on Nov. 9. But every day.” Podcast: “A Looming Decision on Afghanistan“ (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984780 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:27:36 +0100 2984780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2962859&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Fgene-expression-in-entamoeba.html Our knowledge of the functions of different structural proteins and virulence factors in the cellular organization and pathogenesis of Entamoeba histolytica has significantly increased following the introduction of various molecular techniques that enable the manipulation of gene expression. Unfortunately, to date, all the attempts to integrate exogenous DNA into the parasite's genome have failed and most methods for up- and down-regulation of gene expression have been based on the transfection of stably maintained plasmids. Down-regulation has been achieved by plasmids encoding: (i) antisense RNA, (ii) truncated or mutated genes that exert dominant-negative effects, and (iii) inverted loops that generate double stranded RNA molecules. Small interfering RNA oligonucleotides incorporated di... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2962859 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:00 +0100 2962859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2962861&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Fcytoskeleton-in-giardia-and-trichomonas.html A recent publication discusses the Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis genome projects that have brought to our understanding of the unique cytoskeletal protein profiles of these two parasites and integrates this new analysis of protein composition with recent structural and functional studies. Although both parasites are flagellated, the differences in both the structural and protein composition of their cytoskeletons are more numerous than their similarities. Consistent with general patterns across its genome, the cytoskeletal gene families in Trichomonas are greatly amplified in number, while the corresponding families in Giardia are - with few exceptions - represented by only one or a very few copies. While the microfilament proteome is largely complete in Trichomonas, it is virt... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2962861 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:24:00 +0100 2962861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954208&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Fhorizontal-gene-transfer.html Horizontal gene transfer, as a major force in shaping bacterial gene content, has gained incredible attention over the last decade. Along with the fast growing bacterial genome sequence data, there have been an increasingly large number of studies focused on horizontal gene transfer. The studies have been gradually transformed from identifying individual genes that have been horizontally transferred to assessing the general patterns of horizontal gene transfer and evaluating the systematic consequences of massive gene transfers. The rates of gene transfers have been measured by various methods such as parsimony and maximum likelihood methods. Different phylogenetic methods were applied to a variety of data sets to assess whether there exists a congruent and meaningful bacterial tree. Even ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954208 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:06:00 +0100 2954208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2946942&cid=t_104700_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fgene_therapy_for_lebers_congenital_amaurosis_lca.php Usign a single shot of gene therapy, scientists were able to improve the vision in five children and seven adults with Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), an inherited retinal degenerative disease characterized by severe loss of vision at birth. Although the patients did not attain normal eyesight, half of them (six of 12) improved enough that they may no longer be classified as legally blind. The 12 subjects ranged in age from 8 to 44 years old at the time of treatment. Four of the children, aged ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2946942 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:40:26 +0100 2946942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2923396&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FMTVAsBP3C0E%2F I find it very interesting that today’s big news has to do with why only humans have the capacity for language. First found in a vocally-impaired family, scientists discovered a large gene they named “TOSPEAK” that may explain how humans are the only primates to develop language. Interesting I say because effective today, Genetics and Health will be retired, and in a nostalgic way, this is my last time “to-speak”. Even then, the field of genetics has never been so exciting as these times. Genetics has spread into the language of cancer, HIV/AIDS, behavior/psychological issues from smoking to addictions, from autism to chronic health problems, infections like the H1N1 and MRSA, organic versus modified foods, our children’s sex, paternity issues, and what ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2923396 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:38:42 +0100 2923396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920415&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F0esKTEQkzKA%2F Scientists found a tiny mutation on a key gene that could potentially lead to type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and celiac disease and many autoimmune diseases. The interleukin-21 protein has been associated with the development of type 1 diabetes in mice. Scientists from the Garvan Institute in Sydney, Australia discovered that mice carrying the mutation spontaneously developed type 1 diabetes. When the mice DNA were sequenced they found a mutation, only two base pairs of DNA long, on the promoter region of IL-21 gene. Dr Cecile King, PhD student Helen McGuire and their colleagues then inserted the mutated DNA segment into a healthy IL-21 gene and observed that more IL-21 molecules were produced. When the gene segment was removed, production of the IL-21 slowed down. “Our... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920415 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:32:20 +0100 2920415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912374&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FwfK90aoXZSQ%2F This is such a cool application of genetics! By sequencing all the genes of a patient, scientists diagnosed a congenital disease that could not be identified using clinical observations. Because of the “molecular diagnostics technique”, doctors were able to provide a treatment tailored for the disease.   The patient, an infant, was persistently dehydrated and failing to gain weight, and researchers uncovered a gene mutation that was responsible to the infant’s condition called congenital chloride diarrhea. Instead of sequencing all the thousand base pairs in a genome, researchers focused only on DNA that encodes proteins, about 1% of the total genome. DNA mutations in this region can result in a nonfunctional protein, and would have far-ranging effects on health. According to H... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912374 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:57:31 +0100 2912374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908666&cid=t_104700_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_serotonin_polymorphisms_and_ptsd_in_a_trauma_expos.htm Conclusions: Our findings suggest a relationship between genetic variation in the 5HT2A promoter region and PTSD. (Text has been reformatted for online visual clarity; ed.) Source... Copyright © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company (Source: Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info) Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908666 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:35:00 +0100 2908666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886649&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FR7LcuCQ5FUE%2F Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a potentially fatal genetic disorder caused by a deficient or abnormal blood protein called C1 inhibitor. It causes swelling of the extremities, face, trunk, abdomen or airways. Abdominal attacks can result in severe pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. The attacks can be spontaneous but may also be triggered by stress, surgery or infection. Death may result when the airways close because of the swelling. Only 1 in 50,00 to 150,000 people worldwide/ 1 in 10,000 to 50,000 in the US is affected by this rare dominant mutation, but the mortality is quite high (30%) so it’s really good that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment Hereditary angioedema. The FDA announced that Berinert has been approved for adults and adolescents wi... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886649 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:58:27 +0100 2886649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886204&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F10%2Fdiagnostic-microarray-for-influenza.html Rapid and accurate diagnostic methods for typing and subtyping influenza viruses are needed for improved worldwide surveillance. Although molecular-based diagnostic methods are becoming more widespread in influenza diagnosis, they generally involve amplification of the hemagglutinin (HA) and/or neuraminidase (NA) gene segments for subtyping. A low-density microarray (MChip) has been developed that allows for the identification and subtyping of influenza A viruses in approximately seven hours. MChip is unique in that it is based solely on the matrix (M) gene segment which has enough genetic diversity for subtype analysis but sufficient genetic stability to circumvent the need for continual redesign of primers and microarray probes.Further reading: Influenza: Molecular VirologyFull range of ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886204 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:51:00 +0100 2886204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2881287&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FFccxlRW8-qg%2F Couples at high risk for genetic disorders would prefer to have pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) rather than risk terminating a pregnancy later, a study from Fertility and Sterility Journal showed. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is performed after in-vitro fertilization where an embryo is tested for mutations that can lead to genetic defects, before being implanted into the uterus. Obviously, PGD reduces the need for prenatal genetic testing in the middle of a pregnancy, and avoid having to choose between terminating or continuing on with the pregnancy. The study showed that among 210 Dutch couples with genetic disorders, 60% would prefer diagnostic testing and, of these 74% preferred PGD over prenatal testing. Couples who are high risk for specific disorders and where ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2881287 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:50:00 +0100 2881287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2868676&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F10%2Frnai-gene-therapy-to-control-hiv-1.html RNA interference (RNAi) was discovered as cellular gene regulation mechanism in 1998, but several RNAi-based applications for gene silencing have already made it into clinical trials. RNAi approaches have targeted pathogenic human viruses causing acute or chronic infections. HIV-1 infection has been considered for RNAi-based gene therapy. Viruses like HIV-1 are particularly difficult targets for RNAi-attack because they are escape-prone, which requires combinatorial RNAi strategies to prevent viral escape. The future of antiviral RNAi therapeutics is very promising, but it remains of critical importance to include many controls in pre-clinical test models to unequivocally demonstrate sequence-specific action of the RNAi inducers.Further reading: RNA Interference and Viruses: Current Innova... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2868676 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:25:00 +0100 2868676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862081&cid=t_104700_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F10%2Fretroviral-vectors-for-gene-delivery.html Gammaretroviral and lentiviral vectors for gene therapy have been developed that mediate stable genetic modification of treated cells by chromosomal integration of the transferred vector genomes. This is highly desired, not only for research use, but also for clinical gene therapy aiming at the long-term correction of genetic defects, e.g., in stem and progenitor cells. Retroviral vector particles with tropism for various target cells have been designed. Due to split genome vector design the risk of replication-competent retrovirus formation has been minimized. Gammaretroviral and lentiviral vectors have so far been used in more than 300 clinical trials, addressing treatment options for various diseases. In some cases these trials resulted in benefit for treated patients suffering from lif... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862081 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:24:00 +0100 2862081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2852027&cid=t_104700_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Fumich.edu%2Fnews%2FReleases%2F2009%2FSep09%2FFinalReport.pdf Should the families of football players at the high school, college, and professional level be worried about Alzheimer's and dementia. Yesterday I wrote about a new report that indicated retired National Football League players suffer from early onset Alzheimer's and dementia at an alarming rate. A study commissioned by the National Football League found that Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment is appearing in the league's former players at an alarming rate -- 19 times the normal rate for men ages 30 through 49.The study was conducted for the National Football League (NFL) by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. The Michigan researchers found that 6.1 percent of players age 50 and above reported that they had received a dementia-related diagnosis, fi... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2852027 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:02:46 +0100 2852027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851968&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fd0tjpkB_Oss%2F Music and cancer do not go together, and I mean that in the context of this new technology: A project at Harvard Medical School created a program to translate the signals from cells into musical notes. Normal signals will sound harmonious, abnormal signals like those coming from cancer cells will sound awful. Listen to this –     Using date from a pre-existing colon cancer study, bioinformatician Gil Alterovitz and his team created a program that transforms complex genomic information into musical notes, so that abnormal data will sound discordant. “When things go awry, such as in the case of p53-null mutant colon cancer cells under inflammatory stress conditions, gene expression varies slightly, and inharmonious chord progressions result. Listening to the result... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851968 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:11:20 +0100 2851968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642969&cid=t_104700_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F26%2Finternational-medicine-2008-conference-and-revisits%2F I had so many posts planned for the many months past when my schedule and flow took a turn—in a very good and mostly fun way. I have been occupied with our wedding celebration, teaching and other projects, medical electives, mouse jogging through my studies, plus my occasional will of glorious procrastination to begin writing. For those who gave me a-okay for my Media In Medicine series e-interviews, I hope they can still remember me when I start knocking on their email doors again with my finally-written down Qs. For those whose correspondence I am all too happy to receive but have not replied yet, I hope you won’t tire checking in and seeing if I have actually risen from my blog-grave yet. And, of course, thank you for reading. Conference A little over a year ago in May, I flew... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642969 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:20:06 +0100 4642969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2807803&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35008&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceroll.com%2F2009%2F09%2F17%2Fwikis-as-tools-in-genetics%2F I’ve been planning to write about these wikis that can be very useful tools in the hands of researchers for a long time. The first one is WikiPathway which is an open platform dedicated to the curation of biological pathways by and for the scientific community. The second is the WikiGenes which aims to build the database of evolutionary knowledge on Nature.com. The reason why I mention the third one now is there is a new publication focusing on the pros and cons of using a wiki in genetics research. In Wikipedia, Andrew and his friends created the Gene Portal a year ago and later analyzed the usability and the results. Annotating the function of all human genes is a critical, yet formidable, challenge. Current gene annotation efforts focus on centralized curation resources, but it ... ScienceRoll blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807803 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:38:24 +0100 2807803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2803858&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F006540.html All male squirrel monkeys are naturally red-green color blind. Gene therapy has successfully restored vision of 2 male squirrel monkeys. Researchers have used gene therapy to restore colour vision in... (Source: FuturePundit) FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2803858 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2803858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2778668&cid=t_104700_137_f&fid=35426&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheAlzheimersReadingRoom%2F%7E3%2FSvrw5fO0SxM%2Fscientists-identify-two-gene-variants.html In the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) reported to date involving Alzheimer's disease, scientists have identified two new possible genetic risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's, the most common form of the disease. The study, which pooled DNA samples from a number of European and U.S. groups, not only associated variations in the sequence of the CLU and PICALM genes with increased risk, but also found another 13 gene variants that merit further investigation, according to findings presented in the September 6, 2009, online issue of Nature Genetics. Involving more than 16,000 DNA samples, one feature of this research was its use of publicly shared DNA samples and databases, including several supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and other components of the Natio... Alzheimer's Reading Room, The blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2778668 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:31:25 +0100 2778668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2766213&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F2BEtNQ7gafI%2F Through the wonders of genetics, we might have a wonder drug that let us eat anything we want -without ever gaining a single pound! We can eat fatty and sugary food and we won’t even need to exercise to lose all those calories.   I’m not sure that’s such a good idea but that drug may exist in the near future, with the recent discovery of the so-called “obeso-genes”. The key lies in a gene called IKKE that acts as a master switch that control obesity, by producing a protein kinase that turns other proteins on or off. When a body is fed a high fat diet, the IKKE kinase slows down metabolism and burns less calories, and weight increases. When the gene IKKE (and thus the kinases) are deleted, metabolism speeds up and the body burns more calories. Knock-off mice that didn’t c... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2766213 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:16:24 +0100 2766213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751903&cid=t_104700_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7807 I think there are mixed signals about testing coming out from the MOH especially when there were earlier media reports about the Health Minister encouraging doctors to use the “rapid test”. The Star reported As the death toll from Influenza A (H1N1) rose to 38, the Government green-lighted the use of rapid test kits for private clinics and hospitals to conduct flu checks on the public. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said private healthcare providers can use these kits to help cope with the large number of patients wanting to be checked, and for faster detection and containment of the pandemic. “Use of rapid test kits was discouraged in the private sector earlier when the H1N1 outbreak was still small and mostly imported. “Now that it has reached the community lev... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751903 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2751903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2745595&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F-tKKRxn5gTI%2F Imagine having been born from a biological dad, and two biological moms. Wait. Don’t imagine. It’s already happened. For now in monkeys, but who knows someday in humans too. And based on your belief, it’s a “no way!” or a “way to go!”. How did a three-parent experiment happen? Scientists from the Oregon National Primate Research successfully transferred the nuclear DNA from one macaque into another cell which had it’s mitochondrial DNA removed (termed mitochondia gene replacement). The hybrid egg cell was fertilized by a sperm and implanted into the uterus of a surrogate mother. Out of the fifteen hybrid embryos, four baby macaques have survived through full term and seem to be thriving. And why is this experiment in monkeys so important for humans? This experiment open... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2745595 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 04:37:48 +0100 2745595 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727338&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fphg-foundation-and-my-point.html A long time ago I had a post entitled "Beware Doctors Bearing Genetic Tests" back in April of 2007. It was an interesting post where I point out that this wonderful GI doctor who was IVY league trained completely hashed genetic testing for HNPCC.I went on to explain the shortcomings with Internists in interpreting APC testing for familial adenomatoid polyposis coli. 1 in 3 misinterpret tests.....Wait till you see the DTC interpretation!Everyone who gets all in a huff when I say that these DTC genetic tests should be regulated. But I am here to say there is a good reason for it, and it has nothing to do with the people getting the tests.......There is now threat of public harm.....But first let me explain my frustration. Saturday I was on Twitter and Daniel MacArthur and I had a conversatio... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727338 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:49:00 +0100 2727338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2725213&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F21%2Fua-research-team-designing-holographic-imaging-system-for-ovarian-cancer%2F University of Arizona researchers Jennifer Barton and Ray Kostuk have received a five-year, $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to build the instrument that they hope will one day be used to monitor women at high risk for ovarian cancer. Two University of Arizona [UA] researchers have formed a research team to [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2725213 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:26:23 +0100 2725213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2725221&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fgenetic-counseling-and-its-influence-on-breast-cancer-decisions%2F Genetic counseling was a choice I made.  I decided to have genetic counseling to determine if I had a genetic predisposition to breast cancer; it was in conjunction with my decision to have reconstructive surgery. My oncologist and I were discussing the options available to reconstruct the breast that had been removed. After having a breast cancer diagnosis I had questions as to whether I should consider prophylactic removal of my other breast to reduce the risk of breast cancer in my remaining breast. He was aware of the other cancers in my family and so suggested that genetic counseling could help me determine the risk for another breast cancer diagnosis. Testing positive for the BRCA II gene mutation created new issues. How my sister would be affected, her girls and my children was the... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2725221 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:46:29 +0100 2725221 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2716151&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fu5LFLPo9kmU%2F 45 breaks and fractures , 16 screws and 2 plates in lower right leg , 3 screws in right knee , 2 screws in left knee , 4 pins and 2 screws in right wrist , 2 screws and a load of wire in left elbow that’s about it. Ouch. That sounds like major ‘machinery’ repair to me. When bones break into several pieces, usually the only repair would be screws, pins and plates. But that could all be a thing of the past with this medical breakthrough – Scientists created a synthetic glue for repairing broken bones using the genes of a marine worm! The sandcastle worm is a marine animal that builds its home from sand and broken shells by gluing the pieces together using a glue-like substance that it secretes. Scientists were able to clone the genes of the natural adhesive and manufacture syn... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2716151 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:00:00 +0100 2716151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2716137&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Ffamily-history-state-of-science.html The NIH/CDC is hosting a conference next week. I conference I wish I could go to, but alas, I will be DOING family histories on my patients that week.The conference will be held at the NIH in Bethesda. This is an NIH state of the science conference about Family History and its usefulness.I for one, am very glad that the government is trying to address this super important issue. It is beyond due for an evaluation. Why?With the cost of a genome going to drop to 5000 USD by the late fall (trust me), we will soon see another level of DTC and Clinical lab set offering the genome as a predictive tool.There are several reasons that Family History beats a Genome (For Now) 1. Phenotypic data of family history represents complex interplay of genes and environment There is no way that a simple genom... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2716137 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:50:00 +0100 2716137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712293&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FTKuPFIt7yqo%2F I read about Jessa Perrin’s story and was struck with how her world was turned upside down by a rare disease. Jessa Perrin was backpacking in Israel when she suddenly became ill. Her skin turned yellow and her liver, kidneys and lungs failed within a day of being admitted to the hospital. She wasn’t even diagnosed with anything yet, but she needed liver transplant fast, or else she was not going to last a week. The doctors finally diagnosed Jessa with Wilson’s Disease, a rare, recessive genetic disorder that shuts down the body’s ability to get rid of copper. Jessa inherited two abnormal copies of the ATP7B gene, one from each of her parents (who were carriers). Because it’s a recessive trait the carrying parents do not have any symptoms and have no known family history of the... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712293 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:05:07 +0100 2712293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2703924&cid=t_104700_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FD7nRDUVbFfA%2F Every blogger will wish he has this gene! Scientists discovered a rare genetic mutation that allows certain people to sleep on less hours without any adverse effect. In one family, a mother and daughter with this rare mutation needed only six hours of sleep each night while the rest of the family needed the typical 7-8 hours. Gene for Short Sleeper Found. Image: sxc Published in Science, researchers from the University of California- San Francisco isolated the gene as DEC2, involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms, the body’s clock. The scientists then bred mice and fruit flies that carried the mutation and found the mutant mice slept less and needed less time to recover from sleep deprivation. According to health experts, a typical adult needs at least 7-8 hours of sleep each... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2703924 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:55:00 +0100 2703924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702485&cid=t_104700_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F14%2Fwomen-often-opt-to-surgically-remove-their-breasts-ovaries-to-reduce-cancer-risk%2F Many women at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer are choosing to undergo surgery as a precautionary measure to decrease their cancer risk, according to a report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. PHILADELPHIA – Many women at high risk for breast or ovarian cancer are [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702485 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:45:23 +0100 2702485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2699652&cid=t_104700_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fabstract_the_symptomatic_profile_of_panic_disorder_is_shape.htm Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2009 Aug;doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.08.004 The symptomatic profile of panic disorder is shaped by the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism Lonsdorf TB, Rück C, Bergström J, Andersson G, Öhman A, Schalling M, Lindefors N. Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Psychology section, Center for Psychiatry Research, Neurogenetics Unit, Stockholm Brain Institute, & Nordic center of Excellence in Cognitive Control, Linköping University, Swedish Institute for Disability Research, Linköping, Sweden The short allele of a functional polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in the serotonin transporter promoter is associated with reduced serotonin transporter (5-HTT) expression, lower in vivo 5-HTT binding, neuroticism, amygdala reactivity as well as facilitated... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2699652 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:18:00 +0100 2699652