The two year curriculum includes course work, clinical rotations, and a research-based thesis. Students are afforded a wide range of clinical opportunities in prenatal, pediatric and adult settings as well as specialty clinics through our clinical rotation network. International rotations are encouraged.

In 1991 and 1998, the Program received rare Commendation for Excellence citations from the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education. The Program was awarded American Board of Genetic Counseling accreditation in 2000 and reaccreditation in 2006. Most recently, the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling re-accredited the Program for the maximum eight year period, 2014-2022.

We invite you to explore the University of South Carolina Genetic Counseling Program through this site. Please also visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the American Board of Genetic Counseling websites to learn more about the profession. Check out the latest U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition projections for genetic counselors. The future is bright for genetic counselors!

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Genetic Counseling Program - University of South Carolina ...

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Biotechnology Portal

Welcome to the Biotechnology portal. Biotechnology is a technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine.

Of the many different definitions available, the one declared by the UN Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the broadest:

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Biotechnology subcategories:

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Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a species of bacteria that causes tumors (commonly known as 'galls' or 'crown galls') in dicots (Smith et al., 1907). This Gram-negative bacterium causes crown gall by inserting a small segment of DNA (known as the T-DNA, for 'transfer DNA') into the plant cell, which is incorporated at a semi-random location into the plant genome.

Agrobacterium is an alpha proteobacterium of the family Rhizobiaceae, which includes the nitrogen fixing legume symbionts. Unlike the nitrogen fixing symbionts, tumor producing Agrobacterium are parasitic and do not benefit the plant. The wide variety of plants affected by Agrobacterium makes it of great concern to the agriculture industry (Moore et al., 1997).

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Portal:Biotechnology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Recommendation and review posted by sam

I'm truly excited to be bringing you this information today about the miraculous healing abilities of aloe vera. First off, in case you don't know, let me emphasize that I don't sell aloe vera products of any kind, I haven't been paid to write this article, and I don't earn any commissions from the sale of any products mentioned here. I am, however, an enthusiastic supporter of natural medicine, and I personally grow and eat aloe vera plants in Tucson, Arizona.

In fact, my yard is an aloe farm, and each day before I make my superfood breakfast smoothie, I walk out to my yard, slice off an aloe vera leaf, thank the plant for granting me its healing medicine, then I fillet the leaf and drop the aloe vera gel into my blender. A few minutes later, I'm enjoying the most impressive medicinal herb that nature has ever created. (Click here to see the new PhotoTour showing step-by-step pictures of how to fillet aloe vera and remove the inner gel.)

When I say aloe vera is the most impressive medicinal herb invented by nature, I don't make that statement lightly. Of all the herbs I've ever studied -- and I've written thousands of articles on nutrition and disease prevention -- aloe vera is the most impressive herb of them all. (Garlic would be a close second.) There is nothing on this planet that offers the amazing variety of healing benefits granted by aloe vera. In a single plant, aloe vera offers potent, natural medicine that:

Halts the growth of cancer tumors. Lowers high cholesterol. Repairs "sludge blood" and reverses "sticky blood". Boosts the oxygenation of your blood. Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain. Protects the body from oxidative stress. Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea. Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits. Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn's disease and other digestive disorders. Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms. Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients. Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns. Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete. Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract. Ends constipation. Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics. Prevents and treats candida infections. Protects the kidneys from disease. Functions as nature's own "sports drink" for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete. Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance. Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion. Hydrates the skin, accelerates skin repair.

Truly, there is nothing else that compares to the medicinal potential of aloe vera. And yet most people only know about the topical applications of aloe vera gel. They think it's only good for sunburns. In reality, aloe vera is useful for both external and internal use. In this article, I'll discuss both.

After a rain in the desert, you can actually watch the succulents swell to 130% their usual size as they take in water. During periods of drought, they slowly shrink back to normal as the excess water locked in their gel matrix is consumed.

It is these succulents we're interested in here, and it's only the inner gel that we're focused on, because this inner gel has medicinal properties you'd be surprised to learn. For starters, there's the fact that all succulents have self-repairing abilities. They don't simply store water in a giant internal "water tank" that leaks out if torn or punctured: Their internal gel repairs any cut or tear by automatically shrinking the wound and creating a new water-tight seal. This gel matrix is comprised of hundreds of different phytochemicals that not only store water and repair injury; they also grant notable medicinal effects to humans who consume them.

Until now, there was only one good way to get aloe vera gel: Grow it yourself. I've done that for years, and when I'm making a smoothie, I often cut a large aloe vera leaf out of my yard, slice off the thick green skin of the leaf, and drop the large gel piece into a blender. You can see how this works in the aloe vera PhotoTour. The piece of aloe vera gel you see in the last picture is what I ate.

The reason I'm writing about aloe vera now is because a company I know here in Arizona called Good Cause Wellness (www.GoodCauseWellness.com) has launched a line of low-temperature dried aloe vera & berry products that you can use as ingredients in any smoothie. It's the next best thing to growing your own fresh aloe vera leaves. It's a high-grade, pesticide-free, highly concentrated aloe vera gel powder (just the gel, not the leaf) available in two mixtures: Aloe Vera + Raspberry Powder and Aloe Vera + Blueberry Powder. This makes aloe vera gel available to everyone, not just those who live in the desert.

You see, until now, I've been a strong proponent of the health benefits of aloe vera, but I had no advice for teaching others how to take the product. The typical aloe vera liquids available in retail are very weak, and some contain almost no aloe vera juice whatsoever. Many are mixed with food thickeners to make them look like a gel, but most have been heated, destroying a significant portion of their healing effects. This new aloe vera gel powder is the best form of aloe vera I've seen yet, and it's in a convenient format that's perfect for using in your own smoothies.

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The aloe vera miracle: A natural medicine for cancer ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Debra Torres says

September 10, 2012 at 2:13 pm

Wow. Its so amazing how just some small indications in mice can create a product that tempts people to actually buy it. I know that joint pain can really be a problem and inhibit movement. I have Psoriatic Arthritis and, when it flares up, it hurts. Thankfully, this form of arthritis pain jumps around and doesnt stay in one place forever. (My elbow is now pain free again.) Thanks for the research here, Joe. And, for all of the helpful links. Your blog is amazing.

Sharon says

September 11, 2012 at 8:55 am

Please review Protandim:)

Glen says

September 15, 2012 at 3:27 pm

Im a 50 year old male and have been using a low dose (~3-4mg/day) of Anatabloc since April (2012). It has helped reduce my eczema issues considerably but it hasnt cured anything. I still like it though and have recently increased to the recommended dose (6mg/day) to see if it makes any difference. Ive noticed no negative side effects, but have noticed an absence of swelling in my hands and feet at the end of the day.

Also noticed that I recover faster from aches and pain associated with activities like gardening etc. Also noticed that my finger joint pain (I have not been diagnosed with arthritis) is much less. I had my blood tested before taking Anatabloc and plan to see if there is any effect on the measurements at my next annual checkup.

Original post:
Anatabloc Anti-Inflammation Joint Supplement: Review of ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Established in 1980, the Life Extension Foundation is a nonprofit organization, whose long-range goal is to radically extend the healthy human lifespan by discovering scientific methods to control aging and eradicate disease. One of the largest organizations of its kind in the world, the Life Extension Foundation has always been at the forefront of discovering new scientific breakthroughs for use in developing novel disease prevention and treatment protocols to improve the quality and length of human life. Through its private funding of research programs aimed at identifying and developing new therapies to slow and even reverse the aging process, the Life Extension Foundation seeks to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, such age-related killers as heart disease, stroke, cancer and Alzheimers disease.

The Life Extension Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to extend the healthy human lifespan by discovering scientific methods to control aging and eradicate disease. continue >>

Since its inception in 1980, the Life Extension Foundation has continued its dedication to finding new scientific methods for eradicating old age, disease and death. continue >>

The Life Extension Foundation has been a world leader in uncovering pioneering approaches for preventing and treating diseases. continue >>

Long-time members are keenly aware of the scientific research that Life Extension Foundation funds to develop validated methods to slow and reverse the aging process. continue >>

Life Extension Foundation Federal Income Tax information is now available to download in Adobe PDF format. continue >>

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About Life Extension: Anti-Aging, Health Supplements ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Companion Diagnostics are the Key to Personalized Medicine for Cancer

Personalized medicine -- also known as targeted medicine or precision medicine -- is a rapidly-evolving area of healthcare in which treatment for a medical condition such as cancer is tailored to the individual patient and his or her biology. There should be no one-size-fits-all approach to medicine. The goal of personalized medicine is to prescribe the right medicine to the right patient at the right time and avoid the trial-and-error treatment paradigm.

If, for example, a woman has ovarian cancer caused by a genetic mutation, personalized medicine may enable her to be treated with a chemotherapy shown to be effective in individuals with that specific mutation.1

Companion diagnostics are the medical tests that make personalized medicine possible. Designed to be paired with a specific drug, companion diagnostics help healthcare professionals determine which patients could be helped by that drug and which patients would not benefit, or could even be harmed.

Unlike other laboratory developed tests, companion diagnostic tests are reviewed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is the gold standard for ensuring safety, effectiveness and quality. FDA approval gives physicians confidence they are receiving the highest quality test result on a consistent basis.

BRACAnalysis CDx is an FDA-approved companion diagnostic that helps to identify women with advanced ovarian cancer with germline BRCA1/2 mutations who have completed three or more lines of chemotherapy and might benefit from treatment with Lynparza (olaparib).

Myriad myChoice HRD is a tumor tissue test that measures deficiencies in the DNA-repair mechanism of cancer cells and may help identify more of the cancer patients who are most likely to benefit from certain types of DNA-damaging chemotherapy agents.

Personalized medicine is the future of healthcare, not just for cancer, but for disease in general. Companion diagnostics will be critical tools that all physicians will need in their toolbox as healthcare moves forward. In addition to cancer, companion diagnostics hold promise in the treatment of other chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune disorders and diabetes.

More here:
Personalized Medicine and Cancer Companion Diagnostics

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Meniscal Transplant in Patients Age 50 and Under Relieves Pain, Delays Additional Surgery Aug. 5, 2015 Most patients younger than age 50 with a torn or severely damaged meniscus experienced reduced pain and improved knee function following transplant surgery, according to a study. However, many ... read more Romantic Kissing Is Not the Norm in Most Cultures Aug. 5, 2015 For generations, passionate kisses immortalized in movies, songs and the arts have served as a thermometer of romantic affection. But current research has found that not only is romantic kissing not ... read more Reserach Team Gets the Beat, Develops Method of Quantifying Ciliary Movement Aug. 5, 2015 Researchers have figured out how to objectively quantify the beating action of cilia, the tiny, hair-like projections on cells that line nasal passages, the lungs and almost every other body tissue, ... read more Computer Algorithm Can Forecast Patients' Deadly Sepsis Aug. 5, 2015 A new computer-based method correctly predicts septic shock in 85 percent of cases, without increasing the false positive rate from screening methods that are common ... read more Aug. 5, 2015 Cancer researchers already know of some oncogenes and other factors that promote the development of colon cancers, but they don't yet have the full picture of how these cancers originate and ... read more New Medical Research Reporting Requirements May Lead to Fewer Positive Outcomes Aug. 5, 2015 The adoption of new transparent reporting standards may have contributed to a significant reduction in the percentage of studies reporting positive research findings among large-budget clinical ... read more Surveys Reveal Trends in Global Consumption of Sugary Beverages, Fruit Juices and Milk Aug. 5, 2015 A team led by researchers has estimated global intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices, and milk across 187 countries. Variation was identified by age, sex and region, with implications ... read more Aug. 5, 2015 Scientists have, for the first time, found further evidence of how the differentiation of pluripotent cells is tied to and controlled by the cell cycle clock. This deeper understanding of how cells ... read more Scientists Solve Structure of Important Protein for Tumor Growth Aug. 5, 2015 Scientists have used a highly specialized X-ray crystallography technique to solve the protein structure of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), important regulators of a tumors response to low ... read more Endoscopes Still Contaminated After Cleaning, Study Shows Aug. 5, 2015 Potentially harmful bacteria can survive on endoscopes used to examine the interior of the digestive tract, despite a multi-step cleaning and disinfecting process, according to a ... read more Aug. 5, 2015 A custom flow perfusion bioreactor has been used by researchers to show the value of testing cancer samples in realistic environments. By placing cancer cells in a three-dimensional scaffold and ... read more Online Tool Enables Public to Track 'Tip-of-the Tongue' States, Speech Errors Aug. 5, 2015 Researchers have produced a web-based tool allowing everyday people to engage in 'citizen science' by recording speech errors, something that is difficult to capture in the lab ... read more Long-Term Followup of Type of Bariatric Surgery Finds Regain of Weight, Decrease in Diabetes Remission Aug. 5, 2015 While undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy induced weight loss and improvements in obesity-related disorders, long-term followup shows significant weight regain and a decrease in remission ... read more Aug. 5, 2015 Women who have gastric bypass surgery to lose weight should keep a close eye on their alcohol consumption, according to a study. The researchers found that changes in how alcohol is metabolized after ... read more Picking Up the Phone to Improve Mental Health in Seniors Aug. 5, 2015 Therapy provided via telephone for older adults in rural areas is effective in treating anxiety disorder, a new study has demonstrated. Experts write that the health-care system lacks the capacity to ... read more Aug. 5, 2015 Researchers have released new guidelines to make MakerSpaces more accessible to people with disabilities, as these communal spaces with soldering irons, 3-D printers, sewing machines and other ... read more Aug. 5, 2015 Intra-abdominal fat cells may contribute to the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a ... read more Aug. 5, 2015 Lax state vaccination laws contribute to lower immunization rates and increased outbreaks of preventable diseaseslike whooping cough and measlesaccording to a new ... read more Consuming Highly Refined Carbohydrates Increases Risk of Depression Aug. 5, 2015 A diet high in refined carbohydrates may lead to an increased risk for new-onset depression in postmenopausal women, according to a study. The study looked at the dietary glycemic index, glycemic ... read more Cancer Markers May Be Present Early During Human Development Aug. 5, 2015 Researchers have uncovered a link between the genomes of cells originating in the neural crest and development of tumors -- a discovery that could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat ... read more

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Recommendation and review posted by sam

Find your glossary term by first letter:

a form of complementary and alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles thorugh the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.

a form of complementary and alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles thorugh the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.

written instructions letting others know the type of care you want if you are seriously ill or dying. These include a living will and health care power of attorney.

written instructions letting others know the type of care you want if you are seriously ill or dying. These include a living will and health care power of attorney.

disorders that involve an immune response in the body. Allergies are reactions to allergens such as plant pollen, other grasses and weeds, certain foods, rubber latex, insect bites, or certain drugs.

tiny glands in the breast that produce milk.

a brain disease that cripples the brain's nerve cells over time and destroys memory and learning. It usually starts in late middle age or old age and gets worse over time. Symptoms include loss of memory, confusion, problems in thinking, and changes in language, behavior, and personality.

clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the unborn baby (fetus) during pregnancy. It is contained in the amniotic sac.

when the amount of red blood cells or hemoglobin (the substance in the blood that carries oxygen to organs) becomes reduced, causing fatigue that can be severe.

Visit link:
Glossary Index | womenshealth.gov

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Genetic engineering is the process of removing a gene from one organism and putting it into another. Often, the removed genes are put into bacteria or yeast cells so that scientists can study the gene or the protein it produces more easily. Sometimes, genes are put into a plant or an animal.

One of the first genetic engineering advances involved the hormone insulin. Diabetes, a medical condition that affects millions of people, prevents the body from producing enough insulin necessary for cells to properly absorb sugar. Diabetics used to be treated with supplementary insulin isolated from pigs or cows. Although this insulin is very similar to human insulin, it is not identical. Bovine insulin is antigenic in humans. Antibodies produced against it would gradually destroy its efficacy.

Scientists got around the problem by putting the gene for human insulin into bacteria. The bacteria's cellular machinery, which is identical to the cellular machinery of all living things, "reads" the gene, and turns it into a protein-human insulin-through a process called translation.

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Interactives . DNA . Genetic Engineering

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Osteoarthritis (OA) also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthrosis, is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.[1] The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Initially, symptoms may occur only following exercise, but over time may become constant. Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and when the back is affected weakness or numbness of the arms and legs. The most commonly involved joints are those near the ends of the fingers, at the base of the thumb, neck, lower back, knees, and hips. Joints on one side of the body are often more affected than those on the other. Usually the problems come on over years. It can affect work and normal daily activities. Unlike other types of arthritis, only the joints are typically affected.[2]

Causes include previous joint injury, abnormal joint or limb development, and inherited factors. Risk is greater in those who are overweight, have one leg of a different length, and have jobs that result in high levels of joint stress.[2][3] Osteoarthritis is believed to be caused by mechanical stress on the joint and low grade inflammatory processes.[4] It develops as cartilage is lost with eventually the underlying bone becoming affected.[2] As pain may make it difficult to exercise, muscle loss may occur.[3][5] Diagnosis is typically based on signs and symptom with medical imaging and other tests occasionally used to either support or rule out other problems. Unlike in rheumatoid arthritis, which is primarily an inflammatory condition, the joints do not typically become hot or red.[2]

Treatment includes exercise, efforts to decrease joint stress, support groups, and pain medications. Efforts to decrease joint stress include resting, the use of a cane, and braces. Weight loss may help in those who are overweight. Pain medications may include paracetamol (acetaminophen). If this does not work NSAIDs such as naproxen may be used but these medications are associated with greater side effects. Opioids if used are generally only recommended short term due to the risk of addiction.[2] If pain interferes with normal life despite other treatments, joint replacement surgery may help. An artificial joint, however, only lasts a limited amount of time.[3] Outcomes for most people with osteoarthritis are good.[2]

OA is the most common form of arthritis with disease of the knee and hip affecting about 3.8% of people as of 2010.[2][6] Among those over 60 years old about 10% of males and 18% of females are affected.[3] It is the cause of about 2% of years lived with disability.[6] In Australia about 1.9 million people are affected,[7] and in the United States about 27 million people are affected.[2] Before 45 years of age it is more common in men, while after 45 years of age it is more common in women. It becomes more common in both sexes as people become older.[2]

The main symptom is pain, causing loss of ability and often stiffness. "Pain" is generally described as a sharp ache or a burning sensation in the associated muscles and tendons. OA can cause a crackling noise (called "crepitus") when the affected joint is moved or touched and people may experience muscle spasms and contractions in the tendons. Occasionally, the joints may also be filled with fluid.[8] Some people report increased pain associated with cold temperature, high humidity, and/or a drop in barometric pressure, but studies have had mixed results.[9]

OA commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and the large weight bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, although in theory, any joint in the body can be affected. As OA progresses, the affected joints appear larger, are stiff and painful, and usually feel better with gentle use but worse with excessive or prolonged use, thus distinguishing it from rheumatoid arthritis.

In smaller joints, such as at the fingers, hard bony enlargements, called Heberden's nodes (on the distal interphalangeal joints) and/or Bouchard's nodes (on the proximal interphalangeal joints), may form, and though they are not necessarily painful, they do limit the movement of the fingers significantly. OA at the toes leads to the formation of bunions, rendering them red or swollen. Some people notice these physical changes before they experience any pain.

OA is the most common cause of a joint effusion of the knee.[10]

Damage from mechanical stress with insufficient self repair by joints is believed to be the primary cause of osteoarthritis.[11] Sources of this stress may include misalignments of bones caused by congenital or pathogenic causes; mechanical injury; excess body weight; loss of strength in the muscles supporting a joint; and impairment of peripheral nerves, leading to sudden or uncoordinated movements.[11] However exercise, including running in the absence of injury, has not been found to increase the risk.[12] Nor has cracking one's knuckles been found to play a role.[13]

A number of studies have shown that there is a greater prevalence of the disease among siblings and especially identical twins, indicating a hereditary basis.[14] Although a single factor is not generally sufficient to cause the disease, about half of the variation in susceptibility has been assigned to genetic factors.[15]

Read more:
Osteoarthritis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

Back pain is a very common complaint. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 80% of all Americans will have low back pain at least once in their lives.

Back pain is a common reason for absence from work and doctor visits. Although back pain may be painful and uncomfortable, it is not usually serious.

Even though back pain can affect people of any age, it is significantly more common among adults aged between 35 and 55 years. Experts say that back pain is associated with the way our bones, muscles and ligaments in our backs work together.

Pain in the lower back may be linked to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, lower back muscles, abdomen and pelvic internal organs, and the skin around the lumbar area. Pain in the upper back may be due to disorders of the aorta, tumors in the chest, and spine inflammation.

You will also see introductions at the end of some sections to any recent developments that have been covered by MNT's news stories. Also, look out for links to information about related conditions.

A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes type 2. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2.

The following factors are linked to a higher risk of developing low back pain:

The main symptom of back pain is, as the name suggests, an ache or pain anywhere on the back, and sometimes all the way down to the buttocks and legs. In most cases signs and symptoms clear up on their own within a short period.

If any of the following signs or symptoms accompanies a back pain your should see your doctor:

Strain - the most common causes of back pain are:

Originally posted here:
Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments - Medical News ...

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

Whilst transplantation often remains the only effective treatment for acute kidney disease, a new study from Kyoto University points to a future where renal progenitor cells derived from iPSCs could be transplanted into affected kidneys to combat these debilitating conditions.

In recent years, a popular avenue of investigation for treating kidney disease and damage has been transplantation of renal progenitor cells (RPCs), which can develop into the variety of cells required for organ repair. One problem with this line of study has been growing the number of RPCs required for effective treatment. This investigation, lead by Professor Kenji Osafune and published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, shows iPSCs can be expanded and differentiated into RPCs at high enough levels to make them a strong candidate for the therapy.

One issue outstanding with this potential therapy is the difficulty associated with transplanting the RPCs directly into kidney parenchyma, with few studies managing to introduce sufficient cell numbers. The kidney is a very solid organ, which makes it very difficult to bring enough number of cells upon transplantation, Osafune explained.

To circumvent this problem, the team transplanted RPCs derived from iPSCs into the kidney subcapsule at the kidney surface. These cells never integrated into the host organ, but the mice receiving the treatment showed better recovery from their acute kidney injury nevertheless. Compared to control experiments, introduction of RPCs was concomitant with reduced necrosis and fibrosis of the damaged kidneys. Osafune has suggested that these improvements may be due to the RPCs expressing two known renal progenitor marker proteins, Osr1 and Six2, which have not been tested together until now.

As the cells did not integrate into the host kidney, another mode of action must have caused the benefits observed. The study concluded that paracrine secretions of renal protective factors from the RPCs caused the improvements seen in the treated mice. As kidney fibrosis marks progression towards chronic disease, Osafune hinted the paracrine secretions could be utilised as a preventative therapy for other diseases, or give clues for drug discovery. There is no medication for acute kidney injury. If we can identify the paracrine factor, maybe it will lead to a drug.

Sources: Toyohara T, Mae SU, Sueta SU et al. Cell Therapy Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Renal Progenitors Ameliorates Acute Kidney Injury In Mice. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. doi: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0219

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Potential use of iPS cells to combat acute kidney disease ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Posted on: Friday, July 31, 2015 by Nicola Robas

We are a step closer to being able to prevent some types of inherited deafness thanks to ground breaking research showing that gene therapy has been successfully used in mice to restore hearing. Nicola Robas from our Biomedical Research team tells us more.

The instructions for how our bodies develop and function are contained in our genes. We each have small variations in our genetic instructions but most of the time these differences do not alter how a gene functions. However, sometimes the differences can stop a gene from working properly. If this occurs in a gene needed for hearing it can lead to deafness (known as genetic or inherited deafness). So far scientists have identified over 100 genes that can cause genetic hearing loss. While our ability to diagnose genetic hearing loss has vastly improved, the current treatments remain limited to hearing aids and cochlear implants. These devices can be very effective at improving hearing but they cannot help everyone with inherited deafness, and they do not fix the root cause of the hearing loss.

Researchers have been looking at one particular type of inherited hearing loss caused by changes in a gene called TMC1. The protein produced by the TMC1 gene forms part of the machinery in the sound-sensing hair cells of the inner ear that converts mechanical sound waves into electrical signals that are then sent to the brain, allowing us to perceive sound. If TMC1 is not working correctly, then sound signals cannot be sent from the ear to the brain, leading to a hearing loss. In people, changes in TMC1 can cause 2 forms of deafness. In the most common form of TMC1-related deafness, children become profoundly deaf from a very young age, usually around two years old. The second causes children to go deaf gradually from about the age of 10 to 15.

Gene therapy to replace a faulty gene with a normally functioning copy has the potential to prevent certain types of genetic deafness. New research, led by scientists at Harvard Medical School, has shown in mice, that gene therapy can restore the hearing of animals with a faulty TMC1 gene. A virus engineered to produce a healthy copy of this gene was injected into the cochlea of mice in which TMC1 wasnt working correctly (thereby acting as an experimental model of the human form of deafness).

25 days after the injection the mice showed a partial recovery of hearing. The mice went from having a profound hearing loss to a point where, if they were people, they would benefit from a hearing aid. The researchers think that only a partial recovery was seen because the virus delivering the gene was not able to reach all the cells it needed to. There are two types of sound-sensing hair cells in the ear - inner hair cells that activate the auditory nerves carrying sound signals to the brain, and outer hair cells that amplify sound vibrations allowing people to hear really quiet sounds. TMC1 is needed by both cell types, but the virus was only able to get into and rescue the inner hair cells.

At least half of all childhood deafness is inherited and we know there are more than 100 different genes that can cause deafness. If shown to work in people, then this gene therapy has the potential to cure one specific type of genetic deafness (TMC1-related deafness). TMC1 accounts for around 6% of genetic deafness so, if this approach is successful, it will only have a direct benefit for a small number of families. However, more people could benefit in the future as the same technology could be adapted to treat other types of inherited deafness just delivering a healthy copy of a different gene. The only problem is that many forms of inherited deafness affect the ear before birth so in these cases, a childs ear would need to be treated during pregnancy which, with the technology and surgical techniques available today, would be very difficult. So for now, gene therapy to replace faulty genes is likely to be limited to treating progressive forms of inherited deafness that start after birth.

At the moment, this gene therapy is not yet ready to be tested in people. More work still needs to be done in the laboratory to refine the techniques, improve the way the virus delivers the healthy gene, understand how long the effect lasts for, and gather enough data to deem the approach safe and effective. If all goes well, the researchers hope to begin clinical trials in people in 5 years.

This research was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine

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New gene therapy research to treat genetic deafness ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

We're passionate about helping people combat the world's hardest-to-treat diseases. So we constantly challenge ourselves to expand our scientific expertise, increase our technological understanding, and pursue our passion. To us, science is personal. Read Our Vision

Dietmar Berger discusses the role of the HER2 receptor in metastatic breast cancer.

Array biopharma and Genentech's strategic alliance was voted Breakthrough Alliance of 2012. Partner with us.

We support investigators in academia by supplying key reagents. Request proteins, antibodies, and cDNAs.

We're honored to earn a place on FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for the 17th consecutive year.

Genentech Cancer Genome Project scientists have identified ERBB3 somatic mutations in human cancers. Learn more and read our publication in Cancer Cell.

Genentech is actively seeking applications for Independent Research Projects.

Scientists are at the core of our business. Learn about what inspires them every day.

Scientists know that the work theyre doing has a profound impact on peoples lives. In this video they talk about increasing the rate of success by turning failures into learning opportunities.

Chris Bowden explains the RAS-RAF pathway, an important and evolving area of cancer research.

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Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Genetics

Background:

Homunculus in Sperm One question that has always intrigued us humans is Where did we come from? Long ago, Hippocrates and Aristotle proposed the idea of what they called pangenes, which they thought were tiny pieces of body parts. They thought that pangenes came together to make up the homunculus, a tiny pre-formed human that people thought grew into a baby. In the 1600s, the development of the microscope brought the discovery of eggs and sperm. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, using a primitive microscope, thought he saw the homunculus curled up in a sperm cell. His followers believed that the homunculus was in the sperm, the father planted his seed, and the mother just incubated and nourished the homunculus so it grew into a baby. On the other hand, Regnier de Graaf and his followers thought that they saw the homunculus in the egg, and the presence of semen just somehow stimulated its growth. In the 1800s, a very novel, radical idea arose: both parents contribute to the new baby, but people (even Darwin, as he proposed his theory) still believed that these contributions were in the form of pangenes.

Modern genetics traces its beginnings to Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, who grew peas in a monastery garden. Mendel was unique among biologists of his time because he sought quantifiable data, and actually counted the results of his crosses. He published his findings in 1865, but at that time, people didnt know about mitosis and meiosis, so his conclusions seemed unbelievable, and his work was ignored until it was rediscovered in 1900 by a couple of botanists who were doing research on something else. Peas are an ideal organism for this type of research because they are easy to grow and it is easy to control mating.

We will be looking at the sorts of genetic crosses Mendel did, but first, it is necessary to introduce some terminology:

Monohybrid Cross and Probabilities:

A monohybrid cross is a genetic cross where only one gene/trait is being studied. P stands for the parental generation, while F1 and F2 stand for the first filial generation (the children) and second filial generation (the grandchildren). Each parent can give one chromosome of each pair, therefore one allele for each trait, to the offspring. Thus, when figuring out what kind(s) of gametes an individual can produce, it is necessary to choose one of the two alleles for each gene (which presents no problem if they are the same).

Purple Pea Flower White Pea Flower For example, a true-breeding purple-flowered plant (the dominant allele for this gene) would have the genotype PP, and be able to make gametes with either P or P alleles. A true-breeding white-flowered plant (the recessive allele for this gene) would have the genotype pp, and be able to make gametes with either p or p alleles. Note that both of these parent plants would be homozygous. If one gamete from each of these parents got together to form a new plant, that plant would receive a P allele from one parent and a p allele from the other parent, thus all of the F1 generation will be genotype Pp, they will be heterozygous, and since purple is dominant, they will look purple. What if two individuals from the F1 generation are crossed with each other (PpPp)? Since gametes contain one allele for each gene under consideration, each of these individuals could contribute either a P or a p in his/her gametes. Each of these gametes from each parent could pair with each from the other, thus yielding a number of possible combinations for the offspring. We need a way, then, to predict what the possible offspring might be. Actually, there are two ways of doing this. The first is to do a Punnett square (named after Reginald Crandall Punnett). The possible eggs from the female are listed down the left side, and there is one row for each possible egg. The possible sperm from the male are listed across the top, and there is one column for each possible sperm. The boxes at the intersections of these rows and columns show the possible offspring resulting from that sperm fertilizing that egg. The Punnett square from this cross would look like this:

Note that the chance of having a gamete with a P allele is and the chance of a gamete with a p allele is , so the chance of an egg with P and a sperm with P getting together to form an offspring that is PP is =, just like the probabilities involved tossing coins. Thus, the possible offspring include: PP, ( Pp + pP, which are the same (Pp), since P is dominant over p), so = Pp, and pp.

Another way to calculate this is to use a branching, tree diagram:

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Genetics - biology

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A new method for delivering stem cells to damaged heart muscle has shown early promise in treating severe heart failure, researchers report.

In a preliminary study, they found the tactic was safe and feasible for the 48 heart failure patients they treated. And after a year, the patients showed a modest improvement in the heart's pumping ability, on average.

It's not clear yet whether those improvements could be meaningful, said lead researcher Dr. Amit Patel, director of cardiovascular regenerative medicine at the University of Utah.

He said larger clinical trials are underway to see whether the approach could be an option for advanced heart failure.

Other experts stressed the bigger picture: Researchers have long studied stem cells as a potential therapy for heart failure -- with limited success so far.

"There's been a lot of promise, but not much of a clinical benefit yet," said Dr. Lee Goldberg, who specializes in treating heart failure at the University of Pennsylvania.

Researchers are still sorting through complicated questions, including how to best get stem cells to damaged heart muscle, said Goldberg, who was not involved in the new study.

What's "novel" in this research, he said, is the technique Patel's team used to deliver stem cells to the heart. They took stem cells from patients' bone marrow and infused them into the heart through a large vein called the coronary sinus.

Patel agreed that the technique is the advance.

"Most other techniques have infused stem cells through the arteries," Patel explained. One obstacle, he said, is that people with heart failure generally have hardened, narrowed coronary arteries, and the infused stem cells "don't always go to where they should."

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Stem Cells Show Promise in Heart Failure Treatment

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SAN DIEGO, July 28 (UPI) -- A new drug aimed at dormant cancer stem cells that hide in the hypoxic zones of bone marrow, where most drugs can't reach, is currently entering 5 Phase II clinical trials after it was shown to make blood cancer treatment more effective.

Researchers in a Phase I clinical trial, the results of which are published in The Lancet Haematology, found that the drug vismodegib was effective against three types of blood cancer -- refractory or resistant myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and myelofibrosis.

Vismodegib inhibits the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which is essential to both vertebrate embryonic development and has been implicated in the development of some cancers. The drug, trade name Erivedge, is already approved in the U.S. and Europe for treatment of metastatic or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma.

"Our hope is that this drug will enable more effective treatment to begin earlier and that with earlier intervention, we can alter the course of disease and remove the need for, or improve the chances of success with, bone marrow transplantation," said Dr. Catriona Jamieson, chief of the Division of Regenerative Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of California San Diego, in a press release. "It's all about reducing the burden of disease by intervening early."

Preclinical research showed the drug could "coax" dormant cancer stem cells in hypoxic zones to begin differentiating and enter the bloodstream, where they can be attacked by the chemotherapy and the immune system.

In the study, researchers treated 47 adults with blood and marrow cancers with with the drug in 28-day cycles. Treatment cycles were continued with escalating doses until a participant experienced adverse effects with no improvement in their condition. The participants who did not have adverse reactions or serious side effects continued to receive treatment cycles of the drug.

Serious adverse effects were seen in only 3 of the participants, though 60 percent of the group experienced treatment-related problems. Nearly half the people in the study saw positive clinical activity as a result of treatment with vismedogib, the researchers said, and 5 Phase II clinical trials are being scheduled for the drug for use with blood cancer.

"This drug gets that unwanted house guests to leave and never come back," Jamieson said. "It's a significant step forward in treating people with refractory or resistant myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and myelofibrosis. It's a bonus that the drug can be administered as easily as an aspirin, in a single, daily oral tablet."

Related UPI Stories

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Our skin has the amazing capability to renew itself throughout our adult life. Also, our hair follicle goes through a cycle of growth and degeneration. This happens all the time in our skin even though we are not aware of it. However, even though skin renews itself we still have to help it a little bit to get better results. Stem cells play an important role in this process of skin renewal or hair growth and the purpose of this article is to discuss and provide additional information about these tiny cells that play a big part in our life.

Skin stem cell is defined as multipotent adult skin cells which are able to self-renew or differentiate into various cell lineages of the skin. These cells are active throughout our life via skin renewal process or during skin repair after injuries. These cells reside in the epidermis and hair follicle and one of their purposes is to ensure the maintenance of adult skin and hair regeneration.

The truth is, without these little cells, our skin wouldnt be able to cope with various environmental influences. Our skin is exposed to different influences 24/7, for example, washing your face with soap, going out during summer or cold winter days etc. All these factors have a big impact on our skin and it constantly has to renew itself to stay in a good condition. This is where skin stem cells step in. They make sure your skin survives the influence of constant stress, heat, cold, even makeup, soap, etc.

Our skin is quite sensitive and due to its constant exposure to different influences throughout the day, it can get easily damage. Damage to skin cells can be caused by pretty much everything, from soap to cigarette smoke. One of the most frequent skin cell damages are the result of:

Skin stem cells are still subjected to scientific projects where researchers are trying to discover as much as possible about them. So far, they have identified several types of these cells, and they are:

Also, some scientists suggest that there is another type of stem cells mesenchymal stem cells which can be found in dermis (layer situated below the epidermis) and hypodermis (innermost and the thickest layer of the skin). However, this claim has been branded controversial and is a subject of many arguments and disputes between scientists. It is needed to conduct more experiments to find out whether this statement really is true.

Stem cells are found in many organs and tissues, besides skin. For example, scientists have discovered stem sells in brain, heart, bone marrow, peripheral blood, skeletal muscle, teeth, liver, gut etc. Stem cells reside in a specific area of each tissue or organ and that area is called stem cell niche. The same case is with the skin as well.

The ability of stem cells to regenerate and form almost any cell type in the body inspired scientists to work on various skin products that contain stem cells. Also, they decided to investigate the effect of plant stem cells on human skin. They discovered that plant stem cells are, actually, very similar to human skin stem cells and they function in a similar way as well. This discovery made scientists turn to plants as the source of stem cells and are trying to include them into the skin products due to their effectiveness in supporting skins cellular turnover. Another similarity between plant stem cells and human skin stem cells is their ability to develop according to their environment.

Fun Fact: The inspiration to use plant stem cells in skin care came from an unusual place almost extinct apple tree from Switzerland.

The benefits of plant stem cells on human skin are versatile. They offer possibility to treat some skin conditions, heal wounds, and repair the skin after some injury faster than it would usually take. Also, they bring back elasticity to the skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and slow down the aging process.

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Skin Stem Cells: Benefits, Types, Medical Applications and ...

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Jobing Description

Who we are:

Calico is a research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies to increase our understanding of the biology that controls lifespan. We will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Executing on this mission will require an unprecedented level of interdisciplinary effort and a long-term focus for which funding is already in place.

Position description:

Calico is recruiting biologists to work as part of a cutting-edge research team focused on studying and experimentally altering age-related physiological dysfunction in preclinical models. We are particularly excited about candidates with experience in gene therapy, vector-based delivery of genetic material in vivo, cell-based therapeutic strategies, and physiological endpoints in preclinical models. Experience with genome-editing technologies and pluripotent cell culture is a plus. The successful candidate will develop gene therapy tools to regulate biological networks in a temporal and tissue-specific manner, and to use those tools to alter age-related physiological dysfunction in a manner relevant to future clinical therapy.

Position requirements:

A Ph.D. in biology, cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, or biochemistry with a completed postdoc or 3+ years of additional, relevant experience, with a strong track record of research productivity as evidenced by high-quality, impactful publications. You need to be an enthusiastic team player, thrive on attention to detail, have excellent verbal/written communication skills, and be excited about studying aging!

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Research Specialist, Gene Therapy Job

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Date: 01 Aug 2015

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Tanshinone IIA (TSA) is a lipophilic diterpene purified from the Chinese herb Danshen, which exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Effect of TSA remains largely uninvestigated on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), which are widely used in cell-based therapy of bone diseases. In the present study, both ALP activity at day 7 and calcium content at day 24 were upregulated during the osteogenesis of mouse BM-MSCs treated with TSA (1 and 5M), demonstrating that it promoted the osteogenesis at both early and late stages. We found that TSA promoted osteogenesis and inhibited osteoclastogenesis, evident by RT-PCR analysis of osteogenic marker gene expressions. However, osteogenesis was inhibited by TSA at 20M. We further revealed that TSA (1 and 5M) upregulated BMP and Wnt signaling. Co-treatment with Wnt inhibitor DKK-1 or BMP inhibitor noggin significantly decreased the TSA-promoted osteogenesis, indicating that upregulation of BMP and Wnt signaling plays a significant role and contributes to the TSA-promoted osteogenesis. Of clinical interest, our study suggests TSA as a promising therapeutic strategy during implantation of BM-MSCs for a more effective treatment of bone diseases.

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Effects of Tanshinone IIA on osteogenic differentiation of ...

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Welcome to DNA Stat. We specialize in personalized medicine services, specifically in the pain management and pharmacogenomics arena. We take pride in both our research and unsurpassed customer service, providing clients with genetic & pharmacogenomics testing which is the fastest growing field in the medical industry today.

Pain management and pharmacogenomics is vitally important as we progress into the 21st century as it is a realization and acknowledgement that one size does not fit all when it comes to medications. What might work for one individual flawlessly could mean an adverse reaction and a trip to the emergency room for another. Genetic Testing is the tool used to determine the difference before the medication is ingested. In this way, we are spearheading and defining personalized medicine services and enabling people to recover and maintain their illnesses and conditions worry-free. By eliminating the guess work, patients can recover more fully and quicker than ever before.

We know that the medical industry can be daunting to most people. Fortunately, the genetic & pharmacogenomics testing at DNA Stat comes down to a simple Buccal swab of the cheek. No needles involved, no fear, no blood no problem. Within three weeks, the patients doctor will have in his or her hands a Pharm D Report which is the roadmap to prescribing better medications and better treatments for their patient. DNA Stat, the leader in genetic& pharmacogenomics testing, is changing the way the world sees medicine one patient at a time.

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FEATURED COMPANIES AB Science Artielle Biogen GlaxoSmithKline medDay Pharmaceuticals Novartis AG MORE

About Multiple Sclerosis Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory medical condition, which results in demyelination, axonal transection, and neurodegeneration of the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord. The immune system of the body targets the neurons within the CNS and damages the myelin sheath. It is a potentially debilitating disease, causing disruption in the communication and coordination functions of the body. The symptoms of multiple sclerosis differ widely, subject to the extent of damage and the number of neurons affected. Some of the symptoms observed are fatigue, numbness, spasticity, bladder dysfunction, cognitive changes, emotional changes, and depression. An individual with severe form of the disease can experience speech and movement problems. Multiple sclerosis can be broadly classified into four types: RRMS, SPMS, PPMS, and PRMS.

The analysts forecast the multiple sclerosis market in the US to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% over the period 2014-2019.

Covered in this Report

This report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the multiple sclerosis market in the US for the period 2015-2019. To calculate the market size, the report considers revenue generated from sales of various drugs used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

On the basis of route of administration of the drugs, the market is grouped into the following categories: - Oral - Parenteral

On the basis of type of molecule of the drugs, the market is grouped into the following categories: - Small Molecules - Biologics

The report also presents the vendor landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the top vendors and competitive performances of their product portfolios in the market. In addition, it discusses the major drivers that influence the growth of the market. It also outlines the challenges faced by vendors and the market at large, as well as the key trends that are emerging in the market.

The report, the multiple sclerosis market in the US 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the multiple sclerosis market in US market landscape and its growth prospects in the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

Key Vendors - Bayer AG - Biogen - Merck Serono - Novartis AG - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

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Multiple Sclerosis Market in the US 2015-2019 - Research ...

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Male-pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia and male pattern baldness (MPB), is hair loss that occurs due to an underlying susceptibility of hair follicles to androgenic miniaturization. It is the most common cause of hair loss and will affect up to 70% of men and 40% of women at some point in their lifetimes. Men typically present with hairline recession at the temples and vertex balding, while women normally thin diffusely over the top of their scalps.[1][2][3] Both genetic and environmental factors play a role, and many etiologies remain unknown.

Classic androgenic hair loss in males begins above the temples and vertex, or calvaria, of the scalp. As it progresses, a rim of hair at the sides and rear of the head remains. This has been referred to as a 'Hippocratic wreath', and rarely progresses to complete baldness.[4] The Hamilton-Norwood scale has been developed to grade androgenic alopecia in males.

Female androgenic alopecia is known colloquially as "female pattern baldness", although its characteristics can also occur in males. It more often causes diffuse thinning without hairline recession; and, like its male counterpart, rarely leads to total hair loss.[5] The Ludwig scale grades severity of androgenic alopecia in females.

Animal models of androgenic alopecia occur naturally and have been developed in transgenic mice;[6]chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes); bald uakaris (Cacajao rubicundus); and stump-tailed macaques (Macaca speciosa and M. arctoides). Of these, macaques have demonstrated the greatest incidence and most prominent degrees of hair loss.[7][8]

Androgenic alopecia is typically experienced as a "moderately stressful condition that diminishes body image satisfaction".[9] However, although most men regard baldness as an unwanted and distressing experience, they usually are able to cope and retain integrity of personality.[10]

Research indicates that the initial programming of pilosebaceous units begins in utero.[11] The physiology is primarily androgenic, with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) the major contributor at the dermal papillae. Below-normal values of sex hormone-binding globulin, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and epitestosterone are present in men with premature androgenic alopecia compared to normal controls.[12] Although follicles were previously thought permanently gone in areas of complete hair loss, they are more likely dormant, as recent studies have shown the scalp contains the stem cell progenitors from which the follicles arose.[13]

Transgenic studies have shown that growth and dormancy of hair follicles are related to the activity of insulin-like growth factor at the dermal papillae, which is affected by DHT.[14]Androgens are important in male sexual development around birth and at puberty. They regulate sebaceous glands, apocrine hair growth, and libido. With increasing age,[15] androgens stimulate hair growth on the face, but suppress it at the temples and scalp vertex, a condition that has been referred to as the 'androgen paradox'.[16]

These observations have led to study at the level of the mesenchymal dermal papillae.[17][18]Types 1 and 2 5 reductase enzymes are present at pilosebaceous units in papillae of individual hair follicles.[19] They catalyze formation of the androgens testosterone and DHT, which in turn regulate hair growth.[16] Androgens have different effects at different follicles: they stimulate IGF-1 at facial hair, leading to growth, but stimulate TGF 1, TGF 2, dickkopf1, and IL-6 at the scalp, leading to catagenic miniaturization.[16] Hair follicles in anaphase express four different caspases. Tumor necrosis factor inhibits elongation of hair follicles in vitro with abnormal morphology and cell death in the bulb matrix.[20]

Studies of serum levels of IGF-1 show it to be increased with vertex balding.[21][22] Earlier work looking at in vitro administration of IGF had no effect on hair follicles when insulin was present, but when absent, caused follicle growth. The effects on hair of IGF-I were found to be greater than IGF-II.[23] Later work also showed IGF-1 signalling controls the hair growth cycle and differentiation of hair shafts,[14] possibly having an anti-apoptotic effect during the catagen phase.[24]In situ hybridization in adult human skin has shown morphogenic and mitogenic actions of IGF-1.[25] Mutations of the gene encoding IGF-1 result in shortened and morphologically bizarre hair growth and alopecia.[26] IGF-1 is modulated by IGF binding protein, which is produced in the dermal papilla.[27]

DHT inhibits IGF-1 at the dermal papillae.[28] Extracellular histones inhibit hair shaft elongation and promote regression of hair follicles by decreasing IGF and alkaline phosphatase in transgenic mice.[29] Silencing P-cadherin, a hair follicle protein at adherens junctions, decreases IGF-1, and increases TGF beta 2, although neutralizing TGF decreased catagenesis caused by loss of cadherin, suggesting additional molecular targets for therapy. P-cadherin mutants have short, sparse hair.[30]

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Male-pattern hair loss - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The average age of men in the US is projected to rise significantly over the next 25 years, with the greatest increase occurring in men > 65 years old.

As this happens, there will be a dramatic increase in age-related health problems too, including cancer, strokes, heart disease and hormone deficiency. Although the health risks associated with age-related hormonal decline in women, termed menopause, have been thoroughly addressed, it has now been shown that hormonal changes in the aging male are associated with significant health problems.

Specialty board certified Dr. Paul Turek at The Turek Clinic, a Best Doctors in America choice for 7 years running, has expertise and interest in helping patients understand all of the issues, good and bad, that surround testosterone replacement therapy in men of all ages.

To learn more about male hormone replacement, please select one of the following topics. If you are ready to schedule a consultation with Dr. Turek, please request a consultation here.

There is a progressive decline in testosterone production in men with age. These changes can be dramatic, such that 50% of men >60 years old have low levels of testosterone. Although the rate of decline varies widely, a general rule of thumb is that testosterone levels decrease about 1% yearly after age 50. Despite the fact that it is not as rapid a drop in hormones as women get with menopause, it certainly is just as real. This has been termed male menopause, male climacteric, andropause, or more appropriately, partial androgen deficiency in the aging male (PADAM). Serum testosterone levels in men fall progressively from the third decade to the end of life, mainly due to a decline in the cells in the testis that make the hormone (Leydig cells). This decline may also be due to changes in hormones (GnRH, LH) and proteins (SHBG, albumin) that regulate testosterone production.

One issue with testosterone that complicates matters is the fact that it exists in several different forms in the blood, and each form has different hormonal activity (Figure 1). Free or unbound testosterone is a fully active hormone, but protein-bound testosterone are only partly active, or sometimes completely inactive. What is usually measured in a blood draw is the total testosterone, which is a combination of the free and protein-bound forms. An analogy to explain this is to think of the total testosterone as all of the cars in a parking lot.

Importantly, though, only the cars that can start or drive are useful or active. Free testosterone comprises all of the cars that can start and be driven away, but the protein-bound testosterone are those cars that may or may not start, and those that may or may not be able to be driven away. So, aging is associated with 1) lower total testosterone production (fewer cars in the lot) and 2) higher levels of certain proteins that bind testosterone (sex hormone-binding globulin, SHBG), such that even fewer cars can start and run, and it is this combination of events that leads to declining testosterone activity with age. Thus, the complex physiology of testosterone balance often clouds the interpretation of age-related declining levels of the hormone.

Testosterone affects the function of many organs in the body (Table 1). In the brain, it influences libido or sex drive, male aggression, mood and thinking. Testosterone can improve verbal memory and visual-spatial skills. It as also been shown to decrease fatigue and depression in men with low levels. It is responsible for muscle strength and growth, and stimulates stem cells and blood cells in bones and kidneys. Penile growth, erections, sperm production, and prostatic growth and function all depend on testosterone. It also causes body hair growth, balding, and drives beard growth. Thus, testosterone makes us who we are, and influences how we look.

In men with low testosterone levels, testosterone can improve bone mineral density and reduce bone fractures, an effect similar to that found in postmenopausal women on estrogen replacement. Importantly, hip fractures are 2-3 times as likely to kill an older man as a woman of the same age, and 40% of older male patients with hip fractures die within 1 year of the injury.

Testosterone results in increases in lean body mass, possibly strength and can decrease fat mass. By stimulating erythropoietin, testosterone increases blood counts. It appears to improve lipid profiles and dilates blood vessels in the heart but no data has yet shown that it reduces heart attacks or strokes. It appears not to alter LDL or total cholesterol levels. In recent work, it has been shown that men with chronically low testosterone levels have 2-3 fold higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome and have up to a 40% greater risk of death than men with normal testosterone levels.

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Male Hormone Replacement - Testosterone - The Turek Clinic

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Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), also known as primary or peripheral/gonadal hypogonadism, is a condition which is characterized by hypogonadism due to an impaired response of the gonads to the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and in turn a lack of sex steroid production and elevated gonadotropin levels (as an attempt of compensation by the body). HH may present as either congenital or acquired, but the majority of cases are of the former nature.[1][2]

There are a multitude of different etiologies of HH. Congenital causes include the following:[1][3][4]

Acquired causes (due to damage to or dysfunction of the gonads) include gonadal torsion, vanishing/anorchia, orchitis, premature ovarian failure, ovarian resistance syndrome, trauma, surgery, autoimmunity, chemotherapy, radiation, infections (e.g., sexually-transmitted diseases), toxins (e.g., endocrine disruptors), and drugs (e.g., antiandrogens, opioids, alcohol).[1][3][4]

Examples of symptoms of hypogonadism include delayed, reduced, or absent puberty, low libido, and infertility.

Treatment of HH is usually with hormone replacement therapy, consisting of androgen and estrogen administration in males and females, respectively.[3]

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