Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Lung cancer - non-small cell; NSCLC

Risk:

Treatment:

Although lung cancer accounts for only 15% of all newly-diagnosed cancers in the United States, it is the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men and women. It is more deadly than colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined. About 160,000 patients die from lung cancer each year. Death rates have been declining in men over the past decade, and they have about stabilized in women.

The lungs are two spongy organs surrounded by a thin moist membrane called the pleura. Each lung is composed of smooth, shiny lobes: the right lung has three lobes, and the left has two. About 90% of the lung is filled with air. Only 10% is solid tissue.

The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles, and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.

Lung cancer develops when genetic mutations (changes) occur in a normal cell within the lung. As a result, the cell becomes abnormal in shape and behavior, and reproduces endlessly. The abnormal cells form a tumor that, if not surgically removed, invades neighboring blood vessels and lymph nodes and spreads to nearby sites. Eventually, the cancer can spread (metastasize) to locations throughout the body.

The two major categories of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Most lung cancers are non-small cell cancer, the subject of this report. Less common cancers of the lung are known as carcinoids, cylindromas, and certain sarcomas (cancer in soft tissues). Some experts believe all primary lung cancers come from a single common cancerous (malignant) stem cell. As it copies itself, that stem cell can develop into any one of these cancer types in different people.

Read more:
Non-small cell lung cancer | University of Maryland ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Structural abnormalities where there is a problem with the structure of a chromosome Examples include translocations, duplications and deletions of part of a chromosome

Aneuploid eggs and embryos are also responsible for most of the decline in overall fertility with female aging - and for the low pregnancy success rates with IVF for women over 40.

The increased rate of chromosomal abnormalities in women of advanced reproductive age has been well documented in research studies. The graph below shows the rate of chromosomally abnormal IVF eggs by female age. These numbers are approximate and compiled from several studies.

We do not know exactly why there is an increase in chromosomal abnormalities in the eggs of women as they age. However, research studies have clarified some of the issues involved.

The meiotic spindle is a critical component of eggs that is involved in organizing the chromosome pairs so that a proper division of the pairs can occur as the egg is developing. An abnormal spindle can predispose to development of chromosomally abnormal eggs.

An excellent study published in the medical journal "Human Reproduction" in October of 1996 investigated the influence of maternal age on meiotic spindle assembly in human eggs.

The pictures below are from this journal article. These photos were taken with confocal fluorescence microscopy of eggs stained with special dyes to show the spindles and chromosomes.

When the chromosomes line up properly in a straight line on the spindle apparatus in the egg, the division process would be expected to proceed normally so that the egg would end up with its proper complement of 23 chromosomes.

However, with a disordered arrangement on an abnormal spindle, the division process may be uneven - resulting in an unbalanced chromosomal situation in the egg.

Read the original here:
Female Age and Chromosome Problems in Eggs and Embryos

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Patients in need of hormone replacement therapy will have another option when a dedicated treatment clinic opens next week in West Knoxville.

Balanced Solutions at 9051 Executive Park Drive, suite 203, hopes to fill a void left in the market after the closing of HRC Medical in January. HRC had been under state investigation for safety concerns.

If HRC had done it the correct way, it would have been such a tremendous clinical benefit to our region. They didnt. I think we have the potential to provide that, said Dr. Michael Fields, owner and medical director of Balanced Solutions.

Balanced Solutions has three patient rooms with another two rooms available for expansion. It focuses on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, primarily injectable hormone pellets.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses plant-derived hormones that are formulated to be a direct exact copy chemically and molecularly as the hormones produced by the human body, said Fields, who also serves as Turkey Creek Medical Centers director of robotic surgery.

Since HRC Medical closed, patients in need of such therapy have had limited access to treatment, relying on individual physician practices. HRC Medical also had focused on bioidentical hormone replacement but closed after the state attorney general sued the company for misleading customers and failing to warn them of potential health risks.

Fields said his clinic is focused on the health of the patient.

We are focused on the medicine, not selling someone a product. Every patient will see a clinician. This is very individualized per patient, he said.

Balanced Solutions plans to take a global approach to the patient. In addition to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, patients will be counseled on various wellness components such as nutrition, weight loss and exercise.

I never thought Id have the opportunity to be involved with something like this, he said. Its a significant service to the region and to the patients.

Read more:
Hormone clinic to open - News Sentinel Story

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

By Dr. Mercola

I've previously written about how your environment and lifestyle, particularly your diet, has a direct influence on your genetic expression. For example, research using identical twins have shown that diet trumps genes in terms of the level of health you achieve.

The science of epigenetics also challenges the conventional view of genetics, proving that the environment determines which traits a gene will express, and that your fate is in no way written in stone even if you have genetic predispositions.

Findings such as these offer tremendous amounts of hope for every single one of us, as it removes us from the position of victims of our heredity, and makes us masters of our own health and well-being.

Alas, as expressed in the featured article1 by Jonathan Latham, PhD, it has become increasingly clear that there's collusion going on between our government, industry, and scientists, to hide the fact that everything from human health and intellectual capacity to various addictions are indeed caused by the environment in which we find ourselves.

Latham starts off by discussing a truly blatant example of this type of manufactured PR. A recent study2 found that 98 percent of all variation in educational attainment (i.e. whether you complete high school or college) is accounted for by factors other than your genetic makeup.

"This implies that most of student success is a consequence of potentially alterable social or environmental factors," Latham writes.

"This is an important and perhaps surprising observation, of high interest to parents, teachers, and policymakers alike; but it did not make the headlines. The likely reason is that the authors of the study failed to mention the 98 percent figure in the title, or in the summary. Nor was it mentioned in the accompanying press release.

Instead, their discussion and interest focused almost entirely on a different aspect of their findings: that three gene variants each contribute just 0.02% (one part in 5,000) to variation in educational attainment.

Thus the final sentence of the summary concluded not with a plea to find effective ways to help all young people to reach their full potential but instead proposed that these three gene variants "provide promising candidate SNPs (DNA markers) for follow-up work."

Original post:
Genetics Research -- A Failed Science Now Used for Social ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

It typically affects the outside of the elbows, knees or scalp, though it can appear on any location. Some people report that psoriasis is itchy, burns and stings. Psoriasis is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.

If you develop a rash that doesn't go away with an over-the-counter medication, you should consider contacting your doctor.

While scientists do not know what exactly causes psoriasis, we do know that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. Usually, something triggers psoriasis to flare. The skin cells in people with psoriasis grow at an abnormally fast rate, which causes the buildup of psoriasis lesions.

Men and women develop psoriasis at equal rates. Psoriasis also occurs in all racial groups, but at varying rates. About 1.3 percent of African-Americans have psoriasis, compared to 2.5 percent of Caucasians.

Psoriasis often develops between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can develop at any age. About 10 to 15 percent of those with psoriasis get it before age 10. Some infants have psoriasis, although this is considered rare.

Psoriasis is not contagious. It is not something you can "catch" or that others can catch from you. Psoriasis lesions are not infectious.

There are no special blood tests or tools to diagnose psoriasis. A dermatologist (doctor who specializes in skin diseases) or other health care provider usually examines the affected skin and determines if it is psoriasis.

Your doctor may take a piece of the affected skin (a biopsy) and examine it under the microscope. When biopsied, psoriasis skin looks thicker and inflamed when compared to skin with eczema.

Your doctor also will want to learn about your family history. About one-third of people with psoriasis have a family member with the disease, according to dermatologist Dr. Paul Yamauchi with the Dermatology and Skin Care Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.

There are five types of psoriasis. Learning more about your type of psoriasis will help you determine the best treatment for you.

Go here to see the original:
Learn about plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse ...

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell Serum encourages new epidermal cell growth while protecting and prolonging the cell life of existing skin cells. Wrinkle depth is reduced, hyperpigmentation lightened, and collagen/elastin fibers become thicker and stronger. The ratio of older skin cells to younger skin cells is reversed. Skin looks visibly younger.

Elegantly formulated with fruit-derived Malus Domestica Fruit Stem Cell Extract, ProgeniDerm protects against chromosomal damage that signals skin cells to undergo apoptosis (cell death). Often this signal is sent prematurely due to free radical damage caused by UV light, smoke, stress, etc. With protection against this damage, existing skin cells live longer and more new cells are created.

The Malus Domestica Fruit Stem Cell Extract in ProgeniDerm restores aging skin stem cells regenerative properties. In-vitro and in-vivo testing showed that this new extract:

The ultimate result: skin that regains its ability to repair itself and regenerate new skin cells within two weeks. Substantially greater numbers of new epithelial cells are formed. Enzymes are released that protect cells from damage that shorten the skin cell life cycle. The addition of chondrus crispus (red seaweed/algae extract) and palmitoyl oligopeptide in a hyaluronic acid base combine to make our ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell serum a powerful new tool against premature aging.

Note: Epidermal skin stem cell DNA/chromosomal protection is the newest, most exciting direction for anti-aging products currently. Cellular Skin Rx is proud to be able to provide a serum containing this cutting-edge, naturally-derived extract to our customers. Now that peptides are firmly established as helpful to the skin for relaxing, firming, and reducing inflammation, using naturally-derived fruit stem cell extracts to prevent damage at the most basic cellular level is taking skin care to a whole new realm. You will see more and more of this approach to maintaining a younger complexion moving forward -with Cellular Skin Rx proudly providing you with products that incorporate these new Active Ingredients That Work.

After applying antioxidant serum of your choice, apply twice daily including eye area.

Combining with antioxidant serums such as C+ Firming serum or CSRx Antioxidant Complex yields best results.

Two weeks to gorgeous skin routine: Each morning use CSRx Antioxidant Defense Complex then C+ Firming serum, follow with ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell Serum, then any wrinkle-relaxers/firming products/moisturizers/sunscreen you regularly use. Each night use Age-Limit Advanced Refinishing serum or Ultra-Gentle Enzyme Surface Peel, then apply ProgeniDerm again. In just two weeks, you will see a visible difference in your skin tone, color, and texture.

Excerpt from:
ProgeniDerm Anti-Senescence Skin Stem Cell Serum ...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

What is hypopituitarism?

Hypopituitarism, also called an underactive pituitary gland, is a condition that affects the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland--usually resulting in a partial or complete loss of functioning of that lobe. The resulting symptoms depend on which hormones are no longer being produced by the gland. Because the pituitary gland affects the other endocrine organs, effects of hypopituitarism may be gradual or sudden and dramatic.

Symptoms vary depending on what hormones are insufficiently produced by the pituitary gland. The following are common symptoms associated with reduced production of certain hormones:

Insufficient gonadotropins production (luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone)

In premenopausal women, this leads to absent menstrual cycles, infertility, vaginal dryness, and loss of some female characteristics. In men, this deficiency leads to impotence, shriveling of testes, decreased sperm production, infertility, erectile dysfunction,and loss of some male characteristics.

Insufficient growth hormone production

This usually produces no symptoms in adults. However, it can cause loss of bone density and loss of muscle mass in adults. In children, this deficiency can lead to stunted growth and dwarfism.

Insufficient thyroid-stimulating hormone production

This usually leads to an underactive thyroid and may cause confusion, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, and dry skin.

Insufficientadrenocorticotropin hormone production

See the rest here:
Hypopituitarism | Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

July 7, 2015 10:11 am | Fluid Metering, Inc. | Product Releases |

Miniature, stepper driven valveless OEM Pumps from Fluid Metering Inc. (FMI) are ideal for low and micro-volume fluid control in medical diagnostic and clinical chemistry instrumentation.

When scientists develop cancer therapies, they target the features that make the disease deadly: tumor growth, metastasis, recurrence and drug resistance. In epithelial cancers cancers of the breast, ovaries, prostate, skin and bladder, which begin in the organs lining these processes are controlled by a genetic program called epithelialmesenchymal transition.

TOPICS:

Polar bears are at risk of dying off if humans don't reverse the trend of global warming, a blunt U.S. government report filed Thursday said.

TOPICS:

Unveiling how the 20,000 or so proteins in the human body workand malfunctionis the key to understanding much of health and disease. Now, researchers developed a new technique that allows scientists to better understand an elusive step critical in protein formation.

TOPICS:

A therapy that replaces the faulty gene responsible for cystic fibrosis in patients' lungs has produced encouraging results in a major UK trial.

TOPICS:

More here:
Bioscience Technology | Daily news and top headlines for ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

What is Genetic Counseling?

Genetic counseling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. This process integrates:

Who are Genetic Counselors?

Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health, and social work.

Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family.

Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families to community or state support services. They serve as educators and resource people for other health care professionals and for the general public. Some counselors also work in administrative capacities. Many engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling. (Adopted by the National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc. 1983)

For information on genetic counselors and genetic counselingtraining programs, please download this helpful brochure from the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors: Who are Genetic Counselors?

Practicing genetic counselors should feel free to use any of this material at career fairs or during school or community presentations to share their roles and expertise with others. Those considering a career in genetic counseling will also find valuable information here to guide them on their journey to a degree and career in genetic counseling. For additional information, download the NSGC brochure, Become a Genetic Counselor.

What do Genetic Counselors do?

Genetic counselors provide a critical service to individuals and families considering undergoing genetic testing by helping them identify their risks for certain disorders, investigate family health history, interpret information and determine if testing is needed.

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National Society of Genetic Counselors : Learn about ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a persons chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. More than 1,000 genetic tests are currently in use, and more are being developed.

Several methods can be used for genetic testing:

Chromosomal genetic tests analyze whole chromosomes or long lengths of DNA to see if there are large genetic changes, such as an extra copy of a chromosome, that cause a genetic condition.

Genetic testing is voluntary. Because testing has benefits as well as limitations and risks, the decision about whether to be tested is a personal and complex one. A geneticist or genetic counselor can help by providing information about the pros and cons of the test and discussing the social and emotional aspects of testing.

MedlinePlus offers a list of links to information about genetic testing.

The National Human Genome Research Institute provides an overview of this topic in its Frequently Asked Questions About Genetic Testing. Additional information about genetic testing legislation, policy, and oversight is available from the Institute.

The National Institutes of Health fact sheet Genetic Testing: What It Means for Your Health and for Your Familys Health provides a brief overview for people considering genetic testing.

Educational resources related to genetic testing are available from GeneEd.

You can also search for clinical trials involving genetic testing. ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the National Institutes of Health, provides easy access to information on clinical trials. You can search for specific trials or browse by condition or trial sponsor. You may wish to refer to a list of studies related to genetic testing that are accepting (or will accept) participants.

Next: What are the types of genetic tests?

Read more:
What is genetic testing? - Genetics Home Reference

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Genetic testing gives people the chance to learn if their family history of breast cancer is due to an inherited gene mutation.

Most women who get breast cancer do not have an inherited gene mutation. Five to 10 percent of breast cancers in the U.S. are linked to an inherited gene mutation [4,33].

Every cell in your body contains genes. Genes contain the blueprints (genetic code) for your body. For example, they contain the information that determines the color of your eyes. They also contain information that affects how the cells in your body grow, divide and die.

The information in your genes is passed on (inherited) from both your mother and your father. And, you can pass this information on to your children, both your daughters and sons.

Some changes in the genetic code that affect the function of the gene are called mutations. Mutations are rare. However, just as with other information in genes, mutations can be passed on from a parent to a child.

Some inherited gene mutations increase breast cancer risk. BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer genes 1 and 2) are the best-known genes linked to breast cancer. People who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer and (for women) ovarian cancer. However, there are some options for lowering these increased risks.

Learn more about BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and breast cancer risk.

Komen Perspectives

Learn More

Although genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 is widely advertised, testing is only recommended for certain people, including those with [246]:

Original post:
Genetic Testing - BRCA1 & BRCA2 Mutations | Susan G. Komen

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Genetic engineering (GE for short) is about scientists altering the 'recipes' for making life the genes which you find in all living things. Doing this is very clever and seems to be very useful. Back in the 1990s, many 'Greens' campaigned against genetic engineering and still do. They predicted disaster but that hasn't happened. Nobody has died from eating genetically modified (GM) food. They were also worried about the private GE companies' ownership of the recipes genes for making these new life forms. So is genetic engineering okay? My guide explains the basics but it's up to you to make up your own mind about GE.

Finding your way around my GE Guide You can jump to any part that interests you from the table below. If you want to start at the beginning, click the green arrow below (forward to 'Genes, snails and whales').

Table of contents

Genes, snails and whales What makes you human or me a penguin? What are genes?

Tried and tested Life on Earth has been around for a long time so it's been well tested.

Adapt or die Only the fittest life survives. Here's how it does it.

Coils and corkscrews About that incredible stuff DNA.

Copycat: How DNA copies itself.

More here:
Genetic engineering: a guide for kids by Tiki the Penguin

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Introduction

[Note: Many of the medical and scientific terms used in this summary are found in the NCI Dictionary of Genetics Terms. When a linked term is clicked, the definition will appear in a separate window.]

This summary describes current approaches to assessing and counseling people about their chance of having an inherited susceptibility to cancer. Genetic counseling is defined by the National Society of Genetic Counselors as the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease. Several reviews present overviews of the cancer risk assessment, counseling, and genetic testing process.[1-4]

Individuals are considered to be candidates for cancer risk assessment if they have a personal and/or family history (maternal or paternal lineage) with features suggestive of hereditary cancer.[5] These features vary by type of cancer and specific hereditary syndrome. Criteria have been published to help identify families who may benefit from a referral to genetic counseling.[2,6] The PDQ cancer genetics information summaries on breast, ovarian, endometrial, colorectal, prostate, and skin cancers and endocrine and neuroendocrine neoplasias describe the clinical features of hereditary syndromes associated with these conditions.

The following are features that suggest hereditary cancer:

As part of the process of genetic education and counseling, genetic testing may be considered when the following factors are present:

A candidate for genetic testing receives genetic education and counseling before testing to facilitate informed decision making and adaptation to the risk or condition.[11] Genetic education and counseling gives an individual time to consider the various medical uncertainties, diagnosis, or medical management based on varied test results, and the risks, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing.

Comprehensive cancer risk assessment is a consultative service that includes clinical assessment, genetic testing when appropriate, and risk management recommendations delivered in the context of one or more genetic counseling sessions.

Several professional organizations emphasize the importance of genetic counseling in the cancer risk assessment and genetic testing process. Examples of these organizations include the following:

A list of organizations that have published clinical practices guidelines related to genetic counseling, risk assessment, genetic testing, and/or management for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers is available in the PDQ summary on Genetics of Breast and Gynecologic Cancers.

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Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment and Counseling - National ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Under agreement withStreetWise Reports, I'm pleased to share their recent coverage of the regenerative medicine sector.

Original Source: George S. Mack of The Life Sciences Report (01/18/2015) http://www.thelifesciencesreport.com/pub/na/where-do-cures-reside-morrie-ruffin-and-michael-werner-of-the-alliance-for-regenerative-medicine-think-the-answer-is-in-regenerative-medicine

Where Do Cures Reside? Morrie Ruffin and Michael Werner of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine Think the Answer Is in Regenerative Medicine

The practice of medicine is being transformed. The journey has been arduous, but revolutionary stem cell, gene and immunocellular therapies are rapidly moving toward pivotal milestonesand investors in the space should strap in for a rewarding joy ride. In this interview with The Life Sciences Report, Alliance for Regenerative Medicine cofounders Morrie Ruffin and Michael Werner consider how new federal guidance might enable new standards of care in cardiovascular, neurologic and oncologic medicine, and offer a preview of next week's Biotech Showcase in San Francisco.

The Life Sciences Report: On Dec. 22, the stem cell and regenerative medicine space saw a very significant development. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a new draft guidance paperon what constitutes minimal manipulation of human tissues and cells. Although this document is not binding, it does tell us what the agency is thinking. In effect, tissues and cells that have been processed in some way will be treated as drugs, and will come under the regulatory umbrella of the FDA. What does this mean for the industry?

Michael Werner: As sometimes happens with government agencies, major regulatory documents are released right before the holidays. As far as the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM) is concerned, our member companies are currently looking at the paper and trying to digest it. This draft guidance is open for comment for 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register. We will go through it with a fine-tooth comb, and we will prepare formal comments, which we will submit to the FDA early this year.

Generally speaking, I think the most significant aspect of the guidance is that it provides greater clarity on the FDA's definition of minimal manipulation and, therefore, which products can qualify as minimally manipulated, and which will be regulated as biologics or drugs.

What ARM has said, from its inception many years ago, is that this industry needs a clear and predictable regulatory pathway. The regulations for minimal manipulation have been around for a while, but as this field has expanded, and as the technology has changed, questions have arisen about how the FDA is applying its regulations, and what minimally manipulated means in the context of new, tissue-engineered products.

At the very least, it's important that the FDA has, through this document, been transparent about its views.

TLSR: Michael, will you explain further why this transparency is important?

See the original post here:
Cell Therapy Blog

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Journal of Regenerative Medicine Journal of Regenerative Medicine (JRGM) is a peer-reviewed scholarly journal and aims to publish the most complete and reliable source of information on the discoveries and current developments in the mode of original articles, review articles, case reports, short communications, etc. in all areas of stem cells and regenerative medicine and making them available online freelywithout any restrictions or any other subscriptions to researchers worldwide. Journal of Regenerative Medicine focuses on the topics include regenerative medicine therapies, stem cell applications, tissue engineering, gene and cell therapies, translational medicine and tissue regeneration. The Journal is using Editorial Manager System for quality in review process. Editorial Manager is an online manuscript submission, review and tracking system. Review processing is performed by the editorial board members ofJournal Regenerative Medicine or outside experts; at least two independent reviewers approval followed by editor approval is required for acceptance of any citable manuscript. Authors may submit manuscripts and track their progress through the system, hopefully to publication. Reviewers can download manuscripts and submit their opinions to the editor. Editors can manage the whole submission/review/revise/publish process. Interested authors can submit manuscript through Online Submission System or Editorial Manager or send as an e-mail attachment to the Editorial Office ateditor.jrgm@scitechnol.com oreditor.jrgm@scitechnol.org Journal of Regenerative Medicine is organizing & supporting3rd International Conference on Tissue Science & Regenerative Medicine during September 24-26, 2014 Valencia, Spain with the theme ofBreakthrough Strategies for Tissue Engineering, Repair & Regeneration.

*Unofficial 2014 Impact Factor was established by dividing the number of articles published in 2012 and 2013 with the number of times they are cited in 2014 based on Google search and the Scholar Citation Index database. If X is the total number of articles published in 2012 and 2013, and Y is the number of times these articles were cited in indexed journals during 2014 than, impact factor = Y/X.

Heterogeneity of Stem Cells in Human Amniotic Fluid

Amniotic fluid contains a mixture of cells with capacity to differentiate into all germ layers. These cells are present in large numbers in midtrimester samples obtained for cytogenetic diagnosis, and have been identified by stem cell surface markers and transcription factors. We studied cultured samples from patients who had both direct cultures and matched cultures obtained 2 weeks later from the cytogenetics laboratory as well as patients with cytogenetics material only. Samples were cryogenically frozen, thawed, expanded in culture with excellent viability. There was considerable individual variation unrelated to gestational age or telomere length. Phenotype for embryonic markers was assessed by flow cytometry and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The most consistently present stem cell markers in substantial amounts were CD90, SSEA-4, & TRA-1-60. Cells with CD90, SSEA-4 & TRA-1-60 double and triple labeled also could be identified and subcultured, confirming the heterogeneity of the amniotic fluid stem cell population.

Patent Knowledge and Stem Cell Scientists

The knowledge economy is progressing at a rapid pace and increasingly relying on intangible assets as a form of recoupling its investments. Intangible assets include intellectual capital and intellectual property, with an emphasis on patents here. Due to the unawareness about intellectual property rights, researchers, very often, are flying blind unaware of opportunities and threats posed by patents to their research projects. Although, the business acumen of many (private and public) scientists has markedly increased in recent years, large numbers are still left outside the patent loop of opportunities and knowledge of obstacles to their research. Knowledge about patents carries important implications for all researchers and those responsible for science and technology policy making.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapies:In the Right Pathway to Find their Regulatory Niche

The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) has recently regulated the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), that is,patients own plasma enriched in platelets and therefore in proteins and growth factors, as a human use drug. It is the first time that one regulatory agency worldwide categorizes these types of therapeutic therapies. According to AEMPS, PRP approaches cannot be considered as an advanced-therapy medicinal product. PRPs are classified as non-industrial biological medicines, being subjected to a strict regulation in terms of production, validation, efficacy and safety.

Understanding Somatic (Adult)Stem Cells: Potential vs. Reality

In the adult mammal, reserve stem cells, both active and quiescent, serve as primary precursors for differentiated cells. They often provide replacement cells as needed during normal cell homeostasis or serve as residual stem cell sources during periods of stress, trauma or disease. Adult stem cells have a defined level of maturity, accompanied by stability of differentiation, are less likely to invoke an immune response and are often readily derived from reservoirs in bone marrow, blood, adipose tissue and a variety of placental related tissues. While certain adult stem cells are well established as normal cell precursors and used in the treatment of diseases, an expanding array of specific adult stem cells from muscle, heart, nervous tissue, etc. are being discovered and posited as cell progenitors for regenerative therapy. Current preclinical and clinical tests are designed to test the identity, safety, efficacy, and methodology of harvested stem cells or derived cell lines for therapy of specific disorders. Contemporary therapeutic venues, bio-cell, drug and treatment centers have proposed the use of specific adult stem cells for human therapy in regenerative medicine.

See the original post:
Regenerative Medicine Journals | Stem Cell Articles List

Recommendation and review posted by sam

October 2013

This publication contains general information about psoriasis. It describes what psoriasis is, what causes it, and what the treatment options are. If you have further questions after reading this publication, you may wish to discuss them with your doctor.

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disease of scaling and inflammation that affects greater than 3 percent of the U.S. population, or more than 5 million adults. Although the disease occurs in all age groups, it primarily affects adults. It appears about equally in males and females.

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells quickly rise from their origin below the surface of the skin and pile up on the surface before they have a chance to mature. Usually this movement (also called turnover) takes about a month, but in psoriasis it may occur in only a few days.

In its typical form, psoriasis results in patches of thick, red (inflamed) skin covered with silvery scales. These patches, which are sometimes referred to as plaques, usually itch or feel sore. They most often occur on the elbows, knees, other parts of the legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of the feet, but they can occur on skin anywhere on the body. The disease may also affect the fingernails, the toenails, and the soft tissues of the genitals, and inside the mouth. Although it is not unusual for the skin around affected joints to crack, some people with psoriasis experience joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.

Individuals with psoriasis may experience significant physical discomfort and some disability. Itching and pain can interfere with basic functions, such as self-care, walking, and sleep. Plaques on hands and feet can prevent individuals from working at certain occupations, playing some sports, and caring for family members or a home. The frequency of medical care is costly and can interfere with an employment or school schedule. People with moderate to severe psoriasis may feel self-conscious about their appearance and have a poor self-image that stems from fear of public rejection and concerns about intimate relationships. Psychological distress can lead to significant depression and social isolation.

Psoriasis is a skin disorder driven by the immune system, especially involving a type of white blood cell called a T cell. Normally, T cells help protect the body against infection and disease. In the case of psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake and become so active that they trigger other immune responses, which lead to inflammation and to rapid turnover of skin cells.

In many cases, there is a family history of psoriasis. Researchers have studied a large number of families affected by psoriasis and identified genes linked to the disease. Genes govern every bodily function and determine the inherited traits passed from parent to child.

People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, called flares, then improves. Conditions that may cause flares include infections, stress, and changes in climate that dry the skin. Also, certain medicines, including beta-blockers, which are prescribed for high blood pressure, and lithium may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease. Sometimes people who have psoriasis notice that lesions will appear where the skin has experienced trauma. The trauma could be from a cut, scratch, sunburn, or infection.

Occasionally, doctors may find it difficult to diagnose psoriasis, because it often looks like other skin diseases. It may be necessary to confirm a diagnosis by examining a small skin sample under a microscope.

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Questions and Answers About Psoriasis

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

La psoriasis (AFI:[soja.sis], del griego , picor) es una enfermedad inflamatoria crnica de la piel de origen autoinmune,[1] que produce lesiones escamosas engrosadas e inflamadas, con una amplia variabilidad clnica y evolutiva. No es contagiosa, aunque s puede ser hereditaria, es ms probable que la hereden los hombres que las mujeres.

Puede afectar a cualquier parte de la piel, frecuentemente a las zonas de codos, rodillas, cuero cabelludo, abdomen y espalda. No es raro que produzca afectacin de las uas. Esto se conoce como psoriasis ungueal. Las uas pueden ser la nica zona afectada al principio de la psoriasis. En ocasiones produce complicaciones como la artritis psorisica.

La clasificacin ms utilizada se organiza segn los sntomas, los tipos de lesiones cutneas y la gravedad general del cuadro. Es la clasificacin ms til para la eleccin de su tratamiento y para el conocimiento del pronstico de la enfermedad en cada paciente. La clasificacin est detallada en el apartado Cuadro clnico. En la antigedad era falsamente diagnosticada como lepra, debido a la similitud de sintomatologa.

Se estima que entre un 1 y un 3% de la poblacin sufre de psoriasis.[2][3]

La prevalencia de la psoriasis vara entre las diferentes poblaciones de todo el mundo.[4] Los datos indican que la aparicin de la psoriasis vara segn la edad (menor en los nios) y regin geogrfica, siendo ms frecuente en los pases ms distantes del ecuador.[5] Las tasas de prevalencia en Europa se calculan en alrededor del 1,5%, mientras que en los EE.UU. se estima que la incidencia es aproximadamente del 4,6%. En contraste, se han observado tasas de prevalencia mucho ms bajas entre los afroamericanos, los pases africanos del este, India (0,7%) y China (0,4%).[6]

Si bien puede debutar a cualquier edad, suele hacerlo entre los 15 y los 35aos, con un pico mximo de incidencia en la segunda dcada. Afecta por igual a ambos sexos, aunque es ms precoz en mujeres y en personas con antecedentes familiares.

La psoriasis puede aparecer tambin en la infancia. Aproximadamente un tercio de los pacientes registrados fueron diagnosticados antes de los 20 aos,[7] acentundose en estos casos los posibles problemas de autoestima y comportamiento asociados a la enfermedad. Investigaciones clnicas han hecho referencia a casos de acoso escolar debidos a la enfermedad.

La psoriasis es una enfermedad multifactorial compleja,[4] de origen autoinmune,[1] y su etiologa exacta es en gran parte desconocida. Se ha demostrado una predisposicin gentica, la cual sin embargo no puede explicar completamente la patognesis de la enfermedad. Adems de la susceptibilidad gentica, se suman factores ambientales, as como el gnero y la edad. Recientemente, ciertos desequilibrios en los mecanismos de regulacin epigenticos se indican como elementos causales en la psoriasis.[4]

La herencia de esta enfermedad es posiblemente polignica. Se ha demostrado una importante agregacin familiar,[8] con una concordancia aproximada en gemelos monocigticos del 60%[6] y la asociacin a determinados HLA.

En este sentido, se asocia la predisposicin a psoriasis con los antgenos HLA-CW6, y HLA-DR7. Adems, existe correlacin entre el tipo clnico de psoriasis y otros antgenos HLA. Por ejemplo, el HLA-B17 se asocia a un inicio ms precoz y un curso ms grave, y el HLA-B27 est relacionado con la forma pustulosa generalizada.[9]

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Psoriasis - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

Recommendation and review posted by simmons

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the geriatric population (1, 2). Thirty-three percent of persons 63-94 years of age are affected by knee osteoarthritis (1, 2). Pain, impaired mobility, and reduced muscle strength are common findings in patients with OA which can limit activities of daily living (1, 2). Knee osteoarthritis is primarily characterized by cartilage deterioration along with associated ligament tearing, bone calcification and changes in musculature that may cause joint space narrowing (2, 3). Changes to the joint space can cause significant pain, muscle weakness, joint instability and decreased range of motion for these patients (3).

Risk factors for OA include (4): 1. Noted-trauma, immobilization 2. History of joint infection 3. Hemarthrosis 4. High intensity activities marked by repetitive impact and twisting football, soccer, hockey, running, and etc. 5. Occupational Duties- repetitive heavy lifting, kneeling and squatting 6. Muscle weakness, obesity, genetics, nutrition and joint laxity

The first line of defense for OA includes weight loss, physical therapy, and exercise. The second line of defense includes surgery and pharmacologic intervention (5). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are shown to benefit patients, but are associated with major side effects including gastrointestinal complications, kidney damage, and potential fatality (5, 6, 7). Acetaphetamine may also be prescribed to patients since it has less serious side effects, but it is not as effective as NSAIDs (5, 6, 7). Arthroscopic surgeries, knee capsule injections of saline, and tidal irrigation have not been shown to have lasting proven benefits for the patients (1, 5). Exercise, however, has been shown to be the most effective intervention in reducing pain and functional limitation (1). Given the number of obese patients and geriatric patients that have limitations to exercise; a health professional such as a physical therapist is even more further indicated.

Common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis consist of (4): 1. Onset of symptoms insidiously and progresses slowly 2. Deep ache 3. Aggravation with weight bearing or use of joint 4. Alleviation with rest, decreased weight bearing 5. Mild joint edema 6. Loss of flexibility/mobility/ROM 7. Crepitus with joint motion 8. Palpable osteophytes/bone spurs

Studies have shown that patients can benefit from manual therapy techniques used in combination with joint mobility and strengthening exercise by physical therapists (1,5). Manual therapy can be used for the improvement of elasticity of the joint capsule and the surrounding muscles and strengthening exercises can provide increased stabilization and decreased loading at joint surfaces. The manual therapy treatment techniques, consisting of passive physiologic and accessory joint movements, muscle stretching, soft tissue mobilization are applied to mainly knee joint, and strengthening of hip flexors and extensors, and knee flexors and extensors are typically performed (1,5). Studies found improvements in range of motion (11%), pain (33%), and gait speed (11%) after manual therapy and strengthening exercise (8).

Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Options for a PT Gait Training Postural/Functional Training ROM exercises Stretching (see videos 28 & 30 for hip/groin/knee) Strengthening/Stabilization (see videos 17 & 21 for hip/groin/ knee) Manual Therapy Modalities

Last revised: June 9, 2011 by Minhwan Kim, SPT

Read more here:
Knee Osteoarthritis - Physical Therapy - CyberPT

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Top 10 biotech companies in India 1. Biocon Established in the year 1978 Biocon, global biopharmaceutical enterprise is actively involved in the manufacturing and development of innovative technologies that includes large-scale chemical synthesis, microbial fermentation, mammalian cell culture, purification of protein & antibody and various aseptic formulations. Chairman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw; Corporate Office Bangalore, India | Sector Private | Website http://www.biocon.com 2. Serum Institute of India Serum Institute of India Ltd. established in the year 1966 is the world's largest producer of Measles and DTP group of vaccines. The company manufactures life-saving Biologicals including Anti-Snake Venom and Tetanus Antitoxin serum, DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) and MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) group of vaccines at affordable prices. Chairman Cyrus S. Poonawalla; Location: Pune, India | Sector Private | Website http://www.seruminstitute.com 3. Panacea Biotech Ltd Panacea Biotec established in the year 1976, has strong R and D capabilities with a wide range of pipeline including: Development various complex pharmaceutical generic compounds Technologies) Development of New Chemical Entities (NCE) Vaccines Chairman Soshil Kumar, Corporate Office New Delhi, India | | Business Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology | Sector Private | Website http://www.panacea-biotec.com 4. Novo Nordisk Established in the year 1923, Novo Nordisk is the worlds leader in diabetes care, manufacturing broadest diabetes product that includes development of the most advanced products related to insulin delivery systems. Chairman Sten Scheibye, Corporate Office Denmark, Business -Sector Pharmaceutical- Private | Website http://www.novonordisk.co.in 5. GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. One of the earliest pharmaceutical companies in India is GSK India. It was established in the year 1924. The GSK India is an important group of manufacturing products of wide range of prescription medicines and vaccines in therapeutic areas such as dermatology, anti-infectives, diabetes, oncology, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The company also manufactures vaccines for prevention of hepatitis A and B, invasive diseases caused by H. influenzae, chickenpox, DPT, cervical cancer, rotavirus, Streptococcal pneumonia etc. Chairman Chris Gent; Corporate Office London, United Kingdom Business Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical, Sector Private | Website http://www.gsk-india.com 6. SIRO Clinpharm Established in the year 1996 the company provides a wide range of services including Clinical Operations & Clinical Monitoring, Clinical Data management, medical and scientific writing, biostatistics and statistical programming, clinical trial supplies management, pharmacovigilance. Chairman Dr. Gautam Daftary; Corporate Office Thane, India | | | Business Drug Development; Sector Private | Website http://www.siroclinpharm.com 7. Novozymes, South Asia Novozymes a biotech company established in 1925 strongly focus on production of novel enzymes. The companys biosolution provides everything from the removal of trans fats in food to advancements in bioenergy sources. Chairman Kbenhavns Lufthavne; Corporate Office Bagsvaerd, Denmark; Novozymes South Asia Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore, India; Sector Private | Website http://www.novozymes.com 8. Zydus Cadila Zydus Cadila, established in the year 1952, is a fully integrated, global healthcare company with complete healthcare solutions ranging from active pharmaceutical ingredients, formulations products related to animal health care to wellness products. The company is the only Indian pharma establishment that launched the worlds first drug NCE Lipaglyn for treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia. Chairman - Mr. Pankaj R. Patel, Corporate office-Ahmedabad, Sector- Private Website- http://www.zyduscadila.com 9. Indian Immunologicals Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL) was established in 1982 by The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) with the focus to manufacture Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine available to poor people at an affordable price. IIL provides a range of adult as well as child vaccines. Chairman Dr. Amrita Patel; Corporate Office Hyderabad, India Business-sector Biotechnology-private; Website http://www.indimmune.com 10. Wockhardt Ltd. Established in the year 1960 Wockhardt Ltd. is an international manufacturer of biopharmaceutical formulations along with Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). An integrated multi-technology capability was developed by the company for manufacturing all types of dosage formulation that includes sterile injectables and lyophilised products. Chairman Habil Khorakiwala; Corporate Office Mumbai, India; Business Sector Biotechnology and Pharmaceutics-private Website http://www.wockhardt.com

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Top 10 biotech companies and Top 100 biotechnology places ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

For immediate release: September 10, 2012

Baltimore, MD --Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who are exploring novel ways to treat serious heart problems in children, have conducted the first direct comparison of the regenerative abilities of neonatal and adult-derived human cardiac stem cells. Among their findings: cardiac stem cells (CSCs) from newborns have a three-fold ability to restore heart function to nearly normal levels compared with adult CSCs. Further, in animal models of heart attack, hearts treated with neonatal stem cells pumped stronger than those given adult cells. The study is published in the September 11, 2012, issue of Circulation.

The surprising finding is that the cells from neonates are extremely regenerative and perform better than adult stem cells, says the study's senor author, Sunjay Kaushal, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director, pediatric cardiac surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center. We are extremely excited and hopeful that this new cell-based therapy can play an important role in the treatment of children with congenital heart disease, many of whom don't have other options.

Dr. Kaushal envisions cellular therapy as either a stand-alone therapy for children with heart failure or an adjunct to medical and surgical treatments. While surgery can provide structural relief for some patients with congenital heart disease and medicine can boost heart function up to two percent, he says cellular therapy may improve heart function even more dramatically. We're looking at this type of therapy to improve heart function in children by 10, 12, or 15 percent. This will be a quantum leap in heart function improvement.

Heart failure in children, as in adults, has been on the rise in the past decade and the prognosis for patients hospitalized with heart failure remains poor. In contrast to adults, Dr. Kaushal says heart failure in children is typically the result of a constellation of problems: reduced cardiac blood flow; weakening and enlargement of the heart; and various congenital malformations. Recent research has shown that several types of cardiac stem cells can help the heart repair itself, essentially reversing the theory that a broken heart cannot be mended.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can become tissue- or organ-specific cells with a particular function. In a process called differentiation, cardiac stem cells may develop into rhythmically contracting muscle cells, smooth muscle cells or endothelial cells. Stem cells in the heart may also secrete growth factors conducive to forming heart muscle and keeping the muscle from dying.

To conduct the study, researchers obtained a small amount of heart tissue during normal cardiac surgery from 43 neonates and 13 adults. The cells were expanded in a growth medium yielding millions of cells. The researchers developed a consistent way to isolate and grow neonatal stem cells from as little as 20 milligrams of heart tissue. Adult and neonate stem cell activity was observed both in the laboratory and in animal models. In addition, the animal models were compared to controls that were not given the stem cells.

Dr. Kaushal says it is not clear why the neonatal stem cells performed so well. One explanation hinges on sheer numbers: there are many more stem cells in a baby's heart than in the adult heart. Another explanation: neonate-derived cells release more growth factors that trigger blood vessel development and/or preservation than adult cells.

This research provides an important link in our quest to understand how stem cells function and how they can best be applied to cure disease and correct medical deficiencies, says E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., vice president for medical affairs, University of Maryland; the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor; and dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine. Sometimes simple science is the best science. In this case, a basic, comparative study has revealed in stark terms the powerful regenerative qualities of neonatal cardiac stem cells, heretofore unknown.

Insights gained through this research may provide new treatment options for a life-threatening congenital heart syndrome called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Dr. Kaushal and his team will soon begin the first clinical trial in the United States to determine whether the damage to hearts of babies with HLHS can be reversed with stem cell therapy. HLHS limits the heart's ability to pump blood from the left side of the heart to the body. Current treatment options include either a heart transplant or a series of reconstructive surgical procedures. Nevertheless, only 50-60 percent of children who have had those procedures survive to age five.

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Cardiac Stem Cells (CSCs) | University of Maryland Medical ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

What makes cancer cells different, and dangerous? Among the myriad genetic alterations observed in tumors, only some propel cancer cells to proliferate abnormally, survive inappropriately and resist the drugs administered to destroy them. Furthermore, every cancer is different, as multiple pathways can lead to the same lethal conclusion. To know which alterations represent important therapeutic targets, we need to understand their place in the vast molecular network that underpins cellular function. We are using multiple genomic, proteomic, computational, and in vivo approaches to build a comprehensive wiring diagram for cancer cells and their molecular environment. This blueprint will lead us to better, more sophisticated strategies to control individual cancers and combat drug resistance.

Featured Faculty: Matthew Vander Heiden

Learn more about the Vander Heiden lab and their efforts to better understand cancer cell metabolism and how small molecules might be used to activate enzymes and restore the normal state of cells.

Participating Intramural Faculty

To browse recent publications by these and other Koch Institute faculty members, visitProgress, our monthly research review.

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The Koch Institute: Personalized Medicine

Recommendation and review posted by sam

Call for Posters

You can also present your research on a poster while attending the meeting. Submit an abstract for consideration now!

Poster Submission Deadline: 23 September 2015

Exhibition Team, exhibitors@selectbio.com +44(0)1787 315110

Samir Hanash, Director of Red & Charline McCombs Institute for the Early Detection & Treatment of Cancer, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Sherry Yang, Chief, National Clinical Target Validation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute Jeremy Segal, Director, University of Chicago Valerie Taly, Group Leader/Researcher, Universite Paris Descartes Reinhard Buettner, Director, University Hospital Cologne Catherine Alix-Panabieres, Associate Professor, University Medical Center of Montpellier Julia Stingl, Professor/Director of the Division of Research, BfArM Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices Edith Schallmeiner, Global Team Director - NPT, Novartis Arijit Chakravarty, Director, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd Ryan Richardson, Healthcare Investment Banking Associate, J.P. Morgan Leeza Osipenko, Associate Director, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

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SELECTBIO - Personalized Medicine and its Impact in the Clinic

Recommendation and review posted by sam

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is part of the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), a branch of the National Institutes of Health. The NCBI is located in Bethesda, Maryland and was founded in 1988 through legislation sponsored by Senator Claude Pepper.

The NCBI houses a series of databases relevant to biotechnology and biomedicine. Major databases include GenBank for DNA sequences and PubMed, a bibliographic database for the biomedical literature. Other databases include the NCBI Epigenomics database. All these databases are available online through the Entrez search engine.

NCBI is directed by David Lipman, one of the original authors of the BLAST sequence alignment program and a widely respected figure in bioinformatics. He also leads an intramural research program, including groups led by Stephen Altschul (another BLAST co-author), David Landsman, Eugene Koonin (a prolific author on comparative genomics), John Wilbur, Teresa Przytycka, and Zhiyong Lu.

NCBI is listed in the Registry of Research Data Repositories re3data.org.[1]

NCBI has had responsibility for making available the GenBank DNA sequence database since 1992.[2] GenBank coordinates with individual laboratories and other sequence databases such as those of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ).[3]

Since 1992, NCBI has grown to provide other databases in addition to GenBank. NCBI provides Gene, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, the Molecular Modeling Database (3D protein structures), dbSNP (a database of single-nucleotide polymorphisms), the Reference Sequence Collection, a map of the human genome, and a taxonomy browser, and coordinates with the National Cancer Institute to provide the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project. The NCBI assigns a unique identifier (taxonomy ID number) to each species of organism.[4]

The NCBI has software tools that are available by WWW browsing or by FTP. For example, BLAST is a sequence similarity searching program. BLAST can do sequence comparisons against the GenBank DNA database in less than 15 seconds.

The NCBI Bookshelf is a collection of freely available, downloadable, on-line versions of selected biomedical books. The Bookshelf covers a wide range of topics including molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology, disease states from a molecular and cellular point of view, research methods, and virology. Some of the books are online versions of previously published books, while others, such as Coffee Break, are written and edited by NCBI staff. The Bookshelf is a complement to the Entrez PubMed repository of peer-reviewed publication abstracts in that Bookshelf contents provide established perspectives on evolving areas of study and a context in which many disparate individual pieces of reported research can be organized.[citation needed]

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National Center for Biotechnology Information - Wikipedia ...

Recommendation and review posted by sam

AGENDA PROCEEDINGS

Congratulations to trainees who won prizes!From left: Marissa Scavuzzo (RU), Gautham Yepuri (HMRI), Samantha Paulsen (RU), Danielle Wu (RU), and John Leach (BCM). Not pictured: Alexander Tatara (RU)

Stem Cell Category: Trainee Speakership and Award: John Leach, Baylor College of Medicine Hippo signaling deletion in heart failure reverses functional declineLeach J, Heallen T, Zhang M, Rahmani M, Martin J

1st Place Poster Award: Marissa Scavuzzo,Baylor College of Medicine Isl1 Directs Cell Fate Decisions in the Pancreas by Specifying Progenitor Cells Towards Different Endocrine LineagesScavuzzo MA, Yang D, Sharp R, Wamble K, Chmielowiec J, Mumcuyan N, Borowiak M

2nd Place Poster Award: Gautham Yepuri, Houston Methodist Research Institute Proton Pump Inhibitors Impair Vascular Function By Accelerating Endothelial SenescenceYepuri G, Sukhovershin R, Nazari-shafti TZ, Ghebremariam YT, Cooke JP

Tissue Engineering Category: Trainee Speakership and Award: Samantha Paulsen, Rice University 3D printing vascularized tissues: Closing the loop between computational and experimental models Paulsen SJ, Miller JS

1st Place Poster Award: Alexander Tatara, Rice University Using the Body to Regrow the Body: In vivo Bioreactors for Craniofacial Tissue EngineeringTatara AM, Shah SR, Lam J, Demian N, Ho T, Shum J, Wong ME, Mikos AG

2nd Place Poster Award: Danielle Wu, Rice University Building Salivary Cell Mini-Modules: A First Step Toward Reconstruction of the Human Salivary GlandWu D, Pradhan-Bhatt S, Cannon K, Chapela P, Hubka K, Harrington D, Ozdemir T, Zakheim D, Jia X, Witt RL, Farach-Carson MC

Excerpt from:
2015 Cluster for Regenerative Medicine Symposium

Recommendation and review posted by sam

What are genes and how are they related to disease?

Genes are segments of DNA. Genes are found in chromosomes and they control growth and help you stay healthy. Sometimes, when genes are abnormal or damaged, they may not work properly, which may lead to disease. Some genetic abnormalities, or gene mutations, may run in families. Some just happen by chance. Sometimes one mutation can cause a person to have a disease, but most diseases are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Genetic testing may help to show if youve inherited a tendency to get certain diseases. A sample of blood or skin is usually needed for genetic testing.

A positive test result means that you have the mutation youve been tested for. If you have a positive test result, it means you may be more likely to get a particular disease than most people, but it doesnt mean you will definitely get the disease.

A negative test result means that you dont have that particular mutation. This may mean that the disease doesnt run in your family. A negative result doesnt mean you wont get the disease. It only means that youre not more likely to get the disease than other people are.

By looking at your family history, your doctor can tell if youre likely to have a gene mutation that may contribute to disease. A disease might run in your family if a blood relative developed the disease at a young age or if several family members have the disease. People from certain ethnic groups may also be more likely to get certain diseases. If one of your family members already has the disease, that person should be tested first. This helps show which genes, if any, are associated with the disease.

If you think you may be at high risk for an inherited disease, talk to your family doctor. Your doctor will ask you questions about your health and the health of your blood relatives. This information will help your doctor find out what your risks might be. The information your doctor gives you about your risks can help you decide whether you want to be tested.

There are 2 important questions you should think about before you go through genetic testing:

1. What can I gain by being tested?

Here are some reasons you might want genetic testing:

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Genetic Testing: What You Should Know - FamilyDoctor.org

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith