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Clinical trials of the method to combat skin cancer
June 11, 2010
Clinical trials of the method to combat skin cancer
Clinical trials of cancer of the skin, based on strengthening the immune response, gave a positive result. This is reported by American doctors.
Looking ahead, we note that nothing in common with all sorts of questionable drugs, promising at the same time “to lift the immunity and cure almost all ailments from colds to cancer, the new method does not. The team of doctors and scientists from the Cancer Institute Dana-Faber conducted clinical trials of antibodies to skin cancer, melanoma. Their results are presented in the journal New England Journal of Medicine (one of the three most respected medical publications) and so far it is not a panacea, but a tool that is used in combination with traditional therapy.
As the body fights the danger?
In a healthy organism, about one hundred trillion (100 000 000 000 000) cells, most of which are regularly damaged DNA molecules by chemicals or radiation. And often these injuries immediately corrected by special enzymes, so that any effect on the cells and the body as a whole, they do not have.
Even where the system is repaired (or, using the biological term “reparations”) DNA is unable to cope, often nothing terrible happens. Mutated cell may be unviable, the mutation may affect the so-called “junk” DNA segments or damaged gene will in itself not so very different from the original.
To become a cancer cell requires that the DNA damage occurred in certain places, was not immediately removed – and that’s not all. A single cell with a significant probability to be recognized and destroyed by the immune system even before the formation of tumors.
How does the new method?
This immune response, scientists decided to use. Experimental preparation consisted of antibodies to tumor cells and protein molecules synthesized in the detection of the immune system focus melanoma. Antibodies interact with the so-called T-lymphocytes, activating the system for the destruction of infected cells.
True, they suffer not only tumor cells. In 60% of patients were observed or another complication: from skin rashes to diarrhea and vomiting. The tool was far from harmless, but effective, the average survival of patients with inoperable tumors increased from six to ten months. And 9 out of 15 patients who received only a new drug lived for at least two years after starting treatment.
Prospects
The fact that the experimental method has passed the third stage of clinical trials and demonstrated its effectiveness, meaning the possible use of it already in the usual manner. At least until the widespread use less than if it were a matter of successful tests on animals, or even more cell cultures, doctors say that it is now necessary to develop the most effective strategies for using the drug in the treatment of melanoma.
In addition, knowing the mechanism of interaction of antibodies with T-cells doctors can pick up and other molecules that affect a similar manner. It is capable how to improve the effectiveness of the method, and, quite likely, reduce the severity of side effects.
Statins may help prevent stroke
December 11, 2009
Statins may help prevent stroke
Greek researchers have shown that the appointment of statin patients discharged from hospital after the first stroke reduces the risk of recurrence of stroke within 10 years and improves survival.
Sotirios Giannopoulos (University of Ioannina School of Medicine, Greece) and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis 794 patients who had the first stroke, in which data were available 10 years of observation. Within 10 years, 14.1% of patients developed recurrent stroke, and 28,2% – have died. After being discharged from hospital 23% of patients were assigned to one or another statin, and 77% did not receive statins. Patients treated with statins, the frequency of relapses was significantly lower than in patients not taking statins (7.6% and 16,3%).
Regressinny analysis showed that statins reduced the risk of recurrence of stroke by 15%. In addition, patients taking statins, the risk of death within 10 years after th
Role of autoimmune processes in the implantation
November 13, 2009
Role of autoimmune processes in the implantation
In the United States conducted a scientific and experimental work on the process of implantation, when the interaction of the blastocyst with the uterine epithelium. Identified several immune factors that negatively affect the process of implantation.
The study was conducted on a group of women who received the desired pregnancy through IVF treatment. Antiphospholipid antibodies are frequently detected in this group of women, but judging by this study, these antibodies did not affect the number of live births, the frequency of abortion. Antitireodnye antibodies also detected in women of reproductive age, but the frequency rate of successful implantation and pregnancy termination is not changed in women with normal thyroid function. The presence of antinuclear antibodies may be a sign of latent autoimmune zaboevaniya, but the presence of low titer of these antibodies also did not affect the outcome of implantation. Antisperm antibodies, when present, usually occur in women impaired fertility when they are in high titer in the plasma, in the mucous membranes. Antisperm antibodies are often combined with ovarian hypofunction. Thus, in the process of implantation is the interaction of two genetically different immune tissues. In the process of implantation of local and systemic immune factors, cytokines, growth factors may interact with adhesion molecules and other proteins, glycoproteins, peptides.
Friendly people have more nerve cells
November 9, 2009
Friendly people have more nerve cells
British and Finnish psychologists and neuroscientists have found that people prone to a more warm and friendly relations of two sections of the brain contains more nerve cells than normal. The researchers hope that their discovery will help find ways to treat schizophrenia and autism.
The subjects who were recruited psychologists, passed a psychological test, which required them to answer questions about how they tend to establish friendships and to show positive emotions towards others. Then the researchers scanned the brains of volunteers using the imager – to obtain data on the size of various structures and compare them with test results.
Scientists have found that is located directly above the eye sockets of the orbitofrontal cortex and the striatum, the structures located deep within the brain, the more friendly people and contained more nerve cells. The main functions of the two structures are known – the orbitofrontal cortex, in particular, previously associated with self-control. And the striatum is involved in planning movements, and behavior associated with rewards. Under this behavior, scientists involve activities in which a person receives something or other reward: from praise to cash prizes or other tangible prize.
Communication as a jewel
Neuroscientists from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oulu (Finland) believe that it is the link the striatum with a sense of reward may explain the pattern detected by them. In their view, due to the friendliness, including the emotional benefits that a person receives in the process of communication.
Friendly people like to communicate, and their brain evaluates communication as a reward. “It is remarkable that we found parts of the brain provide not only an award for communication”, said Graham Murray, Head of Research – “These structures are related with satisfaction from the very simple things: eating, drinking and sex. It is about the brain structures that have emerged from more distant ancestors of the human species, and we believe that their study will enable us to understand how there were more complex phenomena such as sentimentality or affection. ”
The structure of the brain and friendliness – what comes first, the scientists do not yet know
The researchers stressed that they found pattern does not mean that it is an increase in any of the brain, makes people more friendly. It is possible that on the contrary, the very behavior has changed the structure of the brain (in principle such an effect is possible: even demonstrated an impact on the size of different parts of the brain meditation), in addition friendliness or empathy are too complex to be associated with any one area of the brain.
Nevertheless, the results of the scientists may already be useful in studying a number of psychiatric illnesses. When autism or schizophrenia, the ability to establish contacts with other people severely disrupted, and at least partial communication disorders with changes in brain structure may help to find new ways to treat these diseases.
Scientists have explained why the avian flu infected more difficult than usual
October 22, 2009
Scientists have explained why the avian flu infected more difficult than usual
American doctors and biologists have found that the human nose is too cold for the successful spread of avian influenza virus. According to scientists, the bird flu virus infects only cells with a high temperature, whereas the ordinary flu virus is adapted to relatively low temperatures.
Virologists from several different institutions, the U.S. learned the process of infection of cells of the nasal mucosa of different influenza viruses. The researchers varied the temperature: part of the cell culture was maintained at a temperature of 32 degrees, and some – at +37. Biologists know that the bird’s body temperature far above the human and their upper airways are heated as well as the deeply located parts nasopharynx in humans.
Avian influenza viruses (strains that suffer mainly birds: in principle, avian flu can survive in the human body), which scientists infected cells, a well-bred only in the heated cultures. Recall that the virus can not reproduce itself, instead, the virus penetrates the cell, it embeds in its genetic code, and only then the cell starts to produce copies of the virus has infected her.
Researchers have found that often infect humans are influenza viruses, in contrast, well multiply in the cells both at low and at high temperatures. Experts say that these differences are explained by the fact that bird flu infection occurs less frequently, and its transmission from person to person is unlikely: the virus spreads rapidly only when hit deep into the respiratory tract, and under normal circumstances, it is retained in the nasopharynx.
They also said that their discovery could affect the priority of the development of vaccines against avian influenza. Study of the ability of different viruses (currently 16 known strains of avian flu and the doctors have not checked them all) to infect cells at different temperatures can identify those varieties that can infect the body, regardless of the temperature of nasopharynx. Against such a vaccine virus would require first of all – the remaining strains originally adapted to birds with another body temperature.
Negative thoughts about aging impair memory
October 19, 2009
Negative thoughts about aging impair memory
If the age you are strongly associated with the development of multiple sclerosis, it is quite possible that in old age, you really will experience memory lapses.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina / United States / came to the conclusion that the negative thoughts about the signs of aging lead to a deterioration of memory. Experiments have shown that older people perform mental tasks and worse on memory tests if they are cultured in a negative stereotypes about aging. Memory functions are also affected, when retirees become hypochondriac about my age and believe that others are prejudiced against him for that reason. Affirmed that the negative stereotypes often affect memory in aged 60-70 years, and more on highly educated people.
As psychologists say, elderly people are often concerned about the opinion of others, especially in the working environment. Such obsessions reinforce negative stereotypes and not only lead to depression, excess stress and high anxiety, but also interfere with normal functioning of the brain. It was noticed that people who are on the contrary do not think about aging and do not pay attention to your own age, have a higher memory performance. In other words, be sure that aging does not disrupt your mental health, then the chances of a good memory in old age increase, say neuroscientists.
Chewing gum helps to control appetite
Chewing gum helps to control appetite
Sugar-free gum may help not only the teeth and gums, but also helps to control feelings of appetite, lowering calories and reducing cravings for products harmful to the waist, say researchers Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Louisiana State University / USA.
Studying the properties of chewing gum showed that it prevents the consumption of various snacks during the lunch hour for a total of 40 calories, and sweet food – to 60 calories. When the volunteers chewed gum between snack and lunch time, the feeling of hunger significantly suppressed, and the desire to eat something fatty, salty or sweet to waste.
The experiment found that chewing gum can increase the energy levels is between noon and lunch break, but also eliminates feelings of sleepiness during the same period of time. According to nutritionists, even small changes in caloric intake had a significant influence on the shape and overall health in the long term. Experts believe that chewing gum without the sugar content can serve as a simple way to control appetite.
Cold weather contributes to the development of intelligence
Cold weather contributes to the development of attention and intelligence. To such conclusion the group of Australian psychologists from the University of New South Wales, reported London’s Daily Mail.
Studies on a large scale and were held in one of the largest shopping centers in Sydney. As it turned out, intellectual activity, in particular, the ability to learn many facts to be higher in rainy and cold weather than in warm and sunny.
Incredible, but the memory and the brain work better in cold weather and during rain, said study leader Professor Joe Forgas.
Specialists concluded: hot and sunny weather “relaxes” the work of the brain, and the cold – on the contrary, forcing him to concentrate, which contributes to the development of human intellect.
However, while scientists can not risk complaining that the residents of the northern countries smarter than the south.
Clean air has a positive effect on life expectancy
September 9, 2009
Clean air has a positive effect on life expectancy
Reducing air pollution contributed to an increase in the average of five months of life expectancy of people in dozens of American cities over the past two decades, writes The Washington Post, citing figures from the study.
Researchers from Brigham Young University and Harvard came to this conclusion based on the change in air quality and life expectancy for the period from 1980 to 2000 in 51 U.S. city, including Washington. Taking into account the impact on life expectancy of other factors, such as changes in population, income and education, as well as migration and smoking, they concluded that clean air contributes significantly to the increase in life expectancy.
Thus, the first time scientists have documented the relationship between air quality and long life, says author Juliet Eylperin.
The researchers concluded that the whole country, life expectancy of citizens has increased from 1980 to 2000 an average of 2.72 years? and five months of this period due to improved air quality.
“Our investments paid off,” – noted the study’s lead author Arden Pope, an epidemiologist and professor of economics at Brigham Young University. He added that reducing pollution in major cities has become “a major, nationwide, a natural experiment.”
Lead harms the work of the brain
Lead harms the work of the brain
Exposure to lead results in cognitive problems and disrupts the brain. Researchers examined the health of nearly two thousand men working in factories for the production of batteries and lead acid batteries.
Emphasis on the analysis of neuro-cerebral activity, including psychomotor functions, spatial and executive, as well as learning skills and memory. Most workers had levels of lead in blood is much higher than the norm. Accumulation of lead in the body led to violations of the cognitive – the longer a person subjected to the influence of substances in the workplace, the worse the function of his brain, doctors have noticed.
Especially harmful lead affected the brain function of men older than 55 years, accelerating the aging of the brain and damaging the area, responsible for addressing specific cognitive tasks. However, according to American doctors, young men were also vulnerable to the adverse effects of lead. In addition to damage to the hippocampus and frontal cortex – the main area that controls memory and learning – lead also increases the risk of hypertension. Hypertension in turn also reduces cognitive abilities. Professions associated with the manufacture of semiconductors, ceramics, welding and soldering and includes some construction work, are at risk of negative effects of lead entering the body through the air and the skin, an expert of the University of Pittsburgh.