Story Summary: Researchers: HIV virus can hide in bone marrowMarch 7, 2010 By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID , AP Science Writer(AP) — The virus that causes AIDS can hide in the bone marrow, avoiding drugs and later awakening to cause illness, according to new research that could point the way toward better treatments for the disease. Finding that hide-out is a first step, but years of research lie ahead. Dr. Kathleen Collins of the University of Michigan and her colleagues report in this weeks edition of the journal Nature Medicine that the HIV virus can infect long-lived bone marrow cellsthat eventually convert into blood cells. Thats an indication that while the drugs battle the active virus, some of the disease remains hidden away to flare up once the therapy is stopped. Thats critical in countries where the treatment is hard to afford and deliver. I dont know how many people realize that although the drugs have reduced mortality we still have a long way to go, Collins said in a telephone interview. That is mainly because we cant stop the drugs, people have to take it for a lifetime. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. stealthc- 16 hours agoit took them this long to figure this out?HIV is in the blood, it infects cells from the immune system, and mysteriously has a hide out spot, why wouldnt it have been the obvious choice a decade and a half ago? The number of members on the largest HIV dating&support site == Positivefish. com (if I spell the site correctly) has reached 500,000 membersOMG! Why so many guys and girls on the site are very sexy? In a study from the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and the Bernard-Nocht Institute appearing in the international open-access . . . 34 minutes ago | not rated yet | 0 (PhysOrg….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: Favorable data from Stage B of this study will position Novavax for possible registration of the 2009 H1N1 VLP pandemic influenza vaccine candidate in Mexico. Novavax has now completed enrollment of the largest clinical trial in the Companys history, said Dr. Rahul Singhvi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novavax. This was an ambitious program from the start and we now have realized a remarkable milestone in less than five months. About VLPs Virus-like particles (VLPs) mimic the external structure of viruses but lack the live genetic material that causes viral replication and infection. Novavaxs VLP-based vaccine candidates are produced more rapidly than egg-based vaccines by using proprietary, portable, recombinant cell-culture technology. The company produces potent VLP-based recombinant vaccines utilizing new and efficient manufacturing approaches. Novavax is committed to using its VLP technology to create country-specific vaccine solutions. Forward-Looking Statements Statements herein relating to future safety or efficacy results of clinical trials, the impact or influence of such results on registration in Mexico or anywhere else in the world and other expectations regarding clinical trials and development of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. gov. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Novavax assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: GeneSightRx(r) measures and analyzes more than forty clinically important genetic variants that affect patients response to medications prescribed in psychiatric medicine. The CYP1A2 gene is involved in the metabolism of a number of commonly used drugs, including antidepressants and antipsychotics. Enhancing our pharmacogenetic test by adding the CYP1A2 gene is an important part of our strategy of serving the behavioral health community with therapeutic decision-support products, said , President and CEO of AssureRx Health. The results of the report can help a doctor understand the way a patients unique genetic makeup may affect certain psychiatric drugs. Quick turnaround time, combined with a customized report of the patients genetic makeup, clinical experience, and other factors can help a physician make personalized drug treatment choices for each individual patient. About AssureRx Health-based AssureRx Health, Inc. is a personalized medicine company that specializes in pharmacogenetics and is dedicated to helping physicians determine the right drug at the right dose for individual patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. The company was founded in to commercialize industry-leading personalized medicine technology. The company was founded in to commercialize industry-leading personalized medicine technology….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: It will allow researchers to measure strand-specific expression across the entire samples transcriptome. D. , Mayo Clinic genomics researcher and corresponding author of the study. This provides us with much more information about alterations during cancer development that could reveal important therapeutic targets. We can more completely understand the relationship between an individuals genome and the alterations to that which result in disease. The urgency of this condition points to the need for more efficient technologies and methods. Head and neck cancers are the sixth most prevalent carcinomas in the world. Information provided by these and continued studies will help to better characterize the molecular basis of cancer development. Others involved in the research include co-first author Rebecca Laborde, Ph. D. ; Yongming Sun, Ph. D. ; all of Life Technologies, Foster City, Calif. The research was supported by Mayo Clinic and Life Technologies. D. ; all of Life Technologies, Foster City, Calif. The research was supported by Mayo Clinic and Life Technologies. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, analysis or publishing. Some authors are or have been employed by Life Technologies, which makes technology and materials used in the study….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: Park is pushing the frontiers of nanotechnology by developing devices capable of probing and manipulating individual neurons. org/Spitzer-Boahen-ParkSource: James CohenThe Kavli Foundation Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. Improving Health CareImprovements are necessary to make sure Americans get the best quality health care and that money for this care is being spent as effectively as possible. Listen as experts — both in government and in the private sector — describe some of the steps taken to improve the health care system. Meningitis OverviewEach year you hear about small outbreaks of meningitis. Meningitis OverviewEach year you hear about small outbreaks of meningitis. It is highly contagious and sometimes fatal. Learn why the classic symptoms of a high fever and stiff neck shouldnt be ignored. Learn why the classic symptoms of a high fever and stiff neck shouldnt be ignored….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: The Vilcek Prizes epitomize the mission of the Vilcek Foundation, which was formed by Jan and Marica Vilcek to honor the contributions of foreign-born individuals in the United States. He sees battles raging within a cells nucleus as genes jockey for evolutionary dominance. These clashes can have a long-term impact on organisms, as they sometimes alter the function of essential genes. His lab showed that host proteins can evolve to defeat viral mimicry, providing yet another nuance to a never-ending arms race between hosts and viruses. His lab hypothesized and is testing the model that such a genetic conflict may recurrently drive the onset of reproductive barriers between recently diverged species. He completed his doctoral work in molecular evolutionary biology at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N. Y. , where, under the mentorship of Tom Eickbush, Ph. D. , he first became intrigued by the study of genetic conflict. Contact Our News EditorsFor any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months: Curry Powder Ingredient Kills Cancer Cells28 Oct 2009Researchers from Ireland and Poland found that curcumin, a compound found in the popular Indian spice turmeric that gives curry powder its distinct yellow colour, killed oesophageal cancer cells in the lab via an. Drinking water, distracting yourself, or substituting healthy food for the food craved can help you get through a craving. Drinking water, distracting yourself, or substituting healthy food for the food craved can help you get through a craving….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: The challenge is how to do this quickly when you are dealing with millions of genes. The process involves taking lots and lots of short strips of DNA, assembling them into larger sections, and then comparing them to known sequences stored in reference databases and ruling out those known to belong to the human genome. For this study the researchers used fecal samples from 124 Europeans. The study has also revealed a number of clues about how bacteria manage to survive in the rather unhospitable environment of the human gut. The only way to thrive here is to evolve, and this study has unveiled some interesting clues about how they did this. The researchers found that while individual participants of the study had only about 160 of the 1,000 possible species, about 40 per cent of any one one participants gut flora species was also present in around 50 per cent of the other participants. A human gut microbial gene catalogue established by metagenomic sequencing. Junjie Qin, Ruiqiang Li, Jeroen Raes, Manimozhiyan Arumugam, Kristoffer Solvsten Burgdorf, Chaysavanh Manichanh, Trine Nielsen, Nicolas Pons, Florence Levenez, Takuji Yamada, et al. Nature, 464, 59- 65 (4 March 2010)DOI:10. Contact Our News EditorsFor any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months: Do Genes Play A Role In PTSD? Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months: Do Genes Play A Role In PTSD? Study Of Rwanda Genocide Survivors Suggests Yes26 Feb 2010A study of Rwandan Genocide survivors, some with and some without post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, suggests that genetic factors influence the relationship between a persons traumatic load, or the number of. Study Of Rwanda Genocide Survivors Suggests Yes26 Feb 2010A study of Rwandan Genocide survivors, some with and some without post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, suggests that genetic factors influence the relationship between a persons traumatic load, or the number of. If the bleeding cannot be controlled, seek emergency medical care….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: Meanwhile, ahead of the WHO panel meeting Tuesday that could begin the process of declaring an official end to the pandemic, TIMEexamines the potential long-term threat from influenza. Though H5N1 has not yet mutated into a more contagious form, despite having had plenty of chances to mix with human flu viruses . . . Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. Coping with Cravings While Losing WeightKnowing how to cope with cravings is an important part of losing weight and maintaining weight loss. Drinking water, distracting yourself, or substituting healthy food for the food craved can help you get through a craving. Other strategies that can help you lose weight are keeping a food diary and avoiding processed foods….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: In contrast, induction of cytotoxic T cells, the other effector arm of the adaptive immune system is highly inefficient. To achieve this aim, the consortium will build on in-house technologies developed by the partners. Sanquin has a track record in bringing therapeutic proteins, and in vitro diagnostic and research products to the market and is successfully distributing a substantial product portfolio covering these fields on the international market. Since its foundation in 1913, its primary objective has been to combat cancerby combining patient care, research and education. About the Netherlands Vaccine InstituteThe Netherlands Vaccine Institute (NVI) in Bilthoven reflects more than 100 years of extensive knowledge and experience gained through research and production of vaccines. The NVI is an agency responsible to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Contact Our News EditorsFor any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to: These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months: Seasonal Vaccine Offers Some Protection Against Swine Flu08 Oct 2009The 2008-2009 seasonal flu vaccine1 provides some protection against swine flu, particularly the most severe forms of the disease, according to preliminary research published today on BMJ. Listen to an infection control expert discuss the new cough etiquette. Flu PreventionOur parents told us to cover our mouths when we cough. Flu PreventionOur parents told us to cover our mouths when we cough. But that might not be the best strategy for flu prevention. But that might not be the best strategy for flu prevention….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: A research project in the Academy of Finlands Research Program on Nutrition, Food and Health (ELVIRA) has brought new knowledge on the hereditary nature of gluten intolerance and identified genes that carry a higher risk of developing the condition. Research has shown that the genes in question are closely linked with the human immune system and the occurrence of inflammations, rather than being connected with the actual breakdown of gluten in the digestive tract. This is essential, because the condition is often relatively symptom-free, yet it can have serious complications unless treated. The research will be published in a forthcoming issue of Nature Genetics. Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune reaction in the small intestine. The gluten that occurs naturally in grains such as wheat, barley and rye causes damage to the intestinal villi, problems with nutrient absorption and potentially other problems too. Gluten intolerance is an inherited predisposition, and nearly all sufferers carry the genes that play a key part in the onset of the condition. The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Journal Reference:Dubois et al. Multiple common variants for celiac disease influencing immune gene expression….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: People with EoE frequently have difficulty eating or may be allergic to one or more foods. This study further suggests that a suspected so-called master allergy gene may play a role in the development of this rare but debilitating disorder. Little is known about what causes EoE, but the disease runs in families suggesting that specific genes may be involved. This type of study detects markers of genetic variation across the entire human genome and allows researchers to zero in on a region of a chromosome to identify genes that influence health and the development of disease. In this study, the investigators identified changes in genes within a region on chromosome 5 that were highly associated with EoE. One of the genes in this region encodes a protein called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). TSLP is made by epithelial cells, which line internal and external surfaces of the body. It has already been described as a master switch that may turn on other allergic diseases, such as asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Future research is needed to determine if these findings might lead to a genetic test for TSLP and whether drugs that block the production or function of TSLP might be useful in treating EoE. ARTICLE: ME Rothenberg et al. Common variants at 5q22 associate with pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis. The Institutes research interests include: diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutrition, and obesity; and kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases. gov. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)The Nations Medical Research Agencyincludes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: Only recently recognized as a distinct condition, EoE, like other allergies, has been increasing over the past 20 years, and its reported incidence of one in 10,000 people may be an underestimate. The hallmark of EoE is swelling and inflammation in the esophagus, accompanied by high levels of immune cells called eosinophils. It can affect people of any age, but is more common among young men who have a history of other allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema. They then replicated the initial findings with additional DNA samples from EoE patients and controls at CHOP. TLSP holds the genetic code to produce a cytokine, a specific signaling protein that regulates inflammatory responses occurring in allergic diseases. Physicians then perform tests to determine which foods a child can or cannot eat. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a highly allergic disease, and one that is rapidly expanding, said allergist Jonathan M. Spergel, M. D. , a co-first author of the study, who sees large numbers of patients with EoE as director of the Center for Pediatric Eosinophilic Disorders at The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 441-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. Keywords:Contact InformationAvailable for logged-in reporters onlyDescriptionPediatrics researchers have identified the first major gene location responsible for a severe, often painful type of food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Keywords:Contact InformationAvailable for logged-in reporters onlyDescriptionPediatrics researchers have identified the first major gene location responsible for a severe, often painful type of food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: Endosomes are organised in a complex transport network that ensures a correct transport of a wide variety of substances towards their proper intracellular destination. They discovered in their images, for example, that a failure of certain genes cause the arrest of vesicles in the cell periphery rather than being transported to the centre of the cell. Furthermore, different substances such as nutrients and growth factors are apparently guided to their destination by different set of genes and endocytosis is controlled by various signalling pathways. Impaired endocytosis can cause disease The enormous number of genes involved also reflects the significance of endocytosis for the cell and the entire organism. Immune cells, for their part, swallow pathogens and digest them inside endosomes. Even diseases like Alzheimers and Huntingtons are associated with a damaged transport system in the cells, as this prevents survival signals for nerve cells. Consequently, if the role of the different genes in endocytosis were known, it would in future be easier to develop potential treatments for these diseases. As a result, we were able to compile a quantitative profile of each gene – giving each gene an individual fingerprint, so to speak. This provides us with a more comprehensive understanding of how the various processes in the cell are integrated. Were well on the way to creating a virtual cell by understanding all of the processes and different interactions, explains Marino Zerial. The Dresden-based scientists blocked each of the approximately 23,000 expressed human genes one by one with the help of small interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) that silence the respective gene. Next they used fluorescent dyes to mark two proteins which the cells under investigation took up in their endosomes – this made them visible to automated high-resolution microscopy and image-analysis software. Instead of analysing the microscopic images subjectively and on the basis of qualitative criteria, the scientists determined 62 different parameters for the cells and all visible endosomes in the images (multi-parametric image analysis). They were therefore able to observe under the microscope how substance uptake in the cells changed if one of the human genes was inactivated. A computer would have taken more than four million hours just to analyse the images to produce statistically reliable data….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: Researchers at Kansas State University recently published an academic journal article discussing the potential for nutrigenomics, a field that studies the effects of food on gene expression. The researchers discussed the possibility of using food to prevent an individuals genes from expressing disease. Getz, now a student at the School of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University, wrote the article while at K-State. These studies not only answer whether the concerned nutrients prevent a disease, but also how they exert their health benefits, Medeiros said. Current health recommendations for people in the United States are general for the overall population. However, with nutrigenomics research, health recommendations could be better modified to individuals. With a better understanding of how nutrients alter gene expression, there is a potential that food could be used instead of medication to combat problems like high cholesterol. At K-State, Adhikari and Mark Haub, associate professor of human nutrition, are leading a study of the genotypes of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals to determine if there is a link between the risk for type-2 diabetes and bitter-taste sensitivity. Nutrigenomics would require a collaborative effort from people in genetics and the industries of public health, food science and culinary. Adhikari said more options should be available so that consumers can make the healthiest choice. The challenge is how to take the fat out and create healthful but also good-tasting food. Consumer education also will be an important factor for the future of nutrigenomics and public health. Consumer education also will be an important factor for the future of nutrigenomics and public health….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: This one-celled organism hunts and eats bacteria as an amoeba, swims around looking for a better environment as a flagellate, and then hunkers down and waits for good times as a cyst, Prochnik said. He and his colleagues report that this amoeboflagellate contains 15,727 genes coding for proteins, while humans have 23,000 protein-coding genes. Naegleria has a lot of genes because it has a complicated lifestyle; most single-celled organisms – in particular, parasites – have a simpler lifestyle, and therefore have fewer genes, Prochnik said. Now that our analysis focuses on data from free-living organisms, including Naegleria, that havent lost all these genes and functions, we can make a broader comparison, and we find a lot more proteins were probably present in the eukaryotic ancestor than we previously thought, Fritz-Laylin said. Naegleria is part of a diverse group that includes a cousin, Naegleria fowleri, that can fatally infect swimmers. Among other things, Naeglerias genes shed light on how cells move, how they signal one another and how they metabolize nutrients. As an amoeba, Naegleria pushes out little feet, called pseudopods, that propel it in its hunt for food. Because Naegleria has both types of movement, the organism can help scientists understand the origins of these parallel systems during the evolution of eukaryotes. Scientists can starve populations of Naegleria in its amoeba form and have seen it switch quickly and simultaneously to its flagellar form. The sequence helped us identify the genes associated with each type of motility, she said. The genome also reveals versatility in how Naegleria produces energy. The organism can use oxygen to burn nutrients – glucose, amino acids or fatty acids – for energy or, in the absence of oxygen, utilize other nutrients and possibly produce hydrogen as a byproduct. Like the recently sequenced, free-living alga Chlamydomonas, Naegleria likely uses its metabolic flexibility to survive the intermittent hypoxia common to muddy environments, the researchers concluded. Fritz-Laylin noted that, while the genome will be a boon to the small number of biologists who study the organism, it also will help in understanding the evolution of more complicated organisms. If the bleeding cannot be controlled, seek emergency medical care….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: The study authors, from the University of Connecticut, say that any attempt to expand the use of HIV treatment for prevention purposes will need to address beliefs about infectiousness and aggressively control sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexually transmitted infections increase the risk of transmission from a person with HIV in a number of ways (although it is important to note that viral load increases have not been detected in all patients diagnosed with STIs when genital fluids are studied in people taking antiretroviral drugs): Seth Kalichman and colleagues at the University of Connecticut designed a study to look at the incidence of STIs in people with HIV and their relationship to knowledge of viral load and beliefs about viral load and infectivity. At two interviews three months apart participants were asked whether they had been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the previous three months, a period selected because previous research had found that recall of sexual activity was more reliable within this time-frame. Twenty-two per cent of people diagnosed with STIs had an undetectable viral load, compared to 47% of those not diagnosed with STIs, while roughly equal proportions reported a detectable viral load (33% vs 36%). Multivariate analysis showed that the following factors were significant predictors of having a new sexually transmitted infection: Infectiousness beliefs (adjusted OR 1. However, there was no difference in the frequency of reported serodiscordant unprotected intercourse according to STI diagnosis, which is the critical measure when assessing the potential for onward transmission related to STIs. Indeed, condom use with serodiscordant partners was most frequent among those who had been diagnosed with an STI and knew themselves to have a detectable viral load. This finding suggests that people living with HIV take their viral load into account when making sexual decisions, the authors say. Although the authors note that their inability to conduct confirmatory testing for STIs was a limitation of their study, they also note that they were unable to test for asymptomatic STIs. These findings confirm previous research indicating that infectiousness beliefs play a central role in continued transmission risks for some people living with HIV. ReferenceKalichman SC et al. Sexually transmitted infections and infectiousness beliefs among people living with HIV/AIDS: implications for HIV treatment as prevention….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: One day, we may even be able to treat certain health problems simply by eating a yoghurt with the right bacteria in it. They were the first to employ a high-throughput method called Illumina sequencing to metagenomics, dispelling previous doubts over the feasibility of using this method for such studies. From a bacteriums point of view, the human gut is not the best place to set up home, with low pH and little oxygen or light. Thus, bacteria have had to evolve means of surviving in this challenging environment, which this study now begins to unveil. The research was conducted within the European project MetaHIT, coordinated by Dusko Ehrlich at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, in France, with genetic sequencing carried out by Jun Wangs team at the Beijing Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, China….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: When the researchers injected the animals with a Math1-loaded virus in one ear, hearing recovered almost completely. The hair cells also expressed a green protein, showing they had taken up the gene. Although the gene is only temporarily expressed, this is enough to make proteins that repair the cells for life, he says. However, cells could only be saved if they were treated within 10 days of being damaged. I hope they continue to receive the funding this deserves to develop practical treatments for hearing degradation. Why destroy the hearing of members of one species to improve the hearing of members of another?Exactly. Why eat one species so that another may continue living. If you think a particular comment breaks these rules then please use the Report link in that comment to report it to us. 13:56 05 March 2010Several journals will no longer publish research supported by the tobacco industry. Perhaps we should brush up our conversational skills11:09 04 March 2010The protein could drag hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, if cash can be found for human trials 18:00 03 March 2010A new technique for determining pain intensity has reignited debate over whether it can be measured objectively15:30 05 March 2010An inner frame that allows components to slide up and down rails could allow the device to harvest power from its users motion13:56 05 March 2010Several journals will no longer publish research supported by the tobacco industry….Read the Full Story

Story Summary: Nickolas Papadopoulos of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, cautions that excluding someone on the basis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alone might be a mistake. It doesnt mean that you cant use mtDNA, it just means that you have to be careful about who you exclude, says Papadopoulos. Other evidence, like shoes found with the body, suggests that the child was indeed Goodwin. In most cases we werent getting anything but mtDNA, but this technique means we can use more of the bone and as a result pull out more DNA. That should come as welcome news to the thousands of families still waiting to find out about loved ones following conflicts like the Vietnam and second world wars. If you would like to reuse any contentfrom New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndicationdepartment first for permission. adding EDTA and proteinase K to prep a sample for DNA isolation is pretty standard isnt it? We should ask why the rest dont, say Lois Leeand Stephen Bullivant15:30 05 March 2010An inner frame that allows components to slide up and down rails could allow the device to harvest power from its users motion13:56 05 March 2010Several journals will no longer publish research supported by the tobacco industry. Ginny Barbour, the chief editor of one of them, explains why13:36 05 March 2010Far from being silent loners, bacteria are little chatterboxes – when theyre not snooping on us….Read the Full Story