Data from National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) Provide New Insights into Angiogenesis

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Angiogenesis Weekly -- Fresh data on Angiogenesis are presented in a new report. According to news reporting out of Marseille, France, by NewsRx editors, research stated, "Neural stem cells are maintained in the adult brain, sustaining structural and functional plasticity and to some extent participating in brain repair. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms and factors involved in endogenous stem/progenitor cell mobilization is a major challenge in the promotion of spontaneous brain repair."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), "The main neural stem cell niche in the adult brain is the subventricular zone (SVZ). Following demyelination insults, SVZ-derived progenitors act in concert with oligodendrocyte precursors to repopulate the lesion and replace lost oligodendrocytes. Here, we showed robust vascular reactivity within the SVZ after focal demyelination of the corpus callosum in adult mice, together with a remarkable physical association between these vessels and neural progenitors exiting from their niche. Endogenous progenitor cell recruitment towards the lesion was significantly reduced by inhibiting post-lesional angiogenesis in the SVZ using anti-VEGF blocking antibody injections, suggesting a facilitating role of blood vessels for progenitor cell migration towards the lesion. We identified netrin 1 (NTN1) as a key factor upregulated within the SVZ after demyelination and involved in! local angiogenesis and progenitor cell migration. Blocking NTN1 expression using a neutralizing antibody inhibited both lesion-induced vascular reactivity and progenitor cell recruitment at the lesion site."

Exercise may reduce heart disease risk in liver transplant recipients

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Heart Disease Weekly -- New research reveals that metabolic syndrome-risk factors that can lead to heart disease and/or stroke-is common in liver transplant recipients, with rates highest at one year following the procedure. Findings published in Liver Transplantation, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society, indicate that exercise could reduce complications from metabolic disease in patients post-transplantation.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests that obesity, physical inactivity, and insulin resistance increase risk of metabolic syndrome. According to the NHLBI, patients who have three or more of the following metabolic clinical features would be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome:

• high triglyceride level

• abdominal obesity

New Findings from Loyola University in the Area of Encephalocele Reported

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at TB & Outbreaks Week -- Investigators publish new report on Nervous System Diseases and Conditions. According to news reporting out of Maywood, Illinois, by NewsRx editors, research stated, "Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea due to tegmen tympani defects can result in hearing impairment and predispose to meningitis. Seizures or neurological deficits are additional risks, particularly when associated with an encephalocele."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Loyola University, "Surgical repair of the dural defect through a middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach is a treatment option under these circumstances. This series describes eight individuals who presented with CSF otorrhea and MCF encephaloceles associated with conductive hearing loss. Defects in the tegmen tympani were noted in all patients on preoperative cranial imaging, and six of the eight patients had an associated encephalocele. The average age was 57 years (range 26 to 67) with a male: female ratio of 7:1. Most defects occurred on the left side (6 left/2 right). A standard MCF approach and repair of the dural defect with an autologous dural graft (Durepair or DuraGen, Medtronic, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA) and a synthetic polymer glue (DuraSeal, Covidien, Mansfield, Massachusetts) was performed in each case with universal success. Resolution of the CSF otorrhea was noted in all cases. All cases but one ex! hibited an improvement in hearing. One patient developed a delayed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus meningitis 3 months after surgery that resolved with surgical re-exploration and antibiotic therapy. Facial nerve monitoring was standard. All patients exhibited normal facial function postoperatively. Prophylactic lumbar drain placement was only utilized in the first three patients.

Findings from International Medical University Update Understanding of Public Health

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Vaccine Weekly -- A new study on Public Health is now available. According to news reporting out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by NewsRx editors, research stated, "(i) To determine knowledge of, and self-protecting preventive behaviours towards influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and (ii) to identify the factors influencing intention to take influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination among the study population. This is a cross-sectional survey carried out in Mantin Town, a semi-urban area of Malaysia."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from International Medical University, "A structured questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of pandemic influenza symptoms, mode of transmission, self-protecting preventive behaviours, and intention to receive the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine was used for face-to-face interviews with the household members. Of 230 who heard about pandemic influenza A(H1N1), 86% had misconception about mode of transmission of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, and 52% had sufficient self-protecting behaviours. A majority (58.3%; 134/230) had intended to receive the vaccine. In the multivariate analysis, the intention to get vaccinated was significantly higher among 'those who trusted in efficacy of vaccine for prevention of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09' (p <0.001), 'those who were equipped with higher education level' (p=0.015) and 'those who worry about themselves contracting illness' (p=0.008). Our findings highlig! ht the need to scale up the community's knowledge regarding influenza A(H1N1)pdm09."

Aligarh Muslim University Describes Findings in Bladder Cancer

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Cancer Weekly -- New research on Bladder Cancer is the subject of a report. According to news originating from Aligarh, India, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "The interaction of environmental chemicals and their metabolites with biological macromolecules can result in cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. 4-Aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) and several other related arylamines have been shown to be causally involved in the induction of human urinary bladder cancers. The genotoxic and the carcinogenic effects of 4-ABP are exhibited only when it is metabolically converted to a reactive electrophile, the aryl nitrenium ions, which subsequently binds to DNA and induce lesions."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Aligarh Muslim University, "Although several studies have reported the formation of 4-ABP-DNA adducts, no extensive work has been done to investigate the immunogenicity of 4-ABP-modified DNA and its possible involvement in the generation of antibodies in bladder cancer patients. Human DNA was modified by N-hydroxy-4-acetylaminobiphenyl (N-OH-AABP), a reactive metabolite of 4-ABP. Structural perturbations in the N-OH-AABP modified DNA were assessed by ultraviolet, fluorescence, and circular dichroic spectroscopy as well as by agarose gel electrophoresis. Genotoxicity of N-OH-AABP modified DNA was ascertained by comet assay. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of native and modified DNA samples confirmed the formation of N-(deoxyguanosine-8-yl)-4-aminobiphenyl (dG-C8-4ABP) in the N-OH-AABP damaged DNA. The experimentally induced antibodies against N-OH-AABP-modified DNA exhibited much better recog! nition of the DNA isolated from bladder cancer patients as compared to the DNA obtained from healthy individuals in competitive binding ELISA."

Data from University of Edinburgh Provide New Insights into Genetic Research

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at AIDS Weekly -- Research findings on Genetic Research are discussed in a new report. According to news reporting from Midlothian, United Kingdom, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, "Multiple strain tuberculosis (TB) infections are now an acceptable facet of tuberculosis epidemiology. Identification of patients infected with more than one strain gives an insight in disease dynamics at individual and population level."

The news correspondents obtained a quote from the research from the University of Edinburgh, "This study therefore aimed at identifying multiple strain infections among TB infected patients. Furthermore, to determine factors associated with multiple strain infections in Mubende district of Uganda. A total of 72 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from patients at Mubende regional referral hospital were characterized using 15 loci MIRU-VNTR, Spoligotyping and deletion analysis. Genotypic and epidemiological data were analyzed using MIRU-VNTR plus, Bionumerics software version 6.1 and an exact logistic regression model respectively. Eight (11.1%) of the 72 patients had mixed TB infections. Five were exclusively pulmonary mixed infections while three had both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary infections (Compartmentalized TB infections). Unlike previous studies that have linked this phenomenon to Beijing strains, multiple strains in this study belonged to T2-Uganda, X2 and T1 line! ages. Two of the pulmonary mixed infections were resistant to rifampicin or isoniazid. All except one were HIV positive, newly diagnosed cases and urban residents of Mubende district. The study revealed that one in nine urban dwelling, HIV/TB co-infected patient were infected with more than one M. tuberculosis strains."

Data from Research & Development Advance Knowledge in Mass Spectrometry

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Pain & Central Nervous System Week -- Research findings on Mass Spectrometry are discussed in a new report. According to news reporting out of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, by NewsRx editors, research stated, "Research on disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) has shown that an imbalance in the levels of specific endogenous neurotransmitters may underlie certain CNS diseases. These alterations in neurotransmitter levels may provide insight into pathophysiology, but can also serve as disease and pharmacodynamic biomarkers."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Research & Development, "To measure these potential biomarkers in vivo, the relevant sample matrix is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is in equilibrium with the brain's interstitial fluid and circulates through the ventricular system of the brain and spinal cord. Accurate analysis of these potential biomarkers can be challenging due to low CSF sample volume, low analyte levels, and potential interferences from other endogenous compounds. A protocol has been established for effective method development of bioanalytical assays for endogenous compounds in CSF. Database searches and standard-addition experiments are employed to qualify sample preparation and specificity of the detection thus evaluating accuracy and precision. This protocol was applied to the study of the histaminergic neurotransmitter system and the analysis of histamine and its metabolite 1-methylhistamine in rat CSF."

Biogen Idec has announced that its
EMPOWER Phase III ALS drug trial of
dexpramipexole has failed to meet its
primary endpoint.
Dexpramipexole, a treatment for amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS), did not meet its
primary endpoint of a joint rank analysis of
function and survival, and no efficacy was
seen in individual components of function or
survival, the drug company announced today.
... The trial also failed to show efficacy in its
key secondary endpoints. As such, Biogen
Idec has said it will abandon development of
dexpramipexole in ALS.
Biogen Idec Research and Development
executive vice president Dr Douglas Williams
said; "We share the disappointment of
members of the ALS community, who had
hoped that dexpramipexole would offer a
meaningful new treatment option.
"Nevertheless, the EMPOWER trial represents
a significant contribution to ALS research,
and Biogen Idec is committed to advancing
ALS science. We continue to work with
researchers around the world to understand
the causes of ALS and find potential
treatments for people with ALS."
The EMPOWER trial was a randomised,
double-blind placebo-controlled Phase III
trial of 943 people with ALS in 81 sites,
covering 11 countries. Patients were
randomised on a one-to-one basis to receive
either dexpramipexole or placebo.
Biogen Idec Neurodegeneration Clinical
Research director Dr Douglas Kerr said; "As
a physician who has treated people with ALS,
I hoped with all my heart for a different
outcome. While these results were not what
we expected, we hope these data will provide
a foundation for future ALS research."
The company intends to present detailed
results at a future medical conference.