PTSD 'raises women's risks of heart attack and stroke'

Women with post-traumatic stress disorder have up to a 60% higher chance of a heart attack or stroke, according to a study of almost 50,000 participants. Mental trauma may produce physical problems. In the first study to examine trauma exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and onset of cardiovascular disease exclusively in women, those with no PTSD symptoms but who reported traumatic events had 45% higher rates of cardiovascular disease. The results are published in the American Heart Association s journal Circulation. Jennifer Sumner, PhD, lead author and epidemiologist at Columbia University s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, says: "PTSD is generally considered a psychological problem, but the take-home message from our findings is that it also has a profound impact on physical health, especially cardiovascular risk." Dr. Buy Principen (Ampicillin) with no prescription Sumner, also a visiting scientist at the Harvard T.H. Buy Flovent (Fluticasone) with no Rx Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, adds: "This is not exclusively a mental problem - it s a potentially deadly problem of the body as well." The researchers examined 49,978 women in the Nurses Health Study II, an ongoing cohort study of younger and middle-aged women that started in 1989. Buy Tritace (Ramipril) with free Rx The study investigated exposure to trauma and PTSD symptoms in relation to incident cardiovascular disease over the 20-year study period. Biduret with no Rx Researchers used a questionnaire to evaluate different types of traumatic experiences and PTSD symptoms. About LIV.52 () with no Rx The main findings of the study were that: Women with four or more PTSD symptoms had 60% higher rates of cardiovascular disease compared with women who no history of being exposed to traumatic events Rates of cardiovascular disease were 45% higher among women with no PTSD symptoms, but who reported traumatic events Unhealthy behaviors like smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and medical factors such as high blood pressure accounted for almost half of the association between elevated PTSD symptoms and cardiovascular disease. PTSD twice as common among women PTSD tends to be associated with male military service. Buy Fast Food online But the researchers point out that PTSD is twice as common in women as in men. Most studies of cardiovascular disease risk in PTSD patients have been conducted in men who have served in the military, or among disaster survivors. PTSD affects some women after traumatic events such as a natural disaster, unwanted sexual contact or physical assault. http://webmdconsult.wordpress.com They may suffer mental flashbacks of the trauma, insomnia, fatigue, difficulty with memory or concentration, and numbed emotions. Other symptoms include nightmares, irritability or being startled easily. Karestan Koenen, the study s senior author and professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, says: "The medical system needs to stop treating the mind and the body as if they are separate. Patients need access to integrated mental and physical health care." Dr. Sumner agrees - women need to get mental health care to treat symptoms as well as be monitored for signs of cardiovascular problems. More than half of the people in the US who suffer from PTSD do not get treatment, especially minorities. Heart disease has also been linked to panic disorder in a recent study. The study published in June found that panic attacks were linked to heart disease, although there could be overlap to confuse the issue. Written by Markus MacGill

Longer secondary schooling reduces HIV risk, study finds

Secondary school education can improve job prospects, help develop social skills, reduce inequality and now researchers believe it can alter the risk of HIV infection. Norlutate (Norethindrone Acetate) with no Rx A new study indicates that an extra year of secondary schooling could substantially reduce the risk of HIV contraction. Education and health are closely associated though formal education s capacity to prevent HIV infection is still debated. The study, published in The Lancet Global Health, suggests expanding secondary schooling could be a cost-effective strategy for preventing HIV infection. "This study is among the first to provide causal evidence that secondary education is an important causal determinant of HIV infection," says senior author Prof. Buy Janumet (Sitagliptin Metformin) Jacob Bor of Boston University School of Public Health, MA. Lopid (Gemfibrozil) "Our results suggest that schooling should be considered alongside other proven interventions as part of a multi-pronged combination HIV prevention strategy." He explains that it is difficult to isolate the effect of education on the risk of HIV infection from the complex web of associated factors such as family background, socioeconomic status and psychological traits. Buy Becoderm with free prescription This difficulty necessitates the use of "natural experiments" to provide evidence to guide healthcare policies. In the absence of large-scale trial data, the researchers used a recent school policy reform in Botswana as the basis for their study in order to assess what role an increase in the number of years spent in secondary school played in the risk of HIV infection. Botswana is one of the most HIV-affected countries in the world. Minomycin (Minocycline) with free prescription In 2013, around 22% of adults aged 15-49 were estimated to be infected with the virus. In 1996, free grade 10 education was provided as part of junior secondary school, resulting in an average increase of 0.8 years of schooling among teenagers in the country. Buy Dolomite online Using data collected in 2004 and 2008 from the nationally representative Botswana AIDS Impact Surveys, the researchers were able to compare birth cohorts exposed to extended secondary education with those that were not. The researchers analyzed data for 7,081 men and women who were aged 18 and above at the times the surveys were conducted. http://asthmareview.wordpress.com Any who were born in or after 1981 were classified as having been exposed to the secondary school policy reform. Effect of extended schooling on HIV risk more apparent among women From the data, they estimate that those who received an extra year of secondary schooling were 8 percentage points less likely to test positive for HIV infection a decade later, with around 17% of the cohort infected compared with 25% of those who did not receive an extra year. The effect of extra secondary schooling appeared to be more pronounced among women, whose risk was reduced by 12 percentage points with an additional year of secondary schooling. Co-author Jan-Walter de Neve, a doctoral student at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, states that secondary schooling may be particularly effective in reducing HIV risk by targeting a critical period of growth in adolescence: "Information about prevention methods and reasoning skills gained in school may play a preventative role against HIV, enabling people with education to adopt healthy strategies to avoid infection. Additionally, education may expand economic opportunities and reduce women s participation in higher risk transactional sexual relationships." "Expanding the opportunities of young people through secondary schooling will not only have economic benefits but will also yield health benefits and should be a key priority for countries with generalized HIV epidemics," Prof. Bor adds. In a linked Comment, Dr. Karen Ann Gr epin from Robert F Wagner s Graduate School of Public Service, New York University, NY, notes that the fact the results were strongest among women was especially important considering the worldwide inequities in access to secondary schooling for girls. "[Increasing] access to education in low-income countries should be an important priority because of the proven economic returns to such investments," she concludes. "The health returns from education, such as its potential role in HIV and child mortality should also make it a top priority for the global health community." A recent report from the UNAIDS and Lancet Commission states that efforts to prevent new HIV infections must accelerate over the next 5 years, otherwise deaths from AIDS will increase worldwide. Written by James McIntosh

Could the magnolia tree help combat head and neck cancers?

Head and neck cancers are responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000 people in the US every year, highlighting the need for new prevention and treatment strategies for the cancers. Lozol (Indapamide) with no prescription Now, a new study reveals how a compound found in the bark and leaves of the magnolia tree could provide just that. Researchers say honokiol - a compound found in the bark and leaves of the magnolia tree - may be effective against head and neck cancers. Researchers from the Birmingham Veteran Affairs Medical Center, AL, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) found the compound - called honokiol - blocked a protein that drives tumor growth in squamous cell head and neck cancers, most commonly caused by tobacco and alcohol use. Senior study author Dr. Buy Lotrisone (Betamethasone + Clotrimazole) with no prescription Santosh K. About Neurontin (Gabapentin) with no prescription Katiyar, of the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the departments of chemistry and dermatology at UAB, and colleagues publish their findings in the journal Oncotarget. The researchers note that honokiol is well known for its medicinal properties. Avanadmet with no Rx The compound has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for the treatment of anxiety and stress for hundreds of years. In recent years, however, studies have indicated that honokiol also holds some anticancer properties, with researchers finding it prevents or reduces tumor growth in models of breast, skin, prostate and nonsmall cell lung cancers. Buy Paxil Cr (Paroxetine) For their study, Dr. Buy Creatine online Katiyar and colleagues set out to see whether the magnolia compound may be effective against head and neck cancers. Honokiol reduced tumor growth in human cell lines, mouse models According to the National Cancer Institute, head and neck cancers - including cancers of the larynx, throat, lips, mouth, nose and salivary glands - account for around 3% of all cancers in the US. A protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in around 90% of all cases of squamous cell head and neck cancers, the researchers say, making the protein a promising drug target. One drug already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of head and neck cancers - Cetuximab - targets EGFR, as do some small molecule inhibitors, such as gefitinib (Iressa), that are currently under investigation for this use. http://pharmaceuticaljournal.wordpress.com But Dr. Katiyar and colleagues say there are some downsides to such drugs. "The poor response rates, toxicity and resistance of these drugs or inhibitors have limited their use as therapeutic agents for HNSCC [head and neck squamous cell carcinoma]," he explains. "Therefore, development of less toxic and less resistance-associated alternative treatment options is urgently needed." As such, the team assessed the effects of honokiol when introduced to human cell lines of a number of head and neck cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, tongue and pharynx. The compound was also tested on mice that had tumors of these cancers implanted. In both the human cancer cell lines and mouse models, the researchers found honokiol was able to bind to and reduce expression of EGFR, which stopped the growth of cancer cells. What is more, the researchers found honokiol binds more strongly to EGFR than the drug gefitinib, suggesting it may be a more effective treatment strategy against head and neck cancers. Commenting on their findings, Dr. Katiyar says: "Conclusively, honokiol appears to be an attractive bioactive small molecule phytochemical for the management of head and neck cancer which can be used either alone or in combination with other available therapeutic drugs." Earlier this month, Medical News Today reported on a study detailing how another natural compound may have anticancer properties. Researchers from Canada revealed how avocatin B - a compound found in avocados - could help treat leukemia. Written by Honor Whiteman

Lab-made blood to enter human trials in 2 years

Artificial blood grown in a lab from stem cells is one step closer to being available to people with complex blood types for whom it is difficult to find matching donors. The trial will compare the survival of red blood cells grown in the lab with that of standard red cells from blood donors. The UK s NHS (National Health Service) Blood and Transplant say manufactured blood will be used in clinical trials with human volunteers within 2 years. The aim is one of several that the joint England and Wales special health authority has entered into with top universities to develop transfusion, transplantation and regenerative medicine over the next 5 years. The intention is not to replace human donation, says Dr. About Intagra (Sildenafil Citrate) Nick Watkins, NHS Blood and Transplant assistant director of research and development, but to offer specialist treatment for specific patient groups. The health authority say there is a need to increase the availability of better-matched blood for patients with rare blood types. Nizoral (Ketoconazole) with free Rx These include patients with blood conditions like sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia, who require regular blood transfusions. The authority collects 1.7 million units of blood each year. Flagyl (Metronidazole) Hospitals in England and Wales need around 6,000 units a day, they say, and volunteer blood donors are vital. The pressure is building not only because of demand, but also because of a shortage of donors. Asa with free Rx In 2014, 40% fewer people volunteered as new donors compared with 10 years earlier. To ensure the nation s stock of blood remains at a safe level, NHS Blood and Transplant say there is a need to recruit 204,000 donors in 2015. Teams around the world are trying to develop artificial blood Dr. About Proventil (Albuterol) with no prescription Watkins says teams around the world have been trying to make artificial red blood cells as an alternative to donated blood, and adds: "We are confident that by 2017 our team will be ready to carry out the first early phase clinical trials in human volunteers." The team includes scientists from NHS Blood and Transplant and the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford, also in the UK. The first trial is likely to be small - 20 volunteers will be transfused with a small amount (5-10 mls) of lab-produced blood. Buy Circulation Supplements online It will compare the survival of red blood cells grown in the lab with that of standard red cells from blood donors. The scientists are using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) sourced from adult and umbilical cord blood to make the lab-grown red blood cells. "Research has laid the foundation for current transfusion and transplantation practices," Dr. http://pharmaceuticaljournal.wordpress.com Watkins explains, and adds: "The manufactured red cell trials form part of our world-leading work in regenerative medicine and one of eight research goals for 2015-2020 that will bring long-term improvements for patients and donors." In 2013, Medical News Today reported a study that suggested the shelf life of blood is nearer to 3 weeks than the 6 weeks that blood banks regard as standard for blood used in transfusion. The researchers came to this conclusion after showing that red cells in stored blood lose their ability to deliver oxygen where it is most needed once the 3-week shelf life is exceeded. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Eat protein before carbohydrates to lower post-meal glucose

In a new study, researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, NY, found that the order in which different types of food are consumed has a significant impact on post-meal glucose and insulin levels in obese people. About Intagra (Sildenafil Citrate) Writing in the journal Diabetes Care, the authors suggest their findings may have dietary implications for diabetic and other high-risk patients. Eating protein, vegetables and fat before carbohydrates in a meal may help to keep glucose and insulin levels low. For people with type 2 diabetes, it is important to maintain normal glucose levels after eating, because if their blood sugar level spikes then they are at increased risk of complications, including hardening of the arteries and heart disease, which can eventually lead to death. Some previous studies had found that eating vegetables or protein before carbohydrates could be an effective way to lower post-meal glucose levels. Nizoral (Ketoconazole) with free Rx The researchers behind the new study wanted to see whether this association applied to a typical Western diet, with meals consisting of a mix of vegetables, protein carbohydrates and fat. In the study, 11 patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes who were taking metformin - a drug that helps control glucose levels - ate the same meals in different orders 1 week apart, so that the researchers could observe how their glucose levels were affected. The set meal consisted of ciabatta bread, orange juice, chicken breast, lettuce and tomato salad with low-fat dressing and steamed broccoli with butter. Glucose and insulin levels lower when carbohydrates were eaten last The researchers first took the patients glucose levels in the morning, 12 hours after they last ate. Flagyl (Metronidazole) On the first day of the study, the participants were told to consume the carbohydrates in their meal (ciabatta bread and orange juice) first, and to follow this 15 minutes later by the protein, vegetables and fat in the meal. Asa with free Rx The participants glucose levels were checked 30, 60 and 120 minutes after eating. The experiment was then repeated 1 week later, except this time the food order was reversed - the protein, vegetables and fat were eaten first, with the carbohydrates consumed 15 minutes later. When the vegetables and protein were eaten before the carbohydrates, the researchers found that glucose levels were 29%, 37% and 17% lower at the 30, 60 and 120-minute checks, compared with when carbohydrates were consumed first. About Proventil (Albuterol) with no prescription Also, insulin was found to be significantly lower when the participants ate vegetables and protein first. "Based on this finding, instead of saying don t eat that to their patients, clinicians might instead say, eat this before that, " says senior author Dr. Buy Circulation Supplements online Louis Aronne, the Sanford I. http://pharmaceuticaljournal.wordpress.com Weill Professor of Metabolic Research and a professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Aronne acknowledges that follow-up work is required - the findings are from a pilot study with a very small sample group - but says that "based on this finding, patients with type 2 might be able to make a simple change to lower their blood sugar throughout the day, decrease how much insulin they need to take, and potentially have a long-lasting, positive impact on their health." "Carbohydrates raise blood sugar, but if you tell someone not to eat them - or to drastically cut back - it s hard for them to comply. This study points to an easier way that patients might lower their blood sugar and insulin levels," Dr. Aronne concludes. Written by David McNamee

Doctors in bitter divide about e-cigarettes

Are e-cigarettes giving tobacco companies the means to appear benign while actually "killing people softly" or are the alternatives offering the best chance of reducing harm from cigarette smoking? Doctors are bitterly divided over the question. Glamorizing cigarette smoking or saving lives? An article in The BMJ reports from both sides of the debate. Evista (Raloxifene) without prescription Simon Capewell, professor of public health and policy at the Institute of Psychology, Health and Society at the UK s University of Liverpool, tells the journal he is suspicious of big tobacco. Prof. Prandin (Repaglinide) with no Rx Capewell argues that if the big tobacco companies were genuinely concerned about the disease and the harm they caused, "they would cease production - end of discussion. About Sinequan (Doxepin) without prescription They would go into e-cigarette production 100%." Instead, tobacco companies are cynically acting to worm their ways into public bodies, pretending to be part of the solution and deflecting attention away from the harm they do, argue such public health experts. The argument against e-cigarettes also says they help to glamorize and renormalize smoking. Buy Antepsin with free Rx But such an idea is given a strongly-worded dismissal by one organization that has previously been an arch-enemy of the tobacco companies but now appears alongside them at conferences. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the UK charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), says: "There are people in the public health community who are obsessed by e-cigarettes. Silvitra (Sildenafil Citrate 100 mg + Vardenafil 20 mg) without Rx This idea that it renormalizes smoking is absolute bullshit. Buy Chaparral online There is no evidence so far that it is a gateway into smoking for young people." Arnott asks: "Do you want the tobacco industry to carry on making cigarettes which are highly addictive and kill when used as intended, or do you want them to move to a product which is much nearer licensed nicotine replacement therapy and is unlikely to kill anyone?" But the opposition remains. http://pharmaceuticaljournal.wordpress.com Public health experts against such positions include 129 who warned the World Health Organization and other public bodies not to "buy into the tobacco industry s well-documented strategy of presenting itself as a partner." The article in The BMJ characterizes the debate as divided broadly between two types of doctor - public health experts looking at the population effects, and supposedly "idealist" about the issue, and doctors in practise who have a more "pragmatic" view of potential benefits for individuals. While the debate rages, the reality of smoking versus vaping plays out. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration s Center for Tobacco Products revealed that the use of electronic cigarettes tripled among middle and high school students between 2013 and 2014. The news of the findings means that the use of e-cigarettes among this population has exceeded use of all other tobacco products - including conventional cigarettes. Much of the opposition to the developments is a result of the involvement of tobacco companies, the report in The BMJ says. "When they first came on the market, 5 or 6 years ago, there was a positive openness and curiosity" about electronic cigarettes, says Karl Fagerstr"om, a Swedish clinical psychologist and a founder of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. But after the cigarette industry became involved, the attitude changed from suspicion to opposition, he adds. Written by Markus MacGill

Gut microbe may improve metabolic health, body fat distribution, study finds

Researchers have discovered a gut microbe that could be effective for improving leanness and metabolic health among people who are overweight or obese. Obese and overweight people with higher levels of the gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila were found to have better metabolic health and body fat distribution following a 6-week calorie-restricted diet. Published in the journal Gut, the study reveals that greater abundance of a bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila - which makes up around 3-5% of a healthy individual s gut microbiome - was associated with lower blood glucose and lipids, as well as healthier distribution of body fat. The research team - including Prof. About Celebrex (Celecoxib) without prescription Karine Cl ement of the Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), the INSERM/University of Paris and Piti e-Salp^etri`ere Hospital in France - says their findings may open the door to new treatments for diabetes and other metabolic conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 70% of American adults aged 20 and older are overweight or obese, meaning they are at increased of a number of health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Past studies have indicated that an individual s gut microbiome - the composition of gut bacteria - may influence the risk of overweight and obesity and related conditions. Tenormin (Atenolol) with free prescription In November 2014, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting a bacterium called Christensenellaceae minuta reduced weight gain when introduced to the guts of mice. Prof. Buy VP-GL () with no prescription Cl ement and colleagues note that previous mouse studies have also linked A. Aldactone muciniphila with improved leanness and healthier glucose metabolism. Uroxatral (Alfuzosin) with no prescription However, it was unclear whether the microbe has a similar effect in humans. Subjects with higherA. Buy Black Currant Oil online muciniphila levels had better metabolic profile To find out, the researchers enrolled 49 individuals to their study, of whom 11 were overweight and 38 were obese. All participants were required to follow a low-calorie diet supplemented with extra protein and fiber for 6 weeks, followed by a stabilization diet for a further 6 weeks. http://pharmaceuticaljournal.wordpress.com The team notes that calorie restriction is known to alter gut bacteria composition. At study baseline and after the dietary intervention, blood samples were collected from participants in order to measure their blood glucose and lipid levels, including cholesterol (high- and low-density lipoprotein) and triglyceride levels. The team also analyzed fecal samples of participants in order to establish the presence of A. muciniphila in their guts, and the body fat distribution of participants - determined by the presence of fat cells under the skin - was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The researchers found participants who had greater abundance of A. muciniphila in their guts at study baseline had lower blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as lower blood lipid levels and healthier body fat distribution, compared with those who had lower abundance of the bacterium. The healthiest metabolic profile was found among participants who had higher A. muciniphila levels combined with greater diversity of gut bacteria, according to the researchers. After the dietary intervention , the team found that participants who had greater abundance of A. muciniphila in their gut at study baseline showed greater improvement in body fat distribution and metabolic profile than those with lower A. muciniphila levels at baseline. The team says the low-calorie diet reduced A. muciniphila levels among participants, though individuals who had higher levels of the bacterium at study baseline still possessed it at levels 100 times higher than participants with lower levels at study baseline. A. muciniphila fuels other healthy gut bacteria Prof. Cl ement claims their study confirms in humans what has been observed in mouse models - that greater abundance of A. muciniphila is linked to improved metabolic health and better fat distribution following calorie restriction. What is more, the researchers say their findings indicate that by-products of the bacterium boost the development of other gut bacteria that may be beneficial for health. "A. muciniphila produces a variety of fermentation products. These may serve as energy sources for other bacteria and the host," they explain. "It is possible that through this cross-feeding, A. muciniphila may contribute to the expansion of other beneficial species, while it may itself have a direct effect on host metabolism, consistent with rodent studies." They add: "In conclusion, we demonstrated a significant association between A. muciniphila abundance and metabolic health and we provide a first view of A. muciniphila association with the gut ecosystem. Collectively, these observations demonstrate the importance of studying A. muciniphila in the context of the gut environment, as it may drive a favorable or deleterious contribution of A. muciniphila to health." The team says future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying the role of A. muciniphila in metabolic health and fat distribution, noting that further studies may uncover new treatments for insulin resistance - a precursor to type 2 diabetes - and other metabolic conditions. What is more, they say future studies could determine whether A. muciniphila could be used to predict whether certain diets might be successful for metabolic health. In March, a Spotlight feature from MNT investigated how the gut microbiome influences obesity and other areas of health and well-being. Written by Honor Whiteman

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) - Pipeline Review, H1 2015 - 5 Companies & 5 Drug Profiles

. Buy Arthritis Formulas online Viagra Soft (Sildenafil Citrate) without Rx DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (.researchandmarkets.com/research/7bfsm5/chronic) has announced the addition of the "Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) - Pipeline Review, H1 2015" report to their offering. This report provides comprehensive information on the therapeutic development for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), complete with comparative analysis at various stages, therapeutics assessment by drug target, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type, along with latest updates, and featured news and press releases. http://pharmaceuticaljournal.wordpress.com Actosplus Met with free prescription Augmentin (Amoxicillin And Clavulanate) with no prescription It also reviews key players involved in the therapeutic development for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and special features on late-stage and discontinued projects. The report enhances decision making capabilities and help to create effective counter strategies to gain competitive advantage. Buy Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) with no Rx About Viagra Sublingual (Sildenafil Citrate) It strengthens R&D pipelines by identifying new targets and MOAs to produce first-in-class and best-in-class products. Companies Involved in Therapeutics Development Baxter International Inc. GeNeuro SA Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited Teijin Pharma Limited Drug Profiles (immune globulin (human) + hyaluronidase (recombinant)) fingolimod hydrochloride immune globulin (human) immune globulin (human) Monoclonal Antibody for CIDP For more information visit .researchandmarkets.com/research/7bfsm5/chronic

Scientists use zebrafish to further understanding of short bowel syndrome

Scientists have made huge steps toward understanding the deadly condition short bowel syndrome by developing a model of the disease to study in zebrafish in a new study. Short bowel syndrome can be fatal in babies. Buy Actoplus Met (Metformin And Pioglitazone) The condition is typically treated with special diets and nutritional supplements. Short bowel syndrome is a condition that occurs when a section of the small intestine is either missing or damaged at birth or removed during surgery. Buy Zocor (Simvastatin) with free prescription A shortened small intestine can result in the bowel not having enough surface area to absorb nutrients properly, leading to malnutrition, dehydration and sometimes death. Some patients can increase their ability to absorb nutrients by increasing the bowel s surface area in response, in a process known as adaptation. Buy Brand Cialis (Tadalafil) without prescription However, the mechanics behind this process are poorly understood. "We and others have struggled to understand adaptation in order to improve our patients lives," says first author Dr. Abacavir Sulphate with no Rx Kathy Schall, of Children s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). About Zofran (Ondansetron) without prescription She explains that researchers are only able to look at tissue from humans at various times when they need surgery, and other research models are both difficult to use and expensive. "The new solution from our lab is to study the intestines in small fish that could fit onto a dime," says principal investigator Dr. Buy Adults - ADD | ADHD online Tracy C. http://pharmaceuticaljournal.wordpress.com Grikscheit, of The Saban Research Institute at CHLA. Zebrafish are sometimes used by researchers investigating stem and progenitor cells as their cells have many similarities with human cells and have a high capacity for regeneration. "Even though the fish are tiny, under a microscope, we are able to perform the same surgery that is performed on children with short bowel syndrome," Dr. Grikscheit explains. "And even better, we have pioneered a way to show the resulting changes in the anatomy through three-dimensional imaging of the fish, with higher resolution than some scans available to human patients." Zebrafish model allows for new perspectives on adaptation With three-dimensional imaging of the fish, the researchers could watch any changes occurring in the bowel after the surgery, allowing them a new insight into what happens in human patients that could lead to new solutions to the problem of short bowel syndrome. "The three-dimensional reconstructions of these fish shown in our publication make it clear that the changes in the fish intestine after this surgery are just like those seen in the babies we care for," says Dr. Grikscheit. In the zebrafish, the researchers were able to observe the process of adaptation closely. They noted a marked increase in progenitor cells 2 weeks after surgery was performed. Another benefit to studying short bowel syndrome in the zebrafish was that the researchers could analyze the mechanisms of adaptation by dosing the fish with drugs through adding compounds to the water in their tank. This method was considerably easier and less expensive than previous approaches. The video below provides a sample of the three-dimensional imaging used by the researchers to examine the insides of the zebrafish. The discoveries made in the study, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, could lead to further research into identifying the signaling pathways that promote adaptation and the specific cells that grow quickly. More data in these areas could one day lead to better care for babies with intestinal failure - the ultimate goal for Dr. Grikscheit. "As a pediatric surgeon, my lab has only one goal: to find better options for children with short bowel syndrome," she states. This study is not the first that Medical News Today has reported on involving zebrafish. Researchers previously suggested that a lack of vitamin E could cause damage to the brain after studying zebrafish fed a diet deficient in the vitamin. Written by James McIntosh