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Four genes that drive the spread of breast cancer identified

Pallavi — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:13:36 +0000

Researchers in the United States have isolated a set of four genes closely linked to the growth of breast cancer cells and their spread to the lungs, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The study, conducted in mice and reported in this week’s Nature, helps to explain how cancer metastasis can occur and highlights targets for therapeutic treatment.

Metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in cancer patients - entails numerous biological functions that collectively enable cancerous cells from a primary site to disseminate and overtake distant organs. A number of genes are already known to contribute to the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs.

Using genetic and pharmacological approaches, Dr Joan Massague, and colleagues showed how four genes facilitate the formation of new tumor blood vessels, the release of cancer cells into the bloodstream, and the penetration of tumor cells from the bloodstream into the lung.

The gene set comprises EREG (an epidermal growth factor receptor ligand), the cyclooxygenase COX2, and MMP1 and MMP2 (matrix enzymes that are expressed in human breast cancer cells).

The researchers conclude:

The drug combinations that target one or more of the proteins encoded by these genes may prove useful for treating metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common type of carcinoma, the formation of malignant tumors in cells found in the skin and in the lining of certain organs, including the lungs and the colon.

Via : BBC

Rowling made a major contribution to reward fund for girls safe return

Pallavi — Mon, 14 May 2007 12:24:03 +0000

Rowling the author of ‘Harry Potter’ made a major contribution to a $3 million reward fund for the safe return of a British girl Madeleine McCann, who has gone missing in Portugal.

Green said in a statement:

We are praying for Madeleine’s safe return and can’t imagine what Kate and Gerry (McCann) are going through at the moment.

Madeleine, 4, is disappeared from a private apartment in the Praia da Luz holiday resort in Portugal on May 2.

Madeleine’s father said:

Today we should be celebrating the fourth birthday of our daughter Madeleine. Instead we have had to remember what a normal, beautiful, vivacious, funny, courageous and loving little girl that we are missing today.

The author had offered the largest contribution to a reward fund.

People who are donating huge sums other than Rowling– to help find the missing little girl are Sir Richard Branson and Sir Philip Green.

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Source

Incidence of Fatty Liver Disease rises as obesity in children increases

Pallavi — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 14:05:30 +0000

In the United States and around the world, childhood obesity has become a major health problem. Along with the rise in obesity, is an increase in the co-morbidities of obesity, including fatty liver disease. It is a chronic liver disease characterized by abnormal lipid deposition in hepatocytes that occurs in the absence of excess alcohol intake. It comprises a spectrum of diseases, ranging from simple steatosis to steatosis in association with necro-inflammatory disease (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH). An estimated 30 million adults and 1.6 million children in the US have NAFLD and up to 30% are estimated to have NASH. NASH can be a more aggressive disease that leads to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in about 20% of cases. Only the rare case advances to cirrhosis in childhood because of its slow progression. However, NAFLD is rapidly increasing the need for liver transplant in young adults. Because of its high prevalence, it has become one of the most common reasons children are referred to pediatric hepatologists.

There is an alarming increase in fatty liver disease among adults and children who are obese and insulin-resistant. Plus, some adults may not live long enough to enjoy their well-earned retirements or grandchildren.

A simple blood test to determine if liver enzyme levels are elevated alerts pediatricians that the child needs to be evaluated for Fatty Liver Disease.

The only proven therapy for NAFLD in children is weight loss. A small but significant improvement in the BMI (body mass index) of a child can improve serum transaminases, and may also improve liver histology. Studies of adults who have undergone gastric bypass and lost large amounts of weight show that even the fibrosis of NASH can be reversible.

Promoting physical activity and healthy eating early in the lives of children may decrease the epidemic of obesity and with it NAFLD. Parents should be encouraged to incorporate healthy food choices and active play into the lifestyles of their entire families. We need a revolution, a delicious revolution, that will induce children - in a pleasurable way - to think critically about what they eat.

Conclusion
It is a common pediatric liver disease that will lead to increasing morbidity and mortality as the obesity epidemic continues. Every effort should be made to identify and diagnose children at risk. While lifestyle changes remain the most important treatment at this time, severely affected children are candidates for ongoing treatment studies.

Via : SpiritIndia.com

Tiny babies born to older mother

Pallavi — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:29:11 +0000

According to a new study, 40,000 underweight babies are born each year in the UK

An increase in the amount of tiny babies that are being born in the UK has been linked to older mothers giving birth.
In a new report released by the Fabian Society, women are being urged to not wait to long before having babies, due to health complications that can be associated with underweight babies.

According to statistics, the UK has the most underweight babies born annually, with 40,000 weighing under 5lbs at birth.

“If Britain had the same record on low birth weight as the best countries in Europe, 24,000 babies would have much improved life chances,” said lead researcher Louise Bamfield. “The facts should shock us all. Britain has the worst rate of every country in western Europe, except Greece.”
Since 1989, the rate of underweight babies being born as jumped from 67 out of every 1000, to 78 out of every 1000 born in 2006.
According to the report, teenaged mothers and older mothers are the most likely to give birth to low weight babies

The report states that it is up to the British government to provide better antinatal services, and to increase financial support to “at risk women.”
Babies of working class mothers, had two times the risk of death within the first year of life, with Asian women proven to be the most likely to give birth to underweight babies. Mothers of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin are also at higher risk - their babies are on average 300g (10oz) lighter than those of white mothers.

Via:Dailymail