By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have uncovered a major genetic risk for heart failure -- a mutation affecting a key muscle protein that makes the heart less elastic. The mutation increases a person's risk of dilated cardiomyopathy. This is a form of heart failure in which the walls of the heart muscle are stretched out and become thinner, enlarging the heart and impairing its ability to pump blood efficiently, a new international study has revealed. The finding could lead to genetic testing that would improve treatment for people at high risk for heart failure, according to the report published Jan. 14 in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The mutation causes the body to produce shortened forms of titin, the largest human protein and an essential component of muscle, the researchers said in background information. "We found that dilated cardiomyopathy due to titin truncation is more severe than other forms and may warrant more proactive therapy," said study author Dr. Angharad Roberts, a clinical research fellow at Imperial College London. "These patients could benefit from targeted screening of heart rhythm problems and from implantation of an internal cardiac defibrillator." About 5.1 million people … Continue reading →

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect 1 to 2 percent of children in the United States. Hundreds of genetic and environmental factors have been shown to increase the risk of ASD. Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine previously reported that a drug used for almost a century to treat trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, reversed environmental autism-like symptoms in mice. Now, a new study published in this week's online issue of Molecular Autism, suggests that a genetic form of autism-like symptoms in mice are also corrected with the drug, even when treatment was started in young adult mice. The underlying mechanism, according to Robert K. Naviaux, MD, PhD, the new study's principal investigator and professor of medicine at UC San Diego, is a phenomenon he calls the cellular danger response (CDR). When cells are exposed to danger in the form of a virus, infection, toxin, or even certain genetic mutations, they react defensively, shutting down ordinary activities and erecting barriers against the perceived threat. One consequence is that communication between cells is reduced, which the scientists say may interfere with brain development and function, leading to ASD. Researchers treated a Fragile X genetic mouse model, one of the most commonly … Continue reading →

Live100 Hospitals - Stem Cell Therapy "We wanted to focus on stem cell after seeing the advantages since the cells were available in the body and they were really doing wonderful research across the world which was really promising... By: Live100 Hospitals … Continue reading →

UC Davis to test device that offers new approach to obtaining stem cells during surgery (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- A new device that can rapidly concentrate and extract young cells from irrigation fluid used during orthopaedic surgery holds promise for improving the delivery of stem cell therapy in cases of non-healing fractures. UC Davis surgeons plan to launch a "proof-of-concept" clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of the device in the coming months. "People come to me after suffering for six months or more with a non-healing bone fracture, often after multiple surgeries, infections and hospitalizations," said Mark Lee, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery, who will be principal investigator of the upcoming clinical trial. "Stem cell therapy for these patients can be miraculous, and it is exciting to explore an important new way to improve on its delivery." About 6 million people suffer fractures each year in North America, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Five to 10 percent of those cases involve patients who either have delayed healing or fractures that do not heal. The problem is especially troubling for the elderly because a non-healing fracture significantly reduces a person's function, mobility and quality of life. … Continue reading →

The new clinic claims its stem-cell treatment can benefit those suffering from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis and most forms of lung disease.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The Lung Institute, a national clinic that uses adult stem cells extracted from fat and blood to treat pulmonary conditions, is set to open next month in Scottsdale, the for-profit company's first location in the western United States. The new clinic claims its treatment can benefit those suffering from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis and most forms of lung disease. Such stem-cell therapy is part of a growing trend particularly among affluent Americans who can afford it to treat a variety of health problems with cells taken from their own bodies. The industry remains largely controversial, with plenty of doubters and detractors who say the science is unproven and potentially dangerous. The International Society for Stem Cell Research, an independent non-profit organization based in Illinois, cautions against the potential risk of some treatments, which it says could cause cancer or result in infection from the procedure itself. The group suggests patients speak with their doctor about the potential benefits or risks of stem-cell therapy. For its part, Lung Institute says the treatment helps fight lung … Continue reading →

State capital hosts technology summit Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12: A group of Keralites settled in the US hopes to bring together experts across different technology verticals to contribute to the growth of the home State. The Indian-American Kerala Centre, New York, had organised a technology summit for Kerala in that city on November 14 and 15 last year to assess what all new technology related businesses can be brought here. Second summit The Centre is now hosting the second technology summit here on Monday and Tuesday. The purpose of the New Kerala Initiative is to develop a vibrant environment for economic growth by leveraging local talent as well as skills and expertise of non-residents in new and emerging technologies. It will help attract investment and resources and will support skills training, mentoring, entrepreneurship and development of employment opportunities. The goal is to make the state a hub of technology enterprises and activities that can rival similar centres elsewhere in India, says Thomas Abraham, the convener of the meet. Kerala must explore the possibility of leapfrogging to next technologies including, nanotechnology, nano-bio convergence technologies, nanomedicine, biomedicals and alternative energy generation and storage, he said. See the rest here: US-based Keralites initiative to … Continue reading →