Page 6,582«..1020..6,5816,5826,5836,584..6,5906,600..»

Hui Linn back in Seoul for stem cell treatment

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

GEORGE TOWN: Acid attack survivor Tan Hui Linn has undergone stem cell injection on parts of her face in the second stage of a corrective surgery in Seoul. The procedure went smoothly for the 20-year-old at JK Plastic Surgery Centre where doctors first conducted CO2 laser operation on her before the injection. Her attending physician Dr Bae Joon-sung conducted the procedure in a two-hour operation that started at about 12.30pm Malaysian time yesterday, said Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi who coordinated Hui Linn's trip. Other than her face, doctors will also carry out stem cell treatment on other affected parts on her chest, neck and thigh area. It is claimed that stem cells can help rejuvenate and speed up the recovery of her transplanted skin. Hui Linn, who arrived in Seoul on June 30, had undergone procedures to extract bone marrow on July 5 to cultivate stem cells, a process which will take 28 days. The stem cell treatment was a result of a collaboration between JK Plastic Surgery and stem cell company Pharmicell. Dr Bae said each treatment period was two weeks and her next injection had been scheduled on Aug 17; while she would undergo another laser treatment on … Continue reading

Comments Off on Hui Linn back in Seoul for stem cell treatment

Isis And Collaborators Alleviate Disease In Animal Models Of Myotonic Dystrophy

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ISIS) announced today that new preclinical data evaluating antisense compounds to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) were published in the journal Nature. These new findings show that antisense targeting of a toxic RNA, the disease causing component in DM1, resulted in reversal of disease symptoms that were sustained up to one year after treatment in a mouse model of DM1. "DM1 is a progressive disease that leads to the gradual loss of muscle function. Although DM1 is estimated to effect approximately 150,000 patients worldwide, there are no treatments available that could delay the onset of symptoms or slow down the progression of this debilitating disease. We are encouraged by these early results, which build on the groundbreaking work conducted by Dr. Charles Thornton at the University of Rochester Medical Center and others elucidating the mechanism of DM1. Using our antisense technology, we and our collaborators were able to target the toxic RNA, remove it and restore normal cell function," said Frank Bennett, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research at Isis. In the published study, Isis and collaborators from the University of Rochester evaluated antisense compounds in a mouse model of … Continue reading

Posted in Muscular Dystrophy Treatment | Comments Off on Isis And Collaborators Alleviate Disease In Animal Models Of Myotonic Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms Reversed In Mice By 'Antisense' Drugs

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

Researchers have successfully reversed symptoms of the most common form of adult muscular dystrophy in mice, pointing toward a possible treatment for humans. In a paper published in the journal Nature, scientists from the University of Rochester Medical Center and two drug companies -- Isis Pharmaceuticals and Genzyme -- describe how they attacked the disease by targeting "toxic" genetic messengers. "For 20 years, we studied myotonic dystrophy, hoping that someday we would learn enough to spot its Achilles heel," University of Rochester neurologist and senior author Charles Thornton said in a statement Wednesday. "This work comes close to doing that." Myotonic muscular dystrophy affects about 35,000 people in the U.S. Patients suffering from the disease find their muscles wasting away, leaving them weak. They also often cannot relax their muscles due to prolonged muscle contractions, meaning it can be hard for them to release their grip on a handle or move their jaw. The disease is caused by a genetic mutation that causes abnormal messenger RNA -- the genetic courier that's transcribed from DNA -- to accumulate in the nuclei of cells. That buildup causes an intracellular traffic jam that interferes with multiple proteins, including MBNL1, which is involved in … Continue reading

Posted in Muscular Dystrophy Treatment | Comments Off on Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms Reversed In Mice By 'Antisense' Drugs

Promising step forward toward muscular dystrophy treatment: Symptoms reversed in mice

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

ScienceDaily (Aug. 1, 2012) Scientists have reversed symptoms of myotonic muscular dystrophy in mice by eliminating a buildup of toxic RNA in muscle cells. The work, carried out by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Genzyme, is published in the August 2 issue of Nature. After experimental antisense compounds were administered to mice twice a week for four weeks, symptoms of the disease were reduced for up to one year -- a significant portion of a mouse's lifespan. The investigators say that while the work is an encouraging step forward against myotonic dystrophy, one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy, it's too soon to know whether the approach will work in patients. But they are cautiously optimistic, noting that the compound is extremely effective at reversing the disease -- whose genetic underpinnings make it particularly vulnerable to an antisense approach -- in a mouse model. "These results give us strong encouragement about the possibility of developing a treatment that could fundamentally alter the disease. It's an important step on a long path," said senior author Charles Thornton, M.D., a neurologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center who has been pursuing new … Continue reading

Posted in Muscular Dystrophy Treatment | Comments Off on Promising step forward toward muscular dystrophy treatment: Symptoms reversed in mice

Muscular dystrophy reversed in mice with Isis Pharmaceuticals research

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

Symptoms of a form of muscular dystrophyhave been reversed in mice, a research team including scientists from Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc.reported Wednesday. Chemicals injected into the mice rapidly reduced levels of toxic molecules that cause the disease, the scientists said. They reported their findings in the scientific journal Nature. It will take much more research before the treatment can be tried in humans, said an accompanying news article in Nature. "However, the path to success now seems clearly visible," the article stated. The chemicals work through Isis' gene-blocking antisense technology, which stops production of disease-causing proteins. The technology represents Isis' bid to become a powerhouse in discovering new drugs. Antisense drugs can theoretically work on a vast number of diseases. Shares of Isis, which is based in Carlsbad, closed Wednesday at $11.80, a loss of 32 cents for the day. That's still about 63 percent higher than Isis' close of $7.25 on Jan. 3, the first trading day of 2012. The team included Frank Bennett, senior vice president of research at Isis, and two other Isis scientists. Others are scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center andGenzyme.Charles Thornton, a University of Rochester neurologist, was senior author. The disease is called … Continue reading

Posted in Muscular Dystrophy Treatment | Comments Off on Muscular dystrophy reversed in mice with Isis Pharmaceuticals research

A promising step forward toward muscular dystrophy treatment

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

Public release date: 1-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Emily Boynton emily_boynton@urmc.rochester.edu 585-273-1757 University of Rochester Medical Center Scientists have reversed symptoms of myotonic muscular dystrophy in mice by eliminating a buildup of toxic RNA in muscle cells. The work, carried out by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Genzyme, is published in the August 2 issue of Nature. After experimental antisense compounds were administered to mice twice a week for four weeks, symptoms of the disease were reduced for up to one year a significant portion of a mouse's lifespan. The investigators say that while the work is an encouraging step forward against myotonic dystrophy, one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy, it's too soon to know whether the approach will work in patients. But they are cautiously optimistic, noting that the compound is extremely effective at reversing the disease whose genetic underpinnings make it particularly vulnerable to an antisense approach in a mouse model. "These results give us strong encouragement about the possibility of developing a treatment that could fundamentally alter the disease. It's an important step on a long path," said senior author Charles Thornton, M.D., a … Continue reading

Posted in Muscular Dystrophy Treatment | Comments Off on A promising step forward toward muscular dystrophy treatment

Fundraiser to help Simi Valley man with stroke treatment

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

A fundraiser Saturday at PC's Bar & Grill in Simi Valley will benefit 45-year-old Dave Beech, of Simi Valley, who suffered a stroke Feb. 27 and now uses awheelchair. Simi Valley resident Bobby James, event organizer and Beech's friend, said the goal is to raise $5,000 for Beech to enter an Institute of Neurological Recovery stroke treatment program that could help himwalk. The procedure has an 80 percent success rate, Beech said. It involves the administration of a drug called etanercept, according to the website http://www.strokebreakthrough.com. "I'm hoping for a dramatic result," Beech said. "But even if it just increases my flexibility and is able to advance my progress, that would begreat,too." Beech, a longtime Simi Valley resident, was a bouncer at The Arena for about six years and worked for other clubs, as well, James said. He also did photography inthearea. "I'm very happy and surprised that people are coming forward to participate in the fundraiser and help out," Beech said. The medical procedure "stops or helps reduce swelling in the brain and allows the reformation of neural pathways so the brain canhealitself." Beech said he hopes to start a nonprofit so others can take advantage of theprocedure. "I … Continue reading

Comments Off on Fundraiser to help Simi Valley man with stroke treatment

Caffeine from two to four daily cups of coffee may reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

(CBS News) Should doctors start prescribing coffee? In the latest study to tie coffee to health benefits, new research finds a daily caffeine boost may ease symptoms of Parkinson's disease in sufferers. Why am I so awake? 12 surprising sources of caffeine Study: Drinking coffee reduces overall death risk Parkinson's is a degenerative brain disease that causes tremors, difficulty with walking, movement and coordination. The condition most commonly develops in adults over 50, and occurs when nerve cells in the brain that make the muscle-controlling neurotransmitter dopamine are slowly destroyed, leading to loss in muscle function. The cause of the disease remains unknown. The study, published August 1 in the online issue of Neurology, tracked 61 people with Parkinson's who were exhibiting symptoms of daytime sleepiness. Participants were assigned to receive either a placebo pill twice per day or a 100 milligram-caffeine pill twice per day for three weeks. After three weeks, those in the caffeine group were given a 200 milligram caffeine pill twice per day, about the caffeine equivalent found in two to four cups of coffee. Six weeks into the study, people taking the caffeine pills averaged a five-point improvement on a ratings scale of Parkinson's symptom … Continue reading

Posted in Parkinson's Treatment | Comments Off on Caffeine from two to four daily cups of coffee may reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms

Coffee may help some Parkinson's disease movement symptoms, research suggests

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

ScienceDaily (Aug. 1, 2012) While drinking coffee with caffeine each day does not appear to reduce sleepiness among people with Parkinson's disease, it may have a benefit in controlling movement, according to new research published in the August 1, 2012, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. "Studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson's disease, but this is one of the first studies in humans to show that caffeine can help with movement symptoms for people who already have the disease," said study author Ronald Postuma, MD, MSc, with McGill University in Montreal and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center. Postuma is also a member of the American Academy of Neurology. For the study, 61 people with Parkinson's disease who showed symptoms of daytime sleepiness and some motor symptoms were given either a placebo pill or a pill with 100 milligrams of caffeine two times a day for three weeks, then 200 milligrams twice a day for three weeks, which was the equivalent of between two and four cups of coffee per day. After six weeks, the half that took the caffeine supplements averaged … Continue reading

Posted in Parkinson's Treatment | Comments Off on Coffee may help some Parkinson's disease movement symptoms, research suggests

Caffeine could help some Parkinson’s symptoms

Posted: Published on August 2nd, 2012

CTVNews.ca Staff Published Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 2:01PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012 5:02PM EDT Drinking caffeine each day might help Parkinsons patients move a little easier, making their walking more fluid and improving their quality of life, new Canadian research has found. The researchers say the improvements are small, but their research suggests theres something about caffeine that blocks malfunctioning brain signals in Parkinsons patients. The finding was a surprising one and came during a study to test caffeine as a treatment for daytime sleepiness among Parkinsons patients. Though it didnt do much for keeping fatigue at bay, it did seem to help with movement. The study looked at 61 people with Parkinsons disease with symptoms of daytime sleepiness as well as the tremors, rigidity and slow movement that marks the brain disease. The volunteers were given either a placebo pill or a pill with 100 milligrams of caffeine, twice a day for three weeks. The dose was then bumped up to 200 milligrams twice a day for three weeks -- the equivalent of between two and four cups of coffee per day. The researchers report in the journal Neurology that the caffeine didnt really help improve … Continue reading

Posted in Parkinson's Treatment | Comments Off on Caffeine could help some Parkinson’s symptoms

Page 6,582«..1020..6,5816,5826,5836,584..6,5906,600..»