(Ivanhoe Newswire)-- There is only one stroke treatment option available today and with such a high rate of individuals suffering from strokes, many would agree that a new solution is necessary. Now researchers from Stanford University have shown that by removing a matching set of molecules responsible for assisting in regulation of the brain's capacity for forming and breaking connections between nerve cells could greatly increase recovery from a stroke just days after occurring. Currently the only available stroke treatment is called tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA. The issue with tPA is that it must be administered within a few hours of a stroke to be effective, and patients' brains must first be scanned to determine whether this treatment is appropriate. Furthermore, while tPA limits the initial damage caused by a stroke, it doesn't help the brain restore or replace lost connections between nerve cells, which is necessary for recovery. For the study, researchers used mice that had been genetically bioengineered to lack certain molecules that a Stanford researcher had previously shown to play a major role in modulating the ease with which important nerve-cell connections are made, strengthened, weakened or destroyed in the brain. The molecules in question include … Continue reading →

MENLO PARK, Calif., March 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STATegics, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a second patent for its small molecule thrombopoietin mimetic compounds. The patent, U.S. 8,143,287, is a continuation of STATegics' granted U.S. Patent No. 7,786,159, which issued on August 31st, 2010. The new patent expands STATegics's intellectual property coverage relating to thrombopoietin mimetic compounds and uses thereof. "We are very excited by the progress in securing the intellectual property for our thrombopoietin mimetics. These patents cover a broad range of compounds, including our lead STS-T4, which demonstrates encouraging improvements over alternative treatments for thrombocytopenia," commented Jeffrey R. Spencer, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Co-Founder at STATegics. "This second issued patent provides us a strong and valid protection for the thrombopoietin mimetics. These patents, combined with excellent results from our erythropoietin mimetic program in preclinical studies, provide significant positive support for STATegics' pipeline," said Juha Punnonen, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder at STATegics. About Thrombopoietin and STS-T4 Thrombopoietin is a cytokine that increases the production of platelets, which are one of the components of blood that turn on the coagulation process. STATegics thrombopoietin mimetics, including lead compound … Continue reading →

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry and Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (OTCQB: ILIU) announced today the completion of patient enrollment for a landmark clinical study using Interleukins PST Genetic Test to determine if dental patients can be risk-stratified to guide frequency of preventive dental visits and reduce the adverse outcomes of periodontal disease progression, such as tooth loss. The study, led by William Giannobile, D.D.S., D.Med.Sc., Director of the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research and Chairman of the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, enrolled approximately 5,400 consenting adults. Patients were identified through a large dental claims database with more than 15 consecutive years of documented oral health history.Participants provided a DNA sample and information on other risk factors to allow them to be classified as either low-risk or high-risk for periodontitis progression. Risk classification will be used to assess the frequency of preventive visits that is consistent with maintenance of periodontal health. The study is funded by Renaissance Health Service Corporation, a nonprofit organization focused on the advancement of oral health. The PST Genetic Test identifies individuals with increased risk for severe and progressive periodontal disease and significant tooth loss … Continue reading →

Public release date: 27-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Jim Ritter jritter@lumc.edu 708-216-2445 Loyola University Health System MAYWOOD, Ill. -- Researchers have identified genetic causes in nearly 1 in 5 patients who suffer a type of heart failure called dilated cardiomyopathy. Carolyn Jones, MD, PhD, of Loyola University Medical Center, is co-author of the study, published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure. First author is Neal Lakdawala, MD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital. Researchers did genetic testing on 264 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and found that 17.4 percent had gene mutations associated with the disease. Pediatric patients were more likely to have the mutations than older patients. The findings will help in the development of new treatments, Jones said. "By understanding the genes involved in dilated cardiomyopathy, we possibly will be able to circumvent the defect." Also, if a genetic test shows a patient has an inherited form of the disease, it would indicate that other family members also should be tested, Jones said. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart becomes weakened, enlarged and unable to pump efficiently. It is the leading reason for heart transplants. In addition to genetic causes, there are environmental causes, … Continue reading →