Medicine posts
- April 29, 2013
- 10:02 AM
- 73 views
Autism and the folding placenta
by Paul Whiteley in Questioning Answers
Men don't generally talk about placentas it has to be said. But today, in the name of blogging, I'm going to.I'm going to start by telling you how the placenta really is a marvel of biological engineering. An absolutely vital part of our existence in-utero that nourishes us and protects us during our earliest days living in the amniotic sac. Little wonder that whole nations have come to revere the placenta as mother, sibling even doubles of ourselves (see here). Although I have to say I do ........ Read more »
Walker, C., Anderson, K., Milano, K., Ye, S., Tancredi, D., Pessah, I., Hertz-Picciotto, I., & Kliman, H. (2013) Trophoblast Inclusions Are Significantly Increased in the Placentas of Children in Families at Risk for Autism. Biological Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.03.006
- April 29, 2013
- 06:02 AM
- 119 views
Antibiotic for better decisions for male businessmen
by Usman Paracha in SayPeople
Main point:
Researchers have found that minocycline, an antibiotic, can protect men from the apparent attraction of women in making better decisions especially financial decisions.
Journal:
Scientific Reports
Study Further:
Minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic that is technically speaking a microglial inhibitor, is used for the treatment of acne. It has also been found to be effective against mental disturbances such as schizophrenia and depression, and it can also enhance decis........ Read more »
Watabe, M., Kato, T., Tsuboi, S., Ishikawa, K., Hashiya, K., Monji, A., Utsumi, H., & Kanba, S. (2013) Minocycline, a microglial inhibitor, reduces ‘honey trap’ risk in human economic exchange. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/srep01685
- April 29, 2013
- 02:26 AM
- 62 views
Mesenchymal stem cells against cancer
by beredim in Stem Cells Freak
Generally, the results from studies examining the effects of stem cells in treating cancer are mixed. Other studies indicate that stem cells promote tumour growth by forming new blood vessels while others suggest that stem cells halt tumour growth. Now, a new study on mice indicates that its all about "timing". The study was conducted by a collaborative team of researchers from the Université Joseph Fourier and the CHU de Grenoble hospital, both located in France.Read More... Read more »
Michelle Kéramidas, Florence de Fraipont, Anastassia Karageorgis, Anaïck Moisan, Virginie Persoons, Marie-Jeanne Richard, & Jean-Luc Coll and Claire Rome. (2013) The dual effect of MSCs on tumour growth and tumour angiogenesis. Stem Cell Research . info:/
- April 29, 2013
- 12:04 AM
- 36 views
Concussive Threshold: TBD?
by Jane McDevitt in Sports Medicine Research (SMR): In the Lab & In the Field
Take Home Message: Players sustained more head impacts and higher severity of impacts on days of diagnosed concussion compared to days with no diagnosed concussion. Also, peak linear acceleration was the best predictor of immediately diagnosed concussions.
Concussion prevention methods are difficult to develop because we lack an understanding of the relationship between head impact mechanics and subsequent concussions. We can improve our understanding by measuring impact forces during sportin........ Read more »
Beckwith JG, Greenwald RM, Chu JJ, Crisco JJ, Rowson S, Duma SM, Broglio SP, McAllister TW, Guskiewicz KM, Mihalik JP.... (2013) Head Impact Exposure Sustained by Football Players on Days of Diagnosed Concussion. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45(4), 737-746. PMID: 23135363
- April 28, 2013
- 11:57 PM
- 53 views
Factors Associated with Recovery from Anorexia Nervosa
by Tetyana Pekar in Science of Eating Disorders
Why do some people recover anorexia nervosa relatively quickly while others seem to struggle for years or decades? Does it depend on the person’s desire to get better? Their willpower? How much they are willing to fight? Is it just that some try harder than others? Some might say yes, but most will correctly realize that the picture is much, much more complex.
We can spend hours talking about barriers to treatment, but in this post I want to talk about something slightly different, somethi........ Read more »
Zerwas, S., Lund, B., Von Holle, A., Thornton, L., Berrettini, W., Brandt, H., Crawford, S., Fichter, M., Halmi, K., Johnson, C.... (2013) Factors associated with recovery from anorexia nervosa. Journal of Psychiatric Research. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2013.02.011
- April 28, 2013
- 12:42 PM
- 33 views
Fruits and Vegetables Are Healthy—The Study That Made Your Mother Say, “I Told You So”
by Shawn Radcliffe in Branáin
It may not come as a surprise to anyone who has a mother, but a new study found that eating fresh fruits and vegetables is good for your health.... Read more »
Leenders, M., Sluijs, I., Ros, M., Boshuizen, H., Siersema, P., Ferrari, P., Weikert, C., Tjonneland, A., Olsen, A., Boutron-Ruault, M.... (2013) Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Mortality: European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition. American Journal of Epidemiology. DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwt006
Sun, Q. (2012) Red Meat Consumption and MortalityResults From 2 Prospective Cohort Studies. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(7), 555. DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.2287
- April 28, 2013
- 12:25 PM
- 66 views
Roundup, having glyphosate, could be the cause of cancer and many other diseases
by Usman Paracha in SayPeople
Main points:
Researchers have reported that glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine), the active ingredient in Roundup, could be the cause of a number of health related disorders such as gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disorders, depression, autism, infertility, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Journal:
Entropy
Study Further:
Roundup, world's most popular and best selling weed and grass killer developed by Monsanto, is sprayed on millions of acres of crops in ........ Read more »
Samsel, A., & Seneff, S. (2013) Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases. Entropy, 15(4), 1416-1463. DOI: 10.3390/e15041416
- April 27, 2013
- 06:09 PM
- 70 views
Nectar feeding Blackcap
by Africa Gomez in BugBlog
Yesterday I heard a male Blackcap singing on my way to work. Although it was high on a tree, luckily, I had a small pair of binoculars with me and I found him on a Sycamore in bloom. While I watched it, the Blackcap alternated singing and clearly drinking from the Sycamore flowers, in one occasion clinging upside down from a branch like a tit to reach them. It is well documented that several European birds, especially warblers, regularly drink nectar (I have posted on Blue Tits feeding on Mahoni........ Read more »
Ortega-Olivencia, A., Rodríguez-Riaño, T., Valtueña, F., López, J., & Devesa, J. (2005) First confirmation of a native bird-pollinated plant in Europe. Oikos, 110(3), 578-590. DOI: 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.13877.x
Ford, H. (1985) Nectarivory and Pollination by Birds in Southern Australia and Europe. Oikos, 44(1), 127. DOI: 10.2307/3544053
SCHWILCH, R., MANTOVANI, R., SPINA, F., & JENNI, L. (2008) Nectar consumption of warblers after long-distance flights during spring migration. Ibis, 143(1), 24-32. DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2001.tb04166.x
Ortega-Olivencia, A., Rodriguez-Riano, T., Perez-Bote, J., Lopez, J., Mayo, C., Valtuena, F., & Navarro-Perez, M. (2011) Insects, birds and lizards as pollinators of the largest-flowered Scrophularia of Europe and Macaronesia. Annals of Botany, 109(1), 153-167. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcr255
- April 27, 2013
- 07:28 AM
- 98 views
The Science of Guns and Violence in America
by Stephanie Swift in mmmbitesizescience
I read a Nature News article recently about gun control in the USA that horrified me so much that I now have to write a bit about this horrifying topic myself. It goes without saying that there is a huge … Continue reading →... Read more »
Wintemute GJ. (2013) Tragedy's legacy. The New England Journal of Medicine, 368(5), 397-9. PMID: 23268646
- April 27, 2013
- 06:37 AM
- 67 views
A vaccine for autism symptoms? Not exactly
by Paul Whiteley in Questioning Answers
"Vaccine". "Autism".I'm struggling to think of two words in combination which, in modern times, are any more likely to stir up emotion, debate and even argument. Indeed in these times of measles outbreaks and seemingly daily news reporting on the very, very strong requirement for vaccination to protect against the disease, it is coincidental that two research papers should now land in my inbox which mention both of those words in the title.Paradise in Zakynthos @ Wikipedia The fi........ Read more »
Pequegnat B, Sagermann M, Valliani M, Toh M, Chow H, Allen-Vercoe E, & Monteiro MA. (2013) A vaccine and diagnostic target for Clostridium bolteae, an autism-associated bacterium. Vaccine. PMID: 23602537
- April 26, 2013
- 03:46 PM
- 73 views
North Korea and the USA can indeed unite: in the battle against TB.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium. It spreads through cough or sneeze from subjects with an active infection. While in most cases the disease is asymptomatic, a minority of latent infections does become active (i.e. the subject develops symptoms), and when it does, if left untreated, the disease can be deadly. According to the CDC one third of the world's population are infected with TB, and while in the US the incidence of the disease has been declining over time,........ Read more »
Stone, R. (2013) Public Enemy Number One. Science, 340(6131), 422-425. DOI: 10.1126/science.340.6131.422
- April 26, 2013
- 12:47 PM
- 77 views
This Month In Blastocystis Research
by Christen Rune Stensvold in Blastocystis Parasite Blog
The first post in a series of monthly updates on Blastocystis research mainly based on emerging papers in PubMed.... Read more »
Gould R, & Boorom K. (2013) Blastocystis surface antigen is stable in chemically preserved stool samples for at least 1 year. Parasitology research. PMID: 23609598
Dogruman-Al F, Simsek Z, Boorom K, Ekici E, Sahin M, Tuncer C, Kustimur S, & Altinbas A. (2010) Comparison of methods for detection of Blastocystis infection in routinely submitted stool samples, and also in IBS/IBD Patients in Ankara, Turkey. PloS one, 5(11). PMID: 21124983
Alfellani MA, Stensvold CR, Vidal-Lapiedra A, Onuoha ES, Fagbenro-Beyioku AF, & Clark CG. (2013) Variable geographic distribution of Blastocystis subtypes and its potential implications. Acta tropica, 126(1), 11-8. PMID: 23290980
Alfellani MA, Jacob AS, Perea NO, Krecek RC, Taner-Mulla D, Verweij JJ, Levecke B, Tannich E, Clark CG, & Stensvold CR. (2013) Diversity and distribution of Blastocystis sp. subtypes in non-human primates. Parasitology, 1-6. PMID: 23561720
Abdulsalam AM, Ithoi I, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Khan AH, Ahmed A, Surin J, & Mak JW. (2013) Prevalence, predictors and clinical significance of Blastocystis sp. in Sebha, Libya. Parasites , 86. PMID: 23566585
Clark CG, van der Giezen M, Alfellani MA, & Stensvold CR. (2013) Recent developments in blastocystis research. Advances in parasitology, 1-32. PMID: 23548084
Malheiros AF, Stensvold CR, Clark CG, Braga GB, & Shaw JJ. (2011) Short report: Molecular characterization of Blastocystis obtained from members of the indigenous Tapirapé ethnic group from the Brazilian Amazon region, Brazil. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 85(6), 1050-3. PMID: 22144442
- April 26, 2013
- 11:18 AM
- 81 views
Patient Perspectives on Anorexia, Treatment, and Therapeutic Alliance
by Andrea in Science of Eating Disorders
Dear Science of Eating Disorders readers, please welcome Andrea, our newest contributor! Below is her introduction and first post.
Hello SEDs readers, my name is Andrea and I’m excited to be contributing to the blog. I have an undergraduate degree in sociology and I am currently a Masters student studying family relations and human development. My research is looking at the experiences of young women in recovery from eating disorders, and uses qualitative methods including narrative interviews........ Read more »
Boughtwood, D., & Halse, C. (2009) Other than obedient: Girls' constructions of doctors and treatment regimes for anorexia nervosa. Journal of Community . DOI: 10.1002/casp.1016
- April 26, 2013
- 11:05 AM
- 100 views
The Shambulance: Reflexology and Other Stories
by Elizabeth Preston in Inkfish
The Shambulance is an occasional series in which I try to find the truth about bogus or overhyped health products. Helping me keep the Shambulance on course are Steven Swoap and Daniel Lynch, both biology professors at Williams College.
Sticking a Q-tip up one’s nose is not the source of many great insights. Yet it’s how an American doctor in the early 20th century developed the theory that became modern reflexology. He would be proud—though maybe a little confused—to see people to........ Read more »
Ernst, E., Posadzki, P., & Lee, M. (2011) Reflexology: An update of a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Maturitas, 68(2), 116-120. DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.10.011
- April 26, 2013
- 10:51 AM
- 75 views
MRI Biomarker for Parkinson's Disease Progression
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Brain Putamen Highlighted in OrangeThe search for biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease is very active. I have summarized some of the relevant Alzheimer's biomarker research here and here.Biomarker research in Parkinson's disease has been less active.However, a recent research study published in Plos One demonstrated the potential for brain magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson's disease.Miguel Ulla and colleagues in France conducted a prospective MRI study of 27 subjects with Parkinson's d........ Read more »
Ulla M, Bonny JM, Ouchchane L, Rieu I, Claise B, & Durif F. (2013) Is R2* a new MRI biomarker for the progression of Parkinson's disease? A longitudinal follow-up. PloS one, 8(3). PMID: 23469252
- April 26, 2013
- 06:12 AM
- 46 views
Feathers stem cells provide new insight into the morphogenesis process
by beredim in Stem Cells Freak
A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC), led by Professor Chuong Cheng Ming, reveals how stem cells contribute to the unique and complex patterns bird feathers have. Surprisingly, the study has implications in the field of regenerative medicine, say the researchers.Read More... Read more »
Lin, S., Foley, J., Jiang, T., Yeh, C., Wu, P., Foley, A., Yen, C., Huang, Y., Cheng, H., Chen, C.... (2013) Topology of Feather Melanocyte Progenitor Niche Allows Complex Pigment Patterns to Emerge. Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.1230374
- April 25, 2013
- 11:15 AM
- 91 views
White Matter Changes in Schizophrenia
by William Yates, M.D. in Brain Posts
Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder characterized by psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.Schizophrenia has a prevalence rate of about 1% of the population with relatively stable rates across nations and cultures.Early brain imaging studies focused on regional evidence of brain atrophy primarily in brain gray matter. However, with the development of diffusion tensor imaging, there is a growing body of research examining white matter changes in schizophrenia. &nbs........ Read more »
Alba-Ferrara, L., & de Erausquin, G. (2013) What does anisotropy measure? Insights from increased and decreased anisotropy in selective fiber tracts in schizophrenia. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2013.00009
- April 25, 2013
- 08:29 AM
- 13 views
Challenging the dogma that animal studies of spinal cord injury can’t be replaced
by Professor Sue Barnett in NC3Rs Blog
Spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent disabilities such as paralysis. Research in rats and mice for new treatments involve severing nerve fibres, which can cause moderate or severe suffering. Professor Sue Barnett, University of Glasgow, who is a 3Rs Prize 2012 runner up, writes about an in vitro technique, funded by NC3Rs, to replace the use of rodents in her laboratory.... Read more »
Boomkamp, S., Riehle, M., Wood, J., Olson, M., & Barnett, S. (2012) The development of a rat in vitro model of spinal cord injury demonstrating the additive effects of rho and ROCK inhibitors on neurite outgrowth and myelination. Glia, 60(3), 441-456. DOI: 10.1002/glia.22278
- April 25, 2013
- 05:22 AM
- 77 views
Prenatal valproate exposure and autism: reloaded
by Paul Whiteley in Questioning Answers
When does the the term 'correlation does not equal causation' become a moot point? It's a question I've often pondered, having discussed the issue quite a few times on this blog for all manner of correlations and associations linked to autism (sorry, the autisms).The weight of the heart @ Wikipedia Is there, for example, a recognised tipping point where the weight of evidence correlating A with B might actually lead to the consensus that A causes B either wholly or partially?Yes, I kn........ Read more »
Jakob Christensen, Therese Koops Grønborg, Merete Juul Sørensen, Diana Schendel, Erik Thorlund Parner, Lars Henning Pedersen, & Mogens Vestergaard. (2013) Prenatal Valproate Exposure and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders and Childhood Autism. JAMA. info:/
- April 24, 2013
- 04:00 PM
- 92 views
Party Now, Pay Later—Teenage Years Still Increase Risk of Stroke
by Shawn Radcliffe in Branáin
Lifestyle choices made during the teenage years—such as alcohol, smoking, diet and exercise—may still increase your risk of having a stroke later in life.... Read more »
Castilla-Guerra L, & Mokdad AH. (2013) Stroke prevention in the Stroke Belt: Is the adolescence period the clue?. Neurology. info:/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182905006
Ducey TF, Miller JO, Busscher WJ, Lackland DT, & Hunt PG. (2012) An analysis of the link between strokes and soils in the South Carolina coastal plains. Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Toxic/hazardous substances , 47(8), 1104-12. PMID: 22506703
Howard V, McClure LA, Glymour MM, Cunningham SA, Kleindorfer DO, Crowe M, Wadley VG, Peace F, Howard G, & Lackland DT. (2013) Effect of duration and age at exposure to the Stroke Belt on incident stroke in adulthood. Neurology. info:/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182904d59
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