Posts
June 19, 2013
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University Hospitals Case Medical Center clinical researchers have launched an innovative clinical trial, unique in its design, which will evaluate the ability of a patient's own stem cells to prevent leg amputations in end stage peripheral arterial disease (PAD).Led by Vik Kashyap, MD, Division Chief, Vascular Surgery at University Hospitals Case Medical Center's Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute and Professor of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine,
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2:12 AM | Boston Strong
Not really a nephrology post but in view of all that happened at the time of the Marathon bombing, I felt that I should highlight an article posted in JAMA this week. Although 3 people unfortunately died as a result of the bombing, the fact that every patient who made it to a hospital survived is a testament to the skill and preparedness of the emergency response system in Boston. As the article points out, this was not an accident but was the result of years of refining protocols and
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June 18, 2013
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A new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center -- Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC-James) has identified a biochemical pathway in cancer stem cells that is essential for promoting head and neck cancer.The study shows that a protein called Nanog, which is normally active in embryonic stem cells, promotes the growth of cancer stem cells in head and neck cancer. The findings provide information essential for
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Xie, X., Piao, L., Cavey, G., Old, M., Teknos, T., Mapp, A. & Pan, Q. (2013). Phosphorylation of Nanog is essential to regulate Bmi1 and promote tumorigenesis, Oncogene, DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.173
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After almost 20 years of performing regenerative treatments in the field of non surgical orthopedics, Wellington Chen, M.D., will begin conducting clinical trials for many degenerative diseases using adipose-derived stem cell therapy in Sarasota, Florida. The independent review board of the International cell medicine society is responsible for overseeing these trials.Advanced Rejuvenation will treat patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)and osteoarthritis
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4:38 PM | Time for a change?
This month's issue of NDT has an interesting debate concerning whether or not clinical laboratories should start reporting CKD-EPI GFR instead of MDRD. The pro side is here while the con side is here. Basically, the argument for changing is that there is less bias in the CKD-EPI equation, it is more accurate at higher GFRs and more accurately classifies patients as stage 3 as opposed to stage 2 (in terms of overall prognosis). The counter-argument is that, although there is a slight decrease in
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Last week we wrote about PETA’s new video game where you take the role of a famous Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter and travel around university and pharmaceutical labs assaulting scientists. PETA have been promoting this game for a while … Continue reading →
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8:42 AM | "Undruggable" cancers may by druggable
Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) researchers have identified in the most aggressive forms of cancer a gene known to regulate embryonic stem cell self-renewal, beginning a creative search for a drug that can block its activity.The gene, SALL4, gives stem cells their ability to continue dividing as stem cells rather than becoming mature cells. Typically, cells only express SALL4 during embryonic development, but the gene is re-expressed in nearly all cases of acute myeloid leukemia and 10 to 30
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Yong, K., Gao, C., Lim, J., Yan, B., Yang, H., Dimitrov, T., Kawasaki, A., Ong, C., Wong, K., Lee, S. & Ravikumar, S. (2013). Oncofetal Gene in Aggressive Hepatocellular Carcinoma , New England Journal of Medicine, 368 (24) 2266-2276. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1300297
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A team from the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute and the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Centre of Columbia University has generated patient-specific beta cells, or insulin-producing cells, that accurately reflect the features of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY).The researchers used skin cells of MODY patients to produce induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, from which they then made beta cells. Transplanted into a mouse, the stem cell-derived beta cells secreted
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Hua, H., Shang, L., Martinez, H., Freeby, M., Gallagher, M., Ludwig, T., Deng, L., Greenberg, E., LeDuc, C., Chung, W. & Goland, R. (2013). iPSC-derived β cells model diabetes due to glucokinase deficiency, Journal of Clinical Investigation, DOI: 10.1172/JCI67638
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June 17, 2013
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Plastic bags coated by plasma at atmospheric pressure serve as a good manufacturing practice (GMP) laboratory for the cultivation of adherent cells. The plasma is used to modify the internal surface of the bag specifically, so that different cell types can grow on it.It sounds like one of those puzzles where you have to change a matchstick figure into something else without adding or taking away any matches: How do you alter the inside of a closed bag without opening it? Impossible, some may
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June 16, 2013
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10:01 PM | Vitamin D and CV Disease - Part III
For the final part of the series on Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease, we'll focus on the relevant clinical trials. Again, for full attribution, the primary source for this is the excellent review at Nature Reviews Nephrology. Parts 1 and 2 of this series can be found by clicking here and here.Again, we'll break up the trials into categories:1. Inflammation: As mentioned before, vitamin D has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in animal studies. A number of studies have examined
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10:29 AM | Harvard researchers isolate stem cells from patients with Pearson Marrow Pancreatic Syndrome
Using a difficult laboratory technique, Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) physician-researchers have isolated genetically healthy stem cells from patients with Pearson Marrow Pancreas Syndrome (PS), a generally fatal infant blood disorder with less than a hundred reported cases worldwide. Children with PS experience a range of symptoms, most notably: anaemia, decreased organ function, and difficulty absorbing nutrients and gaining weight. Blood transfusions can prolong life, but once
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Cherry, A., Gagne, K., McLoughlin, E., Baccei, A., Gorman, B., Hartung, O., Miller, J., Zhang, J., Zon, R., Ince, T. & Neufeld, E. (2013). Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells with a Pathological Mitochondrial DNA Deletion, STEM CELLS, DOI: 10.1002/stem.1354
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Stem cells have long been touted as the next big thing. Well just maybe, it is here. According to Dr. Dennis Lox, some patients with a disorder of the bone called avascular necrosis (AVN), have turned to stem cell therapy for aid. Avascular necrosis (AVN) also referred to as osteonecrosis or ischemic necrosis, is a condition in which the blood supply to the bone becomes disrupted, leading that region of bone to die. This is referred to as necrosis. The region may be very painful, and the
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Difficult to study diseases such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and autism can now be probed more safely and effectively thanks to an innovative new method for obtaining mature brain cells called neurons from reprogrammed skin cells.According to Gong Chen, the Verne M. Willaman Chair in Life Sciences and professor of biology at Penn State University and the leader of the research team, "the most exciting part of this research is that it offers the promise of direct disease modelling,
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Tang, X., Zhou, L., Wagner, A., Marchetto, M., Muotri, A., Gage, F. & Chen, G. (2013). Astroglial cells regulate the developmental timeline of human neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells, Stem Cell Research, 11 (2) 743-757. DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2013.05.002
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Mammals possess the remarkable ability to regenerate a lost fingertip, including the nail, nerves and even bone. In humans, an amputated fingertip can sprout back in as little as two months, a phenomenon that has remained poorly understood until now. In a recently published paper in the Nature journal, researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center shed light on this rare regenerative power in mammals, using genetically engineered mice to document for the first time the biochemical chain of events
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Takeo, M., Chou, W., Sun, Q., Lee, W., Rabbani, P., Loomis, C., Taketo, M. & Ito, M. (2013). Wnt activation in nail epithelium couples nail growth to digit regeneration, Nature, DOI: 10.1038/nature12214
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June 14, 2013
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6:19 PM | Vitamin D and CV Disease - Part II
In the second post on vitamin D and CV disease (again largely summarizing this excellent review in Nature Reviews Nephrology), we look at the epidemiological evidence for the association of low vitamin D levels and CVD. 1. Hypertension: Data from NHANES showed that there is an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and hypertension after full covariate adjustment. Subsequently, data from the Nurses Health Study revealed that low baseline vitamin D levels were associated with an increased
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It seemed like a crazy plan when we first heard about it from our friends in Pro-Test Italia at the end of April, to organize a day of events in cities across Italy to campaign for correct scientific information, and … Continue reading →
June 13, 2013
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Video games have had their fair share of controversies over the past few decades. Games like Manhunt, Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 have all caused some measure of public outrage for their depictions of violence. … Continue reading →
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8:34 AM | Cafe hopping boosts productivity
Today’s post comes from Sarah Wallwork. Sarah loves coffee, icecream, outdoor pursuits and has recently begun a PhD in pain neurobiology in Adelaide (a big country town in Australia). When I was doing my honours 3-4 years ago, I found myself getting into a bad habit. Being an honours student, I had no desk or [...]
June 12, 2013
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5:36 PM | Vitamin D and CV disease
Another excellent review from the people at Nature Reviews Nephrology on the relationship between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease. Some key points:Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease but, given the inconsistent results seen in trials of vitamin D repletion in high-risk populations, it remains uncertain whether or not vitamin D status is a mediator of disease or a consequence of poor health (decreased exercise and sunlight exposure etc.).
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The importance and need for civil, open dialogue about the complex set of issues involved in use of animals is among the points of agreement between members of the scientific community, the public, animal rights activists, and others. Speaking of … Continue reading →
June 11, 2013
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A few links that may be of interest related to the ALK and HSP90 data at ASCO 2013 that had been previewed here on the blog:Can second-generation ALK inhibitors outshine Xalkori?Neesha Suvarna (Kantar Health) [...]
June 10, 2013
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A while ago we assessed the five biggest medical research charities in the US for the strength of their position statements on animal research. None got more than 1 star our of 4. Yet good practise by charities for discussing … Continue reading →
June 07, 2013
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1:11 PM | What if animals could tweet?
Georgianne Nienaber, a political and investigative reporter for the Huffington Post, posted an article entitled “What if Lab Animals Could Tweet?” The article was prompted by a recent Gallup poll showing an increase disparity in the moral acceptability of “medical testing … Continue reading →
June 06, 2013
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Researchers from the UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology announced today that they have discovered a new type type of stem cell in human adipose (fat) tissue. These primitive, stress-resistant stem cells, called Multi-lineage Stress-Enduring (Muse-AT), are pluripotent and have the capacity to differentiate into virtually all kinds of adult cells, without any prior genetic modification, including muscle, bone, fat, cardiac, neuronal and liver cells.Read More
Heneidi, S., Simerman, A., Keller, E., Singh, P., Li, X., Dumesic, D. & Chazenbalk, G. (2013). Awakened by Cellular Stress: Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Population of Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Human Adipose Tissue, PLoS ONE, 8 (6) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064752
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10:25 AM | Self-cannulation
Bill Peckham, the author of the excellent patient advocacy and home dialysis blog: dialysis from the sharp end of the needle has been on dialysis since 1990 and home dialysis since 2001 where self-cannulates using the buttonhole method. Last year he posted a video on Youtube that I only came across today. It shows his technique of needle insertion. I have often wondered how patients manage to cannulate themselves at home and this demonstrates it very nicely. I am full of admiration for my
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In a recent study, a team of researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), led by Ralph Schneider, and the Telomeres and Telomerase Group, headed by María Blasco, discovered that the TERF1 gene is both essential for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells and can be used as a marker for pluripotenty.Read More
Schneider, R., Garrobo, I., Foronda, M., Palacios, J., Marión, R., Flores, I., Ortega, S. & Blasco, M. (2013). TRF1 is a stem cell marker and is essential for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells, Nature Communications, 4 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2946
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1:14 AM | Treatment of IgA Nephropathy - Update
Following on from yesterday's update on membranous nephropathy, I thought that this would be a good time to give an update on the treatment of another, very common glomerular disease: IgA nephropathy. IgA has been covered extensively on the RFN before including the history, pathogenesis, diagnosis, features and treatment: collected in this group of posts. This month an excellent review of the treatment of IgA nephropathy was published in Nature Reviews Nephrology which highlights some of the
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June 05, 2013
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According to a new study by researchers at the Boston Children's Hospital and the Duke University, stem cells expressing a gene called WNT3, are more prone to differentiate into cells of the endoderm lineage, like the ones of the pancreas, liver and bladder. This strongly suggests that other genes could be used as biomarkers, capable of predicting the differentiation potential of stem cell lines. If such markers do exist, stem cell research would become both easier and cheaper.Read More
Jiang, W., Zhang, D., Bursac, N. & Zhang, Y. (2013). WNT3 Is a Biomarker Capable of Predicting the Definitive Endoderm Differentiation Potential of hESCs, Stem Cell Reports, 1 (1) 46-52. DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2013.03.003
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Despite all the recent advantages in regenerative medicine, cartilage injuries still remain a challenge. Current methods to treat cartilage defects involve drilling the subchondral bone where the damage lays (microfracture) or taking a piece of cartilage from a non weight bearing area of the joint and transplanting it over the damaged area (OATS). In many cases, both approaches prove to be ineffective and the cartilage continues to deteriorate, leading to osteoarthritis. For this reason,
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Bian L, Guvendiren M, Mauck RL & Burdick JA (2013). Hydrogels that mimic developmentally relevant matrix and N-cadherin interactions enhance MSC chondrogenesis., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, PMID: 23733927
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12:47 PM | Frequently Asked Questions up on Website
We have just put a new FAQ up on the website which covers five of the most frequently asked questions we get about animal research. They are: Aren’t animals different than people? Don’t we have alternatives to animal research? Is … Continue reading →
