Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Prevention and Treatment

Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs — or STIs for “sexually transmitted infections”) are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages and backgrounds who are having sex — it doesn’t matter if they’re rich or poor.

Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens. Because…

DNA sequencing for difficult diagnoses of mitochondrial diseases may hit clinics soon

By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

Identifying complete DNA sequences could identify difficult-to-diagnose diseases in humans. This concept is being used for the first time in a clinic. MitoExome sequencing uses new technologies known as next-generation sequencing (NGS) to decode all of the genes associated with mitochondria. Mitochondria are a capsule shaped organelle present within the cell. It is the powerhouse of…

Studies identify genes and small molecules against protein conformational diseases

Two related studies from Northwestern University offer new strategies for tackling the challenges of preventing and treating diseases of protein folding, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer,cystic fibrosis and type 2 diabetes.

To do its job properly within the cell, a protein first must fold itself into the proper shape. If it doesn’t, trouble can…

Platelet receptor could help with diseases that impact RBCs

A receptor found on blood platelets whose importance as a potential pharmaceutical target has long been questioned may in fact be fruitful in drug testing, according to new research from Michigan State University chemists.

A team led by Dana Spence of MSU’s Department of Chemistry has revealed a way to isolate and test the receptor known as…

Free public lecture to look at role of stents in treating coronary artery diseases

State-of-the art treatments for patients with heart problems are the theme of a public lecture at the University of Greenwich this month.

The lecture, which is free and open to all, will look at the role of stents in treating coronary artery diseases. A stent is a tiny, artificial tube which is placed in the coronary arteries that supply the heart:…

Diseases of the Colon & Rectum publishes results from Pacira’s EXPAREL Phase 3 trial

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PCRX) today announced the publication of data from a placebo-controlled, pivotal Phase 3 trial of EXPAREL™ (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), a non-opioid local analgesic that was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for administration into the surgical site to produce postsurgical analgesia. The results, which demonstrate statistically significantly lower pain scores and decreased…

Healthy lung tissue transplantation shows promise for patients with pulmonary diseases

For patients suffering from severe pulmonary diseases including emphysema, lung canceror fibrosis, transplantation of healthy lung tissue may offer the best chance for survival. The surgical procedure, however, faces two primary challenges: an acute shortage of donor lungs and rejection of transplanted tissue by the recipient’s immune system.

Now Daniel Weiss at the Vermont Lung Center (Principal Investigator for this…

Positive affect, self-affirmation help patients with chronic diseases to overcome obstacles

The experience of daily positive affect — a mild, happy feeling — and self-affirmation helps some patients with chronic diseases, including coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and asthma, make better decisions about their health.

These findings are detailed in three studies of 756 patients published online in the Jan. 23 edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine — the first large, randomized controlled trials to show that people can…