Variations in four inflammatory genes may predispose Mexican Americans to insulin resistance
...n the United States. But exactly how inflammation triggers insulin resistance is not fully understood. Now, researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the University of California, Los Angeles, have found that variations in four genes that control inflammation are linked to insulin resistance, the pr...JAMA study finds whooping cough vaccine effective, safe for teens and adults
... Whooping cough, caused by B. pertussis bacteria, triggers violent coughing spells that may last for months in infants as mucous clogs their smaller air passages. A coughing spell may last so long that the child gasps for breath, making a whooping sound. In 1934, more than 265,000 cases were reported in the ...Study shows adherence to pulmicort respules, results in fewer ER visits in asthmatic children
...steroids. For more information on the symptoms and triggers of asthma, as well as potential treatment options,...iated with exercise; and chest tightness.4 Asthma triggers range from smoke, airborne molds, pollens, dust, animal dander, exercise, cold air, many household a...Discovery of a 'drug anticipation' brain signal
...n--part of the brain's reward system. Such release triggers neurons in other brain regions, generating the pleasurable sensation associated with taking such drugs. The researchers first taught rats to self-administer cocaine by pressing a lever when a light in their cage came on. They next extinguished this b...Dermatologists use immunotherapy to treat warts
...echanism as when antigen is injected and that many triggers of an immune response to HPV exist. While injection of saline is an appropriate control, it is not a true placebo. That noted, local and systemic responses to saline injection in this study were far less likely than when antigen was used." "Intralesi...Babies' cries linked to their health
...treme case is "shaken baby syndrome" where the cry triggers aggression rather than concern in the caretaker. Lester and LaGasse say that clinicians should be aware of how parents respond (or don't respond) to their baby's crying, especially in light of the high prevalence of depression in young mothers. "Hel...Scientists report strong evidence of alterations in blood samples of children with autism
...er after being born, perhaps in their environment, triggers the disorder. Studying the biological signs of autism could lead to new ways to prevent the disorder from ever occurring. And even if it can't be prevented, intervening early in life-ideally shortly after birth-could greatly improve the lifetime outl...Excess oxygen worsens lung inflammation in mice
...gen levels in the inflamed tissues. This, in turn, triggers the release of adenosine from surrounding cells. When adenosine binds to cell receptors in the inflamed region, it serves as a tissue-protecting stop signal, slowing the flood of damaging inflammatory molecules, the scientists found. From these find...Antibiotic might fight HIV-induced neurological problems
...ated conditions. "Last year we discovered that SIV triggers some of the same biological pathways of cell death and inflammation as these other diseases," says Sheila Barber, Ph.D., assistant professor of comparative medicine. "Testing minocycline in our animal model of HIV infection was really a logical next ...Short sugar chains-a future drug for Alzheimer's?
...e binds the abnormal protein molecules and thereby triggers amyloid deposits. In experiments the researchers have used genetically altered mice that produce much higher than normal amounts of the enzyme heparanase. This enzyme cuts the normal-length heparansulfate chain into short segments. Both the genetical...Drugs targeted at muscle cells
...emonstrate that the two drugs bind to PFAAR, which triggers a series of reactions within the cells. This, in turn, helps to boost glucose absorption into the cells. By specifically blocking certain processes in the cells, the scientists were also able to show that the effects of the drugs resembled those caus...Researchers find that chocolate compound stops cancer cell cycle in lab experiments
...t a fundamental level whether a master switch that triggers cell growth is turned off, or whether the chocolate compound exerts multiple independent effects on diverse cellular processes. That will be the subject of future studies here." Co-authors of the study from Georgetown University are first author Dan......s is not yet known, both genetic and environmental triggers are likely to be involved. To determine if there is an association between Epstein-Barr virus and lupus, researchers in North and South Carolina compared the prevalence of EBV antibodies in blood samples from lupus patients with those from healthy co...