Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Leading pediatrician addresses the future of children's health

Leading pediatrician addresses the future of children's health

April 02, 2008

Can diseases such as Alzheimer's, obesity and diabetes be prevented before birth? According to Jonathan D. Gitlin, M.D., the Helene B. Roberson Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Genetics at the Washington University School of Medicine, researching whether diseases that strike adults are already genetically encoded in individuals while still in the womb, may enable physicians to one day address and prevent diseases in infancy.

In a talk entitled "Child Health Research in the 21st Century: Obstacles and Opportunities," Dr. Gitlin, who is also scientific director of the Children's Discovery Institute, will address why, despite substantial investments in both the academic and private sectors, the health status of our nation remains dismal - particularly the health and wellness of our children.




"Children's health has been pushed aside," states Dr. Gitlin. "The amount of money currently dedicated to research that could identify key factors leading to diseases both in childhood and later in their adult lives is very small compared to the funding for adult onset diseases such as heart disease or cancer." Dr. Gitlin says scientists need to redirect their thinking to find a way to identify and ultimately offset diseases in children that may affect them later in life, such as obesity, depression or even drug and alcohol addiction.

Dr. Gitlin will also discuss how the identification of human genome sequencing now offers researchers the opportunity to change not only the direction of science, but also of medical care, by looking into more ways to prevent diseases from conception while understanding each person's individual genetic make up. There is also tremendous potential for drug discovery and small molecule alteration for long-term intervention and prevention of diseases that could be genetically imprinted in individuals before birth.

"Going into the 21st Century, we have the capacity to eliminate many childhood diseases. We can now know the fetal origins of many adult diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, and how lifestyles -- in terms of food intake and environmental factors, may contribute or help prevent certain diseases," explains Dr. Gitlin.

Dr. Gitlin uses zebra fish to illustrate this theory with a chemical genetic screen to identify small molecules and note their influence on nutrient metabolism. "When we think about controlling our environment, the one thing we can control is nutrition. So the question we are trying to answer is "Can we take a simple, genetically tractable organism that's similar in development to humans and manipulate the nutrition and understand by that manipulation what kind of metabolic outcome we get?" Findings from this research may ultimately reveal the genetic factors that suggest how nutrients are metabolized and how this may contribute to birth defects and long-term metabolic abnormalities.

Society for Biomolecular Sciences



Related Diseases Current Events and Diseases News Articles Diseases Current Events and Diseases News RSS Diseases Current Events and Diseases News RSS
U.S. and European Experts Applaud Creation of New Transatlantic Task Force on Global Antibiotic Resistance Threat
Experts on both sides of the Atlantic applaud President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the European Union (EU) Presidency, for establishing a transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance, an urgent and growing problem that threatens patient safety and public health worldwide.

DNA barcodes: Creative new uses span health, fraud, smuggling, history, more
The scientific ability to quickly and accurately identify species through DNA "barcoding" is being embraced and applied by a growing legion of global authorities - from medical and agricultural researchers to police and customs authorities to palaeontologists and others.

Pathogen protection and virulence: Dark side of fungal membrane protein revealed
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech and Montana State University have discovered a fungal protein that plays a key role in causing disease in plants and animals and which also shields the pathogen from oxidative stress.

Local health investigation sheds light on gastroschisis birth defect
Results of an investigation conducted by University of Nevada, Reno researchers, public health officials and area physicians published this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, indicate that Washoe County experienced a cluster of a particular birth defect, gastroschisis, during the period April 2007 - April 2008.

Possible help in fight against muscle-wasting disease
A compound already used to treat pneumonia could become a new therapy for an inherited muscular wasting disease, according to researchers at the University of Oregon and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.

Researchers find new way to attack inflammation in Graves' eye disease
A small group of patients with severe Graves' eye disease experienced rapid improvement of their symptoms - and improved vision - following treatment with the drug rituximab.

Scientists visualize how bacteria talk to one another
Using imaging mass spectrometry, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have developed tools that will enable scientists to visualize how different cell populations of cells communicate.

Indiana U. at APHA: Studies about health education for people with ID, stability balls at work
An Indiana University study involving adults with intellectual disabilities found that the adults increased their personal health knowledge after taking a semi-weekly class for four weeks.

Key player identified in cascade that leads to hypertension-related kidney damage
A key player in a cascade that likely begins with stress and leads to high blood pressure and kidney damage has been identified by researchers who say the finding may lead to better ways to control both.

Study suggests dentists can identify patients at risk for fatal cardiovascular event
A new study indicates dentists can play a potentially life-saving role in health care by identifying patients at risk of fatal heart attacks and referring them to physicians for further evaluation.
More Diseases Current Events and Diseases News Articles
Professional Guide to Diseases

Professional Guide to Diseases
by Springhouse (Editor)

Professional Guide to Diseases, Ninth Edition, contains full clinical coverage of more than 600 disorders. This complete, yet concise reference presents comprehensive disease information ranging from causes, signs and symptoms, and diagnosis through treatment and special considerations. Helpful tips and charts, anatomic drawings, and other illustrations supplement the text. New sections on complications and prevention have been added to diseases entries where appropriate. "Doody's Core Titles™ 2009."

Disease: The Extraordinary Stories Behind History's Deadliest Killers

Disease: The Extraordinary Stories Behind History's Deadliest Killers
by Mary J. Dobson (Author)

Disease is the true 'serial killer' of human history: the horrors of bubonic plague, cholera, leprosy, syphilis, typhoid and the like have had a more devastating impact on humankind than the depredations of warfare, famine and natural disaster. And despite the many advances in treatment over the past two hundred years, disease continues to blight the lives of many millions today, especially in the countries of the developing world. Some of the diseases selected - malaria, rabies and tuberculosis, for example - are ancient in origin - possibly first occurring when humans and domestic animals began to live in close proximity. Others, notably AIDS, are 'new' to human society, emerging only in the recent past.And a few have seemingly come and gone. SARS - the latest of the new and easily...

Nurse's Quick Check: Diseases

Nurse's Quick Check: Diseases
by Springhouse (Editor)

Nurse's Quick Check: Diseases, Second Edition covers more than 450 diseases and disorders, with each featured on a two-page spread. All vital information is clearly provided through bulleted lists, charts, and illustrations. Format for each disease/disorder entry: Overview with description, pathophysiology, causes, risk factors, incidence, common characteristics, and complications; Assessment section with history, physical findings, test results; Treatment section with general treatment options, medications, surgery, and other treatments; Nursing Considerations with key outcomes, nursing interventions, and monitoring; and Patient Teaching points. Life-Threatening Disorder banners indicate the most serious diseases, and Alert icons highlight important clinical facts, advice, and patient...

Invisible Enemies, Revised Edition: Stories of Infectious Disease

Invisible Enemies, Revised Edition: Stories of Infectious Disease
by Jeanette Farrell (Author)

Updated to include the most recent breakthroughs

First published in 1998, here are the surprisingly fascinating stories of seven diseases that changed the course of human history - updated to reflect new medical and social developments such as:
- the ravages of AIDS in Africa, Asia, and other locations - the bioterror threat posed by smallpox eradication
- a primitive yet effective new measure for fighting cholera in India
- an important new drug to treat malaria
- and more

Illustrated with over fifty reproductions of photographs, newspaper cartoons, public health posters, and the like, Invisible Enemies is an intense and intriguing mix of history, biography, and biology.


Diseases and Disorders: The World's Best Anatomical Charts (The World's Best Anatomical Chart Series)

Diseases and Disorders: The World's Best Anatomical Charts (The World's Best Anatomical Chart Series)
by Anatomical Chart Company (Editor)

The Third Edition of Diseases and Disorders: The World's Best Anatomical Charts features 70 pathology charts created by some of the world's best medical illustrators. Since our last edition we've added 14 brand new charts and 12 updated and revised charts. This reference is an essential addition to every library, whether you are a health professional, student, or interested consumer. Anatomical charts show the human body in a format that provides a clear and visual understanding of human anatomy, physiology, and diseases. Medical terminology and easy-to-understand supporting text are printed directly on each chart so readers never have to refer to a separate key card or manual. The charts are printed in vivid, lifelike colors on high-quality paper, and bound together in a convenient sized...

Diseases And Disorders: A Nursing Therapeutics Manual

Diseases And Disorders: A Nursing Therapeutics Manual
by Marilyn Sawyer Sommers (Author), Susan A. (Author), Ph.D. Johnson (Author), Theresa A. (Author), Ph.D. Beery (Author)

Everything students need to know about caring for patients is in this one portable reference. "Diseases and Disorders: A Nursing Therapeutics Manual", an essential reference for every nurse, contains complete information on 270 disorders. This handbook will allow student nurses to quickly find - and understand - information on disorders so they can effectively plan nursing care. It is an excellent reference for students transitioning from classroom to clinical settings, as well as experienced nurses.

Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World

Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World
by Irwin W. Sherman (Author)

Diseases have significantly shaped the course of the world's history. From the fourteenth-century plague to HIV/AIDS today, diseases have fundamentally altered the shape of society, politics, and culture. In a sweeping, thoughtful account, "Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World" considers the history of twelve important diseases: their impact, their consequences, their costs, and the lessons learned. Examining hemophilia, blight, tuberculosis, cholera, smallpox, bubonic plague, influenza, malaria, yellow fever, syphilis, porphyria, and AIDS, this book not only covers the diseases' histories but also addresses public health responses and societal upheavals. Historical perspectives on these diseases will be indispensable for a better understanding of how we and our forebears survived the...

Deadly Diseases: AND Microscopic Monsters (Horrible Science)

Deadly Diseases: AND Microscopic Monsters (Horrible Science)
by Nick Arnold (Author), Tony De Saulles (Illustrator)

In "Microscopic Monsters" readers discover what makes our guts a brilliant home for bacteria, and children will love the gruesomely fact-packed "Deadly Diseases". With fantastic fact files and quirky quizzes, teacher tests and crazy cartoons, this terrible twosome has been revamped and is bubbling over with info! Science has never been so horrible!

Health Matters: What You Need to Know About Cancer, Heart Disease, Depression, and Obesity

Health Matters: What You Need to Know About Cancer, Heart Disease, Depression, and Obesity
Starring: Health Matters: What You Need to Know About Cancer, Heart Disease, Depression, and Obesity
Directed By: various



Disease

Disease
Matchbox Twenty (Primary Contributor)



© 2009 BrightSurf.com