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Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News


Innovative surgical practices using tissue-based regenerative therapies may be tightly regulated

The FDA draft guidelines aim to restrict the use of human cell and tissue products in various surgical procedures, potentially hindering the development of new therapies. This could impact surgeons performing reconstructive surgeries, such as breast, chest, and abdominal wall reconstructions, as well as pelvic floor reconstruction.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTissue Engineering·DateJun 1, 2016

Altered brain connectivity may explain cognitive impairment in pediatric leukemia survivors

A study published in Brain Connectivity suggests that pediatric leukemia survivors may experience cognitive impairment due to chemotherapy-induced brain damage. The research used diffusion tensor imaging to analyze the white matter connectome of ALL survivors and healthy young people, revealing significantly lower connectivity and grea...

Is an insulin pump the best therapy for everyone with type 1 diabetes?

A commentary published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics suggests that insulin pump therapy can lead to better blood glucose control and may be beneficial for all patients with type 1 diabetes. The author highlights the importance of pump technology, including sensor-controlled feedback and artificial pancreas systems.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·DateMay 17, 2016

Is sleeve gastrectomy a good choice for people with a sweet tooth?

A study published in Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques found that sleeve gastrectomy is effective for individuals classified as moderate or severe sweet eaters before the surgery. The procedure has shown promising weight loss results, even among those with high pre-surgery sweets consumption.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques·DateMay 12, 2016

More potent, inexpensive gene silencing agents described in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics

Researchers have developed single-stranded silencing RNAs (ss-siRNAs) with improved potency and activity, using inexpensive chemical modification to enhance their therapeutic potential. The study's findings have the potential to democratize gene therapy research, enabling more researchers to explore new treatments.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalNucleic Acid Therapeutics·DateMay 12, 2016

High-throughput screening strategy identifies compounds active against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers developed a high-throughput screening strategy that identified multiple compounds with potent antimicrobial activity against an antibiotic-resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The study also showed the potential of these compounds as adjunctive treatments to restore the effectiveness of antibiotics.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAssay and Drug Development Technologies·DateMay 11, 2016

Long-term survival achieved in metastatic melanoma with personalized vaccine

Two patients with liver metastasis from melanoma survived for at least 8.5 and 12 years after receiving patient-specific immunotherapeutic vaccines. The vaccines were derived from the patients' own dendritic cells loaded with proteins isolated from their tumors. Co-Editor-in-Chief Donald J. Buchsbaum, PhD, describes these results as

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalCancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals·DateMay 10, 2016

How does robotic video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery compare to VATS for treating lung cancer?

A new study published in Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques shows that robotic video-assisted lung resection achieves comparable outcomes to conventional VATS and preserves more healthy lung tissue. The robotic approach allows for fewer conversions to open thoracotomy and more lymph nodes retrieved for testing.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques·DateMay 10, 2016

Simulation tool uses FinTech quant techniques and big data to guide best health insurance plan

A new simulator is being developed to help individuals and families select the most suitable health insurance plans based on realistic cost estimates and potential healthcare outcomes. The simulator combines buyer-specific information with bespoke databases, producing transparent output that enables informed decision-making.

MIT scientists compile list of potential gases to guide search for life on exoplanets

A new approach aims to identify planets orbiting nearby stars that support life by focusing on creating a comprehensive list of molecules in their atmospheres. Researchers have searched for thousands of potentially biogenic gas molecules, sparking new research into identifying larger molecules and their potential as signs of life.

Progress and promise of gene transfer and gene editing to cure beta-thalassemias

Promising results from clinical trials of globin gene transfer have eliminated the need for blood transfusions in some individuals with beta-thalassemias. Gene editing technologies hold promise to correct beta-globin deficiencies and reactivate fetal hemoglobin production, potentially leading to a cure for severe globin disorders.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateMay 5, 2016

Can personality traits affect likelihood of using mindfulness-based stress reduction?

A study found that specific personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, were associated with individual differences in the use of MBSR during and post-training. The findings suggest that MBSR programs can be tailored to targeted populations based on their personality traits.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateMay 3, 2016

Does freeze-thawing and IV delivery affect the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells?

A study found that freeze-thawing and intravenous infusion affect mesenchymal stromal cell gene expression, which may impact their therapeutic use in reducing inflammatory responses. The lung microenvironment also influences MSC gene expression, highlighting the need for careful characterization.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateMay 2, 2016

Study shows long-term improvement in health-related quality of life after bariatric surgery

A long-term follow-up study found significant improvement in health-related quality of life after bariatric surgery for patients with BPD-DS. The study evaluated 27 patients who underwent the procedure and compared their outcomes to pre-surgery scores and those from the general population.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care·DateMay 2, 2016

What's missing from current methods for genetic screening of sperm donors?

A new study shows that current carrier screening methods are insufficient and can give prospective mothers a false sense of security. Whole genome studies are needed to ensure both mates don't carry recessive mutations in the same gene(s). DNA-based screening can detect many more disease-causing genetic variations

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalGenetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers·DateApr 26, 2016

Acupuncture in the military for rapid pain relief on the battlefield

The article discusses the successful implementation of acupuncture in US military settings, specifically Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), and its potential benefits for treating pain. The authors highlight the importance of data collection to assess outcomes and explore additional integrative medicine techniques.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateApr 6, 2016

Promising results reported in study of AAV-based gene delivery to treat methylmalonic acidemia

A new study in patients with methylmalonic acidemia found lower than expected levels of antibodies against adeno-associated viral vectors, suggesting encouraging implications for gene delivery as a treatment. The absence of AAV antibodies in most patients who lack the deficient enzyme has promising results for gene therapy.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateApr 5, 2016

Helping young adult cancer survivors adopt a healthy lifestyle

Research highlights the importance of involving young cancer survivors in health behavior interventions and leveraging e-health technologies to support behavior change. The study identifies successful characteristics shared by effective interventions, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to this population.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology·DateMar 31, 2016

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) shown to form multiple types of functional lymphocytes in vivo

Researchers demonstrate that iPSCs can differentiate into multiple types of functional lymphocytes, including CD4+ T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. The ability to generate functional lymphocytes from somatic cell-derived hematopoietic stem cells supports the clinical application of iPSC technology.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateMar 28, 2016

Potential for misuse & diversion of opioids to addicts should not overshadow their therapeutic value

A new editorial emphasizes the need for proper pain assessment and opioid prescribing to balance treatment effectiveness with addiction risks. Experts call for physicians to speak out as a voice of reason in their communities, advocating for safe and effective pain relief when medically indicated.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·DateMar 24, 2016

Bioprospecting study finds biosurfactant-producing microbes target biodiversity in Latin America

A review of bioprospecting studies identifies biosurfactant-producing microorganisms and sustainable production methods to manufacture low-cost biosurfactants from agro-industrial waste. The study highlights the advantages of biosurfactants over chemical counterparts, including higher biodegradability and lower toxicity.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalIndustrial Biotechnology·DateMar 9, 2016