A Canadian-led international study has found a link between the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's and the hallmark accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the brains of people with Parkinson's. The GBA mutation increases the risk of developing Parkinson's symptoms four to five years earlier than those without it.
Researchers have developed biosynthetic corneas that can regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue, improving vision in humans. The results of an early-phase clinical trial show promising outcomes, including improved vision and reduced rejection reactions.
Researchers found that mesenchymal stem cells can triple survival rates in an experimental model of sepsis, a deadly condition caused by infection. The treatment also reduced inflammation and improved organ function in mice with severe sepsis.
Researchers have found a promising new approach for developing treatments for Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a devastating inherited cause of death in infants and toddlers. Blocking the RhoA enzyme has been shown to greatly increase survival in mice with SMA, offering hope for new drug development.
Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have discovered that stem cells intentionally break and repair their own DNA as a mechanism of activating genes that promote tissue development. This novel process, crucial for muscle tissue development, may also be important for the development of most other tissues.
Scientists have discovered a potential clue to type 1 diabetes causes, finding that nearly half of patients have an abnormal immune response to wheat proteins. The over-reaction is linked to genes associated with the disease and may contribute to other immune problems.
Researchers at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute have discovered a protein called Wnt7a that increases satellite stem cells in muscle tissue, leading to accelerated growth and repair. This breakthrough may lead to new therapeutic treatments for muscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy and sarcopenia.
A recent Canadian study found that asthma is being over-diagnosed in 30% of adults, with two-thirds able to safely stop taking medication. The study suggests that there may be a substantial over-diagnosis of asthma, potentially obscuring the true cause of symptoms.
A Canadian clinical trial has found that aprotinin increases the relative risk of death by 50% compared to other antifibrinolytics used to prevent blood loss during heart surgery. The study involved over 2,000 patients and showed that tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid are safer choices for cardiac surgical patients.