Researchers have discovered that antibodies attacking DNA in people with lupus can also target molecules controlling glutamate activity, leading to neuron death and possible cognitive symptoms. This finding suggests a potential pathway for neurological complications and may lead to new therapeutic options.
A prospective study reveals coeliac disease patients experience a substantial excess of deaths, particularly within the first three years after diagnosis and those with malabsorption symptoms. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent mortality, as delay in diagnosis and poor treatment adherence can significantly worsen outcomes.
Researchers found that infliximab treatment reduced ocular inflammation and symptoms in patients with Behcet's disease, including those at risk of permanent blindness. The study suggests TNF blockade as a new therapy for sight-threatening uveitis and severe vasculitic manifestations.
Researchers engineered mice lacking a gene involved in iron metabolism and found progressive brain deterioration similar to Parkinson's Disease and Multiple System Atrophy. Iron deposits in key areas of the brain suggest a causative role for iron in these disorders.
Researchers have identified a new form of programmed cell death called paraptosis, characterized by the formation of vacuoles and mitochondrial swelling. This alternative pathway may offer novel therapeutic targets for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
A review by Sanjiv Agarwal and Akkinappally Venketeshwer Rao suggests that dietary antioxidants, particularly lycopene found in tomatoes, may have protective effects against cancer. Further research is necessary to establish guidelines for healthy eating and confirm the role of lycopene in disease prevention.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute are developing vaccines targeting the mucosal immune system to prevent HIV-1 and human papilloma virus infections. They aim to induce neutralizing antibodies and killer T cells to prevent cancerous transformations in cells, with a focus on cervical cancer caused by HPV.
The World Health Organization reports that six infectious diseases - AIDS, malaria, TB, measles, diarrhoeal diseases, and acute respiratory infections - are responsible for over 11 million deaths in 1998. The WHO is calling on governments to take action against these diseases before it's too late.
A new national health database allows researchers to measure the long-term benefits of biomedical research on the entire US population. The database, created using data from National Long Term Care Surveys, shows significant declines in chronic disability and institutionalization among older Americans.