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    Category Health/Medical

    Tau Prevents Synaptic Transmission at Early stage of Neurodegeneration

    May 20, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Interfering with Tau N-terminal-dependent vesicle-binding reverts Tau-induced presynaptic deficits in fly neurons.

    Interfering with Tau N-terminal-dependent vesicle-binding reverts Tau-induced presynaptic deficits in fly neurons. Drosophila larvae used in (a–c) express UAS-TauΔN (R406W, V337M or P301L) under the D42-Gal4 motor neuron driver. (a) FRAP measurements of vesicle mobility within synaptic boutons. Fluoresence recovery (% of initial fluorescence) was plotted over time and fit with double-exponential curves. n=22 (R406W), 20 (ΔN_R406W, ΔN_V337M), 24 (ΔN_P301L) or 25 (Control) boutons (3–5 boutons per animal). (b) Synapto-pHluorin responses to stimulation at 10 Hz with the presence of bafilomycin. Fluorescence change ΔF at ratio to maximal ΔF (NH4Cl dequenching) was plotted over time during the stimulation. Two-way ANOVA, n=7 (R406W, ΔN_R406W, ΔN_V337M, ΔN_P301L),9 (Control) NMJs (animals)...

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    New Hope for Slow-Healing Wounds

    May 19, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Efficient miR-92a downregulation in the skin upon treatment with caged antimiR-92a.

    Efficient miR-92a downregulation in the skin upon treatment with caged antimiR-92a.

    MicroRNAs are interesting target structures for new therapeutic agents. They can be blocked through synthetic antimiRs. However, to date it was not possible to use these only locally. Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have now successfully achieved this in the treatment of impaired wound healing with the help of light-inducible antimiRs.

    MicroRNAs are small gene fragments which bond onto target structures in cells and in this way prevent certain proteins from forming. As they play a key role in the occurrence and manifestation of various diseases, researchers have developed what are known as antimiRs, which block microRNA function...

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    New Imaging Technique aims to ensure Surgeons Completely Remove Cancer

    May 18, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    A new imaging technique based on light and sound produces images doctors can use to distinguish cancerous breast tissue (below the dotted blue line) from normal tissue more quickly than is currently possible. Pathologists routinely inspect surgical specimens to make sure all cancerous tissue has been removed. The new technique (right) produces images as detailed and accurate as traditional methods (left), but in far less time. The researchers are working to make the technique fast enough to be used during a surgery, so patients don't have to return for a second surgery. (Image: Terence T.W. Wong)

    A new imaging technique based on light and sound produces images doctors can use to distinguish cancerous breast tissue (below the dotted blue line) from normal tissue more quickly than is currently possible. Pathologists routinely inspect surgical specimens to make sure all cancerous tissue has been removed. The new technique (right) produces images as detailed and accurate as traditional methods (left), but in far less time. The researchers are working to make the technique fast enough to be used during a surgery, so patients don’t have to return for a second surgery. (Image: Terence T.W. Wong)

    Of the quarter-million women diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the US, about 180,000 undergo surgery to remove the cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy breast tissue as possi...

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    Inflammatory Signature of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver disease

    May 17, 2017, Categories  Health/Medical, Biology/Biotechnology

    Healthy liver (left) and diseased liver (right) with infiltrated CD8 T-cells indicated by arrow. Credit: Rohit Kohli, MBBS, MS, Children's Hospital Los Angeles

    Healthy liver (left) and diseased liver (right) with infiltrated CD8 T-cells indicated by arrow. Credit: Rohit Kohli, MBBS, MS, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

    Role of NKT and CD8 T-cells demonstrated in mice and humans. A team of investigators led by Rohit Kohli, MBBS, MS, of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, has identified key inflammatory cells involved in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Current treatment for the disorder involves changes to diet, yet no medication has been approved for treatment. Findings from this study provide a potential therapeutic target and offer the possibility for developing a treatment.

    “The rise in obesity has led to an epidemic of fatty liver disease in both children and adults,” said Kohli, head of the division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition...

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