Category Health/Medical

An intrinsic complement-NLRP3 axis regulates human TH1 responses. T cell receptor activation and CD46 costimulation trigger NLRP3 expression and intracellular C5a generation. Subsequent intracellular C5aR1 engagement induces ROS production (and possibly IL1B gene transcription) and NLRP3 assembly, which in turn mediates IL-1β maturation. Autocrine IL-1β promotes TH1 induction (IFN-γ production) but restricts TH1 contraction (IL-10 coexpression). C5aR2 cell surface activation by secreted C5a negatively controls these events via undefined mechanisms. Dysfunction of this system contributes to impaired TH1 responses in infection or increased TH17 responses during intestinal inflammation.

Researchers have unlocked secrets of our ancient immune system...

These are brain scans of a representative patient showing Dopamine transporter binding (red) before and after 3-month NAC treatment. Credit: Thomas Jefferson University

n-acetylcysteine (NAC), with strong antioxidant effects, shows potential benefit as part of the management for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Combining clinical evaluations of a patient’s mental and physical abilities with brain imaging studies that tracked the levels of dopamine, the lack of which is thought to cause Parkinson’s, doctors from the Depts of Integrative Medicine, Neurology, and Radiology, at Thomas Jefferson University showed that patients receiving NAC improved on both measures.

Current treatments for Parkinson’s disease are generally limited to temporarily replacing dopamine in the brain as well as some...

VTT releases a painless, quick and reliable method for diagnosing Helicobacter from exhaled air. Credit: Image courtesy of Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT)

In the future, several illnesses can be quickly and painlessly diagnosed by the optical analysis of isotopes contained in exhaled air. VTT developed its first prototype for this purpose. With the device, it is possible to determine painlessly and with absolute certainty during the appointment whether the patient’s stomach troubles are caused by Helicobacter. The certainty of the device is based on its ability to measure not only carbon13(13C) but also oxygen18(18O) in exhaled air.

The invention is based on a technology developed by VTT’s MIKES Metrology, optical absorption spectroscopy in a multipass chamber with the sample vo...

Fluorescent image of liver cells and chemical structure of glutamine. Credit: Kristina Schoonjans/EPFL

Scientists at EPFL have found a way to starve liver cancer cells by blocking a protein that is required for glutamine breakdown – while leaving normal cells intact. The discovery opens new ways to treat liver cancer. Primary liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with current treatments being very limited. Liver cancer cells are particularly addicted to the amino acid glutamine, which fuels their proliferation.

EPFL scientists have now found that a liver protein called “liver receptor homolog 1″ (LRH-1) is responsible for the digestion of glutamine into smaller molecules, which are avidly consumed by liver cancer cells...