Where Did We All Come From? Tracing Human Migration Using Genetic Markers
Presented by Professor Moses Schanfield. Of all species on the face of the earth, humans are the most disperse, in that they occupy the most diverse eco-syst...
By: NCASVideo
Continue reading here:
Where Did We All Come From? Tracing Human Migration Using Genetic Markers - Video
Ethics of Pharmacogenomics
Wylie Burke, M.D., PhD. is chair of the Department of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington and an adjunct professor of medicine and epide...
By: Mayo Clinic
Read more from the original source:
Contact Information
Available for logged-in reporters only
Newswise LOUISVILLE, Ky. Excess abdominal fat can be a precursor to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. A persons measure of belly fat is reflected in the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference, and it is estimated that genetics account for about 30-60 percent of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).
Kira Taylor, Ph.D., M.S., assistant professor, University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, and her research team have identified five new genes associated with increased WHR, potentially moving science a step closer to developing a medication to treat obesity or obesity-related diseases.
The researchers recently published their findings in Human Molecular Genetics. The team conducted an analysis of more than 57,000 people of European descent, and searched for genes that increase risk of high waist-to-hip ratio, independent of overall obesity. They investigated over 50,000 genetic variants in 2,000 genes thought to be involved in cardiovascular or metabolic traits.
Their analysis identified three new genes associated with increased WHR in both men and women, and discovered two new genes that appear to affect WHR in women only. Of the latter, one gene, SHC1, appears to interact with 17 other proteins known to have involvement in obesity, and is highly expressed in fat tissue. In addition, the genetic variant the team discovered in SHC1 is linked to another variant that causes an amino acid change in the protein, possibly changing the function or expression of the protein.
This is the first time SHC1 has been associated with abdominal fat, Taylor said. We believe this discovery holds great opportunity for medicinal chemistry and eventually, personalized medicine. If scientists can find a way to fine-tune the expression of this gene, we could potentially reduce the risk of excessive fat in the mid-section and its consequences, such as cardiovascular disease.
Prior research has found that mice lacking the SHC1 protein are leaner, suggesting this molecule may have a role in metabolic imbalance and premature cell deterioration by supplying too much nutrition for normal growth and development.
Additional evidence finds SHC1 activates the insulin receptor, triggering multiple signaling events that affect fat cell growth.
View this press release on-line.
Go here to see the original:
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
22-Jan-2014
Contact: Kathy Ridgely Beal kbeal@acmg.net 301-238-4582 American College of Medical Genetics
Do you cover genetics, genomics, healthcare or medicine? The media are invited to register now for the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, March 25-29, 2014 at the Nashville Convention Center.
From Incidental Findings to Whole Genome/Exome Sequencing to Cancer Genetics, the focus of the ACMG Meeting is on the actual practice of genetics and genomics in healthcare, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in genetics research and its practical applications to medical practice. The ACMG Annual Meeting attracts medical and scientific leaders from around the world working to apply research in the human genome to the diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of genetic conditions and rare and common diseases.
Reporters will hear about the latest medical genetics research; have the opportunity to interact with doctors, laboratory professionals and genetic counselors about what is happening right now in genetics and genomics; and view the latest products available in the extensive exhibit hall.
Topics range from common conditions to rare diseases. Sessions include information of interest to the general public, to health professionals and to the industry/trade.
The ACMG Meeting is the genetics meeting most focused on the practical applications of genetic discoveries in the clinical setting. And the 2014 Meeting is already shattering records with a record number of abstracts submitted and attendee registration to date is at an all-time high.
Two Genetics Short Courses on Tuesday, March 25:
Program Highlights:
Original post:
Complimentary press registration now open for ACMG 2014 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting
Feedback Kyle Wall Volunteer Honduras La Ceiba, Health Care Medical + Spanish Immersion Program
https://www.abroaderview.org Feedback Kyle Wall Volunteer Honduras La Ceiba, Health Care Medical + Spanish Immersion Program from January 1st to January 22nd...
By: A Broader View Volunteers
Continued here:
Supreme Court considers genesis of #39;Raging Bull #39;
Gwen Ifill talks to Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal about two cases heard at the Supreme Court. In one, non-unionized health care workers argue they...
By: PBS NewsHour
Read more here:
GMS: The Hour of Temptation.
The Mark of The Beast, RFID Chip In Obama #39;s Health Care. The Hour of Temptation Revelation 3:10. Matthew 26:41. James 1:12. Revelation 13:15-18. Revelation 1...
By: Gmsbornagain
Read the original here:
On Science - The US #39;s Failing Health Care System
1-21-14: On this episode of On Science, the US emergency care system gets a D grade, melting glaciers in Tibet are causing problems for land owners, and some...
By: MonkeySee
Read the original here:
Working to End Violence
As a health care organization, Kaiser Permanente knows that victims of violence and abuse have an increased likelihood of stroke, diabetes, cardiovascular di...
By: 3BL Media
Read the original post:
Health Care Coverage: Pay a Little to Save a Lot
The Labor Department #39;s Employee Benefits Security Administration explains the benefits of having health insurance. Get covered today at http://www.healthcare.gov. F...
By: USDepartmentofLabor
Read the original post:
Affordable Health Care Briefing, City of St. Louis
A panel of experts explains the ins and outs of the Affordable Health Care Act. How it affects small business and where you can get your questions answered. ...
By: SAINTLOUISTV
See the original post:
Anthony Brown #39;s Health Care Special Interests
While Lt. Governor Brown was busy raking in money to the tune of more than $40000 between 2011 and 2014 from special interests directly tied to the exchange...
By: Doug Gansler
Go here to see the original:
Keeping Elders in the Village: Tanana Chiefs Conference Community Health Outreach Program
Tanana Chiefs Conference delivers home- and community-based services in remote villages across the interior of Alaska to help elders stay in their communitie...
By: CMSHHSgov
Original post:
Keeping Elders in the Village: Tanana Chiefs Conference Community Health Outreach Program - Video
Health Care Divide
Rainbow Push holds health care summit in Cleveland to discuss the "medical divide"
By: WEWS NewsChannel5
See the article here:
HCCA's 18th Annual Compliance Institute features 146 sessions, 231 speakers, nine educational tracks over four days
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Jan. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today's health care industry is undergoing massive restructuring and compliance professionals must keep abreast of all the new laws, regulations, and enforcement actions to meet the challenge this reform brings. More than 2,000 health care compliance professionals will be in San Diego to address this rapidly changing environment at the Health Care Compliance Association's (HCCA) 18th Compliance Institutethe largest and most comprehensive compliance conference developed for and by compliance, HCCA announced today.
"The health care industry is central to our economy and undergoing unprecedented change. New regulations and established ones both pose substantial requirements that health care providers can't afford not to meet," said HCCA Chief Executive Officer Roy Snell. "Fortunately there are some real success stories out there, and this conference gives attendees a chance to learn from them and bring them back to their organizations."
The Compliance Institute is the primary education and networking event for professionals working in the health care compliance profession. At this meeting, attendees learn the latest methods and strategies for developing and improving their compliance programs in this fast changing health care industry. It offers nine learning tracks including General Compliance and Hot Topics, Long-Term Care, Privacy & Security, Physician Compliance, Compliance Lawyer, Auditing & Monitoring, Quality of Care, How to Succeed as a Compliance Professional, and Advanced Discussion Groups.
Session topics include:
-Handling Multiple External Audits and Compliance Reviews,
-Evolving Cyber Threats to PHI,
-Medicaid Enforcement Update,
-It's Not Child's Play: Children's Hospitals Compliance Issues,
-Top 10 Conflicts of Interest Developments Compliance Professionals Need to Know About,
See more here:
Contact Information
Available for logged-in reporters only
Newswise A new study conservatively estimates that one in five women with ovarian cancer has inherited genetic mutations that increase the risk of the disease, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Most women in the study would have been unaware of a genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer because they didnt have strong family histories that suggested it.
The research, published Jan. 22 in Nature Communications, is the first large-scale analysis of the combined contributions of inherited and acquired mutations in a major cancer type. The inherited mutations by themselves are unlikely to cause ovarian cancer but may conspire with other genetic changes acquired over a womans lifetime to tip the balance toward cancer, the researchers said.
Earlier studies that have looked at inherited susceptibility to ovarian cancer have focused on women with known family histories of the disease. For the current study, however, the researchers studied 429 women with ovarian cancer that appeared to develop sporadically, meaning the women did not have known family histories of the disease.
Using advanced genomic analysis, we found that 20 percent of women with ovarian cancer had inherited mutations in a gene pathway known to be important in inherited breast and ovarian cancer. That number seems pretty high, explained senior author Li Ding, PhD, assistant director at The Genome Institute at the School of Medicine and a research member of Siteman Cancer Center. This tells us that we need to find better ways to screen women for ovarian cancer, even if they dont have family histories of the disease.
Ovarian cancer strikes an estimated 22,000 women annually. Its symptoms are nonspecific and include bloating, pelvic pain and frequently feeling the need to urinate. Most women arent diagnosed until the cancer has spread, leading to a poor five-year survival rate of 43 percent.
Women with ovarian cancer in the study did not have known family histories of breast or ovarian cancer or rare cancer syndromes, all of which can increase the odds of developing ovarian tumors. The women ranged in age from 26 to 89, and 90 percent were Caucasian.
The researchers, including Washington University first authors Krishna Kanchi, Kimberly Johnson, PhD, and Charles Lu, PhD, performed a genetic analysis of each womans tumor and her own DNA, taken from a skin sample. By comparing the genetic sequences side-by-side, they identified the acquired mutations in individual tumor samples. In addition, by comparing the patients DNA samples with the DNA of 557 women who did not have ovarian cancer and served as controls, the researchers found inherited mutations.
See more here:
Study Shows 1 in 5 Women with Ovarian Cancer Has Inherited Predisposition
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
22-Jan-2014
Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2156 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
New Rochelle, NY, January 22, 2014Metastatic melanoma has a poor prognosis, but treatment with high-dose interleukin-2 (IL2) can extend survival. Now, a combination of IL2 therapy and activation of patients' immune systems using personalized vaccines made from their own tumor cells has been shown to improve survival rates even more than IL2 alone, according to a new article in Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals website.
"High-Dose IL2 in Metastatic Melanoma: Better Survival in Patients Immunized with Antigens from Autologous Tumor Cell Lines" describes a statistically significant improvement in survival for patients who received IL2 plus tumor cell-based immunotherapy. Authors Robert Dillman, Carol DePriest and Stephanie McClure, Hoag Institute for Research and Education, Hoag Family Cancer Institute, and Cancer Biotherapy Research Group, Newport Beach, CA, found that administration of immunotherapy after IL2 treatment resulted in longer patient survival than if individuals were vaccinated before receiving IL2.
"This is an important addition to the literature on IL2 treatment for metastatic melanoma demonstrating that personalized vaccine therapy contributed to an increased survival rate," says Co-Editor-in-Chief Donald J. Buchsbaum, PhD, Division of Radiation Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
###
About the Journal
Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals, published 10 times a year in print and online, is under the editorial leadership of Editors Donald J. Buchsbaum, PhD and Robert K. Oldham, MD, Lower Keys Cancer Center, Key West, FL. Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals is the only journal with a specific focus on cancer biotherapy, including monoclonal antibodies, cytokine therapy, cancer gene therapy, cell-based therapies, and other forms of immunotherapy. The Journal includes extensive reporting on advancements in radioimmunotherapy and the use of radiopharmaceuticals and radiolabeled peptides for the development of new cancer treatments. Topics include antibody drug conjugates, fusion toxins and immunotoxins, nanoparticle therapy, vascular therapy, and inhibitors of proliferation signaling pathways. Tables of content and a sample issue are available on the Cancer Biotherapy and Radiopharmaceuticals website.
About the Publisher
Read the original post:
Can personalized tumor vaccines improve interleukin-2 treated metastatic melanoma?
AP/January 22, 2014
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) New Hampshires House killed a bill Wednesday that would have required genetically modified foods to be labeled.
The House voted 185-162 to kill the bill, despite supporters arguments it is time for states like New Hampshire to lead on the issue regardless of the federal governments position.
Supporters argued New Hampshire residents have a right to know whether their food is produced with genetic engineering, but critics said the federal Food and Drug Administration has not mandated the labeling because it determined the foods are safe.
The reality is most of us are living every day with the benefits of genetic engineering, said Rep. Linda Lauer, D-Bath. She said insulin has been genetically engineered since 1982. Prior to that insulin was taken from the pancreas of farm animals, she said.
Lauer said the labeling required under the bill would not tell consumers what was in the food, only that it had been genetically engineered. She said the label wouldnt provide accurate information about the foods. For example, genetically engineered beets are used to produce sugar, which is a pure chemical compound. Despite its purity, any foods containing the sugar would have to be labeled, she said.
But Rep. Peter Bixby, D-Dover, said people have a right to know if genetic engineering modified the foods.
People are responsible for their own decisions, but to make those decisions they need information, he said.
But opponents said wary consumers could buy organic foods or foods labeled as not being genetically modified. They said the industry is beginning to respond to consumers wishes for genetically engineered foods to be labeled,
The market will solve this problem. It moves a little slow, but it will solve the problem, said Rep. Robert Haefner, R-Hudson.
Read this article:
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:
21-Jan-2014
Contact: Sophie Mohin smohin@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 x2254 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News
New Rochelle, January 21, 2014 Too much information can be overwhelming, but when it comes to certain types of data that are used to build predictive models to guide decision making there is no such thing as too much data, according to an article in Big Data, the highly innovative, peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available on the Big Data website.
To determine whether more data is really better for predictive modeling, Enric Junqu de Fortuny and David Martens, University of Antwerp, Belgium, and Foster Provost, New York University, NY, tested nine different applications in which they built models using a particular type of data called fine-grained data, such as observing an individual's behavior in a certain setting. In the article "Predictive Modeling with Big Data: Is Bigger Really Better?" the authors state that "certain telling behaviors may not be observed in sufficient numbers without massive data."
"The power of any analytic tool is in using it appropriately," says Founding Editor, Edd Dumbill. "Sweeping assumptions such as 'bigger is better' can be dangerous. This paper significantly advances our knowledge of when massive datasets improve decision-making ability."
###
About the Journal
Big Data, published quarterly in print and online, facilitates and supports the efforts of researchers, analysts, statisticians, business leaders, and policymakers to improve operations, profitability, and communications within their organizations. Spanning a broad array of disciplines focusing on novel big data technologies, policies, and innovations, the Journal brings together the community to address the challenges and discover new breakthroughs and trends living within this information.
About the Publisher
More:
New gene therapy success holds promise for degenerative retinal diseases
Gene therapy researchers at UMass Medical School focused on degenerative retinal diseases are calling a promising new study out of University of Oxford the "...
By: UMass Medical School
Continue reading here:
New gene therapy success holds promise for degenerative retinal diseases - Video