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Neuroblastoma Linked to Genetic Variants on Chromosome 6
Children with this genetic variant, identified for the first time in a genome-wide association study, develop a particularly aggressive form of neuroblastoma.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Common Gene Variants Linked to Risk of Obesity and Insulin Resistance
Researchers have identified common variants near the gene for melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) that influence the risk of obesity and insulin resistance, according to findings from two studies appearing in the May 4th online issue of Nature Genetics.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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American Founder Mutation in Lynch Syndrome May Have Occurred 500 Years Ago
New research shows that a mutation responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome) originated centuries earlier and is more prevalent than previously believed.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Urinary Biomarkers Show Promise in Diagnosing Brain Tumors
Urinary biomarkers are showing promise as an effective, noninvasive way of detecting the presence or recurrence of brain tumors, a new pilot study suggests.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Research Finds Possible Link Between Allergies and Suicidality
Comorbidity data indicate a correlation that may be similar to the association with asthma and dermatitis.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME
Corticosteroids May Not Reduce Mortality in Children With Bacterial Meningitis
In a retrospective cohort study of children with bacterial meningitis, adjuvant treatment with corticosteroids was not associated with a decreased risk for death or shorter hospital stay.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Preserves Beta-Cells in Type 1 Diabetes
The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is associated with preserved beta-cell capacity in patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, according to European researchers.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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CME
Diagnosis and Management of Vulvar Skin Disorders Reviewed
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a practice bulletin reviewing available diagnostic methods and management strategies for vulvar skin disorders.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME
Routine Vaccination With Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine Not Recommended for Certain Children
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices does not recommend routine vaccination of children ages 2 to 10 years with quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Aberrant Karyotypes More Common in Infertile Couples
Infertile couples appear more likely to have aberrant karyotypes compared with the general population, according to Italian researchers.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Intrahepatic Vein Safer and More Successful for Fetal Blood Sampling
The success rate is higher and bleeding from the sampling site much lower with fetal blood collected via the intrahepatic vein compared with cordocentesis, a team from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reports in the April issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Single Gene Variant Linked to Severe Diabetes Complications
A functional polymorphism in the erythropoietin promoter may be associated with more severe microvascular complications of the eye and kidney in patients with diabetes, according to a report in the May 13th issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Alcohol-Induced Heart Failure Has a Unique Gene Signature
Scientists have identified a specific genomic fingerprint of de-regulated genes associated with alcohol-induced heart failure in humans that allows this condition to be more readily distinguished from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM).
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Share Genetic Risk Variants
Two independent research teams have identified several genetic polymorphisms shared by ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Risk of Early-Onset PD Not Higher in Noncarrier Relatives of Patients With Parkin Mutation
Mutations in the Parkin gene are associated with early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD). Now, researchers have found that noncarrier relatives of carriers who developed PD before age 50 are themselves not at higher risk than the general population for developing the disease before age 65.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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Tarenflurbil Well Tolerated, May Slow Decline in Function in Mild But Not Moderate Alzheimer's
Results of a phase 2 randomized trial suggest that tarenflurbil, a selective amyloid-beta-lowering agent, was well tolerated and showed some indication of a dose-related effect on measures of daily activities and global function in mild, but not moderate, AD, although without a significant effect on cognition.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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Refinements in the Risk Classification for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Gene mutations and microRNA signatures can differentiate between patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia and could eventually influence treatment decisions.
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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CME
FDA Approvals: Patanase, Actonel, Cimzia
The FDA has approved olopatadineHCl nasal spray (Patanase), a once-monthly formulation for risedronate sodium tablets (Actonel), and certolizumab pegol powder for solution (Cimzia).
Medscape Medical News, May 2008
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US Congress Votes to Ban Genetic Discrimination
A landmark bill to forbid discrimination against people whose genetic information shows a predisposition to certain illnesses won final U.S. congressional approval on Thursday.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
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EGFR Gene Variants Have Gender-Specific Effects on Colon Cancer Survival
Functional polymorphisms in the gene expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have opposite prognostic implications for male and female patients with metastatic colon cancer, new study findings indicate.
Reuters Health Information, May 2008
