Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg and Regensburg University, both in Germany, and the University of Lisboa, in Portugal, have discovered a promising potential drug target for cystic fibrosis. Their work, published online in Cell, also uncovers a large set of genes not previously linked to the disease, demonstrating how a new screening technique can help identify new drug targets.
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New strategy could reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics
Researchers have developed a new strategy for prescribing antibiotics that could reduce patient harm and help combat the rise in antibiotic resistance. A new study, which is due to be presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress in Barcelona tomorrow (11 September 2013), found that a new prescribing protocol could significant reduce potential misuse of antibiotics. The research followed over 500 patients with lower respiratory tract infections during the course of one year. The new prescribing protocol included automatic stop dates, with time limits on prescriptions depending on the severity of an infection, coupled with support from pharmacists to ensure that antibiotics were issued with stop dates that were clearly visible for patients.
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No improvement in oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in AF
The use of oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) has not improved in the last 10 years, according to the first results of the Atrial Fibrillation General Pilot Registry presented at ESC Congress 2013 today by Professor Gregory Lip (UK). Professor Lip said: "A decade ago the ESC conducted a registry on AF management as part of the Euro Heart Survey. Since then new treatments have become available and the ESC has published new guidelines on the management of AF.(1,2) The time was right for a new registry to assess adherence to guidelines and how management has changed over time."
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Broccoli could be key in the fight against osteoarthritis
A compound found in broccoli could be key to preventing or slowing the progress of the most common form of arthritis, according to new research led by the University of East Anglia.
Results from the laboratory study show that sulforaphane slows down the destruction of cartilage in joints associated with painful and often debilitating osteoarthritis. The researchers found that mice fed a diet rich in the compound had significantly less cartilage damage and osteoarthritis than those that were not.
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Personalized AF management needed to close mortality gap
Personalised management is the only way to close the mortality gap for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to an ESC consensus paper presented at ESC Congress 2013 by Professor Paulus Kirchhof (UK). The Atrial Fibrillation competence NETwork (AFNET) and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus paper is published online in the European Journal of Pacing, Arrhythmias, and Cardiac Electrophysiology (EP-Europace)(1) and presented during the ESC Congress session on personalised cardiology.
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Leicester researchers discover a potential molecular defence against Huntington's disease
rom the University's Department of Genetics carried out research for more than six years to identify new potential drug targets for the disease. They used model systems, such as baker's yeast, fruit flies, and cultured mammalian cells to help uncover potential mechanisms underlying disease at the cellular level. They initially screened a genome-wide collection of yeast genes and found several candidates which protected against Huntington's related symptoms in yeast. They then validated their findings in fruit flies and mammalian cells. They found that glutathione peroxidase activity is robustly protective in these models of Huntington's disease.
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Heart's own stem cells offer hope for new treatment of heart failure
Researchers at King's College London have for the first time highlighted the natural regenerative capacity of a group of stem cells that reside in the heart. This new study shows that these cells are responsible for repairing and regenerating muscle tissue damaged by a heart attack which leads to heart failure. The study, published today in the journal Cell, shows that if the stem cells are eliminated, the heart is unable to repair after damage. If the cardiac stem cells are replaced the heart repairs itself, leading to complete cellular, anatomical and functional heart recovery, with the heart returning to normal and pumping at a regular rate.
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