Cell discovery could hold key to causes of inherited diseases
Fresh insights into the protective seal that surrounds the DNA of our cells could help develop treatments for inherited muscle, brain, bone and skin disorders. Researchers have discovered that the proteins within this coating - known as the nuclear envelope - vary greatly between cells in different organs of the body. This variation means that certain disease causing proteins will interact with the proteins in the protective seal to cause illness in some organs, but not others.
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Cortisone can increase risk of acute pancreatitis
A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows that cortisone - a hormone used in certain medicines - increases the risk of acute pancreatitis. The results are published in the scientific journal JAMA Internal Medicine. According to the researchers, they suggest that patients treated with cortisone in some forms should be informed of the risks and advised to refrain from alcohol and smoking. Acute pancreatitis is the most common disease of the pancreas and is caused by a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Most patients recover without complications.
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Scientists unveil secrets of important natural antibiotic
An international team of scientists has discovered how an important natural antibiotic called dermcidin, produced by our skin when we sweat, is a highly efficient tool to fight tuberculosis germs and other dangerous bugs. Their results could contribute to the development of new antibiotics that control multi-resistant bacteria. Scientists have uncovered the atomic structure of the compound, enabling them to pinpoint for the first time what makes dermcidin such an efficient weapon in the battle against dangerous bugs.
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Determining the level of binding is crucial for your drug development
The binding of small molecules to proteins is an important parameter for drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies. In vitro assays to investigate metabolism of drug candidates using liver microsomes at a high protein content will be impaired if a compound binds to the microsomal vesicles with high affinity: Bound compounds would not be susceptible for microsomal metabolism, leading to an underestimation of their in vitro metabolic clearance.
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ESC responds to EU Clinical trials directive revisions
In anticipation of the consideration of the draft report by the European Parliament Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee expected early next week, a position paper (1) by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) welcomes the "spirit" of the European Commission's proposed revision of the text of the European Clinical Trials Directive (EUCTD) (2), as an important contribution to "simplifying, clarifying and streamlining" rules for conducting clinical trials across Europe.
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The PROTECT project on pharmacovigilance achieves key objectives
The PROTECT project, a public-private partnership for innovative methodologies in pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology coordinated by the European Medicines Agency, has reached a crucial stage with the delivery of two databases which will offer access to important data resources for pharmacovigilance activities and pharmacoepidemiological studies. The first of these two databases, the Drug Consumption Database, is a comprehensive and structured source of information on drug consumption in Europe. It is the result of reviewing, compiling and updating knowledge about European sources of data on drug utilisation in the out- and in-patient healthcare settings.
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UNITAID - Financed project to increase access to new HIV monitoring technology
UNITAID and France Expertise Internationale (FEI) signed a US$ 2.4 million agreement to implement the “OPP-ERA” project which will stimulate the market entry of new manufacturers and suppliers of HIV Viral Load Test (VLT) technologies, bringing an innovative solution to meet the HIV monitoring and diagnostics needs in resource-limited settings. OPP-ERA - OPP standing for Open Polyvalent Platforms - is an innovative system to detect HIV viral load, which enables machines and reagents coming from different manufacturers and suppliers to be used together.
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