Breast Cancer Treatment Breakthrough After 'Milestone' Genetic Discovery

The latest breast cancer research could lead to more personalized care for patients and help further understanding of the causes of the disease, scientists said.

A study involving people from around the world has been hailed as giving a more complete picture of the changes in DNA in breast cancer, providing potential opportunities for new treatments.

A study of 560 breast cancer genomes, or complete genetic codes, turned up five new genes associated with the disease.

Read more: Breast Cancer Treatment Breakthrough After 'Milestone' Genetic Discovery

Source: IndependentPrintLimited

High-Fiber Diet Alters Gut Bacteria to Protect Against Food Allergy

A high-fiber diet rich in vitamin A may alter gut bacteria in a way that could prevent or reverse food allergies. This is the finding of a new study published in the journal Cell Reports.

It is estimated that around 15 million people in the United States have food allergies, and this number is increasing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 1997-2007, the number of children and adolescents in the U.S. with food allergies rose by around 18 percent, though the reasons for this are unclear.

Eight food types account for around 90 percent of all food allergies. These are peanuts, tree nuts, egg, milk, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

Allergic reactions to food vary from person to person, but they may include tingling or itching in the mouth, hives, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Read more: High-Fiber Diet Alters Gut Bacteria to Protect Against Food Allergy

Researchers say a high-fiber diet enriched with vitamin A shows promise for reducing the risk of
food allergy.

Source: medicalnewstoday

CLIA and regulatory readiness: How can your lab always be ready?

Much has been written about laboratory regulations and the regulatory process. Why publish another article now? Changes to the healthcare environment in the United States over the past few years have left hospitals and laboratories asking questions about resources. How does the laboratory continue to provide quality service to patients and practitioners while reimbursements decrease? How do regulatory requirements fit into this same picture? How can the laboratory stay ahead of new regulations?

Many laboratories do maintain readiness throughout the inspection cycle. These facilities share common traits. This article will identify success strategies when dealing with regulatory compliance. In general, these strategies fall into three categories: 1) knowledge, 2) awareness, and 3) good management practices.

Read more: CLIA and regulatory readiness: How can your lab always be ready?

Source: aapc

FDA Approves First Liquid Biopsy Test for Lung Cancer Patients

On June 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a liquid biopsy test, a companion diagnostic test called cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2. The test uses plasma samples to identify patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) eligible for treatment with the EGFR-targeted therapeutic erlotinib (Tarceva).

The test detects specific alterations in the gene epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR): exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) substitution mutations. These mutations are present in about 10 to 20 percent of NSCLCs, the most common type of lung cancer.

This is the first liquid biopsy test approved for use by the FDA.

Read more: FDA Approves First Liquid Biopsy Test for Lung Cancer Patients

Source: aacr

Heart Disease Seen as a Man's Issue by Many Male Doctors

Male family physicians, or general practitioners, may be overlooking the risk of cardiovascular disease in female patient because they more often see it as a man's issue, according to new research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States.

Since the 1980s, developed countries have seen a fall in the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Around 50 percent of this improvement is thought to be because of preventive action.

In men, the rates of mortality from CVD have dropped more than they have in women. There is also evidence that men receive better cardiovascular care after experiencing a cardiovascular problem, as well as better secondary prevention.

Read more: Heart Disease Seen as a Man's Issue by Many Male Doctors

Women, too, may be at risk of heart disease.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Use of Tumor Markers in Clinical Practice: Quality Requirements

The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry

Presents

LABORATORY MEDICINE PRACTICE GUIDELINES

USE OF TUMOR MARKERS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE: QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

These guidelines are intended to encourage more appropriate use of tumor marker tests by primary care physicians, hospital physicians and surgeons, specialist oncologists, and other health care professionals. The background and methodology described within this document represent the larger undertaking to address tumor markers in clinical practice of which this set of guidelines is a part. The recommendations contained herein are based upon the best available evidence and consensus of expert contributors and reviewers. Toward this effort, draft revisions of these guidelines were prepared and placed for comment on the NACB web site. The guideline chapters resulting from this process have been published in appropriate peer-reviewed laboratory medicine and specialty clinical journals to assist with dissemination among the target groups.

Read more: Use of Tumor Markers in Clinical Practice: Quality Requirements

Source: aacc.org

Diabetes and Stress: What's the Connection?

Diabetes is a complex disease, with varying risk factors and causes. Stress, especially long-term stress, interferes with the body's ability to manage blood sugar levels. As managing sugar levels becomes more difficult, the risk of long-term problems increases.

In this article, we will examine what stress is, how it is caused, and how it affects people living with diabetes. Since stress is a natural part of life, we will also discuss tips for managing and preventing stress.

Contents of this article:

1. What is stress?
2. How does stress affect people with diabetes?
3. Signs and symptoms of stress in people with diabetes
4. How can stress be managed and prevented?
5. Tips for reducing stress

Read more: Diabetes and Stress: What's the Connection?

Stress can cause blood sugar levels to rise in people with diabetes.

Source: medicalnewstoday

What Is A Scientist?

Are engineers considered scientists? What about lab technicians, archaeologists and art historians? 

The answer isn’t always obvious… 

AsianScientist (Jun. 15, 2016) - Two things happened recently that made me ponder a question that’s really going to open a can of worms. Case No. 1: Catching up with an old friend who decided to leave the lab for the bright lights of banking, we started discussing our work and he mentioned meeting someone who introduced themselves as a scientist. Further probing of his new acquaintance revealed that this person worked in a diagnostics lab. My friend was outraged. “How dare this person misrepresent themselves as a scientist?” he scoffed. “Putting on a lab coat and running blood tests all day does not make one a scientist!” When I pointed out that this is actually the general stereotype of a scientist in the eyes of non-scientists... let’s just say this conversation got a bit frosty.

Read more: What Is A Scientist?

Source: asianscientist

Donor Blood Test May be Holding Back Heart Transplantation

A blood test used to determine whether a heart is suitable for donation may be leading to unnecessary rejections, and its use should be reviewed. This is the conclusion of a new study published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough oxygen-rich blood around the body to help other organs function.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, around 5.7 million Americans have heart failure.

In some cases, heart failure can be treated with lifestyle changes - such as a healthy diet, exercise, and quitting smoking - and medications. For end-stage heart failure, however, a heart transplant may be the only option.

Read more: Donor Blood Test May be Holding Back Heart Transplantation

Determining whether a heart is suitable for transplantation based on donor troponin I levels may be
causing unnecessary rejections, say researchers.

Source: medicalnewstoday

The Role of Diet and Exercise in the Transgenerational Epigenetic Landscape of T2DM

Epigenetic changes are caused by biochemical regulators of gene expression that can be transferred across generations or through cell division. Epigenetic modifications can arise from a variety of environmental exposures including undernutrition, obesity, physical activity, stress and toxins. Transient epigenetic changes across the entire genome can influence metabolic outcomes and might or might not be heritable. These modifications direct and maintain the cell-type specific gene expression state. Transient epigenetic changes can be driven by DNA methylation and histone modification in response to environmental stressors. A detailed understanding of the epigenetic signatures of insulin resistance and the adaptive response to exercise might identify new therapeutic targets that can be further developed to improve insulin sensitivity and prevent obesity. This Review focuses on the current understanding of mechanisms by which lifestyle factors affect the epigenetic landscape in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. Evidence from the past few years about the potential mechanisms by which diet and exercise affect the epigenome over several generations is discussed.

Key points

• Epigenetic processes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Diet and exercise might affect the epigenome over several generations
• Epigenetic changes can be driven by DNA methylation and histone modification in response to environmental stressors
• Regulation of gene expression by DNA methylation and histone modification occurs by a mechanism that impairs the access of transcriptional machinery to the promoters
• Studying the epigenetic signatures of insulin resistance and the adaptive response to exercise might provide insight into gene–environment networks that control glucose and energy homeostasis.

Read more: The Role of Diet and Exercise in the Transgenerational Epigenetic Landscape of T2DM

Figure 2: Putative effects of exercise and obesity on the predisposition to metabolic diseases.

Source: NatureReviewsEndocrinology