Major Breakthrough in Lab-Grown Human Embryos

Scientists reported Wednesday they had grown human embryos in the lab for nearly two weeks, an unprecedented feat that promises advances in assisted reproduction, stem-cell therapies and the basic understanding of how human beings form.

Besides opening a window onto the first steps in the creation of an individual, the findings in parallel studies may help explain early miscarriages and why in vitro fertilization has such a high failure rate.

The research also showed for the first time that newly-forming human embryos can mature beyond a few days outside a mother's womb, something that was previously thought to be impossible.

But the widely hailed results also set science on a collision course with national laws and ethical guidelines, experts cautioned.

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

Scientists report that they have grown human embryos in the lab for nearly two weeks, a breakthrough
likely to provide a boost to research on the use of embryonic stem cells to treat certain diseases

Source: AFP

New Method Developed for Detecting Mycobacteria in the Lungs

A research team from the Institute of Medical Microbiology at the University of Zurich and the National Center for Mycobacteria has carried out a large-scale study with more than 6800 patient samples to examine molecular-based methods for the detection of mycobacterial pathogens. Because many mycobacteria only grow at a slow pace, routine detection using bacteria cultures in highly specialized and expensive high-safety labs takes several weeks to complete. The subsequent susceptibility test to determine the appropriate medicine also takes 1 to 2 weeks.

"For patients and doctors, this long waiting period is an unnecessary test of their patience", says Peter Keller, M.D., from the Institute of Medical Microbiology at the UZH. "By comparison, with molecular detection methods, most patients know after 1 or 2 days whether they have an infection with tuberculosis pathogens or with nontuberculous mycobacteria."

Mycobacteria cause various illnesses. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the main representative of this genus, is the causative agent of tuberculosis, which killed around 1.5 million people worldwide in 2014.

Read more: New Method Developed for Detecting Mycobacteria in the Lungs

Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patient samples.

Source: genengnews

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