New insights into mushroom-derived drug promising for cancer treatment

A promising cancer drug, first discovered in a mushroom commonly used in Chinese medicine, could be made more effective thanks to researchers who have discovered how the drug works. The research, carried out by The University of Nottingham, was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

In research to be published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, Dr Cornelia de Moor and her team, in the School of Pharmacy, investigated a drug called cordycepin, which was originally extracted from a rare kind of wild mushroom called cordyceps — a strange parasitic mushroom that grows on caterpillars (see image and notes on use of image) — and is now prepared from a cultivated form.

Dr de Moor said: “Our discovery will open up the possibility of investigating the range of different cancers that could be treated with cordycepin. We have also developed a very effective method that can be used to test new, more efficient or more stable versions of the drug in the Petri dish. This is a great advantage as it will allow us to rule out any non-runners before anyone considers testing them in animals.”

Properties attributed to cordyceps mushroom in Chinese medicine made it interesting to investigate and it has been studied for some time. In fact, the first scientific publication on cordycepin was in 1950. The problem was that although cordycepin was a promising drug, it was quickly degraded in the body. It can now be given with another drug to help combat this, but the side effects of the second drug are a limit to its potential use.

Dr de Moor continued: “Because of technical obstacles and people moving on to other subjects, it’s taken a long time to figure out exactly how cordycepin works on cells. With this knowledge, it will be possible to predict what types of cancers might be sensitive and what other cancer drugs it may effectively combine with. It could also lay the groundwork for the design of new cancer drugs that work on the same principle.”

The team has observed two effects on the cells: at a low dose cordycepin inhibits the uncontrolled growth and division of the cells and at high doses it stops cells from sticking together, which also inhibits growth. Both of these effects probably have the same underlying mechanism, which is that cordycepin interferes with how cells make proteins. At low doses cordycepin interferes with the production of mRNA, the molecule that gives instructions on how to assemble a protein. And at higher doses it has a direct impact on the making of proteins.

Professor Janet Allen, BBSRC Director of Research, said: “Research to understand the underlying bioscience of a problem is always important. This project shows that we can always return to asking questions about the fundamental biology of something in order to refine the solution or resolve unanswered questions. The knowledge generated by this research demonstrates the mechanisms of drug action and could have an impact on one of the most important challenges to health.”

An image of cordyceps mushroom growing on a moth pupa is at: http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/media/releases/2009/091223-new-insights-mushroom-derived-drug-for-cancer.html.  Please note that you are permitted to use this image to accompany this story only. Additional usage is not permitted under the associated licence.

The research is due to be published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry and is available via early online publication at: http://www.jbc.org/cgi/doi/10.1074/jbc.M109.071159

Source:http://communications.nottingham.ac.uk/News/

Read more >>

Helping smokers with mental illness

Researchers at The University of Nottingham have won government funding to improve the services which help people living with serious mental illness to tackle their tobacco dependence.

The grant is part of a £1.2 million package of funding from the Department of Health to the UK Centre of Tobacco Control Studies which is coordinated at the University. The funding will drive   six pilot projects across the country all aimed at improving ‘quit smoking’ services for vulnerable sections of the population. 

The researchers at Nottingham will be involved in all six projects and lead on one project focusing on mental health.  They will be working with the local mental health Trust, (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust), and Nottingham’s Stop Smoking Service, New Leaf, to assess and improve the support given to smokers with severe mental illness who are trying to quit or need encouragement to stop smoking.
Patients diagnosed with mental health problems are up to three times more likely to be smokers than the general population. For example around 70 per cent of people with schizophrenia are smokers. Mental illness sufferers as a group are much more likely to be heavy smokers with severe nicotine addiction. The disproportionately high rates of smoking have also been found to cause a higher level of tobacco-related diseases and death rate among mental health patients. They also tend to need higher doses of antipsychotic medication because components of tobacco smoke speeds up drug metabolism.

The research programme is co-ordinated by Ann McNeill, Professor of Health Policy and Promotion at The University of Nottingham, and led by Dr Elena Ratschen who said:

“This project is vital to address the historical culture of tolerance of smoking in the mental health sector. It’s a largely neglected area with smoking being deeply embedded in the culture of treatment centres and largely condoned by clinicians and psychiatric staff. Despite the smoke-free policy, smoking in and around treatment settings is still the rule rather than exception, and often a not only accepted but expected (and reinforced) standard. We will introduce procedures that we hope will help to address the smoking culture and that will make sure smokers with mental health problems are offered the same support as smokers without mental health problems, if they so wish.”

Garry Bevis from the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust said:

“We are delighted to be involved in offering the smoking cessation service to our inpatients as well as those in the community.  As a trust, Nottinghamshire Healthcare is committed to supporting our service users in leading healthier lifestyles and given the high proportion of smokers with mental health problems this is an issue that we are keen to further develop.”

Researchers from five other universities are involved in the other pilots which will focus on children’s services (University College, London), prisons (Stirling and Central Lancashire), relapse prevention and smokeless tobacco use (Queen Mary, London), and pregnancy (Bath University). The programme is expected to last from April 2010 to September 2011.

If the research and resulting pilot schemes are successful and have a positive effect on quitting rates in these areas of the population, the new services will be implemented across the UK.

Source:http://communications.nottingham.ac.uk/News/

Read more >>

BUDGET CUTS MEAN WORSE CARE IN VIRGINIA NURSING HOMES

I hate to say it, but nursing home care may get worse in Virginia.

With our state in a serious budget crisis, Medicaid spending will likely be cut.

For illustration purposes only, lets say the following is true:

Granny, age 72, needs skilled care because she is diabetic and has lost her right leg below the knee. Granny needs to stay in a nursing home and because she has no assets, she qualifies for Medicaid.

The nursing home will take care of Granny but charges $145 a day. Medicaid agrees to pay Granny $145 a day. At this rate, there are 4 nurses on the night shift, meals cost the facility $3 a day to prepare, and the building has not been painted in years. Everyone wishes there was more money to fix up the place, but not this year.

Budget cuts roll in, and Granny's Medicaid will now only pay $115 a day. If all the other residents (104 of them) have the same coverage with Medicaid, then the nursing home will be down $1138800 a year. (My math - $30 less a day, 104 people x 365 days in 1 year).

YUP - a $30 a day payment cut means the NH will have decreased income of $1,113,800 a year. How will they continue to operate? Where will they cut costs? Simple. They will have to cut
STAFFING.

Your night nurses just went down to 1 full time and 1 part time. This will happen because there are NO minimum staffing requirements in Virginia nursing homes. Granny's meals will now be cut to $1.25 a day - and her care will get WORSE AND WORSE.

Sad but true folks. Budget cuts in Virginia will almost guarantee more nursing negligence and malpractice for those who are not private pay.

This is not a judgment, or even a political argument. It is just a fact.

Read more >>

ADVICE ON HELPING A LOVED ONE FIND A NURSING HOME

Dan and I represent victims of medical neglect and abuse in Virginia long term care facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

We see what happens when your loved one is neglected, forgotten about, does not receive proper care, does not receive proper attention etc.

You don't want to know what can happen in a nursing home - trust me. To that end, we often give advice to people on how to chose a facility. While not all neglect is preventable, there are some things families SHOULD do in the beginning that can help along the way.

For more detailed information on the subject, you can read many articles on nursing home abuse, how to chose a facility, .

1. Visit before you select a facility.

2. Ask family members of current residents what they think.

3. Ask to meet the CNA's (Certified nursing assistants) that will be providing most of the hands on care.

4. Get to know the DON - Director of Nursing.

5. Get a copy of EVERY document you sign and sometimes you can ask an attorney to negotiate the admissions contract on your behalf.

6. Attend Care Plan meetings and other meetings re: your loved one's health care.

7. keep notes and share concerns with everyone - doctor included. Sometimes you will need to share these concerns in writing - verbal communication may not get very far.

8. Don't take their word for it if you have concerns - get a 2nd outside opinion.

9. Take your loved one to their PCP or hospital if needed.

10. Visit often and at different times.

11. Do not assume the care will change - move your loved one if you fear neglect.

12. Call your local agency on aging if you are concerned with neglect or abuse and file a formal complaint.

Additional questions? Feel free to call our office.

Read more >>

Healthcare in early 21st century

Healthcare in the 21st century faces many challenges. Optimum integration of communications technologies can dramatically improve access to quality health care.Services can be made available to almost anyone, at any time, at any location. Besides traditional health service outlets, locations as varied as retail stores, community centers, office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, rural outposts, and homes can become effective care-delivery points.

Cisco HealthPresence is a new concept developed by the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG) and prototyped at the Cisco Technology Centre. Using the "Advanced technologies" network as a platform, Cisco HealthPresence combines state-of-the-art video, audio, and medical information to create an environment similar to what most people experience when they visit their doctor or health specialist.

Related articles

• MDLiveCare providesTeleHealth on Google Health (medicineandtechnology.com)
• "Connected Health" Prevention Could Cut U.S. Healthcare Costs By Up To 40 Percent - Survey (ducknetweb.blogspot.com)

Read more >>

Symptoms of mesothelioma

The general symptoms of mesothelioma include:

• fever
• sweating - particularly at night
• unexplained weight loss
• feeling tired

Depending on which mesothelium is affected by the cancer, you may also have other symptoms.
If you have pleural mesothelioma you may:

• have chest or back pain
• feel breathless
• cough
• have a hoarse voice
• have difficulty swallowing

If you have peritoneal mesothelioma you may:

• have a swollen abdomen
• have abdominal pain
• lose your appetite
• have diarrhoea or constipation

Although not necessarily a result of mesothelioma, if you have these symptoms you should visit your GP.

Read more >>

Causes of mesothelioma

In nine out of 10 people with mesothelioma, the cause is asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral which was used in construction, ship-building and household appliances until 1999 when its use was banned. For example, you may have breathed in asbestos when you worked in a factory which produced products containing asbestos, or when washing work clothes which had asbestos on them.
Your body reacts to asbestos by trying to get rid of it. Asbestos is made up of tiny fibres which, when breathed in, pass into the lungs and cause inflammation and fibrous tissue to form. The fibres then pass into other areas of the body such as the mesothelium as the body tries to get rid of the fibres from the lungs.
Mesothelioma caused by asbestos takes between 10 and 60 years to develop. It's been predicted that an increasing number of people will be diagnosed with it before 2015, when the number of people affected will be highest. When it peaks, about 3,000 people will be diagnosed each year. The number of people diagnosed should then decrease.
The causes of mesothelioma in people who haven't been exposed to asbestos aren't fully understood. But there are certain factors that may make mesothelioma more likely.

• Exposure to radiation.
• A mineral found in Turkey called Zeolite may cause mesothelioma.
• Previous infection with the Simian monkey virus (SV40). This may be a co-factor, making mesothelioma more likely if you have come into contact with one of the other risk factors, such as asbestos.

Read more >>

Diagnosis of mesothelioma

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and will examine you. He or she may refer you to a doctor who specialises in respiratory medicine; this is a doctor who treats conditions affecting the lungs, or a gastroenterologist, a doctor specialising in conditions of the digestive system. Further tests may include the following.

• A chest or abdominal X-ray.
• A CT (computerised tomography) scan, which uses X-rays to make a three-dimensional image of the body.
• An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, which uses magnets and radiowaves to produce images of the inside of your body.
• A sample of the fluid (either the pleural effusion or ascites) may be taken and sent to a laboratory for testing.
• A biopsy may be taken. A biopsy is a small sample of tissue. This will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
• A flexible narrow tube may be used to look for mesothelioma. This is called a mediastinoscopy.
• A PET (positron emission tomography) scan involves the use of an injected weak radioactive substance to look for mesothelioma using a PET machine.

Read more >>

Treatment of mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is difficult to treat because the cancer has usually spread and can't be removed. Treatments can include the following.

Medicines

There are a number of chemotherapy medicines which may be used to treat mesothelioma. Only one medicine is currently licensed in the UK, this is called pemetrexed. You may be advised to take supplements, such as folic acid and vitamin B12, with pemetrexed. Other medicines include methotrexate, vinorelbine, mitomycin and cisplatin. These, or other medicines, may be suggested to you as part of a clinical trial. Ask your doctor for advice.
Painkillers may be given to help reduce pain.
Steroid medicines, such as prednisolone, may be given to help reduce inflammation and can improve appetite.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy uses radiation to destroy cancer cells. It may be used to try cure the mesothelioma or to reduce symptoms.

Surgery

You may have surgery if the cancer is only in one area of the mesothelium. This type of treatment may help pleural (lung) mesothelioma but isn't usually helpful for peritoneal (abdomen) mesothelioma. Surgery may involve taking the whole pleura (mesothelium) or part of the tissues near the pleura. Sometimes this may include the diaphragm and one of the lungs.

Other treatments

Chemical irritants may be used which will cause the layers of the mesothelium to become inflamed; this makes them stick together so fluid doesn't build up. The chemicals will be added using a tube which will be put through the skin.
Excess fluid can be drained using a needle to help you breathe more easily. You can have this done regularly as the fluid will return. For this you will need a local anaesthetic.
Physiotherapy and relaxation techniques may also be helpful.

Read more >>

4/14 BBC News | Health | UK Edition

The cancer battle is lost if patients fail to act April 14, 2010 at 6:00 AM In this week's Scrubbing Up, Professor Nick Lemoine says the battle against cancer will never be won unless patients are more proactive. Parasite 'a growing stroke risk' April 14, 2010 at 1:59 AM A tropical parasitic disease is becoming an increasingly common cause of stroke, Spanish research suggests. Aspirin 'reduces migraine pain' April 14, 2010 at 1:49 AM An aspirin can reduce migraine headache pain within two hours for more than half of people who take it, research suggests.

Read more >>

ACM Global Central Lab Demonstrates Quality Expertise At Roswell Park Cancer Institute's Education Day

ACM Global Central Laboratory, the global central lab that continually defines the customer-service standard with its flexible approach, will be demonstrating its commitment to sharing knowledge and expertise with Lorrie Divers, director of global quality assurance, presenting to clinical research staff at Roswell Park Cancer Institute at their annual education day, on April 16.

The event, now in its third year, provides an opportunity for outside speakers to present on topics identified by Roswell Park Cancer Institute's staff. Divers' presentation is entitled "Preparing for Sponsor Audits" and will discuss why pharmaceutical and medical device companies conduct audits of study sites; what to expect during such audits; the preparation involved (from the simple mechanics of the day right through to ensuring compliance in all documentation/processes) and how to respond to any findings.

"I am honored to be invited to speak at such an esteemed organization," said Divers. "Roswell Park Cancer Institute is among the oldest National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to present to their clinical research staff."

Divers has worked in clinical trials for 25 years in both the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, as well as in academic research centers and has nine years of experience in GCP quality assurance, compliance and training. She has successfully managed numerous regulatory authority inspections in the site, sponsor, and central laboratory arenas.

"It is a testament to ACM Global's reputation and commitment to quality that Lorrie has been asked to present at this event," said Elena Logan, VP of Clinical Trials at ACM Global Central Lab. "As with many of our staff Lorrie has unparalleled experience in this industry and an occasion such as this provides an excellent opportunity for our experts to share their knowledge and expertise."

ACM Global will also be attending a number of industry events this month, including Partnerships in Clinical Trials, FL; World Vaccine Congress, DC and Institute of Clinical Research Annual Conference & Exhibition, UK.

Source
ACM Global Central Laboratory

Read more >>

Glyconutrients and Their Importance for the Health

The anatomy needs abounding specific types of amoroso and sugar-like substances to assignment properly. An accumulation of these has been accustomed the name glyconutrients. This appellation is not acclimated in accurate textbooks. The appellation is an apparatus of a supplement company, Nanotech, but the substances included in this accumulation all accept specific roles in the animal anatomy that are declared in accurate literature.
The anatomy has the adeptness to accomplish all the glyconutrients, but there are claims that this assembly tend to be too slow, so that the anatomy may get too little of them if they are not supplied through the diet. These claims are not yet absolutely accurate scientifically. However, abounding bodies address bloom assets afterwards accepting activated a supplement of glyconutrients.
The amoroso blazon glucose is the best axial gyconutrient. Glucose is acclimated as an activity source, and it is acclimated to aftermath added important substances, for archetype the added glyconutrients. Glucose should be supplied in an address that allows it to be captivated analogously through the accomplished day. Such an alike assimilation is anchored by bistro aliment that wills absolution glucose gradually during the digestive process. Such an aliment is said to accept a low glycolic index. Examples of such aliment types are beans, peas, abounding blah cereals or bread, and to a beneath extend potatoes and candied bake-apple in accustomed form. Abounding of these foods accommodate starch that will gradually be burst bottomward to changeless glucose back digested.
Must bodies get abundant glucose, but some accepted law carbohydrate diets may account a deficiency.
Many added glyconutrients are acclimated as alive accoutrement in the body. The anatomy can aftermath these from glucose, but the assembly may be so apathetic that one may get amiss if these substances are not supplied in the diet. These glyconutrients are: Mannose, xylems, fructose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid.
Glyconutrients assignment calm as an accumulation in abounding important actual functions:
- They are accoutrement acclimated to adapt tissue growth, agency development, and agency maturation and to adapt adjustment and regret afterwards abrasion and disease.
- They are acclimated as accoutrement by the afraid arrangement and the acute organs, for archetype in the retina of the eyes.
- They are acclimated as accoutrement by the allowed system, abnormally to adapt the functions aural the allowed arrangement and by the acceptance of adopted elements that shall be destroyed.
- They are important architecture blocks in intracellular structures, abnormally in cartilage, tendons and affiliation tissues. N-glucosamine is the best important structural glyconutrient.
- They advice to arrest microorganisms to adhere themselves to anatomy structures and thereby advice the anatomy to ablution abroad bacteria, fungi or viruses. Mannose and xylems are the best important of the glyconutrients for this function.
Since all the glyconutrients tend to participate in abounding processes, abridgement of any of them will accord problems of abounding kinds.
Lack of glyconutrients will accomplish a being about added affected for any disease, accomplish it difficult to action diseases and accomplish it difficult to ameliorate already the ache is over. A being defective glyconutrinent will additionally add calmly gets physically hurt, and accepts difficulties of acclimation the damage.
Glyconutrirnt absence is believed to account or aggravate diseases like: Infections, arthritic diseases, allergies and asthma, affection problems, stroke, abortion to advance and cancer.
A diet absolute acceptable glyconutrients or supplements of glyconutrients may advice to anticipate or affected the listed diseases. Abundant accumulation of glyconutrient may additionally access the accepted attrition adjoin ache and the accepted wellbeing
A way of accepting bare glyconutrients is to accommodate vegetable and bake-apple in the circadian diet and alter amid altered types. Acceptable sources are: Aloe Vera gel, arena fenugreek, tremendous currant, red currants, gooseberries, blooming beans, cabbage, eggplant, tomatoes, turnips, shiitake mushrooms, and kelp. Additionally bluff cartilage and bovine cartilage are acceptable sources of gyconutrients, but these sources are conceivably best captivated as capacity in appropriate supplements.
On the bazaar you can additionally acquisition appropriate supplements that accouter the anatomy with gyconutrienst you may get too little of by the circadian diet.

Read more >>