Archive for September, 2010

Neuroborreliosis with a fatal outcome

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20698315&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

The authors describe a case of Lyme disease–neuroborreliosis. In
neuroborreliosis, there are morphohistological changes:
pronounced dystrophic processes in the brain nerve cells,
spongiosis, perivascular hemorrhagic infiltrations, glial
proliferation with the formation of perivascular glial
granulomas.

Cancer cells love high fructose corn syrup

Full article: Read more……

Excerpt:

NaturalNews) Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) recently conducted a study revealing that cancer cells have a particular liking for refined fructose. In tests,pancreatic cancer cells quickly fed on refined fructose and used it to divide and proliferate rapidly within the body.

“These findings show that cancer cells can readily metabolize fructose to increase proliferation,” explained Dr. Anthony Heaney of UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center, one of the authors of the study.

Published in the journal Cancer Research, the findings also reveal that not all sugars are the same, a widely held belief in mainstream medicine. Tumor cells love both glucose sugar and fructose sugar, but fructose directly causes cancer cells to reproduce and spread in a way that glucose does not.

How broccoli fights cancer

Full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7885288/Scientists-discover-how-broccoli-fights-cancer.html 

Excerpt:

Scientists discover how broccoli fights cancer Photo: GETTY

Broccoli has been hailed as a ‘superfood’ after several studies suggested it had anti-cancer properties.

Now scientists have identified a chemical in the vegetable which interact with genes involved in cancer development.

The chemical called sulforaphane seems to counteract a fault with the gene called PTEN which is involved in prostate cancer.

The gene normally stops cancer from developing but in certain cells it is missing and this is when the disease can begin. However sulforaphane seems to dampen the effect of these cells that are missing PTEN and prevent them from triggering cancer growth.

Neuroretinitis in cat scratch disease

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20825068&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

PURPOSE: To present two cases of neuroretinitis in cat scratch
disease We present two girls treated in Department of
Ophthalmology of Poznai University of Medical Sciences because of
unilateral, painless decrease of vision. Both patients presented
following cat exposure fever and lymph nodes swelling.
Ophthalmoscopic findings was neuroretinitis (optic disc edema
with the macular star). Bartonella henselae antibody titers (IgG)
were elevated. CSD is usually self-limited infection in
immunocompetent patients and there is no clear treatment
recommendations. One of our patients received treatment which
included oral antibiotic (macrolides) and steroid. The second
patient was left without treatment. In our case–the duration of
visual loss was longer in patient who was not treated.

Autoimmunity in transfusion babesiosis

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20824620&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

Transfusion-acquired babesiosis can be an asymptomatic or
self-limited febrile hemolytic illness in a healthy host. A
persistent, relapsing, and/or fulminant course with the
development of life-threatening complications may be seen in
immunocompromised or splenectomized patients. As in malaria,
erythrocyte parasitemia is often associated with nonimmune
hemolysis, and can be treated with erythrocytapheresis. Just as
warm autoantibodies have been reported in malaria infection, the
development of autoantibody-mediated immune hemolysis has been
reported in babesiosis. We treated a previously healthy male with
multiple injuries from a motor vehicle accident necessitating
massive transfusion. Late in the hospitalization, his blood smear
revealed Babesia microti, confirmed by PCR study and serology.
This was eventually traced to a unit of blood from an
asymptomatic blood donor that was transfused during his initial
trauma care.
Specific antibiotic therapy was begun, and severe hemolysis from
a high parasite burden required red blood cell exchange which led
to rapid abatement of the hemolysis. He had a positive DAT (IgG
with a pan-reactive eluate) but no serum autoantibody. This
persisted for 10 days following cessation of hemolysis, and
became negative while still on antibiotics while his parasite
burden became undetectable. Reports of autoimmunity associated
with community acquired babesiosis often have severe hemolysis
from their autoantibodies, but our case shows that autoantibodies
may also follow transfusion-acquired babesiosis. The nature of
the autoantigen is unknown. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2010. (c) 2010
Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cat Scratch Disease and Arthropod Vectors

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20823366&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

RESULTS: B. henselae and related
bacterial species are transmitted among cats and dogs by
arthropod vectors. In the absence of these vectors, disease does
not spread amongst the animals. On the other hand, disease can be
spread to humans by bite and scratch as well as by arthropod
vectors. Animals commonly infected with B. henselae and arthropod
vectors are discussed. 
CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that a common illness,
cat scratch disease, can be transmitted by arthropod vectors and
a history of an animal scratch or bite is not necessary for
disease transmission.

Inadequate binding of immune regulator Factor H

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20823202&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

Spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato
complex differ in their resistance to complement-mediated killing
by human serum. Here, we characterize complement sensitivity of a
panel of B. lusitaniae isolates derived from ticks collected in
Germany and Portugal as well as one patient-derived isolate,
PoHL. All isolates are highly susceptible to complement-mediated
lysis in human serum and activate complement predominantly by the
alternative pathway, leading to an increased deposition of
complement components C3, C6, and the terminal complement
complex. Interestingly, serum-sensitive B. lusitaniae isolates
were able to bind immune regulator Factor H (CFH), and some
strains also bind Factor H-related protein 1 (CFHR-1) and CFHR-2.
Moreover, CFH bound to the surface of B. lusitaniae was
inefficient in mediating C3b conversion.
Furthermore, the identification and characterization of a
potential CFH-binding protein, OspE revealed that this molecule
possesses a significantly reduced binding capacity for CFH
compared to CFH-binding OspE paralogs expressed by various
serum-resistant Borrelia species. This finding suggests that a
reduced binding capability of CFH is associated with an increased
serum sensitivity of B. lusitaniae to human complement.

Borrelia burgdorferi stimulation of chemokine secretion

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20828409&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

RESULTS: In patients with Lyme arthritis, B. burgdorferi but not
IFN-gamma induced PBMC to secrete CCL4 and CCL2, and B.
burgdorferi and IFN-gamma each stimulated the production of CXCL9
and CXCL10. However, with the
CD14+ cell fraction, B. burgdorferi alone stimulated the
secretion of CCL4; B.
burgdorferi and IFN-gamma together induced CCL2 secretion, and
IFN-gamma alone stimulated the secretion of CXCL9 and CXCL10. The
percentage of T cells expressing CXCR3 or CCR5 was significantly
greater in SFMC than PBMC, confirming that TH1 effector cells
were recruited to inflamed joints. However, when stimulated with
B. burgdorferi or IFN-gamma, SFMC and PBMC responded similarly.

CONCLUSIONS: B. burgdorferi stimulates PBMC or CD14+
monocytes/macrophages directly to secrete CCL4, but spirochetal
stimulation of other intermediate cells, which are present in
PBMC, is required to induce CD14+ cells to secrete CCL2, CXCL9
and CXCL10. We conclude that B. burgdorferi stimulates
monocytes/macrophages directly and indirectly to guide innate and
adaptive immune responses in patients with Lyme arthritis.

Vaccine development for ehrlichioses

Full article: http://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&id=20822349&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks

Excerpt:

Ehrlichia are tick-borne obligately intracellular bacteria that
cause significant diseases in veterinary natural hosts, including
livestock and companion animals, and are now considered important
zoonotic pathogens in humans. Vaccines are needed for these
veterinary and zoonotic human pathogens, but many obstacles exist
that have impeded their development. These obstacles include
understanding genetic and antigenic variability, influence of the
host on the pathogen phenotype and immunogenicity, identification
of the ehrlichial antigens that stimulate protective immunity and
those that elicit immunopathology, development of animal models
that faithfully reflect the immune responses of the hosts and
understanding molecular host-pathogen interactions involved in
immune evasion or that may be blocked by the host immune
response.
We review the obstacles and progress in addressing barriers
associated with vaccine development to protect livestock,
companion animals and humans against these host defense-evasive
and cell function-manipulative, vector-transmitted pathogens.

Vitamin deficiency and age-related disorders

Triage theory by world famous Bruce Ames explains why I am getting younger by the year. This world-class biochemist has provided the scientific documentation that we all have some small inborn errors of metabolism so we are not operating at our peak if we settle for RDA level of nutrients. His earlier work has provided the scientific framework validating my years of work in Orthomolecular Medicine. Now he has taken his tremendous knowledge of nutrition and has seen how this ties into mitochondrial diseases and aging.

This is the tip of the iceberg. You need to search on Bruce Ames and his close associate Les Packer PhD who have also explained how and why we need CoQ and Carnitine and the all R form of Lipoic acid if it is fully stabilized, to see age reversal in old rats. See his full page ad in every issue of Scientific America and learn more about why I do not just have rich urine when I take my multiple supplements each day. See my personal nutrition program on my website. 

For many Professor Ames needs no introduction. In the 1970s, he invented the Ames test, a simple and inexpensive assay to check the mutagenicity of compounds. Since then he has dedicated his research to understanding the biochemistry of aging with a focus on mitochondria, the power plants of our cells, as well as how micronutrients may prevent disease, malnutrition, and obesity.

Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
www.gordonresearch.com

Full article: http://www.nutraingredients.com/Product-Categories/Minerals/Bruce-Ames-Vitamin-insufficiency-boosting-age-related-diseases/?utm_source=Newsletter_Product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BProduct

Excerpt:

It is literally all about living for today. By understanding that nature favours survival today over tomorrow, a theory that vitamin inadequacy is behind the rise in chronic diseases “makes sense… and it is almost certainly going to be right,” says world-renowned scientist Bruce Ames. 

In an exclusive interview with Stephen Daniells, Professor Bruce Ames from the University of California, Berkeley explains why his “triage theory” could have enormous implications for human health. 

For many, Professor Ames needs no introduction. In the 1970s, he invented the Ames Test, a simple and inexpensive assay to check the mutagenicity of compounds. Since then he has dedicated his research to understanding the biochemistry of ageing, with a focus on mitochondria, the power plants of our cells, as well as how micronutrients may prevent disease, malnutrition, and obesity. 

So, when the native New Yorker with over 450 scientific publications tells you his triage theory is “the most important thing I have ever worked on”, you sit up and listen. 

Evolutionary mechanisms 
Triage – from the French word trier meaning to sort, separate, or select – works on the battlefield by military doctors prioritising treatments depending on the probable survival of the wounded. 

Prof Ames’ theory works in much the same way: By appreciating that natural selection favours short-term survival over the long-term, Prof Ames’ hypothesised that our short-term survival is achieved by prioritising the allocation of scarce micronutrients. In other words, to stop us falling over from a lack of iron in the heart, for example, iron is pulled from non-essential sources.