04.27.09
Posted in genes at 1:12 pm by Luis
The new swine flu virus that broke out in Mexico is unique and potentially dangerous in one way. It is a virus that has a combination of gene segments from human, bird and swine viruses, and can potentially become infectious in humans that have no immunity to the new strain.
Influenza viruses can change its make-up in one of two ways: Antigenic drift is a series of mutations that cause the virus to gradually evolve over time. Antigenic shift is an abrupt change in the surface antigen proteins that suddenly creates a new subtype of the virus. In the history of influenza outbreaks, antigenic shift is the cause behind pandemics in 1918 (Spanish Flu), 1957 (Asian Flu) and 1968 (Hongkong Flu) because the populations have not developed antibody protection against the virus.
What’s especially unique about this new swine flu strain is that it’s a type A/ strain H1N1 and it hasn’t been previously detected in pigs. Lab tests showed that the H1N1 is susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir and the US government is prepared to use the drugs to treat and prevent infection with swine influenza virus.
The graphic below tracks the swine flu virus as it spread from Mexico to other countries. As of April 27, the USA reported 20 confirmed cases, Spain has confirms 1 case, Canada has 6 and Mexico has over 1,300 suspected cases with 62 deaths from swine flu infection.
In 2007, scientists reported two cases of H2N3 influenza virus in pigs that have two gene segments from birds mixed with gene segments from common swine influenza viruses. This made H2N3 strain infectious and highly transmissible between pigs. Lab tests also showed that H2N3 can infect ferrets and mice.
Image: Newscom
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Posted in Uncategorized at 11:32 am by Luis
And we all thought the bird flu pandemic was going to be it! DANG.
This morning I wake up to a breaking news from Associated Press that governments (yes, plural – around the world) are “racing” to prevent the threat of a pandemic and public panic caused by the spread of swine flu.
Swine flu outbreaks in Mexico and US. Image: Newscom
SWINE FLU OUTBREAKS. Not the bird flu that caused outrageous panic three years ago, but a sneaky influenza virus that began in Mexico and crept up the southern US border. Up to 103 deaths have been reported, and cases of confirmed swine flu are found in Canada (6) and the U.S (20)!
New York – 8. California – 7. Kansas – 2. Ohio –1. Texas – 2.
The swine flu outbreak is not global pandemic yet but it has “the potential to become a pandemic and a global threat” according to a spokesperson for the World Health Organization. The virus is spreading quickly in Mexico and the southern US, with travelers being suspected carriers of infection.
President Obama will address the health crisis today, Monday, and report on a meeting with top US scientists.
The CDC website prepared a primer on swine flu. Here’s what we need to know about swin flu:
- Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.
- Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but there have been reports of sporadic human infection from pigs, and human-to-human transmission caused by close contact.
- SYMPTOMS of swine flu are similar to regular seasonal influenza:
- fever
- lethargy
- lack of appetite
- coughing
- also reports of runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu, but the seasonal influenza vaccine can give partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.
What can you do to prevent the flu?
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean your hands often.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent spread of germs.
- More guidelines from the CDC
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04.24.09
Posted in Uncategorized at 1:03 pm by Luis
Human beings, and especially children, have a natural tendency to act on impulse rather than thought. But children get a better handle on their impulses as they grow older, and they learn to delay gratification to get something they want.
Alcohol drinks. Image: sxc.hu
On the other hand, a highly impulsive person would rather choose small immediate rewards at the expense of larger, long-term reward. And now, a study from Purdue University found that highly impulsive behavior may contribute to the risk of developing some form of addiction later in life.
“There is increasing evidence that the character trait of impulsivity predisposes towards addiction in all its forms, such as drugs, alcohol, gambling,” said Nicholas J. Grahame, associate professor of psychology at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.
Mouse in wine glass. Image: sxc.hu
The researchers selected mice that were genetically predisposed to drinking alcohol (but who knew mice could get drunk?!) and measured how well the mice delayed gratification of a smaller immediate sugar treat in favor a bigger, delayed treat.
The researchers found that mice who have the drinking gene were more impulsive than their low-drinking counterpart. Lead author Grahame believes their results can be extrapolated to humans because humans possess the same abilities as mice to plan for the future. And if that’s the case, then impulsive behavior in humans is also influenced by genes and could become a risk for alcohol addiction.
The results do not mean that highly impulsive children will ultimately grow up to become addictive, because there is the factor of “proper nurture” (environment). However, identifying young people and children with high impulsivities could identify individuals at higher risk for developing some addictive behavior in the future, and so intervene as early in their lives as possible.
The study appears in the April issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (early view).
via: American Medical Network
Images: sxc.hu/essie82; lockstockb
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Posted in genes at 3:10 am by Luis
Often, finding the gene(s) that cause a disease is like the proverbial needle in a haystack. And in very rare cases, it’s Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare childhood lung cancer where cysts and/or solid tumors grow in the lungs of children anytime from birth to about 7-8 years of age.
Malignant cancer cells. Image: Newscom
Only about 50% of patients with PPB are successfully cured of the cancer, and the prognosis becomes better with early diagnosis. One fourth of children with PPB have other types of cancers in their bodies (personal history) or in other family members, so there is a clear genetic factor involved.
A recent study found very interesting results that could help scientists understand how cancers develop. Results from a molecular study found that that a master controller gene called DICER1 was responsible for PPB. A mutation in the DICER1 gene will cause the expression of other genes to go out of control. And somehow, DICER1 deregulates those signals to nearby cells and turns those cells malignant. However, the cells with the mutated gene do not turn malignant. It’s really very interesting because it explains how other types of cancers are also found in children with PPB.
The International PPB Registry has links to the study abstract presented at the 100th Annual American Association of Cancer Research.
via PRNewswire
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04.21.09
Posted in genes, Genetic Engineering, Genetic Future at 3:28 am by Luis
It may be unconventional to post a promo trailer on a genetics site, but I’ve been waiting for this film since I first heard of it.
“My Sister’s Keeper” is the story of two young sisters whose lives would be intertwined beyond their control. Kate is the older sister – beautiful, graceful and living with a rare genetic disease called acute promyelocytic leukemia. Anna is three years younger – genetically engineered and conceived to be a genetic match for Kate. Whatever Kate’s body needs – cord blood, blood, bone marrow, kidney – Anna is the donor. How many times can you save your sister’s life?
Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin and Sofia Vassilieva star in “My Sister’s Keeper”. Image: Bauer Griffin
“Genetically engineered to be a donor” sounds so unethical and far-fetch that it’s the stuff thriller films are made of. I don’t know how close this idea is to real life but the drama comes closer to home when it’s brought in the context of saving one’s family or child.
An adaptation from a novel by Jodi Picoult, “My Sister’s Keeper” gets released to US theaters on 26 June 2009.
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