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Research Reveals Molecular Pathway Behind Invasive Prostate Cancers
University of Cincinnati (UC) cancer and cell biologists have identified a new molecular pathway key to the development of invasive prostate cancers.
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They Are Young And Need The Job: A Second Chance For Dangerous T Cells
The immune system"s T-cells react to foreign protein fragments and therefore are crucial to combating viruses and bacteria. Errant cells that attack the body"s own material are in most cases driven to cell death. Some of these autoreactive T-cells, however, undergo a kind of reeducation to become "regulatory T-cells" that keep other autoreactive T-cells under control. A group led by immunologist Professor Ludger Klein of LMU Munich has now shown that the developmental stage of an autoreactive T-cell is decisive to its ultimate destiny. Young autoreactive T-cells are very readily reeducated into regulatory T-cells. Under identical conditions, however, older T-cells become fully activated and can cause damage - they are in a way resistant to reeducation. "We now intend to study at the molecular level what makes a T-cell accessible for reeducation," said Klein, "because then it may be possible to convert even normal adult T-cells, which can be obtained easily and in great numbers from blood. Possibly, they could then be used as regulatory T-cells in therapies for autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis: these are diseases that are triggered by uncontrolled autoreactive T-cells." (PNAS, 10 June 2009)
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New Tool To Improve Patient Understanding Of Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Therapies
A new instrument for improving patient understanding and acceptance of long-acting injectable antipsychotic therapy (LAT) has been published in the April edition of Psychiatry 2009.1 This novel, psychosocial approach encompasses Goal setting, Action planning, Initiating treatment, and Nurturing motivation (GAIN) through the use of a clinical discussion tool.
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MS Societies In UK And Australia Provide International Research Opportunity

Worldwide collaborative ties among researchers investigating the debilitating neurological condition multiple sclerosis (MS) have been strengthened thanks to the introduction of the first UK and Australian Fellowship Exchange programme. Dr Julia Morahan is the first person to be awarded the Macquarie Group Foundation Australia and UK MS Society Fellowship and she makes the move from investigating Motor Neurone Disease to research into MS. The initiative cements the relationship between the UK MS Society and international scientists researching MS and is supported by the Macquarie Group Foundation - the philanthropic arm of Macquarie Group. Dr Lee Dunster, Head of Research and Information at the UK MS Society, said: "More than 2.5million people are living with MS around the world and there is some suggestion this number is rising. "It is clear that no one scientist or laboratory will alone discover MS prevention or cure and by offering such research opportunities, the UK MS Society and MS Research Australia are helping to link world-class knowledge for the benefit of people living with MS." Dr Morahan will work in the internationally recognised laboratory of Professor George Ebers at the University of Oxford. The 3-year award will fund research aiming to map gene regions linked with MS and determine how they influence whether or not people get MS. Dr Morahan said: "It was originally thought that one particular gene was implicated in MS but potentially three or four genes are involved. I"ll be looking at isolating those genes. "The area of the genome where these genes are found is so complex. It controls what makes people"s cells unique," she added. The new initiative backs a new five-year strategy for the MS Society, which aims to further build on collaborative research that already exists with organisations in both Australia and America. Jeremy Wright, Executive Director of MS Research Australia, said: "As a young scientist in the area of neuroscience, Dr Morahan has already added to the understanding of MND. I am delighted that she is using her scientific prowess to help people with MS. "The Fellowship furthers MS Research Australia"s aim of creating international links to take advantage of research strengths in other countries. It also provides the opportunity to train Australian scientists in cutting-edge technology. We are indebted to the Macquarie Group Foundation which has been instrumental in getting this Fellowship established." Julie White, Head of the Macquarie Group Foundations, said: "The Macquarie Group Foundation has supported health research in Australia for more than 36 years. "A growing incidence of MS prompted the establishment of the Macquarie Group Foundation International MS Fellowship to strengthen research collaborations between Australia and the UK to help find a cure. We wish Dr Morahan every success in her pioneering scientific work in a disease category where there is so much hope." MS Society


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