Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that proteomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can yield biomarkers that show greater sensitivity in identifying cancer than CSF cytology does. This advance could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis in patients with lesions that are not amenable to brain biopsy, the investigators report in the January 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Reuters Health Information
In a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), concomitant use of methotrexate is essential in order to suppress osteoclastogenesis associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy, according to Japanese researchers. Reuters Health Information
Enhancing a natural pain-filtering mechanism in the spine helped relieve chronic pain in mice without the unwanted side effects of current pain relievers, Swiss researchers said on Wednesday. Reuters Health Information
High plasma levels of pentraxin 3 (PTX3), a marker of vascular inflammation, predict adverse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure, Japanese clinicians report. Reuters Health Information
Administration of an endorphin gene via lumbar puncture appears to cause a significant analgesic effect in a rat model of chronic pain. Reuters Health Information
Researchers have identified two new genetic loci on chromosomes 8 and 16 that appear to influence susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), according to a report in the January 20th Online First issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. Reuters Health Information
Researchers have identified a group of cells that appear to be responsible for initiating childhood leukemia associated with the fusion gene TEL-AML1, a common form of the disease. Reuters Health Information
There is further evidence that a gene linked with schizophrenia - the disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) gene -- is also associated with bipolar disorder, researchers report in the January issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. Reuters Health Information
The expression of microRNAs in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is closely associated with disease prognosis and cytogenetics, according to a study by American and Italian researchers published online in the January 10th issue of Blood. The study also found that a small subset of microRNAs (miRNAs) correlates with AML survival. Reuters Health Information
