SCIENCE NEWS Why Can Surgical Treatment Improve Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus? Increased insulin activity is observed among the patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and it is possibly associated with increased post-surgical expression of pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 and regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. [Press release from EurekAlert! discussing online republication in the World Journal of Gastroenterology]
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CURRENT PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal) DIABETES Subplasmalemmal Ca2+ Measurements in Mouse Pancreatic Beta Cells Support the Existence of an Amplifying Effect of Glucose on Insulin Secretion Glucose can increase Ca2+-induced insulin secretion without causing further elevation of beta cell Ca2+ concentration under the plasma membrane. The phenomenon is therefore a true amplification of the triggering action of Ca2+. [Diabetologia] Voltage-Dependent K+ Channels Are Positive Regulators of Alpha Cell Action Potential Generation and Glucagon Secretion in Mice and Humans Voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) currents in alpha cells are positive regulators of glucagon secretion. These currents, mediated by Kv2 and maxi-K channels, limit membrane depolarization, and prevent inactivation of alpha cell action potentials and suppression of glucagon release. [Diabetologia] Reciprocal Modulation of Adult Beta Cell Maturity by Activin A and Follistatin These results suggest that autocrine and/or paracrine activin A signaling exerts a suppressive effect on adult beta cell maturation and function. Thus, the maturation state of adult beta cells can be modulated by external factors in culture. [Diabetologia] Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modulate Cellular Immune Response to Islet Antigen Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase in Type 1 Diabetes These results provide evidence that human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) abrogate in vitro a proinflammatory T helper type 1 response to an islet antigenic stimulus in type 1 diabetes. MSCs induce IL-4-producing cells, suggesting a possible switch to an antiinflammatory T helper type 2 signaling of T cells. [J Clin Endocrinol Metab] Protection of Pancreatic Beta Cells by Group VIA Phospholipase A2-Mediated Repair of Mitochondrial Membrane Peroxidation The findings support the hypothesis that group VIA Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 is important in repairing oxidized mitochondrial membrane components (e.g. cardiolipin) and that this prevents cytochrome c release in response to stimuli that otherwise induce apoptosis. [Endocrinology] Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Promotes Expression of PDX-1 and Regeneration of Beta Cells in Goto-Kakizaki Rats Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) can increase the expression of pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 and induce the regeneration of beta cells in Goto-Kakizaki rats. The associated regeneration of islet cells may be a possible mechanism how RYGB could improve type 2 diabetes mellitus. [World J Gastroenterol] PANCREATIC CANCER The Zinc-Finger Protein KCMF1 Is Overexpressed During Pancreatic Cancer Development and Downregulation of KCMF1 Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Development in Mice The data support the hypothesis that potassium channel modulatory factor 1 (KCMF1) mediates pro-oncogenic functions in vitro and in vivo and downregulation of KCMF1 results in the inhibition of pancreatic cancer formation in mice. [Oncogene] Circulating Autoantibodies to Phosphorylated Alpha-Enolase Are a Hallmark of Pancreatic Cancer These results demonstrate that alpha-enolase phosphorylation is associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and induces specific autoantibody production in PDAC patients that may have diagnostic value. [J Proteome Res] Sorafenib Combined Vitamin K Induces Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines Through RAF/MEK/ERK And C-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase Pathways Combination vitamin K 1 plus Sorafenib strongly induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in pancreas cancer cells, involving both inhibition of the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway as well as activation of the Jun N-terminal kinase, c-Jun and FasL apoptotic pathway. [J Cell Physiol] Beta 2-Adrenergic Antagonists Suppress Pancreatic Cancer Cell Invasion by Inhibiting cAMP Response Element Binding Protein, Nuclear Factor Kappa B, and Activator Protein 1 Researchers hypothesized that beta-adrenoceptors may play a role in pancreatic cancer invasion, and beta-blockers may suppress the pancreatic cancer invasion and proliferation. [Cancer Biol Ther]
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INDUSTRY NEWS Astellas Pharma Inc. to Acquire OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Astellas Pharma Inc., a global pharmaceutical company, and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company primarily focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of molecular targeted therapies addressing medical needs in oncology, diabetes and obesity, announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Astellas will acquire OSI. [Astellas Pharma Inc. Press Release] Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Genzyme Enter into Strategic Partnership The strategic partnership between Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine and Genzyme will help quickly and successfully bring the company’s innovative drugs to China, promoting innovation and development of the Chinese biopharmaceutical industry. [PR Newswire] The New York Stem Cell Foundation Receives $27 Million Grant from Robertson Foundation to Promote Stem Cell Research The New York Stem Cell Foundation has received a grant of $27 million from the Robertson Foundation, established by Julian and Josie Robertson. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation Press Release] FibroGen Reports Preclinical Data Showing that FG-3019 Reversed the Process of Fibrosis in the Lung FibroGen, Inc. announced that administration of investigational therapy FG-3019 reversed the process of fibrosis in a preclinical model of radiation-induced lung fibrosis, a finding that has implications for treating multiple types of fibrotic disease and pancreatic cancer. [FibroGen, Inc. Press Release] Johns Hopkins to Unveil Center for Biotechnology Education The Johns Hopkins University’s Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Advanced Academic Programs, will unveil the Center for Biotechnology at its fifth annual biotechnology research symposium. [Johns Hopkins’ Center for Biotechnology Education Press Release] Over 30 Scientific Presentations at ASCO Exploring ABRAXANE’s Expanded Potential in Multiple Difficult-to-Treat Cancers Abraxis BioScience, Inc. announced that 32 scientific abstracts will be presented at the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), June 4-8 in Chicago, evaluating the use of nanoparticle albumin bound driven chemotherapy, nab-paclitaxel (ABRAXANE® for Injectable suspension; paclitaxel protein albumin-bound particles for injectable suspension). [Abraxis BioScience, Inc. Press Release]
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POLICY NEWS House Nixes More Research Spending in COMPETES Bill Catching the Democratic leadership by surprise, members voted 292 to 126 to block passage of a 5-year authorization bill that would have provided healthy increases in the research and education budgets of the National Science Foundation and research programs at the Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce. [House of Representatives, United States] United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius Announces $1 Billion in NIH Recovery Act Awards to Construct or Improve Biomedical Research Facilities U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced one billion dollars of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds have been awarded to construct, repair and renovate scientific research laboratories and related facilities across the country. [National Institutes of Health, United States] American Diabetes Association to Testify for Increased Diabetes Funding With 25% of the U.S. population either living with or at risk for developing diabetes, the American Diabetes Association will ask Congress to expand the federal response to the diabetes epidemic. [American Diabetes Foundation, United States] European and International Experts Discuss the Way Forward in Stem-Cell Research and Development The European Medicines Agency assembled for the first time European and international experts from academia, regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical industry to review opportunities and difficulties in developing stem cell-based therapies and to discuss regulatory challenges. [European Medicines Agency, European Union] EU Agency Prepares to Assess First Stem Cell Drug The first regenerative medicine based on stem cells could be filed for approval in Europe later this year, bringing the groundbreaking medical technology a step closer to reality. [European Medicines Agency, European Union] Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and NIH Director Francis Collins Regarding the President’s Intent to Appoint Dr. Harold Varmus as Director of the National Institute of Cancer at the National Institutes of Health [Department of Health and Human Services, United States] Notice of Intent to Publish Request for Applications for the Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Cancer Initiative (CPTC): Proteome Characterization Centers (NOT-CA-10-027) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
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EVENTS Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI) Stem Cell Symposium 2010: Epigenetics, Transcriptomics and Nanobiotechnology of Stem Cells May 20-21, 2010 Brisbane, Australia 16th Annual International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) Meeting May 23-26, 2010 Philadelphia, United States Systems Biology of Stem Cells May 24-25, 2010 Irvine, United States International Scientific Symposium: Stem Cells in Biology and Disease May 26-28, 2010 Lisbon, Portugal American Society for Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO) 56th Annual Conference May 27-29, 2010 Baltimore, United States 46th American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting June 4-8, 2010 Chicago, United States The First Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Scientific Symposium June 14, 2010 Los Angeles, United States 42nd Meeting of the European Pancreatic Club (EPC) June 16-19, 2010 Stockholm, Sweden International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting June 16-19, 2010 San Francisco, United States70th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association June 25-29, 2010 Orlando, United States 21st Meeting of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) June 26-29, 2010 Oslo, Norway United Kingdom National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) Third Annual Scientific Conference July 12-14, 2010 Nottingham, United Kingdom
2010 World Cancer Congress August 18-21, 2010 Shenzhen, China The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Meeting – Advancing the Life Sciences September 4-7, 2010 Barcelona, Spain The Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS) 2010 Scientific Meeting September 9-10, 2010 Oxford, United Kingdom Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2010 September 13-15, 2010 Philadelphia, United States Annual Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) World Congress September 19-23, 2010 Sydney, Australia 35th European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress October 8-12, 2010 Milan, Italy Fraunhofer Life Science Symposium 2010 October 29-30, 2010 Leipzig, Germany 2010 American Pancreatic Association (APA) Annual Meeting November 3-6, 2010 Chicago, United States Visit our events page to stay up to date with the latest events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.
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