Zeroing in on heart disease

Innovative strategy pinpoints genes underlying cardiovascular disease risk

2013-03-01

(Press-News.org) Studies screening the genome of hundreds of thousands of individuals (known as Genome-wide association studies or GWAS) have linked more than 100 regions in the genome to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Heidelberg, through the joint Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), are taking these results one step further by pinpointing the exact genes that could have a role in the onset of the disease. Their findings are published today in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Genetics.

The scientists used a technology called "RNA interference" that can selectively decrease the level of expression of targeted genes. By observing what changes, if any, this decrease causes in cells, researchers can identify the function of the genes and, on a larger scale, objectively test the function of many genes in parallel.

Cholesterol levels in the blood are one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They are controlled by the amount of cholesterol that cells can take in - thus removing it from the blood - and metabolise. The researchers used RNA interference to test the function of each of the genes within 56 regions previously identified by GWAS as being linked with cardiovascular disease. They selectively decreased their action and measured what, if any, changes this induced in cholesterol metabolism. From this they could deduce which of the genes are most likely to be involved in the onset of the disease.

"This is the first wide–scale RNA interference study that follows up on GWAS. It has proven its potential by narrowing down a large list of candidate genes to the few with an important function that we can now focus on in future in-depth studies," explains Rainer Pepperkok at EMBL, who co-led the study with Heiko Runz at the University of Heidelberg.

"In principle, our approach can be applied to any disease that has an observable effect on cells", adds Heiko Runz. "The genes identified here may further our understanding of the mechanisms leading to cardiovascular disease and allow us to improve its prediction and diagnosis".

### END

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

New marine species discovered in Pacific Ocean

2013-03-01

HOLLYWOOD Fla. — When Jim Thomas and his global team of researchers returned to the Madang Lagoon in Papua New Guinea, they discovered a treasure trove of new species unknown to science. This is especially relevant as the research team consisted of scientists who had conducted a previous survey in the 1990s. "In the Madang Lagoon, we went a half mile out off the leading edge of the active Australian Plate and were in 6,000 meters of water," said Thomas, Ph.D., a researcher at Nova Southeastern University's National Coral Reef Institute in Hollywood, Fla. "It was ...

BPA raises risk for childhood asthma

2013-03-01

Researchers at the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health are the first to report an association between early childhood exposure to the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and an elevated risk for asthma in young children. BPA is a component of some plastics and is found in food can liners and store receipts. Results appear in the March edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. "Asthma prevalence has increased dramatically over the past 30 years, which suggests that some as-yet-undiscovered environmental exposures ...

Pharmaceutical companies: An $84 million marketing effort in the District of Columbia

2013-03-01

Washington, D.C.—Drug companies spent nearly $84 million marketing pharmaceuticals in the District of Columbia in 2011, including an outlay of nearly $19 million for gifts given to physicians, hospitals and other health care providers, according to a report by researchers at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS). The report notes that 12 physicians in the District received gifts (including consulting payments) that totaled more than $100,000 apiece that one year alone. "There is nothing inherently wrong with such gifts," ...

Cancer doesn't change young girls' desire to have children, Moffitt Cancer Center study shows

2013-03-01

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues have found that healthy adolescent females have predetermined expectations for becoming parents in the future, but have concerns about fertility and childbearing should they develop a life-threatening illness, such as cancer. The study appeared in the February issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health. According to the researchers, this study helped further validate a tool that seeks to understand teenage girls' hopes and feelings about reproduction, especially when fertility is threatened by cancer. The participants ...

Mother Teresa: Anything but a saint…

2013-03-01

The myth of altruism and generosity surrounding Mother Teresa is dispelled in a paper by Serge Larivée and Genevieve Chenard of University of Montreal's Department of Psychoeducation and Carole Sénéchal of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Education. The paper will be published in the March issue of the journal Studies in Religion/Sciences religieuses and is an analysis of the published writings about Mother Teresa. Like the journalist and author Christopher Hitchens, who is amply quoted in their analysis, the researchers conclude that her hallowed image—which does ...

Credit card debt expected to rise in 2013

2013-03-01

Credit card debt expected to rise in 2013 Article provided by The Law Office of Lauren Clark, L.L.C. Visit us at http://www.laurenclarklaw.com During the recent recession, many Americans imposed austerity measures on themselves. As a result, credit card debt declined. However, recent data indicates that many have become comfortable taking on more debt. According to a report issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, credit card debt rose by $2 billion in the third quarter of 2012, even as the total debt held by Americans dropped by $74 billion. Data from ...

Bankruptcy may be an option that can help you get out of debt

2013-03-01

Bankruptcy may be an option that can help you get out of debt Article provided by The Law Offices of William D. Black Visit us at http://www.billblacklaw.com Many Arizona residents who feel overwhelmed by debt are reluctant to file for bankruptcy. However, bankruptcy might be the best way out of a difficult financial situation, leaving a debtor in a position to make a new start. Many opt for bankruptcy Bankruptcy was a route taken by over 1.2 million Americans in 2012, according to the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts. In Arizona, 28,514 bankruptcies were filed in 2012, ...

Lax oversight of oil and gas sites leaves workers and neighbors at risk

2013-03-01

Lax oversight of oil and gas sites leaves workers and neighbors at risk Article provided by Gilde Law Firm Visit us at http://www.gildelawfirm.com A report from ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization, highlights the danger presented by the network of oil and gas pipelines across the U.S. and under-supervised frackingsites. It appears there are simply not enough regulators to thoroughly inspect oil and gas operation sites, exacerbating the risk of harmful explosions and other dangers associated with oil and gas production. According to statistics ...

Wisconsin owners must pay when dogs cause harm

2013-03-01

Wisconsin owners must pay when dogs cause harm Article provided by The Law Offices of John V. O'Connor, LLC Visit us at http://www.jvoconnor.com/ Many Wisconsin residents have found pets to be lovable creatures and a great joy to their owners. Unfortunately, cats and dogs have a down side. Whether defending their territory, acting out of self-protection or for some other reason, these animals may bite, and the resulting injuries can be severe. Bites are serious A recent incident made headlines in a Midwest city, when a dog got loose from the two young boys ...

Does the Fourth Amendment permit DNA collection from arrestees?

2013-03-01

Does the Fourth Amendment permit DNA collection from arrestees? Article provided by The Davis Law Firm, LLC Visit us at http://www.davisfirmllc.com A case that is currently before the United States Supreme Court could potentially affect New Jersey's law regarding the collection of DNA evidence. Specifically, the case questions whether the Fourth Amendment allows states to collect and analyze DNA from people arrested and charged with serious crimes. According to South Jersey Times, approximately 25 states and the federal government have passed laws that require ...

Against the odds: Endometriosis linked to four times higher pregnancy rates than other causes of infertility, new study reveals

New insights into the clinical impact of IKBKG mutations: Understanding the mechanisms behind rare immunodeficiency syndromes

Aston University research: Parents should encourage structure and independence around food to support children’s healthy eating

Thunderstorms are a major driver of tree death in tropical forests

[Press-News.org] Zeroing in on heart disease
Innovative strategy pinpoints genes underlying cardiovascular disease risk

Zeroing in on heart disease

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: