STRATCOM Research News

The following is a review of diagnostics related medical research worldwide

The information is updated the first week of every month - so ... make this a regular stop in your information gathering activities.

The following information has been compiled from publicly available Sources, StratCom does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or the authenticity of the information and StratCom cannot be held liable for errors.

Research News for November 1999

Studies in mice, performed at the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, suggest that a specific enzyme, called glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) linked to rheumatoid arthritis is found throughout the body -- not just in the joints. Researchers say that the finding could lead to better understanding and treatment of the debilitating joint disorder.
Source: Science, November 26, 1999

Scientists at Children's Hospital, Boston, have reported that they have successfully grown heart valves from cells using a new bioabsorbable scaffold. The research holds promise as an alternative treatment to the use of mechanical and animal valves that are currently used in heart valve replacement surgeries. The valves were grown in an heart valve bioreactor and show a close resemblance to native ones, and continued to grow and function after being transplanted into sheep. After 8-12 weeks the entire bioabsorbable scaffold was reported to have been resorbed and replaced with healthy cardiovascular tissue.

Pathobiotek Diagnostics Inc. and scientists at MRL Pharmaceutical Services have confirmed the existence of a bloodborne bacterium discovered by Pathobiotek scientists. Pathobiotek gave the organism the working name of "Luey". According to Dr. Richard Porschen, Director, MRL Inc. "We cultured Lueys from the sera of numerous individuals." MRL also performed PCR and DNA sequence analysis for the detection and identification of Lueys from samples.

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research Campaign Institute, Cambridge, UK, are developing a urine-based assay that detects Mcm5, a minichromosome maintenance protein associated with DNA replication. The test may have potential as a noninvasive diagnostic test for urothelial cancers and other cancers, as well. The protein is produced during DNA replication and so may be a good marker for urothelial cancer cells, which replicate at higher rates than normal urothelial cells. The assay detected Mcm5 in duplicate urine samples from seven of eight patients with urothelial cancers and in one of two duplicate samples from the eighth patient, according to a report in the October 30, 1999 issue of The Lancet.

The following is a review of diagnostics related medical research worldwide

Research News for November 1999

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Send mail to stratcom@pagebleu.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Concept and Design Blue Page Productions
Copyright © 1996-1999 STRATCOM
Last modified: December 1, 1999