Body

NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 3, 2010) – Researchers have confirmed a suspected link between pancreatic cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, while other science shows that intra-abdominal fat serves as a predictor of survival in pancreatic cancer patients, and new technology shows promising results for improvements in complicated surgery for pancreatic pseudocysts. These are among the studies being presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW®) 2010.

A team of international researchers has identified 20 genes associated with osteoporosis and bone weakness, including 13 genes never previously associated with the disease. Osteoporosis is a highly heritable trait, but this marks the largest international effort to conclusively identify genes linked to the often-devastating bone disorder.

Ku70, a component of the DNA repair complex, is shown to be a new critical player in the DNA damage-linked pathologies of Huntington's disease (HD), according to a study in the May 3 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology (www.jcb.org).

Increases in opioid prescriptions, leading to increased misuse, serious injuries, and overdose deaths have spurred Canadian colleges of physicians and surgeons to create a new guideline for opioid use with chronic non-cancer pain, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) (pre-embargo link only) http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj100187.pdf.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Obesity, a condition linked to heart disease and diabetes, now appears to be associated with another health problem, but one that affects men only -- low testosterone levels.

Results of a study published online ahead of print in the journal Diabetes Care, conducted by University at Buffalo endocrinologists, showed that 40 percent of obese participants involved in the Hypogonadism in Males (HIM) study had lower-than-normal testosterone readings.

One in two women in the United States will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in her lifetime (1). However, according to a review article published in the May 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), only a few of these women will be tested and treated for osteoporosis, which if identified and treated, could dramatically decrease their risk of future fractures.

Disabled children are at great risk of developing obesity. In the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, Thomas Reinehr and his colleagues from Witten/Herdecke University describe possible ways to prevent or treat this problem (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107(15): 268-75).

NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 3, 2010) – High protein intake may be associated with increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease, while fatty acids found in olive, peanut and grapeseed oils may protect against the development of ulcerative colitis, according to new data being presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW®) 2010. DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the field of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

OTTAWA, ON – MAY 2010 -- New research shows Inuit populations in the Canadian Arctic have asthma rates far below Aboriginal people in other parts of Canada, especially those in urban centres.

The study, published recently in the International Journal of Circumpolar Health, says reported cases of asthma in Inuit children was 5%, compared to 12% for all other Aboriginal groups. In Inuit adults, 5.4% of respondents had been diagnosed with asthma, compared to the national average of 11%.

An international consortium of scientists, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University has identified two genes that when altered are closely associated with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the world's most common congenital malformations and occur in one in every 700 births. The finding is the result of the largest family-based, genome-wide study of cleft lip and/or cleft palate conducted to date. The results were published online by the journal Nature Genetics.

Anaheim, Calif. (April 30, 2010) – Measures of reproductive and thyroid hormone levels remained within normal limits in healthy adult Japanese men who took either of two doses of a supplement of SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol, a novel soy germ-based ingredient under development for the management of prostate health, according to a new placebo-controlled study. In addition, measures of the men's prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were within normal limits. These peer-reviewed safety data were presented at the Experimental Biology (EB) 2010 annual meeting.

Puberty that arrives earlier or later in adolescent boys relative to their peers can trigger chemicals that are related to antisocial behavior, according to researchers, whose findings have key implications for parents with aggressive boys.

Two Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are part of an international team that has found a way to boost the nutritional value of corn. This has the potential to reduce the number of children in developing countries who lose their eyesight, become ill or die each year because of vitamin A deficiencies.

The use of statins – drugs commonly prescribed to help lower cholesterol levels – may play an important role in decreasing complications among patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR), according to a study published in the May 2010 issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS).