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Johns Hopkins Scientists Out A Gene For Gout
Having partnered last year with an international team that surveyed the genomes of 12,000 individuals to find a genetic cause for gout, Johns Hopkins scientists now have shown that the malfunctioning gene they helped uncover can lead to high concentrations of blood urate that forms crystals in joint tissue, causing inflammation and pain - the hallmark of this disease.

Obama Pledges $73M To Zimbabwe
Following talks with Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at the White House Friday, President Obama pledged $73 million in aid to the country, AFP/Google.com reports (Carmichael, AFP/Google.com, 6/13). The U.S. aid, however "will not be going to the government directly because we continue to be concerned about consolidating democracy, human rights and rule of law," Obama said (Stolberg, New York Times, 6/13), but channeled through appropriate aid agencies (ZimOnline, 6/15).
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Discovery Of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation Factor
Neural stem cells represent the cellular backup of our brain. These cells are capable of self-renewal to form new stem cells or differentiate into neurons, astrocytes or oligodendrocytes. Astrocytes have supportive functions in the environment of neurons, while oligodendrocytes form the myelin layer around axons in order to accelerate neuronal signal transmission. But how does a neural stem cell "know" which way it is supposed to develop? On the molecular level receptors of the Notch family play a significant role in this process. So far, only stimulating extracellular ligands of Notch receptors had been described. Biochemists of Goethe University Medical School now describe a long time assumed but not yet identified soluble Notch inhibitor.
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Foresight Biotherapeutics Announces FST-100 Displays Robust Clinical Improvement In Adenoviral Conjunctivitis Model

Foresight Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced data from a pre-clinical study designed to assess the safety and efficacy of the topical administration of FST-100 in a highly regarded Ad5 NZW rabbit model of adenoviral conjunctivitis. FST-100 demonstrated a clinically and statistically significant reduction in signs of adenoviral conjunctivitis versus all other groups including the current experimental "gold standard", topical cidofovir. The study was conducted at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Health Science Center, LSU Eye Center in New Orleans, Louisiana by Professor James M. Hill and colleagues, in the Departments of Pharmacology, Microbiology, Ophthalmology and Neuroscience. The randomized controlled study was conducted in 40 eyes of 20 rabbits experimentally inoculated with human adenovirus type 5. The study was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of topically administered FST-100 compared to both active controls and to placebo. Animals were randomized 1:1:1:1 (5 rabbits per group) to FST-100, topical 0.5% cidofovir, Tobradex® (tobramycin/dexamethasone) ophthalmic suspension and placebo. Treatment began one day after viral inoculation and continued for 8 days. Eyes were scored daily for clinical parameters including conjunctival inflammation, fragility of ocular blood vessels, purulent discharge, eyelid inflammation, and excessive tearing. Daily viral titer data using a plaque reduction assay are currently undergoing analysis. The study concluded that FST-100 was superior to all other arms of the study. Dramatic clinical improvement was seen in some treated rabbits as early as 48 hours after the first dose of FST-100. Complete clinical resolution was observed in all FST-100 treated eyes. No other group reached complete clinical resolution. Specifically, treatment with cidofovir, Tobradex® or placebo resulted in injected and inflamed corneas, eyelid and conjunctival inflammation and injection with sub-conjunctival heme. Professor Hill commented, "This set of data using FST-100 in this very challenging animal model of adenoviral conjunctivitis is highly encouraging. Specifically, no other drug that I have tested has provided such dramatic clinical efficacy, indicating that further studies in human adenoviral conjunctivitis are certainly warranted." Foresight Biotherapeutics, Inc.


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