Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) have identified genetic links to kidney disease and kidney failure.


The scientists have described their research in two presentations at this week's 70th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes
Association, June 25-29, in Orlando, Florida.


One presentation describes a DNA study of American Indians in Arizona, in which the research tea, discovered a genetic biomarker with a significant association to kidney failure.

The study showed "the strongest evidence" for association with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, in marker rs13315275, and also found evidence of some lesser associations between ESRD and four other markers.

"This study could someday lead to better treatment options for those patients suffering from diabetic kidney disease. We are conducting ongoing studies to further investigate these markers, and potentially what they might mean for the development of new therapeutics," said Dr. Johanna DiStefano, Director of TGen's Diabetes, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases Division, and lead author of the study's abstract.

All five biomarkers are genetic variants of the gene SUCNR1, which is located in a chromosomal region of the human genome identified as 3q24-q27. This region has been linked to diabetic nephropathy (DM), or diabetic kidney disease, in previous studies.

SUCNR1 is a receptor gene that acts on succinate in the kidneys to mediate the rennin-angiotensin system (RAS), a hormone system that helps control the body's blood pressure and fluid balance. High blood pressure can damage the heart, kidneys and exacerbate the harmful effects of diabetes.

Past studies have shown that diabetes is relatively high among Arizona's Native American communities.

In another TGen study, researchers initiated an investigation into the ways that the PVT1 gene impacts development of diabetic kidney disease.

Previous studies have shown an association between PVT1 and kidney failure in patients with diabetes, both autoimmune (type 1) and that most commonly caused by excessive weight, poor diet and lack of exercise (type 2).

In the new study, researchers found that PVT1 was expressed in mesangial cells, which are specialized cells around blood vessels in the kidneys, at a rate up to five times higher in conditions of high glucose (high blood sugar), compared to normal glucose levels. High blood sugar is a signature symptom of diabetes.

Until now all attempts to develop a male pill have failed with scientists working on a contraceptive jab for men given by doctors.

But researchers in Israel have finally been able to create a oral pill that deactivates sperm before they reach the womb.

And theyve developed a version that means it only needs to be to be taken once every three months.

The breakthrough pill could be available in as little as three years, according to the scientist behind the discovery.

Unlike the jab form of the male pill it doesnt use a combination of the male hormone testosterone and the female hormone progesterone to block pregnancy.

The scientist behind the male pill discovery has developed a tablet that removes a vital protein in sperm that is required for a woman to conceive.

So while sperm still get through to the uterus they are unable to fertilise an egg.

Using this approach, researchers believe they have a pill that is 100 pc effective at stopping pregnancy.

Not only is it long lasting but it also has other pluses. There are no side effects as suffered by women who take the contraceptive pill.

Men on the male equivalent hormone jabs, which are still undergoing trials report feelings of moodiness, depression and loss of sex drive.

Professor of Haim Breitbart of Israel's Bar-Ilan University, who has helped develop the pill said: Men dont cope well with side effects and having side effects would probably put many off wanting to take a pill. Weve had none of those problems with our pill.

What we found is that by treating the mice with our molecule we can get sterility for a long period of time -in the lower dose, about one month, and in the higher dose we found three months of sterility.

The mice behaved nicely, They ate and had sex. All I can say is that we couldn't see any behavioural side-effects - all their sex behaviour was retained, which is a very important consideration for men. Human trials of the pill are due to start next year.

A big drawback against men being in control of fertility is the fear they would forget to take a pill.

Polls have repeatedly shown wives and partners do not trust their men to remember to pop a pill every day.

But now that problem has been solved. The new pill can be taken either once a month or once every three months.

Professor Breitbart said: "I think most women would trust their man to remember once a month or once a quarter.

Breitbarts pill jams the sperm's chemical machinery that allows it to create a pregnancy. So while the sperm reaches the womb it dies away unable to fertilise the egg.

He said: We looked at a number of compounds that have no effect on male sex drive, but succeed in impairing the reproductive ability of the sperm.

Researchers have found that a substance found in grapes and other fruits could protect blood vessels in the eye being damaged by old age.

It is effective because the compound, known as resveratrol, stops the blood vessels from being damaged.

The substance, which has been linked to anti-ageing and cancer protection in the past, is believed to work because it protects against abnormal angiogenesis - the formation of damaged or mutated blood vessels.

This condition is linked to cancer, heart disease and eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.

Dr Rajendra Apte, who carried out the research at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, said the study should have a "substantial impact" on our understanding of how resveratrol works.

He said it was able to "demonstrate that resveratrol, a naturally occurring compound, can directly inhibit the development of abnormal blood vessels both within and outside the eye".

This he said could lead to new treatments.

Resveratrol is a natural compound that is produced in a variety of plants to prevent bacterial and fungal infections.

It is found in particularly high levels in grape skin (and consequently red wine), and at lower levels in blueberries, peanuts, and other plants.

Various studies have shown that resveratrol can decrease the effects of ageing and act as an anti-cancer agent.

Red wine has also received a lot of attention lately for its purported health benefits.

Along with reducing stroke, moderate wine consumption has been linked to a lowered incidence of cardiovascular disease - the so-called French paradox.

Despite diets high in butter, cheese and other saturated fats, the French have a relatively low incidence of cardiovascular disease, which some have attributed to the regular drinking of red wine.

This study published in The American Journal of Pathology shows why this works.

Scientists have developed a "one -size-fits-all" jab to cure allergies, including hay fever and asthma, which they claim would be available in the market in just four years' time.

A team, which developed the jab, claims the injection would be the "holy grail" of vaccines as a single dose would protect against a number of allergies and ward off reactions to cat fur, dust and peanuts.

Dr. Wolfgang Renner, from Cytos Biotechnology, which developed the jab, said, "We think it is a one-size-fits-all mechanism. We are very excited about it."

Recent trials showed the jab was as effective as taking steroids when used to fight asthma. It found that when comparing 63 asthma sufferers who were given the jab or a fake drug over two or three months, the new vaccine slashed asthma attacks by a third, the 'Daily Express' reported.

In another trial, the drug - CYT003-QbG10 - was given as a jab once a week for six weeks. The scientists found this cut runny noses and weepy eyes - symptoms caused by an allergic reaction to house dust mites and reliance on other medicines -- by 39 per cent.

The jab also boosted quality of life by 42 per cent, according to Dr. Renner who said larger trials could start next year and the vaccine could be on sale within four years.

Experts have welcomed the jab.

An Allergy UK spokesman said, "It does sound a very promising treatment, giving hope for those with severe asthma/allergy symptoms for whom the usual treatments aren't enough but there is still a long way to go before it will be available."

Leanne Metcalfe, director of research for Asthma UK, added, "We are excited about the potential of this vaccine to make a real difference."

Getting more Sunlight is an ultimate source of vitamin D into the body that reduces the risk of respiratory illness like common cold or influenza, says a new study.


The study conducted by researchers at the Yale University claims that people who are more exposed to Sun never lack vitamin D and the chances are less to fall in respiratory ailments or influenza.


The research led by Dr. Sabetta was conducted on 198 healthy adults monitoring their vitamin D levels for about six months. The study found that 18 people with high level of vitamin D are developing less flu-like symptoms during winter season. Whereas the rest of the people are falling sick frequently having low level of Vitamin D.


The study concluded with a finding that the risk of allergy also reduced 50 percent having vitamin D level of 38. Thus, sunlight is the best source of getting Vitamin D into body, the study suggests.