Novo Nordisk invests in the creation of a new R & D-center in China

Representatives of the company Novo Nordisk announced their intention to invest an additional $ 100 million. U.S. to build its R & D-center in Beijing.

The new building of the research center area of ​​12 thousand m2 will increase staff scientists from 130 to 200 and increase the scientific potential. This decision was made in the implementation of Novo Nordisk its core strategy, which is to provide opportunities for the entire spectrum of protein in China.

Mads Krogsgaard Thomson (Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen), executive vice president, said that China has a serious scientific study, and by investing in the creation of a new R & D-center, Novo Nordisk plans to use innovative approaches of Chinese scientists.

The current research center has made a significant contribution to the company's portfolio of research in the field of drugs for the treatment of diabetes and biopharmaceutical drugs used in other diseases.

Novo Nordisk was the first multinational corporation, opened a research center in China (1997). The current research center Novo Nordisk was founded in 2002 and over the years it has become one of the leaders in the field of molecular biology, protein chemistry and cell biology.

Those that were born before term pregnancies often occurs with complications

Prematurely born women have a higher risk of complications during their pregnancy. In addition, for women who were born before 32 weeks, the risk of complications almost doubled. This conclusion Canadian scientists, who published his findings in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Researchers in the past have assumed that complications during pregnancy is more common in women born with low birth weight, but so far there have been no studies with a proper number of participants and the correct view of the additional factors. Dr. Anne Monique Newt (Anne Monique Nuyt) from the University of Montreal (University of Montreal) in Quebec and colleagues turned to a database of Quebec newborns, which has been going on for decades. They selected data on 554 women who were born before 32 weeks of pregnancy from 1976 to 1995., 6851 women born between 32 and 36 weeks, and 16 thousand women who were born at term. All the participants of the study gave birth to at least one child between 1987 and 2008. The scientists analyzed the pregnancy each participant for the development of complications such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia).

After accounting for factors such as age and weight at onset of pregnancy, researchers found that during at least one pregnancy complications developed in 11.7 per cent of women born in the period from 13.2 per cent of women born between 32 and 36 weeks, and 19.9 percent of women born before 32 weeks. The risk of each of the above complications in women born before 32 weeks, significantly higher than the risk for women in the other groups: gestational diabetes - a 2.34 times higher hypertension - 1.56 times more likely, pre-eclampsia or eclampsia - 1, 79 times more often.

The scientists also found that prematurely born women for life in most developing hypertension (1.4 times faster), and type 2 diabetes (0.5 times faster). It is also interesting that these women are much more likely to have at least 12 years of education (44.6 percent versus 41.7 percent in the group born between 32 and 36 weeks and compared with 36 percent in the group born at term).

According to scientists, the mechanism of effect of premature birth on the long-term effects on women's health is not yet entirely clear. Apparently, in preterm infants impaired microcirculation and metabolism of insulin. In the future, this leads to the development of cardiometabolic complications in pregnancy. Scientists urge obstetricians sure to take into account whether a pregnant woman was born in time to be alert to possible complications.

These geneticists and archaeologists about the ancestors of man finally coincided

Previously, archaeologists can learn about the life of human ancestors only the bones, tools and implements, but from 1960 a stronger position in archeology began to take DNA studies. In-depth research geneticists sometimes offered their version of events other than the opinions of archaeologists. Now archaeologists and geneticists were finally able to get the same information about the study and confirm each other.

The situation changed with the Restatement genetics method for determining the frequency of mutations in DNA. This frequency - a sort of molecular "clocks" that allow us to calculate the exact age of the genetic type. The method is simple: the number of different nucleotides in the DNA of the two species shows how much time has passed since he was alive common ancestor of these species. To make the calculations as accurate as possible, geneticists need to know the rate at which changes in DNA nucleotides. Previous studies suggested that the rate of change of nucleotides - 1 mutation in one billion years. However, recent studies have shown that in human DNA nucleotide mutates every 1 time in 2 billion years, ie molecular "clock" actually work 2 times slower than previously thought.

Therefore geneticist Oylin Scully (Aylwyn Scally) and his colleagues at Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, UK, re-counted data obtained before the ancestors of man, based on a new rate change nucleotides. They studied DNA samples from bones belonging to Homo heidelbergensis, grandparent Neanderthals. According to archaeologists, the age is 400-600 thousand years, and that was when there was an offshoot of the ancestors of modern humans. Earlier Geneticists believe that this event occurred much earlier - 270-435 thousand years ago, but given the newly defined mutation rate of DNA, the researchers came to the conclusion that the separation occurred 600,000 years ago, which fully corresponds to archeologists.

Archaeologist Jeff Rose (Jeff Rose) from the University of Birmingham (University of Birmingham) confident that an agreement between the archaeologists and geneticists - a significant event. It will help to confirm many archaeologists received data. In particular, the earlier genetics estimate that the ancestors of Europeans and Asians left Africa 60,000 years ago, while archaeologists have dated this outcome 100,000 years. Recalculation of genetic data with the new speed of the molecular "clock" shows that this result did not occur 60 and 120 thousand years ago, which coincides with the opinion of archaeologists.


med-news-pro
medicine
medicine news
med news blogspot

Roche is recognized as the most sustainable company in the world in the health

Roche announced that it is the fourth consecutive year, recognized as the most sustainable company in the world in the health sector, according to the index of the Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI). World and European indices Dow Jones Sustainability (DJSI World and DJSI Europe) track leading indicators, in terms of sustainable development, the companies on the basis of best-in-class approach to environmental, social and economic criteria. Indexes serve as benchmarks for investors, who account for sustainable development in the formation of their portfolios.

"Rating Roche as the most sustainable company in the field of health is based on our ongoing effort to conduct business for the benefit of all stakeholders. Roche is actively tuned to this interaction with the public, patients and the public health system, which allows you to create long-term value for all "- said Severin Schwan (Severin Schwan), CEO of the Roche Group.

"In particular, we have set ourselves the goal of diversification and conservation, which are integrated into the system of material incentives for the company's management, which helps to implement our activities in these destinations. We are also launching new initiatives to expand access to our innovative medicines in emerging markets, to the greatest possible number of people were able to take advantage of our products. At the same time, we continue to remain a world leader in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, "- said Schwan.

This year, the DJSI assessment process were highlighted measures taken by Roche as a sustainable company. These include strategy Roche's innovation and personalized approach to medicine, which increases efficiency and improves health outcomes. Were also recognized for the development of programs Roche future leaders and human rights, and pilot programs to establish the company in developing a differential pricing in order to substantially increase access to medicines Roche.

In 2009, the company has set a number of corporate objectives, designed for five years, the progress in the attainment of which can be measured by key performance indicators. Roche has also set a goal to diversify in order to increase the percentage of women in key positions at least 50%, as well as the problem of increasing energy efficiency by reducing energy consumption by 10% by 2014 and to optimize the use of energy resources.

med-news-pro
medicine
medicine news
med news blogspot

Lack of sleep has a negative impact on the formation of new bone

Scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin (Medical College of Wisconsin), United States, found that rats that lack of sleep, there are pathologies of bone and bone marrow. In particular, slowing growth and the formation of new bone, and the bone marrow is reduced fat and doubled the number of precursor cells of platelets. Scientists suggest that similar changes may occur in humans. The results of this study are published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine.

A team led by professor of neurology, cell biology, neurobiology and anatomy Carol Everson (Carol Everson) studied the peculiarities of bone tissue in rats chronically enough sleep. They found that at a constant rate of absorption, ie, destruction of bone tissue, these rodents practically stops the formation and growth of new tissue, which leads to increased bone fragility and frequent fractures.

Moreover, scientists have noted changes in the bone marrow. The amount of fat in it has decreased dramatically, and the number of platelet precursor cells grown in 2 times. As a consequence of these changes will not only reduce the plasticity of the bone marrow, but also increased the concentration of platelets in the blood of rats. This, in turn, may increase the risk of thrombosis and even heart attack and stroke.

If the same processes can be observed with a lack of sleep in humans, it may partly explain why the elderly are prone to suffer "senile" insomnia, increased risk of osteoporosis and slow the growth of new bone. But scientists say that in today's society lack of sleep has become quite common for young people. Therefore, they need to consider the consequences of lack of sleep for your health and to review their busy schedules.

med-news-pro
medicine
medicine news
med news blogspot

Stem cell research in the United States will again have government funding

U.S. Court of Appeals recognized the legitimacy of public funding for research on embryonic stem cells. The decision had become final chord in the three-year struggle of the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health, NIH) with community organizations trying to ban the use of embryonic stem cells on ethical grounds.

"This is a real victory, and we are happy that the court has made this decision," - says Amy Comstock Rick (Amy Comstock Rick), lawyer, president of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, which supports stem cell research. However, some experts suggest that researchers early to celebrate. The fact that the three appeal judges differently justified rendered in favor of the NIH decision, so the plaintiffs a chance to re-review of the case.

The lawsuit was filed against the NIH in 2009, a month after President Barack Obama lifted restrictions imposed by George Bush on embryonic stem cell research. Some community organizations and individual scientists thought that the abolition of this restriction violates the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, which for the past 16 years, prohibits public funding "research in which embryos are destroyed." In August 2010, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the executive authorities violated the Dickey-Wicker Amendment and imposed a preliminary injunction, resulting in research funding was suspended. In April 2011, the Court of Appeal decided that Obama can use public money to fund embryonic stem cell research.

One of the three jurors, David Sentell (David Sentelle), respondents agreed with the statement, claiming that the actions do not violate the NIH Dickey-Wicker amendment, as their study "using stem cells already extracted embryos, and we are not talking about destroying them." The Court also took into account the statement of the plaintiffs that such studies "stimulate" the destruction of embryos. The other two judges agreed with the decision, but for different reasons. They believe that the court is limited to the interpretation of Dickey-Wicker Amendment in this case, and that the search for the right balance in matters of bioethics - this is not the task of the court. These differences allowed the plaintiffs a chance to a new review of the case

Renal denervation helps high blood pressure

Renal denervation reduces blood pressure and reduces the stiffness of blood vessels in hypertensive patients resistant to drug therapy. These are the conclusions of Dr. Claes Franzen (Klaas Franzen) of the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein) in Germany. They were presented at the Congress of the European Society of Cardiology (European Society of Cardiology) 2012.

Decades of malignant hypertension was treated by surgical operation - thoracolumbar splanhektomii (excision splanchnic nerves). It is kind of sympathectomy, proposed for the treatment of hypertension in 1938. "More than half of the patients after splanhektomii a marked decrease in blood pressure, - says Franzén. - However, this method of treatment there were serious side effects - orthostatic hypotension, anhidrosis (lack of sweating) and violation of the intestine. After creating a number of effective antihypertensive drugs splanhektomiya gone down in history, and for a long time, no one thought of this method. "

In 2009, the concept of sympathectomy was slightly reorganized, resulting in the technique such as percutaneous intravazalnaya renal sympathetic denervation with a catheter (renal denervation). The method is well established for the treatment of patients with malignant hypertension, are not susceptible to the drugs. Recent studies have shown that within 6 months after renal denervation reduces systolic blood pressure by an average of 32, and diastolic - 12 mm Hg. Art. Since the method is non-invasive, it compares favorably with previous techniques splanhektomii, it had a much smaller number of side effects and a shorter recovery time patient.

In a study conducted by Dr. Frantsenom participated 21 patients with hypertension, the drug resistance (13 men and 8 women, mean age - 64 years). All participants at baseline systolic blood pressure greater than 150 mm Hg. Art. Each patient underwent renal denervation. In general, the systolic blood pressure of all participants decreased by 7,6-9,5 mm Hg. Art. 3 months after surgery and another 5,4-6,6 mm Hg. Art. after six months.

Furthermore, renal denervation improved hemodynamics and condition of the walls of blood vessels. During prolonged hypertension develops stiffness of the vascular wall, and the arteries lose their elasticity. Because of this increased pulse wave velocity. The results showed that all patients who underwent renal denervation, pulse wave velocity decreased by an average of 1 m / s at 3 months or more at 1 m / s - six months after the operation.

Med-NEws Medicine
Med-NEws Medicine blogspot