Over 1000 Human Genomes Sequenced In Record Breaking Project

A multinational team of scientists reports that they have successfully sequenced 1,092 human genomes from individuals across the globe.

Their new study is the first to break the “1,000 genomes barrier.”

The researchers say the feat is a collegial effort to equip biologists and physicians with information that can be used to understand the normal range of human genetic variants so a patient’s diseased genome can be interpreted in a broader context.

“The DNA donors in the study were not known to have any diseases, so the study gives us the genomic background we need for understanding which genetic variations are ‘within the normal range,’” said Aravinda Chakravarti, Ph.D., professor of medicine and pediatrics and a member of the Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in a prepared statement. “With this tool, scientists now have a standard with which they can compare the genome of someone with diabetes, for example.”

Chakravarti said this feat will increase opportunities for understanding a patient’s disease and creating targeted, individualized treatment.

The international group of researchers sampled individuals from 14 different populations and sequenced their full genomes. The sample was based on their ancient migratory history and their genetic relationship to the other populations studied.

Within each population, healthy, unrelated donors were randomly chosen for blood draws. The samples were first transformed into cell lines that can be stored and grown indefinitely so that they will always be available for future studies.

The first human genome to be sequenced made clear that as much as 98.5 percent of human genetic material does not encode proteins as previously thought.

Scientists now know the role of some of the non-protein-coding regions, and that there is reason to suspect that at least some of it plays a role in various disease susceptibility and prevalence.

“The 1000 Genomes Project started at the beginning, with the whole genome and with no bias in the search for disease-related variants toward protein-coding genes,” Chakravarti said. “Regulatory sequences and sequences we still don’t understand were also catalogued, so this information widens the areas of the genome we can search when looking for disease-causing variants.”

The genetic variations the researchers found in the populations analyzed were categorized by how frequently they appeared in the individuals tested. The variants seen in more than five percent of the samples were classified as common. Samples below that were considered of low-frequency, or rare.

The 14 populations sampled included groups from Europe, Africa, East Asia and America. Most of the common variants had already been identified in previous studies and their frequencies varies little between ancestry groups.

The researchers found that among rare variants, the healthy people in their study possessed as many as 130 to 400 protein-altering variants, and 10 to 20 variants that destroy the function of the proteins they encode.

In the healthy people, they also found two to five variants that damage protein function, and one or two variants associated with cancer.

Chakravarti said that several factors allow people to survive with so many errors in our genome, including one that genes occur in pairs, but our bodies require one normal copy to work.

Another error is that a “redundant” gene elsewhere in the genome can sometimes compensate for a specific deficiency. Also, some deleterious genes are only turned on in response to certain environmental cues that a particular individual may never encounter.

“We are all walking natural experiments; some of our genes are switched off, some are active, whilst others are overactive,” said Professor Gil McVean of Oxford University, the lead author for the study. “Our research has found that each apparently healthy person carries hundreds of rare variants of genes that have a significant impact on how genes work, and a handful (from two to five) of rare changes that have been identified as contributing to disease in other people.”

The study was designed so that researchers have access to living cells from all the individuals whose genomes have been sequenced. Scientists can now study how differences in the biology of these cells correlate with genetic differences.

“There are variations that jump out from the data as looking ‘a bit bad for you’, for example mutations in regions that regulate genes are likely to be ‘bad news’ — possibly doing something dramatic to how cells behave,” said Dr Richard Durbin from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, co-chair of the 1000 Genomes Project. “Using our data you can now look to see if natural selection has been getting rid of such mutations — giving you a clue as to how harmful these variants might be.”

The team’s work is already being used to screen for cancer genome mutations that might identify therapeutic pathways. It is also being used to interpret the genomes of children with developmental disorders.

“Our research shows that you can take localism much further: for example, even just within the UK, Orkney islanders will have different variations from mainlanders, and will be different again from those from other nearby islands,” McVean added. “In the future we would like to reach the scale of having a grid of individuals giving us a different genome every couple of square kilometers but there is a long way to go before we can make this a reality.”

Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust remarked that it is remarkable we have gone from completion of the first human genome sequence in 2003, to sequencing more than 1,000 in less than a decade.

“This study is an important contribution to our understanding of human genetic variation in health and disease and the DNA sequences are freely available for analysis and use by researchers,” Walport said.

The next phase of the project will include as many as 3,000 individuals, according to Dr. Fuli Yu, assistant professor in the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center.

“The impact of this project will be huge,” said Yu. “Here we have information on nearly 1,100 people, including their rare and common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) along with insertions and deletions of the genetic material and large structural variations in the DNA itself.”

The researchers reported their findings in the journal Nature.

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Elevated Carcinogen Levels In 87 %Of California Daycare Centers

Nearly nine out of every 10 day care centers analyzed in a new University of California, Berkeley survey contained elevated levels of formaldehyde or other types of contaminants.

The study, which was funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and is the first detailed analysis of environmental contaminants and exposures for California day care centers, looked at 40 child care facilities in Alameda and Monterey counties, UC Berkeley Media Relations official Sarah Yang reported Thursday.

It discovered that 35 of them (87.5%) had chemicals and other pollutants that exceeded state health guidelines, including formaldehyde levels above California’s safe-exposure guidelines of 9 micrograms per cubic meters over an eight hour period.

Formaldehyde is listed as a carcinogen under the state’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 and is also a known respiratory irritant, Yang said. It is “commonly found in the glues used in pressboard furniture and laminated wood,” as well as “in many paint, clothing and cosmetic products” and in emissions originating from “combustion sources such as wood burning and gas stoves,” she added.

“Children are more vulnerable to the health effects of environmental contaminants, and many small children spend as much as 10 hours per day, five days a week, in child care centers,” Asa Bradman, lead author of the study and the associate director of the UC Berkeley Center for Environmental Research and Children´s Health (CERCH), said. “We wanted to establish the baseline levels of environmental exposures in these early child care settings, and to provide information that could be used for any necessary policy changes.”

The 40 facilities studied by UC Berkeley and the CARB serviced more than 1,700 children in both rural and urban areas, Yang explained. Bradman and colleagues collected dust samples from both the air and the floor while the children were in attendance at the centers, and tested those samples for a variety of chemicals and other substances, including fine particulates that can be inhaled into a person’s lungs.

“These findings show that cleaning and sanitizing products impact air quality in child care settings,” Victoria Leonard, who was not involved in the research but works as a scientist at the UC San Francisco Institute for Health and Aging and the head of an initiative to promote healthier product choices in child care, told Yang. ”Given that many young children have asthma or other respiratory problems, this study offers strong evidence to select safer cleaning products that have less volatile chemicals.”

“In some centers, levels of ultrafine particles increased by up to a thousandfold when cooking appliances were turned on,” Yang explained. “And since formaldehyde can also be emitted from gas stoves, the study authors advised using a range hood and fan when cooking to reduce particle and formaldehyde levels.”

Other substances detected by the investigators included phthalates (found in plastics), flame retardants, pesticides and perfluorinated compounds (found in Teflon and stain resistant carpets), she added.

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The secrets to reduce painful inflammation

Growing awareness about the causes and effects of inflammation has raised the dietary consciousness of many.  It’s been implicated as the culprit behind everything from acne to swollen joints, and even cancer and heart disease.  You can’t develop immunity to inflammation; there’s no vaccine. But there are ways to protect you.

Recommended diet and lifestyle changes to control inflammation include foods that are high in anti-oxidants:

  • fresh fruits and vegetables
  • fatty fish — rich in essential fatty acids; and
  • Whole grains, like rice and oatmeal that are unprocessed, low in refined carbohydrates and without sugar.

Exercise is high on the list of life-style improvements that ease inflammation. The ideal amount is Not too much (which raises inflammation), but not too little. Target five days a week of steady exercise (brisk walking, swimming, biking) for 30 to 45 minutes.

A good night’s sleep is another important factor. Research shows that not enough sleep (less than six hours), or too much (more than eight hours) results in more inflammation. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that most adults need between seven and eight hours of quality sleep a night.

Although symptoms can appear quickly, inflammatory conditions develop over time.  In addition to upgrading your diet and exercise habits – adding recommended supplements can speed recovery and help protect against further damage.

One such supplement currently available is Nopalea, an all-natural formula derived from the Nopal cactus, or prickly pear, which has been used since ancient times for food and medicinal purposes.

Recent scientific research shows that the Nopal cactus is suggested to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to rare and powerful nutrients called betalains.  There are 24 known betalains in nature; some are found in beets and rainbow swiss chard, but Nopal cactus fruit is thought to contain the most concentrated amounts.

Now available for a free trial, Nopalea is a delicious, sugar and preservative-free anti-inflammatory wellness drink rich in betalains sourced from the Nopal.  It’s reported to have a variety of health benefits: Everything from reduced aches and pains to improvement in breathing and skin conditions.

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Too Much Sugar Is Bad For Your Brain

People with higher blood sugar levels may be more likely to have memory problems.

That’s according to a new study of older adults who did not have diabetes.

German researchers found those with high blood sugar levels had lower scores on memory tests.

Dr. Dana Jane Saltzman works at Midtown Health and Wellness.

“people that had elevated blood sugars had worse memory, had worse retention of words that they gave them over a 30 minute period,” she says.

People in the study with higher blood sugar levels also had less volume in the area of the brain that’s important for memory.

Some studies show type 2 diabetes may increase the risk for dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease.

Researchers say the findings suggest lowering blood sugar could be a way to prevent memory problems, even in people with normal blood sugar.

Dr. Saltzman says a healthy lifestyle is key for keeping blood sugar levels down.

“Exercise is absolutely fundamental 9:48:57 in conjunction with that to eat a good diet.”

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Over 100,000 ready-to-eat products have contamination

More than 100,000 cases of refrigerated ready-to-eat foods have been recalled by Reser’s Fine Foods over concerns of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, Food Safety News reported.

The problem was detected after tests were conducted by both the Canadian Food Inspection agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration. As of now, no illnesses related to the recall have been reported.

The items recalled were sold in retail and food service establishments in both the U.S. and Canada, Food Safety News reported.

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3-year-old : hear his father’s voice after implant

Five months have gone by since the operation that allowed 3-year-old Grayson Clamp, born deaf; hear the voice of his father for the first time. While progress has been made, with Grayson spontaneously saying a few words, it appears he still has a lot of catching up to do. Dr. Jon LaPook reports.

For More visit video at: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50157746n

Ranbaxy gets nod to sell malaria drug ‘SynriamTM’ in India

Drug major Ranbaxy Laboratories today said it has received Indian drug regulator’s approval to market SynriamTM for treating malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax parasite. The company has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to manufacture and market SynriamTM in India for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in adults caused by Plasmodium vivax parasite, Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd said in a statement. Last year, the Gurgaon-based firm had launched SynriamTM for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in India.

“Phase III clinical trials for the drug, conducted in India successfully demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of Synriam as comparable to chloroquine,” the company added. “

The company has also received permission to conduct phase III clinical trials for the paediatric formulation in paediatric patients of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, it said.

“This approval makes SynriamTM one of the few therapies in the world that successfully treats both, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria,” Ranbaxy CEO and Managing Director Arun Sawhney said.

Ranbaxy is working to make this new treatment available in African, Asian and South American markets where malaria is rampant, he added.

“The company has filed New Drug Applications (NDAs) for marketing SynriamTM in some African countries and will be filing more applications during the year. Once approved, the product will be launched in these markets,” Sawhney said.

According to the World Malaria Report 2012 published by WHO, India witnesses about 13 lakh confirmed cases of malaria each year, about 50 per cent of which are caused by Plasmodium vivax, the second most important species after Plasmodium falciparum.

Shares of Ranbaxy were trading at Rs 402.40 on the BSE in afternoon trade, up 2.93 per cent from its previous close.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/business/ranbaxy-gets-nod-to-sell-malaria-drug-synriamtm-in-india-1184277.html?utm_source=ref_article

Slim Down With Yoga

Lose stubborn fat and tone up all over with this fast, easy plan

Yoga is a known stress buster, but it’s also one of the most effective workouts for fighting stubborn fat stores, especially the ones that crop up after age 40.

Yes, you can use yoga for weight loss. The reason: Studies show that yoga lowers levels of stress hormones and increases insulin sensitivity—a signal to your body to burn food as fuel rather than store it as fat. The following yoga poses for weight loss will do just that while firming up your arms, legs, butt, and abs. Start now to see weight loss results in as little as 3 weeks.

What you need: A yoga mat or carpeted space
How to do it: Follow this routine at least 3 times a week, holding each move 1 time for 3 to 5 deep breaths, unless otherwise noted. Start with the Main Move for each exercise. If it’s too difficult, do the Make It Easier variation. If it’s not challenging enough, try the Make It Harder option. For faster results: Hold each pose for 5 to 8 breaths and increase repetitions (where noted) by 2 or 3. (Don’t forget to pair it with these 5 One-Minute Weight Loss Secretsfor even better results!)
MAIN MOVE: Crescent [Firms abs, hips, and thighs]
Stand with feet together, toes forward, and arms at sides. Inhale and raise arms overhead, reaching fingertips toward ceiling. Exhale, and bend forward from hips, bringing hands to floor (it’s okay to bend knees). Inhale, and as you exhale, step right leg back into a lunge (left knee bent about 90 degrees, knee over ankle; right leg extended and on ball of foot). Inhale and raise arms overhead; gaze forward. Hold, then return to standing and repeat, stepping left leg back.
Make it Harder: From end position, inhale and arch torso, arms, and head backward, gazing at fingertips.
Make it Easier: Lower right knee to touch floor as you step back into a lunge, and rest hands on left thigh.

MAIN MOVE: Willow [Firms sides of abs]

Stand with feet together, arms at sides. Place sole of left foot on inside of right thigh, knee bent to side. Touch palms in front of chest for 2 breaths. On third inhale, extend arms up, fingertips toward ceiling. Exhale, and on the inhale, bend torso to left. Inhale and straighten. Repeat 3 to 5 times, pressing foot into thigh; switch sides.

Make it Easier: Keep left foot on calf or touch toes to floor for balance.
Make it Harder: Close eyes as you balance and bend.

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Contact lens discomfort may soon be history

Vision researchers and eye care professionals are working on defining and managing the causes of contact lens discomfort (CLD) which is the leading cause of patient dissatisfaction with, and discontinuation of, contact lens wear throughout the world.

Jason J. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, Professor at the University Of Houston College Of Optometry, said up to half of all contact lens wearers experience CLD, but, there is no global consensus concerning the definition, classification, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and the proper design of clinical studies for CLD.

To lay the groundwork for defining and treating this widespread issue, the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society organized the TFOS International Workshop on Contact Lens Discomfort (CLD), which was chaired by Nichols.

The CLD Workshop took 18 months to complete and involved 79 experts from around the world.

“Workshop participants used an evidence-based approach and a process of open communication, dialogue, and transparency in order to achieve a global consensus concerning multiple aspects of CLD,” Mark Willcox from School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, said.

Meanwhile, David A. Sullivan, organizer of the TFOS CLD Workshop, said that this TFOS report will significantly increase awareness of factors that may, and may not, contribute to the generation of CLD. Ideally, this TFOS report will stimulate innovative research in this very important field.

The study is published in journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

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Facts About Blueberries

Sweet, fresh blueberries are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants and nutrients. We celebrate the berry in July for National Blueberry Month, but this true-blue fruit is available (and delicious) year-round. Take a look at interesting facts about the berry:

  • Blueberries are one of the only natural foods that are truly blue in color.
  • Because of the high amount of antioxidants in blueberries, it is thought that they may help prevent damage caused by cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
  • Blueberries grow best in acidic soil at a pH of four to five and make a good container plant.
  • The peak season for fresh blueberries runs from mid-June to mid-August.
  • Blueberries are grown commercially in 38 states.
  • Most highbush blueberries are used for fresh market, while lowbush blueberries are used primarily in food processing.
  • The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of blueberries, harvesting a total of 564.4 million pounds of cultivated and wild blueberries in 2012.
  • Michigan was the nation’s leading producer of cultivated blueberries in 2012. The state harvested 87 million pounds for the year. Other top states included Georgia, Oregon, Washington and New Jersey.
  • Maine was the leading producer of wild blueberries, harvesting 91.1 million pounds of wild blueberries in 2012.
  • Blueberries rank as the second most important commercial berry crop in the U.S.

Source: http://ffanewhorizons.org