Posted by
jwatkins
on
November 6, 2009 |
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Having an edge on the stock market can allow one to make hundreds, thousands or even millions of dollars. But rarely do we think of having an edge on life. Since the sequencing of the human genome our understanding of human genes and their interaction has grown. Geneticists now have the capability to analyze genetic make-ups, and elucidate what genetic patterns will evolve into certain conditions...
Posted by
hilgert
on
October 23, 2009 |
2 Comments
Fragile X Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) is among the most prevalent heritable neurodegenerative disorders. Its symptoms usually develop in men 50 years of age or older and include tremors in arms and hands, balance problems (ataxia), numbness in the extremities, mood instability, short-term memory loss, and gradual intellectual decline. The prevalence of FXTAS is about 2-5 persons per 10,000 in the...
Posted by
jwatkins
on
October 9, 2009 |
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Huntington’s disease (HD) is an inherited disease, characterized by the wasting away of certain nerve cells in the brain. If a person inherits only one mutated copy of the Huntingtin gene they develop the disease. One who is born with the defective gene responsible for the disease may not show any of the symptoms until middle age. Symptoms could consist of balance issues, uncontrolled movements...
Posted by
hilgert
on
September 24, 2009 |
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As the ongoing deciphering of the human genome provides us with more and more insights about our predisposition for diseases and genetic disorders, (see Your Genes Your Health for examples) I am equally, if not more astounded by what it tells us about our ability to utilize medicines to counteract diseases.
Just recently, a group of researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have...
Posted by
jwatkins
on
September 12, 2009 |
1 Comment
This blog serves to provide information about a common complication of sickle cell disease known as pulminary hypertension. Puluminary hypertension is a disorder in which one has elevated pulminary artery pressure and pulminary vascular resistance. Pulminary hypertension turns out to be a rising risk factor for morbidity and mortality in adults with sickle cell disease. As in other chronic haemolytic...