A team of scientists led by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have identified a novel therapeutic approach for the most frequent genetic cause of ALS, a disorder of the regions of the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement, and frontotemporal degeneration, the second most frequent dementia.

The study establishes using segments of genetic material called antisense oligonucleotides

The benefits of hydroxyurea treatment in people with sickle cell disease are well known

Researchers from the University of Dundee have developed a new strategy for prescribing antibiotics that could reduce patient harm and help combat the rise in antibiotic resistance.

A new study found that a new prescribing protocol could significant reduce potential misuse of antibiotics.

The research followed over 500 patients with lower respiratory tract infections during the course of one year. The new prescribing protocol included automatic stop dates, with time limits on prescriptions depending on the severity of an infection, coupled with support from pharmacists to ensure that antibiotics were issued with stop dates that were clearly visible for patients.

During the first half of the 12-month trial, researchers monitored patients’ current duration of antibiotic use. In the second half, patients receiving antibiotics followed the new prescribing strategy. During both phases of this study, researchers monitored antibiotic side-effects, including new symptoms occurring during the period of antibiotic exposure that were potentially caused by the antibiotics. They also monitored patients’ length of stay in hospital and death rates.

The study found that when the new protocol was followed, there was a near 20 per cent reduction in antibiotic use and an associated 40 per cent reduction in antibiotic-related side-effects.

Dr Matthew Lloyd, lead author from the University’s School of Medicine, said, ‘The threat from growing resistance to antibiotics is increasing, which is in part attributable to inappropriately lengthy courses of antibiotics.

‘Our study aimed to implement a simple system for preventing patients taking antibiotics for longer than they should. The results were promising and found that through prescribing automatic stop dates and working with our multidisciplinary colleagues, we can help prevent this problem and reduce patient harm.’ University of Dundee

Research jointly conducted by investigators at Institut Gustave Roussy, Inserm, Institut Pasteur and INRA (French National Agronomic Research Institute) has led to a rather surprising discovery on the manner in which cancer chemotherapy treatments act more effectively with the help of the intestinal flora (also known as the intestinal microbiota). Indeed, the researchers have just shown that the efficacy of one of the molecules most often used in chemotherapy relies to an extent on its capacity to mobilise certain bacteria from the intestinal flora toward the bloodstream and lymph nodes. Once inside the lymph nodes, these bacteria stimulate fresh immune defences that then enhance the body