Scleroderma Media Coverage: July 2007

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July 2007

High Blood Pressure May Mask Potentially Deadly Heart Condition. New research finds a relationship between increased blood pressure and decreased pain perception in a variety of circumstances, including among individuals with heart disease. This phenomenon extends to those who typically suffer chest pain during exercise. ScienceDaily. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 07/13/07.

Has Science Unearthed The Holy Grail Of Pain Relief? Scientists studying one of nature's simplest organisms have helped to unravel the structure of a key molecule that controls pain in humans. The findings, published in the journal Nature, could rapidly advance research into the next generation of painkillers for relief of chronic conditions such as migraine and backache. ScienceDaily. University of Manchester. 07/13/07. (Also see: Pain Management )

Immune system can alter body's clock. The sudden sleepiness that accompanies the onset of many illnesses occurs when the immune system interferes with the body's circadian clocks, Swiss researchers report on Monday. ChinaDaily. 07/17/07. (Also see: Antibodies and Sleep and Autoimmunity )

Queensland rheumatoid arthritis research offers hope for sufferers. A research team has been working on a new cell free therapy that will target the patient’s own auto-immune system to kick in and treat the disease. PressZoom. 07/11/07. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Causes of Scleroderma: Dendritic Cells )

Some Smokers Have Genetic Predisposition To Develop COPD, Research Shows. The genetic variant studied seemed harmless on its own, but when someone has this variant, there is more of an adverse effect of smoking on lung function. Therefore, in combination with smoking, this genetic variant represents a risk factor for COPD. ScienceDaily. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. 07/13/07. (Also see: Preventive Care for Pulmonary )

First Mouse Lung Transplants Lay Groundwork For New Ways To Prevent Transplant Rejection In Humans. Surgeons have developed the first mouse model of lung transplantation, and they're hoping it will help explain why the success of the procedure in humans lags far behind other solid organ transplants. Five years after lung transplant surgery, only about 45 percent of patients are still alive. ScienceDaily. Washington University School of Medicine. 07/13/07. (Also see: Pulmonary Hypertension )

Early detection of arthritis can help down the road. For 56-year-old Mary Boudreau, her bad days often outnumber her good days. In 1993, Boudreau was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, one of the most serious and debilitating autoimmune diseases. Oxford Press. 06/29/07. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis )

Key to Male Infertility. A factor in immune cells regulates human semen and seems to determine whether a man will be fertile, according to a new study. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is key to helping sperm mature, which is necessary for its union with an egg. The finding could lead to a diagnostic test to determine fertility status. Medical News Today. 070507. (Also see: Scleroderma and Pregnancy: Male Infertility )

Arthritis strikes young. Courtney Noel, 11 years old, of Unity, has juvenile arthritis, an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased mobility, among many other problems. There are several, and also more severe types of juvenile arthritis, including the type Courtney has —mixed connective tissue disease. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 07/02/07. (Also see: MCTD and Arthritis )

Surface Logix Commences Phase 2a Clinical Trial of SLx-2101 in Raynaud's Disease. SLx-2101 is a novel, long-acting PDE-5 inhibitor being developed for the management of diseases associated with vascular dysfunction such as Raynaud's. Digital50. Surface Logix Inc. 06/28/07. (Also see: Raynaud's Treatments, and Clinical Trials )