Month: October 2009

NeuroPsyche, Pharmacogenetics

Psychopharmacology: Atypical Antipsychotic Dosing: The Effect of Smoking and Caffeine

The width of the therapeutic window determines the clinical
significance of the plasma level changes associated with smoking
and caffeine intake. Compared with olanzapine, clozapine has a
much narrower therapeutic window. Several of clozapine’s side effects
are dose related: plasma levels higher than 1,000 ng per milliliter
have been associated with toxicity, including seizure risk and severe
sedation. …

Biotechnology, Technology

New technique illuminates molecules with previously undetectable fluorescence (BioTechniques)

According to the NSF, this research is important because current imaging
technology, like an MRI or CT scan, do not have the spatial resolution needed to
view tiny structures and require additional external contrast agents to create a
viewable image. Xie’s technique is also a critical breakthrough because typical
fluorescent labels, like green fluorescent protein, which are used to observe
the activity of molecules, can disturb delicate biological pathways, especially
when the protein is bigger than the molecule it is illuminating. …

Biotechnology

Judge dismisses lawsuit against Sebelius and Collins (BioTechniques)

On March 9, President Obama lifted a federal ban on funding for embryonic stem
cell research. The lawsuit challenged the Obama administration’s decision,
seeking to reinstate the laws in place under former President George W. Bush.
The federal ban on embryonic stem cell funding was placed in 2001 and limited
federal agencies, like HHS or the NIH, from funding any new embryonic stem cell
lines. …

Implications, Metabolics, NeuroPsyche, Toxicology

‘Massive’ weight gain in kids on atypicals (FiercePharma)

The study has several implications. One, it’s more evidence that the atypicals,
once considered vastly superior to first-generation antipsychotics because of a
“favorable” side-effect profile, may not be that much better, just different.
Rather than risking tardive dyskinesia and akathisia as patients using first-gen
antipsychotics are, patients on atypicals risk major weight gain and metabolic
changes. …

Agriculture, Biotechnology, Bureaucracy

Obama Supports Food Inc.’s World Domination and All We Get Is the White House Garden?

When we think of the sugar, fat and salt children are
consuming, we cringe. When we think about the multi-national agribusiness
companies this type of school food service system supports, we cringe. And when
we think about the negative overall effect that this system has on People,
Planet and Sustainable Profit, all sense of optimism just drains
away.

Biotechnology, Implications, Toxicology

Is Eli Lilly Milking Cancer by Promoting AND Treating It?

The main reason for the unpopularity of this hormone, which is banned in most
other industrialized countries, is the danger of insulin-like growth factor 1
(IGF-1). Dozens of studies confirm that IGF-1, which accelerates cell
division, substantially increases the risk of breast, prostate, colon, lung, and
other cancers. Normal milk contains IGF-1, milk drinkers have higher levels of
IGF-1, and the milk from cows injected with Eli Lilly’s drug has much
greater amounts of IGF-1. You can connect the dots. …