It's definitely been a long time, huh? I was going crazy, I couldn't help it anymore, I had to get back to Science...so here I am!
To start us off tonight, Scientists from a group called NORDynamIC (wow.) have published a paper regarding depression and its effect on treatment for Hepatitis C (and vice versa). The combination of treatments used for chronic HCV can sometimes result in major depression, which was tested via Major Depression Inventory tests, or MDIs. Results showed that of 306 previously non-depressed HCV patients (determined with MDIs), 114 developed major depression over the course of treatment. This would sometimes result in early termination of treatment and lead to lower success rates. Also noted in the study was that a mere 1/3 of those depressed patients were correctly diagnosed for the depression in routine examinations. No fun! A separate U.S. study highlighted lower productivity and higher health benefit costs in chronic HCV-affected employees, as well. To read more, check out the link at the bottom of the post.
Next, in case you haven't heard, a new topical gel has been presented as a preventative for HIV infection in women whose partners do not use protection. The vaginal gel, called tenofovir, comes with a 39% lower chance of infection, and it turns out it also protects against herpesvirus (HSV-2) by 51%! Apparently, HSV-2 infection can increase the chances of contracting HIV, so they're pretty impressive results! I'm not sure I'd rely on those numbers if I didn't have to, but it's absolutely a step in the right direction!
Last for today, a new study of Down's Syndrome mice has taken our knowledge of the matter a step further. According to the article, when an embryonic brain is developing it requires a certain balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. When there are more of chromosome 21's genes Olig1 and Olig2 in Down's Syndrome mice, significantly more inhibitory neurons are produced, throwing the brain's development out of balance. When the two genes were genetically engineered to appear only in their normal quantities...voila! Normal balance! Very cool. Since people have the same two genes, this study will likely have a very large impact on the understanding and future treatment of Down's Syndrome.
Hopefully I'll see you here again on Thursday and be back in the normal swing of things! :)
-Miss Mouse
Hopefully I'll see you here again on Thursday and be back in the normal swing of things! :)
-Miss Mouse
References and Links:
Sad Hepatitis C Patients
HIV and Herpes Goo
