A new perspective on ancient human genomic diversity

samrose on May 20, 2013 at 12:56 pm - 0 Comments

It’s commonly discussed how each of our genomes contains a story documenting the migration by our ancient ancestors. This is most certainly true in that it is apparent we all originated from Africa and migrated to other continents from there. A study published today in Investigative Genetics proposes that some of the genetic diversity we commonly assume to be ancient may in fact be due to recent demographic events within the last 2000 years.

This study analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 999 individuals at 54 sites across the Netherlands. The authors studied this population in the expectation that the ancient genetic signatures from Paleolithic and Neolithic times, such as the Southeast to Northwest cline observed across Europe, …

Celebrating International Clinical Trials Day

Jack Cochrane on May 20, 2013 at 12:06 pm - 0 Comments

On May 20, 1747, James Lind pioneered a scurvy trial on board the HMS Salisbury. Providing some crew members with two oranges and one lemon per day, while others were given cider, vinegar, sulphuric acid or seawater, along with their normal rations, Lind’s experiment is ranked as one of the first clinical trials in the history of medicine. More than 250 years later, the anniversary of his groundbreaking work is celebrated as International Clinical Trials Day. Held annually by the National Institute of Health Research, the principles of Lind’s work still form the basis of modern clinical trials.

In a commentary for Trials, Dr David Sackett offers his perspective on more recent developments in clinical …

For strawberry poison dart frogs, nearest is dearest

Rhiannon Meaden on May 20, 2013 at 9:04 am - 0 Comments

Strawberry poison dart frog credit Wikimedia Pstevendactylus

Female strawberry poison dart frogs can be non-choosy when it comes to finding a mate concludes research published in Frontiers in Zoology today. In a population with a strongly biased sex ratio and low trait variance between males, females receive no benefit from expending energy and effort searching out the ‘fittest’ mate. Instead they lose no time in seeking out the male in the closest proximity as a partner.

Ivonne Meuche, from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, and her team continuously observed mating behaviour of 20 female Oophaga pumilio frogs, during the time period between two successive ovipositions. In parallel, they measured surrounding males’ behaviour and spatial distribution in order to establish what was important …

Current Controversies in Psychiatry: a new article collection in BMC Medicine

Sabina Alam on May 17, 2013 at 2:20 pm - 0 Comments

Mental health is a tricky branch of medicine – psychiatrists deal with significant diagnostic and research challenges, and some patients struggle with the stigma they may face socially due to having a mental disorder. In a bid to educate the public about psychiatric conditions, Mental Health Awareness Week, which this year runs from 13th–19th May, is focusing on raising awareness about how exercise can positively affect mental health. In fact, there is increasing focus on modifying key lifestyle factors as primary prevention strategies for mental health disorders, and in a recent opinion article published in BMC Medicine, Felice Jacka and colleagues argue that depression and anxiety should be ranked amongst prevalent …

Antibiotic resistance – Can we avert the apocalypse?

Penelope Austin on May 17, 2013 at 12:53 pm - 0 Comments

The problem of antibiotic resistance, recently described as “apocalyptic” by Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer of the UK, is getting worse and cannot be expected to get better quickly. In a Question and Answer article in BMC Biology, Gerard Wright explains the reasons for the worsening situation, and why, despite the acute need, there are few new antibiotics on the horizon.

Antibiotic resistance is a natural and ancient phenomenon, and the emergence and spread of resistance in human pathogens inevitable, he argues, though widespread clinical and agricultural use of antibiotics makes it much worse; and the problem can only be met by the development of new drugs.

The point that antibiotic resistance predates our development of antibiotic drugs was …

Transparency and reporting of clinical trials in the UK

ruthfrancis on May 17, 2013 at 8:54 am - 0 Comments

International Clinical Trials Day is celebrated around the world on the 20 May to commemorate the day in 1747 when James Lind started one of the very first trials in history. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of clinical research in healthcare and to encourage involvement in clinical trials. It is timely that the recently created Health Research Authority (HRA) – whose mission is ‘to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health research’ - has announced its plans to increase transparency and reporting of clinical trials in the UK.

BioMed Central welcomes the HRA proposals ‘to make the registration of clinical trials within an agreed timeframe a condition of ethics …

Re-defining autism: The DSM-5 debate continues

Shane Canning on May 15, 2013 at 1:07 pm - 1 Comment

This month, we will see the release of DSM-5, the fifth edition of the American Psychiatry Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and perhaps one of the most anticipated events this year for those in the mental health field.

Ahead of the release of DSM-5, Molecular Autism has published commentaries from the labs of Catherine Lord and Fred Volkmar, both world leaders in autism and the autism phenotype, offering their perspectives on the new DSM-5 criteria for the autism spectrum.

The commentary by Lord’s group is broadly positive about the changes on the basis that they recognize core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, as well as clinical features that are not specific to autism spectrum …

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Abigail Jones on May 10, 2013 at 4:54 pm - 0 Comments

Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain disorder, estimated to affect one in 20 people worldwide. It causes pain throughout the body, and often patients experience simultaneous conditions including fatigue and sleep problems, headaches and irritable bowel and bladder problems. After osteoarthritis, it is the second most common disorder observed by rheumatologists, yet there is no known cause or cure. The persistent and debilitating nature of the disorder can have a devastating effect on peoples’ lives.

This Sunday, May 12th, marks Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, which aims to increase public awareness of the disease, and educate patients and the medical community. This year, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day coincides with the publication of Canadian guidelines for the diagnosis and management of …

Mosquito survey identifies reservoir of disease

Ben Johnson on May 10, 2013 at 12:44 pm - 0 Comments

Mosquito borne viruses are a major cause of mortality and morbidity, especially in the developing world. As warmer weather increases the habitat for these disease vectors the problem is spreading to the developed world. A five-year study published today in Virology Journal shows for the first time the extent of mosquito-borne viruses (known as arboviruses) in diverse regions of Kenya.

The researchers surveyed almost half a million mosquitoes from varied habitats including savannah grassland, semi-arid Acacia thorn bushes, and mangrove swamps, and sequenced the genomes of the viruses they found. 83 different viruses were found, both known and unknown species that cause disease in humans and livestock. Predominant virus families were alphaviruses, flaviviruses and orthobunyaviruses; …

Xtreme Everest 2: exploiting extreme conditions to benefit critically ill patients

Fiona Pring on May 10, 2013 at 11:09 am - 0 Comments

Two months into a research expedition to Mount Everest, Extreme Physiology & Medicine Editor-in-Chief Mike Grocott, reports from the trip. Researchers on the Xtreme Everest 2 expedition are comparing Sherpa and “lowlander” physiology.

The Sherpas are a group known to perform extraordinarily well at altitude. The team record the physiological responses of healthy individuals in this extreme environment – low oxygen levels at high altitude – and apply this research to patients in intensive care. This is very much in line with the Extreme Physiology & Medicine’s objectives, outlined in its launch editorial, to explore boundary physiology and translate research findings into a clinical setting.

Mike provided this update:

“All our recruited subjects have now been …