Natural gene therapy for intractable skin disease discovered

Pathogenic gene mutations causing a type of intractable skin disease can be eliminated from some parts of patients’ skin as they age, according to Hokkaido University researchers and their collaborators in Japan. This represents a form of natural gene therapy. In general, there is no fundamental treatment method capable of curing diseases caused by gene abnormality because it is difficult to remove certain genetic mutations from all affected cells. Loricrin keratoderma (LK) is one such disease; caused by loricrin mutations, it is characterized by dry, thickened, scaly skin from birth.…

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Lady Gaga Reportedly Broke Up with Christian Carino Because He Was “Jealous”

hen Lady Gaga’s breakup with her talent agent-turned-fiancé Christian Carino made news last month, People reported at the time that there was no big story or drama behind the split. Now, however, we may have a little more insight on what might’ve caused the couple’s separation. A source told Us Weekly that Carino “didn’t treat Gaga very well toward the end of their [two-year] relationship.” Another insider added that the singer was the one who broke things off with her former fiancé. “He was jealous,” the source told Us. “He was trying to find her…

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Consider non-surgical brain stimulation for severe depression, say experts

Non-surgical brain stimulation should be considered as alternative or add-on treatments for adults with severe forms of depression, suggests a study published by The BMJ today. The findings also suggest that more established techniques should take priority over new treatments with a more limited evidence base. Depression is a common and debilitating illness that is usually treated with drugs and psychological therapies. But these treatments do not work for every patient and some patients experience undesired side effects. Non-surgical brain stimulation techniques, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation…

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Exercise is more critical than diet to maintain weight loss

A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center (AHWC) at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus revealed physical activity does more to maintain substantial weight loss than diet. The study, published in the March issue of Obesity, was selected as the Editor’s Choice article. “This study addresses the difficult question of why so many people struggle to keep weight off over a long period. By providing evidence that a group of successful weight-loss maintainers engages in high levels of physical activity to prevent weight regain — rather…

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