MAGI: Excellent App That Allows #Scientists to Study #CancerGenetics

By Steve Xenakis

Today, the technology is improved so much that we have an app for almost everything like the apps for news, social networking, banking, entertainment and so on. Now the news is that, the scientists of Brown University have built an app called MAGI (Mutation Annotation and Genome Interpretation) using which the users can compare their results with several cancer genetic datasets.

Basically, 'MAGI' is an interactive and open source application which allows clinicians and researchers to investigate the traces of cancer. Using this tool, the users can search, visualise and also interpret public cancer genetic datasets including the data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) project. Along with TGCA data, the app also allows you to upload your own data and compare the results with those in the database.

Why 'MAGI' is developed?

According to Max Leiserson, the lead developer of MAGI, the app enables users to explore cancer genomics data using a regular web browser even if he/she doesn't have any computational expertise. He also says that computational burden on the doctors and researchers, has been the main reason for the development of such an amazing application.

Over the past ten years, lots of researchers working on TCGA had sequenced the genes from about thousands of tumours and cancer types to understand the mutations that contribute to the development of cancer. This effort behind the analysis motivated the scientists of Brown University which led to the development of MAGI.

How useful the app has been?

The app has really been useful for clinicians and laboratory researchers. Today, the gene sequencing has become faster and cheaper as well; the researchers have actually started sequencing the samples based on their own studies and sometimes with reference to just a few tumours. But now, they can upload the results to MAGI and they can make use of the huge public datasets to interpret their own data.

According to Ben Raphael, the Director of Brown University, mutations are diverse and they are spread all over the genome. So in cancer genomes, the real value lies in large sample sizes. He also explains that, if he had sequenced a few cancer genomes from a local tumour bank, the first thing he would do is to compare his data with the huge public datasets for similarities. The output generated by MAGI offers several ways to visualize the results. It also shows how often a gene is mutated across the samples and other information.

As already told above, today the gene sequencing has become faster so that the lab technicians and researchers can use the genomic data to diagnose and also to develop a course of treatment for variety of cancers. The lab is intended to make the app available freely so that those who are in cancer genomics community can make use of it.

Currently Mobile apps are playing vital role apart from games and entertainment apps, like news, health related apps help users to know more about health issues.

So get useful mobile apps development in Birmingham.

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Canada Pharmacy Drug Fights #BladderCancer Risks

People with type 2 diabetes taking Actos (pioglitazone) to control blood sugar may put themselves at risk for bladder cancer, and to buy Zofran Canada may be prescribed by their doctors once the treatment for bladder cancer ends to prevent nausea and vomiting. 

"We believe physicians, patients and regulatory agencies should be aware of this association when assessing the overall risks and benefits of this therapy," said lead researcher Laurent Azoulay, from the Center for Clinical Epidemiology at the Lady Davis Institute at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal. 

"The association between the use of pioglitazone and bladder cancer is controversial, with several studies reporting conflicting results, from modest increased risks to no association," said Azoulay, who also is an assistant professor in the oncology department at McGill University in Montreal. 

Dr. Spyros Mezitis, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said "we need to be more careful with the use of this medication." 

The whole class of these drugs has come under fire, he said. "If there are more studies like this, we will not be using this medication," he added. 

Mezitis said he starts new type 2 diabetes patients on other drugs such as metformin to control blood sugar, rather than Actos. Because it's a generic drug, metformin also is less expensive than Actos. 

Mezitis also thinks more patients with type 2 diabetes will get insulin earlier instead of using drugs like Actos. "We have to tailor treatment to each patient, and there are other ways of controlling blood sugar," he said. 

Another expert, Dr. Joel Zonszein, a professor of clinical medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and an endocrinologist at the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, said he thinks the study is weak, and the risk of bladder cancer is small. 

"There is an important role for these medications," he said. "I am probably one of the last doctors who is still supporting the use of these medications." Generic Zofran cheap will surely aid patients undergoing bladder cancer treatments and medications. 

Zonszein said he starts patients on Actos in combination with other drugs such as metformin to aggressively lower blood sugar. Patients, however, need to know the risks, he said. 

Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life. 

Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells. 

Dioxin chemicals causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin.

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3 Major Types of #Cancer Explained

By Thomas Parker

Cancer is a disease that can affect any of the body's cells. It starts to develop when the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in your body's cells becomes disrupted or damaged. DNA contains specific instructions that tell your cells when to divide and multiply which allows them to grow in a controlled manner. If the DNA becomes disrupted then these instructions become distorted your cells start to grow in a rapid and uncontrollable way. This uncontrolled growth causes a lump to form which is referred to as a tumor. This tumor can ultimately become cancerous and start to affect other areas of the body. In this article I will be discussing three of the major types of cancer in greater detail.

1) CARCINOMAS:- Carcinomas are the most prominent type of cancer accounting for around 85% of all diagnoses. They develop in the epithelial cells that line the body and its organs. Carcinomas can be further grouped into four sub-types; squamous cell carcinomas (which affect the lining of the mouth and the airways), adenocarcinomas (which affect the lining of the glands), transitional cell carcinoma (which affects the lining of the bladder) and basal cell carcinomas (which affect the skin).

2) LEUKAEMIAS & LYMPHOMAS:- These types of cancer represent around 7% of cancer cases. They are grouped together because they both develop in the cells of the immune system. Leukaemias develop in the cells of the myeloid system which protects your body from bacteria and parasites. Lymphomas develop in the lymphatic system which help your body fight infection.

3) SARCOMAS:- Sarcomas are one of the rarest types of cancer accounting for less than 1% of all diagnoses. They develop in the connective tissues of the body and can be further divided into three main sub-types; bone carcinomas (which affect the bones), gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (which affect the stomach and the intestine) and soft tissue sarcomas (which affect soft connective tissues such as muscle and fat).

Cancer is a horrible disease which very often turns out to be fatal. Unfortunately, many people know very little about this condition and how it develops. I hope this article has helped you learn a little more about this disease and shed some light on the various types of cancer and the cells they affect.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the different types of cancer and get a free fitness tip delivered to your email inbox every day for a full year by visiting his websites.

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#BladderCancer Amongst Professional Painters

By Chris N. Jackson

If you are a professional painter and you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you may be surprised to learn that the chemicals contained in the paint used could be the cause of your condition. If you have worked in a profession that caused you to be in frequent contact with paint or paint fumes, or if you worked as a decorator, artist, glazier, plasterer, or wall paper hanger, you could be at a higher risk for developing bladder cancer.

Investigators are looking into the link between exposure to paint fumes and bladder cancer. Many personal injury attorneys are taking cases where professional painters and others who are regularly exposed to fumes have developed bladder cancer, and often offer free case reviews. If you or someone you know you may be able to seek monetary compensation for your condition. You should consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss the details of your case and learn your options.

The most commonly reported symptoms of bladder cancer include the following:

- Blood clots or blood seen in the urine, a condition known as hematuria. This happens in eighty to ninety percent of all cases of bladder cancer, and is considered to be the most common symptom. Hematuria is not typically painful.
- Dysuria, which is pain or discomfort while urinating.
- Having to urinate small amounts often.
- Frequent or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

When bladder cancer advances, other symptoms may be present such as:

- Swelling of the lower legs.
- Pain in the lower back in the area near the kidneys, which is referred to as flank pain.
- Pelvic growths in the area of the bladder.

If the bladder cancer has spread throughout the body, these symptoms may occur:

- Pain in the bones, or pain in the pelvic, anal, or rectal areas.
- Anemia.
- Weight loss.

Painters are often subjected to exposure to a variety of chemicals, such as solvents that are petroleum based. These solvents include alcohols, xylene, esters, toluene, glycol ethers, and ketones. Paint strippers often contain chlorinated hydrocarbons as well. For many years, benzene was used as a paint solvent, but today is only found in low quantities in some solvents that are petroleum based. Chromium, titanium dioxide, and iron compound are frequently used as pigmentation for paint, with lead being its predecessor. Paint filler, taping compounds, and spackle can contain asbestos, and painters can also suffer harm from being exposed to silica during the preparation of surfaces in painting metal and on construction projects.

The journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine published as study in 2010 that found that professional painters, as well as those frequently exposed to paint fumes, were at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer when compared to those who do not. While a key risk factor for bladder cancer is also smoking, higher than normal numbers of the disease have been seen in workers in certain occupations such as painting. Painters are exposed to many of the same chemicals that are contained in cigarette smoke, such as aromatic amines.

Researchers who conducted the study looked at roughly three thousands cases of bladder cancer in professional painters. These patients included painters, wall paper hangers, artists, plasterers, decorators, and glaziers. After considering smoking behavior, the study found painters to be thirty percent more likely to suffer bladder cancer compared to the population in general. This suggested that painting is considered to be an independent risk factor for bladder cancer.

What's more is that there was evidence that suggested female painters are more likely to contract the disease compared to male painters; however there were only four studies that looked at women independently. Studies also found a link between the length of time a person worked as a painted and the risk for developing bladder cancer. People who worked for more than ten years as painter were more likely to develop the disease compared to those working in the field for less than ten years.

The authors of the study were not able to determine which precise reasons accounted for the elevated risk. There are many factors involved in the matter including different types of paints used, the length of time working in the field, and how long people were exposed.

With an annual death toll of one hundred and thirty thousand people, and more than three hundred and thirty thousand new cases diagnosed yearly, bladder cancer is the ninth most common type of cancer diagnosed globally. (statistics courtesy of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)) The cause of this disease is not always known, but is seen more often in people who smoke, compared to people who do not.

This type of cancer is usually seen in people who are older, with ninety percent of cases appearing after the age of fifty five. Men are almost three times more likely to develop this disease compared to women. The risk level for men developing bladder cancer at some point in his lifetime is about one in twenty six, while a woman has a one in eighty four chance. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer noted in men.

If you or someone you know worked as a professional painter or associated occupation, were exposed to paint fumes on a regular basis, and has been diagnosed with bladder cancer, you need to know that you do have legal options and you should consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss those options. These legal professionals can help you to determine all parties that can be held accountable and can help you to recover damages for past, present, and future medical expenses, loss of income, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering. Since most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, you do not have to worry about how to fund your claim in advance, and often pay nothing until the time your case settles.

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney please visit http://www.feldmanshepherd.com/

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