University of Manchester
Stem cells provide clues to cancer spread

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how cancers spread in what could lead to new ways of beating the disease.

The University of Manchester study used embryonic stem (ES) cells to investigate how some tumours are able to migrate to other parts of the body, which makes the treatment of cancer much more difficult.

Dr Chris Ward, in the University’s Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, studied a crucial change that makes cancer cells able to start moving and spread into other tissues.

Normal cells, as well as early cancer cells, are called epithelial cells because they bind tightly to each other forming stable layers of tissue. However, as a tumour becomes more advanced, some of the cells change to become �mesenchymal’.

Mesenchymal cells do not bind to each other, forming more disorganised tissues in which the cells can move around. Since this crucial change – known as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, was first observed in the early embryo, Dr Ward theorised that embryonic stem cells might undergo a similar process.

Dr Ward, whose findings are published in the journal Molecular Biology of the Cell, said: "We have shown that ES cells spontaneously change in a manner that is remarkably similar to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. They lose the proteins that cells use to bind to each other and have other protein alterations that are characteristic of spreading cancer cells.

www.americanchronicle.com
By Alien Sheng
Herbal Home Remedies for Dark Circles Under Eyes

Dark under eye circles is the most common thing that can be seen in almost every individual. Around 8-9 out of 10 people have dark circles under the eyes.

Causes of Dark under eye circles

Age: With the preceding age the skin becomes thinner and the veins under the eyes become more prominent.

Fatigue or Lack of Sleep

Due to Stress or depression

Due to inbalanced diet

Hyper pigmentation

Sun exposure

Excessive use of drugs and medicines

Home Remedies

www.chillicothegazette.com
BY JANET VOINOVICH
Shield your skin for a healthy tomorrow

As summer approaches, George and I can't help but think about how much we love the outdoors. After a long, cold winter, we can't wait to get outside into the sunshine to enjoy the natural beauty of Ohio and breathe in the fresh air. This passion for healthy living also means doing everything possible to protect ourselves and our family from skin cancer - especially during the warm summer months.

Studies have shown people are more worried about getting cancer than diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes. Surprisingly, however, they don't realize many of the deadliest skin cancers can be prevented or detected early.

Raising awareness is quite possibly the most important thing we can do to prevent skin cancer. That is why we've designated May as Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.

Today, skin cancer is the most common and fastest growing form of cancer in the United States and it affects more than one million people each year. One person dies every hour from melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 2,390 new cases of melanoma in Ohio this year. Sadly, many of these cancers could have been prevented.

It is normal to shed hair every day and the truth is we loose between 100-125 hairs on any given day. Hair that is shed falls out at the end of growth cycle. At any given time 10% of our hair is in what is called a “resting phase” and after 2-3 months resting, hair falls out and new hair grows in its place. Some people, however, experience more hair loss than is normal.

As we get older, both men and women experience some hair loss. It’s a normal part of the aging process. Called Androgenetic Alopecia, it accounts for 95% of all hair loss. Androgentic Alopecia often runs in families and affects some people more than others. In men it is often referred to as Male Pattern Baldness.

It is characterized by a receding hair line and baldness on the top of head. Women, on the other hand, don’t go entirely bald even if their hair loss is severe. Instead, hair loss is spread out evenly over their entire scalp.

Hormones play the dominant role when talking about Androgenetic Alopecia. Simple put, both men and women produce testosterone. Testosterone can be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. DHT shrinks hair follicles causing the membranes in the scalp to thicken, become inelastic and restrict blood flow. This causes the hair follicles to atrophy. As a result, when a hair does fall out, it is not replaced.

Needless to say, men produce more testosterone than women and experience more hair loss.

By Sylvia Perez
www.uillinoismedcenter.org

Swimsuit weather will be here soon and that has some people scrambling to lose weight. Over-the-counter diet pills may be part of the strategy. Healthbeat reporter Sylvia Perez explains why that may not be a healthy idea.

The Federal Trade Commission recently fined the marketers of four weight loss pills $25 million for making false advertising claims. But, did you know that diet pills sold over the counter are classified as nutritional supplements and are not tested by the federal government for safety or effectiveness? Consumers are basically on their own with these diet aids and that has a lot of health experts worried.

The promises are so enticing, a bottle of pills, easy to buy, no prescription required and watch the pounds melt away. Dietary supplements are not just for the pin thin stars of Hollywood, but their image is certainly helping them sell.

"At first it worked it worked pretty well," said Erin, who does not want us to use her last name.

Erin says, years ago, she easily dropped 40 pounds using pills with ephedra. She was so excited with the way she looked, she developed a severe body image issue. But Erin says she is healthy now.

Others weren't as lucky. The FDA banned ephedra after dozens of cases linked it to heart and blood pressure problems some even resulting in death. Today there are other options and a lot of concerns.

"If any of my patients are taking it I tell them to stop immediately," said Dr. Reed Berger, UIC Nutrition and Wellness Center.