Working Moms Multitask More Than Dads
Not only are working mothers multitasking more frequently than working fathers, but their multitasking experience is more negative as well.

Unlocking the Genetic Mystery of Sarcomas
Study uncovers potential targets for treating a disease affecting children and adults.

When Babies Wake, Cortisol Rises to Mom's Level
The hormone cortisol in adults rises and lowers according to stress. But in babies cortisol remains level following waking - and tunes in with mom's level.

December 1, 2011--------News Archive

Home Births – Then and Now
A comparison of home-birth trends of the 1970s finds many similarities – and some differences – related to trends in home births today.

Risk of Suicide In Pregnant Women, New Mothers
An analysis of new data highlights risk factors that could be targeted by interventions.

Addiction Damages PreFrontal Cortex
Brain structure-function impairment may be related to an inability to assess rewards and consequences, behavior associated with addiction.

November 30, 2011--------News Archive

Gene Puts Brakes On Breast Cancer Progression
Newly published research explores the role of gene in tumour suppression

‘Perfect Parent’ Not A Good Idea
Seeking perfection as a parent works better for dads than for moms.

Kindergarten Friendships Matter, Especially for Boys
High-quality friendships in kindergarten may mean that boys will have fewer behavior problems and better social skills in first and third grades.

November 29, 2011--------News Archive

Cleft Lip Corrected Genetically in Mouse Model
Scientists have successfully genetically repaired cleft lips in mice embryos specially engineered for the study of cleft lip and cleft palate.

Common Herbicide Creates Reproductive Problems
International researchers link exposure to atrazine – an herbicide widely used in the U.S. and more than 60 other nations – to reproductive problems in animals.

Environment and Diet Leave Imprints On the Heart
DNA methylation in the human heart has revealed the 'missing link' between lifestyle and health, and may indicate methylation creates the equivalent of 5, 6, 7 and 8 bases by modifying Cytosines across our entire genome.

November 28, 2011--------News Archive

Role of Nuclear Membrane Protein in Organ Growth
Scientists had thought B-type lamin proteins were vital to embryonic stem cells; but they are more critical to organ formation.

Hormone Hepcidin May Control Atherosclerosis
Hepcidin is a hormone produced by the liver and regulates iron transport. Blocking its production encourages macrophages to counter atherosclerosis.

Two Enzymes Stamp DNA with "Turn Off" Signal
Inside the cell nucleus, DNA is wound around spool-like proteins called histones. Two modifications in this attachment tell a portion of the DNA to be on or off.

Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston have uncovered important molecular and genetic keys to the development of soft-tissue sarcomas in skeletal muscle, giving researchers and clinicians additional targets to stop the growth of these often deadly tumors.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study identified two major molecular signaling pathways (the Ras and mTOR pathways) that are common in tumor growth and development. These molecular pathways regulate cell growth and division, two cellular properties whose over-activation are hallmarks of cancer biology.

"In humans, some sarcomas respond to chemotherapy, but many don't. With these findings, we have vetted a list of new candidate targets whose inhibition may lead to regression of these tumors" says lead author Amy J. Wagers, PhD, an associate professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard Medical School and Joslin Diabetes Center.

Many soft-tissue sarcomas, which tend to develop in bone and muscle, carry unique gene signatures, which can allow scientists to develop more precise, targeted therapies. Wagers and her colleagues engineered a tumor system in mice by introducing into mouse skeletal muscle a cancer-carrying gene known to cause tumors in humans. They used this engineered system to identify a small set of genes that are active in sarcoma tumors.

There are many different types of soft-tissue sarcomas, which develop in tissues that connect, support or surround other structures and organs, including muscle, tendons, nerves, fat and blood vessels. If diagnosed early, surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, can be effective. If the tumor has spread, however, the tumor can be controlled for a period of time, but treatment does not often cure the disease.

By inducing sarcoma tumors in mice, the scientists knew when the tumors would form and where in the body they would develop, helping them identify the molecular and genetic disease pathways. With this knowledge, they developed new interventions to interfere and stop the tumor growth.

"With the engineered system we developed, we can find new fragile points in the tumor to target," says first author Simone Hettmer, MD, a pediatric oncologist at the Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center, who treats children with these tumors. This system allows scientists to look at genetic changes in sarcomas and apply that knowledge to sarcomas in tissues other than skeletal muscle.

Surprisingly, the research found tumors could be induced using several different "beginning" cells. They generated tumor cells using stem cell-like cells which make either muscle or connective tissues. Tumors that develop from muscle cells were rhabdomyosarcomas, the most common form of soft-tissue sarcoma seen in children.

Wagers and her colleagues are now working on establishing a similar model system using human cells to test the effectiveness of anti-sarcoma medications. They hope to identify the most promising human candidates for treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma - then ultimately pursue human clinical trials. Early studies have identified several chemical compounds that in cell cultures appear to slow the growth of sarcoma cells.

In addition to Wagers and Hettmer, other Joslin co-authors of the study were Jianing Liu, Christine Miller, and Melissa Lindsay, as well as Cynthia Sparks and David Guertin of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Roderick Bronson of the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, and David Langenau of Massachusetts General Hospital.

Joslin Diabetes Center is the world's preeminent diabetes research and clinical care organization. Joslin is dedicated to ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives and offers real hope and progress toward diabetes prevention and a cure. Joslin is an independent, nonprofit institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School. For more information about Joslin, visit www.joslin.org. Keep up with Joslin research and clinical news at Inside Joslin at www.joslin.org/news/inside_joslin.html, Become a fan of Joslin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/joslindiabetes and follow Joslin on Twitter at www.twitter.com/joslindiabetes

Original article: http://www.joslin.org/news/unlocking-the-genetic-and-molecular-mystery-of-soft-tissue-sarcoma.html