Gene therapy is the insertion of genes into an individual's cells and tissues to treat a disease, and hereditary diseases in which a defective mutant allele is replaced with a functional one.
Although the technology is still in its infancy, it has been used with some success.
Antisense therapy is not strictly a form of gene therapy, but is a genetically-mediated therapy and is often considered together with other methods.
In most gene therapy studies, a "normal" gene is inserted into the genome to replace an "abnormal," disease-causing gene.
A carrier called a vector must be used to deliver the therapeutic gene to the patient's target cells.
Currently, the most common type of vectors are viruses that have been genetically altered to carry normal human DNA.
Viruses have evolved a way of encapsulating and delivering their genes to human cells in a pathogenic manner.
Scientists have tried to harness this ability by manipulating the viral genome to remove disease-causing genes and insert therapeutic ones. Target cells such as the patient's liver or lung cells are infected with the vector.
The vector then unloads its genetic material containing the therapeutic human gene into the target cell.
The generation of a functional protein product from the therapeutic gene restores the target cell to a normal state. In theory it is possible to transform either somatic cells (most cells of the body) or cells of the germline (such as sperm cells, ova, and their stem cell precursors).
All gene therapy to date on humans has been directed at somatic cells, whereas germline engineering in humans remains controversial.
For the introduced gene to be transmitted normally to offspring, it needs not only to be inserted into the cell, but also to be incorporated into the chromosomes by genetic recombination. Somatic gene therapy can be broadly split in to two categories: ex vivo, which means exterior (where cells are modified outside the body and then transplanted back in again) and in vivo, which means interior (where genes are changed in cells still in the body).
Recombination-based approaches in vivo are especially uncommon, because for most DNA constructs recombination has a very low probability..
Blood Vessels
Knowledge of the structure and function of blood vessels and other aspects of the heart and vascular system are essential parts of training in many therapies, such as Massage (in its many forms, "Indian Head Massage", "Swedish Massage", "Accupressure Massage" etc.), Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Shiatsu, and others. This page is intended to include the detail required for most Basic / First Level Courses in these therapies, and some ITEC Diplomas.
The main types of blood vessels are: Arteries, Arterioles, Capillaries, Venules, Veins.
The main types of blood vessels are: Arteries, Arterioles, Capillaries, Venules, Veins.
Electrocardiography.
An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. This includes the rate and regularity of beats as well as the size and position of the chambers, any damage to the heart, and effects of drugs or devices to regulate the heart.
HODGIN DISEASE AND LONG TERM CARDIOVASCULAR RISK
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 14 - Hodgkin lymphoma survivors are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, a Swedish study confirms. The risk is particularly high for patients treated for Hodgkin lymphoma before the age of 40 years and with a family history of heart disease.
In the April 15 issue of the International Journal of Cancer, the study team notes that "previous studies have shown increased cardiovascular mortality as late side effects of Hodgkin lymphoma patients." The aim of the current study, Dr. Anne Andersson of Umea University and colleagues explain, was to identify "stratifying risk factors for surveillance."
The investigators used the Swedish Cancer Registry to identify 6946 patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma between 1965 and 1995 and the Swedish Multigenerational Registry to identify a total of 17,858 first-degree relatives of the patients.
Among 4,635 Hodgkin lymphoma patients who survived one year or longer after diagnosis, 1,413 episodes of inpatient care for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke and/or valvular disease in 698 individuals were recorded in the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry.
Average follow up was 11.8 years and, according to the investigators, the standard incidence ratio (SIR) for cardiovascular disease was "increasing at the time of follow-up and the risk was higher for those treated for Hodgkin lymphoma before the age of 40."
The SIR for cardiovascular disease 10 to 19 years after Hodgkin lymphoma treatment was 3.06 for all Hodgkin lymphoma patients, and 5.53 in patients with a positive family history for cardiovascular disease.
For Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated before age 40, the SIR for congestive heart failure 10 to 19 years after treatment was 3.45; it was 6.67 for those with a positive family history of cardiovascular disease, the report states.
For Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated before the age 40 and followed for 20 years or longer, there was a 10-fold increase in risk for congestive heart failure. For this group, a positive family history of congestive heart failure yielded a SIR of 25.00.
Dr. Andersson and colleagues conclude, "A family history of cardiovascular disease could be particularly important for identifying patients at risk for early coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure."
The study, they add, "implicates in concert with two other large cohorts the need for cardiovascular intervention in this high risk group."
In the April 15 issue of the International Journal of Cancer, the study team notes that "previous studies have shown increased cardiovascular mortality as late side effects of Hodgkin lymphoma patients." The aim of the current study, Dr. Anne Andersson of Umea University and colleagues explain, was to identify "stratifying risk factors for surveillance."
The investigators used the Swedish Cancer Registry to identify 6946 patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma between 1965 and 1995 and the Swedish Multigenerational Registry to identify a total of 17,858 first-degree relatives of the patients.
Among 4,635 Hodgkin lymphoma patients who survived one year or longer after diagnosis, 1,413 episodes of inpatient care for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke and/or valvular disease in 698 individuals were recorded in the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry.
Average follow up was 11.8 years and, according to the investigators, the standard incidence ratio (SIR) for cardiovascular disease was "increasing at the time of follow-up and the risk was higher for those treated for Hodgkin lymphoma before the age of 40."
The SIR for cardiovascular disease 10 to 19 years after Hodgkin lymphoma treatment was 3.06 for all Hodgkin lymphoma patients, and 5.53 in patients with a positive family history for cardiovascular disease.
For Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated before age 40, the SIR for congestive heart failure 10 to 19 years after treatment was 3.45; it was 6.67 for those with a positive family history of cardiovascular disease, the report states.
For Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated before the age 40 and followed for 20 years or longer, there was a 10-fold increase in risk for congestive heart failure. For this group, a positive family history of congestive heart failure yielded a SIR of 25.00.
Dr. Andersson and colleagues conclude, "A family history of cardiovascular disease could be particularly important for identifying patients at risk for early coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure."
The study, they add, "implicates in concert with two other large cohorts the need for cardiovascular intervention in this high risk group."
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