Inflammation Critical in Aortic Dissection, Researchers Find Nov 21, 2009
Certain genetic diseases, such as Marfan syndrome, have been directly linked to the condition; the actor John Ritter inherited a different genetic defect that contributed to his sudden death from aortic dissection in 2003. But the mechanisms that turn a worrisome aortic aneurysm into a catastrophic aortic dissection have remained mysterious. (Science Daily)
Gene Mutation May Reveal Clues For Treating Lung Diseases Oct 16, 2009
The drug losartan, now in trials for treating Marfan syndrome, another connective tissue disorder, has been shown to limit TGF. and merits further research as a possible treatment. (Science Daily)
Support for those in need Jul 27, 2009
Combined with double jointed fingers, eye problems, flat feet, scoliosis, and heart murmurs, the athletic build is a sign of a rare disease known as Marfan syndrome. Dena Kemmet calls her 14-year-old daughter Courtney the poster child for Marfan syndrome because of her elongated body ... Although Courtney is built like an athlete and is naturally athletic, she is not allowed to play sports because of Marfan syndrome. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Pumping away: New technique seals leaky heart without cutting into chest Jun 28, 2009
His 63-year-old heart, weakened over decades by Marfan syndrome, was at wit's end ... Franklin had bad eyes as a boy, but that wouldn't be linked to Marfan syndrome for a long time. (Missoulian, MT)
The strip of a pillowcase stained with the blood of Abraham Lincoln May 8, 2009
In the 1960s, some speculated that the president had Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder of the connective tissue, said Grove. People with Marfan are usually tall, with long limbs and long, thin fingers. (Harper's Magazine)
Testing Lincoln's blood May 6, 2009
John Sotos, who has written books on the subject of Lincoln's health and will be among the researchers examining the blood sample, believes Lincoln suffered from Marfan syndrome. A genetic disorder of the conjunctive tissues, Marfan syndrome is characterised by long limbs, premature cataracts or glaucoma, heart problems and often premature death. (iAfrica.com)
Artifact holds key to health of Lincoln Apr 13, 2009
" Dr. Sotos and other researchers have long examined images and life masks showing the president's traits, including his arm-span-to-height ratio, thin build, abnormally shaped chest, skin color, hair texture and gray eyes. They also have studied accounts of Lincoln's unsteady gait and other body movements. In the 1960s, Dr. Grove said, some speculated that the president had Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. People with Marfan are usually tall, with long limbs and... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
AAAS/Science to launch new journal, Science Translational Medicine Apr 6, 2009
Harry Dietz and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins University found that losartan, a drug already approved in the United States for use against high blood pressure, can prevent the aortic aneurisms found in mice engineered to have Marfan syndrome, a genetic disease that affects the body's connective tissue. Losartan has now been tested as a therapy in a group of children with this syndrome and found to inhibit the development of these potentially deadly abnormalities in the aorta. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Senior projects take shape Apr 2, 2009
These are just some of the interests and professions that seniors at Bret Harte High School are learning about as they work on their senior projects, now in their second year of existence at the school. To get credit for a senior project, students must work with a mentor in the community to learn a new skill or complete a project, do all the work involved, write a paper about their experience and then present their completed projects to the school and community. (San Andreas Calaveras Enterprise, CA)
Was President Obama right to reverse Bush’s stem cell policy? Mar 28, 2009
I have Marfan syndrome, Celiac Disease and Asperger. I have a brain aneurysm and a thoracic aortic aneurysm, and possible lung cancer. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
