Cellular fuel gauge may hold the key to restricting cancer growth

Dec. 27, 2012 ? Researchers at McGill University have discovered that a key regulator of energy metabolism in cancer cells known as the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) may play a crucial role in restricting cancer cell growth. AMPK acts as a "fuel gauge" in cells; AMPK is turned on when it senses changes in energy levels, and helps to change metabolism when energy levels are low, such as during exercise or when fasting. The researchers found that AMPK also regulates cancer cell metabolism and can restrict cancer cell growth.

The discovery was made by Russell (Rusty) Jones, an assistant professor at McGill's Goodman Cancer Research Centre and the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine. Jones along with his team is the first to show that AMPK can act as a tumour suppressor in animals. The research will be published December 27 in the journal Cell Metabolism.

"Cancer is a disease in which cells lose their normal restraints on growth and start to divide uncontrollably. But, in order for cells to grow quickly they need enough energy to complete the task," Jones explained. "AMPK acts like the fuel gauge in your car -- it lets the body know when energy levels are low, and stops cell growth until there is enough gas in the tank. We wanted to see if this fuel gauge could affect the development and progression of cancer. We found that mice lacking AMPK developed tumours faster, suggesting that AMPK is important for keeping tumour development in check, at least for some types of cancer." For this study, Jones' team focused specifically on a type of blood cancer known as lymphoma. They discovered that the protein Myc, which is activated in more than half of all cancers, could promote lymphoma more rapidly when mice were deficient for AMPK.

One of the ways cancer cells support their enhanced rate of growth is by changing their metabolism, or how they generate energy. Cancer cells are different from normal cells in our body because they preferentially use sugar to fuel their growth. Jones discovered that AMPK plays a specific role in restricting cancer cells' ability to use sugar to fuel their growth. "For cancer cells with low AMPK levels, their metabolism goes into overdrive," explained Prof. Jones. "They use sugar more efficiently, allowing them to grow faster. These results suggest that turning on AMPK in cancer cells may be one way that we can restrict cancer growth."

Jones' breakthrough builds on his previous discovery that the widely prescribed medication metformin, a common diabetes drug, can restrict tumour cell growth. The results bring promise that common therapeutics that turn on AMPK and alter cellular metabolism, such as metformin, may become novel tools for cancer therapy. Jones and his colleagues at McGill are currently exploring clinical applications based on this research.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by McGill University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Brandon Faubert, Gino Boily, Said Izreig, Takla Griss, Bozena Samborska, Zhifeng Dong, Fanny Dupuy, Christopher Chambers, Benjamin?J. Fuerth, Benoit Viollet, Orval?A. Mamer, Daina Avizonis, Ralph?J. DeBerardinis, Peter?M. Siegel, Russell?G. Jones. AMPK Is a Negative Regulator of the Warburg Effect and Suppresses Tumor Growth In?Vivo. Cell Metabolism, 2012; DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2012.12.001

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/most_popular/~3/S3OtxBo-Q-Q/121227130327.htm

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Can Obama Avert the Fiscal Cliff without Mitch McConnell? (Atlantic Politics Channel)

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Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/273484493?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Chinese leaders promise reform, spending if needed

BEIJING (AP) ? China's new Communist Party leaders are promising reforms aimed at reducing reliance on exports and more spending if needed to prop up a shaky economic recovery.

In the first statement of their economic goals since taking power in November, the new party leaders pledged continuity Sunday with long-term plans aimed at nurturing self-sustaining growth and raising incomes. There was no indication of plans for major changes or new stimulus.

They promised to support domestic consumption, the growth of small businesses that generate jobs and more migration by rural residents into expanding cities to find better-paid jobs.

The new party general secretary, Xi Jinping, and other leaders are under pressure to overhaul an economic model based on exports and investment that delivered three decades of rapid growth but is running out of steam. Companies and political analysts are watching to see how far they are willing to go in remodeling the state-dominated economy.

In the shorter term, they also need to keep a recovery from China's deepest economic downturn since the 2008 global crisis on track.

Party leaders promised a "proactive fiscal policy" and "prudent monetary policy" in a statement distributed by the official Xinhua News Agency at the end of a two-day annual planning meeting. That refers to willingness to boost government spending if needed and to keep credit easy so long as inflation stays low.

The world's second-largest economy is limping out of the slump that pushed growth to a three-and-a-half-year low of 7.4 percent in the latest quarter but weak November trade data suggested the rebound might be faltering.

The World Bank and other analysts say Beijing needs to curb dominant state companies and promote service industries and consumer spending to keep incomes rising. They say without prompt action, growth might slow abruptly, leaving China stuck at middle-income levels.

Possible reforms face potential opposition from state companies that might see their privileges diminished and have influential allies in the party.

"If China does not change its strategy, it risks falling into the 'middle income trap'," Robert Zoellick, former World Bank president, said in a speech at a Beijing business conference last week.

In a tacit acknowledgement of possible obstacles, Sunday's statement said change would require "greater political courage and wisdom."

The new leadership promised to "accelerate structural reform," open markets further and encourage efficiency, though they gave no details of possible changes. It said "enhancing quality and efficiency of economic growth" will be a "central task."

Factory output, consumer spending and other indicators are improving in the current quarter but analysts say a recovery is likely to be gradual and too weak to drive a global rebound without improvement in Europe and the United States.

Data last week showed November trade deteriorated sharply following a rebound that started in August. Export growth plunged to 2.9 percent over a year earlier from October's 11.6 percent. Imports were flat, down from October's 2.4 percent growth.

Sunday's statement gave no indication the leadership plans to depart from the party's official annual economic growth target of 7.5 percent through 2015.

It promised to support the orderly growth of cities, a key element in raising incomes by allowing migrants from the countryside to look for better-paid urban jobs.

The leadership pledged to increase domestic demand, though it gave no details of how it will do that.

Companies are under pressure to help boost consumer spending by putting more money in workers' pockets through wage hikes. Other changes require longer-term effort, such as freeing up money in household budgets by raising government spending on schools, health care and other social programs.

Sunday's statement promised one step in that direction: more spending on building affordable housing and other initiatives aimed at spreading money to China's poor.

Earlier statements by the new leadership suggested they want to narrow China's yawning and politically sensitive wealth gap between an elite who have benefited from economic reform and the poor majority.

The new party Politburo pledged this month to pursue both economic growth and "social harmony and stability."

The government is due to release a long-awaited report this month on proposals for policy changes to narrow the wealth gap.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-leaders-promise-reform-spending-needed-025859281--finance.html

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On foreign policy, Kerry is Obama's good soldier

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Democratic Sen. John Kerry stands tall as President Barack Obama's good soldier.

The Massachusetts lawmaker has flown to Afghanistan and Pakistan numerous times to tamp down diplomatic disputes, spending hours drinking tea and taking walks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai or engaging in delicate negotiations in Islamabad.

It's a highly unusual role for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman: envoy with a special but undefined portfolio.

Kerry has pushed the White House's national security agenda in the Senate with mixed results. He successfully ensured ratification of a nuclear arms reduction treaty in 2010 and most recently failed to persuade Republicans to back a U.N. pact on the rights of the disabled.

Throughout this past election year, he skewered Obama's Republican rival, Mitt Romney, at nearly every opportunity and was a vocal booster for the president's re-election. Kerry memorably told delegates at the Democratic National Convention in August: "Ask Osama bin Laden if he's better off now than he was four years ago."

Obama seems likely to reward all that work by nominating the 69-year-old Kerry, perhaps in the coming days, to succeed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as the nation's top diplomat. The prospects for the five-term senator soared last week when U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, a top contender for the post, withdrew from consideration to avoid a fierce fight with Senate Republicans.

A Kerry nomination has been discussed with congressional leaders, and consultations between the White House and congressional Democrats have centered on the fate of his Senate seat, according to officials familiar with the situation who were not authorized to publicly discuss the talks. If the seat were in play, it could boost the prospects for recently defeated Republican Sen. Scott Brown to win back a job in Washington.

At the same time, Obama is considering one of Kerry's former Senate colleagues, Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, for the Pentagon's top job.

The selection of Kerry would close a political circle with Obama. In 2004, it was White House hopeful Kerry who asked a largely unknown Illinois state senator to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic convention in Boston, handing the national stage to Obama. Kerry lost that election to President George W. Bush. Four years later, Obama was the White House hopeful who succeeded where Kerry had failed.

Senate colleagues in both parties say Kerry's confirmation would be swift and near certain, another remarkable turnaround. Eight years ago, the GOP ridiculed Kerry as a wind-surfing flip-flopper as he tried and failed to unseat Bush.

"If he is nominated, he comes into the position with a world of knowledge. He's someone who certainly understands how the legislative process works, and I think he will be someone that Congress will want to work with in a very positive way," said Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who is poised to become the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee next year.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said "there's no question he has a very strong depth of knowledge of these issues. Certainly qualified."

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has taken to jokingly referring to Kerry as "Mr. Secretary."

Kerry and McCain, defeated presidential candidates who returned to the Senate, have joined forces repeatedly during the past few decades. In July 1995, the two decorated Vietnam War veterans provided political cover to President Bill Clinton when he normalized U.S. relations with Vietnam. Clinton had been dogged by questions about his lack of military service.

Last year, Kerry and McCain were outspoken in pushing for a no-fly zone over Libya as Moammar Gadhafi's forces attacked rebels and citizens. This month, they stood together in arguing for the disabilities treaty against staunch Republican opposition and complaints that it could undermine U.S. national sovereignty.

The pact fell five votes short of ratification, and Kerry called it "one of the saddest days I've seen" in his years in the Senate.

"Today I understand better than ever before why Americans have such disdain for Congress and just how much must happen to fix the Senate so we can act on the real interests of our country," he said, his frustration evident.

Kerry has traveled extensively for the administration, to Afghanistan in May as a strategic partnership agreement loomed large in the decade-plus war. He was in Pakistan last year in the midst of a diplomatic crisis after Raymond Davis, a CIA-contracted American spy, was accused of killing two Pakistanis.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, traveled to Pakistan around that time and recalled Kerry's influence.

"I arrived in Islamabad I think five days after Ray Davis had been taken into a jail in the Punjab and was at very real risk of being hauled out of the jail and lynched," Coons said. "Sen. Kerry was about to show up and negotiate on behalf of the administration. And it was clear that both the diplomats and the military folks we met with viewed him as a real man of credibility and experience who was likely to contribute meaningfully to those negotiations."

Davis pleaded self-defense. After weeks of wrangling between the U.S. and Pakistan, he was released in exchange for "blood money" paid to the dead men's relatives.

This year, Kerry has presided over committee hearings on treaties and other major issues, but there has been little legislative work. He didn't draw much attention to the committee, avoiding possible embarrassments for the administration in an election year.

Corker said he would have liked for the committee to devote more time to events in Libya, Syria and other countries.

"I think he's tried to accommodate our concerns and at the same time seek a balance ... giving the administration the headroom they needed to do what he and the administration felt was best. I understand that," he said, speaking of Kerry.

Coons said Kerry's deliberate work is often behind the scenes.

"The role of the chairman ... is not always getting your picture taken with George Clooney, standing around with heads of state, going to receptions in Foggy Bottom," he said. "It's also lots and lots of time listening to folks who've got concerns whether it's on behalf of the defense community, the business community, the diplomatic community and being the person who's at the intersection of all that and trying to keep the Senate productively engaged in a very dangerous world with a lot of emerging threats."

___

Associated Press writer Steve Peoples in Boston contributed to this report.

___

Donna Cassata can be reached on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DonnaCassataAP

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/foreign-policy-kerry-obamas-good-soldier-173621370--politics.html

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PFT: Polamalu to have 'significant role' this week

Reuters

Amid rampant reports and rumblings that Eagles quarterback Mike Vick believes the team is using his concussions as an excuse to keep him on ice while the team tries out younger players, the Eagles have issued a statement from Vick.

But the statement omits any clear statement from Vick that he believes the Eagles aren?t putting a thumb on the concussion assessment scale.

?I want to thank my fans for the thousands of well wishes,? Vick says.? ?I also appreciate the support of the entire Eagles organization. I feel strong and healthy. ? As a professional athlete, I want to play in every game but the NFL has a specific protocol to protect players.?? My focus is to complete this process successfully, so I can rejoin my team on the field.?

Earlier in the day, coach Andy Reid addressed more specifically the question of whether politics are keeping Vick on ice.

?[T]here?s nothing to that,? Reid told reporters.? ?I?ve talked with Michael and Michael is good.? I don?t know where things get started but Michael is fine with it.? He understands that everything is in the best interest of him right now and making sure that he?s ready to go.?

Reid also essentially said that, when Vick is cleared to play, he will.? ?Michael is the quarterback of this team,? Reid said.? ?That?s how I?ve approached it from the get go.? I?ve told you guys that.? Until I tell you guys differently, that?s how I feel.? Michael understands that so that?s the important thing.? I just want to make sure there?s open communication between us.?

Trainer Rick Burkholder said that reports Vick have regressed aren?t true, but that Vick has plateaued in his recovery.? Burkholder also disputed the suggestion that the concussion is being used as a way to justify not playing Vick; ?There?s no conspiracy here,? Burkholder said.

Still, the suspicion has been present from the outset that Vick isn?t injured as badly as advertised, and that the concussion allowed the Eagles to bench him without actually benching him.? From Vick?s perspective, not playing makes it hard to persuade other teams that he deserves a starting job and the contract that goes along with it after the Eagles inevitably cut him in the offseason, avoiding a $15.5 million salary for 2013.

And even if the Eagles aren?t fudging the concussion assessment results (indeed, there?s no evidence that they are), there?s a good chance they?re privately pleased with the situation, since it allows them to give Nick Foles extended reps and development.? As Reid said Friday regarding the decision to cut defensive end Jason Babin, ?It gives some of our young players, who I think deserve the right and can help us win football games, the opportunity to play.?

That same reasoning applies to Foles.? Even though he has yet to help them do anything other than lose football games.

Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/30/steelers-expect-polamalu-to-have-significant-role-this-week/related

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Seniors and Baby boomers Online Dating Guide - How to date the ...

Seniors and Baby boomers Online Dating Guide

Online dating is a kind of tide.
Now Online dating is not just for young people any more. Thousands of older singles are reaching out for new ways to meet up and start a new life together. Matchmaking websites report significant increases in senior dating, specifically among those ages 50 to 65.
If you?re older than 45 and looking for love online, senior dating on the Internet can be a great way to find Romantic love. Over 45 is a very romantic time in your life. People generally become more romantic as they get older as they learn to savour the finer things in life.?But, Just as you take steps to ensure your in-person dating experience is the best it can be, you should also follow a few guidelines for online dating.

Tip 1: Know what you want
Online dating is different from traditional dating in many ways. In the old days, you might meet someone interesting at a social event, church group, a bar or even at work. Perhaps the person?s looks or laugh would attract you, and you?d make that initial connection in person.
When dating online, you need to be very clear on what you?re looking for. Because online dating site databases have thousands of members. You?ll have to search through databases of other people, just like you, are looking for love. Narrow your search by deciding in advance what kind of relationship you want (friendship, romance, long-term), the age range you?re comfortable with, whether you?re OK meeting someone who has kids, what interests you would like the person to share, and whether religion or politics will matter to you.
Make a list of all these important factors before you begin your search, so that you can narrow down your results and have a better chance of meeting someone compatible.
Tip 2: Look in the right places
Google the words ?online dating? and you?ll get about 175 million results. That?s a lot of people looking to make a connection. Narrow your search for love by sticking with sites that cater to your age group and interests. I recommend a dating site----- http://www.50romance.com/ , a website for baby boomers and seniors, attracts online daters in the 50-plus age range. Each of these members are true. Background services have a professional team, to assist you in finding that someone special, from casual daters to serious singles.
By searching on sites frequented by people in your age range, and that share your interests, you?re more likely to find compatible people for friendship and dating.
Tip 3: Be honest, but not too open
Age is just a number. It?s never too late to fall in love. Honesty is the foundation of any good relationship, and it?s important to be yourself when dating online. Be honest about your age, lifestyle, interests and what type of relationship you seek.
When making new connections, proceed with caution. Don?t put too much personal, identifying information in your user profile. While the majority of online daters have good intentions, identity thieves have been known to approach potential victims online.
Tip 4: Take care
When you meet your love online, start out slowly and get to know each other through email and instant messages before you arrange a phone call. Never agree to meet someone you?ve met online until you?ve gotten to know each other a little bit first. And when you do arrange that exciting first date, make sure a friend or family member knows where you will be, who you?ll be with and when you expect to be back from your date.
In this age of information, online dating have been integrated into the people in the life. More seniors and baby boomers than ever are discovering love online. With the right preparations and precautions, you can help ensure you make some great connections on the information superhighway.

Source: http://50romance.blogspot.com/2012/11/seniors-and-baby-boomers-online-dating.html

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