Aliquots - Research Briefs

A broad bioinformatics approach revealed that Hedgehog signaling is upregulated in dedifferentiated liposarcoma, suggesting this pathway may be an early indicator of poor prognosis and a potential therapeutic target.

Vanderbilt researchers report on a musician who acquired synesthesia — a merging of sensations — and improved creativity following a traumatic brain injury.

A customizable framework uses simulated patients to distinguish effects of a new treatment from “learning effects” for clinicians; it should help identify training opportunities and hasten treatment improvements.

A case study of a rare disorder uncovers roles for the protein dysbindin in the adaptive immune response and suggests that mutations may underlie some cases of very early onset inflammatory bowel disease.

Dietary magnesium depletion in a mouse model activated inflammatory pathways and molecules that promote hypertension, suggesting that increased magnesium consumption may be beneficial for reducing the prevalence of hypertension.

Hepatic stellate cells maintain liver mass and function; the signaling factors they use could be exploited therapeutically to promote liver regeneration and inhibit cancerous proliferation, Vanderbilt researchers suggest.

Genetic mosaicism — when the body’s cells do not all have the same genetic makeup — could generate variants previously thought to be spontaneous in genetic disease, and detecting parental mosaicism could clarify recurrence risk for future children.