Researchers Found a switch to turn off cancer of testis and ovary

Malignant Germ Cell Tumors (GCT) are malignant tumors that are formed by immature cells that begin in the reproductive cells of the testes or ovaries. These germ cells travel into the pelvis as ovarian cells or into the scrotal sac as testicular cells. These cells metastasize to other parts of the body and most commonly spread to the lungs, liver, lymph nodes, and central nervous system. Adult germ cell tumors are usually in the testes or ovaries.

Although many patients do well after treatment, current chemotherapy treatments can have severe long-term side effects, including hearing loss and damage to the kidneys, lungs and bone marrow. For some patients, outcomes remain poor and testicular cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in young men.

Researchers from Cambridge have discovered a molecular "switch" that can turn off a highly virulent cancer of the testis and the ovary.

The scientists found that all malignant germ cell tumors contain large amounts of a protein called LIN28. This results in too little of a family of tiny regulator molecules called let-7. In turn, low levels of let-7 cause too much of numerous cancer-promoting proteins in cells.

Importantly, the cancer-promoting proteins include LIN28 itself, so there is a vicious cycle that acts as an `on` switch to promote malignancy.

The researchers have likened these changes to a `cascade effect`, extending down from the large amounts of LIN28 to affect many properties of the cancer cells.

The researchers also discovered that by reducing amounts of the protein LIN28, or by directly increasing amounts of let-7, it is possible to reverse the vicious cycle.

Both ways reduced levels of the cancer-promoting proteins and inhibited cell growth. Because the level of LIN28 itself goes down, the effects are reinforced and act as an `off` switch to reduce cancerous behaviour.

The switch effect is present in all malignant germ cell tumours, whether they occur in males or females, young or old. Such a fundamental abnormality makes an excellent new target for treating these tumours.

A Glass of Milk After Eating Sugary Cereals May Prevent Cavities

Tooth decay is the process that results in a cavity (dental caries). It occurs when bacteria in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.

It is known that, to avoid cavities eating high sugar and/or high acid foods (cookies, candy, soda) between meals should be avoided. According to a new research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, a glass of milk after eating sugary meal may reduces plaque acid levels and may prevent damage to tooth enamel that leads to cavities.

For their study reseachers, involved 20 adults eating 20 grams of dry Froot Loops cereal, then drinking different beverages -- whole milk, 100 percent apple juice, or tap water.

They measured plaque pH or acidity with a touch microelectrode between the premolar teeth before eating, two and five minutes after eating and then two to 30 minutes after drinking a liquid.

They found that pH in plaque dropped rapidly after consuming cereal alone, and remained acidic at pH 5.83 at 30 minutes.Participants who drank milk after eating sugary cereal showed the highest pH rise, from 5.75 to 6.48 at 30 minutes. Those who drank apple juice remained at pH 5.84 at 30 minutes, while water raised the pH to 6.02.

Milk, with a pH ranging from 6.4 to 6.7, is considered to be a functional food that fights cavities because it promotes tooth remineralization and inhibits the growth of plaque.

Most consumers think that since milk is considered to be cavity-fighting, acid production by plaque bacteria can be minimized by mixing it with cereal. However, in an unpublished study in the lab, it was discovered that the combination of Froot Loops and milk became syrupy. Eating cereal combined with milk lowered plaque pH to levels similar to that obtained after rinsing with a 10 percent sugar solution.

The research is published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.