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New Technique Could Predict Heart Attacks Scans could aid delivery decisions Vets work on mystery of "robotic cats“ Follow Our Student Ambassador Blogs
Welcome, This e-Zine is designed for students who have an offer with the University of Edinburgh-College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, to provide you with the latest College updates as well as further details on your journey to the University.
Hello, This month we launched our brand new app, which is available via the App Store under the search name ‘UoE CMVM’. More on the features of the app is included in the month’s issue. We’ve also started a new section showcasing some of our current PhD students research collaborations with their supervisors. This month’s issue looks at publications in the fields of developmental biology and clinical brain sciences. We’d love to hear any feedback you may have on this section. As always, if you have any further queries please contact us. September is getting very close now and myself and the whole team look forward to welcoming you to the programme! Best wishes, Barry Connolly Customer Relationship Manager Barry.Connolly@ed.ac.uk
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Latest College News
Low testosterone levels linked to diabetes Low levels of testosterone in men could increase their risk of developing diabetes. University scientists have found that low testosterone levels are linked to a resistance to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. Low testosterone We know that men with low testosterone levels are more likely to become obese, and as a develop diabetes. This study shows that low testosterone is a risk factor for diabetes no matter how much a person weighs. (Read More)
New technique could predict heart attacks A new imaging method could help improve how doctors predict a patient’s risk of having a heart attack.
University scientists, funded by the British Heart Foundation, have combined different scan techniques to look at the disease process in coronary arteries that lead to heart attacks. The research, carried out in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, looked at the use of PET scans and CT scans. (Read More)
Latest College News
Scans could aid delivery decisions Scientists are using MRI scans to see if they can determine when best to deliver babies that are not growing as fast as they should in the womb. The University study aims to see if changes to the placenta can indicate when babies that are not growing as fast as they should need to be delivered. These babies should be delivered to improve their survival rates.
(Read More)
Vets work on mystery of "robotic cats“ Vets are working to find the cause of a neurological condition that has been affecting Scottish cats during the last decade. The cats are believed to have a slowly-progressing neurological disease, with symptoms that include an odd walking gait with a stiff, extended tail. This strange movement has seen the cats dubbed as ‘robotic cats’.
Collaboration Experts from the University’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies are working with the Animal Health Trust to identify the cause of the condition. The illness is currently untreatable but it is hoped that if experts can determine its cause they will be able to find a treatment.
Diagnosis Around 50 cases of the ultimately-fatal disease have been identified, mostly in Scotland, over the past decade. The Hospital for Small Animals at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is offering a service whereby vets can send videos and full clinical histories of cats to help diagnose cases of the condition. (Read More)
New University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine App
We're pleased to let you know that the ‘UoE CMVM’ App is now live and free to download at Apple's App Store. The App pulls together key information from our website, allowing prospective applicants to explore the range of postgraduate programmes available and get application advice, while offerholders can use it to watch video guidance on accepting offers, and access accommodation links, latest College news, student blogs, Facebook groups etc. We will be using the App to keep you updated on important updates leading up to matriculation and enrolment. So please remember to 'accept' the push notification request once you've downloaded it. The App is currently available for iPhone and iPad users only, but if successful will be rolled out to other platforms. You can find it in the App Store by searching for "UoE CMVM".
Explore CMVM through our films, blogs, E-zines and social media pages . (Click on the logo)
Facebook We have three communities where we encourage offer holders to speak to each other online. Twitter Keep up to date with the latest news from the Postgraduate Office Blogs A sneak peak of postgraduate life from our student bloggers E-zines View our latest E-zines featuring key information for applicants. YouTube We have our own feature page and are adding films all the time. Online events Instructions on how to log in to our virtual drop-in sessions.
Student Research As a new feature to the offer holder e-Zine, each month we shall be showcasing research publications, where our current students have submitted papers in collaboration with their supervisor. This month we showcase research in developmental biology and clinical brain sciences.
SOCS2 is the critical regulator of GH action in murine growth plate chondrogenesis. Pass C, Macrae VE, Huesa C, Ahmed SF, Farquharson C. Source Bone Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Roslin, Midlothian; Bone & Endocrine Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow. Abstract Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling-2 (SOCS2) is a negative regulator of growth hormone (GH) signalling and bone growth via inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway. This has been classically demonstrated by the overgrowth phenotype of SOCS2(-/-) mice which has normal systemic IGF-1 levels. The local effects of GH on bone growth are equivocal and therefore this study aimed to understand better the SOCS2 signalling mechanisms mediating the local actions of GH on epiphyseal chondrocytes and bone growth. SOCS2, in contrast to SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression, was increased in cultured chondrocytes following GH challenge; and gain-and-loss of function studies indicated that GH stimulated chondrocyte STATs-1, -3 and -5 phosphorylation was increased in SOCS2(-/-) chondrocytes but not in cells over-expressing SOCS2. This increased chondrocyte STAT signalling in the absence of SOCS2 is likely to explain the observed GH stimulation of longitudinal growth of cultured SOCS2(-/-) embryonic metatarsals and the proliferation of chondrocytes within. Consistent with this metatarsal data; bone growth rates, growth plate widths and chondrocyte proliferation were all increased in SOCS2(-/-) 6-week old mice as was the number of phosphorylated STAT-5 positive hypertrophic chondrocytes. The SOCS2(-/-) mouse represents a valid model for studying the local effects of GH and IGF-1 on bone growth. Š 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. Copyright Š 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Research Supervisor Professor Colin Farquharson Profile: http://www.roslin.ed.ac.uk/colin-farquharson/
Claudin k is specifically expressed in cells that form myelin during development of the nervous system and regeneration of the optic nerve in adult zebrafish. Mßnzel EJ, Schaefer K, Obirei B, Kremmer E, Burton EA, Kuscha V, Becker CG, BrÜsamle C, Williams A, Becker T. Source Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Abstract The zebrafish has become an important model organism to study myelination during development and after a lesion of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Here, we identify Claudin k as a myelinassociated protein in zebrafish and determine its localization during development and adult optic nerve regeneration. We find Claudin k in subcellular compartments consistent with location in autotypic tight junctions of oligodendrocytes and myelinating Schwann cells. Expression starts in the hindbrain at 2 days (mRNA) and 3 days (protein) postfertilization and is maintained in adults. A newly generated claudin k:green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter line allowed us to characterize oligodendrocytes in the adult retina that express Claudin k and olig2, but not P0 and uniquely only form loose wraps of membrane around axons. After a crush of the adult optic nerve, Claudin k protein levels were first reduced and then recovered within 4 weeks postlesion, concomitant with optic nerve myelin de- and regeneration. During optic nerve regeneration, oligodendrocytes, many of which were newly generated, repopulated the lesion site and exhibited increasing morphological complexity over time. Thus, Claudin k is a novel myelin-associated protein expressed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells from early stages of wrapping and myelin formation in zebrafish development and adult regeneration, suggesting important functions of the gene for myelin formation and maintenance. Our Claudin k antibodies and claudin k:GFP reporter line represent excellent ways to visualize oligodendrocyte and Schwann cell differentiation in vivo. Copyright Š 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Research Supervisor Dr Catherina G. Becker, PhD Profile: http://www.cnr.ed.ac.uk/Research/becker.html
Articles available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/guide/ (Account required)
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Contact Details If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate To contact us at: Postgraduate Office College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine The University of Edinburgh The Chancellor's Building 49 Little France Crescent Edinburgh EH16 4SB Tel: +44(0)131 242 6460/6461 Email:mvmpg@ed.ac.uk
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