Wednesday, June 30, 2010
" DM :Study uncovers 'new' Diabetes genes.."
A consortium including Edinburgh University scientists have identified "important clues to the biological basis of type 2 diabetes".
It is hoped the findings will lead to better ways of treating the condition. The genes tend to be involved in working cells producing insulin, which controls levels of glucose in blood. The 12 new genes brings the total number linked with type 2 diabetes to 38.
"..The diabetes susceptibility genes also contain variants that increase the risk of unrelated diseases, including skin and prostate cancer, coronary heart disease and high cholesterol.." Dr Jim Wilson Edinburgh University
The study was led by researchers at Oxford University and forms part of the Wellcome Trust case control consortium.The group of researchers, from across the UK, Europe, USA and Canada, compared the DNA of more than 8,000 people with type 2 diabetes with almost 40,000 people without the condition.
They then checked the genetic variations they found in another group including over 34,000 people with diabetes and almost 60,000 controls.
Dr Jim Wilson, of Edinburgh University, said: "One very interesting finding is that the diabetes susceptibility genes also contain variants that increase the risk of unrelated diseases, including skin and prostate cancer, coronary heart disease and high cholesterol.This implies that different regulation of these genes can lead to many different diseases."
Professor Mark McCarthy of Oxford University, said: "Gradually we are piecing together clues about why some people get diabetes and others don't, with the potential for developing better treatments and preventing onset of diabetes in the future. The challenge will be to turn these genetic findings into better ways of treating and preventing the condition."
"Simple test could detect Down's.."
Delegates at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard that the team have so far successfully identified the male or Y chromosome from the foetus in the mother's blood, proving their technique works. It can be used as early as 6(six)-to-8(eight) weeks, they said.
"...It is the holy grail of prenatal diagnosis to try and find a reliable method of diagnosing Down's syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities without doing invasive testing.."
Study leader Dr Suzanna Frints, a clinical geneticist at Maastricht University Hospital, says the costs of such tests are coming down all the time and it could eventually be available for as little as £25.
"Blood samples can be taken during routine antenatal visits." "It is inexpensive compared to the costs of invasive prenatal diagnosis, and could easily be implemented at low cost." She added: "At the moment, the reliability of the test is about 80% due to false negative results, but we are working to improve the accuracy."
Professor Stephen Robson, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said there are a number of labs around the world working on different techniques for such diagnostic tests.
"It is the holy grail of prenatal diagnosis to try and find a reliable method of diagnosing Down's syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities without doing invasive testing."
"This is another technique that could offer the potential to diagnose Down's syndrome non-invasively but it's important to emphasise that it is some years away."
"..Artificial Pancreas Changes lives of Diabetic Patients.."
As research advances, scientists are increasingly getting convinced that an artificial pancreas for diabetic individuals will be a reality in the next few years. This technology is designed to control the levels of glucose in the blood of those with the Type 1 Diabetes. Aaron Kowalski is the director of the Artificial Pancreas Project. The Project is for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The latest tests have shown that the technology will work in real life situations like drinking wine and eating heavy meals. Kowalski assures that according the results of studies, the technology will be safe.
The artificial pancreas will feature a glucose monitor (that will work continuously) and an insulin pump. This device is attached to the body can also continuously administer doses of insulin at adjustable level. The two features will communicate with one another to maintain normal levels of insulin and glucose in the patient’s blood.
The system was tested in 12 adults (up to the age of 65) and has proved to reduce the risks of hypoglycemia, doing so by controlling the glucose levels in the blood even in sleep. All the tested adults drank white wine and ate large meals before sleeping and the results proved successful. With more work and research, the technology can be ready for release within years.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
" STEMCELL : Stem Cell Therapy Found to 'Restore Eye Damage'.."
Research in new applications for stem cell therapy has led to roaring biological breakthroughs. Scientists have been able to restore the sight of numerous patients suffering from severe eye damage. By transplanting healthy stem cells, those who suffered from chemical damages in the eye could have then repaired.
Italian researchers tested this method in 107 eyes. The test was partially successful in 14 of the eyes and completely successful in 82. This is method of treatment was seen as a leaping success when a man regained vision after suffering from severe damage for over 50 years.
Although this procedure is not effective for patients with macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, or any retina-related damage, it has produced results in those with cornea damage. This involves chemical burns from harsh cleaning agents in home and work environments. Statistics show that thousands of such accidents occur annually.
This treatment will also not work for those who suffer from complete blindness in the two eyes. This is because doctors have to use healthy tissue as the blueprint for multiplication. After a healthy adult stem cell is reproduced, it can be transplanted into the patients damaged eye.
The beauty of this treatment also lies in the fact that no anti-rejection drugs need to be administered since the tissues being transplanted are from the patient’s body. With further research, scientists hope to be able to treat other diseases relating to diabetes and heart failure.
" GCC :Gulf spends $14bn on Healthcare Projects.."
Almost $14 billion is being spent across the Gulf on new hospital and healthcare facilities, bucking the current economic trend in the region, according to new research released on Monday.
The study is based on data gathered by Proleads, which maintains the region's most comprehensive database of construction projects.
It shows that despite the economic downturn in the Gulf, healthcare builds are continuing across Gulf countries with a mixture of public, private and joint-venture initiatives, according to the organisers of Arab Health, who released the findings ahead of next week's conference in Dubai.
The study is based on data gathered by Proleads, which maintains the region's most comprehensive database of construction projects.
It shows that despite the economic downturn in the Gulf, healthcare builds are continuing across Gulf countries with a mixture of public, private and joint-venture initiatives, according to the organisers of Arab Health, who released the findings ahead of next week's conference in Dubai.
Figures show that Saudi Arabia is leading the way with a total spend on healthcare construction projects of more than $6.6 billion, while the UAE and Qatar are closely matched at $2.9 billion and $2.8 billion respectively.
Saudi Arabia has a total of 83 projects ranging from the $400 million King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh to the $5 million Qatif Central Hospital expansion in the Eastern Province.
Qatar has two projects currently underway, but one alone is the region's biggest and most ambitious – the Sidra Medical and Research Centre which forms part of Doha's Education City development and budgeted at $2.3 billion.
In the UAE, the biggest project is the $1.9 billion first phase of the Cleveland Clinic Al Suwwa Island development in Abu Dhabi and the second is the Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Academic Medical Centre in Dubai Healthcare City budgeted at $572 million.
Kuwait has a one major hospital project under construction - the $1.2 billion Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Hospital. Bahrain, meanwhile, is spending $130 million on the King Hamad General Hospital.
Simon Page, director of the life sciences division at IIR Middle East said: "While real estate projects in the region are suffering, not one hospital related project has yet been cancelled or put on hold as a direct result of the current global economic slowdown."
"The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries are committed to growth in basic infrastructure, of which healthcare is one of the key elements in their long-term strategies," he added.
Saudi Arabia has a total of 83 projects ranging from the $400 million King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh to the $5 million Qatif Central Hospital expansion in the Eastern Province.
Qatar has two projects currently underway, but one alone is the region's biggest and most ambitious – the Sidra Medical and Research Centre which forms part of Doha's Education City development and budgeted at $2.3 billion.
In the UAE, the biggest project is the $1.9 billion first phase of the Cleveland Clinic Al Suwwa Island development in Abu Dhabi and the second is the Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Academic Medical Centre in Dubai Healthcare City budgeted at $572 million.
Kuwait has a one major hospital project under construction - the $1.2 billion Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Hospital. Bahrain, meanwhile, is spending $130 million on the King Hamad General Hospital.
Simon Page, director of the life sciences division at IIR Middle East said: "While real estate projects in the region are suffering, not one hospital related project has yet been cancelled or put on hold as a direct result of the current global economic slowdown."
"The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries are committed to growth in basic infrastructure, of which healthcare is one of the key elements in their long-term strategies," he added.
" KUWAIT : 11.2% of Kuwaitis aged 20-65 are 'Diabetic'.."
About 11.2 percent of Kuwaitis between the ages of 20-65 are diabetic, a health official has revealed.
Speaking on the eve of World Diabetes Day, assistant undersecretary for medical services at the Health Ministry Dr.Yousif Al-Nesef said that about 10.8 percent of Kuwaiti men and 11.6 of Kuwaiti women were diabetic. The number of diabetic cases increases by age and the percentage for men and women between 55-60 has reached 46 percent, state news agency KUNA reported.Al-Nesef added that there were about 35 percent treating diabetes with insulin while 65 percent were using anti-diabetic pills. He urged people to be more active, to eat the right food, and to quit bad habits such as smoking in a bid to stave off the illness.
Speaking on the eve of World Diabetes Day, assistant undersecretary for medical services at the Health Ministry Dr.Yousif Al-Nesef said that about 10.8 percent of Kuwaiti men and 11.6 of Kuwaiti women were diabetic. The number of diabetic cases increases by age and the percentage for men and women between 55-60 has reached 46 percent, state news agency KUNA reported.Al-Nesef added that there were about 35 percent treating diabetes with insulin while 65 percent were using anti-diabetic pills. He urged people to be more active, to eat the right food, and to quit bad habits such as smoking in a bid to stave off the illness.
" UAE : EMA signs up to Armstrong's Global Cancer charity.."
The Emirates Medical Association (EMA) has pledged its support to the global cancer awareness campaign Livestrong as part of its efforts to cut the number of cancer deaths in the UAE.
Cancer is the second biggest killer in the emirates behind heart disease, according to the most recent World Health Organisation figures.
As part of the October Breast Cancer Awareness month, the EMA has signed-up to the world-champion cyclist Lance Armstrong’s international cancer awareness campaign.
Cancer is the second biggest killer in the emirates behind heart disease, according to the most recent World Health Organisation figures.
As part of the October Breast Cancer Awareness month, the EMA has signed-up to the world-champion cyclist Lance Armstrong’s international cancer awareness campaign.
The cyclist launched the charity last year after fighting and winning his own personal battle with testicular cancer.
The move will see all money raised by the charity in the UAE going to support local cancer work.
“Being part of such a high-profile global campaign will help send a message to people in the UAE that cancer is not a taboo subject,” said Dr Shaheenah Dawood, a senior specialist registrar in oncology based in Dubai, and member of the EMA’s Oncology Society.
“Our goal is to educate people that cancer is curable, and if it is diagnosed and treated early, then the chances of a complete recovery are very good.”
The most recent WHO data for 2005 shows that 19.1 percent of deaths in the UAE are due to cancer, second only to heart disease, which accounts for 39.6 percent of deaths.
The EMA is the first UAE organisation to sign up to the Livestrong campaign.
Arno Kukkuk, Livestrong leader for the UAE said: “There is a certain stigma to talking about cancer here, and so we want to get the message across that cancer is real, but it is also curable.
“Just look at Lance Armstrong – he was diagnosed at 25 with testicular cancer that had already spread to his abdomen, lungs and brain, and he survived, going on to win seven Tour de France titles.”
The first UAE Livestrong fundraising event will be held on October 2, with a ‘100 Mile Cycle to Nowhere’ in the Mall of Emirates, Dubai.
Meanwhile, the EMA will hold the UAE’s first multi-disciplinary conference dedicated to breast cancer on October 29-31 at the Al Murooj Rotana in Dubai.
“Being part of such a high-profile global campaign will help send a message to people in the UAE that cancer is not a taboo subject,” said Dr Shaheenah Dawood, a senior specialist registrar in oncology based in Dubai, and member of the EMA’s Oncology Society.
“Our goal is to educate people that cancer is curable, and if it is diagnosed and treated early, then the chances of a complete recovery are very good.”
The most recent WHO data for 2005 shows that 19.1 percent of deaths in the UAE are due to cancer, second only to heart disease, which accounts for 39.6 percent of deaths.
The EMA is the first UAE organisation to sign up to the Livestrong campaign.
Arno Kukkuk, Livestrong leader for the UAE said: “There is a certain stigma to talking about cancer here, and so we want to get the message across that cancer is real, but it is also curable.
“Just look at Lance Armstrong – he was diagnosed at 25 with testicular cancer that had already spread to his abdomen, lungs and brain, and he survived, going on to win seven Tour de France titles.”
The first UAE Livestrong fundraising event will be held on October 2, with a ‘100 Mile Cycle to Nowhere’ in the Mall of Emirates, Dubai.
Meanwhile, the EMA will hold the UAE’s first multi-disciplinary conference dedicated to breast cancer on October 29-31 at the Al Murooj Rotana in Dubai.
" KSA : 480,000 Saudis unable to access health services.."
Saudi Arabia is failing to provide basic healthcare facilities to nearly half a million of its citizens, according to a new Ministry of Health report.
The study shows that more than 480,000 people across the kingdom are unable to access healthcare services.
The ministry report, cited by Saudi Gazette in a report on Sunday, said the main reason was because mountains and desert made it difficult to reach two percent of the country’s 24 million population.
The percentage, however, was based on the total population rather than the demographic distribution of health care centres for which demand has recently gone up, the report added.The study shows that more than 480,000 people across the kingdom are unable to access healthcare services.
The ministry report, cited by Saudi Gazette in a report on Sunday, said the main reason was because mountains and desert made it difficult to reach two percent of the country’s 24 million population.
The Ministry of Health has suggested setting up gathering points for all of the scattered villages in the governorates where it could provide necessary healthcare services.
" KSA : Saudi health officials ban sale of soft drinks in hospitals.."
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has banned the sale of soft drinks from the kingdom’s hospitals, Arab News reports on Tuesday.
“While banning soft drinks we want to introduce fresh juices or dairy products as alternatives,” Deputy Minister of Health Yacoub Al-Mazrou told the paper.
The decision, which was made at the fourth Health Services Council meeting earlier this week, follows a similar to move to ban fizzy drinks in schools.
“While banning soft drinks we want to introduce fresh juices or dairy products as alternatives,” Deputy Minister of Health Yacoub Al-Mazrou told the paper.
The decision, which was made at the fourth Health Services Council meeting earlier this week, follows a similar to move to ban fizzy drinks in schools.
The meeting, to plan a national health strategy, also approved the setting up on emergency operating theatres in the kingdom’s major cities, with the first being planned for Riyadh.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
" UAE : UAE approves new rules on Organ Transplants.."
The UAE has approved transplant of organs from live or dead donors other than the relatives of the recipient, the Ministry of Health said.
The written consent of the donor and/or his first and second degree relatives is mandatory if the organs are transplanted after the donor's death, a circular from the ministry said.
"..The relatives also reserve the right to donate organs if the donor had not provided written consent prior to death..", the circular issued on May 16 said.
"..A healthy individual can donate organs if he or she presents signed written consent attested by two witnesses.." The circular does not specify which organs a live donor could donate.
"..WHO CAN DONATE..? "
Live donors have to be over 21 years of age and must be in a stable physical condition. They should also have the same blood type as the recipient. The earlier federal law only permitted organ donation from first and second degree relatives.. The UAE Health Council, at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Dr Hanif Hassan on April 22, reviewed the earlier organ transplantation law, a statement sent by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company said.
The revised law enables the transplant of organs, including liver, lungs, pancreas and heart,
after a person's death.
Dr Ali Abdul Kareem Al Obaidli, Chair of the National Organ Transplant Committee, Consultant Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation at Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, and Chief Clinical Officer for the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, called organ transplantation "one of the medical miracles of the 21st century that has prolonged and improved the lives of thousands of patients worldwide."
" CIRCULAR.."
According to circular number 566/2010, sent by the Ministry of Health (MoH) issued May 16, a person who wishes to donate his/her kidney, liver, lung, pancreas and heart for use in a transplantation surgery, is allowed to do so given that he/she provides a written consent and approval, before death. The donors consent letter must be accompanied by two other signatures and approvals from two mentally fit witnesses.
The circular also states that after an individual’s death, his/her first and second relatives have the right to donate his/her organs after death even if the donor did not provide a written will regarding the matter prior to his/her death.
Even though the circular does not specify which organs they will be able to give the patient, live donors will also be able to donate an organ given that they have the same blood type as the patient, and are in a stable mental and physical condition.
In addition, the live donor must undergo full mental and physical medical screening and checkup, to make sure the surgery does not jeopardize his/her health, or can result in any health risks.
Donors and/or first and second degree relatives are allowed to change their minds regarding an organ transplantation right before a surgery, specified the MoH circular.
The organ transplantation surgery must take place in only MoH licensed centers, clinics and hospitals across the UAE, the circular states.
" GCC : Henna linked to leukaemia in women.."
Emirati women are almost twice as likely as men to develop leukaemia, and synthetic forms of henna dye could be the cause, scientists believe.
A study by UAE University published in the journal ‘Leukaemia and Lymphoma’ found the rate of acute myeloid leukaemia – an often-fatal cancer of the blood and bone marrow – was 93 per cent higher among Emirati women than men. Emirati women were also 63 per cent more likely to be affected than expatriate women.
The study looked at 263 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) over a seven-year period from January 2000 to December 2006.
It found that the rate of AML among UAE nationals was 78 per cent higher than in expatriates. The rate of ALL was 25 per cent higher in Emiratis. Emirati women were also almost twice as likely as Emirati men to develop acute myeloid leukaemia AML.Risk factors linked to leukaemia include age, exposure to radiation, smoking and genetic disorders.However, it remains very rare. Even among Emirati women – the group most at risk – the disease affects fewer than three in 100,000.
Dr Inaam Hassan, an associate professor at the UAE University in Al Ain, said chemicals in henna dye, which is used to decorate the body, as well as a lack of sunlight could be behind the increased incidence.
“I could not understand the results because men and women live in the same environment; they eat the same foods and breathe the same air,” she said. “The only difference was the use of henna.”Decorative henna is used on many occasions, including a child’s first day at school, weddings or Eid celebrations, she said.
Henna is a small plant and the dye extracted from it is traditionally used to decorate skin, nails, hair and fabrics. Many modern henna dyes, however, use synthetic chemicals such as benzene to produce a deeper colour, and it is these chemicals experts are worried about.
Benzene is also found in petrol and tobacco smoke. It is known to be carcinogenic and can affect the liver, lungs, heart and kidneys.
The US Food and Drug Administration does not allow henna plant dye to be used on the skin. “The henna used here is often made with benzene, [which] is a well documented factor causing this specific type of leukaemia,” Dr Hassan said. “Women here use henna on all occasions, and children also use it. They don’t only put it on their hands; they put it on their whole arms.” Abu Dhabi Municipality routinely inspects beauty salons and sends henna samples to the health authority for testing.
Khalifa al Romaithi, of the municipality’s public health department, said pre-mixed henna was often found to contain harmful chemicals such as benzene.
“If we find pre-mixed henna, we will test it,” he said. “Salons should be using the pure henna powder and mixing it with a little water. When we find henna stored in the freezer, it is suspicious and we will test it." “They might have added something they shouldn’t have.”
Salons found to be mixing henna powder with chemicals face fines of up to Dh10,000 (US$2,700).
Referring to previous findings, Dr Hassan said another factor could be a lack of vitamin D. Because the body needs sunlight to make the vitamin, “traditional, conservative outdoors clothing” can mean some people here – especially women – are deficient.
Dr.Wesam Kadhum, a dermatologist at the Gulf Medical University Hospital in Ajman, said chemicals regularly applied to the skin could have a dangerous cumulative effect, depending on the size of the molecule.
“If the molecule is small enough it can enter the body through the skin,” he said. “Chemicals such as benzene, lead and mercury can all have a cumulative effect if they are used many times."
“They affect the neurosystem and the blood, but these trace elements are not easily measured.”
He said the effect of benzene in henna warranted further study, especially in light of the UAE University findings.As well as the internal dangers, chemicals in henna could also harm the skin, according to Dr Hussein Abdel Dayem, chief dermatologist at Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Benzene, in particular, could cause blisters and sores if used in large quantities.
“If it is bad enough, someone may even need to see a doctor,” he said. “This is not uncommon when the henna is mixed with chemicals.”
Josy Zaraa, the general manager of Eva Beauty Salon in the capital, said many young women now opted for temporary tattooing instead of traditional henna paste.“They are more educated,” she said. “Many salons mix it with chemicals to darken the colour, but younger women know this.” Despite the increasing popularity of temporary tattoos, she said, henna as a cultural tradition would remain. “It will always be used, but it needs to be used properly.”
" Lack of exercise 'worse for health than being obese'.."
A lack of exercise is worse for people’s health than simply being obese, according to an expert.
Dr Richard Weiler, a specialist registrar in sport and exercise medicine, said that a lack of fitness was the root cause of more illness than body fat.
This ill health includes diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, mental health problems and high blood pressure, he said.
He called for public health policies to focus more on increasing physical activity and that spending huge amounts of money on treating obesity was the wrong way forward.
"..Weight loss drugs and surgery both carry risks and their long-term benefits are limited.." he warns in an opinion piece published in the British Medical Journal.
A recent review of the evidence “suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness, which is developed and maintained by regular physical activity, is a better predictor of mortality than obesity,” Dr Weiler, from Imperial College Healthcare Trust, in London, writes.
More than nine in 10 people in Britain do not take the recommended 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week.
His article which says that health policy should focus on physical activity rather than obesity, adds that health problems “can be greatly reduced by physical activity leading to improved fitness – even in the absence of weight loss.”
However, writing in the same journal, Prof Louise Baur and colleagues from the University of Sydney, say that while physical inactivity is a “major contributor “ to disease it would be wrong to focus on exercise and ignore obesity.
Meanwhile, a new survey shows that one in five children say they do not get any support from their parents to play sport outside school.
And half of boys and 15 per cent of girls saying they would play more sport if their parents were prepared to drive them to sports clubs, the poll, of 1,000 children and 2,000 parents by David Lloyd Leisure showed
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" KUWAIT : MOH targets better medical services.."
Agreements recently signed between Kuwait and German hospitals are intended to provide better medical services to patients, a senior health official said here yesterday, 26 June 2010... Under the deals, Kuwaiti patients seeking medical treatment in Germany would enjoy high-quality medical care at German clinics, Chief of the Foreign Medical Treatment at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health Mohammad Al-Meshaan said.
"..Cooperation with non-profitable august university hospitals would certainly lead to boosting and developing health investments and revamping medical services in Kuwait, as well as drawing upon world experience.." he said. The signed deals also provide for dispatching Kuwaiti doctors to German hospitals for training, and for using the help of German medical experts in the medical treatment of critical cases in Kuwait, he added.
No buts, such visits would contribute to further promoting and reinforcing Kuwaiti-German health cooperative relations, the Kuwaiti official pointed out. He quoted some German officials as showing willingness to bolster health relations with Kuwait and to provide it with every possible means to improve their health services. .
"..Cooperation with non-profitable august university hospitals would certainly lead to boosting and developing health investments and revamping medical services in Kuwait, as well as drawing upon world experience.." he said. The signed deals also provide for dispatching Kuwaiti doctors to German hospitals for training, and for using the help of German medical experts in the medical treatment of critical cases in Kuwait, he added.
No buts, such visits would contribute to further promoting and reinforcing Kuwaiti-German health cooperative relations, the Kuwaiti official pointed out. He quoted some German officials as showing willingness to bolster health relations with Kuwait and to provide it with every possible means to improve their health services. .
