Hypertension drug may help people with Muscular Dystrophy
Filed under: Research
For those of you who are familiar with the drug called Losartan, you know that it is often prescribed to treat hypertension. You may also know that it is known to block TGF-beta activity. But what you probably didn't know -- just as researchers didn't until a recent discovery -- is that Losartan may also aid in treating Muscular Dystrophy.
Our always busy friends over at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center found that by treating mice, that had been genetically altered to have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), with Losartan demonstrated completely restored ability to regenerate muscle after injury. And, what's more, mice treated with Losartan also showed strength levels equal to that of mice without DMD. By contrast, the mice with DMD that were not treated with Losartan had large patches of scar tissue in place of muscle after injury, and during strength tests performed very poorly.
Further research on the effects of Losartan on Muscular Dystrophy still needs to be completed. In the interim, the researchers' findings can be reviewed online in this week's Nature Medicine.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsGene flaws may increase kids' risk for type 1 diabetes
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Research, Daily News
A new study, a report of which has been published in Nature, has identified gene flaws that increase the risk for type 1 diabetes in children. By examining the genetic codes of thousands of children, some with and some without diabetes, as well as those of parents of diabetics, the researchers identified three changes on one specific gene present in those with diabetes. They then looked at 1600 additional diabetes patients' genetic codes and again found the very same marks, sometimes called "flavors" or "flaws." Two of these variations increase a person's odds of developing diabetes by fifty percent, say the researchers. However, the third seems to decrease risk for the disease.Type 1, says lead author Hakon Hakonarson, is a complex genetic disorder "involving mutations in several genes acting in concert to predispose someone to the condition." Important? Very. Best case scenario: understanding how these genes operate is the kind of knowledge that could lead to a cure. At the very least, such knowledge could help medical caregivers identify at-risk children - a step that could eventually precede the standard diagnosis procedure as we know it today.
Click here for more details about this study.
Genetic Modification to Control the Forces of Nature
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Drugs, Research, Opinion
It's logical that the Nation is up-in-arms about putting genetically modified meats and produce on the shelves in grocery stores and getting due diligence from the government for it. It makes a lot of sense to test something you will use to fuel your body before it is permitted to penetrate the market. So how did genetically modified human insulin overtake the market again? Oh - there must not be any side effects like a diabetes epidemic or something crazy like that, right?
But I digress on the topic in honor of springtime, when "love is in the air". As we all know, love is one of the strongest forces of nature. So is it fair that it went unnoticed by the FDA that human synthetic insulin results in a loss of awareness of hypoglycemia, among other natural responses to hormonal precursors? This is due to a significant suppression of tachycardia.
Tachycardia refers to a rapid beating of the heart. This event may be a perfectly normal response to stress. A stressful event may cause the endocrine system to release hormones that regulate body functions related to mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, all of which are governed by blood sugar. The hormone that is critically important in tachycardia is epinephrine (adrenaline).
Epinephrine is a fight or flight hormone which is released from the adrenal glands when danger threatens (hypoglycemia, mating rituals, survival of the fittest). When secreted into the bloodstream, it rapidly prepares the body for action in emergency situations. The hormone boosts the supply of oxygen and energy-giving glucose to the brain and muscles; some bodily processes not vital to the response are suppressed. This is exactly what happens when animals become twitterpated in the spring (Bambi, Walt Disney - 1942).
As the birds and the bees go about their business, pollinating and procreating - I ask you think about the adulterated pharmacological intervention that has impaired such a natural phenomenon as love. Celebrate the body's natural response to tachycardia, and realize that our Creator made us perfectly. The longer you spend in the lab genetically modifying His work - the more you are fighting the forces of nature. Now please, put it back the way you found it.
Low-sugar watermelons a guilt-free treat
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Diet, Daily News, Products
The low-sugar watermelon is creating a big buzz in the news right now. The watermelon, developed by plant breeders at the US Department of Agriculture, contains less than half the sugar of regular melons. It may fit the bill perfectly for diabetics who crave a generous helping of that luscious summer treat. Brilliantly, beneficial concentrations of vitamin A, potassium and the antioxidant lycopene stay the same in the low-cal version. Don't rush to the local supermarket looking for it though: the seeds have only just become available to melon growers, so mature fruits has not yet hit the market.The beauty of the low-cal melon is that it's all-natural. Okay, okay. It took some genetic engineering to get there. Still, noshing on a big stack of this watermelon has to be better for you than processed snacks and drinks, with their chemical cocktail ingredients list. Reports in today's news on the possible dangers of diet soda consumption, for example, might get people thinking harder about healthier ways to satisfy their sugar cravings. On the other hand, if you're not afraid of the artificial sweeteners, a sprinkling on the low-sugar melon will enhance the sweetness, sugar-free. Thank you, Mother Nature...and the USDA.
The Solution to Healthy Weight Loss
"Can't find what you are looking for? Try Google Search" Calorie Feature Article The Solution to Healthy Weight LossAuthor: Marilyn Pokorney REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publishthis article free of charge in your e-zine, newsletter,ebook, print publication or on your website ONLY if itremains unchanged and you include the copyright and authorinformation (Resource Box) at the end. You may not usethis article in any unsolicited commercial email (spam).You may retrieve this article by:Autoresponder: diettips1000@getresponse.comWebsite: http://www.apluswriting.net/articles/diettips.txtWords: 882 including resource boxCopyright: 2005 Marilyn PokorneyPlease leave the resource box intact with an active link,and send a courtesy copy of the publication in which thearticle appears to: marilynp@nctc.net------------------------------------------------------------The overweight and obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem.There are no official statistics for spending on dietproducts, but estimates vary from $40 to $100 billion in theUS alone, much of that on scams and fad diets that promisethe impossible.Research shows that 95% of people who have lost weight findthat they regain it back when they return to their normaleating habits.According to the Center for Disease Control's ChronicDisease Center, in 1991 in the United States, only fourstates had an obesity prevalence of 15 percent to 19percent. In 2003, 15 states had an obesity prevalence of15 to 19 percent, 31 states had an obesity prevalence of 20to 24 percent, and four states had a prevalence of 25percent or more.Major medical problems associated with obesity includegallbladder disease, high blood pressure, high bloodcholesterol, diabetes, and osteoarthritis.If that isn't incentive enough to lose that excess weightstatistics show that overweight people are usually givenlower paying jobs, get lower salaries, receive little inraises, and are, as a whole, looked down upon by 40 percentof fellow employees and employers.In 2002 The American Heart Association reported that morethan 10 percent of US children ages 2 to 5 are overweight.That is up from 7 percent in 1994. The situation isprobably even worse now, said Dr. Robert H. Eckel,president-elect of the heart association and professor ofmedicine at the University of Colorado.The obesity problem among children has increased withschool-age children as well. Four million children ages 6to 11 and 5.3 million in age group 12 to 19 have increasedby 75 percent from 1991.Food habits adopted in childhood can be hard to change. Asa result hypertension and high cholesterol leading to heartdisease, strokes, and diabetes are going to become thenations top health problem with people of all ages within 10to 30 years. These are ailments that usually afflict themiddle age to elderly population. More than a million newcases of diabetes are already being diagnosed each year,says the American Diabetic Association.Nearly 30 percent of American adults are overweight andanother 30 percent are obese, according to University ofMinnesota researchers. Obesity is usually described as aweight 20 percent greater than the persons desirable weight.A study by the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at theFred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle revealedthat 60% of overweight women, and 70% of obese women, arelikely to become pregnant while taking the pill. Theresearchers suggest that a higher metabolism is the reason,causing the medication to be effective for a shorter lengthof time. Or, that the drug interacts with the body'shormones in a way that the drug becomes trapped in the bodyfat instead of circulating in the bloodstream.Studies with obese pregnant women show they are 50% morelikely to die during pregnancy than those of normal weight.Complications such as miscarriage, gestational diabetes,hypertension, pre-eclampsia, pre-term labor, and stillbirthare also more common. Preliminary evidence shows thatbabies are also adversely affected, and are more likely tobe obese themselves in later life.Fast foods: Studies show that people who frequent fast foodoutlets twice a week or more gained 36 pounds over thecourse of 15 years compared to 26 pounds for those thatfrequented them once a week or less.A major factor for the obesity crisis is a sedentarylifestyle, not enough exercise, and the eating of highcalorie fast foods in place of nutritious natural foodproducts.Fast food is designed to promote consumption of the maximumnumber of calories in the minimum amount of time. Thisupsets the body's normal metabolism. One solution is to eatsmaller, more nutritious, meals more frequently throughoutthe day.Physical activity reduces the effects of being overweight,but healthy eating habits have to be followed to preventdisease associated with poor nutrition according to anexpert of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard Schoolof Public Health.The new diet guidelines set by the Health and Human Servicesand the U.S. Department of Agriculture is basically abalanced diet and good old fashioned exercise. They stressmore fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limit fats, sugar,alcohol, and salt.Many supermarkets are open 24 hours a day making a choice ofhealthy food available at all times.For more tips on how to lose weight safely see The Secret toWeight Loss at:http://www.apluswriting.net/diettips/diettips.htm*****************************************Author: Marilyn PokorneyFreelance writer of science, nature, animals and theenvironment.Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.Website: http://www.apluswriting.net***************************************** About the Author Author: Marilyn PokorneyFreelance writer of science, nature, animals and theenvironment.Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.Website: http://www.apluswriting.net... Canadian Calorie CounterFree Calorie Counting GuidePilates And Calorie Burning
[RESEARCH] Patients' attitudes to the summary care record and HealthSpace: qualitative study
Objective To document the views of patients and the public towards the summary care record (SCR, a centrally stored medical record drawn from the general practice record) and HealthSpace (a personal health organiser accessible through the internet from which people can view their SCR), with a particular focus on those with low health literacy, potentially stigmatising conditions, or difficulties accessing health care.
Design 103 semistructured individual interviews and seven focus groups.
Setting Three early adopter primary care trusts in England where the SCR and HealthSpace are being piloted. All were in areas of relative socioeconomic deprivation.
Participants Individual participants were recruited from general practice surgeries, walk-in centres, out of hours centres, and accident and emergency departments. Participants in focus groups were recruited through voluntary sector organisations; they comprised advocates of vulnerable groups and advocates of people who speak limited English; people with HIV; users of mental health services; young adults; elderly people; and participants of a drug rehabilitation programme.
Methods Participants were asked if they had received information about the SCR and HealthSpace and about their views on shared electronic records in different circumstances.
Results Most people were not aware of the SCR or HealthSpace and did not recall receiving information about it. They saw both benefits and drawbacks to having an SCR and described a process of weighing the former against the latter when making their personal choice. Key factors influencing this choice included the nature of any illness (especially whether it was likely to lead to emergency care needs); past and present experience of healthcare and government surveillance; the person’s level of engagement and health literacy; and their trust and confidence in the primary healthcare team and the wider NHS. Overall, people with stigmatising illness were more positive about the SCR than people who claimed to speak for "vulnerable groups." Misconceptions about the SCR were common, especially confusion about what data it contained and who would have access to it. Most people were not interested in recording their medical data or accessing their SCR via HealthSpace, but some saw the potential for this new technology to support self management and lay care for those with chronic illness.
Conclusion Despite an extensive information programme in early adopter sites, the public remains unclear about current policy on shared electronic records, though most people view these as a positive development. The "implied consent" model for creating and accessing a person’s SCR should be revisited, perhaps in favour of "consent to view" at the point of access.
A certain protein may contribute to retinopathy
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Research
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema are two of the leading causes of vision loss or blindness, in spite of the great strides that have been made by health professionals. In efforts to create a better understanding of these two degenerative eye disorders, researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center have compiled an extremely vast inventory of the proteins present in a part of the eye known as the vitreous. They have also identified a group of proteins that may play a significant role in causing blood vessel leakage in the eye.
The findings of this study were published in the January 28th issue of Nature Medicine, in which it was suggested that an analysis of the protein composition in the human vitreous has lead to the identification of a new group of molecules involved in diabetic retinopathy. One of these molecules is said to cause leakage of retinal blood vessels, contributing to the retinal swelling (Diabetic Macular Edema) that is usually liked with advanced diabetic retinopathy.
As stated, this study was spearheaded by the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, MA, and was conducted with funding provided by the JDRF, the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, the National Institutes of Health, the Adler Foundation, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Medical Free Electron Laser Program.
Mapping Diabetes
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Research, Daily News
Scientists have mapped the genes responsible for causing type 2 diabetes. This new research is giving hope to new tests that can predict an individuals risk for developing the disease and future treatments.
The study compared the genetic make-up of 700 people with type 2 diabetes and a family history of the condition, with 700 diabetes-free people. Four points on the gene map linked to a person's diabetes risk and were confirmed with another group of 5,000 type 2 diabetics. The findings of this research could explain up to 70% of the genetics related to developing diabetes. A particular zinc transporter, known as SLC30A8, which regulates insulin secretion, was shown to have a mutation. Researchers feel they may be able to treat some cases of diabetes by correcting this mutation.
These findings will allow for the creation of a genetic test to predict people's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as better treatments for the presiding cause of their diabetes. Nary a day passes that I am not motivated for the future of all diabetics. This is the type of research that strengthens my faith in the coming of a cure. Identify the nature of the problem and nip it in the bud.
Does Diabetes Boost Parkinson's Risk?
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Research
Acording to a Finnish study, diabetes may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have found that people with type 2 diabetes were more than 80% more likely to be later diagnosed with Parkinson's disease than people without diabetes. This is the first study to suggest that diabetes may be a risk factor of Parkinson's disease, a progressive disease that causes muscle rigidity and tremors.
The study followed a group of more than 50,000 men and women over a period of 18 years. During that time, 324 men and 309 women developed Parkinson's disease. People who had type 2 diabetes at the start of the study were far more likely to be later diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Overall, after adjusting for other possible risk factors for Parkinson's disease, men and women with type 2 diabetes were 83% more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without it.
Although the exact nature of the relationship between diabetes and Parkinson's disease is unclear, researchers say several lifestyle factors may be associated with both disorders. Among these factors are: obesity, cigarette smoking, and lack of physical activity.
Perhaps further research between the association of diabetes and Parkinson's disease could help researchers better understand an avenue to a cure. . Pioglitazone is a drug used to treat diabetes. It may also help fight the onset of Parkinson's. Thanks to funding from The Michael J. Fox Foundation we may be closer to clinical trials and an answer.
Diabetes Health TV introduces Neuragen
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Events, Products, Magazines, Allie Beatty, Complications, Personalities
Creator of Diabetes Health Magazine, Scott King, has been a type 1 diabetic for over 34 years. Needless to say, he knows diabetes, and he is doing a remarkable job of introducing cutting-edge treatments for diabetics. In the first Diabetes Health TV broadcast, he shared interviews from the recent AADE Conference. A really exciting product he featured is called Neuragen - a topical treatment for diabetes neuropathy.
With diabetes neuropathy, people experience pain due to damage to the peripheral nerves. Neuropathic pain is often characterized by burning sensations or shooting pain, or may occur as numbness or chronic itching. Clinical trials have shown Neuragen to be effective in 70% of patients for the pain associated with diabetes. The ingredients are pretty kosher, too. Neuragen is made of a proprietary blend of essential oils from special species of geranium, lavender, bergamot, eucalyptus, and tea tree.
The Neuragen rep was blunt when he described the effective nature of this all natural product - using more does not make it any more effective! You have to admire his refreshing honesty. But like I said upfront - if Scott King is willing to spend the time getting the scoop on this product - it's probably worth your time using it. For more interviews, checkot the full coverage of the AADE Conference on Diabetes Health TV!