Stem cells treat foot wounds
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, Care, Complications
Diabetic foot complications are responsible for many lower extremity amputations. But this last drastic step can be prevented up to 85 percent of the time with early diagnosis and proper care.
Now Thai researchers and physicians have shown using a patient's own stem cells can effectively heal chronic foot wounds. Diabetes patients with chronic foot wounds, aged 50-72, were injected with stem cells obtained from their own blood. Most excitedly, the wounds healed nicely within three to four months. The stem cell treatment also makes fiscal sense. According to this article, stem cell treatment for wounds in a patient with diabetes costs about $6,000, one-fifth the cost of conventional treatment for a leg wound.
Studies have shown primary care physicians often fail to examine the feet of patients with diabetes. It's a shame, as this step is the least costly and most effective way to prevent foot wounds and potential amputations. But at the same time, it is nice to know there is a promising, cheaper treatment utilizing patient-donated stem cells.
Stem Cells found in amniotic fluid
Filed under: Daily news
Say the words Stem Cell Research to a group of ten people, and you're bound to get ten different reactions. Some are in favor of research of this kind, while others are staunchly opposed. And, some still aren't convinced of its efficacy or morality, so they do not have a firm opinion either way. But, in an ongoing effort to find a means of obtaining stem cells that can hopefully satisfy all parties, researchers from Wake Forest University have isolated broad potential stem cells from amniotic fluid.
In a joint effort between scientists from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School, it was discovered that from progenitor cell types found in amniotic fluid, true stem cells can be obtained. Although only a small number (approximately 1 percent) of the stem cells found in amniotic fluid can used to create the many specialized cells found in the human body, the fact remains that it has now at least been proved that it is possible.
The major advantage of what have now been named AFS cells (Amniotic Fluid-derived Stem cells) is that they do not utilize any portion of the actual embryo, thereby mitigating a great deal of moral implication. Also, these AFS cells are readily available, as there are more than 4 million births each year in the U.S. alone. Researchers say that with a bank of 100,000 specimens, it is possible, at least in theory, to supply 99 percent of the U.S. population with perfect genetic matches for transplantation. This could have an enormous effect on doctors' ability to replace damaged cells and tissue from stroke, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and many other illnesses and injuries.
Novocell - A stem cell engineering company
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Drugs, Research, Services, Support
Novocell is the first company to use polyethylene glycol (PEG) to encapsulate clusters of insulin-producing cells. This biocompatible substance allows glucose and insulin to pass freely through the coating while preventing the body's immune system from destroying the islets.
The encapsulated islets release human insulin through natural mechanisms in response to the recipient's blood glucose. The islet cells used in this study are isolated from human cadavers. The implant procedure is performed under local anesthesia and the encapsulated islets are injected into a surgically formed micropocket in the subcutaneous tissues of the thigh or lower abdomen of the recipient. The patients received temporary low dose cyclosporine (50-100 ng/ml 12hr trough) and did not receive any other form of immunosuppression.
At the American Diabetes Association 66th Annual Scientific Session in June -- Novocell announced the progress of the study. No adverse events had occurred -- no news is good news. In addition, the company also has the fortune of existing in California - where they can prosper on further stem cell research. Novocell has developed a process that efficiently converts human embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells. Novocell believes this study will demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the encapsulation technology that can be used with the unlimited source of insulin-producing cells developed from stem cells to treat patients with diabetes.
Stem Cell Research Bill - Government through Guilt
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Drugs, Research, Daily News, Events, Opinion, Support
The JDRF Government Relations would like to encourage all diabetics to take action and let your Senators know that you want them to support the Senate Bill 5 (S.5) - the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Of course, if you do not support this bill you are in no way expected to do any of the following - but for the sake of enlightenment, I invite you to read on.
This bill is similar to H.R. 3, which passed the U.S. House in January and H.R. 810, which passed both the House and the Senate last year. This legislation will allow federally funded researchers to use additional stem cell lines for their research.
If you wish to take action, and let your Senators know that you support this important bill--you can personalize a letter that will be faxed to your Senators offices on your behalf by following one simple step:
Visit the Take Action page. Review the letter supplied and enter your personal story in the paragraph provided.
So here's my personal story - and why I'm disappointed that any politician appointed for the welfare of the citizens that elected him or her would disrupt the promise stem cell research could offer diseases like diabetes:
My name is Allison Beatty and I am a juvenile diabetic. I was diagnosed in July, 1985. As a type 1 diabetic for over 21 years (and of legal voting age for 11 years) I am disappointed that officials governing the use of my tax dollars have impeded the most promising avenue of research to remedy a National problem like diabetes.
The incentive of those who oppose stem cell research is strictly religious and I am insulted that my quality of life on Earth today is compromised by the FAITH in where they will end UP in the afterlife.
Please do not allow the religious forum to dictate the scientific relevance of one of he most promising answers to address life-threatening illness. I trust your decision as a politician will best serve the needs of those living on Earth today, and not on your destination in the afterlife.
Although they are not currently targeting my Senator(s) for this campaign - that's my personal story, and I'm sticking to it. I hope the politicians who oppose stem cell research can see past their personal crusade to save their soul and start acting on saving lives!
dLife founder speaks with Nancy Pelosi about stem cell research
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research
If you want a job done right, you do it yourself. That's apparently the way dLife founder and CEO Howard Steinberg 
went about bringing stem cell research to the fore, and did so by personally heading straight to Capitol Hill. Meeting with the new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Steinberg discussed the importance of the DeGette-Castle stem cell research bill's passage.
But, what about the Big Guy? No, not God -- although He factored into the discussion, as well. I'm talking about President Bush. While he has promised to veto any stem cell related bill, Pelosi hopes that he will ultimately opt against doing so. In furtherance of prior legislation, this new Stem Cell Enhancement Act of 2007 will increase the amount of lines from which stem cells can be sourced for research purposes. So, fingers crossed on that one, folks.
Stem cell research continues to be a widely debated topic, one that may also play a crucial role in the upcoming 2008 elections. And, as Madam Speaker explained to Steinberg in their recent interview, embryonic stem cell research is now receiving bi-partisan support, thereby making it far less politically divisive than it once was. The hope (well, I can at least say my hope) is that the new Congress, the new President, and the new year will hasten change in favor of supporting stem cell research. Again, fingers crossed. Maybe a toe or two as well, providing you are that dexterous. Whatever the case, and whatever the crossed extremity, the key word here is Change. And, thanks to the dedicated efforts of people like Nancy Pelosi and Howard Steinberg, it seems to be well underway.
**Be sure to check out the full dLife interview of Nancy Pelosi here: http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/resources/diabetes_advocacy/nancy_pelosi_interview.html?sc_ext_cid=100162&sc_chid=1009
[RESEARCH] Improved effectiveness of partner notification for patients with sexually transmitted infections: systematic review
Objective To examine the effectiveness of methods to improve partner notification by patient referral (index patient has responsibility for informing sex partners of their exposure to a sexually transmitted infection).
Design Systematic review of randomised trials of any intervention to supplement simple patient referral.
Data sources Seven electronic databases searched (January 1990 to December 2005) without language restriction, and reference lists of retrieved articles.
Review methods Selection of trials, data extraction, and quality assessment were done by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome was a reduction of incidence or prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in index patients. If this was not reported data were extracted according to a hierarchy of secondary outcomes: number of partners treated; number of partners tested or testing positive; and number of partners notified, located, or elicited. Random effects meta-analysis was carried out when appropriate.
Results 14 trials were included with 12 389 women and men diagnosed as having gonorrhoea, chlamydia, non-gonococcal urethritis, trichomoniasis, or a sexually transmitted infection syndrome. All studies had methodological weaknesses that could have biased their results. Three strategies were used. Six trials examined patient delivered partner therapy. Meta-analysis of five of these showed a reduced risk of persistent or recurrent infection in patients with chlamydia or gonorrhoea (summary risk ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.57 to 0.93). Supplementing patient referral with information for partners was as effective as patient delivered partner therapy. Neither strategy was effective in women with trichomoniasis. Two trials found that providing index patients with chlamydia with sampling kits for their partners increased the number of partners who got treated.
Conclusions Involving index patients in shared responsibility for the management of sexual partners improves outcomes. Health professionals should consider the following strategies for the management of individual patients: patient delivered partner therapy, home sampling for partners, and providing additional information for partners.
Type 1 vaccination successfully tested on mice
I do not like vaccinations. I wonder if they are connected to the autism and diabetes epidemics, even attention-deficit disorders. I do vaccinate my children, just begrudgingly. Yet if there ever was a vaccination against type 1 diabetes, I would be first in line.
Researchers in France and Germany have demonstrated you can treat a type 1 diabetic mouse with a vaccination. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system's T cells cannot distinguish between "non-self" and "self", attacking cells of the pancreas that produce insulin.
Previously, Drs. Falk and Rotzschke of the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), blocked the misdirected immune system by vaccinating mice with modified structures of the same organ targeted by the defective T cell immune response. Antigens are structures which activate a body's immune system, and the mice were protected from type 1 diabetes through the body's own antigens linked together in a repetive chain of identical copies. But the researchers did not understand how this protective string of antigens worked.
In a new study, Drs. Liblau, Falk and Rotzschke have proven this protective effect is due to the activation of an immune system's suppressor cells, the very cells that block those misguided T cells. Suppressor cells only inhibit T cells that attack a body's own tissue, allowing T cells to continue to attack foreign viruses and bacteria.
Dr. Rotzschke believes suppressor cells are a promising research focus in immunology. Even better, he is confident suppressing a haywired immune system through a specific vaccination with one's own antigens opens up a whole new treatment approach.
Nutrition - Millions Of People Worldwide Suffer From Alzheimer’s - Number Of Cases Feared To Double In Coming Years
Millions Of People Worldwide Suffer From Alzheimer’s - Number Of Cases Feared To Double In Coming Years
A hundred years ago, the psychiatrist and brain researcher described the first patient with a severe dementia accompanied by the massive loss of nerve cells (neurons). At that time, the disease later named after him was still rare. Alzheimer saw only two cases in his research career, as Dr. [click link for full article]
Doctor And Advocacy Groups Work To Deliver Cervical Cancer Vaccinations
Today, leading organizations from across the healthcare spectrum joined together to ensure that the United States is prepared to deliver on a major women’s health breakthrough - the elimination of most forms of cervical cancer through access to new vaccines and screening. The Partnership to End Cervical Cancer’s goal is to ensure the immediate inclusion of cervical cancer vaccines as part of routine preventive healthcare for American women. [click link for full article]
Can Information Help Beat Cancer?
Cancerbackup, the cancer information and support charity, has launched what it hopes will be the biggest ever survey of people affected by cancer. The aim is to increase understanding of how the provision of the right information, to the right people, at the right time helps them make the right choices about their treatment and care.”Information for people affected by cancer has long been recognised as vital”, says Derryn Borley, Head of Cancer Services, Cancerbackup. [click link for full article]
Vegetable And Fruit Juice Consumption Lower Alzheimer’s Risk
If you drink fruit and/or vegetable juice at least three times a week you could be reducing your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by 76%, say scientists in a new study. Even if you have a fruit and/or vegetable juice just twice a week your risk goes down 16%.You can read about this study in the September issue of the American Journal of Medicine. [click link for full article]
Memory Clinics Are Diverting NHS Resources From High Quality Care
Specialist memory clinics for patients with dementia are taking NHS resources away from long term integrated care, warn senior doctors in this week’s BMJ. Since 2001, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended that cholinesterase inhibitors should be available to people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, writes consultant psychiatrist, Anthony Pelosi and colleagues. [click link for full article]
The Honeymoon Period
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Diet, Lifestyle, Research, Support
Not exactly romantic like a honeymoon, but definitely a significant event preceding a life long commitment -- the Honeymoon Period is a period of time when a patient is first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
During this time, patients sometimes seem as though their diabetes appears to go away. The patient's insulin needs are minimal and some patients may actually find they can maintain normal or near normal blood glucose taking little or no insulin. This can last between a few months to as long as a year.
Dr. Richard Bernstein, the best-selling author of "The Diabetes Solution" answered the following question from a mother regarding her child's diabetes and the influence of diet. He said:
If every newly diagnosed child with diabetes were put on our program at the time of diagnosis, we would rarely encounter the horror stories that we hear from nearly every parent. These include the roller coaster blood sugars with frequent and severe hypos, the need for snacks, the fear of delayed meals, personality changes and growth retardation. Furthermore, we find that the "honeymoon period" can be prolonged indefinitely if blood sugars remain within the normal range (about 90 mg/dl). Prolongation of the honeymoon period not only makes diabetes control much easier, but also preserves the pancreatic beta cells.
If Dr. Bernstein's idea about controlling the length of the Honeymoon Period through diet is possible - is it possible to ward off the onset of autoimmune diabetes (type 1 diabetes) through diet. The belief may be heavily supported by contrarians, who traditionally contest conventional medical wisdom. I'll admit - I could be one of them. I own Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution and I have to hand it to him - at first glance I thought I voluntarily entered a diabetic Twilight Zone. Then I reminded myself why I bought the book in the first place.
[RESEARCH] Effect of providing information about normal test results on patients' reassurance: randomised controlled trial
Objective To investigate whether providing information about normal findings before a diagnostic test improves patients' reassurance and reduces anxiety about symptoms.
Design Randomised controlled trial.
Setting Outpatient cardiology clinic.
Participants 92 patients with chest pain referred for a diagnostic exercise stress test.
Intervention Before undergoing testing patients were randomised to receive standard information (n=28; control group), a pamphlet explaining the function of the test and the meaning of normal test results (n=30; pamphlet group), or the pamphlet and a brief discussion about the meaning of normal test results (n=34; discussion group).
Main outcome measures The primary outcome was patients' reported reassurance on a 5 item scale immediately after the test and at one month. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients still with chest pain and still taking cardiac drugs at one month.
Results The mean levels of reassurance after testing and feedback from the doctor were significantly higher in the discussion group (42.0, 95% confidence interval 39.7 to 44.2) than in the pamphlet (39.2, 36.1 to 42.3) and control groups (35.8, 31.6 to 39.9). This difference was maintained at one month. The proportion of patients still reporting chest pain at one month decreased significantly in the discussion group (to 17%) and pamphlet group (to 28%) but not in the control group (to 36%). A trend was for fewer patients in the discussion group to be taking cardiac drugs at one month.
Conclusion Providing patients with information about normal test results before testing can improve rates of reassurance and reduce the likelihood of future reports of chest pain.
Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN87589121.