StemCell Therapy

When she gets home after basketball practice, Hayley Henke appreciates the chance to soak in the familys hot tub. The fact that the hot tub is outside doesnt bother her, even when the weather is cold.

The hot water brings relief to her knees.

Henke, 13, has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which causes joint inflammation and stiffness.

For Henke, the discomfort is worse when she gets up in the morning or after shes been active. An eighth-grader at Central Catholic, she takes part in volleyball, basketball and track.

The arthritis bothers her fingers, ankles, toes and wrists, but the greatest pain is in her knees.

After shes been running a while, she sometimes has to take a break at practice. Last year, she ran the 400 meters in track, but this spring she will concentrate on the 100- and 200-meter dashes, because the longer distances are harder on her knees.

Henke was diagnosed with arthritis when she was in first grade. It was especially difficult in the first six months before the condition was diagnosed and in the following six months it took to see a doctor. The pain was so bad that Henke would sometimes curl up in her mothers lap.

Henke has undergone 10 knee surgeries. During those procedures, a doctor scopes the knee to assess damage to the joints, drains the fluid and injects steroids.

Both of her knees will have to be replaced before she turns 18.

Henke returned last week from Washington, D.C., where she was one of two Nebraska representatives at the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit. The event ran March 5-7 at the Renaissance Arlington Capitol View in Arlington, Va.

Henke was one of about 45 people who spoke at the Capitol to an audience that included members of Congress. She also met with Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and people who work on medical issues for Sen. Ben Sasse and Rep. Adrian Smith.

Henke urged the Nebraskans to join the Congressional Arthritis Caucus. Nebraska is one of five states not represented in that group. The health representative from Smiths office seemed especially interested in her information, Henke said.

In her talks, Henke told her story and reminded people that children and teenagers can be victims of arthritis.

Stephanie Henke appreciates her daughters strength. Its been fun to watch her grow and be able to speak to the groups in Washington, she said.

As a Junior Platinum Ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation, Henke is given a monthly task to call attention to arthritis.

On the trip to Washington, she and her mom were accompanied by Hayleys fraternal twin, Kennedi.

Every Sunday, Stephanie injects a medicine called methotrexate into her daughters thigh. That drug prevents joint damage and is helpful.

But every Sunday night and Monday, Henke is nauseous. Fortunately, methotrexate doesnt make her throw up anymore.

Henke has trouble typing as fast as her classmates. After she types for a while, her fingers get stiff. But shes still up to 32 words a minute.

After each one of her knee surgeries, she needs crutches or a wheelchair to get around for about a week.

When she wakes up each morning, she knows if the weather is about to change. She feels stiffness or pain in her joints.

Because rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, regular illnesses take a greater toll on Henke.

She ended up in the hospital last year for just a common flu, Stephanie said. That hospital stay lasted five or six days.

Shes partially blind in one of her eyes from the arthritis, her mother said.

But Henke is a member of Central Catholics student council.

Twice, she won scholarships to Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis conferences one in Florida and one in Arizona.

Hayley appreciates that her dad, Brad, bought the hot tub. Soaking in a bathtub also helps her knees.

Hayley is one of four kids in her family. She and Kennedi will turn 14 on April 28.

Connor, 15, is a ninth-grader at Central Catholic.

Cedric, 8, is in second grade at Stolley Park Elementary School.

Stephanie works at Central Catholic as a library technology aid weekday afternoons.

Because of the support of local Shriners, Henke receives medical care at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Minneapolis.

She also sees a childrens rheumatologist twice a year in Omaha.

Stephanie is the only other member of the family who suffers from arthritis. She has arthritis in her ankles.

The family is grateful for the Affordable Care Act, because the insurance covers pre-existing conditions. They hope that the replacement for ObamaCare will do the same.

In sports, Henke puts her practice time to good use. Even when she cant run, shes able to do other things, such as sit-ups.

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Central Catholic student goes to Washington to talk about arthritis - Grand Island Independent

By Margaret Farley Steele

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Arthritis is expanding its grip on Americans, with 24 million adults limited in their everyday activities because of the debilitating joint disease, U.S. health officials say.

Overall, 54 million adults -- or one in four -- report an arthritis diagnosis. And the number of people disabled by it has jumped 20 percent since 2002, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday.

"Arthritis symptoms keep millions of Americans from going about their daily routines," CDC acting director Dr. Anne Schuchat said in an agency news release.

The joint aches, stiffness and swelling of arthritis can make holding a glass, carrying a grocery bag, or walking a short distance difficult or even impossible, the agency said.

Why so many Americans have arthritis isn't clear, and can't be attributed solely to an aging population. Almost two of five adults with arthritis are of working age -- 18 to 64 years old, the CDC said.

The most common types are osteoarthritis, which is age-related wear and tear; rheumatoid arthritis; gout; lupus; and fibromyalgia, the CDC reported.

Arthritis costs at least $81 billion in direct medical costs annually, the agency said.

Although narcotic painkillers are often prescribed for arthritis, other options are safer, the CDC added.

Instead of opioids, doctors and loved ones can encourage people with arthritis to exercise and watch their weight. "Physical activity is a proven strategy to ease pain and reduce symptoms among people with arthritis," Schuchat said.

Exercise -- such as walking, swimming or biking -- can reduce symptoms by as much as 40 percent. Yet, about one-third of adults with arthritis aren't active, the CDC noted in its March 7 Vital Signs.

Self-management education is another important arthritis tool that doctors need to recommend, the report co-author said.

Along with physical activity, "it is just as important for them [doctors] to motivate their patients to attend workshops to learn how to better manage their arthritis," said epidemiologist Kamil Barbour, of the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

People are more likely to attend an education program if a health care provider recommends it. But to date, only 1 in 10 Americans has participated in this type of program, the CDC reported.

The report also found that arthritis frequently occurs with other health conditions, namely heart disease, diabetes or obesity. These conditions become harder to manage with arthritis, the agency said.

WebMD News from HealthDay

SOURCE: Vital Signs, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 7, 2017

Link:
1 in 4 US Adults Disabled by Arthritis: CDC - WebMD

Like other fibrotic diseases, the cause of Peyronie's disease (PD) is still obscure. Since there is now increasing evidence for the role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as potential treatment to fibrosis, it is crucial to determine their possible efficacy in the treatment of PD. Areas covered: In this review, the authors summarize the emerging data and published studies regarding the use of SCs for the treatment of PD. The authors provide particular focus on the three-first experimental studies for the use of SCs in rat models as well as the sole two studies undertaken in humans. Expert opinion: It seems evident in experimental settings that SCs in general (Adipose Derived SCs in particular) provide a feasible, safe and effective therapy for PD. The potential limits of the rat models used initially have been somewhat overcome with the inception of studies in men. However, further prospective studies are needed in humans to further elucidate the therapeutic potential of stem cell therapy in PD.

Expert opinion on biological therapy. 2017 Feb 28 [Epub]

Athanasios Dellis, Athanasios Papatsoris

a University Department of Urology , Sismanoglio General Hospital , Athens , Greece.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28274142

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Stem cell therapy for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. - UroToday - UroToday

The research, the first of its kind, could pave the way for an overhaul in the management of the condition which is linked to obesity and affects almost three million people in the UK.

Most diabetics are advised to eat a balanced diet, including carbohydrates.

However, scientists, who carried out the study on 238 patients, found that restricting carbohydrates and increasing fat led to dramatic improvements.

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Half the patients saw their condition reversed after just 10 weeks and were able to reduce or stop taking diabetes drugs.

This is the first time we have seen such a drastic change in such a large group of people outside bariatric [weight loss] surgery

Professor Sarah Hallberg

Eighty nine per cent of those in the study, who had been reliant on insulin due to the severity of their disease, were able to dramatically reduce or stop taking it.

Professor Sarah Hallberg, an expert in obesity medicine, who led the study at Indiana University, said: This is the first time we have seen such a drastic change in such a large group of people outside bariatric [weight loss] surgery.

It is something we would never previously have known was possible. I was so blown over by the results and we should now think about using this approach as a standard of care as it outperforms current treatment.

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People should be aware signs and symptoms of diabetes are not always obvious and the condition is often diagnosed during GP check ups.

She added: Diabetes is a state of carbohydrate toxicity. Insulin resistance is a state of carbohydrate intolerance.

"Carbohydrate intake is the single biggest factor in blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious disorder leading to high blood glucose levels because the body is unable to make proper use of insulin, the hormone which metabolises sugar.

Without insulin, sugar derails the metabolism causing life-threatening conditions such as cancer, heart and liver disease.

Current guidance states there is inconclusive evidence to recommend a specific carbohydrate limit.

Professor Hallberg said this advice needs to be changed because she believes Type 2 can be reversed, in many if not most situations, especially if treated early.

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The results of the study, which will be finalised over the next year, have excited experts.

Professor David Haslam, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: This study is highly significant and suggests carbohydrates are damaging. We urgently need to conduct more studies to confirm this finding and this I hope will lead to a complete overhaul of the management of Type 2 diabetes.

The charity Diabetes UK is funding another clinical trial to assess the impact of a low-calorie diet.

The study of 280 patients from 30 GP practices will also assess whether the diet could be delivered through routine NHS care.

The results are due in 2018.

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Diet 'reverses diabetes in just 10 weeks', claims new study - Express.co.uk

The Hindu

Early treatment of glaucoma can prevent blindness, says expert ... The Hindu An estimated 1.3 crore people in the 30-60 age group are affected from glaucoma in India and of them 15.4 lakh have become blind. Unfortunately, unlike ... Free eye check-ups to mark Glaucoma Week - Khaleej TimesKhaleej Times all 4 news articles »

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Early treatment of glaucoma can prevent blindness, says expert ... - The Hindu

Jusuf Nurkic got his likeness pasted to the side of the Moda Center this week. Ask any Trail Blazer fan or anyone in the organization, and theyll tell you hes earned it. In the short time Nurkic has been on the team hes breathed new life into the Blazers. He is extremely happy to be here, and it shows on and off the court.

Friday night I was able to use my powers of deception and infiltrate the Daimler Family Night at the Moda Center. Daimler being one of the biggest sponsors for the Blazers organization, they get one night a year where their employees and their families have free reign over the arena. Along with being able to take shots on the court, tour the locker room, and have all the licorice rope their sugar crazed offspring can handle, employees get four Trail Blazers players that show up to sign autographs and shake some hands. This year it was Jake Layman, CJ McCollum, Evan Turner, and the Bosnian Beast himself. Nurkic had nothing but bright eyes and smiles for the hundreds of people that lined up for autographs.

One attendee had a video for Nurkic on her phone from a Bosnian woman she works with. In the video, the woman spoke in Bosnian, and told Nurkic how excited and proud she was that he was on the team. Clearly touched by the video, Nurkic made his own video response for the woman in Bosnian. His gratitude seems like it will never run out. Ideally his dominance on the court wont either.

Ok, Ive swooned enough.

Last night the Blazers took on the Washington Wizards. The Wizards, who were sitting nicely in the eastern conference with a 40-24 record, couldve given the Blazers a heap of trouble. Their back court duo Bradley Beal and John Wall have a cool 23.2 and 22.8 points per game average between them. Wall also dishes out 10.9 assists per game, making him quite the offensive force. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum were certainly gonna have their hands full trying to cinch up the Wizards offense.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the opposing team's offense the Blazers had to worry about. After a valiant effort in regulation, it was a controversial, missed out of bonds call, and a jumper from the Wizards' Markieff Morris that cost the Blazers the win in overtime.

The Wizards came out quick and took an early lead. The Blazers did their best to chip away at it. Dame took control and bombed in a couple of his patented long balls, giving the home team the lead. They were able to hold it through the rest of the first quarter.

McCollum led the second quarter off with two buttery, baseline jump shots from either side of the key, a feather-touched floater in the paint, and two threes from the top of the key. The Blazers kept feeding him and he kept ringing the bell. He ended up scoring 17 points in the second. CJ was feeling it, but the Wizards were not. They spent the first three minutes of the quarter with their palms turned up complaining about a string of fouls and turnovers. The momentum they had in the first quarter flatlined, and the Blazers lead reached double digits.

Wall started to push back with a few sprints through the paint and foul shots. He knocked the Blazers two digit lead down to one in three minutes. But, it was not to be. The Blazers bit back hard and brought their lead up to 21 before their halftime dismount.

To start the second half, steam was still shooting off of CJs finger tips. He brought his already impressive point total up to 30 within the first two minutes. Anytime the Wizards tried to take control, the Blazers would jerk the chain and say no dice.

The Wizards saved most of their energy for the fourth and came out in a fury. Half way through the period the Wizards knocked the Blazers lead down to one. Before they had time to celebrate, Dame and CJ dropped two consecutive threes, and Dame fed Nurkic for a devastating dunk. The crowd erupted.

But, Wall and Beal werent having it. They came in like a pair of fire hoses and doused the Blazers fire. They dug in and drained two consecutive threes, and brought their lead up to four with less than two minutes left.

With 23 seconds left in the game, the score was tied and the Wizards had possession. Wall brought the ball up slow. The suspense was palpable. He juked Allen Crabbe off his feet, and took an easy, wide open jumper from the free throw line. Miraculously, it clanged off, and the Blazers were looking at another overtime battle.

Al Farouq Aminu came out with a big three to open the extra period. Otto Porter answered. Dame took a top of the key jumper. Beal answered right back with an identical attempt. Dame tried to keep the Blazers in the game, scoring almost all of the Blazers points in the overtime period.

With less than 20 seconds left in the game the Blazers were up by one and the Wizards had possession. Markieff Morris stepped back, then side stepped his defender and dropped a two point shot leaving 0.4 on clock. It looked like the game was ending with heartbreak. Then the replay hit the Jumbo-tron. When Morris stepped back to ditch his defender, he stepped out of bounds. The crowd went berserk. Multiple Blazers bum rushed the officials to try and figure out what could be done.

For some reason that even the players had trouble figuring out in the locker room post game, the call was not reviewed. The Wizards stole the win.

Rule books were consulted and theories were thrown around by members of the press while we waited for coach Terry Stotts to emerge for his post game press conference. When he finally entered the room you could feel the tension spike.

When asked whether hed be in favor of referees being given discretionary power late in games to review outcome deciding plays, despite the rule book, Stotts snapped back.

Id be in favor of them getting it right in the first place. When two referees are looking at the play, and neither one of them see him step out of bounds? In a game like this you cant miss that call.Were in a play-off race. We cant afford those mistakes.

Dame had some choice words in the locker room as well.

They said we cant review it. I guess thats the rules, but why do we have all these cameras and all this technology in the arena if were not gonna be able to review a play that determines a win or a loss?

Being the leader that he is, Dame brought it back to inspiration and fighting the good fight.

Its a tough loss, but we gotta move forward. We got a game tomorrow. Its tough to deal with these kind of losses but the beauty of it is we got another one tomorrow.

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Blazers Recap: Wizards Cast Blindness Spell On Officials, Blazers Lose In Overtime 125-124 - The Portland Mercury (blog)

Study on fish reveals key to cure blindness The Hindu Scientists have discovered a chemical in the zebra fish brain that helps reveal how it regrows its retina, a finding that can potentially cure blindness in humans. The findings showed that the levels of GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), a ...

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Study on fish reveals key to cure blindness - The Hindu

Federal US agencies need to prepare for greater quantity, range of biotechnology products Science Daily A profusion of biotechnology products is expected over the next five to 10 years, and the number and diversity of new products has the potential to overwhelm the U.S. regulatory system, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences ...

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Federal US agencies need to prepare for greater quantity, range of biotechnology products - Science Daily

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Scientists have discovered the drug combination, which has few or no side effects, can both relieve pain and potentially reverse the damage caused by the disease.

Preliminary data has been so promising that experts at Liverpool University have launched an accelerated programme of trials and hope to have a therapy on the market within five years.

Until now medications have been designed only to help relieve pain, but these have side effects, including stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and even stroke.

However, the researchers say this combination of drugs is likely to be almost free of side effects. Now human trials are to be launched into the therapy, known as APPA.

Scientists say the results could be a game changer in the treatment of the condition, which is the leading cause of joint pain and stiffness in the UK, affecting more than eight million people.

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They also believe it has the potential to treat other painful inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

This could herald a new dawn and new era in the treatment of this disease

Professor Robert Moots

Professor Robert Moots, of the universitys Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, who is leading the study, said: There have been many false dawns in the past in the treatment of osteoarthritis but this is without doubt the most promising.

The severe pain from osteoarthritis is usually managed with prescription drugs that are often not effective and that also, in many cases, induce unacceptable side effects. In many cases, major joint replacement surgery is needed to help deal with the pain.

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This drug contains synthetic versions of two natural products, neither of which appears to show toxicity. Each on its own could be helpful but the combination of the two seems to be a potential winner. This could herald a new dawn and new era in the treatment of this disease.

The trials are designed to test how well this therapy works and evaluate the safety. This could save large amounts of money for the NHS and provide improved quality of life for millions of patients.

GETTY

Professor Moots added that APPA also had phenomenal potential for other conditions.

This might be effective in treating a range of other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and might even help prevent muscle ageing, which may be driven by inflammation. The potential of this drug could be phenomenal, he said.

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New natural treatment hailed as a 'new dawn' for arthritis sufferers - Express.co.uk

The Persistence is set onboard a research vessel sent to study a collapsing star, but when an experiment triggers a catastrophic failure, the ships computer attempts to save the day by reconstructing the deceased crewmembers. Unfortunately, it also introduces hideous errors in the process, transforming them into gibbering mutants.

Playing as a crewmember awoken from cryosleep, youll navigate the doomed ship, try to get the engines back online, and escape the ravenous clutches of the nearby black hole.

The ship itself is procedurally generated, so each time you die, youll awaken as a new character facing a new ship layout, different threats, and new opportunities. And die you will death is an integral part of the gameplay loop.

As you play, youll collect stem cells youll use to enhance your character after death. Benefits like increased speed, health, and stealth that will help you stay alive long enough to complete the game.

As for weapons, your trusty sidearm is the Stem Cell Harvester, which syphons precious cells from enemies, with fatal results. The Gravity Bomb drops a miniature black hole to devour nearby mutants, while a Rage Serum injector grants you temporary super-strength for hand-to-hand pummeling. There are more conventional firearms, too, including a pistol that fires dark-energy-infused rounds.

There will also be a tablet/smartphone companion app where nearby players can log in to the ships computer to view the level layout and identify upcoming threats or items, and either decide to help or hinder you.

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'The Persistence' (PS4) Announced - Screens & Trailer - WorthPlaying.com

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AIIMS doctors have finally announced that India is free from trachoma.

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Trachoma common in children till 9 years is an eye infection that leads to blindness.

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It is caused by the bacterial agent chlamydia trachomatis and usually spread due to flies, poor hygiene, crowded places, lack of water.

Battling trachoma among children for several decades now, doctors from AIIMS have finally announced that the country is free from the eye infection that often leads to blindness.

Trachoma is common in children till nine years of age. It is caused by the bacterial agent chlamydia trachomatis and usually spread due to flies, poor hygiene, crowded places, lack of water, and environmental factors such as humid conditions. Improper disposable of garbage also adds to the spread of the disease.

On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Science, (Prof) Dr Atul Kumar, chief and professor of ophthalmology at AIIMS, told Mail Today, "In a major achievement, ophthalmic experts from RP Centre visited high risk states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Nicobar Islands, and conducted mass treatment programmes among children."

Also read: AIIMS opens separate counter to handle VIP cases

The national three-year survey was in collaboration with the Union health ministry. "The World Health Organisation (WHO) plans to eradicate the disease by 2020, but our team has done it by 2017. AIIMS is soon going to submit is report to the ministry," Kumar said.

Dr Praveen Vashist, professor and head of community ophthalmology, who was part of the survey team, told Mail Today, "In1950, the prevalence of the disease was very high in Northwest India. About 50-80 per cent children were diagnosed with infection, following which the then Union health ministry started the National Trachoma Control Programme."

In 1971-74, the first major survey was conducted by ICMR, which found the disease still prevalent and a major cause of blindness among children. The second major survey was conducted in 1986-89, the results of which turned out to be positive. It found only 10-15 per cent children contracted the disease.

Also read: AIIMS initiates follow-up action on enquiry report on death of Nursing Officer Rajbir Kaur

"In, 2006-07, we did a rapid assessment survey (RAS) in six States and found that prevalence of the disease was reducing, but it still existed for which we could not declare a trachoma-free India," said an AIIMS doctor.

"In the most recent national survey that was done over three years, our aim was to eradicate the disease among children and treat adults. We found nearly 50 per cent tribals in Nicobar at high risk of contracting the disease. So we recommended mass treatment to the entire population of the island. Tribals were trained to follow good hygiene in their daily lives," Vashist said.

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AIIMS doctors announce India free from eye infection causing ... - India Today

March 10, 2017 7:19 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) Glaucoma is a common, serious eye condition that left untreated can lead to blindness, and its not just a problem for older people.

As CBS2s Dr. Max Gomez explained, a tiny new device is helping to save peoples eyesight.

Lori Karavolis, a 49-year-old nurse and mother of four, was in danger of losing her eyesight.

She has a family history of glaucoma, so she would have the pressure inside her eyes checked regularly, suddenly she got bad news.

Sky high actually, almost a dangerous level, she said. Will I go blind?

One way glaucoma develops is when fluid in the eye doesnt drain normally through tiny mesh-like channels.

Its peripheral vision loss, almost as a tunnel vision, as it gets to be more advanced. And then ultimately it can be full vision loss, Dr. Jennifer Davis explained.

Drops and laser surgery are treatment options, but those channels can close up again.

Now, theres a tiny implanted device called the I-stent that acts as a kind of drain for the excessive fluid.

Its a one millimeter titanium tube thats put in the drainage channels of the eye.

Weve seen a huge improvement in intraocular pressure after surgery, Dr. Davis said, There patients continue to be on fewer drops or no drops, and thats really the idea.

Its meant for people with mild to moderate glaucoma, but its only implanted in people who are also having cataract surgery.

Its not painful at all, and youre back to work or your life the next day, Karavolis said, Im doing great. I dont have to have drops, and just the daily thought of not having that increased pressure.

The I-stent was FDA approved in 2012, but its only recently that its been in widespread use.

Health insurance companies and commercial insurers have been covering it.

The vision lost to glaucoma doesnt come back. Thats why regular eye exams are important, to catch and treat glaucoma before it causes vision loss.

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New Implanted Device Could Save Eyesight In People Battling Glaucoma - CBS New York

Written by ANJALI MARAR | Pune | Published:March 11, 2017 2:20 am

GOOD TIMES seem to have arrived at least for the countrys biotechnology sector that has been awarded the highest budgetary hike in this years union budget. Though there has been an overall 10 per cent hike in the total budget allotted for science, biotechnology and earth sciences this year, it is the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) that has won the jackpot by being awarded the highest hike to Rs 2,222 crore as opposed to Rs 1,917 crore received last year. While Rs 37,435 crore has been allotted for science and technology this year, the same stood at Rs 33,467 crore in the 2016-2017 budget. Scientists in the city have given mixed reactions to this years budget as some are of the opinion that there is little clarity or specific plans mentioned for taking forward the ambitious Make in India and Start-Up India initiatives from these research fields.

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Its indeed a welcome move that DBT has been awarded higher amount of money this year. However, the budget is disappointing as there was no concrete plan or budgetary allocations for Start-Ups made, said Rajendra Jagdale, director general of Science and Technology Park . The monetary allocations for the current financial years activities for other scientific departments are Department of Science and Technology has bagged Rs 4,833 crore; Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has been awarded Rs 4,446 crore while the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has been allotted Rs 1,723 crore.

However, eminent scientist and former director of CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) RA Mashelkar, lauded the governments initiatives. He said, The governments priorities in scientific research seems to be heading in the right direction. He was particularly happy about start-ups , which according to him, will help India take a lead position in job creation. The aim is to get to the top position in start-ups which in turn can create more jobs. So from a job-seeker role, the country is progressing to that of a job-creator, said Mashelkar. Improving waste management, developing cost-effective bio-medical devices, improved research in scientific heritage research, electronic mobility are some of key the areas where greater emphasis is being given by DST . Industrial research will also be focusing on science and technology intervention for solving problems of common man.

According to another senior scientist, who did not wish to divulge his identity, the field of biotechnology has always been greatly dependent on the pharmaceutical industry for its survival. This needs to change, as there is much beyond pharmaceutical, only then can better research related to real life sciences will come to the fore, he said.

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More funds to flow into Department of Biotechnology's kitty | The ... - The Indian Express

Wichita Eagle

Arthritis advocacy gives hope and control for Kansas woman Wichita Eagle Penner, who is from North Newton, was honored this week with the Arthritis Foundation's 2016 Edward M. Kennedy Advocacy Award. She was joined in Washington, D.C., by around 400 other arthritis patients and met with members of Congress to ask for ...

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Arthritis advocacy gives hope and control for Kansas woman - Wichita Eagle

Holly Dwyer never knows when shes going to wake up in pain and unable to move.

The 21-year-old college student from Hill Point has a condition many associate with old age: arthritis. Dwyer has lived with the condition since she was about 6 years old, and now shes working to spread the word about juvenile patients.

Holly has been chosen as the adult honoree for this years Walk to Cure Arthritis in Dane County. Prior to the May 6 event, Hollys family will host a few fundraisers to raise money for their team. The funds will support research efforts to find a cure.

Most days Holly can find a way to stretch and manage her pain and stiffness but there are times where she needs to stay home. She said shes studying psychology at Viterbo University in La Crosse and doesnt like to miss out on school or work but sometimes her body gives her no choice.

There are days where I try to make it down the steps of my apartment and Im crying, she said. Its days like that where you have to hope for a better tomorrow.

Hollys struggles started in kindergarten when her gym teacher noticed her unusual gait while running. Her mother, Kathy Dwyer, was advised to take her daughter in for medical evaluation. Kathy said she hadnt noticed anything off about Holly but heeded the teachers advice. Holly said she initially believed she was flat footed but doctors finally figured out what was wrong around her 8th birthday.

Kathy remembered being shocked by the diagnosis.

Your initial reaction is you just cant believe a child can have this, she said.

Holly said she has juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which differs from rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. No one knows what causes this condition and it affects everyone differently.

To this day, Holly needs to take NSAIDs and low-grade chemotherapy medication to treat this autoimmune disease. She started with pills but ended up needing injections. Kathy said adults administered the shots in the beginning but Holly was brave enough that she could do them on her own by age 10.

The chemotherapy has lovely side effects like grogginess and nausea, she said.

Shes also had several surgeries. She had her first total hip replacement at age 16, followed by the other at age 18. She also needed nerve relocation in her hand and elbow to prevent muscle atrophy and loss of sensation. Holly said almost all her joints are affected in some way by arthritis.

The surgeries were necessary for her to attend college and pursue a career, so she perseveres through the pain. Stiffness is common in the morning so she uses stretching and monitors her physical activity. Its been this way ever since she was a little kid.

My family used to joke and call me Grandma, she said.

Sometimes she needs crutches to get to class but she does all she can to make it, she said.

Juvenile arthritis is more frequent than most people think. More than 300,000 children and teens are living with arthritis in the U.S. Of those, about 6,000 live in Wisconsin, said Hana Johnson, market relations coordinator for the Arthritis Foundations Madison-area office.

Johnson said the walk not only tries to raise money but also spread the word about the far-reaching effects of arthritis.

A lot of people think of arthritis as an old persons disease, she said.

She said the office chose Holly as an honoree because she has been active with the Foundation since she was a little girl. She previously attended Camp MASH for children with autoimmune disorders and now volunteers as a counselor. Holly has also been willing to tell her story.

Holly will speak during the Dane County walk and will help kick it off with other honorees. Participants do not need to be residents of Dane County to participate, Johnson said.

Holly said shes glad to be part of the Arthritis Foundations efforts to support patients and their families.

We dont have to accept the pain as a forever situation, she said. We may have arthritis but arthritis doesnt have us.

Follow Heather Stanek on Twitter @HStanek1.

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Hill Point 20-something endures through arthritis - Reedsburg Times Press

Mancunian researchers have created a new social enterprise to develop new tests and treatments for a range of musculoskeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Through Inspiral Biomedical Limited, these scientists will be making biological samples and data collected over the past two decades at the University of Manchester, available to other academic and industry researchers.

Inspiral Biomedical Ltd Chairperson, Professor Anne Barton, said: We know that our bank of biological samples and data holds an unprecedented opportunity to gain a better understanding of these conditions and how best to treat those individuals affected.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions can greatly affect peoples quality of life. More than 20% of the UKs population consult with a GP about MSK complaints and this number will rise as the population ages.

Professor Barton said: In Manchester, we are already utilising this data, but by making it available to other academic and industry researchers across the world will be able to bring new tests and treatments to patients more quickly.

Inspiral Biomedical Ltd is composed of Professor Wendy Thomson and Dr Steve Eyre, who in addition to Professor Barton. All three are from the Arthritis Research UK Centre for Genetics and Genomics.

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New spin out focuses on arthritis data-sharing - Lab News

Running, as a sport or hobby, confers undoubted health benefits.

Runners tend to be less overweight and more fit from a cardiovascular standpoint. Running may also mitigate against depression, diabetes and other ailments.

Researchers, however, are consistently unable to agree whether running is harmful to joints.

A new study, published by investigators from major medical centers across the country, suggests that running does not predispose runners to symptomatic knee degenerative arthritis. The authors also contend that running is not detrimental to the knees.

Previous studies of elite runners have yielded conflicting results.

For example, a propensity to develop more arthritis was observed, but not consistently. The problem is that elite runners tend to be a self-selected cohort. In lay terms, they are the holdouts who escape major joint pain, and therefore keep running.

No one is interested in the ex-runners who quit the sport, due to knee or hip pain. Consequently, researchers sometimes under-estimate the amount of joint damage running causes. Or they might overestimate the damage, by focusing on intense runners with punishing fitness routines.

No one knows, really.

Grace Lo and her collaborators, using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative public-use data set, attempted to address these concerns, publishing a study of 2,637 recreational runners in Arthritis Care & Research.

Participants were studied retrospectively, or looking back in time. The likelihood of developing knee pain, or symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, appeared to be no higher in runners, compared to non-runners.

Data collected over eight years after enrollment in the Osteoarthritis Initiative seemed to confirm the findings. Physical activity surveys, and X-rays bolstered the conclusions, that Running does not appear to be detrimental from a knee health perspective.

Intriguing as this study is, it still does not completely settle the question of whether recreational running damages knees. That would be too much to ask from a single study.

I note that 2,159 of the original 4,796 persons enrolled in the Osteoarthritis Initiative did not complete the full survey process.

How did those participants fare?

The authors reached overly broad conclusions regarding knee health in runners.

Could some participants have suffered minor structural damage from running that the study was not designed to capture?

Criticisms aside, Lo and colleagues deserve credit for casting their gaze beyond elite runners. Their subjects were an average of 60 years and pursuing running as a top-3 recreational activity.

We need more data on the Average Joe and Average Jane runner. Nearly two-thirds of the self-reported runners in this study, by the way, were men.

Perhaps a prospective study, looking into the future, would be more enlightening.

We could conceivably randomize young adults into groups that run, perform low impact exercise, or are sedentary. Follow-up study with interviews, examinations, and radiographs could be performed one or two decades later.

Who would want to sign up for managing such a long process? Imagine the costs and commitment, for subjects and researchers alike. At the gym, I see athletes in their 20s sprinting on the running machines. Middle-aged persons walk purposefully, on the same devices. The elderly walk even more slowly, or switch to stationary bicycles.

A small amount of knee pain may be physiologically useful. Pain fibers tell us, as we age, how to exercise prudently. We dont want to be tore up from the floor up, as a gentleman once described his health status to me.

A cost-benefit analysis makes sense. It might be worth incurring a bit of arthritis, if our recreational activities ward off heart disease.

Watching television all day is not the answer.

Good luck in finding an exercise program that works for you.

Scott T Anderson, MD, PhD (email [emailprotected]), is Clinical Professor, UC Davis Medical School. This article is informational, and does not constitute, medical advice.

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Verdict still out on whether running contributes to arthritis in the knee - Fairfield Daily Republic

Glaucoma has slowly robbed David Clark of his sight.

The father-of-two has had to take early retirement, quit reading and even avoid the city centre.

The retired scientist is one of tens of thousands of Scots suffering progressive loss of sight, with 1,340 people having been diagnosed in Dundee alone.

Glaucoma a condition where the optic nerve which connects the eye to the brain becomes damaged is the second largest cause of blindness in the UK.

And, according to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland, it is estimated that almost half of those affected do not even know they have it. David spoke to the Tele ahead of World Glaucoma Week, which starts on Sunday.

The 71-year-old from Downfield said: I have always had poor eyesight. But it didnt stop me for many years.

By 1980, I was beginning to feel symptoms, particularly pressure in my eyes and white spots.

I was diagnosed with glaucoma and prescribed eye drops. I used them religiously I was only in my mid-thirties. But by 2001, my vision had deteriorated significantly and I had to take the early retirement opportunity that was offered. It became too difficult to do my job I was a biomedical scientist in haematology and it was a major thing for me.

My eyes were so important to my job. Of course it was disappointing, very disappointing. However, I had about six months to get used to it.

But not being able to drive and difficulty moving around when its dark, are difficult to deal with.

It can be tricky going into town. Places like the bottom of Reform Street, where you have people going in all directions and sometimes fast, can be really tricky. The entrances to the shopping centres can be tough as well. I tend to avoid those areas now its become too difficult.

Everything is slow and steady with glaucoma. My eyes and vision have just deteriorated little by little to where we are now.

David has lost all sight in his right eye and only has 25% in his left eye.

He has had three operations to try to steady the deterioration; a surgical procedure called trabeculectomy, used in the treatment of glaucoma to relieve pressure in the eye.

They have not been very successful for him, but he said the procedure was often a great success.

David wants to encourage people to be aware of the condition and seek treatment as soon as possible.

He added: In some ways, its the people who have great eyesight who are most at risk.

This is because theyre less likely to get regular eye tests.

Glaucoma is often first diagnosed by an optician.

RNIB Scotland director Campbell Chalmers said: Glaucoma has been nicknamed the sneak-thief of sight because its effects are usually unnoticeable until a relatively advanced stage.

By then the damage is done. Glaucoma doesnt have any symptoms in its early stages so people can lose up to 40% of their sight before they realise they have a problem.

We need to ensure that people are diagnosed early so that they do not reach the stage where sight loss is irreversible.

Regular eye tests, which are free in Scotland, are vital if glaucoma is to be detected early and sight loss prevented.

See more here:
'Glaucoma has stolen my sight', says former scientist David - Evening Telegraph

NASA astronaut Michael Barratt watches a water bubble float by on board the Discovery in 2011. NASA hide caption

NASA astronaut Michael Barratt watches a water bubble float by on board the Discovery in 2011.

Spending time in space changes people: Not just their outlook on life, but also their eyesight.

For years, a North Texas doctor has been trying to find out what is causing this vision change among astronauts. His latest research provides some clues and connects astronauts on the International Space Station, cancer patients on a roller coaster plane flight, and high-tech sleeping sacks.

After spending six months on the International Space Station, Michael Barratt had a strange request when he finally stepped foot on Earth.

He wanted a spinal tap.

Barratt isn't a masochist, he's a NASA astronaut. While flying hundreds of miles above Earth in 2009, he noticed his vision was changing. He was struggling to read manuals and checklists.

An image of astronaut Michael Barratt's right eye shows some of the changes in shape after long-duration space flight. Courtesy of NASA hide caption

An image of astronaut Michael Barratt's right eye shows some of the changes in shape after long-duration space flight.

"I spent a lot of time on the Russian segment as well. When you're reading in Russian in small print in a dark place, and your visual acuity starts to tank, you notice it!" Barratt says.

Barratt is also a very curious physician, which brings us to his request for a spinal tap to check the pressure in his brain. He knew he wasn't the first astronaut whose vision had changed while in space, and he hoped sticking a needle into his back might provide a clue to his vision loss. The leading theory at the time was that microgravity raises pressure in the head and reshapes the eyeballs, which could be problematic for long-term space travel to places like Mars.

"This is a medical issue that affects a large percentage of people who fly in space," Barratt says. "So the stakes are extremely high."

Scientists know that when people go into space, the fluid normally below their hearts goes into their heads. But is it creating enough pressure to damage the eyes? Does it flatten them and affect the optic nerve? Or is there something else at play?

Dr. Benjamin Levine is on a mission to find out. He's a professor at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Director of the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine. Instead of sticking needles in astronauts' backs, though, Levine decided to stick needles inside the brains of specific people who stay on Earth.

Trent Barton, a volunteer for the study looking at pressure inside the brain during space flights. Courtesy of David Ham hide caption

Trent Barton, a volunteer for the study looking at pressure inside the brain during space flights.

He found eight healthy cancer survivors who still had ports in their heads, once used to deliver chemotherapy. Those ports would allow him to directly measure their intracranial pressure.

Then, he convinced them to get on a plane for a sort of extreme roller coaster ride to simulate the zero gravity found on the ISS.

You know that feeling of weightlessness when you drop on a roller coaster? Well, these folks did that, except they plunged 8,000 feet in 30 seconds, dozens of times, all in the name of science.

Trent Barton, a lymphoma survivor from Dallas, went on the wild trip above the Texas-Mexico border.

"I enjoyed each and every rotation we did," Barton says.

Dr. Justin Lawley, instructor in internal medicine at University of Texas Southwestern, floating in zero gravity. Courtesy of David Ham hide caption

Dr. Justin Lawley, instructor in internal medicine at University of Texas Southwestern, floating in zero gravity.

During the flight, a needle in the port in his head monitored the pressure in the fluid surrounding his brain.

Turns out, Levine says, space flight doesn't cause pressure to be much higher than it is when you or I are standing up. But, it is a little higher. He published the results in The Journal of Physiology.

But, unlike us earthlings, astronauts never get to rest their brains in lower pressure. When they're standing up in zero gravity, the fluid stays in their heads and won't go to their feet. So, researchers like Levine are now trying to find a way to give these astronaut brains a rest. So we now think this mild but persistent pressure may be the thing that's stimulating remodeling the eye and causing the visual impairment," Levine says.

"We've been working with UnderArmour, the garment company, to come up with a soft, but comfortable almost like a sleeping sack or pair of trousers, that you can put on at night, hook up to a vacuum cleaner, suck the blood and fluid into the feet and unload the heart and the brain while you're sleeping," he says.

Astronaut Dr. Mike Barratt says he'd be willing to try the sleeping sack, but he also wants to do more tests on the ISS to better understand intracranial pressure before we send astronauts deeper into space.

As for Barratt's eyesight, six years after his flight?

"It's my right eye that has apparently been permanently remodeled," Barratt says. "Other than that, I'm totally normal."

In other words, he's still the same curious doctor, he just sees things a bit differently now that he's back on Earth.

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Doctor Launches Vision Quest To Help Astronauts' Eyeballs - NPR

Clinical trial gives hope for those with blindness

Sonia Azad, WFAA 8:23 AM. CST March 08, 2017

Dr. David Birch with the Restina Foundation of the Southwest speaks about a new clinical trial that could help restore eyesight for those suffering from the genetic disorder XLRS.

DALLAS -- Doctors in Dallas are offering new hope for people living with a rare genetic eye disorder called X-linked retinoschisis, or XLRS. Right now there is no treatment or cure, but a new clinical trial might be able to restore their eyesight over time.

Trevor Sorrels, 18, is in college in Corpus Christi. The avid scuba diver is an aspiring marine biologist.

He would like to study squids, said mom Karen. There's not a lot known about the different species of squids."

But its getting more difficult for Trevor to see, and glasses dont help.

Three of my brothers are affected by it, said Karen of the genetic disorder XLRS.

Like his uncles, Trevor was born with it, too. XLRS is a rare hereditary disease affecting boys. It usually becomes apparent by age four or five.

They don't produce a protein that's crucial for keeping the retina together, said Dr. David Birch, research director at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest. So what they get is a splitting."

When layers of your retina split, less information is passed from the eye to the brain, and there is a risk for detachment of the retina.

The further damage can lead to blindness, said Dr. Birch. There are patients that go blind in their 40s or 50s."

Dr. Birch is excited about a first-of-its-kind gene therapy treatment. He said that by injecting a healthy copy of the mutated gene into Trevors eye, just one time, the gaps in the retina could eventually close over time. His vision would improve on its own.

It's interesting and helpful and exciting, said Karen, who added that she just hopes for her son to live a normal life. A life that would allow Trevor to see clearly -- and for mom to breathe a sigh of relief when hes underwater.

I said as long as you can see the sharks, I'm okay, joked Karen.

Twenty-seven patients will be enrolled in this clinical trial in six places in the country. Dallas is one of them.

For more information go here.

2017 WFAA-TV

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Clinical trial aims to help restore eyesight - WFAA.com