Study suggests use of stem cell transplantation is beneficial treatment of type 1 diabetes
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A therapy that includes stem cell transplantation induced extended insulin independence in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, according to a preliminary study in the April 11 issue of JAMA.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) results from a cell-mediated autoimmune attack against pancreatic beta cells. At the time of clinical diagnosis, approximately 60 percent to 80 percent of the beta-cell mass has been destroyed, according to background information in the article. Beta-cell preservation has been shown to be an important target in the management of type 1 DM and in the prevention of its related complications.
Cannabis is wrecking lives, says public school head
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A leading public school head yesterday warned that the casual acceptance of cannabis would result in an epidemic of children having problems at school. Anthony Seldon, head of Wellington College, said the drug was “wrecking lives”.
The decision to reclassify cannabis from a class B to a class C drug was a mistake and should be reviewed, Dr Seldon, author of a biography of Tony Blair, said. He added: “The reclassification was unhelpful because it sent the signal that it is OK.”
Arthritis makes work tough going for millions
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For almost 7 million American workers, arthritis keeps them from doing their job at peak performance, researchers estimate based on data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey.
As part of the survey, more than 31,000 working-age adults were asked whether they had doctor-diagnosed arthritis and whether arthritis or joint symptoms limited their ability to work or the type or amount of work that they engage in.
Cinnamon does not aid type 1 diabetes control
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Despite earlier promising findings, it seems unlikely that cinnamon can improve blood sugar levels in people with type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes, researchers report.
Previous research has shown that cinnamon appears to help fat cells recognize and respond to insulin. In test tube experiments and in animal studies, the spice led to a noteworthy increase in the processing of glucose.
Fitness gains last in breast cancer survivors
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In a recent study, women getting over breast cancer treatment who participated in an 8-week supervised aerobic and strength training program improved their physical fitness and quality of life. Now, a follow up study of the women indicates that some of the physical fitness gains last well beyond the training period.
This is an important finding, the researchers say, given that it is unrealistic to assume that women will continue with an exercise regimen similar to a supervised training program when they’re on their own.
Heart experts say Merck arthritis drug too risky
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Two prominent U.S. heart experts said studies of Merck & Co. Inc. arthritis drug Arcoxia revealed risks that should prevent its approval in the United States and that the drug posed unacceptable dangers in the 63 countries where it is already sold.
The concerns were expressed on Thursday by Steven Nissen, head of cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Curt Furberg, a professor of public health at Wake Forest University who is a member of the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Survival rate with melanoma has improved
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The overall survival of people diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has improved over the past 25 years or so, German researchers report.
They note in their report in the medical journal Cancer that melanoma is quite curable if it’s caught early; however, the improvement in survival they have observed may not be entirely due to early diagnosis.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind And Other Tips for Eating Less
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Here’s a diet tip that doesn’t involve counting calories or fat. Research shows that changing how foods are served and stored can help with weight loss or maintaining a healthy weight.
The April issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these tricks for eating less:
IVF clinics told to cut down on twins or face sanctions
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IVF clinics could have multiple birth rates capped under plans to cut the number of twins born as a result of fertility treatment.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said it was considering sanctions for clinics that produce too many multiple births which can put the lives of mothers and babies at risk.
Stroke a risk for cocaine, amphetamine users
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Young people who abuse cocaine and amphetamines are at heightened risk for suffering a stroke, a study published Monday confirms.
Cocaine, amphetamines, and other stimulants may boost the risk of stroke by raising blood pressure or by triggering spasms in blood vessel walls.
Researchers find genetic links to prostate cancer
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Scientists have identified several genetic risk factors for prostate cancer, shedding new light on the cause of a leading worldwide cancer killer among men that hits U.S. blacks especially hard.
“The importance of it is that this is the first real evidence of the genetic basis of prostate cancer,” said Dr. Brian Henderson, dean of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and one of the researchers of the study released on Sunday.
Frequent Infections May be a Sign of Immunodeficiency
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Children who get frequent infections, such as ear infections, sinusitis or pneumonia, may have a more severe condition called immunodeficiency, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
Patients who have immunodeficiency have infections that usually do not go away without using antibiotics and often recur within one or two weeks after antibiotic treatment is completed. These patients frequently need many courses of antibiotics each year to stay healthy. There are several forms of immunodeficiency and while some are very severe and life-threatening, many are milder but still important enough to cause recurrent or severe infections.
Mammograms for women in their 40s should be based on individual
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Should all women in their 40s be routinely screened for breast cancer? Not necessarily, according to the American College of Physicians. In a new set of guidelines for clinicians of 40-something patients, the group recommends that mammography screening decisions be made on a case-by-case basis. It advises clinicians to discuss the benefits and harms of screening with the patient, as well as each woman’s individual cancer risk and preference about screening.
The organization based its recommendations, which will be published in the April 3 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, on a rigorous review of evidence showing there is variation in the benefits and harms associated with mammography among women in their 40s. The American College of Physicians is the leading professional organization for internal medicine specialists, with a membership of 120,000.
Eggs will raise your cholesterol, and other myths
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Avoid eggs. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Eating carbs will make you fat. Nutritional advice such as this has been touted for years—but is it accurate?
Not necessarily, according to Wendy Repovich, an exercise physiologist at Eastern Washington University in Cheyenne, Washington, who did her best to dispel several common nutrition misconceptions during an American College of Sports Medicine-sponsored health and fitness summit held recently in Dallas.
Disrupted sleep may alter pain perception
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People who continually have their sleep disrupted, whether by insomnia or a crying newborn, may become more susceptible to pain, preliminary research suggests.
In a sleep-lab study of 32 healthy young women, researchers found that those who were subjected to repeated sleep disruptions over three nights showed a change in their pain perception. Their bodies’ ability to inhibit pain signals declined, and as a group, the women reported more “spontaneous” pain, such as an aching back or stomach cramps, on the days following their poor night’s sleep.
