StemCell Therapy

Object for object, The Inner Eye: Vision and Transcendence in African Arts provides perhaps the most flat-out beautiful museum exhibition in Los Angeles so far this year.

A selection of about 100 sculptures, many of them extraordinary, dates from the 13th to the early 20th century in a variety of cultures in West, Central and East Africa. Polly Nooter Roberts, Los Angeles County Museum of Art consulting curator for African art, traces an ambiguous line running between the visible and the invisible, sight and insight as represented in figures, masks, initiation objects, royal emblems and reliquary guardians.

Frequently the eye becomes a kind of mysterious membrane between material and spiritual worlds.

Take a Liberian mask whose symmetrical face with protruding eyes and mouth is enlivened by dramatically asymmetrical dcor. One eye is crossed out, canceling its outward view. A small length of twisted cord creates a puckish grin when attached over a row of jagged teeth. The mask gleefully seems to say, I know something you dont know.

Esoteric knowledge is a prominent undercurrent throughout the show, nowhere more beautifully or mysteriously expressed than in a Lega mask from what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A white oval head with a broad, heart-shaped face above a narrow, lozenge mouth is either without eyes or, possibly, is all eyes. Blindness reverberates with all-seeing insight.

The ceremonial mask, typically attached to the body as a talisman rather than worn over the face, is like an abstract echo of a human skull. It nods toward ancestors long gone but present during the ritual.

The LACMA show is divided into eight thematic sections. Sometimes the thread unravels and the show is hard to follow.

Among the more compelling groups is Beholding Spirit, which looks at the way royal trappings a throne, a scepter embody spiritual power that its user then wields. A commanding power figure (or nkisi nkondi), hammered with metal spikes across broad shoulders and atop sturdy columnar legs, is a Vigilant Sentinel looking skyward through shell-covered eyes: Earth meets sea meets sky in a mighty guardian. And a staring Dogon hermaphrodite, identifiable as such by conical breasts and a scruffy beard, is Envisioning Origins through the union of male and female.

Some works are surprising in a singular way. Nearly life-size commemorative carvings of a male and female pair of tomb guardians from Madagascar look almost contemporary; weathering outdoors has softened features into smooth planes of unadorned wood. Gone are the rifle and lance he once held for protection, while the jug balanced atop her head speaks of nurturing sustenance.

On the other hand, the section devoted to the Maternal Gaze is fairly prosaic. Art representing the familiar subject of mother and child seems separate from a distinctive consideration of the inner eye.

Yet the section does offer some context for a marvelous LACMA treasure acquired in 2014 an extremely rare fertility figure carved by the Bamana peoples of Mali in the late 13th or 14th century. (Most wooden African sculpture dates from the 19th century and after, a testament to the fragility of the material in sub-Saharan climates.) Three feet tall, seated upright on a bench, limbs and torso stretched and straight as an arrow, shes a tower of expansive strength, sheltering the remaining fragments of her offspring.

The sculpture is one among numerous exceptional works in the show. Some are on loan from public collections, such as UCLAs impressive Fowler Museum, while nearly three-quarters are lent from important private holdings, among them the Bill and Ann Ziff collection in New York. The shows chief drawback is the absence of a publication, neither catalog nor brochure, which seems a shame for such a notable, curiosity-inducing display.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Through July 9; closed Wednesdays. (323) 857-6000, http://www.lacma.org

christopher.knight@latimes.com

Twitter: @KnightLAT

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At LACMA, a don't-miss African art exhibition full of mystery and beauty - Los Angeles Times

INDONESIA Farmer Kasnan Wonidin thought his life was over when he began losing his eyesight to cataracts last year.

The 48-year-old from a village in Gresik regency in East Java had to give up work, stop riding his motorbike and say goodbye to his favourite pastimes like catching crabs.

Corrective surgery at five million rupiah (S$530) per eye was well beyond his means. Like millions of other low-income cataract sufferers in Indonesia, a country of nearly 260 million people, he could only prepare to go blind.

He said: "I felt so sad. Where can a poor farmer like me find so much money?"

Mr Kasnan's worry ended last May, when the Singapore-based non-profit organisation A New Vision gave him a free small-incision cataract surgery, a quick surgical procedure that cut out and replaced his cloudy natural lenses with clear intraocular ones. It costs the organisation $100 per eye.

A New Vision aims to treat cataracts in countries such as Indonesia, where half of all blindness is caused by cataracts, through the quick, safe and low-cost procedure.

The organisation was set up in 2010 by Nepali humanitarian eye surgeon Sanduk Ruit, 62, Singaporean entrepreneur and philanthropist Tan Ching Koon, 60, Indonesian social worker Indra Wahidin, 65, and Ms Effi Jono, 48, an accountant from Indonesia.

To date, A New Vision's volunteer eye surgeons have performed nearly 20,000 operations for the rural poor through its surgical outreach events in Java and Sumatra.

With funds from multinational companies, foundations and private donors, it has sent 25 doctors for training in specialised eye surgery in Nepal. It is also sending nurses to be trained in eye screening and post-operative follow-up care, and is raising funds to build a high-quality but affordable community eye centre in Indonesia.

Ms Effi said: "Eye care should be a right, not a privilege."

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Gone are dark clouds that had them blind, World News & Top ... - The Straits Times

June 23, 2017 Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a wearable diagnostic biosensor that can detect three interconnected, diabetes-related compounds -- cortisol, glucose and interleukin-6 -- in perspired sweat for up to a week without loss of signal integrity. The team envisions that their wearable devices will contain a small transceiver to send data to an application installed on a cellphone. Credit: University of Texas at Dallas

Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas are getting more out of the sweat they've put into their work on a wearable diagnostic tool that measures three diabetes-related compounds in microscopic amounts of perspiration.

"Type 2 diabetes affects so many people. If you have to manage and regulate this chronic problem, these markers are the levers that will help you do that," said Dr. Shalini Prasad, professor of bioengineering in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. "We believe we've created the first diagnostic wearable that can monitor these compounds for up to a week, which goes beyond the type of single use monitors that are on the market today."

In a study published recently in Scientific Reports, Prasad and lead author Dr. Rujute Munje, a recent bioengineering PhD graduate, describe their wearable diagnostic biosensor that can detect three interconnected compounds - cortisol, glucose and interleukin-6 - in perspired sweat for up to a week without loss of signal integrity.

"If a person has chronic stress, their cortisol levels increase, and their resulting insulin resistance will gradually drive their glucose levels out of the normal range," said Prasad, Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science. "At that point, one could become pre-diabetic, which can progress to type 2 diabetes, and so on. If that happens, your body is under a state of inflammation, and this inflammatory marker, interleukin-6, will indicate that your organs are starting to be affected."

Last October, Prasad and her research team confirmed they could measure glucose and cortisol in sweat. Several significant advances since then have allowed them to create a more practical, versatile tool.

"We wanted to make a product more useful than something disposable after a single use," Prasad said. "It also has to require only your ambient sweat, not a huge amount. And it's not enough to detect just one thing. Measuring multiple molecules in a combinatorial manner and tracking them over time allows us to tell a story about your health."

One factor that facilitated their device's progress was the use of room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), a gel that serves to stabilize the microenvironment at the skin-cell surface so that a week's worth of hourly readings can be taken without the performance degrading over time.

"This greatly influences the cost model for the deviceyou're buying four monitors per month instead of 30; you're looking at a year's supply of only about 50," Prasad said. "The RTIL also allows the detector to interface well with different skin typesthe texture and quality of pediatric skin versus geriatric skin have created difficulties in prior models. The RTIL's ionic characteristics make it somewhat like applying moisturizer to skin."

Prasad's team also determined that their biomarker measurements are reliable with a tiny amount of sweatjust 1 to 3 microliters, much less than the 25 to 50 previously believed necessary.

"We actually spent three years producing that evidence," Prasad said. "At those low volumes, the biomolecules expressed are meaningful. We can do these three measurements in a continuous manner with that little sweat."

Prasad envisions that her wearable devices will contain a small transceiver to send data to an application installed on a cellphone.

"With the app we're creating, you'll simply push a button to request information from the device," Prasad said. "If you measure levels every hour on the hour for a full week, that provides 168 hours' worth of data on your health as it changes."

That frequency of measurement could produce an unprecedented picture of how the body responds to dietary decisions, lifestyle activities and treatment.

"People can take more control and improve their own self-care," Prasad said. "A user could learn which unhealthy decisions are more forgiven by their body than others."

Prasad has emphasized "frugal innovation" throughout the development process, making sure the end product is accessible for as many people as possible.

"We've designed this product so that it can be manufactured using standard coating techniques. We made sure we used processes that will allow for mass production without adding cost," Prasad said. "Our cost of manufacturing will be comparable to what it currently takes to make single-use glucose test stripsas little as 10 to 15 cents. It needs to reach people beyond America and Europeand even within first-world nations, we see the link between diabetes and wealth. It can't simply be a small percentage of people who can afford this."

Prasad was motivated to address this specific problem in part by her own story.

"South Asians, like myself, are typically prone to diabetes and to cardiovascular disease," Prasad said. "If I can monitor on a day-to-day basis how my body is responding to intake, and as I age, if I can adjust my lifestyle to keep those readings where they need to be, then I can delay getting a disease, if not prevent it entirely."

For Prasad, the latest work is a fulfilling leap forward in what has already been a five-year process.

"We've been solving this problem since 2012, in three phases," Prasad said. "The initial concept for a system level integration of these sensors was done in collaboration with EnLiSense LLC, a startup focused on enabling lifestyle based sensors and devices. In the market, there's nothing that is a slap-on wearable that uses perspired sweat for diagnostics. And I think we are the closest. If we find the right partner, then within a 12-month window, we hope to license our technology and have our first products in the market."

Explore further: Bioengineers create sweat-based sensor to monitor glucose

More information: Rujuta D. Munje et al, A new paradigm in sweat based wearable diagnostics biosensors using Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs), Scientific Reports (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02133-0

Google said Friday it would stop scanning the contents of Gmail users' inboxes for ad targeting, moving to end a practice that has fueled privacy concerns since the free email service was launched.

Like driving a car despite a glowing check-engine light, large buildings often chug along without maintenance being performed on the building controls designed to keep them running smoothly.

Microphones, from those in smartphones to hearing aids, are built specifically to hear the human voicehumans can't hear at levels higher than 20 kHz, and microphones max out at around 24 kHz, meaning that microphones only ...

Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas are getting more out of the sweat they've put into their work on a wearable diagnostic tool that measures three diabetes-related compounds in microscopic amounts of perspiration.

Researchers at the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a novel design approach for exoskeletons and prosthetic limbs that incorporates direct feedback from the human body. The findings were ...

In a proof-of-concept study, North Carolina State University engineers have designed a flexible thermoelectric energy harvester that has the potential to rival the effectiveness of existing power wearable electronic devices ...

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Bioengineers create more durable, versatile wearable for diabetes ... - Phys.Org

Since her diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in 2009, Madyi Stangl has felt that the disease has placed a cloud on her life limiting her ability to travel and live life.

But that cloud has lifted, thanks to a special golden retriever named Willy.

Willy is a diabetes assistance dog that was given to Stangl by Can Do Canines, a New Hope, Minn., based non-profit organization that trains dogs to help people who live with diabetes, autism, seizures, hearing loss and mobility issues.

Madyi and Willy graduated in a class of 14 on June 10.

Willy can detect changes in Stangls blood sugar levels by scent. He alerts Madyi to high or low blood sugar levels by touching her with his paw. If she doesnt respond, he will whine or whimper and eventually do whatever he needs to do to get her attention. He is trained to bring glucose tablets or even a cell phone to Stangl.

Recently, Stangl had a scary low of 34 during the night. When she failed to respond to Willys touches, he laid over her body until she woke up. She then checked her blood sugar levels and ate food to bring her levels back up to normal, saving her life.

Can Do Canines has produced nearly 600 teams of dogs and their human companions since opening in 1989, according to Client Services Coordinator Sarah Schaff.

The organization can give away the dogs, which are sold by other organizations for $20,000 or more, because of volunteers and many donors, Schaff says.

Funding comes from donations from individuals, companies and grants. Schaff reports that the organization does not receive any state or federal funds, relying solely on donations, fundraisers and bequests.

Puppies are bred in a cooperative program with other certified service dog organizations, raised by volunteers and many receive their initial training in six Minnesota and two Wisconsin prisons.

Schaff notes that the prison environment is good for the dogs as well as the inmates.

It gives dogs a 24/7 taste of what life will be like when they are working, she says, adding that there are many studies pointing to the therapeutic benefits for the inmate handlers as well.

The organization has a screening process to find suitable candidates to match with dogs that are in the system or are in training.

It takes two years to raise and train a dog to be an assistance animal, Schaff says.

Madyi lives ub Minneapolis and works as the Operations Lead for the University of Minnesota Physicians, and Willy accompanies her to work as well. He even alerted a diabetic co-worker to a low blood sugar level.

Stangl grew up with dogs and reports that having Willy around is like having a big security blanket that I carry with me all the time. She is now more confident as well.

Even though Im going to continue on as this girl with this physical reminder of my disability, Im a little prouder because Im able to shed light on diabetes. Diabetes is an invisible illness, but it is something that needs to be seen because its not something to be taken lightly, she says.

Even though Willy is a beautiful and friendly dog, Stangl asks that people should refrain from touching him or any other assistance dog without permission of the owner.

When we are out in public and Willy is wearing his vest, its important not to make eye contact or distract him, Stangl says. He is working for me, and if he gets distracted, he stops working and that could be dangerous.

Schaff says that Can Do Canines is in need of volunteers to raise and train labrador, collie and poodle puppies for two years and return them to the company for further training.

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'Lifting the cloud' of diabetes with a special dog | News ... - Burnett County Sentinel (subscription)

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)- More than 1 million Americans are living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops making insulin.

One out of every 400 children has T1D, and for one Tallahassee family, a pair of twins were both diagnosed before the age of 2.

"It can happen to anyone. We don't have it in our families," said Rebeka Joseph, the mother of Eva and Leah Joseph."This was a strike of lightning that hit us. Twice."

Leah was diagnosed when she was just 10 months old. Her parents thought she had the flu, but her blood sugar level was dangerously high.

"My baby was 10 months old, and she had diabetes," Rebekah said. "My life changed forever in that moment."

Just nine months later, Eva was diagnosed with T1D. Rebekah was able to detect it, thanks to the medical team at Tallahassee Memorial.

"As they grow up, there will be physicians here who can continue to take care of them," said Dr. Larry Deeb, a pediatric endocrinologistat TMH. "There will be the Diabetes Center that can continue to offer support at every stage of life."

"We're there to continue training and making sure that they make the transition -- being able to learn some of the care things themselves, so that they can take care of their bodies as they grow and develop," saidKatherine Owen, a certified diabetes educator at TMH.

TMH provided the girls with devices that monitor and administer insulin throughout the day.

"It's an hourly -- almost minute-to-minute disease," Rebekah said.

As the girls grow up, the family wants to make sure their teachers know how to handle issue with diabetes. TMH trained the staff at Good Samaritan Academy to do just that.

"The girls are able to develop as little people that can play with other kids," Rebekah said. "I want them to realize how normal they are. There's really no difference."

That's what Belinda Rodebaugh hopes for, too. She was diagnosed when she was 5 years old.

"It is part of your life, and it never goes away. However, it will respond to things that you do," Rodebaugh said."So, the more you research what you eat and what you don't is a really good thing."

The twins will celebrate their second birthday in September. The family says the support they've received gives them confidence to manage any challenge that comes their way.

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Tallahassee twin toddlers learn to live with Type 1 diabetes - WTXL ABC 27

American Diabetes Association officials are offering a summer diabetes-prevention camp in Santa Clarita from July 1516, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita.

This camp is available for 7- to 15-year-olds who are at risk for diabetes or that have a family history of Type 2 diabetes.

To register, visit the Camp Power Up website at http://www.diabetes.org/camppowerupsantaclarita or call 323-966-2890.

Obesity continues to pose a threat to the health of Americans, as Type 2 diabetics make up 90-95 percent of all diabetics in the world.

Approximately 208,000 Americans under age 20 are estimated to have diagnosed diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

In order to combat this statistic, create new habits and become knowledgeable about Type 2 diabetes prevention, the diabetes camp will focus on exercise, proper nutrition and fellowship between children in similar health circumstances.

Parents and other family members are encouraged to attend camp on Sunday in order to reinforce the healthy lifestyle their children learned about on Saturday.

In addition to the weekend long camp experience, all children and their families are invited to attend three Reunion Events hosted at the Boys & Girls Club in Newhall.

Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are being overweight, sedentary, and having a family history of diabetes. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk for developing the disease.

However, Type 2 diabetes can be reversed via exercise, nutrition, and a change in lifestyle choices.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. For the past 75 years, our mission has been to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or the Los Angeles office at 323.966.2890 or visit http://www.diabetes.org Find the Los Angeles office on Facebook (adalosangeles), Twitter (@ada_losangeles) and Instagram (@adalosangeles).

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Diabetes-Prevention Camp To Be Held In Santa Clarita ... - KHTS Radio

OLEAN The Street Classics Car Club presented a $5,000 check to JDRF for Type 1 diabetes research Thursday at its weekly cruise night.

Since 1991 the club has donated more than $70,000 to the organization formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, said Karen Swierski, executive director of JDRFs Western New York chapter. Swierski was at cruise night in the Olean Center Mall parking lot to accept the check from club President Jim McKelvey and Treasurer John Ricci, as well as other club members.

The club began donating to support the organizations mission of finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes because one of its founding members had the disease.

We keep plugging away, McKelvey said.

About 1.25 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes, according to a 2014 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the bodys ability to produce insulin.

We dont call it juvenile anymore because you dont get rid of it as you get older, Swierski said.

Donations to JDRF go toward both research and outreach.

Our mission is to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes, thats our main focus, but we realize theyre are a lot of people with Type 1 out there and we have to help them manage their disease, Swierski said.

Many donations come from groups like the Street Classics Car Club.

We do some big fundraisers, we do work with the federal government, but it's the community fundraisers like this group that really make a difference, Swierski said.

As of 2016, the clubs 25th anniversary, the club has donated more $84,000 to a variety of local charities, according to club officials. Organizations who have benefited include the SPCA in Cattaraugus County, Olean Food Pantry and St. Bonaventure University's Warming House. Individuals, who needed assistance after fires or needed ramps to get into their homes, have also been helped.

We try to help everybody, but a lot of it just depends on our cruise nights and our Car Show and our sponsors, McKelvey said.

The clubs 26th annual Street Classics Car Show will take place Aug. 6 at Firemans Park in Allegany. There will be 50/50 drawings, a Chinese auction, food, games and live music. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cruise nights, held every Thursday, will last through Labor Day.

(Contact reporter Tom Dinki at tdinki@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @tomdinki)

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Street Classics Car Club makes annual donation for Type 1 diabetes research - Olean Times Herald

LOOMIS Becton Dickinson wants to help cure or find a better way to treat diabetes, so the medical equipment manufacturer supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

To do so, BD is sponsoring a 2K Color Fun Run July 1 in Loomis. It will begin at Loomis High School and will end at the communitys water park.

Usually, we sponsor an event inside the plant, but we decided to do something different this year, said Holdrege BD employee and event leader Sheri Freeland.

Donations will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Lincoln and Greater Nebraska Chapter to create a world without type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which a persons pancreas stops producing insulin. Insulin is a hormone people need to get energy from food.

The disease can suddenly strike both children and adults. Type 1 diabetes is unrelated to diet or lifestyle. People with type 1 diabetes must regularly monitor their blood-sugar levels, inject or continually infuse insulin through a pump, and carefully regulate insulin doses with eating and activity 24 hours a day.

The juvenile diabetes foundation funds research to deliver new treatments and therapies that make day-to-day life with diabetes easier, safer and healthier until it can prevent and one day cure the disease.

After hearing a speech from 13-year-old Riley Kinnan, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 7, Freeland knew leading this event was something she wanted to do.

(Her speech) was interesting and motivating. Since Ive worked (at BD) for 36 years, I felt like I should do something, and I knew this was a great way to help out, said Freeland.

Riley, an eighth-grader to be from Lincoln, is an ambassador for the juvenile diabetes foundation. She is very passionate about helping younger children, especially those who are also dealing with the challenges of a diabetes diagnosis.

In the past, BD has sponsored diabetes foundation events such as chili cookoffs, salsa-making contests, hamburger feeds and silent auctions. It has sponsored the juvenile diabetes foundation for six or seven years.

There are 30 people signed up for the Color Run, and Freeland said she has already sold 80 T-shirts for the occasion. All proceeds are going to the juvenile diabetes foundation, and BD is matching the money raised.

Freeland said she is grateful for the number of people who have signed up so far to participate.

We werent sure if we would have enough people or money to put this event together, but we ended up having many volunteers and people in the community willing to help out.

With continued publicity for the event, Freeland hopes to help those suffering with diabetes.

Its a scary disease, and it can affect so young. There are kids that are 2 or even younger that have it, and its terrifying to think about how many shots to have daily and watching what you eat constantly. Its not like you can take a pill and make it go away. For kids, it just sucks, Freeland said.

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BD fun run to benefit juvenile diabetes research - Kearney Hub

Dr. Ralph Defronzo talks with Diabetes in Control Publisher Steve Freed during the ADA 77th Scientific Session in San Diego about SGLT-2, GLP-1, and the drugs he recommends despite standard practice.

Dr. Ralph Defronzo, MD is Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Diabetes Division at the University of Texas Health Diabetes Center in San Antonia, Texas. Dr. Defronzo is also Deputy Director of the Texas Diabetes Institute.

Transcript of this video segment:

Steve Freed:You were one of the first to use triple therapy. Certainly a more aggressive attitude. Now we have drugs that actually prevent or reduce your risk for death. Now were coming out, were finding out the SGLT-2s may cause amputation of your toes. It may cause other issues. I dont think theres a drug on the planet that doesnt have side effects. But were not going to die from the loss of a toe. What are your thoughts even when it comes to SGLT-2s? I know theyre fairly expensive right now. Competition hopefully will reduce that. What are your thoughts about the SGLT-2 drugs and the GLP-1s?

Dr. Defronzo:Let me just back up before I talk about this amputation issue, because its going to be very controversial. To me, Ive always been a strong believer that you need to understand what causes type 2 diabetes. NIH spends millions and millions of dollars to help us try to define what causes the disease. If you know what causes the disease, you ought to use medications to reverse the problem. Sulfonylureas clearly dont do that. In my opinion, these drugs, other than cost, really should not be being used in our diabetic patients. We have much better armor material. So if I had to list the drugs, and this may be a little bit different from what other people tell you. I would put a tie between GLP-1 receptor agonist and pioglitazone. And very close to those two, I would put SGLT-2 inhibitor. Id put Metformin as a good drug but lower down. Those are my four good drugs. Then way down, Id put DPP-4 inhibitors and I just dont use sulfonylurea drugs. I dont believe that theres any need for these drugs. Youd have to be very hard pressed that people could not afford any other drug before Im going to resort to using sulfonylurea drugs. Weve done a very large study with triple therapy. Its now into its 5th year. We use a combination of pioglitazone, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and Metformin. Because when we started these studies, SGLT-2 inhibitors were not around. I can tell you now, the results are phenomenal. These people have three years later normal beta-cell function. They have a 60% improvement in insulin sensitivity. They lose weight. Theres minimal hypoglycemia. We just published a very large study inDiabetes Care, its called the Qatar Study, where theyre going to play the World Cup. We took people who had failed completely on Metformin and sulfonylurea. Their A1C was 10.1. They had ten and a half duration of this disease. We added a GLP-1 receptor agonist plus pioglitazone. A year and a half later, they have an A1C of 6. So, the beta cells, Id rather say, theyre not dead, theyre hibernating. People dont recognize that the TZDs have a huge effect on the beta cell. GLP-1 receptor agonists have a huge effect on the beta cell. And then pioglitazone also has a good insulin sensitizing effect. If I had to do this study over again, I actually would replace the Metformin with the SGLT-2 inhibitor. But these are all good drugs and docs need to learn how to mix and match them. Then they also need to remember that even though you start on two or three drugs, or even you start on one drug, you need to follow the patient to see what happens. If you get a gratifying response, great. But if you dont, then you need to move on quickly, either adding one or two additional drugs.

Steve Freed:Now, you had mentioned, if you go back 50 years, we had one oral drug. Today, we have a couple million possible combinations if you include insulin in there. What you see coming down the pike as far as the future because it used to be simple. You go to your doctor, and he gives you a prescription for sulfonylurea. Today, theres so many options and so many new drugs that each of them has side effects. Theyre all a little bit different. Theyre certainly better than what we had. How do you teach a physician, what possible combination he should use? Is it just trial-and-error?

Dr. Defronzo:Well, I think for endocrinologists, its a little bit easier because this is our job. I think the real problem is amongst primary care physicians because they have to learn all of these new diabetes drugs. Then they have G.I. problems. They have to learn all of these new G.I. drugs. Then they have people presenting with arthritis and collagen vascular disease. Then we have this whole new plethora of immuno-suppressive drugs. I feel sorry in a certain way for the primary care physician because hes supposed to be an expert in everything. Well, thats not possible. The good part is we have very good medications. So thats an advantage. Sometimes I see patients coming to me, I wonder why are they on these drugs when theyre not well controlled, when there are better drugs. It sounds easy for us. I see a patient literally in 10 to 15 minutes, I can handle all the problems. I know instantaneously what to do with glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and cardiovascular issues. Thats basically the major part of diabetes cardiovascular hypertension treatment. And since Im board certified in nephrology as well, I know if they get kidney problems what to do. So for me its very easy to take care of diabetic patients. Its not so easy for primary care physicians and then on top of all of that, we have cost. These newer drugs are really quite expensive. Also, if you prescribe a drug thats not on the patients formulary and he goes to pick it up and its $500, believe me you havent prescribed any drug, because hes not going to get it. Even though, the docs may understand what drugs do and what are the good ones, not always can you prescribe them for your patients.

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Dr. Ralph Defronzo Part 3, Diabetes Medications - Diabetes In Control

Richard Sennott - Star Tribune file During a family portrait in 2000, Molly Nash gives her 4-week-old brother Adam a kiss. Molly Nash received some umbilical blood from her brother, saving her from a fatal genetic disease.

Adam Nash was dubbed Little Frankenstein by the New York Post in 2000 because he was conceived via in vitro fertilization specifically so doctors at the University of Minnesota could collect stem cells from his umbilical cord blood to save his sister, Molly.

Today, back home in Colorado, Adam has a drivers license and helps disabled children ski. His sister once weeks from death due to a condition called Fanconi anemia is debating whether to focus on oceanography or graphic design in college. And IVF to produce an ideal child for a siblings stem cell transplant is common, albeit with lingering ethics concerns.

A squirrelly trio of teens is vindication for Adams mother, Lisa Nash, who felt the weight of the ethical questions when the Us Dr. John Wagner suggested IVF in 1995.

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'Little Frankenstein' is now a happy teenager - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Canadians generally do not have a solid understanding of what exactly the term biotechnology refers to, according to recently released public opinion research collected by Nielsen Consumer Insights on behalf of Agriculture Canada.

In July 2016, the department issued a contract asking Nielsen Consumer Insights to conduct a comprehensive research project to measure Canadian consumers perceptions and attitudes towards issues related to domestic agriculture and agri-food.

The research would help provide insight while developing the next agriculture policy framework, which comes into force in 2018. The data was collected via a series of focus groups, telephone calls and online consultations.

Overall, researchers found 88 percent of those surveyed have a generally positive or neutral view of biotechnology.

Canadians generally feel that biotechnology will have a positive impact on their future, placing it near the top of a selection of new and emerging technologies in terms of this promise, researchers told Agriculture Canada.

However, Canadian knowledge and view on specific forms of biotechnology varies widely.

Researchers found that most of the people who were surveyed struggled to give examples of biotechnology used in agriculture. Participants typically offered up examples used within the medical and health care fields, such as stem cells, antibiotics and robotics.

The association of the term biotechnology with health applications may be an indication that it is profiting from a halo effect, re-searchers warned.

This could lead to people feeling that biotechnology is positive because the applications that they associate with it promote human well-being.

Researchers reported an aversion to applications of biotechnology that consumers felt had the potential to upset the natural order or would allow scientists to play god.

The closer the application could be seen in terms of living, breathing organisms, the more resistance there was to the specific applications, such as genetically modified animals.

Researchers found less than half (46 percent) of the Canadians surveyed were familiar with the concept of GM animals, which has dropped from previous years.

Canadians werent particularly comfortable with the idea. Many within the focus groups raised moral or ethical concerns about it.

People were much more likely to see the potential risks of GM animals as outweighing the benefits than they were likely to see with other technologies, the report reads.

Those technologies include biofuel, gene editing and genetically modified fish, including fish that could be used to produce insulin for diabetic human patients.

Despite specific consumer concerns around certain applications, researchers found Canadians have not rejected biotechnology all together.

Consumer opinions are built based on the specific use presented and individual knowledge of that particular form of biotechnology, researchers said.

In other words, there does not appear to be a blanket approval or rejection of biotechnologies themselves.

Thats good news for Canadian agriculture, where participants stressed Canada could easily be-come a world leader in the agriculture and food biotechnology re-search field. That conviction, researchers found, is increasing as more attention is paid to it.

It is possible that this is due to the growing role that these technologies are playing in our food supply and a higher level of media attention, Agriculture Canada was told.

Similarly, people agree that these technologies will be developed elsewhere in the world where regulations and control may be less stringent, the report said, which isa situation Canadians said they would like to avoid. The federal government, respondents said, has an important role to play in the biotechnology field.

Over the course of the study, 875 Canadians were contacted last year by phone between Aug. 31 and Sept. 17 and Dec. 1-13. The phone portion of the research has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percent.

Another 220 Canadians participated in the online survey, and 10 focus groups were held, with two meetings each in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax and Calgary.

Kelsey Johnson is a reporter with iPolitics, http://www.ipolitics.ca.

Originally posted here:
Biotechnology remains a mystery for many Canadians - Western Producer

Share This Article: Eli Lilly and Company logo. (PRNewsFoto, Eli Lilly and Company)

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announced the completion of a $90 million expansion of its San Diego biotechnology center, which is now more than double its previous size with the addition of 180,000 square feet of work space.

The facility, on Campus Point Drive near UC San Diego, also includes a new high-tech laboratory and room for what the Indianapolis-based company calls a Life Science Studio.

Eli Lilly moved into San Diego in 2004 with the acquisition of Applied Molecular Evolution Inc., and built its Biotechnology Center in 2009.

Being in the San Diego area for the last 13 years has been a game changer for us, specifically in the arena of discovering medicines for hard-to- treat autoimmune conditions, said Thomas F. Bumol, Lillys senior vice president of biotechnology and immunology research.

Company officials said they hope the new facility will allow closer collaboration among researchers. The center originally focused on immunology, but in the larger facility, scientists will also work on diabetes, oncology, neurodegeneration and pain reduction.

Investing in drug discovery and development is critical to maintaining an ecosystem that encourages and promotes innovation, said Jan Lundberg, executive vice president for science and technology and president of Lilly Research Laboratories.

Our expansion in San Diego is a prime example of investing in a research success story, Lundberg said. Expanding our presence in San Diego will not only help us discover and deliver innovative medicines faster, but will also help us achieve our goal of launching 20 new medicines in 10 years.

According to Eli Lilly, the Life Science Studio will allow researchers across the globe to remotely design, synthesize and screen molecules in an unprecedented manner, expanding the ability of scientists to test new ideas, reduce costs and minimize environmental impacts.

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Eli Lilly Unveils $90M Expanded Biotechnology Center in San Diego - Times of San Diego

Wall Street is going gaga over the healthcare and biotech sector. The iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (ETF) (NASDAQ:IBB) rallied 9% in four days. TheSPDR S&P Biotech (ETF) (NYSEARCA:XBI) rallied even more.

These are impressive moves that deserve respect. But I cannot chase it if I am not already on board the trade. Or I will end up buying someone elses profits. Wall Street loves to trade memes these days. A few weeks ago the IBB was dead money, now they cant have enough of it.

The hoopla centers around expectations from the new healthcare bill. I think we are giving it too much credit. We dont know if it will pass and even if it does, we dont know its full effects. But I am willing to bet that it wont be better to the sector than Obamacare was. This new bill is likely to be less, and therefore we could have a disappointment period coming.

Click to Enlarge Before you label me a perma-bear, I was a fan of the IBB a few weeks ago. Instead of chasing the momentum after it happens, a bit a good homework delivered great results. Case in point is this massive win from a bullish trade I shared on May 23 which yielded easy profits and out of thin air.

Now that everyone and their sister is chasing this rally in the IBB, I am ready to try and short it. Before you send out the posse to arrest me for daring to short the hot topic du jour, my trade is not against the sector, but rather is my bet against the short-term price action. I like to go long IBB on weakness but here I see the potential for a dip.

A lot of the enthusiasm is tied to politicians doing the right thing, and I am not so sure they will deliver. Even if they do, its probably going to take longer and be less than we expect. Eventually, traders will get antsy and lose interest and the IBB bids will abate, thereby creating a small vacuum below the current steep wedge. Therein lies the opportunity.

The Bearish Bet: Buy the IBB Aug $315/310 debit put spread for $1.50 or better per contract. If price falls through my spread in the next 56 days, I could triple my money. The faster and sooner the fall, the better otherwise time is my enemy.

To mitigate my out-of-pocket risk, I will leverage the value in the IBB ETF. I will sell longer dated puts to finance my bearish bet.

The Bank: Sell IBB Dec $270 puts and collect $5 per contract. This is a bullish trade which has a 90% theoretical chance of success. But if the IBB falls through my short put, then I will own the shares and could accrue losses below $265. But if Wall Street is correct about the political exuberance in the biotech sector, then I really have nothing to worry about. For a smaller risk profile, I could use a credit put spread instead.

Selling options is risky, so I never risk more than I am willing or able to lose.

Learn how to generate income from options here. Nicolas Chahine is the managing director of SellSpreads.com. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. You can follow him on Twitter at @racernicand stocktwits at@racernic.

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Play the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index (ETF)'s (IBB) Popularity for Free - Investorplace.com

Arthritis affects more than 10 million people and it takes over the lives of sufferers. Heres how to cope with, or avoid the condition

Arthritis affects more than 10 million people and it takes over the lives of sufferers.

The crippling condition can cause severe mobility problems, make sleeping impossible and turn basic tasks into a mission.

But instead of relying on anti-inflammatories and painkillers, which have been linked to stomach and heart issues, try these alternatives.

And they could even stop you from developing the condition in the first place.

Tuck into pomegranates

Chemicals found in the exotic fruits can protect against osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.

Called phytochemicals, they help prevent damage to cartilage cells, which keeps bones healthy.

Pomegranate seeds are also full of punicic acid, which has powerful antioxidant properties and could reduce joint inflammation.

Mediterranean diet plan

Eating more fruit, vegetables, beans, whole grains, olive oil and fatty fish may help tackle the disease and increase mobility.

The first study into the link between a Mediterranean diet and osteoarthritis recently found that eating more of these ingredients over a 16-week period helped reduce inflammation and maintain bone health.

Run by the charity organisation, Arthritis Action, the research saw the inflammatory blood biomarker of participants drop by almost half, while a cartilage degeneration dropped eight per cent. The experts also recommended cutting down on red meat.

Tai chi

If you are looking for more of a relaxed exercise regime, try tai chi. The Chinese practice has been linked to reduced pain, fatigue and stiffness, plus improved mobility in people with osteoarthritis.

The slow breathing and gentle movements boost muscle strength and balance. After six weeks, participants in a University of Miami study were able to walk faster and further.

Go for a jog

It is important to keep muscles and joints moving, even if you do not have arthritis.

Moderate exercise has even been found to help prevent osteoarthritis in the knees and hips physical activity helps lubricate the joints and maintain cartilage elasticity.

While running had previously been thought to be bad for joints, a study recently found that regular jogs are good news for the knees and hips and can cut your osteoarthritis risk. But researchers for the study, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, say overdoing it could do more harm than good.

Get pedalling

Stationary cycling, otherwise known as spinning, is good for the knees. Researchers at Northern Illinois University found it is the best form of exercise to get people with mild-to-moderate symptoms back on their feet.

Magnet magic

Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy is providing an alternative to antiinflammatories and painkiller medication. The clever tech is in a wearable device and involves an electrically charged magnet, which delivers energy to the painful area. Patients with osteoarthritis who used the gadget for 12 hours a day over one month saw their pain greatly reduced, according to a study in Rheumatology journal. And some even came off painkillers completely.

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How to battle arthritis - Pune Mirror

Your first choicefor relief from arthritis pain might be over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen. These medicines are highly effective for most people. However, theycome with some potential side effects that are worth considering.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

You may want to consider adding topical pain relievers such as creams, ointments, lotions, patchesand rubs to your pain relief arsenal. These over-the-counter productscan ease arthritis aches without the potential side effects of pills.

Topical medicines, especially for hand and knee arthritis, are as effective in certain cases as oral medications, says orthopedic specialist Jason Genin, DO. A topical might be much better and better tolerated.

These pain-relieving medicinescan have the greatest impact onarthritis in yourhands, knees orelbows, Dr. Genin says. They areless effective withsources of pain that lie deep within your body like the hip joint, which is surrounded by a thick layer of muscle and fat.

Topical arthritis pain relievers come in several forms, and are availableover the counter and by prescription. They tend to be safer than pills, but they can still cause side effects particularly skin irritation, Dr. Genin says.

Other symptoms like shortness of breath or low blood pressure indicate a possible allergy to the medicine. This is serious, and if this happens, youll need to stop using the medicineand contact your doctor.

The righttopical treatment will depend on location and severity of your painand your lifestyle. They tend to fall into three categories:

I like to use the topical compounds when a patient hasnt tolerated oral medications, which are drugs that affect your entire body. With a topical compound, we cankeep the side effect localized rather than body-wide, especially if they tried over-the-counter topical treatments and they didnt work, Dr. Genin says.

A pain-relieving cream, gel or patch likely wont be your sole arthritis relief strategy. They work best in combination with other strategies, such as exercise, diet and oral pain relievers. Your doctor can advise you on the rightcombination for your needs.

Hopefully, topical pain relievers are just one part of the arthritis treatment, Dr. Genin says.

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How You Can Get Arthritis Relief From Creams, Patches and Ointments - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (blog)

Jan 15, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) congratulates wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) during the second half in the AFC Divisional playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium. The Steelers won 18-16. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

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Charcandrick West has overcome many obstacles to become a professional football player, one of which is arthritis. West recently used his vocal talents to educate people about the disease.

In a recent collaboration with the charity Singing for Superheroes, West has made his first music video and introduced fans to his singing talents with the song, Body of Steel.

West performed the song in conjunction with 10-year-old Jillian Reed, who also has arthritis. The running back says that it was his own experiences growing up with the disease that motivated him to participate in the songs production.

My agent got me hooked up with them [Singing for Superheroes], West explained. It was just something that clicked in my heart. I wanted to raise awareness about what I had gone through and it made sense to work with Jillian. We both know what its like to deal with arthritis. The best thing about song is that it allows you to put what you feel to words.

West says that he was diagnosed with arthritis when he was 14. His treatment regimen for the disease has enabled him to perform at his highest level despite the disease, which affects the afflicted persons joints and mobility. Other than his personal struggle with the disease, West says that misconceptions about arthritis motivate him to educate people about the disease.

Arthritis is a very misunderstood disease, West commented. The first thing most people think of when they think of arthritis is an older person. Most people dont think of kids like Jillian having to deal with it. I want to make parents aware that it can happen to their children at any time.

While West is committed to prolonging a successful NFL career for as long as he can, he hasnt ruled out the pursuit of a musical career either during or after his football days are spent.

I will consider it when that time comes, West stated. I just couldnt have turned the opportunity down to make this song considering what Jillian was doing. Most people dont understand how brave Jillian is. Its hard to do what she did with so much confidence, as far as recording the song and everything went. It takes a lot to get up there and do what she did about a sensitive situation.

West says that he has remained in contact with Reeds family and plans to continue to do all he can to raise awareness about arthritis in the hopes of finding a cure. Whether it be on the gridiron or behind a microphone, its going to take much more than arthritis to keep West from accomplishing his goals.

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Charcandrick West demonstrates pipes to raise awareness about ... - FanSided

According to the latest report published by Credence Research, Inc.Diabetes Devices Market Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016-2022,the global diabetes devices market was valued at USD 20.4 Bn in 2015, and is expected to reach USD 28.2 Bn by 2022, expanding at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2016 to 2022.

Browse the fullreport Diabetes Devices: Market Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016-2022 at http://www.credenceresearch.com/report/diabetes-devices-market

Market Insights

With approximately 385 Mn diabetic patients and a burden of 175 Mn undiagnosed population, the burden of diabetes is significant. Lifestyle, increase in obesity prevalence, dietary changes and ageing are some of the critical factors contributing to the growing prevalence of diabetes worldwide. The global diabetes management market is majorly driven by rising disease prevalence, technological innovation, growing preference for automated disease management solutions are the prime drivers of diabetes devices market.

Growth of the global diabetes management devices market is also supported by significant investments, scope of penetration in middle- and low-income countries and increasing awareness in patient population about effective diabetes management and thereby prevention of disease related complications. On the other hand, high costs of novel diabetes management products and monitors, compliance issues, safety concerns and reimbursement issues are some of the market hindrances faced by the diabetes device manufacturers.

This report classifies the overall diabetes devices market into insulin delivery devices and glucose monitoring devices segments. The insulin delivery devices segment studies individual market for insulin pumps, insulin syringes, insulin pens and insulin inhalers. The glucose monitoring products studied in this report include test strips, lancing devices and lancets, glucose meters and continuous glucose monitors. Insulin delivery devices currently take the larger share of the overall diabetes devices market and it is anticipated that the demand for these products shall remain high through the forecast period. Additionally, continuous glucose monitors is anticipated to be the fastest growing segment in the total market, where the growth is facilitated by rapid technological innovation in this field by players such as Dexcom and prove efficiency of these devices in management of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Geographically, North America and Europe are the largest regional markets for diabetes devices. High awareness, diabetes prevalence and evolved reimburse systems for novel drug delivery and monitoring systems are the prime market growth drivers in these regions. Furthermore, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and Africa are the fastest growing regions in the global market. Phenomenal rise in diabetes prevalence in countries such as India, China and Middle East countries are the major growth facilitators in these region.

The overall diabetes devices market is led by F. Hoffmann La Roche through its flagship product line Accu Chek and is followed by Animas Corporation and LifeScan with their wide product offering. Eli Lilly currently is among the top players in the diabetes delivery devices segment.

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Other Best Selling Reports:http://healthwant.com/2017/03/01/global-drug-delivery-technologies-market-is-predicted-to-hit-284-71-bn-by-2023/

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Diabetes Devices Market Is Predicted To Hit USD 28.2 Bn By 2022, Credence Research - Technorati

June 23, 2017 by Martha Mckenzie Lisa Staimez, left, and Mary Beth Weber, middle, are studying diabetes in India. Credit: Emory University

The number of people with diabetes has quadrupled from 1980 to 2014, and 415 million adults in the world now have diabetes, according to Rollins researchers. Globally, it was estimated that diabetes accounted for 12 percent of health expenditures in 2010, or at least $376 billiona figure expected to hit $490 billion in 2030.

When K.M. Venkat Narayan first began studying type 2 diabetes in the early 1990s, it was considered a disease of adults in affluent countries. Today diabetes has spread to every country in the world, to both urban and rural areas. It afflicts the poor as much as if not more than the rich and strikes children and teens as well as adults. A possible new phenotype of type 2 diabetes has emerged that is affecting younger, thinner people.

The number of people with diabetes has quadrupled from 1980 to 2014, and 415 million adults in the world now have diabetes, according to Rollins researchers. Globally, it was estimated that diabetes accounted for 12 percent of health expenditures in 2010, or at least $376 billiona figure expected to hit $490 billion in 2030.

"In the years since I began working in this field, diabetes has grown to become one of the biggest public health threats we face," says Narayan, Ruth and O.C. Hubert Professor of Global Health. "The spread of some of the ills of a modern lifestylesedentary behaviors, a diet of processed and unhealthy foods, and an increase in obesityhas made diabetes a worldwide crisis. And at least in its most common form, it is substantially preventable."

Burden in low-income countries

Despite the great strides in treating diabetes in high-income countries, much about the disease in low- to middle-income countries remains a mystery. Can interventions that have been proven effective in places like the U.S. be successfully translated in poorer countries? Why are thinner and younger people in some countries developing diabetes, and how does this form of the disease differ from the more common type that occurs in overweight people?

The gap in knowledge has a straightforward explanation. About 75 percent of the burden of diabetes is borne in low- and middle-income countries, but more than 95 percent of the research is being conducted in high-income countries. Narayan and his team have been working to build up the research base in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in India and Pakistan.

Mary Beth Weber, assistant professor of global health, partnered with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation in Chennai, India, on a study that showed the interventions that have proven successful in the U.S. and elsewhere in preventing prediabetes from advancing to diabetes can work as well in India in some segments of the population. After three years, the study group that got the recommended interventionlifestyle education plus the glucose-lowering drug metformin if neededwas 30 percent less likely to develop diabetes than the control group.

Weber is now planning an implementation study to see if this type of diabetes prevention program can be implemented at worksites in India. She and her team are modifying the educational curriculum and training peer educators to provide the interventions where they might have the most impact.

Some participants, however, did not respond as well to Weber's intervention, and this group seems to represent a different phenotype of the disease. These people were thinnersome with BMIs as low as 18.5and younger than the typical person with type 2 diabetes, and their disease characteristics were different from those in obesity-related type 2 diabetes.

Classically, in type 2 diabetes, the pancreas beta cells initially have no problem producing insulin. The trouble is that the body's cells become resistant and thus there is a problem regulating glucose, which builds up in the blood. Over years, the beta cells become exhausted as they have to work hard to produce more insulin to regulate higher glucose levels, and then they begin to fail. This type of diabetes, generally associated with obesity, responds well to weight loss interventions and metformin.

However, when Weber and Lisa Staimez, assistant professor of global health, looked at blood samples of Asian Indians with prediabetes, they found that there had already been dramatic change in their beta cell function. "This suggests that poor beta cell function might happen much earlier in this group as compared with those with typical type 2 diabetes," says Staimez. "But we don't know why."

Some hypothesize that this early beta cell dysfunction may stem from historic undernutrition. Their bodies may be programmed by food scarcity to store fat differently and perhaps secrete less insulin. Indeed, thin Asian people actually have more body fat than a similarly sized person in the U.S., but in Asian individuals fat is stored around organs. This type of fat storage has been linked to higher risk for cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes.

This thin group does not respond well to traditional interventions, such as weight loss. "In the other groups, you are trying to improve insulin's action, whereas here you might have to improve insulin secretion, which we don't know how to do yet," says Narayan. "There is a huge gap in the research in this form of diabetes."

Staimez is starting one study on this group. She wants to know the impact on the child of a mother who is underweight or malnourished. She will look at infants of both normal weight and underweight mothers and compare their beta cell function at six months of age. "Understanding the way type 2 diabetes develops in this group could lead to some really innovative pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions," says Staimez. "By understanding early life factors, this study may provide new insight on how to globally improve the worsening reality of diabetes."

Explore further: Stepwise program can reduce diabetes incidence

(HealthDay)A culturally-tailored stepwise diabetes prevention program can reduce incidence of diabetes among overweight/obese Asian Indian adults, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in Diabetes Care.

Among adults in China, those with diabetes diagnosed in middle age lose, on average, nine years of life compared with those without diabetes, according to new research published in the January 17 issue of JAMA.

Research into type 2 diabetes conducted by Western Sydney University has for the first time established a range of clinical thresholds for testosterone levels in men associated with developing diabetes.

A researcher from UPM is involved in a study that estimates the global prevalence of diabetes and anticipates future trends.

Problems with insulin secretion experienced by people with Type 2 diabetes, parallel similar problems with insulin-secreting beta cells in many individuals with Down syndrome. A new study, published on May 19 in PLOS Genetics ...

(AP) -- The International Diabetes Federation predicts that at least one in 10 adults could have diabetes by 2030, according to its latest statistics.

Some insulin is still produced in almost half of patients that have had type 1 diabetes for more than ten years. The study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden has now been published online by the medical ...

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Diabetes moving from affliction of affluent countries to a global problem - Medical Xpress

In 2003, Jose Sanchez was a recent graduate just starting out in the world, hustling to get his graphic design business off the ground. Then, one day, his life changed.

I went to take a nap and then I didnt wake up for two days, he said. When I woke up, I looked like the Matrix. I had all these tubes coming out of me.

Sanchez discovered he had Type 1 diabetes only after he had fallen into diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition. His story is a reminder of what many diabetics went through in the years before the Affordable Care Act, and what many could face again if its rolled back.

Because he had very little income at the time, Sanchez was able to qualify for New York States Medicaid program. Between changing his diet and lifestyle and getting insulin and other health care through Medicaid, he managed to stay relatively healthy after the incident.

Eventually, he found stable employment and had a son. But then another disaster hit. In 2007, he learned that his jobworking nights at Abercrombie & Fitch, prepping the store for the morning crowdspaid just a little too much for him to continue to qualify for Medicaid.

Thats when I found out the true cost of being a diabetic, he said.

Without insurance, insulinrefillsalone cost him $225 every three weeks. Diapers, food and milk for his son came first, so he rationed the medication and ended up in the emergency room over and over again, racking up tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills he had no way to pay on his salary.

I would end up being in the hospital for a weeklong visit as they brought my levels back down, he said. This just became routine. Once or twice I had to have the ambulance come and get me at my house.

For a lot of people like Sanchez, the expansion of Medicaid in many states under the Affordable Care Act changed everything. The accessibility increased the chances that diabetics would be diagnosed early on before they have life-threatening emergencies. It also made it more likely that diabetics who were seeking treatment could successfully manage their disease, preventing hospital visits.

One 2009 study found that 46 percent of uninsured people with diabetes hadnt received a diagnosis, compared with 23.2 percent of insured diabetics.Medicaid expansion appears to have made a significant dent in the number of people who cant get treatment because they have never been diagnosed.

Looking at the 26 states, plus the District of Columbia, that expanded Medicaid in 2014, researchers found that new diabetes diagnoses rose 23 percent. In the other 24 states, they rose by less than half a percent.

LaShawn McIver, senior vice president of government affairs and advocacy with the American Diabetes Association (ADA), said thats really important because being aware of the condition can allow for earlier interventions to prevent complications.

That is a huge win for people with diabetes in those states, in comparison with people in states that did not expand, she said.

For people who know they have diabetes, of course, getting coverage, whether through Medicaid or other insurance, is critical to affording the treatment they need to keep their disease under control. Looking at known diabetics between 1999 and 2008, one study found people without insurance generally got less health care and had worse blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Beyond helping to pay for medication and doctors visits, state Medicaid agencies are now experimenting with new ways to help people with diabetes learn to stay as healthy as possible. For example, in 15 states Medicaid now pays for diabetes self-management classes under some circumstances. This kind of education has proved successful in helping patients keep their blood sugar down so they stay healthier.

Now, the ADA is pushing Medicaid agencies to expand this kind of approach by offering similar classes to people who are at risk of developing diabetes. Its a lifestyle intervention which gives people the skill they need to sort of take care of the behavioral changes, McIver said.

She said the program starts with classes taught by an instructor trained in a curriculum created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After that, participants meet regularly in peer groups.

Its kind of like a support group that provides these skills for lifestyle changes, she added.

Medicare will start covering this in 2018, and McIver said it only makes sense for Medicaid to do the same.

While it continues to try to make Medicaid coverage better, the ADA is now fighting to preserve coverage. Republican proposals moving through Congress now would phase out the ACAs expansion of Medicaid and also reduce funding for the core program. Under the plan passed by the House of Representatives, 14 million fewer people would receive Medicaid coverage by 2026, according to the Congressional Budget Office.The Senate version would cut Medicaid even more deeply over the long term.

At the same time, changes that reduced protections for people with preexisting conditions would quash diabetics access to private insurance on the individual market.

Diabetes is a disease that requires ongoing care, McIver said. What we worry about with any kind of repeal or replacement is that people wont have access to affordable care.

If they dont have that access, many people like Sanchez will almost certainly end up in the hospital suffering from complications that medication or other interventions could have headed off. That adds up to big costs that somehow need to be covered. A study last year found that when patients with diabetes who arrived at an emergency department were referred to a diabetes center for additional support, they were much less likely to be hospitalized over the next year. The cost of institutional care also fell by $5,461 per patient.

For Sanchez, the repeated hospitalizations only ended after he missed so much work that he lost his job and ended up eligible for Medicaid again. After that, he cycled in and out of coverage. Finally, in 2014, just as other patients were getting insured under the Medicaid expansion, he got a job with the City of New York that provided good coverage.

Sanchezs life today demonstrates both the importance of strong insurance policies and the challenges that remain. He now has his disease under control, thanks to insurance that covers his medication and care. Hes able to care for his growing family(his son now has a little sister) and himself.But, because the kinds of insurance he could get on the individual market arent as good as what he has, he feels tied to his job. That means he cant go back to pursuing a career in design full-time as he always wanted.

I would love for legislation to work toward making entrepreneurs just as safe as municipal employees, he said. You shouldnt have to choose between having a job with adequate health insurance and living your dream, living your purpose.

For now, Sanchez is just working to preserve the health care expansion thats happened over the past few years, telling his story on behalf of people who are where he was 15 years agounaware that health care coverage is going to end up mattering a lot to them.

Everybodys going to have a health concern at some point or another, he said.

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This Is What Happens When People With Diabetes Lose Medicaid - HuffPost

A raucous relay ball game was underway in the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church in downtown Fredericksburg.

Shouts, beach balls and running kids filled the room. Captain America, Spiderman and Wonder Woman were leading the activities.

"Someone's low," one child yelled.

A counselor wearing a shirt bearing the Superman logo and the words "Power of insulin" crossed the room toward a little girl in a pink dress. The counselor checked the screen of a device the girl wore on a flowered belt around her hips.

The device was a continuous glucose monitor, a tool that tracks the child's blood sugar levels all day and night to give an overall picture of how they fluctuate.

It showed that the levels were slightly down but they weren't falling. She could keep playing.

Twenty-two children between the ages of 7 and 12 gathered this week for the 11th annual Kids for a Cure Club summer camp for kids with type 1 diabetes.

KFCC is a local nonprofit organization that was founded by the Mary Washington Healthcare diabetes management staff and parents of children with type 1 diabetes to provide education and support for families living with the disease.

The summer camp, which had a superhero theme this year, aims to help kids become more proficient in managing their diabetes while letting them have fun with peers who share their daily challenges. It is sponsored by MWH and the Aquia and Fredericksburg Lions Clubs.

"The purpose is for children with diabetes to be with others who have the disease," said Lana King, a registered nurse and the camp's founder. "In their school, they might be the only diabetic child. Here, they can feel like it's a normal thing. Here, they're acting differently if they're NOT having their blood checked."

Campers are under the care of four MWH registered nurses and diabetes educators and King, who used to work for MWH and now is clinical business manager for Animas Corporation, an insulin pump company.

All the camp counselors, who are 15 and 16, and the junior counselors, who are 13 and 14, also have type 1 diabetes.

Camp activities included craftsmaking superhero capes, badges and masks, decorating flower pots and picture framesgames and special activities such as cooking classes and trips to the Farmer's Market and the pool.

The kids heard from adult guest speakersa writer and a Secret Service agentwho have diabetes. They also prepared their own diabetes-friendly snacks each day.

Regular blood sugar checks were part of the day's activities.

"I think the hardest part of this disease is that there is no break," King said. "You must get up every day and check your blood sugar 6-8 times a day or give yourself injections. You're having to be responsible."

Hence, the superhero theme. For one of the daily activities, the kids had to answer the question, "Who is your superhero and why?"

One girl answered, "My superhero is me because I have learned how to manage my diabetes."

Other kids said their parents were their superheroes for helping them with their disease.

Matthew Gomez, 13, and his sister Gianna, 11, have attended the camp for multiple years.

"I like everything about it," Matthew said. "It's definitely up there [in my list of favorite summer camps.]"

Gianna, who was diagnosed at age 6 and has a twin sister who doesn't have diabetes, wears an insulin pump which delivers insulin to her body continuously. Matthew, who was diagnosed at age 9, gives himself insulin injections and pricks his finger to check his blood sugar four or five times a day.

He said it used to hurt, but his fingers are so tough now that it doesn't bother him.

Trinity Riley, 10, said she was diagnosed at age 3 after she went into a diabetic coma. She doesn't remember, but her sister has shown her pictures and video of herself in the hospital.

"I looked dead, not like myself," Riley said.

She said she's the only kid in her school with diabetes and usually tries to hide what she's doing when she pricks her finger to test her blood. But at camp, she doesn't have to do that.

"It's nice not being scared," she said. "When I'm here, I'm wide open, because everyone's the same."

Jayden Britt, 12, was just diagnosed with the disease in December. She said she's loved the summer camp because it helps her "not feel so different."

For two months leading up to her diagnosis, she felt "a little weird." Her mom noticed that she had lost a lot of weight and wasn't fitting into any of her clothes and took her to be checked out. Doctors ran a urine test and found ketonesacids that remain when the body burns its own fat instead of glucose for energy. It's a common complication of diabetes.

When the doctor started to tell Britt what the diagnosis was, she saw her mom begin to tear up.

"She knew what was coming," Britt said. "My dad has type 1 and my mom was blaming herself because she hadn't noticed the symptoms."

Katlyn Agosta, a nurse and MWH diabetes educator who is in her second year with the camp, said the camp helps kids as well as parents find support in handling the disease.

Mom Karen Embrey was wearing a shirt that said, "Some people never get to meet their hero. I gave birth to mine." Her daughter, Hannah, 15, has type 1 and is a counselor at the camp.

She said the hardest part about the disease from a mother's perspective is trusting anyone other than herself to manage it.

"Letting her be away from me is hard," she said.

Embrey said Hannah has been taking care of her own diabetes for a few years and generally does a good job.

"But this camp, being responsible for other kidsit's making her more mindful," she said.

Read more from the original source:
Superheroes on a T1D mission! Kids with Type 1 Diabetes conquer the disease's challenges - Fredericksburg.com