StemCell Therapy

Summers almost here, so beware the brightest of sunlight! To protect your eyesight, the most important recommendation you need to follow is to wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet radiation whenever you go outside during daylight hours, according to the National Eye Institute. This is true for everyone, no matter what age, year round.

Ultraviolet radiation is the energy radiated by the sun that arrives on Earth in wavelengths too short for us to see. Both UVA (waves that are 320 to 400 nanometers long) and UVB radiation (290 to 320 nanometers long) can be harmful to your eyes. The fix, though, is simple.

The recommendations are that eyeglasses should block UVA and UVB radiation, said Dr. Andrea Thau, president of the American Optometric Association. When shopping for sunglasses, look for a tag or label that says 100 percent protection against both UVA and UVB or 100 percent protection against UV 400.

The UV 400 designation simply means the lenses will block radiation equal to or shorter than 400 nanometers, which covers both UVA and UVB rays, Thau said.

Thau and Dr. Justin Bazan, a doctor of optometry and medical adviser to The Vision Council, a nonprofit trade organization for optical industry manufacturers and suppliers, recommend purchasing sunglasses from a reputable retailer.

These include eyecare provider offices, or brick-and-mortar and online department stores and sunglass specialty shops as they offer sunglasses that meet the necessary standards for proper UV protection, Bazan wrote in an email. He adds that shoppers should be wary when purchasing sunglasses from online auction sites, street vendors and flea markets, as sunglasses available at these locations may not meet the necessary standards for proper UV protection.

Thats all good, but does UV protection wear off over time?

It doesnt, says Dr. Jeff Pettey, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Moran Center University of Utah and a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The UV protection is embedded, Pettey said, explaining both the technology and the process have changed over time, advancing far enough that routinely, even on the cheapest pair of glasses, the protection is built in for life.

In the testing weve done, weve never had a pair of sunglasses that didnt meet that UV protection, Pettey said.

He acknowledges that in the early 1990s, tests on childrens sunglasses showed that not all lived up to their UV protection claims, but more recently, we just have not seen that.

Still, he suggests buying from a reputable retailer just to be safe.

Theres no guarantee, because you cant say for certain where your glasses are coming from, Pettey said, adding that theres a test you yourself can perform at any local optical shop that has a UV light meter.

You can take your glasses in and have them tested, said Pettey. This is a handy test for when you doubt your sunglasses have the UV protection claimed by a retail tag or if theyre simply old and you want to make sure.

As far as a hard requirement, UV protection is it, he said. Tint doesnt matter, polarization doesnt matter, and although bigger is always better, UV protection is the essential piece.

The inessentials, though, may also play a role in eye health.

Beyond UV rays

Thau says there are two parts to sunglass protection: One is non-visible radiation, and the second has to do with visible light how much brightness they block.

When youre in the bright sun, like the beach, you do want something 75% or darker to block you from visible light, Thau said. Too much exposure to visible light does bleach your receptors, and some studies have indicated it can impair your night vision and your color vision perception.

Yet blocking visible light has a downside if your sunglasses are not up to UV snuff, suggests Dr. James H. Diaz, an environmental medicine specialist and anesthesiologist.

The darker the sunglass lenses, the more the pupils will dilate and allow more UV light to enter the eye, Diaz wrote in an email. This is true of blue light, which ranges in length from 400 to 440 nanometers.

The longer the retinas are exposed to unfiltered blue light, the greater the risk of macular degeneration, Diaz said. However, the National Eye Institute does not list protection against blue light as necessary when purchasing sunglasses. In fact, research has shown blue light exposure is good for us, as it helps regulate our circadian rhythms and so affects both mood and cognition.

Orange and yellow lenses provide the best protection from blue light, and blue and purple lenses provide the least protection, Diaz said.

Thau noted color is not crucial in protecting eye health. Most popular colors are gray, green and brown. They are the least distorting for color perception, with gray being the most neutral, she said.

People who have color vision deficiencies generally find that they see much better with brown lenses, while green seems to give more contrast, said Thau.

Whether you opt to filter out blue light or not, a good pair of UV-blocking sunglasses can protect both your short-term and long-term health.

Protect your thin skin

Skin around the eyelid is the thinnest in the body, so it is susceptible to skin cancers, Thau said. This thin skin is most likely to develop basal cell and squamous cell cancers, so the recommendation is to wear the largest pair of sunglasses possible to protect the eyelids and surrounding skin.

Meanwhile, Pettey warns that cancers of the eye itself, including squamous cell carcinomas and malignant melanomas, also can result from sun exposure.

The same damage that occurs to our skin occurs to the eye, he said: specifically eye burn, a form of short-term damage similar to a sunburn.

Thau says sun exposure can also cause photokeratitis, an inflammation of the cornea, with temporary symptoms of blurry vision, light sensitivity and a burning or gritty sensation. Too much sunlight may also lead to a thickening and/or yellowing of the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eye. Though unsightly and annoying your eyes will feel too dry when this happens this doesnt cause blindness, says Thau.

Other conditions caused by too much unprotected time in the sun may have longer-term consequences, according to Pettey. Pterygium, for instance, is a growth of fleshy tissue that can cover part of the cornea and hurt your vision. This is sometimes called surfers eye.

Inside of the eye, as far as function, increased UV light leads to increased progression of cataracts and also likely increased progression of macular degeneration, both of which are conditions that cause loss of sight, Pettey said.

Thau says the latter is the more serious of the two complications.

Cataracts can be removed surgically, but macular degeneration is yours for life, she said. It literally causes damage to the photo receptors. Its like damaging film in a camera, and you cannot replace the film.

One other long-term danger of looking directly at the sun is solar retinopathy. Just like your mother told you, dont ever look directly at a solar eclipse, such as the one coming August 21.

If you were to look at that level of radiation, even for a few seconds, without the brightness of the light telling you to look away because it would be painful, you can actually cause burns on the retina in the back, Thau said. These burns cause permanent damage to your sight, and regular sunglasses are not enough protection for a solar eclipse.

Though the sun is the main cause of UV radiation damage, artificial sources such as tanning beds, lasers and welding machines also produce UV radiation that might damage vision.

One other consideration at least for some is their location on the globe, Diaz said.

Polarized lenses

We have more sunny days in the South, especially in Florida, and the West, especially in California, than in other areas of the US, and therefore, we see more sun-related injuries, said Diaz, who has researched this topic. Naturally, this is also true for the sunniest spots around the globe.

Another problem in the coastal South and all coastal areas is the reflected magnification of UV radiation off of surface waters, Diaz said. UV-blocking sunglasses protect against these reflections, but there is a risk of the same complications that result from direct sunlight.

Beyond the standard UV recommendations, does polarization matter?

I like to fish, and polarized lenses will reduce reflection and glare off surface waters and allow one to see at a greater depth, Diaz said.

Thau says this is not mandatory, its just an optional add-on benefit you can have.

Though most of us are concerned with eye health, the Vision Council reports that only 31% of Americans always wear sunglasses when outside.

Theyre not merely a fashion statement, insists Thau, but if that gets you to wear them, go with it. She herself owns five pairs and has been known to put them on even when sitting in a bright room.

To be safest, Thau recommends that an annual comprehensive eye examination with a credentialed doctor to learn more about eye health and which sunglasses might be most beneficial in any given circumstance.

Its also important for children to start with some protection early, because its cumulative damage over time, Thau said. My family does not walk out the door without their sunglasses on, except at night.

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What you should know before buying sunglasses - New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV

RICHMOND, Va. If students cant see well, they cant learn well. So Virginia has adopted a new state law to improve student vision screenings. The law will allow schools to partner with nonprofit groups and use digital technology in testing students eyesight.

The law is the result of House Bill 1408, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe earlier this year. The legislation, sponsored by Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, will take effect July 1.

The amendments fortify our efforts to modernize the code regarding vision screening and to deploy modern technology to benefit our schoolchildren, Ware told his colleagues before the House of Delegates unanimously approved the bill in February.

Under existing law, schools must test students eyesight. Wares bill updates the law to reflect advances in screening technology and to allow nonprofit groups to perform the tests.

The bill was amended to allow, but not require, vision screening through digital photo screening by a qualified nonprofit vision health organization, Charles Pyle, director of communications for the Virginia Department of Education, said in an email. The bill was also amended to allow other screening methods by such organizations, provided that they comply with Department of Education requirements.

Under the bill, school districts are allowed to use qualified nonprofit vision health organizations, such as the Lions Club and Conexus for Healthy Vision, for mandated vision screenings.

Students vision must be tested in kindergarten, in second or third grade, and in seventh and 10th grade.

Girl having her eyesight tested by optometrist (SOURCE: Virginia Vision Therapy Center)

Conexus officials worked with Ware on revising the current law.

It really hadnt been updated for, like, 30 years, so we were kind of involved early on in just trying to modernize the code and put in some definitions, said Tim Gresham, CEO of the Richmond-based group. Just kind of bring the code up to todays standard; to include permissive language, to allow for the use of technology that is available today.

Gresham said Ware had been involved with Conexus in the past and had observed what the organization, formerly called Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic, was doing in Virginia schools.

So he was aware of the impact that we were having in public schools all across Virginia with our programs and as we modernized our vision screening process, Gresham said. It sort of stood in stark contrast with what a lot of school divisions were doing with traditional, old-school screenings.

Modern testing methods include digital photo screening, in which a camera takes images of a childs undilated eyes. It can detect who is at risk for amblyopia (lazy eye) and other problems.

Vision screenings can be critical to a students success in school.

If a child is not seeing well, they are just not going to perform well in a traditional classroom, Gresham said. A fourth of the public-school-age children in Virginia have a vision problem.

Wares bill gives schools more options to meet the states existing requirement to test students vision.

It really is giving these localities the permission to use an outside organization like ours, Gresham said. So over time, I would hope that most localities would move away from the old, traditional way of screening into a modern use of technology that is out there today.

By Taylor Mills with Capital News Service

Capital News Service is a flagship program of VCUs Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students participating in the program provide state government coverage for Virginias community newspapers and other media outlets, under the supervision of Associate Professor Jeff South.

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Law updates vision screenings in schools - wtvr.com

Kurt B. Nolte, MD

Kurt B. Nolte, MD, chief medical investigator for the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI), will receive the Eye Bank Association of Americas 2017 Gift of Sight Award at its annual conference in June.

The Gift of Sight Award is presented to professionals who have demonstrated significant support of eye banking and corneal donation. Past recipients have included clergy, legislators, funeral service professionals and others.

Under Noltes leadership, OMI has shown unparalleled support for organ, eye and tissue donation, working closely with New Mexico Lions Eye Bank to ensure that donation is considered in even the most complicated situations. Approximately one-third of all cornea donations that take place in New Mexico each year are coordinated through OMI under the supervision of Nolte and his staff.

This award recognizes the generosity of New Mexico families in donating corneas from their decreased family members to improve the vision of living individuals, Nolte says, combined with the efforts of OMI staff especially, the forensic pathologists, investigators and technicians in fostering the donation process.

Nolte is the former director of the UNM Radiology-Pathology Center for Forensic Imaging and is engaged in radiologic imaging research projects sponsored by the National Institute of Justice. His academic interests include surveillance for infectious disease mortality, autopsy biosafety, the epidemiology and pathology of drug abuse, and the relationship between alcohol intoxication and suicide. He served as the National Association of Medical Examiners Executive Vice President from 2009 to 2015.

The Eye Bank Association of America, established in 1961, is the oldest transplant association in the nation. The association sets standards, provides education and engages in advocacy to support donation, transplantation and research. Its 80-plus member eye banks operate in the U.S., Canada and Asia. These eye banks made possible more than 79,000 sight-restoring corneal transplants in 2015. Compatible corneal tissue is not dependent on blood type, age, eyesight strength or eye color. To learn more, visit http://www.restoresight.org.

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UNM's Kurt Nolte receives national Gift of Sight award - HSC Newsbeat

Imcyse will run its first clinical trial testing a specific immunotherapy that could finally provide a cureto autoimmune diseases.

Imcyse, a Belgian biotech spunout from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in 2010,just announced it has received approval from Belgian and British regulatory authorities to launch a Phase Ib trial in patients with type 1 diabetes. The study is backed with funding from the EU through the EXALT program, which has a budget of 6M over 5 years to promote the development of a cure for type 1 diabetes.

The trial, run in collaboration with the French Inserm, will be run in 18 sites across Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and the UK. It will be the first study in humans testing Imcysesimmunotherapy technology, which is aimed at stopping the destruction of insulin-producing beta pancreaticcells in patients diagnosed with the disease within 6 months before the trial, when not all beta cells have yet been eliminated. Resultsare expected at the end of 2018.

Imcysedevelops Imotopes,modified peptides thatinduce cytolytic CD4 T cells to kill other immune cells involved in the destruction of a specific target, in this case insulin-producing cells,without affecting any other functions of the immune system. The peptides are composed of an epitope of the targeted antigen and a specific thioredox motif.

An Imotope therapy that could be used to treat the very early stages of diabetes or prevent its onset would be a major breakthrough for patients and for public health, Christian Boitard,the trials principal investigator, from the Inserm and Cochin Hospital in Paris, said in a statement.

Indeed, the technology aims to cure severe autoimmune and inflammatory diseases for which existing therapies can only, at best, attenuate the symptoms and slow down its progress. For type 1 diabetes, which affects over 40 million people worldwide, the incidence is rapidly increasing, particularly in younger children. However, the only treatment option to date is daily glucose control and insulin injections for life.

One of the alternatives currently under development is transplantation. With that aim, the British Catapult and the Belgian Orgenesis are growing pancreatic cells in the lab. NeoVacs, in France, has a different approach that resembles more that of Imcyse; a vaccine for type 1 diabetes, currently in the preclinical stage.

Imcyse is already planning to exploit the potential of its technology, with a trial in patients with multiple sclerosis scheduled for next year. In the future, the company could also be going afterrheumatoid arthritis, graft rejection, allergic asthma and rare diseases such as myasthenia gravis or neuromyelitis optica. On top of that, the technology could also act as an add-on to prevent patients from becoming immune to biological drugs, which is a grave problemwhen it affects life-saving drugs.

Images via Becris / Shutterstock; Imcyse

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Belgian Biotech Starts Human Trials for a Potential Type 1 Diabetes Cure - Labiotech.eu (blog)

Researchers have captured the first cryo-electron microscopy images of a key cellular receptor for diabetes in action.

The findings, published in Nature, reveal new information about workings of G protein-coupled receptorswhich are intermediaries for molecular messages related to nearly every function within the human body.

G protein-coupled receptors, often shorthanded as GPCRs, reside in the membrane of cells, where they detect signals from outside of the cell and convey them to the inside to be acted upon. They respond to signals including sensory input like light, taste, and smell, as well as to hormones and neurotransmitters.

The new, near atomic-resolution images provide an incredibly detailed look at how these important receptors bind to and transmit signals from peptide hormones.

The team revealed how the hormone GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) binds to its receptor on the outside of a cell, and how this causes changes to the arrangement of the part extending into the cellwhich then engages and activates the G protein.

GLP-1 plays an important role in regulating insulin secretion, carbohydrate metabolism, and appetite. It binds to the B family of G protein-coupled receptors, though information about their precise interactions have heretofore been limited by a lack of images of the complex in action.

Its hard to overstate the importance of G protein-coupled receptors, says Georgios Skiniotis, a researcher at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute and Medical Schooland a senior author of the study. GPCRs are targeted by about half of all drugs, and getting such structures by cryo-electron microscopy will be crucial for further drug discovery efforts. The GLP-1 receptor is an important drug target for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

The size and fragility of GPCR complexes have made them notoriously difficult to capture using the longtime gold-standard of imaging: X-ray crystallography. It took Brian Kobilka, a professor of molecular and cellular physiology at Stanford University Medical School and a senior collaborator on the paper, many years to obtain the first onewhich led to a Nobel Prize for Kobilka in 2012.

The current study was done using a cryo-electron microscopy, or cryo-EM. Cryo-EM is an evolving, cutting-edge imaging technology that involves freezing proteins in a thin layer of solution and then bouncing electrons off of them to reveal their shape. Because the frozen proteins are oriented every which way, computer software can later combine the thousands of individual snapshots into a 3D picture at near-atomic resolution.

Advances in cryo-EM now make it possible to capture protein complexes with similar resolution to X-ray crystallography, without having to force the proteins into neat, orderly crystalswhich limits the variety of arrangements and interactions that are possible.

Using cryo-EM, we can also uncover more information about how GPCRs flex and move, says Yan Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher in Skiniotis lab and a co-lead author of the paper. And we can observe functional changes in complexes that are difficult, if not impossible, to crystallize.

Grants from the National Institutes of Health supported the work. Additional study authors are from the University of Michigan, ConfometRx, and Stanford University.

Source: University of Michigan

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First snapshot of diabetes receptor may mean new drugs - Futurity: Research News

TORONTO: Scientists have developed a new therapeutic approach that could save diabetic patients from amputation by promoting wound healing.

Diabetic patients frequently have lesions on their feet that are very difficult to heal due to poor blood circulation. In cases of serious non-healing infections, a decision to amputate could be made.

"With this treatment, we can succeed in closing wounds and promoting healing of diabetic ulcers, we might be able to avoid amputations," said Jean-Francois Cailhier, nephrologist at University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) in Canada.

We discovered a way to modify specific white blood cells - the macrophages - and make them capable of accelerating cutaneous healing, researchers said.

It has long been known that macrophages play a key role in the normal wound healing process. These white cells specialise in major cellular clean-up processes and are essential for tissue repair, researchers said.

They accelerate healing while maintaining a balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions (pro-reparation).

"When a wound does not heal, it might be secondary to enhanced inflammation and not enough anti-inflammatory activity," Cailhier said.

"We discovered that macrophage behaviour can be controlled so as to tip the balance towards cell repair by means of a special protein called Milk Fat Globule Epidermal Growth Factor-8, or MFG-E8," Cailhier said.

Researchers showed that when there is a skin lesion, MFG-E8 calls for an anti-inflammatory and pro-reparatory reaction in the macrophages. Without this protein, the lesions heal much more slowly.

The team then developed a treatment by adoptive cell transfer in order to amplify the healing process.

Adoptive cell transfer consists in treating the patient using his or her own cells, which are harvested, treated, then re-injected in order to exert their action on an organ.

This immunotherapeutic strategy is usually used to treat various types of cancer, researchers said.

This is the first time it has been shown to also be useful in reprogramming cells to facilitate healing of the skin, they said.

"We used stem cells derived from murine bone marrow to obtain macrophages, which we treated ex vivo with the MFG-E8 protein before re-injecting them into the mice, and we quickly noticed an acceleration of healing," said Patrick Laplante, research assistant at CRCHUM.

"If we were to inject the MFG-E8 protein directly into the body there could be effects, distant from the wound, upon all the cells that are sensitive to MFG-E8, which could lead to excess repair of the skin causing aberrant scars named keloids," Cailhier said.

The major advantage [of this treatment] is that we only administer reprogrammed cells, and we find that they are capable of creating the environment needed to accelerate scar formation, researchers said.

This advanced personalised treatment could also make all the difference in treating cases of challenging wounds.

The study was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

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Now, a new treatment can prevent diabetic patients from amputation - Economic Times

Clinical studies are underway for a new advanced digital therapy app from Amalgan Rx that can optimize fasting glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Kristopher Sturgis

Amalgam Rx, a new digital health company launched this month, might be one of the startups in 2017 worth keeping an eye onespecially if youre one of the 30 million people managing type 2 diabetes in this country. The digital health pioneers just announced the launch of their first next-gen technology known as iSage Rx, the worlds first FDA-cleared insulin titration app for all brands of basal insulin.

One of the painstaking requirements for patients who manage type 2 diabetes is the need to inject insulin on a daily basis to help control blood sugar levels in the body. Typically, doctors will prescribe sub-optimal doses of insulin as they observe how each individual patients body reacts. With the new iSage app, doctors will now be able to choose from multiple clinically-validated basal insulin algorithms so that they can individually tailor insulin level treatments to the specific needs of each patient.

Suzanne Clough, MD, the chief medical officer and cofounder of Amalgam Rx, said the company is currently recruiting patients for an in-depth clinical study that can examine all of the insulin algorithms that will help the company polish a technology that can titrate all brands of insulin. This will provide patients with a tool that can help them consistently reach their glucose targets.

The clinical trial will demonstrate proof of concept, Clough said, and is expected to enroll 30 patients in the treatment arm. This will be compared against a matched retrospective control group. The study is slated to be completed this year, with findings anticipated to be shared in 2018.

Clough said that the iSage technology was designed to be easy and intuitive so that virtually any physician can share the technology with their patients with ease. The system comes with telephone support and training programs to help familiarize the physicians with the platform, and can even be customized to fit patient-specific treatment protocols.

A physician can simply input some basic information about the patient, such as their name and prescribed insulin to register them in the system, Clough said. They can then choose the algorithm that best fits the patients needs, or we can help them customize and save algorithms if they want to use their own treatment protocols. In a way, the system can allow them to have standing orders that can be implemented by a nurse or medical assistant. It should take less than a minute for the office staff to complete the prescription, and once patients use the product, providers can access their data online and make updates when necessary.

The iSage Rx technology will be the first in what the company hopes will be a diverse line of clinically validated digital health therapies that can empower and engage patients with chronic diseases. Ryan Sysko, CEO and cofounder of Amalgam Rx said that innovative new digital health platforms can transform chronic disease management, and that Amalgam Rx can leverage these new technologies to enable patients to self-manage their condition without so many of the costs that come with many of the advanced platforms currently available.

Were incredibly passionate about the potential for digital health to transform the way that care for chronic disease management is delivered, he said. If we can develop and scale digital health solutions that are engaging and effective, we have a tremendous opportunity to significantly improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

That's something Amalgam Rx has set out to do with their very first product. The company brought together experienced members from research and development, testing, regulatory, and commercialization backgrounds to collaborate and work together to create new digital therapies that are accessible and easy to use.

Were developing a platform that combines the necessary clinical, behavioral, and psychological interventions and technologies to support patients across many chronic disease domains, Sysko said. Our technology architecture will allow potential partners to pick and choose from the interventions to create custom solutions.

The company has already partnered with a life sciences company to help bring the iSage Rx to market, and Sysko said that Amalgam Rx has plans to announce a new partnership in the coming months that will forge a new application focused on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. He said that growing the companys non-diabetes partnerships will be a key to growing their success beyond 2018, and that new digital health technologies will be crucial when it comes to enabling patients to self-manage chronic diseases.

Our hope is to leverage all of our experience in developing and commercializing digital health products in combination with the latest cutting edge technologies to engage and support patients with chronic diseases, he said. We believe this is a key missing component in healthcare. If we can more effectively support and teach a patient self-management, were bound to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs.

Kristopher Sturgis is a freelance contributor to MD+DI.

[Images courtesy of AMALGAM RX]

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New Startup Aims to Change Diabetes Management - Medical Device and Diagnostics Industry

May 30, 2017 by Emma Mckinney Understanding our genetic make-up could be the key to beating cancer. Credit: University of Birmingham

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have made a breakthrough in the understanding of how our genetic make-up can impact on the activity of the immune system and our ability to fight cancer.

The study, conducted in conjunction with researchers from Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, was published in Science Signaling and focusses on a protein called ULBP6.

Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains. Proteins do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.

Lead author of the study Professor Paul Moss from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, said: "We worked on a protein called ULBP6 which leads to the removal of damaged cells and an interesting observation has been that there are two types of this protein found in different people.

"This is important as previous studies have shown that the type of protein that we inherit from our parents can influence our risk of auto-immune disease and affect how we respond to some forms of cancer treatment.

"The ULBP6 protein is found on the surface of damaged cells, including several types of cancer cells, and acts as a 'flag' to signal to white cells in our immune system that the damaged cell should be killed.

"Interestingly, there are two major types of this protein in the population and people who inherit a certain subtype have been shown to have a poor outcome after stem cell transplantation, a procedure used to treat leukaemia, which is commonly referred to as 'bone marrow treatment'."

Professor Ben Willcox, also from the University of Birmingham's Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, said: "The two types of ULBP6 differ only by two amino acids out of a total of around 180 and it has surprised us that this can have such an important influence on patient outcomes.

"In the study we found that one form of ULBP6 forms a very strong bond indeed with its receptor NKG2D on the immune system. In addition, when the protein is released into the local environment it can act to block the signalling pathway.

"The 'sticky' form of ULBP6 binds over 10 times more strongly to NKG2D but a major surprise was that this acted to reduce killing by the immune system rather than increase it. We now want to understand how this information might be used to improve the outcome of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation."

The study was funded by the Bloodwise and the Wellcome Trust. Bloodwise, the UK's specialist blood cancer charity, funds world-class research and offers expert information and support to anyone affected by leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood cancer related disorders.

Alasdair Rankin, Director of Research at Bloodwise, said: "For some people with leukaemia and other types of blood cancer, stem cell transplantation can mean the difference between life and death. But a stem cell transplant is a gruelling procedure which sadly does not always work, so we need research to improve success rates.

"This research will not change care today, but it helps us understand why transplants work less well in some people, which is an important step on the path to developing better transplant therapy for more people living with blood cancer."

Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation, supporting scientists and researchers to take on big problems, fuel imaginations, and spark debate.

Explore further: Study leads to breakthrough in better understanding acute myeloid leukemia

More information: A disease-linked ULBP6 polymorphism inhibits NKG2D-mediated target cell killing by enhancing the stability of NKG2D-ligand binding. Science Signaling, DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aai8904

A study led by the University of Birmingham has made a breakthrough in the understanding of how different genetic mutations cause acute myeloid leukaemia.

People who inherit genetic variants affecting the function of their immune system are at increased risk of developing the most common form of leukaemia, a major new study reveals.

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Researchers have pinpointed a key enzyme that is vital for the production of fresh blood cells in the body. The enzyme is essential for the survival of specialised stem cells that give rise to new blood cells, the study found. ...

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Researchers at the University of Birmingham have made a breakthrough in the understanding of how our genetic make-up can impact on the activity of the immune system and our ability to fight cancer.

One area of research within mechanobiology, the study of how physical forces influence biological processes, is on the interplay between cells and their environment and how it impacts their ability to grow and spread.

Diabetic patients frequently have lesions on their feet that are very difficult to heal due to poor blood circulation. In cases of serious non-healing infections, a decision to amputate could be made. A new therapeutic approach, ...

Changing the natural electrical signaling that exists in cells outside the nervous system can improve resistance to life-threatening bacterial infections, according to new research from Tufts University biologists. The researchers ...

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Nothing can come in the way of those who have set their goals up high and are determined to achieve them.

Tushar Rishi from Ranchi and Dharshana MV from Krishnagiri, two students who appeared for the CBSE Class 12 boardexams this year have beaten all the odds and emerged victoriously. They scored 95 per cent and 96.2 per cent respectively.

Despite having being diagnosed with bone cancer in his left knee right after his class 10 mock exams in 2014, Tushar never gave up. A student of Delhi Public School(DPS), he failed to appear for the exams that year.

I was under chemotherapy for around 11 months. It has obviously changed me a lot, but I try and stay focused on my academics, he toldHindustan Times.

After chemotherapy sessions, he hit back stronger and secured a perfect 10 CGPA in Class 10 board exams, 2015. I am in a much better condition now after all the treatments. But I have to visit AIIMS in every 3 to 4 months for check-ups and updates on my health, he adds.

The 19-year old, who believes that allocating a little time each day reduces the impending exam pressure, has also authored a book named The Patient. Itcharts the story of his struggle as a young cancer survivor. You can find the book on Amazon.

Tushar has managed to secure the phenomenal marks without any coaching and wishes to pursue graduation in English or Economics fromDelhi University in the future.

You may also like: Theres a Lot More to Raksha Gopal, CBSE Class XII Topper, Than Just Academics. Find out Here!

Another awe-inspiring story is that of Dharshana, who did not let blindnessstop her and scored 96.2 per cent in the Commerce stream.

Being blind in the right eye and having partial vision in the left, the preparation was challenging for Dharshana. Today, she attributes her success to the support she received from her family members and teachers.

I use magnifying glasses to read books. I had opted for Computer Science as the fifth subject, but could not spend much time on computers. I wanted to score more, but my studying hours never crossed late in the night. It had to be done during the day, she toldNews18.

You may also like: She captained an under-19 womens cricket team and after her disability is inspiring thousands!

Apart from regular lessons, she also made use of audio tools and took extra classes. Now, instead of partaking in the annual rat race for colleges, Dharshana wishes to pursue Carnatic music along with her entrepreneurial ambitions, citing MS Subbulakshmi as her inspiration.

I want to study here (in Krishnagiri), where I can take up my passion for music. I want to be an entrepreneur and at the same time be a singer. I practice at home and sometimes I sing at concerts where people appreciate my singing talent, she said.

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Cancer or Blindness, These Kids Didn't Let Anything Come in the ... - The Better India (blog)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn may have found an unlikely inspiration for his plans to tackle racial inequality in the workplace former Prime Minister David Cameron.

Earlier today, the Labour leader fired a broadside at the Tories over their failure to improve the lot of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workers, and vowed to act by picking up a Cameron scheme.

The former Tory leader brought together the likes of HSBC, KPMG and Virgin Money to commit to name-blind recruitment of graduates in October 2015.

The plan required names to be removed from graduate recruitment applications, cutting discrimination against applicants with ethnic-sounding names.

Read More: I have a Muslim-sounding name: Should I change it to John on my CV?

And despite claiming that BAME workers are being held back by the Conservatives, Corbyn today committed to carrying on where Cameron left off.

Labour plans published today commit the party to exploring the practicalities in rolling out name-blind recruitment practices.

The party said BAME unemployment is double that of the white population at 10 per cent, compared to five, while people with Asian or African sounding names also have to send twice as many applications to get an interview.

Read More: No, name-blind recruiting won't solve the UK's bias problem

Corbyn also said the party would implement the recommendations of the Parker Review on ethnic diversity in top executive positions.

These include requiring the human resources teams or search firms for FTSE 100 or 250 firms to identify and present qualified people of colour for board vacancies.

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General Election 2017: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's name-blindness plans seem to have come from an unlikely ... - City A.M.

TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --TaiGen Biotechnology Company, Limited ("TaiGen") today announced that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for the intravenous formulation of Taigexyn (Nemonoxacin) to the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). Taigexyn is a novel non-fluorinated quinolone antibiotic.The NDA submission is supported by a pivotal Phase 3 trial comparing intravenous formulations of Taigexyn 500 mg to levofloxacin 500 mg in 518 patients with moderate to severe community-acquired pneumonia. The clinical success rates were 91.8% for Taigexyn vs. 85.7% for levofloxacin and Taigexyn was shown to be non-inferior to levofloxacin meeting the primary endpoint of the pivotal trial.

About Taigexyn Taigexyn is a novel broad spectrum antibiotic with excellent efficacy against drug-resistant bacteria available in both oral and intravenous formulations. The oral formulation is already approved for marketing and launched in Taiwan and mainland China. In addition, Taigexyn is also partnered in Russia, Commonwealth Independent States, Turkey, Mexico, Brazil and the Latin American territory for a total 32 countries worldwide.

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TaiGen Biotechnology Announces Submission of New Drug Application for Taigexyn Intravenous Formulation to the ... - PR Newswire (press release)

The Cerbat Gem

Earnings Clues on Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (PBYI), AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) Analyst's Predictions StockNewsJournal Investors who are keeping close eye on the stock of Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:PBYI) established that the company was able to keep return on investment at -163.88 in the trailing twelve month while Reuters data showed that industry's average ... Puma Biotechnology Inc (PBYI) Upgraded at Cowen and CompanyThe Cerbat Gem Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (NasdaqGS:PBYI): Honing in on the TechnicalsGeneva Journal Puma Biotechnology Inc (PBYI) Upgraded by Zacks Investment Research to "Buy"Sports Perspectives Stock Observer -Aiken Advocate -Midway Monitor -SEC.gov all 32 news articles »

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Earnings Clues on Puma Biotechnology, Inc. (PBYI), AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) Analyst's Predictions - StockNewsJournal

The Cerbat Gem

Aspen Investment Management Inc Buys 15 Shares of iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB) The Cerbat Gem iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index logo Aspen Investment Management Inc raised its stake in iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (NASDAQ:IBB) by 0.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. Texas Yale Capital Corp. Continues to Hold Stake in iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB)BBNS all 4 news articles »

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Aspen Investment Management Inc Buys 15 Shares of iShares NASDAQ Biotechnology Index (IBB) - The Cerbat Gem

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The condition is three more times as common in men than women and symptoms tend to develop gradually, sometimes over many years.

Ankylosing spondylitis causes back pain, stiffness, fatigue and impaired mobility that develops over time.

There is no cure for AS at the moment, however experts have announced a new breakthrough which could help sufferers.

New research has revealed an insight into the genetic causes of ankylosing spondylitis that could aid the future treatment of the disease.

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A study by the University of Oxford has found that the specific genetic variants associated with the onset of the condition may be more common than previously thought.

Data on 213 ankylosing spondylitis patients and 46 people with rheumatoid arthritis was analysed in order to examine the common scientific assumption that ankylosing spondylitis is mostly associated with unusual genotypes called ERAP1.

Two genes involved in antigen processing and presentation to the immune system - HLA-B27 and ERAP1 - have a big role to play in driving the disease.

Previously studies have indicated that rare ERAP1 variants are responsible for the condition.

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Ankylosing spondylitis is known to have a significant genetic link

However experts found that it was in fact common variants of ERAP1 that were responsible for regulating people's ankylosing spondylitis, rather than rare variations or unusual genetic combinations.

The causes of the disease are not currently well understood, so further research into its genetic origins could make it easier for scientists to create new and more effective therapies.

The researchers said the findings have potential implications for future studies addressing the development of ERAP1 inhibitors as new treatments, 'not only for ankylosing spondylitis but also in other diseases genetically associated with ERAP1'.

Dr Katherine Free, research engagement manager at Arthritis Research UK, said: "Ankylosing spondylitis is known to have a significant genetic link, and studies to date have identified over 40 genetic changes that are thought to contribute to an individual's risk of developing this disease.

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"Previous research has shown that alterations within two particular genes, known as HLA-B27 and ERAP1, have a particularly strong link to ankylosing spondylitis.

This research sheds new light on the particular genetic changes within ERAP1 that are responsible for disease development.

Identifying the effect that these genetic changes have on the immune system could pave the way for the development of new and more effective treatments for this condition."

The research was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Does arthritis really get worse in winter?

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Arthritis symptoms - CURE on the horizon for this painful condition - Express.co.uk

Battling severe rheumatoid arthritis, a condition usually associated with the elderly, Ved Ahinave, a 17-year-old from Mumbai, scored 61.23% in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams.

The results were declared at 1pm.

Ved wrote his exams without a writer, despite swelling and pain in his joints. He scored 66 marks in English and 77 marks in information technology.

My hands and legs started to hurt because of the strain, but I took frequent breaks and completed the paper, said the student of Swami Vivekananda International School and Junior College, Kandivli. I am happy with my score, I I want to work in the IT sector, just like my parents. I love computers, said Ved.

The 17-year-olds is a rare case.

Ved was diagnosed with arthritis when he was six. The disease is common among people in their late 40s and 50s. It causes the bodys immune system to attack the joints, leading to inflammation and thickening of tissues. His condition worsened when he was in Class 10.

Constant consumption of medicines mostly steroids and painkillers however stunted his growth, said his mother, Seema. He is 17, but is three feet and five inches tall, Seema said, adding they dont know what caused the disease.

Doctors tell me it could be because of low haemoglobin levels during my pregnancy. Some say it is genetic, said the mother.

Ved couldnt get a writer as the board refused to acknowledge his illness. We submitted medical certificates, including one from Sir JJ Hospital. But the board doesnt have provisions for arthritis, said his father Vishwas, 46, an electronics engineer. He used to succumb to bouts of depression, but my friend kept him motivated. His teachers, especially Miss Leena, helped him a lot.

There is no permanent cure for Veds disease. He is learning to live with it. He spends his time configuring phones. We think it can be a good profession if he gets to work from home, his mother said.

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Maharashtra HSC results today: Mumbai teen fights rheumatoid ... - Hindustan Times

Older people who eat the most fiber are at lower risk of developing knee pain and stiffness due to osteoarthritis (OA), new research shows.

Diets rich in fiber from plant-based foods have clear health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, better-controlled blood sugar, and a healthier weight, but most people in the U.S. don't eat enough fiber, lead author Dr. Zhaoli Dai of Tufts University in Boston told Reuters Health.

The current average fiber intake among U.S. adults is about 15 grams, she noted. "This is far below the recommended level, which is 22.4 grams for women and 28 grams per day for men 51 years and above," Dai said.

SEVERAL NON-DRUG OPTIONS HELP WITH FATIGUE DURING, AFTER CANCER TREATMENT

OA, which occurs when wear and tear on the joints degrades cartilage and leads to bone abnormalities, is extremely common in people 60 and older. It can be painful, and is also a leading cause of disability. There is no treatment for OA, aside from joint replacement, and therapies to address symptoms, such as anti-inflammatories for pain and swelling.

Given that dietary fiber is known to help prevent obesity and reduce inflammation, both of which are associated with arthritis, Dai's team looked at diet and arthritis risk over time in two study groups. In the Osteoarthritis Initiative, which included 4,796 men and women with OA or at risk for OA, people who consumed the most dietary fiber at the start of the study were 30 percent less likely than those who ate the least fiber to develop knee pain, stiffness or swelling due to OA, or to worsening of OA, during four years of follow-up.

In the Framingham Offspring Study, which included 1,268 adults in their early 50s, on average, the top quarter of fiber consumers had a 61 percent lower risk of knee OA symptoms nine years later than the bottom quarter.

SOUTH DAKOTA TEEN WITH BRAIN CANCER GIVEN OK TO WALK AT GRADUATION

There are many mechanisms through which increased fiber intake could help ease knee arthritis symptoms, Dai said, for example by reducing inflammation and helping people to maintain a healthy weight. Fiber can also act as a pre-biotic, she added, meaning that it can help fuel the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut, which in turn also reduces inflammation.

"This is the first study to show that consuming more dietary fiber is related to lower risk of painful knee osteoarthritis," Dai said. "Changing diets by increasing intake of dietary fiber seems to be one of the most economic ways to reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis."

Older adults, especially those who are overweight or obese, should consider increasing their fiber intake, she added.

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Older adults might be able to stave off arthritis knee pain with fiber ... - Fox News

May 30, 2017 05:15 ET | Source: Research and Markets

Dublin, May 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Biosimilars Market Access in Psoriatic Arthritis" report to their offering.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade have long held dominant positions in the psoriatic arthritis market. These market leaders, however, face patent expirations and consequent biosimilar launches.

Payers are eager to leverage these changes in the competitive landscape and enact pro-biosimilar access measures, resulting in downward pricing pressures and/or continuing market erosion for first-generation TNF-alpha inhibitors.

The rate of this erosion is likely to be gradual initially, as both physicians and payers are not likely to advocate patient switching.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Five Major EU Markets

3. Methodology

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bczl5n/biosimilars

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Global Psoriatic Arthritis Biosimilars Market Access Report 2017 - GlobeNewswire (press release)

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A saucepan to help elderly people with arthritis keep their independence has been designed by a Nottingham student and the inspiration behind the idea was her grandparents.

Emma Bucknell, a product design student at Nottingham Trent University, designed the saucepan to make cooking more comfortable for people who have arthritis in their fingers, hands and wrists.

It has been made with a plastic handle on one side so you can slide your hand through it, meaning the saucepan can be lifted using the strength in the arm rather than in the hand.

Originally from Hertfordshire, Emma said she came up with the idea for her product after seeing her own grandparents struggle with debilitating disease.

The 21-year-old said: "I know from my grandparents that arthritis is a painful and uncomfortable condition. My nan struggles with lifting saucepans so I took the opportunity to find a solution to help them."

The design of the handle aims to reduce the weight and pressure that is put on people's fingers and hands when they lift the heavy pans, which traditionally have straight handles.

During her research into arthritis Emma said she discovered that long thin handles can be a problem for people who have the condition or a weak grip, because the hand has to form an unnatural position while holding on to them.

The newly-designed pan is made out of aluminium so it is light to hold and the handle is designed to fit a wide range of different sized hands for comfortable use.

On the other side is a spherical handle which people can hold, to evenly distribute the weight of the saucepan when using both hands.

Emma added: "I can see that arthritis does not just affect a person with its painful symptoms, it affects their whole life. What many people would see as a simple task, can become difficult and sometimes impossible for those with the condition.

"This can destroy independence; the one thing elderly and retired people desire to keep."

According to Arthritis Care around 10 million people suffer from arthritis in the UK.

James Dale, principal lecturer in product design at Nottingham Trent University, said: "Emma has seen first-hand how difficult it can be for people with arthritis to carry out tasks such as cooking and she has used this experience to create a product that could improve people's confidence and independence.

"The saucepan has the potential to go beyond the elderly market and reach others who have the same condition"

Emma's saucepan is set to go on show at the university's Degree Show from June 3 to June 10 at the City Campus.

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Nottingham student designs saucepan to help elderly people with arthritis stay independent - Nottingham Post

SINGAPORE: When you were younger, your parents would nag at you not to sit too close to the television, or to refrain from reading in the dark, so as not to get myopia in the future. You may find yourself singing the same tune to your kids now. With some 40 per cent of adult Singaporeans suffering from myopia or short-sightedness - one of the worlds highest - its an eye problem many of us are familiar with. Yet, children also suffer from lesser known eye problems.

Stresses senior consultant ophthalmologist Dr Leo Seo Wei, Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to maintaining your childs eye health as many diseases can result in lazy eye or amblyopia, which can cause loss of vision if not treated in time.

So, be vigilant about your mini-mes eye health as acting early might help save your childs eyesight. Read on to learn more about other eye problems junior could suffer from, as well as their symptoms and the treatments available.

STRABISMUS In strabismus, more commonly known as squinting, your childs eyes are misaligned and dont look in the same direction. Babies usually have this problem as their eye muscles are not strong enough to hold the eyeball in a fixed position for long. However, if your babys eye condition persist for months, bring him to the doctor for a check.

What to look out for: Misaligned eyes, eyes that move differently, squinting or closing one eye in the presence of bright light or sunlight, or double vision.

Treatment: In very mild cases, wearing spectacles should straighten out the eye. If not, eye patches or atropine eye drops can also be used. These work by covering or blurring the good eyes vision, forcing the weaker eye to work harder, which strengthens the muscles. As a last resort, surgery might be needed to help loosen or tighten the muscle of the eye.

AMBLYOPIA Amblyopia or lazy eye occurs when the vision of one eye is significantly better than the other and the brain begins to rely on the better eye and ignore the weaker one, Dr Leo explains. If lazy eye is not treated, the brain might start to ignore the images from the weaker eye in the long run, which will have a permanent impact on juniors vision. Lazy eye can be caused by a droopy eyelid or a cataract, which obstructs or disrupts vision. Strabismus can also cause lazy eye as the eyes do not line up as it should, causing blurry vision. Some parents may find it hard to spot amblyopia in their kids as their eyes are well aligned.

What to look out for: Poor vision in one or both eyes, squinting or tilting the head to see, poor depth perception or complains of headaches.

Treatment: Spectacles are worn to correct the sufferers vision. The use of eyepatches and atropine eye drops will also force the brain to pick up images from the weaker eye, instead of relying solely on the good eye. Finally, surgery can tighten or loosen the eye muscle, correct a droopy eyelid or remove the cataract that is interfering with your kids vision.

EPIBLEPHARON Epiblepharon is a congenital condition whereby there is an extra horizontal fold of skin near the upper or lower eyelid margin. Normal eyelashes point forward but people with this irregularity find that their eyelashes are pushed against their cornea. Most commonly found in Asian children, this condition will mostly disappear over time when they mature because their facial features change.

What to look out for: Red, itchy and teary eyes. Constant rubbing of the eyes.

Treatment: In mild cases, lubricating eye drops or ointment can be used to treat this condition. In severe cases, surgery might be needed to remove a small area of excess skin and muscle to allow the lashes to point outwards.

RETINOBLASTOMA Retinoblastoma, a form of cancer that grows in the retina, is usually only found in children. This cancer affects foetuses in the mums womb, up till the age of 5. If detected in utero, a foetus with retinoblastoma can be delivered early to initiate early treatment, which can reduce the rate of the disease and help preserve the vision, explains Dr Leo. If treated early, up to 95 per cent of retinoblastoma sufferers can be cured.

What to look out for: A cloudy white pupil or reddish pupil, accompanied with pain and discomfort. The pupil may look larger than normal, the irises have different colours and vision may be poor or reduced.

Treatment: The most common treatment method is chemotherapy oral or through injections or external beam radiation. Radiation is carefully focused onto the tumour to kill cancer cells. Other methods are brachytherapy (insertion of radioactive implants into the disease), cryotherapy (freezing treatment), and lastly, enucleation (removing the entire eyeball). Pointing out that retinoblastoma treatment should be tailored to each individual, Dr Leo adds, The treatment type depends on factors such as location and size of the tumour, and the estimated vision prognosis.

GLAUCOMA In glaucoma, increased pressure in the eyeball can lead to blindness if left untreated. A rare condition thats usually diagnosed within the first year of an infants life, Dr Leo says that most paediatric cases of glaucoma have no specific cause and are considered primary glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma happens when it is caused by, or associated with a specific condition such as aniridia (absence of the iris), trauma or previous eye surgery like childhood cataract removal.

What to look out for: Excessive tearing and blinking, enlarged or bulging eyes, red and irritated eyes, cloudiness of the cornea or sensitivity to light.

Treatment: Most cases of primary paediatric glaucoma are treated with surgery. Other methods include laser and eye drops. Although rare, eye drops might have systemic side effects on children. The younger and lower the body weight, the higher the risk, Dr Leo notes.

COATS DISEASE This happens when blood vessels carrying oxygen and blood to the retina break, leaking fluid and causing a build-up of fatty material in the retina, causing it to swell, which results in either partial or complete detachment of the retina. Dr Leo states that this is a very rare disease she only sees about one patient with Coats Disease per year. Early detection will save your eyesight but if it has already progressed to the final stage, the eyeball might need to be removed.

What to look out for: Yellow eye when a picture with flash is taken, loss of depth perception and parallax (position/direction of an object appears to differ when viewed from different positions). The eyesight worsens (either central or peripheral vision).

Treatment: Dr Leo says, Laser or cryotherapy are utilised to constrict the abnormal blood vessels and stop the leakage of fluid. Surgery might be needed in the advanced stages of the disease to treat retinal detachment. After treatment, the patient will be monitored to ensure that the disease does not return.

Dr Leo Seo Wei is the medical director and senior consultant ophthalmologist at Dr Leo Adult and Paediatric Eye Specialist.

This story first appeared on SmartParents

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Toddler eye problems you may not know about - Channel NewsAsia

Two types of Herpes viruses are involved in infections of the eye. 1. Herpes Zoster, and 2. Herpes Simplex type I. Of these Zoster or Shingles is the more dramatic, causing pain, swelling and a vesicular rash consisting of fluid-filled blisters around the eye and forehead. Direct involvement of the eye results in redness, glare sensitivity and blurred vision. Shingles is due to a reactivation of the virus in persons previously exposed. It is usually seen in older persons who were affected by the virus in their younger days when it manifested as chicken pox. After first exposure the virus remains inactive in sensory nerves. Reactivation is associated with exposure to someone with chicken pox or shingles or when ones resistance is low eg debilitating diseases, cancer chemotherapy etc. Shingles may affect other parts of the body like the chest and abdomen. When the sensory nerve supplying pain to the forehead, temple and eye (the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve) is involved then HZO results. HZO should be considered an emergency, as severe consequences may result. These include severe chronic pain and vision loss. In order to ensure proper follow-up and to reduce suffering and risk of vision loss, early diagnosis, prompt and appropriate treatment is extremely important. Diagnosis may be difficult in the early (prodromal) stage before the rash appears. At this stage the patient experiences fever, malaise, headache, and eye pain prior to eruption of the skin rash. A history of recent exposure to chicken pox or shingles, chemotherapy and aged over 60 should raise concern. One should seek medical attention as soon as the rash appears because the disease can be arrested and unpleasant complications avoided. Sometimes a single vesicle or boil is observed and this may be neglected for several days until symptoms get worse. Occasionally HZO presents as an isolated inflammation of the eye that is difficult to distinguish from other more benign causes of a red eye - conjunctivitis. A vesicle present at the tip of the nose is a sign that the cornea and inner structures of the eye may be involved. This will result in prolonged inflammation associated with grittiness, watering, glare sensitivity, blurred vision and eye pain. Consequences include chronic eye pain, dry eyes, recurrent infection or inflammation, corneal scarring, cataract, glaucoma and loss of sight. Risk

You are at increased risk of getting shingles if you: Had chickenpox as a child Are age 60 or older because your immune system weakens as you age Have a weakened immune system because of a disease like cancer, HIV infection, or AIDS Take medicine that weakens your immune system, such as chemotherapy or radiation for cancer

Prevention: Varicella-Zoster Shingles vaccination in patients over the age of 60 appears beneficial in reducing the rate of HZO.

Can Shingles be spread? Shingles cannot be passed from one person to another. However, the virus can be spread from a person with active shingles to another person who has never had chicken pox. In such cases, the exposed person might develop chicken pox, but they would not develop shingles. The virus is spread through direct contact with fluid from the blisters caused by shingles. A person is not infectious before the blisters appear and once the rash has developed crusts, the person is no longer contagious. Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox and the risk of a person with shingles spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered.

If you have shingles: Keep the rash covered. Avoid touching or scratching the rash. Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of varicella zoster virus. Until your rash has developed crusts, avoid contact with Pregnant women Premature or low birth weight infants and People with weakened immune systems, such as people receiving immuno-suppressive medications or undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, and people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Treatment

Shingles of the eye must be treated by an ophthalmologist. Other members of the medical team, depending on the severity, may include a dermatologist and neurologist. Medications will include antiviral drugs, pain killers, steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotic eye preparations and topical applications to the skin. Surgery may be required to deal with complications such as corneal scarring. Presented as a public service by the Caribbean Eye Institute. Please email all eye-related concerns to Caribeyett@icloud.com

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Shingles of the eye - Trinidad & Tobago Express