Blindness News and Research

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VELCADE based regimens are cost-effective for payers and patients, finds study

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today announced that two studies presented at the 51st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting found that VELCADE based regimens are more cost-effective for payers and reduced out-of-pocket costs for patients than other commonly used multiple myeloma treatments.

7 Dec 2009

Humans and mice have critical differences in gene responsible for DMD

Humans and mice have previously unknown and potentially critical differences in one of the genes responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Biology have found that two major features of a key DMD gene are present in most mammals, including humans, but are specifically absent in mice and rats, calling into question the use of the mouse as the principal model animal for studying DMD.

4 Dec 2009

Research study shows usage of stem cell-based therapies for treating age-related macular degeneration

An international team of scientists has rescued visual function in laboratory rats with eye disease by using cells similar to stem cells. The research shows the potential for stem cell-based therapies to treat age-related macular degeneration in humans.

4 Dec 2009

Majority of Canadians living with diabetes do not receive all clinical tests from health providers

While most Canadian adults living with diabetes get regular care, they are not always getting all of the clinically recommended tests they require to prevent health complications.

4 Dec 2009

Macular Health eye vitamin supplement improves visual acuity

Adults are more likely to lose their vision than be diagnosed with cancer. For adults 65 and over, the odds of losing vision are one in three, whereas the odds of a man developing prostate cancer are one in six and odds of a woman developing breast cancer are one in nine. Vision loss threatens the overall health of aging adults by increasing the risk of injuries, depression and inability to complete daily tasks.

3 Dec 2009

Pycnogenol can improve microcirculation, retinal edema and visual acuity, reveals study

According to the National Institute of Health, 40 percent to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy.

2 Dec 2009

New study indicates pine bark may reduce progressing advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy

According to the National Institute of Health, 40 percent to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy, damage to the retina caused by leaky blood vessels, is a major cause of blindness in people with diabetes and is one of the most feared diabetic complications. In

2 Dec 2009

Roche announces results of phase III taspoglutide study in diabetes patients

Ipsen, an innovation-driven global specialty pharmaceutical group, today announced that its partner Roche has disclosed the results of the second and third of eight T-emerge phase III studies in patients with diabetes for taspoglutide, the first human once weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue originating from Ipsen’s research and developed by Roche.

2 Dec 2009

Researchers predict diabetes cases to double and cost to triple in the next 25 years

The diabetes population in the United States will almost double over the next 25 years and annual medical spending on the disease is projected to hit $336 billion, up from $113 billion today, according to a study published in the December issue of Diabetes Care. The National Changing Diabetes® Program (NCDP), a program of Novo Nordisk, commissioned the analysis by a team from the University of Chicago.

27 Nov 2009

UGR scientists provide early diagnosis of eye disorders through optical technique

Researchers from the University of Granada have provided an early diagnosis of certain ocular diseases that are very common today, such as age-related macular degeneration and keratitis, by applying an existing optical technique that, nevertheless, had never before been used for this purpose.

26 Nov 2009

Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in diabetic retinopathy

A group led by Dr. Jian-xing Ma at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK has demonstrated that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in diabetic retinopathy.

26 Nov 2009

UGR researchers provide early diagnosis of ARMD and keratitis

Researchers from the UGR have provided an early diagnosis of certain ocular diseases that are very common today, such as age-related macular degeneration and keratitis, by applying an existing optical technique that, nevertheless, had never before been used for this purpose.

25 Nov 2009

HKI's Shawn Baker honored for groundbreaking research on malnutrition

At two recent conferences on innovative malnutrition research organized by the Copenhagen Consensus Center, Helen Keller International's programs to reduce malnutrition were awarded first prize by government officials, NGOs, researchers and private sector representatives.

25 Nov 2009

DSS sets evidence-based guidelines and definitions to treat type 2 diabetes

A first-of-its-kind consensus statement on diabetes surgery is published online today in the Annals of Surgery. The report illustrates the findings of the first international consensus conference -- Diabetes Surgery Summit (DSS) -- where an international group of more than 50 scientific and medical experts agreed on a set of evidence-based guidelines and definitions that are meant to guide the use and study of gastrointestinal surgery to treat type 2 diabetes. The document is considered to be the foundation of diabetes surgery as a medical discipline of its own.

24 Nov 2009

Raptor Pharmaceutical announces Phase 2b results of DR Cysteamine trial

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp., today announced results from a Phase 2b clinical trial of its proprietary delayed-release cysteamine bitartrate ("DR Cysteamine") in patients with nephropathic cystinosis ("cystinosis"). The trial, conducted at the University of California, San Diego ("UCSD") General Clinical Research Center, evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single dose of DR Cysteamine in nine cystinosis patients.

23 Nov 2009

OEPA reports substantial reduction of river blindness in six endemic countries

A regional initiative launched in the 1990s to eliminate onchocerciasis (river blindness) in the Americas has substantially reduced the prevalence of the disease in recent years, as evidenced by a 31% decrease in the number of individuals requiring mass drug administration in six endemic countries. Results were reported today at the 58th annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).

23 Nov 2009

Advanced Cell Technology files an IND with the FDA for study using embryonic stem cells to treat SMD

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced today that it filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase I/II multicenter study using embryonic stem cell derived retinal cells to treat patients with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy (SMD). Among the most common causes of untreatable blindness in the world are degenerative diseases of the retina.

19 Nov 2009

UCLA study: Structural changes in brain may help offset vision loss and strengthen other senses

Visually impaired people appear to be fearless, navigating busy sidewalks and crosswalks, safely finding their way using nothing more than a cane as a guide. The reason they can do this, researchers suggest, is that in at least some circumstances, blindness can heighten other senses, helping individuals adapt.

19 Nov 2009

SoloHealth and Kroger stores team up to promote eye health awareness

SoloHealth (www.solo-health.com), maker of EyeSite™ self-service vision testing and self-directed healthcare kiosks, has teamed with Atlanta area Kroger stores to promote eye health awareness and to encourage regular eye exams.

19 Nov 2009

Millennium commences Phase I clinical trial for its second-generation proteasome inhibitor

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today announced it has further expanded its protein homeostasis program with the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial for an oral formulation of MLN9708, the Company’s second-generation proteasome inhibitor. An intravenous formulation of MLN9708 entered clinical trials in March.

18 Nov 2009

Blindness News and Research

VELCADE based regimens are cost-effective for payers and patients, finds study

Humans and mice have critical differences in gene responsible for DMD

Research study shows usage of stem cell-based therapies for treating age-related macular degeneration

Majority of Canadians living with diabetes do not receive all clinical tests from health providers

Macular Health eye vitamin supplement improves visual acuity

Pycnogenol can improve microcirculation, retinal edema and visual acuity, reveals study

New study indicates pine bark may reduce progressing advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy

Roche announces results of phase III taspoglutide study in diabetes patients

Researchers predict diabetes cases to double and cost to triple in the next 25 years

UGR scientists provide early diagnosis of eye disorders through optical technique

Wnt signaling pathway plays a role in diabetic retinopathy

UGR researchers provide early diagnosis of ARMD and keratitis

HKI's Shawn Baker honored for groundbreaking research on malnutrition

DSS sets evidence-based guidelines and definitions to treat type 2 diabetes

Raptor Pharmaceutical announces Phase 2b results of DR Cysteamine trial

OEPA reports substantial reduction of river blindness in six endemic countries

Advanced Cell Technology files an IND with the FDA for study using embryonic stem cells to treat SMD

UCLA study: Structural changes in brain may help offset vision loss and strengthen other senses

SoloHealth and Kroger stores team up to promote eye health awareness

Millennium commences Phase I clinical trial for its second-generation proteasome inhibitor

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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