UVA joins National Marrow Donor Program giving greater access to cancer treatments by Ishaan Sachdeva | Jun 25 2014 | 06/25/14 10:11pm | Updated 10 hours ago The Emily Couric Cancer Center of the University of Virginia Health System has expanded its access to bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplant donors. Now designated as a National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), the Health System will have access to the Be The Match Registry, the worlds largest and most diverse bone marrow registry. Implications of this change are significant for patients afflicted with blood cancers like leukemia who obtain treatment through the Health System. Bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue within bones like the sternum or the ilium of the pelvis, forms hematopoietic or blood-forming stem cells. These cells, unlike embryonic stem cells, differentiate only into types of blood cells- red blood cells, white blood cells or clotting platelets. Leukemia causes bone marrow to produce abnormal, leukemic white blood cells that divide uncontrollably, forming tumors that deprive cells of oxygen and reduce infection defense. One treatment method is autologous bone marrow transplant, in which patients receive stem cells from their healthy, non cancerous bone marrow. The idea [of autologous transplants] is … Continue reading →

(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) A grow house at the Realm of Caring facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., in October 2013. Starting in July, a new law will allow some Utah families of children with epilepsy to import cannabis oil from Colorado. But children who use the oil may be disqualified from enrolling in an upcoming trial of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis oil at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. Seizure relief Primary Childrens Hospital wins contract to study anti-seizure drug made from cannabis. Neurologists at Primary Childrens Hospital are one step closer to being able to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade cannabis to children and teens with severe epilepsy. Only those who apply to be part of a drug trial will be eligible 25 spots are available and its not known when the study will start. How to sign up for cannabis Children will be enrolled in the Epidiolex drug trial on the advice of neurologists, who will draw study participants from their patient pool at Primary Childrens Hospital. Starting July 8, Utahns with untreatable epilepsy, children and adults, will be able to apply for a hemp supplement registration card authorizing them to import whole-plant cannabidiol extracts from states such as … Continue reading →

NEW DELHI: Till about 20 years ago, autism was considered a rare neuro-developmental disorder with one in over 1,000 children being diagnosed with it. Not anymore. Recent data released from USA's Center for Disease Control and Prevention quoted the prevalence of autism at an alarming one in 68 children in March 2014. In year 2012, the figures stood at one in 88. Autism clinics run by Delhi hospitals, including the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), have also reported a sharp rise in cases. According to Dr Sheffali Gulati, professor and chief, division of child neurology at the premier medical institute, from year 2002-05, they (AIIMS autism clinic) used to get approximately 2-3 cases of autism every month. "Between years 2005 and 2008, it went up to approximately 4-5 cases per month. And from 2008 till date, a total of 492 children (7-8 cases per month) have been identified with autism spectrum disorder and are under follow-up. Additionally, 8-10 cases are diagnosed every month but are not under regular follow up because they are far-off or suffer from other co-morbidities," Dr Gulati said. It is estimated that close to 10 million people in India suffer from autism and related … Continue reading →

Kate Weaver, 29, left unable to speak or walk while 39 weeks pregnant Surgeons agonised over whether to treat stroke - and risk harming baby But Mrs Weaver was treated and gave birth naturally to son Toby She faced a difficult recovery, but she and Toby are now completely healthy By Jaya Narain Published: 04:34 EST, 29 June 2014 | Updated: 05:34 EST, 30 June 2014 284 shares 35 View comments Miraculous: Kate Weaver, pictured with her newborn son Toby, gave birth while still paralysed A woman who had a stroke days before she was due to have a baby gave birth to her son while still paralysed. Nurse Kate Weaver was out shopping when she realised she was having a stroke. She managed to tell her husband: We need to go to hospital. Its not the baby, Im really ill moments before losing her ability to speak and move. View post: Pregnant nurse had stroke week before due date and gave birth whilst paralysed … Continue reading →