The diabetes Voice

MGH initiates phase I diabetes trial

BOSTON, MA Scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have initiated a phase 1 clinical trial to reverse type 1 diabetes. The trial is exploring whether the promising results from the laboratory of Denise Faustman, MD, PhD, can be applied in human diabetes. Faustmans previous studies have shown that mice with a form of diabetes that closely resembles type 1 diabetes in humans can be cured. In the animal studies, a commonly used vaccine that provides protection against tuberculosis, called Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) was used effectively to deplete the abnormal immune cells that attack and destroy the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. The first step in the human study, which is currently enrolling volunteers, is to determine whether the same strategy using BCG vaccination can be used to modify the abnormal autoimmune cells that are present in type 1 diabetes, sometimes called juvenile-onset diabetes.

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Olympian Hall spreads word about diabetes

Swimmer Gary Hall Jr. and 13-year-old Matthew Rodriguez lead very different lives -- Hall is after an 11th Olympic medal and Rodriguez is preparing to enter high school -- but their common bond brought them together Monday: Type 1 diabetes. Hall, spokesman for the pharmaceutical company Becton Dickinson, was at Beth Israel Hospital's Friedman Diabetes Institute to share his experiences -- and swap workout tips -- with five kids afflicted with the disease. Among the group was Rodriguez, from Oyster Bay. Rodriguez wants to start at third base for Oyster Bay High School and Hall, 33, is training to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in hopes of defending his 2000 and 2004 gold medals in the 50-meter freestyle. Each approaches his endeavor while coping with bouts of listlessness, nausea and frequent needle-pricking to check blood sugar levels and inject insulin.

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Councilman MikeK Recalls Knievel Action Figure

A pigeon puffs up to keep warm on a cold morning in Great Falls, Mont., on Friday. Spotlight: KREM2 anchor Charles Rowe bids farewell to TV news tonight here. 1. Bighorn sheep are creating a safety hazard as they gather on Highway 200 near Thompson Falls, Mont., to lap up the water and slush created when road crews put salt-based de-icer and sand on the road during wintertime driving conditions/Missoulian. Click here. 2. Santa Claus might know who's been naughty and nice, but he's not naming names after Wednesday night, when a teenager hit Father Christmas in the face with a frozen pie at Southgate Mall/Missoulian. Click here. 3. The Falls: The city of Seattle is trying to force three Times reporters to reveal anonymous sources in their investigation of police corruption.

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Karen Ignagni, The American Association of Health Plans

Certainly, the rising cost of health care is one; health care coverage for all Americans is another; passing the Patients' Bill of Rights is a third, so that patients will feel sure that they're going to get the necessary and appropriate care in a timely manner. I think those are three very big issues. Q: What can or should the government be doing to assess these problems? A: In this country, we finance health care with employer-based and government-based [plans]. And, certainly, the government has a role to assist those who are less fortunate and who need assistance, so that they can have access and afford health care. And I think the government has a role in regulation, to make sure that all citizens have access to health care, and that they feel confident that they're going to get the best health care in a timely manner.

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A Cure Would Be Paradise-the Walk to Cure Diabetes is on March 29th!

The North Florida Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) will host the 13th Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes on Saturday, March 29th. First Coast News Anchor Joy Purdywill serve as emcee. First Coast News Anchor Victor Blackwell will join her to make a difference in the fight against this deadly disease. Nearly 21 million Americans live with diabetes and its complications. As many as 3 million have type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Diabetes kills one American every three minutes. JDRF's mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. 3,000 people will be walking the 3 miles through downtown Jacksonville to raise money for diabetes research with this year's theme of "A Cure Would Be Paradise," with all things island style! Check in: Saturday, March 29th, at 9:00AM Metropolitan Park (free parking) 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 Walk begins: 10:00AM Walk length: 3 miles (with 1 mile option) Plan to enjoy pre and post Walk festivities at the Park with your family and friends Caribbean Style! Breakfast and lunch will be provided by walk sponsors.

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Diabetes Education-individual and group counseling

Queen's Diabetes Education Program (QDEP) offers free services for adults with diabetes and prediabetes. Funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, QDEP offers both individual and group counseling by a registered nurse and a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator. No physician referrals are required. To register, please call (613)533 9300 ext. 73992 or 73993. .

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Frog skin diabetes treatment hope

Study leader Dr. Yasser Abdel-Wahab, senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the University of Ulster, said there had been a lot of research into bioactive molecules from amphibian skin secretions. One recently developed diabetes drug - exenatide - was developed from a hormone in the saliva of the Gila monster - a lizard found in south-western United States and northern Mexico. ""We found that it stimulated the secretion of insulin and that the synthetic version is more potent that pseudin-2 itself. ""More research is needed, but there is a growing body of work around natural anti-diabetic drug discovery that, as you can see, is already yielding fascinating results."" Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said although type 2 diabetes could be managed with diet and physical activity, the condition was progressive and may require medication to control it effectively.

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Amazon frog may help battle type-2 diabetes

A NOCTURNAL frog that dwells in the ponds and lagoons of the Amazon could prove to be an unlikely lifesaver for millions of diabetics. The South American "paradoxical frog" (pseudis paradoxa) owes its name to an uncanny ability to shrink as it grows older. Scientists studying its slimy skin have found a substance that can stimulate the release of insulin, the vital hormone that is deficient in sufferers from diabetes. Scientists have made an artificial copy of the peptide, a protein-building block that protects the frog from infection, and have suggested it could be used to boost insulin production in people with type-2 diabetes. In laboratory tests, researchers found the frog's peptide, known as pseudin-2, increased release of insulin in cultured cells by 50per cent.

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Frog slime could treat diabetes

Slime from the skin of a South American frog could provide a new treatment for diabetes, scientists say. The paradoxical frog, Pseudis paradoxa, secretes a substance from its skin which protects it from infection. But the molecule, pseudin-2, may have another use for humans. Researchers found that it stimulates the release of insulin, the vital hormone which is deficient in diabetes sufferers. Scientists made an artificial copy of the peptide, or protein building block, and showed that it could be used to boost insulin production in people with Type 2 diabetes. They believe it could provide a new diabetes drug treatment, part of a new class of medicines called incretin mimetics which mimic natural substances. However more work must be done before the frog therapy is ready to be tested on human patients.

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