Globe Health Tours News

May 8: Researchers are trying to find a useful way to cure liver disease by effectively using embryonic stem cells. This will help to minimise the need for transplantation. This innovative research is one of two projects at Edinburgh University and it is funded with £3.6m from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Scottish Enterprise. The second project also makes use of the embryonic stem cells to repair damaged bone. Diseases related to liver are the fifth most common cause of death in the UK.

“Once the liver cells from embryonic cells are successfully developed it will revolutionise the scope of treatment and pave the way for several new therapies and drugs for both liver and other organs. Eventually it will lead to a stem cell based regeneration of liver cells,” said Professor John Iredale of the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

He further added that the research is capable of playing a crucial role in reducing the number of organ transplant and will minimise the level of traumatic treatment of the patients for whom transplantation is the only option. Now the researchers are trying to find how liver cells could be developed from embryonic stem cells and the ways in which it can be used effectively for the treatment of acute and chronic liver disease.

The second research that receives £1.7m funding will help in isolation of embryonic stem into cells that are capable of developing into bone and cartilage.

While commenting on this Dr Brendon Noble of the Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine said: “Cartilage damage due to injuries or diseases like osteoarthritis is a major health problem in the UK. Prevention of cartilage from breaking down or by repairing it will potentially reduce hip replacement surgeries. We are trying to find a fruitful way to heal the bones using stem cells that could enhance the quality of life of the patients.”

We could expect the findings of these researches will bring great relief for the patients who are suffering from bone related diseases.

Apr 7: Increasing rate of accidents and other injuries are paving way to more and more fracture cases. Scientists are trying hard to identify an effective method to find easy solution to fracture related problems. In what could be considered as significant research scientists at Yale University have found out that removing marrow from the heart of bones will help to heal fractures more effectively than before.

It is believed that marrow is rich in stem cells that repairs bone damages, but the rats treated using new technique recovered quickly. The report published in News Scientists said that the research will help the older patients to get rid of major surgeries including hip replacement. As part of the study the research team led by Agnes Vignery drilled into the upper leg bones of the anaesthetised rats. Some of the rats were treated using a hormone that boosts the growth of new bones.

Both groups of rats were X-rayed to analyse the bone recovery rate. After examination scientists found the rats without bone marrow recovered faster. Scientist believes that the loss of some bone marrow will not lessen the ability to produce enough blood cells. If this process is reproduced in humans it will simplify the complex bone fracture treatment procedure.

While commenting on this the consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Wrightington Hospital in Wigan said: “The idea of removing marrow with a needle will eliminate major operation procedures to solve the fracture related problems more effectively. If it is strengthening the bone of rats then there are lots of hopes for it being successful in humans.”

According to Dr Brendan Noble, at the University of Edinburgh, other than bone marrow there are other types of cells including the membranes surrounding the bones that play an important role in fast recovery of bones.

Why Choose Hip Replacement Surgery in India?

All around the world patients are considering undertaking their medical treatment abroad, both to save costs and also to experience better clinical skill and more experienced surgeons. This trend is most pronounced in terms of India which seems to offer outstanding medical packages combined with very low prices.

There are a number of very compelling reasons to select India’s hospitals over those of other destinations such as Thailand or the Philippines which are competing for the same patients.

First, the cost of treatment in India is extremely competitive. For example, a hip replacement package in India costs about $6500 compared to a typical US cost of $40000 to $50000. Even after flights which are typically $2000 per person the saving is very substantial.

Indian hospitals also sell the hip replacement surgery as part of a larger package that usually includes 14 days in hospital, food, pre-op checks and daily physiotherapy programme. This is a much more holistic approach to medicine and offers patients a much more rounded experience. Typically a western hospital would return patients home after five days and require the patients to plan their own physiotherapy.

The quality of clinical staff is very high in India. Indian doctors are renowned throughout the world for their dedication and the quality of their training. Almost all senior doctors have extended their local training with periods of study and practice in Europe and the United States. Frequently, Indian surgeons are also Fellows of the Royal of Surgeons in Edinburgh which is probably the world’s leading association of surgeons. Patients are assured of excellent treatment at the hands of highly experienced surgeons. In a similar vein, nursing care is very high. The numbers of nurses on the wards is typically double the number now found in in wards in the west.