Tag: medical

ABU DHABI: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) concluded its Move for MS initiative, which ran throughout the holy month of Ramadan, coinciding with MS Awareness Month.

The initiative aimed to support people living with MS by encouraging participation in inclusive sports and physical activities. 2,900 individuals in the UAE participated in the community challenge, including those employed by Move for MS’ corporate partners. Participants collectively contributed 426,526,815 steps, which is equivalent to 296,693 kilometres. This equates to walking the circumference of the Earth seven times.

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of the NMSS, Director-General of Emirates Drug Establishment, and Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant program at Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC), said, “As the ‘Move for MS’ initiative draws to a close, I am immensely grateful to the UAE community’s response and strong show of solidarity. Together, we have made significant strides in raising awareness an
d garnering much-needed support for people living with MS. The success of this initiative underscores the power of community and the importance of standing united in our mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by MS.”

Several high-profile government and corporate organizations participated in the Move for MS initiative, including Mubadala, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), ADQ, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Ma’an, and Lulu Group. These partners played a pivotal role in encouraging their employees to participate, resulting in the involvement of nearly 1000 employees from all participating entities.

The Move for MS campaign was supported by fitness partners Inspire Sports, YogaOne Studio, Motion Cycling, Chapter Studio, The Bridge Wellness Hub, Seven Wellness Club, Breathes Wellness, Pilatiq Fitness Studio, and CRANK Fitness. The studios and gyms generously donated proceeds from designated classes to support NMSS initiatives.

At the heart of the Move for MS initiative is the o
verarching goal of empowerment through movement and community solidarity for people with MS. This objective aligns with NMSS’ mission of raising awareness, promoting understanding, and dispelling misconceptions surrounding MS while also securing essential funds for ongoing support and research efforts.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable condition of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and spinal cord. The cause of MS is unknown. Around 19 in every 100,000 people are affected by MS in the UAE. Females are twice as likely to have MS. 67 percent of women vs 33 percent of men.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, is set to host two significant global medical summits on complex oncology care and advancements this April. The Cleveland Clinic Global Summit on Innovations in Cancer Care and Frontiers in Advanced Hepato-Biliary Cancers and Transplant Oncology will convene over 50 oncology and digestive diseases experts from Cleveland Clinic worldwide, affirming the hospital’s pivotal role as a global force in medical education and innovation.

The inaugural event, the Cleveland Clinic Global Summit on Innovations in Cancer Care, scheduled from 19th-21st April at the Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE, will be led by Dr. Faek Jamali, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and Colorectal Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The internationally recognised, CME-accredited summit by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) will cover a diverse array of topics, including cancer screening and prevention, and updates in surgical and radiati
on oncology. The gathering of world-renowned oncology experts at the annual global platform will address the spike in cancer detection amongst an increasingly growing younger population, as reported by several international studies. A special session on global oncology will also put a spotlight on the unique challenges and opportunities for enhancing cancer care in the Middle East.

Additionally, the event will hold its inaugural annual award ceremony to pay tribute to global champions and influencers who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to driving awareness and advancing cancer care.

The second event, Frontiers in Advanced Hepato-Biliary Cancers and Transplant Oncology, slated for 27th-28th April at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, led by Dr. Cristiano Quintini, Institute Chair, General Surgery, Digestive Disease Institute, and CME accredited by Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) via Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, aims to bring together leading experts in transplant and hepatic, b
iliary, oncological diseases, to discuss cutting-edge interventions and innovations in the field. The event will also see the launch of the annual Resident Surgery Education Week, where residents from all around the UAE will get practical hands-on skills and guidance from world-renowned surgeons, learning tips and tricks of specific surgical techniques. The program will also include career planning and life lessons that are invaluable for young surgeons.

From the transformative role of genomics in cancer detection and treatment to insights into industry perspectives transcending geographical boundaries, these global summits promise to redefine the trajectory of oncological care. To cap this global summit, attendees will have the opportunity to exclusively tour the first of its kind, Fatima bint Mubarak Cancer Center, modelled on Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center- ranked one of the top cancer facilities in the US.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: Dubai will host the 19th Annual Conference of the Middle East Academy of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, which will be held from 19th-21st April at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, and the 21st TSESI Sinus Course, from 22ns to 24th April 2024 at the Neurology and Spine Hospital in Dubai Science Park. The events will see the participation of more than 1,000 doctors and specialists from 31 countries to improve and expand their clinical skills, showcase their research work and enhance the quality of patient care.

Dr. Moaz Tarabichi, Co-Chair of the Conference and Chairman of the Organising Committee, said that ear, nose and throat surgery as a specialty has developed tremendously in the past few years, and has been characterised by the diversity of delicate and complex cases that serve all categories of patients of all ages.

He explained that the conference will discuss a variety of topics, ranging from the latest diagnostic technologies to pioneering surgical developments, and e
merging treatment methods where various lectures will be given on paediatric ear, nose and throat surgery, rhinoplasty surgery, head and neck surgery, ear surgery and vestibular fixation, ENT and audiology, and a workshop on balance disorder.

He said that the scientific programme consists of unique lectures by a group of distinguished international and regional specialists in all sub-specialities such as endoscopic nose and base surgery, ear surgery and auditory implantation, pediatric ENT, facial plastic surgery, sleep surgery, in addition to head and neck surgery, vestibular auditory medicine, and everything related to rhinology and now.

Dr. Islam Herzallah, Professor of Rhinoplasty and Chairman of the 19th Conference of the Academy of Otolaryngology in the Middle East, said, the Scientific Committee, which includes 11 doctors, was keen this year to select doctors who lecture in their specialised fields, and the number of speakers reached 141 regional and international lecturers from 31 countries.

He exp
lained that after the conference, the twenty-first TSESI sinus course will be held at the Neurological and Spine Hospital in Dubai Science Park, which includes 49 scientific sessions, 235 scientific lectures, 217 scientific research, as well as specialised workshops on human heads, two seminars for the industrial sector, in addition to 30 Heinz Stamberger Research Competition for Residents (30 resident doctors from all over the world are selected in this competition, and more than 22 companies will participate from The most important pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers as sponsors of the conference.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Bethlehem – Ma’an – A new study, conducted on about 500,000 medical records, found that severe viral infections, such as encephalitis and pneumonia, increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

According to the Science Alert website, researchers found 22 links between viral infections and neurodegenerative cases.

He added that people treated for a type of brain infection called viral encephalitis were 31 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

He continued that those who were hospitalized for pneumonia after influenza infection were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Science Alert also revealed that intestinal infections were also the cause of the development of many neurodegenerative diseases.

He explained that the effect of viral infections on the brain continued for up to 15 years in some cases.

‘It is striking that vaccines are currently available for some of
these viruses, including influenza and pneumonia,’ the researchers wrote.

They added: “Although vaccines do not always prevent disease, they significantly reduce hospital admission rates. This evidence suggests that vaccination may mitigate some of the risks of neurodegenerative diseases.”

Source: Maan News Agency

Bethlehem – Together – Colorectal cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer among men and women around the world.

The Health Digest website said that colon cancer occurs when malignant tumors form within the inner lining of the colon due to the accumulation of abnormal cell growth.

According to the Colorectal Cancer Foundation, an estimated 1 in 20 people are at risk of developing colon cancer.

Health Digest explained that genetics may play a role in the risk of contracting the disease, but there are also external factors, such as excessive consumption of alcohol, sugar, processed foods, or red meat.

In addition, some research has found that bowel habits may also increase the risk of colon cancer.

The website said that delaying defecation and holding it for a long time makes the lining of the colon more susceptible to inflammation, and also leads to constipation, so doctors always advise the need to defecate when feeling the need to do so.

The results of the research, which were presented in 2
012 at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, concluded that people who suffer from chronic constipation were 1.78 times more likely to develop colorectal cancer compared to individuals who do not suffer from it.

Source: Maan News Agency

Bethlehem – Together – Brain fog is a type of cognitive dysfunction that leads to confusion, memory problems, and lack of concentration.

What is brain fog?

Healthline said that brain fog is not a medical condition in itself but a symptom of other medical conditions.

It is a type of cognitive dysfunction that includes: memory problems – lack of mental clarity – poor concentration.

Some people also describe it as “mental fatigue.”

Brain fog can affect your work, school, or other daily tasks.

What are its possible causes?

There are several reasons why brain fog occurs:

Stress: Chronic stress can increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, trigger depression, and may also cause mental fatigue.

Lack of sleep: Poor sleep may affect the quality of human brain functions, according to research conducted in 2021, so it is usually recommended to sleep daily for a period of between 8 and 9 hours.

Hormonal changes: 2018 research found that hormonal changes can also cause brain fog. For example, progestero
ne and estrogen levels rise during pregnancy, leading to some effect on short-term memory.

Diet: Diet can also play a role in brain fog. It is known that Vitamin B12 supports healthy brain functioning, which means that a deficiency in this vitamin may affect cognitive function and cause brain fog.

Medications: You should always talk to your doctor, if you notice ‘mental fatigue’ while taking a particular medication. Brain fog is a known side effect of some medications, such as some sleep medications and pain medications.

Source: Maan News Agency

ABU DHABI: The Golden Heart Initiative, a global philanthropic mission launched on 1st January, 2024 by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, a healthcare visionary and the Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, has announced that the initiative concluded, offering free life-saving heart surgeries to 50 children with complex congenital heart diseases.

The Initiative focused on children from conflict zones and underprivileged backgrounds, spanning cultural and geographical boundaries.

Spearheaded by experts, the surgeries were performed at public and private hospitals in Tunisia, Egypt, and India. Children from conflict zones such as Senegal, Libya, and Tunisia, and underprivileged families from Egypt and India were the beneficiaries of the Initiative that concluded within three months. Navigating stringent travel restrictions posed challenges in bringing the children from conflict zones to hospitals for their much-needed surgeries. Special travel permissions had to be obtained through various agencies to support these
families. In India, the Initiative collaborated with government departments to offer high-cost life-saving surgeries that are not covered under existing schemes.

Children aged two months and upward with complex congenital heart diseases such as severe aortic stenosis, a condition where the aortic valve narrows disrupting the normal flow of blood; Tetralogy of Fallot, a condition that affects normal blood flow through the heart; and atrioventricular (AV) canal defect, where a hole in the wall separates the heart’s chambers causing problems with the heart valves, were some of the Initiative’s recipients.

Commenting on the project, Dr. Tarig Ali Elhassan, a renowned cardiac surgeon who headed the medical assessment board of the Initiative, said, ‘We feel proud to support these children in the time of their need with world-class treatment. After announcing the Initiative, we received numerous requests from different parts of the world. We thoroughly reviewed each medical record and shortlisted the candidates ba
sed on the severity of their condition and the guidelines of the Initiative. Later, we brought together global experts in the field to perform the surgeries. We also made arrangements to ease transportation challenges. Everything was done within three months, which we consider a great feat.’

The Golden Heart Initiative turned out to be a unique opportunity for these children to achieve their dreams of leading a fruitful life. Most of them were unable to undergo the surgery earlier due to several reasons such as high expense and lack of proper facilities.

On the impact of the programme, Dr. Shamsheer said, ‘It fills our hearts to see these children taking baby steps into their healthier lives through the Golden Heart Initiative. When we launched the Initiative, it received a good response from all quarters. Executing this mission was not an easy task. With utmost devotion, our doctors and other staff worked towards the healing of these little ones. The Initiative would not have succeeded without their hard w
ork and the families that trusted us. We hope this tribute to Mr. Yusuffali will inspire these little ones to dream big.’

Source:Emirates News Agency

HONG KONG: A University of Hong Kong professor and his research team has discovered that two gut microbes and the microbial metabolite homovanillic acid can help alleviate depression, opening up new therapeutic approaches for the medical condition that affects around 280 million people globally.

According to a report in China Daily, Professor Jia Wei from the LKS Faculty of Medicine at HKU conducted groundbreaking research that demonstrated the significant impact of HVA and the gut microbial species Roseburia intestinalis and Bifidobacterium longum in combatting depression.

This discovery marks the first time that HVA’s potential for treating depression has been revealed, opening up new avenues for treatment.

“This research discovery represents a significant milestone in the exploration of host-gut metabolic interactions in the regulation of brain neural functions, thanks to the tireless efforts of the team over the years,’ Jia said.

‘My team and I are greatly encouraged, hoping that it will bring some mu
ch-needed light to the dark world of depression sufferers.’

He said individuals with depression can increase HVA through daily dietary fiber supplements like nuts and cocoa powder or by supplementing Bifidobacterium longum and Roseburia intestinalis through a probiotic ‘cocktail’ therapy.

Jia collaborated with professors Zheng Xiaojiao from the Sixth People’s Hospital, which is affiliated to the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Liu Tiemin from the School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, in conducting the groundbreaking research.

The team has been at the forefront of studying the intricate communication mechanism between the gut and the brain. Their focus lies in understanding how the gut microbiota directly or indirectly influences brain functions and its impact on the development of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

The team conducted experiments using two mouse depression models, confirming the effectiveness of HVA and related gut microbial species in alleviating depressiv
e symptoms.

The research also marked a pivotal milestone in understanding the metabolic characteristics of individuals experiencing their first episode of clinical depression. The team’s findings revealed a significant reduction in key metabolites, particularly HVA, and several specific gut bacteria, including Roseburia intestinalis and Bifidobacterium longum, in patients with depression.

To build on these clinical insights, the researchers conducted animal experiments, validating the remarkable antidepressant effects of HVA and the two bacterial species.

Jia’s scientific contributions also extend beyond research findings. His team has established the world’s first clinical metabolomics database, providing invaluable resources for disease diagnosis and precision medicine.

His team recently developed a fully quantitative metabolite array technology that remains at the forefront of modern biotechnology, facilitating translational medical research in targeted metabolic profiling.

In recognition of his excep
tional academic achievements, Jia was elected as a member of the Physiology and Neuroscience Division, the Academia Europaea in 2023. He was also included in the esteemed “Highly Cited Chinese Researchers” list from 2020 to 2023, positioning him among the top 2 percent of scientists globally.

Source: Emirates News Agency