Submitted by Lorenzo.Piemonte on Fri, 12/02/2011 - 15:58
The human brain depends on glucose to fuel all its functions. Although the brain can use other metabolic substrates, and babies’ brains do, glucose is its normal energy source. As the brain stores very little glucose, its proper function depends on a reliable supply from its circulation. If blood glucose concentrations fall too low, then brain malfunction results. But what is the plasma glucose concentration that is ‘too low’? Stephaine Amiel looks into this surprisingly controversial topic.
Submitted by Lorenzo.Piemonte on Tue, 09/13/2011 - 17:06
Insulin is a complex protein, manufactured to a high standard, and requiring special expertise. As modern insulins come offpatent, many companies are expected to try to enter the market with copies of current branded insulins, termed 'biosimilar insulins'. Philip Home discusses the issues in development and production of such biosimilars, and the regulatory hurdles and likely consequences for the insulin market.
Submitted by Lorenzo.Piemonte on Tue, 09/13/2011 - 16:59
Among the prison population, psychological disorders and infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, are the most widely recognized medical conditions. According to the authors of this report from France, diabetes is one of the ‘forgotten diseases’ in the penal system. Although in wider society diabetes is recognized as a chronic public health issue, there are very few data on people with diabetes in prison.
Submitted by Lorenzo.Piemonte on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 13:38
Human resources for healthcare in West Africa are among the world’s most limited, severely restricting the capacity of countries in the region to provide effective, equitable public health services to their people. Indeed, the lack of health professionals throughout sub-Saharan Africa has become a significant barrier to achieving the UN’s millennium development goals.
Submitted by admin on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 14:32
Therapeutic diabetes education is a prerequisite for the effective management of type 2 diabetes. Yet in several European countries, diabetes education remains insufficiently implemented. While effective educational programmes have been developed and evaluated in a number of countries, funding for implementation is still inadequate. Although improvements have been made in recent decades, there is still a long way to go to meet the Europe-wide need for diabetes education. Monika Grüsser reports on some developments to date.
Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/03/2010 - 17:25
To say that the diabetes world has been rocked by recent revelations about cancer might be too strong a term; but it certainly has been shaken. A growing bank of data over the last few years has put cancer very much 'on the radar’ of diabetes clinicians and researchers alike. Andrew Renehan tells the stories behind the headlines.
Submitted by admin on Wed, 11/03/2010 - 17:17
Every 30 seconds, a lower limb is amputated as a result of diabetes; of all the amputations in the world, about 70% are suffered by people with diabetes – foot ulceration being a key factor in developing regions. Yet these amputations can be prevented. As well as medical factors, numerous social and socio-environmental issues affect the development of diabetic foot problems. This report focuses on Africa-specific factors. Although in Africa neuropathy is a major contributing factor, it is not the only one: even a simple injury that becomes infected can be a precursor to amputation.
Submitted by admin on Mon, 07/05/2010 - 15:41
Globally, where the test is available, the measurement of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has become central to the management of diabetes. By giving an objective assessment of glucose control over the preceding 2 to 3 months, it can guide treatment decisions in a way that single blood glucose measurements cannot. The authors describe efforts to standardize and improve the way HbA1c is reported, and explain the practical implications of the recent changes in the way the test is measured.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 14:43
Diabetic foot complications are the most common cause of hospital admissions among people with diabetes. Worldwide, more than 1 million amputations are performed each year as a consequence of diabetes, which means that a lower limb is lost to diabetes somewhere in the world every 30 seconds. If a person with diabetes has a lesion on the sole of a foot, offloading bodyweight is of vital importance; all therapeutic efforts are bound to fail if he or she continues to walk on an ulcer.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 14:23
The good news is that most cases of severe vision loss due to diabetes are preventable; the bad news is that tens of thousands of people lose vision to diabetes each year despite all we know about prevention and treatment. Indeed, diabetes is a leading cause of vision loss around the world. Compared with the general population, people with diabetes have a 25-fold increased risk of blindness.
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