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World’s first gene therapy to stop most common cause of blindness

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6 years ago

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World’s first gene therapy to stop most common cause of blindness

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Oxford researchers claim to have carried out the world’s first gene therapy operation to halt age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of untreatable blindness in the developed world.

Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells of the macula. It affects the central part of a patient’s vision with gaps or ‘smudges’, making everyday activities like reading and recognising faces difficult.

If successful, the treatment could have a beneficial impact of patients’ quality of life and their ability to remain independent.

“A genetic treatment administered early on to preserve the vision in patients who would otherwise lose their sight would be a tremendous breakthrough and certainly something I hope to see in the near future,” said Robert MacLaren, Professor at the University of Oxford in the UK.

The first person to undergo the procedure was Janet Osborne of Oxford, said MacLaren, who carried out the procedure at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the UK.

Like many people with AMD, Osborne has the condition in both eyes, but it is more advanced in her left eye. As is typical with this condition, the central vision in her left eye has deteriorated and is very hazy, although her peripheral vision is better.

The 80-year-old said that her restricted vision makes household tasks like preparing vegetables and sewing difficult, and she cannot read for very long. She finds it hard to recognise faces.

Osborne said her motivation for taking part in the trial was the possibility of helping others with AMD.

“I wasn’t thinking of me. I was thinking of other people. For me, I hope my sight doesn’t get any worse. That would be fantastic. It means I wouldn’t be such a nuisance to my family,” she said.

The operation involves detaching the retina and injecting a solution containing a virus underneath.

The virus contains a modified DNA sequence, which infects cells, called the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and corrects a genetic defect that causes AMD.

Ideally if successful, gene therapy would only need to be performed once, as the effects are thought to be long-lasting.

A key factor in AMD is the complement system, a system of proteins in our immune system that fights bacteria.

In macular degeneration, these proteins are over-active and start to attack the retinal cells, in a similar way to how they would attack bacteria.

“We are harnessing the power of the virus, a naturally occurring organism, to deliver the DNA into the patient’s cells,” MacLaren said.

“When the virus opens up inside the retinal cell it releases the DNA of the gene we have cloned, and the cell starts making a protein that we think can modify the disease, correcting the imbalance of the inflammation caused by the complement system,” he said.

“The idea of this gene therapy is to ‘deactivate’ the complement system, but at a very specific point at the back of the eye, so the patient would otherwise be unaffected by it, and we hope that in future it will slow down the progression of macular degeneration,” said McLaren.

“We have a better understanding now on the relationship between the complement system and the AMD disease which lead us to the discovery that restoring the balance of a hyperactive complement system could be a potential therapeutic approach in dry AMD,” said Peter Lachman, the scientist from the University of Cambridge.

The aim of the therapy is to halt the progress of the condition and preserve what vision patients have remaining.

If successful, it is hoped that gene therapy can be used in the future on patients with early AMD and so halt the disease before their vision has started to deteriorate.

(Inputs from media reports)

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Entertainment

Shilpa Shetty works out with daughter Samisha on World Health Day, shares video

It also marks the birthday of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which was founded in 1948

Published

7 months ago

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April 7, 2024

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Shilpa Shetty has a passion for exercise. The actor enjoys working out, and she frequently updates her fans on her progress at the gym. She inspired internet users today on World Health Day by posting a video of her exercise regimen in which she can be also seen sharing a  moment with her daughter Samisha.

The global awareness-raising day focuses on a number of health-related concerns. In the video, Shilpa could be seen working out in the gym, discussing the need of dedication and consistency, and enjoying a cute moment of work out with her daughter Samisha.

Shilpa shared the video on social media and began the caption with greeting everyone on World Health Day. The Dhadkan actor mentioned in her caption that wellness is more than just working out; it’s found in our morning routines, the food we eat with pleasure, the time we spend with our loved ones, and our mental health.

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The Baazigar actor advised everyone to prioratise themselves on this World Health Day. She remined to stay hydrated, practice mindfulness, and acknowledge our greatest gift. Swasth raho, Mast raho, (stay healthy, stay happy), Shilpa shetty wrote while concluding the caption.

In the video, Shilpa can be seen greeting her fans as she says Hey guys! It’s World Health Day, but not every day you will [feel] motivated. Therefore, on those days, exercising consistency and discipline will be your saviors, She further says.

The Sukhee actor can be seen doing leg presses, stretching exercises, chatting about her favorite music to listen to at the gym, walking on the treadmill, and doing other gym activities as the video progresses. Shilpa and her daughter can be seen jumping inside a trampoline in the video as well. In a another scene, she can be seen watching Samisha perform a leg workout on a Pilates machine.

Soon after she shred the vieo it quickly went viral. A user said, she is a true isnpiration. Another said she is ageing like a fine wine. A third user said her daughter is cute.

Meanwhile, World Health Day is observed on April 7 ever year globally. This is also observed on this day as World Health Organisation was established on April 7, 1948.

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Festivals

Happy Easter 2024: Political leaders extend greetings to nation for peace and unity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Easter on Sunday and expressed his hope that the message of renewal and optimism associated with the occasion would resonate widely.

Published

7 months ago

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March 31, 2024

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Easter also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion on Good Friday. This Christian festival symbolises the victory of life over death .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Easter on Sunday and expressed his hope that the message of renewal and optimism associated with the occasion would resonate widely. PM Modi took to X and posted that May this day inspire us all to come together, fostering unity and peace. He wished everyone a joyful Easter.

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted the people on Easter and highlighted the occasion of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, promotes the spirit of love, hope and universal fraternity. President Droupadi Murmu took to X and posted Easter greetings to all, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters! This pious occasion of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, promotes the spirit of love, hope, and universal fraternity. May the teachings of Jesus Christ lead us onto the path of peace and harmony.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to X and wrote we extend our warmest greetings on the joyous occasion of Easter. The eternal significance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection is that truth triumphs over evil and compassion overcomes hatred. May the festivities strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and fraternity amongst our people and herald a brighter future.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X and posted Happy Easter! As you celebrate Easter Sunday with your loved ones, may joy, peace, and hope illuminate the path ahead.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X to extend greetings on Easter and wrote Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the joyous occasion of Easter. May this revered day bring new beginnings, hopes and harmony in your life.

Union Minister Kiren Rijju took to X and posted Happy and Blessed Easter to all! Wishing everyone peace, joy and unity.

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Lifestyle

Saudi Arabia gears up for Miss Universe debut with Rumy Alqahtani as its first-ever contestant

Rumi Alqahtani is a prominent runaway model and influencer from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who has made history by becoming the first-ever Miss Universe participant to represent Saudi Arabia.

Published

7 months ago

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March 28, 2024

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Saudi Arabia is gearing up for its historic debut in the Miss Universe pageant, with Rumi Alqahtani set to represent the country in the prestigious competition. Rumi Alqahtani is a prominent runaway model and influencer from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who has made history by becoming the first-ever Miss Universe participant to represent Saudi Arabia.

Rumi Alqahtani has garnered recognition in the beauty pageant industry through her participation in numerous global competitions, including the Miss and Mrs Global Asian competition in Malaysia. According to reports the 27 year-old model has already won the titles Miss Saudi Arabia, Miss Middle East, Miss Arab World Peace, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia).

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Rumi Alqahtani announced Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Miss Universe 2024 pageant on her Instagram, sharing a photo of herself in a silver sequin gown, wearing a Miss Universe Saudi Arabia sash, standing next to the Saudi Arabian flag. She captioned her Instagram post that she was honoured to participate in Miss Universe competition. This is the first participation of Saudi Arabia in the Miss Universe competition.

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Alqahtani’s participation follows in the footsteps of Bahrain’s Lujane Yacoub, who represented her country in the Miss Universe pageant last year. She became the first woman from the Gulf region to do so. Alqahtani’s involvement is hailed as milestone in empowering women of Saudi Arabia. She has previously represented the Kingdom in numerous international competitions, including Miss Asia in Malaysia, Miss Arab Peace, and Miss Europe.

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Apart being crowned Miss Saudi Arabia, she holds titles such as Miss Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia). She has a million followers in instagram and thousands more on other social media platforms. She also holds Bacelor’s degree in dentistry and is fluent in English, French and Arabic. This historic move reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

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