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Posts with tag AOL
Posted Aug 23rd 2007 4:52AM by Allie Beatty
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research, Events, Opinion, Services, Allie Beatty, Support, Personalities
Juan Domínguez-Bendala, Ph.D., is Director of Stem Cell Development for Translational Research at the Diabetes Research Institute. Once again, thanks to Gina and Jon at Diabetes Talkfest - you'll have the opportunity to chat live with Dr. Domínguez-Bendala on August 23rd at 9pm Eastern Standard Time.
Dr. Domínguez-Bendala is currently involved in several projects that focus on the use of embryonic stem cells to obtain pancreatic islets, in the hopes that these newly developed cells could one day be transplanted into patients with type I diabetes.
Join Dr. Domínguez-Bendala to discuss his work and ask questions pertaining to embryonic stem cell research. I know I'll be there, in true form, asking questions that I've been archiving for an event like this one!
Posted Apr 2nd 2007 7:02AM by Allie Beatty
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Lifestyle, Research, Events, Support
In 1996 a 41 year old male (a type 1 diabetic for 18 years) was injected with biocapsules containing pig islets to regulate his blood sugar level. The transplanted cells helped reduce the patient's insulin requirement by 34% for over a year, which provided better control. By 2005 the patient's glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) remained lower than the pre-transplant levels.
Ten years later, the patent contacted Living Cell Technologies to inform them that he believed the transplanted pig islets were still alive and well. After tests were conducted, it was concluded that the pig cells were (as he reported) still functioning. This proved that the LCT patented technology for xenotransplantation was effective. It allows the islets to survive at least ten years in a micro-capsule coating and continue to release insulin into the patient's bloodstream without immune suppression. After tests we conducted on the type of insulin present in the patients blood - it was with 100% certainty that it was pig and not human insulin.
LCT has significantly advanced the encapsulation process since the 1996 clinical trial and there is an even greater understanding and control over the longevity and robustness of the encapsulation process, as well as the porcine islet cells. LCT will be trialing the DiabeCell pig islet cell transplant in patients in a phase I/IIa clinical trial, expected to begin in Quarter 2, 2007. In addition, LCT is awaiting approval to conduct an additional trial in New Zealand this year with a different treatment protocol. Subsequent trials in the US or Europe are intended following initial results from these studies.
If overseas trials are coming through with flying colors - why aren't we doing this yet? C'mon USA - where's your competitive spirit? All these pigs up in Spring Point might be put to good use, after all. Oink Oink.
Posted Nov 23rd 2006 12:51PM by Allie Beatty
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Opinion, Support
The pleasure of blogging for you hits me with a sobering realization. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. When I say this is a gratifying experience, those words pale in comparison to how I really feel. It is my hope that everything I share with you serves a purpose for you, as much as it proves to be therapeutic for me. When I divulge to people that I'm a blogger, they seem to react with surprise. Popular opinion about blogs is that most of them are crafted by unqualified characters that use the Internet as public property to launch personal attacks. Not me.
I don't write this stuff, willy-nilly. I have a fair amount of experience in diabetes. I have seen a lot and I have done even more. I've been a passenger on the D-Train since July 5, 1985. That was my date of diagnosis, at the ripe age of 7. I look back and laugh because one of the most imprisoning events of my life happened just after Independence Day. I was at the beach watching fireworks, eating Vienna Finger cookies, and dying of thirst. Literally. The next day, my parents hauled me into Dr. Wu's office and my baptizing blood sugar was well over 300. I don't remember the number exactly. But I do remember we didn't go home. My parents took me to the hospital by way of McDonald's. I had a Happy Meal. How's that for foreshadowing?
The information I share with you comes from the battlefields. My purpose here is of greatest importance - your benefit. The enlightenment I share, and the feedback you provide, is what I treasure most. Today I give thanks to all of you reading The Diabetes Blog. Have a happy and safe Holiday Season!
