The University of Ibadan (UI), in partnership with two American
universities, on Wednesday, announced the discovery of a permanent cure
for the sickle cell disease.
The cure which was described as less
risky and with a potential to help over 5 million Africans living with
the disease, was the outcome of a research carried out by UI in alliance
with medical experts at the University of Illinois and the University
of Loyola, both in Chicago.
Nigeria and other African countries
can now heave a sigh of relief as the University of Ibadan in
partnership with the University of Illinois, Chicago, USA and University
of Loyola, Chicago have discovered a permanent cure for the terminal
disease.
The cure of the deadly disease, according to the Professor
of Medicine, Victor Gordeuk, who is the Director, Sickle Cell Centre,
University of Illinois, Chicago, USA and his colleagues, Prof. Damiano
Rondelli, also from the same university and Prof. Bamidele Tayo,
University of Loyola, Chicago this new treatment is done through bone
marrow transplant and that it is less risky.
This was revealed
yesterday at the University College Hospital, Ibadan after a three-day
brainstorming session with other experts in the teaching hospital.
Unlike
the other conventional method of stem cell transplant which exposes
patients to radiation which could cause cancer, first blood and marrow
stem cell transplant, BMT, is much more effective.
The experts
who were flanked by the Chief Medical Director, UCH, Prof. Temitope
Alonge, Dr. Titilola Akingbola, an haematologist and Dr. Foluke Fasola,
said this stem cell transplant is a standard procedure for the treatment
of many blood cancers in both adult and children.
He said: “With
this chemotherapy-free transplant, we are curing adults with sickle
cell disease, and we see that their quality of life improves fast within
just one month of the transplant.
“About 90 per cent of the
approximately 450 patients who have received stem cell transplants for
sickle cell disease have been children. Chemotherapy has been considered
too risky for adult patients, who are often more weakened than children
by the disease.
“Adults with sickle cell disease can now be
cured without chemotherapy — the main barrier that has stood in the way
for them for so long. Our data provide more support that this therapy is
safe and effective and prevents patients from living shortened lives,
condemned to pain and progressive complications.”
“In the new
procedure, patients receive immuno-suppressive drugs just before the
transplant, along with a very low dose of total body irradiation, a
treatment much less harsh and with fewer potentially serious side
effects than chemotherapy.”
“ Donor cells from a healthy and
tissue-matched sibling are transfused into the patient. Stem cells from
the donor produce healthy new blood cells in the patient, eventually in
sufficient quantity to eliminate symptoms. In many cases, sickle cells
can no longer be detected. Patients must continue to take
immunosuppressant drugs for at least a year.
The CMD, Prof.
Alonge who called for support from government, philanthropists, donour
agencies and corporate bodies like banks and Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation for provision of equipment and completion of the sickle
cell centre, described sickle cell as a disease of bone crisis which the
patient suffers from head to toe.
He added that Sickle Cell
Disease is a genetic disorder due to the presence of an abnormal form of
haemoglobin in the red blood cells, called haemoglobin S (Hb S) instead
of haemoglobin A (Hb A). Haemoglobin in the red blood cell is
responsible for the transportation of oxygen in the body.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/uch-usa-varsities-discover-cure-for-sickle-cell-anaemia/
Thursday, 29 October 2015
ABUJA- PDP senators stage walk over Aamechi's ministerial confirmation
Abuja- Amaechi confirmed as Minister despite petition against him
Lagos- We Use Juju To Rob Traders In Lagos Markets,Robbery Suspects (Pictured)
The suspects; Saidi Olalekan (32) and Joshua Akinsola (20), who claimed to be a Nigerien, were arrested at Oshodi market during a foiled attempt to rob a textile shop owner of some lace materials and cash worth N2.5 million
Recovered from them were stolen lace materials worth N300,000 and cash of N2 million.
During an interview with Vanguard, the suspects revealed that information on their victims were usually given by their sales representatives. They also confessed that they use charms to hypnotise their victims, a means they said made their operation easy.
But nemesis caught up with them after one of their victims who apparently was not affected by the charms raised the alarm which led to the arrest of Akinsola, the supposed Nigerien.
32-year-old Olalekan, an indigene of Ogun state who recently completed a two-year-jail term, said: “We do not use any gun or dangerous weapon during operation. What we used was a charm called atare and ohun. This charm was prepared by a herbalists in Apapa. That is what most 419 people use.
“Any time we were going for operation, we would put the charm in our mouth and another in the pocket. We would thereafter, enter any of the shops and order anyone there to bring the proceed for the day. We would also command them to bring as much yards of material they could lay their hands on. They will obey without complaining. Also, no customer will come to that shop as long as we remained there. After the raid, we would quietly leave the shop. Our victims usually regain consciousness several hours later.
“At the end of each operation, we would take the stolen materials far away from where we stole them and sell them at give away prices. For instance, if we steal material from Idumota , we will take it to Agege or even Sango in Ogun state to sell and share whatever was realised equally.”
My victim had a counter-charm
On his part, his alleged partner in crime, Joshua Akinsola, disclosed that they usually get information either from sales representatives of their victims, their managers or relatives.
Oshodi operation and counter-charm
On the Oshodi botched operation, he said his victim apparently had an antidote to charms that gave them away.
He said: “While Olalekan was in one of the shops, I was in another. He succeeded in carrying some wares and N2 million cash from his victim. But I realised that after making some incantations with the charms in my mouth and pocket, my victims did not succumb, and had I left the shop with some lace materials than they raised the alarm which attracted other traders at Oshodi.
“Before I knew it, some policemen arrived the scene and whisked me away. I led them to my colleague where the stolen N2 million was recovered. I am from Niger Republic but I live at Ogolo, around Benin Republic.”
The suspects according to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, will be charged to court soon.
New York- Oprah Winfrey gets ambushed by man claiming to be her secret son
The 61-year-old media mogul was photographed as she attempted to deal with the man, Calvin Mitchell, during the awkward encounter outside Colbert's New York studio.
In the interview which labelled him Oprah's 'long-lost secret son', Mitchell claimed that he has been estranged from Oprah for 20 years.
Mitchell said:
'I want to ask Oprah, "Why did you leave me? Why did you leave me?" I'm still empty. I'm still searching. I don't have closure to this. I just don't understand.'
Oprah was seen acknowledging Mitchell outside the studios following her October 15 TV appearance and pressed her hand against his chest in the familiar way she frequently does with fans - before he left his phone number with her reps for further contact.
When he was younger, Oprah would allegedly send gifts to the boy with notes addressed: 'To my son Calvin, I love you.'
She also allegedly paid for Mitchell to attend the private Christian boarding school, The Piney Woods School, in Mississippi until he dropped out at age 17.
'I was young. I made a dumb decision, and Oprah wouldn’t forgive me. I feel like what she did was wrong,' said Calvin, who later became suicidal after she 'abandoned' him.
'She told me, "Calvin, just try to work it out. You can do it. Just hang in there." She was trying to inspire me to do what was right. But even after the long pep talk she gave me, I still left.'
He added: 'I just wanted to come home, and Oprah didn't understand that.'
Oprah has always been incredibly generous in donating money to young students, having given 400 scholarships to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and the school she opened for girls in South Africa.
Ghanaian actor Sam Sarpong commits suicide
Pasadena police say he jumped from the Colorado Street Bridge following seven hours of attempts to talk him down.
Sarpong had a series of small roles in movies and TV shows, including "Bones" and "Boston Public" and co-hosted MTV's 2006 show, "Yo Momma." He was also Omoni Oboli's husband in the movie, Anchor Baby.
He was also a model for Tommy Hilfiger and other fashion brands, he was also the first black male model to do a Louis Vuitton editorial campaign.
He is survived by his father and his sister June Sarpong.
Omoni Oboli has been devastated by his death. She wrote:
"Have mercy Lord!!! I have been balling my eyes out for the last hour! I can't deal with this! God knows I can't! My husband in the movie 'Anchor Baby' gone like that! I have never met a more positive guy in my whole life! He's the most genuine, God fearing, lovable character you'll ever meet. What is in this life now? all the hustle! Over! Just like that! I'm MISERABLE! God speed fam! Rest in the bosom of The Lord!
Nigeria- Senate queries approval of N63.5bn contract for Abuja Airport’s 2nd runway
The Senate called on the federal government to reduce the unrealistic cost of construction and for the government to monitor the contract award process.
Presenting the motion, Senator Melaye said that the contract for the construction of the runway was previously cancelled by the last administration after allegation of over inflation of contract.
Melaye, said that the contract was awarded by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at N64 billion after ratification by the Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP, contended that there was also the need for the construction of a second runway since, according to him, “the existing one is not only bad but inadequate.”
He said: “The publication that the contract is already undergoing review and to be awarded at N63.5 billion as published by newspapers is another attempt to steal and rape Nigerians of our common patrimony. Further convinced by the fact that the entire Gombe Airport with 36km runway cost of N8.2 billion; Jigawa Airport cost N12 billion, Enugu Airport was constructed and expanded at 13 billion naira and Akwa Ibom Airport at N18.05 billion .
“This astronomical amount is about four times the cost of constructing a brand new airport in Nigeria. As a representative of the people, we must advise that due process and strict adherence to Public Procurement Act be observed in the said contract of the Second Abuja Airport Runaway. If this not brought to attention of the government now, there may be another fraud in the making, given the comparative analysis of cheaper cost across the country. “The Senate President also complained about the cost and said that there was the need to stop what he described as the reckless expenditures, while awarding contracts in the country.
Vanguard
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