Global Public Articles

Most people are fairly familiar with the benefits of cell therapy, and the use of human adult stem cells in medicine. Stem cell transplants can aid stroke recovery, there is parkinson’s treatement with stem cells, and cord blood cells are regularly saved and can be used later in a baby’s life for disease cures and injury recovery.

However, the discovery of cancer stem cells is a relatively new one, and scientists have only recently been able to isolate these cells within a tumor. The possibilities are enormous.

Scientists at the OU Cancer Institute, led by Courtney Houchen, MD and Shrikint Anant, Ph D, have found a particular protein that only grows in stem cells. This allows them to identify which cells within a cancerous tumor are stem cells, where earlier only proteins that appeared in both stem and non-stem cells within cencerous tumors could be indetified.

The potential to treat disease like cancer as well as having stem cell therapy for diabetes, stem cell therapy for parkinson’s, and to assist stroke recovery is one of the most important of the year.

The group of scientists that isolated the cancer stem cell is now beginning work to use the protein as a target for compounds that could attach themselves to the stem cells and kill them.

Targeting the stem cells would allow doctors to stop the cancer from returning much more effectively - and indeed may be able to prevent relapse and metastasis altogether.

The stem cell research of Houchen and Anant will focus on human adult stem cells from cancers, rather than embryonic stem cells. There will also be far fewer ethical and legal issues to overcome in this stem cell research avenue.

The benefits of adult stem cells in the research include that fact that they play a large role in the beginning of cancer, the spread and also the return of cancer after treatment.

It seems that the failure to have identified or targeted stem cells in cancers to date may be one of the reasons that some cancers, for example ovarian cancer, are so resistant to treatment. Ovarian cancer is usually discovered in late stages, and and has a 55%-75% relapse rate within 2 years.

It is usually treated with paclitaxel, a drug which only destroys cancer cells susceptible to the drug, and allowing the cancer cells which are unaffected by paclitaxel to remain. It was assumed that these unaffected cells (CD-44 negative cells) had little health impact, as CD44 is associated with increased survival time in ovarian cancer.

Stem cell therapy of a different sort - killing cancer stem cells - should have great implications for ovarian cancer patients.

Stem cell therapy is a growing area of research, however initial breakthroughs like this can take years to come onto the market.

While the acceptance of stem cell therapy for stroke and stem cell therapy for diabetes is good, research on this new facet of stem cells could take 5 years to complete clinical trials of, with the compound expected to be available to the public within 10 years.

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There is an incredible number of people that die worldwide from ischemic heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. The fact that most people in the world have plenty to eat is actually contributing to our mortality, not reducing it.

It is well known that to prevent the need for cardiac surgery, stay out of hospital heart centers and avoid cardiac treatment, a healthy lifestyle with fresh food and plenty of exercise is needed. However, a leading Bangkok heart center providing cardiac treatment in Thailand is now recommending some superfoods to its heart patients. We find out the Thailand cardiac hospital’s recommendations for top foods for heart health.

Macadamia nuts are often considered an indulgence food, and it is true that while they are high in fat, they can actually lessen your risk of heart disease, rather than increasing it. Studies supported by Bangkok heart hospitals have recently found that they are able to reduce total LDL cholesterol, as well as moderating risk factors for coronary disease in high risk patients.

It is a unique fatty acid profile, as well as the fact that they are a rich source of oleic and palmotoleic acids, that gives macadamias the ability to reduce oxidative stress, coagulation and inflammation. Bangkok heart centers now believe that cardiac surgery rates can be reduced by intaking around 15% of your energy needs through macadamias.

Broccoli is another extremely common superfood. Importation allows most areas of the world to have a constant supply, and this humble vegetable has a large part to play in reducing cardiac surgery rates. It both helps maintain healthy heart functioning, and reduces damages from cardiac stressors.

Rats were given an extract of broccoli in a recent study, following which their bodies increased natural production of several antioxidant proteins. The cell damage prevented by antioxidants is a major cause of heart disease as well as cancer. However, it is important to note that overcooked broccoli loses much of its antioxidant properties.

A relative of broccoli, cauliflower, is also on the heart superfoods list. Cauliflower is high in thiamine, which has long been focused on as a cause of heart disease and a possible cure. Patients in Thailand’s cardiac hospitals that have undergone cardiac surgery are frequently found to have low thiamine levels.

Other foods rich in thiamine include potatoes, oranges and asparagus, as well as whole grain flours like rye and whole wheat. Heart failure patients are found by hospital heart centers to be three times as likely to be thiamine deficient - a statistically significant percentage.

While it is not technically a food, the herb hawthorn has long been known as a cardiac tonic. Now scientific studies have supported the notion that cardiac surgery patients in Thailand’s renowned heart hospitals should take hawthorn supplements to increase their heart health. Hawthorn increases coronary blood flow, improves myocardial metabolism, and allows damaged heart muscle to work more effectively.

Its regular use has been known by hospital heart centers for several years to be effective in preventing heart disease.

Bangkok Hospital - 36 years of advanced medical technology and expertise, complemented with Thai hospitality and compassionate care. Includes the world-renowned Bangkok Heart Hospital and specializing in oncology, neurology and orthopedics. Some of the worlds most advanced minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment procedures are in place.

Cancer treatment methods have been forging ahead in recent years, with billions of dollars now devoted to searching for a cure for cancer worldwide. One in three women, and one in two men in some countries will develop cancer over the course of their life, with heart cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer the most common.

Child cancer is on the increase also, and all would agree that it is infinitely preferable to learn how to prevent cancer, than to constantly be treating it. One possible major cause has recently been discovered, with the fact that many cosmetics and personal care products are contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a cancer causing chemical.

The study was conducted by the Organic Consumers Association, in conjunction with Dr Bronners, a major organic personal care company. It found that of 100 products ;labelled as natural or organic, there were fifty contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. Brands that were affected included Nutribiotic, Kiss My Face, Alba, Sea-Chi Orgnaics, Lifetree, Earth Friendly Products, Jason, Ecover and more.

Products like Johnsons and Huggies Baby Wash, Hello Kitty and Sesame Street bubble bath have been found to contain this chemical in related studies - possibly contributing to our high child cancer rates. Thailand cancer centers that provide bone cancer treatment, heart surgery for cancer and breast cancer treatment all recommend that to be safe, consumers should choose alternative brands.

1,4-dioxane is an ether, a known eye and respiratory tract irritant that is used as a solvent during the manufacturing process of personal care products. It appears quite often as a by-product of ethyoxylation in manufacturing of cosmetics. Thailand skin cancer and Thailand breast cancer treatment centers recognize that 1.4 dioxane is readily absorbed by the skin, which is supported by scientific tests.

It is a known animal carcinogen, however due to the fact that deliberately giving humans a potential cancer-cause for study purposes would be highly unethical, no studies have been carried out on humans. The EPA in the United States classifies it as a probable carcinogen for humans, and it is on California’s proposition list of chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer, including heart cancer and child cancer.

Due to the fact that it cannot be conclusively proven to cause cancer in humans, this known carcinogen is widespread in personal care products. The fact that it is present in 57% of baby soaps, and 34% of body lotions has been linked to child cancer rates by Thailand cancer centers, while breast cancer rates could be increased by the fact that 66% of hair removers, 43% of body firming lotions and 35% of anti-aging prodycts contain 1,4-dioxane.

A February 2007 EWG press release said that related studies had found the chemical in Huggies and Johnsons Baby Wash, Hello Kitty, Sesame Street and Scooby-Doo Bubble Baths, Clairol Herbal Essences Shampoo and Olay Complete Body Wash.

As 1,4-dioxane is known to be a by-product of ethyoxylation, Thailand cancer centers and international hospitals in Thailand recommend that consumers avoid products containing the following ingredients, in order to be sure of avoiding 1,4-dioxane:

- Myreth
- Laureth
- Cateareth
- PEG
- Polyethylene
- Polyoxyethylene
- Oxynol
- Oleth
- Any other ingredient with ‘eth’ in the title

Bangkok Hospital - 36 years of advanced medical technology and expertise, complemented with Thai hospitality and compassionate care. Includes the world-renowned Bangkok Heart Hospital and specializing in oncology, neurology and orthopedics. Some of the worlds most advanced minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment procedures are in place.

Many of the malpractice suites against doctors and nurses have to do with medication errors. Prescribing is the first point in the drug administration process at which drug error can arise. Hospitals invest millions of dollars in training nurses and doctors to help prevent sentinel events from occurring.

In looking at how medication errors arise, it is first necessary to look at the steps that are followed to prescribe a medication. If these steps are not followed, then an error in prescribing can occur which can translate to a combination of medication errors and possible drug interactions. It is always good to follow an algorithm that works.

First doctors should determine the appropriate drug therapy for their patients based on the current state of knowledge through literature review, continuing education programs, consultation with pharmacists and other physicians and other means.

Secondly, prescribers should evaluate the patient’s total status and review all existing drug therapy before prescribing new or additional drugs to ascertain possible antagonistic or complementary drug interactions.

Appropriate monitoring of clinical signs and relevant laboratory data is necessary. Prescribers should be familiar with the drug ordering system, including Formulary processes, allowable delegation of authority, procedures to alert Nursing and others to new drug orders that need to be processed, standard drug administration times and approved abbreviations.

Physicians should always print drug orders if their handwriting is eligible. Patient specific information should always be accessible.

The patient information available to safely order, prepare, dispense, administer, and monitor drugs, as appropriate includes: age, sex, current drugs, inactive drugs, patient diagnoses, co morbidities and concurrently occurring conditions: relevant laboratory values; allergies and past sensitivities; patient weight and height, when applicable; pregnancy and lactation status, when applicable.

Most of the time hospitals require that those prescribing medications write clearly using a ballpoint pen. This is because felt tips do not penetrate carbon copies. Look alike drugs should be legibly printed such as Inderal vs. Isordil, Humulin vs. Humalog etc. Avoiding the use of abbreviations also helps to reduce the risk of medication errors.

An order should be documented on the doctors order sheet in the correct area. Always verify that the name of the patient is on the doctor’s order sheet and it is the correct patient. Always double check the room number and their name and medical record number.

Frequently patients are transferred during a shift or moved to another room. Sometimes the doctors are not always aware of the transfer and can pull the chart not realizing that there is a different patient within the same room.

The following items should be included in a complete drug order: name of the medication, dosage in correct units, correct route and frequency. Physicians should follow up within a twenty four hour period to ascertain if there are any significant side effects and monitor the client’s vital signs.

Ordering blood work is also necessary for some medications that can deplete electrolytes such as Lasix or cause an increase such as potassium sparing diuretics. Blood work is also necessary for certain medications that can build up in the body causing destruction to the liver or kidneys such as Phenobarbital, Digoxin, and Lithium. Obtaining initial blood work prior to administering any medications is necessary so that the client’s baseline can be determined.

If these guidelines are followed, the physician can feel confident that the medication regime will benefit the client and prevent untoward events from occurring that could harm the client.

Nurses should work closely with physicians to report any changes in the client’s vital signs or level of consciousness. Excessive lethargy, diarrhea, an increase or decrease in the client’s blood pressure are signs that should not be ignored and be reported to the physician immediately.

It is recommended that a physician order to have their client’s vital signs taken every shift when beginning a new medication. Working as a team benefits the health of the client and carefully listening to clients when they say that they are not feeling, “just right”, or “something feels wrong” are signs that the medication may be causing adverse side effects.

The client’s health will benefit by all medical personnel following the specified protocol. In addition to this, sentinel events will be eliminated or greatly reduced and the client’s experience will be a positive one.

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If you have never felt confused while talking to a doctor, you are probably in the small minority of the population with medical training yourself!

Doctors and surgeons at cosmetic hospitals, performing facial cosmetic surgery, cosmetic laser surgery and other corrective procedures have usually had over a decade of training.

In this time they can sometimes forget that not all of the terms they know are common knowledge to everybody. If you are considering having cosmetic surgery, abroad or at home, here is a list of terms you’ll find useful.

RHYTIDECTOMY:

This is the medical terms for a facelift, and literally translates from Latin to a surgical removal of wrinkles.

If you have seen the term ‘rhytidectomy’ in your facial cosmetic surgery paperwork, don’t fear that you will be having some strange and unwelcome procedure that the cosmetic surgeon hasn’t explained.

In connection with this, you may hear the term ‘nasolabial folds’, which are the deep creases of skin between the nose and lips. T

hese are often not well corrected by facelift surgery, so if you are looking to correct these deep creases with a rhytidectomy, talk to the doctor at you cosmetic hospital.

TUMESCENT LIPOSUCTION

Liposuction is the most popular procedure to have done at cosmetic hospitals worldwide.

Cosmetic hospitals in Thailand can do the procedure more cost effectively, and just as professionally as those at home, and depending on your health circumstances may perform it as a tumescent, or super-wet liposuction.

In this procedure a saline solution infused with adrenaline and anaesthetic is put into the body prior to the removal of excess fat.

ULTRASOUND ASSISTED LIPOPLASTY

Lipoplasty is simply another form of the word liposuction - where liposuction is the actual act performed, lipoplasty is the procedure’s name.

In this form of the common fat removal process, your cosmetic hospital will use ultrasonic energy to liquefy excess fat, prior to removing it. Cosmetic surgeons in Thailand favour this procedure, due to its greater efficacy.

PMMA

If you are having facial cosmetic surgery, you may see this term on your paperwork or hear the surgeons use it.

They are not speaking in code to deliberately confuse you - it is simply faster and easier to use this term for a substance widely used as a wrinkle filler. It is an implant material, formed into very small microspheres and then suspended in a collagen gel.

MRI

Here is another widely used abbreviation, which you will hear frequently inside cosmetic hospitals, but is more widely associated with neurosurgery.

It means magnetic resonance imaging, and is simply a way for the surgeons to look at the structures of tissue inside your body, just as with a x-ray. It is used to view different structures, and certainly does not mean there is anything wrong with you!

If there are any other terms you hear someone at your cosmetic hospital use while you are preparing for facial cosmetic surgery, cosmetic laser surgery or any other procedure, don’t shy away from asking your doctor.

That is what they are there for, and most are very happy that you are taking an interest in your own health.

Bangkok Hospital - 36 years of advanced medical technology and expertise, complemented with Thai hospitality and compassionate care. Includes the world-renowned Bangkok Heart Hospital and specializing in oncology, neurology and orthopedics. Some of the worlds most advanced minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment procedures are in place.