“Jelly”-based eye drops that may stop vision loss

Gelatin-based drops found in umbilical cords could be a new treatment for eye pain. Gelatin contains cells that are believed to repair potentially serious damage resulting from infection or injury to the surface of the eye.

A clinical trial is underway in six hospitals across France to examine whether the drops can treat chronic keratitis or inflammation of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped tissue on the front of the eye that covers the iris.

The condition can be caused by an eye infection or simply by wearing contact lenses for a long time (allowing the bacteria to reproduce, causing the infection).

Although a relatively small number is affected, around 1,500 patients a year in the UK, the disease is serious, as it can lead to breakage of the surface of the cornea, causing ulceration and increasing the risk of permanent vision loss within days .

Treatment usually involves antibiotic drops to kill any bacteria, giving the cornea a chance to heal itself, as well as pain relievers to ease the discomfort.

As the infection develops and the inflammation worsens, it can temporarily damage vision, though it usually returns to normal within a few weeks if the cornea responds to treatment.

In severe cases, where scarring has permanently impaired vision, a corneal transplant may be needed to restore vision.

Some specialized centers use eye drops prepared with patients’ blood to combat chronic keratitis.

It involves taking a small blood sample, then spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the liquid component rich in healing proteins.

The patient then applies eye drops prepared with this liquid daily to speed up the repair of the cornea.

The researchers behind the latest study hope gelatin drops will be a simpler, mass-produced option, sparing patients the need to have a blood sample drawn.

Whartons Jelly (named after Thomas Wharton, the 17th-century anatomist who discovered it) is found abundantly in umbilical cords, but is normally discarded after birth.

In recent years, scientists have discovered that it is a rich source of stem cells with the potential to mature into any type of organ or tissue in the body.

This discovery has attracted the interest of researchers in several areas, including osteoarthritis, where wear and tear on major joints destroys cartilage, the body’s shock absorber.

Some studies suggest that injecting Whartons Jelly into affected joints stimulates the growth of new cartilage.

The scientists behind the new study predict that the stem cells found in the gelatin will stimulate the healing process in keratitis patients who have not responded to existing treatments.

Patients are given drops, made from freeze-dried and sterilized Whartons gelatin, five times a day for 40 days.

The amount of new healthy tissue on the damaged corneas is then measured to see how well it works.

The results are expected by the end of the year.

Melanie Hingorani, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, said: We use eye drops drawn from patients’ blood to treat chronic ulcers, and this is along the same lines.

The study is of just 15 patients who had a corneal ulcer for just a month, so many of these cases could heal on their own no matter what they put in their eyes.

Injecting Whartons Jelly into patients with type 1 diabetes could help them maintain some insulin production, the hormone needed to stop a buildup of blood sugar that can increase the risk of poor circulation and heart disease.

Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden found that diabetic patients treated with the gelatin saw only a 10 percent drop in levels of C-peptide, a protein found when circulating insulin, over the next year.

However, patients given a placebo vaccine experienced a 47 percent drop in C-peptide levels, reported the journal Diabetologia.

A stranger’s mucus to clear a stuffy nose

Squirting a healthy stranger’s nasal mucus up your nose could be an unlikely new treatment for blocked sinuses.

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden, who performed the procedure on 22 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal cavity) every day for five days, found significant improvements in nasal congestion, fatigue and smell. reports the journal International Forum of Allergy. and rhinology.

The technique is believed to work by increasing the number and variety of bacteria in patients’ nasal microbiomes and the insect community in the nose. Previous studies have found that an unhealthy mix can increase the risk of chronically blocked sinuses.

A cream that contains ceramides and waxy fats found naturally in the skin might help chronic itching, known as pruritus.

That’s the basis of a new study at Zhongshan Hospital in China involving 50 people with chronic itching who will use the cream daily for a month.

Doctors believe itching is caused by dryness, so ceramides trap water in the skin and stop the itching.

How Daily Tai Chi Cuts Painful Migraine Attacks In Half

Tai Chi prevents painful migraines, according to a new study by researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

It involved 82 women who regularly suffered from migraines and practiced the martial art five days a week for three months.

That cut the average number of attacks in half, which fell from six to three per month, Frontiers in Public Health magazine reported.

The women who did not take part in the slow and deliberate exercises did not notice any change in migraine frequency.

Gentle exertion can stimulate the release of the body’s natural painkillers, experts said.

The secrets of a Serie A body

This week: Lily Allen’s belly button

Singer-turned-actress Lily Allen, 38, was photographed recently outside a theater wearing a fitted white dress with cutouts, which showed off her well-defined bust.

The mother of two is a fan of Pilates and bodyweight workouts. She said her figure is the product of sobriety and daily exercise.

WHAT TO TRY: To create a strong midriff, try a Pilates-style reclining twist. Sit on the floor and lean on your forearms and elbows. Bend your tailbone and lift your legs so your knees point toward the sky and your toes point toward the wall, creating a 90-degree angle.

As you inhale, angle your knees as far to the right toward the ground as possible, keeping your upper body still.

Exhale and bring your knees back to center. Repeat on the other side. Perform five reps on each side for three sets, four times a week.

Did you know?

Sun exposure changes the skin microbiome, the mix of insects that live on our skin and help keep it healthy. When researchers at the University of Manchester studied people’s skin before and after a week’s break in a sunny spot, they found that exposure to UV light reduced the diversity of bacteria.