The operation could offer a solution to millions of partially sighted people who must wait, or simply cannot get live-tissue replacement cornea from a human donor.

The new biosynthetic corneal are made from collagen and are modeled to be the same size and shape as human cornea. To perform the operation, surgeons remove the damaged or scarred tissue from the front of the eye and then stitch the implants in place with nylon sutures.

Artificial Collagen Cornea

The biosynthetic properties of the implant allow the patients’ nerve cells to grow into its matrix.

May Griffiths, of Linköping University, in Sweden, who lead the team that developed the collagen implant said, “It looks like a contact lens,”

In the new trails, Griffiths team implanted the biosynthetic corneal in 10 patients with corneal damage. The recipients were then put on immunosuppressant drugs for six weeks in order to prevent rejection. After two years, the cornea in all the recipients had become attached by the patient’s own cells, nerves had also grown across the cornea.

The first clinical trials of the operation have shown it to be just as successful as the live tissue alternative; researchers also think the artificial version may actually be better because they avoid the chance of rejection.

“We were very excited by the results…

“This study is the first to show an artificially fabricated cornea can integrate with the human eye and stimulate regeneration…

“With further research, this approach could help restore sight to millions of people who are waiting for a
donated human cornea for transplantation…

“There is a shortage of donors and this could solve that problem. It can also be done at a fraction of the cost.”

The cornea is like the human lens that protects the surface of the eye. It plays a large part in our vision and when it gets damaged it causes out vision to become cloudy, much like the effect produced by a badly worn camera lens.

Patients suffering from clouding of the cornea, of which there is an estimated 10 million worldwide, currently have two options to correct their sight; join a long waiting list for an implant form a human donor; or implant and unsightly pin-hole-esque prosthesis. The operation brings new hope to those people.

Unfortunately, only six of the patients’ had their sight totally restored, the others still suffer from a ‘visual haze.’ Griffith thinks is may be due to scarring from the sutures.

Nevertheless the results are certainly a medical breakthrough. Christopher Ta, professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University in California, praised Griffiths work:

“I think Griffith’s work has the potential to revolutionize the field of cornea transplantation,”

“It is possible [we will] see widespread use of this type of engineered cornea in the next five years.”

Dr Per Fagerholm, also part of the team at Linköping University, said:

“We are very encouraged by these results and by the great potential of biosynthetic corneas…

“Further biomaterial enhancements and modifications to the surgical technique are ongoing, and new studies are being planned that will extend the use of the biosynthetic cornea to a wider range of sight-threatening conditions requiring transplantation.”

Similar research was carried out by Dr. Joachim Storsberg of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam-Golm, who in 2007 developed a different artificial cornea using a hybrid polymer already used in ophthalmology or intraocular lenses.

Dr Joachim Storsberg

Dr. Storsberg is being awarded the 2010 Joseph von Fraunhofer Prize.

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What are Lumineers?

Lumineers is simply a brand of porcelain veneers. They are much thinner than traditional porcelain veneers – a characteristic that lends its self to certain advantages and disadvantages.

Both traditional veneers and Lumineers can correct uneven, broken and discolored teeth, and both procedures can produce lasting effects.

Anyone previously interested in the procedure will know that Lumineers are often touted as a quick, painless alternative to porcelain veneers and while this may be true, these benefits come with tradeoffs.

Lumineers

Advantages

• Quicker than traditional porcelain veneers
• Reversible procedure
• Fitted without any anesthetic injections
• Fitted without drilling the tooth
• Less pain

Disadvantages

• Less natural looking results
• More susceptible to damage
• Can lead to problems with speech and biting habits
• Can be annoying

Difference Between Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers, including Lumineers, are thin sheets of porcelain. Traditional veneers are made using a plaster-cast of the patient’s mouth – a process that can involve days of waiting whilst the veneers are being sculpted.

Porcelain veneers are quite thick, they typically measure around .4mm – .8mm. Because of this, dentist must trim down the tooth using a dental drill, so when the veneers are placed the tooth is still its original size.

Having oversized teeth can lead to problems with speech or biting habits, so it’s imperative the dentist trim and sculpt the tooth before attaching traditional veneers. This procedure requires the use of a dental drill, and of course, anesthetic administered by injection.

The time it takes to sculpt, drill and fit the veneer is much longer than the Lumineers procedure, however traditional veneers often produce much more natural results.

This is because enamel is actually translucent; it’s the color of dentine underneath that makes teeth white. Porcelain veneers, at .4 – .8mm thick, recreate this translucent effect more naturally than Lumineers, resulting in more natural looking teeth.

Lumineers

Lumineers are thinner than traditional veneers measuring around .2mm -.3mm thick. This makes them much more susceptible to damage, but it also shortens the procedure time.

Because Lumineers are so thin, many dentists do not trim down the tooth prior the procedure, instead the Lumineers are placed directly onto the original surface of the tooth.

This cuts down the time it take to fit the veneers, it also means there is no anesthetic injection or drilling of the tooth.

These benefits do come with some compromise. Lumineers tend to look less natural than traditional veneers and because it is fitted without any pre-sculpting of the tooth, Lumineers increases the size of the tooth which can lead to the problems mentioned before.

Being so much thinner, Lumineers are also more susceptible to damage, and when Lumineers break, there is often no easy way to correct them. The best way to prevent problems with Lumineers is to choose a highly qualified and experienced cosmetic dental practitioner.

Both traditional veneers and Lumineers do not strengthen the tooth; they are purely for cosmetic reasons.

Are Lumineers Right For Me?

Lumineers may be a good alternative to traditional porcelain veneers if you require:

• A no-drilling process
• No injections/needles
• A reversible procedure
• Less waiting

Please note that these benefits come with a certain amount of compromise – less natural looking teeth and a higher damage risk.

If you would like more natural looking veneers; you don’t mind needles and dental drills; and you have the time to wait while your veneers are being sculpted, then traditional porcelain veneers may be more suitable for you.

If you would like to find out more about Cosmetic Dentistry, pleas click here>>>

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19th Century Prosthetic Arm

Constructed from brass and steel, and (assumingly) weighing a hefty load, this Victorian prosthetic arm attached to the shoulder using leather strap, the elbow joint could move or be held in place with a spring, the fingers also clenched up and straightened out.

While this antique prosthetic arm no-doubt possessed somewhat less dexterity than today’s bionic limbs, it’s certainly an amazing piece of medical art that would have at least given the patient a more natural appearance.

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Exposure to the sun, smoking, and pollution all contribute to the loss of collagen and elastin – the fibers that keep the skin smooth, supple and firm – and this can lead to an increased number of wrinkles.

Although you can not negate these effects without surgery, research has shown that maintaining a healthy anti-wrinkle diet can help.

The Anti-Wrinkle Diet – Good Foods

Vitamin C Enriched Foods

Vitamin C-Rich Foods

Scientists attribute this to the antioxidants found in such foods. Antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals – the unstable oxygen molecules that damage collagen.

You can increase your intake of vitamin C by adding more fruit and vegetable to your meals. Try adding berries to your morning breakfast yogurt or cereal or drinking a glass of orange juice or grapefruit juice with your meals. Adding red peppers or broccoli to your dinner is another great idea.

Omega-3 Enriched Foods

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Researchers have found that those who eat a diet high in these foods reduce their risks of developing old looking skin by 25%.

Antioxidant-Rich Chocolate

Coco is packed full of antioxidants called epicatechin and catechin. Researchers found that these specific nutrients help protect the skin from sun damage and boost blood circulation to skin cells.

Dark Chocolate

• Olive oil
• Low-fat milk
• Water and tea
• Fruit and vegetables
• Eggs
• Nuts

The Anti-Wrinkle Diet – Bad Foods

On the other hand, there are foods that can lead to increased risk of developing wrinkles, so it goes without saying that it’s good practice to cut down on these foods or eradicate them from your diet altogether.

Cut Down On White Bread

White Bread and Sugar

According to the same British study mentioned earlier, each 50-gram increase in your daily carbohydrate consumption increases your risk of wrinkles by 28 percent. Scientists think this is because “advanced glycation end products” made from sugars and proteins attack the collagen and elastin in our skin. To reduce your risks of this happening, cut down on white bread and sugar.

Other foods you should be avoiding include:

Soft Drinks

• Butter
• Red meat
• Cakes and pastries
• Soft drinks
• Full-fat milk
• Margarine
• Potatoes

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Ella Gets FDA Approval

The new contraceptive pill, known as ella, is effective for almost double the length of time after sex compared to Plan B, the only other morning-after pill available in the U.S..

Already available in Europe under the brand name EllaOne, the new contraceptive has been applauded by the Planned Parenthood, who said:

“Per FDA protocol, clinical trials were conducted, and ella was proven to be equally effective throughout the five days after unprotected intercourse, thus expanding women’s reproductive health care options.”

Ella is a non-hormonal drug the blocks progesterone activity in a woman’s body – the key hormone necessary for conception.

Plan B contains small levels of levonorgestrel – a progestin hormone used in birth control pills – a drug that is only effective for 72 hours after sex. Ella, however, contains ulipristal acetate, and its progesterone blocking abilities prevent conception for up to 120 hours.

The side effects from taking upliristal acetate are similar to that of Plan B. These side effects include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Abdominal Pain
• Dysmenorrhea – Pain/discomfort during menstruation
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Ella is manufactured by Paris-based Laboratoire HRA Pharmawill be marketed in the United States by Watson Pharmaceuticals, as an “emergency contraceptive.” It will be available by prescription only before the end of the year.

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Benefits of VASER Liposuction

Benefits of VASER Liposuction

Traditional Liposuction

Traditional liposuction techniques use a process called avulsion. To accomplish fatty removal using this method, surgeons insert a long, thin stainless steel tube, known as a cannula, which is directly inserted into the deposits of fat. A high-powered suction pipe connected to the end of the cannula is then used to remove the excess fat.

Although this technique is minimally invasive – meaning it can be performed through several small incisions in the skin – the cannula still tears and damages surrounding nerves, vessels, collagen structures and other tissues as it tunnels its way through the fat deposits. This leads to increased pain and bruising, and a long recovery time.

Traditional liposuction can still give great results, but it often requires general anesthetic, hospital stay and a sore recovery period.

VASER Liposuction

VASER liposuction uses ultrasound technology to break up fatty tissue and gently reshape the body. To perform the procedure the surgeon directs sound-waves from the ultrasound device at chosen area of the body.

The high energy waves cause the VASER probe to vibrate and liquefy the fat. A specially designed suction device then removes the broken down fat.

VASER liposuction helps to break down fat more accurately with less trauma to the surrounding tissues, resulting in minimal pain, swelling, bruising, and a much quicker recovery period. And because the technique preserves the fibrous strands and structures around the fat cells, the skin is able to retract much better.

VASER Liposuction can be performed on many areas on the body including:

• Neck & Chin
• Arms
• Hips
• Chest
• Breasts
• Knees
• Ankles
• Waist
• Stomach
• Chin
• Back
• Buttocks
• Neck
• Thighs

Advantages of VASER Liposuction

• No hospital stay
• Local anesthesia
• Minimal pain
• Minimal scarring
• Minimal risk of bleeding & bruising
• Safe and Effective procedure
• Predicable results

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The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) System, registered trademark of Smith & Nephew, is the first FDA-approved hip resurfacing system in the U.S., and since its introduction in 1997 the procedure has helped to cure an estimated 60,000 patients worldwide.

“Hip resurfacing allows younger, energetic people to return to any activities they enjoyed prior to their hip problems.”

What is Birmingham Hip Resurfacing?

The Birmingham Hip

Unlike the THP – which requires the upper portion of the femur bone be cut off in order to accept the stem of the THP device – the BHR resurfaces the femoral ball with a metal cup. The pelvic socket or acetabulum is also resurfaced to create a metal-on-metal joint.

Smoothing the worn areas of the ball-and-socket joint with the high-carbide cobalt chrome eliminates pain and lets the hip move naturally.

Advantages

The main advantage of hip resurfacing is that the procedure conserves the complete femur bone, preserving the patient’s future option to undergo a THP if needed.

• Less bone removal
• Decreased risk of hip dislocation
• More natural movement
• Greater range of motion

Disadvantages

The potential disadvantages of hip resurfacing include:

• Femoral neck fractures (rate of 0-4%)
• Aseptic loosening
• Metal wear
• Metal ions in the blood and urine

Best Candidates for Hip Resurfacing

Simply put, hip resurfacing is intended for younger patients who are not overweight. Ideal candidates including those who:

• Suffer from osteoarthritis
• Have strong healthy bones
• Are Under 60
• Do not have an infection
• Are not allergic to the metals used

The surgery is typically more suited to male patients, however females who best match the ideal requirements may be considered.

While hip resurfacing is a great alternative to THP surgery, it’s simply not suitable for everyone. Those who may not be suitable for hip resurfacing include patients who suffer from:

• Severe bone loss in their femoral head
• Large femoral neck cysts
• Femoral head cysts larger than 1cm
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteonecrosis (poor blood supply to the femoral head)
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Impaired kidney function

People who are tall, thin or small boned will also be advised not to undergo the procedure.

To ensure the long-term success of your treatment it’s essential to chose an experienced surgeon and take their advice.

Recovery

In most cases patients return home after 1-4 days. You may begin putting weight on the leg immediately however your doctor may advise using a cane or crutches for the first few days or weeks.

A physiotherapist will give you exercises to help increase your range of motion, and you’ll be required to visit the orthopedic surgeon for regular check-ups.

Most patients resume regular activities after around 6 weeks.

X-Ray of Brimingham Hip Resurfacing Surgey

Results

A typical hip resurfacing will last a long time. Studies have shown a 98.4% revision-free survival of the surgery at the five year mark, and a 95% revision-free survival at 10 years – comparable to that of a traditional total hip replacement in the under-60 age group.

Since hip resurfacing was introduced in 1997, many athletes have opted for the procedure and gone on to compete at an international level. They include Ron Noreman 2010 winner of NPC Empire States Bodybuilding Championships and 2006 Tour de France winner Ian MacLaren.

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Svenden, from Massachusetts, was ill for months and thought he may have cancer. However, after meeting with pulmonologist Len Horovitz, X-rays revealed that a small pea plant had begun to grown inside his lung.

Dr. Horovitz thinks that the lung’s warmth and moisture made the perfect habitat for the pea to grow, and suspects the seed simply went down the ‘wrong way.’ Talking to AOL Health he said:

“That can definitely happen. This did not surprise me…. You can inhale a seed of a plant or sprouting plant and it can cause bronchial obstruction. I’ve pulled food out of people’s lungs before.”

Despite the speculation surrounding the story, there have been (unconfirmed) reports of similar growths. Click here to see the Most Horrific Human Growths>>>

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The war veterans of Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, reached the 19,330ft (5,891m) summit of Africa’s highest peak in just six days. Constantly having to stop to adjust their titanium prosthetic legs, the men made extremely good time as the climb typically takes 5-6 days.

Three Veteran Amputees Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

The hikers were Kirk Bauer, 62, who lost a leg in Vietnam in 1969; Dan Nevins, 37, who lost his legs in Iraq; and Neil Duncan, 26, who lost both legs in a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan in 2005,

The journey however, was not easy. The loose scree surface made it hard for the hikers to navigate paths, and as a result of the constant slipping and tumbling, Mr. Nevins unfortunately developed a bad sore on one of his stumps and was airlifted from the peak on a wheeled stretcher.

Nevertheless, the huge achievement will no doubt inspire others with similar disabilities. Mr. Bauer, executive director of Disabled Sports USA, said:

“If three amputees from three different wars and two different generations with literally one good leg can climb Kilimanjaro, our other disabled friends can get out and go hiking or go biking or swim a mile, can get out and lead a healthy life,”

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While some super foods are great for bodily functions such as digestion and burning fat, others are perfect brain food.

By ensuring your growing child has a healthy diet packed full of super ‘brain’ foods, you can help them improve mental skills while staying alert and focused at school.

Top 10 Brain Foods For Children

Salmon

Salmon

Salmon is great source of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA – both of which are essential for brain growth and function.

Research has shown that people who eat a lot of these fatty acids have sharper minds and perform better at mental skill tests.

Although tuna also contains omega-3 acids, it’s not a rich source like salmon. Andrea Giancoli, MPH, RD, a Los Angeles nutritionist and ADA spokeswoman explained:

“Tuna is definitely a good source of lean protein, but because it’s so lean it’s not very high in omega-3s like canned salmon is,”

Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter

If your child is a fussy eater, you should have no trouble trying to feed them this sweet, energizing brain food. Giancoli explains:

“Peanuts and peanut butter are a good source of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects nervous membranes — plus thiamin to help the brain and nervous system use glucose for energy,”

While Grains

Whole Grains

The brain requires glucose to function, and whole grains are an excellent food to supply that need. That’s mainly because fiber helps regulate the release of glucose into the body. But the benefits don’t stop there,

“Whole grains also have B-vitamins, which nourish a healthy nervous system.” Giancoli added.

Oats

Oats Oatmeal

Oats are another great source of fiber. Sarah Krieger, MPH, RD, LD/N, a St. Petersburg, Fla. consultant and ADA spokeswoman says:

“Oats provide excellent energy or fuel for the brain that kids need first thing in the morning.”
They are also full of vitamin E, B-vitamins, potassium and zinc, all of which help our bodies to function optimally.

Berries

Berries

Berries are packed full of antioxidants, and vitamin C, which have been shown to reduce the risks of developing cancer.

Krieger says. “In general, the more intense the color, the more nutrition in the berries,”

Studies have shown that consuming extract of blueberries and strawberries can improve memory, but Krieger advises eating “the real thing to get a more nutritious package.”

“The seeds from berries are also a good source of omega-3 fats,” Krieger added.

Yogurt And Milk

Milk and Yoghurt

Milk and yoghurt are a perfect addition to your morning whole grains or oats, and that’s fantastic considering both are packed full of protein and B-vitamins – essential for growth of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes.

“Milk and yogurt also provide a bigger punch with both protein and carbohydrates – the preferred source of energy for the brain,” Bethany Thayer, MS, RD, a Detroit nutritionist and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) explained.

Beans

Beans

Beans have it all, energy from proteins and complex carbs; plenty of fiber, lots of vitamins and minerals.

Krieger says. “These are an excellent brain food since they keep a child’s energy and thinking level at peak all afternoon if they enjoy them with lunch.”

Colorful Vegetables

Colorful Vegetables

Vegetables are another super food full of antioxidants. Like berries, the richer darker colored vegetables will typically provide more power for the brain than others – think tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, and beetroot.

Lean Beef

Lean Beef

Lean beef is a great provider of the memory boosting mineral zinc, it is also the best absorbed source of iron – an essential mineral that helps kids stay energized and focused during the day. Research has shown that just one ounce of per day is enough to help the body absorb iron from other foods.

Vegetarians can get their source of iron from food such as black bean and soy burgers, or spinach. These foods contain nonheme iron, which needs vitamin C to be absorbed, so try to accompany these foods with tomatoes, red bell pepper, orange juice or strawberries.

Eggs

Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein for anyone, but they can also boost your child’s brain function. That’s because the yolk of an egg contains choline – an essential nutrient for memory development.

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