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3D printing to help treat Type 1 diabetes

Published

9 years ago

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London: Researchers have explored how 3D printing can be used to help treat Type 1 diabetes.

The 3D printing technique, known as bioplotting, has taken researchers a step closer to being able to help patients who experience severe hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar) situation.

The paper describes how clusters of specialised cells responsible for the production of insulin and glucagon in the pancreas have successfully been 3D printed into a scaffold.

It is hoped that the scaffolds can be transplanted into patients with Type 1 diabetes to help regulate blood sugar levels and avoid dangerous low blood sugar events.

Islet cells, also called Islets of Langerhans, are clusters of pancreatic cells that sense blood sugar levels and release insulin to maintain normal levels.

“Our results showed that once the islet cells were retrieved from the 3D scaffolds in the lab, they were able to produce insulin and respond to glucose in the same way as non-printed islet cells,” said van Apeldoorn from the University of Twente in the Netherlands and co-author of the study.

In their study, the group of researchers sought to increase the success of islet transplantation by creating bio-engineered scaffolds to help deliver the transplanted islet cells into patients, ensuring the cells are protected and fully functioning when placed at the donor site.

The scaffolds also ensured that the islet cells would not migrate uncontrollably through the body once transplanted into the donor site.

The results appeared in the journal Biofabrication.

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Corona

Covid toll in Karnataka is a worrying sign for state government

Published

3 years ago

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May 4, 2022

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Even though Karnataka recorded the lowest number of Covid deaths in April since the virus struck first in 2020, the state is recording a rise in the positivity rate (1.50 per cent). Five people died from the Covid infections in April as per the statistics released by the state health department. In March, the positivity rate stood around 0.53 per cent. In the first week of April it came down to 0.38 per cent, second week registered 0.56 per cent, third week it rose to 0.79 per cent and by end of April the Covid positivity rate touched 1.19 per cent.

on an average 500 persons used to succumb everyday in the peak of Covid infection, as per the data. Health experts said that the mutated Coronavirus is losing its fierce characteristics as vaccination, better treatment facilities and awareness among the people have contributed to the lesser number of Covid deaths.

During the 4th and 6th of April two deaths were reported in Bengaluru, one in Gadag district on April 8, two deaths were reported from Belagavi and Vijayapura on April 30. The first Covid case was reported in the state in March 2020 and three Covid deaths were recorded in the month. In the following month 21 people became victims to the deadly virus, and May 2020 recorded 22 deaths. The death toll recorded everyday after May crossed three digits. However, the third wave, which started in January 2

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