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Gestational diabetes linked with autism risk - NephrologyNews.com |
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Among a group of more than 320,000 children, intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed by 26 weeks' gestation was associated with risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), according to a study in the April 14 issue of JAMA. Maternal pre-existing type 2 diabetes was not significantly associated with risk of ASD in offspring.
Exposure of fetuses to maternal hyperglycemia may have long-lasting effects on organ development and function. Previous studies have revealed long-term risks of obesity and related metabolic disorders in offspring of women who had diabetes prior to pregnancy as well as women with hyperglycemia first detected during pregnancy. Whether such exposure can disrupt fetal brain development and heighten risk of neurobehavioral developmental disorders in offspring is less clear, according to background information in the article.
Anny H. Xiang, PhD, of Kaiser Permanente Southern California in Pasadena, Calif., and colleagues analyzed data from a single health care system to assess the association between maternal diabetes, both known prior to pregnancy and diagnosed during pregnancy, and the risk of ASD in children. The study included 322,323 children born from 1995-2009 at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) hospitals. Children were tracked from birth until the first of the following: date of clinical diagnosis of ASD, last date of continuous KPSC health plan membership, death due to any cause, or Dec. 31, 2012.
Of the children included in the study, 6,496 (25) were exposed to pre-existing type 2 diabetes, 25,035 (7.8%) were exposed to GDM, and 290,792 (90.2%) were unexposed. Following birth (median of 5.5 years), 3,388 children were diagnosed as having ASD (115 exposed to pre-existing type 2 diabetes, 130 exposed to GDM at 26 weeks or less, 180 exposed to GDM at more than 26 weeks, and 2,963 unexposed). After adjustment for various factors, including maternal age, household income, race/ethnicity, and sex of the child, GDM diagnosed by 26 weeks was significantly associated with risk of ASD in offspring, but maternal pre-existing type 2 diabetes was not.
The increased ASD risk was independent of maternal smoking, prepregnancy body mass index, and gestational weight gain. Antidiabetic medication use was not independently associated with ASD risk in offspring.
The authors write that potential biological mechanisms linking intrauterine hyperglycemia and ASD risk in offspring may include multiple pathways, such as hypoxia (a lower-than-normal concentration of oxygen in the blood) in the fetus, oxidative stress in cord blood and placental tissue, chronic inflammation, and epigenetics (something that affects a cell, organ or individual without directly affecting its DNA).
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Patrick Tjungurrayi: Bringing the gift of better health - The Australian |
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Weather: Sydney 15°C - 17°C. Rain, possibly heavy. Very windy.
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Findings on Chronic Kidney Disease Reported by Investigators at Donau ... - Insurance News Net |
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Findings on Chronic Kidney Disease Reported by Investigators at Donau University Krems (A simulation model to estimate cost-offsets for a disease-management program for chronic kidney disease)
By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Gastroenterology Week -- A new study on Kidney Diseases and Conditions is now available. According to news originating from Krems, Austria, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "The aim of this paper is to develop a simulation model that analyzes cost-offsets of a hypothetical disease management program (DMP) for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Germany compared to no such program. A lifetime Markov model with simulated 65-year-old patients with CKD was developed using published data on costs and health status and simulating the progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular disease and death."
Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Donau University Krems, "A statutory health insurance perspective was adopted. This modeling study shows considerable potential for cost-offsets from a DMP for patients with CKD. The potential for cost-offsets increases with relative risk reduction by the DMP and baseline glomerular filtration rate. Results are most sensitive to the cost of dialysis treatment. This paper presents a general 'prototype' simulation model for the prevention of ESRD."
According to the news editors, the research concluded: "The model allows for further modification and adaptation in future applications."
For more information on this research see: A simulation model to estimate cost-offsets for a disease-management program for chronic kidney disease. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 2015;15(2):341-347. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research can be contacted at: Expert Reviews, Unitec House, 3RD Fl, 2 Albert Place, Finchley Central, London N3 1QB, England (see also Kidney Diseases and Conditions).
The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from A. Gandjour, Donau Univ Krems, Krems, Austria. Additional authors for this research include U. Tschulena, S. Steppan and E. Gatti.
Keywords for this news article include: Krems, Europe, Austria, Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney Diseases and Conditions
Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world. Copyright 2015, NewsRx LLC
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NxStage Medical Opens New Dialysis Center in Pittsburgh - Analyst Blog - Yahoo News |
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NxStage Kidney Care Inc. – a subsidiary of MA-based manufacturer of innovative dialysis products NxStage Medical Inc. NXTM – recently announced the opening of a new dialysis center in Monroeville, PA. The center will offer flexible therapies and high-quality personalized care to dialysis patients and their families.
Like all other NxStage Kidney Care facilities, the Monroeville center also offers modern amenities and a quiet and relaxed environment to improve patient care. However, the focus at this facility is on home dialysis training and education about treatment options. By focusing on each patient’s individual needs, the center aims to develop a safe, effective and flexible therapy plan for every patient.
Located in Allegheny County, the company’s latest facility will offer multiple customized therapy options using NxStage System One including home hemodialysis, home nocturnal hemodialysis, flexible in-center hemodialysis and short-term respite care. In addition, the center will offer peritoneal dialysis therapy.
NxStage System One is a home hemodialysis system designed to overcome the challenges of home hemodialysis posed by traditional equipment. It is the only portable hemodialysis system cleared for home use. In Dec 2014, the system was also cleared by the FDA to perform hemodialysis overnight while the patient is at home. This makes it the first and only hemodialysis machine cleared for this indication.
We believe that the FDA-clearance of the system has opened up home hemodialysis therapy to new segments of patients, which will help improve care for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients by expanding therapeutic options and flexibility. In our opinion, NxStage will continue to benefit from strong adoption of its hemodialysis systems in the Home segment.
By leveraging NxStage's home leadership and the innovative technology of its System One, NxStage Kidney Care is working on a dialysis care model that is intended to support and encourage patient-centered care and provide enhanced access to the benefits of home therapy as well as flexible in-center options.
In Feb 2015, NxStage Kidney Care opened two new dialysis centers in the suburbs of Boston, MS. Earlier this month, the subsidiary also opened a new dialysis facility in Greenbelt, MD. We note that the subsidiary has around 14 dialysis centers and kidney care facilities across the U.S.
In its recently concluded fourth-quarter 2014, NxStage Medical beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate on both fronts. We were particularly impressed with the stellar performance of the company’s System One segment which drove significant top-line growth.
The company expects total revenue for full-year 2015 in the band of $324–$328 million while NxStage Kidney Care is expected to achieve annual net revenues of $3 million. However, significant investment in NxStage Kidney Care is expected to impact the bottom line, going forward.
Stocks to Consider
Currently, NxStage carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked stocks in the medical products industry include Cardiovascular Systems CSII, LeMaitre Vascular LMAT and SurModics SRDX. All three stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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