Researchers and robots
RESEARCHERS AT University College London are recruiting for a study on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Thesearethetwomajor forms of inflammatory bowel disease, thought to result from an impaired immune response to the microflora (tiny bacteria) in the intestines of genetically susceptible individuals.
Dr Elena Schiff and Dr Adam Levine are investigating the genetic changes that are more common in patients with the disease. Finding these “causal variants” will lead to the development of methods for diagnosis, as well as improvements in treatments.
Incidence of IBD has dramatically increased in recent years in developed countries, currently reaching roughly one in 500 of the population. Some 2.5 to 3 million people in Europe are estimated to be affected, costing the European healthcare system around 5 billion euros (£4.5 billion) a year.
IBD is four times as prevalent in the Ashkenazi Jewish population as in other western populations. This is partly explained by the genetic history of Ashkenazim, considered a “genetic isolate” originating from a few hundred founders, some 30 generations ago. For this reason, the researchers are specifically looking in this population for genetic variants that may be contributing to the disease. By studying families with multiple cases of Crohn’s or colitis, they hope to identify genetic variants in the affected individuals that do not exist in unaffected members of the same family and may therefore explain the distribution and cause of the disease.
“The more Ashkenazi Jewish families with Crohn’s and colitis we can recruit for our research, the more likely it will be that we will be able to identify the genetic variants that predispose to IBD, which in turn, will help identify individuals at risk of developing IBD,” says Dr Schiff.
“Participation is strictly confidential, involves minimal effort and no cost. We hope, however, that the impact of participation will be great and far-reaching.” For more information and to participate, call 0208 203 5552 or contact
A one-stop lung cancer screening service has been launched at Spire Bushey Hospital in Hertfordshire.
Led by an award-winning team of consultant chest radiologist Dr Sam Hare and consultant chest physician Dr Dean Creer, the service will help detect lung cancer spots (nodules) at their earliest, most curable stage, before they have had an opportunity to spread.
A quick, non-invasive test identifies small lung nodules, not able to be detected on traditional chest x-rays, using a low-dose CT scan with only a fraction of the radiation dose of a standard chest CT scan. It has been shown that annual lung cancer screening can save lives, finding 85 to 90 per cent of lung cancers in their earliest stage.
“Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK,” says Dr Hare, “and more than 80 per cent of patients are diagnosed when the cancer is more developed, after reporting symptoms, when chances of a cure are much smaller. Screening is most useful for those at an increased risk of developing lung cancer. This includes not only current smokers but those who have stopped smoking within the past 15 years and those with a family history of lung cancer.”
If a lung nodule is detected, a CTguided lung biopsy may be recommended to analyse the tissue and determine appropriate treatment. More details at
Spire Bushey Hospital has also invested £22.7 million in opening a medical centre in Elstree and enhancing the main hospital. Planning permission was granted in January and the investment forms the first part of the hospital’s two-phase redevelopment. The medical centre will open in autumn 2017 and will offer a musculoskeletal diagnostic and out-patient service. Lisa Trybus, hospital director, says: “The development will see part of the current outpatient area moved to the new purpose-built site at Centennial Park, close to the now established Elstree Cancer Centre and Spire pathology services. This facility will provide 14 purpose-designed consulting rooms and associated treatment rooms, outpatient diagnostics and a second MRI scanner.”
The main hospital will gain an additional operating theatre, an enlarged theatre sterile services department and 10 extra bedrooms. These will be completed by summer 2018.
Damaged areas of joint surfaces are especially common in the hip and knee as these are the largest weight-bearing joints of the body. They can arise as a result of an injury, or can be the start of an arthritic process. Left untreated they can get bigger and lead to arthritis. Symptoms include joint pain and swelling, limitation of activities and reduced function. This can occur in the hip (usually causing groin pain) and
Annual screening for lung cancer saves lives