Latest news with #KTH
Gizmodo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
These Rare Fork-Nosed Dogs Could Help Solve a Genetic Mystery in Humans
A rare breed of hunting dogs known for its forked nose, the Turkish Pointer, might just help scientists better understand why human babies are sometimes born with facial clefts. In a recent study, researchers say they've found the genetic mutation that causes these dogs to develop their characteristic split nose. They argue that similar mutations might also explain some cases of cleft lip and palate in humans. An international research team conducted the study, including scientists from the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. They analyzed the genetics of some 2,000 dogs, eventually discovering several new gene variants linked to a dog's facial structure and size. One of these variants was found in the Turkish Pointer, also known as the Catalburun. The mutation concerns the gene PDFGRA. The researchers say that the gene seems to help connect the two halves of the face and mouth during embryonic development, with the unique variant in Turkish Pointers explaining their split-nose appearance. 'This indicates that the gene might be involved in some cases of human orofacial clefts,' said study researcher Peter Savolainen, a canine geneticist at KTH, in a statement from the institute. 'While there are several genetic and environmental reasons behind orofacial clefts in humans, this study offers a clue to another factor.' The team's findings were published earlier this March in the journal Genome Research. Facial clefts, which can involve the lips and/or palate, are thought to occur in one out of every 700 births. If untreated, the condition can hamper a person's feeding and speaking and raise the risk of ear infections. These days, thankfully, it can usually be repaired very successfully with surgery. Most cases of facial clefts have no clear cause, though factors like smoking, diabetes, and the use of certain medications during pregnancy seem to increase the risk. As their name suggests, Turkish Pointers have primarily been bred in select parts of Turkey. They're said to be incredibly good sniffers, but they're also rare, with only a few hundred specimens thought to be living today (the breed isn't even officially recognized by any kennel club). Their tiny population numbers do raise the risk of genetic disease, though this is an issue with purebred dogs in general. But these dogs and other rare breeds also make it easier for scientists to isolate genes and mutations relevant to human health, the authors say. 'Studying the very inbred dog breeds is an excellent tool for finding the genetic reason for many morphologic traits and diseases in humans,' Savolainen said. 'In humans there is just too much genetic variation, making it hard to identify exactly which genetic mutation causes a specific disease.'
Gulf Today
28-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Pakistan's hospital starts administering new injection to save stroke-hit patients
ISLAMABAD: The Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) Peshawar has started administering a new injection to save lives of stroke-hit patients. "A 60-year-old patient, who has been administered the injection, is doing well as she was brought to the hospital within one hour of the attack and therefore stood better chances of recovery,' KTH medical director Dr Sajjadullah Dawar said, according to a report. He said that patients should reach hospital ideally within three hours of the stroke attack but the result of patients visiting the health facility within four to five hours was also good. Dr Dawar, a neurosurgeon, said that they got stock of the medicine from the hospital's funds to be provided free of cost to patients. "Meanwhile, the government has agreed to include this drug in the Sehat Card Plus (SCP) scheme so that people could benefit from it in the long-run,' he said. A volunteer of the Edhi Foundation sprays water on a passerby's head to cool off on a hot summer day along a road in Karachi. AFP The administration of the injection has already been started in Hayatabad Medical Complex and Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar that helped scores of stroke-hit people to recover. However, both LRH and Hayat Medical Complex administrations have been requesting the government to provide it on SCP because it is very expensive and the majority of patients cannot afford it. Dr Dawar said that the government would soon announce to cover the cost of new therapy under SCP to ensure provision of smooth services to patients. LRH and HMC have been providing the injection to patients on a cost-sharing basis. However, it has been provided totally free to some deserving patients but its inclusion in SCP will make this drug available to all the patients who need it. He said that they had developed proper protocol and a team of specialist doctors to ensure that the new medical technique for free treatment of patients suffering from stroke helped people. "The injection is known for saving lives of patients and protecting them from disabilities caused by stroke,' said Dr Dawar. He said that the tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) injection was used in hyper acute stroke within three hours to open up clotted arteries and was administered to patients after a very careful selection process. "So far, results are excellent as most of the patients, who received it in LRH and HMC, have recovered,' he said and added that people should bear in mind that patients should be brought to hospitals immediately. He said that stroke was a sudden onset of weakness in limbs or face, which was the most disabling disease of the world.
