Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly identifies the body’s insulin-producing cells as foreign cells and destroys them. Currently, doctors have transplanted islet cells from one human to another. However, such a procedure requires heavy doses of immunosuppressant drugs to prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted cells. Researchers say the new procedure would not need such drugs.

Researchers say the next step is to grow at least half a billion islets to cure diabetes in one human. However, testing would need to be done on animals first.

The article did not indicate how the researchers planned to address the autoimmune component of the disease.

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The number of dogs with diabetes has jumped 32% since 2006. The number of cats with diabetes grew by 16%. The report linked the increased rates of diabetes to the growing number of overweight and obese pets. For example, fat cats are six times more likely to become diabetic than cats that are normal weight. Like in humans, symptoms of pets with undiagnosed diabetes include increased thirst, excessive urination and unexplained weight loss. However, there are some differences between cats and dogs.

Dogs are more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes, which means their pancreas stops making insulin. In humans, Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environment. Cats, on the other hand, are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, which is more closely associated with diet and weight. According to the article, the animals are treated with insulin shots and special diet or exercise regiment, depending on their condition.

Researchers looked at data from 2.5 million dogs and cats seen last year.

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“We are confident that the easy-to-use design of our tubeless insulin pump will raise the bar for the industry again and improve our competitive position in the marketplace,” CEO Duane DeSisto said in a prepared release.

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“The Pearl Insulin Pump’s utilization of a pre-filled insulin cartridge is an evolutionary step forward for those on intensive insulin therapy,” said James Chamberlain, MD, medical director for Diabetes Services at St. Mark’s Hospital and St. Mark’s Diabetes Center. “The fact that the Pearl minimizes all the ‘plumbing’ issues associated with reservoir filling in other insulin pumps makes it an attractive choice as a starter pump for those initiating insulin pump therapy as well as for those seeking greater ease of use. The Pearl is designed to reduce steps, add convenience, and save time.”

The Pearl Insulin Pump’s features a unique modular product configuration that allows significantly lower pump therapy initiation costs through pay-as-you-pump pricing. It is the only insulin pump using glass pre-filled 300 unit insulin cartridges for use in pumps for up to seven days.

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He showed up at the event in a wrinkled suit and baseball cap and his accompanying goddess wore what some observers referred to as a “French Maid’s outfit.” Critics said that Sheen’s appearance and actions at the event drew more focus on his battle with CBS than on the charity for Type 1 diabetes.

At the event he “continued to defend his recent ‘Violent Torpedo of Truth Tour’, saying people should have known what to expect when they bought their tickets,” according to Gather. He also said he has finally come to grips with his firing from ‘Two and a Half Men’.

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Irva Hertz-Picciotto, an autism researcher and author of the study, said that mothers with at least one of those medical issues are 60% more likely to have a child with autism. About 1 out of every 110 kids in the U.S. have autism spectrum disorders.

For the study, researchers looked at 1,001 kids – 508 with autism or ASD, 178 with developmental delays and 315 that appeared to be developing without any problems. Mothers that were obese was found to have a much higher chance of having developmentally delayed children. In fact, moms of kids with such disability were 150% more likely to be obese.

Geraldine Dawson, the head scientist at advocacy group Autism Speaks said that previous studies have shown a link between Type 1 diabetes and autism.

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Industry analyst David Kliff said the company has tried bringing in an industry executive to try and reenergize the groups sales and marketing staff. “Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see whether the company is serious about change, or will they once again become bogged down in the Medtronic corporate meat grinder,” Kliff reportedly wrote. “The folks at Medtronic corporate in Minneapolis view the diabetes unit as a cash cow and see little reason to invest precious dollars upgrading the Paradigm line or getting things right with the patch pump.”

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The company, which is working with the JDRF, is testing a sensor that it says may provide more reliable blood sugar readings on continuous glucose monitoring systems. The company also says it anticipates bringing new infusion sets to market in the next few years. Those sets would work with insulin pumps.

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Former Major Leaguer Rich Cerone has been named Man of the Year by the JDRF’s Northern New Jersey and Rockland County chapter for his efforts in raising awareness and money for Type 1 diabetes, according to a recent article from Patch.com.

“This chapter has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for diabetes research and I am thrilled that I am able to help them move toward their goal of curing diabetes,” Cerone reportedly said, according to the article.

The award will be presented to Cerone at the chapter’s upcoming Gala event in Mahwah, New Jersey. Last year, the Gala raised $800,000 and the group hopes to surpass that this year. The Foundation has donated more than $1.5 billion towards finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes since 1970.

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In the crashes, three people were injured. In the first crash, Soloman’s van bumped a motorcyclist and then proceeded to drive over the bike and driver before driving off. Next, Soloman tried to pass a car but swerved back into southbound traffic, knocking into a motorcycle and throwing its driver from the bike. Again, he didn’t stop. Finally, Soloman ran a stop sign and the van flipped over, hitting someone mowing the grass.

Solomon’s attorney says he plans to file a ‘medical necessity’ defense which means he is arguing he could not control his automobile because of his diabetes. The charges against Solomon include improper passing and following too closely, among others. Ohio officials say approximately 1 in 500 accidents in the state last year were due to illness.

We have reported about other cases in the last year about diabetics behind the wheel when their sugar has been low. In one case, 59-year old Leonard Campos was charged with manslaughter after he lost control of his truck, which hit a dirt mount, went airborne and hit a utility poll before rolling over several times and catching on fire. A trailer attached to Campos’ truck crushed 64-year old Peggy Mikkelsen to death which she was pulling weeds in her front lawn. Campos was also injured in the crash.

Police say Campos’ blood sugar level was in the low 40s following the accident. Campos, who stopped at a convenience store shortly before the crash, said he didn’t notice any of the warning signs that he was low. The District Attorney in the case said that Campos was being charged because of how he managed his diabetes, not because he was a diabetic. In an interview with Diabetes News Hound, he said that if Campos was “smart” about managing his diabetes and did what his doctor said, the accident would not have happened. “From our perspective, the issue is that over a period of time prior to the accident, Mr. Campos willfully chose to ignore his diabetic condition,” said Michael Yraceburn, the Supervising Deputy District on the case. (For the full interview, see DA in Car Crash Death: Diabetes Not on Trial.)

Also, DNH recently ran an article about a 71-year old man in the U.K. who was on trial for accidentally running over an 89-year old woman with his van and killing her. Authorities say he was negligent because his eyesight was impaired due to his diabetes. The woman was walking across the street when she was struck. She died hours later from her injuries. A witness said the driver got out of the car and claimed he never saw the old lady.

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