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Blood Test Could Predict Parkinson’s 7 Years before Symptoms – AI Test

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A simple blood test could predict Parkinson’s disease seven years before symptoms appear, marking a “major step forward” in diagnosis of the condition.

Blood Test Could Predict Parkinson’s 7 Years before Symptoms – AI Test

Researchers believe early prediction and diagnosis would help in finding treatments that could slow or stop Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and the parts of the body controlled by the nerves.

The test uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the disease, which is caused by the death of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement.

When these nerve cells die or become impaired, they lose the ability to create a chemical called dopamine.

People with Parkinson’s are currently treated with dopamine replacement therapy after they have already developed symptoms, such as tremors or slowness of movement.

It is thought that early diagnosis and treatment would help protect the dopamine-producing brain cells.

Dr Michael Bartl, co-first-author of University Medical Centre Goettingen and Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik Kassel, alongside Dr Jenny Hallqvist, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, said: “By determining eight proteins in the blood, we can identify potential Parkinson’s patients several years in advance.

“This means that drug therapies could potentially be given at an earlier stage, which could possibly slow down disease progression or even prevent it from occurring.”

Professor David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson’s UK, said: “This research, co-funded by Parkinson’s UK, represents a major step forward in the search for a definitive and patient-friendly diagnostic test for Parkinson’s.

“Finding biological markers that can be identified and measured in the blood is much less invasive than a lumbar puncture, which is being used more and more in clinical research.”

The research found that when a branch of AI called machine learning analysed a panel of eight blood-based biomarkers whose concentrations are altered in patients with Parkinson’s, it could provide a diagnosis with 100% accuracy.

Professor Kevin Mills, senior author of UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, said: “As new therapies become available to treat Parkinson’s, we need to diagnose patients before they have developed the symptoms.

“We cannot regrow our brain cells and therefore we need to protect those that we have.

“At present we are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted and we need to start experimental treatments before patients develop symptoms.”

He added that with sufficient funding, it is hoped the test will be used by the NHS within two years.

The experts suggest that with further research this test could potentially distinguish between Parkinson’s and other conditions that have some early similarities.

The team also looked at whether the test could predict the likelihood of someone going on to develop Parkinson’s.

Blood from 72 patients with Rapid Eye Movement Behaviour Disorder (iRBD) was analysed as it is known that about 75% to 80% of these people will go on to develop a synucleinopathy – a type of brain disorder caused by the abnormal build-up of a protein called alpha-synuclein in brain cells – including Parkinson’s.

The patients were followed up over 10 years and researchers say the AI predictions have so far been correct, with the team correctly predicting 16 patients would go on to develop Parkinson’s and being able to do this up to seven years before the onset of any symptoms.

According to Parkinson’s UK, around one in 37 people alive today in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime, and there are 153,000 people already living with the condition.

The researchers are hoping to secure funding to create a simpler test where a drop of blood can be spotted on a card and posted to the lab to investigate if it can predict Parkinson’s even earlier than the seven years before the onset of symptoms in this study.

The research, which was funded by an EU Horizon 2020 grant, Parkinson’s UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research GOSH Biomedical Research Centre, and the Szeben-Peto Foundation, is published in Nature Communications.

 

 

 


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Substandard CNG Cylinder is Recipe for Disaster- SON

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Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has warned the public against the use of substandard and uncertified Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders.

 

The warning is coming in the wake of the unfortunate recent incident of CNG cylinder explosion at the NIPCO CNG Refueling Station in Benin City, Edo State.

In a statement, the organisation said it has put robust and effective regulatory measures in place to ensure that all CNG equipment and conversion kits conform to approved standards before being certified for public use.

“The conformity assessment schemes are designed to prevent the import, manufacturing, and use of substandard products,” it stated.

In addition, SON said it is collaborating with the Presidential Initiatives on CNG and other relevant government bodies to finalise the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System (NGVMS) – a platform that will provide centralized monitoring and surveillance of CNG systems to ensure that only vehicles equipped with certified conversion kits can access gas at retail outlets.

“The NGVMS will also offer a database of approved CNG equipment and suppliers which will go a long way in preventing the substandard installations and further mitigating the associated risks.”

 

 

 


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Access Bank Wins Best Digital, Best Website at 2024 Digital Jurist Awards

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Access Bank PLC has been named the 2024 Best Digital Award Winner in the Commercial Banks Category at the Digital Jurist Awards, organized by Phillips Consulting (pcl.).

In addition to this top honour, the Bank also secured the Best Website Award, achieving an impressive score of 201 points for its engaging and user-friendly digital experience. Access Bank’s cumulative score of 380 points reflects its excellence across digital touchpoints, including its website, web portal, mobile app, and social media.

Commenting on the recognition, Amaechi Okobi, Chief Communications Officer of Access Holdings PLC, said, “We are honoured to receive the Best Digital and Best Website Awards at this year’s Digital Jurist Awards. At Access, our focus on digital innovation is driven by our commitment to deliver seamless, secure, and customer-centric solutions across all touchpoints.

This recognition validates our ongoing efforts to enhance our digital platforms, making financial services more accessible and efficient for our customers. We thank Phillips Consulting for recognising our efforts and will continue to raise the bar in digital excellence.”

Phillips Consulting has long served as a development partner to Nigerian financial institutions and other organisations with an online presence. Leveraging its proprietary Digital Jurist platform, the firm has conducted assessments of digital touchpoints in various sectors, from financial services and insurance to telecommunications and government agencies, over the past 17 years.

Originally established as Web Jurist®, the platform was reimagined as Digital Jurist to assess new and diversified digital channels in the evolving digital economy. Digital Jurist’s evaluation framework examines a range of factors, including user experience, accessibility, performance, functionality, security, customer service, support, marketing, and content engagement across digital platforms.

These awards reinforce Access Bank’s leadership in digital banking, adding to recent accolades including 2024 Best Digital Bank and Best Mobile Banking App by World Finance, Best Mobile Banking App and Best Digital Bank by The Digital Banker Awards, and Best Digital Banking Initiative at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024.

 


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Foreign Secretary Lammy Unveils Flagship UK-Nigeria Soft Power Campaign

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Rt Hon David Lammy MP, has launched a flagship soft power campaign ‘Jollof and Tea’, which celebrates the UK and Nigeria’s cultural and creative ties.

L-R: UK Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter; Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP; and High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery… at the British Residence during the launch of the ‘Jollof and Tea’ campaign yesterday in Lagos.

He unveiled the campaign at a reception yesterday in Lagos, on his first visit to Africa as UK Foreign Secretary.

Hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr Jonny Baxter, the reception was attended by, the Nigerian Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy, Hon. Musawa Hannatu, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, CEO of British Film Institute (BFI), Ben Roberts, and other key figures in the creative industry.

At the launch, the UK Foreign Secretary unveiled a first of its kind phone booth, designed by Frederick ‘Dricky’ Stickman, a young, talented Nigerian graffiti and visual artist, based in Lagos.

He reiterated the UK’s commitment to encouraging talent in Nigeria and diaspora, pledging the UK’s support to strengthen partnerships in the creatives sector to benefit both our economies, including through the British Council which celebrated its 80th anniversary in Nigeria (and 90 years globally) this year.

Commenting on the campaign, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter said: “The ‘Jollof and Tea’ campaign is designed to showcase the length and breadth of the UK – Nigeria partnership including the creative and cultural sectors.

“It will help raise awareness about the existing connections between the UK and Nigeria and take forward ongoing efforts by both our countries to strengthen our people-to-people links.”

While in Lagos, the Foreign Secretary attended the closing evening of Art X West Africa’s leading art fair and took a tour of the exhibition alongside Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, founder of Art X.

He also had a mini- bilateral meeting with Hon. Minister Hannatu, to understand Nigeria’s ideas for collaboration with the UK, and how the recently launched UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade & Investment Partnership (ETIP) can help drive growth in the creative industries.


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