The UAE is making advances not only in managing multiple sclerosis but also towards helping to find a cure for the debilitating disease afflicting millions worldwide.
While there is no cure for the neurological disorder, treatment is available to manage symptoms and delay its progression.
Figures compiled by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society show the UAE has a higher prevalence of the disease than the global average.
In its most severe form, primary progressive MS leaves patients permanently disabled, but researchers are hoping this will soon be a thing of the past.
Abu Dhabi and specifically the ADSCC are paving the right path for a cure that is not only effective but also accessible to all
Prof Dr Yendry Ventura,
Research Scientist and Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre
"One of our core missions and part of the national agenda is to try to find solutions with the aim of curing MS," Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, executive director of the bone marrow transplant programme at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre, and vice chairwoman of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, told The National.
The Centre is testing a procedure to treat people with multiple sclerosis, called ECP.
White blood cells are drawn from a patient's body, then treated with a special drug that reacts to light, before finally being reinfused back into the person.
This therapy is designed to stop a type of white blood cell from attacking a patient's body from within.
Patients can register to participate in the clinical trials, if they are considered medically eligible.
The ADSCC has also participated in international trials involving injecting stem cells into the brain, with 15 patients participating so far.
It is the only medical centre in the region performing bone marrow stem cell transplants to treat MS patients.
"For the past 10 years, name a medication that has stopped progressive multiple sclerosis," Dr Al Kaabi said.
"What comes onto the market are other forms of the same medication, so why don't we explore new boundaries and see how we can regenerate organs and use neural stem cells?"
Remarkable improvement
Since the launch of the programme in 2022, four patients with progressive MS have undergone stem cell transplants to treat their symptoms.
All of the patients have shown remarkable improvement, the ADSCC said.
One, who previously used a wheelchair, regained the ability to walk without support after the procedure.
This is a procedure that the ADSCC has modified not only to be more accessible, but also less harsh on the body in some cases by using less toxic medications compared to chemotherapy.
Prof Yendry Ventura, research scientist and chief executive of the centre, said the new trials include efforts to regenerate damaged organs.
"We are fighting two battles, where we want to stop the cause of the disease and regenerate the damaged organ. For that, you need different approaches," he said.
"We are not only trying to treat but also trying to cure. This could be the answer to degenerative conditions where the brain is damaged."
If successful, it would be a breakthrough not only for the treatment of MS but also for other diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and ALS.
Timeframe
There is no timeline for when a cure may be possible, but that hasn't weakened the ADSCC team's resolve.
"What we can promise is that we are looking at as many potential options, areas, and disciplines that we can use for the benefit of the patient," Prof Ventura said.
"It is not easy, and we need to understand that these are not simple diseases but complex ones that have been affecting the world for a long time. But Abu Dhabi and specifically the ADSCC are paving the right path for a cure that is not only effective but also accessible to all.
He hopes to see a revolution not only for MS but also in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine in the next five years.
"There are a lot of scientists, health facilities, including us, working heavily in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine," Prof Ventura added.
"I expect a lot of medical breakthroughs in the next few years."
Stem cell transplants for eligible MS patients are available for both citizens and residents.
Findings by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society also show that the prevalence of the disease in the UAE is significantly higher than the global average.
There are 65 people living with MS for every 100,000 people in the country, and the prevalence is higher when looking at only the Emirati population.
Young adults aged 18 to 39 make up the largest group of people living with the disease in the UAE, accounting for 64.3 per cent of all cases.
People aged 40-59 comprise the second-largest group, with 31 per cent of cases.
Globally, the prevalence of MS is higher in women, which is mirrored in the UAE, with more than 65 per cent of affected people being female.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Two-step truce
The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.
By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.
The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.
The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.
The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.
Sour%20Grapes
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Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
