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Smoking Related Articles

Tobacco ads persuade teens to smoke

Advertisements for tobacco products do persuade teenagers to start smoking, new research has found.
According to the findings from Germany, the risk of taking up smoking jumps by almost 40% for every 10 ads seen. To read more about this article click here.

 

Concern over smoking in pub doorways

The sight of smokers huddled around the doorways of pubs and restaurants is all too common since smoking was banned in all Irish workplaces in 2004. However new research suggests that this practice may reduce some of the health protection offered by the ban. To read more about this article click here.


 

 

Medical & Research Programmes



Welcome to our Medical & Research Programs Section. Here you will find details of all our latest Programs.

Rare Disease News
Friday, 03 August 2012 10:56

The Alpha One Foundation is part of the Rare Disease Taskforce. The Rare Disease Taskforce is acting as a catalyst for the development of better health care services for people with a rare disease in Ireland. It aims to highlight key developments in relation to rare diseases in Ireland and the EU context and to communicate issues related to the forthcoming National Plan for Rare Diseases in Ireland.

Rare Disease Day 2012
February 29th, 2012 marked the Fifth International Rare Disease Day. On this day hundreds of patient organisations from more than 50 countries worldwide organised awareness-raising activities converging around the slogan "Rare But Strong Together".
Eurordis launched a specially produced promotional video highlighting Rare Disease Day in Europe. The video was made in Dublin and featured real people affected by rare conditions.
Six people from Ireland, each with a different rare condition, featured in the video. The message is simple – It’s not unusual to have a rare condition. Look out for us and you’ll see how many we are!
To tie in with the video, GRDO created a postcard campaign to highlight Rare Disease Day in Ireland. Each postcard featured a character from the video and a short message about Rare Disease Day. The postcards were delivered to politicians and other public figures, as well as to media representatives across Ireland.

An "Easy Guide" has been produced to increase awareness about the challenges of living with a rare disease and to highlight the priorities that need to be included in the forthcoming National Plan for Rare Diseases (NPRD) in Ireland.

The aims of this "Easy Guide" are to:
• Explain what a rare disease is
• Highlight the challenge of living with a rare disease in Ireland
• Highlight priorities that should be included in the National Plan for Rare Diseases in Ireland

 
MRCG/HRB Joint Funding Scheme
Monday, 13 December 2010 10:23

The Alpha One Foundation invites research proposals applications for consideration in the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCG) and Health Research Board (HRB) joint funding scheme 2011. This joint funding scheme has been in operation since 2006 and provides funding of up to €100,000 per annum for clearly defined research projects for up to 36 months. Smaller projects are also considered.

For further information about applying for the joint funding scheme please contact Kitty O'Connor by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone on 01-8093871.

Deadlines for submissions of applications is 5pm Friday the 21st of January 2011.

 
International Collaborative Study To Establish The 1St International (Who) Standard For Alpha-1-Antitrypsin
Monday, 24 November 2008 12:54

Craig Thelwell1, Peter Rigsby2 and Colin Longstaff1

1Biotherapeutics Group, Haemostasis Section and

2Biostatistics Division, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms, Herts EN6

3QG, UK

Read more...
 
Prevalence of Alpha-1 Anitrypsin Deficiency in Ireland
Monday, 24 November 2008 12:52

Author - T. CARROLL, O. FLOYD, C. O’CONNOR, J. McPARTLIN, C. TAGGART, R. COSTELLO, S. J. O’NEILL and N. G. McELVANEY

Institution – Department of Respiratory Research, RCSI Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland. 

Rationale: AAT deficiency is a hereditary autosomal codominant disorder, resulting from mutations in the AAT gene, and classically presents with emphysema and liver disease.  The most common phenotype presenting with clinical evidence of AAT deficiency is the Z phenotype, resulting in decreased levels of circulating AAT due to retention of the aberrantly folded protein in the liver.  It is unclear whether the carrier status confers increased risk for disease.  Demographic studies indicate that AAT deficiency is under-diagnosed and prolonged delays in diagnosis are common.  World Health Organisation guidelines advocate targeted detection programmes of patients with COPD and asthma. 

Read more...
 
American Thoracic Society Annual Conference 2008

Conference Abstracts:

American Thoracic Society Annual Conference 2008.

Title – Evidence for the Activation of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) in Monocytes from Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficient Individuals

Read more...
 
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What is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin?

Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an important protein produced by the liver, which is released into the bloodstream and travels to the lungs. Once inside the lungs it provides protection from the destructive effects of infections and harmful irritants, particularly tobacco smoke.

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition which, along with cystic fibrosis, is the commonest genetic lung disease in Ireland. It severely affects more than 2,000 people nationally, with another 10,000 individuals also at risk of lung and liver disease. It is the only proven genetic risk factor for COPD.