Gene therapy trial 'cures children'

Gene therapy trial 'cures children' A disease which robs children of the ability to walk and talk has been cured by pioneering gene therapy to correct errors in their DNA, say doctors. The study, in the journal Science, showed the three patients were now going to school. A second study published at the same time has shown a similar therapy reversing a severe genetic disease affecting the immune system. Gene therapy researchers said it was a "really exciting" development. Both diseases are caused by errors in the patient's genetic code - the manual for building and running their bodies. Decline Babies born with metachromatic leukodystrophy appear healthy, but their development starts to reverse between the ages of one and two as part of their brain is destroyed. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome leads to a defective immune system. It makes patients more susceptible to infections, cancers and the immune system can also attack other parts of the body. The technique, developed by a team of researchers at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy, used a genetically modified virus to correct the damaging mutations in a patient's genes. Continue reading the main story Analysis The hype around gene therapy was huge - nipping into the genome and tweaking a bit of DNA was supposed to change medicine. However, it failed to meet expectations - there was a death in one trial and other patients developed leukaemia. It turned out that introducing the new genes could activate cancer genes. The potential was there - but safety was a massive concern. There has been years of research to come up with safer options. It took until 2012 for the first gene therapy to be approved in Europe. But there is now growing optimism that other therapies will follow. Europe backs first gene therapy Bone marrow stem cells are taken from the patient then the virus is used to 'infect' the cells with tiny snippets of DNA which contain the correct instructions. These are then put back into the patient. Three children were picked for treatment from families with a history of metachromatic leukodystrophy, but before their brain function started to decline. Dr Alessandra Biffi told the BBC: "The outcome has been very positive, they're all in very good condition, with a normal life and going to kindergarten at an age when their siblings were unable to talk. "It is something which is very pleasing to us." 'New era' She said that all treatments had side effects and these patients needed to be followed for longer, but the evidence so far suggested the treatment was safe. Gene therapy is a field that has promised far more than it has delivered and has been hampered by serious concerns about safety. Dr Biffi said lessons had been learnt from previous failings: "Experience showed that gene therapy could be improved and we could be at the starting point for a new era to achieve more than we did in the past." In the other study, published simultaneously in the journal Science, symptoms such as repeat infections and eczema had lessened in the three patients treated. Prof Bobby Gaspar, from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London is working on a Medical Research Council trial using gene therapy as a treatment for adenosine deaminase deficiency - which also leads to immune problems. He told the BBC News website: "This is really exciting. Metachromatic leukodystrophy is a very significant neural degeneration which cannot be cured in any other way and now the study shows they can live relatively normal lives. "It raises the prospect that other diseases can be treated in the same way." Prof Luigi Naldini, who leads the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, said: "Three years after the start of the clinical trial the results obtained from the first six patients are very encouraging. "The therapy is not only safe, but also effective and able to change the clinical history of these severe diseases. "After 15 years of effort and our successes in the laboratory, but frustration as well, it's really exciting to be able to give a concrete solution to the first patients."

Gang violence cause of high levels of mental disorders

Gang violence cause of high levels of mental disorders Young men in gangs are significantly more likely to suffer from a mental disorder and need psychiatric help than other young men, says a UK study. It surveyed 108 gang members and found that half had an anxiety disorder, more than 85% a personality disorder and 25% screened positive for psychosis. Exposure to violence was the likely cause of their mental health problems, it said. Experts said opportunities to help young people were often missed. The research team from Queen Mary, University of London, started by surveying 4,664 men aged between 18 and 34 in Britain. Researchers included significant numbers of men from areas of the country with high gang memberships, such as Hackney and Glasgow East, from areas with high ethnic minority populations and areas of social deprivation. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote One vulnerability leads to another. The earlier they are dealt with the better.” Andy Bell Centre for Mental Health From the total sample, 3,284 said they had not been violent in the past five years, 1,272 said they had assaulted another person or been involved in a fight and 108 said they were currently in a gang. Cycle of violence The gang members and the violent men were found to be particularly prone to mental disorders and more likely to access psychiatric services. Prof Jeremy Coid, lead study author and director of the forensic psychiatry research unit at Queen Mary, University of London, explained the likely cause. "It is probable that, among gang members, high levels of anxiety disorder and psychosis were explained by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the most frequent psychiatric outcome of exposure to violence." He said the fear of future violence and victimisation led young men to experience extreme anxiety. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, said: "Readiness to retaliate violently if disrespected, excitement from violence, and short-term benefits from instrumental violence lead to further cycles of violence and risk of violent victimisation." The study also found that, of the 108 gang members surveyed, around a third had attempted suicide. The authors said this could be linked "to the notion that impulsive violence may be directed both outward and inward". However depression was significantly less common among gang members and violent men, the study found. Andy Bell, deputy chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health, said they had carried out their own research in this area and found very high rates of multiple health and social issues in both boys and girls in gangs. "It is very clear they have numerous problems throughout their lives, often related to drug, alcohol problems and maltreatment at home - and they all contribute to poor mental health. "One vulnerability leads to another. The earlier they are dealt with the better - but sadly opportunities are often missed." Street therapy Prof Coid agrees that healthcare professionals should be aware of gang membership when assessing young men with psychiatric illnesses in urban areas. The study reports that although just 1% of 18- to-34 year-old men in Britain are gang members, in areas such as Hackney this rises to around 8.6%. Yet the average age of gang membership can be as low as 15, it adds. MAC-UK, a charity based in Camden and Southwark, in London, targets the mental health needs of young people aged 16 to 25 involved in gangs and antisocial behaviour in a novel way. Dr Charlie Alcock, chief executive officer of the charity and a clinical psychologist, says youth offending is a public mental health issue which requires a different approach. "We support young people by taking mental health on to the streets and working with them in a place which is convenient and comfortable for them. "We believe one in three young people has an unmet mental health need," she says. These can range from stress and anxiety to hearing voices and more serious forms of psychosis.

Chinese banking system stable, says regulator

Chinese banking system stable, says regulator China's banking system is stable, despite ongoing fears of a "credit crunch" spooking financial markets, according to the country's top regulator. "The issue with tight liquidity in the interbank market has started to ease," said the head of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, Shang Fulin. Fears over bad bank loans sent Chinese stocks to a four-and-a-half-year low last week. Global markets also fell sharply. Concern over bad loans in the economy led to a spike in interbank rates, which are the interest rates banks charge each other on a daily basis and a sign of how much faith that banks have in each other. For example, a spike in the London-based Libor benchmark lending rate preceded the start of the 2008 financial crisis as US and UK banks refused to lend each other as the scale of bad debts became apparent. "Recently some foreign institutions and industry players showed concern about risk in areas including local government debts," Mr Shang said on Saturday. "As long as we apply the right risk-management measures, these risks are controllable." Asset bubbles? China has been trying to impose more discipline on its banks amid fears of bad loans impacting on its economy. After the global financial crisis, Chinese banks - led by the state-owned institutions - lent out record sums of money in an attempt to help maintain China's rapid growth rate. There are fears that the availability of easy money may have created asset bubbles - especially in the property sector. And if China's growth slows fast, or if asset prices decline sharply, some borrowers may not be able to repay some of these loans. "These days the issue with tight liquidity in the interbank market has started to ease," Mr Shang said. "This situation will not affect the overall pattern of stable operations in the domestic banking sector." He added that Chinese financial institutions had excess reserves of 1.5 trillion yuan ($244bn; £160bn) as of 28 June. On Friday, China's National Audit Office said that some state-owned banks had "violated" lending regulations, saying 28.4bn yuan of loans had been issued by some banks for projects without proper procedures or necessary guarantees.

US banking giants see profits jump

US banking giants see profits jump JP Morgan and Wells Fargo post big jump in profits JP Morgan Excluding the effect of last year's trading loss, net revenues were largely unchanged from a year ago JP Morgan has recorded a profit of $6.5bn (£4.3bn) for the second quarter of 2013, up 31% from a year ago. JP Morgan's steep rise in profits was flattered by the heavy losses controversially incurred by the US banking giant's chief investment office last year. Dubbed the "London whale", trader Bruno Iksil ran up $6.2bn in losses in total. Separately, Wells Fargo reported a 20% rise in quarterly profits to $5.27bn as it set aside less money for bad loans. 'Strong performance' Net revenues at JP Morgan's large retail bank were slightly down from a year ago, but rose 10% at its investment bank, and also rose at its asset management unit. JP Morgan is the first of the big US banks to report results. As the US's biggest bank by assets, JP Morgan is looked at as a bellwether for the health of banking industry. The figures are the first the bank has posted since chairman and chief executive Jamie Dimon overwhelmingly won a shareholder referendum in May on whether he should hold both posts. He said in a statement that the results showed a "strong performance across our businesses". The US economy was showing "broad-based signs" of recovery, but consumers and small businesses remained cautious, he said. The strength of the US economy is a key issue, with all eyes on when the US Federal Reserve will end its massive bond buying programme. Questions about when the Federal Reserve might tighten policy have worried markets since the end of May, when chairman Ben Bernanke first hinted at the end of the programme. "I think most banks are concerned with near record surges in currency and interest rate volatility," Larry McDonald, senior director at Newedge USA, told the BBC. "That's the big concern right now - much more than the London whale in the past." Housing impact Wells Fargo, the biggest US mortgage lender, saw profits rise from $4.4bn to $5.27bn on revenue that barely changed at $21.4bn. Provision for bad loans fell 64% to $652m. "The consumer loss levels have improved rapidly due primarily to the positive momentum in the residential real estate market, with home prices improving faster and in more markets than expected," said Wells Fargo's chief risk officer Mike Loughlin. Analysts had been watching for the bank's results to see how higher interest rates - and a potential slowdown in loans - were affecting business. Mortgage rates have been on the rise since May, and 30-year rates reached a two year high on Thursday. While revenues were flat, mortgage applications rose 4.2% compared with the first quarter of 2013 - suggesting that higher rates and the prospect of the Fed winding down its stimulus programme were not affecting consumer demand.

Risk assessment Will Egypt's post-Morsi era be safer for women?

Will Egypt's post-Morsi era be safer for women? Sex attacks in Cairo's Tahrir Square have become a grim feature of the site synonymous with protests, but could the political changes make a difference to the treatment of women? A roped off section of staircase creates a safe passage for women as they exit the metro in Cairo's Tahrir Square during protests. But it is not manned by transport security, or the police. It is male volunteers, who cordon off a pathway so that women can get into the square without being pressed upon by the men already outside. These volunteers are protecting women against minor incidents of sexual harassment: touching and groping. But brutal attacks continue to take place. Hassan Nassar, a 22-year-old youth activist, spent much of last week's protests working to protect women in Tahrir Square. He spent some time bringing women out of the metro, and other times patrolling the area. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote Hassan Nassar Harassment has nothing to do with the Brotherhood because it's always been around” Hassan Nassar Youth activist Women who have been victims of assault, and witnesses too, report a similar sequence of events. They say a group of men isolates the woman, then other men on the outside tell onlookers they are trying to help someone in distress. "We go into the middle of crowds to get the girls out and take them to a car to get away," Mr Nassar says. "I do it because this doesn't belong in our society. You can imagine it's your sister or your mum and you have to help." Sexual assaults during protests in Tahrir Square, in particular since the mass protests against a power-grabbing constitutional declaration in November 2012, have become so frequent that activist groups have formed to take action against them. One of the groups is Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment and Assault. Their volunteers alone helped more than 150 women following incidents of physical sexual harassment, including three rapes, between 30 June and 3 July 2013. Maryam Kirollos, a member of Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment and Assault, blamed the Morsi government's inaction for the continual occurrence of these attacks. She told the BBC that people who went to Tahrir Square and did nothing to help were also at fault. 'Problem with society' Hanya Moheeb, a freelance journalist, was one of 19 women sexually attacked by mobs in Tahrir Square on 25 January 2013, the second anniversary of the revolution that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak. She believes the issue of violence against women became worse under the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, to which the ousted President Mohammed Morsi belongs, because they view women as "tools of sex". "This became the official stance of institutions," she says. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote The Brotherhood wanted to go back 100 years in women's rights, it was a catastrophe” Omneya Talaat Women's rights activist But following the military's announcement to remove President Morsi from office, she is feeling optimistic. "If things go fine for the opposition, I think it will be a big step for support of women's rights." The Muslim Brotherhood, however, says the issue of violence against women is not of its doing. "This culture does not respect women," says Hamza Zoba, a spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party. "Islamic culture respects women. This issue is not related to the government but to culture. It's up to society. NGOs should be protecting women." And it is not only the group's members who believe that. Some of their opponents do too. "Harassment has nothing to do with the Brotherhood because it's always been around. It's a problem with society and a lack of security," Hassan Nassar says. But throughout the last 12 months of President Morsi's rule, the Brotherhood has come under fire for its women's rights policy. Continue reading the main story UN Women report 2013 UN women report PDF download A survey of experiences of sexual assault and harrassment in Egypt[738k] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here The group condemned a UN declaration calling for an end to violence against women, saying the declaration would lead to the "complete disintegration of society". And women's rights groups reject the now suspended constitution, drawn up by a committee with a large Brotherhood contingent, saying it does not guarantee equality. Women are only mentioned in the context of the family. Omneya Talaat, a writer and women's rights activist, said she was shocked by the constitution that was finalised in December 2012. "We would have been doomed," she says. "The Brotherhood wanted to go back 100 years in women's rights, it was a catastrophe." But now any future for the Muslim Brotherhood's rule is looking increasingly precarious, she is more hopeful. "I can't say I'm optimistic or pessimistic, but I'm very sure that respect for women's rights will happen," she says. "[Without the Brotherhood] the law will be on women's side." 'Virginity tests' But there are other factors at play. Sexual assaults are not a new phenomenon in Egypt and sexual harassment is commonplace. "Almost every woman in Egypt has experienced it, no matter their age," says Lamia, 24, who lives in a village east of Cairo. Continue reading the main story “Start Quote Marina Alfred Mishreki My parents are less strict with my brother because he's a boy” Marina Alfred Mishreki Lamia believes politics won't change that. "Our leaders are focused on political issues," she says. "To develop we need education and we have to be good people." Egypt is a strongly patriarchal society and many also attribute the lack of action on violence against women to this. Marina Alfred Mishreki, 22, used to work night shifts in a call centre. "I used to come back at 5am and the neighbours asked a lot of questions," she says. "They might have thought I was a prostitute. There were sometimes men who accused me of that." She now has to be home by 10pm to keep her father happy. "My parents are less strict with my brother because he's a boy, even though he's younger than me," she says. "To some extent it's that my father is concerned for me, but it's more about showing his authority." There are taboos for women talking about sexual assaults. Many men blame women themselves, due to the clothes they wear or the fact they are in a certain place at a certain time. Women might also be accused of lying. In the 18-month period under the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, between the election of Mohamed Morsi as president and the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak, the authorities carried out so-called virginity tests ostensibly to prevent women lying about being raped. At least six women taking part in a sit-in in Tahrir Square in March 2011 were subject to these tests. The military confirmed to researchers from Human Rights Watch that all female detainees underwent these tests so they could not accuse guards of rape in prison. One of those women, Samira Ibrahim, filed a case against the military and the court ruled to make virginity tests illegal. But the army doctor accused of carrying out the "examinations" was acquitted in a military trial. The history of attacks on women at protests goes back to 2005, when women at an anti-government demonstration were groped and assaulted. But it is widely acknowledged that celebrations of public holidays are a time for women to be wary of attacks. During Eid festivities each year, women in downtown Cairo are targeted by groups of young men, and it is also common following football matches. But the opening up of society since the toppling of Mubarak has allowed the creation of dozens of anti-harassment groups. "After the revolution, these groups flourished. Before that we were just individuals who wanted to do something, but now we're organised," says Hassan Nassar. He believes the only way to stamp it out is a dedicated security presence at large gatherings along with social awareness campaigns. But until then, he is ready to help in Tahrir Square.

Deadly French train crash at Bretigny-sur-Orge

Deadly French train crash at Bretigny-sur-Orge Seven people have been killed in a train crash at Bretigny-sur-Orge, south of the French capital Paris, officials say. The intercity train had just left Paris and was heading towards Limoges when it derailed, crashing into a station platform at about 17:00 (16:00 GMT). Passengers were said to be trapped inside the train and a local official said there were "many casualties". Interior Minister Manuel Valls said seven people died and dozens were hurt. Map It was a "constantly evolving" situation, he told reporters. Bretigny mayor and local MP Michel Pouzol said four of the carriages were lying wrecked on the station platform. He said the emergency services were responding to a "red alert", put into action when many casualties are expected. A police source told the AFP news agency the train had crashed at high speed and split in two - part of it continued along the track while the other section rolled onto its side. The cause of the crash is as yet unclear. Other media reports spoke of passengers being electrocuted and crushed. Guillaume Pepy, president of the French rail company SNCF, said it was a "catastrophe". The company said 385 passengers were on board when it crashed. French routes were particularly busy at the time of the crash due to the run-up to a holiday weekend marking Sunday's Bastille Day. Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Send us your comments using the form below.

Heathrow reopens after Boeing Dreamliner 787 fire

Flight have resumed at London's Heathrow Airport after a fire on a parked Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet. All runways were closed for nearly 90 minutes after the fire at 16:30 BST. No passengers were aboard the plane at the time, a Heathrow spokesman said. Fifty Dreamliners worldwide were grounded in January after malfunctions with the plane's lithium-ion batteries. Boeing modified the jets with new batteries and flights resumed in April. The Ethiopian Airlines Dreamliner in the Heathrow incident - named the Queen of Sheba - flew from Addis Ababa to Nairobi on the first commercial flight since the grounding. Pictures of the Heathrow fire showed the Queen of Sheba close to a building and surrounded by fire vehicles. London Fire Brigade said its crews assisted Heathrow staff. Fire-retardant foam appeared to have been sprayed at the airliner, but no damage was immediately apparent. Production difficulties Cannot play media. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Download the correct version Aerial pictures show the plane surrounded by emergency crews A Heathrow spokesman said: "Heathrow's runways are now fully open following an earlier fire on board an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft which the airport's emergency services attended. "The aircraft was parked on a remote parking stand and there were no passengers on board. Arrivals and departures were temporarily suspended while airport fire crews attended to this incident. "This is a standard procedure if fire crews are occupied with an incident." Heathrow reopened shortly before 18:00 BST but was advising passengers to check the status of their flights with the airlines. Gatwick Airport said it was experiencing minor delays on departing flights as it assisted Heathrow with flights that were diverted. Meanwhile, Thomson Airways said one of its Dreamliners travelling to Florida returned to Manchester Airport as a precautionary measure, not connected to the Heathrow fire. Thomson, which became the first British carrier to operate the aircraft earlier this week, and is taking delivery of eight of the planes, said the plane had "experienced a technical issue". British Airways is due to take delivery of the first two of its 24 Dreamliners. Virgin Atlantic said it "remains committed" to taking on the first of its 16 Dreamliners in September 2014. The battery problems followed production difficulties for the Dreamliner, marketed as a quiet, fuel-efficient aircraft carrying between 201 and 290 passengers on medium-range routes. Continue reading the main story Dreamliner troubles Boeing 'may never find 787 fault' Dreamliner: The modern aircraft plagued with problems New batteries give Dreamliner take-off It was due to enter passenger service in 2008 but it was not until October 2011 that the first commercial flight was operated by Japan's All Nippon Airways. The groundings of all Dreamliners in service in January followed two major incidents concerning the plane's two lithium-ion batteries. On 7 January, a battery overheated and started a fire on a Japan Airlines 787 at Boston's Logan International Airport. Nine days later, an All Nippon Airways 787 had to make an emergency landing in Japan after a battery started to give off smoke. The two batteries are not used when the 787 is in flight. They are operational when the plane is on the ground and its engines are not turned on, and are used to power the aircraft's brakes and lights. In addition to new versions of the batteries which run at a much cooler temperature, they are now enclosed in stainless steel boxes. Boeing shares fell more than 6% on the New York Stock Exchange on news of the fire. A Boeing spokesman said: "We're aware of the event. We have Boeing personnel on the ground at Heathrow and are working to fully understand and address this."