Latest news with #Kannan
Mid East Info
6 hours ago
- Health
- Mid East Info
Mayo Clinic researchers develop first salivary gland regenerative biobank to combat chronic dry mouth - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai, United Arab Emirates;July 2025 — Millions of people are affected by chronic dry mouth, or xerostomia, an agonizing side effect of damaged salivary glands. While chemotherapy and radiation treatment for head and neck cancer are the most common causes of this, aging, certain medications and other factors, including diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and HIV/AIDS, can also cause chronic dry mouth. Currently, there is no cure for it. Mayo Clinic researchers have established the world's first biobank of human salivary gland tissue-organoids that opens the door to research to find a cure. 'This unique biobank resource overcomes a major barrier we've faced in the field, namely: limited access to standardized salivary specimens suited for salivary gland regeneration research. This collection provides a foundation for regenerative therapy development, especially for radiation-induced chronic dry mouth,' says Nagarajan Kannan, Ph.D., lead author of the study published in NPJ Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Kannan is also the director of the Mayo Clinic Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Laboratory. Nearly 70% of patients with head and neck cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy experience permanent damage to their salivary glands. People with this condition experience diminished quality of life from a constant feeling like cotton is lining their mouths. Besides being uncomfortable, chronic dry mouth can lead to difficulties with chewing, tasting, speaking and swallowing. It also can cause tooth decay. 'Chronic dry mouth can extend long after radiation treatments are complete. It's among the top concerns I hear from patients with head and neck cancer. Unfortunately, there aren't many therapeutics available commercially for these patients,' says co-author Jeffrey Janus, M.D., an ear, nose and throat specialist at Mayo Clinic in Florida. One promising avenue of research is the cultivation of rare regenerative cells to greater numbers that can help people someday heal and grow new, healthy salivary gland cells. The biobank consists of specimens collected from 208 donors. From this repository, researchers have already found biomarkers for mature, saliva-producing cells, and with the help of a high-resolution protein map, they have identified the potential tissue origin of rare, self-renewing salivary cells. The research team also developed a radiation injury model, which paired with the biobank, provides an integrated platform to discover new, personalized regenerative biotherapeutics. This is a collaboration between Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Department of Otolaryngology.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Singapore Immigration inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from six foreign men in exchange for his help
SINGAPORE: An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from six men in exchange for helping them with their short-term visit pass (STVP) applications so they could remain in Singapore. Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram (pic), 55, who committed the offences between 2022 and 2023, pleaded guilty on July 28 to three corruption charges, each involving an Indian national. The three men were between 25 and 30 years old at the time. Another three similar charges involving three other men will be considered during the Singaporean's sentencing. In a statement in 2023, ICA said that Kannan has been suspended from service since April that year. The Straits Times has reached out to the agency to find out if he is still working for it. Deputy public prosecutors Bryan Wong and Benjamin Low stated in court documents that Kannan joined ICA in 1996 and became a team leader at ICA's Visit Pass Unit in 2018. He rose through the ranks and became an inspector in 2021. As a team leader, he was responsible for overseeing a team of around 10 ICA officers who reported to him. Among other things, these officers were tasked with processing foreigners' applications to extend their STVPs. While there were ICA guidelines, Kannan's subordinates also had the discretion to grant or reject STVP extensions if there were sufficient reasons to do so. However, they would usually consult him whenever they encountered difficulties with such applications. In turn, Kannan had the discretion to grant any STVP extension application that his team handled. There were also times when he manned walk-in counters at the ICA headquarters, the court heard. One of the men he targeted was a 26-year-old Indian national, referred to as V3 in court documents. V3 had arrived in Singapore in March 2022 as he wanted to study hospitality management here. He was issued a student pass (STP) in mid-2022, but it was only valid until September that year. As such, he had to repeatedly apply for STVP extensions at ICA headquarters until he could obtain a fresh STP. On Nov 16, 2022, he went to the headquarters and Kannan attended to him. The pair exchanged contact details and Kannan later contacted him via WhatsApp, asking to meet up. However, V3 declined to do so as he was in school at the time. He later received an official e-mail from ICA on Dec 24, 2022, informing him that his STVP extension application had been rejected. As his STVP was due to expire two days later, he panicked and called Kannan to ask for his help with the extension. Kannan then told V3 to bring his immigration documents and meet him at the void deck of a Housing Board block of flats near Kallang MRT station that day. V3 did as he was told and followed Kannan home. While there, Kannan instructed V3 to submit an STVP extension application via the ICA website. After that, Kannan submitted V3's passport number to his ICA subordinate. He also instructed the subordinate to approve V3's latest STVP extension application and grant the younger man an STVP for a duration of two weeks. The officer did as she was told and at around noon that day, V3 received an official e-mail from ICA informing him that his latest STVP extension application had been approved. The prosecutors said: 'He thanked the accused for his help... Thereafter, the accused requested that V3 kiss him, to which V3 declined as he was not sexually attracted to the accused. 'The accused persisted in his demands for sexual acts from V3, to which the latter eventually acceded to as he was grateful to the accused for his help in granting his STVP extension application.' V3 was also afraid that Kannan would cancel his STVP if he turned down his advances. The two men then went to Kannan's bedroom and the older man performed sexual acts on V3. The court heard that Kannan also committed similar offences involving five other foreign men. Court documents did not state how his crimes came to light, but he was later charged in court in 2023. His mitigation and sentencing are expected to take place on Aug 18. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram, who committed the offences between 2022 and 2023, pleaded guilty on July 28 to three corruption charges. SINGAPORE – An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from six men in exchange for helping them with their short-term visit pass (STVP) applications so that they could remain in Singapore. Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram, 55, who committed the offences between 2022 and 2023, pleaded guilty on July 28 to three corruption charges, each involving an Indian national. The three men were between 25 and 30 years old at the time. Three other similar charges involving three other men will be considered during the Singaporean's sentencing. In a statement in 2023, ICA said that Kannan has been suspended from service since April that year. The Straits Times has reached out to the agency to find out if he is still working for it. Deputy public prosecutors Bryan Wong and Benjamin Low stated in court documents that Kannan joined ICA in 1996 and became a team leader at ICA's Visit Pass Unit in 2018. He rose through the ranks and became an inspector in 2021. As a team leader, he was responsible for overseeing a team of around 10 ICA officers who reported to him. Among other things, these officers were tasked with processing foreigners' applications to extend their STVPs. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Thirty dead, over 80,000 evacuated, following heavy rain in Beijing Asia Thai army accuses Cambodia of violating truce World Trump says many are starving in Gaza, vows to set up food centres Business Crypto's comeback: Should Bitcoin and other digital assets be in your portfolio now? Sport World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro among list of top names for Singapore football coach Business BYD tops Singapore car sales in first half of 2025 with almost one-fifth of the market Asia Giant algal bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, threatens seafood exports Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far While there were ICA guidelines, Kannan's subordinates also had the discretion to grant or reject STVP extensions if there were sufficient reasons to do so. However, they would usually consult him whenever they encountered difficulties with such applications. In turn, Kannan had the discretion to grant any STVP extension applications that his team handled. There were also times when he manned walk-in counters at the ICA headquarters, the court heard. One of the men he targeted was a 26-year-old Indian national, referred to as V3 in court documents. V3 had arrived in Singapore in March 2022 as he wanted to study hospitality management here. He was issued with a student pass (STP) in mid-2022, but it was only valid until September that year. As such, he had to repeatedly apply for STVP extensions at the ICA's headquarters until he could obtain a fresh STP. On Nov 16, 2022, he went to the headquarters and Kannan attended to him. The pair exchanged contact details and Kannan later contacted him via WhatsApp, asking to meet up. However, V3 declined to do so as he was in school at the time. He later received an official e-mail from ICA on Dec 24 that year, informing him that his STVP extension application had been rejected. As his STVP was due to expire two days later, he panicked and called Kannan to ask for his help with the extension. Kannan then told V3 to bring his immigration documents and meet him at the void deck of a Housing Board block of flats near Kallang MRT station that day. V3 did as he was told and followed Kannan home. While there, Kannan instructed V3 to submit an STVP extension application via the ICA website. After that, Kannan submitted V3's passport number to his ICA subordinate. He also instructed the subordinate to approve V3's latest STVP extension application and grant the younger man an STVP for a duration of two weeks. The officer did as she was told and at around noon that day, V3 received an official e-mail from ICA informing him that his latest STVP extension application had been approved. The prosecutors said: 'He thanked the accused for his the accused requested that V3 kiss him, to which V3 declined as he was not sexually attracted to the accused. 'The accused persisted in his demands for sexual acts from V3, to which the latter eventually acceded to as he was grateful to the accused for his help in granting his STVP extension application.' V3 was also afraid that Kannan would cancel his STVP if he turned down his advances. The two men then went to Kannan's bedroom and the older man performed sexual acts on V3. The court heard that Kannan also committed similar offences involving five other foreign men. Court documents did not state how his crimes came to light, but he was later charged in court in 2023. His mitigation and sentencing are expected to take place on Aug 18.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MediBuddy eyes buyouts, funding for expansion
NEW DELHI: MediBuddy, a digital healthcare startup, has drawn plans to expand its services through strategic acquisitions and aims to secure fresh funding to bolster operations, a senior company official has said. "We remain committed to reaching new customers and enhancing our offerings," CEO Satish Kannan told TOI, adding that the company is actively evaluating acquisition opportunities in key healthcare segments such as chronic disease management, mental health, maternity, and women's health. "We are always keen to evaluate opportunities that align with our strategic business priorities. As part of our future growth strategy, we are actively exploring acquisitions to broaden our healthcare services," said Kannan. The startup's future road map involves both organic and inorganic expansion with the help of a user base that has grown.. "Mergers and acquisitions that align with our strategic vision will help us accelerate our mission of making quality healthcare accessible across India," said Kannan. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Gang hacks Dalit brothers to death near temple in Pudukkottai's Avudaiyarkoil
PUDUKKOTTAI: A 35-year-old man and his younger brother were hacked to death, allegedly by an eight-member gang, near a temple at Avudaiyarkoil in the district on Thursday night. The accused are suspected to have committed the crime against the two Scheduled Caste (SC) men over previous enmity and caste-based hostility. A case, under sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, has been booked against the accused and all of them have been detained for inquiries, the police said. The victims have been identified as K Kannan and his younger brother K Karthik (29). The accused, who arrived in bikes, confronted the residents of Kamarajar Nagar near the Draupadi Amman temple in Aavudaiyarkoil and hacked them to death with machetes. The accused then surrendered at the Nagudi police station on Friday, the police said. According to an FIR registered based on a complaint by Kannan's wife, Kalidass, who is a caste Hindu, had tried to forcibly marry her before she eloped with Kannan 11 years ago. The tensions recently escalated following a dispute over a bike sale involving Kannan and another accused, Muthukumar.
