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Arabian Entertainment Company, Ltd., a leading food, beverage and entertainment company in Saudi Arabia, enters into Business Combination Agreement with Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. Combined company is expected to trade on NASDAQ

Arabian Entertainment Company, Ltd. (“AEC”) has entered into a business combination agreement with Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: SAGA). The combined company is expected to trade on NASDAQ.

AEC’s business model focuses on three complimentary pillars – franchise restaurants, fine dining & entertainment and live entertainment venues – in the MENA region. AEC owns the exclusive rights to the Applebee’s and Ocean Basket franchises in Saudi Arabia.

Transaction to provide AEC up to $151.5 million in proceeds including an anticipated $35 million of immediate funding through a PIPE and up to $116.5 million of SPAC cash held in trust, based on a pre-transaction equity value of $379 million. 

Proceeds will allow AEC to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region and diversify its offerings across the food, beverage and live entertainment eco-systems.

LOS ANGELES and JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arabian Entertainment Company Ltd. (“AEC”), a leading food, beverage and entertainment company in Saudi Arabia and Sagaliam Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: SAGA) (“Sagaliam”), a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”), announced today that they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, Supraeon Investments, Ltd. (“Supraeon”), the parent company of AEC and Sagaliam will combine into a new company that is expected to be listed on NASDAQ and will adopt Tarfeeh Holdings, Ltd. as the corporate operating brand.

The transaction, once completed, will provide AEC with significant additional capital to continue its growth, better serve customers and execute its strategic plan to become a leading provider of food and beverage and live entertainment offerings in the MENA region.

In addition, Sagaliam and AEC expect to raise an additional $35 million through a private investment in public equities (“PIPE”). The anticipated $35 million from the PIPE is expected to be primarily used by AEC to pay transaction-related expenses and fund the expansion of its business platform in Saudi Arabia and the MENA Region.

AEC Overview

Headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, AEC is a premier owner and operator of fast casual restaurant franchises operating under the Applebee’s and Ocean Basket brands.

AEC has been in operation since 2001. Together with its parent company, Supraeon, AEC is a portfolio company of GLD Partners, LP., a Los Angeles based private equity firm (“GLD”).

Sagaliam Overview

Sagaliam is a SPAC that raised $116.5 million in its initial public offering on December 23, 2021.

The business combination agreement between AEC and Sagaliam requires that the sponsor agree not to sell its founder shares for a period of twelve months after the business combination subject to the provisions of the lock up agreement. The sponsor believes that this “lock-up” period aligns the interests of the sponsor with those of Sagaliam’s investors. As such, with certain limited exceptions, the sponsor expects to continue to be invested in the combined company after the completion of the business combination.

Management Commentary

“AEC is raising the bar in the fast casual food and beverage industry in the MENA region and strives to create the best possible experience for customers, partners, and employees so it can create more moments that matter,” said Omar Mirza, Interim CEO of AEC. “We are excited to enter the public markets through our business combination with Sagaliam. We expect that this capital, combined with our leadership team’s significant food, beverage and entertainment industry experience, will allow AEC to grow our workforce, expand our offerings and further invest in our customer experience, while maintaining our core values and family-first culture.”

“We believe AEC has become one of the fastest-growing providers of fast casual dining experiences in Saudi Arabia thanks to its world-class leadership team, and the consistent high-quality service it provides to customers,” said Barry Kostiner, CEO and Director of Sagaliam. “We are confident in the AEC team and we believe they are ready to further accelerate their market position through this opportunity to become a public company.”

“GLD is pleased to support the combination of AEC and Sagaliam. GLD initially acquired AEC because of its faith in the growth potential of AEC and the overall MENA region. GLD remains committed to seeking out investment opportunities in the MENA region and this transaction is in line with GLD’s investment strategy,” said Eric Miller, a spokesperson for GLD Partners, LP. “AEC and Sagaliam are ideal partners. AEC’s differentiated model and track record of performance, combined with Sagaliam’s investment, will allow AEC to extend their leadership position and deliver shareholder value.”

Transaction Overview

Under the terms of the definitive business combination agreement, the transaction is expected to provide AEC up to $151.5 million in proceeds, including $35 million from an anticipated PIPE offering described above and $116.5 million of SPAC cash in trust assuming no redemptions, based on a pre-transaction equity value of $379 million. No additional funding beyond the $35 million PIPE offering is contemplated for the business combination, which includes a minimum net cash condition of $25 million in the aggregate to close.

Upon the closing of the proposed transaction, AEC’s senior management will continue to serve in their current roles. The current AEC owners will retain approximately 50% of the ownership at close, assuming no SPAC shareholder redemptions.

The respective boards of directors of both Sagaliam and AEC have each approved the proposed transaction. Completion of the proposed transaction is subject to approval of Sagaliam stockholders and other customary closing conditions. The parties expect that the proposed transaction will be completed in the first half of 2023.

A more detailed description of the transaction terms and a copy of the definitive business combination agreement will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Sagaliam with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Sagaliam or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates will file a registration statement (which will contain a proxy statement and prospectus) with the SEC in connection with the transaction.

Investor Conference Call

AEC and Sagaliam will host a joint investor conference call discussing the business and the proposed transaction. Information as to how to join the call will be made available at either https://sagaliam.com or www.tarfeehksa.com.

For Investor Relations, including a copy of an investor presentation as filed with the SEC, please visit the Sagaliam website at www.sagaliam.com or the SEC’s website for Sagaliam’s filings at: https://sec.report/CIK/0001855351.

Advisors

King & Spalding LLP is serving as legal advisor to AEC and Mayer Brown LLP and Al Akeel & Partners are serving as legal advisors to Sagaliam. Marshall & Stevens, Inc. has delivered a fairness opinion to a Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Sagaliam in connection with the proposed transaction.

Important Information about the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It

This document relates to a proposed transaction between AEC and Sagaliam. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange, any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. Sagaliam intends to file a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. Sagaliam will mail the definitive proxy statement to all Sagaliam shareholders. Sagaliam also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of Sagaliam are urged to read the preliminary proxy statement (and, when available, the definitive proxy statement) and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Sagaliam through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Participants in Solicitation

Sagaliam and AEC and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Sagaliam Acquisition Corp.’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of the directors and executive officers of Sagaliam and information regarding their interests in the business combination will be contained in the proxy statement when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph.

Non-Solicitation

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between AEC and Sagaliam. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this document, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of Sagaliam’s securities, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by Sagaliam’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by Sagaliam, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the approval by the shareholders of Sagaliam and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the transaction, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Business Combination Agreement, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on AEC’s business relationships, operating results and business generally, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of AEC and potential difficulties in AEC’s employee retention as a result of the transaction, (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AEC or against Sagaliam related to the Business Combination Agreement or the transaction, (ix) the ability to maintain the listing of the Sagaliam’s securities a national securities exchange, (x) the price of Sagaliam’s securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive industries in which Sagaliam plans to operate or AEC operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Sagaliam’s or AEC’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (xi) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, and (xii) the risk of downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive food and beverage industry. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Sagaliam ‘s registration on Form S-1, the proxy statement that will be filed as discussed below and other documents filed by Sagaliam from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and AEC and Sagaliam assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. AEC nor Sagaliam gives any assurance that either AEC or Sagaliam or the combined company will achieve its expectations.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Eric Miller
GLD Partners, LP
213-315-2550
press@gldlp.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8698718

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New government of St Kitts and Nevis ready to usher in new sense of cooperation and good governance, hints at changes to the country’s CBI programme

Basseterre, Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — St Kitts and Nevis welcomed a new government in August and the new administration, led by Dr Terrance Drew, is ready and determined to usher in a new sense of cooperation, good governance, and transparency – starting with steps to improve the country’s long-standing citizenship by investment (CBI) programme.

In his address on Tuesday, 15 November, marking his first 100 days in office, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew provided insight into the focus areas for the CBI changes, which he gave to the citizens of St Kitts and Nevis at an event held earlier today in the country’s capital Basseterre.

Since winning the snap election on 5 August, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew has been working tirelessly for the overall development of St Kitts and Nevis and has undertaken various initiatives including the formation of a committee to combat corruption.

The new administration has presented plans for the advancement of the twin-island nation, outlining steps that will pave the way to improving the lives of its people. A large part of these plans is funded by the CBI programme which has secured foreign direct investment into the nation for nearly 40 years since it is independence.

“Our government has been relentless in our pursuit to strengthen and improve our Citizenship by Investment programme, for enhanced sustainability within a framework of integrity. We have held productive discussions with local developers and international investors alike,” said Prime Minister Drew.

“There will be much stronger oversight and leadership in the CBI Unit by a new CBI Board and Technical Committee. I will announce the detailed changes at our upcoming press conference, but I want to be absolutely clear, that our evolved CBI programme will be run with the utmost transparency.”

To help progress the economy, Prime Minister Drew highlighted that more oversight would ensure that the people of St Kitts and Nevis would also benefit from the CBI programme as it was intended. Plans are in place to support women in sectors like construction, to provide more support to small businesses, and to review opportunities for the development of the renewable energy sector, the processing of fish, as well as packaging and exports.

With promises to improve health care, provide more affordable housing and access to better education – Prime Minister Drew understands that all this will be underpinned by a stronger economy.

Speaking at the event Prime Minister Drew said that while the nation has been the benchmark of citizenship by investment value proposition, the new administration understands that in order to remain one of the most sought-after economic citizenship programmes in the world, it needs to evolve and forge a new path for itself and the industry as it responds to a changing demographic.

Through ongoing consultations with all stakeholders during the exploratory phase, the new government aims to have regular engagement with local and international stakeholders in the programme to ensure it meets their salient needs.

Prime Minister Drew also emphasised how his government is on a journey to bring clarity to locals and international investors through constant transparency and integrity. “Our ongoing work to strengthen this programme and the system must result in prosperity for all.”

Consultations with stakeholders have led to the development of committees to supervise the process and implement strengthened legislative and administrative structures to prevent “underselling” and ensure that real estate projects funded by the CBI programme are completed.

The government’s plan is to maintain a progressive programme that cements St Kitts and Nevis’ place as a leader in the CBI Industry.

The government is also seeking out reliable and trustworthy developers who are ready to put capital behind creative and strong projects that will enhance St Kitts and Nevis’ CBI offering.

St Kitts and Nevis holds the oldest citizenship by investment programme in the world – established in 1984, the programme currently allows investors to gain second citizenship by donating to a government fund or by investing in real estate.

The government fund channels investment to projects that will uplift the country and has enabled, in part, sectors such as health, education, tourism, business, and agriculture to flourish.

PR St Kitts and Nevis
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis
mildred.thabane@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8698419

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New High-Yielding Perennial Rice Sees Sustainability Success Catalyzed by Global Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing Approach

Salina, Kansas, USA, Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Over 70% of the food calories that feed humanity come from annual grain crops, which occupy 60–80% of global croplands. But annual grain dominance may be changing. A study in the journal Nature Sustainability reports that a new high-yielding, long-lived perennial rice with significant environmental, economic, and social sustainability impacts is now being grown in Southeast Asia and parts of Africa.

Researchers in China’s Yunnan Province developed perennial rice in a relatively short two-decade timeframe, achieving comparable yields to annual rice varieties. They were supported with scientific expertise and seed funding from Kansas-based nonprofit The Land Institute and a global network of researchers.

“I congratulate the authors for delivering one of the most important reports in modern agriculture,” says National Geographic Society Explorer Jerry Glover, whose work has focused on developing and using perennial crops. “I believe this report will catalyze a generation of new discoveries by scientists who have not yet been involved in pursuing perennial traits in staple grain crops. This research marks a distinct new line of possibilities for global food production from the nearly 10,000-year single-track reliance on annual grain crops.”

Rice feeds 4 billion people and is the grain most consumed by humans, and is the third largest cereal grain crop after corn and wheat worldwide in metric tons. But annual grain agriculture comes at an ecological and economic cost, compromising ecosystems and forcing ever-higher inputs of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fossil fuel energy, and labor to maintain yields. The growing perennial grain agriculture movement is shifting this paradigm to address some of the food system’s most pressing challenges.

“Since perennial rice can produce yields over eight consecutive harvests similar to annual rice, this is direct evidence that developing perennial versions of grain crops is feasible,” says Lee DeHaan, Director of Crop Improvement and Lead Scientist of the Kernza® Domestication Program at The Land Institute. “This evidence provides a clear reason to vastly increase research investment in ongoing work to develop perennial versions of crops like wheat and sorghum.”

Senior author Fengyi Hu and Dayun Tao began working with co-author Erik Sacks to develop perennial rice in 1999 in a collaboration between the Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (YAAS) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Hearing of the IRRI project, The Land Institute invited Sacks to present his research in 2005. This connection eventually led to Hu and the YAAS team partnering with the perennial grain breeding experts at The Land Institute in 2007 to help jumpstart the development of a promising wide hybrid cross between annual, cultivated rice and a perennial rice cousin from Africa. Inspired by the potential for Hu’s research to develop upland perennial rice, given the catastrophic soil erosion in the hilly regions of Southeast Asia, The Land Institute provided critical funding, technical support, and mentoring and helped expand a network of global peer researchers. The University of Illinois, Yunnan University, and the University of Queensland soon joined the effort.

“The success of Dr. Hu’s group is a wonderful example of how an international network of researchers can help support, advise and advance an amazing and important achievement,” says co-author Tim Crews, The Land Institute’s Chief Scientist and International Program Director. “At The Land Institute, we are intent on working with more research groups worldwide to build on the successes of Hu and others in the perennialization of grain agriculture.”

“Almost yearly since 2009, we’ve held workshops in Yunnan, China, on perennial rice and perennial grain crops, inviting international experts, including African and U.S. rice breeders, sustainable ag researchers, international ag development leaders, and more. This sharing of ideas and building an international network of collaborators has proven invaluable for accelerating progress and achieving success on perennial grains,” says Sacks, professor in the Department of Crop Sciences, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

The research shows that perennial rice crops have advantages over annual rice crops:

  • Long-Lived Production: Perennial rice produced grain for eight consecutive harvests over four years from a single planting
  • Comparable High Yields: Average perennial rice yields were equivalent to annual rice, with 6.8 Mg ha-1 harvest-1 of perennial rice versus 6.7 Mg ha-1 harvest-1 of replanted annual rice for each perennial rice regrowth cycle
  • Significant Carbon Sequestration: By switching from annual to perennial rice, soils accumulated almost a ton of organic carbon per hectare per year, 0.81 Mg organic carbon ha-1 yr-1
  • Labor and Inputs Savings: Farmers used nearly 60% less labor and spent almost 50% less on seed, fertilizer, and other inputs for perennial rice than annual rice
  • Improved Farmer Livelihoods: Farmer profits from perennial rice ranged from 17% to 161% above annual rice

“Interest in developing and testing perennial grain cultivars has grown exponentially over the last ten years,” says Rachel Stroer, President of The Land Institute. “Besides perennial rice, our work on wide hybrid crosses of annual wheat and sorghum with their perennial relatives show promise. With intensified investment in perennial grain agriculture research from global funders and partners, we’re confident that these grains and more will reach high yields with robust ecological and social benefits and move onto the landscape in the coming decades.”

ABOUT THE LAND INSTITUTE

The Land Institute co-leads the global movement for perennial, diverse, regenerative grain agriculture at a scale that matches the enormity of the intertwined climate, water, and food security crises. An independent 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1976, the organization seeks to reconcile the human economy with nature’s economy, starting with food. Its transdisciplinary team of scientists and global partners are developing new perennial grain crops, like Kernza®, and diverse cropping systems that function within nature’s limits and researching the social transformation required for a just, perennial human future.

Attachments

Tammy Kimbler
The Land Institute
612-991-4747
kimbler@landinstitute.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8697794

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FreedomPay Announces Integration with Castles Technology to Expand Commerce Offering Globally

The partnership brings a unique consumer experience powered by loyalty and value-added services to millions of merchants globally.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FreedomPay, the commerce technology partner of choice for global leaders across hospitality, retail, restaurants and sports and entertainment, announce today a partnership with Castles Technology, a globally recognized and industry-leading manufacturer of payment hardware solutions.

“FreedomPay creates a world-class experience for consumers through optimized speed, security, and personalization,” said Chris Kronenthal, President of FreedomPay. “By partnering with Castles, merchants can provide a best-in-class commerce experience for consumers globally.”

Available beginning Q1 2023, FreedomPay will offer Castles’ all-in-one Android SmartPOS terminal to create a secure, frictionless and unified shopping experience for consumers while also supporting merchants with robust loyalty and data analytics capabilities. The move furthers its commitment towards an open and accessible ecosystem for FreedomPay’s merchants and industry partners alike. “Ultimately, FreedomPay’s proposition to the market is innovation based around choice and flexibility – we take another step forward with this announcement,” said Kronenthal.

“This partnership with FreedomPay brings together world-class commerce technology with industry-leading payment acceptance hardware solutions that drive global commerce by serving consumers and businesses to securely pay and get paid. Delivering innovation and trust is part of our DNA, and we are thrilled to be working with FreedomPay, who shares our ambitions to keep pushing our industry forward for our clients,” said Ben Love, President & CTO of Castles Technology North America.

Castles devices offer merchants many benefits including:

  • FreedomPay’s PCI-Validated P2PE solution and PCI PTS v6 firmware
  • Front and rear cameras for QR code payment acceptance and loyalty programs
  • Laser scanner for fast product scanning
  • 5” touchscreen with PIN on glass

Supported by Castles, FreedomPay continues its global expansion across 130+ countries, more than one hundred currencies and thousands of commerce partners.

About FreedomPay
FreedomPay’s Next Level Commerce™ platform transforms existing payment systems and processes from legacy to leading edge. As the premier choice for many of the largest companies across the globe in retail, hospitality, lodging, gaming, sports and entertainment, foodservice, education, healthcare and financial services, FreedomPay’s technology has been purposely built to deliver rock solid performance in the highly complex environment of global commerce. The company maintains a world-class security environment and was first to earn the coveted validation by the PCI Security Standards Council against Point-to-Point Encryption (P2PE/EMV) standard in North America. FreedomPay’s robust solutions across payments, security, identity, and data analytics are available in-store, online and on-mobile and are supported by rapid API adoption. The award winning FreedomPay Commerce Platform operates on a single, unified technology stack across multiple continents allowing enterprises to deliver an innovative Next Level experience on a global scale. www.freedompay.com

About Castles Technology
With thirty years of worldwide market experience, Castles Technology has established itself as a top global manufacturer of next-generation payment acceptance hardware. Our goal is to create simple, innovative, and secure payment solutions that provide mobility and flexibility for a diverse range of attended and unattended payment environments such as retail, vending, micro markets, restaurants, transportation, finance, lodging, and hospitality. We pride ourselves on crafting accessible payment solutions, reducing the lifetime cost of payment acceptance hardware, and providing robust integration options. Our North American headquarters are in Atlanta, GA, and Castles Technology has 11 regional offices across Asia, Europe, and North and South America.

Jennifer Tayebi
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Jennifer.tayebi@hkstrategies.com
(734) 395-0780

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8697871

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كسب المعركة ضد الاعتلال العصبي لدى مرضى السكري

يشارك خبراء الصحة والخبراء الطبيون في  P&G  الإرشادات السريرية في تشخيص وعلاج تلف الأعصاب بين مرضى السكري

مانيلا، الفلبين, 16 نوفمبر / تشرين ثاني 2022   — /PRNewswire/ قبل اليوم العالمي للسكري 2022، جمعت  P&G Health  خبراء طبيين متعددي التخصصات مشهورين عالميًا مع أخصائيين في الرعاية الصحية من جميع أنحاء آسيا والمحيط الهادئ والشرق الأوسط، في منتدى “كسب المعركة ضد الاعتلال العصبي لدى مرضى السكري” لمشاركة أحدث الإرشادات السريرية حول تشخيص وعلاج تلف الأعصاب السكري. وقد شهد الحدث المميز، الذي تم استضافته من مانيلا وتم بثه إلى أكثر من 10 دول و 3400 مشارك، نشر الإرشادات السريرية حول إجراءات التشخيص البسيطة للاعتلال العصبي المحيطي وتبادل الخبرات السريرية من قبل الخبراء الطبيين.

مع كون داء السكري هو السبب الرئيسي [1] للاعتلال العصبي المحيطي ( PN )، يرتبط الانتشار المتزايد ل للاعتلال العصبي المحيطي ( PN ) ارتباطًا وثيقًا بارتفاع عدد مرضى السكري. إن الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي ( PN ) بما في ذلك الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي السكري ( DPN ) هو نتيجة لتلف الأعصاب التي تؤثر على نوعية حياة الناس لأنهم غير قادرين على ممارسة حياتهم اليومية بشكل مريح. يمكن أن يكون لألم الحرقة و ال ألم ال حاد في القدمين واليدين تأثير كبير على أنشطة الحياة اليومية، بما في ذلك المشي وصعود السلالم والنوم. غالبًا ما يتم تشخيص الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي بشكل خاطئ أو يتم تشخيصه بشكل ناقص بسبب نقص الوعي بين كل من المرضى والأطباء [2]. إلى جانب داء السكري، يعتبر نقص فيتامينات ب والشيخوخة من العوامل الأخرى عالية الخطورة التي تؤدي إلى تلف الأعصاب المحيطية.

شارك الدكتور أشلي بارلو، المدير الأول للشؤون الطبية والتقنية لشركة  P&G Health  في آسيا والهند والشرق الأوسط وأفريقيا:  “بصفتها شريكًا في الاتحاد الدولي للسكري ( IDF) ، تلتزم  P&G Health  بمواصلة الجهود لزيادة الوعي بمرض السكري والمضاعفات المرتبطة به بما في ذلك الاعتلال العصبي وتلف الأعصاب. يعد منتدى “كسب المعركة ضد الاعتلال العصبي لدى مرضى السكري” أول منتدى من عدة منتديات علمية تنشرها  P&G Health  كجزء من جهود التوعية باليوم العالمي للسكري في منطقة آسيا والمحيط الهادئ والشرق الأوسط وأفريقيا، لتسليط الضوء على العلاقة بين الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي ومرض السكري وأهمية الكشف المبكر والعلاج في الوقت المناسب”.

شارك الدكتور رياز مالك في حديثه في المنتدى، (أستاذ الطب في كلية الطب وايل كورنيل، وطبيب استشاري في مستشفى جامعة مانشستر التعليمي المركزي): “لا يتم تشخيص الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي بدرجة كبيرة في جنوب شرق آسيا والشرق الأوسط بسبب نقص توجيهات بالإجماع حول الفحص الروتيني ومسارات التشخيص. هذا له تأثير كبير على نوعية الحياة نتيجة لأعراض الاعتلال العصبي المؤلمة وتقرح القدم وبتر القدم مع معدل وفيات لمدة 5 سنوات بنسبة 40٪ و80٪ على التوالي. يجب أن يكون هنالك وعي وإحساس بالحالة الاستعجالية بين المرضى ومقدمي الرعاية الصحية، ويحتاج أطباء الرعاية الأولية إلى أدوات وإرشادات بسيطة لمساعدتهم على تشخيص الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي.”

لقد سلط منتدى  P&G Health  تحت شعار “كسب المعركة ضد الاعتلال العصبي لدى مرضى السكري”، الضوء على الرؤى والبيانات والمبادئ التوجيهية للممارسات السريرية من خبراء الصحة من جميع أنحاء العالم والمنطقة حول الدور المهم لتشخيص الاعتلال العصبي وعلاجه وإدارته، في تحسين نوعية حياة مرضى السكري”، أضاف الدكتور أشلي بارلو.

“على الرغم من أن تشخيص المريض المصاب بالاعتلال العصبي المبكر قد يبدو صعبًا، إلا أنه لا يتطلب أدوات تشخيص معقدة لتشخيص الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي. يمكن أن تكون الأدوات البسيطة مثل الاستبيان والاختبار الحسي بداية جيدة. من خلال طرح الأسئلة الصحيحة والاستماع إلى المريض، يمكننا مساعدة المرضى على تجنب المضاعفات الشديدة وتحسين نوعية حياتهم. وأضاف الدكتور رياز مالك: “أن لطبيب الرعاية الأولية دور رئيسي في هذا الأمر”.

لمزيد من المعلومات حول منتدى “كسب المعركة ضد الاعتلال العصبي لدى مرضى السكري”، انقر هنا للتسجيل بالندوة عبر الإنترنت والتعلم منها كمتخصص رعاية صحية: WDDglobalwebinar  

حقائق سريعة:

  •  في عام 2021، كان هناك 393 مليون مريض بالسكري [3] في منطقة آسيا والمحيط الهادئ والشرق الأوسط وأفريقيا من المتوقع أن يرتفع إلى 603 مليون بحلول عام 2045[3].
  •  يعاني 1 من كل 2 من مرضى السكري من الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي [4] خلال حياتهم. مع تزايد انتشار مرض السكري سيكون هناك نمو هائل في عدد المرضى بالاعتلال العصبي المحيطي في هذه المناطق.
  •  يوجد أيضًا على الأقل نفس عدد الأشخاص في مرحلة ما قبل السكري كعدد المصابين بداء السكري وما لا يقل عن 10٪ يعانون من الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي [5].
  •  أفادت دراسة من الفلبين في عام 2000 من مشروع  Diabcare-Asia ، والتي قيمت 2708 مرضى في مراكز السكري، أن معدل انتشار الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي بلغ 42٪، بناءً على السجلات الطبية [6].
  •  ثلث الأطباء يتعرفون على علامات الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي السكري ( DPN ). تساهم الحالات غير المشخصة بشكل كبير في ارتفاع معدلات الاعتلال والوفيات لمرض السكري [3]. ما يصل إلى 50% من المرضى لا يعانون من أعراض، وبالتالي غالبًا ما يظلون غير مشخصين وهم معرضون لخطر الإصابة غير الحسّاسة [7].
  •  إذا لم يتم تشخيصه وعلاجه مبكرًا، يمكن أن يتطور الاعتلال العصبي المحيطي السكري ( DPN ) إلى ألم عصبي له تأثير هائل على نوعية الحياة.

نبذة عن  P&G Health :  P&G Health ، قسم الرعاية الصحية في شركة  P&G ، يقود الابتكار الذي يركز على المستهلك لتمكين المستهلكين من عيش حياة أكثر صحة وحيوية. تشمل محفظة  P&G Health  العلامات التجارية الرائدة في مجال الجهاز التنفسي مع  Vicks ® و Nasivin ® والحمل باستخدام  Femibion ® و Clearblue ® والعناية بالفم باستخدام  Crest ® و Oral-B ® والفيتامينات والمعادن المكملات مع  Bion3 ® و Seven Seas ® و Evion ® و® Sangobion ، صحة الجهاز الهضمي مع  Metamucil ® و Prilosec OTC ® و Pepto Bismol ® و Align ® و Nerve Care with Neurobion ® وتخفيف الآلام باستخدام  Dolo-Neurobion® .

نبذة عن شركة  Procter & Gamble  يخدم  P&G  المستهلكين في جميع أنحاء العالم بواحدة من أقوى مجموعات العلامات التجارية الموثوقة والرائدة ذات الجودة العالية، بما في ذلك  Always ® و Ambi Pur ® و Ariel ® و Bounty ® و Charmin ® و Crest ® و Dawn ® و Downy ® و Fairy ® و Febreze  ® و Gain ® و Gillette ® و Head & Shoulders ® و Lenor ® و Olay ® و Oral-B ® و Pampers ® و Pantene ® و SK-II ® و Tide ® و Vicks ® و Whisper® . كما يضم مجتمع  P&G  عمليات في حوالي 70 دولة حول العالم.

المراجع:

  1. Landmann G. Ars Medici.  2013؛1:  ‎ 18 – 21
  2. Malik, Rayaz et. Al .  Journal of Diabetes Investigation.   11. 1111.10/ jdi.13269 .  
  3. International Diabetes Federation .  IDF Diabetes Atlas .  10th edition ؛ 2021.
  4. Kumar S, et al.   Laser Therapy   2016;25: 141–144
  5. Kirthi V et. al.    BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care . 2021  May ؛9(1) :   e002040
  6. Lantion-Ang LC. .  Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2000 ؛ (  50 (Suppl 2  :  S29–S34 .
  7. Miranda-Massari JR, et al .   Curr Clin Pharmacol  2011؛6: 260–273.

صورة –  https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1944556/PG2.jpg
صورة –  https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1944555/PG1.jpg  

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Promote education on diabetes for a healthier tomorrow

ISA awareness and educational campaign for World Diabetes Day 2022

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Nov. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) is delighted to renew its support to World Diabetes Day (WDD) for the eleventh consecutive year, joining the call to action from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to highlight the need for better access to quality diabetes education to protect tomorrow.1

Promoting better access to diabetes education
More than half a billion people are currently living with diabetes worldwide and millions more are at risk of developing diabetes. One in two people with diabetes don’t know they have the disease and remain undiagnosed. Importantly also, it is predicted that by 2030 the number of adults living with diabetes will rise to 643 million, and to 784 million by 2045.2 Therefore, people living with diabetes need access to ongoing diabetes education, including on nutrition, to understand their condition and carry out the daily self-care essential to staying healthy and avoiding complications.

Join the workshop organised by the Mexican Diabetes Federation
Healthcare professionals are invited to join the workshop organised on 23rd November 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00pm, Mexico City time (midnight to 2:00am CET on 24th November), by the Mexican Diabetes Federation (Federación Mexicana de Diabetes – FMD) and supported by the ISA on the theme ‘Uses and benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners’. More information on the programme and registration is available here.

Discover the latest dietary guidelines for obesity and diabetes management
A webinar by the European Federation of Associations of Dietitians (EFAD) and its European Specialist Dietetic Network (ESDN) on Obesity taking place in November 2022 (exact date TBC) will present the latest nutritional guidelines for obesity and diabetes management, including about the role of sugars and low/no calorie sweeteners. More information will be available soon.

Education on low/no calorie sweeteners can help people living with diabetes: ISA campaign for WDD 2022
Both health professionals and people living with diabetes need to have better access to nutrition education in diabetes, including about the role of low/no calorie sweeteners in diabetes control.

Low/no calorie sweeteners offer people with diabetes broader food choices by providing the pleasure of sweet taste without affecting blood glucose control.3 Studies show that unlike carbohydrates, low/no calorie sweeteners do not raise blood sugar level,4,5 and that people with diabetes can use them safely. This is also recognised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which authorised the health claim that low/no calorie sweeteners used as a replacement for sugars induce a lower blood sugar rise after consumption compared to sugar-containing foods and drinks.6

The ISA website provides numerous educational materials on low/no calorie sweeteners’ role in diabetes, including recordings of previous webinars and scientific events, as well as various resources for healthcare professionals that have been developed with the aim to provide evidence-based scientific information on the safety, use, role and benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners, such as the infographic: ‘Low/no calorie sweeteners in diabetes’ and the media factsheet ‘Diabetes and Blood Sugar Control with Low/no Calorie Sweeteners’.

ISA activities for World Diabetes Day have been endorsed by diabetes organisations including the Brazilian diabetes association7(ANAD), the Colombian Diabetology Federation8 (FDC), the Mexican Diabetes Federation9 (FMD) and the Brazilian Federation of Diabetes’ Organisations10 (FENAD).

Share the ISA campaign for World Diabetes Day 2022 on social media with your friends, family and network by using the dedicated hashtags #ISA4WDD, #WDD2022 and #EducationToProtect.

Follow @SweetenersAndU, ISA Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and subscribe to the ISA YouTube channel to find out more about this campaign and webinars and to advance your knowledge on what can be done to prevent or manage diabetes!

More information about ISA activities for World Diabetes Day is available here.

ISA Video to Promote education on diabetes for a healthier tomorrow – ISA supports World Diabetes Day 2022 is available here.

REFERENCES

  1. World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2022. Available at: https://worlddiabetesday.org/
  2. IDF Diabetes Atlas. Available at: https://diabetesatlas.org/
  3. Diabetes UK. The use of low or no calorie sweeteners. Position Statement (Updated December 2018). Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/food-nutrition-lifestyle/use-of-low-or-no-calorie-sweetners
  4. Nichol AD, Holle MJ, An R. Glycemic impact of non-nutritive sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Clin Nutr 2018; 72: 796-804
  5. Greyling A, Appleton KM, Raben A, Mela DJ. Acute glycemic and insulinemic effects of low-energy sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2020; 112(4): 1002-1014
  6. EFSA Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to intense sweeteners. EFSA 2011 Journal 9(6): 2229, and 9(4): 2076
  7. Federación Diabetológica Colombiana
  8. Federación Mexicana de Diabetes

info@sweeteners.org

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be8b9a0a-54bc-4c7e-9239-099313ecc0cf

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