StemCell Therapy

Newswise The ability to recognize faces is a complex neurocognitive skill with important social implications. The disorder, which, according to some estimates, affects more than 2 percent of the population, can lead to isolation and anxiety and impair personal and work relationships.

The traditional view of face blindnessprosopagnosia in scientific parlancehas held that the disorder arises from deficits in visual perception. Under that view, individuals with face blindness are unable to visually distinguish the features of faces presented side by side and unable to determine whether the faces are the same or not.

Now a new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and the VA Boston Healthcare System shows that face blindness may arise from deficits beyond visual perception and appears to involve glitches in retrieving various contextual cues from memory.

The results, published July 5 ahead of print in the journal Cortex, suggest that the traditional view of face blindness as a purely visual perceptual disorder may be reductive, the researchers said. Further, they reveal that successful facial recognition requires recollection, or the recall of relevant contextual details about a person, such as their name or profession.

The new findings can help explain a mystifying discrepancy in face blindness research: People with the condition often fail to visually identify familiar faces, but many also perform normally on visual-perception tests.

This inconsistency has always hinted that there may be other factors at play that go beyond visual perception, said study senior author Joseph DeGutis, HMS assistant professor of psychiatry at VA Boston. Our findings suggest that one important deficit beyond perception is face recollection.

The ability to recognize a face requires two forms of memory: Recollection and familiarity. Recollection is the retrieval of contextual information upon seeing a facea fellow shopper greeting you in the store and you recognizing them as the person you met through work a few weeks back. Familiarity, on the other hand, is a fuzzier feeling of knowing without any contextual information, the researchers explained. Think of the fellow shopper looking vaguely familiar but without any of the relevant details that tell you how you know them.

The findings can help inform the design of techniques to boost face recognition in people with developmental prosopagnosiaa form of face blindness that is not caused by brain injury, poor vision or neurodevelopmental disorders like autism.

Our results underscore that prosopagnosia is a far more complex disorder that is driven by more than deficits in visual perception, said study first author Anna Stumps, a researcher in the Boston Attention Learning Laboratory at VA Boston. This finding can help inform the design of new training approaches for people with face blindness.

The research team is currently working to design one such experimental program in the VA Boston laboratory where the work was conducted.

The study involved 6o people, ages 18 to 65, half of whom had lifelong face blindness.

The participants were asked to perform a series of facial-recognition tasks by studying and then identifying sets of faces that the participants had not seen prior to the study. Participants were asked to study 60 faces shown on a computer screen, one at a time. The participants were then shown a scramble of 120 facessome of them already seen during the study session and some completely new.

To tease out the differences in recognition memory between participants with and without face blindness, DeGutis and colleagues measured their degree of confidence in classifying each face as old or new on a scale of 1 to 6. Correctly identifying a face as old with high confidence reflects the use of recollection, the researchers said, whereas correctly identifying a face as old with less confidence reflects the use of familiarity.

Compared with participants who had face blindness, people without it were significantly more confident that they had seen these faces before. However, those with face blindness were still able to correctly identify many of the faces they had seen before, although with less confidence. In other words, when trying to recognize a face, participants with face blindness relied on familiarity, the vague sense of knowing or having seen someone before without specific contextual information. In contrast, individuals without face blindness relied on recollection.

Taken together, these findings suggest that people with face blindness use different memory processes for face recognition.

The results, the researchers said, demonstrate that successful face recognition requires more than a vague familiarity with a facea sense of having seen a face before but without recalling any other details to place the face. Memory researchers call this inability to identify a familiar face out of context butcher-on-the-bus phenomenon. Though everyone experiences this from time to time, for people with true face blindness this can happen frequently, as often as multiple times a day.

Our findings suggest that people with developmental prosopagnosia use a different memory system when trying to learn and remember faces and that system is less optimally suited for the task of recognizing faces, DeGutis said.

Additional authors on the study include Elyana Saad, David Rothlein and Mieke Verfaellie.

The research was supported by the National Eye Institute (grant RO1EY026057).

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More Than Meets the Eye - Newswise

The gift will help the charity to continue its sight-saving research in the UK

The optical products manufacturer has donated 1 for every order of their blue light blocking screen protectors for phones, tablets and computers.

Fight for Sight works to fund treatments and cures for the leading causes of sight loss and blindness in the UK. The charity is currently invested in over 150 research projects at 42 universities and hospitals across the country, and also campaigns on issues related to sight loss and blindness.

Ikram Dahman, Fight for Sights director of fundraising, said that the charity is so pleased that Ocushield has raised this money to help fund our vital sight-saving research.

He added: Their support has come at a really important time, when lockdown and social distancing have presented real obstacles for our researchers.

Ocushields gift will go towards ensuring we continue to work towards future scientific breakthroughs for the two million people living with sight loss in the UK. We are really grateful for their support.

A recent Fight for Sight survey revealed that COVID-19 is putting new sight-saving treatments at risk. 90% of researchers in the field of ophthalmology reported that the future funding for their research has become uncertain as a result of the pandemic.

Dhruvin Patel, founder of Ocushield, (pictured) said: Its good to know our support will go towards ensuring the charity can continue to fight for better outcomes for people living with sight loss and visual impairment.

Fight for Sight is an important charity in this sector, and we wish it all the best moving forward and will continue to support it where we can.

Fight for Sight has launched an urgent appeal to help researchers cover the costs in delays to projects. You can support the appeal by visiting Fight for Sights website here.

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Ocushield makes 5000 donation to Fight for Sight - AOP

The first six months of this new decade have forced us to reconsider nearly everything: how we work, how we connect with each other and, with increasing urgency, the purposes, functions and futures of the structures and institutions at the core of our social and economic systems. The COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread reckoning with racism brought about by the latest resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement are both happening in the shadow of a global climate emergency. The confluence of crises has forced our collective hand. These are not polite invitations to consider incremental change, they are radical disruptions that are shaking us by our collective shoulders and asking: What will you do now?

If we have learned anything in the first half of 2020, its that our public institutions and policy machinery can be far more nimble than we sometimes give them credit for. Were doing things we didnt think we could do before from the universal income support of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit to a massive shift in public consciousness and engagement with anti-racism movements. Many of our assumptions about the way we do government can and should be re-examined. Its not so much that the convergence of multiple crises has broken our socio-economic systems, its that they have exacerbated the cracks and crevices that were already there, with the kind of acute clarity that means they can no longer be ignored.

One such increasingly volatile fault line is the rural-urban divide. The tendency toward conflict between rural and urban communities, despite their many interconnections, long predates this unexpectedly chaotic year. Contributors to Policy Options noted the growing disconnect between rural and urban Canada in 2017. In 2018, the economic geographer Andrs Rodrguez-Pose drew direct links between such divides and their socio-economic and political consequences by calling the geographic distribution of growing populism the revenge of the places that dont matter. Whether its the glaring ineffectiveness of the way we approach investments in rural broadband, the social and economic pressures linked to disaster gentrification or renewed awareness of the centrality of rural places in providing critical resources like energy or food (and the racialized dynamics of the labour of some parts of Canadas agri-food system) 2020 has surfaced serious sinkholes in Canadian rural policy.

These issues are not new to anyone who has spent time in rural Canada. However, the political and policy machinery that governs our country has become increasingly centralized in large urban centres and managed by generalists. This disconnect is a major part of the problem. Canadian public policy has developed a place-blindness that assumes that what works in Nelson, BC, should work in Dundalk, Ontario, or North Battleford, Saskatchewan all while taking for granted that, of course, Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal need their own specific approaches. Theres never been a better time to unravel these assumptions.

As we sit with the stinging feeling that comes when sunlight lands on the darkest recesses of our institutional dynamics, we must address three critical questions if we are going to make any progress toward reimagining resilient rural futures:

Do we value rural places?

In general, rural value is framed as extractive value or consumptive value, whether its timber, agriculture, energy or tourism, recreation or empty spaces to escape to. Rural places are most frequently positioned in terms of what they can provide to non-rural people, rather than through any lens that recognizes their inherent worth. The tendency to frame the value of both individuals and communities only in terms of their productive or consumptive value is dehumanizing.

By contrast, we position cities as places of innovation and culture. There is a tendency to embed these values in the idea of the city itself. If we can do this for some places, why not others? Why is it so difficult to consider and then centre the value of rural people and places in their own right? What if rural policy deeply respected rural communities, rather than treating them as cities in waiting or something broken that needs to be fixed?

Is there a right to be rural?

It can be difficult to feel like our current approach to rural policy actually does value rural places as unique contributors to the complex interconnections between communities of all shapes and sizes that make up the social and economic fabric of our country. This is mostly because the underpinning assumption of most contemporary rural policies and programs seems to be that successful rural development is urbanization. The geographically uneven results of current approaches to investing in infrastructure, social safety nets, and economic development mean that, to a large degree, geography is destiny. Place-blind policies neglect the importance of place in shaping our lives and communities.

The combination of external forces pushing rural places toward urbanization and rural peoples perception that they are being left out of the decision-making processes that deeply affect their lives has produced arguments about the right to be rural. They echo the philosopher Henri Lefebvres vision of the right to the city, which has become a slogan of urban renewal around the world.

Interestingly, marginalized and underserved communities in both rural and urban contexts have far more in common than one might imagine. For example, the experience of living in a food desert will be similar, regardless of whether your urban community is served only by convenience stores or your rural community grocery store has closed and you must drive an hour to the next city. If we consider things like broadband connectivity, access to health care and education, and the opportunity to pursue meaningful and sustainable livelihood as rights, why should we accept lower standards and, by extension, lesser rights for those living in rural communities?

As we face the possibility of increasingly uncertain futures, approaching rural policy through the lens of rights requires us to start from questions of equity and radically rethink the quality, quantity and speed of our investments in rural communities.

Who gets to decide what happens next?

The transformation of rural Canada has been and will continue to be shaped by both the formal decisions and the informal relationships that continually constitute and reconstitute the structures that govern our societies. However, governments across Canada seem to struggle to develop robust, flexible and effective rural policies to meet the ever-changing needs of rural communities. Evidence-based policy-making remains a challenge. Critically, there often appears to be little questioning about who gets invited to the table when rural issues are being discussed, based on (incorrect) assumptions that all rural communities are the same or that there is a singular policy response that can meet every rural persons needs and aspirations.

Rural policy is typically positioned as a sub-portfolio within ministries of agriculture, natural resources or infrastructure. The tendency to see agricultural or other sector-specific policy as representing the whole of rural policy ignores the layered identities, needs and aspirations of rural places. Further, the assumption that cities are our primary engines of growth ignores the outsize contributions of rural areas to both our GDP and Canadian culture. The dismantling of the federal Rural Secretariat in 2013, the general trend toward centralization of government and service delivery, and the emphasis of all orders of government on sectoral development rather than holistic community development has all but erased rural people from the policies and programs supposedly designed to support them. Re-centering the priorities of rural people and places in rural policy will require fundamental changes in where, how and by whom rural policy decisions are made if we are ever to develop effective tools for addressing contemporary rural realities.

Realizing the radical potential of rurality

It is easy to feel like we might collapse under the weight of the tasks ahead of us; there is much to do if we are going to reimagine a more just world. There is no recovery from our current crises without social, economic and climate justice and this work includes supporting efforts to realize the full potential of rural Canada.

It is time to rise to the invitation offered by American activist and community organizer Mariame Kaba and let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair. To realize the radical potential of the rural, we must leave behind outdated assumptions that both rural decline and unchallenged urbanization are the twin edges of some inevitable compromise.

As we look toward the future, we need to overcome the laziness of viewing the application of public policy interventions through the lens of urban versus everywhere else and develop place-based approaches that recognize the value of a diversity of both rural and urban communities and the critical linkages between them. As we recommit to new ways of building interesting, inclusive futures from here on out, we must not let our imagination end at the city limits.

This article is part of theThe Coronavirus Pandemic: Canadas Responsespecial feature.

Photo:Bruce Bird opens a gate on his familys cattle farm near Cremona, Alta., on May 28, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

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Will post-COVID policies realize the full potential of rural Canada? - Policy Options

On June 14, I sat in a pew at a local parish for the first time in months. After weeks of virtual celebrations, I found it fitting that we would gather in-person on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. It felt good to be together as a communal body. Though our faces were partially covered, the familiar space and feeling of ritual allowed the anxiety of gathering to succumb, for a moment, to the peace of place and presence.

I cherished the peace, yet, as I listened to the presider's homily and then to the prayers of the faithful, I winced not at what was being said, but what wasn't.

We prayed for an end of violence, for peace, and for those working to end injustice, never once using the words race or racism, let alone "Black Lives Matter."

In the wake of the brutal murder of George Floyd and weeks of protests that swelled across the country and on our city streets, there was an implicit silence. This parish, which I'd come to know as progressive, failed to name the racism and white privilege/supremacy that has been thrust into the public consciousness.

I winced because I thought this was a place where I would be able to grapple with the Gospel and the issues of our day. I thought this was a place where I would find challenge in the face of systemic social sin and I didn't.

I also winced because I knew that most Sundays before that I wouldn't have batted an eye at the absence of the issue and these words from the preacher's mouth or our communal prayer. Speaking of justice and peace would have soothed my soul and I would have been able to carry on as usual without even noticing the omission. Yet, now, rightfully, everything seems far from normal.

"There is no way to tell the truth about race in this country without white people becoming uncomfortable." Bryan Massingale poignantly writes, "Because the plain truth is that if it were up to people of color, racism would have been resolved, over and done, a long time ago. The only reason for racism's persistence is that white people continue to benefit from it."

That last line from Massingale's must-read op-ed on white privilege and what we can do about it continues to stick with me. This is not a problem separate from me or the church or my religious congregation. It is something whose effects I witness on a daily basis be it in the classroom with students from Central and South America, watching students at our local inner city public school line up for laptops months after instruction went online, or meeting with neighbors, a majority of whom are Black and Latino, in need of food assistance and other basic needs.

We serve the needs we are aware of and learn the stories of those we walk with, all while striving to root out the causes of such racism. In the end, however, if we are honest with ourselves, we also must face the fact that we a congregation of women religious that is predominantly white benefit from unjust systems and perpetuate, despite our best efforts, implicit biases and cultural norms based on our whiteness.

The demand to admit and counteract our personal, ecclesial, societal, and congregational blindness to racism is clear. As Sr. Mumbi Kigutha clearly conveyed in these pages a few weeks ago, we must "move from a place of tokenism to a place of egalitarianism," making efforts across the board to "critically interrogate" as well as recognize, celebrate and proclaim that Black Lives Matter.

So often we pray to have our eyes opened, to see as God sees. Perhaps the first step in gaining that vision is admitting our blindness. Awakening to the fact that we might not be seeing everything is an unsettling admission. It pushes us to expand our vision, to let new light illuminate the larger reality of the world we may never have seen or wanted to see.

These past few weeks, I've heard stories of individuals in staff meetings asking for forgiveness of transgressions in sweeping statements like "if I've ever done anything to offend anyone, please accept my apology." I don't doubt the sincerity of these statements but I wonder if they are meant more to make the offender feel better than to name specific transgressions, to do the work of identifying and naming microaggressions in everyday life, or to admit to (and begin to see) the ways in which those of us in the majority have benefited and continue to benefit from a society that assumes that white lives matter more, good intentions can carry the day, and that white lives are innocent, good and somehow more worthy of protection than others.

In the same way, I think about the multitude of black squares that "blacked out" Instagram in early June in an effort to amplify black voices. This act which genuinely intended to raise awareness instead ended up largely playing out as performative allyship, giving those from non-marginalized groups who posted it a sense of having done the right thing without really helping the marginalized groups it was intended to benefit.

If we remain blind to our actions and intentions, carrying on what is "normal" and thus perpetuating the racism ingrained in our society, we serve only ourselves and impede the work of movements that are trying to create change. Our intentions, which I believe are good, can unintentionally cause harm to our sisters and brothers. Without a critical eye, we can never see what we are blind to and without naming our blind spots and those in the people we interact with, we can never hope to have the open eyes we've prayed for.

Once we can admit our blindness, we can see our blind spots more clearly.

For the past few years, I've gone to a local rec center in the city of Camden early each morning to work out. Within the first few months, I became friendly with the people who would arrive at the same time. Because it was so early, we needed to be buzzed from one part of the building to the next. The security guard on duty was notoriously tired by the time we arrived at the end of his all-night shift. One morning, two men, both of whom were black, and I arrived at the same time but the security guard was nowhere to be found.

Having seen him push the button on the desk numerous times, I wondered aloud if we might go behind the desk and do the same. My two companions looked right at me and quickly responded they were fine waiting as I craned my neck to better see the button; just then the security guard emerged from the back office wiping the sleep from his eyes. The men chuckled nervously and the guard buzzed us in. Recounting the story to a friend later that day, I heard my own confusion at the men's reaction. Then, like a light bulb going off, I realized how blind (and privileged) I had been.

I have work to do. (We all do.) More work than I can even realize at this point. I don't say this to be commended or comforted; I am simply acknowledging the uncomfortable grace I'm encountering.

This does not cover all the areas of our/my blindness. Nor does it offer an answer (or answers) to the issue of racism. In writing it, I had to admit to my blind spots and shortcomings and the inadequacies of my language. I had to face the inadequacy of the energy I have put forth in becoming anti-racist and better educating myself about the struggles of my Black and brown sisters and brothers.

In all honesty, this is an unfinished piece because we as a society and as groups and individuals are in an unfinished process. Acknowledging this fact is not to dismiss it but to underscore the work yet to be done. I pray that we all might have the presence of mind and heart to go deeper, to lift up voices we have failed to hear or seek out to listen to before, and to humbly see our blindness and illuminate it as we continue to engage in the work of change.

[A Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, Colleen Gibson is the author of the blog Wandering in Wonder and has been published work in various periodicals including America, Commonweal and Give Us This Day. She currently serves as coordinator of services at the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Center in Camden, New Jersey.]

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Admitting blindness: seeing my blind spots and trying to do better - Global Sisters Report

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) The Department of Health is urging Pennsylvanians to take steps to prevent eye injuries that can occur more frequently during the summer months.

During the summer, many children and adults are staying active by playing outside and taking part in organized or recreational sports, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. While we need people to take additional precautions as part of COVID-19 when participating these types of activities, it is also very important that individuals take the proper steps to protect their eyes from serious injuries. Eye injuries can be severe and impact an individuals future and entire way of life.

According to theAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 40 percent of eye injuries each year are related to sports or recreational activities. Eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children in the United States, and most injuries that are reported in school-aged children are sports-related.

Ninety percent of eye injuries can be prevented through wearing protective eyewear, including safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards. Ordinary prescription glasses, contacts, and sunglasses do not protect against eye injuries.

The Department of Health says as part of COVID-19, it is important to take steps to protect yourself from the spread of the virus while participating in organized sports. Coaches, athletes, and spectators must wear face coverings, unless they are outdoors and can consistently maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. Athletes are not required to wear face coverings while actively engaged in workouts and competition that prevent the wearing of face coverings, but must wear face coverings when on the sidelines, in the dugout, etc. and any time 6 feet of social distancing is not possible.

The sun can also damage eyes, which is why it is important to wear sunglasses and sport-appropriate UV-protective goggles.

Even eye injuries that seem minor at first should be checked out, as serious eye issues can cause vision loss or blindness.

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Department of Health: Steps to protect eyes this summer - ABC27

Vision Care Market: Snapshot

World over, vision care has made some significant advances on the adoption of new population health approaches, especially in developed countries, underpinning the evolution of the vision care market. The goal is to achieve the care paradigm that promotes timely, effective, safe, and equitable treatment. More importantly, vision care must conform to standards of patient-centered care. This entire ecosystem needs to be engendered by standard clinical practice guidelines. Developed markets have been shifting toward the adoption of consistent evidence-based guidelines a key aspect in the expansion of the vision care market. An effective health approach hinges squarely on these evidence-based guidelines. The need has nudged the healthcare industry for increasing the awareness about comprehensive eye examinations in various parts of the world.

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Adoption of integrated model of care is a key part of comprehensive eye examinations. These examinations have occupied a key role in the vision care market for detect incipient eye diseases. That aside, such vision care also helps in diagnosing chronic conditions. A case in point is the use of comprehensive eye examinations in detecting multiple sclerosis and diabetes in adult population. Vision screening is different from an eye examination, nonetheless very crucial. In several countries, these screenings have helped identify potential vision problems and facilitate their early treatments. The significance is most evident in community settings. Thus, vision screening is emerging out as a vital diagnostic tool in children in various populations, opening new avenues in the vision care market. In recent years, the proponents of vision care underscore the importance of global partnerships and multisectoral collaboration.

Global Vision Care Market: Overview

An upcoming report on the global vision care market by TMR Research could be a valuable source of information for major stakeholders in the market. The report would offer a brilliant study of the market with its focus on market dynamics, segmentation, and geographical outreach. It could prove to be a useful guideline for players wanting to cement their position in the global vision care market.

Vision care or maintaining eye health are the major concerns globally. Vision-related diseases elevate the risk of blindness or significant vision loss. Good vision eases out daily important activities such as writing, reading, and watching. These also helps in communication, health, work, developmental learning and impacts in overall quality of life. Various factors such as chronic diseases, pollution, and unhealthy diets can affect in functioning of the eyes. Thus, plenty of products and treatments are developed to control vision related problems.

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Global Vision Care Market: Trends and Opportunities

Increasing usage of laptops, tablets, PCs, and phones in day-to-day lives, growing older population, and rising number of vision-related problems are believed to be driving the global vision care market. Apart from blindness, there are various vision related problems such as astigmatism, myopia, macular edema, retinal tears, and diabetic retinopathy. Growing demand from the population aged 65+ years, increasing healthcare industry, and rapid technological advancement in eye care products are expected to boost the global vision care market.

Although, declining eye care treatment rate, product design, and brand name are also projected to hinder the growth in the global vision care market. However, growing brand awareness and paradigm shift in the consumer behavior are projected to propel the global vision care market.

Global Vision Care Market: Market Potential

Growing advent of innovative product launches is expected to fuel the global vision care market. There are several products available for vision care such as contact lens, glass lens, contact lens solution, and IOLs. The incorporation of technology in developing vision care products increase efficiency, improves quality and precision of the final product, and reduces overall cost. Increasing demand for restoring normal vision with eyeglasses or contact lenses, cost-effectiveness in using vision care products instead of LASIK eye surgery, and rising advanced medical treatment are believed to be driving the global vision care market.

Global Vision Care Market: Regional Outlook

Region wise, there is a possibility of North America to lead the global vision care market as the region has witnessed rapid development in healthcare industry. Growing population suffering from eye related disorders, rapid technological advancement, and increasing healthcare industry with advanced infrastructure could also be fueling the global vision care market. The prominent countries in this region are US and Canada. Easy availability of glass lens and innovative product launches with the help of modern technology are projected to propel the global vision care market in these countries.

Global Vision Care Market: Competitive Dynamics

Some of the prominent players operating in the global vision care market are Johnson & Johnson, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, ZEISS and The Cooper Companies. The upcoming TMR report would provide crucial information on their product offerings, market standing, and strategies for progress.

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TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to busi-ness entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experi-enced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.

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Vision Care Market Statistics, Trends, Analysis Size and Growth Factors by 2028 - Cole of Duty

Sheikh Abdulqadir Muazu was struck with blindness at his prime when he was in his mid-20s but despite his disability has managed to write dozens of books and teachers thousand of students in his school.

His ability to write, or correct written text has left many baffled.

At 55, Sheikh Abdulqadir Muazu has been blind for more than half his life. He lost his sight over two years, while he was between the ages of 25 and 26, but three decades later, he has about a thousand people sitting at his foot to learn and has written about 100 books.

His blindness or his special abilities are not strange to Sheikh Abdulqadir who said it was all normal and part of his destiny.

I didnt lose sight instantly, the Jos-based cleric told Daily Trust. The problem kept developing day by day before I eventually lost my sight but that isnt strange to me. I completely lost sight when I was intensifying my quest for advanced Islamic and Western knowledge to fulfil my ambition, he said.

His ambition then was to be a teacher and he would not let blindness stop him. He pushed on to complete his studies.

I strived to pursue knowledge both within and outside Plateau State, he said. I went as far as Kano State, which was after I got blind, to ensure that I obtained more advanced knowledge that would be beneficial to the larger society.

Over the years, the society has found his knowledge useful as every day, hundreds of Jos residents gather at his feet for their studies in Islamic knowledge. He teaches various Islamic texts and boasts of having graduated policemen, soldiers and lecturers from his school. Every day, he attends to about 15 sangaya schools of various categories of students.

Despite his blindness, Sheikh Abdulqadir goes to class and makes use of the blackboard. His ability to write has surprised many people, including his students. He does not only write when teaching, but he has authored dozens of books on poetry, Quran exegesis (tafsir), Arabic grammar and more. His flair for writing predates his blindness.

I developed a fondness for writing right from my youth and that is why even when I became blind, writing books is not strange to me. I have written more than 100 books so far. Many have been published while some not yet, he said.

His writing process, he says, vary, where sometimes he relies on himself, other times he adapts.

Whenever I conceive an idea, I compose it myself. Sometime, I dictate to someone to write for me just as a person with sight would do if he doesnt want to use his or her hands and write. I equally teach students in classrooms like a normal teacher, he said.

He is so adept at this that he even detects and correct errors from oral readings rendered to him. Sheikh Abdulqadir believes these attributes are gifts from God.

To me, knowledge is light in the heart of people. It is not determined by your ability to see and that is why even when your eyes are closed, you could still write and detect errors made by someone who can see because what he would say or write is read from the heart. So, if God lightens your heart, whether you are blind or not, you will write or read well like a person with sight, he said. The Almighty took away my sight and gave me other qualities such as the ability to acquire knowledge, teach and even preach His gospel without sight.

His passion for teaching saw him build a school, which presently is closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the 30 years of his blindness, Sheikh Abdulqadir has adjusted to his circumstances that he believes the loss of one organ should not define him or any other person as that is destiny. He feels normal he said, and does things that have defied people with sight.

I believe that there is no difference in the pattern of life between now and before. Life is the same, he said. To me, if you believe that losing any of your sense organs is destiny, you dont see any difference between the time you could see and when you become visually disabled.

Contrary to the projections of blind or disabled people as poor and beggarly, Sheikh Abdulqadir preaches self-sufficiency. He has been able to take care of his needs and his family through his business of selling books.

I have never had problems of clothing or feeding my family. I have been living well, he said. He is doing well enough that he does not see the need for religious leaders to rely on the resources of their congregants to feed and take care of their needs as they could run businesses from which they could earn a livelihood.

Despite being an imam and leader of the Qadariyya Sufi movement in Plateau State, I run a daily business that sustains my family. I sell books mostly written in Arabic. I dont believe in living without a business because of my position as a religious leader, he said, When you wait for people to give you, you will lose their respect and will have a mind that may not stick to the truth.

One of his greatest accomplishment, he said, was fulfilling his fathers dream of building a mosque.

Before I turned blind, our father had said his major ambition was to build a mosque before he died. To actualise his long-time ambition, he had to sell his land to see if he could build it but death intercepted, he said.

Seeing how badly his father wanted to achieve this dream, Sheikh Abdulqadir put the resources at his disposal to achieve this dream. He also added a school, in which he now teaches. He takes great pride in saying that both the school and the mosque were built without taxing government or individuals.

For the preacher, other people with disabilities must understand that their circumstances may be challenging but giving up should not be an option. As for him, he is a fulfilled man living his dream in spite, not because, of his blindness. That is all there is to it.

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The blind teacher of Jos who has written a hundred books - Daily Trust

SAN DIEGO, July 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Plex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Plex"), announced that it has been awarded two Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Eye Institute: a $1.3 million Phase II grant (R44EY027236) and a $300,000 Phase I grant (R43EY031609). Under the Phase II grant, Plex intends to advance its lead anti-cataract drug candidate, CAP4196 through preclinical and IND enabling studies to gain clearance from the FDA to initiate its first-in-human clinical trials for the non-surgical treatment of cataracts. Plex also intends to develop its anti-cataract drug candidate, CAP4349 as an effective topical eye drop formulation to enhance its characteristics to effectively cross the cornea and accumulate in the eye lens in concentrations that can result in beneficial clinical outcomes under the Phase I grant.

CAP4196 and CAP4349 are topical eye drop formulations that act as modulators of the eye lens protein, alpha-A-crystallin (AAC). AAC is a major component of the eye lens that helps maintain its transparency. Loss of AAC function leads to the aggregation of damaged and/or aged proteins in the eye lens, which results in the formation of cataracts.

"The successful discovery of these drug candidates, CAP4196 and CAP4349, for the non-surgical treatment of cataracts and the receipt of these grants from the NIH further validates Plex's expertise in the development of treatments targeting diseases associated with protein misfolding and aggregation using its platform technology, which is focused on the discovery of barrier-crossing (CNS and ocular) drug-like compounds," said Dr. G. Sridhar Prasad, Principal Investigator on the Phase II grant and Chief Scientific Officer at Plex.

"The receipt of the Phase I grant from the NIH to optimize CAP4349 as a promising topical anti-cataract eye drop formulation will significantly bolster Plex's pipeline of anti-cataract agents and help to advance this candidate towards in vivo proof of concept efficacy and safety studies," said Dr. Santosh C. Sinha, Principal Investigator on the Phase I grant and Director of Medicinal Chemistry at Plex.

"I am proud to be part of Plex's journey in the development of CAP4196 and CAP4349 to treat cataracts which afflicts more than 35 million patients worldwide. The current standard of care involves surgical intervention that can cause potential side effects such as infections, bleeding, and secondary cataracts in more than 15% of cataracts procedures. If successful, CAP4196 and CAP4349 will be the only topical drugs capable of reversing cataracts without surgical intervention," said Mr. Hoji Alimi, Chief Executive Officer. "Accomplishments by the Plex scientific team will be a major contribution to the world of medicine and may ultimately help alleviate the financial and medical burdens currently felt by the millions afflicted with cataracts globally."

About CAP4196, CAP4349, and cataracts:CAP4196 and CAP4349 are drugs that have shown promise for the treatment of protein aggregation diseases for systemic use. Plex has successfully reformulated these drugs as effective topical eye drop formulations and demonstrated promising in vitro and ex vivo efficacy in multiple cataract models and in vivo safety. Cataracts, which is the clouding of the eye lens, is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where 30-60% of blindness in Africa and 60-80% in Southeast Asia is attributable to cataracts. The only treatment currently available is surgical extraction of the lens and replacement with an intraocular lens that is accompanied by a high public health burden.

About Plex Pharmaceuticals:Plex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Collidion Inc., is an ophthalmology company focused on improving the lives of patients diagnosed with complex degenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding and aggregation. Plex's core competencies are in the discovery of drug-like small molecules by utilizing its core technologies, including functional fragment screening and x-ray crystallography to rationally design and synthesize New Chemical Entities (NCEs). The team at Plex has amassed decades of experience in numerous drug discovery programs that have successfully produced multiple clinical candidates, including an FDA approved drug. For more information, please visit http://www.plexpharma.com or http://www.collidion.com.

Contact:William H. Watson, IIIVP Business Development & Sales408-206-0349[emailprotected]

SOURCE Plex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

http://www.plexpharma.com

View original post here:
Plex Pharmaceuticals Awarded $1.6 Million in Grant Funding from NIH to Advance Eye Drop Therapy for Cataracts - PRNewswire

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBLIN In support of Graves Disease Awareness Month, Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) and Prevent Blindness, the nations oldest volunteer eye health organization, launched an initiative encouraging people who are living with Graves disease to FOCUS on their eye health by recognizing the symptoms of a separate, but related disease called Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). Up to half of people with Graves disease will develop TED a serious, progressive and vision-threatening rare autoimmune disease that causes painful symptoms like eye bulging, double vision and facial disfigurement.1,2

The initiative, which was developed with input from the Graves disease and TED community, features a memory device that uses the word FOCUS to help people take steps to recognize and manage TED. Now through July 31, 2020, Horizon will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to Prevent Blindness each time the FOCUS graphic is shared on social media.

When first diagnosed with Graves disease, I thought the eye symptoms were just one facet of this rare autoimmune disease, said Christine G., who has been living with TED for 10 years. Similar to others with TED, I had light sensitivity, grittiness, pain, swelling and bulging of my eyes. After years of struggling to find answers, I learned that TED needed to be managed separately from Graves. With this knowledge, an entirely new world of hope opened before me. I am confident that this initiative will help others get an accurate diagnosis and will provide them with the vital resources and support now available to them.

The FOCUS memory device includes the following steps:

Prevent Blindness is committed to helping people who live with low vision, vision impairment and vision-related eye diseases feel empowered to speak up and get the care they deserve, said Jeff Todd, president and chief executive officer, Prevent Blindness. People living with TED dont have to struggle in silence. There are resources, like this initiative, that can help. We are proud to be a part of bringing much-needed attention to this often overlooked eye disease.

People who are living with Graves disease are encouraged to pay attention to changes in their eyes and visit an eye specialist, such as an ophthalmologist, neuro-ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon, to get an eye exam. Spotting the signs and symptoms of TED early can help decrease the chances of serious and potentially permanent eye damage.3 All FOCUS resources will be posted throughout the month of July to the Listen to Your Eyes Facebook community. Additional information about TED can be found at ThyroidEyes.com, including what symptoms to watch for, a tool for tracking symptoms and a specialist finder; and on the Prevent Blindness website.

Over the past few years, we have been fortunate to listen and learn from the TED community about their experiences with this truly life changing disease, and how we can provide education and support, said Matt Flesch, vice president, communications and patient advocacy, Horizon. We often hear from people living with TED that not only is it difficult to distinguish the eye symptoms caused by TED from all of the other symptoms caused by Graves disease, but that it is also incredibly difficult to know where to go for support. This initiative was created to clear up the confusion and direct people to useful resources that will help them along their journey.

Read the original here:
New Initiative Encourages the Graves' Disease Community to FOCUS on Eye Health - InvisionMag

A hand sanitiser is being recalled after it was found to contain potentially lethal chemicals that are highly toxic to humans and can catch fire.

Thealert was issued on July 7 by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute for Shield Hand Sanitiser Gel.

Not only is the product ineffective at killing bacteria or viruses, but contains the toxic substance methanol that can be a fire risk, the alert warns.

Made in the UK, the 100ml gel is packaged in a plastic bottle and is available with a black or white self-closing cap.

The alert states: "Consequently, it does not kill bacteria or viruses, which could then reach the user, increasing the risk of infection.

"The product does contain methanol (measured value: 3.4%), which is acutely toxic to the central nervous system and the eye.

Follow all coronavirus updates on our live blog here

"Ingestion or contact with methanol leads to blindness and death.

"Furthermore, the presence of methanol is not accompanied by the corresponding hazard pictograms and warnings.

"Users have therefore no information on the toxicity and flammability of the product, which in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire."

The news of the recall comes as tens of thousands of people in "high-risk" jobs will be tested for coronavirus despite having no symptoms as part of a new government scheme.

People including taxi drivers, cleaners and shop assistants will be involved in the pilot announced by the Department of Health and Social Care today.

See the rest here:
Toxic hand sanitiser urgently recalled over fears it can cause blindness - Mirror Online

The novel, Blindness, by Portuguese Nobel Laureate Jos Saramago, is strikingly prescient about a sweeping illness. The plot revolves around a mysterious epidemic because of which people suddenly turn blind.

It starts with a person driving his car who turns blind while waiting at a traffic signal. He pleads to be taken home and a man, on the pretext of helping, takes him home but soon after runs away with his car. The contagion spreads rapidly and all those affected by the epidemic are quarantined in an asylum. The novel follows seven people, who do not have names but only descriptions: the doctor, the doctors wife, the girl with the dark glasses, etc. Lack of equitable delivery of food, inhospitable and unhygienic living conditions, police brutality and apathy of power structures lead to panic among the blind. They are on the brink of starvation. Seven characters escape the asylum and enter the city where they came from only to find that everybody in the city has become blind. Lacking any support, the country plunges into utter despair before resurrection happens quite magically.

Also read | Whos afraid of a virus wolf?

Apart from the obvious connections with the pandemic, there are other, numerous and allegorical ways in which Saramagos world resonates with contemporary India.

Consider for example, the case of blindness regarding the number of migrant workers. The governments own data sources are inconsistent and are a massive underestimate. The office of the Chief Labour Commissioner stated that there are 26 lakh migrants while various estimates, including the Economic Survey, put this number above 8 crore people. The anonymity of the workers has been reinforced as governments have not kept records of who they are and where they are working. This lack of accountability has given a free rein to the complex web of contractors and sub-contractors to exert various forms of exploitation. The migrant workers, like the characters in Blindness, have been rendered nameless in this unequal power gambit.

Then, there is the blindness about hunger and deaths. On June 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced free food grains for National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries till November. While it is a welcome move, it yet again excludes those without ration cards. As per estimates of Meghana Mungikar, Jean Drze, and Reetika Khera, roughly 10 crore eligible beneficiaries continue to be excluded under the NFSA . This is because the central government is still using 2011 Census data and hence underestimates NFSA coverage. Moreover, migrants and many self-employed workers do not have ration cards. At a time when the warehouses of the Food Corporation of India have 2.5 times the buffer stock norms, not universalising rations is inexplicable.

Also read | Getting cash transfers out of a JAM

Two petitions concerning food and income support for migrants were summarily dismissed by the Supreme Court of India during lockdown. The Court finally took suo motu cognisance of the crisis after 20 senior lawyers wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India to intervene. The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, representing the Union of India, has submitted that there has been no death in the Shramik trains because of lack of water and food, and all deaths took place due to earlier illnesses. On May 15, Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal at Bennett University said, We have gone through the entire three months without a single person starving. In reality, there have been at least 850 non-COVID deaths due to an unplanned lockdown. Indian Railway Protection Force Service data show that there have been 80 deaths in Shramik trains alone between May 9 and May 27; most of these are due to starvation and financial distress. Numerous ground reports indicated the extent of hunger. As in Stranded Workers Action Network (SWAN) reports covering more than 34,000 workers, 50% had just one day of rations left and 64% had less than 100 when they reached out during the lockdown. In such light, the combination of falsehoods and measured silence by the governing institutions and the judiciary indicate that they have been afflicted by Saramagos imaginary epidemic of blindness that refused to see the gravity of the crisis.

As rising cases of COVID-19 suggest, the lockdown did not curb the spread of the virus. It was a unilateral decision taken, apparently, to buy time to create health-care facilities. However, the governments hubris backfired. The resilience and the perseverance of the migrants exerting their fundamental right to return pushed the government to respond this time. The SWAN report says: While a part of the governments slow response is due to the lack of empathy towards workers, a part is also the result of inefficiencies resulting from unilateral decision-making. Consequently, the government has created an archive of distress and a museum of misery. The maze of obfuscating travel orders and the opacity surrounding train schedules was as if the migrants were made to play a cruel game of snakes and ladders. The lucky ones took the metaphorical ladder to the train only to find themselves hungry and fighting with fellow migrant travellers to get food. Even among them, most have had to pay for travel forms, pay bribes and face police brutality. The resemblances with the plight of those in Saramagos novel are uncanny. The unlucky ones stayed back, some evicted from their rented spaces, waiting anxiously for their illusory chance to come. As a character says in the Saramago novel, ... you have to wait, give it time, its time that rules, time is our gambling partner on the other side of the table and it holds all the cards of the deck in its hand, we have to guess the winning cards of life, our lives.

Full coverage | Lockdown displaces lakhs of migrants

Unlike Saramagos fictional world, such systemic and structural blindness has no magical cure. After continued hostility that workers were forced to endure, it is difficult to pin down the precise analytical reasons for the diverse expressions from migrants. Some have been resolute about returning immediately while some are unable to return home without earnings. Surveys cannot do full justice to understanding these amalgam of expressions and would at best create reductive categories. We definitely do not need piecemeal platitudes coming from the central government. We need many corrections such as stronger adherence to constitutional values, transparency and accountability from the government and the judiciary. And, not just those in power but also those who elect them need to collectively treat the epidemic of blindness that has eroded our moral core where we do not feel uneasy in seeing the hardships of marginalised communities.

Rajendran Narayanan teaches at Azim Premji University and has been a SWAN volunteer

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The pandemic is about eyes shut - The Hindu

Taking in archival imagery, conservation objects, and photographs of plant activists, visual artist Liz Orton dissects the field of botany to invite us to look at nature in a more profound way.

According to botanists, todays extinction crisis is partly a problem of plant blindness. We dont see or know plants in the way we see and know animals, and they are going extinct at 500 times the natural rate, writes photographer Liz Orton.

Her ongoing work, Herbarium of Extinction, revolves around this statement, questioning in a variety of visual forms the reason for this blindness. That is, while botany originated in prehistory as herbalism with the efforts of early humans to identify and later cultivate edible, medicinal and poisonous plants, these efforts to calatogue plants led in the 18th century to the binomial system, approaching plants according to their only biological aspects.

This system remains in use to this day, with the consequence to alter our emotional proximity to plants. In a poetic way, Orton introduces the notion of attachment and memory that we are lacking for the flora by including to her series objects that used to belong to her mother a framed photograph of plants, a brush such as those used to clean nails after gardening, a dictionary open to the entry E as in extinction. Thats a personal story around lost and care, how you might use representation if you want to retrieve or recover something, she says.

Delving into the past of her subject, she was also triggered by the latin naming of plants associated to the binominal system. You could say in a way that botany was one of colonialisms agents of operation, she notes. To convey such an abstract concept, Orton worked with ancient botanical collections that have been digitised. Using available images of endangered specimens, she cleaned them, manipulated them, ultimately takes it one step further away from the plant itself. And by doing so, she also appropriates the process of digital repatriation - the return of items of cultural heritage in a digital format to the communities from which they originated to subtly point at imperialism. And what, if not imperialism, turned us to think of the world as always more accessible and available, in other words, consumable?

As an engaging counterpoint, portraits of plant activists and experts interacting with plants round off the series. Nature tends to be designated as a passive, static, backdrop across which the body works. And I was more interested in like the idea of the exchange between the body and the plant, Orton explains. I often told to the people, lets let the plant make the first move. The result is a gentle choreography of leaves and arms, branches and bodies, flowers and hands that arouse a curiosity to carefully look at nature again. With something else than our eyes.

--------------

Liz Orton is a visual artist working with photography, text and film to explore the relationship between images, knowledge and authorship. Her work engages widely with archives, both real and imagined, to explore the tensions between personal and scientific forms of knowledge.

Laurence Cornet is a writer and curator based in Paris focusing on cultural and environmental issues. She is also the editorial director of Dysturb.

--------------

This article is part of our feature series Photo Kernel, which aims to give space to the best contemporary practitioners in our community. The word Kernel means the core, centre, or essence of an object, but it also refers to image processing.

See more here:
The Alarming Phenomenon of Plant Blindness - PHmuseum

Associative freedom is often entirely absent from popular discourse about liberalism and our political debates, perhaps because liberals have come to take it entirely for granted.

Overall, the liberal ideal is a diverse, pluralistic society of autonomous people guided by reason and tolerance. The dream is harmonious coexistence. But liberalism also happens to excel at generating dissensus, and some of the major sociopolitical controversies of the past few years should be understood as conflicts not between liberalism and something else but between parties placing emphasis on different liberal freedomschiefly freedom of speech, a popular favorite which needs no introduction, and freedom of association, the under-heralded right of individuals to unite for a common purpose or in alignment with a particular set of values. Like free speech, freedom of association has been enshrined in liberal democratic jurisprudence here and across the world; liberal theorists from John Stuart Mill to John Rawls have declared it one of the essential human liberties. Yet associative freedom is often entirely absent from popular discourse about liberalism and our political debates, perhaps because liberals have come to take it entirely for granted.

For instance, while public universities in America are generally bound by the First Amendment, controversial speakers have no broad right to speak at private institutions. Those institutions do, however, have a right to decide what ideas they are and arent interested in entertaining and what people they believe will or will not be useful to their communities of scholarsa right that limits the entry and participation not only of public figures with controversial views but the vast majority of people in our society. Senators like Tom Cotton have every right to have their views published in a newspaper. But they have no specific right to have those views published by any particular publication. Rather, publications have the rightboth constitutionally as institutions of the press, and by convention as collections of individuals engaged in lawful projectsto decide what and whom they would or would not like to publish, based on whatever standards happen to prevail within each outlet.

When a speaker is denied or when staffers at a publication argue that something should not have been published, the rights of the parties in question havent been violated in any way. But what we tend to hear in these and similar situations are criticisms that are at odds with the principle that groups in liberal society have the general right to commit themselves to values which many might disagree with and make decisions on that basis. Theres nothing unreasonable about criticizing the substance of such decisions and the values that produce them. But accusations of illiberalism in these cases carry the implication that nonstate institutions under liberalism have an obligation of some sort to be maximally permissive of opposing ideasor at least maximally permissive of the kinds of ideas critics of progressive identity politics consider important. In fact, they do not.

Associative freedom is no less vital to liberalism than the other freedoms, and is actually integral to their functioning. There isnt a right explicitly enumerated in the First Amendment that isnt implicitly dependent on or augmented by similarly minded individuals having the right to come together. Most people worship with others; an assembly or petition of one isnt worth much; the institutions of the press are, again, associations; and individual speech is functionally inert unless some group chooses to offer a venue or a platform. And political speech is, in the first place, generally aimed at stirring some group or constituency to contemplation or action.

Ultimately, associative freedom is critical because groups and associations are the very building blocks of society. Political parties and unions, nonprofits and civic organizations, whole religions and whole ideologiesindividuals cannot be meaningfully free unless they have the freedom to create, make themselves part of, and define these and other kinds of affiliations. Some of our affiliations, including the major identity categories, are involuntary, and this is among the complications that makes associative freedom as messy as it is important. Just as the principle of free speech forces us into debates over hate speech, obscenity, and misinformation, association is the root of identity-based discrimination and other ills. The Supreme Courts decision in Bostock v. Clayton County banning employment discrimination on the basis of LGBTQ identity last month was a huge step forward, but in practice, workers of all stripes often lack the means and opportunity to defend themselves from unjust firingsall the more reason for those preoccupied with cancel culture and social mediadriven dismissals to support just-cause provisions and an end to at-will employment.

What about the oft-repeated charge that progressives today intend to establish group rights over and above the rights of the individualthat, specifically, minorities and certain disadvantaged groups are to be given more rights than, and held as superior to, white people? If this were the case, the critics of left illiberalism would truly be onto something: Individual rights are, again, at the center of liberal thought.

But that divergence isnt anywhere to be found in any of the major controversies that have recently captured broad attention. A minority chef who says she wants to be paid as much as her white colleagues has not said that white people are inferior; an unarmed black man under the knee of a policeman and begging for his life is not asking to be conferred a special privilege. The goal is parity, not superiority. The heart of the protests and cultural agitation weve witnessed has clearly been a desire to see minorities treated equallysharing the rights to which all people are entitled but that have been denied to many by societys extant bigots and the residual effects of injustices past.

Ultimately, its the realities of our collective past that make the notion that progressives are dragging the country toward illiberalism especially ridiculous. Over the course of two and a half centuries in this country, millions of human beings held as property toiled for the comfort and profit of already wealthy people who tortured and raped them. Just over 150 years ago, the last generation of slaves was released into systems of subjugation from which its descendants have not recovered. August will mark just 100 years since women were granted the right to vote; Black Americans, nominally awarded that right during Reconstruction, couldnt take full advantage of it until the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. The litany of other inequities and crimes our country has perpetrated and continues to perpetrate against Native Americans, immigrants, religious and sexual minorities, political dissidents, and the poor is endless. All told, liberal society in the U.S. is, at best, just over half a century old: If it were a person, it would be too young to qualify for Medicare.

See the original post:
The Willful Blindness of Reactionary Liberalism - The New Republic

A hand sanitiser is being recalled after it was found to contain potentially lethal chemicals.

The alert was issued yesterday (July 7) by The Chartered Trading Standards Institute for Shield Hand Sanitiser Gel.

Not only is the product ineffective at killing bacteria or viruses, but it contains the toxic substance methanol and is believed to be a fire risk.

Made in the UK, the 100ml gel is packaged in a plastic bottle and is available in different colour, with a black or white self-closing cap.

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It has reportedly been sold online, particularly via eBay.

The alert, classed as serious, says: "The product contains an insufficient amount of ethanol and propan-2-ol (measured values: ? 0.05% and ? 0.1%, respectively).

"Consequently, it does not kill bacteria or viruses, which could then reach the user, increasing the risk of infection.

"The product does contain methanol (measured value: 3.4%), which is acutely toxic to the central nervous system and the eye.

"Ingestion or contact with methanol leads to blindness and death.

"Furthermore, the presence of methanol is not accompanied by the corresponding hazard pictograms and warnings.

"Users have therefore no information on the toxicity and flammability of the product, which in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire."

If you have seen or heard anything you think we should know about, or in relation to this, please contact the Kent Live newsdesk by email at kentlivenewsdesk@reachplc.com.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with us via our Facebook page or on Twitter @kentlivenews.

Original post:
Toxic hand sanitiser urgently recalled over blindness and death fears - Kent Live

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this Monday evening. We will have another update for you on Tuesday morning.

The 1.57bn emergency support package unveiled today for the culture sector has been warmly welcomed by many arts leaders but it will not be enough to save every job, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said. We do not yet know how the money will be divided but the government's priority is to preserve "crown jewels". One theatre has offered an insight into how it will apply social distancing.

Coronavirus restrictions may have eased but sandwich chain Pret A Manger is the latest High Street company to announce shop closures and job cuts as it struggles to cope with the pandemic. Pret is reliant on sales from commuters and lunchtime office workers - both sources of revenue acutely hit by the lockdown.

No new deaths of people with coronavirus have been reported by Public Health Wales for the first day since March. However, BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke points out that given the way the figures are compiled - tagged on to the actual date of death once reported - there have been previous days where the statistics show no Covid-19 deaths had occurred in Wales.

Northern Ireland is seeing a major easing of lockdown restrictions today. Barbers, hairdressers, tattoo parlours and nail salons are now allowed to reopen. Visiting rules at hospitals and care homes have also been eased, meaning many people can visit loved ones for the first time in months.

Three partially sighted and blind people have asked for others to be "understanding" as they try to navigate shops and High Streets in a socially distanced UK. Sue Baker, Reverend Simon Stokes and Mark Smith spoke of their experiences in the city of Norwich and said social distancing was taking away their independence.

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To check the rules on children returning to school.

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Continued here:
Coronavirus: Arts job fears, NI lockdown eases and coping with blindness - BBC News

We all love monsoons - hot and piping pakoras, long drives and the earthy scent of petrichor. But this lovely weather is also associated with a host of water and foodborne diseases including malaria, jaundice, leptospirosis, flu and diarrhoea. Not just this, the rainy season also invites a host of eye infections.As we all know, among eye infections, conjunctivitis is the most common one. Doctors report a sharp rise in eye infection during this humid weather. Three common types of eye infectionsConjunctivitisCommonly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is the most common type of eye infection. Common symptoms include red eyes, discharge from the eyes. The infection can be easily spread from one person to another by touch.

KeratitisKeratitis is the infection of the cornea. The infection is caused by injury to the eyes caused due to unhygienic routine of contact lens. If left unattended, the infection can even lead to blindness.

TrachomaTrachoma is caused by bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. The infection is responsible for blindness in almost 1.9 million people across the globe. The blindness caused by trachoma is irreversible. It can be caused through direct touch or towels and flies that have come in contact with the eyes or nose of an infected person.

Other sources of contamination can include soil, uncooked meal and unwashed vegetables.

Tips to prevent eye infections- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.

- Separate your towels, linens, clothes and bedsheets from other people in the family.

- Do not wear contact lenses while swimming. If you use them by mistake, get a new pair.

- Maintain good contact lens hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly before wearing and taking off lenses.

- If you are trekking or cycling through the forest, wear protective eye gear.

- Take a bath from warm water if you get drenched in rain.

- If you feel any discomfort in eyes, seek medical help. Do not self-medicate.

- If you have already caught the infection, here are some tips to follow

- If you have already caught the infection, wear glasses or a face shield.

- Use boiled or filtered water to wash your eyes.

Read the original here:
3 types of eye infections and tips to prevent them during monsoon - Times of India

The "Diabetic Retinopathy Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2020 - 2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Certain factors that are driving the market growth include the rising prevalence of diabetes and blindness due to the same, growing geriatric population base, increasing technological advancements in diabetic retinopathy surgical instruments.

There is an increasing burden of diabetic retinopathy across the globe. As stated by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the global prevalence of DR from 2015 to 2019 was around 27%. The lowest prevalence was in Europe at 20.6% and South East Asia at 12.5% and highest in Africa at 33.8%, Middle East and North Africa 33.8%, and the Western Pacific region at 36.2%.

Hence, the rising prevalence of DR, along with the growing awareness and concern over it, are expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.

Key Market Trends

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share in the Type Segment

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): PDR is the most advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. At this stage, circulation problems deprive the retina of oxygen. As a result, new, fragile blood vessels can begin to grow in the retina and into the vitreous, the gel-like fluid that fills the back of the eye. The new blood vessels may leak blood into the vitreous, clouding vision.

Symptoms include progressive loss of vision, particularly in those who are not properly followed or treated. The major risk factors for PDR include the duration of diabetes, since 30-34 years of diabetes increase the risk of retinopathy by 65%, according to the reports published by the Columbia University. Hence, the rising prevalence of diabetes is directly contributing to a further increase in the prevalence of PDR.

North America Dominates the Market and Expected to do Same in the Forecast Period

Over the past decade, the prevalence of diabetes in North America has increased. People with diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults aged 20 to 74 years in the United States. More than 100 million U.S. adults are now living with diabetes or prediabetes, according to a new report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hence with the increasing number of people living with diabetes is expected to contribute to market growth across the entire region.

Competitive Landscape

The global Diabetic Retinopathy market is moderately competitive and consists of a few major players. Companies like Alimera Sciences, Allergan plc, BCN Peptides, Genentech, Glycadia Pharmaceuticals, Kowa Group, Novartis AG, Oxurion N.V., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc, among others, which hold the substantial market share in the Diabetic Retinopathy market.

Key Topics Covered

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Deliverables

1.2 Study Assumptions

1.3 Scope of the Study

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4 MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Market Drivers

4.2.1 Rising Prevalence of Diabetes and Blindness due to the Same

4.2.2 Growing Geriatric Population Base

4.2.3 Increasing Technological Advancements in Diabetic Retinopathy Surgical Instruments

4.3 Market Restraints

4.3.1 Lack of Skilled Ophthalmologists

4.3.2 Extended Approval Time for Drugs

4.4 Porter's Five Force Analysis

4.4.1 Threat of New Entrants

4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers

4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products

4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 By Type

5.1.1 Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

5.1.2 Non-proliferative Retinopathy

5.2 By Management Approach

5.2.1 Anti-VEGF Drug

5.2.2 Intraocular Steroid Injection

5.2.3 Laser Surgery

5.2.4 Vitrectomy

5.3 Geography

5.3.1 North America

5.3.2 Europe

5.3.3 Asia-Pacific

5.3.4 Middle-East & Africa

5.3.5 South America

6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Alimera Sciences

6.1.2 AbbVie Inc. (Allergan plc)

6.1.3 BCN Peptides

6.1.4 Genentech

6.1.5 Glycadia Pharmaceuticals

6.1.6 Kowa Group

6.1.7 Novartis AG

6.1.8 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc

6.1.9 Oxurion N.V.

7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/w4r3ha

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200709005619/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.comLaura Wood, Senior Press Managerpress@researchandmarkets.com

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World Diabetic Retinopathy Market 2020-2025 - Rising Prevalence of DR Along With Growing Awareness and Concerns - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Yahoo...

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) The Food and Drug Administration is recalling hand sanitizers with methanol, a hazardous ingredient.

And poison control centers are getting calls.

I do know poison control centers around the country have been, says Dr. Tony Pizon of The Pittsburgh Poison Center.

The FDA is also seeing hand sanitizers labeled as containing ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, but theyre contaminated with methanol. This type of alcohol can be used as a pesticide, a solvent or fuel.

It can be absorbed through the skin but is more dangerous if ingested.

There is a chance of absorbing it through your skin or inhaling the fumes that can cause minor toxicity, says Dr. Pizon. If youre just using hand sanitizer like using hand sanitizer, youre not likely to develop toxicity.

You need to be careful, it being around children and pets because we know ingesting the product is much more serious, says Dr. Matthew Stripp, AHN Director of Toxicology.

Methanol can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, seizures, coma and more.

There have actually been a couple of deaths reported, Dr. Pizon said. There have been several cases of blindness reported, as well.

The body tends to turn this type of alcohol, which is different than the alcohol and wine, beer, and liquor, it turns it into a toxic byproduct. And that can make your blood acidic, and it can do damage to your brain, Dr. Stripp said.

Luckily, methanol poisoning, if caught early, can be treated with IV fluids and medicines.

The end treatment would be dialysis to remove the methanol and the metabolites that caused the blindness, says Dr. Pizon.

Washing your hands with soap and water should be your first choice. If thats not possible, use hand sanitizer. But shop safely. You cant see or smell methanol.

The common feature among the tainted products?

Largely made in Mexico. Those would be the ones to avoid, Dr. Pizon said. Reputable brands made in the United States are really the way to ensure safety.

The FDA has recalled three products and has advised against using 13 others.

For a complete list, click here and here.

Read this article:
Some Hand Sanitizers On The Market May Be Dangerous - CBS Pittsburgh

WALTHAM Mass., July 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Apellis PharmaceuticalsInc., (NASDAQ:APLS), a global biopharmaceutical company pioneering targeted C3 therapies, today announced that it completed enrollment in the Phase 3 DERBY and OAKS studies investigating intravitreal pegcetacoplan (APL-2), a targeted C3 therapy, for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). GA causes blindness and is a progressive complement-driven eye disease1,2 that affects approximately five million people globally.3,4 There are no approved therapies for GA.

Completing enrollment in the Phase 3 DERBY and OAKS studies is a critical milestone that moves us one step closer to bringing the first treatment for geographic atrophy to patients. We are extremely grateful to all patients participating in these groundbreaking studies, said Federico Grossi, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Apellis. People living with GA need a treatment and we believetargeting the complement system at C3 with pegcetacoplan has the potential to control the excessive complement activation that drives the irreversible growth of GA lesions that cause blindness. We look forward to seeing top-line results in the third quarter of 2021.

A total of 1,259 patients are enrolled in DERBY and OAKS, which are pivotal randomized Phase 3 studies designed to compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal pegcetacoplan with sham treatment in patients with GA secondary to AMD. The primary objective of the studies is to evaluate the reduction in growth of GA lesion size, measured by fundus autofluorescence (FAF) at month 12 compared to baseline.

Geographic atrophy leads to irreversible vision loss, a decline in the quality of life, and remains a major unmet need for our patients. Achieving this critical milestone reflects the importance of bringing this targeted C3 therapy to our GA patients. I want to thank my co-investigators for completing the enrollment of DERBY and OAKS, especially during the ongoing pandemic. I look forward to seeing the results next year with the hope that pegcetacoplan willenable clinicians to treat this debilitating disease,said Jeffrey S. Heier, MD, Principal Investigator of the DERBY study and Co-President & Medical Director,Director of Retinal Research,Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston.

In July 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted pegcetacoplan Fast Track Designation for the treatment of GA. The Phase 3 DERBY and OAKS studies were initiated based on positive results from the Phase 2 FILLY study, which showed that monthly pegcetacoplan treatment resulted in a 29% (p=0.008) reduction in the rate of GA lesion growth compared to sham injections at 12 months.

For more information about the DERBY and OAKS studies, visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov: (NCT03525600) and (NCT03525613).

About Pegcetacoplan (APL-2)Pegcetacoplan is the only investigational targeted C3 therapy in late-stage clinical trials. It is designed to control excessive complement activation, which can lead to the onset and progression of many serious diseases. Pegcetacoplan is a synthetic cyclic peptide conjugated to a polyethylene glycol polymer that binds specifically to C3 and C3b.Apellis is evaluating pegcetacoplan in several clinical studies including geographic atrophy (GA), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), cold agglutinin disease, and C3 glomerulopathy. Pegcetacoplan was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of GA and the treatment of PNH. For additional information regarding our clinical trials, visithttps://apellis.com/our-science/clinical-trials/.

About Geographic Atrophy (GA) GA is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness. Excessive complement activation drives the irreversible lesion growth in GA5, and C3 is the only target to precisely control complement overactivation. Pegcetacoplan, studied in early and late-stage trials comprising a total of approximately 1500 patients, is the only targeted C3 inhibitor being evaluated in patients to control lesion growth in GA.6

GA lesions affect the central portion of the retina, known as the macula, which is responsible for central vision. GA is progressive and irreversible, leading to central visual impairment and permanent loss of vision. Based on published studies, approximately one million people have GA inthe United States and 5 million people have GA globally.1,2 There are currently noapproved treatments for GA.

About DERBY and OAKSDERBY (621 patients enrolled) and OAKS (638 patients enrolled) are Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled studies to compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal pegcetacoplan with sham injections in patients with GA secondary to AMD. The primary objective of the studies is to evaluate the efficacy of pegcetacoplan compared to sham injection in patients with GA secondary to AMD assessed by change in the total area of GA lesions from baseline as measured by fundus autofluorescence (FAF).

About FILLYThe FILLY study was a 246-patient, Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, single-masked, sham-controlled clinical trial evaluating pegcetacoplan in patients with GA secondary to AMD conducted at over 40 clinical sites in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Pegcetacoplan was administered as an intravitreal injection monthly or every other month (EOM) for 12 months, followed by six months of monitoring after the end of treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in GA lesion area from baseline to month 12 compared to sham.

In this study, pegcetacoplan met its primary endpoint of reducing the growth rate of the GA lesion (measured as square root transformation of GA lesion area) compared to sham after 12 months of treatment. Pegcetacoplan administered monthly via intravitreal injection showed a 29% (p=0.008) reduction in the rate of GA lesion growth compared to sham after 12 months of treatment. With every other month administration of pegcetacoplan, a 20% (p=0.067) reduction was observed compared to sham. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.1 for this study.

Pegcetacoplan was generally well-tolerated in the Phase 2 FILLY trial. Over the full 18-month study period, a total of 26 cases of exudative AMD were reported by the investigators. These were seen more frequently in the pegcetacoplan-treated patients (18 in the monthly treatment group, 7 in the every other month treatment group and 1 in the sham control group). No negative impact on visual acuity was observed. The results of the FILLY study were published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

About ApellisApellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapeutic compounds for the treatment of a broad range of life-threatening or debilitating autoimmune diseases based upon complement immunotherapy through the inhibition of the complement system at the level of C3. Apellis is the first company to advance chronic therapy with a C3 inhibitor into clinical trials. For additional information about Apellis and pegcetacoplan, please visithttp://www.apellis.com.

Apellis Forward-Looking StatementStatements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the implications of preliminary clinical data. The words anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, plan, potential, predict, project, should, target, will, would and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: whether the companys clinical trials will be fully enrolled and completed when anticipated; whether preliminary or interim results from a clinical trial will be predictive of the final results of the trial; whether results obtained in preclinical studies and clinical trials will be indicative of results that will be generated in future clinical trials; whether pegcetacoplan will successfully advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis, or at all; whether the results of the companys clinical trials will warrant regulatory submissions and whether pegcetacoplan will receive approval from the FDA or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies for GA, PNH, CAD, C3G or any other indication when expected or at all; whether, if Apellis products receive approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other factors discussed in the Risk Factors section of Apellis Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with theSecurities and Exchange CommissiononApril 29, 2020and the risks described in other filings that Apellis may make with theSecurities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Apellis specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Media Contact:Mark Dolemedia@apellis.com617.997.3484

Investor Contact: Sam Martin/Maghan MeyersArgot Partnerssam@argotpartners.com/maghan@argotpartners.com212.600.1902

_______________________________________

1 Weber, BHF, Issa, PC, et al. The Role of the Complement System in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2014; 111(8): 1338. 2 Heesterbeek, TJ, Lechanteur YTE, et al. Complement activation levels are related to disease stage in AMD. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020;61(3):18. 3 Rudnicka AR, Jarrar Z, Wormald R, et al. Age and gender variations inage-related macular degenerationprevalence in populations of European ancestry: a meta-analysis. Ophthalmology 2012;119:571580.4 Wong WL, Su X, Li X, et al. Global prevalence ofage-related macular degenerationand disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2014;2:e106116.5 Seddon, JM, Rosner, B. Validated prediction models for macular degeneration progression and predictors of visual acuity loss identify high-risk individuals. Am J Ophthalmol 2019;198:223261. 6Yates, JRW, Sepp T, et al. Complement C3 Variant and the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. N Engl J Med 2007;357.

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Apellis Completes Enrollment in Two Phase 3 Studies of the Targeted C3 Therapy, Pegcetacoplan, in Patients with Geographic Atrophy (GA) -...

For the second straight day, Catawba County Public Health Wednesday (July 8) reported 35 new cases of COVID-19, increasing the total to 1,081, with 14 deaths. Hospitalizations dropped to 16, from a pandemic high of 20 on Tuesday (July 7). 492 patients had recovered from the coronavirus in Catawba County and there had been 3,686 negative test results.

Catawba County Public Health is investigating a newly identified outbreak of COVID-19 at Abernethy Laurels in Newton, where three residents and two staff members have tested positive for the virus. The facility is informing patients, their family members, and staff about the situation.

This is the sixth congregate care facility outbreak identified in Catawba County. In a congregate living setting, a COVID-19 outbreak is defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases. The facility previously responded to an outbreak that involved three individuals. That outbreak has since resolved.

The Caldwell County Health Department reported 29 new cases of COVID-19, increasing the overall total to 555, with six deaths. 16 Caldwell County coronavirus patients were hospitalized and at least 301 had recovered.

A third COVID-19 outbreak has been confirmed in Caldwell County. Two employees at Hickory Falls Health and Rehabilitation tested positive for COVID-19. Eight more positive cases were reported at Brockford Inn Assisted Living. The facility currently has 40 residents and 18 employees who have tested positive for the virus. In congregate living settings, an outbreak of COVID-19 is defined as two or more laboratory-confirmed cases within 28 days.

15 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Burke County Wednesday, increasing the overall total to 1,116, with 20 deaths. There were seven people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Burke County, and at least 851 patients had recovered.

Wednesday's media briefing from Burke County included an update from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services regarding hand sanitizer safety. A news release was sent out to warn residents about methanol-contaminated hand sanitizers. Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can cause blindness and/or death when absorbed through the skin or when swallowed. No alcohol-based hand sanitizers should ever be ingested.

Manufacturers and distributors are working on a voluntary recall of products that have a significant amount of methanol. There has been an increase in products manufactured in Mexico that are labeled to contain ethanol, whish is normal alcohol used in hand sanitizer, but was tested positive for methanol contamination. Get more details at this link: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/public-health-risk-associated-methanol-contaminated-hand-sanitizers

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday reported 138 cases of COVID-19 in Alexander County, two more than the previous update issued by county health officials. Through Wednesday, there had been one coronavirus-related death in Alexander County.

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Thursday COVID-19 Update: Two More Outbreaks Reported In Hickory Metro, New Cases Added In All Counties - WHKY