StemCell Therapy

The holidays are truly the most hectic times of the year, putting our immune systems at risk.

Most businesses have to meet end-of-year deadlines. Some of us are planning holiday shopping around travel plans. In fact, in 2018 it was predicted that a record-breaking 112.5 million people more than a third of all Americans [were] expected to travel for the entirety of the holiday season. And, then, of course, others are preparing their homes and daily routines to be upended by visiting family.

Yeah, theres a lot going on in these cold and holiday-filled months.

While we all love to visit and be visited by our loved ones and spend the holidays enjoying their company, its also important to note that staying healthy and avoiding illness is an integral part of that enjoyment. Yet, everything about the holidays from travel to holiday parties to new people in your home makes staying healthy so much more difficult.

What can you do?

First off, nobody should let the potentiality of sickness stop them from enjoying the holidays with their loved ones. So, instead of focusing on what you may catch or how much stress you may be taking on in the next sixty days, look at how you can boost your body to support you in these hectic times. Most importantly, its the time to incorporate as many plant-based immune system-boosting agents into your daily menu as possible!

kalhh/Pixabay

Theres a lot to staying healthy. The food you eat, your physical lifestyle, the amount of stress in your life on and on and on. Yet, when it comes to simply steering clear of the common cold or the flu, it all comes down to your immune system and how robust this essential weapon is.

So, how does it work?

The basics? The immune system is what keeps the bad stuff out. Its a network of organs, cells, and proteins that protects your body from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins (chemicals produced by microbes). Breaking it down even further, youll find the innate immune system which you are born with and the adaptive immune system which you develop when your body is exposed to microbes or chemicals released by microbes. Basically, the one you come with and the one you build.

sweetlouise/Pixabay

If youre stuck on a plane, a train, a bus, or any other highly human-congested compartment, then youre most likely in the presence of one of the following (if not more) illnesses. In fact, a recent study discovered the terrifying reality that its more than 100 percent more likely for someone to catch a cold on a plane than in daily life.

Alright, so you know to expect the common cold, but what else is out there that youre most likely to catch? Read further to find out the most common illnesses that are contracted during holiday travel.

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Ive lumped these two together because, while different in how they present, the reasons for their love of the holidays is similar.

To be fair, if you havent caught a cold or the flu from a coworker, the person sitting next to you at dinner last night, or even one of your own family members, then lets just call it lucky. But, luck doesnt run so far and you just know the moment you step on that flight home, with at least a few passengers coughing and sniffling, that youll walk off the flight with more than you came with.

So, what is are these illnesses and why are they so prevalent during the holidays?

Lets start with the common cold.

A cold referred to as common cold, if you were wondering the difference, there isnt one is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose [as well as] the throat, sinuses, and larynx. Since its a virus, theres little that you can do besides resting, eating nutritious meals, and hydrating. The problem? For some, generally those with preexisting health concerns, the common cold can develop into pneumonia, which is a very serious condition that can cause hospitalization and even death.

The flu short for influenza is a bit trickier and a lot less appealing than the common cold. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. While the common cold generally remains benign, unless in those rare instances, the flu can oftentimes become a severe illness, and, at times, can lead to death.

Its not necessarily that the holidays bring about an uptick in the common cold, but its a combination of cold weather its believed that the immune system is compromised by cold weather and more people out and about shopping, attending parties, and traveling. Plus, take a moment before turning up your thermostat. Central heating can lower our defences by drying out the nasal mucous that prevents viruses from entering the body.

PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay

This is a less common illness, but definitely a virulent, knock-you-off-your-feet, variety.

The norovirus affectionately referred to as the winter vomiting bug is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, this virus is super easily transmitted via contact with an infected person, drinking contaminated water or consuming contaminated food, or even by touching contaminated surfaces then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth. Its due to the ease of spreading, lowered immune system via the cold, and a huge increase of people comingling in public spaces that causes cases of the norovirus to go up during the holidays.

The good news?

The norovirus generally clears up in only a couple of days, even though those few days are pretty unpleasant. Plus, you can enact some key habits to help avoid the bug such as frequently washing your hands, and to avoid sharing your personal items, especially things like clothing, bedding, and towels, with people who are or may be infected.

nastya_gepp/Pixabay

While theres lots more health-related discomfort to choose from in regards to the holiday months aches and pains, dry skin, Seasonal Affective Disorder, to name just a few I think one of the most pertinent that many of us suffer from, but dont talk about is stress-induced digestive upset.

We love our family and we love our friends, yet maneuvering through social events, especially when theyre lapped one-over-the-other can absolutely be stressful. On top of that, theres the work-life stress as deadlines approach before the end of the year, holiday parties to prepare for, and, of course, amidst all of this, youre most likely unable to attend to your healthy eating habits.

Simply put, youre stressed out even if youre happy during the holidays and this can cause digestive issues, increased headaches, body aches, and an uptick in anxiety and even depression. This can manifest in a variety of ways from bloating, constipation, diarrhea, cramps, and gas, to more serious digestive conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, to name just a few.

Its important to listen to your body and take note of your mental state during the holidays. Try to find a quiet moment every day to honestly check in with yourself. Most likely, if your body is all of a sudden not feeling well, it may be an indicator of elevated stress.

Ajale/Pixabay

One of the many benefits of eating plant-based foods is the increased consumption of protective qualities. Most plant-based foods are naturally rich in immune system-boosting nutrients. While a well-rounded diet is a great key to overall health, there are certain nutrients that offer a bit more of a leg up when looking to kick the common cold or the flu. Plus, many of these foods can be properly packed into travel-friendly recipes. Infuse your body with protection while youre on the plane, bus, or train!

Dark Cherry Smoothie Bowl/One Green Planet

You may be sick of hearing about getting your vitamin C, yet during the holidays its as important as ever to make sure youre getting enough of this vital nutrient. This water-soluble vitamin is found in many fruits and vegetables, including oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale and spinach. Along with battling high blood pressure, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease, improving absorption of iron, and protecting your brain, vitamin C is also well known for its ability to boost your immune system. How so? Vitamin C has been shown to help your white blood cells function at their optimal ability, thereby providing better defenses against foreign invaders.

Looking for the best fruits and veggies for vitamin C? While you may go directly for that navel orange, try a few of these alternative foods that are even higher in vitamin C content: acerola cherries, chili peppers, guavas, thyme, mustard spinach, kale, kiwis, Brussels sprouts, and strawberries, to name just a few.

Now you knowwhatto buy, now what do you cook? Here are some creative vitamin-C recipes to get you started!

Dark Cherry Smoothie Bowl, Superfood Kale Salad,Pomegranate Guava Smoothie, Thyme and Concord Grape Scones, Mango, Chili, and Lime Quinoa Salad, Kiwi Avocado Juice, or this Good Morning Beet Juice.

6-Ingredient Matcha Cookies/One Green Planet

Antioxidants. You hear about them everywhere. You know theyre good for your body. So, whats up with these plant-based white knight agents?

Turns out antioxidants prevent damage to immune cells by neutralizing free radicals agents in the environment that may damage your cells and reduce your immunity. Hold up, what are free radicals? These compounds can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body and theyre linked to multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Due to the fact that plants use antioxidants in their own defenses against free radicals and oxidative damage, that means when you consume plant-based foods, youre also consuming that plants antioxidants. While your body requires certain antioxidants to live such as vitamins C and E there are other non-essential antioxidants [which] occur in food that play an important role in general health.

Where do you get antioxidants? To be honest, antioxidants are pretty much spread across the board in a plant-based diet. With that said, there are a few standouts in the crowd including berries, green tea, coffee, and dark chocolate.

It doesnt sound too hard to get to consuming these antioxidant powerhouses, does it! Here are a few holiday festive recipes to get you started amping up your immune system for your travels: Nut-Free Strawberry Vanilla Crumble Bars, Raspberry Breakfast Muffins, Blueberry-Almond Dark Chocolate Bark, 6-Ingredient Matcha Cookies, Matcha Latte, No-Bake Mocha Doughnuts With Chocolate Frosting, or this Coffee Cake Banana Bread.

Spicy Kale Chips/One Green Planet

Hand-in-hand with antioxidants is inflammation. Antioxidants are actually a wonderful component to help fight bodily inflammation. Alright, but whats up with inflammation? Youve most likely heard lots about inflammation being linked to health. In fact, Harvard Health published an article entitledInflammation: A unifying theory of disease in which they lay out the case for the linkage between chronic bodily inflammation and a vast array of diseases.

Inflammation in a nutshell in short, inflammation is part of a process that depends both on the physical actions of white blood cells and the chemicals that they produce: antibodies, cytokines, and the like. Basically, inflammation is a natural and necessary part of the immune response, yet, its been discovered that certain aggravators may cause the body to be in a state of chronic inflammation, which leads down unruly paths into disease.

Luckily, just like antioxidants, plant-based foods are also rich in anti-inflammatory agents as well! In particular, tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy veggies, nuts, and lots of fruits. Plus, there are certain spices, such as turmeric and Ceylon cinnamon, which are known to help decrease inflammation as well.

Get your anti-inflammation on this holiday season with these delightful recipes: Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Pepper and Almond Spread,No Bake Choc Squares, Almond & Date Shortbread,Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Olive Oil and Orange Cookies,Savory Citrus Arugula Steel Cut Oatmeal, Golden Milk Frapuccino, or these Baked Kale Chips.

Spicy Carrot Clementine Juice/One Green Planet

If youre like me, then most medications upset the normal rhythm of your body including inducing nausea, causing constipation, and even aggravating heartburn. When it comes to holiday illness, in particular, the common cold, try seeking some herbal remedies instead? Herbs are an ancient source of medicines dating back to Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicinal practices.

When it comes to kicking your ailments, while traveling look to some fo the powerhouses such as ginger, garlic, and echinacea. Ginger is great for soothing a sore throat or cough and is a powerhouse when treating nausea. Garlic has a compound called allicin, which may have antimicrobial properties, and may alleviate the severity of your symptoms. Echinacea has been used for centuries and is believed to have therapeutic effects on the body due to its high levels of flavonoids.

You dont have to down bitter tinctures in order to enjoy an herbal remedy. When it comes to ginger and garlic, add these aromatic delights to your favorite holiday (or non-holiday) recipes such as thisSpicy Carrot Clementine Juice, these Ginger-Beet Moscow Mules, theseSweet Potato Fries With Maple-Tahini Garlic Dip, or this soothing Italian Minestrone.

Echinacea, on the other hand, can be used in a variety of ways, yet the most popular and effect are in supplemental form Vegan Echinacea Goldenseal Capsules or as a tincture Immune Booster with Echinacea Goldenseal.

We also highly recommend downloading ourFood Monster App, which is available foriPhone, and can also be found onInstagramandFacebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

For more Vegan Food, Health, Recipe, Animal, and Life content published daily, dont forget to subscribe to theOne Green Planet Newsletter!

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Read more:
Plant-Based Immune System Boosters to Keep You Healthy During the Holidays - One Green Planet

When a woman gets pregnant, there is a change in her immune system. (Source: Thinkstock/Getty)

By Dr Aparna Jha

Pregnancies usually last for about 40 weeks. If a baby is born before 37 weeks, it is known as premature birth. In such cases, the infant is too small for breathing or regulating body temperature. This can lead to brain bleeds and other organ troubles. Premature birth can also lead to disability, cognitive problems, development delays, and infant death. Many of such babies will require speech and/or physical therapy later. It can also seriously affect the health of the mother.

It has been difficult knowing the cause of preterm birth. In most of the cases, there have been no risk factors involved. Here are some risk factors for premature birth:

Some researchers believe that the immune system of a mother can play a role in predicting preterm birth. The immune system is sensitive to environmental changes. It might be the common denominator for all the factors contributing to preterm labor. For decades, all the immune-related proteins and genes involved in inflammation have been associated with preterm births. However, there has been no link in treatments or predictive tests.

When a woman gets pregnant, there is a change in her immune system. Chemicals are released into the body that stop the immune cells from attacking the cells of the embryos as the foreign invaders. After the cells are implanted into the uterus walls, decidua, a thick layer of tissue, starts forming between the embryo and the mother. Also, anti-inflammatory immune cells like regulatory T cells are used for keeping the immune system at bay.

When the woman reaches the last stage of her pregnancy, between 37 to 40 weeks, this immuno suppression is switched. All the immune cells start flooding the area and setting off a chain reaction. This triggers the contraction of the uterus. Also, due to the inflammation, enzymes are released from the cells that dissolve the membrane that surrounds the foetus. This results in the breaking and releasing of the amniotic fluid. Now, it is important that these processes happen, but not before 37 weeks.

In the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, it was reported that inflammation involves a protein called cytokines that were present in a higher amount in the amniotic fluid of women who gave preterm birth. The higher the cytokine levels, the earlier was the delivery. Also, women with short cervix had higher levels of a cytokine named MIP-1B or Macrophage Inflammatory protein-1 beta present in their amniotic fluid.

There are thousands of contributing factors in the blood and microbiome of the mother towards preterm birth. These factors can be analysed through a system:

It is clear that these changes can be predicted earlier by researching the immune system of the mother. For solidifying the connection between the immune system and preterm birth reliable immune markers need to be detected in the blood and tied to the difference visible in the amniotic fluid. Now since every cause of preterm birth is still unknown, it is not possible to find these biological markers.

(The writer is Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Apollo Cradle, Bangalore.)

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How the immune system can predict preterm birth - The Indian Express

Nov. 27, 2019 13:00 UTC

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NantKwest, Inc. (Nasdaq: NK), a next generation, clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on harnessing the unique power of our immune system using natural killer (NK) cells to treat cancer, infectious diseases and other diseases, today announced that on Monday, December 2, 2019, it will host a key opinion leader (KOL) meeting in New York City on the current treatment landscapes and unmet medical needs of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, triple-negative breast cancer, solid tumors and the state-of-the-art treatment in the induction of Immunogenic Cell Death.

This event will feature presentations from KOLs George Ansstas, MD, Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis, Chaitali Nangia, MD, Chan Soon-Shiong Institute for Medicine, and Clint Allen, MD, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, as well as Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NantKwest.

NantKwests management team will also provide pipeline updates on their haNK and PD-L1.t-haNK programs utilizing the Companys Activated Natural Killer (aNK) cell platform to target these diseases. This platform harnesses the power of the innate immune system and is uniquely positioned to provide broadly available, off-the-shelf cell therapies capable of being administered in the outpatient setting.

Clint Allen, MD is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Principal Investigator of the Translational Tumor Immunology Program, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH. His research focuses on understanding how the immune system responds to squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and how this can be enhanced therapeutically. He leads a large pre-clinical and clinical laboratory program focused on translational pre-clinical studies in syngeneic models of squamous cell carcinoma and the assessment of clinical trial specimens. He is the director of the inpatient Otolaryngology consultation service at the NIH Clinical Center and maintains a surgical practice for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine based out of Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.

George Ansstas, MD is an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Division of Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Ansstas's clinical expertise includes brain tumors, neuro-oncology, skin cancer, and melanoma. He received his medical degree from University of Tishreen, Latakia, Syria in 2001. Dr. Ansstas completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at Washington University, St. Louis.

Chaitali Nangia, MD is an Hematologist/Oncologist based in Costa Mesa, California and is affiliated with Hoag Hospital System. She received her medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, India and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Resurrection Westlake Medical Center in Illinois. She then completed her Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan. She worked as an Associate Professor at University of California-Irvine and as an Associate Program Director at University of California-Irvine Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program prior to her current role. She acted as the principal investigator for several clinical trials and has been an author of several publications.

This event is intended for institutional investors, sell-side analysts, and business development professionals only. Please RSVP in advance if you plan to attend, as space is limited. Members of the media and the public are invited to participate via the live webcast, which can be accessed through our company website at https://nantkwest.com/nantkwest-key-opinion-leader-event/. The event is expected to start at noon EST on Monday, December 2, 2019.

About NantKwest

NantKwest (NK) is an innovative, clinical-stage immunotherapy company focused on harnessing the power of the innate immune system to treat cancer and virally induced infectious diseases. We are the leading producer of clinical dose forms of off-the-shelf Natural Killer (NK) cell therapies. Our activated NK cell platform is designed to destroy cancer and virally infected cells from the body. The safety of our optimized, activated NK cells, as well as their activity against a broad range of cancers, have been tested in phase I clinical trials in Canada and Europe, as well as in multiple phase I and II clinical trials in the United States. By leveraging an integrated and extensive genomics and transcriptomics discovery and development engine, together with a pipeline of multiple, clinical-stage, immuno-oncology programs, NantKwests goal is to transform medicine by delivering living drugs in a bag and bringing novel NK cell-based therapies to routine clinical care. NantKwest is a member of the NantWorks ecosystem of companies. For more information, please visit https://nantkwest.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning or implying that NantKwest will be successful in improving the treatment of cancer. Risks and uncertainties related to this endeavor include, but are not limited to, obtaining FDA approval of NantKwests NK cells as well as other therapeutics as part of the NANT Cancer Vaccine platform as a cancer treatment.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

These and other risks regarding NantKwests business are described in detail in its Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including in NantKwests Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update these statements except as may be required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191127005192/en/

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NantKwest Hosting Key Opinion Leader Meeting on Novel Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Address the Unmet Medical Needs of Patients with Merkel Cell...

Some men who have exhausted all other treatment options for advanced prostate cancer could survive for at least two more years on immunotherapy, new research suggests.

Researchers found this small proportion of men, described as super responders, were alive and well even after the major clinical trial ended, despite having a poor prognosis before treatment.

One in 20 men with end-stage prostate cancer responded to the immunotherapy pembrolizumab.

However, the scientists say that while this number was small, these patients sometimes gained years of extra life.

Our study has shown that a small proportion of men with very advanced prostate cancer are super responders to immunotherapy

According to the study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the most dramatic responses were seen in patients whose tumours had mutations in genes involved in repairing DNA.

Researchers are now looking at whether this group might especially benefit from immunotherapy.

Johann de Bono, Regius Professor of cancer research at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: Our study has shown that a small proportion of men with very advanced prostate cancer are super responders to immunotherapy and could live for at least two years and possibly considerably longer.

We dont see much activity from the immune system in prostate tumours, so many oncologists thought immunotherapy wouldnt work for this cancer type.

But our study shows that a small proportion of men with end-stage cancer do respond, and crucially that some of these men do very well indeed.

The study involved 258 men with advanced prostate cancer who had previously been treated and became resistant to androgen deprivation therapy and docetaxel chemotherapy.

Some 5% of the men treated with the immunotherapy saw their tumours shrink or disappear, while 19% showed some evidence of tumour response.

Among a group of 166 patients with particularly advanced disease and high levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the average length of survival was 8.1 months with pembrolizumab.

Nine of these patients saw their disease disappear or partly disappear on scans.

Of these, four were super-responders who remained on treatment at the end of the study follow-up, with responses lasting for at least 22 months, scientists say.

A second group of patients whose PSA levels were lower, but whose disease had spread to the bone, lived for an average of 14.1 months.

Pembrolizumab was well tolerated, with 60% of patients reporting any side effects and only 15% of patients experiencing grade three to five side-effects.

Professor Paul Workman, chief executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said: Immunotherapy has had tremendous benefits for some cancer patients and its fantastic news that even in prostate cancer, where we dont see much immune activity, a proportion of men are responding well to treatment.

A limitation with immunotherapy is that theres no good test to pick out those who are most likely to respond.

Its encouraging to see testing for DNA repair mutations may identify some patients who are more likely to respond, and Im keen to see how the new, larger trial in this group of patients plays out.

Immunotherapy uses the immune system to fight cancer, and works by helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.

The phase II clinical trial was led by a team at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden Foundation Trust, and funded by the drugs manufacturer Merck, Sharpe & Dohme.

More:
Prostate cancer super responders gain years of life on immunotherapy study - BreakingNews.ie

ImmunologistAli Ellebedywas working on a studyanalyzing the immune response to flu infection in humans. During his research, he spotted a new type ofpowerful antibody in a blood sample from a patientinfected with human influenza virus.

Ellebedy then sent samples of the antibody to Florian Krammer a microbiologistwho proved the effectiveness of theantibodies by testing them againstextensive samples of virus proteins dating back to the 1970s. These proteins, called neuraminidase, enable the virus to spread through the human body.

The study, whichwas jointly conducted byScripps Research, Washington University's School of Medicine in St. Louis and theIcahn School of Medicinein New York, was published in the Octoberissue of Science.

Future vaccine could survive antiviral resistance

Krammer told DW that the beauty of this new antibody, called 10G1, is that it binds to the parts of the virus that never change. This means that even if new strains of influenza viruses are detected, a potential vaccine containing new antibodies would still be effective.

Moreover, the antibody has a powerful potential to attack both A and B subtypes of influenza viruses, making it an even better candidate for a universal vaccine that would combat human, swine, and bird strains, as well as other rarerstrains of lethal flu viruses.

Read more:Is medicine for the flu coming?

There arethree types of influenza viruses that affect humans. These are A, B, and C. Type A causes epidemics of seasonal flu. Among these are swine H1N1, bird H5N1, and human influenza flu H3N2. Type A viruses circulate between humans and other species, whereas type B and C are only known to exist in humans, causing mild infectionsand usuallywithout symptoms.

DW analyzed data about virus activity throughout the US and Europe, sourced by the World Health Organisation's Global Surveillance and Response System(GISRS). The results, presented in the heatmap below, show that there has been a steady rise in influenza virus activity forboth A and B virus subtypes,especially in the US, the UK, Portugal, Germany and Croatia.

Moreover, the results point to a high activity in the first and last weeks of the year.

Not only to prevent, but also to cure

Even though commonly mistaken for a cold due tosimilar symptoms like coughing, a runny nose, sneezing, and experiencing a high fever seasonal flu can be very dangerous. Untreated influenza can have fatal outcomes, as it can lead to severe respiratory infections. This is particularly the case forsensitive groups like infants, pregnant women, the elderlyand people with chronic diseases.

One of the biggest problems with current vaccines is that they usually last one seasonbefore the virus mutates. However, researchers working on this study also tried to create resistant viruses in the labto test whether the new antibody would still work. The results proved that the antibodies still bound to the virus and neutralized it.

The antibodies proved to be effective even against strains of the virus resistant to Tamiflu, a powerful cure used to treat severe cases of influenza viruses like swine and bird flu.

"Infected mice [in the study]reacted very well to these antibodies even three days after they wereinfected, and the window for Tamiflu was closed. This means that the discovered antibodies would have a potential for the development of both vaccine and a cure,"Krammer told DW.

Read more:Do I have the flu or the common cold?

Rise in global deaths from flu

There is a steady rise in global annual deaths from influenza viruses.Now, there are an estimated 290,000 to600,000 mortality cases per year, but it is still hard to determine real numbers.

"There is pretty good data for North America and Europe, so it really depends on how good the surveillance systems are.Unfortunately there are a lot of countries that don't have good surveillance systems for influenza."

Furtherdata analysis by DW shows that the year 2018 saw particularly high influenza virus activity comparedto the past several years.

The most common flu infections were caused by the virus A, which was not subtyped. Krammer told DW that unsubtyped A viruses mean that it is hard to identify if the virus belongs to theH1N1swine flu, or H3N2, which is human influenza virus.

A newreportfrom the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests thatinfluenza season in the United States started earlier this year, and that widespread virus type A activity has been recorded in Puerto Rico, and seven other states including Texas, Alabama, and Nevada.

On the other hand, Krammerexplained that flu seasons vary in the northern and southern hemispheres. In the north, flu seasons are common in winter, but in countries like China and Singapore, influenza is spread throughout the yearbecause there is no real winter. That makes iteven more difficult to determine the real burden ofinfluenza.

"It's still not quite clear to what extent influenza seasons are influenced by the changing weather and to what extent they are influenced bythe changing behavior of humans during these weather changes,"said Krammer.

Read more:Top 10 most dangerous viruses in the world

High risk of pandemic

Krammer pointed out that the chances for a global pandemic are increasing. It's hard to predict when the next big pandemic willhappen, he said, but heis certain it will happen again.

He also explained that the most deadly influenza virus type, which dominated flu seasons overthe past few years, is the human influenza virus H3N2. But it's impossible to say which virus will cause the next big outbreakand cause the most deaths.

"We have approximately three to fourpandemics per century. We had the one in 1918, 1957, 1968and one in 2009, so it's not very predictable," he said.

"The chances for a pandemic are, however, increasing because there is a lot more global interaction. Pandemic viruses come from avian species, like wild birds, chickens, ducks, where all these influenza viruses circulate. If we look at the number of chickens we raise for food, they are increasing, because the global population is increasingand we need to feed people."

Globally between 290,000 and 600,000 people die from influenza per year

Read more:Next flu pandemic 'a matter of when, not if,' says WHO

Prevention best way to avoid lethal flu infections

Even though newly discoveredantibodies have enormouspotential for the development of a truly universal vaccine and cure for influenza, it will take years of costly clinical trialsbefore it hits the market, Krammer said.

The first step is to examine if it's possible for all humans to develop the 10G1antibodies.

Until auniversal vaccine is developed, one of the best ways to stay safe is to take precautionary measures, Krammer suggested.

"First, get vaccinated. The vaccines we have now are not perfect, but they really work. The second step is to keep ourselves healthy. If we are healthy, infections have less impact. The new generation of a vaccine we have now is against four viruses which circulate in humans which are H1N1, H3N2 and two types of influenza B viruses."

Read more:Flu season wreaks havoc on German workforce

The immune system needs many different types of fuel. Fruit and vegetables provide them. Your diet should be healthy and colorful: Oranges, red peppers, green leafy vegetables and red cabbage provide a potpourri of vitamins, and are especially rich in natural vitamin C.

In order to ensure your immune system is top-top, make sure you have all the necessary immunizations. Adults often forget to refresh vaccinations they had when they were young. Check if you need booster shots for tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis, pneumococcus, meningitis, measles, mumps, rubella, the flu and others. Be sure to talk to your doctor!

Scientific studies suggest that regular muscle training (jogging, nordic or pole walking, taking a stroll), three times a week for 20 minutes can boost your defenses. But be careful: overdoing it can also drain your immune system.

Sufficient sleep doesn't just allow your body to recuperate. During the slow-wave sleep phase, neurotransmitters are released and the immune system springs into action.

Studies show that good spirits and a zest for life promote a strong immune system. Laughing and playing don't just provide for a better quality of life, they also boost the body's defenses.

Negative stress activates the release of adrenalin and cortisol. These hormones can paralyze the immune system. Sensible stress and time management allows the body to rest and replenish new energy. Selective relaxation exercises like meditation, autogenic training and yoga can significantly boost the immune system.

Taking walks in the fresh air gives you a change of temperature and exercise - both stimulate the body's defense systems. Mucous membranes also benefit from improved circulation and the increased humidity makes it easier to fight off attacks.

Studies have shown that burning up short chain sugars like fructose and glucose uses up many vitamins that are no longer available to the body.

Alternating hot and cold showers help regulate body heat and improve blood flow. An invigorating massage with a massage sponge or brush stimulates the immune system even more.

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New discovery could spell end to seasonal flu - DW (English)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, November 27, 2019 Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA, OTC: BVNRY) today held an Extraordinary General Meeting with the results as follows:

The Board of Directors was authorized, until June 30, 2020, to increase the share capital of the Company with pre-emptive rights for the existing shareholders through one issue of up to a total of nominally DKK 415,000,000, corresponding to approximately 128% of the Company's registered share capital. This authorization entails the adoption of a new Article 5e of the Articles of Association as follows:

"Article 5eFor the period ending on 30 June 2020, the Board of Directors shall be authorised to increase the Company's share capital through one issue of up to a total of nominally DKK 415,000,000 (41,500,000 shares of DKK 10 each) by the subscription of new shares. The existing shareholders shall have pre-emption rights to subscribe for the amount by which the share capital is increased, proportional to their shareholdings. The share capital shall be increased by cash payment at a subscription price which may be lower than the value of the shares.

The terms and conditions of the subscription for shares shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

The new shares shall be negotiable instruments, shall be registered in the names of the holders and shall be entered in the Company's register of shareholders. No restrictions shall apply to the transferability of the new shares, and no shareholder shall be obliged to have his shares redeemed - in whole or in part. The shares shall carry the right to dividend as from the date fixed by the Board of Directors, but not later than the first financial year following the capital increase.

About Bavarian NordicBavarian Nordic is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative therapies against infectious diseases and cancer. Using our live virus vaccine platform technology, MVA-BN, we have created a diverse portfolio of proprietary and partnered product candidates intended to unlock the power of the immune system to improve public health with a focus on high unmet medical needs. In addition to our long-standing collaboration with the U.S. government on the development and supply of medical countermeasures, including the only FDA-approved, non-replicating smallpox vaccine, our infectious disease pipeline comprises a proprietary RSV program as well as vaccine candidates for Ebola, HPV, HBV and HIV, which are developed through a strategic partnership with Janssen. Additionally, we have developed a portfolio of active cancer immunotherapies, designed to alter the disease course by eliciting a robust and broad anti-cancer immune response while maintaining a favorable benefit-risk profile. For more information visit http://www.bavarian-nordic.com or follow us on Twitter @bavariannordic.

ContactsRolf Sass SrensenVice President Investor RelationsTel: +45 61 77 47 43

Company Announcement no. 25 / 2019

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Bavarian Nordic A/S Report on the Results of the Extraordinary General Meeting, held November 27, 2019 - GlobeNewswire

If you think daily exercise and a healthy diet were the key to a long life, think again.

Scientists say that the secret to living more than 100 years comes down to a hardy immune system, thanks to an abundance of a particular infection-fighting white blood cell.

In a study coordinated by scientists at Japans RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) and Keio University School of Medicine, researchers discovered that supercentenarians those aged over 110 years have an excess of cytotoxic CD4 T-cells.

These super immune system cells, according to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), are more aggressive and known to kill any damaged cell that crosses its path, such as virus-infected or cancer cells.

We believe that this type of cells, which are relatively uncommon in most individuals, even young, are useful for fighting against established tumors, and could be important for immunosurveillance, said Piero Carninci, deputy director of RIKEN, in a statement. This is exciting as it has given us new insights into how people who live very long lives are able to protect themselves from conditions such as infections and cancer.

Scientists noticed that most of Japans supercentenarians had managed to dodge illness most of their lives, leading them to believe their advanced age might have something to do with their extraordinary immune systems.

To find out, they pulled a total of 41,208 immune cell samples from seven supercentenarians, and 19,994 cells from younger individuals ages 50 to 89. They found that while both groups had about the same number of T-cells altogether, the supercentenarians had an excess of the unique cytotoxic CD4 T-cells.

This finding might help explain why so many centenarians will say that drinking booze regularly didnt stop them from reaching 100. Others, though, credit a life without the stress of marriage or children as helping them to outlast their peers.

Amparo Perez, 105, told The Post she doesnt regret never remarrying when her first husband died. No aggravation, she said, [is] the most important thing, not to have aggravation.

Caroline Binns, 101, would agree that husbands were only trouble. She told The Post last year, Id rather be left in peace, not in pieces.

Her friend, 101-year-old Lucille Watson, said dancing and cheesecake inspires her to get out of bed every morning: Lifes pleasures are meant to be enjoyed.

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110-year-olds live so long thanks to 'super' immune systems: study - New York Post

Share on PinterestDesign by Alexis Lira

Its that time of year time to break out the boots, light up the fireplace, and restock your over-the-counter cold medicine.

But maybe this year youre not so keen on the de rigueur drowsiness that comes with Tylenol Cold or the sugary aftertaste of Emergen-C. If so, consider the power of plants to up your immunity and help you hedge infections.

Yep, this is how to build a cold/flu season first aid kit with herbs.

Remedies made from herbs and plants are a modality full of powerful allies for your health and immunity, explains Sarah Corbett, Atlanta-based clinical herbalist at Rowan and Sage and science is starting to agree: Research is beginning to confirm the efficacy of folk medicines people have been using for hundreds of years, says Corbett.

Here are six easy herbal medicines you can add to your medicine cabinet (or fridge, as it may be) for a prevention booster, or as a healing aid.

Get the power combo

Herbs may give your immune system a little boost but nothing says wellness booster like the flu shot. Each year the flu shot is updated to help better fight viruses going around, because yes, the virus gets stronger and so should you. Get your flu shot.

Chances are, youve already tried elderberry in some form or another, as this deep-purple berry has definitely gone mainstream in the past few years.

Also called sambucus, elderberry is antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial, so its good at knocking out any kind of crud youve got going on. Theres evidence that elderberry is effective at treating the flu, as well.

Its most commonly found as a syrup (it will make your kitchen smell divine if you DIY), but tinctures (a plant extract made with alcohol or glycerin), lozenges, and even gummies can work too.

Corbett advises taking this remedy once per day if youre trying to prevent sickness, and then much more frequently once youre already sick every few hours or so.

Elderberry is considered safe, but dont chug a whole bottle or anything like that a teaspoon to a tablespoon of syrup at a time will work. Keep syrups in the fridge, as they arent shelf-stable. If you have any autoimmune disorders, its probably best to stay away (because it stimulates the immune system).

Another well known immune booster is echinacea, aka coneflower. It works by stimulating the immune system to produce natural killer cells and other sickness-fighters.

A 2015 meta-analysis concluded that echinacea may benefit folks with low immune function the most, even reducing the risk for a cold up to 35 percent.

Corbett suggests echinacea is most effective used right when you start to feel that tickle at the back of your throat, rather than when a full blown sickness has already taken hold.

A tincture is the best way to take it, she says, but teas wont fail you either (especially since youll be hydrating your system in the meantime). Look for Echinacea angustifolia or a whole plant extract, because its the most chemically bioavailable (easily absorbed and used by the body).

Its important to note that if you have a ragweed allergy, you may also be sensitive to echinacea so if you feel any telltale allergy symptoms like itchiness, hives, or increased congestion, stop taking it immediately.

If you have an autoimmune disorder, skip echinacea.

Yes, ginger will soothe an upset stomach, but its also great for boosting your overall immunity during cold and flu season.

This versatile plant (which has been shown to be antimicrobial, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory) lends its natural fire to many different uses sip on a ginger tea, head to the juice bar for a fresh ginger shot if youre feeling icky, or just add more ginger to your cooking.

Its pretty safe when used in cooking and remedies, but pregnant people shouldnt ingest more than 2 grams of dried ginger per day.

Garlics powers go well beyond making food taste delicious. Its thought to stimulate the immune system and boost the efficacy of white blood cells, though studies are inconclusive.

Garlic is really easy to use eat it every day to keep yourself feeling top notch. Up your garlic intake when youre actually sick, too. Make a super garlick-y soup (dont skimp on the bone broth, either), eat a couple of raw garlic cloves, roast a garlic bulb, or pack it into a jar of honey and let it sit for a few weeks to infuse.

Dietary doses of garlic are pretty safe. It would be difficult to take enough to harm you, but if youre on anti-clotting medications, be cautious. (And brush your teeth if you find yourself going high on the hog with raw garlic, too!)

This intense liquid, sometimes also called the Master Tonic, is kitchen medicine at its best: an intense mixture of garlic, ginger, onion, horseradish and hot peppers (plus any number of other immune-boosting ingredients like turmeric, or tasty ones like lemon or rosemary) marinated in apple cider vinegar.

Fire cider gets its efficacy from the communal power of these sinus-clearing, warming, infection-fighting plants plus an extra boost from the fermented ACV. And yes, this immune brew will burn (in a good way!) going down.

Its ridiculously easy to make, so whip up a batch and toss it on your salad every night, sprinkle it on rice or quinoa, or take a shot when you feel a cold coming on. If handcrafting isnt your jam, you should be able to find some from a local herbalist or at a natural food store.

Steer clear if you have GERD or a history of stomach ulcers.

Youve probably heard this wellness world buzzword in the last few years adaptogens but may not be clear on what exactly it means.

Essentially, adaptogens are therapeutic herbs that support the body in combating and adapting to stress. Theyre great to use for people who get sick often, says Corbett, or in times of heavy stress, travel, or extra exposure to pathogens (rather than for every day maintenance or prevention).

Ashwagandha, reishi (both of which stimulate your infection fighting lymphocytes, or white blood cells,) and holy basil (stimulates the immune system and also fights viruses) are all good choices for immune support, explains Corbett.

Buy reishi as a powder and mix it into anything youre eating or drinking its safe to take in small doses (like a scoop of powder or a squirt of tincture). Ditto for ashwagandha although steer clear of ashwagandha if youre taking thyroid hormones like Synthroid.

Holy basil can be made into an infusion and sweetened with honey (dont take it if youre pregnant, though, says Corbett). Research some other options, try a few, and see which ones work for you.

Corbett explains that many people think that herbal remedies dont work, but that its often because they arent using enough.

One cup of your basic grocery store cold-fighting tea blend per day isnt really going to do much to help your immune system flush out any offending bacteria, especially once youre already showing symptoms.

If you want to get the benefits from a tea, you have to steep it longer and/or use more herbal material (read: 2 or 3 tea bags per cup, or load everything up in a French press and let it really brew for 30 or more minutes).

The same goes for tinctures when suffering an acute condition, you need to be ingesting a full dropper (or whatever the guideline on the tincture bottle says) every few hours or so.

When in doubt about dosage (or even whether or not a certain herb will work with your body), consult a trained clinical herbalist, holistic physician, naturopath, or other trusted source regarding natural medicine.

And always see your healthcare provider or a pharmacist if youre planning to mix plant medicine with prescription medication.

Above all, tune in to your body before, during, and after any seasonal illnesses, says Corbett. The best medicine for illness is prevention.

While healthy looks different for everyone, there are solid steps you can prioritize this time of year to fight off winter nasties from taking root. You know the drill: sleep, fresh foods when possible, exercise and/or spending time outside, and staying hydrated. And if the cold does creep in, youve got plenty of plant allies to help you out.

No herb is a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, says Corbett. It can help, but it wont fix you. Your body has a vital intelligence that is equipped to send you messages about what it needs. Listen to it.

Carrie Murphy is a freelance health and wellness writer and certified birth doula in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her work has appeared in or on ELLE, Womens Health, Glamour, Parents, and other outlets.

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6 Herbs to Keep Your Immune System in Fighting Shape - Greatist

A single dose of CD45-ADC, an investigational targeted therapy being developed to treat different types of autoimmune diseases, is enough to reset the normal function of the bodys immune system in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), and to delay onset of the disease.

Those findings were presented earlier this week in the poster Administration of a CD45 Antibody Drug Conjugate as a Novel, Targeted Approach to Achieve Immune System Reset: A Single Dose of CD45-targeted ADC Safely Conditions for Autologous Transplant and Ameliorates Disease in Multiple Models of Autoimmune Disease (abstract #120), at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

CD45-ADC is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) being developed by Magenta Therapeutics in collaboration with Heidelberg Pharma. The medication works by delivering amanitin a toxic compound that belongs to a group of natural poisons produced by some species of mushrooms to overactive immune cells containing the CD45 protein on their surface. That destroys them and restores the normal function of the immune system. (Of note, the CD45 protein is typically found on immune cells and stem cells.)

For that reason, CD45-ADC is currently being explored as a new form of targeted therapy for several autoimmune diseases, including MS.

New findings presented at the ACR meeting showed that in mice withexperimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE, a mouse model of MS), a single dose of CD45-ADC was sufficient to eliminate overactive immune cells, and to restore the normal function of the animals immune systems.

Moreover, investigators reported that treatment with CD45-ADC, followed by a stem cell transplant to repopulate the animals bodies with healthy immune cells, delayed the disease onset and halted the progression of disease activity in EAE mice.

According to the research team, immune reset through stem cell transplant in which disease-causing cells are replaced by healthy cells to rebuild the immune system has been shown to induce durable remission in patients with autoimmune diseases, including MS.

Given the encouraging results in animal models, the team developed an anti-human CD45-ADC that cross-reacts with non-human primates (NHP). Substantial depletion of both lymphocytes [white blood cells] and hematopoietic [blood] stem cells (HSCs) was observed at well-tolerated doses, the researchers wrote.

CD45-ADC also is being tested in mice models of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and inflammatory arthritis, two other autoimmune diseases, and it has shown promising results.

Overall, the results suggest that targeted immune depletion with a single treatment of CD45-ADC may be sufficient for auto-HSCT [hematopoietic stem cell transplant], and allow re-establishment of immune tolerance, the team concluded.

Millions of patients worldwide live with debilitating autoimmune diseases, with no options for curative therapy. Magenta is developing targeted medicines, such as CD45-ADC, to enable more patients with autoimmune diseases to undergo a one-time, curative immune reset, John Davis, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of Magenta, said in a press release:

The data presented at ACR provide important proof of concept for our immune reset platform across a broad range of diseases, including multiple sclerosis and systemic sclerosis, Davis said. We expect to declare a development candidate and progress this medicine into IND [investigational new drug]-enabling studies next year as we work to allow more patients to live their lives without autoimmune disease.

Magenta also announced it has exercised its right to become the exclusive holder of global development and marketing rights of any ADC targeting CD45 based on Heidelberg Pharmas proprietary amanitin toxin-linker platform technology.

Under the terms of the collaboration agreement established between Magenta and Heidelberg Pharma in 2018, Magenta is eligible to use Heidelberg Pharmas proprietary amanitin technology to generate up to four different ADC compounds based on an exclusive target of choice. In turn, Heidelberg Pharma is eligible to receive milestone payments.

Joana is currently completing her PhD in Biomedicine and Clinical Research at Universidade de Lisboa. She also holds a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology from Universidade de Lisboa. Her work has been focused on the impact of non-canonical Wnt signaling in the collective behavior of endothelial cells cells that make up the lining of blood vessels found in the umbilical cord of newborns.

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Patrcia holds her PhD in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, The Netherlands. She has studied Applied Biology at Universidade do Minho and was a postdoctoral research fellow at Instituto de Medicina Molecular in Lisbon, Portugal. Her work has been focused on molecular genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites.

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Single Dose of CD45-ADC Resets the Immune System in Mice with MS - Multiple Sclerosis News Today

The following is an article of faith for many who refuse to have their children vaccinated against childhood diseases: That when healthy children get and recover from an infection naturally, their immune systems come out stronger.

However, when it comes to measles, the opposite is true, according to two studies published on Oct 31, 2019.

In a group of 77 Dutch schoolchildren whose parents declined to vaccinate them on religious grounds, the new research documents several ways in which infection with measles can hobble a childs immune function for months, or even years, after that child has recovered from her bout with the virus.

The effect was mild in some of the children.

But in roughly 16% of those who suffered an active measles infection, the result was a severe case of immune amnesia.

In those children, a genetic census of antibodies immune proteins that recognise and destroy invading microbes showed that they had lost at least some immunity to more than 40% of common childhood diseases.

Measles appeared to have stripped away immune protections these children had built over years of exposure to diseases and germs.

Measuring the same childrens immune memory 40 days after measles infection, a second team found significant shrinkage in their stores of B-cells, which fight disease by killing infected cells and spawning legions of antibodies to confront viral invaders in the blood.

For weeks after the unvaccinated children had recovered from measles, their depleted stocks of B-cells signalled a loss of memory for past infections and of strength to mount a defence against new infections.

For some, the damage appeared to be even more extensive.

In two of 19 measles-infected children tested, the machinery that supplies the immune system with new disease-targeting cells was profoundly disrupted, raising questions about whether they would fully recover their previous strength.

The measles virus is like a car accident for your immune system, said Harvard University geneticist Stephen Elledge, one of the papers co-authors.

An unvaccinated child who weathers the measles may emerge only slightly the worse from such a crash.

Or he might sustain an injury from which it takes months or years to recover.

For parents, the studies implications are clear, Elledge added.

We know how to prevent injuries in car accidents by wearing seatbelts.

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is like a seatbelt for your immune system, and parents should buckle their kids up.

The studies were published in the Science and Science Immunology journals respectively.

One in six children who are infected with measles will find themselves more vulnerable to other common childhood illnesses after recovering from measles. PP

A concurrent fall

The research sheds new light on the biological basis for a mysterious phenomenon long recognised by doctors.

After children recover from the measles hallmark rash and fevers, they are highly unlikely to fall ill with it again.

But for two to three years following infection, patients remain unusually vulnerable to catching or developing other infections, from viruses like the common cold and influenza to potentially deadly bacterial infections that can cause pneumonia or swelling in the brain.

Researchers reckon that before the introduction of a measles vaccine in 1963, as many as half of childhood deaths from infectious diseases were linked to measles or the immunosuppression that follows.

In that period, this most contagious of viruses infected over 95% of all children and directly caused over four million deaths a year.

But in places where vaccine campaigns have virtually eliminated outbreaks, public health officials have documented unexpectedly large reductions in childhood deaths from other diseases.

Preventing infection with measles was clearly saving kids from succumbing to other bugs as well, experts say.

The mystery of how measles sets kids up for poorer health might have lost its urgency if global vaccine campaigns were expanding without pushback.

But they are not.

Every year, more than seven million people, mostly in poor countries, are still infected and roughly 100,000 die of measles.

And in recent years, an uptick of vaccine refusal in the United States and Europe has reversed decades of rising vaccination rates in the worlds most affluent countries.

In the first three months of 2019, parents reluctance to have their children vaccinated helped drive worldwide cases of measles up 300% over cases reported in the first quarter of 2018, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The US declared measles eliminated in 2000. But pockets of anti-vaxxers have allowed it to gain a foothold in communities across the nation.

Between Jan 1 and Oct 1, there have been 22 US outbreaks of measles.

Of the 1,250 cases documented in 31 American states during that period, 89% of patients were unvaccinated or did not know their vaccination status.

Not since 1992 has the tally of measles cases in the US reached so high.

While none have died, 119 required hospitalisation and 60 developed pneumonia. One patient suffered encephalitis, a life-threatening swelling of the brain.

Measles is not a trivial disease and these findings add evidence that its important to vaccinate your kids against it, said US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr Anthony Fauci.

Theres scientific proof here that not only is measles itself a serious disease; it can have consequences of suppressing the bodys defence mechanisms for a year or more.

Decreased immunity

The measles virus is somehow related to a loss of over 40% of antibodies for common childhood diseases after it infects a child. 123rf.com

The two new studies human subjects belong to part of the vaccine-refusal movement with deep roots.

Members of a Dutch sect of orthodox Protestants, they form a closed community within Dutch society, with their own churches, schools, newspapers and political party.

Since the 19th century, when vaccination campaigns gained steam and drew protests throughout the US and Europe, these Dutch Protestants have declined vaccination.

Their opposition rests on passages in the Bible that call on believers to trust in divine providence for protection.

In the US, those opposed to vaccination on religious grounds have remained a steady presence.

But discredited claims that the MMR vaccine is a cause of autism have driven down vaccination rates in pockets across California, New York and elsewhere, and prompted vaccine reluctance among many parents.

Most recently, false claims circulating among members of New York Citys Orthodox Jewish community that MMR vaccine contains monkey, rat and pig DNA, and contravenes kosher dietary requirements have figured prominently in recent outbreaks.

More than three-quarters of measles cases in the US this year have been in New York.

The Dutch schoolchildren in the new studies, who ranged in age from four to 17, were followed for only up to eight weeks after their infections.

But each team also conducted animal studies that found measles affects immunity in real and enduring ways.

One of the teams, based in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, used ferrets to demonstrate post-measles vulnerability to flu.

Even after they had been immunised against influenza, ferrets who were infected with measles and then exposed to a flu virus, got much sicker than ferrets who had not had measles.

A second team, led by Harvard epidemiologist Michael Mina and Elledge, assessed the array of antibodies in four rhesus macaque monkeys before and after measles infection, and found that for five months after their infections cleared, the monkeys sustained a loss of immunity to an average of 40% to 60% of diseases.

Mina and Elledge said their work offers new insights into the longstanding mystery of how measles seems to put children at increased risk of infections.

And they added, it underscores the outsize value of a simple protective step: having a child vaccinated with the MMR vaccine just after her first birthday and again between the ages of four and six.

Such evidence may not sway the most committed vaccine opponents, Mina said, but most people are really trying to do whats right for their kids.

Even when those parents are inclined to believe their child could weather a bout of rash and fevers, he added, telling them that for the next few years, theyre going to have to look over their kids shoulder at diseases he might get sick from, that makes this amnesia effect quite a bit more scary. Los Angeles Times/Tribune News Service

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Measles infection causes 'amnesia' of the immune system - The Star Online

By Gege Li

The keto diet involves foods that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates

Ditching carbohydrates and eating lots of fat may give some protection against the flu. Feeding mice the so-called keto diet seems to boost certain immune cells, which may be responsible for the effect.

The keto diet forces the body to burn fat for energy, which can help with weight loss, and people may get flu-like symptoms known as the keto flu as their body adapts to so little carbohydrate. The keto diet has also been linked to improved heart health and control of blood sugar in diabetes, but much of the evidence is conflicting.

Akiko Iwasaki at Yale School of Medicine and colleagues previously found that the keto diet reduced inflammation in mice with gout. Because inflammation is common to both gout and flu, the team thought the keto diet could similarly deal with flu-related inflammation, which can severely damage the lungs.

To put this theory to the test, the team fed mice infected with influenza A the most serious type of the virus either a keto or standard diet for a week before infection. After four days, all seven of the mice fed a standard diet succumbed to the infection, compared to only five out of the 10 mice on the keto diet. These keto diet mice also didnt lose as much weight, which is usually a clear sign of flu infection in animals.

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The team found that the keto diet amped up the numbers of a specific type of T cell key players in the bodys immune response found in the lungs. Boosting these T cells dampened the sensitivity of cells lining the lungs to infection and increased mucus production.

It seems that this extra mucus is important for protecting the mice, says Iwasaki, because it traps the flu virus to stop it spreading. It still isnt clear what these T cells do outside of this study though, she says.

Although mouse and human metabolisms differ, the finding could mean that people get a similar protection from influenza when on the keto diet.

We already knew of a link between diet and immunity, says John Tregoning at Imperial College London, who wasnt involved in the work. Eating foods rich in vitamin C, for example, is known to strengthen our immune system. Switching to a keto diet may help boost the immune system so that it is better programmed to fight off the infection, says Tregoning.

Journal reference: Science Immunology, DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aav2026

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Eating a keto diet may give some protection against the flu - New Scientist News

AsianScientist (Nov. 18, 2019) ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage oncology and immunology focused biopharma company, has established a joint venture with Korean pharmaceutical company Bukwang Pharmaceutical to develop preclinical aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonists.

AhR is a druggable protein that acts as a master regulator of the immune system. When kynurenine, a molecule produced in the tumor microenvironment, binds to AhR on a group of immune cells known as T-cells, the anti-tumor activity of T-cells is suppressed. Hence, by targeting AhR, scientists hope to prevent the suppression of T-cell activity, which in turn allows for stronger immune responses that destroy tumors.

Under the terms of the agreement, ASLAN will transfer the global rights to all of the assets related to AhR technology into the joint venture, manifested as the independent company JAGUAHR Therapeutics and based in Singapore. Bukwang will invest US$5 million in JAGUAHR in two tranches to fund the development of the assets, identify a lead development compound and file an investigational new drug application.

The launch of JAGUAHR Therapeutics is an important step by ASLAN to realize the value of our early stage assets and advance the development of our AhR antagonist technology at a time when focus is shifting towards AhR antagonists as a hot new area in immune-oncology, said Dr. Carl Firth, CEO of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals.

Bukwang has a strong track record of achievement in the pharma business, and creating this spinout together allows both companies to quickly progress these exciting compounds and potentially provide novel clinical assets to enrich the ASLAN pipeline. We look forward to working with the Bukwang team as we focus on identifying JAGUAHRs first drug candidate, he added.

Source: Aslan Pharmaceuticals; Photo: Shutterstock.Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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ASLAN And Bukwang Team Up To Develop Immune-Oncology Drugs - Asian Scientist Magazine

Study design and period

The trial is a single center, two-armed phase III study. The trial has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03201926). Patients will be recruited by the Pancreatobiliary Cancer Clinic, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine. The expected total duration of patient accrual is 2years and 6months and the follow-up period is 6months.

The primary endpoint is to evaluate body cell mass index at 2months postoperatively. Secondary endpoints include other body composition changes as well as nutrition index and immune function.

Patients scheduled for surgery with pancreatobiliary disease and liver cancer (HCC, CCC, and metastatic liver cancer)

Karnofsky performance status 70

Patients who provide informed consent

Patients who underwent palliative surgery

Patients with uncontrolled preoperative conditions

Previous history of surgery affecting nutritional status (ex, gastrectomy, colectomy, etc)

Pregnant and lactating women

Patients with an allergy to mealworms

The output of the sample size will be based on an independent two-sample t test. It is expected that there will be a difference in body cell mass between the standard meal group (control) and the group ingesting the mealworms. Assuming an alpha value of 0.05 and 1- (power) of 0.8, 75 samples will need to be obtained for each group; considering the dropout rate of 10%, 84 samples will need to be obtained for each group. The total of the two groups is 168. The primary endpoint will be the number of subjects and body cell mass. A comparison will then be made between the two groups at 2months. A subgroup analysis of pancreatobiliary and liver disease will also be performed as a secondary endpoint. Patients with pancreatobiliary and liver disease in our clinic have a 2:1 ratio. Therefore, the 168 patients were divided into two groups: one with 112 patients and the other with 56 patients. Patients with pancreaticobiliary disease (Group A & B) and liver (Group C) disease were assigned through stratified randomization. Pancreatobiliary disease group is divided into enteral feeding group(Group A) and non enteral feeding group.(Group B).

All patients who are potential candidates for hepatopancreatobiliary surgery will undergo a standard evaluation that will include contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), endoluminal ultrasound (EUS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET-CT), which will be discussed at the preoperative conference.

Patients recommended for major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery (such as a liver resection, pancreaticoduodenectomy, or total/distal pancreatectomy) will be contacted and provided with a participant information sheet. Patients will be divided into three groups according to the type of surgery.

Patients receiving dietary supplementation with mealworms after their pancreatectomy, bile duct resection and hepatectomy will be given the mealworms during their hospitalization period and for another 2months after discharge. The patients in group A will undergo enteral feeding after surgery (for those who undergo a pancreaticoduodenectomy, nutrients will be administered by an enteral feeding tube for early feeding while securing the pancreatojejunostomy). A feeding nasojejunal tube will be placed for patients in the enteral feeding group. Enteral feeding (Newcare 300 RTH, Daesang, Korea) will start within 24h postoperatively at a rate of 20mL/h. The velocity will be progressively increased by 20mL/d until reaching the full nutritional goal (25kcal/kg). Enteral feeding will be delivered by an infusion pump for 18h/day with 6h of rest.

On postoperative day 7, abdominal and pelvic CT scans will be obtained, and if there are no complications, we will then start patients on a clear liquid diet for 1day. In addition, the patients will be permitted to have a full liquid diet for 2days and then a soft diet for 3days following the liquid diet.

The patients of group B will undergo oral feeding 2days after the surgery. (distal pancreatectomy, total pancreatectomy and bile duct resection) We will start patients clear liquid diet for 1day. The patients will be permitted to have a full liquid diet for 2days and soft diet for 3days following the liquid diet.

The patients of group C will undergo oral feeding 2days after surgery (which includes liver resections). We will then start the patients on a clear liquid diet for 1day. In addition, the patients will be permitted to have a full liquid diet for 2days and soft diet for 3days following the liquid diet. The mealworm powder include 3g of carbohydrate, 14.4g of protein and 11g of fat, 163kcal per 30g. (Table 1) As a result of a nutritional analysis of mealworm powder, 10.28g of carbohydrate, 48.26g of protein and 35.81g of fat were found per 100g. In particular, the protein includes essential amino acids as well as many unsaturated fatty acids ranging from 76 to 80% of the total fatty acids. In addition, iron and calcium and other minerals were found (Table 2).

Patients receiving dietary supplementation with grainpowder after pancreatectomy and hepatectomy will be given grainpowder for their hospitalization period and 2months after discharge. The grainpowder include 23g of carbohydrate, 2.9g of protein and 0.5g of fat, 106kcal per 30g. Group A will receive the grainpowder on postoperative day 7. And group B and C will receive grainpowder in the same dose as trial groups mealworms at the start of diet at postoperative 2days (Table 3).

The primary outcome is the body cell mass index as measured by body composition (Inbody S-10 (Biospace, Seoul, Korea)). The secondary outcome measures are as follows: nutritional index (weight, soft lean mass, fat free mass, fat mass, PG-SGA [Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment]) and immune function test (that assesses T cells, B cells, cytokines). We will confirm changes in immune cells through FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorting). Based on the immune assay using blood samples from patients, we will identify changes in several cytokines.

Once the patients surgery is confirmed, the research staff will give the study staff a list of the patients. After determining the suitability of the patient, the study staff will assign the patient to the test or control group in a randomized sequence in the order in which they are enrolled. In addition, they will be assigned in a double-blinded manner.

The researchers will select patients after obtaining consent. Randomization will take place via an allocation randomization system 2days before the surgery, which will be directed by our department. Patients will be randomized to one of the treatment groups in a 1:1 ratio. After consent for study enrollment is obtained, the randomization process will be applied to identify the next allotment. The surgeons will be blind to the allotment throughout the enrollment process.

Patients and all team members will be blinded to the intervention. Adverse event (AE) and serious adverse event (SAE) need to be reported as soon as they are noted. This will not have any impact on the endpoint assessment of the patient.

The amount of food consumed by the patient daily will be assessed as a diary entry. The researcher collects the bags left over from the patients at the outpatient clinic. Individual participant medical information obtained as a result of this study is considered confidential and disclosure to third parties is prohibited. Blood samples transferred to the laboratory of Gangnam Severance Hospital will be identifiable by unique trial numbers only. Results related to nutrient indicators (Inbody, PG-SGA) will be managed by a Gangnam Severance Nutrition Team. The blood sample associated with the immune function test will be transferred to the lab of the study staff in Gangnam Severance Hospital, which will then undergo FACS (Fluorescence-activated cell sorting).

If patients wish to voluntarily withdraw from the study, the patient will be asked if they would be given medical care until any AE symptoms resolve or the patients condition becomes stable.

Patients can quit the trial at any point without the need to give reasons for their decisions. If voluntary withdrawal occurs prior to diet intervention, the patient will not be randomized, and no more trial data will be collected for that patient. Patients can also withdraw from the trial following diet intervention.

All data will be entered into a single Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with participants identified only by their unique subject number. All entries will be double-checked by another member of the research team. Statistical analysis will be performed using IBM SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp; released 2012. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 21.0. Armonk, NY, USA). The mean difference in nutrient intakes, changes in body measurements, changes in body composition, and PG-SGA scores will be calculated using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Mann Whitney test.

The research team is responsible for monitoring the study. At 1week after discharge, the participants are asked whether they are willing to continue ingesting the mealworm. Every 2weeks after the patients visit their outpatient clinic, the monitoring researcher will check whether they are taking the mealworm regularly. The research team is also responsible for systematically reviewing the causes of withdrawal from the study. Assessment of these changes will be determined 2months after surgery (Table 4).

The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board at Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University of Korea (32017-0077). The study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and the principles of Good Clinical Practice.

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Clinical application of invalid foods using mealworms and evaluation of nutrition status and immune function: a study protocol for a randomized,...

The secret to living past 100 could lie in your immune system, suggests a new study.

In a study recently publishedin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), scientists found that supercentenarians those who are 110 years of age or older have an overabundance of a certain type of disease-fighting cell within their immune systems, possibly explaining their longevity.

To come to this conclusion, researchers looked at the circulating immune cells from supercentenarians and controls aged 50 to 89. About 41,208 immune cell samples were taken from seven supercentenarians, while 19,993 cells were collected from the five controls.

The study found that while the supercentenarians and controls had roughly the same amount of T-cells overall, the former group had an excess amount of one particular subset of T-cells called cytotoxic CD4 T-cells. These cells, according to a news releaseon the findings, are aggressive and quickly destroy cancer and infection-causing cells.

In some cases, the cytotoxic CD4 T-cells accounted for 80 percent of the supercentenarians T-cells, while only 10 to 20 percent of the T-cells in the controls were cytotoxic CD4 T-cells, according to the research, which wasconducted by the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science (IMS) and Keio University School of Medicine in Japan.

The super immune system cells are likely not a marker of youth, but rather a special characteristic of the supercentenarians, the researchers wrote. The cytotoxic CD4 T-cells are likely the offspring of a sole ancestor cell.

We believe that this type of cells, which are relatively uncommon in most individuals, even young, are useful for fighting against established tumors, and could be important for immunosurveillance, said Piero Carninci, the deputy director of RIKEN, in a statement. This is exciting as it has given us new insights into how people who live very long lives are able to protect themselves from conditions such as infections and cancer."

Gallery: 100 Ways to Live to 100 (Provided by Best Life)

See more here:
Study: The secret of living to 110 - msnNOW

The holiday season is coming up quick, and along with dancing sugar plums and a strong dose of seasonal cheer can come some uninvited guests, including the common cold and flu bug. So, what can you do to give your body the best fighting chance to avoid getting sick this holiday season? Sleigh Family Chiropractic offers the following tips to help boost your immunity system with the goal to remain among the healthy:

Decrease Sugar Intake and Exercise: Avoiding too much sugar (especially at all those holiday parties) can be a bit of trick. Over-consumption can substantially decrease the immune system's ability to attack viruses and bacteria for up to eight hours after you enjoy that delicious piece of pie. Meanwhile, getting just 30 minutes of exercise (maybe before or after the party) each day can help the immune system to remain strong against infection.

Reduce Your Stress: The holidays can create a variety of stress for some, which is a natural immune depressor. Different ways to reduce stress include utilizing deep breathing exercises, meditation and yoga, or simply scheduling some time for yourself. Whether it's a day at the salon for a mani/pedi, a massage, spending time with your favorite friends, or taking a peaceful (and potentially brisk) walk in the park, take the steps that will help you keep it stress-free over the holidays.

Get More Sleep: More sleep simply makes sense it allows your body to recharge and take on all the challenges of the day. Ashwaghanda is an herb that has been shown to reduce anxiety and encourage calm and relaxation. It is made up of phytochemicals called withanolides that are believed to reduce the body's stress response and help to achieve restful sleep. Other tips include having a consistent wake up and bedtime routine and avoid 'blue light' activities such as using a computer or a cell phone up to two hours before going to bed. Keep your office out of the bedroom; allow it to be a sanctuary away from technology that invites rest and relaxation.

Eat Foods High in Vitamins C & D or Take Supplements:

Try Elderberry Syrup: The berries and flowers of elder trees and plants (known as Sambucus nigra) contain antioxidants and vitamins that have shown promise in boosting the immune system over centuries. The use of these trees and plants, and the syrup that comes from them, dates to 400 B.C. and Hippocrates, who called the elder tree his 'medicine chest'. Elderberry syrup has also been used to reduce stress and inflammation, as well as protect the heart.

Wash Your Hands Frequently: Washing your hands often, with soap, is one of the easiest ways to avoid spreading germs to others and yourself. Germs can be spread through contact with your eyes, nose and mouth, and can be transmitted through a variety of surfaces. Remember to wash your hands often to reduce the spread of sickness, especially over the holidays so you can enjoy all the festivities.

Katie and Quintin Sleigh, along with the entire Sleigh Family Chiropractic team wish you and yours a very happy - and healthy - holiday season!

About Sleigh Family Chiropractic

Drs Katie and Quintin Sleigh own and operate Sleigh Family Chiropractic, a family wellness clinic located at 3285 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights. For more information, call 847-788-0880 or visit SleighFamilyChiropractic.com.

Resources/Reference Information:

Original post:
Immunity Boost Tips to Help You Stay Healthy Over the Holidays - Patch.com

A new project has shown how a one-off injection can halt peanut allergies for up to six weeks.

Scientists from Stanford University School of Medicine carried out a small pilot study involving an injectable antibody treatment that allows people with severe peanut allergies to eat a peanut with no trouble at least two weeks later.

Allergiesare simply a misguided overreaction by the bodys immune system. We typically experience an immune response to a foreign substance or pathogen that could cause harm to the body. With allergies, however, the response is fired up to substances that arent actually harmful to your body, such as the protein in peanuts, a rogue piece of pollen, or pet hair.

The only currently available treatment, oral immunotherapy, involves the patient eating minuscule but escalating doses of the allergen over the course of months, eventually desensitizing their immune system to the substancein question.

The new treatment takes a much more direct approach. Reported in JCI Insight, the treatment called etokimab works to interfere with an immune-signaling molecule known as interleukin-33 which triggers the chain of events that amount to a full-blown immune system response.

By inhibiting IL-33, we potentially inhibit features of all allergies, which is promising, senior author Kari Nadeau, professor of medicine and of pediatrics at Stanford, said in astatement.

Whats best, and quite surprising, is how long the treatment lasts. The double-blind study involved 20 participants with severe peanut allergies 15 received a single etokimab injection and five were given a placebo. Up to 15 days later, 73 percent of the etokimab group was able to eat a nuts worth of peanut protein without any allergic reaction. By day 45, 57 percent of them were able to.

The small study only involved 20 participants, but its success holds real hope for the 32 million Americans who suffer from potentially deadly food allergies. Next up, the researchers are looking to carry out another study with more participants and take a deeper look at the mechanisms involved.

Perhaps most promising of all, the treatment could theoretically be used to protect against a whole host of allergens, not just peanuts.

Whats great about this treatment as an option for food allergies is that people did not have to eat the food to get desensitized, Nadeau added. Although this is still in the experimental stages, were delivering on the hope of testing a drug that wont be for one food allergy but for many, and for other allergic diseases, too.

Cases of food allergies, along with eczema and hay fever, have risen rapidly in the developed world over the past few decades. There are thought to be a number of explanations for this, ranging from adecreased exposure topathogens to a change in diet. Regardless, despite this increase,allergies remain surrounded by myth and misinformation. Here are some common myths about allergiesthat you should be aware of.

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A Single Injection Stops Peanut Allergies For Up To Six Weeks - IFLScience

Immunotherapy is a form of cancer treatment that is now being used to treat many different types of cancer. However, stimulating the immune system through activated t-cells may result in T-cells acting upon other body systems or organs, unable to distinguish the cancer, causing inflammation and other adverse events (AEs).

Beth Eaby-Sandy, nurse practitioner at the Abramson Cancer Center, spoke at theCUREpatient-focused sessions held in tandem with theAnnual New York Lung Cancers Symposiumabout immunotherapy AE management. Your body is in a constant state of self-tolerance, she said. These drugs that we use do 1 of 2 things. We are either trying to stimulate the immune system to kill cancer [or] were trying to stop cancer from alluding the immune system.

Any body system or organ can become inflamed or damaged by the overactivity of T-cells. Some types of immunotherapy may result in severe inflammation-related reactions. If patients are experiencing any AEs from immunotherapy, they should be seen and treated immediately.

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common AEs caused byimmunotherapy. Once immunotherapy disables the thyroid gland, it is permanent, and the patient will not regain thyroid function and must then be on levothyroxine for life. Patients may also experience hyperthyroidism, though less common, causing a patient to over-secrete thyroxine and can lead to hypothyroidism if prolonged.

Fatigue is commonly reported in patients who receive immunotherapy, though it is unclear as to what causes it. Another common AE of immunotherapy can be arthritis, induced by T-cells attacking the joints. Low-dose steroids or other drugs traditionally used to manage arthritis are recommended for patients. Nausea and diarrhea (without colitis) have been reported, though not necessarily known why.

More AEs include:

Lowering of blood counts is not commonly seen in immunotherapy as it is in chemotherapy. Hair loss should also not occur, though hair thinning may.

Dont be afraid of immunotherapy! The majority of these patients do very, very well for often long periods of time, so its not something to be afraid of. We can usually manage these side effects very easily, Eaby-Sandy said.

Reference:

Eaby-Sandy. Immunotherapy Adverse Effect Management. Presented at:CUREpatient-focused sessions held in tandem with theAnnual New York Lung Cancers Symposium; November 9, 2019; New York, New York.

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Adverse Events To Be Aware of With Immunotherapy Treatment in Lung Cancer - Cancer Network

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Personalis, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSNL), a leader in advanced genomics for cancer, today announced that the company will participate in the AACR Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy conference at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, MA, November 17-20, including poster presentations on November 18th and 19th.

The company will showcase ImmunoID NeXT, the first platform to enable comprehensive analysis of both a tumor and its immune microenvironment from a single sample. ImmunoID NeXT can be used to investigate the key tumor- and immune-related areas of cancer biology, consolidating multiple oncology biomarker assays into one and maximizing the biological information that can be generated from a precious tumor specimen.

Following is a list of abstracts that will be presented at the meeting.

Scientific Poster Presentations

Poster Number

Title & Presenter

Day & Time

Location

A19

HLA allele-specific loss of heterozygosity detectionusing augmented exome capture approach

Presenter: Rachel Marty Pyke, Ph.D.

November 18:12:30 PM 3:00 PM

Back Bay

B18

Exome scale liquid biopsy monitoring of putativeneoantigens and genomic biomarkers in patientson anti-PD-1 therapy in squamous cell carcinoma ofthe head and neck

Presenter: Charles Abbott, Ph.D.

November 19:4:30 PM 7:00 PM

Back Bay

Personalis will also be exhibiting during the conference (Exhibit # 10). Representatives will be available to answer questions about the companys cancer immunogenomics services.

About Personalis, Inc.

Personalis, Inc. is a growing cancer genomics company transforming the development of next-generation therapies by providing more comprehensive molecular data about each patients cancer and immune response. The companys NeXT Platform is designed to adapt to the complex and evolving understanding of cancer, providing its biopharmaceutical customers with information on all of the approximately 20,000 human genes, together with the immune system, from a single tissue sample. Personalis also provides genomic information to the VA Million Veterans Program as part of their goal to sequence over a million veteran genomes. The Personalis Clinical Laboratory is GxP aligned as well as CLIA88-certified and CAP-accredited. For more information, please visit http://www.personalis.com and follow Personalis on Twitter (@PersonalisInc).

Link:
Personalis, Inc. to Present New Data at the AACR Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Conference - Business Wire

According to results of a study presented at the Society of Immunotherapy for Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting 2019 in National Harbor, Maryland, a next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based approach was capable of simultaneously characterizing all 7 T- and B-cell receptor chains, and also provided potential predictors of treatment benefit in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

An extensive repertoire of T-celland B-cell populations that expresses a wide range of antigen-specificreceptors are at the heart of the adaptive immune system. More specifically, T-and B-cell receptor diversity is created through random recombination ofvariable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments, or V and J genesegments alone. Hence, at any given point in time, the T-cell and B-cellrepertoire in a single individual is represented by a huge number of differentT- and B-cell clones or clonotypes.

Recently, high-throughput NGS hasbeen used to profile the diversity of the T-cell and B-cell repertoire inindividuals. One approach to this process involves RNA-based multiplexpolymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of V-D-J or V-J gene segments,followed by high-throughput sequencing of the PCR amplicons, and subsequentbioinformatic interpretation of the reads obtained through NGS.

In thisstudy, a novel quantitative PCR-based NGS technique was reported to allow forthe simultaneous characterization of RNA associated with the loci of all 7 T-and B-cell receptors (ie, the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta chains of theT-cell receptor; and immunoglobulin (Ig)-K and Ig-L of the B-cell receptor)collected from both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) andformalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens from patients undergoingtreatment for RCC.

Furthermore,this process was carried out as single reaction that circumvented the problemof PCR dimer artifacts.

Results of this study suggestedthat pretreatment diversity in T-cell receptor alpha and beta chains, as wellas the B-cell to T-cell expression ratio, may be useful predictors of treatmentresponse in patients with RCC.

Reference

Depinet M, Pan W, Wu S, et al. All-in-One, quantitative immune repertoire profiling of PBMC and FFPE for renal cancer treatment evaluation. Presented at the Society for Immunology of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting 2019. November 6-10, 2019. National Harbor, MD. Abstract P87.

Read the rest here:
High-Throughput Multichain Immune Repertoire Sequencing for Prediction of Treatment Response in Renal Cell Carcinoma - Cancer Therapy Advisor

NFM Secret Shopper: Im confused about whats best to boost my immunity. Is it zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, elderberry or something else?

Retailer: Any of those can help with immunity, but it depends on when you take them. Vitamin C is good for when you already have a cold, but if you eat your fruits and veggies, you probably dont need to take a vitamin C supplement all the time. Same with zinc and elderberry. But vitamin D is a supplement you might need every day, depending on your levels.

NFM: That makes sense. Any other supplements youd recommend, especially for cold and flu season?

Retailer: Garlic is popular and seems to work pretty well for immunity.

Our expert educator: Yufang Lin, M.D., of the Cleveland Clinics Center for Integrative and Lifestyle Medicine

Immunity is very complex. As an integrative practitioner, I look at the whole picture, so the first things I suggest are getting enough sleep, hydrating well and eating healthy. As for specific foods that boost immunity, garlic and ginger are both antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral. You can use them in your day-to-day cooking, but if you are getting sick, definitely step up your intake, whether through food or supplements. Ginger, which is also anti-inflammatory, can also be made into tea.

There is data showing that both vitamin C and zinc support the immune system when you are sick. They are particularly useful in the first few days of illness, as they can reduce the duration and severity. But use these supplements only as needed, not on a long-term basis.

Elderberry is a diuretic, so if you are running a fever, it can help you sweat it out. Another supplement, echinacea, revs up the immune system, so it is great for fighting off a cold or even for the early stages of the flu. The problem with echinacea is it can stimulate the immune system too much, which is bad if you have an autoimmune disease. But for most people, it can be very helpful, but take it only for three to five days.

Vitamin D is a hormone so it generally has many benefitsfor mood, bone health and immune support. But it is more for day-to-day care, not to start taking once you get sick.

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Secret Shopper: What supplements are best to boost immunity? - New Hope Network