StemCell Therapy

Twin sisters have opened a vet surgery which treats pets with herbal remedies including MISTLETOE and medicinal mushrooms.

Reagan and Jordan Carnwath, 29, grew up 'obsessed' with animals and in their childhood would bring sick or injured creatures home to care for them.

The identical twins both studied veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow, and Reagan graduated in 2013 with Jordan completing her studies a year later.

After finishing her studies, Reagan moved to Dumfries and Galloway to work in a rural veterinary surgery, but in 2017 she returned to her home city and established Herbal Vet Scotland.

Unlike most vet surgeries, regular services such as spaying and neutering are not performed at the practice, in Glasgow's South Side.

Instead, complementary holistic treatment is given in addition to regular medical care provided elsewhere, on a referral basis meaning medical records can be accessed.

Pet owners could be issued with recipes for meals to cook for their pets, and acupuncture could be performed as a form of pain relief.

But Reagan says the business is the 'first of its kind' in Scotland, and their patients include cats, dogs, and horses.

She stays at the Glasgow branch while Jordan travels further afield in Scotland to visit patients on their farms.

Reagan said: "We're the only dedicated herbal practice of its kind in Scotland.

"If animals need conventional treatments we'll send them back to their regular vets but we choose to model on holistic medicine and it seems to work well.

"In North America it's really big with vets that work in this way.

"It's important because it shows these treatments are effective.

"A lot of people worry about coming across a vet like us and wonder how effective it is.

"We're not replacing conventional veterinary care.

"We see a lot of animals with skin diseases and cancers.

"We're not saying 'we can cure cancer', but we have a whole lot of treatments we do such as injections of mistletoe and diet changes.

"One of our patients got diagnosed with a rare form of cancer of the adrenal gland and the vet said it would be weeks to months to live.

"We saw the dog and started him on weekly injections of mistletoe and now he's doing really well - he's full of energy and acting like a puppy again.

"We won't say we've cured him, but he's living a really good quality of life.

"He's on medication to control his blood pressure, that's the only conventional medicine he's on.

"He's also on a home cooked diet and medicinal mushrooms as well."

Both sisters believe that raw diets, including raw meat, can be beneficial to animals - but they also provide owners with recipes for home cooked meals.

Reagan, from Cambuslang, Glasgow, said: "We give the owners recipes and they cook them up at home.

"They cook a big batch up and can freeze it so it's not too time consuming.

"An advantage is you know exactly what's going on.

"Dog food can be quite processed with meat derivatives."

Herbal powders, creams and ointments are also prescribed as treatment, along with mistletoe injections.

Reagan said a home cooked diet and herbal treatments can be 'preventative' and keep animals healthier so they don't need as much conventional veterinary care.

She said: "Some conventional medicines like steroids are super cheap but others are really expensive.

"We offer puppy and kitten consultations to get diets right, reducing needs for over vaccination - setting them up to be as healthy for as long as possible.

"It's preventative.

"It's really the future of preventative medicine."

Reagan added: "Since little girls we were obsessed with animals and we've been lucky to grow up and realise our dream to become vets.

"We were animal mad and always bringing injured ones home to our mum, much to her delight."

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Twin sisters have opened a vet surgery which treats pets with herbal remedies including MISTLETOE and medicinal mushrooms - Yahoo News UK

President Trump got his first full day of defense at his Senate impeachment trial on Monday. Trump's lawyers mostly whistled past inconvenient new revelations that former National Security Adviser John Bolton, in his forthcoming book, badly undermines one of their key arguments against impeachment: that there's no first-hand evidence Trump tied Ukraine military aid to investigations of Joe Biden and other Democratic rivals.

In fact, Trump lawyers Pam Bondi and Eric Herschmann devoted their presentations to attacking former Vice President Biden and his son Hunter. It wasn't until the night's last full presentation, by high-profile defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, that Trump's legal team even mentioned Bolton. And Dershowitz argued that "nothing in the Bolton revelations, even if true, would rise to the level of an abuse of power or an impeachable offense."

Dershowitz and Trump attorney Ken Starr offered historical and legal arguments about impeachment, with Dershowitz taking the extreme minority legal view that impeachment requires "criminal-like conduct," and abuse of power and obstruction of Congress don't fit that bill. Starr's presentation "was a bizarre spectacle: the man who brought us the last impeachment of a president lecturing the Senate on the dangerous evils of impeachment," writes The New Yorker's Susan Glasser. You can watch some highlights from Trump's defense, curated by PBS NewsHour.

"I'm old enough to remember when, in 1998, Starr produced the most X-rated document ever to be printed under congressional seal, in service of lobbying for [Bill Clinton's] impeachment," Glasser writes. "Now, in 2020, the author of that report is acting as the sanctimonious guardian of congressional dignity, lecturing us all on the floor of the Senate about the unfair, improper charges against Donald Trump? Within seconds of opening his mouth on the Senate floor, Starr had his liberal critics and lots of non-liberals, too sputtering with outrage."

Still, Glasser adds, "in the end Starr's comments, trolling as they were, seemed inconsequential and destined to be quickly forgotten," at least compared to Bolton's bombshell. If the outcome of Trump's trial seems predetermined, Bolton's first-hand report of a quid pro quo might at least convince four Republicans to ensure witness testimony.

Trump's team had some factual errors in their presentation. The Associated Press tackles a few of them, and you can watch CNN's Jake Tapper fact-check some others and Jeffrey Toobin denounce Bondi and Herschmann's "parade of lies" about Joe Biden below. Peter Weber

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The first case of Wuhan virus has reportedly been detected in the U.S. - The Week

January 27, 2020 -Advancements in genomics and precision medicine have improved healthcares understanding of human disease, but stakeholders will need to address disparities and increase data sharing in order to leverage the full potential of genomic medicine, according to a study published in Nature.

Over the past two decades, technological advancements, as well as the collection and analysis of genetic and clinical data, have enhanced the use of genomics in healthcare. With these industry-wide changes, genomic medicine is poised to go mainstream, researchers noted.

The future of medicine will increasingly focus on delivering care that is tailored to an individual's genetic makeup and patterns, said Judy H. Cho, MD, Dean of Translational Genetics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director of The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, and a co-author of the report.

Applying this knowledge will help us to enhance personalized health and medicine for patients at The Mount Sinai Hospital now and for years to come.

Despite the progress the industry has made in genomic medicine, researchers stated that there are still several barriers to overcome, including deeply entrenched disparities and limited genomic knowledge.

READ MORE: Genetic Variant Reveals Disparities in Heart Failure Diagnosis

The absence of evidence-based guidelines to support healthcare recommendations continues to hinder the clinical applications of genetic data. In some countries, this is compounded by confusion over reimbursement and disparities in testing across society, researchers said.

Many healthcare professionals lack experience in genomic medicine and need education and guidance to practice in the rapidly evolving space of genetic and genomic testing.

In addition, researchers noted that concerns about data sharing and a lack of strong infrastructure are limiting the industrys ability to advance genomic medicine.

There are also concerns about the consequences of unfettered release of genetic data of dubious or inflated clinical relevance, and limited infrastructure to pull these results into mainstream medical systems, the team said.

To overcome these challenges, the group recommended that the industry take proactive measures to address disparities in scientific research, and to identify clinical opportunities that will benefit individuals and societies around the world.

READ MORE: Evaluating the Benefits and Challenges of Genomics in Healthcare

It will be particularly important to include populations historically under-represented in genomic research. As over time, clinically sequenced genomes will outnumber those collected in academia, research and healthcare communities will need to develop a harmonized approach to genomics to transcend historical boundaries, researchers stated.

Progress will be critically dependent on platforms and governance that lower barriers to the integration of genetic and phenotypic data across studies and countries, along with technical standards that are reliable, secure and compatible with the international regulatory landscape.

The industry should also increase data sharing and access in order to develop comprehensive inventories of genomic information across populations and environments.

Research access to functional data, generated at scale, should lower the barriers to mechanistic inference, provide system-wide context, and enable researchers to focus wet-laboratory validation on the most critical experiments, researchers said.

Collectively, these efforts will support compilation of a systematic catalogue of key networks and processes that influence normal physiology and disease development and inform a revised molecular taxonomy of disease.

READ MORE: Over 70% of Orgs Say Precision Medicine Meets or Tops Expectations

Finally, stakeholders will need to transform basic knowledge into fully developed physiological and molecular models of disease development. Researchers will have to apply biological insights to facilitate new treatment and preventive options, the group stated.

Ultimately, barriers to genomic medicine are most directly overcome by demonstrating clinical utility in disease management and therapeutic decision-making, with evidence for improved patient outcomes, the team said.

Given the clinical importance of slowing disease progression, target-discovery efforts will increasingly need to embrace the genetics of disease progression and treatment response, as these may involve processes distinct from those captured by studies of disease onset.

With these recommendations, the researchers believe the industry will be able to leverage the promise of genomics and precision medicine to deliver more personalized, targeted care.

Collectively, these developments can be expected to accelerate personalization of healthcare delivery. Provided costs are sustainable, a more preventative perspective on health could emerge, managed through proactive genomic, clinical and lifestyle surveillance using risk scores, complex biomarkers, liquid biopsies and wearables, researchers concluded.

For the full potential of genomic medicine to be realized, there will need to be sustained collaborative endeavor on several fronts to ensure that the capacity to generate ever more detailed maps of the relationships between sequence variation and biomedical phenotypes delivers a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms that can be translated into the medicines of tomorrow.

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Addressing Disparities Will Advance Genomics, Precision Medicine - HealthITAnalytics.com

Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships

Five University of Sydney alumni and current students have been awarded Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarships to conduct research or undertake a postgraduate program at an institution in the United States.

Nicholas Hindley (Lecturer in Statistics and Data Science at the University of Sydney and PhD candidate at ACRF Image X Institute) hopes to initiate a research program with a global and multi-disciplinary approach to study the safe and effective implementation of machine learning in a clinical setting.

Alice Yan (environmental lawyer, graduate of Bachelor of Commerce and Law) will explore the world-leading environmental policies pioneered in the United States. She will specialise in the ground-breaking science that has driven these policies. Alice hopes to apply this learning to help shape the future of Australian environmental policy.

Ruebena Dawes (graduate of Bachelor of Science - Advanced Mathematics (Honours) and PhD candidate) will study in the laboratory of one of the worlds foremost experts in genomic informatics at Yale School of Medicine, to find genetic answers for an undiagnosed cohort of 82 families with rare disorders. Obtaining a precise genetic diagnosis is of utmost importance for families with genetic conditions, guiding clinical care and enabling precision and preventative medicine.

Gemma Tierney (graduate of Bachelor of Applied Science - Physiotherapy) is an Indigenous physiotherapist of Kamilaroi descent. She will undertake a master of public health, specialising in maternal and paediatric health. She will pursue a career that provides more equitable healthcare to Indigenous women and children.

Ultimately, I aspire to work for National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO) in which Indigenous communities work with non-government organisations to deliver appropriate and high-quality healthcare to often remote and rural Indigenous maternal and paediatric communities, Gemma said.

Dr Sarmad Akkach (graduate of Master of Medicine - Ophthalmic Science) is a surgical trainee and researcher with expertise in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health and rural eye care delivery. He will undertake a master of public health, where he will conduct research into novel methods of eye care delivery in rural and low-resource settings.

Guy Coleman (Weed Control Scientist at the University of Sydney) is passionate about the use of machine learning and robotics in weed management. His research will focus on developing efficient machine learning data pipelines and testing how growth stage of wheat, cotton and relevant weeds influences detection accuracy.

It is very exciting to think I will be conducting research on Australian crops and weeds at a US institution as part of the Fulbright Future Scholarship. Improving agriculture in Australia and around the world through collaborative research is incredibly important if we are to feed the growing world population sustainably, Guy said.

My specific research focuses on annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) in wheat, although I also incorporate other grass weeds, such as wild oats (Avena fatua), and broadleaf species, including wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), for comparison. In the US I will also look at palmer amaranth in cotton, which is a significant problem species for American cotton farmers.

Since the scholarships were established in 1949, 5,000 scholarships have been awarded in Australia, including 274 students, researchers and alumni from the University of Sydney. The scholars will be officially announced at a gala dinner in Canberra at Parliament House on 27 February 2020.

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Fulbright Scholarship success - News - The University of Sydney

A fifth case of the deadly coronavirus has been confirmed in Australia.

The global death toll overseas has risen to 81 and an estimated 3000 people have been infected in China.

The virus presents similarly to the common cold when in its early stages. Fever, sore throat, coughing and shortness of breath are symptoms.

All travel out of the Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, has been halted.

But the number of cases in Australia could surge, with 43 flights arriving from China into Australia in the last 24 hours.

There are fears the virus may spread more readily than first anticipated.

Theres some information from China that people who are going to be sick, several days before they become ill, may be able to transmit this virus, Dr William Shaffner, professor of Preventative Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre told 3AWs Ross and John.

If true it would make this virus more difficult to control.

There are also concerns as many as a hundred Australian children are trapped in the Wuhan region.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the Australian government is in negotiations with Chinese officials to determine if it is possible to airlift Australians out of the affected area.

If we are able to support Australians to travel, if they wish to leave, then we would like to do that, she told 3AWs Neil Mitchell.

The Australian government does not have reliable figures on how many citizens are stranded in Hubei province, complicating efforts to evacuate them.

We dont have a definitive number on the number of Australians in Wuhan or in Hubei province, because it will include a significant number of dual nationals, some of who may not have travelled on Australian passports, Ms Payne said.

Australians who believe they have family in the affect area, or any Australians who are in the area, are encouraged to contact the consular emergency line on1300 555 135 (in Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (overseas).

All passengers arriving in Australia from China are now being met by biosecurity staff and health officials at the airport.

Press PLAY below for more.

Harvard epidemiologist and adviser to the World Health Organisation, Dr Eric Feigl-Ding, said for every person infected with the virus almost four other people also get it.

I was incredibly, incredibly shocked, he told 3AWs Neil Mitchell.

This number would, unchecked, be quite exponential and spread much faster than many other viruses, especially coronaviruses.

This has the potential to be just as dangerous as SARS. We dont know if it will ultimately kill more people as SARS, but the vitality and the transmission parameter so far makes us think its just as dangerous as SARS, if not worse.

Its a brave new world, we have not seen a virus hitting like this in a long time.

Dr Feigl-Dings warning comes as Chinese authorities reported the doubling of the infection rate in 24 hours.

A vaccine to treat the coronavirus could begin being tested in as soon as three months.

They say we could be testing a vaccine as early as three or four months now.

Image: Kevin Frayer/Stringer

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Fifth case of deadly coronavirus confirmed in Australia - 3AW

Here are the top stories covered byDocWire Newsthis week in the Homepage section. In this weeks edition of the round-up: the FDA approves a new migraine drug; e-cig use is linked to respiratory disease; gender-tailored methods could mitigate the effects of opioid abuse; and cell phone use may be connected to medical errors.

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)approvedUbrelvry (ubrogepant) tablets for the immediatetreatmentof migraine with or without aura in adults. According to the FDA, this marks the first drug in the class of oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists approved for the acute treatment of migraine. Migraine is an often disabling condition that affects an estimated 37 million people in the U.S., said Billy Dunn, M.D., acting director of the Office of Neuroscience in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in apress release. Ubrelvy represents an important new option for the acute treatment of migraine in adults, as it is the first drug in its class approved for this indication. The FDA is pleased to approve a novel treatment for patients suffering from migraine and will continue to work with stakeholders to promote the development of new safe and effective migraine therapies.

Electronic cigarette(e-cig) use is associated with an increased risk of respiratory disease, according to a study whichappeared intheAmerican Journal of Preventative Medicine. The authors wrote that: Although switching from combustible tobacco, including cigarettes, to e-cigarettes theoretically could reduce the risk of developing respiratory disease, current evidence indicates a high prevalence of dual use, which is associated with increased risk beyond combustible tobacco use. In addition, for most smokers, using an e-cigarette is associated with lower odds of successfully quitting smoking. cigarettes should not be recommended.

Gender-tailored methods that address the adverse childhood experiences (ACE) could mitigate the effects ofopioid use disorder, according to the findings of a studypublished inthe journalAddictive Behaviors. In this study, researchers assessed 201213 nationally-representative data from 388 women and 390 men with opioid use disorder. The results of the study showed that women with opioid use disorder were more likely than men to have comorbid mood or anxiety disorders, and less likely to have conduct disorders.

Nurses in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are susceptible to makingmedical errorswhen interrupted by incoming cell phone calls, according to a studypublished inJAMA Pediatrics. The researchers wrote of this study that: This studys findings suggest that, although communication-related interruptions cannot be eliminated, interventions to reduce the frequency and adverse consequences of interruptions should include consideration of time of day, nurse experience, nurse to patient ratio, and level of patient care required.

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Homepage Round-Up: FDA Approves New Migraine Therapy, E-Cigs Linked to Respiratory Disease; and More - DocWire News

Electronic cigarette (e-cig) use is associated with an increased risk of respiratory disease, according to a study which appeared in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.

In this longitudinal analysis study, researchers evaluated adults aged 18 years and older from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Waves 1 (which took place between September 2013 to December 2014), 2 (October 2014 to October 2015), and 3 (October 2015 to October 2016). At wave 1, the researchers assessed lung or respiratory disease using the following yes or no question: Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had any of the following lung or respiratory conditions? COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.

Lung or respiratory disease at Waves 2 and 3 was assessed with the question:In the past 12 months, has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional told you that you had any of the following lung or respiratory conditions? (yes or no): COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Respondents who answeredyes to any of these questions were categorized as having lung or respiratory disease at Wave 2 or 3. All respondents were categorized as either categorized as current users, former users, or never users. The researches collated data between 2013 and 2016 and analyzed the data between 2018 and 2019.

According to the results of the study, the researchers observed a statistically significant association between former e-cig use (AOR=1.31, 95% CI=1.07, 1.60) and current e-cig use (AOR=1.29, 95% CI=1.03, 1.61) at Wave 1 and having incident respiratory disease at Waves 2 or 3, after controlling for combustible tobacco smoking, demographic, and clinical variables. The results also showed that combustible tobacco smoking (AOR=2.56, 95% CI=1.92 to 3.41) was notably linked with having respiratory disease at Waves 2 or 3. Moreover, the odds of developing respiratory disease for a current user of both e-cigs and all combustible tobacco were 3.30 juxtaposed with a never smoker who never used e-cigarettes.

Current use of e-cigarettes appears to be an independent risk factor for respiratory disease in addition to all combustible tobacco smoking, the study authors wrote in their conclusion.

Although switching from combustible tobacco, including cigarettes, to e-cigarettes theoretically could reduce the risk of developing respiratory disease, current evidence indicates a high prevalence of dual use, which is associated with increased risk beyond combustible tobacco use. In addition, for most smokers, using an e-cigarette is associated with lower odds of successfully quitting smoking. cigarettes should not be recommended.

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E-Cig Use Linked to Respiratory Disease - DocWire News

Elegant science are not two words you hear put together very often. But for Carmel Valley resident Dr. Pamila Brar the phrase sums up her lifes career goals. Brar sees elegant science as the promise of precision medicine and works as the chief medical officer and clinical phenotyping research lead at the J. Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla. Her clinical research focuses on genomics, electronic medical records and artificial intelligence to identify various markers of health and disease.

The promise of precision medicine is intoxicating to me, Brar explains, the ability to tailor care to each individual is so very compelling and feels right in such an intuitive way. I am passionate about helping to extend the healthy human lifespan, and to help us all understand what makes us who we are as individuals.

Brar was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Clearity Foundation, which strives to improve the survival and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer. Brar says she was interested in joining the foundation because it stands as a glowing example of an organization that provides the highest level of scientific knowledge to patients and their doctors, combined with truly helpful psychological support, and at no charge to patients.

Brar points out that, because ovarian cancer is such an elusive disease with no clear screening tools, it requires serious attention for us to outsmart it. It often contains multiple cell types even within a single tumor. So, in a way, it isnt just one disease. It is a valiant enemy. And to add insult to injury, it affects women in the prime of their lives.

Brar has personal experience in witnessing the devastating toll that ovarian cancer can take. During her internal-medicine residency, one of her interns was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 25. I recall her complaining of vague symptoms and all of us attributing it to the demands of medical training, she says. I remember the shock of learning she had ovarian cancer. After all, she was one of us -- a doctor. She wasnt supposed to be the patient. Tragically, she died within six months of diagnosis. Her situation hit very close to home for me, and her death left a big hole within our close-knit group.

Brar says she knew from around the age 7 or 8 that she wanted to be a doctor. She attended medical school at Louisiana State University at New Orleans and then trained at Scripps Clinic in La Jolla. She worked in general practice at Scripps Clinic from 1999 to 2009. Then as we would say in my home state of Louisiana, I got a wild hair and decided that I wanted to stretch my wings and open my own private concierge medicine practice in La Jolla in 2010, she explains. During that time, she became quite intrigued with the fertile science and biotech environment San Diego has to offer.

I learned of the opportunity to participate in a new preventative precision medicine clinic at Human Longevity, Inc. founded by Craig Venter. I decided to leave my practice to participate in this new movement of genomics and precision prevention, Brar says. She served as medical director at the Health Nucleus at Human Longevity from 2015 to 2019. In that role, she led a multidisciplinary team responsible for the integration of whole genome sequencing, microbiome, metabolome and whole-body imaging, as well as the delivery of results to the participants. And she started to dream big.

My dream is that during my lifetime (I am 47), we will eradicate cancer, both through radical prevention, advanced screening and targeted and precise therapies, she says emphatically. I believe through the use of artificial intelligence, we will be able to make exponential advancements in the understanding of disease and health. We are inundated with data, and to be able to apply machine learning to these complex data sets, we can make connections faster and more profound than those that our minds can.

One challenge that still exists, Brar admits, is gender bias in research. She says statistics back this up. Even in animal studies, she explains, we have seen gender bias reproduced with more male mice in studies than female mice. Its our job as doctors, researchers and patients to close that gap. She encourages more women to participate in clinical trials and points out that awareness is key.

Despite the statistics, significant progress has been made. Women are now evenly represented in conditions such as diabetes, mental health, cancer and respiratory disease. But they still remain underrepresented in cardiology, HIV, chronic kidney disease, hepatitis and digestive disorders. We still have a long way to go, says Brar, but we are making progress.

Brar says she is very enthusiastic about the notion of understanding and realizing human potential and considers herself fortunate to be at the forefront of some of the most meaningful and potentially powerful research in the world.

The team of incredible people that I have the honor to work with at the J Craig Venter Institute, at Human Longevity, Inc. and at the Clearity Foundation truly embody the best of the scientific community working for the good of the human race. Lucky me!

For more on the Clearity Foundation, visit http://www.clearityfoundation.org.

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Carmel Valley doctor joins Clearity Foundation board in the fight against Ovarian Cancer - Del Mar Times

The sun is setting on another exhilarating yet tumultuous decade for the American health care industry. There was, of course, the signing into law, implementation and evolution of the Affordable Care Act. We also saw the beginning stages ofartificial intelligenceand machine learning, major advocacy for the removal ofdata silos, thewearable crazeand, more recently, a major challenge in addressing theopioid and behavioral health crises.

As an investor, the past 10 years have been invigorating. Digital health is here to stay. Technology has opened so many doors and created an enormous opportunity for innovation across the health care industry. This positive momentum has encouraged new investors, some supporting health care for the very first time, to enter the market, while existing investors like myself remain quite active.

But the excitement isnt just spreading from promises and visions. Many digital health startups have established tangible outcomes and validation in return on investment to their customers. This is a positive sign an indication that there is real value being created in our sector.

I dont see this momentum slowing anytime soon. As we move into the 20s, here are some of the catalysts and evolutions that Ill be paying the most attention to and collaborating on with our current and future portfolio companies to help improve our health care system:

Consumer Expectations Strengthen

First, consumers will expect health providers and payors to offer holistic, personalized health services as the new standard of care. More than ever before, consumers are becoming empowered by access to information and a plethora of digital health platforms. They will want (and then expect) solutions that factor in biology and genomics, lifestyle and socioeconomic characteristics, and environmental influences to produce better health outcomes. By providing health consumers with the right tools and insights, we can effectively empower them to manage their health outside of the traditional health care system, a relatively new and powerful phenomenon driven by technology. (More on that later.)

Seamless Integrations Improve Care

Concurrent with this,consumers are increasingly demanding a seamless, integrated digital front door, or a conduit that provides convenient access to appointment scheduling, care records and insurance information. Those on the services side will use this to directly engage with consumers, drive better adherence rates, behavior change and service utilization, particularly when it comes to chronic condition management.

Personal Data Further Empowers Consumers

One key positive result ofrising consumer awarenessis that people will become the hub for their own health information and, even more importantly, become active participants in managing their health. We are going to see more and more individuals be better informed of their health profile and predispositions for certain conditions, as well as see their willingness to harness preventative medicine. To encourage consumers to be active participants in their health, by putting them in control of their data and determining how its used, we can build trust, increase utilization and protect privacy.

Technology Serves As Backbone

While I mentioned this current decade produced the early momentum we are seeing behind AI in health care, this technology will eventually become the foundation of first-line digital interactions between consumers and health institutions. AI is a core piece of the backbone behind the digital front door assisting with triaging, guidance, scheduling and administration, care coordination and even delivering low acuity therapeutics. Im confident that AI will better enable many more doctors, specialists and providers to practice at the top of their license.

As part of the maturing AI landscape, I believe voice technologies and natural language processing will become more advanced and make pivotal contributions to health care, such as overhauling caregiver workflows, lessening the growing administrative burden thats leading to burnout and facilitating more quality time between providers and patients.

Although technology is a great tool, it is important to use technology in a way that is useful to health consumers. Simply using the latest and greatest innovation does not make the solution effective and, in fact, if implemented poorly, it can detract from the overall experience. Technology must fit into the lives of consumers and their workflow. For example, our portfolio company uses connected devices and voice through a HIPAA-compliant Amazon Alexa skills program to allow its members to access health care information using their existing Alexa devices; its technology we know many of our members use today.

What The Next Decade Will Look Like

Its impossible to look ahead and not wonder what role major tech companies are going to play in the evolving health care ecosystem. Yes, some large companies have dabbled in health care services before, but the past 12 months are unlike anything I have seen with highly-publicized activity from organizations such as Apple, Amazon and Google.

I believe the pace at which big tech and retailers wade into health care is going to accelerate. Why? Based on my observations of the space, its due to promising results that have been evidenced and forward-thinking health systems and payor executives who are now willing to opportunistically partner with strategic innovators to meet the new health care consumer where they are. What lays ahead in terms of innovative consumer health devices, more user-friendly platforms to access information and other technological advances will be one to watch.

Finally, what will this new climate look like for self-insured employers (who cover tens of millions of lives)? These employers will remain focused on reducing their health cost trend and improving the health and productivity of their teams by leveraging innovation.

Forward-thinking employers should continue to build a suite of digitally-powered health benefits in order to better compete for talent. Areas including behavioral health and addressing musculoskeletal injuries/pain are poised for growth and, hopefully, more widespread availability.

I am energized by the promise of the coming decade, the opportunities to improve the lives of those who are faced with health challenges and the democratization of these advances to the wider global community.

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The Digital Health Landscape In 2020 And Beyond - Forbes

What is the secret to physical and mental well-being? Since the beginning of time, people have searched for the answer. Every country has its own traditions and take on self-care. In Finland, it involves steamy saunas and icy dips; in Tibet, sound vibrations are believed to heal and harmonize the body; and in the United States, floating in darkened soundproof pods to chill out is enjoying a renaissance. This new year, try a new wellness ritual from around the globe.

While floating in a pitch-black soundproof pod filled with salt water might seem terrifying, this is one of the hottest wellness trends in the U.S. Devotees say the lack of stimuli creates a deep state of mental and physical relaxation that lasts long after emerging from the tank.

Ancient Amazonian tribes used this psychedelic brew made from tea leaves for spiritual and religious purposes. Now, however, it has become popular worldwide as an alternative healing treatment to reach an altered state of consciousness and to heal past traumas, depression, cancer and more. During a retreat, a shaman prepares the drink and guides the participant through the ceremony, which can result in the body purging in all forms, which is believed to be part of the cleansing process.

Hammam, or traditional Moroccan bath houses, aren't for the shy, as they are typically experienced in the nude and separated by gender. These public baths are places to socialize, relax and get squeaky cleanyou'll be rigorously scrubbed and exfoliated down to a new layer of skin with black soap and a hand mitt.

Finland ranks as the happiest country in the world for the second year in a row by the United Nations. Could one of their secrets to being so content lie in their national pastime of sweating out the blues in a sauna? Or maybe it is the adrenaline rush of ice swimming, another popular activity Finns do for a jolt of joy on a cold winter's day.

Volunteering to be whacked with a bunch of oak leaves might not sound relaxing, but it's a traditional type of massage in Russian banyas, or bath houses. The beating of water-dipped branches takes place in a sauna, and it is believed to boost circulation and prevent premature skin aging.

Traditional yoga poses involving headstands or backbends might be intimidating to some, but Laughter Yoga is something everyone can do. In Mumbai in 1995, Dr. Madan Kataria created this hilarious meditative practice that involves cracking up for no reason in order to lower levels of stress hormones. Now it's contagious, and Laughter Yoga clubs can be found all over the world.

For centuries, Buddhist monks have used "singing bowls" for meditation and healing purposes. The vibrations created by these bowls are believed to balance, heal and restore out-of-harmony parts of the mind and body by reducing stress, focusing the mind and even relieving pain.

Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing is the Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature through the five senses as a form of preventative medicine and therapy. In fact, trees give off organic compounds that support cancer-fighting cells by boosting the immune system. A simple stroll in the woods also lowers blood pressure and accelerates recovery from surgery or illness.

Originally posted here:
Global Wellness Rituals to Try This Year - Newsweek

Migraines, a particularly severe type of headache that can cause pain and visual disturbances, often last for hours or days, disrupting ones life. Pain killers and other acute treatments often fail to provide relief from these migraines; instead, most treatments are for preventing chronic migraines. That has changed with the FDAs approval of a new drug that offers immediate, rather than preventative, relief.

Migraines are often difficult to treat. Though some people will only experience migraines rarely, others suffer from chronic migraines, which means they happen regularly. Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, including everything from excessively bright light exposure to allowing ones blood sugar to drop too low before eating a carb-rich meal.

In an announcement on Monday, the FDA revealed that it has approved ubrogepant (brand Ubrelvy) tablets for the treatment of migraines, but only in adults. The drug can be used to treat migraines that occur with or without auras, meaning things like rainbow shimmers in ones vision. The agency says Ubrelvy is the first oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist to get its approval for immediate migraine treatment.

In a statement, FDA Office of Neuroscience acting director Billy Dunn, MD, said:

Migraine is an often disabling condition that affects an estimated 37 million people in the US. Ubrelvy represents an important new option for the acute treatment of migraine in adults, as it is the first drug in its class approved for this indication.

A pair of double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trials were used to test Ubrelvys effectiveness. More than 1,400 adults participated in the studies, all of them with a history of migraines. Compared to the placebo group, the FDA says many sufferers who took this drug during a migraine experienced a reduction in symptoms or, in some cases, complete relief within two hours.

Link:
FDA approves new drug that immediately treats migraines - SlashGear

The expansion of health coverage is certainly something to celebrate this holiday season. As 49,000 Idahoans and counting will have health coverage due to Medicaid expansion, we can all be grateful for the peace of mind, economic security and improved health that these families will enjoy. And we must continue to work together to help Idahoans get and keep the health coverage they need. As a physician practicing in rural Idaho, Im looking forward to more members of our community being able to receive preventative care and address chronic conditions that have gone untreated for far too long.

Medicaid makes it possible for low-income Idahoans to be healthy making sure they can work and take care of their families. It allows them to see a doctor when they are sick, get check-ups, buy medications and go to the hospital without fear of choosing between their health and groceries or paying their rent/mortgage. Medicaid offers financial protection for families so they dont have to go bankrupt when they face an unexpected illness or need to go to the hospital.

Medicaid expansion was achieved in Idaho through a bipartisan effort that included the support of former Gov. Butch Otter and several Republican lawmakers with deep knowledge and experience with Idahos health system. While a small group of Idaho legislators want to play Grinch and spread fear about people being kicked off private health coverage, the truth is that these Idahoans will still have health coverage without the burden of extra out-of-pocket costs that make their private plans difficult to afford.

Medicaid is more cost-effective and offers better health coverage for the vast majority of Idahoans who will qualify for Medicaid expansion. Efforts to keep some Idahoans who are newly eligible for Medicaid expansion on the state exchange would have cost taxpayers more money and added to the federal deficit, which is why the Trump administration rejected Idaho lawmakers request to do so.

Health care providers across Idaho, from hospitals, to physicians, to community clinics, have embraced Medicaid expansion and are working hard to enroll Idahoans and care for these individuals. As a physician, I know that Im looking forward to treating patients earlier before they have costly, more serious health conditions.

Medicaid expansion is a gift for Idaho. Idahoans who are struggling to make ends meet will now have access to health coverage and can receive preventative care to keep them healthy, or finally treat chronic conditions that have damaged their quality of life and ability to work. By 2022, Medicaid expansion will result in savings or offsets to the state totaling over $31 million, with a net savings of $3.5 million annually. Starting on Jan. 1, Idahoans across the state will have health coverage, reducing uncompensated care costs for rural hospitals, helping fund more Idaho physicians, saving local communities money and creating over $16 million in new economic activity. Its time to put politics aside and come together to fully support Medicaid expansion in Idaho.

Dr. Keith Davis is a family medicine doctor in Shoshone, Idaho and is affiliated with two hospitals in the Magic Valley. He is the owner, CEO and medical director of Shoshone Family Medical Center, where he has practiced for over 30 years. He received his medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine.

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Medicaid expansion is a gift - Post Register

Everything is a toxin, or has the potential to be, in the field of toxicology. In the 1500s, Swiss physician Paracelsus, the father of toxicology, coined his famous dictum: What is there that is not poison? All things are poison and nothing is without poison. Solely the dose determines that a thing is not a poison.

Lead, however, is toxic at any dose. It serves no purpose in our bodies. Unlike most other toxins that our bodies can eliminate through metabolism and excretion, the body has no ability to purge lead.

As a clinical toxicologist, I care for children and adults who have been exposed to lead and assure that those individuals receive the best possible care. Lead can enter the body through a number of different routes, depending on the source of the element. Most commonly, it enters the body through ingestion or inhalation.

As an example, toddlers are constantly placing items, including their hands, in their mouths. If a toddler lives in an old home that was previously painted with leaded paint which was banned in the United States in 1978 for use in homes the child may ingest old lead paint chips or lead-contaminated dust from his hands on a daily basis, resulting in gastrointestinal absorption of lead. This is by far one of the most common causes for elevated blood lead level that I see in my clinic.

On the other hand, I have evaluated adults in our clinic who had elevated blood lead levels after inhaling lead vapor following heating of lead in poorly ventilated areas. A couple of those cases included a hobbyist who made his own lead musket balls in his basement for Revolutionary War and Civil War re-enactments and a military marksmen who was practicing target shooting with lead ammo. One of my patients who was pregnant was using a heat gun to strip lead paint in an old home and developed markedly elevated blood lead levels via inhalation, placing her fetus at risk since lead crosses the placenta.

Clinical effects of lead

The clinical effects from lead toxicity are potentially subtle and may be slow to emerge and may not be noticed initially. The timing of symptoms is based on the dose taken into the body and the time over which lead enters the body. A child who ingests a lead fishing sinker that is retained in the stomach may have a rapid rise in blood lead levels and become symptomatic over days with nausea, vomiting, confusion, and sedation. On the other hand, a child exposed to ingested dust contaminating the hands daily may develop few and subtle symptoms that take years to manifest, if at all.

Once lead enters the body, it first flows through the blood stream, where it slowly crosses into various organs such as the kidneys, muscles and brain.

Lead is bad for humans because it interferes with numerous enzymes inside the cells of these organs. This results in symptoms such as muscle and joint aches as well as constipation and overall fatigue. It damages our brains by interfering with how brain cells send messages and communicate. Lead decreases fertility in both males and females. It harms our kidneys and can result in hypertension later in life. Lead prevents our bodies from creating hemoglobin the molecule that carries oxygen in our red blood cells resulting in anemia.

Rather than being eliminated, much of the lead we absorb into our bodies becomes deposited in bones and stays with us for the rest of our lives. From those tissues and the blood, lead will eventually enter the bone where it is deposited and remains for the lifetime of most individuals. That is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has clearly stated that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.

Lead in the brain

Lead is a dangerous toxin for people of all ages. But it is especially dangerous for young children. In young developing brains it alters brain development and changes the architecture, ultimately causing learning problems and lower IQs. In the brain lead interferes with with the release of signaling molecules called neurotransmitters, it inhibits function of a receptor (N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor) vital for memory and forming new neural connections, and raises the levels of a messenger molecule called protein kinase C. Taken together, these effects diminish the number of synaptic connections during a critical early period of postnatal development.

There are numerous treatments, such as a process called chelation, which helps to eliminate lead from the body when an individual has been poisoned. Chelation is used when blood lead levels are above a specific critical threshold where such treatments might benefit. However, the first goal is to assure our population does not become exposed to toxins, especially lead.

Entities, such as the CDC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and local state health departments work to decrease adult and child lead exposure. Public health initiatives over the past few decades in the U.S. have been successful in lowering our publics blood lead levels. Such public health preventative work to decrease lead exposure will reduce future adverse health outcomes in subsequent generations.

If you have questions about lead, view information at reliable sites, such your state health department, the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The U.S. poison centers can also help to answer questions regarding lead poisoning, day or night (1-800-222-1222).

Christopher P. Holstege holds several leadership positions at the University of Virginia, including director of the Blue Ridge Poison Center and professor of emergency medicine and Pediatrics.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Read the original here:
Why lead is dangerous, and the damage it does - The Daily Progress

The winter is arguably one of the more scenic times of the year, in addition to being the busiest. What with all we have going on this time of year, there simply isn't time to get sick. The good news? It's nearly all preventable. So, here are thecommon winter ailmentsto be wary of.

Perhaps the mostcommon winter ailmentis the common cold. Some signs that you may have a cold is if you are suffering from sneezing, coughing, a stuffy nose, and a sore throat. A common cold will typically last two to three days, but the sickness may last longer, depending on the individual. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get rest, drink fluids, and take over-the-counter medicine.

Another sickness you must be cautious of during the winter is the flu. The flu can spread easily becauseit's viral infection, ratherthan a bacterial one. You may have the flu if you have symptoms like a high fever, headache, exhaustion, coughing, fatigue, and more. The best way to avoid the flu is to be preventative and get the flu shot.

Excessive coughing can also lead to bronchitis, which occurs in the lungs. Two different types of bronchitis you can suffer from include chronic and acute. Seek medical attention if you notice coughing with mucus, a fever, shortness of breath, a wheezing sound when you breathe, or low energy.

During the winter months, you may also feel pain in your throat. While you could just have a sore throat, which is a symptom of the common cold, it may be more serious. Strep throat can be identified by the red tonsils with white spots that you'll develop. The pain may be more persistent for a longer period, too.

An insidious illness that wanders in the winter is pneumonia. Like bronchitis, pneumonia occurs in the lungs and will cause excessive coughing. While they have similar symptoms, pneumonia can be more serious, which is why visiting a doctor as soon as possible is essential.

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5 Common Winter Ailments to Be Wary Of - Kiowa County Press

In January 2017, the Minnesota State Demographic Center published the report Greater Minnesota: Refined & Revisited. The 68-page document took a hard look at the state outside the population hub of the metro area in order to identify trends driven by Minnesotas changing demographics.

Among the most significant is that Greater Minnesotans are aging faster than their urban counterparts. The findings noted residents of rural and small-town Minnesota are more than twice as likely to be age 80 or older than residents in urban parts of the state. More than 1 in 20 residents in rural and small-town areas in Minnesota were 80 or above, and 44 percent of rural residents were over 50 at the time of the report, compared to 32 percent of urban dwellers.

Unfortunately, as individuals age, they need more health care services, but rural residents are finding fewer care providers available to them. They also report higher rates of perceived fair and poor health and face higher mortality rates than do their urban counterparts. Thats according to the 2017 Minnesota Department of Healths Office of Rural Health publication, Snapshot of Health in Rural Minnesota.

All of those things put together just make [Greater Minnesota] a more complicated environment to provide health care in, says Carrie Henning-Smith, deputy director at the Us Rural Health Research Center, part of the Division of Health Policy and Management in the School of Public Health. Not better or worse, just more complicated.

Bringing doctors into rural Minnesota

The Us Rural Health Research Center studies access to and quality of health care and population health outcomes in rural areas. Its one of seven such health research centers across the country funded by the federal government to improve health outcomes in areas that have unequal access to providers, compared to more urban locations.

Although areas in Greater Minnesota with larger cities such as St. Cloud, Rochester, Duluth, or Mankato have robust health care systems that are easily accessible to nearby residents, more rural areas of the state do not. And as residents in those areas age, they often must travel farther and farther to seek health care.

During a recent trip to Worthington, a town of roughly 12,500 located in far southwestern Minnesota, U of M President Joan Gabel says one of the things she heard from local residents is that they need more help bringing doctors to the area. They asked her if there were ways in which the U could facilitate that?

Henning-Smith says recruiting health care providers to rural clinics is harder now than it was decades ago. Part of the reason is because those providers cant be as flexible in their daily practice as they can in bigger cities.

You cant specialize in any one particular population or health problem, Henning-Smith says about providers in smaller communities. You need to be able to do the full range of practice, and health providers arent always comfortable with that.

That full range of practice is often delivered by primary care doctors, who offer routine, preventative services on a regular basis, and also help patients better navigate the complex health care system. But according to the federal Health Resources & Services Administration, which tracks what are known as Health Professional Shortage Areas, Minnesota has 133 areas with a shortage of medical professionals, including primary care physicians. Only two such areas are in the metro the rest are in Greater Minnesota.

The HRSA lists Lonsdale/Erin/Shieldsville in Rice County, Oshawa in Nicollet County and St. Mary in Waseca County as medically underserved areas. Nearly every Minnesota county aside from the Twin Cities metro and Rochester area is listed as having to have a shortage of mental-health professionals as determined by federal guidelines.

Ironically, at the same time the state notes a shortage of doctors in Greater Minnesota, it also estimates there are between 250 and 400 foreign-trained doctors who cannot practice medicine here without first completing a U.S. residency. And finding a residency in the U.S. can be expensive, time-consuming, and difficult for a physician who may not be a native English speaker or familiar with this countrys medical requirements.

As a first step to helping foreign-trained doctors qualify for a U.S. residency, the U offers a program called BRIIDGE, or Bridge to Residency for Immigrant International Doctor Graduates through clinical Experience. This nine-month program is open to individuals who have a medical doctors degree or the international equivalent; who were born outside the U.S., but who have been permanent, lawful residents of Minnesota for at least two years; and who meet other requirements. BRIIDGE helps those who qualify complete pre-residency requirements so they can proceed to the next step in seeking U.S. licensure.

Michael Westerhaus, M.D., an assistant professor at the U of M Twin Cities campus and director of the program, says that in the first year, four out of four participants in BRIIDGE matched into Minnesota-based residencies. In year two, two of six have so far matched into residencies; the other four are currently applying.

Another related program in which the University participates, the International Medical Graduate Program, offers funding to help international doctors pursue their residencies. IMG was started by the Minnesota Department of Healths Office of Rural Health and Primary Care and currently funds six residency positions, three of which are at the medical school. Students who receive funding agree to work for five years in one of the states underserved areas after they complete their schooling.

Khaled Mohammed, M.D., who attended medical school in his native Egypt, is a current IMG-funded resident who expects to graduate from the medical school next spring. After 10 years of training in his home country, Mohammed came to the U.S. in 2011 for a research scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh. He went to the Mayo Clinic for a research fellowship in 2013, then enrolled in his residency at the U of M in 2017.

While his first two years in residency kept him in rotations in the Twin Cities, for his last year, he is planning an elective rotation in rural Minnesota, although hes not sure where yet. How that rotation goes will factor into where he practices after graduation. (He could also stay in the metro to practice in an underserved area through Childrens Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and Hennepin Health care.)

After Im done with my elective, I will have an understanding about practicing in rural settings, Mohammed says.

Another program the U offers to help introduce medical professionals to practice areas in Greater Minnesota is the Rural Physician Associate Program (RPAP). RPAP was established in 1971 as a collaboration between the medical school and the Minnesota Legislature, in response to a shortage of medical providers in rural parts of the state even then.

Kirby Clark is a family physician who has been leading the program for the last two years. He said medical education has long been very metro-centric. The point of RPAP can be summed up in a quote that Clark attributes to the late Jack Verby, another family doctor who helped establish the program: You dont train somebody to work in forestry by training them in a lumberyard.

Clark explains: You want to get [students] serving in a community, learning in a community that looks like where theyre going to practice. RPAP places third-year medical school students on rotations for nine months in clinics across the state. Positions stretch from as far north as Roseau, near the Canadian border, to as far south as Luverne, near the South Dakota and Iowa borders. RPAP is optional, but allows students to meet their third-year requirements. Roughly 35 students, or 20 percent of the U of M-Twin Cities class, participate in the program each year.

Clark adds that about 50 percent of students who participate in RPAP will go on to work in rural clinics after residency.

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In sickness and in health: Access to nearby, quality health care is a growing priority in Greater Minnesota - Southernminn.com

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Piling on the pounds at Christmas has long been the trade off for enjoying yourself during the festivities nobody wants to be a Scrooge with their food during the holidays.

I understand; the food at Christmas is delicious, the alcohol flows freely and gifts can often come in the form of a chocolate box.

Here are my health hacks for enjoying Christmas to the full, without the expanding waistline to match.

Keep track

Use an app like MyFitnessPal to track your calorie intake as accurately as possible. You dont even need a calorie goal; the sharply rising number is often enough to put you off your fifth mince pie.

Caution with your portions

Load your plate with vegetables, and promise yourself you can add seconds of meat, stuffing and potatoes if you really want it.

Chances are, youll be full and wont need to go back for more.

Think about your drink

Alcohol forms a large part of your calorie intake. As well as tracking it and being aware of the calories in your choices, choose sugar free mixers and limit fruit juice

Walk off the weight

Get out of the house for a walk with your family, or use it as a chance to re-centre yourself alone, in what can be a really hectic time.

As well as being great for your mental health, every step boosts your metabolism

Go low

When grocery shopping and cooking, aim to use low fat and sugar foods, such as dairy, spreads, salad dressings and oil.

Focus on the good stuff

Rather than seeing this as a restrictive approach to food, try and focus on the foods full of fibre, vitamins and healthy fats and protein, like turkey and all the seasonal vegetables on offer.

You can also try making healthier alternatives to classic Christmas recipes, such as low fat gingerbread men or chocolate protein balls.

Think before you eat

Ask yourself; am I eating this because Im hungry, because Im bored or because its in front of me? If its the latter two, stop. Suggest a game or a walk to break up the mindless munching.

Tis the season to be jolly

Take time to check in on your mental health.

With your routine out of whack, food, sleep and exercise taking a turn for the worse, and the added pressure of cooking, cleaning and overspending, Christmas can be tough.

Delegate jobs if youre struggling, and remind yourself of whats really important. Its only one day of the year; its really not worth stressing over.

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Health hacks this Christmas - Health and Happiness - Castanet.net

A pioneering zoologist who was among the first to study giraffes in the wild while championing gender equality.A church minister and politician who was part of Canadas early LGBTQ movement and performed one of the country's first same-sex marriages.And a professor in the Faculty of Medicine who's known around the world for his expertise on diabetes.

These are just a few of the University of Toronto community members faculty, alumni and supporters who recently joined or were promoted within the Order of Canada, one of the country'shighest civilian honours.

The latest appointees to the Order, and promotions within it, were announced today by Governor General Julie Payette herself a U of T alumna. The long list of honourees with ties to U of T include alumnae such asAnne Innis Dagg, a zoologist and feminist, andCheri DiNovo, areverend and former MPP. It also includes faculty such as Bernard Zinman, a professorin the department of medicine and a clinician-scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute who was promoted to Officer of the Order for his contributions to diabetes research and for his development of advanced preventative therapies.

Prominent supporters of the university and its partners were recognized, too.

Heather Reisman, the founder, chair and CEO of Indigo, was promoted to Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian book publishing and children's literacy, and for her transformational philanthropy. Reisman and her husbandGerald Schwartzearlier this year donated $100 million to U of Tthe largest gift ever in the universitys history to establish the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society.

Heather Reisman, the founder and CEO of Indigo, was promoted to Officer. She and her husband Gerry Schwartz earlier this year donated $100 million to U of T to establish theSchwartz Reisman Innovation Centre and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society(Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

In addition toZinman,thelist of current or former U of T faculty who were named or promoted within the Order islengthy. It includes:

Donald Dingwell, a world-renowned volcanologist, was named an Officer of the Order for his contributions to the field of volcanology and for promoting scientific involvement in public policy.Now teaching in Germany, Dingwell began his academic career at U of T.

Mark Henkelman, a professor emeritus in the department of medical biophysics in the Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Orderfor his pioneering contributions to the field of medical imaging. He's a senior scientist emeritus at the Hospital for Sick Children, director of the Mouse Imaging Centre and a past winner of the Killam Prize for his substantial contributions to the health sciences.

Mel Watkins, a professor emeritus in the department of economics, was named a a Member of the Order forhis contributions as a political economist and for his advocacy of social justice. He was the chief author of the 1968 federal report, known as the Watkins Report,on the costs and benefits of foreign ownership of the Canadian economy.

Josef Svoboda with crew taking measurements, circa 1980s-90s (photo courtesy of Steve Jaunzems/University of Toronto Mississauga)

Josef Svoboda, a professor emeritus of biology at U of T Mississauga and an expert on Arctic ecology, was named an Officer of the Order for his pioneering research on tundra ecosystems and for his lifelong mentorship of scientists studying the Arctic.

Ken Greenberg,an urban designer, teacher, writer and former adjunct professor in the master of urban design program in the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, was named a Member of the Order.

Anthony Miller, a physician-epidemiologist and professor emeritus in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, was named a Member of the Order for his work in cancer epidemiology as well as cancer control policies and practices.

Robin McLeod, a professor of general surgery in the Faculty of Medicine, was named an Officer of the Order for her contributions to surgical oncology and innovations in clinical epidemiology and biostatistics.

Shoo Lee, a professor in obstetrics and gynaecology who is cross-appointed to pediatrics in U of T's Faculty of Medicine, was also appointed an Officer of the Order for his contributions in neonatal medicine.

Anthony Miller, a professor emeritus in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health who has also donated to funds supporting research at U of T, was named a Member of the Order for his contributions in cancer epidemiology, as well ascancer control policies and practices.

A number of prominent U of T alumni were also named to the Order, or promoted within its ranks, in the latest round but perhaps one of the more famililar names to the U of T community is Innis Dagg, who was named a Member of the Order.

The daughter ofHarold Innis, a political economist, communications studies pioneer and namesake of U of T's Innis College, Innis Dagg obtained a master's in genetics at U of T in 1956. Soon after, at 23, she arranged to stay at a farm in South Africa using only her initials in correspondence to avoid discrimination in order to study giraffes in the wild. She's credited with being the first westerner to conduct system observations of a large mammal in the wild, even before Jane Goodall and DianFossey studied primates.

After returning to Canada and facing sexism in her field,she promoted gender equality on top of continuing her ground-breaking scientific work. In addition to being named a Member of the Order of Canada,she's the subject of a recent documentary,The Woman Who Loved Giraffes.

Anne Innis Dagg, seen here at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago feeding a giraffe (photo by Elaisa Vargas)

DiNovo, another alumna, became involved in queer activism in the early 1970s. She served as an MPP for Parkdale High Park for 11 years until leaving politics to return to the church. The first LGBTQ critic in the history of the Ontario legislature, she was named a Member of the Order for her contributions to provincial politics and her lifelong advocacy of social justice.

Other U of T alumni were recognized for contributions to everything from health care to the arts and gymnastics.

Alumnus Larry Rosen, chairman and CEO of the menswear chain Harry Rosen, was appointed a Member of the Order for establishing one of Canada's most valuable retail brands.

Duncan Sinclair, who received his master of science degree at U of T and went on to assume senior academic positions at Queen's University, was appointed a Member of the Order for his contributions to health care.

U of T alumnaCheri DiNovowas the first LGBTQ critic in the history of the Ontario legislature (Bernard Weil/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Sister Sue Mostellerwho received her bachelor's from St. Michael's College in 1968, was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for her work helping people with intellectual disabilities.

Rev. James Scott, who graduated with a bachelors degreefrom Victoria College in religious studies, was named an Officer of the Order for his work in advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and his advocacy of restorative justice.

Alumna Joyce Hisey was named a Member of the Order as a member for her contributions to figure skatingas a judge, referee and mentor.

Alumnus Stuart McGill was named a Member of the Order for his contributions to understanding the biomechanics of the spinal column and the development of rehabilitation programs.

Slava Corn, who graduated from U of T in 1967, was recognized for her contributions to gymnastics as a judge, administrator and volunteer (photo by Paul Cunningham/Corbis via Getty Images)

Beverly Thomson, who earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from U of T Mississauga, was named a Member of the Order in recognition of her contributions to the broadcast industry, volunteerism and support of health-care organizations.

Wayne Fairhead, a graduate of the master in education program who has taught at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, was named a Member of the Orderfor his leadership of the Sears Drama Festival and for inspiring youth to take up the theatre arts.

Daniel Hays, an alumnus and lawyer who was named to the Senate by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1984, was made an Officer of the Order for his contributions to the province of Alberta and distinguished public service, including in the Senate.

AlumnaSlava Cornwas named an Officer of the Order for her contributions to gymnastics as a judge, administrator and volunteer.

Did we miss anybody? If you know of an Order of Canada honouree with ties to U of T who was announced in this latest round but isn't mentioned above, please let us know at uoftnews@utoronto.ca.

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U of T faculty, alumni and other members of university community named to Order of Canada - News@UofT

BILLERICA, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Powering Precision Health (PPH), the internationally acclaimed Summit focused on precision health and the latest in biomarker research, drew record attendance at its fourth-annual event held Nov. 19 in Barcelona, Spain, convening the worlds foremost scientists and medical leaders in precision health to introduce novel and disruptive research across the fields of neurology and oncology.

The PPH Summit continues to evolve and grow as the global epicenter for transforming healthcare with the use of non-invasive biochemical biomarkers, and this years event was no exception, said Kevin Hrusovsky, PPH Founder. PPH Summit is a unique opportunity to collaborate on the many seminal advances in measuring biomarkers minimally invasively, understanding their role in health, personalized treatment and disease prevention from a global community of scientific leaders. The research around blood-based biomarkers is gaining significant traction in the healthcare industry. The 2019 Summit offered us the chance to discuss and debate credible advances toward the clinic in drug development utilizing biomarkers and the mounting body of evidence these breakthroughs are advancing in preventative medicine around the world. We are excited to see so many of todays leading medical innovators, investors and patient advocates focused on utilizing disruptive biomarker technologies to advance the science that powers precision health.

Hrusovsky kicked off the Summit with a talk entitled, Vision to Reality: Disrupting Healthcare with Digital Biomarkers, highlighting the growing clinical evidence for neurofilament light (Nf-L) as a blood biomarker for detecting, prognosing and monitoring neurodegenerative conditions, and driving new biomarker research breakthroughs in oncology and immuno-oncology. The attendees were energized for an important day of discussions, tackling high-priority disease areas such as cancer and neurodegeneration with blood-based biomarkers as evidenced by the more than 40 research presentations shared at the event alone. There are now over 650 third-party peer-reviewed publications highlighting disruptive biomarker technologies for early disease detection, drug development and disease prevention.

Attendees were also treated to a fireside chat-style Q&A, Fraud is Not a Trade Secret, with Tyler Shultz, CEO of Flux Biosciences, Inc., widely known as the Theranos whistleblower, which highlighted the importance of PPHs impact on restoring transparency and investor trust. Hosted by Nasdaq Spotlight correspondent Lyanne Alfaro, Shultz and Hrusovsky discussed the importance of ethics, accountability and nurturing a culture of transparency and open debate in medical innovation and entrepreneurship.

Highlights from PPH 2019 Neurology Track include research presentations further revealing the advantages of Quanterix Simoa technology in enabling sensitive detection of important biomarkers in many neurological diseases. In particular, several talks highlighted the role of Nf-L as a promising diagnosis and treatment monitoring biomarker in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and suggested that it is getting close to becoming a clinically relevant tool. Nf-L was also reported as a promising biomarker for several other neurodegenerative diseases such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Parkinsons disease, ALS, Huntington disease and peripheral neuropathies. In one of the presentations, new data revealed that Nf-L levels were elevated in mutation carriers several years prior to clinical symptoms of Huntington disease, observations similar to those published earlier for ALS, AD, FTD and MS. The collective data suggests that Nf-L may become a screening tool for people at risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases earlier, and will in turn facilitate clinical trials, and eventually a better chance for people suffering from those diseases, to be treated earlier and more successfully. Additionally, new data was also presented on phosphorylated tau and its potential to aid in detection of amyloid pathologies when used in combination with other biomarkers, such as amyloid beta isoforms 40 and 42. Many PPH speakers continuously emphasized the importance of panels of biomarkers that allow identification of specific disease mechanisms and endophenotypes in the future.

Andrew Beard, Head of Business Development and Companion Diagnostics, Molecular Services US at Siemens Healthineers, talked about the transition of a biomarker from research to clinical use. He also described the importance of combining imaging with molecular measurements, including Nf-L. Beard described development of the Nf-L assay on the automated immunoanalyzer to support future global use of Nf-L in clinic.

The PPH 2019 Oncology Track featured research extolling the benefits of ultra-sensitive immunoassays for biomarker analysis in clinical samples, as well as analytical and diagnostic validation of single and multiplex protein biomarkers for the detection of cancer. The expert panel discussion, Applying Digital Protein Biomarkers to Oncology & Immuno-Oncology: Is the Time Now? addressed the critical nature of using fit for purpose validated biomarkers to advance drug discovery and development efforts for anti-angiogenesis inhibitors, immuno-oncology and other key inflammatory applications, breast cancer, and how to choose and implement relevant biomarkers in clinical practice.

PPH is about collaboration; its what we can learn from each other. Thats going to get us answers much faster than working independently, continued Hrusovsky. Scientific breakthroughs shared at this years event are creating a groundswell of new opportunities for seeing disease earlier in the cascade and long before symptoms present and hopefully leading to new strategies for drug development, therapy response and prevention.

The PPH 2019 Summit was made possible thanks to the generosity of multiple sponsors who embraced the vision of precision health, including: Biogen, Novartis, BTIG, Quanterix, Canaccord Genuity, Cowen Group, C2N, Adx NeuroSciences, Leerink, JP Morgan, Avison Young, Mintz Levin and Octave BioSciences.

Presentations are available for viewing here and in addition, watch the panel discussion on Challenges and Opportunities for Blood Tests for Alzheimers, MS, Parkinsons, and ALS, featuring several of todays leading scientific minds hailing from the University Hospital of Basel, the University of Gothenburg, Memorial Healthcare and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. To learn more about the PPH Summit, visit: https://poweringprecisionhealth.org.

About Powering Precision HealthPowering Precision Health is the world's first independent, non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the world's leading physicians, scientists, innovators, investors and patient advocates together to unveil their latest research on new biomarkers that are revolutionizing precision health. Founded by Kevin Hrusovsky, a widely acclaimed thought leader and visionary in life sciences and personalized medicine, Powering Precision Health is a movement that represents the intersection of new technological capabilities with the latest medical research. Its rooted in the science of precision medicine, which shows personalized treatments to be an increasingly more effective way to maximize drug efficacy and minimize toxicity. In addition to the impact environmental and lifestyle factors can have on minimizing disease triggers, precision health marks an evolution in the way we approach disease and aims to inspire a full healthcare transformation, from philosophy to approach to outcome. In an industry often plagued by skepticism and marred by false promises, PPH puts science first and brings together stakeholders that span from fundamental research to clinical practice, investors, policy makers, patient advocacy groups, and anyone who embraces the vision of Powering Precision Health. Featuring a distinguished keynote lineup of dignitaries, the Summit unveils groundbreaking approaches to prevention, early diagnosis, and next-generation treatments. Powering Precision Health is supported thanks to the generous contributions of sponsors from a wide range of companies and organizations committed to advancing precision health.

Twitter:@KevinHrusovsky @PPHSUMMIT

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Powering Precision Health Summit Convenes the World's Most Renowned Scientific Innovators Advancing Biomarker Technologies - Business Wire

WeTheTrillions wants to make it easier for people - especially women - to eat healthier, with an ... [+] emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods.

Its long been said that food is medicine, but the healthcare system doesnt always treat it as such. Despite the fact that we need to eat every day, multiple times a day, just to stay alive, medical schools in the U.S. provide on average only 19 hours of nutritional education throughout a doctors training.

As a result, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a medicine to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, or any number of other conditions, but they simply might not know how to advise you to try to prevent illness in the first place.

But some folks are trying to change that. WeTheTrillions is a public benefit corporation that is approaching nutritious food as not just part of a healthy lifestyle, but as one of the first to leverage technology and prescription-grade delivered meals as the frontlines of preventative healthcare to stop the epidemic of chronic conditions touching more than 60 percent of adults in the US. The company is named for the trillions of microbes in each of our gut biomes along with trillions of cells, which make up the central focus of the companys food-as-medicine because of the gut biomes role in well, virtually every part of our lives and bodies.

WeTheTrillions main product is ready-to-eat customized meal and snack options, and those who subscribe to their weekly meal plans also have access to health specialists to discuss and stay on top of their goals and concerns. They also provide software to clinicians so they can track progress and help patients reach tangible results through a customized food program. This could be for patients suffering from IBS, diabetes, anemia or any other female-related hormonal imbalances.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 percent of doctors recommendations to patients with chronic illnesses are not followed and this number goes up to more than 70 percent when it comes to lifestyle changes like dietary guidelines, says Lamiaa Bounahmidi, Founder and CEO of WeTheTrillions. Closing that gap is already making WeTheTrillions an appealing solution to hundreds of doctors across the US who see this as an immediate intervention to leverage theory and practice for preventative healthcare and help save trillions of dollars in healthcare bills - effectively staunching the leading public health crisis of the 21st century: chronic disease.

To know your eligibility for a WeTheTrillions program, you first start by filling out a 3-minute online intake quiz and then have a 20-min call with a health specialist to fully customize your plan and agree on clear target biomarkers levels to reach. The process is based on an aggregation of evidence-based randomized controlled trials to provide a fully science-driven approach beyond fad diets.

Notably, theyre also looking to set up machines in urban and rural food deserts that offer affordable options via subsidization through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other government assistance programs. And all the food is 100% plant-based, a choice justified by medical evidence that currently points to a veggie-heavy diet for its abilities to fight heart disease, diabetes, and strokes as well as hormonal balance and gut health.

But their approach to food as preventative medicine is more specific and science-backed than simply offering healthy plant-based foods. While the meals are, theoretically, for anyone looking to eat well and improve their health, much of the emphasis is on using food to treat Polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause symptoms, fertility, and other issues pertaining to womens reproductive health. Even the general health issues WeTheTrillions seeks to address, like anemia, often disproportionately affect women, especially women of color.

Theres a reason to believe that this method of specifically targeting womens reproductive and general health could be an effective strategy in improving the overall health of society. Overwhelming evidence links maternal health to that of children, which together affect the overall health of society. A society with healthy women is more likely to have healthy children who will grow into healthy adults. WeTheTrillions emphasis on the health of female-sexed people is not exclusive, but it is strong and forward-thinking.

There are a plethora of premade or prepped meal kits on the market now, many of which are vegan, organic, and health-focused. Not all of them, however, can claim to have the medical emphasis of WeTheTrillions, with its specific issue-based meal plans and grand focus on making food accessible via work, school, physicians, and public assistance.In a way, its simplicity is inspiring: to improve the health of society at large, eat plants. The work of doctors, scientists, and public health experts boil down to some tasty vegetables on your plate customized to your unique health needs.

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WeTheTrillions Says The Future Of Public Health Is Female And Plant-Based - Forbes

We all know that high blood pressure increases the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke but rarely is information presented on the risks of low blood pressure. A number of medical studies have claimed little or no serious medical risk associated with low blood pressure with serious medical risk only being defined as a heart attack and stroke. Other medical studies suggest that low blood pressure does increase the risk of coronary artery disease, falling and even increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In both traditional and on-traditional medicine, low blood pressure is usually ignored even if there are clinical findings of the blood pressure being too low.

The medical risks of chronic high blood pressure are now well defined. But it was not always the case. At the turn of the century, high blood pressure was so common in the elderly that it was considered the natural result of aging. The famous Framingham Heart Study (1949-1952) showed that those with a systolic blood pressure over 159 had a three to six times increased of heart disease. Since then the relationship between high blood pressure and illnesses has been clearly delineated. As a result, many medications are available to lower high blood pressure are available and numerous lives saved.

Low blood pressure is not uncommon but with the increasing use of medications, not limited to blood pressure medications, low blood pressure has become a relatively common. Besides high blood pressure medications, drugs often used for Parkinson's disease, depression/anxiety, sedative-hypnotics, pain medications and muscle relaxants all can cause low blood pressure. This effect can be intensified when specific medications are used in combination.

There is limited clinical research on low blood pressure but two recent medical studies are pertinent today. One large study in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine looked at the risk of falls and loss of consciousness in almost one half a million people with low blood pressure. The concluded that a systolic blood pressure less than 110 significantly increased the risk of serious falls and loss of consciousness.

Another study in the Indian Heart Journal found that there is an increased risk of atrial fibrillation in people who had a history of dizziness with standing (serious low blood pressure). Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart failure. It most commonly occurs in the elderly as does low blood pressure. Interestingly high blood pressure is also a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. In this study low blood pressure also increased the risk of stroke and a 50 to 100 percent increased mortality rate probably secondary to a higher incidence of coronary heart disease and heart failure.

Traditional therapy for low blood pressure includes graded exercise, generous salt intake and caution going from sitting/laying to standing. I have found that a critical review of a patient's medications, select herbs and regular meditation can be curative. Low blood pressure should be taken as seriously as high blood pressure.

Dr. Patrick Massey, M.D., Ph.D., is medical director of complementary and alternative medicine at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, and president of ALT-MED Medical and Physical Therapy, 1544 Nerge Road, Elk Grove Village.

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Low blood pressure is a risk and should be taken seriously - Chicago Daily Herald