StemCell Therapy

When it comes to our health, just about everyone is looking for an extra boostparticularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. That desire has helped vitamins and supplements grow into a $150 billion worldwide industry. If you're considering taking a daily vitaminor are taking one nowit's important to know there are clear things vitamins can and can't do, as indicated by decades of research. And if you take them the wrong way, they can be harmful. Read on to find out what taking a daily vitamin does to your bodyand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You May Have Already Had COVID.

Woman taking her medication in her bedroom at home.

"If you're like everybody else in the world, and you don't eat a perfect diet every day, a multivitamin is going to fill in the little deficits you have on a daily basis," Kathryn Boling, MD, a family medicine doctor with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, told ETNT Health. "And if you're OK paying money for something that you're mostly going to pee out, but it's going to fill in those tiny little deficits, then take a multivitamin. I do."

RELATED: Health Habits You Should Avoid if Over 50

vitamin d

If your daily multivitamin contains vitamins C and D (and most do), those nutrients may support your immune system. "If you're deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious-disease specialist, in an interview last fall. "I would not mind recommendingand I do it myselftaking vitamin D supplements."

He added: "The other vitamin that people take is vitamin C because it's a good antioxidant, so if people want to take a gram or so of vitamin C, that would be fine."

RELATED: Everyday Habits That Add Years to Your Life, Say Experts

Story continues

Man sitting at the table and taking vitamin D

You might erase potential benefits from vitamins if you chase them with soda and sugary snacks, or use them as justification for too many cheat meals. "Supplements are never a substitute for a balanced, healthful diet," said Dr. JoAnn Manson, a preventative medicine specialist, in an interview with Harvard Health. "And they can be a distraction from healthy lifestyle practices that confer much greater benefits."

RELATED: Forgetting This One Thing Can Mean You Have Alzheimer's

young woman with stomach pain

If your vitamin contains high doses of certain nutrients, that can cause problems. Most vitamins are water-soluble, meaning they can't build up in the body because any excess is cleared by urine. But fat-soluble vitamins including A, D, E and K can build up in the body and may be dangerous at high levels, particularly A and E.

RELATED: Common Habits That Age You Faster, According to Science

Shot of woman nutritionist doctor writes the medical prescription for a correct diet on a desk with fruits, pills and supplements.

If you're taking multivitamins for protection against serious disease, you should know that the science isn't quite there yet. In 2018, researchers from Johns Hopkins analyzed studies involving almost half a million people; they determined that taking multivitamins doesn't lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, cognitive decline, or early death. Their advice: Don't waste your money on multivitaminsget the vitamins and minerals you need from food. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Go here to read the rest:
What Taking a Vitamin Every Day Does to Your Body - Yahoo Lifestyle

If we have learned anything about controlling epidemics in the past year, its that its very difficult to halt the spread of disease with vaccines aloneespecially when they first appear. As the vaccines are endorsed, financed, and rolled out, other prevention strategies are key for controlling the illness.

Insecticide-treated bed netsthats what has made the biggest difference in most parts of Africa over the last couple of decades, Clarke said. And they will remain really important, because the insecticide on the bed net kills mosquitoes, and by reducing the number of mosquitoes, even people who dont sleep under the bed net will be protected, whereas a vaccine can only protect the person whos vaccinated.

Anotherstudy published last month found that combining vaccines with preventative drugs roughly doubled protection for kids. This combination can be used in places with clearly defined malaria seasons, particularly tied to the rainy season, where children are at very high risk of dying from the illness. Families were eager to get both the shots and the medications, Clarke said, because they take malaria extremely seriously.

Its imperative to move quickly, particularly when children are dying. Its all the question of investmentif the investment is made into these types of vaccines, it can be done in five years, Kappe said. When you look at, for example, the investments that have been made over a period of a year, a year and a half, in coronavirus vaccinesif the same resources would be thrown at malaria vaccines, I think we would be there already.

Read this article:
Welcome to the New Era of Vaccine Acceleration - The New Republic

[Left to Right] Clark Cahill, Manager of Events and Conferences at SCMP, Dr Ngai-tseung Cheung, Head of Information Technology & Health Informatics for the Hospital Authority, Megan Lam, Co-founder & CEO of Neurum Health, and Dr Matthew Man, Chief Executive Officer of Megasoft Limited took a deep dive into the current state of healthcare including the implementation of AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) into the industry in this series.

Dr Ngai-tseung Cheung, Head of Information Technology & Health Informatics for the Hospital Authority, mentioned how Covid-19 has made the close collaboration between the fields of healthcare, computer science, and machine learning even stronger.

Dr Matthew Man, Chief Executive Officer of Megasoft Limited, proposed the industry should start at the bottom [with] frontline staff [as they] have a lot of pain points.

Co-founder & CEO of Neurum Health, Megan Lam, said health and wellness is one size fits one as opposed to one size fits all.

(Left to Right) Joey Liu, Chief of Staff to the CEO at SCMP, and Dr Kee Yuan Ngiam, Group Chief Technology Officer at National University Health System, discussed how the end goal of medicine is to be more proactive and preventative rather than reactive.

Link:
Telehealth acts as a preview of the imminent digital revolution in healthcare as AI gains popularity - South China Morning Post

Dr. John McGonigle| Guest columnist

Dr. John McGonigle is an assistant clinical professor of family medicine at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University.

I am a board-certified primary care doctor and an assistant clinical professor in family medicine at Brown University. I have been practicing primary care in Rhode Island since starting residency at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket in 2006. I am educated, trained and schooled in the most powerful system of medicine the world has ever known.

Indeed, I have not infrequently described this system as analogous to the United States military. When Europe was overrun with Nazis, send the U.S. Army in, and tell them to flatten anything that resists. Its great for killing Nazis. As our recently concluded experience in Afghanistan tells us, send the military into a country and ask them to build schools and they will fail miserably. Wrong tool. Unbeatable in war, quiescent in peace.

The United States, Rhode Island, and the rest of the planet have been engaged in an undertaking unparalleled since the Second World War. While the politicians stay at home and dither over strategy, the people go offand fight. We have been asked to operate on a war footing, and whatever our political or social or economic means have enabled us to do we have done. We have cussed, and spit, and sometimes ridiculed higher officers but have done what they have asked, when they have asked, and in whatever spirits we can muster.

Last year was more straightforward in primary care, since it was all triage, all the time. We didnt know much about Sars-Co-V2, and knew less about treatment. Little of its spread, little of its contagion patterns. Our patients knew even less. They brought us unanswerable questions of life and death, and we worked tirelessly keeping the emergency rooms from being tragically overrun. The usual go to the ER for a full assessment when one was uncertain, or too tired to shake the uncertainty, was off limits.

To carry the battlefield the confusion had to be minimized. ER and ICU doctors and nurses fought heroically, in shifts. Primary Care is not adrenaline soaked and filled with mayhem, but it is unrelenting and remorseless. Primary Care makes it possible for ERs and ICUs to function at ALL times, and when Primary Care is overwhelmed like dishes piling up in the restaurant sink the establishment no longer functions anywhere near optimal efficiency.

We are tired from all the fear and we are tired of filling out forms. We are tired of having kept the supply and chow and ambulance lines going to the front for over 21 months now. Like a returning army our people have come home, and many are gravely scarred. For some the wounds are obvious, and the thank you for your services and sorry for your losses are heartfelt. For far too many the wounds are unseeable and barely reachable and require patience, not stitches.

The tidal wave of wounded families that I am seeing is unparalleled in my 15 years of practice. I am seeing the harms within: between parents, parents and children, children, children and schools; between parents and peers; between my patients' blood pressures and their suffocating, sedentary fears; between health-giving practices and the despairs of a war zone.

We have all been hearing about this war we are in and I am tired of hearing about how much preventative care has been deferred and ignored, and how much the mental health and well-being of the nation needs attention. The country is devastated, and to continue to keep it on a war-footing is prolonging the devastation. It is time for COVID to put down its weapons. The eagle has landed. It is time to start building schools.

See the original post:
Opinion/McGonigle: It is time to stop fighting - The Providence Journal

FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Today, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) unveiled the 2022 Outlander SUV that will carry Team 207 throughout the Rebelle Rally on October 7-16.

* 2022 Outlander livery celebrates 2001 Dakar rally victory of Jutta Kleinschmidt, first woman to ever win the famed event

* U.S. military veterans and a PTSD service-dog named Sammy talk about the invisible scars of war, overseas deployments, returning home, and family

The lightly modified vehicle sports a special livery that pays tribute to the brand's history-making Dakar Rally win twenty years ago, when Jutta Kleinschmidt drove a Mitsubishi Pajero to victory, becoming the only woman ever to win the world-famous Dakar. Before the event even starts, the crew of Team 207 are already winners.

Sisters-in-law Selena 'Mason' Converse and Erin Mason are not afraid of a challenge. As an emergency medical services technician in the U.S. Air Force, Mason provided emergency medical care in both non-combat and combat situations. As an aviation structural mechanic, you could find Erin weaving in and out of incoming plane traffic on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. They joined the military, right out of high school, to establish their independence, seek adventure, and serve their country.

This October, Mason and Erin, along with Mason's two-and-a-half-year-old, PTSD-trained service dog, Sammy, are embarking on a new adventure, further testing themselves and their 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. They will represent MMNA and veterans nonprofit Record the Journey (RTJ) on the nine-day, 2000-km, all-women, off-road Rebelle Rally.

Described by veterans who competed with Mitsubishi Motors and RTJ in past years as a 'mini-deployment,' Mason, Erin and Sammy will face a grueling schedule of long days and short nights, challenging and diverse off-road terrain, and the memories of their service - the good and the bad - head on.

We sat down with the team, before they head out on the Rebelle, to learn more of their stories.

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH U.S. AIR FORCE VETERAN SELENA 'MASON' CONVERSE

Team Record the Journey Driver, Owner of Mason Converse Media

1. On paper, you are a wife, mother, combat veteran and small-business owner. How do you define yourself? I am all of those things with all of my heart. Those titles are a huge part of me and have helped form who I have become. I have not seen any of those titles as a job, rather, an opportunity that I have been gifted. I've grown to know that I am a caretaker. I consider myself as caring and creative and I am the happiest when I am caring for others and/or utilizing my creative talents.

2. You were an emergency medical services technician in the U.S. Air Force - stationed all over the U.S. and once deployed to Afghanistan. Help us understand, as much as a civilian could, what that was like. My job as an EMT for the U.S. Air Force was incredible, and for the most part, very rewarding. I saved lives, cared for countless families and was able to train future medics for the U.S. Air Force and Navy. I was initially trained at the EMT - basic level, and I was able to work in the emergency room, on an ambulance and in multiple specialties around the hospital.

Realizing my love for teaching, I became a certified Nationally Registered EMT (NREMT) Instructor. Eventually, I deployed to Afghanistan and worked in the intensive care unit and the emergency room. I cared for injured U.S. soldiers, our allies, as well as confirmed enemy combatants.

My job at home, when not deployed, was primarily focused on preventative medicine - keeping soldiers (and their families) healthy. My job while I was deployed was rather different. There was no preventative medicine, only reactive medicine to the most traumatic injuries with limited supplies. After returning from Afghanistan, I was hand-selected to become a military training instructor at the Military Education and Training Center in Texas.

3. You left the military after almost 13 years to put down roots and raise your family, and you started your company, Mason Converse Media. Everything was going well. When did you begin realizing you might have PTSD? PTSD came in waves. I didn't just leave the military and feel this intense overwhelming PTSD sensation - it is not quite like that. I experienced traumatic things during my deployment, and they forever changed who I am. But while in the military, we were trained to deal with stress and trauma extremely well.

After leaving the military, I had the mindset that I 'had PTSD,' but I did not 'suffer from PTSD'. I assumed the things I felt were just transition stress and that they would go away on their own. What I did start to notice was that I perceived and dealt with certain things differently than my non-military friends. Things that I worried about, or that caused me anxiety, did not cause others to have the same emotional triggers.

I lost my parents as a child. Since then, I've used the avoidance tactic to manage extreme stress: if I didn't face it, discuss it, or even think about it, then it couldn't affect me. I applied this same tactic to my post-military life, and it 'worked' for quite some time. The pandemic was a huge PTSD trigger for me and a turning point for me to openly evaluate and discuss my PTSD symptoms.

4. You are the proud mother of three human children, and Sammy, a two-and-a-half-year-old, all-black German Shepherd. Tell us how Sammy entered your life. Sammy entered my life as an unexpected blessing. She was born at a time that I was navigating my PTSD symptoms and not openly discussing any of them. At that same time, my husband's canine best friend of 13 (Joe) years was getting to the end-stage of life. A neighbor of ours offered my husband a German Shepherd puppy, Sammy, to help with the transition and eventual loss of his dog. Sammy came to us much sooner than expected, at just four weeks old (another story for another day), and I spent the next four weeks being mom to the tiniest bear-cub looking puppy.

Joe passed shortly thereafter, and Chuck did not yet feel connected with Sammy. We thought it would just take time for the bond to form, so we kept her and spent the next year training her. Sammy was smart and was ready for a meaningful role. At that time, I had begun therapy for PTSD. The idea of having Sammy trained as a service dog came up, and it really became obvious that she was truly meant for me and not my husband.

5. Together, you, Sammy and your sister-in-law Erin make up Team 207, Mitsubishi Motors' entry into the 2021 Rebelle Rally. As you head into the dunes, why is it important for you to tell your story? The biggest key to managing my PTSD was being able to admit the issues and symptoms I was experiencing. When you separate out the individual symptoms or triggers, then you can treat the PTSD more effectively. Many people assume the treatment for PTSD is taking a prescription medicine. It can be, but that's not the treatment for everyone.

Part of my PTSD treatment is the use of a service dog. Service dogs provide treatment of PTSD symptoms, much like a medication could, but other times better than medication can. Service dogs are specifically trained to perform tasks to aid in a person's disability.

As a team of female veterans, I believe it is so important to share our story and help others understand that PTSD does not have to control your whole life - it is possible to live the life you want while managing PTSD. Sammy's participation in the Rebelle Rally will go a long way to doing that.

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH U.S. NAVY VETERAN ERIN MASON

Team Record the Journey Navigator, Owner & Farmer, Mason Wholesale Greenhouses

1. Congratulations (and awe) are in order! You just welcomed a new baby girl, Selena, to your family, and she will be just six weeks old when you head out for the Rebelle. What is motivating you to take this on so soon? By competing in an all-woman rally, I believe I am sending my two young girls a message that anything is possible and that some things are meant to be. A year ago, Rachael Ridenour, founder of veterans non-profit Record the Journey, picked us to go on this adventure to represent her charity and Mitsubishi. Before Mason and I knew it, we were driving across the country to learn technical driving and navigation skills from Rachael, and in between trips to the desert, were on Zoom calls, trying to absorb as much as we could. Around Christmas, I learned I was expecting, and was relieved to learn the due date - I'd be cutting it close, but I could still compete in the Rally. It was a good pregnancy, and even better delivery, so it really feels meant to be. I know my daughter Selena will be cheering me on from home. As if the rally wasn't challenging enough, I will also be pumping so I can return to breast feeding when I get home.

2. You joined the military, in your words, as soon as you could. You were young, wide-eyed and from a small town. What were those first years like for you? Sitting across from the recruiter, signing my papers to join the military, I knew I was leaving my small town for something bigger, and I was right. If you've never seen an aircraft carrier, it's beautiful, the way the planes come in and out. It's like controlled chaos, like synchronized swimming - it's an adrenaline rush. My first years were defined by adventure. My first assignment was Virginia Beach, and I was crossing the seas in an aircraft carrier in no time. I would volunteer for every detachment and work to achieve every qualification, chasing fighter jets across the world, knowing it would mean more adventure, and that's exactly what I wanted.

3. What deployment stands out to you as having the biggest personal impact. My deployment on the USS George H. W. Bush was by far the most impactful time I spent serving my country. It was the ship's maiden deployment - we sailed for eight months, from Virginia, to the Rock of Gibraltar, to the Suez Canal, around the Horn of Africa and into the Arabian Gulf. Along the way, we made stops in England, Italy, France, Spain, Bahrain and Dubai. It was equally thrilling and grueling. I learned what my body was capable of, by operating on minimal sleep and maximum exhaustion. When we arrived back in the States, I quickly came to grips with the mental toll as well, as a good friend from the deployment took his own life. Losing him is one reason I am so passionate about mental health awareness and PTSD advocacy for my military brothers and sisters.

4. You would have stayed in the service longer, if that was an option. Describe your transition out of the military and into civilian life. The year I left, the government was downsizing the military, and was not renewing thousands of service member contracts. I thought I was going to spend my whole life in the Navy, but life had other plans. Navigating the transition was lonely and confusing - all of a sudden, I felt like I didn't have a purpose. In the service, we are a family. We grow together. We experience life and death, births and divorces together. I was a shoulder to cry on when a friend was on a deployment, watching a YouTube video of their baby taking their first steps. I went from traveling the world, to being stuck in one place. Re-entering the civilian world, returning to people who never left... they can't understand what we are going through. It took me a couple years to adjust back to civilian life and to find my identity outside of the military. I became a civilian mechanic... I met my husband, also a veteran, who served in the Air Force. I eventually finished school and started a family. There will always a part of me that can only be filled up by my military family, so I try to be around them as much as I can.

5. Now, you run Mason Wholesale Greenhouses with your husband - also former military. Tell us about the business and how you got started. We started when my husband was transitioning out of the military. He worked at a nursey in high school and has a real way with plants. I found a place called Archi's Acres in Southern California that has a six-week course, designed to introduce veterans to sustainable agriculture, and I signed us both up. While we were there, my husband received a call that his former boss, the nursery owner, passed away, and his wife wanted to sell the property to us! Now in East Texas, we grow organic produce and crops in greenhouses. We aim to keep a small carbon footprint and really enjoy sharing our passion for sustainable agriculture with our community. The soil therapy has been so good for me! In the future, we hope to invite other veterans to our property for off-grid retreats, to help others find the same peace.

FIVE QUESTIONS SAMMY THE SERVICE DOG

PTSD-Trained, 2.5-Year-Old, All-Black German Shepherd

1. Describe your perfect day. I love to go on adventures with my family - my mom, dad, my human sisters and my brother. My mom owns a 4x4 off-road adventure photo and video company, so it is kind of part of the territory. We go to lakes, where I am learning to fetch rocks and sticks off of the lake bottom, and we go to the desert, where I am learning to help mom dig big trucks out of the sand. (Should come in handy for Rebelle, right?) By nature, I am curious, confident and loyal, making me the pawfect adventure partner. Oh, and I absolutely love frisbee. I could play frisbee for hours. At the end of a long day of adventures, or a long day on PTSD-service duty, I love my quiet time. Did I mention I love frisbee?

2. What does it mean to be a PTSD-trained service animal? My mom is my hero. She served in the U.S. Air Force for 13 years. (Planes are like frisbees, but much bigger.) As an emergency medical services technician, she skillfully and bravely attended to men and women on both sides of armed conflict. But when she came home, it was hard for her to really feel at home. She had flashbacks and nightmares; sometimes she felt sad, isolated, angry and scared. Not to brag, but I am pretty intelligent and observant, and I take direction really well, so I am kind of the perfect service animal. I went through intense training, learning about all of the things that could trigger my mom's anxiety, and how to make her, and my whole family, feel safe. Now, everywhere they go - on adventures, to the grocery store, to bed at night - I have their back.

3. And we understand your vest isn't just a fashion accessory... It is a very cool vest, yes, but it is much more. It is like a super-hero cape. When I put on my vest, it makes me feel powerful, and it reminds me of my training. It means that I am on duty, and no one can mess with me or my family. When I take off my vest, I am just your average 2.5-year-old puppy. I like to play frisbee... run, jump, roll, scratch and snuggle with my siblings. I take my job seriously; I take my play time seriously, and I take my down time seriously. You have to, in this business. Sometimes, it is important for me to find a quiet space, sit, and reflect on the day.

4. All-black German Shepherds are extremely rare. How do you keep that beautiful coat so clean? Why, thank you. It's true, my line of work can be ruff on hair, skin, nails and teeth. To keep me looking and feeling good on the Rebelle, pet wellness company Skout's Honor has loaded down our 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander with array of probiotic grooming and wellness essentials, including Probiotic Shampoo + Conditioner, Prebiotic Pet Balm, Probiotic Deodorizer and Paw Spray. Also, Mitsubishi has outfitted us with some pretty cool, Team 207 swag, including a custom bandana from http://www.mymitsubishistore.com. Shout out to my sponsors!

5. What are you most looking forward to about Rebelle Rally? Well, I have done my research, and there are a lot of car commercials with dogs in them, but none can do what I can. I don't see any other pups protecting their mom from danger, or digging their team out of sand dunes. I will be the first animal to ever compete in the Rally, just saying... In all seriousness, I really identify with the spirit of Rebelle - the adventure, the strategy, the girl power! My mom can do anything, with me at her side. I hope her story inspires others to be authentic, brave and embrace adventure - just like us.

For more information on the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, visit https://www.mitsubishicars.com/outlander/2022.

About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

Through a network of approximately 330 dealer partners across the United States, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for the sales, marketing and customer service of Mitsubishi Motors vehicles in the U.S. MMNA was the top-ranked Japanese brand in the J.D. Power 2021 Initial Quality study, ranking third overall and tied with Lexus. In its Environmental Targets 2030, MMNA's parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has set a goal of a 40 percent reduction in the CO2 emissions of its new cars by 2030 through leveraging EVs - with PHEVs as the centerpiece - to help create a sustainable society.

With headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, and corporate operations in California, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, Florida and Virginia, MMNA directly and indirectly employs more than 8,000 people across the United States.

For more information on Mitsubishi vehicles, please contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at 615-257-2698 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

Contacts

Jeremy Barnes

Senior Director, Communications and Events

jeremy.barnes@na.mitsubishi-motors.com

Mobile: 714-296-1402

Lauren Ryan

Manager, Communications and Events

lauren.ryan@na.mitsubishi-motors.com

Mobile: 404-862-8286

Read this article:
Mitsubishi Motors : Unveils 2022 Outlander for 2021 Rebelle Rally; Introduces the Military Veterans Who Will Contest the Event - marketscreener.com

Dr. Michael DiGiorno

By Dan Murphy

With most Westchester residents vaccinated, and with COVID-19 positivity rates at less than 1%, Dr. Michael DiGiorno, Medical Director of St. Johns Medical Group, is encouraging patients and our readers to return to their pre-COVID routine of getting tested, including getting their annual physicals, screening colonoscopies, bone density testing and mammograms.

Its important not to let your health lapse because of the pandemic any longer. At least come in and have an annual physical and ensure that your health screening tests are up to date. It is an extraordinarily safe time for patients to come in and catch up with their health care needs, and we are here to help them through the testing process.

Part of our challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic was to make sure that we stayed open, and that we continued to deliver care to Yonkers and the surrounding communities. We thought it was crucial to maintain a presence in the community during a very difficult time, and if you had an underlying medical condition, or had a medical question or needed a prescription refill, we were open for in person and telemedicine appointments. We concentrated on the safety of our physicians and staff and made sure we were all protected, and we did so quite successfully, said Dr. DiGiorno.

Now we are moving towards a return to normalcy. People are vaccinated and we can accommodate more patients in person. We are maintaining processes in place, including using masks and enhanced cleaning to ensure optimal safety. We provide a very safe, clean environment, so now is the time to pivot and focus on health care maintenance.

Our physicians and staff are available and understand that not everyone has the same level of comfort. If you have any specific concerns, let us know and we will work to ensure your return is a positive experience. In addition to primary care, our specialty physicians are on-site and available to address your gastroenterology, nephrology, physical medicine, vascular, podiatric and pain management needs.

Dr. DiGiorno stressed that, unfortunately, underlying health conditions dont wait for the pandemic to pass. We do see some patients, with diabetes who have strayed and have weight gain because of a lack of activity. As a result, their diabetes has become poorly controlled. Similarly, we are seeing patients with chronic hypertension, which was once well-controlled, now require additional therapy. We understand whygyms were closed, our diets and routines were interrupted, and we were told to stay home, and it all took a toll on our health.

Now is the time to get people back on track, with basic testing, and diabetes and blood pressure treatments and screenings. While we have seen some slippage with chronic conditions in some patients, we want that to be the exception and not the rule.

So go back for your basic labs, physicals, and colonoscopies. The environment is safe and clean and accessible. They will expedite your appointment and connect you to your primary care physician. If you do not have a physician, St. Johns has lots of options and it all starts with a phone call.

We understand what our community, and the world has been through. There is no judgement here. Our goal is to achieve wellness, so dont be afraid to see a physician. We just want everyone to get well again, and move forward as a community said Dr. DiGiorno.

Michael DiGiorno, DO, MHSA, FASN, is the Vice-President, Medical Operations, and the Chief of Nephrology at St. Johns Riverside Hospital, and the Medical Director of the St. Johns Medical Group practice.

To make an appointment or contact a member of St. Johns Riverside Hospital, or St. Johns Medical Group call 914.964.4DOC.

View original post here:
Dr. Michael DiGiorno, Director of St. John's Medical Group: Now is the Time to Catch up with Preventative Health Care, Testing - Yonkers Times

Just like other devices we rely on, medical devices can improve our quality of life so long as they are maintained to work properly. When they are not or not maintained or serviced in line with FDA approval there can be huge health care and cybersecurity risks.

In the brief on a just-released FDA discussion paper, William Maisel, notes,Many medical devices are reusable and need preventative maintenance and repair during their useful life; therefore, proper servicing is critical to their continued safe and effective use.Maisel, M.D., is the director of the Office of Product Evaluation and Quality in FDAs Center for Devices and Radiological Health.Who could possibly disagree with such a statement? Lawyers.

Thats right, the tort bar is prioritizing profit over patient safety. For shame. (No, Im not surprised either.)

Quality is the glue that holds together our health care technology ecosystem. Whether its a medicine for high blood pressure, a COVID-19 vaccine or a medical device such as an implantable stent or a room-size MRI machine, the FDAs mission rests upon a triad of trust safety, effectiveness and quality. And the bedrock upon which quality rests isGood Manufacturing Practices. Who could be against that? Lawyers.

Considerthe recent spate of suggested state and federal legislationon what is called Right-to-Repair. At first glance, it seems like a good idea. Why not make it easier for consumers to fix their broken electronics, without having to pay a costly sum to the original manufacturer? But, as HL Mencken reminds us, for every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. The reality is that Right-to-Repair presents many dangerous unintended consequences. The No.1 problem is that it compromises patient safety.

The core of Right-to-Repair laws is to require innovative technology companies to make product repair information, replacement parts and tools readily available to consumers and third-party repair shops. Should that be the case for devices such as Automated External Defibrillators and hospital ventilators? What about electrocardiograph (ECG) machines? Can physicians and patients be confident in non-FDA compliant vendors without the advanced training and technical ability to properly repair and recalibrate life-saving machines? Who could argue that anyone can do it? Lawyers.

Why? Because when things go wrong, when medical devices fail, when patients and their families suffer the consequences, when associated health care costs skyrocket it seems lawyers see opportunity. And they aim their lightening lances of litigation at the deepest pockets the original manufacturers.

It seems the tort bar is creating a problem they can exploit for profit.

But wait, it gets worse. By allowing third parties without any FDA competence to repair regulated, complicated medical devices, Right-to-Repair also opens the door to breaches in cybersecurity.

According to the FDA, cybersecurity is a widespread issue affecting medical devices connected to the Internet, networks, and other devices. Cybersecurity is the process of preventing unauthorized access, modification, misuse or denial of use, or the unauthorized use of information that is stored, accessed, or transferred from a medical device to an external recipient.

In the just-released FDA discussion paper that I referenced above, Strengthening Cybersecurity Practices Associated with Servicing Medical Devices: Challenges and Opportunities, the agency asks, How can entities that service medical devices contribute to strengthening the cybersecurity of medical devices?

According to the discussion paper, FDA defines service to be the repair and/or preventive or routine maintenance of one or more parts in a finished device, after distribution, for purposes of returning it to the safety and performance specifications established by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and to meet its original intended use.

In other words, the first step in advancing medical device cybersecurity is to limit and ensure that those who control repairs and maintenance of these highly sophisticated pieces of health care technology are regulated FDA manufacturers.

On July 27, the FDA is holding a public meeting on this topic. It couldnt be timelier. The proper servicing and security of medical devices and other health care technologies mustnt be subsumed for profit.

Peter J.Pitts, a former FDA Associate Commissioner, is president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest and a visiting professor at the University of Paris School of Medicine.

Visit link:
The major health care and cybersecurity risk of 'Right-to-Repair' laws | TheHill - The Hill

Researchers from the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield have discovered a key mechanism in preventing the escalation of blockages caused by blood clots.

A blood clot forms a pulmonary embolism or blockage, cutting off blood flow to major blood vessels in the lungs. In many cases, the blockage is caused by fragments that have broken away from a blood clot elsewhere in the body, such as a deep vein thrombosis in one of the legs. The fragments are transported to the lungs via the blood stream. Now, researchers have discovered that the protein fibrin plays a key role in stabilising the original clot to prevent bits of clot from breaking loose.

The findings from the research, which was funded by the British Heart Foundation, have been published in the scientific journal PNAS.

The research team used animal studies involving mice to investigate a key chemical building block of the clotting protein fibrin, known as -chain cross links. The scientists found that the -chain cross links give the fibrin its stability through enhanced resistance to rupture and clot fragmentation.

The study examined clot behaviour in mice that were genetically modified so they could not produce the stabilising -chain cross links in the fibrin, and compared them with mice that could.

The results revealed that the clots without the -chain cross links were more unstable and more likely to fragment and produced more associated embolisms.

Dr Cdric Duval, the studys lead author and lecturer in the School of Medicine at Leeds, said: What we believe is happening is that, without the -chain cross links, the fibrin is not strong enough to hold the clot in place against the forces generated in the body from muscle movement and from blood flow.

Professor Robert Arins, also from the School of Medicine at Leeds, who supervised the research, said: The findings reveal the importance of the -chain cross links. These are the structural supports in the fibrin that keep the clot in place.

By identifying the structural dynamics of this mechanism, we have identified new targets for drugs that could be developed to stop fragments of a thrombosis breaking away to cause an embolism in the lungs.

This is a disease that is a major cause of disability and death around the world.

The research findings confirm the long-held suspicion by Professor Arins that the structure of fibrin plays a role in the fragmentation of clots but, until now, there was no scientific evidence.

He said: I have always thought that the remarkable elasticity of fibrin, which has been described as like rubber or spider silk, would be important to prevent clot fragmentation and thus thromboembolic disease.

I was astounded to see the level of differences in pulmonary embolism that resulted from a genetic mutation that resulted in reduced elastic recovery of the fibres. So, when I saw the results, it definitely was a wow moment and I also had the I told you so feeling.

Recommended Related Articles

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Discovery could inform new preventive treatment for blood clots - Health Europa

Pancreatic cancer accounts for 3% of all new cancer diagnoses, but is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.5 Therefore, it is imperative that we, as a community, focus our efforts on learning more about precancerous conditions within the pancreas and the early identification of cancers; pancreatic cysts are an ideal target. There are 2 key components to remember with regard to pancreatic cysts: accurate identification and evidence-based longitudinal surveillance. Unfortunately, an ongoing issue for this patient population is that many are never appropriately identified or followed. However, even when identified, many patients are not referred to a pancreatic center of excellence, a gastroenterologist who focuses on the pancreas, or a surgeon with experience in pancreatic cysts. As a result, these patients can re-present years later with a pancreatic cancer.

Our institution, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health Facility, in conjunction with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, has made efforts to focus on preventative care. Specifically, we have recently focused our attention on pancreatic cysts and partnered

with Eon to develop and implement a platform called Essential Patient Management (EPM) Pancreas to identify patients with a pancreatic abnormality, and then, longitudinally follow them using an innovative and modern cloud-based platform that includes automatic patient and physician reminders.

Through the adoption of Eon EPM Pancreas, patients who now undergo either ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging in our Emergency Department, inpatient setting, or outpatient imaging facility, will be automatically identified if they are found to have an abnormality within their pancreas. The patient will then be contacted by one of our preventative medicine nurse navigators with a phone call and a letter; they will also be offered consultation with our pancreatic care team. Additionally, the patients ordering physician will also be contacted with a letter and a call. This algorithm links all parties together and lets them know about the pancreatic abnormality that may harbor precancerous potential. This automatic identification and population of cyst factors into the cloud-based platform accomplishes the first key component to remember with these cysts.

The second component is accomplished through individual risk stratification. The pancreatic cyst size, tempo of growth, pancreatic duct caliber, mural nodularity, evidence of pancreatitis, tumor markers, pancreatic cyst fluid aspirate for carcinoembryonic and amylase levels, and, at times, genetic mutations are added to the Eon EPM dashboard. Putting these factors together, along with national and international guidelines, we determine how to best manage and follow a particular patient. Previously, this has been done by using an Excel spreadsheet. However, now, with the EPM platform, we can advance healthcare and manage patients electronically; the cloud-based system embeds into our institutions electronic medical record (EMR) system, and with that, all the aforementioned factors can be seen immediately at the time of consultation. Moreover, we have extrapolated the method of a tumor board into our pancreatic cyst clinic and we now have a weekly pancreatic multidisciplinary conference where we discuss our patients with pancreatic cysts, thus providing them with a multidisciplinary/team approach.

Eon EPM offers the most powerful Pancreas solution that uses best-in-class technology to identify incidental pancreatic abnormalities, and longitudinally track patients who require serial surveillance. Eon EPM uses sophisticated proprietary models, referred to as Computational Linguistics data science models, to positively identify incidentally found pancreatic abnormalities with 93.9% accuracy; this high accuracy rate means fewer missed patients and less coordinator effort. Moreover, EPM can integrate with any facilitys EMR and IT system, and through Robotic Process Automation, it automates many mundane and repetitive tasks.

Eon EPM Pancreas detects incidental pancreatic abnormalities noted in radiology reports, extracts pertinent information from these reports such as pancreatic cyst characteristics, enters all information into one dashboard for serial surveillance, ensures patients are tracked and followed according to evidence-based guidelines, segments and prioritizes patients based on risk stratification, and triggers follow-up.

In summary, there are 2 overarching goals of this program. The first is to improve the quality in identifying patients with pancreatic cysts and longitudinally following them to ensure that they do not fall through the cracks within the community in which they are being served. The second goal is to offer patients surgery only when it is indicated because the great majority of pancreatic cysts only require lifetime surveillancenot an operation. If we can identify high-risk pancreatic cysts and surgically remove them prior to the development of pancreas cancer and prevent other patients from having an unnecessary operation, we believe that to be a massive improvement in how patients are being cared for. I have no doubt that Eon EPM Pancreas Solution will change the landscape for patients with pancreatic cysts and tumors, and have a true impact on survival from pancreatic-related diseases.

Russell Langan, M.D., is chief of Surgical Oncology and Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (SBMC), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, and surgical oncologist at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Link:
RWJBarnabas Health Pioneers Innovative Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance Program - OncLive

(Okoboji)-Pet Owners are urged to take precautions during the holiday weekend, KUOO's Becky Thoreson has details:

Pet Owners encouraged to take Precautions during 4th of July Weekend

Pet Experts are urging owners to take extra care with pets during the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Kristi Henning, Director of the Emmet County Animal Shelter says it's best to take preventative measures. "You can prevent some fear anxiety in pets from something as turning up the radio or the TV really, really loud to try to drown out the sound of the fireworks. You can do a thunder shirt, if you have one. A lot of times that snug feeling of that thunder shirt gives them comfort. If you don't have one , you can pop on Pinterest, and they'll actually show you how to make one out of an old tee shirt or a wide ace bandage. It's pretty simple, it's basically just making something snug on them so they feel safe. Another alternative is to contact your vet, and ask them what sort of medicine you could give them as a preventative to an anxiety reaction."

She notes that it's important to secure your pet, and have identification. "Definitely make sure they're secured, that's important. Also, some kind of ID. If you don't have a tag on your pet and you don't have time to get one, even just taking a piece of duct tape and write your name and phone number on it, and then wrap that around their collar so taht they have something on them. Long term though, getting appropriate tags helps all the times of the year and microchips can never get lost."

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Pet Owners encouraged to take Precautions during 4th of July Weekend - exploreokoboji.com

Seven states will lift their eviction bans next month, and the cases to follow will offer a glimpse of the onslaught to come. (iStock)

In Connecticut, real estate attorney Ori Spiegel hadnt heard much from landlords as the end of his states eviction ban approached. He expects that to change, starting today.

There are many who Ive asked to call me back on June 30, Spiegel said. The governor has often waited until the last minute to extend the moratorium, so I dont really have information for them until that point.

Barring any 11th-hour interventions, Connecticut, Kentucky, North Carolina and Oregon are set to drop their state eviction protections at midnight. Four more states plus the District of Columbia are slated to do the same in July.

The expiring bans will leave the overwhelming majority of U.S. tenants whove fallen behind on rent with only the federal moratorium imposed by the Centers for Disease Control, which offers less protection and gives landlords more ways to circumnavigate.

In states without protections, eviction cases filed this month will offer a glimpse of whats to come when the federal moratorium sunsets July 31. Tenant advocates and landlord attorneys expect an onslaught of cases for arrears each in the tens of thousands of dollars that could carry astronomical costs for communities left with the job of housing the newly homeless.

Landlords in the 15 states that maintained their own bans before June 30 have largely had their hands tied when it comes to filing eviction cases. In Connecticut, the state moratorium affords a few exceptions, such as for tenants who owe back rent from before the pandemic. But Spiegel has advised landlords not to take anything to court until the state ban lifts.

Thats because the CDC moratorium offers a workaround for landlords.

The federal ban only protects tenants if they fill out a hardship declaration. In Connecticut, a judge may determine a tenants form isnt credible, paving the way for eviction.

The CDCs moratorium also includes five exemptions, the last of which has allowed eviction cases to proceed. If a tenant violated a lease for a reason other than non-payment, the landlord can bring them to court. Attorneys in states with expiring bans expect more of these cases in the next month.

States with weaker protections like North Carolina, or those without a state ban, like Florida, have already seen tenants evicted for reasons other than non-payment.

James Surane, a North Carolina attorney, said hes taken on a steady stream of cases in which the tenant had owed money, and had an expired lease, allowing the landlord to move forward with a case. And Florida attorney David Winker said the recent mass eviction of 200 tenants from a Miami building owned by apartment giant Aimco and spinoff Air was also a non-monetary action.

And for cases that are brought over arrears, the CDCs ban doesnt stop a filing in its tracks or a court from issuing a judgment. It just prevents tenants from being kicked out of their homes.

Portland, Oregon, tenant attorney Troy Pickard expects that in situations where a judge has ruled against a tenant in an eviction case, the parties wont need to go to court once the federal ban expires. The judge will be able to issue a notice that makes the eviction effective.

The sheriff will be able to go to that home and rip the people out of the house, Pickard said.

In most states, even those like New York and California that have extended eviction proceedings through the summer and beyond, the end of the federal ban will also bring an influx of filings.

About 11 million renters about 1 in every 33 Americans are estimated to be behind on their payments, according to estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. In cases that have already been brought, the arrears owed are record-breaking.

Ive been doing this for about 30 years; probably did a half a million evictions and Ive never seen ledgers like these, Surane said. They are now topping $20,000 in arrears

Theres no comprehensive data on U.S. eviction filings. The Eviction Lab at Princeton University, which tracks five states and 29 cities, has found nearly 385,000 evictions filed since the start of the pandemic. Still, anecdotes from attorneys point to a much bigger backlog of cases.

For the landlords doing the filing, an eviction is often an act of desperation a last resort to regain financial control after as many as 15 months of non-payment.

Of the 10 million to 11 million small landlords HUD estimates are in the U.S., one-third are at risk of bankruptcy or foreclosure because of unpaid rents, the Washington Post reported.

In California, where the governor just extended rental protections until Sept. 30 one of the longest state bans nationally landlord advocates fear that smaller landlords owning four to eight units could be facing foreclosure.

Its hard enough for landlords to miss a couple of months of rent payments, but to have this go on for over a year, it has put property owners in financial peril, said Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, which represents landlords.

Bidens decision last week to extend the federal moratorium until July 31 probably wont raise the risks for landlords by much. But the extension will add to the growing ire of property owners, particularly landlords who kept up with mortgage and bill payments by going into debt or tapping into retirement accounts because their tenants couldnt or wouldnt pay the rent.

Winker said one of his clients, a model and single mother who emigrated from Russia, was incredulous at the extended ban.

She didnt know it was coming, he said. And when she heard about it, she said this is like socialism, but its not the government that pays for it, its the landowner.

Older people just over one-third of landlords owning two- to four-unit buildings are also suffering. Many are retired and unlikely to have another source of income apart from rent, according to The Urban Institute.

A subset of owners is itching to sell. Some are scarred from the stress of the last year and want to get out entirely. Others are hoping to take advantage of the hot market, but cant unload property while their tenant is in possession. Connecticut attorney Mark Sank said he gets calls daily from owners looking to sell and tells each to wait until the state moratorium lifts.

In states where tenant occupancy isnt an issue, landlords have sold to institutional investors who will then have to take tenants who owe back rent to court.

To describe what may happen when the federal ban finally lifts, tenant advocates have relied on a grab bag of flood metaphors a wave, a deluge, a tsunami to predict the number of evictions that will ensue.

For landlord attorneys, the rental housing market itself is sick, an economic manifestation of Covid-19, and evictions are just triage. And waiting only makes it worse.

Winker compared it to preventative medicine. Take your 10-cent-per day blood pressure medication because if you dont, youll face much worse consequences.

I will end up in the hospital in the emergency room in full cardiac arrest and that is the least efficient way for me to receive my health care, Winker said. I often talk about courts being that way.

With states struggling to dole out assistance payments, many arrears cases wont be remedied until they hit housing court the last and most expensive course.

The Cost of Eviction Calculator developed by the University of Arizona estimates that the 11 million renters at risk for eviction could cost the U.S. as much as $101 billion to care for through shelter, health care and foster care.

Eventually there has to be a reckoning of some kind. The question is how does this thing ultimately end? Pickard said. Hopefully it wont end in a mass of evictions, because if it does thats just going to be one more huge cost to society that might have been avoided through some kind of intervention.

Contact Suzannah Cavanaugh

Contact the author

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Landlords in peril, tenants in distress: Expiring eviction bans foreshadow national reckoning - The Real Deal

Australias medicines regulator has fined Melbourne biotech Starpharma $93,000 for advertising breaches related to its COVID-fighting nasal spray, just weeks after the UK regulator raised questions about promotions of the product.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration confirmed on Friday evening it had issued the company with seven infringement notices worth $93,200 for promoting its nasal spray Viraleze via its website and YouTube channel even though the product is not yet authorised for use in Australia.

Starpharma has been clear with investors that its product is not yet available for sale in Australia. However, its online retail site with explanations of Viraleze was available to view from Australia until recently.

The regulator said the companys advertising included a restricted representation claiming that Viraleze is an antiviral nasal spray that stops SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Any claims or references to preventing or treating a serious form of a disease, condition, ailment or defect are restricted representations.

In a statement to the ASX on Monday morning, Starpharma said upon receiving the infringement notices it acted quickly to block Australians from being able to view the materials that the regulator had concerns about, including preventing them from accessing the products marketing website and its YouTube channel.

The company will work closely with the TGA to resolve the current matter and how to balance the need to provide information to its shareholders about key company milestones...with requirements of the [Therapeutic Goods] Act in relation to advertising in Australia, Starpharma said.

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Starpharma is an ASX-listed pharmaceuticals developer which currently sells a range of sexual health products including antiviral condoms.

The company pivoted its research towards coronavirus in the middle of 2020 and developed Viraleze, an antiviral nasal spray, using the same active ingredient that is in its other products.

Viraleze, which has undergone laboratory testing, is designed as a preventative measure against the virus to be used as an additional layer of protection on top of mask wearing, social distancing and vaccines.

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Starpharma whacked with $93,000 TGA fine over COVID spray ads - Sydney Morning Herald

Baby seizures happen when an abnormal extra burst of electrical activity occurs between neurons, or brain cells, in a babys brain. These can happen for many reasons.

Causes may include brain injury, infection, and underlying health conditions, such as cerebral palsy. A babys risk of fever-related seizure is highest when they are younger than 18 months.

Sometimes, it is difficult for parents or caregivers to notice seizures in babies and young children, as they can be subtle. However, common signs include loss of consciousness and jerking of the arms and legs.

Read on to learn more about the signs and symptoms of a baby seizure and treatment.

The symptoms a baby experiences depend on the type of seizure they have.

These types of seizures are most common in the newborn period. However, these signs may resemble usual, everyday movements and may be difficult to spot. Symptoms of subtle seizures can include:

Tonic means muscle stiffness. When a baby experiences a tonic seizure, they may:

Clonic means twitching or jerking, so when a baby has a clonic seizure, they may display repeated, uncontrolled jerking muscle movements.

During this seizure, a parent or caregiver may notice the baby is clenching or twitching parts of its body, including:

This refers to a type of seizure that starts with stiffening (tonic phase) followed by jerking (clonic phase). Therefore, a person may observe symptoms of a tonic seizure followed by signs of a clonic seizure.

Learn more about seizures here.

According to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, when a baby is having a seizure, it is crucial to keep them away from any hard objects to reduce the risk of injury. When the area is safe, roll them onto their side to prevent choking.

Do not put anything in the babys mouth or try to stop any mouth movements, such as tongue biting, as this can injure the baby.

Call 911, or take the baby to an emergency room if they are:

Learn what a seizure looks like here.

Seizures are the most common neurological emergency in the first 4 weeks of a babys life. As many as 15 babies per 1,000 experience a seizure. Some seizures only last a few minutes and occur once, leaving no lasting damage.

When a baby experiences frequent seizures, they must receive treatment to prevent brain damage. Brain damage occurs due to the frequent disruption of brain oxygen levels and excessive brain cell activity.

Learn more about seizures in babies here.

Sometimes, when babies show signs of a seizure, they are demonstrating healthy reflexes.

The Moro reflex, or startle, reflex is a healthy part of a babys development. If a baby hears a loud sound or senses a sudden movement, they may throw their head back and suddenly stiffen and extend their arms. Parents or caregivers should not worry when they notice this behavior. Babies tend to outgrow this reflex at 36 months.

The tonic neck reflex is a movement where a baby looks to the side with one arm extended and the other bent; it may look like they are imitating holding a sword or firing an arrow. This primitive reflex first develops in the womb and helps the baby coordinate their eyes and control fine movement. Babies may demonstrate this reflex up to 9 months old.

However, while this reflex presents with signs such as eye-rolling, lip-smacking, and leg pedaling movements, these are normal movements, particularly in newborns. It is worth noting that this reflex does not present with characteristic features of a seizure, such as jerking or stiffening.

There are many causes of seizures in babies. Some may occur due to an event such as a head injury, while others could be symptoms of an infection or an underlying health condition.

Some causes of baby seizures include:

Viral encephalitis causes brain inflammation and seizures. Common viruses, such as the flu, can cause a babys temperature to rise, increasing their risk of a febrile seizure. Bacterial infections, in particular, Group B strep bacteria can cause meningitis in babies, which can present with seizures.

Learn about the differences between viral and bacterial infections here.

Sometimes babies that have a fever or high body temperature may develop a febrile seizure. They typically only last a few minutes and occur most often in young children, roughly between 6 months and 5 years.

Signs of a febrile seizure include:

Learn more about febrile seizures here.

When a baby has hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) applies pressure on the brain. It is a common condition and can also occur on its own in the womb. If a doctor uses forceps or vacuum extractors to help deliver the baby, this may injure the head and cause CSF to accumulate on the brain.

Learn more about CSF here.

Seizures are a common symptom of cerebral palsy. If a baby has cerebral palsy, they will find it difficult to control muscle. Researchers are unsure of the exact cause of cerebral palsy. However, they do know it occurs in some babies that do not receive enough oxygen.

Learn more about cerebral palsy here.

Other causes of baby seizures include:

Learn more about epilepsy in children here.

To find out what is causing the seizure, a doctor may run an electroencephalogram (EEG). This is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain. They may do this in the emergency room or as a separate appointment.

To prepare for the EEG, a doctor places metal discs on the babys head that detect and record their brains electrical impulses.

A baby may need several EEGs, so a doctor can see what their brain activity is like between seizures.

Some conditions that induce seizures may produce healthy EEG readings, so imaging tests, such as an MRI and CT scan, may be necessary to see if any structural changes or obstructions are causing seizures.

Learn about head and brain MRIs here.

If necessary, doctors may control seizures in babies with anticonvulsant medication, including:

If the seizures are due to a lack of oxygen, doctors may administer hypothermic treatment. This procedure cools the babys brain and body to prevent brain damage. They may do this if a baby experiences difficulties during birth and is not able to breathe.

Some babies may need long-term treatment to prevent seizures from recurring. A doctor needs to know the exact cause of the seizures before prescribing an effective treatment plan. For example, treatment will differ if a baby has epilepsy or is recovering from meningitis.

Learn more about meningitis in babies here.

Several types of seizures affect babies, including subtle, tonic, clonic, and febrile seizures. Some seizures are not serious and do not leave any lasting brain damage. Infection and injury are common causes of brain seizures.

Sometimes, underlying health conditions, such as cerebral palsy, can cause seizures that require long-term treatment. If a baby has a seizure and struggles to breathe or their symptoms last longer than 5 minutes, call 911 or take them to an emergency room.

See original here:
Baby seizures: Signs, what to do, causes, and treatment - Medical News Today

A decline in sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing among men and women in the early months of the pandemic may translate into a future surge in new cases, researchers said. A study conducted by Penn State and Quest Diagnostics reviewed more than 18 million STI test results from patients ages 14-49 from January 2019 through June 2020 and found that at-risk individuals and asymptomatic people may not have received timely testing during the pandemic, resulting in potential unknown spread.

The study, which was published May 19 in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, found that STI screening and testing for men decreased by 63% during the studied time period, and fell by 59% for women. Researchers in part pointed to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines that recommended halting STI tests except for patients exhibiting symptoms, which they said could have led to missed cases of asymptomatic infections, such as the majority of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections.

"The quickest way for people to spread STIs is to not know that they have one," Casey Pinto, assistant professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine and researcher at Penn State Cancer Institute said, in a statement. "The inability to detect asymptomatic cases could have negative repercussions for years to come."

US CERVICAL CANCERS FALL BUT OTHER SEX-RELATED CANCERS RISE

The data showed that despite about a 60% decrease in STI testing in early April, the positivity rate for both chlamydia and gonorrhea infections were increasing. The researchers also noted that early findings suggest people continued to be sexually active with others outside of their household despite the declines in screening and testing.

Data showed about a 60% decrease in STI testing in early April, but an increasing positivity rate for both chlamydia and gonorrhea. (iStock)

Researchers said that once testing returns to pre-pandemic levels, they expect to see a surge in new infections, which could lead to long-term health repercussions such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease or even other STIs.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

"This research highlights the importance of maintaining resources for STI management even in the midst of a pandemic," Pinto said. "Moving forward, health care providers should strike a balance between responding to emerging crises and continuing to provide routine sexual health services. In addition, STI treatment and intervention efforts should be considered when allocating resources to manage public health emergencies."

Original post:
Decreased STI testing early in pandemic could lead to surge in new cases, researchers warn - Fox News

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Sarasota, FL, May 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire-- CyberloQ Technologies, Inc. (OTC PINK: CLOQ) of Sarasota, Florida is engaging a panel of industry players to assist CyberloQ in marketing their one-of-a-kind patented platform for preventing cyber fraud.

Chris Jackson, Chief Executive Officer stated, After several years of development and testing we are now highly confident that we have a unique solution for credit unions, banks and other institutions to substantially eradicate credit and debit card transaction fraud.

The CyberloQ platform is proactive, not reactive. Choose your metaphor: implementing the CyberloQ system is very much like having a sentry outside your door to prevent fraudulent activity before it can begin; implementing CyberloQ is the equivalent of the Card Issuer donning a bullet-proof vest; implementing CyberloQis opting for preventative medicinerather than treatment of an established disease.

And such prevention is a game-changer when you consider the financial and reputational damage that the occurrence of such fraud inflicts on both the bank and the holder of the card.

Given its extensive opportunity for positive impact, said Jackson, we are assembling a world class team of market-savvy individuals with deep inside knowledge of key financial markets where CyberloQ can easily be adopted and integrated into any organizations existing cyber-security best practices.The primary focus of this newly formed team of advisors will be assist us in capturing these opportunities.

About CyberloQ Technologies Inc.

CyberloQ Technologies Inc. (OTC: CLOQ) secures clients sensitive data and valuable information with a patented, aggressive and proactive approach. CyberloQ's advanced authentication algorithms, private blockchain and industry-leading geofencing capabilities give clients complete control of their data for real-time authentication and dedicated fraud protection. For more information, visithttps://CyberloQ.com/.

About TurnScor

TurnScor helps consumers fix their credit scores by helping them apply the Fair Credit Reporting Act to verify the accuracy of their credit reports across all three agencies. TurnScor removes the need for consumers with no or low credit scores to work with attorneys and other firms to build or repair their credit. For more information, visithttps://turnscor.com/.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as "anticipate", "seek", intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "project", "plan", or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visitwww.sec.gov.

CLOQ Contact:Chris JacksonTel: 1.612.961.4536Email:info@cyberloq.com

Here is the original post:
CyberloQ to Form Advisory Board of Industry Leaders to Help Scale Its Patented Technology - StreetInsider.com

Dr. David Katz, Preventive Medicine Specialist & True Health Initiative President, joined Yahoo Finance to discuss the latest on covid-19.

ADAM SHAPIRO: Let's bring in Dr. David Katz. He is a Preventative Medicine Specialist, also the President of the True Health Initiative. Good to have you here. I want to start with that Moderna news. How quickly do you think it could be before we see, perhaps, teenagers and younger getting the Moderna vaccine?

DAVID KATZ: Yeah, good to be with you. I think it really is more a matter of enthusiasm for vaccine uptake in that population than it is a matter of availability. I think the current administration has done a good job making vaccines available and deploying them. And from what I'm hearing from colleagues and various access points to public health, I'm not finding that a lot of people eager to get the vaccine are having difficulty accessing it.

I think the slowdown is mostly related to the fact that people eager to be vaccinated have been. I'm not sure how most parents are feeling about vaccinating their teens and tweens. And I think that that case needs to be made. I think we'll have particular difficulty in communities that trust public health, trust science a bit less. So I think we need an effective communication, along with the distribution of vaccine.

I can't say. I don't-- if it were a simple matter of logistics, supply chain, do we have the vaccine, can people access it-- it would be a simpler projection. But a lot of this really comes down to attitude, vaccine resistance. So I'm not sure how the average person feels about vaccinating younger people who obviously are at lower risk of severe reactions to the virus.

That said-- and this is a decisive issue for me-- as a physician, as a public health professional, and as a parent of now five grown kids, but I've been in this situation, the vaccine is clearly much safer even for young people than the virus is. So it would be a really good idea to get vaccinated if you are in the newly eligible age group. But I don't know how that message is going to go over.

Story continues

SEANA SMITH: Dr. Katz, we heard from New York City this week that they will no longer be having remote learning in the fall. Everyone will be going back in-person. To those parents who have kids that will then be returning to school here in the fall, should they feel 100% safe in sending their kids? Should they have, I guess, any hesitation at all?

DAVID KATZ: Seana, good to see you. They cannot feel 100% safe, but that's simply because, Seana, their kids were not 100% safe before the pandemic. I think one of the critical issues here is that the pandemic has invited risk distortion in every direction. So there are many people who've underestimated the threat of the virus, there are many people who have overestimated the threat of the pandemic, and now there's the notion that having experienced risk associated with SARS-CoV-2, we can only go back to the world when the risk of something bad happening to us or anybody we care about is zero.

It was never zero before, right? There's risk in putting your kid on a school bus. So, no, they should not be hesitant. And the risks, essentially, are at that level. They fall below the threshold where they are in the background. I wish the risk to all children of anything bad happening were zero. I do. But that's a perfect world, and we don't live in a perfect world, and miscellaneous bad things happen to people every day in this country of 330 million people.

The risks of COVID affecting kids, given where we are in the pandemic, given the approach to herd immunity, given the level of immunization is extremely low. There should be no hesitancy about sending kids back to school.

ADAM SHAPIRO: But when we see these surges in different parts of the world-- I mean, we got the news out of Japan that the hospital system is just almost at the point of crumbling-- should they cancel the Olympics?

DAVID KATZ: You know, my heart goes out to the athletes, Adam. The Olympics are such a rarefied thing, right-- so essentially, you're training your whole life and aiming to peak at just the right time. From a public health perspective, given what's going on in Japan, given that the latest news there is only about 2% of the population has been immunized, this looks to me like a super-spreader event.

And if vulnerable people who are not immune come from all over the world and take the virus back, we could have outbreaks in many parts of the world again. So it's a bad idea from a public health perspective to have mass congregation in a part of the world where the virus is spreading at a pretty high level and rates of immunity are low. Obviously, it's well above my pay grade to decide whether or not to cancel the Olympics, but again, looking at this through the lens of public health, it's a dangerous situation for sure.

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Lauren Villagran, El Paso Times Published 3:30 p.m. MT May 24, 2021 | Updated 9:26 a.m. MT May 25, 2021

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Chihuahua state health authorities began a second round of public vaccinations Monday in Jurez, inoculating people age 50 to 59 with a Pfizer shot.

Hundreds of people began lining up in cars or on foot at five vaccine distribution sitesbefore 7 a.m., including at a children's museum, baseball stadium, university campus and convention center.

State health authorities expected to apply about 30,000 first doses over four days.

Chihuahua Public Health nurse Lorena Vazquez administers COVID-19 vaccines to factory workers that were bused in to El Punto en el Chamizal during a vaccination drive for 50-to-59 year-olds on May 24, 2021.(Photo: Omar Ornelas/ El Paso Times)

Vaccines have been trickling into Jurez, as Mexico struggles to distribute the roughly 26 million doses it has secured on the global market.

More: 'The world's haves and have-nots': Global vaccine disparities on display at El Paso-Jurez border

Somemaquiladora factories sent workers to a drive-in vaccine site near the U.S.-Mexico border Monday. They arrived byruta,on the old school buses that serve as personnel transport in Jurez. Health care workers boarded the buses to administer the vaccine to the workers.

"We can't just live with the fear of this disease," said Csar Avalo Zamora, 53, who stood fifth in line, in glaring sun,to receive his first doseof the vaccine at the Indios stadium in Jurez.

"It's also a civic duty," he said, "to prevent creating more contagion."

More: A year into border restrictions over COVID-19, still no public plan for reopening

Avalo Zamora said he was worried, though, about the Jurez seniors who received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in early April. Second doses for those over age 60 haven't arrived in Jurez, nor have health authorities publicly announced a schedule for second shots.

"It's worrisome because they are the most vulnerable," he said.

Vehicles line up for COVID-19 vaccinations at El Punto en el Chamizal on May 24, 2021 as 50-to-59 year-olds receive the first dose in CIudad Juarez.(Photo: Omar Ornelas/ El Paso Times)

The state health authority is distributing the vaccine in alphabetic order. People in the designated age bracket with a last name beginning with A, B, C or D could show upMonday.

Wendyvila, deputy director of preventative medicine for the state health department, described the logistics of the distribution as "extraordinary" in a statement. Wait times were averaging 10 to 15 minutes on Monday.

"Thanks to everyone, the fact that people are respecting their time slots means that the wait time is short and the logistics are extraordinary," she said in the statement.

Remaining first doses of the Pfizer vaccine would be available on Friday to pregnant women over 18 in their ninth month of gestation, health authorities said.

Lauren Villagran can be reached at lvillagran@elpasotimes.com.

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Last week, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) co-led the introduction of legislation to ensure every child in America has access to high-quality full-day kindergarten, a cause she originally championed in West Des Moines, Iowa when her oldest child was denied that option at their local school district.

When my oldest son was getting ready to start kindergarten, I discovered that access to full-day kindergarten in West Des Moines was determined by a lottery leaving some kids behind despite overwhelming evidence of the value of a full kindergarten education. As a mother, that wasnt something I could accept and I pushed the school district to change that, successfully securing all-day instruction for the entire district, said Rep. Axne. Now, Im joining my colleagues to push for that fix nationwide because Ive seen firsthand the benefits that our kids get from that change, and want to see it offered to the forty percent of students that dont currently have that full-day option. With my own familys experience, I will be pushing to advance this bill by telling my story, and the story of the Iowa students that Ive fought to help.

The Universal Full Day Kindergarten Act creates a grant program in which States and Tribes that apply will receive funding to carry out no-cost, high-quality, full-day kindergarten programs taught by qualified teachers. The bill would also require the Department of Education to release an annual report on the availability of full-day kindergarten across the United States.

Only 17 states and the District of Columbia require school districts to offer full-day kindergarten leaving an estimated 40 percent of kindergarten-age students without access to these critical programs.

Research has shown that full day kindergarten increases academic achievement for elementary students. Full-day kindergarten students were shown to make greater improvements in math and reading comprehension than students enrolled in half-day.

Additional advantages of full-day kindergarten include more positive social interactions, higher self-esteem, greater creativity, and more.

The positive gains for children enrolled in full-day kindergarten extend beyond just academic success. The American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that full-day kindergarten students were more likely to have long-term benefits that would improve their health over their lifetimes.

The bill was introduced with Reps. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-53), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15).

As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to make sure that all students, no matter where they live, have access to high-quality education and start their academic experiences on equal footing,said Rep. Gallego.I am proud to reintroduce the Universal Full-Day Kindergarten Act, the first-ever legislative effort in the House to achieve universal full-day Kindergarten. Not only is ensuring access to full-day Kindergarten the right thing to do to set students up for success, it also would increase economic opportunities for parents and families and provide a lifeline for underfunded and low-income school districts across the country. I am grateful to my colleagues Rep. Jacobs, Rep. Axne, and Rep. Torres for joining me to make access to Kindergarten a reality for all American families.

This bill is endorsed by the National Education Association.

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Rep. Axne Introduces Bill to Expand Full-Day Kindergarten Nationwide - Cindy Axne

May 25, 2021

By Nate Smelle

On the edge of summer in North Hastings, we usually expect a series of returns to arrive with the season and change our routines. Right on schedule, the annual influx of blood-suckers showed up over the long weekend to make their presence known.

With the sun shining and a long list of work outdoors to be done, there was no avoiding the seasonal bloodletting that was due. Before stepping outside Sunday morning to begin the day of chores ahead, it appeared by the swarm of mosquitoes literally knocking on the door that my donation of plasma was highly anticipated.

As every resident of North Hastings knows, it doesnt take long to form a collection of homegrown remedies to help ease the the pain and suffering caused by these tiny, yet ferocious creatures. From spraying vinegar on bites to numb the itch, to planting beebalm or marigolds to keep the thirsty insects at bay; there are more than enough recipes for homemade repellents and medicines to fill a newspaper. In my experience, however, the most effective way to limit the necessary suffering caused by these winged-armies of mosquitoes and blackflies invading our airspace is the same remedy used to repel vampires garlic.

Since my time spent at the family cottage near Fenelon Falls as a child, I can recall my grandparents selling me on the value of this potent and precious plant. While there are a multitude of ways to prepare and use garlic as an eco-friendly bug spray, I have always found it most powerful when it is ingested.

For this reason, during the past month and a half I have been eating as much garlic as humanly possible. A big fan of its flavour, an extra clove or two of garlic can redefine the taste of any dish on the menu. A highly nutritious plant, garlic is known to: boost the functioning of the immune system; help fight a variety of illnesses, including the common cold; reduce blood pressure; improve cholesterol levels; contain antioxidants that are said to help prevent Alzheimers disease and dementia; improve bone health; and, detoxify the body. Complimenting its medicinal abilities, is the fact it can be grown relatively easily here in North Hastings.

Walking out my front door and into the shape-shifting clouds of insects on Sunday, I watched as the overwhelming majority of these creatures of the night caught a whiff of my exposed limbs, and decided to keep searching for another donor. Of course not everyone of the insects was deterred by my preemptive dosing of preventative medicine.

Despite my long-term strategy when it comes to biting insect control, I have made it part of my routine over the years to allow the first brave mosquito of the season to have its fill. Watching as this lucky diner began to feed, I laughed as I thought of how much energy and resources we humans invest in the avoidance of this timeless interaction. I guess His Holiness the Dalai Lama was correct when he said, If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.

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In many areas, Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health are competitors. But recently, the two most prominent health care organizations in the state have come together for a very important reasonyour health.

For centuries, medicine was pretty straightforward: you go to the doctor when youre sick to receive a diagnosis and treatment. But a new movement is changing the way doctors and other providers look at medicine. Its called population health, and it means physicians are now finding new ways to meet their patients medical needs by looking at all aspects of life in order to provide the most comprehensive care. Its all about preventing illness, rather than only treating people when they get sick.

Providers and caregivers across our state provide exceptional and compassionate care to Utahns when they are ill, says Marc Harrison, MD, president and CEO of Intermountain Healthcare. But we know that keeping Utahns healthy needs to be a critical component in our delivery of health care. The pandemic has put that in sharp focus.

Intermountain Healthcare will invest $50 million spread over multiple years to partner with U of U Health on a new medical education program at the Us School of Medicine. The Population Health Student Scholars Program will be the first of its kind in the United States.

Designed to train future physicians to consider a persons immediate medical needs along with their life circumstances, the program centers the social determinants of health, which play a key role in preventing illness and injury. These social determinants of health include racism, housing, neighborhoods, transportation, food security, personal security, and the opportunity to have meaningful work.

Heres a simple way to think of it. Suppose a patient has diabetes and needs insulin. But what if that patient doesnt have refrigeration in his or her home to keep that insulin viable? Under a population health model of health care, physicians will be now asking patients questions like: Do you have a refrigerator to store your insulin for your diabetes? Can you afford healthy food? Are you getting daily exercise? Can you walk safely around your neighborhood? Can you get in to see a doctor when you need to?

This approach to patient care has the potential to advance the doctor-patient relationship in many positive ways, says Michael L. Good, MD, CEO of University of Utah Health, executive dean of U of U School of Medicine, and senior vice president for Health Sciences. It could lead to a metamorphosis of medical care that better addresses the emerging social and health needs of patients in the 21st century.

While better health outcomes are optimal reasons to move to a population health program, another benefit is the financial savings for Utahns. For example, a Utahn suffering a heart attack with complications will run up an average bill of $39,000. He or she might recover completely but not be 100 percent the same after the cardiac event. A heart attack is considerably less likely to occur, though, if one controls blood pressure, exercises regularly, maintains a healthy weight, and eats wisely. In that case, the $39,000 could be applied towards even more preventative measures, such as a gym membership and access to healthy food.

As part of this new partnership, educators at the School of Medicine are already developing a curriculum for medical students around these concepts. As students enter their clinical rotations, they will spend longer periods of time in communities, which will help them to see things even more through a patients lens.

Im proud that these two organizations are leading the nation in developing a cadre of physicians specifically prepared to deliver this innovative approach to communities, Harrison says. Working with patients holistically will improve the health of all, most notably the vulnerable and underserved, who are too often left behind. This is the future of health care.

JayBee is excited about the new facility. In some ways, working in treatment and care reminded him of sports. You dont make decisions independently. You work as a team, he says. What he came to learn was, You cant help everyone, unfortunately, but the ones you do help, patient care makes an immense difference in their lives.

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U of U Health and Intermountain Healthcare are partnering to create more inclusive training for medical stude - Deseret News