StemCell Therapy

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, where blood cells are formed. All types of leukemia cause rapid, uncontrolled growth of abnormal bone marrow and blood cells.

The main differences between the types include how fast the disease progresses and the types of cells it affects.

There are four main types of leukemia, which we describe in detail below:

Lymphocytic leukemia affects the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Myeloid leukemia can affect the white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

According to the National Cancer Institute, roughly 1.5% of people in the United States will receive a leukemia diagnosis at some point.

In this article, explore the four main types, their symptoms, the treatment options available, and the outlook.

The full name of this type of cancer is acute lymphocytic leukemia, and acute means that it grows quickly. Lymphocytic means that it forms in underdeveloped white blood cells called lymphocytes.

The disease starts in the bone marrow, which produces stem cells that develop into red and white blood cells and platelets.

In a healthy person, the bone marrow does not release these cells until they are fully developed. In someone with ALL, the bone marrow releases large quantities of underdeveloped white blood cells.

There are several subtypes of ALL, and the subtype may influence the best course of treatment and the prognosis.

One subtype is B-cell ALL. This begins in the B lymphocytes, and it is the most common form of ALL in children.

Another subtype is T-cell ALL. It can cause the thymus, a small organ at the front of the windpipe, to become enlarged, which can lead to breathing difficulties.

Overall, because ALL progresses quickly, swift medical intervention is key.

As research from 2020 acknowledges, healthcare providers still do not know what causes ALL. It may occur due to genetic factors or exposure to:

Although genetic factors may play a role, ALL is not a familial disease.

Learn more about ALL here.

ALL is the most common form of leukemia in children.

The risk of developing it is highest in children under 5 years old. The prevalence slowly rises again in adults over 50.

ALL symptoms can be nonspecific difficult to distinguish from those of other illnesses.

They may include:

In a person with AML, the bone marrow makes abnormal versions of platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells called myeloblasts.

The full name of this disease is acute myeloid leukemia, and acute refers to the fact that it is fast-growing.

It forms in one of the following types of bone marrow cell:

Doctors classify AML by subtype, depending on:

AML can be difficult to treat and requires prompt medical attention.

Learn more about AML here.

The most common risk factor is myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of blood cancer that keeps the body from producing enough healthy blood cells.

Other factors that increase the risk of developing AML include:

Most people who develop AML are over 45. It is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults, though it is still rare, compared with other cancers.

It is also the second most common form of leukemia in children.

Symptoms of AML can vary and may include:

CLL is the most common form of leukemia among adults in the U.S. and other Western countries.

There are two types. One progresses slowly, and it causes the body to have high levels of characteristic lymphocytes, but only slightly low levels of healthy red blood cells, platelets, and neutrophils.

The other type progresses more quickly and causes a significant reduction in levels of all healthy blood cells.

In someone with CLL, the lymphocytes often look fully formed but are less able to fight infection than healthy white blood cells. The lymphocytes tend to build up very slowly, so a person might have CLL for a long time before experiencing symptoms.

Learn more about CLL here.

Genetic factors are the most likely cause. Others might include:

CLL is rare in children. It typically develops in adults aged 70 or over. However, it can affect people as young as 30.

CLL typically causes no early symptoms. When symptoms are present, they may include:

Also, 5090% of people with CLL have swollen lymph nodes.

CML is a slow-growing type of leukemia that develops in the bone marrow.

The full name of CML is chronic myeloid leukemia. As the American Cancer Society explain, a genetic change takes place in the early forms of the myeloid cells, and this eventually results in CML cells.

These leukemia cells then grow, divide, and enter the blood.

CML occurs due to a rearrangement of genetic material between the chromosomes 9 and 22.

This rearrangement fuses a part of the ABL1 gene from chromosome 9 with the BCR gene from chromosome 22, called the Philadelphia chromosome. The result of this fusion is called BCR-ABL1.

BCR-ABL1 produces a protein that promotes cell division and stops apoptosis, the process of cell death, which typically removes unneeded or damaged cells.

The cells keep dividing and do not self-destruct, resulting in an overproduction of abnormal cells and a lack of healthy blood cells.

This occurs during the persons lifetime and is not inherited.

CML typically affects adults. People aged 65 and older make up almost half of those who receive a CML diagnosis.

The symptoms of CML are unclear, but they may include:

The symptoms may vary, depending on the type of leukemia. Overall, a person should get in touch with a doctor if they experience:

Learn more about the symptoms of leukemia here.

Treatment for ALL typically involves three basic phases: induction, consolidation, and maintenance. We describe these in detail below.

Treatment for AML involves the first two phases. The induction phase may include treatment with the chemotherapy drugs cytarabine (Cytosar-U) and daunorubicin (Cerubidine) or idarubicin (Idamycin). The doctor may also recommend targeted drugs.

The goal of this phase is to kill the leukemia cells, causing the cancer to go into remission, using chemotherapy.

The doctor may recommend:

People having chemotherapy may need to see their doctors frequently and spend time in the hospital, due to the risk of serious infections and complications.

This phase of the treatment lasts for about 1 month.

Even if the treatment so far has led to remission, cancer cells may be hiding in the body, so more treatment is necessary.

The consolidation phase may involve taking high doses of chemotherapy. A doctor may also recommend targeted drugs or stem cell transplants.

This phase, consisting of ongoing chemotherapy treatments, usually lasts for 2 years.

Since CLL tends to progress slowly, and its treatment can have unpleasant side effects, some people with this condition go through a phase of watchful waiting before starting the treatment.

For a person with CML, the focus is often on providing the right treatment for the phase of the illness. To do this, a doctor considers how quickly the leukemia cells are building up and the extent of the symptoms. Stem cell transplants can be effective, but further treatment is necessary.

Overall, the initial treatment tends to include monoclonal antibodies, targeted drugs, and chemotherapy.

If the only concern is an enlarged spleen or swollen lymph nodes, the person may receive radiation or surgery.

If there are high numbers of CLL cells, the doctor may suggest leukapheresis, a treatment that lowers the persons blood count. This is only effective for a short time, but it allows the chemotherapy to start working.

For people with high-risk disease, doctors may recommend stem cell transplants.

A persons prognosis depends on the type of leukemia.

Learn more about survival rates for people with leukemia here.

About 8090% of adults with ALL experience complete remission for a while during treatment. And with treatment, most children recover from the disease.

Relapses are common in adults, so the overall cure rate is 40%. However, factors specific to each person play a role.

The older a person is when they receive an AML diagnosis, the more difficult it is to treat.

More than 25% of adults who achieve remission live for 3 years or more after treatment for AML.

A person may live for a long time with CLL.

Treatments can help keep the symptoms under control and prevent the disease from spreading. However, there is no cure.

Stem cell transplants can cure CML. However, this treatment is very invasive and is not suitable for most people with CML.

The United Kingdoms National Health Service estimate that 70% of males and 75% of females live for at least 5 years after receiving a CML diagnosis.

The earlier a person receives the diagnosis, the better their outlook.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. It can affect people of all ages.

There are four main types of leukemia. They differ based on how quickly they progress and the types of cells they affect.

Treatments for all types of leukemia continue to improve, helping people live longer and more fully with this condition.

Read more from the original source:
Types of leukemia: Prevalence, treatment options, and prognosis - Medical News Today

BKV can cause severe complications in immunocompromised transplant patients. Higher BKV DNA levels can often be present in urine prior to plasma, serving as an early predictor of an impending infection. A urine sample stabilised in cobas PCR Media allows the integrity of urine results to be maintained, making storage and transportation simpler without the need for sample refrigeration.

"Transplant patients face a number of significant challenges, including complications that can arise from viruses like BKV," said Ann Costello, Head Roche Diagnostic Solutions. "With the FDA clearance of this non-invasive and easily collectable sample type, we now offer choices for clinicians using a standardised, automated solution to routinely monitor and manage infection risks. Together with our viral load tests for Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, we are committed to bringing better care to transplant patients."

The cobas BKV Test runs on the widely available, high-throughput cobas 6800/8800 Systems. It is also approved for use in CE markets with EDTA plasma and urine stabilised in cobas PCR Media as sample types.

About the cobas BKV TestThe cobas BKV Test is a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with dual-target technology that provides quantitative accuracy and guards against the risk of sequence variations that may be present in the BK virus. The cobas BKV Test has robust coverage with a limit of detection of 21.5 IU/mL and an expanded linear range from 21.5 IU/mL to 1E+08 IU/mL in EDTA plasma. Urine stabilised in cobas PCR Media has a limit of detection of 12.2 IU/mL and a linear range from 200 IU/mL to 1E+08 IU/mL.

The test offers an alternative to lab-developed tests (LDTs) or Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) combinations, potentially minimising variability and complexity in testing, reducing workload and alleviating risk for laboratories. The test supports the goal of result standardisation across institutions by providing reproducible, high-quality results for clinical decision-making.

The fully automated cobas BKV, cobas CMV and cobas EBV Tests can run on the cobas 6800/8800 Systems simultaneously, providing absolute automation with proven performance and flexibility, leading to time savings and increased efficiency.

About BK polyomavirusBK polyomavirus (BKV) is a member of the polyomavirus family that can cause transplant-associated complications including nephropathy in kidney transplantation and hemorrhagic cystitis in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Infection can occur early in life, often with no symptoms. After primary infection, the virus can remain inactive throughout life, only to possibly reactivate in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients who receive solid-organ transplants. For kidney transplant patients, BKV infection is considered the most common viral complication, causing polyomavirus nephropathy (PVN) in up to 10 percent of kidney transplant recipients, and about 50 percent of PVN-affected patients will experience transplant graft failure.2 BKV is also associated with hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.3

About the cobas 6800/8800 SystemsWhen every moment matters, the fully automated cobas 6800/8800 Systems offer the fastest time to results with the highest throughput and the longest walk-away time available among automated molecular platforms. With proven performance, absolute automation and unmatched flexibility delivering unparalleled throughput 24/7 cobas 6800/8800 Systems are designed to ensure a lab's long-term sustainability and success now, more than ever. Learn more now: http://www.cobas68008800.com

About RocheRoche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit http://www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References[1] Jha V. Post-transplant infections: An ounce of prevention. Indian J Nephrol. 2010;20(4):171-178.[2] Jamboti, J. S. (2016) BK virus nephropathy in renal transplant recipients. Nephrology, 21: 647 654. doi: 10.1111/nep.12728. [3] Hirsch HH, Randhawa PS; AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. BK polyomavirus in solid organ transplantation-Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice. Clin Transplant. 2019;33(9):e13528. doi:10.1111/ctr.13528

Media Contact:

Elizabeth BaxterRoche Molecular Solutions Media Relations[emailprotected] 925.523.8812

Mike WeistUS Media RelationsRoche Diagnostics Corporation[emailprotected]317.371.0035

SOURCE Roche

http://www.roche.com

Visit link:
Roche receives first FDA clearance for urine sample type for BK virus quantitative test to aid in the improvement of care for transplant patients -...

- COSELA is the only FDA-approved therapy that helps proactively deliver multilineage myeloprotection to patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer being treated with chemotherapy -

- Myeloprotective efficacy of COSELA resulted in reductions in the incidence and duration of severe neutropenia, and impacted anemia and the need for rescue interventions such as growth factors and red blood cell transfusions -

- G1 will host conference call Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. ET -

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- G1 Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: GTHX), a commercial-stage oncology company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved COSELA(trilaciclib) for injection to decrease the incidence of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in adult patients when administered prior to a platinum/etoposide-containing regimen or topotecan-containing regimen for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). It is the first and only therapy designed to help protect bone marrow (myeloprotection) when administered prior to treatment with chemotherapy. COSELA is expected to be commercially available through G1s specialty distributor partner network in early March.

The approval of trilaciclib (COSELA) is an important advance in the treatment of patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer receiving chemotherapy, said Dr. Jeffrey Crawford, Geller Professor for Research in Cancer in the Department of Medicine and Duke Cancer Institute. The most serious and life-threatening side effect of chemotherapy is myelosuppression, or damage to the bone marrow, resulting in reduced white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression may lead to increased risks of infection, severe anemia, and/or bleeding. These complications impact patients quality of life and may also result in chemotherapy dose reductions and delays.To date, approaches have included the use of growth factor agents to accelerate blood cell recovery after the bone marrow injury has occurred, along with antibiotics and transfusions as needed. By contrast, trilaciclib provides the first proactive approach to myelosuppression through a unique mechanism of action that helps protect the bone marrow from damage by chemotherapy.In clinical trials, the addition of trilaciclib to extensive-stage small cell lung cancer chemotherapy treatment regimens reduced myelosuppression and improved clinical outcomes.The good news is that these benefits of trilaciclib will now be available for our patients in clinical practice.

Chemotherapy is an effective and important weapon against cancer. However, chemotherapy does not differentiate between healthy cells and cancer cells. It kills both, including important hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the bone marrow that produce white blood cells (immune cells that help fight infection), red blood cells (cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues), and platelets (cells that prevent bleeding from cancer, surgeries, chronic diseases, and injuries). This chemotherapy-induced bone marrow damage, known as myelosuppression, can lead to increased risk of infection, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and other complications. Myeloprotection is a novel approach of protecting HSPCs in the bone marrow from chemotherapy-induced damage. This approach can help reduce some chemotherapy-related toxicity, making chemotherapy safer and more tolerable, while also reducing the need for reactive rescue interventions.

Chemotherapy is the most effective and widely used approach to treating people diagnosed with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer; however, standard of care chemotherapy regimens are highly myelosuppressive and can lead to costly hospitalizations and rescue interventions, said Jack Bailey, Chief Executive Officer at G1 Therapeutics. COSELA will help change the chemotherapy experience for people who are battling ES-SCLC. G1 is proud to deliver COSELA to patients and their families as the first and only therapy to help protect against chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.

COSELA is administered intravenously as a 30-minute infusion within four hours prior to the start of chemotherapy and is the first FDA-approved therapy that helps provide proactive, multilineage protection from chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. The approval of COSELA is based on data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials that showed patients receiving COSELA prior to the start of chemotherapy had clinically meaningful and statistically significant reduction in the duration and severity of neutropenia. Data also showed a positive impact on red blood cell transfusions and other myeloprotective measures. The trials evaluated COSELA in combination with carboplatin/etoposide (+/- the immunotherapy atezolizumab) and topotecan chemotherapy regimens. Approximately 90% of all patients with ES-SCLC will receive at least one of these regimens during the course of their treatment.

The majority of adverse reactions reported with COSELA were mild to moderate in severity.The most common adverse reactions (10%) were fatigue, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, aspartate aminotransferase increased, headache, and pneumonia. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients receiving COSELA. Serious adverse reactions reported in >3% of patients who received COSELA included respiratory failure, hemorrhage, and thrombosis. Grade 3/4 hematological adverse reactions occurring in patients treated with COSELA and placebo included neutropenia (32% and 69%), febrile neutropenia (3% and 9%), anemia (16% and 34%), thrombocytopenia (18% and 33%), and leukopenia (4% and 17%), respectively.

Quite often, people diagnosed with extensive-stage small cell lung cancerrely on chemotherapy to not only extend their lives, but also to acutely alleviate their symptoms, said Bonnie J. Addario, lung cancer survivor, co-founder and board chair of the Go2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. Unfortunately, the vast majority will experience chemotherapy-induced side effects, resulting in dose delays and reductions, and increased utilization of healthcare services. G1 shares our organizations goal to improve the quality of life of those diagnosed with lung cancer and to transform survivorship among people living with this insidious disease. We are thrilled to see new advancements that can help improve the lives of those living with small cell lung cancer.

Approximately 30,000 small cell lung cancer patients are treated in the United States annually. G1 is committed to helping patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer in the U.S. gain access to treatment with COSELA. For more information on access and affordability programs, patients and providers should call the G1toOne support center at 833-G1toONE (833-418-6663) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.

G1 received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA in 2019 based on positive data in small cell lung cancer patients from three randomized Phase 2 clinical trials. As is common with breakthrough-designated products that receive priority review, G1 will conduct certain post-marketing activities, including in vitro drug-drug interaction and metabolism studies, and a clinical trial to assess impact of trilaciclib on disease progression or survival in patients with ES-SCLC with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression treated with a platinum/etoposide-containing or topotecan-containing regimen with at least a two year follow up. G1 intends to initiate the post-approval clinical trial in 2022.

Webcast and Conference Call The management team will host a webcast and conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 to discuss the FDA approval of COSELA (trilaciclib). The live call may be accessed by dialing 866-763-6020 (domestic) or (210) 874-7713 (international) and entering the conference code: 6195528. A live and archived webcast will be available on theEvents & Presentationspage of the companys website: http://www.g1therapeutics.com. The webcast will be archived on the same page for 90 days following the event.

COSELA (trilaciclib) Co-Promotion Agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim

InJune 2020, G1 announced a three-year co-promotion agreement withBoehringer Ingelheimfor COSELA in small cell lung cancer in theU.S.andPuerto Rico. G1 will lead marketing, market access and medical engagement initiatives for COSELA. The Boehringer Ingelheim oncology commercial team, well-established in lung cancer, will lead sales force engagement initiatives.G1 will book revenue and retain development and commercialization rights to COSELA and payBoehringer Ingelheima promotional fee based on net sales. The three-year agreement does not extend to additional indications that G1 is evaluating for trilaciclib. Press release details of the G1/Boehringer Ingelheimagreement can be foundhere.

About Small CellLung Cancer

In the United States, approximately 30,000 small cell lung cancer patients are treated annually. SCLC, one of the two main types of lung cancer, accounts for about 10% to 15% of all lung cancers. SCLC is an aggressive disease and tends to grow and spread faster than NSCLC. It is usually asymptomatic; once symptoms do appear, it often indicates that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. About 70% of people with SCLC will have cancer that has metastasized at the time they are diagnosed. The severity of symptoms usually increases with increased cancer growth and spread. From the time of diagnosis, the general 5-year survival rate for people with SCLC is 6%. The five-year survival rates for limited-stage (the cancer is confined to one side of the chest) SCLC is 12% to 15%, and for extensive stage (cancer has spread to the other lung and beyond), survival rates are less than 2%. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for ES-SCLC.

COSELA(trilaciclib) for InjectionINDICATIONCOSELA is indicated to decrease the incidence of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in adult patients when administered prior to a platinum/etoposide-containing regimen or topotecan-containing regimen for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATION

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Injection-Site Reactions, Including Phlebitis and Thrombophlebitis

Acute Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions

Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

ADVERSE REACTIONS

DRUG INTERACTIONS

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact G1 Therapeutics at 1-800-790-G1TX or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information here

For more information about COSELA, please call 1-800-790-G1TX (1-800-790-4189)

About G1 TherapeuticsG1 Therapeutics, Inc. is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and delivery of next generation therapies that improve the lives of those affected by cancer, including the Companys first commercially available product COSELA (trilaciclib), a first-in-class therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help protect against chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer being treated with chemotherapy. Trilaciclib is also being evaluated in other solid tumors, including colorectal, breast and bladder cancers. G1 Therapeutics is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C. For additional information, please visit http://www.g1therapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter @G1Therapeutics.

Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is a registered trademark of Genentech.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, those relating to the therapeutic potential of COSELA (trilaciclib), and COSELAs (trilaciclib) possibility to improve patient outcomes, are based on the companys expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause the companys actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in the companys filings with theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" sections contained therein and include, but are not limited to, the companys ability to complete clinical trials for, obtain approvals for and commercialize any of its product candidates; the companys initial success in ongoing clinical trials may not be indicative of results obtained when these trials are completed or in later stage trials; the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies and operating as a development-stage company; and market conditions. Except as required by law, the company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Contacts:Will RobertsG1 Therapeutics, Inc.Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications(919) 907-1944wroberts@g1therapeutics.com

Christine RogersG1 Therapeutics, Inc.Associate Director, Corporate Communications(984) 365-2819crogers@g1therapeutics.com

A PDF accompanying this announcement is available athttp://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/fb9c3593-c36f-4769-9c66-c1ca2e1f78f7

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/25e03769-0cd1-482e-9a70-8b3c81bc46c3

COSELA (trilaciclib) image

COSELA (trilaciclib) image

See original here:
FDA Approves G1 Therapeutics' COSELA (trilaciclib): The First and Only Myeloprotection Therapy to Decrease the Incidence of Chemotherapy-Induced...

Drinking certain energy drinks may cause significant damage to the heart, according to new findings published in Food and Chemical Toxicology.

Because the consumption of these beverages is not regulated and they are widely accessible over the counter to all age groups, the potential for adverse health effects of these products is a subject of concern and needed research, lead researcher Ivan Rusyn, MD, PhD, a professor at Texas A&M University in College Station, said in a prepared statement.

Rusyn et al. assessed a total of 17 popular energy drinks, studying their chemical profiles and looking for any associations with potential cardiac complications. Energy drinks sold by Adrenaline, Shoc, Bang Star, C4, CELSIUS, HEAT, EBOOST, Game Fuel, GURU, Kill Cliff, Kickstart, Monster Energy, Red Bull, Reign, Rockstar, RUNA, UPTIME, Venom Energy and Xyience Energy were all part of the teams analysis.

Overall, the authors found that stem cell-derived cardiomyocyteshuman heart cells grown in a laboratoryshowed signs of an increased beat rate after being exposed to some energy drinks. Also, theophylline, adenine and azelate were all ingredients the team associated with potentially contributing to QT prolongation in cardiomyocytes.

See original here:
Energy drinks may damage the heart, researchers warnshould the FDA get involved? - Cardiovascular Business

Adeline Davidson and dad Jordan.Picture: Callum Mackay

THE Easter Ross mum of a little girl with an extremely rare form of blood cancer has urged life-saving donors to step up to help others.

Steph Davidson made the appeal as blood cancer charity DKMS asked people to show the love this Valentine's Day by signing up for a worldwide register of potential blood stem cell donors.

Her daughter Adeline (3) is awaiting a blood stem cell donation from a stranger and has endured many "false starts" and complications as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Ms Davidson, who lives in Alness, is backing the DKMS campaign at a time when UK-wide registrations have slumped by 28 per cent.

Big-hearted Highlanders have bucked that trend with an increase in registrations during the pandemic.

With no match within her family, a blood stem cell donation from a complete stranger is Adelines best chance of survival.

The brave little girl, who has missed out on her first year at nursery and valiantly gone through painful and invasive treatment over the last year, has finally got a date for her lifesaving transplant.

With one donor pulling out at the last minute, and her transplant date pushed back several times due to the pandemic, her family have their heart set on finally having their healthy and happy little girl back home and able to play with her friends and family.

Her mum said: Shes such a sweet and friendly little girl, so confident and the best big sister to her little brother and sister. Its just felt like the world has been against us this past year with so many treatments, needles and false starts.

"We are so incredibly grateful to this stranger, who could be anywhere in the world. I want to give them the biggest hug in the world. I cant begin to imagine how awful it is for other families who have a loved one in need of a lifesaving transplant where no match has been found.

"As a parent it makes you feel so powerless being unable to protect your child. Anyone who is healthy and able to register, please, please do. Its such a small commitment for you and could give someone a second chance at life Adelines not even had a chance to start hers and we were so close to it being taken away from her.

The Valentines Day campaign by DKMS is asking people to celebrate with their loved one by taking five minutes to sign up to the stem cell donor register to potentially save the love of someone elses life.

Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer. Around 2000 people each year are dealt the shocking news that they need a blood stem cell transplant.

For these people the perfect match doesnt necessarily have a compatible Zodiac sign or share the same taste in films they need to have a genetically similar make up to give them the best shot at a second chance of life.

With two in three of those people not finding a perfect match within their family, they must turn to the worldwide donor registry and rely on a stranger to save their lives. By signing up to the register you could one day be a match for someone who needs you to help save their life.

The pandemic has had a destructive impact on the lives of people with blood cancer. Not only has it led to a huge drop in the number of people registering as donors, it has meant fewer people are visiting the GP with cancer symptoms, and resulted in hospital appointments and treatments being postponed or cancelled. Due to this, DKMS expects to see a surge in blood cancer diagnoses and increased demand for blood stem cell donors when we are back to normal, making it all the more important that people register now.

Jonathan Pearce, chief executive of DKMS UK, said: At DKMS, we are dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and are proud to have registered over 780,000 blood stem cell donors. Hearing the stories of people like Adeline shows why people registering as blood stem cell donors is so important.

"With the shocking drop in registrations over the last 10 months we are calling on Scots to save the love of someone elses life this Valentines Day. We want every worried family to get the reassuring call that a match for their loved on has been found. If youre inspired by Adelines story, please register as a stem cell donor to give the ultimate gift this Valentines Day by saving a life.

How to sign up

Signing up to save the life of someone like Adeline is easy to do. Register as a potential lifesaver online at dkms.org.uk to receive your home swab kit. It takes a few moments to swab. When you return your swab kit you go on standby to help save someones life.

Taking the first steps to register as a potential blood stem cell donor can be done within a few minutes from the comfort of your own home. If you are aged between 17-55 and in general good health you can sign up for a home swab kit online. Your swabs can then be returned with the enclosed pre-paid envelope to DKMS in order to ensure that your details are added to the UKs aligned stem cell registry.

Related: Alness parents make heartfelt plea after coronavirus-related donor blow

Waiting game as stem cell donor found in United States

View original post here:
Easter Ross mum of blood cancer tot urges would-be stem cell donors to show the love this Valentine's Day; Alness lass Adeline Davidson's plight...

A consistent statistical surveying report like this Induced Pluripotent report stretches out your reach to the achievement in your business. All the information and measurement remembered for the report is supported up by notable investigation devices which incorporate SWOT examination and Porters Five Forces investigation. Statistical surveying contemplates did in this report are chivalrous which help organizations to take better choices and create predominant methodologies about creation, advertising, deals and advancement. Market definition, market division, key improvements in the market, serious investigation and examination approach are the significant section of this Induced Pluripotent market report which are again explained accurately and explicitly.

Induced Pluripotent statistical surveying report has been formed with most up-to-date insight and examination to give greatest advantages to the healthcare business. The Induced Pluripotent market report features the worldwide key makers to characterize, depict and break down the market rivalry scene through SWOT investigation. A variety of goals of the showcasing research has been considered to produce this best statistical surveying report. The market information introduced in the report assists with perceiving diverse market openings present globally. Serious investigation acted in this Induced Pluripotent report makes you mindful about the moves of the vital participants in the market, for example, new item dispatches, extensions, arrangements, joint ventures, associations, and acquisitions.

Few of the major competitors currently working in the induced pluripotent market areBristol-Myers Squibb Company; CELGENE CORPORATION; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Thermo Fisher Scientific; Cell Applications, Inc.; Axol Bioscience Ltd.; Organogenesis Holdings; Merck KGaA; FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation; Fate Therapeutics; KCI Licensing, Inc.; Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd.; Vericel; ViaCyte, Inc.; STEMCELL Technologies Inc.; Horizon Discovery Group plc; Lonza; Takara Bio Inc.; Promega Corporation and QIAGEN.

Objective of the Report

Market Drivers

Market Restraints

Get Full Table Of content @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-induced-pluripotent-market

Key Developments in the Market:

Segmentation: Global Induced Pluripotent Market

By Product Category

By Cell Type

By Application

By End-User

By Geography

Inquiry For Customize Report With Discount at :https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-induced-pluripotent-market

Potentials held by the report

AboutData Bridge Market Research

An absolute way to forecast what future holds is to comprehend the trend today!

Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.

Data bridge is an aftermath of sheer wisdom and experience which was formulated and framed in the year 2015 in Pune. We ponder into the heterogeneous markets in accord with our clients needs and scoop out the best possible solutions and detailed information about the market trends. Data Bridge delve into the markets across Asia, North America, South America, Africa to name few.

Data Bridge adepts in creating satisfied clients who reckon upon our services and rely on our hard work with certitude. We are content with our glorious 99.9 % client satisfying rate.

Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email:Corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com

View original post here:
Global Induced Pluripotent Market Positive Outlook, Revenue Generation & Leading Manufacturers, Forecast 2026||CELGENE CORPORATION; Astellas...

Richards EyeSight Max Pills Reviews Can it protect your eyesight effectively? User exposed the truth! Must read before buy.

Official Website: Click Here

What is EyeSight Max?

EyeSight Max is one of the biggest dietary supplements that have been formulated to help thousands of people to help fix their eyesight.

EyeSight Max is for all those people who have lost their vision and are willing to get it back in the most natural and effective manner.

If you are someone who hates the idea of surgeries or living your entire life with the help of spectacles, then, EyeSight Max product is the best thing that can ever happen to you.

The formula not only helps you cure eye problems but it will make sure that you never suffer from them once again.

The formula has been made with the best herbs and ingredients that have been carefully chosen to help you have an effective living.

Eye Sight Max has undergone several tests and researches before it got launched to ensure safety.

Each bottle of Eye Sight Max has been made right here in the USA in an FDA registered and Goods Manufacturing Practices certified facility.

EyeSight Max is made under strict, sterile, and precise standards that ensure the highest quality.

Thousands of people have used the solution and have received the best results in a very short period of time which is quite impressive in comparison with other products.

Which are the ingredients used to formulate the EyeSight Max formula?

As I mentioned above, the formula has been made using the best herbs and ingredients so that it works effectively for all.

EyeSight Max solution is made with 3 potent nutrients that are sourced from the highest and cleanest places on the earth.

These ingredients have been combined together in their best qualities and are added in proper proportions and quantities which ensure the safety and effectiveness of each and every ingredient.

The best part about these superfoods is that they have been tested and proven scientifically and clinically to be highly potent.

Let us know these superfoods below:

Visit The Official Website Here to Find a Discounted Price!

How does EyeSight Max work so well?

EyeSight Max is made effectively in order to help you have an enhanced vision. The formula is simply based on an ancient formula by the Navajo tribe.

Thus, the solution is backed by all scientifically proven all-natural ingredients that have the ability to help detoxify your body.

The food we consume is highly filled with toxicants that are extremely harmful to our bodies.

Thus, EyeSight Max is made with a natural antioxidant that will help your body flush out the PM 2.5 chemicals that can cause fatal disease to take place and will also cause the ocular system dysfunctional.

Thus, the first step the ingredients will do is to get absorbed immediately and then reverse the damage caused by these toxins.

Through this, you will have an enhanced vision for life

Click Here to Get EyeSight Max For an Exclusive Low Price Now

What are the pros and cons of consuming EyeSight Max every day?

EyeSight Max has both pros and cons.

But the pros will leave you happy to the core! Because the formula will improve your overall life and will protect your overall health while providing some of the best health benefits daily such as:

These were the amazing pros, now, let us take a look at the cons of the Eye Sight Max formula:

How much of EyeSight Max is to be taken daily?

As I already mentioned above, it is highly crucial to consume the formula every day without fail.

Regular consumption helps you have fast results that are accurate. So, you are supposed to consume the formula daily.

All you have to do is consume 2 pills of EyeSight Max solution every day after lunch and dinner with a big glass of water.

Once you continue consuming the formula every day, you will be able to get the results in just a few days.

Most people have been able to experience the results within just 3 weeks only. Although the results may vary on the basis of time.

This happens because our bodies have different capacities and ability to adapt to certain things that can cause a bit of delay in results.

But it will be worth the wait!

Click to Order From The Official Website & Get The Lowest Price Online

How much does the EyeSight Max solution cost?

EyeSight Max has been made available at the cheapest and highly discounted prices. You can choose from the offers below:

Does the EyeSight Max formula have a refund policy?

It is completely fine to be confused. It is okay! After all, you have earned all that money from working really hard daily.

I am sure you must be thinking about what happens when you are not happy with the product!

Thus, to ensure that every consumer of Eye Sight Max is happy and satisfied, the manufactures of the Eye Sight Max formula have come up with an amazing refund policy!

This refund policy is a full 60 days of 100% money-back guarantee.

So, you can now try and test this solution for one or two months and see how it works for you.

If the results make you unhappy and if you are not completely satisfied with it, you can simply contact the makers and ask them for a complete refund without any hesitation.

Click to Order EyeSight Max For The Lowest Price Here!

Overall review of the Eye Sight Max solution:

Unlike other formulas and solutions, EyeSight Max product is one of the best formulas people can refer to!

EyeSight Max has been formed in the best manner that helps you have an enhanced vision in the easiest and most natural way possible.

Unlike other supplements that are made with chemicals, toxicants, preservatives, additives, fillers, and harmful stimulants, the entire formula has been made with only pure ingredients that are sourced from the best places.

They are each pure and safe for regular consumption! EyeSight Max is free from all kinds of side-effects and risks.

With EyeSight Max, you will not only have enhanced vision but you will also receive thousands of health benefits.

You will get the best results in just a few days.

Also, I am sure you must have thought that it would cost you a fortune but it does not! It is super affordable and is worth it.

So, what are you waiting for? You must hurry up because the offers will not last that long.

Click to Get Your Hands On EyeSight Max Now!

Originally posted here:
EyeSight Max Supplement Reviews [UPDATED] - The Best Eye Supplement? Effective Ingredients? - L.A. Weekly

BALTIMORE, Feb. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Today,Versant Health, released the results of the 2nd annual Vision Wellness Study, which found Americans, in particular young adults under 40, are showing a new interest in the use of virtual technology and telemedicine for eye care.

The Vision Wellness Study surveyed consumers and health plan executives on their perceptions of eye care in a pandemic environment, including the value they place on eye care services and their beliefs about the impact of eye care on overall health.

Almost three quarters (74%) of respondents under 40 say having access to technology and tools for virtual visits would make them more likely to schedule a routine eye exam, compared to 67% of all respondents. More than one third (38%) of people under 40 say that being able to communicate remotely with eye doctors would have a high impact on seeing an eye doctor more often, compared to 34% of people ages 40-59 and just 15% of people ages 60 and over. Health plan executives also see the value of telemedicine76% of those surveyed believe members' use of alternatives to face-to-face contact with eye doctors will increase substantially or somewhat as a result of the pandemic.

"With COVID-19 as the backdrop, patients are showing an increased desire for convenient and easily-accessible eye care using remote technology," said Dr. Mark Ruchman, Chief Medical Officer at Versant Health. "As we look to the future of eye care, ocular telemedicine will play an important role in improving access to care, as patients are provided more ways to address their eye health on their own terms."

Perceptions of Eye Care Value vs. Costs

Overall, Americans are increasingly recognizing the importance of eye care, with 81% of respondents receiving an eye exam in the past two years, compared to 77% who said the same in the inaugural study. For all respondents, including those who have not seen an eye doctor in the past two years, the ability to identify eye diseases and the ability to identify other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, ranked as the top two services that would make them more likely to schedule an eye doctor appointment, supporting the role of eye health as a window into overall health.

Of people who have not received an eye exam in the past two years, 37% say it's due to cost and affordability, pointing to a need to dispel misconceptions about the costs of eye care.

"Members are realizing that comprehensive eye exams can provide a clearer picture of their overall health," said Elizabeth Klunk, RN, BSN, CCM-R, Senior Vice President of Medical Management at Versant Health. "In fact, eye exams are one of the lowest cost and least invasive methods at looking at whole body health for early disease detection."

The Social Determinants of Eye Health

Despite the low cost of eye care, barriers to access persist, particularly for people in lower income households81% of all respondents say they have received an eye exam in the past two years, but only 68% of people in households with incomes under $35,000 say the same. When it comes to insurance, 69% of respondents say someone in their household has vision insurance, and that drops to 61% for people with incomes under $35,000.

While 43% of people with incomes under $35,000 say affordability is the reason why they don't go to the eye doctor as often as they'd like, health plan executives say transporation is the key obstacle for members' access to eye care services (88%), highlighting a disconnect. Where health plan executives are concerned about physically getting members to eye doctors' offices, members are more concerned with the costs of care.

"The future of eye care requires us to implement tools that can increase access to care for all patient populations, especially those who are more likely to face systemic barriers. During this pandemic, the rapid advancement of technology has helped us to better meet the needs of vulnerable populations, and we are committed to continuing to explore how it makes healthy sight more accessible," said Klunk.

MethodologyVersant Health's 2nd annual Vision Wellness Study, conducted between October 30 and November 17, 2020, included two distinct surveys fielded by Market Measurement, a custom market research firm. The consumer survey comprises 525 responses from consumers 18 and older. The healthcare plan executive survey comprised 17 responses from health plan executives across the U.S. The survey covered their opinions on routine eye care, access to eye exams, preventative health measures, care costs and other topics related to managed vision care.

About Versant HealthVersant Health, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, is one of the nation's leading managed vision care companies serving more than 35 million members nationwide. Through our Davis Vision plans and Superior Vision plans, we help members enjoy the wonders of sight through healthy eyes and vision. Providing vision and eye health solutions that range from routine vision benefits to medical management, Versant Health has a unique visibility and scale across the total eye health value chain.As a result, members enjoy a seamless experience with access to one of the broadest provider networks in the industry and an exclusive frame collection.Commercial groups, individuals, third parties, and health plans that serve government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are among our valued customers.

For more information visitversanthealth.com.

SOURCE Versant Health

Home

More here:
Americans Show New Interest In Virtual Eye Care Options, Finds 2nd Annual Vision Wellness Study - PRNewswire

When the vision of his left eye suddenly clouded over, a 57-year-old man was launched into a maze of hospital testing, imaging, and examinations untildays lateran in-depth eye exam revealed the startling and life-threatening cause of his partial blindness, Lisa Sanders writes for the New York Times Magazine.

In September 2020, the patient realized while washing his face that he could no longer see correctlywhile his right eye seemed fine, an "impenetrable gray cloud" hovered over the upper half of everything he could see from his left eye, Sanders writes.

The patient's wife immediately took him to Bridgeport Hospital, where a physician took down all his symptoms: blurry eyesight, a throbbing headache, and pain on the left side of his chest.

Immediately, the doctor ordered an EKG and a blood test in case of heart attack, but the tests came back normal. So did a round of additional testsan CT scan, an MRI, and more blood teststhat the doctor ordered to rule out a potential stroke, tumor, or temporal arteritis, a disease that can destroy arteries in the brain and eye.

The doctor hypothesized the blindness could stem from a migraine, but even after the patient's headache finally cleared up, his partial blindness lingered.

The hospital had ruled out potential causes of blindness stemming from the brain or the area between the brain and eyebut it didn't have the technology to do an in-depth exam of the eye itself. For that procedure, the patient was sent to Jay Wang, a retinal specialist at Yale New Haven Hospital.

After several hours of testing and imaging, Wang identified the problem: While the vessels in the patient's right eye were "perfect," the vessels of the left eye were irregular. Some were brightly spotted in the imaging and others nearly invisibleincluding the artery that supplies blood to the fovea, a section of the retina that is integral to clear vision.

As Wang explained, the imaging indicated that the man had suffered a stroke, with tiny clots of blood travelling through his bloodstream before lodging in his eye, where they had irreparably damaged his vision.

But the man's medical mystery was by no means solved, Wang cautioned: They had to find out where those clots had originated from, or else it could happen again.

Wang sent the patient to Yale New Haven's ED for an echocardiogram. While there, a fourth-year medical student shadowing the case, Joshua Hyman, asked the patient if he could do an initial scan before the official echocardiogram just as a learning exercise. The patient agreed.

But when Hyman placed the ultrasound probe between the patient's third and fourth rib, he didn't see what he should have seen: "the light gray muscles of the two chambers on the left side of the heart squeezing around a dark center of black that is the blood," Sanders writes. Rather, Hyman saw a kiwi-sized "bright ball zooming back and forth across the screen with every heartbeat."

Hyman immediately shared the results with his attending physician, Karen Jubanyik, who confirmed his suspicions: The patient had a myxoma, a rare type of slow-growing tumor, often found in the heart. The tumor had likely been developing for 20 years or so, and the tumor's rough surface provided a haven where blood could pool and eventually form clotsclots that could be launched any time tumor lurched side-to-side.

According to Hyman and Jubanyik, the patient was lucky. Tumors like these, they explained, often presented in cases of stroke or heart attack, but sometimes can grow large enough to block the blood's ability to flow out from the heart, causing sudden death. So far, the patient had only lost some of his vision, they explained, but he needed immediate surgery to excise the tumor before further damage could be done.

Three days later, the patient underwent a successful surgery, and today, he says he feels healthy enough to exercise. While his vision isn't perfect, the patient added, it seems better than it was when the symptoms first hit.

Wang, who had followed his patient's journey, said he was amazed by what the providers in the ED had discovered and grateful the operation went well. "As an ophthalmologist," he said, "I'm used to saving vision. It's not every day you get to save a life" (Sanders, New York Times, 2/4).

View original post here:
His vision suddenly vanished in his left eye. The diagnosis was startlingand life-threatening. - The Daily Briefing

By Chiu Shu-yu and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Intense eye use during long vacations could endanger the eye health of children and adults, a New Taipei City-based ophthalmologist said.

Chu Hsueh-yen (), a doctor at Composite Municipal Hospital in Tucheng (), said that eyestrain from intense use of electronic devices while on vacation could damage vision and lead to myopia in children.

Children with normal eyesight had been observed to have myopia readings of minus-2 diopters following a summer or winter break, Chu said, adding that a myopia reading of minus-5 diopters or higher is linked to increased risks of glaucoma, cataracts and retinal detachment.

Photo courtesy of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital

Excessive eye use could also lead to dry eyes, a condition increasingly recognized as a disease of civilization. Its symptoms include oversensitivity to light, swelling, blurred vision and tears, he said.

People with dry eyes have suppressed their blink reflex and the normal secretions of the tear duct, he said, adding that untreated dry eyes could lead to corneal injury or vision-affecting corneal ulcers.

When using devices in poorly lit conditions, the pupils dilate and allow more blue light to reach the retina, which could lead to macular degeneration, a serious condition that causes missing spots in the field vision and distortions of shapes, he said.

People should take a rest and put on a warm compress as soon as they feel eye soreness or discomfort, he said, adding that they should see a doctor if the sensations do not go away.

Reading, studying, playing with blocks and using electronic devices are activities that could tax a childs eyes and potentially cause myopia, so parents should make the child rest for five minutes for every 30 minutes of activity, he said.

Children using atropine eye drops a prescription used to control myopia progression should always wear sunglasses when engaging in outdoor activities, or risk greater harm to the eyes from direct sunlight, he said.

Styes are another common post-Lunar New Year affliction which usually stem from a combination of festive comfort foods and lack of sleep, he said.

People can use a warm, clean towel as a compress to treat the condition, but should consult a doctor if the symptom does not improve, he said.

Eating less greasy or sweet food and maintaining good personal hygiene can help prevent such problems, he added.

Comments will be moderated. Keep comments relevant to the article. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned. Final decision will be at the discretion of the Taipei Times.

Read more:
Long holidays can be a strain on the eyes, doctor says -

GLEN CARBON Dr. Julie Steinhauer, OD, FCOVD, owner of Vision For Life, and one of a select group of functional vision doctors in the nation, says those with hypertension, known as high blood pressure, may often suffer from undiagnosed vision issues. Left unchecked hypertension can cause blurriness, double vision or a complete loss in one part of the visual field.

Severe hypertension can restrict blood and oxygen to the brain causing an artery to either be blocked or burst. It can induce a stroke, lead to heart and kidney issues, and potentially eye disease.

Those who suffer from hypertension, and their families, should be aware of symptoms of a stroke. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) website these can include sudden numbness or weakness of the face; weakness in the arm or leg especially on one side of the body; confusion and trouble speaking or understanding speech; issues with walking, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination; and problems seeing in one or both eyes.

Dr. Steinhauer, in her YouTube video How Hypertension Or Stroke Affect Vision, said a stroke will often damage a visual pathway causing a loss in the vision field. Eyesight becomes altered. Some may have significant loss of vision, blurriness or a blind spot. In many cases the individual doesnt even realize they have suffered a vision loss after the stroke has occurred.

According to Steinhauer, family members should be aware of these symptoms if they see a loved one acting differently, especially following a stroke diagnosis. They may have blurred vision while watching TV, or what we call visual neglect where the individual ignores stimuli on either the left or right side. Other symptoms include problems when reading, and bumping into objects while walking.

A thorough diagnosis can reveal any eye damage that has occurred as a result of a stroke and best course of treatment. In many cases the eye-brain connection can be retrained using a light therapy called Syntonics. This helps ignite the neurons in the brain that were turned off as a result of the stroke. The patient can gain back some of the normal visual field. An eye doctor can properly evaluate and diagnose vision loss, no matter the age of the patient.

Dr. Steinhauer said functional vision therapy helps to regain 30% to 80% of a stroke patients vision loss. Timing is important because the quicker therapy begins post stroke the better the chances for more visual recovery.

The goal is to let people know that they can regain their vision due to severe hypertension or after a stroke. Utilizing proper therapy we can help improve their ability to read, write, and work, and enjoy life to its fullest.

For additional information visit https://visionforlifeworks.com.

Like RiverBender.com on Facebook!

Print Version Submit a News Tip

See the original post here:
Dr. Julie Steinhauer in Glen Carbon Reveals Treatment Procedure For Vision Compromised By Hypertension and Stroke - RiverBender.com

I remember being fascinated by a programme that I saw on the Discovery Channel when I was a teenager.It showed the concept of attaching a camera to the brain of people who are visually impaired, to help them see again. That really embedded an interest in the concept of vision and research for me.

I actually applied for human cybernetics and got accepted at Reading University. But I came to the conclusion that the technology was in its infancy. I decided it would probably be wiser to study vision and vision research first, and then come back to the technology aspect when the other parts of that ambition became more of a reality.

As I learned more about optometry, I was genuinely fascinated by the career and the way that you can always learn more. There's the psychology of the neuroscience of vision and perception, there's the physics of the lenses, there's the medicine and pharmacology, and pathology and therapeutics, not to mention the social psychology of patient compliance and customer service, the discipline, or the human resources aspect, and all the various aspects of business planning, from managing budgets to overheads, strategy planning (which we've had to do a lot of during COVID-19), and knowing about investments for future success. I think it's a brilliant career choice.

I'm from Northern Ireland, and I moved to Glasgow Caledonian and did my degree there. I went on to do my pre-reg in Boots at Princes Street in Edinburgh. Halfway through that my supervisor moved over to the Gyle, so I followed her to the Boots Opticians there.

I think it's a brilliant career choice

I was then offered regular employment with Dolland and Aitchison (D&A), because I used to do locum days there. My wife and I were looking to buy a home at the time, and Edinburgh prices were disproportionately high. We were able to find a three-bedroom house in Dunfermline, for the same price as a one bedroom flat in Edinburgh. So, we moved to Fife and commuted about an hour each way. And then Specsavers offered me some work in their Dunfermline branch, five minutes walk away from my house.

Andy and Grace, the directors, were welcoming and friendly, and they enabled the staff to be the best they could be. While I've been managed by good people in the past, I'd never received that sort of leadership and management before. It was a delight to work there, especially coming from cultures where I had to present a business case just to get an Amsler chart replaced or to get a decent stereopsis test.

I started my IP quite early on. My son was born in 2012 and then my daughter was born prematurely, so I had to put it on the back burner twice. In terms of clinical experience, the hospital could only offer half days. So that meant almost a whole year of clinical experience before I had enough under my belt to be eligible to sit the final exam. I think I ended up finishing in 2017.

I think the Scottish optometry system is above anywhere else. I'm really proud to be part of it

At the time I was accepted to do my PhD with Aston University. Then the opportunity to open up a branch in Morningside in Edinburgh came up, and I decided to seize the opportunity.

Owning a business requires a lot more work: I was working six, seven-day weeks for the first four or five years. My practice has never had a test time shorter than 30 minutes. At present I'm doing up to 45-minute appointment slots due to PPE and COVID-19. In Scotland, we have a first port of call system where GPs won't see you; everybody has to go to the opticians if there's a problem with their eyes. So, often I have to prescribe medications for emergency walk-ins. We have a clinic that runs for about 45 minutes for that.

I still want to contribute to vision research, in the long term, and help people with a severe visual impairment to see again with the help of technology. I've started my journey towards that: I'm studying my master's in investigative ophthalmology and vision research, and I intend to go on to do a PhD in vision research and neuro development at some point.

I think the Scottish optometry system is above anywhere else. I'm really proud to be part of it. That's part of the reason why I became vice chair of Optometry Scotland. Its world-leading, and I want to be part of that.

Read more:
I want to be responsible for improving eye health on a national scale - AOP

Nutrient-rich foods that help strengthen your eyesight

By: Mui Redaction

February 11, 2021 07:42 am

A good diet helps the proper functioning of our body and a very important part is our eyes. Therefore, a deteriorated lifestyle can contribute to accelerate the appearance of, for example, cataracts or macular degeneration.

It is essential to incorporate foods rich in nutrients and antioxidants, beneficial for the eyes, into our diet. In addition, they prevent the appearance or acceleration of any ocular pathology that threatens a progressive loss of vision. In general, fruits and vegetables are the main foods that will help us achieve better health in our eyes.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a fruit that will undoubtedly help us to preserve our visual health. Among other properties such as the prevention of kidney stones or urinary incontinence, they increase our visual ability.

The secrets of this fruit came to light when in the second world war. The British pilots before flying consumed it when they noticed when they did a better adaptation to the light.

This fruit contains flavonoids, a kind of antioxidants that prevent the accumulation of free radicals that cause aging of the ocular cells and internal injuries of the eye. Other similar fruits can be raspberry, blackberry or grape.

Broccoli, great contribution of vitamin C

It is one of the best known superfoods. This vegetable helps us mainly to protect our eyes from the sun due to its abundance in vitamin C, water, fiber and few calories.

Scientific studies have shown that daily consumption of broccoli can increase the density of the macular pigment in the eye by up to 30%.

It is a fundamental part located in the retina to be able to perceive colors and movement. In addition, eating broccoli helps lower our cholesterol and increase iron levels. For all this it is considered one of the foods good for the eyes.

Carrots, source of vitamin A

Another of the foods that improve eyesight and that has multiple properties. In addition to helping to prevent cataracts, thanks to their great contribution to lens cells, they reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

The carotenoids that compose it are responsible for this advantageous contribution. Likewise, vegetables with orange, yellow or red color are also rich in carotenoids, so it will be good to incorporate them into the diet.This vegetable will also help us to have better night vision thanks to its richness in vitamin A, which directly influences the functioning of the retina.

Spinach

Like the previous beneficial foods for vision, spinach helps prevent age-related pathologies. In addition, they favor the protection of the eyes against sunlight and cataracts thanks to lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that compose it. In addition, being rich in carotenoids helps prevent cancer.

With information from OFTALVIST

Originally posted here:
Nutrient-rich foods that help strengthen your eyesight - Explica

Blood clots, through venous thromboembolism and arterial thromboses, have been shown to be one of the causes of death in individuals with COVID-19. Medications that prevent blood clots, or anticoagulants, may be effective in treating patients with the disease. New research published in The BMJ shows that patients put on preventative doses of anticoagulants within the first 24 hours of being hospitalized with COVID-19 are about 30 percent less likely to die compared to those not put on anticoagulant medication.

Led by researchers at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Yale School of Medicine (YSM), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the observational cohort study found that early initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation was safe and effective in treating patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

"As we await full reporting of ongoing clinical trials, these findings provide strong real-world evidence to support guidelines recommending the use of prophylactic anticoagulation as initial therapy upon hospital admission for COVID-19 patients who do not have a contraindication to this therapy," said LSHTMs Christopher Rentsch, PhD, study co-lead author.

This study is an outstanding example of the use of electronic health record data from the national Veterans Affairs Healthcare System to rapidly address urgent problems in health care, said YSMs Amy C. Justice, MD, PhD, C.N.H. Long Professor of Medicine (General Medicine) and professor of Public Health (Health Policy) served as co-principal investigator of the study.

Using VA hospitalization data from March 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020, the team looked at each individual with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who was able to receive an anticoagulation medicine within 24 hours of admission to the hospital. Of the 4,297 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19 during this time period, 84 percent received prophylactic anticoagulation within the first 24 hours of admission. Nearly all the patients received subcutaneous heparin or enoxaparin.

The researchers followed these patients to identify who died or experienced a serious bleeding event within 30 days after hospital admission and looked to see if there were differences in the rates of death or serious bleeding events between patients who were given prophylactic doses of anticoagulation and those who received no anticoagulation in the first 24 hours of hospital admission.

14.3 percent of patients who received prophylactic anticoagulation and 18.7 percent of patients who didnt receive the medication died within thirty days of hospital admission. This amounts to an absolute risk decrease of 4.4 percent or relative risk decrease of 27 percent. Receipt of prophylactic anticoagulation was not associated with increased risk of serious bleeding events. Additionally, researchers concluded that the benefit associated with prophylactic anticoagulation appeared to be greater among patients who were not admitted to the intensive care unit.

This was a large, well-designed study using electronic health record data and comprehensively accounted for reasons why people are given, or not given, anticoagulation. Results were also unchanged in several sensitivity analyses, suggesting that they withstand scrutiny. However, the researchers acknowledge that due to the observational nature of the study, a degree of uncertainty persists that can only be addressed through randomized trials.

Other YSM collaborators included Farah Kidwai-Khan, MS; Janet P. Tate, MPH, ScD; and Joseph T. King, Jr., MD, MSCE. The study was funded by U.S. VA Health Services Research and Development and the National Institutes of Health.

View post:
Use of Anticoagulants Within 24 Hours of Hospitalization Can Reduce Death in COVID-19 Patients - Yale News

By Perry N. Halkitis, Shobha Swaminathan and Travis Love

For the 1.2 million Americans living with HIV or AIDS, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to undermine their physical, mental, social, and economic wellbeing.

These impacts on health are exacerbated in Black and brown communities particularly Black sexual- and gender-minority men and women and Black cisgender women who are coping with the realities created by COVID-19, ongoing systemic discrimination, and a plethora of other social inequities that create additional vulnerabilities to their overall health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has derailed our efforts to bring an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, adding to the stigma, systems of oppression and structural racism that ultimately fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our state and country.

We know all too well that stigma is one of the reasons why patients continue to experience trauma related to their HIV diagnosis. In fact, for many people living with HIV/AIDS, reliving the trauma of isolation while simultaneously fearing for their lives should they become infected with COVID-19 has had a synergistic effect.

As a result of the ongoing stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, many people who become infected with this virus may not want to know their status, fearing rejection from family, friends, and sexual partners. In fact, for those already diagnosed, the stigma and resulting trauma can prevent many from continuing to seek adequate care, undermining their viral suppression and resulting in the progression of HIV. This can also lead to increased infectivity to sexual partners.

In the early days of HIV/AIDS, victim-blaming was common and those who developed a detectable number of antibodies in their blood were categorized as either innocent victims (i.e. children and hemophiliacs) or immoral beings who through their actions brought the disease upon themselves (i.e. gay men and injection drug users).

We believe that stigma is the driving force behind the health disparities that continue to put people at risk for HIV/AIDS. In order to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we must ensure more access to care and cultivate an ecosystem that combats systemic racism, homophobia, and transphobia.

We must call on the federal government to fund and tackle gaps in care and to prioritize care for individuals who are vulnerable to both COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, who are too often Black and brown people.

It is very possible to envision a world free from HIV, given our current medical advances in the form of preventative medication, PrEP, and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), which when dosed properly creates a zero probability that an HIV-positive person can infect someone else.

What we need now, is a vaccine. After 30 years of research, a new clinical study, MOSAICO, shows promise and offers hope. The Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Clinical Research Center (NJMS CRC) is currently seeking volunteers who are queer, gender non-conforming, and transgender to screen and enroll in the study. The research team also facilitates workshops to reduce vaccine hesitancy and to raise research literacy.

Yet, medications are not enough. While novel therapeutics remain key, behavioral interventions and social acceptance are essential for their success. By using a status neutral approach, we will stop the forced differentiation of HIV positive and negative people. This approach is simple: a person is ensured access to care if they are HIV positive. If a person is HIV negative, they are given access to preventative medications such as PrEP.

Practicing a status neutral approach can repair the schism that has existed for far too long between HIV-positive and HIV-negative populations. Our goal is to assure that everyone has a right to good health.

Gov. Phil Murphy has shown how deeply he understands and how passionately he cares about the structural drivers of disease. Now we must act. We cannot let the HIV/AIDS epidemic continue to take a backseat to pressing health care issues of the moment. As we continue to raise awareness, we are calling on New Jerseys Legislative leadership to enact the policies developed by Governor Murphys Statewide Task Force to End the HIV Epidemic.

We all need to raise our voices together to end this epidemic. The public can also make a difference by urging our elected officials to:

To learn more, join Rutgers School of Public Health and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School as we strive to raise awareness of a Neutral Nation with a series of engaging events from February 17 to 20.

Dr. Perry N. Halkitis is dean and director of the Center for Health, Identity Behavior & Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) at the Rutgers School of Public Health. Dr. Halkitis also was a member of both the New Jersey and New York Ending the HIV Epidemic planning groups.

Dr. Shobha Swaminathan is an associate professor of medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and the Medical Director of the infectious diseases practice at University Hospital in Newark. She was a principal investigator of Modernas COVID-19 vaccine trial in Newark.

Travis Love is a community educator who has served as a public health representative at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School since 2016.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.

View post:
COVID-19 and victim-blaming has made it more difficult to care for people living with HIV/AIDS | Opinion - NJ.com

Rachael Riley|The Fayetteville Observer

Leaders at the Joint Readiness Training Center are addressing concerns anonymous Fort Bragg paratroopers have raised about a COVID-19 outbreak at the center.

Last week, The Fayetteville Observer was sent an anonymous letter purportedly written by a paratrooper on behalf of other paratroopers. The letter was also shared on social media, where online users commented with similar concerns.

An estimated 4,000 paratroopers are at the center for training, less than 1% of which, a spokesman previously estimated, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Among the concerns raised in the letter are questions about leadership within the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division; whether proper precautions are being taken during training during the COVID-19 pandemic; and claims that paratroopers who have since tested positive for the virus infected others during the bus ride to Louisiana.

Officials have said all paratroopers were tested before the bus ride and before leaving the Fort Bragg, and that they were given the option to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The letter and online comments also brought up concerns about how those with COVID-19 are quarantined in Louisiana, what theyre being fed and the water in Louisiana.

More: Fort Bragg paratroopers take to social media with COVID-19 outbreak concerns

Hundreds of soldiers that are being sent for the training exercise named JRTC, or Joint Readiness Training Center, are now battling a mass outbreak, the letter reads. Soldiers are having to sleep amongst those that are infected and are not provided with a place to quarantine or isolate.

Brig. Gen. David Doyle, commander of Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Center, and Col. Jody Dugai, commander of Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital at Fort Polk, spoke to The Fayetteville Observer on Thursday.

Doyle reiterated that before leaving Fort Bragg, all paratroopers were tested for the COVID-19 virus and had their movements restricted as a precautionary requirement established by U.S. Army Forces Command.

They did a thorough screening and every paratrooper was asked if they came in contact with someone who they thought had COVID-19, Doyle said.

Doyle explained Fort Polk is set up with a north and south region, with the north region being the training area.

Military personnel in the south region are not allowed to go to the north area, unless approved, tested, cleared and screened for the virus to ensure the populations arent mixed.

Once (the paratroopers) arrived they were kept in a training bubble, Doyle said.

He said a small number of paratroopers who came to the Joint Readiness Center tested positive for the virus when arriving and that they were quickly isolated.

The brigade has been tested by Fort Polks hospital staff to allow results to come back in about three hours, Doyle said.

Additionally, Fort Polk has new barracks within their garrison where the COVID-19-positive paratroopers stay and are visited by a field officer each day.

Doyle said its across the street from the hospital, should the soldiers need further medical attention. He said none of the paratroopers who have tested positive have required hospitalization.

Online comments and concerns raised in the letter claimed the 3rd Brigade Combat Team paratroopers showing symptoms of the virus are being kept in the box or training area

Dugai said if someone complains of having symptoms of COVID-19, they are placed in a holding area and tested. If results come back negative, they are either treated for their cold or other illness, or they are returned to training. If the test is positive, the soldier is transported to the isolation barracks by personnel wearing protective equipment.

We dont send them on a plane, train or bus during the 10 days of isolation or 14 days of quarantine, depending on when they tested positive, Dugai said.

If the soldiers unit has ended training during the isolation or quarantine phase, Dugai said, the COVID-19 positive soldiers will remain at Fort Polk until the quarantine ends and they test negative for the virus.

The letter also stated that quarantined soldiers are concerned for their nutrition, as soldiers have been reporting that frequently they have been receiving minuscule amounts of food or none at all.

Doyle said quarantined and isolated paratroopers are being fed the same meals served in Fort Polks dining facilities and given to all soldiers, noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers.

In one of the online comments sent to The Fayetteville Observer, a person claimed a field sanitation worker told them the water was not safe to drink, so chlorine was placed in it and their squad was getting headaches.

Doyle said water at Fort Polk is monitored by the state of Louisiana and federal regulators, and professionals from the hospitals preventative medicine department also examine it. It has been rated safe each year, he said.

The only difference is there is a higher concentration of manganese in Louisiana, which gives it a brown appearance, though Doyle said it is safe to drink and another additive that is not a health threat will soon be added to change the color.

During the early part of the pandemic last year, two rotations at the Joint Readiness Training Center were canceled.

By April, senior Army leaders finalized plans to return to collective training.

"The Army continues to need a manned, ready force," even while balancing operations and combating COVID-19," former Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville said collective training is crucial, but leaders needed to ensure the right measures were in place.

Its not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution, McConville said in an Army articlein April. But were looking. But were looking at the long game. Were not waiting for COVID-19 to go away.

Lt. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, which is over the 82nd Airborne Division, made a similar comment during a Fort Bragg town hall meeting in March.

Its a balance between risks to force, which is spreading the virus, and the risk to the mission of being able to meet those mission requirements should our nation call, Kurilla said.

Since then, there have been rotations at the center with the 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade, the 101st Airborne Division, the 25th Infantry Division and another Security Force Assistant Brigade.

More: Fort Bragg activities slowly start to resume

Training at the Joint Readiness Training Center provides soldiers with opportunities their home stations can not, Doyle said.

He said there are personnel who are intensely familiar with the training area, and their only mission is to act as aggressors toward the training soldiers to simulate any threats theyd face by an opposing force.

He said there are coaches, observers and trainers who ensure the soldiers are able to execute safe actions during dangerous situations and conduct thorough after-action reviews to better the soldiers.

Another thing every soldier and paratrooper gets here is data indicators, which tracks every individual's engagements, Doyle said. At the end of the rotation, well show them imagery and pictures… . So it allows them to see that first hand and take that back with them.

Theres training for electronic warfare, which replicates whats seen on social media or with cyber strikes.

Training scenarios are built out 270 days in advance with specific scenarios designed for each unit, such as scenarios for the 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force.

More: Fort Bragg special warfare students, instructors who tested positive for COVID-19 complete isolation

We want to ensure every single soldier who comes here can redeploy back to their home station and is prepared for whatever mission is given by their unit, Doyle said. And were doing that with a set of protocols to protect against COVID-19 and all other threats that come with high-risk training.

Training at Fort Polk is not new, starting with World War II soldiers, and training before conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.

Were still doing that today and want most to have the most difficult training we can possibly render and want the hardest day for paratroopers and soldiers to be here at JRTC and Fort Polk and not be in combat, Doyle said.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

Support local journalism with a subscription to The Fayetteville Observer. Click the "subscribe'' link at the top of this article.

Follow this link:
What leaders say is going on at JRTC, where Fort Bragg paratroopers claim theres a COVID-19 outbreak - The Fayetteville Observer

Qigong meditation is an ancient Chinese healing practice that combines controlled breathing, gentle movement, and meditation to promote good mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Similar to tai chi, qigong meditation is believed to treat a variety of health conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and leg and back pain, among others. Yet, research backing these claims is limited.

With qigong meditation growing in popularity, you may wonder whether its something you should try.

Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) meditation is an ancient Chinese healing practice that combines meditation, controlled breathing, and gentle movement.

Its roughly translated as the master of ones energy and combines two important concepts of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Qi roughly translates to vital life force, while gong means mastery or cultivation (1, 2).

This practice is meant to cultivate the energy and strength of nature into ones body to promote better mental, physical, and spiritual health (1, 2).

In TCM, poor health is the result of blocked energy that flows through the twelve meridians or sections of the body. Thus, qigong is believed to promote health by allowing your energy, or qi, to flow through the body (1, 2).

Qigong is popular in China for exercise, recreation, relaxation, preventative medicine, and physical and mental healing. Plus, its even employed in martial arts training. Despite its widespread use, research to support the theory of qi energy is lacking (2).

Qigong (pronounced chee-gong) is a traditional Chinese medicine healing practice thats believed to support mental, physical, and spiritual health through gentle movement, meditation, and breathing techniques.

While there are many ways to practice qigong, there are two main categories: active (dynamic) qigong and passive qigong. Active qigong uses controlled, slow movements, while passive qigong involves stillness and calm breathing.

Qigong can also be practiced internally (by yourself) or externally (via a qigong therapist). With external qigong, a therapist provides emitted qi to promote healing. Though, for most people, qigong is a self-healing technique thats practiced without a therapist (1).

Regardless of the form of qigong, the goal is to allow energy to freely move throughout the body and reconnect with the earth for healing (1).

Active qigong also known as dong gong involves intentional, active movement and breathwork that enhances yang energy. In TCM, yang represents active energy, strength, and vibrancy, while yin depicts passive energy, calmness, and gentleness (1).

It includes repeating gentle, coordinated movements to promote blood and lymphatic drainage, balance, muscle strength and flexibility, and a greater awareness of ones body in space (known as proprioception) (3).

This type of qigong is considered exercise but shares mutual characteristics with passive qigong, such as good posture, controlled breathing, focus on relaxation, and visualization.

Passive qigong focuses on embracing yin energy through body stillness and the mental cultivation of qi energy (1).

During this form of qigong, the body is not moving externally, but the mind is actively working to cultivate and move qi energy throughout the body. This practice would be similar to traditional meditation.

The two main categories of qigong include active and passive qigong. Active qigong uses controlled, slow movements to help energy or qi flow through the meridians of the body, while passive qigong involves stillness and calm breathing.

Qigong offers many benefits. Some of them are backed by research, including improved balance and gait, as well as reduced stress levels.

Other purported benefits include a lower risk of chronic disease and improved focus.

Qigong focuses on controlled, slow movements of the body to improve your proprioception, or awareness of your body in space, which helps increase balance, muscular strength, and flexibility (3).

In a 2020 study in 95 adults ages 5196, participants that practiced weekly qigong for 12 weeks had significant improvements in balance and gait (walking) scores (4).

Interestingly, qigong can also improve balance in younger adults. One randomized pilot study in 30 people ages 1825 showed a 16.3% increase in stability scores after weekly qigong for 8 weeks. No changes were observed in the control group (5).

Considering that all age groups can safely participate in qigong, it may be an effective and enjoyable strategy to improve balance and lower the risk of falls.

Qigong involves meditation, controlled breathing, and gentle movements, all of which have all been shown to help lower stress and symptoms of anxiety (6, 7, 8, 9).

Calm, controlled breathing tells your body theres no immediate threat and activates the parasympathetic nervous system the rest and digest system. It also slows your bodys stress response system known as the hypothalamicpituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis (9, 10).

Also, incorporating qigong into ones daily or weekly practice has been linked to greater quality of life due to less stress, greater self-efficacy, and better physical health. Still, higher quality studies are needed (11, 12, 13, 14).

By incorporating qigong into your weekly or daily routine, it may help you better manage the daily stressors of life (15).

Qigong is a gentle form of exercise and emphasizes calm, meditative breathing. Together, this may reduce stress on the body, increase blood flow, and improve your overall fitness all of which can lower your risk of chronic disease (16, 17).

In particular, qigong has been shown to lower the risk and improve symptoms of type 2 diabetes and heart disease (18, 19, 20, 21).

Still, researchers urge that larger, more robust studies are needed before qigong can be recommended as a standard treatment.

That said, most people can safely practice it in addition to their current medical treatments prescribed by their healthcare provider (21, 22).

Many people struggle to focus on tasks due to the busyness of day-to-day life.

Qigong requires focus of the breath, mind, and body. Through regular practice, qigong may help improve your ability to focus and concentrate by helping you learn to regulate thoughts in a more productive manner (23).

Despite the many benefits of qigong, higher quality research studies are needed.

The benefits of qigong include improved balance, greater mental focus, lower levels of stress and anxiety, and decreased chronic disease risk. Though many people report the benefits of qigong, larger studies are needed.

There are dozens of variations of qigong. To get started, heres a basic guide for passive and active qigong. However, before beginning any new exercise routine, its best to speak with your healthcare provider.

Passive qigong is very similar to traditional meditation. Two main types of passive qigong exist: mental focusing (ru jing) and visualization (cun si).

To practice mental focusing, simply sit in a comfortable upright position, close your eyes, and breathe in and out with your belly (diaphragmatic breathing). Ideally, try to sit for at least 10 minutes or longer and focus on your breath.

Visualization involves a similar practice but with added imagination. With your eyes closed, imagine things that bring you joy or relaxation (e.g., the beach, a flower-filled valley, a mountaintop). Use these visualizations to help direct positive energy throughout your body.

You may also visualize energy going toward an organ or area in the body that requires healing. To enhance your practice, attend classes or read qigong guides to learn chants, visualizations, and other meditative techniques.

If youre unsure where to start, there are many free meditation videos online, or you can download meditation apps on your phone.

The goal of active qigong is to continuously keep your body in flow. Unlike yoga, which generally focuses on static stretches, active qigong requires you to keep your body moving through various movement sequences.

Since qigong involves a sequence of movements, its best to start with a beginners class or online video. Ideally, active qigong is practiced in a group setting to promote connectedness and community, which TCM believes is important for health and healing.

With either passive or active qigong, remember to practice patience while you learn and enjoy the process.

When learning active qigong, its best to visit an in-person class to learn the sequences correctly and build a sense of community. You can also watch beginner videos online. For passive qigong, try adding 10 minutes of meditation per day to your routine.

Qigong is a meditation and healing practice that has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

Benefits of qigong include lowered stress and anxiety, increased focus, and improved balance and flexibility. It may even reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases. Nevertheless, more high quality research is needed.

Most forms of qigong can be practiced by people of all age groups and conditions. However, if you have a chronic illness or injury, its best to speak with your healthcare provider before introducing any new form of exercise to your regimen.

If youre interested in calming your mind and body, you will want to give qigong a try.

View original post here:
Qigong Meditation: For Beginners, Techniques, Benefits, and More - Healthline

While the bulk of the current research on COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is focused on its impact and transmission in humans, a group of researchers at Ohio State University is testing animals and environmental reservoirs for the virus, says Vanessa Hale, DVM, PhD, assistant professor of veterinary preventative medicine at Ohio State University.

We have an incredible team of over 20 researchers looking for the virus in all of the environments outside of humans, Hale told AgriTalk Host Chip Flory on Tuesday.

Earlier Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the virus causing Covid-19 most likely jumped from one animal species to another before entering the human population and is highly unlikely to have leaked from a laboratory, a WHO investigative team said during a news conference in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Hale says the OSU research teams objective is to see if it can find potential reservoirs of the Covid-19 virus in water or animals and to assess the risk to animal health and potential re-entry into the human population. In addition, the team is also studying mutations.

So, we've been hearing a lot about variants the past couple of weeks and concerns about variants that may spread faster, Hale says. Were trying to understand, (will) we see this virus in animals? Is the virus changing in a way that is concerning?

The good news to date is the researchers have not detected a single positive result in more than 1,000 animal samples evaluated throughout Ohio.

Weve not seen a single SARS-CoV-2 positive in any of those animals, Hale says. That includes shelter cats, farm animals at agricultural fairs around the state and wildlife.

The testing and evaluation work has been done in partnership with hunters and trappers and also with organizations such as Ohio metro parks and the Ohio Wildlife Center.

There have been reports from other states that mink have been infected with the virus. Hale notes that mustelids, in general, are highly susceptible to the virus. They can have clinical signs, get quite ill and die from the disease, she says.

According to an article published by The Atlantic on December 8, COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in animals at 16 mink farms in four states: 12 in Utah, one in Michigan, one in Oregon, and two in Wisconsin (see https://bit.ly/3cVZyzW).

No problems in Ohio have been identified, though Hale says the OSU team plans to check for it in wild mink populations in the state.

Our goal is to see if we can find this virus anywhere else outside of humans, and then use that information to figure out how we can predict and prevent future pandemics, she says. We want to know if there is going to be a reservoir and if that reservoir is going to pose a problem to animal or human health.

The complete discussion on AgriTalk is available here:

More:
Researchers Hope To 'Predict and Prevent' Future Pandemics - Agweb Powered by Farm Journal

A recent study conducted by investigators from the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine, in collaboration with the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, has found that the experimental antiviral EIDD-2901 stopped the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevented human cells from becoming infected. Results from the study were published in the journal Nature.

"We show that LoM allow for the in vivo study of all recently emerged human coronaviruses in a single platform," Lisa Gralinski, PhD, co-author on the study said. "Our model allows researchers to directly compare infection between human coronaviruses and the effectiveness of potential preventative and therapeutic approaches."

With cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rising across the globe, it is paramount to find therapies that will halt its spread. Although various vaccines have been authorized for emergency use, the levels of vaccination needed will take time, as issues with manufacturing, shipping, storage and distribution are still being sorted out.

The investigators behind the study created human lung tissues models and implanted them in immune-deficient mice, which allowed the virus to replicate and infect them. Early diffuse lung damage caused by the disease presented in the mice similarly as it does in humans. Additionally, the infection induced a robust and sustained type 1 interferon and inflammatory cytokine/chemokine response. They then administered the antiviral therapy to the mice 24 or 48 hours after exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and every 12 hours after.

"We found that EIDD-2801 had a remarkable effect on virus replication after only two days of treatment - a dramatic, more than 25,000-fold reduction in the number of infectious particles in human lung tissue when treatment was initiated 24 hours post-exposure," J. Victor Garcia, senior author and professor of medicine and director of the International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science said. "Virus titers were significantly reduced by 96% when treatment was started 48 hours post-exposure."

Separate phase 2 and 3 trials are currently ongoing to evaluate EIDD-2801 safety in humans, as well as its impact on viral shedding in patients with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

"Previously, we demonstrated that EIDD-2801 is also efficacious against SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection in vivo and in primary human airway epithelial cultures," Ralph Baric, the William Kenan Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the UNC School of Medicine said. "Overall, these results indicate that EIDD-2801 may not only be efficacious in treating and preventing COVID-19, it could also prove to be highly effective against future coronavirus outbreaks as well."

Read the original here:
Experimental Antiviral Effective at Treating and Preventing COVID-19 - Contagionlive.com

A drug called molnupiravir, which scientists originally developed to treat influenza, is showing promise as a treatment for COVID-19.

A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, recently published in Nature, found that the drug dramatically reduced the number of virus particles in a mouse model of the disease.

It also protected against infection when given 12 hours before exposure to the virus and every 12 hours thereafter.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

Phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials of molnupiravir are already under way, with some results expected as soon as March 2021.

In addition to testing the drugs safety and efficacy, one of the trials is also investigating its effect on viral shedding, which is the amount of virus released into the environment by people who have it. Analyzing this helps determine how likely a person is to transmit the virus.

Remdesivir, which speeds the recovery of adults hospitalized with the illness and which may reduce mortality rates, is currently the only proven antiviral treatment for COVID-19.

One potential advantage of molnupiravir is that patients can take it orally, whereas remdesivir has to be injected. This would make molnupiravir easier to give to lots of people as a preventive, or prophylactic, drug in high risk settings, such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

Another, more long-term benefit of molnupiravir is that it may be effective against other emerging coronavirus infections that like SARS-CoV-2 probably originate in bats.

To test the efficacy of molnupiravir against SARS-CoV-2, the researchers created a completely new model of COVID-19 in mice that may prove useful for testing the efficacy of other antiviral drugs.

Human coronaviruses are unable to infect mouse cells unless researchers either adapt the viruses or genetically modify mice to produce receptors that allow them to invade cells.

These models also fail to reflect the diversity of cells found in human lungs, where the infection can cause life threatening damage.

To get around these limitations, the researchers implanted human lung tissue into specially bred immunodeficient mice that tolerate foreign tissue.

Virus replication in this model occurs in bona fide human lung tissue and does not require any type of adaptation of the virus or the host, the researchers write in their paper.

They demonstrated that the newly emerged human coronaviruses SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 were all able to replicate in the implanted human lung tissue.

Our model allows researchers to directly compare infection between human coronaviruses and the effectiveness of potential preventative and therapeutic approaches, says co-first author Dr. Lisa Gralinski, assistant professor of epidemiology at UNC.

When infected with SARS-CoV-2, the human lung tissue sustained damage similar to that seen in the lungs of COVID-19 patients. The infection also induced an inflammatory response reminiscent of the excess inflammation that characterizes the disease in people.

Next, the researchers treated the mice with molnupiravir, starting either 24 or 48 hours after they were exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

We found that [molnupiravir] had a remarkable effect on virus replication after only 2 days of treatment a dramatic, more than 25,000-fold reduction in the number of infectious particles in human lung tissue when treatment was initiated 24 hours post-exposure, said senior author Dr. J. Victor Garcia-Martinez, professor of medicine and director of the International Center for the Advancement of Translational Science at UNC.

When the treatment was started 48 hours after exposure to the virus, the concentration of virus particles fell by 96%.

Finally, the researchers tested the ability of molnupiravir to prevent infection.

When they gave the drug to mice 12 hours before exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and every 12 hours afterward, it reduced the concentration of virus particles by over 100,000-fold compared with untreated mice.

In previous lab-based studies by the same group, the drug showed promise against two other newly emerged coronaviruses that may have originated in bats: SARS-CoV, which causes SARS, and MERS-CoV, which causes MERS.

This suggests that molnupiravir could protect against a range of bat coronaviruses that make the leap into humans.

Overall, these results indicate that EIDD-2801 may not only be efficacious in treating and preventing COVID-19, it could also prove to be highly effective against future coronavirus outbreaks as well, said co-author Dr. Ralph Baric, the William Kenan Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the UNC School of Medicine.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

Go here to see the original:
COVID-19: Antiviral prevents and treats infection in lab tests - Medical News Today