StemCell Therapy

Healthcare systems across the world have always been under pressure; the pandemic simply multiplied it. It has also made the pre-existing challenges of healthcare systems visible to everyone. It has come to light that during the tough times, healthcare professionals were under-equipped, underpaid, and overworked.

While these conditions vary from one country to another, this has paved the way for the potential digitalisation of the healthcare services. It wont be an exaggeration to say that the COVID-19 crisis has boosted both the requirement and interest in such innovative solutions. Eventually, there is a high demand than ever before for ehealth or digital health. This has led to a rise in the relevant verticals including telehealth, mhealth, and health analytics.

These are the top global tech PR agencies you should absolutely check out in 2020

As per a report, the global digital health market is estimated to reach $511B (nearly 435B) by 2026, which is an impressive yearly growth rate of 26%. While markets such as the US and China are leading the digitalisation of health systems, other markets have picked up the pace now.

Talking about Germany, it is one of the leading startup scenes and Berlin remains the main focus of the German startup scene. Given that the report cites that the annual public health spending of Germany is $330B (nearly 281B), here we have listed the top healthtech startups in Cologne that are worth your attention right now as sourced from Dealroom.

Founder/s: David HennFounded year: 2016Funding: 25.6M

Cannamedical imports medical cannabis products and sells them to pharmacies and clinical facilities. It ensures medical care for patients and improves their quality of life. The Cannamedical portfolio includes cannabis varieties, medical marijuana grinders, cannabinoid oil, and more to treat ailments such as chronic pain and cancer.

Founder/s: Nicole Faust, Gudrun Schiedner, Wolfgang KintzelFounded year: 2001Funding: 19.4M

CEVEC Pharmaceuticals provides cell technology for the manufacturing of bio-therapeutics from R&D to manufacturing scale. Its product portfolio comprises platform technologies for gene therapy viral sectors, vaccines, and complex recombinant proteins. CEVEC offers a solution for large-scale production of AAV vectors using producer cell lines with all essential components that are integrated into the cell. Recently, the company launched the patent-protected ELEVECTA platform, which is a new and scalable production platform for AAV gene therapy vectors.

Founder/s: Frank Beyer, Gereon LillFounded year: 2016Funding: 2.6M

Fasciotens is a medical tech startup that works on new devices that make it easier to close the abdominal wall and increase the possibility of survival in ill patients. This solution is an external device, which maintains the abdominal wall in a state of tension and increases the intra-abdominal volume. With early abdominal closure, there is decreased mortality, reduced duration of intensive care treatment, and minimised hospital costs.

Founder/s: Hans-Peter DeignerFounded year: 2010Funding: 5.4M

InfanDx develops a new generation of diagnostic tests for the care of neonates. It focuses on the early identification of newborns suffering from critical oxygen supply deficit during birth termed Asphyxia), which is a major cause for brain injury often followed by life long disabilitation. It requires very early application after birth, and currently, theres no test system available to meet this crucial demand. InfanDx closes this diagnostic gap by carrying such a test system through clinical development until it is available for use in the hospital.

Founder/s: Thomas LisowskyFounded year: 2005Funding: 630K

multiBIND biotec develops solutions for disinfection and decontamination. Its technologies bioDECONT and bioCLEAN are not toxic and are free from hazardous chemicals and solvents. The company is involved in the development of technologies, products, and patents related to operations in molecular genetics and biomedicine.

Founder/s: Christoph von Dellingshausen, Donata von Dellingshausen, Nils von DellingshausenFounded year: 2012Funding: NA

BetterDoc operates with the vision to enable patients to get the best possible medical treatment for their health problems. Its data analytics platform aggregates all kinds of quality data from the health system and measures outcomes with patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This way, the company routes patients to the right doctors and getsget the best possible second medical opinion, treatment, or surgery. The BetterDoc service works with leading German health insurance companies for their customers.

Founder/s: Marc Ebinger, Robert HolzFounded year: 2016Funding: NA

Rimasys is a medtech company. The companys mission is to reinvent surgical education and enables medical science, academic, and the healthcare industry to develop and perform better implants, operations, and therapies. It improves patient outcomes at relatively lower costs. Furthermore, Rimasys provides holistic educational concepts for clinics, surgeons, and medtech companies complemented by 3D printing and virtual reality.

Founder/s: Carlos z Martnez, Samuel JellardFounded year: 2019Funding: 90K

Mane Biotech has developed regenerative medicine through stem-cell technology. The company has developed a wearable device for aiding in hair regrowth and delaying hair loss. The device stimulates tissues to accelerate the bodys own mechanism to regenerate hair. The potential of stem-cell driven regeneration is beyond comprehension and Mane Biotech is specialising in this aspect.

Founder/s: Andreas Schmidt, Dieter TrauFounded year: 2010Funding: 11.3M

AYOXXA is a biotech company commercialising innovative technology developed at the National University of Singapore (NUS). AYOXXAs patented technology platform is producing a new generation of biochips, which merges biology with IT. This allows the biochip to accumulate large numbers of applications measuring multiple protein markers for cancer, allergies, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases, in a single test.

Stock photo from S.Borisov/Shutterstock

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9 innovative Cologne-based healthtech startups to watch out for in 2020 - Silicon Canals

An influential Rare Disease Genetic Testing Market report carries out an evaluation of the growth rate and the market value of Rare Disease Genetic Testing industry based on market dynamics and growth inducing factors. Thorough market analysis covered in this report by skilled experts gives every bit of knowledge which is imperative to design and align with current market scenarios. This market research report is one-stop archive for in-depth knowledge of market analytics aggregated by a broad rundown of distributors from over the globe. Moreover, for the businesses, it is the most important to get knowhow of consumers demands, preferences, attitudes and their changing tastes about the specific product which can be studied via this winning Rare Disease Genetic Testing Market report.

Rare disease genetic testing market is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. Data Bridge Market Research analyses the market to account to grow at a CAGR of 8.30% in the above-mentioned forecast period. The increase in the facilities for patients affected by rare diseases has been directly impacting the growth of rare disease genetic testing market.

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Increasing need for an accurate and appropriate diagnosis for rare conditionsis expected to have a significant impact on the rare disease genetic testing market. Other impactful reasons for the market growth are rise in the number of available registries, rising prevalence of rare disorders along with wide-ranging investments in the diagnosis of rare disorders. On the other hand, the growing number of patients undergoingdisease testingand rising government assistance will further boost various new opportunities that will lead to the growth of the rare disease genetic testing market in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027.

Lack of regulatory framework in emerging economies associated with dearth of trained healthcare personnel is acting as major restraints to the growth of the rare disease genetic testing market in the above mentioned forecast period.

This rare disease genetic testing market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on rare disease genetic testing market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Rare Disease Genetic Testing Market Country Level Analysis:

The countries covered in the Rare Disease Genetic Testing Market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico in North America, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe in Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Vietnam, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in Asia-Pacific (APAC), Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Rest of South America as a part of South America, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA).

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Leading Rare Disease Genetic Testing manufacturers/companies operating at both regional and global levels:

Quest Diagnostics, Inc., Centogene N.V., Eurofins Scientific, Strand Life Sciences, Ambry Genetics, PerkinElmer, Inc., Macrogen, Inc., Baylor Genetics, Color, Health Network Laboratories, L.P., Preventiongenetics, Progenity, Inc., Invitae Corporation, 3billion, Inc., Arup Laboratories, Coopersurgical, Inc., Fulgent Genetics, Myriad Genetics, Inc., Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings and Opko Health, Inc., among other domestic and global players.

GlobalRare Disease Genetic TestingMarket Scope and Market Size

Rare disease genetic testing market is segmented on the basis of disease type, technology, specialty and end use. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze meager growth segments in the industries, and provide the users with valuable market overview and market insights to help them in making strategic decisions for identification of core market applications.

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Rare Disease Genetic Testing Market To Account To Grow At A CAGR Of 8.30% In The Forecast Period Of 2020 To 2027 | Major Giants Quest Diagnostics,...

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Local veterinarian Dr. Linsay Barnes saw a lack of diversity in the veterinary medicine field early in her career.

I was the only African American and the only African American female in my class, Barnes said.

In vet school she was the only minority in a class of 92 students.

This is a field for all. It just hasnt been represented that way, but it is a field for all, Barnes said.

The lack of diversity in the field led Dr. Ian Scholer, a veterinarian at Hill Top Animal Hospital in Augusta, and his wife, a teacher, to want to increase diversity in the veterinary industry.

Their organization Vets of all Colors partners with schools, in hopes of giving students an opportunity to know more about veterinary medicine and provide scholarship opportunities.

Kendra Collins is in the program, she says its a chance to see more students that look like her pursue vet medicine as a career.

There isnt a lot of African Americans in this profession so I guess it can be a little bit intimidating, but with more people it seems better and more welcoming, Collins said.

Opening doors for minorities and getting the money to help them achieve their dreams is the highest priority.

If were able to get some funding out to help these students move into that field then thats wonderful, Barnes said.

For more information on the scholarships and how to apply visit VetsofallColors.org

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Local veterinarians aim to increase diversity in the field - WJBF-TV

Several veterinary organizations and associations released statements in recent months in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as in response to the recent killings and shootings of Black individuals by police, including George Floyd, Jacob Blake, and Breonna Taylor, among many others, and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Since then, several organizations have transformed those statements into action.

The AVMA was working to establish a diversity, equity, and inclusion commission as of press time in early October. The Association is collaborating with key stakeholders to build a strategy and identify goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the veterinary profession.

The AVMA also is in the process of hiring an outside consultant to support and advance its DEI initiatives. This summer, the AVMA created a new websiteto help members more easily access the organizations resources and policies regarding DEI. And in August, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation joined Hills Pet Nutrition in endowing a new scholarship program for veterinary students at Tuskegee University, which is a historically Black university.

Your courage will inspire action. This conversation should not end here. This is not a moment. This is a movement to change society.

Dr. Ruby Perry, dean, Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges also announced it was establishing a working group to focus on strategies, such as scholarships or faculty and student exchange programs, to improve outreach and collaboration with minority-serving institutions. The association is in the process of naming and defining the strategy of the group.

As previously reported by JAVMA News, a number of historically Black colleges and universities offer veterinary- or animal-related undergraduate degrees.

The AAVMC has been leading diversity efforts over the past 15 years with such initiatives as DiVersity Matters, its Diversity and Inclusion on Air podcast, and, most recently, Diversity Community Reads, a book club designed to facilitate learning around DEI issues in veterinary education.

Lisa Greenhill, EdD, senior director for institutional research and diversity at the AAVMC, said in September that the applicant pool is increasingly diverse, but there is still a lot of progress to be made.

During its Pet Healthcare Industry Summit, held virtually Sept. 14-15, Banfield Pet Hospital announced the creation of the Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition and the launch of a $125,000 gift to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine for the Banfield and Royal Canin Student Support Fund.

The coalition will focus on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion among veterinary professionals. The scholarship will support Tuskegee veterinary students who have financial need. Tuskegee is a historically Black university and, according to the veterinary college, has educated more than 70% of the nations African American veterinarians.

Brian Garish, president at Banfield, said the company is shifting to being activists and taking action.

Banfield is committed to partnering with the veterinary industry to ensure the talent pipeline grows and diversifies to meet the evolving needs of pets, people, and society, Garish said in a press release.

Members of the coalition include Boehringer Ingelheim, Mars Veterinary Health, Royal Canin, Antech Diagnostics, the National Association of Black Veterinarians, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, and the Multicultural VMA. The coalition will complement the work of the commission being established by the AVMA, the AAVMC, the Veterinary Medical Association Executives, and others that will aim to drive equity, diversity, and inclusion across the profession.

Banfield is also pledging to make a $1 million investment in DEI efforts to increase representation, training, and support to improve the diversity pipeline.

We are the least diverse of the health care professions, said Dr. Molly McAllister, chief medical officer at Banfield. There is no way to sugarcoat this. We are at a tipping point.

A panel discussion during the Pet Healthcare Industry Summit focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in veterinary medicine.

Dr. Ruby Perry, dean of Tuskegees veterinary college, said if a person is going to make an impact, she has to have courage.

Your courage will inspire action, she said. This conversation should not end here. This is not a moment. This is a movement to change society.

Every child should be able to see themselves among veterinarians, said Dr. Sandra San Miguel, founder and leader of the League of VetaHumanz from Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. The League of VetaHumanz program defines a VetaHuman as a human being with superpowers who protects animal and public health; synonym: veterinarian.

The program will focus on expanding role models to reach children who may not have veterinarians in their lives by creating a global and inclusive Veterinary Superhero League. VetaHumanz in academia, practice, research, government, and industry engage K-12 students by creating and delivering resources focused on science, technology, engineering, and math.

VetaHumanz builds on the This is How We Role program, which started 11 years ago. Some of the resources include the SuperPower Packs, which are in development and will contain a game focused on veterinary medicine; collectible cards of role models; a cape; and a shield.

Get more information about VetaHumanz.

Dr. Willie Reed, dean of Purdues veterinary college, also spoke during the panel at the Pet Healthcare Industry Summit. He said there is still work to be done.

We have made some progress, but we have so far yet to go. It cant just be the colleges doing this alone, Dr. Reed said. We need the entire veterinary profession to say this is not acceptable and we have to do better.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the title of Brian Garish.

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Veterinary organizations take diversity- and equity-related action - American Veterinary Medical Association

Veterinary Medicine Market Forecast 2020-2026

The Global Veterinary Medicine Market research report provides and in-depth analysis on industry- and economy-wide database for business management that could potentially offer development and profitability for players in this market. This is a latest report, covering the current COVID-19 impact on the market. The pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected every aspect of life globally. This has brought along several changes in market conditions. The rapidly changing market scenario and initial and future assessment of the impact is covered in the report. It offers critical information pertaining to the current and future growth of the market. It focuses on technologies, volume, and materials in, and in-depth analysis of the market. The study has a section dedicated for profiling key companies in the market along with the market shares they hold.

The report consists of trends that are anticipated to impact the growth of the Veterinary Medicine Market during the forecast period between 2020 and 2026. Evaluation of these trends is included in the report, along with their product innovations.

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The Report Covers the Following Companies:Boehringer IngelheimZoetisElanco Animal HealthBayer Animal HealthMerck Animal HealthVirbacDechra Veterinary ProductsCevaVetoquinolMeijiOuro Fino SaudeAnimalcare GroupParnell

By Types:OralInjectionOther

By Applications:Companion AnimalsLivestock Animals

Furthermore, the report includes growth rate of the global market, consumption tables, facts, figures, and statistics of key segments.

By Regions:

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Years Considered to Estimate the Market Size:History Year: 2015-2019Base Year: 2019Estimated Year: 2020Forecast Year: 2020-2026

Important Facts about Veterinary Medicine Market Report:

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Veterinary Medicine Market (2020-2026) | Where Should Participant Focus To Gain Maximum ROI | Exclusive Report By DataIntelo - PRnews Leader

SNOQUALMIE, Wash., Oct. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA) held the Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference Oct. 2 Oct 4 in a virtual, online platform, a change from the usual face-to-face meetings that took place pre-pandemic. Veterinarians, veterinary staff, and citizens were honored at WSVMA's award ceremonies on Friday, Oct. 2.

Dr. Brian Joseph, State Veterinarian at the Washington State Dept. of Agriculture, Olympia, WA, received the 2020 Veterinarian of the Year Award. The award is presented in recognition of an outstanding career in veterinary medicine and contributions made to their practice, stakeholders, and other service directly benefitting their community. Dr. Joseph is an exceptional and compassionate leader with an esteemed career in many facets of veterinary medicine, including aquatic and zoo medicine, agriculture, and as a leader in the U.S. Army Reserve Veterinary Corp. His depth of knowledge combined with his incomparable character has inspired the men and women under his leadership, led to the improved health of animals and the public, and has positively impacted the many communities he's served. As Washington's "State Veterinarian," he not only works to prevent animal disease and protect food safety, but inspires many within the veterinary community and the public.

Dr. Ron Wohrle, Washington's former State Public Health Veterinarian from Puyallup, WA, received the 2020 Distinguished Achievement award. The award was presented to recognize Dr. Wohrle's dedication and outstanding contributions not only to veterinary medicine but to the citizens of Washington and beyond through his work in environmental public health. His expertise and wisdom combined with his unwavering commitment to One Health has created a safer Washington for animals and people in the protection from zoonotic diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, and many others. His leadership in combatting antimicrobial resistance led to statewide efforts that brought together health experts from across professions and raised awareness in order to protect Washington citizens, animals and the environment against drug-resistant infections.

Dr. Katie Kuehl, Clinical Instructor and Medical Director for the Shelter Medicine program and the Seattle One Health Clinic in Seattle at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine was awarded the 2020 WSU Faculty Member of the Year Award. Her professionalism, enthusiasm, and passion have created rewarding and critical learning experiences for veterinary students, and her work with animals owned by people experiencing homelessness has created a healthier community in and around Seattle.

Benita Altier, LVT, VTS (Dentistry), Easton, WA, licensed veterinary technician and dentistry specialist technician at Pawsitive Dental Education, LLC, received the 2020 Distinguished Veterinary Staff Award. Ms. Altier is recognized for her exceptional leadership in veterinary dentistry and radiography through her education of veterinary technicians, which has led to the improved care of cats and dogs.

Ann Graves, Director of the Seattle Animal Shelter, was presented the 2020 WSVMA Humane Animal Welfare Award in recognition of her advancement of animal welfare and community wellbeing through her extraordinary career within animal welfare and shelter organizations.

Dr. Shlomo Frieman and Allon Freiman, from Petriage in Bellevue, WA, received the 2020 Allied Industry Partner Award in recognition of their exceptional service to the veterinary profession through their online tele-triage service that connects pet parents with their veterinarian and helps them assess the urgency for veterinary care.

The WSVMA is a statewide, not-for-profit, professional organization for the benefit of veterinary medicine. The WSVMA has over 1,900 members, representing veterinarians, veterinary students and a broad spectrum of veterinary practice. The Association's mission is to "advance the cause of veterinary medicine to better the lives of those touched by it." Visit the WSVMA Web site, http://www.wsvma.org, to learn more about the association, veterinary medicine, and animal care.

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Washington State's Veterinary Association Announces Annual Award Winners - Daily Record-News

Event

Virtual annual meeting, July 30-Aug. 6

Lasher-Bottorff AwardDr. Eric Gingerich (Purdue 77), Zionsville, Indiana, in recognition of an avian diagnostician or technical service veterinarian who has made important contributions to the poultry health program in North America over the past 10 years. Dr. Gingerich serves as a technical poultry specialist for Diamond V. He is a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.

Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry ResearchMark Jackwood, PhD, Watkinsville, Georgia, for sustained excellence in poultry disease and health for 20 years or more. Dr. Jackwood earned his doctorate in 1985 from The Ohio State University. He is head of the Department of Population Health and the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Jackwood also serves as the J.R. Glisson Professor of Avian Medicine at the veterinary college. He is known for his expertise on infectious bronchitis virus, Bordetella avium rhinotracheitis of turkeys, mycoplasmosis, infectious laryngotracheitis, Newcastle disease, Pasteurella multocida, and infectious bursal disease.

Outstanding Field Case and/or Diagnostic Report AwardDr. Geoffrey Lossie (Purdue 14), Lafayette, Indiana. A diplomate of the ACPV, Dr. Lossie is a clinical assistant professor at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he also serves as an avian pathology diagnostician at the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

P.P. Levine AwardDr. John R. Dunn (Michigan State 03), Athens, Georgia, won this award, presented to the senior author of the best paper published in the journal Avian Diseases. Dr. Dunn is a research leader with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Services National Poultry Research Center.

AAAP Special Service Award and Excellence in Mentorship AwardDr. Mark Bland (Oregon State 87), Napa, California. A past president of the AAAP, Dr. Bland serves as a poultry veterinarian consultant for Cutler Associates International. He was recognized for his dedication to the poultry industry and for his mentorship of students through the associations preceptorship program.

Reed Rumsey Student AwardDrs. Ana da Silva, Davis, California, and Amir Ghorbani, Wooster, Ohio. Dr. da Silva won in the category of clinical research in avian medicine. She received her veterinary degree in 2010 from Federal University of Parana in Brazil. Dr. Ghorbani won in the category of basic research in avian medicine. He received his veterinary degree in 2012 from Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, in Iran.

A.S. Rosenwald Student Poster AwardDr. Victor Palomino-Tapia, Calgary, Alberta, won in the category of applied research. Dr. Palomino-Tapia received his veterinary degree in 2007 from National University of San Marcos in Peru. Dr. Mohammadreza Ehsan, Athens, Georgia, won in the category of basic research. Dr. Ehsan received his veterinary degree in 2013 from Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, in Iran and earned his doctorate in bordetellosis in 2017 from the University of Tehran in Iran.

Hall of Honor InducteesDrs. Lisa Nolan (Georgia 88), Watkinsville, Georgia; Patricia Dunn (Wisconsin 89), Port Matilda, Pennsylvania; and Patricia Wakenell (Michigan State 77), West Lafayette, Indiana. Dr. Nolan earned her doctorate in 1992 in medical microbiology from the University of Georgia. She serves as the Georgia Athletics Association Distinguished Professor and dean of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. A diplomate of the ACPV, Dr. Dunn serves as an avian diagnostic pathologist and field investigator with the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences. Dr. Wakenell earned her doctorate in 1985 from Michigan State University. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, she is a professor emerita of poultry medicine at Purdue University, where she was head of avian diagnostics at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory from 2008-19.

AAAP Life Member AwardDr. John Glisson (Georgia 80), Watkinsville, Georgia, in recognition of his outstanding service to the poultry industry. Dr. Glisson earned his doctorate in medical microbiology in 1985 from the University of Georgia. He spent his academic career at the university and served as vice president of research at the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association prior to retirement.

Dr. David Frame, Ephraim, Utah, president; Dr. Louise Dufour-Zavala, Gainesville, Georgia, president-elect; Dr. Eric Jensen, Huntsville, Alabama, immediate past president; Dr. Suzanne Dougherty, Elkmont, Alabama, executive vice president; Dr. Holly Sellers, Athens, Georgia, associate director; Kelly Hewitt, Ames, Iowa, student director; and directorsDrs. K.A. Ton Schat, Ithaca, New York; Samuel Christenberry, Cullman, Alabama; Michelle Kromm, Wilmar, Minnesota; Julie Helm, Columbia, South Carolina; Karen Grogan, Dacula, Georgia; and Rosemary Marusak, Chetek, Wisconsin

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American Association of Avian Pathologists - American Veterinary Medical Association

"Pet cancer is the #1 disease-related killer of dogs and cats, and a devastating diagnosis for pet parents who cannot afford treatment for their pets. With all the strides being made in the veterinary oncology field increasing treatment options for our pets, our goal is to make these lifesaving treatments available to more pets and their pet parents," said Susanne Kogut, president of the Petco Foundation. "University treatment funds to support pet cancer did not universally exist prior to our creation of this support. Not only are these funds changing the lives of pets and pet parents, but it is improving the outlook for our veterinarian professionals who can help even more pets when costs might otherwise preclude such treatment."

The National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research estimates 6 million dogs and nearly the same number of cats are impacted by cancer each year.

"Blue Buffalo has been committed to fighting pet cancer since our inception," said Danielle Donegan, Manager of Strategic Partnerships & Retail Activation at Blue Buffalo. "We are proud of the collaborative efforts together with Petco and the Petco Foundation to raise funds, increase awareness and help pet parents and their pets in the fight against pet cancer."

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, representatives from Petco, Petco Foundation, and Blue Buffalo toured the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine's Oncology Center and discussed the continued need for this lifesaving support. At the conclusion, Kogut and Petco CEO Ron Coughlin presented LSU School of Veterinary Medicine with $75,000 for the continuation of the Petco Foundation and Blue Buffalo pet cancer treatment fund. LSU is one of 11 universities to be awarded an additional $75,000 this fall including: Colorado State University Foundation, Cornell Veterinary College, North Carolina Veterinary Medical Foundation, Ohio State University Foundation, Texas A&M University, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida Foundation, University of Pennsylvania, University of Tennessee Foundation and University of Wisconsin Foundation.

The Petco Foundation, in partnership with Blue Buffalo, are continuing their annual campaign to raise funds for pet cancer but expanding efforts to include raising funds for other critical pet health care needs. According to a studyby theUniversity of Tennessee's Access to Veterinary Care, an estimated 29 million dogs and cats live in households that rely on the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Seventy-four percent ofpetowners reported not being able to afford sick care, with middle class participants as likely to cite financial barriers as lower-income participants. From now through October 25, the public can help pets receive treatment for pet cancer and other lifesaving care by donating at Petco or online at petcofoundation.org/pethealth.

To learn more about the Petco Foundation and its efforts to provide lifesaving treatment to pets, visit petcofoundation.org/pethealth and follow along on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.

About the Petco Foundation At the Petco Foundation, we believe that every animal deserves to live its best life.Since 1999, we've invested more than $280 million in lifesaving animal welfare work to make that happen. With our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners, we inspire and empower communities to make a difference by investing in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research, service and therapy animals, and numerous other lifesaving initiatives. We also partner with Petco stores and animal welfare organizations across the country to increase pet adoptions. So far, we've helped more than 6.5 million pets find their new loving families, and we're just getting started. Visit petcofoundation.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

About Blue Buffalo Company Based in Wilton, CT, Blue Buffalo is the nation's leading natural pet food company, and provides natural foods and treats for dogs and cats under its BLUE Life Protection Formula, BLUE Wilderness, BLUE Basics, BLUE Freedom and BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet lines. Paying tribute to its founding mission, the company is a leading sponsor of pet cancer awareness and critical studies of pet cancer, health, treatment and nutrition at top veterinary medical schools across the United States. For more information about Blue Buffalo, visit http://www.BlueBuffalo.com.

Contact: Jennifer Perez, Petco Foundation, [emailprotected]

SOURCE Petco Foundation

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Petco Foundation Continues Commitment to Fund Pet Cancer Treatment at Top US Universities and Expands Initiative to Support Other Critical Pet Health...

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) pet brands and subscription services have been on the rise over the last year, and one takeaway from shoppers is a litany of ever increasing options when it comes to finding the best dog food for their dogs. And while a canine companion can generally help you unwind and relieve stress, whether youre pent up working from home or sheltering from Covid-19, youre probably spending more time together these days and you may be left wanting to reward them for their company or improving their health otherwise. One way to indulge your dog (and really anyone) is through elevating their food. Sundays, a direct-to-consumer dog food brand, claims to be healthier than kibble and easier to prepare than some of its human-grade food counterparts it aims to fill a void between the affordable dry dog food on one end and the high quality and high-priced elevated dog food on the other.

SKIP AHEAD Other DTC Brands

The DTC brand launched in early August, joining other newcomers in the dog food space this year like Tailored and Jinx, as well as older companies like Nom Nom and The Farmers Dog. If youre on the market for a new dog food or like to stay updated on your options, eyeing the many new ones available to you from bestsellers at Petsmart, Chewy, Petco, Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers to direct-to-consumer options there are some things youll want to consider. To help guide your shopping through some of those young brands, we consulted experts and veterinarians on what to know before buying food directly from a brand.

I like to joke that the reason Sundays exists is because a software engineer married a veterinarian.

Michael Waxman, Co-Founder and CEO, Sundays

I like to joke that the reason Sundays exists is because a software engineer married a veterinarian, said Michael Waxman, an engineer and the co-founder and CEO of Sundays, referencing his partner and wife Tory Waxman, VMD, the companys co-founder and chief veterinary officer. The duo says they created Sundays in order to offer pet owners an option between kibble and top-shelf dog food. We would do literally anything for our dogs except prepare their food for an hour or two, Waxman said, alluding to another value he hopes Sundays will offer: speed and simplicity.

The Sundays dog food formula is composed of more than 90 percent meat, for protein, as well as a variety of fruits, vegetables and natural oils for their respective antioxidants and digestive properties, among other nutrients. Air dried and shipped to your door, Sundays veers away from the need to can or refrigerate its elevated kibble.

That same air-drying procedure leaves Sundays with a jerky-like texture. According to the company, the food has been tested to meet both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard of fit for human consumption, as well as similar standards from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The food, made in a USDA-monitored kitchen, includes USDA beef composed of different beef parts: beef heart, beef liver and beef bone. Sundays also throws in grains and other ingredients for flavor and health benefits: quinoa, pumpkin, wild salmon oil, kale, turmeric and more. The brand notes its food is completely free of synthetics.

Although there is currently only one recipe, Waxman says that different dogs should consume it in different portions. To help you find the right amount for your dog, Sundays offers up a simple quiz, in which pet owners provide answers regarding their dogs age, breed and other factors. Additionally, Waxman says Sundays hopes to launch a second recipe later this year, but plans to stray from offering too many choices.

While DTC brands are on the rise, many veterinarians still see kibble as an important part of dogs diet. For dogs, the main benefit to being on a commercially-prepared dry dog food is that they are eating a complete and balanced diet, Kristin Neuhauser, DVM, of Noahs Ark Animal Clinic, previously told NBC News Shopping. Something to look out for when shopping for any dog food is that it meets nutrient standards set by organizations such as AAFCO. If not [complete and balanced] then theres vitamins and minerals that need to be added, said Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, a professor of Sections of Clinical Nutrition and Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. I, as a veterinarian nutritionist, feel much more comfortable [knowing] a product has met AAFCO specifications. Still, the type of diet and dog food may vary from pet owner to pet owner depending on a variety of factors, from convenience and price to the ingredients used, their nutritional value and otherwise. To give you an idea of other DTC dog food brands out there, here some of the top options.

The Farmers Dog meals are formulated by the companys veterinarian nutritionists to meet AAFCO nutrition standards and include human-grade, USDA meat and vegetables. They are exempt from chicken or other meals, natural or artificial preservatives and dont include any kibble and come pre-made and pre-portioned. The beef option is made of USDA beef, sweet potato, lentils, kale and more. Although your dogs meal plan is determined by a quiz, The Farmers Dog also sells a Turkey, Chicken or Pork option.

Unlike some of the above DTC counterparts, Jinx offers kibble. The recipes are designed by a team of veterinary scientists and nutritionists, meet AAFCO standards and are third party tested. This Chicken/Brown Rice recipe also includes eggs, avocado, patented probiotics, grain and more. Youll also find other recipes, including Salmon/Brown Rice and Chicken/Sweet Potato. And since were all snacking more these days, check out their dog treats.

Nom Nom meals use only USDA-grade A proteins and vegetables, and are created by Justin Shmalberg, DVM to the nutritional levels established by AAFCO Food Nutrient Profiles, according to the company. The meals come in options for dogs or cats and, according to the company, ship cold, fresh and pre-portioned. The Beef Mash recipe includes beef, potatoes, eggs, carrots and more. Youll also find other flavors, including Chicken Chow, Pork Potluck and Turkey Fare. Plus, you can try a variety pack to see which option your pet gravitates to most.

Pet Plate meals meet AAFCO nutrition standards in terms of protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and more, and are formulated by Renee Streeter, DVM, DACVN, a veterinary nutritionist. The meals are human-grade, dont include artificial ingredients and are USDA-certified. According to the company, they are hot-sealed and flash frozen for safety and freshness. This beef option features ground beef, sweet potatoes, beef liver, carrots and more. You can also choose from a variety of flavors including Chompin Chicken, Lip Lickin Lamb and Tail Waggin Turkey.

Catch up on the latest from NBC News Shopping guides and recommendations and download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak

Shari Uyehara is a production coordinator and writer for NBC News Shopping

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DTC dog food brands are on the rise: What to know - NBC News

The lion had lymphoma, andTara Harrisonwas told there was nothing that could be done.

Harrison thought differently.

I said, OK, great. Lets treat him. Then I found out no one had ever done that, says Harrison. They said, Hes old. Hes lived his life. Just euthanize him. I thought, but why? Why?

That was Harrisons first major case working at a zoo. Fifteen years later, the experience continues to motivate the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine assistant professor. During her five years at the CVM, while treating a wide variety of exotic species from ferrets and bearded dragons to anteaters and porcupines, Harrison has been compiling a database of cancer cases seen in zoological medicine.

Harrison methodically tracks types of cancer, treatment plans and outcomes from data collected from private practices, zoos and other institutions. Its the only database of its kind in the world and already has hundreds of entries.

The database broadens scientific knowledge on cancers existing in zoological medicine, a broad term that covers exotic, nontraditional pets, animals under human care at zoos and those in the wild. Each case added to the database sheds much-needed light, faint or bright, on the cancers animals get and how they get them.

Refining an understanding of cancer in animals has tremendous potential to help treat cancer in humans, whose genetic makeup is vastly similar to other mammals. The cancer database is run in partnership with Ashley Zehnder, a former colleague of Harrisons at the University of California, Davis. Zehnder is the cofounder and the CEO of FaunaBio, a San Francisco-area company developing therapies based on comparative genomics to improve human and animal health.

When we have new students entering our exotic animal service rotation at the CVM, I tell them that I want to cure cancer, says Harrison. Its a lofty goal, obviously, but I think every little bit helps. If we understand cancer in other animals, understand the treatments and understand the genetics behind it, I think that will get us closer to it.

Harrisons focus is leading to even more groundbreaking work. In December, she was the only veterinarian on a research team that traveled to Kenya to investigate cancer in wild animals, a collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service and their mobile veterinary unit including KWS forensics director Moses Otiende, veterinarian Dominic Mijele, graduate student Samuel Omolo and Hastings Ozwara from the Institute of Primate Research, based in Nairobi.

The wildlife cancer study is led by a consortium of researchers working with the Arizona Cancer Evolution Center (ACE) at Arizona State University. It is funded by a supplemental and pilot grant from the National Institutes of Health and partly by the Wildlife Conservation Observatory Network.

The ACE research group that traveled to Kenya represents a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional approach to addressing animal and human cancer.

Amy Boddy is an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Lisa Abegglen is an assistant professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the University of Utahs Huntsman Cancer Institute. Valerie Harris is a Ph.D. graduate student and Diego Mallo is a postdoctoral student, both at ASU, while Kathleen Noble is a laboratory specialist at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

The group is currently analyzing cancer in wildlife data and a research paper is in the works. They hope to return to Kenya to continue to collect data in other wild species, says Harrison.

Cancer in wildlife has long been thought of as a disease of captivity, because animals dont live as long in the wild and perhaps dont live long enough to get cancer, says Harrison, who has a masters in veterinary epidemiology in addition to a DVM. Or cancer was seen in the wild as only being associated with toxic oil spills or pollution or viruses.

Its the groups first big foray into uncovering whats causing cancer in the wild, what kind of cancers are out there and how these cancers affect survival.

Cancer treatment for exotic pets and wild animal species has come a long way, even since Harrison worked with that first lion not-so long ago. As cancer treatment for pets such as dogs and cats have become commonplace and increasingly successful, zoological medicine has followed the lead. Since fewer exotic species were being seen by veterinarians in the past, cancer diagnosis and treatment often came too late if at all, says Harrison.

When we have new students entering our exotic animal service rotation, I tell them that I want to cure cancer, says Harrison. If we understand cancer in other animals, I think that will get us closer to it.

Now, more exotic pets are being seen for annual health exams, including at the NC State Veterinary Hospital. Large zoos and aquariums often have full-time veterinarians on staff, and they also often call veterinarians like Harrison for treatment consultations.

Though collecting cancer data from wildlife is challenging and most of Harrisons cancer database information comes from exotic pet cases and animals in zoos, the information already has potential to guide treatments for similar cancers in wildlife.

Cancer doesnt have to mean the end, says Harrison. As veterinarians, it doesnt have to mean you stop. This feels like a new beginning. We can do something about this, and we will.

Excerpt from:
Cancer database changes the game for exotic pets and wildlife - Jill Lopez

As one of the first two states in the United States to legalize cannabis, Colorado has been at the forefront of research. The Institute of Cannabis Research at Colorado State University Pueblo has just kicked off a series of virtual events during which researchers discuss their work, and where research is headed.

The first such webinar featured Stephanie McGrath, an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She focused her presentation on her work covering the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for dogs that have seizure disorders, and how glioma cancer cells in dogs respond to CBD treatment.

The next CU Pueblo research webinar will feature David Shurtleff, deputy director of the National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, and will focus on the National Institute of Healths interest in cannabis research.

(Read Cannabis Wires previous coverage of research out of Baylor College of Medicine, within the Texas Medical Center, on the therapeutic potential of CBD for dogs experiencing pain from arthritis.)

Like many medical professionals, McGrath didnt enter medical school with a decision on which path shed like to pursue, but she eventually settled on neurology. McGrath referred to epilepsy in dogs, the most common neurologic disorder in canines, as an eye opener that hit home, because existing treatments seemed inadequate, she said.

Until you witness this, its really hard to appreciate what owners are going through, McGrath said, referencing dogs undergoing grand mal seizures. But when youre looking at this dogs eyes and youre looking into the eyes of this family that are going through this very emotional, very traumatic and violent disease, she said, you connect to the real emotional aspect of it like this.

While McGrath completed her residency in Colorado, legal adult use cannabis sales were taking off. McGrath referenced Charlotte Figi, a young girl whose family moved her to Colorado for access to CBD to treat her seizures. (Figi, who became internationally known for helping to catalyze the CBD-as-medicine movement, died in April). Watching the Sanjay Gupta special on Figi and CBD on CNN, McGrath wondered if CBD might have the same seizure-reducing effects on dogs.

I went through school knowing marijuana is toxic for dogs. Its terrible. Dont use it. Stay away from it. We see marijuana toxicosis in our emergency rooms, McGrath said.

McGrath began her research on CBD at CSU under the 2014 Farm Bill, which allowed for states to launch hemp pilot programs. Hemp is abundant in CBD. But, she said, her work became easier when lawmakers passed the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp, defined as cannabis plants containing .3% THC or less, from the list of controlled substances.

I think its made it a lot easier for collaborators and other researchers and scientists to start exploring cannabis at their institutions as well, which is great, McGrath said. She added that her own research began, in some senses at ground zero, because there were so few studies on dogs and CBD that could serve as a starting point for additional work.

We had essentially no foundation for using this drug despite it being around forever. And so we had a lot of questions about bioavailability, whether this drug would even be absorbed, she said.

McGrath started with a pharmacokinetic study during which 30 dogs were given three different CBD formulations. The dogs received a six-week course of two doses daily. The beagles used for the study were research animals that were purpose-bred for pharmacokinetic studies and that are adopted out once they reach middle age. Researchers looked for safety, drug tolerance, and any major adverse effects.

It was very encouraging that at least we had a foundation, somewhere to go with this, McGrath said, referencing that the oral preparations were at least measurable in the dogs blood streams. Fortunately for adverse events, those were also fairly well-tolerated, she said. The only major side effect was diarrhea, which was transient, but it did occur in all dogs at all dosages at various time points. There also was an elevation in one of the liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and while the researchers didnt have concerns related to short-term liver toxicity concerns, that was definitely something we noted and wanted to continue to monitor.

Overall, McGrath said, she felt that this studys results would allow her to proceed to clinical trials in client-owned animals, starting with epilepsy. Her first effort was on the short-term effect of CBD on seizure frequency in dogs suffering from poorly-controlled idiopathic epilepsy. A total of sixteen dogs participated in this study, a limitation with such a small cohort, with nine in the treatment group and seven in the control group. All of these dogs had a confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy, and they all had to remain on their standard anticonvulsant treatment during the three-month study. Researchers then added either CBD to the treatment regimen, or a placebo.

We did see a significant reduction in seizure frequency in the treatment group as compared with the control group, McGrath said. But, she added, when they looked at responders, a common way of recording antiepileptic drug efficacy, they wanted the dogs to have at least a 50 percent reduction in seizure activity, which didnt happen.

We concluded from this study that, although we did get some encouraging results, theres still a lot more work to be done, she said.

McGrath said the most interesting part of the study, to her, was that she saw a significant correlation between plasma level and seizure change.

As the dogs, that for whatever reason, metabolize the drug in such a way that they reached higher plasma levels, they actually had a further decrease in seizure activity than dogs that never reach that level. And so seeing that correlation really gave me a lot of hope that if we can get more dogs sort of across the arbitrary threshold, that we may be able to see better, more positive results, McGrath said.

McGraths next clinical study was funded by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, and was much larger, with 60 dogs. It was a prospective double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. The dogs in the study received either CBD or placebo in the first phase, and then CBD or placebo for the second phase.

It gives us a bit more of a powerful study because each dog is able to be compared to itself as well as the treatment group and the control group, she said. For this study, CBG was also added, and doses were increased in an effort to get more dogs into a higher-level plasma range. During the course of this study, Epidiolex, a CBD-based cannabis plant extract, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which McGrath and her team started using as part of the study.

Spoiler alert: I do not have results of the study yet, McGrath said. She and her team wrapped up enrollment last month, and the last dog is expected to finish in March, allowing them to publish results sometime next year.

Overall, we didnt see any clinical signs that were of concern. We are also measuring antiepileptic drug levels throughout the studies. So we are going to also assess whether CBD has any effect on raising or lowering the antiepileptic drug levels as well, she said.

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Colorado: Institute of Cannabis Research Series Launches With CBD and Dogs - Cannabis Wire

Blue light may be environmentally friendly, but it has its dark sides too. Harvard Medical School' Harvard Health Publishingreports that blue light affects the circadian rhythm and potentially cause diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Long ago, humans tend to spend their night in darkness. The main source of light back then was the Sun, which is up only in the daytime. But with the technology available in this era, access to light is much easier, and most of the time, people tend to abuse it without realizing its price.

For instance, blue light can cause strain, irritation, and dryness of the eye after a long day of staring at the screen. But since most people nowadays cannot escape having to use computers or gadgets, it has become hard to manage the adverse effects of blue light on the eyes.

The trendy blue light glasses might help people suffering from these effects. But many are asking if these glasses would genuinely help them handle blue light or using blue light glasses is just another hype?

Blue light glasses are specially crafted to block or trap blue light from the screens of computers, phones, tablets and other gadgets. The lenses help reduce potential damage to the retina from prolonged exposure to blue light, according to Cleveland Clinic.

But because blue light glasses are somewhat new, there is only a little research about them, and the FDA does not regulate the eyewear because it is not sold as a medical device.

According to the American Academy of Opthalmology,people need not wear blue light glasses or any eyewear for those who frequently use the computers. They said that digital devices do not lead to eye disease and do not cause eyestrain. The problem is that the eyes tend to be overused in using digital devices, hence the eyestrain.

"The symptoms of digital eye strain are linked to how we use our digital devices, not the blue light coming out of them," they added.

But some experts agree to the benefits of the blue light glasses like Greg Rogers, a senior optician at Eyeworks in Decatur, GA. He said that customers in their shop have benefited from the glasses and would opt to wear one or use a special screen for their computers when staring at screens.

Moreover, the American Optometric Association's former president Samuel Pierce, OD, said that he recommended using blue light glasses to lessen eyestrain.

Read Also: 5 Ways You Might Be Ruining Your Vision

The digital era has brought more blue light to the world than ever. From televisions, smartphones, laptops, and tablets, everyone is surrounded by blue light, WebMD reported.

In a survey in 2018, it was found out by Acuvue that office workers work about six and a half hours per day sitting in front t of a computer. While another survey by Pew Research Centerfound that 28% of American adults say they go online almost always, and younger ones are online the most.

But still, most research suggests that digital overuse and not the blue light causes eye problems, although those who wear blue light glasses tend to report less eyestrain than those who do not.

However, Susan Primo, OD, an optometrist and professor of ophthalmology at Emory University is more worried about how blue light glasses are used in some misleading marketing.

According to her, companies may use words that will not mislead their customers into believing that the glasses can cure them of their eye problems.

"They can use words like 'may' and 'might.' Marketing can take things to a level that might not be a sound recommendation, sound science, for people to go out and get them," Primo said.

Read More: 5 Tips To Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Check out for more news and information on Eyes on Science Times.

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Do Blue Light Glasses Really Work or Are They Just a Hype? - Science Times

Looking into the mirror and seeing that one of your eyes is bloodshot can be alarming. This condition, known as pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is not only unsightly it can be highly contagious. Understanding pink eye and what causes it can help us avoid getting infected and spreading it to others.

Pink eye is an inflammation or infection of the membrane that lines the white part of your eye (called the conjunctiva).

Types of pink eye include:

Only the viral and bacterial types of conjunctivitis are contagious. Pink eye from allergies or irritants is not contagious.

When the conjunctiva membrane becomes infected, it turns pink or red. Other symptoms of pink eye may include eye watering, itchiness, discharge or crusting of the eyelids and lashes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Just like the common cold, pink eye can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral conjunctivitis can occur when you contract certain viruses, such as an adenovirus. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be triggered by staph or strep, or other bacterial infections. You can also get pink eye as a result of seasonal allergies.

Dr. Ken Miller, an ophthalmology specialist in West Orange, New Jersey, told TODAY that it's important to pay attention to whether any yellow discharge develops. If there is yellow discharge, the conjunctivitis is bacterial and needs to be treated with an antibiotic.

Parents, in particular, should be on the lookout for this yellow discharge if a child has pink eye. Dr. Steph Lee, a pediatrician in Reading, Pennsylvania, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said children should see a pediatrician if they have this symptom or if they need to wipe their eyes several times an hour. If they have pain in their eyes or blurry vision, take them to their pediatrician immediately, said Lee.

If the discharge is red or watery, however, the conjunctivitis is likely to be the result of a viral infection, therefore, it cant be treated with antibiotics. Basically, you just have to ride it out, said Miller. In this situation, a warm compress can help soothe the infected eye (or eyes).

Never underestimate the power of a warm compress, said Lee. For viral conjunctivitis, she recommended applying a warm compress four to five times per day for about four to five minutes at a time to help bring down the swelling.

Conjunctivitis can also be caused by a basic irritant in the eye, like a loose eyelash, dust or a contaminant on a contact lens. A warm compress can be used to help ease symptoms with this type of pink eye too.

If you notice redness or other symptoms in your child's eye that might indicate a conjunctivitis infection, rinse their eyes with warm water before doing anything else, advised Dr. Lee. Then monitor any symptoms. If your child's pink eye symptoms last longer than a week, see a doctor or pediatrician.

Although pink eye is not usually dangerous and most cases resolve within a week, it can still cause a lot of discomfort, so it's best to try and avoid getting it. Conveniently, the most effective measures for preventing pink eye are things you're probably already doing to protect against COVID-19, including: washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face and eyes as much as possible. Rubbing your eyes significantly increases your chances of contracting conjunctivitis and spreading it to other people. If someone in your bubble does get pink eye, everyone should double down on their hand-washing efforts to prevent it from spreading around the house. One sneaky way that pink eye can be transferred, Dr. Miller pointed out, is through sharing a towel.

Recent studies, including one study that was published in JAMA Opthalmology in August, suggest that there may be a link between pink eye symptoms and COVID-19, though more research needs to be done, especially considering that pink eye does not appear to be a very common symptom of COVID-19.

"About 20% of children may get pink eye with COVID," said Lee, "whereas in adults, it's more rare, closer to 1 to 3% and not usually a stand-alone symptom. This might be because children are more prone to rub or touch their face when they're sick, since COVID can spread via eye discharge." Lee also cautioned that "if you have pink eye and know of exposure to someone with COVID, or have respiratory symptoms, you should contact your doctor."

The pandemic has taught us all to be more mindful about how we interact with our environment. This newfound awareness can help limit instances of pink eye as well. Pay attention to what you touch and be conscious of any symptoms of pink eye that may arise. These days, said Miller, no one should be touching their face anyway.

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What causes pink eye? Heres everything you need to know - TODAY

Global Opthalmology Pacs Market (2020-2026) status and position of worldwide and key regions, with perspectives of manufacturers, regions, product types and end industries; this report analyses the topmost companies in worldwide and main regions, and splits the Opthalmology Pacs market by product type and applications/end industries. The Opthalmology Pacs market trend research process includes the analysis of different factors affecting the industry, with the government policy, competitive landscape, historical data, market environment, present trends in the market, upcoming technologies, technological innovation, and the technical progress in related industry, and market risks, market barriers, opportunities, and challenges.

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Top Leading Key Players are:

Topcon Corporation, IBM corporation, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, EyePACS, Heidelberg Engineering and more.

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This section of the report specifically highlights the entry level developments and the overall Opthalmology Pacs market prognosis through the forecast span, 2020-26. This well-devised market report also shares versatile understanding on other vital growth influencers such as risk analysis, barrier challenges as well as a detailed discussion on threat probability that closely affect and influence growth trends in the global Opthalmology Pacs market.

Global Opthalmology Pacs market is segmented based by type, application and region.Based on Type, the market has been segmented into:

By End-Use, market is segmented into:

HospitalsAmbulatory Surgical Center (ASCS) & Specialty ClinicsOthersBy Type, market is segmented into:

Standalone PACSIntegrated PACSBy Delivery Model, market is segmented into:

Cloud/ web based modelsOn-premise modelsOthers

Seven Pointer Guide to Invest in the ReportA thorough, in-depth analytical review of the Opthalmology Pacs marketA methodical reference of the dominant alterations in market dynamicsAn illustrative reference point determining market segmentationA complete documentation of historical, current events as well as future predictions concerning market value and volumeA complete synopsis of major market events and developmentsLeading industry best practices and growth friendly initiatives by dominant playersA detailed take on market events, developments as well as tactical business decisions

The report consecutively also stresses on pertinent market tactics and business practices that harness uncompromised growth in global Opthalmology Pacs market even during catastrophic events such as sudden outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent implications deterring growth in the Opthalmology Pacs market.

Study on Table of Contents:1. Opthalmology Pacs Market Overview, Scope, Status and Prospect (2015-2020) covering COVID-19 Pandemic.2. Global Opthalmology Pacs Market Competition by Manufacturers3. Global Opthalmology Pacs Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2015-2020)4. Global Opthalmology Pacs Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2015-2020)5. Global Opthalmology Pacs Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6. Global Opthalmology Pacs Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7. Opthalmology Pacs Manufacturing Cost Analysis8. Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers9. Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders10. Global Opthalmology Pacs Market Effect Factors Analysis and Forecast (2020-2025)

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About Us :Adroit Market Research is an India-based business analytics and consulting company. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps.

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Opthalmology Pacs Market 2020: Analysis of Growth, Trends, Progress and Challenges & Global Forecast 2025 - Aerospace Journal

The report on the Global Procedure Trays Market has been prepared after conducting a comprehensive research through a systematized methodology. These skills are useful for scrutinizing the market on the terms of outlined research guidelines. Mainly, global Procedure Trays market research report covers all the information about the target audience, manufactures, vendors, research papers, products and many more. Keeping a focus on the overall market aspects, and perceptions, this report vastly covers profiles of the companies who have made it big in this particular field along with their sales data and other data. It also suggests the business models, innovations, growth and every information about the big manufacturers that will be present the future market estimates. Every market consists of set of manufacturers, vendors and consumers that gives a definition to the market, its each and every move, achievements. All these are the important subjects required to study the analysis of the global Procedure Trays market.

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Major Company Profiles operating in the Procedure Trays Market:

Baxter InternationalBoston Scientific Corp.Cardinal HealthCareFusion Corp.Covidien AGC.R. Bard Inc.Ecolab Inc.Hogy MedicalMedical Action Industries Inc.Medline Industries Inc.Precise-Pak Inc.Smith & Nephew PlcTeleflex Medical.

Browse the complete report @ https://www.orbispharmareports.com/global-procedure-trays-market-2020-2026-report-by-type-applications-manufacturers-and-regional-overview/

The data offered in global Procedure Trays market report is gathered based on the latest industry news, trends, as well as opportunities. This study offers a separate analysis of the major trends in the existing market, mandates and regulations, micro macroeconomic indicators is also comprised in this report. By doing so, the study estimated the attractiveness of every major segment during the prediction period.

By the product type, the market is primarily split into

Angiography Procedure TrayOpthalmic Procedure TrayOperating Room Procedure TrayAnaesthesia Room Procedure TrayOthers

By the application, this report covers the following segments

HospitalsClinicsAmbulatory Surgical Centres

Moreover, the report comprises the analysis of opportunities available in the Procedure Trays market on the global level. It also includes the major market conditions across the globe such as the product profit, price, production, capacity, demand, supply, as well as market growth structure. The annual progression for the global Procedure Trays market in different regions cannot always be listed down as it will keep changing, thus studying and reviewing markets occasionally becomes vital.In addition, the Procedure Trays market report provides a detailed information about the key market players along with the strategies they implemented to gain market existence and develop themselves. The report includes precise market estimations depending on current market status and future market forecasts.

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Procedure Trays Market Market 2020 Industry Opportunities And Development Analysis 2026 : Baxter International, Boston Scientific Corp., Cardinal...

TORONTO -- While scientists race to develop a safe and effective vaccine to prevent the spread of COVID-19, researchers at Johns Hopkins University have focused on preventing severe organ damage from patients own immune systems by inhibiting an important protein.

The team from the universitys school of medicine sought to better understand how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, attacks the body and causes severe inflammatory responses in certain individuals.

The studys senior author, Dr. Robert Brodsky, director of the hematology division at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explained that their research focused on an integral part of the immune system called the innate immune system or the complement system.

This is really our first defence against a lot of bacteria and viruses, he told CTVNews.ca during a telephone interview from Baltimore, Md. on Thursday.

The complement system enhances, or complements, the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens from the body. This system consists of more than 30 proteins, including two factor H and factor D that were of particular interest to the research team.

Factor H is a control protein that regulates the chemical signals that trigger inflammation and the immune system.

Its what allows the complement system to fight off foreign organisms, but not destroy host tissues, Brodsky explained.

Factor D is another protein in the complement system that is immediately upstream from factor H in the chain of immune events triggered by the virus.

During an infection of SARS-CoV-2, the famous spike proteins on the surface of the virus, which make it resemble a medieval mace, allow it to attach to healthy cells in the human body. In order to do this, the spikes latch on to heparan sulfate a large sugar molecule found on the surface of cells in the lungs, blood vessels, and smooth muscle of most organs.

Just binding to heparan sulfate, [the virus] probably couldnt get into the cell and start replicating. But without heparan sulfate, there wouldnt be enough of it to get to the ACE-2 receptor, he said.

There has been a lot of attention given to the role of the ACE-2 receptor protein (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) and its role as an entry point for the coronavirus to infect a range of human cells.

However, Brodsky said the ACE-2 receptor isnt on all tissues, which is why his team focused on how the coronavirus binds to the heparan sulfate molecule instead.

Heparan sulfate is pretty much on every cell, just about every cell in the body, he said.

Returning to factor H, the researchers found that when the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds with the cells heparan sulfate sugar molecule, it occupies the site where the factor H protein would normally attach to protect that cell from the bodys immune response.

Without this protection, cells in the lungs, heart, kidneys and other organs can be destroyed by the defence mechanism nature intended to safeguard them, the researchers said.

To prevent the virus from occupying factor Hs spot on cells and leaving vital organs vulnerable to the bodys immune response, the academics attempted to stop that sequence of events from occurring at all by inhibiting factor D.

As previously mentioned, factor D is located directly upstream from factor H in the complement system. By blocking the function of factor D, the sequence of immune events triggered by the invading virus will also be stopped.

To simplify, Brodsky compared the complement systems immune response to a car in motion.

The viral spike proteins disable the biological brakes, factor H, enabling the gas pedal, factor D, to accelerate the immune system and cause cell, tissue and organ devastation. Inhibit factor D, and the brakes can be reapplied and the immune system reset, he explained.

In the lab, the research team used a small molecule in a complement-inhibiting drug to block factor D and the chain of events leading to the immune systems attack on the bodys healthy cells.

While the drug hasnt been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) yet, Brodsky said its being tested in late-stage clinical trials. He said there are already a number of other complement-inhibiting drugs in the pipeline for other diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, which may have a use in the fight against COVID-19.

There are a number of these drugs that will be FDA-approved and in clinical practice within the next two years, Brodsky said. Perhaps one or more of these could be teamed with vaccines to help control the spread of COVID-19 and avoid future viral pandemics.

The researchers findings were recently published in the journal Blood.

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Factor D: Is blocking this protein the key to stopping COVID-19 from damaging organs? - CTV News

Researchers in Ottawa are embarking on a 10-month study to answer critical questions about how individual immune system responses to the novel coronavirus differ and how soon after infection a patient might be at risk again.

The teams findings could have major implications for vaccine research and help to predict an individuals risk of developing serious complications related to COVID-19, but one of the studys lead researchers warns the findings wont lead to any ironclad declarations of COVID immunity among recovered patients.

A team of researchers with the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital will study COVID-19 antibody and T cell responses from 1,000 subjects over the next 10 months. In an infection, T cells target infected cells and help to stimulate B cells, which then produce antibodies to neutralize pathogens and label them for disruption.

Half of the study participants will be people who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while the other half will be a surveillance cohort of front-line workers and other people who would have a high risk of exposure to the virus but might not have been tested for infection.

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The goal will be to test how long these subjects immune systems produce antibodies capable of neutralizing the pathogen after the initial infection.

Dr. Marc-Andr Langlois, professor with the University of Ottawas Faculty of Medicine, tells Global News the study idea was first proposed in the spring to answer an integral question in combating the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Since the very beginning of the epidemic, we were quite sure everyone who is infected will make antibodies, but how long will those antibodies last and how long will that protection last?

The question of COVID immunity has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, with U.S. President Donald Trump proclaiming to be immune to COVID-19 after testing positive and subsequently recovering from the virus.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

Health experts have said Trumps messaging, which has included assertions that others who tested positive for the coronavirus are also immune, are extremely dangerous. Recent examples of individuals twice testing positive for the virus are also throwing those claims into doubt.

Langlois says Trump is a complicated case because of the experimental treatment he was given, which saw him treated with external antibodies rather than just developing them on his own.

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Typically, an infected individuals immune response will develop its own antibodies and T cells the immune systems one-two punch to combat the pathogen. T cells and B cells can then form a memory of sorts that recognizes familiar pathogens and triggers a stronger response the next time a similar virus enters the immune system.

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The basis of long-term immunity is having these sentinels that remain in your lymph nodes and your bone marrow so that if youre re-exposed to the pathogen, you will be able to produce a fresh lot of antibodies on your own. These will be produced by your own cells and these will protect you, Langlois explains.

In the case of Trump, those antibodies came from an outside source and neutralized the virus. It is unknown if he has any memory B cells or memory T cells, he says.

But even in a typical immune response scenario, which can include an internal response triggered by an external vaccine, memory cells tend to fade after a period of time.

Because of the natural waning immunity to these antigens, vaccinations often require booster shots to restimulate the immune response for the long-term.

One of the most integral takeaways from the upcoming research, then, will be establishing the window of time when a booster would be needed for anyone receiving the upcoming COVID-19 vaccines so that the immunization sticks.

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The convalescent cohort those who have had lab-confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus will be monitored over the next 10 months for their levels of neutralizing antibodies to help determine when the post-recovery immunity typically fades.

The other 500 participants who were at high risk of exposure but did not get a positive test will be tracked for their own immune responses.

Researchers are betting that a portion of the group, maybe five to 10 per cent, might have been infected early on in the pandemic and shown no or mild symptoms, making their immune responses especially important for determining what gives an individual more effective protection against the virus.

Well be able to monitor and study how these immune system responses are different from person to person and try to find predictors of disease severity, Langlois says.

By analyzing blood samples for neutralizing antibodies from these two cohorts, Langlois says the studys findings could help determine a minimum threshold of protection that could then predict whether someones immune system is likely to keep them safe from infection or more serious complications related to COVID-19.

He cautions, however, that immune responses vary greatly from person to person, and that the study wont give a standardized timeframe of immunity after a coronavirus infection. At best, the study could provide probabilities of infection based on various individual predictors, such as genetic markers.

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Well never know for sure if they can get reinfected or what the severity of that infection is, Langlois says.

It will never be a black and white scenario where we say, Heres your stamp youre protected.

The Ottawa-based team, which includes epidemiologists, clinicians, legal and ethics experts, hopes to publish findings from the study in a years time, but Langlois notes that some research updates will likely be published as they go, given the time-sensitive nature of the work.

The researchers are currently looking for more participants in their study.

2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Originally posted here:
COVID-19 immunity? Ottawa researchers to test long-term potency of coronavirus immune response - Global News

As President Trump claims that he is immune to COVID-19 and isolated reports emerge of reinfection, what is the truth about immunity to COVID-19?

To date, there have been six published cases of COVID-19 reinfection, with various other unverified accounts from around the world. Although this is a comparably small fraction of the millions of people known to have been infected, should we be concerned? To unpick this puzzle, we must first consider what we mean by immunity.

When we are infected with any pathogen, our immune system quickly responds to try to contain the threat and minimise any damage. Our first line of defence is from immune cells, known as innate cells. These cells are not usually enough to eliminate a threat, which is where having a more flexible adaptive immune response comes into play our lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes come in two main varieties: B lymphocytes, which make antibodies, and T lymphocytes, which include cells that directly kill the germy invaders.

As antibodies are readily measured in blood, they are often used to indicate a good adaptive immune response. However, over time, antibodies levels in our blood wane, but this doesnt necessarily mean protection is lost. We retain some lymphocytes that know how to deal with the threat our memory cells. Memory cells are remarkably long-lived, patrolling our body, ready to spring into action when needed.

Vaccines work by creating memory cells without the risk of a potentially fatal infection. In an ideal world, it would be relatively easy to create immunity, but its not always that straightforward.

Although our immune system has evolved to deal with a huge variety of pathogens, these germs have also evolved to hide from the immune system. This arms race means that some pathogens such as malaria or HIV are very tricky to deal with.

Infections that have spilled over from animals - zoonotic diseases - are also challenging for our immune system because they can be completely novel. The virus that causes COVID-19 is such a zoonotic disease, originating in bats.

COVID-19 is caused by a betacoronavirus. Several betacoronaviruses are already common in the human population most familiar as a cause of the common cold. Immunity to these cold-causing viruses isnt that robust but immunity to the more serious conditions, Mers and Sars, is more durable.

Data to date on COVID-19 shows that antibodies can be detected three months after infection, although, as with Sars and Mers, antibodies gradually decrease over time.

Of course, antibody levels are not the only indication of immunity and dont tell us about T lymphocytes or our memory cells. The virus causing COVID-19 is structurally similar to Sars, so perhaps we can be more optimistic about a more durable protective response time will tell. So how worried then should we be about reports of reinfection with COVID-19?

The handful of case reports on reinfection with COVID-19 dont necessarily mean that immunity is not occurring. Issues with testing could account for some reports because virus can be detected after infection and recovery. The tests look for viral RNA (the viruss genetic material), and viral RNA that cannot cause infection can be shed from the body even after the person has recovered.

Conversely, false-negative results happen when the sample used in testing contains insufficient viral material to be detected for example, because the virus is at a very low level in the body. Such apparent negative results may account for cases in which the interval between the first and second infection is short. It is hugely important, therefore, to use additional measures, such as viral sequencing and immune indicators.

Reinfection, even in immunity, can happen, but usually this would be mild or asymptomatic because the immune response protects against the worst effects. Consistent with this is that most verified cases of reinfection reported either no or mild symptoms. However, one of the latest verified cases of reinfection which happened just 48 days after the initial infection actually had a more severe response to reinfection.

What might account for the worse symptoms the second time round? One possibility is the patient did not mount a robust adaptive immune response first time round and that their initial infection was largely contained by the innate immune response (the first line of defence). One way to monitor this would be to assess the antibody response as the type of antibody detected can tell us something about the timing of infection. But unfortunately, antibody results were not analysed in the recent patients first infection.

Another explanation is that different viral strains caused the infections with a subsequent impact on immunity. Genetic sequencing did show differences in viral strains, but it isnt known if this equated to altered immune recognition. Many viruses share structural features, enabling immune responses to one virus to protect against a similar virus. This has been suggested to account for the lack of symptoms in young children who frequently get colds caused by betacoronaviruses.

However, a recent study, yet to be peer-reviewed, found that protection against cold-causing coronaviruses did not protect against COVID-19. In fact, antibodies recognising similar viruses can be dangerous accounting for the rare phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement of disease (ADE). ADE occurs when antibodies enhance viral infection of cells with potentially life-threatening consequences.

It should be emphasised, though, that antibodies are only one indicator of immunity and we have no data on either T lymphocytes or memory cells in these cases. What these cases emphasise is a need to standardised approaches in order to capture the critical information for robust evaluation of the threat of reinfection.

We are still learning about the immune response to COVID-19, and every piece of new data is helping us unpick the puzzle of this challenging virus. Our immune system is a powerful ally in the fight against infection, and only by unlocking it can we ultimately hope to defeat COVID-19.

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Coronavirus reinfection cases: what we know so far and the vital missing clues - The Conversation UK

Key soldiers in the fight include vitamins like A, C, E, B6, D, and minerals like zinc, iron, and selenium that help maintain a strong immune system and they are also antioxidants. (Representational image: IE)

By Namit Tyagi

The Autumn season has just begun in the country and we all are starting to fall a little sick with the common symptoms of cold and cough. Most grown-ups face such common symptoms twice a year whereas in children it is observed to be around 5-6 times. Everytime the weather changes, the count of allergens in the air also spikes up to nearly 200 viruses. The most common virus is Human Rhinovirus (HRV) that causes 40% of all colds. Thus these are mild viruses and can be eliminated easily from our body by following few precautionary measures.

To keep your immune system strong this season, adapt certain dietary habits and enjoy the festive season without any hurdle:

Eat more citrus fruits and vegetables Citrus fruits are an amazing source of Vitamin-C. It strengthens our immunity system and keeps our skin smooth and elastic. Citrus fruits are also rich in Vitamin-B nutrients, copper, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium as well. For their antioxidants properties, add them in their mid-morning or evening snack in the form of either salad or juice. Infact, having an orange a day is sufficient enough to fulfill all our Vitamin-C requirements.

Make sure you eat enough protein Protein helps our body in infinite ways. From muscular development to improving digestion. It is an important compound required in blood oxygenation which is then carried in all over the body. Add protein in your every meal in an adequate amount to fulfill your protein requirements thus help your body produce antibodies to boost immunity. The sources of protein include lentils, egg whites, quinoa,soya, broccoli and other dairy & poultry products.

Dont overlook prebiotic foods Add prebiotic sources in your meal or smoothies. Prebiotics are found in foods such as onion, garlic, banana, and curd. They assist in maintaining a balanced gut microbiome, which is a vital player in how your immune system functions. Prebiotics work by increasing the population of good bacteria in the gut which in turn sparks the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, which are tiny proteins that help the immune system function.

Get enough vitamins through your diet Key soldiers in the fight include vitamins like A, C, E, B6, D, and minerals like zinc, iron, and selenium that help maintain a strong immune system and they are also antioxidants. Some foods that are rich in these vitamins include carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, almonds, avocados, salmon, oysters, tuna, and lean chicken breast. Enjoy adding them to your regular meals, evening or morning salads and smoothies.

Add Herbs and spices in your diet Turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, Tulsi, Giloy, ashwagandha, Mulethi are ayurvedically known for boosting immunity, you can enjoy them as kadha or tea in the early morning or evening. You can add ashwagandha powder or tablet with milk at night or post-dinner to have sound sleep because sound sleep helps in boosting your immune health.

Thus, adding on a few basic ingredients from our kitchen in our dietary routine and swapping junk evening snacks with a bowl of fruits and sprouts could make a big difference in terms of health and energy levels in our body.

(The author is Co-Founder & Head Nutritionist, Neuherbs & Neusafe India. Views expressed are personal.)

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World food day: Healthy food habits to armor our immune system in the changing weather - The Financial Express

Fall has fallen into place. The days are getting shorter, temperatures are vacillating and the threat of a cold, the flu, seasonal allergies and COVID-19 are all about to mingle. It's a lot to contend with, but there are a number of simple things we can do to stay healthy this fall, say public health experts.

TODAY spoke with Lorna Thorpe, Ph.D., M.P.H., director of the division of epidemiology in the department of population health at NYU Langone Medical Center, and Dr. S. Patrick Kachur, M.P.H., a professor of population and family health at the Columbia University Medical Center, both in New York City, to find out what we can do to try to stack the odds in our favor. Here are their tips for boosting physical health, mental health and immunity throughout the autumn season.

Both experts emphasize that getting a flu shot this fall is paramount. One of the challenges is we really don't know what the risk of having the flu and COVID either back-to-back or at the same time is going to be, Kachur told TODAY. Even simple respiratory infections, like colds, could make you more susceptible to some secondary infections. Sometimes people get bacterial pneumonia after they have the flu or a cold, so preventing colds and flus is important for that reason as well. If you do have a flu shot and still get the flu, for example, Kachur said there is good evidence that suggests the severity and duration of the illness will be lessened.

The steps were already taking to protect ourselves from COVID-19, like diligently wearing masks in shared spaces and frequently washing and sanitizing our hands, will help protect us from other types of illness too. The mask works primarily by blocking the particles that we expel when we breathe, cough or speak, said Kachur. He added that wearing a mask in a public space, even in the lobby of your own building, can not only help keep you from infecting others, it may help protect you from infection as well, since the mask can reduce the number of viral particles you breathe in. There's a theory with many respiratory viruses and we're still understanding how it can be with COVID, but the fewer particles of virus that you inhale, the less likely you are to develop a severe illness if you do get it.

Many people have reported that theyve been imbibing more during the pandemic. And while a "quarantini" or two may help take the edge off some of your COVID-19-related stress, its not the healthiest way to cope. Drinking alcohol, especially excessive drinking, can weaken your immune system and lower your bodys ability to fight off infection, said Thorpe. This is an important time for us to not be using alcohol as a crutch and to be drinking in moderation, she said.

Numerous studies suggest that psychological stress can contribute to reducing immunity. The problem is, as Thorpe pointed out, people seem to be experiencing significantly more stress this year. We have seen, for a number of reasons, many Americans reporting that their mental health is worse off as a result of the pandemic, said Thorpe. Stress is really a factor that influences our physical health and our mental health. The steps that we can take to reduce that agitation, such as limiting intake of the news cycle, really is important. There are a number of self-care strategies that can help reduce stress. However, said Thorpe, if youre feeling depressed, its important to seek professional help.

Maintaining connections with the people who are important to you may be more important than you think. For one thing, it can help promote better emotional health, said Thorpe. She pointed out that theres a growing body of research that suggests connectedness can also play a role in improving health outcomes. It may not be easy to be in the room with as many people as we'd like to be, she said, (but) it makes many of us feel not only mentally healthier, but safer.

There are a lot of things to lose sleep over these days, but both experts pointed out that a good nights sleep is crucial to maintaining good health. Sleep helps your body regenerate itself and getting enough sleep is key to fighting off pathogens, they said. Scientifically, Kachur added, we know that immune function is improved in people who are well-rested. Adults should aim for at least seven hours of sleep a night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Boosting your vitamin intake through the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is one very easy and tasty way to diversify the nutrients youre getting and help boost your immunity. Fall is a great time for vegetables, said Thorpe. She even suggested considering a plant-based diet, which, compared with the standard American diet, is not only healthier but better for our environment, she said.

Physical activity is a great way to boost immunity, get fit, reduce stress and stay heart-healthy, said Thorpe. It really promotes endorphins that improve mental health, can also induce weight loss if weight loss is necessary and maintain muscle mass for different people, she said. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week (ideally a mix of aerobic and strength-training activities), according to the CDC.

The ability to go outside for a bike ride or a hike this spring and summer had a tremendous impact on people, observed Thorpe. We have increasing and abundant evidence that spending time in nature is both good for the body and the mind, she said. If youre going to be exercising outdoors this fall, be sure to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines and consider wearing a mask to stay safe.

This essential vitamin helps you develop strong bones and plays a role in supporting immune function. More recently, it has been linked with better outcomes for people infected with COVID-19, though more research is necessary to better understand whether and how it may help. You can get vitamin D from certain foods, like fortified dairy products, juices and cereals, fatty fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel, and some mushrooms. Your body can also make vitamin D when it's exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D, though added in milk, is important in immunity, but a lot of us just don't get enough of it in our everyday diet, explained Kachur. He suggested taking a half-hour walk outside every day to get your dose of vitamin D from sunlight or trying a supplement, especially on long dark days. Just be sure to clear it with your primary care doctor before you start taking vitamin D supplements.

Theres promising research on the efficacy of B vitamins and zinc for supporting the immune system and helping to shorten the duration of a cold. However, Kachur noted that while it likely won't hurt to take them, the mechanism of how they may help remains unclear. If youre considering adding B vitamins or zinc to your supplements regimen, consult with your doctor to be sure they wont interact with any other medications you might be taking.

The threat of COVID-19 on top of our usual cold and flu season the pressure is on to be more vigilant about our health, but it's always a good idea to practice healthy habits. Even if you do get a cold or the flu, the healthier you are when it starts, the better the outcome is likely to be, said Kachur. If for that reason alone, lets all do our best to stay as healthy and happy as possible this autumn.

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11 ways to stay healthy this fall and boost your immune system - TODAY