StemCell Therapy

By Oliver Giles November 08, 2019

Its been around since 3000 BC, but traditional Chinese medicine is not only survivingits thriving. Practitioners and manufacturers explain why and what the future holds

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In the future, people will send photos of their tongue via WhatsApp, says Lin Zhixiu. Hes not talking about the latest quirky internet craze or teenagers Snapchat habits. Lin is predicting how people will contact their doctors.

Lin is associate director of the school of Chinese medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), a department whose very existence may seem surprising in an era when medicine is so closely tied to technology that computers powered by artificial intelligence are diagnosing patients in Shanghai hospitals.

Everyone from toddlers to 90-year-olds comes to our clinic for traditional medicine, says Lin. I also see a growing trend of young people opting for Chinese medicine, especially when they have things like a cold, cough, flu or pain such as back or neck pain.

Hes not the only one. Rather than quietly closing shop as robots steal their jobs, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners are arguing that there is a place for their ancient remedies in the 21st centuryand theyre generating cutting-edge research to prove it.

In 2015, chemist Tu Youyou from the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine won a Nobel Prize for deriving an anti-malaria drug from sweet wormwood. Other researchers have proved traditional remedies effectiveness at tackling everything from eczema to infertility, and for the first time this year the World Health Organisation has listed TCM in its annual global compendium that instructs doctors around the world.

This scientific backing is contributing to a global boom in TCM, which as an industry is estimated to be worth about US$60 billion a year and is growing 11 per cent annually.

Theres been a big change in the image of traditional Chinese medicine, says Viola Man-Chan, an executive director of PuraPharm, a major manufacturer of traditional medicines. Were disrupting the Chinese medicine industry by changing it from a very old-fashioned industry to something that is trendy, modern and accepted by the young generations. In modern life we cant just rely on traditions; we need evidence-based science to understand how it works.

PuraPharm operates its own laboratory, which collaborates with universities around the world. Weve been working with the University of Hong Kong faculty of medicine for, I think, 10 years now and we have identified a new active ingredient in one of the herbs, Man-Chan says. Weve found that this herb has very powerful antiviral and anti inflammatory effects, which is similar or comparable to the best-selling antiviral Western medicine.

Wai Yuen Tong, a Hong Kong-based company founded in 1897 that manufactures premium Chinese medicine sought-after around Asia, is similarly investing heavily in science.

Our research and development team is not focused on creating new drug formulas, explains Vivian Tang, the companys executive director. Instead, were focusing on two aspects: how to measure and improve traditional formulas efficacy and how to translate century-old production methods and re-engineer it as modern-day mass production.

Re-engineering traditional formulas is key to the industrys newfound success with younger generations. For centuries, Chinese herbal medicine has relied on patients cooking their own medicine, normally by boiling herbs, sometimes for hours at a stretch. Many people now simply dont have the time, so manufacturers are releasing their formulas as granules that dissolve quickly in boiling water.

At the CUHK clinic, Lin estimates that half the patients opt for granules. When it comes to Wai Yuen Tongs customers, Tang believes the proportion is even higher. Ninety-nine per cent of our younger clients will never spend an hour boiling raw traditional Chinese medicine themselves, says Tang.

See also: Vivian TangFrom Wai Yuen Tong Talks Traditional Chinese Medicine

Refining recipes to pill or granule form has also made it easier for TCM to be dispensed in hospitals. The way forward for traditional Chinese medicine for me is combining it with Western medicine. This could offer the best of both systems to the patient, says Lin, who is also director of the Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine.

One of the most successful examples of the disciplines being combined is in treating cancer patients.

Cancer treatmentoperations, chemotherapy and radiotherapycauses serious side effects, says Lin. Patients may lose weight, they may lose their appetite, they may feel tired all the time. In these cases, we can give them herbal medicine to try and boost their immune system. Herbal medicine can also really help digestion and improve their energy levels. This is a very common practice in Mainland China and increasingly in Hong Kong.

Despite these steps forward, the industry still commonly hits headlines not for scientific discoveries or its rapid modernisation, but for some unethical doctors continued and controversial use of animal products.

Ingredients such as rhino horn and pangolin scales have long been prized by TCM practitioners, which has decimated wild populations and driven these animals, among others, to the brink of extinction. The trade of these ingredients is now illegal in almost all countries, and academics are searching for alternatives to try to curb the black market trade.

There are almost always substitutes, and I see a big trend towards plant-based medicine, especially with millennials, who care deeply about the environment and sustainability, says Man-Chan. Feng Yibin, an associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, has found plant-based alternatives to bear bile, for example, and multiple herbal substitutes for rhino horn.

People who might choose to pop an aspirin before boiling a medicinal brew might find that TCM is finding its way into their lives in other ways.

Herbal, a cocktail bar in Beijings trendy Sanlitun district, serves drinks inspired by ancient remedies. Singaporean Jamie Koh, the founder of Brass Lion Distillery, the citys only gin brand, scoured local TCM shops for ingredients when she was developing her infusion. LVMH is also betting on increasing interest in Chinese healthcare with Cha Ling, a skincare brand that combines traditional medical knowledge and the anti-ageing properties of puer tea.

In Shanghai, entrepreneurs Jen Hau and Polly Zhang are building a whole lifestyle brand inspired by Chinese medicine. The pair launched Jova Health in 2013 with three different blended juices, all of which were based on traditional medical recipes.

Purify is a pear juice-based drink with rock sugar, to purify your lungs and your system; Replenish has a lot of iron and vitamins and is great for women having their period; and Nourish is a great substitute for milk drinksits almond milk and almond is a big ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, says Hau.

Since then, theyve expanded their drinks range, released candles made using classic ingredients from TCM and launched Jova Senses, wellness classes that combine yoga, meditation and TCM.

As a millennial herself, Hau understands why TCM appeals to younger generations. It is all about implementing things into your daily life to improve your health, and its all natural, says Hau.

As opposed to, I dont feel well so Im going to take a painkiller. Or, I dont feel well so Ill drink some cough syrup, and on and on. Those are very short-term solutions, while Chinese medicine is a very long-term way of conditioning your body to put you in better health. And when you do need to see a doctor, the approach is very different. Chinese medicine always looks for the root cause, and its a lot less invasive, says Lin.

Its so non-invasive that, in five years, when you feel a cold coming on, you might not even need to see a doctor. Youll simply stick your tongue out and snap a photo from the comfort of your bed.

In Chinese medicine, we always look at the tongue. It says a lot about your health, says Lin. If the patient WhatsApps a photo of their tongue and leaves a message about symptoms, the doctor can make a diagnosis and write a prescription. I think that will become more and more popular in the future.

See also: Urban Escapes: Where To Find The Cleanest Air In Asia

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In Good Health: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Is Evolving In Leaps And Bounds - Hong Kong Tatler

Its becoming pretty clear to us that the vitamin conversation is never really over. There is so much to know about the pills we pop on a daily basis, and we want to be experts on every. little. thing. While we have solved the mystery that is the multivitamin, were now asking ourselves WTF the difference is, if anything, between vitamins and supplements. Seriously, what even are ~supplements~, and why is Elle Macpherson plugging them? Were done being naive with these things, which is exactly why we consulted MD Sara Gottfried, to get some answers. You may recognize Gottfried's name from Goop Wellness as she is the one who creates one of their well known vitamin regimes (they're so good), High School Genes. When we chatted Gottfried, not only did she set a few (JK, a lot) of things straight, but she also let us know about three supplements we had no idea existed let alone should actually be taking. Prepare to be enlightened.

The actual difference between vitamins and supplements:

Supplements are any product that adds nutritional value to your diet or augments health. Vitamins are a type of supplement. Other types of supplements include minerals, herbs, or nutrients like fiber.

Is it possible to overdo it with a vitamin or supplement?

Yes. In health, theres almost always a U-shaped curve, meaning too little is bad and too much is badgetting the right dose is crucial. In addition, not everyone needs vitamins or supplements, so its important to determine whether any supplement is totally necessary. Too little vitamin A causes eye problems; too much vitamin A can cause hair loss, dizziness, nausea, headaches, coma, and even death. Too little vitamin D can cause osteoporosis, bone pain, muscle weakness, heart disease; too much can cause buildup of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia), poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, weakness, frequent urination, and kidney problems. Consult with your doctor. In functional medicine, we track the blood levels of many supplements over time to make sure our patients are absorbing them well and getting the correct dose.

Three-lesser known supplements to get familiar with:

Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus)for PMS. Also known by several other terms, including chaste tree, chaste tree berry, and vitex. It is proven to reduce PMS and infertility, presumably by raising progesterone. Chasteberry, used by the ancient Greeks more than two thousand years ago, restores normal progesterone levels in the body. In Germany, where integrative medicine is practiced as the standard of care, chasteberry is approved for menstrual irregularity, PMS, and breast pain. A Stanford University School of Medicine study shows that in women with low progesterone, fertility rates are higher among those taking chasteberry.

Berberine. Blood sugar rises with age (starting at fifty), and berberine is one of the supplements proven to help you normalize serum glucose. Not only that, berberine will cool inflammation in your body, lower cholesterol, assist weight loss, and behaves like an antioxidant. Taking 300 to 500 milligrams once to three times per day has been shown to activate an important enzyme called adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, or AMP, nicknamed metabolic master switch.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). This powerful antioxidant significantly lowers blood sugar levels and reduces nerve-related symptoms from diabetes. [It] acts to prevent cell damage and restore the function of neurons in [diabetics]. Even with a whole-foods diet, its hard to get enough to keep your oxidant/antioxidant status in balance. ALA repairs damaged cells, and its one of the most critical anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant agents you can ingest. When applied as a serum, alpha-lipoic acid (5%) has been shown to reduce aging in the face over twelve weeks. ALA is 400 times stronger than vitamins C and E.

The most common misconception with vitamins and supplements:

That they are regulated by the government. Supplements, including herbal therapies (also known as botanicals), often lack the scientific scrutiny that the Federal Drug Administration requires prescription medications to have. Since the mandatory regulation is minimal, its a case of buyer beware. Quality of a product is left to the manufacturer, which means that you must take great care when choosing your supplements.

Pro tip:

Consider taking only one new supplement at a time so you are able to determine whether it is helping you. Give it at least 6-12 weeks, and if it isnt working after this period, move on to another choice.

[As always, we are definitely not doctors or medical know-it-alls. And everybody is different, so make sure to check with a doctor before trying anything!]

Photo: Trays,Herms; Supplements, HUM Nutrition

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MD Sara Gottfried Talks the Differences Between Vitamins and Supplements - coveteur.com

Detox is required in order to eliminate toxins from your body, promote weight loss and improve your health. Common ways ofbody detox include limiting alcohol, fasting, consuming simple and light foods, etc. In this article, we are going to talk about 2 simple, easy and inexpensive ways to detox, shared by lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho on a live session on Facebook. He informs that lungs, liver, kidney, bowels and skin are the five eliminatory organs of the human body. Even if one of them is jammed, you will experience more sickness, inflammation, body pain, skin problems, weight gain and hormonal imbalance.

Before knowing about the detox, Luke shares about symptoms that you need a detox:

1. When the lungs are unable to eliminate toxins (carbon dioxide from the body), you get sick, experience heart palpitations and toxicity in the body.

2. Liver functioning slows down if it is unable to deal with burden of toxins. It results in fatty liver, sluggishness, fatigue, etc.

3. If the kidneys are unable to filter toxins from the body, it will result in high uric acid in your body and increases toxicity in the body.

Also read:Delhi Pollution: 5 Simple Drinks To Detoxify Your Lungs Naturally

4. If your bowels don't function properly, it will result in constipation and increase the duration of waste in your body. This leads to gastric issues, gut issues, bacterial issues, migraine and low immunity to name a few.

5. Skin, being the largest eliminatory organ of the body, will react with acne, eczema, skin irritation, dry skin, flaky skin etc.

"The human body is meant to detoxify naturally. And this can be achieved by taking proper rest and getting adequate sleep," says Luke.

Resting and fasting can naturally detox your bodyPhoto Credit: iStock

Luke says that rest refers to fasting when it comes to body detox. Continuously eating makes your digestive system work continuously. Fasting gives your digestive system some rest. Your digestive system, gut and pancreas can only heal and repair itself when it is in a state of rest. People going through cancer treatment, chemotherapy or liver problems need a detox because of high intake of medicines.

Giving yourself breaks and rests will automatically help you with bodydetox.

Well, intermittent fasting is the perfect and most natural way to detox your body. You can fast for 12 hours starting after sunset to post-sunrise, and it will give your kidneys, lungs, liver and bowel the required time and space for a detox.

Also read:Intermittent Fasting: Know How To Practice It And The Benefits And Drawbacks That Follow

Sleep

Sleeping well is important for a healthy weight and good overall health. All the detox in your body occurs when you sleep. So, if you want a natural body detox, make amends in your lifestyle so that you are able to sleep well. Create a comfortable and cosy environment in your room, exercise regularly, quit smoking and alcohol, and do not use any gadgets at least an hour before your bed time, to get a good night's sleep.

Sleeping well can help you with a full body detoxPhoto Credit: iStock

Sleeping and resting/fasting, is the perfect way to detox your body naturally.

Also read:Top 6 Ways To Fix Your Sleep Cycle

(Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach - Integrative Medicine)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from India and around the world on NDTV.com. Catch all the Live TV action on NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates.

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Full Body Detox: Try These 2 Simple, Inexpensive And Easy Ways To Naturally Detox Your Body - NDTV News

Photo: Golden Roots Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine/Yelp

Looking for the best acupuncture options near you?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top acupuncture spots around Anaheim, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture next time you're in the market for acupuncture.

Anaheim-area consumers historically spend more in November at health and beauty businesses than other months of the year, according to data on local business transactions from Womply, a provider of online reputation management and direct response marketing for small businesses. The average amount spent per customer transaction at Anaheim-area health and beauty businesses grew to $53 for the metro area in November of last year, second only to December with an average of $54, and 3% higher than the average for the rest of the year.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

First on the list is Evolve Integrative Health. Located at 6200 E. Canyon Rim Road, Suite 109D in Anaheim Hills, the chiropractor and acupuncture spot is the highest-rated acupuncture spot in Anaheim, boasting five stars out of 49 reviews on Yelp.

Next up is West Anaheim's Peebro Skin & Total Health Care, situated at 408 S. Beach Blvd., Suite 108. With 4.5 stars out of 102 reviews on Yelp, the medical spa, acupuncture and skin care spot has proven to be a local favorite.

West Anaheim's Jaein Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, located at 3441 W. Ball Road, Suite E, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the acupuncture, tui na and pain management specialist spot five stars out of 37 reviews.

Golden Roots Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, a Chinese medicine specialist and acupuncture and massage therapist spot in Northwest Anaheim, is another much-loved go-to, with five stars out of 19 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1781 W. Romneya Drive, Suite D to see for yourself.

Story continues

Last but not least, over in Anaheim Hills, check out Hands on Wellness Center, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 40 reviews on Yelp. You can find the chiropractor, acupuncture and massage therapist spot at 5100 E. La Palma Ave., Suite 104.

This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

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The 5 best acupuncture spots in Anaheim - Yahoo News

The 28-year-old model and bo-po activist took to Instagram this week to announce that shes expecting her first child with her boyfriend Philip Payne.

"Its not just the two of us anymore, we're soon to be a family of 3 , she captioned a snap of the pair holding a positive pregnancy test.

RELATED:Iskra Lawrences Red Carpet Look Is Turning Heads For All The Right Reasons

But later, during an Instagram Live, Iskra admitted that the news had come as a total shock to them both. Especially seeing as shed been on birth control at the time of conception - and had been for the past 11 years.

"It was not planned, and it was a surprise, and it was a terrifying surprise," she said. "I was crying not out of joy, not out of happiness, but out of fear."

I was waiting and thinking in a couple of years...that's when we'll start a family. But that isn't always the case."

She explained that she probably wasnt as stringent at taking the pill as she could have been: "In my head I was like, even though I travel and there are time differences, I thought I was taking it consistently.

FYI, even missing just one dose or taking it two hours later than usual can seriously up your chances of falling pregnant. Plus, there are certain factors that increase this risk, like mixing certain medications or taking antibiotics.

But regardless of whether it was planned or not, Iskra who is due in five months - cant wait to start her journey to motherhood.

Ive never been more excited to meet anyone, and Philip and I are in love with our mini baby P bump, she added on IG.

Congrats to the happy fam!

RELATED:Turns Out The Pill Is More Effective If You Skip Your Period

View post:
Iskra Lawrence On Getting Pregnant While Taking The Pill - Women's Health

5 November 2019

Singapore A*STARs Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) has teamed up with the Singapore Institute of Advanced Medicine Holdings Pte Ltd (SIAMH) to explore how to better tackle nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a type of head and neck cancer, through targeted proton therapy.

The two parties are collaborating through an agreement to evaluate and optimise proton therapy for NPC with the use of patient-derived xenografts as well as in vitro 3D organoid models developed at A*STARs IBN, specifically for the treatment of recurrent and radioresistant NPC. The parties will also perform research on designing and establishing novel nano-radiotheranostic agents.

NPC that is detected early is often treated by radiotherapy, concurrently with chemotherapy. However, NPC presents a unique treatment challenge for radiation oncologists due to the proximity of cancer tissues to several critical organs and tissues such as the brain, the spinal cord, the salivary gland, and the optical nerves. Any damage to these adjacent structures could severely impair the quality of life of patients following the treatment.

Figure-1---The-treatment-room-of-a-proton-facility - Image-Credit-SIAMH

Proton therapy could help solve some of these existing treatment challenges. It is a newer mode of radiation therapy that allows proton beams to more precisely irradiate the tumour compared to the x-rays used in conventional radiotherapy. This results in sparing damage to nearby healthy tissues and organs, and potentially less treatment-related side effects for patients to enjoy improved quality of life.

We are excited to partner with SIAMH to explore ways of optimising proton therapy for treating NPC, through leveraging IBNs expertise in developing tumour models and organoids for disease modelling and therapeutic optimisation, said Dr. Lucky Sasidharan, Postdoctoral Fellow at A*STARs IBN.

This collaboration offers a great opportunity to mutually apply our technologies and expertise in an innovative fashion for the benefit of cancer patients, added Dr. Lim Chwee Ming, Adjunct Clinician Scientist at A*STARs IBN.

Figure-2---Components-of-the-proton-facility-of-SIAMH - Image-Credit-SIAMH

Dr. Djeng Shih Kien, Chairman and CEO of SIAMH said, We are very happy to be able to collaborate with A*STAR's IBN and develop a focus group interested in treating Asian cancers like NPC. Although NPC is rare in the Western world, it is common in Asia. There are 300 new cases a year in Singapore alone. It is the 3rd most common cancer in Malaysia, after colorectal and lung cancer.

Dr. Djeng added: Singapore is a small country with limited resources and talent pool. SIAMH's first collaboration with IBN is our attempt to bring together leaders of IBN and the private sector in Singapore as well as domestic and international experts to maximise talent usage. Proton Therapy will be available in Singapore by early 2020. It would significantly reduce side effects due to its characteristic tumour targeting abilities which would be very advantageous in sparing critical structures in the case of NPC patients.

Recently, the group also presented their work at the Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Societys Annual Scientific Meeting held at Adelaide[1][1].

NPC is the 9th most common cancer and 7th most frequent cause of cancer related deaths amongst males in Singapore.2 It is often associated with an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of the white blood cells and nasal lining at the back of the nose. One of the most common signs of newly-diagnosed NPC is the appearance of one or more lumps in the nose or on the neck.

About the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology

The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) is the worlds first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute. Established in 2003, IBNs mission is to conduct multidisciplinary research across science, engineering, and medicine for breakthroughs to improve healthcare and quality of life. IBNs research activities are focused on Nanomedicine and Biomaterials, Synthetic Xenobiology and Biosystems, Tissue and Organoid Models, and Green and Safe Biomaterials. The Institute has published over 1,320 papers in leading scientific journals, filed over 660 active patents and patent applications on its inventions, and established 12 spin-off companies. For more information on IBN, please visit http://www.a-star.edu.sg/ibn.

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society.

As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability.

We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and research entities, the wider research community and industry. A*STARs R&D activities span biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit http://www.a-star.edu.sg.

About the Singapore Institute of Advanced Medicine Holdings Pte Ltd

The Proton Therapy Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of the Singapore Institute of Advanced Medicine Holdings Pte Ltd (SIAMH), will provide proton beam therapy treatment in Singapore. It is part of a new oncology center that is located at the Biopolis, Singapore. The new oncology center will include a comprehensive diagnostic center providing both imaging and laboratory services using advance medical technologies. Its training facility, the Advanced Medicine Training Centre, will provide the necessary training to the specialists in this part of the world. For more information, search proton.sg.

See more here:
Taking Better Aim at Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Proton Therapy - BioSpace

Over billions of years nature has perfected ingenious ways for biological cells to move around their environment and harmlessly transport packages of chemicals between one another.

Now scientists are mimicking some of these processes to create new nanomachines that could eventually help treat diseases like leukaemia and other cancers.

One approach takes its inspiration from the story of the siege of Troy, when the Greeks hid their warriors inside a giant wooden horse in order to get inside the city.

Professor Valentina Cauda, a chemical engineer at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy, is leading a project to create nano-sized crystals of zinc oxide that can kill cancer cells from the inside. By themselves the crystals, which are around 20 nanometres in size about 6,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair can be toxic to healthy cells in the body and can trigger an immune reaction that prevents them from reaching the tumour.

But Prof. Cauda and her colleagues on the TrojaNanoHorse project have developed a shell around the crystals so they can slip them past the bodys defences and inside cancer cells.

The idea is to elude the immune system and to elude the barrier of the cell membrane thanks to the biomimetic shell, says Prof. Cauda. In the Trojan horse analogy, the (cancer) cell can be the city of Troy.

Fatty

The tiny shells, which are between 100-200nm or 1,000 times smaller than a human hair, are made from fatty molecules called lipids that form the outer membrane of almost all living cells. In nature, small droplets made from these lipids known as vesicles constantly bud off from the surface of our cells with chemical messages or unwanted materials inside so they can be carried safely to other parts of the body.

Prof. Cauda and her team have tried to copy this by coating their nanocrystals in vesicles produced by cells grown in the lab so they too can pass harmlessly through the body. The surface of the vesicles can also be studded with antibodies against specific cancer cells, helping them to hone in on only the cells they want to kill.

Once a vesicle finds a cancer cell, its antibodies will bind to the surface, allowing the lipids to merge with the cell and releasing the toxic nanocrystal inside. And by growing nanoshells from cells taken from a patients own body, Prof. Cauda believes it will be possible to create personalised treatments that can evade the immune system while still killing cancer cells.

The team have already tested the nanoshell approach against leukaemia cells and cervical cancer in the laboratory. While they hope to be able to perform human trials in the future, Prof. Cauda warned it could still be many years before they reach that stage.

Benefits

If successful, however, this nanomedicine approach could bring benefits compared to traditional chemotherapy treatments by only targeting tumour cells, leaving healthy tissue unaffected and so reducing side-effects.

The nanomedicine approach could offer a site-selective and personalised treatment for the patient, said Prof. Cauda.

In the Trojan horse analogy, the (cancer) cell can be the city of Troy.

Professor Valentina Cauda, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

This approach, however, still largely relies upon the nanoshells chancing upon the cancer cells as they circulate in the patients bloodstream so they can attach to them.

Another team of researchers are working on nano- and micro-machines that might actively be able to improve this by carrying treatments to the site in the body where they are needed.

Dr Larisa Florea, a materials scientist at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, is leading a project called ChemLife to create miniature vehicles that can move by themselves in a liquid.

Chemotaxis

The team is attempting to emulate a form of movement known as chemotaxis, which is employed by some basic microorganisms and enables them to move through solutions from low salinity to high salinity, or from acidic to alkaline solutions, for example.

Other research teams in the US have previously shown that man-made droplets can be very precisely navigated through complex mazes with this approach. Dr Florea and her colleagues have sought to extend this by using light to control the movement of droplets.

They have created vesicle-like droplets that pair light sensitive molecules with compounds known as surfactants. Surfactants are commonly found in detergents but are also commonly found in many biological systems.

When exposed to light, the photosensitive molecules react by changing their shape, altering the surface tension on each side of the droplet. This causes the molecules in the droplet to flow from one side to the other, driving it forward, a little like the tread of a tank.

The team have shown they can accurately steer droplets through three dimensional spaces and reach speeds of up to 10.4mm per second (0.02mph).

By adding a photoactive material to a droplet, scientists have been able to control its movement in three dimensions through water using light. Video credit -Yang Xiao (author) and co-authors: Sara Zarghami, Klaudia Wagner, Pawel Wagner, Keith C. Gordon, Larisa Florea, Dermot Diamond, David L. Officer.

If you compare the speed of the movement to the size of these microdroplets, they are faster, pound for pound, than some of the best swimmers in the world, said Dr Florea.

They have also been able to demonstrate that their droplet-shaped vehicles can carry cargo, delivering it to other droplets to trigger a chemical reaction. It raises hopes that similar methods could be used to deliver drugs or other sorts of treatments to specific cells in the body.

While it may be difficult to use light to navigate a drug-carrying droplet through the body, Dr Florea and her colleagues have also explored using mild electrical currents.

Propel

The team have also been developing more complex micromachines that can swim or crawl through liquids like tiny bacteria. Using highly precise 3D printing techniques, they have been able to create hydrogel structures around a few micrometres in size that can contract and expand to propel a structure forward.

We have been making tiny flower-like structures, for example, that can open and close in response to different stimuli, she said. For example it might open at a certain pH and close at another.

This happens because the hydrogels expand by absorbing water and contract by expelling it according to the pH of the surrounding solution.Dr Florea said they hope to also control the movement of hydrogels with changes in temperature or pulses of light.

The ChemLife team are using these hydrogels to create structures with tiny rotating flagella the tiny tail-like appendages that some bacteria use to propel themselves. They are also creating worm-like structures from the same kind of hydrogels that can crawl along surfaces or through liquids.

The ultimate goal is to have these micro-vehicles perform actions like drug delivery or (chemical) sensing, said Dr Florea. But we have to be realistic that this might not be achieved in the near future as the body is a very difficult environment.

The tiny moving structures could also find uses in other ways too. These include delivering chemicals to better improve industrial reactions or creating soft micro-grippers that could be remotely activated to handle delicate components like cells without damaging them.

When you look at what nature can achieve, the opportunities are endless, added Dr Florea.

The research in this article was funded by the EUs European Research Council. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.

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Nanovehicles that mimic nature could deliver treatments of the future - Horizon magazine

Nanomedicine Market report has been structured after a thorough study of various key market segments like market size, latest trends, market threats and key drivers which drives the market. This market study report has been prepared with the use of in-depth qualitative analysis of the global market. The report displays a fresh market research study that explores several significant facets related to Nanomedicine Market covering industry environment, segmentation analysis, and competitive landscape. This global market research report is a proven source to gain valuable market insights and take better decisions about the important business strategies.

Industry Analysis:

Global nanomedicine market is registering a healthy CAGR of 15.50% in the forecast period of 2019-2026. This rise in the market value can be attributed to increasing number of applications and wide acceptance of the product globally. There is a significant rise in the number of researches done in this field which accelerate growth of nanomedicine market globally.

Top Dominating Competitors are: Abbott, Invitae Corporation, General Electric Company, Leadiant Biosciences, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Mallinckrodt, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., NanoSphere Health Sciences, Inc., Pfizer Inc., CELGENE CORPORATION, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Amgen Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, AbbVie Inc., Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Luminex Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Nanobiotix, Sanofi, UCB S.A., Ablynx among others.

Nanomedicine Market Report incorporates the precisely contemplated and surveyed information related to the Nanomedicine Market by utilizing various explanatory tools and techniques. The explanatory devices, for example, PEST analysis, Porters five Forces examination, SWOT investigation, speculation return examination and feasibility analysis have been utilized to break down complex Nanomedicine Market data.

Market Drivers and Restraint:

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 Industry Overview:

Chapter 2 Premium Insights

Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis:

Chapter 4 Major Market Classification:

Chapter 5 Major Application Analysis:

Chapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis:

Chapter 7 Major Manufacturers Analysis:

Chapter 8 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis:

Chapter 9 Market Driving Factors:

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Nanomedicine Market Analysis by Growth, Segmentation, Performance, Competitive Strategies with Top Players Pfizer Inc., CELGENE CORPORATION, Teva...

Japanese researchers have developed a machine learning model that allows scientists to reconstruct the neuronal circuitry of the brain by measuring signals from the neurons themselves.

According to experts in the field, the brain is considered to be one of the most complex systems in existence. While significant headway has been made to understand how the brain works, researchers tend to generate more questions than answers about this entity.

However, the creators of the machine learning model - a team from Kyoto University - believe it has the potential to explain the difference in neuronal computation in different brain regions more clearly.

To comprehend the brain, neurologists must look at the neurons that construct it. Our entire world of perception runs across these billions of cells in our head and that is compounded by the exponentially larger number of connections known as synapses between them. This, therefore, makes the path to our understanding of the brain a challenge.

Shigeru Shinomoto from Kyoto Universitys School of Science, who led the project, explained that although it is possible to record the activity of individual neurons in the brain and that number has increased dramatically over the last decade it is still a challenge to map out how each of these cells connects to each other.

It has been suggested that neuronal connectivity can be estimated by analysing the correlation between neuronal signals, Shinomoto explained. But getting accurate inference was difficult because of the amount of external noise coming from other neurons.

As part of their study, the team constructed an analytical method that takes the signal spikes from individual neurons and estimates the inter-neuronal connections from them.

To eliminate data-contaminating 'noise', the researchers applied a generalised linear model (GLM), a basic model in machine learning, to a cross correlogram (an image of correlation statistics) that records the firing correlation between neurons.

We called our analysis GLMCC and it estimated the strength of nerve connections in units of synaptic membrane potential, said Ryota Kobayashi from the National Institute of Informatics (NII) based in Tokyo.

To confirm if our data reflected real-world connectivity, we evaluated its accuracy through a simulation of a large network of neurons. We confirmed that the new model has an accuracy of 97 per cent, much higher than any previous method.

A brain circuit diagram can be obtained by applying the GLMCC (Generalised Linear Model for Cross Correlation) programme

Image credit: Kyoto University/Shinomoto Lab

The model was then applied to experimental data of neuron activity in the hippocampus (a brain structure embedded deep in the temporal lobe of each cerebral cortex) of rats. When analysed, the team found the estimated connections matched the results inferred with other physiological cues.

A 'ready-to-use' version of the deep learning model is available online and the team hopes it will be utilised by neuroscientists around the world.

Shinomoto concluded: As we advance in technology, the amount of neurological data we collect will increase. Our new analytical model will be vital in processing that information and will lead us to better understand how our brains process the world around us.

The paper, Reconstructing Neuronal Circuitry from Parallel Spike Trains,waspublished in the journalNature Communications.

In April, researchers from UC Berkeley and the US Institute for Molecular Manufacturing (iMM) predicted that exponential progress in nanotechnology, nanomedicine, artificial intelligence and computation will lead to the development of a human brain/cloud interface and will give people instant access to vast knowledge and computing power via thought alone.

In October 2018, E&Texplored advances in neuroimaging which could pave way for researchers to observe brain activity in real-time, investigating how these new techniques could reshape the way mental illness is diagnosed and treated.

Sign up to the E&T News e-mail to get great stories like this delivered to your inbox every day.

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Machine learning constructs map of the brain's neural circuit - E&T Magazine

Ongoing advancements in cancer research continue to lead to the introduction of newer and better treatment options including drug therapies. The provision of newer drugs and treatments is expected to improve the diagnostic and treatment rate for triple-negative breast cancer. Some of the recent clinical efforts are being targeted at the molecular level characterization of triple-negative breast cancer across emerging therapeutic targets such as epigenetic proteins, PARP1, androgen receptors, receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases, and immune checkpoints. These initiatives are anticipated to boost revenue growth of the triple-negative breast cancer treatment market. In a new research study, Persistence Market Research estimates the globaltriple-negative breast cancer treatment marketrevenue to cross US$ 720 Mn by 2026 from an estimated valuation of just under US$ 505 Mn in 2018. This is indicative of a CAGR of 4.7% during the period 2018 to 2026.

Development of generics is another key opportunity area in the triple-negative breast cancer treatment market. With the rapidly expanding number of cancer cases across the world, there is a need for effective cancer management, including the provision of better and more efficient drugs. Developing economies are faced with challenges on several fronts including paucity of funds and lack of proper treatment options, calling for more innovative approaches to affordable healthcare. The availability of biosimilars and affordable generic anti-cancer drugs in developing regions is expected to significantly reduce the burden of cancer care. A projected cost reduction to the tune of more than 30% 40% and extended use of generic drugs is expected to reduce overall cancer treatment costs, thereby increasing the treatment rate for triple-negative breast cancer. This is further anticipated to create lucrative growth opportunities in the global triple-negative breast cancer treatment market.

Advances in Cancer Treatment and Introduction of Innovative Cancer Treatment Drugs to Boost Revenue Growth of the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment Market

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and over the years, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies have been conducting advanced research and development activities to devise newer treatment options and drugs to treat breast cancer. Several new drug formulations are currently in the pipeline in different stages of clinical development and this is expected to bode well for the triple-negative breast cancer treatment market. Innovation in oncology therapeutics has shifted focus towards an outcome based approach to cancer care, with an increasing emphasis on combination drugs and newer therapeutic modalities. This is further likely to put the global triple-negative breast cancer treatment market on a positive growth trajectory in the coming years.

Combination Therapy and Advancements in Nano Medicine Research Trending the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment Market

One of the biggest trends being observed in the global market for triple-negative breast cancer treatment is the shift towards combination therapy. Companies in the global triple-negative breast cancer treatment market are conducting clinical trials for combination therapies by collaborating with other players in the market. Combination therapies are the latest innovation in the field of oncology and the combination of therapeutic drugs with chemotherapy is said to be an effective protocol for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.

Another huge trend in the triple-negative breast cancer treatment market is the emergence of nanotechnology as an efficient tool in the clinical management of critical diseases such as triple-negative breast cancer. It has been observed that the combination of gold nanoparticles and folic acid results in higher cell entry rate in both in-vitro and in-vivo models, indicative of the fact that folate receptors are effective targeted therapies for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Nanoparticles facilitate systematic and efficient delivery of drugs and agents to the site of the tumor. Advanced R&D in nanotechnology and nano medicine is one of the top trends likely to impact the global triple-negative breast cancer treatment market in the years to come.

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Triple Negative Breast Cancer Treatment Market is Countable to Translate to a Revenue of CAGR 4.7% by 2018 to 2026 in Step With Market Forecast -...

The 3rd annual Bakersfield Walk to Cure Arthritis event will take place Nov. 16 at The Park at River Walk. The event is put on to help find a cure for arthritis and to help people with arthritis live a full life, according to a press release.

"Arthritis is more than just a few minor aches and pains. It's a debilitating disease that robs people of their dreams," saidMichal W. Wiesbrock, executive director for Arthritis Foundation Central Coast, in a statement. "When you support Walk to Cure Arthritis, you become a Champion of Yes, helping us build a lifetime of better, while accelerating the search for a cure."

The walk features two local honorees on the front lines in the battle against arthritis. This year the 2019 Medical Honoree is Dr. Andrew A. Kao, and the 2019 Youth Honoree is Leila Shackleford, according to the release.

Original post:
Bakersfield Walk to Cure Arthritis to take place in November - The Bakersfield Californian

Video telemedicine may be anoption for care inrheumatoid arthritis (RA) for patients who have high disease activity andpositive perceptions of telemedicine, and for physicians who frequently utilizetelemedicine technologies, according to research published inArthritis Care and Research.

Using data from patients within the Alaska Tribal Health System, researchers sought to determine the baseline factors associated with the use of telemedicine for RA. Adults 18 and older with an RA diagnosis who were seen at the Alaska Native Medical Center between August 2016 and March 2018 were invited to participate in the study.

Throughout the baseline enrollment period,rheumatology-specific telemedicine was available in the form of synchronousvideo teleconference. Physicians were briefly and generally trained on the useof the telemedicine equipment. Telemedicine was made available to patients in 2different scenarios: Those residing in rural areas could use the videoteleconference to reduce travel burden, or care was provided at the AlaskaNative Medical Center in Anchorage from a rheumatologist who wasvideo-conferenced in from out of state.

In total, 122 patients participated in the study. In boththe telemedicine and in-person groups, patient demographics were similar withrespect to age, sex, and disease duration (mean 10 years). A majority ofparticipants across both groups had positive autoantibodies (>85% positivefor rheumatoid factor and anticyclic citrullinated peptide), and almost allpatients had been prescribed disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs within thelast year.

Both groups had a mean number of rheumatology visits withinthe past year higher than 2; however, the telemedicine group had more visitsoverall (mean 2.95 vs 2.39;P=.011).The telemedicine group also had higher survey scores, which indicated morepositive perceptions of telemedicine and a higher mean rheumatologisttelemedicine rate, indicating that they were seeing a rheumatologist whoperformed telemedicine visits more frequently.

Investigators conducted a multivariate analysis for age,sex, number of rheumatologist visits in the past year, Routine Assessment ofPatient Index Data 3score, telemedicine survey score, ever seen bytelemedicine by any provider, and mean rheumatologist telemedicine rate. Thestrongest association with patient use of telemedicine was the meanrheumatologist telemedicine rate (odds ratio [OR] 4.14; 95% CI, 2.35-8.00).Additional strong associations were observed between the telemedicineperception survey score and use of telemedicine (OR 2.76; 95% CI, 1.32-6.18),the number of rheumatologist visits in the past year, and Routine Assessment ofPatient Index Data 3 score.

In addition, patient perceptions of telemedicine were an important factor associated with the choice to use telemedicine for RA follow up vs in-person care only. Survey results indicated that patients who had ever been seen by telemedicine responded more favorably than those who had not. Overall, patients still preferred to be seen by a specialist in person, regardless of group (61% of the telemedicine group and 74% of the in-person-only group), but those in the telemedicine group were more likely to feel that care provided via video was as good as care provided in person.

Limitations to the study included the observational natureof the research, possible unmeasured staff or provider biases that contributedto patient choice, and the unique setting that may prevent a generalization ofresults to other populations.

Future studies will investigate disease activity over time and quality of care for RA in the setting of telemedicine compared [with] usual care and will help inform practice further, the researchers concluded.

Reference

Ferruci ED, Holck P, Day GM, Choromanski TL, Freeman SL.Factors associated with use of telemedicine for follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis[published online August 17, 2019].Arthritis Care Res.doi: 10.1002/acr.24049

Original post:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Care and the Option of Telemedicine - Rheumatology Advisor

LANSING Dr. Karen Kent VanGorder sees a lot of patients who aren't compelled to manage their health because they don't have troubling symptoms.

"The mostcommon thing I hear as a doctor is someone looks at me and shrugs and says, 'I feel good," VanGorder, who servesas Sparrow Health System's chief medical officer, said.

That can be an issue with chronic conditions like high cholesterol that often don't have symptoms until they lead to major issues like stroke or heart attack, she said.

VanGorder saidshe tries to help patients understand "the natural history of a chronic condition absolutely applies to them" and they need to think about how they'll feel in 10, 15 or even 20 years.

"Lucky is not a plan," she said.

VanGorder works to motivate patients to eliminate risk from their life, comparing it to teaching a kid to look both ways before crossing the street and she said the good news isthat it can besimple.

It can be as easy as walking every day, she said, stressing that increasing activity is free and doesn't require an appointment or insurance.

"The more we move in mid-Michigan, the healthier we're going to be," she said.

And people's health does impact the community in various ways, VanGorder said.

When people have chronic conditions, it affects family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and more, she said.

And according to a state survey that tracks the prevalence of medical conditions, among other topics, some of those conditions affect around a third of the adults in the Lansing area.

People with high cholesterol and high blood pressureare much more likely to have a heart attack, stroke or another vascular issue because of damage to blood vessels.

Prevalence: According to the Centers for Disease Control, 68 million American adults a little less than 33% have high cholesterol and about 32% have high blood pressure.

Show caption Hide caption Michael Ranville, 74, of Charlotte, works out Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at ALIVE! in Charlotte. He suffered a massive heart attack in 1984, and...Michael Ranville, 74, of Charlotte, works out Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at ALIVE! in Charlotte. He suffered a massive heart attack in 1984, and had a heart transplant in 2015. Ranville works out for 35-40 minutes three days a week.MATTHEW DAE SMITH/Lansing State Journal

Issues with both cholesterol and blood pressure are more common in Michigan. According to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 36.5% of Michiganders have high cholesterol and 33.9% have been diagnosed with hypertension.

High cholesterol ratesUSA Today Network

Regionally, it's about as prevalent 36.7% of people in the Lansing area and nearby counties said they have had their cholesterol checked within the last five years and had a health professional tell them they have high cholesterol. And 35.1% of respondents in the Lansing area said a health professional has told them they have high blood pressure.

It's more prevalent in Barry and Eaton Counties, where 41.4% of respondents self-identified as having high cholesterol and43.4% said they've been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Issues with cholesterol and blood pressure are least prevalent in Ingham County, where 34.6% of people said they've been diagnosed with high cholesterol and30.2% of respondents indicated a health professional has told them they have high blood pressure.

Cost: According to a study published last year in the Journal of the American Heart Association, adults with high blood pressure spend nearly $2,000 more each year on health care.

According to that same study, health care for adults with high blood pressure costs an extra $131 billion annually than it does for those without hypertension.

Another report commissioned by the American Heart Association found that in 2010, heart disease cost the country $273 billion in direct medical costs and $172 billion in lost productivity.

High blood pressure ratesUSA Today Network

Treatment and Prevention: Lifestyle plays a major factor in people's cholesterol and blood pressure levels. To help avoid or manage either condition, people can:

People with high blood pressure also can benefit from reducing stress, limiting how much alcohol they drink and eating food that's rich in potassium, including fruits like bananas and oranges, cooked vegetables like broccoli and spinach and some fish such as tuna and trout.

When lifestyle changes aren't enough, medication can help. Drugs known as statins are the primary medication used to treat high cholesterol.

There are many more types of drugs that can treat high blood pressure, from diuretics that get rid of excess sodium to beta-blockers that reduce heart rate to vasodilators that relax the walls of blood vessels.

Impact on everyday life: Hear from Dr. Awais Kang, a cardiologist with McLaren Greater Lansing, about helping patients with high cholesterol and high blood pressure avoid more serious heart problems and regain heart function.

Heather Tompkins-Herber talks about managing her arthritis Friday, Oct. 18, 2019.Robert Killips | Lansing State Journal

Prevalence: About 23% of Americans have arthritis, according to the CDC.

The inflammatory disorder is more common in Michigan, where 30.8% of respondents to a statewide survey say a health professional has diagnosed them with arthritis.

And it's about as common in the Lansing region, with 29.5% of respondents saying they've been diagnosed.

It's more common in Barry, Eaton, Clinton, Ionia and Montcalm counties, where 33.5% of people said they have arthritis.

Arthritis ratesUSA Today Network

And it's less common in Ingham County, where 26.3% of respondents said a health professional has diagnosed them with arthritis.

Cost: According to a study published in 2017, adults with arthritis spent an extra $2,117 in medical costs and missed out on $4,040 in potential wages each, on average, in 2013.

Nearly half of all medical costs went to outpatient care, which can include diagnosis, consultation, treatment and rehabilitation.

Treatment: There are various ways to treat the symptoms of arthritis.

Some might opt for medication. Most drugs used to treat arthritis help relieve pain and inflammation.

Others might choose to take supplements and herbs to treat pain, stiffness and inflammation or opt for other treatments like massage or electrical stimulation as an alternative to drugs.

Joint surgery and otherprocedures arealso an option, but areusually recommended only after trying other treatment methods.

Prevention: According to the Arthritis Foundation, there's no sure way to prevent the condition.

But there are ways to reduce risk factors and delay the potential onset of any of the various 100 forms of arthritis, including:

Impact on everyday life: Learn how Heather Tompkins-Herber, a Charlotte residentdiagnosed with arthritis in her early thirties, manages nearly constant pain in her neck and spine.

Prevalence: According to the CDC, 7.7% of Americans have "current asthma." That means they've been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their life and have been told they still have the condition.

Asthma is more common in Michigan, with 10.7% of survey respondents saying they still struggle with the condition.

Eric Ware, of Lansing, pictured with medicines he must carry in case of an asthma attack. He has battled asthma since he was 5.Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal

Locally, it's less common in Clinton, Ionia and Montcalm counties, where 8.1% of respondents say they still have asthma.

It's more common in Ingham County, where 12.1% of people say they have current asthma.

Cost: A CDC study published last year found the total annual cost of asthma including medical care, absenteeism and mortality was $81.9 billion.

That breaks down to $3,266 per person, on average:

The study found adults with asthma missed a combined 8.7 million work days and lost an average of $214 in potential earnings.

Treatment: There are a variety of medicines that can help people control their asthma.

The American Lung Association breaks them into five categories:

Asthma ratesUSA Today Network

Prevention: According to the Mayo Clinic, it isn't clear why some people get asthma and others don't, but there are risk factors that might increase the chance of getting asthma.

Some of those you can't necessarily control, such as whether a parent or sibling has asthma or whether you have an allergic condition like eczema.

Others, though, are based on behavior or environment:

The U.S. has third-highest rate of child asthma cases linked to traffic-related air pollution

A shocking 4 million cases of children developing asthma per year could stem from traffic-related air pollution.

Buzz60

Impact on everyday life: Eric Ware was diagnosed with asthma at 5. Learn about how he's managed it, including just accepting it as a lung disease.

Prevalence:According to the CDC, 9.3% of American adults have diabetes.

State figures show it's more common in Michigan, with 11% of survey respondents saying they've been diagnosed with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

It's slightly less common in the region, with 10.3% of people surveyed saying they have diabetes.

That's swayed by Ingham County, where it's much less prevalent 7.9% of people said they've been diagnosed with diabetes.

It's more common in Barry and Eaton counties, where 13.4% say they've been diagnosed, and Clinton, Ionia and Montcalm counties, where 12.2% say they have either of the two main types of diabetes.

Cost:According to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes have medical expenses about 2.3 times higher than those without diabetes.

ADA organization estimates diagnosed diabetes costs around$9.7 billioneach year in Michigan alone, based on data from 2017:

Treatment: People with any type of diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels multiple times a day. Treatment, though, can vary from person to person.

Diabetes ratesUSA Today Network

Some people can manage their diabetes with healthy eating and exercise. Others need to take medication to lower their blood sugar or inject prescription insulin to help their body regulate blood sugar levels by either using or storing glucose.

Prevention: Different kind of diabetes have different causes, including the most common Type 1 and Type 2.

The American Diabetes Association identifies two factors that are key in causing both types: Inheriting a predisposition to the disease and environmental triggers.

For example, research has shown people who live in places with cold climates develop Type 1 diabetes more often, but in most cases, people also need to inherit risk factors from both parents.

Lifestyle is more influential in developing Type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown those at risk of developing Type 2 can delay or prevent it with exercise and weight loss.

ADA recommends learning your risk and they have a quick online test anyone can take atdiabetes.org/risk-test. People also can ask their doctor about the A1C test, a blood test that can help identify prediabetes or diagnose either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Impact on everyday life: Learn how Hillary Coleman, a 28-year-old Lansing resident, manages herType I diabetes.

Contact reporter Megan Banta at (517) 377-1261 or mbanta@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.

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Which chronic health issues plague Greater Lansing? Read the list, learn how to beat them - Lansing State Journal

A large attendance from across the midlands turned out last Wednesday, November 6, for an information evening in Athlone about ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

The inflammatory arthritis affects 4,000-6,000 people in Ireland and is most frequently diagnosed in young men.

The talk by Dr Killian ORourke, consultant rheumatologist at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, was part of an awareness campaign about the condition organised by Arthritis Ireland.

Dr ORourke outlined that some of the early signs and symptoms of the condition include pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks; early morning stiffness; fatigue and poor form; pain and tenderness in the ribs, shoulder blades, hips, thighs and heels; weight loss; fever; mild to moderate anaemia; inflammation of the bowel; and iritis or uveitis.

As ankylosing spondylitis advances, it can affect a persons ability to work. It is estimated that a third of people with AS may be unable to work at all. Around one in six may need to make changes to their working life in order to continue working.

While its not yet known what causes ankylosing spondylitis, there can be a genetic element. However, the condition isnt passed directly from a parent to their children.

Head of communications and advocacy at Arthritis Ireland, Brian Lynch, said: When people are informed about their condition, they are better able to manage the day-to-challenge of living with it. Since ankylosing spondylitis affects people when they are in the prime of their lives, it can be hugely disruptive in terms of their education, careers, relationships, past times.

Our work as a patient organisation is about educating people so that they are aware of symptoms and can take early action. Equally, it is about helping people regain control of their lives through education and support, Lynch said.

Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis is supported by Novartis.

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Offaly doctor speaks at national arthritis event - Photo 1 of 2 - Offaly Express

Danielle C Fair,1 Martha Rodriguez,2 Andrea M Knight,3 Tamar B Rubinstein4

1Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical College of Wisconsin: Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA; 2Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; 3Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; 4Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine: Childrens Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY, USA

Correspondence: Danielle C FairMCW Pediatric Rheumatology, Childrens Corporate Center, 999 N 92 nd St., Suite C465, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, USATel +1 414-266-2036Fax +1 414-266-6695Email dfair@mcw.edu

Abstract: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in children with rheumatologic diseases, including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, prevalence rates and the relationship with disease outcomes, including quality of life are conflicting in the early literature. To review the current literature, determine gaps in our knowledge, and identify areas in need of further investigation, we conducted a systematic review of studies examining depression and anxiety symptoms among children with JIA and the impact these symptoms may have on disease outcomes and quality of life. Six electronic databases were searched up until January 2019. Of 799 potential articles, 60 articles were included with the main focus on 28 articles from 2009 to 2019, to concentrate on the most current evidence. We found that JIA patients experience symptoms of depression and anxiety similar to other childhood chronic diseases and at higher rates than in healthy children. Patients who experience these symptoms have worse quality of life, with some evidence pointing to depression and anxiety symptoms having a greater impact on quality of life than other disease features, such as active joint count. Family members of JIA patients experience high rates of anxiety and depression symptoms which may impact their childs mental health and pain symptoms related to JIA. Conflicting reports of associations between depression/anxiety symptoms and disease features/disease outcomes and a paucity of longitudinal studies investigating the impact of treatment on mental health symptoms indicate areas in need of further research to effectively identify patients at greatest risk of depression and anxiety and to better understand how to treat and prevent these symptoms in youth with JIA. Family mental health should also be considered in investigations concerning mental health and disease outcomes of children with JIA.

Keywords: pediatric rheumatology, mental health, mood disorder, arthritis, autoimmune disease

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Depression And Anxiety In Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: | OARRR - Dove Medical Press

November 07, 2019 -Telehealth services are proving equal to in-person care in studies all across the country, but only if all the stars are aligned.

The latest example comes from Alaska, where a program launched for people living with rheumatoid arthritis found that virtual visits compared just as favorably to in-person care, as long as both provider and patient were familiar with telehealth.

The telehealth service also proved popular with patients who deal with frequent flare-ups, as it offered them a more convenient means of getting in front of a care provider.

When offered as an option for rheumatology care, video telemedicine was more likely to be used by RA patients with higher disease activity, more positive perceptions of telemedicine, and whose physicians used telemedicine more often, the researchers, led by Elizabeth D. Ferucci, of Community Health Services and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, wrote in the August edition of Arthritis Care & Research.

The intimation is that telehealth has to be familiar in order to be embraced. And that means more people providers and patients have to be introduced to telehealth in order to become familiar with its benefits.

For their study, Ferucci and her colleagues gathered data from 122 Alaskans being treated for RA in the Alaska Tribal Health System between August of 2016 and March of 2018. The participants were given a choice of in-person care at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage (with an out-of-state rheumatologist participating via video) or virtual visits.

According to the researchers, those using virtual visits met more often with their care providers. In addition, they had a more positive perception of telehealth, and they were seeing a rheumatologist who used telemedicine more frequently.

Also, both groups indicated they preferred to see a specialist in person for follow-up care 61 percent of those who used telehealth and 74 percent of those who visited the hospital. But those within the telehealth group also said their virtual care experience was just as good as in-person care.

The study points out that telehealth is embraced by those who have already tried it, but isnt high on the to-do list for those who havent used it yet. That falls in line with the many surveys that find telehealth to be popular in concept but not in use.

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In Alaska, Telehealth is Popular With Those Who Have Already Used It - mHealthIntelligence.com

The market research study titled Global Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments Market Growth (Status and Outlook) 2019-2024specialized in current industry updates covers exclusive and analytical data through the span of seven years between 2019-2024. The research report has examined global market trends with recently obtainable data relevant to the amount of both market businesses and their market share. The report studies how the challenges, risks, current approaches, and social problems could limit the market. It serves an excellent guide with the help of bar-graphs, pie charts, product figures, tables. It will offer an exact outlook of the industry for interested users.

Going further, the report presents a deep investigation of key Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments market players, market drivers and restraints procedures for business, and variables driving the development as well as various stakeholders like investors, suppliers, traders, CEOs, and others. It gives special importance to the key strategy, methodologies, and the approaches of the top vendors in order to help businesses explore the new market opportunity. The market is further divided with respect to product type and applications/end industries to analyze the top players in the global market.

DOWNLOAD FREE SAMPLE REPORT: https://www.fiormarkets.com/report-detail/377271/request-sample

Market Segments Coverage:

Geographically, this report is divided into many key regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share in these regions, from 2019 to 2024 (forecast), covering:Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil), APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain), Middle East & Africa ( Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries).

This portion appraises the market based on top vendors, their organization detailing, volume, areas, supply-demand scheme, and development trends. Top players are: AbbVie, Amgen, Bayer, Biogen Idec, Roche, Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer.

Split by type, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate in each application can be divided into Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments, Lupus Treatments.

Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments in each application, can be divided into Hospitals and Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Homecare Settings.

Important Points Featured In This Report Are:

Manufacturing Analysis Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments market synopsis is given concerning the top countries, types, and applications. In addition, the section also covers price analysis of varied market vital players.

Revenue and Sales Evaluation Both, earnings and sales are studied for different elements of this market. Here, price plays an important role in the sales creation that can be analyzed for several regions.

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Competition In this section, many global industry-leading players have been studied based on their company profile, product portfolio, capacity, price, price, and earnings.

In conclusion, the report gives the analysis of the parent market supported key players, present, past and artistic movement information which will guide industry competitors. Additionally, a point-to-point notion of some important criterions like item value supply & distribution channels, profit and loss figures, production capability, and others are also given in this report. It will act as a profitable platform for users who aims to grasp each and every single opportunity of the Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments.

Customization of the Report:This report can be customized to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales team (sales@fiormarkets.com), who will ensure that you get a report that suits your needs.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Treatments Market 2019 Global Industry Size, Share, Comprehensive Study, Trends, Demand Status, Forecast to 2024 -...

Dashing through the snow at 25 miles an hour,Heather Huson97 got her first thrill as a musher at age 7. From then on, she was hooked on dog sledding, and raced competitively for almost 30 years throughout North America.

By the end of her racing days, she had competed twice in sled dog racings equivalent to the Olympics the International Federation of Sleddog Sports World Championships. And she ended her racing career with a bang, winning an extremely competitive six-dog class race at the 2004 Tok Race of Champions in Tok, Alaska.

Heather Huson shares time with a sled dog at the Baker Institute.

Now an assistant professor of animal science, Huson is co-leader of a $4.2 million project studying close to 100 Alaskan sled dogs between the ages of 8 and 13, former athletes past their glory days. The study, which began in 2018, is a quest for one of the holy grails of medicine: how to slow aging.

This project allows me to work with sled dogs again, but now Im studying their aging and health, said Huson, a molecular geneticist in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Huson and co-leaderDr. John Loftus, assistant professor of small animal medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine, are trying todetermine whether a drug that inhibits an enzyme called reverse transcriptase can mitigate aging and extend life in older dogs. Private donations fund the project through the Vaika Foundation, a nonprofit group of scientists and veterinarianson a mission to extend the health and life span of domestic animals.

The project will serve as a proof of principle for whether reverse transcriptase inhibitors could be an elixir. If confirmed, new finely tuned drugs could be developed for both dogs and humans.

While we love dogs, and we care about extending the life span of dogs for its own right, this is also a really good model for people, hopefully, in the future, Loftus said.

Genetics of aging

Other researchers, including project collaborators at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York, have found evidence in mice that reverse transcriptase inhibitors suppress tumors and extend life span.

The next step was to go to a model organism thats more closely related to humans in similar environments, and more similar to the types of diseases that people get, Huson said.

While we love dogs, and we care about extending the life span of dogs for its own right, this is also a really good model for people, hopefully, in the future.

John Loftus

In mammals, viruses that infected distant ancestors left behind some of their DNA, which are called genetic elements.

As we age, were finding these normally dormant DNA elements get turned on and then behave like viruses in the body, said Loftus, a veterinarian and researcherwho leads the immune system analysis on this project.When DNA elements get turned on, they can encode [for] a number of proteins, and reverse transcriptase is one of them.

In turn, reverse transcriptase plays a role in duplicating more of these genetic elements, which become randomly inserted in the genome and can lead to mutations and cancer.

And since these elements act like viruses in cells, they also trigger an immune response, which creates inflammation.

The federally approved drug being tested in the sled dog project is commonly prescribed to people for viral infections.

Our approach is going to be to give the dogs a reverse transcriptase inhibitor to turn the transcriptase off, Loftus said, and hopefully reduce inflammation, reduce the incidence of cancer and other diseases related to mutations and DNA damage, and ideally increase life span.

Heather Huson watches as a sled dog runs during play time in a fenced field at the Baker Institute for Animal Research at Cornell.

Why Alaskan sled dogs?

Dogs offer many advantages over mice as research subjects. They share with humans similar lifestyles and aging-related diseases like cancer and cognitive dysfunction, and serve as a model for studying Alzheimers disease.

Originally, the researchers proposed to study pet dogs. But maintaining a uniform diet for all participants and trusting owners to administer the drug consistently proved too unreliable.

We had the idea instead to create a colony of dogs we had control over, Huson said. They realized athletic dogs were housed in groups, in kennels, and as they age, owners kept their best dogs and often sold the rest to hobbyists or as pets.

So that gave us an avenue for how we could get these dogs, Huson said.

For her doctorate, Huson studied the genetics and selective breeding in Alaskan sled dogs at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She discovered that sled dogs are a genetically distinct breed. They have undergone intense selection for such traits as athleticism, but at the same time are subject to an open breeding scheme,with a diverse gene pool that makes for fewer genetic issues and diseases than pure breeds.

John Loftus greets a sled dog at the Baker Institute for Animal Research.

Yet they create a unique population that is still homogenous that we can study and say, this response to the drug is potentially related to the drug and not because its a poodle versus a beagle, Huson said.

In late May 2018, Huson and Loftus began acquiring dogs, which they kenneled at the Baker Institute for Animal Research at Cornell. Huson traveled twice to Alaska, and she and others, including students, picked up dogs from Canada, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and other states.

Locating dogs and bringing them to the Baker Institute required countless cross-country trips on planes and by vehicle. By September 2018, they had 102 dogs for the study. In March 2019, the researchers collected the firstbaseline data.

Testing aging over time

To test the drugs effectiveness, Huson and Loftus have been quantifying aging in the dogs every six months through three avenues immune function, behavior and physical condition. All the tests are noninvasive or minimally invasive.

They are testing two types of immune responses: adaptive responses that react quickly to infections; and innate responses where the immune system recognizes and delivers specific antibodies to fight a pathogen that previously entered the body. They are also checking blood for increases in markers for inflammation.

Four cognitive dysfunction behavioral tests involve an empty behavioral testing room with a video camera to record lone dogs as they encounter such things as a stranger sitting still in a chair, a familiar or novel toy, or a mirror.

Heather Huson racing in an Alaska Dog Mushers Association Challenge Series race in 2005 at the Jeff Studdard Sled Dog Race Track in Fairbanks, Alaska.

For physical tests, dogs are fitted with a racing harness and are trained to run on a treadmill with heart rate and electrocardiogram monitors. The treadmill has special sensors under the belt to record the pressure of each footfall, to detect limping that could come with arthritis. Another test times dogs as they pull one-and-a-half times their weight a distance of 40 yards using a pull harness.

It will take years to gather enough data for the researchers to make a definitive statement about the drugs effects. But funds have already been allotted to provide the dogs with a high quality of life until they die of natural causes.

Twice a day the dogs go outside for play time. As soon as the kennel doors open, the dogs, tongues flapping, scurry excitedly down a long hallway toward the light of an open door that leads to three separate fenced fields where they play, run, sniff the grass and greet the student volunteers outside.

It reminds Huson of her childhood, when her family owned as many as 50 sled dogs.

I used to train dogs to run all the time, Huson said. Now were training them to run in a slightly different scenario. Its fun and rewarding. And, its therapy for us.

See the rest here:
Sled dogs lead the way in quest to slow aging - Cornell Chronicle

As concerns over antibiotic resistance grow, equine veterinarians look for ways to treat wounds without reaching for these powerful drugs. At the 2019 British Equine Veterinary Association Congress, held Sept. 11-14 in Birmingham, U.K., Dean Hendrickson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, described ways to do just this, ranging from debridement to stem cell therapy.Debridement

The best way to deal with bacteria is to get rid of them, said Hendrickson, a professor in the Clinical Sciences Department at Colorado State Universitys Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Fort Collins.

We have a tendency in veterinary medicine to want to kill the bacteria in situ, but Im going to encourage you to remove them and throw them away and dont let the patient have to deal with them at all, he advised the audience.

Veterinarians can remove bacteria through debridement (removing the affected tissue), of which there are several types:

Autolytic debridement. This process uses the bodys own enzymes and moisture to liquefy and remove necrotic (dead) tissue. Hendrickson said its the most selective way to remove bacteria and dead cells while leaving healthy cells.

All youre doing is leaving the healthy wound exudate (liquid the body produces in response to tissue damage) in contact with the wound bed to accomplish this, he said. The normal white blood cells and proteolytic enzymes that occur in wound exudate are your best friends with regard to removing small doses of bacteria and small amounts of necrotic tissue.

To achieve autolytic debridement, you must keep the wound environment moist (but not soupy), which you can do using dressings. If the wound has a lot of necrotic tissue, however, then youll need to use a more aggressive form of debridement, said Hendrickson.

Biological debridement. This method involves using an organism, such as maggots, to remove dead tissue.

It still amazes me how effective maggot debridement is and how rarely we actually use it, said Hendrickson. When a horse comes into the clinic with maggots in its wound, he said people tend to get squeamish and try to remove them, but these guys are doing their jobtheyre getting rid of the necrotic tissue (and pathogenic bacteria). Theres a lot of value to that, and its very rapid and selective.

Enzymatic (chemical) debridement. With this method, veterinarians apply manufactured proteolytic enzymes to the wound to break down devitalized tissue.

This is another great way (to debride wounds), but we dont tend to use it very frequently in veterinary medicine because of the cost of the enzymes, said Hendrickson. Studies have found it to be very effective at reducing bacteria but not as good as autolytic debridement. So the body in and of itself is the best way to go if you have low levels of bacteria.

Mechanical debridement. This technique involves using force to remove tissue. Examples include wet-to-dry dressings and wound irrigation. Its something we do really well in veterinary medicine, almost to a fault, he explained. We scrub, we lavage, and we cause a significant amount of trauma to the wound bed.

On the plus side, mechanical debridement is inexpensive and effective. The downside? It can cause shear stresses to the underlying granulation (scar) tissue, which can lead to further problems down the road, Hendrickson said.

He recommended using the minimal amount of force and pressure necessary.

Sharp debridement. This method involves using tools such as scalpels or curettes to physically remove tissue. Its the most aggressive form of debridement and the most effective way to remove large amounts of bacteria and necrotic tissue, said Hendrickson.

Theres a lot of value to wound debridementthat should be your first step toward reducing bacteria numbers and necrotic tissue, he said. We should not be bathing them with local or systemic antimicrobials. Remove the infected tissue thats there.

Veterinarians can use a variety of debridement dressings to help remove bacteria and dead tissue. Ones Hendrickson said are useful include:

Hypertonic saline. This solution comprises 20% saline, which you can buy commercially or make yourself using salt and water.

The idea is the hypertonic environment created by this saline will kill the bacteria because theyre unable to deal with that environment, and it will also remove the necrotic tissue, Hendrickson said.

While these are highly effective, he said theyre less selective than autolytic, biologic, or enzymatic dressings. He also cautioned against overusing them, because they have the potential to be toxic.

Honey. This substance is both hypertonic and antimicrobial. It can help heal burns, for instance, faster and with fewer adverse effects than other dressings, said Hendrickson.

Researchers have performed a variety of studies confirming the efficacy of honeys such as manuka honey. Further, said Hendrickson, theres some recent evidence out there that shows that local raw honey is more effective at killing local bacteria than medical grade honey.

Polyhexanides (e.g., polyhexamethylene biguanide, or PHMB). Certain sterile antimicrobial dressings are very effective at killing bacteria, even multidrug-resistant varieties. Theyre not antiseptics and should not be confused with them, said Hendrickson.

He then provided the audience with smart antibiotic use tips for when they do need these drugs to combat infection, starting with a sensitivity culture to identify the specific bacteria.

Whether its systemic or local antibiotic therapy, do a culture to know whats happening, then always use the simplest, lowest level of antibiotic possible, he said. While your first dressing might require using an antibiotic you cant pick because you dont know whats there, at least try to get a culture so you can make the decision later on.

Only use antibiotics for short periodstwo weeks or less, he said.

As for topical antibiotics, he recommended using silver dressings or, preferably, triple antibiotic, which hasnt seen much resistance over the decades its been in use.

Hendrickson also reviewed promising studies looking at mesenchymal (embryonic connective tissue) stem cell use in wound treatment: The one place there is evidence for stem cells is in the reduction of bacteria numbers in wounds.

There are lots of ways to reduce bioburden (number of bacteria) in wounds, said Hendrickson. I think wound debridement is the best way to accomplish that. Get rid of the necrotic tissue, and dont use antiseptics in your wounds, because they just create more necrosis, thereby encouraging the number of bacteria forming.

And if you do have to resort to antibiotic administration, choose your antimicrobials well, and use them sparingly, he said.

Read more:
Managing Horse Wounds Without Antibiotics - TheHorse.com

Gene therapy has traditionally been applied to well-understood diseases where a single genetic mutation was to blame. A new generation of technology is expanding the potential of gene therapy to treat conditions that were previously unreachable.

Since the first gene therapy clinical trials in the 1990s, the technology has made its way into the market for conditions ranging from blindness to cancer.

Gene therapy has the potential to fix any genetic mutation causing disease by inserting a new copy of the faulty gene. However, its reach has historically been limited.

Weve been constrained with the things we can do with gene therapy, said Dmitry Kuzmin, Managing Partner at 4BIO Capital, a London-based VC that specifically invests in advanced therapies. If you look across the successes in gene therapy in the last five years, most of these were in diseases that are pretty straightforward from the engineering perspective.

Technical limitations have meant that gene therapy has been restricted to rare diseases caused by a single genetic mutation, as well as to certain areas of the body, such as the eye and the liver.

According to Kuzmin, there have been so far three generations of gene therapy technology. Generation one would be classic single-gene replacement, such as Luxturna, a gene therapy to fix a specific genetic mutation causing blindness. Generation two would consist of using gene therapy to introduce new functions. An example is Kymriah, where immune cells are equipped with a molecule that helps them hunt down cancer cells.

The third generation is the one that could hold the key to unlocking the full potential of gene therapy. It englobes several technologies that can be used to introduce a new drug target into the patient, making it possible to turn the therapy on and off as well as to tune its intensity.

As the first two generations get optimized and the third generation enters the clinic, we are now expanding our reach into areas that have been previously rather inaccessible, Kuzmin told me. One of them is the brain.

Treating the brain has long been a huge challenge for medicine. Take epilepsy, for example.

Epilepsy affects 1% of the whole population and about 30% of people with seizures of epilepsy continue to have seizures despite medication, said Dimitry Kullmann, Professor at University College London. Theres a paradox. We have a good understanding of the mechanisms behind epilepsy, but were unable to suppress seizures in a significant proportion of people with epilepsy.

The reason is that the molecules that we use for drugs dont target the epileptic zone of the brain; they bathe the entire body with medication, Kullmann told me. These drugs dont differentiate between neurons and synapses that derive the seizures, and those parts of the brain that are responsible for memory, sensory functions, motor functions and balance.

Gene therapy could provide a solution for this problem. Kullmanns group has been researching this approach for years and is now getting ready to start the first clinical trial in humans within a year.

A gene therapy can be directly injected in the area of the brain causing seizures. Furthermore, using DNA sequences called promoters, it is possible to restrict the effect of gene therapy to specific neurons within that area. In the case of epilepsy, gene therapy can be used to decrease the activity of only excitatory neurons, which cause epileptic seizures when they are overactive.

Another approach that Kullmans group is testing is chemogenetics. The idea here is to use gene therapy to put a specific receptor into the neurons, explained Kullmann. This receptor is designed to respond to a drug that, when given to the patient, decreases the activity of the neuron to suppress seizures.

The advantage is that you can switch on and off the therapeutic effect on demand by just giving, or not giving the drug, Kullmann said. This approach can thus make gene therapy more precise, being able to tune it to the specific needs of each patient. In addition, it reduces the big challenge of getting the dose right in a one-off treatment.

Ultimately, this technology could allow scientists to target a wide range of conditions that come under the umbrella of epilepsy, rather than just a specific form of the condition caused by a genetic mutation.

The approach could be extended to other conditions involving the brain, such as Parkinsons, ALS and pain. However, this kind of research is still at an early stage and it will take a while until its potential is proven in humans.

Blindness has been a major target of gene therapy because of the fact that the eye is an ideal target for this technology. The activity of the immune system is suppressed in the eye, minimizing the chances of rejection. In addition, unlike other cells in the body, those involved in vision are not renewed over time, being able to retain the injected DNA for years.

However, there are hundreds of genetic mutations that can cause blindness. With the classical gene therapy approach, a different therapy would have to be developed from scratch for each mutation. While some companies are doing just this for the most common mutations causing blindness, many other less frequent mutations are being left behind.

Others are turning to new generations of gene therapy technology. We figured out that it would be very, very difficult to use the classical gene therapy approach in each individual mutation, said Bernard Gilly, CEO of GenSight, a Parisian biotech developing gene therapies for blindness.

While the companys leading programs follow this classical approach, the company has also started clinical trials using a technology called optogenetics. Following a similar principle to gene therapy, optogenetics consists of introducing a protein that reacts to light into a cell.

GenSight is using optogenetics to develop a single therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. This genetic condition can be caused by mutations in any of over 200 genes and results in progressive vision loss in children due to the degeneration of photoreceptor cells that perceive light and send signals to the brain.

With optogenetics, it would be possible to transfer the lost photoreceptor function to the cells in the retina that are responsible for relaying visual information to the brain. Using specialized goggles, the images captured by a camera are transformed into light patterns that stimulate these cells in the precise way needed for the brain to form images.

The company is currently testing this approach in clinical trials. We believe that this approach will allow us to restore vision in those patients who became blind because of retinitis pigmentosa, Gilly told me.

Optogenetics would not work a miracle, but it might be able to give people back the ability to navigate an unknown environment with a certain level of autonomy. Recognizing faces is a more challenging goal; although reading is not yet on the horizon, according to Gilly.

Still, the potential of optogenetics to address multiple genetic mutations with a single treatment might be revolutionary. As long as the neurons responsible for sending light signals to the brain are intact, this approach could be extended to other forms of blindness. In addition, conditions affecting the brain such as epilepsy, Parkinsons or ALS could be treated with this approach by introducing an implant to shine light on the target neurons.

However, approaches applying optogenetics to the brain are still further down the line. While optogenetics technology has been around for over 20 years, its application in humans is still very limited and in the early stages of research.

Chemogenetics and optogenetics are just two out of a wave of new technologies addressing the historical limitations of gene therapy. Other approaches are in development, such as using thermogenetics, which consists of introducing proteins that are activated by the heat created by infrared light.

With a growing range of tools available, it is becoming easier than ever for scientists to develop gene therapies that can address the specific challenges of different conditions affecting areas of the body. Traditionally, locations such as the heart, the lungs or the pancreas have been particularly difficult to target with gene therapy. That might soon stop being the case.

As we go forward, were interested in taking gene therapy out of this little box and trying to use all the knowledge we have to benefit patients in larger indications, said Kuzmin.

As gene therapy expands into more mainstream conditions, it could take precision medicine to a whole new level and help address the big variability that is often seen across patients with the same diagnosis.

See the original post here:
How Gene Therapy Is Evolving to Tackle Complex... - Labiotech.eu