StemCell Therapy

However, when looking at this great promise in terms of return on investment, let us be completely honest, most early stage stem cell investors have lost their shirts. We are now more than twenty years removed from the earliest commercial stem cell companies that were founded in the late 1980's, went public in the late 1990's and who were once seen as an exciting investment opportunity, but ended up being a huge disappointment.

So, should investors still be interested in regenerative medicine? After all, stem cells have largely produced failures and unregulated stem cell clinics marketing unproven therapies are taking over. The answer is a resounding yes, but the dot-com like era of regenerative medicine, which led investors to pour money into anything and anyone marketing a cell therapy is over. Investors will need to look at companies solving issues with stem cells or those taking a completely new approach.

One company that is looking to address many of the issues with stem cell therapies, as well as developing another approach to regenerative medicine is Endonovo Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: ENDV). On the stem cell front, ENDV is using its Time Varying Electromagnetic Fields (TVEMF) technology, originally developed at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to expand and activate stem cells to produce more biologically potent cell therapies. However, more importantly, ENDV is developing a non-invasive medical device that would render many of the cell therapies currently under development obsolete. These devices, called Electroceuticals, harness the electrical signals that our cells and nerves use to control the immune and regenerative response to treat inflammatory and degenerative diseases. ENDV is developing this exciting technology for treating and preventing heart failure following a heart attack, to treat chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Another small biotech company like ENDV working on electric treatments for diseases is Pulse Biosciences (NASDAQ: PLSE), whose Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) technology uses nano second electric pulses to illicit an immune response for the treatment of cancer. PLSE recently announced the treatment of its first patient in a study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its novel NPS technology for seborrheic keratosis (SK) lesions. SK is one of the most common types of skin lesions, affecting more than 80 million patients in the United States. Additionally, PLSE announced that it will host its quarterly investor conference call on July 27, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. PDT / 4:30 p.m. EDT. The company will provide an update on the clinical advancement of the PulseTx[TM] System, including progress of the clinical study evaluating NPS for the treatment of seborrheic keratosis (SK), as well as the status of the 510(k) submission from earlier this year.

Another company seeking to address past pitfalls of stem cell therapies is Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSTI) is a developer of placenta-based cell therapy product candidates for the treatment of multiple ischemic, inflammatory and hematologic conditions. Pluristem's products include PLX-PAD and PLX R18. The Company's PLX cells are adherent stromal cells (ASCs) that are expanded using a three dimensional (3D) process. The system utilizes a synthetic scaffold to create an artificial 3D environment where placental-derived stromal cells can grow. This process allows the cells to be expanded rapidly while remaining healthy and potent cells that can secrete therapeutic biomolecules. The Company's PLX products are administered using a standard needle and syringe. PSTI recently announced that Austria's regulatory health agency, the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), had cleared Pluristem to begin enrollment in Austria for its pivotal Phase III trial of PLX-PAD cells to treat critical limb ischemia.

In other stem cell news:

Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) recently announced that its STAR study assessing its Habeo Cell Therapy for the treatment of Scleroderma had failed to meet its primary endpoint at week 24 nor any of its secondary endpoints at week 24 or week 48. On the other hand, CYTX stated that there were 'clinically meaningful' improvements in both the primary and secondary endpoints of both hand function and scleroderma-associated functional disability compared to placebo in a subgroup of patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma, a more severe form of the disease. The company has stated that it will continue it analysis of the data before determining its next steps.

Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAPR) a biotechnology company developing biological therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other rare diseases, following news that Janssen Biotech, Inc. had decided not to exercise its option to exclusively license Capricor's lead candidate CAP-1002 for the development and commercialization in the field of cardiology, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to CAP-1002, Capricor's development candidate for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a debilitating genetic disorder characterized by progressive weakness and chronic inflammation of skeletal, heart, and respiratory muscles. The Rare Pediatric Disease Designation, as well as the Orphan Drug Designation previously granted to CAP-1002 by the FDA, covers the broad treatment of DMD. Upon receiving market approval for CAP-1002 by the FDA, Capricor would be eligible to receive a Priority Review Voucher.

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The Big Deal About Stem Cell Therapies and Regenerative Medicine - PR Newswire (press release)

Content warning: drug addiction, mental illness, disability

I remember the hot summer afternoon in July 2007 when I injured my back. It was a day that would change my life. I was 18, and taking part in a military program to qualify as a professional infantry soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces. My injuries all started during the first phase of a 10-kilometer walk, while carrying a 40-pound rucksack. As training progressed, I began to feel an odd sense of discomfort in my lower back. After I returned to my dorm later that day and unstrapped the rucksack, I felt a sharp pain going down from my lower back to my leg. Before bed, I took a couple of aspirin pills and washed them down with gin. The next morning, the pain had partly subsided, but the discomfort and feeling that something was wrong with my back stuck with me for days after. Weeks later, during another military exercise with a rucksack, I hurt my back so severely that I needed to see the nurse. At the time, I did not know that the following ten years would be comprised of pain from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed. This was the beginning of my struggle with chronic pain. Since then, I have been trying to find a way to cure my back, leading me to try regenerative medicine treatments such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cells.

For the past ten years, Ive seen chiropractors, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, rheumatologists, osteopaths and virtually every health professional to treat my injury. I tried decompression therapy, kinesiotherapy, swimming, physiotherapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories drugs (NSAIDs), steroid injections, oral steroids, acupuncture, Chinese therapeutic massage, and praying but nothing worked. After various treatments fell through, what made the journey of searching for a cure even more difficult was the general apathy from medical doctors in Canada. Some medical specialists thought that the extent of my injury did not match the severity of the pain, therefore, my pain was merely an illusion. They dismissed my medical condition and recommended that I swim more or become more physically active. While some doctors believed me, they still didnt know how to help me. For almost eight years, I fought an uphill battle trying to convince medical professionals that I was worth their time and that I needed help. This struggle profoundly impacted my mental health.

I was stuck in a prison of pain from which I could not escape. 6 years after the injury, the pain has grown into a disability. There were days when I could barely walk or sit down for more than a few minutes. At times, my life felt like a nightmare. Activities most people take for granted, such as showering or cleaning a room, quickly became strenuous for me. Chronic pain also started impacting other areas of my life; my studies, my work, and even my relationships. I almost failed my first year of law school because of chronic pain. It made me start drinking again, and it put me into a state where I was consumed by narcotics and depression. After years of feeling despair and being unable to find an effective treatment through Canadas healthcare system, I started looking into private medical practice in the US in 2015.

Regenokine

In January of 2016, I went to New York, where I had my first experience with regenerative medicine. I went to NY Spine Medicine to get the same treatment that Kobe Bryant had received for his knees a few years back in 2013 Regenokine.

Regenokine is an anti-inflammatory serum made from the patients blood to suppress back and joint pain. The serum is made by taking some of the patients blood, heating it, and incubating it with zinc etched with glass beads. It is believed that the serum becomes rich in Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP), which is a natural anti-inflammatory. According to the medical doctors from NY Spine Clinic, once the serum is injected at the site of injury, it reduces the inflammation and speeds up the bodys own healing mechanism. Its as if you had a strong dose of Tylenol directly injected in an ankle or your back.

The treatment is recent; it was first developed by a doctor in Dusseldorf, Germany around 15 years ago. NY Spine Medicine is one of the institutes in the US that offer this treatment, and the cost of it is obscenely high. The treatment cost me around 17,000 US dollars for four consecutive days of injections.

I had around about 600 ml of blood taken out, and in the next four days had the serum re-injected into my lower back: facet joints, epidural space, and all around the lower spine. At the beginning of my treatment, the pain was at an all-time high and I could barely sit for more than 5 minutes. Every day of injections resulted in more and more of the pain dissipating. On the last day, before my last round of injections, I woke up pain-free for the first time in years. Shaken by the relief and emotions, I started crying I could not believe how good it felt to be free of pain. It was a miracle, but a short-lived one: the pain-relieving effects of the treatment only lasted for two months before my back started hurting once again.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Few months passed after the Regenokine treatment and the memory of being pain-free started to fade away, but I still had hope. I kept dreaming of finding another treatment that could heal me completely. I began researching alternative treatments and eventually found the Centeno-Schultz Clinic in Colorado; they used Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cells to treat back pain.

My first treatment at the clinic was an injection of PRP in my lower back, neck, and hips. PRP is very similar to Regenokine in that it is an autologous serum it is made with the patients blood. The difference is that while Regenokine works as an anti-inflammatory, the process by which PRP works is inflammatory. The doctor who treated me explained that PRP forces the body into a super inflammatory state, and as the inflammation subsides, it accelerates the reconstruction of ligaments and other tissues, which would in turn ease the pain. I had PRP injected into my sacroiliac joint, my lower back epidural space, and everywhere around my facet joints in my neck and back. In the first few days after the treatment, my pain levels flared up. However, in the next few weeks, the pain went down progressively, and I regained some degree of mobility. The most dramatic change was in my neck: the pain level went from a high 6-7 out of 10 to nearly a 1 within a few days. After a month, my lower back and hips felt as if they were almost healed. Although the effect of the treatment was not as dramatic as Regenokine, it lasted for a few months. I went from limping and barely being able to function to being able to play sports and go to class again. Unfortunately, like Regenokine, the healing effects of PRP were temporary. The treatment cost me around 10,000 US dollars.

Stem cells

Stem cell treatment was my last hope with regards to regenerative medicine. On May 28, I flew to the Cayman Islands for my stem cell treatment with a clinic affiliated with Centeno-Schultz Clinic. Like PRP and Regenokine, the stem cell treatment was autologous. I had three huge syringes of bone marrow aspirated from my hip bone. Mesenchymal stem cells were extracted from the bone marrow and cultivated to grow. Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent stem cells that can transform into different types of cells depending on the situation. In my case, the stem cells were injected inside of my L5-S1 intervertebral disc with the hope that they would transform into disc tissue and help my lumbar spine heal.

The first few days after the operation, the pain was almost unbearable without oxycodone, a narcotic. It was nearly impossible to walk, bend forward, or even dress myself. The doctor informed me that I would see my pain flare up in the following four weeks, but in time, I would regain range of motion. I was also told that eventually my body is likely to be healed a hundred percent. The results are promising thus far. It has been almost three weeks since the treatment, and I have already gained back mobility and functionality. There is something changing in my back. I used to be in pain from morning to night, now after a good night of sleep, I usually wake up free from pain. In the morning, there is slight discomfort in my hip and lower back area, but no pain until I move too much or sit for too long. It takes four to six months to evaluate the full result, which seem hopeful. The stem cell treatment for my lower back and hip cost 29,000 US dollars.

Regenerative medicine does work amazingly well, but its drawback is in its exorbitant price and inaccessibility in Canada. I believe regenerative treatment is the future of medicine, and hope that the three treatments are made available in Canada as soon as possible. In total, I spent over 70,000 Canadian dollars just for my three treatments. No one should have to pay that much to live free of pain. Health is crucial to happiness, and it should never be the privilege to the only few who can afford expensive medical trips abroad.

An earlier version of this article stated thatNY Spine Medicine is the only institute in the US that offers Regenokine. In fact, there are other institutes in the US that offer the treatment. The Daily regrets the error.

Sami Ellaia is a 3L student at the Faculty of Law. To reach him, please contact sami.ellaia@mail.mcgill.ca.

The rest is here:
Scitech | My experience with regenerative medicine - The McGill Daily (blog)

Primary care is where preventative medicine takes place. It is the job of your primary care provider or family doctor to help you prevent illness or disease from occurring. Your health and well-being is our No. 1 priority. Our goal is to protect you from disease, promote and maintain your good health and prevent disability or even death. Preventative medicine involves many things from the simple to the complex and from the young to the elderly.

As a primary care provider, it is my responsibility to manage my patients chronic medical conditions and provide information and education on how to prevent chronic illness. This is accomplished through resources and one-on-one teaching about healthy lifestyle choices and preventative screenings.

Starting with the very young, well-child examinations are vital to ensure the child is growing and developing as a normal child should. As a primary care provider, I measure developmental milestones with each year of age. These exams occur from the time the child is born until the adolescent becomes an adult at 18 years of age. Vision and hearing screening as well as immunizations are an important part of preventing disease and keeping children well. Dental screenings are essential to prevent cavities and other more serious mouth issues. Parents are educated on the proper nutrition, activities and healthy habits that will help children learn and grow. This is where prevention starts! Teaching children good healthy habits now prevents them from becoming obese, having type 2 diabetes, joint problems, cavities and many other ailments. Mental health screenings are also performed as children grow and become more like adults during their middle and high school years.

Young adults are the next area of focus for preventative medicine. Similar to children, hearing and vision screenings are performed and good dental health habits are encouraged by keeping regular checkups. Immunizations continue with young adults to include HPV, meningitis, TDAP and annual flu vaccines. Sexually transmitted disease screenings and PAP smears begin with young adults. Educating young adults on alcohol, tobacco and drugs continues. Many aspects of safety to prevent accident or injury are discussed as well. All of the education provided to children continues into adulthood, with emphasis on issues like diet, exercise and avoiding risky behaviors.

Middle age is another very important era where preventative medicine continues to build. In addition to the preventative topics already shared, patients now become more regularly engaged with regard to routine check-ups to monitor weight, blood pressure and blood work to screen for high cholesterol or even thyroid issues. Mammograms to screen for breast cancer, PSA levels/prostate exams to screen for prostate cancer, PAP smear exams for cervical cancer screening and annual immunizations are done. Chest X-rays and low dose CT scans of the lungs are completed for smokers and smoking cessation options are discussed and encouraged. Screening for alcohol abuse is involved as well.

As we continue to age and approach our senior years of life, preventative medicine remains crucial. Pneumonia and shingles vaccine are very important in this age group as these immunizations can help prevent these infections from occurring or reduces the severity if they do occur. In addition, DEXA scans to monitor bone density looking for osteoporosis begin. This is the top of the pyramid, so to speak, as all of the other things we taught the little ones in the very beginning of life are the base.

Preventative medicine expands throughout the lifespan from infancy to the elderly. There are many areas of prevention that I have not covered in this short article, so it is vital to have an appointment scheduled with your primary care provider or family physician. Your health truly is your wealth. Making routine visits with your primary care provider when you are healthy could prevent you from a long-term chronic illness in the future.

Dr. Lorina Zenz is a certified nurse practitioner with Lima Memorial Internal Medicine & Family Healthcare.

See original here:
Prevent issues through lifetime of medical care - The Lima News - Lima Ohio

When it comes to exercise, most of us think that we have to put on workout gear or break a sweat to count toward our cardio goals. Luckily, for the fitness-averse, research is proving that Lizzy Bennet had it right all along: All we really need is to go for a walk.

Extensive research proves that walking puts off heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes. It can even help you live longer! A University College London meta-analysis found that walking reduced the chance of dying during the study period by 32 percent and the risk of cardiovascular events by 31 percent.

Think you need to power walk to get these results? Not quite. The positive results affected participants who walked as few as five and a half miles per week at a pace of about two miles per hour (thats thirty minutes per mile!). So even your casual strolls can do good for your heart.

Consistent walking prevents joint pain and your likelihood of getting painful arthritis and osteoporosis. An American College of Rheumatology study found that most adults with arthritis walk less than 1,500 steps a day (under one mile). Tripling this amount to 4,500 steps a day protected the participants from developing arthritic limitations. These dailystep goals are so doable that they can easily fit into your usual schedule.

Theres a reason whywalking it offis advisedand workswhen youre stressed. Walking reduces your stress hormones, and various studies, including research published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, have found that it also eases depression. In this study, women with mild to moderate depression who walked for two hundred minutes a week (about half an hour a day) experienced improved mental health, physical functioning, energy, and social skills. Even if you dont suffer from clinical depression or anxiety, walking can help lighten your worries and your mood.

Any form of exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, but walking is an easy way to keep it in check. Researchersat Stanford University found that the amount of daily walking activity is strongly tied to obesity levels around the world. Cities where people have healthy walking habits (4,600-6,000 average daily steps) also have lower obesity levels.

On wishing to see her sister Jane, Lizzy tells her father,I do not wish to avoid the walk.The distance is nothing when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner." We should all take such a casual attitude toward a strollso walk with purpose to a healthier and happier you.

Photo Credit: YouTube

See the original post:
Research Affirms the Health Benefits of Elizabeth Bennet's Favorite Exercise - Verily

As a child growing up, if she needed to see a doctor, it was Dr. James Gottfriedshe would visit. Now after graduating with her undergraduate from University of Kentucky and doctorate from Ohio University, Tinker is returning to her hometown to practice as a family physician alongside Gottfried.

As a family physician who started in her new position Monday, Tinker said she will take care of everyone from birth to the very end at geriatric age and everything in the middle, but that wasnt her original plan. In fact, when she started college, she planned on working with animals rather than people.

To be honest, I originally went to school to be a horse veterinarian, Tinker said. It is quite a change. So I started working as a veterinary technician in Kentucky and what I loved was when pets came in and the family was there. What I realized was I was really enjoying the human interaction I was getting.

Thats when she started thinking maybe working with people would be a good change.

So I started thinking about that and at the same time I was pretty interested in preventative medicine and eating well, eating properly to nourish the body on its own without a lot of other medicine, she said. So that just got me on the right track.

Tinker said shesreally excited to be living in and serving her home community.

As a family physician I do a lot of prevention and preventative care, she said.

I look forward to helping to improve the health of our community, whether that be eating better, exercising more, preventing the onset of chronic disease, making sure kids get all the immunizations needed (or) setting people up for a good, healthy life. Thats my main goal.

Tinker is accepting new patients and will serve with Dr. Gottfried at Northern Ohio Family Practice, a private physicians group which is able to do its own lab work, osteopathic manipulation (like chiropractic care) and other services in addition to the regular doctor visits. Nothern Ohio Family Practice is located at 257 Benedict Ave., Building C, Suit 1.

Tinker is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to noon some Saturdays.

See the original post here:
Norwalk grad comes home as new family physician - Norwalk Reflector

There's a new checkmark in the 'drinking isn't all bad for you' column.

According toa new study that looked at more than 70,000 Danish people, those who drink small to moderate amounts of alcohol on a frequent basis are less likely to develop diabetes than people who don't drink at all.

To be clear, these results shouldn't be seen as licence or encouragement to drink freely as a health-promoting exercise.

But they do provide further evidence that, for some reason, people who drink moderately are less likely to suffer from certain illnesses, includingsome cardiovascular diseasesand type-2 diabetes.

For the new study, researchers wanted to see how much alcohol consumption was associated with the lowest diabetes risk, and determine whether the type of alcohol or the frequency that people drank mattered.

Using data from the Danish Health Examination Survey, they looked at the drinking habits of 28,704 men and 41,847 women, and tracked whether those people developed diabetes within approximately five years.

The researchers excluded anyone who already had diabetes, was pregnant at the start of the study, and didn't provide information on their alcohol consumption.

The results showed that the study participants least likely to develop diabetes drank 3-4 days a week. For men, those who drank 14 drinks per week had the lowest risk, as the chart on the left shows below.

For women, those who drank nine drinks per week had the lowest risk, as the right-hand chart shows.

As the U-shaped risk curve shows, study participants who didn't drink at all seemed to have a higher risk of developing diabetes. People who drank moderately had a lower risk, up to a certain point - after that, risk started to rise again.

Even heavy drinkers (up to 40 drinks per week for men and 28 drinks per week for women), however, still had a lower risk of developing diabetes than teetotalers.

The lowest risk was associated with drinking that was spread out throughout the week, rather than occurring in the same day or two.

The type of alcohol mattered too. Men and women who drank wine had the lowest diabetes risk. For men, beer was also associated with a lower risk.

Spirits didn't seem to affect risk for men, but women who drank seven or more drinks of spirits a week had an increased risk of developing diabetes.

A brief but important aside ondiabetes: The design of this study didn't allow researchers to say whether drinkers had a lower risk of developing type-2 diabetes or type 1.

Type 2 is generally caused by lifestyle factors and prevents the body from using insulin, whereas type 1 cannot be prevented since the body simply doesn't produce enough insulin.

The researchers say their study should refer to type-2 diabetes, since their results held true even if they eliminated anyone under 40 (by which point the vast majority of people with type-1 diabetes already have it).

So what's going on here?

Tempting as it might be to say that drinking lowers diabetes risk, we can't say that. All we know is that people - Danes, at least - who drink regularly develop diabetes less frequently.

It's possible that this is because people who drink in moderate quantities tend to be healthier in the first place than people who don't drink at all.

The researchers tried to calculate for these effects - they accounted for things like body mass index, physical activity, smoking status, and family history - but it's always possible that results were still skewed in some way.

There isa hypothesis that moderate drinking may improvesome aspects of health by lowering blood pressure and dilating blood vessels, but it's not certain whether that plays a role.

There are a number of other complicating factors, too. On the one hand, most people under-report their drinking, meaning that people may actually be drinking more than they reported.

Also, this was a population study in Denmark. Different results might be found in non-Scandinavian populations (especially non-white groups, manywhich have a higher risk of developing diabetes).

When it comes to alcohol and health, we know that drinking too much isn't healthy.

Alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the riskof certain cancers - a recent new report found a link between an increased risk of breast cancer and drinking as little as one glass of wine or beer each day.

The researchers behind this study aren't advocating for drinking as a means of health promotion. But at least in regard to diabetes, drinking what's considered a moderate amount throughout the week seems to be fine.

This article was originally published by Business Insider.

More from Business Insider:

View original post here:
Regular Alcohol Drinkers Have a Lower Risk of Diabetes - ScienceAlert

From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.

Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease on the rise around the world. And, not everyone can take the medication that treats it. However, researchers have discovered that a compound found in a common vegetable might help treat diabetes.

In 2016 the World Health Organization published its Global Report on Diabetes. It says the number of diabetic adults rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014.

Diabetes happens in two ways. If the body does not produce enough of a hormone called insulin it is called Type 1. Type 2 diabetes is when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Insulin controls levels of sugar in the blood.

Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. It can lead to an early death.

India is one of the countries that could be facing a public health crisis as cases of diabetes increase. Amit Jain is a children's doctor in that country. He says obesity is one of the main reasons people get Type 2 diabetes.

However, children who are not obese can also get diabetes.

Rohin Sarin is a regular 15-year old kid. He goes to school. He likes sports. But unlike most children, four times a day he has to take a shot of insulin.

Rohin has type 2 diabetes.

"Sometimes it affects me negatively like if I just play a lot and I don't eat my food properly; then my sugar goes down. So, then I feel dizzy and I am not able to play the sport properly."

About 300 million people around the world have type-2 diabetics. A large percentage of these people cannot take a drug used to treat this disease.

The drug metformin is a first-line therapy. This means it is often the first drug doctors give their patients. However, the drug has side effects. It can damage the kidneys and upset the stomach.

Enter broccoli.

This vegetable has a chemical compound called sulforaphane. And in testing, this compound appears to work as well as the drug metformin at reducing blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Anders Rosengren, a doctor at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, led the study.

"We think this is very exciting because there have been so many claims over the years of different food, dietary components having different health effects. But here, we have really scientifically-based proof that it has an effect on type-2 diabetes."

Dr. Rosengren and his team experimented with 97 type-2 diabetes patients. All were treated with metformin. But one group of the patients were also given sulforaphane every day for three months. The other patients were given a placebo.

On average, the participants who were given the broccoli medicine saw their blood glucose drop by 10% more than those who took the placebo. The broccoli pill was most effective in the patients who were obese. They started with higher glucose levels than the others.

Dr. Rosengren says that next he wants to study the effects sulforaphane has on pre-diabetic patients. These are people who have not yet taken the drug metformin.

"If you were to have people without metformin at all, it might be that the sulforaphane effect might be even stronger."

The researchers published their finding in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

But do not think that just eating broccoli is enough to prevent or treat diabetes. You would have to eat about five kilograms every day to get enough sulforaphane.

The study patients got a pill containing a concentrated form of the broccoli compound. It is about 100 times stronger than the amount found in broccoli.

But, for diabetics who hate broccoli, that could be welcome news.

And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo.

Reports from VOAs Kevin Enochs and Jessica Berman contributed to this story adapted by Anna Matteo for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

_____________________________________________________________

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insulin n. a substance that your body makes and uses to turn sugar into energy

pancreas n. a large gland of the body that is near the stomach and that produces insulin and other substances that help the body digest food

negatively adv. harmful or bad : not wanted

sugar medical noun the amount of sugar present in a person's blood at a particular time

dizzy adj. having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall : mentally confused

dietary adj. of or relating to a diet

component n. one of the parts of something (such as a system or mixture) : an important piece of something

concentrated adj. made stronger or more pure by removing water

placebo medical noun a pill or substance that is given to a patient like a drug but that has no physical effect on the patient

Continued here:
As Diabetes Increases, a Vegetable Could Help - VOA Learning English

JERSEY SHORE Learning that you have diabetes can be overwhelming at first. There are many new things to learn and it can be difficult to know where to start. Dining with Diabetes is a program offered by Penn State Extension.

It will help you to understand some of the most important things you need to know about how to manage your diabetes.

Extension Educators will lead discussions addressing important numbers you need to know, planning healthy meals and physical activity.

Classes are offered weekly for four weeks, with a three-month follow-up class. Each class offers food demonstrations and tastings, physical activity, ideas to take home, and discussions regarding important information to help you manage your diabetes. Lab tests will be offered to measure A1c.

In addition to class handouts and test results, participants also receive a variety of resources, including a complete collection of Dining with Diabetes recipes. If you have been told that you have pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, you will want to attend this class.

The class meets at the Jersey Shore Senior Center located on 641 Cemetery St. in Jersey Shore from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in September. There is a $5 fee for the series. For more information or to register: http://extension.psu.edu/health/diabetes, 570-433-3040, or contact Brenda at the Senior Center (570-601-9591).

Deadline to register is Sept. 1.

The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Laurie Welch in advance of your participation or visit.

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Dining with Diabetes class offered in September - Lock Haven Express

Recently, some folks have achieved and even exceeded their goal of losing weight and exercising more through a diabetes prevention program that is now offered at the Corpening Memorial YMCA. The participants in this class said they want other people in McDowell to realize that they too can make strides in avoiding this chronic disease.

Just a couple of years ago, a community health assessment listed diabetes as one of the most serious health problems in McDowell County.

McDowell has a higher rate of overweight adults than the rest of western North Carolina and the state as a whole and a lower rate of physical activity as well. The prevalence of self-reported adult diabetes has been rising over time in both western North Carolina and McDowell County, according to the data from the 2015 Community Health Assessment.

The assessment said diabetes also affects employability because those who cannot regulate their disease are often unable to work, creating larger problems.

Most importantly, though, it can be prevented.

For five years, the Corpening Memorial YMCA has offered its diabetes prevention program (DPP) but a certain class has made considerable strides in avoiding the disease.

This class is super successful, said Lindsey Thompson, director of population health data management. Its the most successful class in the programs history.

One of the goals for a class is for the participants to lose an average of 7 percent of their body weight. The members of this particular class lost an average of 11 percent of their body weight. They finished their year-long participation in May.

The members of this class are Abby Rumfelt, Dwayne Finley, his wife Pam Finley, Betty English, Carolyn Foster and Joe Williams. Pat Medders was their instructor.

Everyone in the class is pre-diabetic. That means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Doctors sometimes refer to pre-diabetes as impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG), depending on what test was used when it was detected. This condition puts you at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to the American Diabetes Association.

You have an upfront assessment, said Dwayne Finley. They give you a physical assessment. They look at your A1C and your fasting blood sugar and your family history.

The class takes about an entire year to complete. The participants meet once a week for the first 16 weeks and then biweekly for three times. They then meet once a month for the remaining six months. Each class lasts around an hour.

During the course of the year, the participants learn about eating healthier, which includes checking the labels for foods in the store. What to look for and talk about the importance of watching the types of food you eat, said Dwayne Finley.

The participants are also taught the importance of physical activity. As part of the regimen, they can exercise at the Y or elsewhere. Exercise can mean walking, biking, swimming, climbing or working out. They can exercise together or do it on their own.

Medders lead her class and encouraged them to achieve their goals. She formerly taught Spanish at McDowell High School and has taught classes with DPP for two and a half years now.

Its not a diet, she said. Its a lifestyle change.

In addition to losing body weight, another major goal is for the members to work up to participating in 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

For some members, this seemed rather daunting.

When I started, I could hardly do a couple of laps on the indoor track at the Y, said Rumfelt. Now, I can do a mile and a half and not think about it. And the other people in the group are inspiring.

The support system is a large part of the success, said Thompson.

This particular class exceeded that goal as well and even doubled it. That class did an average of 300 minutes of physical activity per week.

Thompson and the graduates of this class hope that other folks will take advantage of the DPP offered at the local YMCA. The cost to participate in the year-long class is $429 and that includes a family membership in the Y. As an incentive for participating, you get a free family membership. Financial aid is available.

Two new classes will start in August and they will be available for both day and night time.

Andie McClain is the programs coordinator. She evaluates each person before they can participate in the class.

Weve already got a couple of participants in it, said McClain, adding interested folks should contact her soon before the class fills up.

For more information, contact the Corpening Memorial YMCA at 659-9622. You can reach Andie McClain at 575-2901.

Originally posted here:
YMCA's diabetes prevention class exceeds goals - McDowell News

It was 12 years ago when Scott Fine was diagnosed with type two diabetes. I went to my doctor I started on medication and he told me I needed to change my food habits and start exercising. I didnt comply. I was very non-compliant at the time. So, I struggled for the last 12 years.

Last December, after another visit to the emergency room for high blood sugar, Scott had a wakeup call and decided it was time to make some lifestyle changes. I said ok I think Im ready now. The nurse told me Lee Health Solutions has a class that you can take and you really need to take it. So I called and I enrolled and that was the beginning of something really great in my life.

The diabetes program is a three day class explaining how diabetes affects the body and how patients can manage their diabetes through medication and healthy lifestyle changes. We try to paint a broad picture of how to make healthy choices. We teach reading food labels, we talk a little bit about carb counting, we always have to talk about fats in the diet, and we try to paint a broad picture of what it is to eat healthy, said Sharon Tilbe, a diabetes coordinator at Lee Health.

Just four months after the class Scott lost 26 pounds, and for the first time in 12 years, his blood work is in the normal range. My food habits have totally changed. Im eating all good stuff now. No more Oreos and fast food and bad stuff. Ive started exercising. I do about an hour to an hour and half a day of exercise, said Scott.

The class teaches exercises, meal planning, and how to improve blood sugar levels. It was hard at first, but I found the way, and thats because of Lee Health Solutions, said Scott.

The diabetes program can give anyone living with type two diabetes a better quality of life.

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Health Matters: A Program to Help Manage Diabetes - NBC2 News

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara,credited withbuilding the foundations of Japanese medicine and helping make Japan the world leader in longevity, often practised what he preached.

The physician, chairman emeritus of St. Luke's International University, and honorary president of St. Luke's International Hospital recommended several basic guidelines for living a long, healthy lifein an interview with Japan Times journalist Judit Kawaguchi. Among them:Don't retire. And if you must, retire much later than age 65.

In the interview he explained that the retirement age in Japan was set at 65 years old back when the average life expectancy was 68. Now, people are living much longer the average life expectancy in Japan as of 2015 was almost 84 years and so they should be retiring much later in life too.

Until a few months before his death on 18 July in Tokyo,The New York Times reports, Hinohara continued to treat patients, kept an appointment book with space for five more years, and worked up to 18 hours a day. He was 105 years old.

"He believed that life is all about contribution, so he had this incredible drive to help people, to wake up early in the morning and do something wonderful for other people," Kawaguchi, who considered Hinohara her mentor,told the BBC. "This is what was driving him and what kept him living."

"He always had today's goals, tomorrow's, and the next five years'," she said.

Hinohara'sother guidelines for living wellincluded:

Worry less about eating well or getting more sleep, and have fun.

"We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It's best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime."

If you want to live long, don't be overweight.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk, and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat."

Don't blindly follow what your doctor says.

Picture: (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

"When a doctor recommends you take a test or have some surgery, ask whether the doctor would suggest that his or her spouse or children go through such a procedure. Contrary to popular belief, doctors can't cure everyone. So why cause unnecessary pain with surgery? I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine."

To conquer pain, have fun.

"Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke's we have music and animal therapies, and art classes."

Always take the stairs and carry your own belongings.

"I take two stairs at a time, to get my muscles moving."

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A Japanese doctor who studied longevity and lived to 105 said if you must retire, do it well after age 65 - The Independent

He also wrote a musical for children when he was 88 and a best-selling book when he was 101. He recently took up golf. Until a few months ago he was still treating patients and kept a date book with space for five more years of appointments.

In the early 1950s, Dr. Hinohara pioneered a system of complete annual physicals called human dry-dock that has been credited with helping to lengthen the average life span of Japanese people. Women born there today can expect to live to 87; men, to 80.

In the 1970s, he reclassified strokes and heart disorders commonly perceived as inevitable adult diseases that required treatment to lifestyle ailments that were often preventable.

Dr. Hinohara insisted that patients be treated as individuals that a doctor needed to understand the patient as a whole as thoroughly as the illness. He argued that palliative care should be a priority for the terminally ill.

He imposed few inviolable health rules, though he did recommend some basic guidelines: Avoid obesity, take the stairs (he did, two steps at a time) and carry your own packages and luggage. Remember that doctors cannot cure everything. Dont underestimate the beneficial effects of music and the company of animals; both can be therapeutic. Dont ever retire, but if you must, do so a lot later than age 65. And prevail over pain simply by enjoying yourself.

We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep, he often said. I believe we can keep that attitude as adults it is best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.

Dr. Hinohara maintained his weight at about 130 pounds. His diet was spartan: coffee, milk and orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil for breakfast; milk and a few biscuits for lunch; vegetables with a small portion of fish and rice for dinner. (He would consume three and a half ounces of lean meat twice a week.)

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara was born on Oct. 4, 1911, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, in western Japan. He decided to study medicine after his mothers life was saved by the familys doctor. His father was a Methodist pastor who had studied at Duke University.

Have big visions and put such visions into reality with courage, his father had advised him, Dr. Hinohara told the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network. The visions may not be achieved while you are alive, but do not forget to be adventurous. Then you will be victorious.

Dr. Hinohara graduated in 1937 from Kyoto Imperial Universitys College of Medicine. (He later studied for a year at Emory University in Atlanta.) He began practicing at St. Lukes International Hospital in 1941. (It was founded by a missionary at the beginning of the 20th century.) He became its director in 1992.

In 1970, he was flying to a medical conference in Japan when his plane was hijacked by radical Communists armed with swords and pipe bombs. He was among 130 hostages who spent four days trapped in 100-degree heat until the hijackers released their captives and flew to North Korea, where they were offered asylum.

I believe that I was privileged to live, he later said, so my life must be dedicated to other people.

After spending his first six decades supporting his family, Dr. Hinohara devoted the remainder of his life largely to volunteer work.

In 2000, he conceived a musical version of Leo Buscaglias book The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, which was performed in Japan and played Off Off Broadway in New York. He wrote scores of books in Japanese, including Living Long, Living Good (2001), which sold more than a million copies.

Until the last few months, he would work up to 18 hours a day. Using a cane, he would exercise by taking 2,000 or more steps a day. In March, unable to eat, he was hospitalized. But he refused a feeding tube and was discharged. Months later, he died at home.

Dr. Hinohara said his outlook toward life had been inspired by Robert Brownings poem Abt Vogler, especially these lines:

There shall never be one lost good! What was, shall live as before;The evil is null, is nought, is silence implying sound;What was good shall be good, with, for evil, so much good more;On the earth the broken arcs; in the heaven a perfect round.

What the poem evoked for him, he once explained, was a circle drawn so big that only the arch was visible. Seeing it in full, he said, could never be realized in his lifetime.

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Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, Longevity Expert, Dies at (or Lives to) 105 - New York Times

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, whose work has been credited with helping Japan become a world leader in longevity, died July 18 at his Tokyo home, reported The New York Times. The 105-year-old physician worked until a few months before his death, treating patients, putting in 18-hour days and keeping an appointment book with his schedule for the next five years.

Was that last part optimism? Not according to what Hinohara believed and practiced. In an interview with the Japan Times written by a mentee, Judit Kawaguchi, he offered this advice: Dont retire. And if you must, retire much later than age 65.

The key to his longevity, said the physician and chairman emeritus of St. Lukes International University, was being able to make a contribution and help people. Kawaguchi told the BBC that Hinohara had this incredible drive to help people, to wake up early in the morning and do something wonderful for other people.

In the Japan Times interview, Hinohara said that Japans retirement age of 65 was set decades ago when the average life expectancy was just 68 years. With Japans life expectancy of almost 84 years in 2015, he said, retirement neednt come so much earlier in life.

In March, unable to eat, Hinohara was hospitalized. But he refused a feeding tube and was discharged home, where he died several months later. He believed that palliative care should be a priority for the terminally ill.

In the early 1950s, he pioneered a nationally embraced system of complete annual physicals called human dry-dock that has been credited with helping to lengthen the average life span of Japanese people. The physical can last several days and is a multi-discipline testing regimen that looks for lifestyle issues that could impact future health. Women born in Japan today can expect to live to 87; men, to 80.

Hinohara also connected strokes and heart disease to lifestyle ailments that were often preventable. And he believed that patients should be treated as individuals and that knowing a patient was essential to understanding the best way to treat an illness.

In addition to maintaining vitality through work, Hinohara had several other guiding principles leading to greater longevity. They included:

Have fun.It was best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime, he said. He encouraged people to worry less about eating well or getting more sleep, and just go have fun.We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too.

Dont be overweight.His own diet was simple and he maintained a steady weight of 130 pounds. He said his breakfast was coffee, a glass of milk, and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy, he said. Lunch was milk and a few cookies, or skipped altogether when he was too busy at work to eat it. Dinner consisted of vegetables and small portions of fish and rice. Twice he week he ate 100 grams of lean meat.

Dont always listen to your doctor.Doctors cannot cure everything. It behooves patients to ask the doctor directly whether he would recommend a surgery or invasive test to their spouse or child. Why cause unnecessary pain with surgery? Hinohara asked.

Music and animals are good for you. I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine.

Fun conquers pain.Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Lukes we have music and animal therapies, and art classes.

Always take the stairs and carry your own belongings.Hinohara took the steps two at a time just to get his muscles moving. With the aid of a cane, he would exercise by taking 2,000 or more steps a day.

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Doctor Who Lived To 105 And Studied Longevity Credited His Own To Working - HuffPost

REDLANDS >> What is Vernal McCalls secret to longevity?

Behaving yourself, said the local woman days before her 107th birthday on Monday.

McCall may be new to the Mission Commons family, but Saturday there will be a birthday celebration complete with cake and a visit from friends and family.

McCall, the third oldest of her 11 siblings, was born on July 31, 1910 in Kansas.

At 16, McCall and family made their way to California in a 1924 Ford Model T and remained.

Several of my family members still live (in Kansas), she said. They have a lot of respect for one another.

She married her husband Wesley on New Years Day in 1932. The couple were married for close to 51 years before his death on Christmas Eve in 1984.

The couple had one daughter, Sharyn Krauch of Cherry Valley, who cared for her mother for several years before McCall moved to the Redlands-based retirement facility.

McCall wore many hats as a teacher, librarian for the Riverside school system, and an office clerk for Childrens Home, a nonprofit that provided care for boys and girls who didnt have anyone to take care of them, she said. When her husband was in the service, she stayed by his side, Krauch said.

She loved to travel with her husband. Some popular destinations were Italy and Russia, and traveling all over the U.S.

McCall often stays to herself, but she is a an active crocheter. Krauch said her mother has created dozens of gifts for family and friends through her craft.

And while quiet, she does have a sense of humor.

Shes quite observant, Krauch said.

McCall is also woman of God who reads the Bible each morning, her daughter said, and believes peace can help sustain our future.

Another tip obey your parents, she said.

As for turning 107, McCall finds humor in the thought.

What else could I do but be alive or be dead, she said.

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Redlands woman turning 107 talks key to longevity - Redlands Daily Facts

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Among them they have clocked up a combined age of 1,075 years, earning the 13 Donnelly siblings from Northern Ireland a place in the record books. Scientists are studying the brothers and sisters, whose ages range from 72 to 93, but they insist the secret of their remarkable longevity is a twice-daily diet of porridge at their farm in County Armagh. We reveal all about the hearty breakfast classic.

In the UK porridge is traditionally made from oats but youll find different versions in almost every culture around the world. In fact porridge is any grain simmered in liquid to become a hot meal. In the US grits is a version of porridge, while in China congee is made from boiling up rice and water. In Wales porridge is known as uwd, while in Ireland porridge mixed with whiskey was a remedy for the common cold. In Jamaica porridge is sold by street hawkers by the cup, using coconut milk combined with oats.

Porridge can be traced back to medieval times when it was also known as porage. One popular brand, Scotts, still uses the ancient term on its boxes which feature a kilted man. Historically Scottish households kept porridge drawers where the food could be stored and solidify, to be eaten later cold. In England a popular dish from the times of Richard II was pea porridge which included herbs and onions.

The recipe for porridge is much-debated. Scots will tell you that true porridge is made from only oats, water and a pinch of salt simmered gently for 10 minutes. Milk can be served on the side. However its also common to mix in a little milk to make the blend creamier. Unless youre a strict traditionalist almost anything goes try adding a handful of raisins or a spoonful of honey. Purists recommend soaking porridge oats overnight to improve consistency. However theres one thing on which everyone is agreed: lumpy porridge is a no-no.

The story of Goldilocks, who almost came to a sticky end after eating the bears porridge then falling asleep, was written by Poet Laureate Robert Southey. The fable first appeared in 1837 as The Story Of The Three Bears featuring the line: Whos been eating my porridge?

Because it is cheap to make and filling porridge became a staple prison food. Hence the term doing porridge which is thought to have originated in the 1950s. In 2006 there was an outcry among inmates when it was announced that porridge was being phased out in favour of packs of cereal to save money on cooking. The popular BBC sitcom Porridge, starring Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale and Fulton Mackay, ran from 1974 to 1977.

BBC

Ancient custom has it that porridge should only be stirred clockwise. Stirring anti-clockwise will invite the devil into your breakfast. Another old wives tale has it that porridge should be eaten while standing as that way it will fill you up more.

As the Donnellys will testify porridge is very healthy. Its high in fibre and protein, proven to lower bad cholesterol and is good for the heart. It takes a while for the body to digest so energy is released slowly making you feel fuller for longer. A 1984 study of 100,000 people by Harvard Universitys school of public health concluded that eating porridge and other whole grains can help you live longer.

A spurtle is a wooden implement dating from the 15th century thats specifically for stirring porridge. Its stick-like design means it doesnt drag the mixture, as a spoon would, and it can be used for breaking up lumps the enemy of porridge. Traditionally a thistle is carved at the top of a spurtle. The World Porridge-making Championships, held annually since 1994 in the village of Carrbridge in the Cairngorms national park in Scotland, feature a golden spurtle as the first prize.

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Celebrities who have sung the praises of porridge over the years include Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue and Bill Gates. Singer Marianne Faithfull once said: The food thats never let me down in life is porridge. Former PM David Cameron said that he choked on his porridge when he heard a US commentator describe Birmingham as a totally Muslim city.

Porridge was carried to the North and South poles respectively by explorers Richard Byrd and Roald Amundsen and has been taken into space by US astronauts. Archive footage of Buzz Aldrin joking with Mike Collins about his reliance on oatmeal during the Apollo 11 mission to the moon has been used by Quaker in a recent advertising campaign.

The average bowl of porridge contains only about 170 calories. Usually made from rolled oats the most common variety are Pinhead oats, giving the dish its slightly chewy texture. For a finer texture ground oats, also known as oatmeal, can be used.

Doctor Johnsons dictionary definition of porridge oats in the 18th century was: A grain which in England is given to horses but in Scotland supports the people. Robert Burns wrote in praise of porridge: The halesome parritch, chief o Scotias food. A travel writer visiting Scotland in the late 18th century was astonished to see that farm labourers ate the dish three times a day. George Orwell noted that Scotlands gifts to the world were whisky, golf and porridge, while more recently porridge appears in the Ian Dury song Reasons To Be Cheerful.

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The Gleneagles Hotel in the north of Scotland serves porridge laced with raspberries and Drambuie when it hosts dignitaries. Chefs have also added langoustines to sex up porridge but Heston Blumenthal went a step too far for some when he began serving his snail porridge. On the island of St Kilda, in the Outer Hebrides, puffins used to be added .

Devils Porridge was an explosive concoction, containing gun powder, used in the First World War. It was made by munitions girls and their dangerous work is commemorated at the Devils Porridge Museum in the Scottish borders. The term was coined by Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who visited the original factory near Gretna.

World Porridge Day is held every year on October 10 and raises funds for starving children throughout the world.

Market researcher Mintel says 49 per cent of the UK population eat porridge for breakfast at least sometimes, while one in five has it daily. It has been calculated that every year 47 million gallons of porridge are eaten in the UK.

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World's oldest family reveals that the secret behind their longevity: Porridge - Express.co.uk

A couple of things stood out last week when Kevin led our group through the entire process of receiving the pages from the editorial staff to the moments when it gets bundled up and heads out the door to carriers.

When Bonnie Banas arrived recently for her final meeting with our Reader Advisory Board, she did a little show and tell.

Banas, who lives in Canton, has a special history with The Canton Repository. She's not only a longtime subscriber to our print product, she also starred in a stage play that detailed the paper's 200 year history. Called "The Bicentennial Project," it featured several actors who each played numerous roles that depicted events covered by the Rep. One of Banas' roles was as Ida Saxton McKinley. Mrs. McKinley was the granddaughter of John Saxton, who was the founder and first publisher of The Canton Repository, which at the time of its birth on March 30, 1815, was called The Ohio Repository.

Banas showed me a book that the Rep had published Aug. 1, 1953. It showed off the different departments within the building, including advertising, classifieds, circulation, editorial and the press. As we paged through the pages showing off the old press, she said her neighbor had loaned her the book. He was a former pressman for the paper, and told her he worked in the days of "hot type," when the words on the newspaper pages were set by hand.

I told her to be sure to compare the photos in the book with what she was about to see during a tour of our press and production facilities. The tour always takes place during the last meeting for each Advisory Board. The next group is set to kick off at the end of August, and will run through January.

Each tour is guided by a guy who easily takes a spot among the best tour guides or docents I've ever followed around. Kevin Ackerman is GateHouse Ohio's vice president of operations. In an age when titles don't come close to telling the job someone actually performs, I will need to list just some of Kevin's reponsibilities. He manages the press operations in Canton and at The Times Reporter in New Philadelphia; the production facilities, where the ads are inserted into the paper; the composing facilities, where each day's paper is output and many ads are designed; and, the buildings where we work. Much like most workers these days, there are at least 40 other jobs on his plate, too.

Kevin's given this tour to five Advisory Board groups so far, and every one is a little different than the others. I'm lucky, because I've taken in all the tours and learned so much.

A couple of things stood out last week when Kevin led our group through the entire process of receiving the pages from the editorial staff to the moments when it gets bundled up and heads out the door to carriers.

One of our group members asked what type of paper is used for our newsprint. Great question. I've been in this business for 25 years, and have been reading papers for about 20 years longer than that, and I never thought to ask that question!

Spruce.

Our paper comes from Canada, as most newsprint used in the United States does. Kevin said that it's grown on enormous forests that operate a rotation process. Once trees are cut for production of paper, more trees are planted and grown. It's a constant process.

Kevin is one of the hardest working guys I've met. He's here days, nights, weekends, early mornings and late at night. Turns out, the second thing I learned the other day, he learned that work ethic at a young age.

A native of East Canton, Kevin headed off to college at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He said he is very much a small-town guy, and because the Art Institute is in the city, he wasn't able to get comfortable. He called his dad a little bit into his first year and told him that he was coming home. He didn't quit, though.

No, Kevin drove every day to Pittsburgh for his classes, then headed home to East Canton. After a few years, he graduated, never missing a day of classes along the way. Oh, and he also worked during those days at the Rep in the circulation department.

Impressive.

Earlier, I mentioned Bonnie's lesson in how the method of printing the newspaper has changed. I think, too, about how Kevin's jobs have changed over that time.

All of our tasks have shifted so much over time. Most of the technical lessons I learned in school have become obsolete over my 25 years, while the newsgathering rules such as fairness and fact-checking are more important than ever. "M" and "W" are always going to be the widest letters in the alphabet, while "I" will always be the skinniest. We no longer use wax to affix our stories to pages that get photographed by an enormous camera before it heads off to about three other steps before it reaches the press.

Efficiency has helped to speed up our ability to get the news out there for our readers, and experienced staff members, like Kevin Ackerman, will always be the backbone of our product.

The rest is here:
Laura Kessel: Press tour a lesson in how longevity brings efficiency - Canton Repository

Brain stem cells keep us young

Silvia Riccardi/SPL

By Jessica Hamzelou

YOUR brain may be to blame for your ageing body. A small cluster of stem cells in the brain seems to help mice stay young, and injecting extra stem cells helps them live longer. One day anti-ageing drugs might be able to replicate the effect in people.

Ageing is a complicated process, involving DNA damage, chronic inflammation, and worn-out cells, but we dont yet know which of these has the biggest impact on ageing. Dongsheng Cai at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York has been investigating the role of the brain in ageing, since it controls most of our bodily functions.

His team previously found that the hypothalamus, which releases hormones that affect other organs, seems to affect how mice age. By interfering with a molecular pathway in the hypothalamus, the team extended the lifespan of mice by 20 per cent.

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Cais team wondered whether stem cells here might influence ageing. Although stem cells in the hypothalamus create new neurons throughout life, the team noticed that mice start losing them in middle age about 10 or 11 months old. By the time mice are 2 years old around 70 in human years the cells are basically all gone, says Cai.

Mice age faster if these stem cells are destroyed. There was a decline in learning and memory, coordination, muscle mass, endurance and skin thickness, says Cai. The mice died a few months earlier than untreated animals.

But injecting the hypothalamus with extra stem cells, taken from the brains of newborn mice, slowed down this premature ageing, and gave mice an extra two to four months of life (Nature, DOI: 10.1038/nature23282).

First the team had to modify the stem cells so that they kick-started an anti-inflammatory pathway in the mice, otherwise the cells died and the injections didnt work. This suggests that it may be inflammation that usually causes the death of stem cells in the brain as we age.

The team found that the injected stem cells secreted a particularly large amount of microRNAs. These are small molecules that can affect the way genes work, and the types of microRNA in our blood are known to vary according to age. Cai isnt sure how the stem cell microRNAs might be working, but they seem to reduce biological stress and inflammation, he says.

Cai thinks his teams findings could one day lead to a treatment for ageing. Once the microRNAs have been identified, it might be possible to develop drugs that mimic their effects, he says.

This may have the potential to become a therapy in about 30 years, says Richard Faragher at the University of Brighton, UK, who says other teams are already working towards microRNA drug treatments. An alternative strategy would be to target inflammation more generally. I can see us taking multiple approaches, says Faragher.

This article appeared in print under the headline Stem cell boost slows down ageing

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Stem cells in the brain's hypothalamus help mice stay young - New Scientist

Sutro BiopharmasSTRO-001eliminates or significantly slows the growth ofnon-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma tumors, studies in mice indicate.

Sutro expects the results to support its investigational new drug application for STRO-001. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration must approve the application before the company can start clinical trials of the therapy. It is planning a Phase 1 trial in early 2018.

STRO-001, an antibody drug conjugate, targets the surface protein CD74. It is found inup to 90 percent of malignant B-cells, but almost no normal tissue. After binding to a cell with CD74, the drug releases a toxic payload that kills the cell.

Sutro tested STRO-001 on tissue samples collected from patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and mantle cell lymphoma.

The company presented the findings at theAmerican Association for Cancer Research annual meetingin Washington in April. STRO-001 eliminated malignant plasma B-cells in mice with multiple myeloma mice, researchers said. And the mice remained tumor-free through the four-month study, while placebo-treated mice died within 35 days.

Sutro is now reporting that STRO-oo1 eliminates tumor cells or significantly delays tumor growth in mice with large B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma.

In addition, the therapy led to mice with mantle cell lymphoma living longer than mice treated with a placebo, whose disease continued to progress.

Combining STRO-001 with the chemotherapies Levact (bendamustine) and Rituxan (rituximab) was more effective against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tumors than chemo alone, the team added.

They reported the results in June atthe 14th International Conference on Malignant Lymphomain Lugano, Switzerland, and at the 22nd Congress of the European Hematology Associationin Madrid. Thepresentation was titled STRO-001, a Novel Anti-CD74 Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC) for Treatment of B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas (NHL).

STRO-001 also reduced multiple myeloma activity, or even eradicated the cancer, in mice, Sutro said.

In another presentation at the hematology convention, it reported that129 days after receiving STRO-001, none of the mice in a myeloma study had cancer in their bone marrow. In contrast, control animals died within 35 days, with half their bone marrow filled with myeloma cells.

The presentation was titled Targeting CD74 in Multiple Myeloma with a Novel Antibody Drug Conjugate (ADC), STRO-001.

These results are the clearest, most compelling evidence that STRO-001 performs effectively in multiple malignant B-cell lines and animal tumor models, Bill Newell, CEO of Sutro, said in a press release.

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STRO-001 Eliminates or Slows Growth of Myeloma and Lymphoma in Mice, Studies Show - Myeloma Research News

(MENAFN Editorial) Essential Health Stem Cell is pleased to announce they offer regenerative therapy to patients looking to feel younger and be more active. These therapies use stem cells derived from umbilical cord samples and offer a non-surgical alternative to turning back the hands of time.

More individuals are looking for the safest, least invasive ways to restore the painless function and strength in their knees, shoulder, and other areas, theyve always wanted. While many people turn to chiropractic care and medical options, they dont have the same regenerative properties as stem cells offer. With the cutting-edge technological advances in extracting stem cells from umbilical cord blood samples, Essential Health Stem Cell strives to give patients access to the latest treatments for the best possible results.

Patients who undergo these stem cell therapies through Essential Health Stem Cell will be able to enjoy their regular daily activities right away, unlike with other surgical options. Stem cell therapy is painless, risk free and has no negative short or long-term effects. Their professional staff strives to give each of their patients the quality care they require to get the results theyre looking for.

Anyone interested in learning about these regenerative therapies can find out more by visiting the Essential Health Stem Cell website or by calling 1-336-230-2255.

About Essential Health Stem Cell : Essential Health Stem Cell is a medical provider that offers stem cell therapies designed to regenerate the body and help individuals live a more youthful lifestyle. Their regenerative therapies are designed to help patients achieve their health goals with less risk than many of the surgical options. These treatments are cutting-edge and dont have the same negative effects as other treatments.

For more information visit us our website http://www.ehstemcell.com.

Company : Essential Health Stem Cell Contact : David Gibson Address : 526 North Elam Avenue, #101, Greensboro, NC 27403 Phone : 1-336-230-2255 Email : Website : http://www.ehstemcell.com

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Essential Health Stem Cell Offers Regenerative Therapy - MENAFN.COM

UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the disease is thought to affect more than 2.3 million people worldwide, that number may be a significant under estimate since MS is not a reportable disease and no centralized reporting system exists at this time. Also, MS can be difficult to diagnose. Since there is no single test for MS, the diagnosis can be missed, delayed or even incorrect.

In MS, the immune system malfunctions destroying the myelin which is the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Often times, the myelin is compared to the insulation coating that surrounds electrical wires. When the surrounding protective myelin is damaged and the nerve fibers are exposed, the messages traveling along the nerve become slow or potentially blocked. In some cases, the nerve becomes damaged.

Adult stem cells are potentially the most diverse and effective healing agents ever known and have been proven to treat an astounding variety of conditions, ranging from injuries to chronic, debilitating diseases. Over million adult stem cell treatments and counting have been perform and many have improved health and quality of life for patients with unmet clinical needs.

Groundbreaking research related to adult stem cell therapy for slowing MS disease and for repairing damage to the nervous system has shown much progress. At StemGenex Medical Group, our staff has personally witnessed how the use of adipose-derived stem cells (from fat tissue) have improved the quality of life of many patients seen for Multiple Sclerosis. Weve felt inspired by how these patients have responded to StemGenexs integrated healthcare approach to treating MS.

Stem cells are highly potent healing agents in the body and have shown therapeutic effects through a wide range of modalities. We frequently hear from patients who are extremely grateful for the relief and improved quality of life they have experienced following stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis.

In any type of treatments for MS, it is essential to address the underlying cause of autoimmunity through modulating the immune system in addition to repairing damaged neurological tissue.The primary causes contributing to the progression of Multiple Sclerosis is due to the bodys autoimmune attack against the central nervous system causing damage to the nerve fibers and their protective myelin sheath, resulting in demyelination. Groundbreaking research indicates adipose-derived stem cells have the potential to address these two main causes that contribute to the progression of Multiple Sclerosis by inhibiting the immune attack against the central nervous system and stimulating regeneration damaged tissue in the body. Adipose-derived stem cell treatment has the ability to address both fundamental causes of the disease by selectively homing to areas in the body of damaged tissue and repair function and healing.

According to research, adipose-derived stem cells have the potential to be excellent candidates for Multiple Sclerosis for two main reasons:

Woman Battling Multiple Sclerosis Sees Improvements from Stem Cell Therapy

We often hear from patients who are extremely grateful for the relief they have experienced following adipose-derived stem cell treatment. Patients have reported the following improved quality of life benefits associated with Multiple Sclerosis:

Through customized, targeted stem cell treatment plans, our goal is to offer patients access to adult stem cell treatment that has the potential to significantly improve ones quality of life. Stem cell therapy consists of a very simple and brief liposuction procedure where the patients adipose (fat) tissue is extracted from patients body in our AAAHC accredited surgical center by accomplished board certified physicians. Through our proprietary protocols, the adipose tissue is then processed by laboratory technicians in our on-site state-of-the-art laboratory. The stem cells are then comfortably infused back into the patients body, which takes place in a comprehensive one-day outpatient procedure in our distinguished stem cell treatment facility.

Currently, Multiple Sclerosis medications only offer treatment and therapy for the symptoms of the disease. These drugs may help with symptoms, but only at the expense of serious, often life-endangering side effects.

Unfortunately, there is no standard medical treatment for the two main causes that contribute to the progression of the disease which include the bodys autoimmune attack against the central nervous system, and the resulting demyelination. Majority of MS drugs focus on addressing symptoms for only one of the primary causes of progression. Current MS drugs are designed to suppress, alter, or slow down the activity of the bodys immune system; however, these drugs do not address the regeneration of the lost myelin.

Stem cell therapy has been shown to help both primary causes of the disease progression by repairing and regenerating damaged tissue, modulating the immune system and slowing down inflammation. In the near future, it is anticipated that stem cell treatment will potentially surpass conventional drug therapy.

Adipose-derived stem cells, also known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic benefits for treating Multiple Sclerosis. Adult mesenchymal stem cells are found in several places throughout the body including adipose tissue, also known as your fat tissue. Adipose tissue includes a variety of cell types which includes the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF). The SVF contains an abundant amount of stem cells called adipose-derived stem cells and also contains high concentrations of other very beneficial components (T-regulatory cells, preadipocytes, endothelial precursor cells, anti-inflammatory macrophage) with robust anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Known to be very potent, adipose-derived stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into various specialized cells in our body. They have the unique ability to produce additional cells which help other stem cells function properly and have the ability to selectively hone into areas in the body of injured tissue and repair functionality.

Committed to the science and innovation of stem cell treatment, StemGenex sponsors a clinical study registered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for Multiple Sclerosis. The study Outcomes of Data of Adipose Stem Cells to Treat Multiple Sclerosis has been established to formally document and evaluate the quality of life changes in individuals following adipose-derived stem cell treatment.

If you are interested in learning more about the Outcomes of Data of Adipose Stem Cells to Treat Multiple Sclerosis clinical study, contact a StemGenex Medical Group Patient Advocate at 800-974-1335 or Click Here to provide your contact information.

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Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Treatment - StemGenex