In 2004, Jobs reportedly underwent a reconstructive surgery known as the Whipple operation (via Britannica). According to Mayo Clinic, the Whipple procedure also referred to as a pancreaticoduodenectomy is a risky and technically demanding surgery that is used to remove pancreatic tumors. Per WebMD, the Whipple procedure is the primary operation for an islet cell tumor that's positioned on the top of the "head of the pancreas."

The procedure involves the removal of many internal structures, including the head of the pancreas, and parts of the bile duct, gallbladder, and the beginning of the small intestine (via WebMD). Then, the remainder of the organs is reattached to the small intestine. This enables the patient to digest food post-surgery, says Mayo Clinic.

WebMD says that this surgery is particularly risky because of the risk of infection, internal bleeding, and abnormal connections between body parts. Unfortunately, Jobs was not out in the clear for long, and found himself back on the operating table a few years later.

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What We Learned About Steve Jobs' Health After His Death - Health Digest

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By Kristen Rogers, CNN

(CNN) -- You sleep for seven to eight hours almost every night, only to feel unrested through the morning or even most of the day. How could you be following a golden rule of sleep so right, yet feel so wrong?

This discrepancy is often due to a heightened state of sleep inertia, a circadian process that modulates memory, mood, reaction time and alertness upon waking, according to a 2015 study. Some people experience impaired performance and grogginess in this period after first turning off the alarm. The effects of sleep inertia usually go away after 15 to 60 minutes but can last for up to a few hours.

Sleep inertia impairs more sophisticated cognitive skills such as evaluative thinking, decision-making, creativity and rule usage, and gets worse the more sleep deprived a person is.

But even if your job isn't saving lives or driving a truck overnight, experiencing sleep inertia for hours can still affect your quality of life.

The way to address this begins with evaluating your sleep using the "two Qs," said pulmonary and sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta, a clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine. "If you're getting the good quantity sleep, the next question is, 'Am I getting good quality sleep?'"

Dasgupta suggested seeing a sleep specialist, who can check for an underlying or primary sleep disorder. But there are other more easily modifiable factors that could be interfering with the restoration and recovery processes -- such as memory consolidation, hormone regulation and emotional regulation or processing -- that need to happen during sleep.

"There are a lot of conditions that cause fatigue, but they don't necessarily make people feel like they're ready to fall asleep," said Jennifer Martin, a professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, and president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

These can include chronic pain conditions, metabolic or thyroid conditions, anemia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you're feeling inexplicable fatigue, "an important first step might just be a routine physical with your family doctor," Martin said.

Additionally, the National Sleep Foundation has said healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep nightly, so you might need more than eight hours of sleep to feel energized. You could try going to sleep an hour earlier or waking an hour later than usual and see if that makes a difference, said Christopher Barnes, a professor of management at the University of Washington who studies the relationship between sleep and work.

If you're sedentary, your body can get used to only having to expend low levels of energy -- so you might feel more tired than you should when trying to do basic daily activities, Martin said.

The World Health Organization has recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes (2 1/2 hours) of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity weekly, while pregnant people should do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic and strengthening exercises per week.

Having anxiety or depression can be energetically taxing, Dasgupta said. These conditions can also negatively influence the time needed to fall asleep, as well as whether (and how many times) you wake up throughout the night, he added.

And sometimes the medications used to treat depression or anxiety can have side effects such as insomnia or blocking deeper stages of sleep, Dasgupta said.

Sometimes our schedules differ on weekdays versus weekends, Barnes said. Schedules can also fluctuate for people with shift-based jobs.

"A very common practice would be to say, 'OK, well, it's Friday night. I don't have to work tomorrow morning, so I can stay up a bit later,'" Barnes said. Maybe you stay up even later Saturday night since you don't have to work Sunday either, then go to bed earlier on Sunday ahead of the work week.

But by this point, you've already adjusted your sleep schedule back by a couple of hours in a short period of time. "This is very much analogous to jet lag," Barnes said. "That rapid reset doesn't work very well."

More than 50% of your body is made of water, which is needed for multiple functions including digesting food, creating hormones and neurotransmitters, and delivering oxygen throughout your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Being dehydrated has been linked to decreased alertness and increased sleepiness and fatigue.

The Institute of Medicine recommends women consume 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of fluids daily, and that men have 3.7 liters (125 ounces) daily. This recommendation includes all fluids and water-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and soups. Since the average water intake ratio of fluids to foods is around 80:20, that amounts to a daily amount of 9 cups for women and 12 cups for men.

Having good sleep hygiene includes keeping your bedroom dark, quiet and cold at night -- and only using it for sleep and sex.

Avoid consuming caffeinated drinks less than six hours before bedtime; and limit the consumption of alcohol and heavy or spicy foods at least two hours before bed. Alcohol can prevent deeper stages of sleep, and such foods can cause digestive issues that interfere with restorative sleep.

"The person (or pet) with whom you share a bed has a big impact on your sleep," Martin said.

Maybe your bed partner has a sleep disorder and snores or tosses and turns. Or maybe they have a different schedule that's disruptive to your sleep. Pets can also disrupt your sleep schedule since they don't have the same sleep patterns as humans, she added.

"The most important thing -- if your bed partner snores -- is to get them to see a sleep specialist and have them evaluated for sleep apnea," Martin said. Sleep apnea -- a condition wherein breathing stops and restarts while someone's sleeping -- is common in people who snore, she added.

On that note, sleep disorders are another factor that can dramatically diminish sleep quality, Barnes said.

Someone with sleep apnea might wake up 50 times, 100 times or even more throughout the night, he added.

"Once you're awake, you're no longer in the deep sleep and you don't get to usually drop immediately into the deepest sleep," Barnes said. "Bringing people out of that deep sleep by waking them up is going to generally result in less time spent in the deepest stage of sleep."

Other sleep disorders that can affect daily energy levels include narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The ideal way to track sleep quality and quantity -- especially if you think you could be diagnosed with a sleep disorder -- is undergoing polysomnography at a sleep clinic, Barnes said.

Apps and electronic wearables -- such as watches or rings -- that measure sleep aren't as accurate as clinic tests, but still provide sufficient information for healthy adults, Barnes said. "I'd want to know that it was developed and then validated against another, more accurate device."

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Think angry, red breakouts are only for pubescent teens? Think again. Acne doesn't discriminate by ageeven adults, especially women (lucky us!), are prone to breakouts well into their 30s, 40s, and even 50s before the onset of menopause, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).

Even adults who never had pimples during their teen years can experience acne on any area of their face (jawline, around the mouth, or the forehead, for example) or on the body (the back or chest, for example). When this happens, dermatologists call the condition "adult-onset acne."

If you're an adult experiencing this annoyingand sometimes even painfulskin condition, experts say it's usually due to one of the following: stress, family history, hair and skincare products, medicinal side effects, an undiagnosed medical condition, or hormones.

The latter is one of the more common culprits, and the condition is typically referred to as hormonal acne.

Meet Our Experts: Michele Green, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York CitySanusi Umar, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and CEO and founder of the Dr. U Hair and Skin Clinic in Los Angeles

"Hormonal acne, as the name implies, is acne that is caused by an imbalance of hormones in the body," says Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.

As you might suspect: clogged pores, says Dr. Sanusi Umar, a board-certified dermatologist and CEO and founder of the Dr. U Hair and Skin Clinic in Los Angeles. Fluctuating hormones can cause excess or overproduction of sebum (the oily substance in skin glands), a buildup of dead skin cells, or an accumulation of bacteria, he explains.

"There are various conditions that may influence the presence of hormonal acne including puberty, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, menstrual cycle, and increased androgen levels," says Green. "Stress and diet can also impact hormonal acne breakouts," she adds. Even pregnancy or beginning or discontinuing the use of birth control pills can cause pimples.

But how do you know if your red spots are caused by hormones or something else altogether? And why is that important? Pegging down the root cause of your acne can help inform an effective treatment plan. For example, if a product is causing breakouts, the answer could be as simple as discontinuing usage. On the other hand, if you're experiencing hormonal acne, treatment may be a little bit more complex.

Green says hormonal acne typically presents as cysts along the jawline and on the chin in adults and in the T-zone during puberty, but it can also present as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules, says Umarand that's exactly why it's important to consult a board-certified dermatologist who can help you correctly identify your condition.

In the meantime, you can also look for patterns. "It is common for hormonal acne to reappear in the same areas in a cyclic fashion," she explains. "Many adult patients struggling with hormonal acne indicate that their breakouts are more pronounced for a certain period each month or when they have endured significantly more stress."

Typically, treatment for hormonal acne is multi-pronged and includes the following, says Green:

This serum contains a hefty dose of salicylic acid to reduce excess sebum production, clear clogged pores, and decrease rednessall while fighting signs of aging at the same time.

Tea tree is the first ingredient in this lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer.

A combination of clarifying ingredients like tea tree and salicylic acid and soothing ingredients like chamomile oil make this face oil an effective acne-fighter.

This product contains 10 percent benzoyl peroxideas strong as you can get without a prescription.

"Hormonal acne may resolve on its own once hormone levels in the body become balanced, though it is common to experience hormonal acne breakouts in cyclic episodes as hormones fluctuate overtime," says Green.

So while your pimples may disappear in as little as one week, Green says they're likely to return and can even cause permanent scarring if left untreated. "For patients who forgo evaluation and treatment with a dermatologist, their hormonal acne can last for years," she says.

Brigitt is a freelance writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience at premier lifestyle publications. She specializes in creating SEO and affiliate content in a wide range of coverage areas, including home, health, parenting, beauty and style, food and entertaining, travel, and weddings. She also has significant experience creating native and branded content.

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Hormonal Acne: Causes, Treatment, And How To Prevent It - Women's Health

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Dr. Justin Houman Medical Director and Board-certified Urologist

FARMINGTON, Conn. (PRWEB) August 10, 2022

Renowned Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Specialist Will Provide Clinical Oversight For All of Bastion Healths Initiatives

Farmington, CT, August 10, 2022 - Bastion Health, the first-ever comprehensive virtual clinic for mens health specializing in reproductive and prostate health, announces the appointment of Dr. Justin Houman as Medical Director. As Medical Director, Dr. Houman will provide clinical expertise and oversight for all of Bastion Healths initiatives.

Dr. Houman is a urologist and fellowship-trained Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery specialist. His practice is focused on mens health, including male hormone management, sexual health, and male fertility. As a minimally-invasive microscopic surgeon, he specializes in microsurgical varicocelectomy, vasectomy reversals, and sperm retrievals.

Dr. Houman has published multiple manuscripts on mens health, male fertility, and the health effects of wearable technology. Dr. Houmans studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

We are honored to have Dr. Houman join Bastion Health. With his leadership and expertise, he will help us build the future of mens health, said Reza Amin, founder, and CEO of Bastion Health.

For more information on Bastion Health, visit http://www.getbastion.com.

About Bastion Health

Bastion Health is the first-ever comprehensive digital mens health clinic specializing in reproductive and prostate health, offering quick and convenient access to urologists and mens health specialists. Bastion aims to normalize the conversation surrounding mens health and offers a way for men to proactively take control of their health from the comfort of their own home with convenient consultations, diagnostic testing, assessments, clinical treatment plans, and on-demand educational content, available through the Bastion Health AI-powered app. Bastion Health was founded by Reza Amin and is based in Farmington, CT.

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Bastion Health Announces the addition of Dr. Justin Houman as Medical Director - PR Web

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In states that have banned abortion, some women with unwanted pregnancies are pursuing an unconventional workaround: They are self-managing their abortions, seeking out the necessary know-how online and obtaining the medications without the supervision of a clinic or a doctor.

At first glance, the practice may recall the days before Roe v. Wade, when women too often were forced to take risky measures to end an unwanted pregnancy. But the advent of medication abortion accomplished with drugs, rather than in-office procedures has transformed reproductive care, posing a significant challenge to anti-abortion legislation.

Even before the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, medication abortions accounted for more than half of abortions in the United States. Federal regulators made access to the pills even easier during the pandemic by dropping the requirement for an in-person visit and allowing the drugs to be mailed to patients after a virtual appointment.

But many states never allowed telehealth abortion, and new laws prohibiting abortion apply to all forms of the procedure, including medications. So women in increasingly restrictive parts of the country are procuring the pills any way they can, often online, despite state prohibitions.

There are no reliable estimates of the number of women who undertake their own medication abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which researches and supports abortion access.

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion is now banned in at least 10 states, according to a database maintained by The New York Times. Voters in Kansas on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure that would have removed abortion rights protections from the state constitution.

Limits of one sort or another are nonetheless expected in at least half of U.S. states, and so both sides of the divide are bracing for an increase in self-managed abortions.

Critics of abortion in any form insist that medication abortions are riskier than claimed, and even more so without medical supervision. The procedure should not be undertaken beyond 10 weeks gestation, they note, or performed without a doctors visit, because dating a pregnancy accurately is not always possible.

Other medical complications can be missed, they say including ectopic pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.

Claims that medication abortion is safe are based on flawed and incomplete data, which prioritize convenience and cost over the health and safety of patients, said Dr. Christina Francis, chair of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which opposes all abortions except to prevent permanent harm or death to the mother.

Physicians who support abortion tell a different story: There is plentiful evidence that medication abortion is safe, and women already carry out the procedure almost entirely alone at home, even if they do see a doctor to obtain the drugs. Self-management is not so different, supporters argue.

Its quite safe and effective based on studies weve done, national data provided by the states and the Guttmacher Institute, and the experience of other countries, said Dr. Beverly Winikoff, the founder of Gynuity Health Projects, who performed much of the research on medication abortion that led to its approval in the United States more than 20 years ago.

The procedure typically involves taking two drugs: mifepristone, which stops the pregnancy by blocking a hormone called progesterone, followed a day or two later by misoprostol, which causes the uterus to contract.

More than half a million women had medication abortions in 2020 in the United States, and fewer than half of 1 percent experience serious complications, studies show. Medical interventions like hospitalizations or blood transfusions were needed by fewer than 0.4 percent of patients, according to a 2013 review of dozens of studies involving tens of thousands of patients.

Medication abortion is noninvasive, doesnt cause sepsis and doesnt cause ruptures of internal organs, like the illegal abortions of the pre-Roe era, Dr. Winikoff said.

It doesnt mean people cant have excessive bleeding and need to get care occasionally, but those are not the dire circumstances of people from 50 years ago, she added.

The drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, however, and are intended to be taken under a doctors supervision. The agency discourages internet purchases of mifepristone because patients will be bypassing important safeguards, officials said in a statement.

But the F.D.A. does not advise against online purchases of misoprostol (brand name Cytotec), which is used to treat a number of medical conditions. Misoprostol can terminate pregnancies by itself, recent studies have shown.

While no treatment is 100 percent safe, taking the pills on your own at home does not affect your risk of complications, said Dr. Carolyn Westhoff, an obstetrician gynecologist and professor at Columbia University and the editor in chief of the journal Contraception.

But self-management also means a woman does not have a familiar health care professional nearby to call in case of an emergency or complications. Dr. Westhoff and other experts fear that women performing their own abortions may be reluctant to seek medical help in states that have criminalized abortion.

Cassie, 20, who uses the pronouns they and them and asked that only a first name be used because they reside in Texas, where most abortions are banned after about six weeks of pregnancy, managed their own abortion in January.

Cassie, who already had a child and was struggling financially, filled out an online request form for abortion pills from Aid Access, which is based in Europe. The drugs took longer to arrive than expected, and when they did, Cassies pregnancy was already 12 weeks along.

I just took them and prayed for the best, Cassie said. They experienced heavy bleeding, nausea and the worst cramps Ive had in my entire life.

I was crying, curled up in a ball of pain in the middle of my bed, they said.

When the bleeding did not subside, Cassies partner drove them to the hospital, where the remaining tissue was removed.

That was its own horrifying experience of praying that they wouldnt know or suspect Id caused it myself, Cassie said.

Both the know-how and the tools to perform an abortion are increasingly easy to access.

Women who live in states where abortion is legal can turn to U.S.-based telehealth providers like Abortion on Demand and Hey Jane, which offer detailed information to women seeking abortions and provide pills by mail after a video visit in states where these services are legal.

MYA Network provides physicians who answer questions about self-managed abortion, and Abortion Pill Info offers tips on keeping online research private.

For women in states with abortion bans, Plan C offers a number of workarounds, including a list of online pharmacies selling abortion drugs that the organization has tested and tutorials on setting up mail forwarding in another state to receive the drugs.

The site also refers people to Aid Access, which screens women online and orders abortion pills from overseas pharmacies that are sent in envelopes without return addresses, even to states where abortion is illegal. The group charges $150 or less, depending on income.

Hannah, a 26-year-old in Oklahoma, said she managed her own abortion with pills from Aid Access late last year, when local clinics, overwhelmed with patients from Texas, could not accommodate her.

Hannah, who asked to not be identified because abortion is now banned in her state, said she suffered from depression at times before she became pregnant, but had plummeted to a new low and was suicidal.

I couldnt afford a pregnancy and was not well enough, physically or mentally, to carry a pregnancy, she said. Her self-managed abortion was no worse than a normal period for me.

A medication abortion cannot be distinguished from a miscarriage, and traces of the pills cannot be discovered if they are taken orally, said Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, a Dutch physician who founded Aid Access.

If a woman needs care after taking the pills, we always tell people to say they had a miscarriage, she said. Its exactly the same symptoms, and the treatment is exactly the same.

A study of thousands of women in the United States who received abortion pills from a provider without an in-person visit during the pandemic found that the practice was safe.

Complications are the rare exception. Another recent study looked at self-managed abortions in Nigeria, where abortion is banned except to save the life of the mother, and in Argentina (which legalized abortion up to 14 weeks in late 2020).

Twenty percent of the nearly 1,000 women who participated in the study sought care at hospitals after the procedure, but most only wanted to confirm the abortion was complete. About 4 percent reported ongoing pain, fever or bleeding. Seventeen required procedures to complete the abortion, 12 stayed in the hospital overnight, and six needed blood transfusions, according to the study, which was published in The Lancet Global Health in late 2021.

The surprise finding was that while some of the women took the mifepristone-misoprostol combination, the success rate for those taking misoprostol alone a widely used drug that can be purchased in countries like Mexico without a prescription and is fairly inexpensive was higher than that of the two-drug combination.

Most state laws that restrict abortion make performing an abortion a crime for doctors, not patients. Only three states South Carolina, Oklahoma and Nevada have laws that explicitly make it a crime to end ones own pregnancy.

Other states, however, have wielded child endangerment statutes or other laws against women suspected of terminating their pregnancies.

In Indiana, Purvi Patel was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2015 for inducing a self-managed abortion; her conviction was overturned in 2016. In Texas, murder charges were brought against Lizelle Herrera earlier this year in relation to a self-managed abortion, but prosecutors said they would not pursue the case.

At least 11 states have laws with broad personhood language that applies to fetuses, said Dana Sussman, deputy executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women. At least six Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming define a fetus as a person throughout the criminal code, making it easier to prosecute women who terminate their own pregnancies.

Both the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which support abortion as an essential component of health care, oppose criminalizing self-managed abortion, as they say doing so will deter women from seeking medical attention.

At the moment, health care providers are not legally required by any state to report patients they suspect of self-managing an abortion, according to If/When/How, an abortion-rights advocacy group. But laws are in flux.

Were operating in an area of complete uncertainty, Ms. Sussman said.

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Some Women Turn to Self-Managed Abortion as Access Recedes - The New York Times

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Disclaimer: We are a professional product review website. We might receive compensation when you buy through our website, we may earn a small affiliate commission. The information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other healthcare professional. The products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseasePeople also search for: lanta flat belly shake reviews lanta flat belly shake ingredients lanta flat belly shake customer service phone number lanta flat belly shake order lanta flat belly shake official website where can i buy lanta flat belly shake lanta flat belly shake.com lanta flat belly shake gluten free lanta flat belly shake google reviews lanta flat belly shake official website does lanta flat belly shake really work how to use lanta flat belly shake lanta flat belly shake ingredients lanta flat belly shake usDisclaimer : The above is a sponsored post, the views expressed are those of the sponsor/author and do not represent the stand and views of Outlook editorial.

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For more information about your reproductive health rights and related federal resources, you can visit the US government's Reproductive Rights site.

The US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wadeon June 24, effectively ending the constitutional right to an abortion, which had been in place since 1973. The majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization doesn't criminalize abortion on a federal level, but it leaves the decision ofallowing access to abortion up to individual states.

The Supreme Court ruling targetedin-clinic abortions. However, it's still possible and legal to obtain what's commonly known as the abortion pill -- actually two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, which are taken one after the other and which can be used at home.

"Both methods of abortion are safe and effective, and it's important that my patients be able to choose the method that is right for them," Dr. Nisha Verma, Darney-Landy Fellow at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a statement. "Some of my patients prefer the abortion procedure, knowing that when they leave my care, they are no longer pregnant. Others prefer to be able to take the pills needed for medication abortion in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Both choices are great choices, and both methods should be equally available to all of my patients."

On June 24, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that states can't ban the medications based on disagreement with the Food and Drug Administration's judgment on their safety and efficacy. President Joe Biden also said that his administration would protect access to the FDA-approved oral abortifacient medications, as well as to contraceptives.

Despite that, many states have banned or placed heavy restrictions on medication abortion. For example, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a bill into law that prohibits pregnant people getting the abortion pill through the mail. According to the bill, anyone who mails the abortion pill risks a $1,000 fine and up to six months in prison.

The abortion pill can safely terminate a pregnancy.

"Women in states that ban abortion will still be able to end unwanted pregnancies with abortion pills ordered online from overseas, though the legal situation is murky and carries potential risks,"CNBC reported in June.

Since the overturning of Roe, Biden has signed an executive orderaimed at making the abortion pill "as widely accessible as possible." On July 13, Politico reported that the Biden's administration has reminded thousands of US pharmacies that they risk breaking federal laws if they refuse to fill orders for contraception or abortion medication or discriminate based on a person's pregnancy status.

Here's what you need to know about medication abortion.

The abortion pill actually consists of two medicines, taken one after the other, that are used to terminate a pregnancy: mifepristone and misoprostol. According to Planned Parenthood, the pill is recommended for up to 11 weeks of pregnancy. After 11 weeks, the side effects of the pill, like cramping, nausea and chills, may be more intense.

"Data indicates that medication abortion can be used for abortions after 70 days gestational age," said Verma. "A different medication regimen may be used to increase the effectiveness of the process after nine weeks from the last menstrual period."

Once people obtain the medication, they take mifepristone first. This pill blocks the body's production of progesterone, a hormone required for a pregnancy to develop normally. Next, they take the second pill, misoprostol, up to 48 hours later. Misoprostol essentially induces the cervix and uterus to relax and expel the contents of the uterus.

After taking misoprostol, people may experience heavy cramping and bleeding, similar to a miscarriage. According to Planned Parenthood, if there's no bleeding within 24 hours of taking the second pill, people should call their nurse or doctor.

The abortion pill is actually two pills: mifepristone and misoprostol.

To ensure the medication worked, take a pregnancy test, or follow up with your doctor. According to the National Library of Medicine, the abortion pill is 99.6% effective at nine weeks of gestation or less.

"The current evidence shows that most people are able to safely and effectively manage their abortions using mifepristone and misoprostol when they acquire these medications from reliable sources," said Verma. "Medication abortion is an extremely safe medical intervention."

There are a number of ways to get the abortion pill. In states where abortion has been banned, it's possible to get the medication by using mail forwarding. Here are a few resources:

Planned ParenthoodYou can obtain the abortion pill at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center. Use the Find a Health Center locator on Planned Parenthood's website. Once you find a nearby clinic, you can call 1-800-230-PLAN or book an appointment online. The locator will let you know what services the clinic offers, what the hours are and information about insurance and payments.

Plan CPlan C is an information campaign with the goal of normalizing the self-directed option of the abortion pill by mail. Visit the website, click Find Abortion Pills and choose your state. Plan C will let you know if abortion is banned in your area, inform you of available services for accessing the pill by mail with clinician support, and give you information on prices, delivery time frames and more.

Many organizations can help you get the abortion pill discreetly and fast through the mail.

Abortion FinderYou can also find a nearby abortion provider through abortionfinder.org. As with Planned Parenthood, you'll need to input some information (which the site says is kept private and confidential), like your location, age range and the first day of your last period (it'll still work if you're unsure). Click Find a Provider to view a directory of verified providers in the US, as well as articles about abortion and a guide to abortion laws by state.

Abortion on DemandAbortion on Demand is an organization dedicated to delivering the abortion pill to people in need, quickly, easily and safely. Visit the website and click Schedule Visit. You'll be guided through a short questionnaire and set up a telehealth appointment with a doctor. If you meet Abortion on Demand's requirements, the service can overnight the abortion pills to you in discreet packaging along with medications to help with cramping and nausea. After you've taken the pills, the organization will check on you and offer follow-up doctor support.

According to Planned Parenthood, the medication costs about $750, but price varies based on your state, health center or applicable health insurance. You can find it several hundred dollars cheaper through some providers, like Aid Access, Abortion Telemedicine and Forward Midwifery.

According to Planned Parenthood, the abortion pill may be free or cheaper with health insurance, but some plans don't cover it. To find out for sure, you'll need to call your insurance provider.

If your insurance doesn't cover the pill, or you need more assistance, you can look into abortion fund organizations like the National Network of Abortion Funds. On NNAF's site, you can search your state to find a fund and see if it offers financial assistance. These funds can also help with child care, contraception, lodging, translators and more.

Plan B isn't the abortion pill.

Yes. Plan B, or the "morning after pill" is an emergency contraceptive designed to prevent pregnancy before it begins. Abortion pills are used to terminate an existing pregnancy. Plan B is most often used by people who forgot a dose of their daily birth control, for example, and recently had unprotected sex.

Plan B, or levonorgestrel, temporarily delays ovulation and prevents sperm from fertilizing an egg. The abortion pill blocks the progesterone hormone, which is produced when someone's already pregnant.

For more information, check out which states are banning abortion and what to know about the Supreme Court ruling.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Can I Still Get the Abortion Pill? Everything to Know - CNET

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The blue light wavelength mostly comes from sunlight, but it is also produced by artificiallight sourceslike those found on smartphones, as noted by WebMD. Past tests show that exposure to blue light, particularly later in the day when it's time to go to bed, can affect the quality of your sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, blue light disrupts the release of melatonin, the hormone responsible for making you feel sleepy. While this is beneficial during the day when we are active, it's not a good thing when night falls and you need to get quality shut-eye.

After the sun goes down, blue light messes up the body's natural circadian rhythm, which can lead to health problems such as obesity, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes (via Harvard). Additionally, blue lights may put your eyesight at risk. Studies have found that out of all the lights in the spectrum, blue light carries the most energy and can cause eye damage if you are overexposed to it (via Nature).

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WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Men are known to be more likely to develop cancer than women, and a new study suggests that this is largely due to biologic differences between the sexes.

After controlling for factors like smoking, alcohol use, diet, physical activity and common medical conditions [that increase cancer risk], the sex bias remained for most cancers, said study author Sarah Jackson, a research fellow at the National Cancer Institutes Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.

Exactly which biological differences are driving these disparities isnt fully understood yet.

"Wed like to explore the contribution of sex hormones and genetics to cancer incidence in future research, she said.

For the study, researchers looked at differences in risk for 21 cancer sites among 171,000 men and 123,000 women between 50 and 71 years of age who were enrolled in a diet and health study from 1995 to 2011.

During that time, 17,951 new cancers were diagnosed in men, and 8,742 were found in women.

Men had higher risks for most cancers, with the greatest difference in risk seen for cancers of the esophagus (10.8 times higher); larynx and bladder (each 3.5 times higher); as well as gastric cardia, a type of stomach cancer (3.3 times higher).

Men only had lower rates of thyroid and gallbladder cancers, the study showed.

Jackson said men are also more likely to die of cancer than women.

Risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, diet and underlying health issues accounted only for a small fraction of the difference in men's and women's cancer rates. For example, smoking, diet and conditions like diabetes that can increase the risk for some cancers explained only 20% of the male bias in bladder cancer. Men are more than three times as likely to develop bladder cancer than women, Jackson said.

The study was published Aug. 8 in the journal Cancer. Going forward, researchers plan to look at sex differences in cancer rates among racial and ethnic groups.

In an editorial that accompanied the findings, Jangqin Luo said more research is needed to understand why men are more likely than women to develop many cancers.

Sex disparities have been actively studied in the past decades, and the published research findings have deepened our understanding, [but] sex difference in cancer is still an ongoing quest, said Luo, an associate professor of surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis.

Understanding these disparities will pave the way toward better prevention and treatment policies, she said.

Dr. Otis Brawley, a professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, agreed that it's time to pay more attention to sex differences in cancer rates.

The more cells you have, the more likely one of them is to become malignant, and men tend to be bigger than women, said Brawley, who reviewed the findings.

Some of these differences may be related to hormones. The male sex hormone testosterone may promote the growth of some cancers, and the female sex hormone estrogen may offer protection against others.

When we do epidemiological studies and treatment studies, it is important to look at men versus women, Brawley said.

Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight, not smoking or drinking alcohol in excess, and other healthy behaviors are still an important part of a cancer prevention strategy for men and women, he said.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more information on how to prevent cancer.

SOURCES: Sarah Jackson, PhD, MPH, research fellow, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Md.; Jangqin Luo, PhD, associate professor, surgery, Division of Public Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis; Otis Brawley, MD, professor, oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore; Cancer, Aug. 8, 2022

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Karen Hopkin: This is Scientific Americans 60-Second Science. Im Karen Hopkin.

Its great to have friends. Especially if youre an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. Because new research shows that the males who are the most popular with the lads are also the most successful with the ladies. Researchers describe how these affable marine mammals maintain and leverage their complex social connections in a pair of papers in the journal Current Biology.

Stephanie King: Male dolphins form lifelong cooperative relationships.

Hopkin: Stephanie King of the University of Bristol. Shes been studying the dolphin population that inhabits Shark Baya UNESCO World Heritage site off the coast of western Australia.

King: By studying populations like the Shark Bay dolphins for many years, we start to see the complex ways they maintain their important social relationships.

Hopkin: These connections are more than casual acquaintanceships. Theyre crucial for the dolphins to be able to fend off rivals and secure mates.

King: When navigating their social world, it is those males that are more adept at building strong friendships that are ultimately more successful.

Hopkin: So what do these aquatic alliances look like?

Livia Gerber: In Shark Bay, every male is embedded in a social network consisting of 4 to 14 males.

Hopkin: Livia Gerberof the University of New South Wales, Sydney.

Gerber: These 4 to 14 males are also known as second order alliances and they are the core social unit of the male bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay.

Hopkin: This dolphin party consists of unrelated individuals of a similar age that remain together for decades. Now, when one of these dolphins is looking for love, hell select one or two wingmenor maybe fin-pals?... from this larger posse to help him find a fertile female.

Gerber: While it was previously known that males have to cooperate in order to sire offspring in Shark Bay, it wasnt known which male is the most successful one.

Hopkin: Is it the male with the most experience? The one with the largest territory? Or is there something about the bromance that holds the key to reproductive success?

Gerber: To answer this question, I [therefore] looked at the genetic profiles of more than 400 dolphins in Shark Bay and carried out paternity tests.

Hopkin: Once she identified the daddies, she could determine what quality they shared.

Gerber: I was quite surprised by my results because they were contrasting to so many other species, where the oldest males sire the most offspring or the males with the largest territories. As opposed to what we see in these other species, male bottlenose dolphins that have the strongest social bonds and multiple strong social bondsso the most popular malessire the most offspring.

Hopkin: Gerber says that the males with more friends are likely more often invited to cruise for femalesgiving them more opportunities for cooperative canoodling. Ok, so dolphins do better on group dates. But how do they establish and maintain these critical friendships?

King: Through physical contact much like hugging or holding hands in humans.

Hopkin: Or like grooming in other primates, like chimps or monkeys

Emma Chereskin: where individuals will devote a lot of time and energy into grooming their closest friends to strengthen those relationships.

Hopkin: Emma Chereskin of the University of Bristol. She says the problem with all this physical interaction istheres only so many hours in a day.

Chereskin: When group sizes become larger, this places a constraint on how much time is available for an individual to devote to grooming key social partners.

Hopkin: Enter the social bonding hypothesis.

Chereskin: In this hypothesis, vocal exchanges can serve as a replacement for grooming to maintain social bonds.

King: Like us chatting regularly with our circle of friends.

Hopkin: For dolphins, those chats take the form of exchanging signature whistles.

Chereskin: A signature whistle is a vocalization that is completely unique to each dolphin that functions much like a human name.

[Signature whistle from Kooks]

Hopkin: That was Kooksa member of the Alley Cat alliance.

[Signature whistle from Pimento]

Hopkin: And thats his pal Pimento.

Chereskin: So when they use their signature whistle theyre advertising their identity to those around them as a way to maintain group cohesion.

Hopkin: So Chereskin set out to determine which dolphins were getting physicaland which were more or less phoning it in.

Chereskin: The results were surprising. I had anticipated that the way dolphins use their signature whistles would be akin to the way that primates do.

Hopkin: For apes and monkeys, chit chat is more common between besties. But for dolphins?

Chereskin: when we look at just that core alliance group, we see that increased vocal exchanges occur between those with weaker social bonds. So while we do observe that vocal exchanges are indeed occurring between friends, rather than strangers, theyre occurring between distant friends rather than best friends.

[A whistle exchange between Spirit and Guppy]

Hopkin: Like Alley Cats Spirit and Guppy. Which Chereskin says kinda makes sense.

Chereskin: I liken these results to living with a partner. So when you live with someone, you typically dont have to call or text them as much because much of your bonding occurs together in your home.

Hopkin: But for friends who are more far flung, you might be more apt to send a shout outrather than making the effort to get together to bump fistsor fins.

[Dolphin clicks and pops]

For Scientific Americans 60-Second Science, Im Karen Hopkin.

[Signature whistle from Spirit]

[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]

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The man suffered from Primary Hyperoxyluria Type 1. (Representational)

A 22-year-old man from Uttarakhand who has been suffering from a rare genetic condition since the age of seven, received a new lease of life after undergoing double-organ transplant -- for kidney and liver -- at a leading private hospital in Delhi, doctors said on Wednesday.

His 27-year-old sister and 46-year-old mother donated the liver and kidney respectively, they said.

The condition, called Primary Hyperoxyluria Type 1 is a gene defect where a mutation in gene AGXT reduces the capacity of the liver to produce enzymes which helps in maintaining the oxalate level in the body, doctors said.

The absence or defect in this gene leads to the inability to metabolize oxalate leading to its excessive storage in the body, they said.

"This leads to insoluble calcium oxalate crystal accumulation in kidney (kidney stones) and other organs like heart, bones, blood vessels etc causing organ failure," the hospital said in a statement.

Over the years, the patient had been under preventive care and primary clinical management in his native town and had recently started undergoing regular hemodialysis, doctors said.

His condition this time had advanced to end-stage kidney failure following which he was admitted to Apollo hospital here on June 6, they said.

On diagnosis and consultation by Dr Kailash Nath Singh, senior consultant, nephrology and multi-organ transplant unit, at the hospital, he was recommended an "immediate combined kidney and liver transplant surgery (since it was the liver causing complications to other organs)," the hospital said in a statement.

Under the supervision of Dr Sandeep Guleria, senior consultant surgeon in general surgery, GI surgery and transplantation, and Dr Neerav Goyal, senior consultant, liver transplant, at the hospital, a "16-hour long combined kidney and liver transplant surgery was conducted on June 7," it said.

"Primary Hyperoxyluria Type 1 is a rare genetic condition. The calcium oxalate crystals accumulation in the kidney (kidney stones) are the first sign of the disease. The recurrent presence of kidney stones can lead to end-stage renal disease and delay in treatment for such diseases can be life-threatening.

"Hence, the 22-year-old person was immediately recommended for a combined kidney and liver transplant. As we planned, the patient underwent both the procedures together and was discharged after 21 days of the transplantation. The patient has been recovering well since then and has to visit hospital for follow-ups," said Dr Guleria.

The common cause of Primary Hyperoxyluria is genetic. The disease most commonly occurs in the young age and the first symptom of the disease is kidney stone. In spite of recurrent treatment, kidney stones keep developing in the organ due to the deposition of oxalate, it said.

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Dr Shiva Murarka, Senior Scientist-Reproductive Genomics & Vishakha Mali, Genetic Counsellor, Neuberg Centre for Genomic Medicine explains that the usual IVF workup includes commonly recommended genetic tests like- couple karyotype, Y chromosome microdeletion, and sperm DNA fragmentation

Today, IVF or in-vitro fertilization, is a household name. It is the most common assisted conception for couples facing difficulty in achieving a successful pregnancy. IVF entails fusing sperm and eggs outside of the body in a laboratory. The uterus receives the embryo or embryos after they have been formed. This might sound easy theoretically, but there are a lot of complex biological processes that go on in an IVF procedure. Not all IVF cycles end in a successful pregnancy. Thus, many times, in the hope of a healthy pregnancy, couples have to undergo multiple IVF cycles. The usual IVF workup includes commonly recommended genetic tests like- couple karyotype, Y chromosome microdeletion, and sperm DNA fragmentation.

However, there are upcoming molecular/ genetic tests which are used increasingly in the modern day. Advent of genetic testing in an IVF clinic has increased the rate of healthy pregnancy outcomes. These tests include either testing the embryos or screening the intrauterine environment.

Couples facing infertility, recurrent pregnancy losses or couples who are known to be carriers of a genetic condition can be additionally benefitted from the following tests:

Screening of embryos:

Also termed as Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT). The embryos can be screened for the following:

Around 10-15 per cent of first trimester pregnancy losses are attributed to genetic causes, like chromosomal aneuploidies. PGT-A screens for chromosomal aneuploidies in the embryos thereby increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Indications for PGT-A include advanced maternal age, recurrent implantation failure, severe male factor and couples with normal karyotypes who have experienced recurrent miscarriage.

For an individual known to be a carrier of a balanced chromosomal translocation (like inversion, reciprocal translocation or Robertsonian translocation), there is a risk of unbalanced chromosomal translocation in every pregnancy which might lead to pregnancy loss. The test-PGT SR aids in identifying the embryos with unbalanced chromosomal translocation, thereby filtering them out and increasing the chances of implantation of healthy embryos.

This test is useful in cases where a couple has an affected child/ a family history of genetic condition with a known genetic variant and now wants to have a healthy pregnancy. The genetic change present in the affected child/ carrier parents can be tested in the embryos to know their affection status. Based on this report, healthy embryos can then be implanted. The test must be accompanied with appropriate genetic counseling so that the patient makes a well informed decision.

Increasing the rate of implantation:

The journey of a pregnancy from formation of an embryo followed by implantation, and ultimately leading to a live birth is an intricate process and involves synchronisation of multiple systems. One such parameter which is observed to play an important role in implantation is the timing or period of implantation. One third of couples faced with recurrent implantation failure are found to have a displaced Window of Implantation (WOI). WOI is the best suited timing for embryo implantation.

Endometrial Receptivity Testing analyses the transcriptomic signature to determine the best suited time for embryo implantation when the endometrium is most receptive.

A normal endometrial microbiota is important for implantation. The test EndoBiome assesses the levels of endometrial Lactobacillus as well as presence of specific pathogens associated with poor reproductive outcomes. Based on the report, measures can be taken to improve the endometrial microbiota thereby increasing the rate of implantation.

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Study characteristics

Among the 2134 articles retrieved from the databases, 116 articles were finally screened: 96 Chinese articles (Supplementary) and 20 English articles17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36. The articles included a total of 23,396 patients with AD and 25,568 control individuals. Figure1 depicts the literature screening process. The study area source distribution was as follows: a total of 115 studies clearly identified the specific source of cases covering 28 provincial-level regions (Fig.2). Another multicentre study, which could not be consolidated, covered 30 provincial-level regions21. Fifty-one of the studies reported the age distribution of the subjects (Fig.3). In conclusion, the case sources in this meta-analysis covered at least 30 provincial-level administrative regions (including Taiwan and China) out of 34, with good representation.

The study screening process.

115 studies participants from various geographical areas in China.

Age distribution of subjects in 51 studies. *65 is the dividing line between early-onset Alzheimers and late-onset Alzheimers.

Table 1 lists the results obtained for each allele and genotype of ApoE in this meta-analysis. With the exception of the 2 homozygotes and 4 homozygotes, all I2>50% and Q statistics were significant. Therefore, the corresponding random model and fixed model were used for calculating the pooled OR. ApoE 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 were significantly associated with AD (2/4: OR 1.521, 95% CI[1.2701.823], P<0.001; 3/4: OR 2.491, 95% CI [2.2672.738], P<0.001 and 4/4: OR 5.481, 95% CI [4.8016.257], P<0.001). The 2/2, 2/3 and 3/3 genotypes were also significantly associated with AD (2/2: OR 0.612, 95% CI [0.5040.743], P<0.001; 2/3: OR 0.649, 95% CI [0.5850.714], P<0.001 and 3/3: OR 0.508, 95% CI [0.4680.551], P<0.001). The OR of 4 homozygotes was the largest, and that of 3 homozygotes was the smallest.

Table 1 lists the results obtained for each allele and genotype of ApoE in this meta-analysis. The I2>50% and Q statistics were significant; thus, heterogeneity between studies was significant. The random effect model was applied for calculating the pooled OR. The frequency of the ApoE 4 allele was higher in patients with AD than it was in healthy controls and exhibited a statistically significant positive association between risk factor 4 allele carriers and AD in the Chinese population (OR 2.847, 95% CI [2.6113.101], P<0.001). The frequency of ApoE 3 was lower in patients with AD than it was in healthy controls, and the difference was also statistically significant (OR 0.539, 95% CI [0.5040.576], P<0.001). This finding implies the protective effect of the 3 allele regarding the development of AD in the Chinese population. The 2 and 3 alleles yielded the same result (OR 0.771, 95% CI [0.7050.843], P<0.001). However, the OR of 2 was closer to 1 than that of 3.

Figures3 and 4 show the distribution of the ORs from individual studies in relation to their respective standard deviation in the funnel plot. There was a possibility of a publication bias risk in the meta-analysis. To eliminate any publication bias, the random effect model was selected for most alleles and genotypes. By systematically deleting each study each time and recalculating the results, the OR values were all close to the original results, with a small fluctuation range and significance. All sensitivity analyses were consistent with the primary results.

(a) Funnel plot on the association between 2 Allele and AD in full model. (b) Funnel plot on the association between 3 Allele and AD in full model. (c) Funnel plot on the association between 4 Allele and AD in full model. (d) Funnel plot on the association between 3/3 Genotype and AD in full model. (e) Funnel plot on the association between 3/3 Genotype and AD in subgroup analysis model.

As further verification of the protective effect of the 3 allele, funnel plot results showed high heterogeneity in all studies. A subgroup analysis was performed using the same method for the inclusion of data from the literature that explicitly stated that the study object was sporadic AD. Because of the different genetic relationships between APOE and sporadic AD and familial AD, sporadic AD was predominant in the majority of articles; therefore, studies that clearly stated that the study object was sporadic AD were included in the subgroup analysis. The screening results of 30 references (the sporadic/familial type was not described in the remainder of the articles) were as follows: AD: 11,629 cases, control: 12,394 cases; sex ratio: AD male/female: 5543/5476; control male/female: 5489/6383 (three studies did not provide the sex ratio), gender difference between the two groups, 2=37.900, P<0.001. Figure5a,b report the subgroup analysis of 3 and the 3/3 forest diagram, respectively. The frequency of ApoE 3 in sporadic AD was lower than that in healthy controls, and the differences were statistically significant (OR 0.642, 95% CI [0.5640.731], P<0.001): 2/3 (OR 0.668, 95% CI [0.5550.804], P<0.001) and 3/3 (OR 0.595, 95% CI [0.5100.694], P<0.001). The frequencies of alleles and genotypes were lower than those observed in the healthy controls, and the differences were statistically significant. The OR value of 3/3 was smaller than that of 2/3, which was consistent with the results of the whole model.

(a) Forest plot on the association between 3 allele carriers and AD in subgroup analysis. (b) Forest plot on the association between 3/3 Genotype carriers and AD in subgroup analysis.

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PRC1-mediated epigenetic programming is required to generate the ovarian reserve - Nature.com

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Actor Ashton Kutcher has gone public with his battle with vasculitis, a rare blood vessel disease that he said left him unable to see, hear, and walk.

On an episode of National Geographics show Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, Kutcher said hes lucky to be alive.

Kutcher said on the program that Two years ago, I had this weird, super rare form of vasculitis that, like, knocked out my vision. It knocked out my hearing. It knocked out, like, all my equilibrium.

The 44-year-old actor said it took him about a year to regain those abilities.

You dont really appreciate it until its gone, until you go, I dont know if Im ever going to be able to see again, I dont know if Im ever going to be able to hear again, I dont know if Im ever going to be able to walk again,' Kutcher said.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, vasculitis also known as angiitis or arteritis includes a group of rare conditions that can take place when swelling affects the walls of your blood vessels. Swelling is your bodys response to tissue injury. Autoimmune disorders or diseases that make your body attack itself, infections, and trauma are some examples of potential causes of swelling in the blood vessels.

Swelling in the blood vessels can lead to serious problems, including organ damage and aneurysms, a bulge in the wall of a blood vessel, the institute said.

There are multiple types of vasculitis, which affect any blood vessels in the body. Symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, pain, and rash.

Drugs can help treat the problem, as the goal is usually reducing the accompanying inflammation, according to the institute. Treatment can push vasculitis into remission.

Vasculitis is an autoimmune condition where your body mistakenly attacks your own blood vessels in addition to other things. This results in loss of blood flow to important areas of your body as these arteries are damaged, Dr. Bing Shue, a vascular surgeon with Connecticut-based The Vascular Experts, told Healthline.

Loss of vision can be a very serious complication of giant cell arteritis, or GCA, Shue said. This is the most common vasculitis that affects people over the age of 65 and can result in permanent blindness. Many patients develop muscle cramps and severe exhaustion that can lead to loss of walking ability. Many forms of vasculitis also cause inflammation in the ear that can cause hearing loss and vertigo.

Shue added vasculitis can be controlled if diagnosed appropriately and treated.

It can be put into remission after initial treatments and your immunologist can monitor for remission long term, Shue said. We perform procedures to diagnose vasculitis and treat damaged blood vessels that result from vasculitis. If untreated it can lead to fatal complications like stroke or loss of kidney function.

There are many different causes, he added. Genetic predisposition is common and diseases can run in the family. Certain vasculitis are more prevalent in certain age ranges We have been seeing more cases of vasculitis but much of this is likely better awareness and diagnosis of these conditions. In the past vasculitis has been notorious for being difficult to diagnose resulting in delayed treatment.

Dr. Robert Koval, a rheumatologist with Texas Orthopedics, told Healthline its not clear what type of vasculitis Kutcher has.

However, vision/hearing loss and coordination difficulties are certainly possible, although rare, Koval said. Vasculitis can present in many different ways, including neurologic complaints, bleeding, rash, or organ failure. Oftentimes fevers, constitutional symptoms, and inflammation in multiple organ systems occur. Lab values, skin or tissue biopsies, and imaging can all be helpful in diagnosing these conditions.

In its most severe forms, vasculitis can be fatal, Koval said. However, there are much improved therapies to treat vasculitis these days that usually can result in remission, or at least minimal symptoms.

Ana Codallo, the chief technology officer of healthcare research website Key Opinion Leaders, told Healthline, that the symptoms of vasculitis are wide-ranging.

There are digestive issues where you might experience pain after eating, and dizziness which affects your hearing as well as weakness in your hands and feet, Codallo said. I would always suggest you seek medical advice if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed as well as any other symptoms as it is always in your best interest to seek medical opinions. This will help you get the relevant help as soon as possible and it will also prevent you from excess worrying for no reason.

If you are diagnosed with vasculitis, you will be given a corticosteroid drug to control the inflammation, but there are occasions where you might need surgery to unblock arteries, she added. Vasculitis cannot be cured, but it can be managed well and it is no longer considered a fatal illness.

Continue reading here:
Ashton Kutcher and Autoimmune Disease Vasculitis - Healthline

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial conditionand results of operations together with the consolidated financial statementsand related notes that are included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form10-Q and our 2021 Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statementsbased upon current plans, expectations and beliefs that involve risks anduncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipatedin these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including,but not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" andelsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In preparing this MD&A, wepresume that readers have access to and have read the MD&A in our 2021 Form10-K, pursuant to Instruction 2 to paragraph of Item 303 of Regulation S-K.Unless stated otherwise, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to"us," "we," "our," or our "Company" and similar terms refer to RocketPharmaceuticals, Inc.We are a clinical-stage, multi-platform biotechnology company focused on thedevelopment of first, only and best-in-class gene therapies, with directon-target mechanism of action and clear clinical endpoints, for rare anddevastating diseases. We have three clinical-stage ex vivo lentiviral vector("LVV") programs. These include programs for Fanconi Anemia ("FA"), a geneticdefect in the bone marrow that reduces production of blood cells or promotes theproduction of faulty blood cells, Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I ("LAD-I"), agenetic disorder that causes the immune system to malfunction and PyruvateKinase Deficiency ("PKD"), a rare red blood cell autosomal recessive disorderthat results in chronic non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. Of these, both thePhase 2 FA program and the Phase 1/2 LAD-I program are in potentiallyregistration-enabling studies in the United States ("U.S.") and Europe ("EU").In addition, in the U.S., we have a clinical stage in vivo adeno-associatedvirus ("AAV") program for Danon disease, a multi-organ lysosomal-associateddisorder leading to early death due to heart failure. Additional work on a genetherapy program for the less common FA subtypes C and G is ongoing. We haveglobal commercialization and development rights to all of these productcandidates under royalty-bearing license agreements.Effective December 2021, a decision was made to no longer pursueRocket-sponsored clinical evaluation of RP-L401; this program was returned toacademic innovators. Although we believe that gene therapy may be beneficial topatients afflicted with this disorder, we have opted to focus availableresources towards advancement of RP-A501, RP-L102, RP-L201 and RP-L301, based onthe compelling clinical data to date and potential for therapeutic advancementin these severe disorders of childhood and young adulthood.

Recent Developments

At-the-Market Offering Program

Gene Therapy Overview

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

The chart below shows the current phases of development of Rocket's programs andproduct candidates:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

Analysis of the explanted heart revealed significant fibrosis consistent with

advanced DD.

Myocardial tissue from the explanted heart at 5 months post-treatment displayed

100% LAMP2B protein expression by immunohistochemistry throughout non-fibrotic

cardiac regions including the ventricles and other essential targeted areas

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group A (FANCA):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

Infantile Malignant Osteopetrosis (IMO):

cGMP Manufacturing

Strategy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

Financial Overview

Revenue

Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

Our R&D program expenses consist primarily of external costs incurred for thedevelopment of our product candidates. These expenses include:

expenses incurred under agreements with research institutions and consultants

that conduct R&D activities including process development, preclinical, and

clinical activities on our behalf;

costs related to process development, production of preclinical and clinical

materials, including fees paid to contract manufacturers and manufacturing

input costs for use in internal manufacturing processes;

consultants supporting process development and regulatory activities;

patent fees; and

costs related to in-licensing of rights to develop and commercialize our

product candidate portfolio.

salaries and personnel-related costs, including benefits, travel, and

stock-based compensation, for our scientific personnel performing R&D

activities;

facilities and other expenses, which include expenses for rent and maintenance

of facilities, and depreciation expense; and

laboratory supplies and equipment used for internal R&D activities.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

$ 4,507 $ 15,942 $ 8,307Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LVV) RP-L201

$ 5,078 $ 12,511 $ 9,741Stock based compensation expense

$ 24,530 $ 72,150 $ 52,839

(1) Effective December 2021, a decision was made to no longer pursue

Rocket-sponsored clinical evaluation of RP-L401; this program was returned to

the scope, rate of progress, and expense of ongoing as well as any clinical

studies and other R&D activities that we undertake;

future clinical study results;

uncertainties in clinical study enrollment rates;

changing standards for regulatory approval; and

the timing and receipt of any regulatory approvals.

the scope, progress, outcome and costs of our clinical trials and other R&D

activities;

the efficacy and potential advantages of our product candidates compared to

alternative treatments, including any standard of care;

the market acceptance of our product candidates;

obtaining, maintaining, defending, and enforcing patent claims and other

intellectual property rights;

significant and changing government regulation; and

the timing, receipt, and terms of any marketing approvals.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

General and Administrative Expenses

Interest Expense

Interest Income

Interest income is related to interest earned from investments and cashequivalents.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

-

168

Amortization of premium on investments - net (396 ) (727 )

Research and Development Expenses

General and Administrative Expenses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

1,052

Research and Development Expenses

General and Administrative Expenses

Other Expense, Net

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Plan of Operations

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index

20,178

9,907

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (45,146 )

Investing Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2022, net cash provided by investingactivities was $15.8 million, primarily resulting from proceeds of $163.7million from the maturities of investments, offset by purchases of investmentsof $143.0 million, and purchases of property and equipment of $4.8 million.

Financing Activities

Read the original here:
ROCKET PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (form 10-Q) - Marketscreener.com

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Test tube with DNA molecule on abstract background

Genetic testing once was offered only to people with rare genetic conditions, or strong family histories of disease that spanned generations. But genetic testing is now being offered to healthy people, to detect if they carry a genetic change (often referred to as a variant or mutation) that may place them at high risk to develop preventable conditions, including some cancers and cardiac conditions.

In theory, population genetic testing makes sense. Instead of waiting for a person to die of a heart attack at a young age, we can learn of some of those risks ahead of time and mitigate them. This approach works not only for the person having testing and their family members who may also be at risk but also for our medical system, employers, and overarching health care costs that we, as a society, want to minimize.

But in practice, are we there yet? Cristis story illustrates that we still have a long way to go to make population genetic testing a win for the patient and their family members. Cristi is a certified genetic counselor who, like many of us, knew that several members of her family had developed cancer. But the cancers in Cristis family did not fit into a known hereditary cancer syndrome. Cristis mom had genetic testing based on her personal history of a brain tumor and melanoma, and family history of breast and prostate cancer, and no mutations were found in her DNA. So when Cristi signed up for genetic testing to check the customer experience of a population-based screening program offered by her company, she was surprised to learn that she carried a pathogenic variant in a gene called RET.

People who carry a RET variant have a syndrome called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2A (MEN2A) and are considered to have an almost 100% chance of developing an aggressive type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer. For this reason, people with MEN2A have traditionally been counseled to remove their thyroid gland preventively, often in childhood, before they develop cancer. MEN2A is also associated with a high risk of developing pheochromocytomas (tumors on the adrenal glands) and tumors of the parathyroid glands. Recommendations for people with MEN2A include specialized screening for these tumors each year, consisting of blood work and ultrasound imaging.

At first, Cristis healthcare team thought her genetic results must be a mistake. This genetic finding was not consistent with her personal or family history. So, Cristi repeated the testing and confirmed that she definitely carried a RET variant. Another family member subsequently tested positive for the same variant.

Cristis healthcare team told her that she had up to a 95% chance to develop cancer. But because Cristi is a genetic counselor and has worked for several commercial laboratories, she dug deeper. Given her family history, which was not consistent with a traditional RET mutation, the results did not make sense to her. Cristi found a published paper in a medical journal showing that her specific RET variant is likely associated with a much lower risk of these cancers. Through her professional network, she obtained data from multiple laboratories on families with the same RET variant that appeared consistent with this journal article, and she scheduled an appointment with the articles author. She even had a local genetic counselor and patient advocate attend her appointments virtually with the author to ensure that her local healthcare team would have the same information. Cristi was advised by the papers author that, in her case, screening for thyroid cancer would be a reasonable approach. Cristi decided to opt for regular blood screening and ultrasounds instead of surgical removal of her thyroid gland, which is the protocol for traditional RET variants. Cristi realized she was unique because most people with her initial testing result would not have access to these extraordinary resources and would have likely proceeded with removal of their thyroid gland, the approach her healthcare team and peers were recommending adamantly.

Financial toxicity.

On its face, Cristis story seemed to be a success, although one driven by education, experience, and network. At first, she was understandably relieved. The treatment plan was non-invasive, reasonable, and data driven. Soon, however, Cristi learned that the plan was also financially toxic. We have published two previous papers discussing financial toxicity, including one in the setting of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Cristi had to wait 3 months for an appointment to see a specialist to have her screenings. Overall, the medical costs associated with establishing a screening plan that year and the associated health insurance deductibles cost her over $3,000. The average out-of-pocket costs in subsequent years for her RET specific screening are estimated to be at least $1,700/year, for the rest of her life - and that assumes additional testing is not necessary. If we include the costs she must pay for her at-risk breast cancer screenings, based on her family history, the total out-of-pocket comes to $3,200 a year. It is not surprising that many patients skip healthcare visits they need due to uncertainty around costs.

Ironically, the removal of Cristis thyroid gland which was not necessarily warranted based on her genetic variant, would be covered by her health insurance, as would the lifetime medications needed post-removal, and time off for recovery. The facts beg the question: are patients being pushed to have organ and tissue removal, instead of surveillance, due to the costs of lifetime surveillance? We must answer this critical question before we can move forward with population genetic testing and precision medicine.

Now consider that Cristis children and other relatives are offered genetic testing based on her finding and, if positive, must also have undergo similar surveillance every year. If Cristi and/or her family members receive an abnormal, or even borderline testing result, they require more testing and imaging. These procedures may or may not be covered by their insurance given the lack of guidelines for mutations that do not confer the traditional risk.

Another issue to consider is that Cristi must use paid time off (PTO) for her, and her family members, medical appointments. If we consider 10 days to be the average number of PTO for private sector employees who complete one year of service, this means that between her RET visits, routine visits, dental and vision, Cristi will use 9.5 PTO days per year for preventative care. If we consider the average persons PTO, that equals 9.5 out of 10 days off/year on medical appointments alone. This figure does not include routine appointments needed for her children, such as when they are sick, and of course it does not account for vacation time. This reality is the unfair price one person pays for doing what she can, and should, do to keep herself and her family healthy and cancer free.

Population testing may help people avoid serious diseases and death, which is a worthy goal for patients, employers, payers and our population at large. But if we support this testing, we must also support individuals who test positive for a pathogenic mutation by providing:

accurate genetic counseling information from a specialist, tailored to that individual test result;

updated information as we learn more about each genetic variant and recommended management;

full coverage of both surveillance and prophylactic surgeries appropriate to that genetic finding;

employer flexibility to support the PTO associated with the medical management pathways;

clinics that support both high risk appointments and routine screening simultaneously, so that patients avoid multiple appointments at different sites spanning numerous days.

Population genetic testing is coming and will save lives and money, for our health care system and employers. But Cristis story is a cautionary tale: before we establish population testing programs, it is essential that we carve pathways for participants, to ensure that they are both covered and supported by their insurers, clinicians, and employers throughout this lifetime journey.

***Co-author Cristi Radford, MS, CGC is a genetic counselor who shifted her career to the payer space to develop programs addressing the unique needs of patients with genetic conditions. She is one of few professionals nationwide with expertise in genetic counseling and testing, the payer space, and financial toxicity.

See the article here:
Population Genetic Testing: Save Lives And Money, While Avoiding Financial Toxicity - Forbes

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

India welcomed its first In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) child Kanupriya Agarwal in the year 1978. Since then, IVF treatment has given hope to millions of childless Indian couples. It is a treatment that aids in the conception of a child and a method to treat infertility or genetic abnormalities. Even though IVF is the most effective method of assisted reproductive technology, the chances of having children are still dependent on many factors. A single IVF cycle lasts about two to three weeks and involves several steps. In addition to that, the treatment requires multiple cycles, and is both time-consuming and expensive.

Even though IVF is a very effective procedure, there is a chance that it will fail due to chromosomal defects in the embryos, such as missing, extra or irregular portion of chromosomal DNA. According to various studies, IVF tests have a success rate of 20-35 percent per cycle. At the same time, with each IVF subsequent cycle, the chances of conceiving decrease. Genetic tests can assist you in having a best chance of success.

Genetic tests examine your DNA, the chemical database that contains instructions for your bodys functioning, to see if there are any modifications or abnormalities in your genes that could lead to an illness or a disease.Preimplantation Genetic Testing-Aneuploidy (PGT-A)is one genetic test that can help reduce the number of IVF cycles and increase the pregnancy rate to 73%.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Testing- Aneuploidy (PGT-A)?

PGT-A is an advanced technique for detecting chromosomal defects in IVF embryos (IVF). The test examines embryos before transfer. It involves removing one or more cells from an embryo to test for numerical chromosomal abnormalities. This screening method facilitates the selective transfer of embryos that have a normal number of chromosomes. This test reduces the likelihood of a future child having certain chromosomal disorders, reduces the chances of miscarriage and assists in a healthy pregnancy.

Here are a few conditions that PGT-A can detect:

Clinical experts use this method to select embryos that do not carry chromosomal abnormalities and have a higher chance of successful IVF implantation and pregnancy. Sonam and Kunals case can be a study in its success. During their first pregnancy which was a normal conception, their child was diagnosed with Turners syndrome, which was detected on PGT testing, but in their second pregnancy, the child turned out to be normal. For another couple, PGT testing revealed that out of 15 embryos only two were normal. Therefore, with the advanced technology of PGT testing in IVF, they were able to avoid multiple embryo transfer failures. In addition, they achieved a healthy and happy pregnancy in their first attempt of embryo transfer.

Why do experts recommend PGT-A?

Who needs PGT-A testing?

Most individuals are still unaware of the significance and relevance of PGT-A. It is therefore imperative to raise awareness regarding the importance of PGT-A during IVF and educate people about how this test can help have a healthy pregnancy.

PGT M

Genes play a critical role in our bodies and in how they function. Every gene occupies a specific location on the chromosome and directs the production of proteins, which determine the structure and function of the body. It implies that your genes are responsible for all the characteristics we inherit. These instructions can sometimes shift, resulting in a variation or gene change. It can also have a negative impact on the persons health and cause diseases in future generations. Genetic tests like PGT-M help in detecting such disorders. Genetic testing is conducted in families where a child is affected by a specific disorder. In IVF, PGT-M can be recommended to select embryos without diseases caused by genetic variations.

The following points describe the kind of people who should get tested:

Mrs Sushma & Mr Pradeep had a child with delayed milestones. Their genetic test revealed a specific gene variant where both the parents were found to be carriers of it. However, However, the couple successfully conceived through IVF & PGT M & A testing. Two normal embryos without genetic variations were recommended for transfer. One of the two embryos was transferred they are now blessed with a two-year-old healthy son with normal development.

PGT technology has brought happiness into many lives and is a new ray of hope ensuring healthy outcomes for patients undergoing IVF treatment and helping to identify genetic abnormalities.

Views expressed above are the author's own.

END OF ARTICLE

Here is the original post:
Care before carrying: The significant role of Preimplantation Genetic Testing during IVF - Times of India

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

[author: Joshua Sarnoff]

As promised in our earlier post (see "Professor Sarnoff Provides His Perspective on Tillis Bill"), here we turn to Professor Joshua Sarnoff's thoughts on the portions of Senator Thom Tillis' (R-NC) bill regarding diagnostic method patents. Those thoughts were presented in abbreviated form in the earlier post because we did not have the space the discussion deserved. Here they are in full, followed by Kevin Noonan's response.

Professor Sarnoff: Kevin posits that Mayo (and implicitly Myriad) have adversely affected innovation in diagnostic methods. Perhaps Kevin is right in regard to venture and other capital investments in developing such methods (but see below that such investment has not been diminished in regard to diagnostics). But the data shown below tell a different story in regard to whether the restrictions on eligibility have been bad for innovation, at least in the diagnostics space.

To make the point, I quote from the submission of the Association for Molecular Pathology (a trade association for diagnostics developers) on the 2021 PTO Jurisprudence Study request for comments, explaining why innovation and access have expanded, not contracted, for diagnostic tests post-Myriad and Mayo. This is the only natural experiment that has been conducted in recent memory, so simply stating that investment has declined is not a meaningful response to the argument that innovation has nevertheless increased. Hopefully, Kevin can respond with actual data to show that the AMP is wrong; if not, hopefully he will revise his views and accept that Myriad and Mayo should be preserved (at least for diagnostics).

AMP strongly supports the Supreme Court decisions in Mayo Collaborative Services Inc. v. Prometheus Laboratories Inc. (Mayo), Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics (Myriad), Inc., and Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International (Alice). As professionals developing, validating, and performing laboratory tests, we see no evidence that these court decisions have had a "dramatic negative impact on investment, research, and innovation" as it relates to molecular laboratory testing. We present the following information to demonstrate that due to the protection afforded by these cases, the field of molecular diagnostics is innovating, growing, and thriving.

In 2001, a survey of 122 clinical laboratory professionals performing genetic testing demonstrated that most felt the patent environment was negatively impacting the cost, access, and development of genetic tests. Ninety-one respondents said that their laboratories needed to obtain a license to use a patented method, device, or reagent. A quarter of the respondents had stopped performing a test altogether because of a patent or license. Moreover, fifty-three percent (53%) of respondents decided not to develop a new clinical genetic test because of a patent or license. In a thorough assessment by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society (SACGHS) in 2010, the Committee recognized the burden associated with negotiating numerous licenses and how the cost of these endeavors may render a clinically valuable test unworthy of financial investment. As scientific understanding of genetics and genomics has increased over time, so has an appreciation of the polygenic (involving more than one gene) nature of disease. In 2021, the prospect of negotiating numerous licenses for multiple genes threatens standard medical practices that have evolved since Mayo, Myriad, and Alice.

Today, in a post-Mayo, Myriad, and Alice world, we are fortunate to have an environment where molecular professionals are not restricted by the existence of gene patents when developing and employing clinical laboratory tests in their practice. We implore you consider these experiences and case studies . . . .

CGP, WES, and WGS are made possible because information about thousands of genes and the role of various segments of genetic sequences in human health and disease can be incorporated into a single test. Prior to Mayo, Myriad, and Alice, this was not possible as it would have required a laboratory to obtain a license for every gene patent that existed or to exclude potentially clinically relevant genes from the analysis. Instead of promoting an environment for growth and innovation, patents on genetic information would have siloed testing and inhibited patient access to more comprehensive testing options. In fact, since these court decisions, there has been increasing support by researchers and genetic testing laboratories to share and provide open access to information on genetic variants . . . .

The necessity for molecular professionals to operate, innovate, and developed testing for patients in an environment free of considerations related to the patent-status of SARS-CoV2 and COVID-19 disease are crystalized when considering the necessity of frequent shifts in testing strategy due to external challenges experienced repeatedly since February 2020. AMP members have been on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by developing and providing molecular-based diagnostics for patients across the United States. We surveyed our membership multiple times over the course of 2020 and collected over 250 responses from molecular laboratory professionals to understand their successes and hurdles when developing and providing the crucial and timely diagnostic services that patients needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In August and April of 2020, respondents reported that supply chain interruptions were having a significant impact on their work -- in August, over 90% reported that interruptions delayed and/or decreased testing. Similar responses across all laboratory types indicated that additional resources were needed to implement and/or maintain testing, with commercially-available testing kits and platform-specific laboratory consumables identified as the most needed items. To overcome testing supply shortages and maintain their testing capacity, molecular professionals deployed multiple testing methodologies, i.e. they built redundancy in test protocols within their laboratories in order to switch to a different testing platform when a shortage compromised use of another one. Many used more than three methods, which were often a combination of both commercially available testing kits and laboratory developed testing procedures that they designed and validated in their own laboratories. Our findings indicated that testing diversity continues to play an important role in the public health emergency to meet the clinical need. If laboratories and manufacturers needed to navigate multiple patent and licensing arrangements related to SARS-CoV-2 RNA sequence with each assay adjustment or introduction, the observed testing response would not have been possible.

Kevin Noonan's response: Before turning to the contrary data, a few points are important. Everyone's opinion is necessarily informed by their experience, and it is not surprising that doctors believe that their mission to save lives is paramount. Fortunately, this does not extend to burglarizing pharmacies to get drugs for patients that cannot afford them, but there comes from many doctors a whiff of "white coat immunity" when making their arguments, particularly where patents are concerned.

Also, there are the considerations that companies like Myriad can do a more consistent job in providing reliable diagnostic information than "home brew" testing done by physicians, who after all are trained and thus much better at making differential diagnoses and giving appropriate treatments than they are at performing controlled diagnostic assays. Which is why most diagnostic tests are performed by big companies like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics rather than in university hospitals and clinics (and even in the latter case the tests are typically performed using test kits produced and sold by such companies).

Finally in this regard, the effect of the Mayo/Myriad/Alice trio of Supreme Court opinions has been that these companies now have the type of free rein all companies used to have regarding university-based research (including associated teaching hospitals) prior to enactment of the Bayh-Dole Act. As a consequence, companies who licensed university technologies became easy prey to the biotechnology equivalent of "efficient infringers" and were subject to the expected consequences. The poster child for these consequences is of course Sequenom, which lost so much of its value after its foundational patents for detecting cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood were invalidated that it was acquired by LabCorp.

And I think it more productive to leave the COVID experience to another time, it being a black unicorn, once-in-a-century event that makes it less productive for understanding events in more normal times.

The countervailing evidence to the arguments made by AMP quoted by Professor Sarnoff is enumerated below.

Appropriately we begin with a law review article by David O. Taylor, Associate Professor of Law at the SMU Dedman School of Law (D.O. Taylor, Patent Eligibility and Investment, Cardozo Law Review 41: 2022-104 (2020). In his article, Professor Taylor reviews recent Supreme Court case law on subject matter eligibility and its negative effects in cases like Ariosa v. Sequenom. The Professor presents three principal findings regarding the effects of these cases on investment:

First, "the investors who responded to the survey overwhelmingly believe patent eligibility is an important consideration when their firms decide whether to invest in companies developing technology. Indeed, overall, 74% of the investors agreed that patent eligibility is an important consideration in firm decisions whether to invest in companies developing technology; only 14% disagreed. Likewise, investors reported that reduced patent eligibility for a technology makes it less likely that their firm will invest in companies developing that technology. For example, overall 62% of the investors agreed that their firms were less likely to invest in a company developing technology if patent eligibility makes patents unavailable, while only 20% disagreed."

Second, "reduced patent eligibility correlates with particular investment behaviors in particular industries. Investors overwhelmingly indicated, for example, that the elimination of patents would either not impact their firms' decisions whether to invest in companies or only slightly decrease investments in companies developing technology in the construction (89%), software and Internet (80%), transportation (84%), energy (79%), and computer and electronic hardware (72%) industries. But investors, by contrast, overwhelmingly indicated that the elimination of patents would either somewhat decrease or strongly decrease their firms' investments in the biotechnology (77%), medical device (79%), and pharmaceutical industries (73%). Thus, according to these investors, on average each industry would see reduced investment, but the impact on particular industries would be different. And the life sciences industries are the ones most negatively affected."

Third, "[a]lmost 40% of the investors who knew about at least one of the Court's eligibility cases indicated that the Court's decisions had somewhat negative or very negative effects on their firms' existing investments, while only about 15% of these investors reported somewhat positive or very positive effects. On a going-forward basis, moreover, almost 33% of the investors who knew about at least one of the Court's eligibility cases indicated that these cases affected their firms' decisions whether to invest in companies developing technology. These investors reported primarily decreased investments, but also shifting of investments between industries. In particular they identified shifting of investments out of the biotechnology, medical device, pharmaceutical, and software and Internet industries."

Fourth, "investors familiar with the Supreme Court's eligibility cases indicated different changes in firm investment behavior as compared to investors without this familiarity [albeit these data were garnered with regard to software and the Internet and are presented here for completeness]."

The article provides copious amounts of evidence for these conclusions that are of course outside the limits of this post. But the Professor's conclusion is as succinct as it is depressing:

In the meantime, the major takeaway is clear: The Supreme Court's "drastic and far-reaching experiment in patent eligibility standards" has likely resulted in lost investment in the life sciences that has delayed or altogether prevented the development of medicines and medical procedures.

A law student Note, having perhaps a little less gravitas, is in agreement. In "The Impact of Uncertainty Regarding Patent Eligible Subject Matter for Investment in U.S. Medical Diagnostic Technologies Matter for Investment in U.S. Medical Diagnostic Technologies," Washington and Lee Law Review 79: 397-451, A. Sasha Lee focuses on the uncertainty the Supreme Court's Mayo/Myriad/Alice quarto (including Bilski for good measure) has engendered and the harm it has and will cause. Ms. Lee characterizes her Note as "an empirical study of venture capital investment in disease diagnostic technologies before and after Bilski and Mayo." The Abstract sets forth her conclusions:

This Note presents five key implications related to its central finding. First, the data supports the recent calls to Congress for reform of 101. Second, it complements other key research regarding investment behavior following Mayo and Alice. Third, the data raises the question whether remaining innovation in the diagnostics space will be enough to support the precision medicine movement. Fourth, underinvestment in diagnostics and the discovery of disease biomarkers may lead to underinvestment in treatments. Lastly, this Note's findings suggest that at least some venture capital firms employ greater caution when determining whether to invest in a company developing (or aiming to develop) diagnostics, which may spur hesitancy to form such companies in the first place.

The focus of these scholars is investment, which the AMP says is not important for developing diagnostic methods. Perhaps, but perhaps only for well-established large diagnostics companies encouraged and enabled by academic research no longer protectable by patent and precluded by culture and ethics from being kept as trade secrets. But it is good to remember that:

For better or worse, we live in a world that Myriad made. In 1997, genetic diagnosis of cancer risk was in its infancy; traditional genetic linkage analysis had been successfully performed for diseases like Huntington's disease and other rare genetic diseases. While some academic researchers had identified genes involved in cancer, these were typically loss-of-function mutations in several (~5-6) genes. BRCA gene analysis was different, because it predicted with ~90% certainty that an affected woman would develop breast or ovarian cancer. These biological consequences suggested radical prophylactic methods for prevention, each of which involved medical and personal costs.

Myriad was thus in the position of having to convince doctors that their test was beneficial and was sufficiently predictive to justify both the diagnosis and the treatment. It also required that Myriad establish a network of genetic counselors capable of interpreting the genetic information and counseling affected women (and in the context of there being the "variations on unknown significance" that occurred at much higher frequency then than it does 16 years later). And it required Myriad to lobby governments and private payers that the cost of Myriad's test was justified by the lower medical costs of prevention (which were not inconsiderable) than treatment of breast or ovarian cancer (because the personal costs were not the payers' problem and the alleviation of which not their perceived responsibility).

Myriad asserts that it spent about half a billion dollars to establish its business including all these ancillary costs on top of the scientific and technology costs. Myriad did not spend this money due to altruism; like it or not, basing a society on the principle of "from each according to her abilities, to each according to her needs" was tried, famously, in the Twentieth Century with disastrous results. But if we turn the clock back and let major medical centers in New York, and Boston, and San Francisco, and New Haven, and Bethesda develop BRCA testing, is there any hope or realistic expectation that women in Appalachia, or Oklahoma, or rural communities throughput the country would have had better, or even equivalent access to such testing?

See "Why Does Myriad Think It Can Win BRCA Gene Lawsuits?"

Turning to innovation instead of investment, and some of the arguments made in favor of the status quo of diminished eligibility thereupon, it would be good to consider these data:

A 2002 study undertaken by the German government, to determine whether patents on DNA molecules impeded entry into particular fields of research in which isolated DNAs had been patented found that DNA patents created no such barriers to entry. The great majority of those interviewed across the entire surveyed group clearly favored the so-called "absolute product patent protection" of genes. Strauss et al., "Genetic Inventions and Patent Law: An Empirical Survey of Selected German R & D Institutions," Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property, Competition and Tax Law (2002). Similarly, in 2002, the OECD Working Party on Biotechnology Report (OECD Report), despite documenting a number of specific concerns held by researchers, failed to substantiate fears that growth in the number and complexity of biotechnology patents is preventing access to inventions for research purposes. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Genetic Inventions, Intellectual Property Rights and Licensing Practices: Evidence and Policies (2002), 1215.

A 2005 survey of academic researchers conducted by Walsh, Cho, and Cohen concluded that "patenting does not seem to limit research activity significantly, particularly among those doing basic research," with only 1% of their random sample of 398 academic respondents reporting a project delay of more than a month due to patents on knowledge inputs necessary for their research, and none reporting abandoning of a research project due to the existence of patents. John P. Walsh et al., Final Report to the National Academy of Sciences' Committee Intellectual Property Rights in Genomic and Protein-Related Inventions: Patents, Material Transfers and Access to Research Inputs in Biomedical Research (Sept. 20, 2005).

In 2006, David Adelman and Kathryn DeAngelis published a detailed study of over 52,000 biotechnology patents granted in the U.S. between January 1990 and December 2004. In the words of the two authors, their study described "the general trends in biotechnology patenting including patent counts, patent-ownership patterns, and the distribution of biotechnology patents across distinct areas of research and development." They concluded: "This analysis finds few tangible signs of patent thickets that define the anticommons" (Adelman and DeAngelis, Patent Metrics: The Mismeasure of Innovation in the Biotech Patent Debate).

A 2006 report by the National Research Council found the "number of projects abandoned or delayed as a result of difficulties in technology access is reported to be small, as is the number of occasions in which investigators revise their protocols to avoid intellectual property issues or in which they pay high costs to obtain intellectual property." Reaping the Benefits of Genomic and Proteomic Research: Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation, and Public Health at 134 (2006).

Another 2006 study (Caulfield, Cook-Deegan, Kieff and Walsh, Evidence and Anecdotes: An Analysis of Human Gene Patenting Controversies, Nat. Biotechnol. 2006 Sep; 24(9): 1091, surveyed the current scholarship and concluded based upon existing conditions that policy recommendations for patent reform surrounding genetic patents have largely been driven by a small number of high-profile incidents and controversies and that these anecdotes do not accurately reflect the larger realities surrounding patenting in biotechnology. Regarding the oft-stated fears of a developing anticommons logjam, Caulfield et al. concluded that the effects predicted by the anticommons problem are not borne out by the available data.

A 2009 Canadian report on researcher perspectives on commercialization and patenting of genomic research similarly found that there is little evidence that the progress of research itself is in fact being seriously hindered or that gene patents are being aggressively enforced. CJ Murdoch et al., "Commercialization, Patenting and Genomics: Researcher Perspectives," Genome Medicine 1:22 (2009).

The FTC subsequently concluded that concerns that patenting upstream technology, or "research tools," would actually obstruct commercialization of new products and hinder follow-on innovation in biotechnology "has yet to materialize." Emerging Health Care Issues: Follow-on Federal Trade Commission report on follow-on biologics, June 2009, at 32.

Of some 40,000 DNA-related patents, only six have been litigated in the diagnostic testing area. "Property rights: The granting of patents on human genes has so far not been the disaster it was predicted to be." 458 Nature 386 (2009).

In a 2010 series of case studies on the impact of DNA patents on genetic research, diagnostic test development, and patient access to genetic testing services published as a special supplement in Genetics in Medicine (vol. 12 (4), April 2010), the authors, despite identifying several particularized concerns about licensing practices relating to some individual gene patents, found little systemic negative impact of gene patents on genetic research, test development, patient utilization, and pricing of testing services.

An exhaustive 2019 study by Sampat and Williams concludes that human DNA patents do not appear to have hindered follow-on innovation, while on the other hand trade secrecy protection of human genetic sequences induced measurable declines in follow-on scientific research and product development. The authors write that "this pattern of evidence suggests that changes to patent policy must carefully consider what strategies that firms will use to protect their discoveries in the absence of patents, and that an understanding of the relative costs and benefits of patent protection compared to [the alternative option of trade secrecy] is needed in order to evaluate the welfare effects of patent policy changes." B. Sampat and H. Williams, "How Do Patents Affect Follow-On Innovation? Evidence from the Human Genome," American Economic Review 2019, 109(1): 20336.

The facts seem to bear out that while some (particularly doctors) have raised possibilities that potential negative effects on innovation might arise due to patenting, these seem not to exist when scrutinized outside the biases carried by those discerning these possible negative outcomes.

It is clear this debate will be on-going, as this bill advances (although it is likely not to get to the House floor in the time remaining in this Congress). But the effort to bring some clarity and certainty to subject matter eligibility is one that is both worthwhile and necessary and can be expected to continue.

Hat tip to everyone who provided some of the evidence set forth in this post, and thanks to Professor Sarnoff.

Read this article:
More on Professor Sarnoff's Perspective on Tillis Patent Eligibility Bill - JD Supra

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Failed efforts do not overshadow fields progress, resolve.

The recent news of Biogen and Ionis Pharmaceuticals ending a clinical trial for their amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drug candidate and Roches failed Phase III study in Huntingtons disease (HD) are hard to bear for many families holding on to hope in the face of devastating diseases with limited options. Their drug development journeys underscore the highly challenging nature of tackling rare diseases. As a geneticist, Ive seen firsthand the difficulties these patients endure. But even in the face of what might seem like failure, there is great progress. New thinking, research, and discoveries are only made possible by those who bravely forge new paths to gain a better understanding of the human body, even when that risk entails failure. Success will come.

The silver lining? Our strategy is sound. There is no doubt that genetic medicines work at addressing root causality in monogenic rare diseases like HD.

Back in the mid-1980s, a group of scientists came together at Alta Ski Resort to investigate whether it was possible to detect increased mutations in the survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. The conclusion was that current methods were insufficient, yet the meeting spurred an energized response around genetic sequencing that resulted in the federal government funding the multibillion-dollar, multinational, and multiyear project to sequence all six billion letters of the diploid human genome, which resulted in the publication of the draft sequence of the human genome in 2001, years earlier than expected.

In less than four decades since, we have unraveled the blueprint of human life, cataloged the vast majority of mutations in the genetic code, implemented global infrastructure to provide rapid and inexpensive genetic testing to patients and physicians, and have a first wave of genetic medicines saving human lives. This is breathtaking progress.

However, there is still much work to do, with numerous challenges centered on improving the delivery, selectivity, and tolerability of these genetic medicines. We know the medicines work; it is just a matter of getting the therapy to the tissue where the disease manifests, dialing in the selectivity for the gene of interest, and engineering out toxicities.

With HD, patients receive an injection into the spinal cord, but in order for enough of a relatively large genetic medicine to penetrate into the deep brain structures to be effective, the high concentrations of the drug injected at the surface of the brain may result in neurotoxicity.

Rapid advancements in the areas of delivery, selectivity, and tolerability are happening. For delivery, innovations are allowing us to deliver genetic medicines across the blood-brain barrier to allow uniform exposures across all brain regions and not setting up toxic gradientswhich has been difficult for large molecules. This method avoids the brain surface toxicity. Since HD is a disease that involves the whole body, delivering a solution systemically via the bloodstream may address the whole-body manifestations of the disease. These new delivery devices are also noninvasive, using either ultrasound or emerging tech, and allow effective administration in a previously impossible manner.

For selectivity, emerging technologies can identify and engage with only the targeted mutated gene. Weve essentially reverse engineered nature so that the genetic-medicine-to-gene-target interface wont tolerate any mismatches. The treatment is viewed by the body as a complementary sequence to the mutant gene, yet one that contains a biologically inert chemistry that ensures no off-target engagement. The end result will be clean, highly effective, and well-tolerated medicines.

Because many of these therapies are delivered systemically, they can trigger an immune reaction that renders the medicine intolerable, yet even on this front, we are seeing advancements. By using the bodys own intelligent design, scientists have copied the existing framework and then improved upon it using synthetic strategies that allow for greater tolerance, thereby preventing the normally useful immune response from derailing healing.

We are in the most exciting time in the history of medicine, bar none. The science is dazzling. Patients should feel very optimistic. Cures are coming not in decades, but in a matter of years. The innovation thats happening today will be the breakthrough therapies of tomorrow. If you are looking for a silver lining, here it is.

Dietrich Stephan, CEO, Chairman, and Founder, NeuBase Therapeutics

Link:
The Silver Lining Of Innovation in Genetic Medicine - Pharmaceutical Executive

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Embryos, on account of their high efficiency & lower cost, are expected to witness a CAGR of ~6% over the forecast period.

Fact.MR A Market Research and Competitive Intelligence Provider: The global animal genetics market is expected to witness a CAGR of x% to reach ~US $ 8 Billion by the year 2026. The development of progressive genetic modification is leading to high production of animals with modified breeds, thereby attracting significant investments from end users.

Moreover, Livestock farmers are getting meat production by leveraging animal genetic technology. Through strategic breeding, livestock farmers are able to achieve higher profits, which is anticipated to boost the end-user base of the animal genetics market.

In addition to this, the high prevalence of animal-borne disease transmission to humans has been a growth driver for the animal health industry from central authorities to formulate effective therapeutics for animals. Following the influence, the rapid rise of animal genetics is expected to boost the growth of animal testing.

Besides this, financial aid offered by government authorities to support the development of advanced healthcare technologies, is further anticipated to boost the reliance of livestock farmers on animal genetics. Moreover, rapid rise in the demand for poultry products, given the influence of drivers such as urbanization and growing population density is expected to push the growth of the market further

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Also, the animal healthcare ecosystem has been progressing, which is offering lucrative opportunities for key players in the animal genetics market.

In addition to this, various genetic methods such as embryos are preferred over semen. This technique eliminates the possible transmission of diseases during the mating of animals, thereby further pushing the growth of the market.

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High susceptibility of animal-borne disease transmission to humans has pushed the animal genetics market to surpass ~ US$ 8 Billion by 2026 - BioSpace

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

TEMPLE CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fulgent Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLGT) (Fulgent Genetics, Fulgent, or the Company), a technology-based genetic testing company focused on transforming patient care in oncology, infectious and rare diseases, and reproductive health, today announced it has launched a test for monkeypox that leverages the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) orthopoxvirus test, which detects non-smallpox related orthopoxviruses, including monkeypox. Fulgent will begin accepting specimens for testing next week from healthcare providers, clinics and state laboratories.

We are pleased to be able to offer PCR-based testing for monkeypox to help increase testing capacity for the virus, making it more convenient and accessible for patients and health care providers in the United States, said Brandon Perthuis, Chief Commercial Officer of Fulgent Genetics. While treatment and care for monkeypox is well established and understood, it is crucial that the public has access to proper testing resources to limit transmission and help manage the current outbreak of the virus in the U.S. While demand for the test will be hard to predict, the efficiency of our technology platform and lab operations has enabled us to rapidly develop the test with minimal investment. We expect to be able to scale testing capacity for monkeypox rapidly and efficiently, as we did with testing for COVID-19 in early 2020.

For more information about monkeypox testing options from Fulgent Genetics, please visit http://www.fulgentgenetics.com/monkeypox or email the Fulgent team directly at monkeypox@fulgentgenetics.com.

Providers should refer to the most current CDC guidelines for further information on appropriate testing of patients, available here https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.

About Fulgent Genetics

Fulgent Genetics is a technology-based genetic testing company focused on transforming patient care in oncology, infectious and rare diseases, and reproductive health. Fulgent Genetics proprietary technology platform has created a broad, flexible test menu and the ability to continually expand and improve its proprietary genetic reference library while maintaining accessible pricing, high accuracy, and competitive turnaround times. Combining next generation sequencing with its technology platform, the company performs full-gene sequencing with deletion/duplication analysis in an array of panels that can be tailored to meet specific customer needs. A cornerstone of the companys business is its ability to provide expansive options and flexibility for all clients unique testing needs through a comprehensive technology offering including cloud computing, pipeline services, record management, web portal services, clinical workflow, sequencing as a service and automated laboratory services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about, among other things judgments and evaluations about: the Companys ability to grow and expand its business, demand for its tests and testing services and its ability to scale its orthopoxvirus testing services. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and relate to future events or circumstances or the Companys future performance, and they are based on managements current assumptions, expectations, and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on the Companys business. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which may cause the forward-looking events and circumstances described in this press release to not occur, and actual results to differ materially and adversely from those described in or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the preventive public health measures that may continue to impact demand for its tests and the pandemics effects on the global supply chain; the market potential for, and the rate and degree of market adoption of, the Companys tests, including its COVID-19 and genetic testing generally; the Companys ability to capture a sizable share of the developing market for genetic and COVID-19 testing and to compete successfully in these markets, including its ability to continue to develop new tests that are attractive to its various customer markets, its ability to maintain turnaround times and otherwise keep pace with rapidly changing technology; the Companys ability to maintain the low internal costs of its business model, particularly as the Company makes investments across its business; the Companys ability to maintain an acceptable margin on sales of its tests, particularly in light of increasing competitive pressures and other factors that may continue to reduce the Companys sale prices for and margins on its tests; risks related to volatility in the Companys results, which can fluctuate significantly from period to period; risks associated with the composition of the Companys customer base, which can fluctuate from period to period and can be comprised of a small number of customers that account for a significant portion of the Companys revenue; the Companys ability to grow and diversify its customer base and increase demand from existing and new customers; the Companys investments in its infrastructure, including its sales organization and operational capabilities, and the extent to which these investments impact the Companys business and performance and enable it to manage any growth it may experience in future periods; the Companys level of success in obtaining coverage and adequate reimbursement and collectability levels from third-party payors for its tests; the Companys level of success in establishing and obtaining the intended benefits from partnerships, strategic investments, joint ventures, acquisitions, or other relationships; the Companys compliance with the various evolving and complex laws and regulations applicable to its business and its industry; risks associated with the Companys international operations; the Companys ability to protect its proprietary technology platform; and general industry, economic, political and market conditions. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, forward-looking statements should not be relied on or viewed as predictions of future events.

The forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or to changes in expectations, except as otherwise required by law.

The Companys reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2022 and the other reports it files from time to time, including subsequently filed annual, quarterly and current reports, are made available on the Companys website upon their filing with the SEC. These reports contain more information about the Company, its business and the risks affecting its business, as well as its results of operations for the periods covered by the financial results included in this press release.

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Fulgent Genetics Announces Launch of PCR Based Test to Detect Monkeypox - Business Wire

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operationsshould be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financialstatements and the related notes and other financial information included inPart I, Item 1. of this Form 10-Q, and together with our audited consolidatedfinancial statements and the related notes and other information included in ourAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Historicresults are not necessarily indicative of future results.This report contains forwardlooking statements within the meaning of thePrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements in this reportother than statements of historical fact, including statements identified bywords such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate,""intend," "expect" and similar expressions, are forwardlooking statements.Forwardlooking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

our views regarding the future of genetic testing and its role in mainstreammedical practice;

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the actions we havetaken or may take in response thereto;

our mission and strategy for our business, products and technology;

the implementation of our business model and our success entering new markets;

the expected costs and benefits of our recently announced strategicrealignment;

the expected benefits from and our ability to integrate our acquisitions;

our ability to obtain regulatory approvals for our tests;

the rate and degree of market acceptance of our tests and genetic testinggenerally;

our ability to scale our infrastructure and operations in a costeffectivemanner;

our expectations regarding our platform and future offerings;

the timing and results of studies with respect to our tests;

developments and expectations relating to our competitors and our industry;

our competitive strengths;

the degree to which individuals will share genetic information generally, aswell as share any related potential economic opportunities with us;

our commercial plans;

our ability to obtain and maintain adequate reimbursement for our tests;

regulatory, political and other developments in the United States and foreigncountries;

our ability to attract and retain key scientific, sales, engineering ormanagement personnel;

our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectualproperty protection and not infringe on the rights of others;

the effects of litigation or investigations on our business;

our ability to obtain funding for our operations and the growth of ourbusiness;

our future financial performance;

our beliefs regarding our future growth and the drivers of such growth;

our expectations regarding environmental, social and governance matters;

the impact of accounting pronouncements and our critical accounting policies,judgments, estimates and assumptions on our financial results;

our expectations regarding our future revenue, cost of revenue, operatingexpenses and capital expenditures, and our future capital requirements; and

the impact of tax laws on our business.

In this report, all references to "Invitae," "we," "us," "our," or "the Company"mean Invitae Corporation.

Summary of risk factors

We expect to continue incurring significant losses, and we may not successfullyexecute our plan to achieve or sustain profitability.

Our inability to raise additional capital on acceptable terms in the future maylimit our ability to develop and commercialize new tests and expand ouroperations.

The market for patient data software is competitive, and our business will beadversely affected if we are unable to successfully compete.

If we are not able to continue to generate substantial demand of our tests, ourcommercial success will be negatively affected.

Impairment in the value of our goodwill or other intangible assets has and mayin the future have a material adverse effect on our operating results andfinancial condition.

If the FDA regulates the tests we currently offer as LDTs as medical devices,we could incur substantial costs and our business, financial condition andresults of operations could be adversely affected.

Mission and strategy

We were founded on four core principles:

Patients should own and control their own genetic information;

Healthcare professionals are fundamental in ordering and interpreting geneticinformation;

Driving down the price of genetic information will increase its clinical andpersonal utility; and

Genetic information is more valuable when shared.

Our strategy for long-term growth centers on five key drivers of our business,

Business overview

We expect to incur operating losses for the near term as we initiate thestrategic realignment of our operations. If we are unable to achieve theseobjectives and successfully manage our costs, we may not be able to achievepositive operating cash flow in the near term or at all.

Russia and Ukraine Conflict

We expect the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to impact our business. We havereviewed and adjusted, when necessary, for the impact of COVID-19 on ourestimates related to revenue recognition and expected credit losses.

which expands access to remote interaction between patients and clinicians aswell as direct ordering of genetic tests.

Factors affecting our performance

Number of billable units

Number and size of research and commercial partnerships

Success obtaining and maintaining reimbursement

Ability to lower the costs associated with performing our tests

Ability to expand our genetic content and create new pathways to test

Realignment of our business and timing of expenses

Financial overview

Revenue

Cost of revenue

Operating expenses

Research and development

Selling and marketing

General and administrative

Asset impairment

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

Other income, net

Interest expense

Income tax benefit

Critical accounting policies and estimates

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles

Based on this analysis, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $2.3billion during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, which was includedin asset impairments in the condensed consolidated statements

Impairment assessment of long-lived assets

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

Revenue

Cost of revenue

Research and development

Selling and marketing

General and administrative

Asset impairment

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

selection IVD. The prior year adjustments to decrease our contingentconsideration were due to our determination that this milestone will not beachieved in the timeframe prescribed in the acquisition agreement.

Other income, net

The increase in interest expense of $0.6 million for the three months endedJune 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 was due to increased debtoutstanding as compared to the prior year period.

Income tax benefit

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

Cost of revenue

Research and development

Selling and marketing

General and administrative

Asset impairment

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

Other income, net

The increase in interest expense of $6.2 million for the six months endedJune 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 was due to increased debtoutstanding as compared to the prior year period.

Income tax benefit

Liquidity and capital resources

Liquidity and capital expenditures

Since inception, our operations have been financed primarily by fees collectedfrom our customers, net proceeds from sales of our capital stock as well asborrowing from debt facilities and the issuance of convertible senior notes.

At June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had $736.8 million and $1.1 billion,respectively, of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketablesecurities.

The following table summarizes our cash flows (in thousands):

Six Months Ended June 30,

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restrictedcash

More:
INVITAE CORP 10-Q Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Insurance News Net

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

An Upper Peninsula suspect was recently found guilty of poaching three eight-point bucks and ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution, officials said.

Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently testified at a jury trial related to the 2020 case, according to a news release from the DNR.

In 2020, DNR officers found that a person had poached many white-tailed deer. The individual hadnt held a hunting license since 1995, the release said. A search warrant was executed at the suspects residence. About 45 sets of deer antler skull caps were discovered; many belonged to large, mature bucks. Other evidence was collected that confirmed the suspects claims that they had shot many deer without licenses.

The investigation included several interviews and genetic testing of evidence, which all indicated that the deer had been taken in and out of season without licenses, the release said.

The case eventually came before a jury in Delta Countys 94th District Court, the release said. Conservation officers Steve Butzin, Chris Lynch and Andrea Dani, and First Lt. Jason Wicklund testified at the trial. The jury found the defendant guilty on three counts of unlawfully taking/possessing a white-tailed deer. Restitution was set at $18,000.

Michigan law states that the unlawful taking of a white-tailed deer is subject to restitution of $1,000 per deer plus $500 for each point of an eight- to 10-point deer and $750 for each point of a deer 11 or more points.

READ MORE:

The most Midwestern thing on the planet is apparently walleye

Tribar employee overrode alarm 460 times before Huron River spill

Parvo-like illness killing young dogs in Northern Michigan

Man, 20, charged in fatal shooting of 17-year-old in southeast Michigan

Read this article:
U.P. man found guilty of poaching multiple 8-point deer ordered to pay $18K in restitution - MLive.com

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global testing, inspection, and certification market size is expected to reach USD 491.3 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2022 to 2030. The incremental deployment rates of testing, inspection, and certification systems and solutions can be accredited to the rise in manufacturing activities worldwide. Furthermore, the onset of Industry 5.0 and the rise in connected systems further augment the need to deploy TIC-based technologies in tandem with manufacturing activities. Thus, the manufacturing application segment is expected to expand at a significant growth rate over the forecast period due to the need to optimize manufacturing processes and end products. For instance, in January 2022, SGS, a Swiss international business that provides inspection, verification, testing, and certification services, launched a new Vehicle Over the Air (OTA) performance testing laboratory in Suzhou, China.

The lab will assist automotive manufacturers in helping them test, validate, and comply with evolving wireless standards and regulations. It fully integrates beneficial resources in automobile, communication, electronics, and reliability testing to provide commercial customers with technical verification, quality improvement product certification, and technology development services.

Key Industry Insights & Findings from the report:

Read 153-page full market research report, "Testing, Inspection, And Certification Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Service Type (Testing, Inspection, Certification), By Sourcing Type, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030", published by Grand View Research.

Testing, Inspection, And Certification Market Growth & Trends

The integration of cloud technology with the Testing, Inspection, And Certification (TIC) market is one of the significant market drivers. The need to access data instantly, automate certification and issue reports on a real-time basis highlights the importance of storing essential TIC-related data in the cloud. Moreover, cybersecurity concerns such as increasing instances of cyberattacks and data privacy threats further highlight the importance of a safe cloud architecture to safeguard data from people with malicious intent. This is expected to help in general data regulation, security certifications, and software testing. For instance, in February 2022, Intertek Group plc, one of the prominent providers in connectivity testing and cybersecurity, established its Acucert, the first ISO/IEC certified cybersecurity testing lab in Mumbai, India. Acucert has significant expertise in IT system and software testing while meeting stringent quality control standards. Further, opening a new testing lab would help them promote internationally and nationally.

The gradual acceptance of big data analytics with the TIC-based technology model is also expected to offer an impetus to the TIC market. The adoption of big data analytics technology by service providers is expected to diversify their service offerings, such as data-based services and predictive maintenance data, and enable service providers to offer better solutions to their customers. For instance, in September 2021, TV SD, a safety, security, and sustainability solutions provider, offered wind turbine certification for areas affected by tropical storms. Within the scope of type certification, the company has designed a computer framework to analyze the data of the areas and check compatibility for these regions based on the worldwide IEC 61400 standard. The computer model allows for the simulation of even the most extreme wind conditions in tropical cyclone-prone areas and the use of this simulation to determine if a wind turbine is suited for such places.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period. Rapid industrialization and rising infrastructure development in Australia, South Korea, and India facilitate deploying proficient TIC solutions. Furthermore, the emerging technology ecosystem in countries such as Japan and China has resulted in several companies outsourcing their software and product development tasks. The ability to gain high-performance products at affordable rates from these countries promotes companies to access TIC solutions and services related to specific needs and requirements, thereby offering an impetus to market growth. For instance, in December 2021, Eurofins Scientific, a global scientific leader in bioanalytical testing and a clinical diagnostic testing leader with Transgenic Inc., announced the acquisition of GeneticLab Co., Ltd., a molecular biology-based testing vendor. This acquisition will assist the company in strengthening its position in the Japanese market. It would further expand the company's global presence in Asia, specializing in advanced genetic testing.

Testing, Inspection, And Certification Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global testing, inspection, and certification market based on service type, sourcing type, application, and region:

Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Service Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Sourcing Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

List of Key Players in Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) Market

Check out more related studies published by Grand View Research:

Browse through Grand View Research's Next Generation Technologies Industry Research Reports.

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research Helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead.

Contact:

Sherry JamesCorporate Sales Specialist, USAGrand View Research, Inc.Phone: 1-415-349-0058Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519Email: [emailprotected]Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.comGrand View Compass| Astra ESG SolutionsFollow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter

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SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc.

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Testing, Inspection, And Certification Market Worth $491.3 Billion by 2030: Grand View Research, Inc. - PR Newswire

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith