Many of us biologists conduct fieldwork in diverse places, from Alaska to the tropics, from aiming to understand how microbes are responding to climate change in the boreal soils to learning about life history strategies and co-evolutionary arms races of bats, their ectoparasitic flies, and the ectoparasitic fungi living on those flies.

The days before fieldwork tend to be hectic: make a checklist to make sure you have everything you need, think about a plan B (and a plan C, just in case), anticipate drawbacks and plan on how to address them, and the list goes on and on. The day comes. You make it to your field site, you collect the samples you want, obtain the data you need, everything works out just like planned, and you make it back to the lab safe, on time, and without going over your planned budget. This is how it should be, but it never really goes like that.

Fieldwork is one of the most exciting experiences about doing research. It is also, in many cases, high-risk. During fieldwork, many things can go wrong, and most of those things cannot be helped. We cannot control the appearances of massive puddles in the middle of the road, critically damaging our transportation vehicles. We cannot control the thunderstorm that makes our study organisms disappear when we finally arrive at a remote field site after hours of climbing a mud-covered mountain.

Sadly, this is not always the case for threats to our integrity as human beings, and we, as a scientific community, have done far too little to address this problem. People from underrepresented groups in the sciences such as people of color, women, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+ or gender nonconforming often are at higher risk of suffering abuse during fieldwork. This comes in the form of sexual harassment, sexual abuse, discrimination, and intimidation. Scientists who have experienced abuse often fear talking about it because they are traumatized and because they fear retaliation and backlash, especially if the perpetrators of abuse are colleagues or superiors advisers and people at higher career stage.

In Spring 2018, we carried out an anonymous survey to collect testimonies of what scientists, specifically from the LGBTQIA+ community, experience during fieldwork. The idea for such a survey sprouted from concerns that sexual orientation or gender identity may play an unwanted or unwarranted role in peoples professional career. Especially during fieldwork, when Diversity and Inclusion Offices from our university campuses are far away, LGBTQIA+ researchers are exposed to people who may not agree with their sexual orientation or who do not understand why he may want to be addressed as they.

Responses revealed experiences ranging from discrimination to situations that made researchers decide to no longer perform fieldwork outside of safe places. This adds a whole new level to fieldwork stress, namely having to evaluate sites for their tolerance towards LGBTQIA+. In one story from fieldwork, men voiced discomfort because an openly gay man would share a room with them while, simultaneously, women felt uncomfortable due to the possibility of having to share a room with someone from the opposite sex. Another survey respondent described that they were fearful to carry out fieldwork in places that are recognized for their homophobic culture. These experiences leave people feeling isolated and rejected.

We present a few strategies that we can instill in STEM fields to avoid cases like these:

1) INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT LGBTQIA+. Erase any misinformation that may exist. For example, a gay man is not a threat to the sexuality of cisgender males. Institutions can facilitate trainings on diversity and inclusiveness and provide information on the LGBTQIA+ community to eliminate negative stereotypes.

2) HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR FIELDWORK. Although sometimes it's unavoidable to share rooms due to limited budget or space, if there is the possibility to do so, provide individual lodging for people traveling to fieldwork or conferences. Especially for those who ask for it.

3) DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY PROTOCOL. As a lab, department, or institution, develop a protocol that scientists can follow as a response to experiencing a threat to their integrity. Protocols like this should be part of a broader departmental or university-wide mission statement about equity in field work. The bar has been set high by this example of a mission statement written by University of California Irvine professor Kathleen Treseder.

4) AVOID INTOLERANT AREAS. It is important to note that this does not only apply to countries like Niger and Tunisia where discriminatory laws expose LGBTQIA+ individuals to the risk of death penalty. It also applies close to home, in the USA, where there is an ongoing debate about public restrooms and which one transgender people and people who identify as gender-nonconforming should use.

5) IMPLEMENT A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY. Inform everyone in your lab, department and institution that there is a zero-tolerance policy regarding abuse. A code of conduct with expected versus unaccepted behavior and practices should always be made available through trainings and in field stations.

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A newly discovered mutation in the gene EGR2causes a severe form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 3 (CMT3), according to a case report of a 56-year-old patient.

The report, titled A de novo EGR2 variant, c.1232A>G p.Asp411Gly, causes severe early-onset Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Type 3 (Dejerine-Sottas Neuropathy), was publishedinScientific Reports.

Mutations in more than 90 genes have been documented as causing CMT, and influence the way the disease presents itself from patient to patient. Among the known CMT-causing genes is EGR2 (early growth response 2), which codes for a protein of the same name.

EGR2 is a transcription factor a protein that helps regulate how genes are expressed in a cell, that is, which genes are turned on or off. Specifically, EGR2 helps control the expression of genes needed for neurons to function properly.

Mutations that impair the ability of the EGR2 protein to perform this function have previously been linked to CMT3, also known asDejerine-Sottas diseasein its more severe forms, and to CMT4E.

The severity and onset of peripheral neuropathy [nerve disease] caused by EGR2 variants is highly heterogenous [varied], and it is yet to be determined why this broad phenotypic [symptomatic] variability exists, the researchers wrote.

In the case report, they describe a male patient who was 56 at the time of publication.

His symptoms, including abnormal fatigue and difficulty walking, were first noted when he was two. A nerve biopsy at the age of six confirmed a diagnosis of severe CMT3.

The patient experienced ongoing complications throughout childhood and into young adulthood, including the development of scoliosis, recurring migraines, and difficulty walking. At age 15, the patient required ankle surgery to stabilize the joint.

Examinations performed when he was in his 30s showed physical abnormalities, including muscle wasting in the extremities, lack of normal reflexes, and tremors. Additionally, nerve conduction studies (which measure how effectively nerves in the body can transmit electric signals) revealed significant functional deficits, and imaging of the brain revealed multiple lesions indicative of damage, including severe demyelinating (loss of the protective myelin layer around nerves) motor and sensory neuropathy.

By age 56, the patients motor functioning was severely impaired, and he was unable to write, or use a knife and fork.

Genetic sequencing studies were performed to identify the underlying cause of his severe form of CMT. Initial studies identified several genetic variations that were possible candidates; however, further analysis revealed that some of these were present in the patients relatives who did not have any of his symptoms, making it unlikely that those variants were the cause.

The analysis did suggest one variant as the cause: a mutation in EGR2called either c.1232A>G or p.Asp411Gly, referring to the specific substitution at the DNA and protein levels, respectively.

Further analyses including computer modeling and a comparison of EGR2 sequences across various species indicated that this mutation changed a particular part of the EGR2 protein that is likely important to the proteins ability to function properly. As such, it would be expected that the mutation, by altering this crucial part, would stop the protein from working as well.

To test this idea, the researchers constructed a model using cells in lab dishes. In simple terms, the cells were engineered with a gene encoding a fluorescent protein that could be turned on by the EGR2 protein. The cells were then given either mutated or wild type (normal) versions of EGR2, and the researchers measured how much of the fluorescent protein was produced indirectly measuring how well each type of EGR2 protein turned the gene on.

Cells with the mutated protein produced significantly less of the fluorescent protein, supporting the idea that the mutation impairs the proteins ability to function.

[W]ehave determined that a de novo missense EGR2 variant, c.1232A>G p.Asp411Gly, causes a severe and early onset [CMT3] phenotype by reducing the capacity for EGR2 to function as a transcription factor, the researchers wrote.

The phenotype [observable profile] is complicated by clinical features of white matter lesions and FMH [familial hemiplegic migraine] which may be a chance association, although it would be important to consider the possibility of central nervous system involvement in future cases of EGR2-related neuropathies [nerve diseases], they said.

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

Total Posts: 13

Margarida graduated with a BS in Health Sciences from the University of Lisbon and a MSc in Biotechnology from Instituto Superior Tcnico (IST-UL). She worked as a molecular biologist research associate at a Cambridge UK-based biotech company that discovers and develops therapeutic, fully human monoclonal antibodies.

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New CMT Type 3 Mutation Discovered in EGR2 Gene in Severe Case - Charcot-Marie-Tooth News

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Cholesterol-lowering statin medications have been at the forefront of managing cardiovascular disease for several decades now. Why? Its because a large body of research supports their benefits in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

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The drugs have become so universally used that if you havent been prescribed a statin already, chances are you will at some point.

Preventive cardiologist Luke Laffin, MD, says statins lower your LDL ( or bad) cholesterol, which is associated with a reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. (Thats the buildup of cholesterol, fatty cells and inflammatory depositson the inner walls of your arteries aka hardening or clogging of the arteries).

Additionally, statins lower inflammation, which we know is a factor that causes atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, Dr. Laffin says.

Yet, despite their many benefits, statins (like all medications) have some important side effects you need to know about. So, review the risks and benefits of these important medications with your physician, and discuss your need for statin therapy.

Statins inhibit the action of an enzyme thats responsible for cholesterol production in your liver. In the process, they significantly reduce LDL and total cholesterol, while also having beneficial effects on HDL (good) cholesterol, triglycerides and inflammation. Some evidence suggests that high-intensity statin therapy may help to slow, and potentially reverse, the growth of artery-clogging atherosclerotic plaques. They may also make them less prone to rupture and cause heart attacks and strokes.

There are good data to suggest that the more LDL lowering we can achieve, the lower the risk of adverse cardiac events such as strokes and heart attacks, Dr. Laffin explains.

Although statins all belong to the same drug class, they differ in how potent they are and how much they can lower LDL cholesterol.

Your doctor will use a tool like the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association risk calculator and other factors to gauge your long-term risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, determine if you need statin therapy, and if so, which one.

The statins are generally taken once daily and are available in generic forms. Its important to note that atorvastatin and rosuvastatin really are the workhorses of cardiology and statins at this point, Dr. Laffin adds. A lot of pharmacies typically will have one of the high-intensity statins. Theyre inexpensive and easy to obtain. In my experience, 99% of insurance companies cover at least one of them, and more than 75% cover both of them.

Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommend statin therapy for:

* These factors include a family history of ASCVD, LDL levels persistently 160 mg/dL, triglyceride levels persistently 175 mg/dL, chronic kidney disease, ethnicity, inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, and (in certain people, if measured) results of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipoprotein(a), and apolipoprotein B. Note: The guidelines recommend considering coronary artery calcium scoring for people at intermediate risk in whom a decision about starting statin treatment remains uncertain.

Elevated liver enzymes. In addition to more common side effects such as headache and nausea, statins occasionally may cause increases in liver enzymes, suggesting liver inflammation. However, the latest ACC/AHA guidelines recommend liver-enzyme testing only for statin users who are at higher risk or have symptoms that may suggest liver toxicity. Furthermore, statins may cause small elevations in blood sugar, enough to push some people into the range of type 2 diabetes. But, we know that the benefits of statins outweigh that small increase in blood glucose across multiple populations, Dr. Laffin notes.

Mental fogginess. While some studies have identified positive effects of statins on cognitive function, some users have reported problems like mental fogginess and forgetfulness, which go away after stopping the drug. Overall, though, large-scale clinical trials dont suggest an increase in cognitive problems associated with statin use, Dr. Laffin says.

Muscle pain. One of the most noteworthy side effects associated with statin therapy is muscle aching and stiffness, which can be more severe as the statin dose and potency increase and may make some people intolerant to the drugs. Certain statins in particular, atorvastatin and simvastatin are more likely to cause these side effects, while others, like rosuvastatin and pravastatin, have less of an effect.

Some treatable conditions (like thyroid dysfunction and severe vitamin D deficiency) may contribute to statin intolerance. So may consuming large quantities of grapefruit (or juice) and taking certain medications. Addressing these factors may ease or prevent statin-related muscle effects. Also, some people have found that taking coenzyme Q10 supplements may help, although the ACC/AHA guidelines dont recommend their use.

Its important not to stop taking your statin and to report any muscle side effects to your physician. Your doctor may switch you to a less-potent statin, change the dose, or explore alternative dosing strategies. This may include taking the drugs every other day or less frequently. With some perseverance, you and your physician can develop a statin regimen that works for you.

Usually, you can find at least some dose of statin that people can tolerate, even if it is just a couple times a week, Dr. Laffin says. If you absolutely cannot tolerate a statin at any dose, then we have other medications we can use, such as ezetimibe (Zetia) or newer drugs known as PCSK9 inhibitors: alirocumab (Praluent) and evolocumab (Repatha).

Age is the most significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the risks and benefits of statins must be carefully considered in older populations, especially those with health problems.

Older adults, as a whole, may be more likely than their younger counterparts to experience serious side effects from statins. Many seniors take multiple medications, making them more likely to experience adverse medication interactions with a statin. Importantly, seniors with other medical conditions that shorten their life expectancy may not reap the benefits of statin therapy.

So, if youre over age 75 and especially if you have other health problems discuss the pros and cons of statin therapy with your physician, Dr. Laffin advises.

The effects of statins are usually over the long termwere talking five to 10 years in terms of cardiovascular risk reduction, he explains. So, you have to balance the risk of taking another medicine versus whether you are going to die from something else in those five to 10 years. I think its very reasonable for someone who has other competing comorbidities to talk about deprescribing statins.

This article first appeared in Cleveland Clinic Mens Health Advisor.

Original post:
What You Should Expect From Statin Therapy - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

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It happened quickly and quietly. In fact, it was the silence that made David Brosh wonder why the familys two white Westies, taking a quick bedtime potty break, hadnt barked to come back inside.

On a frigid Sunday night in early December, he let them into the tiny yard behind their Parker home. It was dark until Chloe and Chuffys presence activated the motion-sensor floodlights. Beyond the 42-inch split-rail fence, webbed with wire fencing so the dogs wouldnt get out, a large swath of open space near Newlin Gulch had been blanketed by a recent snow.

Minutes later, when David stepped outside to check on the dogs, a coyote turned to meet his gaze just as it trotted into the shadows beyond the reach of the floodlights. It appeared to have Chloe, all 17 pounds of her, in its mouth.

David grabbed a flashlight, hopped the fence and followed the tracks as far as he could into the gulch, until they mixed with lots of other tracks and disappeared into some low brush. No sign of Chloe. When he returned to the yard, he saw 25-pound Chuffy lying in the snow, seriously injured. He called to his wife, Mardee, that they needed to get to the vet.

From there, the hours unraveled in a nightmare of tenuous hope for Chuffys survival from his neck wounds and the continued search for Chloe that yielded little more than a trail of reddish splotches in the snow.

Daylight revealed what looked like tracks from two coyotes in the Broshes yard. Meanwhile, surgery on Chuffy ended with a hopeless diagnosis. The couple made the decision to put him down.

They were the heart of our family, Mardee says, and got me through so many difficult times. You know, you get really attached to your dogs.

On top of their sorrow, word of similar coyote encounters throughout the rapidly growing community southeast of Denver heightened the couples concern. Theyve lived in their house for more than eight years and perhaps twice have seen coyotes venture this close until suddenly, reports of sightings, and particularly attacks on dogs, have spiked.

Wildlife experts say the situation reflects a recurring phenomenon, a cycle of coyote activity that ebbs and flows throughout the so-called urban-wildland interface and now, well into the urban core literally from Los Angeles to New York.

It does seem periodic, says Kristin Cannon, an area wildlife manager with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Well go several years where theres no issues, or very minor ones. Coyotes are pretty ubiquitous anymore, but as far as conflicts with people, and with pets, that seems to flare up every few years one place or another. Because conflicts are so common, its hard to quantify.

Many communities along the Front Range have an official coyote management plan, which largely defines levels of interaction with the animals and prescribes at what point, and how, action may be taken to mitigate problems.

Attacks on humans tend to be the tipping point. And while lethal removal looms as an available tool, the emphasis remains on education and adapting human behavior. That strategy reflects the reality that coyotes, despite historical campaigns to eradicate them, have been a fixture on the continent for upwards of five million years.

And theyre not going away. As longtime coyote researcher Dan Flores, author of Coyote America, succinctly puts it: Resistance is futile.

The flurry of coyote activity in and around Parker marks yet another chapter of a centuries-long conversation surrounding the uncommonly adaptable creatures, one that ranges from todays real-time online postings to historical writings that freighted it with cultural meaning.

Its been an animated dialogue, in every sense.

Early periods of enthusiastic hostility toward the animal have dissolved into more recent arguments for coexistence. European explorers scouting the West initially didnt know what to make of coyotes, or even what to call them. From that uncertainty, the coyote eventually became a fixture in American culture, for better and worse.

MORE: Read more wildlife stories from The Colorado Sun.

In many Native American cultures, the coyote appears as an avatar for humans. Tales handed down through generations employ it as a four-legged metaphor, precisely for the way it holds a mirror to human behavior. Native to North America, the coyotes howl, Flores contends, is our original national anthem.

In early America, the disparagement of coyotes grew from the cross-pollination of politics and culture. Flores traced references to coyotes in 19th-century American literature and settled on Mark Twains humorous excerpt from Roughing It in 1872 as the launching pad for what became coyotes dismal reputation.

Twain writes, in part: He is always hungry. He is always poor, out of luck and friendless. The meanest creatures despise him He is so spiritless and cowardly that even while his exposed teeth are pretending a threat, the rest of his face is apologizing for it.

By the 1920s, even Scientific American inserted the coyote as the shifty trickster-villain in a contemporary political allegory in which it argued that good Americans, if they spy one, should shoot it on sight for patriotic reasons because the coyote is the original Bolshevik.

Much disdain for coyotes originated within the livestock industry, whose assets run afoul of predatory animals. And that, Flores says, led to an agency of the federal government, then called the Bureau of Biological Survey, seizing on the opportunity to brand itself, in the early 20th century, as the antidote to predation. It proved an effective strategy to guarantee congressional funding.

Colorado played a pivotal role in the extermination efforts that followed. The Eradication Methods Laboratory, which designed and manufactured the means to kill massive numbers of mostly wolves and coyotes, began producing strychnine in Albuquerque. But in 1921 it moved operations to Denver where, Flores writes in Coyote America, it would go on to perfect an amazing witchs brew of ever more efficient, ever deadlier pesticides.

Even the eradication campaign came with what Flores calls a concerted PR effort to demonize coyotes. Powered by a series of pre-packaged stories from the Biological Survey, he says, major publications all across the country ran fictionalized accounts that cast certain nuisance animals, including the coyote, as Al Capone-style gangsters. Those who would destroy them were cast as heroic G-men.

Its a Frankenstein story thats of our own making.

Wolves were essentially wiped out in the U.S. by 1925. But coyotes, despite lacking a public relations campaign of their own, more than survived attempts to snuff them. They flourished. So what did they have that wolves didnt?

In simple terms, coyotes can live in groups, when its advantageous. But when its not, they can disperse into pairs or even solitary individuals and scatter across the landscape, making them difficult to locate and eliminate.

Wolves are pure pack animals, and hunters discovered if you can track one of the animals in a pack, you can use its scent to prepare bait and get every one in the pack, Flores says. But coyotes dont have the same pack adhesion. Thats the single advantage over wolves that allowed them to survive.

So the eradication strategy backfired. Not only did the campaign not wipe them out, but it triggered colonization. When coyotes sense their numbers dwindling, the number of pups in their litters grows larger a phenomenon called compensatory breeding.

MORE: Colorado Springs downtown creek has long been viewed as a blight. Then one man started catching trout in it.

Coyotes migrated all over the country and grew comfortable in urban areas, where they face no natural predators, no hunters shooting at them from helicopters, no leg traps or poisons. Plus, urban areas attract plenty of smaller animals, like rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice, that provide a ready food source.

Its a Frankenstein story thats of our own making, Flores says.

But by the early 1960s, a cultural icon took a stand for the lowly coyote. Walt Disney, whose catalog of film and television productions adopted ecological advocacy in its infancy, in 1961 produced an hour-long feature for Walt Disneys Wonderful World of Color, a show that already had a reputation as appointment TV. The animated piece was called The Coyotes Lament and marked the first of six TV or movie features Disney would produce on coyotes.

And while that was happening, you had the Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner cartoon, Flores notes.

While not exactly heroic, Wile E. Coyote presents at least a sympathetic image of the coyote. Hes humiliated by the Roadrunner at almost every turn, and his efforts to employ technology fail miserably. But he never gives up.

After a four-decade campaign to brainwash Americans, suddenly the pop culture movement portrayed the coyote in a different light, Flores says. That makes a lot of difference.

Considering their tarnished reputation, coyotes ability to adapt and survive has been nothing short of astounding.

For all the talk of how human development has encroached on animals natural habitat, the coyote has turned the tables. A recent story in National Geographic reported that coyotes actually have increased their range by 40% since the 1950s, can be found in every state except Hawaii, have become established in Central America and are expected to appear soon in South America.

Mary Ann Bonnell, a ranger for Jefferson County open space, has published research on coyotes and stars in widely viewed YouTube videos on wildlife that make her an in-demand source on dealing with urban arrivals. She can almost track their territorial expansion simply by picking up the phone.

Currently, its the D.C. area and New York City, she says of the calls seeking advice. Here in Colorado, we already went through that whole arc: In the early 2010s people were going, Heres this apex predator thats moved into the neighborhood, what does that mean? What happens to my dog? All these burning questions, all valid. Those residents have a quick learning curve to figure things out and make changes and understand what it means to have coyotes in the community.

Meanwhile, researchers in Colorado continue to keep tabs on coyotes everything from their interaction with humans to their diet and genetic clues that may offer insight into their adaptive behavior. But whats going on when we see an uptick in coyotes encounters with people and unusually fearless behavior that can include attacks on pets?

Stewart Breck, a researcher with the U.S. Department of Agricultures National Wildlife Research Center based in Fort Collins, also specializes in urban coyotes. He has a good idea whats going on. In fact, he sees two things.

First, urban coyotes tend to be bolder and more explorative, he notes. Breck drew this conclusion from research comparing coyotes in Denver to those that inhabit rural areas, which confirmed the behavior pattern. Similar studies have been repeated in many areas around the country.

Currently, its the D.C. area and New York City. Here in Colorado, we already went through that whole arc.

Second, researchers have identified certain problem individuals that appear periodically in urban environments. These bad actors tend to be responsible for most of the unusual conflicts with people. Studies on this phenomenon kicked into gear locally 10 years ago, when multiple people in Broomfield reported being bitten by coyotes. In 2011, coyotes in the area also bit three children.

That got a lot of people asking the same question youre asking, Breck says.

Cannon, the wildlife manager for CPW, says that when the first child was bitten in Broomfield, CPW made an effort to lethally remove the culprit. The problem is that coyotes tend to look the same and live in social groups, making it difficult to pinpoint the problem. When the second child was bitten, CPW responded again and eliminated more coyotes and repeated the process again after the third biting incident.

Finally, we were able to catch up with the correct coyote and the behavior stopped, Cannon says. Its hard to say why theyre behaving that way, if there was one or more than one, but it took multiple operations on our part before we eliminated the one. It wasnt for lack of trying, but its difficult to lethally manage coyotes in an urban setting.

Despite the troubling incidents, Broomfield has maintained a fairly conservative, hands-off approach with regard to coyotes that leans on measures like education and sometimes closing down open spaces if issues arise leaving removal as a last resort, Cannon says.

In 2009, Greenwood Village responded to a years worth of sightings and attacks on dogs which culminated with a teenage boy fending off a coyote in a local park by hiring Jay Stewarts Animal Damage Control to kill the problem animals. The subsequent media attention activated animal rights advocates, and their protests ignited what Stewart recalls as a fiasco that demonstrated the strong feelings humans have on both sides of the coyote issue and aborted his efforts.

Later, Stewart notes, a client who lived adjacent to the park where the well-publicized attack on the boy had occurred told him that people in the area had felt sorry for the coyotes and had been feeding them. Its not unlike the problem that has vexed wildlife authorities in other areas, where the same type of human behavior also has emboldened many bears, which then become so comfortable around people that they have to be put down.

Things go south when that happens, Stewart says. Even though it was a bad thing in the park with that kid, that problem was human-caused. Because they were being fed, it probably walked up to that kid thinking it would get something.

Stewart gets far fewer calls about coyotes than he used to because many jurisdictions have developed coyote management plans that emphasize education and hazing the animals as a primary means of dealing with them. When they need removal, they turn to state and federal agencies to handle the situation, or even local police.

Greenwood Village, which draws on Bonnells expertise, fine-tuned its coyote management plan over the past several years. It has seen a remarkable decline in incidents, says Cmdr. Joe Gutgsell, who oversees coyote management for the citys police department.

Since 2013, Greenwood Village has hosted an annual community meeting to familiarize residents with policies and recommendations for how to minimize coyote problems. It also has started a detailed reporting program that allows Gutgsell to chart location and frequency of incidents and, as a result, respond more effectively when necessary.

When circumstances do call for removal, Gutgsell says the police department has a selective and organized process that calls on two designated officers both firearms instructors to handle the problem. The city no longer contracts removal or relies on CPW.

Bonnell speaks at the yearly neighborhood meetings, and the city provides both printed and digital versions of an informational brochure that cover topics like normal coyote activity, leash laws that can help protect pets and admonitions against feeding wildlife.

We dont remove coyotes for being coyotes. We dont lethally control a coyote that becomes habituated to people and comfortable in urban neighborhoods.

While Gutgsell acknowledges that some of the recent decline in incidents may be due to simple luck and natural migration, the numbers over the past five years have been encouraging. In 2015, the city fielded 26 reports of coyote incidents involving pets, a number that includes both injuries and fatalities. When that number spiked the next year to 46, more than 100 residents showed up to the annual meeting, where they got a heavy dose of prevention education.

In 2017, the number fell to 20, then to five and finally, last year, to just a single reported incident.

There was no cause to remove any of the animals and only a few residents even showed up for the annual management meeting.

Bonnell calls it a model program, and notes that the city learned a lot from the 2009 debacle. She adds that communities in the Denver metro area that have taken advantage of templates offered for management plans (among others, the Humane Society of the United States has produced a sample plan) and that stress education tend to be best equipped to deal with coyotes as opposed to those that wait for a problem to emerge and then call Colorado Parks and Wildlife for help.

Coyotes are smart creatures and tend to work the system, she says. You have to be proactive. But because humans are hard to train, we usually dont do anything till something bad happens. Its hard to sell coyote education if nothing bad is happening.

CPWs Cannon notes that most plans she has seen respond to sightings with education or signs warning of coyotes presence. And some plans allow for lethal response when coyotes pose a threat or injure a person and often delegate that job to her agency.

We dont remove coyotes for being coyotes, she says. We dont lethally control a coyote that becomes habituated to people and comfortable in urban neighborhoods. And we dont remove coyotes that prey on pets. Theyre similar to its natural prey source, so its natural behavior for coyotes, unfortunately, and the onus is on the pet owner to supervise their pet when they live near coyotes.

While measures such as motion-sensor flood lights and even noisemakers like air horns are encouraged, especially for people living alongside open space or parks, the question of a homeowner using firearms to try to eliminate a problem coyote can raise legal issues. State law allows use of lethal force to prevent damage on your own property, but many urban jurisdictions have laws regarding discharge of firearms that could conflict with that method.

MORE: Remember the Fort Collins trail runner who killed an attacking mountain lion? Heres what his life has been like since.

For all practical purposes, its not an option, Cannon says.

The USDAs Breck adds that in most cases, elimination doesnt solve what people might think it will. Consider what experts call coyote math: 1 minus 1 equals 1. And the adage that holds: If you kill one coyote, six will come to the funeral. Targeting bad actors is one thing. Culling the pack is a pipe dream.

In light of that calculus, one helpful tactic is hazing, which involves non-lethal measures from making noise when coyotes become too comfortable to chucking rocks to intimidate them into shying away from humans.

Most coyotes in urban areas are not going to be a problem, Breck says. Theyll do what coyotes do, and youll hardly notice theyre around. The idea that we need to get in there and shoot them is not what Im recommending. That is not going to work, and not necessary.

On a national scale, coyotes still are eliminated, but primarily to protect livestock. Farmers and ranchers claim millions of dollars in economic losses. In 2018, according to the USDA, more than 68,000 coyotes were killed by a variety of methods. Nearly half were shot from either fixed-wing planes or helicopters. In five agricultural states, not including Colorado, more than 5,600 were poisoned with so-called cyanide bombs, a method re-approved for use last month by the Environmental Protection Agency (with some additional safeguards) over objections from conservation groups.

No coyote attacks on humans have been reported in Parker, according to police. But suddenly, neighbors throughout the area were seeing coyotes everywhere. And some exhibited unnerving behavior including additional attacks on dogs.

Parker police noted an uptick in sightings, but remained unaware of the dog deaths until the Broshes filed their report on Chloe. In fact, since mid-November, they have a record of just six calls for service involving coyotes five sightings and one dog fatality.

Meanwhile, a multitude of postings on the online neighborhood bulletin board Nextdoor warned when coyotes were spotted and reported incidents including attacks on dogs. Mardee says a neighbor filtered all the various accounts and counted 10 unique cases of dogs that were killed in the area in and around Parker.

That disparity with law enforcements records underscores the need for further public education, says Parker police spokesman Josh Hans. While law enforcement can post notices on Nextdoor, it isnt allowed to monitor the bulletin boards, so it relies on direct reporting from residents.

From the information reported to us, it doesnt make (coyotes) seem like an issue, Hans says. In the next month or two, we need to start getting some messaging out. Its great that people are letting their neighbors know so they can be watchful. But if theyre not telling us, we cant do anything about it.

In recent days, the Broshes installed video cameras outside their house in the hope of learning more about coyote activity. They would prefer a back fence higher than just 42 inches along their border with open space, but neighborhood covenants dictate the lower, split-rail style that leaves pets more vulnerable. They had the motion-activated flood lights installed, and always checked before letting Chloe and Chuffy loose in the backyard.

I dont want to have to worry about going to the mailbox and having to take pepper spray. I just want to be safe in my own neighborhood.

Mardee figures one or more of the coyotes from what appears to be a den in the gulch simply traced the fence line, checking the yards for possible prey. And when they got to mine, they just hopped the fence because my dogs were there. So we think theyve been actively hunting in the yards.

But her concerns run beyond her own loss.

Weve heard from other folks, people walking on the trail down here being harassed when theyre hiking with their dogs, which I can see because that den is very close to where the trail runs through, she says. And now people are saying theyre seeing them further up into the neighborhood.

Its not that I hate coyotes, she adds. We thought they were cool. I just dont want them in my yard. And I dont want them attacking people when theyre walking their dogs on the trail. I dont want to have to worry about going to the mailbox and having to take pepper spray. I just want to be safe in my own neighborhood.

Bonnell, the Jeffco open space ranger, conjectures that possibly a new pair of coyotes which mate for life moved into the neighborhood and were denning in preparation for a litter of new pups. And at least one is dog-aggressive, protecting territory by removing competition, she says.

The timing, if this has all happened in the last couple of months, makes sense, she adds. Right around the time we switch from daylight savings to standard time, you begin to see the dog awareness where coyotes are escorting dog walkers away from their den or even attacking and killing dogs. Theres an increase in conflict right around that time. Theyre establishing territory for the family thats coming.

CPWs Cannon empathizes with the frustration of people worried for their pets.

Theyre not wild animals, theyre family members, she says. And its extremely difficult when people are facing tragedy like that, for us to come in and say, Well, thats a coyotes natural prey source.

On top of that, she recognizes the inconvenience of having to constantly keep an eye on your pets, even on your own property, to ensure they dont fall victim.

I have dogs and a big backyard I like to let them run around in, she says. I understand what a burden that is, to think in order to protect your pet, you need to go out with them every single time and keep them on a leash. I just dont know that theres an alternative solution thats going to alleviate that. Its kind of a reality.

And so the conversation about coyotes continues. The interaction of humans and wildlife has become a hot area of research, and Joanna Lambert, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, has bitten off a considerable chunk almost literally.

Shes looking at what coyotes eat in different environments and how that may have changed their genetic makeup, which in turn might explain certain behaviors, particularly in urban environments. More precisely, her research examines whether there are particular genes involved with the digestion of carbohydrates in human food.

Dogs evolved the capacity to extract energy from starchy carbs, in a way wild wolves dont, Lambert says. Were looking at whether theres evidence of the same process in coyotes. A lot of other questions asked about coyotes are very difficult to distinguish between whether the behaviors were seeing are the result of learned behavior or genetics. Its very complicated. Were tackling that problem from a slightly different angle, looking at the food part and if the genome has shifted toward human food.

Lambert also has two graduate students pursuing studies related to coyote-human interaction in the Denver and Broomfield areas. One seeks input from people who frequent local parks and open space about their perceptions of whether coyotes have become more aggressive, curious or bold. Another student is tracking whether coyotes are more or less likely to avoid humans when more humans are present such as during a busy day in the park.

None of the studies has yet been completed and published.

Cities in some ways represent a refuge from natural predators, from human hunters, Lambert says. But they also offer a whole new array of food sources. These can be anything from birdseed, occasionally human garbage, cats and small dogs. It could also be almost certainly the case that theyre eating other animals that have adapted to humans, like house mice and rats, urban animals. Thats part of the big question.

Were used to a culture where you swipe your credit card and a problem goes away. This is not one of those problems.

Coyotes have learned to read human behavior, explains Coyote America author Flores, noting that while coyotes have no fear in cities, where theyre not being hunted, their behavior can be much different in rural areas. If you see coyotes while driving in rural New Mexico, he explains, and then pull your car over, theyll sprint away from the car running in a switchback pattern an evasive maneuver learned because in such situations they can expect gun shots.

I encourage people to keep them wild, keep them thinking that were a little too weird for them to trust, he says. When I see them standing around and not moving, Ill raise my arms and shout, maybe throw a rock. Its good for them to be a little spooked rather than nonchalant.

By the same token, it can be helpful for humans to understand something about coyote instincts. From May until August, roughly, they have pups to protect. So if a coyote emerges from the bushes to escort a hiker and their dog away, following but not quite threatening, it likely means they approached too close to a den. Its happened to Flores in the canyon near his home while running with his 135-pound malamute.

Bonnells interest in coyotes was piqued before she took her Jeffco ranger job, when she was working in Aurora and came across people who essentially treated the wild canids as pets, even naming them as they trotted up to windows to touch noses with their house pets. So when she talks about basic truths about coyotes, arguably the most significant one isnt about coyotes at all. Its that humans are extremely difficult to train.

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Coyotes figured out how to survive in the city. Can urban Coloradans learn to coexist? - The Colorado Sun

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Friedreich's ataxia sufferers Andrew and William Mcleod from Westruther with parents Donald and Jan.

Two brothers, Andrew and William Macleod, aged 11 and 13 respectively, have Friedreichs ataxia also known as spinocerebellar degeneration a rare genetic disease that causes difficulty walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs, and impaired speech.

It causes damage to parts of your brain and spinal cord and can also affect your heart.

The two boys have an older brother Connor,15,who does not have the condition.

One of the villagers, Ali Boyle, told us: This is a really really cruel progressive childhood disorder which is robbing these two young lads of their mobility and independence day by day.

There is no cure and no treatment apart from painkillers and as a community it is really hard to watch our friends struggling with this when there is nothing we can do to help.

It is important to us that every member of that family knows that we are there for them.

A few of their dad Donalds pals have been talking for a while about how to show some support for the family, as well as raising awareness of the condition locally and further afield.

And the idea of a naked calendar came up.

Villager John Purves also known as Mr April said: We were looking to do something a bit different to not only help the family, but also to bring to light just how cruel this terrible condition is.

We know there have been several naked calendars made elsewhere, but they are normally just young, buff men, not chaps in their 50s.

We knew it would show us as we are, but there was no hesitation from any of the guys ... they didnt even think about it.

Sales have gone really well, so far. We have sold around 200 calendars from our first print run of 250, but the printers told us we can get more put together at any time.

Ali added: We are a really small village , about 200 population max, including all the little hamlets round about. We dont even have a shop, and so want to sell as many calendars as possible outwith the community to raise awareness and cash to find a cure for all the lovely kids affected by this awful disorder.

She joked: Also, if we sell them all that means I wont need to buy one and have naked pics of my neighbours up in my kitchen for a year, which is just too awful to contemplate.

The men contacted photographer Phil Wilkinson, who captured the men in their birthday suits in several hilarious poses, with imaginative ways of covering up their dignity.

Phil told us: John contacted me with the idea, and its for a good cause.

They were all really good sports, and its a lovely community they have there.

If you would like to brighten up your 2020, you can buy a calendar in the village pub, The Old Thistle Inn, or order through the groups Facebook page @Menofwestruther.

Its 9.99, with a 3 carriage fee on top.

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Westruther men reveal their support (among other things) for village family in new calendar - The Southern Reporter

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

An abnormality in the SOD1 gene is linked to some inherited cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). So could turning off the mutated gene halt the disease? An international research team led by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine showed the potential of that strategy in mice by using a gene therapy approach.

A one-time injection of a gene-silencing RNA delivered by an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector into the spinal cord prevented the onset of ALS in presymptomatic mice, and it blocked disease progression in rodents that had already developed symptoms. The team reported the findings in the journal Nature Medicine.

The SOD1 gene codes for an enzyme called superoxide dismutase. Normally, the enzyme breaks down superoxide radicals that are produced during cell metabolism. But in ALS, SOD1 mutations can create misfolded SOD1 protein, as toxic oxygen molecules persist, leading to the death of motor neurons.

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The UC San Diego-led team postulated that a short hairpin RNA (shRNA)an artificial RNA molecule that can silence gene expressioncould be utilized to block the dysfunctional SOD1 gene.

Other researchers had tried delivering shRNA-bearing vectors into the blood via intravenous injection. In mouse models of ALS, disease progression was indeed slowed, but the approach only extended survival by about three months. In a more recent study, scientists used intrathecal injection into the cerebrospinal fluid, but the animals lived only two months longer despite being treated immediately after birth.

For the current study, the UCSD researchers injected the shRNA-containing AAV therapy into the spinal subpial space at cervical and lumbar spine levels.

The team observed impressive results. Remarkably, SOD1-mutated mice treated before disease onset never developed disabilities related to motor neuron functions when followed to an average age of 462 days. That means they didn't lose functions like grip strength ororientation reflexes. The control animals, by contrast,started showing symptomsat about 306 days and reached the end-stage of ALS about three months later.

Further analysis showed that the therapy suppressed the accumulation of misfolded SOD1 protein and almost completely preserved motor neuron cells.

In mice that had already entered the symptomatic stage, the injection also blocked disease progression and further motor neuron degeneration, the team reported.

At present, this therapeutic approach provides the most potent therapy ever demonstrated in mouse models of mutatedSOD1gene-linked ALS, the studys senior author, Martin Marsala of UCSD, said in a statement.

RELATED:Biogen's antisense ALS drug shows promise in early clinical trial

Several other strategies have been developed aimed at decreasing the production of mutated SOD1 protein. Swiss biotech Neurimmune has a recombinant antibody called -miSOD1, which the company developed based on memory B cells that are found in healthy elderly people and that protect against misfolded SOD1. In mouse models of ALS, the drug extended the animals lives by up to two months.

Antisense oligonucleotide therapy isanother potential modality for fighting neurodegenerative disease. Biogen recently showed its antisense drug tofersen (BIIB067) was well tolerated in ALS patients in a small phase 1 study. At its highest dose, the drug cutSOD1 protein levels in spinal fluid and the patients performed well on certain clinical function tests.

Marsala and colleagues now plan to run additional studies of their spinal subpial shRNA approach in a large animal model to determine the optimal, safe dosage of the treatment.

In addition, effective spinal cord delivery of AAV9 vector in adult animals suggests that the use of this new delivery method will likely be effective in treatment of other hereditary forms of ALS or other spinal neurodegenerative disorders that require spinal parenchymal delivery of therapeutic gene(s) or mutated-gene silencing machinery, such as in C9orf72 gene mutation-linked ALS or in some forms of lysosomal storage disease, Marsala said in the statement.

Originally posted here:
Halting ALS with a gene therapy approach - FierceBiotech

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

For the past 12 years, Lovelace Biomedical has won competitive contracts for the Gene Therapy Resource Program (GTRP) at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), and has also received awards from the National Institute of Health (NIH), to perform studies to investigate and find new models for rare diseases with gene therapy studies. Now, reaching and focusing on commercial contracts, Lovelace continues to build on their history, and as a leader in pre-clinical studies with gene therapy as an important sector of their expertise.

Presenting the webinar is Lovelace's Chief Scientific Officer Jacob McDonald, Ph.D. and Dr. Janet Benson, who has led the Lovelace Gene Therapy Pharm/Tox program since 2007.

The webinar "Nonclinical Development in Gene Therapy, building on 12 years of the Lovelace Biomedical Center of Excellence in Gene Therapy" will be held on February 6, 2020 at 1 pm ET.

Join the Webinar

About Lovelace BiomedicalLovelace Biomedical is a contract research organization that helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies advance their complex drug development studies from the preclinical stage, and on to clinical trials. For over 70 years the organization has leveraged its multidisciplinary expertise in toxicology, gene therapy, medical countermeasures, and more, to provide excellence in preclinical research and fully understand the behavior of its clients' investigational products.

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Lovelace Biomedical to host webinar on their history and expertise in the rapidly growing field of Gene Therapy - PRNewswire

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NEW YORK, Jan. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

INTRODUCTIONAdvanced therapy medicinal products, such as cell and gene therapies, have revolutionized healthcare practices. The introduction of such treatment options has led to a paradigm shift in drug development, production and consumption. Moreover, such therapies have actually enabled healthcare providers to treat several difficult-to-treat clinical conditions. In the past two decades, more than 30 such therapy products have been approved; recent approvals include Zolgensma (2019), RECELL System (2018), AmnioFix (2018), EpiFix (2018), EpiBurn (2018), Alofisel (2018), LUXTURNA (2017), Yescarta (2017), and Kymriah (2017). Further, according to a report published by The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine in 2019, more than 1,000 clinical trials are being conducted across the globe by over 900 companies. In 2018, around USD 13 billion was invested in this domain, representing a 73% increase in capital investments in this domain, compared to the previous year. It is worth highlighting that, based on an assessment of the current pipeline of cell therapies and the historical clinical success of such products, it is likely that around 10-20 advanced therapies are approved by the US FDA each year, till 2025.

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The commercial success of cell and advanced therapies is not only tied to whether they are capable of offering the desired therapeutic benefits, but also on whether the developers are able to effectively address all supply chain requirements. The advanced therapy medicinal products supply chain is relatively more complex compared to the conventional pharmaceutical supply chain. As a result, there are a number of risks, such as possible operational inefficiencies, capacity scheduling concerns, process delays leading to capital losses, and deliverable tracking-related issues, which need to be taken into consideration by therapy developers. This has generated a need for bespoke technological solutions, which can be integrated into existing processes to enable the engaged stakeholders to oversee and manage the various aspects of the cell and advanced therapies supply chain, in compliance to global regulatory standards. Over the years, several innovative, software-enabled systems, offering supply chain orchestration and needle-to-needle traceability, have been developed. The market has also recently witnessed the establishment of numerous partnerships, most of which are agreements between therapy developers and software solutions providers. Further, given the growing demand for cost-effective personalized medicinal products, and a myriad of other benefits of implementing such software solutions, the niche market is poised to grow significantly in the foreseen future.

SCOPE OF THE REPORTThe 'Cell and Advanced Therapies Supply Chain Management Market: Focus on Technological Solutions, 2019-2030' report features an extensive study of the growing supply chain management software solutions market. The focus of this study is on software systems, including cell orchestration platforms (COP), enterprise manufacturing systems (EMS), inventory management systems (IMS), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), logistics management systems (LMS), patient management systems (PMS), quality management systems (QMS), tracking and tracing software (TTS), and other such platforms that are being used to improve / optimize various supply chain-related processes of cell and advanced therapies.

Amongst other elements, the report features: A detailed assessment of the current market landscape, featuring a comprehensive list of over 160 technological platforms that are being used to manage the cell and advanced therapies supply chain, along with information on the different types of software systems (COP, EMS, IMS, LIMS, LMS, PMS, QMS, TTS, and others), their key specifications and benefits (chain of identity and custody, compatibility and integration, data management and analytics, regulatory compliance, reliability and security, scalability, software-as-a-service, traceability, user-friendliness, workflow management, and others), affiliated modes of deployment (cloud and on-premises), scale of management (small enterprise, mid-size enterprise and large enterprise), end users (biobanks, cell therapy labs, hospitals, research institutes, commercial organizations, and others), applications (ordering and scheduling, sample collection, manufacturing, logistics, and patient verification and treatment follow-up), regulatory certifications / accreditations (21 CFR Part 11, CLIA, FACT-JACIE, GAMP 5, GDPR, HIPAA, and others), and key support services offered (customization, installation / implementation, maintenance, training / technical support, upgradation, validation and testing, and others). An insightful company competitiveness analysis, taking into consideration the supplier power (based on their employee base and years of experience in the industry) and portfolio-related parameters, such as number of software solutions offered, affiliated modes of deployment, scale of management, end users, applications, regulatory certifications / accreditations, support services offered, and key platform specifications and benefits. Comprehensive profiles of industry players that are currently offering software solutions for supply chain management, featuring an overview of the company, its financial information (if available), and a detailed description of its software system(s). Each profile also includes a list of recent developments, highlighting the key achievements, partnership activity, and the likely strategies that may be adopted by these players to fuel growth, in the foreseen future. A detailed review of the cell and advanced therapies supply chain, offering insights on the processes associated with various stages, such as donor eligibility assessment, sample collection, manufacturing, logistics, and patient verification and treatment follow-up, along with information on cost requirements and existing opportunities for improvement in the supply chain management practices. A qualitative assessment of the current and long-term needs of different stakeholders (patients, healthcare providers, collection centers, manufacturers, logistics service providers and regulators / payers) involved in the cell and advanced therapies supply chain, featuring a summary of the diverse needs and areas of concern, along with our opinion (based on past and prevalent trends) on how the industry is preparing to address such issues. An analysis of the investments made at various stages of development, such as seed financing, venture capital financing, debt financing, grants, capital raised from IPOs and subsequent offerings received by companies that are engaged in this field. An analysis of the partnerships that have been established in the domain, in the period between 2014 and Q3 2019, covering software licensing agreements, mergers and acquisitions, product development agreements, product integration agreements, distribution agreements, asset purchase agreements, and other relevant deals. A detailed analysis of the platform utilization use cases where aforementioned software systems were leveraged by various stakeholders in the domain, in the period between 2014 and Q3 2019, highlighting the ways in which companies have implemented such systems to improve / optimize various supply chain-related processes of cell and advanced therapies. An in-depth analysis of the cost saving potential across various processes of the cell and advanced therapies supply chain that can be brought about by the implementation of bespoke and integrated technological solutions / software systems. A case study on COPs, featuring insights on their key functions and implementation strategies, while also considering their strategic position and connectivity with other adjacent systems within the cell and advanced therapies supply chain. In addition, it provides a brief discussion on the growing popularity of COPs on the social media platform, Twitter.

One of the key objectives of the report was to understand the primary growth drivers and estimate the future size of the supply chain management software solutions market. Based on multiple parameters, such as number of cell and advanced therapies under development, expected pricing, likely adoption rates, and potential cost saving opportunities from different software systems, we have developed informed estimates of the evolution of the market, over the period 2019-2030. In addition, we have provided the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity across [A] different software systems (COP, EMS, IMS, LIMS, LMS, PMS, QMS, and TTS), [B] applications (donor eligibility assessment, sample collection, manufacturing, logistics, and patient verification and treatment follow-up), [C] modes of deployment (cloud and on-premises), [D] end users (biobanks, cell therapy labs, hospitals, research institutes, and commercial organizations), and [E] key geographical regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific). In order to account for the uncertainties associated with some of the key parameters and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three market forecast scenarios portraying the conservative, base and optimistic tracks of the industry's evolution.

The opinions and insights presented in this study were influenced by discussions conducted with several stakeholders in this domain. The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with the following individuals: Bryan Poltilove (Vice President and General Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific) Jacqueline Barry (Chief Clinical Officer, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult) Jill Maddux (Director, Cell and Gene Therapy Product Strategy, McKesson) and Divya Iyer (Senior Director, Corporate Strategy and Business Development, McKesson) Martin Lamb (Chief Business Officer, TrakCel)

All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGYThe data presented in this report has been gathered via secondary and primary research. For all our projects, we conduct interviews with experts in the area (academia, industry and other associations) to solicit their opinions on emerging trends in the market. This is primarily useful for us to draw out our own opinion on how the market will evolve across different regions and technology segments. Where possible, the available data has been checked for accuracy from multiple sources of information.

The secondary sources of information include Annual reports Investor presentations SEC filings Industry databases News releases from company websites Government policy documents Industry analysts' viewsWhile the focus has been on forecasting the market till 2030, the report also provides our independent view on various non-commercial trends emerging in the industry. This opinion is solely based on our knowledge, research and understanding of the relevant market gathered from various secondary and primary sources of information.

CHAPTER OUTLINESChapter 2 is an executive summary of the insights captured in our research. It offers a high-level view on the likely evolution of the cell and advanced therapies supply chain solutions market in the mid to long term.

Chapter 3 is an introductory chapter that presents a general overview of the cell and advanced therapies domain, along with details on the various types of such products and the current therapy landscape. It features a detailed discussion on the cell and advanced therapies supply chain and key challenges related to different processes / stakeholders involved in this segment of the industry. The chapter also provides information on various software-enabled systems, highlighting their key advantages and associated challenges. Further, the chapter describes the key growth drivers and roadblocks related to the use of such solutions in the cell and advanced therapies supply chain, offering insights on the emergence of advanced, digital technologies in the domain, as well.

Chapter 4 includes information on more than 160 technological platforms that are currently being used for managing the critical intricacies within the cell and advanced therapies supply chain. It features detailed information on the different types of software systems (COP, EMS, IMS, LIMS, LMS, PMS, QMS, TTS, and others), their key specifications and benefits (chain of identity and custody, compatibility and integration, data management and analytics, regulatory compliance, reliability and security, scalability, software-as-a-service, traceability, user-friendliness, workflow management, and others), affiliated modes of deployment (cloud and on-premises), scale of management (small enterprise, mid-size enterprise and large enterprise), end users (biobanks, cell therapy labs, hospitals, research institutes, commercial organizations, and others), applications (ordering and scheduling, sample collection, manufacturing, logistics, and patient verification and treatment follow-up), regulatory certifications / accreditations (21 CFR Part 11, CLIA, FACT-JACIE, GAMP 5, GDPR, HIPAA, and others), and key support services offered (customization, installation / implementation, maintenance, training / technical support, upgradation, validation and testing, and others).

Chapter 5 features an insightful competitiveness analysis of the software solutions providers based on various parameters, such as number of software systems offered, affiliated modes of deployment, scale of management, end users, applications, regulatory certifications / accreditations, support services offered, and key platform specifications and benefits. In the chapter, stakeholder entities have been plotted on a 2X2 matrix, having a company's Supplier Power (based on its employee base and years of experience in the industry) and Company Competitiveness as the two axes.

Chapter 6 includes elaborate profiles of companies that are currently offering core supply chain management software systems, such as EMS, IMS, LIMS, LMS, PMS, QMS, and TTS (shortlisted on the basis of company competitiveness analysis scores); each profile features an overview of the company, its financial information (if available), and a detailed description of the platform(s). Each profile also includes a list of recent developments, highlighting key achievements, partnership activity and the likely strategies that may be adopted by these players to fuel growth in the foreseen future.

Chapter 7 presents a brief introduction to COPs, along with insights into their key functions and implementation strategies, while also considering their strategic position and connectivity with other adjacent systems within the entire cell and advanced therapies supply chain. Further, the chapter includes a brief discussion on the growing popularity of COP on the social media platform, Twitter, and presents a snapshot of how the public opinion about such technological solutions has evolved in the period 2014-2018. In addition, the chapter features detailed profiles of all the industry players that are currently offering COPs for supply chain management. For each of these companies, we have presented detailed profiles, featuring an overview of the company, its financial information (if available), and a detailed description of the platform(s). Each profile also includes a list of recent developments, highlighting key achievements, partnership activity and the likely strategies that may be adopted by these players to fuel growth in the foreseen future.

Chapter 8 provides information on funding instances and investments that have been made within the cell and advanced therapies supply chain management market. The chapter includes details on various types of investments (such as seed financing, venture capital financing, debt financing, grants, capital raised from IPOs and subsequent offerings) received by companies between 2014 and Q3 2019, highlighting the growing interest of the venture capital community and other strategic investors in this domain.

Chapter 9 features an elaborate discussion and analysis of partnerships / collaborations that have been established in the domain in the period between 2014 and Q3 2019. It includes a brief description of various types of partnership models (such as software licensing agreements, mergers and acquisitions, product development agreements, product integration agreements, distribution agreements, asset purchase agreements, and others) that have been employed by stakeholders within this domain. It also consists of a schematic representation showcasing the players that have established the maximum number of alliances in this industry. Furthermore, we have provided a world map representation of all the deals inked in this field, highlighting those that have been established within and across different continents.

Chapter 10 presents a detailed analysis of platform utilization use cases where the aforementioned software systems were leveraged by various stakeholders in the domain, in the period between 2014 and Q3 2019. It includes a brief discussion on the ways in which companies have implemented such software solutions to improve / optimize various supply chain-related processes of cell and advanced therapies.

Chapter 11 provides a qualitative assessment of the current and long-term needs of different stakeholders (patients, healthcare providers, collection centers, manufacturers, logistics service providers and regulators / payers) involved in the cell and advanced therapies supply chain. It also presents a summary of the diverse needs and areas of concern, along with our opinion (based on past and prevalent trends) on how the industry is preparing to address the aforementioned issues.

Chapter 12 presents a detailed review of the cell and advanced therapies supply chain, offering insights on the processes associated with various stages, such as donor eligibility assessment, sample collection, manufacturing, logistics, and patient verification and treatment follow-up, along with information on cost requirements and existing opportunities for improvement in the supply chain management practices.

Chapter 13 features an insightful analysis, highlighting the cost saving potential across various processes of the cell and advanced therapies supply chain that can be brought about by the implementation of bespoke and integrated technological solutions / software systems.

Chapter 14 features a comprehensive market forecast, highlighting the future potential of the supply chain management software solutions market till 2030, based on multiple parameters, such as number of cell and advanced therapies in development, expected pricing, likely adoption rates, and cost saving opportunity from different software systems. In addition, we have provided the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity across [A] different software systems (COP, EMS, IMS, LIMS, LMS, PMS, QMS, and TTS), [B] applications (donor eligibility assessment, sample collection, manufacturing, logistics, and patient verification and treatment follow-up), [C] modes of deployment (cloud and on-premises), [D] end users (biobanks, cell therapy labs, hospitals, research institutes, and commercial organizations), and [E] key geographical regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific). In order to account for the uncertainties associated with some of the key parameters and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three market forecast scenarios portraying the conservative, base and optimistic tracks of the industry's evolution.

Chapter 15 is a collection of executive insights of the discussions that were held with various key stakeholders in this market. The chapter provides a brief overview of the companies and details of interviews held with Bryan Poltilove (Vice President and General Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific), Jacqueline Barry (Chief Clinical Officer, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult), Jill Maddux (Director, Cell and Gene Therapy Product Strategy, McKesson) and Divya Iyer (Senior Director, Corporate Strategy and Business Development, McKesson), and Martin Lamb (Chief Business Officer, TrakCel).

Chapter 16 is a summary of the overall report. In this chapter, we have provided a list of key takeaways from the report, and expressed our independent opinion related to the research and analysis described in the previous chapters.

Chapter 17 is an appendix, which provides a comprehensive list of technological solutions / software systems that are being used to effectively manage and streamline the supply chain processes of the overall healthcare industry.

Chapter 18 is an appendix, which provides tabulated data and numbers for all the figures provided in the report.

Chapter 19 is an appendix, which provides the list of companies and organizations mentioned in the report.

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Cell and Advanced Therapies Supply Chain Management Market: Focus on Technological Solutions, 2019-2030 - PRNewswire

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Astellas Pharma recentlyagreed to acquire Audentes Therapeutics, a move it expects will result in faster development of potentially best-in-class therapies for rare neuromuscular diseases, including muscular dystrophy (MD).

Audentes vectorized exon-skipping technology which uses a modified adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to allow cells to skip over mutated sections of genes will complement Astellas own work, Kenji Yasukawa, president and CEO of Astellas, said in a press release.

Recent scientific and technological advances in genetic medicine have advanced the potential to deliver unprecedented and sustained value to patients, and even to curing diseases with a single intervention, Yasukawa said.

Audentes has developed a robust pipeline of promising product candidates which are complementary to our existing pipeline, including its lead program AT132, he added. By joining together with Audentes talented team, we are establishing a leading position in the field of gene therapy with the goal of addressing the unmet needs of patients living with serious, rare diseases.

The technology uses the modified AAV vector to deliver small molecules antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the RNA sequence of a gene of interest, which allow cells to skip over mutated exons while they are producing proteins.

Exons are the coding regions of genes that provide instructions to make proteins.

Audentes had started developing several therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) based on its exon-skipping technology. These include AT702, AT751 and AT753.

All three treatment candidates use the same AAV delivery vector. However, as they target different DMD gene exons, the potential therapies are intended for distinct subgroups of patients. AT702 is designed to skip exon 2 and is meant for those who either have duplications in exon 2 or mutations in exons 1-5. AT751 is designed for those with mutations in exon 51, and AT753 for people with alterations in exon 53.

Audentes had also started developing and testing AT466, an experimental treatment for myotonic dystrophy type 1.

The acquisition also gives Astellas direct access to AT132, Audentes lead gene therapy candidate for the treatment ofX-linked myotubular myopathy.

AT132 uses an AAV8 viral vector to deliver a functional copy of the MTM1 gene to muscle cells. This enables the production of myotubularin, an important enzyme for the development and maintenance of muscle cells.

Matthew R. Patterson, chairman and CEO of Audentes, said his company is very pleased with the agreement. With its focus on innovative science and a global network of research, development and commercialization resources, we believe that operating as part of the Astellas organization optimally positions us to advance our pipeline programs and serve our patients, he said.

Under the terms of the agreement, Audentes will become an independent subsidiary of Astellas and will have access to scientific resources to accelerate the development and manufacturing of the combined product pipeline. The transaction, worth $3 billion, is expected to take place early this year.

Joana is currently completing her PhD in Biomedicine and Clinical Research at Universidade de Lisboa. She also holds a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology from Universidade de Lisboa. Her work has been focused on the impact of non-canonical Wnt signaling in the collective behavior of endothelial cells cells that make up the lining of blood vessels found in the umbilical cord of newborns.

Total Posts: 42

Jos is a science news writer with a PhD in Neuroscience from Universidade of Porto, in Portugal. He has also studied Biochemistry at Universidade do Porto and was a postdoctoral associate at Weill Cornell Medicine, in New York, and at The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. His work has ranged from the association of central cardiovascular and pain control to the neurobiological basis of hypertension, and the molecular pathways driving Alzheimers disease.

Originally posted here:
New MD Treatments the Main Goal of Astellas, Audentes Merger - Muscular Dystrophy News

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

PUNE, India, Jan. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunotherapy is forecast to become the oncology treatment of choice by 2026 with an estimated 60% of previously treated cancer patients likely to adopt immunotherapy in this timeframe. Multiple treatment lines, combination therapy and the opportunity for repeat treatment are likely to accelerate fast growth. Cancer immunotherapy also expands into multiple indications and our analysis indicates that key immunotherapies including anti-PD-1 drugs, dendritic cell vaccines, T-cell therapies and cancer vaccines are all driving the market. The rising incidence and prevalence of numerous cancers globally is a significant accelerator of growth. This is due to more sensitive early detection techniques, higher patient awareness and a growing aging population. Furthermore, the FDA's pro-science attitude will accelerate development and regulatory approval for these drugs. To that end, the cancer immunotherapy market is forecast to hit $115 billion by 2023. Overall strong growth rates are expected due to a significant unmet need and increasing trends of hematological cancers.

Browse Complete Report of Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market Analysis & Forecast to 2023 Report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/2713825-global-cancer-immunotherapy-market-analysis-forecast-to-2023-antibody-drug-conjugates-adcs-bispecific-monoclonal-antibodies-cancer-vaccines-cytokines-interferons-chimeric-antigen-receptor-car-t-cell-thera-inhibitors.html

Prior to the launching of Yervoy, the five-year survival rate for patients with early stage melanoma was 98%; but the five-year survival rate for late-stage melanoma was just 16%. Yervoy has been reported to have a survival rate of 25% when tested alone. When tested as part of a combination therapy treatment with Bristol's nivolumab, the two-year survival rates rose to 88% for patients with late-stage cancer. Increase in patient survival rates brought about by cancer immunotherapy treatment is similar to that seen when bone marrow transplantation changed our conception on how blood cancer was treated. Other key therapeutic players in this market include Opdivo (nivolumab), Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Tecentriq (atezolizumab), Ibrance (palbociclib) the newly approved Bavencio (avelumab) and Imfinzi (durvalumab) and of course the first CAR-T therapies Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) and Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel).

Opdivo (nivolumab) from BMS is one of the most exciting agents in the immunotherapy space, and is indicated for melanoma, lung cancer, kidney cancer, blood cancer, head and neck cancer, and bladder cancer. It was given a fast-track approval on December 22, 2014. The majority of immune-oncology agents are anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies, which will certainly guide the market over the coming years. Projects that currently are valuable include combined immunotherapies on our knowledge of CD137 and PD-1/PDL1 mechanisms. A study on a novel effector activating monoclonal antibody known as IMAB362 for the treatment of solid cancers is also exciting. Other projects comparing CAR-T cell effectiveness against T-cells that target CD19 or mesothelin are interesting in a preclinical setting. Of course, Novartis gained the first CAR-T FDA approval for Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel, CTL019), in August 2017, for children and young adults with B-cell ALL. In October 2017, Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) from Kite Pharma for adult patients large B-cell lymphoma was also given FDA approval. This is a major boost for the global and US immunotherapy, and gene therapy markets.

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What Are CAR-T Therapies? How Will They Impact the Market?

CAR T (chimeric antigen receptor T) cells are engineered specificity using antibody fragments directed to the tumor cell, and also T-cell CD8/CD3 plasma membrane proteins that elicit specific activity towards the tumor cell, via intracellular signaling pathways. To date publications have revealed a number of effective intracellular molecules in the engineered T cell including CD28, 4-1BB (CD137) and CD3 zeta.

These engineered T cells have numerous advantages including:

Story continues

To date, the main challenges associated with CAR T therapy include manufacturing, regulations, pricing and toxicity in patients. Currently there are over 100 recruiting CAR-T clinical trials globally, mainly in the US, China and Europe. To date a number of CAR T Cells (autologous/allogeneic) trials are demonstrating clinical benefit to patients, but others have demonstrated toxicity such as cytokine release syndrome. In July 2017, an FDA advisory panel determined that the benefits of CAR T outperform the risks. Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) by Novartis is indicated to treat children and young adults with acute leukemia and performed well in the ELIANA trial. The FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommended this agent for approval and became the first CAR-T cell therapy on the US market. In October 2017, Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) from Kite Pharma for adult patients large B-cell lymphoma was also given FDA approval.

The CAR-T industry is addressing unmet needs in specific relapsed cancers, and trials have indicated that some patients show long term activity and high remission rates, but there is a large proportion of patients with toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. The main players within the CAR-T market are Novartis, Juno Therapeutics, Kite Pharma and Cellectis. The market is moving ahead, backed by years of R&D, from both academia and industry, investors capitol and small clinical studies. From now on, Kelly Scientific forecasts that CAR T therapy will become more streamlined, with faster manufacturing times as advances in technologies take hold and clinical trials provide more robust evidence that this immunotherapy is robust. These factors, plus strategies to reduce adverse reactions and toxicities and larger players like Novartis taking stage will push CAR-T therapy ahead. However, recent deaths in the Juno ROCKET trial are creating questions amongst investors. How will the CAR T space influence the total immunotherapy industry going forward? This comprehensive report scrutinizes the total market and provides cutting-edge insights and analysis.

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Within the cancer therapeutics space, which today is worth over $100 billion globally, immunotherapeutic drugs have gained worldwide acceptance. This is because they are targeted therapeutics that have high specificity for cancer cells. Today, cancer immunotherapy drugs have captured nearly 50% of the overall oncology drugs market, generating about $75 billion in 2019 alone and are forecast to surpass $115 billion in 2023. This report describes the evolution of such a huge market in 20 chapters supported by over 180 tables and figures in 450 pages.

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Key Questions Answered in this Report

Another Related Research Titled: Cancer Biomarkers Market Insights 2019, Global and Chinese Analysis and Forecast to 2024 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Cancer Biomarkers industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Cancer Biomarkers manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2014-2024 global and Chinese Cancer Biomarkers market covering all important parameters. Get Free sample copy of this research report at https://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=2358970.

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Global Cancer Immunotherapy Market is Forecast to hit $115 Billion by 2023 - ReportsnReports - Yahoo Finance

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

GYSS 2020 gathers new and returning eminent scientists and talented young researchers worldwide to convene in Singapore, to spark new ideas and innovations

National Research Foundation Singapore will be organizing The Global Young Scientists Summit 2020 (GYSS 2020) in Singapore from January 14 to 17, with the theme of Advancing Science, Creating Technologies for a Better World.

The world is facing a litany of challenges, from growing antibiotic resistance to a looming shortage in data storage capacity.

GYSS 2020 gathers new and returning eminent scientists and talented young researchers worldwide to convene in Singapore, to spark new ideas and innovations.

To develop the solutions to these problems, young researchers need the help of their more experienced colleagues, and vice versa. Collaborations across disciplines and nations are also vital to spark new ideas and innovations. It will provide a platform for such conversations on science and research, technology innovation, and potential answers to global issues.

The event enables 320 outstanding young scientists to interact with 17 eminent leaders in science and technology, who gather in Singapore from across the world and from a wide variety of research fields, including physics, chemistry, medicine, mathematics, computer science and engineering.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to hear from the distinguished speakers at a series of free public lectures, meanwhile the delegates participate in plenary lectures, panel discussions and interactive group sessions.

The GYSS 2020 speakers include world-renowned recipients of the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Millennium Technology Prize and Turing Award.

Participating as speakers for the first time at the Summit are Sir Konstantin Novoselov (Nobel Prize in Physics, 2010), and Dr Kees Immink (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Medal of Honor, 2017).

Sir Novoselov and his colleague, Sir Andre Geim, who participated at GYSS 2017, isolated and mapped the properties of graphene, a wonder material that consists of a single layer of carbon atoms and is many times stronger than steel, lighter than paper, and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

Dr Kees has been one of the most prolific contributors to the field of consumer electronics in the late 20th century.

The GYSS 2020 will also feature a special guest speaker: Professor Alain Fischer, Chair of Experimental Medicine at the Collge de France in Paris.

Professor Fischer has been a pioneer in the fight to understand and treat genetic diseases that are related to the immune system, uncovering many genetic defects that disrupt the human immune system.

He was also one of the first scientists to successfully use gene therapy to treat a rare form of severe combined immunodeficiency, often called the bubble boy disease, after a wellknown patient who lived for years in a plastic bubble filled with filtered air.

The GYSS 2020 is the eighth edition of the event, and will span 15 plenary lectures, panel discussions and interactive small group sessions.

The participants will also go on site visits and engage in dialogue sessions with principal investigators and researchers to better understand the research opportunities in Singapore.

Ashish Rauniyar, a PhD research fellow at the Oslo Metropolitan University who will be attending GYSS 2020, said he is looking forward to meeting talented young researchers from around the world and engaging with the distinguished speakers: The opportunity to talk to them about their scientific experiences is an amazing opportunity.

As part of the summit, panel discussions among the eminent scientists will take place at public forums at local universities and schools, and at the National Library.

Read more here:
National Research Foundation Singapore to organize GYSS 2020 - BSA bureau

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

(MENAFN - Ameliorate Solutions) uniqure-gene-therapy.jpg" alt="Image result for Hemophilia Gene Therapy" width="380" height="270" />

The Research report on the Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market is complete guide for the new entrants in the industry; the report provides the market history of every product ever retailed by the company. It also provides history of the product types, sales, volume, technology, during the forecast period. The growth rate challenges and barriers are also explained in the Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market research report. The report shades light on the development rate of the strategies. Products and technologies used in the production, manufacturing and marketing of the report.

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The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market with respect to each of the regions and countries involved in the study. Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as major drivers & restraining factors which will define the future growth of the market.

The report provides a list of all the key players in the Hemophilia Gene Therapy market along with a detailed analysis of the strategies, which the companies are adopting. The strategies mainly include new product development, research, and development, and also provides revenue shares, company overview, and recent company developments to remain competitive in the market.

As part of competitive analysis, the research study includes exhaustive company profiling of leading players of the global Hemophilia Gene Therapy market. All of the segments studied in the report are analyzed based on different factors such as market share, revenue, and CAGR.

The prominent players in the global Hemophilia Gene Therapy market are:

Spark Therapeutics, Ultragenyx, Shire PLC, Sangamo Therapeutics, Bioverativ, BioMarin, uniQure, Freeline Therapeutics

Hemophilia Gene TherapyMarket segment by Types:

Hemophilia AHemophilia B

Hemophilia Gene TherapyMarket segment by Applications: Hemophilia A Gene TherapyHemophilia B Gene TherapyTop of Form Global Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market Segmentation by Region:

North America, United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia-Pacific, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Europe, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe, Central & South America

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Global Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market Overview, Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities, Segmentation overview

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Manufacturing cost analysis, Materials analysis, Region-wise manufacturing expenses

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Original post:
Hemophilia Gene Therapy Market Clinical Research and Analysis Report, Forecast 2020-2026 - MENAFN.COM

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Yanlan Li,1,2,* Xiangning Li,1,3,* Jiayao Qu,1,3 Dixian Luo,1,3 Zheng Hu1,3

1Translational Medicine Institute, the First Peoples Hospital of Chenzhou Affiliated to University of South China, Hunan 432000, Peoples Republic of China; 2Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Tumor Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hunan 421001, Peoples Republic of China; 3National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for High-Through Molecular Diagnosis Technology, The First Peoples Hospital of Chenzhou, Hunan 432000, Peoples Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Zheng Hu; Dixian LuoTranslational Medicine Institute, National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for High-Through Molecular Diagnosis Technology, The First Peoples Hospital of Chenzhou, Hunan 432000, Peoples Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 735 2343902Email hu48005@163.com; luodixian_2@163.com

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major contributors to cancer mortality and morbidity. Finding strategies to fight against CRC is urgently required. Mutations in driver genes of APC or -catenin play an important role in the occurrence and progression of CRC. In the present study, we jointly apply CRISPR/Cas9-sgRNA system and Single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) as templates to correct a heterozygous TCT deletion mutation of -catenin present in a colon cancer cell line HCT-116. This method provides a potential strategy in gene therapy for cancer.Methods: A Cas9/-catenin-sgRNA-eGFP co-expression vector was constructed and co-transfected with ssODN into HCT-116 cells. Mutation-corrected single-cell clones were sorted by FACS and judged by TA cloning and DNA sequencing. Effects of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated correction were tested by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blotting, CCK8, EDU dyeing and cell-plated clones. Moreover, the growth of cell clones derived tumors was analyzed at nude mice xenografts.Results: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated -catenin mutation correction resulted in the presence of TCT sequence and the re-expression of phosphorylation -catenin at Ser45, which restored the normal function of phosphorylation -catenin including reduction of the transportation of nuclear -catenin and the expression of downstream c-myc, survivin. Significantly reduced cell growth was observed in -catenin mutation-corrected cells. Mice xenografted with mutation-corrected HCT-116 cells showed significantly smaller tumor size than uncorrected xenografts.Conclusion: The data of this study documented that correction of the driven mutation by the combination of CRISPR/Cas9 and ssODN could greatly remedy the biological behavior of the cancer cell line, suggesting a potential application of this strategy in gene therapy of cancer.

Keywords: CRISPR/Cas9, ssODN, targeted gene editing, -catenin, colon cancer

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

Continued here:
Cas9 Mediated Correction of -catenin Mutation and Restoring the | OTT - Dove Medical Press

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The first biotech IPO of 2020 is here, and its for a company founded by two marquee names in oncology.

Cambridge-based Black Diamond Therapeutics filed on Friday for an IPO worth up to $100 million, becoming the first biotech of the decade to announce their intention to go public. Theyll use their proceeds to bring theirnew oncogene approach into the clinic.

The fact that an oncology biotech will be the first IPO of the new decade should come as little surprise. The calendar may have changed but the basic incentives that have driven record investment into and revenue from cancer drugs havent. Last years first IPO Poseida Therapeutics was also a cancer-focused biotech.

The first company launched out of Versants Basel-based discovery engine in December 2018, Black Diamond leveraged a high-profile C-suite and emerging science to rapidly rake in cash: Nearly $200 million within a year of their emergence from stealth mode, including an $85 million Series C last month.

The biotech is run by David Epstein and Elizabeth Buck, two former developers of the cancer drug Tarceva. The tech is a form of targeted oncology called allosteric therapies. These therapies are similar to other oncogenic drugs, such as kinase inhibitors, that inhibit the main binding site of a protein fueling cancer. It just does so by inhibiting a different part of the protein that may have mutated.

Black Diamond has spent over a year mapping these mutations, before raising the Series C on the promise of pushing their BDTX-189 drug for HER2 and EGFR mutations into a Phase I/II trial.

They promise to use the bulk of their IPO proceeds for the same goal, with some of the rest going to a preclinical glioblastoma program.

I-Mab Biopharma

The same day as Black Diamonds filing, Shanghai-based oncology startup I-Mab Biopharma updated their filing with detailed information. Theyre expected to be the years first biotech to price, on January 16.

I-Mabsannouncementcame in October, but the new filing offers more detail into a company that hopes to become the first Chinese biotech to list on the Nasdaq exchange since Zai Lab debuted in 2017.

They expect to price between $13 and $14 per share and raise $87 million. They will use the proceeds largely to fund a long list of clinical trials, while slotting significant portions for building their own manufacturing facility in China and research facilities in the US.

The teeming number of assets has to do with I-Mabs unusual but thus-far successful model. The company has spread widely, licensing a long list of assets from more established biotechs. They conduct proof-of-concept trials in the US, and then use the data for trials inChina. Once the drug is clinically validated in the US, I-Mab retains Chinese rights for further development and global out-licensing.

Most of these assets are in oncology including lead multiple myeloma asset TJ202 although TJ101 is a long-acting hormone for pediatric growth deficiency and TJ301 is an IL-6 for autoimmune disorders.

Its a model thats already gained over $400 million in private funding. Their Nasdaq bid reflects the growing importance of China, not only as a burgeoning market for established pharma companies but as a growing hub for drug development.

See the article here:
The first biotech IPO of the new decade has landed and of course it's another cancer drug developer - Endpoints News

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Axovant Gene Therapies (NASDAQ:AXGT) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued on Monday, Zacks.com reports. The brokerage presently has a $5.50 price target on the stock. Zacks Investment Researchs price objective would suggest a potential upside of 8.48% from the companys current price.

According to Zacks, Axovant Sciences Ltd. is a biopharmaceutical company which focuses on the acquisition, development and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Its product candidate includes RVT-101 which is in different clinical trial for the treatment of Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. Axovant Sciences Ltd. is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on AXGT. Chardan Capital increased their price target on Axovant Gene Therapies from $10.00 to $15.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. ValuEngine upgraded Axovant Gene Therapies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Axovant Gene Therapies currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $24.66.

AXGT stock traded up $0.16 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $5.07. 64,342 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 72,781. Axovant Gene Therapies has a twelve month low of $3.81 and a twelve month high of $19.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.18 and a 200-day simple moving average of $6.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $112.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.63 and a beta of 1.18.

Axovant Gene Therapies (NASDAQ:AXGT) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 8th. The company reported ($0.61) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.15) by $0.54. Equities research analysts forecast that Axovant Gene Therapies will post -3.56 EPS for the current year.

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AXGT. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Axovant Gene Therapies in the second quarter worth $1,482,000. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Axovant Gene Therapies by 28.8% in the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 46,455 shares of the companys stock worth $289,000 after acquiring an additional 10,375 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in shares of Axovant Gene Therapies in the third quarter worth $65,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in shares of Axovant Gene Therapies by 955.3% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 4,221 shares of the companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 3,821 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 14.80% of the companys stock.

Axovant Gene Therapies Company Profile

Axovant Gene Therapies Ltd., a clinical-stage gene therapy company, focuses on developing a pipeline of product candidates for debilitating neurological and neuromuscular diseases. The company's current pipeline of gene therapy candidates targets GM1 gangliosidosis, GM2 gangliosidosis, Parkinson's disease, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal dementia.

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Axovant Gene Therapies (NASDAQ:AXGT) Rating Increased to Buy at Zacks Investment Research - Riverton Roll

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

IN the summer of 2019, a mother in Nashville, Tennessee in the United States, with a seemingly incurable genetic disorder finally found an end to her suffering by editing her genome.

Victoria Grays recovery from sickle cell disease, which had caused her painful seizures, came in a year of breakthroughs in one of the hottest areas of medical research gene therapy.

I have hoped for a cure since I was about 11, the 34-year-old said.

Since I received the new cells, I have been able to enjoy more time with my family without worrying about pain or an out-of-the-blue emergency.

Over several weeks, Grays blood was drawn so that doctors could get to the cause of her illness stem cells from her bone marrow that were making deformed red blood cells.

The stem cells were sent to a Scottish laboratory, where their DNA was modified using Crispr/Cas9 pronounced Crisper a new tool informally known as a molecular scissors.

The genetically-edited cells were transfused back into Grays veins and bone marrow. A month later, she was producing normal blood cells.

Medics warn that caution is necessary, but theoretically, she has been cured.

This is one patient. This is early results. We need to see how it works out in other patients, said her doctor, Haydar Frangoul, at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville.

But these results are really exciting.

In Germany, a 19-year-old woman was treated with a similar method for a different blood disease beta thalassemia.

She had previously needed 16 blood transfusions per year. Nine months later, she is completely free of that burden.

For decades, the DNA of living organisms such as corn and salmon has been modified. But Crispr, invented in 2012, made gene editing more widely accessible.

It is much simpler than preceding technology, cheaper and easy to use in small labs.

The technique has given new impetus to the perennial debate over the wisdom of humanity manipulating life itself.

Its all developing very quickly, said French geneticist Emmanuelle Charpentier, one of Crisprs inventors and the co-founder of Crispr Therapeutics, the biotech company conducting the clinical trials involving Gray and the German patient.

Gene cures

Crispr was the latest breakthrough in a year of great strides in gene therapy, a medical adventure that started three decades ago, when the first TV telethons were raising money for children with muscular dystrophy.

Scientists practising the technique insert a normal gene into cells containing a defective gene.

It does the work the original could not, such as making normal red blood cells in Grays case or making tumour-killing super white blood cells for a cancer patient.

Crispr goes even further: instead of adding a gene, the tool edits the genome itself.

After decades of research and clinical trials on a genetic fix to genetic disorders, 2019 saw a historic milestone: approval to bring to market the first gene therapies for a neuromuscular disease in the US and a blood disease in the European Union.

They join several other gene therapies bringing the total to eight approved in recent years to treat certain cancers and an inherited blindness.

Serge Braun, the scientific director of the French Muscular Dystrophy Association, sees 2019 as a turning point that will lead to a medical revolution.

Twenty-five, 30 years, thats the time it had to take, he said. It took a generation for gene therapy to become a reality. Now, its only going to go faster.

Just outside Washington, at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers are also celebrating a breakthrough period.

We have hit an inflection point, said US NIHs associate director for science policy Carrie Wolinetz.

These therapies are exorbitantly expensive, however, costing up to US$2 million (RM8.18 million) meaning patients face grueling negotiations with their insurance companies.

They also involve a complex regimen of procedures that are only available in wealthy countries.

Gray spent months in hospital getting blood drawn, undergoing chemotherapy, having edited stem cells reintroduced via transfusion and fighting a general infection.

You cannot do this in a community hospital close to home, said her doctor.

However, the number of approved gene therapies will increase to about 40 by 2022, according to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers.

They will mostly target cancers and diseases that affect muscles, the eyes and the nervous system.

In this Oct 10, 2018, photo, He speaks during an interview at his laboratory in Shenzhen, China. The scientist was recently sentenced to three years in prison for practicing medicine illegally and fined 3 million yuan (RM1.76 million). AP

Bioterrorism potential

Another problem with Crispr is that its relative simplicity has triggered the imaginations of rogue practitioners who dont necessarily share the medical ethics of Western medicine.

In 2018 in China, scientist He Jiankui triggered an international scandal and his excommunication from the scientific community when he used Crispr to create what he called the first gene-edited humans.

The biophysicist said he had altered the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of human embryos that became twin girls Lulu and Nana.

His goal was to create a mutation that would prevent the girls from contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), even though there was no specific reason to put them through the process.

That technology is not safe, said Kiran Musunuru, a genetics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, explaining that the Crispr scissors often cut next to the targeted gene, causing unexpected mutations.

Its very easy to do if you dont care about the consequences, he added.

Despite the ethical pitfalls, restraint seems mainly to have prevailed so far.

The community is keeping a close eye on Russia, where biologist Denis Rebrikov has said he wants to use Crispr to help deaf parents have children without the disability.

There is also the temptation to genetically edit entire animal species, e.g. malaria-causing mosquitoes in Burkina Faso or mice hosting ticks that carry Lyme disease in the US.

The researchers in charge of those projects are advancing carefully however, fully aware of the unpredictability of chain reactions on the ecosystem.

Charpentier doesnt believe in the more dystopian scenarios predicted for gene therapy, including American biohackers injecting themselves with Crispr technology bought online.

Not everyone is a biologist or scientist, she said.

And the possibility of military hijacking to create soldier-killing viruses or bacteria that would ravage enemies crops?

Charpentier thinks that technology generally tends to be used for the better.

Im a bacteriologist -- weve been talking about bioterrorism for years, she said. Nothing has ever happened. AFP Relaxnews

Read the rest here:
Gene editing breakthroughs that cured genetic diseases in 2019 - The Star Online

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

I call it peak bleak: its right about now when all of us beyond our thirties are really thinking that our skin looks particularly knackered. Its central heating, its illness, its being overtired, over worked and over partied and it makes for a combination of low-level dryness and dullness that no illuminating make-up seems to ameliorate (highlighter on a dehydrated cheekbone is never flattering). Hydrating sheet masks, richer moisturisers and glycolic peels make some strides to improve exhausted skin, but the thing Ive found to make the single biggest difference is microneedling.

Im not referring to deep derma rolling treatments here (brilliant as they are for long term rejuvenation, they do entail some down-time) but rather facials - and at-home facial treatments - that incorporate a level of gentle needling. What gives these facials the edge on less than young skin is twofold: firstly, as leading facialist Sarah Chapman explains, microneedling is electronic precision engineering, creating thousands of needle columns into the skin, each one penetrating into the dermis layer to rejuvenate your skin by supercharging collagen production, which in turn reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and improves the overall texture of your skin. Which goes to say that it gets right to the root cause of a bleak complexion and directly revs it up.

Secondly, needling is astoundingly effective at aiding absorption of serums applied both during and after treatment (thanks to those tiny channels that Chapman described) and, quite frankly, the more hydrating serum you can get your skin to suck up, the better in terms of improving its plumpness and luminosity in both the short and long term.

Treatment wise, the best facial that incorporates needling is Chapmans Stem Cell Collagen Therapy treatment, 210. Chapman calls it the ultimate youth-boosting facial, a punchy claim that I must say its hard to dispute. The needling itself feels like nothing more than an electric toothbrush being whisked over the skin as it pushes in concentrated doses of botanical stem cells and peptides, while the finishing Dermalux red-light therapy adds to the impressive post-treatment glow. Whether you're looking for a facial that really delivers pre- or post-party, or simply want a fix to rid you of lacklustre skin, this is the facial to book.

At home, I like to needle every other day with a gentle manual 0.2-0.3mm roller: freshly rolled skin sucks in serum incredibly satisfyingly, and the increased microcirculation it induces adds to the don't you look well effect. Environs CIT Roller, 59, and Nannette de Gaspes Art of Noir Roller Noir, 35, both manage to be effective yet gentle. Do not be tempted to buy a cheap roller on Amazon or eBay; the needles are often hooked, which can rip the skin leading to redness and inflammation.

Roller Noir

35.00

Skinesis Intense Hydrating Booster

64.00

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

40.00

Peptide Veil

115.00

Rolling can be done on bare skin, but I find it more effective and comfortable to apply a thick layer of hydrating serum first, slathering on three times the amount Id usually apply of either Skinesis Intense Hydrating Booster, 64, or Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydrating Serum, 44. Start at the forehead and roll over each area three or four times horizontally, three or four times vertically, then diagonally in each direction, before moving onto the cheeks and finally chin and neck. Finish with a thick veil of cream (Im loving Decree Peptide Emollient Veil, 115) and youll wake up to skin that is anything but bleak.

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See original here:
Why microneedling facials really work to revive 40+ skin - harpersbazaar.com

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Fertility expert Marcelle Cedars discusses the future of reproductive medicine.

By Ariel Bleicher UCSF Magazine

Advances in medicine and public health have dramatically extended the human lifespan. Our hearts, lungs, and other vital organs now last 79 years on average. For women, however, the ovaries which stop functioning at an average 51 years remain a stubborn exception. That may soon change, says fertility expert Marcelle Cedars, MD, during a conversation on the future of reproductive medicine.

There are two aspects. One is qualitative. As a woman ages, the quality of her eggs meaning their capacity to make a healthy baby declines. We understand very little about what causes this decline. If we understood that process better, we could dramatically impact fertility success rates.

The other aspect is quantitative. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and they lose those eggs throughout their lifetime. In fact, that rapid decline in egg numbers starts even before birth. Theres a peak in utero of five to six million eggs. At birth, a woman has only about 1.5 million eggs; at the time of puberty, about 500,000. Through genetics research, were learning that the rate of this decline and the variability from woman to woman is largely driven by ones genes.

Exactly. But what if we could use your genetics and other biological data to understand your unique fertility risks and develop therapies specifically for you or for groups of women like you? This approach is called precision medicine. It has made a huge impact in the world of cancer in terms of improving survival rates. But in the field of reproductive health, precision medicine is still in its infancy.

Potentially. If we can pinpoint the mechanisms of ovarian aging, we could potentially develop a therapy that enables you to still have healthy eggs into your 50s, possibly your 60s. But just because we can do something doesnt always mean we should do it. We know that as women get older, pregnancies are more complicated. You have higher risk for things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and preterm labor. There are many downstream implications, both for the mothers health and the childs.

I dont think the goal should be to enable women to get pregnant into their 60s. Rather, we want women to have the best reproductive lifespan possible to be able to have children when they want to and to not have children when they don't want to and to have a society that supports women across that spectrum.

Were starting to believe that some of the same cellular mechanisms that underlie general aging might also control ovarian aging. This revelation makes the ovary even more interesting to study because its early demise could be a unique window into the bodys aging process. If we can identify cases of accelerated ovarian aging and understand the underlying causes, we might be able to improve not only reproductive function in individual women but also overall health and longevity for all women.

Samesex couples having genetically related children is probably on the horizon. Scientists are learning how to take skin cells or blood cells and turn them into stem cells, which can then be turned into eggs or sperm. Thats not science fiction; its already happening. We just need to figure out how to do it well and safely in humans.

Well probably also see germline engineering. Thats the process of editing genes in reproductive cells or embryos. It has the potential to cure disease before birth. This technology is here. But will society be ready to accept it? A lot of questions need to be answered before its put to use. In addition to technical hurdles, there are innumerable social issues. For instance, if we can eliminate a certain disease, will there be less focus on treatments for people who still have the disease? And what about access to care and social equity? Who would be able to afford these procedures? How will they be applied?

Restrictions are currently preventing the U.S. government from funding research that involves the manipulation of human embryos. As a result, funding for reproductive science is low, which has driven a lot of experts out of academia. If we want to see a revolution in reproductive health, like whats happening with precision cancer medicine, we need to invest in the development of scientific knowledge that will move this field forward.

Go here to read the rest:
The End of Infertility Is in Sight - UCSF News Services

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

If your new year's resolutions includeorganizingthe skincare products taking over your medicine cabinet, checking the expiration dates on your makeup, and tossing those almostempty shampoo and conditioner bottles that have been taking up space in your shower since 2018, I've got some bad news for you:You're probably going to hit pause on reassessing your beauty routineuntil February.Thanks to January'snew beauty product launches, your collection is definitelygoing to grow this month.

Tatcha'sinnovative, travel-friendly serum stick will be the one skincare product you pack for every trip you take, while OLEHENRIKSEN'scleanseris like a refreshing fruit juice for your face. As for makeup, IT Cosmetics has created an uber-comfortable matte lipstick, and Hourglass' concealer is a long-wear formula that doesnotcrease.

Get exclusive discounts, celeb inspo, & more.

RELATED:All the Products Our Beauty Editors Loved Using in December

When it comes to haircare, the drugstore is the place to be. Celebrity hairstylist Kristin Ess has added fragrance-free products to her affordable namesake haircare line, and Pantenejust expanded its Gold Series Collection for natural hair with a hydrating, protective cream specifically formulated for braided styles.

While thesenew haircare, skincare, and makeup products are exciting, there's no question that having so many options can be overwhelming. That's why we've done the work topickout the top 20 worth spending your hard-earned coin on.

VIDEO:What Every Beginner Needs to Have in Their Makeup Kit

The rest is here:
The 20 Best New Beauty Products That'll Help You Kick 2020 Off Right - InStyle

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Being jam-packed with various essential nutrients like folate, Vitamin A, beta carotene, etc., carrot and ginger can offer you both health and beauty benefits. These kitchen companions can help diabetics to control their blood sugar level and have many more medicinal uses. These vegetables are known to treat ailments like cough and cold, nausea, anxiety, etc. From strengthening your immune system to protecting your against cancer and boosting collagen production, carrot ginger juice can do it all for you. Below, we give you more than one reason to add this juice to your daily diet.

Being a rich source of vitamin A, carrot ginger juice helps in strengthening your immune response. This nutrient is required to form white blood cells in the bone marrow stem cells. Notably, WBC is a significant component of your bodys defence system. So, it is advised to drink this juice on a daily basis. You can add oranges in the juice to make it a bit tasty.

For a healthy skin texture and tone, vitamin C and E are needed. Carrot ginger juice is a rich source of both nutrients. Your skin requires collagen for better elasticity, texture, and strength. Vitamin C helps in the synthesis of this protein and holds the body together. Even if you have a skin wound, you can have this drink and get rid of the problem soon. On the other hand, vitamin E protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.

Carrot ginger juice is a detox drink that is jam-packed with vitamin C, a nutrient that is already linked to providing protection against cancer. The juice contains a compound called gingerol, that can potentially reduce your risk of developing breast, ovarian, and stomach cancers. This is what research published in the European Journal of Pharmacology reveals.

Read more:
Want to Rev up Your Immunity And Improve Skin Health? Consume Carrot Ginger Juice - India.com

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The reconstitution of the blood system in humans holds great therapeutic potential to treat many disorders, like blood cancers, sickle-cell anemia and others. Successful reconstitution requires the transplantation and engraftment of hematopoietic (or blood) stem cells (HSCs), which after reaching their niche, start producing all types of blood cells, including platelets, white and red blood cells.

In current clinical practice, this is carried out by infusing HSCs obtained from a matched donor who is immunologically compatible with the patient in need (allogeneic transplantation), or by the expansion of the patients own HSCs in the lab, and then re-infusing them back into the patient (ex-vivo, autologous transplantation).

However, the utility of both routes is currently limited by a number of factors. First, in the case of allogeneic transplantation, the scarcity of matched donors significantly increases the waiting time, which could be detrimental to the patient. Second, the ex vivo expansion of HSCs, whether allogeneic or autologous, has been a challenging task, due to the limited proliferative potential these cells exhibit in culture. These limitations have raised the need for other sources of HSCs that would alleviate the need for matched donors and yield functional HSCs in large quantities.

In 2007, Professor Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues demonstrated that somatic cells, like skin fibroblasts, could be reprogrammed back to a cellular state that resembled human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), which are a group of cells found in the blastocyst-stage human embryo and contribute solely to the development of the human fetus during pregnancy. The reprogrammed cells were termed, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs).

In addition to their developmental potential, human ESCs and iPS cells display unlimited proliferative potential in culture, which makes them an ideal source of cells for regenerative medicine in general and for hematopoietic differentiation to obtain possibly unlimited quantities of HSCs. Therefore, there has been a growing interest to harness the potential of these cells for treating blood disorders.

However, advancement in deriving functional HSCs from human pluripotent stem cells has been slow. This has been attributed to incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying normal hematopoiesis. In this review, the authors discuss the latest efforts to generate HSCs capable of long-term engraftment and reconstitution of the blood system from human pluripotent stem cells. Stem cell research has witnessed milestone achievements in this area in the last couple of years, the significance of which are discussed and analyzed in detail.

The authors additionally discuss two highly important families of transcription factors in the context of hematopoiesis and hematopoietic differentiation, the Homeobox (HOX) and GATA proteins. These are thought of as master regulators, in the sense of having numerous transcriptional targets, which upon activation, could elicit significant changes in cell identity. The authors hypothesize that precise temporal control of the levels of certain members of these families during hematopoietic differentiation could yield functional HSCs capable of long-term engraftment.

The authors conclude the review with a summary of future perspectives, in which they discuss how newly developed techniques, like the deactivated-Cas9 (dCas9) gene-expression control system, can be utilized during the course of hematopoietic differentiation of pluripotent stem cells for precise temporal control of the aforementioned master regulators to achieve functional HSCs.

Please Donate Today Did you enjoy this article? Then please consider donating today to ensure that Eurasia Review can continue to be able to provide similar content.

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Making Blood On Demand: How Far Have We Come? - Eurasia Review

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Victoria Beckham aims to "create a brand of the future" with Victoria Beckham Beauty.

The former Spice Girl launched her eponymous beauty brand last year, later expanding her label to include skincare, and the 45-year-old fashion designer says her intention was to create products that are sustainable and not made from toxic formulas, whilst being "inclusive" for all skin tones.

The mother-of-four told the February issue of Harper's Bazaar UK: "I've been obsessed with make-up and skincare and wellness for longer than I can remember."But I couldn't find what I wanted - clean beauty.

"What is that, even? It's a real grey area.

"I wanted to create a brand of the future - focusing on what's in the formulas but then also sustainability.

"The other thing that was key was making sure it was very inclusive - whether it's make-up or skincare, this is for every skin type and tone, and for both women and men."

In November, Victoria - who has Brooklyn, 20, Romeo, 17, Cruz, 14 and Harper, eight, with retired soccer star husband David Beckham - released her Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturiser in collaboration with Professor Augustinus Bader, the German stem-cell scientist behind The Cream, which was named as one of 2019's most popular skincare products.

Bader's product features a patented Trigger Factor Complex that works to jumpstart your skin's repair and renewal functions to heal skin faster and in turn, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and as a fan of the cream herself, Victoria was thrilled to work with the scientist.

She said: "It's been a dream to develop, with Augustinus, a priming moisturiser that works to improve the health of my skin and gives me that fresh, natural glow that I love."

The priming moisturiser is a hybrid product that combines primer with moisturiser, and is inspired by Victoria's own skincare routine.

Victoria's product implements Bader's Trigger Factor Complex technology, as well as the lipids, vitamins, and amino acids found in his original cream, but with the added benefit of also smoothing skin so it's prepped for make-up application.

Bader explained: "It's the first priming moisturiser of its kind to care for your skin cells while also preparing your skin for makeup application."

The cream has a lightweight texture that can be work alone to give skin a radiant finish or under make-up, which according to Victoria, "will enhance your products."

Read the original:
Victoria Beckham Dreams That her Beauty Line Will Become 'Brand of the Future' - Al Bawaba

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

How good does it feel to reach for chocolate or fast food after a particularly stressful day? We cant deny the instant satisfaction of biting into a greasy burger but that instant gratification may be doing more harm than good.

According to Dr. Anna Cabeca, physician and Amazon #1 best selling author of "The Hormone Fix," when we are first under some sort of stress in our fight, flight or freeze mode, our body releases cortisol (our stress hormone). Over time with the chronic persistent state of "fight, flight or freeze" our body produces very high amounts of cortisol. This results in a feeling of disconnection and burnout and inflammation, which only worsens with sugar and fat.

RELATED: How Famous Men Fight Stress

So how do we reverse and prevent burnout and the disconnect that comes with it while satisfying our urge to grab a snack after a long day? We spoke to health and nutrition experts to get their thoughts on the best foods to fight stress and dont worry, (some!) chocolate is actually OK.

While coffee may be your first inclination during a particularly stressful afternoon at the office, you may want to swap out the hard stuff for something a little more green. Green tea is one of the best foods/drinks for fighting stress and anxiety while increasing focus due it's L-Theanine content, explains Forrest Przybysz, MBA and owner of Nootropics Resource. L-Theanine is a natural amino acid found primarily in green and black teas that has been linked to several health benefits including reduced anxiety, lower stress levels, increased focus and better sleep quality.

According to Jared Heathman, MD, meals high in carbohydrates and sugar spike glucose, which initially gives us a rush of endorphins, which is why those greasy burgers are so satisfying after a long day. This can feel good initially, but the resulting crash can leave us feeling fatigued and irritable, explains Heathman, when our mind feels fatigued and irritable, it can't adequately cope with stress levels. This can lead to a worsening in our mood and anxiety. Eating high fiber foods like vegetables with each meal can assist in maintaining glucose uptake in a slow, steady fashion.

Organ meat from pasture-raised animals aresome of the most nutrient-dense foods you will find Beef Liver and heart especially, says Erik Levi, functional nutritional therapy practitioner, They are loaded with brain-healthy nutrients like B-Vitamins, choline, and omega 3, and high-quality protein.

Yes, plain old water may just be the key to feeling less stressed throughout your day. Dehydration leads to both mental and physical stress. Your body literally needs water to survive and when it doesn't get enough, metabolic processes begin to shut down and this can affect your well-being. Levi recommends getting at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day.

RELATED: Foods That Affect Your Bedroom Performance

See? You can still get your chocolate fix without sacrificing your mental wellbeing.Studies have tied the polyphenols and micronutrients in cacao to both stress relief and lower instances of cardiac disease keep your heart rate low, keep stress low. Look for at least 70 percentcacao, with low to no sugar chocolate for this effect.

This is one of the highest sources of good fats you're going to find. Although fat has been demonized for years, modern research has found that fat-rich foods like butter deliver lots of vitamin A-retinol, which is involved in hundreds of metabolic processes in the body, says Levi. Its also a good source of butyrate, which is a small-chain fatty acid made in the colon that helps your body's immune system and overall digestive health, which both help physically keep your stress level low.

This is another food that has been demonized through the years, but according to Levi, eggs from pasture-raised chickens who eat a real chicken diet and not grains are one of the best sources of choline you can find. Choline helps make dopamine in the brain, which you need more of to mentally deal with stress. You also get lots of omega-3 and B12. explains Levi.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which fish like salmon are excellent sources of, actively work to suppress the development of stress hormones, as well as feelings of depression. According to Jamie Bacharach, licensed medical acupuncturist and health expert, this is thanks to the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids, which in supplement form have been proven to provide a 20 percentreduction in anxiety versus placebo groups. As salmon possesses high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, it only needs to be enjoyed once a week or so in order to take advantage of its anti-stress benefits.

Complex carbohydrates like oatmeal can help to promote serotonin production, directly boosting feelings of happiness and diminishing feelings of stress, explains Bacharach. Unlike regular carbohydrates, a complex carb like oatmeal won't cause a spike in blood glucose, which can lead to a rise in feelings of stress or tension.

It's not a coincidence that turkey has a reputation for making people feel fatigued or relaxed. Turkey contains tryptophan, an amino acid which helps to regulate the production of serotonin a bodily chemical that promotes feelings of happiness and calm, says Bacharach. Tryptophan supplements in and of themselves have demonstrated in scientific studies that they can make people more agreeable, or less argumentative, helping to diminish feelings of anger or stress.

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Read the original:
Eat This, Not That: To Combat Stress and Anxiety - AskMen

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Saturday Jan 4, 2020

(Source:Getty Images)

By January, many people are saturated with the parties, get-togethers, and drinking that comes with the holidays. Odds are at some point in the 2019 holiday season you had a bit of a hangover from too much champagne, egg nog, or cocktails.

In comes the dry-January trend to help bring in the new year by putting a brake on alcohol for the whole month. EDGE turned to NYC neuropsychologist, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, for insight into the benefits of taking a month-long booze-free challenge for a fresh start to the new year.

1. You Save Money On Alcohol.

According to Fortune magazine in 2018, overall price averages for alcoholic beverages increased thanks to craft cocktail trends. The same can be expected for 2019. A survey by OnePoll last year estimated that Americans' social spending around the holiday season more than doubles and alcohol is part of that spending. So if your wallet has felt the alcohol as much as you have this season, the math could be reason enough to pause the drinks and close your tab for a month.

"Think of the stress you could take off your back by cutting back on the money you spend on alcohol during January," says Dr. Hafeez. "An average person could hit the bar twice a week, spending about $30-$75 dollars depending on what drinks you are purchasing. Add tip, and your expenses for a night of drinking could reach or surpass $100 easily. Throughout a single month, this could cost you a good chunk of change." Add more money saved if you're also a weekend social drinker. Add way more money if you are inclined to purchase bottles in the VIP section for hundreds of dollars.

2. In The Absence of Alcohol, Your Skin Rejuvenates.

While alcohol consumption doesn't directly cause acne, it destabilizes hormone levels and immune functions, which lead to dull skin, breakouts, flushed complexion, and puffiness. If you like to "ros all day" or consume mixed drinks with more sugars, syrups, and other additives, you can start seeing the toll of these habits on the texture and tone of your skin. "A part of being successful when reducing alcohol intake is the compliments you receive, the energy you feel, and the changes you see in the mirror. These can all be fuel to help you live a healthier life in the new year," says Dr. Hafeez.

(Source:Getty Images)

3. Get A Headstart on Your Weight Loss Resolution.

Research in the Journal of Obesity says people who don't drink, eat less, simply because alcohol heightens the senses and numbs reasoning. It makes the sauce and cheese on a pizza or those late-night tacos tastier. When you remove alcohol intake, it diminishes the calories you consume.

Think about three beers or glasses of wine at about 150 calories each. Those calories add up. Dr. Hafeez explains that "any person seeking help with weight management has heard the advice 'don't drink your calories,' alcoholic beverages are some of the drinks that most easily overwhelm your caloric consumption. Drinking less, or not at all for a month, will leave you with improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels and help optimize your organ function, which will help you be more active and in a better mental state."

4. More Energy, More Creativity, More Endurance

The last thing you want is to be tired into the new year. "One great benefit of going alcohol-free is renewed energy. You will not be giving up your day to recover from last night's drinking. Waking up earlier will help you establish better morning habits that prime your brain for productivity and creativity," says Dr. Hafeez. "You will also see improved concentration and endurance as the day goes on because your energy level will not be in a deficit before the day even begins," she says.

5. Less Alcohol Can Lead to Improvement in Depression.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause feelings of sadness, rage, grief, and emptiness. More than 16 million Americans suffer from Major Depression Disorder while anxiety disorders affect about 40 million adults according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of American.

"The problem comes when depression and anxiety, even at the mild levels, begin to be alleviated momentarily with alcohol. This can become dangerous because it will work in a negative cycle. Alcohol intake will get worse which will heighten the depression which will cause the person to drink more," explains Dr. Hafeez. The NYC psychologist explains that alcohol is actually a depressant and it affects the neurotransmitters in the brain.

"Seratonin is a neurotransmitter that helps us feel joyful and stabilizes our mood. Drinking alcohol can temporarily boost serotonin levels, therefore making you feel upbeat, but the long-term excessive consumption of alcohol can actually lower serotonin levels, and therefore either cause or worsen depression," she says.

6. Better Sleep

Alcohol affects your sleep pattern by inhibiting your REM sleep and affects your circadian rhythm. "REM sleep is incredibly important to the quality of your rest. When blocked by alcohol, you could lose out on the most restorative part of your sleep, which can affect the way you think, concentrate, and process information the next day," explains Dr. Hafeez. Another issue with alcohol is that it makes you wake up during the night to go to the bathroom.

"Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning an agent that prompts the passing of urine. This means that at nighttime, instead of sleeping throughout the night, you may need to get up repeatedly to relieve yourself. This will make it even harder to get the rest you need. In the absence of alcohol, your sleep is more comfortable and energizing," says Dr. Hafeez.

7. More Time for Yourself and New Friends

"It is important to note that when our friendships and relationships rely on social drinking, a booze-free month can affect how those interactions happen. While we have more time and energy, we might need to invest it in ourselves or new friends. This is not to say that you have to break up with your friends when you pause the alcohol, but it means you can try new activities and endeavors with new people and plant new friendships as well," explains Dr. Hafeez.

The NYC psychologist also talks about the opportunity to focus on you, explaining that "self-care is important yet often neglected over a good night out for drinks. Suddenly, happy hour is not an option, but a fitness class after work is, or a workshop on a topic that interests you. The time will add up, and you can use it to promote your self-confidence and personal development.

A Cautionary Note From The Expert.

"One thing to consider is that people who label themselves "social drinkers" may feel these improvements within days. Meanwhile, people who battle with alcoholism can often cause harm to themselves if they decide to stop drinking cold turkey. If you are a frequent/binge drinker, speak with your physician before abruptly ceasing alcohol consumption.

Committing to going without alcohol may reveal there actually is a bigger issue going on. "If someone can't last the week without alcohol and feels physical repercussions like nausea, headaches, night sweats, and tremors, or insomnia, consulting a doctor would be an important next step," cautions Dr. Hafeez.

Go here to read the rest:
7 Reasons to Commit to a Booze-Free January - EDGEOnTheNet

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

erdikocak via Getty Images Intermittent fasting is a widely practiced diet plan that people use to lose weight, feel healthier and more.

Its no surprise that intermittent fasting is one of themost popular types of eating plans. You dont need to measure out food or buy any prepackaged shakes. There are no required weigh-ins or calorie counting. All you really have to do is not eat during certain hours. Its pretty simple.

There are different ways to go about it, of course. Most people do the 16:8 diet, in which you fast for 16 hours and then eat within an eight-hour window. Theres also the 5:2 diet, where you drastically cut back on calories just two days a week, and there are 24-hour fasts, where you dont eat anything one day each month.

Regardless of the method, significantly restricting when you eat can throw your body for a loop and cause a handful of odd side effects. Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone. (People with a history of disordered eating, for example, should definitely avoid it.)

Its important to know what to expect before you jump into any new eating habit.Heres what happens to you mentally, physically and emotionally when youre fasting intermittently.

Many health experts, including personal trainerJillian Michaels, say that intermittent fasting actually isnt that great for weight loss. Thats because youre not necessarily eating less or cutting back on calories. There are just longer gaps in your day when youre not eating at all.

That said, many people do lose weight because they consume fewer calories during those restricted food hours.

Eating for only eight hours a day also makes it less likely that youre having a big meal right before bedtime.Our metabolism goes down when we sleep and we burn fewer calories.Nighttime eatinghas been linked to both obesity and diabetes.

Intermittent fasting really does keep you from doing some really bad things, which is to eat a big meal before you go to bed, said Dr.John Morton, a bariatric surgeon with Yale Medicine. Big meals before bed are probably the worst thing you can do when it comes to weight loss, he added.

A lot of people who fast experience hunger pangs, mainly when they start the program. Thats because our bodies are accustomed to using glucose a sugar that comes from the food we eat for fuel throughout the day. When its deprived of food (and, therefore, glucose), the body will essentially send signals saying, Hello, arent you forgetting something here?

Once your body gets into the groove of fasting, it will start burning stored body fat for energy rather than glucose. And as you spend more time in a fasted state, your body will get increasingly efficient at burning fat for energy.

In short, those hunger pangs should dissipate and your appetite will level out, Morton said. He added that fasters will ultimately have fewer cravings and hunger pangs the more consistently they fast.

In the meantime, that hungry feeling may drive some people to overeat. The natural tendency is when you havent eaten breakfast, you go, Since I didnt eat breakfast, Im going to eat more [for lunch], Morton noted.

If the hunger pangs are bad enough to interfere with your daily life, get something to eat. The idea is not to starve yourself.

Research has shown that fasting can cause some people to feel fatigued, dizzy, irritable and depressed.

In the beginning, your energy levels might be low because youre not getting the proper nutrients that you need, saidSharon Zarabi, a registered dietitian and bariatric program director at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

As your body gets used to intermittent fasting, your energy levels will pick back up. Your body becomes more efficient at using energy and this helps improve mood, mental ability and long-term performance, Zarabi said.

Theres even some evidence that suggests intermittent fasting can ultimately help fight depression and anxiety. The body releases a hormone called ghrelin when youre hungry or fasting, which in high amounts has been associated with an elevated mood.

Many people who partake in intermittent fasting note improved gut health. Fasting gives your gut a chance to rest and reset as your digestive system doesnt have to deal with uncomfortable effects of eating like gas, diarrhea and bloating.

Anytime you fast, youre giving your body a break from trying to metabolize what you just ate, Zarabi said. By fasting, we let the gut microbiome refresh, which in turn improves our overall digestive pathway.

Intermittent fasting has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseaseslike diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

According torecent researchfrom Mount Sinai, this is because fasting reduces inflammation and reducing inflammation helps our bodies battle various chronic inflammatory diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. Researchers are still working to figure out how and why this happens, but the evidence so far suggests that the fasting body produces fewer of the subset of monocytes, a kind of blood cell, that are known to damage tissue and trigger inflammation.

This is a big reason why people who fast intermittently may live longer and stay healthier.

Intermittent fasting can help lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides the type of fat in our blood thats associated with heart disease. That is, if you lose weight in the process.

As long as youre losing weight, youre going to improve all those things, Morton said.

Before you start an intermittent fasting program, health experts recommend meeting with a dietitian or physician. Theres a critical distinction between fasting and starving, and if you ignore that, you could wreck your organs and immune system.

The bottom line: pay attention to your body and eat in a way that works best for you.

Related Video: In a 24/7 Food Culture, Periodic Fasting Gains Followers (Provided by The Associated Press)

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