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Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? Sometimes, the hardest people to buy for are your significant other, or those closest to you. Theres always that one big gift you know they want, the one youre sure to givebut what comes next? Sure, you could load up on stocking stuffers, or settle for gift cards. But heres a better idea: Give the gift of health, knowledge, and insight. Give them a 23andMe Health + Ancestry Kit.

The 23andMe Health + Ancestry Kit ($129; was $199) is full of fascinating information on ancestry and family lineage. But it also provides a wealth of biological and genetic insight to help your loved one live a happier, healthier life.

DNA home test kits are all the rage, and with good reason. Its fun to trace your lineage, to track where your ancestors came from, and how you got where you are today. Thats why these kits are so popularespecially this time of year.

Holiday gatherings can be a slog. But sharing ancestral info with family and loved ones is a fantastic conversation piece. Showing up at the family get-together with a family tree, with names, dates, and places of those who came before, is definitely fascinating and fun. But for the seniors in your family, it can be far more than that.

If youve ever watched your grandmother or grandfather reminisce about the old days, you know what we mean. Imagine the faces of the seniors in your family lighting up when you remind them of places and people in the past, of memories theyd forgotten and people theyve missed.

Reminiscing about old times, reliving memories of ancestors passed on, of homes and towns they once adoredor hated!is sure to bring a smile to everyone gathered around the holiday table. Its sure to be a heart-rending, emotional moment. And it will make this holiday season one you, and they, will cherish for the rest of your lives.

Thats why the 23andMe Health + Ancestry Kit makes an unbeatable gift. And right now, you can save $70! Regularly $199, through December 26 you can pick one up for just $129. Thats only $30 more than the Ancestry + Traits kit alone. Thats a 23andMe December deal you cant pass up!

23andMes Health + Ancestry Kit goes deeper than just lineage and genetic traits, though. It provides insight and useful information about health and biological makeup. Your loved one will get more than 150 personalized reports that break down genetic data, the science, and potential next steps to living a healthier life.

Theyll learn how their DNA could affect their chances of developing certain health conditions like Type 2 diabetes*. Theyll find out how their DNA relates to their lifestyle, like muscle composition, diet, and sleep. Particularly valuable is the Carrier Status test, which will let them know if their DNA indicates they may be a carrier for genetic variants linked to certain inherited health conditions.

Of course, the 23andMe Health + Ancestry Kit has the Relative Finder, the Family Tree, and the Ancestry Reports that are so fun and fascinating to share at the holidays. But the valuable information from the more than 150 Trait, Health Predisposition, and Carrier Status reports goes far beyond fun and fascination. Its the kind of knowledge that can help your loved one live a fuller, healthier life. Thats the kind of holiday gift no stocking-stuffer or gift card can possibly beat.

During this 23andMe December deal, youll save $70!

*Customers have the option to choose whether to access their health reports. Visit [https://www.23andme.com/test-info/] for more important test information.

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

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The Unbeatable Holiday Gift: Save $70 on a 23andMe Health + Ancestry Kit Today - Men's Journal

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The `Balder Future project will involve drilling 13 new production wells and one new water injector on the Balder field.

Courtesy Vr Energi

Offshore staff

SANDNES, Norway Vr Energi has submitted its plan to extend production from the Balder and Ringhorne area in the North Sea to 2045.

Norways Ministry of Petroleum and Energy will review the revised proposals for the `Balder Future project, which will involve drilling 13 new production wells and one new water injector on the Balder field to recover an additional 136 MMboe, and extending the lifetime of the Jotun A FPSO.

The Balder field is in license PL 001. According to Var, the NOK19.6-billion ($2.17-bilion) project should create almost 30,000 man-years of work through 2045.

In addition, the company and partner Mime Petroleum plan to drill subsea infill wells and new wells from the neighboring Ringhorne platform, and Vr may undertake further exploration drilling in the area, which could boost the resource further. All these activities will take place while production continues at the Balder and Ringhorne fields.

Earlier this year, Vr awarded an EPCI contract to Rosenberg Worley in Stavanger for the FPSO life extension works. The vessel will be taken off-station and removed to the shore in mid-2020 for the upgrade program, then reinstalled during summer 2022 at a location in between the two fields.

Baker Hughes and Ocean Installer in Stavanger, will engineer, procure, construct and install new subsea production systems, umbilicals, risers and flowlines for Jotun A.

12/17/2019

Link:
Norway's government to review North Sea Balder Future proposals - Offshore Oil and Gas Magazine

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) voted for the final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Here is a statement from Senator Heinrich's office:

Heinrich, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, authored a number of provisions in the bill to strengthen New Mexico's military installations, national laboratories, economic development, and leadership in the future of technologies like Artificial Intelligence, directed energy, and space. The NDAA also included language Heinrich authored to designate White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico and complete a land exchange between the Army and the National Park Service.

This bill makes major investments to ensure our Armed Forces are equipped with the most modern technology so we can stay ahead of our adversariessaid Heinrich.New Mexico is the Center of Excellence for small satellites and for directed energy weapons, and this bill increases funding and streamlines authorities to bolster those missions. I am proud to have authorized funding for military construction projects that will modernize infrastructure at Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands Missile Range, and Kirtland Air Force Base. This bill also makes major reforms to fix the military housing crisis and takes meaningful action on contamination at dairies outside Cannon Air Force Base. These provisions, among many others, help New Mexico families, benefit our economy, and further New Mexico's strong position as a leader in national security for years to come.

As the co-founder of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus, Heinrich added, "I am also proud to have incorporated language from the Armed Forces Digital Advantage Act to modernize defense workforces with digital engineers, specialized in computer science, and to have increased funding for the future of Artificial Intelligence.

The NDAA sets the Department of Defense spending levels and policies for the upcoming fiscal year and authorizes funding for the Department of Energy's nuclear weapons programs at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, as well as the Department of Energy's environmental cleanup programs including the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The Senate will soon vote on a number of appropriations bills that set the funding levels for agencies.

A list of many of the programs and provisions Senator Heinrich advocated for during the bill writing process that were included in the FY20 NDAA is available as a PDFHEREand below.

New Mexico Military Construction Projects

Kirtland Air Force Base

Senator Heinrich secured $15.5 million for the construction of a Combat Rescue Helicopter Simulator Facility at Kirtland Air Force Base. This facility will house new HH-60W simulators, training spaces, and equipment used by the 58th Special Operations Wing to train new students. This construction will allow for a seamless transition from the HH-60G legacy aircraft to the new HH-60W and provide continuous Programmed Flight Training for its operators.

Senator Heinrich secured $22.4 million for the construction of a UH-1 Replacement Facility at Kirtland Air Force Base. This facility will house new simulators used for training flight crew personnel in the UH-1 replacement aircraft set for delivery to the 58th Special Operations Wing starting at the end of FY 2022. This construction will allow for an on-time delivery of the simulators, and critical training in the new aircraft.

Holloman Air Force Base

Senator Heinrich secured $20 million for the construction of a climate-controlled, storage and shipment facility at Holloman Air Force Base. The facility will be used to store, inspect, and prepare the movement of military support equipment and provide maximum protection of our expeditionary, warfighting resources. This will enable assets to be maintained in a constant state of readiness and postured for worldwide deployment with greatly reduced maintenance costs. The use of this facility will save the government $800,000 annually for the maintenance and/or replacement of these assets by preserving the shelf-life of items otherwise stored in the open as well as save $120,000 a year in replacement costs of shipping containers damaged by exposure to weather.

White Sands Missile Range (WSMR)

Senator Heinrich secured $5.8 million to build a microgrid at White Sands. The microgrid will utilize a solar array, natural gas generator, and lithium ion battery system to power water wells to provide an uninterrupted water supply to WSMR. Currently, the wells are connected in such a way that leaves them susceptible to power outages that could leave WSMR without drinkable potable water. This microgrid system will ensure a reliable supply of water for the installation.

White Sands Missile Range Land Enhancements and White Sands National Park

White Sands Missile Range Land Enhancements and White Sands National Park

The Senate Armed Services Committee adopted an amendment by Senator Heinrich that incorporates legislation to finalize updated land exchanges between the Department of the Interior and the Department of the Army that have been pending since the 1970s. The exchange of parcels between White Sands National Monument and White Sands Missile Range will clean up boundary anomalies, transfer important missile range infrastructure to the jurisdiction of the Army, and provide increased opportunities for visitors at the National Monument. The bill was developed in close consultation with the Army, the Air Force, the National Park Service, local elected officials, neighboring tribes, and local residents.

New Mexicos National Laboratories and WIPP

Los Alamos National Laboratorys Plutonium Mission

Senator Heinrich again secured full funding authorization to maintain Los Alamos National Laboratorys (LANL) role as the nations Center of Excellence for Plutonium Research. The bill authorizes $551 million for LANLs ongoing plutonium research and pit production programs. The funding supports personnel, equipment and other activities at LANL to meet pit production requirements by 2026; highlights include, $232 million for plutonium operations, $21 million to support pit production, $10.5 million for fire suppression upgrades in PF-4, $16 million for power and communications improvements and $168 million for construction related to replacing the outdated Chemistry and Metallurgy Research (CMR) building at LANL.

Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

Senator Heinrich supported provisions in the bill that direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to allow the onsite safety inspectors from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) full access to all defense nuclear facilities at LANL, Sandia National Laboratories and WIPP. The bill also ensures access to all required documents and reinforces the boards role protecting both the general public as well as onsite employees and contractors. Senator Heinrich supported these provisions in response to an order DOE issued in May 2018 that attempted to limit the boards access and role in protecting health and safety. Congress created the DNFSB in 1988 to provide oversight of public health and safety at the defense nuclear facilities managed by the Department of Energy.

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD)

Senator Heinrich secured a provision extending for one year an exemption from an administrative overhead burden on NNSA labs for LDRD that would double-tax Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory. LDRD is a strategic research and development program that is critical to maintaining the scientific vitality of the national laboratories. The bill continues the suspension of the overhead burden through fiscal year 2021.

National Laboratory Funding

Senator Heinrich supported full funding authorization for the National Nuclear Security Administrations (NNSA) nuclear weapons programs. Within NNSAs funding, Senator Heinrich secured full funding of $2.1 billion to continue the Life Extension Programs supported by Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. This increase of $197 million over FY19 will maintain the existing weapons stockpile and assure safety and security.

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Environmental Cleanup

The bill authorizes the presidents request of $195.5 million for soil and water remediation and removal of radioactive waste. Funding is included again this year to address the hexavalent chromium and Royal Demolition eXplosive (RDX) plumes in groundwater in Los Alamos. Senator Heinrich will work now with the Appropriations Committee to increase the funding for fiscal year 2020 to $220 million, the same level as the last fiscal year.

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

The bill authorizes full funding of $398 million to operate the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), including $17.5 million to repair and replace degraded facility structures, systems, and components, $58 million to continue construction of additional ventilation for the mine and $34.5 million for a new utility shaft.

New Mexicos Defense R&D Labs, Test Ranges, and Industry

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protg Program

The bill re-authorizes the DoDs Mentor Protg Program (MPP), which is the oldest continuously operating federal mentor-protg program in existence, through 2026. Originally established in 1991, the MPP helps eligible small businesses expand their footprint in the defense industrial base. Under the MPP, small businesses are partnered with larger companies. In the past five years, DoDs MPP has successfully helped more than 190 small businesses fill unique niches and become part of the militarys supply chain. Senator Heinrich ensured the survival of the MPP when it faced expiration, and salvaged this influential, small-business focused program.

Directed Energy Test Range Workloads

Senator Heinrich secured $15 million for White Sands Missile Range in order to accommodate the increase in directed energy testing workloads to accommodate the increased demand in the 21st century. A lack of funding for increased directed energy testing is a serious issue; especially, given the workload and number of directed energy demonstrations and exercises have increased significantly since 1975. The projected workload for fiscal years 20182022 for the High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility at White Sands is large and growing, and has expanded to include high-powered microwave testing. Yet, funding remained at the same level. Senator Heinrich secured the funds necessary to meet the growing demand and support the appropriate test workloads.

3-D Printed Electronics Army Innovation Hub for Next Generation Additive Manufacturing

Senator Heinrich secured an additional $2 million for additive manufacturing (AM), which is already making innovative technological leaps that could yield major advances in more lethal and longer-ranged fires. New Mexico Tech and the University of Texas at El Paso are leading entities in 3-D printing. This technology can combine existing and new materials into 3-D printed circuit architectures, producing smarter, lighter, and denser constructs to enable projectiles to double current ranges while achieving higher precision.

STARBASE

Senator Heinrich helped secured an additional $30 million for the STARBASE program. This program is meant to improve the knowledge and skills of students in kindergarten through 12th grade in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects, to connect them to the military, and to motivate them to explore STEM and possible military careers as they continue their education. STARBASE is a highly effective program run by our dedicated servicemembers and strengthens the relationships between the military, communities, and local school districts. STARBASE currently operates at 76 locations in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, primarily on military installations. New Mexico is one of those locations. Since its inception in 1991, over 825,000 students have benefitted from the STARBASE program, including 45,000 last year.

New Mexico Space Missions

Department of Defense Launch Support and Infrastructure Program for Small-Class and Medium-Class Payloads

The bill authorizes a provision championed by Senator Heinrich that enables the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program to enhance infrastructure and improve support activities for the processing and launch of Department of Defense (DoD) small-class and medium-class payloads.

Spaceport America in New Mexico is a licensed inland spaceport that provides surface-to-space open sky launches landing in restricted flight zones. The New Mexico Spaceport is located next to White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) where the DoD controls the only restricted air space in the entire country besides the White House.

Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor

In an effort to develop a reliable defense against cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons, Senator Heinrich and Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) added $108 million for a hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor that will help correlate data and track the incoming target for intercept. Senator Heinrich crafted language to help prioritize this capability gap and increased funding.

Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Sp-RCO)

The bill authorized nearly $24 million for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Sp-RCO) which is housed at Kirtland Air Force Base. As Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Senator Heinrich has fought to ensure New Mexico remains the small satellite center of excellence for the military. Senator Heinrich recently announced plans for the establishment of additional classified workspace, near Sp-RCO, that can be used by potential commercial partners to facilitate the rapid fielding of new space capabilities.

Space Test Program (STP)

The conferenced bill authorized $26.09 million for the Space Test Program (STP) which is housed at Kirtland Air Force Base. As Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Senator Heinrich has strongly supported STPs mission to secure launches for experimental spacecraft from emerging entrants including Rocket Lab or Vox Space that are smaller and far less expensive than traditional military satellites that are launched aboard larger rockets under the National Security Space Launch program. Senator Heinrich included provisions elsewhere in the bill to establish a program to improve infrastructure and launch support at FAA licensed spaceports. Since 1965, the STP has conducted space test missions for the purpose of accelerating Department of Defense space technology transformation while lowering developmental risk.

Rocket Systems Launch Program

The bill authorized $13.19 million for the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) which is housed at Kirtland Air Force Base. Senator Heinrich supports the Rapid Agile Launch Initiative which seeks to award launch service agreements with non-traditional, venture-class companies.

Artificial Intelligence

Armed Forces Digital Advantage Act

The NDAA incorporates important provisions taken from Senator Heinrichs Armed Forces Digital Advantage Act. These provisions recognize the importance of individuals with aptitude and experience in digital expertise and software development to the armed services and requires Secretary of Defense to devise an implementation plan to recruit and develop digital engineering specialists. The bill also requires the Defense Secretary to create a digital engineering capability for the development and deployment of acquisition programs and software support. The bill also requires a demonstration of digital engineering capabilities and policy guidance to promote the use of said capabilities.

National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence Extension of Authority

The bill includes a provision supported by Senator Heinrich that extends the duration of the current Artificial Intelligence Commission in order to account for time lost due to the government shutdown earlier this year.

New Mexico Military Housing Reform and Contamination Cleanup

Military Housing Reform

The bill includes a provision championed by Senator Heinrich that establishes a uniform code of basic housing standards and requires inspections to ensure compliance. This uniform code provides for safety, comfort, and habitability for military housing units and ensures the inspection of such units adhere to this standard. This is a critical step in addressing the problems associated with military housing around the world and ensuring our service members and their families live in the healthy dwellings they deserve.

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) Contamination Cleanup

Senator Heinrich included provisions from H.R. 1567 or the PFAS Damages Act, to provide relief to communities and businesses impacted by PFAS contamination in groundwater around Air Force bases in New Mexico and across the country, including dairy farms in New Mexico that have been upended by PFAS contamination from nearby Cannon Air Force Base.

This measure will ensure that the Department of Defense (DOD) takes precautionary action to prevent human exposure, including through agricultural products, provide alternative water or water treatment for contaminated agricultural water, and acquire contiguous property that is contaminated. The measure will also mandate that the Department of Defense (DOD) create a plan of action to clean up contaminated sites nationwide and take all necessary steps to prevent further risks to public health.

New Mexico Military Energy Resilience

Military Environmental Research Programs

The bill includes a requirement supported by Senator Heinrich and Senator Angus King (I-Maine) that would direct no less than $10 million be directed toward the development and demonstration of long-duration, on-site battery storage for distributed energy applications, $10 million for development, demonstration and validation of secure microgrids for both installations and forward operating bases, $10 million for development, demonstration, and validation of non-fluorine based firefighting foam and $5 million for development, demonstration, and validation of technologies that can harvest potable water from air.

Additional Priority Provisions

Federal Employee Paid Leave

The FY20 NDAA for the first time provides all federal employees with 12 weeks of paid leave including for the birth, adoption, or fostering of a new child. The bill also allows 12 weeks of paid leave for the care of close family members, serious employee health conditions, and for circumstances that arise when the employee or a family member is detailed for covered duty in the armed forces. Paid family leave supports federal employees and their family commitments and provides benefits necessary to recruit and retain the talent that is essential for federal agencies to carry out their mission to serve the nation. The federal government is the nation's largest employer, with more than 2 million employees. This provision ensures that our federal workforce will no longer face the impossible choice of caring for their health and family, or receiving pay.

Eliminating the Widows Tax

The FY20 NDAA mandates a 3-year phase out of the so-called widows tax, which required that surviving spouses of deceased military members forfeit part or all of their Department of Defense Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity when they receive Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs. More than 60,000 surviving families are negatively impacted by the Widows Tax, which reduces surviving spouses' benefits by an average of $924 per month, or $11,000 annually. This action by Congress will ensure that widows and widowers of a deceased active-duty service member or retiree who died of a service-related cause receive full annuity payments.

Addressing and Stopping the Flow of Synthetic Opioids to the United States

The bill includes provisions that will hold foreign countries accountable for their pledges to go after those who produce and traffic fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Specifically, the NDAA will give the U.S. federal government the ability to apply economic and other financial sanctions to illicit traffickers from China, Mexico, and other countries of concern. The FY20 NDAA also establishes a Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking to create a strategic approach to combating the flow of synthetic opioids into the United States.

The opioid crisis in New Mexico has had devastating effects on families across the state. Senator Heinrich has advocated for more resources to fight this epidemic - including measures like those in this years NDAA that penalize other countries for their involvement in the flow of illicit substances to the United States.

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Bill To Create White Sands National Park Heads To Trump For Signature - KRWG

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The tech giant is granting a segment of its California-based employees access to DNA sequencing startup Color's genetic screenings free of charge through Apple's on-site health clinics, CNBCreports.

Business Insider Intelligence

Apple's dedicated health clinics dubbed AC Wellness wereunveiled at the beginning of 2018, and though they're located on-site, AC Wellness is a separate company from Apple. The Apple offshoot has supposedly been collaborating with Color for several months, sources divulged to CNBC.

Apple's move to offer its employees free access to genetic testing underscores its proactive approach to employee health services as it and other large, self-insured employers look for ways to stomp down medical spending.

Any insights extracted from Color's genetic tests will come with genetic counseling and be interpreted by AC Wellness docs which could guide customized, effective care.Color's test pinpoints gene mutations linked to common and costly conditions, like certain types of cancer and heart disease.

Theoretically, if a patient's genetic test comes back with a result that's cause for concern, doctors could formulate a personalized treatment plan that helps patients take preventative moves to sidestep disease development or progression and, in the case of cardiovascular disease, Apple could save big, considering heart disease costs could top$1 trillionin the US over the next two decades, per an RTI International study.

Further, providing employees with Color's service which comes with geneticcounselingand could help steer docs' care is a smart move since only asliverof doctors think physicians have the knowledge and skill set needed to help patients comprehend direct-to-consumer genetic test results, per a 2019 study.

And Apple's tie-up with Color comes as self-insured employers are looking for innovative ways to build up an armor against an impendingrisein medical costs.We're seeing prominent businesses take action to cut down on healthcare costs by offering services to connect employees with fast access to care: Amazon recentlylaunchedAmazon Care a virtual care service for its employees and Walmartexpandedtelehealth offerings and debuted a personalized health concierge program for its workers.

Employers' average annual premium contribution reached an all-time high of$14,500in 2019 up from the $9,800 they shelled out a decade earlier and as this number climbs, self-insured employers will need to continue to develop innovative solutions to help curb spending.

And while Apple's alliance with Color might hint at a future in which the tech giant incorporates genetic testing services into its clinical research play we're not sure this would go over well with consumers.

Genetic testing insights could be a value-add to Apple's aggressive clinical research endeavors.In recent months, Apple has made it clear that its health play hinges on forging clinical research partnerships: It's building out its Watch as a health tool, andflauntsalliances with medical research titans. And if it were to, for instance, purchase a genetic testing startup and aggregate that huge repository of data alongside its already-rich set of smartphone- and wearable-generated data Apple could become an even more valuable research partner.

But consumers are wary about sharing their health data let alone sensitive genetic information with big tech firms.Only about 10% of US consumers would be willing to hand off health info to a tech firm and of that minute percentage, only42%tap Apple as a trusted recipient, per Rock Health.

We think Apple would face a huge amount of scrutiny among consumers and docs alike if it tried to tie up more broadly with a genetic testing firm, especially in the wake of heightened wariness surrounding tech giants' use of health data: For example, Google is currently under investigation from the US Department of Justice after a partnership with health system Ascensionusheredin backlash from physicians who were unaware of the deal.

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Apple partnered with Color to bring genetic testing to its employees - Business Insider Nordic

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

(WZAW) -- Jenna Finley is a board-certified genetic counselor at Invitae, a leading medical genetics company. After counseling patients for years, Jenna knew the power with genetic information, but with no strong family history of disease she wasnt concerned about her risk. She mostly wanted to better understand the experience of her patients.

Her results revealed a genetic change in a gene associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. She went to see her doctor, who referred her to a high-risk breast cancer clinic, where she worked with a team to establish a plan to carefully monitor her health. Now any signs of breast cancer that develop will be caught early.

With her job experience, Jenna knew that the other members of her family should be tested in case they, too, faced an increased health risks based on their shared genes. In fact, her mothers test came back positive for the same cancer-causing genetic change Jenna has. More surprisingly, her father learned that he has a disorder that causes excess iron in the bodys organs, which can be fatal.

Jennas father quickly went to his doctor who found his iron levels were so high that he had to begin treatment immediately to avoid potentially irreversible damage. Had Jenna and her parents not gone through the process of genetic testing, they might have ever known about these health conditions.

Studies show that increased genetic risks are common. In fact, 1 in 6 consumers in the U.S. have a medically actionable disorder and may not know it.

Genetic testing help with a wide range of health questions, whether youre current facing a health issue, planning for a family, currently expecting or interested in preventing disease.

For more information, visit http://www.invitae.com

Continued here:
One woman's genetic test might have saved her father's lilfe - WSAW

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Published: January, 2020

Doing genetic tests on all women with breast cancer, as compared with the typical practice of just testing those with a family history of the disease, is worth the extra cost, according to a study published online Oct. 3, 2019, by JAMA Oncology. The study authors say their findings should prompt the expansion of genetic testing to all women diagnosed with breast cancer. It's clear that testing breast cancer patients for genetic variants that raise breast cancer risk (such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2) would enable doctors to identify more women who carry these variants and who might benefit from preventive strategies. But researchers wondered whether doing so would be too costly. To answer that question, they used a computer model to analyze data from more than 11,000 women. They found that not only would the cost of testing all American women with breast cancer be balanced out by later savings on health care services, but also that just one year of testing could prevent an estimated 9,700 new cases of breast and ovarian cancer and 2,400 deaths.

Image: voinSveta/Getty Images

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Gene tests for all women with breast cancer could save money and lives - Harvard Health

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease.

The club made that heart-wrenching announcement Wednesday by sharing a letter from his wife, Kelsie.

Snow, an analytics expert, has been on staff at the Saddledome since 2011. The 38-year-old father of two is now enrolled in a clinical trial to treat the disease.

A letter from Kelsie Snow

Dear Hockey Family,

Im here to share news we prayed so hard wed never have.

Chris has been diagnosed with ALS.

ALS is a horrible disease, and when we went to Miami to see one of the best ALS doctors and researchers out there, we prayed hard. We believe there are miracles in the world and maybe, maybe we would get one.

And we did, just not the one wed hoped for.

In the same breath as the doctor telling us that Chris was in the early stages of ALS, he also gave us hope. The next step, he said, was to enroll Chris in a clinical trial for the most encouraging ALS gene therapy treatment to come along. The drug targets a specific genetic mutation that has devastated Chris family. Just over one year ago Chris dad passed away from ALS. We have also lost both of Chris paternal uncles and his 28-year-old cousin to this disease.

In the simplest terms, this drug works by silencing the effects of the mutated gene, and in Miami we could see how hopeful the doctor felt. So hopeful that when I asked if he believes this drug could stop progression entirely, he said, We dont know, but its not outside the realm of possibility.

And so we are leaning into that possibility, as hard as we can, working to stay positive and living with intention every single day. And now we believe we have results to lean into as well.

Chris has been in the trial for several months, and while we do not know whether he is on the actual drug or a placebo, the disease since that initial dose does not seem to have progressed. His right hand and forearm remain the only affected areas of his otherwise strong and healthy body.

Someone has to be the first person to live with ALS rather than die from it, and one thing Ive always known about Chris is that he finds a way. No matter the obstacle, no matter how unprecedented the situation may be he always, always finds a way.

We know that our hockey family will want to help, and we appreciate that so much. Heres how you can do that.

Be positive and hopeful with us, pray for us in whatever way you pray, and dont treat us most especially Chris differently than you always have. He is the same person today he was yesterday and he will be the same person tomorrow and in two months and beyond. Hug your family, wring all the joy from each moment of your life, play with your children, and be present all things at which Chris has always been wonderful.

Continue to love us and love our kids. Of all the devastation this diagnosis brought, the idea of telling the two of them they were going to lose their dad was the most crushing. But now we have hope and, we believe, a different story.

The most tangible way you can help us is by donating to research. ALS is a rare disease, and rare diseases arent easily cured. Fewer than 20,000 people in North America are estimated to be living with ALS. Of them only 2,000 are living with familial ALS, the kind caused by a gene passed down within a family. And yet this has torn through Chris family. At the University of Miami researchers are focused on developing treatments for ALS, including those with familial forms of the disease. They have pioneered the study of the pre-symptomatic stage of ALS with the goal of one day being able to delay or even prevent the disease. With your help they can afford to do more and do it faster. To donate, please visit this link:http://uom.convio.net/goto/chrissnow

The next most powerful thing you can do for us is to believe in this treatment. Our hope is rooted in the results we believe we are seeing and in the optimism expressed by doctors who have spent their careers studying this disease.

As our neurologist said after Chris received his first dose in the trial Were here to make history.

Kelsie Snow

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'We have hope': Flames assistant GM Chris Snow diagnosed with ALS - National Post

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Augmented Reality is already disrupting Healthcare, changing the way physicians see data and their patients. Its being used for patient and doctor education, surgical visualization, disease simulation, and may even help save lives enhancing patient treatments, and outcomes.

Its even making surgery safer, providing surgeons with 3D overlays to enhance the visibility of organs, veins, and diagnosis reports, cutting down on the chance for error. In addition, Augmented Reality plays a crucial role in education, providing real-life simulation surgeries for doctors without the risk of getting it wrong with a live patient. Neurosurgeons have even used Augmented Reality to remove a three-centimeter wide brain tumor in a patients parietal lobe. The best part all of this is being done by ARs ability to blend digital imagery with the real world.

By 2023, the global Augmented reality in Healthcare could become a $1.32 billion market. All of that is creating a sizable opportunity for companies including NexTech AR Solutions, Intuitive Surgical Inc., Medtronic PLC, Abiomed Inc., and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Read More: Measuring CCPA Preparedness of Big Data Companies: Facts and Insights

NexTech AR Solutions BREAKING NEWS: NexTech AR Solutions, the leader in Augmented Reality (AR) for e-commerce and AR learning applications is pleased to announce that Sterilis Solutions, one ofthe United Statesmost innovative medical waste device manufacturers, has signed on for both NexTechs WebAR offering as well as its AR University. Todays announcement marks the beginning of a significant new use case and opportunity for NexTechs AR technology in the medical device market, which according to Fortune Business Insights is worth$150 billion. Sterilis will be providing Nextechs AR learning assets to its leading dealers and their Sales teams.

Andy Marshall, CEO, Sterilis stresses the critical importance of using AR technology from NexTech AR Solution, AR is more powerful than a brochure especially with the interaction. He continued, We will use it to educate our customers on the core functions of our device as well as supporting our Sales team in showing off this 1,100 lb. machine to our global dealer network.

Echoing the business impact that NexTech AR can have on leading medical device manufacturers such as Sterilis,Evan Gappelberg, CEO of NexTech stated,

We are excited that Sterilis has adopted NexTechs powerful and industry-leading Augmented Reality offering to drive both its product marketing and client education activities. Because our proprietary 3D Augmented Reality (3D/AR) solution and our AR learning tools works on any AR-enabled mobile phone it will help Sterilis to vastly improve its product demonstration capabilities while significantly enhancing its ability to communicate key competitive features of its products at trade shows and really everywhere. He continues, Sterilis has chosen NexTech as a key business growth partner.

Evan added, Unlike other AR/VR companies which charge a fortune and which often require special software and training, NexTechs easy to use and monthly revenue-focused product suite allows its clients to do more and to sell more. All of this results in a stronger bottom line for our customers and recurring revenues for us.

Read More: Like A Machine: How RPA, ML And AI Deliver Smoother And More Streamlined Processes To Accounts Receivable Departments

Intuitive Surgical Inc.announcedU.S. Food and Drug Administrationclearanceof two innovative technologies for two of the companys da Vincisurgical systems to help improve procedures that require sealing. Intuitives E-100 generator is its first internally developed robotic generator to power two key instruments on the da Vinci X and Xi systems. Vessel Sealer Extend is the flagship instrument in the da Vinci energy sealing portfolio today, and the new SynchroSeal instrument offers enhanced capabilities in general surgery.

We are pleased to receive FDA clearance, providing surgeons an additional tool for the X and Xi da Vinci platforms, saidBob DeSantis, Intuitives Senior Vice President and General Manager for Instruments and Accessories. We developed SynchroSeal and the E-100 generator to help surgeons quickly seal and transect tissue and vessels, facilitating efficient technique.

Medtronic PLCandChristianaCareannounced a collaboration designed to improve outcomes for ChristianaCare patients inDelawareand the surrounding region. The five-year agreement will focus on developing and deploying value-based healthcare initiatives to help ChristianaCare apply the right medical technologies and therapies to patients who may benefit most, with shared financial accountability between ChristianaCare and Medtronic to improve patient outcomes while reducing the cost of care.

Theres a general consensus that a fee-for-service system is not sustainable, and a value-based system is the way to go, but how becomes a question. We want to take that on, but transformation can only happen through collaboration with others with aligned views and aligned reward mechanisms, said Omar Ishrak, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medtronic.

ChristianaCares shared commitment to developing value-based healthcare initiatives makes them an ideal partner for Medtronic.

Abiomed Inc.announced initiation of theST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Door-to-Unloading (STEMI DTU) Pivotal Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), which will explore whether unloading the hearts left ventricle for 30 minutes with an Impella heart pumpprior to opening blocked arteries will reduce infarct size after a heart attack and lead to a reduction in future heart failure rates.

The first patient in the multi-center trial was enrolled atSpectrum HealthinGrand Rapids,Michigan, by Kevin Wolschleger, MD. The Impella CP heart pump will be used in the STEMI DTU randomized controlled trial, which will study unloading prior to reperfusion as a therapy to reduce heart failure risk.

We are honored to be the first to enroll in this important study which builds on earlier research that shows promise for slowing the growing epidemic of heart failure and improving outcomes for heart attack patients around the world, said Dr. Wolschleger, an interventional Cardiologist at Spectrum Health. Spectrum Health has one of the longest Impella experiences in the United States, and we are proud and excited to be a part of this pivotal clinical trial that has the promise to bring this paradigm-changing therapy to patients, said David Wohns, MD, Chief of Cardiology at Spectrum Health.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. officially opened its new$90 million viral vector CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) site in Lexington, Mass. The 50,000-square-foot facility will add more than 200 jobs and support the development, testing and manufacture of viral vectors, which are critical to advancing new life-saving gene and cell therapies globally. Thermo Fishersinvestment in both the regional economic development of the Commonwealth and its commitment to furthering STEM education for young women will well serveMassachusettsand its communities, said GovernorCharlie Baker. We look forward to working together to continue to build upon and strengthen the states role as a global leader in innovation.

Earlier this year, Thermo Fisher completed the acquisition of Brammer Bio, adding this leading viral vector CDMO to its Pharma Services business. The new Lexington site provides much-needed capacity for viral vector development and manufacturing, which to date has been a bottleneck for Biotech companies. This investment is part of a larger strategy to accelerate commercialization of new therapies by providing a range of services from drug development through clinical trials to commercial manufacturing to support Pharma and Biotech companies of all sizes.

The demand for new gene therapies has outpaced capacity, and were in a unique position to partner with our customers to help them accelerate development and production of medicines that will ultimately benefit patients suffering from rare diseases, said Michel Lagarde, executive Vice President of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Were also excited to create 200 new jobs that support the thriving Biotech industry in Massachusetts.

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Read more from the original source:
Augmented Reality is the Future of Healthcare Industry - AiThority

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Financialnewsmedia.com News Commentary

PALM BEACH, Florida, Dec. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Augmented reality is already disrupting healthcare, changing the way physicians see data and their patients. It's being used for patient and doctor education, surgical visualization, disease simulation, and may even help save lives enhancing patient treatments, and outcomes, according to Med City News. It's even making surgery safer, providing surgeons with 3D overlays to enhance visibility of organs, veins, and diagnosis reports, cutting down on the chance for error. In addition, augmented reality plays a crucial role in education, providing real-life simulation surgeries for up and coming doctors without the risk of getting it wrong with a live patient. Neurosurgeons have even used augmented reality to remove a three-centimeter wide brain tumor in a patient's parietal lobe. The best part all of this is being done by AR's ability to blend digital imagery with the real world. By 2023, says Market Research Future, the global augmented reality in healthcare could become a $1.32 billion market. All of that is creating sizable opportunity for companies including NexTech AR Solutions(OTCQB: NEXCF)(CSE: NTAR), Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG), Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT), Abiomed Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD), and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO).

NexTech AR Solutions(OTCQB: NEXCF)(CSE: NTAR) BREAKING NEWS: NexTech AR Solutions, the leader in augmented reality (AR) for eCommerce and AR learning applications is pleased to announce that Sterilis Solutions, one of the United States' most innovative medical waste device manufacturers, has signed on for both NexTech's WebAR offering as well as its AR University. Today's announcement marks the beginning of a significant new use case and opportunity for NexTech's AR technology in the medical device market, which according to Fortune Business Insights is worth $150 billion. Sterilis will be providing Nextech's AR learning assets to its leading dealers and their sales teams. Andy Marshall, CEO, Sterilis stresses the critical importance of using AR technology from NexTech AR Solution, "AR is more powerful than a brochure especially with the interaction." He continues that, "We will use it to educate our customers on the core functions of our device as well as supporting our sales team in showing off this 1,100 lb. machine to our global dealer network."

Echoing the business impact that NexTech AR can have on leading medical device manufacturers such as Sterilis, Evan Gappelberg, CEO of NexTech states: "We are excited that Sterilis has adopted NexTech's powerful and industry-leading augmented reality offering to drive both its product marketing and client education activities. Because our proprietary 3D augmented reality (3D/AR) solution and our AR learning tools works on any AR enabled mobile phone it will help Sterilis to vastly improve its product demonstration capabilities while significantly enhancing its ability to communicate key competitive features of its products at trade shows and really everywhere." He continues, "Sterilis has chosen NexTech as a key business growth partner. Unlike other AR/VR companies which charge a fortune and which often require special software and training, NexTech's easy to use and monthly revenue-focused product suite allows its clients to do more and to sell more. All of this results in a stronger bottom line for our customers and recurring revenues for us."

Other related developments from around the markets include:

Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) announcedU.S. Food and Drug Administrationclearanceof two innovative technologies for two of the company's da Vincisurgical systems to help improve procedures that require sealing. Intuitive's E-100 generator is its first internally developed robotic generator to power two key instruments on the da VinciXand Xisystems. Vessel Sealer Extend is the flagship instrument in the da Vinci energy sealing portfolio today, and the new SynchroSeal instrument offers enhanced capabilitiesin general surgery. "We are pleased to receiveFDAclearance, providing surgeons an additional tool for the X andXi da Vinciplatforms," saidBob DeSantis, Intuitive's Senior Vice President and General Manager for Instruments and Accessories. "We developed SynchroSeal and the E-100 generator to help surgeons quickly seal and transect tissue and vessels, facilitating efficient technique."

Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT) and ChristianaCare announced a collaboration designed to improve outcomes for ChristianaCare patients in Delaware and the surrounding region. The five-year agreement will focus on developing and deploying value-based healthcare initiatives to help ChristianaCare apply the right medical technologies and therapies to patients who may benefit most, with shared financial accountability between ChristianaCare and Medtronic to improve patient outcomes while reducing the cost of care. "There's general consensus that a fee-for-service system is not sustainable, and a value-based system is the way to go, but 'how' becomes a question. We want to take that on, but transformation can only happen through collaboration with others with aligned views and aligned reward mechanisms," said Omar Ishrak, chairman and chief executive officer of Medtronic. "ChristianaCare's shared commitment to developing value-based healthcare initiatives makes them an ideal partner for Medtronic."

Abiomed Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD) announced initiation of the ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Door-to-Unloading (STEMI DTU) Pivotal Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), which will explore whether unloading the heart's left ventricle for 30 minutes with an Impella heart pumpprior to opening blocked arteries will reduce infarct size after a heart attack and lead to a reduction in future heart failure rates. The first patient in the multi-center trial was enrolled atSpectrum HealthinGrand Rapids, Michigan, byKevin Wolschleger, MD. The Impella CP heart pump will be used in the STEMI DTU randomized controlled trial, which will study unloading prior to reperfusion as a therapy to reduce heart failure risk. "We are honored to be the first to enroll in this important study which builds on earlier research that shows promise for slowing the growing epidemic of heart failure and improving outcomes for heart attack patients around the world." said Dr. Wolschleger, an interventional cardiologist atSpectrum Health. "Spectrum Health has one of the longest Impella experiences inthe United States, and we are proud and excited to be a part of this pivotal clinical trial that has the promise to bring this paradigm changing therapy to patients," saidDavid Wohns, MD, chief of cardiology atSpectrum Health.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) officially opened its new$90 millionviral vector CDMO(contract development and manufacturing organization) site inLexington, Mass.The 50,000-square-foot facility will add more than 200 jobs and support the development, testing and manufacture of viral vectors, which are critical to advancing new life-saving gene and cell therapies globally."Thermo Fisher'sinvestment in both the regional economic development of the Commonwealth and its commitment to furthering STEM education for young women will well serveMassachusettsand its communities," said GovernorCharlie Baker. "We look forward to working together to continue to build upon and strengthen the state's role as a global leader in innovation."Earlier this year,Thermo Fishercompleted the acquisition ofBrammer Bio, adding this leading viral vector CDMO to its Pharma Services business.The newLexingtonsite provides much-needed capacity for viral vector development and manufacturing, which to date has been a bottleneck for biotech companies. This investment is part of a larger strategy to accelerate commercialization of new therapies by providing a range of services from drug development through clinical trials to commercial manufacturing to support pharma and biotechcompanies of all sizes. "The demand for new gene therapies has outpaced capacity, and we're in a unique position to partner with our customers to help them accelerate development and production of medicines that will ultimately benefit patients suffering from rare diseases," saidMichel Lagarde, executive vice president of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "We're also excited to create 200 new jobs that support the thriving biotech industry inMassachusetts."

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third- party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities.The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated thirty five hundred dollars for news coverage of current press releases issued by NexTech AR Solutions, by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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The Best Augmented Reality Stocks for 2020 - PR Newswire UK

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Introduction

In Trump's 2019 State of the Union Address, the topic of eradicating HIV morphed into a campaign promise with HIV poster child Gilead (GILD) getting most of the accolades due to their advances in prevention drugs. Almost 9 months later (last month), the Trump administration reversed course and sued Gilead which means the position of "HIV poster child" is up for grabs again. Since Trump seems to have knocked the ball out of Gilead's hands, it's unclear if they will be able to repair the damage and reclaim their position or if a new company will rise to the occasion and become the newly anointed.

Trump's 2019 SOTU Address

During Trump's 2019 State of the Union Address, he has announced a strategy to stop the spread of HIV by 2030 by concentrating resources on hot spots where half the new infections occur. After the State of the Union details from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alexa M Azar II, who coordinated the plan, said that their goal was to focus on the 48 countries where half the infections occur and to reduce new infections by 75% along with ending the HIV epidemic in America. After the State of the Union, advocates like Dr. Anthony Facui, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, suggested an increase in antiretrovirals and prevention medicine at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). This increased emphasis on treatment was positive for HIV drugmakers like Johnson and Johnson (JNJ), Mylan (MYL), and Pfizer (PFE). Treatment and prevention stocks Gilead (GILD), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Merck (MRK) received the biggest boost from the news, but this year, a new player with disruptive technology might be in the works. Which HIV company could be the biggest beneficiary from this Trump Administration and HHS initiative?

Trump's HIV Initiative

The architect of Trump's plan, Alex Azar, wrote an article after the State of the Union detailing how the Trump Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services are going to reach their goals using existing medicine in conjunction with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication. They are targeting resources to "geographic hotspots", which consists of 48 counties and some other areas and which constitute over 50% of new diagnoses in the United States. Their strategy can be summed up into "Diagnose, Treat, Protect, and Respond." Early detection is critical and getting people on the treatment regimen prevents transmission by keeping the viral loads in check. Additionally, people at risk of contracting HIV have new PrEP drugs like DESCOVY and TRUVADA made by GILD. Their response plan is to use CDC data to rapidly detect and treat growing HIV clusters to prevent new infections. If this model is successful they plan to roll it out on an international scale. The goal of the initiative is to "reduce new infections by 75 percent in the next five years and by 90 percent in the next ten years, averting more than 250,000 HIV infections in that span."

Trump's HIV Plan

The Past Year In Review

There have been many advancements in HIV treatment since this year's State of the Union address. A second patient, in addition to the famous decade-old case of Timothy Ray Brown, was cured of HIV. One drug manufacturer came out with a once a month injectable shot. CRISPR gene-editing technology was used to edit a stem cell implant aimed at curing HIV. Last but not least, a salvage therapy had over a 90% responder's rate with virtually no side effects. If history repeats itself, Trump will double down on his plan to defeat HIV, and unveil more details at the next State of the Union address in February 2020. The State of the Union address is well known for its impact on highlighting winners and losers among the presidential administration's initiatives. HIV is an anticipated winner again this year, but Gilead may not participate because tension has been on the rise between Gilead and the Trump administration. If HIV is mentioned at the State of the Union, it's expected the additional nuances of Trump's HIV plan will come to light the following month at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). This article speculates on some of the big HIV industry players.

The Trump administration, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), filed a patent infringement lawsuit on November 6, 2019 against Gilead seeking damages for patent protection. The Department of Health and Human Services had patents related to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. HHS asserted that GILD "willfully and deliberately induced infringement on the HHS patents." Due to the infringement, GILD allegedly profited from research funded by hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars and reaped billions in revenues from PrEP through the sale of Truvada and Descovy.

Trump is very volatile, and compared to prior presidents, downright aggressive, so there is a chance that he goes on the attack during his State of the Union address against PrEP drug manufacturers that have taken advantage of the American people. Since PrEP was one of two pillars of Trump's plan, it's safe to say that his administration is now looking for another poster child. On the surface, Merck or GlaxoSmithKline would be the logical alternatives, but something possibly bigger is brewing in the HIV space, which is covered later in this article.

The amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research is focused on a scientific basis for a cure by the end of 2020. They defined a functional cure as something that would end an individual's lifelong need for drug treatment to keep the virus in check. They identified four key challenges needed to develop a cure: pinpoint the precise locations of the latent reservoirs, determine how they are formed, persist and quantify the amount of virus in the reservoirs, and finally, eradicate them from the body. Gilead is a key partner in this collaboration.

There are many types of T-Cells, but only the CD4+ T-Cell can host the virus. The issue with the existing antiretroviral therapy (ART) is that they work in the blood to reduce the circulating virus, not the virus in the tissues. Only 3-5% of a person's CD4+ cells are circulating at any given time; the remainder are typically compartmentalized in a reservoir in organs such as the brain, lymph nodes, gut, and male/female reproductive tract. According to the MDPI Journal Gilead's planned mechanism of eradication is to use GS-9620, a TLR7 agonist, to force latent HIV from the virus's immune cell reservoir. Once released, broadly neutralizing antibody PGT121 would attach to it and clear it from the blood. This methodology is known as a shock and kill tactic and was presented at the 2018 CROI meeting. Tests in monkeys revealed that this approach delayed viral rebound following ART from 21 days in the control to a median rebound time of 112 days. In July, the company had a phase 1 readout that showed the drug was well tolerated with no Grade 3 or Grade 4 drug-related adverse events. Their finding was that "the results support studies in the potential role of Vesatolimod as part of combination regimens aimed at achieving ART-free control of HIV." The ART-free control verbiage, unfortunately, appears to be well short of a cure. This advance coupled with the patent infringement issue doesn't appear to have enough zest to make it on Trump's radar.

Merck (MRK) had a similar plan called "kick and kill" in which is used a cancer drug called Vorinostat as an activating agent to clear the body of its viral reservoir and get the immune system to respond using it innate immunity. In Merck's RIVER study, released in July 2018, 60 men who recently acquired HIV started ART and got their viral loads to undetectable levels and then received the "kick and kill." This consisted of Vorinostat and an anti-HIV vaccine. Results were very disappointing and showed that there was no impact on copies/mL compared to ART alone. It's important to note that the mice study was marginal in comparison to GILD's monkey study with GS-9620.

Merck is also developing a one-year subcutaneous implant. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases characterized "an implant for 1 year has enormous potential [...] that could be a game-changing advance." The drug is called MK-8591 or islatravir, and inhibits an enzyme that is needed for replication of HIV. Merck conducted a study in 12 uninfected people and measure the blood levels of islatravir 4 weeks after removal. In half of the cohort that received the higher dose, levels were so high that researchers were able to project that the release of the drug would be 12 - 16 months. No safety issues surfaced in the pilot study. The drug is entering phase 2 studies and has only dosed 12 people so the findings

Viiv Healthcare, the Pfizer and GSK owned HIV joint venture, also is testing cabotegravir in a phase 3 study as an intramuscular injection for the prevention of HIV infection. The phase 2 study results showed overall positive safety and tolerability data, where most patients favored the 12-week injection over pills over daily pills. Due to lower than expected exposure found in some patients in the phase 2 data, the phase 3 study will proceed with a lower dose and 6-week injections.

Almost two years ago, the Gilead PrEP news was extraordinary, but the news now pales in comparison to a group of 5 human patients that have not taken ART's for close to 5 years and have yet to experience a viral rebound that will be discussed later in the article.

Bioethics Observatory Institute of Life Sciences

Timothy Ray Brown, known as the "Berlin patient," was the first person ever cured of HIV, which happened over a decade ago. The second patient cured of HIV is known as the "London patient." Both patients had myeloid leukemia and had total body irradiation to wipe out their T-cells before receiving their stem cell transplant. In both cases, the donor had a genetic mutation - which therefore is present in the donated stem cells - known as a CCR5 delta 32 mutation. People that have the CCR5 delta 32 allele do not have CCR5 receptors on their T-Cells and as a result are immune to HIV. The "Berlin patient" inspired Dr. Monique Nijhuis, from the University Medical Center of Utrecht in the Netherlands to develop a protocol to transplant HIV resistant genes with the intention of eradicating HIV from the patient. The European consortium is analyzing the results of 39 patients who have received transplants from CCR5 delta 32 donors. Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, the director of AIDS research for the National Institute of Health also endorsed this approach at this year's CROI conference and indicated that another was to genetically engineer a patient's immune cells through gene therapy to knock out the CCR5 receptor which is part of HIV's pathway into the T-Cell.

Timothy Ray Brown, right, and Dr. Gero Htter, the Berlin cancer doctor who gave Brown a lifesaving transplant that also cured him of HIV. Photo by Robert Hood / Fred Hutch News Service

There have been 3 HIV vaccine trials for efficacy worldwide. In 2004, the VaxGen candidates failed to offer any protection and halted its phase 3 trial in 2004. Later in 2007, the Phambili study was stopped for safety concerns. An ongoing trial of HVTN100 and HVTN702 is part of a consortium that includes the US Military, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, NIAID, HVTN, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Sanofi Aventis (SNY). Even though vaccines have had a bumpy road, Dieffenbach believes that we could give "remission in absence of eradication." This means that a patient's immune system would be trained to block HIV whenever sleeping HIV infected cells awake, which would be accomplished via injection of HIV blocking antibodies. On a different note, Janssen, a division of JNJ, is enrolling up to 3800 participants in eight countries who will get four vaccine injections over the course of a year. This study, termed the Mosaico study, will vaccinate patients with three different HIV strains, hoping to offer benefit in 65% of the study population. Prophylactic treatment is an ultimate goal in fighting HIV, but it has been elusive because the virus evolves so rapidly that it's difficult to target.

Path Toward a Functional HIV Cure

To understand what a "functional cure" means, it is helpful to recap what exactly HIV is and how existing drugs are currently treating the disease. HIV is a virus that selectively targets a patient's white blood cells known as T-Cells. These T-Cells help fight infections in our body and kill viruses, but the HIV virus exploits a weakness on the surface of the T-Cell. When an HIV virus comes in contact with the CD4 receptor and the CCR5 co-receptor, the virus gains entry into the T-Cell where it can replicate. The current standard of care is called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and what it does is target the virus's ability to replicate once already inside the cell, to keep the "viral load" down. It is well understood that keeping the viral load under 50 copies/mL both effectively prevents transmission of the disease and keeps the disease at bay for the existing infectee.

Frontiers in Immunology

Entry/Fusion Inhibitors - Superior Mechanism of Action, But Toxic

The approach to HIV treatment since the advent of HAART has been to mess up the virus' plan to replicate once inside the cell, but in theory, there is a better way. Instead of letting the virus inside the cell, fusion inhibitors block the CCR5 co-receptor and keep the virus outside the cell. With entry/fusion inhibitor treatment the virus can still bind to the CD4 receptor, but it is unable to get close enough to the cell membrane since the CCR5 co-receptor is blocked. Thus, it can't enter the cell and therefore it is unable to replicate. Even more importantly, replication of a virus is what allows for mutation, which ultimately leads to drug resistance as is common with HAART treatment regimens. Historically, fusion inhibitors like Pfizer's maraviroc and Merck's vicriviroc have shown efficacy in keeping viral loads down. However, side effects related to their method of CCR5 inhibition have limited their usage. The effects are apparent as Merck terminated the development of vicriviroc in 2010 and maraviroc has a black box warning for hepatotoxicity.

Corporate Presentation

Next Generation Entry/Fusion Inhibitor - Non Toxic

CytoDyn Inc. (OTCQB:CYDY) has developed a monoclonal antibody CCR5 antagonist called leronlimab to treat HIV with virtually no side effects compared to the nausea, fatigue, and trouble sleeping that come with the HAART regimen. The drug has an impressive safety and efficacy profile. After 24 weeks of leronlimab therapy, 81% of patients had suppressed viral load compared to 43% from the last drug approved in the study's patient population. There were no drug-related Serious Adverse Events (SAEs), giving it one of the best safety profiles in the HIV landscape. Leronlimab also addresses patient compliance as a once-a-week injectable with a 72 hour grace period. The drug also has a fast-track designation and a rolling BLA and is in a position to ask for accelerated approval. It hit its primary endpoint in a pivotal phase 3 trial. They have a very favorable label request with one drug resistance in 3 classes or one drug resistance in 2 classes with limited treatment options. Approval could represent a$1.7 to $3.4 billion market within the first year of approval based on Biovid's Market Research. After expected approval, they plan to do a label expansion to switch to monotherapy maintenance.

Corporate Presentation

It's important to note that 565 leronlimab monotherapy patients have literally thrown away HAART, the standard of care, for close to a year. Five special patients have even been off the side effect heavy HAART 5 years, demonstrating leronlimab's considerable resilience to patients' developing drug resistance, attributable to the fact that leronlimab mostly prevents the virus from ever replicating. Leronlimab may prove to be a superior option over HAART for many patients.

The HAART standard of care, which leronlimab theoretically has the potential to disrupt, represents a >$15 billion franchise for GILD, but the leronlimab monotherapy patients are living ART-free and have complete control of their HIV. Contrast leronlimab's viral rebound data to GILD's GS-9620 animal study, which saw viral loads rebound in 112 days (less than 4 months). Patients in CytoDyn's monotherapy trial are essentially represented by the orange line in the Functional Cure graphic (a few graphics) above, and many patients could remain functionally cured without side effects for years to come, since CytoDyn doesn't have any strong evidence of viral rebounds yet.

Prevention in HIV is all about keeping the viral load under 50 copies/mL, which the FDA considers an undetectable level and incapable of spreading the disease. As a once a week injectable, PRO 140 (leronlimab) offers convenience to the patient, virtually no side effects, and essentially keeps the virus away from the T-Cells and unable to replicate. Here's a nice analogy: HIV is like having little piranha in your blood that only eats T-Cells. The HAART treatment lets the piranha eat the T-Cell but slaughters most but not all of its offspring. Leronlimab, on the other hand, puts a Teflon coating around the T-Cells so the piranha have nothing to eat, so they die from malnutrition.

In a prevention setting, if a person at risk is given leronlimab and exposed to the virus the theory is that the virus will be blocked from replicating and eventually defenses in the body will break it down. This theory might even be applied to patients diagnosed with HIV. If this is done long enough perhaps the virus will eventually break down. Esteban Hernandez-Vargas said that " latently infected resting memory CD4+ T cells are the only cell type in which it has been clearly demonstrated that replication-competent virus can persist for several years in patients." Some patients have been on leronlimab for close to 5 years and at some point, this group of patients would be ideal for that sort analysis to see if they have in fact been cured.

The Thai Red Cross AIDS research center is initiating a PrEP clinical trial in subjects at high risk of HIV infection. Leading scientific advisor Dr. Jonah Sacha is conducting the research and CytoDyn has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tai Red Cross to develop the HIV PrEP clinical trials. Sacha will also oversee the PrEP cure developments. Supporting PrEP and cure initiatives is the independent leronlimab data from the PRESTIGO Registry Study Group, which is to be presented at CROI. The people in this study are heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) patients that averaged at least 4-classes of drug resistance. The group of patients in this PrEP study are actually less sick than in the leronlimab phase 3 groups, where leronlimab managed to yield a whopping 90% responders rate. The PrEP responders rate to be announced at CROI might be very high. If the majority of HIV positive patients have no side effects, cannot transmit the disease, and has a fully functional immune system, this could be considered a functional cure, allowing Trump to claim a big win.

Throughout the article, little seeds have been planted to accentuate the case for a new player in HIV, who has a disruptive technology, backed by data on long term patients, who possibly could be cured with a drug that has little to no side effects. The CytoDyn story, once again, could be "too good to be true." However, the company is weeks away from a planned BLA submission that will result in a planned drug approval by June 2020, based on its rolling BLA and fast track status. In September, CytoDyn signed a non-binding licensing deal for $90 million from a major distributor. Once the drug is approved, the company has Samsung Biologics ready to provide them with up to $1.0 billion of inventory, based on anticipated drug prices, to meet the expected demand. CytoDyn also signed with distribution partners ready to market the drug. The pieces are in place for CytoDyn to start bringing in billions in revenue next year, except for one key thing. The company needs about $20 to $25 million to fund its operating costs while they are waiting for BLA approval over the next 6 months. This need for either a licensing deal or some type of financing seems to be dampening the enthusiasm for the technology as market participants await closure on financing terms or a licensing deal. It's been eerily quiet in the past two months because no big pharma company has made an even an overture toward what could be the most disruptive technology in the HIV space.

A Gilead investor might consider hedging his bets with the biggest threat in the HIV space. In a worst-case scenario for this investor, nothing happens and CytoDyn doesn't become a political football, then the investor can unwind the hedge after the CROI meeting. If something does happen then the hedge could be wildly profitable and even cover multiple situations included the licensing of the technology by a competitor. In all likelihood, the Trump lawsuit against Gilead could be much ado about nothing, as are most political events. However, can investors ignore 565 patients that were able to throw away their daily HAART regimen and defy big pharma? A 95% responder rate with prolonged remission and favorable safety is good enough to ignite a patient advocacy revolution, and as an investor, you don't want to be caught on the wrong side of the trade.

There are a lot of theories floating out there about how to cure HIV and how to deal with the HIV epidemic. The big picture is that Trump seems stalwart in his approach about eradicating HIV, but therein lies the opportunity. The challenge to investors in the coming months leading up to the State of the Union is figuring out which horse is he going to back. Gilead is the largest HIV drug maker in the world and was the golden child in HIV until the Trump lawsuit hit. This lawsuit should serve notice to GILD investors that they have been targeted by Trump. There is a body of evidence to suggest that CytoDyn has the goods to be crowned the new innovator in HIV. It's definitely a long shot that Trump would elevate a $120 million market cap company as the frontrunner, but it is possible.

The most likely scenario would be Merck and ViiV jockeying for position in their efforts to get top billing and dethrone Gilead. Both of them could potentially negotiate with the administration, but its not clear which company might have the best strategy for PrEP. Whoever is perceived to have the inferior PrEP solution may be forced to seek a license from another PrEP drug maker; however, they would need a drug asset close to approval. Fortunately for CytoDyn, leronlimab approval is only about 6 months away, and if the technology is as robust as presented in this article, a licensee (Merck or ViiV) and CytoDyn could cobble together a viable PrEP program in months and then file for a label expansion.

If Gilead gets wind of this strategy, they might try to play "spoiler", which would be a great outcome for CytoDyn. Regardless, the bottom line is that Trump hit Gilead hard, and they could be on the ropes in the PrEP race. The question for investors is: does Gilead wake up in time to fight back, or does Merck, ViiV, or possibly a CytoDyn collaboration with one of them knock Gilead out?

Disclosure: I am/we are long CYDY. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Editor's Note: This article covers one or more microcap stocks. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

Read the original here:
The Politics Of HIV - The Political Football Has Been Fumbled - Seeking Alpha

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Published Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, 12:25 pm

Front Page Business Benefits of hormone replacement therapy

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When women start getting closer to menopause, their ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. These are the two hormones that control the monthly cycle. They can also affect the health of the bones, heart, and even vagina. As such, hormone replacement therapy provides an excellent solution to women. It is a medication that contains female hormones to replace those that the body fails to make after menopause. This form of therapy can also be used in the treatment of some common symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal discomfort. However, in as much as hormone replacement therapy is beneficial for most women, it comes along with some risks. Everything has to be done right, and a reputable hormone clinic is a must. Be sure to click for more information on hormone replacement therapy.

For purposes of obtaining the perfect results, hormone therapy must be tailored to each person and re-evaluated from time to time to ensure its benefits are more than the risks. Some of the benefits of HRT include

When taking hormone replacement therapy, systemic estrogen that is present in pills, skin patches, creams, sprays, and gels remains quite useful. It is responsible for relieving troublesome menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. After menopause, most women dont produce enough levels of estrogen, and if thats not kept in check, it can be quite troublesome. Hot flashes and night sweats can be quite uncomfortable, and thats why hormone therapy works for most women.

Menopause comes along with many symptoms, including dryness and itching. Taking the recommended levels of estrogen helps in relieving these vaginal symptoms. It can be uncomfortable for women as they get older to encounter dryness and itching, and thats why most doctors recommend HRT. It has some risks, but when done right, it can be quite helpful.

During menopause, the womans body goes through a lot of changes, especially in making some essential hormones. That can irritate and in most cases, deprive one of their good nights sleep. Taking hormone replacement therapy helps keep the levels of estrogen and progesterone balanced. As a result, it enables one to sleep better at night. Its also worth noting that reduced night sweats play a significant role in having peaceful nights.

When women get older and start approaching menopause, many symptoms begin to manifest themselves. Dryness and itching are quite common, and can sometimes lead to burning and discomfort when having sexual intercourse. It can be quite frustrating for couples, and thats why most doctors advise women to seek help from reputable hormone clinics. This is because, in as much as hormone therapy is helpful, it has to be done right. Every woman is different from the other, and treatment has to be tailored for them only. Complacency can cause some adverse risks that can be life-changing.

Combining estrogen and progesterone therapy well can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Most women under menopause experience fluctuations in their estrogen and progesterone levels. When its not kept in check, it can cause colon cancer. However, with treatment, the risk of colon cancer can be reduced significantly.

The bone-thinning disease, also called osteoporosis is common when estrogen levels in the body start declining. Taking therapy from a hormone clinic helps women get access to systemic estrogen that protects one from their bones getting thinner. However, in as much as these process works, most doctors recommend other medications called bisphosphonates. These drugs are active and have minimal risks as compared to taking therapy.

According to research, estrogen can be used to reduce the risk of getting heart diseases. However, for that to work, treatment has to taken early in the postmenopausal years.

HRT is quite helpful for women approaching menopause. However, before deciding to take the treatment, women should carefully discuss the benefits and risks involved. There is a lot to take into account, including age, medical history, personal preferences, and risk factors, among others. The doctor has to make sure the treatment is the right option.

The majority of women that resolve to hormone replacement therapy for the short-term treatment of symptoms of the menopause, the benefits tend to outweigh the risks. However, women taking the medication should get re-assessed annually by their doctor. Always ensure you get help from a reputable hormone clinic to avoid getting exposed to other unwanted risks.

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Benefits of hormone replacement therapy - Augusta Free Press

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The sober curious movement, or taking a break from alcohol, has become one of the year's biggest trends. And while you know that beer isn't exactly green juice, you may not be sure of why you should even give up alcohol.

In a new video, Facts Verse explains possible benefits of giving up alcohol for a single month. One major factor that you may not even consider are the costs associated with drinking. Facts Verse estimates that you could save up to $400, depending on the type of alcohol you prefer and frequency of bar visits. What's more, skipping the club could help you discover new hobbies and passions, according to the video.

In addition to saving you money, taking a break from booze can also save your skin. That's because alcohol is a diuretic meaning it lowers the amount of fluids in your body. The substance also decreases a specific hormone that helps you to retain water, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Taken together, this leaves your entire body dehydrated, which in turn, can make your skin lookand feeldry.

And some people who give up booze experience a very noticeable benefit: weight loss. Alcohol contains calories but offers little nutritional value, meaning it's entirely possible to drink upwards of 2,000 calories a day just in cocktails or beer, according to the video. Plus, happy hour is often accompanied by bar food, which increases the likelihood of consuming more calories than your body requires to maintain its weight.

Watch the entire video to learn about more reasons you may want to join the sober curious movement.

View post:
3 Benefits of Giving Up Alcohol - Men's Health

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Transgender ideology wasnt invented in the 2010s, but this was the decade when it gripped our culture in its venomous maw and refused to let go. Heres how trans grew from fringe oddity to a massive force affecting schools, parenting, prisons, policy, academia, sports, law enforcement, language and the arts.

In 2009, Susie Green, who will become Chair of UK gender clinic Mermaids, takes her son to Thailand for vaginoplasty. Jackie Green becomes the youngest person in the world to undergo a sex change operation, at age 16. Meanwhile, trans woman and trans humanist Martine Rothblatt foresees the end of our species as we know it, andclaimsthat transhumanism builds on transgenderism, broadening the driving mindset from a gender ideal to a human development ideal.

Trans began the decadeas an outlier. It became something tolerated out of compassion. It has become a medical-legal monster, with activists claiming to redefine woman as a feeling, with self-identification trumping the basic facts of biological sex.And if you disagree, youre transphobic. Welcome to the 2020s!

At 10 years old,Jazz Jenningsis already out as trans.

Children become the subject ofmedical experimentation. Britains National Health Service approves medical experiments which will chemically castrate gay children in attempt to correct gender-nonconformity.

We now being told that affirmation of trans individuals is all about compassion. We need to knowwhat trans gender meansand how important surgery is.New York magazinesays that it takes a powerful act of imagination to understand what a transgender child, in his perfect little body on the changing table, might be feeling, or why he might become terrified as adolescence approaches.

The American Psychiatric Associationupdates its manual, to replace gender identity disorder with gender dysphoria.

Now 13 years old and wearing dental braces as well as female dress, Jazz Jennings isparadedon ABC News.

In Britain, the gender clinic at theTavistock Clinic gives 12 year-olds hormone blockers to prepare for transition. The treatment halts the onset of puberty preventing children from developing the sexual characteristics of the gender they were born.

Trans woman Parker Molloy writes amissive:I am a woman, but on such a frequent basis, Im told this is not true. Im told that Im genetically or biologically male. Im told that Im not a real woman. I have to ask: What constitutes a real woman? How am I not one? Is it because of my chromosomes? I dont think thats fair

The splendidly surnamed trans actress Laverne Cox, the first trans person to grace the cover ofTIMEmagazine, explains that most of us are insecure about our gender.

IntheNew Yorker, Michelle Goldberg sits on the fence: Trans women say that they are women because they feel femalethey have womens brains in mens bodies. Radical feministsbelieve that if women think and act differently from men its because society forces them to.

Facebook offers56 gender optionsfor users to choose from.

Susie Greens trans daughter Jackie is now 21, and Green speaks out against those who call her parentingabusive. She claims that even before she could speak my daughter had made her preferences clear.

Bruce Jenner becomes Caitlyn, and graces the cover ofVanity Fair. Trans MMA fighterFallon Foxdefeated her opponent, Tamikka Brents, by TKO at 2:17 of the first round of their match. Brents eye injury resulted in a damaged orbital bone that required seven staples. Now thats equality.

Michelle Goldberg is back. InSlate, she reminds us that, Most progressives now take it for granted that gender is a matter of identity, not biology, and that refusing to recognize a persons gender identity is an outrageous offense.

In the UK, theParliamentary Women and Equalities Committee Reportremoves sex-based protections.My Transgender Kidappears on the BBC. Itsreported that the Tavistock and Portman gender clinic has seen referrals increase by 50 percent every year since 2009.

Rachel Dolezal claims to betransracial.Trans abledturns out to be a thing.

Teen girls protest trans girls use of girlslocker room.

The year of the bathroom. A North Carolina law ispasseddisallowing trans people from using the bathroom of their choice. The State issuedby Obamas Department of Justice, whichtellsevery public school district in the country to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity.

The director of the ACLU in Georgialeaves her postrather than fight for trans bathroom rights.

Male bodied trans studentscompeteagainst girls in high school sports. Female bodied transpregnant personsare lauded as the first male mothers.

The National Institute of Healthlaunchesthe largest-ever study of transgender youth, but also only the second to track the psychological effects of delaying puberty. Its notable that theres no control group.

Canadian feminist Meghan Murphy speaks out against the lack of debate. Because representation matters, a call goes outnot to castcis women as trans.

Jill SollowaysTransparentcomes underfirefor not being woke enough.

A male to female detransitionerspeaks. TheNew York Timesadmitsthat scientists have no conclusive explanation for what causes some people to feel dissonance between their gender identity and aspects of their anatomy.

Philosopher Slavoj iek gets called out for his claimthat the vision of social relations that sustains transgenderism is the so-called postgenderism: a social, political and cultural movement whose adherents advocate a voluntary abolition of gender, rendered possible by recent scientific progress in biotechnology and reproductive technologies.

The Womens March takes to the streets in Washington, DC, wearingtransphobic, pink pussy hats. Bill Maher and Milo Yiannopoulos misgender Jenner and are slammedby Dan Savage.Neuterbecomes a thing, so does drilling down into biology to determine that sex is not binary in otherspecies. Which it is, really.

Stonewall UKs Rachel Steinconfirmsthat being trans is about an innate sense of self. To imply anything other than this is reductive and hurtful to many trans people who are only trying to live life as their authentic selves.

Thegender spectrumemerges.

Trans advocatessuggestthatprevious restrictions on transing kids be eased so that children under 16 years old can begin hormone therapy in order to physically transform their bodies.

Teachers socially trans kidswithout parents consent. Jazz Jenningss book I Am Jazzis acontroversialpick for kindergarten story time.

Radical feministsspeak outagainst transing kids. One lady istrans species.And trans affirmation is noweveryones job.Topshopopensfitting rooms to trans women. Theres money in them there trans.

The Department of Justice reverses the Obama era directives andsaysthat sex means only biologically male or female.

Katie Herzogwritesabout detransitioners, and gets intense heat for it. Debra Sohsaysthat the entire gender conversation has brain science wrong.

We will change our bodies however we want, theTrans Health Manifestoinsists. We will have universally accessible and freely available hormones & blockers, surgical procedures, and any other relevant treatments and therapies.

The real question is: how does a female bodied gay mannavigate Grindr?

Who could have guessed, even a decade ago, that in 2018 the word woman would be treated as an expletive? asks Joanna Williams in Britains PC-bible theNew Statesman.

The Gender Recognition Act allows for self-ID in the UK. The NHSmust offerfertility services to those looking to remove their genitals.Britain;s Labour party alienates gender-critical feminists by stating that self-ID is all thats required to be on Laboursshort listof women candidates. Women try to meet and talk about this mess, but their events arecanceleddue to trans protests.

UK Schools policy comes underfirefor insisting that all kids have a gender identity. Girl Guides inclusion policycalled outas anti-girl. Amother of fouris interrogated by the police for referring to male to female trans surgery as castration on Twitter. The mere concept ofdebating trans becomes transphobic.

Jess Bradley, the first elected Trans Officer in the UK National Union of Student, says I self-identify as a non-binary woman, I dont believe there is such a thing as a real woman. Male bodied trans person Rachel McKinnonwinsa womens cycling race.

Bill B-16 isadoptedin Canada. This effectively redefines what it means to be a woman from something biological to something defined by external appearance. A Toronto womens shelter admits a male bodied trans person, and an abused womansues.

In academia, Camille Paglia says sex change is impossible. Jordan Peterson is almost fired from the University of Toronto for refusing to go along with compelled speech for pronouns. There are callsfor colleges to let trans athletes play on their chosen gender.

Heather Brunskell-Evans and Michele Moores bookTransgender Children and Young People: Born In Your Own Bodyisrejectedby trans activists. Oxfordbansgender critical voices. Lisa Littmans academic paper on Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria is pulled from Plos One for being transphobic. Jesse Singal writes about gender confused youth inthe Atlantic, and takes masses of abuse for it. Reports emerge on the danger in the drugs used tocastratechildren, and concerns thattransing is homophobia.

TheParis Reviewadvocates for atrans literary canon. No one buys theParis Review.

Trans surgeries dont always have an amazingresult.YettheAmerican Academy of Pediatriciansasserts thattransgender kids know their genderas clearly and consistently as their developmentally equivalent peers and that theres no need for watchful waiting.Trans toyscome to market.

TheNew York Timessayssex doesnt have anything to do with reproductive organs. Researchclaimsthat gender dysphoric kids show functional brain characteristics that are typical of their desired gender.

US prisonsopposetrans inmates in womens prisons. Canadian prisonsallowprisoners to be housed according to gender identity.

How much longer must transgender people continue to participate in public conversations about whether or not we know our own souls? Jennifer Finney Boylanasksin theNew York Times equating gender to a religious belief. Quillettemakes a splash by publishing opposition to the trans agenda, even fromtrans persons.

The question of how tofuck trans lesbiansis a thing. So isgirldick,how to eat out a non-op trans woman, andrewriting gay historyto be trans. Andrea Long Chu says shewont be happywith her new coochie, but she should get one anyway. Andtrans lesbiansreally have trouble dating.

Cis women areasked to do more for trans women, becauseit costs you zero dollars to be nice. Cis peoplewont date trans people, and lesbians decide to get the L outof LGBT.

Twitterprohibitsmisgendering and deadnaming to curtail anti-trans abuse. Meghan Murphy isbanned from Twitter for misgendering Jessica Yaniv, a male-bodied trans woman a transvestite, in traditional terms who wants to force immigrant women to wax her balls.

Trans English arrives, withtonsof new words for gender.Trans kidsknowwho they are, and its eitheraffirmationor death if you disagree.

Self-IDcomes to New Hampshire. Trans model Munroe Bergdorf ischosento speak by the London chapter of the globalWomens March. New York goesall-inon bathrooms and the abolition of women only spaces. South Dakotasayslet trans kids compete in sports

The Vancouver Rape Relief and Womens Shelterloses municipal funding after refusing to accept trans women. Morgane Oger wins a Human Rights Tribunal againstChristian activist Bill Whatcott after he distributedflyers disparaging herfor being a trans woman. A woman isarrestedfor referring to a transgender woman as a man online.

Liberal womenspeak on trans issues atthe Heritage Foundation, because they have beenabandonedby the left.

Butfacial recognitiondoesnt get trans. Neither dostraight men. Tennis legend Marina Navratilovaopposesmen in womens sports.

Even though thequick transingof kids is obviously a terrible idea, itsnot OKto talk about detransitioning. But girls start pushingbackon the locker room thing. So dograndmothers.

Students in the English town of Brighton are issued with stickers on which they write their preferredpronouns. Transtoolkitsarrive. Experts say that there has been aglobal surgein young people presenting to gender clinics. This mirrors the huge rise in referrals to the Gids, up from 94 to 2,519 since 2010.

Cosmopublishes a detailed account ofbottom surgery.

Trans advocatesdecrymental health screening prior to accessing cross-sex hormones. Trans offendersseek rightto remove crimes committed under previous gender. Hayden Patterson, held in womens prison in Canada, doesnt think she should have toact femaleto stay.Womb transplantsso men can bear children might be a thing. Elizabeth Warrenstatesher pronouns.

The firsttrans prison unitopens in the UK. In the US, a trans sex offender ismovedto womens prison. The World Health Organizationreclassestrans as not actually a mental health condition. Jessica Yaniv brings acasein Human Rights Tribunal against independent aestheticians who wouldnt wax her balls. She loses.

The winners of womens high school track and fieldcompetitionsin Connecticut are male bodied. In Australia, newguidelines encourage sporting organizationsto permit transgender and non-binary athletes to compete against members of the opposite sex. Laurel Hubbard wins gold in womens weightlifting in the Pacific Games, to the dismayof the president of Samoa.

The International Olympic Commissionconsidersrule changes to allow men to compete as women, but hits asnag. Womens rugby is toodangerousfor women once men get involved. A male runner is the female NCAAathlete of the week. But girlsspeak out: Female athletes around the globe feel that womens sports is no longersustainable.

Trans employment case goes to theSupreme Court. Trans guides come out for kids inQuebecandNew York City, as well as thegender unicorn. As domedical riskson chest binding, and thepushbackagainst that. Parental rights are chucked byAustralia, and courts in the US fromArizonatoTexastoVermont.

Puberty blockers arenota panacea. But kids are still beingfast trackedin the UK. Gender cliniciansrevealthey have tried to raise the alarm. Detransitioners start to make somenoise. Parents areaskedto resist the doctors.

It turns out the rhetoric about the trans murder epidemic isnot exactly true. Trans is apony tail. Not onlywomenget periods. Theresno such thingas biological sex. And not dating trans people isdiscriminatory.

Read more from the original source:
The 2010s were the decade of trans - The Spectator USA

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

They say that laughter is the best medicine and while many medical professionals would surely believe they have at least a few remedies that can top laughter, it turns out that in many ways, laughter really does help your mental (and physical) health.

When you look at the many benefits that laughter can bring to your emotional life, you might want to consider seeking out ways that you can laugh more on the daily.

Everywhere from the renowned Mayo Clinic to Dr. Hunter Doherty Patch Adams and his Gesundheit! Institute have studied ways in which laughing can be linked to stress relief. This concept has created a whole branch of study known as Gelotology where researchers look for answers as to how laughter affects different people. Those who have embarked on this kind of research have discovered reasons as to why the phenomenon of laughing is so helpful for physical and mental health.

Laughing stimulates endorphins: The brain stimulants that fill the happiness center arent just excited when you find something funny. According to evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, in an article for the New York Times, the actual physical action of laughing triggers endorphins as well as a connection between people. This effect, Dr. Dunbar found, leads to improved pain resistance as well as creating a great stress relief system for you. This means that just the act of smiling triggers a positive stress-reducing response.

Laughing reduces stress hormones: The stress hormone known as cortisol is decreased by laughter, because the action of laughing improves circulation and adds oxygen to the system, in effect, flushing out your stress. In a study by Lee Burk at Loma Linda University in California, they discovered that 30 minutes after watching humorous videos, participants of a study demonstrated 39% lessened cortisol levels.

Laughter fights depression: Beyond just the rush of endorphins, laughing creates a cocktail of chemical reactions in your brain including adrenaline and serotonin that has been shown to help with depression in general. Because these are chemicals that those that suffer from depression tend to have in lessened degrees, laughter has actually been used in treatment. For those of us who just get blue every once in a while, the same kind of therapy can do a world of good.

What makes you laugh? Biting satire, slapstick comedy, romantic misadventures? If you know what you like, its a great idea for your mental state to seek out your favorite comedy when trying to relieve stress. Whether youre a grad student getting their Master of Science in Nursing or a manager feeling stressed at work, just small doses of humor during the day can revive your spirit and give you physical benefits as well.

Get your comedy on social: following funny Instagram profiles, or people that aggregate humorous memes can give you bite-sized comedy moments that will allow you to get through your day with less stress. Give yourself a chance to check in with these periodically, particularly after a stressful activity.

Listen to comedy in your free time: Millions of people quote that stress bookends their workdays because of a crazy commute. Combat this stress specifically with comedy podcasts that allow you to be distracted from the crush of humanity that makes commuting so anxiety-inducing.

Get funny with exercise: The gym is a place where you could also use improved circulation and more oxygenated blood. Adding a laugh to your gym routine can potentially garner better results. In fact, there is a laughter based yoga practice that trains the body to be more open to this phenomenon, thus creating improved health.

Join a comedy class: comedy practitioners often quote their work as what gives them a stress-relieving boost. You can learn to be funny too! The action of taking an improv or stand-up comedy class will give you a chance to blow off steam and allow you the space to work on focusing on your own brand of humor.

Seek out comedy after stressful situations: When you are stressed, you may not feel like a laugh, but actively looking for the comedy section on your favorite streaming service will be a great way to relieve your stress.

Meet/talk with old friends: Often your old friends have the best ways to connect with you about the funny things that happened in your life. Theres nothing like shared humorous experiences and inside jokes to bring on a flood of positive emotions that can destress and help your mental health.

Theres nothing funny about stress. It can cause serious mental and physical harm including cardiac illness. Seeking out ways to relieve stress with humor, however, can have physically and emotionally positive effects. So dont forget to go and have a laugh, its good for you!

Go here to see the original:
How to Manage Stress with Laughter - Thrive Global

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Next year, CHOICES Memphis Center for Reproductive Health will open the first non-profit clinic in the U.S. providing both birth and abortion services under the same roof.

The road to a truly comprehensive reproductive health practice has been long, winding and full of potholes. I could not be more proud that in April, well finally get there.

I joined CHOICES as Executive Director in 2009 after a 15-year career in arts administration.Although I was an experienced non-profit executive, I was clearly entering a different world.Where was the mailing list?What was the marketing plan?

Although the clinic was providing safe medical care by a compassionate team, it had a precarious business model and was isolated from the rest of the healthcare community.That isolation combined with the political climate in the south kept the organization stuck in what felt like a vulnerable and dangerous place.

As I began to ask about the clinics history and operations and to attend conferences with other abortion providers, I understood that this isolation was primarily the result of anti-choice strategy. The care was so stigmatized that many physicians refused to perform the procedure out of fear of repercussions, both professional and physical.As a result, most abortion providers tended to work in stand-alone, abortion-only clinics with little to no interaction between them and other healthcare providers, hospitals or community groups.

At the same time, I was so impressed by the patient-centered and respectful care CHOICES provided to our patients. I remember thinking that everyone deserved this type of care. We soon started asking ourselves what else we could provide, and who else we could serve.

The private fertility practices in Memphis at this time would not take patients who were not married, leaving single people and same sex couples with no options for fertility helpsour nurse midwife began offering basic fertility assistance services.We added family planning for persons living with HIV, another population whose reproductive needs and preferences had been ignored or dismissed.We saw a need for hormone replacement services and wellness checkups for persons of transgender experience, so we added those services too. With these additions, we began expanding the scope and definition of reproductive health care beyond abortion and contraception.

As CHOICES grew, we consciously increased our involvement in the larger Memphis healthcare community.I started attending any local meeting that had health in its titleconferences on diabetes, hypertension and discussions of payment changes in the insurance industry.I introduced myself in these groups and spoke with pride about CHOICES work.

One day, when I was searching for stock photos for our website, and was mostly seeing many pictures of happy mothers and babies, I had another thought: Wait a minute. Why do they get all the happy pictures?Birth is part of feminist health care. We should take that back.

A few months later, the CHOICES Board of Directors approved adding prenatal care and birth services to the organizations strategic plan.

We understood that the people who have abortions and the people who give birth are the same people, because the majority of our abortion patients were mothers.And as we began to learn more about the maternity system in the U.S., we found that, unlike many other developed countries, U.S. caesarean rates were skyrocketing. Other medical interventions were also on the rise but the outcomes for moms and babies were getting worseespecially for people of color. We learned that black women were three to four times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. It was clear that birthing women of color were either not being seen or heard, or else their stated intentions and desires were being discounted.

We learned that midwifery provided another modelone that was more personal and more relationship-based, much like the abortion care that we were already providing. While Memphis had some outstanding home-birth midwives, it did not have a birthing center, and soon, bringing this choice to birthing people, especially to people of color, became a critical part of our mission.Off we went, on a $5 million dollar capital campaign.

Our inclusion of birth services also diversifies our revenue stream.With the current make-up of the United States Supreme Court, the ability of practices like CHOICES to provide abortion care hangs on a thread.We watched powerless just a few years ago while dozens of abortion-providing clinics closed in Texas while awaiting an ultimately positive judgement from the Supreme Court. We understood then that you have to be able to stay open in order to fight bad laws.By diversifying our services, we plan to be able to stay and fight, should providing abortion become illegal or impossible.

CHOICES mission is to provide patient-centered medical care and champion sexual and reproductive rights.Our vision is a world where sexual and reproductive healthcare is recognized as an essential human right.

Our new center hasnt opened yet, but we have already changed perceptions in our community.Organizations that once would have hesitated to work with an abortion provider are building professional partnerships with our midwifery program. Patients here for an abortion have asked to speak to a midwife and ultimately decided to continue their pregnancies.At least one midwifery patient, after having access to truly unbiased counseling, decided to terminate her pregnancy.

People are making their own CHOICESand we are here to support them.

Click here to support CHOICES.

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We're Memphis Feminists and We're Taking Birth Back - Ms. Magazine

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Acne vulgaris is a common, usually self-limiting, multifactorial disease that involving inflammation of the sebaceous follicles of the skin in the face and upper trunk.

Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that results in spots and pimples, especially on the face, shoulders, back, neck, chest, and upper arms.

The following are the most common types of acne;

During puberty, the sebaceous gland is activated so there are more chances of developing acne in that stage, but it can occur at any age. It is not dangerous, but it can cause;

Acne usually occurs when hair follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Bacteria worsen the condition by causing infection and inflammation.

During puberty increased androgen activity triggers the growth of sebaceous glands which results in enhanced sebum production.

The four primary factors involved in the formation of acne are;

The most common Risk factors for acne are as follows;

During puberty, there are more levels of testosterone in the body. Testosterone enhances the production of sebum from a sebaceous gland that results in acne.

Acne in females

Hormonal changes in female occur during;

Diagnosis of Acne

Diagnose of acne can be done by careful examination of the skin. It involves examination of face, chest or back for the different types of spots, such as blackheads or sore, red nodules.

Treatment of acne involves the use of Topical and Oral preparations. The goal of treatment is to prevent the formation of new acne lesions, heal existing lesions, and prevent or minimize scarring.

Topical preparations for acne include;

These preparations are used for Mild to moderate acne, comedones, and inflamed lesions.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide (Benzac AC, Acnestar ) is effective against;

Treatment is usually started with low strength; if acne does not respond to the treatment after 2 months then topical antibacterial is recommended.

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic Acid (Aziderm) is effective against;

It has antimicrobial and anticomedonal properties. It causes less local skin irritation as compared to benzoyl peroxide.

Topical Antibacterial

Topical erythromycin and clindamycin are used against;

These are usually recommended to avoid the oral use of antibacterial.

To avoid antibacterial resistance;

Topical Retinoid

Topical retinoid is effective against;

Retinoid (TRETINOIN) and Adapalene (ADACLENE) are used as a topical retinoid.

Treatment with topical retinoid should be continued for several months until no new lesions are formed.

Oral preparations for acne include;

Systemic antibacterial treatment

Systemic antibacterial used for the treatment of acne are as follows;

Oral Hormone Treatment

Co-cyprindiol (an Oral Hormone), is used for the treatment of moderate to severe acne. It has anti-androgen properties. Sebum secretion and hair growth depend on androgen. Co-cyprindiol decreases sebum secretion and it is also used for hirsutism.

Oral hormone treatment is recommended to treat moderate to severe acne in the female.

It is recommended when topical and oral antibacterial therapy does not produce the desired outcome.

Co-cyprindiol also has contraceptive properties.

Oral Retinoid

Oral Retinoid used for the treatment of acne is isotretinoin. It reduces sebum secretion. Isotretinoin is used for the systemic treatment of;

Isotretinoin is useful in women who develop acne in the third or fourth decades of life. Since acne in this age is usually not responsive to antibacterial. Isotretinoin is given for at least 4 months (16 weeks).

Side-effects of isotretinoin include;

Isotretinoin is teratogenic and must not be given to pregnant women. Treatment with Isotretinoin should be stopped if psychiatric changes occur during treatment.

Visit https://www.drugscaps.com/product-category/face-care/ to find products online.

Home Remedies

Below mentioned are some home remedies for acne;

Tea tree oil Tea tree extract has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Teat tree oil can be added in creams, gels, or essential oil.

Jojoba oil Waxy substances in jojoba oil helps to repair skin. Jojoba oil can be added in creams, gels, essential oils, and clay face masks. It can also be applied directly to acne sore with the help of a cotton pad.

Aloe Vera Aloe Vera has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe Vera can be added to creams or gels.

Honey Honey has anti-oxidant properties that help to clear clogged pores from debris. Honey can be directly applied to pimples using a cotton pad or a clean finger.

Green Tea Green tea contains antioxidants. Green tea extract can be applied to the skin or it can be used as a drink.

Visit https://www.drugscaps.com/product-category/face-care/ to find products online.

References

Dermatological Disorders In Current Medical and Diagnosis Treatment. Mc Graw-Hill Education, 55th Edition, 2016. (page: 127-129)

Acne Vulgaris In Pharmacotherapy Handbook. The McGraw-Hill companies, 7th edition, 2009. (page: 179-185)

Melnik, B. C. (2015, July 15). Linking diet to acne metabolomics, inflammation, and cosmogenesis: An update. Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, 8, 371388ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4507494/

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Hair Loss Treatment Through Cupping Therapy (Hijama) At Health and Hijama Clinic Bangalore! - The Hear UP

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

There is an ongoing debate about what is included in the definition of Femtech, and the need to think beyond reproductive health and make the field more inclusive. However, there is power in using terminology that creates visibility for concepts or issues that have long been widely overlooked. Femtech has and continues to serve the purpose of creating a catchy reference to a business sector that primarily addresses the health and wellness needs of women -and people who experience similar health issues- through software, diagnostics, products and tech-enabled health services.

As this category continues to grow and be fueled by unwavering founders, investors and leaders, its impact is expanding beyond healthcare and into other domains, from workplace regulations, to advocacy against gender biases in advertising, from financial equity to state legislation.

2019 was an inflection point for this space which is on the path to becoming a consolidated $50 billion dollar industry (estimated for 2025 by F&S), while improving the lives of millions of women and their communities. To celebrate the accomplishments of leaders and visionaries who persisted, even after hearing for the hundredth time that the problems they were solving were too niche, heres a selection of the trends and highlights in Femtech in 2019.

Graphic by Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA. $310M represents mid-year; $730M represents investment at ... [+] publishing date.

1. The Fertility Space Is Ready To Harvest What It Sow

Data Bridge, a research firm, predicts that by 2026 the booming global fertility industry could reach $41bn in sales, from approximately $25bn this year. No wonder investors are writing checks.

Manhattan based Extend Fertility brought in new talent into their leadership team, announced a $15 million Series A and total rebrand. Competitor egg-freezing and fertility clinic Kindbody also raised $15 million earlier this year, plus another $10 million from GV last week, totalling $31.3 million in capital raised. The company plans to support employers in offering better fertility benefits to their employees.

Nextgen Jane, a data-driven health company for women and people who menstruate, raised $9 million Series A. Its smart tampon platform allows users to collect menstrual and cervicovaginal samples and ship them off to a lab for in-depth analysis and disease detection.

2. At-home Testing Grows As Modern Consumers Demand Convenience And Affordability

Modern Fertility announced a $15 million funding round led by Forerunner Ventures to expand its affordable at-home hormone testing service and continue to collect anonymous data to contribute to womens health research and product development

Consumer lab testing platform Everlywell, which also provides womens health testing, raised $50 million this spring. The Texas-based company serves hundreds of thousands of customers, simplifying the often cumbersome and confusing diagnostic lab testing process.

3 . Female Founders Took A Stance Against Reproductive Health Bans, Unlocking Support From 200 CEOs

The initial 7 signing CEOs included Cora, Dame, Thinx, Sustain, Clary Collection, Fur and Loom. In their NYTs open letter they demanded that the CEOs of companies that use feminism and womens empowerment as marketing arsenal take a stance for womens rights, following the passing of bills restricting access to reproductive health services in several states. Weeks later, almost 200 CEOs and executives supported the movement under: Dont Ban Equality. The participating organizations and executives included big household names like H&M, tech entrepreneurs including MakeLoveNotPorns Cindy Gallop and Unbounds Polly Rodriguez, wellness founders Emily Weiss from Glossier and OUAIs Jen Atkins, and prominent investors such as Anu Duggal from Female Founders Fund and Wests Joanna Rees.

4. The Power of Community Support And Science In The Preconception Period

When it comes to maternal health, the conversation mostly revolves around (successful) pregnancy and motherhood. However, the ups and downs of the preconception journey are often left out of the conversation, causing many to feel lost and isolated.

Peanut, the social network for mothers, announced a $5 million funding round and the launch of TTC, a new site within Peanut specifically designed for the needs of women who are trying to conceive. Additionally, former CEO of RockHealth Halle Tecco launched Natalist and raised $5 million to address the gap in the market for better designed products and a more intelligent platform that supports the preconception journey.

5. Finance Meets Femtech To Increase Access To Family Planning

Cost is still the main barrier to access to fertility treatment, as explained in this white paper of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 80% of people who undergo fertility treatment have little to no coverage and accrue an average of $30k in debt.

Fertility benefits company Carrot Fertility launched its Visa Carrot Card early this fall, the first fertility debit card for employees who have access to Carrot at work that makes it easy for employees to pay for treatment like egg freezing, IVF, and adoption, among other services.

Future Family aims to tackle the problem offering personalized financing plans for IVF and egg freezing, under a subscription payment model. Future Family recently announced that it will be offering free fertility testing for all members.

6. Menstrual Wellness Management Keeps Growing And Celebrates Two Exits

This is L. and competitor Sustain were both acquired this year by P&G and Grove Collaborative, respectively. This is L.s deal is said to be around the $100 million.

San Francisco-based Cora, which sells organic personal care items closed a $7.5 million Series A led by Harbinger Ventures. Additionally, femcare meets CBD, the darling wellness category of the year, in Daye, a startup that has developed a new type of tampon to help tackle dysmenorrhea. It raised $5.5 million this year, led by Khosla Ventures.

There is in fact a growing interest in the intersection of menstrual health and pain management that startups like FLO Vitamins and Elix are also tackling.

7. Digital Health Attracting Consumers Who Want A Better Experience

Navigating healthcare is a burdensome process that Millennials and Gen Z mostly dread and that can put people at risk due to health concerns that arent properly addressed.

Tia Clinic started as a digital womens health solution and has now gone brick and mortar. The startup opened its first location in NYC this year and memberships sold out in the first few weeks. Allbodies launched with the mission of covering the reproductive and sexual health questions and needs of all people, particularly addressing those areas that are still highly stigmatized.

Going back to the subject of inclusivity, Queerly Health, a digital health startup democratizing access to LGBTQ+ health and wellness, has had its first launch in NYC. Queerly Health will be linking LGBTQ+ inclusive providers with gay women, queer women, trans women, and gender variant folks (who may be assigned female at birth), among others. As explained by CEO Derrick Reyes, Queerly Health recently started enrolling providers in NYC and will be available to the public in 2020.

8. Progyny became the first fertility benefits company to ever IPO

Family benefits company Progyny (PGNY) went public on October 25. At the offering price, Progyny raised $130 million, and reached a fully diluted market value of $1.3 billion.

Fertility benefits coverage is consolidating as a must-have as more studies reflect that this is a key element in talent retention and employee satisfaction -62% of employees who had their IVF sponsored by their employer expressed that they were more likely to stay longer with the company.

9. One Billion in Funding: Investors Are Watching

Frost & Sullivans report stating that Femtech would reach $50 billion value in the next 5 years, paired up with the recent wins by leading companies and the awareness generated by the female entrepreneur community, has helped the space get on the radar of prominent investors. Just to name another example, Mahmee, a startup tackling the maternal health crisis, announced a $3 million round that included Serena Williams, Arlan Hamilton and Mark Cuban as investors.

This year the space surpassed $1 Billion in total funding since 2014. According to data provided by venture capitalist Vanessa Larco, Partner at NEA, this years total funding in the Femtech category falls just short of $750 million. Larco, who sits on the board of Cleo, a fertility to parenting employee support system, is a firm supporter of the space and hopes to see more exits in the near future: We need the investment community to see that you can make money while making a positive impact on womens health. The bigger the exits, the more money gets invested in the space, and the more companies we will see that should drive better outcomes. Its really the boost we need to get the flywheel going. Thats how you get a venture-funded industry going. And Im eager to see this happen as a woman and investor.

A celebrated funding round this year Elvies $42 million Series B led by IPGL, which was labeled as the largest in Femtech. In all fairness, this is strictly the largest funding round by a female founded Femtech company. However, if we look at the total market, we see that out of the 4 biggest funding rounds in Femtech, 3 were raised by companies founded and built by men (Nurx, Hims/Hers, Ro/Rory). In fact, two of these four were initially mens health companies, primarily selling on-demand pharma products, that then launched women-centered verticals (Hims/Hers, Ro/Rory).

10. Audioerotica Is Bringing Sexy Back

Think inclusive erotica and porn meet sexual wellness. Four companies aim to revolutionize the way people, and specially women, perceive and consume erotic content: Quinn, Dipsea ($ 5.5 million raised), Ferly, and Emjoy all have created digital platforms where audio is the main format, and science and a deep understanding of womens psychology are key elements.

This is part of a larger trend led by rising intimate and sexual wellness startups made by women for women that are creating safe spaces for sexual health education and conversation, while also transforming the way society views womens sexuality at every different stage in life.

Another female-founded startup addressing womens sexual health is Rosy, a digital health solution that supports women experiencing low libido.

11. Maternity And The Workplace: Transforming Culture Through Innovation

The struggle of juggling being a parent and thriving in the workforce is real, especially for women. The work/house role division is no longer set in stone, and employers need to think about supporting womens return after pregnancy and offering fathers the right to extended parental leave.

This creates an opportunity for technology to help reduce existing frictions. Companies innovating in the working mother space include wearable, silent breast pump makers like Elvie or Willow, lactation digital health solutions and communities like Pumpspotting, postpartum telemedicine and parenting benefits like Maven and Cleo, and milk shipping services like Milk Stork for lactating employees that need to travel for work.

12. Destigmatizing Menopause

Out of all of the life stages a woman goes through, menopause is probably the most overlooked by society. Ageism has made women practically invisible in the media after 45, and it transpires into the way we think about healthcare in perimenopause and menopause.

Gennev is an online clinic dedicated exclusively to this stage of life. Founder and CEO Jill Angelo raised $4 million this year and is excited to be launching an annual Zeitgeist study on menopause based on a survey of 6,000, the largest of its kind. Angelo adds that as women live longer and have more wealth than ever, they demand more information about their bodies and they want more care options whether that be traditional hormone therapy or lifestyle-based options for relief.

Elektra Health is another platform for women navigating perimenopause & menopause. Over 80% of women suffer debilitating symptoms (anxiety/depression, brain fog, hot flashes...) as a result of hormonal menopausal shifts, yet 75% of those who seek care dont receive it. Elektra is organizing monthly salon events with leading experts and, starting in 2020, will provide a virtual clinic for New York-based patients.

13. CPG Giants, Pharma, Insurers and Accelerators Make Moves Into The Space

P&G Ventures partnered with Vinetta project earlier this year to source its next billion dollar brand from the community of entrepreneurs, and has expressed a strong interest in the menopause space as well as aging.

Johnson and Johnson has been co-sponsoring innovation summits with a focus on womens health. Additionally, J&J has partnered with accelerator Founders Factory, which is launching a health hub in NYC. The project will be headed by former Techstars Managing Director Maya Baratz Jordan, and is said to focus initially on womens health.

Finally, Pharma companies are paying attention as DTC birth control startups like PillClub, Nurx and Simple Health gain traction among consumers. Insurer Axa, on the other hand, recently announced it will be selecting a group of women entrepreneurs for its first Femtech acceleration program.

Growing amounts of funding, acquisitions, Series A and B, growing consumer demand, and the attention of the biggest healthcare players... It all points out to an exciting 2020. Any bets? Ill be sharing some investor takes on whats to come in the next article.

More:
Femtech in 2019: 13 Trends And Highlights In Womens Health Technology - Forbes

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

If there's one part of the body that most people would like to be free of excess fat, it's the belly. And it's not just for appearance's sake: The specific type of fat that accumulates around your midsection has been linked to a higher risk of disease, including some cancers, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Core exercises can reduce the appearance of belly fat, but there are better ways to get rid of it altogether.

Credit: andresr/E+/GettyImages

Spot reduction, or the idea that you can target fat loss from specific areas of the body, is a myth, so there's no exercise or food that will magically melt away belly fat. But if you're looking to lose belly fat for the long haul, there are a number of research- and expert-backed things you can do.

The first step to getting rid of your belly fat is understanding how it's different from other types of body fat and how that factors in when it comes to weight loss.

There are two types of belly fat:

"As we get older and our hormones change, we tend to deposit more visceral fat, which is very pro-inflammatory and much more dangerous to health than subcutaneous fat," Luiza Petre, MD, a cardiologist and weight-management expert, tells LIVESTRONG.com.

Generally, a waist size over 35 inches for women and over 40 inches for men indicates excess visceral fat, according to the National Institutes of Health.

First things first: Weight loss is a systemic process, which means that energy (read: fat) is burned at an equal rate throughout the body, Dr. Petre says. In other words, your body doesn't tap any one particular area before any other.

"What may seem to be focal weight loss is actually a product of how our fat tissue is distributed," she explains. Women tend to store more fat around the thighs and hips, while men carry more around the waist. Therefore, when weight loss occurs, it's more visible in those areas.

However, there is a difference when it comes to which type of fat goes first. Visceral fat is more readily metabolized into fatty acids, per Harvard Health Publishing, so it responds to diet and exercise more efficiently than soft fat on, say, the hips and thighs.

Once you create a healthy calorie deficit and implement the tips below, you can expect to see a difference in your belly in about two weeks.

Credit: Chaloemphon Wanitcharoentham / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages

How quickly can you expect to watch your belly disappear? Well, that all depends on your calorie deficit.

If you want to lose belly fat, you need to lose weight, which means you need to consume less calories than you burn. Most people can safely cut between 500 and 1,000 calories per day, which typically leads to between 1 and 2 pounds of weight loss per week, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Wondering how to calculate your calories for weight loss? Download the MyPlate app to do the job and help you track your intake, so you can stay focused and achieve your goals!

If you stick to that schedule, you should start to notice a difference in your abdominal area in about two weeks, says Holly Roser, a certified personal trainer and sports nutritionist.

Don't fall for fads promising lightning-fast weight loss or six-pack abs in just a few days. Here's what really works when it comes to trimming your tummy and keeping visceral fat at bay.

Try High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

When you think about exercise for a flatter belly, your mind may immediately go to crunches and other core-targeting moves. But while abdominal exercises can tighten the muscles and make the abdomen look better, Dr. Petre says these moves won't actually trim down the fat around your waist. "Not all exercises are created equal when it comes to belly fat," she stresses.

Research, including a September 2019 study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, has found that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is more effective in reducing abdominal fat compared to other types of training. Researchers noted that people who practiced HIIT not only shaved more inches off their waists but also lost more body fat and gained more lean muscle mass than those who performed other moderate-intensity exercise, including brisk walking and cycling.

Compared to low-fat diets, Dr. Petre maintains that lower-carb diets are better when it comes to blasting visceral fat. One important study, published August 2019 in the Journal of Hepatology, found that a lower-carbohydrate Mediterranean diet was more effective at reducing belly fat than a diet lower in fat.

Everyone needs fat in his or her diet. But the type of fat you're eating is important, too. Those following a Mediterranean diet are encouraged to avoid or limit saturated fats found in such foods as butter, lard, full-fat dairy, fatty meats, fried foods and commercial baked goods and instead stick to unsaturated fats like olive oil, avocado and nuts.

The Mediterranean diet also puts the focus on whole grains over refined carbs, which can help put the kibosh on belly fat. According to Harvard Health Publishing, these refined foods (think: white bread and rice, chips, sweets and sugary drinks) cause sharp spikes in blood sugar and elevate your triglyceride levels, which cause your body to store more fat around the waist.

Avocados are a smart choice when you're trying to lose belly fat.

Credit: Milan_Jovic/E+/GettyImages

Ilana Muhlstein, RD, dietitian and co-creator of Beachbody's 2B Mindset, is a fan of cruciferous veggies such as cabbage, arugula, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts as great belly fat-blasting fuel. "They are low in calories but high in fiber," she explains.

Eating more fiber can help you feel full on less food, which helps with weight loss in general. And eating more soluble fiber such as the kind found in many veggies but also flax seeds, oranges, beans and oats in particular may be key in reducing abdominal fat. One oft-cited study published in the February 2012 issue of Obesity followed more than 1,000 people for five years and found that each 10-gram increase in soluble fiber intake decreased belly fat accumulation by 3.7 percent.

Before you get too caught up in exactly how much and which kind of fiber you should be getting, keep in mind that there's no perfect amount to aim for instead, simply fill your plate with a variety of veggies as often as possible.

"A combined program of a low-carbohydrate and high-fiber diet with regular exercise and a de-stress plan will allow you to see a waistline again."

Research has established a link between sleep and visceral fat, Dr. Petre says. Indeed, a May 2014 study published in Obesity found that those who sleep a healthy amount of time defined by researchers as seven to eight hours a day gained significantly less visceral fat than those who slept too little or too much.

One of the culprits here is cortisol, aka the stress hormone, which your body tends to release when you're short on shut-eye. Cortisol signals your body to store more fat in your belly while also increasing your hunger and negatively affecting your metabolism.

Speaking of cortisol, research has also connected higher stress levels to more belly fat. "High cortisol levels can actually increase your visceral fat, as the hormone is known to increase the amount of fat that clings to your body and magnifies the growth of your fat cells," Dr. Petre says.

Stressful situations are nearly unavoidable in everyday life, but you do have control over your response to them, which can help mitigate the effects of cortisol on your body: Check out eight ways to beat stress-induced belly fat.

Because there are so many components involved in blasting belly fat, Dr. Petre says that motivation and commitment are key even when you don't see results right away. "A combined program of a low-carbohydrate and high-fiber diet with regular exercise and a de-stress plan will allow you to see a waistline again," she says. "You can push past your genetics and bad habits to get rid of that elastic waistband forever."

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How to Lose Belly Fat: 6 Things That Really Work - LIVESTRONG.COM

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

When should menopausal women stop taking the pill? Experts warn they may need it longer than they think

Many middle age women experiencing symptoms of the menopause wonder when they can safely stop birth control.

Now experts at the Mayo Clinic have provided clear guidance on the matter.

They warn women to heed their advice as they say birth control is often something women, perhaps in their forties or early fifties, stop worrying about a little too soon.

Indeed, research that shows 75 per cent of pregnancies in women over 40 are unplanned.

Furthermore, some pregnancy complications and risk of miscarriage go up with age.

Here, gynecologist Dr Petra Casey from the clinic addresses some of thecommon questions older women ask of their gynecologists.

What age does the menopause start?

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.

Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. Sometimes they can stop suddenly.

The menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a womans oestrogen levels decline. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51.

When is it safe to stop birth control?

Signs of menopause can occur up to several years before a womans final period, a transition time known as perimenopause.Once you have missed your period for a year, you are considered menopausal and may safely stop birth control.

But be warned, if you reach 11-and-a-half months of no periods, then have a period, the clock starts all over again and youre still not in menopause.

Sometimes lab tests are also performed to confirm menopause, but most women dont need them.

About 90 to 95 per cent of women will be menopausal by 55 and may stop birth control then. But if you dont want to become pregnant, using effective birth control until you are truly menopausal is very important.

What birth control is best for women over age 35 or 40?

IUDs are recommended as the most protective form of birth control

If you are at a healthy weight, dont smoke, dont have high blood pressure or history of blood clots, you can probably continue the oral contraceptive pill, patch or ring well into your 50s.

Hormonal oral contraceptives can provide a number of benefits for perimenopausal women beyond preventing pregnancy.

These include reduced hot flashes, reduced menstrual bleeding and decreased risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

What if I want to avoid hormones?

Perimenopausal women should not use estrogen-containing contraceptives if they smoke or have a history of estrogen-dependent cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or blood clots.

If you would like to avoid hormones as you transition into menopause, you can use the copper IUD, barrier methods like condoms, cervical cap, diaphragm or sponge, or have a minor surgical procedure to tie or block your fallopian tubes.

Other great options which dont contain the hormone estrogen include IUDs, implants, shots and minipills.

Some IUDs contain the hormone levonorgestrel, a kind of progestin, which helps decrease or even eliminate heavy menstrual bleeding, a common problem for women in their 40s.These types of IUDs last three to five years.

Another kind of IUD is made of copper, does not contain hormones and can last up to 10 years.They are more effective than pills in preventing pregnancy.

What if Ive had unprotected sex?

Just in case you had unprotected sex and you dont wish to become pregnant, there are also several kinds of emergency contraception.

There are morning after pills thatcontain the hormone levonorgestrel, such as Levonelle, which work by delaying ovulation or release of an egg. They do not interfere with an established pregnancy or cause a miscarriage.

It is most effective when taken within 12 hours of unprotected sex, although it can be effective for up to 72 hours after sex.

Most women will experience menopausal symptoms.

Some of these can be quite severe and have a significant impact on your everyday activities.

Common symptoms include:

Menopausal symptoms can begin months or even years before your periods stop and last around four years after your last period, although some women experience them for much longer.

Source: NHS Choices

Another option which is more effective, especially if you are heavier, is ellaOne. Ella is effective in decreasing the risk of pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex.

A copper IUD inserted within five days of unprotected sex is the most effective option for emergency contraception but requires an appointment with a health care provider. You can keep it for birth control for up to 10 years.

Can I combine hormone replacement therapy and contraception?

You can start on menopausal hormone therapy using an estrogen patch to help manage symptoms and use one of the progestin-only birth control options for contraception and to protect the uterine lining from growing too much with the estrogen.

The progestin-containing IUD, implant, shot or minipill all work well for this. If you have had a hysterectomy, you can take estrogen alone.

Your GP can help guide you in choosing the best birth control option for you during the menopausal transition.

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Mayo Clinic say menopausal women need the pill for longer - Stock Daily Dish

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True story: when I was in high school, friends of mine would avoid taking the sugar pills included in the combination birth control pill for fear of gaining weight.

While on reflection this sounds pretty ridiculous, a Google search of the sugar content in these placebo or inactive pills (as their medically known) reveals not much.

The actual ingredients in the pills sugar tablets varies slightly depending on the manufacturer.

Essentially, each placebo pill is made up of whats known as excipients: fillers and binders that fill out the size of a tablet, provide colour, and hold the ingredients together so its convenient to consume.

According to Head of the Department of General Practice at Monash University, Professor Danielle Mazza, these usually include sucrose (sugar), calcium carbonate, magnesium stearate, glycerol, iron oxide yellow, and povidone.

There is also lactose in most tablets, but not enough lactose to bother someone who is lactose intolerant says Dr Terri Foran, sexual health physician and lecturer with the UNSW School of Women's & Children's Health, and director of Master Womens Health Medicine.

As the inactive pills contain no hormones or active ingredients, they provide no medical benefit.

The exact quantity of sugar (or any ingredient) in the placebo pills is not usually revealed by manufacturers. However, doctors say the possibility of this causing weight gain is unlikely or a complete myth.

The amount of sugar is tiny. There is not enough to cause any weight gain and skipping them will not prevent weight gain, says Dr Foran.

No, is the short answer.

People on the pill are able to manipulate their cycle in a number of ways, such as by running pill packets of the same type back-to-back so they are consistently taking the active pills only.

Those who choose to have the hormone-free break in their cycle, can choose to not take any tablet at all on these days. They may alternatively decide to take the inactive tablets for a shorter period than their packet suggests.

In Australia, women have been running pill packs together forever and it is perfectly safe to do so, says Dr Foran. In the US they have a pill with no placebo pills at all.

The UKs Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare recently updated its official guidance to say there is no health benefit from the seven-day hormone-free interval. In Australia, Family Planning NSW associate medical director Dr Clare Boerma says this remains an off-packet but widely accepted practice.

No. Dr Boerma says it is medically unnecessary to have the withdrawal bleed brought on by a break in active pills.

I hear in my clinic lots of myths that women have about the need to have this monthly break from hormones, or some women get the idea that you're going to have a buildup of lots of blood and clots on the inside if you don't let it out, Dr Boerma says.

Actually, the pill works just in the lining of your womb really well, so there's not something actually building up to be released, so to speak.

It's not actually a period people think of it as periods but the pill is stopping you ovulating so it's a withdrawal bleed from the drop of hormone as opposed to relating to a natural cycle of hormones in your body. So it's a fake period.

The pill could be more effective when the placebo pills are skipped altogether, as this allows less room for user error.

Good question. Theres a few reasons:

1. To avoid breakthrough bleeding, which is more likely to occur when the active tablets are consistently taken with no break.

2. To assure users they arent pregnant.

3. To keep users in the routine of taking a tablet a day, should they choose to have a withdrawal bleed.

4. To mimic the natural cycle.

5. To appease the Catholic Church.

Whats the Catholic Church got to do with it?

It was recently claimed that one of the pills Catholic co-founders invented the withdrawal bleed in an attempt to persuade the Vatican to accept the new form of contraception, as an extension of the natural menstrual cycle

While this attempt was unsuccessful, both Dr Foran and Dr Boerma say this was a likely reason for the withdrawal bleeds inclusion, combined with the other reasons for the hormone-free break such as to mimic the natural menstrual cycle.

Disclaimer: This article contains general information only. It is not intended to replace the advice provided by your own doctor or medical or health professional.

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What's really in those 'sugar' birth control pills - SBS News

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Ness Berminghams latest venture brings throwbacks to some of his earliest work in biopharma. Part of his PhD work at Imperial College London revolved around triplet repeat disorders, a group of 40 or so genetic diseases characterized by the repetition and expansion of specific trinucleotide sequences. During his early years at Atlas Venture way before he became known as a co-founder of pioneering CRISPR player Intellia he helped create a biotech, Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, that created a Huntingtons drug dubbed tetrabenazine.

Back then and until very recently even though Huntingtons and other diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia and myotonic dystrophy fell under the same umbrella, they were construed as separate afflictions. A potentially unifying theory, as it turned out, lay in one question: Why dont patients born with the same repeats always begin to see symptoms at the same age?

For quite some time people had known that there are these genetic modifiers that really seem to profoundly impact these diseases and the onset and progression of these diseases, Bermingham told Endpoints News.

Triplet Therapeutics, which is doing the rounds today with $59 million in launch cash from Atlas, MPM Capital and Pfizer Ventures, believes the key to that mechanism is the DNA damage response pathway.

The DNA damage response pathway, or DDR, is a crucial way for cells to repair genetic material. But in patients with repeat expansion disorders, when their DDR machine goes in to fix the kinks during DNA replication, they also insert multiple repeating sequences in turn blowing up the size of the DNA so much that its more prone to damage, creating a snowball effect, according to Bermingham.

Out of about 100 genes involved in the DDR pathway, Triplet has identified a couple key drivers that they can target to stop the insertion of repeats, thereby holding the disease at bay.

That has allowed to shift their thinking from a disease standpoint to a tissue standpoint, Bermingham said, and the first tissue they will go after is the brain: Huntingtons, multiple subtypes of spinocerebellar ataxia, dentatorubralpallidoluysian atrophy, myotonic dystrophy, and so on.

As you move from tissue to tissue, it opens up different drugs of different formulations that hit the same target, he said.

Unlike at Korro Bio, the RNA editing outfit Bermingham has recently unveiled as executive chairman, Triplet is not looking to new tools. Rather, the goal is to home in on a fundamental driver of disease upstream of what rivals like Roche/Ionis and Wave are knocking out in Huntingtons.

The candidates they are now testing in non-human primates for CNS disorders are antisense oligonucleotides, but for other tissues such as muscles, the eye or even the kidney, they also plan to use small interfering RNA. These tools were chosen as they provide more specific targeting and less safety issues than, say, small molecules, Bermingham said.

The CEO added that using ASO and siRNA has allowed his team of 29 to move quickly, ready to enter the clinic within two years the runway that the Series A (also featuring Invus, Partners Innovation Fund and Alexandria Venture Investments) is providing. In the process hes looking to grow the company to somewhere between 45 to 60.

Currently helping Bermingham run the operations are some seasoned execs in the space: Irina Antonijevic, SVP of development, previously led translational medicine and early development at Wave; Brian Bettencourt, SVP of computational biology & statistics, specialized in modeling and design of oligonucleotide and mRNA at Translate Bio; David Morrissey, SVP of technology, and Peter Blalek, head of translational sciences, are both old colleagues from Intellia; Head of pharmacology Pei Ge led the Huntingtons program at Alnylam before moving to Ironwood; Eric Sullivan, CFO, was formerly of Gemini Therapeutics and bluebird bio; and Jeffrey Cerio, general counsel, has served at Moderna.

Shinichiro Fuse of MPM and Laszlo Kiss of Pfizer Ventures are joining the board, chaired by Atlas partner Jean-Franois Formela, alongside Douglas Kerr, chief development officer at Generation Bio. Then theres the scientific advisory board comprising three academic experts, including Vanessa Wheeler at Massachusetts General Hospital, who happened to be a PhD mate of Berminghams.

Ramping up would mean spending the majority of his time with Triplet at the new Kendall Square offices they are moving into in January, slightly detached from Atlas which he rejoined as venture partner less than two years ago in the wake of his exit from the helm of Intellia.

Its my intent to stay here and see this company through, he said. Im trained as a human geneticist originally, and then further specialized down to molecular biology. So this is absolutely in my sweet spot.

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What unifies Huntington's, spinocerebellar ataxia and myotonic dystrophy? Ness Bermingham's new startup looks to drug that - Endpoints News

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SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to Coherent Market Insights, the global stem cell therapy market was valued at US$ 7,313.6 million in 2018, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 21.1% over the forecast period (2019-2027).

Key Trends and Analysis of the Stem cell therapy Market:

Key trends in market are increasing incidence of cancer and osteoporosis, rising number of research and development activities for product development, and adoption of growth strategies such as acquisitions, collaborations, product launches by the market players.

Key players are focused on launches of production facility for offering better stem cell therapy in the potential market. For instance, in January 2019, FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc., a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, announced to invest around US$ 21 Mn for building new cGMP-compliant production facility, in order to enhance production capacity of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell for the development of cell therapy and regenerative medicine products. The new facility is expected to begin its operations by March 2020.

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Market players are adopting inorganic growth strategies such as acquisitions and collaborations, in order to enhance their offerings in the potential market. For instance, in August 2019, Bayer AG acquired BlueRock Therapeutics, a company developing cell therapies based on induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platform. This acquisition is expected to strengthen Bayers market position in the stem cell therapy market.

Furthermore, increasing research and development activities of stem cells by research organizations to provide efficient treatment options to patients suffering from various chronic diseases is expected to drive growth of the stem cell therapy market over the forecast period. For instance, in January, 2019, the Center for Beta Cell Therapy in Diabetes and ViaCyte, Inc. initiated a trial of human stem cell-derived product candidates in type 1 diabetes patients in Europe.

However, high cost of preservation of stem cells and other factors is expected to hamper growth of stem cell therapy market over the forecast period. High cost of stem cell storage is a factor that is expected to hinder growth of the market. For instance, according to the Meredith Corporation, a private bank generally charges US$ 1,200 to US$ 2,300 to collect cord blood at the time of delivery, with annual storage fees of US$ 100 to US$ 300 each year. Thus, high cost associated with stem cell storage combined with high production cost are expected to hinder growth of the market, especially in emerging economies.

Key Market Takeaways:

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Market Segmentations:

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Global Stem Cell Therapy Market to Surpass US$ 40.3 Billion by 2027 Coherent Market Insights - Business Wire

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Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the most expensive drug ever to hit the market, a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. SMA is a neuromuscular disorder that, in severe cases, can lead to infant death. The genetic correction is currently used to treat affected newborns, but as symptoms for some types of SMA may appear before birth, an earlier treatment would be potentially more effective.

In a study published December 4 in Molecular Therapy, researchers were able to fix a mutation in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) genewhich causes SMA in humansin mice modelling the disease, while they were still inside their mothers uterus. The treated mice lived longer and had fewer symptoms than untreated animals.

Tippi MacKenzie, a fetal and pediatric surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, who did not participate in this study, says it is an important paper because it is the first time fetal gene therapy has succeeded in SMA mice. Before you even think about doing something in patients, you have to first do it in the disease model of the mouse . . . so this group has supplied a very important piece to the literature, she adds.

SMN1encodes an essential protein for the maintenance of motor neurons, which are nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling muscle movement. The result in children with mutations in the gene is the loss of motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness and associated complications. SMA affects one out of every 6,000 to 10,000 babies.

Correcting the SMN1 sequence is a potentially efficient treatment for those born with SMA. Zolgensma, the recently approved medication for this disorder, consists of an intravenous administration of an adeno-associated virus that ferries a functional copy of the SMN1 gene to the brain.

To see if the same fix could be accomplished before birth, the research team tested two different injection methods: one into the placenta (intraplacental or IP) and the other into one of the brain lateral ventricles (intracerebroventricular or ICV). The latter proved to be more effective. By injecting the viral vector into the fetuss brain, the virus will go directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, and it will transduce motor neurons in the spinal cord with a very high efficiency, compared to the IP [injection], says Afrooz Rashnonejad. who participated in this study while working at Ege University in Izmir, Turkey, but has recently moved to Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Rashnonejad and her colleagues then monitored the injected mice that were carried to term. Those treated with the vector carrying a functional copy of SMN1 lived a median lifespan of 63 or 105 days (depending on the type of cassette carrying the gene), much longer than untreated SMA mice, which did not survive more than 14 days, but still less than wildtype pups, which had a median lifespan of 405 days. The treated mice were also heavier than untreated mice, but smaller than healthy mice.

The investigators also observed differences at the cellular and molecular levels. SMN protein levels were completely recovered in the brain and spinal cord, and the number of motor neurons was higher in treated animals.

I was just very impressed by what theyve done, says Simon Waddington, a gene therapy researcher at University College London who did not participate in this work, but was one of the reviewers of the paper. He adds that he and other colleagues had previously tried fetal gene therapy on SMA mice, but had failed as it is a technically difficult experiment. So it was really nice to see this group actually did a really good job.

This is the first time viral vectors have been used to successfully boost gene expression in SMA mice before birth. Interventions to edit the genome in utero have been previously used in mice that model other severe genetic diseases. Last year, for instance, Waddington and colleagues used fetal gene therapy to treat mice affected by Gaucher disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that can be fatal for newborns. Other successful attempts include intrauterine gene editing for mice affected by -thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, and mice suffering a monogenic lung disease that normally results in newborn death.

MacKenzie says that, in a recent national meeting on in utero gene therapy, it was discussed how to move forward with a clinical application to the FDA. We are definitively moving towards that direction, but we dont have a particular application yet, because its still not clear which disease should be the first.

SMA makes a lot of sense because its so severe, MacKenzie adds. But at the same time, the results that are coming out at conferences, she observes, suggest that newborn babies receiving Zolgensma are doing pretty well, better than anybody could have imagined. So its not clear that you have to go before birth. A good candidate, she explains, would be a very rare type of SMA, where the baby dies before birth.

Waddington says that researchers might have to wait for neonatal gene therapy to become standard for certain diseases before using fetal gene therapy in humans. Once we actually understand how efficient this is, and if we come to the point where we discover that the earlier that you go the more effective it is . . . in a human setting, then we may be able to do fetal gene therapy. I think that we are looking at more than five years away before thats even likely to happen, he hypothesizes.

A. Rashnonejad et al., Fetal gene therapy using a single injection of recombinant AAV9 rescued SMA phenotype in mice,Molecular Therapy, 27:212333, 2019.

Alejandra Manjarrez is a freelance science journalist. Email her atalejandra.manjarrezc@gmail.com.

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Fetal Gene Therapy Helps Mice with Spinal Muscular Atrophy - The Scientist

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Abstract / Synopsis:

Two anti-VEGF gene therapies are being investigated in clinical trials of patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration. Initial efficacy and safety results are encouraging.

Anti-VEGF gene therapy for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has transformative potential for reducing treatment burden and improving patient outcomes, according to Szilrd Kiss, MD.

Two investigational anti-VEGF gene therapies are currently being investigated in clinical trialsRGX-314 (Regenxbio) and ADVM-022 (Adverum). Dr. Kiss described the two technologies and reviewed some preliminary clinical trial results that support their promise for providing sustained benefit with a single injection.

Considering the treatment burden of anti-VEGF therapy for other ocular diseases, we can imagine that exudative AMD is just the first indication that will be targeted for anti-VEGF gene therapy, said Dr. Kiss, chief, Retina Service, associate professor of ophthalmology, and associate dean at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY.

RGX-314 delivers a gene for an anti-VEGF fab protein that is similar to ranibizumab. It uses adeno-associated virus-8 (AAV8) as a vector and is administered in the operating room as a subretinal injection.

AAV is the most common viral vector carrier used for gene therapy. Different AAV serotypes have different tissue selectivity, Dr. Kiss explained. AAV8 is a wild type AAV that has the propensity for greater transfection of retinal cells compared with AAV2 following subretinal gene therapy delivery.

RELATED:AAO 2019: Encouraging results revealed from early trial of subretinal gene therapy for wet AMD

Disclosures:

Szilrd Kiss, MDe: [emailprotected]This article was adapted from Dr. Kiss presentation at the 2019 meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Kiss is a consultant to RegenxBio and Spark Therapeutics and is a consultant and equity owner in Adverum.

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Research targets gene therapy for exudative AMD patients - Modern Retina

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A vector is a microscopic carrier of pieces of DNA. It is used to deliver healthy copies of genes to tissues and organs within patients or deliver the ability to correct the genetic errors. While the technology is moving rapidly, production of vectors is not.

NSW, and in particular the Westmead Precinct, is already at the forefront of international gene therapy research. The aim of this project is to speed up research and translate it into cures for serious genetic diseases affecting children.

The facility will produce vectors to treat illnesses impacting everything from those with life-threatening liver disease to children going blind. Currently the vectors need to imported and its extremely costly to get them to Australia.

Professor Ian Alexander, Head of the Gene Therapy Research Unit at Childrens Medical Research Institute, senior clinician at The Childrens Hospital at Westmead and Professor of Paediatric and Molecular Medicine at the University of Sydney, said the manufacturing facility would be a boost to translation of academic research in NSW.

We see it as the beginning of something much greater, Professor Alexander said.

It is about moving technology into the clinic, which, in future, will benefit many more patients by offering new and better treatment opportunities. This technology could translate into saving the lives of infants with life-threatening conditions.

Dr Leszek Lisowski heads the Translational Vectorology Group at CMRI and is Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney. His team will play a key role in the new facility, through training of staff and developing the manufacturing processes that will underpin operations. In addition, his team specialises in the development of novel vectors optimised for clinical applications targeting liver, eye and many other clinically important organs and tissues.

Dr Lisowski said that this new facility will allow Australian investigators to get around the "bottleneck" of getting vectors from overseas.

The biggest bottleneck that slows down translation of gene therapy tools to the patient is a global lack of vector manufacturing capacity, which significantly extends the timeline and increases the cost of translational studies," he said.

This facility will give Australian researchers prioritised and cost-effective access to clinical gene therapy reagents and will facilitate translation of a large number of exciting preclinical programs from bench to bedside.

The team is excited by this vital investment and looks forward to partnering with government and other funders to enable the facility to achieve its full potential.

The Westmead Precinct is one of the largest health, education, research and training precincts in Australia and a key provider of jobs for the greater Parramatta and western Sydney region. Spanning 75 hectares, the Precinct includes four hospitals, four world-leading medical research institutes, two multidisciplinary university campuses and the largest research-intensive pathology service in NSW.

The University of Sydney has long been a proud partner of the Precinct and is in negotiations about developing a second major campus in the area. By 2050, that campus will include 25,000 students; 1000 staff and researchers; generate $21.7 billion for the NSW economy and support up to 20,000 jobs.

University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence said that as part of our collaborative work in building a western Sydney global centre of excellence, Precinct partners are growing Australias advanced manufacturing capability.

These developments will strengthen crucial collaborations in the Precinct from R&D and design to distribution in areas such as prevention and wellbeing, biomedical engineering, AI and personalised medicine, Dr Spence said.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Executive Dean Professor Robyn Ward said: This technology will scale up gene therapy using viral vectors from single-condition, life changing successes, for example in spinal muscle atrophy, to a national service.

We are so proud of this leadership at the Westmead Precinct and with our health partners. It is a whole-of-lifespan, true bench-to-clinic approach."

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Westmead advanced manufacturing to transform lives - News - The University of Sydney

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