Jim Shanahan from SynDevRx explains why metabo-oncology treatment modalities could be the answer to a rise in metabolic disorders and cancers.

The global pandemic of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes combined with an ageing population is leading to an upcoming tsunami of cancers, according to Jim Shanahan, Co-Founder, Vice President of Business Development and Director of SynDevRx.

Some cancers, such as breast, colon, liver, prostate and certain parts of lung, are sensitive to dysregulated metabolic hormones. In an interview with Drug Target Reviews Victoria Rees, Shanahan highlighted that metabolic hormone signalling pathways could be exploited to treat these cancers, including with SynDevRxs lead molecule, SDX-7320.

Shanahan began by explaining that the metabolic hormones insulin, leptin and adiponectin are the three primary signalling molecules that work through well understood cancer signalling pathways. Insulin primarily signals through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, leptin through the MAPK and JAK2-STAT3 pathways, while adiponectin is an agonist of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway (cAMP) and protects against the phosphorylation and activation of notch signalling.

While these pathways have been thoroughly researched and described in many peer-reviewed research papers, Shanahan emphasised that how these externalities affect cancer growth and outcomes have been underappreciated.

Cancer looks for external signals that indicate there is sufficient energy for the cell to replicate. That is where the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, the JAK-STAT pathway and other pathways come in, he said, as aberrant signalling by dysregulated hormones stimulates these pathways.

Having developed a lead molecule to fulfil this unmet need for oncology and metabolic disorders, Shanahan explained that SDX-7320 is in the fumagillin class of methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) inhibitors. He explained that fumagillin is a naturally occurring biomass from the fungus named Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius.

This was discovered by accident in the lab of Dr Judah Folkman in the mid-1980s a researcher named Dr Don Ingber had a contamination in one of his angiogenesis experiments that lead to the discovery. When he returned to the lab after the weekend, he found that there was a part of the dish that was clear of blood vessels. He was then able to isolate fumagillin and realised this could be a potential drug.

Working with Takeda in the 1990s, they developed a drug called TNP-470 that went into the clinic as an anticancer agent and demonstrated promising antitumour efficacy. However, while this drug was successful against late-stage tumours across a variety of different solid tumour types, it crossed the blood-brain barrier and induced central neural toxicity.

After several years, Takeda returned the technology to Dr Folkmans lab and the researchers investigated how to change its physical characteristics while maintaining its activity. One strategy they explored was conjugating the drug to a high molecular weight polymer backbone. By attaching TNP-470 to a polymer, the researchers developed a molecule called caplostatin.

Shanahan said that around this time, SynDevRx were exploring ways to improve the risk associated with drug development. Their aim was to identify drug classes that had been explored clinically and had proven human activity but had side effects that could be addressed.

Meeting with Dr Folkman, they began to work on the molecule. Shanahan said that SynDevRx brought in a polymer chemist and spent several years developing a new compound that is their current lead molecule.

the focus on metabo-oncology as a new and complimentary treatment modality could be critical to the improvements in patient outcomes

While the discovery of fumagillin and its potent antiangiogenic effects were reported in the early 1990s, Shanahan said that its mechanism of action was not elucidated until the late 1990s by researchers at MIT. He explained that this fumagillin drug class inhibits the metalloprotease class enzyme MetAP2, also known as protein 67 (p67), referring to its molecular weight.

Shanahan explained that there are two known methionine aminopeptidase isoforms, identified as MetAP1 and MetAP2. Both carry out code translational functions, meaning the enzymes sit on the ribosome and cleave the initiator methionine concurrent with protein synthesis and in preparation for post-translation modifications.

He said that MetAP2 has six identified exclusive AP2 substrates. These are: thioredoxin-1 (TRX-1); cyclophilin A (CypA); GAPDH; eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF2); Rab37; and SH3BGRL.

The fumagillin drug class inhibits methionine aminopeptidase activity. When it is administered, it binds irreversibly to the histidine 231 pocket of MetAP2 and prevents the removal of methionine. Where MetAP1 will remove methionine for most other molecules, the exclusive MetAP2 substrates do not undergo the removal of their methionine; this has some interesting downstream effects, said Shanahan.

By inhibiting MetAP2, the methionine on these proteins is retained and therefore post-translational modifications that would add different fatty acids do not occur. The proteins do not fold properly, causing some to be ubiquitinated, while others are relocated to a different part of the cytosol because of changes to their solubility. Shanahan explained that these cause a cascade effect and have a downstream impact, including on the metabolic hormone signalling pathways.

By inhibiting MetAP2, you affect these six proteins then by impacting these six proteins, you get this pleiotropic set of effects, from very potent antiangiogenic effects, to changes to the cell signalling, to really potent effects on metabolic and lipid processing, said Shanahan.

We see this as a prime modality for treatment in combination with other modalities, highlighted Shanahan. He said that the researchers have so far completed Phase I clinical trials in solid tumours, which included a dose escalation to determine the maximum tolerated dose and schedule for Phase II and subsequent clinical phases.

We have demonstrated pre-clinically that by coming at the tumours with a multimodal attack, we can have a profound effect. Over the last five to 10 years, it has now been demonstrated through the immune system that external factors have a large impact on the fate of the cancer and the patient. With the increase in obesity and diabetes and rise of tumours sensitive to systemic metabolic dysfunction, Shanahan said that the focus on metabo-oncology as a new and complimentary treatment modality could be critical to the improvements in patient outcomes.

Here is the original post:
Could metabo-oncology be the treatment modality of the future? - Drug Target Review

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

A new clinic has launched in Norwich to focus on mens health, including male hormone replacement therapy, anti-aging treatments and erectile dysfunction.

Dr Gary Horn, consultant plastic surgeon and mens health expert, answers some of the questions he is most frequently asked:

Q: What are the benefits of attending a specialist mens clinic?

We are able to focus on mens health as a whole as we have a more comprehensive understanding of how the whole body is working and how we can make it better. If someone comes to me for liposuction, for example, I can ask them about why they think they have so much fat and find out more about their diet and look into their hormone levels. Some products work better for men or for women they are two different types of patient and need specific advice and treatment.

A patient of Dr Gary Horn, pre-reshaping operation and post-operation.- Credit: Dr Gary F. Horn

Q: What is the main cause of erectile dysfunction?

There are different causes. I look into lifestyle, weight and whether someone smokes, for example. As well as conducting a physical examination, I might end up ordering blood tests and checking testosterone levels. The problem might be neurological or vascular, where vessels in the penis have become smaller. This is often is the first sign of having a more general cardiovascular problem, which could go on to affect the heart or other vessels in the body. I may therefore need to refer this person to a cardiologist. Erectile dysfunction can also follow prostate surgery, or it can be a psychological issue.

Q: How can I improve my erectile dysfunction?

There was a time when Viagra was one of our only options, but now we can also treat erectile dysfunction with low-intensity shock waves and that can be used alone or combined with injections of stem cells which is becoming quite popular.

Q: Is male hormone therapy safe?

Yes, absolutely. But you dont give it without carrying out certain checks. It starts with a questionnaire; then a physical examination and then, of course, there is a blood test to assess different things, including testosterone levels, which can then be managed with oral or injectable applications.

Dr Gary Horn, consultant plastic surgeon and mens health expert. - Credit: Dr Gary F. Horn

Q: What are the signs that I might need hormone replacement therapy?

Feeling tired all the time; not being able to complete different activities or do sport; having problems concentrating and not being able to finish tasks can all be signs that you may need hormone replacement therapy. There can be sleeping issues, a reduction in libido or problems maintaining a proper erection. The majority of men requiring hormone replacement therapy will be over 50 but anyone from 20 to 80 can have an assessment.

Q: What is the best anti-aging treatment for men?

Apart from hormone replacement therapy and the other supplements that go along with it, peptides etc, as a plastic surgeon I can offer non-surgical treatments such as facial injections, including fillers and botox, and maybe different types of cream to maintain and restore texture of the skin. On the surgical side, I can offer eyelid surgery, facelifts, rhinoplasty and hair transplants.

Q: What other treatments do you offer?

I have a reshaping clinic for men. Apart from looking at exercise and diet, I also offer surgery such as scar revision or laser liposuction and high definition liposuction for people who want to look more athletic. I can carry out tummy tucks and body lifts, when patients have had massive weight loss and can offer implants, ranging from pectoral implants to calf, buttock and bicep implants.

For more information visit http://www.norwichcosmeticsurgeryandskinclinic.com

Continued here:
Men's health: What is the best anti-ageing treatment? Q&A - Eastern Daily Press

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

In this study, 16 women with POI, aged from 27 to 46years old, and a POI duration of 125years were interviewed. The age range of women at the time of POI and definitive diagnosis was 13 to 40years. Among the participants, three women had remarried, two of whom had divorced after diagnosis POI due to infertility. The level of education of women was from primary to doctorate. The cause of the POI was mainly unknown, but in 2 participants, POI occurred after cancer treatment and a participant afflicted to POI following an autoimmune disease. The Other demographic characteristics of the participants are presented in Table 1.

After content analysis of the interviews with a focus on the perception and experience of women with POI of reproductive-sexual health, four categories emerged (endangerment of women's health, psychological agitation, disruption of social life disturbance in sexual life), explained as follows.

The results showed that all participants were concerned about the effects of decreased ovarian function and changes in hormone levels on their future health.

This main category consists of four subcategories (irregular menstruation, emergence of menopausal symptoms, infertility, signs of early aging) as follows:

Menstrual cycle changes (irregular menstrual cycle, primary amenorrhea or sudden cessation of menstrual bleeding) are one of the first suspicious signs of POI in women that resulted mostly to consult a physician.

One of the participants, who had POI for 8years, said:

The first time my period became irregular, I went to the doctor and she told me that I should take hormone therapy. Before that, I had regular periods, but after 2-3years, I did not have regular periods, and the doctor said there was a possibility of premature ovarian insufficiency (p. 9, 43 y).

Another participant who had regular periods for 27years, stated:

Suddenly, I did not have another period. I went to the doctor. I had an ultrasound and found that I no longer had an ovum (p. 3, 46 y).

A number of participants did not experience menstruation at puberty and had primary amenorrhea, or spotted only once.

One participant that had a spontaneous POI, said:

I did not menstruate at all from the beginning, like my sister (p. 1, 30 y).

Following changes in hormone levels, participants experienced some degree of menopausal complications.

One of the participants who had POI following treatment of cancer, said:

Dry uterus bothers me a lot, especially during sex (p. 10, 46 y).

Another participant who had POI for 10years, stated:

It was very hard at first. In particular, flushing much annoyed me (p. 11, 44 y).

The other participant had POI with an autoimmune disease origin and had one live child with successful spontaneous pregnancy, said:

Premature ovarian insufficiency reduced libido (p. 8, 35 y).

This issue was the main concern of most participants and one of the main complaints of participants with POI was infertility.

A participant who had underwent chemotherapy for cancer treatment in 2008 and had lost her fertility for 11years, said:

I did not know before, but when I inclined to have a baby, I later realized that POI result to infertility (p.2, 4 y).

Another woman who had divorced due to have a 17-year-old history of infertility and remarried, stated:

When I did ultrasound check for infertility, the report showed that my ovaries are very small like as ovaries in menopause women (p.12, 43 y).

Due to decreased levels of estrogen in afflicted women, some of them reported conditions like loss of beauty, wrinkling of the skin and decreased feeling of youth.

One participant, who had been suffering from premature ovarian failure since the age of 22 and for 10years, said:

My first concern was this: I was no longer beautiful (p.16, 34 y).

The other participant that is pregnant currently with donated egg, said:

Eventually you f1eel the changes in your body. For example, you notice wrinkles on your skin (p.9, 43 y).

One participant that had POI for 13years, stated:

Although I am 37years old, I do not feel young I feel aging and I am old (p.13, 38 y).

POI occur in women is less than 40years old, while the normal age of menopause in women is 4555years. Hence the acceptance of POI for participants was accompanied with psychological reactions.

This main category consists of three subcategories [anxiety reaction, mood reaction, agitation in the selection of childbearing] as following:

Participants experienced an onslaught of negative emotions after being diagnosed with POI by a physician, including feelings of despair, depression, a sense of aging, and shock from menopause.

A participant who had POI since the beginning of her marriage and for 5years said:

When it told me to get menopause, I tried for traditional medicine but, due to that was not successful, I was disappointed (p.7, 37 y).

Another participant expressed:

At that time, when I realized my problem, I became depressed and thought that I was the only one. It had a great effect on my mood (p.1, 30 y).

A participant told in despair:

Because I dont have children, I be early menopause, that is, I got oldThese are other signs of aging (p.4, 46 y).

Another participant, who had POI since the age of 22 and had been struggling with it for 12years, said:

I really didnt expect such a thing at all. I was planning to have a planned pregnancy. But the exact opposite happened. The shock was so great it was the biggest shock of my life I have ever experienced (p.16, 34 y).

Popular reactions in afflicted women with POI were included: feeling of uncertainty of future conditions, fear of disease outcome, feeling eternal problems [eternal infertility] negative effect on mood and weakness of the nerves.

One of the participants expressed with surprise and confusion:

I have no idea about the future. I'm very confused. I dont know what will happen to me (p.4, 42 y).

Also part of the conversation with a participant was as follows:

I think more about the fact that this [pregnancy] may never have happened to me (p.14, 27 y).

Another participant said:

Premature ovarian insufficiency makes me angry quickly. I'll get mad soon (p.10, 46 y).

A participant told:

I am worried that I will not have any problems after the age of 40. I am afraid of the consequences of this disease (p.2, 34 y).

Considering that the options available to solve the problem of infertility in women with POI are currently limited and unfortunately there is no definitive treatment for female infertility in these women and the issue of cell therapy is being researched on animal models and do not use so far on humans, the only options offered to couples are the use of donated egg and adoption. Nevertheless, some participants opposed to accept them. If a participant commented on the issue of donated egg as follow:

I think to myself about the baby Because the egg is not mine, I am afraid I will not feel like a mother when she was born. Also she continue:

I must convince myself about this pregnancy and deal with it (p.15, 43 y).

Spiritual aspects of donated egg were important for some participants.

A participant was concerned about this, saying,

I do not care if I conceive with the donated egg, but its religious issue is important to me. It bothers me a little (p.1, 30y).

Moreover, it was important for a number of participants to know that the donor be a familiar person.

A participant stated:

I'm happy to have an ovum from my sister rather than a stranger (p.2, 34 y).

Most participants expressed POI has disrupted the social aspects of their lives. Social isolation, having privacy, unconscious jealousy and seeking support are four subcategories that related to this main category and be explain as follows:

Patients stated that they were reluctant to be in public because of impatience, a tendency to be alone, and to become nervous about social relationships.

A participant said:

I'm not bored totally. I like to be at home, to be alone (p.13, 38y).

Most afflicted women tended to maintain their privacy for fear of being judged by others, the importance of hiding the problem of infertility and believing in the privacy of the subject.

Some of the statements of the participants are as follows:

It is important for us that the donated egg is kept secret. Because if I get a donated egg, I will not be my own child and I will not judge (p.6, 34 y).

This is a personal matter and has nothing to do with anyone (p.13, 38 y).

Some participants expressed a reluctance to associate with families that have children and they are jealous of pregnancies in others or seeing children.

If a participant that had POI for 26years, said:

I was upset when I saw that others had children and became pregnant. Because I have a problem getting pregnant myself (p.12, 43 y).

This issue was the most important item that as a motivation factor helped afflicted women not only to accept complicated condition but also to pursue infertility treatment seriously. According to participants, the support of husbands, family and friends helped to increase hope and reduce psychological threat to women. In the meantime, the supportive role of the husbands was very prominent for women, as one of the participants that had POI for 18years, said:

I am most supported by my husband. If he did not help me, I wouldn't be able to control the situation and control myself. He encourages me to continue my treatment and does not let me Disappointed. (p.5, 30 y).

Another participant stated:

My sister, like me, had an early menopause. He tells me you are young now. Get treated sooner. You get the result. She is very hopeful and encourages me (p.7, 37 y).

In most patients, POI had a negative effect on the couple's sexual relationship.

Due to changes in hormone levels, women experienced sexual function disorders such as dyspareunia, reduced libido, and anorgasmia. These factors caused women to worry about the stability of their married life and the instability in marriage that they formed two subcategories from three.

In contrast, a number of other patients reported that POI had no effect on their sexuality.

The third subcategory was the ambivalence sensations that all of them explained as follows:

The disease had a negative effect on sexual intercourse and sexual pleasure of affected women and on the other hand, sexual intercourse was important for the husband. As a result, a number of participants were concerned about the stability of married life.

A participant stated:

Before my problem, I had sexual desire, but now I do not have it at all, and this causes us to have sex more often with fights, and it has disrupted our relationship (p.10, 46 y).

Beside to decreased sexual satisfaction in couple, infertility also, leaded to some women felt insecure and worried about divorce. A few others threated to divorce from the spouse's family, and some be feared from their husband remarriage.

A participant said:

From the beginning of my marriage, I was stressed until now because I did not have children. My concern is to have children and that our marriage will fall apart (p.1, 30 y).

Another participant stated:

Now my mother-in-law can easily divorce me. She says either bring a child or we will divorce you (p.4, 42 y).

The cessation of menstrual bleeding on the one hand created negative feelings for the participants and caused a kind of psychological pressure on them, but on the other hand had different effects on the participants spouses such as sexual satisfaction and helping to improve sexuality. Moreover, in the context of Iran religiously, having sex during a woman's period is against the Sharia, some patients even said that their partners were delighted with stopping in their menstruation to have sex freely. Therefore, these conditions caused women had been had a dual feeling about the negative impact of POI on their sexuality.

One of the participants said:

My husband says how good I am. I am comfortable without a condom. No man is happier than me (p.5, 31y).

Another participant, who has been suffering from POI since the age of 22 and for 12years, said:

We are trying to cope with and we are trying to control and improve the condition ourselves. For example, we use lubricant for dyspareunia (p.16, 34 y).

Or another participant said:

My husband thought POI meant we could no longer have sex. But when he saw that we had no problem with sex, he said it didn't matter. The important thing is that we can have sex without any limitation (p.11, 44 y).

View post:
Perceptions and experiences of women with premature ovarian insufficiency about sexual health and reproductive health - BMC Blogs Network

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Dr Miriam Mutebi, Consultant Breast Cancer Surgeon.

What started as a lump in her left breast early last year would mark the beginning of Sylvia Sandagis fight for survival against cancer.

The 40-year-old was having a bath when she noticed the swelling. And there was some pain.

I thought Id probably been hit by something. I went to hospital and an ultrasound was done. The doctor said blood was not flowing in the lump and recommended a biopsy, Sandagi says.

Five days later, the biopsy results were out and the swelling was found to be cancerous. I remember that day, on August 31. I didnt want to believe what Id just heard. But I didnt cry. All I could think of was when I would start treatment and who would take care of my daughter should I get weak, especially because her father does not live in Kenya."

The mother of one is among patients under the care of various clinicians at Aga Khan University Hospitals Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic, which is touted as the hope for those in need of cancer treatment.

Sandagi says an oncologist referred her to Aga Khan where she was admitted to the centre and started her treatment. What I love about multidisciplinary clinic is a patient is not attended to by one doctor, or one medical professional," she says.

I found several experts when I came. That is when I learnt my cancer was in Stage Four. They told me the rate of survival for breast cancer is high. The doctors said the drugs they would give me were effective and that I would survive.

Horror stories

Sandagi is currently taking the drugs which will also ensure her oestrogen levels are reduced as breast cancer feeds on it. After six months, the doctors will decide whether she will need chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Many patients have interpreted Stage Four cancer to mean death. However, Sandagi says the treatment she has been receiving has reduced the pain and shes living a near-normal life.

What people share about cancer are more of horror stories. It is true I have cancer and it is in Stage Four. But there is no pain. Im not bedridden. The only time I remember I have cancer is when someone mentions it or when Im taking my medicine, Sandagi says.

She has never told her eight-year-old daughter she is suffering from cancer because of the stigma attached to the disease by some communities.

All that I told her was Im unwell and that Ill be going to the hospital more often. I fear talking to her about cancer because when she tells people about it, the horror stories they will tell her will scare her. Shell think Im dying. I dont want that to happen, she says. I will fight. I dont want to die. I want to see my daughter grow up.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest developments andspecialoffers!

Aga Khan launched the Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic to improve treatment. At any given time, a patient is able to be attended to by a breast surgeon, a medical and a radiation oncologist in one sitting.

It takes a village to care for a cancer patient. But here, we have decided to bring the village to the patient with our multi-disciplinary treatment, says Dr Mansoor Saleh, the founding chair of the Department of Hematology-Oncology at Aga Khan University.

He adds: Here, we have a breast cancer surgeon, a pathologist who helps with diagnosis, a radiologist who helps with imaging, a medical oncologist who does chemotherapy, and a radiation oncologist who gives radiation therapy, all in one place, at the same time. This enables the patient to get a unanimous report. When each doctor attends to a patient by themselves, they work in silence and the patient may not get the full picture.

Dr Miriam Mutebi, a breast surgical oncologist at Aga Khan, notes there are many types of breast cancers with the distinguishing factor being either hormone-positive breast cancers or hormone-negative breast cancers.

Think of a breast cancer cell as having three little spikes or receptors on its surface. These receptors act like doors to the cell and can influence how the cancer cell behaves. Different hormones act like keys that sit in the doors to the cell causing activity to increase or reduce, Dr Mutebi says.

The receptors we see on the surface of a breast cancer cell are ER-estrogen receptor, PR-progesterone receptor and HER-2 receptor (a special molecule on the cell). Its the presence or absence of these three doors or receptors that determines the type of breast cancer one has.

Mutebi says this is important information that must be established before treatment starts as it has implications on how the cancers behave and determines the treatment options.

The most common are the hormone-positive breast cancers (ER positive, PR positive) that account for between 60-70 per cent of cancers. When we say a breast cancer is hormone-positive, we mean female hormones in the body will act as keys to these cancer doors and encourage the cancer to grow.

"Therefore, as part of treatment after surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, a patient may need medicine for five to ten years to minimise chances of the cancer recurring.

Original post:
How multi-disciplinary treatment of cancer is giving hope to patients - The Standard

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The Endometriosis Treatment market report provides a detailed analysis of global market size, regional and country-level market size, segmentation market growth, market share, development, competitive Landscape, sales analysis, impact of domestic and global market players, value chain optimization, trade regulations, recent developments, opportunities analysis, strategic market growth analysis, product launches, area marketplace expanding, and technological innovations.

Get Sample Copy of This Report https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=140896

Our industry professionals are working relentlessly to understand, assemble and timely deliver assessment on impact of COVID-19 disaster on many corporations and their clients to help them in taking excellent business decisions.

The key points of the report:

For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Endometriosis Treatment as well as some small players.

The information for each competitor includes:

For product type segment, this report listed main product type of Endometriosis Treatment market in global and china.

For end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users are also listed.

By Regions:

Ask for Discount https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=140896

The report comprises a broad overview of the major retailers operating in the target market. The research forecasts the market development in the established year and prediction time frame from 2020 to 2026. The report encompasses key factors related to market share detained by each region along with development chances expected major geographies. The global Endometriosis Treatment market division by product, type, application, and areas has been explained. Comprehensive particulars on market opportunities, restrictions, and probabilities are provided further in this report. The report also helps companies in marketing for tasks like identifying their prospective customers, building relationships with them.

Important Aspects of Endometriosis Treatment Report:

Inquire or share your questions if any before the purchasing this report https://www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=140896

Why to Select This Report:

Table of Contents

1 Study Coverage

2 Executive Summary

3 Breakdown Data by Manufacturers

4 Breakdown Data by Type

4.1 Global Endometriosis Treatment Sales by Type

4.2 Global Micro Server IC

System Revenue by Type

4.3 Endometriosis Treatment Price by Type

5 Breakdown Data by Application

5.1 Overview

5.2 Global Endometriosis Treatment Breakdown Data by Application

6 North America

7 Europe

8 Asia Pacific

9 Central & South America

10 Middle East and Africa

11 Company Profiles

12 Future Forecast

13 Market Opportunities, Challenges, Risks and Influences Factors Analysis

14 Value Chain and Sales Channels Analysis

15 Research Findings and Conclusion

16 Appendix

Customization Service of the Report:

HealthCare Intelligence Reports provides customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.

About Us:

HealthCare Intelligence Markets Reports provides market intelligence & consulting services to a global clientele spread over 145 countries. Being a B2B firm, we help businesses to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving market with unbridled confidence. We craft customized and syndicated market research reports that help market players to build game-changing strategies. Besides, we also provide upcoming trends & future market prospects in our reports pertaining to Drug development, Clinical & healthcare IT industries. Our intelligence enables our clients to make decisions with which in turn proves a game-changer for them. We constantly strive to serve our clients better by directly allowing them sessions with our research analysts so the report is at par with their expectations.

Contact Us:Address: 90, State Office Center,90, State Street Suite 700,Albany, NY 12207Email:sales@healthcareintelligencemarkets.comWebsite:www.healthcareintelligencemarkets.comPhone:+1 (888) 616-2766

Read more:
Global Endometriosis Treatment Market Share Global Growth, Trends, Industry Analysis, Key Players and Forecast 2020 2028 KSU | The Sentinel...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

In a split second, your body might go from oooh to ow! Sex shouldnt be painful. So what gives? Why is your penis sore afterward?

First things first: If you have a sore penis after sex, youre not alone. This malady can be traced to anything from friction (ooh, sound familiar?) to an STI.

Should I be worried about a sore penis after sex?

That depends. A sore penis after sex doesnt always indicate a bigger problem. Maybe you a little too jiggy with it.

However, if you have accompanying symptoms that indicate infection or allergic reaction, call your doctor to rule out serious illness.

So, put on your cotton boxers, take a seat, and scroll down to figure out whats going on with your nether regions and how to fix it.

If your junks a little tender, dont sweat it. Heres a list of possible culprits and what to do about them.

Your penis is a pretty sensitive organ. Thats a *good* thing. But it also means you can injure it by going too hard or for too long.

Specifically:

Solution: Give it time.

Rough sex? Check in

Rough sex can potentially cause injuries to all parties. If its yours and your partner or partners thing, thats fine. But make sure youre on the same page before getting into rough sex.

If youre in pain after getting it on vigorously with someone else, check on them too. And dont forget to have a safe word in place or communicate when enoughs enough.

Communicating in the bedroom is central to safe, consensual, and enjoyable sex.

Hello, friction, my old friend

Chafing happens. On your thighs, glutes, armpits, and yep your peen.

Lack of lubrication during sex can rub or wear away at the top layer of skin. That leads to sensitivity and soreness.

If lack of lube is your issue, you might also notice:

Solution: Time. Avoid sex or masturbation until your penis is back to normal. (Also, use lube, condoms with lube, or even coconut oil next time.)

A range of lubes is available for purchase online.

In general, taking longer than 30 minutes to ejaculate is considered delayed ejaculation (DE).

DE is one of several types of ejaculatory dysfunction erectile dysfunction being the most common.

What causes delayed ejaculation?

Any combo of these factors can lead to DE:

DE can make your penis feel swollen (and not in a good way), but the tenderness should go away within a few hours of ejaculation.

Solution: Wait it out. But also, if this was your first time experiencing DE, call your doctor. DE can be a sign of other health problems.

Are you allergic to latex? The chemicals in certain lubes? Or the material of your newest sex toy?

If you have sensitive skin, an allergic reaction mightve happened, aka contact dermatitis. Allergic reactions usually cause some of these other symptoms too:

Contact dermatitis can last a few days to a few weeks. Avoid sex (and irritating products) until your skin has cleared up.

Solution: Your course of action will depend on the severity of your allergy. If its extreme, call a doc. Otherwise, try an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy med or topical treatment.

Allergic medications and OTC topical creams are available to buy online.

Yep, sometimes a sore penis is a sign of an STI. And if you think you have an STI, youre not in uncharted waters.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people reported a record-breaking 2,457,118 STI cases in the U.S. during 2018.

TBH, some folks with STIs never experience symptoms. But if an STI is causing pain, its probably one of these:

Other signs of an STI include:

Solution: Visit a healthcare clinic or call your doctor. Your sore penis requires medical treatment. Its always best to be open with sexual partners about current STIs and you should expect the same in return.

Whether you have acute or chronic prostatitis, the swelling can cause pain and soreness in your junk. That includes your penis.

What exactly is prostatitis?

A little Latin lesson: The suffix -itis means inflammation.

Prostatitis = an inflamed prostate.

#TheMoreYouKnow

Prostatitis can occur due to an underlying infection, so sit up and listen if you notice these other symptoms:

Solution: If you feel fever, chills, and UTI symptoms alongside a painful peen, seek medical treatment immediately.

Phimosis = when you cant pull your foreskin back from around the tip of your penis. (Its like that time you found it really hard to get your swimming hat on, but for your wang.)

An infection or skin condition causes the head of your penis to swell, restricting blood flow and mobility.

If you have phimosis, youll notice soreness when you pee, get a boner, and have sex. Other signs include:

Solution: Talk to your doctor. This requires medical treatment and analysis of the underlying cause.

Yep, folks with penises get yeast infections too.

A yeast infection is an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida albicans (wow, catchy).

Youre more likely to experience a yeast infection if you have a weak immune system, dont wash your junk often enough, or your partner has a yeast infection. Certain meds can also make you more prone to yeast infections.

Other signs of a penile yeasty:

The good news? Yeast infections are totally treatable. Youll want to start an antifungal cream or ointment pronto to get it under control.

Solution: Treat your yeast infection to soothe your sore penis. If youve never had a yeast infection, its best to confirm your diagnosis and any recommended treatments with a doctor.

Topical antifungal creams are available for purchase online.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are no joke. Youll probably have a painful, burning sensation when you pee and you might even feel the sting in your anus or rectum.

Other symptoms of UTIs include:

If your sore penis is the first sign of a UTI, youre in luck! You can nip that infection in the bud. As a UTI progresses, it can cause kidney, bladder, and urethra problems.

Solution: Call your doctor. UTIs dont always go away and might even cause complications without treatment.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, up to 10 percent of folks with penises could have Peyronies disease a buildup of scar tissue that causes your penis to curve.

For obvious reasons, Peyronies disease can lead to a sore penis. Depending on the severity of the curve, penetrative sex might be painful. Or you might just feel tender and sore after the act.

Folks with autoimmune disorders seem more likely to develop Peyronies. Diabetes, prostate cancer, and age might also raise your risk.

Peyronies takes time to develop. You might notice these other symptoms first:

Solution: Talk to your doctor if you think you might have Peyronies disease. If they agree, theyll refer you to a urologist. Peyronies is treatable, but the type of treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms.

First things first: POIS is a *rare* and serious cause of penis soreness.

Researchers are still trying to figure out what causes POIS. Most agree that it has something to with an allergic reaction to your own semen or hormones.

If you have POIS, youre likely to feel pain and fatigue almost immediately after ejaculating. The reaction can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Other signs of POIS:

How serious is POIS?

POIS isnt life-threatening, but it could impact your quality of life. No one wants to feel crappy after what should be a fun and intimate experience.

Its important to get a diagnosis so that you can work with a specialist on pinpointing the best treatment for you.

Solution: If you notice any of the above symptoms right after sex, make an appointment with your doctor. Tell them youre concerned about POIS.

If you winced reading that, youre absolutely correct (our eyes are also watering a little). No, your boner doesnt actually contain bones. But a penile fracture can occur all the same.

An erection involves the penis engorging with blood. This blood rushes into a body called the tunica albuginea. Penile trauma (yikes) or a sudden bending of the penis can tear this lining. This is absolutely a medical emergency.

Symptoms include:

A severe penile fracture might also cause a tear in your urethra (aka your pee-hole).

Penile fracture? Yep, its an emergency

Seek immediate treatment at your nearest ER if you notice signs of a penile fracture.

Surgery is the only way to fix it.

Read more from the original source:
Sore Penis After Sex: Why It Happens and How to Treat It - Greatist

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Until last year, Anna Robertson never had problems with her skin. But in October, with the strain of lockdown culminating in the end of her marriage, the mother-of-three from Wiltshire, 47, noticed patches of rough, scaly, itchy skin. They started on my nose and spread to my eyelids, she says. Managing the sale of our house, working and looking after the children, aged seven, 12 and 15, during the pandemic has been incredibly stressful. I saw a private dermatologist who diagnosed stress-related eczema.

In the year since the coronavirus pandemic began, experts have reported a huge rise in skin complaints, from sudden outbreaks of eczema to acne to increased signs of ageing none of which is being helped by the current cold weather.

Increased screen use, changes to our diet, increased alcohol intakeand masks are all thought to raise the risk of breakouts and skin problemsthough, in many cases, stress is thought to be the key driver as it was for Anna, who'd never had eczema before in her life.

Dr Alia Ahmed, consultant dermatologist at the Frimley Health Foundation Trust, says she has seen an uptick in patients presenting with stress-related skin problemssuch as eczema, psoriasis, acne, alopecia (hair loss) and urticaria (hives).

I have also had to increase the potency of treatment for some patients to control their skin condition, says Dr Ahmed, who also runs a private practice. My patients both men and women are experiencing high levels of stress. The pandemic adds to existing problems like financial worries, poor sleep and diet and lack of motivation to exercise.

Dr Mayoni Gooneratne, a former NHS surgeon and founder of The Clinic private health and skincare clinics in London, adds: I have seen more acute conditions like eczema and other types of dermatitis than before. Ageing has become accelerated too.

Dermatologist Dr Hiba Injibar, founder of the Dermasurge Clinic on Harley Street, says the number of people enquiring about adult acne at her practice has gone up by 30 per cent. She says that, despitecoming into contact with fewer pore-blocking pollutants because we're at home, more people have fallen victim to adult acne this year due to falling out of their skincare routines and because stress is a major cause of cystic acne. There is also the added issue of maskne [acne caused by mask-wearing] and acne on the brow caused by visors, she says.

Its well known that stress has a major effect on skin, with psychodermatology where psychological techniques are used to treat skin complaints increasingly popular.Studies have shown that emotional stress slows wound healing and can increase acne severity and some research suggests antidepressants have the side-effect of improved skin.

The brains stress response causes the release of various chemicals and hormones, including the stress hormonecortisol, that drive inflammation both in the body and the skin, Dr Ahmed explains.

Our skin becomes less able to defend itself, delaying the healing process and driving allergic responses.

Stress hormones can also alter the production and breakdown of collagen and elastin, causing premature ageing, lines, wrinkles, increased pigmentation and dull skin, and reduce production of hyaluronic acid which results in dehydrated skin.

The longer the pandemic lasts, the more likely that our skin will suffer, says Dr Ahmed. Long-term or chronic stress results in the body entering a permanent stress-response state, which can aggravate existing skin problems through a poor natural immune response, ongoing inflammation and loss of an effective skin barrier.

Stress can also encourage unhealthy lifestyle habits and poor sleep one in four of us are struggling to sleep well during the pandemic, according to researchers at Southampton University. Its a vicious circle: stress hormones correlate with lack of sleepand sleep deprivation activates their release. This is one of the reasons why poor sleep is associated with signs of premature aging, lack of hydration, larger pores, textural changes, and changes in blood flow to the skin. In addition, lack of sleep can disrupt the process of skin repair overnight, says Dr Ahmed.

For Nicola McCamley, 30, lockdown brought back the acne she thought she had beaten years ago. I stopped running and going to the gym, which was how I managed stress, and was glued to the news on TV. Everything felt so uncertain and frightening. I wasnt sure how the pandemic would affect my financial stability, and I was worried about my family.

Soon, she saw changes in her skin. It started with red and bumpy spots on the side of my face which then spread down my neck and even onto my chest. I was so upset.

She saw a dermatologist, at the Woodford Medical chain of cosmetic clinics, who ruled out allergies as she was not using any new productsand advised it was caused by stress.

How can you tell if your skin is stressed? In terms of acne, a telltale sign that emotions are the cause is when it shows up around the lower face and jaw, says Dr Gooneratne.

Dr Ahmed advises keeping a symptom diary to see if flare ups have correlated with a stressful time in your life.

Treatment requires a holistic approach, she adds. I treat the mind and skin together, as stress can trigger skin disorders which in turn cause stress, creating a vicious circle.

For eczema, Dr Ahmed recommends using gentle soap substitutes, emollients and treatment creams that may contain steroids.Acne treatment can include topical or oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, or oral isotretinoin and rosacea treatment that can include topical antibiotics, antiparasitic medications or azelaic acid, oral antibiotics or low dose oral isotretinoin.

These chronic conditions benefit from treatment that manages the signs and symptoms as well as addressing the psychological impact with interventions such as stress management techniques, relaxation therapies and mindfulness, she says.

For premature aging, useful skincare ingredients include retinoids, vitamin C and hydroxy acids, says Dr Mayoni. Plus, when clinics are open, an injectable skin hydrating and plumping cosmetic treatment will help to give your skin a real zing.

Dr Ahmed says simple lifestyle changes can help too, including drinking 2.5 litres of fluid a day to keep skin hydratedand reduce anxiety taking regular exercise, and getting plenty of sleep.

Try meditation or mindfulness to help combat stress, she adds. I often recommend the Headspace App to my patients.

Create positivity around you. Surround yourself with your favourite scents, music or colours at home to improve your mental health.

Find an achievable act that makes you happy, incorporate it into your morning routine, and another into the evening. This way you start off the day with mood enhancement and you have the same to look forward to in the evening.

Anna was prescribed a mild steroid cream, but says things really improved when she completed her house sale. I started doing yoga with an online teacher and used a meditation app which have both helped me feel less anxious. My skin is much better, she says.

Nicolas acne improved after treatment, too, but she also addressed her lifestyle. My skin problems made me realise I had to tackle my stress, so I started running again, I exercise at home and limit the amount of news I watch - and my skin looks great.

See the article here:
From eczema to spots to wrinkles, why the pandemic is wreaking havoc on our skin - Telegraph.co.uk

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Avocado is a great place to start for healthy skin, but the other toppings you sprinkle on your toast can also add glow and luster.

Image Credit: 1989_s/iStock/GettyImages

If you want to start each day by adding healthy luster to your skin, there's one breakfast dermatologists recommend you eat: avocado toast topped with lime juice, berries and seeds.

You may associate this staple with trendy cafes, but it's easy to make at home. Simply mash avocado with lime juice, spread it on whole-wheat toast and top with sliced strawberries and chia seeds.

This breakfast will benefit your skin in a number of ways, and as a bonus, the foods that benefit your skin also tend to boost your overall health.

While research on foods for healthy skin is still limited, antioxidant-rich foods seem to protect your skin, per the Mayo Clinic. On the other hand, a diet high in refined sugars, carbs and unhealthy fats is associated with skin aging one good reason to swap sugary cereal and bacon for this breakfast.

Here's why avocado toast, in particular, will give your skin a healthy boost.

Why Avocado Toast With Berries and Seeds Is the Best Breakfast for Healthy Skin

1. It Gives Your Skin More Luster

Let's start with the star ingredient: delicious avocado. You may already use it topically as part of a DIY mask, but eating this stone fruit will also support your skin.

"Avocados are famous for being chock-full of healthy fats, namely monounsaturated fats," says Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "A high intake of monounsaturated fats is associated with a lower risk of severe photoaging [premature aging of the skin due to ultraviolet radiation exposure], which is good news for our skin."

Monounsaturated fat is found in plant foods like avocados, nuts and vegetable oils, and eating moderate amounts of it in place of saturated and trans fat can benefit your overall health, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).

Researchers surveyed 1,264 women and 1,655 men ages 45 to 60 and estimated their dietary monounsaturated fatty acid intakes in a September 2012 study in PLOS One. A lower risk of severe photoaging was associated with a higher intake of monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil, but not animal sources, in both men and women.

One avocado contains 19.7 grams of monounsaturated fats, per the USDA. In addition to benefiting your skin, monounsaturated fats can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol level and develop and maintain your cells, per the NLM.

That said, avocado isn't the only powerhouse ingredient in this breakfast that will make your skin look dewy and tout.

"Chia seeds are loaded with antioxidants and have omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to the skin's luster and elasticity," says Michelle Henry, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "They also contain small amounts of our skin's favorite trace minerals selenium and zinc which may be important in maintaining our skin's elasticity."

2. It Supports Collagen Production

Lime juice is a secret ingredient in your avocado toast that will help maintain your body's collagen levels, a structural protein that gives skin elasticity.

"It's high in vitamin C, a great antioxidant our skin relies upon to fight free radicals that cause damage and aging," Dr. Geddes-Bruce says. "In addition to that, vitamin C is needed for wound healing and is necessary to maintain the structure of collagen."

As you age, the vitamin C content in your skin and your body's production of collagen naturally decrease, per the Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute.

That decline in collagen is what contributes to wrinkles and crepey skin, and it can also cause other health issues like weakening muscles, joint pain, osteoarthritis or even gastrointestinal problems due to the thinning of your digestive tract lining, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Apart from aging, a poor diet is the most common cause of too little collagen in the body.

"To increase intake of vitamin C, I like to eat avocado toast in the morning with some lime juice sprinkled on the top," says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist.

Vitamin C is tied to improving skin appearance, wrinkling, elasticity and roughness, per a March 2015 review in the journal Nutrition Research. That said, the authors note that more research is needed to pinpoint the exact effect of dietary intake on appearance.

The juice of one lime contains 15 percent of your daily value (DV) of vitamin C. Add a quarter cup of sliced strawberries to your breakfast, and you'll get 27 percent more of your DV of C.

"Strawberries also have [the polyphenol] ellagic acid, which prevents collagen destruction," Dr. Henry says.

3. It Could Help You Avoid Acne

Swap white bread for a whole-grain slice, and you might be able to avoid a few unwanted pimples.

"Whole-grain alternatives have lower glycemic indexes than their refined counterparts, which means they do not cause as great of a spike in the blood hormone insulin," Dr. Geddes-Bruce says. "Insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) increase inflammation and may increase acne. Skipping those highly processed and refined carbohydrates might help you skip a pimple or two."

That also goes for sugary pastries you eye up for breakfast: If it spikes your blood sugar, it may just spike your acne. "Some studies have shown a correlation of the high glycemic index in Western diets with acne," Dr. Chacon says.

Eating high-glycemic foods often can raise hormones that elevate the activity of your skin's oil glands, ultimately causing acne, per UW Health.

4. It May Protect Your Skin From Damage

"In addition to vitamin C, berries like strawberries contain anthocyanins," Dr. Geddes-Bruce says. "Anthocyanins are what give strawberries their rich red pigment, and they also function as powerful antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties."

Research has shown that anthocyanins are linked to protecting the skin from UV radiation damage, photoaging and skin cancer and they possess anti-carcinogenic potential on different types of cancer cell lines, per a September 2020 study in the journal Biomedicines, however, more research needs to be done to confirm these findings.

Meanwhile, the omega-3 fatty acids in chia seeds may help create a strong barrier to your skin. "Omega-3 fats are photoprotective, and they strengthen the lipid barrier of the outermost layer of our skin, the epidermis," Dr. Geddes-Bruce says.

3 More Tips for a Healthy-Skin Breakfast

The rest is here:
Why Avocado Toast Is the Best Breakfast for Healthy Skin - LIVESTRONG.COM

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Some sperm cells are ruthless manipulators that will literally poison their competition in the race to fertilize an egg, new research shows.

In a study published Feb. 4 in the journal PLOS Genetics, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG) in Berlin studied mouse sperm cells under the microscope to better understand the effects of a particular DNA sequence known as the t-haplotype. The team knew from previous research that sperm cells carrying this sequence tend to swim straighter (rather than in circles of death) and faster on average than competing sperm without it.

Now, they've found that those highly-effective sperms' tactics are a little less than sportsmanly.

Related: The 7 biggest mysteries of the human body

"Sperm with the t-haplotype manage to disable sperm without it," study co-author Bernhard Herrmann, director at the MPIMG, said in a statement. "The trick is that the thaplotype 'poisons' all sperm, but at the same time produces an antidote, which acts only in t-sperm [those with the t-haplotype] and protects them."

The result, Herrmann said, is sort of like a marathon "in which all the participants get poisoned drinking water," but only some of the runners have access to the antidote.

The t-haplotype is a series of linked genes occupying chromosome 17 in house mice all over the world. (Unlike humans, who have 23 pairs of chromosomes, mice have only 20). Herrmann and other researchers have called it a "selfish" gene genetic material with a single mission: to make copies of itself. Because of the t-haplotype's ruthless effectiveness at passing from one generation to the next, according to the researchers, male mice carrying one copy of the t-haplotype will transmit it to up to 99% of their offspring.

After studying more than 100 mouse sperm cells, Herrmann and his colleagues learned more about the selfish haplotype's devious tactics. They found that the t-haplotype "poisons" all sperm cells during the early phases of sperm production, injecting every cell with certain genes that inhibit their ability to regulate movement.

It's not until a later phase, when each cell divides in half, that the "antidote" comes into play. After dividing, half of the sperm cells inherit the t-haplotype genes on chromosome 17. For those lucky sperm, the t-haplotype provides new genetic variants that reverse the inhibiting effects of the "poison" that every cell consumed during the previous phase of development.

For the other half of sperm cells, which don't carry the t-haplotype or its genetic "antidote," life becomes a lot harder. These poisoned cells have a lot more trouble moving in a straight line (an important skill for a cell whose only job is to race full-speed-ahead to an unfertilized egg). In their study, the researchers saw that many sperm without the antidote literally swam in circles until they died, while their t-haplotype competitors charged straight ahead.

"Our data highlight the fact that sperm cells are ruthless competitors," Herrmann said. "Genetic differences can give individual sperm an advantage in the race for life, thus promoting the transmission of particular gene variants to the next generation."

Originally published on Live Science.

The rest is here:
Devious sperm 'poison' their rivals, forcing them to swim in circles until they die - Livescience.com

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

I once spoke to a human geneticist who declared that the notion of intelligence was quite meaningless, so I tried calling him unintelligent. He was annoyed

Nobel Prize laureate, Peter Medawar

Of all the endless nature vs nurture arguments, the debate over intelligence and race is the most toxic. It also seeps over into wider unease with human genetic research; the fear, for example, that recent advances in ancient human DNA analysis can be used by those with nefarious intentions to resurrect problematic race folk theories.

Given this seeming potential for reviving damaging beliefs, some scholars question whether we would be better off to give up on particular lines of research in the human sciences, including the quest to trace patterns of human migration. Others, meanwhile, argue for tighter restrictions on research into cognitive differences between different human populations. That said, the impetus to explore our ancestral evolution and its impacts remains an essential scientific pursuit, as it is at the backbone of research exploring how human differences impact disease and potential targeted cures.

Such arguments about race, intelligence and possible censorship were of particular concern to US-born and educated New Zealand scientist and intelligence researcher James Flynn, who died in December 2020, aged 86. Flynn was the IQ debates great scholarly champion of environment over genes, known for his respectful rebuke of scholars who took a more deterministic view of the complex relationship of intelligence, genes, and the environment.

This century-long debate flared in 1969 following the publication of an article in the Harvard Educational Review, in which psychologist Arthur Jensen claimed that observed IQ differences between Blacks and Whites was due mainly to genetics. Jensen further argued for a reset on the poverty reforms that were then rolling out under the Johnson Administration, arguing that compensatory education programs that assumed racial groups were blank slates with environment alone the only detriment to equality of performanceHead Start, for examplewere destined to fail.

The article caused an uproar that still rages. Jensen, who died in 2012, was widely denounced as a racist, particularly in the popular press and by social scientists. Instead, Jensens critics maintained that environmental factors rather than genes passed along in ancestral cohorts almost entirely explained racial disparities in test scores, a radical environmentalist position that few hard scientists hold today.

This was also when the movement to end the use of IQ tests first emerged. Today, persistent differences in SAT or ACT results among races have been cited as a reason to stop using the exam in college admissions. Last May, many University of California colleges announced they was scrapping its SAT or ACT requirement, as have many other American universities.

Having migrated to New Zealand in 1963 to escape the political repression of the McCarthy era, Flynn, now based at the University of Otago in Dunedin, responded skeptically to Jensens claims. And understandably so. For instance, how could Jensen explain away Flynns voluminous documentation that IQ scores among racial and ethnic groups world-wide have risen considerably from one generation to the next? In the 20th century, Flynn discovered, the scores of entire countries rose by more than the Black-White disparity in the entire US. How could that be if IQ was genetically fixed? He summarized much of this research in a ground-breaking response to Jensen published in 1980.

In 1987,in an article in American Psychologist, Jensen praised Flynns criticism of his own work:

I am asked by colleagues, students, and journalists: who, in my opinion, are the most respectable critics of my position on the race-IQ issue? The name James R. Flynn is by far the first that comes to mind. His book,Race, IQ and Jensen(1980), is a distinguished contribution to the literature on this topic, and, among the critiques I have seen of my position, is virtually in a class by itself for objectivity, thoroughness, and scholarly integrity.

In a study released in 2006, Flynn and a co-author, William Dickens, concluded that Black Americans had gained as many as seven IQ points on Whites since the early 1970s and into the 1990s, a finding that is hard to explain if intelligence is genetically fixed. The theory that Flynn developed was dubbed The Flynn Effect by scholars Richard Hernnstein and Charles Murray, co-authors of The Bell Curve: Intelligence and class structure in American life, the 1994 tome that faced similar harsh criticism as Jensens earlier expressed views.

In the decades since, numerous explanations of the Flynn effect have been proposed, as well as some skepticism about what has driven it and its implications. For example, there is intense debate about whether the rise in IQ scores corresponds to a rise in general intelligence or only a rise in special skills related to taking IQ tests, as schools have been turned into test-taking hot houses, in part because teacher salaries and administrative jobs are often tied to raising test scores.

Others argue that the Flynn Effects observed gains in IQ over time are unrelated tog (also known as general intelligence) that many psychometricians believe is a fairly unchangeable mental capacity. (g-scores are used in many professions to predict performance; e.g., the US military and even the National Football League, with its Wonderlic test, utilize g-weighted tests in their evaluations).

In parallel with the measured gains in IQ scores, long-term declines have been found for mental speed, digit span backwards, the use of difficult words, and color acuity, all of which are related to intelligence. More recently, the Flynn effect appears to be fading, as the IQ measure distance between some populations and others has grown. Research suggests that there is now a decline in IQ scores, in Norway, Denmark, Australia, Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, France and German-speaking countries, a development which appears to have started in the 1990s. The Flynn effect appeared to have most influenced people born during the mid-1970s (co-incidentally a period of dramatic social transformation on racial issues), and has significantly declined ever since.

Flynn himself relished the debates that his research had stimulated. A life-long social democrat, he was outspoken in defence of free speech, including the right indeed, the desirability of open and honest debate on possible group differences in intelligence.

And this willingness to engage with those holding different opinions readily explains the reaction to news of Flynns death by his peers. Cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker, a sharp critic of blank slate post-modernist critical theory, immediately expressed sadness at the passing of a defender of Enlightenment ideals. Of particular note was the response of The Bell Curve co-author and conservative political scientist Charles Murray:

By Americas current standards of academic discourse, Jim Flynn and I should have been at each others throats, Murray said. We did in fact have different perspectives, though more nuanced than most people thought.

But those differences hadnt the slightest effect on Jims collegiality toward me or any of the people with whom he disagreed. How else are you going to learn, Jim thought, except by engaging with people who see things differently? Jim represented what a scholar is supposed to beopen, curious, passionate about his beliefs but without either self-righteousness or rancor, determined above all else to get it right.

Unfortunately, while scholars are supposed to be open and curious, much of the passion and argument over race and IQ has been self-righteous and rancorous. As Flynn himself readily acknowledged, those least open to discussion and most ready to censor opposing opinions, frequently came from his own leftist end of the political spectrum.

These were the ones, he argued, who boycott debate and put their money on indoctrination and intimidation, thereby forfeit[ing] a chance to persuade. (Here, Flynns position reflects characterizations of critical theory proponents that conservatives see as promoters of cancel culture.)

In his recent bestselling book, How to Argue With a Racist, geneticist Adam Rutherford emphasises the need to equip [people] with the scientific tools necessary to tackle questions on race, genes and ancestry and to provide a foundation to contest racism that appears to be grounded in science.

Jim Flynn, too, had long pointed to this danger that without an understanding of the scientific arguments, humane-egalitarian idealists would flounder against informed and articulate racists.

Censoring debate about the subject would then be doubly counter-productive, further removing the knowledge needed to challenge genuinely racist arguments or, more importantly, the political conclusions that arise from racist misinterpretations of human biological research.Thats the thrust of the argument made in GLP founders Jon Entine controversial but critically-praised book, 2000 Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We are Afraid to Talk About Them, in which he wrote:

Although discussing racial differences is likely to provoke strong reactions, on balance and in proper context strong emotions are healthy.

The why of human differencesblack/white, male/female, Italian/Irish, between Slavic ethnic groups or one African tribe and anotheris likely to remain only crudely measurable. Racemarked by skin color, ethnicity, and geographyis a fuzzy concept. The challenge is in whether we can conduct the debate so that human diversity might be cause for celebration of our individuality rather than fanning distrust.

In one of his last essays on this topic, Flynn re-emphasised what Those who want to forbid discussion and scientific investigation ignore, for instance, the ability to defend your position with facts rather than just right opinion and the opportunity to hone your argument by having its weaknesses revealed. [T]ruth gains vitality from being challenged rather than being an unquestioned inheritance, he argued.

To kill an idea is to forfeit all rewards that may flow from reaction to that idea. If I had not read about [research into group differences], with its emphasis on IQ and the general intelligence factor, I would never have documented massive IQ gain over time, or urged a revolution in the theory of intelligence, or connected cognitive gains and moral gains

In contrast to Flynn, those who argue against open discussion of contentious science fear it will breathe new life into socially harmful ideas, akin to publicising the details of how to build massively destructive bombs or to create deadly viruses. And on their side of the argument is the undeniable fact that past beliefs about racial superiority/inferiority caused incalculable harm.

Nevertheless, the analogy with socially destructive bombs and viruses implies that everyone, regardless of existing political beliefs or values, would suffer through public debate of sensitive issues. Yet is this really the case? If, for example, evidence of genetic differences between racial populations was more widely discussed, would this inevitably lead more people to become racists? We believe not; the egalitarian moral belief that people should be treated equally is not dependent on people actually being equal in all respects.

Of course, given the odious history of twisted interpretations of Darwinian theories of race, some form of use or abuse analysis of proposed research is warranted. As part of this, though, the detrimental consequences of creating taboos on discussion must also be taken into account (for instance, conceding the argument to racist ideologues who may present themselves as simply telling the unpalatable truth that others are too scared to discuss).

In the absence of a scientifically accurate account of racial diversity, we cannot adequately challenge pseudo-scientific racist arguments. In addition, avoiding discussion of human biological diversity may limit our understanding of the genetic basis of disease and hamper medical research that could improve peoples lives.

The problem here is egalitarians tying their political values to actual facts about human biology; the mistaken belief that moral equality is dependent on all people being biologically or psychologically the same. Yet as Pinker argued in The Blank Slate: The modern denial of human nature, when scientific evidence appears to conflict with political values, people are tempted to suppress the facts and to clamp down on debate leav[ing] us unequipped to deal with just those problems for which new facts and analyses are most needed.

Geneticist David Reich has made much the same point about those who decry genetic research into human diversity as inherently racist. The well-meaning people who deny likely genetic differences between different human populations, Reich suggested, are digging themselves into an indefensible position, one that will not survive the onslaught of science.

And Flynn too emphasises where attempts at censorship miss their mark: Suppressing free inquiry is by its nature an expressive of contempt for truth by power. The truth can never be racist.

With regard to intelligence research, far from being massively destructive, such studies could, in future, prove hugely beneficial, especially in education. Without a clear understanding of human cognitive development, and how it is determined by both genes and environment, we are hamstrung in our attempts to improve an existing education system that persistently frustrates so many. Indeed, by ignoring the biological side of the interplay between genes and environment, we may be simply setting up many young people to fail, generation after generation. Those promoting practical uses of personal genomics, for instance, see the potential for tailoring education to reflect the needs and the abilities of individual learners, rather than forcing all learners into a one-size-fits-all system.

As for Flynn, he admitted to having no illusions that the debate over race and IQ will end.

And I do not deny that it could have social and political consequences. Perhaps someday we will conclude that a portion of the present gap will prove to be genetic in origin. I do not want to sugar the pill but will only say I am not too alarmed.

Yet even if the worst case scenario of ineluctable differences in cognitive ability proved to be the case (which is far from certain), this does not destroy the humane-egalitarian desire to create a better future society. After all, if everyone had a decent standard of living, much of the heat linking biology with racial inequality would fade a point Flynn illustrated with joking reference to his own Irish ancestry:

Assume that the lower job profile of Irish Americans compared to Chinese Americans is due in part to genes: I do not know one Irishman who cares (the English would be a different matter).

For the first time in history science, promises a glimpse of how the worlds different populations popularly and simplistically called races have evolved. Going forward, the tsunami of information genetic research is now unlocking will revolutionize medicine, as we develop targeted, personalized response to diseases based on individual and group inheritance. Research on the brain is just part of that mostly-promising and optimistic enterprise.

In his reflections on Human Diversity, a book that came out shortly before Flynns death, Charles Murray pointedly suggested that many of those most opposed to research on the brain and IQ mistakenly equate human intelligence with human worth. Thats understandable. With these caveats in mind, it is perhaps fitting here to leave the last word to Murray, Flynns supposed great adversary: in losing Jim Flynn, he says, We have lost an exemplar.

Disclosure: James Flynn was the external examiner of Patrick Whittles PhD thesis, looking at the implications of human evolutionary theory for egalitarian political ideas.

Patrick Whittle has a PhD in philosophy and is a New Zealand-based freelance writer with an interest in the social and political implications of biological science. Follow him on his website patrickmichaelwhittle.com or on Twitter @WhittlePM

View original post here:
Can we have an open debate about IQ, genes, and group differences? Reassessing the legacy of James Flynn - Genetic Literacy Project

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Introduction

Obesity is a common metabolic disorder and its prevalence is increasing worldwide.1 In Korea, the prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing because of westernized diet and sedentary lifestyle; consequently, it has become a serious socioeconomic problem.2 According to an obesity fact sheet of Korea, the occurrence of obesity in adults increased from 29.7% in 2009 to 35.7% in 2018.3 Further, obesity is closely associated with increased risks of various chronic metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases.1 According to the diabetes fact sheet in Korea, half of the patients with DM suffer from obesity.4 Therefore, the assessment and management of obesity is important to reduce obesity-related complications in a population.

Obesity results from the interactions between environmental and genetic factors. A previous study reported that genetic factors are responsible for approximately 4070% of the etiology of obesity.5 Moreover, advanced technologies such as genome-wide association studies have led to the identification of some candidate obesity-related genes.6

The vitamin D endocrine system plays a central role in bone and calcium homeostasis. Apart from its classical involvement, vitamin D also plays an important role in other metabolic pathways in immune system, cancers, and other endocrine systems.7 Although vitamin D deficiency has been associated with obesity,8,9 the exact underlying mechanisms leading to obesity have not been fully determined yet; regardless, some possible explanations, such as insulin resistance and lipolysis have been suggested.10

Vitamin D receptor (VDR; a member of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily)11 in complex with vitamin D serves as a transcription activator and regulates gene transcription by binding to vitamin D responsive elements, which are located in the promoter region of the target genes. Therefore, genetic alterations of VDR gene can alter gene activation, and lead to various diseases.7 Furthermore, VDR gene is also expressed in adipocytes and pancreatic beta cells linked to insulin resistance and therefore it might be associated with body composition as well.12,13 More than 470 VDR polymorphisms have been identified in the VDR gene.14 Among them, the well-established VDR polymorphisms are as follows: FokI (rs2228570 C > T), BsmI (rs1544410 A > G), ApaI (rs7975232 C > T), TaqI (rs731236 T > C), and Cdx2 (rs11568820 A > G).15 A previous study has demonstrated that TaqI and BsmI polymorphisms are associated with obesity in French patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).16 In another study performed in the Thai population, the Cdx2 polymorphism was associated with a higher waist circumference; however, the four common polymorphisms (FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI) of the VDR gene did not show any association with BMI.17 In contrast, the VDR BsmI polymorphism has shown a significant association with vitamin D deficiency but not with the obesity phenotype in adolescents residing in Malaysia.8

So far, the previous studies have shown inconsistent results pertaining to the associations between VDR polymorphisms and obesity. Furthermore, there is a lack of data regarding the same in the Korean population, especially the data of patients with T2DM who have a higher risk of obesity. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the association between BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms of the VDR gene and obesity in Korean patients with T2DM.

This was a single-center, casecontrol study. Patients who were diagnosed with T2DM and treated at the Chungbuk National University Hospital, Korea, were included in the study. The diagnosis of T2DM was performed by the World Health Organization criteria. Patients with type 1 DM and other types of DM were excluded from this study. The demographic data including age, sex, height, weight, BMI, duration of DM, and family history of DM were collected through reviewing of medical records. Further, the laboratory data, such as fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide, insulin, and liver function, kidney function, and lipid metabolism parameters, were also investigated for each patient.

BMI was used to evaluate obesity. The BMI (kg/m2) was calculated as baseline body weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m2). Obesity was defined as a cutoff value of 25 kg/m2 BMI, according to Asian-Pacific guidelines.18

The two polymorphisms of VDR, BsmI and ApaI, were analyzed in this study. Peripheral leukocytes were isolated from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-treated whole blood obtained from each patient. Then, the genomic DNA was extracted for subsequent polymerase chain reactions (PCR). All the included T2DM patients were genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, for two restriction sites in the VDR gene, BsmI and ApaI using specific primer sequences. The following BsmI and ApaI primers were used for amplification: (BsmI) forward 5-CAA CCA AGA CTA CAA GTA CCG CGT CAG TGA-3 and reverse 5-AAC CAG CGG AAG AGG TCA AGG G-3. (ApaI) forward 5- GGG ACG CTG AGG GAT GGC AGA GC-3 and reverse 5-GGA AAGGGGTTAGGTTGGACAGGA-3. The primers of the VDR gene were designed based on previous literature.19 The PCR condition used for Bsm I as followed: an initial denaturation of 3 min at 94 C, followed by denaturation of 30 s at 94 C, annealing of 30 s at 62 C, and extension of 1 min at 72 C for 30 cycles, and a final extension of 5 min at 72 C. The PCR condition used for amplification of Apa1 as follows; 94 C for 10 min, and 30 cycles using the following temperature profile: 94 C for 1 min, 62 C for 1 min, 72 C for 1 min, and final elongation for 5 min. The PCR products were digested overnight at 37 C by Fermentas restriction enzymes, and then resolved in 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis for the genotype analysis. We analyzed three genotypes for each polymorphism: BB, Bb, and bb for BsmI and AA, Aa, and aa for ApaI.

The probability of HardyWeinberg equilibrium was tested using the chi-squared test. The data were expressed as the mean standard deviation or as percentages for the categorical variables. The baseline characteristics were compared using Students t-test for the continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical parameters. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between obesity and the following variables: genotype, sex, age, duration of DM, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and HbA1c. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows software 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The significance was set at P < 0.05.

The study was approved by the International Review Board of Chungbuk National University Hospital (IRB No. 201803-034-001) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All procedures were carried out with adequate understanding, and all patients gave their informed consent prior to being included in the study.

A total of 506 patients (266 males and 240 females) were included in this study. The demographic and biochemical characteristics of the patients are shown in Table 1. The mean age and BMI of the patients were 62.6 10.6 years and 25.1 3.5 kg/m2, respectively. The mean duration of DM was 14.7 7.5 years and approximately 51% of the patients had a family history of DM. The mean HbA1c and FPG values were 7.6 1.4% and 145.1 55.4 mg/dL, respectively. The patients were categorized into obesity group and normal weight group depending upon their BMI values. The mean BMI was 27.9 2.9 kg/m2 in the obesity group and 22.7 1.7 kg/m2 in the normal weight group (P <0.001). The proportion of females and prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia were higher in the obesity group than in the normal weight group. The duration of DM was shorter in the obesity group than in the normal weight group; however, family history of DM and serum HbA1c levels did not show significant differences between the two groups. The serum triglyceride levels were 172.6 120.3 mg/dL in the obesity group and 146.0 78.0 mg/dL in the normal weight group (P = 0.004). Finally, the liver enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), were significantly higher in the obesity group than in the normal weight group.

Table 1 Baseline Characteristics of the Patients

Table 2 presents various parameters according to BsmI genotypes. Patients with the bb genotype (bb group) showed significantly higher BMI (25.2 3.5 kg/m2) than patients with BB or Bb genotypes (BB + Bb group; 24.1 3.1 kg/m2; P = 0.034). However, no significant differences were observed between the glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and liver enzyme parameters of the two groups.

Table 2 Various Parameters According to BsmI Genotypes

The clinical parameters according to ApaI genotypes are shown in Table 3. The mean BMI was 25.1 3.5 kg/m2 in patients with the Aa or aa genotypes (Aa + aa group) and 24.1 2.4 kg/m2 in patients with AA genotype (AA group); however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.180). Other laboratory findings were not significantly different between these two groups.

Table 3 Various Parameters According to ApaI Genotypes

The frequencies of BsmI genotypes in the patients were as follows: BB, 2.0% (n = 10); Bb, 10.3% (n = 52); and bb, 87.7% (n = 444). The frequencies of the ApaI genotypes in the patients were as follows: AA, 4.5% (n = 23); Aa, 46.8% (n = 237); and aa, 48.6% (n = 246; Supplementary Table 1). The bb group was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of obesity compared with the BB + Bb group (48.4% vs 33.9%; P = 0.031; Table 4). Moreover, the Aa + aa group showed a higher prevalence of obesity than the AA group (47.6% vs 26.1%; P = 0.043; Table 4). Furthermore, we performed a logistic regression analysis of the risk factors associated with obesity, and the related data are shown in Table 5. The non-B allele of BsmI was significantly associated with obesity, and the odds ratio (OR) was 2.132 (P = 0.014). The a-allele of ApaI also showed a significantly high risk of obesity (OR was 2.711, P = 0.048). Among other parameters, female sex, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were identified as the risk factors for obesity.

Table 4 Association Between Genotypes of VDR Polymorphisms and Obesity

Table 5 Logistic Analysis of Risk Factors to Determine Their Association with Obesity According to VDR Polymorphisms

In this study, we investigated the association between BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms in VDR gene and obesity in Korean patients with T2DM. We found that patients with T2DM carrying the bb genotype of VDR BsmI polymorphism were associated with higher BMI and increased risk of obesity than the BB or Bb genotypes. Although patients with the Aa or aa genotypes did not show significant differences in BMI (compared with the patients with AA genotype), the a-allele showed a significant correlation with obesity in the study population.

Recently, non-classical roles of vitamin D such as regulation of hormone secretion, immune function, cellular proliferation, and differentiation have emerged.20 Interestingly, previous studies have associated the effects of vitamin D with obesity. For instance, in a study of mixed-ethnicity participants, the individuals with obesity and those who were overweight showed a significant inverse correlation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level with body weight, BMI, and waist circumference.21 Another study demonstrated that vitamin D affects energy expenditure through the upregulation of leptin gene expression.22 Further, the previous meta-analysis has reported that vitamin D deficiency is associated with obesity.23 Moreover, vitamin D improves insulin sensitivity; therefore, vitamin D deficiency may lead to the development of T2DM.24,25 Thus, these studies imply that vitamin D may play a possible role in obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders.

Vitamin D binds to VDR to induce transcription pathways and gene expression. Therefore, genetic alterations of the VDR gene may hinder the gene activation and functions.7 As VDR expression has been found in adipose tissues, the association between obesity and VDR polymorphisms has also been investigated.8,9,16 In a study performed in French subjects with T2DM, BsmI and TaqI polymorphisms were associated with obesity; whereas ApaI did not show any significant correlation.16 This is in accordance with the results of our study. Another study showed that BsmI polymorphism was significantly associated with a higher BMI.26 Interestingly, conflicting results have been observed with respect to the association of obesity and ApaI polymorphisms. In a Chinese population, positive associations were observed between ApaI polymorphism and obesity (assessed by body fat percentage and skinfold thickness).27 In contrast, these associations were not observed in another study, which involved a study group of young Chinese males.28 In adolescents and young adults from Spain and Malaysia, no significant associations were observed between the VDR gene polymorphisms and obesity-related phenotypes.8,9 In recently published data, ApaI polymorphism appears to be correlated with overweightness and obesity in Chinese children.29 There are many ongoing studies and new SNP in VDR gene (rs3847987) have been shown an association with obesity phenotypes.30 Thus, to date, inconsistent results have been observed with respect to VDR polymorphisms and obesity. We believe that these differences may be attributed to different parameters such as sex, age, ethnicity, and behavioral characteristics. Further studies are needed and obesity is closely related to the development of T2DM and has been attributed to the progression of diabetic complications via various mechanisms.31,32 Therefore, it is possible that VDR polymorphisms, which are related to obesity, may be responsible for these complications in patients with T2DM. Previous studies have reported an association between VDR polymorphisms and diabetic complications.33,34 Results from the logistic regression analysis showed that BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms were strong risk factors for obesity. Thus, our data imply a possible effect of VDR polymorphisms on obesity in patients with T2DM, which is in accordance with the results of previous studies.16,26

To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the association between the VDR polymorphisms and obesity in Korean patients with T2DM. The present study was performed in relatively homogenous subjects with similar ethnicities and disease statuses. However, there are several limitations of our study. First, we did not evaluate the serum 25(OH)D level, therefore, we could not determine whether the patients had vitamin D deficiency. Second, the clinical characteristics related to obesity such as physical activity and diet were not evaluated. Moreover, other parameters assessing obesity including waist circumference and body composition could not obtain due to the retrospective study design. Third, there was no control group of individuals without T2DM. Finally, not all VDR polymorphisms were investigated. Thus, we cannot rule out that other VDR polymorphisms may also be associated with obesity in the studied population.

In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that BsmI and ApaI polymorphisms of the VDR gene were associated with obesity in Korean patients with T2DM. However, further studies with larger multiethnic cohorts and experimental models are required to validate our results.

Parts of this study were presented at the International Congress on Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, Seoul, Korea, 69 September 2018.

All retrospective data involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Ethical approval was obtained by the Local Ethics Committee.

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Everyone participated in the final approval of the manuscript.

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

The authors received no funding and report no conflicts of interest for this work.

1. Bluher M. Obesity: global epidemiology and pathogenesis. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2019;15(5):288298. doi:10.1038/s41574-019-0176-8

2. Park HS, Park CY, Oh SW, Yoo HJ. Prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. Obes Rev. 2008;9(2):104107. doi:10.1111/j.1467-789X.2007.00421.x

3. Nam GE, Kim YH, Han K, et al. Obesity fact sheet in Korea, 2019: prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity from 2009 to 2018 and social factors. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(2):124132. doi:10.7570/jomes20058

4. Won JC, Lee JH, Kim JH, et al. Diabetes fact sheet in Korea, 2016: an appraisal of current status. Diabetes Metab J. 2018;42(5):415424. doi:10.4093/dmj.2018.0017

5. Barsh GS, Farooqi IS, ORahilly S. Genetics of body-weight regulation. Nature. 2000;404(6778):644651. doi:10.1038/35007519

6. Xia Q, Grant SF. The genetics of human obesity. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2013;1281(1):178190. doi:10.1111/nyas.12020

7. Valdivielso JM, Fernandez E. Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and diseases. Clin Chim Acta. 2006;371(12):112. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2006.02.016

8. Rahmadhani R, Zaharan NL, Mohamed Z, Moy FM, Jalaludin MY. The associations between VDR BsmI polymorphisms and risk of vitamin D deficiency, obesity and insulin resistance in adolescents residing in a tropical country. PLoS One. 2017;12(6):e0178695. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178695

9. Correa-Rodriguez M, Carrillo-Avila JA, Schmidt-RioValle J, et al. Genetic association analysis of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and obesity-related phenotypes. Gene. 2018;640:5156. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2017.10.029

10. Chiu KC, Chu A, Go VL, Saad MF. Hypovitaminosis D is associated with insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79(5):820825. doi:10.1093/ajcn/79.5.820

11. Mangelsdorf DJ, Thummel C, Beato M, et al. The nuclear receptor superfamily: the second decade. Cell. 1995;83(6):835839. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(95)90199-X

12. Lee S, Clark SA, Gill RK, Christakos S. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and pancreatic beta-cell function: vitamin D receptors, gene expression, and insulin secretion. Endocrinology. 1994;134(4):16021610. doi:10.1210/endo.134.4.8137721

13. Mutt SJ, Hypponen E, Saarnio J, Jarvelin MR, Herzig KH. Vitamin D and adipose tissue-more than storage. Front Physiol. 2014;5:228. doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00228

14. Uitterlinden AG, Fang Y, Van Meurs JB, Pols HA, Van Leeuwen JP. Genetics and biology of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms. Gene. 2004;338(2):143156. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2004.05.014

15. Zmuda JM, Cauley JA, Ferrell RE. Molecular epidemiology of vitamin D receptor gene variants. Epidemiol Rev. 2000;22(2):203217. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.epirev.a018033

16. Ye WZ, Reis AF, Dubois-Laforgue D, Bellanne-Chantelot C, Timsit J, Velho G. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with obesity in type 2 diabetic subjects with early age of onset. Eur J Endocrinol. 2001;145(2):181186. doi:10.1530/eje.0.1450181

17. Sangkaew B, Nuinoon M, Jeenduang N. Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with serum 25(OH)D levels and metabolic syndrome in Thai population. Gene. 2018;659:5966. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.047

18. Pan WH, Yeh WT. How to define obesity? Evidence-based multiple action points for public awareness, screening, and treatment: an extension of Asian-Pacific recommendations. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17(3):370374.

19. Eltahir Khalid K. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in Sudanese children with type 1 diabetes. AIMS Genetics. 2016;3(3):167176. doi:10.3934/genet.2016.3.167

20. Bikle D. Nonclassic actions of vitamin D. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009;94(1):2634. doi:10.1210/jc.2008-1454

21. McGill AT, Stewart JM, Lithander FE, Strik CM, Poppitt SD. Relationships of low serum vitamin D3 with anthropometry and markers of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes in overweight and obesity. Nutr J. 2008;7(1):4. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-7-4

22. Kong J, Chen Y, Zhu G, Zhao Q, Li YC. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 upregulates leptin expression in mouse adipose tissue. J Endocrinol. 2013;216(2):265271. doi:10.1530/JOE-12-0344

23. Manousopoulou A, Al-Daghri NM, Garbis SD, Chrousos GP. Vitamin D and cardiovascular risk among adults with obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Invest. 2015;45(10):11131126. doi:10.1111/eci.12510

24. Teegarden D, Donkin SS. Vitamin D: emerging new roles in insulin sensitivity. Nutr Res Rev. 2009;22(1):8292. doi:10.1017/S0954422409389301

25. Palomer X, Gonzalez-Clemente JM, Blanco-Vaca F, Mauricio D. Role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2008;10(3):185197. doi:10.1111/j.1463-1326.2007.00710.x

26. Hasan HA, AbuOdeh RO, Muda W, Mohamed H, Samsudin AR. Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome and its components among adult Arabs from the United Arab Emirates. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2017;11(Suppl 2):S531S537. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2017.03.047

27. Shen F, Wang Y, Sun H, et al. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with triceps skin fold thickness and body fat percentage but not with body mass index or waist circumference in Han Chinese. Lipids Health Dis. 2019;18(1):97. doi:10.1186/s12944-019-1027-2

28. Gu JM, Xiao WJ, He JW, et al. Association between VDR and ESR1 gene polymorphisms with bone and obesity phenotypes in Chinese male nuclear families. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2009;30(12):16341642. doi:10.1038/aps.2009.169

29. Wang D, Su K, Ding Z, Zhang Z, Wang C. Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in Chinese children. Int J Gen Med. 2021;14:5766. doi:10.2147/IJGM.S287205

30. Yu S, Li X, Yu F, et al. New evidence for associations between vitamin D receptor polymorphism and obesity: case-control and family-based studies. J Hum Genet. 2020;65(3):281285. doi:10.1038/s10038-019-0702-5

31. King GL. The role of inflammatory cytokines in diabetes and its complications. J Periodontol. 2008;79(8 Suppl):15271534. doi:10.1902/jop.2008.080246

32. Bhupathiraju SN, Hu FB. Epidemiology of obesity and diabetes and their cardiovascular complications. Circ Res. 2016;118(11):17231735. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306825

33. Zhang H, Wang J, Yi B, et al. BsmI polymorphisms in vitamin D receptor gene are associated with diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes in the Han Chinese population. Gene. 2012;495(2):183188. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2011.12.049

34. Hong YJ, Kang ES, Ji MJ, et al. Association between Bsm1 polymorphism in vitamin D receptor gene and diabetic retinopathy of type 2 diabetes in Korean population. Endocrinol Metab. 2015;30(4):469474. doi:10.3803/EnM.2015.30.4.469

Read this article:
[Full text] The Associations Between Vitamin D Receptor BsmI and ApaI Polymorphism | DMSO - Dove Medical Press

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Breyanzi, a cell-based gene therapy, for the treatment of adults with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel), a cell-based gene therapy, to treat adults with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma who have either relapsed following, or not responded to, two previous lines of systemic treatment.

Today's approval represents another milestone in the rapidly progressing field of gene therapy by providing an additional treatment option for adults with certain types of cancer affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in an agency-issued press release. Gene and cell therapies have evolved from promising concepts to practical cancer treatment regimens.

Breyanzi, according to the agency, becomes the third gene therapy approved to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The decision was based on safety and efficacy data from a multicenter clinical trial. Among more than 250 adults with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma, treatment with Breyanzi induced a complete remission rate of 54%.

The FDA noted the approval comes with a boxed warning for cytokine release syndrome (CRS), which can cause high fever and flu-like symptoms as well as brain toxicities and may lead to death. Some of the other side effects the agency noted were associated with treatment included, but were not limited to, serious infections, low blood cell counts and a weakened immune system.

Because of these side effect concerns, patients are only able to receive this treatment at health care facilities specially certified to administer Breyanzi.

See the rest here:
CAR-T Cell Therapy Receives FDA Approval to Treat Certain Types of Large B-Cell Lymphoma - Curetoday.com

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The FDA has issued an approval to the biologics license application (BLA) for the CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy lisocabtagene maraleucel (Breyanzi; liso-cel) in the treatment of adult patients with certain types of large B-cell lymphoma following 2 or more prior therapies.1

Liso-cel targets CD19 expression through a CAR construct comprised of a 4-1BB costimulatory domain for T-cell propagation and preservation, and a CD3-z T-cell activation domain, and an anti-CD19 single-chain variable fragmenttargeting domain for antigen specificity.

Todays approval represents another milestone in the rapidly progressing field of gene therapy by providing an additional treatment option for adults with certain types of cancer affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, saidPeter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Gene and cell therapies have evolved from promising concepts to practical cancer treatment regimens.

Efficacy of liso-cel in patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas is supported by results of the phase 1 TRANSCEND NHL 001 trial (NCT02631044) that were published in The Lancet in 2020.2 Of 256 patients evaluable for efficacy, 186 (73%; 95% CI, 66.8%-78.0%) achieved an objective response, of whom 136 (53%; 95% CI, 46.8%-59.4%) had a complete response. At the time of data cutoff, the duration of response had not been reached with rates at 6 and 12 months of 60.4% (95% CI, 52.6%-67.3%) and 54.7% (95% CI, 46.7%-62.0%), respectively.

The most common grade 3 or high adverse effects were neutropenia (60%), anemia (37%), and thrombocytopenia (27%). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 42% of patients, with only 2% of patients having grade 3 or worse CRS. Neurologic events occurred at rates of 30% and 10%, respectively. Nine patients (6%) had dose-limiting toxicities.

Overall, safety and activity of liso-cel did not appear to be dose dependent, and the recommended target dose based on the data was 100106CAR-positiveT-cells.

The approval follows a long investigation process by the FDA, extending several months past the initial target action date of August 17, 2020 that was assigned to the BLA upon acceptance and priority review designation in early 2020.3 Travel restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that prevented timely conduct of inspections of third-party manufacturing facilities are among the reasons for a delay in approval.

Liso-cel was previously granted breakthrough therapy designation and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation by the FDA for various B-cell lymphomas. In May 2020, the FDA pushed the originally set Prescription Drug User Fee Act date from August to November 16, 2020 based on new information submitted to fulfill an agency request that was deemed to be a major amendment to the application.4 In November, Bristol Myers Squibb again announced that the PDUFA date would not be met, this time based on aforementioned travel restrictions, and no new date for approval was assigned.5

When liso-cel failed to gain approval by December 31, 2021, 1 of 3 preset milestones required for payment of the Bristol Myers Squibb Contingent Value Rights (CVR) agreement was not met. As a result, automatic termination of the CVR occurred and these securities were no longer eligible for payment.6

References:

1. FDA Approves New Treatment For Adults With Relapsed Or Refractory Large-B-Cell Lymphoma. News release. February 5, 2021. Accessed February 5, 2021. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-approves-new-treatment-for-adults-with-relapsed-or-refractory-large-b-cell-lymphoma-301223275.html

2. Abramson JS, Palomba ML, Gordon LI, et al. Lisocabtagene maraleucel for patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphomas (TRANSCEND NHL 001): a multicentre seamless design study. Lancet. 2020;396(10254):839-852. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31366-0

3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepts for priority review Bristol-Myers Squibbs biologics license application (BLA) for lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel) for adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. Bristol Myers Squibb. February 13, 2020. Accessed January 25, 2021. https://bit.ly/36cisOW

4. Bristol Myers Squibb provides update on biologics license application (BLA) for lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel). Bristol Myers Squibb. May 6, 2020. Accessed January 25, 2021. https://bit.ly/369ucBy

5. Bristol Myers Squibb provides regulatory update on lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel). Bristol Myers Squibb. November 16, 2020. Accessed January 25, 2021. https://bit.ly/39Y6zNA

6. Bristol Myers Squibb statement on status of liso-cel application and contingent value rights. Bristol Myers Squibb. November 1, 2020. Accessed January 25, 2021. https://bit.ly/2MrD4vi

See the original post:
Liso-cel Receives FDA Approval for the Treatment of R/R Large B-Cell Lymphoma - Cancer Network

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In-depth analysis and data-driven insights on the impact of COVID-19 included in this Europe cell and gene therapy market report.

The Europe cell and gene therapy market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 23% during the period 20202026.

Key Highlights Offered in the Report:

Key Offerings:

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/europe-cell-gene-therapy-market-size-analysis

Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market Segmentation

Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market by Product

Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market by End-user

Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market by Application

Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market Dynamics

Cell and gene therapy is revolutionizing the global healthcare segment. Although various new cell and gene therapies are approved, there are various hurdles that limit the penetration of new therapies, such as high cost, multiple regulatory hurdles, and other manufacturing challenges. These cell and gene therapy developers need reliable, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing services with the flexibility to scale up production as the demand increases. Cell and gene therapy products are very complex, and their manufacturing requires skilled labor, developed infrastructure for limited patients. Such huge investments will affect vendors and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) work with companies to overcome these challenges.

Key Drivers and Trends fueling Market Growth:

Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market Geography

European countries such as Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and Spain play a significant role in the cell and gene therapy market. However, clinical trials and the number of manufacturing facilities are increasing slowly in Europe. Europe has become a major R&D destination for many vendors as the funding for cell and gene therapies is increasing across many European countries. Europe stands next to North America in the global cell and gene therapy market. Initially, Europe led the cell and gene therapy market due to first product approvals. France, Germany, and Italy had a greater contribution globally and in Europe. However, from the past decade, the US has competed and increased its market share globally. Europe stands second in the market, with the increasing prevalence of cancer and rare genetic disorders that are not effectively solved by the conventional therapies are increasing in the region. This increased target population is driving the demand for cell and gene therapy in the region.

Get your sample today! https://www.arizton.com/market-reports/europe-cell-gene-therapy-market-size-analysis

Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market by Geography

Major Vendors

Other Prominent Vendors

Emerging Investigational Vendors In Europe

Explore our healthcare & lifesciencesprofile to know more about the industry.

Read some of the top-selling reports:

About Arizton:

AriztonAdvisory and Intelligence is an innovation and quality-driven firm, which offers cutting-edge research solutions to clients across the world. We excel in providing comprehensive market intelligence reports and advisory and consulting services.

We offer comprehensive market research reports on industries such as consumer goods & retail technology, automotive and mobility, smart tech, healthcare, and life sciences, industrial machinery, chemicals and materials, IT and media, logistics and packaging. These reports contain detailed industry analysis, market size, share, growth drivers, and trend forecasts.

Arizton comprises a team of exuberant and well-experienced analysts who have mastered in generating incisive reports. Our specialist analysts possess exemplary skills in market research. We train our team in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics to outperform in fabricating impregnable research reports.

Mail: [emailprotected] Call: +1-312-235-2040 +1-302-469-0707

SOURCE Arizton Advisory & Intelligence

Follow this link:
Europe Cell and Gene Therapy Market Size to Reach Revenues of USD 2.9 Billion by 2026 - Arizton - PRNewswire

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Biopharma stocks advanced in the week ended Feb. 5, driven higher by a slew of catalysts. Large-cap pharma earnings, vaccine updates, M&A activity, IPO news flow and follow-on offerings all served to lift stocks higher.

In an unexpected move, Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (NASDAQ: JAZZ) agreed to buy plant-derived cannabinoid drug maker GW Pharmaceuticals PLC- ADR (NASDAQ: GWPH) for $7.2 billion.

Novavax, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVAX) shares found follow-up buying interest amid vaccine updates. Earnings from large-cap biopharma companies can at best be qualified as mixed. The IPO calendar of the week was heavy, with 10 healthcare stocks making their Wall Street debuts this week.

Conferences

Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, or TCT, Meeting of the American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy and Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research: Feb. 8-12

17th Annual WORLDSymposium: Feb. 8-12

Guggenheim Healthcare Talks: 2021 Oncology Days: Feb. 11-12

2021 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium: Feb. 11-13

Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration 2021 conference: Feb. 12-13

PDUFA Dates

The Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to rule on Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc's (NASDAQ: REGN) biologic license application for evinacumab, which is being evaluated for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, an ultra-rare, inherited form of high cholesterol. The decision is expected by Thursday, Feb. 11.

Clinical Readouts

17th Annual WORLDSymposium Presentations

Regenxbio Inc (NASDAQ: RGNX): interim results from the Phase 1/2 clinical trial of RGX-121 for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Monday, Feb. 8, at 10:06 a.m.)

Orchard Therapeutics PLC ADR (NASDAQ: ORTX): updated Phase 1/2 data for ex-vivo autologous stem cell gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA; Phase 1/2 data for ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis type I (Tuesday, Feb. 9)

Protalix Biotherapeutics Inc (NYSE: PLX): one year of treatment data from BRIDGE, a phase 3 open-label study of pegunigalsidase alfa to treat patients with Fabry disease (Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 2:30-3:30 p.m.)

Story continues

Avrobio Inc (NASDAQ: AVRO): new phase 1/2 data for AVR-RD-02 ex-vivo lentiviral vector, autologous gene therapy for Gaucher disease (Thursday, Feb. 11, 2:30-3:30 p.m.); updated results from a phase 1/2 study of hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for cystinosis (Friday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m.); updated Phase 2 data for AVR-RD-01 in Fabry disease (Friday, Feb. 12)

Abeona Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: ABEO): updated results from Phase 1/2 study of ABO-101 gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB and Phase 1/2 study of ABO-102 gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA (Friday, Feb. 12)

Denali Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: DNLI): data from Phase 1/2 study of DNL310 in mucopolysaccharidosis II patients

Related Link: Attention Biotech Investors: Mark Your Calendar For February PDUFA Dates

TCT Meeting Presentations

Gamida Cell Ltd (NASDAQ: GMDA): results of the Phase 1 study of omidubicel versus standard myeloblative umbilical cord blood transplantation in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplant (Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 4:45-5 p.m.)

Equillium Inc (NASDAQ: EQ): interim data from the Phase 1b/2 EQUATE study of itolizumab in acute graft-versus-host disease (Friday, Feb. 12, 3 p.m.)

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (NYSE: TAK): Phase 3 data for TAK-620 in the treatment of transplant recipients with refractory/resistant cytomegalovirus infections (Friday, Feb. 12)

ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium Presentations

Clovis Oncology Inc (NASDAQ: CLVS): Pharmacokinetics and safety data from the phase 1b RAMP study evaluating rucaparib plus enzalutamide in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (Thursday, Feb. 11, 8 a.m.)

Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: INFI): Preliminary analysis of a phase 2 data for eganelisib in combination with and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co's (NYSE: BMY) Opdivo compared to Opdivo monotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (Thursday, Feb. 11)

View more earnings on IBB

BioXcel Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: BTAI): updated Phase 1b/2 data for BXCL701 in combination with Merck & Co., Inc.'s (NYSE: MRK) Keytruda in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (Thursday, Feb. 11, 8 a.m.)

Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration 2021 Conference Presentation

Kodiak Sciences Inc (NASDAQ: KOD): Clinical data on its investigational therapy KSI-301 in wet age-related macular degeneration and retinal vascular diseases (Saturday, Feb. 13 at 8:30 a.m.)

Earnings

Monday

Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CORT) (after the market close)Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: ENTA) (after the market close)

Tuesday

Incyte Corporation (NASDAQ: INCY) (before the market open)Deciphera Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: DCPH) (before the market open)SurModics, Inc. (NASDAQ: SRDX) (before the market open)

Wednesday

Polypid Ltd (NASDAQ: PYPD) (before the market open)Veru Inc (NASDAQ: VERU) (before the market open)Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: VNDA) (after the market close)Pacific Biosciences of California Inc (NASDAQ: PACB) (after the market close)Fluidigm Corporation (NASDAQ: FLDM) (after the market close)Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXEL) (after the market close)Aethlon Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEMD) (after the market close)

Thursday

Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: KPTI) (before the market open)Myovant Sciences Ltd (NYSE: MYOV) (before the market open)Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALNY) (before the market open)Applied Genetic Technologies Corp (NASDAQ: AGTC) (before the market open)Alkermes Plc (NASDAQ: ALKS) (before the market open)Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE: LH) (before the market open)AVITA Medical Inc (NASDAQ: RCEL) (after the market close)Aytu Bioscience Inc (NASDAQ: AYTU) (after the market close)Otonomy Inc (NASDAQ: OTIC) (after the market close)Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) (after the market close)Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc (NASDAQ: RARE) (after the market close)

Friday

ImmunoGen, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMGN) (before the market open)

IPOs

Adagene, Inc., a China-based, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing antibody-based cancer immunotherapies, has filed to offer 7.354 million ADSs, representing 9,1925 million ordinary shares, in an initial public offering. The company expects to price the offering in the $17-$19 range, and has applied for listing its ADSs on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ADAG.

French clinical-stage biotech Biophytis S.A., which focuses on development of therapeutics that slow the degenerative processes associated with aging, is proposing to offer 1.2 million ADSs in an IPO. Each ADS represents the right to receive 10 ordinary shares. The offering price is expected to be between $15 and $18 per ADS. The company has applied to list its ADSs on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol BPTS.

Longeveron LLC, a clinical stage biotech developing cellular therapies for specific aging-related and life-threatening conditions, is offering 2.73 million shares at an estimated price range of $10-$12. The Miami, Florida-based company has applied for listing the shares on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LGVN.

Durham, North Carolina-based Bioventus Inc. is planning a 7.53-million-share IPO, with the offering estimated to be priced between $16 and 18 apiece. The medical device company has applied for listing its shares on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol BVS.

Related: Pfizer Expects COVID-19 Vaccine To Bring $15B In Revenue This Year

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

See more from Benzinga

2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

More:
The Week Ahead In Biotech (Feb. 7-13): Regeneron FDA Decision, Earnings, IPOs and Conference Presentations In The Spotlight - Yahoo Finance

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

By Liora Engel-Smith, North Carolina Health News

Alyssa McCord would rather not see a doctor at all. The upstate New York native who now lives in Jacksonville with her husband and daughter attributes some of her reluctance to upbringing. Her parents only went to the doctor when absolutely necessary, she said.

The other part of that reluctance, says the 38 year old, is how providers react to her weight.

McCord, who wears size 20 pants, is used to providers making demeaning comments about her body. Often, theyd blame her weight for every ailment from heavy periods to colds to numbness and tingling in her hands.

In September, McCord had an experience that surprised even her. Shed gone to a family doctor to discuss consistently heavy periods and constant exhaustion. The doctor said her stomach was cramping because she is fat. If she lost weight, he told her, the pain would go away.

The doctor did not order any of the customary tests, such as abdominal ultrasound or blood tests to confirm his assertion. He looked at her and made up his mind, McCord said.

McCord would later learn from another provider that an enlarged uterus caused the cramps and heavy bleeding. Blood loss from the heavy periods made her anemic, accounting for her fatigue.

Nearly every person in a bigger body has their own story of weight-based bias at the doctors office. It could be anything: a too-small blood pressure cuff or medical gown, a wince from a triage nurse during a weigh-in, a negative comment from a physician, or as in McCords case, blaming every symptom on weight.

Its impossible to know exactly how pervasive weight bias is in the health care system, especially because it involves provider attitudes, but its safe to say that fat discrimination is rather common, said Ya-Ke Grace Wu, assistant professor at the UNC Chapel Hills school of nursing.

Current estimates are that 19 to 24 percent of obese adults experience some form of discrimination because of their weight, from bullying at home or work to fat discrimination in clinical settings. The rates of weight bias are even higher in women and people with higher body mass index scores.

Wu, who studies weight discrimination, said the maltreatment can also be nonverbal, from flimsy chairs that cannot accommodate larger bodies in the clinic waiting rooms to weighing them in hallways, rather than in a room that offers some privacy from passers-by.

No matter how the bias is delivered, the message is clear to any person in a big body: Weight isnt just a number, its a moral failing and a cause for shame.

These negative attitudes from providers have far-reaching health implications, Wu said. Some fat people may avoid the doctor altogether, delaying diagnosis of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or more serious conditions, such as cancer. Sense of shame about body size can also lead to a host of mental illnesses, from depression to anxiety to suicidal thoughts. Its even correlated with weight gain and binge eating disorder, a condition that involves cycles of compulsive and restrictive eating.

The fat is bad lense kind of corrupts everything, said Lindo Bacon, author, researcher and a member of the Health at Every Size movement, a grassroots effort to eliminate weight stigma in all areas of society. And at this point, it just seems like its basic good health care or so it seems to the doctors, that everybodys supposed to get thinner.

Weight stigma isnt just about hurt feelings, it is also linked to higher mortality rates, in part because discrimination often leads to unhealthy behaviors, such as exercise avoidance, overeating and substance use. The stress of weight stigma is associated with metabolic changes that can make people sicker, including higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and inflammation markers.

Evidence of harm is so robust that last spring, a panel of experts from universities and health care systems all over the globe published a call to end weight stigma in all areas of life in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine.

Weight bias and stigma can result in discrimination, and undermine human rights, social rights, and the health of afflicted individuals, the authors wrote.

As obesity rates in adults continue to rise, the public health consequences of fat discrimination could be significant. In North Carolina, for example, adult obesity rates more than doubled between 1990 and 2019.

While the scientific community has established that weight alone is not a predictor for health, societal understanding of obesity continues to lag. Many people, including health care providers, believe that diet and exercise are the only ways to manage obesity, despite evidence to the contrary.

Public health experts have known for years that obesity is a multifactorial condition, affected not only by behaviors but by the social determinants of health, including income, access to healthy food and neighborhoods that may discourage walking, to name a few. The focus on diet and exercise alone assumes that obesity is always within a persons control, said Bacon, the Health at Every Size advocate.

From a global perspective, we know that its the social determinants of health that play a much larger role [in obesity], Bacon said. So even our messages of bringing it down to individual behavior, are ignoring the really big issues in health, which is about inequity.

Rashelle Hamilton was used to providers taking her seriously. Hamilton, who had always been trim, had gained 30 pounds after the birth of her youngest daughter, Violet. She thought her birth control implant may be at fault.

Hamilton, who weighed 218 pounds late last year after the birth, was surprised to find that her new weight affected the quality of care she received.

Before they would mostly believe me when I said I had a problem, the Cary resident said. They believed me and listened to my symptoms and then went off of my symptoms.

But at an annual physical last December her first in a larger body the doctor looked at her and determined that she had Type 2 diabetes without a blood test or a review of diabetes symptoms, Hamilton said. The physician immediately prescribed Hamilton an $800-a week diabetes injection and then ordered tests to confirm what she thought was the correct diagnosis.

Hamilton didnt have diabetes, the blood tests later showed. The experience left her with a sense that she cannot trust medical providers. At the recommendation of a friend, Hamilton found a different doctor to go to. But the December physical cost her time, money and aggravation.

Wu, the UNC researcher, said that many overweight and obese people take the same route, moving from doctor to doctor until they find someone who would listen. But that approach can still cause damage, because of delayed diagnoses.

Some diseases have a golden window for treatment, Wu said. And so if you delay the treatment, you may delay the whole improvement [trajectory] of the disease.

The economic impact of repeated appointments for the same complaint is unknown, Wu said, but with rising health care costs and the lack of provider availability in rural areas, patients may not have the money or ability to find a provider who would listen.

If you walk into Aimee Festes clinic in Asheville, odds are, the word weight wont come up unless you say it. Feste, a body-positive nurse midwife with the Asheville-based Mountain Area Health Education Center, says she first learned about the weight discrimination from her patients.

People can be healthy in a larger body size, she said. I say to my own patients who are worried about their weight I could cut off your arm and you would lose 10 pounds and you can be a whole heck of a lot less healthy.

Feste says very few conditions, such as water retention during eclampsia, require in-office weight measurement. Instead, Feste focuses on the patients life as a whole, even when patients have chronic diseases, such as diabetes, that would traditionally trigger a discussion about weight.

She might talk to diabetic patients about their stress levels, their sleep, their ability to get medication and access food that nourishes them. That approach may take more conversation, Feste added, but its far kinder and respectful to patients who are already ashamed about their bodies.

Wu agrees with that approach. A provider is in a position of power, she said, and their job is to build trust with patients.

We dont have to push patients to talk about weight, we should just focus on whatever health issue they come in [with] for that days appointment, Wu added. If the patient wants to talk about weight, then we can talk about it, but I always suggest that the patient lead that conversation.

Feste said that rather than bringing up weight to patients with larger bodies, providers should educate themselves on approaching all patients, regardless of size, kindly and without judgment.

The more we shine light on it, the more its talked about, the more its going to be an open conversation, she said.

This article first appeared on North Carolina Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. North Carolina Health News is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit, statewide news organization dedicated to covering all things health care in North Carolina. Visit NCHN at northcarolinahealthnews.org

Read more here:
From NC Health News: Fat bias at the doctor's office takes a serious toll - Mountain Xpress

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Love can feel pretty wonderful when all goes well, that is.

If your romance follows a rockier path, you might notice your inner compass needle swinging more toward abject misery than euphoric joy.

Maybe you havent yet found the courage to confess your love, or you have summoned the strength to share your feelings, only to face rejection.

Perhaps youve fallen for a person you know you cant be with, like your boss or a friends partner, or someone you just know will never return your feelings.

An unexpected and unwanted breakup can also give rise to emotional turmoil and physical distress.

Any of these situations can leave you feeling somewhat unwell in mind and body. For example:

Sound familiar? Heres a possible diagnosis: Lovesickness.

Below, youll find more details on exactly what it means to be lovesick and what you can do to recover.

People use the term lovesick in different ways.

You might hear it used to describe the range of feelings that accompany the early stages of being in love, such as:

These effects of love usually go by another name, though well get into that in more detail below.

Lovesickness generally refers to the more unpleasant aspects of love.

This ailment involves all those unwanted feelings you might experience when your passion doesnt play out as planned, without the enjoyable effects of a mutual attachment.

Its natural to feel sad and disappointed when you like someone who doesnt feel the same way. The pain and frustration of heartbreak or unrequited love affects everyone differently, but the sting often lessens within a few weeks or months.

Not everyone coping with rejection will become lovesick, but you can often recognize the condition by its more intense symptoms.

The effects of lovesickness might stick around until they begin to affect your day-to-day life, and these symptoms can have a very real impact on your health and wellness.

Some people also use the term lovesickness to refer to a phenomenon known as limerence.

Psychologist and professor Dorothy Tennov pioneered the research on this condition, introducing the term in her book Love and Limerence: The Experience of Being in Love.

Tennov defines limerence as an involuntary fixation on another person. This fixation can feel a lot like love, but it has more of an obsessive component.

In a state of limerence, you desperately long for the other person to return your feelings and feel terrified theyll reject you. Your mood often depends on how they treat you.

If they smile or speak to you, you might feel on top of the world. If they ignore you or seem indifferent, you might feel distressed or physically pained.

Other key symptoms of limerence include:

Lovesickness is nothing new. This malady dates back to some of the earliest writings, in fact, though it sometimes went by different names.

Youll find descriptions of the condition in ancient medical texts and classical literature, from Greek philosophy to Shakespeare to Jane Austen.

Research traces the concept of lovesickness to Hippocrates, who believed that lovesickness, like other illnesses, resulted from an excess or imbalance of certain bodily humors.

Galen, another notable ancient physician, was one of the first to diagnose lovesickness and other conditions where physical symptoms resulted from emotional causes.

From culture to culture and era to era, the general symptoms of lovesickness remain much the same.

If youre lovesick, youll probably notice some of the following signs:

You might also notice mood changes brought on by thoughts of the person you love.

Your emotions might range from a general sense of longing to frustration, anger, nervousness, and anxiety, and sometimes even hopelessness and despair.

Languishing over lost love can leave you feeling pretty rotten, to the point where you might begin to wonder whether youre coming down with some type of flu.

Running a fever, which can sometimes happen with lovesickness, might only reinforce your concerns.

Love cant give you the flu. But the hormone fluctuations associated with love and heartbreak particularly the stress hormone cortisol can prompt physical symptoms that affect your long-term health.

Lovesickness can also make you sick indirectly. A lack of sleep, good nutrition, or adequate hydration can absolutely worsen your health.

Whats more, changes in mood, such as irritability or a general sense of melancholy, can begin to affect your relationships with others or your performance at work and school.

Difficulties in these areas of life can eventually increase stress and affect your health, especially if your thoughts of love get in the way of regular self-care.

Serious cases of lovesickness can get intense. You might have trouble talking about anything besides the person you love and the relationship you want to develop.

Lovesickness can make it hard to concentrate and distract you from your responsibilities. You might forget important appointments, chores, errands, or plans with friends.

Its also common to feel anxious about the outcome of your love.

Lovesickness can also involve difficulty getting over someone after they reject you.

Whether thats an ex-partner who ended your relationship or someone you fell for who didnt return your love, trouble moving on from the heartbreak could prompt feelings of melancholy or depression. Some people even have thoughts of suicide.

For those in the throes of limerence, persistent intrusive thoughts can fuel anxiety and rumination.

Some people attempt to resolve these thoughts with avoidance strategies or compulsive behaviors. These might seem to offer some temporary relief, but they generally wont help long term.

Lovestruck and lovesick arent entirely unrelated concepts, but they do refer to separate states.

Falling in love prompts your brain to ramp up production of certain hormones, including dopamine, oxytocin, and norepinephrine.

So youll probably experience some level of surging emotions and temporary changes in mood and behavior as a natural consequence of falling head over heels.

When this happens, people might say youre lovestruck or struck by Cupids arrow. (Cher and Nicolas Cage offer another name for this state of mind: Moonstruck.)

Lovesickness, on the other hand, tends to follow heartbreak, rejection, or unrequited love, so it carries more of a negative connotation. It might also involve mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression.

Not everyone who falls in love will experience lovesickness, even after rejection, but some degree of lovestruck-ness is pretty universal everyone has hormones, after all.

The early stages of a relationship usually involve some degree of infatuation. For example:

This fixation can show up in physical ways, too.

You might notice signs of arousal as soon as you see them or, lets be honest, whenever you think about them or remember your last encounter. When together, you might find it impossible to keep your hands off each other (or make it out of bed).

All of these things usually feel pretty good, and most people enjoy being in the honeymoon phase.

This stage can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, but it usually passes once the relationship stabilizes and things become a little less rosy and a little more realistic.

If you think lovesickness sounds pretty awful, you might wonder whether pursuing love is really worth it.

Finding real, sustainable love can take time and effort, but romance isnt all rejection and misery.

Each time you develop a crush or more intense liking for someone and follow up on those feelings by confessing your love, youre making an attempt to find the romantic connection you desire.

You may not find this love without running the risk of potential rejection. For many people, the eventual outcome of lasting love is worth the risk of potential rejection or lovesickness.

Even if your crush doesnt pan out, it may not necessarily feel bad. People who love the butterflies, energy boost, and euphoria that accompany their crushes might feel pretty fantastic in the thick of a crush.

Crushes can also teach you more about what you want (and dont want) in a romantic partner. They can also lead to new friends.

Sometimes, the romance flops, but you find yourself connecting with your ex-crush in a completely platonic but still rewarding way.

In spite of lovesickness lengthy history, experts have yet to discover any real cure. Absent a vaccine or other quick fix, youre left in the healing hands of time itself.

Lovesickness generally does ease eventually, much like the common cold. Heres what you can do in the meantime to get some relief.

Turn your feelings into something tangible by getting in touch with your creative side.

Art, journaling, poetry or short-story writing, and making music are all great ways to experience and express difficult emotions.

Cheery, energizing music might lift your spirits, but if youd rather treat your senses to a favorite heartbreak playlist, go for it. Research suggests listening to sad music could also have a positive impact on your mood.

Giving yourself time to heal involves creating some space. In other words, youll want to avoid texting, calling, and checking up on them in person or on social media.

Its also wise to wait on friendship until youre feeling better.

You might not feel much like eating but try to plan balanced meals and snacks to help maintain good health.

Going to bed at the same time every night can make it easier to get the sleep you need.

Meditation and sunshine are other simple, low-cost methods to help boost a low mood.

Exercise, favorite hobbies, and time with friends can all help distract you from feelings of lovesickness and help improve your outlook.

A good book or favorite movie can also help you cope when you want to stay in and process your emotions alone.

We wont lie. Heartbreak can take weeks, even months, to heal. This length of time varies from person to person, so theres really no way to predict how long lovesickness will last.

If unwanted physical or emotional symptoms linger for more than a week or two, professional support can help.

Therapists are trained to help people navigate all the messy aspects of love, so your therapist wont laugh at you or tell you its all in your head.

They will:

If you experience obsessive or intrusive thoughts, compulsions, or thoughts of suicide along with lovesickness, its best to seek support right away.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255.

During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing should call 1-800-799-4889.

Click here for more links and local resources.

If youre feeling a little lovesick lately, take heart. It wont last forever.

To heal more quickly, treat yourself to some rest and relaxation, draw emotional support from friends, and remember to take care of your basic needs.

Crystal Raypole has previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her fields of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, natural sciences, sex positivity, and mental health. In particular, shes committed to helping decrease stigma around mental health issues.

Excerpt from:
11 FAQs About Lovesickness: Signs, What to Do, More - Healthline

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

HOUSTON, Texas, Feb. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- China Infrastructure Construction Corp. (OTC: CHNC) https://www.chnc-hdh.com/ -- CHNC has finally reconstructed itself; it seems as if it was only yesterday when on December 19, 2019 Pharmacology University concluded its merger with CHNC. As established during negotiations, Pharmacology University also appropriated responsibility for the management of the company and though we planned for difficulties, we did not budget for calamitous. Since then, we started to peel the onion and the more we did, the more it stunk. Particularly, because CHNC had a $1,844,500 debt, a Shell Risk designation meaning the company had no or minimal assets and operations, no employees to speak of, and during the calendar year of 2019 the company only reported revenues of $259,737, as well as a great sum of operating complications. It was time to get to work; we were on the edge of a rock bottom point of no return, unless we were determined to accept and endure a complete paradigm shift.

Consequently, we went to our little partners (employees, though, we do not use the word employees at our firm) and charted a completely new course for 2020, and that we did. We pledged 40-to-50-hour weeks and for directors 50 to 60, divided responsibilities, rolled up our sleeves and implemented a rigid plan that had a mixture of integrity, emotional intelligence, mission, flexibility, a maniacal focus on customer service and our products, but most importantly a vision of our companys future. After tremendous chest pounding, litigation, negotiations, and unwavering commitment to our core values, on June 16, 2020 we finally, completely eliminated our debt, says Henry Levinski, CHNC Treasurer.

More to the point, we created revenues that generated an increase in sales/revenues from the previous year of 285% for the calendar year of 2020; furthermore, with proper reporting and increased revenues we were able to obtain the removal of our Shell Risk in September of the same year. Congruently, despite 2020 being a year that distributed evil to the world in a way that has never been written, we managed to increase our personnel 175%. Consequently, 2021 has brought strong winds and has rewarded our firm, our industrial partners, our directors and our shareholders with the normality and stability that they so richly deserve, says Elizabeth Hernandez, COO of CHNC.

For the same reason, I would like to extend a warm salute to our 2020 HEROES, the ones who did not tire or despair in our darkest hour but on the contrary pushed forward and made this possible.

I am referring of course to our doctors, clinical technicians, chemists, biologists, professors, social media managers, concept and graphic designers, accountants, attorneys, software engineers, video editing experts, translators, and all other industrial partners that collaborated on our projects. We continue to grow our educational project more each day and continue to search for new horizons where we can break down barriers and vanquish outdated stigmas. Curiously, the most amazing aspect of our 2020 trials and tribulations was the fact that our young bloods, our young samurais by way of leadership and empowerment surpassed our expectations, saved our company, found purpose, understood our vision and in an amazing form transported and elevated us into a firm that now enjoys their very own fabricated core values of passion, transparency, integrity and diversity.

As a result, we are proud to have a variety of products such as Canna Law Magazine, a digital biweekly publication that educates users about the most relevant legal changes in the cannabis industry worldwide. We understand the importance of staying informed and how the cannabis industry affects millions around the globe. That is why we offer our magazine in five different languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Arabic. We have had such a positive feedback that we are currently present in an astonishing 55 countries such as Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Mauritania, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Spain, Syria, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom (UK), United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Yemen, says Anne Graham, CHNC Corporate Legal Counsel.

With Canna Law https://cannalawmagazine.com/, we plan to continue our expansion with a main goal in mind: to inform our subscribers of the legal realities that the industry entails and to provide them with a useful tool that will help them navigate its complexities.

We are also aware that change is not one-dimensional, but rather a combination of different areas, and as an army we have chosen to take-on different battlefronts. Therefore, as well we are pleased to also introduce Canna Med Magazine https://cannamedmagazine.com/, a monthly digital publication created by health professionals for health professionals. Education is the key to change, and we want to ensure that every hardworking doctor, nurse, scientist and caregiver understands the existing research and ongoing studies about the benefits of medical cannabis. With our blogs, news pieces and editions we have designed a portal of current, relevant information, scientific data and more. We also understand that as a global community we need to be able to communicate with as many countries as possible to continue to expand. That is why Canna Med is available in English, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Portuguese and coming soon Mandarin and Hindi as we continue to grow.

Moreover, in a world that surprised us with a pandemic we quickly grasped the importance of adapting our existing products. With Pharmacology University https://www.pharmacologyuniversityonline.com/, our company with over 12 years of experience in educational systems, we developed a new software so that we could continue our education online, offering more courses every month, in different languages, so that a home could also be a classroom. With our new technology in place, we have been able to develop new courses, continue our certified university alliances, provide consultancy services, expand our reach and evolve our platform.

Of course, the monitoring of financial aspects is a priority, and this evolution in our software has allowed us to grow Precision Research Institute https://www.pri.center/, our Houston-based Research Unit. We have been able to continue with our clinical trials, transforming the life of our patients, says Elizabeth Hernandez, COO of CHNC.

Currently, we conduct clinical studies in knee osteoarthritis, Streptococcus vaccine, respiratory Syncytial virus vaccine, Asthma, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and of course COVID-19. We offer our services in the Houston area primarily and with projects expanding into Puerto Rico but with COVID-19 therapies we have extended our efforts across the United States to assist people in their time of need. With some of the most reputable sponsors in the pharmaceutical industry, such as Abbvie, Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Shionogi, Iterum Therapeutics, Allergan amongst many others.

In our search to tackle existing health problems, we are now most proud to announce the creation of our new baby: ALPHA Fertility & Sleep Center https://www.alphasleepcenter.com/ under the Medical Direction of Dr. Kiran Nair, DO and Dr. Ralph Gallo, MD as the designated Sleep Board Certified Physician. With this center, CHNC seeks to help the high statistics of people suffering from sleep-related disorders, including fertility problems in men and women. According to a national study, almost a third of the people in the United States, an estimated 50 to 70 million people, suffer from chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders. Patients may receive different types of services, including Fertility Consultations, Overnight in-lab sleep study, Overnight CPAP titration, Split night sleep study, Oxygen titration, MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test), MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test), Adapt SV PAP, Compliance Follow up (DME), Sleep Specialist Evaluation, Referring Services and Fertility Education and wellness programs. CBD will also be studied, as it induces the feelings of tranquility and sleepiness, making it ideal for sleep disorders and insomnia. Preliminary research showed that the use of cannabidiol molecules enhances sleep during the REM stage, balancing hormone production, which leads to the significant reduction of the feeling of sleepiness during the daytime. Moreover, preliminary studies in humans have indicated that treatment with cannabinoids may decrease post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, including nightmares. It brings your rest to a deeper level improving the quality of your sleep, says Peggy Mitchell, Director of Alpha Fertility and Sleep Center.

To the investors who have patiently awaited the awakening of CHNC, we thank you and send you our desire to continue developing projects that impact our society and that help us grow organically and see it reflected in the return of our investments. We are confident that our new CHNC will intelligently respond to the challenges expected by 2021, with the same dedication that we responded to the past debt and the global COVID-19 crisis.

Thank you for the support, in allowing us to bring you a stronger CHNC. We flirted with the brink of failure, but we pushed through and prevailed. We have found our balance to succeed, we will continue to improve what we already know, adjust to what we find difficult and embrace the unknown, for it is here where opportunity is found.

Safe Harbor Statement

The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "explores," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "projects," "intends," and similar phrases. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of geopolitical conditions, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the company's control.

For more information contact us at:

info@pharmacologyuniversity.com

817/528-2475 for English

214/733-0868 for Spanish

Or view us here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7bGr16NxWw

The rest is here:
CHNC Saga, Metamorphosis, and Transformation Other OTC:CHNC - GlobeNewswire

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Eat This, Not That!

You're reading a ton of information about coronavirus (more specifically, COVID-19) and what to do while we're in an active pandemic. Some of what you've heard is spot-on; some of it's utterly bogus; some of it changes every day; most of it's scaring the pants off you. That's why we've consulted the experts to compile this comprehensive list of the most important, science-backed coronavirus tips you can do to stay healthy. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. 1 Don't Travel Stay with just the people you're sheltering with. "The tragedy that could happen is one of your family members, from coming together in a family gathering, could wind up hospitalized and severely ill and could die. We don't want to see that happen," said Dr. Henry Walke, a COVID-19 incident manager at the CDC. "This year we're asking people to be as safe as possible." 2 Don't Think You're Immune Now isn't the time to be complacent. If you're young, you can still develop COVID-19 and serious complicationsMillenials are being hospitalizedand spread coronavirus to people who are more vulnerable, like the elderly and immunocompromised, even if you're symptom free. 3 Don't Ignore These Simple Fundamentals Everyone from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease doctor, to Alex Azar, President Trump's apointed United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, agree that the following fundamentals, if followed, can keep us safer until we're all vaccinated:Universal wearing of masksMaintaining physical distanceAvoiding congregate settings or crowdsDoing more outdoors, as opposed to indoorsWashing hands frequently 4 Don't Drink Bleach or Disinfectant After President Trump mentioned "disinfectant" as a possible cure, calls to poison control doubled and companies like Lysol had to send notices telling people they should not ingest their products. Don't ever ingest bleach or disinfectant! It is literally poisonous and can least to gastric distress at best, death at worst. 5 Don't Think a Lamp or Bright Light Will Cure COVID-19 President Trump once mused that "the heat and the light" might kill the coronavirus. "Not as a treatment," answered Deborah Birx, a top adviser. Same goes for the sun. It would be "irresponsible for us to say that we feel that the summer is just going to totally kill the virus," says Bill Bryan, an undersecretary of science and technology at the Department of Homeland Security. 6 Don't Think Social Distancing Will be Over Tomorrow "Social distancing will be with us to really ensure that we protect one another as we move through these phases," Birx told NBC's Meet the Press. That includes even after the first folks start taking the vaccine, which is set to be distributed to those most in need come December. 7 Don't Hoard Food There's no need to panic-buy food. Officials from around the U.S. and world have said there is no shortage in the food supply, and grocery stores will be restocked. 8 Obviously: Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands This is the most important protection against COVID-19. Wash your hands after being out in public, after you use the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and before preparing or consuming foodbasically, as often as is practical. 9 Don't Touch Your Face Germs are most often introduced into our body when we touch our eyes, nose or mouth, experts say. 10 Don't Wash Your Hands for Less Than 20 Seconds Anything less would be uncivilizedand will leave germs on your hands, experts say. Do it for 20 seconds or more, or as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday"or the theme from Full House or the Imperial March from Star Wars. Whatever it takes to get you through. 11 Always Wash Your Hands With Soap Studies show that during handwashing, soap creates a chemical reaction that removes germs from your hands more efficiently than water alone. Don't use too little or too muchtoo much soap can prevent thorough rinsing of germs from your handsand rinse and dry completely. 12 Don't Sneeze or Cough Openly Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbowsome call it "The Batman Sneeze"or into a disposable tissue. 13 Don't Touch Door Handles (If You Can Help It) Researchers have found that coronavirus can live for two to three days on hard surfaces like door handles. That's why it's especially important to wash your hands regularly, and push doors with your arm or elbow when possible. 14 Adhere to Social Distancing Recommendations Social distancing guidelines come from a place of knowledgethey've prevented other novel viruses (like the flu of 1918) from exacting an even greater toll. 15 Don't Attend Large Gatherings The White House still recommends that gatherings be limited to 10 people or fewer. 16 Be Wary of Entering Restaurants and Bars Many localities have closed bars and restaurants to everything but carryout and delivery. Even if your city has opened these places, enter with caution, as the virus can still spread. 17 Don't Shake Hands Not to encourage antisocial behavior, but now's a good time to substitute a handshake for a wave or an elbow bump. 18 Don't Forget to Wash Your Hands After Handling Food Packages and Food Deliveries You don't need to spray your groceries or food deliveries with disinfectant, but be sure to take the food out of the packaging right when you get home (in a special area for this purpose), discard it, and then wash your hands for 20 seconds before eating. 19 Don't Forget Your Face Mask According to the CDC: "In light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads, along with evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in communities across the country, CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community setting. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms."You can make your own at home out of cloth.They go on: "A cloth face covering should be worn whenever people are in a community setting, especially in situations where you may be near people. These settings include grocery stores and pharmacies. These face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Cloth face coverings are especially important to wear in public in areas of widespread COVID-19 illness." 20 Don't Cross-Contaminate Via Your Mask "Once you wear a mask once, it's contaminated by whatever. If you take the mask off and sit it on another surface, that surface is now contaminated," says Geoffrey Mount Varner, MD, MPH, FACEP, a Maryland-based emergency medicine physician.The Rx: "It's best to use one-use masks and once they are taken off, dispose of them," says Mount Varner. "If you use a cloth or hand-made mask, it needs to be washed and sanitized between wears." 21 Don't Touch the Mask With Dirty Hands "If you contaminate your mask even from the outside, you can get easily infected," says physician Dimitar Marinov, MD, Ph.D."Taking off your face mask and then reapplying it with contaminated hands can move the bacteria or virus directly into the breathable area," says Jared Heathman, MD, a Texas-based psychiatrist.The Rx: Make sure your hands are clean before adjusting the mask. It's best to avoid touching your face in general. 22 Don't Wear the Same Mask All Day "A mask should be changed or disinfected as often as every 2 hours, otherwise viral particles can accumulate on it and you are more likely to breathe them in," says Marinov. 23 Make Sure You're Fully Covered "I see many people wearing their masks below the nose," says Marinov. "While it will still protect others if you are coughing or sneezing, it will not protect you from COVID-19 if someone else nearby is infected and coughs."The Rx: Once the mask is fitted properly on the nose, it should be extended so that it fits right under your chin, says Angela Abernathy, a New York City-based dentist. "This is to ensure maximum coverage." Adds Heathman: "The purpose is to breathe through the mask, not around the mask." 24 Don't Put It on Too Late Without the mask, you're susceptible to inhaling the particles in the air. "You must put it on ahead of entering an area of risk," says Rafael Lugo, a general surgeon and owner/CEO at Lugo Surgical Group in The Woodlands, Texas. 25 Don't Trust the Mask Too Much You may think "the mask is 100 percent reliable," says Lugo. Not so. "It is meant to decrease the risk. Ultimately, social distancing is king.""A surgical mask is not designed to provide a barrier between your respiratory system and all viruses and bacteria," says Leann Poston, MD, a physician with Invigor Medical in New York City. "Social distancing helps protect you from viral particles sneezed and coughed into the air by people who may not know that they are sick yet." 26 Don't Spray Your Mask With Chemicals "Applying any chemical like Lysol to the mask that makes it wet is bad," says Lugo. "You can spray it to sanitize lightly, and then put it in a bag. Do not saturate it." 27 Don't Get Your Mask Wet "Once the mask becomes wet, it becomes less effective and needs to be changed to a dry one," says Abernathy. Avoid touching the mask with your tongue. "Touching the mask with your tongue makes it wet and more porous," advises Lugo. "You want the mask to stay dry." 28 Don't Wear It Wrong "Masks have a front (that is usually colored, textured or has the brand name) and a back (that is usually white and more cotton-like)," says Abernathy. "The back side should be touching your face. It is designed this way so that particles are properly filtered." 29 Don't Think All Masks Are the Same Different masks have different uses. "An N95 mask filters out 95% of bacteria and viruses if they are correctly fitted to your face," says Poston. This is what healthcare workers are using to better protect themselves when caring for sick patients. "A surgical mask is designed to contain your droplets to help protect those around you." 30 Don't Go to an ER Unless You're Seriously Ill If you have COVID-19 symptoms, it's best to call your healthcare provider for advice. Don't go to an ER unless you're having trouble breathing; you might infect others there. 31 Don't Drink Too Much Alcohol It's a scary time, but overindulging in alcohol isn't the answer. Drinking too much can raise blood pressure and reduce immunity, two factors that could make you more susceptible to COVID-19 and complications. 32 Don't Sleep Less Sleep is a time when our immune system recharges, and a lack of quality sleep has been associated with other serious diseases. Aim for seven to nine hours a night. 33 Don't Let Anxiety Take Over If you're feeling anxious, turn off the news and social media. Breathe deeply for a few minutes. Practice techniques that reduce anxiety and stress, including mindfulness, meditation and exercise. 34 You're Using Sanitizer Wrong "Another mistake is that people don't completely saturate their hands with hand sanitizer," says Stephen Loyd, MD, chief medical director at JourneyPure. They might only be covering the palms or the backs of their hands."The Rx: "It's important to put it between your fingers, as well as under the nails, to distribute the sanitizer evenly," says Loyd. "You want to apply hand sanitizer in the same way you would if you are washing your hands with soap." 35 You're Overusing It "Hand sanitizers kill not only bad bacteria, but also communal good bacteria, which can be irritating to the skin," says Dr. Rhonda Kalasho, a double board-certified dentist in Los Angeles. The Rx: "Hand sanitizer is much more drying for the hands than soap and water, so it's easy to get dry skin from over-using hand sanitizer," says Loyd. "People should moisturize their hands immediately after use, preferably with a cream." 36 You're Using A Less Concentrated One "Hand sanitizer should have at least 60 percent alcohol," says Inna Husain, MD, an otolaryngologist in Chicago. "The higher the concentration of alcohol, the more effective it will be." 37 You're Keeping It Near Children "People need to keep hand sanitizer, especially nicely scented ones, out of the reach of young children," says Heather Finlay-Morreale, MD, a pediatrician in Sterling, Massachusetts. "Young children can drink them and get poisoned." 38 You're Not Letting It Dry "One common mistake people make when using hand sanitizer is that they fail to rub it in all the way," says Loyd. "It's important to continue to rub it into your skin until it dries." The Rx: "Give hand sanitizer time to take effect," says Husain. "I have seen people squirt a small amount, then immediately touch their face. Give it at least a minute to dry." 39 You're Contaminating Yourself Again "The sanitizer pump has been touched lots of times by people with unclean hands," says general practitioner Dr. Giuseppe Aragona. "It can harbor similar levels of germs to door handles, cash and ATM keypads."The Rx: Pump with the side of your hand or fist, and don't touch any part of the bottle after you've applied hand sanitizer. 40 You're Making Hand Sanitizer Yourself Because of panic buying, your local store might have run out of hand sanitizer. You may be tempted to create your own. Experts advise against it; it's easy to mistakenly create a mixture that's not strong enough to kill germs. "I've seen people try and make sunscreen before, and the worst-case scenario was people being sunburned," says Aragona. "With COVID-19, the worst-case scenario is death and infecting dozens of other people." 41 You're Not Using Enough Because of the hand sanitizer shortage, you may be tempted to use a smaller amount of sanitizer than usual to make it last longer. But that may not kill germs as expected. A common mistake is "not applying the right amount, and not applying to both hands," says Magdalena Cadet, MD, a rheumatologist based in New York City. "Don't forget under fingernails and the back of the hand, as well as the entire palm." 42 Don't Use Hand Sanitizer That's Less Than 60% Alcohol Experts say 60% and above is necessary to kill germs. 43 Don't Forget to Check in With Others "Social distancing only applies to physical space, not all human connections," said doctors from Johns Hopkins on March 17. "If you know someone who can't go outside, like an older person, call them regularly." 44 Don't Stop Exercising Even though gyms may be closed in your area, daily exercise is key to staying healthy. Luckily, working out at home is easier than ever, thanks to apps and sites like Beachbody, Openfit, Aaptiv and Fitbod. Several gym chains have online workouts too. 45 Don't Eat Poorly Stress eating could turn COVID-19 into the new version of the Freshman 15. Don't let it; that will only compromise your overall health. 46 Don't Share Bogus Information We all want our friends, loved ones and community to stay informed about COVID-19, but make sure any information you share comes from major news sources, hospitals and health organizations like the CDC and WHO. 47 Don't Totally Avoid Nature Going outside during social distancing is "more than okay. It's a good idea," the Johns Hopkins doctors said. "Just keep your distance from others. Walking, hiking and biking are good. Contact sports are a no-no. Exercise is physically and mentally important, especially in stressful times." 48 Self-Quarantine If You Suspect You've Been Exposed This is key to slowing the spread of the virus, experts say. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. 49 Self-Isolate If You Suspect You've Been Infected If you're ill with COVID-19, it's important to occupy a separate bedroom from other members of your family if you can, and avoid sharing towels, bedding, glasses, plates and silverware until you're recovered. 50 Don't Touch Shopping Carts without wiping them down with an antibacterial wipe, or washing your hands as soon as you get home, that is. 51 Don't Touch Elevator Buttons If you can help it, press these germ magnets with a knuckle or the side of your hand; it'll lower the chances you'll transfer 52 Don't Stock Up on Simple Carbs When you're buying groceries, go for complex carbs, not white bread and flour, baked goods and processed foods. 53 Disinfect Your Cell Phone Even in normal times, they can carry seven times more germs than the average toilet seat. Wipe them down with disinfectant daily. 54 Don't Feel Helpless to Help Others These are unforeseen circumstances, but staying at home doesn't mean you're powerless to help others. Michigan Health has a great list of things you can do, from donating to food and diaper banks to helping the homebound. 55 Don't Forget to Wash Your Hand Towels Experts recommend washing your kitchen hand towels after two days of use, in hot water, with a bit of bleach or a product with activated oxygen bleach. 56 Don't Panic! Be prepared, be vigilant, be informed. But don't be panicked. We will get through this together, even if we have to temporarily remain apart. 57 Don't Skip a Vitamin D Supplement Among other benefits, Vitamin D boosts the immune system. "If you are deficient in vitamin D, that does have an impact on your susceptibility to infection. So I would not mind recommending, and I do it myself taking vitamin D supplements," says Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert. 58 Don't Skip the Flu Shot If you haven't gotten one, it's not too late. It won't protect against COVID-19, but it will help protect you against the seasonal flu, which can have similar symptoms. 59 Don't Let Your Blood Pressure Rise If you're on medication or a lifestyle-change regimen for high blood pressure, don't discontinue them. High blood pressure has been associated with worse outcomes for people who contract COVID-19. 60 Don't Skip the Veggies As always, try to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possiblethey contain vitamins, minerals and compounds that can boost your immune system. 61 Don't Handle Cash (If You Can Help It) Initial reports indicated that cash might help spread coronavirus. No harm in paying with plastic whenever possible. 62 Don't Touch a Public Screen Or Keypad (Without Washing Your Hands) The checkout screens at grocery stores and keypads at banks and ATMs were notoriously germy even before the coronavirus outbreak. Bring a pen with you and use the non-writing end to press keys and give your signature. 63 Don't Go to Religious Services Right now is the time to avoid crowds in general. Attend services online, or in a virtual group hangout. 64 Don't Take Chloroquine Phosphate An Arizona man died, and his wife became seriously ill, after the couple ingested chloroquine phosphate, an additive used to clean fish tanks. President Trump had touted the antimalarial drug chloroquine as a potential coronavirus cure. 65 Don't Use a Community Pen Bring your own writing utensil with you anywhere you might need to use oneto the bank, doctor's office or other essential places. 66 Don't Blame Others Viruses don't belong to one country or discriminate about who they infect. Blaming one country or group of people for COVID-19 isn't emotionally healthy or constructive. 67 Consider Every Health Procedure Carefully Ask your healthcare provider if any of your upcoming procedures are urgent or can be rescheduled. 68 Don't Take a Cruise Cruises have proven to be an effective vector for transmitting a number of viruses, including coronavirus. If you have one booked, now's a good time to reschedule or choose another diversion. 69 Don't Take Children to Closed Playgrounds Many parks and playgrounds remain closed for a reasonplayground equipment is rarely (if ever) disinfected. 70 Don't Go Out When You're Sick If you feel ill, stay home. 71 Disinfect "High-Touch" Surfaces Take a minute to wipe down other frequently touched surfaces such as computer keyboards, remote controls and light switches. 72 Don't Close-Talk There will be time for establishing intimacy later. If you run into a friend on the street, try to stay three feet apart for the time being. 73 And Sorry About This One: Don't Visit the Grandparents (or Your Grandkids) In Person Older people are more susceptible to complications from COVID-19. Move any visits to FaceTime for the time being. 74 If You're Thinking Negatively, Flip the Script Although times can be scary, try to engage in self-talk that's positive and constructive. "We'll get through this" and "I'm doing the best I can" are two good examples. They may sound corny but they really work. 75 Don't Forget to Make Time For Yourself Your plate may be full of remote work and caring for a partner, children and other family members. But it's important to allot regular time for yourself, whether it's exercise, meditation, indulging in a favorite TV show, reading a book or taking a long bath. 76 Don't OD on News Using TV news as background noise, or constantly checking news sites, may not be helpful and can lead to anxiety. Pick a reputable news site, and check in briefly once or twice a day. 77 Your ChecklistCheck in With it! Create a checklist of things you'd like to get done, and hold yourself to it each day. 78 Don't Slack on Your Routine Get up and go to bed at a regular time. Wake up, shower, get dressed as if you were going to work or heading out. Eat welland regularlyand exercise. Start work at the same time each day, and have an end of daydon't just keep working all night. 79 Try Not to Work From the Bed Create a work-from-home space for yourself; your own desk, if a whole room isn't available. It'll help you maintain a routine and stay focused. 80 BreaksYou Need 'Em When you're working from home, don't let it expand to fill your entire day. Give yourself a lunch hour and at least two 15-minute breaks. 81 Set Boundariesand Stick to Them If you're working from home with a spouse and/or children around, establish clear guidelines about when you'll be available and when you must concentrate on work. 82 Don't Fade Away From Your Co-Workers If you work on a team, check in with your boss and/or co-workers at an established time. It'll help you keep focused and targeted and will be good for your mental health. 83 It's OK: Give Yourself a "Worry Window" The executive director of UNICEF recently shared this tip on social media: As things worry you throughout the day, write them down, and put the list aside. Then give yourself a few minutes a day to look over the list and worry. Then put those things out of your mind. It's an effective strategy for reducing free-floating anxiety. 84 Don't Take Life for GrantedKeep a Gratitude Journal This time-tested therapy for anxiety and depression can be especially helpful now: Each day, write down three things you're grateful for that day. They can be as basic as the roof over your head or the food you have to eat. 85 Remember You Can't Predict the Future Predictions about the economic repercussions of COVID-19 can be alarming. But remember that none of us has a crystal ball; we don't know how things are going to turn out. They could be much better than predicted. 86 Be Careful About Talking With Kids "Don't put your adult's brain into a child's brain," advises Dr. Joyce Mikal-Flynn, who works with trauma survivors. Be a calming presence, and if a child asks you a question, "answer that question and just that questiondon't go overboard. Then ask, 'Is there something else you want to ask me?'" Make it clear that asking questions is always OK, and if you don't know the answer, you can look it up together. 87 Don't Follow the Rumor Mill Don't concentrate on speculation or rumorsand unfortunately, a lot of news reports right now are one, the other or both. Focus on facts about COVID-19, how it spreads, how serious it is, and where we are by reading the latest updates on the CDC and WHO websites. 88 Talk About Anything But Coronavirus When you call or video-chat with friends and family, be open and share your worries about the current situation. But don't let that be your entire conversation. Talk about something great on TV, a book you're reading, a meal you've cooked or pop-culture nonsenseanything to get your mind off coronavirus for a minute. 89 Reschedule That Date Unfortunately, now is the time to give the dating apps a rest for a little while. 90 Don't Ignore Cleaning Product Labels As you disinfect your home, be aware of the ingredients of and warnings on the products you buy, and follow any listed instructions. 91 Don't Spray Lysol on Yourself You might be tempted to spray yourself down after a trip outside. "Do not do this. There is no fine line it is a bad idea," cleaning expert Jolie Kerr told Vox. Disinfectants like Lysol can be harmful if inhaled, and their ingredients can cause skin irritation or burns. Wash your hands thoroughly instead; it's your best protection. 92 Don't Mix Products Cleaning products with ammonia should never be mixed with bleach, and vinegar should never be mixed with products containing hydrogen peroxide, says Kerr. The combinations can create gases that are harmful to the eyes, nose and respiratory system. 93 Don't Spray Down Your Mail It's not necessary to disinfect your mail or cardboard packages before you open them. Just wash your hands thoroughly after touching them, and dispose of them outside your home if possible.RELATED: COVID Symptoms Usually Appear in This Order, Study Finds 94 Know the Facts About COVID-19 and Children Children are not at higher risk for coronavirus, the CDC says. But they can still become ill or transmit the virus to more vulnerable people. 95 Don't Scare Your Kids; Teach Them The CDC recommends teaching kids to do the things you're doing to reduce spread of the virus: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, stay home if you're sick, clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily, and launder items according to manufacturer's instructions, in the warmest possible water. 96 Don't Give Children Under 2 Face Masks This is not necessary, the CDC says. 97 Limit Children's Social Interactions The CDC recommends that playdates and group outings should be minimized for the time being, as well as any visits with older adults like grandparents. 98 One More Thing About the Little Ones: Assure Them They'll Be Safe The most important thing to tell children about COVID-19 is that you'll do everything possible to keep them safe, says Karen Swartz, MD, a psychiatrist with Johns Hopkins Medicine. Their anxiety levels may be high because of news and social media, and this reassurance can go a long way. 99 Encourage Young People to Reschedule Trips Older children should reschedule non-essential travel to crowded areas, the CDC says. 100 Stress May Be Quarantined With You, But He is Not Your Friend Stress increases the level of cortisol in the body, a hormone that can inhibit the immune system. RELATED: Unhealthiest Habits on the Planet, According to Doctors 101 Avoid Screens Before Bed This is an especially important time to practice good sleep hygiene to ensure you get quality rest. To avoid insomnia, avoid looking at laptops, tablets and cellphones for a few hours before turning in. 102 Don't Let Yourself Get Overwhelmed Feeling overwhelmed can lead to stress and panic, which taxes your immune system. If you feel like things are getting to be too much to handle, give yourself a time-out. Do some relaxation exercises or a pleasurable activity that you enjoy. 103 Don't Forget to Drink That Water Drinking water isn't a miracle cure for COVID-19, but it has plenty of benefits, from moistening mucous membranes to improving metabolism. Aim to drink five to seven cups of water a day. 104 If You've Read This Far, Take a Moment and Breathe Deeply If you're feeling anxious, take a moment to concentrate on your breath. Breathe in for a count of four, then slowly release the breath for another count of four. Repeat until you feel yourself begin to relax. It's simple but one of the most effective anti-anxiety exercises around. 105 Don't Check the News Before Bed For a few hours before bed, read a book, meditate, listen to musicanything but check the news. It'll be there in the morning. 106 Let Yourself Laugh More Laughter reduces stress, eases tension, improves circulationand studies show it can also reduce inflammation and bolster your immune system. 107 Avoid Non-Essential Flights The CDC currently advises against non-essential plane travel for older adults. It's a good idea for everyone. 108 Take Advantage of Telehealth See if you can schedule telemedicine sessions for any doctor's appointments you can't miss. In fact, many doctors nor prefer this, given the contagiousness of COVID-19.RELATED: Everything Dr. Fauci Has Said About Coronavirus 109 Who is Your Emergency Contact? If you don't have a designated person to reach out to in an emergency, now's a good time to establish one. That contact can apprise caregivers of any essential information and contact other family members in the event you need care or are hospitalized. 110 Do Not Hold a Blowdryer Up To Your Nose (Please) A Florida politician claimed that blowing a hairdryer up your nose can cure coronavirus. Shockingly, this is not true. Be skeptical about any folk remedies circulating online. Follow the advice of your healthcare provider and reputable health organizations. 111 Pick a Time of Day to Address Relationship Conflict Stressed about sharing space with a partner all day and getting on their nerves? Swartz recommends picking a specific time of day to discuss any areas of conflict briefly, then concentrating on avoiding arguments for the rest of the day. 112 If You Live Alone, Make a Network If you're flying solo, take this time to connect with other people who live alone. Swartz suggests using a program like FaceTime or Zoom to hold group chats, start a virtual book club or movie discussion group. 113 Don't Catastrophize Sometimes we have to force our minds away from negative thoughts, like changing the channel, says Swartz. For example: Instead of thinking "this is a disaster and things will never be the same again," think, "This is a challenging time, but we'll get through it." 114 Keep a File of Positive Thoughts Think of some things that make you happyit could be a great memory, an event, a family member, a comedian or cute cat videos. Whatever those are, keep them at top of mind. When you feel yourself getting stressed or anxious, replace those negative thoughts with positive ones. 115 Don't Sleep Too Much Getting enough sleep is important for maintaining your health. But don't overcorrect and hibernate in bed; that can lead to depression. 116 Do Things You Enjoy To reduce stress and anxiety, take this time to reconnect with things you enjoy doing but might have let fall by the waysidewhether it's reading, crafting, writing, listening to music, looking at art online or working on things around the house. 117 Don't Take Antibiotics Without Guidance They only cure bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, and antibiotics won't clear it. Only take antibiotics on the advice of your healthcare provider. 118 Don't Take Colloidal Silver Don't believe online rumors that colloidal silver is effective against coronavirus. In fact, on March 9, the FDA warned seven companies to stop selling silver products they claimed cure the coronavirus. RELATED: The Unhealthiest Supplements You Shouldn't Take 119 Don't Count on a Hot Water Cure A widely circulated internet rumor claims that drinking hot water will kill the coronavirus. This is not true. The disease affects the respiratory system, not the digestive tract. Do, however, get plenty of fluids, when you're healthy and anytime you're sick. 120 Don't Take Megadoses of Vitamins No vitamin or supplement has been proven to combat COVID-19. And taking high doses of various vitamins can have side effects that range from minor (stomach irritation) to serious (toxicity). Instead, eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to bolster your immune system. 121 Don't Drink or Inhale Iodine One online rumor maintains that drinking or inhaling liquid iodine can be a COVID-19 remedy. This is not true. What's more, the practice can be seriously harmful. 122 Remember That "This Too Shall Pass" Because it will. This is a chapter in history, not the rest of your future. 123 One Final Thought If each and every one of us follow this simple checklist, we can get through this pandemic with fewer infections and fewer deaths. Universal wearing of masksMaintaining physical distanceAvoiding congregate settings or crowdsDoing more outdoors, as opposed to indoorsWashing hands frequentlyPlease forward it to someone you care about, so they can do the same. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

Here is the original post:
Fred VanVleet: Raptors need to adjust to game officiating - Yahoo Canada Shine On

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

23andMe, a consumer genetics company, is going public via a merger with Richard Branson's special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC) VG Acquisition Corp. VGAC, -9.12%, in a deal with an enterprise value of about $3.5 billion, the companies said Thursday. SPACs,or blank-check companies, raise money in an initial public offering and then have two years to acquire a business or businesses. They have become a popular vehicle for IPOs during the pandemic. Once the deal has closed, the company will change its ticker symbol to "ME" and trade on the New York Stock Exchange. 23andMe co-Founder Anne Wojcicki and Branson are investing $25 million in the company, which will have a pro forma cash balance of more than $900 million at closing. 23andMe offers individuals the chance to have their genes tested, providing them with information on health risks and ancestry. "Through a genetics-based approach, we fundamentally believe we can transform the continuum of healthcare.," Wojcicki said in a statement. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. VG Acquisition shares jumped 12% premarket on the news.

Excerpt from:
Genetic testing company 23andMe to go public via merger with Richard Branson's SPAC in $3.5 billion deal - MarketWatch

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Cases of breast cancer have been steadily rising in India for the last two decades. It has been estimated that by the year 2025, about two lakh new cases of diagnosed breast cancer will be added in India.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women. Over 10 percent of breast cancer cases are hereditary.

Fortunately, a genetic test is available that can help assess ones risk of developing cancer by detecting a mutation inassociated genes.

Dr Tushar Patil, consultant medical oncologist, Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, says, We all would have heard the term Cancer can run in families, and hence a genetic test identifies the gene mutations that run in families and are associated with breast cancer.

Besides, there are other genetic tests that are performed on the tumour tissue to understand the acquired mutations, but that is for some other applications.

Dr Patil says that a genetic test is basically a hereditary risk assessment.

Oncologists say that a genetic test just reveals the presence of a genetic mutation in an individual, which in turn depicts if there is an increased risk of developing cancer.

These tests can be undertaken even before the cancer is developed, as a gene mutation, if inherited, would be present since birth.

Various studies have shown that a woman is at a 12% risk of developing breast cancer throughout her life. This is known as the populations average risk.

If someone has inherited a mutation in a gene calledBRCA1, the risk can go as high as 46-87%. Similarly, if someone has inherited a mutation in theBRCA2gene, the risk can go as high as 38-84%. Hence, understanding the presence of these mutations helps understand the hereditary risk,Dr Mehul Bhansali, director, Medical Oncology, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, said.

But is it advisable for every woman to get herself tested for these genetic mutations?

Dr Patil says, I do not recommend every woman to go through this testing. It is important to be observant about the trend in the family.

If there have been multiple cancer cases on the same side of the family, which include cancers such as breast, ovarian, prostate, or pancreatic, there is a high chance that there might be a gene mutation running in the family, he adds.

Here is the original post:
Breast Cancer: Do You Need Genetic Testing To Assess Your Risks? - Outlook India

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The specific genetic test that can help is known as preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). It helps to select embryos that are the most likely to result in a successful pregnancy and reduces the chance of having your child having an extra or missing chromosome, an event that causes events such as Down syndrome.

While having a child is a joy couples look forward to, genetic disorders can dampen the feeling. It may also affect the quality of life of the child. Not all genetic disorders happen only because one or both the parents carry a faulty gene; some, like the Down Syndrome, may also happen due to the advanced age of the mother. At a time when more and more women are marrying late and having their child much later than their previous generations, the incidence of such disorders is likely to increase. According to research, maternal age at delivery is directly linked to the risk of aneuploidy (presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell) in the child at 30, 35, 38, 40, 45 and 49 years of age of the mother, the risk of aneuploidy was found to be 1 in 385 (or 0.26%), 1 in 192 (or 0.52%), 1 in 102 (or 0.98%), 1 in 66 (or 1.5%), 1 in 21 (or 4.8%) and 1 in 8 (or 12.5%), respectively.

What is Down Syndrome & its health impact and causes?

Down syndrome or Down's syndrome is also known as trisomy 21 and occurs in approximately 1 of 830 live births. It is a genetic disorder caused an aneuploidy by the presence of all or part of the third copy of chromosome 21 and is associated with a delay in physical growth, mild to moderate cognitive and intellectual disability, and characteristic facial features such as a flat face, especially the bridge of the nose, almond-shaped eyes that slant up, a short neck, and small ears. In fact, Down syndrome can alone account for 15 to 20 per cent of the population with intellectual disability (ID) across the world. They are also likely to be shorter in height as children and adults. Many who are born with it can grow up as individuals with leukaemia, heart defects, early-onset Alzheimer's disease, gastrointestinal problems, and other health issues. Interestingly, though Down Syndrome is one of the commonest birth defects noted in India, its prevalence in the tribal population is not known.

Preventing Down Syndrome

While preventing Down syndrome may not be possible, scientific advancements in the field of reproductive genetics since the 1990s have made it possible to minimise the chance of a child being born with Down Syndrome to near zero. This technology, known as preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), a preventative measure used to identify chromosomal abnormalities and abnormalities in chromosome position, known as translocations, in an embryo, even if none of the parents have any known genetic disease. Yes, having a child without Down syndrome is possible by combining in-vitro fertlisation (IVF) with preimplantation genetic screening or PGS (testing embryos from parents with no known genetic disorders). The specific genetic test that can help is known as preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). It helps to select embryos that are the most likely to result in a successful pregnancy and reduces the chance of having your child having an extra or missing chromosome, an event that causes events such as Down syndrome. Do not mistake it for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), a testing method that helps identify as many as 400 genetic defects in embryos as young as 5 days before they are implanted in the womb.

While PGD (testing embryos from parents, one or both of who have a genetic abnormality) helps couples with history of multiple failed IVFs, or multiple missed abortions or miscarriages, PGS is recommended for women aged 38 or more, or those who have a history of miscarriages and failed IVF or implantation. If a woman is going to be a mother in her late 30s or already has a child with Down Syndrome, having a pre-conception counselling may prove helpful you doctor may also refer you to a genetic counsellor who can guide about the risks to enable the would-be parents take an informed decision.

About the author: By Dr. Gauri Agarwal Fertility Expert & Founder of Seeds of Innocence & Genestrings Lab

ALSO READ: All that you need to know about Cancer pain and how to deal with it

x Your comment has been submitted to the moderation queue

Read more from the original source:
EXCLUSIVE: THIS genetic testing can lower the risk of Down Syndrome in your baby - PINKVILLA

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

This market study on Genetic Testing Market covers the global and regional market with an in-depth breakdown of the inclusive growth prospects in the market. Also, it sheds light on the wide-ranging competitive landscape of the global Genetic Testing market. It defines about the recent innovations, applications and end users of the market.The report first introduces the market basics like definitions, classifications, applications, and industry chain overview, and then industry policies and plans, product specifications, manufacturing processes, cost structures, and so on.Global Genetic Testing market report lends a hand with businesses to thrive in the market by providing them with an array of insights about the market and the industry. Inputs from various industry experts, essential for the detailed market analysis, have been used very carefully to generate this finest market research report.

Genetic testing market is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2021 to 2028. Data Bridge Market Research analyses the market to reach at an estimated value of 585.81 billion and grow at a CAGR of 11.85% in the above-mentioned forecast period. Increase in incidences of genetic disorders and cancer drives the genetic testing market.

Download Free Exclusive Sample (350 Pages PDF) Report: To Know the Impact of COVID-19 on this Industry @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-genetic-testing-market&AS

The major players who are leading the market throughout the globe are:

The Genetic Testing market report comprises of several market dynamics and estimations of the growth rate and the market value based on market dynamics and growth inducing factors. For generation of an excellent market research report, principal attributes such as highest level of spirit, practical solutions, dedicated research and analysis, innovation, talent solutions, integrated approaches, most advanced technology and commitment plays a key role. The report contains reviews about key players in the market, major collaborations, merger and acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies. While preparing the winning Genetic Testing report, markets on the local, regional as well as global level are explored.

Genetic Testing Market Segmentation:

By Type (Predictive & Presymptomatic Testing, Carrier Testing, Prenatal & Newborn Testing, Diagnostic Testing, Pharmacogenomic Testing, Others)

By Technology (Cytogenetic Testing, Biochemical Testing, and Molecular Testing)

By Application (Cancer Diagnosis, Genetic Disease Diagnosis, Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosis, Others)

By Disease (Alzheimers Disease, Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis, Sickle Cell Anemia, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Thalassemia, Huntingtons Disease, Rare Diseases, Other Diseases)

MAJOR TOC OF THE REPORT:-

Get Complete Latest TOC of This Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-genetic-testing-market&AS

Competitive Landscape and Genetic TestingMarket Share Analysis

Genetic testing market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies focus related to genetic testing market.

The major players covered in the genetic testing market report are 23andMe, Inc., Abbott., Ambry Genetics., BGI, Biocartis, BIO-HELIX, bioMrieux SA, Blueprint Genetics Oy, Cepheid., deCODE genetics, GeneDx, Inc., Exact Sciences Corp, HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Genomictree., Illumina, Inc, Invitae Corporation, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Luminex Corporation., ICON plc, Myriad Genetics, Inc, Natera, Inc., Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc, Pathway Genomics, QIAGEN, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Siemens Healthcare Private Limited among other domestic and global players. Market share data is available for Global, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South America separately. DBMR analysts understand competitive strengths and provide competitive analysis for each competitor separately.

Significant Highlights of the Report:

Centered Study on Strategy, Development & market Scenario

Global Top Companies Share Analysis in Genetic Testing Market

Achieve strategic insights on competitor information to develop powerful industry growth

Identify emerging players and create effective counter-strategies to cross the competitive edge

Identify crucial and various product types/distribution channel offering provided by major players for Genetic Testing market growth

To provide a more accurate market forecast, all our reports will be updated before delivery taking into account the effects of COVID-19.

Global Genetic Testing Market Scope and Market Size

Genetic testing market is segmented on the basis of type, technology, application, disease and product. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyse meagre growth segments in the industries, and provide the users with valuable market overview and market insights to help them in making strategic decisions for identification of core market applications.

Genetic Testing Market Country Level Analysis:

Make An Enquiry and Ask For Customized Report: https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-genetic-testing-market&AS

About Data Bridge Market Research Private Ltd:

Data Bridge Market ResearchPvt Ltdis a multinational management consulting firm with offices in India and Canada. As an innovative and neoteric market analysis and advisory company with unmatched durability level and advanced approaches. We are committed to uncover the best consumer prospects and to foster useful knowledge for your company to succeed in the market.

Data Bridge Market Research is a result of sheer wisdom and practice that was conceived and built-in Pune in the year 2015. The company came into existence from the healthcare department with far fewer employees intending to cover the whole market while providing the best class analysis. Later, the company widened its departments, as well as expands their reach by opening a new office in Gurugram location in the year 2018, where a team of highly qualified personnel joins hands for the growth of the company. Even in the tough times of COVID-19 where the Virus slowed down everything around the world, the dedicated Team of Data Bridge Market Research worked round the clock to provide quality and support to our client base, which also tells about the excellence in our sleeve.

Data Bridge Market Research has over 500 analysts working in different industries. We have catered more than 40% of the fortune 500 companies globally and have a network of more than 5000+ clientele around the globe.

Contact:

Data Bridge Market Research

US:+1 888 387 2818

UK:+44 208 089 1725

Hong Kong:+852 8192 7475

Email:Corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com

More Related Reports:

https://adalidda.com/posts/bA4Kk8kbXGJADPjgw/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri-systems-market-revenue-and

https://adalidda.com/posts/74ETtPxqPZenMGBMo/ophthalmic-surgical-instruments-market-size-2021-expected-to

https://adalidda.com/posts/Joa6ZD8FJak5GDh7C/optogenetics-actuators-and-sensors-market-insights-product

Read more:
Genetic Testing Market Analysis 2021 with Top Companies, Production, Consumption, Price and Growth Rate 23andMe, Abbott, Ambry, Genetics BGI KSU |...

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

SPOKANE, Wash., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Paw Print Genetics, a division of Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc., has launched 46 new, highly desired disease and trait tests to their ever-growing menu of genetic assays. This menu now consists of nearly 300 different tests for over 350 different breeds of dog, the largest in the industry.

Among these are new tests for Labrador retrievers, Beagles, Collies and many other breeds. All tests offered at Paw Print Genetics are based on the published, medical literature, and developed and validated in their laboratory in Spokane, WA.

"We are very excited to provide these tests to our customer community of breeders, veterinarians and dog owners." stated Dr. Lisa Shaffer, CEO of Paw Print Genetics. "By offering the largest menu of tests available, Paw Print Genetics continues to be the leading provider of testing for genetic conditions in dogs. With our staff of geneticists and veterinarians, we provide genetic counseling services to fully support our customers in their testing."

These additional tests further Paw Print Genetics' mission to help breeders achieve optimal canine genetic health. Paw Print Genetics strictly follows the published standards and guidelines for canine clinical genetic testing laboratories.As such, all testing conducted by Paw Print Genetics is performed in duplicate with two independent methods, ensuring a 99.9% accuracy rate.

Learn more about these new test offerings here: https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/blog/2021/01/28/paw-print-genetics-launches-46-new-tests-dogs/

About Paw Print Genetics

Located in Spokane, Washington, Paw Print Genetics was founded in 2012 and is dedicated to raising the standard in canine genetic diagnostic testing, carrier screening, and customer support. Paw Print Genetics' mission is to achieve optimal canine genetic health by providing outstanding resources for dog owners, breeders, trainers, and veterinarians for pets, show dogs and working dogs. For more information, visit https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/

For more information regarding this topic, please contact Jessica Pieros at [emailprotected].

Contact: Jessica Pieros 509-483-5950 [emailprotected]

SOURCE Paw Print Genetics

Read more:
Paw Print Genetics Launches 46 New Tests for Inherited Diseases and Traits Found in Canines - PRNewswire

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Mutations Commonly Linked to Breast Cancer Found to Pose No Increased Risk

Several genetic mutations previously linked to breast cancer and included on commercial genetic tests, including direct-to-consumer tests, were found not to increase a womans risk of disease, according to a population study of more than 64,000 women published online on January 20, 2021 in theNew England Journal of Medicinefrom several institutions, includingPenn Medicine. The findings show that risks associated with mutations for women in the general population are often lower than previous estimates, and, importantly, provide new insights informing the debate over whom should be recommended for genetic testing.

Penn Medicine authors on the paperwhich analyzed data from the CARRIERS study, or CAnceR RIsk Estimates Related to SusceptibilityincludeKatherine L. Nathanson, deputy director of the Abramson Cancer Center and the Pearl Basser Professor for BRCA-Related Research in thePerelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania,andSusan M. Domchek,executive director of theBasser Center for BRCAat the Abramson Cancer Center. Fergus J. Couch, of the Mayo Clinic, was the papers senior author.

According to past estimates, seven to ten percent of women with breast cancer carry pathogenic variants in genes associated with an increased risk. However, that statistic is based largely on studies of high-risk women, including those with a family history or a young age at the time of their cancer diagnosis.

This studythe first to look at a large group of women of different ages from the general populationsuggests that the frequency of pathogenic variants in genes associated with breast cancer risk among women in the general population is five percent. Further, of the 28 breast cancer genes studied, only 12 had clear evidence of associated cancer risk.

Recommendations for genetic screening vary, from testing all patients for genes associated with breast cancer to testing affected and unaffected women based on risk stratification. Many commercially available hereditary genetic tests also include a slew of genes that now appear, based off these findings, to not increase risk, which has the potential to lead to the delivery of misinformation, as well as affect treatment decisions.

This multi-institutional, collaborative study shows us a clearer picture of risk and genetic drivers for women in the general population who dont fall under the high-risk category, Dr. Domchek said. As discussions continue regarding the role of population screening, the CARRIERS data support careful gene selection.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/BCmutations

Continue reading here:
Mutations Commonly Linked to Breast Cancer Found to Pose No Increased Risk - UPENN Almanac

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith