Archive for January, 2020

Last month, this publication was introduced to Apeel Sciences a Gates Foundation-backed company responsible foran innovative plant-derived solution that reportedly slows down the rate of water loss and oxidation in perishable foods. Fin Slater caught up with Michelle Masek,Communications Advisor atApeel Sciencesto discuss scalability, single-use plastics, and the future of food packaging.

Could you give us an introduction to the Apeel product?

Apeel is a plant-derived solution that doubles to triples the shelf life of many types of fresh produce reducing reliance on refrigeration, plastic packaging, and controlled atmosphere throughout the supply chain. Made of materials found in every bite of fruit, Apeel creates an exceptionally thin, edible peel on the outside of produce, creating an optimal microclimate inside fruits and vegetables that slows the rate of water loss and oxidation the primary causes of spoilage. Apeel Sciences is fighting the global food waste crisis by using natures tools to extend the freshness of produce, prevent waste and promote more sustainable practices. Apeel is FDA GRAS, approved for USDA Certified Organic and conventional produce, and in 2019 gained regulatory approval by the European Commission.

For suppliers and retailers, Apeel is the only postharvest solution that creates an optimal microclimate inside every fruit or vegetable, maintaining quality, extending shelf life, and transportability with reduced reliance on refrigeration and controlled atmosphere.

What was the R&D process that lead up to the creation of the product?

While working on his Ph.D. in Materials, Apeel Sciences founder and CEO, James Rogers, will tell you he spent a few years watching paint dry in an effort to develop an energy-harvesting solar paint that would help democratize clean energy.

One day, while driving through lush farmland on his way home to Santa Barbara from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, he heard a story on the radio about global hunger and wondered how can so many people be hungry if were able to grow such an abundance of food?

It turns out that there isnt an issue with growing the food we needthe culprit is spoilage. James wondered if a barrier could be created for food that would slow down the rate of spoilage and discovered that the materials needed already exist in every bite of food we eat. The result was a breakthrough application of materials science to food preservation, and Apeel Sciences was born.

Apeel Sciences was founded in 2012 with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a product to reduce post-harvest food loss in developing countries. Today, Apeel Sciences has developed products for multiple USDA Organic Certified and conventional produce categories, and the company works with partners ranging from smallholder farmers and local organic growers to the worlds largest food brands to make better quality fruits and vegetables available for all.

Apeel is made of plant-derived materials lipids and glycerolipids that exist in the peels, seeds, and pulp of all the fruits and vegetables we already eat. When creating Apeel, we specifically target these materials.

Key factors that determine the shelf life of produce, such as water loss and ripening rates, are governed by their surface properties, including native wax composition, wax crystal density and size, roughness, and porosity. We consider all of these factors when we optimize a formulation for a particular category of produce, where molecularly, we adjust the combination of lipids in the formulation to be best suited to a given produce surface to maintain shelf-life.

What applications/demand does the product seek to meet?

Food waste in Europe has reached a staggering 88 million tonnes annually, with associated costs estimated at 143 billion euros. By using Apeel as a solution for extending produce shelf life and helping reduce food waste, U.S. retailers have been able to sell Apeel-treated avocados at no additional charge to the shopper or member.

In trials, weve seen a doubling to tripling of shelf-life across many dozens of types of fruits and vegetables. The length of shelf life extension depends on the type of produce, its age, and the conditions it is subject to along the supply chain, among other factors.

What makes Apeel technologically innovative/interesting?

Nature is our greatest teacher, and we have successfully proven that we can use these learnings to improve and prolong the quality of produce while reducing waste. From strawberries to peppers, every fruit and vegetable has a protective peel or skin that nature uses to keep it fresh. By enhancing this with a little extra peel, Apeel can double to triple the shelf life of many types of fresh produce, which promotes more sustainable growing practices and less food waste from farm to retail shelf to home.

In addition to food waste reduction, Apeels technology has the ability to reduce single-use plastic waste in the produce industry. In fall 2019, Apeel announced a partnership with world-renowned supplier Houwelings Group, providing them access to Apeels plant-derived technology to replace the single-use plastic wraps on its English cucumbers while still maintaining the vegetables shelf life. This partnership is expected to reduce plastic waste from reaching our landfills by over 60,000 pounds per year.

How does this product fit into the sustainable future of the packaging industry?

Apeel's technology is enabling the shift to more sustainable solutions a priority for everyone across the food supply chain. Fruits and vegetables already have packaging in the form of skins and peels, and Apeel is drawing on what nature already creates in order to help the industry increase the sustainability of its offerings. By extending the shelf life of produce, transformations and savings at every stage of the supply chain can occur. One recent example of this is Apeel Asparagus a vegetable which currently depends heavily on air freight for transport. Apeel reduces reliance on air freight by maintaining quality for longer, opening up the possibilities of arrivals by sea resulting in approximately 1/10 of the cost of transport and 1/8 the GHG emissions when compared to air.

What are your expectations for the future of the product?

Coming off of the heels of our European expansion, we hope to be a global company, servicing many more countries around the world. In the U.S., Apeel avocado retail programs have demonstrated a 50% reduction in retail waste on average and were eager to make these food waste reduction benefits a reality for suppliers and retailers around the world. We are excited about continuing to unlock the potential of plant-derived technology to help solve some of the biggest challenges we are facing right now in the area of food waste and its impact on climate change.

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Using "nature's tools" to fight the global food waste crisis - Packaging Europe

Key point:The new paint is supposed to be radar-absorbent.

A Texas Air National Guard fighter squadron flying F-16s is one of the first units to paint its planes in a new, radar-absorbing paint scheme. The paint signals the Air Forces reluctant decision to keep old F-16s flying through the 2020s, at least.

The Air National Guards paint facility in Sioux City, Iowa in mid-December 2019 rolled out a Block 30 F-16C with the new version the Have Glass paint jobs. The F-16C, a Block 30 model, belongs to the 149th Fighter Wing flying out of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

The new, single-color paint scheme is a recent departure from the older two-tone gray paint scheme normally associated with F-16s that belong to the United States Air Force, the Pentagon stated.

Most American F-16s for decades have worn a mostly light-gray paint scheme. Since around 2012, however, the Air Force under the Have Glass V initiative slowly has been applying a new, single-tone, dark-gray livery to some F-16s

The new ferromagnetic paint, which can absorb radar energy, first appeared on some of the roughly 200 F-16s the Air Force assigns to the dangerous suppression-of-enemy-air-defenses, or SEAD, mission. SEAD squadrons reside in Minnesota, South Carolina, Germany and Japan.

The Texas Air National Guard F-16 apparently is the first Block 30 F-16 to receive a variant of the Have Glass V paint. Where previous Have Glass V paint jobs included a lighter-tone radar radome, the current scheme covers both the radome and the rest of the plane in the same, dark tone.

No paint can compensate for a plane's shape. In particular, the shapes of its wings, engine inlet and engine nozzle. Square shapes, right angles and perpendicular planes such as engine turbines strongly reflect radar waves.

Even with Have Glass, the F-16 on average has a 1.2-square-meter radar cross-section, according to Globalsecurity, while the F-22 and F-35 boast RCSs smaller than .005 square meters.

So the Have Glass V F-16s arent stealth fighters. But they are stealthier than are F-16s with older paint schemes. Since Have Glass V undoubtedly is expensive, the Air Force logically prioritized repainting planes in units flying the dangerous SEAD mission.

Its noteworthy that Block 30 F-16s, which first appeared in 1986, also are getting Have Glass V treatment. The roughly 300 Block 30s are some of the oldest fighters in the Air Force inventory, and strictly fly with Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units.

The Air Force for years struggled to define a replacement plan for the Block 30 F-16s, which on average have accumulated more than 7,000 flight hours. The F-35 eventually could replace the Block 30s. But with F-35 production rates fall far below projections, even under the best of circumstances it could take a decade or more to replace all the Block 30s.

The 149th Fighter Wing is one of several Air National Guard units that for years has lobbied the Air Force to bump it higher in the list for new F-35s. But the flying branch so far has tapped Guard wings in Vermont, Wisconsin and Alabama to get F-35s, leaving a couple dozen other units in limbo for the time being.

Conceding that it cannot acquire F-35s fast enough, the Air Force now plans to conduct a service-life extension on more than 800 of its roughly 900 F-16s, apparently skipping over only the oldest Block 25 models that entered service in the early 1980s.

The life-extension could help the Block 30s fly for a few years longer. Some Block 30s also are receiving new electronically-scanned-array radars to replace their old analogue units. Stealther paint also helps the aging F-16s stay relevant.

The U.S. Air Force isnt the only air arm to apply radar-absorbing paint to otherwise non-stealthy fighters. The Chinese air force in early 2019 also began applying ferromagnetic paint to its roughly 50 J-16s fighters.

The J-16 is an upgraded version of the older J-11 fighter that China copied from the Russian Su-27.

David Axe serves as Defense Editor of the National Interest. He is theauthor of the graphic novelsWar Fix,War Is BoringandMachete Squad. This first appeared earlier in 2019.

Image: Reuters.

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The Aging F-16 Just Got a Stealth Paint Job - The National Interest Online

By Ashleigh Stewart, Cronkite News | Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020

PHOENIX Every two minutes, a woman in the U.S. is diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, but thanks in large part to early detection, breast cancer death rates have dropped 40% since 1989.

Genetic testing has emerged as an invaluable tool in the early detection of breast cancer, which is hereditary in 10% to 15% of cases. A genetic marker was identified in the 1990s: mutations in BRCA genes 1 and 2, which produce tumor suppressor proteins.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an estimated 41,760 women died of breast cancer in the U.S. in 2019. The final number has not yet been released.

Many generations and many with the same type of cancer, that should set off an alarm bell in that family, said Dr. Donald Northfelt, oncologist at the Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic in Phoenix.

People inherit BRCA gene mutations from either the mother or father, and those changes are implicated in breast and ovarian cancers. Any cell in the body can be tested for that mutation. Its typically done by taking a blood or saliva sample and sending it to a laboratory for panel testing.

Patients at the Mayo Clinic are referred to a genetics counselor as the first step in obtaining BRCA testing. Northfelt wants patients to be fully informed of the circumstances that may arise from the test result.

HonorHealth, a health care system based in Phoenix, takes a similar approach.

Its going to have implications for your family members because we might still want to test other people that could be at risk for genetic mutation even if you tested negative, said Madison Lafleur, a genetics counselor at HonorHealth.

She said HonorHealth has patient assistance programs and can help cover the cost of the appointment. However, the biggest barrier to accessibility is the lack of genetic counselors and the waiting list that creates.

How will this testing affect family members, and what can we do to hopefully put them at ease? Lafleur asked. If they get a positive result, how can we work with them to get them through the initial shock and make sure they are getting the correct screening that they need?

Genes arent the only risk factor for cancer, the National Cancer Institute said. Changes in lifestyle particularly quitting smoking and eating habits also help to prevent cancer.

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Genetic testing helps in the early detection of breast cancer - Cronkite News

Over the past two decades, the field of medical genomics underwent nothing less than a revolution in terms of both technological advancement and accumulated knowledge. This revolution holds the promise of changing the entire medical practice, and while the industrycontinues to improve genome sequencing technologies and decrease the price of sequencing a genome, other challenges are lurking that hinder the prospects of this revolution and undermine the efforts of wide-scale integration of genomics into mainstream medicine.

To emphasize this point further, even though the technologies to help diagnose patients with rare genetic diseases exist, the rate of underdiagnoses and misdiagnoses is still alarmingly high, and patients who receive diagnoses end up waiting too long for them, sometimes years. These extensive diagnostic journeys directly impact the ability to recruit patients for clinical trials, and thus the ability to develop more treatments for rare diseases. To date, only 5% of more than 7,000 known rare genetic diseases have FDA-approved treatments.

At my company, a leading digital health company, our mission is to end the diagnostic odyssey for undiagnosed pediatric patients with rare diseases. I've seen that the main contributors to this state of affairs are the excruciatingly long wait times for genetics appointments, coupled with the significant workforce shortage of experts in the field.

To reach more than 400 million patients globally (50% of whom are estimated to be young kids) with earlier intervention to improve outcomes and help many of them live relatively healthy and productive lives, the diagnosis must shift from the geneticists clinic to the primary point of care, or at least it must be initiated much earlier by primary care physicians.

Without adopting technological solutions that will support the integration of genomics into mainstream medicine, genomics will never live up to its promise and become a standard of care. In my opinion, realizing that vision will be a balancing act between the affordability for payers, accessibility for providers and actionability for patients, and it will depend on technological solutions combining AI-based phenotyping, as well as connecting front-line providers with human experts in genetics, alongside the most advanced genome sequencing technologies.

High Throughput Genetic Testing

As noted, genome sequencing technologies have made huge strides over the last two decades. The affordability of genomics is now increasingly dependent on the ability to sift through and interpret vast amounts of data produced from a genome, and to determine which data is pertinent for a medical diagnosis and for disease treatment a task fitting for AI.

Indeed, in the last few years, we have witnessed many AI-driven solutions sprouting to address this problem. Some of these solutions are home-grown, in leading laboratories such as Invitae, GeneDx and PerkinElmer Genomics. (Full disclosure: PerkinElmer Genomics uses FDNA's technology in its genetic analysis.) Others are developed as software platforms by vendors such as Sophia Genetics, Fabric Genomics, Congenica and Emedgene.

Harnessing AI to perform data analysis challenges has proven to be very successful and is a direct contributor to the affordability of genetic testing today, as well as the gradually increasing rate of reimbursement by payers. I believe AI will continue to play a key role in driving down prices to the $100 range, which will make genomics extremely affordable, both for health systems and for individuals paying out-of-pocket.

Phenotyping Driven By AI

AIs impact goes far beyond applying machine learning algorithms that sift through genetic variations and proprietary knowledge bases of pathogenicity. As more OMICS technologies stack up with genomics, and more AI modalities like natural language processing and computer vision image analysis are integrated directly into the genome analysis pipeline, we will see an increasing standardization of data across disparate data silos and a closing of the genotype-phenotype gap between the clinic and the lab. This trend will drive genomic data to become more actionable for patients and allow them to make informed decisions about their health.

Much of todays phenotyping is performed by humans and is inherently subject to biases such as age, gender and ethnicity. If we approach this problem with legal and ethical rigor, care and are cautious of patient privacy, and with respect to the providers and their workflow, AI could enhance human skills and capabilities. I think that helping primary care providers collect, structure and analyze phenotypic information of patients with rare diseases is an area worth prioritizing.

Connecting The Expert Community

Finally, technology is more than AI. Technology is also an enabler for fostering connections and interactions between humans. Some tasks in practicing medicine must be left to humans, but even then, technology can assist. An alternative abbreviation of AI (augmented intelligence) is my preferred one. It implies a symbiotic relationship between people and machines, making each other stronger, rather than threatening to replace each other.

Tailoring a solution combining all three components (genomics, AI-based phenotyping and community connection) like the one described above is not an easy task, and it depends on the ability of stakeholders from many disciplines to work together, share data and collaborate on research and development.

To achieve this, a best-of-breed approach should be taken, and not only should data be shared, but a global collaboration between commercial companies, academic research institutions and caregivers should occur. The integrity of the data, ethical and privacy policies, and trust in workflow should be established. This requires an open dialogue between all parties involved, as well as a fast-pace framework to allow developers to move quickly in building these tools.

Certainly, working with different stakeholders with sometimes conflicting interests is challenging, but the one common goal we all have is helping patients, especially kids with rare and undiagnosed genetic diseases.

Read more here:
Access And Actionability Are Key For Genetic Testing And Precision Medicine - Forbes

Users pay 100 to the Silicon Valley company 23andme for a breakdown of their ancestryALAMY

The ancestry company 23andme has become the worlds first genetics testing firm to create a drug created from its customers DNA samples.

The Silicon Valley company has developed and sold a drug designed to treat inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. It is based on its database of around 10 million DNA samples it has collected since it was founded in 2006.

23andme has sold the rights to the drug to the Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall for an undisclosed sum.

The companys chief executive is Anne Wojcicki, whose sister, Susan, is the chief executive of YouTube and whose ex-husband Sergey Brin is the co-founder of Google.

It is one of several genetics companies that offers home testing kits which allow people to get a breakdown of

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Genetic testing firm 23andMe is first to create a drug using its customers' DNA - The Times

By Jacob Passy

Published: Jan 15, 2020 12:49 pm ET

Cassandra Madison (second from right) is shown here with her biological father and some of her biological siblings. She met them for the first time last year after taking a 23andMe DNA test.

For people like Cassandra Madison, direct-to-consumer genetic testing services from companies like 23andMe and Ancestry.com have proven revolutionary in filling gaps about their family history.

But connecting with biological relatives in cases of adoption or conception through sperm and egg donation doesnt come with a rule book forcing both parties to make difficult, emotional decisions, often on the fly.

Cassandra Madison, 31, who used 23andMe to find her biological family

Madison, who now lives in Virginia Beach, Va., was adopted as an infant in 1988 from the Dominican Republic by a white American couple. Throughout her life, Madison had little information about her biological family. My mom told me as much as she knew, which was just that they were very poor and couldnt afford to keep me anymore, Madison, 31, said.

Attempts to find more information on her own always proved fruitless. The lawyer in the Dominican Republic who handled Madisons adoption falsified paperwork and lied to adoptive parents about their childrens biological relatives, Madison said. It always became a dead end, Madison said.

Then one Christmas, Madisons mother gifted her with a 23andMe genetic test, so she could learn about her heritage. When she got her test results last January, she was surprised. I didnt know you could find people, she said.

Here is Cassandra Madison meeting her biological family:

When Madison clicked on her results to see her relatives, she found over 1,000 family members had taken the DNA test, which involves spitting in a test tube, including a cousin who lived in Connecticut.

She quickly went about researching him on Facebook FB+0.66%and soon made contact. Low and behold, 20 minutes later everyone and their brother was messaging me on Facebook, Madison said. Months later, she made the trip down to the Caribbean country, meeting her relatives for the first-time in person.

Also read: 23andMe revealed that my daughter is not mine can I claim back child support from the biological father?

Cassandra Madison describing what happened after she conducted a DNA test and contacted a relative

Genetic testing is fast becoming ubiquitous. As of 2018, around 60% of Americans with European heritage were likely identifiable from their DNA via searches of consumer websites from companies like 23andMe and Ancestry.com, regardless of whether they had ever taken a genetic test. One study estimated that around 100 million people will have their DNA mapped by one of these companies by 2021.

In situations where people were adopted or conceived with the assistance of a sperm or egg donor, the services from companies like 23andMe and Ancestry.com have removed the veil of secrecy that long existed over these relationships.

Dont miss: 23andMe can open a Pandoras Box of a familys medical secrets: As hard as it is knowing, not knowing is much worse

Consumer DNA tests have changed whos in power of the information, said Brianne Kirkpatrick, a certified genetic counselor and founder of the counseling firm Watershed DNA.

Historically, mothers typically were the only ones who knew the biological origins of their children. For decades, most adoptions were closed, meaning communication between the biological parents and their child was restricted. In many circumstances, their identities were also hidden.

Kim Kluger-Bell, a psychotherapist who specializes in infertility counseling

Until recently, most sperm and egg donors made their donations under the expectation of anonymity.

For those who went through these procedures in the last few decades with the understanding that the donors would be anonymous the rules of the game have changed dramatically and donors are being identified and, in some cases, contacted whether or not they want to be, said Kim Kluger-Bell, a psychotherapist who specializes in infertility counseling. None of the fertility clinics or sperm banks I know of really anticipated this happening.

With so many people having taken tests already, it can be easy for some to find biological relatives. But that, too, can lead to awkward circumstances, particularly when someone connects with a relative other than their biological mother or father or vice-versa.

Ive heard stories of the parents of a sperm donor going on Ancestry.com and identifying a biological grandchild they never knew about it turned out their son had anonymously and privately donated sperm to a friend and agreed not to discuss the matter with anyone else, Kluger-Bell said. The parents of the donor wanted to contact the bio-grandchild and the parents of that child felt that this was completely inappropriate.

Ancestry.com and 23andMe have created resources for people who find themselves in these positions. There are certainly cases where a discovery might be quite unexpected. We take our responsibility towards our customers and the potential impact of complex discoveries very seriously, said Dana Chinnici, communications manager at Ancestry.

Both companies said they have experts on staff who can help customers work through some of the unexpected results they may encounter. 23andMe has a support page for customers and their family to navigate unexpected relationships, a company spokeswoman told MarketWatch.

Additionally, with both companies, customers can opt in or out of being listed as a match with other people.

Amy Johnson Crow, a certified genealogist

When Madison was faced with the choice of reaching out to the relatives she connected with via DNA testing, she didnt hesitate. As kids we dont ask to be here, Madison reasoned.

Of course, that approach may not work for everyone. Experts who deal with situations involving adoption, and sperm or egg donation advised patience and caution when reaching out to relatives, but noted that theres not one correct approach.

Cassandra Madison, who was adopted as an infant, met her biological father (pictured here) for the first time last March after connecting with other blood relatives through 23andMe.

There is no one size fits all scenario, said Amy Johnson Crow, a certified genealogist. Its important for the person making the contact to realize that the contact might not be welcomed. Although we all have a right to know our genetic history, we cannot force that biological parent to talk or to have a relationship.

Read more: I discovered through Ancestry.com that my biological father is someone else can I claim an inheritance as his heir?

Heres expert advice on the etiquette surrounding establishing contact:

Give the other person space: These revelations can have major ripple effects for other people, and so it may take time for the person to respond. Remember contact starts with knowing very little of each other and, like any other relationship, needs to grow and build over time. Genetics confers relatedness but not relationships, Braverman said.

Understand potential legal ramifications: Reaching out to a biological relatives through 23andMe or Ancestry.com could violate the terms of an adoption or sperm/egg donation agreement. One woman was threatened with a $20,000 fine after reaching out to the biological grandmother of her daughter who was born via sperm donation.

Establishing contact could leave you vulnerable to lawsuits, so before doing so its important to review the terms of these agreements in advance.

Consider hiring a professional: DNA tests are far from the only route toward discovering ones biological relatives. Genetic counselors and genealogists can assist in uncovering a persons family without these services. Moreover, these professionals can serve as an intermediary in establishing first contact with ones biological family. Kirkpatrick has served as an intermediary for clients in the past and said it can help slow down the process. Creating that buffer of space and time can ultimately lead to things going well in the end, she said.

An intermediary can also help in retrieving information from a biological relative, such as a family medical history, in instances where they do not desire further contact. Of course, this can come with trade-offs. Using an intermediary removes the pressure of an immediate response but also removes the real voice that is reaching out, Braverman said.

Keep your expectations in check: Having too high of expectations from the outset can easily lead to disappointment. To that end, experts suggested doing some self-reflection to understand what an adoptee or individual conceived via sperm or egg donation wants out of a possible connection, whether it be a relationship or something more simple like a family medical history.

Avoid making assumptions about what this biological relationship may mean to the other person, said Andrea Mechanick Braverman, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Thomas Jefferson University.

When Madison eventually made contact with her biological family in the Dominican Republic, joy was quickly met with sadness. She found out that her birth mother had already passed away. Additionally, she also found that some of her relatives were more interested in how much money she had than in forming more meaningful relationships with her. For those and other reasons, Madison said she would not have been able to handle this whole experience without the support of a therapist.

Despite this, Madison said she doesnt regret taking the DNA test or establishing contact with her biological family. Im learning a whole other side of me and can embrace it, she said. It was the best thing to go down there and to have people say, Oh my God, you look just like your mother.

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Everyone and their brother was messaging me on Facebook. DNA tests reveal long-lost relatives, but making contact is a minefield - MarketWatch

By Caitlin O'Hara for UCSB Arts & Lectures | January 15, 2020 | 9:00 a.m.

UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara co-present Understanding Genetics and Cancer, a free community event featuring Mary-Claire King, the scientist who discovered the BRCA1 gene,7:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 6, at UCSB Campbell Hall.

King's lecture will be followed by a panel of experts discussing genetics, cancer and you, providing resources and answering pertinent questions

UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Santa Barbara Cancer Foundation will present a free community event Understanding Genetics and Cancer, featuring a lecture by human geneticist Mary-Claire King, the scientist who discovered the BRCA1 gene.

Her talk, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at UCSB Campbell Hall, will be followed by a panel of experts discussing genetics, cancer and you.

King discovered the genetic mutation responsible for breast cancer, a finding that has revolutionized the course of cancer research and transformed the way patients are diagnosed and treated.

A recipient of the National Medal of Science for her bold, imaginative and diverse contributions to medical science and human rights, Dr. King will discuss the genetics of inherited cancers.

Following the talk, a panel of experts will address genetics, cancer and you, including the following topics:

Lifestyle and cancer risk reductionFamily history and ethnicity risk factorsGenetic testing as cancer preventionPrivacy of genetic testing resultsBenefits and perils of ancestry testingLocal resources for cancer risk assessment and counseling

King is American Cancer Society professor in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle. She was the first to show that breast cancer is inherited in some families, as the result of mutations in the gene that she named BRCA1.

In addition to inherited breast and ovarian cancer, her research interests include the genetic bases of schizophrenia, the genetic causes of congenital disorders in children, and human genetic diversity and evolution.

King pioneered the use of DNA sequencing for human rights investigations, developing the approach of sequencing mitochondrial DNA preserved in human remains, then applying this method to the identification of kidnapped children in Argentina and subsequently to cases of human rights violations on six continents.

King grew up in Chicago. She received her bachelor's degree cum laude in mathematics from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.; her doctorate in genetics from the University of California at Berkeley; and her postdoctoral training at UC San Francisco.

Her Ph.D. dissertation with Allan Wilson was the demonstration that protein-coding sequences of humans and chimpanzees are 99 percent identical. She was professor at UC Berkeley from 1976-95 and at the University of Washington in Seattle since 1995.

King has served on multiple councils and study sections of the N.I.H. and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. She was consultant to the Commission on the Disappearance of Persons of the Republic of Argentina and carried out DNA identifications for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunals.

She is past president of the American Society of Human Genetics and a past member of the Council of the National Academy of Sciences. King has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, American Philosophical Society, and as a foreign member of the French Academy of Sciences.

Understanding Genetics and Cancer is co-presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara in association with Breast Cancer Resource Center, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center at Sansum Clinic, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics and UCSB Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology.

Sponsored by the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, supporter of the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center and its Genetic Counseling Program.

For more, call UCSB Arts & Lectures, 805-893-3535 or visit http://www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu.

UCSB Arts & Lectures acknowledges Community Partners the Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli and Corporate Season Sponsor SAGE Publishing for their support of the 2019-20 season.

Caitlin O'Hara for UCSB Arts & Lectures.

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Scientist Who Discovered BRCA1 Gene to Give Free Talk on Cancer And Genetics - Noozhawk

The "Gene Panel Market by Product and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Gene Panel Market: About this market

The gene panel market analysis considers sales from small panel testing and large panel testing products. Our study also finds the sales of gene panels in Asia, Europe, North America, and ROW. In 2019, the small panel testing segment had a significant market share, and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Factors such as the rising need to identify a known gene mutation will play a significant role in the small panel testing segment to maintain its market position. Also, our global gene panel market report looks at factors such as the growing use of gene panels in cancer-targeted therapies, increasing the number of people with genetic disorders, and decreasing the cost of NGS gene panel tests. However, challenges in implementing large NGS gene panels, lack of effective treatment for several genetic mutations, and the growing complexity of gene panel tests may hamper the growth of the gene panel industry over the forecast period.

Global Gene Panel Market: Overview

Growing use of gene panels in cancer-targeted therapies

Pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in research activities to develop targeted therapies for the treatment of cancer. This is driving the demand for gene panels as they are used in the development of targeted therapies for cancer. Gene panel testing provides a wide range of benefits such as providing the genetic basis of an individual's response to therapy. NGS-based gene panel tests are becoming popular as the first choice for cancer care as they are cost-effective, provide genomic data in a brief time, and examine only clinically important genes. This is driving the use of gene panels to evaluate effective treatments for cancer, which will lead to the expansion of the global gene panel market at a CAGR of about 18% during the forecast period.

Rising use of direct-to-consumer tests

The global gene panel market is expected to benefit from the increase in the use of direct-to-consumer tests. In this method, commercial laboratories provide genetic testing directly to consumers without the involvement of a healthcare professional or an authorization for payment by a third-party payer. The easy access and the increasingly affordable options associated with direct-to-consumer genomic testing have helped the technique gain significant popularity over the recent years. This development is expected to have a positive impact on the overall market growth.

Key Topics Covered:

PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT

PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE

PART 04: MARKET SIZING

PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT

PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE

PART 08: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE

PART 09: DECISION FRAMEWORK

PART 10: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES

PART 11: MARKET TRENDS

PART 12: VENDOR LANDSCAPE

PART 13: VENDOR ANALYSIS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xlv30k

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200115005372/en/

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Global Gene Panel Market Expected Expansion with a CAGR of Around 18% During the Forecast Period, 2020-2024 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Yahoo Finance

When you grow up without a dad; just imagine theres no daddy-daughter dance, theres no walking you down the aisle, theres no dad protecting you. Its just something thats been a huge part of my life.

April Ciarlones mother gave her a 23andMe DNA genetic testing kit last year, hoping it would lead Ciarlone to her birth father. The present turned into an even larger gift a close relationship with her dad, 47 years after her birth.

April Ciarlone, second from left, has even more to love: her brother, Chase Oldham, left; her father, Barry Oldham; and her sister, Alicia Neely.

The Ocoee woman never knew her father, and James Barry Oldham never knew he had a daughter. But all that changed last April when she received her DNA test results and discovered a familial match. With trepidation, Ciarlone reached out and learned the match was her paternal aunt.

This led to the discovery that she has a big family, including her dad, a half- brother and -sister and a bonus mom, in Decatur, Alabama.

YOUNG LOVE

Ciarlones mother, now Donna Hirst, of Milton, was living in Alameda, California, when she met Oldham. She was a high school student; he was about five years older and stationed at the Naval Air Station Alameda. They met in the neighborhood, where she lived at home with her parents and he lived with a roommate in an apartment across the street.

They struck up a conversation, which led to a friendship, which led to something more. When Hirst discovered she was pregnant with Oldhams child, he already had been sent to Vietnam and she had no way of contacting him.

Hirst was 19 when April was born in 1972. Oldham was fighting in a war and didnt know he had a daughter and he wouldnt learn of her existence for more than four decades.

Hirst moved on, met and married another man and gave birth to a son.

Ciarlone grew up with her mother and brother, Rick Snurkowski. As an adult, though, she knew something was missing, and she wanted to know more about her father.

ITS A MATCH

Oldham had a 23andMe testing kit, but he had yet to submit his DNA. After his sister and Ciarlone were matched, he immediately sent it in but had to anxiously wait more than a week for the results.

During that time, my emotions were everywhere, he said. My family was very supportive during that time. When the final results arrived, I opened it up to see a beautiful, brunette female that looked like my sisters! Beside it was the word DAUGHTER! My wife and I looked at each other because we had already decided that if this was true, it was Gods will.

April Ciarlone celebrated her birthday with her father, Barry Oldham, for the first time last summer.

While Oldham, now 70, is upset to have missed out on a good portion of her life, he said he understands the situation. Ciarlone said he was more upset that she didnt have her dad in her life growing up.

MORE TO LOVE

With all that behind them, the new family has been meeting frequently and getting to know one another. She spent her first Thanksgiving with them in November.

Ciarlone said she talks to her stepmother, Connie Oldham, several times a week and is grateful for her acceptance. More importantly, the family has formed a bond with Ciarlones daughter, Giannah, who is 12 and has autism.

Connie Oldham is a retired special-needs teacher who worked with children with autism for 40 years another gift, Ciarlone said.

Shes so great with Giannah, she said. Jesus was watching.

Giannah is having fun getting to know her cousins and grandparents.

Barry Oldham and Hirst had not been in contact since he left for Vietnam, but he had one simple message for his daughters mother: I just want you to know youve raised a wonderful woman.

The more the father and daughter talk, the more they realize they have in common.

April Ciarlone, left, and her father, Barry Oldham, favor each other in their second grade photos.

April and I both have a Type A personality, were neat and organized, love music and enjoy an occasional cocktail, Barry Oldham said. All three siblings are health conscious and work out on a regular basis like me. Each of them also likes to have the last word!

Ciarlone said she has noticed small similarities, too, besides the strong physical resemblance to her dad and younger siblings, Alicia Neely and Chase Oldham, such as their tendency to be bullheaded, the way she and her brother like their coffee and their affinity for pickles.

When the family isnt together, there are frequent texts, calls and FaceTime sessions.

April and I are very comfortable in our relationship, Barry Oldham said. I feel that we will continue to grow closer as time goes by. Its like my family has come full circle. April and Giannah complete that circle.

For Ciarlone, her circle now is complete, too.

23andMe changed my life, Ciarlone said. My prayers of finding my father (have) come true. I get to say Dad every day. ... This is my miracle.

Barry Oldham finally has his three children together: April Ciarlone, Chase Oldham and Alicia Neely.

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DNA test connects Ocoee resident with father - West Orange Times & Windermere Observer

New Jersey, United States, The Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market is exhaustively researched and analyzed in the report to help market players to improve their business tactics and ensure long-term success. The authors of the report have used easy-to-understand language and uncomplicated statistical images but provided thorough information and detailed data on the global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market. The report equips players with useful information and suggests result-oriented ideas to gain a competitive edge in the global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market. It shows how different players are competing in the global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market and discusses about strategies they are using to distinguish themselves from other participants.

Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market was valued at USD 789.92 Million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 2,361.12 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 14.59% from 2019 to 2026.

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Top 10 Companies in the Global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market Research Report:

The researchers have provided quantitative and qualitative analysis along with absolute dollar opportunity assessment in the report. Additionally, the report offers Porters Five Forces analysis and PESTLE analysis for more detailed comparisons and other important studies. Each section of the report has something valuable to offer to players for improving their gross margin, sales and marketing strategy, and profit margins. Using the report as a tool for gaining insightful market analysis, players can identify the much needed changes in their operation and improve their approach to doing business. Furthermore, they will be able to give a tough competition to other players of the global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing market while identifying key growth pockets.

Global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market: Segment Analysis

This section of the report includes segmentation such as application, product type, and end user. These segmentations aid in determining parts of market that will progress more than others. The segmentation analysis provides information about the key elements that are thriving the specific segments better than others. It helps readers to understand strategies to make sound investments. The Global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market is segmented on the basis of product type, applications, and its end users.

Global Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market: Regional Analysis

This part of the report includes detailed information of the market in different regions. Each region offers different scope to the market as each region has different government policy and other factors.

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Table of Content

1 Introduction of Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market

1.1 Overview of the Market 1.2 Scope of Report 1.3 Assumptions

2 Executive Summary

3 Research Methodology of Verified Market Research

3.1 Data Mining 3.2 Validation 3.3 Primary Interviews 3.4 List of Data Sources

4 Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market Outlook

4.1 Overview 4.2 Market Dynamics 4.2.1 Drivers 4.2.2 Restraints 4.2.3 Opportunities 4.3 Porters Five Force Model 4.4 Value Chain Analysis

5 Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market, By Deployment Model

5.1 Overview

6 Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market, By Solution

6.1 Overview

7 Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market, By Vertical

7.1 Overview

8 Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market, By Geography

8.1 Overview 8.2 North America 8.2.1 U.S. 8.2.2 Canada 8.2.3 Mexico 8.3 Europe 8.3.1 Germany 8.3.2 U.K. 8.3.3 France 8.3.4 Rest of Europe 8.4 Asia Pacific 8.4.1 China 8.4.2 Japan 8.4.3 India 8.4.4 Rest of Asia Pacific 8.5 Rest of the World 8.5.1 Latin America 8.5.2 Middle East

9 Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market Competitive Landscape

9.1 Overview 9.2 Company Market Ranking 9.3 Key Development Strategies

10 Company Profiles

10.1.1 Overview 10.1.2 Financial Performance 10.1.3 Product Outlook 10.1.4 Key Developments

11 Appendix

11.1 Related Research

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Highlights of Report

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Verified market research partners with clients to provide insight into strategic and growth analytics; data that help achieve business goals and targets. Our core values include trust, integrity, and authenticity for our clients.

Analysts with high expertise in data gathering and governance utilize industry techniques to collate and examine data at all stages. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, subject expertise and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research reports.

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Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Genetic Testing Market 2020 Brief Analysis by Top Companies- 23andMe, Ancestry, Karmagenes, Color, Genesis HealthCare -...

Nima Sharifi, M.D.

A new Cleveland Clinic study has uncovered a genetic anomaly associated with poor response to a common asthma treatment. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that asthmatic patients with the gene variant are less likely to respond to glucocorticoids and often develop severe asthma.

The research team, led by Nima Sharifi, M.D., of Cleveland Clinics Lerner Research Institute, identified that the gene variant HSD3B1(1245A) is associated with glucocorticoid response and may be clinically useful to identify patients most likely to benefit from other treatments.

Glucocorticoids, which modulate systemic inflammatory response, are commonly prescribed to treat severe asthma. However, until now we have not understood why many patients do not benefit from them, said Dr. Sharifi, senior author of the article. These findings make the case for genetic testing and personalized treatment and provide important information for identifying which patients should be treated using different therapies.

In the study, Dr. Sharifi and his collaborators retrospectively analyzed the association between patient genomes and lung function in more than 500 asthmatic patients who received daily oral glucocorticoids treatment or no glucocorticoids treatment.

Joe Zein, M.D.

They found that a change to the gene HSD3B1 specifically the HSD3B1(1245A) variant is associated with poor lung function and glucocorticoid treatment resistance. The analysis revealed that among patients receiving glucocorticoids, those with the variant had poorer lung function than those who did not have the genetic anomaly, suggesting that it contributes to resistance and helps drive the progression to severe asthma.

Previous studies have shown that HSD3B1 encodes an enzyme that converts less active hormones called androgens into more powerful androgens. While additional research is necessary, the team suspects that HSD3B1(1245A)s effect on lung function may be attributed to inhibition of this process.

This study is the first to provide genetic evidence suggesting that variants related to androgen synthesis affect glucocorticoids treatment resistance in asthma or any other inflammation-related disease, said Joe Zein, M.D., first author on the study and a practicing pulmonologist in Cleveland Clinics Respiratory Institute. These findings provide us with important new information that may lead to more tailored treatments for asthma patients and the ability to prevent the development of severe disease.

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways of the lungs to narrow, the lining of the airways to become inflamed and the cells that line the airways to produce more mucus, making it difficult to take in enough air. According to the CDC, about 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including more than six million children. Asthma accounts for nearly two million emergency department visits each year.

Previously, Dr. Sharifis laboratory has extensively studied the role of HSD3B1 in prostate cancer. In 2013, he made the seminal discovery that prostate cancer cells with the HSD3B1(1245C) variant survive androgen deprivation therapy, the first line of defense against prostate cancer, by producing their own disease-fueling androgens. He has spent more than seven years studying and publishing peer-reviewed articles on the variants effect in prostate cancer.

Dr. Sharifi holds the Kendrick Family Chair for Prostate Cancer Research at Cleveland Clinic and directs the Cleveland Clinic Genitourinary Malignancies Research Center. He has joint appointments in the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute and Taussig Cancer Institute. In 2017, he received the national Top Ten Clinical Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum for his discoveries linking HSD3B1(1245C) with poor prostate cancer outcomes.

Dr. Zein is a member of the Cleveland Clinic Asthma Center, which provides a comprehensive approach to asthma management and care along with innovative research, offering patients access to the most advanced diagnostic testing and innovative treatments.

This study was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the National Cancer Institute, both of the National Institutes of Health.

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Cleveland Clinic Study Identifies Genetic Anomaly Associated with Poor Response to Common Asthma Treatment - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

A new study has uncovered a genetic anomaly associated with poor response to a common asthma treatment. The findings showed that asthmatic patients with the gene variant are less likely to respond to glucocorticoids and often develop severe asthma.

The research team, led by Nima Sharifi, M.D., of Cleveland Clinics Lerner Research Institute, identified that the gene variant HSD3B1(1245A) is associated with glucocorticoid response and may be clinically useful to identify patients most likely to benefit from other treatments.

Glucocorticoids, which modulate systemic inflammatory response, are commonly prescribed to treat severe asthma. However, until now we have not understood why many patients do not benefit from them, said Dr. Sharifi, senior author of the article. These findings make the case for genetic testing and personalized treatment and provide important information for identifying which patients should be treated using different therapies.

In the study, Sharifi and his collaborators retrospectively analyzed the association between patient genomes and lung function in more than 500 asthmatic patients who received daily oral glucocorticoids treatment or no glucocorticoids treatment.

They found that a change to the gene HSD3B1 specifically the HSD3B1(1245A) variant is associated with poor lung function and glucocorticoid treatment resistance. The analysis revealed that among patients receiving glucocorticoids, those with the variant had poorer lung function than those who did not have the genetic anomaly, suggesting that it contributes to resistance and helps drive the progression to severe asthma.

Previous studies have shown that HSD3B1 encodes an enzyme that converts less active hormones called androgens into more powerful androgens. While additional research is necessary, the team suspects that HSD3B1(1245A)s effect on lung function may be attributed to inhibition of this process.

This study is the first to provide genetic evidence suggesting that variants related to androgen synthesis affect glucocorticoids treatment resistance in asthma or any other inflammation-related disease, said Joe Zein, M.D., first author on the study and a practicing pulmonologist in Cleveland Clinics Respiratory Institute. These findings provide us with important new information that may lead to more tailored treatments for asthma patients and the ability to prevent the development of severe disease.

Reference

Zein et al. (2020) HSD3B1 genotype identifies glucocorticoid responsiveness in severe asthma. PNAS. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1918819117

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

Excerpt from:
Genetic Anomaly Associated With Poor Response to Asthma Treatment is Uncovered - Technology Networks

Michael Lee and Angela Peang look like a couple that is head-over-heels in love with each other. The 38-year-olds are often kissing and always together. They're also related. Michael's mom is Angela's dad's sister, making them first cousins. The pair appeared on WeTV's Extreme Love, where they described their history. Since Angela's dad was often stationed overseas for his State Department job, she didn't meet Michael until they were 7 . They claim to have had an instant connection and even shared their first kiss together in a closet at that time when they were 7.

However, with the distance between them, they grew apart, went to different colleges and married their respective first spouses - Angela even had three kids with hers, now ages 17, 16 and 12. Years later, after both Angela and Michael wound up getting divorced, social media brought them together again and when they met in person, the spark was stronger than ever. They wound up getting married and since marrying your first cousin is illegal in their home state of Utah, they got hitched in Colorado.

With so much passion between them, it's no surprise Angela is now pregnant with their first child, however that can get them in a lot of trouble because the baby's existence proves they've had sex, a crime that could cost them $10,000 in fines and put them in prison for five years since intercourse between cousins is illegal in Utah. The reason for that law is because children between cousins have an increased risk of a birth defect (4 to 7% chance as compared to the 3 to 4% for non-related couples).

However, the pair did their due diligence and got genetic testing, which showed it would be okay for them to parent together. Their baby boy is due on May 22nd and is expected to be in good health after further tests ruled out any disabilities.

The couple, who feel people should mind their own business and not worry about their relationship, has also launched a petition to legalize marriage between first cousins in Utah. They've gotten 1,500 signatures so far but will need tens of thousands more to get any traction.

You can check out Extreme Love Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on WeTV.

Photo: YouTube

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Married First Cousins Expecting Baby Could Face Prison Time - iHeartRadio

Twelve Indicted in Kickback Conspiracy, Former CEO Pleads Guilty

TEXARKANA, Texas Twelve individuals from three states have been charged in a federal indictment returned in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown today.

Nicolas Arroyo, 38, of Newport Coast, CA, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States on Jan. 14, 2020 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven.

According to information presented in court, Arroyo was the CEO of a clinical laboratory when he conspired with others to pay and receive kickbacks in exchange for the referral of and arranging for health care business, specifically pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests. Pharmacogenetic testing, also known as pharmacogenomic testing, is a type of genetic testing that identifies genetic variations that effect how an individual patient metabolizes certain drugs. The illegal arrangement concerned the referral of PGx tests to clinical laboratories in Fountain Valley, California, Irvine, California, and San Diego, California. More than $28 million in illegal kickback payments were exchanged by the defendants and others during the conspiracy. On Dec. 11, 2019, a federal grand jury returned an indictment in which Philip Lamb, 44, of Scottsdale, Arizona; Nicolas Arroyo, 38, of Newport Coast, California; Vincent Marchetti, Jr., 55, of Coronado, California; William Flowers, 55, of Houston, Texas; Steven Donofrio, 45, of Temecula, California; James J. Walker, Jr. a/k/a Jimmy Walker, 46, of Frisco, Texas; Timothy Armstrong, 62, of Frisco, Texas; Virginia Blake Herrin, 54, of Frisco, Texas; Patrick Ridgeway, 50, of Jackson, Mississippi; Chismere Mallard, 39, of McAllen, Texas; Ray W. Ng, 61, of Dallas, Texas; and Ashley Kretzschmar, 34, of Aledo, Texas; were indicted for conspiracy to commit illegal remunerations in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute. The Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits offering, paying, soliciting, or receiving remunerations in exchange for the referral of or arranging for items or services payable under federal health care programs.

We continue to see individuals in the healthcare industry creating illegal kickback arrangements, trying to cheat the system and turn healthcare decisions into financial decisions instead of what is best for the patient, said United States Attorney Joseph D. Brown.This must stop, and doctors should be aware of the emphasis that is being put on stopping these practices.

Under federal statutes, Arroyo faces up to 5 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, the FBI Dallas Frisco Resident Agency, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld and L. Frank Coan, Jr.

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Twelve Indicted in Kickback Conspiracy Former CEO Pleads Guilty - Twelve Indicted in Kickback Conspiracy Former CEO Pleads Guilty TEXARKANA Texas ...

If you're feeling down and uninspired right now, you're not alone. The winter blues -- including its most severe form, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD -- really is a thing.

According to Rush University Medical Center, about 14% of Americans get the winter blues, while 6% wrestle with full-blown SAD. The good news is, these are treatable conditions, once you know the basics.

Many of us experience mood shifts during the long, dark days of winter, but if you're experiencing the following symptoms over an extended period, it may be something more:

You feel sluggish and can't get going.

You've lost interest in activities you usually enjoy.

You prefer to hibernate instead of socialize.

You're overeating (carbs cravings, anyone?), or conversely, have lost interest in food.

You're not sleeping well.

You feel hopeless or worthless.

Where's the line between simply the winter blues and an all-out case of SAD? Often, it's a matter of degree. With the winter blues, you can still function and go about your day. However, you may have SAD if:

You're unremittingly depressed or anxious.

You're having problems getting through your day.

You're abusing alcohol or other substances.

You're having suicidal thoughts.

In either case -- but especially if symptoms are serious -- seek professional help, starting with your primary care physician.

These are truly seasonal disorders. Science reveals that a lack of exposure to sunlight -- in short supply during fall and winter -- can wreak havoc on our biological clocks.

How it works: Sunlight triggers our brains to release serotonin, a powerful hormone that regulates mood. Less sunlight results in less serotonin and melatonin, which is key to a good night's sleep.

The further you live from the equator, the greater the risk. For those of us in the Chicago area, where days are short but winter is long, the risk is real.

Luckily, there are several successful treatment options, including:

Light therapy -- During light therapy, you sit in front of a special light box that mimics natural daylight. You can buy a light box without a prescription, but talk to your doctor first to learn what features to look for and how to use it.

Exercise -- Research shows exercise increases serotonin and endorphin production. Many doctors recommend exercising at least 30 minutes on most days.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy -- This effective form of psychotherapy helps people replace negative thoughts and behaviors with healthier habits.

Medication -- Some doctors prescribe antidepressants to regulate chemical imbalances caused by SAD. Never self-medicate; always consult your doctor.

If you don't have the winter blues, give thanks -- and practice good prevention by soaking up as much daylight as you can. When your schedule permits it, start the day with a crisp morning walk -- or at least get outside and moving at lunchtime. Grab a friend, or your dog, or your friend's dog.

And if you think you need help, ask for it. Don't wait for this to go away -- it's a way off until spring.

Teri Dreher is board-certified patient advocate. A critical care nurse for more than 30 years, she recently founded Seniors Alone Guardianship & Advocacy Services (SeniorsAlone.org), a nonprofit organization that serves the area's senior orphans. She also is the founder of NShore Patient Advocates, http://www.northshorern.com.

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Don't underestimate the winter blues - Chicago Daily Herald

While popping a pill may sound promising to us sleep-deprived, walking zombies, there is little evidence to show that sleeping pills actually add very much shut eye to your daily count, not to mention the dangerous side effects that can occur from misuse.

That being said, there are some sleep trackers, sleep apps and natural sleep aids that can make dozing off and staying asleep a little bit easier. Here are some of our top picks:

"In order to create a conducive sleep environment we want it as dark as possible and the blackout curtains will block out warming light for people who are sleeping when the sun is shining, or in the summer when it starts to get light earlier. Street lights and city lights can also interfere with sleep," says Dianne Augelli, MD, a sleep physician at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. "We generally want our rooms to be dark, quiet and cool. The idea is to use the blackout curtains so that your sleep isnt disturbed prior to your wake time. So if youre someone who is getting up at 7:30 a.m., but its already light at six, that extra light may cause awakening that can fragment your sleep."

If you live in an urban location, or have some loud neighbors, that's even more incentive to consider a new set of curtains. The Eclipse curtains arent only a decorative accent in the bedroom, they block over 99 percent of intrusive light and reduce unwanted noise making your sleep more restful.

Its not just the light coming from our devices, but other lights in the room, that can keep you awake.

I advise turning down the lights in your home towards the end of the day," says Dr. Apostolos Lekkos, found of Bios Functional Medicine. "Lower light levels can help promote your natural melatonin production your sleep hormone.

C-Sleep is a blue tooth enabled light bulb that supports your body's natural sleep cycle by emitting a calm light at night and vibrant light in the morning. You can instantly dim or brighten the bulb, without even having to get out of bed, thanks to a handy app. Plus, you can create schedules and groups to control multiple bulbs at the same time.

We've all been there: We're awakened from our sleep by the heat, and rustle around kicking off our socks and tossing the comforter to the floor. You curse your partner who insists on keeping the air off because they're always cold. What if we told you there is a sheet for that?

The Temperature Regulating Sheet Set is the ultimate solution for thermally incompatible couples. It uses the Outlast fabric technology, which was developed for NASA to deal with temperature fluctuations in space. The "phase change" fabric absorbs and stores excess heat from your body. When you cool off, it releases the heat back to your body to maintain a consistent temperature all night long.

"We definitely want you to be cool when you're sleeping. If you're too hot and you feel that the particular sheets that you have are making you too hot, then you can consider a different type of sheet," says Dr. Augelli. "Some people will swear by [temperature regulating sheets], others will notice no change. But people need a more breathable sheet. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 200-400 thread count sheets, which allow some air movement."

This set from Sharper Image clocks in at 300 thread count so if you find yourself waking up sweating at night, they are worth a try.

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Philips SmartSleep, which connects to your home Wi-Fi, helps improve your sleep quality and helps you learn how the environment of your bedroom affects your rest. You'll be interacting with its proprietary app SleepMapper to document and receive feedback on some of your behaviors.

The best cure for being unable to fall asleep is utilizing a sleep tracker which is available through many apps," says Lindsey Huttner, LCSW, psychotherapist, located in Queens, NY. "In the app you will document when you get into bed, approximate the time you fall asleep, how long you sleep, and how many times you woke and for how long. The app will then 'prescribe' how much sleep you should aim to get."

In addition to tracking your sleep patterns, SmartSleep works with its companion app to track and monitor your bedroom's temperature, noise, light and humidity levels. The light it emits is designed to ease you out of sleep in a healthy and productive way.

While Augelli is hesitant to recommend trackers that record sleep time (and unrest) due to a lack of evidence and accuracy, she does say that tracking your sleep patterns can be helpful for some.

"They will give you some idea of your sleep, but they arent really able to tell the difference between [REM sleep and deep sleep] with the technology thats available on them," she says. "It can be helpful if youre tracking your number of hours of sleep and making sure you get adequate sleep and that youre going to sleep around the same time. That can be a problem with a lot of people, just not sleeping enough hours. If youre not getting your seven hours of sleep then this can help track for that."

The Versa 2 is optimized with a sleep mode to mute troublesome notifications. It also provides you with a Sleep Score, a simple way to see how you slept the night prior based on the metrics it's detecting, from sleep time to wakefulness and duration of sleep. Essentially, you'll gamify your sleeping habits to improve them.

Your sky-high stress levels may be to blame for all the tossing and turning, but that lumpy pillow sure isn't helping the cause. Before you run to Bed Bath and Beyond and grab a new one, consider investing in a pillow that works double duty. The Eden Pillow is designed to provide you with better quality sleep. And the gel-infused memory foam and microfiber fill are blended to offer cooling properties.

If you just can't seem to part with your nightly Netflix ritual, you should wear blue light blocking sunglasses while watching television, advises Dr. Lekkos.

"There are some small studies that show that the time it takes to fall asleep has been reduced for people who wore the light blocking glasses for several hours before bedtime," adds Augelli. "What you want to do ideally, is put away all your work and phone an hour before bed, in the process of your wind down routine. But if you have to work, you want to employ whatever you can to reduce the amount of impact it will have. Blue light blocking glasses reduce exposure to blue light that suppresses melatonin, which is our natural hormone that helps with sleep; the decrease in melatonin can prevent you from falling asleep."

The glasses filter out the high energy visible (HEV) blue-violet light from backlit screens, helping to ease the disruption is has on your sleep cycle. Keep a pair next to your bed, ready to grab and slip on when you get sucked into that late-night "Friends" marathon.

"For some people sound is soothing and relaxing and helps deactivate them for sleep," says Augelli. "Some of them will act to cover up other environmental noise, so in those cases it can be helpful, you just want to make sure there is no big change in frequency of that sound. (For example, on the TV when theres a commercial thats much louder.) We generally recommend white noise machines because they are pretty stable, but it is helpful for some people to deactivate if they hear something very soothing and thats part of their wind down routine and they feel comfortable with that."

The Marpac Dohm's natural white noise is emitted by its built-in fan, rather than relying on digital recordings. You can choose between two speed options and adjust its tone and volume to reach the perfect level of white noise for you.

According to Michael Gelb, DDS, MS, co-author of the new book "GASP!: Airway Health - The Hidden Path to Wellness," more than half of us struggle with breathing through our noses. This struggle often results in snoring. And even if you're part of the lucky half who has no problem breathing at night, there's a good chance your partner's issues are affecting your quality of sleep. Time to trade in the shaking and kicking for tossing a Mute Snoring device their way.

By holding open the nasal airways like a stent, Mute helps noisy snorers and poor nasal breathers by increasing airflow in the nose. You can individually adjust the device for each nostril, so it's comfortable while you sleep. And user trials are promising: 75 percent of people reported less or much less snoring while using Mute.

If youre prone to checking email, or watching Netflix, on your laptop in bed at night, you may want to have your computer screen follow suit with reducing blue light. You can run apps like f.lux on your laptop or computer that will automatically change the screen color as the day goes on, says Lekkos.

Like Night Shift, f.lux uses your location to synchronize your computer with the rising and setting of the sun. At night, f.lux slowly adjusts the colors on your computer screen to a warmer hue that's supposed to be less abrasive on the eyes (especially if you're in an otherwise dark room) and helps reduce your exposure to that blue light that keeps you awake.

"Any platform that will reduce the amount of blue light that is emitted from your electronic devices will be helpful," says Augelli. "I definitely recommend employing them."

Smartphone apps aren't adequate substitutes for assistance from a professional but they can be helpful adjuncts to treatment for those who wish to track sleep time and quality or for promoting greater physical relaxation before bed, says Joel Minden, Ph.D,, clinical psychologist at the Chico Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. "CBT-i Coach is nice because it includes a sleep diary. One of the most effective treatments for insomnia is sleep restriction therapy, and tracking sleep data is an important part of the process.

The app was designed for those who have experienced symptoms of insomnia and are looking to improve their sleep habits. It guides users through the process of learning about sleep, developing a better sleep routine and improving sleep environments. Plus, it has a structured program that teaches strategies proven to help alleviate symptoms of insomnia.

In fact, one study found that 60 percent of doctors who used the app in conjunction with treatment for insomnia found it favorable in encouraging people to adhere to instructed techniques.

While you're staring at the ceiling at 1 a.m., ever think back to those wonderful days when your mom would read you a story and you'd be out cold two pages in? Well, maybe a little bedtime story is in order. Enter: Calm, a top-rated meditation app that recently launched a new feature to the platform called "Sleep Stories," which are essentially bedtime tales for adults.

You may recognize some of your storytellers: Matthew McConaughey narrates one about the mysteries of the universe, childhood favorite LeVar Burton take us on a journey across the solar system, and Steven Fry (the narrator of all 7 "Harry Potter" books) takes us through the lavender fields of France.

Way too many people are on their smartphone, tablet, reading device or watch TV just before going to bed. What people do not realize is that there is a blue light that is emitted from these devices that (when it hits the back of the eye) will stimulate brain waves that promote our 'awake' state of mind, thus making it very difficult to fall and stay asleep, says Lekkos. Many smartphones now have the 'Night Shift' feature that you can turn on to block this blue light.

To enable the feature on your iPhone, go to Settings, Display & Brightness, and then schedule Night Shift for the hours you will be winding down for bed (and sleeping). By doing this, you're telling your phone to move the color spectrum from cooler (blue) towards warmer (yellow) to limit your exposure to sleep-disrupting blue light at night. It will then readjust the tones in the morning when the sun rises.

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13 sleep aids and bedroom products for better rest - NBC News

Dublin, Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Japanese Biosimilars Landscape Study, 2009-2020" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In this report, we attempt to analyze trend/requirement of regulatory approval of biosimilars based on Ex-Japan clinical trialdata, factors responsible for each key launched biosimilar penetration (Made in Japan vs. Tested by Japan), and the future competitive landscape in the biosimilars space in Japan.

We also attempt to analyze detail BS market of EPO, Filgrastim/Pegfilgrastim/Insulin/Lantus apart from other key complex Mab Biosimilar opportunities and list out niche opportunities in biosimilar space in Japan. Details of all major consolidation activities done by JP/Foreign companies in biosimilar space in the last five years and crisp summary on strategies of each key player (~21 JP local companies, multinational companies), their interest & focus for future collaboration in biosimilar space.

Since 2009, 25 biosimilars of 12 originator products are approved in Japan and have yielded mixed performances and attained annual sales of ~32.4b ($300m).

Unique biosimilars landscape with the entry of NESP biosame by originator Kyowa Hakko Kirin through its subsidiary, co-promotion/marketing collaboration with local companies for the front-end skill sets (Ayumi, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Teijin) and few skipped listing to better manage constant supply (Pfizer), a key requirement by MHLW, makes Japan a distinct market vs. US and EU.

Less stringent regulatory environment vs. US for approval, increasing healthcare burden and strong foothold of the marketers have played key roles in this early uptake which is at par to one of the best generic small molecule penetration in Japan in a short time (Filgrastim BS-volume share~45% in two years, Lantus BS- ~9% in 2 months vs. Lipitor generics ~50% volume share).

While analyzing the launched biosimilar penetration since 2009 in Japan, bolstering uptake of Enbrel, Rituxan, and Lantus biosimilar vs. very slow uptake of Remicade BS mainly been attributed with the use of biosimilars in DPC hospitals,product reimbursement under high cost medical care benefit system and front end presence of the local partner.

Despite the string of recent biosimilars approvals, healthcare professionals still harbor concerns over the quality of biosimilars.

MHLW's announcement to update a decade back biosimilars guideline by FY2020 to reduce cost of development as well as to increase confidence of physician on quality, is indicative of biosimilar as important weapon for Chuikyo(Central social Insurance Medical Council) to curb healthcare cost. Further, Biosame pricing game will play a major role in the future for biosimilar penetration. We see that Abenomics measures and government involvement in biosimilars use would lead to the Biosimilars promotions in the coming times in Japan.

Mixed strategies by originator for Bio-same launch (Kyowa Hakko Kirin to launch Biosame vs. Chugai said not to launch Biosame), therapy area wise biosimilars cherry picking by mid-size Japanese companies, and different strategies by local generic companies (NichiIko heading for global market vs. Sawai testing through co-promotion and Towa yet not decided to enter), demonstrates each company's different need and approach to cater biosimilar opportunities in Japan.

Since the last five years, most of the companies have some alliance in place for biosimilars, with most of the Japanese companies undertaking pacts with South Korean companies to ride on their back of biosimilar mAb expertise.

There is a trend of doing product specific alliance by most of the JP companies active in BS space and to go step by step on this high risk/high return opportunities. Against this backdrop, multinational companies like Pfizer are setting their sights on this market without local partnership taking advantage of pro-biosimilar environment to capture decent biosimilar market share. Overall, in the Japan market, each opportunity has a different competitive landscape for itself, and some companies are looking for niche opportunities in biosimilar space as per their specialty therapy area- like ophthalmology BS (Lucentis), Enzyme therapy BS (JCR).

While launched biosimilars now generates ~32b ($300m) sales and its penetration is accelerating, MHLW's approval of Biosame of NESP based on same clinical data as the originator NESP, and current ongoing dialogs to price Biosame higher than biosimilars, indicative of Biosame to be the key hurdle in the future for mid-size biosimilar companies in Japan. In the year 2020, MHLW's stand on Biosame, will be important to decide future of theses mid-size /generic biosimilar developers. Around ~550b opportunity is opening for biosimilar in the next 7 years in Japan due to patent expiry of Wave 2-3 biologics.

Key Topics Covered

CHAPTER 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER 2: JAPANESE GOVERNMENT AND CHUIKYO INITIATIVES TO INCREASE BIOSIMILAR PENETRATION IN JAPAN

CHAPTER 3: LESSONS FROM LAUNCHED BIOGENERIC PROGRESS IN JAPAN SINCE 2009

CHAPTER 4: GROWTH HORMONE MARKET (SOMATROPIN) IN JAPAN

CHAPTER 5: ANEMIA MARKET IN JAPAN

CHAPTER 6: FILGRASTIM (GRAN) BS

CHAPTER 7: REMICADE (INFLIXIMAB) BS

CHAPTER 8: LANTUS (INSULIN GLARGINE) BIOSIMILAR

CHAPTER 9: ENBREL (ETANERCEPT) BIOSIMILAR

CHAPTER 10: ONCOLOGY BIOSMILARS ERA STARTS WITH RITUXAN (RITUXIMAB) BIOSIMILAR

CHAPTER 11: HERCEPTIN (TRASTUZUMAB) BIOSIMILAR

CHAPTER 12: AVASTIN (BEVACIZUMAB) BIOSIMILAR

CHAPTER 13: FABRAZYME (AGALSIDASE BETA) BIOSIMILAR

CHAPTER 14: FORTEO (TERIPARATIDE) BIOSIMILAR

CHAPTER 15: NEXT WAVEOF BIOSIMILAR OPPORTUNITIES IN JAPAN

CHAPTER 16: BIOSIMILAR/BIOPHARMA CMO OPPORTUNITY

CHAPTER 17: REGULATORY APPROVAL REQUIREMENT FOR COMPLEX MAB BIOSIMILAR IN JAPAN

CHAPTER 18: LICENSING/CONSOLIDATION ACTIVITIES IN BIOSIMILAR SPACE IN JAPAN

CHAPTER 19: JAPANESE COMPANIES ACTIVE INTO BIOGENERICS SPACE

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/edigvv

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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Analysis on Japan's Biosimilars Landscape, 2020 - In the Next 7 Years, Biosimilars Will Pose a ~$550B Opportunity in Japan, Due to the Patent Expiry...

RIYADH: Professor Selwa Al-Hazzaa is a Saudi female success story set on the road to excellence from childhood.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Hazzaa, an ophthalmologist and chairman of the ophthalmology department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC), told of her 27 years of devoted work to bettering the health care system, becoming the first woman to hold a high position at the hospital where she dedicated her life, energy and time to making a difference in her field.Al-Hazzaas career took off in 1995, as the first Saudi woman to be made a member of the Medical Advisory Council at King Faisal Hospital. Her journey wasnt the easiest, but with her talent, hard work and ambition, she was recognized by the Saudi leadership early on and used the platform to pave the way for future women in medicine and other fields.Born into a family of five girls, she grew up in Tucson, Arizona in the 1960s while her father was completing his studies. She excelled in her school years, always living up to the highest standards and expectations which she has placed upon herself.

I didnt choose ophthalmology, ophthalmology chose me.

Prof. Selwa Al-Hazzaa

I went into medicine not wanting (to do) it, she said. Nevertheless, she put all her energy into studying, because she had a higher ambition and was keen to make a difference.One of her biggest challenges was when it was time for her to enroll in university. She wanted to travel abroad to study, but was unable to, because it was rare for women to do so at the time.Back then the only two real professional options women had were medicine or education, and her father gave her a choice: Either to become a teacher or a physician. She chose the latter.After obtaining her medical degree from King Saud University, she did her fellowship at the Wilmer Ophthalmologic Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Washington, DC.

HIGHLIGHTS

Selwa Al-Hazzaa became the first woman to hold a high position at the hospital where she dedicated her life, energy and time to making a difference in her field.

With her talent, hard work and ambition, she was recognized by the Saudi leadership early on and used the platform to pave the way for future women in medicine and other fields.

Her first patient was a 9-year-old Saudi girl born blind, a case Al-Hazzaa had followed since the girl was less than a year old.

She returned to the Kingdom, where she was later chosen by the head of KFSHRC, Dr. Anwar Jabarti, to be the late King Fahds ophthalmologist. She credits Jabarti for realizing her potential, dedication and skills by looking beyond gender and solely at talent.Her dream of representing her country came true, though under sombre circumstances, when she went on her first diplomatic mission after the fatal Sept. 11 2001 terror attacks in the US, remembering her fathers words: When people trust you, they will then let you represent the country.

Selwa Al-Hazzaa. (AN photo by Ali Aldhahri)

And represent her country she did, as she was the only woman between men, and with no training whatsoever in the political arena, she spoke from the heart, connecting with people. From that day on, the government took me as their voice of Saudi Arabia after Sept. 11.Through a lifetime of giving, people would ask her what was the secret to her success. There is no secret females are always givers. When we are young, we take care of our siblings, when we are married we take care of our husbands, we get pregnant and take care of our children, she said.Elected as an executive member of the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) in 2002, she became the youngest member, the first woman member from the Middle East, and the only female on the council from 2002-2006. She stood down in 2010.

NUMBER

2.2bn - There are an estimated 2.2 billion people with vision impairment or blindness globally, with an estimated 1 billion who suffer from moderate or severe distance vision impairment or blindness (WHO 2019).

In 2017, Al-Hazzaa was granted the degree of doctor of humanities, honoris causa, the highest honor at Franklin University, one of many honorary titles shes received in her career. She is also a member of various editorial boards, fellowships and committees, and was one of the first group of women appointed to the Saudi Shoura Council by late King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in 2003, in a historic move, allowing women for the first time to be part of the Kingdoms formal advisory body.

FASTFACT

Last November, Selwa Al-Hazzaa, alongside her colleague Dr. Mohamed Khuthaila and a medical team consisting of entirely of Saudis, put the Kingdom on the map as the first country in the Middle East, and the 5th globally, to utilize LUXTURNA, the first USA FDA-approved gene therapy treatment for any genetic disorder to treat blindness in children.

With her 27 years of experience in the field, publishing 69 accredited papers and more, her lifes work finally paid off in November of last year when she, alongside her colleague Dr. Mohamed Khuthaila and a medical team consisting entirely of Saudis, put the Kingdom on the map as the first country in the Middle East, and the 5th globally, to utilize LUXTURNA, the first USA FDA-approved gene therapy treatment for any genetic disorder to treat blindness in children.Her first patient was a nine-year-old Saudi girl born blind, a case Al-Hazzaa had followed since the girl was less than a year old. The successful utilization of the treatment was one of her finest career achievements to date.If you are going to take a certain specialty, dont take what everybodys taking take something that doesnt exist and make it exist. Take something hard, because then when you are called upon, it will be regardless of your gender.I didnt choose ophthalmology, ophthalmology chose me.

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Selwa Al-Hazzaa: The Saudi doctor giving the gift of sight - Arabnews

"We're moving close to a cure," says Wyatt's doctor, Mark Tarnopolsky, who is director of the neuromuscular and neurometabolic clinic at McMaster University Medical Centre in Hamilton.

Children with spinal muscular atrophy lack a certain protein that is critical for the maintenance and function of specialized nerve cells, called motor neurons, which control muscle movement throughout the body.

Without the protein, the motor neurons die and the muscles can't move. If they don't move, they shrink and weaken. The child suffers debilitating effects that inhibit even their ability to breathe and swallow.

Until recently, most children with this type of spinal muscular atrophy died of respiratory failure by their second birthday.

But in 2018, a new drug called Spinraza was approved for use in Canada. It prevents the rapid nerve degeneration from occurring, if it is given early enough in the child's life.

At $125,000 a dose, it's very expensive. Luckily, the Ontario government pays for it.

Wyatt has had four doses since he was diagnosed six months ago.

He can clap his hands together and kick a little bit, Dannon said.

"He is such a happy little guy," she said. "Every moment I spend with him, I love."

Wyatt's aunt and parents have started a GoFundMe page to help pay for some of his expenses. The family has already raised about $74,000 through this and other fundraisers.

They've poured their hopes into a brand new drug called Zolgensma. It's a gene therapy does the same thing as Spinraza, but it's a single dose that lasts 25 years.

"With a longing we didn't know was possible, we hope one day Wyatt can dance to the beat of his favourite song, send our hearts racing as he climbs a high tree or wrestle with his dad on the floor," the family says on its GoFundMe page.

But that's unlikely to happen.

The drug is very expensive, at $2.8 million Canadian for a dose. It's not available in Canada yet.

More significantly, Tarnopolsky thinks the benefits would be very limited for a child like Wyatt. That's because he's already too old.

Nerve degeneration happens very quickly for the tiny number of children, perhaps several hundred in Ontario, who have this disease. It drops "like a stone" shortly after birth, Tarnolpolsky said.

And once the nerve function is gone, it doesn't come back.

The studies have shown it's much better for children to receive either Spinraza or Zolgensma if they get it when they're two or three months old. The oldest child in one of the Zolgensma studies was eight months old.

He would like to see newborns routinely screened for this disease so it can be treated right away.

Michael Harris, the Waterloo regional councillor who was formerly MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga riding, has met many families like the Vaseys.

"They'll do anything" for a chance for their child to get better," he said.

When he was MPP between 2011 and 2018, Harris championed the cause of families with rare diseases.

He toured the province to hear from them, tried to have an all-party committee of MPPs to discuss the issues, and lobbied for them to have access to government funds for the expensive medication they need. (It's expensive because so few patients need it, and there are few buyers to share the high cost of research, development and clinical trials.)

Working for these families was "the only time I came to tears in my entire career," he said. "I think of them all the time."

One look at Wyatt helps explain why.

He is cheerful all the time despite the long uphill road ahead for him, his family said.

Now that he has learned to clap his hands together, "all he loves to do now is clap," said Dannon.

"You would never know any of the challenges (that he faces) exist for him."

ldamato@therecord.com

Twitter: @DamatoRecord

ldamato@therecord.com

Twitter: @DamatoRecord

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A baby who can't crawl: A cure is on the way, but this Milton baby's time is running out - InsideHalton.com

The "North America Hormone Replacement Therapy Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2019-2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The publisher expects the market to reach a value of US$ 4.7 Billion by 2024, registering a CAGR of 5.35% during 2019-2024.

The North America hormone replacement therapy market reached a value of US$ 3.5 Billion in 2018. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used for replenishing hormones that are present in low levels in the human body. This treatment is particularly favorable for patients who are experiencing growth hormone deficiency, women nearing menopause and older people suffering from hypogonadism. HRT is available in several forms such as gels, injections, implants, and skin and mouth patches (transdermal). However, it may not be suitable for patients that have a record of blood clots, liver disease and untreated high blood pressure.

North America hormone replacement therapy market is currently being driven by several factors. A surge in the incidences of hormone imbalance disorders, especially in the geriatric and neonatal populations, is spurring the demand for HRT in North America. In line with this, the rising need for new treatment options with better safety results is further catalyzing the market growth in the region. Apart from this, increasing R&D activities for hormone replacement products is enhancing their quality and efficiency. Additionally, the increasing consumer awareness, coupled with the rising technological innovations, such as new gel-based formulations, have also spurred the demand for hormone replacement products in the region.

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

Report Coverage:

Key Topics Covered:

1 Preface

2 Scope and Methodology

2.1 Objectives of the Study

2.2 Stakeholders

2.3 Data Sources

2.3.1 Primary Sources

2.3.2 Secondary Sources

2.4 Market Estimation

2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach

2.4.2 Top-Down Approach

2.5 Forecasting Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends

5 Global Hormone Replacement Therapy Market

5.1 Market Performance

5.2 Market Breakup by Product

5.3 Market Breakup by Route of Administration

5.4 Market Breakup by Type of Disease

5.5 Market Breakup by Region

5.6 Market Forecast

6 North America Hormone Replacement Therapy Market

6.1 Market Performance

6.2 Market Forecast

7 North America Hormone Replacement Therapy Market: Breakup by Product

7.1 Estrogen Replacement Therapy

7.2 Human Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy

7.3 Thyroid Replacement Therapy

7.4 Testosterone Replacement Therapy

7.5 Others

8 North America Hormone Replacement Therapy Market: Breakup by Route of Administration

8.1 Oral

8.2 Parenteral

8.3 Transdermal

9 North America Hormone Replacement Therapy Market: Breakup by Type of Disease

9.1 Menopause

9.2 Hypothyroidism

9.3 Male Hypogonadism

9.4 Growth Hormone Deficiency

9.5 Others

10 North America Hormone Replacement Therapy Market: Breakup by Country

10.1 United States

10.1.1 Historical market Trends

10.1.2 Market Breakup by Product

10.1.3 Market Breakup by Route of Administration

10.1.4 Market Breakup by Type of Disease

10.1.5 Market Forecast

10.2 Canada

10.3 Mexico

11 SWOT Analysis

11.1 Overview

11.2 Strengths

11.3 Weaknesses

11.4 Opportunities

11.5 Threats

12 Value Chain Analysis

12.1 Overview

12.2 Research and Development

12.3 Raw Material Procurement

12.4 Manufacturing

12.5 Marketing

12.6 Distribution

12.7 End-Use

13 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

13.1 Overview

13.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

13.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

13.4 Degree of Rivalry

13.5 Threat of New Entrants

13.6 Threat of Substitutes

14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xr45u2

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200113005380/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.comLaura Wood, Senior Press Managerpress@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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North America Hormone Replacement Therapy Market Expected to Generate a Value of US $4.7 Billion by 2024 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Yahoo Finance

Also, I think we're all trying to be kinder to the environment with our lifestyle choices, and unlike most sheet masks on the market, it's made with100 per cent natural cotton fibres that will biodegrade six months after use. The packaging itself is recyclable too.

If you've ever watched one of those videos of a baby smiling with glee after they try chocolate for the first time, that was me with chemical exfoliation. Unlike scrubs which use psychical exfoliation to buff away at dead skin, chemical exfoliants like AHAs, glycolic acid and lactic acid dissolve dead skin and sebum which can cause breakouts and dull skin.

And when it comes to products which do just that, this cult-favouritemask is one of my personal picks.

Not only does it kind of smell, and look, like theinside of a pumpkin pie, the wonderful combo of glycolic acid, fruit stem cells, Vitamin C, Manuka honey andantioxidant-rich pumpkin puree works to give you the deliciously radiant skin you crave.

In terms of tingliness, there was less sensation than the CannaCell Glow Mask but the results were equally as impressive. My pores appeared tighter, and the texture of my skin felt smoother, brighter and just... better.

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"I tried four natural face masks in one week. Here's exactly what they did for my skin." - Mamamia

Experts from the Mayo clinic warned that spots on the skin may signal a blood cancer. In connection with what experts suggest as soon as possible to go to the doctor when the symptom of.

Leukemia is a cancer primarily occurs in the bone marrow as a result of mutations in blood stem cell. The consequence is the loss of the descendants of the mutated cells ability to differentiate to Mature blood cells. The danger of the disease is that the symptoms are not specific, often among the signs unexplained weight loss, fever and chills. The experts considered it important to warn you that spots on the skin can indicate cancer of the blood that allows an early identification is a deadly health hazard. Among the other important symptoms of blood cancer: swollen lymph nodes, enlarged liver or spleen, frequent nosebleeds, excessive sweating, especially at night, bone pain, constant fatigue, recurrent infections.

With regard to treatment, the experts from Mayo clinic said: chemotherapy is the main form of treatment. Biological therapy works by using methods that help the immune system to recognize cancer cells and attack them. Among the methods of struggle with a deadly disease and radiation therapy, which destroys leukemia cells and stop their growth. Among the solutions and stem cell transplantation is bone marrow transplantation. The essence of the procedure is that the blood stream is filled with healthy blood cells, which often helps to restore normal functioning of the hematopoietic system.

Natasha Kumar is a general assignment reporter at the Times Hub. She has covered sports, entertainment and many other beats in her journalism career, and has lived in Manhattan for more than 8 years. Natasha has appeared periodically on national television shows and has been published in (among others) Hindustan Times.? Times of India

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Experts from the Mayo clinic: Spots on the skin can indicate cancer of the blood - The Times Hub

This Cosmetic Skin Care market report endows with a far-reaching survey of key players in the market which is based on a range of objectives of an organization such as profiling, the product outline, the quantity of production, required raw material, and the financial health of the organization. One of the sections in the report covers the evaluation of probabilities of the new investment projects and overall research conclusions are offered. Thus, the transparent, truthful and extensive market information and data included in this global industry report will definitely help develop business and improve return on investment (ROI).

Global cosmetic skin care market is set to witness a substantial CAGR of 5.5% in the forecast period of 2019- 2026. The report contains data of the base year 2018 and historic year 2017. Increasing self-consciousness among population and rising demand for anti- aging skin care products are the factor for the market growth.

Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market By Product (Anti-Aging Cosmetic Products, Skin Whitening Cosmetic Products, Sensitive Skin Care Products, Anti-Acne Products, Dry Skin Care Products, Warts Removal Products, Infant Skin Care Products, Anti-Scars Solution Products, Mole Removal Products, Multi Utility Products), Application (Flakiness Reduction, Stem Cells Protection against UV, Rehydrate the skins surface, Minimize wrinkles, Increase the viscosity of Aqueous, Others), Gender (Men, Women), Distribution Channel (Online, Departmental Stores and Convenience Stores, Pharmacies, Supermarket, Others), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 ;

Complete report on Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market Research Report 2019-2026 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figures

Market Definition: Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market

Cosmetic skin care is a variety of products which are used to improve the skins appearance and alleviate skin conditions. It consists different products such as anti- aging cosmetic products, sensitive skin care products, anti- scar solution products, warts removal products, infant skin care products and other. They contain various ingredients which are beneficial for the skin such as phytochemicals, vitamins, essential oils, and other. Their main function is to make the skin healthy and repair the skin damages.

Key Questions Answered in Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market Report:-Our Report offers:-

Top Key Players:

Market Drivers:

Market Restraints:

Key Developments in the Market:

Customize report of Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market as per customers requirement also available.Market Segmentations:Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market is segmented on the basis of

Market Segmentations in Details:By Product

By Application

By Gender

By Distribution Channel

By GeographyNorth America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

South America

Middle East & Africa

Competitive Analysis: Global Cosmetic Skin Care Market

Global cosmetic skin care market is highly fragmented and the major players have used various strategies such as new product launches, expansions, agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, acquisitions, and others to increase their footprints in this market. The report includes market shares of cosmetic skin care market for Global, Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa.

About Data Bridge Market Research:Data Bridge Market Researchset forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.

Contact:Data Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email:[emailprotected]

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Cosmetic Skin Care Market Competitive Insights, Trends and Demand Growth 2019 to 2026 - Food & Beverage Herald

SAN FRANCISCO andPFFFIKON, Switzerlandand LONDON, Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --DiNAQOR AG, a global gene therapy platform company, today announced a research collaboration and exclusive license agreement with UCL to develop novel gene therapies for the treatment of monogenic cardiomyopathies, diseases of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure in children and adults.

The collaboration will focus on the development of therapies targeting several genes using DiNAQOR's cardiac modular technology platform. Under the terms of the agreement, DiNAQOR and UCL will collaborate to advance DiNAQOR's two discovery cardiac gene therapy programs into clinical development. DiNAQOR will obtain exclusive worldwide rights to any therapies developed as part of the collaboration. If a product is successfully commercialized from the collaboration, UCL will be entitled to royalties on sales.

The license agreement was carried out by UCL's technology commercialisation company, UCL Business Ltd (UCLB), part of UCL Innovation & Enterprise. Based on the research of Professor Thomas Voit at the UCL GOSH Institute of Child Health,the agreement aims to utilise UCL's leading expertise in gene therapy.

"Early stage partnerships are critical to expedite innovation in gene therapy research and development. UCL is one of the world's leading research centers and is ideally suited to help us expand our pipeline of gene therapies for cardiomyopathies," said Dr. Valeria Ricotti, Chief Medical Officer at DiNAQOR.

"This partnership represents an exceptional opportunity to accelerate development of potentially life-saving gene therapies for patients suffering from heart failure. We are excited to collaborate with the DiNAQOR team to help find a cure for monogenic cardiomyopathies," said Dr. Perry Elliott, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at The UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH).

About Monogenic Cardiomyopathies

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure. Approximately 50% of all cardiomyopathies are caused by a single-gene or monogenic defect. There are 1.7 million people in the European Union and the United States currently affected by a monogenic cardiomyopathy, 300,000 of these individuals have a defect in the MYBPC3 gene. There is currently no cure for patients living with genetic cardiomyopathies.

About DiNAQOR

Founded in 2019, DiNAQOR AG is a global gene therapy platform company focused on advancing novel solutions for patients suffering from heart disease. The company's lead preclinical program, DiNA-001is focused on the treatment of MYBPC3-linkedcardiomyopathy. DiNAQOR is headquartered in Pfffikon, Switzerland, with additional presence in London, England and Boston, Massachusetts (US). For more information visit http://www.dinaqor.com.

About UCL London's Global University

UCL is a diverse community with the freedom to challenge and think differently.

Our community of more than 41,500 students from 150 countries and over 12,500 staff pursues academic excellence, breaks boundaries and makes a positive impact on real world problems.

We are consistently ranked among the top 10 universities in the world and are one of only a handful of institutions rated as having the strongest academic reputation and the broadest research impact.

We have a progressive and integrated approach to our teaching and research championing innovation, creativity and cross-disciplinary working. We teach our students how to think, not what to think, and see them as partners, collaborators and contributors.

For almost 200 years, we are proud to have opened higher education to students from a wide range of backgrounds and to change the way we create and share knowledge.

We were the first in England to welcome women to university education and that courageous attitude and disruptive spirit is still alive today. We are UCL.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk| Follow @uclnews on Twitter | Watch our YouTube channel | Listen to UCL podcasts on SoundCloud | Find out what's on at UCL Minds | #MadeAtUCL

About UCL Business Ltd (UCLB)

UCL Business Ltd (UCLB), part of UCL Innovation and Enterprise, is a leading technology commercialisation company that supports research and innovations arising from UCL, one of the UK's top research-led universities. UCLB has a successful track record and a strong reputation for identifying and protecting promising new technologies and innovations from UCL academics. UCLB has a strong track record in commercialising medical technologies and provides technology transfer services to UCL's associated hospitals; University College London Hospitals, Moorfields Eye Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and the Royal Free London Hospital. It invests directly in development projects to maximise the potential of the research and manages the commercialisation process of technologies from laboratory to market.

Contacts

DiNAQOR:KWM CommunicationsKellie WalshT: 1-914-315-6072E: kwalsh@kwmcommunications.com

UCL:UCL Media Relations Dr. Rebecca CaygillT: +44 (0)20 3108 3846 / +44 (0)7733 307 596 E: r.caygill@ucl.ac.uk

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dinaqor-ag-announces-research-collaboration-and-license-agreement-with-ucl-to-investigate-gene-therapies-for-heart-failure-300985484.html

SOURCE DiNAQOR

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DiNAQOR AG Announces Research Collaboration and License Agreement with UCL to Investigate Gene Therapies for Heart Failure - P&T Community

Horizon Discovery Group plc (LSE: HZD) ("Horizon", "the Company" or "the Group"), a global leader in the application of gene editing and gene modulation technologies, today announced that it will provide access to a novel base editing technology licensed from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, for exclusive use in therapeutic, diagnostic and services applications. This technology is incorporated into Horizons next-generation gene editing platform to enable the development of novel therapeutics that rely on engineering patients cells either directly in the body (gene therapy), or externally before transplanting back into the patient (cell therapy). This platform will also expand the Companys research tools and service provisions.

The Company formed an exclusive partnership with Rutgers in January 2019 to further develop the novel base editing technology invented by Dr. Shengkan Jin, associate professor of pharmacology, and co-inventor Dr. Juan C. Collantes, post-doctoral research fellow at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and has since been funding research in base editing at the University while undertaking its own evaluation and proof-of-concept studies. Horizon has a number of internal programs designed to accelerate the clinical uptake of this technology and is now seeking 35 partners to assess and shape the development of its Pin-point base editing platform.

Horizon will offer partners access to a novel system that could be used to progress more effective multi-gene knockout cell therapy programs through clinical development with an improved safety profile. Partners will also gain access to the Companys expertise in genome engineering of different cell types, access to early technical data, and influence over the direction of future development.

Base editing is a novel technology for engineering DNA in cells, which the potential to correct certain errors or mutations in the DNA, or inactivate disease-causing genes. Compared with currently available gene editing methodologies such as conventional CRISPR/Cas9, which creates "cuts" in the gene that can lead to adverse or negative effects, this new technology allows for accurate gene editing while reducing unintended genomic changes that could lead to deleterious effects in patients.

Dr. Jonathan Frampton, Corporate Development Partner, Horizon Discovery, said: "The technology could have a significant impact in enabling cell therapies to be progressed through clinical trials and towards commercialization. Horizon is pleased to offer an effective and precise base editing technology and, alongside Rutgers, aims to make base editing available to all appropriate cell and gene therapy companies as well as research departments. Partnering with leading organizations will help us to drive innovation and deliver the best therapy for the patient."

Dr. Shengkan 'Victor' Jin of Rutgers University stated: "The cytidine deaminase version of the technology alone could potentially be used for developing cell therapies such as gene modified cells for sickle cell anemia and beta thalassemia, HIV resistant cells for AIDS, over-the-shelf CAR-T cells for cancer, and MHC-compatible allogenic stem cells for transplantation. Other applications could include use as gene therapies for inherited genetic diseases including antitrypsin deficiency and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In addition, we intend to take full advantage of the unique modularity and versatility features of Pin-point platform and develop efficient gene inactivation agents for potential treatment of many devastating diseases where the leading causal contributing factors are well defined. At the top of this disease list are Alzheimers disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and familial hypercholesterinemia."

Dr. S. David Kimball, Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Rutgers University, added: "The gene editing technology developed by Rutgers has the potential to revolutionize how scientists think about their search for better options and outcomes in the treatment of disease. It has the potential to solve some of the most persistent global health challenges. This partnership with Horizon Discovery is paving the way to deliver biotherapies for precision medicine and diagnostics and improve human health. I am proud that Rutgers, together with Horizon, is among the frontrunners in the field of gene editing."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200114005331/en/

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Zyme Communications (Trade and Regional Media) Lorna CuddonTel: +44 (0)7811 996 942Email: lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com

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Horizon Discovery to Provide Access to Novel Base Editing Technology - Yahoo Finance