Emotional distress related to COVID-19 is associated with higher frequency of clinical levels of anxiety, depression, and general life stress and lower reported levels of overall happiness, according to the U.S. National Pandemic Emotional Impact Report from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard Medical School. Prolonged and/or intense negative emotions can have effects long after the events that precipitate them, says Dr. Brad, author of the best-selling book “The Emotion Code.”
“Negative emotions may have a profound effect on your quality of life,” Dr. Brad says. “When you have an intensely difficult experience, the emotions you feel should fade with time. But sometimes they’re just too much for you to handle, and your body could hold onto that negative energy in the form of what many call ‘emotional baggage.’”
In his bestselling book, Dr. Brad coined the phrase “Trapped Emotions” to describe these unresolved feelings. Learning to identify and release trapped emotions may help millions of Americans struggling today with the pandemic’s emotional toll.
“When you suffer something traumatic, it can be extremely difficult to confront the resulting feelings,” Dr. Brad says. “You may feel like doing so would force you to relive what you’ve already endured. In our experience, these unconfronted or unprocessed feelings may fester. They could prevent you from sleeping well, cause tension, or make you feel angry, sad, bitter, anxious, guilty, or fearful. Over time, having these festering feelings may cause their negative energies to become lodged within your body, where they could cause you to spiral into those feelings over and over again.”
Dr. Brad explains how to:
Identify trapped negative emotions using muscle testing, a noninvasive practice of tapping into the subconscious mind to access information about physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Meditate to explore your thoughts and emotions, acknowledge trapped negative feelings, and process them.
Use increased physical activity and exercise to release physical and emotional tension, fend off negative thoughts, and boost your mood.
These techniques may be helpful for people struggling through the current crisis as well as those dealing with unhealed emotions from traumatic and difficult experiences in the past.
“It doesn’t matter whether the event occurred last week or 30 years ago — releasing the baggage that came with it may be key to full emotional healing,” he says.
About Dr. Bradley Nelson: Veteran holistic physician Dr. Bradley Nelson (D.C., ret) is one of the world’s foremost experts on natural methods of achieving wellness. He has trained thousands of certified practitioners worldwide to help people overcome physical and emotional discomfort by releasing their emotional baggage. His best-selling book "The Emotion Code" provides step-by-step instructions for working with the body's energy healing power. A newly revised and expanded edition of "The Emotion Code" is now available from St. Martin's Press. For more information and a free Emotion Code Starter Kit, visit www.emotioncodegift.com.
Stetson University Researcher Says Porn Does Not Cause Violent Sex Crimes
New study examines link between pornography and sexual aggression
DELAND, Florida, July 29, 2020 – Pornography creates a fantasy world for its fans, but does it lead to sexual aggression? That question has been the subject of numerous studies dating back to the 1970s. The effects of porn and violent sex crimes has also been debated for decades because of issues with morality.
New research findings published in the Sage Publishing journal Trauma, Violence & Abuse suggest there is no connection between pornography consumption and sexual violence.
"Pornography and Sexual Aggression: Can Meta-Analysis Find a Link?" is based on research by Chris Ferguson, PhD, professor of psychology at Stetson University, and Richard Hartley, PhD, Criminology and Criminal Justice Department chair and professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The authors conducted meta-analytic research and examined more than 50 correlational, experimental and population studies that explored the association between pornography and sexual aggression during the past 40 years.
Eleven years ago, Ferguson and Hartley conducted a study on pornography and sexual aggression and recently decided to collect data and re-evaluate the validity of the previous research studies they had reviewed because there was a renewed interest in the subject matter.
They found that poorly designed studies tended to be more likely to support a link between pornography and sexually assaultive behavior.
“During the past few years, many states have declared that pornography is a public health crisis,” said Ferguson. “Dr. Hartley and I were curious to see if evidence could support such claims, at least in regard to sexual aggression, or whether politicians were mistaking moral stances for science. Our evidence suggests that policy makers should examine other causes of sexual aggression, and that beliefs about pornography may be driven more by methodological mistakes than sound science.”
Ferguson and Hartley noted that previous research found that hostility, callousness and delinquent behavior were determinants of sexual aggression and that the effects of those personality traits are much stronger than those of pornography consumption.
Correlational studies provided an analysis of the participants’ absorption of sexually explicit materials at various levels and their sexual attitudes and behavior.
Experimental research randomly assigned and exposed men to violent pornography, nonviolent pornography and nonpornographic media, and measured their attitudes toward women or about sexually aggressive behavior by having them complete a questionnaire afterwards. Men also participated in laboratory studies that tested their aggressive behavior towards women.
Neither correlational nor experimental studies provided evidence that supported concerns about pornography.
At the population level, studies explored the relationship between pornography consumers and sexual violence, and found that an increase in available pornography reduced sexual aggression.
The journal article also sheds some light on bias in pornography and sexual aggression research.
“I hope that Dr. Hartley and I can point out some of the widespread problems in much of the research as well as the culture of this field whereas some scholars appear to be too quick to try and find evidence for effects,” said Ferguson. “We need more preregistered, transparent research and a field that is looking to falsify hypotheses and not entirely in confirmatory mode because it feels morally right.”
Ferguson, who is well-known for his research on the effects of aggression, sexual behavior and video game violence, received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Central Florida. His clinical background includes working with offender and juvenile justice populations as well as conducting evaluations for child protective services.
About Stetson University
Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Central Florida. Stetson focuses on intense learning experiences in a supportive community that allows students to develop their voice in a connected, inclusive environment. Stetson University ranks No. 5 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 list of Best Regional Universities (South), and has been recognized as one of The Princeton Review’s 385 Best Colleges, 2020 edition. Stay connectedwith Stetson on social media.
Study: People with Down Syndrome Show Gains from Brain and Physical Training
(SAN FRANCISCO CA) In a novel study among people with Down Syndrome, researchers found a 10-week combined protocol of physical exercises and computerized brain training led to a reorganization of the brain and to improved performance on both cognitive and physical measures. The cognitive training used in the study was the Greek version of the commercially-available BrainHQ brain app from Posit Science.
As reported on MedRXix, researchers at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, took physical, cognitive, and resting-state EEG assessments of 12 adults with Down Syndrome before and after a 10-week course of combined physical and cognitive training.
The physical training consisted of aerobic, flexibility, strength, and balance exercises. The cognitive training was BrainHQ, consisting of 29 visual and auditory exercises targeting memory, attention, processing speed, problem-solving, navigation, and social skills. The researchers had hypothesized that the training would trigger the brain’s neuroplasticity – its ability to change chemically, structurally, and functionally.
Their results showed increased connectivity within the left hemisphere and from left to right hemisphere, as well as improved performance on physical and cognitive assessments.
Physical improvements were reported in upper body strength and endurance (Arm Curl), and in mobility, and static and dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go).
Cognitive gains were reported in improved general cognitive capacity (Raven AB and Raven Total), planning and organization skills (WISC-III Mazes), and in short-term memory, attention, and concentration (WISC-III Digit Span Forward).
The researchers report “Our results reveal a strong adaptive neuroplastic reorganization, as a result of the training that leads to a more complex and less-random network, with a more pronounced hierarchical organization.”
In their report, the researchers note that the widespread cortical reorganization and increases in cognitive performance indicate the brain has entered into a more flexible state.
“Our findings underline the ability of the DS brain to respond to the cognitive demands of external stimuli, reflecting the possibility of developing independent-living skills,” the researchers conclude.
“Because Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder, people have thought that the brain function and cognitive abilities of people with Down Syndrome could not be changed,” observed Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, the maker of BrainHQ. “These exciting results suggest that’s not true. We hope these initial results spur further research, including randomized controlled trials, with this important group of people.”
Sun Life leads a $43 million round of financing in Dialogue
Investment is aligned to Sun Life's strategic focus on sustainability and empowering Canadians to live healthier lives
TORONTO, July 29, 2020 /CNW/ - Virtual care is revolutionizing Canadian health care. Canadians are turning to their phones and tablets to connect virtually with a medical professional for physical and mental health concerns or even to fill a prescription. Today Sun Life announced a strategic commercial partnership and $32.7 million equity investment in Dialogue, Canada's leading telemedicine provider. Sun Life will hold a minority ownership in Dialogue with customary rights to acquire additional equity.
This round of financing also includes follow-on investments by existing backers Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Portag3 Ventures, White Star Capital, HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, First Ascent Ventures and Walter Ventures. National Bank Financial Inc. acted as financial advisor to Dialogue in this financing.
"The need for Canadians to have alternative ways to access health care continues to grow," said Dave Jones, Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits, Sun Life Canada. "Virtual care is an important part of the future of Canadian health care. The combination of innovative technology and the necessity of social distancing during the pandemic has rapidly changed the virtual health care landscape. Our investment in Dialogue represents Sun Life's commitment to helping Canadians live healthier lives through access to health care, whenever and wherever they need it. This investment is our next step, as we continue to innovate for our Clients and empower them to manage their health and well-being."
"Virtual care will remain an essential resource now and in the future," said Cherif Habib, CEO of Dialogue. "While we navigate the changing health care landscape, Dialogue is proud to provide a virtual health care service that is easy, convenient and helps keep Canadians safe at home. Having strong support from partners such as Sun Life allows us to remain focused on providing quality care and expanding our services to help millions of Canadians stay healthy."
At Sun Life, helping people live healthier lives is an important part of our business and key focus area of the company's sustainability plan. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the importance of expanding the traditional health care model. Virtual care, which provides access to medical practitioners in the comfort of home, helps people continue to physically distance and alleviate pressure on the Canadian health care system. Since the pandemic started, Dialogue has seen a sharp increase in usage of the virtual care service. The collaboration between Sun Life and Dialogue gives Canadians virtual access to medical care and connects them directly with a health care professional from anywhere in the country, at any time. The investment follows Sun Life's roll out of Lumino Health Virtual Care, powered by Dialogue in March 2020.
Lumino Health Virtual Care Lumino Health Virtual Care is offered to Sun Life Group Benefits Clients with an Extended Health Care (EHC) benefit. The virtual care service is powered by Dialogue and connects Canadians with local health care providers.
Clients can easily connect to the Lumino Health Virtual Care service through a mobile app or online. Once connected, the service will triage a Client before providing direct access to a nurse or physician. The service provides Clients with acute physical and mental health care, similar to medical services provided at a primary care clinic. A multi-disciplinary team will review symptoms, provide an assessment, create a personalized care plan, write prescriptions, and make referrals to specialists or in-person care if necessary.
About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2020, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1,023 billion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
About Dialogue Technologies Inc. Dialogue is the leading Canadian telemedicine provider pioneering virtual healthcare dedicated exclusively to the world's leading organizations. We drive real health outcomes through amazing healthcare experiences, an employee engagement playbook, and a relentless focus on patient safety and security. For more information, please visit www.dialogue.co
Jean-Christophe de Le Rue Director of Public and Government Relations Dialogue T. 613-806-0671 jcdlr@dialogue.co
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.
For further information:
Daily Bread Food Bank Study Reveals Food Insecurity and Food Bank Use on the Rise During COVID-19 Despite Government Relief
Future challenges include heightened physical and mental health risks, eviction and risk of homelessness
TORONTO, July 29, 2020 /CNW/ - Daily Bread Food Bank has released a comprehensive report detailing the impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity and food bank use in Toronto. The only report of its kind in Canada, Hunger Lives Here: Risks and Challenges Faced by Food Bank Clients During COVID-19, reveals a 200 per cent increase in new clients accessing food banks in Toronto during the pandemic.
Based on a survey of 220 food bank clients during May and June 2020, the report illustrates the heightened health risks and challenges faced by food bank clients. It is also a predictor of a new wave of issues that will erupt if Canada's social safety net does not evolve.
Key findings from the report include:
76 per cent of new clients began accessing food banks due to COVID-19, primarily because of job loss or a reduction in hours.
32 per cent of respondents had at least one household member working pre-pandemic, and 76 per cent of these households reported job loss.
Due to income loses, the proportion of respondents spending 50 per cent or more of their income on housing rose from 67 per cent pre-COVID-19 to 81per cent during the pandemic, putting these households at high risk of homelessness.
34 per cent of respondents will be unable to continue to pay rent four to six months from now if the crisis continues.
28 per cent of respondents received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), however, due to the high cost of living in Toronto, still needed to rely on food banks.
The frequency of going a full day without eating almost every month increased 20 per cent.
Before COVID-19, one in four children went hungry according to their parents. This number has increased to one in three during the pandemic.
More than half of food bank clients are considered high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 due to age and/or pre-existing health conditions, almost double the rate of the Canadian population. In addition, the number of respondents moderately or severely stressed about having enough to feed their household has tripled during the pandemic.
"Once a household falls into persistent poverty, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve financial stability," says Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank. "Much of Toronto's population was already struggling financially before the pandemic. With food bank clients unable to pay rent four to six months from now, there is a major risk of a tidal wave of arrears and evictions in our city."
"This report reveals the extraordinary vulnerability of the people seeking charitable food assistance through this pandemic," says Valerie Tarasuk, Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto. "While Daily Bread Food Bank and partner agencies have worked hard to respond to growing demands during this challenging time, the needs of the people they are helping go beyond charitable food assistance."
The economic impact of COVID-19 will be experienced for years to come. As the government's state of emergency ends, thousands of Toronto residents will remain in emergency situations and continue to require supports. More than ever, investments in healthy communities are essential.
Hunger Lives Here: Risks and Challenges Faced by Food Bank Clients During COVID-19 provides concrete recommendations for all levels of government to prioritize poverty reduction in economic recovery.
canfitpro 2020 Virtual Series caters to fitness professionals and fans with sessions led by world-leading fitness, wellness and mental health experts
TORONTO, ON, July 29, 2020 -- During the pandemic lockdown, more Canadians realized the therapeutic benefits of exercise – reduced stress, improved sleep, weight loss, more energy. Many report that fitness has improved their mental health and contributed to a sense of connection, routine, accomplishment and perspective.
The increased popularity of fitness is one positive outcome of the recent health crisis. Participation in online fitness classes is strong. People are returning to the gym. Canadians are embracing physical activity to help them cope after months of staying home.
Fitness fans across Canada can join fitness professionals to learn online from world-class fitness experts, leaders, pioneers and innovators from around the globe as part of canfitpro’s 2020 Virtual Series.
Well-known presenters include:
Dr. Jonathon Fowles, director of Acadia University’s Centre of Lifestyle Studies and chair of the National Advisory Council for Exercise is Medicine Canada. Dr. Fowles will talk more about Canadians’ and their exercise habits.
Silken Laumann, former Olympian and founder of Unsinkable. Laumann will speak about building resilience and courage in a changing world
Ashley Callingbull, the first Canadian, and the first Indigenous woman in Canada to win the Mrs. Universe title. As a survivor of childhood poverty and abuse, Ashley will speak about overcoming obstacles and turning our life in a positive direction.
Dr. Rumeet Billan, award-winning, internationally recognized entrepreneur, learning architect, and humanitarian. She has led ground-breaking research and will be speaking about her findings related to mental resilience and workplace happiness in the context of COVID-19.
Emma Barry, global fitness authority who advises to the fastest-growing segments in the sector: boutique studios, budget clubs, digital workouts and fit-tech start-ups. Barry can speak about how small boutique gyms can stabilize and survive the pandemic.
Lawrence Biscontini, developer of Brain Bootcamp a workout focused on movement of muscles, mouth and mind simultaneously to promote neurogenesis.
Sadie Nardini, renowned ultimate wellness and yoga expert, creator of Yoga Shred Cardio and Anatomy Fitness Flow.
Luka and Jenalyn, World of Dance contestants. This well-known ballroom dancing pair have competed head to head against the very best in the world in multiple genres and styles of dance. They will share their fitness journey to prep for World of Dance.
Beto Perez, creator of popular salsa-inspired group fitness program Zumba
These presenters, along with canfitpro chief operating office Mo Hagan, are available for interviews and fitness demos (via videoconference) leading up to the Virtual Series on August 14, 2020.
The canfitpro 2020 Virtual Series of online training events will take place over two days August 14 and 15, with subsequent one-day online training events September 19, October 17 and November 14, 2020.
The virtual series will offer 15 educational tracks with 135 sessions in areas of specialization including business management success, boutique fitness, Women Who Influence, moving your business online, group fitness, personal training, strength training, recovery, mind & body, coaching, wellness and nutrition. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from this virtual Series will be donated to Unsinkable to support mental health awareness.
About canfitpro: canfitpro is the largest provider of education in the Canadian fitness industry. Founded in 1993, canfitpro delivers accessible, quality education, certifications, conferences, trade shows, and membership services. canfitpro's over 100,000 members include some of the world's finest fitness professionals, health club operators, industry suppliers, and fitness consumers. www.canfitpro.com
National study: Poor, low-income voters have power in 16 US Senate races, presidential election
Major drive underway to harness voting power of the poor around a policy agenda
Data on low-income voter study available for all 50 states
EMBARGOED COPIES OF REPORT AVAILABLE
(Embargoed until 8 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 11 )
Potential poor and low-income voters across the country have the power to affect theoutcome of 16 U.S. Senate elections and the presidential race, according to an embargoed study released Thursday by the Poor People’s Campaign.
Robert Paul Hartley, an assistant professor at Columbia School of Social Work, wrote the study, titled “Unleashing the Power of Poor and Low-Income Americans: Changing the Political Landscape.”
Low-income people are less likely to vote in national elections than those with higher incomes for many reasons, including that candidates don’t speak to their issues; they don't think their vote will make a difference; and/or they have mobility/time impediments.
But, based on data from 2008-2016, if those poor and low-income people matched the voting rates of those with higher incomes, then there are 16 states where the additional voters could meet or exceed the midterm election margins of victory, the study says.
Thirteen of those states have Senate elections in 2020, and the campaign is drawing on this study to inform its organizing approach to November.
“We believe this evidence supports our campaign’s analysis that organizing can change the narrative of our electoral process and lead to policies that are just and representative for all Americans,” writes Shailly Gupta Barnes, the campaign’s policy director, in the foreword to the study.
Among the key findings of the study written by Hartley, faculty affiliate of the Center on Poverty and Social Policy and Columbia Population Research Center, are:
_ Low-income voters are about 22 percentage points less likely to vote in national elections than those with higher incomes.
_ Low-income eligible non-voters make up about one-fifth of the total electorate in states like Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia, or in several more states for midterm election years.
_ An increase of at least 1% of the non-voting, low-income electorate would equal the margin of victory in the 2016 presidential election in Michigan or a 4% to 7% increase in states such as Florida, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin.
The evidence in the study "is not intended to diminish the impact of voter suppression that might target low-income or minority voters, nor the role of gerrymandering, which has been struck down in some places as unconstitutional," Hartley writes in the study's conclusion. "Even though individuals report one reason for not voting, other reasons may also matter, including accessibility. Ultimately, it is true that low-income Americans are less likely to vote, yet it does not have to be that way."
Nationally, 140 million people are poor or low-income, or more 43% of the population. That includes 60.4% of Black people (26 million); 64.1% of Latinx people (38 million); 40.8% of Asian people (8 million); 58.9% of Native and Indigenous people (2.14 million) and 33.5% of white people (66 million).
Of the 225 million who are eligible to vote, 63 million are poor or low-income. The report focuses on the 34 million potential poor and low-income voters who did not participate in the 2016 election.
While the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival doesn’t endorse parties or candidates, it does elevate issues of importance to poor and low-income families.
In Kentucky, for example, the campaign organized among poor and low-income people for years around an agenda that included voting rights, housing, good jobs, education and health care.
These and other issues were taken up by then-Attorney General Andy Beshear, who ran for governor on a platform similar to the PPC’s in 2019. His victory over incumbent Matt Bevin can be attributed in part to the organizing and participation of poor and low-income voters before and leading up to that election.
The study shows poor and low-income people could have met or exceeded the average margins of victory from 2008-2016 for U.S. Senate races in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
All but three of these states - Missouri, Nevada and Ohio - are holding U.S. Senate elections in November.
The study also contains information for the 2016 presidential elections and where the impact of low-income eligible voters would meet the margins of victory, including in key battleground states.
Informed by this study and its organizing over the past several years, on July 26 -- 100 days from the Nov. 3 election -- the Poor People’s Campaign began its voter outreach effort called “We Must Do MORE: Mobilizing, Organizing, Registering, Educating People for a Movement that Votes.”
The effort will focus on the following states: Kentucky, Texas, Michigan, Maine, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Kansas, Georgia, Mississippi, West Virginia, Virginia, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania, based on their importance in the presidential election, U.S. Senate races or both.
The campaign will reach out to poor and low-income voters and potential voters about its Jubilee Platform to build power around policies that start by meeting the needs of the poor, including health care for all, paid sick leave and a $15 minimum wage.
An online news conference will be held at 1 p.m. EDT Aug. 11 with Hartley and Gupta Barnes; newly engaged voters; and the campaign’s national co-chairs, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis.
Reporters should register for the news conference here.
___The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, is building a broad and deep moral fusion movement rooted in the leadership of poor people to unite our country from the bottom up. We demand that both major political parties address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. Our updated agenda, A Moral Policy Agenda to Heal America: the Poor People’s Jubilee Platform, addresses these issues. -- Yolanda Barksdale Pronouns: she/her/hers Press Secretary and Communications AssociateRepairers of the BreachCell: (919) 396-6312"Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble." - Rep. John Lewis
DALTON PARTNERS WITH VIDO-INTERVAC TO COMBAT COVID-19
TORONTO – July 28, 2020
Dalton Pharma Services, a leading North American pharmaceutical cGMP CDMO, is pleased to announce a partnership with the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization–International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac), a global leader in human and animal infectious disease research and vaccine development, in their effort to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. Under the terms of the partnership, Dalton will be responsible for the formulation and fill/finish of VIDO-InterVac’s innovative COVID-19 vaccine, to be used in early Phase clinical trials, in Dalton`s State-of-the-Art cGMP, Health Canada approved biopharmaceutical facility in Toronto, Canada.
On April 23rd, the Canadian Federal government announced a $1.1B strategy to support COVID-19 vaccine research and clinical trials. VIDO-InterVac has made significant progress in their COVID-19 vaccine development with funding from both the federal government and Government of Saskatchewan, and hope to initiate clinical trials of their vaccine in Q4 2020.
“Dalton is pleased to apply its expertise in aseptic formulation and sterile fill/finish towards developing this leading-edge therapy. We look forward to working with VIDO-InterVac in support of their efforts to develop an effective vaccine for COVID-19,” said Peter Pekos, CEO of Dalton Pharma Services.
Dr. Volker Gerdts, Director and CEO of VIDO-InterVac, stated, “The development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine is of utmost urgency and VIDO-InterVac is excited to have Dalton as a trusted partner as we work together on this critical initiative.”
To strengthen Canada’s role in responding to infectious diseases, the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) works with international partners to study human and animal pathogens and develop solutions. With 160 interdisciplinary personnel, over $200 million in containment infrastructure, and more than four decades of experience, VIDO-InterVac develops vaccines and technologies that protect health. VIDO-InterVac receives operating support from the Government of Canada, and Government of Saskatchewan. Visit www.vido.org
Dalton Pharma Services is a leading North American cGMP pharmaceutical organization providing integrated drug discovery, development and manufacturing services. We are FDA registered, Health Canada approved and bring over 30 years of experience to every project. We deliver fully integrated solutions with an emphasis on speed, flexibility and quality. Our integrated services (drug discovery, formulation and process development, custom synthesis,cGMP sterile fill/finish of liquids and powders, cGMP API manufacturing and/or dosage form manufacturing and Accelerated Stability Testing) all at one location helps us to be adaptable, flexible and cost-effective.
Acute exercise has beneficial effects on the immune system during prostate cancer
Peer reviewed Experimental study People
UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 01.00 GMT 29 JULY 2020
Not for publication or broadcast before this time
New research published this week inExperimental Physiologyfound that in prostate cancer survivors, a moderate bout of exercise kept the cell count of certain type of immune cells at a normal level, suggesting the exercise is safe for prostate cancer survivors. After 24 hours after a moderate bout of cycling, the immune cell count of natural killer (NK) cells, part of the body’s first line of defence, had returned to resting levels.
Prostate cancer treatments, including androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), have numerous adverse effects that reduce physical function and quality of life. Exercise is recommended for cancer survivors to reduce the side effects of treatment and has shown to have many benefits.
However, the effects of prostate cancer treatment and acute exercise on the immune system have only been briefly examined. Exercise oncology guidelines were initially based on the responses seen in healthy, older adults. But individuals with cancer have different physiological responses to exercise, many of which we are only just beginning to understand.
Exercise helps the immune system mobilise by causing NK cells to move into the blood and be transported them to areas of need, such as sites of infection or tumours. At the tissues, these cells move out of circulation and in cancer patients they can the infiltrate the tumour and potentially slow the tumour's rate of growth. This has been shown very elegantly in animal models but the exercise and immune response in cancer survivors is limited, with only a few studies in prostate cancer.
The researchers, based at Victoria University in Australia, had volunteers (11 cancer survivors currently receiving ADT treatment, and 14 men with prostate cancer not on ADT, and 8 healthy controls) completed a cycling task to determine their maximal aerobic fitness.
The researchers chose to use a moderate intensity exercise session that was consistent with current exercise oncology guidelines but was also a bout that would be practical for prostate cancer survivors to perform on their own.
To ensure that the exercise bout used to stimulate the immune system was the same degree of difficulty for everyone, they standardised based on their maximal effort.
To determine immune function, they obtained blood samples before exercise, immediately after and 2h after they finished cycling. The participants then came back the next day (24h) after exercise, and immune function was assessed again after one night of recovery. They also measured several key hormone levels, including adrenaline and noradrenaline, as they play a role in activating and mobilising the NK immune cells.
The researchers found that 24 hours after a moderate bout of cycling, the immune cell count of natural killer (NK) cells, part of the body’s first line of defence, had returned to resting levels.
They also showed that the immune cell mobilisation with exercise does not appear to be significantly altered during prostate cancer treatment, which provides direct evidence that acute exercise that falls within current oncology guidelines also appears to be beneficial for the immune system.
A limitation of the study is the modest sample size, and also that they examined cytokines and proteins that are related to NK cell function but did not directly assess the killing capacity of the NK cells.
Erik D Hanson, first author on the study said,
“One of the most enjoyable aspects of working with these men is how willing these men are to help their fellow prostate cancer survivors. Many of them realise that these studies are not likely to benefit them directly. However, they do not hesitate to volunteer and are willing to do just about whatever is asked of them for the collective good.”
Adapted from Pedersen 2016. Mar 8;23(3):554-62. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.01.011. Epub 2016 Feb 16.
We can eliminate Hepatitis C in Canada by 2030
In Canada, an estimated 250,000 people are living with chronic hepatitis C but as many as 44% are not aware that they have it.1
Partnerships are essential in solving some of the most pressing public health challenges.
MONTREAL, July 28, 2020 /CNW/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a global, research and development-based biopharmaceutical company, firmly supports efforts to eliminate hepatitis C. In Canada, an estimated 250,000 people are living with hepatitis C but almost half (44%) of Canadians infected are unaware they are living with the disease.1
We are 10 years away from the World Health Organization's (WHO) mandate of curing the world of hepatitis C. In 2016, Canada was one of the 194 countries that committed to eliminating the disease by 2030.
AbbVie supports a wide range of efforts to help elevate and prioritize hepatitis C elimination because achieving the shared goal of elimination by 2030 will take more than medicine. It will take transparent and collaborative partnerships with healthcare professionals, governments, and community organizations to remove barriers to care.
"To reach the WHO 2030 goal of hepatitis C elimination, we must see this objective as a national and provincial health priority year after year. As the challenge is to identify people who are unaware they have Hepatitis C, and therefore need care, building meaningful elimination initiatives will help us to reach the goal of disease elimination," Denis Hello, Vice-President and General Manager AbbVie Canada.
In Canada, the most at-risk populations for hepatitis C include Indigenous people, people with experience in the prison system, people born between 1945 and 1975, immigrants and newcomers, and people who inject or use drugs1. Up to 35% of all hepatitis C infections in Canada are among immigrants and newcomers from countries where hepatitis C is common1. People who inject drugs account for up to 66% of past or current HCV infections1. Through partnerships with organizations such as HepCURE in Toronto and the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, AbbVie continues to work towards the goal of disease elimination.
HepCURE has developed a comprehensive clinical treatment program that specifically addresses the unmet needs of marginalized individuals and people who inject drugs. Along with creating awareness and educating the community, the program fast-tracks access to diagnosis and treatment by eliminating linkage to care barriers and leveraging technology to track and monitor treatment related interventions and outcomes.
"We invest a lot of time understanding the needs of the patient population to develop solutions that truly address treatment related barriers and medication adherence issues. We also work very closely with community-based providers to support patients during treatment which leads to better care and help them achieve their treatment goals," explains Christian Marcoux, Executive Director, HepCURE.
Through their outreach work and a goal of micro elimination in the immigrant community, the Hepatitis C Project at the Jewish General Hospital identifies patients who may have been lost to follow up due to cultural or language barriers; and links them to testing, care, and initiates treatment as required.
"At the Jewish General Hospital, we see thousands of people on a yearly basis with a variety of liver diseases. A significant number of them are immigrants and newcomers. Hepatitis C is one of the common diseases that we find among this population. I must say that we have a great referral system with our local community health centres," explains Dr. Nir Hilzenrat, Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist.
Building meaningful elimination initiatives with stakeholders such as these, we are working to find sustainable solutions that allow more patients to be screened, linked to care, and treated sooner. Let's work together to ensure that Canada is one of the countries that is on track to reach our shared WHO 2030 elimination objective.
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