Abnormal proteins in the gut could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s Disease
UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 01.00 GMT DAY 3 JULY 2020
Not for publication or broadcast before this time
A new study published inThe Journal of Physiology has shown that misfolded protein build-up in the gut could contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice. This could suggest a new treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease that would target the gut before symptoms of cognitive deficits appear in patients.
As these proteins were found in the gut, which is a window to the world, this suggests environmental factors might be contributing to cognitive deficits seen in Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions.
The misfolded protein, known to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease, called beta amyloid, was injected into the guts of mice and travelled to the “gut-brain" (the nervous system in our gut), and also to the brain.
If some of the beta amyloid build up in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is originating from the outside the brain (peripheral nervous system), reducing the amount that makes it to the brain, or trapping the protein in the periphery may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. This treatment would begin before any signs of dementia appear in the patient.
The researchers at The Chinese University of Hong Kong injected fluorescently-tagged beta-amyloid into the gut of mice. The proteins moved to the nervous system in our gut. The misfolded proteins were seen a year later in parts of the brain involved in cognitive deficits of Alzheimer’s disease including the hippocampus, the part of our brain that affects our memory. These animals experienced cognitive impairments.
As this study was conducted in mice, it needs verification by looking for post-mortem changes in inflammation in the gut and brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Development of drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease has been unsuccessful so we instead need new approaches for preventing AD development. This could be a potential route for preventing the disease by targeting these misfolded proteins in the gut.
Commenting on the study, senior author John A Rudd said:
“This concept is similar to the transport of misfolded proteins from the gut such as those responsible for mad cow disease. If this is the case, a similar process may start in humans many years ahead of the manifestations of the classical hallmarks of AD including memory loss, and so prevention strategies would need to start earlier as well.”
The Journal of Physiology publishes advances in physiology which increase our understanding of how our bodies function in health and disease. http://jp.physoc.org
The Physiological Society brings together over 4,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. www.physoc.org
malgamation of Takeda Canada Inc. and Shire Pharma Canada ULC Solidifies Company's Leadership Position in Canadian Biopharmaceutical Industry
TORONTO, July 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Takeda Canada Inc. today announced the completion of the Canadian amalgamation with Shire Pharma Canada ULC, creating a portfolio of innovative treatments and establishing itself as a leader across several therapeutic areas.
Headquartered in Toronto with more than 350 employees across the country, the amalgamation marks the completion of the integration which began in January 2019. As a fully integrated company, Takeda Canada provides innovative medicines in the areas of Oncology, Rare Diseases, Gastroenterology, Neuroscience and Plasma-Derived Therapies, delivering highly-innovative medicines to Canadian patients.
"The transition to creating One Takeda in Canada couldn't have happened without the dedication and commitment of our employees who work tirelessly to ensure we leverage our collective strengths and expertise," said Gamze Yüceland, General Manager, Takeda Canada. "We're incredibly excited about the potential that bringing these two companies together creates, but even more importantly what it represents for Canadian patients."
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) ("Takeda") announced the completion of its acquisition of Shire plc ("Shire") in January 2019, becoming a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader headquartered in Japan. Takeda now has an attractive, expanded geographic footprint and leading position in Japan and the U.S., bringing its highly-innovative medicines to approximately 80 countries/regions with dedicated employees worldwide.
"The amalgamation in Canada is a significant milestone for Takeda in one of our key markets worldwide," said Giles Platford, President, Europe and Canada Business Unit. "I am confident that with this integration we will now be better positioned than ever to bring value to Canadian patients and healthcare providers."
About Takeda Canada Inc. Takeda Canada Inc. is the Canadian marketing and sales organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, headquartered in Japan. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) is a global, values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to patients by translating science into highly-innovative medicines. Takeda focuses its R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas: Oncology, Gastroenterology (GI), Rare Diseases and Neuroscience. We also make targeted R&D investments in Plasma-Derived Therapies and Vaccines. We are focusing on developing highly innovative medicines that contribute to making a difference in people's lives by advancing the frontier of new treatment options and leveraging our enhanced collaborative R&D engine and capabilities to create a robust, modality-diverse pipeline. Our employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients and to working with our partners in health care in approximately 80 countries and regions.
Additional information about Takeda Canada is available at www.takeda.com/en-ca.
SOURCE Takeda Canada Inc.
St. Jude-WHO Virology Expert Comments on Flu Season in the Southern Hemisphere, Potential of New Pandemic, & Testing for both COVID & the Flu
MEMPHIS, TENN. – As states see a spike in COVID positive cases, Dr. Richard Webby, a member of the Infectious Diseases Department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the World Health Organization’s Vaccine Composition Team, today commented on the current flu season in the Southern Hemisphere, a possible new pandemic with the swine flu, and testing for both COVID and the flu this fall.
On the current flu season in the Southern Hemisphere:
“So far, Australia and New Zealand are seeing very low rates of flu. And that’s due to the fact that what they’ve been doing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, with social distancing, wearing masks and disinfecting surfaces, works equally, if not better to prevent flu,” saidDr. Richard Webby, a member of the Infectious Diseases Department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the World Health Organization’s Vaccine Composition Team.
On the new swine flu:
“We’ve known about the threat of swine viruses in this group, so it’s not a new threat. But it does remind us of the potential threat of flu,” saidDr. Richard Webby, a member of the Infectious Diseases Department at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the World Health Organization’s Vaccine Composition Team. “There are also other viruses that have similar properties that might make the jump into humans, but we can’t predict when that might happen. It could be tomorrow, it could be five years, 10 years or never.”
On testing for COVID and the flu:
“It is going to be critical to develop methods for simultaneously detecting influenza and COVID-19 infections,” saidDr. Richard Webby, a member of the Infectious Diseases Department atSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospitaland the World Health Organization’s Vaccine Composition Team. “The problem, of course, is the symptoms of COVID vs. influenza are very similar. And if these viruses continue to circulate, it’ll be a problem for providers determining who has flu and who has COVID. But the more critical point will be in what happens if you’re infected with both.”
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada Announces that Manitoba has Added the Company's Treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) to its Provincial Drug Formulary
TORONTO, June 30, 2020 /CNW/ - Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada, Inc. (MTP-CA), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA), announced today that RADICAVA® (edaravone), an infusion treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has been added to the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary (special authorization), and the listing will take effect on July 16.
"The listing of RADICAVA is encouraging news for the Manitoba ALS community," said Atsushi Fujimoto, President, MTP-CA. "We thank the Government of Manitoba for providing eligible ALS patients access to the therapy and their ongoing commitment to those affected by ALS."
MTP-CA continues to have discussions with other provinces, territories and federal agencies regarding the listing of RADICAVA under additional publicly funded drug programs. In addition to the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary (special authorization), RADICAVA also is listed on the:
Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) formulary (special authorization);
Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary (Exceptional Access Program);
Alberta Drug Benefit List (special authorization); and
New Brunswick Drug Plan (NBDP) formulary (special authorization).
RADICAVA is an intravenous infusion treatment for ALS, a rapidly progressive, neurodegenerative and fatal disease.1
About RADICAVA® (edaravone)
RADICAVA (edaravone) is indicated to slow the loss of function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as measured by the ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised (ALSFRS-R).2 Edaravone was discovered and developed for ALS by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC) through an iterative clinical development platform over a 13-year period. In 2015, edaravone was approved for use as a treatment for ALS in Japan and South Korea. RADICAVA was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May of 2017. Marketing authorization was granted in Canada in October 2018 and Switzerland in January 2019.
About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada, Inc.
Based in Toronto, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada, Inc. (MTP-CA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) with a goal to provide therapies for some of the most difficult-to-treat diseases, including ALS. For more information, please visit
Based in Jersey City, N.J., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation's (MTPC) 100 percent owned U.S. holding company, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America, Inc. MTPA is dedicated to delivering innovative products that address the unmet medical needs of patients in North America. It was established by MTPC to commercialize approved pharmaceutical products in North America with plans to expand its product line through collaborations with partners. For more information, please visit www.mt-pharma-america.com.
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1
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Information Page.
Discovery of new step in how brain cells work could lead to new therapies for epilepsy
Dublin, Tuesday, 30 June 2020: Researchers have identified a critical new step in how brain cells function in people with one of the most common forms of epilepsy. This could lead to new treatment approaches for people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
The study was led by researchers at FutureNeuro, the SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, hosted by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences with colleagues at Severo Ochoa-Centre for Molecular Biology (CBMSO) of Madrid and Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) of Barcelona. The research is published in Brain.
Changes in gene activity are known to be important in the development of epilepsy. Normally, a molecule called messenger RNA is produced when a gene is active. This becomes the template for the production of the proteins that brain cells use to function. A critical step is the addition of a short sequence called a poly(A) tail. This has never been studied before in epilepsy. The team discovered that this tailing process (polyadenylation) is dramatically altered for about one third of the genes of someone with epilepsy, changing protein production in the brain.
“Our discovery adds another piece to the puzzle to help us understand why gene activity is different in someone with epilepsy,” said Dr Tobias Engel, FutureNeuro Investigator and Senior Lecturer in the School of Physiology and Medical Physics at RCSI. “It is remarkable that so many active genes in the brain show a change in this polyadenylation process. We believe that this could ultimately lead us to new targeted treatments, allowing us to investigate if we could stop a person from developing epilepsy.”
Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic brain diseases, affecting over 65 million people worldwide. While current drug treatments are usually effective in suppressing seizures, they do not work in one third of people with epilepsy and have no effect on the underlying causes of the disease.
“Regulated poly(A) tailing of messenger RNAs is a step in gene expression regulation barely explored in brain diseases, and our study should foster its investigation in other brain conditions in which gene expression alteration is suspected,” said Dr José Lucas, Research Professor at Severo Ochoa-Centre for Molecular Biology of Madrid.
Prof. David Henshall, Director of FutureNeuro and Professor of Physiology in the School of Physiology and Medical Physics at RCSI, said, “Our aim in FutureNeuro is to provide faster diagnostics, precision therapeutics and eHealth enabled solutions for those with chronic and rare neurological diseases. This research is a great example of how understanding basic mechanisms of a disease can guide us to new targets for treatment.”
This research was co-funded by the Health Research Board, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement.
ENDS
About FutureNeuro
FutureNeuro is the SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases. We aim to change the patient journey through research informed by the needs of both patients and neurologists. This includes developing rapid and accurate tools for diagnosis, the development of therapies to correct damaged brain networks, technologies to enable patients to monitor their own health and well-being, and linking this to Ireland’s national imaging, diagnostics and eHealth infrastructure.
We are multi-disciplinary, inter-institutional and working with industry, patient organisations and the health service to transform the lives of patients in Ireland and worldwide.
About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Ranked number one globally for Good Health and Well-being in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2020, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is an international not-for-profit university, with its headquarters in Dublin.
RCSI is exclusively focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. It is among the top 250 universities worldwide in the THE World University Rankings (2020) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.
Visit the RCSI MyHealth Expert Directory to find the details of our experts across a range of healthcare issues and concerns. Recognising their responsibility to share their knowledge and discoveries to empower people with information that leads them to better health, these clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in their area of expertise.
Safeguard Your Emotional Health During Any Crisis With These 7 Practical Steps
Boulder, CO, June 30, 2020 — In our interconnected world, global events impact all of us in one way or another. Knowing how to help ourselves, our families and our organizations navigate a crisis can profoundly affect our emotional health and well-being.
7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters is a must-read for anyone seeking to thrive during challenging times. Written by clinical psychologist Elia Gourgouris and change management expert Konstantinos Apostolopoulos, this easy-to-read book offers powerful, yet practical, insights to help minimize the negative emotional impact of pandemics, natural disasters, financial challenges and other major disruptions.
“Not only will individuals and families find the book helpful in a crisis, so will first responders, healthcare professionals, mental health counselors and wellness coaches,” said Dr. Gourgouris.
Drawing from their real-world experiences, Dr. Gourgouris and Apostolopoulos explain the following seven keys to navigating any crisis:
1. Start with self-care. Be aware of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.
2. Practice awareness. Listen to your intuition or inner wisdom.
3. Choose flexibility so you can adapt, pivot and avoid unnecessary pain.
4. Act now! Preparation is key to your survival.
5. Take initiative by moving into action. Become the navigator in your life’s journey!
6. Cultivate a positive attitude filled with faith and hope.
7. Show kindness to others.
“Each chapter has an end section including points to ponder, questions to consider and action steps to take, so the reader can move beyond just surviving to thriving in a crisis situation,” added Apostolopoulos.
Author Elia Gourgouris, PhD, is the Founder of The Happiness Center, an organization of world-leading experts in the field of positive psychology. Dr. Elia's previous book, 7 Paths to Lasting Happiness, became an Amazon #1 best-seller. He is an international keynote speaker and happiness expert focusing on corporate wellness and leadership training. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a UCLA graduate. Dr. Elia is certified by the American Red Cross in Disaster Mental Health Services, having assisted in the 1994 Los Angeles and 2010 Haiti earthquakes, the 1999 Columbine High School shooting and other crises. He's the co-host of The Kindness Happiness Connection podcast and a Thrive Global contributor. Please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehappinessdoctor/, https://www.instagram.com/dr.eliag/ or https://www.facebook.com/DrElia.
Co-author Konstantinos Apostolopoulos is the Founder and CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions, a performance consulting and training provider. As an award-winning facilitator and coach, he has successfully delivered hundreds of custom learning events in the US, Canada and Europe for diverse audiences and industries. He is a regular contributor to Thrive Global and other industry publications. As a young man in Greece, he experienced firsthand the devastation left behind by natural and economic disasters. As an adult, he was fortunate to help play a small part in the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Today, he helps others navigate the challenges brought by major events in their lives. Please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkon/.
As COVID-19 Cases Spike, Nurses Need More Than PPE. They Must Also Protect Their Inspiration.
Rich Bluni, RN, offers seven simple, yet powerful tactics for reconnecting with meaning and purpose in these dark times.
Pensacola, FL (June 2020)—Across the U.S., coronavirus infection rates are surging, with no end in sight. If you're a nurse, you may feel like you're sinking. Sure, you soldier on, working long shifts, comforting desperately ill patients, grieving losses, and protecting yourself as best you can. But Rich Bluni says all the PPE in the world can't protect a nurse's spirit.
"It's that sense of purpose and meaning, of calling, that keeps nurses going in incredibly traumatic times," says Bluni, himself an RN with over 25 years of experience in the ER, Trauma, and ICU and author of best-selling books Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) and Inspired Nurse Too(Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00). "If they lose touch with that, they can quickly find themselves in deep trouble."
There are no easy solutions to what nurses are facing right now. Bluni doesn't pretend otherwise. But he does believe reconnecting to the sense of mission that has always driven nurses on a heart and soul level can give them the strength to keep going.
"That doesn't 'just happen' even in good times; it's a choice we must make every day," he says. "If we don't, we will quickly get overwhelmed by pain, fear, and negativity."
Bluni—who recently shared some stories and tactics from Inspired Nurse in short video segments—says hard times can deeply inspire us if we make a point of staying open to them. But we have to get intentional about doing so. Here, he offers a few tips for reconnecting with your inspiration when you're struggling:
Take 10 minutes to relive a moment when you made a real difference. "At any moment when you're feeling crushed and exhausted, close your eyes and be right back there when you did something incredible," suggests Bluni. "Relive your greatest moment. Your mind doesn't know the difference between it really happening and the memory."
Write down your gratitude... Even in a pandemic, there are things to be grateful for. Maybe a patient you thought was going to die actually recovered. Maybe a coworker paid for your lunch. Maybe the cafeteria had that carrot cake you love. Charting moments of gratitude (however big or small) helps you remember why you chose this deeply meaningful line of work.
"Write down three things about your work that you are thankful for," says Bluni. "Each day, look it over and add to your list. You almost cannot be in a state of gratitude and negativity at the same time, but you can choose."
...then, share it with others. Chances are, some of the "things" you find yourself writing on your gratitude list are actually people. Maybe it's the coworker who always jumps in to help, the unit secretary who runs your labs for you when you're swamped, or the food service employee who always remembers your lunch order.
"Extend your gratitude to someone every day," advises Bluni. "Give them a thank-you note, or tell them face-to-face—even if it has to be from 6 feet away while wearing full PPE. Not only will you feel better, you'll help others feel better at a time when most likely they really need it."
Make a self-care plan. "Get out a journal and write the following labels on five separate pages: Mind, Body, Spirit, Love, and Prosperity," suggests Bluni. "Under each title, come up with just two things that you can do every day that would impact that part of your being. In the 'Body' category, you may write, 'walk a mile,' 'eat more green veggies,' and 'drink eight glasses of water.' It may feel strange to focus on improving your life when the world seems to be falling apart, but now is when we need to be at our best."
Get intentional about who you spend time with. Who do you chat with on breaks during your shift? Who do you vent to when times are tough? Often, we don't make these decisions consciously. The problem is, we might be hanging out with psychic vampires who drain our life force and break us down with their negativity.
"Your two most valuable resources are your love and your time," Bluni says. "So if you're spending them on people who spread fear, or hold grudges, or don't act in ways that are kind and compassionate, I encourage you to become more intentional about your relationships. The company you keep has a big impact on your attitude and well-being."
Stop blaming yourself for others' difficult behavior. All nurses have plenty of experience dealing with the occasional patient or family member who is grouchy, demanding, or even downright mean. Too often we may take their difficult behavior personally.
"Realize that 99 percent of the time, difficult patients aren't reacting to you but to their circumstances," Bluni reminds. "The real antagonist is their pain, fear, lack of mobility, etc.—and as a caregiver, you've simply been caught in the crossfire. Try not to take their bad mood personally. Most of us are scared right now. Knowing that gives you a different perspective."
Realize that you don't rent your life. You own it. Do you let bad situations and other people's negativity dictate how you feel about your work life? If you do, then you're renting, says Bluni.
"You can't wait around for someone to rescue you or to fix how you feel," he asserts. "Start by practicing gratitude and improving yourself. Connect with other people every chance you get. Opportunities to do so exist around each corner in healthcare. Look for inspiration today. Look for ways to give. Own your life—especially right now."
"It's when times are toughest that we learn the most valuable lessons and experience the biggest leaps in our personal growth," says Bluni. "If there's one thing that has been made abundantly clear throughout all of this, it's that nurses are the most resilient, compassionate, and inspiring people on this earth.... That's one bright spot we can be grateful for."
# # #
About the Author: Rich Bluni, RN, is the author of the best-selling books Inspired Nurse, Oh No...Not More of That Fluffy Stuff!, and Inspired Nurse Too. He has an active and popular Facebook page called Inspired Nurse.
Rich has been an RN since 1993. He has worked as a nurse in Adolescent Oncology, Pediatric ICU, and Trauma ICU departments as well as serving as a pediatric flight and transport nurse. He has served as an ED nursing manager as well as a senior director of risk management, quality, and patient safety.
He came to Studer Group in 2007 as a coach working with dozens of healthcare organizations and leaders to drive outstanding results. He is presently a senior director with Huron and a Studer Group national speaker, having traveled across North America to speak in front of hundreds of thousands of healthcare workers and leaders in hundreds of healthcare organizations, large healthcare conferences, as well as virtual webinars.
About the Books: Inspired Nurse Too (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-6221804-6-2, $28.00) and Inspired Nurse (Huron|Studer Group Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9749986-7-1, $24.95) are available from major online booksellers and the Huron|Studer Group website.
Cook Delicious, Healthy Food That Actually Makes You Feel Better With The Recipes In My Pinewood Kitchen
Nashville, TN, June 30, 2020 ̶ ̶ Mee McCormick understands only too well the importance of healthy food, having watched her single mother suffer with a host of debilitating auto-immune diseases, some of which she inherited, that led her to make the decision in her mid-twenties to change her own fate. Today, chef and author Mee McCormick is an expert who healed herself of Crohn's disease, gut issues, and other immune system challenges with whole food recipes when doctors couldn't help her.
Offering microbiome-friendly meals with a Southern spin, My Pinewood Kitchen: A Southern Culinary Cure, is a follow-up cookbook to her wildly successful, life-enhancing My Kitchen Cure. Mee is living proof that you can change your fate by what’s on your plate and her recipes will help heal your gut and fight a host of autoimmune diseases. With over 130 mouthwatering, whole foods recipes that can be customized for Keto, Paleo, or vegans, it truly is an "all-inclusive" eating plan for everyone in the family.
From smoothies, soups and salads, to dinners and desserts, every recipe in the book is gluten-free and gut-friendly. Mee has since forged the way for a new kind of hospitality: a fully-inclusive table where everyone can eat delicious Southern comfort classics without sacrificing taste, regardless of even the most severe food allergies or dietary restrictions – all while stressing the importance of intestinal health and how to improve your own gut microbiome. Her book shows us which foods are nutritional powerhouses and which ones we must avoid, and how to eat real food every day without breaking the bank.
Mee McCormick is a rising Southern culinary and wellness innovator, restaurateur, author, TV cooking personality, farmer, rancher, wife and mother. She splits her time between Nashville and nearby Nunnelly, Tennessee; a tiny, unincorporated community in Hickman County; home to her biodynamic farm and restaurant Pinewood Kitchen & Mercantile – that is unique in that every meal is created with the intention to serve everyone with the same deliciousness, regardless of dietary restrictions. In fact, some members of the community drive hours to get a taste of her farm-to-table cuisine and her mouthwatering Pinewood’s Grain-Free Fried Chicken!
Mee authored her first cookbook My Kitchen Cure, which led to wild success and a book deal with HCI for her second cookbook, My Pinewood Kitchen, published in April 2020. She frequently appears on Today in Nashville, and she participates in nationally-recognized food festivals and events, spreading the same level of care and hospitality to audiences everywhere that she has become known for throughout the state of Tennessee. Visit: www.meemccormick.com or www.pinewoodkitchenandmercantile.com.
My Pinewood Kitchen: A Southern Culinary Cure/130+ Crazy Delicious, Gluten-Free Recipes to Reduce Inflammation and Make Your Gut Happy
By Mee McCormick
HCI BOOKS / $26.95
ISBN: 9780757323522
Available wherever books are sold
Welcome back to The Train It Right Life! On this weeks episode I talk about how to be grateful, podcast feedback and WTF Men. I am always here to keep it real, raw and relatable! Please give this podcast some stars and a review if you loved it! Happy Canada Day and Happy July 4th!
RCSI begins clinical trial for potential drug therapy for severe COVID-19 infection
DUBLIN, June 29, 2020 -- Clinician scientists at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have begun a clinical trial of a promising therapy for critically ill COVID-19 patients in intensive care.
In a paper published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the team, led by RCSI Professors Gerry McElvaney and Ger Curley, describe changes in the body’s normal inflammatory response in patients infected with COVID-19, in particular among those who require admission to intensive care.
The team has begun a randomised double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of alpha-1-antitrypsin to treat critically ill patients mechanically ventilated in ICU with COVID-19 associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a naturally occurring human protein produced by the liver and released into the bloodstream which normally acts to protect the lungs from the destructive actions of common illnesses.
RCSI Professor of Medicine Prof. Gerry McElvaney said: “As of late June, more than 9.5 million laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been documented globally, with over 490,000 deaths. These numbers continue to grow substantially. In Beaumont Hospital, we have had over 500 patients admitted to the hospital, and nearly 50 patients requiring admission to intensive care.
“The current management of severe COVID-19 remains supportive, focusing on supplemental oxygen and ventilator support in the event of acute respiratory failure. Despite the implications for global health, the inflammatory characteristics of patients with COVID-19 are not yet fully understood. A greater understanding of how the body’s inflammatory mechanisms are impacted upon by COVID-19 could open the door to several potential therapies including antiviral medications and targeted immune-modulators such as alpha-1-antitrypsin.”
Prof. Ger Curley, RCSI Professor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care and Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care in Beaumont Hospital explained that “we know from in-hospital studies that many COVID-19 patients in ICU develop severe inflammation throughout the body with a disproportionately high rate of progression to acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, shock and heart arrhythmia.”
In a collaboration between the Departments of Medicine and Critical Care and Anaesthesia, a team of clinician scientists led by Prof. McElvaney and Prof. Curley sought to ascertain the type of inflammation affecting the COVID-19 patient in ICU, and to determine whether there was a relationship between this type of inflammation and the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation.
The study showed that a number of highly inflamed proteins were all increased in infected patients compared to healthy controls. There was also a difference in the profiles of patients in ICU and those who were infected but stable.
Prof. Curley explained, however, that the most unanticipated differentiating factor between patients with stable and severe disease was not the degree of increase in inflammatory proteins, but rather the relative decrease in levels of an anti-inflammatory protein which indicates that the patients’ anti-inflammatory mechanisms were failing.
“This finding suggests to us that a therapy which augments the body’s own inflammation resolving mechanisms might have a positive impact. Alpha-1 protects the airway from damage during acute pulmonary infection. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory and acts to protect the immune system. Of particular relevance to COVID-19, it has been shown to modulate the production and activity of several key pro-inflammatory proteins”, explained Prof. Curley.
“We are confident that this clinical trial will demonstrate the potential for Alpha-1 to improve the outcomes for patients with the most severe COVID-19 induced respiratory difficulties.”
This is the first Investigational Medicine Product trial to be approved in Ireland to test a therapy to treat COVID19. The trial is being sponsored by RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and is coordinated by the RCSI Clinical Research Centre. Beaumont Hospital is the first site to recruit patients and other sites in Ireland will also participate. This investigator initiated study benefited from generous support from Grifols, a Barcelona-based multinational healthcare company and a leading global producer of plasma-derived medicines, which provided access to the alpha1-proteinase inhibitor study drug.
Ranked number one globally for Good Health and Well-being in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2020, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is an international not-for-profit university, with its headquarters in Dublin.
RCSI is exclusively focused on education and research to drive improvements in human health worldwide. It is among the top 250 universities worldwide in the THE World University Rankings (2020) and its research is ranked first in Ireland for citations. RCSI has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.
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