Got a Sprained Ankle? 4 Ways to Brace It While It Heals

Got a sprained ankle? The first step is to apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Then see your doctor to make sure it’s just a sprain and not something more serious like a fracture. Once your injury is stabilized, it should be kept supported and immobilized so it can heal. Read on to learn about four ways to brace a sprained ankle while you recover.

Wrap It with a Bandage

The first line of treatment for a sprained ankle is usually a cloth elastic bandage. Choose a wide bandage between one and three inches. Begin at the inside of your foot and wrap the bandage firmly around your ankle. Then secure it in place with clips or medical tape. Gauze or cotton can be used as padding if needed.

Support It with a Brace

If bandaging isn’t sufficient to support your sprain, consider using an ankle brace. You can purchase one from any pharmacy. Make sure to choose the right type for your foot size and the level of support you need. A lace-up brace provides the most support, but wrap-around and velcro braces are more convenient. For those who need to stay active while recovering, a stirrup brace is ideal.

Compress It with Socks

Compression socks may provide adequate support for a sprained ankle that is mild or partially healed. Socks for ankle compressionare usually a short, thick design and are often open at the toe and heel so they can be worn with most types of shoes. Look for a sock with a high compression rating to best support your injury. Pair your socks with comfortable, supportive shoes and avoid high heels.

Immobilize It with a Boot or Splint

If the above methods fail to relieve the pain of your sprained ankle, consider using a boot or splint. You can buy boots and splints online and in some pharmacies or see your doctor to get fitted with a high-quality one. Unlike bandages, braces and socks, an ankle boot or splint completely immobilizes the injury. A boot also allows you to keep walking and maintain mobility, which makes it a great choice for people who need to stay on their feet.

Remember, a sprain isn’t always just a sprain. Keep an eye on your injured ankle while it heals and see your doctor if you experience any changes or increases in pain. A sprained ankle is in a weakened state and can easily sustain a fracture or further injury.

Chief Medical Officer Responds to Article: 
‘There's a Global Surgery Crisis and it Has an Obvious Solution’

Keir Thelander, Chief Medical Officer of the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons(PAACS), is available for comment and an interview to respond to the recent CNN ‘There's a Global Surgery Crisis and it Has an Obvious Solution’ which highlights the importance of finding solutions to bringing safe and affordable surgical and anesthesia care to the 5 billion people in the world who are without access. The article points out that that “robust untapped source of the potential surgical workforce: women.”

Thelander is available to speak to PAACS’ 23-year history of training male and female African physicians to become surgeons in their home countries, as well as the success PAACS has had with its female surgeon graduates.

Keir Thelander, Chief Medical Officer of the PAACS, a non-denominational, multinational service organization that trains African physicians to become surgeons, said:

“The emphasis on bringing more women into the fold of surgical training is one component of a larger and more comprehensive approach to improving the perception of a woman’s value within a culture. We must be very careful that we do not oversimplify the causes that have impacted the gender disparity in the medical field without addressing the larger discussion of cultural norms that contribute to the result.”

“PAACS’ will continue its 23-year history has been driven by the belief that education and engagement within the training of physicians in their home countries ​is ​the best way to serve a nation’s long term needs. To date, PAACS has issued 88 graduate certificates to African surgeons who have gone on to serve across twenty countries on the African continent. A little over 10% of our trainees are women — we would like to see that number increase. The balance of that is a greater impact of PAACS for the world.”

Keir Thelander, Chief Medical Officer of the PAACS, a non-denominational, multinational service organization that trains African physicians to become surgeons, said:

“The emphasis on bringing more women into the fold of surgical training is one component of a larger and more comprehensive approach to improving the perception of a woman’s value within a culture. We must be very careful that we do not oversimplify the causes that have impacted the gender disparity in the medical field without addressing the larger discussion of cultural norms that contribute to the result.”

“PAACS’ will continue its 23-year history that has been driven by the belief that education and engagement within the training of physicians in their home countries is the best way to serve a nation’s long term needs. To date, PAACS has issued 88 graduate certificates to African surgeons who have gone on to serve across twenty-one countries on the African continent. A little over 10% of our trainees are women — we would like to see that number increase and continue to implement strategies to achieve that goal. The balance of that is a greater impact of PAACS for the world.”

Keir is available for comment at your convenience.

Contact: Tamara@Tamaraedwards.co

About PAACS

The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) is a strategic response to the need for surgeons in Africa. We are a non-denominational, multinational service organization training African physicians to become surgeons who are willing to remain in Africa to meet this need. PAACS also disciples these residents to share the love and gospel of Jesus Christ with their patients. The surgical and spiritual training of these residents is offered at several well-established mission hospitals in Africa, under the direction of experienced, board-certified missionary surgeons.

4 Safety Measures for Biking in the Mountains 

Mountain biking can be a fun and freeing experience, but you could also find yourself in danger when you least expect it. Knowing what to do in dangerous situations can help you get through the ordeals safer. You may also be able to avoid a lot of these dangers by taking some additional precautions beforehand. Here are four safety measure to take for biking in the mountains.

Bring an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit containing adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment and other first aid supplies can come in handy if you get into an accident and hurt yourself. Tweezers, scissors and gloves will also be good to have in your kit. The best kits feature multiple compartments that are clearly labeled to make finding specific items easier. These kits can be stored in a backpack or even clipped to the side of your bike.

Wear Protective Gear

Wearing protective gear will be especially important when mountain biking. A durable helmet should always be worn, but gloves along with protective shorts or pants can also keep parts of your body safeguarded. Knee, elbow and shin pads can help cushion your body if you happen to fall off your bike. Wearing sunglasses or some other type of safety glasses is also advisable. Even the clothesyou wear can effect your safety and should be taken into consideration.

Know the Nearest Emergency Facility

Knowing the name and exact location of the nearest emergency facility will make it easier for you to reach it or be transported there by someone else if you require urgent medical care. It’s a good idea to map out your route to learn where the nearest urgent care centersare and exactly how far they’re located from specific points along your route. Bringing a phone that won’t lose service while you’re in the mountains will allow you to call for help if you need to be rescued.

Don’t Venture Solo

Going alone on your bike ride through the mountains will leave you especially vulnerable to dangers that may be lurking. Having a buddy ride with you or joining a group of other mountain bikers can make your time in the mountains safer. If you happen to get injured or find yourself in another situation that’s potentially dangerous, the person or people who are with you can get you the necessary help much quicker. 

Going on a bike ride in the mountains can be a much safer and more enjoyable experience if you do everything possible to keep yourself out of harm’s way. Taking the extra time to prepare yourself for your journey properly can go a long way in keeping you safe. 

Alnylam Launches ONPATTRO® (patisiran) for the Treatment of Polyneuropathy in hATTR Amyloidosis, the First-Ever RNAi Therapeutic Approved in Canada

ONPATTRO^® is the Only Treatment that Demonstrated Improvement, Relative to Baseline, in both Polyneuropathy and Quality of Life Measures in Patients^{1, 2} with hATTR Amyloidosis

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), the leading RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics company, today announced the Health Canada approval and immediate availability of ONPATTRO^® (patisiran) for the treatment of polyneuropathy in adult patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis³. ONPATTRO is the only treatment in Canada indicated for all stages of polyneuropathy associated with hATTR amyloidosis, a progressive, debilitating, chronic and often fatal disease. ONPATTRO is based on Nobel Prize-winning science and is the first ever RNAi therapeutic to be approved in Canada.

"hATTR amyloidosis can progress quickly becoming severely debilitating, and often leads to premature death," said Dr. Vera Bril, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, Director of Neurology at University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital and the Krembil Family Chair in Neurology. "Having a treatment that can potentially reverse the course of this life-threatening disease marks a major advance for my patients, many of whom have crippling neuropathic pain, struggle to walk unaided and suffer from countless other symptoms, like diarrhea and vomiting, that interfere with normal activities of daily living."

hATTR amyloidosis is a multisystemic, progressive disease caused by mutations that interfere with the way the body manufactures a specific protein formed in the liver. Known as gene silencing, RNAi is a new approach to the treatment of the disease, targeting the faulty protein that causes the disease.

"As a cardiologist with several hereditary TTR amyloidosis patients with both polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy, the approval of ONPATTRO provides a new option for this devastating disease," said Dr. Diego Delgado, Cardiologist at the Peter Munk Cardiac center at the University Health Network. "Many of my patients have significant disease burden not only in their heart, but also the nerves. It is exciting to have an opportunity to halt or even reverse the progression of a disease that my patients have experienced as a slow march to disability and death."

Symptoms of hATTR amyloidosis can vary from person to person, depending on which organs or tissues are affected and can worsen as the disease progresses. Parts of the body that are typically affected are the peripheral nervous (nerves), cardiac (heart) and gastrointestinal (digestive) systems resulting in polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy. Specifically, neuropathic changes result in sensory-motor issues, with challenges in activities of daily living. Autonomic nerve involvement can lead to low blood pressure, diarrhea, impotence, and bladder disturbances, while cardiac symptoms include heart failure and arrhythmias.⁴

"Imagine looking ahead to a future where your body deteriorates and you are unlikely to survive the next 5 years! No treatment, only symptom management. Until recently, this has been the case for many hATTR patients and their families," said Marsha McWhinnie, Founder of the Canadian Amyloidosis Support Network (CASN) and Anne Marie Carr, Founder of the Hereditary Amyloidosis Canada (HAC) in a joint statement. "Canadian physicians now have another new treatment option to change the future for their patients, to give them meaningful improvement in their lives, to give them hope."

The Health Canada approval was based on results of the APOLLO Phase 3 study, the largest-ever study in patients with hATTR amyloidosis. In the pivotal, placebo-controlled study, 148 patients received 0.3 mg/kg of ONPATTRO and 77 patients received placebo administered once every 3 weeks via intravenous infusion for up to 18 months, with a mean ONPATTRO exposure of 17.7 months. All patients received premedication with a corticosteroid, acetaminophen, and H1 and H2 blockers.⁵ The primary endpoint of the APOLLO study was the change from baseline in the modified Neuropathy Impairment Score +7 (mNIS+7), which assesses motor strength, reflexes, sensation, nerve conduction and postural blood pressure. In the APOLLO study, ONPATTRO demonstrated significant improvement versus placebo in polyneuropathy, quality of life, walking, nutritional status and activities of daily living. More than half of ONPATTRO patients improved over their own baseline for polyneuropathy and quality of life with some patients reducing dependence on or no longer requiring walking aids. The mean (±SD) mNIS+7 at baseline was 80.9±41.5 in the patisiran group and 74.6±37.0 in the placebo group; the least-squares mean (±SE) change from baseline was −6.0±1.7 versus 28.0±2.6 (difference, −34.0 points; P<0.001) at 18 months. The mean (±SD) baseline Norfolk QOL-DN score was 59.6±28.2 in the patisiran group and 55.5±24.3 in the placebo group; the least-squares mean (±SE) change from baseline was −6.7±1.8 versus 14.4±2.7 (difference, −21.1 points; P<0.001) at 18 months.⁶

The most frequently occurring adverse reactions reported in ONPATTRO-treated patients (≥ 10% of patients and occurring ≥ 3 percentage points more frequently than in placebo-treated patients) were peripheral edema and infusion-related reactions.⁷ ONPATTRO is the only approved treatment in Canada that does not require additional safety monitoring via blood tests.

ONPATTRO was granted Priority Review status by Health Canada, which is intended for new potentially life-saving treatments where there is no existing medicine in the Canadian market or where the new medicine represents a significant improvement in the benefit/risk profile over existing products.⁸

"Health Canada's approval of ONPATTRO underscores our commitment to deliver innovative medicines with the potential to transform the lives of patients suffering from hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy," says Jeff Miller, Country Manager, Alnylam Canada. "It marks a major milestone in Alnylam's history, as the company's first treatment approved in Canada, but we believe this is just the beginning. Our vision is to harness the power of RNAi therapeutics to increase the number of treatment options available for patients with serious, life-threatening rare diseases where there are currently limited or no available treatment options. We take pride in working with the medical and patient community to increase awareness, enable diagnosis and provide important education and support services."

About hATTR amyloidosis⁹
Hereditary transthyretin (TTR)-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR) is an inherited, progressively debilitating, and often fatal disease caused by mutations in the TTR gene. TTR protein is primarily produced in the liver and is normally a carrier of vitamin A. Mutations in the TTR gene cause abnormal amyloid proteins to accumulate and damage body organs and tissue, such as the peripheral nerves and heart, resulting in intractable peripheral sensory-motor neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, and/or cardiomyopathy, as well as other disease manifestations. hATTR amyloidosis, represents a major unmet medical need with significant morbidity and mortality affecting approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The median survival is 4.7 years following diagnosis, with a reduced survival (3.4 years) for patients presenting with cardiomyopathy.

About RNAi
RNAi (RNA interference) is a natural cellular process of gene silencing that represents a promising and rapidly advancing frontier in biology and drug development that has the potential to transform the care of patients with genetic and other diseases. It was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

About ONPATTRO (patisiran)
Patisiran is an intravenously administered RNAi therapeutic targeting transthyretin (TTR) for the treatment of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. It is designed to target and silence specific messenger RNA, potentially blocking the production of TTR protein before it is made. Patisiran blocks the production of transthyretin in the liver, reducing its accumulation in the body's tissues in order to halt or reverse the progression of the disease.¹⁰

About Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Alnylam (Nasdaq: ALNY) is leading the translation of RNA interference (RNAi) into a new class of innovative medicines with the potential to improve the lives of people afflicted with rare genetic, cardio-metabolic, hepatic infectious, and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Based on Nobel Prize-winning science, RNAi therapeutics represent a powerful, clinically validated approach for the treatment of a wide range of severe and debilitating diseases. Founded in 2002, Alnylam is delivering on a bold vision to turn scientific possibility into reality, with a robust discovery platform. Alnylam has a deep pipeline of investigational medicines, including five product candidates that are in Phase 3 clinical trials and one in registration. Looking forward, Alnylam will continue to execute on its "Alnylam 2020" strategy of building a multi-product, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company with a sustainable pipeline of RNAi-based medicines to address the needs of patients who have limited or inadequate treatment options. Alnylam employs over 1200 people worldwide and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Alnylam Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with established operations since June 2018.

###

Alnylam Forward Looking Statements
Various statements in this release concerning Alnylam's future expectations, plans and prospects, including, without limitation, Alnylam's plans to launch ONPATTRO in Canada, the potential benefits for patients in Canada for whom ONPATTRO is indicated, and expectations regarding its "Alnylam 2020" guidance for the advancement and commercialization of RNAi therapeutics, constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and future plans may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, Alnylam's ability to discover and develop novel drug candidates and delivery approaches, successfully demonstrate the efficacy and safety of its product candidates, the pre-clinical and clinical results for its product candidates, which may not be replicated or continue to occur in other subjects or in additional studies or otherwise support further development of product candidates for a specified indication or at all, actions or advice of regulatory agencies, which may affect the design, initiation, timing, continuation and/or progress of clinical trials or result in the need for additional pre-clinical and/or clinical testing, delays, interruptions or failures in the manufacture and supply of its product candidates, obtaining, maintaining and protecting intellectual property, Alnylam's ability to enforce its intellectual property rights against third parties and defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third parties, obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval, pricing and reimbursement for products, progress in establishing a commercial and ex-United States infrastructure, successfully launching, marketing and selling its approved products globally, Alnylam's ability to successfully expand the indication for ONPATTRO in the future, competition from others using technology similar to Alnylam's and others developing products for similar uses, Alnylam's ability to manage its growth and operating expenses, obtain additional funding to support its business activities, and establish and maintain strategic business alliances and new business initiatives, Alnylam's dependence on third parties for development, manufacture and distribution of products, the outcome of litigation, the risk of government investigations, and unexpected expenditures, as well as those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" filed with Alnylam's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in other filings that Alnylam makes with the SEC. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Alnylam's views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Alnylam explicitly disclaims any obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DOCTOR IS SICK?

HER AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESS JOURNEY, INVESTIGATING THE ROOT CAUSES OF DISEASE, AND HOW TO HEAL THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

The storm began as an innocent flutter beneath Dr. Cynthia Li’s breastbone. A new mother and a young doctor, she shrugged it off. Soon, insomnia, irritability, and rapid weight loss followed. She sought out a top-notch specialist who diagnosed her with postpartum thyroiditis, and took her medicines as prescribed. In a year’s time, her lab tests were normal. Though her symptoms persisted, she assumed she was cured. Her life continued as it always had: a world traveler, a wife to an active husband, a devoted doctor to the underserved.

Then during a pivotal family trip to Beijing, her life would change forever. While eating a twenty-mushroom special during lunch at a dumpling house, an intense pressure shot up her spine and gripped her head. Her heart rhythm snapped and thundered across her chest, and an extreme dizziness overtook her body. She felt like she was drowning into herself. Dr. Li lost consciousness and woke in an emergency room, to a body that wasn’t her own. She was overcome with constant vertigo, flu-like malaise, and a fatigue so deep she worried she couldn’t catch her next breath. As it turned out, this was the dramatic onset of chronic fatigue syndrome and dysautonomia (a mis-wiring of the autonomic nervous system that regulates everything from blood pressure to digestion to body temperature). Yet, test after test was normal.

“As an internist, I’d been trained that there is a distinct line between health and disease,” says Dr. Li. “This could be a lab result or a set of criteria. But being on the other side of the bedside, I saw how nothing was black-and-white. It was gray, gray, and more shades of gray. After seeking specialist after specialist and having all my tests fall ‘within the reference range,’ I felt betrayed by the objective numbers and methods I had once sworn by.”

Dr. Li found herself housebound for years following. Finding no real answers, she saw her illness strip her of her identity and voice, and strain her marriage down to the last threads. She vowed to get through this, for her two daughters, husband, and her life. Dr. Li asked herself one primary question to begin this new, transparent journey: How to get off the couch? 

Thus, Dr. Li launched her solo odyssey from her living room. She began digging into the root causes of chronic disease, asking, “What makes someone sick?,” “How do we reconcile uncertainty in medicine?,” and “What’s the difference between treating and healing?” She would rise off the couch, return to a fuller life, and practice medicine in a broader paradigm—drawing on cutting-edge science, ancient healing arts, and the power of intuition—what she had learned on her own journey.

In addition to her revelatory memoir, she compiles a how-to section to guide others on their path to wellness in her book, Brave New Medicine: A Doctor’s Unconventional Path to Healing Her Autoimmune Illness. 

Dr. Li is available for interviews to discuss the art and science of medicine, including such topics as:

• What a brave new medicine looks like
• Signs you might have an autoimmune disease, including thyroid, chronic fatigue, celiac disease, dysautonomia, insomnia
• How having an autoimmune condition changed her way of relating to patients
• 15 steps to healing: including detoxifying your house, healing your gut, resetting your inner clock, and finding your real story
• Cutting-edge science: Epigenetics, neuroplasticity, and the microbiome
• Addressing the root causes of illness—mind, body and spirit
• Toughness vs. resilience as they relate to health and illness
• Reframing the notion of “difficult patients” who can’t easily be diagnosed
• The distinction between treating and healing
• Factors contributing to doctor burnout (beyond mounting administrative duties, assembly-line medicine, insurance schemes)
• The role of intuition in the gray areas of clinical medicine
• Ancestral food and health
• Spirituality and existential stress as a root cause of disease
• Intimacy and sexuality in chronic illness
• Qigong and why mind-body-spirit practices are an essential part of deeper healing
• Narrative medicine: how writing heals
• The controversy over the gluten-free diet (fad vs. science)
• How childhood trauma can impact health later in life
• Illness and identity: not to be confused!
• Managing chronic illness and motherhood, particularly the postpartum period
• Marriage and relationships with a chronic illness
• When to consider using supplements versus medicines

CYNTHIA LI, MD graduated from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and has practiced internal medicine in settings as diverse as Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, San Francisco General Hospital, St. Anthony Medical Clinic for the homeless, and Doctors Without Borders in rural China. Her own health challenges led her to functional medicine, a paradigm that addresses the root causes of chronic conditions. She currently serves on the faculty of the Healer's Art Program at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, and has a private practice. She lives in Berkeley, CA with her husband and their two daughters.

Statistics Canada to examine the health of Toronto residentsSome residents in Toronto will soon take part in an important surveyOttawa, July 23, 2019 — Approximately 500 households will be randomly selected to participate in the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), a national survey conducted by Statistics Canada. In Toronto, the survey will begin on July 30th, 2019. Two-phase surveyThe first phase involves an in-home interview with the selected individuals. They will be asked questions about, among other things, nutrition, alcohol and tobacco consumption, medical history, and level of physical activity. In the second phase, participants go to a mobile examination center, temporarily located in the parking lot Ontario Science Centre (OSC) in North York, to undergo a number of tests. Mobile examination centerAt the mobile examination center, health professionals employed by Statistics Canada will take participants’ physical health measures, including height, weight, neck and waist circumference. The specialists will also do tests to measure blood pressure, fitness level, vision and musculoskeletal health.  Finally, biospecimens will be collected to assess participants’ cardiovascular health, nutritional status, and exposure to environmental contaminants. The participation of selected individuals is importantData from the CHMS help provide an accurate portrait of the health of Canadians. Various health care stakeholders, including professionals, researchers and public health planners, use this data to adapt programs and services to the population’s needs. Moreover, well-known national organizations such as the Canadian Public Health Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation have shown their support for the survey. Our priority: Confidentiality and securityThe CHMS is conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act, which guarantees that all the information provided by participants remains confidential. The health specialists hired by Statistics Canada are fully qualified and certified. About the CHMSStatistics Canada has been conducting the CHMS, in partnership with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, across the country since 2007. For each cycle, 16 sites are randomly selected to participate in the survey. The participants from Toronto will take part in Cycle 6 of the CHMS. 

CounsellingMatch Launches Innovative Online Service to Increase Fit Between Mental Health Professionals and their Clients at the Onset of the Therapeutic Relationship

VANCOUVER, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - CounsellingMatch Marketing Inc., a firm dedicated to optimizing the way people seek out mental health professionals, is now operating its web-based directory and search service across the province of British Columbia. Counsellingmatch.com is the first website of its kind in Canada to utilize a research-based personality profile matching system to allow people to personalize their search for mental health professionals by likelihood of compatibility.

"There are many headwinds facing people who are trying to seek out mental health help today, and we hope our service will make an impact in reducing the trepidation that comes with reaching out to a stranger for help" said Yarko Petriw, Director of Marketing for CounsellingMatch. "Seeking out a mental health professional is a bold and important step in the pursuit of wellness, so it shouldn't feel like a blind date. Our website allows people to search for counsellors, psychologists and therapists based on how well they match on key elements of personality. We hope this increases client and counsellor confidence in their ability to work together right from the very start".

With over 200 counsellors registered on the site to-date, Counsellingmatch is making connections for people seeking mental health help across the province. In addition to its unique personality-based matching system, CounsellingMatch allows people to filter their search by a variety of important differentiators including geography, cost and treatment issues. 

About Counsellingmatch Marketing Inc.

CounsellingMatch is a Vancouver, BC based company that provides an online service where mental health professionals can be matched with potential clients using an innovative personality-based matching algorithm.

The service is free to those seeking help, and offers a limited-time free trial for mental health professionals.

SOURCE Counsellingmatch Marketing

Lake of the Woods Brewing Co. Turns to Province Brands of Canada Launch Cannabis Beer

Countdown to Phase Two of Canadian Cannabis Legalization

CAMBRIDGE BAY, NUNAVUT -- July 22, 2019 -- Province Brands of Canada, developers of the world’s first and only beers brewed from the cannabis plant — today announced an agreement allowing Lake of the Woods Brewing Company to use its technologies to craft cannabis beer under the Lake of the Woods label. 

“As Ontario’s northern-most brewer, we trace our craft beer heritage back more than 120 years with a commitment to quality, natural ingredients, and blazing new trails,” said Taras Manzie, President and CEO of Lake of the Woods.  “Our new relationship with Province Brands of Canada positions Lake of the Woods once again to bring quality, natural ingredients and innovation to our treasured clients as the next phase of cannabis legalization in Canada approaches.”

Recreational cannabis use became legal in Canada in October 2018 for dried and fresh cannabis, oil, plants and seeds. It is expected that the Canadian government will legalize drinks, food, and other edibles containing cannabis by October of this year. 

Today’s announced agreement allows Lake of the Woods to license Province Brands of Canada’s patent-pending technology to mash and ferment cannabis -- instead of more traditional barley -- and brew beers in Province Brand’s 123,000 square foot facility in Grimsby, Ontario (currently under construction). This process will start once the manufacture and sale of such products are legalized in Canada. 

Under the agreement, Lake of the Woods and Province Brands will collaborate to launch non-alcoholic beer brewed from cannabis, which will intoxicate using marijuana instead of alcohol. The beer will be available wherever cannabis can be legally sold in Canada under the Cannabis Act, once such sales are legal. 

Over the past two and a half years, Province Brands of Canada has developed a patent-pending process for brewing a premium beer from the cannabis plant. The first steps in the brewing process, milling and “mashing” (i.e. saccharifying or extracting fermentable sugars from the cannabis plant), requires specialized equipment and technology, which would not be found in a more traditional brewery. 

Lake of the Woods will work closely with Province Brands’ master brewer Rob Kevwitch to develop non-alcoholic cannabis-brewed craft beers. Because the beer is brewed from cannabis, rather than barley, it will be naturally gluten-free and low in calories and sugar. The beers brewed will be consistent with Lake of the Woods traditions, which focuses on commitment to quality, natural ingredients, and customer satisfaction.  

“I love it when a plan comes together,” said Dooma Wendschuh, CEO and Co-Founder of Province Brands. “When we started this company in 2016 people thought we were crazy.  They would tell us cannabis beverages would never become legal in Canada.  Here we are on the eve of legalization of cannabis beverages and we’re light years ahead of the competition.  We’ve perfected our process, moved into an incredible facility, and assembled a true “A-Team” of the best and brightest researchers and brewers in the industry.  It’s because of these almost three years of hard work that we’ve been able to earn the trust of a major player like Lake of the Woods.  We’re incredibly grateful for their interest and thrilled to be beginning this adventure with them.”

This is the 9^th such licensing agreement recently announced by Province Brands of Canada.

About Lake of the Woods Brewing Company 

Ontario’s northernmost brewer, Kenora-based Lake of Woods Brewing Company is an independent, family-owned and -operated purveyor of fine lagers, ales and stouts. The company began its story in 1898 and in 2010 was re-imagined by new owners Taras Manzie, Audrey Manzie, Rob Dokuchie, Frank Leroux, and Gene Manzie while maintaining a focus on natural ingredients in its fresh, local, handcrafted beer. 

Lake of the Woods employs 80 full-time staff, many more in the busy summer months, and is expanding with a new brewery Minnesota, USA, another on the way in Winnipeg, MB, and a large production expansion in Kenora.

About Province Brands of Canada 

Province Brands of Canada is a research and development / IP generation company developing a suite of innovative technologies with applications across the cannabis and adult beverage industries. The first technology we are bringing to market is a revolutionary technique for crafting the world's first beers brewed from cannabis in place of grains or barley. We are mining the untapped potential of the cannabis plant to create less harmful alternatives to alcohol. We will be developing these beers in our own 123,000 sq ft facility in Grimsby, Ontario, Canada.

For more information, please visit: www.provincebrands.com Twitter & Instagram: @provincebrands | Facebook: /provincebrands 

ProMIS Neurosciences Highlights Data for PMN310 at AAIC 2019

Alzheimer's Association International Conference includes oral session on PMN310 for Alzheimer's disease and poster presentation on ALS 

TORONTO and CAMBRIDGE, MA, July 18, 2019 /CNW/ - ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (TSX: PMN) (OTCQB: ARFXF), a biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of antibody therapeutics targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, presented data today for its lead clinical candidate, PMN310 for Alzheimer's disease, at the annual Alzheimer's Association International Conference^® (AAIC) in Los Angeles. In an oral presentation, Chief Development Officer Dr. Johanne Kaplan highlighted the therapeutic potential of PMN310 against the toxic oligomer form of amyloid beta (AßO), a root cause of Alzheimer's disease. The presentation is now available at www.promisneurosciences.com. Additionally, Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Neil Cashman presented data pertaining to the company's preclinical development program selectively targeting toxic forms of TDP43 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

In today's oral session, Dr. Johanne Kaplan demonstrated PMN310's ability to: 

• Inhibit both the spread and toxicity of AßOs in vitro; 
• Prevent AßO-induced loss of memory formation in vivo; 
• Reduce both synaptic loss and inflammation in vivo; and, 
• Compare favorably with other Aß-directed antibodies, showing a lack of adverse event-associated binding to Aß deposits in AD brains, and greater selective binding to AßO-enriched AD brain fractions that contain Aß neurotoxic species.

On Wednesday, July 17, Dr. Neil Cashman delivered data from ProMIS' preclinical program for ALS. Dr. Cashman's poster presentation demonstrated the role of toxic, misfolded TDP43 as a root cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTD. 

Commenting on this year's conference, Dr. Kaplan shared: "This year's gathering was arguably one of the most significant as the research community pivots from a year of discouragement and failure toward hope. New, incredibly promising therapy development efforts are underway to target the correct, toxic form of amyloid beta, advance new biomarkers that can better identify promising therapy candidates early and mature understanding of new, emerging targets such as tau and sources of neuroinflammation. With nearly three decades of hard lessons under our belt, it is wonderful to be a part of the new, shared momentum and excitement around the path ahead."

AAIC^® is the largest, most influential international meeting focused on advancing dementia science. The 2019 conference ended today in Los Angeles, California. For information on data presented, please visit www.alz.org/aaic. 

About ProMIS Neurosciences
ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. is a development stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody therapeutics selectively targeting toxic oligomers implicated in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). The Company's proprietary target discovery platform is based on the use of two complementary thermodynamic, computational discovery engines - ProMIS and Collective Coordinates - to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. Using this unique precision approach, the Company is developing novel antibody therapeutics for AD, ALS and PD. ProMIS is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ProMIS is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PMN, and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol ARFXF.

To learn more, visit us at www.promisneurosciences.com, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and listen to the podcast, Saving Minds, at iTunes or Spotify.

The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This information release contains certain forward-looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE ProMIS Neurosciences Inc.

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