More than 10,000 racers participated in the 16th Annual Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon, raising over $500,000 for local community charities
Clara Lownie and Cal Dewolfe take top placing in Halifax
HALIFAX, June 9, 2019 /CNW/ - Known as "the people's marathon", over 10,000 participants lined up at the start line for one of the seven running events this weekend at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon, raising over $500,000 as part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.
Cal Dewolfe (2:34.41) and Clara Lownie (3:24.24) were first to cross the finish line in the Scotiabank Full Marathon after a fantastic run through the vibrant streets of Halifax, Nova Scotia for the 16th annual Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon weekend.
At press time, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge had raised over $500,000 in support of 61 official charities. The total funds raised is expected to continue to grow as fundraising remains open until July 8, 2019.
"At Scotiabank, investing in our communities has been a focus for 187 years. Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, we aim to inspire individuals to fundraise in support of their favourite charities," says Jim Rogers, District Vice President, Halifax at Scotiabank. "Our goal has always been to help create a better life for people in the communities we serve, and with the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, we've raised over $500,000 so far at this year's Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon. This is an accomplishment to be proud of, and I know that the funds raised will have a huge impact in the communities where we live, work, and run."
The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a turnkey fundraising program that provides a simple way for participants in these races to support local causes that make a significant impact on Canadian communities. Participating charities keep 100 percent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees. Since 2003, over $70 million has been raised as part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge across Canada.
Known for its inclusivity, the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon welcomes all ages, abilities and fitness levels to participate in one of the seven running events: Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run, Lifemark 5KM, GoodLife FITNESS 10KM, BOYNECLARKE LLP 15KM, Medavie Blue Cross Half Marathon, Killam Marathon Team Relay and Scotiabank Full Marathon. This year's Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run welcomed 3,000 young people to the start line, with participants ranging from just a few weeks old up to 15 years of age. Overall, the 16th annual Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon welcomed 10,153 participants to the event.
Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon Results
Scotiabank Full Marathon
Male
1. Cal Dewolfe of Conquerall Mills, Nova Scotia; 2:34.41
2. Dennis Mbelenzi, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 2:44:02.1
3. Matthias Mueller, Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia; 2:52.56
Female
1. Clara Lownie, London, Ontario; 3:24.24
2. Rebecca Cornick, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 3:26.41
3. Leah Kutcher, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 3:28.09
Medavie Blue Cross Half-Marathon
Male
1. Donald Rasmussen, Antigonish, Nova Scotia; 1:15.50
2. Dmitriy Shulga, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 1:20.11
3. Matthew Callaghan, Timberlea, Nova Scotia 1:22.26
Female
1. Morgan Hawkes, Fredericton, New Brunswick; 1:34.17
2. Andrea Whynot, Conquerall Bank, Nova Scotia; 1:36.21
3. Maude Bertrand, Pont Rouge, Quebec; 1:36.26
BOYNECLARKE LLP 15KM
Male
1. Justin Clarke, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; 56.02
2. Ian Loughhead, Beechville, Nova Scotia; 56.33
3. Neil Lang, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 57.35
Female
1. Emily Clarke, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; 1:03.50
2. Erin MacNeil, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; 1:04.48
3. Shauna Wilcox, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 1:06.53
GoodLife Fitness 10KM
Male
1. Paul MacLellan, Antigonish, Nova Scotia; 33.08
2. Brent Addison, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 36.47
3. Ben Firth, Lake Echo, Nova Scotia; 37.55
Female
1. Madalyn Higgins, Middle Musquodoboit, Nova Scotia; 40.17
2. Terra Manca, Edmonton, Alberta; 40.53
3. Emma Moore, Charlottetown, PEI; 41.07
Lifemark 5KM
Male
1. Thomas White, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 16.17
2. Greg Wiezorek, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 16.18
3. Stephane Piccinin, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 16:56
Female
1. Abby Lewis, Beaver Bank, Nova Scotia; 17:56
2. Hana Marmura, Antigonish, Nova Scotia; 18:44
3. Catherine Thompson, Antigonish, Nova Scotia; 18:59
Wheelchair Divison
1. Ben Brown, Cambridge, Nova Scotia; 13:51
"Thanks to the support of the community, the 16th annual Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon was an incredible success," said Rod McCulloch, Chair of the Board of Directors, Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon. "The city of Halifax truly does rally behind this event and every participant, fundraiser, sponsor, volunteer and spectator should be proud of what they accomplished this weekend."
Scotiabank offers the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at six sponsored marathon events across Canada including Montréal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.
For more highlights and complete race results, please visit: www.sportstats.ca
Twitter and Instagram Hashtag: #BlueNose2019 #RunScotia #InfinitePotential
About Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon
Known as 'the people's marathon', the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon welcomes all ages, abilities and fitness levels to the start line. With the help of more than 1,500 volunteers, the event hosts seven fitness events (Lifemark 5KM, GoodLife FITNESS 10KM, BOYNECLARKE LLP 15KM, The Medavie Blue Cross Half Marathon, Scotiabank Full Marathon, Killam Marathon Team Relay and the Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run-2KM and 4KM), and the largest Active Living Expo in Atlantic Canada. Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, over 61 local charities raise more than half a million dollars annually. The event takes place annually in the late spring in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
About Scotiabank At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their infinite potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2018, Scotiabank contributed more than $80 million to help our communities around the world.
Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 99,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at April 30, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.
This NYC Millenial Doctor Shares 6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Starve for Weightloss and What to Do Instead. https://tourocom.touro.edu/academics/faculty/harlem/niket-sonpal.php For many people losing weight is synonymous with restriction and sacrifice. In an effort to acquire the body of their dreams, patients obsess over every calorie and cut too many corners, leaving their body starved and tired. Dr. Niket Sonpal, an NYC Internist and Gastroenterologist, tells us malnourishment is not the key to a healthy lifestyle and could be the “gateway into difficult health problems.” Dr. Sonpal, who is an Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Associate Director of Brookdale Hospital's Residency Program, says, “Starving yourself is a technique that quickly backfires on patients. It can cause ma ss to be stored, water to accumulate, and hormone imbalances, among other things. If we aren’t careful about our nutrition and our weight loss, we can end up worse than when we started.” Hunger is defined by bodily sensations ranging from mild pains in the abdominal region, headaches, mood changes, a decline in energy or light-headedness. These sensations signal the body’s instinct that it needs to replenish energy by consuming food. Biological cues arising from hunger inform the body of what to how to operate some of its essential functions to adapt to your circumstance. Remember though society has evolved tenfold since the first Neanderthals roamed the earth, our biological instincts are still quite similar, and hunger is at the center of how our body assesses its ability to survive. Simply put, if our body is not receiving the energy it needs, it will adapt its functions to survive what it perceives as hard times. During this adapting period, we can undergo mild to serious health implications that run contrary to our overall goals of losing weight and improving our health. Here are 6 Major Reasons to Refrain from Starving Yourself and what to do instead: Your Metabolism Prolonging your body’s state of hunger regularly and for extended periods can cause your system to slow down your energy expenditure during periods of rest. Your Basal Metabolical Rate dictates how much energy your body burns in order to fuel your essential bodily functions while at rest. In the absence of regular and consistent nourishment, your body may begin to store energy, often in the form of fat. Many people get caught up in an unhealthy obsession with calories. While calorie counting is sometimes necessary to get rid of stubborn fat and techniques like intermittent fasting can help people jumpstart their metabolism. Studies show that for people who are already obese or lack muscle while packing excess body fat, extended periods of hunger can worsen their situation. To avoid going down the path of starvation and fat storage, start to slowly and sustainably build a schedule and regiment that has you eating high volumes of low calorie and low carb foods. Vegetables and lean proteins are your friends. Instead of eating two or three huge meals, space them out throughout the day with space for small healthy snacks that keep your energy up throughout the day. Stress and Bingeing Hunger and stress have an interesting relationship. People come in a great many varieties, and they react to stress differently. However, it is common for stress, in short doses, to decrease appetite. Prolonged stress, on the other hand, can lead people to binge-eat, especially if someone has developed the habit of food-for-comfort over time. Hunger, prolonged periods of fasting, and eating disorders can increase the body’s production of cortisol, known as the stress hormone. This can make you moody, anxious, and uncontrolled. Stress also inhibits our ability to control our appetite, often leading to overconsumption of calories. Once your system becomes overwhelmed with stress, you break, and the result may very well be binge eating. Instead, focus on eating as healthily as possible without sacrificing the fulfillment of feeling nourished. If you have a craving for sweets or some treat, navigate the situation reasonably. For example, if you are a fan of chocolate, as many of us are, treat yourself to a piece of dark chocolate after dinner. Dark chocolate is an excellent way to get a taste of cocoa without overdoing the sugar. As for your cortisol production, don’t revolve your entire life around dieting and counting calories. Take time to run outside and feel the sun. Working out is a natural stimulant of endorphins, the hormones that help us feel good. Endorphins are also helpful in helping relieve stress and pain. Your Calorie Intake Helps Dictate Your Calorie OutputAs previously mentioned, our bodies burn calories daily to cover our essential bodily functions while at rest. Reducing calories in an extreme way can reduce the number of calories you regularly burn in an extreme way also. This makes it more difficult over time to lose weight, maintain weight, and remain lean. This is especially true for people who are predisposed to having a hard time shedding pounds, such as postmenopausal women and people with a family history of high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity. Instead, focus on the quality of your calories. 200 calories of broccoli will not affect your body the same way as 200 calories of ice cream. Giving our bodies an appropriate amount of food at an appropriate amount of calories is key to our metabolic health. The best way to cover our bases on the calorie front and on the hunger front, meaning fulfilling our energy needs while still satisfying our hunger is to eat foods that are high on nutrients, fiber and vitamins. Hydration is key to your healthIn their incessant battle for an “Instagram-worthy” body, people concentrate overwhelmingly on the solid foods they eat and very little on the liquids they drink. Needless to say, our bodies are dependent on water to help keep them regulated, hydrated and refreshed. If we are dieting like madmen while drinking sugary drinks, dairy products, and alcohol all the time, we are essentially counteracting everything we have accomplished at the gym and the dinner table. In other instances, people forget to drink water leading to dehydration and water retention. Drinking ample amounts of water is also an effective way to send signals to the brain, informing it that you are not on an empty stomach. Drinking water before a meal has been shown to effectively decrease the amount of a person consumes once they sit down to eat. Keep in mind water is extremely useful in keeping your digestion working properly. Fiber is your friendFiber is a useful tool for staying regulated and healthy. Fiber is interesting because, though it is a carbohydrate, the body is unable to dismantle the nutrient to convert it to a simple sugar molecule. This results in Fiber passing through our gastrointestinal tract accomplishing many beneficial tasks to help us with our diet and health goals. Fiber is a healthy way to increase fullness hormones in the body. For many people who have built up resistance to this hormone, called leptin, this becomes more beneficial as your body becomes leaner and you become healthier. Fiber also helps to keep you full and it shows up in a variety of foods from fruits to vegetables to grains. The versatility of fiber means it is easy to work it into your diet without a lot of stress. Fiber helps fill you up as well without the risk of it staying and accumulating in your body to be processed into fat. Opt for healthier choices that are rich in fiber, as opposed to processed and sugary drinks with little nutritional value. Because of where fiber is found, odds are the foods you eat to incorporate it into your diet will be full of many other vitamins and nutrients that will help keep your body healthy. Fat Storage The term “starvation mode” is incredibly common and if you confess your fasting weight loss methods to a caring friend or family member, odds are they will mention starvation mode as a reason against going hungry. You may be tempted to roll your eyes and ignore the advice, but your loved one may be right. When we are constantly hungry, skipping meals and only feeding our bodies with one or two big meals a day, even if the meals are mostly healthy the body will do everything it can to store as much fat and nutrients as it can. This is especially true if you eat at inconsistent times of the day. Why? Because the body’s biological clock does not know when its next meal will come and how big that meal will be. So while you go hungry, your body grows anxious and looks for ways to compensate for the insufficient and inconsistent way with which it is fed. To avoid starvation mode, make sure you are eating consistently and snacking on something natural and healthy between meals. Make sure to never skip breakfast as it jumpstarts your metabolism. Breakfast is also a signal to the body that its overnight fast is now over. It helps to keep track of the times you eat and make an effort to stay relatively consistent when it comes to your eating schedule. This will help alleviate some of the body’s anxieties about being left without food until further notice. About the Expert:
Dr. Niket Sonpal is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn who specializes in Gastroenterology. He is a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and continues his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookdale University medical center.
He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Medquest Test Prep, Director of Medical Education for Picmonic Test Prep, and a recognized expert on medical test prep.
Unmasking Brain Injury Pulls Back the Curtain on Brain Injuries
TORONTO, June 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Brain injury happens in an instant and lives are changed forever. The numbers are staggering, according to Ruth Wilcock, Executive Director of the Ontario Brain Injury Association. "There are close to half a million Ontarians currently living with acquired brain injury (ABI) and more than 45,000 new cases will be added every year, states Wilcock. "This number does not include the 155,000 new concussions that occur each year in Ontario".
Yet, brain injury continues to be misunderstood and is often referred to as the invisible disability. Through the unmasking project, hundreds of people living with brain injuries are making the invisible, visible by unmasking their stories through an artistic display of masks that represent their personal journeys.
On Thursday, May 30, representatives from the Ontario Brain Injury Association (OBIA), as well as community Brain Injury Associations across the province were at Queen's Park as OBIA and Brain Injury Awareness Month were introduced in the Legislature. During the event at Queen's Park, OBIA unveiled the Unmasking Brain Injury Project in honour of Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Unmasking Brain Injury is an international movement and, through the coordination of OBIA, Ontario has become the first province in Canada to participate. In the last two years, OBIA has disseminated more than 2,000 masks to 26 participating brain injury associations/partner organizations across the province.
This project has resonated with survivors of brain injury in profound ways, states Wilcock, as it empowers them to personally increase awareness of brain injury.
Masks will be on display in public areas across the province during the month of June. For a listing of participating Brain Injury Associations/Partners, visit: http://obia.ca/brain-injury-awareness-month/unmasking-brain-injury/. Visitors are encouraged to check with their local association/partner organizations and join in their visually powerful and emotional project to raise awareness of ABI and the unique experiences of survivors.
SOURCE Ontario Brain Injury Association
Health Canada approves TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) combination therapy for first-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer
Data show this new option can help some metastatic NSCLC patients live significantly longer1
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) announced today that Health Canada has approved TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) in combination with bevacizumab, paclitaxel and carboplatin for the first-line treatment of adults with metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) genomic tumour aberrations, and no prior systemic chemotherapy treatment for metastatic non-squamous NSCLC.2
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in Canada and remains one of the leading causes of death from cancer as it is often diagnosed in the most advanced and aggressive stages of the disease.3, 4 NSCLC accounts for approximately 80-85% of all lung cancer cases in Canada,5 and is comprised of squamous cell and non-squamous carcinomas. Non-squamous lung cancer includes lung adenocarcinoma and large cell lung cancer, and makes up around 55% of all NSCLCs.6 The estimated five-year survival rate for patients with metastatic NSCLC is 2-13%.7
"Immunotherapies like TECENTRIQ represent a cornerstone in lung cancer treatment, and are crucial to providing personalized treatment approaches for many patients," says Dr. Mark Vincent, Medical Oncologist. "Clinical data support this combination as a first-line therapy that can extend survival for certain lung cancer patients."
This approval is based on results from the Phase III IMpower150 study, which showed that TECENTRIQ in combination with bevacizumab and chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) helped people live significantly longer, compared with bevacizumab and chemotherapy alone (median overall survival [OS] was 19.2 versus 14.7 months; hazard ratio [HR] was 0.78; 95% CI: 0.64–0.96; p=0.0164) in the intention-to-treat wild-type (ITT-WT) population.8
"There is a high unmet need in lung cancer. The Canadian Cancer Statistics indicate that approximately half are diagnosed at stage 4, a late stage,"9 says Shem Singh, Executive Director, Lung Cancer Canada. "With this approval, Canadians living with NSCLC now have another first-line treatment option to fight the disease. It is important we continue to push forward additional research in lung cancer to increase survivorship and improve quality of life for patients and their families."
About the IMpower150 study10 IMpower150 is a multicentre, open-label, randomized, controlled Phase III study evaluating the efficacy and safety of TECENTRIQ in combination with chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) with or without bevacizumab in people with stage IV or recurrent metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who had not been treated with chemotherapy for their advanced disease. A total of 1,202 people were enrolled and randomized (1:1:1) to receive:
TECENTRIQ plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (Arm A), or
TECENTRIQ and bevacizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (Arm B), or
Bevacizumab plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (Arm C, control arm)
The co-primary endpoints comparing Arms B and C were investigator-assessed OS and progression-free survival (PFS) in the ITT-WT subpopulation. Key secondary endpoints included investigator-assessed PFS, OS and safety in the ITT population.
The safety profile of the TECENTRIQ combination therapy was consistent with that observed in previous studies.11The most common adverse reactions in people receiving the TECENTRIQ combination therapy were: nausea (39.2%), fatigue (33.1%), diarrhea (32.1%), anemia (29.3%), constipation (29.8%), decreased appetite (28.8%), arthralgia (26.2%), neuropathy peripheral (23.7%), asthenia (20.6%), cough (19.6%), vomiting (18.6%), pyrexia (18.6%), neutropenia (18.6%), peripheral sensory neuropathy (16.5%), rash (16.5%), platelet count decreased (14.0%), dyspnea (13.5%), stomatitis (13.0%), hypomagnesemia (13.0%), pruritus (12.7%), neutrophil count decreased (12.2%), back pain (12.2%), hypothyroidism (11.5%), musculoskeletal pain (10.9%), and febrile neutropenia (10.2%).12
About the TECENTRIQ and bevacizumab combination There is a strong scientific rationale to support the use of TECENTRIQ plus bevacizumab in combination. The TECENTRIQ and bevacizumab regimen may enhance the potential of the immune system to combat first-line advanced NSCLC.13 Bevacizumab, in addition to its established anti-angiogenic effects, may further enhance TECENTRIQ's ability to restore anti-cancer immunity, by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) related immunosuppression, promoting T cell tumour infiltration and enabling priming and activation of T cell responses against tumour antigens.14
TECENTRIQ is a monoclonal antibody designed to directly bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumour cells and tumour-infiltrating immune cells.15 This blocks the interactions of PD-L1 with other cell-surface receptors which regulate the activation or suppression of T cells, a type of white blood cell that protects the body from infection and disease, including cancer.16, 17
About Roche in immunotherapy For more than 50 years, Roche has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in oncology. Today, we're investing more than ever in our effort to bring innovative treatment options that help a person's own immune system fight cancer.
By applying our seminal research in immune tumour profiling within the framework of the Roche-devised cancer immunity cycle, we are accelerating and expanding the transformative benefits with TECENTRIQ to a greater number of people living with cancer. Our cancer immunotherapy development program takes a comprehensive approach in pursuing the goal of restoring cancer immunity to improve outcomes for patients.
About Roche in lung cancer Lung cancer is a major area of focus and investment for Roche, and we are committed to developing new approaches, medicines and tests that can help people with the disease. Our goal is to provide an effective treatment option for every person diagnosed with lung cancer. In Canada, we currently have four approved medicines to treat certain kinds of lung cancer and a range of additional medicines under development to target the most common genetic drivers of lung cancer or to boost the immune system to combat the disease.
About Roche Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare - a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.
Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1931, Roche Canada is committed to searching for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases while making a sustainable contribution to society. The company employs more than 1,200 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario and Diagnostics, as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.
Roche aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities through its charitable giving and partnerships with organizations and healthcare institutions that work together to improve the quality of life of Canadians. For more information, please visit www.RocheCanada.com.
All trade-marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
10 TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) Product Monograph; May 24, 2019.
11 Socinski, M. A. et al. Atezolizumab for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Nonsquamous NSCLC. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2018; 378: 2288-2301. Retrieved from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1716948.
12 TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) Product Monograph; May 24, 2019.
13 TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) Product Monograph; May 24, 2019.
14 Socinski, M. A. et al. Atezolizumab for First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Nonsquamous NSCLC. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2018; 378: 2288-2301. Retrieved from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1716948.
15 TECENTRIQ (atezolizumab) Product Monograph; May 24, 2019.
16 National Cancer Institute. T-Lymphocytes.
17 Jin, H.T. et al. Role of PD-1 in regulating T-cell immunity. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology. 2011; 350:17-37. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21061197.
SOURCE Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada)
New Report: Prices of Canadian Generic Medicines Below International Average
PMRPB: Canadian price declines steepest of all OECD countries
TORONTO, May 29, 2019 /CNW/ - New data released today by the federal government's Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) shows that in 2018 Canadian prices for generic prescription medicines dropped to five percent below average or mean prices in comparator countries.
The PMPRB's data also shows that, since 2007, the average price of generic prescription medicines in Canada has fallen by nearly 60 percent, with prices of some of the top-selling generics dropping by an average of 80 percent. While prices of generic medicines have fallen in markets around the world, Canada has experienced the steepest decline of all OECD countries.
"Generic medicines are providing tremendous value and savings for Canadians, largely due to the work we have done with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA)," said Jim Keon, President of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA). "Now that Canadian payers have benefitted from massive price declines for generic prescription medicines in Canada, much more must be done to increase Canadians' access to and use of these products."
It is estimated that for every one percent increase in the use of generic medicines, Canadians save an additional $586-million. In the United States, for example, generics are dispensed to fill 90 percent of all prescriptions. If the use of generic medicines in Canada was equal to U.S. levels, Canadians would have saved an additional $11-billion in 2018.
"It is a waste of Canadian's health-care dollars when payers continue to pay for brand-name versions of drugs when generic equivalents are available at up to a 90 percent discount," Keon said. "As today's PMPRB data clearly demonstrates, Canada's generic pharmaceutical sector has made more than its fair share of sacrifice towards making prescription drugs more affordable in Canada. Rules for Canadian drug benefit plans must change to ensure that generic equivalents are being dispensed and reimbursed whenever they are available."
Changes are also needed at Health Canada to ensure that cost-saving generic prescription medicines available in other jurisdictions are also available to Canadians. In addition, Canada's new Commissioner of Competition recently identified the pharmaceutical sector as a priority area of focus due to concerns over brand-name company tactics that are delaying and impeding Canadians' access to generic and biosimilar medicines.
About the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association The Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) represents Canada's generic pharmaceutical industry. The industry plays an important role in controlling health-care costs in Canada. Generic drugs are dispensed to fill 73 percent of all prescriptions but account for account for less than 20 percent of the $29-billion Canadians spend annually on prescription medicines.
SOURCE Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
Papa don't smoke: changes to immune genes link paternal tobacco use with childhood asthma
Children exposed to paternal tobacco smoking before birth are more likely to develop asthma – and associated changes to immune genes predict the level of risk.
These are the findings of a new study of Taiwanese families, whose lifestyle and genetic make-up were analyzed to determine how fathers’ tobacco smoking during pregnancy relates to asthma risk in their children.
Published in Frontiers in Genetics on 31st May to coincide with the WHO’s World No Tobacco Day, the study reinforces the risks of either parent smoking – and according to the authors, could provide DNA targets for the early prediction and reversal of tobacco smoking-associated childhood asthma.
A perfect storm
“We found that prenatal exposure to paternal tobacco smoking is associated with increased methylation of certain immune genes, which alters how the genetic code is read,” says lead author Dr. Chih Chiang Wu of Po-Zen Hospital, Taiwan. “This smoking-associated DNA methylation is significantly retained from birth to 6 years of age, and correlates with development of childhood asthma.”
Exposure to tobacco smoke during development is already known to harm children in a variety of ways, and non-coding ‘epigenetic’ changes to DNA (such as methylation) have been repeatedly implicated.
However, this study is the first to show that just like maternal smoking or air pollution, paternal smoking during pregnancy can program epigenetic modifications in important immune system genes – and that these modifications are associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma.
“Twenty-three percent of the fathers [367 in a cohort of 1629 couples with newborns] were smokers, compared to just 3 of the mothers [0.2%]. This unique disparity provided the perfect opportunity to study the effects of paternal tobacco smoking (PTS) exposure,” says co-author Dr. Ho Chang Kuo of Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
The study
The researchers followed 1629 children from birth to 18 months (1348) to 6 years of age (756), with medical assessment and DNA analysis at each time point.
Infants with prenatal PTS exposure had a significantly higher risk of asthma by age of 6 than those without.
“Children with prenatal PTS exposure corresponding to more than 20 cigarettes per day had a significantly higher risk of developing asthma than those with less than 20 cigarettes per day and those without prenatal PTS exposure: 35%, 25% and 22.7%, respectively,” reports senior author Dr. Kuender Yang of Mackay Children’s Hospital, Taipei.
More striking, however, were the results of the DNA analysis.
The higher the PTS exposure dose, the higher the level of methylation of LMO2, IL10 and GSTM1 – genes known to have key roles in immune function, which could provide a mechanistic link to asthma risk.
“The combination of higher methylation levels of all three genes corresponded to the highest risk of asthma: 43.48%, compared to 16.67%-23.08% with any other combination,” adds Dr. Yang.
Conclusions
Based on these results, the authors postulate that prenatal PTS exposure might program epigenetic modifications of immune genes, that are retained into childhood and so contribute to the development of childhood asthma.
They emphasize though that their study can only show associations between these factors.
“It remains to be determined whether the DNA methylation associated with PTS originated from tobacco smoke exposure in utero, from preconception changes to the father’s sperm, or if there is an alternative explanation,” explains Dr. Wu. “Preconception paternal smoking has been shown previously to alter sperm DNA methylation, with associated increased asthma risk in offspring.”
Nevertheless, secondary outcomes from the study suggest an important mechanistic insight.
“While prenatal PTS exposure was associated with childhood asthma development at 6 years of age, it did not correlate with allergen sensitization or total levels of IgE – an allergy-associated antibody implicated in asthma. Against expectations, this implies that prenatal PTS-associated asthma is mediated by an IgE-independent mechanism,” concludes Dr. Yang.
It is hoped that further work to clarify the pattern of epigenetic changes to immune genes such as LMO2 and IL10 and detoxification gene such as GSTM1 in PTS-associated asthma development can provide strategies for prediction and even reversal.
CANNAISSEUR BRANDS LAUNCHES CBD ESSENTIALS FIRST AID KITS
“Therapy Designed by Nature”
Topically Applied Farm-to-Skin Premium CBD Featuring the Brand’s Award-Winning ProductsLOS ANGELES, CALIF. (SUMMER 2019)—This season, Cannaisseur Brands is launching two First Aid Kits, featuring its topically applied terpene-rich CBD Essentials product line. The brand was founded by CBD industry expert and advocate Aryn Sieber, who consults with physicians and patients nationwide on the responsible use and medicinal benefits of cannabis. CBD Essentials topically applied products are lab-formulated, third-party tested, and batch numbered to ensure quality and consistency. All CBD Essentials products feature Sieber’s award-winning flower and meet the federal requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill, which mandates that all CBD-infused products are derived from dried Cannabis Sativa L. plant material that contain less than 0.03 percent THC to be legal in the United States. (It is important to note that therapeutic statements for CBD products are not yet evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.)
“My brand’s mission is to bring CBD products that are of the highest quality available to the marketplace,” said Aryn Sieber, Founder of Cannaisseur Brands. “The new First Aid Kits are a simple way for consumers to try a variety of products they may have never experienced before, and potentially receive the same benefits that I did during my own use of CBD during my battle with Stage IV cancer.”
The Cannaisseur Brands CBD Essentials First Aid Kits are offered in both “Standard” and “Deluxe” sizes.
The CBD Essentials Standard First Aid Kit includes: 1.5 oz. Pain Relief Cream(available in Green Tea Cucumber and Natural); 1/3 oz. CBD Essentials Massage Roll-On (available in Green Tea Cucumber, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Natural); and 0.15 oz. CBD Essentials Lip Balm(available in Tropical Punch, Grape, Coconut, Vanilla and Peppermint). The CBD Essentials Standard First Aid Kit is offered at a retail price of $60.
The CBD Essentials Deluxe First Aid Kit includes: 1.5 oz. Pain Relief Cream (available in Green Tea Cucumber and Natural); 1 oz. CBD Essentials Salt Soak (available in Green Tea Cucumber, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Natural); 1 oz. CBD Essentials Body + Massage Oil (available in Green Tea Cucumber, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Natural); 0.15 oz. CBD Essentials Lip Balm (available in Tropical Punch, Grape, Coconut, Vanilla and Peppermint); and CBD Essentials Transdermal Patch (unscented). The CBD Essentials Deluxe First Aid Kit is offered at a retail price of $125.
About the products featured in the CBD Essentials First Aid Kits:
CBD Essentials Pain Cream—This body cream, formulated to offer pain relief for sore muscles, aching joints, and chronic skin conditions, won the Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa “Best New Product” award in 2018. A therapeutic blend of premium CBD, select terpenes, and organic hydrators such as coconut oil and shea butter facilitate muscle rejuvenation and replenish moisture for dry skin conditions. The product uses 50 mg. per oz. of premium CBD.
CBD Essentials Salt Soak Concentrate—This therapeutic blend of immune-boosting, mineral-rich sea salts, combined with premium CBD and select terpenes was formulated to soothe sore muscles, reduce stress, and induce relaxation. This product won the Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa “Best New Product” award in 2019.
CBD Essentials Body + Massage Oil—This product features organic coconut oil infused with premium CBD to reduce discomfort associated with muscle and joint inflammation. This non-greasy topically applied product helps to rejuvenate tired muscles and aching joints, enhancing recovery and relieving pain. It was formulated to be used for therapeutic and oncology massages, and has been shown help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, fibromyalgia, tendnitis and psoriasis in hundreds of real-world test cases. Designed for all skin types, the CBD EssentialsBody + Massage Oil also can improve dry skin, deeply hydrating for maximum benefit and long-lasting protection.
CBD Essentials Massage Roll-On—This product features the same formulation of CBD Essentials Body + Massage Oil, in the convenience of a roll-on applicator. CBD Essentials Massage Roll-On is available in Green Tea Cucumber, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender and Natural in sizes 0.3 oz. at a retail price of $12; and 3 oz. at a retail price of $70.
CBD Essentials Transdermal Patch—This THC-free time-released product delivers 70 mg. of premium CBD via a 2.5 in. by 3.5 in. waterproof adhesive patch (so it can be worn in the shower and during a workout) and is effective for up to 36 hours.
CBD Essentials Lip Balm—The first lip balm launched by the brand, CBD Essentials Lip Balm is formulated to moisturize the lips from discomfort associated with dryness and deeply hydrate dry skin for maximum benefit and long-lasting protection.
CBD Essentials products are available at CannasseurBrands.com and select spas, wellness centers and specialty retail outlets nationwide.### About Cannaisseur Brands Cannaisseur Brands was launched by cannabis industry advocate Aryn Sieber, who consults with physicians nationwide on the legal use of medical cannabis and CBD for their patients. Sieber became a sought-after professional leader in the CBD and medical cannabis industry after using medical cannabis and CBD during his own battle with Stage IV cancer. The topically applied products in the Cannaisseur Brand line are lab-formulated, third-party tested, and batch numbered to ensure quality and consistency. All products in the line feature the brand’s award-winning flower.
Quantifying the value of genomics driven health care for children with rare diseases
VANCOUVER, May 28, 2019 /CNW/ - Two million Canadian children are classified as having a rare disease. As these children and their families navigate these complex, life-threatening, or chronically debilitating conditions, their stories are often similar — they spend years experiencing a diagnostic odyssey that includes many hospital and clinic visits, tests and several misdiagnoses before a firm diagnosis is established.
Over 80% of rare diseases are thought to have a genetic origin. And while next generation sequencing technologies, such as whole exome and whole genome sequencing, may enable more accurate disease diagnosis and treatment guidance for childhood rare diseases, these technologies are not routinely available in clinical care. There are outstanding questions as to whether these technologies are valued by patients, or an efficient use of healthcare resources, as well as understanding at what point they become cost-effective. Answering these questions helps inform the adoption of these tools as a standard of clinical care and potentially validates the impact that genomics has on the quality of life for patients.
Dr. Dean Regier, a scientist at BC Cancer, focuses his research on improving methods to understand how genes play a role in our personal lives and how patients and the general public value the trade-offs between the benefits and risks when making decisions to undergo genomic testing. He gathers evidence from patients for input into economic models, which evaluate whether these technologies provide value for money.
Over the next two years, a $500,000 project, funded through Genome BC's Genesolve program and Illumina Inc., will draw upon health care data from BC as well as the 100,000 Genomes Project in the UK to generate evidence for the appropriate and sustainable adoption of whole exome and whole genome sequencing to diagnose and guide treatment for children with rare diseases. This work will be undertaken by Dr. Regier in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Oxford, the University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital and BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre.
Quotes: "Genomics is already saving lives and improving health outcomes in many areas, including rare disease. However, the validation of these technologies as a cost-effective way to direct clinical management and improve patient outcomes is critical to optimizing the uptake of genomics into the healthcare system."
— Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, Chief Scientific Officer and VP, Sectors, Genome British Columbia
"Genome wide sequencing improves the health and well-being of patients and families with rare diseases. What is needed in BC and around the world is robust, high quality evidence of the cost effectiveness of these tools as well as the value patients and families place on improved diagnoses. This evidence can aid decision makers in assessing value for money in context to the many competing demands on our scarce healthcare resources."
— Dr. Dean Regier, Scientist, BC Cancer and Assistant Professor, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia
"In the past few years, we have seen strong evidence emerge in the peer-reviewed scientific literature demonstrating the clinical utility of genome sequencing in the care of patients with rare and undiagnosed genetic diseases. However, we recognize the importance of also evaluating the economic utility and cost effectiveness of new genomics applications. Illumina is committed to supporting development of economic evidence that healthcare systems need to make informed decisions for their communities. We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Genome BC and the Genesolve program to support these critical health economic studies."
— Dr. Brock Schroeder, Director, Health Economic and Outcomes Research, Illumina
About Genome BC's GeneSolve program GeneSolve seeks to foster applied and translational research by connecting the producers of genomics driven technologies with its end-users or consumers in BC's Health, Agrifood and Natural Resources sectors.
About Genome British Columbia: Genome British Columbia invests in genomics innovation to address critical challenges in key economic sectors such as health, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agrifood, energy, mining and environment. In addition to scientific programming, Genome BC works to integrate genomics in to society by supporting responsible research and innovation and is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public. genomebc.ca
About Illumina Inc. At Illumina, our goal is to apply innovative technologies to the analysis of genetic variation and function, making studies possible that were not even imaginable just a few years ago. It is mission critical for us to deliver innovative, flexible, and scalable solutions to meet the needs of our customers. As a global company that places high value on collaborative interactions, rapid delivery of solutions, and providing the highest level of quality, we strive to meet this challenge. Illumina innovative sequencing and array technologies are fueling groundbreaking advancements in life science research, translational and consumer genomics, and molecular diagnostics.
About BC Cancer BC Cancer, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.bc.ca or follow us on Twitter @BCCancer.
SOURCE Genome British Columbia
Workout Injury? 4 Ways to Alleviate the Discomfort and Pain
Working out can make you feel like you’re on the top of the world. It can have the opposite effect at times, too, however. If you accidentally pull something or overexert yourself during an exercise session, you may end up feeling just terrible. The terrific news is that there are certain things you can to do get relief from pain and discomfort resulting from workouts gone wrong.
Head to Your Trusty General Practitioner
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. That’s why you need to head to your general practitioner for a checkup as soon as you notice something amiss with how you feel post-workout. Your doctor can assess your body and health in general and figure out if you have any injuries that call for treatment. Don’t delay visiting the doctor. Make your appointment as soon as you realize that you have lingering and unusual pain and discomfort.
Try a Chiropractor
People who appreciate natural recovery options are often genuine chiropractic devotees. If you want to get rid of or at least minimize workout pain, then a chiropractic adjustment may work nicely for you. Set up an appointment with a chiropractorwho has a fantastic track record in your area. Chiropractors can help patients with lower backaches, neck pain, leg pain, and much more.
Ask about Physical Therapy Sessions
Physical therapy sessions can be effective for people who feel sore and pained after their workout sessions. If you want to deal with a workout injury in a logical and rational manner, then it may help to schedule a session with a reputable physical therapist. Physical therapists can show you stretches and exercises that can get your motion abilities back. If you want to stay goodbye to nonstop stiffness and discomfort, a physical therapy session may be best.
Take Some Time Off
Breaks are a good thing in this fast-paced world. People need occasional breaks from their jobs. They need occasional breaks from errands, too. It’s no shocker that breaks from workout sessions can also be terrific for wellness purposes. If you feel pain that’s the result of exercise, then that’s most likely your body’s way of telling you that you need to take some time off. Excessive amounts of exercise can in some cases bring on burnout.
Exercise pain and discomfort can be a buzzkill. They affect all people once in a while, though. If you feel awful after a workout, then you need to see a doctor immediately.
THE HEALTH CRAZE WITH CRYSTALS
Holistic Nurse Shares Fascinating Science Behind Gemstone Therapy & How It Can Help Mental & Physical HealthThey say diamonds are a girl's best friend and now women across America have discovered a whole new reason for the sparkle obsession. It's called "Gemstone Therapy" and If you haven't encountered this holistic trend yet, you will soon. It's the ancient practice of using crystals to improve health, mental wellness, cure ailments, even increase prosperity. Thanks to celebs like Adelle, Victoria Beckham, and Princess Kate, crystal healing went from a new age curiosity to a mainstream sensation almost overnight. Walk down the streets of NYC today and you will be bombarded with ads for gemstone beauty treatments. Young professionals from LA to Miami pay top dollar for sessions with gemstone therapists, but it's not just a trend for yuppie urbanites with extra cash. Etsy has nearly 350,000 items marked "healing crystals" and even Walmart now sells $11 chakra sets. But will clutching an amethyst or wearing a diamond necklace really do anything for your health? According to former ER and Critical Care nurse, Jennifer Marcenelle, it's certainly possible and here is what you need to know:"The therapeutic benefits of gemstone energies run far and wide. There is a reason why this has been around for centuries," says Marcenelle.As a board-certified, holistic, registered nurse with over 30 years of experience in the medical field, Marcenelle has seen a rapid rise in interest for this alternative treatment. A growing number of people are turning to it as an all-natural solution for help with anxiety, depression, chronic and acute pain, fatigue, sprains, and even skin rashes. It supports the body’s ability to self-heal (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually) and has been found to energize the body and mind, decrease blood pressure and inflammation, reduce toxins, and minimize stress. Here's how it works: We know from elementary science class that all matter is made up of atoms and molecules that are constantly moving and vibrating. Unlike gemstones which vibrate at unchanging frequencies, our body’s vibrations fluctuate, especially with stress. Evidence suggests that gemstones send out vibrations which can resonate with the frequency of healthy cells in a specific part of the human body, and they may help bring back unhealthy cells to vibrating at the same level as healthy cells. "Regardless of why it works, the number of people gemstone therapy has helped is undeniable. The idea is that the gemstones support the other work you are doing to heal your body and mind... "...says Marcenelle who discovered gemstone therapy after surviving a personal health crisis as a result of burnout. Marcenelle's firsthand exposure to the day-to-day stresses of critical care nursing opened her eyes to the burnout epidemic that ravages Americans. As a result, she experienced personal, professional and spiritual burnout, and after a near-suicide, she became her own critical care patient. Today Marcenelle is on a mission to help others take their life back from burnout. Jennifer Marcenelle has been instrumental in the nationwide movement to optimize health and wellness through Gemstone Therapy. She is sharing fascinating information on this ancient practice and how people can use it to improve their mental and physical health.INTERVIEW / ARTICLE TALKING POINTS:Gemstone therapy - the latest trend in health and wellnessThe craze with crystals: separating fact from fictionFascinating science and research behind this ancient practice and why it is effectiveJennifer's personal health crisis and experience with medical burnout and how she used gemstone therapy to combat itActionable tips and advice people can use to improve their health using Gemstones ABOUT JENNIFER MARCENELLE: Jennifer Marcenelle MBA, BSN, RN, HBC-HN is a Board-Certified Holistic Nurse with over 30 years of experience in the medical industry. She is a certified Gemstone and Diamond Therapy Practitioner. At the age of 44, she had a health crisis and near suicide from burnout. She’s the founder and CEO Of Burn Bright Today and has dedicated her career to helping people move from Burning Out to Burning Bright.For More Information Visit:https://burnbrighttoday.com
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
