DDL Diagnostic Laboratory and ENPICOM join forces to deliver unique immune repertoire sequencing and data analysis service
A full-service offering to accelerate immunotherapy discovery and development
Rijswijk /‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, May 9, 2019 – Two Dutch companies - DDL, a state-of-the-art laboratory specializing in molecular diagnostic testing and assay development and ENPICOM, an innovative immunomics data analysis company - today announced that they have started a collaboration to jointly deliver immune repertoire sequencing and analysis service to organizations studying immune system related diseases or developing drugs influencing this system.
Immune repertoire sequencing is a powerful way to analyze hundreds of thousands to millions of T or B cell receptors swiftly and in a cost-effective way. This new technology is rapidly gaining interest from researchers and physicians who want to unravel the adaptive immune responses in areas like basic and translational immunology, immuno-oncology, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory and infectious diseases, vaccine research and transplantation. From target discovery to patient stratification in clinical trials with immunotherapies, repertoire sequencing is becoming an important addition to accelerate the different drug development processes and make it more cost-effective.
“DDL is very pleased to start this partnership with ENPICOM in this new and challenging field of immunomics”, says Jan Lindeman, DDL’s Chief Executive Officer. “It further expands DDL’s portfolio of tailor-made molecular diagnostic services for our (bio)pharmaceutical customers. ENPICOM’s expertise and know-how are highly complementary to DDL’s expertise and we are confident that this partnership will offer a unique opportunity to accelerate immunotherapy discovery and development.”
Jos Lunenberg, ENPICOM’s Chief Executive Officer comments: “Last month we launched our IGX platform to manage, store, analyze, visualize and interpret immune repertoire sequencing data from T and B cell receptors. Now we are also able to support organizations lacking the specific expertise or capabilities to perform repertoire sequencing with our smart new analysis and visualization methods. In DDL we have found a highly respected business partner with an excellent track record as molecular diagnostic testing laboratory for the biopharmaceutical industry. I’m very pleased to be able to go public with this partnership today.” He continues: “There are a few other kits and services for this specific form of targeted sequencing available in the market, but none or very limited data analysis is included. Clonality analysis is just a first step to bridge the existing gap between producing raw sequencing data and obtaining important insights from the data. So, in essence, we start where others stop.”
About DDL Diagnostic Laboratory
DDL Diagnostic Laboratory is a state-of-the-art laboratory specialized in (molecular) diagnostic testing and diagnostic assay development. DDL performs advanced assays (including next-generation sequencing) on behalf of pharmaceutical companies and clinical laboratories, primarily, within the complex framework of preclinical studies and Phase II-IV clinical trials. Currently, DDL serves multiple international pharmaceutical companies, including 10 of the global Top-20. DDL also designs, develops and validates diagnostic assays, which can be customized for specific diagnostic purposes.
Our fascination for science, solving complex problems, and making the world a healthier place, drives us. We focus on quality, knowledge and customer service. It is our mission to enable our customers to make a positive impact on human health today and for next generations.
ENPICOM is an innovative immunomics data analysis company with an outstanding team of professionals. They focus on supporting immunotherapy developers with groundbreaking products and customized solutions to improve and accelerate discovery and development of novel immunotherapies. Clinical validation projects to stratify patients and monitor treatment responses to immunotherapies under development are ongoing.
ENPICOM’s first product on the market is a world-class repertoire sequencing data analysis solution, the ImmunoGenomiX (IGX) platform. IGX is an innovative platform to manage, store, analyze, visualize and interpret immune repertoire sequencing data from T and B cell receptors. The smart new analysis and visualization methods are also offered as IGX-service. In collaboration with DDL Diagnostic Laboratory also in a full-service proposition to organizations lacking the specific expertise or capabilities to perform repertoire sequencing.
OptiSolve Germ Report on Hotels reveals which surfaces have the most germs in a hotel
TORONTO, May 8, 2019 /CNW/ - We all know how dirty hotel rooms can be but where are the worst places for germs? Join the OptiSolve® Germ Report team and host, Jason "The Germ Guy" Tetro as they unleash the powers of their Pathfinder® technology to make the invisible visible in hotel rooms. Get ready to discover how hazardous hotel rooms might be. On May 14 the OptiSolve Germ Report on Hotels is premiering at the Canadian Sustainability Conference, booth 432 in Toronto and on the web at https://germreport.com.
This investigative report utilizes OptiSolve's ground-breaking process to image and assess high touch surfaces in hotel rooms. The results show that a star rating has nothing to do with cleanliness.
According Brad Evans, CEO of OptiSolve, the results are more than surprising. "It is frightening when we consider that germs known to thrive in hotel rooms like the antibiotic resistance superbug Acinetobacter baumannii from the dirty dozen of pathogens can survive on a surface for up to three weeks." It's why OptiSolve has developed a proprietary process to transform the cleaning industry. "OptiSolve provides a breakthrough that facilitates precision cleaning to improve environmental health and safety in all types of facilities from hotels to hospitals to food manufacturing plants to educational facilities and offices."
OptiSolve is a division of the family-owned Canadian company Charlotte Products Ltd. It is an environmental monitoring system that utilizes a unique optical sensor technology, called Pathfinder, to image and assess surfaces for microbial contamination (see photo).
In February, OptiSolve was awarded a $4.5 million Genome Canada grant to further enhance the Pathfinder technology to allow for recognition and identification of specific pathogen species to make the invisible visible. As Evans points out," This grant takes us to the next level where we will be able to identify deadly pathogens such as C. difficile and Listeria on surfaces in real time."
Visit https://germreport.com to find out more about the OptiSolve Pathfinder and how it can help reduce the risks of infection in hotels and everywhere germs can be found.
SOURCE OptiSolve, a division of Charlotte Products Ltd.
First and Only Parp Inhibitor, Lynparza® (Olaparib) Approved as a First-line Maintenance Therapy Treatment in BRCA-Mutated Advanced Ovarian Cancer
AstraZeneca and Merck's Lynparza reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 70% compared to placebo following response to platinum-based chemotherapy
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 8, 2019 /CNW/ - AstraZeneca Canada and Merck Canada today announced the Health Canada approval of Lynparza (olaparib) as a monotherapy maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced BRCA-mutated (BRCAm) high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in response (complete or partial) to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients must have confirmation of BRCA mutation (identified by either germline or tumour testing) before treatment is initiated.
This is the first and only regulatory approval for a poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor in Canada in the first-line maintenance setting for patients with this disease.
"Until now, women diagnosed with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer have had limited options for first-line treatments. The approval of Lynparza is an exciting milestone as it provides a new first-line treatment option that offers the potential of sustained remission," said Dr. James Bentley, President, The Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada. "This new approval reinforces the importance of BRCA testing for all patients with an ovarian and fallopian tube cancer. No woman should be left behind."
"This is tremendous and welcome news for women diagnosed with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer," added Elisabeth Baugh, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada. "Survival rates for this disease have remained too low for 50 years, and for roughly the last 20 years, there has been significant challenges in arriving at new treatments. Women have run out of treatment options very quickly. Today's announcement brings the hope and possibility of saving more lives through new therapies that allow earlier treatment for ovarian cancer patients."
About the SOLO-1 Trial
The Notice of Compliance was granted based on positive results from the pivotal Phase III SOLO-1 trial, in which Lynparza reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 70% in patients with BRCAm advanced ovarian cancer, who were in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy compared to placebo (HR 0.30 [95% CI 0.23-0.41], p<0.0001).i With a median of 41 months follow-up, median progression-free survival (PFS) in the Lynparza arm was not reached versus 13.8 months with placebo.ii The SOLO-1 trial also showed 60% of patients receiving Lynparza remained progression-free at 3 years compared to 27% of patients receiving placebo .iii
The safety profile of Lynparza was consistent with previous clinical trials.iv The most common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (of >20% any grade) were nausea (77%), fatigue (63%), vomiting (40%), anemia (39%), diarrhea (34%), constipation (28%), dysgeusia (26%), neutropenia (23%) and headache (23%).v
This approval is the third regulatory approval for Lynparza in the first-line maintenance setting for BRCAm advanced ovarian cancer, following FDA approval in the US in December 2018 and in Brazil earlier this year.
About Lynparza (olaparib)
Lynparza was the first Health Canada-approved oral (PARP) inhibitor that may exploit tumor DNA damage response (DDR) pathway deficiencies to potentially kill cancer cells.vi
AstraZeneca and Merck are conducting multiple Lynparza phase III studies across a variety of indications and tumour types.
Lynparza is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca AB, used under license by AstraZeneca Canada Inc. and Merck Canada Inc.
About Ovarian Cancer in Canada
Ovarian cancer is one of the fifth most common cancers for Canadian women.vii An estimated 2,800 Canadians will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and 1,800 women will die from it.viii The majority of cases are high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer. Approximately 25 per cent of Canadian women with this type of ovarian cancer have an abnormality in their BRCA1/2 genes, which increases their risk of developing ovarian cancer.ix
With genetic testing, women who carry the BRCA gene can determine whether increased observation and preventive action (e.g. removal of the fallopian tubes and/or ovaries) are viable options. Women already diagnosed with BRCA-mutated or high-grade ovarian cancer should speak to their doctor about new treatment options available to them.
About the AstraZeneca and Merck strategic oncology collaboration
In 2017, AstraZeneca and Merck, announced a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize Lynparza, the world's first PARP inhibitor, and potential new medicine selumetinib, a MEK inhibitor, for multiple cancer types. Working together, the companies will develop Lynparza and selumetinib in combination with other potential new medicines and as monotherapies. Independently, the companies will develop Lynparza and selumetinib in combination with their respective PD-L1 and PD-1 medicines.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of primary and specialty care medicines that transform lives. Our primary focus is on three important areas of healthcare: Cardiovascular and Metabolic disease; Oncology; and Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity. AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. In Canada, we employ more than 675 employees across the country and our headquarters are located in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.astrazeneca.ca.
About Merck
For over a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships.
Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world - including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer's disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola.
Based in Kirkland, Québec, Merck employs approximately 765 people across Canada. Merck is one of the top R&D investors in Canada, with investments totaling $69 million in 2018 and more than $1 billion since 2000. For more information about our operations in Canada, visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on YouTube and Twitter @MerckCanada.
Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA
This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).
_______________________________
i AstraZeneca Canada Inc., Lynparza® (olaparib) tablets. Product Monograph. May 2019.
Hospice Palliative Care Week 2019 - "Busting the Myths" about Hospice Palliative Care
OTTAWA, May 7, 2019 /CNW/ - In the wake of Canada's evolving Hospice Palliative Care landscape, it is paramount to bust myths that surround Hospice Palliative Care. Hospice Palliative Care week is observed from May 5th – 11th and aims to celebrate and share achievements in the hospice palliative care field, while also providing an opportunity to recognize areas needing improvement.
This year, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) designed a "Busting the Myths" campaign as a response to the need to educate Canadians including caregivers, physicians, citizens and political leaders around common myths about hospice palliative care. The "Busting the Myths" campaign aims to empower Canadians through education by identifying and clarifying misperceptions about Hospice Palliative Care in Canada.
Sharon Baxter, Executive Director of CHPCA affirms that "people still tend to think that hospice palliative care is offered only for seniors with advanced illness – which is really not the case. In reality, hospice palliative care is provided to people of all ages – from children, teens, to younger, older and senior adults". Age is not the only topic that is misled by myths. Rather, myths about accessibility, ease of access, illness criteria and cultural misperceptions of Hospice Palliative Care impacts the care that is accessed. These topics, among others, are addressed within the "Busting the Myths" campaign.
For the "Busting the Myths" campaign, CHPCA has created a downloadable poster that debunks 10 popular myths about hospice palliative care as well as a backgrounder and resource list. To continue the conversation online, social media users are invited to test their knowledge to debunk myths by engaging with CHPCA's Facebook (CanadianHospicePalliativeCare ) and Twitter(@CanadianHPCAssn) 'Debunking Myths Poll' throughout the week. In addition, Canadians are encouraged to use the hashtag #BustingtheMyths to share myths they've encountered.
Working together to educate one another is a vital step in the pursuit of excellent Hospice Palliative Care in Canada. CHPCA urges Canadians to share the "Busting the Myths" poster whether it's with a friend or a provincial Minister of Parliament – it is time for us to bust myths permanently.
Hospice Palliative Care Week is coordinated by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Funding for National Hospice Palliative Care Week is provided by GlaxoSmithKline, Purdue, Apotex and Innovative Medicines Canada. For more information and downloadable resources for National Hospice Palliative Care Week, please visit www.chpca.net/week.
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association – the national voice for hospice palliative care in Canada – is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in care for persons approaching death so that the burdens of suffering, loneliness and grief are lessened. The CHPCA operates in close partnership with provincial hospice palliative care organizations and other national organizations and continues to work to ensure "that all Canadians have access to quality hospice palliative care."
SOURCE Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
#BIOHACKING: LATEST TREND IN HEALTH & WELLNESS
Neuroscience Expert Shares How Biohacking Will Change the Wellness IndustryIf you haven't heard of "biohacking" yet, you will soon. It brings the concept of mindfulness to the next level and its development has been rapid and recent. Biohacking combines science, biology, and self-experimentation to optimize health, well-being, and focus. Simply put, it's a DIY approach to wellness that refers to a wide range of activities including meditation, yoga, cleanse diets, and more. Once considered new-age and radical, these practices have risen in popularity. With more research and investment dollars being spewed into the industry, this health trend is dominating the wellness space and is on the verge of changing the industry. At the forefront of the biohacking community is neuroscience expert Dr. Patrick Porter. "Biohacking has hit the mainstream and whether you believe in these practices or not, they will undoubtedly impact the health industry..." ...says Dr. Porter, who presented research along with Ariana Huffington and other notable biohackers last month at the National Biohacking Conference in Los Angeles. Biohacking has made tremendous advances in treating conditions like mental health and addiction. Although in the past, biohacking has received criticism for being unregulated, biohackers argue that's exactly why it needs to be studied and have close attention by the public. "It's all about open access to science and what works for you. When it comes to health, you are your own best advocate. No one can watch over you better than yourself," says Porter. Porter's contribution to biohacking involves research on brainwaves and technology. A pioneer in this area, Porter has emerged as a leader in the digital health and wellness field. He is the creator of the BrainTap Pro mobile app, a mind-development tool designed to help users de-stress while achieving physical, mental, and emotional balance. Using frequency-following technology as well as guided visualization, the app gives anyone the ability to achieve the mental state they want in mere minutes (unlike traditional meditation which can take years to master.) While other apps only focus on one brainwave (such as alpha waves that calm and soothe) BrainTap is based on the understanding that no complex human task has only one brainwave state but rather a symphony of waves working together. "You can actually trigger neurotransmitter production through brainwave entrainment and this is a game changer for mental and physical health," says Dr. Porter. Dr. Porter has been instrumental in the nationwide movement to optimize healthcare through biohacking. He is sharing information with the public on what mainstream biohacking means for the wellness industry.IN AN INTERVIEW / ARTICLE, DR. PORTER CAN DISCUSS:Facts and myths about biohackingBiohacking - the latest trend in health and wellnessHow to trigger neurotransmitter production through brainwave entrainmentHow to biohack your brain with light, sound, and vibrationWhat mainstream biohacking means for the healthcare industry ABOUT DR. PATRICK PORTER:Dr. Patrick K. Porter, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and speaker. He is the creator of BrainTap Technology™ a company that produces digital tools for health and wellness. BrainTap’s mind development apps and accessories use Creative Visualization and Relaxation to help people overcome stress and insomnia, lose weight, stop smoking, manage pain, accelerate learning, and much more. BrainTap Tech has produced over 800 custom sessions and has sold more than 3-million books and recordings worldwide. With stress-related health and lifestyle issues at an all-time high, BrainTap has emerged as a leader in the digital health and wellness field. For more information visit:https://braintaptech.com/
Professional snowboarder and Olympian diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma joins LLSC Light The Night to help accelerate blood cancer cures
MONTREAL, May 9, 2019 /CNW/ - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) is proud to announce that it has teamed up with Max Parrot, professional snowboarder and 2018 Olympic Games silver medalist, to help accelerate blood cancer cures. Max Parrot will walk in solidarity with the blood cancer community at our annual flagship event – Light The Night Walk in October.
Now in its milestone 15th year, Light The Night celebrates cancer survivors, honours those we've lost and gives hope and healing to those facing cancer.
Each year, more than 35,000 Canadians participate in Light The Night Walk events across the country to show their support for those affected by a blood cancer. In 2018, Light The Night raised over $6.5 million which helped fund a record number of research grants.
"We are excited to welcome Max Parrot to the LLSC community," said Alicia Talarico, President of the LLSC. "His unwavering commitment to our mission makes us that much stronger in our pursuit to cure all blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families."
Max Parrot was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in December 2018, ten days after undergoing a biopsy. He underwent an operation and is currently receiving chemotherapy to treat the disease, which affects the white blood cells in the lymphatic system.
"My partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is obviously deeply personal," said Max Parrot. "As I continue my treatment, I wish to raise as much money and awareness as possible for blood cancer research and programs that assist patients and their families. My goal is to inspire Canadians to support this cause until we find a cure."
LLSC is the leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding cures for blood cancers and ensuring that patients have access to life-saving treatments. Each year, more than 22,000 Canadians are diagnosed with a form of blood cancer. Through its fundraising programs, LLSC has invested more than $40 million in research to better understand the underlying causes of the disease, develop better therapies, and save more lives. The funds raised through Light The Night Walk will be used for:
Research to advance targeted therapies that are saving lives;
Blood cancer services, information, and support for patients and caregivers;
Public education for healthcare professionals and the blood cancer community.
There are many ways to raise awareness and show support for Max Parrot and for more than 138,000 people affected by a blood cancer. Canadians can join the Max Parrot Super Team or form their own team by registering for a Light The Night Walk in their community.
Visit the Light The Night website at www.lightthenight.cato register and learn more.
About Light The Night Walk
Each year, in communities across Canada, teams of families, friends, and co-workers walk into the night holding illuminated lanterns to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada at the Light The Night Walk events. Together, they bring help and hope to people affected by blood cancers and their families. The Walks are an inspirational and memorable evening event that takes place in nearly 200 communities across North America each fall. There are 12 LLSC hosted Light The Night Walk events and dozens of volunteer-hosted community and school walks across the country. Visit www.lightthenight.cato learn more.
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is the single largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers in Canada. LLSC funds life-saving blood cancer research across the country, and provides free information and support services to patients and caregivers. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. To find out more visit www.llscanada.org
For personalized disease, treatment or support information, patients can contact our local support staff at 1-833-222-4884. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Dulcedo Management
Dulcedo Management is a progressive talent management firm specializing in fashion, digital, sports and entertainment representation. Dulcedo has encouraged out-of-the-box thinking by embracing innovative initiatives and over time, transformed into something bigger by taking on makeup extraordinaires, top-pick influencers, major sports figures and many more. To find out more visit www.dulcedo.com
Dulcedo Management is proud of this collaboration, but above all to encourage all our athletes to find a philanthropic cause related to their values. To see Max Parrot contribute extensively to cancer research through his notoriety and commitment to his community is one of the most rewarding mandates the agency has ever been able to develop.
SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
wC Canada's Consumer insights survey: The experience is pertinent to Canadian consumers
Only 20% are likely to purchase groceries online in the next 12 months
46% suggest they are comfortable accessing health care products or services online
31% of respondents aged 25-34 are planning to buy smart home appliances
TORONTO, May 9, 2019 /CNW/ - PwC Canada's Consumer insights survey launched today and suggests that Canadian consumers are demanding far more from their favourite retail brands, engaging more with smart tech and want digital access to health care. One thousand Canadians took part in the survey that highlights how companies need to focus more attention on creating a strong return on experience (ROX) rather than just focusing more broadly on return on investment (ROI).
"Canadians want ease and convenience when shopping and they are using more technology to help them with decision-making. With more technology platforms aggregating data, retailers should tailor their offerings to make unique experiences for customers," says Myles Gooding, National Retail Leader, PwC Canada. "With more brands selling through the multi-channel approach, it's important for any company to offer a unique experience to its customers to create brand loyalty."
When it comes to grocery shopping, the majority of Canadians (52%) want a seamless experience and find products easily in the story. However, only a third (32%) want quick and easy payment solutions including mobile and contactless payment. Micro-trips are the new norm, rather than doing one big shop during the week. Just over a quarter (26%) said they make "micro-trips" to grocery stores or supermarkets (i.e. in-store trips less than five minutes long) two to three times per week, 23% said weekly and 10% said daily or more. The report also indicates that only 20% of Canadians are likely to purchase groceries online.
Adoption of smart technology, including voice-enabled technology, continues to grow and evolve. Approximately half (52%) of respondents use smart technology to access information (current affairs and weather) and about one third (31%) to control other smart home devices. This rise in adoption provides many opportunities for retailers to drive personalized offerings and also change retail marketing by considering voice search (not just about a mobile friendly website anymore).
Canadians are also turning to technology to keep track of their health, in order to reduce wait times and have access to information in a timely manner. Nearly half (46%) of Canadian respondents said they're somewhat comfortable accessing health care products or services from a company with an application that collates all of their health care information in one place.
While uptake on consumer apps in health care has been on the slower side to date, 32% of all Canadians surveyed said they use health care, wellness, fitness and medical applications on their phone, smartwatch or tablet. That number rose to 37% for those aged 25-34. In addition to exercise and diet monitoring, stress and sleep tracking apps were the most important for those aged 18–34. Fertility and period tracking were popular among the younger age group as well.
The report highlights a list of imperatives for companies to improve ROX, including understanding customers, treating data respectfully and fusing customer experience with employee experience. All imperatives can be found here.
About PwC Canada At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. More than 7,000 partners and staff in offices across the country are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax, consulting and deals services. PwC Canada is a member of the PwC network of firms with more than 250,000 people in 158 countries. Find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ca.
PwC refers to the Canadian member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see http://www.pwc.com/structure for further details.
SOURCE PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
New York Gastroenterologist Shares 7 Ways To Beat Those Sugar Cravings
From cleansing your system to losing weight, it is the goal of many to decrease their consumption of added sugars. But what happens if we can’t stop our body from craving it?
Sugar cravings are a formidable opponent to anyone trying to stay on a nutritious path. Sugar cravings can attack in the middle of the day or night, and it takes the will power of a comic book hero to say no to such temptation. But what if we can identify and address the underlying reason why we feel such a need for sugar? New York internist and gastroenterologist, Dr. Niket Sonpal who is also a faculty member at Touro College of Medicine says, “If more people could learn to pinpoint the reasons why they experience sugar cravings they would have better tools to avoid breaking their nutritional goals.”
Here are Dr. Sonpal’s 7 Ways to Conquer Sugar Cravings
Drink water; you might be dehydrated.
Many people mistake thirst for sugar cravings. “We know that we want something fresh and cold and we usually identify that with sugary drinks,” says Dr. Sonpal. “When our bodies have a deficiency in fluids, it can’t efficiently breakdown glycogen, and this causes the urge to consume something sugary. In reality, what you need to do first is drink water and observe how you feel,” he explains.
Try to Decrease Your Sugar Intake Gradually
Scans have shown that sugar fuels every cell in the brain. “Our bodies view sugar as a reward. But too much of a good thing is not good at all in this case. By partaking in overconsumption of sugar you are reinforcing your body’s need for that reward, essentially becoming addicted to it,” explains Dr. Sonpal. But like many addictions, it is not a reasonable or sustainable strategy to quit cold turkey. If you feel as though you are out of control or moody without your first soft drink of the day or until you have a piece of chocolate, you need to consider slowly draining your system from that need for sugar.
Rethink social habits that drive you towards sugar
Many of us have social rituals during our day that help us destress amidst countless tasks and meetings. “If you have a standing ritual with a friend or coworker of eating a piece of cake after lunch every day or running to the coffee shop on the corner to get the most sugary caffeinated iced drink you can find, rethink those social behaviors,” says Dr. Sonpal. Try to put something else in place that is healthy but rewarding.
Evaluate your protein intake
Many famous diet plans like Paleo, Vegetarian, and Keto seek to reduce sugars in your food. Sometimes a good way to kick your sugar cravings to the curb is having some good ole’ fashion protein. “Protein reduces the speed with which your body processes sugars and in turn helps you need lower amounts to experience that reward. Eggs, black beans, broccoli, and chicken are really healthy ways to get that protein in to quench that yearn for sugar,” suggests Dr. Sonpal.
If push comes to shove, pick fruit
There will be times when your craving for sugar will be exacerbated by the stress of the day or however many days you’ve gone without consuming it. You may feel like you can have a cheat day. According to Dr. Sonpal, “Your best response to a worsening need for sugar is to eat a piece of fruit. If you get to a point where you feel frustrated, instead of eating processed sugar, eat fruit. Fruits are sweet and have natural sugar that can address your sweet tooth without throwing out your entire effort,” says the NYC gastroenterologist. With the fruit, you will get added vitamins and fiber.
Fiber is your friend
Fiber helps clean out your system, and it is processed more slowly by the body. Fiber helps you feel fuller for longer effectively reducing your craving for mid-meal snacks. “Many people will be very deliberate with their decision to reduce sugar in their meals but will ultimately cave in when their body needs a snack because a lot of the snacks we have in our pantry have sugar in them. Fiber and lots of water would help you stay full for longer periods,” Says Dr. Sonpal.
Observe your consumption of starch
Starches like white rice, white bread, pasta are complex carbs that the body process as simple carbs. They end up affecting the sugar levels in your body and feeding into your need for sugar as fuel for brain activity and energy. If you have cut out processed sugars but continue to eat an abundance of starches, then your next step is to progressively reduce your consumption of those foods as well to clean your system of the need for sugars.
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.
Rising Rates of Suicide include Nurses at 400% higher Frequency
By Joshua Mansour, M.D.
Since May being is Mental Health Awareness Month, Senator Maureen Walsh’s recent words may have shed even more light on a larger issue in healthcare.
In the recent wake of Senator Walsh’s comments suggesting nurses “play cards” at work, there has been more data regarding how “overworked” and “overwhelmed” healthcare providers actually are, contrary to what some outside of the industry may think. After spending years of their lives working selflessly towards helping others, it is understandable that many in the profession took these comments personally, no matter how they were meant to be portrayed. These words can inevitably affect how one perceives themselves. Although discussing mental health can be seen to be taboo in society today, in the midst of May being mental health awareness month there could not be a more opportune time to address these concerns.
The words of what others think about an essential part of the healthcare team brought to light several questions about how nurses and other healthcare providers are perceived and in conclusion the various hardships that they actually face. In addition to high demands, stress, long hours, lack of sleep, and decreasing resources, public comments of ungratefulness makes things even worse. Unappreciation for the selfless efforts given by not only nurses but all healthcare professionals may be contributing to the depression of these workers in the United States.
Suicide rates are rising currently in every state and continue to rise among healthcare workers.
Nurses are actually four times more likely to commit suicide than people working outside of medicine. In addition to that, it is found that one doctor commits suicide in the United States every single day. These statistics put healthcare workers at the highest suicide rate of any profession and overall more than double that of the general population.
Furthermore, there are stressors and factors that may be more exclusive to the healthcare system: those of fear of harming patients, emotional hardships with particular patients, difficult clinical situations, and death at the workplace. These may have an added impact on the typical work and home stressors. Comments such as those made by the Senator can then lead to feeling a lack of purpose in life, feeling of incompetence, and feeling unappreciated for work. This is all on top of stressors that others in a variety of jobs may feel, including management issues, work volume, staffing, home stressors (marriage, children, grief, financial strains).
Protective measures must be taken to help combat these issues. There can always be improvement, and based on recent comments and statistics, there must. Healthcare staff feeling unheard or feeling as if they don’t belong is a travesty. These feelings in your workgroup, in addition to a feeling of unappreciation, are what healthcare workers identify as some of the strongest risk factors linked with depression and suicide in healthcare.
It is uplifting to see that some hospitals have worked towards improving mental health and support for their staff. For example, University of California San Diego has the Healer, Education, Assessment, and Referral (HEAR) program that helps to identify medical professionals that are at risk for suicide and to be referred to a mental health professional for support. Many schools and hospital are now starting early the use of the PHQ-9 depression risk screening program to identify which professionals are at greater risk of depression and suicide. There are dedicated confidential helplines for hospital staff to discuss problems that they have confronted. In addition, there are suicide hotlines specific to healthcare professionals, as well as crisis teams to assist staff after witnessing difficult patient encounters.
Although this is now being more openly addressed, it is something that needs to continually be improved. There is the phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. Well, unfortunately, those words can hurt, many times do hurt, and can push someone right over the edge.
About Joshua Mansour, MD:
Dr. Joshua Mansour is a board-certified hematologist/oncologist working and in the field of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular immunotherapy in Stanford, California. Recently he has managed to have over 10 recent abstracts and over 10 recent manuscripts published in esteemed journals and given countless presentations at conferences and other institutions. He has helped design and implement clinical studies to evaluate current treatment plans, collaborated on grant proposals, and lead multi-institutional retrospective studies that have been published.
Innovative Therapy Rescues First Responder with PTSD
(May 6, 2019) – After security guard Brian Burns experienced a traumatic event at work, he was haunted by disturbing thoughts.
“It stirred up a lot of emotion,” said Burns. “When I closed my eyes to try to rest, I would envision the scene, the individual, how they appeared. It was hard to rest or even go to sleep at night.”
Like many first responders, Burns routinely encounters troubling situations in his work. Many states are currently considering legislation would enable first responders to receive worker’s compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that they develop as a result of trauma on the job.
As a first responder, “you can’t really talk to anyone about what you’re experiencing, because you’re afraid they’re going to say, you’re weak or what is your problem,” said Burns.
Burns received treatment from Estefana Johnson, LMSW at Right of Way: Accelerated Resolution Therapy in Phoenix, Az. Johnson led Burns through a series of eye movements while talking him through the process of substituting positive images for painful memories. Unlike traditional talk therapies, ART does not require clients to rehash troubling events. Most clients who undergo ART report a substantial reduction in their PTSD symptoms in an average of four sessions.
After just one ART session, Burns felt dramatically better. “Those overwhelming emotions went away. I was able to sleep normally again. Even months later, I still feel so much better,” he said. “After ART there was real sense of closure.”
ART has been proven effective in numerous scientific studies, is classified as a preferred treatment by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) and is employed by the Department of Defense. Restauranteur Chris T. Sullivan established the Tampa-based nonprofit ART International to expand the availability of this life-changing treatment.
ART has been studied extensively in both veterans and civilians. Developed more than a decade ago by Connecticut clinician Laney Rosenzweig, ART is similar to EMDR, another therapeutic technique that uses guided eye movements to help clients resolve traumatic experiences. Clinicians in more than 40 states currently employ ART with their clients.
What is ART International?
Background on Nonprofit
Restauranteur and entrepreneur Chris T. Sullivan formed and is funding ART International Training and Research, Inc., an organization dedicated to making Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART,more widely available to individuals in need of professional help to ameliorate the devastating effects of post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and other psychological traumas.
To expand the reach of ART, the foundation is specifically looking to increase the number of clinicians certified in this treatment. To accomplish this, the nonprofit is hosting more than 100 training sessions in different cities throughout the country in 2018 for community therapists who are interested in being trained in ART and becoming certified to use ART in their practice.
Licensed clinicians including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors are eligible to participate in the training. Therapists who complete the session will earn 21.5 CEUs and are immediately certified to use ART in their practice.
For more information on ART International’s upcoming training sessions, or to sign up for a session, individuals can visit https://artherapyinternational.org/.
What is Accelerated Resolution Therapy?
Process of Therapy
ART is an evidenced-based psychotherapy that has demonstrated proven results in treating individuals with PTSD. The therapy, which continues to gain popularity nationwide, aims to resolve a traumatic memory through a combination of relaxation and memory visualization. This treatment provides effective relief from strong physical and emotional reactions associated with PTSD in as few as one to five sessions, with the average being four sessions.
The therapy resolves how distressing memories and images are stored in the brain so that they no longer trigger strong physical and emotional reactions. The therapy’s distinct features include use of horizontal eye movements and memory reconsolidation, which is a way in which new information is incorporated into existing memories. The technique is used to reprogram traumatic memories and images that are currently triggering strong physical reactions like depression, isolation, crying, insomnia, fear, anger and troubling memories.
Due to the physical desensitization and memory reconsolidation that occurs within a treatment session, the patient typically does not experience troubling memories and symptoms of the trauma thereafter. Verbally recalling or writing details of the traumatic experience is not required which may offer patients a greater sense of safety and control than in other trauma-focused therapies.
This approach is delivered in a standardized way to be easier on both the client and the clinician as it quickly and quietly moves through recall of negative imaging to reprocess the memory with positive material, including new imagery.
In an ART session, patients can expect to be seated across from the therapist and will be guided through a thought process involving a previous experience. The pace of the session is directed by the patient as they move through imagining the original experience and then adding positive material and imagery to the original memory. The therapist will often suggest metaphors to the patient to help create new images to be woven into and take precedence over the original memory and to guide the process to completion.
History of Therapy
ART was developed by Laney Rosenzweig, MS LMFT, in 2008. Since then, there have been five research studies completed and several more are in progress. These studies have produced more than 10 published papers in scientific peer-reviewed journals on the therapy including by researchers at the University of South Florida and with federal funding from the Department of Defense and currently the National Institutes of Health. Since 2015, ART has been recognized as an evidence-based therapy by the SAMHSA National Registry of Evidenced-Based Programs and Practices.
The ART studies that have been published represent treatment of hundreds of U.S. civilians and military personnel, as summarized in the journals Military Medicine, Frontiers in Psychiatry, and Nursing Outlook. A randomized controlled trial of ART showed that approximately 70 percent of service members and veterans who completed treatment with ART substantially reduced their symptoms of PTSD in an average of four treatment sessions, and with consistent evidence of safety. Results have been similar in civilians treated with ART. A large randomized controlled trial is underway at the University of Cincinnati to compare ART’s effectiveness with Cognitive Processing Therapy which is considered standard-of-care and is widely used in Veterans Administration facilities.
Over the past five years, the Department of Defense has shown considerable interest in ART by contracting for the training of 80 mental health clinicians at Ft. Hood, Ft. Stewart, and Ft. Drum, as well as more than 100 clinical providers at Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital, the sister military hospital to Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, MD. Other clinician trainings have been conducted at the Betty Ford Clinic and with the Idaho National Guard.
TRAIN IT RIGHT NEWSLETTER
Sign Up and get a free 7 day Train it Right HIIT Program!
