Genome BC Invests $1 Million in Funding to Innovative Medical Diagnostics Company
LightIntegra's ThromboLUX test for blood platelet activation status could improve efficacy of platelet transfusions
VANCOUVER, April 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Genome BC is pleased to announce $1 million in funding to LightIntegra Technology (LIT). LIT has developed the first analyzer to provide a routine test for platelet activation status.
A Vancouver based medical device company, LIT is focused on reducing the failure to achieve the desired level of blood platelets in a patient following a platelet transfusion (refractoriness) and reducing costs for healthcare institutions and blood cancer patients. Platelets are a key component in blood and are necessary for clotting and immune defense. LIT's novel technology, ThromboLUX, can be used to rapidly determine platelet quality, thus avoiding ineffective transfusions and potentially reducing platelet refractoriness. The expected results are improved patient outcomes, safety, and reduced healthcare costs.
"We are pleased to provide LIT with $1 million in growth capital through our Industry Innovation (I2) Fund," says Dr. Tony Brooks, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Entrepreneurship and Commercialization at Genome BC. "ThromboLUX will dramatically enhance platelet transfusion outcomes and patient health — particularly for those with blood cancers. Our investment, alongside funding from many local private investors, will help LIT commercialize this innovative BC-based product."
The premise of the ThromboLUX technology is that activated platelets are optimal for clotting and are therefore most effective for trauma or surgery patients and non-activated platelets are optimal for cancer patients. The current standard of care assumes all platelet bags are the same; however, up to 50% of a platelet bag inventory may be activated. When activated platelets are given to immune-compromised patients, such as cancer patients, it potentially leads to failed transfusions with multiple failed transfusions leading to platelet refractoriness, which can ultimately result in death.
ThromboLUX is a non-invasive, five-minute, easy-to-use optical test that doesn't require dilution or reagents. It relies on the principle of dynamic light scattering to determine the size and distribution of all particles in a platelet sample.
"Clinical trials have demonstrated the potential to improve the effectiveness of platelet transfusions by providing the right bag to the right patient – right now. With ThromboLUX, we have the ability to reduce unnecessary transfusions and the overall cost of care, with the objective to transform the worldwide use of one of life's most precious resources – platelets," said William Dubiel, President and CEO at LightIntegra Technologies.
Genome BC has invested in LIT through its Industry Innovation (I²) program. The I² Fund provides commercialization support for companies developing innovative life science technologies that address biological challenges in key economic sectors in BC: Agriculture, Energy and Mining, Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Forestry, and Human Health. The I² Fund also supports digital health and other technologies that further move precision medicine into clinical practice. I² funding is repayable and is allocated to promising technologies (products, processes or services) at the early stages of commercial development. The Fund aims to provide risk capital that is concurrently matched by other public or private funding sources.
About LightIntegra Technology, Inc.: LightIntegra Technology is a privately funded medical diagnostics company launched from the Canadian Blood Services R&D labs through the efforts of research scientist Dr. Elisabeth Maurer. LightIntegra's efforts to minimize platelet refractoriness have resulted in the introduction of ThromboLUX, a rapid in-vitro test that assesses platelet activation status. As a routine test for platelet concentrates, ThromboLUX identifies which platelet units may be best suited for prophylaxis and which units may be best suited for therapeutic use.
About Genome British Columbia: Genome British Columbia leads genomics innovation on Canada's West Coast and facilitates the integration of genomics into society. A recognized catalyst for government and industry, Genome BC invests in research, entrepreneurship and commercialization in life sciences to address challenges in key sectors such as health, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, agrifood, energy, mining and environment. Genome BC partners with many national and international public and private funding organizations to drive BC's bioeconomy. www.genomebc.ca
SOURCE Genome British Columbia
Canada's Largest Private Funder of Vision Research Calls for National Strategy to Tackle Emerging Vision Health Care Crisis
VANCOUVER, April 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is warning that Canada is facing an emerging vision health care crisis that, if not addressed, will see the number of people living with blindness double by 2031.
Blindness is the most feared disability amongst Canadians. In addition to the 1.5 million people living with vision loss today, over 5.59 million Canadians live with eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, which put them at serious risk of going blind.
Fighting Blindness Canada called for a national vision health strategy that entails: a national public health campaign for vision loss prevention; better access to existing vision-related medications and treatments; greater access to emerging treatments such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and pharmaceuticals; increased research funding to advance science into clinical trails; access to genetic testing; and the creation of a national talent plan to address the decreasing number of ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and other eye professionals.
FBC unveiled its call for a national strategy in Vancouver, where the organization, formerly known as Foundation Fighting Blindness, also launched its new name and expanded mandate.
"We are changing our name to Fighting Blindness Canada to reflect our mission to accelerate the development and availability of treatments and cures for all blinding eye diseases," said Doug Earle, President and CEO. "Throughout our 45-year history, research has always been our focus. All the research we fund supports our goal of understanding why vision loss occurs, how it can be slowed or stopped, and how sight can be restored."
While in Vancouver, FBC and FBC-funded researchers will showcase the latest information about sight-saving research and emerging treatments for blinding eye diseases at several events for the public and scientific community.
About Fighting Blindness Canada
Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is the largest private funder of vision research in Canada. FBC has contributed over $40 million to the search for sight-saving cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases. With the support of its generous donors, FBC has funded over 200 research grants that have led to over 600 discoveries such as stem cell research, neuroprotective therapies, technological developments, pharmaceuticals and gene therapies. Visit fightingblindness.ca or call 1.800.461.3331 to learn more.
SOURCE Fighting Blindness Canada
The Growing Wellness Holiday Demand for Health-Conscious Men
The 10th to the 16th of June marks both Men’s Health Week and Father’s Day, So whether you’re travelling alone, looking for some peace and quiet, or if you’ve got a fitness boot-camp in mind, Health and Fitness Travel, the wellness holiday specialists has you covered.
What better time to take care of the men in your life, whether that’s yourself, your partner or a family member. There’s a common association drawn between wellness holidays and girly getaways but looking good and feeling great is not exclusive to women; taking a break from an overworked, stressful life is of incredible importance to men’s health in the 21st Century!
The suicide rate for men in the UK is frighteningly high, as many men suffer in silence. These health retreats will have you hitting the waves, getting more mindful, sweating it out and fighting the sedentary lifestyle that comes with an office job. From pulse-raising boot camp fitness in Portugal to holistic weight loss in India, these healthy escapes are the perfect gift for men ready to make a positive change.
Paul Joseph, Founder of Health and Fitness Travel, says “Since 2010 we have seen a 42% increase in men booking wellness holidays. Men investing in their well-being and appearance is now so normal; many are living with extreme unprecedented stress due to growing work demands, and we have seen a growing interest from men towards self-care and health awareness. Most retreats and spas are gender neutral and cater equally to both sexes.”
Wellness holidays aren’t just for the ladies, so as one would take in their car for a MOT, visit a highly trained professional in an inviting environment and check in to check out. Discover 8 of the best wellness retreats for the health-conscious man:
Counteract the stresses of contemporary life and prevent yourself from burning out at the tranquil sanctuary of Kamalaya set on the coast of Koh Samui. A series of wellness consultations help determine your individual health and wellness needs so that a programme can be tailored for maximum effect. Restorative, healing treatments and personal consultations in naturopathy, nutrition and stress management will help you to achieve a more balanced approach to life.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Kamalaya from £2,855pp or £3,235 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, full board and transfers.
Set at the sun-spoiled coast of Agadir, this healthy retreat is for those seeking off-road excursions, surfing, yoga and competitive beach team sports. Its wide range of fitness activities makes it a perfect host where al fresco activities accompany a sensorial hammam, traditional steam treatments and Thai massages. After spending your wellness getaway at this sunny Moroccan paradise, you will feel revitalised and well-balanced.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Paradis Plage from £755pp or £1,080 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, breakfast and transfers.
For adventure, thrills, and relaxation all included in one revitalising experience, nothing can beat the luxury destination of BodyHoliday on this paradise island. With a wide range of sports holiday activities available, such as ocean kayaking, boxing and tennis, your experience will know no boundaries with expertly designed programmes to work towards your individual health and fitness goals, whilst having an epic social and evening scene.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at BodyHoliday from £2,255pp or £2,360 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, is all-inclusive and transfers.
Reclaim your youth and positive attitude by combining healthy delicious cuisine, and beneficial rejuvenating treatments on the infamous tropical island. Come home with practical and wise knowledge, tools and recipes from the on-site nutritionist team, after in-depth analysis of food intolerances and areas of weakness, and finally get on track towards your health and fitness goals.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Como Shambalaya from £3,920pp or £5,445 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, full-board and transfers.
With a plethora of fitness activities and Ayurvedic spa treatments, feel transformed and educated in this natural haven, nestled within the stunning Sahyadri mountains.
The certified wellness experts will help you learn how to nourish your mind and body with nutritional advice, functional fitness exercises and harmonising massages to ensure a holistic lifestyle overhaul on your well-being.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Atmantan from £2,770pp or £3,695 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, full-board and transfers.
Don’t suffer in silence - chronic stress symptoms are vast, and the fast pace of modern living and inappropriate eating habits are major causes for increased physical and emotional stress. Check in with the experts at this progressive medi-spa and receive a highly personalised plan to reduce stress and improve your well-being. You will leave with the knowledge of how to manage stress, sleep and improve your well-being.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at SHA from £4,250pp or £5,080 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, full-board and transfers.
With a city’s worth of restaurant choice available and personalised programmes best designed to suit your needs, achieve your health and fitness goals with cardiovascular fitness, muscle toning and weight-loss, all chosen to re-energise your body and boost your metabolism. Aside from your own crafted programme choose from TRX suspension training, yoga, meditation and spa treatments to complement your stay.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at The Westin from £1,115pp or £1,665 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, breakfast and transfers.
With up-to 8 workouts per day, this is the place to shape up and sustain it! An energising Bootcamp holiday set in the sunny Algarve where pulse-raising circuit training, TRX camps and power-hiking will give you the drive, motivation and strength to get body confident. Healthy cuisine complements the rigorous training schedule, while detox and weight loss treatments are sure to boost results.
Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891 healthandfitnesstravel.com) offers 7 nights at Longevity Cegonha Country Club from £1,910pp or £2,150 for single occupancy. Price includes a wellness programme, full board and transfers
Health and Fitness Travel is a global luxury wellness travel company that originated in the UK in 2010 and is committed to providing healthy holidays that enhance and change lives. Created by Paul Joseph and Adam Heathcote as a result of their passion for health and fitness travel and offering bespoke holidays to improve people’s well-being to lead happier and healthier lives.
Health and Fitness Travel offers clients a tailor-made seamless service with the very best health and fitness holidays, handpicked by its expert team, together with exclusive and added value packages with the best deals. As leading specialists, Health and Fitness Travel has also created their own collection of trademark healthy holidays in various destinations which include Fusion Fitness™ BodyBreaks™ and Discover Recover™, offering clients the best value and holiday experience. For more information visit: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com
Intermittent fasting has been shown to be an effective method of controlling blood glucose levels in men at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) assessed the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) in 15 men for one week.The men, aged 30-70 years and with an average BMI of 33.9 wore a continuous glucose monitor for seven days. All continued to eat their normal diets but some ate only between 8am and 5pm while others ate from noon to 9pm, resulting in a 15-hour fast.Blood glucose response to a standard meal was assessed each day of the study.The investigators found that TRE improved glucose control, regardless of when the men chose to stop eating.“Our results suggest that modulating when, rather than what, we eat can improve glucose control,” said lead author Associate Professor Leonie Heilbronn from the University of Adelaide Medical School and SAHMRI.“They ate their normal diet during this time … in fact, we told them to keep eating all the foods they usually eat.“We did see a tiny amount of weight loss in this study, which may have contributed to the results.”The small study has been published in the journal Obesity.Intermittent fasting diets such as 16:8 have become popular in recent years but few studies have explored their metabolic effects and impact on glucose levels and insulin profiles in humans.The study concluded it demonstrated that a week of TRE improved glucose responses to a meal in men at risk for type 2 diabetes, irrespective of when TRF was commenced. However, it conceded that the trial should be repeated in larger cohorts with more tightly controlled free‐living periods to confirm the result.Associate Professor Heilbronn said that while the early result showed promise for controlling blood glucose, a larger study over a longer duration was required to fully investigate the effectiveness.“Time-restricted eating regimes demonstrate that we can enjoy foods that are perceived to be ‘bad’ for us, if we eat them at the right time of day, when our bodies are more biologically able to deal with the nutrient load,” she said.“And perhaps more importantly, if we allow our bodies to have more time fasting each night.”Fred Rochler, who has been participating in a follow-up study, has undertaken a TRE regime in which he ate his normal diet only from 9.30am to 7.30pm over a similar eight-week trial.“Over the trial, I found that my fasting blood glucose tolerance improved significantly,” he said.“It changed from ‘increased risk’ level to ‘normal’.“This was without changing any of ...TO READ THE ENTIRE STORY AND USE IT ROYALTY-FREE IN YOUR PUBLICATION SIMPLY CLICK HTTP://BIT.LY/2IEMN8J
Runners are lacing up their shoes in support of charities, as part the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal
80 charities will benefit from the annual Scotiabank Charity Challenge
MONTREAL, April 24, 2019 /CNW/ - At the 2019 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal, many of the runners will have two important goals, finishing the race and raising important funds for the 80 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.
In its 17th year, the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal remains one of Québec's most important road races and fundraising runs, supporting 80 charitable organizations this year. Racers are aiming to surpass last year's fundraising total of $1,358,585.
The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a turnkey fundraising program that provides a simple way for runners to support the charity of their choice and make a significant impact locally. Participating charities keep 100 per cent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees.
"At Scotiabank, we know what is possible when people come together to support their communities," says Geneviève Brouillard, Regional Senior Vice President, Québec and Eastern Ontario at Scotiabank. "We are proud to bring the Scotiabank Charity Challenge back to the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal for the 11thyear, to help racers support their favourite charities. At Scotiabank, investing in our communities has been a focus for over 185 years and that is not changing. Together with our employees, we are focused on enriching the lives of young people. Our goal has always been to help create a better life for people in the communities we serve and that will continue at the 2019 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal. We look forward to cheering all the racers across the finish line on April 27 and 28."
Scotiabank believes in helping young people reach their infinite potential, and many organizations who take part in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge have a direct impact on our local youth. We recognize what is possible when young people have the guidance, confidence and tools they need to achieve their dreams. 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.
Taking place over two days – April 27-28, the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal will see over 7,000 runners cross its start lines of various distances. The event is on the way to being a sold-out event again this year.
"The Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal is a weekend-long event with a distance for everyone," says Race Director Francois Lecot of the Canada Running Series. "There is a 5k, 10k, half-marathon and even a 1k Kids Run. It is a fun weekend for the whole family! The event is one of the key spring running events in Eastern Canada and has raised over 7.5 million dollars for local charities since the Scotiabank Charity Challenge was introduced in Montréal in 2009."
Scotiabank offers the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at six sponsored marathon events across Canada including: Montréal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.
Part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a friendly competition between the charities for $24,750 in cash prizes consisting of $4,250 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd, and $1,500 for 3rd in the following categories:
The Official Charity that has the most fundraising runners.
The Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars.
The Official Charity that raises the largest amount of pledge dollars per fundraising runner.
How to get involved:
Register for an event: Register for Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal on the event website until Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m.
Fundraise: Once registered, sign up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and raise funds for a participating official charity.
Share on social media:
Share your story behind why you support your charity, using #CourseScotia.
Cheer: Support friends and family along the race route and as they cross the finish line. You can also show your support to runners online by using the hashtags #SCOTIA21KMTL and #CourseScotia.
Local celebrities involved
This year, two Quebec personalities are actively involved in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Comedian Maxim Martin will run for research for the CHUM at the Scotiabank Charity Challenge because, "Running for a good cause is always fun and running in groups, there is nothing that beats that."
Singer Nicola Ciccone will also be on the starting line. He will take up the Scotiabank 21k Charity Challenge in Montreal for the Charles-Bruneau Foundation, the largest funder of pediatric hemato-oncology research in Quebec, who will invest more than $26 million in research by 2020, plus $55 million already invested in research, construction and equipment.
They will be available for interviews on the site and before the race. Please contact us to arrange these.
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 98,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at January 31, 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.
About Canada Running Series Canada Running Series is the nation's premier running circuit with 8 events: 4 in Toronto, 2 in Vancouver 1 in Montreal and 1 in Edmonton. It annually attracts over 60,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly-local charities. The Series includes the IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization.
We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels from Canadian Olympians and International stars, to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners; and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. Our mission is "building community through the sport of running."
Testosterone For Women, EstrogenFor Men? Wrong Levels Bring ProblemsBy Don Colbert, M.D.
You don’t normally think of women needing testosterone and men needing estrogen. But when those levels drop for women and men, respectively, or are way out of balance, a wide range of symptoms may be suffered. Fortunately, there are ways to correct those levels and restore health. Ladies first. Testosterone is considered the manly hormone, yet few women know that they have quite a bit of it in their bodies, primarily when they are young. In their 20s and 30s, their testosterone is in the normal range, but after 40 is when we start to see the decline in levels. There are numerous factors that push testosterone levels lower – menopause, medications, stress, aging, removal of ovaries, and more. And with that drop, myriad problems can occur. Blood work is needed to confirm suspicions, but persistent symptoms of low testosterone in women are hard to argue away. Among those symptoms are aching joints, depression, inability to sleep, lack of sex drive, migraines, and weight gain. But the great news is, it’s fixable. The hormone health zone for testosterone in women The first hormone women need to optimize is testosterone. It may sound a little strange to recommend testosterone therapy for women, but with it they can benefit enormously. Depression and anxiety usually lift. They can slow or sometimes reverse cellulite, lose weight (especially belly fat), tighten skin, restore libido, improve memory, strengthen the heart, and boost energy levels and stamina. The benefits of boosting testosterone go further; low testosterone is linked to an increased risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, and weak bones. Low testosterone levels give women many of the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, which serves as another strong motivator for women to keep their testosterone levels up. Sadly, most doctors are taught to prescribe only low doses of estradiol (in pill format, which is not good) and no testosterone whatsoever. In fact, doctors usually choose not to address hormone issues at all. They will tell you “normal ranges,” and if you happen to be low, they will usually prescribe you a medication for the symptoms. But that will never get your health back. What your body needs is bioidentical hormone therapy. You may need to find another doctor, someone who will treat your low-testosterone symptoms with bioidentical testosterone. I have found boosting testosterone levels with pellets to be effective and efficient. They raise levels quickly, and you don’t need to come back for another treatment for three to four months, and sometimes six months. Testosterone injections are the next-best method if pellets are too pricey, followed by testosterone creams. I suggest women in their 40s start monitoring their testosterone levels. The time to start optimizing them is when the hormone levels go below 50-60 percent of upper range or when symptoms develop. When your testosterone levels are optimized, life is great! Now for you men Yes guys, it’s true: Even men need estrogen. There’s just a delicate balance that needs to be understood. Estrogen is one of those things that is good for you in the proper amounts but bad if you have too much or too little of it. Just the right amount of estradiol is good for bone strength, sperm count, cholesterol metabolism, healthy libido, and clear thinking, just to name a few of the known values of estrogen in men. Usually, however, it is too much estrogen in men that is much more common. This occurs when testosterone levels decrease due to aging, obesity, lifestyle, a lack of exercise, stress, endocrine disruptors, and so on. Too much estrogen has been found to promote abnormal clot formation or blood clots, and excessive estrogen levels may also increase the risk of stroke. A healthy man usually needs to maintain at least a 10-to-1 ratio of testosterone to estrogen. When the ratio is far below 10-to-1, estrogen levels are too high, and that brings with it a host of ailments. Among the symptoms I’ve seen in men who have too much estrogen in their bodies are brain fog, blood clots, gynecomastia (man boobs), lack of erections, lack of sex drive, and low sperm counts. There’s also a higher risk for prostate cancer and heart disease when estrogen (estradiol) levels in men are too high. Too little estrogen, and you also have a lack of sexual interest, few erections, and no libido. It’s also not healthy for the brain to have super-low estrogen levels, nor is brain fog a symptom that anyone enjoys. The hormone health zone for estrogen in men Optimizing estrogen levels in men usually coincides with their testosterone levels. They are linked; raise testosterone, and estrogen usually rises; lower testosterone, and estrogen usually lowers. Remember, the goal is for at least a 10-to-1 ratio. When men start using testosterone cream, shots, or pellets, some of the testosterone aromatizes, or converts, to estrogen. Some men have excessive aromatization, especially older men and men who are obese. To stay in the estradiol hormone health zone, men will need to take a hormone-regulating supplement called DIM (Diindolylmethane), 150 mg twice a day. It is the safest way to lower estrogen without the fear of going too low. For men who have never had their estrogen levels checked and believe they might have the symptoms of high or low estrogen, ask for blood work that gives you your estradiol level. Then you and your doctor will know what to do to treat it. Estrogen levels are usually pretty easy to treat in men. It may be surprising that men need to watch their estrogen levels, but it’s one of those things that they must be aware of. When we were learning to drive, we were all taught to watch for the “blind spots.” Those spots aren’t dangerous in and of themselves. But when you need to take action, the blind spots are suddenly very important. Don Colbert, M.D. (www.drcolbert.com), is the author of Dr. Colbert's Hormone Health Zone. He has been a board-certified family practice doctor for more than 25 years and has offices in Orlando, Fla., and Dallas. The author of over 40 books, he wrote two New York Times best-sellers – The Seven Pillars of Health and Dr. Colbert’s “I Can Do This” Diet – has sold more than 10 million books and treated 50,000-plus patients. Dr. Colbert is a frequent show guest of Christian leaders Joyce Meyer, John Hagee, and Kenneth Copeland and has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, Fox News, ABC World News Tonight, and in periodicals such as Newsweek and Reader’s Digest.
Patients living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in the province of Saskatchewan gain access to SPINRAZA™ (nusinersen)
The Government of the province of Saskatchewan has informed treating physicians that it will grant access to SPINRAZA™ to patients living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Saskatchewan is the second province after the province of Quebec to grant broad access for SMA patients to this life-changing medicine
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Biogen Canada welcomes the decision made by the Government of Saskatchewan allowing patients living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to access SPINRAZA™(nusinersen), the first and only approved medicine in the world to treat the root cause of SMA.
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health has made the decision to expand coverage and make SPINRAZA™ available to include the following, in addition to existing Type I patients:
Patients who are pre-symptomatic with two or three copies of the SMN2 gene;
Patients up to age 18, with symptom onset after six months of age and who have never achieved the ability to walk independently;
Patients that may have achieved the ability to walk independently (type III) as well as type II and type III patients over the age of 18 are encouraged to talk to their treating physician to apply for a case by case coverage.
"We are delighted to learn that Canadian patients living with SMA in the province of Saskatchewan will gain access to the only medicine that can treat SMA. This decision which patients have been waiting for over two years provides access to SPINRAZA™ to SMA patients for a broad range of patient types and ages. This news will bring new hope for SMA patients and we look forward to hearing from the other Canadian provinces", declared Ms. Susi Vander Wyk, Executive Director, Cure SMA Canada.
Through Biogen's extensive clinical development program, SPINRAZA™ has shown significant improvements in survival rates and motor function across a broad range of types and ages of SMA patients. Health Canada approved SPINRAZA™ in June 2017. Biogen continues to advance innovation in SMA with new data in adults and infants, which will be presented at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical and Scientific Conference, taking place last week in the USA.
"Biogen Canada is pleased to hear that Saskatchewan has joined the province of Quebec in granting broad access to SPINRAZA™ to patients living with SMA. This decision is additional proof that authorities in Canada and around the world see the benefits and efficacy profile of SPINRAZA™ for SMA patients, and it demonstrates the importance of finding an ongoing and sustainable solution for this life-long treatment. Biogen Canada continues to pursue its discussions with all other provincial jurisdictions in Canada in order for them to join Quebec and Saskatchewan in granting broad access to SMA patients to the first and only medicine in the world to treat SMA", said Ms. Marina Vasiliou, Vice-president and Managing Director of Biogen Canada.
About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) SMA is a debilitating neurodegenerative condition and the leading genetic cause of death among infants. Children with the most severe form of SMA rarely live to see their second birthday. SMA is a rare disease and it is estimated that 1 in 10000 live births are affected by it.
SMA is characterized by loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and lower brain stem, resulting in severe and progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. Ultimately, individuals with the most severe type of SMA can become paralyzed and have difficulty performing the basic functions of life, like breathing and swallowing.
About SPINRAZA™ (nusinersen) SPINRAZA™ is the first and only approved medicine for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and is currently available in more than 40 countries. As of December 31, 2018, over 6,600 individuals with SMA are being treated with SPINRAZA™ worldwide, based on patients across the post-marketing setting, Expanded Access Program (EAP) and clinical trial participants.
About Biogen At Biogen, our mission is clear: we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the world's first global biotechnology companies, Biogen was founded in 1978 by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and Nobel Prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp, and today has the leading portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis; has introduced the first and only approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy; and is focused on advancing neuroscience research programs in Alzheimer's disease and dementia, multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, pain, ophthalmology, neuropsychiatry, and acute neurology. Biogen also manufactures and commercializes biosimilars of advanced biologics.
Rice U. device would help fix fractured bones Engineering students use magnets, tracking sensor to drill bone, insert screws in just the right spot HOUSTON – (April 22, 2019) – Threading a needle is hard, but at least you can see it. Think about how challenging it must be to thread a screw through a rod inside a bone in someone's leg. Rice University seniors at the Brown School of Engineering set out to help doctors simplify the process of repairing fractured long bones in an arm or leg by inventing a mechanism that uses magnets to set things right. The students who call themselves Drill Team Six chose the project pitched by Rice alumnus Dr. Ashvin Dewan, an orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist Hospital, to simplify a procedure by which titanium rods are placed inside broken bones to make them functional once more. For its efforts, the team won the top prize, the Excellence in Engineering Award, at the school's annual Engineering Design Showcase. The student team -- bioengineering majors Babs Ogunbanwo, Takanori Iida, Byung-UK Kang and Hannah Jackson and mechanical engineering majors Will Yarinsky and Ian Frankel -- learned from Dewan that surgeons require many X-rays to locate pre-drilled 5 millimeter holes in the rod. The holes allow them to secure the rod to the bone fragments and hold them together. The surgery typically requires doctors to insert the long rod with a guide wire inside into the end of the bone, drilling through marrow to align the fractured fragments. With that done, they depend on X-rays, their experience and, if necessary, a bit of trial and error to drill long surgical screws through one side of the bone, thread it through the rod and secure it to the other side. "We want to reduce the amount of X-rays, the surgeon's time, the operating room time, the setup time, everything," Yarinsky said. The Rice team would make the wire adjacent to the holes magnetic, because neither skin nor bone hinder a magnetic field. "That way, the magnets hold their position and we can do the location process," Frankel said. "Once we've found them and secured the rod, we remove the wire and the magnets with it."The exterior mechanism is a brace that can be securely attached to the arm or leg with Velcro. A mounted sensor can then be moved along the stiff, 3D-printed carbon-fiber rods or around the limb until it locates the magnet. Then, the angle of the sensor can be adjusted. As each of the three degrees of freedom come into alignment with the target, a "virtual LED" lights up on a graphic display wired to the sensor. Then, the sensor is removed and a drill keyed to the mechanism inserted. "We do the angular part because the rod is not in the center of the leg, and the hole is not necessarily perpendicular to the surface," Yarinsky said. "The rod is about 10 to 20 millimeters thick and has a hole on one side and a hole on the other. We don't want to hit the first hole at an angle where we miss the second and don't go all the way through."Working at Rice's Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), the team tested its device on a mannequin leg and what it called a "wooden leg," a frame that allowed for mounting the rod with its magnetized wire and checking the accuracy of their system.Before it can be used by clinicians, the team said the device will require Food and Drug Administration approval."I'm very impressed with what the team put together," said Dewan, who earned a bioengineering degree at Rice in 2005. "Where we ended up is completely different from what we imagined, but kudos to these guys. They went through many different proposals and ideas and ended up running with the one that seemed most promising."Having been through the senior capstone process at Rice himself, Dewan was particularly impressed with how the program has grown. "The OEDK got off the ground a few years after I graduated, and at that point, senior design projects were isolated to individual projects," Dewan said. "I didn't work with mechanical or other engineering disciplines. "I love the way they have a multidisciplinary approach to tackling problems," he said. "I think it's much more of a real-world experience for them."Sabia Abidi, a lecturer in bioengineering, served as the team's adviser, and it was sponsored by Chuck and Sharon Fox. -30-Visit the team's website at http://oedk.rice.edu/Sys/PublicProfile/47628626/1063096.This news release can be found online at https://news.rice.edu/2019/04/19/rice-u-device-would-help-fix-fractured-bones/Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews.Video: https://youtu.be/B9UmZ-sVTig Produced by Brandon Martin/Rice UniversityImages for download: https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2019/04/0422_BONE-1-WEB-1p39g88.jpg Drill Team Six, from left, won the top prize in the Brown School of Engineering Design Showcase for its invention of a device to help doctors secure rods that keep fractured bones in alignment as they heal. From left, Hannah Jackson, Takanori Iida, Will Yarinsky, Babs Ogunbanwo, Ian Frankel and Byung-UK Kang. (Credit: Rice University) https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2019/04/0422_BONE-2-WEB-19fexpi.jpg Rice University engineering students have created a device to simplify the insertion of screws that secure metal rods to fractured bones in limbs. The device, when secured on the leg of a patient, uses magnetic elements in the rod to guide proper placement of the screws. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2019/04/0422_BONE-3-WEB-1cchmnc.jpg A wooden stand-in for a limb helped Rice University engineering students create their award-winning device to help doctors secure rods that keep fractured bones in alignment as they heal. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2019/04/0422_BONE-4-WEB-14oldb6.jpg Takanori Iida, left, and Byung-UK Kang, senior engineering students at Rice University, work on the electronics test bed used to design a device that helps doctors secure rods that keep fractured bones in alignment. A sensor attached to a movable track finds the right spot to drill by pinpointing holes in the rod marked with magnets. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) https://news-network.rice.edu/news/files/2019/04/0422_BONE-5-WEB-zc1gmh.jpg Hannah Jackson and Will Yarinsky, senior engineering students at Rice University, make an adjustment to their device to help doctors secure rods that keep fractured bones in alignment as they heal. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,962 undergraduates and 3,027 graduate students, Rice’s undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 2 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
A journey to parenthood: shedding light on fertility for Canadian Infertility Awareness Week
MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 22, 2019 /CNW/ - One in six Canadian couples of childbearing age experience fertility challengesi, a number that has doubled since the 1980s.ii April 22 to 27 is Canadian Infertility Awareness Week, and EMD Serono, Canada is bringing attention to the far-reaching impact of infertility to encourage couples to educate themselves on reproductive health and family planning.
Infertility can be defined as a failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of attempted conception without contraception. A fertility consultation may be recommended after one year of attempted conception for women under 35 years of age and 6 months for women over 35 years of age.iii Age, length of time trying to conceive, hormone levels, medical history and other factors can all contribute to fertility.iv
"When my husband and I found out we were going to need help starting our family, we had no idea what to expect," said Breya Rolt, first-time mom from Burlington, Ontario. "No one really talks about fertility issues until you are thrown into it. When we opened up about our experience, we were surprised to learn just how many people were in the same boat."
Fertility challenges are often viewed as an issue affecting the female reproductive system, but men are almost just as likely as women to experience fertility challenges.vi Fertility specialists can make recommendations to help couples conceive naturally or with assisted reproductive technology. But some couples may delay or decline treatments due to the perceived social stigma associated with fertility challenges.
"Making the decision to start a family is usually a pretty private thing and it can feel like you are losing some of that privacy when you have to reach out for help. But what we lost in privacy, we gained in support. We are grateful for the team of doctors and nurses at our fertility clinic who helped us make our dream of starting a family come true," said Rolt.
It is important for couples trying to conceive to educate themselves on their reproductive health and fertility options.
"It is never too early to talk to your family doctor or OB/GYN about fertility," said Dr. Shannon Corbett, Medical Director and Partner, The Reproductive Care Centre. "Learning about your reproductive health is an important part of family planning. Couples trying to conceive are encouraged to have these conversations with their doctor so they can understand their options and make the best decision for themselves and their family at any stage of their fertility journey."
About Infertility An estimated one in six Canadian couples of childbearing age experience fertility challenges.vii Infertility can be defined as a failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of attempted conception without contraception. A fertility consultation may be recommended after one year of attempted conception for women under 35 years of age and 6 months for women over 35 years of age.viii
Fertility challenges can affect both men and women, or a combination of both. Causes of fertility issues in men may include poor sperm quality, low sperm count, a history of sexually transmitted disease and a hormonal imbalance.ix Potential causes for women include age (fertility decreases after age 35), problems producing eggs, a history of sexually transmitted diseases, problems in the uterus or fallopian tubes, endometriosis, hormonal imbalances and early menopause.x
About EMD Serono, Canada EMD Serono, Canada, is the Canadian biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. EMD Serono, Canada has integrated cutting-edge science, innovative products and devices, and industry-leading patient support and access programs. EMD Serono, Canada has deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, as well as a robust pipeline of potential therapies in neurology, oncology, immunology and immuno-oncology. Today, EMD Serono, Canada has more than 100 employees across Canada with headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario.
About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 52,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2018, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 14.8 billion in 66 countries.
The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Performance Materials. Since its founding 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company.
Long-Term Care and Retirement Home Workers Launch Campaign with Direct Message: Tell Them to Care
RICHMOND HILL, ON, April 19, 2019 /CNW/ - SEIU Healthcare, a union that represents over 60,000 frontline healthcare workers in Ontario, has launched a public advocacy campaign calling on Ontario's major long-term care and retirement home corporations to invest more profits in care.
The campaign titled "Tell Them To Care," is appealing to families in Ontario to join with the frontline workers who are calling on large for-profit healthcare corporations including Chartwell, Extendicare, Sienna and Revera to fix the systemic problems that arise as a result of chronic understaffing.
The first television advertisement is set to air Friday, April 19, 2019 during the Toronto Maple Leafs playoff hockey game broadcast on CBC at 7:00 pm EST.
SEIU Healthcare is preparing to bargain with these companies to address the problems that arise from diverting profits away from improving care. Understaffing in long-term care and retirement homes means that staff are overburdened, workplace injuries increase, and isolated seniors don't get the level of care they deserve and require.
"It's long overdue that these greedy long-term care corporations put resident care ahead of profits," said SEIU Healthcare President Sharleen Stewart. "Frontline healthcare workers are telling us that inadequate staffing levels are a big reason for workplace injury, as well as the increasingly difficult pressures of caring for more seniors with less time."
"If these billion-dollar corporations can afford to pay CEOs millions in compensation and investors tens of millions of dollars in dividends, it's time they seriously address the crisis of understaffing."
"Every day I hear stories from our members about how understaffing affects the care they are able to provide. I hear stories of injuries that could have been prevented if there were adequate staffing levels. I hear about residents going to dinner in their pajamas because there wasn't enough staff to change them earlier. This is about safety, dignity, and the kind of quality care seniors should expect to receive," added Stewart.
SEIU Healthcare represents more than 60,000 healthcare and community service workers across Ontario. The union's members work in hospitals, homecare, nursing and retirement homes, and community services throughout the province. SEIU Healthcare has a strong track record of improving wages, benefits and working conditions for healthcare workers, supporting the training and development needs of its members, and strengthening standards in the management and delivery of patient and client care. www.seiuhealthcare.ca
SOURCE SEIU Healthcare
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