Top NYC Eye Doctor Combats Healthcare Disparities in the US, Prevents Blindness in People of Color
New York, NY, May 21, 2021 — Blindness caused by glaucoma is insidious. In most cases, there is no pain, and the loss of vision occurs slowly from peripheral to central. Many people do not even realize it’s happening until they have lost a substantial amount of peripheral vision. But Dr. Daniel Laroche, Director of Glaucoma Services and President of Advanced Eyecare of New York, wants you to know there is a way to prevent the devastating effects of glaucoma: Don’t skip your eyecare visits.
What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease of the eye characterized by three components:
1. Damage and loss of the retinal ganglions cells and optic nerve described as cupping
2. Loss of visual field
3. Usually increased eye pressure (the mean normal eye pressure is 15mmHG)
People at risk for glaucoma include the elderly, Blacks, people with elevated eye pressure, primary relatives with glaucoma, persons with high myopia, high hyperopia, history of eye trauma and diabetes.
The elevated intraocular pressure from glaucoma damages the optic nerve mechanically and creates decreased blood flow to the eye. The most identifiable cause of glaucoma is the enlarged lens or cataract in the eye. Early cataract surgery and trabecular bypass has become the best option to stop vision loss in patients with glaucoma. The current use of eyedrops and laser help to lower intraocular pressure but do not address the causative mechanism of the glaucoma being the enlarged lens. Incisional cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery is often needed to truly stabilize glaucoma.
All people should be screened regularly for glaucoma as part of a medical eye exam. Screening should consist of an eye examination consisting of gonioscopy (examination of the drainage angle), intraocular pressure measurement with Goldmann applanation tonometry and a dilated optic nerve examination. If there appears to be any damage to the optic nerve or abnormal pressure, then a visual field test should be performed, and optic nerve photos taken. Persons with thin corneas should be more aggressively monitored and treated for glaucoma as the disease tends to be worse in these patients.
If you have eye pressure or glaucoma and feel that you may be losing vision, Dr. Laroche recommends that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist for a second opinion. DON’T GO BLIND FROM GLAUCOMA! People with conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy that could lead to blindness if left unchecked need to stay particularly vigilant with their checkups. The pandemic shouldn’t keep you from visiting your doctor, but for patients over 60, Dr. Laroche advises it's better to stay home and do telehealth visits or video consultations until the pandemic flattens. He also encourages people to wear face masks on visits and maintain social distancing, even if they are in a health clinic, and if you’re high-risk, consider adding eye protection when in public spaces.
“Eyesight or human vision is one of the most important senses. As much as 80 percent of what we feel comes through our sense of sight. By protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
“A healthy brain function requires a healthy vision. The brain is our most essential organ, and it allows us to control other organs. Normal and healthy vision contributes to improved learning and comprehension for a better quality of life,” says Dr. Laroche.
About Dr. Daniel Laroche
Dr. Laroche is an exceptional glaucoma specialist in New York. He studied and received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington D.C., where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear.
Endorsed by MDs at Harvard: Transformative Food Documentary Debuts May 25
Seattle, WA, May 21, 2021 — As we all start coming out of quarantine—a time when we dismissed those doctor appointments or ate more comfort food than we had hoped—is there a better way to live without the risk of diabetes and obesity through better ways to eat? From New York Times best-selling author and executive producer Jonathan Bailor comes BETTER, a transformative food documentary that examines a new, empowering and unifying way of eating, thinking and living—without the shame caused by friends, family and the wellness industry itself. Releasing on May 25, 2021 (new date!), with pre-orders available on May 1, the film has been endorsed by top medical doctors at Harvard. In addition, BETTER has won Best Documentary and Best Storytelling awards and has been featured in programs at film festivals worldwide.
BETTER offers a proven path toward safer, better living through revolutionary methods that lower the body’s weight "setpoint,” using simple, evidence-based solutions that anyone can use to optimize their diet (e.g., keto, vegan, paleo, kosher, halal, etc.) and to protect against today's most common diseases. The movie’s goal is to put an end to all the diet wars, unveiling scientifically backed new ways of eating endorsed by doctors at Harvard, as well as Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic; and ending all the confusing and conflicting diet information while curbing diabetes and obesity (diabesity). It also features inspiring success stories along with intimate testimonials by Americans who have struggled with negative body image, vulnerability, feelings of inadequacy and humiliation that bring the movie to life in all too relatable ways.
BETTER tries to tackle these challenges by following the doctors leading this revolution and features intimate portraits of people as they explore ways to decrease the dependence on medications and shame-based diets, while staying safe in an increasingly unhealthy world. BETTER was filmed on-location at Harvard Medical School with Dr. David Ludwig, author of The New York Times best-seller Always Hungry; and with EP and creator Jonathan Bailor, who founded the field of wellness engineering, and is the author of the New York Times best-seller, The Calorie Myth, and The Setpoint Diet. Bailor was inspired to help Americans overcome their overeating addiction after his own grandfather died of diabetes. On a quest to help find a better way for Americans to eat, think and live, it is Bailor’s hope that the audience will be inspired to reverse their symptoms of diabesity, which is proven to be a top risk factor for many complications, including COVID complications and death.
Says Bailor, “Now more than ever, everyone is in desperate need of a proven, practical and simple way to protect their mental and physical health. BETTER is not just a food documentary, it is a story of hope, empowerment, protection and betterment by every means necessary.” For more information, please visit www.bettermovie.com.
dentalcorp Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering and Concurrent Private Placement for Gross Proceeds of Approximately $950 Million
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
TORONTO, May 20, 2021 /CNW/ - dentalcorp Holdings Ltd. ("dentalcorp" or the "Company") today announced that it has obtained a receipt for its final base PREP prospectus filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and has entered into an underwriting agreement for its initial public offering of subordinate voting shares (the "Offering"). The Offering consists of a treasury offering of 50,000,000 subordinate voting shares of the Company at a price of $14.00 per subordinate voting share for gross proceeds of approximately $700 million. The Offering is expected to close on May 27, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.
The Company also announced that certain institutional shareholders have severally agreed, concurrent with the closing of the Offering, to purchase on a private placement basis an aggregate of 10,714,285 shares, as well as an aggregate of 7,125,000 subscription receipts, at a price of $14.00 per share or per subscription receipt, as the case may be, for gross proceeds of approximately $250 million (the "Specified Shareholders' Investments"). The subscription receipts will, upon expiry of the Over-Allotment Option (as defined below), result in such shareholders receiving such number of additional subordinate voting shares as is equal to the value of the net proceeds of any unexercised portion of the Over-Allotment Option that the Company would have otherwise received if the Over-Allotment Option was exercised in full. The proceeds of the sale of any unexercised subscription receipts shall be returned to the purchasers.
The Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") has conditionally approved the listing of the subordinate voting shares, subject to fulfilling the initial listing requirements and conditions of the TSX. The subordinate voting shares are expected to begin trading on the TSX on an "if, as and when issue basis" on May 21, 2021 under the symbol "DNTL".
The Offering is being made through a syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC Capital Markets, Jefferies Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets and TD Securities Inc. acting as joint active bookrunners, and includes RBC Capital Markets and BofA Securities acting as passive bookrunners, and Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Scotia Capital Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters").
The Company has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option") to purchase up to an additional 7,500,000 subordinate voting shares at a price of $14.00 per subordinate voting share for additional gross proceeds of up to $105 million if the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in full. The Over-Allotment Option can be exercised in whole or in part, at any time, in the sole discretion of the Underwriters, for a period of 30 days from and including the closing date of the Offering.
A copy of the final base PREP prospectus is available, and a copy of the supplemented PREP prospectus will be available on May 21, 2021, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The subordinate voting shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws. Accordingly, the subordinate voting shares may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of dentalcorp in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About dentalcorp
dentalcorp is Canada's largest network of dental practices, committed to advancing the overall well-being of Canadians by aiming to deliver the best clinical outcomes and unforgettable experiences. dentalcorp acquires leading dental practices, uniting its network in a common goal: to be Canada's most trusted healthcare network. Leveraging its industry-leading technology, know-how and scale, dentalcorp offers professionals the unique opportunity to retain their clinical autonomy while unlocking their potential for future growth. Learn more at http://www.dentalcorp.ca.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to the closing of the Offering, the closing of the Specified Shareholders' Investments, the filing of the supplemented PREP prospectus and listing of the subordinate voting shares on the TSX. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to complete the Offering and the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the final base PREP prospectus . Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.
SOURCE dentalcorp Holdings Ltd.
Toxic Relationships: 3 Steps to Get Out and Reground Yourself
We need to move on from toxic habits and people to help us destroy our crutches and create a healthier lifestyle so we can approach the future with vitality and sovereignty, according to Lisa Marie Rankin, M.B.A., M.S. – a writer, yoga teacher, Ayurvedic wellness coach, and author of The Goddess Solution: Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life (HarperCollins Canada, Collins).
“Have you ever suspected a person in your life is no longer serving your interests?,” asks Rankin. “Perhaps you believe that your growth, health, and overall well-being would be significantly improved if you could just breakup. The problem is, this person entered your life in the first place because they fulfilled some need, even if in a roundabout way. Like, the on-again, off-again boyfriend made you feel desired. Our crutches often prevent us from identifying and addressing the things that aren’t going well in our lives. They encourage us to avoid or overlook areas that are less than satisfactory, such as that stale relationship. If we want to step into our goddess nature, we need to improve these areas, not mask them. Moreover, when you pause and start to consider some of your behaviors, you might begin to notice that they are the cause of your problems, not the salve to them.”
To start, harness the energy of Pele--the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, fire, and dance who is considered the creator of the Hawaiian Islands and known for her fiery temper, power, and capriciousness.
Rankin is available for interviews, contributed articles, and commentary on 3 ways to get out of a toxic relationship and reground yourself using ancient wisdom in modern society.
MEDITATE
Meditation can help create a sense of calm so we’re not dependent on outside factors or bad habits. It also helps us observe and manage our emotions. Meditate daily for five to fifteen minutes. There are a variety of meditations at the back of this book for you to choose from.
JOURNAL
Get out your goddess journal and answer the following questions about a habit you would like to break:
What is the habit you would like to break?
How has this habit served you?
How has this habit hindered you?
What would be a better way to get this need met?
Who will this disappoint?
What support do you need to put this practice in place?
AFFIRMATION
Repeat: “I consciously choose habits and people that support my goddess nature.”
The Goddess Solution is a practical spiritual guide that uses goddesses as archetypes and weaves spiritual concepts from ancient traditions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Tantra with modern-thought leadership to make the advice practical and relevant to modern-times. You’ll learn about goddesses from across various traditions and discover that their wisdom is more relevant than ever. You can connect with Mary Magdalene to identify and rewrite beliefs that are limiting you. The Greek goddess Aphrodite will show you how to infuse your life and your relationships with passion. Durga, a Hindu warrior goddess, will inspire you to stand up for what you know to be right and speak your truth.
Can Strawberries Slow Down the Aging Process?
New Research Studies by Tufts University, Illinois Institute of Technology and UCLA Describe Strawberries' Role in Longevity
TORONTO, May 20, 2021 /CNW/ - The long sought-after fountain of youth may have been hidden in plain sight all along. Three new studies suggest strawberries may be associated with slowing down aging of the brain, cardiovascular system, and gut microbiome.
KEEPING THE MIND SHARP AS WE AGE
As a person ages, the brain can experience changes that result in impairments in learning, memory, gait, and balance. Sometimes these changes lead to early cognitive decline, disability, or falls among older adults.
In a recent study1 by Dr. Barbara Shukitt-Hale and her team at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 37 healthy older adults participated in a two-arm trial in which they consumed either freeze-dried strawberry powder beverages (24g/day, equivalent to two cups of fresh strawberries) or a calorie-matched control powder for 90 days. Participants completed a battery of balance, gait, and cognitive tests at baseline, midpoint, and conclusion of the trial.
Participants in the strawberry group performed better on spatial memory tasks and word recognition tests relative to those in the control group. These findings show that the addition of strawberry to the diets of healthy, older adults can improve some aspects of cognition, although more studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are needed to confirm this finding.
"Based on these promising results in healthy individuals, we are now conducting a study among older adults whose health is compromised and we expect to see even greater improvement following strawberry supplementation," said Dr. Shukitt-Hale.
This research comes on the heels of recent publications2 that indicate diets higher in long-term flavonoid intake3, from foods such as strawberries, could contribute to reducing the risk of Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias4.
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1 Miller, M., Thangthaeng, N., Rutledge, G., Scott, T., & Shukitt-Hale, B. (2021). Dietary strawberry improves cognition in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in older adults. British Journal of Nutrition, 1-11. doi:10.1017/S0007114521000222
2 Devore EE, Kang JH, Breteler MM, Grodstein F. Dietary intakes of berries and flavonoids in relation to cognitive decline. Ann Neurol. 2012 Jul;72(1):135-43. doi: 10.1002/ana.23594. Epub 2012 Apr 26. PMID: 22535616; PMCID: PMC3582325.
3 Agarwal P, Holland TM, Wang Y, Bennett DA, Morris MC. Association of Strawberries and Anthocyanidin Intake with Alzheimer's Dementia Risk. Nutrients. 2019; 11(12):3060. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11123060
4 Shishtar E, Rogers GT, Blumberg JB, Au R, Jacques PF. Long-term dietary flavonoid intake and risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias in the Framingham Offspring Cohort. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Aug 1;112(2):343-353. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa079. PMID: 32320019; PMCID: PMC7398772.
YOUNG AT HEART
Endothelium is a thin layer of cells that lines every blood vessel in the body. It's responsible for the relaxation and constriction of veins and arteries, playing a major role in blood flow, blood pressure regulation, blood clotting, and wound healing. High total cholesterol and LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) can impair the function of the endothelium, clog arteries, and lead to heart disease, particularly in later years of life.
A new study5 from Dr. Britt Burton Freeman's team of researchers at Illinois Institute of Technology asked middle-aged adults with moderately-high LDL cholesterol to drink beverages two times a day made from freeze-dried strawberry powder (25g in each) or a control powder for four weeks. After completing their first assigned beverage, they switched to the other one (strawberry/control) for an additional four weeks.
The health of the endothelium, measured by flow-mediated dilation, improved in the strawberry group one hour after drinking the beverage. Systolic blood pressure decreased two hours after drinking the strawberry beverage compared to the control, and this was more pronounced four weeks after the strawberry intervention.
The findings suggest that strawberries may improve endothelial function and be considered a specific food to include in a heart-healthy diet for aging adults with moderately-high cholesterol.
PROMOTING "LONGEVITY" BUGS IN THE GUT
Strawberries act as prebiotics and may increase gut bacteria associated with lean body weight, health, and longevity, according to a new study out of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
The pilot study6 led by Dr. Zhaoping Li and her team at the Center for Human Nutrition considered whether strawberries would alter the gut microbiota. Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, strawberries have already shown their potential to decrease LDL cholesterol7, blood glucose8, insulin resistance9, and other disease risk factors. The gut microbiota is the next frontier for scientific exploration of strawberries' impact on health.
Fourteen adults were asked to follow a "beige" diet low in fibre and polyphenols for 8 weeks. Two weeks in, a 13g strawberry powder drink was introduced to the diet twice a day, for four weeks. Then the participants returned to a beige-only diet for the two final weeks without strawberries.
Drinking strawberry powder beverages twice a day for four weeks was associated with an increase of 24 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), or gut microorganisms. Once the participants returned to a beige-only diet, several of the OTUs reversed back to their pre-strawberry status, suggesting strawberry's role in influencing the gut bacteria.
Dr. Li shared, "Consumption of strawberry increased the abundance of gut microorganisms that could lead to lean body weight, better health, and longevity."
Something as simple as making strawberries a regular part of the diet may be the key to delaying aging of both the mind and the body.
___________________________
5 Leailin Huang, Di Xiao, Xuhuiqun Zhang, Amandeep K Sandhu, Preeti Chandra, Colin Kay, Indika Edirisinghe, Britt Burton-Freeman, Strawberry Consumption, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and Vascular Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adults with Moderate Hypercholesterolemia, The Journal of Nutrition, 2021;, nxab034, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab034
6 Zahra Ezzat-Zadeh, Susanne M. Henning, Jieping Yang, Shih Lung Woo, Ru-Po Lee, Jianjun Huang, Gail Thames, Irene Gilbuena, Chi-Hong Tseng, David Heber, Zhaoping Li. California strawberry consumption increased the abundance of gut microorganisms related to lean body weight, health and longevity in healthy subjects, Nutrition Research, Volume 85, 2021, Pages 60-70, ISSN 0271-5317, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2020.12.006.
7 Basu A, Betts NM, Nguyen A, Newman ED, Fu D, Lyons TJ. Freeze-dried strawberries lower serum cholesterol and lipid peroxidation in adults with abdominal adiposity and elevated serum lipids. J Nutr. 2014;144(6):830-837. doi:10.3945/jn.113.188169
8 Bennett, Louise, Selby-Pham, Sophie and Siow, Lee Fond. Characterising absorption and health-related properties of phytochemicals extracted from Malaysian palm fruit biomass after oil extraction, Food Funct., 2020, 11, 907, DOI:10.1039/C9FO01149H
9 Park E, Edirisinghe I, Wei H, Vijayakumar LP, Banaszewski K, Cappozzo JC, Burton-Freeman B. A dose-response evaluation of freeze-dried strawberries independent of fiber content on metabolic indices in abdominally obese individuals with insulin resistance in a randomized, single-blinded, diet-controlled crossover trial. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 May;60(5):1099-109. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201500845. Epub 2016 Mar 29. PMID: 26842771.
About the California Strawberry Commission:
California strawberries are grown by hundreds of family farmers who produce nearly 90 percent of U.S.-grown strawberries. Harvested year-round along the coast, strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, and a serving of 8 strawberries is a source of fibre. California strawberries are a tasty, healthy, convenient snack at any time of the day as a morning energy boost, mid-afternoon snack or healthy evening treat.
The California Strawberry Commission represents more than 400 strawberry farmers, shippers and processors, proudly working together to advance strawberry farming for the future of our land and people. Commission programs create opportunities for success through ground-breaking programs focused on workforce training, strawberry production research, and nutrition research. Through science-based information and education, they deliver the good news about sustainable farming practices that benefit the health of people, farms, and communities. To learn more and connect, visit californiastrawberries.com.
SOURCE California Strawberries Commission
New Canada-Wide Research to Study Mixing-and-Matching COVID-19 vaccines
MONTREAL, May 20, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Government of Canada, through the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) and the Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group (VSRG), is supporting a new nation-wide study that will look at the effects of ‘mixing-and-matching’ approved COVID-19 vaccines in adults. Approximately $4.8 million is being provided for this study, which will assess the safety and effectiveness of using two different COVID-19 vaccines for the first and second dose. The project will also study the effects of increasing the interval between doses.
“As questions of vaccine interchangeability arise and alternative dosing intervals are being used in public health programs, our objective is to determine: what are the effects of different dosing intervals of the vaccines on immunity and safety?” explains Dr. Joanne Langley, co-Principal Investigator (PI) of this research project. She is also lead investigator of the Canadian Immunization Research Network’s (CIRN) Clinical Trials Network and a Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Community Health and Epidemiology at Dalhousie University. “We also want to know what the immune response is if two doses of different COVID-19 vaccine products are used, and how long these responses last.”
The study, entitled “Mix and match of the second COVID-19 vaccine dose for SAfety and ImmunogeniCity,” or MOSAIC, is expected to enroll 1,300 participants as soon as possible across CIRN clinical trial sites in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.
“There are currently four COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in Canada, three of which are being distributed by public health programs,” says co-PI Dr. Manish Sadarangani, an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia and Director at the Vaccine Evaluation Center at BC Children’s Hospital. “As other vaccines become available, they will be added to the study to address public health knowledge gaps. Study data will be communicated regularly to public health officials to help inform decision making for the ongoing vaccine rollout in Canada.”
“Soon after vaccine programs began, manufacturing interruptions resulted in delayed vaccine shipments to various countries, including Canada,” states Dr. Scott Halperin, co-Chair of the VSRG and Principal Investigator of CIRN. “This led some provinces to change their vaccine delivery strategies, including following the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) approved guidelines to allow second-dose immunizations to occur up to four months after the first dose, rather than the 21- to 28-day period recommended by manufacturers. This study will give public health officials more information about how to manage their vaccine roll-out strategies going forward.”
“Studies on mixed COVID-19 vaccine schedules are underway in other countries, including the United Kingdom. In addition to international data, this Canadian study will help inform Canada's public health recommendations on the potential to use different combinations of vaccines for the first and second dose, as well as different dosing intervals,” says Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer.
“There has never been a more critical time to collect real-time evidence to inform practice, policy, and decision making,” says Dr. Alice Aiken, Vice President Research and Innovation at Dalhousie University. “We are very proud of Dr. Joanne Langley, and the important work she is doing to ensure we are using vaccines the most effective way possible, and to help stop the spread of COVID-19.”
If you are 18 years or older, in good health, and would like to participate in the study, please visit www.cirnetwork.ca/mosaic for more information.
About the Canadian Immunization Research Network
The Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) is a national network of key vaccine researchers who develop and test methodologies related to the evaluation of vaccines as they pertain to safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness, and program implementation and evaluation. CIRN’s objective is to further strengthen Canada’s research capacity, evidence base and expertise in the field of immunization and vaccines for vaccine-preventable diseases. A ‘network or networks’, CIRN plays a pivotal role in mentoring early-career researchers, recruiting new investigators, providing opportunities for trainees, and delivering meaningful engagement of stakeholders at all research stages.
CIRN is made up of the following 8 networks: the Canadian National Vaccine Safety Network (CANVAS); the Clinical Trials Network (CTN); the Serious Outcomes Surveillance Network (SOS); the Special Immunization Clinic Network (SIC); the Provincial Collaborative Network (PCN); the Social Sciences and Humanities Network (SSHN); the Modeling and Economics Research Network (ModERN); and the Reference Laboratory Network (RLN).
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of the university’s 20,000-plus students coming from outside the province. Dal’s 6,000 faculty and staff foster a diverse, purpose-driven community, one that spans 13 faculties and conducts more than $181 million in research annually. Part of a cluster identified as one of the world’s top international centres in ocean research, the university proudly celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2018.
About the Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group
The Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group (VSRG) supports the monitoring of the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada. It is a consortium of Canadian organizations - the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Research Immunization Network (CIRN), the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), and the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) – working collaboratively to pool expertise on vaccine surveillance. The VSRG reports to PHAC and is supported by the CITF Secretariat. It is co-chaired by the leaders of NACI and CIRN. Among its responsibilities, the VSRG, through the CITF Executive Committee, makes recommendations to PHAC on funding research teams that can address important aspects of the immune response, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines with public health relevance and with attention to all priority groups. For more information visit: covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/vaccine-surveillance-reference-group-vsrg/
About the COVID Immunity Task Force (CITF)
In late April 2020, the Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force with a two-year mandate. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat accordingly work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing – and ultimately stopping – the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
As thousands of children ages 12-15 receive COVID-19 vaccine, St. Jude pediatric virologist encourages more to get the shot
Director of St. Jude Global Infectious Disease Dr. Caniza says “vaccinating children is a key component to reaching herd immunity”
MEMPHIS, TENN. – As nearly a million children have received the COVID-19 vaccine in just the first week of authorization, Miguela Caniza, MD MPH, Director of the St. Jude Global Infectious Diseases Program atSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital today says “the numbers are a good sign and encouraged more parents get their children vaccinated as soon as possible”:
“I am encouraged by the hundreds of thousands of children 12 to 15 who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine in just the first week of authorization,” said Dr. Caniza. “Vaccinating children for COVID-19 is a key component to reaching the two-thirds threshold necessary to obtain herd immunity and stop the pandemic from continuing to spread and mutate. This is a safe and effective vaccine, and I encourage more parents to take their children to get the vaccine as soon as possible.”
When the coronavirus first emerged, Dr. Caniza urged her colleagues of infectious disease leaders from 24 countries who were gathering at St. Jude to set aside their agendas and immediately focus on the virus. Those discussions led to the establishment of a registry tracking COVID-19 in childhood cancer patients around the world. She and her colleagues were recently featured in the Commercial Appealfor their initial and continuing efforts to track the emergency of the novel coronavirus in children.
Dr. Caniza outlines three essential reasons why it is critical to achieve the ability to immunize children, even if most of the poor outcomes and deaths from COVID-19 have been seen in older adults:
Children and teenagers are highly mobiles attending schools, sports, and intersecting more often with various age groups including with their caretakers and older family members.
Because of the high percent of children and teenagers being asymptomatic or with minimal symptoms, most likely they will be effectively spreading during a very contagious period, and even more so, if they don’t follow the standard precautions (distancing, using masks and practicing hand hygiene).
Vertex monopoly of the cystic fibrosis space signaled by another label expansion, says GlobalData
Vertex, the current owner of the entire cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators’ market share, is expected to remain the market leader over the next decade, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Mandana Emamzadeh, PhD, Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Many pipeline products have emerged in the early stage of development and Vertex will need to protect its position as market leader in the future. However, the company’s current strategy of usurping nearly all market share prior to launch of any competitors will be a viable strategy to remain the dominant player for the foreseeable future.”
In late April, the European Commission (EC) approved a label expansion for Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Kaftrio for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in all patients aged 12 years and older who are heterozygous for the F508del CFTR mutation (F), regardless of the other mutation type - either gating (G) or residual function (RF) mutations.
Emamzadeh continued: “Key opinion leaders (KOLs) interviewed by GlobalData asserted that Kaftrio is the most effective CFTR modulator, and the drug is recommended to nearly all patients as soon as they are eligible. KOLs further anticipated that the eligibility of Kaftrio will expand to more mutations across all ages gradually.”
While Kaftrio is taking over the CF market, a reasonable concern among developers is whether there is room for more CFTR modulators.
Emamzadeh added: “KOLs believe that the CF community supports more options for CFTR modulators in case patients develop intolerances, allergies or adverse events. In addition, further competition can drive down the drug price and therefore the opportunity remains for developers.
“There are a couple of challenges that developers should expect to face by coming to the CF market. Kaftrio has established a reputation and gained a firm position in the treatment paradigm. As a result, stable patients are unlikely to risk their condition getting worse by stopping a medication to which they are responsive. Additionally, it is hard to recruit patients for new studies in this orphan disease, when the majority of the population are already eligible for marketed CFTR modulators.”
The current CFTR modulators in early stage development include Phase I/II trial for Translate Bio’s MRT-5005, and Phase II trials for Eloxx Pharmaceuticals’ ELX-02, AbbVie’s ABBV-3067 alone and in combination with galicaftor (ABBV-2222), Yumanity Therapeutics’ dirocaftor (PTI-808) + nesolicaftor (PTI-428) + posenacaftor (PTI-801), Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ deutivacaftor (VX-561), and VX-121 + tezacaftor + deutivacaftor (VX-561).
ENDS
Canadian researchers studying effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy
MONTREAL, May 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Government of Canada, through its COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) and Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group (VSRG), is investing approximately $1.3 million for two Canadian research teams to further evaluate vaccine safety and effectiveness in pregnant people. While pregnant or breastfeeding individuals were excluded from the initial mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 clinical trials, recent real-world evidence is showing that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy. Additional research and surveillance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant and lactating populations is needed. Results will be communicated regularly to public health officials to help inform decision making for ongoing COVID-19 vaccine administration programs in Canada. Individuals from anywhere in Canada who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding are invited to register to take part in the COVERED vaccine study. Participants do not have to have already received a COVID-19 vaccine, nor do they need to intend to receive the vaccine. To participate in the registry and survey, visit https://covered.med.ubc.ca/
Pan-Canadian study
Researchers in British Columbia are launching a COVID-19 vaccine registry for pregnant and breastfeeding people across Canada called COVERED.
“We are asking pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in all 10 provinces and three territories to sign-up for the registry, after which they will be invited to fill out a survey,” says study lead researcher Dr. Deborah Money, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of British Columbia. “Through this registry and survey, we will monitor the safety of the various vaccines for those who are pregnant and breastfeeding. We will also study whether the vaccines are more effective – or less so – in this group. It is important that these data become available to pregnant and breastfeeding individuals so that they are able to make an informed choice about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.”
This project is being conducted in partnership with vaccine surveillance efforts across Canada, including the Canadian Vaccine Safety Network (CANVAS), a national platform which assesses vaccine safety during the implementation of vaccine campaigns across Canada.
Ontario study
This second study will link information collected from the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario Registry, which collects data from every baby born in Ontario, with the province’s vaccination registry from the Ontario Ministry of Health (COVaxON).
“We will be monitoring the health of mothers and their babies, comparing individuals who received a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, or just before, with those who did not,” explains study lead researcher Dr. Deshayne Fell, Scientist at the CHEO Research Institute and Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa. “We will also assess the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy by looking at the number of people who have been infected by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.”
“Although early evidence to date on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant populations has not identified any safety concerns, it is critically important to monitor the health of these individuals and their babies following COVID-19 vaccination,” says Dr. Scott Halperin, Co-Chair of the VSRG and Principal Investigator of the Canadian Research Immunization Network (CIRN). “The findings from this study will help to inform pregnant individuals, their care providers and public health policy-makers.”
About University of British Columbia The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.
About BORN Ontario The Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario is the province’s pregnancy, birth and childhood registry and network. By collecting, interpreting, sharing and rigorously protecting critical data about every birth in the province, BORN Ontario makes a positive and lasting contribution to the health of mothers, newborns, children and the citizens of Ontario. BORN Ontario is a provincial program of CHEO, a pediatric health and research centre based in Ottawa. www.bornontario.ca
About the Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group The Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group (VSRG) supports the monitoring of the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Canada. It is a consortium of Canadian organizations - the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Research Immunization Network (CIRN), the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), and the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) – working collaboratively to pool expertise on vaccine surveillance. The VSRG reports to PHAC and is supported by the CITF Secretariat. It is co-chaired by the leaders of NACI and CIRN. Among its responsibilities, the VSRG, through the CITF Executive Committee, makes recommendations to PHAC on funding research teams that can address important aspects of the immune response, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines with public health relevance and with attention to all priority groups. For more information visit: covid19immunitytaskforce.ca/vaccine-surveillance-reference-group-vsrg/
About the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force The Government of Canada established the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force in late April 2020. The Task Force is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading Canadian scientists and experts from universities and healthcare facilities across Canada who are focused on understanding the nature of immunity arising from the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. To that end, the CITF is supporting numerous studies to determine the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada (in the general population as well as in specific communities and priority populations), understand the nature of immunity following infection, develop improved antibody testing methods, and help monitor the effectiveness and safety of vaccines as they are rolled out across Canada. The Task Force and its Secretariat work closely with a range of partners, including governments, public health agencies, institutions, health organizations, research teams, other task forces, and engages communities and stakeholders. Most recently, the Task Force has been asked to support vaccine surveillance, effectiveness and safety as part of its overall objective to generate data and ideas that inform interventions aimed at slowing—and ultimately stopping—the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Canada. For more information visit: www.covid19immunitytaskforce.ca
Embrace Your Imperfections and Embark Upon a Healing Journey with God as Your Guide
Seattle, WA, May 20, 2021 — Crippling fear permeated every aspect of Christine Soule’s life from an early age and followed her into adulthood. Her past of brokenness — abuse, dysfunction, addiction and other trauma — could have very well defined her future. But once she turned to God and let Him lead the way, she found a path toward a brighter future.
“The key is discovering who you are in Christ — your true identify. And that’s especially significant if you, like me, have a past of brokenness,” Soule writes in her inspirational story, Broken and Beautiful. “So much of how we see ourselves revolves around the demands our society places on us, insisting we live up to its expectations. Don’t listen to the world. Listen to God.”
Soule’s life was a jumbled pile of broken pieces. Her father was married seven times; her mother four times. Between her parents’ divorce when she was 5 years old and the day she allowed the power and presence of God into her heart, she watched her sister have an affair with her adoptive father; met 15 siblings she never knew at her biological father’s funeral; turned to drugs and alcohol; got pregnant at 17; had twins less than two years later; and became a victim of human trafficking. She had to break the cycle for the sake of her children. With nowhere else to turn, she dropped to her knees and prayed. And that’s when everything changed.
Broken and Beautiful is Soule’s remarkable story of how God took the pieces of her broken, astonishingly dysfunctional life and transformed it all into a breathtaking mosaic of joy and purpose.
“The places where you feel hopeless are exactly what He wants to redeem and fill with beauty, dignity and strength. He has a plan for your pain. A wonderful intention for your failures. A purpose for your hardest, darkest stories,” Soule writes.
Told with honesty and surprising touches of humor, Soule shares her journey from drug-addicted stripper to exuberant Jesus lover with a passion for helping others embrace God’s love. Broken and Beautiful is a raw, authentic story of hope, from a place of experience.
Author Christine Soule lives with the love of her life, Mitch Soule, in Seattle. They have five kids and three wonderful grandchildren. She is the founder and CEO of Providence Heights (www.providenceheights.org), a nonprofit created to house women and children in need and to provide counseling, education and jobs.
