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Gray mold on cannabis plants is a sign of a fungal disease called Botrytis blight. It appears as a thick blanket of webs on the plants and causes severe damage to the buds during growth and even after harvest.

In most cannabis plants, gray mold starts growing on the inside of a bud before appearing on the outside. One of the preventative measures that cultivators can take early on is to protect the buds from moisture. Using tents or greenhouse to cover plants can help to attain this.

Other than this, there are a number of other techniques that can help to stop the infection from damaging the plants. Here is a complete guide to prevent and control the infection.

Typically, gray mold causes a discoloration of plant buds and a lot of moisture retention in the leaves. This causes lesions to appear on the plant, advancing into a rot in later stages. The final stage that follows after this is the appearance of the mycelium, or gray mold in the affected plant.

According to experts, if an infection appears to be gray on the outside, it is most probably gray mold. For confirmation, examining a microbial infection under a microscope can provide solid answers.

The good news for cannabis cultivators is that although gray mold is a fairly common fungal disease, it is not aggressive. It does not harm any healthy plant tissue to progress further. In fact, the disease enters the plant through pruning cuts, damages caused by insects or dying tissues of spent leaves.

As mentioned earlier, Botrytis blight does not damage healthy tissue. It enters plants through wounds created by insects. Therefore, one of the first steps to ensure protection from gray mold is to inhibit insects and diseases from attacking the plants.

Like most fungal infections, Botrytis blight flourishes in humid and dark conditions. Just 12 hours of wetness and 90% humidity levels can set the infection in motion.

This is one of the major reasons of mature plants getting infected. The dense leaf and flower growth in mature plants inhibits ventilation, creating ideal conditions for the sporadic growth of the infection.

Opening up plants for more sunlight absorption can discourage the spread of the fungal infection in plants.

Using water management techniques like drip irrigation and proper drainage can be helpful in controlling this problem. Experts also suggest the use of a couple of humidity meters in cultivation facilities for maximum control.

In addition, small tips like watering the plants early in the morning and maximizing time between watering can ensure moisture control in the plants.

End users of cannabis usually consume the plant through inhalation or smoking. This is why using commercial fungicides on the crops for treatment is highly discouraged.

One of the primary ingredients for treating fungal infections is Myclobutanil. A number of studies have found that it turns into Cyanide gas while smoking, posing serious threat to the health of the end user.

Using organic fungicides is an alternate option for crop growers. Using potassium bicarbonate, bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Tetra Crop Control can help to stop the spread of infection if it is spotted early enough.

It is noteworthy that some cannabis strains are naturally mold resistant. Being inhabitants of wet and humid climates, these strains naturally have naturally developed resistance to the infection.

To curb the spread of gray mold, there are a number of techniques that can be applied by growers of cannabis plants.

Removing moldy buds and sterilizing the plants can inhibit the growth of gray mold on other parts.

Sterilizing equipment used in pruning damaged plant parts will ensure infection containment. Proper disposal of damaged parts after solarization will also ensure that the pathogens have been completely destroyed.

Botrytis has a tendency to feed on dying leaves. Therefore, removing any possible habitat can assure the infection does not thrive.

Plucking fan leaves off the plant can also be a possible step towards maintaining ventilation and humidity in its surroundings.

For assuring the best possible mold free harvest, it is important to consider the environment of the drying rooms of the harvested crops.

More often than not, buds are put in drying rooms that are humid or have a polluted airspace. In other cases, storing them while they were not completely dry starts the development of the mold.

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Nebraska Medical Bill initiative blocked from entering the November ballots - Cannabis Health Insider

South African Caster Semenya won the 800-meterrun at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

But a rulingfromthe Swiss Supreme Court on Tuesday means Semenya won't get to defend her title at next year's Olympics unless she takes medication to lower her testosterone levels.

Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion,has a genetic condition known as hyperandrogenism that elevates the level of male sex hormones in her body. A new rule institutedin 2018 by World Athletics, an international governing body, disqualifies her from competing internationally because of that condition. Semenya has been fighting that rule since it was passed, and with Tuesday's decision, she lost her second appeal.

Semenya's longtime attorney, Gregory Nott,has said theymay challenge the judgment in Swiss and European courts. He joinedThe World's host Marco Wermanfrom Johannesburg.

Related:So what if some female Olympians have high testosterone?

Gregory Nott: Look, we were very disappointed, naturally, to get the ruling that we have. However, the past has shown us that 7% of CAS [Court of Arbitration in Sports] rulings have been overturned by the [Swiss] Supreme Court. And so the odds were stacked against us. Yes, we were disappointed. Were we completely flabbergasted? No.

I mean, at the end of the day, this is the dignity of Caster. And would a judgment like that be found against a male runner? Would it be found against, let's say, a European runner? Would we find ourselves in the same position?

She's very positive. She spoke this is her quote: The doors are closed, but not locked. And so, she sees an opportunity, whether it be legal means alternatively, track means, athletic means of still fighting back, still making her presence felt among competitors.

Well, very simply put, it was seen as an advantage.

So, that particular ruling was to negate or try to create fairness within the complete section of runners under a women's race. And for that reason, a particular level a cutoff, as it were, [was established]. Anyone above that level had to have hormonal or surgical interventions to ensure that their testosterone levels were dropped.

Now, one would argue, did [Michael] Phelps have to have his feet cut off because he had bigger feet than the other swimmers?

[Caster] was born as a woman. And she has she competed as such.

Well, partly. And a large part of the appeal was the human dignity and human rights of Caster, and the effects of these regulations upon her dignity, upon her self-image and a whole variety of other human rights issues as well.

Never. She won't do it, period. That's ... never... you'll never find her do it.

She's absolutely strong-willed, and there's absolutely no way that she will take any medicine or hormonal interventions at all, physically.

She testified as much and she said as much publicly. So you won't find her doing that. No.

I see the will of Caster. I see her indomitable spirit. I see her as a person, as a human being. And I think that really strikes a chord. It resonates, and I identify with her in so many ways. I see the love of our country for her.

You know, the one thing I really hate are bullies and I've always hated them since I was a young schoolboy. So, I can't stand it, and I don't like the lean on her. Quite frankly, I've seen the lean on her since I first represented her 10 years ago, and that really riles me up. And you know, I was involved in activist law many years ago, decades ago. And its within my very being. And Caster, for me, resonates.

And she's not only a client, but a family friend, and part of the family. So, for me, I'm very passionate about her. I love the way she holds herself and carries herself. And if you knew South Africa, and where she came from, and the fight that she's actually had to do and take, [that] would be an extraordinary story that she has told. And it deserves telling, because there's such an example for others and not only others in South Africa, but others who want the opportunity and the rest of the world. You want to see justice done at the end of the day and you want to see fair play. So, there is a sense of being robbed.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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'There is a sense of being robbed': Olympian Caster Semenya loses appeal on testosterone rule - The World

I wish to counter many politicians claims that the government seeks to take over our health care system. The specious claims ignore the huge beneficial role government has played, and plays, in improving human health. Our collective good health and longevity derives from a hundred years of federally funded research in public health, human physiology, genetics, surgery, pharmacology, immunology, microbiology, virology and engineering.

Biomedical research at universities, medical schools, hospitals and research laboratories is substantially supported by the government. Few realize that the largest share of funds for training physicians and for postgraduate physician training come directly or indirectly from the government.

Millions of Americans receive health care through Medicare, Medicaid, veterans hospitals, Indian Health Service, Public Health Service, the Uniformed Services (Department of Defense) and others. The government subsidizes health care insurance premiums for thousands of United States civil servants. Without government support, our present health care system would implode. In their polemics, some politicians call this government support socialism or socialized medicine. I call it informed self-interest by a government concerned with the well-being of its citizens.

I practiced government medicine for over 40 years as a United States Air Force pediatrician, biomedical researcher, teacher and administrator. I witnessed massive growth in medical knowledge, the introduction of incredible new technologies and evolution of new medical skills. Hundreds of new drugs, biologics, surgical techniques, vaccines, enhanced genetic knowledge and approaches to improving mental health have revolutionized modern medicine, allowing more accurate diagnosis, real-time health monitoring, and temporary replacement of hearts, lungs and kidneys. Americans now survive cancer more often than ever before.

These new technologies and tools are only possible because the citizens of this country invested in the acquisition of knowledge, tools and services the research enterprise produced. Yet, the United States fails to equitably distribute these advances to all citizens. Health care is rationed based on ability to pay. We often spend large sums to treat patients with complex and life-threatening conditions while basic preventive care is unavailable to many families and children. Unnumbered citizens and families are bankrupted annually by catastrophic illness.

I believe the United States must redress modern health care inequities. There is much debate about how this might be done. It seems to me the fairest solution is a countrywide insurance program, or programs, to provide access to care, education, public health and protection from catastrophic illness for every person and family in the land.

This is not government takeover. It is the responsibility of government to provide life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans, not only those who can pay. I urge all to consider voting with an eye to making our wealth of health care resources accessible to all citizens of our great country.

Val G. Hemming is the 2015 recipient of the distinguished alumni award from the University of Utah College of Medicine. He is the emeritus dean of the F. Edward Hbert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md.

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Guest opinion: Why accessible health care is not government takeover - Deseret News

There are basically two types of cattle in the world today. One includes the European and British breeds that descended from the original wild cattle (Bos taurus) of those regions. The other includes the more heat-tolerant animals of the tropics (the hump-backed droopy-eared Zebu cattle, Bos indicus) that include the cattle of India, Asia and Africa). Almost all cattle breeds in the U.S. today are of British and European descent, but many ranchers in the South and Southwest prefer cattle with some Zebu breeding because they are more suited to that environment.

The American Brahman was developed from several strains of cattle imported from India between 1854 and 1926, and from imported Zebu cattle from Brazil. Since then, several American breeds and composites have been created using Brahman bloodlines, including Santa Gertrudis, Brangus, Beefmaster, etc.

Dr. Jan Bonsma of South Africa was a famous cattle geneticist and student of breed efficiency, selecting cattle for the most functional traits. He was involved in the development of two new breeds, the Bonsmara and the Beefmaster. He developed the Bonsmara by crossing native Afrikaner cattle (Zebu) with Hereford and Shorthorn to develop a hardier animal than the British breeds, with better beef quality and fertility than the Zebu. Today the Bonsmara breed he created is the most numerous breed in South Africa and these cattle have been imported to other countries around the world including the U.S.

Bonsmas concept of functional efficiency in cattle was that we need to adapt the cattle to their environment, and not the other way around. He was an advisor to Tom Lasater, who created Beefmaster cattle in the U.S. Bonsmas principles of functional efficiency and Lasaters six essentials of Beefmaster breeding created a type of cattle that can adapt to harsh environments and efficiently convert grass to a well-muscled meat carcass.

Beefmaster cattle were the first American composite breed (combination of three or more breeds). In the early 1930s, Lasater developed this blend of breeds in southern Texas. Beefmasters are a composite made up of roughly one-half Bos Taurus genetics using Hereford and Shorthorn, and one-half Bos Indicus genetics (Brahman).

The American Brahman was created earlier by using Nelore cattle from Brazil (a Zebu type that came originally from India), the Gir (a dairy breed from India) and the Guzerat--a breed developed in Brazil from the Kankrej cattle imported into Brazil from India between 1875 and 1964. The Guzerat was very instrumental in creation of the American Brahman.

The blend of British breeds with zebu type cattle (providing more heat tolerance and insect resistance) to create the Beefmaster was of great benefit to cattle raisers in Texas and other southern regions of North America. In 1937, Lasater closed his herd and no outside genetics have been introduced into the breed since that time. In

1954, the Beefmaster breed was recognized by the USDA as an American breed. Currently, Beefmaster Breeders United is the fifth-largest breed registry in the U.S. Over the last 70 years, intense selection for economically important traits has resulted in a homozygous beef breed that has the growth potential of a hybrid.

Lasater selected cattle on what he called the six essentials of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production, and hardiness. Todays Beefmaster breeders also select for calving ease, fast early growth, moderate frame, easy fleshing ability and longevity. Adhering to Lasaters six essentials make these additional goals easier and faster to accomplish.

Beefmaster cattle have strong maternal traits as well as excellent growth and carcass traits. They are well known for their ability to handle heat and drought, with more insect resistance than most British and European breeds. They tend to be moderate in size, and generally light red to dark red in color, although some have white mottling on their faces and underline. The blend of Zebu and Bos taurus creates the most hybrid vigor of any cattle cross because these types are so unrelated. The blend has created super cows.

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Development of heat-resistant cattle in the U.S. - Post Register

UWMadisons Athletic Training program is transitioning to the masters degree level due to changing national accreditation standards and an anticipated growth in demand for athletic trainers in the coming years.

The new Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) program which was approved by the UW Systems Board of Regents in April is now accepting applications and will enroll its first cohort in the summer of 2021.

Athletic trainers are multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians as part of a health care team to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers provide this health care in a variety of settings for people involved in all levels of physical activity.

If you enjoy sports and physical activity, solving problems, caring for patients, and working with people then a career in athletic training might be for you, says UWMadisons Andrew Winterstein, who directs the universitys Athletic Training program, which is housed in the School of Educations Department of Kinesiology.

Athletic trainers do everything from creating injury prevention programs at high schools, to providing health care to intercollegiate or professional sports teams. Others help workers safely perform on a factory assembly line, or treat patients of all ages and skill levels in a clinical rehabilitation setting.

Athletic trainers are the health care professionals who use their skills where no two days or job settings are alike, says Winterstein, a distinguished clinical professor with the Department of Kinesiology.

The new MSAT program is replacing the current Athletic Training program offered at the bachelors degree level. Athletic training programs across the country are making the transition following a decision from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), the Board of Certification (BOC), and National Athletic Trainers Association. By the fall of 2022, athletic training programs nationally will no longer be enrolling students at the undergraduate level. However, students currently enrolled in athletic training programs and current athletic trainers will not need to earn a masters degree to satisfy this new standard.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of athletic trainers will grow 19 percent from 2018 to 2028, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase as people become more aware of the long-term effects of sports-related injuries, and as a growing middle-aged and older population remains active.

UWMadisons new MSAT program takes 24 months to complete, beginning with a summer session, and includes capstone clinical preceptorships in local environments and locations around the country. The curriculum, which includes 58 credits, is front-loaded in year one (summer, fall, and spring semesters), with a heavy didactic schedule and limited clinical experiences. The second year (summer, fall, and spring semesters) then stresses immersive clinical field placements supported by innovative courses that include both face-to-face and online formats.

The program at UWMadison gives students the unique opportunity of working with elite Big Ten Conference athletes competing at the highest level of intercollegiate sports. Clinical education is guided by a talented collection of athletic training professionals dedicated to preparing students in the program for their future.

Something new and exciting in the MSAT program is that we will be offering more immersive clinical experiences for the students at a variety of locations around the country and in our own Big Ten settings, says Shari Clark, the programs clinical education coordinator. These intensive experiences will provide authentic clinical learning experiences to prepare students for a range of patient care.

As a comprehensive university, UW-Madison also offers countless collaborative interprofessional education, research, and care opportunities where MSAT students can learn from physicians with the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in the classroom, operating room, and athletic health care setting. Additional opportunities exist alongside other health science students studying to become physical therapists, occupational therapists, and physician assistants.

Im very excited about the opportunities that the new MSAT program will bring to our students, says David Bell, an associate professor with the Department of Kinesiology and the director of the Wisconsin Injury in Sport Laboratory. I believe that students will be able to add to their clinical experience by participating in research that will directly benefit their patients.

Winterstein notes that the changing nature of health care and an increased emphasis on inter-professional practice will make the masters level of education very important to the professions future.

The new UWMadison program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education and students are eligible to sit for the national Board of Certification exam after successful completion of the MSAT program.

Our Athletic Training program is already a well-respected member of the health sciences community on campus and fully contributes to the research, instructional, and outreach missions of UWMadison, says Winterstein. The transition from the bachelors to the masters degree level will allow for greater collaboration as an interprofessional partner with existing health sciences programs.

For more information visit the MSAT programs website.

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UWMadison launching Master of Science in Athletic Training program - School of Education - University of Wisconsin-Madison

With upwards of 1 million licensed doctors in the United States, there have never been more caretakers to help you maintain perfect health. But nearly all patients would agree that finding the right Doc can be tricky. Yes, most doctors wear a white coat or a pair of scrubs, and can be found in hospitals or steely offices but the truth is that doctors are vastly different from one another, and most have an expertise in one particular area of medicine. There are hundreds of documented medical specialities and related certifications that physicians can pursue in their career, and there is often a special doctor for each affliction or illness, no matter how complex or rare that condition may be.

Where does one start when faced with a specific health issue? First step: It's a good idea to establish care with a primary care doctor, so that you have someone to oversee your healthcare treatment. They'll work with other doctors when the time comes, too: "Your primary care provider is an important first stop when receiving care, and they can help you to determine when you may need to see a specialist," says Craig Hersh, M.D., a board certified family medicine physician and the Chief Medical Officer for Empire BlueCross BlueShield.

"Think of your primary care provider as the front door to the healthcare system, who can also help you navigate and work with the specialist who best matches your needs," Dr. Hersh tells Good Housekeeping.

Sometimes, though, you might need direct access to a specialist say, if you've moved recently and don't have a primary care provider just yet. With the help of Dr. Hersh, we'll explore the most common types of doctors you'll likely turn to for help in your lifetime each of these 26 specialists can help address unique health concerns, and may finally get you the treatment you've been searching for.

This article generalizes the roles and descriptions of common doctors and specialists: It isn't intended to be a complete list, nor is it reflective of laws, statutes, regulations, license issues, or Medical Practice Acts by state. It is meant to be educational in nature and isn't a substitute for actual medical or treatment advice from a licensed professional. Remember: Always call 911 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency.

Primary care providers | Internist | Pediatrician | Geriatric specialists | Gynecologist, OB/GYN | Dermatologist | Allergist | Cardiologist | Endocrinologist | Gastroenterologist | Geneticist | Hematologist | Neurologist | Otolaryngologist | Pulmonologist | Nephrologist | Infectious disease specialists | Osteopath | Radiologists | Urologist | Plastic surgeons

Also known as a family physician, a primary care provider is in charge of handling your routine healthcare appointments, including annual physicals and vaccinations over time. Primary care doctors should always be your first call if you have a health concern that isn't an emergency, as they can help treat everything from the common cold to a physical injury. More often than not, they'll attempt to alleviate any symptoms you are experiencing; they may also refer you to another doctor or specialist.

A primary care provider can treat symptoms associated with conditions like:

These doctors work similarly to a primary care provider, in that they can see a patient routinely over their lifetime; unlike their counterparts, however, they usually have a background in internal medicine and spend their time in hospitals. Internists don't usually treat children or preteens, but care for anyone else from young adults to elderly patients, especially those who need help in diagnosing or managing chronic conditions or diseases. They may specialize in certain areas as well, like gastroenterology.

Pediatricians handle scheduled care and check-ins for infants, toddlers, younger children, adolescents, preteens, and most teenagers. They function like a primary care provider, designed for children specifically, but also keep kids' vaccinations up to date and do important screenings as they get older. Pediatricians are also a good point of contact to discuss any particular health concerns or questions about your child's physical or mental development.

Some elderly individuals may transition from a primary care doctor to what's know in the healthcare space as a geriatric specialist. Geriatricians take over primary care of people who are aging, and can help manage conditions that particularly impact the elderly, everything from severe arthritic pain to diabetes and dementia. These docs are on the other end of the family medicine spectrum from pediatricians!

Gynecologists, of course, handle preventative care for women in reproductive health, menopause, and hormone issues and you know that an obstetrician specifically looks after pregnant women and delivers their babies. An ob/gyn office (combining the two specialties) is also be a place where cervical cancer is tested and diagnosed, and where breast exams are performed.

Nearly everyone knows that dermatologists have the best information about routine skincare but they're also the specialist in charge of treating more serious skin issues, hair loss, or nail irregularities. Rashes or severe acne, rosacea or psoriasis, and skin cancer are treated; these specialists examine symptoms, help you manage them as best as possible, and provide a longterm treatment plan if possible.

These physicians are specially trained to determine if someone has an allergy, and they may also be referred to as an immunologist. If you're wondering if you have an allergy, an allergist is the doctor to see. In addition to diagnosing and managing allergies, these specialists may also help manage asthma, certain lung conditions, and immunodeficiency disorders. An allergist can give patients with allergies injections to help manage their allergies in the long run.

These physicians are in charge of taking care of your heart, but they'll most likely step in for direct care if you have high blood pressure, or experience heart failure or irregular heartbeats. Cardiologists often use physical stress tests and electrocardiography to diagnose, treat, and prevent other issues. You'll also have to be under their care after a heart attack, as your primary doctor may need screening done for future heart conditions.

These physicians look after your eyes, both medically and surgically, which is different from a optometrist, who is responsible for eye tests and corrective lenses as well as prescribing medication for some diseases. Opticians solely help you with the fit of your glasses and contacts overall.Ophthalmologists will also be needed if you develop a serious eye impairment, like glaucoma and cataracts as you age.

For those dealing with diabetes or a thyroid issue, an endocrinologist will help you pinpoint the source of trouble or help you troubleshoot longterm solutions. These specialists assess and treat internal glands that produce hormones and other bodily functions.

Digestive issues? If they're not clearing up whether it's diarrhea, bloating, acid reflux, or excessive flatulence it's time to ask for a gastroenterologist's help. Gastroenterologists who are licensed physicians, unlike gastrologists treat anything related to your digestive system (including bad breath!), and for longterm treatment, they help you control issues like irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn's disease. They may also screen you for issues later in life, like a colon cancer screening such as a colonoscopy.

Out of all doctors on this list, this may be one of the few that often require a referral; these doctors specifically look at whether a health issue has been inherited at birth, or if your genes are causing (or will cause) an issue in the future. They'll often help patients understand how genetic conditions could be passed along to a child preemptively, or they'll help to treat hereditary conditions that turn up.

If you're suffering an iron deficiency, or more serious conditions like anemia or hemophilia (inability to clot), a hematologist will step in to assess issues in your blood. They can be instrumental in preventing and treating cancers of the blood, such as leukemia.

Ah, the good brain doctor. But did you know that neurologists are also in charge of managing symptoms related to the nervous system, or anything that relates to your spine? Most often, neurologists tend to patients who have survived a stroke, or battle serious conditions like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), and numbness or nerve pain caused by neuropathy. You may also seek them out for migraines and severe headaches that aren't going away.

These specialized surgeons also take care of your head and neck, but they focus on sinus, hearing, and throat disorders, among other issues. They are more commonly referred to as ENTs because they take care of your "ear, nose, and throat" primarily. You may visit an ENT for sinus issues, allergies and their side effects, as well as swallowing and hearing issues.

Ouch! You'll be heading to a podiatrist if you have foot, ankle, or lower leg pain or issues that can't be addressed by your primary care provider. While a visit to the podiatrist is often because someone has physically injured muscles, joints, or bones in their feet, these foot docs can also manage side effects from chronic conditions like diabetes.

Often mentioned in the same breath as a immunologist, these specialists are in charge of mitigating any pain or health concerns in your lungs and the entire respiratory system. You'll be referred to them for asthma often, but pulmonologists also diagnose and treat conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and lung cancer.

Believe it or not, this doctor is just focused on a singular organ in your body: The kidney. They are often called in for longterm treatment for serious chronic kidney diseases, of which there are many: They may also set up dialysis for those experiencing kidney failure.

These doctors may be known as virologists, or epidemiologists, but more routinely they're called infectious disease physicians. These targeted specialists treat ailments that are caused by viral bacteria or viruses themselves, including conditions like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

A referral to an oncologist might be terrifying for some, especially if they have yet to yield a positive result for any kind of cancer, but oncologists are often first examining your body, blood, or tissue samples beforehand. They may treat a benign tumor, which isn't cancerous by nature, but these specialist are still required. Oncologists are the point people for anyone who is living with cancer, and they'll draft treatment options, plus additional care when you reach remission.

These doctors are different from what's known as a naturopath, or a natural doctor. Osteopaths, titled as D.O.s in the field, receive similar training to a traditional M.D. but a greater emphasis is placed on treating a person for holistic health using elements of alternative medicine. Particularly, they often focus on relieving physical pain and tension in your body, especially in muscles and in joints.

These specialized care providers only see you for a short amount of time, and mainly for one thing only: Tests. Radiologists use imaging of all kinds to make an official diagnosis after another doctor or your primary care provider orders a test. The radiologist will make a detailed report to send back to your primary doctor or the specialist who ordered the test. Their testing services most commonly include:

Another highly targeted care provider, a urologist will treat pain and conditions related to the urinary tract (including bladders and urethra) for both men and women. They may troubleshoot issues like incontinence or help you pass a kidney stone; for men, they also deal with reproductive concerns.

A visit to a plastic surgeon's office isn't always for "craniofacial" adjustments. A bulk of a plastic surgeon's doesn't have to do with cosmetic procedures: They take care of the physical reconstruction of the body, and can help to repair your skin after a serious injury or burn, for example.

A special note on the following healthcare providers: They all address aspects of mental health in one way or another, with differences based on patients' needs. Each of them have different academic qualifications of various degrees, and they work in vastly different settings as well. "Only one type can prescribe medication and treat other medical conditions," Dr. Hersh explains.

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26 Different Types of Doctors - The Most Common Types of Doctors and Specialists - GoodHousekeeping.com

Throughout antiquity, from the Mediterranean to Egypt and todays Middle East, people believed that misfortune, including accidents, diseases, and sometimes even death, were caused by external forces.

Be they gods or other types of supernatural forces (such as a daimon), people regardless of faith sought magical means of protection against them.

While medicine and science were not absent in antiquity, they competed with entrenched systems of magic and the widespread recourse to it. People consulted professional magicians and also practised their own forms of folk magic.

Read more: Spells, charms, erotic dolls: love magic in the ancient Mediterranean

Possibly derived from the Latin word amoliri, meaning to drive away or to avert, amulets were believed to possess inherent magical qualities. These qualities could be naturally intrinsic (such as the properties of a particular stone) or imbued artificially with the assistance of a spell.

Not surprisingly the use of amulets was an integral part of life. From jewellery and embellishments on buildings, to papyri inscribed with spells, and even garden ornaments, they were deemed effective forms of protection.

Amulets have been around for thousands of years. Amber pendants from Denmarks Mesolithic age (10,000-8,000 BC) seem to have been worn as a form of generic protection.

Jewellery and ornaments referencing the figure of the scarab beetle were also popular all-purpose amulets in Egypt, dating from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom (2000 BC).

Read more: Michelle Obama's necklace and the power of political jewellery from suffragettes to a secretary of state

Two of the most common symbols of protection are the eye and the phallus. One or both amulet designs appear in many contexts, providing protection of the body (in the form of jewellery), a building (as plaques on exterior walls), a tomb (as an inscribed motif), and even a babys crib (as a mobile or crib ornament).

In Greece and the Middle East, for example, the evil eye has a history stretching back thousands of years. Today the image adorns the streets, buildings and even trees of villages.

The magic behind the evil eye is based on the belief that malevolence can be directed towards an individual through a nasty glare. Accordingly, a fake eye, or evil eye, absorbs the malicious intention in place of the targets eye.

The phallus was a form of magical protection in ancient Greece and Rome. The Greek sculpture known as a herm in English functioned as apotropaic magic (used to fend off evil). Such artefacts, featuring a head and torso atop a pediment often in the shape of a phallus and, if not, definitely featuring a phallus were used as boundary markers to keep trespassers out.

The implicit threat is that of rape; come near a space that is not your own, and you may suffer the consequences. This threat was intended to be interpreted metaphorically; namely, a violation of anothers property would entail some form of punishment from the supernatural realm.

The phallus amulet was also popular in ancient Italian magic. In Pompeii, archaeologists have uncovered wind chimes called tintinnabulum (meaning little bell). These were hung in gardens and took the form of a phallus adorned with bells.

This phallic shape, often morphing into bawdy forms, presented the same warning as the herm statues in Greece. However, the comic shapes in combination with the tinkling of bells also revealed a belief in the protective power of sound. Laughing was believed to ward off evil forces, as was the sound of chimes.

One scholarly view of magic is that it functions as the last recourse for the desperate or dispossessed. In this sense, it presents as a hopeful action, interpreted by some modern commentators as a form of psychological release from stress or a sense of powerlessness.

In the context of magical thinking, amulets may be dismissed by critical thinkers of all persuasions, but they remain in use throughout the world.

Often combined with science and common sense, but not always, amulets have made a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The amulets are equally as diverse, coming in all shapes and sizes, and promoted by politicians, religious leaders and social influencers.

A traditional form of adornment and protection in Javanese culture, now popular with tourists, burnt root bracelets, known as akar bahar, have been sold by community shamans. Indonesias Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo, meanwhile, has promoted an aromatherapy necklace containing a eucalyptus potion touted as a preventative against COVID (useless in terms of science but perhaps less dangerous than hydroxychloroquine).

This necklace prompts the question: where does alternative medicine end and magic begin? It is not a new question, since there has been an intersection between magical lore and medical knowledge for thousands of years.

Read more: A murky cauldron modern witchcraft and the spell on Trump

In Babylon, circa 2000-1600 BC, a condition known as kurrum disease (identified as a ringworm, symptoms of which include facial pustules), was responded to by both magicians and doctors. And in one text there is a healer who appears to perform the role of magician and doctor simultaneously.

Other ancient cultures also practised medical magic through amulets. In Greece, magicians prescribed amulets to heal the wandering womb, a condition whereby the womb was believed to dislodge and travel throughout a womans body, thus causing hysteria.

These amulets could take the form of jewellery on which a spell was inscribed. Amulets were also used to prevent pregnancy, as evidenced in a recipe written in Greek from around the second century BC, which instructed women to: take a bean with a bug inside it and fasten it to yourself as an amulet.

In a contemporary religious context, written amulets replace spells with prayers. In Thailand, for example, Phisutthi Rattanaphon, an Abbot at Wat Theraplai Temple in Suphan Buri, has issued people with orange paper inscribed with protective words and pictures.

Designed to ward off COVID-19, the papers represent the crossover between magic and religion; a paradigm as entrenched as the blurring of magic and medicine in numerous historical and cultural contexts. Thankfully, face masks and hand sanitiser are also available at the temple.

Originally posted here:
Scarabs, phalluses, evil eyes how ancient amulets tried to ward off disease - The Conversation AU

Photo illustration by Slate. Photos by Samuel Corum/Getty Images, John Moore/Getty Images, and Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images.

This is part of Six Months In, a Slate series reflecting on half a year of coronavirus lockdown in America.

Since January, the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 190,000 Americans, and it has left an especially brutal impact on Black people and people of color. The racist systems that keep many communities of color in a state of perpetual disadvantagefrom housing to education to, yes, medicinehave made them uniquely vulnerable to this plague. Ive been writing about COVID-19s decimation of Black communities since the pandemic reached the U.S., and Ive been speaking with fellow journalists and health professionals for my series Conversations on Moving Forward to get a sense of why Black people have been disproportionately dying of COVID, and what we can do about it. For the latest installment, marking about six months since the pandemic became real for Americans, I spoke with Dr. Uch Blackstock, founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity and an emergency medical physician, about how the coronavirus pandemic intersects with racism, and what needs to change to ensure this wont happen at the same scale again. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Julia Craven: You left academic medicine to come back into direct patient care.

Uch Blackstock: Im a second-generation physician, which is something I need to mention because only about 2.6 percent of physicians are Black women.* My mother was the original Dr. Blackstock. All the work that I do, especially around health equity, is in her memory.

I left academic medicine because I wanted to do health equity work. I wanted to explicitly address racism in health care. As you may know, sometimes these organizations, even health care orgs, are not always the most hospitable to Black faculty and students and trainees. And I couldnt really work in the authentic way that I wanted to. So I left and started my own organization to work with health institutions regarding racism in medicine and racial health inequities.

I spoke with you earlier this year about the pandemic and how it was going to have a really hard effect on Black communities and other communities of color. Give us an overview of what we have seen so far.

Its been horrible. When we look at the COVID-19 mortality rates, Black Americans have died at the highest rates. The virus has been allowed to essentially run throughout our communities because of lack of any federal leadership around the pandemic.

What does this say about the way racism works in our country, particularly how it intersects with our medical and public health systems?

For a long timeand this is true for myself and other clinicians I knowweve always thought about health as being just related to the care thats available. If you have access to health care, then youre healthy, right? But I think what this moment has brought into clarity is the fact that we know structural racism is a key driving force of the social determinants of health. If you have jobs that are putting you on the front lines, youre going to be exposed to the coronavirus. If you are living in overcrowded housing, which is more likely to occur in our communities because of lack of affordable housing and lack of opportunities for homeownership, then youre going to be in environments where youre more likely to be infected. Even thinking about who is using public transportation and who is less likely to be able to afford a car, were looking at our communities.

What systemic racism has done is limit the opportunities Black Americans have, to the effect that its placed us in a situation where we are most vulnerable to this virus. Add onto that the fact that our communities carry the highest burden of chronic diseasewhich, again, is a result of racism, lack of access to care, lack of quality care, lack of investment in our communities, lack of opportunities for finding healthy food options in our neighborhoods. All of what were seeing right now just shows how deeply embedded racism is in this country, in every aspect of the lives that we lead.

What happens when you compound that with the stress everyones feeling?

We also know that the chronic stress of living in areas where there has been this disinvestment, that increases your stress response, increases cortisol levels, influences gene expression. Some of the high rates of diabetes and autoimmune diseases that we see among Black Americans are due to this idea of epigenetics: the fact that the stress of racism can change which genes are turned on and off. All of those factors combined have left Black communities essentially sick.

Why is an anti-racist framework important in medicine, whether it be structurally or in your interpersonal interactions?

We actually have been having a discussion among physicians about whether social justice and systemic racism are things we should learn within our education and training. How can you adequately care for your patient on an interpersonal level, and how can institutions adequately and equitably care for communities, if we dont understand the broader structural forces that are influencing peoples health? If there are underlying socioeconomic factors like poverty, inequality, lack of education, whatever I do is not going to make a difference, right? Thats why I think this is a call to action for health care institutions to be thoughtful and more transformative in thinking about how are we educating and training anyone interacting with patients. How do we give them a framework for understanding what especially Black patients and communities have gone through in this country for centuries?

That has my gears turning about how Black medical schools, historically Black medical schools, have closed. If they were still here, how do you think this would have abated the difference that were seeing with the coronavirus?

In the early 1900s, there was an educational specialist named [Abraham] Flexner who was commissioned by the Carnegie Mellon Foundation and the American Medical Association to look at medical education. He came up with these rigorous medical standards that didnt necessarily correlate with better education or training, but did lead to the closing of a number of the majority of Black medical schools. A study showed that between 20,000 and 30,000 physicians, mostly Black physicians, would have been trained or in the workforce if those schools had remained open.

Another study came out last week on infant mortality. The Black babies who were more likely to be cared for by Black physicians at birth, their infant mortality rate was significantly lesser compared with the Black babies cared for by white doctors. We know that having more Black physicians is not going to end health care inequities, but it is one significant factor to addressing them. When we talk about reparations and talk about what needs to be done now, to have Black medical schools where we are focusing on educating Black health care professionals would be key.

I think about how vital it is to have Black doctors in place, because I know from my own experience, if it werent for Black doctors

I had a patient, a young Black woman, who came in and said, I want to make sure youre Black because I want to make sure that I feel listened to. And I said, Yes, I am here. I will listen to you. I realized that its so important for patients to feel seen, heard, and valued by the person caring for you.

I also think that, being a patient, thats the most vulnerable you can be as a human being, to put your care, your health, into the hands of this complete stranger. And we have a lot of data and literature that shows that most clinicians, regardless of their race, have a preference for white patients over Black patients. Weve seen that manifest in terms of who gets pain medication and who doesnt. Weve seen that implicated as a factor in the Black maternal mortality crisis. We see it with infant mortality data. We have to think about training a workforce that is competent in providing care to Black patients. Part of that is having more Black physicians, but part of it is training other health care professionals who may not be Black in taking care of Black patientswhich is crazy, but that just shows you how deeply embedded racism is, right?

Another thing I wanted to get into is the mental health effects of the pandemic on communities of color. I saw a study from the CDC saying that there is an increased rate of respondents saying they were suffering from depression and anxiety and having suicidal ideation. And that increase was higher among people of color. When we start talking about a community that already has limited access to mental health care options, what are we looking at here?

That shows how racism is not just affecting physical health, right? Black people have to deal with our fellow Black citizens being killed by the police. Thats the stress of everyday racism. Our communities have suffered the more significant economic losses, in terms of small businesses, in terms of jobs. All of those factors are making this crisis even more of a crisis for us in particular. Add that onto the fact that in our communities, were under- and uninsured and dont have access to mental health professionals. I think were going to see this second wave of mental health issues. Were thinking of physical issues in terms of the virus, but also thinking about the long-term effects of what this will do in terms of the mental health of our communities.

Any local and state efforts that are going to address racial health inequities, its not just going to be about increasing testing availability, its not going to just be about making sure that the health care institutions in our communities are more well resourced, but its going to be about making sure people have housing and financial assistance and that they have access to mental health services. Its going to have to be a multipronged approach.

Its frustrating that people dont have access to these very basic needs.

Thats why, however horrible and depressing this moment is, I also think its a moment to think about transformative structural change and about how, just from a health care perspective, we can provide better care to people. Im all for universal health coverage, single-payer. Thats something weve seen across the world: Countries have done better when people have health insurance. But we need to also be thinking about how our health care institutions function and ensure theyre engaged with the communities theyre serving, that theyre working with community-based organizations on the ground who already have trusted leaders in the community. How can we liaise with these organizations to make sure the COVID patients were discharging have somewhere to stay, have financial assistance, have health insurance? These are ways that health care institutions can start thinking a little bit more progressively and competently about how you care for patients in these communities. It needs to be what we call structurally competent care.

There was a piece about pulse oximeters and how they dont give accurate reads on melanated skin. I was wondering if thats something people should be concerned about, considering that pulse oximeters and blood oxygen levels play such a big role in coronavirus treatment.

Absolutely. I saw that piece and obviously was very disturbed by it, but it made sense to me that that would happen, because often we are not enrolled in clinical trials or in testing of medical devices, right? There is that whole other issue with recruiting usyou have bias in and bias out. So I would say to be extra vigilant if youre having any symptoms. I tell my patients to come back even if its just to get your oxygen checked, because we can also do other testing for you to see how youre doing. What we see with the pulse ox is that this is also a way that technology itself can be embedded with bias that could be harmful to our patients.

I wanted to ask you about the election and the coronavirus. One narrative weve seen popping up is that an administration change could dramatically shift the response that were seeing.

Im trying to be realistic because the fact is we had racial health inequities during prior administrations. We had the killing of Black Americans during prior administrations. So I dont know if were going to see radical enough change on that level. I do think that if we have a change in administration, there will be improved testing availability, an emphasis on preventative measures, and more effective leadership, hopefully. But I think its going to take a while for us to see any real improvement.

What about sending kids back to school? For Black and Latino Americans, for people who have essential jobs, this is a big issue, and day care is very expensive.

The fact is, schools have essentially become a safety net for our children. Im in NYC, which has 1.1 million children in the public school system, including my own children, and most of them are Black and Latino. The kids dont just go to school for education but for health care: We have hundreds of clinics in schools. They go for special education services.

Our children not being in school is going to have profound effects, worse than educational gaps. But we also know that our communities are also the ones that have been most disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, and the schools may not have the resources to bring people back safely. So, its almost a false choice, right? I think for many families, it will be deeply personal depending on what their priorities and needs are.

I remember seeing early on how a lot of folks were concerned about kids being able to eat, because school is often the only place some kids can get food. I know that in D.C., at least a couple of the schools said, Kids can come here and get their food. Its been interesting to see how our social systems have shifted to meet this moment, because some of them werent meeting the moment before. Same with evictions: It was very clear, once the pandemic kicked in, that we dont have to evict people.

Yeah, I think this is opportunity for us to think about transformational change in all aspects of how we do things. So, as I mentioned, even with how we take care of patientsthinking about it as beyond the interpersonal and more structural. So even though this is an unprecedented time, and theres been a significant amount of human suffering, this is an opportunity for us to move forward in thinking about how can we create structural and sustainable change that will help support our communities.

Watch the full conversation here:

Correction, Sept. 14, 2020: Uch Blackstock originally misstated that 2.6 percent of Black women are doctors. That percentage of physicians are Black women. Her quote has been edited.

Here is the original post:
Why Black Americans are dying of the coronavirus at such disturbing rates. - Slate

Posted Sep 13, 2020, 5:26 pm

Michael WentzelSpecial to TucsonSentinel.com

As the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, we have seen an alarming amount of disinformation spread online, including by our elected officials. Take the conspiracy video "Plandemic," which alleges that the coronavirus was created in a lab and intentionally spread to generate profit.

The video went viral and has been viewed more than eight million times. In comparison, informational videos from the scientists at the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and World Health Organization typically get no more than a few thousand views.

"Plandemic" is just one of many sources of disinformation that offer inaccurate advice to protecting oneself from COVID-19.

Conspiracy videos recommend everything from drinking water every 15 minutes and avoiding ice cream to drinking silver and consuming a lot of garlic.

Doctors find themselves powerless to help patients who dismiss the severity of the virus and listen to conspiracists over the advice of medical professionals.

Some patients are going as far as ingesting disinfectants because they have heard it will treat the virus; according to the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, more than 800 patients have died after consuming highly concentrated alcohol in ill-guided attempts to treat the prevent or treat the virus.

A company that calls itself "Genesis II Church of Health and Healing" even proclaimed its "Miracle Mineral Supplement," which contains industrial bleach that can cause kidney, respiratory, or liver failure if ingested, could treat and prevent COVID-19.

The FDA had to hurriedly warn the public about the risks of consuming the product.

As if we don't have enough to deal with, our elected officials routinely ignore science too.

Less than two weeks before the virus put the entire country into lockdown, President Donald Trump still insisted that COVID-19 was a hoax, but even once he realized it clearly was not, he still did not take it seriously.

Despite advice from our public health leaders to practice social distancing and wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus, Trump and Vice President Mike Pence refuse to wear masks in public. Pence leads the White House's coronavirus task force, yet he toured the Mayo Clinic without a mask on April 28 (that same day, the U.S. reached one million COVID-19 cases). Meanwhile, Trump encouraged Americans to take hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19 without reputable evidence that the drug was effective. The FDA then rushed to give emergency authorization of the drug, only to revoke it a few months later after research concluded it is not an effective treatment or preventative measure against COVID-19.

Amid lies and conspiracy theories, our light at the end of the tunnel is scientific innovation.

Thanks to a round-the-clock collaboration between the public and private sectors, there are several COVID-19 vaccines and treatments in development. One, for example, blocks the novel coronavirus from binding to human cells and reproducing; by stopping the virus from connecting with human cells, the drug prevents it from multiplying and attacking the body.

There are more than 100 different vaccines at various stages of development, and researchers are using different avenues such as gene therapy, DNA, and antibodies from survivors to develop an effective vaccine.

U.S. health care innovation has saved millions of lives.

HIV is now a manageable disease, no longer a death sentence. Thanks to developments in early-detection mammogram technology, female breast cancer cases dropped by 40 percent in 2016. We now have a drug that can treat over 90 percent of Hepatitis C patients, whereas older drugs took nearly a year to become effective and even then only worked on 50 percent of patients.

History teaches us that our best bet is to support the researchers working to develop treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.

We owe it to the frontline essential workersour grocery store workers, healthcare workers, sanitation services, public transit operators, and so many morerisking their lives every day to do better in this pandemic.

We need to ignore disinformation, whether it comes from the Internet or the White House, and instead follow the advice of our public health professionals. Supporting and investing in their research and innovation will get us through this crisis.

Michael Wentzel, M.D., was a nurse for 16 years with experiences ranging from trauma and intensive care to flight nursing and nursing hospital supervisor, both military and civilian, before going to medical school.

- 30 -

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Ignore disinformation & rely on science to get through COVID-19 pandemic | Guest opinion - TucsonSentinel.com

Dr. Bens Grams likes to say he does things a little differently. The Little Falls based chiropractor assesses the entire body to determine not only the source of someones pain, but the cause of that pain. Then he works to treat the body with various therapies, not just by correcting a misalignment, but focusing on long-term treatments as well as preventative care.

Our goal here has always been to provide our community with non-drug, non-surgical options for pain relief, Grams said.

To help with his goal, Grams recently acquired an Erchonia laser, an FDA approved non-invasive method to help treat chronic and acute pain.

Erchonia is a cold laser, meaning it doesnt heat the tissue. The special light targets the bodys cells to encourage healing.

Its pretty incredible. To understand how it works you have to understand how cells heal. So we have these little power factories inside the cells called mitochondria. So mitochondria produces energy, ATP, in the cell and then the cell uses that to perform its basic function. One of its most fundamental functions is to repair itself under injury or damage, Grams said.

The energy components of a cell can burn out and are not able to provide the energy needed to heal cells, he said. The laser essentially jump-starts the cell into working more efficiently, and the body takes the healing process from there.

If the cells cant heal, the tissue cant heal. If the tissue cant heal, the person cant heal, Grams said.

In just two months since offering laser treatments, Grams has had dozens of patients try the Erchonia, and with some great results.

The treatment takes anywhere from five to 10 minutes, and the patient shouldnt feel anything but some possible tingling. Some patients may need one or two sessions while others may need a couple dozen, Grams said. It all depends on the condition.

When youre in practice that long, you get used to how things heal, but some of our tougher cases are healing faster than you ever could have hoped, Grams said. People are kind of excited about new technology that helps their body.

The laser treatment can help with issues from pain related to a recently sprained ankle to chronic pain from older issues. Conditions such as tendinitis, bursitis, sciatica, rotator cuff injuries and even digestive issues can be corrected with the Erchonia, Grams said.

You can treat just about any muscle or joint in the body with it. Whats also exciting is it also has healing effects in body systems as well. It not only affects the musculoskeletal system but it affects the organs by helping cells communicate better with each other, Grams said.

Dr. Ben Grams introduced the Erchonia laser at his practice in Little Falls to help his patients with pain conditions. He even uses the laser to treat his wrist pain from years of wear as a chiropractor.

When a patient comes in, Grams works to find not only the source of the pain, but the cause of the problem. Erchonia is a double laser allowing both areas of the body to be treated. Sometimes, he said, lower back pain can be due to a hip problem, even if the patient doesnt feel pain in the hip, both areas need to be addressed to truly treat the pain and its cause.

Many patients use the laser treatment in conjunction with other rehabilitative therapies. Since not all conditions can be treated with the laser, Grams offers a multitude of similarly non-invasive, drug free options, including adjustments, muscle therapy, corrective movement therapy, therapeutic ultrasound and more.

The chiropractor has various certificates for several techniques, including working in pediatric and perinatal areas. Grams used these methods on his wife and new baby during and after the pregnancy. His daughter was aligned within a few minutes of being born, which can help with colicky babies.

I think its so important for kids to be checked regularly as far as alignment and making sure the joints are holding property alignment. It can help them the rest of their life, he said.

Grams passion for natural methods of pain treatment and prevention ignited when he was in college and his grandmother was being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

She was in the hospital having some tests and she suffered a perforated ulcer, the lining of your stomach wears thin and the acid contents basically spills in the guts. Its incredibly painful and its life threatening, Grams said.

Luckily, his grandmother made it through her surgery and her life was saved. But Grams wondered why such a thing would happen in the first place. The surgeons answer led Grams to where he is today.

He nonchalantly said, Well, its likely due to her daily use of Ibuprofen for pain relief. And it just hit me like a lightning bolt, Grams said. There were these things that were supposed to be helping her, but were actually hurting her. At that moment I decided I was going to help people be pain free and healthy, but I was going to do it without prescribing medications or doing any surgeries.

After shadowing some of what Grams said were the most intelligent and holistic thinking chiropractors hes met, Grams curated his focus as a chiropractor focusing on the entire body, beyond perming adjustments. Now Grams is in his ninth year at his Chiro Plus Rehab clinic in Little Falls.

The doctor even wrote a book, The Solution to Back and Neck Pain, which was a top seller on Amazon.com in the chiropractic, chronic pain, and alternative medicine sections.

The book was read worldwide and, to Grams astonishment, encouraged a man to fly from Beijing, China to seek his treatment, twice.

We do things different than the average chiro, Grams said. Were happy to just adjust someone if they just want to get cracked and go on their way. But, if people are wanting to change and really get after the underlying cause of the problem, I think were set up pretty well to accomplish that.

For more information on Grams practice visit http://www.chiroplusrehab.com or call (320) 632-9224.

Read more from the original source:
LF chiropractor offers non-invasive cold laser treatment for pain, focused on holistic therapies - ECM Publishers

ARLINGTON, Va. (PRWEB) September 14, 2020

Kalorama Information recently released its report on the 80+ billion dollar in vitro diagnostic market. Among other information and intense market segmentation in the 1,800+ page report was the following:

What does that mean? Less than one might think. Theres still opportunity in this industry. The remainder of the market is held by 100s of companies; some, of which, specialize in specific test segments and others serve their local markets. IVD remains dynamic. There are constant innovations. This report documents these innovations in each segment market chapter. The IVD industry is a high R&D spend industry, and there is routine interest from venture capital firms in diagnostic products

More information can be found in The Worldwide Market for In Vitro Diagnostic Tests, 13th Edition: https://kaloramainformation.com/product/the-worldwide-market-for-in-vitro-diagnostics-13th-edition/

About Kalorama Information:Kalorama Information, part of Science and Medicine Group, is the leading publisher of market research in healthcare areas, including in vitro diagnostics (IVD), biotechnology, healthcare, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Science and Medicine Group supports companies seeking to commercialize the rapidly changing marketplace at the intersection of science, medicine, and technology. Comprised of industry-leading brands, Science and Medicine Group serves analytical instrument, life science, imaging, and clinical diagnostic companies by helping them create strategies and products to win markets and provide platforms to digitally engage their markets through a variety of innovative solutions. Kalorama Information produces 30 reports a year. The firm offers a Knowledge Center, which provides access to all published reports.

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The 80-Billion Dollar IVD Market: Five Fast Facts from New Report - PR Web

Although few called it polio at the time, an increasing number of Canadians had started to become aware of a mysterious cluster of cases of infantile paralysis in the fall of 1910.

In early September of that year, the Toronto Star reported that medical authorities attributed a recent local spate of infantile paralysis in young children to injuries. It had nothing to do, they said, with the cases reported in various places across the line in the United States, or in Hamilton, where a little girl had died of polio in August.

By December, it was no longer possible to deny it was part of a larger problem. Macleans (then called the Busy Mans Magazine) reported that there were ten little children suffering from infantile paralysis at a ward in the Hospital for Sick Children and connected it to outbreaks across Canada and around the world. Polio was hard to pin down, though, since its progression was wildly unpredictable.

With polio, no two cases were the same, explains Christopher J. Rutty, a professional medical/public historian and adjunct professor at the University of Torontos Dalla Lana School of Public Health. That epidemic was actually one of the closest parallels to COVID, especially in terms of the variability of impacts, from very mild to very severe.

Polios worldwide death toll was in the millions. In Canada, tens of thousands recovered but were left with some form of disability. Some developed flu-like symptoms after they were exposed to the polio virus and recovered relatively swiftly and easily. Some never developed symptoms at all; others started showing symptoms up to three weeks after exposure.

Just like with COVID-19, there was a sub-clinical factor to it, where people have it without realizing theyre affected, which helps it spread quite effectively, says Rutty. By the time you had paralytic cases in the area it had pretty well spread everywhere. So it took a long time to really get a handle on it, but its not really till the late 40s or early 50s that we started understanding the epidemiology.

For over four decades, between the earliest clusters of modern polio in the early 20th century and the Salk vaccine in the mid-1950s, people lived often terrified in its shadow. And there was no shortage of misinformation about transmission, prevention and cures, according to Gareth Williams, professor of medicine at the University of Bristol and author of Paralysed With Fear: The Story of Polio.

These ranged from the sensible to the bizarre, from barring children from theatres and pools to a panic over house pets that saw 70,000 cats and 8,000 dogs turfed from their homes and euthanized, despite public health departments reassurances that the pets were all right. All manner of homeopathic cures and tonics hit the market, as well as warnings that seafood, dairy or certain fruits and vegetable were to blame.

Several researchers prescribed big doses of vitamin C and one nutritionist, Benjamin Sandler, zeroed in on sugar and high-carb diets as the culprit in his book Diet Prevents Polio a theory pretty similar to the ones that back the new crop of corona-diets touted by various contemporary pundits in the COVID era.

Cutting back on sugar and/or upping vitamin C is one thing, but other tactics were more detrimental. In Texas, where many associated polio with houseflies, DDT was liberally sprayed in rivers, city streets and even on people. In Canada, one particularly popular preventative in the mid-1930s was a picric acid-alum nasal spray that was devised by Simon Flexner, director of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research in New York. He thought polio entered the brain through the nose (it didnt), so the thing to do was to blast it with acid while it was still in the nose.

Flexner was basically king of American medical research in the 1920s and 1930s and, on the basis of not very good experiments, he decided that the polio virus got in through the nose, says Williams. So the whole thing about picric acid is that this is a nasty, nasty toxin. Even before they worked out just how carcinogenic it was, you could tell organic chemists because their fingers were often stained yellow with picric acid.

However awful and useless picric acid may have been, it was arguably better than some of the supposed cures, especially the red-hot poker cure and brain washout therapy. The first is as its name suggests, a procedure wherein paralyzed children were branded with a fire iron immediately above the vertebrae affected in the hopes that the inflammation would suck the virus out of the spinal cord through the skin. The brain washout saw a mild saline solution injected into an afflicted child with hopes the virus would pour out through a spinal tap inserted into their back.

You might ask yourself why on earth they did that, but the answer is that there was nothing else at all, says Williams. And the terrible thing about polio is that it was a disease that dropped out of a clear summer nights sky and lifted off kids that had been playing perfectly happily the day before. So youve got to put yourself in the place of parents who were desperate to do anything.

The good news is that science has come a long way since then. We know way more about viruses than we did circa 1910 to 1955, which makes it pretty unlikely that were 40-something years away from a vaccine. Even so, both our experts warn that no safe vaccine is likely to be widely available until early next year.

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Still, a year isnt the same as four decades. So we should be able to muster up some patience and resist the call of cures such as potentially toxic oleander or Miracle Mineral Supplement: a drinkable industrial bleach. Also and this is key to disregard the misinformation when we finally do get a safe vaccine.

Any vaccine is only going to work if people take it, says Williams. And you can already go online and find people rehearsing arguments for a vaccine that doesnt exist yet. So thats another area that I think people are going to have to watch very carefully.

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How polio was the COVID-19 of its era, right down to the misinformation and bogus cures - TheSpec.com

The move part of a broader agreement with the Boston Teachers Union on reopening schools that was announced Thursday comes as the city has been grappling with wide variations in coronavirus cases among its neighborhoods. Of particular concern is East Boston, which has the highest weekly positivity rate, 8.7 percent.

If East Boston were its own school system, state guidelines would strongly recommend keeping classrooms closed because its positivity rate is so high. However, Bostons overall weekly positivity rate is 1.7 percent, according to the most recent city data, enabling the districts classrooms to reopen.

Boston will begin online classes citywide on Sept. 21 and then gradually bring students back into classrooms in waves, starting in October with the highest-need students, including those with profound disabilities and those who do not know English.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the union agreement as part of his routine briefings on the citys virus efforts. He highlighted the provision about the routine COVID-19 testing of union employees and other measures in the agreement such as additional training for educators on how to teach remotely and the ability to bring their own children to school if they cant secure child care.

The focus of this framework is ensuring the safety of everyone in our schools, Walsh said.

Jessica Tang, president of the Boston Teachers Union, described the testing program as a good first step, but said she would like to see more wide-scale testing of staff. She noted educators report to their schools from across the city and the region while students also criss-cross the city to get to their schools many relying on public transit creating ripe conditions for a widespread outbreak.

If we are focusing efforts on places with highest risk of infection, hopefully it will help prevent or limit spread, Tang said.

She said she would like the district to administer rapid testing for educators exhibiting symptoms to determine whether they have been infected or are instead suffering from the flu, allergies, or something else. Tang said the move would decrease potentially unnecessary quarantines that would keep teachers away from their students.

Boston appears to be one of just a handful of districts in the state that is planning to test teachers.

Cambridges school committee made routine testing for teachers a condition of reopening school buildings for students next month. The city is finalizing plans with the Cambridge-based Broad Institute to offer a testing program for all staff who will work in school buildings, said Lyndsay P. Brown, chief strategy officer for Cambridge Public Schools. The plan will not have to be approved by the school committee, said Brown.

Wellesley and Hanover plan to test staff before they enter schools, according to union agreements with the districts. Wellesley will also provide free testing once a week for staff for preventative monitoring. Watertown, Everett, Revere, and Lexington are also planning to offer at least some testing to school staff, according to the Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Debate over whether to routinely test educators has been unfolding over the summer as districts prepare to reopen schools. It intensified after Governor Charlie Baker announced plans to dispatch mobile COVID-19 testing units to schools experiencing potential clusters of cases. Teachers unions criticized the move as too reactive as they pressed for wide-scale free testing of teachers and students as a preventative measure.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, however, has not issued any guidelines on routine testing, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention doesnt recommend universal testing for asymptomatic school employees and students.

In its guidance, the CDC said it is not known if testing in school settings provides any additional reduction in person-to-person transmission of the virus beyond what would be expected with implementation of other infection preventive measures, such as social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and enhanced cleaning procedures.

The guidance also says universal testing could present some challenges, including whether all students, parents, and staff would be receptive to the idea.

But Joshua Barocas, an infectious disease physician at Boston Medical Center and a faculty member at Boston University School of Medicine, said there can be value in doing sample testing if it is part of a broader COVID-19 prevention plan. He compared it to the kind of surveillance and population testing occurring in nursing homes, shelters, and other congregate settings, which aim to test between 20 to 40 percent of people every two or four weeks.

It can be effective at recognizing an outbreak early, said Barocas, but it also can lead to the need for further investigation and testing. Im hopeful if someone sees a possible signal of an outbreak . . . that they would increase testing to determine if its actually a signal or just noise.

He said going with a sampling of 5 percent of union members each week is a good starting point and from there the district could assess whether its large enough to be effective in either spotting potential outbreaks or instilling confidence among educators, students, and parents that they will be safe.

At 5 percent, the testing program is a potentially ambitious effort for the BPS, and could mean testing up to approximately 375 educators a week or 1,500 over the course of a month, according to Globe calculations. The Boston Teachers Union has about 7,500 active members, including nurses, classroom aides, and guidance counselors across 125 buildings.

But not all union members would be eligible for testing. The agreement limits testing to only those who report to school buildings with students inside. Members can only be tested every 14 days. Results would be available within 24 to 48 hours.

The district will provide weekly public reports on incidents of infection by school, according to the agreement.

Many details of the testing program are still being worked out with the Boston Public Health Commission, a school spokesman said Thursday night. The school system also had no estimated cost for the program and did not say where the money would come from to cover the testing.

Thomas Scott, executive director for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, said he has mixed feelings about routine testing, especially the cost and the possibility of false positives for employees with no symptoms.

Having regular testing probably has some value," he said, but he added, "I dont know if it will make a difference for districts in preventing transmissions.

Beth Kontos, president of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, which Boston teachers belong to, said she views the BPS COVID-19 testing as a win for public health. But she wishes the state would create a routine testing program for all districts instead of just providing emergency testing.

Its a shame we have to wait for people to get sick until we do the right thing, she said.

Felicia Gans and Naomi Martin of the Globe staff contributed to this report.

James Vaznis can be reached at james.vaznis@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globevaznis. Bianca Vzquez Toness can be reached at bianca.toness@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @biancavtoness.

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Boston to randomly test teachers and other educators weekly for COVID-19 - The Boston Globe

In nearly 40 years of the HIV epidemic, only two people have likely been cured of the virus. Both scenarios resulted from stem cell transplants needed to fight blood cancers such as leukemia. Inspired by these two cases, a team of scientists is studying a multipronged way to potentially control HIV without medication. It involves two different genetic alterations of immune cells and with a safer method of stem cell transplants, also referred to as bone marrow transplants, a procedure that is generally toxic and dangerous.

The research is being funded by a five-year $14.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The scientists coleading the preclinical studies are Paula Cannon, PhD, a distinguished professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, and Hans-Peter Kiem, MD, PhD, who directs the stem cell and gene therapy program at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, also known as Fred Hutch. According to a Keck School of Medicine press release, the two other main partners are David Scadden, MD, a bone marrow transplant specialist and professor at Harvard University and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and the biotechnology company Magenta Therapeutics.

In the HIV cure scenariosinvolving the so-called Berlin and London patientsboth men received stem cell transplants from donors with a natural genetic mutation that made them resistant to HIV. Specifically, their genes resulted in immune cells that lack CCR5 receptors on their surface (HIV latches onto these receptors to infect cells). Unfortunately, this method isnt viable for the nearly 38 million people worldwide living with HIV. Not only is it expensive, toxic and riskyit involves wiping out the patients immune system and replacing it with the new immune cellsbut it also requires matched donors who are CCR5 negative. According to the press release, about 1% of the population have this mutation.

With funding from this new grant, researchers hope to overcome these challenges in several ways. First, Cannon has already developed a gene-editing method to remove the CCR5 receptors from a patients own stem cells. She now hopes to further genetically engineer stem cells so they release antibodies that block HIV.

Our engineered cells will be good neighbors, Cannon said in the press release. They secrete these protective molecules so that other cells, even if they arent engineered to be CCR5 negative, have some chance of being protected.

Fred Hutchs Kiem will use CAR-T therapya new method of genetically modifying immune cells that is emerging out of cancer researchwith the goal of creating T cells that attack HIV-infected cells.

In addition, other scientists involved in the federal grant aim to develop less toxic methods of bone marrow transplantationfor example, by reducing the amount of chemotherapy required and speeding up the process of creating the new immune system.

The research finding could translate to other illnesses, such as cancer, sickle cell anemia and autoimmune disorders.

A home run would be that we completely cure people of HIV, Cannon said. What Id be fine with is the idea that somebody no longer needs to take anti-HIV drugs every day because their immune system is keeping the virus under control so that it no longer causes health problems and, importantly, they cant transmit it to anybody else.

For the latest on the cure cases, see Famed London Man Probably Cured of HIV from earlier this year. And in related news, see $14M Federal Grant to Research CAR-T Gene Therapy to Cure HIV.

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$14.6M Grant to Explore a Therapy to Control HIV Without Meds - POZ

When Takeda unveiled its translational cell therapy engine early last year, the Japanese pharma made it clear the crew, under Novartis vet Stefan Wildt, is going all the way: clinical expertise, bioengineering chops, world-class collaborations, plus chemistry, manufacturing and control.

The final piece of the puzzle has now fallen in place, with the opening of a 24,000 square-foot cell therapy manufacturing facility at its R&D headquarters in Boston.

In that early space, having it situated in proximity to our teams is quite powerful, Chris Arendt, head of the oncology therapeutic area unit, told Endpoints News. When you think about it, the process defines very much the medicine and the cell therapy space

Designed to produce clinical-grade material from discovery through pivotal Phase IIb trials, the site will support five ongoing pacts. They include pluripotent stem cell work with Kyoto University Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, gamma delta T cell research with Adrian Hayday and his biotech, armored CAR-Ts with Koji Tamada at Noile-Immune Biotech, next-gen CARs with Memorial Sloan Ketterings Michel Sadelain, and finally CAR-NK with Katy Rezvani at MD Anderson.

With three programs now in the clinic, Takeda is now picking two more to test in humans in 2021, Arendt said. While each research partnership has taken on its own bespoke approach to manufacturing up to now, the new facility will provide a central spot to lock down the process development as close to the final product as possible.

At the forefront are TAK-007, an allogeneic CD19-targeted CAR-NK being tested in Phase I/II for relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkins lymphoma; TAK-940, 19(T2)28z1xx CAR-T cells featuring a next-gen signaling domain from MSK; and TAK-102, a cytokine and chemokine armored CAR-T directed at GPC3-expressing previously treated solid tumors. The latter two are in first-in-human trials.

Having a dedicated facility scales the operations up so that the team can simultaneously advance multiple programs, he added.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic sucked out all the oxygen in the room, the booming cell therapy markets demand for physical infrastructure captured considerable attention. Gileads Kite constructed its own viral vector manufacturing center in order to leave no stone unturned. Contract manufacturers like Catalent were snapping up space, and even Deerfield got into the game with a splashy, $1.1 billion entrance.

The way hes built the team now grown to well over 150 scientists the learnings from any one program can be quickly applied to the whole portfolio, Wildt noted.

We wanted to place the engine team at that sweet spot between late-stage discovery and rapidly putting forward innovative ideas and concepts into clinical translation, he said. It was just a concept a few years ago. And now we can partner with hospitals and patients and really see hopefully we can be successful on their behalf.

Continued here:
Takeda opens cell therapy manufacturing facility tucked right in its Boston R&D hub - Endpoints News

VANCOUVER, Wash., Sept. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study from Banfield Pet Hospital reveals an estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they needby 2030, with an important factor being a critical shortage of veterinarians.Further, with nearly 90% of veterinary professionals identifying as white according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need to not only increase the number of veterinary professionals in the U.S. but also diversify the talent pipeline is a critical focus area at today's annual Pet Healthcare Industry Summit.

Asthe nation's leading provider of preventive veterinary medicine, and part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices, Banfield is committed to the following initiatives to increase the pipeline ofveterinary professionalsand build a more diverse industry:

"The veterinary profession is not only essential we are in increasingly high demand. Today's environment has only strengthened the human animal bond as pets provide unconditional love through these unpredictable times," said Brian Garish, president of Banfield Pet Hospital. "Pets are here for us, and as veterinary professionals, we must be here for them. Banfield is committed to partnering with the veterinary industry to ensure the talent pipeline grows and diversifies to meet the evolving needs of pets, people and society."

Understanding that systemic issues require systemic solutions, Banfield is also announcing a new coalition the "Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition" to ensure efforts to increase equity, inclusion and diversity (EI&D) among veterinary professionals are ongoing and industry wide. Founding coalition members include pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim as well as veterinary leaders from other Mars Veterinary Health practices, Royal Canin, Antech Diagnostics, the National Association for Black Veterinarians, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association, aiming to add partners in the future to strengthen the talent pipelineof tomorrow. The coalition will work in partnership with a commission that is being established by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the AAVMC, the Veterinary Medical Association Executives and others, together aiming to drive equity, inclusion and diversity across the profession.

"We believe a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging are essential to better understanding the customers and patients we serve," said Randolph Legg, senior vice president, head of U.S. commercial business at Boehringer Ingelheim. "By joining the Diversity Veterinary Medicine Coalition as a founding partner, we are looking forward to help influence the necessary changes in our industry that will create more equitable opportunities for the profession."

"We are honored to partner with Banfield and other organizations to address the challenges in the industry and create the change needed to foster a diverse and inclusive profession," said Bob Betz, vice president - veterinary pillar, Royal Canin USA. "As a business dedicated to cats and dogs and the people who love them, we are committed to supporting them in one of the best ways we can helping the veterinary experts we trust by providing opportunities to develop a more inclusive talent pipeline."

"The AAVMC firmly believes in the value of diversity within the veterinary medical profession and attracting student populations that are more reflective of society as a whole," said Andrew Maccabe, chief executive officer of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. "We look forward to partnering with Banfield and other industry leaders to continue our efforts in supporting and elevating underrepresented groups to help foster their success and growth in veterinary medicine."

Banfield also commissioned a survey of high school and college students with Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicineto examine why so few diverse students apply to veterinary colleges so the industry can start addressing these barriers head-on. Key findings include 57% of all students surveyed had once considered becoming a veterinarian, and 32% changed their mind before graduating college. When looking at Black students in this population, over 50% said they were persuaded by someone elsea family member, friend, mentor or school counselorto choose a different career. Together, we must leverage the collective strength of the industry to help increase representation, offer mentorship opportunities and prioritize targeted work with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the goal of diversifying the pipeline of Black students entering veterinary colleges.

"With nearly 70% of Black veterinarians in the U.S. being Tuskegee graduates, we're inspired by the work Banfield and Royal Canin are doing to continue to push for a more equitable, inclusive and diverse profession," said Dr. Ruby Perry, dean of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. "We believe strongly in equality of opportunity and are honored to accept the $125K gift from both organizations towards helping to remove financial barriers for our students on their path to becoming veterinarians."

This work can't be done alone, and Banfield is proud to continue to partner with the industry and amplify the important work that so many veterinary professionals and organizations have already been doing.

For more information on Banfield, visitBanfield.com.

AboutBanfield Pet HospitalBanfield Pet Hospital was founded in Portland, Ore. in 1955 and today is a pioneer in preventive veterinary care with more than 1,000 general veterinary hospitals in 42 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. More than 3,600 Banfield veterinarians are committed to providing high-quality veterinary care to over three million pets annually. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, Banfield is committed to its purposeA BETTER WORLD FOR PETSbecause pets make a better world for us. Press seeking additional information are invited to call theMedia Hotline: (888) 355-0595.

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75 Million Pets May Not Have Access to Veterinary Care by 2030, New Banfield Pet Hospital Study Finds - Chinook Observer

Dr. John August has been named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Texas A&M Office of the Provost

Dr. John August has been appointed as the dean of Texas A&M Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He moved from interim dean to dean on Sept. 9.

August previously served as interim dean of the School of Public Health, and before that as dean of faculties and associate provost for three years.He joined Texas A&M University as professor and head of the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in 1986.

As interim dean of the School of Public Health, August led the school through the transition to a new dean, providing strategic, scholarly and financial leadership. As dean of faculties and associate provost, August led faculty affairs and processes including faculty on-boarding, tenure and promotion processes and programming of the Center for Teaching Excellence and Instructional Technology Services. In addition, he oversaw services that assist career development and advance the teaching endeavors of Texas A&M faculty.

August earned his bachelors degree in veterinary medicine from the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London in England (equivalent to a DVM). He completed his internship and residency in small animal surgery and medicine at Auburn University, where he also earned a Master of Science from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Prior to his appointment as dean of faculties and associate provost. August served Texas A&M as interim associate dean for clinical and outreach programs, interim head of the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and deputy dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. An internationally noted scholar, he was selected as the Evelyn Williams Endowed Visiting Professor at the University of Sydney in 2014.

As dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Augusts administrative experience will be important for supporting faculty, staff and student success, as well as furthering the development of operational procedures, degree programs, research initiatives and service efforts.

The national search to identify dean candidates as a successor to August will continue in the spring and summer of 2021 with a search advisory committee chaired by Valen Johnson, professor and dean of the College of Science.

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John August Named Dean Of Texas A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine And Biomedical Sciences - Texas A&M University Today

xpecting parents are often as busy as they are excited while theyre preparing to welcome a new baby to their family. In this happily hectic time, those who also own pets should consider how their fur babies and their new baby can safely interact when they eventually meet.

A black french bulldog sits in a baby swing with its tongue outDr. Lori Teller, an associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says expecting parents can begin preparing their pets for a new arrival as soon as they know they are expecting a new baby.

This is a great time for an obedience refresher for your dog. Make sure your dog knows and obeys commands such as sit, down, stay, come, wait, off, and go to bed, Teller said. If your dog likes to jump on people, this is a great reason to teach them to stop this behavior. The relationship between your pet and your child will be so much the better if your dog has good manners.

The arrival of a new baby will interrupt a pets schedule almost as much as it alters the parents schedule. Teller advises pet owners to adjust their pet to their new schedule and new rules, such as not allowing pets to enter rooms reserved for the baby, before the babys arrival.

Bring new baby products and furniture into the house before your baby comes home. These may include diapers, lotion, baby wash, formula, and linens, Teller said. Let your pets get accustomed to these smells, so that by the time the baby arrives, those smells will be a normal part of the environment. Dont allow your pet to sleep in the babys crib or any other location where the baby may rest.

Teller also recommends that pet owners acclimate their furry friend to the sound of a baby crying prior to their arrival. This can be done by playing a recording of crying at a low volume and practicing obedience commands. Owners can reward their dog for obeying and remaining calm, then slowly increase the volume, continuing to reward their pets positive behaviors.

Story continues below video

If you will be walking your dog while pushing the stroller, start training your dog to walk next to it, she said. Initially your dog may find it scary to walk next to the stroller, so its better to get your dog comfortable with it now before all of you end up in a tangled mess.

Owners can also help their animals adjust to their diverted attention by holding a doll in the chair where they will feed or rock the baby and by carrying the doll around. Owners should reward their pet for resting calmly while they are occupied with the doll.

While practicing these techniques can be greatly helpful in ensuring a smooth transition, pet owners may also wish to consult their veterinarian with any behavioral concerns.

If your pet is anxious by nature, it would be good to discuss this with your veterinarian before the babys arrival, Teller said. Your pet may benefit from an anti-anxiety supplement or the use of a calming pheromone. Some pets may need medication and a behavioral modification plan to address anxiety issues.

Preparing a pet prior to the arrival of a new baby is instrumental in ensuring that your new, expanded family gets off on the right paw. Not only can these preparations support a safer environment for the new baby, but they can also help reduce stress for new parents in their first joyful weeks of parenthood.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvm.tamu.edu.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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Prepare your pet for an addition to the family - New Castle News

During his swing through northeastern Colorado on Sept. 11, Gov. Jared Polis talked with residents about rural economic development, including recovery from the pandemic.

But he was also asked about one issue that has irked many Eastern Plains residents: his appointments to boards and commissions that govern the agriculture industry or that require Eastern Plains representation.

Perhaps no appointment during Polis tenure has angered Eastern Colorado residents, rural lawmakers and livestock organizations more than his decision in June to name Ellen Kessler of Littleton, an animal rights activist and vegan, to the states veterinarian board.

The Colorado Board of Veterinary Medicine is under the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The boardregulates and licenses veterinarians by "establishing and enforcing professional standards through the development and maintenance of rules and policies, ensuring that only qualified persons are licensed to provide veterinary care, and that violators of the laws and rules regulating veterinary medicine are sanctioned as appropriate." The law requires the governor to appoint five veterinarians to the board, and two other appointees who have no financial or professional association with the veterinary profession.

It isn't just care of the family dog or cat that is under the board's purview. Among its statutory authority: the power to regulate artificial insemination and ova transplantation of cattle or other animals.

Several people questioned Polis during his visit about Kesslers appointment and whether he would withdraw it. In particular, they found offensive some of Kessler's social media posts about livestock, some which have since been deleted.A month after her June 30 appointment, Kessler said on Facebook that 4-H clubs dont teach children that animal lives matter.

Ellen Kessler's July 31 Facebook post on 4-H clubs.

She also reposted a story on Aug. 23, also on Facebook, that alleged dairy farmers sexually abuse their cows (the equipment pictured is to teach farmers how to do artificial insemination, which has been a routine practice for at least 60 years).

Ellen Kessler's August 23 Facebook post, since deleted, about dairy farmers.

Kessler did not return a request for comment about her remarks or attitude toward the livestock industry.

The appointment has led to several requests to the state auditor to investigate Kessler for an alleged conflict of interest, and prompted a rare letter of opposition from an assistant editor of the agricultural publication The Fence Post. An online petitionasking Polis to withdraw her nomination, also started by The Fence Post, now has nearly 14,000 signatures.

State Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling, in an op-ed in the Sterling Journal-Advocate on Aug. 13, wrote that Polis and his staff should be embarrassed about this political appointment, especially because it should not be political at all. As a member of the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, Kessler would work closely with the Colorado Department of Agriculture on matters pertaining to Colorados livestock industry. How can a professed vegan activist make unbiased decisions about veterinary matters in an industry she wants to dismantle?

He also claimed that Kessler's appointment is part of"the First Gentlemans agenda." First Gentleman Marlon Reis is an animal-rights activistwho played a behind-the-scenes role during the 2020 session on a bill requiring that all eggs produced in Colorado come from a cage-free environment. Kessler said in a Facebook post that the bill was a first step to ending the consumption of chickens and eggs.

The Colorado Farm Bureau also has weighed in, supporting the petition but also asking rural Coloradans to apply for board and commission appointments to ensure the rural voice is represented. The Colorado Livestock Association has also asked Polis to withdraw her nomination.

Former state senator and agriculture commissioner Don Ament told the Sterling Journal-Advocate in June that the appointment is a can of worms at best. I was surprised that he put someone on that board who admits they have a professed bias.

Polis defended his appointment of Kessler on Friday. Sometimes people dont get me when I say, Colorado for all. We have conservatives, people who support Trump, carnivores, vegans. Libertarians. Were best when we work together. Youll see diverse appointments in every sense of the word. Theyll be competent for that job; no ideological test or political test for those positions, unless political affiliation is required by law, he said.

As to Kesslers post about dairy farmers, Polis said, through a spokeswoman, the governor doesnt monitor the social media accounts of the over 2,200 people who volunteer on the states boards and commissions, and is confident that the veterinary board will continue its strong support for ranchers and all those who rely on veterinary medicine.

Polis' appointments also have led lawmakers to claim that he's trying to purge Republicans off of state boards and commissions. For example, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, under Senate Bill 19-181, allowed for five gubernatorial appointments. No more than three could be from either major political party. Polis appointed three Democrats and two unaffiliated members. Republicans, who have been among the most staunch supporters of oil and gas, were omitted.

Why no Republicans? I dont look at party, Polis said. There are boards that have less Democrats than Republicans or unaffiliated, even though now there are more unaffiliated voters in the state.Appointments are based on who applies, and he voiced strong support for the boards and commission staff that go through those applications.

Polis said he does the final interview, but he also recruits when theres someone he wants for an important board, such as the Public Employees Retirement Association.

His appointments have been a good diverse slate of people, Polis said. You look at [appointments] from ethnic and racial perspectives and gender, which he tracks.

We want to have people serve the state, put on that public hat, bring that experience and passion to whatever public purpose that board or commission does," he said. "Of course we want to do more from Eastern Colorado, we always talk about that, and need people to apply.

Polis again pledged as he has several times since becoming governor, both in meetings on the Eastern Plains and at the state Capitol to get better representation.

But sources have told Colorado Politics that the governor ignores their recommendations and then hand-picks the people he wants for some of those positions.

Take the State Fair Board. Two of the three people who were to be confirmed by the state Senate in the 2020 session told Colorado Politics that they had been asked to apply for the board, although other recommendations had come from Eastern Plains residents and organizations, such as the Colorado Cattlemens Association. Those recommendations were ignored, sources said.

A closed-door meeting between Senate Democratic leaders and a cadre of senators from both parties who raised concerns about Polis appointments took place on the final day of the 2020 session on June 15. It was prompted by a decision from Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg of Boulder to postpone a vote on the three State Fair Board appointments up for final Senate confirmation that day.

The votes never happened because at least five Democrats Sen. Don Coram, a Montrose Republican, said it could be as many as 10 would have voted against those appointments. Those three appointees remain on the state fair board.

Coram alleged Polis is trying to remove as many Republicans from boards and commissions and replace them with unaffiliated appointments. He cited the 11-member State Fair Board, which now has just one Republican Corams wife, Dianna and no representation from anyone who lives east of Interstate 25.Former Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown of Yuma told Colorado Politics in June that the fair is an agricultural exposition, and yet there is no one representing the area of the state which produces 84% of the state's gross agriculture sales.

The fair board's lone 4th Congressional District representative, Brian Coppom, is listed as unaffiliated but has made recent campaign contributions to Democrats seeking office in the General Assembly and to Democrats on the Boulder County Commission. Coppom is a resident of Longmont.

The fair board currently has six Democrats, three unaffiliated and one Republican among its government appointees. State law requires that the fair board have no more than six members from the governor's party and that it have at least one member from each of the state's congressional districts.

Coram told Colorado Politics on Monday that he believes he has more than enough votes to block Kessler's appointment. As to the three State Fair appointees, Coram said that will be taken up in January.

"They may end up as victims of bad policy that has since turned into politics," he said.

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Polis continues to take heat over appointments in Eastern Colorado and to boards with livestock connections - coloradopolitics.com

ATHENS A $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow researchers at the University of Georgia to examine the minutiae of cattle and fescue microbiome interaction to find targets that will help mitigate the effects of fescue toxicosis, a forage-related condition that costs the U.S. beef industry more than $1 billion each year.

Fescue toxicosis, which has long been a problem for U.S. and South American cattle producers, can cause digestive and reproductive problems including reduced calving rates, reduced weight gain, and foot and leg problems in cattle.

The grant project, funded by the USDAs National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is being led by College of Veterinary Medicine Professor Nikolay Filipov in collaboration with College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Todd Callaway of the Department of Animal and Dairy Science and Professor Nicholas Hill of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, in partnership with Associate Professor Garrett Suen of the University of Wisconsin and Professor Dean Jones of Emory University.

If you are raising steers for meat, a 20-30% decrease in weight gain or a 30-40% decrease in calving rates translates to major monetary losses, Filipov said. Fescue toxicosis can also affect other grazing animals, including horses and sheep, although UGAs research focuses on cattle.

Various approaches have been attempted to mitigate it. What we are trying to do is characterize the disease which is very complex globally, Filipov, a member of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, said. We are looking at multiple levels of the gut microbiome of cattle to see how they metabolize all of the different molecules of fescue to characterize those and, more importantly, how those interact with the bacteria that are part of the cattles GI tract.

The overall idea is that we may be able to come up with more specific ideas of types of management strategies or treatment approaches for the disease that cant be found with more simplistic approaches.

This research is important to cattle producers because Georgia is located in what is referred to as the Fescue Belt a 1,000-mile-long, 400-mile deep swath of the U.S. that is home to about 25% of the nations beef cows. In this region, fescue is the most widely used forage grass because it is easy to establish, has a high drought tolerance and has a long grazing season. However, fescue contains an endophyte a fungus that lives within the plant that gives the grass desirable attributes but produces alkaloids that are toxic to animals who graze on it, a defense mechanism meant to prevent overgrazing.

While endophyte strains that do not produce toxic alkaloids have been identified, it is not feasible to completely remove the toxic endophyte-containing grasses from the environment, Filipov said.

Current management practices, such as preventing pregnant cattle from grazing late in gestation, implementing rotational grazing and incorporating dietary supplements, have had limited success in managing fescue toxicosis, Filipov said.

We would like to come up with a solution based on whole-animal and animal-plant-endophyte approaches, so we can manipulate the many things that contribute to fescue toxicity, both on the plant side and the animal side, he said.

Field research will be performed at the J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center in Watkinsville, where personnel under the leadership of its superintendent, Eric Elsner, have been very supportive and accommodating of this fescue toxicosis research team.

The idea is to determine what the toxic endophyte causes in terms of changing the composition of the grass, and we will measure the bacteria and fungi that are present and the metabolites produced when cattle ingest it, Filipov said.

Suen, a microbiologist, and Callaway, a microbiologist and animal nutrition expert, will examine the gut microbiota of cattle used in the study to understand the effect of microbe-host interactions caused by the alkaloids.

The metabolome is a combination of what the microbiome does to feedstuffs and what the animal does to feedstuffs along with the end products of the microbial fermentation, Callaway said. We dont know if there is a population in the gut that can detoxify these chemicals or turn it into something that can be used for growth while mitigating the detrimental effects. We dont know what to look for yet, but that is the puzzle of the microbiome and the purpose of this research.

For more information on the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, visit vet.uga.edu. For information on the Department of Animal and Dairy Science, visit ads.caes.uga.edu.

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Grant will allow UGA researchers to study beef digestive issue - KPVI News 6