StemCell Therapy

Our immune system is versatile but it's also complex and when the human body is exposed to a new virus, like the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which it's never seen before, the immune system gets activated and the first and the most rapid response is the production of antibodies. However, a weak immune system has susceptibility to infection and a person with poor immunity may get infections more frequently than most other people.

In order to not end up with illnesses that might be more severe or harder to treat, we got a few health experts on board to share some tips on how to treat poor immunity with the help of Yoga and natural way of living. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Ayurveda expert Vaidya Shakuntala Devi shared, Poor immunity can be bettered by doing Yoga regularly. There is a concept called pran vayu in yoga which refers to the energy that the body receives inward. It is related to the heart chakra and governs breathing and the lungs, also affecting the food we ingest to nourish our bodies. Those people who have proper circulation of pran vayu in the body tend to have better immunity. There is a specific pran vayu mudra in yoga which can be practiced every day to build immunity and energize the body.

Asserting that poor immunity does not improve overnight, Shivani Gupta, Founder of HelloMyYoga, highlighted that if you live a healthy lifestyle, you will notice improvements. She elaborated, A healthy lifestyle is one in which you follow a daily routine that includes yoga, pranayama, and meditation to maintain your mind, breath, and body in balance. You avoid using food delivery apps and instead prepare sattvic meals, avoiding refrigerated or microwaved foods and spend some "me" time gazing at nature rather than reels on social media. Not only will your immunity improve, but you will also transform as a person.

According to Dr Deepak Mittal, Founder of Divine Soul Yoga, Though the human body has the ability to repair and maintain the immunity, our immunity can get compromised with a sedentary lifestyle. Yoga is an ancient Indian practice for maintaining a healthy body and mind and allows us to maintain our vital energy and fight disease. Thus, Yoga is an effective practice to boost our immunity. Yoga when combine with Pranayama and meditation can do wonders to our body and soul. These are the perfect tools to deal with everyday stress and other concerning health issues like anxiety, depression, migraine, insomnia, hypertension and various psychosomatic illnesses. Studies have shown that meditation stimulates electrical-activity in different parts of the brain that act as a command center for the immune system. Therefore, when these areas are stimulated, the immune system works more effectively.

Also, read: A few seconds of anxiety can reduce your immunity for hours. Heres the key to tackle it

He added, These elements are the time tested therapy which also remove toxins from our body & improve blood circulation, improve concentration, strengthens respiratory system, regulate the sleep and promote divine healing. These elements are also provided by Divine Soul Yoga to help people rejuvenate both their body & mind and live a balanced life. Some of the easy yoga asanas that can be practiced for boosting the immunity are Bhujasana, Halasana, Matyasana and Dhanurasana. These should be practiced under supervision of a well-qualified and experienced trainer.

Highlighting that a strong immune system can wipe out a virus within a few days, Dr Ganga Anand (PT), ChildBirth Educator, Obs and Gynae at Daffodils by Artemis in Gurgaon, revealed that Yoga and breathing techniques can help relax the nervous system and boost an immune response. Gushing over the ways that yoga positively impacts the immune system, Dr Ganga Anand shared that it supports and stimulates the thymus gland, improves circulation, improves oxygen flow and aids the transfer of energy from nutrients to cells, improves the flow of sinuses and flushes out mucus from the lungs, massages and rejuvenates internal organs, helps the body flush out toxins and open up energy pathways to allow the body to heal more effectively.

He listed a few Yoga practices that consists of asanas, Pranayama and meditation, for boosting immunity. These include:

1. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)- It acts as an ideal stress buster as it helps improve the flow of white blood cells by applying pressure on the digestive system. Practicing the Dhanurasana puts pressure on the belly, which in turn helps strengthen the digestive system.

2. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)- It helps us to achieve a state of balance. As it symbolizes a sense of calm and serenity, it is one of the best poses for immunity and relaxation.

3. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)- Widely known to be helpful for the nervous system and also helps to correct ones posture and improve flexibility of thighs and joints

4. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half-fish pose)- This is widely considered to be the"destroyer of deadly diseases''.

He mentioned that other than these, there are many other asanas like Chaturangana Dandasana, Matsyasana, Utkatasana and Anjaneyasana that also help to build immunity.

Read more from the original source:
Tips to treat poor immunity with the help of Yoga and natural way of living - Hindustan Times

Many people who are immunocompromised will not fully develop the appropriate antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination, but there is hope in the form of an alternative treatment.

Vineeta Kumar, M.D., Photography: Andrea MabryEven with multiple COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, there are still groups of people who do not receive the full benefit of vaccines due to immunosuppressed conditions that prevent the body from making sufficient antibodies. But one alternative treatment option is providing hope.

Known as Evusheld, the medication contains protective antibodies againstSARS-CoV-2.

The antibodies are given as two injections at the same time to a patient, and once injected they are in the system ready to work if the patient is exposed to another person with acute COVID-19 infection in the future.

Vineeta Kumar, M.D., professor of nephrology in the University of Alabama at Birminghams Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, says this is an effective option for immunocompromised populations, such as transplant patients.

We know that transplant recipients develop less of an antibody response to the vaccine due to their immunosuppressive medications, Kumar said.In other words, the medication or immunosuppressed condition may prevent their body from makingsufficient antibodies, and in some patientsanyantibody.This could result in a decrease in the vaccines ability to provide protection against COVID-19 infection.

Kumar adds that this treatment is meant to be given before a person has been exposed to another with COVID-19 infection.

Evusheld should notbe used as a substitute for vaccination or for primary prevention strategies, including masking, social distancing and avoidance of large indoor social gatherings, Kumar said. Vaccination of close contacts, including household members, continues to be an important measure to protect transplant recipients from COVID-19 infection.

For transplant patients, Kumar says it is crucial they receive the infusion as soon as they are cleared after the transplant.

Due to limited supply ofEvusheld nationwide, patients early after transplant or early after receiving medications that suppresses their immune system are prioritized to getEvusheldfirst, she said.

Anoma Nellore, M.D., Photography: Steve Wood She says it is possible that Evusheld may reduce the bodys immune response to a COVID-19 vaccine. If someone has received the COVID-19 vaccine, they should wait at least two weeks after vaccination to receive Evusheld; but booster doses of vaccine can be given any time after Evusheld has been administered.

We will continue to monitor response of the new virus variants to this infusion, Kumar said.

UAB and doctors across the state are still working to make sure as many people have it as possible.

And these include referrals through our state Department of Public Health and referrals from other medical centers, said Anoma Nellore, M.D., associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases. We want to make sure all patients are protected.

At UAB, Kumar is the Robert and Cutessa Bourge Endowed Professor in Transplant Nephrology.

Read the original here:
Evusheld provides additional protection for immune-compromised patients against COVID-19 - University of Alabama at Birmingham

The 700kHz, 260-element histotripsy ultrasound array transducer used in Prof. Xus lab. Credit: Photo by Marcin Szczepanski/Lead Multimedia Storyteller, Michigan Engineering

A new technique pioneered in rats at the University of Michigan could improve outcomes for cancer and neurological conditions.

Noninvasive sound technology developed at the University of Michigan breaks down liver tumors in rats, kills cancer cells, and spurs the immune system to prevent further spreadan advance that could lead to improved cancer outcomes in humans.

By destroying only 50% to 75% of liver tumor volume, the rats immune systems were able to clear away the rest, with no evidence of recurrence or metastases in more than 80% of the animals.

Even if we dont target the entire tumor, we can still cause the tumor to regress and also reduce the risk of future metastasis, said Zhen Xu, professor of biomedical engineering at U-M and corresponding author of the study in Cancers.

Zhen Xu, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan works in her office. Dr. Xus research focuses on developing new ultrasound technique for treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. She and her colleagues have developed histotripsy, an ultrasound ablation technique via controlled cavitation. Histotripsy is the first image-guided ablation technique that is non-invasive, non-ionizing, and non-thermal. Dr. Xus work spans from basic science, device development, preclinical investigations, to clinical translation of histotripsy. Credit: Photo by Marcin Szczepanski/Lead Multimedia Storyteller, Michigan Engineering

Results also showed the treatment stimulated the rats immune responses, possibly contributing to the eventual regression of the untargeted portion of the tumor and preventing further spread of the cancer.

The treatment, called histotripsy, noninvasively focuses ultrasound waves to mechanically destroy target tissue with millimeter precision. The relatively new technique is currently being used in a human liver cancer trial in the United States and Europe.

In many clinical situations, the entirety of a cancerous tumor cannot be targeted directly in treatments for reasons that include the mass size, location or stage. To investigate the effects of partially destroying tumors with sound, this latest study targeted only a portion of each mass, leaving behind a viable intact tumor. It also allowed the team, including researchers at Michigan Medicine and the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, to show the approachs effectiveness under less than optimal conditions.

Zhen Xu,Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan (left) and Tejaswi Worlikar, Biomedical Engineering PhD student discuss the 700kHz, 260-element histotripsy ultrasound array transducer they use in Prof. Xus lab. Credit: Photo by Marcin Szczepanski/Lead Multimedia Storyteller, Michigan Engineering

Histotripsy is a promising option that can overcome the limitations of currently available ablation modalities and provide safe and effective noninvasive liver tumor ablation, said Tejaswi Worlikar, a doctoral student in biomedical engineering. We hope that our learnings from this study will motivate future preclinical and clinical histotripsy investigations toward the ultimate goal of clinical adoption of histotripsy treatment for liver cancer patients.

Liver cancer ranks among the top 10 causes of cancer related deaths worldwide and in the U.S. Even with multiple treatment options, the prognosis remains poor with five-year survival rates less than 18% in the U.S. The high prevalence of tumor recurrence and metastasis after initial treatment highlights the clinical need for improving outcomes of liver cancer.

Where a typical ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the bodys interior, U-M engineers have pioneered the use of those waves for treatment. And their technique works without the harmful side effects of current approaches such as radiation and chemotherapy.

Zhen Xu, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan (center) and Tejaswi Worlikar, Biomedical Engineering PhD student (right) move the 700kHz, 260-element histotripsy ultrasound array transducer they use in Prof. Xus lab. Credit: Photo by Marcin Szczepanski/Lead Multimedia Storyteller, Michigan Engineering

Our transducer, designed and built at U-M, delivers high amplitude microsecond-length ultrasound pulsesacoustic cavitationto focus on the tumor specifically to break it up, Xu said. Traditional ultrasound devices use lower amplitude pulses for imaging.

The microsecond long pulses from UMs transducer generate microbubbles within the targeted tissuesbubbles that rapidly expand and collapse. These violent but extremely localized mechanical stresses kill cancer cells and break up the tumors structure.

Reference: Impact of Histotripsy on Development of Intrahepatic Metastases in a Rodent Liver Tumor Model by Tejaswi Worlikar, Man Zhang, Anutosh Ganguly, Timothy L. Hall, Jiaqi Shi, Lili Zhao, Fred T. Lee, Mishal Mendiratta-Lala, Clifford S. Cho and Zhen Xu, 22 March 2022, Cancers.DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071612

Since 2001, Xus laboratory at U-M has pioneered the use of histotripsy in the fight against cancer, leading to the clinical trial #HOPE4LIVER sponsored by HistoSonics, a U-M spinoff company. More recently, the groups research has produced promising results on histotripsy treatment of brain therapy and immunotherapy.

The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, Focused Ultrasound Foundation, VA Merit Review, U-Ms Forbes Institute for Discovery and Michigan Medicine-Peking University Health Sciences Center Joint Institute for Translational and Clinical Research.

Read the original post:
Noninvasive Sound Technology Breaks Down Tumors, Kills Cancer Cells, and Spurs the Immune System - SciTechDaily

Here are eight tips to boost your immunity and reduce your risk of serious COVID-19 illness.

The immune system helps prevent and recover from various infections and diseases. Strong immunity is pivotal for the prevention and complete recovery from COVID-19.

COVID-19 (also called coronavirus disease) is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The disease may manifest as mild to moderate respiratory illness in most people who may be easily treated at home.

Some high-risk groups, such as older people and people with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular diseases) have a higher risk of getting a serious illness that requires hospital admission.

Learn eight tips to boost your immunity and reduce your risk of serious COVID-19 illness below.

8 tips to boost your immunity and reduce your risk of serious COVID-19 illness

Medically Reviewed on 4/19/2022

References

Glick J. Boost Your Immune System to Help Fight Flu and COVID-19. Penn Medicine. https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/2022/february/boost-your-immune-system-to-help-fight-flu-and-covid-19

World Health Organization. Nutrition advice for adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/news/nutrition-advice-for-adults-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html

View post:
8 Tips To Keep Your Immune System Healthy With COVID-19 - MedicineNet

Neoantigens help direct the bodys natural immune response by tagging cancer cells. They can also help vaccines detect and destroy cancer. (Photo for illustrative purposes only: Getty Images/koto-feja)

April 21, 2022

By Tamar NordenbergFor VA Research Communications

"By tagging cancer cells, neoantigens help direct the body's natural immune response, including cancer-fighting T cells."

Telltale proteins called neoantigens can serve as potent weapons in the fight against cancer. VA researchers recently conducted two studies to identify which neoantigens can best harness the power of the bodys immune system.

A team of VA investigators and colleagues conducted two studies focused on neoantigens, unique protein segments that can form in cancer cells because of a mutation in the tumors DNA. Neoantigens, which do not exist in healthy cells, can play a starring role in fighting cancer. The proteins can earmark enemy cells and spur the immune system into action, explains VA researcher Dr. Karen Taraszka Hastings. She is a dermatologist with the Phoenix VA Health Care System in Arizona and is principal investigator on both studies.

VA research assistant Elizabeth S. Borden says neoantigens play an important role in the bodys war on cancer. By tagging cancer cells, neoantigens help direct the bodys natural immune responseincluding the cancer-fighting response of the immune systems T cellsand they can also help vaccines and other immune system-based treatments detect and destroy cancer cells, she explains. Borden is an M.D./Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona College of MedicinePhoenix, and is first author on both studies.

In the two VA-supported studies, Hastings and Borden collaborated with colleagues at the University of Arizona who specialize in statistical analysis and evaluation of biological data. Hastings is an associate professor at Arizona State University, with an academic focus on immunobiology.

The teams neoantigen studies have the promise of improving health care for Veterans and others with cancer by helping to identify which patients have the cancer types most likely to respond to which immunotherapies, points out Hastings, who treats many VA patients with melanoma and other skin cancers.

The Frontiers in Oncology article reviewed existing research into the therapeutic potential of different neoantigens. The article details not only current knowledge, but also gaps in understanding. We hope this review will provide a good starting point and reference for other researchers aiming to improve neoantigen prioritization for applications in cancer immunotherapy, Borden says.

The literature overview is important because the ability to predict which neoantigens are present in a cancer cell, and which can unleash an immune response, is crucial in cancer treatment, Hastings explains. Knowing whether immunogenic neoantigens are present could help identify patients who may benefit most from a certain therapy. And, for personalized cancer vaccines, knowing which neoantigens are present and can stimulate an immune response is key to generating an effective vaccine.

Some therapies already harness the power of the bodys natural immune response to destroy cancer cells. One such therapy, immune checkpoint inhibition, safeguards the ability of the bodys T cells to destroy tumor cells by blocking biological signals that would get in their way. Immune checkpoint inhibition has revolutionized treatments for many types of cancers by its ability to recognize and destroy tumors, Borden says.

But Borden emphasizes that not all cancer patients respond to this type of immunotherapy. The teams other study, NeoScore, aims to identify which neoantigens best trigger an immune response and which patients are most likely to respond to treatment. The study also aims to support the development of new therapies, like personalized cancer vaccines, to treat patients for whom current treatments fall short.

The NeoScore study, published in the Journal of Immunology, examined a long list of characteristics to determine the most essential hallmarks of the power to quash cancer cells. The analysis focused on MHC class I neoantigens, a category known to directly elicit an immune response for killing cancer cells.

There is no widespread agreement on the characteristics that make a neoantigen capable of mounting an immune response or capable of stimulating a T-cell response. So, the team set out to assess which characteristics had the most promise. They translated these characteristics into an overall score representing the likelihood a given neoantigen would elicit a T-cell response. The NeoScore rating helps prioritize neoantigens that would be most effective in the development of personalized vaccines.

Demonstrating the effectiveness of the approach, a high NeoScore was strongly associated with improved survival in patients who were treated with immune checkpoint inhibition for melanoma. In contrast, a clinical test that looks at high tumor mutation burden, currently used to help physicians decide whether to prescribe immune checkpoint inhibition, showed no such improved survival. These results suggest that the NeoScore has the potential to be developed and applied to improve therapeutic decision-making for immune checkpoint inhibition and personalized cancer vaccines, Hastings says.

Moving forward, Hastings team is interested in examining MHC class II neoantigens, which are known to play a pivotal role in enhancing the immune response to cancer. This class has been studied less extensively than the MHC class I antigens, and represents fertile ground for future research, according to Hastings. The investigator and her research partners are also planning to delve more deeply into how to best apply the NeoScore to predict a patients response to immune checkpoint inhibition.

VA Research Currents archives || Sign up for VA Research updates

The rest is here:
Cultivating the Cancer-Fighting Power of Neoantigens - VA's Office of Research and Development

Elon Musk bought Twitter on Monday, and soon users of the social-media platform, as well as regulators and lawmakers around the world, will find themselves in unprecedented, uncharted territory, says John Wihbey, associate professor of media innovation and technology at Northeastern.

Twitters board accepted Musks $44 billion offer for the company in a dramatic turn of events that comes less than two weeks after the billionaire announced his bid for the company, The Wall Street Journal reports. Market-watchers expected Twitter to reject the offer, as the company moved to prevent Musk from increasing his stake in the company after he announced his bid on April 14. But after Musk produced financing, Twitter appeared more interested.

John Wihbey, associate professor of media innovation and technology at Northeastern.Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

If Musk takes the company private, he would have full control of highly granular individual data for hundreds of millions of Twitter users, including accounts run by national embassies, politicians, and government agencies.

If you think about Elon Musk as his own nation-state with his own inscrutable intentions, its not dissimilar to selling the company to a foreign nation, Wihbey says. Elon Musk would personally own a lot of data from users around the world. And if he, a single person, unchecked by the discipline of a public company, owns this information, there are certainly questions that arise about how fair a broker he can be.

Famously elusive and often fickle, Musk has made some of his gripes with Twitter well-known. Hes frequently criticized the companys content moderators for intervening too heavily on the platform, which hes called the internets de facto public town square.

In a regulatory filing to announce his offer to buy the company, Musk wrote, I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy, adding that he believes the company would neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company.

However, Wihbey chalks Musks free-speech rhetoric up to more of a talking point than a strategic initiative, particularly when Twitter executives have been battling with thorny issues in countries around the world that have serious life-or-death consequences.

Earlier this year in India, for example, Twitter blocked hundreds of accounts and tweets linked to protests over agricultural reform laws, after one such protest turned deadly, the BBC reports. The company removed the tweets at the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modis administration, but then restored accounts associated with media and activist groupswhich government officials then demanded Twitter block again.

The back-and-forth illustrates one of many complex negotiations the company must make as it expands further into populations beyond the U.S., says Wihbey, whose own research indicates that much of the growth for Twitter and other social-media platforms is international.

Twitter is facing serious human-rights concerns in markets around the world, often where real violence is at stake, Wihbey says. Just saying Twitter needs more free speech doesnt solve the practical political problems the company is dealing with.

Musk has also said that he plans to make Twitters algorithm an open-source model, enabling anyone to see the code that dictates how and when tweets appear on a users timeline.

This would be a change Wihbey can get behind, he says. We should be able to figure out what these algorithms are doing with more precision. They should be subject to outside, third-party research.

With relatively open data sources (compared to other social-media platforms), Twitter has long been used as a resource for social-network, computer-science, other social-science researchers, as well. Now that Musk is poised to take over, its not clear that researchers will still have access to this important source of information.

This was always a long-term fear for people who do research with Twitter, but I dont think anyone ever expected the ground to shift this suddenly beneath our feet, Wihbey says.

For media inquiries, please contact Ed Gavaghan at e.gavaghan@northeastern.edu or 617-373-5718.

See the original post here:
'Uncharted territory' ahead after Elon Musk buys Twitter - News @ Northeastern - Northeastern University

For the immunocompromised even those fully vaccinated are feeling vulnerable as New Zealand loosens the restrictions designed to protect them. How worried should they be? Joanne Naish investigates.

For the immunocompromised, Covid-19 is terrifying but while those who get vaccinated arent quite as safe as the general vaccinated population, the degree of added risk is variable.

Immunocompromised, or people whose immune systems might not work as well as they should for several reasons, are at higher risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19 but misinformation spreading online incorrectly suggesting the vaccine is equally useless for all immunocompromised people (from those with high blood pressure to organ recipients) is creating unnecessary anxiety.

Several studies have shown it is not all doom and gloom for the immunocompromised while vaccine effectiveness is lower for them than the immunocompetent, they can still get good protection from severe illness and death.

A US report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed the need for ventilation or death was reduced by 74% for people who received an mRNA vaccine compared to 92% for the immunocompetent.

READ MORE:* Covid-19: 16 and 17 year olds eligible for Pfizer vaccine boosters* Fourth jab decision still pending, study finds triple protection from severe Covid-19* When can you be vaccinated or get your booster after having Covid-19?

An American study showed 63.1% of organ recipients showed positive antibody response from three doses, and in two studies, 50% of recipients with no or minimal antibody response after three doses of mRNA vaccine mounted an antibody response after a fourth dose.

Elena mozhvilo/Unsplash

Many immunocompromised people are fearful of catching Covid-19 even if they are fully vaccinated

How much protection immune deficient people get from the vaccine depends on what their condition is and how old they are.

The Ministry of Health has a long list of conditions that make people immunodeficient and therefore eligible to receive three initial doses instead of two of the vaccine prior to a booster including leukaemia, aggressive lymphomas, HIV/AIDS with a low CD4 count and people who have had received a stem cell transplant or are receiving immunosuppressive therapy for an organ transplant.

Immunologist Graham Le Gros said immunocompromised was being used as a catch-all term for anyone who might not have good outcomes if they catch Covid-19, but also for people who are believed to not have effective coverage from the Covid-19 vaccine.

He said cancer patients were one of the biggest cohort of immune-compromised people in New Zealand.

However, it was not the cancer that made them immune deficient it was treatment like chemotherapy that zapped their immune system.

National Cancer Institute/Supplied

People receiving cancer treatment should be boosted beforehand to make sure they are protected from Covid-19.

The good news was if patients receive their booster dose before their treatment, the antibodies created would offer good protection from severe illness for the entire time they underwent their cancer treatment, Gros said.

For another rare group of people who were genetically immune deficient, an extra vaccine dose might be required to give them the same protection.

Theyve got a disorder where the immune system doesnt work very well like the boy in the bubble, or they are missing some very specific kind of immune receptor that means their immune system doesnt work well. They need multiple vaccines to get their sluggish immune systems up to speed with the right protection, he said.

However, a small number might never gain an immune response in which case they should continue to isolate themselves or have access to therapies like injecting other peoples antibodies into them or antiviral drugs, he said.

Jericho Rock-Archer/Stuff

Malaghan Director Graham Le Gros says immune deficient people are justifiably worried about Covid-19.

The elderly were also inherently immunocompromised.

We know that over 65, the immune system doesnt normally work quite as well as when you are 25 or 35 and so for the flu vaccine they give an extra dose, a larger dose, to get over that kind of sluggishness. We know for Covid-19 we can get around it by being a bit more regular with the booster you can kick along enough to make it good.

Emerging evidence was revealing people with type 2 diabetes also needed an extra dose to boost their immune response, he said.

Gros says despite the positives, people with known immune deficiencies were justifiably worried about Covid-19.

What I am seeing is those people are really scared that they want people to wear masks they feel very vulnerable. Thats who the Government has been trying to protect. Thats who goes down in the pandemic. We could have lost a lot of us.

Theres hundreds of thousands of them, and we would have lost them if wed just let the virus come through [before vaccination]

Chris McKeen/Stuff

Vaccinologist Associate Professor Helen Petousis-Harris says immunocompromised people were at higher risk of not making a good immune response.

Vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris said immunocompromised people were at higher risk of not making a good immune response to the vaccine and were less likely to be protected.

She said the term immunocompromised covered anyone who had either a condition or was on medication that impacts various important aspects of their immune system.

How effective the vaccine was for those people also very much depended on the individual and what part of their immune system was affected.

RYAN ANDERSON/Stuff

People should continue to wear masks to protect those who do not get effective protection from the vaccine.

She said immunocompromised people were acutely aware of the risks to them.

I think there is a lack of appreciation by many people that these seriously immunocompromised people need to got to the supermarkets and other places, and it could be terrifying for them, especially when there are people objecting to wearing masks, she said.

They were understandably worried about the move to orange setting and the reopening of the borders, even if they were up-to-date with their vaccines.

Given they are less likely to be protected by the vaccine it is understandable if they are worried about any of the loosening of restrictions. They have done all they can to protect themselves, so it is up to the rest of us to continue to be considerate as we open up, she said.

Tom Lee/Stuff

Extra doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are available for those who meet the criteria

A Ministry of Health spokesperson said it did not have a figure for the number of immunocompromised people in New Zealand because it was a moving variable.

Individuals who are severely immunocompromised are at a higher risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19 and might not produce a sufficiently strong immune response after two doses, they said.

Age is the biggest risk factor for Covid-19 so for elderly with immuno-compromising conditions are at higher risk of severe illness and death, as Covid infection is more severe in the elderly anyway and risk factors are cumulative.

The Ministry said it was difficult to say exactly how many immunocompromised people had received a third dose but 31,646 third doses have been given out in total.

This group also tends to have a prolonged infection and viral shedding period, are at higher risk of developing a new variant, and are more likely to transmit the virus to any contacts compared to non-immunocompromised consumers.

Data about the number of immunocompromised people who have died of Covid-19 was not available yet.

Go here to see the original:
I'm immunocompromised - how worried should I be about Omicron? - Stuff.co.nz

As the pandemic rages on across the globe, scientists have started identifying a chilling pattern: An estimated one-third of people infected with COVID-19 develop neurological symptoms including strokes, headaches, and disturbed consciousness. In some brains, COVID causes molecular changes that mirror those seen in the brains of people with Alzheimers, leading some scientists to believe that long COVID may be an atypical form of the memory-destroying disorder. There are also larger concerns that damage to the brain caused by COVID may put individuals at an increased risk of developing dementia later in life. The downstream effects on long-term health are far from understood, but dramatic preliminary evidence suggests a complicated alignment with Alzheimers disease.

Amid an overall push to better understand long COVIDon April 5, President Joe Biden ordered a new research initiative across federal agenciesthere is also a worldwide effort to study this insidious link to Alzheimers, with various groups racing to understand the overlap between COVID and neurological harm. In New Jersey, one project stands out for incorporating another critical overlapping factor: the people at high risk of developing both severe COVID and Alzheimers.

Rutgers University researchers are currently enrolling older Black adults in an observational study examining the consequences of COVID and how these relate to risk for Alzheimers. The neurodegenerative disease disproportionately affects Black Americans, with the CDC anticipating case counts increasing over the next 40 years. COVID is also deadlier for Black Americans, a reality stemming from long-standing public health inequities.

Although there are some obvious risk factors that exacerbate the effects of COVID and Alzheimers on Black populations (such as increased rates of diabetes stemming from poor nutrition), scientists still do not fully understand why these health disparity gaps are so large, Mark Gluck, a professor of neuroscience and public health at Rutgers University-Newark, told The Daily Beast. Genetics and differences in immune systems may play a role, but specific ideas are hard to come by yet.

Gluck spearheads the ongoing COVID-Alzheimers study, alongside Patricia Fitzgerald-Bocarsly, an immune system researcher and Provost of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Science-Newar, and Maria Laura Gennaro, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Rutgers. By examining the questions surrounding COVIDlike why age is a risk factor and why some develop long-haul symptomsthe team hopes to gain insights into Alzheimers disease that we would never have had otherwise, said Gluck.

In some ways, examining what COVID has to do with the brain is really a proxy for understanding the immune systems effect on the brain. Its known that the immune system plays a role in the development of Alzheimers: People with the disease have faulty microglia (a type of immune cell), and chronic inflammation is generally thought to drive cognitive decline. Its possible, Gluck explained, that to some degree, Alzheimers may be like an autoimmune disorder, in which immune cells attack healthy brain cells and damage brain tissue via inflammation.

COVID can induce an immune response in the brain, which may explain why some people develop brain fog and memory loss. This may mirror what is happening in the brains of people with Alzheimer's. It also suggests that Alzheimers researchers, who mostly talk to scientists studying neurodegenerative diseases, should be talking more to immunologists, Gluck said.

Fitzgerald-Boscarly is one of those immunologists. While scientists have been interested in the intersection of the immune system and neuroscience for decades, she told The Daily Beast that whats happening now is a maturation of the field boosted by advanced research tools. Early in her career, she was in the lab that saw some of the very first patients with HIV in New York. HIV also triggers inflammation, which can damage the brain.

In a sense, my career to date has been bookended by these two pandemics: HIV and COVID, Fitzgerald-Boscarly said.

In June 2020, Fitzgerald-Boscarly released findings that in older adults, theres a buildup of cytotoxic T cells (which kill cancerous or infected cells) that no longer function due to agingwhat biologists call senescent cells. She believes that an accumulation of these faulty cells in older people may, in part, drive up chronic low-grade inflammation that contributes to diseases like dementia. Their presence may also explain why COVID is deadlier for older people.

The team is especially curious about the gene variants APOE4 and APOE2which are known to play a role in Alzheimers risk. APOE4 is the strongest risk factor gene for Alzheimers disease, and early research suggests it also increases the risk of developing severe COVID. Meanwhile, APOE2 appears to protect against developing Alzheimers disease. The question now is whether or not it may also shield asymptomatic patients from the most serious outcomes of COVID.

Supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health awarded in April 2021, the Rutgers study is currently enrolling Black adults over 60 in the Newark area. The goal is to build a cohort of 200 to 300 participants, half of whom have had varying degrees of COVID and half who have not. They will be asked about their sleep, fitness, cognitive status, and overall health while participating in genotyping and brain scans.

Dr. Alexander Salerno is a partner in this recruitment. He runs Salerno Medical Associates, a family-owned practice that serves the communities of Newark and East Orange, New Jersey. His practice serves roughly 20,000 residents across five clinics, including 6,000 older Black individualsat least half of whom came down with COVID between 2020 and 2021.

When Salerno looks back on when COVID first hit his community, its with pride and astonishment. As other practices closed, his clinics stayed open. In spring 2020, the Salerno Medical Associates partnered with Rutgers to get FDA approval for saliva testing and subsequently went to work, testing hundreds of patients a day. The rules were constantly changing and resources were nearly impossible to get.

It was really tough in the beginning, Salerno told The Daily Beast. Our offices are technically in federally underserved areas when it comes to primary care. Now add a pandemic to that. Our urban community was very vulnerable.

Today, Salerno sees many different degrees of long haul syndrome. But its difficult to know what is strictly COVID-caused or not. Many of his patients paused care during the worst of the pandemic, and in turn, many cases of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease got worse. He suspects some patients who had COVID but dont show signs of further illness yet may still in the future. The summation of it all we have yet to truly understand, Salerno says.

When Salerno gauges patient interest in participating in the Rutgers study, its within an overall conversation about brain health. His goal is to destigmatize dementia and educate his patients on the controllable factors, like diet and exercise, that can modify risk and severity.

Gluck believes the community-oriented nature of Salernos practice, along with its history, motivates its clients to participate in the study. Salernos parents founded the practice in the 1950s, and after the 1967 Newark riots erupted amid racial tensions, they stayed while other businesses left. The practice also serves patients through three programs designed to expand access to care and increase healthcare knowledge

We feel this is important because healthcare is not a one-size-fits-all approach, Salerno said. Not everyone can get to a clinic or doctors office, and when they do, theres a lot of disservice as opposed to good service.

In the far future, that service may include care for Alzheimers informed by participation in the Rutgers study.

From the diagnosis point of view, understanding the role of the immune system in Alzheimers could help us understand whos most at-risk, Gluck says.

Furthermore, knowing which aspects of the immune system are exactly involved could lead to therapeutic interventions that target them. This necessitates much more research, Fitzgerald-Boscarly explains. For example, its known that drugs called senolytics clear senescent cells. But because evolution has allowed senescent cells to accumulate, its possible theres some benefits. The trick will be determining how to make quality therapies, without inadvertently causing harm.

For now, the focus of the research is to study people at increased risk for Alzheimers and COVID and look for patterns, but there are plans to collaborate with other universities and examine the immune system reactions of older adults who were hospitalized with COVID. They are pressing into this area of neuroimmunology, Fitzgerald-Boscarly said. As a scientist, no two days are the sameas studies grow and evolve, theres the joy of discovery.

Read this article:
Meet the Scientists Racing to Unravel COVID's Hidden Link to Alzheimer's - The Daily Beast

A few months ago, Candice Matthis and Debbie Nichols sat down with their husbands to have some bacon. It was an unremarkable scene, except for two details.

First, there were the EpiPens, which Matthis and Nichols both had ready in case of emergency. The two women cant eat red meat, not after they were each diagnosed with a dangerous red-meat allergy that develops, oddly enough, after tick bites. They had bonded as friends over their strange shared fate, where a strip of bacon could send them into anaphylactic shock. Matthis is so sensitive that even the airborne particles wafting off a pan of cooking meat typically make her sick. But this time, nothing happened to her as the bacon sizzled. Her EpiPen remained untouched. Nichols made herself a BLT. It had been years, she told me. And for her, too, nothing happened, except that she remembered how good a BLT tasted.

Which brings us to the second remarkable thing about the meal. This bacon was not your regular bacon, or even your fancy pasture-raised, thick-cut bacon; this bacon was so exclusive that its not available in stores. It came from Revivicor, a biotechnology company that genetically modifies pigs to create organs suitable for transplant into humans. (One of its pig hearts was experimentally transplanted into a human for the first time this January.) It just so happens that the same moleculea sugar called alpha-galthat causes the human immune system to reject pig organs also causes the tick-associated red-meat allergy, known as alpha-gal syndrome. To make a pig whose organs could be harvested for transplant, Revivicor first had to make an alpha-gal-free pig. And when it did, the company realized that transplant surgeons werent the only ones interested.

Since last fall, Revivicor has been quietly sending refrigerated packages of alpha-gal-free bacon, ham, ground pork, chops, and pork shoulders to people in the alpha-gal-syndrome community. These packages were free, but Revivicor has told the FDA it is exploring a mail-order business. And so a biomedical company has found itself an accidental purveyor of specialty pork products.

Alpha-gal syndrome is an unusual allergy with an unusual history, even before genetically modified bacon entered the picture. It was considered a rare curiosity when it was first discovered in 2008. Since then, the true prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome has begun to reveal itself; tens of thousands of Americans likely have it. And the tick species that causes this syndrome, the Lone Star tick, is spreading across the United States too. Exactly how the bites of the Lone Star tick trigger this specific immune reaction to alpha-gal is still unknown. One hypothesis is that the ticks saliva also contains the sugar molecule.

Although sometimes shorthanded as an allergy to red meat, alpha-gal syndrome is more accurately called an allergy to mammalian products. The molecule is found in the bodies of nearly all mammals other than primates, where it likely functions as a molecular tag. It is in muscle and fat, which means steaks, bacon, and lamb chops are obvious no-nos for people with alpha-gal syndrome. But for people who are more sensitive to alpha-gal, dairy can also trigger a reaction. And for the small minority who are the most sensitive, avoiding alpha-gal means hunting for mammalian by-products hiding in the most unexpected places: drug capsules and candy (which can contain gelatin), face creams (collagen), and lip balm (lanolin). Even a wool sweater can make some people break out in hives.

To avoid alpha-gal, Matthis and Nicholswho blog about alpha-gal syndrome as the Two Alpha Galshad to dramatically restructure their diets and their lives. I was a huge Paleo person, says Matthis, which obviously wasnt going to work anymore. She eventually went vegan.

Her entire family had to give up red meat at home because of her sensitivity to meat fumes. They went through their own mourning, she told me. It was hard, but they understood the danger; her teenage children have had to take her to the ER in anaphylactic shock. Eating in restaurants is a total minefield, so she packs a cooler of safe foods when she travels. Nichols, for her part, went on a cruise a few months after she was first diagnosed, thinking she could just avoid beef, pork, and dairy. She woke up in the middle of the night in what she now understands to have been anaphylaxis. In retrospect, she must have accidentally eaten something of mammalian origin. She remembers pacing the top deck, trying desperately to breathe, and waking a nurse, who did not believe that she had such an allergy. Im never going on a cruise again, she told me. Never!

Skepticism from doctors and nurses is unfortunately not uncommon. Alpha-gal syndrome doesnt quite look like typical food allergies, says Scott Commins, an allergist at the University of North Carolina who originally helped discover the syndrome back in 2008. The symptoms usually appear hours after eating rather than immediately. At 2 a.m., no one really in the ER thinks to ask what you had for dinner at 8 p.m., he told me. The delay is a big issue. And while some people have classic allergy symptoms such as hives and swelling of the lips and tongue, others tend to have gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain and diarrhea. A diagnosis requires a test for antibodies against alpha-gal. Some patients told me they had a relatively easy time getting the test; others had to deal with doctors totally unfamiliar with alpha-gal. Living in Nevada, nobody really has alpha-gal [syndrome] unless they moved here, says Ilana Short, who lives in Las Vegas now but grew up in Tennessee. (Lone Star ticks are currently found in the eastern, southern, and midwestern United States, though they have been moving west.) She had unexplained hives for years before she was finally diagnosed.

Commins first got in touch with Revivicor years ago when he was looking into alpha-gal-free pigs as an experimental model to study the allergy. Revivicor, for its part, was not founded with niche food allergies in mind. It is and has always been focused on the goal of xenotransplantation, or animal-to-human organ transplants. Alpha-gal happens to be one of the biological obstacles to that goal. Because human bodies dont naturally produce this molecule, its presence on, say, a pig organ causes immune rejection. To get around this, Revivicor had to create a pig lacking a functional gene for alpha-gal. If this strategy to get around the immune system worked for transplants, it could work for food allergies too.

Again, Revivicor was focused on transplants. We didnt at first think there were enough patients with alpha-gal syndrome to really be a blip on their radar screen, Commins told me. But over time, the community of people with the syndrome has grown larger and larger. They joined Facebook groups to swap information and tips and recipes. And some of them started reaching out to Revivicor about its alpha-gal-free pigs.

One of these people with alpha-gal syndrome happened to be Steve Troxler, who is, ironically enough, the agriculture commissioner of North Carolina, one of the top hog-producing states in the nation. Part of my job as a commissioner of agriculture is to be able to eat more barbecue than any human being on the face of the Earth, he says, which became rather awkward when he developed the allergy in 2017. When Troxler heard about Revivicor, he saw the benefit both for people with alpha-gal syndrome and, potentially, for North Carolina. He sprang into action.

With his decades of agriculture-industry experience, Troxler knew which people at the FDA to introduce the company to and how to navigate the complex regulatory process. It kind of became a part of my lifes work to try to help get this product to the market, he told me. The agency took 20 years to approve the first genetically modified animal for food, the AquaBounty salmon. Troxler was proud to help get Revivicors pigonly the second genetically modified food animalapproved in a relatively speedy two years. In December 2020, the FDA gave Revivicors GalSafe pig an official stamp of approval. (These pigs are not, by the way, the exact same pigs whose organs were used in the much-publicized pig-heart transplant or in two recent kidney transplants into brain-dead patients. Xenotransplantation requires a suite of additional genetic modifications to minimize rejection and make the organs comparable in size to humans.)

The original herd of GalSafe pigs at the time of approval was smallreportedly numbering just 25. And Revivicor still has a long road to travel to commercial availability. The pigs are currently raised at a facility in Iowa, but Troxler hopes to set up a bigger production plant in, of course, North Carolina, with the alpha-gal-free pork hitting the market in 18 months. Revivicor has been very tight-lipped about its plans for commercializing GalSafe pork. The company, which rarely grants media interviews, declined to comment for this story.

Late last year, though, the company began offering free samples of GalSafe pork products in limited quantities. An order form began to circulate among the alpha-gal support groups on Facebook. Amber Shifflett received her order of four ham steaks and four packs of ground pork last fall. She had had to give up her beloved steaks and bacon breakfasts when she was diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome earlier in the year. Now she has carefully rationed her precious stock of alpha-gal-free pork. She ate the ham steaks for Christmas. That was my Christmas present to myself, she told me. The ground pork is still in her freezer, waiting for a special occasion. Im so hesitant because theyre the last of my samples, she said. Maybe shell have them for a cookout this summer, when everyone else is chowing down on red meat. She is still researching the right recipe.

The half-dozen people I talked with who tried the Revivicor meat all had good experiences. Troxler, in his expert opinion, said the pork tasted just like normal pork. No one had allergic reactions. The only bad thing is it reminded me how delicious pork is, says Sharon Forsyth, who has had the syndrome for three years and runs the site Alpha-gal Information. Scott Commins is about to begin a study, funded by Revivicor, to formally confirm the porks safety for people with alpha-gal syndrome, because the FDA approval was just for general consumption.

As nice as it was to taste pork again, those who tried Revivicors pork told me, it didnt solve the challenges of living with alpha-gal. Some missed eating bacon more than others, but they all missed the carefreeness they hadnt known theyd once enjoyed. I miss being able to have a normal life, Forsyth said. I miss being able to travel. I miss being able to eat out without it always being an ordeal. One of her good friends lives in Madagascar, but she cant fathom traveling to a country where she doesnt speak the language and where she would have to ask about the presence of meat and dairy and hidden mammalian ingredients such as gelatin in everything she used or ate.

Its not just food and personal care products she worries about. Mammalian by-products are also used widely in medicine: Replacement heart valves come from pigs or cows; vaccines can contain additives such as glycerin or bovine extract; gelatin is in drug capsules; sutures can have collagen; and monoclonal antibodies can be derived from mammals or mammalian cell lines. In fact, one of the first pieces of evidence that clued scientists in to alpha-gal syndrome was when cancer patients in areas with ticks started reacting to a mouse-derived monoclonal-antibody treatment. Most people with alpha-gal syndrome are not so sensitive that they have to avoid all of these medical products, but some are. Imagine that youre sick in a hospital, Forsyth said, and you have to worry about reacting to not just the food you eat but the drugs youre given.

But Revivicors pigs could offer a safer alternative here, too. Having pork is great, Commins said. But to me its really the medical uses of these animals that can be really helpful for patients. They might not be as sci-fi as transplanting whole pig organs, but alpha-gal-free sutures and heart valves would matter to these patients. The genetically modified pigs that were created for xenotransplant research and then turned into niche pork products might become medical products again.

Original post:
A Tick Bite Made Them Allergic to Meat - The Atlantic

There are various types of neuropathy depending on what nerves are damaged, compressed or defective. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common, but there is also proximal, cranial, autonomic and focal neuropathy. Your symptoms can stem from one nerve being affected (mononeuropathy), all your nerves (poly) or two nerves being damaged (multiple mononeuropathy). Learn about the various types of neuropathy, how they affect you and how you can treat them at Spine Correction Center of the Rockies.

An estimated 20 million people in the United States have some form of neuropathy. As we mentioned, there are five main categories to consider. Common types of neuropathyare broken down for you below:

Peripheral Neuropathy is the most common form of neuropathy in patients. This condition results from damage to the peripheral nervous system the massive communications network that manages information between the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to every other part of your body. This particular nerve damage affects areas such as your toes, feet, legs, fingers, hands and arms. Many patients find that complementary and alternative therapies are effective in managing pain caused by peripheral neuropathy.

Proximal Neuropathy is the second most common form of neuropathy. This form of neuropathy encompasses nerve damage in your thighs, hips or gluteal areas of your body. The condition usually affects one side of the body, but can spread to the other side as well.

Cranial Neuropathy is a condition describing nerve damage to any of the 12 cranial nerves. The cranial nerves are those that travel from your brain or brainstem. These nerves affect areas like the face and eyes. Johns Hopkins medical library breaks down the the different types of cranial neuropathies as:

Autonomic Neuropathy occurs when nerves of your involuntary nervous system (the heart, circulation, digestion, sweat glands, bowel and/or bladder, and sexual organs) are damaged. While diabetes is the most common cause of autonomic neuropathy, other health conditions or infections can also trigger autonomic neuropathy symptoms. Some medications have been shown to cause this particular kind of nerve damage as well.

One of the less common forms of neuropathy, Focal Neuropathy, sometimes referred to as mononeuropathy, affects a single nervecommonly, those of the wrist, thigh, or foot, although it can sometimes affect the nerves of the back and chest, as well as those that control the eye muscles. Diabetes is often the root cause of this form of neuropathy.

When it comes to identifying the cause of your neuropathy symptoms, a thorough evaluation is essential. Neuropathy may be caused by:

To diagnose your particular symptoms, and to get to the root of your problem, involve a specialist at Spine Correction Center of the Rockies. Not only can a specialist uncover the cause of your symptoms, but they can also prescribe targeted treatment options to restore function and eliminate pain.

Dont be tempted to mask your symptoms with narcotics or over-the-counter medications. The only correct way to treat neuropathy is to identify the underlying cause and address the abnormality. Controlling blood sugar levels, treating alcohol abuse, improving ones nutrition, treating or managing autoimmune diseases, correcting the spinal, muscle or bone structural abnormalities through non-invasive, chiropractic therapies are some of the solid treatment strategies that need to be implemented in individual cases depending on the cause of neuropathy.

If you are a victim of the pain and dysfunction neuropathy can cause, dont postpone getting help from a specialist in the field! Spine Correction Center of the Rockies offers you expertly-trained chiropractors and medical personnel, prepared to diagnose the cause of your neuropathy and plan individual treatment strategy for your needs. We offer non-invasive, drug-free therapies, correction of the underlying medical problem and professional nutritional and lifestyle advice. Call now for a FREE Consultation, (970) 658-5115.

More:
5 Types of Neuropathy and What to Do About Them | Fort ...

Clival chordoma (CC) is a rare neoplasm that arises from remnants of the embryonic notochord. Common sites of chordoma development are the sacrococcygeal area and the skull base. Intracranial chordomas usually arise from the region of the clivus. Diplopia is a common complaint but isolated optic nerve compression is rare; among intracranial neoplasms, chordomas were found in less than 0.7% of cases. We describe a case of visual loss due to unilateral compressive optic neuropathy as the presenting manifestation of this uncommon intracranial tumor.

A 26-year-old man presented complaining of progressive visual loss in the right eye (OD) for the past eight months. He denied headache, diplopia, or any other neurologic symptoms and felt otherwise well. His past medical history was non-contributory and he was taking no medications. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/200 OD and 20/20 in the left eye (OS). Extraocular motility was full. External exam was normal and there was no proptosis or ptosis. Pupils were isocoric with a right relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD). Intraocular pressure measurements and anterior segment examination were within normal limits in both eyes (OU). Fundus examination (Figure 1) revealed optic nerve pallor OD and a normal optic disc OS.

The standard computerized visual field (Figure 2) showed a diffuse defect OD and a superior mild fascicular defect OS. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a large intracranial mass with radiologic features of CC (Figure 3), with the upward displacement of the chiasm and asymmetric involvement of optic nerves (figure 4). The patient underwent subtotal neurosurgical resection and pathology was consistent with a chordoma (Figure 5) but there was no improvement in visual acuity or visual field.

CC is a rare neoplasm with an incidence rate of less than 0.1 per 100.000 per year [1]. CCs arise from remnants of the embryonic notochord [2] and show both epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation. Common sites of chordoma development are the sacrococcygeal area in 50-60% of cases and the skull base (spheno-occipital area) in 25-35% of the cases. Uncommonly, it may develop from cervical, thoracic, or lumbar vertebrae [3].

Histologically chordomas show a typical pattern of lobules separated by fibrous bands. Each lobule displays vacuolated, atypical neoplastic cells within a myxoid stroma [4]. Age at presentation is around the fifth or sixth decades for the sacrococcygeal type and even earlier for skull-base chordomas [3].

In several large reviews of patients with intracranial neoplasms, chordomas were found in 0.1-0.7% of patients [5]. Intracranial chordomas usually arise from the region of the clivus and account, as previously reported, for about one-third of all cases [3]. Although the tumor rarely metastasizes, advanced secondary lesions may affect the lungs, bone, liver soft tissues, lymph nodes, and skin [6].When arising from the clivus, common symptoms are headache, facial numbness, nasal discharge, dysphagia, and cranial nerve palsy. Diplopia is a common complaint since the most common cranial nerve to be compressed is the sixth cranial nerve with unilateral or bilateral abducens deficit. Third and fourth nerve palsies are also possible as well as complete unilateral ophthalmoplegia from multiple cranial nerve involvement.

Volpe and coworkersreviewed the neuro-ophthalmologic findings in chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base [5]. In the group of 48 patients with chordoma, decreased visual acuity was present in only four patients (8%) but in only two cases (4%) was visual loss an isolated finding.The pattern of the visual field loss differed in each patient, with some displaying a central scotoma, altitudinal defects, junctional scotoma, or bi-temporal hemianopsia. In a series of 12 patients, Harbour and coworkers found that visual loss was present in only three patients (25%), but none of them complained of visual loss as the presenting symptom [7]. In another case series of 63 patients affected by intracranial chordoma, Bagan et al. found 39 patients (62%) with isolated ophthalmic manifestations [8].Visual loss was present in only 10 patients (16%) and among those patients who initially had only one symptom, only three of them (4.7%) complained of isolated visual loss.

Although isolated and progressive unilateral visual loss from compression of the anterior visual pathway is an uncommon finding in CC, clinicians should be aware of this presentation. Neuroimaging typically demonstrates the compressive lesion and the origin at the clivus consistent with CC. Gross total resection is the best treatment.

Read more here:
Unilateral Compressive Optic Neuropathy As the Presenting Manifestation of Clival Chordoma: A Case Report - Cureus

Trigeminal neuropathies (TNp) are a group of well-characterized disorders that involve damage to or infiltration of the trigeminal nerve. The underlying etiology of trigeminal neuropathy can be traumatic, inflammatory, autoimmune, paraneoplastic, malignant, and very rarely infectious. We present a case of trigeminal neuropathy due to local malignant invasion of the mandibular nerve with mandibular nerve enhancement at the foramen ovale and foramen rotundum. In the process, we review various etiologies of trigeminal neuropathy associated with trigeminal nerve involvement at the foramina. We emphasize the importance of a comprehensive evaluation in patients with trigeminal neuropathy, which includes searching for perineural spread or invasion by a local head and neck malignancy, as well as ruling out an inflammatory or autoimmune etiology. Our case also demonstrates that a higher field strength magnet can reveal pathology unseen with a lower field strength magnet.

The trigeminal nerve, cranial nerve V, is the largest of the 12 cranial nerves and has mixed sensory and motor functions. Its origin is in the brainstem and includes three sensory nuclei (mesencephalic, principal sensory, and spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve) and one motor nucleus (motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve). Sensory information travels via afferent neurons from the face to the trigeminal ganglion and distributes via the various sensory trigeminal nuclei. Sensory information, such as pain and temperature, is then relayed to the contralateral thalamus and eventually synapses in the postcentral gyrus. Motor information travels via efferent neurons from the motor nucleus directly to its targets: masseters, temporalis, and pterygoid muscles [1,2].

The trigeminal nerve divides into three branches at the Gasserian ganglion in Meckels cave [3]. The three branches consist of the ophthalmic nerve (V1), the maxillary nerve (V2), and the mandibular nerve (V3). The ophthalmic nerve (V1) travels through the cavernous sinus, exits the base of the skull, and enters the orbit via the superior orbital fissure. The maxillary nerve (V2) accompanies the ophthalmic nerve in the cavernous sinus as it makes its way to the pterygopalatine fossa by exiting the skull base via the foramen rotundum. At the pterygopalatine fossa, the maxillary nerve splits into many branches. A trigeminal nerve deficit (V1 and V2) and a sixth nerve palsy localize a lesion to the cavernous sinus. The mandibular nerve (V3) does not traverse the cavernous sinus but runs along and eventually exits the base of the skull via the foramen ovale into the masticator space [4].

The ophthalmic and maxillary nerves are sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve. The ophthalmic division branches into the frontal, lacrimal, nasociliary, tentorial, and dural nerves. These nerves provide sensory innervation to the cutaneous surfaces of the upper eyelids, forehead, and sides of the nose. The nasociliary nerve specifically innervates the tip and the sides of the nose, and its involvement in herpes zoster ophthalmicus is known as Hutchinsons sign. The ophthalmic branches also innervate the mucosa of the frontal sinus, lacrimal glands, cornea, conjunctiva, ciliary body, and dura mater [5]. Damage to some of these branches, more specifically to the parasympathetic efferent nerves of the lacrimal glands, can manifest as dry eyes in Sjogrens syndrome. The maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve branches into the infraorbital, zygomatic, greater palatine, lesser palatine, posterior superior alveolar, and meningeal nerves. These nerves provide sensory innervation to the region below the orbit and above the mouth, the maxillary teeth, and the maxillary sinus.

The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve is unique in that it branches into both sensory and motor nerves. Sensory nerves include meningeal, lingual, auriculotemporal, inferior alveolar, buccal, and mental nerves. A mental neuropathy with numbness of the chin is a sinister sign of local malignant invasion. These nerves provide sensory information to the region below the mouth, the mandibular teeth, and the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The motor nerves include the masseteric, deep temporal, medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and mylohyoid branches. A motor nerve root supplies the tensor veli palatini, a lesion of which causes palatal myoclonus. Another motor twig goes to the tensor tympani, and injury here leads to hyperacusis [2,5]. It should also be emphasized that the mandibular branches, with the ophthalmic branches, supply the dura mater of the anterior and middle cranial fossa.

Neoplastic, autoimmune, paraneoplastic, and autoimmune processes can damage the trigeminal nerve, leading to trigeminal neuropathy (TNp) [6,7]. The characteristic findings of TNp include facial numbness and weakness of the muscles of mastication. TNp is different from trigeminal neuralgia (TN), which is characterized by episodes of sudden, very brief, severe, sharp, shooting facial pain. The initial presentation of TNp can include pain; however, with disease progression, facial numbness and masticatory muscle weakness may predominate [8]. As TNp may be the initial presentation, malignancies of the head and neck should always be in the differential diagnosis, and a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and skull base with and without gadolinium enhancement is paramount [9].

We present the case of a relatively healthy 80-year-old female who presented to the clinic with a several month history of recurrent sharp, shooting left midfacial pain. The pain was associated with tingling in the left half of the face and loss of taste. With initial symptom presentation, the patient went to the emergency department and was diagnosed with Bells palsy and was given gabapentin for the pain. At her follow-up at the neurology clinic, she presented with unimproved symptoms in addition to newly developed left lower facial weakness and occasional chewing difficulty. She denied hyperacusis.Twenty years ago, she had presented with a left midface nodule, which was excised and diagnosed as a basal cell carcinoma. She has not had a recurrence since.

Her past medical history is significant for hypertension, for which she takes lisinopril 10 mg once daily. The patient denied any significant family history. She has never smoked, does not consume alcohol, and denies using any illicit or recreational drugs. Constitutional symptoms including weight loss, fever, and malaise were not reported.

Vital signs revealed a blood pressure (BP) of 170/91 mmHg with a pulse of 81 beats per minute and oxygen saturation of 97%. The patients height was 5 feet and 8 inches with a weight of 185 pounds and a body mass index of 28.1 kg/m2. Physical examination showed a well-nourished individualwhowas alert, relaxed, and cooperative. The patient was oriented to person, place, situation, and time. Gait was steady with a normal base, arm swing, and turning. Heel- and toe-walking was normal with an absent Romberg sign. Speech was of normal tone, volume, and prosody.

Cranial nerve examination revealed normal extraocular motion with symmetric pupils and preserved accommodation, and visual fields were full to confrontation. There was a striking decrease insensationto touch and pinprick over the left V2 and V3 distribution. The corneal reflex was brisk bilaterally. No masseter or temporal muscle atrophy was noted bilaterally. Left lower facial weakness was noted with depressed nasolabial fold, inability to blow the left cheek,andconspicuous sagging of the left lower face. Hearing was intact to finger rub bilaterally. The gag reflex was preserved bilaterally with a tongue that protruded to the midline. The trapezii and sternocleidomastoids were well developed and symmetric, and she executed shoulder shrug and head-turning with adequate power.

Motor examination showed good muscle bulk and tone. No pronator drift or spastic catch of the arms was noted, and the legs were of normal tone. Strength was graded at 5/5 with the Medical Research Council (MRC) rating scale in the upper and lower extremities bilaterally. Sensation to vibration, position, light touch, and pinprick was normal in the fingers and toes. Deep tendon reflexes (biceps, triceps, brachioradialis, patellar, and Achilles) were lively and bilaterally symmetric. Babinski sign was absent bilaterally. Finger-to-nose and heel-to-shin motions were normal bilaterally. An initial 1.5-Tesla MRI of the brain with and without contrast revealed an asymmetrical enhancement of the left mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve as it extended through the foramen ovale(Figure 1).

A second 3-Tesla high-resolution MRI of the brain and skull base with and without contrast showed far more detail than the lower 1.5-Tesla MRI with abnormal enhancement of the left nasolabial fold and perineural tumor spread along the left infraorbital nerve to the left pterygopalatine fossa (Figure 2).

A lumbar puncture was performed; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was negative for malignant cells by flow cytometry, and the CSF findings are summarized in Table 1.

Isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunoblotting were used to perform oligoclonal banding testing. One paired band and zero nucleated cells were found in both the CSF and serum, which indicates an inflammatory process outside the central nervous system. Zero oligoclonal bands were found in the CSF, which rules out an ongoing central nervous system inflammatory process.

A paraneoplastic panel including anti-acetylcholine receptor ganglionic neuronal antibodies, anti-amphiphysin antibodies, anti-glial nuclear antibody type 1, anti-neuronal nuclear antibody type 2, anti-neuronal nuclear antibody type 3, collapsing response-mediator protein-5 (CRMP-5) immunoglobulin G, neuronal voltage-gated potassium channel antibodies, calcium channel antibody P/Q-type, and Purkinje cell cytoplasmic antibodies were negative.A referral to the ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist revealed no cervical adenopathy or neck masses. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis did not reveal evidence of malignancy. The patient refused a facial nerve biopsy of a facial nerve twig of the parotid gland and other invasive procedures including a skin biopsy over the nasolabial fold. It was determined that the likely source of the malignant perineural spread along the skull base foramina (foramen rotundum and ovale) was dormant basal cell carcinoma cells. The patient received proton beam radiation therapy to the involved sites, including the maxillary region of the face, the involved sinuses, and the skull base.

Neoplastic involvement of the trigeminal nerve can cause TNp and can pathologically be attributed to nerve compression, perineural spread (PNS), and/or perineural invasion (PNI). Metastasis from breast or lung cancer to the Gasserian ganglion is rare, as is leptomeningeal metastasis, which is usually lymphomatous [8,10]. Carcinomatous leptomeningitis can affect other cranial nerves and can rarely present with an isolated TN and/or TNp [11].Most primary tumors of the trigeminal nerve are due to a schwannoma and rarely are due to meningioma, lipoma, or epidermoid tumor [12].

The peripheral and cranial nerves harbor three layers of connective tissue across their diameter: endoneurium, perineurium, and epineurium. The perineural space is located between the nerve axon and the perineural layer. This potential space can allow for tumor spread and growth. There are two types of perineural tumor growth: perineural invasion (PNI) and perineural spread (PNS). PNI is defined by malignant cells invading the perineural space and is a histological diagnosis. PNS is a radiological diagnosis of malignant spread along the nerve and is identified by enhancement detected by high-resolution MRI. During the initial stages of the disease, only PNI may be present. As disease progression occurs, PNI can become PNS, which is clinically more aggressive [13,14]. A patient with numbness to the territory innervated by the mental branch of the mandibular nerve should always raise a red flag. The mental branch is purely sensory in function and provides cutaneous innervation to the lower lip and chin. This characteristic numbness is aptly named the numb-chin syndrome. Malignant mental neuropathy can indicate the presence and/or recurrence of a malignant tumor [15]. Facial numbness that spreadsand radiates into the tongue, roof of the mouth, and inside the cheeks should raise a high index of suspicion for an inflammatory or malignant invasion of the trigeminal nerve.

Hence, perineural tumor spread of carcinoma may be seen along the maxillary and mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. Nerve enhancement is one of the radiological findings in perineural tumor spread and can serve as a dependable sign. High-resolution MRI is the imaging modality of choice due to its ability to demonstrate soft tissue in high detail. MRI enhancement of the mandibular nerve in asymptomatic patients is very uncommon and was only seen in 3% of patient cases without symptoms of TNp. Therefore, when symptomatic maxillary or mandibular nerve enhancement is discovered on MRI, a high index of suspicion for an underlying disease process should be raised [16,17].

Perineural spread of head and neck cancers is a well-described phenomenon. At the cellular level, neural secretion of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) may allow perineural spread. GDNF phosphorylates the rearranged during transfection (RET) tyrosine kinase receptor that triggers downstream signaling pathways that allow malignant cell migration [18]. Adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common malignancies that can spread perineurally [3]. Although not the most common, basal cell carcinoma has been described in the literature. However, very few cases exist where the only clinical manifestation of basal cell carcinoma recurrence is trigeminal neuropathy [19].

Additional etiologies of TNp include inflammatory, autoimmune, paraneoplastic, and infectious disorders. Inflammatory/autoimmune etiologies include sarcoidosis, Lymes disease, Sjogrens syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus [8]. Malignancies that can cause paraneoplastic syndrome include, but are not limited to, small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer. TNp can be one of the first clinical manifestations of a paraneoplastic syndrome [20]. Infectious causes include leprosy, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, actinomycosis, and aspergillus [8].

In conclusion, the diagnosis of trigeminal neuropathy should evoke a specific set of differential diagnoses. Since trigeminal neuropathy can be one of the first and only manifestations of a head and neck tumor, local malignant perineural invasion should be seriously considered. A high-resolution MRI of the skull base with and without gadolinium contrast enhancement should be ordered as our case demonstrates that a higher magnetic field strength can highlight pathology not seen with lower magnetic field strength MRI.

See original here:
A Case of Secondary Trigeminal Neuropathy Due to Local Malignant Invasion of the Maxillary and Mandibular Nerves at the Skull Base: A Case Report With...

Marketreports.info has released a report titled Global Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug Market that includes industry growth factors for the projected period of 2022-2030. The information looks at a significant global Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug market, the dynamics driving it, the factors restraining it, and the opportunities for growing demand.

The full report appropriately depicts the geographic coverage of the global Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug market. This study provides a benchmark analysis based on corporate insights, distribution channels, market share, regional presence, business strategy, leveraged buyouts, technological advances, recent news, joint projects, agreements, SWOT analysis, and critical financial data.

DOWNLOAD FREE SAMPLE REPORT: marketreports.info/sample/16173/Lebers-Hereditary-Optic-Neuropathy-Drug

The regions and countries are discussed in the global Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug market report:

North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America)

Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

Segments covered in this report are:

Segment by Type Elamipretide GS-011 IXC-201 KH-176 OthersSegment by Application Hospital Clinic Others

They are the key players profiled in the global market report:

Alkeus Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biovista Inc., GenSight Biologics S.A., Ixchel Pharma LLC, Khondrion BV, Spark Therapeutics Inc., Stealth BioTherapeutics Inc.

ACCESS FULL REPORT: marketreports.info/industry-report/16173/Lebers-Hereditary-Optic-Neuropathy-Drug

The study examines global Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug market trends, inflation rates, driving factors, and competition intensity by segment. The news gathers first-hand knowledge, descriptive and analytical assessments by industry analysts, and input from professionals in the field and content providers at all phases of the manufacturing process.

One of the most critical factors in collecting this report was its correctness and statistics research methodology. The data is combined with a diverse mix of experience, analytics, machine learning, and data science to produce research approaches that result in a various yet accurate analysis of the worldwide Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug market.

Important Questions Answered:

Which Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug market segments are attracting the most attention?

Who are the major market players contending with and developing in the Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug market?

Customization of the Lebers Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug Report:

This report can be customized to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales team (sales@marketreports.info), who will ensure that you get a report that suits your needs. You can also get in touch with our executives directly to share your research requirements.

About Us

Marketreports.info is a global market research and consulting service provider specialized in offering wide range of business solutions to their clients including market research reports, primary and secondary research, demand forecasting services, focus group analysis and other services. We understand that how data is important in today's competitive environment and thus, we have collaborated with industry's leading research providers who works continuously to meet the ever-growing demand for market research reports throughout the year.

Contact Us:

CarlAllison (Head of Business Development)

Tiensestraat 32/0302,3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Market Reports

phone:+44 141 628 5998

Email: sales@marketreports.info

Website: http://www.marketreports.info

Link:
Global Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Drug Market 2022 to 2031 Analysis themobility.club - themobility.club

Vitamin B12 is an important B vitamin. It is one of the most important vitamins in maintaining the nervous system, and also plays a crucial role in a variety of bodily processes, including:

However, despite its importance, in the United States and United Kingdom, approximately six per cent of adults aged 60 or younger have a vitamin B12 deficiency. The rate jumps to 20 per cent in people older than 60.

The danger with this, according to the NHS, is that consistently low levels of B12 can cause "damage" to parts of the nervous system, and can even progress to irreversible neurological issues if left untreated. For example, a b12 deficiency can lead to peripheral neuropathy.

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in your feet include:

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

Play now

"These symptoms are usually constant, but may come and go," explains the health body. As MyLondon reported recently, it's important to see your GP if you're experiencing any of the above symptoms.

Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition whereby your immune system attacks the cells in your stomach that produce the intrinsic factor, which means your body is unable to absorb vitamin B12.

B12 is naturally found in:

Plant-based sources of vitamin B12 include yeast extract (such as Marmite) fortified plant milks and fortified breakfast cereals.

"If youre following a plant-based diet, taking a vitamin B12 supplement can help prevent a deficiency," says Holland and Barrett. "Breast-feeding mothers could also consider a supplement, as they need an extra 0.5mcg a day."

As it explains, older people, or those taking medication to reduce production of stomach acid, may need a B12 supplement to boost absorption. Most cases of vitamin B12 and folate deficiency can be easily treated with injections or tablets to replace the missing vitamins, the NHS says.

Vitamin B12 supplements are usually given by injection at first. Then, depending on whether your B12 deficiency is related to your diet, you'll either require B12 tablets between meals or regular injections.

These treatments may be needed for the rest of your life. In some cases, improving your diet can help treat the condition and prevent it coming back.

For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.

The rest is here:
Risks of vitamin B12 deficiency and the symptoms to look out for - My London

NeuraLace Medical has announced the expansion of its global patent portfolio with the issuance of two new patents: US Patent No. 11,305,130for Devices, systems, and methods for non-invasive chronic pain therapy (issued19 April 2022) and US Patent No. 11,273,317 for Portable transcutaneous magnetic stimulator and systems and methods of use thereof (issued15 March 2022).

The new patents include system and method claims for treating peripheral nerve pain using low-frequency transcutaneous magnetic stimulation, including advanced applications in wearable pain therapy technology, as per a NeuraLace press release.

The patents, which last until 2039 and 2033, respectively, are part of a global patent portfolio protecting the companys non-invasive, non-pharmacological Axon therapy and advanced applications, such as robotics for applying Axon Therapy, including US Patent No. 10,369,373 issued on 6 August 2019 and US Patent No. 11,058,887 issued on 13 July 2021.

We are pleased to strengthen our intellectual property protection with the addition of these new US patents, saidKeith Warner, CEO of NeuraLace. Along with our robust international IP [intellectual property] portfolio, these patents bolster and expand the protection of our core Axon technology, highlighted by the use of transcutaneous magnetic stimulation as opposed to invasive and/or pharmacologicalsolutions.The companys clinical results thus far have been impressive, and we look forward to this momentum carrying forward to the completion and publication of our formal clinical studies.

The company details in the release that it is in the process of expanding sites of its ongoing randomised clinical trial focusing on the application of Axon therapy to treat neuropathic pain broadly, while also initiating a large study focusing on peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

Here is the original post:
NeuraLace announces two new patents for Axon neuropathic pain therapies - NeuroNews International

Neuropathic pain Growth 2021-2030, Covid19 Outbreak Impactresearch report added by Report Ocean, is an in-depth analysis of market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the markets historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider neuropathic pain, and compares it with other markets., market definition, regional market opportunity, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, market effect factors analysis, neuropathic pain size forecast, market data & Graphs and Statistics, Tables, Bar &Pie Charts, and many more for business intelligence.Getcomplete Report (Including Full TOC, 100+ Tables & Figures, and Chart). In-depth Analysis Pre & Post COVID-19 MarketOutbreak Impact Analysis &Situation by Region

The global neuropathic pain market is expected to exhibit a growth rate of 6.06% CAGR during the forecast period 2018- 2023.

A release on June 8th, 2021, by the Bureau and Economic Analysis and U.S. The Census Bureau reports the recovery of the U.S. market. The report also described the recovery of U.S. International Trade in July 2021.In April 2021, exports in the country reached $300 billion, an increase of $13.4 billion. In April 2021, imports amounted to $294.5 billion, increasing by $17.4 billion. COVID19 is still a significant issue for economies around the globe, as evidenced by the year-over-year decline in exports in the U.S. between April 2020 and April 2021 and the increase in imports over that same period of time. The market is clearly trying to recover. Despite this, it means there will be a direct impact on the Healthcare/ICT/Chemical industries, resulting in a large market forNeuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain is generally caused by the peripheral nerve disorder. The higher demand for better treatment methods for pain is hopefully expected to augment the growth of the global neuropathic pain market during the forecast period 2018- 2023. Also, factors such as the introduction of the pain management centers along with higher demand for generic drugs for eliminating the higher levels of pain is anticipated to boost the growth of the global neuropathic pain market.

Request To Download Sample of This Strategic Report:-https://reportocean.com/industry-verticals/sample-request?report_id=31837

Market segmentation

Based on its type, the global neuropathic pain market is bifurcated into entrapment neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, post traumatic neuropathy, post herpetic neuralgia (PHN), phantom limb pain, and trigeminal neuralgia. On the basis of its indication, the market is divided into diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and spinal stenosis. Based on its diagnosis, the market is segmented into blood tests, imaging, and physical examination. On the basis of its treatment, the market is classified into medication type and multimodal therapy. Major end-users include clinics, hospitals, and research organizations. Lastly, on the basis of its distribution channels, the market is divided into online pharmacies and retail pharmacies & drug stores.

Regional analysis

Geographically, the global neuropathic pain market is divided into global regions like Europe, North America, Asia- Pacific, Middle East, LATAM, and Africa.

Major players

Sanofi S.A. (France), Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), AstraZeneca (U.K.), GlaxoSmithKline plc (U.K.), and Depomed Inc. (U.S.), Eli Lilly and Company (U.S.), Astellas Pharma Inc. (Tokyo), Biogen Inc. (U.S.), Baxter Healthcare Corporation (U.S.), Pfizer, Inc. (U.S.), among others are some of the major players in the global neuropathic pain market.

Table of Contents:Market Overview Market Dynamics Associated Industry Assessment Market Competitive Landscape Analysis of Leading Companies Market Analysis and Forecast, By Product Types Market Analysis and Forecast, By Applications Market Analysis and Forecast, By Regions Conclusions and Recommendations Appendix

Access full Report Description, TOC, Table of Figure, Chart, etc. @https://reportocean.com/industry-verticals/sample-request?report_id=31837

Our market research provides vital intelligence on market size, business trends, industry structure, market share, and market forecasts that are essential to developing business plans and strategy.

A combination of factors, including COVID-19 containment situation, end-use market recovery & Recovery Timeline of 2020/ 2021

Under COVID-19 Outbreak Impact Analysis:We analyzed industry trends in the context of COVID-19. We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the product industry chain based on the upstream and downstream markets. We analyze the impact of COVID-19 on various regions and major countries.The impact of COVID-19 on the future development of the industry is pointed out.

The Study ExploreCOVID 19 Outbreak Impact AnalysisWhat should be entry strategies, countermeasures to economic impact, and marketing channels? What are market dynamics? What are challenges and opportunities? What is economic impact on market? What is current market status? Whats market competition in this industry, both company, and country wise? Whats market analysis by taking applications and types in consideration?

Key questions answered:Study ExploreCOVID 19 Outbreak Impact Analysis

The study objectives of this report are:To study and analyse the global market size (value & volume) by company, key regions/countries, products and application, history data, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of market by identifying its various subsegments. To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). Focuses on the key global manufacturers, to define, describe and analyse the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years. To analyse the growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market. To project the value and volume of submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries). To analyse competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.

Request Full Report-https://reportocean.com/industry-verticals/sample-request?report_id=31837

What is the key information extracted from the report?

Geographical Breakdown:The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the impact and recovery path of Covid 19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.

Countries:Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam

In-Depth Qualitative COVID 19 Outbreak Impact Analysis Include Identification And Investigation Of The Following Aspects:Market Structure, Growth Drivers, Restraints and Challenges, Emerging Product Trends & Market Opportunities, Porters Fiver Forces. The report also inspects the financial standing of the leading companies, which includes gross profit, revenue generation, sales volume, sales revenue, manufacturing cost, individual growth rate, and other financial ratios. The report basically gives information about the Market trends, growth factors, limitations, opportunities, challenges, future forecasts, and details about all the key market players.

Request Full Report-https://reportocean.com/industry-verticals/sample-request?report_id=31837

About Report Ocean:

We are the best market research reports provider in the industry. Report Ocean believes in providing quality reports to clients to meet the top line and bottom line goals which will boost your market share in todays competitive environment. Report Ocean is a one-stop solution for individuals, organizations, and industries that are looking for innovative market research reports.

Get in Touch with Us:

Report Ocean:

Email:sales@reportocean.com

Address: 500 N Michigan Ave, Suite 600, Chicago, Illinois 60611 UNITED STATES Tel: +1 888 212 3539 (US TOLL FREE) Website:https://www.reportocean.com/

See the original post here:
Neuropathic pain Market Overview By Share, Size, Industry Players, Revenue and Product Demand 2021-2030 The New York Irish Emgirant - The New York...

An Exeter optometrist whose diagnosis saved a womans sight is raising awareness about the importance of eye tests. Emily Beard, who works at the Specsavers Exeter store, assessed a 33-year-old woman whose sight was deteriorating.

As part of an extensive eye examination Emily used a hospital-grade optical coherence tomography (OCT) machine to look at the womans eyes and what she saw concerned her, so she urgently referred the woman to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. They immediately did an MRI scan and found a tumour pressing down on her optic nerves. The woman was transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where she underwent a seven-and-a-half-hour operation to remove a tumour behind her eyes.

Emily says: "This is a prime example of the importance of eye tests. Theyre not just about updating the prescription. An eye test can help detect all sorts of issues. In this case, the woman came in complaining of patches of her vision going blurry. Shed been seen elsewhere but they didnt seem to know the problem. She was missing most of her field of vision in her eye, which suggested to me that something was pressing on her optic nerve, which is very serious, so I referred her to hospital straightaway."

The woman, who does not want to be named, presented Emily with flowers and chocolates as a thank you. She says: "I cant express my appreciation to Emily enough for what she did for me. Her diagnosis was spot on and she saved my sight. Without her Id have carried on assuming my symptoms were just stress-related and I would have eventually gone blind. Emily is an absolutely amazing optometrist and I will always remember what she did for me.

"After she referred me, it all happened so fast. It was such a delicate operation and Derriford didnt know what my sight would be like afterwards. If Id gone to Specsavers earlier it wouldnt have been such a long operation. So, of course, if I knew what I know now, I would have gone to Specsavers straightaway, because without their diagnosis I wouldve gone completely blind because the tumour was wrapped around the right optic nerve and was doing the same to the left. I wanted to see my niece grow up I was desperate for that and thanks to Specsavers and the hospitals, I can do that."

Specsavers recommends that everyone should have an eye test at least once every two years, and more often if they notice any changes to their vision or eyes. Emily adds: Its great to hear that the operation all went well. Its outcomes like this that made me want to be an optometrist, knowing what a difference a diagnosis can make to someone. It also shows how important eye tests are, because if something serious is found people can get treatment early, and that can be crucial.

"In this case, the woman wasnt in any pain. Often people can go on thinking theyre fine when really theyre not, so they should get themselves checked out, because the technology we have now can pick up things that even the best optician might not see, and that can save your sight or even your life.

To book an appointment at Specsavers Exeter, visit the store at 247-248 High St, telephone 01392 210604 or go online at http://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/exeter.

Get all the latest from DevonLive sent straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletters here.

See the article here:
Blurry vision turned out be tumour behind Exeter woman's eye - Devon Live

Sonia Dawswell's weight loss journey, pictured in 2005 and now. (Collect/PA Real Life)

A woman who lost half her body weight and then put much of it back on due to the debilitating affects of losing her sight and not being able to cook has managed to shed the pounds once again.

Sonia Dawswell, 54, who stands at 5ft 3, was 21st and a UK size 28 when she decided to make a change before a holiday to Tenerife in 2005. "I was getting on a plane with a friend and caught sight of myself in the glass," she says.

"I just thought, 'Oh my god!' I hadn't realised how big I really was.

"I said to my friend there and then that I'd have a great holiday, eat what I wanted, come back and make some changes."

Sonia Dawswell pictured here in 2004. (Collect/PA Real Life)

Upon joining WW (previously Weight Watchers), Dawswell had a BMI of 52, compared to the NHS' suggested healthy range of 18.5-24.9.

Dawswell, a court volunteer from East London, then slimmed down to 10st 7lb and a size 12/14 with a BMI of 26.

Dawswell, who has suffered with sight issues all her life (her mum first noticed problems with her vision when she was just a toddler), gradually began needing stronger and stronger glasses as she grew older, which eventually led her to being registered partially sighted due to cataracts (when the lens in your eye develops cloudy patches) and glaucoma (a common eye condition where the optic nerve becomes damaged).

Read more: Rebel Wilson sets those weight loss rumours straight: 'That was NEVER my diet'

Sonia Dawswell after she lost 10st 7lbs. (Collect/PA Real Life)

Then, one night in 2018, she completely lost sight in her left eye. The scary turn of events meant she was now registered as blind, a disability that affected her every aspect of her life, including not being able to cook.

"I went to bed with sight, woke up completely blind in my left eye," recalls Dawswell, who lives alone.

"As I only have a small amount of sight in my right eye, it made everyday tasks impossible."

She had to rely on pre-packaged or takeaway food and found herself having "endless snacks all day long".

Story continues

"There was no end to it," she says. "Id just be picking from morning to night. Crisps, biscuits, sandwiches. Anything I could just buy and eat. I couldnt even see the calories on the back of the pack.

On my way home from work, Id stop off at the chip shop, get chips and eat them at home with a cheese and onion pasty.

Watch: Blind girl scores playing basketball game in front of huge crowd

Dawswell candidly added, "Ive been to lots of support groups for people with sight loss and a lot of us are overweight. I believe were dying sooner because of it.

Nevertheless, Dawswell has never let her visual impairment hold her back. "It doesn't prevent me from socialising, or working, and I wasn't going to let it stop me going to WW." It also never stopped her from enjoying her love of fashion, taking friends shopping with her or asking shop assistants to guide her to clothes in favourite colours.

Sonia Dawswell before her weight loss. (Collect/PA Real Life)

"Back then, I was always the biggest women in the room," she says. "But I'd always be a well-dressed big woman!"

It was during lockdown, when she was also unable to exercise and eating as described, that Dawswell noticed herself putting on weight again.

I never got back to that 21st, but I did gain a lot of weight back. There was nothing to do but sit and eat. No way to exercise.

Coming out of lockdown, she was 15st 7lb and a size 18, giving her a BMI of 38.4. Having confidence in the WW diet which had helped her so well before, Dawswell recommitted to losing the weight again.

Read more: Woman loses 13 stone without ditching carbs: 'I was a heart attack waiting to happen'

Sonia Dawswell after her weight loss. (Collect/PA Real Life)

Dawswell also began walking six miles a day, stopped eating after 7pm and cleverly figured out ways to learn to use some appliances in the kitchen again, like a blender and frying pan, despite the difficulty she faced due to her impaired eyesight. This helped her make herself omelettes and healthy breakfast smoothies, with her diet now also including fruit or porridge, or a butternut squash salad.

Her friends also stepped up to support her determination, dropping off food and giving words of encouragement as she not only set out to lose weight, but look after herself day to day.

Read more: 'I did for for myself and not anyone else': Adele on her body transformation

Sonia Dawswell now has three healthy meals a day, walks 10,000 steps six days a week and snacks on fruit instead of crisps. (Collect/PA Real Life)

"I learnt tricks like using appliances with big, simple buttons," she explained. "I'd go to the supermarket, take pictures of the back of packets and enlarge them on my phone, so I could work out the points."

Dawswell has lost 4st and is 11st 6lb and a size 14 just half a stone from her goal weight since rejoining WW and committing to exercise every day.

As a lover of bright and beautiful colours, she can now buy a wider range of stylish clothing and again and feels healthier and happier though of course 'stylish' clothing should accommodate all sizes.

"I hope my story can encourage other people," she emphasised. "I'm a woman of a certain age and menopausal, but that hasn't stopped me. I have visual impairment but that hasn't stopped me either."

"I want people to realise you can have a life with a disability and still watch your weight. It's not easy but keep knocking on those doors until they open for you."

Sonia Dawswell now wears a size 14. (Collect/PA Real Life)

Additional reporting PA.

Link:
Woman who lost half her body weight sheds the stones for second time after sight loss - Yahoo News

A high-school student who experienced nausea was later diagnosed with an aggressive and deadly brain tumor.

The boy, who has only been identified by his first name, Tom, was told by doctors that he had glioblastoma multiforme (GMB) when he was just 13 years old, the Liverpool Echo reported.

Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive form of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. It forms from star-shaped cell cells known as astrocytes that are found in the nervous system.

While this cancer affects people of any age, it occurs more frequently in older adults and is uncommon in children, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Figures from a 2017 publication show that the incident rate of GMB is just over 3 per 100,000 people in the United States, with the median age of cases being 64.

Among the symptoms of GMB are nausea, vomiting, persistent headaches, seizures, double or blurred vision, and changes in mood or personality.

This form of cancer can be very difficult to treat, with the average survival time being 12-18 months, according to U.K.-based The Brain Tumour Charity. Only a quarter of glioblastoma patients survive more than one year, while only 5 percent survive more than five years.

Treatments may be able to slow the progression of the disease. These can include surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Tom, now 14, who lives in Ellesmere Port, northwestern England, began feeling sick in September 2020 after returning to school following the U.K.'s first national COVID lockdown.

The boy's mother told the Echo she first thought her son's health problems were linked to his return to school. But he began to experience further complications.

"I contacted doctors a few times. When he was off for school holidays in October he said he had double-vision," the 47-year-old, who was only identified by her first name, Karen, told the Echo.

"He had a doctor's appointment at the end of October and they said physically he was OK. He suffered a really bad migraine at the beginning of November so I contacted the opticians thinking it was his eyes due to being on computer a lot more," she said.

The boy underwent an eye test, during which the optician spotted a swelling behind his eye. He was sent to hospital where an MRI scan revealed that he had a brain tumor.

"Tom was physically shocked, I was in pieces," the mother said.

The boy was transferred by ambulance to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, where he underwent surgery, although doctors told the family that they would not be able to remove the whole tumor. A week after the surgery, Tom was diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme.

In December 2020, the boy began radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but he lost his peripheral eyesight due to pressure on his optical nerve.

After six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy once a month for a year, doctors told the family that treatments were no longer working and there is nothing more they could do, according to a GoFundMe page set up by the mother.

"Tom has always been a positive person and the way he has handled this devastating news at such a young age is absolutely amazing and he is my hero," the mother said on the GoFundMe page.

"We are as a family determined to fight this as hard as we can and be in the 2 percent that survive this horrible aggressive cancer," she said.

The mother said she was trying to raise money to try and get her son onto a clinical trial in Germany or the U.S. to give him the "the best fighting chance at life."

See the rest here:
High Schooler's Nausea Turned Out To Be Aggressive and Deadly Brain Tumor - Newsweek

Prevent Blindness provides free, dedicated resources to encourage proper eye protection from negative effects of UV

CHICAGO, April 25, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As the warmer weather begins to encourage more outdoor activities, Prevent Blindness, the nation's oldest eye health and safety organization, has declared May as Ultraviolet (UV) Awareness Month. The nonprofit group is seeking to educate the public on the negative effects of UV exposure to the eyes and vision, offering a dedicated webpage, PreventBlindness.org/sun-and-vision, downloadable fact sheets and shareable social media infographics.

There are two types of UV rays: UV-A and UV-B. Over time, the effects of UV rays may help cause a number of eye problems. UV-A rays may affect central vision. They can damage the macula, a part of the retina at the back of the eye. The front part of the eye (the cornea and the lens) absorbs most UV-B rays, but these rays may cause even more damage to the eyes than UV-A rays.

According to the Wilmer Eye Institute and Johns Hopkins Medicine, corneal damage, cataracts and macular degeneration are all possible chronic effects from UV exposure and can ultimately lead to decreased vision. Additionally, UV light is associated with skin cancers including squamous cell carcinomas, basal cell carcinomas, and cutaneous melanoma. Squamous cell carcinoma can occur not just on the skin, but on the conjunctiva and invade the cornea and inside of the eye, in some cases necessitating removal of the entire eye.

The Hidden Dangers of UV: Keeping Your Eyes Safe report from The Vision Council lists factors that put people's eyes at greater risk of damage from UV exposure, including:

Prevent Blindness strongly recommends wearing UV-blocking sunglasses as well as a brimmed hat to provide the best protection against UV rays. Sunglasses should:

"Spending time outdoors offers many health benefits. We encourage adults and children to wear the proper UV protection for their eyes to keep them safe and healthy today, and in the years to come," said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness.

For more information on UV eye protection, please visit the Prevent Blindness dedicated webpage at PreventBlindness.org/sun-and-vision, or call (800) 331-2020.

About Prevent Blindness

Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening and training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at preventblindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact

Sarah Hecker, Prevent Blindness, 312.363.6035, shecker@preventblindness.org

Twitter

SOURCE Prevent Blindness

Excerpt from:
May is Ultraviolet Awareness (UV) Month at Prevent Blindness, Designed to Educate the Public on the Best Ways to Keep Eyes Safe from UV Damage -...