StemCell Therapy

I want to congratulate our team for their success in developing SB-525 through to this important milestone where we have handed over the IND to Pfizer for Phase 3 development, said Sandy Macrae, CEO of Sangamo. We are thrilled to be in a partnership where both parties have cooperated to accelerate study timelines, resulting in completion of the IND transfer ahead of schedule. Pfizer and Sangamo are united in our common interest to help patients with Hemophilia A and will do everything that we can to safely and expeditiously advance this promising gene therapy candidate for patients in need.

The SB-525 collaboration was established in May 2017. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Sangamo has been responsible for Phase 1/2 clinical development. Pfizer will be operationally and financially responsible for subsequent research, development, manufacturing and commercialization activities for SB-525. Sangamo is eligible to receive total potential milestone payments of up to $300 million for the development and commercialization of SB-525, and up to $175 million for additional Hemophilia A gene therapy product candidates that may be developed under the collaboration. Sangamo will, additionally, receive tiered royalties starting in the low teens and up to 20% of annual net sales of SB-525.

About Sangamo Therapeutics

Sangamo Therapeutics is committed to translating ground-breaking science into genomic medicines with the potential to transform patients lives using gene therapy, ex vivo gene-edited cell therapy, and in vivo genome editing and gene regulation. For more information about Sangamo, visit http://www.sangamo.com.

Sangamo Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of United States securities law. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the therapeutic potential of SB-525; the enrollment of clinical trials and global registration and commercialization and the expected timing for milestones the expected benefits of Sangamos collaboration with Pfizer; the anticipated capabilities of Sangamos technologies; and other statements that are not historical fact. These statements are based upon Sangamos current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Sangamos actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to dependence on the success of clinical trials; the uncertain regulatory approval process; the costly research and development process, including the uncertain timing of clinical trials; whether interim, preliminary or initial data from ongoing clinical trials will be representative of the final results from such clinical trials; whether the final results from ongoing clinical trials will validate and support the safety and efficacy of product candidates; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations by regulatory authorities; the potential inability of Sangamo and its partners to advance product candidates into registrational studies; Sangamos reliance on itself, partners and other third-parties to meet clinical and manufacturing obligations; Sangamos ability to maintain strategic partnerships; competing drugs and product candidates that may be superior to Sangamos product candidates; and the potential for technological developments by Sangamo's competitors that will obviate Sangamo's gene therapy technology. Actual results may differ from those projected in forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in Sangamos operations. These risks and uncertainties are described more fully in Sangamo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2019 and Sangamo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 that it filed on or about November 6, 2019. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation, and we disclaim any intent, to update these statements to reflect actual results.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191223005185/en/

Original post:
Sangamo Announces Early Completion of Transfer to Pfizer of SB-525 Hemophilia A Gene Therapy IND and an Earned $25 Million Milestone Payment -...

The New Jersey Institute of Technology will collaborate with the New Jersey Innovation Institute, an NJIT corporation, to offer a professional science masters degree program and professional graduate certificate in the rapidly expanding field of cell and gene therapy.

Students be able to begin taking the 30-credit masters degree in spring 2020 as part of NJITs Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences pharmaceutical chemistry masters program.

NJIT says this is a four-course certificate program for anyone who is seeking training in cutting-edge technologies required for processing and commercializing of new therapies.

Hands-on training in the fields newest approaches and technologies will be supported at NJITs labs and at The New Jersey Innovation Institutes Cell and Gene Therapy Development Center. NJII says the center will upgrade the knowledge and skills of bio-pharmaceutical professionals in the processing of new, breakthrough classes of biologic therapies.

Both programs were developed to meet growing demands from the bio-pharmaceutical industry for trained scientists and engineers at the forefront of the coming wave of breakthrough gene and cell therapies, including advanced gene delivery technologies to immunotherapies such as CAR-T cancer therapy.

Original post:
NJIT to start programs in cell and gene therapy - NJBIZ

Whats the best way to measure the real rate of progress in personalized cell therapies, gene therapies, and other advanced therapies?

Ive been tracking the ever-growing flow of reports about these therapies in scientific journals and press releases for 15 years, ever since I co-led the passage of Californias $3 billion Stem Cell Research and Cures Act in 2004.

But to truly gauge who will benefit from todays innovations, Ive learned I also need to study the stream of business and technology announcements that runs in parallel. That might seem more mundane but to veterans of advanced therapies, making the science work actually signals success for these gene-, tissue-, and cell-based advanced therapies.

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The reason is simple. My experience working with advanced therapies has taught me, time and again, that true next-generation medicine requires the industrialization of personalization. That sounds like an oxymoron, but it isnt. To create individualized therapeutics in a sustainable way, we need to deliver even if it seems counterintuitive mass customization.

Breakthroughs such as CAR-T cell therapies are inspiring. They are also unsustainably expensive, difficult to manufacture, and complicated to deliver. We can change this by creating a more focused cross-collaborative production and delivery ecosystem.

The Food and Drug Administration anticipates that it will approve 10 to 20 advanced therapies a year beginning in 2025. It also expects to receive up to 200 clinical trial applications for cell and gene therapies per year, starting now. The more than 1,000 advanced therapy clinical trials now underway worldwide could enroll almost 60,000 patients, according to the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine. That pace wont be possible without new systems and networks that reduce cost, simplify manufacturing, and streamline delivery.

I can see some of these on the horizon when I read the biotech and pharma partnerships reported in BioSpace and BioCentury. Of the 100 most recent, almost 10% were dedicated to cell- and gene-therapy companies and organizations. These partnership announcements are typically viewed as opportunities to highlight new business deals or contract wins. But they are also daily snapshots of the infrastructure of an evolving next-generation health care system forming from within. Here are just a few examples from 2019:

Its encouraging to see biopharma manufacturing, logistics, transport, and other partners in the cell- and gene-therapy ecosystem coming together in new ways to ensure the successful and reliable delivery of advanced therapies for individual patients. But much more evolution is needed to provide sustainable patient access to advanced therapies.

We need even more industry collaboration to overhaul and connect existing health care systems, so production and delivery of cell- and gene-based therapies can be more automated and affordable. According to estimates from credible industry colleagues and leaders, end-to-end automation can shave costs by at least 20% to 30%, and at the same time greatly improve predictability and patient safety.

We must also make this new world simpler for health care providers. Doctors and nurses must not only understand how advanced therapies work medically, but be able to order and deliver them safely with a minimum of delay or hassle. As noted in the New Yorker, CAR-T requires bringing a manufacturing lens to medicine. Supporting health care providers means creating true collaboration between digital technology providers, hospitals, logistics providers, biotech and pharma companies, and manufacturing, like the Boston initiative I described earlier.

Standardization is often decried as cookie-cutter medicine. In this space, however, it is the wave of the future.

While patient biology is unique, and each patients cells may produce a one-of-a-kind manufacturing batch, essential parts of the production and delivery process should be as predictable and easy as possible. One key place to start is in-process drug labeling. When patients cells become the raw material for advanced therapies, these labels become more complex and more necessary: When a patient is about to receive a cell therapy infusion, its essential that the name on the bag of genetically re-engineered cells is his or hers. The Standards Coordinating Body, an FDA-funded but independent nonprofit, is now leading an industry-wide labeling initiative for cell and gene therapies.

There are other clear signs that the advanced therapies field gets it when it comes to infrastructure needs, such as the inclusion of digital health and handling of patient data as categories of focus in the federal Cures 2.0 initiative currently circulating in Washington. But much remains to be done.

In centers caring for individuals with cancer and rare diseases, thousands of patients are today receiving advanced therapies that are transforming their lives. We need to make that possible for many, many more by working together to industrialize and personalize in parallel.

Amy DuRoss is the CEO and co-founder of Vineti, a digital technology company that provides next-generation software platforms for advanced therapies. Before that she was managing director for new business creation for GE Ventures, chief business officer at Navigenics, the co-founder and executive director of Proposition 71, Californias $3 billion stem cell research initiative that passed in 2004, and chief of staff at the resulting California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Original post:
Making advanced therapies takes industrializing personalization - STAT

Sanofi was locked in a bidding war right up to the final moments of closing its $2.5 billion buyout of Synthorx, as it rushed to complete a deal this or another to bolster CEO Paul Hudsons new R&D vision before wrapping the year. By Synthorxs account, what began as routine partnership talks took a sharp turn into two weeks of intense negotiations in which the San Diego biotech was able to almost double the offer.

By moving swiftly and aggressively, Sanofi fended off three other suitors to pocket a slate of next-gen IL-2 drugs for cancer and autoimmune diseases as well as a synthetic biology platform. The pharma giant now takes over a pipeline whose most advanced asset it still in Phase I/II befitting an organization that now vows to get in early enough to change a treatment paradigm.

The initial meetings with Synthorx took place at all the usual places: ESMO 2018, JP Morgan and AACR 2019. Soon Sanofi R&D chief John Reed stepped in, but the smaller player continued to explore options with other companies at ASCO and BIO over the summer.

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UPDATED: Sarepta cements its DMD throne with $1B+ gene therapy deal with mighty Roche - Endpoints News

ANN ARBOR, MI -- A Christmas Day phone call to Ann Arbor eye bank Eversight four years ago has stuck with CEO David Bosch as the most memorable reaction to a successful surgery.

A woman who received a cornea transplant called to express thanks after an emotional experience with her restored vision.

She told us, I just wanted to call and thank you because today, I got to see my children open their presents.' Thats my favorite story, Bosch said. It doesnt get any better than that.

Eversight, headquartered in an eye-shaped building at 3985 Research Park Drive in Ann Arbor, uses donated corneas for research and transplants to restore eyesight.

Another patient, who before a transplant could only see shadows, told Eversight technicians how excited she was to see her toilet flushing with a blue Ty-D-Bol, Bosch said.

She said 'it was so blue and it was so vibrant, and it was so cool to see a color because shes never seen that. Ill never take Ty-D-Bol for granted ever again. That was really cool, Bosch said.

The 72-year-old company runs a network of eye banks that began operating in 1947 in Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and South Korea. The company works with more than 300 surgeons and healthcare professionals to prepare and provide more than 8,000 sight-restoring transplants a year in about 30 countries.

Eversight, which moved into the 30,000-square-foot space in August, collects tissue through donations, and has an in-house lab to prepare corneas based on surgeons needs.

It also donates 3,000 corneas to eye and vision researchers each year, saving the higher quality tissue for surgical needs when possible.

Last year (in Michigan), we provided 1,000 tissues for transplant. That came from about 1,300 donors. So some of that tissue goes around the world, really, Bosch said. We provide people with sight who suffer some kind of disease or industrial accidents. Theres a lot of reasons people are blind. We deal with corneal disease and injuries to the cornea.

Hospitals notify Eversight when a potential donor dies, and its staff checks whether the individual is in a donor registry. Family members are then contacted to discuss using the persons corneal tissue for transplants or research, Bosch said.

Once they receive the tissue, they evaluate it, test it, ensure its safe and usable for transplants.

We prepare it, we send it to (surgeons), they transplant it and they can see again, Bosch said.

The process takes 14 days, at most, but averages 10, he added. And the company offers at least 100 cornea a year at little to no cost to anyone who cannot afford a transplant through the companys Gift of Sight Fund.

The company is also in the process of building six eye banks in Pakistan as part of an international outreach effort to serve more countries, Bosch said. Two eye banks have opened there so far, with a third expected to open next year.

The mission is to restore sight and prevent blindness, and Eversight envisions a world without blindness.

I cant imagine doing anything else. Theres still somebody we can help, which keeps me going, Bosch said. If we dont do more, then people suffer.

Read more here:
Ann Arbor eye bank gives the gift of vision, preparing 8,000 cornea transplants annually - mlive.com

People always say how your life can change in an instant, sometimes for the better and other times, well, not so much. I experienced a moment in time that caused my life to drastically change course. One night, not long ago, the eyesight in my right eye was suddenly taken from me after a traumatic injury. When it was determined the vision loss would be permanent, I was left with so many questions that needed to be answered. No matter how desperately I needed to find those answers, I knew deep down they would only come with time.

When will I get used to this?

It is common for most people to assume because you can still see out of your sighted eye that once you adjust to the loss of depth perception, youll be OK. Ive grown used to everybody thinking I have adjusted to this and we have all moved on and everything is fine, except its not fine.

Related: Please Consider Blind People When Placing Holiday Decorations

There are so many variables that can determine how good or bad your vision will be on any given day, and these things can also have a direct impact on your mood. Your vision can be affected by the amount of light you are exposed to, the type of weather outside, how tired you are or how much stress youre under. I have become comfortable with the fact that I am blind in one eye, but it can present differently from day to day and that is the part that frustrates me the most.

When will I adjust to the loss of depth perception?

For whatever reason, I did not realize the scope of the loss of depth perception until a few months after my accident. There was the inability to pour liquids into a glass without spilling it, and I bumped into my fair share of people and walls (still do)! Beyond that, the loss of depth perception was a bit scary. For example, oncoming traffic was always headed my way, and trees, signs and pretty much everything in the world looked flat. Still objects would all blend together while moving objects such as flying bugs and falling leaves seemed to appear much larger in size than they really were. I didnt always understand what I was looking at, all I knew was that I was terrified of how my brain was now perceiving things.

Related: U.K.-Based Disability Rights Advocate Berated by Animal Rights Activist for Using a Service Dog

As time went on I learned to slow down, take my time and just try to be very mindful of my surroundings. I still get caught off guard (pretty often, actually) when something doesnt look quite right. I will stop and stare, trying to understand what Im looking at and attempt to remember what it looked like before my vision loss.When will things stabilize?

Medically speaking, the damage to my eye has stabilized. The healing process has been a long road that included many stressful doctors appointments. They were filled with fear, then hope, followed by devastation. The trauma caused damage that had a domino effect; some pieces fell quickly while others fell much later on. Ive had to rush back to the eye doctor more times than I care to count in order to have new symptoms checked out. This entire experience has caused me to worry greatly about any change in vision I may now have.

Related: Popular Game UNO Creates Braille Version of Its Card Deck

How long am I supposed to be upset about this?

Losing sight in one eye is a big deal even though you still have eyesight in the other. I struggled for a long time about how long I should be letting this upset me. Feeling like I should just get over it already, I sensed those around me around me felt that way too. In reality, I lost a part of my body, and when that happens you need time to grieve. I also lost a huge part of my independence and who I was. Through it all, amazingly, I found a way to cope with the cards Ive been dealt but it takes time to get there. There is no clear-cut timeline; everybodys journey is different.

What else is going to happen inside this damaged eye?

Along with my vision loss also came unstable eye pressures, vitreous gel detachment, constant floaters, flashing lights, spinning lights, brain confusion, night blindness and extreme light sensitivity. So for me, blindness has been like a bag of tricks. Just when I start to feel comfortable again, something new presents itself. Until it is checked out by the doctor, it creates swirling thoughts of uncertainty in my mind and the questions start all over again.

Go here to see the original:
5 Things I Needed to Know When I Lost My Vision in One Eye - Yahoo Lifestyle

There are hundreds of leaders in the industry with a big year ahead of them.

Some have huge strategic decisions to make in 2020, while others are overseeing brands with issues to revolve.

There are also some that may find themselves elsewhere by the end of the next 12 months.

As part of our December theme month (2019 And Beyond), we take a look at 20 movers and shakers in the industry who may catch your eye in 2020.

Anthony Tan (CEO at Grab)

Ariel Cohen (CEO at TripActions)

Axel Hefer (CEO at Trivago)

Barry Diller (chairman at Expedia Group)

Dara Khosrowshahi (CEO at Uber)

Eric Breon (CEO at Vacasa)

Gillian Tans (chairwoman at Booking.com)

Greg Webb (CEO at Travelport)

Jane Sun (CEO at Trip.com Group)

Jeff Bezos (CEO at Amazon)

Jeff Hurst (senior vice president and general manager at Vrbo)

* Check out this panel discussion featuring Hurst in the PhocusWire Studio at the Phocuswright Conference 2019.

Johannes Reck (CEO at GetYourGuide)

* Check out this panel featuring Reck during The Phocuswright Conference 2019.

Lindsay Nelson (president of core experience at TripAdvisor)

* Check out Nelson's interview with PhocusWire during our Marketing Masters theme month.

Margaret Richardson (vice president of trust at Airbnb)

Mark Okerstrom (ex-CEO at Expedia Group)

* Check out Okerstrom's interview in the PhocusWire Studio at The Phocuswright Conference 2019 (we think it may have been his last as Expedia Group CEO).

Ritesh Agarwal (CEO at OYO Rooms & Hotels)

* Check out Agarwal's appearance at The Phocuswright Conference 2019:

Sean Menke (CEO at Sabre)

Tony Fernandes (Group CEO at AirAsia)

The Hot 25 Startups 2020

ALL OF US!

* Check out this discussion recorded in the PhocusWire Studio at The Phocuswright Conference 2019.

Continued here:
2020 Vision: Travel's movers and shakers to keep your eyes on - PhocusWire

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On the fourth anniversary of the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute in Hyderabad, the Tej Kohli Foundation has renewed its commitment of $14m of funding from 2020. During 2019 5,736 individuals were cured of blindness or severe visual impairment at The Tej Kohli Cornea Institute, which is a collaboration between the Tej Kohli Foundation in London, and the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

The Tej Kohli Cornea Institute was inaugurated in December 2015 to tackle the problem of poverty blindness by providing free treatment to anyone who needs it. Since its inauguration the Cornea Institute has taken care of 223,404 outpatients, completed 43,255 surgical procedures, collected 38,225 donor corneas into its eye bank, utilized 22,176 donor corneas, trained 152 clinicians, published 202 papers and given 892 educational presentations.

Reaching people living with blindness and severe visual impairment in the hard-to-reach rural areas where 66% of Indians live is a particular challenge that the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute is uniquely solving. A unique presence of eye care centres in villages supplemented with a fully equipped mobile diagnostics van take eye care directly to hard-to-reach patients, with more than 100 corneal transplants completed so far in these rural areas.

Other 2019 operational highlights at the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute included:

According to the World Health Organisation, 90% of those affected by blindness and severe visual impairment live in the poorest countries in the world. 14m live in India, where between 6m and 7m people are currently waiting for a corneal transplant. At least 300,000 children in India have some form of severe visual impairment or blindness.

Whilst approximately 75% of corneal disease is curable, the costs of corneal transplantation surgery using donor cornea, and the many years of medicine needed to prevent rejection, makes treatment inaccessible to many. Born out of a partnership with the LV Prasad Eye Institute and the Tej Kohli Foundation, the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute is focussed on prevention, treatment and cure at no cost directly into these high-impact populations that are living needlessly with corneal blindness.

Dr Pravin K Vaddavalli, MD, Director of Tej Kohli Cornea Institute said:

The last four years have been an opportunity to assess the magnitude of the problem of corneal blindness, create strategic partnerships to expand our reach and start to evolve ways and means to allow these patients to live longer, more productively and with dignity.

Wendy Kohli, co-Founder of the Tej Kohli Foundation said:

Its an uncomfortable reality that millions of people worldwide are living with curable blindness that persists entirely because they cannot afford to access treatment. The impact of restoring a persons vision on that persons confidence, wellbeing and economic prospects is substantial. Through the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute we are able to make direct interventions into individual lives that help and transform entire families every single day.

---

About The Tej Kohli Cornea Institute

The mission of the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute is to prevent, control and eliminate corneal blindness worldwide. The Institute is a global leader in research and development, preventative medicine, education and cornea transplants. The Institute enables access to affordable treatment through systemic long-term efforts to create widespread access to high-quality eye care facilities that are delivered by people with the resources, technical skills and compassion to handle diverse population segments.

http://www.tejkohlicorneainstitute.com

About LV Prasad Eye Institute

Established in 1987, the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness, is a comprehensive eye health facility. The Institute has ten active arms to its areas of operations: Clinical Services, Education, Research, Vision Rehabilitation, Rural and Community Eye Health, Eye Banking, Advocacy and Policy Planning, Capacity Building, Innovation and Product Development. LVPEI's mission is to provide equitable and quality eye care to all sections of society.

http://www.lvpei.org

About the Tej Kohli Foundation

Founded in 2005, the Tej Kohli Foundation seeks to make interventions that transform individual lives. It is best known for its global mission to end corneal blindness worldwide. Since 2015 the Foundation has funded the provision of corneal transplants in underserved communities in India through the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute; and in 2019 the Foundation gifted $2m to Mass Eye and Ear in Boston, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, to support the development of new technologies to cure blindness. In December 2019 the Foundation launched the Future Bionics program to gift 3D printed bionic arms to children and young people who are living with limb difference in the United Kingdom.

http://www.tejkohlifoundation.com

END

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5736 of the World's Poorest People Received the Gift of Sight in 2019 at the Tej Kohli Cornea Institute - Business Wire

HUGHESVILLE Kelley Sprout, who is legally blind, came close to being struck by a vehicle recently while trying to cross at Main and Walnut streets here.

Sprout, 50, spoke Thursday to ninth-through-12th grade students who were enrolled in an innovation center class at Hughesville Junior-Senior High School, his alma mater.

He spoke candidly about the ordeal and offered tips and suggestions so they could get to know what visually-impaired and blind individuals go through in life.

So, here comes the ambulance, he said, of the accident, which took place about two weeks ago.

They thought I was injured, but I was looking for my cane tip, he said. I just got that.

Grateful for the quick response from borough police and the ambulance personnel, Sprout said he was not certain if the woman driving the vehicle had veered into his path, but the tire on the car came into contact with his cane tip and it broke.

I must listen for traffic, he said.

Sometimes, he noted, other pedestrians will tell him when to cross, but the borough isnt too populated with people out walking.

I would like to have audible signals, he said, adding he understood that might be too cost prohibitive and told borough council about his request. The street is one managed by the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Sprouts challenge to walk across a street doesnt end with vehicles going one way or the other. He has no ability to see a vehicles turn signal.

Heightening his concern are those who honk or yell for him to watch out for that tree, including other insults.

Instead, Sprout encouraged the students to take a look at the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and to read the law.

While at Hughesville High School, his fondest memories are of former school teacher Fred Springman, a special education teacher, and of joining the band and playing instruments, first under the guidance of band director Michael Hutton and then with Samuel Arnone.

Arnone, he said, was supportive and told him he could pick up a piece of music and learn to play a clarinet or other instrument by feel.

Devices for the blind also help to add to Sprouts day.

He showed the students his digital talking book player with several buttons on it.

He demonstrated its navigation menu, which included but was not limited to, sound up and down, tone and speed, and other nifty helper buttons.

The other tools he brought included a calculator that spoke back to him and a hand-held device that could inform him of the color of his shirt.

He put it up to his shirt and the voice indicated it was blue.

Sprouts positive attitude was inspiring to the students who listened.

I want people to know I am here, he said.

Sprout said he was not always blind.

For much of his youth he had scant vision in both eyes, about 5 percent in each eye, or enough to ride a bicycle.

But retinal degeneration worsened over time.

He initially was sent to the Overbrook School for the Blind in a section of Philadelphia, before attending school in the East Lycoming School District. He was the 1988 senior of the year in his graduating class.

He worked in various factories and for a while with the North Central Sight Services. His hobbies include being an amateur radio operator.

Before leaving, Sprout played what sounded like the schools alma mater. His arms rose up as a conductors would.

I want to speak to others about blindness educate them, he said.

The year 2019 had its moments. Today the Sun-Gazette continues a daily offering of news highlights from the year. ...

City Council has scheduled a meeting at 11:30 a.m. Friday to consider the 2020 budget veto by Mayor Gabriel J. ...

The year 2019 had its moments. Today the Sun-Gazette continues a daily offering of news highlights from the year. ...

(EDITORS NOTE: Today the Sun-Gazette continues its annual review of the past years major news ...

Read the original:
Resident talks to students about his life without sight | News, Sports, Jobs - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Insulin resistance is independently associated with body mass index (BMI) and synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients, shows new research published in Arthritis and Rheumatology.

Led by Ronan H. Mullan of the Trinity Centre for Health Science in Dublin, Ireland, researchers wrote that the findings, which were published December 16, suggest a link between glucose levels and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inflammation.

RA and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2MD) share many of the same characteristics. Both are powered by abnormal glucose metabolism and both are associated with insulin resistance and adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes.

In this study, researchers recruited 92 rheumatoid arthritis patients (mean age 59, 66% female) who were assessed for insulin resistance, BMI and rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Researchers found thatglucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4 were heightened in the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients, but not in those of osteoarthritis patients. And, GLUT1 was present in increased levels within all layers of the RA synovium. This suggests an independent association between insulin resistance (particularly with obesity) and the degree of RA disease activity and synovitis.

RELATED:Diabetes and RA: Explaining the Similarities

This data provides direct evidence that insulin resistant pathways are preferentially expressed within inflamed tissues in RA. And, they suggest a potential mechanism by which the reprogramming of glucose handling through differential GLUT expression favors the perpetuation of inflammation, researchers wrote.

METFORMIN

Taking metformin, a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus, was shown to reduce inflammation in synovial tissue of at least five patients by decreasing the spontaneous production of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 in synovial cells and fibroblasts.

We confirmed that metformin treatment increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and reduced the expression of GLUT1 from synovial fibroblasts. Furthermore, we demonstrated that metformin is capable of altering the cellular metabolic activity. This is consistent with recent studies suggesting metformin promotes resolution of inflammation through altered cellular metabolic activity, researchers wrote.

THE FINDINGS

REFERENCE: Lorna Gallagher Sian Cregan Monika Biniecka, et al. "Insulin Resistant Pathways are associated with Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis and are Subject to Disease Modification through Metabolic Reprogramming; A Potential Novel Therapeutic Approach," Arthritis and Rheumatolology. Dec. 16, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.41190

See more here:
Insulin Resistance Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis Flares - Rheumatology Network

DetailsCategory: More NewsPublished on Tuesday, 24 December 2019 15:04Hits: 334

-- Agreement Extends to Additional Potential Indications for Filgotinib, Including Ulcerative Colitis, Crohns Disease and Psoriatic Arthritis --

FOSTER CITY, CA, USA & TOKYO, Japan I December 24, 2019 I Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) and Eisai Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) announced today that Gilead Sciences K.K. (Tokyo, Japan) and Eisai have entered into an agreement for the distribution and co-promotion of filgotinib, an investigational, oral, selective JAK1 inhibitor, in Japan, pending regulatory approval for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Through this collaboration, Gilead Japan will retain responsibility for manufacturing and marketing approval of filgotinib, while Eisai will be responsible for product distribution in Japan in RA and other potential future indications. The companies will jointly commercialize the medicine if approved.

Approximately 600,000 to 1 million people are living with RA across Japan, and despite available options, many still do not experience disease remission. In the global Phase 3 FINCH studies, filgotinib demonstrated durable efficacy and safety results across multiple RA patient populations, including in people with prior inadequate response to methotrexate treatment (MTX), those who were intolerant to one or more biologic treatments and those who were MTX treatment-nave.

We are very pleased to announce this important new partnership with Eisai, which brings together our complementary expertise and commitment in inflammation, to deliver this important new option to patients living with inflammatory diseases in Japan, said Luc Hermans, M.D., President and Representative Director, Gilead Japan.

We have extensive clinical development and commercialization experience spanning more than 20 years in RA and have established a solid RA franchise in Japan, said Hidenori Yabune, President of Eisai Japan, Senior Vice President of Eisai. With this agreement, we look forward to contributing more to patients living with RA by adding filgotinib to our product line-up.

Global studies investigating filgotinib in additional diseases are also underway, including the Phase 3 SELECTION trial in ulcerative colitis, the DIVERSITY Phase 3 trial in Crohns disease, the Phase 3 PENGUIN trials in psoriatic arthritis, as well as Phase 2 studies in uveitis and in small bowel and fistulizing Crohns disease.

Gilead and Galapagos NV (Mechelen, Belgium) have entered into a global collaboration for the development and commercialization of filgotinib in inflammatory indications. Filgotinib is an investigational drug whose efficacy and safety have not been established. Filgotinib is pending regulatory approval in Japan, Europe and the United States, based on global Phase 3 trials evaluating its efficacy and tolerability.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the companys website at http://www.gilead.com.

About Eisai Co., Ltd.

Eisai Co., Ltd. is a leading global research and development-based pharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. We define our corporate mission as "giving first thought to patients and their families and to increasing the benefits health care provides," which we call our human health care (hhc) philosophy. With approximately 10,000 employees working across our global network of R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, we strive to realize our hhc philosophy by delivering innovative products to address unmet medical needs, with a particular focus in our strategic areas of Neurology and Oncology. As a global pharmaceutical company, our mission extends to patients around the world through our investment and participation in partnership-based initiatives to improve access to medicines in developing and emerging countries.

For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit http://www.eisai.com/.

SOURCE: Eisai

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Gilead and Eisai Enter Into Agreement in Japan for the Co-Promotion of the Investigational Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy Filgotinib, Pending Regulatory...

Adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are more satisfied with biological medicines than with synthetic therapies such as methotrexate, a study based on patient questionnaires suggests.

Nonetheless, less than half of these patients took these medications as recommended.

The study, Treatment Satisfaction with and Adherence to DiseaseModifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Adult Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, was published in Arthritis Care & Research.

DMARDs are one class ofmedications currently used to treat JIA, and include both synthetic (chemical compound) medicines, such as methotrexate, and biological therapies.

Following prescribed treatment regimens as recommended (adherence) is a key requirement for clinical benefit. However, studies have found that just over half of rheumatoid arthritis patients comply with treatment regimens.

Such research in JIA has focused on children, but as40-60% of patients continue to experience symptoms into adulthood, a better understanding of the adherence to DMARDs in adults with this disorder is needed.

A team in Norway contacted adults with JIA, who as children had participated in a three-year study. From a total of 196 eligible patients, 96 (mean age of 25.1) agreed to participate.

The researchers collected information about medication use, and patients were given a series of questionnaires, which included a patient reports of active joint swelling.

Satisfaction with treatment was measured using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), which evaluates effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and overall satisfaction. In turn, medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), where 8 is high adherence and below 6 is low adherence.

Physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was determined with the Short-Form Health Survey version 2, physical disability with the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, pain with the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form, and symptoms of psychological distress with the Hopkins Symptom Checklist.

Nineteen years after their diagnoses, 52 patients (54%) used synthetic DMARDs and/or biological DMARDs. Biological DMARDs were used by 37 patients (39%), either alone or in combination with methotrexate or sulfasalazine. Twenty-eight patients used methotrexate exclusively or in combination with biological DMARDs and sulfasalazine, while two patients used sulfasalazine alone.

Those using biological DMARDs alone reported significantly higher satisfaction with the medication related to effectiveness and overall satisfaction compared to those taking methotrexate. Participants using combination therapy also reported significantly higher satisfaction using biological DMARDs over methotrexate, based on side effects and overall satisfaction.

Lower satisfaction with medications was linked to pain intensity, physical disability, psychological distress, and active joints. Higher satisfaction related to effectiveness was strongly associated with a higher physical HRQOL, while overall satisfaction was linked with better physical and mental HRQOL.

The study also found that 46% of the patients reported low adherence to DMARDs, while 29% reported medium adherence, and 25% had high adherence.

Adherence to treatment was independent of age, gender, disease duration and course, active joints, effectiveness, side effects, and overall satisfaction. Treatment convenience was the only factor significantly linked to medication adherence.

In conclusion, JIA patients medication satisfaction was higher with bDMARDs [biological DMARDs] than MTX [methotrexate] 19 years after disease onset, the researchers wrote.

Knowledge and incorporation of patients experience with medication is important in order to promote patient centered care and achieve the best possible HRQOL, they added.

Total Posts: 11

Jos is a science news writer with a PhD in Neuroscience from Universidade of Porto, in Portugal. He has also studied Biochemistry at Universidade do Porto and was a postdoctoral associate at Weill Cornell Medicine, in New York, and at The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. His work has ranged from the association of central cardiovascular and pain control to the neurobiological basis of hypertension, and the molecular pathways driving Alzheimers disease.

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Adults with JIA Satisfied with Biologics But Often Fail to Adhere to Therapy, Study Finds - Juvenile Arthritis News

As I searched online for Christmas presents for my loved ones recently, I browsed selections of pre-made gift kits. Many of them were bath or skin care based. I saw adorable bubble bath sets for children, makeup and nail kits, and baskets of soaps and creams marketed to young men and women.

Skin care products can make lovely gifts. I bought a unicorn tumbler full of bath bombs for my young cousin. But as I shopped, I thought about how I wouldnt buy gifts like these for myself. As someone withjuvenile-onset psoriatic arthritis, I would worry that they might flare my skin. I realized many of these gifts wouldnt be suitable for kids or young adults with juvenile rheumatic conditions.

Additionally, conditions such as systemic arthritis, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus can cause rashes, lesions, and other skin issues, which can be further irritated by skin care products.

Those with skin conditions cant usually tolerate the ingredients used in pre-made bath sets and makeup kits. Items such as bath bombs are not recommended for those with particular skin conditions. Other products may be drying and irritating to those with sensitive or inflamed skin.

But that doesnt mean you have to avoid giving pampering gifts altogether. Many kids with juvenile arthritis benefit from the soothing effects of a warm bathand the confidence boost of wearing makeup. Instead, when choosing a gift, consider the products quality.

If youre thinking of giving soaps, makeup, and lotions as gifts dont be afraid to ask the childs parents which products they use. And stick to those brands. Dont be misled by product labels containing words like natural, healing, or even psoriasis-friendly. While the claims might be valid, its best to stick to products that the family already trusts the brands they use are likely either doctor recommended or theyve discovered them after much trial and error.

Quality is essential for those living with chronic skin conditions. Dont be surprised if the products and brands that the person uses are a little expensive. You dont need to break your budget, but remember that its better to choose quality over quantity. A trusted eye shadow palette with one or two colors is worth much more than another with multiple shades that may irritate the skin.

You might also consider gifting skin care accessories such as makeup brushes or sponges, or a cosmetic bag to keep products in.

You could put together a custom-made bath kit. For younger kids, a bath caddy filled with bath toys and crayons, a hooded towel, a brush and comb, and fun, colored puffs. Older kids and teens might prefer bathrobes, slippers, eye pillows, spa socks, and candles or essential oils. I like this idea because you can pick and choose each item and customize it to the recipient.

Ive received lots of bath and beauty products in the past. Many of them came from my parents, who knew how careful I needed to be with skin products. Im always extremely appreciative of the lotions, makeup, and perfumes they gift, particularly as they can be pricey.

Sometimes Ive received products that I didnt feel comfortable using. But I accepted them with a smile and a genuine thank you. Im grateful for the gift of someone thinking of me, taking the time to buy me a gift, and wrap it up.

***

Note: Juvenile Arthritis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Juvenile Arthritis News, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to juvenile arthritis.

Elizabeth Medeiros is a young adult who has dealt with juvenile arthritis since she was a small child. However, her pain hasnt stopped her from working on a product design degree in Boston. Her passion is to create products that make life easier for the chronically ill, such as shoes and walking canes. When shes not in class, Elizabeth enjoys writing about how shes coped with arthritis at such a young age. You can find more of her writings at ArthritisGirl.Blogspot.com and on Instagram @GirlWithArthritis.

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Think Twice When Choosing Skin Care Products as Gifts for Kids with JA - Juvenile Arthritis News

INTRODUCTION:

The Methotrexate Intolerance Severity Score (MISS) questionnaire is used to identify intolerance to methotrexate (MTX), but it is not available in the Brazilian Portuguese language.

The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the MISS in Brazilian Portuguese.

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the MISS was developed following the Guidelines for the Process of Cross-cultural Adaptation of Self-report Measures. The new version was tested in 120 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. For the reliability assessment, the Cronbach coefficient was used. The receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed with the objective of finding the best cutoff point for MTX intolerance and weighing the sensitivity and specificity. The concordance among the results was analyzed using the coefficient and factorial analysis with varimax rotation.

This methodological study developed and applied a culturally acceptable Brazilian Portuguese version of the MISS. The MISS questionnaire presented internal consistency classified as very good because Cronbach is equal to 0.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.87). The suitability of the data for factorial analysis was demonstrated using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin sample adequacy test (KMO = 0.723) and Bartlett sphericity test ( = 499.98, p < 0.001). It was observed that a factorial analysis with 3 factors is preferred; the receiver operating characteristic curve of the MISS score was considered the cutoff point at 6 points (sensitivity 100% and specificity 89.4%).

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the MISS is valid and reliable for the detection of MTX intolerance in clinical practice.

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Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Methotrexate Intolerance Severity Score in Brazilian Portuguese for Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis -...

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global glucosamine market is expected to grow by USD 229.19 million during 2020-2024, according to the latest market research report by Technavio, progressing at a CAGR of more than 6% during the forecast period. The market is driven by factors such as increasing use of combination therapy, popularity of e-commerce in the healthcare industry, and rising geriatric population. Request a free sample report

The market research report segments the glucosamine market by application (arthritis and other applications) and geography (Asia, Europe, North America, and ROW).

https://www.technavio.com/report/glucosamine-market-industry-analysis

Glucosamine Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024)

Glucosamine finds a large number of applications in the arthritis segment. The market is witnessing a shift toward the use of nutrachemicals and dietary supplements such as glucosamine to treat arthritis without side effects. Globally, the geriatric population is increasing significantly, leading to a prevalence of arthritis as the cartilage is more susceptible to wear with age. These factors are boosting the growth opportunities for market participants in the arthritis segment.

Glucosamine Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2024)

North American region led the market in 2019, followed by Europe, Asia, and ROW, respectively. During the forecast period, the North American region will continue to dominate as the largest market for glucosamine. This is due to the increasing sales of OTC glucosamine products and the rising prevalence of joint-related indications such as osteoarthritis. The expansion of the geriatric population in the region is also contributing to the growth of the glucosamine market.

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Major Five Genetic Testing Companies:

Blackmores Ltd., Cargill Inc., Ethical Naturals Inc., GNC Holdings Inc., and Herbs Nutriproducts Pvt. Ltd. are among the vendors who have a strong position in the global market.

Blackmores Ltd.

Blackmores Ltd. operates the business across segments such as Australia and New Zealand, China, Other Asia, and BioCeuticals Group. Glucosamine + Fish Oil, Glucosamine Sulfate 1500 One-A-Day, Glucosamine Sulfate Complex 1000, Joint Formula Advanced, Joint Formula with Glucosamine & Chondroitin, and Vegetarian Glucosamine Sulfate Complete 1000 are some of the key offerings of the company.

Cargill Inc.

Cargill Inc. operates the business across segments such as Animal nutrition and protein, Animal nutrition and protein, Food ingredients and applications, Origination and processing, and Industrial and financial services. Regenasure is one of the key offerings of the company. It is glucosamine hydrochloride synthesized from corn. It is available in the form of a granular powder and is certified for Kosher Pareve, Kosher for Passover, and Halal use.

Ethical Naturals Inc.

Ethical Naturals Inc. operates the business through its Unified business segment. GreenGrown, which is glucosamine hydrochloride synthesized from vegetarian sources, is one of the key offerings of the company. It is available in the form of granular powder and can be used for improving joint health.

GNC Holdings Inc.

GNC Holdings Inc. operates the business across segments such as the US and Canada, International, and Manufacturing / Wholesale. GNC GLUCOSAMINE 1000 MG, GNC MSM-GLUCOSAMINE, GNC GLUCOSAMINE SULFATE 500 MG, DOCTOR'S BEST, and GNC TRIPLE STRENGTH GLUCOSAMINE CHONDROITIN are some of the key offerings of the company.

Herbs Nutriproducts Pvt. Ltd.

Herbs Nutriproducts Pvt. Ltd. operates the business across segments such as Natural infusion tea, Cold pressed oils, Functional foods, Vitamins and supplements, and Beauty. Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex with Herbal Extracts is one of the key offerings of the company. It is a combination of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin available in the form of tablets.

Technavio provides a free sample report which contains multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Global Glucosamine Market 2020-2024 | Evolving Opportunities with Blackmores Ltd. and Cargill Inc. | Technavio - Business Wire

The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the top news stories from 2019.

Editors Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the top news stories from 2019. This article highlights events from January to June. The second installment will appear in the Jan. 1 issue.

January

Selectmen wrote a letter expressing their concerns and wishes to the federal project manager of the proposed new international bridge that will replace the aging span currently connecting Madawaska to Edmundston, New Brunswick. The letter made a plea to the various agencies involved: Please know that the community, through its leaders, submit these comments recognizing the short and the long-term significance, the magnitude and the impact of this once every hundred-year project.

Supporters of the Maine chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation gathered with friends and relatives of 4-year-old Justine Chenard to tell the youngster born with a heart defect that she would be going to Disney World the following week with her family.

Justine was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a birth defect that affects blood flow to the heart. Justine is a huge fan of Disney princesses, particularly Elsa from the movie Frozen.

The state Board of Veterinary Medicine and attorney generals office fined a local veterinarian accused of diverting drugs and improperly handling animals in her care and placed her on probation for at least five years. Dr. Christiana Yule, who owns and operates Fort Kent Animal Hospital, conceded in a consent agreement filed with the veterinary licensing board on Jan. 16 that on two occasions dating back to 2011 she handled a canine patient in a rough manner and that in March 2017 she left the facility while a cat was under anesthesia. Yule did not admit to diverting diazepam or hydrocodone for her personal use, but acknowledged in the agreement that there would be sufficient evidence for the board to find by a preponderance of the evidence that she would be subject to discipline.

The Madawaska School Committee appointed Ben Sirois on Jan. 7 to become superintendent of Madawaska schools, and ultimately the Valley Unified Regional Service Center serving communities from Grand Isle to Allagash. Sirois, who is superintendent of MSAD 27 in the Fort Kent area, took over for the three school administrative units in the St. John Valley that have been working together for about three years to combine resources and save money in an effort to address declining enrollments and rising education costs.

February

Tricia Newbolds High School Photo. (Morgan Mitchell | SJVT)

Former Madawaska resident and current White House security staff member Tricia Newbold said she had faced discrimination due to a rare form of dwarfism, and was under temporary suspension for defying authority and for failing to supervise and follow instructions. Newbold, who has a rare form of congenital dwarfism, graduated from Madawaska High School in 1998. Out of the more than 18 years Newbold has held her current position, she said she had been free of discrimination, until February of this year. This past year and a half with the current supervisor is the first time Ive ever felt discriminated against, ever. Its the first time Ive ever been in a situation where I cannot do my job, which is really an adjustment, especially after having all of the lengthening operations, she said. Newbold returned to work Feb. 14.

A busload of residents from the St. John Valley visited the new Sanford High School on Feb. 8 for inspiration, tips and guidance as three school administrative units in northern Aroostook consider building their own regional high school and technical center.

In an effort to continue providing public services to area residents, the local volunteer board of trustees of the Fort Kent Public Library officially kicked off a capital fundraiser campaign. The yearlong goal of the trustees was to raise $20,000 locally, a goal they managed to reach by years end with the support of local businesses, charitable organizations and members of the community.

March

The Foreign Language Association of Maine recognized SAD 27 educator Robert Daigle, naming him the 2019 Maine Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. The annual award recognizes those who have achieved outstanding results in teaching modern or classical languages.

Allagash voters, through the successful passage of two articles at their annual town meeting, approved alcohol consumption in local establishments in the town. Prior to the vote, Allagash was one of Maines few remaining dry towns.

Following a round of interviews, the Valley Unified Board of Directors selected an engineering and architectural firm, WBRC, to assist in the site selection and design of a proposed new regional high school.The board also voted to amend an agreement among the three school administrative units involved with the Valley Unified Regional Service Center to establish guidelines and costs for regional school transportation.

April

Pelletier Island property owners withdrew their petition to secede from St. Agatha after voter approval of a compromise worked out with town officials. Pelletier Island residents and St. Agatha municipal leaders issued a press release announcing a plan that will have the community include funding in its budget to help pay to maintain the Island Road on Pelletier Island.

The local Ice Busters crew celebrated the anniversary of its world record ice carousel, and announced the crew will plan to go bigger in 2020. The Ice Busters team brought a world record to Sinclair last year with the creation of a 22 million pound ice carousel on Long Lake. The group of volunteers used shovels, chainsaws and augers to dig out a 427 foot diameter circle more than two and a half feet thick, and then made it spin, all while raising money for the local Meals on Wheels program.

Valley Unified food service director Melanie Lagasse at the Fort Kent Community High School cafeteria with shoes she obtained from New Balance for St. John Valley students in need. (Jessica Potila | SJVT)

Valley Unified food service director Melanie Lagasse went above and beyond when she wrote a grant and donation letter to New Balance shoe company officials, and as a result obtained 92 new pairs of sneakers to distribute to area students in need. Because of Lagasses efforts, New Balance donated $3,680 worth of sneakers for students of all ages.

May

A newly formed Valley Unified Drama Unit, which included students from three St. John Valley administrative units comprising the Valley Unified Educational Service Center, came together to present dinner theater performances of the popular 1980s movie The Breakfast Club. The cast and crew were composed of students who attend schools in Madawaska, St. Agatha and Fort Kent.

The 2019 Pride of the Fort Kent Lions Show opened with a faux disclaimer warning of the many side effects that can occur from intense and prolonged laughter. The biannual event raised about $17,000 to support projects in the area this year.

Students in Stacy Belangers second-grade class at Fort Kent Elementary School educated, inspired and entertained audiences at the 5th annual Trash to Treasure Fashion Show at the University of Maine at Fort Kent Fox Auditorium. Each year, the students design innovative costumes from disposable materials to honor Earth Day and demonstrate their creativity. They then wear the costumes as they walk the runway at Fox Auditorium during two shows consisting of an audience of their peers and another with family, friends and community members.

A representative from WBRC Architects/Engineers met with the Valley Unified Site Selection Committee May 14 to discuss the criteria they will be using when considering the potential location of a new high school. Ray Bolduc from WBRC Architects/Engineers reviewed the site selection criteria matrix that each member of the Site Selection Committee will use to rate potential sites.

A 2015 Fort Kent Community High School graduate, who also graduated from Yale University, embarked on a year-long music fellowship in Israel. Jared Michaud earned a bachelor of arts degree in theater studies as well as a certificate from the education studies scholars program from Yale in May.

June

Two brothers and a family pet survived a harrowing ordeal after their canoes toppled over in Umsaskis Lake on Monday, June 3. From left: Cooper the Dog and Michael Fiori. (Courtesy of Michael Fiori)

Two brothers who nearly drowned in Umsaskis Lake along the Allagash Wilderness Waterway Monday evening credited a New Hampshire Scout Troop camping in the area with saving their lives. The men were on day two of a weeklong fishing trip along the Allagash chain of lakes when their canoe toppled. They began swimming for shore but soon became separated. One of the men was headed toward the shore of a remote area known as Sandy Beach, where Scouts Crew 345 Kingston, New Hampshire, happened to be camping. The Scouts brought him to their fire where they heated stones and wrapped them in towels to warm him. In the meantime, members of the Scout crew headed for a ranger station to seek further help. Both men survived the ordeal.

Nearly a dozen members of law enforcement turned out in Frenchville for the handoff of the Special Olympics torch for the Madawaska leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

The annual event involving officers in the Valley from Fort Kent to Madawaska raised nearly $1,300 to benefit the Special Olympics.

After heated discussions over a motion to eliminate a majority of proposed sites on the basis of proximity to either Madawaska or Fort Kent, Valley Unified Site Selection Committee members voted down the motion, and instead reached a consensus that the engineering firm would narrow down the options to 11 proposed sites.

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A look back at the top news stories of 2019 - fiddleheadfocus.com

Itty Bitty the Kitty is more entertaining than TV.

Thats my sugar. Ooh, hes a show! said his owner, Diane, as the energetic tabby pounced on a new toy.

That toy, a colorful length of braided fleece, was delivered by Jay Wilcox, a volunteer for Ani-Meals on Wheels. Wilcox also brought a months worth of donated provisions a bag of dry chow, six cans of seafood-flavored cat food and the new amusement to the third-floor apartment, greeting Diane by name and asking, Hows your baby?

The 70-year-old retired secretary (who asked that only her first name be used) lives in a rent-assisted building for older adults. As a Meals on Wheels client, she regularly receives healthy meals. Now her in-house entertainment and adored companion, Itty Bitty, does, too.

When I heard about this, my first reaction was, Youre kidding me! We need to be feeding people, not pets, confessed Wilcox, a retired dentist.

After making a few Ani-Meals deliveries, he did an about-face.

Ive seen how these lovable little fuzzballs touch the heart and soul of a person, he said. In some cases, that animal is all theyve got in the world.

Every month, Ani-Meals volunteers pack 1,200 pounds of pet food and deliver it to 170 animals, mostly cats, that live with Meals on Wheels clients served by Community Emergency Service (CES) in south Minneapolis.

The program is part of an effort to recognize the role that companion animals play in the health and well-being of the people Meals on Wheels serves.

Pets are really important for our clients, said Melanie LaPointe, volunteer coordinator at CES. They may not have much family or get out much. Their cat or their dog is their family.

Meals on Wheels has long been credited with helping low-income seniors and people with disabilities retain their independence by providing them with nutritious food. The regular lunchtime drop-offs by friendly volunteers also offer a connection for homebound clients.

A few years ago, Meals on Wheels America (the national organization that supports the thousands of community-based programs) discovered that many of its clients shared their limited food with their pets.

If you dont have a lot of food, you need it yourself, said LaPointe. Sharing is not healthy for the people and not healthy for the pets.

In 2016, the national organization offered grants to local Meals on Wheels programs to establish Ani-Meals on Wheels. In Minneapolis, CES relies on grants and individual donations of pet food, kitty litter and cash. Volunteers sort, pack and deliver the pet supplies.

Kim Flatgard is a regular at the historic church where CES is located. For more than two years, the Bloomington woman and her husband have sorted and packed donations for Ani-Meals.

Theres a feeling of satisfaction coming here and knowing what were giving to other animal lovers, she said.

A cure for loneliness

Its not just seniors living on limited incomes who suffer the very real effects of loneliness: Its now considered an epidemic among older people.

A growing body of research has confirmed the health threats associated with social isolation. A 2017 national Health and Retirement Study by the National Institute on Aging identified loneliness as a factor that contributes to an elevated risk of heart attacks, strokes, depression and even early death.

A study by the AARP Public Policy Institute linked feeling alone to higher health care costs, calculating that it creates an estimated $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending every year.

Older adults can become lonely to the point that they seek medical visits when they are not necessary, said LaNita Knoke, a health care strategist with Home Instead Senior Care. Theyre looking for social interaction.

Pet ownership can curb that loneliness. Its been credited with helping people make essential connections and providing the companionship that contributes to physical and mental health.

Human-to-human relationships are complicated and humans can let us down, said Athena Diesch-Chham, veterinary social worker in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. An animal gives the unconditional love that feeds the soul.

Diesch-Chham salutes the Ani-Meals on Wheels program for recognizing that supporting pets is a way of supporting their owners.

Our older people have experienced major losses spouses, siblings, the loss of independence, she said. A bond with an animal gives purpose, a reason to get up and face the day. That pet needs them.

Thats true for Diane, who grew up on a farm, which she calls the best life ever. As a girl, she helped her father with pigs, cows, chickens, a dog and, of course, a barnful of cats.

Now, she keeps track of Itty Bitty as he roams her apartment, sometimes observing her from the top of her refrigerator.

He sleeps in bed with me under my chin, she said. He keeps me company. He keeps me from getting too lonesome.

Kevyn Burger is a Minneapolis-based freelance broadcaster and writer.

Continue reading here:
An offshoot of Meals on Wheels, Ani-Meals on Wheels helps feed the pets of disadvantaged older adults - Minneapolis Star Tribune

A female reindeer and her daughter each had cataracts corrected.

ITHACA, N.Y. -- A reindeer mother and daughter are ready for duty this holiday season following cataract surgery in late summer at the Cornell University Equine and Nemo Farm Animal Hospital.

The reindeer live at Locust Hill Farm in Caton, New York, near Corning, and travel with their owner, Michael Cary, DVM, to holiday events around the Northeast. But when cataracts threatened their vision, Cary brought them to Cornell for consultation. Eric Ledbetter, DVM, professor and section chief of ophthalmology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, performed the procedure that restored their sight.

Large animal ophthalmologist Nita Irby, DVM, dilated the reindeers eyes and examined them to ensure that they were clear of inflammation and healing as expected.

It went great. I dont think they could look better at this point after surgery, said Ledbetter, who has performed cataract surgery on dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, horses, cows, alpacas and llamas. But this is my first reindeer.

The mother, 6-year-old Donder, had a milky cataract in one eye that developed after she snagged her eyelid on a fence. Without vision in that eye, she was nervous when animals or people approached from that side not ideal for a reindeer that interacts with the public. Her daughter, Dondersven, developed cataracts in both eyes, which were apparent a few weeks after birth. The young reindeer was still running about but was cautious around fences and other obstacles.

The cause of the cataracts is unknown, but Cary suspects that steroid eye drops might be to blame. He used the drops to reduce inflammation after her eyelid injury while Donder was pregnant, which might also have exposed Dondersven to the steroids.

Ledbetter corrected the cataracts by removing the clouded lenses during surgery on Sept. 4. Little is known about cataracts in reindeer, so Ledbetter relied on information from more common large animals, such as cows and horses, where there is a 10 percent to 20 percent chance of serious complications after surgery.

According to Ledbetter, the biggest challenge was positioning the reindeer while anesthetized so he could access the eyes without impaling himself on an antler.

You cant lay them on their backs, and you cant lay them flat on their side, Ledbetter said. He estimates that he spent about 30-45 minutes performing the surgery on each eye, and as much time positioning the animals correctly.

Initially scheduled for August, the surgery was pushed back because of concerns about damaging the delicate velvet that covers the antlers. The velvet is attached to blood vessels, which helps cool the animals in the summer but causes bleeding when injured. In the fall, however, the antlers dry out and the reindeer rub off the velvet, revealing the bone underneath. Reindeer are the only members of the deer family in which females also grow antlers.

Outside of Alaska, reindeer are a rare sight in the U.S., and even longtime hospital staff were fascinated by the unusual patients. Wild and domestic reindeer herds roam the tundra of Europe and Asia, but some reindeer were imported into Alaska from Siberia more than 100 years ago. Reindeer have been domesticated for thousands of years, Michael Cary said. They have cave paintings of reindeer being hunted and herded from the Ice Age.

During the recent checkup, Ledbetter and Irby dilated the reindeers eyes and examined them to ensure they were clear of inflammation, healing as expected and that tiny clumps of lens tissue had not regrown inside the eye. They were pleased to see that both mother and daughter were healing nicely.

Cary also noticed a marked improvement in the reindeers behavior since the surgery. When Donder had the cataract, she would be less dominant, less sure of herself, he said. Now that shes had the surgery, she was pushing all the yearlings around, telling them where they could go.

All the reindeer were home for the holidays and ready to help out at community events this season.

I know she still had one visual eye and we didnt have to do the surgery, but it was worth it, said Cary. Now she can go on display and be happier.

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Reindeer return to holiday action after surgery - News - Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA - Waynesboro, PA - Waynesboro Record Herald

CryoLife Inc.(NYSE:CRY) announced that it had its investigational new drug application accepted by the FDA for a clinical trial to observe whether the On-X mechanical aortic valve can be maintained on apixaban instead of warfarin.

The On-X aortic valve is the first mechanical aortic heart valve to win FDA and CE Mark approval for labeling to permit use within a reduced warfarin dosage, according to a news release. Results of the original Proact trial showed a more than 60% reduction in bleeding events without increasing the risk of stroke.

Warfarin in patients with mechanical heart valves requires routine blood testing to manage the patients international normalized ratio within a certain range to minimize the likelihood of bleeding and stroke. The apixaban alternative CryoLife seeks to provide is intended to offer better durability, long-term survival and clinical outcomes.

The Proact Xa trial is slated to include 1,000 participants, randomizing 500 in each arm of the study at up to 60 sites in North America. Subjects are set to be 18 years of age or older and implanted with the On-X aortic valve and randomized to continue warfarin or switch to apixaban.

The trials co-primary efficacy endpoints are to determine if apixaban is non-inferior to warfarin and to determine if apixaban provides acceptable anticoagulation for patients with an On-X aortic valve for the primary outcome of valve thrombosis and valve-related thromboembolism. The primary safety endpoint is determining if apixaban is superior to warfarin in the safety outcome of major bleeding.

We are pleased that the FDA has authorized us to study the use of apixaban in patients with the On-X aortic valve, CryoLife chairman, president & CEO Pat Mackin said in a news release. If the PROACT Xa trial is successful in proving that On-X aortic valve recipients can be maintained safely on apixaban rather than warfarin, we believe that not only will we become the leader in the mechanical valve market, but also that the On-X aortic valve will take share from the existing bioprosthetic aortic valve market.

Apixaban has been shown to reduce stroke and cause less bleeding than warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation, added Duke University professor of medicine in cardiology Dr. John Alexander. If it can be done safely, the possibility of managing patients with an On-X aortic valve with apixaban and eliminating their need for warfarin represents a potential benefit to patients and the physicians who manage them.

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CryoLife to begin investigational trial on using aortic valve without warfarin - Mass Device

Artificial intelligence tackles life science

Look under the hood of many of this years headline-making discoveries in biology and youll find machine learning, a tool thats gaining ground in the life sciences thanks to growing computational power and the availability of big datasets needed for training. Among other advances in 2019, researchers reported successfully using machine learning to screen images for signs of cancer or infection by pathogens, and to identify epigenetic markers in blood samples that are associated with vascular complications in people with diabetes. Check out our special issue on AI for more examples of how the tool is transforming biology.

Even as computers take on more of the tasks once done by hand, engineers are exploring DNAs capacity to adopt a function usually associated with machines: information storage. This summer, researchers in Boston reported a way of harnessing DNA, together with CRISPR-like base editing machinery, to make a record of events inside living cells that can then be decoded via sequencing. Study coauthor Timothy Lu of MIT told The Scientist that its potential applications include detecting environmental toxins and recording developmental processes.

Another creative spin on CRISPR-Cas9 editing to come out this year is a detection device for particular DNA sequences. Here, the Cas9 enzyme is bound to an RNA and to a graphene chip and engineered not to make cuts in DNA. If the RNA-Cas9 complex connects to its target DNA sequence, it causes a change in the chips electric field and thus a positive readout. The chips developers suggest it could one day be used for quick DNA tests in clinical settings.

Among the endless variations of CRISPR scientists are engineering, one developed this year purports to reduce its off-target effects by avoiding double-strand DNA breaks. The technique, known as prime editing, uses the same Cas9 nuclease as frequently deployed in the CRISPR system but combines the enzyme with a guide RNA called pegRNA and a reverse transcriptase that initiates the addition of a new sequence or base into the genome. Once the new genetic material is incorporated into a cut strand of DNA, the prime editor nicks the unedited strand, signaling to the cell to rebuild it to match the edited strand.

As some researchers worked on their own variations of genome editing, others made an important edit of a recipe for induced pluripotent stem cells. First published by Shinya Yamanaka (now of Kyoto University) in 2006, the method overexpresses genes for four transcription factors in differentiated cells to reset them to a pluripotent state, creating what are known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The most important of the four overproduced factors was thought to be Oct4. But last month, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine announced theyd not only managed to make mouse iPSCs without tweaking Oct4 levels, but that the process was more efficient that way. If this works in adult human cells, it will be a huge advantage for the clinical applications of iPS cells, Yamanaka wrote in an email to The Scientist.

Shawna Williams is a senior editor atThe Scientist. Email her at swilliams@the-scientist.com or follow her on Twitter @coloradan.

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Top Technical Advances of 2019 - The Scientist