StemCell Therapy

Since January 1, 2019, the research activities in oilcrop genetics and genomics of the company Biogemma moved to a new company, Innolea, under the control of three major French seed companies in oil crops: Euralis Semences, Limagrain, RAGT Semences and the innovation fund for oil and protein crops, Sofiprotol.

Innolea is supported by experienced teams andknow-how developed for more than 20 years by Biogemma and benefit of theinfrastructure of Mondonville (Haute-Garonne) site, which is now the headquarter,as well as the support of its shareholders.

Innoleas direction was given to Bruno Grzes-Besset who was research coordinator in Biogemma, and the presidency to Jean-Marc Ferullo, the research director of Euralis Semences.

Biogemmas research programs in rapeseed and sunflower, the main oil crops in France and Europe, are continued in Innolea. The sunflower program is led by Delphine Fleury and the rapeseed program by Sbastien Faure.

To support the French oil industry, Innoleasactivities focus on the genetics of traits of interest with direct applicationsto breeding new varieties. The main research areas will be the exploration ofgenetic diversity of the main oil crops of France and Europe and the characterisationof beneficial genes.

By creating this new company, the French oil and protein industry and the seeds companies demonstrate their engagement in supporting competitive research in applied genomics and pre-breeding. This leading-edge knowledge will enable offering new varieties to the French market, with improved agronomy and particularly plant resistance to diseases and pests.

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Innolea Created to Focus on Genetics and Genomics of Oil Crops - Seed World

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder but one of the most difficult to diagnose, especially type 1 VWD. Recurrent challenges include the need to complete several assays of von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity and lack of consensus surrounding the acceptable standard for diagnosis. Consequently, improving current diagnostic techniques, as well as implementing new methods, is essential to ensure patients are provided optimal care.

In a review article published in Current Opinion in Hematology, Veronica H Flood, MD, of the department of pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and colleagues summarized the current literature surrounding the diagnosis of type 1 VWD. They also reviewed new advances in genetic testing for VWF, which could serve as a potential alternative to conventional laboratory methods.

Overview of Genetic Dysfunction

In contrast to type 2 VWD, type 1 VWD may include genetic defects in the coding region of the VWF gene. These mutations vary from insertions and deletions to point mutations that produce missense or nonsense mutations. With conventional sequencing methods, insertions and deletions can be missed, which has historically precluded the clinical use of genetic-based diagnostic techniques. These limitations are not typically seen in type 2 VWD as genetic defects are usually present in the DNA region specific to the impacted functional region.

Because of the high degree of polymorphism seen in the VWF gene, entire genome or exome sequencing may be required for diagnosis; in other instances, the VWF gene may be analyzed directly if a particular coagulation defect is suspected. In type 1 VWD, certain high frequency variants have been linked to disease etiology, but recent data have highlighted the potential role of novel variants in type 1 VWD. The high degree of variability seen in the VWF gene is certainly a key contributor to the disease phenotype, but not all defects will ultimately lead to VWD.

Modifier Genes and Diagnosis

In addition to defects in VWF, several genes independent of the VWF locus have been shown to affect VWF levels. The most described modifier gene is ABO, though others such as CLEC4M, STAB2, and STXBP5 also exist. Blood group O levels of less than 50 IU/dL are routinely used to establish a diagnosis of VWD, but some individuals with blood type O also meet this criteria despite being healthy. Some experts have proposed that low VWF may be more suitably described as a risk factor for bleeding instead of as the basis for bleeding.

Originally posted here:
Advances in the Diagnosis of Type 1 von Willebrand Disease: Genetic Testing - Hematology Advisor

TORONTO -- Dog owners, take note: If you're fed up with your pet's personality, there may not be much you can do about it.

A new study confirms something many people have long suspected, namely that canine behaviours are largely based on the animals' genetic makeup.

Researchers at four American universities analyzed genetic information and behaviour logs for 14,000 dogs from 101 breeds and determined that 60 to 70 per cent of the differences in personality traits between breeds can be explained by the genes they inherited from their parents.

Genetics were found to contribute most strongly to traits such as trainability, aggression toward strangers and attention-seeking. This fits with the idea that these were some of the most or least sought-after attributes during the early stages of breeding, making them essentially hard-wired into the breeds' DNA.

Because most of these breeds have only been in existence for 300 years or less, they have not had enough time to develop the sort of genetic diversity seen in species with longer histories.

This helps explain why greyhounds and Siberian huskies are some of the least aggressive dogs toward strangers, for example, or why Yorkshire terriers and toy poodles have trouble coping with separation.

The researchers were also able to find 131 genetic variations that appear to be linked to breed behaviour. They say this suggests that no individual gene is solely responsible for dogs' personality traits, and instead the relationships between genes come into play just as they do with humans.

Even some of the genes located by the researchers as being associated with dogs' neurological development mirror similar genes that have been found in humans.

"Dogs exhibit striking parallels to traits in humans," the study reads.

"For example, common genetic mechanisms contribute to individual differences in social behaviour in dogs and humans."

This suggests that further study of dog genetics could help illustrate how personality traits develop in humans, and which traits are more or less likely to be inherited, the researchers said.

The study was published Oct. 1 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

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Why is your dog so aggressive? The answer is largely in its DNA - CTV News

Name: Sue Jinks-Robertson

Position: Professor, Vice Chair and Director of the Cell and Molecular Biology Program

Years at Duke: 13

What she does at Duke: Jinks-Robertson has many duties in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology. She oversees the Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program which features around 100 graduate students and involves around 130 faculty members. She also co-directs the Cancer Genetics and Genomics program at Duke Cancer Institute.

But Jinks-Robertson is most at home in her lab, where she studies the genetic makeup of yeast.

Her team examines yeast DNA, looking for the factors behind mutations or changes in sequence. This research is important is because the DNA of yeast is essentially the same that found in many other organisms, including humans.

If we understand how this works in yeast, we can get information about what can go wrong in humans, Jinks-Robertson said.

The research is of great value in the fight against cancer, since it can occur when cells with genetic flaws multiply. Therapies that help identify and repair these flaws can be critical in battling the disease.

The basis for the therapies comes from the very basic work done in the trenches with an organism like yeast, Jinks-Robertson said.

What she loves about Duke: When she arrived at Duke after two decades on the faculty at Emory University, Jinks-Robertson was struck by the affection and loyalty her new colleagues both staff and faculty had for the university.

Soon, she too came to have a similar relationship with the university. She said its hard to pin down one specific reason for her connection with Duke, but she knows its there.

I dont know if its some of the physical structures around, like the Gardens, the Chapel, theres a central focus, of course theres basketball, its hard to put your finger on what it is, Jinks-Robertson said. Its just a very nice place to work. You feel connected to something bigger than yourself.

A memorable day at work: This spring, Jinks-Robertson was preparing for a major grant application when she got a call from colleague Thomas Petes with exciting news.

Petes, the Minnie Gellar Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, told her that shed been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, a 156-year old organization comprised of the nations top scientific minds.

It was a big surprise, Jinks-Robertson said. If youre a scientist, at least in this country, its a great recognition.

Jinks-Robertson was one of two Duke scientists elected to the 2019 class. Susan Alberts, the Robert F. Durden Professor of Biology, also earned election to the academy.

The nicest part of it was that I was hit with a flood of emails and phone calls, it was really wonderful, Jinks-Robertson said.

Special object/memorabilia in her workspace: On a shelf in her office, Jinks-Robertson has a collection of gifts given to her by former students who came to Duke from other countries. Theres a statue of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning, which was given to her by a student from India. Theres also a vase from Russia, a screen from China and small house from the Philippines.

I like to think it shows I was successful in training the next generation, Jinks-Robertson said.

First ever job: A native of Panama City, Florida, Jinks-Robertson grew up around the water. As a child, she swam and water skied often. After she graduated from high school, she spent the next two summers working as a mermaid at Gulf World Marine Park, a popular attraction in Panama City.

We didnt have tails, but we had on scuba tanks and dove in saltwater tanks and fed the fish as people watched, Jinks-Robertson said of the mermaid role, which also had her swimming with dolphins and sea lions. It was fun.

Best advice received: In 1986, when she was finishing up her time as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Chicago working with Thomas Petes, who many years later helped bring her to Duke, Jinks-Robertson began looking for faculty positions.

I was pregnant with my first child and I was concerned about that, Jinks-Robinson said. His advice was, If its a problem, its not a place you want to be. He really put me at ease and told me I shouldnt worry about that. Hes always been very supportive of women in science.

Something most people dont know about her: Much of Jinks-Robertsons work is done with a sleeping labradoodle at her feet. With soft, curly light brown hair, Gracie is Jinks-Robertsons constant companion, often accompanying her to work.

Its calming, Jinks-Robertson said. I walk her every day, so it gets me moving and out of my chair. Shes good company.

Is there a colleague at Duke who has an intriguing job or goes above and beyond to make a difference? Nominate that person for Blue Devil of the Week.

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Blue Devil of the Week: Searching for Answers in the Genetic Code - Duke Today

LONDON, MUMBAI, India and BAYREUTH, Germany, Oct. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

- RESILIENT Protocol captures Encyclopedic information from tumors and uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize treatments;

- Objective Response and Disease Control Comparable to or better than most Immunotherapy options;

- Unique Ultra-personalised combination of drugs already approved for cancer;

- RESILIENT Protocol commercially launched

Datar Cancer Genetics, a cancer research company, today announced positive data from the phase II/III RESILIENT trial intended to validate clinical benefit for cancer patients who have run out of treatment options under the present standard of care guidelines. The study achieved its primary and secondary end points of Objective Response Rate, Progression Free Survival and Disease Control Rate respectively.

Drug resistant cancers present a serious clinical challenge since there are virtually no treatments available and the prognosis is invariably poor. As a large proportion of all patients with advanced cancers ultimately progress towards this phase, life extending treatment options for these patients are urgently required.

The RESILIENT Protocol is designed to analyse all functional layers of a cancer cell i.e., DNA, RNA, proteins and germline genetics as also the chemoresistance/sensitivity of live tumour cells. This data is integrated through an Artificial Intelligence algorithm to derive treatment regimens which are most efficacious and yet show the least risk of toxicity.

RESILIENT is the world's first and only prospective Precision Oncology trial where drug combinations were selected on multi-analyte integration. Most prior trials based on a single molecular alteration for drug selection had dismal outcomes. 143 patients started treatment and 126 patients were evaluable as per study criteria. All patients underwent PET-CT and Brain MRI scans prior to start of treatment to establish extent of disease. Treatment response was determined by follow-up PET-CT and MRI scans.

In the majority (90.5%) of patients, further spread of cancer was effectively halted. In 42.9% of patients, treatments also led to a significant decrease in the extent of cancer. Remarkably, among the 12 patients where disease progressed, no new metastases were reported in 9 patients. There were no serious treatment related adverse events or deaths. Most patients reported stable to improved quality of life.

The data of the RESILIENT Trial is published in the peer revived oncology journal 'Oncotarget' (https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.27188)

"The RESILIENT trial marks a watershed moment for molecular oncology as it unequivocally proves that patients who have failed even 2 to 3 lines of treatment can benefit from already approved drugs if comprehensive tumour analysis is used to guide treatments. Patients in the United Kingdom and all over the world have much to gain from the outcome of this trial," said Dr. Tim Crook, Medical Oncologist at the St. Luke's Cancer Centre, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, UK, who is one of the authors of the publication.

Datar is a leading cancer research corporation specialising in tumour analysis for better diagnosis, treatment decisions, and management of cancer. Datar's research initiatives are poised to bring about meaningful, patient-friendly and practice changing advancements in cancer treatment. Datar is also pursuing Adoptive Cell Immunotherapy for Multiple Solid Organ Cancers.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Vineet Datta - drvineetdatta@datarpgx.com

Dr Stefan Schuster - drstefanschuster@datarpgx.com

Datar Cancer Genetics info@datarpgx.org

Related Links

https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.27188

https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdz268.061

Encyclopedic Tumor Analysis – Exacta

SOURCE Datar Cancer Genetics Ltd

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Datar Cancer Genetics Announces Positive Results With 42.9% Objective Response Rate, and 90.5% Disease Control Rate in Heavily Pre-treated Patients...

(WBAY) -

You may have heard the buzz surrounding "integrative medicine," but do you know what it means? Local doctor Lynn Wagner defines it as the bridge between traditional and alternative medicine. Dr. Wagner believes it can improve the physical and mental health of people who incorporate it into their own health care. Dr. Wagner is a BayCare Clinic M.D. and Urgent Care physician who has made integrative medicine part of the care she provides.

Dr. Lynn Wagner decided to pursue medicine when she was an undergrad at University of Minnesota. She went to medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed her residency in California. Dr. Wagner determined that she wanted to pursue emergency room medicine because she liked the variety and pace of providing treatment.

When Dr. Wagner personally dealt with post-partum depression after the birth of her daughter, she sought out other non-traditional healing methods. Practices like energy healing, meditation, yoga and changing her diet made her feel better. When Dr. Wagner realized it could do the same for her patients, her integrative medical practice grew.

Here I am working in the E.R., and I have these patients coming in, and they are on 10-15 different prescription medications. They are miserable, theyre in pain, theyre lonely, and no one is telling them there is a better way. So I had to do something else.

Dr. Wagner says prescription medications do have a place in her practice, but its also important to her to find out the cause a physical or mental ailment while they are treating the symptom.

In our Get 2 the Point podcast, hear more from Dr. Lynn Wagner about the ways that integrative medicine is becoming part of traditional health care and learn more about integrative lifestyle medicine at BayCare Clinic at http://www.lynnkwagner.com.

Listen on your favorite podcast apps and sites:

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Get 2 the Point: Integrative Medicine - WBAY

Millennials are experiencing more psychological symptoms and mental distress than people of their age group ever have before. Of course, there are a variety of factors involved. Were living through an era of economic difficulty, as well as the meteoric rise of social media (the use of which has been linked to both anxiety and depression). Unsurprisingly, the number of people visiting psychiatrists has also risen steeply, to the point where, as a nation, were now experiencing a shortage of psychiatrists.

And regardless of why people are more mentally ill (or if, as some might argue), we also know this: were no closer to curing depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or any other widely-diagnosed psychiatric problem than we were half-a-century ago. This is despite a massive increase in the number of psychiatric visits and medicines prescribed.

The fundamental problem

If the practice of psychiatry is more prevalent than ever and there are more patients than ever to work with, why arent we seeing better results? The answer is simple, if concerning. The fact is, the current model of psychiatry from the way its thought about to the way its practiced doesnt address the root causes of psychological problems. In fact, a recent study out of the University of Liverpool asserts that psychiatric diagnoses are scientifically meaningless, and frequently unhelpful to the patient.

The authors conclusions were based partially on the fact that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (aka the DSM) barely mentions trauma as a factor in illnesses like depression and anxiety, when a growing body of research has highlighted trauma as a major factor. The overall problem is that current scientific knowledge simply doesnt explain mental illness as we know it, and mainstream treatments for psychological issues frequently fail to lead to significant positive changes in patients lives.

Integrative medicine joins the fray

There seems to be a link between the biomedical model upon which psychiatry is based, and its failure to alleviate mental distress. This is in large part due to the fact that most psychiatrists want to apply quick fixes in the form of psychotropic drugs, which in the best case treat symptoms, not causes.

Integrative medicine takes the opposite approach. An integrative practitioner doesnt assume your psychological distress is the result of nothing but a chemical imbalance he or she wants to find out what is causing that imbalance, whether its related to past trauma, chronic untreated disease, poor diet, or something else.

Treatments recommended by integrative practitioners are also healthy for your body, not harmful (unlike many psychiatric medications). Theyre likely to have a positive impact much sooner, and dont carry the risk of withdrawal syndromes. Most importantly, integrative practitioners take into account the big picture of your health, lifestyle, and current circumstances. Its often said, tellingly, that integrative medicine treats the person, not the disease.

Healthcare providers are getting on board with recommending complementary and alternative treatments, as a growing number of them see the current state of psychiatry as unacceptable. Both inside and outside the medical community, were seeing a grassroots movement that is concerned with our current mental healthcare crisis, and demanding change. Thats good for integrative practitioners, but even better for patients. The sooner we stop pretending that slapping a scientific-sounding name on our psychological problems will lead to a cure, the sooner we can figure out how to actually treat them.

Photo: Shutterstock

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Integrative Medicine Is Achieving What Psychiatry Can't-Here's How - The Good Men Project

Dear Dr. Fox: My 3-year-old spayed female Boston terrier constantly licks and scratches. She has been on Apoquel for the last three years, which does not help.

Is there anything that can help her? I have tried different brands of dog food, but theres been no improvement. Would holistic treatment help?

I also think she has psychological issues, and that may be part of her problem. It also seems that she does not sleep a lot, even during the night, as she is constantly moving and licking. B.K., Barnegat, New Jersey

Dear B.K.: I would taper off the Apoquel, which is being widely prescribed for dogs, often with no benefit and sometimes with harmful consequences of suppressing the immune system.

Considering the breed, your dog could need surgery for an upper-respiratory obstruction related to having a pushed-in face, which can interfere with sleep and limit physical activity. Such dogs often need their nasal orifices enlarged. Difficulty breathing can cause restlessness and anxiety, can lead to secondary infections such as pneumonia, and also puts extra work on the heart. With reduced physical activity, obesity is another complication.

I am sending you my home-prepared dog food recipe (drfoxonehealth.com), which will help rule out any possible food allergy. In addition, I would give her 1,000 IUs of vitamin D3 with each meal (three small meals a day). This supplement helps in some cases of atopic dermatitis in dogs for whom Apoquel has been prescribed.

Remember to weigh your dog before starting on a new diet, and then weigh her every three to four weeks to help maintain optimal weight.

Limiting access to alternative medicines: As a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, I have been a longtime advocate of integrative medicine and a holistic approach to animal health, including the use of nutraceuticals and various botanicals. But I am concerned about reports that access to websites on these subjects as they relate to human health is now being blocked by Google, which has just contracted with the Mayo Clinic to improve diagnoses, treatment and outcomes by mining the medical records of people ... (Star Tribune, Editorials, Sept. 16).

Several years ago, when I gave a lecture at the University of Minnesota in Rochester the hometown of the Mayo Clinic I was told by the graduate student organizer that the university bookstore and the main bookstore downtown had both been instructed by the powers that be not to stock my controversial books on industrial agriculture and related environmental and consumer health concerns. Now, it would seem, there is further censorship that is proceeding at an unprecedented pace to further vested interests in conventional medicine, rather than advance the first medicine of prevention, and also the use of alternative treatments to various pharmaceutical products that are often costly and have harmful side effects.

For details, see naturalnews.com and healthnutnews.com. The latter reports that popular websites like Mercola and GreenMedInfo have lost significant visibility over the year studied (Mercola -84.02%, GreenMedInfo -81.14%), while the Mayo Clinic showed a 59.98% increase in visibility.

Backyard chickens? Please think twice: Keeping your own chickens may be popular these days, but it is far from harmless. More than 1,000 cases of salmonellosis from backyard poultry had been reported in 49 states this year as of Aug. 23, resulting in two deaths and 175 hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A CDC survey of patients found 49% of those infected had snuggled chicks, 46% allowed the birds in their house and 10% allowed them in their bedroom. (CNN, Sept. 14)

My advice is to resist being drawn into this trendy hobby, and keep children away from such backyard operations. If you do eat eggs, do your best to find those from free-range, uncaged hens fed organically certified food. If you saw how commercial layers are housed, you would never eat another egg.

Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

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Animal Doctor: Boston terriers are one breed with breathing problems - Tulsa World

Cancer care is expensiveboth in financial costs for the healthcare system and quality of life costs to the patient. Palliative care can help, but is sometimes misunderstood.

Arif Kamal, MD, MBA, MHS, FASCO, associate professor of medicine, population health sciences and business administration at Duke University, co-authored a paper outlining how palliative care can help improve the value of solid tumors cancers like lung cancer. He says while payers are generally on board with supporting palliative care, there are still a lot of misconceptions.

Palliative care is not synonymous with end of life care. Often, end-of-life care is seen as the responsibility of hospice, which is not necessarily under the purview of a hospital system or commercial payer, Kamal says. Palliative care and hospice are distinct but related. Palliative care should be part of routine operations.

There is a growing evidence base to support palliative care and integrative medicine in oncology. Both focus on the patient experience during the end of cancer care, and the paper highlights how these services relate to quality of life, healthcare utilization, and more in patients with lung cancer. Palliative care can bring patient-centered and financial value to oncology patients, Kamals paper notes, so much so that dedicated attention to palliative and supportive care of lung cancer patients is now a standard of care in national and international guidelines.

Sometimes viewed in error as end-of-life care by patients and even some physicians, palliative care focuses on patient- and family-oriented care that optimizes quality of life issues.

Palliative care has routinely proven its benefits to health systems and commercial payers, Kamal says. Since 2011, he says research has consistently demonstrated avoidance of low-value healthcare costs often associated with advanced illness. Under palliative care, patients can choose to avoid healthcare measures they consider low value to their overall healthcare goals.

While palliative care doesnt generate revenue, Kamal says, there are significant cost benefits through cost avoidance in the form of lower out-of-pocket costs for patients, lower payments for payers, and lower unreimbursed costs for hospitals.

Hospitals will consistently see improvements around patient experience, Kamal adds. Patient experience scores go up, 30-day readmission rates go down by a third, and the total cost of careespecially unreimbursed caregoes down.

Related: Top 6 Cancer Drug Trend

In one example from the paper, Kamal and his co-authors share the results from a home-based palliative care trial that enrolled 500 patients and showed a 45% decrease in costs compared to standard care. Patients were happier, had less emergency department visits, hospital stays, skilled nursing facility stays, and physician visitsall thanks to the extra layer of support from palliative care. When extending these benefits as a population health strategy, the paper estimates that the reduction in Medicaid spending in New York state alone could be as much as $252 million per year.

Oncology will always remain one of the most resource-intensive medical disciplines, Kamal writes in the paper. Caring for those with substantial morbidity, using methods that are often costly because of their cutting-edge characteristics, while using a multidisciplinary team to address needs from all angles comes at a cost. Yet, we are learning that routine integration of palliative care into oncology care can curb costs that are unnecessary and can prevent health care utilization that is not wanted, all while supporting patient preferences and values.

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The Immeasurable Benefits of Palliative Cancer Care - Managed Healthcare Executive

MORGANTOWN West Virginia Universitys Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and the WVU Medicine Center for Integrative Pain Managements efforts to improve military pain medicine care for soldiers in the field have been recognized by a national award for excellence in military pain medicine. This is the first time the award was given to an institution rather than an individual.

Ret. Col. Dr. Chester Trip Buckenmaier III, director of the Defense and Veterans Center for Integrative Pain Management, presented the Congressman John P. Murtha Memorial Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Military Pain Medicine at the WVU Medicine Center for Integrative Pain Management Conference held Sept. 20 at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown.

This unique collaboration between WVU and the Uniformed Services University is an example of how multiple entities can share information and work together to develop better methods of treating pain amid a national opioid epidemic, said Dr. William Ramsey, associate vice president for coordination and logistics at WVU Health Sciences.

The partnership between the Uniformed Services University a health sciences university of the United States federal government that prepares graduates for service as medical professionals, nurses and physicians and West Virginia University in the area of integrated pain management resulted in the formation of the WVU Medicine Center for Integrative Pain Management as well as research in the School of Dentistry to explore non-pharmacological therapies in the treatment of pain.

We are humbled and honored to be a recipient of this award from our colleagues at DVCIPM, and are grateful that we have become a part of the many efforts in addressing pain management and substance use disorder, one of the most important medical issues of our times, WVU School of Dentistry Dean Anthony Borgia said.

It has been a privilege to collaborate with DVCIPM over the past two years, said Dr. Richard Vaglienti, clinical director of the WVU Medicine Center for Integrative Pain Management. Receiving the John P. Murtha award is a great honor and encouragement that we are having an impact in pain treatment beyond our state borders and for the men and women who voluntarily serve to protect us.

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WVU Medicine, WVU Schools of Medicine and Dentistry receive national award for excellence in military pain medicine - WV News

Making Strides Richmond. Courtesy of the American Cancer Society

There are many opportunities in the coming weeks for women and men to take care of their health needs or lend some support to someone else.

Breast Imaging Center Open HouseThursday, Oct. 10; 5-7 p.m.The Comprehensive Breast Imaging CenterJohnston-Willis Hospital1401 Johnston Willis Drive

Tour the new space, meet the team and learn about the latest technology in breast imaging while enjoying mocktails and snacks. johnstonwillismed.com/calendar

Flu ClinicSaturday, Oct. 12; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Bon Secours Westchester Emergency Center601 Watkins Centre Parkway

Features free flu shots, free blood pressure checks, snacks and informational booths. 594-2100

Light the Night WalkSaturday, Oct. 12; 5 p.m.Innsbrook North Shore Commons4951 Lake Brook Drive, Glen Allen

Join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to walk and celebrate, honor or remember those touched by cancer. Registration required. Free, donations accepted. lightthenight.org/events/richmond

Mammos and MassagesTuesdays, Oct. 15, 22, 29; 5-7:45 p.m.Chesterfield Imaging, 13636 Hull Street RoadWednesdays, Oct. 16, 30; 4-7 p.m.Johnston-Willis Hospital, 1401 Johnston WillisDrive

Includes a mammogram, 10-minute massage and light refreshments. Registration required. Sponsored by HCA Virginia. 540-848-4510, hcavamammo.com

Walk with a DocTuesday, Oct. 15; 5:30-6:30 p.m.Pole Green Park8996 Pole Green Park Lane, Mechanicsville

Breast surgeon Dr. Misti Wilson will lead a brief discussion about the importance of mammograms and other items related to breast health and join attendees for a short walk. 764-6000, facebook.com/bonsecoursrva

AFSP Out of Darkness WalkSaturday, Oct. 19; 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Deep Run Park9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond

Raise awareness and funds on this 2- to 3-mile walk to help the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention invest in research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy and support survivors of suicide loss. Registration required. Free, donations accepted. 387-7143

Central Virginia Kidney WalkSaturday, Oct. 19; 9 a.m. registration,activities; 10 a.m. walkInnsbrook North Shore Commons4951 Lake Brook Drive, Glen Allen

Join kidney donors, recipients and their families for a 1- or 3-mile walk to celebrate the gift of life and each other while raising awareness and funds for research, patient services, education and community services. Registration required. Free, donations accepted. 288-8342, ext. 724, kidneyva.org

Making Strides RichmondSunday, Oct. 20; 1-4 p.m.Innsbrook Pavilion4901 Lake Brook Drive, Glen Allen

This 5-mile walk includes activities for the whole family, food trucks, a survivors reception and tribute to honor those who have fought breast cancer and won and to remember those who lost their battle with breast cancer. Registration required. Free, donations accepted. cancer.org/about-us/local/virginia.html

Pink Ribbon Tea and Fashion ShowSaturday, Oct. 26; 2-4 p.m.The Beacon Theatre Ballroom401 North Main St., Hopewell

This breast cancer awareness education event features a presentation by Kristin Livingston from the Sarah Cannon Institute at Johnston-Willis Hospital on Lymphodema and Treatment Options, a panel of medical professionals will answer questions about cancer from the audience and a fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors who will model the latest fashions from J.C. Penney. Registration required. Free. 320-3627

Sports Injuries How to Identify, Care,Prevent and TreatWednesday, Oct. 30; 6-7:30 p.m.John Randolph Medical Center411 West Randolph Road, Hopewell

Just in time for fall sports, this educational seminar features a discussion on the identification, care, prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries. Registration required. Free. hcavirginia.com/calendar

Walk to End AlzheimersSaturday, Nov. 2; 8 a.m.registration, 9:30 a.m.opening ceremony, 10 a.m. walkBon Secours Washington RedskinsTraining Center2401 W. Leigh St., Richmond

Raise awareness and funds for Alzheimers care, support and research on a 1- or 3-mile walk. Registration required. Free, donations accepted. 967-2581, khood@alz.org, act.alz.org

Womens Night OutThursday, Nov. 7; 6-8 p.m.John Randolph Medical Center411 West Randolph Road, Hopewell

Dr. Lisa Shah and Dr. Neema Amin will discuss health topics related to women, including primary care and orthopedics. Registration required. Free. 541-1600, johnrandolphmedicalcenter.com/calendar

Mindful Preparation for Conception A Holistic ApproachSaturday, Nov. 23; 10 a.m.-noonMyBirth Studio1726 Altamont Ave., Richmond

Learn how specific foods may help to naturally boost fertility, and the key role nutrition plays in preconception. Explore wellness techniques, such as acupuncture and integrative medicine, mindfulness and restorative yoga. Registration required. $30. mybirthrva.com/onsite-education

FREE MAMMOGRAMS

Reach Out for Lifes Free Mammography Outreach Program provides access to complete free breast health services for women who are lower-income and underinsured. Resources are available through the Chesterfield Health Department, 9501 Lucy Corr Circle, 748-1691, and other locations in surrounding localities. reachoutforlifeva.org/free-mammograms

Every Womans Life Program, a part of the Virginia Department of Health, is a public health program that helps uninsured, low-income women gain access to free breast and cervical cancer screening services. To learn about qualifications and screening locations, call 1-866-EWL-4YOU (1-866-395-4968) or visit vdh.virginia.gov/every-womans-life/.

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From awareness walks to free mammograms, plan healthy this fall - Chesterfield Observer

EDGEWOOD, Ky. St. Elizabeth Healthcare has announced a partnership with doTERRA International, an integrative health and wellness company and the world leader in the Global Aromatherapy and Essential Oils market. doTERRA will play a foundational role in the development and implementation of the forthcoming Center for Integrative Oncology within St. Elizabeths new Cancer Center in Edgewood opening in the fall of 2020.

When the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center opens next fall, it will include nearly an entire floor of the building that is dedicated to the holistic, patient-centered approach to care known as integrative oncology, shared Garren Colvin, president and chief executive officer of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. We want patients (and their caregivers) to have as much support and access to resources as possible under one roof.

The doTERRA Center for Integrative Oncology will be more than 8,400 square feet on the first floor of the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center. The Center will provide a calming space with holistic care options to complement St. Elizabeths comprehensive medical care, including the use of doTERRA essential oils and aromatherapy, yoga, meditation and a spa-like atmosphere for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Additionally, experts at St. Elizabeth Healthcare will be conducting clinical trials related to complementary and alternative medicine, providing evidence-based options that may help patients better manage symptoms.

Our priority at St. Elizabeth is to offer the highest quality care and comfort to our patients and their loved ones, said Dr. Doug Flora, executive medical director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth. Adding supplemental resources will help improve the quality of life for our patients and families as they are going through diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship.

doTERRA first learned of the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center from one of its wellness advocates who was a former patient of Dr. Flora and is now a cancer survivor. Inspired by St. Elizabeths personal and integrative approach to medicine, which aligns with doTERRAs philosophy and focus on wellness and addressing the needs of the whole person, doTERRA made a generous donation of $5 million to the St. Elizabeth Foundation Cancer Center Community Campaignthe largest corporate donation in St. Elizabeth Foundations 30 year history. This donation symbolizes the start of a synergistic partnership between the two organizations.

doTERRA is honored to join St. Elizabeth Healthcare in supporting patients undergoing cancer treatment, said Dr. David Hill, founding executive, Scientific & Healthcare Initiatives, of doTERRA. Going through chemotherapy, radiation and other related treatments are challenging experiences. We are pleased to help bring support to these individuals through the doTERRA Center for Integrative Oncology during their healing journey.

doTERRAs dedication to advancing the field of essential oils through its collaborative healthcare and research partnerships consists of a team of experts including its chief medical officer, clinical scientists, MDs and medical professionals, a medical advisory board of leading experts in fields ranging from dentistry to orthopedic surgery, and institutional partners.

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St. Elizabeth to partner with doTerra International on integrative oncology at new cancer center Lane Report | Kentucky Business & Economic News...

Food is medicine. Its a refrain you hear a lotincluding from doctors. Which is why its surprising news that MDs arent taught exactly how food and wellness are connected in medical school. According to integrative and functional medicine Frank Lipman, MD, when he was in medical school, the curriculum devoted no more than two hours to nutrition. And to his knowledge, not much has changed since. Its still a huge deficiency in the current medical training of physicians, he says.

This month, Harvards Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC) released a report urging undergraduate, graduate, and medical school training for doctors to include more nutritional training. This will allow doctors to support better outcomes for individual patients and to address the most common and costly health risks facing our country, reads the report, with additional recommendations that nutrition education be a requirement for physicians to keep their medical license.

Of course physicians should receive more nutrition education, Dr. Lipman says. We have to get beyond the disease care model that we doctors get trained in where the only therapeutic tools taught are drugs and surgery. If we are going to practice health care, nutrition is essential to any health care model. In the current disease care model, nutrition should play a much more important role.

Integrative family medicine physician Bindiya Gandhi, MD agrees. Doctors only spend one hour learning about nutrition in four years of medical schoolits not enough, she says. I wish we spent more time when I was a medical student. Nutrition is always a good base to start with patients and lifestyle medicine is the way to go when treating a lot different ailments ranging from diabetes to autoimmune disease and more. Dr. Gandhi adds that doctors are taught to treat disease; the education on prevention is minimal.

With the rise in interest in integrative health, the tide may be changingbut it will take systematic curriculum changes to weave in the food is medicine approach into medical training. But with this urging from Harvard, its at least a start.

Health professionals love the Mediterranean diet, and so will you:

Heres what nutrition means to ten people who work in wellness. Plus, nine ready-made healthy foods that are cheaper to buy than make yourself.

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Doctors only spend one hour learning about nutrition in four years of medical schoolits not enough - Well+Good

Delaware News Desk

ThursdayOct3,2019at11:15PM

Beebe Healthcares Community Outreach and Integrative Health team will host two classes in October at Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave.

Integrative Mental Health 101: Getting to the Root of What Ails You will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 9. Carolyn Trasko, an Integrative Mental Health Specialist, will give a presentation to gain a deeper understanding of how the relationship between the mind, and emotional, psychological and physical experiences offers important clues to help manage and potentially overcome chronic health conditions, including anxiety and depression. Mind-Body Medicine consists of a model of whole-person care that utilizes a focus on mind, brain, body and spirit to identify and treat illness.

The class is free, but registration is requested to integrative-mental-health-101-lewes.eventbrite.com

Healing Encounters: Alternative Therapies for Pain Management, from CBD Oils to Tai Chi, is set for 3 p.m. Oct. 23. Explore the latest, most effective non-opioid solutions to pain management with leading integrative medicine physician Uday Jani. Jani will describe the numerous options available, including the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine, the therapeutic properties of the arts including mind-body medicine, electrical modalities, herbal supplements and the new promise of cannabidiol/CBD oils. Learn more about the power of alternative medicines healing encounters to restore a state of health naturally at this intriguing talk.

This class is free, but registration is requested to alternative-therapies-for-pain-management-lewes.eventbrite.com.

For more, visit beebehealthcare.org.

View original post here:
Beebe Healthcare to host Integrative Health classes in October - Milford Beacon

St. Elizabeth Healthcare announced this week a partnership with doTERRA, a global aromatherapy and essential oils company.

In a news release, St. Elizabeth said that doTERRA will play a foundational role in the development of its Center for Integrative Oncology within the new Cancer Center that will open in 2020 in Edgewood.

When the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center opens next fall, it will include nearly an entire floor of the building that is dedicated to the holistic, patient-centered approach to care known as integrative oncology, said Garren Colvin, president and chief executive officer of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, in a news release. We want patients (and their caregivers) to have as much support and access to resources as possible under one roof.

The doTERRA Center for Integrative Oncology will be more than 8,400 square feet on the first floor of the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center.

In a news release, the doTERRA Center was described as providing a calming space with holistic care options to complement St. E's comprehensive medical care, which would include essential oils and aromatherapy, yoga, meditation, and a spa-like atmosphere for patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Experts at St. Elizabeth will also conduct clinical trials related to complementary and alternative medicine, providing evidence-based options that may help patients better manage symptoms.

Our priority at St. Elizabeth is to offer the highest quality care and comfort to our patients and their loved ones, said Dr. Doug Flora, executive medical director of oncology services at St. Elizabeth. Adding supplemental resources will help improve the quality of life for our patients and families as they are going through diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship.

DoTERRA contributed $5 million to the St. Elizabeth Foundation Cancer Center Community Campaign, the largest donation ever received by the foundation.

doTERRA is honored to join St. Elizabeth Healthcare in supporting patients undergoing cancer treatment, said Dr. David Hill, founding executive, scientific & healthcare initiatives of doTERRA. Going through chemotherapy, radiation and other related treatments are challenging experiences. We are pleased to help bring support to these individuals through the doTERRA Center for Integrative Oncology during their healing journey.

-Staff report

Read the rest here:
St. Elizabeth Announces Partnership with Essential Oils, Aromatherapy Company - The River City News

The Well has built a tranquil retreat in the heart of Union Square, NYC

With the overwhelming boom of both wellness and members clubs, it should come as no surprise that one particularly elegant combination of both realms has become the talk of the town in New York City.

Newly opened this month, The Well, a membership-based club that creates integrated and personalised wellness plans for its members, touts an offering that professes to be the first of its kind. A union of both Western medicine and Eastern healing, the clubs programme features a best-in-class rota of wellness practitioners, fitness trainers and health coaches, who have come together to create a comprehensive approach to personal health.

Founded by Rebecca Parekh (the former COO for Deepak Chopra), Kane Sarhan, (formerly the head of brand at Starwood Capital Group and 1 Hotels) and Sarrah Hallock (previously in marketing for beverage brands including vitaminwater, Bai and WTRMLN WTR), The Well was conceived as a place where individuals could integrate health, well-being and the enjoyment of a destination luxury experience into one enticing package that busy urban professionals will be hard-pressed to resist.

The heart of the club. Photography: Kris Tamburello

The whole concept of the club is if you brought a destination spa to the city and brought together both Eastern and Western modalities in one place for holistic health and wellness, explains Sarhan. Its all with the feeling and service of a luxury membership club or five star hotel, so its actually a place you want to go and it doesnt feel like work to take care of yourself.

To this end, The Well has built a tranquil retreat right in the heart of Union Square. Designed by Liubasha Rose and spread over three floors, The Well provides members access to unlimited yoga, meditation and movement classes in its studio, access to the private training gym where signature, proprietary classes are offered, a reflexology room, steam room and sauna, as well as a ten-room spa with an extensive treatment menu that includes acupuncture, reiki, craniosacral, mysofacial, lymph drainage and deep tissue massage, amongst others. Each members wellness plan is overseen by a dedicated health coach during monthly one-on-one sessions, to ensure the best results and outcome, while a team of experts well-versed in areas including functional and integrative medicine, Chinese medicine, sports medicine and Ayurveda will uniquely communicate with each other to offer a holistic approach that takes every individuals needs and goals to heart.

The Meditation Room. Photography: Kris Tamburello

A boutique filled with practitioner-vetted beauty and wellness products sits by the entrance, while a caf and restaurant from the team behind city favourite Caf Clover is set to open shortly.

The city is so over-saturated and chaotic [that] we wanted to create a place where the minute you walk through the door, all of that melts away, says Rose, who created a feeling of continuity and positivity linking all of the clubs different areas. The design is serene, with a soft color palate full of texture and then certain areas have moments where the club is in bloom with colour.Its the balance of the tonal-to-vibrant that makes for a relaxing and engaging environment.

We want to change the narrative and relationship around wellness, Sarhan concludes, revealing that two more locations (one more in New York and one in Los Angeles) are already in the works. This club is our first step towards building a global brand that changes the way people think about their health.

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The Well has built a tranquil retreat in the heart of Union Square, NYC - Wallpaper*

The Massachusetts Association of Reflexology (MAR) is invited to support breast cancer patients, survivors and families with complementary, holistic services at the next Integrative Therapies Expo, sponsored by PinkHippy.org on Sunday, October 13, 2019, at Sturbridge Host Hotel, 366 Main Street, Sturbridge, Massachusetts 01566

This event is open and free to anyone that has been touched by breast cancer. Come and spend an afternoon learning and experiencing various healing modalities. There will also be lectures, demonstrations, and information, including a section dedicated to services for cancer patients, survivors, and their families.

Vendors have generously donated their time and their expertise to support this event.

Some of the healing services offered:

Reflexology is the ancient art of healing. It can be used in conjunction with conventional treatment to obtain relief from a variety of conditions from general stress to specific disorders. This gentle and non-invasive healing art originated in Chinese and Egyptian medicine 5,000 years ago.

There are more than 15,000 nerve endings in the feet connected to every organ and body system. To increase energy flow, release toxins, and support body systems. A trained and certified Reflexologist uses their thumbs and fingers to stimulate the 15,000 nerve endings and bring the body back to homeostasis to encourage healing.

Healing Place LLC specializes in helping people of all ages to break pain cycles of chronic pain, chronic digestive problems, and balance hormones naturally. If you would like to learn how Reflexology can support your health, please schedule a FREE consultation on the HealingPlaceMedfield.com website or call 508.359.6463.

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Invitation: Integrative Therapies Expo for Breast Cancer - Patch.com

Inside a laboratory at UCI Medical Center, an oncologist will test a chemotherapy-free leukemia cure that harnesses patients immune systems to defeat the disease.

On a patch of land near the Irvine Barclay Theatre, construction crews will erect a stunning museum to house UCIs renowned collection of California art.

In apartments and homes around the state, incoming UCI freshmen who are the first in their families to attend college will receive newly funded scholarships to help them achieve the American dream.

These and dozens of other scenarios will begin unfolding under Brilliant Future, a $2 billion UCI fundraising and engagement effort that formally kicked off Oct. 4. Billed as the largest philanthropic campaign in Orange County history, the eight-year drive is designed to transform the campus and fuel groundbreaking discoveries.

No matter what issue you care about climate change, health, the arts, clean energy, educating the next generation UCI is working on it, says Brian T. Hervey, vice chancellor for university advancement and alumni relations. This campaign expands our capacity for trailblazing research and student success.

It also illustrates the growing importance of private donations at public institutions across the country. At UCI, state funding accounts for about 9 percent of UCIs annual operating budget. Some of the most creative scientific investigations and innovative buildings on campus are now powered by foundations and philanthropists.

UCIs mission is to change lives for the better, and a vital part of accomplishing that involves support from community partners, patients, alumni and parents who share our vision, says UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman.

Leading the charge for UCIs Brilliant Future campaign are Jimmy Peterson, former CEO of Microsemi Corp., and his wife, Sheila, president of Beachside Books, a boutique publishing house. Both are UCI Foundation trustees. They are joined by Broadcom co-founder Henry Samueli and his wife, Susan, also a foundation trustee, who are serving as honorary chairs for UCI Health in the campaign.

As the Petersons see it, the best avenue to making a difference in the world is through supporting a university, because thats where the bright minds are, Sheila Peterson says.

UCIs stellar academics and research make it one of the greatest resources on the planet, Jimmy Peterson adds. Ive raised money for other organizations, but this campaign has more heart appeal its something that benefits not only Orange County but the world.

Encompassing everything from artificial intelligence in medicine to xylophones for UCIs jazz program, Brilliant Future proposes an ambitious agenda for the campus. The list of priorities and projects was developed over several years in consultation with faculty, students, staff and community leaders, Hervey says.

Brilliant Future is UCIs second comprehensive funding campaign. Its predecessor, a decadelong initiative launched in 2005, raised more than $1 billion that was used to finance pioneering autism research, establish 50 endowed professorships and create the internationally renowned Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, among other achievements.

The new campaign began as soon as the last one ended, in August 2015, but remained in a quiet phase until this fall. Typically, university drives dont go public until about 40 percent of the overall target has been raised. As of Aug. 31, shortly before UCI Magazine went to press, Brilliant Future had tallied $762 million toward its $2 billion goal.

Quiet-phase donations included: a $40 million commitment from Bill Gross and Sue Gross in 2016 to establish a school of nursing; a $200 million pledge in 2017 from the Samuelis the largest gift in UCI history to found a new college of health sciences focused on integrative health; and two troves of artwork valued in the tens of millions of dollars each from The Irvine Museum (2016) and the estate of Orange County developer Gerald Buck (2017).

For the public phase of the campaign, UCI officials will solicit contributions toward four overarching objectives: advancing the American dream, transforming healthcare and wellness, accelerating world-changing research and exploring the human experience.

The American dream category aims to fortify UCIs nationally recognized effort to enroll outstanding students regardless of socioeconomic status or background by providing more scholarships and support to low-income, first-generation and other underserved groups.

To revolutionize healthcare, UCI plans to expand its clinical trials and research; erect cutting-edge patient treatment centers; and pioneer a new paradigm in personalized, integrative medicine.

On the research front, UCI promises to hasten groundbreaking discoveries by opening multidisciplinary laboratories, recruiting top scientists and encouraging more cross-department collaboration.

The fourth pillar calls for exploring the human experience and reimagining creativity via arts programs; humanities research; and projects to address some of societys most vexing challenges, such as homelessness and environmental sustainability.

The campaign also includes a parallel objective: strengthening connections with UCI alumni.

The goal is to entice at least 75,000 Anteaters about a third of UCIs alumni population to attend an event, mentor a current student or otherwise engage with their alma mater, says Jack Toan 95, MBA 02, president of UCIs Alumni Association. Bolstering alumni involvement can be a challenge.

When I went to UCI in the 1990s, it was more of a commuter school, so I didnt feel as connected to the campus, Toan says.

A stronger alumni network would be a boon, in part because UCI graduates represent an increasing number of first-generation students and those from low-income backgrounds, who often dont have as many social and career support systems.

Says Toan: I would love to see more of our alumni pay it forward on the opportunities they received here.

That, in turn, could improve the universitys financial picture and academic prestige by boosting its U.S. News & World Report ranking, which is partially based on the percentage of former students who give to the campus.

We invest where our hearts are, Toan says.

Hoping to fortify emotional ties to UCI, officials are planning regional and family-focused programming, as well as virtual events for alumni to participate in wherever they may live.

And the association wants to form additional special interest chapters so that Anteaters can engage with each other based on their cultural or industry affiliations.

The big-ticket items on Brilliant Futures list of funding priorities include a medical center to be built on university property (bringing UCIs innovative brand of healthcare to south Orange County), a world-class museum and institute devoted to the universitys acclaimed collection of California art, new research buildings, and naming gifts to support existing structures and programs.

Generous contributions are also being sought to create endowed faculty chairs and scholarships, improving the universitys ability to recruit top professors and students.

Together, such donations promise to transform the campus physically and academically. They will also widen UCIs beneficial impacts for Orange County and beyond, says campaign director Karen Isble, associate vice chancellor for university advancement.

Because nine out of 10 UCI graduates stay in California, the university plays a critical role in the states economic well-being, Isble notes. UCI is a catalyst for research and entrepreneurship that create jobs and pay off exponentially, she adds.

And the Brilliant Future campaign will enable the university to multiply that payoff in ways large and small. As Joshua Grill, director of the renowned UCI Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, puts it: We are at the forefront of finding solutions, but we need the help of the community to make these promising studies as successful as possible.

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Funding the Future - UCI News

Weight loss: Try short- workouts like HIIT and tabata workouts to maintain weight

The festive season surely brings with itself celebration and a much-needed break from the otherwise monotonous life. But what makes the arrival of festive season a good-enough reason to skip exercising and workout, is really difficult to comprehend. Highlighting the same is lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho on social media. Through a live session, he talks about the importance of maintaining your health during the festive season and holidays. It is in fact possible to enjoy the celebration during festivities with full fervour without worry about weight gain. Read here to know how.

1. In his post, Luke talks about how there is no need of skipping on having sweets during Diwali. And likewise, there is also no need for skipping exercise. All it takes is an hour or even 30 minutes to complete a workout and you can always find time to do it.

Exercising for even 30 minutes can help you maintain weight during the festive seasonPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Try These High Protein Breakfast Options Which Can Help You Lose Weight

2. What's more is that if you don't find the time to hit the gym, you can browse several short, quick and effective workouts on the internet. For instance, Kayla Itsines, the celebrity fitness expert, can be your go-to person if you want to know about workouts you can do without any equipment at home. Then, HIIT and Tabata workout are other forms of short-duration workouts that can help you with weight loss and maintain good health during the festive season.

3. Luke says that a lot of people approach him for weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol (to name a few) during January and February. "It can be avoided if you treat the last three months of the year just the way you treat the rest of the year," he says.

4. Most events and parties during the festive season and holidays are at night. Enjoy your time at that time, but try to follow the rest of the day with your usual diet and exercise regime.

Also read:Follow These Tips For Eating Out To Avoid Gaining Weight And Consuming Extra Calories

5. Try to have at least 2 healthy, homemade meals in a day.

Try to have at least 2 healthy meals in a day to manage your weightPhoto Credit: iStock

6. Do not wait for the new year to have your new year resolution and try to inculcate discipline in your lives today. Take a break if you want, but make sure you get back on track as soon as you can.

7. All you need to work on is your mindset. It is very much possible to maintain a balance even during festivities. Taking out a minimum of 15 minutes in a day for exercising and making the effort of having at least one healthy meal in a day should not be challenging for anyone. And even if it is, try to make up for it on days when you can.

8. Try to get proper sleep and avoid being sleep-deprived for too long. You need to sleep well to even enjoy the celebrations that are going on around you.

Also read:Weight Loss Tips: Eat Alone To Eat Less, Says Study

(Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach - Integrative Medicine)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from India and around the world on NDTV.com. Catch all the Live TV action on NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates.

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Weight Loss: Luke Coutinho Recommends These Tips To Avoid Weight Gain During The Festive Season - NDTV News

What is the purpose of a dissertation in 2019? Its a question many universities are asking, particularly at a time when there are so many more ways for a student to prove that in-depth research and analysis has been conducted in a particular field. Academicians are now broadening the scope and purpose of the dissertation, going beyond the long paper, weighed down by footnotes and a trail of citations.

Now students can go on live projects, engage with the communities and the industry, and even publish their work in journals before much before their doctorate degrees.

Earlier, research paper writing was comparatively smaller in scope, topic specific, with a limited number of relevant aspects, variables or features to be studied, says Dr Manu Sharma, senior academic operations co-ordinator at the School of Social Sciences and Languages at Lovely Professional University. Now dissertations have more elaborate and analytical grounds, with a more outcome-based approach.

Live Projects

The PGPM students at Great Lakes, Gurgaon have a compulsory Live Project component, which runs over multiple terms of their course and must be submitted in their last term Students work with companies, in groups of three, on some of their live or ongoing or upcoming areas of decision-making, says Dr Umashankar Venkatesh, professor of marketing and programme director of the institute. Students help in collecting, researching and analysing data. They then draw conclusions and recommend a validated course of action.

Shreya Gupta, a marketing major from PGPM class of 2020 is working with a start-up operating in the FMCG sector. The first part of her project includes building brand strategies and product portfolios for the startups. She is expected to study key international markets like US, Korea, Japan, UK on hot emerging trends on ingredients, claims and benefits. In a span of a month, I have learned about developing a strategic perceptual-map, brand equity and positioning and studying the global consumer trends.

At the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, most of the Masters programmes have a credited research project component. Students write monographs, reviews/term papers and while some might be better at theorising, some others are actually better at getting results through intervention, says Asha Banu Soletti, faculty at the Center for Health and Mental Health, School of Social Work. Students from the Centre for Livelihood and Social innovations at the institute work with the tribal self-help groups and farmers located in Aghai village in Maharashtra as part of the field action research project called Pragati (Integrated Rural

Health and Development Program). Through their engagement they have brought positive changes in the water conservation mechanisms, they have set up indigenous poultry, trained villagers on SRI (System of rice intensification) and organic farming. And all of these they do within a particular time frame, says Soletti.

Project funding:

At the University of Petroleum and Energy studies (UPES), students are motivated to make functional prototypes of their ideas. In 2016, the university started Sodh Support a research assistance and funding programme for students at the School of Engineering and School of Computer Sciences. Under this programme, students at both the BTech and MTech levels can get funding of upto Rs 4 lakh from the college, albeit, their ideas must be developed into working prototypes, says Jitendra Kumar Pandey, associate dean of research at UPES.

The idea of funding dissertations was to push students to think originally and develop unique projects that could be eventually patented, says Pandey. Essentially, we wanted them to develop original products. As a result, the projects ranging from devices to clean space debris to smart dustbins that can segregate waste and, energy generation from micro turbines that can be used to power LED bulbs.

The best part is that students are taking their work far more seriously and are moving beyond the theoretical scope of a dissertation to a more contemporary, problem-solving approach.

Publishing work

At Lovely Professional University, since 2016, dissertation mentors are helping students publish their research work in a number of UGC-approved journals. Some students are even going beyond the classroom to present their hypothesis are national and international conferences.

In 2018, 23 year-old Saurabh Singh, a master of biotechnology student at the university, presented his paper on bioethanol production at the CSIR-Indian Institute Of Integrative Medicine and then at the 27th European Biomass conference and exhibition at Lisbon in Portugal. My mentor suggested that we implement the hypothesis into a functional prototype, which was selected to be showcased at the conference, says Singh.

These changes in the way dissertations are perceived and presented were introduced to sharpen the research orientation of the students says Dr Manu Sharma, senior academic at the university. Moreover, it helps train them to use more scientific methods of research for investigating problems and also helps them improve their orientation for the PhD-level research.

First Published:Oct 09, 2019 17:31 IST

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Ditch dissertations, take the practical route to earn your degree - Hindustan Times