Tuscan Brands began in 2010 with Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, New Hampshire. Their brand continues to grow with the addition of locations in Burlington, Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Joe Faro owner of the Tuscan brands believes strongly in giving back to the community. He serves a large family-style meal to veterans and a guest on Veterans Day.

Veterans and their guests can expect a full-scale traditional Italian feast according to a statement put out but Tuscan Brands. This includes Penne Bolognese, Roast Pork Tenderloin, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots. Dessert will be fresh from the oven-baked cookie and some Italian dark roasted coffee. Joe Faro expects to feed over four thousand veterans and their guests this year. Since the inception of Tuscan brands, Joe Faro has served over fifteen thousand vets.

If you are a veteran in Salem, New Hampshire, Burlington, Massachusetts, Boston Massachusetts, or Portsmouth New Hampshire, you can register for the restaurant in your city by calling or online at this link http://www.tuscanbrands.com/veteransday. The meals will be served at the Tuscan Kitchen, Tuscan Sea Grill & Bar, and Toscana Italian Chop House and Wine Bar. What a great way to give back to the community and thank our vets. They are sure to enjoy a fresh, made from scratch Italian feast. The meals will be served from 11 am to 4 pm. If you are a veteran living in one of those cities, hop online and book your reservation.

Since we are talking about food...

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

These Are 45 Pictures Of What New Englanders Say Makes Them Smile

Read the rest here:
Tuscan Kitchen in New England Will Honor Veterans on Veterans Day - wokq.com

Dr Aparna Dhar, HOD-Medical Genetics and Genetic Counselling, CORE Diagnostics talks about the role of molecular testing in blood cancer treatment

Blood cancers, also called hematologic malignancies, are the cancers of the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. It is due to uncontrolled blood cell production and altered function. These cancers can affect anyone, including children. Hematological malignancies account for 8% of new cancer diagnoses in India.

However, misinformation and lack of awareness about blood cancer and its types are the biggest challenges observed today among the Indian population. Due to lack of awareness, people arent aware that blood cancer can be managed, a patient can have a second chance at life with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, stem cell transplant etc.

And, with the availability of advanced and sophisticated molecular diagnostic methods, we have answers to questions regarding cancer diagnosis, prognosis, risk stratification and the best course of treatment.

Well briefly discuss the types of blood cancers, the known or likely genes causing blood cancers, and a range of in vitro molecular diagnostics laboratory testing methods to detect them and help guide treatment options.

Blood cancer can be categorised as:

Of all types of blood cancers, the three most common types that affect the Indian population are Lymphoma (starts in the lymphatic system), Leukemia (starts in the bone marrow) and Multiple Myeloma (starts in the bone marrow).

Lymphomas and leukemia affect adults and children both, but Myeloma is a relatively common condition which affects adults. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia in adults and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) accounts for 25% of all childhood cancers. It is the most common malignancy in children.

What causes blood cancer?

The specific causes of blood cancer are not yet known. However, there are certain factors that contribute to blood cancer:

Common symptoms to be on the lookout for are:

In most cases of blood cancer, the patient feels tired and weak. This is due to a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the blood which results in lack of blood.

Fever is a common symptom of cancer. The immunity becomes weak; thus, the patient often has a fever.

Prone to repeated infections. When leukemia cells develop in the body, then complaints of infection can be seen in the patients mouth, throat, skin, lungs, etc.

People who have cancer tend to have an abnormally low weight. If the body weight is reduced without any obvious cause, then it can be seen as the primary symptom of cancer.

Pain in bones and joints can be a symptom of not only arthritis but also blood cancer. As blood cancer is a disease in the bone marrow, large amounts can be seen around the bones and joints.

The abnormal formation of leukemia cells in the body prevents the bone marrow from producing healthy blood cells such as platelets. Due to its deficiency, more bleeding problems can be seen from the nose of the patient, during menstruation, gums, etc.

Testing

There are a plethora of tests offered to understand the molecular and genetic basis of blood cancers. These tests guide informed treatment- related decisions. A combination of various techniques, radiology (PET, CTscan etc.) and multiple biomarkers tested by different technologies can help shed light on a comprehensive understanding of the patients disease to the treating physician.

The diagnosis of AML is made using immunophenotyping and analysis of underlying genetic abnormalities using cytogenetics (for risk classification) and molecular testing. Analysis of FLT3, NPM1, and CEBPA genes are recommended as a minimum by international guidelines. Subtypes of AML, such as acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), have specific molecular markers associated with them. Analysis of PML-RARA in APL is now standard of care.

CML is characterized by a specific chromosomal translocation (part of a chromosome fuses to part of another chromosome) of chromosomes 9 and 22 known as the Philadelphia chromosome. This characteristic chromosomal abnormality can be detected by cytogenetics, by FISH, or by PCR targeted at the BCR/ABL fusion gene. CML is treated using targeted drugs. These drugs are monitored using RT-PCR (molecular testing).

Diagnosis of CLL is made by examining smears of the peripheral blood and bone marrow, immunophenotyping and (IgVH) gene mutation status. Immunophenotyping of the patients cells plays a central role in the diagnosis of a patient with lymphoma. The immunophenotypic analysis will guide molecular test selection such as T-cell clonality analysis, IGVH analysis, or targeted FISH analysis.

Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma is made by analysing the blood and urine sample for: M protein (electrophoresis), Quantitative immunoglobulins, Serum free light chains, serum albumin and serum beta-2 microglobulin (2-M), Lactase dehydrogenase (LDH). In addition a bone marrow biopsy/aspirate is used to test for immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, cytogenetics (FISH) or minimal residual disease test.

Treatment of blood cancer

Treatment depends on the type of blood cancer, age, how fast the cancer is progressing, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Because treatments for blood cancer have vastly improved over the last several decades, many types of blood cancers are now highly treatable. Common treatments include the following:

Conclusion

There is a lack of awareness about blood cancer, especially among the rural population. Ignoring the symptoms at an early stage and/or delay in diagnosis leads to delay in seeking care. Every blood cancer patient who gets diagnosed early and has access to treatment is a victory in itself.

The challenge of the next decade now is to develop indigenous methods of delivering CAR-T cells, immunotherapies, and molecularly targeted therapies, and using them in the right combination and sequence in order to extend the quality and quantity of life meaningfully for

A minimum of 30% of the future cancer burden can be easily prevented, if necessary, measures are taken in the early stages. From tobacco sales and consumption control to expansion and equal distribution of medical facilities, awareness & education programs about risks, prevention, and bone marrow donation, a lot can be done to minimise the rise of blood cancer in India.

See the rest here:
Molecular testing in guiding blood cancer treatment - Express Healthcare

News and research before you hear about it on CNBC and others. Claim your 1-week free trial to StreetInsider Premium here.

FT596 Oral and FT516 Poster Presentations to Highlight Updated Clinical Data for Relapsed / Refractory Lymphoma on Monday, December 13

Company to Host Virtual Investor Event on Tuesday, December 14

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FATE), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of programmed cellular immunotherapies for patients with cancer, today announced that three oral and five poster presentations for the Companys induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform were accepted for presentation at the 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition being held from December 11-14, 2021. The Company also plans to host a virtual investor event on Tuesday, December 14.

The oral presentations will include updated Phase 1 clinical data of FT596, the Companys universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master iPSC line engineered with three anti-tumor functional modalities: a proprietary chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) optimized for NK cell biology that targets B-cell antigen CD19; a novel high-affinity, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies; and an IL-15 receptor fusion (IL-15RF) that augments NK cell activity. The Company previously reported interim Phase 1 clinical data of FT596 as monotherapy and in combination with rituximab for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma. As of the data cutoff date of June 25, 2021, in the second and third dose cohorts (90 million cells and 300 million cells, respectively) of the single-dose monotherapy and combination regimens, 10 of 14 patients (71%) achieved an objective response, including seven patients (50%) that achieved a complete response, on Day 29 as assessed by PET-CT scan per Lugano 2014 criteria. Treatment with FT596 was well tolerated, with two reported low-grade adverse events (one Grade 1, one Grade 2) of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and no reported adverse events of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

The poster presentations will include updated Phase 1 clinical data of FT516, the Companys universal, off-the-shelf NK cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master iPSC line engineered to express a novel hnCD16 Fc receptor. The Company previously reported interim Phase 1 clinical data of FT516 in combination with rituximab for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma. As of the data cutoff date of July 7, 2021, in the second and third multi-dose cohorts (90 million cells per dose and 300 million cells per dose, respectively), eight of 11 patients (73%) achieved an objective response, including six patients (55%) that achieved a complete response, on Day 29 of the second FT516 treatment cycle as assessed by PET-CT scan per Lugano 2014 criteria. Five of the 11 patients (45%) maintained their response without further therapeutic intervention, including four patients that remained in complete response (4.6-9.5 months) and one patient that remained in partial response (6.1 months). The multi-dose, multi-cycle treatment regimen was well tolerated, and no adverse events of CRS, ICANS, or GVHD were reported.

Additional presentations will include an oral presentation describing preclinical and clinical translational data of FT596; a poster presentation describing the making of the clonal engineered master iPSC line for FT819, which is created from a single iPSC that has a novel CD19-targeted 1XX CAR construct integrated into the T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) locus; a poster presentation describing the preclinical activity of a novel multiplexed-engineered, dual CAR NK cell product candidate targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and the alpha-3 domain of MICA/B in models of multiple myeloma; and a poster presentation describing the preclinical activity of multiplexed-engineered, iPSC-derived T cells incorporating three distinct tumor-targeting modalities (CAR, TCR and hnCD16).

Oral Presentations

Poster Presentations

The accepted abstracts are available online through the ASH conference website (www.hematology.org/Annual-Meeting/Abstracts/).

About Fate Therapeutics iPSC Product PlatformThe Companys proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform enables mass production of off-the-shelf, engineered, homogeneous cell products that can be administered with multiple doses to deliver more effective pharmacologic activity, including in combination with other cancer treatments. Human iPSCs possess the unique dual properties of unlimited self-renewal and differentiation potential into all cell types of the body. The Companys first-of-kind approach involves engineering human iPSCs in a one-time genetic modification event and selecting a single engineered iPSC for maintenance as a clonal master iPSC line. Analogous to master cell lines used to manufacture biopharmaceutical drug products such as monoclonal antibodies, clonal master iPSC lines are a renewable source for manufacturing cell therapy products which are well-defined and uniform in composition, can be mass produced at significant scale in a cost-effective manner, and can be delivered off-the-shelf for patient treatment. As a result, the Companys platform is uniquely capable of overcoming numerous limitations associated with the production of cell therapies using patient- or donor-sourced cells, which is logistically complex and expensive and is subject to batch-to-batch and cell-to-cell variability that can affect clinical safety and efficacy. Fate Therapeutics iPSC product platform is supported by an intellectual property portfolio of over 350 issued patents and 150 pending patent applications.

About FT516FT516 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered to express a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies. CD16 mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), a potent anti-tumor mechanism by which NK cells recognize, bind and kill antibody-coated cancer cells. ADCC is dependent on NK cells maintaining stable and effective expression of CD16, which has been shown to undergo considerable down-regulation in cancer patients. In addition, CD16 occurs in two variants, 158V or 158F, that elicit high or low binding affinity, respectively, to the Fc domain of IgG1 antibodies. Numerous clinical studies with FDA-approved tumor-targeting antibodies, including rituximab, trastuzumab and cetuximab, have demonstrated that patients homozygous for the 158V variant, which is present in only about 15% of patients, have improved clinical outcomes. FT516 is being investigated in a multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial as a monotherapy for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and in combination with CD20-targeted monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of advanced B-cell lymphoma (NCT04023071). Additionally, FT516 is being investigated in a multi-dose Phase 1 clinical trial in combination with avelumab for the treatment of advanced solid tumors resistant to anti-PDL1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy (NCT04551885).

About FT596FT596 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line engineered with three anti-tumor functional modalities: a proprietary chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) optimized for NK cell biology that targets B-cell antigen CD19; a novel high-affinity 158V, non-cleavable CD16 (hnCD16) Fc receptor, which has been modified to prevent its down-regulation and to enhance its binding to tumor-targeting antibodies; and an IL-15 receptor fusion (IL-15RF) that augments NK cell activity. In preclinical studies of FT596, the Company has demonstrated that dual activation of the CAR19 and hnCD16 targeting receptors enhances cytotoxic activity, indicating that multi-antigen engagement may elicit a deeper and more durable response. Additionally, in a humanized mouse model of lymphoma, FT596 in combination with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab showed enhanced killing of tumor cells in vivo as compared to rituximab alone. FT596 is being investigated in a multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell lymphoma as a monotherapy and in combination with rituximab, and for the treatment of relapsed / refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as a monotherapy and in combination with obinutuzumab (NCT04245722).

About FT819FT819 is an investigational, universal, off-the-shelf, T-cell receptor (TCR)-less CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell cancer immunotherapy derived from a clonal master induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line, which is engineered with the following features designed to improve the safety and efficacy of CAR19 T-cell therapy: a novel 1XX CAR signaling domain, which has been shown to extend T-cell effector function without eliciting exhaustion; integration of the CAR19 transgene directly into the T-cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) locus, which has been shown to promote uniform CAR19 expression and enhanced T-cell potency; and complete bi-allelic disruption of TCR expression for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease. FT819 demonstrated antigen-specific cytolytic activity in vitro against CD19-expressing leukemia and lymphoma cell lines comparable to that of primary CAR T cells, and persisted and maintained tumor clearance in the bone marrow in an in vivo disseminated xenograft model of lymphoblastic leukemia (Valamehr et al. 2020). FT819 is being investigated in a multi-center Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of relapsed / refractory B-cell malignancies, including B-cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (NCT04629729).

About Fate Therapeutics, Inc.Fate Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of first-in-class cellular immunotherapies for patients with cancer. The Company has established a leadership position in the clinical development and manufacture of universal, off-the-shelf cell products using its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) product platform. The Companys immuno-oncology pipeline includes off-the-shelf, iPSC-derived natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell product candidates, which are designed to synergize with well-established cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, and to target tumor-associated antigens using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit http://www.fatetherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements regarding the Companys clinical studies and preclinical research and development programs, its ongoing and planned clinical studies, and the safety and therapeutic potential of the Companys product candidates. These and any other forward-looking statements in this release are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk that the Companys product candidates may not demonstrate the requisite safety or efficacy to achieve regulatory approval or to warrant further development, the risk that results observed in prior studies of the Companys product candidates, including preclinical studies and clinical trials of any of its product candidates, will not be observed in ongoing or future studies involving these product candidates, the risk of a delay or difficulties in the manufacturing of the Companys product candidates or in the initiation of, or enrollment of patients in, any clinical studies, the risk that the Company may cease or delay preclinical or clinical development of any of its product candidates for a variety of reasons (including requirements that may be imposed by regulatory authorities on the initiation or conduct of clinical trials, the amount and type of data to be generated, or otherwise to support regulatory approval, difficulties or delays in patient enrollment and continuation in the Companys ongoing and planned clinical trials, difficulties in manufacturing or supplying the Companys product candidates for clinical testing, and any adverse events or other negative results that may be observed during preclinical or clinical development), and the risk that its product candidates may not produce therapeutic benefits or may cause other unanticipated adverse effects. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the Companys actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the risks and uncertainties detailed in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Companys most recently filed periodic report, and from time to time in the Companys press releases and other investor communications.Fate Therapeutics is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:Christina TartagliaStern Investor Relations, Inc.212.362.1200christina@sternir.com

Continued here:
Fate Therapeutics Announces Eight Presentations at the 2021 ASH Annual Meeting - StreetInsider.com

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 4, 2021--

Seagen Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced that new data for ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin), including five oral presentations, will be featured at the upcoming 63rd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, taking place December 11-14, 2021. Data presentations will include updated safety and efficacy results from clinical trials examining the potential of ADCETRIS with novel combinations in patients with advanced stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), in patients with newly diagnosed CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and in patients with other histologies.

We look forward to sharing new data for the continued development of ADCETRIS in combination with other therapies across patient populations, said Roger Dansey, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Seagen. Additionally, initial results will be presented from our SEA-BCMA program in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, a defining marker of classical HL and expressed on the surface of several types of PTCL. ADCETRIS is approved in more than 75 countries for relapsed or refractory HL and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL).

Presentations of Company-Sponsored ADCETRIS Trials:

Abstract Title

Abstract #

Presentation

Lead Author

The ECHELON-2 Trial: 5-Year Exploratory Subgroup Analyses of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Study of Brentuximab Vedotin and CHP (A+CHP) vs CHOP in Frontline Treatment of Pts with CD30-Positive Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma

#135

Oral presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,12:00 1:30 p.m. EST

S. Horwitz

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: Real-World Observations from Physicians, Patients, and Caregivers on the Disease and Its Treatment (CONNECT): Observations of Physicians on Treatment and Interim PET-Adapted Regimens

#1390

Poster presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,5:30 7:30 p.m. EST

S. Parsons

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: Real-World Observations from Physicians, Patients, and Caregivers on the Disease and Its Treatment (CONNECT)a Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients with Stage III or IV Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Compared By Age

#1966

Poster presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,5:30 7:30 p.m. EST

D. Flora

Pharmacodynamics of SEA-BCMA, a Nonfucosylated Antibody Targeting BCMA, in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

#1197

Poster presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,5:30 7:30 p.m. EST

D. Taft

Brentuximab vedotin, nivolumab, doxorubicin, and dacarbazine (AN+AD) for advanced stage classic Hodgkin lymphoma: preliminary results from the single-arm phase 2 study (SGN35-027 Part B)

#2454

Poster presentation /Sunday, Dec. 12,6:00 8:00 p.m. EST

H. Lee

An Oncology Simulation Model to Estimate 10-Year Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival Based on the 5-Year Update from the Echelon-2 Trial in Frontline Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: A United States Perspective

#2440

Poster presentation /Sunday, Dec. 12,6:00 8:00 p.m. EST

T. Phillips

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma: Real-World Observations from Physicians, Patients, and Caregivers on the Disease and Its Treatment (CONNECT): Physician First-Line Treatment Preferences for Stage III or IV Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma

#2467

Poster presentation /Sunday, Dec. 12,6:00 8:00 p.m. EST

A. Evens

An Oncology Simulation Model to Estimate 10-Year Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival Based on the 5-Year Update from the Echelon-2 Trial in Frontline Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma: A United States Perspective

#2466

Poster presentation /Sunday, Dec. 12,6:00 8:00 p.m. EST

J. Burke

SEA-BCMA, an investigational nonfucosylated monoclonal antibody: interim results of a phase 1 study in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients (SGNBCMA-001)

#2740

Poster presentation /Sunday, Dec. 12,6:00 8:00 p.m. EST

J. Hoffman

Trials-In-Progress

Brentuximab Vedotin in Combination with Nivolumab, Doxorubicin, and Dacarbazine in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Advanced Stage Hodgkin Lymphoma (SGN35-027, Trial in Progress)

#1369

Poster presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,5:30 7:30 p.m. EST

I. Flinn

Brentuximab Vedotin in Combination with Lenalidomide and Rituximab in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (ECHELON-3, Trial in Progress)

#3564

Poster presentation /Monday, Dec. 13,6:00 8:00 p.m. EST

N. Bartlett

Frontline Brentuximab Vedotin Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin and Prednisone in Patients With Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma With Less Than 10% CD30 Expression (SGN35 032, Trial in Progress)

#1401

Poster presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,5:30 7:30 p.m. EST

D. Jagadeesh

Presentations of Investigator-Sponsored and Cooperative Group ADCETRIS Trials:

Abstract Title

Abstract #

Presentation

Lead Author

Brentuximab vedotin Plus Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide, and Prednisone (CHEP-BV) Followed by BV Consolidation in Patients with CD30-Expressing Peripheral T-cell Lymphomas

#133

Oral presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,12:00 1:30 p.m. EST

A. Herrera

The Eatl-001 Trial: Results of a Phase 2 Study of Brentuximab vedotin and CHP Followed By Consolidation with High-Dose Therapy - Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation (HDTASCT) in the Frontline Treatment of Patients with Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma

#136

Oral presentation /Saturday, Dec. 11,12:00 1:30 p.m. EST

D. Sibon

Interim results of a multicenter pilot study evaluating brentuximab vedotin with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, and prednisone (BV-CHEP) for the treatment of aggressive adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

More here:
Seagen to Highlight Multiple ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) Data Presentations at the Upcoming 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual...

Her sense is that people will say Im avoidant, guess Im never going to have a relationship. Im anxious. So Im, Im texting him too much, and thats why he doesnt like me. Those kinds of words have power.

Another critique is that the book flattens nuance out of some very complicated ideas, and that its success is owed to part of a larger trend of people overeager to reduce themselves or others to a single style (see: Myers-Briggs tests, Enneagram typing, Zodiac signs). They do this, goes the critique, in order to further pronounce their own identity, rather than realizing that our behavior and attachment styles (and thus, our identities) arent so precisely fixed, or attributable to just one single thing.

There is a spectrum, Dr. Levine said when I spoke to him in September. But what the research finds is that there is a predominant characteristic that you can find yourself gravitating toward more. And I think thats helpful to know.

As for the critique of the book needing to be read in therapy? He agreed that this would be ideal, but contended that while not everyone has access to therapy, most people have access to a library, and something is better than nothing. He also agreed that the book attempts to negotiate the fine line between being a wonkish academic treatise, and being over-distilled and it may not always succeed to peoples tastes on either side.

In our interview, given that he had just been read a series of pitches against his lifes work hes no doubt heard time and time again, Dr. Levine was a remarkably good sport. This may have something to do with that fact that hes not some globe-trotting, TED-talking, Oprah-approved sage-on-a-stage celebrity love guru, but instead, a sheepish, shy, sweetly enthusiastic Columbia academic, who spends most of his days seeing patients, conducting research, writing and talking about neural-developmental pathologies.

While he foresaw a rise in sales during the pandemic, Dr. Levine remains as mystified at the books success over the last decade as anyone else. I dont think I still fully realize it, he said, laughing. And no, he knew nothing about #AttachmentStyle TikTok.

Read the original here:
Anxious, Avoidant or Secure: 'Attached' Is the Book That's Shaping How We Understand Love - The New York Times

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

India is currently home to over 10-plus million pets. Over time, pet parents have realized the importance of medicine and innovation and the change it can bring about in a pets life. Pet innovation today is booming across treats, food, grooming, wearables, insurance, online veterinary services, genetic testing, stem cell therapy, diagnostics and much more. According to PETEX INDIA 2021, the pet food market alone is projected to cross $310 million by FY22. The pet care industry is globally expanding horizontally and vertically with innovative and challenging minds at work. Medical innovation has brought about effective growth thus making way for new products, services and medicines for pets. Medical procedures such as lasers for joint pains and joint care have helped pet owners make the lives of their furry babies a little less painful.

Unsplash

A few medical innovations in India have particularly taken the Indian pet care sector a notch higher:

CBD & Hemp Seed Oil For Overall Health & Wellness

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the cannabis sativa plant and is known to have wonderful pain-relieving properties. CBD is one of the most effective natural therapies for dogs suffering from arthritis and many other diseases. It is safe and has no side effects. CBD oil interacts with the cells in the muscle, skin and nerves of pets thereby reducing their pain. CBD and hemp seed oils are now available in the form of oil, shampoos and treats. It also benefits pets with anxiety issues triggered due to loud noises, people or travel and keeps them calm and relaxed. CBD oil is finding an innovative use in health and wellness based products for pets and its multiple visible benefits.Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in hemp seed oil help control skin breakouts and protect the skin.

They are responsible for creating a healthy cell membrane and help to avoid excessive fur shedding. Hemp serves as the optimum plant-based nutrition that is easily digestible and includes antioxidants that aid elevated health in pets. Hemp seed oil has recently been added to pet food and treats and is also being used in healing balms for dry paws and skin.

Prebiotics & Probiotics For Gut Health

Probiotics are the billions of good bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. Pets respond to supplements in the form of immunity boosters and probiotic strips are easy dissolving strips unlike pills, powders or tablets which the pet might refuse to intake. Probiotics treat diarrhoea, stomach related issues, irritable bowel syndrome, improve digestive health, prevent anxiety, reduce stress and improve general health and well-being. Given its health benefits, prebiotics and probiotics have found their way in pet food as they help to maintain the pH balance in the gut and keep the digestive tract healthy. Probiotics have also recently been introduced in shampoos as they help in supporting a healthy microbiome and defend against common skin problems such as itching dryness, dandruff, hot spots, excessive shedding and yeast in pets.

Assistive Devices To Aid Mobility

Harnesses and slings for dogs suffering from hip dysplasia are gaining popularity among vets and pet parents. These act as a wheel-chair and support the pets rear body and enable them to move around. They also help pets who have lost their hind legs in accidents. Harnesses for pets who are blind have been created such that they form a halo around their head and this will alert the pet if they happen to bump against any object. These innovations may alter the pets appearance but what is important is that it helps pets to live a normal life. The same goes for pets afflicted with arthritis. Elevated feeding stations, ramps to reduce the stress on joints have also become common to households who have aging pets.

Veterinary Diagnostics

Innovation in the use of technology that equips veterinarians to view real-time information on internal bone and muscle structure is in the fray. This will help to speed up the prototype required to create an animal bone model that is generated using the tomography scan technology. This technology is building steam though still in its nascent stage. Two new blood types, Langereis and Junior, have been identified in pets apart from the 12 dog blood types. New diagnostic techniques through tests which can help to diagnose the possibility of diseases in pets, confirm or even classify disease status in pets, is the need of the hour.

According to a study by Grand View Research on veterinary medicine, the global veterinary medicine market size was estimated at $29.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.4 per cent from 2021 to 2028. Steady medical innovation is solving unsolved and unattended problems that pets have faced since decades. While the offline gap has been filled in by the online D2C revolution in pet care and wellness, advancements in medical innovation remain unhindered despite the pandemic.

Go here to read the rest:
Medical Innovation In Pet Healthcare Is Taking Things Up a Notch - Entrepreneur

Phovia is highly effective for treating superficial and deep skin infections.

This article is sponsored by Vetoquinol.

Superficial bacterial folliculitis, also called superficial pyoderma, is a commonly diagnosed dermatological condition in dogs.1,2 These infections are secondary to primary conditions affecting normal skin barrier function (eg, allergic skin disease, trauma, burns), keratinization (eg, nutritional deficiency, liver disease), and immune regulation (eg, neoplasia, autoimmunity, endocrinopathy).2 Cats less commonly develop superficial pyoderma perhaps because of decreased adhesion of staphylococci to feline corneocytes, but the primary issues causing infection are similar to those seen in dogs.3-8

The primary pathogen associated with superficial pyoderma in dogs and cats is a normal resident of the skin, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, but other flora may be involved.2,8-12 As the normal homeostasis of this organism is disrupted from a primary disease, these gram-positive cocci invade deeper regions of the epidermis and hair follicle epithelium, increase in number, and enhance inflammation.

Classical clinical lesions of superficial pyoderma include papules and pustules that may eventually progress to alopecia, epidermal collarettes, scales, and crusts. Often the skin is erythematous and pruritic. Chronic cases may demonstrate lichenification, hyperpigmentation, and scarring alopecia from long-standing inflammation and infection.2 Cats may develop even more unique cutaneous reaction patterns and skin lesionsespecially when allergic skin disease is presentincluding miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic plaques, rodent ulcers, and eosinophilic granulomas.5

Identifying and addressing the primary disease is paramount in achieving complete, permanent resolution of the superficial pyoderma. Therefore, treatment is multifactorial and aimed at addressing the primary disease, reducing skin inflammation, and treating the infection directly. Current guidelines for the treatment of superficial pyoderma in dogs recommend the use of topical antimicrobials as sole therapy whenever possible; however, overuse of systemic antibiotics remains common.2,13-16

Topical therapy has many benefits including direct antimicrobial effects without use of an antibiotic, reduction in antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations, restoration of the normal skin barrier, enhancement of skin hydration, physical removal of keratinous debris, and removal of offending allergens from the haircoat.2,14 However, topical therapy is met with challenges that impede clinical application. Adherence is the biggest concern when recommending topical therapy to pet owners. Frequent bathing or application of medicated solutions to the skin can be difficult when busy owner lifestyles combine with a nonadherent patient. Skin inflammation can be painful and animals may be resistant to topical therapy. Cats are fastidious groomers and may lick away a medicated topical therapy before it can achieve appropriate contact time. Additionally, some topical agents can cause oral erosions and ulcerations or even gastrointestinal disturbance when groomed off. For these reasons, systemic antibiotics continue to be a common prescribing practice for superficial pyoderma.

All antibiotic use, despite duration or frequency, contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations on the animal and in the environment.17-19 From that very first dose, bacteria are constantly evolving to implement inherent and acquired resistance mechanisms necessary for survival. One well-recognized mechanism is oxacillin resistance through the mecA gene, which produces a penicillin-binding protein receptor with poor affinity for -lactam antibiotics.2,14,15,20-23 Even more concerning than these oxacillin-resistant strains are those that develop multidrug resistance, which is defined as resistance to 3 or more antibiotic drug classes. This may happen over time with repeated antibiotic exposure or after a single dose of certain antibiotics such as fluorinated quinolones.2,20,23-25 The continued emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria inhibits the successful treatment of bacterial infections in pets and humans. As veterinarians consider how their antibiotic use contributes to this growing pandemic, they must look for alternative, safe, effective, affordable, and convenient antibacterial treatment modalities.

Phovia as a solution

Investigation into the photobiological effects of light therapy has been ongoing for the past 50 years. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a type of light treatment that uses visible or near infrared light to promote therapeutic benefits including induction of tissue healing and regeneration and inhibition of biological responses that induce pain or inflammation. The treatment distance, wavelength, fluence, pulse parameters, spot size, and irradiation time influence the effects of light energy on tissue. Visible light with wavelengths ranging from 400 to 700 nm can stimulate positive photobiomodulatory effects that promote wound healing, reduce inflammation and pain, modulate stem cell populations, and reduce bacterial contamination of wounds.26,27

Once visible light enters the skin, it is absorbed by the cells and initiates chemical changes dependent on the wavelength (or color) of light and the chromophore within the skin.27 Within each cell, membrane-bound organelles called mitochondria contain chromophores that absorb the light energy and begin making energy (adenosine triphosphate; ATP) via activation of cytochrome c oxidase. Outcomes of the mitochondrial respiratory pathway activation include stimulation of secondary messenger pathways, production of transcription factors and growth factors, and increased ATP production. However, excessive light energy exposure will overstimulate mitochondrial respiration and cause expenditure of all ATP reserves, which creates oxidative stress resulting in damaging elevations of nitric oxide, production of harmful free radicals, and activation of cytotoxic mitochondrial-signaling pathways leading to apoptosis.27,28 This is why creating PBM therapy protocols is important for targeting the beneficial effects while avoiding unintended harm.

Specific benefits of light energy within the visible light spectrum can be broken down into each color of light. Blue light (400-500 nm) has a lower penetration depth and primarily interacts with keratinocytes, reduces bacterial adhesion and growth, and increases intracellular calcium and osteoblast differentiation.29-31 Green light (495-570 nm) affects the superficial tissue and alters melanogenesis, reduces hyperpigmentation of the skin, and reduces tissue swelling.29,30 Red light (600-750 nm) penetrates deeper into the dermis and subcutis where it acts on cellular mitochondria to reduce inflammation and promote collagen synthesis through fibroblast proliferation and production of transforming growth factor-, fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, and others.26-28,32,33 Red light has proliferative effects on mesenchymal stem cells and induces proliferation of epithelial colony forming units important for tissue repair and regeneration.34,35

Phovia, sold by Vetoquinol, is a form of fluorescent PBM therapy utilizing a blue light emitting diode (LED lamp, 400-460 nm) and topical photoconverter gel that emits low-energy fluorescent light (510-600 nm) when illuminated by the LED lamp.36,37 This interaction results in the formation of multiple wavelengths of visible light, each with a unique depth of penetration and effect on the tissue as described above. Application is fast and simple. The affected skin may be clipped free of hair and cellular debris removed with gentle cleaning. The skin is allowed to dry before application of the photoconverter gel. Just prior to application, 1 ampule of fluorescence chromophore gel is added to 1 container of photoconverter carrier gel and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is applied in a 2-mm layer to the affected skin, and the LED lamp is held 5 cm above the lesion and used to illuminate the area for 2 minutes. The gel is wiped away using saline-soaked gauze. The application can be repeated immediately after 5 to 10 minutes of rest or a second application can occur a few days later. Twice-weekly applications are continued until the wound is healed. Appropriate eyewear is required to protect the operator from the intensely bright light. Application is pain free and stress free for the patient, so sedation is not typically required.

Benefits of Phovia

Phovia shows great promise as a safe, effective therapy for treatment of numerous inflammatory dermatoses in dogs including superficial pyoderma,38 deep pyoderma,39 perianal fistula,40 interdigital dermatitis,41 calcinosis cutis,42 acute traumatic wounds,43 chronic wounds,37 surgical wounds,44 and otitis externa.45 Phovia as a sole therapy speeds time to healing by 36% in canine superficial pyoderma as compared with dogs receiving oral antibiotics alone.38 In one study, dogs with superficial pyoderma were treated with Phovia alone or with an oral antibiotic alone. Dogs treated twice weekly with Phovia demonstrated complete clinical healing in about 2.3 weeks (P < .05)whereas dogs receiving oral antibiotic healed in about 3.75 weeks.38 Additionally, Phovia speeds time to healing by nearly 50% in deep pyoderma when used with an oral antibiotic (5.7 weeks of treatment) compared with dogs receiving only oral antibiotic (11.7 weeks of treatment).39 The ability of this fluorescent PBM therapy to eliminate or significantly reduce duration of exposure to antibiotics will decrease the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains within pets and humans.

Phovias high safety profile makes it a beneficial tool to implement in everyday practice. Training the veterinary team to communicate therapy benefits with clients as well as to perform treatments is fast and easy. Training the veterinary technicians to perform treatments will give the veterinarian time to examine other patients. A single back-to-back application takes about 15 minutes, so pet owners can be in and out of the clinic quickly; however, the 2 weekly treatments can be separated by a few days if the veterinarian prefers to evaluate the patient more frequently. Additionally, when used as a sole therapy, clients are not required to administer oral or topical medications at home. This greatly improves treatment adherence and success. Instruct clients to use once-daily smartphone photos to document improvement at home. This can be useful when deciding how many treatments to perform. Most cases of superficial pyoderma will resolve completely by the third treatment.38 It is a good idea to communicate to clients that 3 to 4 weekly treatments may be required.

Conclusion

Phovia is a versatile, innovative therapeutic approach to numerous types of dermatitis.36 It is easy to implement in general practice, and is safe, pain free, and affordable. Phovia is highly effective for superficial and deep skin infections and eliminates the need for clients to administer numerous at-home treatments. This greatly improves the pet-owner bond and treatment outcomes by promoting adherence. Phovia accelerates time to wound healing, which decreases duration of antibiotic exposure and may reduce risk of antibiotic resistance development in these cases.2,13,36-39 Phovias efficacy against antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacteria shows promise as an alternative therapeutic approach that promotes the principles of antimicrobial stewardship.36 If you are interested in purchasing this medical device for your practice, contact your Vetoquinol service representative.

Amelia G. White, DVM, MS, DACVD is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

REFERENCES

See more here:
Managing superficial pyoderma with light therapy - DVM 360

The immune system produces immune cells that travel through the lymphatic system to fight off infections and diseases. T-cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects specific immune cells called T-lymphocytes.

T-cell lymphoma starts in lymphoid tissues, which include the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and digestive, or gastrointestinal, tract.

It is a relatively rare disease, accounting for less than 15% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the United States.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment of T-cell lymphoma and the outlook for people with this disease.

T-cell lymphoma is an umbrella term for cancers affecting T-cells. T-cell lymphoma can develop from precursor or immature cells (blasts) or mature cells.

This type of lymphoma affects immature forms of T-cells and constitutes 1% of all lymphomas. It is a fast-growing cancer that tends to affect younger individuals and males.

More modern classifications refer to PTCL as mature T-cell lymphoma (MTCL), as it affects mature forms of T cells.

The 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues lists 29 types of PTCL. These include:

T-cell lymphoma has a vast range of symptoms, which vary among the types.

However, the characteristic symptoms typically present late in the disease when it is already in the aggressive stages. The initial symptoms often overlap with those of other, benign conditions, making diagnosis challenging.

People with lymphoma may show general, nonspecific symptoms called B symptoms. These include:

A person may see or feel lumps on certain parts of the body where lymph nodes are present.

These areas include:

These are usually not painful compared with swollen lymph nodes that occur because of an infection, which are known as reactive nodes.

People with CTCL may initially notice itchy, dry patches that can appear red or purple, depending on a persons skin tone. Some of these patches may thicken and cause the skin to break. As the disease progresses, small bumps and nodules may appear.

Learn more about lymphoma rashes here.

Lymphoma that affects the brain can cause headaches, difficulty paying attention and processing thoughts, mood and personality changes, and seizures.

Lymphoma can also occur in areas near the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms such as slurred speech, double vision, and facial numbness. Weakness or numbness of other body parts can also happen.

Lymphoma in the abdomen can make the liver and spleen swell, causing abdominal pain. An enlarged spleen may make a person feel full easily or cause them to lose their appetite. Lymphoma in the stomach may result in vomiting and nausea.

Lymph nodes in the chest may grow and cause chest pain or pressure. They can also press on the windpipe and cause coughing or breathing problems.

Sometimes, the lymphoma can press on the superior vena cava (SVC), causing blood to pool back in the veins. This may lead to SVC syndrome, a life threatening condition.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma may cause nasal obstruction, nosebleeds, or nasal bone destruction. People with adult T-cell lymphoma may have hypercalcemia and areas of bone destruction called lytic bone lesions.

In most cases, the cause of T-cell lymphoma is unknown. However, experts associate CTCL with the dysregulation of certain genes and signaling pathways. Some reports also link it with chronic skin inflammation.

Certain types of T-cell lymphoma may be due, at least in part, to viral exposure. For instance, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is linked with the HTLV-1 virus. In 6699% of AITL cases, people have previously contracted the Epstein-Barr virus (EPV).

A 2018 study suggests that adults aged 50 years and above with celiac disease have a higher risk of developing EATL.

Additionally, a family history of myeloma and T-cell activating autoimmune disease increases a persons chance of having T-cell lymphoma.

After asking a person about their medical history and symptoms and examining them for physical signs, a doctor will likely recommend further lab testing.

They will generally request a biopsy of the lymph node for lab testing. If the symptoms indicate that lymphoma is present in other parts of the body, they may extract fluid samples to check for lymphoma cells. They may use:

Pathologists will carry out several tests on the samples to diagnose lymphoma and determine the type. Tests include:

Doctors may also request imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, or ultrasound. These can help them find possible causes of the symptoms, determine the extent of the lymphoma, monitor treatment progress, and, at a later stage, check for the recurrence of the disease.

Treatment options for this type of lymphoma include:

Treatment for CTCL consists of topical therapy and systemic therapy. Topical therapy includes:

Other skin-directed treatment options are radiation therapy, which includes electron beam radiation and total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy, and phototherapy, which may use UVA, UVA with psoralen (PUVA), or UVB.

A 2021 review states that novel treatments for CTCL, including targeted therapies and histone deacetylase and mTOR inhibitors, have potential benefits for people with this disease.

As PTCL is a rare disease, treatments are based on the findings of clinical trials, and experts are still looking for novel therapies for the condition. However, since it is a fast-growing disease, people with PTCL usually receive intensive chemotherapy. The standard first-line chemotherapy treatment for PTCL is CHOP, which stands for:

Other regimens, which include the drug etoposide, are CHEOP and EPOCH. These treatments are more suitable for young individuals.

However, a 2019 review suggests that adding etoposide to a CHOP regimen does not significantly change the therapeutic effects.

Another chemo combination option for some of these lymphomas is:

Doctors give less intensive drugs, such as gemcitabine and bendamustine, to individuals who cannot tolerate intensive chemo.

They may sometimes recommend autologous stem cell treatment (ASCT) to individuals who have responded well to initial treatment. ASCT may lead to complete remission in certain types of T-cell lymphoma.

Lymphomas in localized areas may be treatable with radiation. Doctors may recommend surgery to remove certain parts of the intestine.

T-cell lymphoma generally has less favorable outcomes than its B-cell counterparts. However, the presence of specific markers affects outlook. For example, having Ki-67, EBV, or CD 26 is associated with a less positive outlook, while AKL and TCR BF1 indicate a better outlook.

A persons outlook also depends on factors such as their age and the type and stage of T-cell lymphoma. Doctors will also take into account extranodal involvement and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.

CTCL are lifelong conditions that tend to recur when people stop getting treatments. Over time, these diseases tend to stop responding to treatment despite the various options available.

People in the initial stages of CTCL have a similar life expectancy as healthy individuals, and many people with CTCL die from unrelated diseases such as infections. People with SS are less likely to have a good outlook, as the disease has a median survival rate of 24 years.

T-cell lymphoma is an umbrella term for a rare group of blood cancers affecting the immune cells commonly present in lymphoid tissues. The type of T-cell lymphoma will determine the symptoms, management, and outlook.

T-cell lymphoma can be challenging to diagnose. However, anyone who experiences fever, weakness, and sudden weight loss alongside swollen lymph nodes should speak with a doctor about undergoing medical tests.

Here is the original post:
T-cell lymphoma: Symptoms, pictures, and treatment - Medical News Today

I'm a firm believer that no life is complete without an awesome dog to love up on, in fact, I love dogs so much I have three of them at home. If you agree with my dog-loving philosophy, but don't currently have a dog that fills the part, head over to Winnebago County Animal Services in Rockford sometime today or Saturday, (October 29 & 30).

October has been deemed "Subaru Loves Pets Month", so Napleton Subaru is bringing their pet-loving mission to Winnebago County Animal Services this weekend in hopes they'll find a whole bunch of awesome dogs some loving homes.

Napleton Subaru and Winnebago County Animal Services' "Make A Dog's Day " will feature:

Winnebago County Animal Services currently has many awesome dogs available for adoption, but not all of them will be eligible for the discounted adoption fee during the next two days. All potential adopters should fill out an adoption application online before heading to the shelter if they want tomake the process faster, (and not miss out on your dream dog). Adoptions during the "Make A Dog's Day" event will take place Friday (October 29) from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, (October 30) from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Available dogs and more information about the adoption process can be found now at winnebagoanimals.org.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

KEEP LOOKING: See What 50 of America's Most 'Pupular' Dog Breeds Look Like as Puppies

See original here:
Adopt a New Boo At a Discount This Weekend in Rockford - q985online.com

Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia affect more than 55 million people worldwide. But the development of effective treatments and cures is progressing slowly. To some extent, this is because we still dont understand enough about what causes the disease and drives its progression.

Myself and my colleagues most recent work, published in Science Advances, presents a new approach using ideas from other areas of science to analyse data from Alzheimers patients. In this way, weve been able to build a better understanding of the processes that control the progression of Alzheimers disease in the brain.

By way of background, in Alzheimers disease and many other neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinsons disease, proteins that are normally part of healthy brain cells start sticking together in microscopic clumps. These clumps of protein, called aggregates, form in patients brains, killing off brain cells and leading to symptoms such as memory loss.

As the number of aggregates increases, the disease worsens and eventually leads to death, often many years after the first mild symptoms. Several processes likely contribute to the formation of aggregates, but scientists are yet to understand how aggregates form in detail, and which processes are the most important in controlling how quickly they form.

Read more: Alzheimer's: new research shows a leap forward in identifying neurons vulnerable to the disease

Research into Alzheimers disease often uses lab animals, such as mice, to mimic the human disease. This approach can be very useful for investigating specific aspects of the disease, such as the effect of genetic factors. But its not a great model for the disease as a whole. This is partly because Alzheimers normally takes decades to develop in humans, and lab animals can only be studied over a much shorter timescale.

Weve been in need of a way to understand the progression of Alzheimers disease in the brain using data directly from humans. Until now, this has been difficult, firstly because the data from humans is much more limited than what we can obtain in lab animals (we can modify lab animals, but not humans). Its also been tricky because the mathematical models to combine and analyse different kinds of human data relevant in this context did not exist.

This is where our work comes in. Using an approach from physical chemistry called chemical kinetics, we were able to work out what happens at the microscopic level in the Alzheimers brain. Chemical kinetics allows us to understand the way molecules interact with each other, and how quickly, without having to be able to zoom in and watch at the molecular level.

For example, we can work out how bleach destroys coloured molecules simply by looking at how quickly a stain disappears when bleach is applied. With Alzheimers disease, its much more complex, but weve been able to apply the same ideas to determine how aggregates form in an Alzheimers brain.

Over more than ten years, weve used chemical kinetics in increasingly complex systems, starting in a test tube. Our new study represents the first time weve been able to apply these methods to human data, such as from PET scans in patients living with Alzheimers, brain microscopy of patients who have died with the disease, and other measurement techniques.

We found that the protein aggregates in brains of Alzheimers disease patients multiply exponentially, meaning one aggregate produces two aggregates after a certain period of time, which then, after the same amount of time has passed again, produce four aggregates, and so on.

As weve all experienced during the COVID pandemic, exponential growth can appear deceptively slow at first, and then result in a seemingly sudden increase. In Alzheimers disease, this explains why patients experience no symptoms or mild symptoms while aggregates initially build up, followed by much more rapid progression and worsening of symptoms.

One encouraging finding from our work is that the human brain is actually quite good at slowing down the multiplication of aggregates. We found it takes around five years to double the amount of aggregates, which is over ten times longer than in lab animals or the test tube. The reason for this likely relates to many factors, such as the presence of molecules that slow down different steps of aggregation in the brain. Its all part of our ongoing research.

Read more: Is Alzheimer's caused by disruptions to the brain's energy supply?

Another process scientists are very interested in is the spreading of aggregates from one region of the brain to another. We also investigated how important this process is in driving the progression of disease and found, surprisingly, that it appears to have little effect on the speed of progression. While spreading may influence the location of the initial aggregates to some degree, we found the main factor that controls the speed of progression is the multiplication of aggregates in individual brain regions.

We can think about this by returning to COVID-19. Stopping travel between countries is not a particularly effective way to stem cases when there are already significant numbers of infected people in the original country. We found that, in the same way, stopping spreading of aggregates between brain regions is unlikely to help slow down Alzheimers once its started.

Targeting the multiplication of aggregates in individual regions of the brain is likely to be a more promising strategy. We might one day be able to harness this approach to slow down the disease and give patients several more years of healthy life.

See the article here:
Alzheimer's: our research sheds light on how the disease progresses in the brain - The Conversation UK