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Immunology

AbbVie Submits Regulatory Applications to FDA and EMA for RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for the Treatment of Adults with Active Psoriatic Arthritis | Small…

DetailsCategory: Small MoleculesPublished on Monday, 01 June 2020 18:15Hits: 277

- Submissions supported by two Phase 3 studies in which RINVOQ demonstrated improved joint outcomes, physical function and skin symptoms, with a greater proportion of patients achieving minimal disease activity versus placebo* [1,2] - Significantly more patients taking RINVOQ achieved an ACR20 response than patients receiving placebo[1,2]

NORTH CHICAGO, IL, USA I June 1, 2020 I AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV), a research-based global biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has submitted applications for a new indication to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for RINVOQ (upadacitinib; 15 mg, once daily), a selective and reversible JAK inhibitor, for the treatment of adult patients with active psoriatic arthritis.

"Psoriatic arthritis is a complex heterogeneous disease with manifestations across multiple domains, including joints and skin, causing daily pain, fatigue and stiffness," said Michael Severino, M.D., vice chairman and president, AbbVie. "We look forward to working with regulatory authorities and hope to bring RINVOQ to people living with this debilitating disease as quickly as possible."

The applications are supported by data from two Phase 3 studies across a broad range of more than 2,000 patients with active psoriatic arthritis.1,2 In both studies, RINVOQ met the primary endpoint of ACR20 response at week 12 versus placebo.1,2 RINVOQ 15 mg also achieved non-inferiority versus adalimumab in terms of ACR20 response at week 12.1 Patients receiving RINVOQ also experienced greater improvements in physical function (HAQ-DI) and skin symptoms (PASI 75), and a greater proportion achieved minimal disease activity.*,1,2 Overall, the safety profile of RINVOQ in psoriatic arthritis was consistent with previously reported results across the Phase 3 rheumatoid arthritis clinical trial program, with no new significant safety risks detected.1-3

*Physical function was measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Skin symptoms were measured by a 75 percent improvement in the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI 75). Minimal disease activity is defined as the fulfillment of five of seven outcome measures: Tender joint count 1; swollen joint count 1; PASI 1 or body surface area-psoriasis 3 percent; Patient's Assessment of Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) 1.5; Patient Global Assessment-Disease Activity NRS 2.0; HAQ-DI score 0.5; and Leeds Enthesitis Index 1.

About RINVOQ (upadacitinib)

Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a selective and reversible JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.1,2,4-10 In August 2019, RINVOQ received U.S. FDA approval for adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate. In December 2019, RINVOQ was approved by the European Commission for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The approved dose for RINVOQ in rheumatoid arthritis is 15 mg. Phase 3 trials of RINVOQ in psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, Crohn's disease, atopic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis and giant cell arteritis are ongoing.1,2,4-10 Use of RINVOQ in psoriatic arthritis is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been established by regulatory authorities.

About AbbVie in Rheumatology

For more than 20 years, AbbVie has been dedicated to improving care for people living with rheumatic diseases. Our longstanding commitment to discovering and delivering transformative therapies is underscored by our pursuit of cutting-edge science that improves our understanding of promising new pathways and targets in order to help more people living with rheumatic diseases reach their treatment goals. For more information on AbbVie in rheumatology, visit https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/therapeutic-focus-areas/immunology/immunology-focus-areas/rheumatology.html.

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at http://www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTubeand LinkedIn.

References:

SOURCE: AbbVie

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AbbVie Submits Regulatory Applications to FDA and EMA for RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for the Treatment of Adults with Active Psoriatic Arthritis | Small...

Immunology

A new Benchmark in shrimp production – The Fish Site

As Benchmarks shrimp facility in Florida begins to gear up towards commercial production, Oscar Hennig, operations director of Benchmark Genetics shrimp-breeding programme who has been in the shrimp sector for nearly 30 years explains to The Fish Site what he hopes to achieve.

Benchmark Genetics

Ive been involved in the sector since 1991, starting off on farms in Australia. After finishing my masters in aquaculture in Florianpolis [in southern Brazil] I received a scholarship from the government of Japan for a two-year research project with shrimp immunology at the Shimonoseki National Fisheries University. From there I returned to Brazil for two years running a diagnostics lab for shrimp at the LABOMAR research institute. In the meantime, to make ends meet, I leased a growout farm. P. vannamei [whiteleg shrimp] farming was just starting in north-east Brazil and there was the need for expertise to help the transition from P. subtilis [southern brown shrimp].

At the end of 1999 I moved permanently to Hawaii, to manage a satellite facility of the Oceanic Institute, in Kona. I have been in Kona ever since, working as breeding-programme manager for different companies, with P. monodon [giant tiger prawn], P. stylirostris [blue shrimp] and mainly P. vannamei.

At the end of 2016 I was hired as a director for Benchmark Genetics, after Benchmark had bought CENIACUA, a P. vannamei breeding programme in Colombia. My role has been to bring this to the international arena.

Oscar Hennig

I was impressed by the CENIACUA facility, and the crew running it, in Cartagena we had as much space as we wanted and as many people as we needed, as the jobs were in the local community.

However, Cartagena doesnt have great logistics and we realised that we need a base in the US to improve our ability to export our stocks.

[The Central Florida town of] Fellsmere was suitable for a number of reasons, not least for being close to three international airports. It is also 30km from the coast, which helps with our biosecurity and also to protect us from the hurricanes that can devastate the Florida coast.

Back in 2017, when we selected the site, my only concern was that we were sourcing water from a well this can impact the fertilisation ratio but weve managed to produce steady numbers of nauplii.

Benchmark Genetics

The water comes from 750m deep, and the well brings a sterile (zero dissolved oxygen), ~32 ppt saline water that is second to none. Due to the inland location, discharging water is a challenge, so all our systems work on recirculation or on biofloc.

All activities are conducted indoors from maturation, to algae, to grow-out, to packing so the biosecurity is excellent.

Im proud of how its turned out and Im really happy with the team weve created. There are currently 15 people involved and theres plenty of space to expand. At the moment were operating at about one fifth of our capacity, as were conducting presale trials, in order to fine tune the lines of shrimp that are needed in our main markets China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand and these are now being tested in a commercial environment.

Most shrimp producers only offer one product but there are so many production systems used by the global shrimp industry and we saw that one size does not fit all. As a result, we decided to cater for a range of options and have launched three lines commercially.

The first, which weve been developing since 2008, is resistant to whitespot, EMS and other diseases. Called BMK Protect this is mainly for customers in northern China, and other areas facing disease challenges. It shows its true potential in harsh/disease conditions.

The second line was bred specifically to improve performance in sites with low salinity: shrimp farming is becoming increasingly popular in water thats less than 5 ppt. It now accounts for roughly 60 percent of Indian shrimp production, 50 percent in China, 15 percent in Vietnam and 15 to 20 percent in Thailand.

The third line, called BMK Yield, balances growth rates with survival to ensure steady production. It produces a consistent yield and a high rate of survival, making it ideal for farms that are working with processing plants, as it allows the farmer to provide a steady supply of raw material.

Benchmark Genetics

At this moment we are using some of that capacity to produce PLs for farmers, in the US and abroad. The PPL will go to our partners multiplication centres worldwide. China has been the main market during this presale year, and BMK Protect has been the number one line. The other two are doing well in the presale, but their evaluation still ongoing.

Breeding without ablation is not a big deal for us; it takes more planning and a few adjustments but nothing major. It is not done at the commercial hatcheries [as opposed to broodstock production facilities] due to a ~30 percent reduction in nauplii production. This reduction off nauplii output is mainly due to the lower frequency of female spawning, not due to lower levels of nauplii per spawn.

We believe that PL produced by non-ablated females are stronger. We ran some trials to support this belief and found that the eggs were bigger in non-ablated females, which makes sense as they have more time to go through the maturation process. We have other trials in mind that we will pursue once we get back to a normal routine.

Consolidation of the industry at different levels and partnership with local companies. I see the industry moving in two extreme directions: high-density, enclosed, biosecure farming systems and extensive open ponds, with not much left in the middle.

There was a small decline in sales during February and it has been hard to get cargo space and to predict when flights would go logistics have been crazy and transport prices also increased. However, I am optimistic that, once Covid-19 is a thing of the past, people will be wanting to celebrate life and demand for shrimp will increase beyond levels prior to this pandemic. As a result, our plan to expand is still in place.

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A new Benchmark in shrimp production - The Fish Site

Physiology

Living on higher altitudes can reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19: Study – Northeast Now

Researchers have found that people living in higher altitudes, especially 3000 metres above sea level, reported a lower number of coronavirus cases than their lowland counterparts.

According to a study published in the journal Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology on Monday, high-altitude environmental factors may contribute to reducing the virulence of novel coronavirus.

In order to carry out the study, the researchers examined the epidemiological data from Bolivia, Ecuador and Tibet.

According to the researchers, the Tibetan plateau region, comprising of Tibet, Qinghai and part of Sichuan, has a significantly lower number of cases in comparison to the rest of China.

The impact of COVID-19 on the plateau region (of 9,000,000 inhabitants) has been drastically low compared to the rest of China, the study stated.

Indeed, only 134 confirmed cases were reported for the plateau region, it added.

Examining the epidemiological data, the researchers also found that the number of COVID-19 cases was three times lower in the Bolivian Andes than in the rest of the country and four times lower in the Ecuadoran Andes.

The researchers claimed that the reason for the decreased severity of the global COVID-19 outbreak at high altitude could relate to both environmental and physiological factors.

A high-altitude environment is characterized by drastic changes in temperature between night and day, air dryness, and high levels of ultraviolet (UV) light radiation.

In particular UV light radiation A (UVA) and B (UVB) are well known to be capable of producing alterations in the molecular bonds of the DNA and RNA, and thus UV radiation at high-altitude may act as a natural sanitizer, the study said.

In relation to SARS-CoV-2, while complete disinfection cannot be achieved by UVA and UVB, these radiations should shorten the half-life of any given virus, it added.

According to a pulmonologist Clayton Cowl, prolonged exposure to altitude triggers a chain reaction in the lungs involving a protein known as ACE2 that might prevent pulmonary shunting, a problem common among COVID-19 patients.

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Living on higher altitudes can reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19: Study - Northeast Now

Physiology

Op-Ed: This is how global warming can kill you right now – Digital Journal

Human beings have built-in air conditioning. Your body can regulate its temperature, but only to a point. When temperatures rise above 35C, roughly body temperature, you sweat to cool down. However That 35C is also a benchmark. If your body cant keep your temperature below 35C, its in trouble. This means it cant cool down and overheats. Humidity is one of the deadly factors which can tip people over the limit. Most people loathe humid weather, with good reason. It does make it extremely difficult to cool down, and working in that sort of weather is murderously unpleasant. Any kind of exertion triggers heating. Theres a very interesting explanation of how this works on Inverse.com, which explains the process in depth. The good news so far is that even in massive heatwaves, getting into that condition isnt easy to do. Most people can survive simply by sweating and reducing body temperature. The bad news is that cases of hitting this brick wall are becoming more common, and are raising obvious health risks. Heatwaves and historyThe big heatwaves of the last decades or so tell a very grim story. If you check out this list of heatwaves, youll see a range of patterns. One of those patterns is emerging large-scale heatwaves covering very large areas. This is the simplest way to define the heat risk factor for humans. Theres another factor which isnt as well-known, and its called residual heat. Air and physical objects dont automatically lose heat or lose it rapidly in a hot ambient environment. The hot temperatures dont just go away. Heat transfer is slower than usual. Temperatures remain high overnight, adding further physiological stress. Then the hot night becomes a hotter day. This puts a lot of strain on heat regulation by the body. Losing sleep on ridiculously hot nights doesnt help a lot, either, adding more physiological stress, and worse, reducing the effectiveness of sleep as a recovery method. Sustained heat stress, therefore, is now statistically likely to become more common, more widespread, and last longer. The human body simply isnt designed for this type of climate. New risks for new generationsThere are clear large-scale risks for the very young, in particular. Its quite impossible to predict how abnormally high temperatures will impact the next generations, but there are clear risk factors. Babies may well be on the wrong end of this situation. Immature physiology can be tricky enough without added risks, and how it reacts to extreme heat isnt at all clear. The possibility of serious health damage to infants cant be ignored. This is the age when things need to go right, and this new heat is a big possible risk. According to the WHO, 166,000 people died worldwide from heatwaves in the years 1998-2017. To scale, with increasing populations, that number could go up drastically, and soon. The future is looking way too sunny. theres another issue More heat means people need more water. Thanks to massive global maladministration of water supplies for decades, water must now be considered an existing high risk factor for future generations. This is just one example of the huge threats to future humanity posed by heat. Good luck, kids. Youre going to need it. You might try some sanity, too. At the very least, itd be a nice change.

This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com

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Op-Ed: This is how global warming can kill you right now - Digital Journal

Physiology

Can We Flatten the Second Wave Without Universal Masking? – MedPage Today

With the U.S. recently passing the milestone of 100,000 deaths from COVID-19, MedPage Today Editor-in-Chief Martin Makary, MD, of Johns Hopkins University, discusses reasons behind a potential spike in cases in our nation's Sun Belt states, what China has taught us about the value of masks, and what vaccines and treatments in the pipeline are most exciting to him.

Click here to watch part one of this discussion on what we've learned and how it can help us prepare.

The following is a transcript of their remarks:

Greg Laub: You've mentioned that second wave. If there is a second wave, with such a small fraction of the population being infected at this point, do you think a second wave would infect basically the same amount of people in the fall, in the winter?

Marty Makary: It turns out the other four major coronaviruses that have been around for years are seasonal. This may, in fact, be the fifth seasonal coronavirus. Now, we've had very promising news with the therapeutics and vaccines, but it is likely -- and most experts would say that it is likely -- that this is going to come back in the fall.

We've already seen selective pockets where there are outbreaks during warm weather. Remember, while this coronavirus appears to be seasonal, we don't know to what extent. Early on, the Sun Belt states did not get hit nearly as hard as was projected. Now, almost in a mini second wave within the first wave, we are starting to see cases not just increase, but hospitalizations increase, which I think is the best metric of how epidemic an infection is in that particular community.

It does lag behind -- about 8 to 14 days behind the infections -- but hospitalizations are still going up right now in Alabama. In Montgomery, Alabama, in particular, where the mayor there said last weekend that the ICUs are full, that there are no more available ICUs as of last weekend. Mississippi is seeing an increase in hospitalizations. Parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, and Georgia.

Why are we seeing increases with warm weather right now? That is concerning. Because as we reopen the country, cases and hospitalizations will go up. We've known that. But we were hoping to have a lower baseline rate of infection as we reopen the country. We did not see a rapid decline. Most of the models used, what we call, a symmetric epidemic curve, which is a steep increase and a rapid decline. We didn't have that. That was not our experience.

The models were based on the experience in Wuhan, China, but they had very harsh and draconian shutdown conditions. Maybe that's why they had the rapid decline. Our experience has been more like the European experience, where we've seen a slower decline, and in some parts of the country -- where there may be, say, a disregard for the risk of the infection -- a long plateau and a very slow decline.

Even potentially, in some areas now, we're seeing a second mini-wave within the first wave, so I am concerned about that. I am worried about the fall. I think we can look at the other seasonal coronaviruses and say, "This is a threat."

At the same time, look at Brazil. Brazil is very concerning right now, over 1,000 deaths a day and increasing for a country a little larger than half our size. The most concerning feature is that it's warm in Brazil. It's in the 60s and 70s. Part of Brazil is at the equator. For them to have such a bad epidemic in Brazil with warm climate is a concern for what we could have when the cold season comes back and magnifies the problem.

Laub: With 100,000 deaths, the COVID-19 cloud is very dark. But if there is a silver lining, or multiple silver linings, what would they be?

Makary: I think there are a couple good silver linings that have come out of this horrible tragedy. One, for example, is that we will probably save thousands of people from influenza year to year because of the best practices that the public has now finally accepted, adopted, and believes in. That's important.

We've been oddly complacent about influenza deaths year to year: 81,000 deaths 33.5 years ago, just from seasonal influenza, so that is, I think, one positive. Maybe we thought we were too cool for masks in the past and we're now recognizing the value.

For me, this has been an evolution and a change in my own thinking. I'm kind of amused at the discussion around masks because I have been wearing a mask most of my adult life as a surgeon, but it turns out there's tremendous value in places where people can't maintain social distance.

I talked to a surgeon in China who has been sort of reassigned to Wuhan during the ICUs being overwhelmed there. I asked him, after the fact, once the epidemic had really calmed down, I said, "Wuhan is a city of 11 million people. You had a terrible outbreak there. How were you able to essentially manage the broader population of China, over 1.1 billion, without the same thing that happened in Wuhan happening around the rest of the country?" The virus is certainly not 100% extinguished. How were they able to manage the coronavirus in China, in a country of 1.1 billion, after the outbreaks in Wuhan and Harbin? You know what he said? He said, "It's because of masks. Everybody wears a mask." I thought, "You know, that is powerful."

The data has come out and the CDC guidance has come out, even last week, that the risk of droplet airborne transmission from person-to-person contact, breathing, from speaking, even, from that airborne droplet transmission, is far greater than from the transmission of the virus through surfaces. We're increasingly learning the value of wearing masks in a situation like that and I think it's powerful.

Laub: Now, everyone discusses the economic cost of a shutdown and how many people are suffering, but there's varying data on the cost medically of a shutdown. What are the true medical costs of a shutdown?

Makary: The public health data traditionally lags behind some of the more immediate claims. It turns out in this situation maybe the data on the public health consequences of the shutdown might actually be worse than some of the initial predictions.

It turns out that some New York hospitals have already reported a 30% to 50% drop in new cancer patients. Not existing cancer patients, but new cancer patients. Most hospitals are describing a reduction in cancer screenings to the point of a near-elimination of screenings.

In one study by Epic, the electronic health records company, through their Epic health research network, they identified an overall reduction in cancer screenings between 86% and 94%. That's cervical cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer screenings, so there are going to be downstream effects of that.

Laub: Finally, the thing everyone has been talking about and looking forward to is vaccines, treatments. What are some of the most exciting treatments going on now? What do you see in the future?

Makary: If you would have told me three months ago we'd be this far along where we actually have multiple vaccines that have demonstrated that they can produce a neutralizing antibody by May, I would have told you, "I really don't think so. That sounds overly ambitious." But it turns out we're here. That's exactly what we have.

Many pharma companies have sort of deserted the vaccine business because of the liability and the low margins. There's been a big effort now to consolidate resources, and so you've got a lot of great news coming out right now.

There is a virus that J&J just announced with an adenovirus carrier. It's the viral carriers of the portion of the genetic code that can generate an immune response. They appear to generate a more robust immune response than simply using a protein coat, which some companies like Novavax are doing, an Australian company.

AstraZeneca and the Oxford mRNA vaccine has already demonstrated effectiveness in rhesus monkeys, which is basically the closest physiological lab compared to a human being. It's as close as we get in terms of a human's physiology.

That's impressive, generating neutralizing antibody in rhesus monkeys to the point where the monkeys have actually been exposed to the virus and don't get sick. Whereas the monkeys exposed to the virus and were not vaccinated with that mRNA virus or vaccine did not get sick. I mean, that's pretty impressive, once again, showing that we're beyond the feasibility of this. Now, it's really going to be a matter of figuring out the right dosage.

We've got multiple companies. Merck has been a little quiet with what they're doing. Sanofi is using the traditional approach. Pfizer has a lot of experience making vaccines, so we're seeing a lot of companies put their heads together.

The vaccine helps, even if it's 5% or 10% of people. Even if it's those who are high-risk. Even if it's selectively given to cashiers, TSA agents, healthcare workers, and those who are known vectors of transmission. All of that helps.

All of it's good news, along with remdesivir, and some of the new stuff now like some of the medications like Actemra, which are designed to work with remdesivir to reduce the cytokine storm. It's basically an immune modulator, so it's a new approach to this infection.

A lot of exciting things and I think it's impressive. When we let the scientific community do its work, it's pretty impressive what it can produce.

Laub: I want to thank you, Dr. Makary. It's been a pleasure having you here at your home, MedPage Today. Thanks for joining us.

Makary: Good to be with you.

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Can We Flatten the Second Wave Without Universal Masking? - MedPage Today

Physiology

NIC now offering biology education digitally – My Campbell River Now

NIC 160 bio students meet for a virtual question and answer session with instructor Emaline Montgomery (bottom right). (Supplied by North Island College)

North Island College is transitioning to online biology labs.

Its biology faculty is among the first in the province to move its lab courses to digital delivery.

Students taking BIO-160 Human Anatomy & Physiology I say they are enjoying the flexibility, accessibility and quality of online learning at NIC.

It was challenging at first to get used to, but theyve given us so much material and resources, its worked really well, said Jade Denbigh, who took the course to get ahead on her Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Im actually finding that the flexibility of online learning, especially as Im working full time, has been a big benefit.

Classmate Megan Truby is taking classes in preparation for studying radiology and says the online platform made labs less intimidating.

It can be stressful to be in a lab setting in real life, whereas the online labs are very accessible and less intimidating, said Truby.

Its a good introduction to university-level sciences without being overwhelming.

Truby notes taking online courses this summer is also providing her with other skills that will come in useful as she transitions to medical school.

Soft skills like time management and organization are so important learning online is helping to really strengthen those skills, which I know will help a lot when I have a full course load this fall at NIC and in all my future studies.

Faculty worked with NICs Centre for Teaching and Learning to develop online lab components for the course, which has topics such as biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and includes an extensive laboratory component that students would be able to complete from home.

This course was actually the perfect test case for doing labs online, because its about the human body, said Sandra Milligan, course developer and biology instructor.

Most of the work we do in lab involves the students observing their own body measuring heart rate, movement of joints, so we realized very quickly that most of it could be done from home.

Milligan discovered NIC was ahead of the curve in the transition to digital learning when she attended a virtual meeting with her fellow science faculty from across the province.

I was shocked that so many institutions had cancelled their spring offerings NIC was one of the few in the province to be running biology labs this spring and summer, she said. Weve shared our curriculum, which is being used as a template for others.

Milligan notes NICs history as a distance education institution, and its size, positioned it well to make the change quickly.

The commitment from faculty and the leadership and support from our amazing Centre for Teaching and Learning team was key in our being able to pivot so fast, she said. The transition wasnt perfect, but, looking back, its incredible what weve been able to accomplish and roll out in a matter of weeks.

The transition has been welcomed by fellow instructor Dr. Emaline Montgomery, who has watched her students adapt to the online labs.

Learning about themselves as learners has been a key part of this, she said. They are learning their own capabilities to push through boundaries and increasing their confidence with the online space and technology. Theres great online engagement with each other and with me as the instructor.

Both instructors say theyve noted other benefits to digital learning, as well, including being able to keep an eye on how students are progressing through the materials to more quickly identify those who may need help and the change in evaluation fewer invigilated tests and more reflection-based exercises have helped student who struggle with test anxiety.

The lessons learned through the online spring and summer delivery will also help inform how NICs fall classes are adapted to the digital environment.

I am optimistic and in full support of online learning especially hybrid and blended options where there are opportunities for the students and instructors to interact but also lots of opportunities for student-driven learning, said Montgomery.

For more details on all NICs science programs and courses, visit http://www.nic.bc.ca/university-studies.

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NIC now offering biology education digitally - My Campbell River Now

Physiology

Office of Faculty Affairs announces faculty promotion and tenure – The South End

The Wayne State University School of Medicines Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development announced promotions and tenure status for more than 75 faculty members.

This year we had a record number of School of Medicine faculty members who received the well-deserved recognition of being promoted to a higher academic rank. Among these were faculty members who distinguished themselves as scientists, educators, renowned clinicians, dedicated citizens and community leaders, said Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs Basim Dubaybo, M.D. It is gratifying but not surprising that even during a debilitating pandemic, our university continues to fulfill its academic and service missions without hesitation. This reflects our commitment to our students and our community, where a large number of physicians who participate in our academic mission have received the recognition and promotion they have earned.

Five faculty were granted tenure, including Associate Professor of Oncology Asfar Azmi, Ph.D.; Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences Elizabeth Berger, Ph.D.; Associate Professor of Physiology Robert Wessells, Ph.D.; Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nerissa Viola, Ph.D.; and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Ph.D.

I am honored to receive the promotion of tenure at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. I am grateful to be part of the Perinatology Research Branch, whose translational research is dedicated to improving the lives of mothers and children, Dr. Gomez-Lopez said. This accomplishment was largely due to the successful collaborations that I have established in the intellectually-stimulating environment within the Perinatology Research Branch. I am particularly grateful to (PRB Chief and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology) Dr. Roberto Romero and (Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology) Dr. Chaur-Dong Hsu for their continuous support of women in science.

A complete list of promoted faculty is now available at https://facaffairs.med.wayne.edu/ptawards

A formal celebration will be held at a later date.

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Office of Faculty Affairs announces faculty promotion and tenure - The South End

Physiology

ABI researchers to develop a more personalised approach to ventilator monitoring – New Zealand Doctor Online

Ventilators save lives, but treating patients with mechanical ventilators is not without risk.

Dr Haribalan Kumar, Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), University of Auckland, plans to reduce that risk with a technology that will allow for more precise and dynamic monitoring of lung function at the bedside of a patient being treated with a ventilator. He and his team have received $150,000 from the Health Research Councils Explorer Fund to do so.

A ventilator takes over the bodys breathing process when the lung begins to fail as it does when a patient has lung disease such as pneumonia, which has affected many Covid-19 patients. This gives patients time to recover from their condition.

However, mechanical ventilation involves using high pressures to pump oxygen into the tiny air sacs of the lung, which can save peoples lives but also cause lung injury, particularly if a patient requires long term treatment.

The monitoring of lung function (and adjusting the ventilators in response) is crucial to avoiding ventilator-related injury, particularly in critical care patients.

Such patients need bedside monitoring, but this is currently limited to measurements taken externally: pressure, volume and blood gases. This makes it very difficult for clinicians to track how a patient is responding with any precision, says Dr Kumar.

It means they can only respond to significant changes in a patient; without more precise monitoring, the greater the risk to the adverse effects of mechanical ventilation, which can affect the patient for life.

Building upon New Zealands reputation in modelling lung physiology and working with international collaborators, he and his team (including Professor Merryn Tawhai and Dr Alys Clark) hope to resolve this issue by combining patient-specific models of the lung with low-cost dynamic imaging.

Electrical Impedance Tomography (or EIT) is a technology that allows for imaging of the lungs inside the chest wall, by measuring signals from a belt of electrodes placed around the chest. EIT offers an imaging solution for continuous monitoring but EIT has not been taken up widely because it has much lower resolution than other established imaging methods and it can be difficult to interpret, says Dr Kumar.

He points out that differences in individual physiology (age, size, height, underlying health conditions etc.) mean that one lung is not like another, and this complicates the translation of measurements into a meaningful image.

Dr Kumars approach, if successful, will personalise the imaging information and improve its clinical value. We hope our research will transform EIT from a potentially useful but difficult to interpret technology, to one that is personalised and easy for clinicians to use and interpret, says Dr Kumar.

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ABI researchers to develop a more personalised approach to ventilator monitoring - New Zealand Doctor Online

Physiology

How to Become a Physical Therapist Benzinga – Benzinga

Benzinga Money is a reader-supported publication. We may earn a commission when you click on links in this article. Learn more.

Have you dreamed of working as a physical therapist someday? Its a viable career choice that allows you to help patients improve body movements and minimize pain. Plus, you can help prevent injuries and disabilities that impede the optimal functionality of the human body.

Maybe youre ready to launch your career but dont know where to start. Benzinga will show you the ropes in this detailed guide on how to become a physical therapist.

Before you take the first step toward becoming a physical therapist, you should know what the role entails and how much you can expect to be compensated. Its also best if you have an idea of the education requirements. Most importantly, you want to know if the demand for physical therapists will increase over time.

Weve included this information and more to help you determine if a career as a physical therapist is right for you.

Physical therapists play an integral role in the preventive care, rehabilitation and treatment process for their patients. Their primary goal is to help patients improve movement in the area thats injured or impacted by a chronic condition or illness.

Other core roles and responsibilities include:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these industries employ the largest number of physical therapists:

In May 2019, the average annual salary for physical therapists was $89,440, notes BLS.gov. Heres how it breaks down by industry:

You need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to work in the field. Before you can be admitted to a program, you will need a bachelors degree under your belt. Youre not limited to majors but its best to consider options that include courses on anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics and physiology. An undergraduate degree in exercise science is also ideal.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for physical therapists is slated to increase by 22% through 2028. This is good news for aspiring physical therapists, as the projected growth rate is 17% higher than the average for all other occupations.

Follow these steps to become a physical therapist.

You want a bachelors degree program thats offered by a reputable college or university. It should also be accredited and feature small class sizes that allow you to receive individualized attention. Dedicated student support resources for distance learning students are also ideal.

Consider an online course to learn more about the physical therapy profession or supplement your knowledge. Affordable options are available for all skill levels, and you can work through the course material at your own pace.

The program you select should be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Expect to spend 3 years working through the program.

When you graduate from the DPT program, you can participate in a clinical residency program. Doing so allows you to gain additional experience in the field and focus on a particular area of care. If you want to gain even more specialized expertise, consider a fellowship program. View your options through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Educations website.

Before you can practice as a physical therapist, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to get licensed. It is facilitated by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

These online exercise science degree programs will help you meet the education requirements needed to be admitted to a DPT program.

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Physiology

Does the Dementia Gene Double COVID-19 Risk? A Closer Look at the Link Between the Virus and ApoE4 – Being Patient

A new study suggests that people with two copies of ApoE4, one of the largest genetic risk factors for Alzheimers, have more than double the risk of getting a severe COVID-19 infection. But other researchers heed caution against drawing conclusions too soon.

In the study, a team of researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School and the University of Connecticut drew data from the UK Biobank which has data on 500,000 volunteers aged 48 and 86. They looked for positive COVID-19 tests between March and April, and then compared the presence of ApoE4 alleles with the severity of COVID-19.

Everyone has two copies of the ApoE gene, but there are several variations, including ApoE2, ApoE3 and ApoE4. The combination you have determines your ApoE genotype E2/E2, E2/E3, E2/E4, E3/E3, E3/E4, or E4/E4.

ApoE3 is the most common and doesnt seem to influence risk for Alzheimers, while the E4 allele, which is present in 10 to 15 percent of people, increases the risk for Alzheimers and lowers the age of onset. Having one copy of E4 can double or triple your risk, and having two copies E4/E4 can increase Alzheimers risk by a factor of 12.

The team found that those with two copies of ApoE4 had over double the risk of severe COVID-19 than those with ApoE3.

This is an exciting result because we might now be able to pinpoint how this faulty gene causes vulnerability to COVID-19. This could lead to new ideas for treatments, said Chia-Ling Kuo in a press release, an author of the study and senior biostatistician at University of Connecticut.

Its impressive that the researchers were able to analyze this data so quickly, Aaron Ritter, associate staff of neuropsychiatry and behavioral neurology at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, told Being Patient in an email statement.

But Ritter cautioned that there may be other factors affecting the results: We know very little about the populations being analyzed, he said.

Indeed, the researchers did not have data about whether the study participants had mild cognitive impairment, and lived in nursing homes. According to David Melzer, an author of the study and professor of epidemiology and public health at University of Exeter, the latest available data about study participants dementia diagnoses was 2017.

Ritter added, My biggest concern is that given the [mean] age of those being analyzed 68 years old the relationship between COVID-19 and the gene ApoE4 could be more affected by the patients cognitive status than genetic status.

He noted that people who carry two copies of ApoE4 are likely to have some form of cognitive impairment by the age of 68. They may forget to take their medications, be in poorer overall health, and forget to keep their hands clean, all of which could be variables in their increased likeliness for contracting COVID-19.

Axel Montagne, Associate Professor of Research Physiology & Neuroscience at University of Southern California, said it is too early to conclude that ApoE4 increases peoples risk of contracting COVID-19: [The study] is very interesting but you have to take it with a grain of salt.

Montagne pointed out that some participants may have developed dementia after 2017. Also, some may have lived in nursing homes where there are high rates of infections.

This study, which I would consider preliminary data, is important and a step in the right direction, Ritter said. If verified in a larger study with younger, better characterized patient participants, it would help us understand why some people may be at higher risk for serious complications from COVID-19.

While the link between COVID-19 and ApoE4 is still up for debate, it is clear that the virus impacts the brain. Past research shows that about 36 percent of patients with COVID-19 develop symptoms such as headache, numbness or tingling and impaired consciousness. Autopsy reports reveal that patients suffer from swelling and inflammation in the brain, and the degeneration of neurons.

Just as it is too soon to take the recent studys suggestions as conclusive evidence, it is too soon to discount them. Past research suggests that indeed, ApoE4 can meddle with the bodys immune responses.

ApoE proteins are involved in immune response to infections, said Stephen Dominy, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of biopharmaceutical company Cortexyme. Its possible that ApoE4, for example, is not as good at the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infections of COVID-19.

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