Physiology

Matthew Watt – The Conversation AU

Profile Articles Activity

Professor Matthew Watt heads the Department of Physiology at the University of Melbourne. His teams innovative research program seeks to identify how defects of lipid metabolism and inter-tissue communication cause obesity-related disorders, and to use this information to discover novel targets that can be transitioned to clinical therapeutics. Professor Watt has authored >180 peer-reviewed manuscripts and contributed to the discipline through his roles as National Secretary of the Australian Physiological Society and as a reviewing editor of the American Journal of Physiology (Endocrinology & Metabolism).

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Matthew Watt - The Conversation AU

Neuroscience

Posters of the 2020 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Annual Meeting: The Year There Was No Wall on Which to Hang Them – DocWire News

This article was originally published here

J Neurosci Nurs. 2020 Oct;52(5):E11-E12. doi: 10.1097/JNN.0000000000000541.

ABSTRACT

The 2020 annual meeting of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a summary of 27 abstracts presented in poster format that were accepted to that meeting.

PMID:32890101 | DOI:10.1097/JNN.0000000000000541

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Posters of the 2020 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses Annual Meeting: The Year There Was No Wall on Which to Hang Them - DocWire News

Neuroscience

Sleeping patterns of a person may help predict when will Alzheimer’s disease begin: Study – Times Now

Sleeping patterns of a person may help predict when will Alzheimer's disease begin: Study  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

Washington:By observing one's sleeping patterns, neuroscientists, to some extent can estimate a time frame for when Alzheimer's is most likely to strike in a person's lifetime, according to a recent study.

Their findings suggest one defence against this virulent form of dementia - for which no treatment currently exists - is deep, restorative sleep, and plenty of it.

The research was led by UC Berkeley neuroscientists Matthew Walker and Joseph Winer that was published in the journal Current Biology.

"We have found that the sleep you're having right now is almost like a crystal ball telling you when and how fast Alzheimer's pathology will develop in your brain," said Walker, a UC Berkeley professor of psychology and neuroscience and senior author of the paper."The silver lining here is that there's something we can do about it," he added. "The brainwashes itself during deep sleep, and so there may be a chance to turn back the clock by getting more sleep earlier in life."

Walker and fellow researchers matched the overnight sleep quality of 32 healthy older adults against the buildup in their brains of the toxic plaque known as beta-amyloid, a key player in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's, which destroys memory pathways and other brain functions and afflicts more than 40 million people worldwide.

Their findings show that the study participants who started out experiencing more fragmented sleep and less non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) slow-wave sleep were most likely to show an increase in beta-amyloid over the course of the study.

Although all participants remained healthy throughout the study period, the trajectory of their beta-amyloid growth correlated with baseline sleep quality. The researchers were able to forecast the increase in beta-amyloid plaques, which are thought to mark the beginning of Alzheimer's.

"Rather than waiting for someone to develop dementia many years down the road, we are able to assess how sleep quality predicts changes in beta-amyloid plaques across multiple timepoints. In doing so, we can measure how quickly this toxic protein accumulates in the brain over time, which can indicate the beginning of Alzheimer's disease," said Winer, the study's lead author and a PhD student in Walker's Center for Human Sleep Science at UC Berkeley.

In addition to predicting the time it is likely to take for the onset of Alzheimer's, the results reinforce the link between poor sleep and the disease, which is particularly critical in the face of a tsunami of ageing baby boomers on the horizon.While previous studies have found that sleep cleanses the brain of beta-amyloid deposits, these new findings identify deep non-REM slow-wave sleep as the target of intervention against cognitive decline.And though genetic testing can predict one's inherent susceptibility to Alzheimer's, and blood tests offer a diagnostic tool, neither offers the potential for a lifestyle therapeutic intervention that sleep does, the researchers point out."If deep, restorative sleep can slow down this disease, we should be making it a major priority," Winer said. "And if physicians know about this connection, they can ask their older patients about their sleep quality and suggest sleep as a prevention strategy."

The 32 healthy participants in their 60s, 70s and 80s who are enrolled in the sleep study are part of the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study headed by UC Berkeley public health professor William Jagust, also a co-author on this latest study. The study of healthy ageing was launched in 2005 with a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

For the experiment, each participant spent an eight-hour night of sleep in Walker's lab while undergoing polysomnography, a battery of tests that record brain waves, heart rate, blood-oxygen levels and other physiological measures of sleep quality.

Over the course of the multi-year study, the researchers periodically tracked the growth rate of the beta-amyloid protein in the participants' brains using positron emission tomography, or PET scans and compared the individuals' beta-amyloid levels to their sleep profiles.

Researchers focused on brain activity present during deep slow-wave sleep. They also assessed the study participants' sleep efficiency, which is defined as actual time spent asleep, as opposed to lying sleepless in bed.

The results supported their hypothesis that sleep quality is a biomarker and predictor of the disease down the road.

"We know there's a connection between people's sleep quality and what's going on in the brain, in terms of Alzheimer's disease. But what hasn't been tested before is whether your sleep right now predicts what's going to happen to you years later," Winer said. "And that's the question we had."And they got their answer: "Measuring sleep effectively helps us travel into the future and estimate where your amyloid buildup will be," Walker said.

As for next steps, Walker and Winer are looking at how they can take the study participants who are at high risk of contracting Alzheimer's and implement methods that might boost the quality of their sleep.

"Our hope is that if we intervene, then in three or four years the buildup is no longer where we thought it would be because we improved their sleep," Winer said."Indeed, if we can bend the arrow of Alzheimer's risk downward by improving sleep, it would be a significant and hopeful advance," Walker concluded.

Continued here:
Sleeping patterns of a person may help predict when will Alzheimer's disease begin: Study - Times Now

Neuroscience

A person`s sleep pattern may forecast when will Alzheimer`s disease begin – Zee News

Washington: Neuroscientists have found a way to estimate, with some degree of accuracy, a time frame for when Alzheimer`s is most likely to strike in a person`s lifetime, based on their sleep patterns. Their findings suggest one defence against this virulent form of dementia - for which no treatment currently exists - is deep, restorative sleep, and plenty of it.

The research was led by UC Berkeley neuroscientists Matthew Walker and Joseph Winer that was published in the journal Current Biology.

"We have found that the sleep you`re having right now is almost like a crystal ball telling you when and how fast Alzheimer`s pathology will develop in your brain," said Walker, a UC Berkeley professor of psychology and neuroscience and senior author of the paper. "The silver lining here is that there`s something we can do about it," he added.

"The brainwashes itself during deep sleep, and so there may be a chance to turn back the clock by getting more sleep earlier in life."

Walker and fellow researchers matched the overnight sleep quality of 32 healthy older adults against the buildup in their brains of the toxic plaque known as beta-amyloid, a key player in the onset and progression of Alzheimer`s, which destroys memory pathways and other brain functions and afflicts more than 40 million people worldwide.

Their findings show that the study participants who started out experiencing more fragmented sleep and less non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) slow-wave sleep were most likely to show an increase in beta-amyloid over the course of the study.

Although all participants remained healthy throughout the study period, the trajectory of their beta-amyloid growth correlated with baseline sleep quality. The researchers were able to forecast the increase in beta-amyloid plaques, which are thought to mark the beginning of Alzheimer`s.

"Rather than waiting for someone to develop dementia many years down the road, we are able to assess how sleep quality predicts changes in beta-amyloid plaques across multiple timepoints. In doing so, we can measure how quickly this toxic protein accumulates in the brain over time, which can indicate the beginning of Alzheimer`s disease," said Winer, the study`s lead author and a PhD student in Walker`s Center for Human Sleep Science at UC Berkeley.

In addition to predicting the time it is likely to take for the onset of Alzheimer`s, the results reinforce the link between poor sleep and the disease, which is particularly critical in the face of a tsunami of ageing baby boomers on the horizon.

While previous studies have found that sleep cleanses the brain of beta-amyloid deposits, these new findings identify deep non-REM slow-wave sleep as the target of intervention against cognitive decline. And though genetic testing can predict one`s inherent susceptibility to Alzheimer`s, and blood tests offer a diagnostic tool, neither offers the potential for a lifestyle therapeutic intervention that sleep does, the researchers point out.

"If deep, restorative sleep can slow down this disease, we should be making it a major priority," Winer said. "And if physicians know about this connection, they can ask their older patients about their sleep quality and suggest sleep as a prevention strategy."

The 32 healthy participants in their 60s, 70s and 80s who are enrolled in the sleep study are part of the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study headed by UC Berkeley public health professor William Jagust, also a co-author on this latest study. The study of healthy ageing was launched in 2005 with a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

For the experiment, each participant spent an eight-hour night of sleep in Walker`s lab while undergoing polysomnography, a battery of tests that record brain waves, heart rate, blood-oxygen levels and other physiological measures of sleep quality.

Over the course of the multi-year study, the researchers periodically tracked the growth rate of the beta-amyloid protein in the participants` brains using positron emission tomography, or PET scans and compared the individuals` beta-amyloid levels to their sleep profiles.

Researchers focused on brain activity present during deep slow-wave sleep. They also assessed the study participants` sleep efficiency, which is defined as actual time spent asleep, as opposed to lying sleepless in bed.The results supported their hypothesis that sleep quality is a biomarker and predictor of the disease down the road.

"We know there`s a connection between people`s sleep quality and what`s going on in the brain, in terms of Alzheimer`s disease. But what hasn`t been tested before is whether your sleep right now predicts what`s going to happen to you years later," Winer said.

"And that`s the question we had."And they got their answer: "Measuring sleep effectively helps us travel into the future and estimate where your amyloid buildup will be," Walker said.

As for next steps, Walker and Winer are looking at how they can take the study participants who are at high risk of contracting Alzheimer`s and implement methods that might boost the quality of their sleep.

"Our hope is that if we intervene, then in three or four years the buildup is no longer where we thought it would be because we improved their sleep," Winer said. "Indeed, if we can bend the arrow of Alzheimer`s risk downward by improving sleep, it would be a significant and hopeful advance," Walker concluded.

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A person`s sleep pattern may forecast when will Alzheimer`s disease begin - Zee News

Neuroscience

There’s no evidence that blue-light blocking glasses help with sleep – The Conversation CA

Health products, like detox teas and mood-boosting waters, rely on a lack of neuroscientific knowledge to make their claims. Some of these claims are unsubstantiated, while others are completely made up.

My doctoral research investigates visual processing, but when I look at the big picture, I realize that what Im really studying are fundamental aspects of brain anatomy, connectivity and communication.

One specific function of the visual system that I have studied during my degree is the blue-light detecting molecule, melanopsin. In humans, melanopsin is seemingly restricted to a group of neurons in the eye, which preferentially target a structure in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus the bodys clock.

This is where the (true) idea that blue light affects our sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm originates from. And also why many corrective lens producers have started cashing in on blue-light filtering glasses. The most common claims that go along with these lenses is that they will help restore our natural sleep-wake cycle.

Blue-filtering lenses are marketed as a solution to so many other vision problems. There are claims that they protect against a retinal disease called macular degeneration, decrease headaches and ward off eye cancer.

Ophthalmologists generally agree that there is a current lack of high-quality clinical evidence to support a beneficial effect with blueblocking spectacle lenses for reducing eye fatigue, enhancing sleep quality or preserving macular health in the general population.

Similar to the workings of any biological system, melanopsins contribution to vision is more complicated than it is made out to be.

For example, melanopsin like other light-sensitive molecules in our eyes can result in neural activity outside of blue light specifically. Blue is simply where it is most sensitive. So, then, blue light does indeed affect our sleep-wake cycle, but so will other wavelengths of light, to a lesser extent.

But what is the real culprit of the effects of digital screen light on our sleep-wake cycle? Is it necessarily blue light alone or is the problem likely worsened by people commonly staying up late and using their devices?

The science seems to be on the side that is against any substantial effects of blue-light blocking lenses. If you are staying up late anyway, blue-light blocking lenses arent proven to provide any help.

Research has shown that one likely cause for eye irritation and fatigue is the time we spend in front of our screens overall, which may decrease the amount of blinking we do.

The problem seems to be not only blue-light filtering lens sellers, but the way in which we talk about findings from research.

As of yet, there is no clinical evidence that supports the benefits of using blue-light filtering lenses. For now, this is another pseudoscience market thats taken advantage of its consumer base anyone who uses computers.

Expanding neuroscience literacy should be a public health goal: understanding how the brain and its partner organs like the eye work.

For now, keeping our eyes off screens at night and taking frequent breaks from screens is what will contribute most to our eye health and sleep hygiene.

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There's no evidence that blue-light blocking glasses help with sleep - The Conversation CA

Immunology

Immunology Drug Market To Witness An Impressive Growth During The Forecast Period 2017 2025 – The Daily Chronicle

Persistence Market Research recently published a market study that sheds light on the growth prospects of the global Immunology Drug market during the forecast period (20XX-20XX). In addition, the report also includes a detailed analysis of the impact of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on the future prospects of the Immunology Drug market. The report provides a thorough evaluation of the latest trends, market drivers, opportunities, and challenges within the global Immunology Drug market to assist our clients arrive at beneficial business decisions.

The Immunology Drug market study is a well-researched report encompassing a detailed analysis of this industry with respect to certain parameters such as the product capacity as well as the overall market remuneration. The report enumerates details about production and consumption patterns in the business as well, in addition to the current scenario of the Immunology Drug market and the trends that will prevail in this industry.

Request Sample Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/samples/15259

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The geographical reach of the Immunology Drug market has been meticulously segmented into United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia & India, according to the report.

The research enumerates the consumption market share of every region in minute detail, in conjunction with the production market share and revenue.

Also, the report is inclusive of the growth rate that each region is projected to register over the estimated period.

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The competitive expanse of this business has been flawlessly categorized into companies such as

key players and products offered

Request Report Methodology @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/methodology/15259

Exclusive details pertaining to the contribution that every firm has made to the industry have been outlined in the study. Not to mention, a brief gist of the company description has been provided as well.

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The valuation that each company holds, in tandem with the description as well as substantial specifications of the manufactured products have been enumerated in the study as well.

The Immunology Drug market research study conscientiously mentions a separate section that enumerates details with regards to major parameters like the price fads of key raw material and industrial chain analysis, not to mention, details about the suppliers of the raw material. That said, it is pivotal to mention that the Immunology Drug market report also expounds an analysis of the industry distribution chain, further advancing on aspects such as important distributors and the customer pool.

The Immunology Drug market report enumerates information about the industry in terms of market share, market size, revenue forecasts, and regional outlook. The report further illustrates competitive insights of key players in the business vertical followed by an overview of their diverse portfolios and growth strategies.

For any queries get in touch with Industry Expert @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.co/ask-an-expert/15259

Some of the Major Highlights of TOC covers:

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Immunology Drug Market To Witness An Impressive Growth During The Forecast Period 2017 2025 - The Daily Chronicle

Immunology

Allergies vs. COVID: KU doctors give tips on knowing the difference – Salina Post

From left:: Dr. Dana Hawkinson, University of Kansas Health Center medical director of infection prevention and control; Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer; and Dr. Selina Gierer, specialist in allergy, immunology and rheumatology medicine. Image courtesy Hays Post

By CRISTINA JANNEYHays Post

Is that runny nose and cough COVID or just your run-of-the-mill seasonal allergies?

Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System tried to give viewers tips on how to distinguish between the two during their daily news briefing Wednesday.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, and Dr.Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, were joined byDr. Selina Gierer, specialist inallergy, immunology and rheumatology medicine, andear, nose and throat surgeon Dr. Keith Sale.

Gierer said Kansas has reached its peak allergy season. Children are also returning to school and can be exposed to viral infections.

"It is always a challenge when we go back to school when kids get any viral infection on top of season allergies trying to pick a part what's an illness and what is an allergy symptom," she said.

Itchy and water eyes as well as sneezing are common symptoms of allergies, but not of COVID-19.

Then there is an overlap zone for both allergies and COVID,Gierer said.

These include cough, fatigue, headache, sore throat, shortness of breath and runny nose.

"Ultimately, if you are having fever, if your symptoms are not typical for your allergy symptoms,"Gierer said, "perhaps this is not a typical allergy season for you.

"If you are having cough, if you are having congestion and you are having change in your sense of smell, it's time for you to be thinking about contacting your doctor to get tested for coronavirus."

She suggested keeping control of your allergy symptoms and avoiding people who are sick.

Monitor your triggers, such as dust, mold, pollen or animals. Monitor the local pollen count. Stay on your allergy medications.

"If you know you are going to be doing yard work, and the next day you feel itchy and drippy and sneezy, you can probably attribute that to your allergies and not an acute onset of coronavirus,"Gierer said.

Asthma is an underlying medical condition that increases the likelihood of complications from coronavirus. However, it is on the lower end of the range of complicating factors.

Asthma is much less common to cause complications than obesity and hypertension,Gierer said.

However, one of the biggest triggers of asthma is a viral infection. She said it is also important to keep your asthma under control by staying on medications, avoiding triggers and keeping a 30-day supply of medication on hand.

Sale saw a patient in his clinic who was having typical symptoms for allergies, such as a runny nose, but was not getting better on her normal medications.

She thought she had a sinus infection or something else. A friend from out of town had visited the week before. She was tested for COVID and was surprised with a positive COVID test, Sale said.

Sale said his office is taking COVID precautions, including using PPE, hand sanitizing between patients and patients wearing masks unless their nose or mouth is being examined.

Gierer said allergy medication or a rescue inhaler will probably not help with COVID-19 symptoms.

Sale said fatigue may be common to both allergies and COVID, but the persistence of the symptom may be a sign of the later.

Gierer said, "If the allergy medications are not working, that might trigger you to think there is something else going on."

Hawkinson said scientists are working to combine testing for flu and COVID-19. He said if a patient has a nasal swab for COVID-19, a lab could use that same sample to test for flu and RSV.

RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults, according the Centers for Disease Control.

The flu season is in full swing in South Africa and Australia and has been lighter this year there than in years past,Hawkinson said. He said that could be in part to mask use and increased hand washing.

KU Med is working on mass flu vaccination at this time.

Gierer urged members of the public to get flu vaccines. That is usually recommended starting in October.

The doctors also gave tips on staying in good general health.

You can naturally boost your immune system by getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet, as well as hand washing and staying away from people who are sick.

Those tips can help with COVID-19, flu or RSV.

Sale also said caring for your mental health can have an effect on maintaining physical health, which includes socializing in a safe way.

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Allergies vs. COVID: KU doctors give tips on knowing the difference - Salina Post

Immunology

AstraZeneca : New analyses from Breztri Aerosphere Phase III ETHOS trial to be presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress…

* Breztri Aerosphere reduced rate of COPD exacerbations across all seasons compared with Bevespi Aerosphere

* AstraZeneca to present 60 abstracts from inhaled and biologics portfolio and pipeline at the ERS Congress

A post-hoc analysis of the Phase III ETHOS trial showed a consistent benefit of Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate) in reducing the rate of moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations across all seasons compared with Bevespi Aerosphere (glycopyrronium/formoterol fumarate) in patients with moderate to very severe disease.1

These data are among 60 AstraZeneca abstracts accepted for presentation, including 10 oral presentations, at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Virtual Congress 2020, between 7-9 September.

Gary Ferguson, Clinical Professor of Medicine at Michigan State University, Director of the Pulmonary Research Institute of Southeast Michigan, Farmington Hills, Michigan, US and Investigator in the ETHOS trial, said: "Treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can be challenging in the winter as they experience more frequent and more severe exacerbations, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Results from the ETHOS trial should give clinicians confidence that they can reduce moderate or severe exacerbations, even during winter when respiratory diseases can put additional strain on healthcare systems."

Ruud Dobber, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals Business Unit, said: "These additional data from the Phase IIIETHOS trial are important in supporting clinicians' understanding of the robust clinical profile of Breztri Aerosphere, which has been approved in the US, China and Japan and is under regulatory review in the EU. With 60 company abstracts accepted for presentation at ERS, there is a wealth of data across AstraZeneca's inhaled combinations and biologic medicines, which demonstrates our commitment to advancing clinical practice in respiratory disease."

AstraZeneca abstracts to be presented at the ERS International Congress 2020 include:

Breztri Aerosphere

Seasonal variation in COPD exacerbation rates: budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol metered dose inhaler (BGF MDI) at two ICS dose levels in the ETHOS trial (Oral presentation: Abstract OA5238, Wednesday 09 September 16:50-17:50 CEST)

Exacerbation benefit by blood eosinophil counts with budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol metered dose inhaler (BGF MDI) at two ICS dose levels in the ETHOS trial: a subgroup analysis (E-poster session: Abstract PA984, Monday 24 August)

Symbicort Turbuhaler (budesonide/formoterol)

LATE BREAKER: Reimbursement for asthma care is a universal barrier to achieving asthma symptom control: The SABINA III study (E-poster session: Abstract PA2665, Monday 24 August)

LATE BREAKER: Short-Acting ?2-Agonist Use in Asthma in Western Societies (E-poster session: Abstract PA2629, Monday 24 August)

Efficacy of as-needed budesonide/formoterol in mild asthma: pooled analysis of SYGMA 1 and 2 (E-poster session: Abstract PA2275, Monday 24 August)

Fasenra (benralizumab)

Real-world treatment patterns of benralizumab therapy for patients with severe asthma. (Oral presentation: Abstract OA4646, Tuesday 08 September 15:40-16:40 CEST)

LATE BREAKER: Benralizumab in severe asthma: preliminary results from the Italian ANANKE study (E-poster session: Abstract PA2609, Monday 24 August)

Tezepelumab

Efficacy of tezepelumab in patients with low and high bronchodilator reversibility in PATHWAY (E-poster session: Abstract PA2269, Monday 24 August)

Early science

Profiling the impact of two JAK inhibitors (AZD0449 & AZD4604) in a pre-clinical model of allergic asthma (E-poster session: Abstract PA3302, Monday 24 August)

COPD

COPD is a progressive disease which can cause obstruction of airflow in the lungs resulting in debilitating bouts of breathlessness.2 It affects an estimated 384 million people3 and is the third leading cause of death globally.4 Improving lung function, reducing exacerbations and managing daily symptoms such as breathlessness are important treatment goals in the management of COPD.2 A single COPD exacerbation can have a negative impact on lung function5, quality of life6 and increase the risk of hospitalisation.7 Additionally, even one COPD exacerbation that results in hospitalisation, increases the risk of death.8,9

Patients with COPD experience an increase in incidence of exacerbations and severe exacerbations during the winter.10,11 Studies have also shown higher rates of COPD hospital admissions and more respiratory-related deaths in winter compared with summer months.10-13

ETHOS

ETHOS is a randomised, double-blind, multi-centre, parallel-group, 52-week trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Breztri Aerosphere in symptomatic patients with moderate to very severe COPD and a history of exacerbation(s) in the previous year. The primary endpoint was the rate of moderate or severe exacerbations. Results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.14

Breztri Aerosphere

Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate) is a single-inhaler, fixed dose triple-combination of budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), with glycopyrrolate, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and formoterol fumarate, a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA), delivered in a pressurised metered-dose inhaler.

AstraZeneca in Respiratory & Immunology

Respiratory & Immunology is one of AstraZeneca's three therapy areas and is a key growth driver for the Company.

Building on a 50-year heritage, AstraZeneca is an established leader in respiratory care, across inhaled and biologic medicines. AstraZeneca aims to transform the treatment of asthma and COPD by eliminating preventable asthma attacks across all severities and removing COPD as a leading cause of death through earlier biology-led treatment. The Company's early respiratory research is focused on emerging science involving immune mechanisms, lung damage and abnormal cell-repair processes in disease and neuronal dysfunction.

With common pathways and underlying disease drivers across respiratory and immunology, AstraZeneca is following the science from chronic lung diseases to immunology-driven disease areas. The Company's growing presence in immunology is focused on five mid- to late-stage franchises with multi-disease potential in rheumatology (including systemic lupus erythematosus), dermatology, gastroenterology, and systemic eosinophilic-driven diseases. AstraZeneca's ambition in immunology is to achieve disease control and ultimately clinical remission in targeted immune-driven diseases.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. Please visit astrazeneca.com and follow the Company on Twitter @AstraZeneca.

Contacts

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References

1. Ferguson GT, Rabe KF, Martinez FJ, et al. Seasonal variation in COPD exacerbation rates: budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol metered dose inhaler (BGF MDI) at two ICS dose levels in the ETHOS trial. Abstract OA5238 [Oral Presentation]. Presented at the European Respiratory Society International Virtual Congress 2020 (7th-9th September).

2. GOLD. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2020. [Online]. Available at: http://goldcopd.org. [Last accessed: September 2020].

3. Adeloye D, Chua S, Lee C, et al. Global Health Epidemiology Reference Group (GHERG). Global and regional estimates of COPD prevalence: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2015; 5 (2): 020415.

4. Quaderi SA, Hurst JR. The unmet global burden of COPD. Glob Health Epidemiol Genom. 2018; 3: e4. Published 2018 Apr 6. doi:10.1017/gheg.2018.1.

5. Halpin DMG, Decramer M, Celli BR, et al. Effect of a single exacerbation on decline in lung function in COPD. Respiratory Medicine 2017; 128: 85-91.

6. Roche N, Wedzicha JA, Patalano F, et al. COPD exacerbations significantly impact quality of life as measured by SGRQ-C total score: results from the FLAME study. Eur Resp J. 2017; 50 (Suppl 61): OA1487.

7. Rothnie KJ, Mllerov H, Smeeth L, Quint JK. Natural History of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations in a General Practice-based Population with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am Jour of Resp Crit Care Med. 2018; 198 (4): 464-471.

8. Ho TW, Tsai YJ, Ruan SY, et al. In-Hospital and One-Year Mortality and Their Predictors in Patients Hospitalized for First-Ever Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: A Nationwide Population-Based Study. PLOS ONE. 2014; 9 (12): e114866.

9. Suissa S, Dell'Aniello S, Ernst P. Long-term natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: severe exacerbations and mortality. Thorax. 2012; 67 (11): 957-63.

10. Jenkins CR, Celli B, Anderson JA, et al. Seasonality and determinants of moderate and severe COPD exacerbations in the TORCH study. Eur Respir J 2012; 39: 38-45.

11. Wise RA, Calverley PMA, Carter K et al. Seasonal variations in exacerbations and deaths in patients with COPD during the TIOSPIR trial. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018;13:605-616.

12. Donaldson GC, Wedzicha JA. The causes and consequences of seasonal variation in COPD exacerbations. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014; 9: 1101-1110.

13. Chakraborti A, Ramanathan R. Alunilkummannil J. Seasonal variations in outcomes and costs for COPD. Chest 2019; 156 (4) Suppl: A1164.

14. Rabe KF, Martinez FJ, Ferguson GT, et al. Inhaled Triple Therapy at Two Glucocorticoid Doses in Moderate-to-Very Severe COPD. N Engl J Med 2020; 383:35-48.

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AstraZeneca : New analyses from Breztri Aerosphere Phase III ETHOS trial to be presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress...

Immunology

Hill Named COO of Southern Administrative (Movers & Shakers) – Arkansas Business Online

We were unable to send the article.

Tim Hill of Southern Administrative Services Tim Hill became the chief operating officer of Southern Administrative Services on Aug. 1. SAS uses the Green House Cottage model of nursing home care. In Hills new role he will be responsible for all aspects of elder care operations, quality and safety programs, census development and talent management.

We will look for every opportunity to create a system where we share best practices among client facilities and leverage our position in the market, Hill said in a press release.

Hill has more than 27 years of health care finance and operational management experience. He had served as COO of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Health System since 2017, after fulfilling several roles there since 2011. Over the years, he has had several senior positions for a number of health care organizations, including CEO of Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison. The Arkansas Hospital Association named him Administrator of the Year in 1996, when he was running Southwest Hospital in Little Rock.

Hill earned a bachelors degree in business, finance and accounting from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Dr. Erica Horta of UAMS in Little Rock Dr. Erica Horta has been hired as a neuro-immunologist at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock.

Horta specializes in multiple sclerosis and brain and spine tumors. She also serves as an assistant professor in the department of neurology in the UAMS College of Medicine.

Horta earned her medical degree and completed a residency and a clinical fellowship at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil. Horta also completed a fellowship in research at the Neuro-immunology Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and a clinical fellowship in neuro-oncology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She also served a residency in neurology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Dr. Kim Jackson of Little Rock Allergy & Asthma Clinic. Dr. Kim Jackson has been hired as a physician at the Little Rock Allergy & Asthma Clinic.

Jackson earned her medical degree at the American University of the Carribean and completed residency for internal medicine at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. She has been published within the fields of allergy, immunology, and internal medicine, and has made oral presentations at local and national professional conferences.

Nicholas B. Wilson of Martin Orthopedics in Little Rock. Nicholas B. Wilson has been hired as a new surgeon at Martin Orthopedics in Little Rock. Wilson earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed an orthopedic residency at Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, Ohio. Wilson has also led a number of research programs including a biomechanics program at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus and a therapy program for the Cardinals Reminiscence League at St. Louis University.

Dr. Matt Peckat has joined Baptist Health Family Clinic in Bryant.

Peckat received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed his residency training through the UAMS Southwest Family Medicine Residency Program in Texarkana.

See more of this week's Movers & Shakers, and submit your own announcement at ArkansasBusiness.com/Movers.

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Hill Named COO of Southern Administrative (Movers & Shakers) - Arkansas Business Online

Embryology

Artificial womb technology: the implications of ectogestation as a reproductive choice – BioNews

7 September 2020

Researchers working on building an 'artificial womb' in the United States, Australia and Japan continue to publish regular updates about their success testing prototype 'artificial womb' devices on animal subjects.

The prototypes, EXTEND therapy (also known as the 'biobag') and the EVE-platform, are designed with the intention of artificially replicating the function of the placenta to enable a human entity to remain subject to the process of gestation ex utero. The devices function as a sealed system, with a pumpless oxygenator circuit and cannulae acting as an 'umbilical cord'. The purpose behind their development is that, in those instances in which human entities are delivered from a pregnancy prematurely, they can be supported with continued gestation (allowing crucial organ development to continue) rather than in neonatal intensive care where there is still a high risk of mortality and serious morbidity. The process of facilitating gestation ex utero in these devices is known as ectogestation.

When first announcing successful animal testing of their device in 2017, the EXTEND team postulated that their device might be soon ready for human testing, potentially within five-ten years. While an ambitious trajectory, their experiments continue to yield positive results demonstrating that artificial placental support facilitates continued fetal development.

The technology is specifically sought after as an alternative to conventional neonatal intensive care, but there is also speculation that ectogestation might one day be able to 'grow babies from scratch' and present a reproductive choice for those who are unable or unwilling to gestate. Ectogestation could become a further technological alternative to pregnancy and existing forms of assisted gestation: surrogacy and uterus transplantation.

However, the devices are designed to improve preterm outcomes, their current design and function is dependent upon the subject having fetal physiology. Therefore, even if these devices are shown to work with human preterms, significant work would still need to be done to adapt the devices to be capable of replicating the entirety of a human gestation. Moreover, at present, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (as amended) precludes the development of such technology because it is unlawful to 'keep or use' an embryo in vitro after 14 days.

Despite complete ectogestation being unlikely to materialise anytime soon, it remains a highly anticipated development because of the unique opportunities it presents for people unable to reproduce and specifically to gestate without technological assistance, for biological or social reasons. Ectogestation could grant these people, including single people, infertile or LGBTQ+ people and couples more control over their process of family formation. For many prospective parents ectogestation might be a more appealing option than existing alternatives.

Surrogacy can involve some legal complications in the attribution of legal parenthood at birth (the intended parents have to apply for a parental order or to adopt the child from the surrogate) and it involves navigating a relationship with a third-party during pregnancy. For some prospective parents, a process that does not involve them incurring legal complications and expenses andallows them to have more control over the process of gestation because it does not involve another person's body might be preferable. There might also be other advantages to the gestation being technologically assisted by an 'artificial womb' as its design features might allow them to better experience some of the relational aspects of gestation eg, the use of their voice.

Ectogestation might also be preferable to uterus transplantation given the potential practical and ethical difficulties in sourcing a donor or the risks in undergoing invasive surgery.

Comparing ectogestation (were it available) to other forms of assisted gestation is not to devalue surrogacy or uterus transplantation, or imply that either of these forms of assisted gestation are ethically dubious, but it does highlight that there are some ways in which some putative parents might prefer this technological alternative. There, of course, may be many ways in which surrogacy or uterus transplantation is thought to be preferable for example, by those who value the concept of a 'natural' human gestation.

When considering the possibilities offered by new reproductive technologies it is important that they are contextualised. This means thinking about the realities of how reproduction and reproductive technologies are and have been regulated, and the impact that these technologies can have on the narratives surrounding reproduction and individual choices. With the development of ectogestation there might be a considerable impact on how pregnancy is conceptualised and on equality in accessing assistance with reproduction.

There are likely to be both financial and legal barriers limiting the widespread accessibility of 'artificial womb' devices. As science and technology have evolved to increase the possibilities for different kinds of family formation, the law has been much slower to respond, and has often continued to limit the availability of the technology to minority groups who want or need access to them the most. For example, in some European countries homosexual individuals are still prohibited from accessing assisted reproduction to start a family, and those who seek surrogacy abroad face hostility at home. And in the UK, until 2008, the law still enforced heteronormative values about the nuclear family in the regulation of IVF with legislation citing 'the need for a father'.

There ought to also be real concerns about how this technology would be made available and to whom since it is likely to be expensive. There is, therefore, the real possibility that it further perpetuates existing inequality in reproduction between those who can afford technological assistance and those who cannot.

The availability of ectogestation and its ability to further increase the visibility of the fetus might also have a significant impact on how pregnancies and pregnant people are treated. There might be an increased perception that with an 'alternative' form of gestation available, pregnant people (whether acting as a surrogate or not) ought to be subject to greater control to 'safeguard' fetuses. There might also be greater scrutiny of parental decisions about how to gestate. If ectogestation is thought to be a superior form of gestation, because it can be better controlled to facilitate 'ideal conditions', this could result in the subordination of pregnant people and those who value the relational aspects of gestation. If human gestation remains the gold standard, this could continue to perpetuate the view of those who cannot or do not gestate, and thus need technological assistance, as'different' or 'deficient', potentially with excessive legal regulation.

The purpose of highlighting these implications of the 'artificial womb' is not to deny the wealth of opportunities it could offer to those people unable or unwilling to gestate. It is to highlight that there are potential negative consequences of this technology that must be equally anticipated so that appropriate responses and regulation can be considered to mitigate these effects.

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Artificial womb technology: the implications of ectogestation as a reproductive choice - BioNews