Genetics

How healthtech startup Bione aims to use genetic testing in the fight against coronavirus – YourStory

Ever since the Human Genome Project began in the late 1980s, genetics and DNA have become topics of mass interest. The book Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 chapters states that the genome is a book that wrote itself, continually adding, deleting, and amending for over four billion years.

For Dr Surendra Chikara, who has been working in the field for over 20 years now, the idea of founding Bione, a healthcare startup, was a no-brainer.

Monitoring the present coronavirus outbreak scenario in the country, we have included new parameters to our Longevity Plus kit. The new updated kit provides information about the susceptibility of a person to viruses like coronavirus, SARS-like viruses, HIV, Hepatitis C virus, etc. This could be based on an individuals genetic makeup or the patterns of living, Surendra says.

Dr Surendra, Founder of Bione

Surendra says a recent addition to the Bione Genetic test can check an individuals susceptibility to coronavirus. He adds that the platforms microbiome test, combined with its predictive analytics tools and artificial intelligence, can provide tailored recommendations to individuals to strengthen their microbiome and improve their immunity.

A research paper titled 'Evidence of gastrointestinal infection of SARS-CoV-2 revealed that 23.29 percent patients infected with SARS CoV-2 showed positive results in stool after showing negative in respiratory samples. Hence, the gut microbiome test is the only way to know when a virus is no longer in your system, Surendra says.

Surendra started his career with recombinant DNA technology and worked with Dr Gita Sharma, who had created the first r-DNA vaccine for Hepatitis-B in India.

My journey in genomics started under her support and guidance. It was the time when human genome sequencing and next-generation sequencing were starting to gain importance. We were in discussions to bring D2C technology to India, but the Indian healthcare market was not ready for direct-to-consumer genetic testing," Surendra says.

This is a huge problem that all my networks were aware of. We all know that the future of the global pharmaceutical industry lies in developing precision medicines tailored for individuals based on their genes, and clinical risk for developing a disease. Indian genetic data is highly diverse and a number of breakthroughs can happen. At Bione, we are doing our part to be part of this bigger picture of making India disease-free, Surendra says.

The different types of kits depend on the number of tests covered, and include Longevity kit, Longevity Plus Kit, and MyMicrobiome kit. The Longevity Plus kit covers over 415 parameters, including health, personalised medicine, fitness, and wellness.

The team claims that it also covers a parameter that determines specific gene variants that may contribute to enhance resistance to viruses like coronavirus, HIV, Hepatitis C, and many others.

The MyMicrobiome kit identifies and quantifies the microbiome in the gut, based on which a personalised diet is recommended.

Surendra says scientific research has shown that the gut microbiome plays an important role in the function and maintenance of our immune system. In ideal conditions, this microbiome-immune system alliance allows the initiation of protective responses against germs.

The platform also offers sample collection, with samples collected from an individuals homes. A pick-up is arranged as per your convenience by Bione. The DNA sequencing is done in a well-equipped lab by expert scientists, after which a detailed report is prepared.

Bione gXplore is a user-friendly, informative, and interactive app-based platform. On it, you can go through your report and easily understand the results of DNA analysis.

Slots with genetic or food and nutrition counsellors are provided as a free-of-cost service. The expert team of counsellors guides you to proactively plan your and your familys health and lifestyle choices.

The Bione team consists of experts from global institutions and scientists domains of genomics, genetics, bio-IT, genome informatics, quality assurance, sales, marketing, genetic/nutrition/fitness counselling. The startup has a total team size of 39 people.

The startup also runs a lab with scientists, bioinformaticians, and genetic counsellors. The team is applying for ISO 9001:2015, followed by CAP and CLIA accreditation to follow global standards.

Bione is projecting to test 20,000 to 30,000 samples in the first year of operations. Tests are priced between Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000, with the option of paying in EMIs. Customers can choose the package based on their needs.

The startup has raised angel funding from a clutch of undisclosed investors. Gourish Singla, the Founder of blockchain startup Project Shivom has invested in Bione.

Currently, startups like The Gene Box and Hyderabad-based MapMyGenome work on providing preventive solutions based on an individuals genetic makeup.

He says the startup's high tech lab is using advanced technologies, including whole genome sequencing, while the competition is still working with array technology with limited markers.

(Edited by Kanishk Singh)

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How healthtech startup Bione aims to use genetic testing in the fight against coronavirus - YourStory

Neuroscience

MINERVA NEUROSCIENCES TO HOST KEY OPINION LEADER MEETING ON ROLUPERIDONE: A POTENTIALLY NOVEL MECHANISM TO TREAT THE NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS OF…

Call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 31, 2020

WALTHAM, Mass., March 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Minerva Neurosciences, Inc. (NERV), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies addressing high unmet medical needs in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced that it will host a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) call on roluperidone and the treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

Dr. Remy Luthringer, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Minerva, will join William T. Carpenter, MD, University of Maryland, Ofer Agid, MD, University of Toronto, John Kane, MD, Hofstra University/ Northwell Health System, and Stephen Marder, MD, UCLA, to discuss the treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

In the second quarter of 2020, Minerva expects to announce top line results from a Phase 3 study with roluperidone in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia with negative symptoms. Roluperidone is the only molecule in advanced clinical development that to date has shown a specific effect on negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Tuesday, March 31, 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Dr. Carpenter is a Professor of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and past Director of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. He is Past-President of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and chairs the scientific program committee of the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. He also chaired the DSM-V Psychosis Work Group.

Dr. Agid is Clinician Scientist and Psychiatrist in the Schizophrenia Program and Medical Head, Ambulatory Services and the Lead Psychiatrist, Partial Hospital Program at the Schizophrenia Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Kane is Senior Vice President for Behavioral Health Services of the Northwell Health System. He is Chairman of Psychiatry and Professor of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He has chaired review and advisory committees at the NIMH and the Food and Drug Administration and has served as President of the Schizophrenia International Research Society and the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology.

Dr. Marder is currently the Director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network 22 Mental Illness Research, Education Clinical Center for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Section on Psychosis at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. He is a Professor and the Vice Chair for Education at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience at UCLA.

About Minerva Neurosciences

Minervas proprietary compounds include: roluperidone (MIN-101), in clinical development for schizophrenia; seltorexant (MIN-202 or JNJ-42847922), in clinical development for insomnia and MDD; and MIN-301, in pre-clinical development for Parkinsons disease. Minervas common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol NERV. For more information, please visit http://www.minervaneurosciences.com.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, reflect managements expectations as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to the timing and scope of future clinical trials and results of clinical trials with roluperidone (MIN-101); the clinical and therapeutic potential of this compound; the timing and outcomes of future interactions with U.S. and foreign regulatory bodies; our ability to successfully develop and commercialize our therapeutic products; the sufficiency of our current cash position to fund our operations; and managements ability to successfully achieve its goals. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors including, without limitation, whether roluperidone will advance further in the clinical trials process and whether and when, if at all, it will receive final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies and for which indications; whether any of our therapeutic products will be successfully marketed if approved; whether any of our therapeutic product discovery and development efforts will be successful; managements ability to successfully achieve its goals; our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations on terms acceptable to us; and general economic conditions. These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the caption Risk Factors in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2019, filed with theSecurities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2020. Copies of reports filed with theSECare posted on our website at http://www.minervaneurosciences.com. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Story continues

Contact:William B. BoniVP, Investor Relations/Corp. CommunicationsMinerva Neurosciences, Inc.(617) 600-7376

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MINERVA NEUROSCIENCES TO HOST KEY OPINION LEADER MEETING ON ROLUPERIDONE: A POTENTIALLY NOVEL MECHANISM TO TREAT THE NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS OF...

Neuroscience

Yale’s massively popular ‘happiness’ course is available free online – WXII The Triad

Above video: Here are unique ways to maintain social distancing during COVID-19 outbreakAs people are spending more time at home and working to stay sane during the coronavirus pandemic, they might be able to find solace in Yale University's mega-popular "happiness" course, which is available for free online through Coursera."We're in a particularly challenging time, not just for this health crisis, this physical health crisis, but also a potential mental health crisis, as well," course creator Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour this week.The course went online for free about two years ago under the name "The Science of Well Being," according to the Yale Daily News. Anyone can audit the course for free, and $49 lets you complete assignments, submit them for a grade and earn a certificate of completion.Although in-person social connections matter, Santos says the good news from science is that much of happiness stems from cultivating healthy practices and routines.And the dramatic reorientation of your life might actually give you an opportunity in the coming weeks to rethink your daily rituals and therefore rewire your brain toward a happier life.The course was a campus phenomenonSantos hatched the idea for the course because she's the head of Yale's Silliman College and lives with students "in the trenches." (Think of it like Professor Minerva McGonagall heading Gryffindor House in the Harry Potter universe).Eating daily with students, she said she was "shocked at the kind of mental health issues" she was seeing, and noted that it's "a national trend that's getting worse."So she created a course called "Psychology and the Good Life," which starts by offering students insights from psychology and neuroscience about what drives happiness. In its second half, the course challenges students in behavior change exercises to help rewire the brain.Almost 1,200 students enrolled in the class, or about one in four students on campus, and it became the most popular class in Yale's more than 300-year history.Happiness comes from the simple things"Our minds lie to us all the time. We mis-want things. We think we need to change our life circumstances to become happier," Santos says.On the other hand, she finds that "what plays a much bigger role are our simple practices, simple acts like making a social connection, or taking time for gratitude, or taking time to be in the present moment."Many people mistakenly believe happiness is just around the corner if we land a better job, find a more attractive partner or buy a bigger house. But the neuroscience literature doesn't back that up, she says.Happiness and contentedness stem from repeatedly doing simple tasks, rather than herculean ones. "I take the science of happiness as giving us a lot of good news," Santos said.You can audit the course for freeCatie Henderson, a 29-year-old living in Atlanta, Georgia, took the course online last year. She told CNN she had studied philosophy in college and as she has been progressing in her career, she's been looking for more ways to continue her "learning and development."She was attracted to the happiness course and took the plunge after seeing "raving reviews from other students."Her main takeaway was in deconstructing misconceptions many have around happiness, such as mistakenly seeking fulfillment through accomplishments."Getting your dream job or dream spouse won't create happiness. You have to build habits," Henderson said. "And connecting with others is important, but getting right with yourself is equally important."She said she was in fact a little happier after taking the course, but more importantly had generally come to feel more "enlightened and like happiness was in our control."As the world feels like it's spinning out of control, learning what we can control could be vital to finding the silver lining during the age of coronavirus.

Above video: Here are unique ways to maintain social distancing during COVID-19 outbreak

As people are spending more time at home and working to stay sane during the coronavirus pandemic, they might be able to find solace in Yale University's mega-popular "happiness" course, which is available for free online through Coursera.

"We're in a particularly challenging time, not just for this health crisis, this physical health crisis, but also a potential mental health crisis, as well," course creator Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour this week.

The course went online for free about two years ago under the name "The Science of Well Being," according to the Yale Daily News. Anyone can audit the course for free, and $49 lets you complete assignments, submit them for a grade and earn a certificate of completion.

Although in-person social connections matter, Santos says the good news from science is that much of happiness stems from cultivating healthy practices and routines.

And the dramatic reorientation of your life might actually give you an opportunity in the coming weeks to rethink your daily rituals and therefore rewire your brain toward a happier life.

Santos hatched the idea for the course because she's the head of Yale's Silliman College and lives with students "in the trenches." (Think of it like Professor Minerva McGonagall heading Gryffindor House in the Harry Potter universe).

Eating daily with students, she said she was "shocked at the kind of mental health issues" she was seeing, and noted that it's "a national trend that's getting worse."

So she created a course called "Psychology and the Good Life," which starts by offering students insights from psychology and neuroscience about what drives happiness. In its second half, the course challenges students in behavior change exercises to help rewire the brain.

Almost 1,200 students enrolled in the class, or about one in four students on campus, and it became the most popular class in Yale's more than 300-year history.

"Our minds lie to us all the time. We mis-want things. We think we need to change our life circumstances to become happier," Santos says.

On the other hand, she finds that "what plays a much bigger role are our simple practices, simple acts like making a social connection, or taking time for gratitude, or taking time to be in the present moment."

Many people mistakenly believe happiness is just around the corner if we land a better job, find a more attractive partner or buy a bigger house. But the neuroscience literature doesn't back that up, she says.

Happiness and contentedness stem from repeatedly doing simple tasks, rather than herculean ones. "I take the science of happiness as giving us a lot of good news," Santos said.

Catie Henderson, a 29-year-old living in Atlanta, Georgia, took the course online last year. She told CNN she had studied philosophy in college and as she has been progressing in her career, she's been looking for more ways to continue her "learning and development."

She was attracted to the happiness course and took the plunge after seeing "raving reviews from other students."

Her main takeaway was in deconstructing misconceptions many have around happiness, such as mistakenly seeking fulfillment through accomplishments.

"Getting your dream job or dream spouse won't create happiness. You have to build habits," Henderson said. "And connecting with others is important, but getting right with yourself is equally important."

She said she was in fact a little happier after taking the course, but more importantly had generally come to feel more "enlightened and like happiness was in our control."

As the world feels like it's spinning out of control, learning what we can control could be vital to finding the silver lining during the age of coronavirus.

Follow this link:
Yale's massively popular 'happiness' course is available free online - WXII The Triad

Neuroscience

Yale Offers A Free Online Course In Happiness – wmmr.com

With everyone quarantined due to the COVID-19 virus, a free online Happiness class could not come at a better time than right now.

According toCNN, Yale Universitys mega-popular happiness course is available for free online through Coursera.

Course creator Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor, told CNN, Were in a particularly challenging time not just for this health crisis, this physical health crisis, but also a potential mental health crisis as well.

She explained, Our minds lie to us all the time. We miswant things. We think we need to change our life circumstances to become happier. What plays a much bigger role are our simple practices, simple acts like making a social connection, or taking time for gratitude, or taking time to be in the present moment. Many people mistakenly believe happiness is just around the corner if we land a better job, find a more attractive mate, or buy a bigger house. But the neuroscience literature doesnt back that up.

Santos added, Happiness and contentedness stem from repeatedly doing simple tasks, rather than herculean ones. I take the science of happiness as giving us a lot of good news.

Follow this link:
Yale Offers A Free Online Course In Happiness - wmmr.com

Neuroscience

US Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Market Analysis 2020-2024, Featuring Cadwell Industries, Medtronic Plc and NuVasive Inc. – ResearchAndMarkets.com -…

The "Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Market in the US 2020-2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The intraoperative neuromonitoring market (IONM) in the US is poised to grow by USD 955.33 mn during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period. This report provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current US market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by increasing number of surgeries that require IONM. In addition, rising adoption of remote IONM is anticipated to boost the growth of the intraoperative neuromonitoring market in the US.

Market Segmentation

Type:

Application:

Methodology:

End-user:

Key trends for intraoperative neuromonitoring market growth

This study identifies rising adoption of remote IONM as the prime reason driving growth in the intraoperative neuromonitoring market in the US during the next few years.

Prominent vendors in the US intraoperative neuromonitoring market

A detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the intraoperative neuromonitoring market in us 2020-2024, including some of the vendors such as Accurate Neuromonitoring LLC, Cadwell Industries Inc., Computational Diagnostics Inc., IntraNerve Neuroscience Holdings LC, Medtronic Plc, Natus Medical Inc., NeuroMonitoring Technologies Inc., Nihon Kohden Corp., NuVasive Inc. and SpecialtyCare Inc. .

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market Ecosystem

2.2 Market Characteristics

2.3 Value Chain Analysis

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market Definition

3.2 Market Segmentation Analysis

3.3 Market Size 2019

3.4 Market Outlook: Forecast 2019-2024

4 Five Forces Analysis

5 Market Segmentation

6 Customer Landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic Segmentation

7.2 Geographic Comparison

7.3 Europe - Market Size and Forecast 2019-2024

7.4 North America - Market Size and Forecast 2019-2024

7.5 APAC - Market Size and Forecast 2019-2024

7.6 South America - Market Size and Forecast 2019-2024

7.7 MEA - Market Size and Forecast 2019-2024

7.8 Key Leading Countries

7.9 Market Opportunity

8 Drivers, Challenges and Trends

8.1 Market Drivers

8.2 Market Challenges

8.3 Market Trends

9 Vendor landscape

9.1 Overview

9.2 Landscape Disruption

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors Covered

10.2 Market Positioning of Vendors

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

11.4 Information sources

11.5 List of abbreviations

11.6 List of Exhibits

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/xsf05j

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200324005412/en/

Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.comLaura Wood, Senior Press Managerpress@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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US Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Market Analysis 2020-2024, Featuring Cadwell Industries, Medtronic Plc and NuVasive Inc. - ResearchAndMarkets.com -...

Embryology

Israel halts all new IVF treatments over coronavirus fears – The Times of Israel

Israels Health Ministry last week suspended all new in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, as well as some already in process, in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, throwing thousands of hopeful couples into uncertainty, as their dreams of having a child were put on hold indefinitely.

It was not an easy decision, the chairman of the Israel Fertility Association, Dr. Adrian Shulman, told The Times of Israel on Sunday.

In vitro fertilization literally, in glass fertilization typically involves a round of hormone treatments to stimulate a womans ovaries follicles, in order to produce several mature eggs; a procedure to retrieve those eggs; incubating the eggs with sperm in order to fertilize them (this is the in glass part); selecting the embryo, or embryos, with the best chance of a successful pregnancy; and implanting it or them in a womans uterus, where the embryo will hopefully implant, and develop into a fetus.

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IVF is a difficult process technically and emotionally that requires close, regular monitoring and, even when done properly, statistically fails more often than it succeeds. Yet in Israel, which has the highest rate of IVF in the world, roughly five percent of all births come from the procedure, according to Health Ministry data from 2017.

In calling off IVF treatments, Israel was following the path of similar decisions made by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in recent weeks, Shulman said.

Shayna Kovler, whose IVF cycle was called off just as it was about to begin, said she was driven to begin a cycle of treatment precisely because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, in which so much is uncertain.

It was an act of hope, of something to look forward to, Kovler told The Times of Israel.

A Health Ministry spokesperson said that it had ordered all new cycles of IVF called off, along with any treatment where the size of the ovary follicle was smaller than 15 millimeters. (A woman whose ovary follicle has reached 15 millimeters would be toward the end of the hormone treatment, likely two to three days away from egg retrieval.)

In addition, the implantation of embryos was halted.

The move came amid a series of directives from the Health Ministry to curb non-essential medical procedures and a general effort in Israel to prevent the spread of the virus, which has thus far killed one person and infected roughly another 1,000.

Workers inside a building at Tel HaShomer Hospital which was converted to receive Israelis who were under quarantine on the cruise ship Diamond Princess in Japan due to the spread of the coronavirus, February 20, 2020. (Avshalom Sassoni/ Flash90)

According to Shulman, the ministry wanted to halt all procedures across the board, but he and his colleagues fought to let those already in the midst of treatment to continue.

We said it wouldnt be right to stop in the middle, he said.

However, Kovler said she was aware of a woman undergoing IVF who had been asked to stop her treatment much further along in the process, at the point where an embryo would be implanted in her uterus.

She lauded her doctor, who had told her in advance that her treatment might be called off, but said that other women she knew were surprised by the decision.

Other were told on Sunday that everythings fine and then on Wednesday that everything was not, Kovler said.

Shulman said he and his colleagues at the IFA, along with the Health Ministry, determined that there was a twofold risk in allowing IVF treatments to continue: for patients and staff, there was an increased risk of contracting COVID-19, as the close monitoring often results in cramped waiting rooms where the disease could easily spread; and for the potential babies, there is an unknown danger from the coronavirus, as it is not yet clear what effect,if any, the virus has on fetuses.

Though some steps could be taken to mitigate the risk to the doctors, nurses, and the women undergoing IVF, the careful timing needed to track the womens ovulation limits the clinics ability to fully prevent the gathering of sometimes 40 to 50 women in the waiting rooms, Shulman said.

It would be difficult to spread this out throughout the day, he said.

Shulman said that the issue of the effects of the coronavirus on fetuses should be cleared up by researchers within the coming weeks and months, aided he anticipated by a quarantine-assisted baby boom.

I expect there will be more pregnancies, a baby boom, with everyone at home, he said.

Shulman said it was decided that the risks were too great and that the procedures must be called off, though he acknowledged that the decision was based on uncertainties and concerns, rather than hard empirical data.

In a few months, we might say we made a mistake, that it was all nonsense, he said.

It is not immediately clear when IVF treatments will again be allowed. Shulman said he expected them to resume in late April or early May, but much will depend on the viruss behavior.

Shayna Kovler. (Courtesy)

Kovler said that shed heard the estimates that treatments may start up sometime late next month, after the Passover festival. But she was concerned by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.

We dont know how long this will last. Am I supposed to wait 18 months until theres a vaccine? she said.

Kovler, 31, who has already been through 10 rounds of fertility treatments, including one of IVF, and underwent open-heart surgery in order to fix an underlying problem that would have prevented her from safely getting pregnant, argued that she and the other women looking to go through IVF treatments were already aware of the multiple risks involved in the process, both to themselves and to their babies, and were willing to go through with it anyway.

The desire to have a child is a very deep desire, she said.

Kovler, 31, also noted that for most women, IVF is a last-resort measure, when other fertility treatments have failed and the window of time when they can safely have children is closing.

[My husband and I] would like to have two kids, she said. But I do feel my biological clock ticking.

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Israel halts all new IVF treatments over coronavirus fears - The Times of Israel

Embryology

Fertility clinics asked to suspend treatment due to coronavirus – BioNews

23 March 2020

New guidance has called for fertility clinics in the UK to minimise treatment amid the coronavirus pandemic.

UK fertility clinics have been asked to consider, but not ordered, halting fertility treatment services. While it will not be possible for most clinics to close completely due to their legal responsibility to maintain stored frozen embryosand gametes, they are asked to reduce their services to a minimum.

The guidance, issued on Wednesday by the British Fertility Society (BFS) and the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), states that 'it is expected that UK licensed fertility centres will now be working to suspend treatments'.

This includes IVF, frozen embryo transfer, surgical sperm retrieval, intrauterine insemination (IUI) and ovulation induction procedures. The guidance is in line with recommendations from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), who have advised all those considering fertility treatment to 'avoid becoming pregnant at this time'.

The news comes after Belfast's Regional Fertility Centrepostponed fertility treatment for 33 patients last week following advice from the Belfast Health Trust (see BioNews1039).

The BFS and ARCS cited the promotion of social distancing and lack of long-term evidence on the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and pregnancy as the rationale underlying their recommendations. They also urged fertility clinics to consider their 'wider social responsibility' to an already stretched NHS, as fertility treatment may cause complications in some patients.

The new measures have caused uncertainty for many undergoing or considering fertility treatment, with no indication of when the restrictions will be lifted. Speaking to the Huffington Post, Tracey Bambrough, co-founder of the magazine IVF Babble, said: 'For people who may already be experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, the coronavirus has created an additional level of anxiety.'

Another patient told the Telegraph: 'I worry my time is running out. I may not get many other chances to do this.' After trying to conceive for two years, she was awaiting IUI treatment when her clinic cancelled all procedures due to the coronavirus a situation in which many patients may now find themselves.

She added: 'I had some hope we might finally have a chance. It felt like we were on the road to something. Now, everything hangs in the balance.'

Some say the measures discriminate against those who need fertility treatment to get pregnant. Speaking to the Huffington Post, one patient said:'Everyone keeps joking that there's going to be a baby boom in nine months [from couples self-isolating together] is there going to be a public health announcement to stop fertile couples from sleeping together?'

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have asked that clinics follow the guidance and are providing regular updates on their website.

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Fertility clinics asked to suspend treatment due to coronavirus - BioNews

Embryology

How Bourn Hall Clinic, the worlds first IVF clinic, was launched 40 years ago – Cambridge Independent

As a new biography of IVF pioneer Robert Edwards is launched, we talk to Bourn Hall Clinics first business director, Alan Dexter, who describes how financial backing was secured, to open the worlds first IVF clinic.

Being transparent with patients over their chances of success with a groundbreaking treatment for female infertility was a priority, recalls Alan Dexter.

He stepped in at the eleventh hour to help IVF pioneers Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy raise finance to open Bourn Hall as the worlds first IVF clinic in 1980.

When the clinic opened, the initial stages were not easy. People were phoning up and asking about our success rate, Alan remembers. I had to say to have a success rate first we have to treat people! But then the first successful pregnancy was achieved and it started to build.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Bourn Hall first opening its doors to patients. IVF was initially developed as a treatment for women like Louises mother, Lesley, with blocked fallopian tubes and there was a lot of stigma and secrecy around infertility.

Alan recalls: In the early days, people didnt want others to know theyd had difficulty conceiving, so they came with cash. For if you wrote the name Bourn Hall on the cheque, the bank staff would know you were seeking a test-tube baby.

Alan Dexter was Bourn Halls first business director; came in at a crucial time before Bourn Hall opened to provide the commercial knowledge.

His first meeting with the team was in Professor Edwards lab at the University of Cambridge just after their internationally acclaimed success in Oldham and the births of the first test-tube babies - Louise Brown, in 1978, and Alastair Macdonald, in 1979.

I met Bob and Jeanie (Jean Purdy) initially, and then Patrick subsequently. I was just stunned, I couldnt believe that nobody would advance their cause.

They were literally caught between two tools because the NHS was saying this was still science and there were more phases of research needed, yet the Medical Research Council was saying it wasnt, theyd proved it with two live births. They asked if I could help them in any way I agreed, he says.

At that stage the team had found a suitable location a Jacobean manor in its own grounds with temporary accommodation for patients and staff and the funds had been provided by Associated Newspapers.

However, without the backing of the establishment for what was at the time a futuristic medical treatment, the proprietors of the newspaper business had a change of heart.

Alan continues: They were concerned that the treatment might be attacked by other parts of the media and the response was no sorry, but we think that this is at the edge of science and are not prepared to go any further. They were about to sell the hall.

I went with Bob and Patrick to meet the head of Associated Newspapers. We asked him to stop the auction process to see if I could raise the money to buy the hall.

I looked at the feasibility study that they had produced, revised the business plan and went on a tour of the city.I wasnt getting far when I saw an advert in the Financial Times for ICFC, which became 3i, offering funding for high technology projects and I thought, Right, Im going to test that! and they were as good as their word.

Bourn Hall was one of the first companies to become part of the Cambridge phenomenon, which saw a rapid increase in high-tech and life science companies setting up in the region.

The pricing for treatment was complicated, as initially IVF required women to stay in bed for about 10 days.

An early patient, Lesley Smith, mother of Norfolks first IVF twins, remembers paying about 1,800 for treatment, the equivalent of 8,967 today.

Alan continues: The principle, I agreed with Bob and Patrick, was a package with a standard charge including accommodation, regardless of how long patients were in there.

It would have been unconscionable to say Actually, because ovulation was delayed its going to cost you more. If treatment was cancelled for any reason and could not progress any further, then there was a refund based on a daily rate. Certainly, in no way was it going to be exploitative.

Muriel Harris was a matron at Oldham District Hospital 40 years ago, and had been working unpaid in her own time to ensure the success of IVF.

She came down to set up the nursing team. Muriel was so passionate about the new clinic that she volunteered to live at Bourn Hall to provide 24/7 care for the patients.

Initially, portable cabins were used for the embryology lab and medical unit.

Eventually we were in the fortunate position of being able to create the permanent buildings, remove the cabins and build in that space. That took quite a long time, recalls Alan.

Bob was very aware of the ethical concerns around his work so an ethics committee was set up very quickly with senior gynaecologists and scientists not connected with Bourn Hall, giving opinions and guidance.

In fact Dame Mary Warnock came to Bourn Hall when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority had been set up.

Bob and Jeanie had laid out all the papers Bob had produced about ethical issues surrounding IVF over the years. She was very impressed, and she commented that Professor Edwards was years ahead in confronting the issues.

After helping to set up Bourn Hall, Alan continued to enjoy a long career in private healthcare before rejoining Bourn Hall in 2014 as chairman of the board -a post he held until his retirement last year.

Read more

Cambridgeshire fathers day joy thanks to IVF

Bourn Hall offers IVF patients genetic test to screen embryos for chromosome irregularites

Pioneering lab at Bourn Hall Clinic uncovers secrets about the biology of human eggs

See the article here:
How Bourn Hall Clinic, the worlds first IVF clinic, was launched 40 years ago - Cambridge Independent

Human Behavior

Human Behavior Expert Dana Borowka: Top Ten Tips on How to Think Clearly and Not Let Fear Control You – PRNewswire

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- How does fear show up in our lives and do we handle it as well as we would like to? Thinking clearly and not letting fear control you are essential to deal with stress during the national health emergency.

"Dealing with fear isn't really fun, and many people would like to avoid or deny it," says work style and human behavior expert Dana Borowka.

Borowka has over 25 years of human behavioral consulting and counseling experience.

"Fear is much like our shadow; no matter how hard we run, it's going to chase us," says Borowka.

Borowka is a nationally renowned speaker and former radio personality on human behavior. He is the author of the books, Cracking the Personality Code, Cracking the Business Code and Cracking the High-Performance Team Code. He is CEO of Lighthouse Consulting Services, an in-depth and work style assessment and consulting firm.

Fear or stress can feel overwhelming at times. So, how can we manage it better?The following are ten ideas from Borowka on how to get a handle on fear:

For media who want to interview Dana Borowka about fear and stress reduction

Please contact Dana at Lighthouse Consulting Services LLC, Santa Monica, CA, (310) 453-6556, x403, [emailprotected] or website: http://www.lighthouseconsulting.com.

SOURCE Dana Borowka

Read more:
Human Behavior Expert Dana Borowka: Top Ten Tips on How to Think Clearly and Not Let Fear Control You - PRNewswire

Human Behavior

5 tips from astronauts for thriving in isolation – We Are The Mighty

NASA Astronaut and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Anne McClain took to Twitter to share the official training astronauts use for living in confined spaces for long periods of time. Afterall, the International Space Station has been operating for nearly 20 years, giving NASA astronauts and psychologists time to examine human behavior and needs when living and working remotely.

They narrowed the behavior skills down to five general skills called "Expeditionary Behavior," or "EB" because the military just loves a good acronym.

Built from 1998 to 2001, the International Space Station usually holds crews of between three and six people who will spend about six months there at a time, though mission lengths can vary. During that time, the astronauts perform experiments and spacewalks, maintain the space station, conduct media and education events and test out technology.

Also during this time, they are allocated at least two hours a day for exercise and personal care.

According to NASA, the living and working space in the station is larger than a six-bedroom house (and has six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym and a 360-degree view bay window). Still, six months in a space bucket with two to five other people can give some perspective to anyone feeling confined.

This is the "GoodEB" that helps astronauts:

"Share info/feelings freely. Talk about intentions before taking action. Use good terminology. Discuss when your or others' actions were not as expected. Debrief after success or conflict. Listen, then restate message to ensure it's understood. Admit when you're wrong," McClain tweeted.

It's common for humans to have strong emotional responses and act on them before they fully understand them. Honest communication is critical in a confined space or during heightened stress.

"Accept responsibility. Adjust style to environment. Assign tasks, set goals. Lead by example. Give direction, info, feedback, coaching + encouragement. Ensure teammates have resources. Talk when something isn't right. Ask questions. Offer solutions, not just problems," urged McClain.

For anyone confined with family or roommates, it can be an adjustment to share personal space and limited supplies for a prolonged period of time. Shifting to a team dynamic can bring a new perspective to everyone's roles within the home. If you weren't already doing this, now is the time to share the household chores, the cooking, the supply runs, and, for many families, the education responsibilities.

"Realistically assess own strengths and weaknesses, and their influence on the group. Learn from mistakes. Take action to mitigate stress or negativity (don't pass on to the group). Be social. Seek feedback. Balance work, rest, and personal time. Be organized," suggested McClain.

There's a quote I've always liked that says, "Please accept responsibility for the energy you are bringing into this space," and it feels especially relevant now. We must each stay in touch with ourselves so we can identify rising stress and mitigate it with self-care.

Self-care can be anything from calling a friend to a work-out session from YouTube to releasing expectations of perfection and taking the time to enjoy some relaxation with a book or movie.

"Demonstrate patience and respect. Encourage others. Monitor team for signs of stress or fatigue. Encourage participation in team activities. Develop positive relationships. Volunteer for the unpleasant tasks. Offer and accept help. Share the credit; take the blame," said McClain.

"Cooperate rather than compete. Actively cultivate group culture (use each individual's culture to build the whole). Respect roles, responsibilities, and workload. Take accountability, give praise freely. Work to ensure positive team attitude. Keep calm in conflict," suggests McClain.

Parents are learning how to homeschool. Partners are sharing household responsibilities like cooking and cleaning. More people are sick and being cared for by their roommates.

All the while, we are each learning how to restrict our movements while maintaining our health and vitality. The key points throughout NASA's Expeditionary Behaviors are to take care of each other and ourselves by working together.

And just remember, Scott Kelly set the record for most consecutive days in space by an American by living for 340 days during a one-year mission aboard the International Space Station, proving that humans are pretty remarkable when it comes to adapting to our environment!

If you need any advice on thriving from home, here are a few We Are The Mighty articles that can help:

More here:
5 tips from astronauts for thriving in isolation - We Are The Mighty