Month: November 2023

Nov 29

Switzerland aims for zero HIV and hepatitis infections by 2030

The NAPS campaign will target people at risk from infections. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally read aloud pause The government wants to eradicate new infections with the AIDS virus (HIV) and hepatitis B or C in Switzerland by 2030. This content was published on November 29, 2023 – 14:59 November 29, 2023 – 14:59 Kestone-SDA To this end, the Federal Council has adopted the program “Stop HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C virus and sexually transmitted infections (NAPS)”. This goal is in line with that of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Council wrote on Wednesday. Hepatitis B and C are new additions to the prevention program. The first national program against HIV was launched in 1987. The NAPS program is intended to particularly target those people who are at increased risk of such infections. Everyone, especially younger people, should be made aware of the risks posed by these diseases and learn how they can protect themselves. The programs also provide simple and low-threshold test offers. In addition, health insurance companies will cover the costs of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for people at increased risk from July 1, 2024. Do you have more questions about this story? How we work This news story has been written and carefully fact-checked by an external editorial team. At SWI swissinfo.ch we select the most relevant news for an international audience and use automatic translation tools such as DeepL to translate it into English. Providing you with automatically translated news gives us the time to write more in-depth articles. You can find them hereExternal link. If you want to know more about how we work, have a look hereExternal link, and if you have feedback on this news story please write to [email protected] link. End of insertion External Content Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Almost finished… We need to confirm your email address. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. Articles in this story In compliance with the JTI standards More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

Nov 29

Holiday Carolina Blood Drive celebrates 25th year

With the holiday season in full swing, Carolina offers the community many ways to serve and lend a helping hand. One such opportunity is the 25th annual Holiday Carolina Blood Drive, hosted Dec. 7 by the Employee Forum and the American Red Cross. “You feel like you’re doing something that’s good for mankind,” said Dr. Amelia F. Drake, professor of otolaryngology at the UNC School of Medicine and the first person to sign up for this year’s Holiday Carolina Blood Drive. Based on 2022’s turnout, Drake won’t be alone. Last year, 369 people came to donate blood, nearly a third of them for the first time. Since 1999, the drive has accepted 8,105 donors, who contributed a combined 7,828 units of blood. Dr. Amelia Drake was the first to sign up for 2023’s Holiday blood drive. (submitted photo) “People are able to give at a time when it’s needed,” Drake said. “It’s a time of year when this kind of donation is the most rewarding.” Drake also feels that the Holiday Carolina Blood Drive highlights illnesses that most people often ignore. “We see sickness around us every day, and I appreciate that we can all participate in something that goes to a good cause and do something about it,” Drake said. Where to register While the blood drive does accept walk-ups on the day of the event, you can beat the crowds by reserving your donation time. There are still times available at the American Red Cross’ Blood Services site or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800­-733-2767). Make sure you’re eligible to donate As the drive approaches, check to make sure you are eligible to give by entering the date of your last donation. This online calculator considers whole blood, power red and platelet donations. Where to go This year’s Holiday Carolina Blood Drive is from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Fetzer Hall. Free parking is available in Cobb Deck. In addition to free food, donors will also receive a commemorative T-shirt celebrating 25 years of the Holiday Carolina Blood Drive’s commitment to service. For more details or information on volunteering, visit carolinablooddrive.unc.edu.

Nov 29

Alberta Health Services issues measles alert in Calgary

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is warning the public about a lab-confirmed case of measles in the Calgary area, adding that the public may have been exposed. On Tuesday evening, AHS said an individual with a lab-confirmed case of measles had been in public areas while infectious. The agency said the infected person was on Air Canada flight AC206 from Vancouver on Nov. 23. The flight landed in Calgary at 12:45 p.m. and the patient then spent two and a half hours in the domestic arrivals area of the Calgary International Airport. The individual then checked into the emergency room at the Alberta Children’s Hospital at 4 p.m. on Nov. 24 where they spent five and a half hours in the waiting room before leaving. AHS says the patient returned to the hospital on Nov. 27 at 1:15 p.m., and spent an additional three hours in the waiting room. Health officials say the patient is now being monitored, but everyone who may have been in the above areas during the indicated times should take precautions. “Anyone who attended these locations at these times are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records and call HealthLink 811 for advice,” AHS said in a statement. “Anyone who attended these locations at these times who either were born after 1970, or have less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, may be at risk for developing measles.” Anyone who exhibits symptoms of measles, which include a fever of 38.3 C or higher, cough, runny nose/and or red eyes and a red blotchy rash that appears between three to seven days after fever, should stay home and call 811 for advice instead of visiting their health care provider. “Measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air. There is no treatment for measles; however, it can be prevented through immunization,” AHS said. Immunization for measles is offered to Albertans at no cost and is typically first administered to children at 12 months old, with a second dose given to them between four and six years old. AHS says anyone who believes they may have been exposed to this case of measles may also be able to receive immunizations. “Exposed people who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine, who are pregnant, under one year of age, or have a weakened immune system are encouraged to contact Health Link as they may be eligible for medication to prevent measles.” Further details about Alberta’s childhood immunization program can be found online.

Nov 29

Key Protein in Blood Vessel Growth Identified, Study Reveals

Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute Blood vessels are responsible of the appropriate and efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the whole body. To do so, they must grow and branch to reach every cell in a process called angiogenesis. The precise regulation of the sprouting and pruning of blood vessels is complex and partly unknown, but endothelial cells, those lining the inner part of the vessels, are known to play an important role. The growth and proliferation of endothelial cells is promoted by a protein known as mTORC1. Controlling its activity is important to organise a coherent branching of blood vessels and alterations in this process may lead to vascular malformations. New research from the Mariona Graupera’s lab (Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute), published yesterday at the top journal Science Signaling, has just found that PI3K-C2b, a family member of the PI3K kinases, is responsible of the mTORC1 fine tuning through its inhibition. In a series of experiments using mice models and human cells, researchers found that animals with an inactive form of PI3K-C2a displayed aberrantly enlarged blood vessels. Similarly, when PI3K-C2b was transiently inactivated, endothelial cells appeared larger than usual. Both effects correlated with an increased expression of mTORC1 and were restored upon its external repression. The findings are important since mutations in components of the PI3K family of proteins are frequent in patients with congenital vascular disorders. Understanding the link between one and the other may be useful to find new therapeutic targets in the future. The present work was a collaborative initiative including researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, the CNIO, the Universitätsmedizin Berlin, the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and the University College London. Funders of the project were the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation, the PTEN Foundation, “La Caixa” Foundation, the Spanish Association Against Cancer and the BBVA Foundation. /Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.

Nov 29

Blood oranges may be option for cold-hardy region

Blood oranges could provide citrus growers with another variety to grow in the cold-hardy citrus region. But further research is needed to verify its effectiveness in the Southeast, says Ali Sarkhosh, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor. “We harvested those fruit in Quincy at the North Florida Research and Education Center. We still don’t know if we harvest the same fruit in Central Florida if we would we get those responses. Sarkhosh said. He added that regional testing is needed in Florida to determine if there is a pre-harvest climate impact and effect on fruit quality after harvest. Read the full article on citrusindustry.net.

Nov 29

MSU Health Care’s Remote Monitoring Partnership with Assure Health Improves Weight, Blood Sugar Outcomes for Patients with Diabetes

Results demonstrate remote monitoring program’s ability to expand access and improve outcomes to coincide with National Diabetes Awareness Month EAST LANSING, Mich., Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — To coincide with November’s National Diabetes Awareness Month, MSU Health Care announced today how its Care Everyday remote monitoring program, delivered to patients across the state of Michigan in collaboration with Assure Health, has improved outcomes for patients living with diabetes. On average, patients enrolled in Care Everyday for 12 months saw a 13.25-pound decrease in their body weight, as well as a 10.91-point reduction in their blood sugar (measured in mg/dL). According to the CDC, losing 5% to 10% of your weight can improve your health and well-being, which is between 8.5 and 17 pounds for an individual who is 5’9″ tall. If you have diabetes, you may find your blood sugar levels are easier to manage and that you need less diabetes medicine. These outcomes demonstrate how Care Everyday helps patients make significant progress in metrics that are important for living with diabetes. “We are thrilled to witness the remarkable results of our Care Everyday program with Assure Health,” said Michael Weiner, DO, MSM, MSIST, MSU Health Care chief medical officer. “This transformative initiative not only reflects our commitment to innovative health care but also underscores the tangible impact technology can have on improving the well-being of our patients. Together, we are shaping a healthier future, one where proactive, remote monitoring plays a pivotal role in achieving lasting health outcomes.” Care Everyday provides patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and heart failure with cellular-connected health devices, which are designed to be easy-to-use and work right out of the box. When patients take readings with these devices, the readings are securely transmitted to the patient’s dedicated nurse care manager, who reviews the data and intervenes or escalates to an MSU Health Care doctor when appropriate. The recent successful diabetes outcomes follows news from last year about Care Everyday moving half of patients with uncontrolled blood pressure to controlled status within six months of enrollment. Further, as part of the Care Everyday program, both data from provisioned devices and care manager insights map directly to patient charts, providing seamless care between Care Everyday care managers and MSU Health Care providers. Michigan community members can sign up for the Remote Patient Monitoring program to benefit from the Care Everyday and MSU Health Care partnership. Care Everyday is improving the MSU Health Care patient experience, as participation is tied to increased ownership of their health outcomes, reduced ER admissions, and improved satisfaction. “Amid a nationwide shortage of endocrinologists, diabetes care and awareness is more important than ever,” said Jaye Noel, Chief Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Diabetes Programs at Assure Health. “We are thrilled to see the success of Care Everyday for patients with diabetes and look forward to continuing to expand access to care across Michigan in partnership with MSU Health Care.” Care Everyday is available to MSU Health Care patients through provider referral, and interested patients can also indicate their interest to self-enroll. For more information, please visit https://rpm.healthcare.msu.edu/. About MSU Health Care:MSU Health Care is the fully integrated academic health center of Michigan State University, representing more than 600 faculty and affiliate providers. Our commitment to safe, high-quality patient care is realized through our comprehensive services for people of any age, education of the next generation of health care providers and medical research. MSU Health Care providers treat ongoing primary care as well as some of the rarest forms of cancer and neurological conditions along with advanced surgical, pharmaceutical, rehabilitation, therapy and imaging services. With more than 100 affiliates located next door and as far as Ludington, Saginaw, Detroit, and Marquette, MSU Health Care is building hope and healing for Michigan. Our clinical efforts support future advancements through academic and research initiatives at Michigan State University. https://healthcare.msu.edu/ About Assure Health:Assure Health was founded in 2020 by Jeffrey Nadel and Craig Bolz in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and has developed an industry-leading care delivery model to support virtual care and remote monitoring for patients with chronic conditions. Assure Health’s evidence-based programs leverage leading clinicians and easy-to-use technology to keep patients healthy at home through personalized, on-demand care. Assure Health provides patients with access to a dedicated nurse care manager and connected devices to monitor and manage their chronic conditions while collaborating directly with primary care providers and other members of patients’ care teams to improve outcomes and lower costs. To learn more, please visit www.myassurehealth.com. SOURCE MSU Health Care

Nov 29

Out now: How viral respiratory infections affect hypertensive people

Video Credit: Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, can significantly weaken the immune system and compromise blood vessels, amplifying the challenges of combatting viral respiratory infections. In the second episode of Know Plan Go: Protect Yourself from Respiratory Infections, by Gulf News in partnership with Pfizer, Dr Sara Abdelmgeed breaks down different aspects of hypertension, highlighting its impact on blood vessels. She also discusses the ideal blood pressure readings and emphasises the need for consistent monitoring, especially at home, considering that over 40 per cent of hypertensive individuals might be unaware of their condition. Due to the greater susceptibility of individuals with hypertension to complications from common colds and flu, Dr Sara underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention in case of flu-like symptoms. “In the long term, hypertension will affect the wall of the blood vessels and it can lead to complications in different organs. It makes it a challenge for the immune system to fight and kill viruses. So, people with hypertension, especially those who have uncontrolled high blood pressure, are at high risk of getting complications and severe respiratory infections compared to those with normal blood pressure,” says Dr Sara. To watch the other episodes of the vodcast series, Know Plan Go, visit Gulfnews.com/know-plan-go. You can also listen to the episodes wherever you get our podcasts.

Nov 29

New research demonstrates the ability of ADDomer™ to tackle viral infections

New research has demonstrated the potential for the ADDomer ™ platform to produce thermostable vaccines and reagents to tackle viral infections The study led by the University of Bristol and Imophoron, a biopharmaceutical company developing thermostable nanoparticle vaccines using its ADDomer platform, is published in Antibody Therapeutics today [29 November]. The research team explored the innovative technology behind the development of an ADDomer vaccine targeting severe acute respiratory syndrome COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). The study, using an integrated approach, combined synthetic, computational and structural methods with in vitro antibody selection and in vivo immunisation to design, produce and validate nature-inspired nanoparticle-based vaccines and reagents. The research demonstrates the use of Imophoron’s patented multivalent nanoparticle superbinder technology against SARS-CoV-2, including immune-evasive variants of concern. Imre Berger, Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the Max Planck-Bristol Centre for Minimal Biology at the University of Bristol, and co-author on the paper, said: “COVID-19 reminds us of the critical importance of being prepared for the next pandemic, requiring innovative approaches to help and speed up reagent and vaccine development against emerging threats. “Our study demonstrates the use of ADDomer-based nanoparticles in active and passive immunisation and provides a blueprint for developing reagents and vaccines to tackle respiratory viral infections.” Richard Bungay, Chief Executive of Imophoron, commented: “This important paper highlights Imophoron’s unique ADDomer and Gigabody technology platforms and their significant potential in developing novel, thermostable vaccines to combat infectious diseases. “The research represents a significant milestone for our team of world-class scientists, in collaboration with the excellent team at the University of Bristol, in our ongoing commitment to advancing global health.” Paper ‘In vitro generated antibodies guide thermostable ADDomer nanoparticle design for nasal vaccination and passive immunization against SARS-CoV-2′ by Imre Berger et al. in Antibody Therapeutics [open access] Further information About ImophoronImophoron was founded in 2017 and has developed a thermostable nanoparticle platform, ADDomer, a disruptive technology for the development of vaccines. The ADDomer platform is focused initially on the development of vaccines to combat present and future infectious diseases, and also has significant potential to treat diseases with high unmet needs such as oncology. The ADDomer platform is based on a self-assembling thermotolerant protein that permits rapid insertion of large numbers of epitopes in a single particle. Imophoron is building a pipeline of thermostable, nanoparticle ADDomer vaccines, including multivalent approaches, to address critical medical challenges that impact communities worldwide. Imophoron has also developed a novel nanobody platform, Gigabody, which has broad range of potential applications across multiple therapeutic areas.

Nov 29

Furniture Mart USA partners with American Red Cross to fight nationwide blood shortage

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive on Friday, December 1st, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ashley Outlet store in Duluth (801 W. Central Entrance). Donors can schedule an appointment by going to redcrossblood.org and enter “FM”. People can also call to make an appointment at 1-800-RED-CROSS. According to the American Red Cross, there is a nationwide blood shortage and in early August, the blood supply dropped around 25%. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Those who give blood during this event will receive a $10 Amazon giftcard by email and will have the opportunity to win a $50 Amazon giftcard. If you can’t donate, but still want to help, the Red Cross wants you to consider joining their volunteer team or help spread the word by promoting their blood drives on social media. Furniture Mart in Duluth is a new sponsor for this blood drive and is proud to partner with the American Red Cross. For more information about the American Red Cross, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcross.org. For Related Stories: Blood Donor Community Events Duluth