Month: August 2023

Aug 28

New blood test could make preeclampsia easier to predict, early study suggests

A blood test given as early as the end of the first trimester of pregnancy could help identify patients at the highest risk of preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition associated with high blood pressure in pregnancy, before it occurs. Preeclampsia dramatically raises the odds of stillbirth and preterm birth, as well as of maternal organ damage, seizures and death. There is currently no cure for preeclampsia, which can occur from 20 weeks of pregnancy to up to six weeks postpartum, and once it’s developed, delivery is the only way to prevent the worst outcomes. Patients at high risk of the disease can lower their chance of preeclampsia by taking low-dose aspirin starting between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy — so by the end of the first trimester or early in the second. Doctors can predict a patient’s risk level from their medical history; having kidney disease or a history of preeclampsia raises one’s risk, for example. But reviewing only medical history can leave some at-risk patients out, meaning not all patients that need preventative aspirin are advised to take it. So some countries now do additional tests to improve doctors’ risk predictions, having them assess certain proteins in the blood and blood flow to the uterus. However, some of these screening tests are tricky to administer or aren’t routinely given in early pregnancy, said Bernard Thienpont, head of the Laboratory for Functional Epigenetics at KU Leuven in Belgium and senior author of new research describing the blood test. “Depending on which measures you use, you end up with different accuracy,” in terms of how many patients are accurately flagged as high risk, Thienpont told Live Science. So Thienpont and his team set out to develop a new, easy-to-give test to add to the arsenal. “We don’t see it as something that should be applied independent of all the other tests, but more as an add-on,” he said of the new blood test, which was described in a report published Monday (Aug. 28) in the journal Nature Medicine. Related: Maternal death rates doubled in the past 20 years in the US The test looks at DNA floating in the blood during pregnancy. Doctors already collect this “cell-free” DNA to run noninvasive prenatal screenings, the tests used to see if a fetus likely has extra or missing chromosomes. This free-floating DNA comes from dying cells in the body, and if you’re pregnant, a fraction comes from the placenta, which is why it’s useful for prenatal screening, Thienpont explained. This could also make the DNA useful for preeclampsia screening, Thienpont’s team thought, given evidence that the condition may stem from problems with the placenta. Preeclampsia has been linked to poor blood flow, and thus low oxygen levels, in the placenta. And in other diseases, when tissues lack oxygen, their cells can show epigenetic changes, meaning changes in the chemical tags that sit “on top of” DNA. These chemical tags include methyl groups, or molecules that latch onto genes and thus control whether they’re switched “on” or “off.” Researchers have previously examined placentas after birth and found big differences in methylation between preeclamptic and healthy pregnancies, Thienpont said. His team wanted to see if those differences could be spotted before birth. They analyzed this cell-free DNA previously collected from nearly 500 pregnant women and then stored. About one-third of the women included in the study had developed early-onset preeclampsia, which develops before week 34 of pregnancy. Both at the time of their diagnosis and weeks earlier, preeclamptic women had different patterns of DNA methylation than the control group, and these differences were linked to cell-free DNA from the placenta, rather than from other cell types. Affected genes included those that help cells of the placenta develop and mature, said Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino, a professor and co-lead of the Translational Obstetrics Group at the University of Melbourne in Australia. So the work may give clues as to reasons why preeclampsia can occur, she told Live Science in an email. This is only a theory, but “what we think is happening is that there is a delay in the development of the placenta in preeclamptic women,” Thienpont said. Using the DNA data, the team developed a model to predict patients’ risk of preeclampsia based on free-floating DNA sampled at or after 12 weeks. Tested on its own, the model identified 38% of patients who went on to develop preeclampsia while giving few false-positive results. That number jumped to 57% when the model was combined with maternal risk factors, such as having a family history of preeclampsia, and leapt to 72% when the team allowed for slightly more false-positive results. (The maternal risk factors, alone, captured only about 30% of the high-risk patients.) “It may improve if additional variables are included,” Kaitu’u-Lino said, “such as some of the variables included in the Fetal Medicine Foundation test.” The first-trimester test, used in the U.K. and Australia, accounts for many risk factors and predicts preeclampsia risk with 75% accuracy with few false positives, but it’s fairly involved and requires a special ultrasound, Kaitu’u-Lino and colleagues wrote in a commentary. Thienpont’s team is now interested in combining the new blood test with more metrics, to boost its predictive power. “But the huge potential is that this paper identifies a convincing link between a novel measurement, and a poor pregnancy outcome,” she said. “It opens the door for a new horizon of clinical biomarker discovery.”

Aug 28

‘Life-Threatening’ Infection Possible With Eye Drops Recalled In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Health officials are warning consumers in New Jersey and across the nation about potential contamination in two brands of eye drops, which could lead to a serious and even fatal infection. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to consumers not to purchase “and to immediately stop using” Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5 percent Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair. The eye drops could potentially be contaminated with bacteria, fungus, or both, according to an Aug. 22 consumer warning. Both companies sell the drops online. “Using contaminated eye drops could result in minor to serious vision-threatening infection which could possibly progress to a life-threatening infection,” said the FDA. Health officials also said these products contain an active ingredient that is unapproved, and is “illegally marketed” for sale in the United States. The FDA warning said that microbial contaminants were found in both products. The Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops were found to have both bacterial and fungal contamination, while the LightEyez MSM Drops were found to have four different bacterial contaminants. On Aug. 26, Dr. Berne’s issued a voluntary recall of several lubricating eye drops (see below). The Food and Drug Administration did not indicate that this recall is connected to a deadly strain of highly drug-resistant bacterial infections from contaminated eyedrops, which has been linked to four deaths nationwide. That particular bacteria, P. aeruginosa, was not on the list of contaminants found in the Dr. Berne’s and LightEyez products. Health officials also said these two products also contain methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as an active ingredient, which is not approved in the U.S. “These products are unapproved drugs and illegally marketed in the U.S.,” the FDA said. “There are no legally marketed ophthalmic drugs that contain MSM as an active ingredient.” Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products issued a nationwide recall of these eye drops and several others on Aug. 26. Two people reported adverse reactions to using the drops, the company said, but did not provide further details. The Dr. Berne’s-issued recall is for all lots of MSM DROPS 5 percent and 15 percent Solution, Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops, and Dr. Berne’s MSM MIST 15 percent Solution. LightEyez Limited had not responded to the FDA as of last week’s warning, and does not appear to have issued any recall. Dr. Berne’s consumers with questions about the recall can contact Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products at (877) 239-3777 or by e-mail at [email protected] Mon-Fri 9-5 pm Mountain time. Anyone who has quality problems, or who experiences an adverse reaction to using the eye drops, is advised to contact their physician or healthcare provider. Consumers can also report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax: Complete and submit the report Online Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 This recall comes amid a growing number of cases linked the deadly and “extensively drug-resistant” P. aeruginosa bacteria found in eye drops, which health officials as EzriCare Artificial Tears. According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control update, 81 patients with the rare strain have been identified in 17 other states. Those states are: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. Related article:

Aug 28

Barber shop blood pressure tests to protect men from heart disease

British men have been urged to get a grip of their unhealthy lifestyles after a major study revealed they are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks as women. The NHS will start offering blood pressure checks in barber shops so that men can have a test while they have their hair cut, in a drive to identify those at high risk of deadly heart problems. Health chiefs hope that offering millions of free checks to the over-40s will prompt men to lose weight, cut down on drinking, and start medication such as statins before it is too late. Heart disease is the biggest killer of men in the UK, and new research has provided the first comprehensive breakdown of the scale of the increased Related articles

Aug 28

Men in England to be offered blood pressure checks in barbershops

Men are to be offered blood pressure checks in barbershops as part of an NHS drive to prevent heart attacks, as research reveals they face double the risk of women. Having high blood pressure raises the risk of a heart attack, but many men and women remain unaware they may be affected because typically there are no symptoms. Every year there are 100,000 NHS hospital admissions due to heart attacks – one every five minutes. The NHS has doubled the number of blood pressure checks for people aged over 40 in the last year, figures reveal, but officials have now green lit a huge expansion of the scheme in England. The free checks will be offered to people in a wider range of locations in an effort to spot high blood pressure early and reduce the number of heart attacks. Under the plans, patients will be able to access the potentially lifesaving checks in barbershops, churches, mosques, community centres and dominoes clubs. Research presented in Amsterdam at the world’s largest heart conference has found the relative risk of heart attacks for men is twice as high as it is for women. The study looking at sex-specific risks of cardiovascular events, led by the University of Aberdeen, was presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. More than 20,000 people in the UK aged over 40 were tracked between 1993 and 2018. Researchers adjusted for several factors including ethnicity, deprivation, BMI, physical activity, alcohol intake and smoking status. On average, they were followed for 22 years. Research has previously shown how men generally face a higher risk of heart-related illnesses. This new study shows the extent of the difference. Compared with women, the relative risk for men of experiencing heart attacks and peripheral artery disease is twofold higher, the study found. Men also have a 50% higher risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The study discovered that men have a 42% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The research did not look at why. Men are also more likely to experience a heart attack at a younger age than women. “Men had a higher risk of incident cardiovascular disease throughout their lifetime than women, but these sex differences were most pronounced for myocardial infarction and peripheral artery disease, followed by atrial fibrillation, heart failure and cardiovascular mortality,” the study concluded. Lead researcher Dr Tiberiu Pana, an honorary research fellow at the University of Aberdeen and a junior doctor in the NHS, said: “The advice is that men should start looking early at risk factors, like obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and reach out to their GP to get those things addressed. “The earlier the better. There’s no harm in minimising your cardiovascular risk.” Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This large study again highlights that men more commonly have heart attacks at a younger age than women. skip past newsletter promotion after newsletter promotion “Coronary heart disease is the most common killer of men. There’s never been a better time to get physically active and replace that pub session with an extra session in the gym.” However, both Pana and Babu-Narayan said it was important to stress that women also face significant risks of heart attacks and strokes, and should also take measures to reduce their risk. “If we consider the effects of heart disease over a lifetime we need to remember that it costs lives for both men and women,” said Babu-Narayan. “With 30,000 women in the UK admitted to hospital with a heart attack each year, it is vital to dismantle the dogma that heart attacks are the preserve of men. Regardless of gender, cardiovascular disease is the world’s biggest killer and there are steps everyone can take to reduce their risks. “Eating a healthy, balanced diet, being physically active, managing your weight and attending health checks when offered can all help improve your chances of being free of cardiovascular conditions.” The blood pressure checks expansion will see a further 2.5m performed in the community in England. The NHS estimates they will prevent about 1,350 cardiovascular events every year. Figures show there were 150,000 community blood pressure checks in May this year, more than double the 58,000 delivered in May 2022. David Webb, the chief pharmaceutical officer for England, said: “With the number of people living with major illnesses including heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions set to grow substantially over the coming years, it has never been more important to put in place preventive measures like easy-to-access blood pressure checks that can pick up the early signs and risks.”

Aug 28

Price tag on cardiovascular disease in Europe higher than entire EU budget: Study

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Cardiovascular disease (CVD) cost the EU an estimated €282 billion in 2021, according to late breaking research presented at ESC Congress 2023. Health and long-term care accounted for €155 billion (55%) of these costs, equaling 11% of EU health expenditure. The findings are published in the European Heart Journal, and the analysis was a collaborative effort by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the University of Oxford, UK. Study author Dr. Ramon Luengo-Fernandez of the University of Oxford said, “CVD had a significant impact on the EU27 economy, costing a total of €282 billion in 2021. That’s equivalent to 2% of Europe’s GDP and is significantly more than the entire EU budget itself, used to fund research, agriculture, infrastructure and energy across the Union.” This was the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the economic costs of CVD to society in the EU since 2006. It is the first study to use Europe-wide patient registries and surveys rather than relying on assumptions and, unlike previous reports, includes the costs of long-term social care. The current analysis provides estimates of the societal economic costs of CVD for the 27 members states of the EU in 2021, including 1) health and social care; 2) informal care; and 3) productivity losses. The breakdown includes: €130 billion for health care (46%) €25 billion for social care (9%) €79 billion for informal care (28%) €15 billion in productivity losses due to illness/disability (5%) €32 billion in productivity losses due to premature death (12%). The total cost equated to €630 per EU citizen, ranging from €381 in Cyprus to €903 in Germany. CVD cost health and social care systems approximately €155 billion in 2021, accounting for 11% of total health care expenditure. There was wide variation between countries in the proportion of health care budgets spent on CVD, from 6% in Denmark to 19% in Hungary. Health care included primary care, emergency care, hospital care, outpatient care and medications, while social care included long-term institutionalized care, and care at home. The main contributor was hospital care, which cost €79 billion, representing 51% of CVD-related care costs. CVD medications accounted for €31 billion (20%) of care costs, followed by residential nursing care homes at €15 billion (9%). Informal care costs included the work or leisure time, valued in monetary terms, that relatives and friends gave up to provide unpaid care. Relatives and friends provided 7.5 billion hours of unpaid care for patients with CVD, amounting to €79 billion across the EU. Productivity losses included lost earnings due to illness/disability (early retirement/absenteeism) or premature death. In 2021, 256 million working-days were lost in the EU because of CVD illness/disability, at a cost of €15 billion. That same year, 1.7 million people died due to CVD across the EU, representing 1.3 million working-years lost, and generating productivity losses of €32 billion. ESC Board member and study author Professor Victor Aboyans of Limoges University, France said, “This study underscores the urgent need to act collectively on the European scale to better combat the cardiovascular risk of European citizens, in particular through regulations for better cardiovascular prevention and investment in research. By choosing not to invest in cardiovascular disease we are simply deferring the cost. These data force us to ask the question: do we invest in cardiovascular health today or be forced to pay more at a later stage?” Professor Panos Vardas, chief strategy officer of the European Heart Agency, the ESC’s office in Brussels, said, “Today’s presentation provides a clear understanding of the overall economic burden of cardiovascular disease across different EU countries, offering the opportunity to draw valuable conclusions that are useful for those responsible for designing health care plans.” “It is evident that there is significant fragmentation among EU countries in terms of cardiovascular disease health care expenditures. This necessitates a re-evaluation by the EU as a whole, and the 27 EU countries individually, to better address the outstanding needs and invest more effectively in supporting those suffering from cardiovascular disease.” More information: Ramon Luengo-Fernandez et al, Economic burden of cardiovascular diseases in the European Union: a population-based cost study, European Heart Journal (2023). DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad583 Provided by European Society of Cardiology Citation: Price tag on cardiovascular disease in Europe higher than entire EU budget: Study (2023, August 28) retrieved 28 August 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-08-price-tag-cardiovascular-disease-europe.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Aug 28

FDA clears new smart scale capable of detecting AFib, other cardiovascular issues

Withings, the healthcare technology company known for its remote monitoring devices, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared its newest smart scale, the Body Scan Connected Health Station. Body Scan includes a high-strength glass platform with four weight sensors and 14 ITO electrodes and a retractable handle that includes four additional stainless steel electrodes for performing 6-lead electrocardiograms. The device evaluates a user’s body composition, heart rate and vascular age, and it was designed to identify any signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Body Scan also gives users access to personalized recommendations and can connect directly with a healthcare specialists when needed. Once Body Scan’s sensors perform an ECG, the devices use advanced artificial intelligence to identify and track heart patterns known to be found in AFib patients. The results are displayed both on the device’s LCD screen and the user’s smartphone application. These results are saved, allowing them to be compared as time goes on, and they can be shared directly with healthcare providers.

Aug 28

Summer of climate disasters is drying up Canadian Blood Service’s donation supply

Breadcrumb Trail Links News National Local News As the country faces heat waves, floods, wildfires and droughts, the number of people showing up to donate blood has fallen dramatically Steve Thor donates blood with phlebotomist Debbie Prasad at Canadian Blood Services in Calgary on Monday, August 28, 2023. Thor was making his 121st donation having started donating when he was 17 years old. Canadian Blood Services is urging everyone who can to donate blood or plasma to help boost supplies. Gavin Young/Postmedia Article content The wildfires raging across British Columbia and Northwest Territories have pinched Canada’s blood supply, prompting a flood of cancellations — 300 of them in Kelowna, B.C. — amid the typical no-shows during the summer months. Now, other provinces, including Alberta, have been called upon to fill gaps in a waning blood inventory, a lack of which could threaten the lives of patients suffering from complications during pregnancy, children with severe anemia, accident victims, people undergoing surgery and cancer treatments, and those with kidney and liver diseases. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. Article content Article content The problem facing blood donations in B.C. and N.W.T is not unique. “Between heat waves and forest fires, torrential rains and flash floods, communities are strained, as people cope with the emergencies in front of them,” Ron Vezina, vice-president of public affairs at Canadian Blood Services, said in a statement. Several spots have opened up in Calgary’s blood donation centres, the largest of which is in the Eau Claire Market. Shamus Neeson, territory manager at the organization, said centres in Calgary have 312 open appointments between now and Labour Day. “Our hearts definitely go out to those communities that have been impacted by the events that have been going on all summer long,” said Neeson, adding that cancellations, however, mean that blood “needs to come from somewhere.” ‘Patients not taking a break’: Canadian Blood Services urge Calgarians to donate blood Ford: Why are there so many selfish Canadians who do not donate blood? But loyal donors in Calgary are often away at this time of year, Neeson said, citing the double whammy that has hit Canadian Blood Services, which sees a cancellation rate of 10 to 20 per cent. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “Long weekends are always tough for Canadian Blood Services. People are making appointments, which is great, but they’re not always able to honour those appointments,” he said. “When you look at the total amount for the entire province of Alberta, we’re sitting at just shy of 1,000 that need to be filled for Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer.” For Canada, that number rises to 10,000. On average, every 60 seconds someone in Canada requires blood, according to Canadian Blood Services. Donated blood can only be stored for up to 42 days, leaving centres in constant need of what is commonly referred to as “the gift of life.” Calgary’s blood centres, which need at least 4,300 people a month to keep its taps flowing to the region’s hospitals, were short 538 appointments on July 21 to meet its monthly goals. And the race to fill those gaps continues. A blood donor clinic pictured at a shopping mall in Calgary, Alta., Friday, March 27, 2020. Photo by Jeff McIntosh /The Canadian Pres Fires, spurred on by climate change, have wreaked havoc in Western Canada, gobbling up vast swaths of lands, charring hundreds of homes and sending scores of residents in B.C. and N.W.T to seek temporary refuge in Calgary and its surrounding regions. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “We’re asking everyone who can to please donate blood or plasma and to help spread the word, by inviting others to join them in donating,” Vezina said. Finding the right candidates is also a challenge, since those who are pregnant, below 17, lighter than 50 kilograms, have been inked with tattoos in the past three months, take certain prescription medications, or have travelled

Aug 28

Unvaccinated COVID patients with critical illness have higher T cell response

Researchers have found an unusual immune response in unvaccinated, critically ill COVID-19 patients that could inform future vaccines. A study by teams from the University of Sydney and UNSW, published in the journal Clinical & Translational Immunology, found cytotoxic T cell responses in critical COVID-19 cases were far greater than those in mild or asymptomatic cases. Cytotoxic T cells – also known as killer T cells or T lymphocytes – are specialised white blood cells that identify and eliminate other malfunctioning or infected cells in the body, including those from viral or bacterial infections, or even cancer. SARS-CoV-2 viruses and immune cell. Conceptual image illustrating antiviral immunity and vaccination. Credit: Science Photo Library There are two classes of T cells: Usually, these cells carry CD8 receptors, but some helper T cells, which prime cells to fight off pathogens (rather than killing problems directly) have a CD4 receptor. The team, led by Professor Jamie Triccas, a microbiologist who is acting deputy director of Sydney University’s Infections Diseases Institute, has found an unusually high number of cytotoxic CD4 cells occur in patients with critical COVID-19 (basically, they’re in ICU) who weren’t vaccinated prior to infection. Triccas’ team wanted to take an agnostic approach to analysing these samples – waiting to see if there were any associations of particular cell types with disease severity. When their computer analysis was complete, it was the CD4 cell types that surprised them. “Most of the time, it’s what we’d call those CD8 T cells that are cytotoxic, and the CD4 type that are the helper [cells]. In this case we see it’s cytotoxic CD4 T cells, which is a little bit unusual,” Triccas tells Cosmos. “You had this class of T cells that you don’t normally associate with being cytotoxic, that were now having this cytotoxic [characteristic].” While it’s unusual to see a lymphocyte more commonly known for playing a ‘helper’ role in immune responses suddenly pick up its spear and activate its ‘seek and destroy’ mode, it’s not unheard of. Previously, cytotoxic CD4s have been seen in patients with viral infections like HIV, Epstein Barr and dengue. The concern for patients is that a particularly strong immune response could cause excessive tissue damage. “Those cells, if they’ve been turned on to have a lot of this cytotoxic type ‘killing’ function, the consequence of that could be that you might get some sort of off-target effect,” says Triccas. “Because these cells are highly activated, they’re making a lot of molecules that activate the immune system and … you get too strong an immune response and you wind up causing excess damage.” Compare this to patients with more mild and even severe (but not yet critical) cases: their average percentage of more cytotoxic CD4s was markedly lower. In critical cases, they suggest the findings of cytotoxic CD4s in critically ill COVID-19 patients might contribute to tissue damage and systemic inflammation associated with death. Triccas suggests that while these findings offer little to people at an individual level, they give vaccine manufacturers valuable data when developing next-generation therapies. “If we want to make new vaccines, or better vaccines, do we have to think about the balance of these types of cells?” he says. “We know that … generally the goal of the vaccines is to make a lot of antibodies and I don’t think anyone thinks that too many neutralising antibodies is a problem. But I think you can envisage that too many highly active T cells could be a problem. “Our paper is saying is that you probably should look quite closely at the different types of cells that are made if you’re making a new vaccine, and then decide: am I generating an immune response that’s that is balanced enough to not cause any problems?”

Aug 28

Remembering Reco Gunnels Sr.

In a heartwarming tribute to the memory of Reco Gunnels Sr., his family, business partners, and affiliates are uniting once again on September 8, 2023, to bring hope and make a lasting impact on the lives of their communities. The occasion marks the fifth annual “Give for Peace” blood drive, aimed at not only providing resources and education but also fostering a sense of togetherness that reflects Reco’s spirit. Reco Gunnels Sr., affectionately known as a gentle giant with an unwavering commitment to serving others, left a mark on all who knew him. This tribute, initiated by his family, not only honors his legacy but seeks to bring about positive change in the lives of those who attend. The event is an embodiment of Reco’s philosophy, “Go Big or Go Home!” The sentiment resonates through the remarkable efforts put into the Hoxworth blood drive. It’s not just a memorial; it’s a vibrant celebration of Reco’s values and the impact he made during his time on Earth. Reco’s spirit of service, inherited from their late mother Maxine Gunnels, continues to inspire the family and everyone involved. Reco had a profound sense of community and camaraderie. He was known for organizing community cookouts to promote unity and support for those impacted by gun violence. Tragically, Reco himself fell victim to gun violence on August 24th, 2017. His family, community, and business partners are determined to turn the pain of loss into a driving force for change and justice. “We hold onto hope to receive justice for our family and all that loved him,” says Kelly Gunnels Valines, sister of Reco. “The blood drive serves as a symbol of that hope, as well as a way to give back to the community that Reco cared so deeply about.” For the past five years, this blood drive has been a way for Reco’s loved ones to remember him and honor his legacy. It’s a unique blend of commemoration, education, and altruism – a true embodiment of Reco. By fostering a culture of blood donation, the event saves lives in the greater Cincinnati community and ensures that Reco’s memory lives on. Reco Gunnels Sr.’s legacy is one of love, service and unity. And on September 8, 2023, that legacy will shine brighter than ever, reminding us all that a life well-lived continues to touch hearts and change lives long after it has passed.

Aug 28

FDA Issues Warning on Contaminated Eyedrop Products Amid Bacteria

By the edhat staff The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding the use of two eyedrop products due to bacterial and fungal contamination. The affected products are Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops Eye Repair. The contamination involves drug-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium, Mycolicibacterium, and Methylorubrum in LightEyez, and Exophiala fungi in Dr. Berne’s product. Both products claim methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as their active ingredient, which is not authorized for use in any legally marketed eye drugs in the U.S. So far, no adverse effects have been reported by consumers who have used these products, according to the FDA. This warning comes as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections linked to several brands of artificial tears and eyedrop products. The CDC identified the bacteria strain in 81 individuals, with four deaths reported between May 2022 and April 2023. Notably, the most common product associated with the infections was Ezri Care Artificial Tears, which the FDA warned against purchasing in February. The CDC confirmed the presence of the matching Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain in open bottles of Ezri Care Artificial Tears, leading to further investigation to determine if contamination occurred during the manufacturing process. The FDA attributed the lack of appropriate microbial testing and the use of inadequate, tamper-evident packaging to the manufacturer, Global Pharma Healthcare, an India-based pharmaceutical provider. Global Pharma also voluntarily recalled another product, Delsam Pharma Artificial Eye Ointment, for similar reasons. In February, two other companies, Apotex Corp. and Pharmedica USA, recalled their eyedrop products. At that time, those products had not been linked to infections. However, as of May, infections related to the outbreak were reported in 18 states across the U.S., including California, Texas, New York, and Florida. Symptoms of the bacterial infection include eye discharge, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and eye pain. In severe cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, including the bloodstream, leading to potential vision loss or surgical removal of the eyeball. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but the increasing resistance of the bacteria to multiple drugs poses a challenge. The CDC currently recommends testing for infection only in individuals exhibiting symptoms. In recent years, drug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa have caused thousands of infections among hospitalized patients, prompting concerns about the need for effective measures to address this ongoing issue. As the FDA urges consumers to cease the use of the affected products and investigates the contamination, vigilance and caution when choosing eyedrop products are paramount.