Month: October 2023

Oct 13

Tobias, leader of Denver Zoo’s African lion pride, euthanized after severe inection

The Denver Zoo’s African lion pride leader was euthanized Wednesday after a severe infection spread to his lung and bones, the Zoo announced Thursday. Tobias, the seven-year-old lion, had several other medical conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and chronic kidney disease, when the veterinary team at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital found the infection. “Our Animal Care Specialists and Veterinary Medicine team made the difficult decision to euthanize Tobias to relieve any suffering given the poor prognosis,” a post of the Denver Zoo’s Facebook page stated. Tobias was born at the Buffalo Zoo in 2016 and moved to the Denver Zoo in 2018 as part of a species survival plan to join Denver’s pride and support conservation efforts. Tobias had three adorable cubs at the Denver Zoo, Tatu, Oskar and Araali, and his care team said he was a great father. “He was an incredible father who enjoyed playing, snuggling and teaching his offspring everything they needed to know about how to be a lion,” according to the post. The remaining members of the pride are still doing well, but animal care specialists will closely monitor Araali, Neliah, Kamara, and Sabi over the next few weeks, zoo officials said.

Oct 13

Depressive Symptoms Significantly Associated With Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease

Adults with moderate to severe depression were found to have a higher all-cause risk of ischemic heart and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality than adults without depression, according to a prospective cohort study published in JAMA Network Open. “Taken together with the body of literature on associations between depression and CVD mortality, these findings can support public health efforts to develop a comprehensive, nationwide strategy to improve well-being, including both mental and cardiovascular health,” study authors noted. The research, conducted between 2005 and 2019, included 23,694 participants, with a mean age of 44.7 years. Depressive symptoms were categorized as none or minimal, mild, and moderate to severe using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores. Participants were sourced with the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2018 and participant data was linked with the National Death Index through the year 2019 for adults 20 years and older. Data were analyzed between March 1, 2023, and May 26, 2023. Participants with mild depressive symptoms exhibited a 35% higher risk of all-cause mortality and a 49% higher risk of CVD mortality compared to those without depressive symptoms. This risk increased to 62% higher all-cause and 79% higher CVD for individuals with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The association was also explored in relation to ischemic heart disease mortality, where individuals with moderate to severe depressive symptoms faced a 121% higher risk. Lifestyle factors explained around 11% to 16% of the link between depression and mortality. Notably, feelings of fatigue, poor appetite or overeating, and disinterest in activities were independently associated with both all-cause and CVD mortality. Authors noted that depressive symptoms were only measured at baseline, so there is no account for how depressive symptoms changed over time, which may have limited the results. ReferenceZhang Z, Jackson SD, Gillespie C, et al. Depressive symptoms and mortality among US adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(10). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37011

Oct 13

Pharmacies Can Help Expand HIV PrEP Awareness, Accessibility to Cut New Infections

Groups beyond men having sex with men (MSM) need increased post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness and improved accessibility to reduce new infections, according to a Lancet HIV editorial.1 With the UN Global AIDS Update revealing that HIV infection reduction goals are coming up short, more needs to be done to increase awareness and accessibility to prevent new infections. In 2022 there were 1.3 million new cases of HIV. There was a modest reduction of 200,000 cases in 2022 compared with 2021, but this falls short of the 370,000 case reduction goal for 2025.2 Reducing infections requires expanding PrEP education and accessibility beyond traditionally targeted groups like MSM, where PrEP has been quite successful in reducing infections, the editorial stated. Other populations are seeing a rise in infections, such as women. And while new PrEP method such as the dapivirine vaginal ring and the long-acting injectable cabotegravir are available, rates of PrEP usage are lower in women. “Information and choice are particularly important for women, who in a country such as the USA comprise 18% of new HIV diagnoses but represent only 8% of PrEP users,” the editorial noted. Regulatory requirements in various countries also slow the new methods of PrEP uptake, such as in South Africa where the product packaging does not meet regulatory requirements. Supply and cost are also a barrier, and delays for the vaginal ring have also been caused by post-importation testing, the editors wrote. Another barrier is political undermining of reproductive health matters throughout the world. According to the editorial, while the US was the first country that approved oral PrEP in 2012, in July the PrEP Coverage Act, which would provide zero-cost coverage for both insurance payers and establish a national grant program for the uninsured, was blocked by a Texas federal judge who said the act violates private companies’ religious freedom. “The ruling casts a grave shadow over Americans’ access to HIV prevention,” the editors wrote. Pragna Patel, MD, MPH, chief medical officer and senior medical and science advisor in the Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division (CORVD) at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spoke with Drug Topics® about PrEP awareness and accessibility. She said that the dapivirine vaginal ring and long-acting injectable cabotegravir can help overcome stigmas and barriers for preventing HIV in women in places with high HIV rates where discretion is vital, such as sub-Saharan Africa. “They are more discreet than carrying a bottle of pills that can jiggle in a bag which are hard to keep private,” she said. “In sections of the US, women and girls may have similar challenges, especially in conservative states where sex outside of marriage is frowned upon and women may also need to be discreet,” Patel noted. She said patients need to be educated at all points of care, and pharmacists are uniquely positioned to reach women and adolescents in ways traditional providers are not. Patel told Drug Topics® that pharmacists can increase awareness and accessibility for PrEP because the healthcare system is increasingly relying on them during drug shortages and regulatory challenges. “Point of care for sexually transmitted diseases is shifting more and more to pharmacies which can offer another opportunity for patients to learn about PrEP,” she said. The pharmacist role is becoming even more important due to the burden on the healthcare system, Patel said. Considering recent legal challenges to gender affirming and reproductive healthcare, pharmacists play an essential part to help marginalized populations have access to HIV prevention, Patel noted. “Pharmacists have a voice and a place to communicate on patients’ behalf,” Patel said. “They can advocate for patient care at the pharmacy where they can be engaged in ways providers aren’t. They may have better understanding about the need for PrEP, particularly for adolescents who may feel they don’t have the same level of privacy at a provider’s office.” References 1. Bridging accessibility gaps in HIV prevention. Editorial. Lancet HIV. 2023;10(8):e485. doi:10.1016/S2352-3018(23)00180-7 2. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The path that ends AIDS: 2023 UNAIDS Global AIDS Update. Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 2023.https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2023-unaids-global-aids-update_en.pdf. Accessed August 17, 2023.

Oct 13

KSR Show, 10/13: Giving blood at Kentucky Branded

Kentucky Sports Radio is on the road on Fridays, and today the show is at Kentucky Branded in Lexington for a blood drive with Kentucky Blood Center. From 10 a.m. to noon, Matt Jones and the guys will be on the air discussing your Kentucky Wildcats from Kentucky Branded’s mall location. While there, fans and listeners can donate blood to help save lives. Blood donors will receive a “Bleed Blue” KSR t-shirt. You can join the conversation by phone at (859) 280-2287. Here on the KSR website, you will find that comments have been disabled on KentuckySportsRadio.com. While we are without the former show threads, listeners can send a text directly to Matt Jones’ phone at (772) 774-5254. Listen to Kentucky Sports Radio MARKET CALL LETTERS DIAL TIME Ashland WCMI 93.3 FM T LIVE Ashland WCMI 1340 AM LIVE Benton WCBL 1290 AM LIVE Bowling Green WKCT 930 AM LIVE Bowling Green WKCT 104.1 FM T LIVE Campbellsville WTCO 1450 AM LIVE Columbia WAIN 1270 AM LIVE Cynthiana WCYN 102.3 FM LIVE Danville WHIR 1230 AM LIVE Elizabethtown WIEL 1400 AM LIVE Elizabethtown WIEL 106.1 FM T LIVE Henderson/Evansville WREF 97.7 FM LIVE Glasgow WCLU 1490 AM LIVE Grayson WGOH 1340 AM LIVE Grayson WGOH 100.9 FM T LIVE Greenup/Ashland WLGC 105.7 FM LIVE Harlan WTUK 105.1 FM LIVE Hopkinsville WHOP 1230 AM LIVE Hopkinsville WHOP 95.3 FM T LIVE Irvine WIRV 1550 AM LIVE Jamestown WJKY 1060 AM LIVE Lancaster WZXI 1280 AM 5-7 PM Lancaster/Stanford WZXI 95.5 FM T 5-7 PM Leitchfield WMTL 870 AM 10A-12N CST Lexington WLAP 630 AM LIVE London WFTG 1400 AM LIVE London WFTG 106.9 FM T LIVE Louisville WKRD 790 AM LIVE Madisonville WFMW 730 AM LIVE Madisonville WFMW 94.9 FM T LIVE Manchester WXXL 1450 AM LIVE Maysville WFTM 1240 AM LIVE McKee-Booneville Peoples Rural Telephone Cable TV Channel 209 LIVE Monticello WKYM 101.7 FM LIVE Morganfield WUCO 1550 AM LIVE Morganfield WUCO 98.5 FM T LIVE Murray WNBS 1340 AM LIVE Owensboro WLME 102.7 FM LIVE Paducah WPAD 1560 AM LIVE Paducah WPAD 99.5 FM T LIVE Paintsville WKYH 600 AM LIVE Pikeville WLSI 900 AM LIVE Pikeville WLSI 95.9 FM T LIVE Prestonsburg WPRT 960 AM LIVE Prestonsburg WPRT 104.5 FM T LIVE Somerset WSFC 1240 AM LIVE Whitesburg WTCW 920 AM LIVE Whitesburg WTCW 95.1 FM T LIVE Whitley City WHAY 98.3 FM LIVE Williamson, WV WBTH 1400 AM LIVE Williamson, WV WBTH 102.5 FM T LIVE 50 Radio Affiliates 37 Markets 1 TV/Cable Affiliate *Affiliates subject to change without notice Join the KSR Club! With a KSR membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.

Oct 13

Addressing Gaps in Digital Health, Telehealth in Patients With Cancer

When addressing gaps in remote cancer care, older adults with cancer, cancer-related bereavement, oncology provider wellness, and implementation outcomes were identified as areas of concern in need of continued innovation in a digital health setting. Telemedicine chat, telehealth meeting| Image Credit: insta_photos – stock.adobe.com “The spread of digital health and telehealth in cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an overview of the state of this science, to identify gaps in what is known about remote cancer care delivery,” wrote the researchers of the study. “Our scoping review revealed an extensive and recent body of review literature on digital health and telehealth interventions in cancer care.” The meta-analysis study is published in The Lancet Digital Health. An electronic literature search was conducted for systemic reviews from database inception to May 1, 2022, from PubMed, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Cochrane Reviews, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria of reviews included exposure to cancer, whether as a patient, survivor, at risk for the disease, care giver, or health care provider, and evaluation of a digital health or telehealth intervention as defined by the US Health Resources and Services Administration. A total of 1196 records were screened. After exclusion, 134 systemic reviews were included in the analysis. Of these records, 128 reviews summarized interventions intended for patients, 18 addressed family caregivers, and 5 addressed health care providers. Fifty-sixreviews did not target a specific phase of the cancer continuum, compared with 48 reviews that addressed the active treatment phase. The reviews in the analysis included 128 (95.5%) patients, 18 family members (13.4%), and 5 (3.7%) health care personnel. Cancer types covered were brain (0.7%), breast (12.7%), colorectal (3.7%), gynecological (5.2%), hematological (3%), lung (2.2%), prostate (3%), skin (4.5%), and multiple or not specified (70.9%). Telehealth components included synchronous telehealth (58.2%), text messaging or short messaging service (27.6%), email or secure messaging (29.1%), e-Health (64.9%), and mobile application (58.2%). Types of intervention or care included health behavior change (17.9%), psychosocial support or distress management (13.4%), disease detection or management (10.4%), medical decision-making (1.5%), and multiple or not specified (54.5%). Additionally, 29 of these reviews included a meta-analysis and showed positive effects on quality of life, psychological outcomes, and screening behaviors. On the other hand, 83 reviews did not review intervention implementation outcomes. However, when reported, reviews included acceptability (n = 36), feasibility (n = 32), and fidelity outcomes (n = 29). The researchers also noted several gaps in digital cancer care. None of the reviews specifically addressed older adults with cancer, cancer-related bereavement, or sustainability of interventions. Furthermore, only 2 reviews compared telehealth with in-person interventions. The researchers acknowledged some limitations to the study. First, the review was a scoping review of reviews, in which identified gaps in the literature only established that a review was not identified in any given area of remote cancer care and may not be generalized in primary literature. Furthermore, the researchers did not include patient information that may be important when evaluating health equity, such as race and ethnicity, as well as rurality. Despite these limitations, the researchers believe this study was able to summarize existing literature on digital health and telehealth interventions across cancer care, as well as identify possible gaps in remote cancer care. “Establishing the state of the science in these areas with high-quality reviews might help guide continued innovation in remote care delivery, particularly for older adults and bereaved families, and support the integration and sustainability of these interventions within standard oncology practice,” wrote the researchers. “This work will support continued growth in the reach and effects of digital health and telehealth interventions to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer care for all individuals.” Reference Shaffer KM, Turner KL, Siwik C, et al. Digital health and telehealth in cancer care: a scoping review of reviews. Lancet Digit Health. 2023;5(5):e316-e327. doi:10.1016/S2589-7500(23)00049-3

Oct 13

Got Guts? Donate blood this Friday the 13th

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — While Friday the 13th is a day of spooky superstitions for some, Our Blood Institute is embracing the ominous day with life-saving measures. Don’t fear Friday the 13th — show you’ve got guts with the First National Bank Blood Drive today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. WF mosquitoes test positive for SLE virus For your chance to claim free entry to the Oklahoma City Zoo and a limited edition ‘Got Guts’ t-shirt, donate today at 3801 Fairway Boulevard. All you need to do is call Kerry Sheppard at (940) 687-3107 to schedule your donation appointment. Then, look for the Bloodmobile at First National Bank on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Turn your fears into cheers by saving lives this freaky Friday. Thanks to the generosity of blood donors, regular donors help keep our local blood supplies from falling short, a press release from OBI stated. Remember: when you give, others live. To learn more about how Our Blood Institute directly benefits Texomans in need, visit their website.

Oct 13

Local blood drives scheduled

Since announcing a national blood and platelet shortage a month ago, thousands of donors across the country have rolled up a sleeve to help rebuild the American Red Cross blood and platelet supply. As that generosity continues, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood and platelet donations – over and above expectations – each week over the next month to sufficiently meet hospital needs. Donors of all blood types are urged to book a time to give now, especially those with type O blood or those giving platelets. To encourage more blood and platelet donations, the Red Cross is offering new incentives to donors over the next month. All who come to give Oct. 21-Nov. 9 will receive a $10 gift card by email to a restaurant merchant of their choice to enjoy lunch on the Red Cross. They’ll also be automatically entered to win a $5,000 gift card. There will be three winners – one chosen at random each week. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lunch. As cold and flu season approaches, the Red Cross is reminding donors that they can still give blood or platelets after receiving a flu vaccine, so long as they are feeling healthy and well on the day of their donation. Likewise, there is no deferral or wait time for those receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 21-Nov. 9 Lanark: Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 25; Eastland High School, 500 S. School Drive. Milledgeville: 1-6 p.m. Oct. 26; Milledgeville Men’s Club, 204 Main Ave. Tampico: 1-6 p.m. Nov. 8; Reagan Community Center, 202 W. Second St. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. To make an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Oct 13

Blood drives planned in area

Blood drives planned in area SIDNEY — Solvita, formerly Community Blood Center, will be hosting several blood drives in the Sidney area. Blood drives are scheduled for • Tuesday, Oct. 17, St. Michael’s Hall, 33 Elm St., Fort Loramie, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. • Wednesday, Oct. 25, Sidney-Shelby County Senior Center, 304 S. West St., Sidney, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Friday, Oct. 27, Family Resource Center, 1101 N. Vandemark Road, Sidney, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. • Friday, Oct. 27, Sidney Peerless Food Equipment, 500 S. Vandemark Road, Sidney, 8 a.m.-noon. • Saturday, Oct. 28, Sidney Masonic Temple Association, 303 E.Poplar St., Sidney, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Make an appointment to donate with Solvita (formerly Community Blood Center) on the Donor Time app, by calling 937-461-3220, or at www.donortime.com. Everyone who registers to donate will receive the “Count on Me to Help Fight Cancer” T-shirt honoring October Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will be entered in the drawing to win Rose Bowl tickets. Cancer and its treatment can damage blood cells causing many cancer patients to rely on regular blood and platelet transfusions to help them survive. One fourth of all blood donations in the U.S. goes to help cancer patients. Everyone who registers to donate Oct. 2 through Dec. 2 at any Solvita blood drive, or the Dayton Solvita Donation Center is automatically entered in the drawing to win two tickets to the New Year’s Day Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California, plus a $1,000 Expedia gift card for travel expenses. The Rose Bowl is a College Football Playoff semifinal. You can save time while helping save lives by using “DonorXPress” to complete the donor questionnaire before arriving at a blood drive. Find DonorXPress on the Donor Time App or at www.givingblood.org/donorxpress.

Oct 13

7 children hospitalized with E. coli infection following field trip in Northeast Tennessee, officials say

Seven children are hospitalized, including four who are seriously ill, following a field trip to an animal exhibit in Northeast Tennessee, officials said Friday. Students from Washington and Sullivan counties visited an animal exhibit at the Appalachian Fairgrounds on September 26-27. Since then, several cases of illness caused by Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli have been reported. Here is a statement from Regional Medical Officer for the Northeast Regional Health Office, Dr. David Kirschke, MD: The Northeast Regional Health Office and the Sullivan County Health Department are investigating cases of illness caused by Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) among elementary school children in Washington and Sullivan counties. These illnesses occurred after some classes visited an animal exhibit at the fairgrounds on September 26 and 27. So far, 7 children have been hospitalized and 4 are seriously ill with complications.

Oct 13

Should You Take Amlodipine for Hypertension?

Share on PinterestFG Trade Latin/Getty Images Amlodipine, a treatment for high blood pressure, is safe and effective, new research shows. Earlier research raised concerns about an increased risk of heart failure from taking amlodipine and similar calcium channel blockers. The new study refuted these earlier results and found that amlodipine may decrease the risk of heart failure and and other cardiovascular outcomes. One of the most common drugs for treating high blood pressure (hypertension), amlodipine, is safe and effective, according to new research. Amlodipine, sold under the brand name Norvasc among others, is a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and coronary artery disease. In 2020, it was the fifth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 69 million prescriptions, according to data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The new research follows an earlier study which raised concerns that taking amlodipine could lead to changes in the blood vessels that increase the risk of heart failure. Experts interviewed by Healthline say the new research refutes those earlier concerns, and reaffirms that amlodipine is a safe and effective treatment for high blood pressure. Why earlier study questioned the safety of amlodipine Approximately 700,000 Americans die each year from high blood pressure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, only about one in four Americans with high blood pressure have it under control, reports the agency. Left untreated, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and eye damage. Amlodipine has been prescribed to treat high blood pressure for more than 30 years. It is also included on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines. This medication works by blocking a certain type of calcium channel known as a voltage-dependent channel, which prevents the influx of calcium into cells with this type of channel. Blocking the influx of calcium causes the muscles of the blood vessels to relax, which leads to a widening of the blood vessels and reduced blood pressure. In an earlier study, researchers reported that amlodipine and similar calcium channel blockers activated a different type of channel, known as a store-operated calcium channel. This results in vascular remodeling — changes in the blood vessels — that often occurs in people with high blood pressure, they reported. That study also included an analysis of patient records, which found that patients treated exclusively with amlodipine or similar calcium-channel blockers had a higher risk of heart failure compared to those who did not receive one of these medications. New study finds drug is safe In the new research, published Oct. 12 in the journal Function, researchers noted that the concentration of amlodipine needed to activate store-operated calcium channels in the earlier laboratory study is much higher than the dose people would get by taking the drug as prescribed. The authors of the new study also carried out a meta-analysis of previous clinical trials, along with a real-world analysis of over 63,000 people with high blood pressure. They found that amlodipine and similar calcium channel blockers were associated with a lower risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular outcomes during a one-year follow-up, compared to other blood pressure medications. Dr. Daniel Kiss, interventional cardiologist at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health AngioScreen medical director in New Jersey, said the earlier research is an example of an observational study, which may suggest a link between two factors but can’t prove that one causes the other. “When further study is pursued, as in the case of the new research, it refutes the concern raised by the original study,” he told Healthline. So “the new study confirms the safety and efficacy of amlodipine as a first line therapy for hypertension.” Dr. Guy L. Mintz, director of Cardiovascular Health & Lipidology at Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, said the earlier study also did not differentiate between the various calcium channel blocker medications, which may have led to the study’s negative findings. In addition, “some calcium channel blockers — such as verapamil or diltiazem, which decrease heart function — should not be given in [people with] heart failure,” he told Healthline. Use of amlodipine as high blood pressure treatment Kiss said the new study reinforces amlodipine’s role as a first-line medication for treating high blood pressure, especially with other research showing that it lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. “It is very effective, well-tolerated and has minimal side effects,” he said. “The biggest concern when using this medicine is swelling of the lower extremities, so I try avoiding it in patients prone to such swelling.” Mintz agreed that amlodipine is a safe and effective therapy for high blood pressure, pointing out that it may even have a protective effect against heart failure. “I have personally prescribed amlodipine to thousands of patients without any developing heart failure from this medication,” he said. He also said that Black people with high blood pressure may especially benefit from the use of calcium channel blockers. Clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of a calcium channel blocker along with a thiazide diuretic or other medication in this group, which has a higher risk of kidney disease, stroke, heart failure and death. Given the new study and other research, “people taking amlodipine should not be concerned about heart failure risk,” said Mintz. “They are being treated with an effective and safe anti-hypertensive agent.” He also emphasized that “patients should never stop [taking] hypertensive therapy without talking to their physician about their concerns.” Kiss agreed, pointing to “the importance of trust in a healthy doctor-patient relationship, and [making sure] that the prescriber is up to date on current literature and guidelines.” Takeaway A new study found that the calcium channel blocker amlodipine is a safe and effective treatment for high blood pressure, refuting an earlier study that found a higher risk of heart failure due to changes in the blood vessels.