Valentine’s Day Matters of the Heart, Biopharma-Style – PharmaLive

On Valentines Day, BioSpace would be remiss not to mention, er, matters of the heart. There are reportedly 59 life sciences companies or organizations worldwide that focus on the cardiovascular system, ranging from the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute based in West Henrietta, New York to XyloCor Therapeutics, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That number is probably low.

But no matter how you look at it, there is a significant amount of work being done on cardiovascular diseases. Heres a look at just some of the recent news.

On January 28, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Companys Trijardy XR for lowering blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Trijardy XR is a triple-combination pill that includes Jardiance (empagliflozin), Tradjenta (linagliptin) and metformin hydrochloride extended release. It is prescribed along with diet and exercise for decreasing blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.

In the U.S., Jardiance and Radjenta are once-daily tablet used to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. Jardiance has also been approved to decrease the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes with known cardiovascular disease.

On February 3, 2020, researchers with the University of South Florida (USF Health) identified key mechanisms behind the loss of capillaries, which drives numerous diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, malignant cancer and a variety of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

Capillary regression (loss) is an underappreciated, yet profound, feature of many diseases, especially those affecting organs requiring a lot of oxygen to work properly, said George Davis, professor of molecular pharmacology and physiology at the USF Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. If we know how blood vessels are altered or begin to break down, we should be able to fix it pharmacologically.

Davis led a research project that identified the three major proinflammatory mediators that drive capillary loss. They published the research in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

The mediators are interleukin-1 beta (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and thrombin). They found that individually and even more so when combined, these directly drive capillary regression. They also identified drug combinations that can neutralize antibodies that specifically block IL-1 and TNFalpha, that can interfere with this capillary loss.

On January 27, 2020, AstraZeneca announced that its Brilinta (ticagrelor) hit the primary endpoint in the Phase III THALES trial in stroke. The study showed that 90mg of Brilinta twice a day and taken with aspirin for 30 days, provided a statistically significant and clinically meaningful decrease in the risk of stroke and death compared to aspirin alone. The trial was run in more than 11,000 patients who had a minor acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 24 hours before the beginning of treatment.

Results of the Phase III THALES trial showed Brilinta, in combination with aspirin, improved outcomes in patients who had experienced a minor acute ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack, said Mene Pangalos, executive vice president, BioPharmaceuticals R&D. We look forward to sharing the detailed result with health authorities.

Earlier that month, however, the company announced that after a recommendation from an independent Data Monitoring Committee, it was abandoning its Phase III STRENGTH trial for Epanova (omega-3 carboxylic acids) for mixed dyslipidemia (MDL). Epanova is a fish oil-derived combination of free fatty acids composed mostly of EPA and DHA. It was approved in the U.S. as an adjunct to diet to decrease triglyceride levels in adults with severe high triglycerides. That indication wasnt changed by the data from the STRENGTH trial.

AstraZenecas exit from the fish oil drug trial largely leaves Amarin Corporations Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) as the only fish-oil drug to not only treat high triglycerides, but to decrease the risk of first and subsequent heart attacks, strokes and heart problems. In its clinical trials, Vascepa decrease those risks by 30%.

Although derived from fish, Vascepa is not fish oil. It is made up of the omega-3 acid (EPA) in ethyl-ester form. It was designated a new chemical entity by the FDA,

The same day AstraZeneca made their announcement, another company in the market space, Acasti Pharma, also reported a failure. Its own fish oil-based candidate, CaPre (omega-3 phospholipid) for severe hypertriglyceridemia, announced topline data from its Phase III TRILOGY 1 trial. Although it reported a 30.5% median reduction in triglyceride levels compared to 27.5% in the placebo group at 12 weeks, as well as a 42.2% decrease in patients on background statins compared to 31.5%, because of an unexpectedly large placebo response, the trial did not reach statistical significance.

And as long as were belaboring the Matters of the Heart theme, in mid-December 2019, Vancouver, British Columbia-based Novoheart signed an exclusive licensing deal with Harvard Universitys Office of Technology Development.

The deal allows Novoheart to merge its MyHeart Platform with Harvards tissue-engineered scale model of the heart ventricle and bioreactor technology. Novoheart invented and commercialized the first and only human heart-in-a-jar model for drug discovery and development.

Harvards valved bioreactor technology was engineered in Kevin Kit Parkers laboratory. He is the Tarr Family Professor of Bioengineering and Applied Physics at Harvard A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The two institutions expect that the merged technology will result in a next-generation human heart-in-a-jar that will be a superior human heart model for disease modeling, drug discovery and development with unmatched biofidelity as well as significantly enhanced predictive accuracy, capacity and versatility.

In addition to developing various bioengineered human heart constructs, Novoheart wants to develop the technology into transplantable grafts for cell-based regenerative heart therapies. The companys various products include Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes (hvCM), Cardiac Anisotropic Sheet (hvCAS), Cardiac Tissue Strip (hvCTS), and Cardiac Organoid Chamber (hvCOC). It also offers consultation and screening and phenotyping services using its 2D or 3D tissue assays.

On November 26, Novoheart announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca to develop the worlds first human-specific in vitro, functional model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Working with AstraZenecas Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism team, they will initially establish a new in vitro model using Novohearts proprietary 3D human ventricular cardiac organoid chamber (hvCOC), also known as the human heart-in-a-jar.

Overall, we dont recommend buying your sweetheart a heart in a jar. Go with the classicschocolates or flowers, instead.

BioSpace source:

https://www.biospace.com/article/valentine-s-day-matters-of-the-heart-biopharma-style

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Valentine's Day Matters of the Heart, Biopharma-Style - PharmaLive

Taking the Leap into the Startup Worldas a Student – Tufts Now

Noah Hill was turning in his physics homework as a first-year student in fall 2016 when he spied a poster advertising a three-day event for Tufts engineering startups.

I had just come to college, and entrepreneurship was all new to me, he said. He went to the event, and wound up in a group with two older students, Daniel Weinstein, E18, and Saam Borzog, D19. They were exploring a small device that would fit inside a persons mouth and track the nutritional content of what they were eating.

Over the next seventy-two hours, the three bonded over the idea so well that when the event was over, they decided to keep working on the project. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, said Hill, E21, a computer science major.

From that chance meeting grew their company UChu Biosensors, a dental technology startup that they hope will revolutionize the way dentists use real-time data to fight tooth decay. The company has shown so much promise that Hill took this year off from Tufts to travel to Shenzhen, China to work on the product at the HAX Accelerator, which provides venture capital and services to develop hardware.

My philosophy is that college will always be there, but I dont know if I can be director of software engineering of my own company, he said. Worst case scenario, this falls through and I finish my degree; best case, I keep working and can pay for my own tuition.

Hill grew up in Tacoma, Washington, where his dad worked for a nearby citys public works department. Hill tinkered with him in the garage during the weekends. He would buy old, broken cars on purpose so he could fix them, said Hill, who developed a love for math and engineering.

It wasnt until he came to Tufts that he discovered computer programming, first taking a class on it at the Experimental College. When Hill first learned how to program a Raspberry Pi, a palm-sized minicomputer, and made it print on a terminal, it blew my mind, he said. Ever since then, Ive wanted to program things.

The three-member team ran with the idea of the diet tracker for more than year before realizing that tracking so many nutrients was too complicated. Borzog, then a student at the Tufts dental school, had an aha moment, remembering how much his professors preached the importance of acidity in tooth decay.

Acid is to dental health what blood pressure it to heart disease, said Borzog. Outside of a twice-yearly checkup, however, dentists have no way to understand what is going on in peoples mouths. We usually recommend the same thing for each patientbrush and floss twice a day.

The issue is particularly important for millions of people who are more prone to dental decay, such as those on antidepressants or living with diabetes and cancer, for example. The company shifted its vision toward a device that would attach to a patients tooth and continually monitor acid levels, sending an alert to a smartphone if it rose to a critical level.

That would allow a dentist to prescribe a specific toothpaste or mouthwash to bring down acidity. Ninety-two percent of people will experience tooth decay at some point, and its completely preventable, Hill said.

Over the past two years, the team worked to create a prototype, with Weinstein overseeing the bioengineering, Borzog the dental science, and Hill the computer programming. Hills computer science courses at Tufts became real-time tutorials to create the company software.

Comp 40 skyrocketed my ability to write code, said Hill, who at one point was dealing with a software bug for two weeks. In class, they taught us how to debug assembly code, and within fifteen minutes, Id fixed it.

At the same time, the trio was buoyed by the Tufts Entrepreneurship Center, winning its $15,000 Montle Prize and $5,000 Ricci Prize in 2017. That in turn garnered the interest of thencenter director Jack Derby and other faculty members, who helped the trio hone their message and connected them with potential funders.

The science is there, but the guys also have very positive and friendly attitudes, said Derby, now a lecturer at the Tufts Gordon Institute. That makes all of us in the center want to do more for them.

Working at Tufts Launchpad | BioLabs, the team created a proof of concepta complete working sensor on a mouthguard, and with Derbys help, began traveling around the country and overseas making a pitch for funding.

The teams drive and persistence are unique among Tufts students, says computer science associate teaching professor Ming Chow, E02, EG04, who taught Hill in Web Programming in spring 2018. Tufts talks about entrepreneurship, Chow said, and now Noah has gone on to do it.

With an initial goal of raising $500,000, the company was only able to bring in $291,500 before the opportunity with HAX came along. The accelerator provides companies with $250,000 in venture capital, as well as engineering and marketing teams, to complete their product. The only catch is that they have to move to China to do it.

Hill didnt hesitate, leaving Tufts this fall to travel with Weinstein to Shenzhen, where the two have worked twelve-to-sixteen hour days to design the hardware, firmware, server architecture, and web interface.

When they are done with the product design, they will then head to Silicon Valley in the spring in hopes of raising $2 to $3 million in seed capital to see the device through the regulatory process. If all goes well, they hope to sell to their first patients in 2021 or 2022.

The experience has brought out my inner strength and helped me realize what Im passionate about, said Hill, reflecting on how far hes come since that startup event his first year at Tufts. Whatever you want to do is really possible if you work hard and meet people and leverage the resources that are available.

Michael Blanding is a Boston-based freelance writer.

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Bio-Nylon Is The New Green: How One Company Is Fermenting A $10 Billion Market – Forbes

In the inevitable shift away from fossil fuels, Genomatica announced the first commercial production ... [+] of bio-based nylon. Companies that seize the economic and environmental advantages of biomanufacturing stand to lead the way, whether its fabrics or face creams.

In the inevitable shift away from fossil fuels, Genomatica announced the first commercial production of bio-based nylon. Companies that seize the economic and environmental benefits of biomanufacturing stand to lead the way, whether its fabrics or face creams.

When we think of biotechnology, its easy to think just about pharmaceuticals. Even the broader term bioeconomy may only bring to mind things like agriculture, forestry, and food.

But the bioeconomy is best thought of as turning biomass into business, plants into products. What we call the bioeconomy today made up most of our economy before the 20th century, when petrochemistry and synthetic chemistry gave rise to a revolutionary material that became ubiquitous worldwide: plastics.

In the 21st century, consumers are increasingly demanding products that reflect their more sustainable values and lifestyles. Chemistry is giving way to synthetic biology, and engineered organismsusing the same kind of fermentation we use to make wine, bread, or kombuchacan now make the chemical building blocks for shoes, cars, and carpets.

There is just one question: Which producers will have the foresight to lead this biomanufacturing revolution?

Recently, a bioengineering company called Genomatica reached a milestone that epitomizes this shift from fossil fuels to biology. Genomaticaannouncedit had made a ton of the chemical building block that industry relies on to make nylon-6using a renewable fermentation approach.Heres why that matters.

First, its an economic opportunity. The nylon industry is worth $10 billion globally. Thats a huge potential market to tap into. Nylon became famous in the 1940s as a textile fiber in stockings. Today, it is found in everything from clothes to packaging.

Second, its an environmental necessity. As with most plastic production today, nylon-6 usually starts with crude oil. In this case, the molecule caprolactam is refined from crude oil and made into nylon. Every year, the world makes five million tons of nylon-6, which results in an estimated 60 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Producing nylon creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Manufacturing nylon also requires large amounts of water and energy, further contributing to environmental degradation and global warming.

Using a synthetic biology approach, Genomatica engineered microorganisms to ferment plant sugars to produce caprolactam, and therefore nylon, in a 100% renewable way. Christopher Schilling, CEO of Genomatica, thinks this is good for business and our planet.

Theres this idea that in order to be sustainable, youve got to find some totally novel material, said Schilling. But by producing the very same chemical precursor that industry would normally get from fossil fuels, he believes Genomatica can have a much bigger, more rapid impact on sustainability. As this product continues to scale, and the economics become more obvious, companies will begin to ask themselves: why would we source it any other way?

Genomatica wants to deliver sustainable nylon to brands like H&M, Vaude, and Carvico via its partnership with Aquafil, one of the largest producers of nylon in the world. Aquafils ECONYL brand of nylon takes old fishing nets, textile scraps, and other forms of nylon waste and transforms them into new yarn thats as good as virgin raw material. Aquafil sees this regeneration process as a new opportunity for the fashion and furniture industries, and a way to protect the environment.

It was important to us to establish a real connection point with consumer brands, said Schilling. As a technology innovator, Genomatica felt that the success of the product depended on being accepted at all points in the value chain. Aquafil was the best partner for that, where we could share a great story that consumer brands could latch on to and ultimately champion.

Schilling says that the initial one-ton production of the chemical precursor is a small but important step, and its next goal is to reach commercial-scale levels of 30,000-100,000 tons per year.

One of the things thats really differentiated Genomatica is our ability to scale, to know how to take something all the way from ideation to commercial realization, says Schilling.

Nylon is Genomaticas third big synthetic biology product to come to market, and its previous experience in this space is sure to help accelerate the transition from the lab bench to the marketplace.

Since 2016, Italian bioplastics company Novamont has been producing the bio-BDO at a rate of 30,000 ... [+] tons per year.

Genomaticas first big success was with 1,4-butanediol, known more colloquially as BDO. This chemical is used to make plastics, elastic fibers, and polyurethanes, and its found in everything from plastic bags to spandex. The world produces about 2.5 million metric tons of BDO every year, and at about US$2,000 per ton, the market is in the billions.

In 2012, Genomatica delivered a chemical engineering breakthrough by producing bio-based BDO with a cost-competitive fermentation process at a commercial scale. Bio-BDO is 100% bio-based and biodegradable, and can be found in athletic apparel, running shoes, electronics, and automotive applications.

A second big success came with a chemical named 1,3-butylene glycol. Few realize it, but many of our everyday personal care and beauty products are derived from crude oil. In early 2019, Genomatica announced the first commercial production of Brontideits brand name of the chemicalmade with natural plant-based sugars. As more and more of us strive to choose products that are in line with our personal values, those made with Brontide rather than fossil fuel derivatives offer consumers a choice that is kinder to the environment.

Taken together, there are now bio-based alternatives for the chemicals used to make everything from fuels to electronics, from shoes to cosmetics. Its a reminder of just how dependent we are on petrochemicals in our everyday lives.

On the performance side, our first goal is to make sure that the material delivers exactly the same performance features as you would get from conventionally or petroleum sourced nylon. Thats the same thing we did in BDO and butylene glycol, explains Schilling. He adds, When you have these large existing markets, you have to make sure you hit the spec to deliver the same quality.

Bio-based alternatives can offer another advantage over their fossil-based cousins: in some cases, they perform better. With butylene glycol, for example, heavy metals are a catalyst used in processing the ingredient from crude oil. In the final product, trace amounts of heavy metals remain. But with biomanufacturing, no catalysts are needed and theres no chemical processing, says Schilling. There are also different purity levels that were able to hit very effectively, he says.

The argument for sustainable, bio-based approaches to material precursors is a strong one. Through relatively simple fermentation processes, biology has shown time and again that it can make whatever we can pump out of the ground, offering precision, renewable production of key compounds. Bio-based caprolactam is another proof point.

The sticking point, as ever, is industry adoption. Industry leaders across the value chain need to seek out and support the scaling of sustainable and renewable bio-based components to speed their integration into a diverse array of end-products. Consumers want them, manufacturers can use them, and most importantly, the planet needs them.

Follow me on twitter at @johncumbers and @synbiobeta. Subscribe to my weekly newsletters in synthetic biology and space settlement.

Thank you to David Kirk and Kevin Costa for additional research and reporting in this article. Im the founder of SynBioBeta, and some of the companies that I write about are sponsors of the SynBioBeta conference and weekly digest heres the full list of SynBioBeta sponsors.

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Bio-Nylon Is The New Green: How One Company Is Fermenting A $10 Billion Market - Forbes

Baxter probe finds $276 million in overstated income – Mass Device

Baxter(NYSE:BAX) says its income for the past four years may have been overstated by $276 million.

The Deerfield, Ill.based healthcare products company said the figures came out of a previously announced internal probe into its foreign exchange trading practices. That investigation is now substantially complete, the company said in an SEC filing yesterday.

Baxter said its income was over-reported by $40 million for 2016, $117 million for 2017, $77 million for 2018 and $42 million for the first half of 2019. The company said it expects to file restated financial statements, its third- and fourth-quarter 2019 financial reports and its annual report by March 31, 2020.

The problem involved transactions using a foreign exchange rate convention historically applied by the company that was not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The company believes that the use of its previous exchange rate convention to generate non-operating foreign exchange gains and avoid losses had occurred for at least 10 years, Baxter said in yesterdays filing.

Yesterdays SEC filing is an important step forward in our internal investigation, the company said in a statement emailed to MassDevice.

Its important to note that these misstatements of foreign exchange gains and losses are non-operational in nature. This means they are unrelated to our core operations and business results. In fact, our preliminary 2019 results (announced January 11) reflect the fundamental strength of the business globally.

By the end of March, Baxter plans to announce our complete Q3 and Q4 2019 results and submit our restated financial results to the SEC. We take this matter very seriously and are focused on delivering these next milestones by the end of the quarter.

The Street appears to have already priced in Baxters income misstatements. BAX shares are only down slightly today.

This article has been updated with comments from Baxter.

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Baxter probe finds $276 million in overstated income - Mass Device

Join the Emergency Response Team at Norwalk Health Dept. – HamletHub

The Norwalk Health Department needs adults who live or work in Norwalk for key positions on its Emergency Response Team (ERT). This team of volunteerswhich includes people with both medical and non-medical backgrounds donates their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and to promote healthy living year-round.

The goal of the ERT is to extend the resources of the professional Health Department staff. ERT volunteers work with public health officials to spread preparedness messages within the community and assist with other public health programs and events. The Health Department provides training and insurance, while volunteers provide their time and skills. This latest cohort of volunteers will join a dedicated and diverse group of more than 140 people whove already been trained and serve on the ERT. Sign up now. Group interviews for this cohort will be held on February 26 at 7 pm or March 2 at 4 pm.

Training sessions will be held on March 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2020 (7 9 pm each night) at the Norwalk Health Department (137 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT). Advanced registration is required.

Call (203) 854-7979, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up and get more information. About the Norwalk Health Department: Under the direction of the mayor, and with valuable guidance from its six-member Board of Health, the Norwalk Health Department provides a variety of services and programs to fulfill its mission: to prevent and control the spread of disease, promote a healthy environment, and protect the quality of life within its changing community.

The Health Department achieved accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in June 2014, demonstrating that it meets or exceeds national public health standards and commits to continuously improve the quality of the services it delivers. More information is available at http://www.norwalkhealth.com.

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Remyelination Potential of MS Therapy in Phase 2 Testing Evident in Animal Work, Study Says – Multiple Sclerosis News Today

Clene Nanomedicines remyelination therapy candidate, CNM-Au8, showed a robust ability to stimulate the production of new myelin and increase the number of myelin-wrapped nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord of animals in models of demyelinating disease, allowing mice to recover motor skills, a study reports.

Such preclinical data support the efficacy of this potential treatment, now being tested in clinical trials with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

These early findings were reported in the study Nanocatalytic activity of clean-surfaced, faceted nanocrystalline gold enhances remyelination in animal models of multiple sclerosis, published in the journalNature Scientific Reports.

In MS, the immune system attacks myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers or axons. Myelin is essential for the fast transmission of electrical signals between neurons, and its loss (demyelination) damages the integrity of nerve cells and their ability to communicate with each other.

Finding therapies that promote remyelination the recovery of myelin is a high priority for MS, the researchers noted.Such treatments could potentially repair demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), restoring function to nerve cells affected by the disease.

Most approved MS therapies dampen the immune systems activity to prevent further myelin damage. However, they cannot undo existing damage or replace the myelin sheaths that have been lost.

Clene Nanomedicines lead compound, CNM-Au8, is a potential remyelination therapy for MS and other neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinsons disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

CNM-Au8 is a solution of gold (Au) nanoparticles with apatented crystal structure, named a clean-surfaced nanocrystal (CSN). According to the company, these nanocrystals have properties that make them highly biologically active, allowing them to facilitate certain energy-related reactions within cells.

In the brain, both neurons and supporting cells, includingoligodendrocytesthat produce myelin, need substantial amounts of energy to work. In fact, the brain consumes more than 25% of the bodys metabolic resources in order to sustain the efficient flux of information through its vast network of nerve fibers.

CNM-Au8 is expected to enhance key metabolic reactions in neurons and oligodendrocytes so to increase energy reserves within these cells, while decreasing the harmful molecules naturally generated by the cells metabolism. This process, which Clene calls nanocatalysis, is thought to improve the survival and function of neurons, and to support the ability of oligodendrocytes to create new myelin.

CNM-Au8 has demonstrated a good safety profile in Phase 1 studies in healthy volunteers, and preclinical studies in animal models of MS and other diseasesindicate the therapyhas both remyelination and neuroprotection effects.

Several ongoing Phase 2 trials are evaluating CNM-Au8 in neurodegenerative diseases, including two studies in people with non-active, relapsing MS.

REPAIR-MS (NCT03993171) is an open-label Phase 2 trial assessing the safety, pharmacokinetics (availability of the therapy in the body) and pharmacodynamics (its effects) of differing oral doses of CNM-Au8 in 24 adults with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). This study is currently enrolling eligible patients at theUniversity of Texas Southwestern. More details can be foundhere. It is expected to conclude in the fall.

Another Phase 2 trial, called VISIONARY-MS (NCT03536559), is investigating the efficacy and safety of CNM-Au8 in up to 150 adults with RRMS, who have chronic vision problems due to lesions (chronic optic neuropathy). This study is also recruiting at nine sites across Australia, and is supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Contact and site information is available here. Results from VISIONARY-MS are expected in 2021.

Now, the preclinical work by researchers at Clene Nanomedicine, Northwestern University, and George Washington Universityprovides additional evidence supporting the ability of these gold nanocrystalsto promote remyelination in cell and animal models of MS.

We are gratified at the publication of these data. These results establish the rationale for our ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial, VISIONARY-MS, which is designed to demonstrate the efficacy of CNM-Au8 for the treatment of chronic optic neuropathy in patients with non-active relapsing MS, Robert Glanzman, MD, chief medical officer of Clene Nanomedicine, said in a press release.

Researchers found that oral delivery of CNM-Au8 to mice and rat models of demyelination led to robust remyelination activity in the brain and spinal cord, leading to higher numbers of myelin-wrapped axons. Study data also showed that CNM-Au8 resulted in a greater migration of oligodendrocytes to lesion sites, and increased myelin production.

The remyelination promoted by CNM-Au8 was also matched by a significant recovery of physical abilities in the mice, evaluated using different locomotor and fine motor tests.

Working on cells in lab dishes, known as in vitro assays, the scientists showed that treating oligodendrocyte precursor cells with CNM-Au8 stimulated their differentiation and maturation, and the expression of myelin-related markers.

The gold nanocrystals were seen to act via a novel energy metabolism pathway that speeds the conversion of NADH to NAD+, a critical factor for sensing and producing energy in cells. CNM-Au8 also increased the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a small molecule used as fuel by cells, and turned on genes related to myelin production, collectively resulting in functional myelin generation, the researchers reported.

These results further validate our entirely new approach using therapeutic gold nanocatalysts as a mechanism to support the cellular viability and enhanced function of neurons and oligodendrocytes, saidKaren Ho, PhD, one of the studys authors and director of Translational Medicine at Clene Nanomedicine.

CNM-Au8 is one of a limited number of drugs being developed which have demonstrated remyelination capabilities. We believe these data exemplify a strong step forward in the development of a treatment to improve function in the lives of more than one million people living with MS in the U.S., Ho concluded.

Ana is a molecular biologist with a passion for discovery and communication. As a science writer, she looks for connecting the public, in particular patients and healthcare providers, with clear and quality information about the latest medical advances. Ana holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where she specialized in infectious diseases, epigenetics, and gene expression.

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Patrcia holds her PhD in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, The Netherlands. She has studied Applied Biology at Universidade do Minho and was a postdoctoral research fellow at Instituto de Medicina Molecular in Lisbon, Portugal. Her work has been focused on molecular genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites.

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NANOBIOTIX Announces Fast Track Designation Granted By U.S. FDA For Investigation of First-in-class NBTXR3 In Head and Neck Cancer – Business Wire

PARIS & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

NANOBIOTIX (Paris:NANO) (Euronext: NANO - ISIN: FR0011341205 the Company), a clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering new approaches to the treatment of cancer, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation for the investigation of NBTXR3 activated by radiation therapy, with or without cetuximab, for the treatment of patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer who are not eligible for platinum-based chemotherapy.

Fast Track is a process designed to facilitate the development and accelerate the review of drugs for serious conditions and that have the potential to address unmet medical needs. The purpose is to expedite the availability of new treatment options for patients.

A product that receives Fast Track designation is eligible for1:

About NBTXR3

NBTXR3 is a first-in-class product designed to destroy tumors through physical cell death when activated by radiotherapy. NBTXR3 has a high degree of biocompatibility, requires one single administration before the first radiotherapy treatment session, and has the ability to fit into current worldwide radiotherapy radiation therapy standards of care. The physical mode of action of NBTXR3 makes it applicable across solid tumors such as lung, prostate, liver, glioblastoma, and breast cancers.

NBTXR3 is actively being evaluated locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of the oral cavity or oropharynx in elderly and frail patients unable to receive chemotherapy or cetuximab with limited therapeutic options. Promising results have been observed in the phase I trial regarding local control. In the United States, the company has started the regulatory process for the clinical authorization of a phase II/III trial in locally advanced head and neck cancers.

Nanobiotix is also running an Immuno-Oncology development program. The Company received FDA approval to launch a clinical trial of NBTXR3 activated by radiotherapy in combination with anti-PD-1 antibodies in locoregional recurrent (LRR) or recurrent and metastatic (R/M) HNSCC amenable to re-irradiation of the HN and lung or liver metastases (mets)from any primary cancer eligible for anti-PD-1.

The other ongoing NBTXR3 trials are treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or liver metastases, locally advanced or unresectable rectal cancer in combination with chemotherapy, head and neck cancer in combination with concurrent chemotherapy, and prostate adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, the company has a large-scale, comprehensive clinical research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (9 new phase I/II clinical trials in the United States) to evaluate NBTXR3 across head and neck, pancreatic, thoracic, lung, gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers.

About NANOBIOTIX: http://www.nanobiotix.com

Incorporated in 2003, Nanobiotix is a leading, clinical-stage nanomedicine company pioneering new approaches to significantly change patient outcomes by bringing nanophysics to the heart of the cell.

The Nanobiotix philosophy is rooted in designing pioneering, physical-based approaches to bring highly effective and generalized solutions to address unmet medical needs and challenges.

Nanobiotixs first-in-class, proprietary lead technology, NBTXR3, aims to expand radiotherapy benefits for millions of cancer patients. Nanobiotixs Immuno-Oncology program has the potential to bring a new dimension to cancer immunotherapies.

Nanobiotix is listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (Euronext: NANO / ISIN: FR0011341205; Bloomberg: NANO: FP). The Companys headquarters are in Paris, France, with a US affiliate in Cambridge, MA, and European affiliates in France, Spain and Germany

1https://www.fda.gov/patients/fast-track-breakthrough-therapy-accelerated-approval-priority-review/fast-track

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This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Nanobiotix and its business, including its prospects and product candidate development. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Nanobiotix considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the reference document of Nanobiotix registered with the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorit des Marchs Financiers) under number R.19-018 on April 30, 2019 (a copy of which is available on http://www.nanobiotix.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Nanobiotix operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Nanobiotix or not currently considered material by Nanobiotix. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Nanobiotix to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

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NANOBIOTIX Announces Fast Track Designation Granted By U.S. FDA For Investigation of First-in-class NBTXR3 In Head and Neck Cancer - Business Wire

He had stroke and together they made a commitment to turn their lives around, one healthy choice at a time – News 5 Cleveland

CLEVELAND A new study from the Cleveland Clinic shows 83% of people with partners agree, if their partner adopted a healthy lifestyle, they would join.

However, about two out of three surveyed said they enable or are enabled by their partners unhealthy healthy habits.

Two-thirds of people are concerned about their partners health.

Kevin and Lisa Jackson are proof that supporting each other to live a healthy lifestyle, can change both lives.

The two have been married for almost 20 years. Theyve been through lifes ups and downs.

Back in February of last year, I had a stroke, said Kevin.

The stroke stemmed from atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm.

Lisa said it was scary.

I did think I was going to lose him, she said.

The stroke was a wake up call for Kevin. He said he knew he had to take the steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

We really focused on his extra weight that he had, and how we can make and take manageable steps to really help control that and bring it down, said Dr. Luke Laffin with the Cleveland Clinic.

Kevin took the advice to heart, but Lisa did, too. They made a lifestyle change together.

We pretty much do everything together, anyways, said Lisa.

They changed their diet.

I basically ate everything before, said Kevin.

Dr. Laffin recommended a Mediterranean diet. One that is high in plant-based protein, fish and whole grains.

My wife is an excellent cook and that helps out a whole lot, said Kevin.

They also started going to the gym on a regular basis.

We walk for about 55 minutes. We usually get in about 2 and a half miles, 3 to 4 times a week, said Lisa. Some days he doesnt feel like walking and I say come on, come on! I gotta get these pounds off.

They stayed faithful to their commitments.

Oh, we dont let one another cheat, said Kevin.

Since his stroke, Kevin has lost 35 pounds and Lisa lost 25 pounds.

Dr. Laffin said their dedication to each other is the key to their success.

If you have someone who is at home smoking or just sitting on the couch watching television, ordering fast food again, that makes it really difficult to undertake lifestyle choices, particularly, in someone who needs to with cardiovascular disease, said Dr. Laffin.

For the Jacksons, theres no going back.

I feel great. I feel better than Ive felt in years, said Kevin. We are going to make this journey together.

Dr. Laffin said if your partner is reluctant to help you out with your diet or exercise goals, but your doctor recommends it for your health, bring them to your doctors appointment with you so the healthcare professional can explain it to them.

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He had stroke and together they made a commitment to turn their lives around, one healthy choice at a time - News 5 Cleveland

Library to offer class on wearable health, fitness apps – Shawnee News Star

FridayFeb14,2020at12:01AM

The Bartlesville Public Library will host a class on Health Apps & Fitness Wearables, presented by Dax McCauley, at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Technology has transformed the way people take care of themselves by using mobile devices and accessories such as fitness bands to eat healthy, stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of wearable technologies and fitness apps to choose from. This class will review the features, functionality, and ease of use of the top 10 options so participants can select the best health apps and tracking devices to complement your health goals.

We hope everyone will join us for this innovative and very informative class, said BPL Literacy Coordinator Karen Kerr-McGraw.

McCauley is an exercise physiologist at Ascension St. John Jane Phillips Wellness Connection. He is a certified personal trainer specializing in strength and conditioning. He also organizes recreational activities and associate wellness programming.

This and all programs presented by the Bartlesville Public Library Literacy Services are funded by grants from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 918-338-4179.

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Library to offer class on wearable health, fitness apps - Shawnee News Star

Getting Lots of Exercise Tied to Lower Risk of Kidney Disease – The New York Times

While kidney function can decrease gradually over time as people age, many people with healthy lifestyle habits maintain good kidney function throughout their lives. People who smoke, are obese, have a family history of kidney problems, or who have heart disease all are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease.

One limitation of the study is that researchers assessed exercise habits by surveying participants, not by using activity trackers to objectively measure how much or how intensely people exercised.

Also, researchers identified people with chronic kidney disease based on the results of a single lab test. Clinicians typically diagnose the condition based on two or more tests.

Still, the results build on earlier research suggesting that exercise might help avoid kidney disease, said Dr. Michal Melamed of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.

"This is important for patients because physical activity is easily modifiable," Melamed, who wasn't involved in the study, said by email. "So, if people are concerned about their kidney function, if they have a family or personal history of kidney disease, it is probably a good idea to not lead a very sedentary lifestyle."

Doctors typically recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week.

While these guidelines don't directly address the risk of kidney disease, they are not a bad goal.

"It seems to be important to exercise regularly, every week and probably several times every week," Melamed said. "The people in this study, in the highest group of physical activity, either walked a little more than an hour every day or ran at least 2 hours a week, while the people in the lowest group walked less than 15 minutes a day."

SOURCE: https://bit.ly/2uOhfO9 British Journal of Sports Medicine, online January 22, 2020.

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Getting Lots of Exercise Tied to Lower Risk of Kidney Disease - The New York Times

Nutritionist gives tips for developing healthy lifestyle in college, suggests meal plan – The Troubadour Online

THERESA BALICKSTAFF WRITER

Alocal nutritionistsaidthat students must develophealthier, long-lasting habits while in collegeto combat obesityin a talk Monday in the Fireside Lounge.

Adjunctprofessor Annie McKenna, a registered dietitian nutritionist who teaches clinical nutrition to nursing students, talked to a small group of students about the importance of monitoring eating habits while still young to avoid obesity in the future.

We have a huge epidemic in our country right now, McKenna said. We have more people who are obese than we have people that arent.

To combat the growing problem of obesity, McKenna suggested that students begin to examine both eating habits and lifestyle habits.

Eat healthy, life healthy, be healthy, McKenna said. The healthier you are, the better off youll live.

As a part of eating healthy, McKenna warned of the danger of oversizedportionsandofthe effects that too much food can have on health.

We eat more than we ever need, McKenna said. Its called portion distortion. Weve looked at the last 20 years how our portion sizes have changed, and weve gone from a reasonable portion to a bigger plate with mountains of food on it.

McKenna provided a plan for studentsonhow to eat well in the cafeteria, sharing tips such as meatless Mondays and Fridays,drinking water instead of soda,and eating a well-balanced meal of protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables instead of only pizza and ice cream. She stressed the importance of not falling into the trap of eating to satisfy a craving.

What Im trying to do is teach you to make some decisions, McKenna said.

In addition to eating healthy, McKenna proposed methods of incorporating more movement intoadaily routine,such as standing workstations or yoga balls for seats.

You have to get up and move, McKenna said.

Martha Myer, freshman,said that she will start implementing some of McKennas suggestions into hereating habits.

Although I know it will take some intentionality and effort to implement her tips, Myer said,going in with a plan gives me enough guidance to know how I should be taking care of myselfinstead of just doing whatever I feel like.

McKennas talk, Nutrition in College, was sponsored by ResidenceLife.

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Nutritionist gives tips for developing healthy lifestyle in college, suggests meal plan - The Troubadour Online

Happy Wife, Happy Life! A Positive Life Partner Fosters Strong Mental Health In Old Age – Study Finds

EAST LANSING, Mich. Marriages and long-term relationships are rarely ever smooth sailing 100% of the time. A life-long partnership between two people is very much a journey that will inevitably experience peaks and valleys. That being said, as anyone who has been in such a relationship can attest, life is usually a whole lot more enjoyable when our significant other is in a good mood. Perhaps, then, we shouldnt be all that surprised that a new study finds a positive partner will foster good health in their significant other.

Researchers at Michigan State University have concluded that as an individual grows old with a happy life partner, they will see their risk of developing dementia, cognitive decline, or Alzheimersdisease steadily decline.

We spend a lot of time with our partners, comments William Chopik, assistant professor of psychology and co-author of the study, in a universityrelease. They might encourage us to exercise, eat healthier or remind us to take our medicine. When your partner is optimistic and healthy, it can translate to similar outcomes in your own life. You actually do experience a rosier future by living longer and staving off cognitive illnesses.

Living with a particularly optimistic partner makes it easier to lead a healthier lifestyle. The research team say that happier partners are much more likely to support their significant other in self-improvement initiatives, such as quitting smoking or visiting the gym more regularly.

We found that when you look at the risk factors for what predicts things like Alzheimers disease or dementia, a lot of them are things like living a healthy lifestyle, Chopik adds. Maintaining a healthy weight and physical activity are large predictors. There are some physiological markers as well. It looks like people who are married to optimists tend to score better on all of those metrics.

The study tracked close to 4,500 heterosexual couples, for as long as eight years in some cases. After analyzing the collected data, there was a clear connection between being married to an optimistic person and avoiding dementia or cognitive decline in old age.

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Theres a sense where optimists lead by example, and their partners follow their lead, Chopik explains. While theres some research on people being jealous of their partners good qualities or on having bad reactions to someone trying to control you, it is balanced with other research that shows being optimistic is associated with perceiving your relationship in a positive light.

Interestingly, the study also found that when older couples look back on cherished memories spent together, they tend to remember more intimate details than they may have initially recalled. Chopik cited a recent Super Bowl commercial in which an older gentlemen uses a Google Assistant to help him remember specifics about his late wife.

The things he was recollecting were positive things about his partner, Chopik says. There is science behind the Google ad. Part of the types of memories being recalled were positive aspects of their relationship and personalities.

Of course, some people are natural optimists, while the rest of us usually take a more pessimistic approach to the world. However, that doesnt mean all hope is lost for all the pessimists out there.

There are studies that show people have the power to change their personalities, as long as they engage in things that make them change, Chopik concludes. Part of it is wanting to change. There are also intervention programs that suggest you can build up optimism.

The study is published in the International Journal of Behavioral Development.

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Happy Wife, Happy Life! A Positive Life Partner Fosters Strong Mental Health In Old Age - Study Finds

Honey Nut Cheerios Now Comes In Heart Shapes – Long Island Weekly News

Limited-edition cereal is a fun and important reminder to live a happy, heart-healthy lifestyle

One of Americas most iconic cereals is getting a new look in time for National Heart Health Month this February.

To help bring the heart health conversation to the forefront in a fun, lighthearted way, limited-edition boxes of Cheerios now contain heart shapes along with the iconic O for the first time.

Honey Nut Cheerios is on a mission to inspire happy hearts, Liz Mascolo, vice president of marketing for Cheerios, said. We want to remind people that living a heart-healthy lifestyle can be joyful, easy and delicious, and Honey Nut Cheerios can help to fuel that journey. We hope the new heart shapes not only put a smile on peoples faces, but inspire them to find new, fun ways to take care of their hearts.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for one in every four deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease. About half of Americans (47 percent) have at least one of these three risk factors, according to CDC research.

Several other medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease,including unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. To help inspire Americans to live a heart-healthy lifestyle, Honey Nut Cheerios is also encouraging people to adopt simple behaviors that get them active, such as walking the dog, playing with kids or joining a group fitness class. Eating three grams of soluble fiber daily from whole grain oat foods, like Honey Nut Cheerios can help lower cholesterol as part of a heart-healthy diet, according to its parent company General Mills.

The new heart-shaped marketing campaign brings the importance of heart health to the forefront with a new commercial, box design and social campaign. The ad spot, which debuted in December, features the brands iconic Buzz the Bee announcing the limited-edition Cheerios with happy heart shapes and touting the cereals heart-healthy benefits.

The limited-edition, heart shapes have already begun to appear on store shelves in boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios and original yellow-box Cheerios and leading into National Heart Health Month in February.

Additional information provided by General Mills

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Honey Nut Cheerios Now Comes In Heart Shapes - Long Island Weekly News

Andy Cohen’s Personal Trainer Says Bravo Host Is More ‘Ripped Than Ever’ After He ‘Cut Down on Drinking’ – msnNOW

Provided by People Greg Allen/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Andy CohenAndy Cohens personal trainer is revealing how the Bravo host has achieved his fitter-than-ever-before physique.

The talk show hosts longtime trainer Stanislav Kravchenko shared this week that Cohen has been prioritizing his fitness lately, resulting in a more ripped appearance.

Andy does look [more] ripped than ever before, and Im super happy about this, Kravchenko told Bravo Insider on Wednesday. I will say I didnt dramatically change [the] exercise routine. I think that Andy [prioritizes] his health right now more, and his healthy lifestyle, and he [started] eating cleaner, healthier. He cut down on drinking as well.

Kravchenko said that Cohens success comes down to a combination of eating healthy, [cutting] down on drinking, and being very active in the gym, adding that Cohen got success. He got the body he has now!

The fitness trainer added that since Cohen became a dad to 1-year-old son Benjamin, the Bravo stalwart prioritizes his health way more and he became more focused on the gym.

Kravchenko said that Cohen cancels his workout sessions less frequently than he did before even if that means he has to multitask. The trainer added, while Im working out with him, he can be on his ear pods, having some conversation about his work.

Cohen revealed in November that he decided over the summer to focus on living a more healthy lifestyle.

So, this summer, I had a moment where I was like, I really felt like my suits were getting tight and it was beach season and I was wearing like button-downs to the beach and Im like Im not this guy, Im not doing this.'

I lost 12 pounds and Ive just been really watching what Im eating, Cohen told Today show host Hoda Kotb, saying that he stopped drinking cocktails while hosting Watch What Happens Live in mid-July.

Kravchenko told Bravo Insider that cutting back on alcohol is something he recommends to his clients.

I will say this: my recommendation to each of my clients is to have less alcohol, obviously, he said. Im a fitness and health industry [professional]. But Im not going to tell them to stop drinking right away. Im not demanding on this. I think Andys very smart, and he understands this, how it impacts his health.

Ill suggest to my clients, and this is one of my 2020 goals/resolutions, is to find the balance, Kravchenko added.

Balancing healthy eating with indulgence is something that Cohen previously discussed with The Cut.

Im either being really healthy or just not, Cohen told the outlet in 2017. There are moments in my life where I am trying to lose weight for something, and unless thats happening I try to indulge within reason.

The funny thing is Im usually the most out of shape in the summer. Its ridiculous, but I like to eat hot dogs and hamburgers and ice cream in the summer and I just dont believe in denying myself, he continued. Life is too short and its boring to not enjoy yourself.

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Andy Cohen's Personal Trainer Says Bravo Host Is More 'Ripped Than Ever' After He 'Cut Down on Drinking' - msnNOW

Meghan Markle’s ‘healthy lifestyle’ is rubbing off on Prince Harry; Shows keen interest in cooking – PINKVILLA

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are leading a healthy lifestyle post their departure from the Royal Family as the 38-year-old's healthy eating habits are rubbing off on the 35-year-old. Read below for more details.

2019 ended on an extremely controversial note for The Royal Family as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the staunch decision to step back and lead a "normal life" with their baby boy Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. "We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages," The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had written in their joint statement, via an Instagram post.

For now, Harry is getting well adjusted to the West Coast lifestyle as the 38-year-old's healthy habits are rubbing off on him, as per Entertainment Tonight. While fans of Markle know about how health-conscious the Duchess is, her habits are becoming Harry's habits as well! Besides enjoying a healthier plant-based diet of organic foods, the 35-year-old is also taking a keen interest in cooking. This move is a part of the "normal life" that Harry and Meghan are working towards for Archie which includes cooking their own meals.

Talking about how they are also making nature a priority, a source revealed to ET, "Being able to hike with friends, Archie, and their dogs in Canada is a simple pleasure that they love. Their time on Vancouver Island over the holidays helped to confirm that they were making the right decision to step down from royal responsibilities."

Couple goals, indeed!

ALSO READ: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Archie to make 1st public appearance with Royal Family since Megxit; DEETS INSIDE

Meanwhile, Harry, Meghan and Archie will return to the UK for the first time in 2020 as they wind up their final round of royal engagements, before kickstarting a new life in North America.

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Meghan Markle's 'healthy lifestyle' is rubbing off on Prince Harry; Shows keen interest in cooking - PINKVILLA

SocGen invests in life assurance startup that offers cheaper premiums for fitness band wearers – Finextra

Societe Generale has invested EUR1.1 million in a Czech online life assurance startup that offers discounts on premiums in return for a healthy lifestyle.

Clients are rewarded for an active and healthy lifestyle with up to 30% premiums cashback.

Ingrid Bocris, deputy general Manager of Societe Generale Assurances, says: We support the modernisation of life insurance. We are looking for ideas, but also technological maturity and the ability to deliver innovation to the market. Clear insurance with a unique reward for a healthy lifestyle that can be arranged fully online and in a few minutes is unique across Europe and it will inspire the development of the whole sector.

She says the bank retains an option to further increase its stake in the company by the end of 2020.

Mutumutu says the investment will help it to reach a goal of tripling customer numbers within the next 12 months.

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SocGen invests in life assurance startup that offers cheaper premiums for fitness band wearers - Finextra

What is Yoga Diet and how does it help in leading healthy lifestyle? – Republic World – Republic World

In the last decade,there have been a number of diet types like Paleo, Keto and Vegan Diets, which have garnered much hype across the globe. The primary reason for such dietsto be blindly followed by individuals is some peoples desire to lose those extra kilos. But the latest diet fad that is currently breaking the internet is Yoga Diet.

Read:Cumin Water: Check Top 3 Health Benefits

As the name suggests, a Yoga diet can only be followed by individuals who indulge in yoga sessions on a regular basis. Yoga not only helps you to stay in shape but it also aids in improving mental health. According to the Yoga practices, people who perform this form of exercise are supposed to eat certain food items only, instead of gorging on junk food.

Read:Shea Butter: List Of Skincare Benefits That Come With Regular Use

There are a lot of myths about yoga diet food items, wherein some believein following a strict dietinclusive of only fruits, while others do not eat it at all. A Yoga Diet plays a significantrole in leading a healthy life. It requires you to do yoga and plan your diet in a certain way. Know all about it here-

If you ever come across a yoga diet expert or a yogic who has been performing yoga asanas over years, they will suggest you to consume chemical-free vegetables. Due to the presence of uric acid in chicken and other animal meats, non-vegetarian food items should be avoided completely when following a yoga diet. Most yoga practitioners believe that consumption of animal protein can lead to deadly diseases like cancers due to animal infections and toxins and hence advise against consuming it.

Read:Breast Cancer Treatment To Be 65% Less Expensive, Says WHO

Sattvic foods are those foods which are not spicy in nature. Sattvic food items are vegan-friendly food items. They are simple foods which basically means purity and harmony i.e they are considered suitable for yoga practitioners. Sattvic food items includemilk products like cheese and butter, along with fresh veggies, fruits, and wholemeal bread.

Performing yoga for minimum twice dailyduring the yogic diet is highly recommended. The results won't be as effective if you switch your yoga sessions. Another important factor to keep in mind is that one should consume food two hours prior and post your yoga sessions only. Otherwise, you might face difficulty in performing yoga asanas and encounter some digestive issues.

In order to switch to a yoga diet, you need to observe a full day fast, one day a week. The fasting day can be chosen according to your own will. There is no hard and fast rule about a specific day on which the fast should be observed. A fast is kept in order to cleanse your body and get rid of all the toxins. Individuals can have fresh fruits and water while keeping such fast. It is advised that only liquid foods should be consumed during this day.

Read:Light Therapy | The Trending Skincare Evolution To Treat Your Acne

Disclaimer: This article does not provide medical advice. In case of health advisory kindly check with your doctor before following this diet as therecould be different results for different individuals.

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RNC holds healthy lifestyle, weight loss search in govt offices – Philippine Information Agency

BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- The Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) engages government workers in a healthy lifestyle and weight reduction in a search with cash incentives at stake.

The RNC came up with a regional weight management project through healthy weight loss ways such as diet modification, increase on physical activity and education/behavior modification pilot tested last year.

National Nutrition Council Regional Coordinator Rita Papey said the project was borne out of the alarming results of a study on the nutritional assessment of government employees conducted in 2017 which showed that more than 50 percent are either overweight or obese. With this finding, there is a need for a call for government agencies to have a management program, she said.

The projects goal is for employees in the region to become healthy and productive, reduce the prevalence of malnutrition such as obesity and achieve normal weight and for agencies to adopt the program and reduce the occurrence of non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Papey said obesity and overweight are risk factors for NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer that affect a persons productivity and quality of life. Globally and nationally, NCDs are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of which 30 percent are generally related to heart disease.

The search duration is from March to June 2020.

For the agency category, to be awarded will be agencies with the best healthy lifestyle program and highest percent reduction on identified indicators.

The agency must have an action plan and have conducted baseline and endline nutrition assessment of employees.

For the individual/employee category, employee/s with improved nutritional status from underweight to normal, highest reduction in waist circumference and with the highest reduction in weight will be recognized.

Moreover, there is a suggested government menu developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute called Pinggang Pinoy as guide for agencies in the procurement of food during conduct of seminars, workshops or meetings.

Papey said the Pinggang Pinoy or the food plate model was adopted by the sectoral committee of the Regional Development Council on Social Development. The model menu contains 50 percent fruit and vegetables, 33 percent rice and 17 percent protein. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR)

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Start your Health Journey with Live Well Exercise Clinic – North Shore News

Its been said that a thousand-mile journey begins with one step. Similarly, a journey to a healthier you begins with just one consultation.

There are an endless number of reasons why our health starts to slip away from us as we get older. A demanding career, family commitments, age and injury all these things can impact our ability to adhere to a program focussed on healthy living.

But the good news is that there are people here to help.

Live Well Exercise Clinic is a state-of-the-art exercise facility that provides professional fitness training and healthy lifestyle coaching to members of any age, shape or size. By using exercise as medicine, the expertly trained and educated staff at Live Well coach members on developing healthy habits that lead to sustained lifestyle change and improved quality of life.

Live Well Exercise Clinic in Lynn Valley has been open just over a year now and has already helped dozens of clients on their journey to find their way back to a healthier self.

Take Live Well member Tanja for example. Fed up with the constant guessing game of which diet and which gym would serve her best, Tanja decided to seek professional help to finally find a long-term solution to her health concerns.

Like many others, I have been yo-yo dieting for the majority of my adult life and stuck on the weight loss and weight gain cycle for years. I have tried every diet program and joined just about every gym, says Tanja.

Thats when she found Live Well.

Live Well fosters a friendly and welcoming community, and this motivates me to keep coming to exercise classes. Sessions are structured so that there is a different educational and inspirational component with each visit. Also, if something is not quite working for me, staff is always on hand to answer my questions and help me adjust my own personal program to suit my needs, says Tanja.

I have learned to incorporate (and even enjoy) regular exercise in my life again. Along with gaining more muscle strength and stamina, I also noticed that after a few months of doing the Live Well program I had less knee and joint pain! I feel physically stronger and more confident, and I am enjoying exercising my body and treating it well.

Unlike Tanja, Live Well member Tory had apprehensions about exercising for years due to her fear of injury, anxiety and lack of preparedness but after years of stagnant living she soon found that she couldnt delay her health journey any longer.

I spent years trying to get fit and lose weight, trying all sorts of things but nothing worked until Live Well. My balance was bad, my strength was minimal and I was scared. My whole life Ive taken horrible falls, many with serious injury, says Tory.

Since Ive been with Live Well, I have not fallen at all. The trainers are so amazing, if something doesnt work for you or you feel unwell they find an exercise you can do. Everyone has a different program with exercises just for them. There is no competition, the gym feels more like a sanctuary than a gym.

Some members have found inspiration to seek out and sustain healthier habits together like married Live Well couple Irene and Lloyd.

Lloyd and I both realized we needed to have some structured exercises as we age and we wanted it to be in a safe and supervised environment so that we could maintain and build strength, flexibility and stamina, said Irene.

Lloyd saw an ad for Live Well, looked into it and suggested we go. It has been a very positive and enjoyable experience. The groups are small, the exercises are designed for each individual and we work and advance at our own pace. It isnt a competitive environment and everyone in each session is at a different level.

Whatever the reason for seeking out Live Well, each member is able to find the safe and secure environment that they need to flourish. With just one consultation, the journey to a healthier you begins. Come visit us today and let us show you the path to a lifestyle youll be happy to have.

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Healthy is the New Sexy Heres 5 of the Top Wellness Trends for 2020 – Chiang Rai Times

Healthy is new sexy and this year people are paying even more attention to their health and wellness than ever before. And what exactly have become the trends in self-care this year? Lets see.

Non-invasive methods of aesthetic cosmetology is an alternative to surgical intervention.

Cryolipolysis for those who cant reach the desired shape with a diet and a healthy lifestyle, ultrasound for dermatological issues and aging such as hyperpigmentation, blackheads, scars, wrinkles. Fillers, laser, injections, and the list goes on.

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) reports that non-invasive treatment increased by 10.4% while the popularity of operations decreased.

According to ISAPS.org, the most demanded procedures are:

And top countries for non-invasive procedures are the USA, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, India, Italy, and Turkey.

Consequently people dont think about preventive medicine as an unnecessary loss of time anymore. Modern humans strive to achieve a lot. And they realize how health is important in their way to success and happiness. Thus, the demand for preventive medical examinations called check-ups continues to rise in 2020.

There are lots of programs for different patients needs basic check-ups, cancer, neurological, cardiac, gastric screening, female, male, pediatric, etc. The choice depends on the age, gender, heredity, medical history, specific complaints, and symptoms if any.

Advanced Medtech solutions make it possible to undergo exams in advanced hospitals in just one day. The fastest check-up takes only 3 hours.

Some hospitals such as Kyung Hee Medical Center (Seoul, South Korea) offer a smart check-up. The hospital system with AI determines the type of screening package right for the person based on his/her age, sex, and personal features.

According to Bookimed, an international platform to match the hospital and arrange treatment abroad, the top affordable destinations for check-ups are Thailand, South Korea, Greece, Turkey, India, the UAE.

Retreats are the programs aimed to escape from everyday life to devote all time to work on oneself. The origin of retreats is found in most world religions. In a modern context, a retreat is an opportunity to free yourself from tension, relieve stress, reboot thinking and go beyond its current limits. Even more the number of people who care about their health and state of mind and want to find peace with retreats is increasing worldwide.

Above all the essence of retreats is in a total change of ordinary scenery a healthy daily routine, healthy meals, restoring physical activity, practices. A cardinal change in exercise, nutrition, and the environment with a lack of time for idle thoughts and Internet surfing makes it possible to see your self and to change it as much as possible.

Today there are lots of retreat programs so anyone can find the appropriate one. They can last from several days to several years, and they can be both individual and collective, general or dedicated to specific practices, located not far away from home or in remote places in the mountains.

The American magazine Harpers Bazaar states that most popular retreat destinations in 2020 are Indonesia, Mexico, Himalayas, Colombia, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Costa Rica and also Thailand.

Even more wellness and spa tours are more popular than ever as poor ecology, stress, and overload affect peoples mental and physical health.

Tours for wellness are suitable for people of different ages. Programs also include SPA procedures, thalassotherapy, Ayurvedic sessions, bathing in thermal springs, various types of massages. Their primary purpose is to give a customer all conditions for relaxing, gaining strength, distracting from the monotony, and enjoying nature.

TripAdvisor names Indonesia, India, the USA, Australia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Maldives, and Spain as the most blissful destinations for wellness travel.

You are what you eat this old veritas is coming back with new approaches. One of them is detox.

Detox programs involve a special diet aimed at removing toxins from the body and reducing weight. The doctor assesses the degree of toxin contamination; bioenergy examination; measuring the ratio of fat; bone and muscle tissue; consulted with a nutritionist; and following treatment with yoga and massages.

A vacation in a detox center is also an opportunity to get rid of the accumulated stress and extra centimeters. Also to erase tension from the face, add vitality, lightness, and gain inspiration for a new lifestyle. Some centers focus on losing weight, others coping with chronic diseases of the liver, stomach, intestines, skin, and allergic diseases. People with chronic illnesses should consult a doctor first.

According to Forbes magazine, the best places for detoxing can be found in Costa Rica, Canada, Israel, Mexico, Italy, India and also Thailand

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