Unnamed Dutchtown High teacher investigated over ‘inappropriate interactions’ allegation – The Advocate

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Ascension Parish law enforcement and school authorities are investigating reports that a male Dutchtown High School teacher had inappropriate interactions with a student, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.

The parish Sheriffs Office said it was investigating complaints but could not identify the teacher or student nor provide any further information about the alleged interactions, a spokeswoman said.

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Whenever there is suspected inappropriate interactions between an employee and a student, we report it to law enforcement, as required, and conduct an internal investigation," said Jackie Tisdell, school spokeswoman. "Once our investigation is complete, we will release the appropriate information.

She would not say whether the teacher remains at the school.

"I cannot give any details about a personnel matter," Tisdell said.

WBRZ, citing unnamed sources, reported the teacher was removed from campus.

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Unnamed Dutchtown High teacher investigated over 'inappropriate interactions' allegation - The Advocate

Two Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies earn peace officer certification – The Advocate

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Ascension Parish Deputies Joshua Delery and Dwanya Black graduated from the Capital Area Regional Training Academy in Baton Rouge on Oct. 15, earning certification by the Louisiana Peace Officers Standards and Training Council.

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Black received the top academic award and the male physical fitness award.

The Capital Area Regional Training Academy is operated by the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office. The program includes physical training and lessons in legal and report writing and law enforcement history.

A total of 45 students, representing 20 different agencies from across the state, graduated from the 592-hour, 14-week long program. They learned law enforcement history, firearms use, legal and report writing, officer survival techniques, physical training and many other topics.

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Two Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office deputies earn peace officer certification - The Advocate

Ascension’s Spirit 1 helicopter relocated to Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee – WJFW-TV

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EAGLE RIVER - Make Music Day started in France back in 1982.

The holiday encourages people to take their musical talents outdoors and be heard by everyone.

Now there's a push to bring the holiday to the Northwoods.

Representatives from local art centers met in Eagle River Sunday.

They got an early start to planning Make Music Day, which falls on June 21.

"It was really a way to introduce some of our cultural institutions to what Make Music Day is all about and see if they want to work together to make it happen in the Northwoods," said Grow North Executive Director Brittany Beyer.

In 2007, Aaron Friedman brought Make Music Day to New York.

He travelled all around Wisconsin this weekend in an effort to take the festivities nation-wide.

Friedman says it's an opportunity for musicians of all skill levels to be heard.

"For some people, this is a chance to play in public when they otherwise wouldn't be able to," said Friedman. "This is a way for people to come out and say 'yes, I'm a musician too,' and everyone in the town can wander around and hear all the different music and there's not really any pressure. Just come out and do whatever you can."

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Ascension's Spirit 1 helicopter relocated to Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee - WJFW-TV

Flu antibody protects against numerous and wide-ranging strains – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

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Could lead to universal flu vaccine, better flu therapies

A human antibody that protects mice against a wide range of lethal flu viruses could be the key to a universal vaccine and better treatments for severe flu disease, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and Scripps Research in La Jolla, Calif.

Researchers have found an antibody that protects mice against a wide range of lethal influenza viruses, according to a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and Scripps Research in La Jolla, Calif. The antibody could serve as a template to aid in design of a universal vaccine that protects against all strains of the virus, and a drug to treat and protect against severe cases of flu, including pandemics.

The research is published Oct. 25 in Science.

There are many strains of influenza virus that circulate, so every year we have to design and produce a new vaccine to match the most common strains of that year, said co-senior author Ali Ellebedy, PhD, an assistant professor of pathology and immunology at Washington University. Now imagine if we could have one vaccine that protected against all influenza strains, including human, swine and highly lethal avian influenza viruses. This antibody could be the key to the design of a truly universal vaccine.

Ellebedy discovered the antibody an immune protein that recognizes and attaches to a foreign molecule in blood taken from a patient hospitalized with flu at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis in the winter of 2017. Ellebedy was working on a study analyzing the immune response to flu infection in humans, in collaboration with the Washington University Emergency Care and Research Core, which was sending him blood samples from consenting flu patients. He quickly noticed that this particular blood sample was unusual: In addition to containing antibodies against hemagglutinin, the major protein on the surface of the virus, it contained other antibodies that were clearly targeting something else.

At the time we were just starting, and I was setting up my lab so we didnt have the tools to look at what else the antibodies could be targeting, said Ellebedy, who is also an assistant professor of medicine and of molecular microbiology, and a scholar at Washington Universitys Bursky Center for Human Immunology & Immunotherapy Programs.

He sent three of the antibodies with unknown targets to co-senior author Florian Krammer, PhD, a microbiology professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. An expert on neuraminidase the other protein on the surface of the influenza virus Krammer tested the antibodies against his extensive library of neuraminidase proteins. At least one of the three antibodies blocked neuraminidase activity in all known types of neuraminidase in flu viruses, representing a variety of human and nonhuman strains.

The breadth of the antibodies really came as a surprise to us, Krammer said. Typically, anti-neuraminidase antibodies can be broad within a subtype, like H1N1, but an antibody with potent activity across subtypes was unheard of. At first, we did not believe our results. Especially the ability of the antibodies to cross between influenza A and influenza B viruses is just mind-boggling. It is amazing what the human immune system is capable of if presented with the right antigens.

Neuraminidase is essential to flu virus replication. The protein cuts newly formed viruses free of infected cells so they can move on and infect new cells. Tamiflu, the most widely used drug for severe flu infection, works by inactivating neuraminidase.

To find out whether the antibodies could be used to treat severe cases of flu, Krammer and colleagues tested them in mice given a lethal dose of influenza virus. All three were effective against many strains, and one antibody called 1G01 protected mice against all 12 strains tested, representing all three groups of human flu virus, as well as avian and other nonhuman strains.

All the mice survived, even if they were given the antibody 72 hours after infection, Ellebedy said. They definitely got sick and lost weight, but we still saved them. It was remarkable. It made us think that you might be able to use this antibody in an intensive care scenario when you have someone sick with flu and its too late to use Tamiflu.

Tamiflu should be administered within 48 hours of symptoms. A drug that could be used later would help many people diagnosed after the Tamiflu window has closed. But before the researchers could even think of designing such a drug based on the antibody, they needed to understand how it was interfering with neuraminidase.

They turned to co-senior author Ian Wilson, DPhil, a noted structural biologist at Scripps Research. Wilson and Xueyong Zhu, PhD, a staff scientist in his lab, mapped the structures of the antibodies while they were bound to neuraminidase. They found that the antibodies each had a loop that slid inside the active site of neuraminidase like a stick between gears. The loops prevented neuraminidase from releasing new virus particles from the surface of cells, thereby breaking the cycle of viral production in cells.

We were surprised how these antibodies managed to insert a single loop into the conserved active site without contacting the surrounding hypervariable regions, thereby achieving much greater breadth against the neuraminidase of different influenza viruses than we have seen before, Wilson said.

The structures showed that the antibodies provide such broad protection because they target parts of the active site of the neuraminidase protein that is much the same across distantly related flu strains. Even minor changes to that part of the protein could abolish its ability to do its job, thereby preventing the virus from replicating.

The researchers are working on developing new and improved treatments and vaccines for influenza based on antibody 1G01, which has been patented by Washington University.

Neuraminidase has been ignored as a vaccine candidate for a long time, Ellebedy said. These antibodies tell us that it should not have been overlooked. Now that we know what a broadly protective antibody to neuraminidase looks like, we now have an alternative approach to start designing novel vaccines that induce antibodies like this. And that could be really important if we are going to figure out how to design a truly universal vaccine.

Stadlbauer D, Zhu X, McMahon M, Turner JS, Wohlbold TJ, Schmitz AJ, Strohmeier S, Yu W, Nachbagauer R, Mudd PA, Wilson IA, Ellebedy IA, Krammer F. Broadly protective human antibodies that target the active site of influenza virus neuraminidase. Science. Oct. 25, 2019. DOI: science.aay0678

The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, contract number HHSN272201400008C and HHSN272201400006C and grant numbers R01 AI117287, R21 AI139813, and U01 AI141990; and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant number R56 AI117675.

Washington University School of Medicines 1,500 faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Childrens hospitals. The School of Medicine is a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, ranking among the top 10 medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Childrens hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.

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Flu antibody protects against numerous and wide-ranging strains - Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Matched Therapy Increases Pancreatic Cancer Survival – Pancreatic Cancer News & Stories

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People with pancreatic cancer and a specific type of change or mutation in their DNA live longer when treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, compared to those who received the same treatment but didnt have the same mutation type. This study is out today in Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) Precision Oncology and draws on data from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Networks (PanCAN) Know Your Tumor precision medicine service.

Being able to define subsets of patients who should be treated a certain way, based on their tumors biology, underscores the value of molecular profiling to improve patient outcomes in this challenging disease, said Lynn Matrisian, PhD, MBA, chief science officer at PanCAN and a co-author of the study. These are the types of results we hoped to see when we launched Know Your Tumor in 2014.

Looking at Know Your Tumor reports and follow-up patient outcomes, the study authors, led by researchers at Perthera, Inc., examined data on 820 pancreatic cancer patients who either had advanced disease or who had their tumors partially or completely removed by surgery. They then looked at whether the study participants had a specific type of mutation that impaired a DNA repair process known as homologous recombination (HR).

A persons DNA gets damaged daily, which is why the cell is designed to repair errors in DNA through many ways, including HR. But when some genes, like the BRCA genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2), become mutated, they can no longer repair DNA by HR. Mutations in other genes can impair HR also, including PALB2, ATM, ATR, ATRX, BAP1, BARD1, BRIP1, CHEK1/2 and several others.

When HR is not functioning, certain conditions may develop, like cancer.

The patients evaluated in the study could have been born with mutations in HR genes (germline mutations) or could have mutations present only in their tumor tissue (somatic mutations). PanCANs Know Your Tumor is able to test patients tumor tissue and saliva to identify both types of mutations.

For patients with metastatic disease, those with HR-related mutations lived an average of 11 months longer when treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, as compared to patients who underwent the same treatment but didnt have HR-related mutations.

The new study supports other research suggesting that cancers with HR-related mutations are especially vulnerable to platinum-based chemotherapy. Further, this study follows promising phase III clinical trial results showing that pancreatic cancer patients who responded to this chemotherapy type also responded well to a PARP inhibitor called Lynparza (olaparib).

Lynparza is an FDA-approved treatment for ovarian cancer, but not yet for pancreatic cancer. Published phase III clinical trial results suggest it may have the potential to extend the good results seen by some patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy.

While platinum-based chemotherapy is shown to be effective for certain patients, many patients may not have the chance to benefit from this treatment type. The study authors noted that while its estimated that 17 to 25 percent of pancreatic cancers have HR-related mutations, about half of all patients do not receive platinum-based therapy as their first line of treatment. This highlights the importance of patients undergoing molecular profiling to identify mutations, such as those disrupting the HR pathway, or other alterations that may impact their treatment options.

One theory in the field was that pancreatic cancer patients with HR-related mutations naturally ended up living longer than patients without such mutations, Matrisian said. But our study shows thats not true. Unless they underwent platinum-based treatment, these patients did not see any survival benefit.

Every pancreatic tumor is different. Patients who receive treatment based on their tumors biological characteristics have better outcomes. PanCAN strongly recommends molecular profiling to help determine best treatment options.

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Matched Therapy Increases Pancreatic Cancer Survival - Pancreatic Cancer News & Stories

New drug forces flu virus into ‘error catastrophe,’ overwhelming it with mutations – Science Magazine

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The flu virus (above) has frustrated scientists with its constant shapeshifting, eluding many vaccines and drugs.

By Kai KupferschmidtOct. 23, 2019 , 2:00 PM

Scientists often warn about the dangers of pandemic pathogens spreading quickly around the globe. But one virus already sweeps across the world every year, causing tens of millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths: influenza. Now, a new drug that has shown promise in ferrets may help drive down that toll, researchers report today. The drug appears to be more effective than the most commonly used treatment, oseltamivir, and there are hints that it wont prompt easy resistance in the virus.

Scientists have long been frustrated by the constant shapeshifting of the flu virus, which necessitates an annual reformulation of flu vaccines to reflect commonly circulating strains. When that match is bad, vaccine protection can be low, especially for elderly people who are most at risk. Meanwhile, new influenza drugs have been slow to develop, and those that exist are often inadequate. Oseltamivir, for instance, provides a moderate benefit at best, and only when given early in the infection; whether it prevents hospitalizations and deaths is controversial.

Whats more, the flu virus has developed resistance to oseltamivir and to an older drug, amantadine. And there are already reports of flu strains resistant to baloxavir, a drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration just last year.

To come up with an alternative, scientists at Georgia State University and Emory University, both in Atlanta, investigated a compound named N-hydroxycytidine (NHC), which has been known for years to inhibit a broad range of RNA viruses like the flu. Previously, the researchers had shown that NHC is active against influenza; but in tests on macaques, they found the drug is not taken up well by the body, a potential deal breaker for human use, says Georgia State molecular virologist Richard Plemper, one of the researchers leading the new work.

The researchers tweaked NHCs structure to create a new compound named EIDD-2801, which converts back into NHC inside the body. They then tested it in ferrets, the most widely used animal model for influenza. If the ferrets received the compound 12 hours after infection, they did not develop disease at all. Those that received it after 24 hours, when fever had started, produced less virus than control animals that received oseltamivir or no treatment at all. The fever also ended faster in treated animals, the researchers write in Science Translational Medicine.

Its important that they showed a reduction in symptoms in ferrets, because it gets much closer to predicting what happens in people, says Andrew Pavia, an infectious disease expert at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Its a major step towards developing a drug for humans.

The scientists also investigated how NHC blocks influenza by sequencing the genomes of flu viruses exposed to the compound. They found that the virus incorporates the drug into its RNA when it replicates, instead of a molecule named cytosine, leading to a cascade of mistakes that virologists call error catastropheessentially overwhelming the virus with mutations.

To test how easily flu becomes resistant to EIDD-2801, the researchers also grew the virus while keeping it exposed to sublethal doses of NHC or slowly increasing the concentration of NHCmethods that typically dont kill the virus, but give it a chance to evolve resistance. Even though sequencing clearly shows the virus trying to resist the drug, no resistant strains developed. That bodes well, Pavia says, because oseltamivir and other older drugs all eventually fail the test.

Still, it doesnt mean resistance cannot develop, says Albert Osterhaus, a virologist at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, Germany. Favipiravir, a drug approved in 2014 in Japan for pandemic flu viruses resistant to all other drugs, was thought to have a similarly high barrier to resistance before resistant strains developed.

Plemper says additional toxicity tests in animals have not thrown up any red flags, and the first trials of EIDD-2801 in humans are likely to start next spring. Pavia says the new drug could eventually be used in combination with other drugs to stave off resistance, a strategy already in use for HIV and hepatitis B treatments.

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Richard Young, Ph.D., Founder of CAMP4 Therapeutics, Elected to National Academy of Medicine – Business Wire

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CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CAMP4 Therapeutics, a biotechnology company unraveling transcriptional machinery and the network of signaling pathways to accelerate drug discovery and development across therapeutic areas, announced that Richard Young, Ph.D., one of the companys founders, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Dr. Young, a Member of the Whitehead Institute and Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was one of 90 regular members and 10 international members elected to NAM earlier this week. Election to NAM is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine, recognizing individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health. Dr. Young was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2012 as well.

Dr. Youngs research focuses on mapping the regulatory circuitry that controls cell state and differentiationusing experimental and computational technologies to determine how signaling pathways, transcription factors, chromatin regulators, and small RNAs control gene expression.

CAMP4 was founded based on the seminal discoveries made by Dr. Young, along with Leonard Zon, M.D., Grousbeck Professor of Pediatric Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Director of the Stem Cell Program at Boston Childrens Hospital.

Based on Drs. Young and Zons discoveries, CAMP4 has built its proprietary Gene Circuitry Platform, with which it is pioneering a systematic and scalable approach to discover new, druggable targets to control gene expression to treat diseases across all therapeutic areas.

On behalf of the entire CAMP4 team, I want to congratulate Rick on this tremendous and well-deserved honor, said Josh Mandel-Brehm, President and Chief Executive Officer of CAMP4. In addition to all of his remarkable scientific accomplishments that have the potential to impact peoples lives around the world, and the numerous resulting accolades bestowed on him, I am continually struck by Ricks incredible humility and humanity. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with and advance Ricks science and vision.

Dr. Young received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry at Yale University, conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University and joined Whitehead Institute and MIT in 1984. He has served as an advisor to the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, the Vatican and numerous scientific societies and journals. Dr. Young has founded and advised companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of CAMP4, Syros Pharmaceuticals and Omega Therapeutics. His honors include Membership in the National Academy of Sciences, the Chiron Corporation Biotechnology Research Award, Yales Wilbur Cross Medal, and in 2006 Scientific American recognized him as one of the top 50 leaders in science, technology and business.

The National Academy of Medicine, established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine, is an independent organization of eminent professionals from diverse fields including health and medicine; the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; and beyond. It serves alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering as an adviser to the nation and the international community. Through its domestic and global initiatives, the NAM works to address critical issues in health, medicine, and related policy and inspire positive action across sectors. The NAM collaborates closely with its peer academies and other divisions within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

View the Whitehead Institutes statement on Dr. Youngs election to NAM.

About CAMP4 Therapeutics

At CAMP4 Therapeutics, we are revolutionizing drug discovery and development to be faster, smarter and better. With our Gene Circuitry Platform, we have discovered how to dial up or dial down the expression of any gene. Using the foundational insights enabled by our platform, we are pioneering a systematic and scalable approach to discover new, druggable targets to control gene expression to treat diseases across all therapeutic areas. This approach involves creating tissue-specific Gene Circuitry Maps that comprehensively reveal the transcriptional machinery and its connected network of signaling pathways governing gene expression. Each map serves as its own therapeutic area discovery engine, revealing dozens, sometimes even hundreds of disease-solving opportunities. Our goal is to decipher the transcriptional machinery and signaling networks controlling gene expression for all cell types central to disease, ultimately delivering druggable targets for a multitude of undruggable diseases. Our vision is to create a world where a treatment for every disease is possible. Learn more about us at http://www.camp4tx.com.

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Richard Young, Ph.D., Founder of CAMP4 Therapeutics, Elected to National Academy of Medicine - Business Wire

Not Just Blood PressureDietary Salt Linked to Tau Phosphorylation – Alzforum

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25 Oct 2019

Too much salty food wreaks havoc on the cardiovascular system, raising blood pressure, damaging small blood vessels, and limiting perfusion into the brain. But is this why salt increases the chances of cognitive impairment? Not so fast. At this years Society for Neuroscience meeting, held October 1923 in Chicago, Giuseppe Faraco from Costantino Iadecolas lab at Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute of Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, reported that learning and memory deficits in mice chowing on a high-salt diet correlated with phosphorylation of tau, not with damage to the brains blood vessels. The study, published October 23 in Nature, links reduced nitric oxide in blood vessel walls to activation of kinases that modify tau. The findings present a new twist in the well-known link between cardiovascular disease and risk for cognitive decline.

Admittedly, at eight to16 times the norm, the amount of salt the mice consumed exceeds all but the very highest equivalents in which people might indulge. Still, researchers found the results thought-provoking. However artificial the diet, this highlights that salt has effects independent of high blood pressure and that salt is a risk factor in its own right, said Joanna Wardlaw, University of Edinburgh. Wardlaw thinks the mechanism may explain some clinical observations. Weve seen in studies of small stroke that despite treating high blood pressure, people continue to get worse clinically and on their brain scans, she told Alzforum. We need to think about the role of other common risk factors, including dietary salt.

Li-Huei Tsai and Joel Blanchard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found the Columbia groups work fascinating. They illustrate that neuronal cells and the cerebrovasculature have dynamic molecular and biochemical interactions that clearly influence neurodegenerative pathologies, they wrote to Alzforum (full comment below). Faraco found the salt-induced reduction in nitric oxide (NO) boosted levels of p25, which activates the kinase Cdk5. Tsai has linked p25/Cdk5 to neurodegeneration (Dec 1999 news).

Pickled. AT8 immunostaining detects phosphorylated tau in the brains of mice fed a high-salt diet (right), but not in brains of mice on normal chow (left). [Courtesy of Giuseppe Faraco et al., Nature.]

The NO link most intrigued Zvonimir Katusic, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, as well. Susan Austin in Katusics lab found that knocking out endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) increases processing of A precursor protein and impairs learning and memory, and most recently that it boosts p25 and phosphorylation of tau (Austin et al., 2010; Austin et al., 2013; Katusic and Austin et al., 2016). In Chicago, Austin reported that microglia from eNOS knockouts ramp up production of ADAM17, the primary sheddase for TREM2, and tone down production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. It appears release of NO by the endothelium is an important control mechanism for the brain, said Katusic.

The plot gets thicker. The effect of high salt may not start in the endothelial cells of the brain, but in immune cells of the gut. Last year Faraco reported that a high-salt diet elicits a flood of interleukin-17 from T helper cells in the intestine. That IL-17 lead to a dearth of endothelial NO and impaired memory (Jan 2018 news). The IL-17 reduced cerebral blood flow by about 25 percent, but Faraco considers this insufficient to cause the memory impairment. Since tau pathology has been linked to cerebrovascular disease, he decided to see if a high-salt diet affected the microtubule binding protein.

Faraco put normal C56/Bl6 mice on a diet comprising 8 percent NaCl. This is 16 times the normal amount of salt in mouse chow; seawater is about 3.5 percent NaCl. The mice ate as much food as usual, but over the next 36 weeks, levels of phosphorylated tau rose. AT8 immunoreactivity peaked after 24 weeks, RZ3 immunoreactivity after 36 weeks. These antibodies recognize tau phosphorylation at serine 202/threonine 205 and threonine 231, respectively. Hyperphosphorylation of tau was detected in both male and female mice, and in mice on a 4 percent NaCl diet, albeit only AT8 staining in that case. Faraco found similar tau changes when he fed 8 percent salt to Tg2576 mice, which model amyloidosis. Levels of A were unaffected.

What about neurofibrillary tangles? Faraco found none in any of the mice, but levels of insoluble tau released by formic acid did increase slightly in the cortices and hippocampi of mice on the high-salt diet.

In parallel with the tau phosphorylation, C57/Bl6 mice began having learning and memory problems. They struggled to recognize novel objects in their cages and had trouble finding the escape route in the Barnes maze. The deficits modestly correlated with AT8 binding in the cortex and hippocampus.

Was hyperphosphorylation of tau to blame? The authors tested this in two ways. They administered anti-tau antibodies to wild-type mice on high salt, and they fed high salt to tau knockouts. In both cases the animals performed as well as mice on normal chow, despite hypoperfusion of the brain, suggesting that indeed it was the tau that drove the cognitive decline due to the salt and not reduced blood flow.

Given Katusics prior data suggesting links between endothelial NO and tau phosphorylation, Faraco tested if he could stop the protein modification with L-arginine, a precursor in NO production. This suppressed both tau phosphorylation and the learning and memory deficits. In addition, elevated p-tau in eNOS knockouts could not be boosted further by high salt, supporting the idea that suppression of endothelial NO was behind the tau modification.

Delving more deeply into the mechanism, Faraco found that the salty food elevated calpain activity in the brain. Calpain cleaves p35 to p25; in keeping with this, the levels of the smaller peptide rose, as did activity of Cdk5, the tau kinase. All told, the data suggest that by triggering IL-17 production in the gut, high salt triggers loss of endothelial NO, which in turn leads to phosphorylation of tau and cognitive impairment.

Precisely how NO is suppressed remains to be seen. Katusic emphasized that the gas easily diffuses. Since cells in the brain are rarely more than 15 micrometers away from a blood vessel, NO could be an important signaling molecule. Faraco found no gross changes in astrocytes, microglia, or neurons in mice on high salt, as judged by GFAP, Iba1, and NeuN staining, but agreed it would be important to study downstream effects on these cells.

In her SfN talk, Austin reported that NO affected on microglia more profoundly. In cultures of the cells from eNOS knockout mice, she found not only an increase in ADAM17, but also decrease in cell surface TREM2. Mutations in this microglial receptor increase risk for Alzheimers and frontotemporal dementia. The sensor plays a central role in microglial homeostasis (Nov 2012 news; Oct 2012 news; Aug 2019 news). Austin also found that eNOS-/- microglia, either cultured or isolated from brain by cell sorting, make less TNF and IL-10, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, respectively, while at the same time ramping up phospholipase A2, which mobilizes arachidonic acid, a precursor for inflammatory molecules.

We are slowly developing this concept that vascular mechanisms independent of perfusion affect cognitive impairment, said Katusic. Tsai and Blanchard agreed. Further unraveling these mechanisms will undoubtedly be a promising endeavor that will strengthen our understanding of how dietary habits influence susceptibility to age-related cognitive decline, they wrote.

For his part, Faraco is using RNA-Seq to study what happens in the endothelial cells to reduce NO. It will be interesting to examine interactions with other genetic and dietary risk factors, such as high-fructose or high-fat diets, he said. He thinks it will be important to identify the tau species responsible for the effects on cognition. We need to go much more deeply into the mechanism of neuronal dysfunction.Tom Fagan

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Not Just Blood PressureDietary Salt Linked to Tau Phosphorylation - Alzforum

Researchers Discover First Clues on How Gut Health Influences Brain Health – Technology Networks

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New cellular and molecular processes underlying communication between gut microbes and brain cells have been described for the first time by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornells Ithaca campus.

Over the last two decades, scientists have observed a clear link between autoimmune disorders and a variety of psychiatric conditions. For example, people with autoimmune disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), psoriasis and multiple sclerosis may also have depleted gut microbiota and experience anxiety, depression and mood disorders. Genetic risks for autoimmune disorders and psychiatric disorders also appear to be closely related. But precisely how gut health affects brain health has been unknown.

Our study provides new insight into the mechanisms of how the gut and brain communicate at the molecular level, said co-senior author Dr. David Artis, director of the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, director of the Friedman Center for Nutrition and Inflammation and the Michael Kors Professor of Immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine. No one yet has understood how IBD and other chronic gastrointestinal conditions influence behavior and mental health. Our study is the beginning of a new way to understand the whole picture.

For the study, published in Nature, the researchers used mouse models to learn about the changes that occur in brain cells when gut microbiota are depleted. First author Dr. Coco Chu, a postdoctoral associate in the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, led a multidisciplinary team of investigators from several departments across Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornells Ithaca campus, the Boyce Thompson Institute, Broad Institute at MIT and Harvard, and Northwell Health with specialized expertise in behavior, advanced gene sequencing techniques and the analysis of small molecules within cells.

Mice treated with antibiotics to reduce their microbial populations, or that were bred to be germ-free, showed a significantly reduced ability to learn that a threatening danger was no longer present. To understand the molecular basis of this result, the scientists sequenced RNA in immune cells called microglia that reside in the brain and discovered that altered gene expression in these cells plays a role in remodeling how brain cells connect during learning processes. These changes were not found in microglia of healthy mice.

Changes in gene expression in microglia could disrupt the pruning of synapses, the connections between brain cells, interfering with the normal formation of new connections that should occur through learning, said co-principal investigator Dr. Conor Liston, an associate professor of neuroscience in the Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute and an associate professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine.

The team also looked into chemical changes in the brains of germ-free mice and found that concentrations of several metabolites associated with human neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism were changed. Brain chemistry essentially determines how we feel and respond to our environment, and evidence is building that chemicals derived from gut microbes play a major role, said Dr. Frank Schroeder, a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Cornell and at the Boyce Thompson Institute.

Next, the researchers tried to reverse the learning problems in the mice by restoring their gut microbiota at various ages from birth. We were surprised that we could rescue learning deficits in germ-free mice, but only if we intervened right after birth, suggesting that gut microbiota signals are required very early in life, said Dr. Liston. This was an interesting finding, given that many psychiatric conditions that are associated with autoimmune disease are associated with problems during early brain development.

The gut-brain axis impacts every single human being, every day of their lives, said Dr. Artis. We are beginning to understand more about how the gut influences diseases as diverse as autism, Parkinsons disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Our study provides a new piece of understanding of how the mechanisms operate.

We dont know yet, but down the road, there is a potential for identifying promising targets that might be used as treatments for humans in the future, Dr. Liston said. Thats something we will need to test going forward.

This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source.

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Foreign aid leader’s visit focuses on UW partnership opportunities – University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Im a Badger, says Mark Green (left), walking toward the Stock Pavilion, and when I look at everything this fantastic university is doing, I say, the sky is the limit. Photo by Rodee Schneider

As a Wisconsin native and UW alumnus, USAID Administrator Mark Green understands better than most the breadth of expertise that exists on the University of WisconsinMadison campus. He saw it as a law student, as a state representative and later as a member of congress representing Wisconsins 8th district.

Green visits the lab of Tony Goldberg, an epidemiology professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine whose research focuses on global health and infectious disease. Photo by Rodee Schneider

On Oct. 18, Greens knowledge of UWMadisons academic range brought him to campus for a discussion about potential partnership opportunities between USAID and the university. Green has held the top post at USAID the United States foreign aid and development since 2017.

I cant think of any USAID interests where UW doesnt have a subject matter expert, said Green. The issues where we have questions, you have answers.

The agency frequently works with top U.S. universities on issues related to hunger and agriculture, economic development, education, global health and more.

Green, who also served as the U.S. ambassador to Tanzania from 2007 to 2009, spent the day on campus meeting with faculty, university administrators and researchers. His morning included a discussion with a group of campus leaders working on international issues, a visit with Chancellor Rebecca Blank, and a trip to the laboratory of TonyGoldbergin the School ofVeterinary Medicine to learn about global health and international studies in infectious disease.

PhD student Leah Owens, who is doing research in Goldbergs lab on molecular diagnostics of wildlife disease, shows Green components of their lab in a box, which is designed as a mobile field lab. Photo by Rodee Schneider

For USAID, the visit represents a broader effort to expand its partner base and tap into universities regional and technical knowledge and research expertise.

For UWMadison, the meeting offered a chance to explore new opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations with USAID, potentially extending the reach and impact of work already occurring on campus.

We have a long history of research related to USAID interests, said Nancy Kendall, an associate professor of educational policy studies, who was part of a committee exploring opportunities for partnership with USAID. We want to see the Wisconsin Idea shared with the world.

Greens visit included a discussion with a group of campus leaders working on international issues. Photo by Rodee Schneider

While Greens global work exposes him to some of the planets biggest challenges, including hunger, natural disaster and political turmoil, given what hes seen from university partners, hes hopeful for the future.

One of the reasons Im really optimistic is your students. Theyre coming up with designs and innovation we never considered, said Green.

Im a Badger, and when I look at everything this fantastic university is doing, I say, the sky is the limit.

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Genome sequencing data to help in predictive and preventive medicine – Down To Earth Magazine

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Minister Harsh Vardhan claims project will help in cost-effective, precision medicine

Research laboratories working under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Friday announced completion of whole genome sequencing of 1008 Indian individuals representing diverse ethnic groups in the country. The data will act as baseline information for developing various applications in predictive and preventive medicine.

The genomic data will help scientists understand genetic diversity of the Indian population and make available genetic variant frequencies for clinical applications. The data and knowhow are expected to produce evidence and help in development of technologies for clinical and biomedical applications, scientists explained.

The project called IndiGen was implemented by Delhi-based Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB). The whole genome sequencing of individuals drawn from across the country has been completed, enabling benchmarking the scalability of genome sequencing and computational analysis at population scale, Union Minster for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan said.

The genome data will be important for building the knowhow, baseline data and indigenous capacity in the emerging area of precision medicine, he said. The outcomes of the IndiGen will find applications in a number of areas, including faster and efficient diagnosis of rare genetic diseases, he added.

It will further lead to cost-effective genetic tests, carrier screening applications for expectant couples, enabling efficient diagnosis of heritable cancers and pharmacogenetic tests to prevent adverse drug reactions are some of the other benefits of this initiative.

Scientists have also developed IndiGenome card and mobile application for researchers and clinicians to access clinically actionable information. The minister said it would ensure privacy and data security, which is vital for personal genomics to be implemented at large scale.

CSIR has been engaged in genomic studies in India and its Indian Genome Variation has made major contributions in understanding genetic makeup of Indian population. It has also pioneered the application of genomics in clinical settings in the area of rare genetic diseases by means of DNA and genome based diagnostics and interaction with large number of clinical collaborators. (India Science Wire)

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Genome sequencing data to help in predictive and preventive medicine - Down To Earth Magazine

Bulls-Eye: Imaging Technology Could Confirm When a Drug Is Going to the Right Place – On Cancer – Memorial Sloan Kettering

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Summary

Doctors and scientists from Memorial Sloan Kettering report on an innovative technique for noninvasively watching where a targeted therapy is going in the body. It also allows them to see how much of the drugreaches the tumor.

Targeted therapy has become an important player in the collection of treatments for cancer. But sometimes its difficult for doctors to determine whether a persons tumor has the right target or how much of a drug is actually reaching it.

A multidisciplinary team of doctors and scientists from Memorial Sloan Kettering has discovered an innovative technique for noninvasively visualizing where a targeted therapy is going in the body. This method can also measure how much of it reaches the tumor. What makes this development even more exciting is that the drug they are studying employs an entirely new approach for stopping cancer growth. The work was published on October 24 in Cancer Cell.

This paper reports on the culmination of almost 15 years of research, says first author Naga Vara Kishore Pillarsetty, a radiochemist in the Department of Radiology. Everything about this drug from the concept to the clinical trials was developed completely in-house at MSK.

Our research represents a new role for the field of radiology in drug development, adds senior author Mark Dunphy, a nuclear medicine doctor. Its also a new way to provide precision oncology.

Our research represents a new role for the field of radiology in drug development.

The drug being studied, called PU-H71, was developed by the studys co-senior author Gabriela Chiosis. Dr. Chiosis is a member of the Chemical Biology Program in the Sloan Kettering Institute. PU-H71 is being evaluated in clinical trials for breast cancer and lymphoma, and the early results are promising.

We always hear about how DNA and RNA control a cells fate, Dr. Pillarsetty says. But ultimately it is proteins that carry out the functions that lead to cancer. Our drug is targeting a unique network of proteins that allow cancer cells to thrive.

Most targeted therapies affect individual proteins. In contrast, PU-H71 targets something called the epichaperome. Discovered and named by Dr. Chiosis, the epichaperome is a communal network of proteins called chaperones.

Chaperone proteins help direct and coordinate activities in cells that are crucial to life, such as protein folding and assembly. The epichaperome, on the other hand, does not fold. It reorganizes the function of protein networks in cancer, which enables cancer cells to survive under stress.

Previous research from Dr. Chiosis and Monica Guzman of Weill Cornell Medicine provided details on how PU-H71 works. The drug targets a protein called the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). When PU-H71 binds to HSP90 in normal cells, it rapidly exits. But when HSP90 is incorporated into the epichaperome, the PU-H71 molecule becomes lodged and exits more slowly. This phenomenon is called kinetic selectivity. It helps explain why the drug affects the epichaperome. It also explains why PU-H71 appears to have fewer side effects than other drugs aimed at HSP90.

At the same time, this means that PU-H71 works only in tumors where an epichaperome has formed. This circumstanceled to the need for a diagnostic method to determine which tumors carry the epichaperome and, ultimately, who might benefit from PU-H71.

Communal Behavior within Cells Makes Cancers Easier to Target

Findings about proteins called molecular chaperones are shedding new light on possible approaches to cancer treatment.

In the Cancer Cell paper, the investigators report the development of a precision medicine tactic that uses a PET tracer with radioactive iodine. It is called [124I]-PU-H71 or PU-PET. PU-PET is the same molecule as PU-H71 except that it carries radioactive iodine instead of nonradioactive iodine. The radioactive version binds selectively to HSP90 within the epichaperome in the same way that the regular drug does. Ona PET scan, PU-PET displays the location of the tumor or tumors that carry the epichaperome and therefore are likely to respond to the drug. Additionally, when its given along with PU-H71, PU-PET can confirm that the drug is reaching the tumor.

This research fits into an area that is sometimes called theranostics or pharmacometrics, Dr. Dunphy says. We have found a very different way of selecting patients for targeted therapy.

He explains that with traditional targeted therapies, a portion of a tumor is removed with a biopsy and then analyzed. Biopsies can be difficult to perform if the tumor is located deep in the body. Additionally, people with advanced disease that has spread to other parts of the body may have many tumors, and not all of them may be driven by the same proteins. By using this imaging tool, we can noninvasively identify all the tumors that are likely to respond to the drug, and we can do it in a way that is much easier for patients, Dr. Dunphy says.

The researchers explain that this type of imaging also allows them to determine the best dose for each person. For other targeted therapies, doctors look at how long a drug stays in the blood. But that doesnt tell you how much is getting to the tumor, Dr. Pillarsetty says. By using this imaging agent, we can actually quantify how much of the drug will reach the tumor and how long it will stay there.

Plans for further clinical trials of PU-H71 are in the works. In addition, the technology reported in this paper may be applicable for similar drugs that also target the epichaperome.

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Repairing the brain through stem cell therapy – Monash Lens

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Theres a new frontier in medicine that seeks to cure not just treat symptoms by regenerating healthy tissue destroyed by disease.

In the firing line are currently incurable diseases that impose enormous suffering, debilitation and costs. This includes the muscle wasting inflicted by muscular dystrophy, for example, or the loss of brain neural cells in the case of Parkinsons disease.

Its the latter that the startup Convalesce Inc is primarily targeting, based on the development of a self-assembling and self-repairing material called AmGel. It contains nanofibres capable of nurturing stem cells to replace damaged nerves a function that can make or break the use of stem cells therapeutically.

To get all the interacting factors right meant drawing on nanotechnology, bioengineering, cell biology, developmental biology and material science super-advanced stuff.

AmGels development and commercialisation, however, owes a great deal to a new model for producing the next generation of innovators in this case, Convalesces co-founder, Dr Subhadeep Das.

He graduated with a PhD in 2017 from an academy specifically established to use advanced multidisciplinary research techniques to address critical global challenges, including in energy, infrastructure and manufacturing. Called the IITB-Monash Research Academy, its a joint venture between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) and Monash University.

Speaking from the prestigious IndieBio accelerator program in San Francisco, Das explains that stem cell technology perfectly fits the academys mission. These are cells that are potentially game-changing for medicine, yet their use is held back by the cells complex relationship to its molecular, cellular and extra-cellular environment.

You cant just inject stem cells into inflamed and damaged tissue. They dont survive in that micro environment, Das says. The solution requires drawing on multiple disciplines like having smaller pieces for a jigsaw puzzle.

For Parkinsons disease, that involves understanding the biophysicality of the brain and the dimensions and topography of its subcellular structures. This has led to the designing of nanofibres that form a scaffold for stem cells to attach and grow into. This matrix also cues stem cell growth and development into functioning nerve cells.

To get all the interacting factors right meant drawing on nanotechnology, bioengineering, cell biology, developmental biology and material science super-advanced stuff, Das says.

The science, however, is just the first step towards a cure. Convalesce constitutes the second phase meeting the testing, regulatory and commercialisation hurdles needed to get a viable therapy to patients.

Das admits the learning curve has been steep in the segue from research to commercialisation. Working alone, he might not have succeeded.

Instead, he took advantage of ongoing support provided by the IITB-Monash Research Academy, including the provision of exclusive rights to the intellectual property for AmGel, and mentoring from across both universities, especially from the academys CEO, Professor Murali Sastry.

He discovered that while starting a company is tough, there are people who are willing to help if you reach out. Its making the connections in the first place that matters.

On that score, the Monash alumni office do a great job. They provided us with introductions to alumni that included highly successful entrepreneurs and heads of venture firms. These are people who are willing to help because of the connection with Monash University.

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2nd Annual Survey of Registered Dietitian Reveals Two-Thirds of Dietitians Recommend Food and Supplements to their Clients and the Majority Take…

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SPRING, Texas, Oct. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --For the majority of health care professionals, food will always come first, but supplements do still have a place. In Trust Transparency Center's 2019 Registered Dietitian Insights Survey of 200 US-based registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) released today, 66% of RDNs stated they recommend both food and supplements to their clients and 70% personally take supplements four times or more per week.

Dietitian personal supplement usageThe top 10 supplements dietitians reported they personally used were:

1. Multivitamins/multivitamin injections (50%)2. Vitamin D (43%)3. Fish Oil/Omega/Krill (26%)4. Calcium (25%)5. Probiotics (17%)6. Vitamin C (10%)7. Protein (8%)8. Biotin (8%)9. Minerals (7%)10.B Complex (6%)

These dietitians primarily rely on their own research when deciding to take supplements, with dietary deficiencies being the biggest concern (52%), followed by personal research (49%) and personal physician recommendation (31%). Other reasons for taking supplements include condition specific concerns such as inflammation, energy, GI issues, etc.

Dietitian Education and Knowledge of Supplements Most dietitians surveyed were formally educated on the use of supplements, generally while obtaining their nutrition degree (73%) followed through by continuing education (60%). They stay informed regarding supplements via continuing education, medical journals, and colleagues.

Regarding nutritional ingredients, the supplementation conversation may need to extend to functional foods in order to appeal to dietitians that prefer food solutions.

Supplement Recommendations to Patients and ClientsOver three quarters of dietitians recommend supplements to 25% or more of their clients, and dietitians who use more supplements themselves are more likely to recommend them to their patients. The most popular reasons for making recommendations include dietary deficiencies, poor nutrition, caloric needs, wound care, GI or renal problems, and old age. The top five supplements they recommend are:

Dietitians are also increasing their recommendations for specialty supplements such as prebiotics, CoQ10, curcumin/turmeric and collagen. These recommendations are being driven by an increase in research in these categories and dietitians being better informed.

"Americans are generally failing with their diets and physicians have self-reported they're not equipped to address dietary concerns. Dietitians are the optimal conduit to educating people on nutritional needs and supplements have a clear place as part of other healthy lifestyle changes," said Traci Kantowski, Certified Health Coach and Trust Transparency Center's Communications Director. "This research shows that dietitians are taking supplements themselves and recommending them, but will benefit from more education."

TTC conducts this dietitian survey and other insight research on an annual basis. TTC will be sharing these insights and other information on behalf of the Global Prebiotic Association, Global Curcumin Association and the Coconut Coalition of the Americas at Booth #964 at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in Philadelphia October 27 to 29, 2019. Learn more at TrustTransparency.com.

Media Contact:Traci Kantowski, 630-923-0211, 227950@email4pr.com

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2nd Annual Survey of Registered Dietitian Reveals Two-Thirds of Dietitians Recommend Food and Supplements to their Clients and the Majority Take...

Nate Diaz Cleared of Possible Doping Violation, Will Fight in UFC 244 Main Event – Bleacher Report

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The UFC 244 main event between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will go on as scheduled after the promotion cleared Diaz of any wrongdoing following a drug test result, per President Dana White:

The UFC released a statement clearing Diaz, and it said the following in part:

"On October 24, 2019, Nate Diaz released a public statement regarding a recent out-of-competition test conducted by USADA. UFC has been notified by USADA that the out-of-competition test concluded that LGD-4033 was present in Mr. Diaz's sample at an amount below the decision concentration level for this substance.

"USADA is reviewing the out-of-competition test as an atypical finding. Further laboratory testing conducted by the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), a WADA-accredited lab in Salt Lake City, Utah, has confirmed that two bottles of the same organic, vegan, plant-based daily multivitamin that Mr. Diaz was using were each contaminated with LGD-4033, which the evidence supports resulted in Mr. Diaz's positive sample.

"Mr. Diaz has not committed an anti-doping policy violation, has not been provisionally suspended and is not subject to any sanctions. Additionally, UFC has been informed by independent experts who have determined that there is unequivocally no appreciable performance enhancing or therapeutic benefit from the significantly limited amount of LGD-4033 that may be present in his system, which is roughly 10,000 times lower than one LGD-4033 therapeutic dose."

On Thursday, Diaz tweeted that he wasn't fighting after he "tested with elevated levels that they say might be from some tainted supplements," per MMA Weekly(via Yahoo):

"I'm not gonna make it out to NYC for fight week next week because they say I tested with elevated levels that they say might be from some tainted supplements," Diaz wrote.

"I call false on that cause I only take Whole Food or natural food supplements. I dont even eat meat.

"So until UFC, USADA or whoever is f--king with me fixes it, I won't be competing.

"I'm not gonna play their game and try and hide it or keep quiet, as they suggested. I'm not gonna have my name tainted as a cheater like these other motherf--kers who keep quiet until after the fight just so that they can get paid."

In August, Diaz returned to the UFC after a three-year hiatus and defeated Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision. The 34-year-old owns a 20-11 professional MMA record and is ranked as theUFC's No. 6 welterweight.

Diaz is facing a strong competitor in Masvidal, who recorded a UFC-record five-second knockout over Ben Askren in his last fight at UFC 239 in July. The 34-year-old sports a 34-13 professional mark.

Masvidal is the early favorite at the sportsbooks, perOddschecker. He's listed anywhere from -160 to -166, meaning bets of $160 or $166 would win $100 for those odds.

UFC 244, which will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, will be Nov. 2. The five-fight main card also includes a middleweight bout between Kelvin Gastelum and Darren Till and a heavyweight bout featuring Derrick Lewis and Blagoy Ivanov.

The night will mark the UFC's 500th live event.

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Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Ankylosing Spondylitis? – Everyday Health

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As is often the case with chronic health conditions, a large number of people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) express interest in natural or alternative remedies that might help their condition. This is especially true when it comes to foods and dietary supplements, two areas that can have an impact on general health and inflammation throughout your body.

In many cases, there are valid scientific reasons to believe that certain foods or supplements could reduce the burden of your AS either by reducing inflammation that could affect the disease process, or by improving your general health in a way that makes your AS feel less stressful or fatiguing. Sometimes there are even studies of people with AS or other forms of inflammatory arthritis to support these potential benefits, while in other cases the evidence on a food or supplement is limited to effects seen in the general population.

And then there are claims that have little to no basis in science that still provoke widespread interest. The idea that apple cider vinegar can help treat or manage AS falls into this category.

But having no basis in science doesnt mean that a claim is necessarily completely without merit it just means that it hasnt been studied or provenyet. And while there are reasons to doubt that taking any type of vinegar would be helpful for AS, that doesnt mean certain people wont feel better if they do.

Heres where the evidence stands on apple cider vinegar and AS and some other dietary measures that may be more effective at lowering inflammation.

RELATED: 8 Touted Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (and What the Research Says)

Lets start with the most important point: There really arent any reliable studies looking at the benefit of apple cider vinegar in joint disease, says Sheryl Mascarenhas, MD, a rheumatologist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

Whats more, she says, there isnt even much of a theoretical reason to believe that taking apple cider vinegar would help AS or any type of inflammatory arthritis.

We know that when you have an inflamed joint, its a very acidic environment, she says. I think there was some thought years ago that [apple cider vinegar] has some ingredients that can alkalinize the joint, but this idea hasnt been supported by any published studies.

Still, Dr. Mascarenhas leaves open the possibility that apple cider vinegar could be beneficial to at least some people with inflammatory conditions. Thats because theres a lot we dont know about the role our gut bacteria plays in inflammation.

Theres a lot of growing evidence that our gut microbiome the bacteria thats naturally harbored in our intestines probably does play a role in our bodys inflammation, and may have a role in ankylosing spondylitis, says Mascarenhas.

But, she notes, I dont know what effect vinegar would have on that. There are probably more questions than answers.

Mascarenhas says that there are ongoing studies on the role of gut bacteria in ankylosing spondylitis, but these are still in fairly early stages, and it may be a while before we can draw any firm conclusions about how this factor affects the AS disease process or symptoms.

There is a tiny shred of evidence that vinegar could have anti-inflammatory effects in some animal models. For example, a study published in July 2017 in the journal Scientific Reports found that in obese mice that were fed a high-fat diet, consuming two different types of vinegar reduced storage of body fat and lowered certain measures of inflammation.

Of course, its beyond a stretch to suggest that a study of obese mice has any particular relevance to AS or joint disease more generally.

The good news is that while there isnt much evidence to support taking apple cider vinegar, several other dietary strategies are widely believed to help reduce inflammation.

One such strategy, says Mascarenhas, is to focus on consuming mostly whole, unprocessed foods.

What I usually tell people is, eating as naturally and as clean as possible is usually a good tip, she notes. Look at the outer edge of the store, and avoid foods that are processed and have a lot of preservatives.

In addition, you may want to focus on including foods in your diet that have known anti-inflammatory effects. These foods include:

If you also want to cook with apple cider vinegar for good measure, theres probably no good reason to avoid it just remember that vinegar can be corrosive.

The biggest side effect Id worry about would be on your dentition, says Mascarenhas. Vinegar really can wear away tooth enamel.

So with these warnings in mind, feel free to include some apple cider vinegar in your diet just dont expect much, if any, effect on your AS.

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Best supplements for cholesterol: The plant-based supplement proven to lower cholesterol – Express

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For a person being diagnosed with high cholesterol, taking medications such as statins or changing ones diet is likely to be the next steps to managing the condition. The liver makes cholesterol. You can also get it from certain foods that contain it but not as much as from foods that contain saturated and trans fats. These types of fat cause the liver to produce extra cholesterol and makes it dangerous to the health. There are foods, and supplements derived from foods, that can help lower a persons cholesterol. What are they?

Psyllium is a type of fibre commonly used as a gentle, bulk-forming laxative Being a soluble fibre, psyllium is able to pass through the digestive system without being completely broken down or absorbed.

Instead, it absorbs water and becomes a vicious compound that benefits constipation, diarrhoea, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and weight loss.

Psyllium is used as a dietary supplement and is usually found in the form of husk, granules, capsules or powder.

It can also be obtained through fortified breakfast cereals and baked goods.

Due to psylliums resistance to digestion, the supplement allows proper regulation of high cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar levels.

Psyllium can be found in various forms and has many health benefits.

Psyllium also helps relieve constipation and works by increasing stool size due to its bulk-forming laxative.

Initially, it works by binding to partially digested food thats passing from the stomach into the small intestine.

It then helps with the absorption of water, which increases the size and moisture of stools.

The end product is bigger and more easily passable stools.

This aids in weight loss which in turn helps lower cholesterol.

In one study, 47 healthy participants experienced a 6 percent reduction in LDL 'bad' cholesterol after taking 6g of psyllium each day for six weeks.

For anyone with high cholesterol, taking supplements is highly recommended to help lower levels.

Its also advised to pay attention to the saturated and trans fats on food labels, as well as added sugars.

Its recommended that no more than 10 percent of daily calories should come from either saturated fats or added sugars.

It is also recommended to replace butter with extra virgin olive oil when cooking, to buy lean cuts of meat and to snack on nuts and seeds instead of french fries or processed snack foods.

Speak to your GP and about the best method to help lower cholesterol levels.

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Best supplements for cholesterol: The plant-based supplement proven to lower cholesterol - Express

Analyzing Deandre Ayton’s Suspension and How He Will Fight It – Sports Illustrated

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA on Thursday suspended Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton for 25 games due to the 71" center testing positive for a banned diuretic.

A diuretic, as explained by the Mayo Clinic, is sometimes referred to as a water pill. A diuretic can provide legitimate medical uses. One is to reduce blood pressure by facilitating the release of sodium into urine and increasing the rate of urine. Athletes, however, sometimes use diuretics to conceal cheating. To that end, diuretics have been used as masking agents to obscure the presence of steroids and performance-enhancing drugs (SPEDs) in an athletes urine. They have also been used to effect rapid weight loss. Those types of practices have occurred for decades in competitive sports. The International Olympic Committees World Anti-Doping Agency includes diuretics on its list of banned substances.

The NBA has not revealed which diuretic was detected in Aytons urine. This confidentiality is consistent with the NBA and National Basketball Players Associations collectively bargained drug testing policy. The policy is detailed in Article XXXIII of the CBA. It prohibits 24 named diuretics, as well as nearly 200 SPEDs. Per the policy, the NBA is not allowed to disclose the identity of the diuretic absent agreement by the NBPA or disclosure by the player or an authorized representative (in contrast, if Ayton had tested positive for a SPED, the substance would be publicly named, per the same policy).

The NBAs drug policy also specifies punishments. The first time a player tests positive for a SPED or diuretic he automatically faces a 25-game suspension. This is a substantial punishment: it reflects approximately 31% of the regular season. Here, such a suspension will cost Ayton $2.17 million, not to mention deprive the Suns of their starting center and, after guard Devin Booker, their top player. There are still other consequences for Ayton. His positive test ensures that hes now in the NBAs SPED Program, which will require him to provide various health care materials to the SPED Medical Director and be subject to additional testing. Should Ayton, 21, test positive a second time during his NBA career, he would face an automatic 55-game suspension; a third offense would warrant a two-year ban from the league.

Companies endorsed by Ayton will take notice of the drug result

Its possible that companies with whom Ayton has signed endorsement deals could review their options to suspend or void those deals. Endorsement deals almost always contain morals clauses. These clauses empower endorsed companies to cut ties with a playerand not pay him or herif the player engages in controversial conduct. Under an ordinary morals clause, a positive drug test would authorize (though not compel) the voidance of an endorsement deal.

Last year, Ayton signed a four-year, multimillion-dollar sneaker deal with Puma. Dont expect Puma to renege on its commitment. Ayton is one of the NBAs most promising young players. The former Arizona Wildcats star was the number one overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. He averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds a game during his rookie season. Ayton projects to have a long and successful NBA career. While a drug suspension is a professional setback and a source of some embarrassment, Ayton should be able to overcome it.

To mitigate the reputational fallout, Ayton has already apologized to his family, the Suns, teammates and fans. In a statement, Ayton expresses that he is extremely disappointed to have let his team down.

Puma, meanwhile, is attempting to carve out space in the competitive marketplace of athletic footwear endorsements. The company has signed several young players, including the first two picks from the 2018 NBA Draft (Ayton and Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III). It will surely stand by Ayton, who would be of immediate interest to Pumas rivals should he become available.

Legal strategy for Ayton and the NBPA to appeal the suspension

The NBPA, on Aytons behalf, will challenge the 25-game suspension. Article XXXIII contains a detailed procedure for advancing an appeal. The appeal will be heard by a grievance arbitrator, who is neutral and independent. Under Article XXXIII, a player must prove by a clear and convincing evidence that he bears no significant fault or negligence for the presence of a prohibited diuretic in his system.

Ayton will need evidence that shows not only that he didnt know or suspect he was ingesting a diuretic, but that he could not have reasonably known or suspected. Aytons apology explained his likely strategy. He stresses that this was an unintentional mistake and unfortunately I put something in my body that I was completely unaware of.

To be clear, Ayton will need to show more than a lack of intent to ingest a diuretic or unawareness that he was ingesting one. Proving that he made an innocent mistake will not, by itself, lead to a successful appeal. As mentioned above, Ayton must also prove that he could not have reasonably known or suspected.

Ayton will thus need to detail what he consumed and prove that the food, supplements and drinks he ingested would not have motivated an ordinary NBA player in that situation to check the ingredients before consumption. The more unusual and unsuspcecting the circumstances for Aytons consumption the more compelling legal argument he can raise.

The clear and convincing standard is a high one. In a civil lawsuit, a plaintiff must prove by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning more likely than not or anything more than 50% certainty. Although clear and convincing cant be quantified, it is appreciably higher than preponderance of the evidence. This means Ayton will need to thoroughly convince the arbitrator.

The NBPA will advocate for Ayton not only for his sake but also for the sake of precedent. The union wants to ensure that players who test positive due to an (allegedly) understandable mistake should not suffer the same consequence as players who deliberately or recklessly consume foods and drinks that contain prohibited substances. This goes to the heart of Article XXXIII allowing a player and the NBPA to argue that there was neither significant fault nor negligence by the player.

If the arbitrator rules for Ayton, the arbitrator would either reduce the suspension from 25-games to a smaller number of games or rescind the suspension outright. A reduction would be more likely than a rescindment.

Ayton joins a tiny group of NBA players on an ignominious list

Fewer than one percent of NBA players have tested positive SPEDs or diuretics. In fact, over the last dozen years, only nine players have tested positive for SPEDs. Brooklyn Nets forward Wilson Chandler, who in August was suspended 25 games after testing positive for Ipamorelin, is the most recent. No player had tested positive for diuretics until Ayton.

The scarcity of positive SPED and diuretic test results does not appear to be caused by an infrequency of testing. NBA players can be randomly tested (meaning no advance notice) as many as six times during the year. An independent, third-party testing company determines which players are tested and when, meaning neither the NBA nor the NBPA plays any role. Should there be reasonable suspicion that a player is using a prohibited substance, he can be subjected to additional tests.

There are suspicions that the rarity of NBA players testing positive reflects microdosing. This refers to a player ingesting a small enough amount of a prohibited substance that it leaves the body quickly and thus goes undetected in a urine test. The amount, however, is still large enough to provide some degree of competitive advantage. Those suspicions have not been proven.

Michael McCann is SIs Legal Analyst. He is also an attorney and the Director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law.

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Analyzing Deandre Ayton's Suspension and How He Will Fight It - Sports Illustrated

Best supplements for high blood pressure: Taking this supplement could lower your reading – Express

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High blood pressure affects one in four adults in the UK, but many people dont know they have it. This is because symptoms are rarely noticeable. The best way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your reading regularly checked, either by your GP or local pharmacist or using a blood pressure monitor at home. High blood pressure can often be prevented or reduced by some simple lifestyle changes, such as eating healthily.

The NHS advises: Cut down on the amount of salt in your food and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.

It adds: Salt raises your blood pressure. The more salt you eat, the higher your blood pressure.

Aim to eat less than 6g (0.2oz) of salt a day, which is about a teaspoonful.

Eating a low-fat diet that includes lots of fibre, such as wholegrain rice, bread and pasta, and plenty of fruit and vegetables also helps lower blood pressure.

READ MORE:High blood pressure: Best tea to drink for breakfast to lower your reading

But some experts believe the addition of supplements in a persons diet can also help control blood pressure.

One supplement proven to have a positive impact on blood pressure is garlic extract.

In 2014, Australian scientists found certain nutrients in garlic, particularly a compound called allicin, release chemicals into the bloodstream that help blood vessels relax, reducing blood pressure.

High blood pressure is recorded with two numbers - the systolic and diastolic pressure.

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The systolic pressure, the higher number, is the force at which the heart pumps blood around the body.

The diastolic pressure, the lower number, is the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels.

In a 2012 Cochrane review on the effects of garlic on high blood pressure, researchers concluded (based on two trials in 87 patients with high blood pressure) garlic reduces mean supine systolic and diastolic blood pressure by approximately 10-12mmHg and 6-9mmHg.

While garlic can be eaten in its natural form, its also available as a supplement.

Studies have also demonstrated the positive effect garlic supplements can have on blood pressure.

In one study, 600 to 1,500mg of aged garlic extract was just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure over a 24-week period.

Before taking supplements to lower high blood pressure you should speak with your GP.

Other ways to lower blood pressure

Another way high blood pressure can be reduced or prevented is by regularly exercising.

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Best supplements for high blood pressure: Taking this supplement could lower your reading - Express

FDA, FTC warn company marketing unapproved cannabidiol products with unsubstantiated claims to treat teething and ear pain in infants, autism, ADHD,…

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For Immediate Release: October 22, 2019

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Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission posted a joint warning letter to Rooted Apothecary LLC, of Naples, Florida, for illegally selling unapproved products containing cannabidiol (CBD) online with unsubstantiated claims that the products treat teething pain and ear aches in infants, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease, among other conditions or diseases.

Cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds are subject to the same laws and requirements as FDA-regulated products that contain any other substance. We are working to protect Americans from companies marketing products with unsubstantiated claims that they prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure a number of diseases or conditions. This is especially concerning when companies are peddling unproven CBD products for use in vulnerable populations like infants and children, said Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless, M.D. Weve sent numerous warning letters that focus on matters of significant public health concern to CBD companies, and these actions should send a message to the broader market about complying with FDA requirements. As we examine potential regulatory pathways for the lawful marketing of cannabis products, protecting and promoting public health through sound, science-based decision-making remains our top priority. We appreciate the FTC joining us on these and other actions to protect consumers from fraudulent CBD products.

As described in the warning letter issued to Rooted Apothecary, the company used product webpages, through its online store and social media websites, to make unfounded claims about its CBD products, and some of the products were also unlawfully marketed as dietary supplements. The agency has determined that CBD products cannot be marketed as dietary supplements.

Examples of the unsupported claims made by the company include:

Additionally, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, it is unlawful to advertise that a product can prevent, treat, or cure human disease unless the advertiser possesses competent and reliable scientific evidence, including, when appropriate, well-controlled human clinical studies, substantiating that the claims are true at the time they are made. More generally, to make or exaggerate such claims, whether directly or indirectly, through the use of a product name, website name, metatags, or other means, without rigorous scientific evidence sufficient to substantiate the claims, violates the FTC Act. The FTC is concerned that one or more of the efficacy claims cited may not be substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence. These products are also misbranded under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act, because the products labels and product information fail to include adequate directions for use. Drugs in the United States must contain directions explaining how a consumer can use a drug safely for its intended purpose. Under the law, there is an exemption for this labeling requirement for prescription drugs that have FDA-approved applications in effect. However, none of Rooted Apothecarys products are FDA-approved.

The FDA and FTC have requested responses from Rooted Apothecary within 15 working days stating how the company will correct the violations. Failure to correct the violations promptly may result in legal action, including product seizure and/or injunction. Violations of the FTC Act may result in legal action seeking a Federal District Court injunction or administrative cease and desist order, and an order also may require that a company pay back money to consumers.

The FDA continues to be concerned about the proliferation of products claiming to contain CBD that are marketed for therapeutic or medical uses that have not been approved by the agency. The FDA approval process ensures that drugs on the market are safe and effective for their intended therapeutic uses. CBD is marketed in a variety of product types, such as oil drops, capsules, syrups, teas and topical lotions and creams. The FDA has not approved any CBD products other than one prescription human drug product to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy. There is very limited information for other marketed CBD products, which likely differ in composition from the FDA-approved product and have not been evaluated for potential adverse effects on the body.

The FDA continues to explore potential pathways for various types of CBD products to be lawfully marketed. An important component of this work is obtaining and evaluating information to address outstanding questions related to the safety of CBD products while maintaining the FDAs rigorous public health standards.

The FDA is working quickly to further clarify our regulatory approach for products containing cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds like CBD while using all available resources to monitor the marketplace and protect public health by taking action as needed against companies, said FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Amy Abernethy, M.D., Ph.D. We recognize that there is significant public interest in cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds; however, we must work together to fill in the knowledge gaps about the science, safety and quality of many of these products. We are committed to advancing our regulation of these products through an approach that, in line with our mission, prioritizes public health, fosters innovation and promotes consumer confidence.

Unlike drugs approved by the FDA, the manufacturing process of unapproved CBD products has not been subject to FDA review as part of the drug approval process. Further, there has been no FDA evaluation of whether these products are effective for their intended use, what the proper dosage is, how they could interact with FDA-approved drugs, or whether they have dangerous side effects or other safety concerns. Consumers may put off getting important medical care, such as proper diagnosis, treatment and supportive care due to unsubstantiated claims associated with CBD products. For that reason, its important that consumers talk to a health care professional about the best way to treat diseases or conditions with existing, approved treatment options.

The FDA has previously sent warning letters to other companies illegally selling CBD products that claimed to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure serious diseases, such as cancer. Some of these products were in further violation of the FD&C Act because they were marketed as dietary supplements or because they involved the addition of CBD to food.

The FDA encourages health care professionals and consumers to report adverse reactions associated with these or similar products to the agencys MedWatch program.

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, promotes and protects the public health by, among other things, assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nations food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

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FDA, FTC warn company marketing unapproved cannabidiol products with unsubstantiated claims to treat teething and ear pain in infants, autism, ADHD,...