Daily Archives: May 4, 2017

Labiotech’s first ever ticket giveaway – Win a ticket to WPMC 2017 – Labiotech.eu (blog)

Posted: May 4, 2017 at 2:49 pm

In case you havent heard of this event yet, the World Precision Medicine Congress (WPMC) is an industry gathering in London, bringing together over 600 decision makers, influencers and innovators from across academia, biotech and the pharmaceutical industry.

Whats so special? The awesome team at Terrapinn (the congress organisers) is offering a full pass for free to one lucky Labiotech reader. The pass also includes access to two other joint conferences. More details on that below.

Hear the industry disruptors: Adam Blatt, Global Head of Genomics at AstraZeneca; Susan Solomon, CEO and Co-Founder of the New York Stem Cell Foundation; and more from GSK, Duke University, Human Longevity Project, Novartis and others.

The programme boasts keynote presentations from influential thought leaders in the industry, there are 6 focused tracks to chose from and if that wasnt enough its co-located with the World Advanced Therapies & Regenerative Medicine Congress and World Cord Blood Congress

For more details check out the brochure here!

More on the ticket giveaway:

The World Precision Medicine Congress is partnering with Labiotech to offer a free ticket to attend the conference taking place on 17-19 May in London!

What youll get:

How to take part in the prize draw?

We wish you the best of luck!

P.S. We are planning on teaming up with a few more events, so we can have more giveaways for our awesome readers (thats you!) stay tuned for more! Whats your favourite event, whom should we partner with? Send us a quick email or let us know in the comments.

Image from Corepics VOF /shutterstock.com

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Labiotech's first ever ticket giveaway - Win a ticket to WPMC 2017 - Labiotech.eu (blog)

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Fatty liver: Diagnosis of advanced fibrosis from stool microbes shows promise – Medical News Today

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease affects millions of people in the United States. The condition is often not detected until it is well advanced, and a definitive diagnosis requires an invasive biopsy of the liver. One subtype can lead to severe liver cirrhosis and cancer. Now, promising results from a preliminary study set the stage for a noninvasive test that only requires a stool sample. The test examines the makeup of gut microbes in the stool sample.

The study - by researchers from the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) and colleagues from Human Longevity, Inc. in San Diego and the J. Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla, both in California - is published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition characterized by a buildup of fat in the liver. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, it is "one of the most common causes of liver disease in the U.S."

NAFLD is a different condition to alcoholic liver disease, in which the fat buildup is due to heavy alcohol use.

In the new study - which involved 135 participants and establishes "proof of concept" - the researchers found that the stool-based test was able to predict advanced NAFLD with an accuracy of between 88 and 94 percent.

First author Rohit Loomba, a professor of medicine and director of the NAFLD Research Center at UCSD, says that determining who has or is at risk for NAFLD is a "critical unmet medical need."

Although there are dozens of new drugs in the pipeline, if it were possible to better diagnose the disease, then patients could be better selected for trials and "ultimately [we] will be better equipped to prevent and treat it," Prof. Loomba adds.

There are two forms of NAFLD: simple fatty liver and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Fast facts about NAFLD

Learn more about NAFLD

Simple fatty liver is a form of NAFLD in which there is fat in the liver but without inflammation or cell damage. This form does not usually lead to liver damage or complications.

NASH is type of NAFLD where, in addition to fat buildup, the liver also shows signs of inflammation and liver cell damage.

The inflammation can lead to scarring or fibrosis, and then to more severe cirrhosis, which alters the liver's fundamental biology. NASH can also progress to liver cancer.

Nobody knows exactly what causes NAFLD, or why some of the people affected have simple fatty liver while others have NASH.

Estimates suggest that around 20 percent of people with NAFLD have NASH. In the U.S., between 30 and 40 percent of adults are thought to have NAFLD, and approximately 3 to 12 percent have NASH.

Being obese - and having conditions related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes - raises the risk of developing NAFLD.

Prof. Loomba and colleagues note that NAFLD is thought to affect up to 50 percent of obese people.

In their study report, the researchers note how studies have shown that the makeup of a person's gut microbiome - the trillions of microbes that live in the gut together with their genetic material - may affect their risk for obesity.

This set them wondering if there might also be a link between obesity-related liver disease and the gut microbiome. If this is true, then it may be possible to analyze the makeup of the gut microbiome from a person's stool sample and link that to their NAFLD status.

To test this theory, the team first examined 86 patients with NAFLD diagnosed by biopsy - including 72 with mild or moderate disease and 14 with advanced disease.

They sequenced the genes from the participants' stool samples - analyzing the presence, location, and relative abundance of various microbe species.

This process identified 37 species of bacteria that differentiated advanced NAFLD from the mild or moderate stage with 93.6 percent accuracy.

The researchers then validated the finding in a second group of 16 patients with advanced NAFLD and 33 healthy volunteers who acted as controls.

This time, they found that by testing the relative abundance of nine species of bacteria - seven of which were in the 37 identified previously - they could differentiate the NAFLD patients from the controls with 88 percent accuracy.

"We believe our study sets the stage for a potential stool-based test to detect advanced liver fibrosis based simply on microbial patterns, or at least help us minimize the number of patients who have to undergo liver biopsies."

Senior author Dr. Karen E. Nelson, president of the J. Craig Venter Institute

The researchers are keen to point out that so far, the test has only been trialed on a small number of patients in a highly specialized setting. Even if further studies validate it, a stool sample test for NAFLD is unlikely to be available for clinical use for at least 5 years.

Learn how a protein discovery may offer a new treatment target for NAFLD.

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Atopic Eczema – Patient

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Atopic eczema is an inflammation of the skin, which tends to flare up from time to time. It usually starts in early childhood. The severity can range from mild to severe. There is no cure but treatment can usually control or ease symptoms. Moisturisers (emollients) and steroid creams or ointments are the common treatments. About 2 in 3 children with atopic eczema grow out of it by their mid-teens.

Eczema is sometimes called dermatitis which means inflammation of the skin. There are different types of eczema. The most common type is atopic eczema. In this type of eczema there is a typical pattern of skin inflammation which causes the symptoms.

The word atopic describes people with certain allergic tendencies. However, atopic eczema is not just a simple allergic condition. People with atopic eczema have an increased chance of developing other atopic conditions, such as asthma and hay fever.

Typically, inflamed areas of skin tend to flare up from time to time and then tend to settle down. The severity and duration of flare-ups varies from person to person and from time to time in the same person.

Most cases first develop in children under the age of five years. It is unusual to develop atopic eczema for the first time after the age of 20. At the moment, about 1 in 5 schoolchildren have some degree of atopic eczema. However, statistics show that it is becoming more common year on year. In about 2 in 3 cases, by the mid-teenage years, the flare-ups of eczema have either gone completely, or are much less of a problem. However, there is no way of predicting which children will still be affected as adults.

Between 1-5 in 20 adults have atopic eczema.

The cause is not known. The oily (lipid) barrier of the skin tends to be reduced in people with atopic eczema. This leads to an increase in water loss and a tendency towards dry skin. Also, some cells of the immune system release chemicals under the skin surface, which can cause some inflammation. But it is not known why these things occur. Inherited (genetic) factors play a part. Atopic eczema occurs in about 8 in 10 children where both parents have the condition and in about 6 in 10 children where one parent has the condition. The precise genetic cause is not clear (which genes are responsible, what effects they have on the skin, etc). However, recent research suggests that in some people genetic changes hamper the production of a chemical (filaggrin) involved in the defence barrier of the skin.

As mentioned previously, atopic eczema is becoming more common. There is no proven single cause for this but factors which may play a part include:

There may be a combination of factors in someone who is genetically prone to eczema, which causes the drying effect of the skin and the immune system to react and cause inflammation in the skin.

The usual treatment consists of three parts:

Many people with atopic eczema have flare-ups from time to time for no apparent reason. However, some flare-ups may be caused (triggered) or made worse by irritants to the skin, or by other factors. It is commonly advised to:

House dust mite is a tiny insect that occurs in every home. You cannot see it without a microscope. It mainly lives in bedrooms and mattresses as part of the dust. Many people with atopic eczema are allergic to house dust mite. If you are allergic, you have to greatly reduce the numbers of house dust mite for any chance that symptoms may improve.

However, it is impossible to clear house dust mite completely from a home and it is hard work to reduce their number to a level which may be of benefit. It involves regular cleaning and vacuuming with particular attention to your bedroom, mattress and bedclothes.

Therefore, in general, it is not usually advised to do anything about house dust mite - especially if your eczema is mild-to-moderate and can be managed by the usual treatments of emollients and short courses of topical steroids. However, if you have moderate or severe atopic eczema which is difficult to control with the usual treatments, you may wish to consider reducing the number of house dust mites in your home. See separate leaflet called House Dust Mite and Pet Allergy, which gives more details on how to reduce house dust mites.

About 1 in 2 children with atopic eczema have a food allergy which can make symptoms worse. In general, it is young children with severe eczema who may have a food sensitivity as a trigger factor. The most common foods which trigger symptoms in some people include cow's milk, eggs, soya, wheat, fish and nuts.

If you suspect a food is making your child's symptoms worse then see a doctor. You may be asked to keep a diary over 4-6 weeks. The diary aims to record any symptoms and all foods and drink taken. It may help to identify one or more suspect foods. If food allergy is suspected, it should be confirmed by a specialist. They may recommend a diet without this food if the eczema is severe and difficult to control by other means.

Other possible factors which may trigger symptoms, or make symptoms worse, include:

However, some of these may not be avoidable.

See separate leaflet in this series, called Eczema - Triggers and Irritants, for more details.

People with atopic eczema have a tendency for their skin to become dry. Dry skin tends to flare up and become inflamed into patches of eczema. Emollients are lotions, creams, ointments and bath/shower additives which prevent the skin from becoming dry. They oil the skin, keep it supple and moist and help to protect the skin from irritants. This helps to prevent itch and helps to prevent or to reduce the number of eczema flare-ups.

The regular use of emollients is the most important part of the day-to-day treatment for atopic eczema. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can advise on the various types and brands available and the ones which may suit you best.

You should apply emollients as often as needed. This may be twice a day, or several times a day if your skin becomes very dry. Some points about emollients include:

Many people with atopic eczema use a range of different emollients. For example, a typical routine for a person with moderately severe atopic eczema might be:

Note: emollients used for eczema tend to be bland and non-perfumed. Occasionally, some people become allergic (sensitised) to an ingredient in an emollient. This can make the skin worse rather than better. If you suspect this, see your doctor for advice. There are many different types of emollients with various ingredients. A switch to a different type will usually sort out this uncommon problem.

Warning: bath additive emollients will coat the bath and make it greasy and slippery. It is best to use a mat and/or grab rails to reduce the risk of slipping. Warn anybody else who may use the bath that it will be slippery.

See separate leaflet called Moisturisers (Emollients) for Eczema for more details.

Topical steroids work by reducing inflammation in the skin. (Steroid medicines that reduce inflammation are sometimes called corticosteroids. They are very different to the anabolic steroids which are used by some bodybuilders and athletes.) Topical steroids are grouped into four categories depending on their strength - mild, moderately potent, potent and very potent. There are various brands and types in each category. For example, hydrocortisone cream 1% is a commonly used steroid cream and is classed as a mild topical steroid. The greater the strength (potency), the more effect it has on reducing inflammation but the greater the risk of side-effects with continued use.

Creams are usually best to treat moist or weeping areas of skin. Ointments are usually best to treat areas of skin which are dry or thickened. Lotions may be useful to treat hairy areas such as the scalp.

As a rule, a course of topical steroid is used when one or more patches of eczema flare up. You should use topical steroids until the flare-up has completely gone and then stop them. In many cases, a course of treatment for 7-14 days is enough to clear a flare-up of eczema. In some cases, a longer course is needed. Many people with atopic eczema require a course of topical steroids every now and then to clear a flare-up. The frequency of flare-ups and the number of times a course of topical steroids is needed can vary greatly from person to person.

It is common practice to use the lowest-strength topical steroid which clears the flare-up. If there is no improvement after 3-7 days, a stronger topical steroid is usually then prescribed. For severe flare-ups a stronger topical steroid may be prescribed from the outset. Sometimes two or more preparations of different strengths are used at the same time. For example, a mild steroid for the face and a stronger steroid for patches of eczema on the thicker skin of the arms or legs.

For adults, a short course (usually three days) of a strong topical steroid may be an option to treat a mild-to-moderate flare-up of eczema. A strong topical steroid often works quicker than a mild one. (This is in contrast to the traditional method of using the lowest strength wherever possible. However, studies have shown that using a high strength for a short period can be more convenient and is thought to be safe.)

Some people have frequent flare-ups of eczema. For example, a flare-up may subside well with topical steroid therapy. But then, within a few weeks, a flare-up returns. In this situation, one option that might help is to apply steroid cream on the usual sites of flare-ups for two days every week. This is often called weekend therapy. This aims to prevent a flare-up from occurring. In the long run, it can mean that the total amount of topical steroid used is less than if each flare-up were treated as and when it occurred. You may wish to discuss this option with your doctor.

Topical steroids are usually applied once a day but this may be increased to twice a day if there is no improvement. Rub a small amount thinly and evenly just on to areas of skin which are inflamed. (This is different to moisturisers (emollients) which should be applied liberally all over.)

To work out how much you should use each dose: squeeze out some cream or ointment from the tube on to the end of an adult finger - from the tip of the finger to the first crease. This is called a fingertip unit. One fingertip unit is enough to treat an area of skin twice the size of the flat of an adult's hand with the fingers together. Gently rub the cream or ointment into the skin until it has disappeared. Then wash your hands (unless your hands are the treated area).

Note: don't forget you can use emollients as well when you are using a course of topical steroids.

See separate leaflet called Fingertip Units for Topical Steroids for more details.

Short courses of topical steroids (fewer than four weeks) are usually safe and normally cause no problems. Problems may develop if topical steroids are used for long periods, or if short courses of strong topical steroids are repeated often. The concern is mainly if strong topical steroids are used in the long term. Side-effects from mild topical steroids are uncommon.

For more details about side-effects see separate leaflet called Topical Steroids for Eczema for more details.

Most people with eczema will be prescribed emollients to use every day and a topical steroid to use when flare-ups develop. When using the two treatments, apply the emollient first. Wait 10-15 minutes after applying an emollient before applying a topical steroid. That is, the emollient should be allowed to sink in (be absorbed) before a topical steroid is applied. The skin should be moist or slightly tacky but not slippery, when applying the steroid.

Sometimes, one or more patches of eczema become infected during a flare-up. Characteristics of infected eczema include:

If the infection becomes more severe, you may also develop a high temperature (fever) and generally feel unwell. If infected eczema develops then a course of an antibiotic tablet or liquid medicine will usually clear the infection. This is used in addition to usual eczema topical treatments. Sometimes, a topical antibiotic is used if the infection is confined to a small area.

Once the infection is cleared, it is best to throw away all your usual creams, ointments and lotions and obtain fresh new supplies. This is to reduce the risk of applying creams, etc that may have become contaminated with germs (bacteria). Also, if you seem to have repeated bouts of infected eczema, you may be advised to use a topical antiseptic such as chlorhexidine on a regular basis. This is in addition to your usual treatments. The aim is to keep the number of bacteria on your skin to a minimum.

See your doctor if a flare-up of atopic eczema is getting worse or not clearing despite the usual treatments with moisturisers (emollients) and topical steroids. Things which may be considered include:

You may be referred to a skin specialist if a flare-up does not improve with the usual treatments.

Alternative remedies such as herbal medicines are sometimes tried by some people. However, you should be cautious about using them, especially if their labels are not in English and you are not sure what they contain. Some herbal treatments are mixed with steroids and some (particularly Chinese remedies) have been linked to liver damage.

It may be worth breast-feeding a newborn baby for three months or more if several members of the family suffer from allergies such as eczema, hay fever or asthma. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that the mother should avoid any particular foods during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

Perioral dermatitis - my wedding in 2 months!!

Red Skin Syndrome re: worsening atopic dermatitis

Clobetasol Propionate Ointment 0.5%

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Atopic Eczema - Patient

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Topical Steroid Use in Psoriasis Patient Leads to Severe Adrenal Insufficiency – Monthly Prescribing Reference (registration)

Posted: at 2:48 pm

May 04, 2017

For 18 years, the patient applied Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% daily on several areas of his body

This article is written live from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 2017 Annual Meeting in Austin, TX. MPR will be reporting news on the latest findings from leading experts in endocrinology. Check back for more news from AACE 2017.

At the AACE 2017 Annual Meeting, lead study author Kaitlyn Steffensmeier, MS III, of the Dayton Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Dayton, OH, presented a case study describing a patient who developed secondary adrenal insufficiency secondary to long-term topical steroid use and who with decreased topical steroid use recovered.

The patient was a 63-year-old white male with a 23-year history of psoriasis. For 18 years, the patient had been applying Clobetasol Propionate 0.05% topically on several areas of his body every day. Upon presentation to the endocrine clinic for evaluation of his low serum cortisol, the patient complained of a 24-pound weight gain over a 2-year period, feeling fatigued, as well as facial puffiness.

Laboratory analysis found that the patient's random serum cortisol and ACTH levels were low (0.2g/dL and <1.1pg/mL, respectively). According to the study authors, the labs were indicative of secondary adrenal insufficiency. Additionally, a pituitary MRI showed a 2mm hypoenhancing lesion within the midline of the pituitary gland consistent with Rathke's cleft cyst versus pituitary microadenoma.

The patient was initiated on 10mg of hydrocortisone in the morning and 5mg in the evening and was instructed to decrease the use of his topical steroid to one time per month. For the treatment of his psoriasis, the patient was started on apremilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 enzyme (PDE4) inhibitor, and phototherapy.

After 2.5 years, the patient had a subnormal response to the cosyntropin stimulation test. However, after 3 years, a normal response with an increase in serum cortisol to 18.7g/dL at 60 minutes was obtained; the patient was then discontinued on hydrocortisone. Additionally, a stable pituitary tumor was shown via a repeat pituitary MRI.

The study authors explained that, although secondary adrenal insufficiency is not commonly reported, one study showed 40% of patients with abnormal cortisol response to exogenous ACTH after two weeks of topical glucocorticoids usage. Another meta-analysis of 15 studies (n=320) revealed 4.7% of patients developing adrenal insufficiency after using topical steroids. Because of this, clinicians need to be aware of potential side effects of prolong topical steroid use, added the study authors.

For continuous endocrine news coverage from the AACE 2017 Annual Meeting, check back to MPR's AACE page for the latest updates.

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Cannabinoids May Soothe Eczema, Psoriasis, Other Skin Diseases, Study Finds – Study Finds

Posted: at 2:48 pm

AURORA, Colo. Individuals with skin diseases may be able to find relief with the use of non-psychotropic topical cannabinoids. A new study finds that the cannabis-based creamsmay be helpful in treating a wide range of skin illness, including psoriasis, eczema, atopic and contact dermatitis, inflammatory skin disease, and skin cancer.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reviewed the current literature on treating skin disease with topical cannabinoids and concluded that cannabinoids anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce patients dry skin and itching.

In one of the studies included, eight out of 21 patients using a cannabinoid cream on their skin twice daily for three weeks experienced the complete elimination of pruritus (severe itching).

Perhaps the most promising role for cannabinoids is in the treatment of itch, the studys senior author Dr. Robert Dellavalle, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, says in a press release. These are topical cannabinoid drugs with little or no psychotropic effect that can be used for skin disease.

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The study abstract explains that 28 U.S. states run comprehensive medical cannabis programs and that almost one in 10 adult users have medical reasons for cannabis use. Cannabis is also currently being studied for the treatment of nausea, spasticity, chronic pain, anorexia and other ailments. Dellavalle stated that THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active ingredient in marijuana, has reduced swelling, inflammation and even tumor growth in mice. Large-scale clinical trials have not yet occurred.

These diseases cause a lot of problems for people and have a direct impact on their quality of life, Dellavalle says of treating skin ailments with cannabinoids. The treatments are currently being bought over the internet and we need to educate dermatologists and patients about the potential uses of them.

These findings were published in The role of cannabinoids in dermatology in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

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Cannabinoids May Soothe Eczema, Psoriasis, Other Skin Diseases, Study Finds - Study Finds

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UK GPs lacking in psoriasis training, warns report – PharmaTimes

Posted: at 2:48 pm

A new report by The Patient Association in association with LEO Pharma has highlighted the significant gap between training/support available in primary care and the needs of people living with psoriasis in the UK and Ireland.

Nearly two million people are currently living with psoriasis - a common, serious, lifelong, incurable autoimmune disease - in Great Britain and Ireland. Around 80 percent of patients have chronic plaque psoriasis, which is characterised by thickened, scaly plaques on the surface of the skin causing scaling, itching, stinging, burning and bleeding.

According to the PSO What? report, psoriasis costs the UK economy over 1.07 billion in lost productivity alone, and also represents a significant drag on health services, accounting for 5 percent of GP dermatology consultations in England and Wales. And yet this workload is not balanced by adequate dermatology education for GPs and there is a chronic shortage of dermatologists, the report notes. GPs have little dermatology training and education and there are only 650 consultants to advise them, and provide more specialist care.

Currently there is no compulsory requirement for dermatology training within undergraduate or postgraduate curricula. In some cases, training is less than five days, despite a minimum of two weeks recommended within the 2006 dermatology curricula, distributed to all medical schools.

It is a serious concern that there appears to be an inverse training law in operation in dermatology, whereby in the area which is most routinely seen by GPs, the amount of training is the least, says the The British Association of Dermatologists.

It is important that medical professionals who are treating psoriasis are adequately trained and offer a full service (including the exploration of how each patients condition is affecting both their mental and physical health, and the regular review of the effectiveness of treatments) if they are to contribute towards their patients successful management of their conditions.

A survey conducted as part of the PSO What? initiative also reveals that GPs admit to lacking in knowledge and understanding regarding the effective management of the condition which, it warns, is particularly concerning given people with psoriasis are also at risk of developing other serious associated conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, complications with vision and some cancers.

This new report shines a light on the shortcomings of dermatological training and staffing, which inevitably give rise to sub-optimal psoriasis care. It is essential these issues are addressed if we are to improve patient outcomes, and reduce the burden of the associated comorbidities currently weighing on individuals, health services, the economy, and society as a whole, said Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association.

Dr Anthony Bewley, consultant dermatologist at Whipps Cross and St Barts NHS Trust, said it is essential that the current lack of training and formal assessment of practical dermatology skills is addressed.

Beyond that, we, as healthcare professionals, need to move away from the misconception that psoriasis is just a skin condition, and look for the best possible whole-person care for each individual. The unfortunate truth is that past failings have seen some patients simply slip through the net. The PSO What? report signals a sea-change, encouraging patients to demand more from their doctors, and to make sure that medical professionals do not undermine their experience of living with psoriasis.

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The Patients Association: New Report Highlights True Personal and Public Cost of Psoriasis, and Spotlights Variation … – Markets Insider

Posted: at 2:48 pm

HARROW, England, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"Research shows that far from being just a skin disease, psoriasis ruins lives- and has the potential to shorten them too."Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association

Today, Wednesday 3 May 2017, the Patients Association, in partnership with LEO Pharma, released a new report highlighting the debilitating effect psoriasis can have on up to two million people battling the condition in the UK[8] and Ireland[9]. Despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognising psoriasis as an area of focus,[10] and recent advancement in treatments, the PSO What? Report underscores the need for improvement in the health and experiences of people living with psoriasis.

(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/507020/Katherine_Murphy_The_Patients_Association.jpg )

The PSO What? report, led by the Patients Association in collaboration with the expert PSO What? Taskforce, which brought together patients, healthcare professionals and charities, reinforces that far from being 'just a skin condition', psoriasis is a serious, sometimes lifelong condition impacting emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as physical health[10]. "This new report highlights the need to take action now to address the significant burden psoriasis places on individuals with psoriasis, and inspire those who may have previously given up to take control of their condition, as well as raise the priority of psoriasis care in the health service", said Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of the Patients Association. "Weare therefore asking people to pledge their personal and practical support to drive real change by visitinghttp://www.PSO-What.com."

She added: "A third of people with psoriasis we surveyed do not regularly visit their GP each yearand contrasting healthcare guidelines mean that doctors have no clear direction for when exactly to ask their psoriasis patients back into the consulting room.We are therefore using this report to ask that every individual with psoriasis has the opportunity to discuss their carewithahealthcare practitioner,andundergo screening for associated conditionsatregular reviews, at leastonce a year. "

Alongside the personal toll of psoriasis, figures show the disease places a heavy burden on the health service - with nearly a quarter of the population having sought a GP consultation on skin matters in England and Wales; up to 5% on psoriasis alone.[5],[6] Despite this, some GPs in the UK have only received five days of undergraduate dermatological training.[7] Inevitably, there is a risk that these practitioners may not be afforded the depth of knowledge required to treat psoriasis specifically. The problem is exacerbated due to the lack of consultants to support GPs, with only 650 dermatologists to provide more specialist care.[6] This is particularly concerning given that people with psoriasis are at risk of developing other serious associated conditions,[10] including psoriatic arthritis,[10] cardiovascular disease,[4],[11],[12],[13] inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)[10], liver disease[10], complications with vision[14] and some cancers.[3],[15]

The survey conducted as part of the PSO What? initiative also reveals that the condition negatively affects the quality of life of 93% of the people surveyed and that less than half (45%) feel well supported by their doctor.[1]Jacqueline McCallum from Hertfordshire was diagnosed with psoriasis over 30 years ago: "Psoriasis is a horrible disease to live with on a daily basis. In the past it has made me depressed and affected my self-esteem, which has limited my personal and professional life. However, I've regularly struggled to even get a GP appointment to discuss my psoriasis because the receptionists do not think it is a serious enough condition, and do not understand the significant impact it has on my wider health and wellbeing. They see my psoriasis plaques, but not me."

Dr Angelika Razzaque, GPwSI Dermatology and Vice Chair of the Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS), comments: "The onus is onthe GP community to continually review how we're treating the psoriasis itself, and to look beyond the skin to screen for associated complications such as depression, cardiovascular disease anddiabetes. Regularreviews, at least annually,can safeguard against further psoriasis complications.Psoriasis affects everyone differently, but people can live full and happy lives providing theyregularlysee their doctor, and medical professionals are adequately trained to offeran effective and personalised approach to treatment. My advice to patients is not to give up, there is always a way to get help."

Dr Anthony Bewley, Consultant Dermatologist at Whipps Cross and St Bart's NHS Trust comments, "We, as healthcare professionals need to move far away from the misconception that psoriasis is'just a skincondition'.ThePSO What?Taskforceinvites patients to demand more from their health care professionals, to be more empowered, and to make sure that healthcare professionals do not undermine the experience of living with psoriasis. There needs to be a true dialogue between a patient and their doctor in order to achieve the best outcomes for them individually; each person has different needs, experiences and expectations of what they want in order to live well.'

The cost of psoriasis to the UK economy is substantial, coming in at over 1.07 billion in lost productivity alone, while figures show that just a 10% reduction in sickness absence due to psoriasis, would deliver a 50 million boost.[16] Dr Angelika Razzaque continues: "By'treating to prevent', we're reducing the risk of life-limiting complications for the patient, helping to tackle sickness absence in the workplace, and reducing the potential burden on the health system later down the line."

PSO What? will you do differently? To find out more visit the PSO What? website (http://www.PSO-What.com) and pledge to do one thing differently to help make a difference for the nearly 2 million people living with psoriasis in the UK[8] and Ireland.[9]

Notes totheeditor

About the PSO What? Initiative

The PSO What? initiative is a partnership programme led by The Patients Association and LEO Pharma, in collaboration with the expert PSO What? Taskforce. LEO Pharma has provided core funding, editorial input and undertaken survey-based research to support the development of the PSO What? Report.

The PSO What? Taskforce is a multidisciplinary group representing people living with psoriasis, psoriasis advocacy and professional groups, and healthcare professionals. A full list of Taskforce members can be found in the report.

The Taskforce met in 2016 to discuss the challenges currently facing people living with psoriasis as well as those who care and commission services for them, including key themes and issues around which change could be effected for the benefit of people living with the condition. The pledge of each member of the Taskforce is to continue to have a voice and drive positive change for psoriasis and develop resources and programmes to facilitate this.

As part of the PSO What? initiative a survey was conducted amongst psoriasis sufferers and healthcare professionals in the UK and Ireland. The survey results and further desk research helped inform some of the key findings of the PSO What? Report. These include:

Psychological impact of psoriasis

Standards of care

Impact on employment

To read the full Report visit the PSO What? website: http://www.PSO-What.com

References

1. Data on file. LEO Pharma. DERM-004 MAR 2017

2. NHS Choices. Psoriatic Arthritis Overview. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/Pages/Introduction.aspx.Last accessed April 2017

3. Pouplard C, Brenaut E, Horreau C, et al. Risk of cancer in psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. JEADV. 2013;27(Suppl 3):36-46.

4. Gelfand JM, Niemann AL, Shin DB, et al. Risk of myocardial infarction in patients with psoriasis. JAMA. 2016;296:1735-41

5. King's Fund. How can dermatology services meet current and future patient needs while ensuring that quality of care is not compromised and that access is equitable across the UK? Source report, 7 March 2014.

6. Schofield JK, Grindlay D, Williams HC. Skin conditions in the UK: a health needs assessment. 2009. Centre for Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham.

7. Primary Care Commissioning. Quality standards for dermatology. Providing the right care for people with skin conditions. July 2011. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?itemtype=document&id=795

8. Mental Health Foundation, Psoriasis Association. See psoriasis: look deeper. Recognising the life impact of psoriasis. 2012.

9. Irish Skin Foundation. Securing the future for people with skin disease. Submission to Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare (Dil ireann). August 2016.

10. World Health Organization. Global report on psoriasis. 2016. World Health Organization. Available at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204417/1/9789241565189_eng.pdf. Last accessed January 2017.

11. Ahlehoff O, Gislason GH, Jorgensen CH, et al. Psoriasis and risk of atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke: a Danish nationwide cohort study. Eur Heart J. 2012;33:2054-64.

12. Lowes MA, Suarez-Farinas M, Kreuger JG. Immunology of psoriasis. Ann Rev Immunol. 2014;32:227-35.

13. Langan SM, Seminara NM, Shin DB, et al. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a population-based study in the United Kingdom. J Invest Dermatol.

14. Fraga NA, Oliveira MF, Follador I, et al. Psoriasis and uveitis: a literature review. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:877-83.

15. Lebwohl M. Psoriasis. Lancet. 2003;361:1197-204.

16. Bajorek Z, Hind A, Bevan S. The impact of long term conditions on employment and the wider UK economy. 2016.

17. Kurd SK, TROXE B, Crits-Christoph P, Gelfand JM. The risk of depression, anxiety and suicidality in patients with psoriasis: a population-based cohort study. Ann Dermatol. 2019;146:891-5

18. Gupta MA, Schork NJ, Gupta AK. Suicidal ideation in psoriasis. Int J Dermatol. 1993;32:188-90.

19. Changing Faces. Report highlights stigma faced by psoriasis patients. Available at: https://www.changingfaces.org.uk/report-highlights-stigma-faced-psoriasis-patients. Last accessed March 2017

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The Patients Association: New Report Highlights True Personal and Public Cost of Psoriasis, and Spotlights Variation ... - Markets Insider

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Gene Drive Research in Non-Human Organisms …

Posted: at 2:47 pm

Welcome to theNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study that examined a range of questions about gene drive research.The study wasconducted by acommittee of expertsand released June 8, 2016.

Gene drives are systems of biased inheritance that enhance the ability of a genetic element to pass from an organism to its offspring through sexual reproduction. A wide variety of gene drives occur in nature. Researchers have been studying these natural mechanisms throughout the 20th century but, until the advent of CRISPR/Cas9[1] for gene editing, have not been able to develop a gene drive.

Since early 2015, laboratory scientists have published four proofs-of-concept showing that a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene drive could spread a targeted gene through nearly 100% of a population of yeast, fruit flies, or mosquitoes. Biologists have proposed using gene drives to address problems where solutions are limited or entirely lacking, such as the eradication of insect-borne infectious diseases and the conservation of threatened and endangered species. This study provided an independent, objective examination of what has been learned since the development of gene drivesbased on current evidence.

The resulting report, Gene Drives on the Horizon outlines the state of knowledge relative to the science, ethics, public engagement, and risk assessment as they pertain to gene drive research and the governance of the research process. This report offers principles for responsible practices of gene drive research and related applications for use by investigators, their institutions, the research funders, and regulators.

Follow on Twitter:#GeneDriveStudy

Send email to:ksawyer@nas.edu

[1] CRISPR (Clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats) are segments of bacterial DNA that, when paired with a specific guide protein, such as Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9), can be used to make targeted cuts in an organisms genome

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Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy | Medicinska …

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The Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy is located at the Biomedical Center (BMC), Lund University, Sweden. Established as a joint venture between the Medical Faculty at Lund University and the Hematology Clinic at Lund University Hospital, our mission is to translate basic science to clinical applications.

Our research focuses on hematopoiesis, the continuous and dynamic process of blood cell formation. The laboratory consists of eight closely collaborating research groups that all share a common interest in investigating the properties of blood stem cellsto eventually understand and treat hematological disorders.

Five of our researchers belong to the Hemato-LinnExcellence Linnaeus Research Environment funded by The Swedish Research Council and Lund University. Several of the groups are engaged in StemTherapy, a Strategic Research Area for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine that is also supported by The Swedish Research Council.

Please welcome our new colleague MelissaIlsleyto the Flygare lab. Melissa joins our Division from theMater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, where she's studied the transcriptional control of erythropoiesis.During her postdoc project, Melissa will be screening for therapeutic targets of Diamond Blackfan anemia.

Welcome to the Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Melissa.

Congratulations to Shubhranshu Debnath and all co-authors, whose work "Lentiviral vectors with cellular promoters correct the anemia and lethal bone marrow failure in a mouse model for Diamond-Blackfan anemia" has been accepted in Molecular Therapy.

In this study, the authorsdemonstrate the feasibility of lentiviral-based gene therapy in a mouse model of Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), a rare inherited bone marrow failure disorder. Using lentiviral vectors with cellular promoters, Debnath et al. cured DBA in a mouse model of the disease and improved the safety profile following integration as characterised by a lower risk of insertional oncogenesis.These findings support the potential of clinical gene therapy as treatment option for DBA patients in the future.

Congratulations to all authors!

On May 11, Carolina Guibentifwill defend her thesis entitled"Modelling Human Developmental Hematopoiesis".

May 11 at9 am; Segerfalk Lecture Hall, BMC A10

Professor Nancy A. Speck,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA

Associate Professor Niels-Bjarne Woods

Professor Jonas Larsson

Welcome!

Welcome to this months Stem Cell Talk, which will take place onWednesday April 19th, starting at 14:45 with fika atSegerfalkLecture Hall at A10.

Speaker:Kenichi Miharada

Title: Stressresponse and management in hematopoiesis

Welcome!

Please welcome our new colleaguesEmma Smith, Mayur Jain and MitsuyoshiSuzuki, who recently joined the Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy.

Emma Smith will be working in Stefan Karlsson's group as a staff scientist, where she will be involved in a collaborative project that aims to develop gene therapy as treatment option for patients suffering from the rare geneticlysosomal storage disorder Gaucher's disease.

Mayur Jain joined Sofie Singbrant Sderberg's group as a postdoctoral fellow. During his postdoc project, Mayur will be elucidating disease contributing factors in myeloproliferative disease, andinvestigatehow chronic anemia affects the ability of hematopoietic stem cells to provide a balanced blood production.

MitsuyoshiSuzuki joined the Miharada lab from Juntendo University in Tokyo, Japan. During his postdoc project, he will be clarifying therole of bile acid in fetal hematopoiesis and liver development.

Welcome to our Divison!

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Alzheimer’s disease progression predicted by gene mutation … – Medical News Today

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Research, published today in the journal Neurology, describes how mutations in a specific gene that codes for a neural growth factor appear to predict how quickly memory loss will progress in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in older adults. It is a degenerative condition, characterized by a steady loss of memory and a reduced ability to carry out daily activities.

Today, an estimated 5 million people in the United States are living with the disease.

The hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is a buildup of two types of protein: beta-amyloid plaques outside of nerve cells, and tau tangles within neurons.

Although these proteins appear to be involved in the pathology of Alzheimer's, little is known about why the condition begins and how it progresses. Early detection is still difficult, and treatment options are poor.

Because of the aging population in Western societies, the number of people with Alzheimer's is steadily rising. As a result of this, and together with the lack of successful pharmacological interventions, research focused on understanding the condition is vital.

Researchers from University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison recently set out to investigate whether they could identify an early marker for Alzheimer's disease. They focused on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein coded by a gene of the same name.

BDNF is known to support nerve cells, helping them to grow, specialize, and survive. This makes it a good target for Alzheimer's research. Earlier research has not always found solid links between levels of BDNF and Alzheimer's, so this time, the team looked specifically at a gene mutation called the BDNF Val66Met allele, or simply Met allele.

In total, 1,023 participants - aged 55 on average - were included, and all were healthy but at risk of developing Alzheimer's. They were followed for a maximum of 13 years. At the start of the study, blood samples were taken to test for the Met allele mutation, and it was found to be present in 32 percent of the individuals.

All participants carried out cognitive and memory tests at the beginning of the trial and up to five more times throughout the study's duration. Also, 140 of them underwent neuroimaging to look for beta-amyloid plaques.

The data showed that those with the Met allele mutation lost cognitive and memory skills "more rapidly" when compared with those who did not have the mutation. Furthermore, individuals who carried both the mutation and plaques experienced an even quicker decline.

In verbal learning and memory tests, individuals without the gene mutation improved by 0.002 units per year, whereas those with the mutation worsened by 0.021 units each year.

"When there is no mutation, it is possible the BDNF gene, and the protein it produces are better able to be protective, thereby preserving memory and thinking skills. This is especially interesting because previous studies have shown that exercise can increase levels of BDNF.

It is critical for future studies to further investigate the role that the BDNF gene and protein have in beta-amyloid accumulation in the brain."

Study author Ozioma Okonkwo, Ph.D.

Because current treatment is most successful if given earlier in the disease's progression, this could be a vital part of the jigsaw. As Okonkwo says, "Because this gene can be detected before the symptoms of Alzheimer's start, and because this presymptomatic phase is thought to be a critical period for treatments that could delay or prevent the disease, it could be a great target for early treatments."

There are some shortfalls in the research. These include the fact that all participants were white, whereas various ethnicities are affected differently by the disease. For instance, African Americans appear to be more susceptible. Another shortfall of the study is that the beta-amyloid data were limited.

However, the study carries some weight because it involved a large number of participants, and the findings are sure to spark more research.

Learn about the link between Alzheimer's and vascular disease.

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Alzheimer's disease progression predicted by gene mutation ... - Medical News Today

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