Daily Archives: May 20, 2017

DNA tests tell LeMoyne Center youth who they are – LancasterOnline

Posted: May 20, 2017 at 6:24 am

WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) Alexandra Berumen thought she was European and Mexican. Wrong.

Serena Pierce thought she was Italian and German. Wrong.

Deitrick Stogner thought he was African-American. Partly wrong.

They and two other after-school program participants at LeMoyne Community Center - Kaprice Johnson and Daisean Lacks - submitted to DNA testing to determine their true ethnic makeup. They tested through ancestry.com and africanancestry.com in January, and four youngsters were surprised by the DNA results. One remains puzzled.

"No one is one thing. We're all a hodgepodge of many things," Joyce Ellis, executive director of the center, told a group of about 30 youngsters Thursday. They gathered in a room inside the East Washington center to watch a video related to the quintet's quest to find out - as Ellis put it - "Who do you think you are?"

Videographer Allen Bankz posed that question in January, after the five test subjects submitted saliva samples as DNA evidence. One by one, from behind his camera, he asked them what they believed their genealogies to be and recorded their responses. The interesting part would come later, when the results arrived and the kids would read them - for the first time - for a second filming.

The comparison of perception and reality promised to be interesting.

The results, though, came back later than Ellis expected. She was hoping to have them in time for the center's annual Black History Month celebration at the end of February, but the only ones to arrive by then were for Kaprice and for Ellis, who likewise wanted to be tested. The other results came in only recently.

Thursday afternoon, Alexandra and Serena were the only kids who did not know their true ancestries. Bankz was poised to film them a second time. The girls certainly weren't prepared for the results.

Alexandra, whose father owns Las Palmas, a Hispanic grocery in Washington, found out she is 57 percent American Indian and 36 percent European.

"Surprised?" Ellis asked, smiling.

"Mostly," said Alexandra, who looked mostly astonished.

Serena knew one great-grandmother was from Italy and that she had relatives from Germany and Ireland, but was semi-stunned to see she was 52 percent Irish, 15 percent Scandinavian and only 8 percent Italian.

Deitrick considers himself to be an African-American teen with a heavy concentration of relatives in the Chicago area. He also has a grandmother who is partly American Indian. But he is more European (52 percent) than African (43 percent), with a mix of many nations.

"I had no idea I was that much of a mix," he said.

Daisean has an interesting ancestral link. He is a descendant of Henrietta Lacks, who has gained renown as an unwitting contributor to amazing medical advances. Before she died of cervical cancer in 1951, at age 31, doctors removed two cervical samples without telling her. Henrietta's HeLa cells have been multiplied and used in a number of biomedical research procedures, and were instrumental in Jonas Salk's development of the polio vaccine.

In January, Daisean said his father is African-American, his mother is white and his family is mostly from Pittsburgh. He eventually discovered he is 33 percent Ivory Coast of Ghana, 21 percent Nigerian and 13 percent European. He was the only test subject who was not on hand for the DNA program Thursday.

Kaprice received her report more than two months ago and still considers it to be vague. She was told she has a gene that traces back about 15,000 years, and has a European background - without a breakdown of that background. Kaprice said a number of family members have hailed from around Carnegie and Pittsburgh, and that her mother is Irish with red hair.

Ellis also was surprised at her results, She said she is 36 percent European, with elements of France, Germany, England, Italy and Ireland - nations she, coincidentally, has visited. Ellis said she also is 24 percent West African descent.

"I'm zero percent native American Indian, which I thought might be the highest (percentage)," Ellis added.

Yet she wasn't totally surprised. When it comes to ancestry, the LeMoyne Center director realizes anything is possible.

"Skin tone is no matter," she told her young audience Thursday. "It's what the DNA says."

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The Genius Who Helped Unlock the Human Genome Is Taking On the Opioid Crisis – Mother Jones

Posted: at 6:23 am

Francis Collins, the gregarious 67-year-old who directs the National Institutes of Health, doesn't shy away from a challenge. Collins made a name for himself in the early 2000s when, as director of the Human Genome Project, he oversaw the completion of sequencing 3 billion genes. Now, as the head of the nation's foremost biomedical research engine, Collins faces a new task: finding solutions to the opioid epidemic, which killed more than 33,000 Americans in 2015.

"I'd like all of us, the academics, the government, and the private sector, to think about this the way we thought about HIV/AIDs in the early 1990s, where people were dying all around us in tens of thousands."

At the Prescription Drug Abuse and Heroin Conference last month, Collins announced a public-private partnership, in which the NIH will collaborate with biomedical and pharmaceutical companies to develop solutions to the crisis. President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price "strongly supported" the idea, he said. This isn't Collins' first such partnership: During his tenure as directorBarack Obama appointed him in 2009Collins has developed ongoing collaborations with pharmaceutical companies such as Lilly, Merck, and GlaxoSmithKline for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. For each partnership, the NIH and the companies pool tens of millions of dollars, with the agreement that the resulting data will be public and the companies will not immediately patent treatments. The jury's still out on resultsthe partnerships are about halfway through their five-year timelines. But Collins, a self-described optimist, remains hopeful. "Traditionally it takes many years to go from an idea about a drug target to an approved drug," said Collins at the conference. "Yet I believea vigorous public private partnership could cut that time maybe even in half."

I talked to Collins about the partnership, potential treatments in the pipeline, and the NIH's role in confronting the ongoing epidemic.

Mother Jones: Why is a public-private partnership needed?

Francis Collins: While NIH can do a lot of the good science, and we can accelerate [it] if we have resources, we aren't going to be the ones making pills. Many of the large-scale clinical trials are not done generally by us but by the drug companies. A successful outcome herein terms of ultimately getting rid of opioids and the deaths that they causewould not happen without full engagement by the private sector.

MJ: Which companies will be involved?

FC: It will be a significant proportion of the largest companies. I can't tell you the total listas I said, the 15 largest were there. Certainly the groups that already have some drugs that are somewhere in the pipeline will be particularly interested in ways to speed that up.

MJ: What do you hope will come out of it in the short term?

FC: I think that we could increase the number of effective options to help people get over addiction, and [the] treatments for overdose, particularly when fentanyl is becoming such a prominent part of this dangerous situation. The current overdose treatments are not necessarily as strong as they need to be. We could make progress there pretty quickly, I thinkin a matter of even a year or twoby coming up with formulations of drugs that we know work but in a fashion that would have new kinds of capabilities. [The drugs would be] stronger, as in the overdose situation, or have the potential of longer-acting effects, as in treating addiction. [It's] not necessarily a different drug, but a different formulation of the drug. And drug companies are pretty good at that.

MJ: And in the long term?

Without pharmaceutical companies, "we'd be completely hopeless as far as new treatment."

FC: The goal really needs to be to find nonaddictive but highly potent pain medicines that can replace the use of opioids given the terrible consequences that surround their use. This will be particularly important for people who have chronic pain, where we really don't have effective treatments now. The good news is that there's a lot of really interesting science pointing us to new alternatives, [like] the idea of coming up with something that interacts with that opioid receptor but only activates the pathway that results in pain reliefnot the somewhat different pathway that results in addiction. That's a pretty new discovery that could actually be workable, and a lot of effort ought to be put into that.

I'd like all of us, the academics, the government, and the private sector, to think about this the way we thought about HIV/AIDs in the early 1990s, where people were dying all around us in tens of thousands. Well, that's what's happening now with opioids. This ought to be all hands on deckwhat could we do to accelerate what otherwise might take a lot longer? It's interesting talking to the drug companies, who have really gotten quite motivated and seem to be determined to make a real contribution here. There are quite a number of new drugs that are in the pipeline somewhere, and they haven't been moving very quickly, because companies haven't been convinced there was enough of a marketopioids are relatively cheap. And also they've been worried that it would be hard to get new pain medicines approved if they had any side effects at all. Now that we've seen opioids have the most terrible side effect of allnamely, deathit would seem that as new analgesics come along, that the ability to approve some that might give you a stomachache now and then would probably be better.

MJ: There's a lot of wariness of big pharmaceutical companies right now, given Big Pharma's role in creating this problem to begin with. How do you make sure that whatever treatments are developed are affordable?

FC: That's a very big concern for everybody right now. It's front and center in these discussions about development of new drugs and pricing of existing drugs. And I don't know the full answer to that. This is just part of a larger discussion about drug pricing which applies across the board, whether we're talking about drugs for cardiovascular disease or cancer or, in this case, alternatives for opioids. But we need them. As much as people might want to say, "Oh, pharmaceutical companies, they're all just out to make money," they also have the scientific capabilities and they spend about twice what the government does on research and development. If they weren't there, we'd be completely hopeless as far as new treatment.

MJ: Trump's latest budget proposes a 20 percent cut to the NIH for 2018. Are you worried about having enough funding?

FC: Of course I am. And not just for this, but for all the other things that NIH is called upon to do as part of our mission. I'm an optimist, and what I have seen in my 24 years at NIH is that opportunity in medical research is not a partisan issueit's not something that's caught up in politics most of the time. And having seen the enthusiasm represented by the Congress in their passage of the 21st Century Cures [Act] just four months ago with incredible positive bipartisan margins, I think when the dust all settles, people will look at these kinds of investments and see them as a high priority for our nation. But of course, that's my optimistic view.

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First In Vivo Human Genome Editing to Be Tested in New Clinical Trial – The Scientist

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The Scientist
First In Vivo Human Genome Editing to Be Tested in New Clinical Trial
The Scientist
Sangamo Therapeutics will use zinc finger nucleases to introduce the gene for a missing clotting factor into the livers of men with hemophilia B.

and more »

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Colonel Harwood’s Principles Ring True Today – American Institute for Economic Research (blog)

Posted: at 6:23 am

In 2018, AIER will celebrate its 85th anniversary. While the institute has evolved with changing times and technology, there are certain bedrock principles on which we rest that date as far back as our founding by Colonel E.C. Harwood in 1933. AIER After 75 Years, published almost a decade ago at the 75th anniversary, contains a clear statement of many of those principles.

One of Harwoods core principles was adherence to the scientific method, which much of the field of economics has neglected. Scientific economists should begin with observation, not predetermined opinions:

Scientific economists seek to ascertain and describe a wide variety of relationships, including socio-political relationships, that influence economic events. While doing so, they also seek to identify those human arrangements that tend to foster progress or regress in social welfare, where progress is described broadly by increases in standards of living, human longevity, and the increased satisfaction of human wants and needs.

These observations have led to the conclusion that free markets and strong legal protection of property rights are the best way to promote social progress:

Rather, what seem chiefly to have distinguished the experience of the United States were greater individual freedom and a legal structure that preserved individual property rights, both of which evidently promote rapid economic progress in a number of ways.

Increased productivity is encouraged, offering greater reward to those who better serve their fellows. This benefits society by making available to everyone, in proportion to their like contributions to output, more of the things that their fellow humans indicate they want.

In order to reap the full benefits of such a system, government must have a well-defined but limited role:

A society based on property rights and open markets implies a limited role for government, inasmuch as history records that more people have been oppressed through the mechanism of government than through any other device. This is not to say that government has no legitimate role; quite the contrary. Our Constitution sets forth clear tasks for government, which can be summarized as the protection of freedom and justice from thosedomestic or foreignwho would deny them.

In summary, the system should work toward providing and protecting a fair field with no favor in which each individuals freedom is restricted only as necessary to protect the equal freedom of others. This would appear to be a useful gauge by which to assess the probability that specific laws will foster progress or regress of the social order.

The essay goes on to describe the ways that governments, even when well-intentioned, act to restrict markets and impede competition. The whole piece is well worth reading, as a document of the institutes past work and ongoing positions, as well as useful information about our history and bylaws. As we move into our anniversary year, we will keep working to produce research that both reflects current issues and adheres to the core principles of our history.

You can find "AIER After 75 Years" here.

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Study Stakes San Diego’s Claim in Genomics: $292M in 2016 VC … – Xconomy

Posted: at 6:23 am

Xconomy San Diego

Preliminary findings from an economic impact study show that genomics is emerging as a distinct innovation cluster in San Diego.

The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. began collecting data for the report earlier this year in a bid to assess how genomics fits into San Diegos innovation economy. Final results of the EDC study wont be released until June 19, the first day of the Bio International Convention, as part of a panel discussion on the local genomics cluster.

But some details were offered yesterday by Kirby Brady, the EDCs director of research, following a press conference intended to promote the annual conference and the bio industrys economic impact in San Diego.

Of more than 1,200 life sciences companies and institutes in San Diego County, Brady said a survey completed last week as part of the study found over 100 local entities with a core focus on genomics. That includes two industry giants: Illumina (NASDAQ: ILMN) and the Carlsbad, CA-based Life Science Solutions Group of Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO), both of which make genome sequencing technology. Local genomics startups include Agena Bioscience, Edico Genome, Helix, and two companies founded by the human genome pioneer J. Craig VenterHuman Longevity Inc. and Synthetic Genomics.

Using data from Seattle-based PitchBook, Brady said the EDC also found that venture capital firms invested $292 million in San Diego genomics companies in 2016. That amounted to roughly 22 percent of the $1.3 billion that VCs invested nationwide last year in genomics deals. Of course, a single deal accounted for much of San Diegos total. Human Longevity raised $220 million in a Series B round early last year.

The discussion, billed as a case study of San Diegos genomics cluster, is intended to better understand and quantify San Diegos genomics industry, including employment, the number of companies, and the available talent pool of genomics professionals. How San Diegos genomics sector ranks against similar clusters in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, and other life sciences hubs is unknown, and may not be easily determined, Brady said. The EDCs research team could find no comparable regional study on the economic impact of genomics, except in Cambridge, England.

This is all preliminary at this point, Brady said. Were now in the process of writing the study.

A separate report released this week from Biocom, the San Diego-based life sciences industry group, estimates the overall economic impact of the life sciences industry on San Diego at $33.6 billion a year. The Biocom study counted a total of 1,225 companies, research institutes, and other entities in San Diego County, and reported that they directly employ almost 50,000 people here.

According to the Biocom report, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded roughly $833 million in research grants in 2016 to both private and public research labs throughout San Diego County. That was about 23 percent of the $3.6 billion in NIH funding that flowed to the state of California.

About $1.7 billion in NIH funding went to the San Francisco Bay Area, Biocom CEO Joe Panetta said. NIH funding is a frequently used metric for measuring life sciences R&D, and a key reason why San Diego is a recognized center of innovation, Panetta said.

The Biocom report, prepared by the economic and public policy firm TClower & Associates, shows that California is home to over 12,000 life sciences companies and other entities that together generate nearly $317 billion in annual economic activityand directly employs more than 360,486 people statewide.

Bruce V. Bigelow is the editor of Xconomy San Diego. You can e-mail him at bbigelow@xconomy.com or call (619) 669-8788

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What Causes Eczema? – Health.com

Posted: at 6:23 am

By Kristin Canning

Eczema is a skin condition that shows up as itchy, dry, red patches, and can result in peeling, blisters, and sores. According to the National Eczema Association, it affects more than 30 million Americans. Eczema tends to show up in childhood, usually on the cheeks, chin, elbows, or knees, and symptoms usually lessen over time. Still, some people will have eczema as they grow older, and adults can develop it as well. Its tricky to narrow down exactly what causes eczema, since there are so many different forms of the condition, and different triggers can exacerbate each type. For example, allergens such as pet dander or pollen could cause the irritating rash appear, or it could be linked to other health conditions such as high blood pressure. For most forms, the cause isnt clear and its linked to a combination of factors.

What researchers do know, however, is that the most common form of eczema, atopic dermatitis (AD), seems to be passed down in families, says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. Its also part of the atopic triad, three common conditions that are linked together (though they may not necessarily show up in people at the same time): AD, asthma, and hay fever. If your family has a history of asthma or hay fever, youre more likely to develop AD.

With this particular kind of eczema, something has triggered the immune system, which then goes into overdrive, causing the skin irritation. The symptoms usually improve and worsen in waves (called flare-ups), but theres no cure and it never totally goes away. Symptoms very from person-to-person, and although some people are able to manage their eczema, it can be more difficult to treat for others.

RELATED: The Best Lotions for Eczema, According to Dermatologists

According to the National Eczema Association, there are six types of eczema, including AD. These are the other forms:

Several factors can make eczema symptoms worse. Basically, anything thats drying or non-hypoallergenic can aggravate symptoms, since the skin barrier is already irritated. Heres what to watch out for:

RELATED: 10 Home Remedies for Eczema

Dr. Jaliman recommends using a mild cleanser made for sensitive skin, and following with a moisturizer, particularly one with shea butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin or ceramides, to help rebuild the skins protective barrier. Using a humidifier while you sleep can also help put moisture back into the air and your skin, she says.

Theres also the option of prescription topical steroids or creams, which can help for a short period of time, says Amanda Doyle, MD,of Russak Dermatology in New York City. For an over-the-counter solution, she recommends Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Hand Unscented Lotion, as its accepted by the National Eczema Association as a safe option for eczema-prone skin. You can see more of the associations product recommendations here. For those who aren't able to manage their symptoms with topical treatments, the FDA recently approved a new injectable drug to help alleviate symptoms like itchiness.

New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, says to look for gentle soaps, like Dove or Caress, and to moisturize rough patches with Vaseline. For eczema on the scalp, she recommends Dove DermaCare Scalp Dryness and Itch Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoothe zinc pyrithione hydrates and gets rid of flakes.

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Psoriasis Treatment: Does Your Diet Matter? – Care2.com

Posted: at 6:22 am

Psoriasis is complex to treat.

In fact, Physician Paul Bechet once said its the antidote to a dermatologists ego (1).

Its an autoimmune disease that causes chronic pain and itching that can severely impact quality of life.

Many foods and supplements are rumored to help with psoriasis treatment. But does research support these claims?

This article examines the evidence surrounding the relationship between diet and psoriasis.

What is Psoriasis and Its Symptoms?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes patches of skin to become inflamed and scaly.

It affects up to 4% of the worlds population (2).

Symptoms occur in flares, and include itching, pain, and skin lesions. Psoriasis may also cause pitted fingernails and toenails, as well as mouth sores.

There are six types of psoriasis. Each type causes a distinctive rash:

Plaque psoriasis.Image source.

Guttate psoriasis.Image source.

Inverse psoriasis.Image source.

Pustular psoriasis.Image source.

Erythrodermic psoriasis.Image source.

Summary: Psoriasis is a chronic condition that causes distinctive skin rashes, itching, inflammation, and pain. Symptoms occur in flares.

Psoriasis Causes

Psoriasis is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors (3).

One large study found that a persons risk increases up to 65% if their parents have psoriasis, and up to 83% if both their parents and siblings have it (4).

Not everyone who carries the gene will develop psoriasis. However, exposure to certain environmental stimuli may increase a persons likelihood of developing the disease.

These stimuli include:

In the presence of both environmental and genetic factors, the immune system malfunctions.

T cells, which normally respond to infection and injury, are mistakenly activated as a result. These cells recruit other immune cells and trigger the release of inflammatory cytokines (13).

This causes the skin cells to die off and regenerate more quickly than they should.

Onset of psoriasis. Image source.

The same environmental factors that cause psoriasis can also lead to flares, so its best to limit exposure to them when possible.

Summary: Psoriasis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. Many people carry a gene for the disease and develop it after exposure to certain environmental factors.

Diet and Psoriasis Treatment

The standard treatments for psoriasis involve topical and oral medications, as well as ultraviolet light therapy.

There is no scientific proof that diet is an effective treatment for psoriasis on its own.

However, patient testimonials and studies have shown certain diet strategies may help relieve psoriasis symptoms, especially when combined with traditional therapies.

The following sections will focus on foods and nutrients that affect psoriasis severity.

Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

Overweight (in a clinical setting) is characterized by a body mass index (BMI) greater than 24.9.

A BMI greater than 29.9 is classified as obese.

Many studies have found a possible link between obesity and psoriasis.

In one long-term study of more than 67,000 females (14):

Even weight gain of just 10 pounds (4.5 kg) appears to increase risk by up to 8%, regardless of BMI classification (15).

In addition to risk, obesity is also linked to disease severity. This is likely because excessive fat tissue increases production of inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to inflammation and lesions in psoriasis (16, 17).

It makes sense then that studies have shown that calorie restriction paired with medication is more effective in reducing psoriasis symptoms than medication alone (18).

Notably, most studies on obesity and psoriasis are observational. This means that researchers arent exactly sure if obesity causes the disease or vice versa.

In any case, psoriasis is linked with several other heart disease risk factors, including high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Weight loss can reduce heart disease risk for people who are overweight or obese, so it makes sense to maintain a healthy weight (17).

You can calculate your BMI here.

Summary: Those who are very overweight are more likely to have psoriasis, although researchers arent sure if obesity causes it directly. Maintaining a healthy bodyweight also lowers risk of heart disease which is more common in psoriasis patients.

The Autoimmune Protocol, Gluten, and Alcohol

The autoimmune protocol (AIP) is a diet that eliminates gluten, soy, dairy, legumes, grains, added sugars, nightshades, and alcohol for at least 30 days.

The goal is to identify foods that trigger undesirable autoimmune reactions.

Theres a strong link between psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases. In one large study, those with psoriasis had higher rates of 14 different autoimmune disease than the general population (19).

Patient testimonials suggest that the AIP is helpful for many conditions, including psoriasis.

There have been no clinical trials on the AIP, so theres no scientific evidence to support it. But certain foods eliminated in the AIPincluding gluten and alcoholhave been reported to worsen psoriasis symptoms.

Some small studies have shown a gluten-free diet to improve psoriasis symptoms, but only in those with antibodies against gliadin (a protein found in gluten). These antibodies would be seen in those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (20).

Although other studies found no benefits at all, so its all quite unclear at this stage (19).

A stronger link has been suggested between alcohol intake and psoriasis severity.

One review of 28 studies found that alcohol is likely a risk factor for developing psoriasis, and that those with the disease drink more than healthy adults (11).

Its best to avoid alcohol if you have psoriasis, or a strong family history of it.

Summary: Patient testimonials suggest that the autoimmune protocol may help with psoriasis, but this hasnt been formally studied. You should definitely avoid alcohol and potentially gluten too if you are sensitive.

Anti-Inflammatory and Mediterranean Diets

A Western diet high in fat, sodium, and added sugars has been linked to inflammation and autoimmune disease (21).

For this reason a so-called anti-inflammatory diet may ease psoriasis symptoms.

Theres no universal definition for anti-inflammatory diet, but it generally refers to a style of eating that (22, 23, 24):

An anti-inflammatory diet hasnt been studied in psoriasis specifically, but systemic inflammation is a key feature of the disease.

This diet pattern has also been shown to help with certain autoimmune diseases, so in theory and based on patient testimonials it may be beneficial (18, 25, 26).

Patient testimonials also indicate that an anti-inflammatory eating pattern is helpful for arthritis. As such, it may be useful for relieving pain and stiffness in those with psoriatic arthritis (27, 28).

The diet is similar in many ways to the Mediterranean diet, which includes fish and lean meats, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, whole grains, and legumes.

In one study, stronger adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with fewer psoriasis symptoms. Further, those with fewer symptoms ate more fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fish and less meat (29).

More human studies are needed to know if the Mediterranean diet is beneficial for psoriasis. But given its other health benefits, such as reducing heart disease risk, it makes sense to eat this way regardless of its effects on skin (30).

Summary: Anti-inflammatory and Mediterranean diets emphasize healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. One study linked the Mediterranean diet with improved psoriasis symptoms.

Supplements for Psoriasis

Several dietary supplements have been reported tohelp with psoriasis treatment.

Fish Oil

Fish oil capsules contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA).

Its known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

In one literature review, 12 of 15 studies found fish oil to improve psoriasis severity (31).

The strongest evidence is in support of high-dose intravenous (IV) omega-3 infusions for plaque and guttate psoriasis. However, this isnt a typical therapy, and wouldnt be readily available to most patients (32, 33).

One small observational study found that oral fish oil supplements significantly reduced psoriasis severity and improved quality of life when paired with prescription ointment. Volunteers in this study received 640 mg of DHA plus EPA per day for eight weeks (34).

Change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) over duration of study for fish oil plus ointment group compared to ointment only group. Lower score is better. Click to enlarge.

Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects but it looks promising.

Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that we eat.

They have been the focus of many studies recently because of the interaction between the gut microbiome and various health conditions, including psoriasis.

One study found adults with psoriasisespecially psoriatic arthritisto have less diversity in gut bacteria than healthy adults. The researchers likened the bacterial profile in psoriasis to that of inflammatory bowel disease, which often responds well to probiotics (35, 36).

In another study, 23 patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis received the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35264 at a dose of 11010 colony forming units (CFU) per day for eight weeks.

Researchers found that most blood markers of inflammation (CRP and TNF-) were significantly lower at eight weeks (37).

Other probiotic strains havent been studied specifically in psoriasis yet.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system by inhibiting T cell multiplication and limiting cytokine production (38).

Because T cells and cytokines play key roles in psoriasis, and because vitamin D deficiency is common among those with autoimmune disease, its been studied as a possible psoriasis treatment (38).

One literature review found vitamin D supplements and ointments to be as effective as corticosteroids in easing symptoms. The benefits were even greater when vitamin D was used with a high-dose steroid ointment (39).

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Kelly Bensimon Reflects on Having Psoriasis and Her Nude Playboy Shoot: ‘No One Is Perfect’ – PEOPLE.com

Posted: at 6:22 am

Kelly Bensimon says shes dealt with psoriasis her entire life, and the condition made her scared to bare all for her 2010 Playboy shoot.

The former Real Housewives of New York City star and model tweetedabout her psoriasis on Friday as she was getting ready for a new photoshoot.

Ive had psoriasis since I was a kid. I hated it. I found it so embarrassing, Bensimon, 49,writes on Twitter. When I was a teen, I would spend hours in tanning beds, trying to get dark enough to cover it up. Not healthy! And not something I would recommend to anyone! But I was desperate. I thought that I couldnt be pretty with this issue.

She ended up becoming asuccessful model, but Bensimon says even then she doubted herself up until age 41, when she posed for Playboy.

Even as an adult, especially when I was modeling, I felt terrible about my skin. When I had a breakout, I wanted to hide from the world, she says. So, when Playboy asked me to bare it all, there was a part of me that was scared not because of the nudity, but because of the psoriasis!

But a funny thing happened when I took off my clothes and got in front of that camera. I forgot about all my imperfections I forgot about the itchies and flaws. I just felt beautiful. Like, if Playboy thought I was beautiful, then maybe I really was! I realized that my flaws were part of my whole, and that my whole was pretty great! Showing so much allowed me to finally drop my judgement[sp].

RELATED VIDEO:Kelly Killoren Bensimon Gets Real about the Public Judgment on Breastfeeding

Bensimon said in February that she wants to pose nude for Playboy again.

I am 49 and I did the cover 10 years ago [in 2010]. So I feel like I look better now, she told Page Six. I am glad that they are going back to showing women naked, it was a beautiful layout. And it would be a test to show that you can still look good at any age.

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Oral and therapy treatment for psoriasis – TheHealthSite

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Dr Maithili Kamat, Consultant Dermatologist at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre helps us in understanding the latest treatment options for psoriasis.

Research in psoriasis treatment often doesnt hog the headline, unlike how the breakthrough researches in cancer or heart stroke does. But, in the recent past, it is interesting to note how psoriasis is categorised as immune system disease. Dr Maithili Kamat, Consultant Dermatologist at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre helps us in understanding the latest treatment options for psoriasis.

Latesttopical treatments for psoriasis Topical treatment for psoriasis is medication applied to the skin. These are usually the first line of therapy in treating psoriasis. Topical treatments slow down or normalise excessive cell reproduction and reduce psoriasis inflammation.There are many OTC products like moisturisers and products containing Salicylic acid, Coal Tar etc.Prescription-based medicines containing Corticosteroids (steroids) or non-steroid drugs like anthralin, Vitamin D analogue- Calcipotriol, Calcineurin inhibitor-Tacrolimus, Retinoids- Tazarotene. Prescription-based topical drugs should strictly be monitored by a dermatologist.

Topical corticosteroids are effective for treating psoriasis Topical Corticosteroids (TCS) are used as anti-inflammatory agents to reduce the swelling and redness of psoriasis lesions.

TCS are available in a wide variety of strengths, right from super strong or superpotent (Class 1) to extremely weak or least potent (Class 7). The choice of the steroid potency depends on the site and severity of psoriasis. TCS have to be used for limited time periods and strictly under the supervision of a dermatologist. Read more aboutPsoriasis: Not just skin deep; linked to 10 other chronic diseases

Newest available oral treatment for psoriasis -The newest available oral treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is Otezla (apremilast).It is an oral pill that helps your immune system fight inflammation in psoriasis by inhibiting a substance called phosphodiesterase.Otezla is also used to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in people who may also receive phototherapy or other treatments for psoriasis. Before giving you the medicine, your doctor will check for your past history of depression or suicidal thoughts; kidney disease; or if you take seizure medication.

Oils can be good for psoriasis Fish oil containingomega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) taken orally can be adjuvant treatment in psoriasis care.

Top 3 therapies for treating psoriasis

Narrow band UVB therapy treatment Present in natural sunlight, ultraviolet B (UVB) is an effective treatment for psoriasis. UVB penetrates the skin and slows the growth of affected skin cells. The treatment involves close-fitting the skin to a synthetic UVB light source on a regular schedule. This treatment is controlled in a medical setting preferably. Read here5 foods you should NOT eat if you suffer from psoriasis

Goeckerman therapy First formulated in 1925 by American dermatologist William H. Goeckermans, the regimen is for treatment of moderate to severeplaque psoriasisusing a combination of crudecoal tar andartificialultraviolet radiation.It is a specialized form oflight therapy.

Photochemotherapy or psoralen plus ultraviolet A radiation (PUVA) PUVA is a combination treatment which consists of Psoralens (P) and then exposing the skin to UVA (long wave ultraviolet radiation). Psoralens are compounds found in many plants which make the skin temporarily sensitive to UVA.For oral PUVA, methoxsalen capsules are taken two hours before the UVA exposure. In most cases, treatment is undertaken two or three times each week.The patient should always wear goggles to protect the eyes from exposure to the radiation.

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Published: May 18, 2017 10:36 am | Updated:May 18, 2017 11:16 am

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Gene replacement therapy that works in dogs to be tested in children – KIRO Seattle

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by: Dave Wagner Updated: May 18, 2017 - 7:12 PM

SEATTLE - KIRO 7 has learned of a revolutionary treatment, here in Seattle, that has saved the lives of dogs and is just months away from being tested in children. In video obtained by KIRO 7, dogs that were destined to die show no signs of the disease after a single infusion of gene-replacement therapy. The disease is so deadly in children, 50-percent of them die before their second birthday.

"This is a huge deal. This is probably the most important thing we'll ever work on," said Dr. Casey Childers of U.W. Medicine.

For the past eight years, Childers has been focused on finding a cure for a form of muscular dystrophy called Myotubular Myopathy or MTM. It is a rare disease that affects the skeletal muscles.

"Patients are unable to walk. They're unable to speak, unable to swallow and unable to breathe without assistance. It's a childhood disease. It affects baby boys and it's universally fatal. So it's a bad, bad disease, said Childers.

Myotubular Myopathy affects dogs, too. In U.W. Medicine video, never seen by the public until now, gene-replacement therapy has resulted in a remarkable transformation in dogs and a possible cure for MTM.

>>Videos of children, dogs with Myotubular Myopathy

The search for a cure began with the search for a dog by a mother in Jacksonville, Florida. The son of Alison and Paul Frase was born with Myotubular Myopathy. Joshua Frase was born on February 2, 1995 with a devastating prognosis.

"My doctor came to me and she said, Alison, I really believe Joshua has a severe disorder and he's not gonna make it through the day.

Joshua continued to defy the odds, but only had the strength to move his right hand.

"Joshua cognitively was a normal little boy. He was just locked in a body," said Paul Frase.

With 50 percent of children with MTM dying before their second birthday, Alison was determined to find a cure for her son Joshua. Alison was told by their geneticist at Boston Childrens Hospital that if she could find a dog with MTM, doctors could try gene-replacement therapy that could possibly lead to a treatment for her son.

"That's when her wheels started spinning and she said, we've got to figure something out," said Paul Frase.

>> Website for families of children with Myotubular Myopathy: Joshua Frase Foundation

Alison scoured the country looking for a dog with MTM and struck gold north of the border.

"We got a call back from a cowboy in the middle of Canada and he quickly said, I want to give you my dog. I want to help your son, said Alison.

The dog, named Nibs, delivered a litter of puppies and from there, a colony of dogs with the deadly form of muscular dystrophy was born.

Very rapidly over a few weeks, certainly by four months of age, the affected puppies are unable to walk. They're very, very weak and unfortunately, they require humane euthanasia, said Childers.

In an effort to save the lives of the dogs, and ultimately the lives of children, researches at U.W. Medicine infused a replacement gene into puppies that have MTM.

In video obtained by KIRO 7 News, two puppies from the same litter showed a dramatic difference. One was given saline and the other was given a single treatment of gene replacement therapy. The puppy receiving the therapy quickly showed no signs of the disease.

Unbelievably fast. So, we see effects with two to three weeks, maximal within about six weeks. Weve now observed dogs for more than 4- years after infusion and they appear perfectly normal and healthy.

KIRO 7 was shown two dogs that have lived more than four-years after receiving gene-replacement therapy. The dogs are remarkably active.

"These dogs would normally die around two months of age, two to four months of age. Because of the gene therapy, they've survived now to over four years," said researcher Dr. David Mack.

Doctors are cautious in their optimism but say its the most profound thing they have witnessed during their decades in medicine.

"I don't like to use the word miracle, but it's pretty darn close," said Childers.

Within months, clinical trials will begin around the world and children with the deadly disease will receive the same gene-replacement therapy as the dogs. Childers believes the chances are very, very good that the therapy will work in children. He is also painfully aware that the clock is ticking for children and their families praying for a miracle.

At a home in Des Moines, Washington, you can hear a continuous hum of beeps and breathing machines. For the past nine years, Chris Bowers has defied the odds of living with MTM.

He really has been a rock star, said Virginia Bowers.

With a breathing tube, Chris speaks in sign language and moves quickly around his home in an electric wheelchair. He and his brothers, Ben and Sam, spend their free time playing with Legos. His parents hope the gene-replacement therapy might prolong and improve his life.

"Cautiously optimistic. It's hard to imagine because, Chris, this is what we know."

Joshua Frase lost his battle with MTM 41 days before his 16th birthday. His room remains the same with his glasses, cars and planes on bookshelves.

"It definitely brings back a lot of, just little poignant memories that put a smile on your face.

"He was a clown. He was a funny, intelligent, smart, normal kid. He was not just a son. He was a friend, said Paul Frase.

Frase played in the NFL and twice received the teams Courage Award. Frase said the courage came from his son.

"Joshua taught us about courage. He taught us about love. You learn a lot from these kids with these disabilities."

The grave marker for Joshua Frase includes a Bible verse, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

It is a reminder of the debilitating disease that took his life. Childers said Joshuas legacy lives on through the dogs, doctors and his familys determination to find a cure.

"This is his legacy. No question about it. If it weren't for his parents, we wouldn't be having this conversation. If it weren't for just unrelenting, you know, just can do attitude, never take no for an answer, never quit on the part of his parents, yeah, this is absolutely his legacy. There's nothing that comes anywhere close to this. If this is the last thing I ever do in my research career, I'll die a happy man, said Childers.

It is estimated that one in 50,000 children have Myotubular Myopathy. Alison and Paul Frase started the Joshua Frase Foundation and believe there are, at least, 5,000 to 6,000 children with MTM.

Eighty-percent of rare diseases are caused by a genetic defect. Doctors hope that gene-replacement therapy will, one day, lead to cures for other genetic diseases.

2017 Cox Media Group.

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Gene replacement therapy that works in dogs to be tested in children - KIRO Seattle

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