Monthly Archives: February 2022

Novel delivery of established growth and neurotropic factors enables local, sustained release for greater efficacy in targeting vascular disease.

Alkem Laboratories, an Indian multinational pharmaceutical company, has signed a licence agreement with Harvard Universitys Office of Technology Development (OTD) enabling Alkem to develop and commercialise a novel technology that could help meet the dire need for effective treatment of diabetic neuropathy, foot ulcers, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and other injuries caused by vascular disease.

Longevity.Technology: Vascular diseases can be caused by genetics, heart diseases (such as high cholesterolandhigh blood pressure) and diabetes is one of the strongest risk factors for any form of vascular disease. Diabetic neuropathy is a serious, painful and disabling diabetes complication that may affect as many as 50% of people with diabetes and peripheral arterial disease can becomecritical limb ischaemia, the most severe form of PAD, which has a poor outlook indeed, half of patients are likely to die within five years. As with many diseases, age is a key risk factor, and although symptoms can be eased with lifestyle choices (not smoking, exercise, better diet), repairing the damage has proved tricky due to the difficulties of deploying tissue regenerative molecules, but Wysss new scaffold could overcome these and bring the hope of nerve and muscle repair to those with these life-limiting conditions.

Developed in the lab of David Mooney, PhD at Harvards Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), the technology is an injectable, biocompatible scaffold for the sustained release of tissue-regenerative molecules. Alkem plans to apply its drug development and manufacturing capability to advance this technology from bench to bedside through the application of efficient translational, pre-clinical and clinical models.

This license agreement with Harvard enables us to harness an innovation with great clinical potential, identified and nurtured by the Wyss Institute, to bring novel treatments to market, said Alkems Managing Director, Sandeep Singh. It also serves as an example of Alkems commitment to fostering continued academic, clinical, and commercial collaborations to bring impactful medical technologies to patients [1].

Alkems President and Chief Medical Officer, Akhilesh Sharma added: This technologys novel, regenerative medicine approach could help fill a therapy gap in the treatment of multiple causes of ischemic tissue injuries, with the potential to avoid several thousands of foot deformities and amputations and provide relief from other ischemic conditions [1].

The licence grants Alkem commercialisation rights in the United States and India.

Donald Ingber, MD, PhD, the Wyss Institutes Founding Director, said, This technology license represents yet another successful initiative by the Wyss Institute to advance our mission of bringing lifesaving technologies out of the lab and into the real world. Alkems position in India gives it the potential to reach many millions of patients who do not have access to expensive, brand-name treatments, which could significantly contribute to the reduction of human suffering globally [1]. Ingber is the Judah Folkman Professor of Vascular Biology at Harvard Medical School and Boston Childrens Hospital, and Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard SEAS.

Tissue regenerative molecules are naturally occurring biomolecules in the human body that are known to help enhance tissue regrowth after injury or chronic disease. Despite their therapeutic promise, these biologics have not yet been developed into FDA-approved treatments because they are very rapidly cleared from the body, which dramatically reduces their efficacy. Furthermore, because of the high doses required to overcome the clearance challenge, there has been concern that these treatments could cause toxicity when administered to patients orally or via injection.

To solve this problem, researchers led by Mooney, a Wyss Core Faculty member and the Robert P Pinkas Family Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard SEAS, developed a technique that encapsulates two tissue regenerative molecules into a biocompatible, precisely-designed scaffold that is injected under the skin at the site of ischemia and injury. The scaffold allows the molecules to be released in a sustained manner over time, which enables tissue regeneration at very low doses.

Initiated as a collaboration between researchers at Harvard SEAS and the Wyss Institute, the technology advanced through development and de-risking at the Wyss Institute to demonstrate proof-of-concept. Preclinical studies in multiple animal models conducted at the Wyss Institute and University of Michigan demonstrated that blood perfusion recovered to 8090%, muscle strength was restored to pre-injury levels, and nerve damage was reversed following injection with the treatment, and results persisted for several weeks to months. This novel enabling technology went through a thorough diligence process with Alkem, who were impressed by its potential use in populations worldwide to treat multiple ischemic conditions caused by vascular disease.

Scientists can point to many promising treatments for diseases and injuries that have never made it to the clinic, not because they dont work, but because delivering them via a classic injection or pill wasnt possible, said Mooney. Im hopeful that our success in solving that problem for these tissue regenerative biomolecules will inspire others in academia and industry to revisit some of those difficult drugs and make them available for more patients around the world [1]..

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Harvard regenerative tech treats injuries caused by vascular disease - Longevity.Technology

As insufferable couples the world over celebrate Valentines Day, those of us not in relationships can only sit by in silence, watching on as they shower each other in overpriced flowers, heart-shaped gifts and general soppiness.

But while the loved-up legions snog, smooch and snuggle, spare a thought for those who arent so lucky, especially those in later life. A new study published by the School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at the University of California has shown that loneliness in middle age and beyond can lead to a significantly higher chance of heart disease.

Its something that Sandeep Jauhar, cardiologist and author of Heart: A History, knows only too well. We know that grief or heartbreak has harmful effects on the heart and we know that people who are in unhappy relationships with their spouses tend to have more cardiac events, he says. But the question is, does being in love have direct biological effects on the heart?

And the answer, it appears, is yes. As a cardiologist with over 20 years experience, Jauhar has noted how those patients who have reported being in love or who are in a stable and happy relationship not only have better outcomes after suffering cardiac events but also tend to live longer.

While many studies concentrate on the negative effects of loneliness, there isnt a great deal of data on what being in love actually does to the heart but it stands to reason that emotional resilience, less stress and feeling in love are all tremendously beneficial for the heart, he says.

Certainly, the idea of heartbreak, or what Jauhar calls broken heart syndrome, does have direct biological effects on the heart. Termed takotsubo cardiomyopathy, it was first described by doctors in Japan and detailed how the heart becomes weaker after an episode of grief or stress like, for instance, the passing of a life partner or the end of a long-term relationship. Symptoms can often replicate the same sensations experienced during a heart attack, with patients often reporting shortness of breath and chest pain.

We also know, from old epidemiological studies, that spouses tend to die within one year of each other, adds Jauhar. But while there is a lot of evidence to show how emotional distress has negative effects, like broken heart syndrome, there are benefits from positive emotions like love that lead to increases in the parasympathetic nervous system, which can promote blood vessel dilation and other salutary effects that probably alleviate cardiac conditions.

But they arent the only benefits

If youre in a happy relationship youre less likely to suffer from the negative consequences of depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that being in love helps your body to produce more oxytocin the hormone that plays a key part in everything from trust and empathy to social behaviour to sexual reproduction and that, in turn, prompts the brain to release more dopamine and adrenaline, which is why your heart beats faster and why you feel happier.

Relationships are good at keeping a lid on stress. In a study from the University of Utah that looked at cohabiting couples, it was found that when they were separated for up to a week, they all registered higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as suffering from disturbed sleep when they were apart. When they were reunited, the cortisol declined while levels of oxytocin rose once more.

Anyone in a long-term relationship will find that theyre more motivated to ditch all those unhealthy habits they might have, like smoking or heavy drinking, thanks to the support and encouragement they'll receive from their partner. In a study published in the journal Psychology Today, it was found that if one half of a relationship was to stop drinking alcohol, the other half would be five times more likely to do the same. Being happy with your partner can also inspire you to achieve your fitness goals as youll feel more supported and more confident in your abilities. The extra adrenaline youll produce when youre working out will also act as an appetite suppressant so itll work wonders for the waistline, too.

All of the above means those in stable long-term relationships live longer. One study, by the State University of New York at Oswego revealed that when couples are together it leads to a fall in blood pressure for both parties, while academics at Harvard University found that married women are up to 20 per cent less likely to die of stress-related reasons than their single counterparts. Its even more pronounced for married men who are up to 200 per cent less likely to pass away because of issues like cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease.

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Four reasons why love is good for your health - Telegraph.co.uk

You might have found yourself here because youre looking for ways to better your health and wellness this year. Perhaps you have several questions about what else you can do to really take your health over the edge in 2022. Longevity Live Paid Content.

Look no further, weve compiled a list of the biggest questions people might ask themselves when looking to get a little healthier this year and figure out the answers. Read along to see what weve found out!

By now weve all heard about Apple watches, Fitbits, health tracking jewelry, and calorie counting apps. There are certainly numerous products out there for you to take your personal health and wellness to the next level.

Its almost overwhelming, but you might find yourself wondering if there is anything new out there that might dial you in closer to your health. Vessel Health has come up with a product that is so cool, its almost unbelievable. It will help give you the right ratio of mindfulness vs. fitness.Vessel Healths in-home wellness tracker is a tool you can use to get real-time numbers for the nutrients your body needs on a daily basis. All youve got to do is download the app for your phone, and pee on the test strips provided.

After youve completed this, you scan the QR code on the test strip and the app will give you a digital readout of your vitamin levels, your pH balance, and more. It is truly an incredible way to fine-tune the foods you are putting into your body. With this app, you can customize your diet to make sure youve got enough of the nutrients that your body needs on a day-to-day basis.

Personal health and wellness doesnt just stop with your own body, as many people consider their pets to be a part of the family and their health is just as much of a priority as your own. We want to keep them healthy and happy as long as we possibly can.

One interesting thing weve learned is that the new CBD phenomenon isnt solely for humans. Many people are having a good bit of success using CBD for dogs. The benefits of CBD on our four-legged friends are similar to that of their human counterparts. CBD in dogs will support their joints, improve brain function, help with digestion, and keep your pet calm. All of these things will in turn keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come.

Another way to improve the health of your dog is to take a look at what they are eating. Dieting has a huge effect on the overall wellness of our furry friends. Superfoods are often thought about as part of the human diet, but our dogs shouldnt be looked over when it pertains to them. Foods such as chia seeds come to mind when we think of the term superfoods, but can dogs eat chia seeds?

The answer to this question is yes, although youll want to make sure they can get them down easily by soaking them. Chia seeds offer immense amounts of nutrients including phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium as well as numerous antioxidants. Chia seeds promote digestion, strengthen cells, and promote shiny smooth coats among many other health benefits. They are a wonderful and easy way to increase the level of health our dogs need.

Perhaps youre not living as clean as youd like, and youve tried just about everything to start living a better sober life? Youre not alone. Many people struggle with the grasp of addictions each and every single day. If this sounds like you, you might be inclined to reach out for help. The folks at Venice addiction treatment are here for you, whatever you might need.

They offer help with sober living, conducting private meetings, and personal transformation services. There is always someone willing to lend a helping hand and get you started on the right path to living a long, healthy, sober life worth living.

Are you using supplements to boost your health and wellness, but not necessarily seeing the results youre looking for? Many of us are looking for new ways to kick-start our health regiment, and there are some good ways to do just that.

If youre looking to hang on to your youth, you might be in the market for an anti-aging supplement. Supplements containing fatty acids are best to reduce the effects of aging, as well as promote a healthier metabolism and immune systems.

If youre looking to dust off your reusable water bottle and get back into the gym, Nugenix GH Boost might be right for you. This product is a nighttime formula that revitalizes your bodys growth hormones and helps you look like your best self. The best part is it contains no steroids, no banned substances, no stimulants, and is not habit-forming. You can trust that youll get all the results, without the fluff.

Healthy living in this day and age is starting to trend in a much more organic and natural direction, and for good reason. There are a ton of benefits to ditching the traditional forms of healthcare products. Organics are everywhere these days, in foods, medicines, and there are even organic pads. The benefits of organics include natural ingredients, no hormones, and no unnatural substances that might be added as filler.

As weve already touched on with our pets, CBD is a great, natural way to feel better every single day. Benefits include calmness, pain relief, immune system support, overall sense of well-being. Before considering using CBD, we recommend looking into how much CBD you should take daily in order to dial in the ideal dose for your body.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

There are few things we care about more than our kids. However, we might have some questions like, how do we improve digestion? Or perhaps what kinds of medicines and supplements should we be giving them?

Toddler vitamins are a great way to jumpstart their little bodies and immune systems. We suggest ones without synthetic fillers and ingredients. Removing sugars, preservatives, and chemicals from their vitamins is a great way to improve their diet quickly. Perhaps your young ones are often congested at night, but youre wary of over-the-counter meds. There is a Mucinex alternative for kids. Genexa makes plenty of clean medicines for your child that you should try. There are many ways we can clean up our kids systems, these few just scratch the surface of healthier living for your wee one.

If you have questions about how you can improve your health and wellness this year, youre not alone. Hopefully, this article can help answer a few of those for you, and perhaps even give you some ideas that are a little outside the box.

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Your Biggest Health and Wellness Questions For 2022 Answered - Longevity LIVE - Longevity LIVE

Before there was BTS or BigBang, there was Epik High. Ask anyone whos been listening to K-pop for more than a few years, and chances are theyd know Epik High because the pioneering Korean hip-hop trio has had a profound and far-reaching influence on Korean popular music. With K-pop icons such as BTS, Seventeen, and B.I citing them as an inspiration, Epik High is the musicians musicians. And on Monday, February 14, they released Epik High Is Here(Part 2), the second half of their latest two-part albumtheir tenth full-length album in their two-decade-long career.

There was a lot that we wanted to say, and we felt like we couldnt do that with just one album, Epik High frontman Tablo tells Vanity Fair. Also, we were in a situation where the whole world was under quarantine for the first part of this album, so we knew that it was gonna be a long-term period of difficulty for everyone.

Released in January 2021, Epik High Is Here (Part 1) was met with great acclaim, landing in the top 10 on U.S. iTunes and on Spotifys Top 10 Album Debuts charts both in the U.S. and globally. Just over a year later, Epik Highs much-anticipated follow-up is their most personal and powerful work yeta thoughtful retrospective on their 20-year journey recounted in 12 wide-ranging tracks. Epik High Is Here(Part 2) is a rich, eclectic mix of free-flowing rhymes and soaring melodies drawn from hip-hop, pop, indie rock, and other various genres, and it may just provide the emotional outlet we all need as we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.

Who in 2022 is not feeling confused, angry, or lost? No one. We wanted this album to be something that grows with people throughout this entire period of difficulty, says Tablo.

Composed of Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz, Epik High was formed in 2001 before hip-hop waswidely mainstreamin South Korea. The trio didnt readily receive much recognition because their lyrics were deemed too complex and their sound too unlike the typical K-pop songs that dominated the airwaves at the time. But in 2005, they found mainstream success with their third album, Swan Songs, (originally meant to be their last), which featured the hit single Fly. Shortly after releasing Fly, they won the top spot on a popular Korean music show.

It was rare to see a Korean hip-hop group on those shows, but it was nearly impossible to get number one, Tablo explains. We were up against [K-pop group] TVXQat the peak of their popularity, and everyone was telling us congratulations for trying, but we actually won. That was a huge moment because it was also the moment that Korean hip-hop became recognized on national TV. I think that was the turning point.

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Today, the alternative hip-hop trio is widely credited with being one of the first acts to infuse hip-hop and rap into South Koreas mainstream music. Since their inception, Epik High has worked with artists across genres, helping inspire subsequent crossovers and collaborations in the Korean music industry and introducing a variety of sounds into K-pop and Korean hip-hop. Although their penchant for combining rap and hip-hop with elements of pop, rock, and even classical was initially considered too niche and experimental, its partly thanks to their pioneering efforts that weve heard these disparate genres often woven into K-pop songs over the years.

Whats amazing is that every artist that weve supposedly influenced takes it to another level, says Tablo. They will influence a bunch of other people that will take it even further. I would love it to be this domino effect.

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After Two Decades, Epik High Is Still Here and Still Shaping the Future of Korean Music - Vanity Fair