Healthcare Sector Ideas

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>>> Infant Is First To Successfully Receive Personalized Gene Therapy


iHeart

5-16-25


https://www.msn.com/en-us/science/biology/infant-is-first-to-successfully-receive-personalized-gene-therapy/ar-AA1ERcA2?ocid=TobArticle


In a groundbreaking medical achievement, an infant from Pennsylvania, referred to as KJ, has become the first person to successfully receive a personalized CRISPR gene editing therapy. The treatment was developed by a team at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Penn Medicine to address KJ's severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency, a rare metabolic disorder.

KJ was diagnosed with CPS1 deficiency shortly after birth, a condition that prevents the conversion of ammonia to urea, leading to toxic ammonia levels in the body. Typically, such conditions are managed with liver transplants, but KJ was too young for the procedure. Instead, researchers developed a customized gene editing therapy specifically targeting KJ's genetic variant.

The therapy, administered in February 2025 when KJ was between six and seven months old, involved using lipid nanoparticles to deliver the gene editing treatment directly to the liver. Since the treatment, KJ has shown significant improvement, tolerating more dietary protein and reducing reliance on nitrogen scavenger medication. He has also been able to recover from common childhood illnesses without ammonia buildup.

Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas and Dr. Kiran Musunuru, who led the research, hope this success will pave the way for similar treatments for other rare diseases.

"While KJ will need to be monitored carefully for the rest of his life, our initial findings are quite promising," said Dr. Ahrens-Nicklas.

The study detailing KJ's treatment was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy Annual Meeting in New Orleans. The success of this personalized therapy marks a significant step forward in the field of gene editing, offering hope to many families affected by rare genetic disorders.

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>>> Pfizer Divests Remaining Stake in Haleon

3-21-25

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pharma-stock-roundup-pfes-final-162600943.html

Pfizer divested 7.3% remaining stake in Haleon, or approximately 662 million shares, to institutional investors and Haleon itself for £3.85 per ordinary share (around £2.5 billion). Pfizer sold 618 million ordinary shares of HLN to institutional investors worth around $3.1 billion (around £2.4 billion). Per a previous share buyback plan, Pfizer sold around 44.14 million shares worth approximately $220 million (£170 million) directly to Haleon.

Haleon was a consumer health joint venture jointly created by Pfizer and GSK in 2019. GSK owned a controlling stake of 68% in the Consumer Healthcare JV (CHC JV). GSK/Pfizer divested the CHC JV to form Haleon in July 2022. GSK, which initially owned a nearly 13% stake in Haleon, sold its entire stake in May 2024. Pfizer originally held a 32% stake in Haleon, which it had started gradually reducing since 2022.

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>>> Alzheimer's Could Be Linked to a Common Virus You Already Have


Health

02 May 2025

by Ruth Itzhaki, The Conversation


https://www.sciencealert.com/alzheimers-could-be-linked-to-a-common-virus-you-already-have


The common cold sore virus, which is often caught in childhood, usually stays in the body for life – quietly dormant in the nerves. Now and then, things like stress, illness or injury can trigger it, bringing on a cold sore in some people.

But this same virus – called herpes simplex virus type 1 – may also play an important role in something far more serious: Alzheimer's disease.

Over 30 years ago, my colleagues and I made a surprising discovery. We found that this cold sore virus can be present in the brains of older people.

Cold Sore

Herpes simplex virus type 1 hides out in our body from childhood – occasionally erupting as cold sores.

It was the first clear sign that a virus could be quietly living in the brain, which was long thought to be completely germ-free – protected by the so-called "blood-brain barrier".

Then we discovered something even more striking. People who have a certain version of a gene (called APOE-e4) that increases their risk of Alzheimer's, and who have been infected with this virus, have a risk that is many times greater.

To investigate further, we studied brain cells that we infected with the virus. They produced the same abnormal proteins (amyloid and tau) found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

We believe that the virus stays mainly dormant in the body for years – possibly decades. But later in life, as the immune system gets weaker, it can enter the brain and reactivate there. When it does, it will damage brain cells and trigger inflammation.

Over time, repeated flare-ups could gradually cause the kind of damage that leads to Alzheimer's in some people.

We later found the virus's DNA inside the sticky clumps of these proteins, which are found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Even more encouragingly, antiviral treatments reduced this damage in the lab, suggesting that drugs might one day help to slow or even prevent the disease.

Large population studies by others found that severe infections, specifically with the cold sore virus, was a strong predictor of Alzheimer's, and that specific antiviral treatment reduced the risk.

Our research didn't stop there. We wondered if other viruses that lie dormant in the body might have similar effects – such as the one responsible for chickenpox and shingles.

Varicella zoster virus

Shingles vaccine offers another clue

When we studied health records from hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, we saw something interesting. People who had shingles had only a slightly higher risk of developing dementia. Yet those who had the shingles vaccine were less likely to develop dementia at all.

A new Stanford University-led study gave similar results.

This supported our long-held proposal that preventing common infections could lower the risk of Alzheimer's. Consistently, studies by others showed that infections were indeed a risk and that some other vaccines were protective against Alzheimer's.

We then explored how risk factors for Alzheimer's such as infections and head injuries could trigger the hidden virus in the brain.

Using an advanced 3D model of the brain with a dormant herpes infection, we found that when we introduced other infections or simulated a brain injury, the cold sore virus reactivated and caused damage similar to that seen in Alzheimer's.

But when we used a treatment to reduce inflammation, the virus stayed inactive, and the damage didn't happen.

All of this suggests that the virus that causes cold sores could be an important contributor to Alzheimer's, especially in people with certain genetic risk factors. It also opens the door to possible new ways of preventing the disease, such as vaccines or antiviral treatments that stop the virus from waking up and harming the brain.

What began as a link between cold sores and memory loss has grown into a much bigger story – one that may help us understand, and eventually reduce, the risk of one of the most feared diseases of our time.The Conversation

Ruth Itzhaki, Professor Emeritus of Molecular Neurobiology at the University of Manchester and a Visiting Professorial Fellow, University of Oxford

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Fluoride - >>> EPA says it will reconsider safety of fluoride in drinking water


The Hill

by Rachel Frazin

April 2025


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/epa-says-it-will-reconsider-safety-of-fluoride-in-drinking-water/ar-AA1CtUt6?ocid=TobArticle


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reconsider the health impacts of fluoride in drinking water — taking what could be an initial step toward new national limits or a ban on the substance.

An EPA press release said Monday that the agency would “expeditiously review new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water” and that doing so will inform any potential moves to restrict fluoride under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“Without prejudging any outcomes, when this evaluation is completed, we will have an updated foundational scientific evaluation that will inform the agency’s future steps to meet statutory obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a written statement.

In September, a judge ruled that the EPA must “engage with a regulatory response” to fluoride, though it did not dictate what that response should be.

It’s not immediately clear whether Zeldin’s announcement differs from work the agency would have otherwise done in response to that order.

But the administrator credited advocacy from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for bringing about the review.

“Secretary Kennedy has long been at the forefront of this issue. His advocacy was instrumental in our decision to review fluoride exposure risks and we are committed to working alongside him, utilizing sound science as we advance our mission of protecting human health and the environment,” Zeldin said.

Why Is Fluoride Used in Tap Water, and How Much Is Safe?

Fluoride is intentionally added to drinking water to prevent tooth decay. About 200 million Americans drink water with added fluoride.

While it’s clear that fluoride is good for teeth, some recent studies have linked it to lower IQ. Notably, the Department of Health and Human Services’s (HHS) National Toxicology Program found in August that higher levels of fluoride exposure are linked to lower IQs in children.

However, health associations including the the American Academy of Pediatrics stood by recommendations in favor of adding fluoride to water and toothpaste even in light of the finding.

The pediatrics organization said that among other issues, the toxicology program left out studies that did not find a link between fluoride and IQ. And earlier in 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement that “expert panels … have not found convincing scientific evidence linking community water fluoridation with any potential adverse health effect,” including low intelligence.

The attention paid to potential impacts of fluoride has grown in recent years amid the rise of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

In the EPA’s announcement, the agency cited the August 2024 toxicology program finding in its decision to revisit the health impacts of fluoride, which were previously assessed by the EPA in July 2024. EPA says its review will be conducted “in coordination” with Kennedy and HHS.

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>>> Dangerous fungus spreading in US hospitals has ‘rapidly increased'

Candida auris poses 'urgent threat' to sick people, says CDC


by Angelica Stabile By Angelica Stabile

Fox News

March 27, 2025


https://www.foxnews.com/health/dangerous-fungus-spreading-us-hospitals-rapidly-increased


CDC on guard over deadly fungus spreading throughout the US

A dangerous fungus spreading among U.S. healthcare systems isn’t slowing down, reports claim.

New research has revealed that Candida auris (C. auris) has spread rapidly in hospitals since it was first reported in 2016.

In March 2023, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 4,000 new clinical cases of C. auris, dubbing it an "urgent antimicrobial (AR) threat."

The fungus can be resistant to multiple antifungal drugs and can cause "life-threatening illness."

C. auris "spreads easily" in healthcare facilities and mostly impacts people who are already sick, the CDC stated on its website.

A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control on March 17 analyzed clinical cultures of C. auris across the U.S. collected from 2019 to 2023.

The number of clinical cultures increased by 580% from 2019 to 2020, by 251% in 2021, by 46% in 2022, and by 7% in 2023.

"The volumes of clinical cultures with C. auris have rapidly increased, accompanied by an expansion in the sources of infection," concluded the researchers, primarily from the University of Miami.

JoAnna Wagner with the Georgia Department of Public Health shared with local ABC News affiliate WJCL that Georgia, one of the impacted states, has detected more than 1,300 cases as of the end of February.

"Many of the disinfectants that are EPA-registered and historically used by hospitals and medical facilities are not effective against C. Auris," Wagner said.

C. auris is life-threatening to sick individuals, but not a threat to healthy people, according to experts. (iStock)

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst and clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone, considers C. auris an "emerging problem of great concern," he told Fox News Digital.

"It is resistant to multiple antifungal drugs, and it tends to spread in hospital settings, including on equipment being used on immunocompromised and semi-immunocompromised patients, such as ventilators and catheters," he said.

"Unfortunately, symptoms such as fever, chills and aches may be ubiquitous, and it can be mistaken for other infections."

"Major research" is ongoing to develop new treatments, according to Siegel.

"This is part of a much larger problem of emerging antibiotic resistance in the U.S. and around the world," the physician cautioned.

"At the same time, sterilization and disinfection measures in hospitals can be very helpful."

Healthcare facilities in Georgia are reportedly using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified cleaners designed to attack the fungus.

Although C. auris can cause severe infections with high death rates in sick individuals, it is "not a threat to healthy people," according to the CDC.

Fox News Digital reached out to the lead study author and the Georgia Department of Public Health for comment.

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>>> Scientists make alarming discovery about health impact of drinking bottled water — here's what you need to know


TCD

by Kristen Carr

March 16, 2025


https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-alarming-discovery-health-impact-101513788.html


As more plastic waste is being released into the environment, microplastics in drinking water and food are being ingested by humans, causing damage to internal organs after being absorbed through the digestive system. That's most notably occurring in the kidneys, as found in a study published by Communications Biology.

What's happening?

The study has found that microplastics — tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in length — are the primary carriers of the environmental pollutant Benzo[a]pyrene into the body. The specific pathways are not fully understood, but there is evidence that BaP is being absorbed primarily through the intestines after oral ingestion, posing health risks.

The study has found that bottled water is the main source of microplastics, doing damage to the intestinal wall and kidneys and causing systemic inflammation.

Why are microplastics in the environment an issue?

Microplastics in the environment are causing a big problem since they are nearly impossible to clean up because of their tiny size. They have been found in the stomachs of humans and animals, as well as in the air, soil, tap water, food, and drinks. They are also accumulating in our oceans, causing damage to coral reefs and oceanic ecosystems. The effects of microplastics are still being studied, so we don't yet know the full extent of the potential risks to the environment or human health.

Since microplastics are not found in nature and are manufactured by humans, they cannot be broken down by organisms.

What can we do to help reduce microplastics in the environment?

By reducing plastic use and recycling properly, we can reduce the amount of microplastics being released into the environment.

Investing in a reusable water bottle rather than purchasing single-use plastics and using reusable containers rather than disposable bags is a simple way to reduce your use of plastics that break down into microplastics. You can also ditch plastic grocery bags and instead use reusable bags when you shop. You can also support brands that use plastic-free packaging.

Properly recycling plastics is also critical to keeping them out of the environment, where they can be broken down into microplastics that we can breathe and ingest.

Scientists are working on solutions to the problem of microplastics in the environment. A filter called bioCap seems to offer promising results and is in development.

Though we don't yet know the full ramifications of microplastics in the environment, by taking small steps as individuals, we can help reduce the risk.

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>>> A mystery illness in Congo has killed more than 50 people hours after they felt sick


AP

2-25-25

by JEAN-YVES KAMALE


https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/an-unknown-illness-kills-over-50-people-in-part-of-congo-with-hours-between-symptoms-and-death/ar-AA1zHKoc?ocid=TobArticle#


KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — An unknown illness first discovered in three children who ate a bat has rapidly killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, health experts say.

The interval between the onset of symptoms – which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding – and death has been 48 hours in most cases and “that’s what’s really worrying,” said Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring center.

These “hemorrhagic fever” symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses, such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever, but researchers have ruled these out based on tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far.

The latest disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo began on Jan. 21, with 419 cases recorded and 53 deaths.

The outbreak began in the village of Boloko after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours, the Africa office of the World Health Organization said Monday.

There have long been concerns about diseases jumping from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten. The number of such outbreaks in Africa has surged by more than 60% in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022.

After the second outbreak of the mystery disease began in the village of Bomate on Feb. 9, samples from 13 cases were sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, for testing, the WHO said. All samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases, although some tested positive for malaria.

Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was determined likely to be malaria.

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>>> So many Americans died from COVID, it’s boosting Social Security to the tune of $205 billion


MSN

by Alicia Adamczyk

2-19-25


https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/retirement/so-many-americans-died-from-covid-it-s-boosting-social-security-to-the-tune-of-205-billion/ar-AA1zoi3E?ocid=TobArticle&cvid=4919c4dce17743b38ed481f9685a568b&ei=41


As the U.S. approaches the fifth anniversary of the official start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research finds so many Americans died from the virus that the nation’s Social Security trust fund will see a net increase of hundreds of billions of dollars as a result of retirement benefits that will not be paid out.

The working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that approximately 1.7 million excess deaths among Americans 25 and older occurred between 2020 and 2023 related to the pandemic. Premature deaths related to COVID mean Social Security will not make retirement payments to those individuals in the future, reducing payments by about $294 billion, the researchers found.

At the same time, some of that gain is offset by the lost tax revenue from those individuals, as well as increased survivor benefits to spouses and children of the deceased, resulting in an estimated $205 billion less in future outlays.

Many of the people who died were seniors older than 65 who were already drawing retirement benefits or would soon, and had paid into the system for many years. While most of the excess deaths were white Americans, Black and Hispanic populations saw the highest excess deaths per capita, as did those with lower educational attainment.

Of course, while excess death is one measure of how COVID continues to impact Social Security, there are other ways that the study notes it does not account for—long COVID survivors, for example, are more likely to drop out of the workforce, which could lead to paying less into Social Security over time and possibly needing to tap the safety net’s disability benefits.

“Our analysis suggests a slight improvement in Social Security’s financial health due to excess deaths, driven primarily by the premature death of people who would have received retirement benefits,” the report reads.

The authors—including research scientists from the University of Southern California and an economist from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign—note that the savings are “modest.” Social Security is expected to pay out $1.6 trillion in benefits this year, meaning $205 billion is a couple months’ worth of payments.

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>>> 11 Probiotic Foods That Are Super Healthy


Healthline

by Jill Chen/Stocksy


https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-super-healthy-probiotic-foods


Yogurt
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Tempeh
Kimchi
Miso
Kombucha
Pickles
Buttermilk
Natto
Cheese

Bottom line

Adding probiotics to your diet may offer many health benefits. Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics. Other sources of probiotics include sauerkraut, miso, and tempeh.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed. These beneficial bacteria provide all sorts of powerful benefits for your body and brain. They may:

improve digestive healthTrusted Source
reduce depression
promote heart healthTrusted Source
boost immunityTrusted Source

Some evidence suggests they may even give you better-looking skinTrusted Source.

Consuming probiotics in supplement form is one popular way to get them, but you can also get them from fermented foods.

This article reviews 11 probiotic foods that are super healthy.

1. Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics. It’s made from milk fermented by probiotics, mainly lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria.

Health benefits associated with eating yogurt include Trusted Source:

improved bone, heart, and gastrointestinal health
reduced risk of diabetes
reduced risk of breast and colon cancer
improved weight management

Additionally, yogurt may be suitable for people with lactose intolerance. This is because the bacteria turn some of the lactose into lactic acid, which is also what gives yogurt its sour taste.

However, not all yogurt contains live probiotics, and processing can sometimes kill the live bacteria. For this reason, make sure to choose yogurt with active or live cultures.

Also, be on the lookout for high amounts of added sugar, even if the product is labeled “low fat” or “fat-free.”

Summary

Probiotic yogurt is associated with a number of health benefits and may be suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Make sure to choose yogurt that has active or live cultures.

2. Kefir

Kefir is a fermented probiotic milk drink. It’s made by adding kefir grains to cow’s or goat’s milk.

Kefir grains are not cereal grains but rather cultures of lactic acid bacteria and yeast that look a bit like cauliflower.

The word “kefir” is thought to come from the Turkish word “keyifTrusted Source,” which means feeling good after eating.

Indeed, kefir has been linked to various health benefitsTrusted Source. It may improve bone health, help with digestive problems, and protect against infections. Kefir may also be a good option for people with lactose intolerance.

Kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria and yeast, making it a more diverse and potent probiotic source compared to yogurt.

Summary

Kefir is a fermented milk drink. It’s a better source of probiotics than yogurt, and people with lactose intolerance can often drink kefir with no problems.

3. Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria. It’s a traditional food popular in many countries, especially Eastern Europe.

Sauerkraut has a sour, salty taste. People often use it on top of sausages or as a side dish. You can store it for months in an airtight container.

In addition to its probiotic qualities, sauerkraut is rich in fiberTrusted Source as well as vitamins C and K. It’s also high in sodium and contains iron and potassium.

Sauerkraut also contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye healthTrusted Source.

Make sure to choose unpasteurized sauerkraut. Pasteurization kills the live and active bacteria.

Summary

Sauerkraut is finely cut, fermented cabbage. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Make sure to choose unpasteurized brands that contain live bacteria.

4. Tempeh

Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that forms a firm patty. Originally from Indonesia, tempeh has become popular worldwide as a high protein meat substitute. People describe its flavor as nutty, earthy, or similar to that of a mushroom.

The fermentation process has some surprising effects on its nutritional profile.

Soybeans are typically high in phytic acid, a plant compound that impairs the absorption of minerals like iron and zinc.

However, fermentation lowers the amount of phytic acidTrusted Source, which may increase the amount of minerals your body can absorb from tempeh.

Fermentation also produces some vitamin B12, a nutrient that soybeans do not contain. You usually get vitamin B12 from animal products, so tempeh is a great substitute for vegetarians.

Summary

Tempeh is a fermented soybean product that serves as a popular, high protein substitute for meat. It contains a decent amount of vitamin B12, a nutrient found mainly in animal products.

5. Kimchi

Kimchi is a fermented, spicy Korean side dish. Cabbage is usually the main ingredient, but other vegetables can also be used.

Kimchi is flavored with a mix of seasonings, such as red chili pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, scallion, and salt.

It contains the bacteria Lactobacillus kimchii and other lactic acid bacteria that may benefit digestive health.

Kimchi made from cabbage is high in some vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and iron.

Summary

Kimchi is a spicy Korean side dish, usually made from fermented cabbage. Its lactic acid bacteria may benefit digestive health.

6. Miso

Miso is a Japanese seasoning. It’s traditionally made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a fungus called koji.

Miso can also be made by mixing soybeans with other ingredients, such as barley, rice, and rye. People most often use this paste in miso soup, a popular breakfast food in Japan.

Miso is typically salty. It’s available in many varieties, including white, yellow, red, and brown.

Miso is a good source of protein and fiber. It’s also high in various vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, including vitamin K, manganese, and copper.

Some researchTrusted Source suggests that miso may also protect against cancer, obesity, and high blood pressure. It may also help regulate your cholesterol.

Summary

Miso is a fermented soybean paste and a popular Japanese seasoning. It’s rich in several important nutrients and may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and some cancers.

7. Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented black or green tea drink popular in many parts of the world, especially in Asia.

Some researchTrusted Source suggests that kombucha may reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.

But other researchersTrusted Source warn that there isn’t enough high quality evidence to confirm these benefits and that clinical studies on humans are needed.

Still, because kombucha is fermented with bacteria and yeast, it likely does have health benefits related to its probiotic properties.

Summary

Kombucha is a fermented tea drink. Some people claim it has a wide range of health benefits, but more research is needed.

8. Pickles

Pickles (also known as gherkins) are cucumbers preserved in a solution of salt and water.

They’re left to ferment for some time, using their own naturally present lactic acid bacteria, which makes them sour.

Pickled cucumbers are a great source of healthy probiotic bacteria, which may improve digestive health. They are also low in calories and a good source of vitamin K, an essential nutrient for blood clotting.

Keep in mind that pickles also tend to be high in sodium.

It’s important to note that pickles made with vinegar do not contain live probiotics.

Summary

Pickles are cucumbers that have been preserved in salty water and fermented. They are low in calories and high in vitamin K. However, pickles made with vinegar do not have probiotic effects.

9. Traditional buttermilk

The term “buttermilk” actually refers to a range of fermented dairy drinks. There are two main types of buttermilk: traditional and cultured.

Traditional buttermilk is simply the leftover liquid from making butter. Only this version contains probiotics, which some call “Grandma’s probiotic.”

Traditional buttermilk is mainly consumed in India, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Cultured buttermilk, commonly found in American supermarkets, generally does not have any probiotic benefits.

Buttermilk is low in fat and calories but contains several essential vitamins and minerals, such as:

vitamin B12
riboflavin
calcium
phosphorus

Summary

Traditional buttermilk is a fermented dairy drink mainly consumed in India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Cultured buttermilk, found in American supermarkets, generally does not have any probiotic benefits.

10. Natto

Natto is another fermented soybean product, like tempeh and miso. It contains a bacterial strain called Bacillus subtilis.

Natto is a staple in Japanese kitchens. It’s typically mixed with rice and served with breakfast. It has a distinctive smell, slippery texture, and strong flavor.

Natto is rich in protein and vitamin K2, which is important for bone and cardiovascular health. For example, a 2020 Japanese study found that regularly consuming natto reduced the risk of osteoporosis fractures in women postmenopause.

Summary

Natto is a fermented soy product that is a staple in Japanese kitchens. It contains a high amount of vitamin K2, which may improve bone density and heart health.

11. Some types of cheese

Although most types of cheese are fermented, it doesn’t mean that all of them contain probiotics. That’s why it’s important to look for the words “live cultures” or “active cultures” on the food labels.

Semi-hard cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda, as well as cottage cheese, may contain higher levels of probiotics than other types of cheese that are aged for longer periods of time. Cheesemakers are exploring new methodsTrusted Source to protect probiotic bacteria through the aging process.

Cheese is highly nutritious and an excellent source of protein. It’s also rich in important vitamins and minerals, includingTrusted Source:

vitamins A, B6, B12, D, and K
calcium
iodine
magnesium
potassium
phosphorus
selenium
zinc

Moderate consumption of dairy products such as cheese may even lower your risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

Summary

Only some types of cheese — including cheddar, mozzarella, and Gouda — contain probiotics. Cheese is very nutritious and may benefit heart and bone health.

Probiotic foods can be incredibly healthy
There are many very healthy probiotic foods you can eat.

This includes numerous varieties of fermented soybeans, dairy, and vegetables. Of those, 11 are mentioned here, but there are many more.

If you can’t or won’t eat any of these foods, you can also take a probiotic supplement. Be sure to check with a healthcare professional before taking any new supplement.

Probiotics, from both foods and supplements, can have powerful effects on your health.

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>>> ResMed revenue up 10% in Q2 — but GLP-1 questions remain


January 31, 2025

By Chris Newmarker


https://www.massdevice.com/resmed-revenue-up-10-in-q2-but-glp-1-questions-remain/


Resmed stock is down today, even though the maker of CPAPs and other respiratory treatment devices had Street-beating Q2 results.

The results, out after market close yesterday evening, came more than a month after the FDA approved Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) as the first and only prescription drug to treat sleep apnea. CMS soon confirmed that Medicare would cover Zepbound for sleep apnea.

During ResMed’s earnings call with analysts yesterday evening, GLP-1 drugs came up continually during the questioning. CEO Mick Farrell argued that Zepbound — along with new sleep apnea monitoring features on smartwatches — will prove to be a gateway to people using CPAPs to treat their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“One thing is clear, the real-world evidence shows that the combination of a GLP-1 prescription and a PAP prescription is powerful for patients with obstructive sleep apnea,” Farrell said.

However, he also said that Zepbound had yet to have a significant affect on ResMed’s sales since pharmaceutical companies usually take at least six months to educate health providers before starting direct-to-consumer advertising. The sales benefits of the drug becoming a combo therapy with CPAPs would take time.

“It’s not a one-and-done, it’s not a single-step change, it’s a gradual improvement in that patient flow. So I think we’re in the very early innings of the flow of extra patients from GLP-1s and from consumer tech, Farrell said.

RMD shares were down more than 6% to $240.05 apiece by midday trading today. Needham & Co. analysts kept their rating of the company’s shares at Hold, citing GLP-1s.

A Street-beating Q2 for ResMed

San Diego–based ResMed earned nearly $345 million, or $2.34 per share, off of $1.282 billion in revenue for the second quarter ended Dec. 31, 2024. The bottom and top lines were up 65% and 10%, respectively.

Adjusted to exclude one-time items, ResMed’s EPS was $2.43, 11¢ ahead of the Wall Street analyst consensus of $2.32 EPS and $1.267 billion in sales.

“Our second quarter fiscal year 2025 top-line growth, margin expansion, and double-digit EPS growth were the result of increased demand for our sleep health and breathing health products and digital health solutions that people love, as well as our laser-focus on operational excellence,” Farrell said in a news release.

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>>> ResMed Inc. (RMD) develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets medical devices and cloud-based software applications for the healthcare markets. The company operates in two segments, Sleep and Respiratory Care, and Software as a Service.

It offers various products and solutions for a range of respiratory disorders, including ApneaLink Air, a portable diagnostic device that measures oximetry, respiratory effort, pulse, nasal flow, and snoring; and NightOwl, a portable, cloud-connected, and disposable diagnostic device that measures AHI based on derived peripheral arterial tone, actigraphy, and oximetry over several nights. The company also provides AirView, a cloud-based system that enables remote monitoring and changing of patients' device settings; myAir, a personalized therapy management application for patients with sleep apnea that provides support, education, and troubleshooting tools for increased patient engagement and improved compliance; U-Sleep, a compliance monitoring solution that enables home medical equipment (HME) to streamline their sleep programs; connectivity module and propeller solutions; and Propeller portal.

It offers out-of-hospital software solution, such as Brightree business management software and service solutions to providers of HME, pharmacy, home infusion, orthotics, and prosthetics services; MatrixCare care management and related ancillary solutions to senior living, skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, home care, and hospice organizations, as well as related accountable care organizations; HEALTHCAREfirst that offers electronic health record, software, billing and coding services, and analytics for home health and hospice agencies; and MEDIFOX DAN's software solutions.

The company markets its products to sleep clinics, home healthcare dealers, and hospitals through a network of distributors and direct sales force. ResMed Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

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https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/RMD/profile/

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>>> Alzheimer’s Drugs Eyed as Next Big Obesity-Like Opportunity


Bloomberg

by Lisa Pham

January 10, 2025


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/alzheimer-drugs-eyed-investors-seeking-050000316.html


(Bloomberg) -- Investors seeking the next obesity-like market opportunity will be closely watching developments related to treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in 2025.

Companies including Biogen Inc. and Eli Lilly & Co. have spent billions of dollars on developing potential treatments, while others including Novo Nordisk A/S and Roche AG are also investigating the brain-destroying disease. Any breakthroughs in trials or drug approvals could have a big impact on share prices as investors factor in potential sales for a market which Bloomberg Intelligence estimates could reach $13 billion by 2030.

“The opportunity remains huge,” said Chris Eccles, a portfolio manager at AXA Investment Managers. “If we get a strong disease-modifying drug and very positive clinical trials, numbers can go back in models and forecasts can be revised upwards quite significantly, quite quickly.”

Firms developing Alzheimer’s drugs have already seen big peaks and troughs. Biogen shares soared 44% on a single day in November 2020 after news that an experimental drug appeared to be effective, before plunging days later after failing to get support from a panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers. Despite getting approval the following year, Biogen ultimately ditched the drug after years of debate over its efficacy. Many other drugs have also failed.

Two of the newest drugs to treat the disease are currently available in the US. Lecanemab, from Biogen and Japanese partner Eisai Co., is sold under the brand name Leqembi, and donanemab from Eli Lilly is branded as Kisunla. Both drugs work by reducing the brain amyloid levels in patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and act to slow the disease. Still, they don’t stop or reverse it, while both treatments have side effects that include brain bleeding and brain swelling.

“It could be a year where we also see a bit more clarity in terms of traction for the drugs that are approved so far,” said Gregoire Biollaz, senior investment manager at Pictet Asset Management.

Here are some of the stocks to watch in 2025:

Biogen and Eisai

Patients currently on Leqembi take it as an infusion, though Biogen and Eisai have also developed a version that can be administered at home. In focus for investors in 2025 will be whether the injectable formulation wins regulatory approval, which would mean patients won’t have to travel for treatment.

Another related stock to watch is Sweden’s BioArctic AB, which discovered Leqembi and is entitled to royalties for the drug. The shares have surged more than eightfold since going public in 2017, but have struggled in recent years amid a challenging launch for the treatment.

Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly’s Kisunla treatment received FDA clearance in July 2024, and investors will get more of an indication in the coming year about how adoption of the drug will fare against Leqembi.

The company is also evaluating a follow-on drug, known as remternetug, via injection as well as infusion. The late-stage trial will assess the formulations for amyloid plaque clearance and safety, which could signal whether remternetug will be a better treatment option than Kisunla, according to Bloomberg Intelligence analysts. Trial results for remternetug could be released at the end of this year or early 2026, according to BI’s Jean Rivera Irizarry.

Novo Nordisk

A study last year indicated that patients taking semaglutide were at significantly reduced risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Novo Nordisk is currently testing whether the ingredient — which is in its diabetes and weight-loss drugs — can benefit patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. Late-stage trial results are expected in the second half. Bank of America analysts including Sachin Jain see potential for the stock to rise about 10%-15% if the data is positive, but flagged that it is “high risk.”

Roche

Roche has completed the first part of an early-stage study for trontinemab, a drug designed to clear amyloid which deploys a brain shuttle technology to slip past the protective blood-brain barrier. The company is awaiting more data before deciding whether to proceed with late-stage trials, and UBS Group AG analyst Colin White sees this data potentially being available in the first half. For Barclays Plc analyst Emily Field, it seems “far more likely than not” that Roche will go ahead with more trials. Trontinemab is a newer version of gantenerumab, Roche’s previous big bet on Alzheimer’s that ultimately failed to slow cognitive decline.

UCB

Belgian biotech firm UCB SA is expected to decide whether to continue developing bepranemab, though no timeline has been provided. A mid-stage study last year missed its primary endpoint, though showed that the experimental drug slowed cognitive decline and the rate of accumulation of tau, a protein that creates tangles within brain cells. TD Cowen analyst Stacy Ku noted that bepranemab has a “clean” safety profile that “should allow for combination treatment.”

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>>> Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) is a well-diversified healthcare company, with four distinct units: Medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals. This is great because it means if one of these businesses faces tough times, another could compensate and maintain overall growth.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-no-brainer-healthcare-stocks-091500419.html

This is actually happening right now. With coronavirus testing on the decline, the diagnostics business has seen revenue fall. But in the recent quarter, the medical devices unit delivered double-digit revenue growth, helping Abbott to report a 5% increase in revenue to $10.6 billion. Over time, Abbott has delivered gains in revenue and profit.

Abbott sells market-leading products across its businesses, from the Ensure brand in its nutrition business to the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system in its medical devices unit. In fact, Abbott's sales of glucose monitoring systems generated more than $1.6 billion in the recent quarter for a year-over-year increase of about 20%.

The company also has a full pipeline of innovations to keep the growth going. It most recently launched Lingo, a continuous glucose monitoring platform for wellness purposes. Without a prescription, you can gain access to this system to monitor your metabolic health.

Abbott shares trade for about 23x forward earnings estimates. That's a very reasonable price to pay for a company that has a strong track record of growth, market-leading products, and solid long-term prospects.

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>>> Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG) is the global leader in robotic surgery. With a compound annual growth rate of about 15%, this market is expected to reach more than $25 billion by 2030, according to Meticulous Research. Intuitive's flagship product is the da Vinci, a system used in a wide variety of surgeries, from cardiac, gynecology, and urology to general surgery such as hernia procedures.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-no-brainer-healthcare-stocks-091500419.html

Intuitive suffered early in the pandemic as hospitals worldwide postponed surgeries, but in more recent times, procedure volume has been going strong. In the recent quarter, da Vinci procedures increased 18% year over year, and revenue climbed 17% to more than $2 billion. Importantly, Intuitive grew its installed base by 15% to more than 9,500 systems as of the end of September.

I like Intuitive's strong moat, or competitive advantage, which has two parts. First, surgeons train on the da Vinci and are used to the platform, so it's unlikely they'll want to switch to a rival. Second, after spending more than $1 million on a robot, hospitals will probably continue using the platform, aiming to amortize the investment over a period of years.

I also like the idea that Intuitive makes most of its revenue not from selling the actual robots, but from selling instruments and accessories required for the procedures. This is positive because it offers the company a form of recurrent revenue, so revenue from the da Vinci doesn't end with the purchase or leasing of the actual platform.

Intuitive may look expensive, trading at more than 75x forward earnings estimates, but it's worth the price considering its leadership, moat, and guarantee of recurrent revenue.

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>>> Johnson & Johnson: Litigation and deals (Down 8%)

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-worst-performing-stocks-dow-120300465.html

So, starting with the 30-company index's fifth-worst performer, we have medical-devices and healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) , which fell 7.73% in 2024.

In September, J&J’s Red River Talc unit filed for bankruptcy for a third time as the healthcare titan looked to advance a roughly $8 billion proposed settlement. The proposal would end tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that the company’s baby powder and other talc products caused cancer.

The company said in October that its third-quarter results were affected by the updated talc litigation settlement proposal and acquired in-process research and development expenses associated with the NM26 bispecific antibody.

In July, J&J completed its acquisition of Yellow Jersey, a de-merged subsidiary of Numab Therapeutics, to secure the global rights to NM26. The transaction was valued at $1.25 billion.

Earlier this month, Citi lowered its price target on Johnson & Johnson to $175 from $185 and affirmed a buy rating on the shares as part of a 2025 outlook for the U.S. medical-technology sector.

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>>> Coke, PepsiCo Lobby to Keep Sugary Sodas in Food-Stamp Program


The Wall Street Journal

by Laura Cooper and Kristina Peterson

December 23, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coke-pepsico-lobby-keep-sugary-103000968.html


Lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully for decades to restrict soda, desserts and candy from food-assistance programs.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants to take sugary drinks out of the shopping carts of food-stamp recipients. Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper are mobilizing to stop him.

Kennedy, the president-elect’s nominee to run the Health and Human Services Department, aims to remove soda and processed foods from federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps. The move could have big repercussions for the beverage industry.

Lobbyists for Coke and its biggest rivals are pressing their case on Capitol Hill, highlighting the fact that the soda companies are selling more zero-sugar drinks. These, combined with clear calorie labels on beverages, allow consumers to make healthier choices, they say. Soda lobbyists also point to anti-hunger advocacy groups such as Share Our Strength, which argues that instead of restricting SNAP recipients’ options, Congress should fund programs that help low-income families access healthier foods. Coke and PepsiCo are corporate sponsors for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

Coke is looking to hire additional lobbyists from among a small and exclusive group who have close relationships with Trump, according to a person familiar with the matter. Lobbyists for the big soda companies are also trying to get in front of people close to Kennedy and Brooke Rollins, Trump’s nominee to head the Agriculture Department, which administers SNAP benefits. Rollins hasn’t endorsed Kennedy’s agenda, and it is unclear where she stands on the idea of making sugary drinks and foods ineligible for food stamps.

The American Beverage Association, an industry group that represents Coke, PepsiCo and Keurig Dr Pepper, plans to donate money to Trump’s inauguration, as it has for past presidents, said Kevin Keane, chief executive of the group.

Coca-Cola “is always active in engaging on policies important to our business,” a company spokeswoman said. PepsiCo and Keurig referred questions to the beverage association.

SNAP is a federally funded food-benefits program that provides money for low-income families to buy groceries. In fiscal year 2023, an average of 42.1 million people a month, or 12.6% of Americans, used the benefit, according to data from the Agriculture Department. Federal spending for the program was $112.8 billion and benefits averaged $211.93 per participant a month, the data show. The USDA said it doesn’t have national data on how much of that is spent on soft drinks.

Lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully for decades to restrict soda, desserts and candy from food-assistance programs. They have argued that government funds shouldn’t be used to buy unhealthy foods and that the inclusion of these foods in benefits programs has contributed to higher rates of obesity and diabetes.

In 2023, Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) co-sponsored legislation with Rep. Josh Brecheen (R., Okla.) to make soda, prepared desserts and other sugary foods ineligible for SNAP benefits. Brecheen said he plans to reintroduce the legislation in January, and is counting on help from Trump and Kennedy to get it passed. The food-stamp program shouldn’t pay for sugary drinks that increase the risk of obesity and diabetes, he said.

Soda companies are more concerned now about the prospect of a restriction on SNAP benefits because Trump has adopted Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Kennedy also has argued for restricting consumption of high-fructose corn syrup and certain dyes.

“It’s nonsensical for U.S. taxpayers to spend tens of billions of dollars subsidizing junk that harms the health of low-income Americans,” Kennedy wrote in an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal.

If the Trump administration does pursue changes to the food-stamp program, it wouldn’t happen overnight. It could take years to implement new restrictions, industry analysts said.

“Congress can push a lot of things, but when the [executive branch is] already on board, it makes it a lot easier to get things done,” Rubio said in an interview, speaking about renewed efforts to remove junk food from the food-aid program. “But there will be resistance.”

The Republican Party has long been divided over policing what people on food stamps eat. Some GOP lawmakers favor consumer choice.

“I believe in educating consumers on what is in their best interest,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R., Okla.), a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. “I’ve always had a hard time telling people what they cannot have.”

As consumers shift away from full-sugar sodas, Coke and other beverage makers are selling more low- and no-sugar drink options, including seltzers, sports drinks, bottled waters and teas. The American Beverage Association in conversations with lawmakers is highlighting this shift, saying zero- or low-calorie drinks represent 60% of nonalcoholic packaged and fountain drinks sold in the U.S. by volume.

“No other industry is doing what we are doing in terms of offering choice in zero-sugar products,” said Keane from the beverage association.

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>>> Haleon plc (HLN), together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of various consumer healthcare products in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides oral health products, such as toothpastes, mouth washes, and denture care products under the Sensodyne, Polident, Parodontax, Biotene brands; and vitamins, minerals, and supplements under Centrum, Emergen-C, Caltrate brands. It also offers various over-the-counter products comprising nasal drops, and cold, flu, and allergy relief products under Otrivine, Theraflu, and Flonase brands for respiratory issues; anti-inflammatory and pain relief products under Voltaren, Panadol, and Advil brands; and antacids and antihistamine products under TUMS, ENO, and Fenistil brands for digestive health and other issues. The company was formerly known as DRVW 2022 plc and changed its name to Haleon plc in February 2022. Haleon plc was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Weybridge, the United Kingdom. <<<


https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/HLN/profile/


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>>> CDC Confirms First Severe Case of H5N1 Bird Flu in the United States


For immediate release: December 18, 2024

CDC Media Relations


https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/m1218-h5n1-flu.html


December 18, 2024-- A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus ("H5N1 bird flu") infection in Louisiana. This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13. Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States.

Partial viral genome data of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that infected the patient in Louisiana indicates that the virus belongs to the D1.1 genotype related to other D1.1 viruses recently detected in wild birds and poultry in the United States and in recent human cases in British Columbia, Canada, and Washington state. This H5N1 bird flu genotype is different than the B3.13 genotype detected in dairy cows, sporadic human cases in multiple states, and some poultry outbreaks in the United States. Additional genomic sequencing and efforts to isolate virus from clinical specimens from the patient in Louisiana are underway at CDC.

While an investigation into the source of the infection in Louisiana is ongoing, it has been determined that the patient had exposure to sick and dead birds in backyard flocks. This is the first case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. that has been linked to exposure to a backyard flock. A sporadic case of severe H5N1 bird flu illness in a person is not unexpected; avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection has previously been associated with severe human illness in other countries during 2024 and prior years, including illness resulting in death. No person-to-person spread of H5 bird flu has been detected. This case does not change CDC's overall assessment of the immediate risk to the public's health from H5N1 bird flu, which remains low.

This case underscores that, in addition to affected commercial poultry and dairy operations, wild birds and backyard flocks also can be a source of exposure. People with work or recreational exposures to infected animals are at higher risk of infection and should follow CDC's recommended precautions when around animals that are infected or potentially infected with H5N1 avian influenza virus. This means that backyard flock owners, hunters and other bird enthusiasts should also take precautions.

The best way to prevent H5 bird flu is to avoid exposure whenever possible. Infected birds shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, mucous, and feces. Other infected animals may shed avian influenza A viruses in respiratory secretions and other bodily fluids (e.g., in unpasteurized cow milk or 'raw milk').

As a general precaution, whenever possible, people should avoid contact with sick or dead animals, in particular wild birds, and poultry.

For individuals with direct/close contact with wild birds or sick or dead poultry or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Wild birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses even if they don't look sick.

Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.

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>>> Novo Nordisk Stock Crashes on Obesity Drug Data. It’s a Win for Eli Lilly.


Barron's

by Josh Nathan-Kazis

Dec 20, 2024


https://www.barrons.com/articles/novo-nordisk-stock-data-eli-lilly-9c83e0d5?siteid=yhoof2


For more than a year, Novo Nordisk NOVO.B has told the world it expects patients to lose “at least 25%” of their body weight on its experimental drug CagriSema.

It turns out the company was wrong.

On Friday, Novo released the results of a large Phase 3 trial of the drug. Patients lost only 22.7% of their body weight, on average, after about a year and a half.

There were some wrinkles in the data that suggest the drug could be better than it looks, and Novo says it still plans to ask regulators to approve the medicine. But that 22.7% rate is about the same efficacy as Zepbound, the Eli Lilly
LLY weight-loss drug that is already on the market, analysts wrote early Friday.

That is severely undermining expectations for sales of CagriSema, which analysts had expected would be a step up from Zepbound. While Wall Street had been anticipating CagriSema sales would hit $15.6 billion a year by 2029, according to FactSet, those estimates are now very much in question.

There were complexities in the study results. Under the design of the trial, patients had control over the size of their CagriSema dosage, and only 57.3% of patients on the drug chose to escalate to the highest dose.

Still, investors weren’t interested in the nuances. Novo’s American depositary receipt was down 20.5% early Friday. Lilly shares were up 6.7%.

Investors were also buying shares of obesity-focused biotechs, under the apparent theory that they would benefit from CagriSema’s results. Shares of Viking Therapeutics were up 8.8%, while the American depositary receipts of Structure Therapeutics rose 1.2%.

More than anything, the result appears to solidify Lilly’s lead position in the obesity market. Lilly’s Zepbound has already shown better efficacy than Novo’s currently available drug Wegovy in a head-to-head trial. In addition to Zepbound, Lilly has a pipeline of promising weight-loss assets that includes the pill orfoglipron, and retatrutide.

In a statement to Barron’s, Novo said it still plans to submit CagriSema for regulatory approval “towards the end of 2025.”

The company also said that it plans to start a new trial of CagriSema in the first half of next year. In that trial, the company would work to improve how the dosage of CagriSema that patients take is ramped up, it said.

“The 22.7% weight loss is significantly higher than Wegovy and on par with best-in-class treatments,” Novo said. “The trial permitted dose reductions, and statistically significant results were achieved even though only 57% of patients on CagriSema reached the highest dose.”

CagriSema is a combination of semaglutide—the medicine sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy—and cagrilintide, another medicine. The two ingredients work differently from each other, and their action was thought to be complimentary.

In the trial, patients who received semaglutide alone lost 16.1% of their body weight, according to one statistical method of analysis, while patients on cagrilintide alone lost 11.8%. But the whole turned out to be less than the sum of its parts: Patients who received CagriSema, the combination of the two drugs, lost 22.7% of their body weight on average.

Novo said that 40.4% of the patients on CagriSema did lose 25% of their body weight or more over the 68-week duration of the trial.

The results come days after Novo closed on the complex and controversial $11 billion purchase of three factories it can use to ramp up its GLP-1 drug manufacturing over the coming years.

They also come just a day after the Food and Drug Administration officially declared an end to the yearslong shortage of tirzepatide, the drug Lilly sells as Zepbound and Mounjaro. Novo’s semaglutide remains in shortage.

In recent months, investors have gone wobbly on the weight-loss trade as complexities and uncertainties mount. What had once seemed a simple bet on highly effective obesity treatments has grown trickier in the face of an aggressive legal copycat market, amid other troubles. Before Friday’s selloff, Novo’s ADR had been down nearly 28% since the start of July.

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>>> Why Novo Nordisk Stock Got Destroyed Today, but Eli Lilly and Viking Stocks Are Up


by Rich Smith

Motley Fool

December 20, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-novo-nordisk-stock-got-172025713.html


Bad news for Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) Friday was good news for Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX), its two main rivals in the field of weight loss drugs. This morning, Novo reported headline results from its phase 3 trial of a new weight loss drug, CagriSema, and while objectively not bad, the results were less great than Novo was shooting for.

As of 11:05 a.m. ET, Novo Nordisk stock is down a disheartening 20.8%, while both Lilly and Viking stocks are up 4.4% apiece.

Novo Nordisk's no good, very bad day

Originally designed to treat patients with diabetes, GLP-1 drugs like Novo's Ozempic and Lilly's Zepbound have taken on a new role in society as the go-to treatment for obesity, and for easy weight loss, generally. Novo was hoping to expand its lead in this market with its new offering, CagriSema, which fortifies the semaglutide ingredient in Ozempic with an amylin-focused drug that also aims to decrease food cravings.

The goal: to beat Ozempic's record for 16.1% weight loss among patients taking the drug over 68 weeks, by hitting a new target of 25% weight loss over the same period.

I won't keep you in suspense. Novo missed that target. The company's Redefine 1 phase 3 trial of CagriSema, containing both cagrilintide and semaglutide "achieved its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and superior weight loss" relative to a placebo. However, average weight loss over the course of the 68-week trial was only 22.7% -- not the targeted 25%.

So that's the bad news. The good news is that CagriSema does appear to have resulted in greater weight loss than Novo's original recipe Ozempic and better weight loss than Lilly's Zepbound. (Viking's own weight loss drug, VK2735, is still in trials.)

How bad is this news for Novo Nordisk stock?

Investors in Novo Nordisk seem very unhappy with these results while investors in Lilly and Viking seem much happier, but should they be?

While you'd expect Novo to try to put a happy face on these results, management honestly doesn't seem too upset.

"We are encouraged by the weight loss profile of CagriSema demonstrating superiority over both semaglutide and cagrilintide in monotherapy in the REDEFINE 1 trial," said Novo's Executive Vice President for Development Martin Lange, noting that the company plans to "further explore the additional weight loss potential of CagriSema." And when you consider that 40.4% of the patients participating in the REDEFINE 1 study actually did achieve 25% or greater weight loss after 68 weeks (it's only the average that fell short of the mark), it would seem at least possible that further tweaking of the drug combination might eventually yield the results Novo is looking for.

Is Novo Nordisk stock a sell?

Meanwhile, today's massive sell-off in Novo Nordisk stock may be giving investors an unexpected second bite at the GLP-1 apple -- a chance to buy Novo stock at a price-to-earnings ratio of barely 29. On a stock expected to grow earnings at better than 21% annually over the next five years, and paying a modest 1.3% dividend yield to boot, that's not too much more than what I'd call a fair valuation for Novo Nordisk shares.

When you consider further that Lilly shares are selling for closer to 82 times earnings (i.e., twice as expensive), while Viking Therapeutics stock has no earnings at all, and therefore no P/E ratio on which to value it, this all kind of makes Novo Nordisk look like the value investor's choice for investing in weight loss drugs.

Crazy as it may sound to say it, today just might be good day to buy Novo Nordisk stock.

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>>> Blood–brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic inflammation in individuals with long COVID-associated cognitive impairment

Nature - Neuroscience

Feb 22, 2024


https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-024-01576-9


Chris Greene, Ruairi Connolly, Declan Brennan, Aoife Laffan, Eoin O’Keeffe, Lilia Zaporojan, Jeffrey O’Callaghan, Bennett Thomson, Emma Connolly, Ruth Argue, James F. M. Meaney, Ignacio Martin-Loeches, Aideen Long, Cliona Ni Cheallaigh, Niall Conlon, Colin P. Doherty & Matthew Campbell

Nature Neuroscience volume 27, pages421–432 (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

Vascular disruption has been implicated in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis and may predispose to the neurological sequelae associated with long COVID, yet it is unclear how blood–brain barrier (BBB) function is affected in these conditions. Here we show that BBB disruption is evident during acute infection and in patients with long COVID with cognitive impairment, commonly referred to as brain fog.

Using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, we show BBB disruption in patients with long COVID-associated brain fog. Transcriptomic analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed dysregulation of the coagulation system and a dampened adaptive immune response in individuals with brain fog. Accordingly, peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed increased adhesion to human brain endothelial cells in vitro, while exposure of brain endothelial cells to serum from patients with long COVID induced expression of inflammatory markers. Together, our data suggest that sustained systemic inflammation and persistent localized BBB dysfunction is a key feature of long COVID-associated brain fog.

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>>> Lead in gasoline tied to over 150 million excess cases of mental health disorders, study suggests


NBC News

by Elizabeth Chuck

12-5-24


https://www.msn.com/en-us/education-and-learning/general/lead-in-gasoline-tied-to-over-150-million-excess-cases-of-mental-health-disorders-study-suggests/ar-AA1vhEoV?ocid=TobArticle


Exposure to lead in gasoline during childhood resulted in many millions of excess cases of psychiatric disorders over the last 75 years, a new study estimates.

Lead was banned from automobile fuel in 1996. The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, looked at its lasting impact in the U.S. by analyzing childhood blood lead levels from 1940 to 2015. According to the findings, the national population experienced an estimated 151 million excess mental health disorders attributable to exposure to lead from car exhaust during children’s early development.

The exposure made generations of Americans more depressed, anxious, inattentive or hyperactive, the study says.

The researchers — a group from Duke University, Florida State University and the Medical University of South Carolina — found that the exposure also lowered people’s capacity for impulse control and made them more inclined to be neurotic.

Lead-associated mental health and personality differences were most pronounced for people born between 1966 and 1986, according to the study. Of that group, the greatest lead-linked mental illness burden was for Generation Xers born between 1966 and 1970, coinciding with peak use of leaded gasoline in the mid-1960s and mid-1970s.

People born during those years “can’t go back in time and change that,” said Aaron Reuben, a co-author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar in neuropsychology at Duke and the Medical University of South Carolina.

“Studies like ours today add more evidence that removing lead from our environment and not putting it there in the first place has more benefits than we previously understood,” Reuben said.

The groups born around 1940 and 2015 had the lowest lead exposure and lead-associated mental illness, the study reported.

Though no longer in gasoline, lead is still present in other sources, such as some toys imported from other countries, water service lines that have not yet been updated, some soil and paint in old houses. (Lead paint was banned in 1978.)

There is no safe level of exposure to lead, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even small amounts are associated with developmental and learning difficulties, given that lead exposure is known to harm the brain and the nervous and reproductive systems. Children under 6 years old are most vulnerable to lead poisoning.

The study published Wednesday combined data on blood lead levels and estimates of historical lead exposure with findings from past studies, including a 2019 study of nearly 600 New Zealand residents that followed kids exposed to lead and measured their mental health over more than three decades.

Reuben, who was the lead author of that study, said the new research “doesn’t create new information about whether lead causes harm, nor do we say this is a study that proves causation — we’re really just taking existing evidence and applying it to the whole U.S. population.”

“We’re not at all concerned that we have in any way overestimated the harm,” he added.

Dr. Lisa Fortuna, chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Children, Adolescents and Their Families, praised the study.

“We don’t often get to see a lot of studies that look at environmental, or toxin-related, potential associated risks with the development of elevated rates of mental health problems in populations,” she said. “The research shed some light on the profound and lasting impact of environmental factors.”

The study’s findings should not be cause for panic, Fortuna said.

“It does not mean that people are, I would say, stuck with a mental illness. It doesn’t mean that they’re necessarily going to have a higher risk,” she said. “It’s really an issue of, ‘Here’s what’s happened at a population level.’”

The study comes a couple of years after Reuben and other researchers found that exposure to leaded gasoline lowered the IQ of about half the U.S. population. That study estimated that childhood exposure to lead from gasoline cost Americans about 824 million IQ points.

Lead was originally added to gasoline to improve engine performance. Use of leaded gas increased after World War II until it proved damaging to catalytic converters, which became required in the 1970s. Some of lead’s hazards were known long before it was banned from gasoline, but reducing exposure to it did not become a federal priority for many years.

Lead screenings are now recommended for all young children, with treatment such as chelation therapy available to remove the poison if levels are high.

Reuben said prevention is the best way to keep people safe.

“We’ve done a lot of good in the U.S. reducing lead exposures. Blood lead levels have gone way down, but they could go down further,” he said. “I hope that we can learn from the history about how much harm we caused in the U.S., and try to apply that moving forward.”

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>>> World-first: Deep brain stimulation enables paralyzed patient to walk again


Interesting Engineering

by Mrigakshi Dixit

December 3, 2024


https://www.yahoo.com/news/world-first-deep-brain-stimulation-141138940.html


A ski accident left 54-year-old Wolfgang Jäger paralyzed in 2006. He has been confined to a wheelchair since sustaining a spinal cord injury.

But thanks to a new treatment, he is slowly regaining his mobility - through the ability of walking short distances.

Jäger participated in the clinical trial for spinal cord injuries (SCI) conducted by EPFL and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV).

In this clinical trial, the participants received deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the surprising region of the brain called the lateral hypothalamus (LH).

This region was long thought to be involved only in basic functions like arousal and feeding. But it has now been revealed linked to controlling the movement of legs and even motor recovery.

Surprisingly, the results showcased notable improvement in lower limb function in trial individuals with partial SCI.

The treatment enhanced the participants’ walking abilities without the need for any aid.

“Last year on vacation, it was no problem to walk a couple of steps down and back to the sea using the stimulation,” Jäger shared.

“I can also reach things in my cupboards in the kitchen,” he added.

Revives remaining nerve fibers in the brain

DBS is a neurosurgical technique used to treat movement disorders like Parkinson's disease. It involves implanting electrodes to modulate neural activity for motor control.

This new approach involves using DBS on the lateral hypothalamus to treat partial paralysis.

By stimulating this area with DBS, researchers have been able to awaken dormant neural pathways.

The effects of DBS were both immediate and long-lasting. For instance, the treatment immediately improved walking ability during rehabilitation. Moreover, it resulted in sustained improvements in motor function.

The treatment promoted the reorganization of “residual nerve fibers,” which survive after the injury. This resulted in lasting neurological improvements.

“We found how to tap into a small region of the brain that was not known to be involved in the production of walking in order to engage these residual connections and augment neurological recovery in people with spinal cord injury,” said Grégoire Courtine, professor of neuroscience at EPFL, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV).

For the surgery, detailed brain scans of the patients were first conducted. The scans enabled accurate placement of small electrodes into the brain region.

After this, stimulations were performed while the patient was fully conscious. During stimulation, the patients provided real-time feedback.

For instance, the first patient immediately reported feeling her legs, and increased stimulation prompted her to say, "I feel the urge to walk!"

“This real-time feedback confirmed we had targeted the correct region, even if this region had never been associated with the control of the legs in humans,” said Jocelyne Bloch, neurosurgeon and professor at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), in the press release.

Researchers developed a multi-step approach to identify the role of the lateral hypothalamus in walking recovery.

They started by mapping the entire brain to understand its function in walking. Moreover, experiments on animal models revealed specific neural circuits involved in recovery. Finally, they translated these findings into clinical trials on two human participants.

These results open the door to new treatments for SCI recovery.

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>>> Unknown disease kills 143 in southwest Congo, local authorities say


Reuters

12-3-24


https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/unknown-disease-kills-143-in-southwest-congo-local-authorities-say/ar-AA1vbSjl?ocid=TobArticle


LUBUMBASHI, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Reuters) - An unknown disease killed 143 people in Democratic Republic of the Congo's southwestern province in November, local authorities told Reuters.

Infected people had flu-like symptoms, including high fever and severe headaches, Remy Saki, deputy governor of Kwango province, and Apollinaire Yumba, provincial minister of health, said on Monday.

A medical team has been sent to the Panzi health zone to collect samples and carry out an analysis in order to identify the disease.

The situation is extremely worrying as the number of infected people continues to rise, civil society leader Cephorien Manzanza told Reuters.

"Panzi is a rural health zone, so there is a problem with the supply of medicines," Manzanza said.

Sick people die in their own homes for lack of treatment, Saki and Yumba said.

A local epidemiologist said women and children were the most seriously affected by the disease.

A WHO spokesperson said on Tuesday the UN health agency had been alerted to the presence of the disease last week, and it was working alongside Congo's public health ministry to make further investigations.

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>>> Massport alerts CDC amid concern over sick passengers on flights landing in Boston


Boston 25 News

by Frank O'Laughlin, Maria Papadopoulos

November 25, 2024


https://news.yahoo.com/news/massport-alerts-cdc-amid-concern-210334003.html


A pair of flights landed in Boston on Sunday afternoon with some crew members or passengers “complaining of illness,” prompting officials to notify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which owns and operates Boston’s Logan International Airport, said the sick passengers were on Delta and Avianca flights that landed in the city “around the same time.”

“It’s possible that the high winds impacted the flights, but I couldn’t say that for sure,” the spokesperson said in a statement shared with Boston 25 News. “We reached out to the CDC out of an abundance of caution.”

At least two of the ill passengers were taken to the hospital after landing, according to the spokesperson.

In a statement to Boston 25 on Monday afternoon, a Delta spokesperson said no customers reported illness on Delta Flight 225 traveling from Paris to Boston, but two of Delta’s flight crew members on the aircraft sought medical attention after not feeling well.

Details of their illness were not known Monday. However, the Delta spokesperson said there was no public health authority involvement and the two flight attendants were evaluated by EMTs upon arrival to Boston. There were no delays or cancellations as a result.

Boston 25 News has also reached out to Avianca airlines for additional information.

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>>> RFK Jr. Leaves Dr. Phil Stunned As He Explains Huge Kickbacks Fauci and NIH Have Earned From Moderna Vaccines (VIDEO)


by Ben Kew

Jun. 30, 2024

TruthTweetShareGettrGab


https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/06/rfk-jr-leaves-dr-phil-stunned-as-he/


Robert F. Kennedy Jr. left Dr. Phil McGraw stunned by the amount of kickbacks Dr. Anthony Fauci and other high-level deputies at the National Institute for Health received from Moderna and other major pharmaceuticals.

Kennedy, who is running as an independent presidential candidate, explained the situation during an in-depth interview with Dr. Phil, who recently interviewed Donald Trump in similar circumstances.

As long reported by The Gateway Pundit, the pharmaceutical industry has pocketed many billions of dollars off their dodgy COVID “vaccines,” and some of that money is going toward health officials such as Anthony Fauci.

Here is a transcript of the exchange:

DR. PHIL: The government regulators have been bought off by Big Pharma. I think that is what you are saying when you say that this entanglement has occurred. You say agency employees are actually getting royalties, getting payments on vaccines and drugs that they approve. Is that true?

KENNEDY: Yes, there is a couple of things happening with FDA. About 50 percent of the FDA’s budget comes from regulated industries, mainly the pharmaceutical industry. So you have agency capture on steroids. The principal objective of FDA today is to serve the mercantile interests of pharmaceutical companies. For example, the Moderna vaccine, NIH owns half of that vaccine, 50 percent. So the billions of dollars that vaccines makes, half of that goes to NIH the agency, but there is also individuals at least four, maybe six, who work for NIH who are high-level deputies under Anthony Fauci who get to collect 150,000 dollars a year forever, not just for their life but their children, as long as that mRNA technology is on the market and they’re going to be making money. That is a conflict.

DR. PHIL: Hang on a minute now, I don’t want to blow by this too fast. So the National Institute for Health is getting a kick, a bribe, a royalty, a share, whatever you want to call it, is this not a clear conflict of interest? That is what you are pointing out, right?

KENNEDY: Yes, it is. People are shocked.

DR. PHIL: Why are you the only one talking about this?

KENNEDY: If you talk about this kind of thing, you get censored on YouTube. You will not be allowed on the mainstream media to talk about these issues. It used to be that you could, but nowadays, you cannot.

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>>> A Systematic Review Of Autopsy Findings In Deaths After COVID-19 Vaccination


https://publichealthpolicyjournal.com/a-systematic-review-of-autopsy-findings-in-deaths-after-covid-19-vaccination/



Nicolas Hulscher *
Paul E. Alexander
Richard Amerling
Heather Gessling
Roger Hodkinson
William Makis
Harvey A. Risch
Mark Trozzi
Peter A. McCullough
Peer Reviewed, Public Health, Science
11/17/2024
v5.2019-2024

Abstract

Background: The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, combined with a high number of adverse event reports, have led to concerns over possible mechanisms of injury including systemic lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and mRNA distribution, Spike protein-associated tissue damage, thrombogenicity, immune system dysfunction, and carcinogenicity. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate possible causal links between COVID-19 vaccine administration and death using autopsies and post-mortem analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed and ScienceDirect for all published autopsy and organ-restricted autopsy reports relating to COVID-19 vaccination up until May 18th, 2023. All autopsy and organ-restricted autopsy studies that included COVID-19 vaccination as an antecedent exposure were included. Because the state of knowledge has advanced since the time of the original publications, three physicians independently reviewed each case and adjudicated whether or not COVID-19 vaccination was the direct cause or contributed significantly to death.

Results: We initially identified 678 studies and, after screening for our inclusion criteria, included 44 papers that contained 325 autopsy cases and one organ-restricted autopsy case (heart). The mean age of death was 70.4 years. The most implicated organ system among cases was the cardiovascular (49%), followed by hematological (17%), respiratory (11%), and multiple organ systems (7%). Three or more organ systems were affected in 21 cases. The mean time from vaccination to death was 14.3 days. Most deaths occurred within a week from last vaccine administration. A total of 240 deaths (73.9%) were independently adjudicated as directly due to or significantly contributed to by COVID-19 vaccination, of which the primary causes of death include sudden cardiac death (35%), pulmonary embolism (12.5%), myocardial infarction (12%), VITT (7.9%), myocarditis (7.1%), multisystem inflammatory syndrome (4.6%), and cerebral hemorrhage (3.8%).

Conclusions: The consistency seen among cases in this review with known COVID-19 vaccine mechanisms of injury and death, coupled with autopsy confirmation by physician adjudication, suggests there is a high likelihood of a causal link between COVID-19 vaccines and death. Further urgent investigation is required for the purpose of clarifying our findings.

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>>> The Microbiome’s Forgotten Cousin Could Be Key to Solving America’s Gut Issues

Human innards are teeming with viruses that infect bacteria. What are they up to?


Inverse

by Amber Dance and Knowable Magazine

Aug. 18, 2024




3d render of inner intestine with plica and villi. human digestive anatomy



You’ve probably heard of the microbiome — the hordes of bacteria and other tiny life forms that live in our guts. Well, it turns out those bacteria have viruses that exist in and around them — with important consequences for both them and us.

Meet the phagosome.

There are billions, perhaps even trillions, of these viruses, known as bacteriophages (“bacteria eaters” in Greek) or just “phages” to their friends, inside the human digestive system. Phageome science has skyrocketed recently, says Breck Duerkop, a bacteriologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, and researchers are struggling to come to grips with their enormous diversity. Researchers suspect that if physicians could harness or target the right phages, they might be able to improve human health.

“There will turn out to be good and bad phages,” says Paul Bollyky, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Stanford Medicine. But for now, it’s still unclear how many phages occupy the gut — perhaps one for each bacterial cell or even fewer. There are also bacteria that contain phage genes but aren’t actively producing viruses; the bacteria are just living their lives with phage DNA tagging along in their genomes.

And there are lots of phages still unidentified; scientists call them the “dark matter” of the phagosome. A big part of current phage research is to identify these viruses and their host bacteria. The Gut Phage Database contains more than 140,000 phages, but that’s surely an underestimate. “Their variety is just extraordinary,” says Colin Hill, a microbiologist at University College Cork in Ireland.

Scientists find phages by sifting through genetic sequences culled from human fecal samples. That’s where researchers found the most common gut phage group, called crAssphage. (Get your mind out of the gutter — they were named for the “cross-assembly” technique that plucked their genes out of the genetic mishmash.) In a recent study, Hill and colleagues detailed a light-bulb shape for crAssphages, with a 20-sided body and a stalk to inject DNA into host bacteria.

It’s not clear whether crAssphages make a difference to human health, but given that they infect one of the most common groups of gut bacteria, Bacteroides, Hill wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Other common groups that also infect Bacteroides include the Gubaphage (gut Bacteroides phage) and the LoVEphage (lots of viral genetic elements).

Phageomes vary widely from person to person. They also change depending on age, sex, diet and lifestyle, as Hill and colleagues described in the 2023 Annual Review of Microbiology.

Though phages infect bacteria and sometimes kill them, the relationship is more complicated than that. “We used to think that phage and bacteria are fighting,” says Hill, “but now we know that they’re actually dancing; they’re partners.”

Phages can benefit bacteria by bringing in new genes. When a phage particle is assembled inside an infected bacterium, it can sometimes stuff bacterial genes into its protein shell along with its own genetic material. Later, it squirts those genes into a new host, and those accidentally transferred genes could be helpful, says Duerkop. They might provide resistance to antibiotics or the ability to digest a new substance.

Phages keep bacterial populations fit by constantly nipping at their heels, says Hill. Bacteroides bacteria can display up to a dozen types of sugary coats on their outer surfaces. Different coats have different advantages: to evade the immune system, say, or to occupy a different corner of the digestive system. But when crAssphages are around, Hill says, the Bacteroides must constantly change coats to evade the phages that recognize one coat or another. The result: At any given time, there are Bacteroides with different coat types present, enabling the population as a whole to occupy a variety of niches or handle new challenges.

Phages also keep bacterial populations from getting out of hand. The gut is an ecosystem, like the woods, and phages are bacteria predators, like wolves are deer predators. The gut needs phages like the woods need wolves. When those predator-prey relationships are altered, disease can result. Researchers have observed phagosome changes in inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), irritable bowel disease, and colorectal cancer — the viral ecosystem of someone with IBS is often low in diversity, for example.

People try to re-balance the gut microbiome with diets or, in extreme medical cases, fecal transplants. Tackling phages might provide a more fine-tuned approach, Hill says. As a case in point, scientists are seeking phages that could be used therapeutically to infect the bacteria that cause ulcers.

Be grateful for the trillions of phages managing your gut’s ecosystem. Without them, Hill suggests, a few kinds of bacteria might quickly come to dominate — potentially leaving you unable to digest some foods and subject to gas and bloating.

The wild and wondrous phagosome is a dance partner for bacteria and humans alike.

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>>> Moderna, Novovax stocks slide after Trump nominates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be top health official


Yahoo Finance

by Josh Schafer

November 14, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/moderna-novovax-stocks-slide-after-trump-nominates-robert-f-kennedy-jr-to-be-top-health-official-212802309.html


Vaccine stocks slipped in late afternoon trade on Thursday after multiple reports indicated President-elect Donald Trump would name anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Shares of Moderna (MRNA) fell over 5%, while Novavax (NVAX) stock lost over 7%. Pfizer (PFE) stock also slid more than 2.5%. Shares of both Moderna and Novavax are now down more than 30% over the past month.

Trump confirmed the nomination on X after the market close. The stocks continued to fall slightly in after-hours trading.

"The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country," Trump wrote on X.

Kennedy had been a candidate for president in 2024 before dropping out of the race and pledging his support to Trump.

Trump said during a rally in late October that he would let Kennedy “go wild” on healthcare in the country, and vaccine stocks like Moderna and Novavax have been heading lower since. Thursday's news only furthered that move.

“I’m gonna let him go wild on health. I’m gonna let him go wild on the food. I’m gonna let him go wild on medicines,” Trump said.

Kennedy told NPR in an interview on Nov. 6 that "we're not going to take vaccines away from anybody." But he has been outspoken against vaccines.

Kennedy's nonprofit, Children's Health Defense, has been a vocal critic of childhood vaccinations. And as the AP previously noted, Kennedy himself has said in interviews, "There's no vaccine that is safe and effective."

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>>> Why your drug store is closing


by Nathaniel Meyersohn

CNN

October 16, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-drug-store-closing-090038061.html


CVS is closing 900 stores. Rite-Aid is closing 500. Walgreens announced Tuesday it plans to close 1,200 stores, meaning 1 in 7 will disappear.

What is going on with America’s drug stores?

Walgreens and other chains overexpanded during the 1990s and 2000s to drive out competitors and draw more customers. They are now shutting down because of shifting consumer habits, competition and changes in the pharmacy industry.

Around 25% of Walgreens’ stores aren’t profitable, CEO Tim Wentworth said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in June, and the chain will look to close stores that are right by one another or struggling to hold down theft.

Walgreens and other retailers say they have been hit by shoplifting since the pandemic, and resorted to locking up items or closing high-theft stores. But shoplifting alone doesn’t explain Walgreens’ problems, and the company subsequently admitted last year it “cried too much” over the impact of the would-be scourge. Meanwhile, increased competition and failed growth strategies, like acquiring primary care providers, continue to have reverberating impacts on drug stores.

“We are at a point where the current pharmacy model is not sustainable,” Wentworth said in June.

CVS, the largest US chain, closed 244 stores between 2018 and 2020. In 2021, it announced plans to close an additional 900 stores. Earlier this month, CVS said it planned to cut about 2,900 jobs corporate jobs.

And Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy last year, closing up to 500 stores.

Shifting trends

Drug store chains are struggling because of lower reimbursement rates for prescription drugs, according to analysts who cover the industry.

The majority of drugstores’ sales comes from filling prescriptions. But their profits from that business have dropped in recent years as reimbursement rates for prescription drugs fall while fees rise.

The prices customers pay for drugs and the payments pharmacies receive are largely determined by companies known as pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, which negotiate rebates from drug manufacturers to insurers. PBMs have been cutting reimbursement rates to boost their own profits, Elizabeth Anderson, an analyst at Evercore IRI, previously told CNN.

The pharmacy industry has complained that PBMs have too much control and can squeeze pharmacies. PBMs argue that they help keep drug prices down by negotiating with drug makers.

“If reimbursement rates start to come down and drug stores can’t offset it with other growth, then it has a negative impact on their profitability,” Anderson said.

At the same time, the rest of the store is struggling.

The front end of drug stores, which sells snacks and household staples, have become less profitable as shoppers buy more of these items online from Amazon and at big-box chains such as Walmart and Costco. Both have grown in recent years. Dollar General’s growth has also hurt drug store chains in rural areas.

“The front end is suffering like other retailers,” Anderson said.

To try to draw customers, Walgreens, CVS and other drug stores have moved into primary care, adding doctors’ offices to hundreds of stores. For example, Walgreens took a $5.2 billion stake in VillageMD, a primary care network, in 2021.

But VIllageMD has not been profitable for Walgreens, and Walgreens has tried to cut costs. The chain has been closing VillageMD locations and said over the summer it will divest from the company.

Helping the company, hurting the consumer

Walgreens’ coming closures might help the company’s bottom line, but are likely to hurt access to health care.

When pharmacies close, some patients have to travel farther to get the medications they need. Researchers find pharmacy closures lead to health risks such as older adults failing to take medication.

The loss of a retail pharmacy can leave a void, especially for lower-income households.

Roughly one out of every eight pharmacies closed between 2009 and 2015, which disproportionately affected independent pharmacies and low-income neighborhoods, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study found that pharmacies at greatest risk for closures are those with a large customer base on public insurance, which have lower reimbursement rates than private plans, as well as independent pharmacies.

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>>> FDA Approves the First New Schizophrenia Drug in Decades


Time

by Alice Park

9-28-24


https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/fda-approves-the-first-new-schizophrenia-drug-in-decades/ar-AA1rjUAB?ocid=BingNewsSerp


No new treatments for schizophrenia have been approved in nearly three decades, but that changed on Sept. 26, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cobenfy for the psychiatric disorder.

Developed by Karuna Therapeutics, which was subsequently acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb, the drug works in an entirely different way from existing medications for schizophrenia, which is building excitement and enthusiasm among doctors and patients alike.

How scientists developed the new drug

While schizophrenia treatments primarily target the dopamine neurotransmitter system in the brain, Cobenfy goes after a different one, the cholinergic system, through muscarinic receptors. Decades ago, scientists at Eli Lilly had studied the muscarinic system as a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, since manipulating it seemed to reduce some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s-related psychosis that some patients develop. The company's researchers also serendipitously learned that a compound they developed to activate the system also improved symptoms of schizophrenia. But cells in many parts of the body—the brain, but also the bladder, gut, salivary glands, eyes, and heart—contain receptors for the muscarinic system, which meant it was challenging to selectively target just those in the brain and not elsewhere. Because the compound, called xanomeline, caused wide-ranging side effects, Lilly's researchers shelved further study on it.

Andrew Miller, co-founder of Karuna, became intrigued by this research and tried to figure out how to activate the muscarinic system in the brain while tamping it down elsewhere in the body. He and his team tested 7,000 compounds and eventually combined xanomeline with a drug that had been approved by the FDA in the 1970s for treating overactive bladder, to suppress muscarinic activity elsewhere in the body. "It's a pretty out-of-the-box approach," says Miller. The overactive bladder drug "has nothing to do with psychiatry," he said. Combining it with a serendipitous discovery of xanomeline "didn't fit the traditional model of innovative drug discovery." But it worked.

What studies have found

In a study the company published last December in the journal Lancet, the researchers reported that the combination—now called Cobenfy but then called KarXT—helped to significantly reduce symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, social withdrawal, and a loss of motivation compared to a placebo. Those data were part of the application that the company submitted to the FDA for approval.

Bristol Myers Squibb acquired Karuna in 2023 largely based on these encouraging results. “When we looked at the available neuroscience and neuropsychiatric assets out there, we didn’t want the next dopamine agonist or antagonist in the marketplace, which all of the physicians have [already] seen,” says Adam Lenkowsky, chief commercialization officer for Bristol Myers Squibb. “We wanted a truly revolutionary asset, one with a different mechanism: a first-in-class, best-in-category asset we think could transform the space.”

Samit Hirawat, chief medical officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, says that not only does Cobenfy address schizophrenia in an entirely new way, but its approach could be used for other neurological conditions as well. "The breadth of applicability of this medicine is what attracted us.”

Dr. Rishi Kakar, chief scientific officer at Segal Trials who led several studies on Cobenfy, says that “the uniqueness of the mechanism of action differentiated this medication from everything else we had so far, and truly caught my eye right off the bat.” Kakar—a psychiatrist who treats patients as well as conducts research—says that historically, only about 40% of people with schizophrenia respond to dopamine-based treatments, and the other 60% who may respond often stop taking their medications because of intolerable side effects, which can include uncontrolled muscle movements, dizziness, fainting, and weight gain.

The trials included patients who were hospitalized for acute schizophrenia and randomly assigned to receive Cobenfy—as a pill taken twice a day—or a placebo for five weeks. In order to reflect the real-world population of patients, some had been taking existing medications but stopped because of the side effects, or weren’t compliant. All patients went through a wash-out period of up to two weeks to ensure any measurements of their outcomes during the study were due solely to Cobenfy or placebo. Patients received escalating doses of the drug, and prescribing doctors were able to adjust dosages for their patients depending on their symptoms.

The studies documented a significant reduction in overall symptoms of schizophrenia in the patients receiving Cobenfy compared to placebo. “My viewpoint is that [this difference] can mean someone can potentially carry on a better life by having symptom control,” says Kakar.

What else to know about Cobenfy

The FDA approved Cobenfy as a monotherapy—meaning it is meant to be taken alone, without other medications—but more studies will be needed to see how the medication works in combination with existing treatments, and what the benefits and risks are of combining them. “I think many clinicians are going to try this as a first-time pharmacological option, because they will find that the reduction in symptoms is fairly robust,” says Kakar. “From what I saw, it has true value for the unmet need we have.” Lenkowsky says Bristol Myers Squibb is conducting a trial studying Cobenfy in combination with dopamine-based medications that will yield results in about a year.

In contrast to the existing dopamine-based treatments, the side effects of Cobenfy reported by the volunteers in the studies were mostly mild to moderate, involving nausea and gastrointestinal distress, and tended to lessen with time. The label also alerts patients that the drug is associated with urinary retention, increased heart rate and swelling in the face in rare cases; the medication is not recommended for people with a history of liver or kidney disorders.

Bristol Myers Squibb is continuing to study the drug for its longer term effects, as well as to understand and potentially guide doctors on how to adjust doses for patients as their symptoms change over time. The success in schizophrenia patients may lead to other uses of the drug in other conditions as well. “Neuropsychiatry is at the cusp of bringing an explosion of new medicines, and Cobenfy is the start of a pipeline of potential products,” says Hirawat. The company is currently studying the drug in Alzheimer’s-related psychosis, and next year plans to start late-stage trials investigating whether it can improve bipolar mania, Alzheimer’s-associated agitation, and Alzheimer’s-associated cognitive impairment. In 2027, the company hopes to begin trials in people with autism.

How much will Cobenfy cost?

According to a Bristol Myers Squibb spokesperson, the wholesale cost for a month's supply will be $1,850. Depending on people's insurance coverage, that cost could be lower for individual patients. Bristol Myers Squibb estimates that 80% of people with schizophrenia in the U.S. have insurance coverage either through Medicare or Medicaid.

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>>> Hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals are found in food packaging, new study shows


Independent

by Julia Musto

September 24, 2024


https://www.yahoo.com/news/hundreds-cancer-causing-chemicals-found-220718686.html


Researchers have identified nearly 200 chemicals used to make food packaging that could possibly increase the risk of breast cancer.

Found in plastics and paper, some of the potential mammary carcinogens include polysterene and polyamide, which are used in styrofoam to-go containers from restaurants and black plastic spatulas.

“If there’s one change you’re going to make: stop using polysterene. Get rid of it,” Jane Muncke, study co-author and the managing director of the Switzerland-based Food Packaging Forum, told The Independent on Monday.

The analysis, published in the journal Frontiers in Toxicology, builds upon research published earlier this year, which identified more than 900 chemicals as being potential mammory carcinogens. They ran that list against the forum’s own inventory of more than 14,000 food contact chemicals, finding an overlap of 189 chemicals.

“I understand it can be a little bit overwhelming. Because, basically it tells us there are known carcinogens in our food supply,” said Muncke.

Many plastics, including food packaging and other kitchenware, contain chemicals that leach into food. The chemicals could potentially increase the risk of breast cancer, a new study from the Food Packaging Forum says.

Of the 189 chemicals they identified, there is hard evidence than 76 are transferring into food from the packaging, and 68 chemicals have been detected in people.

But, the chemicals are not just transferred to food by its packaging. They can also spread using processing equipment, kitchenware, tableware, and electric tea kettles.

To navigate around these risks, and reduce exposure, consumers should be aware of four things. First, heat can increase the migration of these chemicals: whether that’s in a microwave at home or before the item is purchased, while it is heat treated.

Second, long storage time can also be a factor, and Muncke advises users to transfer food items like rice, flour, and polenta into inert containers. “There’s always a ‘best before’ date on these foods and that’s mostly to do with the migration from the packaging,” she noted.

Thirdly, food chemistry plays a role, and items with higher fat content should not be put into containers that could leach the chemicals.

Lastly, acidity is also a concern, with lemons and tomato sauce able to increase migration.

Experts warn that bottled water may carry more health risks than tap water due to high rates of contamination with harmful substances like microplastics, phthalates, PFAS, and BPA.

“If you squeeze lemon juice at home or orange juice, you could use a stainless steel or glass press for that,” Muncke advised.

Electric kettles made out of plastic can also spread these concerning chemicals. To reduce exposure, users should stop using these kettles and other products that could transfer the chemicals into what they’re consuming.

And, the less processed food and drink people consume, the better they are protected from the chemicals.

Muncke noted that their findings come after decades of research on chemicals with associations to cancer. Testicular cancer is associated with PFOA; the chemical was used in the production of teflon cookware until 2013.

The study’s authors are calling for better regulation of these chemicals going forward. In addition, they want food packaging materials to be tested using modern science, like toxicology and screening. Muncke said that the rules need to be updated for testing chemicals before they are put on the market, as well as those already out in the world.

“And, really ensure that these materials that we put into contact with our food stuff are actually fully safe.”

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Pfizer - >>> More than meets the eye

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-dirt-cheap-stocks-buy-113600626.html

Keith Speights (Pfizer): Pfizer has been a big loser in recent years, although it has eked out a meager gain in 2024. However, I believe there's more than meets the eye with this big drugmaker.

You can blame much of Pfizer's woes on the declining sales of its COVID-19 products. I don't anticipate the company will ever again see the booming numbers of 2021 and 2022. But I also think 2024 could be a trough year for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine sales.

The other big challenge for the company is the impending patent expirations for several of its top products. Unfortunately for Pfizer, the list includes blockbuster drugs Eliquis, Ibrance, Vyndaqel, Xeljanz, and Xtandi.

Pfizer isn't being blindsided by this patent cliff, though. It has invested in developing new products, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Abrysvo especially standing out. The company has also used the tremendous cash generated from its COVID-19 vaccine during the worst of the pandemic to fund key acquisitions, including its 2023 purchase of Seagen. As a result, Pfizer should be able to deliver solid growth in the coming years despite losing patent exclusivity for multiple products.

Meanwhile, the pharma stock is priced at a discount. Pfizer's shares trade at only 10.6 times forward earnings. That's much lower than the S&P 500 healthcare sector's forward-earnings multiple of 19.6.

If you're looking for another reason to buy this dirt-cheap stock, check out its dividend. Pfizer offers a forward-dividend yield of 5.65%. Even better, the company's management remains committed to growing its dividend payout over time.

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AstraZeneca -- >>> AstraZeneca is an international drugmaker that doesn't get much attention from U.S.-based investors. That's because its dividend payouts are a little unusual.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/09/19/2-unstoppable-sp-500-stocks-that-keep-beating-the/

Instead of four equal quarterly distributions, AstraZeneca insists on two payments per year, with a greater portion announced alongside fourth-quarter results and payable in March. In July, the company raised its first interim distribution by 7.5% to $0.50 per American depository receipt (ADR).

At recent prices, the stock offers a 1.9% dividend yield. That isn't particularly tempting now, but the distribution could grow at the same pace as the company's bottom line. AstraZeneca generated $7 billion in free cash flow over the past year and only needed 64% of this sum to meet its dividend commitment.

AstraZeneca has multiple growth drivers that could push up profits and its dividend payout in the years ahead. In the first half of 2024, sales of Farxiga -- a treatment for diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease -- surged 35% year over year to $3.8 billion. Sales of Calquence, a blood cancer drug, surged 27% to $1.5 billion, and Ultomiris, a rare disease drug, shot 32% higher to $1.8 billion.

Free cash flow has surged since 2020 and could continue rising, thanks to an extremely successful product line. In the first half of 2024, AstraZeneca reported sales that grew more than 10% year over year for 21 different drugs.

With heaps of growth drivers to push earnings higher and a lack of significant patent cliffs to offset, AstraZeneca expects earnings to grow by a percentage in the middle teens this year. Adding some shares to a diversified portfolio now looks like a smart move.

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AbbVie -- >>> AbbVie raised its dividend payout by a stunning 270% over the past 10 years but isn't trading like a stock that rapidly raises its quarterly payout. At recent prices, it offers a 3.2% yield.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/09/19/2-unstoppable-sp-500-stocks-that-keep-beating-the/

Shares of AbbVie have been under pressure because its former lead drug Humira lost patent-protected market exclusivity in the U.S. in 2023. In the first half of 2024, Humira sales decreased 33% year over year to $5.1 billion.

Declining Humira sales are a challenge, but AbbVie has done a pretty good job reinvesting the profits it produced. In 2019, the company launched Skyrizi for psoriasis and Rinvoq for arthritis, and these two drugs are offsetting Humira losses on their own.

Combined sales of the pair reached $7.3 billion in the first half of 2024 and are a long way from being finished. In February, management told investors it expects Rinvoq and Skyrizi to generate more than $27 billion in combined annual sales by 2027.

Investors will be glad to learn that Rinvoq and Skyrizi aren't the only blockbuster drugs that AbbVie's launched in recent years. For example, its oral treatments for migraine headaches, Ubrelvy and Qulipta, are expected to produce more than $3 billion in combined annual sales at their peaks.

AbbVie shares have been trading for around 17.9x the midpoint of management's earnings expectations for 2024. That's a historically high multiple for this company, but pressure from Humira's competition is already beginning to subside. With plenty of growth drivers to push earnings higher, investors who buy at recent prices have a great chance to come out miles ahead over the long run.

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Johnson & Johnson ->>> J&J unit files for bankruptcy to advance $10 billion talc settlement


Reuters

September 20, 2024

By Dietrich Knauth


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/j-j-subsidiary-files-bankruptcy-193903276.html


(Reuters) - A Johnson & Johnson subsidiary filed for bankruptcy for a third time on Friday as the healthcare giant seeks to advance an approximately $10 billion proposed settlement that would end tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that the company's baby powder and other talc products caused cancer.

J&J faces lawsuits from more than 62,000 claimants who alleged that its baby powder and other talc products were contaminated with asbestos and caused ovarian and other cancers. To stop those lawsuits, J&J subsidiary Red River Talc filed for bankruptcy protection in a federal bankruptcy court in Houston.

The company has denied the allegations and has called its products safe.

Erik Haas, J&J's worldwide vice president of litigation, said on Friday that the settlement is "fair and equitable to all parties" and that 83% of current talc claimants voted for it.

The settlement proposal has divided attorneys who represent cancer victims. Opponents of the deal said they will quickly ask the court to dismiss the bankruptcy or transfer it to New Jersey, where courts have twice rebuffed J&J's attempts to end the litigation in a so-called "Texas two-step" bankruptcy.

Andy Birchfield, an attorney opposed to the deal, said that J&J is gaming the bankruptcy system in an attempt to underpay tens of thousands of cancer victims.

"We view this so-called vote as another fraudulent effort by J&J to manipulate the bankruptcy process and minimize the legitimate claims of ovarian cancer victims," Birchfield said.

Other attorneys spoke in support of the deal, including Allen Smith, a lawyer who had previously represented 11,000 claimants in partnership with Birchfield's law firm.

Smith said the settlement offer "finally provides my clients reasonable and fair compensation. It's now time to go to work and get them compensated as soon as possible."

The "two-step" maneuver employed by J&J involves offloading liabilities onto a newly created subsidiary that then declares Chapter 11, a type of bankruptcy that involves a reorganization of assets and debts under court supervision. The goal is to use the proceeding to force all plaintiffs into one settlement, without requiring J&J itself to file for bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy judges can enforce global settlements that permanently halt all related lawsuits and forbid new ones.

Outside of bankruptcy, any settlement J&J reached with some claimants would still leave holdouts or future plaintiffs with the right to sue - and leave the company exposed to potential multibillion-dollar verdicts that encouraged it to use a two-step in the first place.

To improve its chances in a third bankruptcy effort, J&J asked plaintiffs to vote on its proposed deal ahead of time to ensure that it has enough support for its plan to succeed. J&J needed more than 75% to back the plan for a bankruptcy judge to impose the deal on all plaintiffs.

GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER CLAIMS

J&J's third attempt at a bankruptcy settlement also differs from its previous efforts in part because it focuses only on ovarian and other gynecological cancer claims, building on J&J's previous settlements with state attorneys general and people who had sued after developing mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

J&J's proposed settlement would pay talc claimants about $10 billion over 25 years. The present value of the settlement is roughly $8 billion after J&J recently agreed to kick in an additional $1.1 billion to the settlement fund and pay $650 million in legal fees to attorneys that had previously opposed the settlement offer.

The company has been engaged in a bitter fight with lawyers opposing its third attempt to settle the litigation in bankruptcy.

J&J's bankruptcy strategy still faces legal hurdles. These include a June U.S. Supreme Court decision involving Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy, court orders dismissing its previous efforts and proposed federal legislation aimed at preventing financially healthy companies like J&J from benefiting from bankruptcy protection.

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>>> Doctors ‘truly amazed’ by man’s recovery after world-first whole-eye transplant


by Nilima Marshall

PA Science Reporter

September 9, 2024


https://www.yahoo.com/news/doctors-truly-amazed-man-recovery-150000838.html


Surgeons who performed the world’s first whole eye transplant on an army veteran said they have been “truly amazed” by his remarkable recovery.

Aaron James, 47, from Arkansas in the US, lost his left eye and most of his face after an electrical cable touched the left side three years ago.

In May 2023, he underwent 21 hours of surgery involving more than 140 healthcare professionals to replace his face – which included getting a new eye.

Now more than a year later, his donor eye continues to maintain normal pressure and blood flow – despite surgeries on animals showing a different outcome where the eye often shrank significantly, the doctors said.

Eduardo D Rodriguez, chair of the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Health in the US, said: “We are truly amazed by Aaron’s recovery, with no episodes of rejection.”

Tests also show that that rods and cones, the light-sensitive nerve cells in the eye, survived the transplant.

Doctors say this raises hope that one day, whole-eye transplants could be performed to restore sight – despite Mr James still yet to regain his vision in his left eye.

Dr Daniel J Ceradini, director of research and associate professor in the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, said: “The whole thing has been a monumental achievement, considering how Aaron has done post operatively and how good he functions and looks.”

He said scans suggest the brain may be responding to the light through the donor eye but added that these findings, published in the journal Jama, “are very preliminary and would need to be studied over time”.

Mr James, who served in the Army National Guard for 10 years, said that being able to smell, taste and eat solid food – particularly pizza – after surviving on purees for two years was a “shining moment”.

He added: “I knew getting back to normal would be (on track) if I could eat pizza.

“The very first thing that I can remember when I woke up from surgery is being able to smell, because before that, I didn’t have a nose, so I couldn’t smell, and that also meant I could not taste anything.

“The only way I could eat was through a straw because by mouth was locked – I couldn’t open or close my mouth.”

Mr James, who also lost his left arm in the accident and now wears a prosthetic, said that since surgery, he is now “pretty much back to being a normal guy, doing normal things”.

Meagan James, 39, his wife of more than 20 years, said her emotional moment was when she kissed her husband on the lips for the first time in two years.

She said: “Just to have that back was pretty special.”

Prof Ceradini said the team will continue to do more work to understand how to restore sight to the eye.

He said one of the steps could involve helping the optic nerve – which send visual messages to the brain to help a person see – regrow.

Despite not being able to see with his left eye, Mr James said he “felt honoured to be patient zero”.

He said: “This has been the most transformative year of my life.

“I’ve been given the gift of a second chance, and I don’t take a single moment for granted.

“I’ve gained my quality of life back, and I know this is a step forward in the path to help future patients.”

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>>> LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. (LMAT) develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices and implants used in the field of vascular surgery worldwide.

It offers human cadaver tissue cryopreservation services; angioscope, a fiberoptic catheter used for viewing the lumen of a blood vessel; embolectomy catheters to remove blood clots from arteries; thrombectomy catheters for removing thrombi in the venous system; occlusion catheters that temporarily occlude the blood flow; and perfusion catheters to perfuse the blood and other fluids into the vasculature.

The company also provides artegraft biologic graft, a bovine carotid artery used for dialysis access; XenoSure biologic patches, used for closure of vessels after surgical intervention; VascuCel and CardioCel biologic patches, used in vessel repair, heart repair and reconstruction, and neonatal repairs; cardiovascular patches; carotid shunts that temporarily shunt the blood to the brain during the removal of plaque in a carotid endarterectomy surgery; biosynthetic vascular graft indicated for lower extremity bypass and dialysis access; and vascular grafts used to bypass or replace diseased arteries.

In addition, it offers radiopaque tape, a medical-grade tape applied to the skin that enables surgeons and interventionalists to cross-refer between the inside and the outside of a patient's body and allows them to locate tributaries or lesions beneath the skin. Further, the company provides valvulotomes, which cut or disrupt valves in the saphenous vein to function as an artery to carry blood past diseased arteries to the lower leg or the foot; and closure systems to attach vessels to one another with titanium clips instead of sutures.

It markets its products through a direct sales force and distributors. The company was formerly known as Vascutech, Inc. and changed its name to LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. in April 2001. LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.

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https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/LMAT/profile/


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>>> Pfizer, joining Lilly, enters the direct-to-consumer market with a telehealth and prescription platform


Yahoo Finance

by Anjalee Khemlani

Aug 27, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pfizer-joining-lilly-enters-the-direct-to-consumer-market-with-a-telehealth-and-prescription-platform-120250691.html


On Tuesday, Pfizer (PFE) said it will enter the direct-to-consumer business, following the lead of a Big Pharma rival, Eli Lilly (LLY), which launched a similar plan in January.

The new website and patient platform, called PfizerForAll, aims to help patients more quickly access migraine treatments as well as vaccines and treatments for respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. While these are all products of Pfizer, the company contends that patients will not be forced to choose a Pfizer drug. That decision, they say, will remain in the hands of clinicians.

Pfizer chief US commercial officer Aamir Malik told Yahoo Finance the company is hoping to make access to medicines easier. "Navigating our healthcare system is time-consuming. It's complicated. It's overwhelming. And the last thing that anybody needs when they're trying to get the care that they need for themselves or a loved one is to have to navigate that complex, painful, difficult system," Malik said.

Malik and others point out that patients often have to search for doctors who can write the prescriptions they need quickly — or even find a doctor who will see them in a timely manner, Malik said.

Adding to the complexity is the insurance process, which involves various coverage hurdles, such as pre-authorization requests and the hunt for a pharmacy that can dispense the drug at a lower co-pay cost.

But Pfizer's goal isn't to eradicate that complex system. Instead, Malik emphasized that the new portal will simply serve as an additional avenue for patients to get the drugs they are already familiar with, and also introduce new patients to the drugs. (It won't be able to help with drug shortages, as that issue rests with drug manufacturers.)

In addition, the site will have a customer helpline for patients if they run into any of the usual hurdles. That includes contacting the insurer to remove any access barriers or guiding the patients on how to contact the insurers themselves if needed.

How it works

Pfizer will use social media ads to find patients and funnel them to the new portal. The entry point will be whatever health problem the patient is trying to resolve, such as addressing migraine pain. That will lead to a specific landing page, which will offer a telehealth visit through a third-party vendor, UpScript, for $35 or an in-person visit with the booking portal Zocdoc.

At that point, the patient is outside of the Pfizer portal and has a visit with a clinician who can prescribe an appropriate drug. This could be a Pfizer drug — or not, Malik said.

There is no revenue sharing from the clinical visits or the prescriptions, which means that clinicians aren't getting paid or sharing in profits of the sales if they prescribe a Pfizer drug.

Patients can then get the drug mailed or pick it up at their regular pharmacy. In the case of vaccines, Pfizer will help book appointments at major retail pharmacies CVS (CVS) or Walgreens (WBA), which have more than 17,000 locations combined across the country — and more pharmacies anticipated in the future. Under respiratory care, Pfizer will also offer access to at-home tests through Instacart (CART) the same day or via two-day shipping from Amazon (AMZN).

Pfizer said that the company doesn't see this as a profit-focused business. "We're not building this as a standalone business with a revenue and a profit objective to it," Malik told Yahoo Finance. "We're not holding revenue targets to PfizerForAll." Instead, the company will measure success on how popular the site is.

The market

Eli Lilly launched its site, LillyDirect, earlier this year to help patients with diabetes, obesity, and migraines.

Lilly CEO David Ricks noted that the telehealth solution helps obesity patients the most — especially those hunting for its blockbuster drug, Zepbound. He told Yahoo Finance in January that "patients report doctor shopping" for someone who will write their prescription. That's why the site, in addition to offering telehealth, can also help find an obesity specialist by zip code.

LillyDirect is similar to PfizerForAll in that it relies on replicating the traditional pathway to get a prescription. But the clinicians are different. Whereas Pfizer is using one platform for telehealth and ZocDoc for doctor's visits, Lilly is using three different telehealth platforms.

For diabetes and obesity, Lilly is using 9amHealth, which accepts a limited number of insurance plans only in Texas and California. It is unclear if patients in other states have access. Lilly is also using FormHealth for obesity, which accepts most major insurers and Medicare. For migraine treatments, the company partnered with Cove, which accepts insurers and has a $30 copay or costs $99 for a visit without insurance.

Compare that to the $35 flat fee through Pfizer for UpScript.

In the eight months since its launch, it is unclear how well LillyDirect is doing. Lilly declined to provide Yahoo Finance with updates on traffic to the site.

In a first quarter earnings call in April, Lilly USA Diabetes and Obesity president Patrik Jonsson said that the site was "gaining traction by weeks." But in response to a question about tracking prescriptions for GLP-1 weight loss drug Zepbound, Jonsson said, "It's relatively low volume that goes through LillyDirect."

But new patients, who are filling prescriptions for the drug for the first time in their lives through the site, was slightly higher, he said. No specific numbers were provided.

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>>> Ozempic Could Have a Terrible Side Effect. Is Novo Nordisk in Trouble?


by Prosper Junior Bakiny

Motley Fool

Aug 27, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ozempic-could-terrible-side-effect-100000193.html


The diabetes medicine Ozempic has been a veritable cash cow for Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO). The company's revenue, earnings, and stock price have been on a tear in recent years -- and no single drug has contributed more to its performance than Ozempic.

However, various potential headwinds have popped up that could disrupt Ozempic's progress. One of them is competition. Novo Nordisk's longtime foe in the diabetes market, Eli Lilly, developed Mounjaro, a diabetes medicine whose sales are growing incredibly fast.

Elsewhere, the side effects of Novo Nordisk's crown jewel have come under increased scrutiny, and a recent study suggests that Ozempic could have a dangerous safety issue. Let's look at what it could mean for Novo Nordisk.

Could Ozempic cause suicidal thoughts?

One of Ozempic's side effects that has generated quite a bit of attention is muscle loss. However, an even more dangerous potential drawback that some researchers have warned about is the possibility that Ozempic could increase suicidal thoughts.

A recent study claims to shed more light on this topic. The study looked at two medicines in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, to which semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, belongs. The other GLP-1 medicine featured was liraglutide, the generic name for Victoza and Saxenda, which treat diabetes and obesity, respectively.

Liraglutide was another one of Novo Nordisk's discoveries. Through a database from the World Health Organization that tracks suspected adverse reactions from medicines and vaccines, the researchers found that Ozempic was associated with a higher rate of reported suicidal thoughts compared to other drugs. Liraglutide did not seem to be linked with higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

What should investors make of these findings? Should you sell the healthcare stock?

No reason to hit the panic button

Regulatory authorities are already aware of the potential association between Ozempic -- or at least its active ingredient, semaglutide -- and suicidal thoughts. Wegovy, an obesity medicine that shares this same active ingredient, has a warning for precisely that in the U.S.

Researchers sometimes learn even more about a therapy and its side effects after years of use in real-life settings. If studies establish a robust causal link between Ozempic or Wegovy and suicidal thoughts, that could cause regulators to take action. Perhaps they would add additional warnings or, in the worst-case scenario, take the medicine off the market. Either way, it would mean lower (or nonexistent) sales for Novo Nordisk's biggest growth driver, dragging down its revenue, earnings, and stock price.

But there's no reason to think this study will lead to that morbid scenario. Other studies have reached different conclusions. One published in Nature Medicine, one of the world's most prestigious science journals, found that semaglutide had a lower risk of producing suicidal thoughts than other non-GLP-1 anti-obesity medicines in real-life settings. This study, unlike the previous one, compared patients based on factors that can influence suicidal behavior, including sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and mental health.

It would take a lot to reverse these findings. So, for now, investors can continue focusing on how Novo Nordisk is performing. And on that front, there aren't too many complaints.

Financial results continue to be strong. In the first half of the year, the company's net sales grew by 24% year over year to 133.4 billion Danish kroner ($19.8 billion). Ozempic's sales increased 36% year over year, while Wegovy's jumped 74%. Notably, Novo Nordisk continues to lead the GLP-1 market -- its share was 56% as of May, compared to 54% a year before.

Ozempic could win several label expansions, including in the exciting area of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, where it's being investigated in a phase 3 study. Novo Nordisk has many more promising candidates. CagriSema, a next-gen GLP-1 drug, could be yet another multibillion-dollar medicine. The drugmaker is also looking to diversify, with several programs across a range of therapeutic areas.

Though various challenges to Ozempic will continue to appear, the recent study doesn't pose too much of a problem for the medicine and its maker. Novo Nordisk should continue delivering strong financial results and stock-market performance for the foreseeable future. I believe the stock is still worth buying.

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>>> Tiny shards of plastic are increasingly infiltrating our brains, study says


by Sandee LaMotte

CNN

August 23, 2024


https://www.yahoo.com/news/microplastics-found-human-brains-130318087.html


Human brain samples collected at autopsy in early 2024 contained more tiny shards of plastic than samples collected eight years prior, according to a preprint posted online in May. A preprint is a study which has not yet been peer-reviewed and published in a journal.

“The concentrations we saw in the brain tissue of normal individuals, who had an average age of around 45 or 50 years old, were 4,800 micrograms per gram, or 0.5% by weight,” said lead study author Matthew Campen, a regents’ professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

“Compared to autopsy brain samples from 2016, that’s about 50% higher,” Campen said. “That would mean that our brains today are 99.5% brain and the rest is plastic.”

That increase, however, only shows exposure and does not provide information about brain damage, said Phoebe Stapleton, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey, who was not involved in the preprint.

“It is unclear if, in life, these particles are fluid, entering and leaving the brain, or if they collect in neurological tissues and promote disease,” she said in an email. “Further research is needed to understand how the particles may be interacting with the cells and if this has a toxicological consequence.”

The brain samples contained 7% to 30% more tiny shards of plastic than samples from the cadavers’ kidneys and liver, according to the preprint.

“Studies have found these plastics in the human heart, the great blood vessels, the lungs, the liver, the testes, the gastrointestinal tract and the placenta,” said pediatrician and biology professor Dr. Philip Landrigan, director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good and the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College.

“It’s important not to scare the hell out of people, because the science in this space is still evolving, and nobody in the year 2024 is going to live without plastic,” said Landrigan, who was not involved with the preprint.

“I say to people, ‘Listen, there are some plastics that you can’t escape. You’re not going to get a cell phone or a computer that doesn’t contain plastic.’ But do try to minimize your exposure to the plastic that you can avoid, such as plastic bags and bottles.”

CNN reached out to the American Chemistry Council, an industry association, but did not hear back before publication.

Nanoplastics ‘hijack’ their way into the brain

For the study, researchers examined brain, kidney and liver tissues from 92 people who underwent a forensic autopsy to verify cause of death in both 2016 and 2024. Brain tissue samples were gathered from the frontal cortex, the area of the brain associated with thinking and reasoning, and which is most affected by frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Based on our observations, we think the brain is pulling in the very smallest nanostructures, like 100 to 200 nanometers in length, whereas some of the larger particles that are a micrometer to five micrometers go into the liver and kidneys,” Campen said.

Microplastics are fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) or about the size of a pencil eraser, to 1 nanometer. A strand of human hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Anything smaller is a nanoplastic that must be measured in billionths of a meter.

Nanoplastics are the most worrisome plastics for human health, experts say, because the minuscule pieces can take up residence inside individual cells.

“Somehow these nanoplastics hijack their way through the body and get to the brain, crossing the blood-brain barrier,” Campen said. “Plastics love fats, or lipids, so one theory is that plastics are hijacking their way with the fats we eat which are then delivered to the organs that really like lipids — the brain is top among those.”

The human brain is about 60% fat by weight, far more than any other organ. Essential fatty acids, such as omega 3s, are key to the strength and performance of the brain’s cells. Since the human body can’t produce essential fatty acids on its own, they must come from food or supplements.

Diet is the main route of exposure for micro- and nanoplastics, said Landrigan, who is the lead author of a March 2023 report from the Minderoo – Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health, a global consortium of scientists, health-care workers and policy analysts charged with following plastics from creation to final product.

In that report, the consortium determined plastics are associated with harms to human health at every single stage of the plastic lifecycle.

“Some microplastics are also airborne,” Landrigan said. “For example, when people are driving down the highway and their tires are abrading on the surface of the highway, a certain amount of microplastic particles are thrown into the air.

“If you live near the coast, some of the microplastic particles that are in the ocean get kicked into the air through wave action,” he said. “So ingestion is probably the dominant route, but inhalation is also an important route.”

Plastics with ties to cancer

Polyethylene, which is used in plastic bags, films and bottles and is not biodegradable, was the predominant type of plastic found in tissue samples. It was found in greater quantities in the brain than in the liver or kidney, according to the preprint.

Polyethylene was also the predominant type of polymer found in human and dog testicles, according to an August 2024 study by Campen and his team.

The production of various forms of polyethylene, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, are the biggest contributor to the release of the solvent 1,4-dioxane into the environment, according to industry data collected by Defend our Health, an environmental advocacy group.

The US National Toxicity Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer considers 1,4-dioxane to be possibly carcinogenic to humans. In 2023, the EPA released a draft report saying that the solvent poses an “unreasonable risk of injury to health” for plastics workers and community residents whose drinking water has been polluted by discharges from PET plastics factories.

“The biggest question is, ‘OK, what are these particles doing to us?’ Honestly there’s a lot we still don’t know,” Landrigan said. “What we do know with real certainty is that these microplastic particles are like Trojan horses — they carry with them all the thousands of chemicals that are in plastics and some are very bad actors.”

By invading individual cells and tissues in major organs, nanoplastics can potentially interrupt cellular processes and deposit endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, heavy metals and per- and polyfluorinated substances, or PFAS.

Endocrine disruptors interfere with the human reproductive system, leading to genital and reproductive malformations as well as female infertility and a decline in sperm count, according to the Endocrine Society.

“We have some pretty good indications that microplastics and nanoplastics cause harm, even though we are a long way from knowing the full extent of that harm,” Landrigan said. “I would say we have enough information here that we need to start taking protective action.”

Learn to use less plastic

There are many steps individuals can take to reduce their exposure to plastics and their plastic footprint, experts say.

“It’s hard to avoid foods wrapped in plastic film but be sure to take the food out of the plastic wrapping before you cook it or put it in the microwave,” Landrigan said. “When you heat plastic, that accelerates the movement of the microplastics out of the wrapping into the food.

Invest in a zippered fabric bag and ask the dry cleaner to return your clothes in that instead of those thin sheets of plastic, suggested the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group. Bring a travel mug to the local coffee store for takeout and silverware to the office to cut back on plastic cups and utensils.

“Don’t use plastic bags when you go shopping. Use a cloth bag or a paper bag or a recycle bag. Try to avoid plastic water bottles, if you can possibly do so,” Landrigan said.

A March 2024 study found 1 liter of bottled water — the equivalent of two standard-size bottled waters typically purchased by consumers — contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics. Some 90% of those were nanoplastics.

“Use a metal or glass drinking cup instead of a plastic cup. Store your food in glass containers instead of in plastic ones,” Landrigan said. “Work in your local community to ban plastic bags, as many communities around the United States have now done. There is a lot you can do.”

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Re-post - >>> Gadolinium-based Contrast Agent Accumulates in the Brain Even in Subjects without Severe Renal Dysfunction: Evaluation of Autopsy Brain Specimens with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy

https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.2015142690

https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=174981213

Original Research
Neuroradiology

Tomonori Kanda , Toshio Fukusato, Megumi Matsuda, Keiko Toyoda, Hiroshi Oba, Jun’ichi Kotoku, Takahiro Haruyama, Kazuhiro Kitajima, Shigeru Furui

Author Affiliations
Published Online:May 5 2015https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2015142690

Abstract
Even in subjects without severe renal dysfunction, gadolinium-based contrast agent administration causes gadolinium accumulation in the brain, especially in the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus.

Purpose
To use inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) to evaluate gadolinium accumulation in brain tissues, including the dentate nucleus (DN) and globus pallidus (GP), in subjects who received a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA).

Materials and Methods
Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study. Written informed consent for postmortem investigation was obtained either from the subject prior to his or her death or afterward from the subject’s relatives. Brain tissues obtained at autopsy in five subjects who received a linear GBCA (GBCA group) and five subjects with no history of GBCA administration (non-GBCA group) were examined with ICP-MS. Formalin-fixed DN tissue, the inner segment of the GP, cerebellar white matter, the frontal lobe cortex, and frontal lobe white matter were obtained, and their gadolinium concentrations were measured. None of the subjects had received a diagnosis of severely compromised renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min/1.73 m2) or acute renal failure. Fisher permutation test was used to compare gadolinium concentrations between the two groups and among brain regions.

Results
Gadolinium was detected in all specimens in the GBCA agent group (mean, 0.25 µg per gram of brain tissue ± 0.44 [standard deviation]), with significantly higher concentrations in each region (P = .004 vs the non-GBCA group for all regions). In the GBCA group, the DN and GP showed significantly higher gadolinium concentrations (mean, 0.44 µg/g ± 0.63) than other regions (0.12 µg/g ± 0.16) (P = .029).

Conclusion
Even in subjects without severe renal dysfunction, GBCA administration causes gadolinium accumulation in the brain, especially in the DN and GP.

© RSNA, 2015

Article History
Received November 20, 2014; revision requested January 5, 2015; revision received February 8; accepted March 2; final version accepted March 24.
Published online: May 05 2015
Published in print: July 2015


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Re-post - Gadolinium - >>> UNM Doctor Researches Toxic Side Effects of Rare Earth Metal Used in MRI Studies

https://hsc.unm.edu/news/2022/02/doctor-researches-toxic-side-effects-rare-earth-metals-mri.html

https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=174981201

Brent Wagner, MDPhysicians who schedule magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies for their patients often specify the use of a gadolinium-based contrast agent – a chemical solution injected into the bloodstream that makes for better quality images.

Gadolinium is a rare earth metal that aligns with an MRI’s powerful magnetic field, but it is also toxic, so in its injectable form the metal is bound to chelating molecules to block its dangerous effects. Most of these molecules are then filtered through the kidneys and eliminated.

But there is growing evidence that tiny particles of gadolinium remain in the body – including the brain – causing serious side effects in some people, says kidney researcher Brent Wagner, MD, an associate professor in The University of New Mexico Department of Internal Medicine.

“We’ve come to the conclusion if a living organism gets this stuff there’s a chance that these weird particles can form, and my suspicion is this is what triggers this reaction,” says Wagner, who also serves as a staff physician at the Raymond G. Murphy Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque. “It’s probably distributing everywhere in the body once someone gets it.”

Reports first started emerging about 15 years ago that some patients who had received the gadolinium contrast agent were experiencing a painful, debilitating skin condition called systemic fibrosis, which causes skin thickening and tightening in the joints and extremities, as well as internal organ damage.

At first, it was assumed that the reaction only occurred in patients with pre-existing kidney disease, but it later became clear that it also occurs in people with healthy kidneys, Wagner says.

“The kidneys themselves are not the problem,” he says. “There is long-term retention of gadolinium – a known toxic metal – regardless of the brand and irrespective of kidney function. There are thousands of members of social media groups focused on the chronic adverse effects of gadolinium-based contrast agents.”

Now, Wagner leads a team of researchers exploring how gadolinium triggers the systemic reaction in some patients.

It has been theorized that the majority of the skin thickening was due to circulating, bone marrow-derived white blood cells called fibrocytes, Wagner says, adding that the gadolinium appears to produce an inflammatory response that triggers the buildup of fibrocytes in skin tissue.

“My laboratory was the first to prove this experimentally,” he says. “Furthermore, we were the first to demonstrate that bone marrow possesses a ‘memory’ of gadolinium exposure – gadolinium-induced fibrosis is enhanced in those who have had a prior administration of magnetic resonance imaging contrast.”

Much of Wagner’s research to date has been conducted in animal models or using donated tissue. Now, he is recruiting patients for a pilot study in humans through the UNM Clinical & Translational Science Center in hopes of identifying potential treatments.

While many participants have had just one dose of the contrast agent, gadolinium is still detectable in their blood, urine, fingernails and scalp hair without causing symptoms. Wagner stresses that “most people just tolerate it very, very well. If we know why that it is, maybe we have a shot at helping the people who do have symptoms.”

While gadolinium-based contrast agents often play an important role in helping physicians diagnose disease, Wagner believes they should be used with caution and consideration of whether the risks outweigh the potential benefits.

“I don’t know if there’s a true gadolinium deposition disease or not, but I do want to take the patient’s perspective,” he says. “It’s an alien heavy metal that stays in your body.”

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>>> Brain pacemaker could help treat symptoms related to Parkinson’s Disease


WPRI Providence

August 20, 2024


https://www.yahoo.com/news/brain-pacemaker-could-help-treat-205200432.html


A self-adjusting brain pacemaker could help treat symptoms related to Parkinson’s Disease, according to a new study by the National Institutes of Health. The implanted device, regulated by the body’s brain activity, could provide continual and improved treatment for symptoms.

A brain implant can help people with Parkinson’s disease deal with movement problems during the day and insomnia at night, new research suggests.

The study found that the device, which is controlled by brain activity, could provide personalised continual and improved treatment for the symptoms in some people with the condition.

When the implant detects changes in symptoms from brain activity, it releases pulses of electricity.

The treatment works with medications that Parkinson’s patients take to manage their symptoms, giving less stimulation when the drug is active, and more stimulation as the drug wears off, to prevent stiffness.

Megan Frankowski, programme director for the USA’s National Institutes of Health’s Brain Initiative, which helped fund this project, said: “This study marks a big step forward towards developing a DBS (deep brain stimulation) system that adapts to what the individual patient needs at a given time.”

Professor Philip Starr, from the University of California, San Francisco, said: “This is the future of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease.”

DBS involves implanting electrodes into the brain at specific locations.

These wires then deliver electrical signals that can help mitigate the symptoms of brain disorders such as Parkinson’s.

Conventional DBS provides a constant level of stimulation and can also lead to unwanted side effects, because the brain does not always need the same strength of treatment.

But the new treatment, adaptive DBS (aDBS) uses data taken directly from someone’s brain and uses artificial intelligence to adjust the level of stimulation in real time as the person’s needs change over time.

In the study, published in Nature Medicine, four people already on regular DBS were asked which symptom bothered them the most despite treatment, before being given the new treatment.

Researchers found that aDBS improved each person most problematic symptom by roughly 50% compared to conventional DBS.

This project is a continuation of several years of work led by Prof Starr, and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

In 2018 they reported the development of an adaptive DBS system, referred to as a “closed loop” system, that adjusted based on feedback from the brain itself.

In 2021, they described their ability to record brain activity in people as they went about their daily lives.

Here, those two findings were combined to use brain activity recorded during normal life activities to drive the aDBS system.

UCSF researchers led by Simon Little, conducted a separate trial to look at Parkinson’s related insomnia, that included four patients with Parkinson’s and one patient with dystonia, a related movement disorder.

In their paper published in Nature Communications, the researchers found that the device could recognise brain activity associated with various states of sleep.

They also found that it could recognise other patterns that indicate a person is likely to wake up in the middle of the night.

Researchers say there is still some way to go before this therapy can be more widely available.

The initial set-up of the device requires considerable input from highly trained clinicians, but the experts envision a future where most of the work would be managed by the device itself.

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>>> UFP Technologies Acquires Marble Medical


UFP Technologies, Inc.

Jul 16, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ufp-technologies-acquires-marble-medical-200500449.html


NEWBURYPORT, Mass., July 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UFP Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: UFPT), a designer and custom manufacturer of comprehensive solutions for medical devices, sterile packaging, and other highly engineered custom products, today announced the acquisition of Marble Medical. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Tallahassee, FL, Marble Medical develops and manufactures adhesive based medical components and single-use devices.


“Adding Marble Medical’s adhesives expertise is a great complement to our surgical robot drapes and stick to skin device platforms,” said R. Jeffrey Bailly, chairman and CEO of UFP Technologies. “Marble Medical is a 3M Preferred Converter, and along with their precision die cutting capabilities, gives our clients access to a broader range of innovative solutions incorporating highly specialized adhesive technologies.”

“In addition, Marble Medical is a longstanding partner to our DAS Medical operation, making them an excellent overall fit into our MedTech business,” continued Bailly. “This acquisition aligns with our strategic focus and provides valuable technologies in multiple key markets to bring more value to our client base. This expanded range of materials and capabilities will also allow us to vertically integrate in many existing application areas.

Joe Audie, Marble Medical’s president, stated, “We are excited to join the UFP family and be part of such a fast growing and dynamic company. UFP’s customer base, engineering skills, vast resources, and global manufacturing footprint is expected to help Marble accelerate growth by leveraging our biocompatible adhesives expertise in adjacent areas such as diagnostic patches, wound care, and other stick to skin applications.”

About UFP Technologies, Inc.

UFP Technologies is a designer and custom manufacturer of comprehensive solutions for medical devices, sterile packaging, and other highly engineered custom products. UFP is an important link in the medical device supply chain and a valued outsource partner to most of the top medical device manufacturers in the world. The Company’s single-use and single-patient devices and components are used in a wide range of medical devices and packaging for minimally invasive surgery, infection prevention, wound care, wearables, orthopedic soft goods, and orthopedic implants.

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>>> Scientists Found Heavy Metals Like Lead In Many Chocolate Bars. Should Consumers Be Worried?


Forbes

by Robert Hart

7-31-24


https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/scientists-found-heavy-metals-like-lead-in-many-chocolate-bars-should-consumers-be-worried/ar-BB1qYHlw?ocid=BingNewsSerp


Many dark chocolate and cocoa products sold across the country contain levels of toxic heavy metals that exceed food safety guidelines, according to new research published Wednesday—and while the food industry and researchers involved said the findings should not stop people from eating chocolate, experts said it warrants further scrutiny.

Key Facts

Researchers from George Washington University and ConsumerLab, a company that tests foods and supplements, examined the amount of lead, cadmium and arsenic in more than 70 dark chocolate and cocoa products purchased from retailers including Amazon, GNC and Whole Foods Market over 8 years.

Their results, published in the peer reviewed journal Frontiers of Nutrition, revealed 43% of products exceeded acceptable levels of lead per serving and 35% exceeded acceptable levels of cadmium, according to California’s stringent food guidelines.

The state’s guidelines are often used by researchers as a conservative safety benchmark when investigating heavy metal contamination in foods, as the Food and Drug Administration does not set limits for toxins including cadmium and arsenic and for others like lead may only do so for specific products like candy or baby food.

None of the products tested exceeded California’s maximum level for arsenic and almost all products—70 out of 72, or 97%—had levels of lead that fell below FDA limits for the metal.

The researchers said the heavy metals found in the chocolate are unlikely to “pose any appreciable risk” when consumed as a single serving but could be “potentially problematic” if multiple servings are consumed or they are eaten with other products that may contain heavy metals such as teas or spices.

The study is the latest research to suggest some popular chocolate brands contain heavy metals, including studies by Consumer Reports.

In an emailed statement, the National Confectioners Association told Forbes “chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries,” adding that “food safety and product quality remain” the organization’s “highest priorities.”

What Brands Of Chocolate Contain Heavy Metals?

It’s not clear what brands of dark chocolate and cocoa products had what levels of heavy metals in the study as the researchers intentionally left the information out of the study. The products tested are likely to be well known to consumers, however, and the researchers said their aim was to assess heavy metal contamination in “the most popular cocoa-containing consumer products each year for several years to assess trends,” using consumer surveys to assess popularity.

Should I Stop Eating Chocolate?

In short, no. According to the researchers, the amount of heavy metals found in the chocolate studied is unlikely to be “biologically significant” on its own, especially as most people are likely to consume the products relatively infrequently and in small amounts. The findings do suggest a need for better food standards and guidelines when it comes to heavy metal contamination, they said. “Enhanced surveillance may be warranted,” as well, the researchers added, particularly given the presence of outliers in the study with particularly high levels of contamination. Further research into the potential impact of multiple streams of food contamination should also be conducted, the researchers said, as it’s possible there may be “additive exposure” that is problematic from multiple food sources.

Can I Avoid Heavy Metal Exposure In Food?

Also no. “You actually cannot avoid exposure to heavy metals in the diet,” Leigh Frame, the study’s lead author and director of integrative medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, told NBC News. Heavy metals can naturally enter foods from soil and water in the growing process or at various points during packaging, drying, processing and transportation. Cocoa, rice, cereals, potatoes and tobacco can take up cadmium from the soil, for example, and lead can be introduced in the production of cocoa products. Small levels are not always dangerous and can be excreted from the body such as through sweat and urine but high levels can become concentrated in the body where they can cause damage. Cadmium is a carcinogen at high levels—it can cause cancer—and can damage most of the body’s systems, including the lungs, bones and kidneys. The CDC says there are no safe levels of lead in the blood for children and the metal can interfere with the developing brain and damage the nervous system. However, “it’s really not about avoiding them; it’s about making sure you’re not getting too much,” Frame said. Eating a diverse diet is one way of avoiding exposure, as is limiting consumption of products known to contain relatively high levels. Frame added that “better quality control practices during harvesting and manufacturing may help eliminate the problem” too, as well as better surveillance.

Surprising Fact

Organic products were more likely to have higher levels of cadmium and lead, the researchers found. “More striking, the number of trade certifications (e.g., Non-GMO, Fairtrade) did not significantly alter the levels of heavy metals found among products surveyed,” the researchers wrote.

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>>> Merck Falls as HPV Vaccine Miss Overshadows Profit, Sales Beat


by Damian Garde

Jul 30, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/merck-falls-hpv-vaccine-miss-143523851.html


(Bloomberg) -- Merck & Co.’s shares fell the most in three years as light sales of its Gardasil HPV vaccine in China dimmed quarterly profit and sales that beat Wall Street estimates.

The drugmaker also lowered its 2024 profit outlook on acquisition costs. The stock dropped as much as 7.7% in New York, its biggest loss since November 2021. It had risen 17% this year through Monday’s close, outperforming most of its US pharmaceutical peers and the S&P 500 Index.

Merck has spent billions to find new sources of growth as Keytruda, approved for many types of cancer, will face pricing pressure later this decade. Last year, the company spent nearly $11 billion on Prometheus Biosciences Inc., maker of treatments for autoimmune disorders, and signed a deal with Daiichi Sankyo Co. worth as much as $22 billion to collaborate on novel cancer medicines.

Gardasil, a widely used vaccine to prevent the cancer-linked human papillomavirus, is a key product for Merck’s future. The company said sales of the shot in China could fall below expectations this year due to an issue with a third-party distributor.

The company saw a “surprising” decrease of Gardasil shipments to China, Chief Executive Officer Rob Davis said on a conference call with analysts, and if the trend continues, Merck will likely ship fewer doses of the vaccine than it had previously forecast.

Slowing sales in one of the most populous countries in the world could call into question the more optimistic long-term consensus sales targets, John Murphy, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, said in an email.

Merck increased its full-year revenue forecast by $200 million at the median, to between $63.4 billion and $64.4 billion. Its next big product is expected to come in the form of Winrevair, a treatment for a rare lung disease that was approved in March. The drug, acquired in Merck’s $11 billion buyout of Acceleron Pharma Inc. in 2021, brought in $70 million in its first full quarter on the US market, exceeding analysts’ estimates.

Adjusted earnings were $2.28 a share in the second quarter, the company said in a statement Tuesday, outpacing analysts’ average estimate by 11 cents. Revenue also beat estimates, as sales of Keytruda increased 16% to $7.3 billion.

“Another quarter of the same story,” BMO analyst Evan Seigerman wrote in a note. “Merck commercial outperformance remains steady as Winrevair launch exceeds even the highest expectations.”

Profit for the year will be $7.94 to $8.04 a share, Merck said, reduced by about 60 cents per share to reflect one-time charges related to the acquisitions of the biotech firm EyeBio and the aquatic business of Elanco Animal Health Inc.

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Valley Fever - >>> Mom raises critical warning to parents after son contracts serious disease spreading across state: 'It ravaged his body'


Yahoo Finance

by Jeremiah Budin

July 22, 2024


https://news.yahoo.com/news/mom-raises-critical-warning-parents-011500429.html


In Arizona, cases of valley fever — a disease spread by a fungus that lives in the dirt — have more than doubled in the past year, 12News reported. The spike in cases may be related to conditions brought about by the ongoing overheating of our planet, officials said.

What's happening?

Valley fever is a lung infection that causes symptoms similar to those that come with pneumonia. These symptoms include fatigue, cough, fever, headache, shortness of breath, night sweats, muscle aches, and rash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though more than 60% of people who are infected with valley fever do not get sick from it, in some cases the infection is severe enough that patients require hospitalization.

Complicating things is the fact that valley fever presents similarly to many other respiratory infections, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose.

One Gilbert, Arizona, mom is trying to raise awareness of the disease after her teenage son was infected. "It was devastating; it ravaged his body," she said. "He went from being a high school basketball recruit to not being able to get out of bed and walk to the kitchen without labored breathing."

Why is this rise in valley fever cases important?

According to Dr. Wassim Ballan, the division chief of infectious diseases at Phoenix Children's, it is difficult to say whether the rise in cases is because of Arizona's expanding population or hotter and drier weather conditions in the state. June 2024 just tied June 2021 as the hottest month in state history.

If the spike were related to changing climate conditions, however, that would be consistent with many diseases — particularly those spread by mosquitoes and other insects, such as malaria and dengue fever, which have expanded their ranges as the planet continues to overheat.

What's being done about valley fever?

Valley fever is impossible to fully avoid, as it can enter your body if you simply breathe in dust. However, there is a higher risk of contracting it in especially dusty outdoor settings, such as construction sites.

Officials are urging Arizona (and California) residents to be aware of the disease and its dangers.

"I'm not saying every kid or every patient who has a fever and some respiratory illness needs to automatically be tested for valley fever, but that should be in mind especially if they're not getting better," Ballan told 12News.

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>>> Here's Why Danaher Stock Surged Today


by Lee Samaha

Motley Fool

Jul 23, 2024


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-danaher-stock-surged-155045315.html


Danaher's (NYSE: DHR) core revenue decline of 3.5% in the second quarter might not seem like anything to write home about. Still, as ever in investing, it's about context, and the company's earnings report shows that it's set to return to its long-term growth track.

The good news encouraged investors to bid the stock up by more than 7% in trading before 10 a.m. ET today.

Danaher beats guidance

As you might expect from a biotechnology, life sciences, and diagnostics company, Danaher's core revenue and earnings have bounced around in recent years due to the pandemic. Not only did Danaher manufacture PCR tests used to detect COVID-19, but it also sold life sciences equipment used to research vaccines.

The retraction from the massive boost in demand caused by the pandemic creates near-term challenges for Danaher. Therefore, management still expects this to be a year of low single-digit core revenue declines, but the evidence from the second-quarter earnings suggests that investors might have to revise their expectations at some point.

Going into the second-quarter earnings, management's guidance called for a year-over-year core revenue decline in the mid-single-digit range (implying 4%-6%) with an adjusted operating profit margin of 26%. However, the second-quarter core revenue declined by just 3.5%, and the adjusted operating profit margin came in at 27.3%.

Better-than-expected revenue and margin performance led to earnings per share of $1.72 in the quarter, compared to the analyst consensus of $1.57.

Where next for Danaher stock?

Management continues to expect a core revenue decline in the low single digits for the third quarter and the full year, but it's hard not to think it's being conservative.

CEO Rainer Blair cited positive momentum in its bioprocessing business and market share gains in its molecular diagnostic testing business, Cepheid. If Danaher can sustain those improvements, the company can return to the high-single-digit growth rates Wall Street analysts expect in 2025 and 2026.

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>>> Johnson & Johnson - Another quality business with a long track record of regularly hiking its dividends is healthcare staple Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ).

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/2-magnificent-p-500-dividend-082500784.html

J&J's stock price is down 19% from its early 2022 high. Part of that dip can be attributed to concerns regarding legal liabilities related to lawsuits involving its talc products. J&J is making efforts to resolve this (hopefully) short-term headwind. The dip can also partly be attributed to concerns about J&J's growth outlook for the next few years, when it will lose patent exclusivity on some of its pharmaceutical products, opening the door for other companies to make generic versions, which will put a drag on sales. But Wall Street is undervaluing the company's track record for developing new pharmaceuticals that can pick up the slack and drive further growth.

Johnson & Johnson has a long history of innovation. It has steadily increased its research and development budget for years, spending over $15 billion on it last year alone. The company is constantly investing in its pipeline of new treatments and technologies that will keep the company growing, as it has for over a century. In fact, products that were introduced within the last five years made up a quarter of J&J's total revenue last year.

It's a quality business in large part due to management's history of achieving high returns on capital. In addition to its product pipeline, management is always looking for opportunities to make strategic acquisitions that expand its capabilities in high-growth areas of healthcare, including its medical technology segment. It just completed its acquisition of Shockwave Medical, extending its presence in the high-growth market for cardiovascular intervention devices.

Johnson & Johnson's profitable business has funded a growing dividend for over 60 years. It recently raised the quarterly payment by $0.05 per share, bringing its forward dividend yield at the current share price to 3.32%.

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