MERS vaccine 'ready for human trials'

Researchers have started planning for the first clinical trial to test a candidate vaccine to protect against the coronavirus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome. The researchers say the MERS-CoV candidate vaccine has passed all the preclinical tests and is ready to start human trials.Image credit: Gerd Sutter/LMU The news follows a study led by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universit"at M"unchen in Germany (LMU) that demonstrated the vaccine s protective effect in the lab and in mice. Writing in the Journal of Virology, the researchers conclude that the vaccine - called MVA-MERS-S - meets important criteria for use in human trials. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory illness caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). At first, infection causes flu-like symptoms, but they can progress to a severe respiratory illness that can be fatal. There is currently no vaccine against MERS-CoV, which kills around 36% of people it infects. MERS-CoV was first identified in 2012 when it emerged in Saudi Arabia. Buy Prometrium (Progesterone) with no Rx It has spread to other countries in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, including the US and Germany - where the vaccine has been developed. The present MERS outbreak in South Korea - where 166 confirmed cases and 12 deaths have been reported - is the largest so far recorded outside the Middle East. About Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine Hcl) with free Rx There have been suggestions that mammals play a role in spreading MERS. About Aldactone (Spironolactone) without prescription For example, one study has suggested MERS may have started in bats, and another, that MERS could be carried by camels. Vaccine based on a safe virus carrying MERS-CoV antigen Two years ago, Gerd Sutter, a virology professor and chair of LMU s Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, and his team reported they had developed a candidate vaccine against MERS-CoV. As well as researchers from LMU, the vaccine development team includes members from Marburg University in Germany, and the Erasmus Medical Center of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In the new study, they describe how subsequent preclinical tests confirm that the vaccine is effective, paving the way for phase 1 trials in humans. Biomox with no Rx The idea of a vaccine is to prime the immune system to fight a particular disease without causing the subject to actually have the full-blown disease. In this study, the team based the candidate vaccine on a safety-tested vaccine virus called Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA). They used MVA as a vehicle to carry an MERS-CoV antigen called the spike glycoprotein (protein S). About Lipitor (Atorvastatin) with no prescription An antigen is a part of a virus, bacteria, or other unwanted material that causes the immune system to produce antibodies to eliminate it. Once inside the body, the modified virus gets into cells and makes many copies of the MERS-CoV protein S, displaying them on the cell surface so they can be readily recognized by the immune system. When the immune system recognizes the MERS-CoV protein S, it begins to produce antibodies and T cells against the pathogen. Tests in cell cultures and mice showed vaccine is effective As a first step, the researchers showed the vaccine had the desired immune reaction in cell cultures - it produced protective levels of MERS-CoV-neutralizing antibodies. Next, the team used mice genetically modified to be susceptible to MERS-CoV infection and exposed them to varying doses of the vaccine. Tests showed the MERS virus could not replicate itself in mice that had received the highest doses of vaccine. Buy Female Performance online They also showed the vaccinated mice had lower levels of MERS DNA in their lungs than non-vaccinated mice. http://doctorconsult.wordpress.com Prof. Sutter says the results show the vaccine candidate is both safe and effective, and: "Thus, there is no obvious risk that the resulting immune response might exacerbate rather than prevent the infection." Planning for the next step, a phase 1 clinical trial in humans, is already under way with the help of a €1.5 million ($1.66 million) grant from the German Center for Infection Research (DIFZ). Meanwhile, Medical News Today recently covered a report of Thailand s first confirmed case of MERS. Public health minister Rajata Rajatanavin said a man who traveled to Thailand from the Middle East has tested positive for the virus. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

High-res image of Ebola virus reveals how it evades the immune system

. Buy E w/ Selenium online y creating the highest resolution image of the Ebola virus to date, researchers from The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA, have identified a viral protein that helps the virus escape attack from the immune system, shedding light on how Ebola infection could be prevented. From a high-resolution image of the Ebola virus, researchers discovered how a viral protein called VP35 helps shield the virus from the immune system.Image credit: TSRI Senior study author Erica Ollmann Saphire, director of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Consortium and professor at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI), and colleagues publish the details of their findings in the journal Cell Reports. As of 21st June, the World Health Organization (WHO) state there have been 27,479 confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) worldwide in the 2014-15 outbreak and 11,222 deaths from the condition. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com About Norvir (Ritonavir) without Rx The vast majority of cases have occurred in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. While the rate of infection has reduced dramatically - with Liberia declared free of Ebola transmission back in May - researchers continue to work toward ways of treating the infection and preventing future Ebola outbreaks. Past research from Ollmann Saphire and colleagues in 2012 revealed how a viral protein called VP35 plays a part in protecting both the Ebola virus and the Marburg virus - both of which belong to the Filoviridae virus family - from the immune system. The team found that VP35 assists another viral protein, helping it coil and form a protein shell, known as a nucleocapsid. Intagra (Sildenafil Citrate) with free prescription The nucleocapsid wraps around the genetic material of the virus, preventing immune cells from attacking it. However, the mechanisms underlying this process were unclear, until now. VP35 stops the nucleocapsid assembling incorrectly Using X-ray crystallography to produce a high-resolution image of the Ebola virus, Ollmann Saphire and colleagues were able to see how VP35 helps the other viral protein build its defense. They found that VP35 stops incorrect assembling of the nucleocapsid. About Persantine (Dipyridamole) without Rx What is more, the high-resolution image allowed them to see "side chains" - which they describe as atoms and structures important for drug design against a virus. "This higher resolution is critical for design of much-needed antiviral therapeutics," says Ollmann Saphire. Becotide with free Rx "These structures provide the blueprints that we need to see key vulnerabilities to attack." Not only could these findings open the door to Ebola prevention and treatment strategies, the team says they could help tackle a number of other viruses. About Microzide (Hydrochlorothiazide) with free Rx "The structure we revealed is likely conserved across all the filoviruses: Marburg, Sudan, Bundibugyo, Reston and Ebola," says Ollmann Saphire. First author Robert Kirchdoerfer, a research associate at TSRI, adds that the viral assembly information uncovered in this study could also be applied to Mononegavirales - an order of viruses that include rabies, measles and mumps. In May, Medical News Today reported on a study published in mBio in which researchers claimed to have identified an "Achilles heel" for Ebola virus infection. Study leader Kartik Chandran, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University, NY, and colleagues found that the Ebola virus is unable to infect cells without attaching to a protein called Niemann-Pick C1 first. Written by Honor Whiteman

New drug delivery system may open up treatments for polycystic kidney disease

Researchers who found a way to reach the growth factors that promote cyst growth in polycystic kidney disease, suggest it opens the possibility for repurposing a large number of existing drugs to treat the genetic disorder. A normal kidney is about the size of a fist - a polycystic kidney can grow to the size of an American football.Image credit: Indiana University School of Medicine Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the world s most common inherited kidney disease, affecting around 12 million people. Buy Maxalt (Rizatriptan) with free Rx It has no known cure. In PKD, fluid-filled, benign cysts develop and grow in the kidneys. Lopressor (Metoprolol) with free prescription As they accumulate more fluid, the cysts get bigger and bigger and destroy healthy tissue. Voltaren (Diclofenac) with free prescription Eventually, this leads to kidney failure, high blood pressure, and other complications. The new study, from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), involves the use of therapeutic antibodies. About Avapro with no Rx These biologic therapies are already used extensively to treat diseases ranging from cancer to autoimmune disorders. Biologic therapies normally use a class of antibody called immunoglobulin-G (IgG) to bind to and prevent the activity of specific proteins or growth factors. But in PKD, the growth factors that drive cyst growth are locked inside the fluid-filled lumen - the central cavity of the cyst - which IgG antibodies cannot enter. The UCSB researchers - led by Thomas Weimbs, a professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology - found that another class of antibodies called immunoglobulin-A (IgA), were able to penetrate the cyst wall and enter the lumen. Study shows IgA can enter PKD cysts and stay there Three pieces of information came together to spur the discovery made in the study. Parafon Forte (Chlorzoxazone) without Rx They arose in earlier work and observations by Prof. Buy Cyanocobalamin online Weimbs, who has been working on PKD for 10 years. The first piece of information concerned how IgA could cross a cell layer by binding to polymeric immunoglobulin receptors (pIgR). http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com The second, was that a transcription factor called STAT6 appears to be overactive in PKD. And the third, was that Prof. Weimbs remembered that STAT6 had been shown to switch on the expression of pIgRs in other organs. Prof. Weimbs says the "aha" moment came when he brought the three pieces of information together: "I thought if STAT6 is highly active in polycystic kidneys, maybe it also expresses a lot of pIgR - and that turned out to be the case. So we tested this in mouse models and in human polycystic kidney tissues, and, in both cases, high levels of pIgR were expressed in kidney cysts." When they injected IgA into mice with polycystic kidneys, the team found around 7% of the injected IgA stayed inside the cyst lumens. Prof. Weimbs says this suggests some IgA gets taken into the cysts - and because there is no way for it to exit - it remains trapped: "So we end up with a way of exploiting the pIgR system for targeting these antibodies specifically to the polycystic kidney." A key step remains to be tested before the possibility that the method opens up new treatment avenues for PKD becomes a likelihood - and that is to find a way to reformat IgG antibodies into IgA types so they can enter the cyst using the pIgR system and target the growth factors. Should this step be successful, then, according to Prof. Weimbs: "Our strategy allows for the repurposing of thousands of existing monoclonal antibodies that have already been developed, which opens up a whole new class of therapeutics not previously used for PKD therapy." Meanwhile, Medical News Today has learned how another team, reporting in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, may also have developed a new way to treat PKD by targeting blood vessels surrounding cysts. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Global AIDS efforts must improve or infections and deaths will increase

A report from the UNAIDS and Lancet Commission has stated that efforts to stop new HIV infections and improve access to antiretroviral treatment must intensify over the next 5 years, or else deaths from AIDS will increase globally. The Commission state that only a massive and rapid expansion of a comprehensive AIDS response by 2020 can achieve the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. "We have to act now. Buy Janumet (Sitagliptin Metformin) without Rx The next 5 years provide a fragile window of opportunity to fast-track the response and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030," says Michel Sidib e, co-convenor of the Commission and executive director of UNAIDS. Nexium (Esomeprazole) without prescription "If we don t, the human and financial consequences will be catastrophic." The UNAIDS and Lancet Commission is a collaboration between political leaders, health and medical experts, scientists, activists and private sector representatives aiming to ensure that lessons learned in the AIDS response usher in a new era of sustainable development. According to the Commission, in 2013, the number of new HIV infections had fallen by 38% since 2001 to 2.1 million, and the number of AIDS-related deaths had fallen by 35% since 2005 to 1.5 million. Despite the progress that has been made, however, the report demonstrates that the rate of HIV infection is not falling fast enough. "We must face hard truths - if the current rate of new HIV infections continues, merely sustaining the major efforts we already have in place will not be enough to stop deaths from AIDS increasing within 5 years in many countries," says lead author Prof. About Levaquin (Levofloxacin) with no prescription Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK. He states that although expanding sustainable access to treatment is important, we will not be able to "treat ourselves out of the AIDS epidemic." "We must also reinvigorate HIV prevention efforts, particularly among populations at highest risk, while removing legal and societal discrimination," he adds. The need to step up the AIDS response means many countries will need to increase their funding for HIV treatment. Buy Ascorbic Acid without Rx However, in low-income countries with high HIV burdens, international solidarity and support will be required for this to happen. One finding of the report is that sustaining current HIV treatment and prevention programs in the most affected African countries from 2014 to 2030 would cost up to 2% of their GDP along with at least a third of their total health expenditure. About Propecia (Finasteride) with no Rx In many countries, such financial support is impossible without international assistance. The report outlines seven key recommendations The report finds that it is not just those in low-income countries who are vulnerable, however. Buy CLA online The Commission identifies a need to ensure people in middle-income countries, and particularly those in marginalized groups, are not left behind. Some countries have become complacent in their response to AIDS, the report states, and some HIV epidemics that have previously been stable or in a steady decline are now beginning to reverse with reports of new HIV infections rising. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com Resurgent epidemics have been noted among men who have sex with men in parts of North America, Western Europe and Asia. The Commission make seven key recommendations concerning future responses to AIDS: Get serious about HIV prevention and continue to expand access to treatment Ramp up and fully fund AIDS efforts efficiently, with an emphasis on sustainability Demand strong accountability, transparency and better data Invest in research and innovation in all aspects of the AIDS response Reinforce leadership and engagement of people living with HIV, giving them a greater voice Find new ways to uphold human rights and address criminalization, decriminalization and stigma Promote more inclusive and coherent AIDS and health governance. If the response to AIDS is accelerated adequately over the next 5 years, the Commission believe that as well as greatly reducing HIV transmission and AIDS-related deaths, incidence of mother-to-child transmission could be eliminated by 2030. Although the authors found that the AIDS response needs to improve, there are lessons that can be learned from it and applied to future global health crises. "The movement created by the AIDS response is unprecedented - a system of checks and balances from a people-centered approach is one that more global health institutions should adopt," says Lancet editor-in-chief Dr. Richard Horton. "Identifying multi-sectoral stakeholders early will save time and money by ensuring the best solutions reach the right people." Whether the fight against AIDS can be won is no longer a question that the experts are asking. Rather, they are wondering will it be won and, if so, when? "The answers to these questions will eventually depend on the decisions made by leaders and institutions at all different levels, in all sectors and parts of society, and on the personal choices people make in their private lives," the Commission conclude. Recently, Medical News Today reported on research claiming to have made "a leap forward" in attempts to develop a vaccine against HIV. Written by James McIntosh

Doctors in bitter divide over e-cigarettes

Are e-cigarettes giving tobacco companies the means to appear benign while actually "killing people softly" or are the alternatives offering the best chance of reducing harm from cigarette smoking? Doctors are bitterly divided over the question. Glamorizing cigarette smoking or saving lives? An article in The BMJ reports from both sides of the debate. Buy Janumet (Sitagliptin Metformin) without Rx Simon Capewell, professor of public health and policy at the Institute of Psychology, Health and Society at the UK s University of Liverpool, tells the journal he is suspicious of big tobacco. Prof. Nexium (Esomeprazole) without prescription Capewell argues that if the big tobacco companies were genuinely concerned about the disease and the harm they caused, "they would cease production - end of discussion. About Levaquin (Levofloxacin) with no prescription They would go into e-cigarette production 100%." Instead, tobacco companies are cynically acting to worm their ways into public bodies, pretending to be part of the solution and deflecting attention away from the harm they do, argue such public health experts. The argument against e-cigarettes also says they help to glamorize and renormalize smoking. Buy Ascorbic Acid without Rx But such an idea is given a strongly-worded dismissal by one organization that has previously been an arch-enemy of the tobacco companies but now appears alongside them at conferences. Deborah Arnott, chief executive of the UK charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), says: "There are people in the public health community who are obsessed by e-cigarettes. About Propecia (Finasteride) with no Rx This idea that it renormalizes smoking is absolute bullshit. Buy CLA online There is no evidence so far that it is a gateway into smoking for young people." Arnott asks: "Do you want the tobacco industry to carry on making cigarettes which are highly addictive and kill when used as intended, or do you want them to move to a product which is much nearer licensed nicotine replacement therapy and is unlikely to kill anyone?" But the opposition remains. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com Public health experts against such positions include 129 who warned the World Health Organization and other public bodies not to "buy into the tobacco industry s well-documented strategy of presenting itself as a partner." The article in The BMJ characterizes the debate as divided broadly between two types of doctor - public health experts looking at the population effects, and supposedly "idealist" about the issue, and doctors in practise who have a more "pragmatic" view of potential benefits for individuals. While the debate rages, the reality of smoking versus vaping plays out. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration s Center for Tobacco Products revealed that the use of electronic cigarettes tripled among middle and high school students between 2013 and 2014. The news of the findings means that the use of e-cigarettes among this population has exceeded use of all other tobacco products - including conventional cigarettes. Much of the opposition to the developments is a result of the involvement of tobacco companies, the report in The BMJ says. "When they first came on the market, 5 or 6 years ago, there was a positive openness and curiosity" about electronic cigarettes, says Karl Fagerstr"om, a Swedish clinical psychologist and a founder of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. But after the cigarette industry became involved, the attitude changed from suspicion to opposition, he adds. Written by Markus MacGill

'Lack of evidence' to support benefits of medical marijuana

A number of US states have now legalized marijuana for medical use. Feldene (Piroxicam) with free prescription However, a new study published in JAMA has raised questions about the quality of evidence supporting the drug s effectiveness for treating certain conditions. Many of the studies suggesting cannabinoids are effective for treating certain medical conditions are of low-moderate quality, according to the authors of the meta-analysis. To date, 23 US states and Washington, DC, have legalized marijuana for medical use, with a further seven states pending legislation. While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved the marijuana plant as a form of medicine, studies of the drug s active compounds, known as cannabinoids, have led to the approval of two medications - dronabinol and nabilone - that contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary cannabinoid in marijuana. Both dronabinol and nabilone are used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy among individuals in whom other medications have failed, while dronabinol is also used to treat weight loss and loss of appetite for people with HIV/AIDS. Previous studies have suggested that cannabinoids can also help treat chronic pain, Tourette syndrome, sleep disorders and other medical conditions. However, the team involved in this latest study - including Penny F. About Plendil (Felodipine) without Rx Whiting, PhD, of the University of Bristol in the UK - notes that, despite marijuana being widely used for medical purposes in the US and some other countries, the effectiveness of the drug in treating certain medical conditions is unclear. Low-, moderate-quality evidence supporting effectiveness of cannabinoids for medical use With this in mind, Whiting and colleagues conducted a review of 79 randomized clinical trials involving 6,462 participants that assessed the effectiveness of cannabinoids in treating the symptoms of an array of medical conditions. While the majority of studies indicated that cannabinoids could successfully treat symptoms of certain medical conditions, the researchers found many of these studies were not statistically significant. When it came to the use of cannabinoids for treatment of weight loss in HIV/AIDS patients, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, sleep disorders and Tourette syndrome, the researchers found there was low-quality evidence that the compounds were effective, while there was very low-quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabinoids in the treatment of anxiety. The team identified moderate-quality evidence for the successful use of cannabinoids in treating chronic neuropathic or cancer pain and loss of muscle control as a result of multiple sclerosis (MS). The studies that found no effect on psychosis with cannabinoid use were of low-quality, the researchers found, and there was very low-level evidence that cannabinoids were ineffective against depression. Whiting and colleagues also assessed the occurrence of adverse side effects associated with cannabinoid use, which were reported in 62 of the studies included. About Zyprexa (Olanzapine) They found cannabinoid use increased the risk of short-term adverse side effects. About Antinaus with free Rx Dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, euphoria, vomiting, disorientation, confusion, loss of balance and hallucination were among the most common adverse events identified. These findings did not differ depending on the type of cannabinoids used or the way they were administered, according to the researchers. They note that only two of the studies assessed the effectiveness of cannabis for medical use, though they found no evidence that cannabis produced different results to other cannabinoids. Based on their results, Whiting and colleagues say: "Further large, robust, randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the effects of cannabinoids, particularly on weight gain in patients with HIV/AIDS, depression, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, psychosis, glaucoma, and Tourette syndrome are required. About Shuddha guggulu () Further studies evaluating cannabis itself are also required because there is very little evidence on the effects and adverse events of cannabis." In an editorial linked to the study, Drs. Buy Chickweed online Deepak Cyril and Mohini Ranganathan, of the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, CT, say if US states wish to make marijuana widely available for medical purposes, then more rigorous research into the medical benefits of the drug is required. "Since medical marijuana is not a life-saving intervention, it may be prudent to wait before widely adopting its use until high-quality evidence is available to guide the development of a rational approval process," they add. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com "Perhaps it is time to place the horse back in front of the cart." In July 2014, a Spotlight feature from Medical News Today looked at the debate surrounding medical marijuana, which highlighted concerns from some physicians about the lack of reliable evidence supporting use of the drug for medical purposes. Written by Honor Whiteman

DIabetes 'smart insulin patch' could revolutionize glucose control

Patients with diabetes have to control their blood sugar by regularly pricking their finger and giving themselves insulin shots. Depakote (Divalproex) with free Rx The procedure is painful and imprecise - injecting the wrong amount of insulin can lead to serious complications, and in some cases, coma and death. The researchers aim to develop a smart insulin patch that would only need to be changed every few days.Image credit: Zhen Gu Now, the development of a "smart insulin patch" could one day make such an ordeal a thing of the past for the millions of Americans who suffer from diabetes, according to the team behind the innovation, which includes members from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in Chapel Hill and NC State in Raleigh. The smart patch - a square sliver of tape no larger than a penny - has more than a hundred microneedles, each about the size of an eyelash, containing tiny reservoirs of insulin and glucose-sensing enzymes. The device - which can be placed anywhere on the body - senses when blood sugar levels get too high and rapidly discharges the right amount of insulin into the bloodstream. In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the diabetes doctors and biomedical engineers that invented the painless patch describe how they tested it in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes and showed it lowered blood glucose for several hours. While it shows great promise, it is too early to say if and when the patch can be used in human patients - the team says more tests and then clinical trials are needed. Buy Rogaine (Minoxidil) with no prescription Patch mimics body s own system for generating insulin The smart insulin patch works by mimicking the body s own system for generating insulin - the beta cells of the pancreas - which produce and store insulin in tiny sacs or vesicles. About Cycrin (Medroxyprogesterone ) with no prescription They also sense changes in blood sugar and signal insulin to be released from the vesicles as needed. The team constructed artificial vesicles that perform in a similar way out of two natural materials - hyaluronic acid (HA) used in cosmetics and 2-nitroimidazole (NI), an organic compound used in diagnostics. Together, the two compounds form a molecule that is water-loving at one end (the HA part) and water-repellent at the other (the NI part). Buy Amias without Rx Groups of the molecule self-assemble into vesicles - rather like oil droplets do in water - with the water repellent ends on the inside and the water-loving ends on the outside. The researchers found they could insert a core of solid insulin and enzymes designed to detect glucose into the artificial vesicles, which in large numbers formed millions of bubble-like nanostructures, each 100 times smaller than the thickness of human hair. When they tested the intelligent insulin nanoparticles in the lab, the team found they responded to raised blood sugar. Buy Suprax (Cefixime) with no Rx The excess glucose molecules entered the artificial vesicles, using up oxygen as the enzymes on board converted them into gluconic acid. Buy Calcium Carbonate online This reduction in oxygen or "hypoxia" makes the water-repellent NI end of the molecules that make up the vesicles become water-loving, and the vesicles dissolve and release insulin into the bloodstream. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com Patch kept blood sugar normal in diabetic mice for hours The next step for the researchers was to find a way to administer the artificial vesicles to diabetes patients. This is when they turned to the idea of tiny microneedles incorporated into a patch, rather than rely on the large needles or catheters of the "closed-loop systems" of other approaches to glucose-sensitive insulin delivery. They eventually produced a silicon strip with over a hundred microneedles that pierce the skin and tap into the blood flowing in the underlying capillaries. Each microneedle contains a reservoir of the artificial vesicles. The team tested the invention in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. They gave one group of mice a standard insulin injection - the levels dropped to normal but then quickly rose to hyperglycemic levels. But when they treated another group of diabetic mice with the patch, their blood sugar levels normalized within half an hour and stayed that way for several hours. The researchers also found that by varying the dose of enzyme, they could fine-tune the patch to alter glucose levels within certain ranges. A game changer for diabetes patients Mice are less sensitive to insulin than humans, so the researchers believe that the patches could last even longer in human patients. The researchers aim to develop a smart insulin patch that would only need to be changed every few days. Such a prospect would be a "game changer" for diabetes patients, explains co-senior author John Buse, a professor of medicine and past president of the American Diabetes Association: "The hard part of diabetes care is not the insulin shots, or the blood sugar checks, or the diet but the fact that you have to do them all several times a day every day for the rest of your life." Co-senior author Zhen Gu, a professor in biomedical engineering, says: "We have designed a patch for diabetes that works fast, is easy to use, and is made from nontoxic, biocompatible materials. The whole system can be personalized to account for a diabetic s weight and sensitivity to insulin, so we could make the smart patch even smarter." There are more than 387 million people with diabetes worldwide, and the number is predicted to rise to 592 million by 2035. Funds from the NC TraCS Institute and the American Diabetes Association helped finance the research. Meanwhile, MNT recently learned how a new screening tool identified a drug that could target an underlying cellular cause of type 2 diabetes that leads to insulin resistance. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

FDA approve device that helps blind 'see with tongue'

A non-invasive device that allows people who are blind to sense visual images using their tongue has received marketing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration. The BrainPort converts images into electrical impulses that are felt on the tongue as vibrations or tingling sensations.Image credit: Wicab Inc When used with a cane or assistance dog, the BrainPort V100 can enhance people s ability to navigate their environment by literally "tasting the light." The battery-powered BrainPort looks like a square plastic lollipop - this goes in the mouth and sits on the tongue - connected via a wire to a tiny video camera mounted on a pair of sunglasses that the user wears. The video camera captures images that are converted to electrical impulses that are sent to electrodes in the lollipop - the impulses are felt on the tongue as vibrations or tingling. Chloromycetin (Chloramphenicol) with free Rx After receiving training and with experience of use, the user learns to interpret the signals through their tongue and determine size, shape and position of objects in front of them and even discern if they are moving. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) came to their decision following a review of clinical data on the safety and effectiveness of the device. Buy Tegretol (Carbamazepine) with no Rx Effectiveness assessments included object recognition and word identification. Studies showed that 69% of 74 BrainPort V100 users who completed a year s training succeeded in object recognition tests. Some users reported that the device left a metallic taste in the mouth and gave them a burning or stinging sensation. About Extra Super Avana (Avanafil with Dapoxetine ) There were no serious adverse effects, say the FDA. It s the brain that sees - not the eyes The technology behind the BrainPort was first developed by American neuroscientist Dr. Buy Alerid without Rx Paul Bach-y-Rita, who died in 2006, having pioneered a new field in brain plasticity. About Tritace (Ramipril) with no Rx He introduced the concept of "sensory substitution," where signals from one sense are fed into the brain circuits of another, and he developed it as an approach for treating patients with disabilities. Dr. Buy Bladder online Bach-y-Rita s idea is that we see the world with our brains and not our eyes - our eyes are merely the sensors. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com If the sensor is damaged or stops working, then you can use another sensor to get the visual information to the brain. BrainPort is made by Wicab Inc of Middleton, WI, a company that Dr. Bach-y-Rita founded in 1998. Robert Beckman, Wicab president and CEO, says one of the advantages of the BrainPort is its simplicity and the fact it does not affect the user s eyes, in case future medical advances - for instance, in stem cell research - offer better alternatives for people who are blind. Dr. William Maisel, FDA s deputy director for science and chief scientist in the agency s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, says: "Medical device innovations like this have the potential to help millions of people. It is important we continue advancing device technology to help blind Americans live better, more independent lives." The National Eye Institute - one of the National Institutes of Health - say the number of Americans who are blind will rise from just over 1.2 million (estimated in 2010) to 2.1 million by 2030 and 4.1 million by 2050. The device was approved for sale in Europe in 2013. Medical News Today first learned about the BrainPort in 2010, when a British soldier, who was blinded by a grenade in Iraq in 2007, described how it had transformed his life. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

BIND Therapeutics Appoints Andrew Hirsch as President and Chief Executive Officer

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BIND Therapeutics, Inc. Buy Avelox (Moxifloxacin) with no prescription (NASDAQ: BIND), a clinical-stage nanomedicine company developing targeted and programmable therapeutics called Accurins™, today announced that Andrew Hirsch has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the Company. About Viagra Professional (Sildenafil Citrate) without prescription Mr. Vigora (Sildenafil Citrate) without Rx Hirsch had been serving in the role on an acting basis since March 2015. Buy Acyclovir without prescription Mr. About Vigora (Sildenafil Citrate) with no Rx Hirsch has also been elected to BIND’s Board of Directors. “After a thorough evaluation of internal and external candidates, the Board is confident that Andrew is the right person to lead the next phase of the Company’s growth,” said Daniel Lynch, Chairman, BIND Therapeutics Board of Directors. Buy Aspartic Acid online “His vision, operational philosophy and experience are ideally suited for the position. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com Since stepping in as acting president and CEO in March, we have been very impressed with his ability to quickly develop, and begin implementing, a strategic plan to drive current and future therapeutic opportunities in a direction we believe will most effectively create products that solve serious medical problems and create value for our shareholders.” “I’m excited by the opportunity to continue working with our employees, the senior management team and the Board as we develop therapies with the potential to have a profound impact on the treatment of serious diseases,” said Mr. Hirsch. “Our nanomedicine platform, one of the most advanced in the industry, enables independent modulation of targeting, cellular trafficking and drug release. Together, these properties enable us to engineer novel therapeutic approaches that can lead to breakthrough therapies.” BIND’s lead compound, BIND-014, is currently in phase 2 clinical trials for KRAS-mutant and squamous histology non-small cell lung cancer. BIND, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, expects to have a second Accurin, AZD2811, in the clinic in the third quarter of 2015. In addition, BIND’s pre-clinical programs represent next generation Accurins leveraging novel targeting approaches and payloads appropriate for the multiple therapeutic strategies. “Our BIND-014 clinical data demonstrates that the technology can alter the biodistribution of a therapeutic agent, leading to an improved therapeutic profile with a validated payload and ligand,” continued Mr. Hirsch. “My vision is to move forward using novel targeting ligands and therapeutic payloads to engineer nanomedicines that lead to meaningful improvements in patient care that is currently unachievable by other therapeutic modalities. The research collaboration we announced last week with Macrophage Therapeutics is the first step in implementing that vision.” Mr. Hirsch will deliver a corporate presentation at the JMP Securities Life Sciences Conference 2015 tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET at the St. Regis hotel in New York City, where he will provide an update on BIND’s pipeline of Accurins and additional details about his vision and the future direction of BIND. A live webcast of the presentation is available on the BIND Therapeutics website at .bindtherapeutics.com. The webcast will be archived on the BIND Therapeutics website following the event for one week. About BIND Therapeutics BIND Therapeutics is a clinical-stage nanomedicine company developing a pipeline of Accurins, its novel targeted therapeutics designed to increase the concentration and duration of therapeutic payloads at disease sites while reducing exposure to healthy tissue. BIND is leveraging its Medicinal Nanoengineering platform to develop a pipeline of Accurins targeting hematological and solid tumors and has a number of strategic collaborations with biopharmaceutical companies to develop Accurins in areas of high unmet need. BIND s lead drug candidate, BIND-014, is a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) -targeted Accurin that contains docetaxel, a clinically-validated and widely-used cancer chemotherapy drug. BIND-014 is currently in development for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, in patients with KRAS mutations or squamous histology. In addition, BIND plans to initiate clinical trials with BIND-014 in cervical, bladder, head and neck and cholangio cancers in 2015. BIND is also advancing BIND-510, its second PSMA-targeted Accurin drug candidate containing vincristine, a potent microtubule inhibitor with dose limiting peripheral neuropathy in its conventional form, through important preclinical studies to position it for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application filing with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016. Lastly, BIND is developing Accurins designed to inhibit PLK1 and KSP, both of which BIND believes are promising anti-mitotic targets that have been limited in the clinic due to myelotoxicity prior to reaching therapeutic doses. BIND has announced ongoing collaborations with Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca AB, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Merck & Co., or Merck (known as Merck Sharp & Dohme outside the United States and Canada), and Macrophage Therapeutics (a subsidiary of Navidea Biopharmaceuticals) to develop Accurins based on their proprietary therapeutic payloads and targeting ligands. Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding our beliefs that Accurins have the potential to have a profound impact on the treatment of serious disease; our ability to engineer novel therapeutics approaches that can lead to breakthrough therapies; and the ability to use BIND’s technology to improve the therapeutic profile of a therapeutic agent or engineer nanomedicines that lead to meaningful improvements in patient care. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the fact that the Company has incurred significant losses since its inception and expects to incur losses for the foreseeable future; the Company’s need for additional funding, which may not be available; raising additional capital may cause dilution to its stockholders or require it to relinquish rights to its technologies or drug candidates; the Company’s limited operating history; failure to use and expand its medicinal nanoengineering platform to build a pipeline of drug candidates and develop marketable drugs; the early stage of the Company’s development efforts with only one drug candidate in clinical development; failure of the Company or its collaborators to successfully develop and commercialize drug candidates; clinical drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process, with an uncertain outcome; delays or difficulties in the enrollment of patients in clinical trials; serious adverse or unacceptable side effects or limited efficacy observed during the development of the Company’s drug candidates; inability to maintain any of the Company’s collaborations, or the failure of these collaborations; the Company’s reliance on third parties to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its drug candidates; the Company’s inability to obtain required regulatory approvals; any conclusion by the FDA that BIND-014 does not satisfy the requirements for approval under the Section 505(b)(2) regulatory approval pathway; the inability to obtain orphan drug exclusivity for drug candidates; failure to obtain marketing approval in international jurisdictions; any post-marketing restrictions or withdrawals from the market; effects of recently enacted and future legislation; failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; failure to achieve market acceptance by physicians, patients, or third-party payors; failure to establish effective sales, marketing and distribution capabilities or enter into agreements with third parties with such capabilities; effects of substantial competition; unfavorable pricing regulations, third-party reimbursement practices or healthcare reform initiatives; product liability lawsuits; failure to retain key executives and attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; difficulties in managing our growth; risks associated with operating internationally, including the possibility of sanctions with respect to our operations in Russia; failure to obtain and maintain patent protection for or otherwise protect our technology and products; effects of patent or other intellectual property lawsuits; the eligibility of a significant portion of the Company’s total outstanding shares to be sold into the market, which could cause the market price of its common stock to drop significantly; increased costs as a result of operating as a public company; and any securities class action litigation. These and other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on May 7, 2015, and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management s estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

What are the health benefits of barley?

Barley is a major cereal grain commonly found in bread, beverages, and various cuisines of every culture. Adalat Cc (Nifedipine) with free Rx It was one of the first cultivated grains in history and to this day has remained one of the most widely consumed grains in the entire world. Whole grain foods such as barley have quickly been gaining popularity over the past few years due to the various health benefits they provide. Ziagen (Abacavir) without prescription Whole grains are important sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are not found in refined or "enriched" grains. Casodex (Bicalutamide) with no Rx Grains that have undergone the refining process have had components removed (specifically, the bran and germ), which also removes most of the fiber and nutrients naturally found in most grains. Buy Acarbose with no prescription Choosing whole grains over their processed counterparts reduces the risk of several chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Buy Zetia (Ezetimibe) with no prescription This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods. Buy Alfalfa online It provides a nutritional breakdown of barley and an in-depth look at its possible health benefits, how to incorporate more barley into your diet and any potential health risks of consuming barley. Contents of this article: Nutritional breakdown of barley Possible health benefits of consuming barley How to incorporate more barley into your diet Potential health risks of consuming barley Nutritional breakdown of barley Barley is commonly found in two forms: hulled and pearled. http://webmdhelp.wordpress.com Hulled barley has undergone minimal processing to remove only the inedible outer shell, leaving the bran and germ intact. Pearled barley has had the layer of bran removed along with the hull. Pearl barley is by far the most popular form of barley in the US. However, hulled barley is higher in fiber and nutrition as the bran layer is left intact. Half a cup of hulled barley contains 326 calories, 11.5 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, 0 grams of cholesterol, 68 grams of carbohydrate and 16 grams of dietary fiber (64% of daily requirements). That same serving provides 3% of daily calcium needs, 18% of iron, 40% of thiamin, 15% of riboflavin, 21% of niacin, 15% of vitamin B6, 5% of folate, 30% of magnesium, 25% of phosphorus, 12% of potassium, 17% of zinc, 23% of copper, 50% of selenium and 90% of manganese needs. Beta-glucans are a type of fiber that is found in barley. Recently, beta-glucans have undergone extensive studies in order to determine their role in benefitting human health. They have been found to lower insulin resistance and blood cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of obesity as well as providing an immunity boost.1 Possible health benefits of consuming barley Consuming plant-based foods of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like barley decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and overall lower weight. Blood pressure Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however, increasing potassium intake may be just as important. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, fewer than 2% of US adults meet the daily 4,700 mg recommendation.4 In addition, potassium, calcium and magnesium (all present in barley) have been found to decrease blood pressure naturally.6 A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 2006 concluded that "in a healthful diet, increasing whole grain foods, whether high in soluble or insoluble fiber, can reduce blood pressure and may help to control weight." Bone health The iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc in barley all contribute to building and maintaining bone structure and strength.5 The careful balance of the phosphate and calcium is necessary for proper bone mineralization - consumption of too much phosphorus with too little calcium intake can result in bone loss. Bone formation requires the mineral manganese, and iron and zinc play crucial roles in the production and maturation of collagen. Heart health Barley s fiber, potassium, folate and vitamin B6 content, coupled with its lack of cholesterol, all support a healthy heart. Barley is an excellent source of fiber, which helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease. A randomized, double-blind study from 2007 found that barley intake significantly reduced serum cholesterol and visceral fat, both of which are markers of cardiovascular risk. The beta glucan fiber found in barley lowers LDL cholesterol by binding to bile acids and removing them from the body via excretion. An intake of 3 grams of beta-glucans per day can lower blood cholesterol levels by 5%.1 In one study, those who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day had a 49% lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease compared to those who consumed less potassium (about 1,000 mg per day).4 Vitamin B6 and folate, both present in barley, prevent the buildup of a compound known as homocysteine. When excessive amounts of homocysteine accumulate in the body, it can damage blood vessels and lead to heart problems. Cancer Selenium is a mineral that is not present in most foods but can be found in barley. It plays a role in liver enzyme function and helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body. Additionally, selenium prevents inflammation, decreases tumor growth rates and improves immune response to infection by stimulating production of killer T-cells.2 The fiber in barley not only supports heart health. Fiber intake from plant-based foods is also associated with a lowered risk of colorectal cancer. Beta glucan fiber has been found to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells and prevent tumors from forming.1 Inflammation Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in barley that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.3 Digestion and regularity Because of its fiber content, barley helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract. Weight management and satiety Adequate fiber intake is commonly recognized as important factor in weight loss by functioning as a "bulking agent" in the digestive system. Fiber in the diet helps to increase satiety and reduce appetite, making you feel fuller for longer with the goal of lowering your overall calorie intake. On the next page we look at how to incorporate more barley into your diet and the potential health risks of consuming barley. 1 2 NEXT ▶