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Study shows Mesenchymal Stromal Cells importance of tissue origin in predicting function

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DURHAM, N.C. (PRWEB)

A new study released today in STEM CELLS demonstrates that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) expanded from adipose tissue (ASC) outperform those expanded from bone marrow (BM-MSCs). Importantly, while several previous studies have compared the performance of BM-MSCs versus ASCs, this is the first to pair MSCs from the same donor to show that tissue, rather than donor origin, is the functional predictor.

“Numerous clinical trials are evaluating the therapeutic potential of MSCs in degenerative and inflammatory diseases,” said lead investigator Karin Tarte, Pharm D, Ph.D., of the Université de Rennes. “However, the influence of their tissue of origin on their functional properties, including their immunosuppressive activity, remains unsolved.

“Prior to our study, the comparison of ASCs versus BM-MSCs was essentially completed using MSC batches obtained from different donors. We demonstrated for the first time on a large series of ASCs and BM-MSCs, obtained from the same donors, the strong impact of tissue origin on these cells’ properties. Moreover,” she added, “we pinpointed that ASCs could be an interesting alternative to BM-MSCs for therapeutic applications, considering their huge expression of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive molecules.”

To conduct their study, the investigators produced paired BM-MSC and ASC batches from 14 healthy donors, cultured under identical clinical grade-like conditions. They then compared them using transcriptomic (that is, all RNA molecules in a cell or a population of cells), phenotype (their physical characteristics) and functional analyses. Lastly, they validated the results on purified native MSCs to infer which differences were really endowed by tissue of origin.

What they learned was that the cultured MSCs segregated together by tissue origin rather than donor origin, which translated into distinct immune-related gene signatures, phenotypes and functional cell interactions.

“In particular, ASCs exhibited an immune profile consistent with a stronger inhibition of T-cell and myeloid cell immune response and a lower immunogenicity,” Dr. Tarte said. “This study supports the need to select therapeutic MSCs by tissue of origin functionality,” she concluded.

“The ability to assess key characteristics of adipose and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from the same individual has not before been done on such a defined and large-scale manner,” said Dr. Jan Nolta, Editor-in-Chief of STEM CELLS. “The report from Tarte et al gives us an important comparison from which we can draw key insight for future clinical trials”.

The full article, “Integrated transcriptomic, phenotypic, and functional study reveals tissue-specific immune properties of mesenchymal stromal cells,” can be accessed at https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/stem.3077.

About the Journal: STEM CELLS, a peer reviewed journal published monthly, provides a forum for prompt publication of original investigative papers and concise reviews. The journal covers all aspects of stem cells: embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells; tissue-specific stem cells; cancer stem cells; the stem cell niche; stem cell epigenetics, genomics and proteomics; and translational and clinical research. STEM CELLS is co-published by AlphaMed Press and Wiley.

About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes three internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals with globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines. STEM CELLS® (http://www.StemCells.com) is the world’s first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research. THE ONCOLOGIST® (http://www.TheOncologist.com) is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE® (http://www.StemCellsTM.com) is dedicated to significantly advancing the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and clinical trials, SCTM will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices.

About Wiley: Wiley, a global company, helps people and organizations develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Our online scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, combined with our digital learning, assessment and certification solutions, help universities, learned societies, businesses, governments and individuals increase the academic and professional impact of their work. For more than 200 years, we have delivered consistent performance to our stakeholders. The company’s website can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com.

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LensDirect.com Named to 2019 Inc. 5000 List for Third Year in a Row

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LensDirect.com – One of The Most Successful Companies in America

“We’re excited to once again be honored by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies,” – Ryan Alovis, CEO of LensDirect.com


GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (PRWEB)

Inc. Magazine has announced that LensDirect.com, one of North America’s largest independent retailer of optical goods has been ranked in 1101th place on the annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest growing private companies.

The list represents the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment – independent small businesses.

Many well-known companies first gained national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. Companies like Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, LinkedIn, Zillow, Yelp, Pandora, and many others.

“We’re excited to once again be honored by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies,” said Ryan Alovis, CEO of LensDirect.com. “With over 70% of North American adults having corrective vision needs, yet the eyecare industry is plagued by inconvenience, high costs, and subpar customer care – LensDirect.com is uniquely positioned to become America’s Optical Store.”

LensDirect.com expects its growth numbers to continue to rise as it puts more emphasis on enriching their customer relationships. Over the past few years, they’ve launched novel concepts such as their ‘set it and forget it’ AutoRefill Subscription and Dedicated Account Reps. Those endeavors have been key factors in its extraordinary customer satisfaction rating of 97%.

Additionally, LensDirect.com is dedicated to becoming a single-source full-service online optical store by expanding their product offerings with accessories, premium sunglasses, prescription eyewear and lens replacement.

“The companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have followed so many different paths to success,” says Inc. editor in chief James Ledbetter. “There’s no single course you can follow or investment you can take that will guarantee this kind of spectacular growth. But what they have in common is persistence and seizing opportunities.”

Complete results of the Inc. 5000 can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

For more information on LensDirect.com, please visit the company’s website at http://www.lensdirect.com

About LensDirect.com

Founded in 1992, LensDirect.com is a New York-based online retailer of optical goods. Originally a contact lens mail order company, it has evolved into the leading provider of name-brand contact lenses, accessories, sunglasses, prescription eyewear and lens replacement on the internet.. With a customer first mentality, LensDirect.com has found its place as one of the highest-rated online retailers.

About Inc. 5000

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation. Started in 1982, this prestigious list has become the hallmark of entrepreneurial success. The Inc. 5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony is an annual event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of these companies. The event also offers informative workshops, celebrated keynote speakers, and evening functions.

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Purdue Pharma Deal Leaves Opioid-Dependent Babies Out in the Cold

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A legal team continues to work with the Judge Polster towards establishing a designated settlement class for NAS children, said Ms. Brustowicz. “Negotiations are ongoing”, she added.


NEW ORLEANS (PRWEB)

On August 27, 2019 it was reported for the first time that Purdue and its lawyers met, on August 20, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio before the MDL Judge, the Plaintiffs and the Attorney Generals representing some 10 States to offer upwards of $12 billion to settle to the nearly 2,000 lawsuits filed by municipalities and Native American tribes and these States.

What sounds like a positive step forward, following so close behind Oklahoma’s landmark verdict against Johnson & Johnson for its role in America’s current drug crisis is, in actuality, a bombshell to the team of attorneys, non-profit advocates and medical experts fighting for the more than 200,000 children born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) because their mothers used prescription opioids while pregnant.

“We are deeply involved in complex litigation to create a medical monitoring trust fund for babies diagnosed with NAS,” said Celeste Brustowicz of the Opioid Justice Team. “Both these legal actions leave to chance any hope for these innocent victims because they take the easy way out and offer a blanket settlement in favor of government general funds.”

There are more than 35 state class actions on behalf of NAS children filed and awaiting a specific recognition in the opioid multi-district litigation currently before federal Judge Dan Polster. Those representing these children have for years explained why a settlement track replicating the infamous Big Tobacco settlement would not help these children.

Many legal experts have also weighed in, warning that many of the government entities which reached a record $206 billion settlement with the leading cigarette makers are using the settlement monies for general fund needs, ignoring pleas by health experts that substantial dollars must be spent on smoking cessation programs, especially those aimed at children.

Medical experts are in agreement that NAS babies will suffer from some combination of social, interactive, behavioral, cognitive and educational deficits, from the time of birth onwards; nonetheless, substantial intervention improves the quality of life and outcomes for child and caregiver alike, said health representative Brent Bell. The most immediate crisis arises from the fact that the most severe NAS symptoms occur while these babies are in Neo-Natal Intensive Care Units, including uncontrollable trembling and seizures, gastrointestinal complications, and sleep abnormalities.

“The Purdue Pharma settlement plan is an outrage because it fails in any way to address that crisis,” said Mr. Bell. “In fact, the medical maxim ‘dose makes the poison’ is a theory of awarding damages utilized by Purdue’s proposal which is why it is facile and appears egregiously and hopelessly flawed. Under Purdue’s current proposal these child victims of the opioid crisis get nothing.”

As reported, the plan calls for Purdue Pharma to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy and emerge restructured as a for-profit public benefit trust. Purdue claims the value of the trust would include the provision of more than $4-billion in drugs to cities, counties and states (the ‘in-kind’ payment component), together with the profits to be derived from the sale of drugs, totaling an additional $7-8 billion (the ‘direct payment’ component).

“The fund is scheduled to expire after 10 years, allowing Purdue and the Sackler family, alike, to go on as if nothing had ever happened,” said Ms. Brustowicz.

“It sounds like a financial coup for governments that have borne substantial costs from the opioid epidemic, but it’s only a good deal if you forget about these NAS babies who wouldn’t get a dime under this plan,” said Greg Williams, the former director of Facing Addiction and an addiction recovery advocate.

A legal team continues to work with the Judge Polster towards establishing a designated settlement class for NAS children, said Ms. Brustowicz. “Negotiations are ongoing”, she added.

“Although we are confident that our babies will ultimately prevail and receive justice, they haven’t yet gained status as a negotiated settlement class, which is why the news of the separate deal for Purdue Pharma is so unsettling,” says Ms. Brustowicz.

Opioid Justice Team is a group of highly skilled attorneys who have engaged with doctors and civic leaders fighting to end our nation’s opioid epidemic by identifying real solutions to the crisis. What sets our team apart is our commitment to our clients not only to obtain compensation for their damages, but to advocate for a comprehensive settlement that will address the root causes of the opioid crisis and eliminate the systemic conditions that allow it to exist. We’re about justice, relief, and answers to the short and long-term challenges of America’s unprecedented prescription opioid addiction problem.

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Innovative Pathogenic DNA Analysis Technology to be Explored on Advancements Television Series.

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“Our software translates pathogenic DNA data from ATCG to symptoms, such as fever or pneumonia, so that doctors and patients can easily understand the health impacts of the pathogens.”


JUPITER, Fla. (PRWEB)

An upcoming episode of Advancements with Ted Danson scheduled to broadcast 1Q/2020 will educate about the latest developments in genome sequencing analysis. Check your local listings for more information.

Advancements will go behind-the-scenes to learn about the innovation taking place at Rivermap Research & Consulting and will explore its revolutionary pathogenic DNA analysis technology, which predicts in real-time, the possible health impacts from microorganisms, proteins or any manmade DNA strains.

“Our software translates pathogenic DNA data from ATCG to symptoms, such as fever or pneumonia, so that doctors and patients can easily understand the health impacts of the pathogens. The scientists who design DNA food/drugs can also use this software to confirm the functions and side-effects of their products at the design stage. Viewers will see how this little soldier is making great contributions in the healthcare industry,” said Mai Wang, CEO of Rivermap Research and Consulting.

Analyses results are generated in REAL TIME. The technology will also enable healthcare providers to use alternative medicine, such as local herbs, for treatment. Watch Advancements to learn more.

About Rivermap Research & Consulting:

Rivermap translates pathogenic DNA data to symptoms which allows doctors and patients to directly understand the health impacts of pathogens. It also enables using alternative medicine to treat infectious diseases at lower cost. The same technology can be used by scientists as a safety test tool for their synthetic DNA products at design stage, reducing a large portion of the R&D cost. For more information, visit: http://www.rivermapsolution.com.

About Advancements and DMG Productions:

The Advancements series is an information-based educational show targeting recent advances across a number of industries and economies. Featuring state-of-the-art solutions and important issues facing today’s consumers and business professionals, Advancements focuses on cutting-edge developments, and brings this information to the public with the vision to enlighten about how technology and innovation continue to transform our world.

Backed by experts in various fields, DMG Productions is dedicated to education and advancement, and to consistently producing commercial-free, educational programming on which both viewers and networks depend.

For more information, please visit http://www.AdvancementsTV.com or call Richard Lubin at 866-496-4065.

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New Discovery Can Ease Opioid Crisis

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STAFFORD, Texas (PRWEB)

WhiteHill Life Science LLC announces that its most recent National Stage filing of its patent WO 218/236539 A 1 can unlock methods to combat the opioid crisis.

“The opioid crisis is not hopeless, nor must it be without end. Recent court decisions and settlements surrounding prescription opioids underscore the need for solutions that can be implemented now, not years from now, and are easy to administer and at low cost,” from Ron Butler, CEO.

Our scientific team lead by Dr. Dale Brown PhD engaged in research for several years that culminated in a patent filed with a priority date of June 20, 2017 and an international filing through WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) May 28, 2018. That pending patent titled Synergistic Compositions and Methods of Achieving Homeostasis in Mammalian Systems was moved to National Stage filing in the US recently. It has been published and can be accessed as WO 218/236539 A1.

Dr. Brown explains, “We know that pain, inflammatory diseases and conditions, even addictions, can be interdicted via the ionotropic cannabinoid channels by certain artificial and natural compositions. We have demonstrated in our recently published pending patent filing, that a simple device like a lozenge slowly dissolving in the mouth can deliver non-prescription pain relief without any addictive properties found in various cannabis products. The FDA scrutiny of CBD and cannabis-based products is timely and much needed to protect users. There are implications for Alzheimer’s based on observations of enhanced cannabinoid receptors of the Alzheimer’s brain. We focus on alternatives that are simple and straightforward based on sound science,” said Dr. Brown.

“Not all corporate decisions have to be about optimizing profits for shareholders. There are stakeholders in every community that can benefit from this discovery,” said Mr. Butler.

Those interested in discussing our Intellectual Property can contact senior management at WhiteHill: inquiries(at)WHLifeSciences(dot)com

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Shriners for Children Medical Center Physicians Named Top Doctors by Pasadena Magazine

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Photo Credit: Nate Taylor

Physician’s at Shriners for Children Medical Center

“It takes a whole team of people to make these miracles happen every day, and we are proud to see several physicians receiving accolades from their peers,” said Christopher Dougherty, administrator at Shriners for Children Medical Center.


PASADENA, Calif. (PRWEB)

Four Shriners for Children Medical Center physicians have been named Top Doctors by Pasadena Magazine. These physicians have been recognized among the best doctors in the San Gabriel Valley for providing high-quality, compassionate care in their respective pediatric subspecialties:

  • Robert H. Cho, M.D. – Chief of Staff, scoliosis, spinal deformity surgery, limb deformity, pediatric orthopaedic trauma

  • William Magee, M.D., D.D.S. – Chief of Plastics, director of cleft lip and palate program, facial reconstruction, microtia, burn reconstruction

  • Katherine Au, M.D. – Congenital and post-traumatic hand reconstruction, burn reconstruction, breast reconstruction, microsurgery

  • Frederic R. Bushnell, M.D. – Anesthesiology


“It takes a whole team of people to make these miracles happen every day, and we are proud to see several physicians receiving accolades from their peers,” said Christopher Dougherty, administrator at Shriners for Children Medical Center.

“The commitment to personalized patient care and family experience is part of our culture and shared by all of our staff,” added Robert H. Cho, M.D. “Our innovative approach to pediatric pain management allows us to treat many conditions with minimal to no opiate use and has become the model that many pediatric centers follow. Our state-of-the-art clinic, physical therapy, and operating rooms allow us to care for children in a world-class environment. We welcome all children with neuromuscular conditions, scoliosis and spine problems, sports injuries, fractures, congenital hand disorders, cleft lip and palate, burns, and urologic disorders.”

Pasadena Magazine surveyed doctors from across the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles to identify the most esteemed physicians in their respective fields. Results of the annual peer-to-peer survey are published in the September 2019 print edition and online.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research, and outstanding medical education. Shriners for Children Medical Center – Pasadena is a regional pediatric medical center providing care to children with orthopedic conditions, plastics reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, and orthotics and prosthetic services regardless of the families’ ability to pay. To schedule an appointment, call (626) 389-9300 or visit us online at shcla.org.

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South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Invites Business Investment in New Generation Battery Technology During Conference

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Dr. Alevtina Smirnova

“Solid-state is the future of energy storage,” says Dr. Alevtina Smirnova, an associate professor of chemistry and applied biological sciences and electrical and computer engineering at SD Mines.


RAPID CITY, S.D. (PRWEB)

Research scientists at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology will host hundreds of industry representatives, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and fellow academics on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 12-13, in a bid to establish an international center to develop solid-state batteries which will be safer, cheaper, smaller and more efficient than lithium ion batteries.

The center would be a huge economic boost to both SD Mines as well as the state of South Dakota, says Dr. Alevtina Smirnova, an associate professor of chemistry and applied biological sciences and electrical and computer engineering at Mines.

Smirnova and research scientist Dr. Abu Md “Numan” Numan-Al-Mobin are leading the grant proposal to NSF for the establishment of the Center for Green Solid-State Electric Power Generation and Storage(CEPS). Smirnova and Numan are responsible for the coordination of the Sept. 12-13 conference.

“We are excited about the possibility of Mines taking such a major role in new green technology that could really change the world,” Smirnova says. “We hope CEPS will become the center for development of eco-friendly, safe and economically feasible all-solid-state energy storage technology.”

Smirnova says the solid batteries developed in CEPS would be ideal for portable and medical applications, the automotive industry, centralized and decentralized electric grids, military applications and energy security.

Some of the industry leaders attending the conference include Ford (attending remotely), Swiss company LafargeHolcim, Garmin International, Caterpillar Inc., Naval Air Systems Command, Solvay of Belgium, Collins Aerospace, L3Harris Technologies, 3M and Parker-Hannifin Corporation.

The push to find safer, more sustainable batteries is the “holy grail” right now, Smirnova says.

“The reality is, conventional lithium-ion batteries are not safe or reliable.” Conventional batteries contain a liquid, that renders them flammable, dangerous and costly. In 2016, the lithium ion batteries in Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 computers cost the company $10 billion when many of the batteries exploded.

This week’s conference is the second step in the process to bring CEPS to its fully-funded fruition. Smirnova was awarded a $60,000 NSF planning grant in January to create an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) on campus. With SD Mines as the lead center, three other universities became “sites” to work on specific pieces of the research needed to make solid-state batteries a reality. Those universities are South Dakota State University in Brookings, University of South Dakota in Vermillion and Northeastern University in Massachusetts. Each university received $15,000 of the planning grant.

Under the NSF grant process, Mines and the three sites must now secure three business partnerships with companies, with each company contributing $50,000. NSF will match the $50,000 for the first three partners up to $600,000 per year. NSF also requires Mines and each site to partner with national labs for research assistance.

The NSF program strives to create cooperative research centers that create long-term partnerships among industry, academia and government.

The $50,000 investment by industry will give them a seat at the CEPS Industry Advisory Board, a vote in the CEPS research and development portfolio, the ability to monitor progress in the development of the technology, involvement in the development and approval of CEPS’ bylaws and the retainment of non-exclusive licenses to develop products. They will also be helping to train students for future employment, supporting the economic development of South Dakota and supporting sustainable electric power grids, Smirnova says.

NSF will evaluate CEPS’ progress during the conference this week. If the requirements are in place and CEPS can show it can attract members from industry, Smirnova will be asked to submit a full grant in December, requesting $600,000 per year for 5 years in grant funding for the project. The funds must be matched 1:1 by industry.

If NSF approves CEPS for full funding, the center and its three sites will have 10 to 15 years to become self-sustaining.

“We welcome these companies to our campus and look forward to sharing this exciting research with them,” Smirnova says. “Solid-state is the future of energy storage.”

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Medigap Premiums Grew More Than Twice the Rate of the Social Security COLA Over Past Year — Forecast Worse for Next Year According to The Senior Citizens League

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Mary Johnson

“Inflation is lower this year, and we are estimating that the COLA is likely to be around 1.7 percent,” Johnson says. “Nevertheless, we anticipate that Medigap premiums will continue to grow several times faster for a number of reasons,” Johnson adds.


WASHINGTON (PRWEB)

According to a new survey by The Senior Citizens League (TSCL), premiums for Medicare supplemental insurance, known as Medigap, grew more than twice as fast as Social Security cost – of – living -adjustments (COLA) in the past year. About 41 percent of survey participants who are covered by a Medigap policy report robust premium increases in the past 12 months of at least 6 percent or more, particularly for individuals who were covered by a policy for more than two years. “The Social Security COLA for 2019 is 2.8 percent, far lower than the rate that Medigap policies appear to be growing,” says Mary Johnson, a Social Security and Medicare policy analyst for The Senior Citizens League.

In addition to rapidly growing Medigap premiums, retirees also must pay for premiums for Medicare Part B and their drug plans. The combination takes a bigger bite out of Social Security benefits and other retirement resources when COLAs fail to keep pace. “The financial drain on benefits is difficult to anticipate, and many retirees don’t have adequate savings to begin with,” Johnson says.    

The disparity between growth in the COLA and Medigap premiums is likely to be worse in 2020. “Inflation is lower this year, and we are estimating that the COLA is likely to be around 1.7 percent,” Johnson says. “Nevertheless, we anticipate that Medigap premiums will continue to grow several times faster for a number of reasons,” Johnson adds.

Two of the most popular Medigap plans, “F” and “C,” will no longer be offered for sale in 2020. “While individuals enrolled in these plans may keep their plans, we are concerned that premiums for these plans could rise significantly without younger and healthier new enrollees to spread the costs in those plans,” Johnson says.

In 2019, there are a total of ten different Medigap plans, “A” through “N.” Congress closed Plans “F” and “C” because they cover the Medicare Part B deductible. The thinking is that deductibles prevent “over utilization” of Medicare benefits. The Part B deductible is $135.50 this year and it rises at the same pace as the Part B premium. According to research by Johnson, Part B premiums have increased about 10 percent per year since 2000, making it one of the fastest growing costs in retirement. “Requiring retirees to pay deductibles, or higher deductibles, has the biggest financial and health impact on middle-income Medicare beneficiaries with modest means,” says Johnson. “Many put off medically necessary care if they can’t afford the deductible, and their health can get worse when they do,” she says.

About one quarter of all Medicare beneficiaries are covered by Medigap polices. Out-of-pocket costs under Medicare are considerable, and most beneficiaries supplement their coverage either by purchasing a Medigap policy or joining a Medicare Advantage plan. Unlike Medicare Advantage, however, Medigap enrollees in most states are not able to switch to another Medigap policy during fall open enrollment, because insurers are not required to cover pre-existing conditions outside of the individual’s initial enrollment period. Seventy-two percent of survey participants support extending guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions to Medigap, allowing Medigap enrollees greater freedom to switch to other, less costly, Medigap plans.

The Senior Citizens League supports legislation that protects Medicare benefits and lowers out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries. To learn how to get involved, visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org.

With 1.2 million supporters, The Senior Citizens League is one of the nation’s largest nonpartisan seniors’ groups. Its mission is to promote and assist members and supporters, to educate and alert senior citizens about their rights and freedoms as U.S. Citizens, and to protect and defend the benefits senior citizens have earned and paid for. The Senior Citizens League is a proud affiliate of The Retired Enlisted Association. Visit http://www.SeniorsLeague.org for more information.

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UAB Expands Use of Virtual Care Technology

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (PRWEB)

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System has expanded its use of a digital application for patients undergoing colorectal, gynecologic oncology, cardiac and thoracic surgeries.

SeamlessMD, a platform for patient engagement, remote monitoring and virtual care, was implemented in 2017 as a part of UAB’s Enhanced Recovery After Surgery initiative, which began with colorectal surgery. The ERAS program is a patient-centered approach to integrate evidence-based interventions across the entire surgical pathway, leading to better patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

“Surgery is often a confusing and overwhelming process for patients,” said Daniel Chu, M.D., UAB’s ERAS medical director and associate professor in the Department of Surgery. “Our patients can stay connected on their desktops, laptops and mobile devices with SeamlessMD so they are engaged with the recovery process both before and after surgery.”

With this expansion, UAB now provides a digital experience that guides more patients from surgery preparation through recovery. Patients can access the digital application through their mobile phone, tablet or computer, and they receive reminders to help them follow the ERAS care plan. Patients can also access an education library to learn about what to expect from their surgery and the recovery process. Upon discharge from the hospital, patients can report their pain scores, symptoms and wound photos from their own devices, enabling them to stay connected with the care team.

“The many unknowns around surgery can cause a lot of anxiety for patients and their families,” said Haller Smith, M.D., a fellow in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “We can help reduce that anxiety by providing easy access to information through a platform that helps patients prepare for surgery and to know what to expect when they get home. The daily health checks within the app are very helpful as they can either reassure a patient that their recovery is on track, or prompt them to contact their surgical team to flag issues that are outside of the norm, hopefully enabling us to catch any potential complications early.”

Trina Smith, lead certified registered nurse practitioner for the cardiovascular surgery clinic, wants to see how the technology will impact UAB’s cardiac program.

“We need tools to objectively assess how we can provide the highest standard of care,” she said. “Patient-reported outcomes and compliance data collected by the SeamlessMD platform will enable us to pinpoint where we need to focus our attention for quality improvement.”

In addition to patient engagement, UAB aims to increase patient compliance with ERAS protocols, which is correlated with faster recovery times. The UAB Health System will leverage the technology to deliver a standardized ERAS pathway, as well as personalized educational resources for each patient based on their unique medical profile.

“We are thrilled to partner with UAB to scale the platform across many departments within the UAB Health System, helping more patients and effecting positive change for the industry,” said SeamlessMD CEO Joshua Liu, M.D.

About UAB

Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center, as well as Alabama’s largest employer, with some 23,000 employees, and has an annual economic impact exceeding $7 billion on the state. The five pillars of UAB’s mission include education, research, patient care, community service and economic development. UAB is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Center for Translational Science Award. Learn more at http://www.uab.edu. UAB: Powered by will.

About SeamlessMD

SeamlessMD is the #1 platform for patient engagement, remote monitoring and virtual care used by leading health systems to engage, educate and track patients before, during and after a procedure. Evidence from academic medical centers has shown SeamlessMD to reduce hospital length of stay, readmissions, ER visits, SNF use and costs. The platform is accessible for patients via smartphone, tablet or computer, and keeps patients on track from preparation through recovery with reminders, multimedia education, progress tracking and Patient Reported Outcomes data collection. Providers can access real-time dashboards to measure compliance and outcomes, intervene sooner for patients at-risk and drive quality improvement across the organization. For more information, please visit: http://www.seamless.md.

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Verge Genomics Appoints Jane Rhodes, Ph.D., M.B.A. as Chief Business Officer

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“The addition of Jane to our leadership team reflects our growing commitment to partnerships that can maximize the utility of our platform for patients suffering from complex diseases,” said Alice Zhang, CEO and co-founder of Verge Genomics.


SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB)

Verge Genomics, a biotechnology company utilizing human genomics to develop effective therapeutics for CNS disorders, today announced the appointment of Jane Rhodes, Ph.D., M.B.A. as its Chief Business Officer. In this role, Dr. Rhodes will lead the business and strategy functions and serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Dr. Rhodes brings more than 23 years of drug discovery, company building, and business strategy leadership in the biotechnology industry. Dr. Rhodes most recently served as Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Strategy at FORMA Therapeutics, where she spearheaded the establishment of an emerging neuro-therapeutic area through a network of strategic partnerships. Prior to that, Dr. Rhodes spent 18 years at Biogen, where she held positions of increasing responsibility across both scientific program leadership and new strategic initiatives with oversight for programs from pre-clinical through regulatory submission, approval and commercialization.

“The addition of Jane to our leadership team reflects our growing commitment to partnerships that can maximize the utility of our platform for patients suffering from complex diseases,” said Alice Zhang, CEO and co-founder of Verge Genomics. “Jane has a stellar record as both a neuroscientist and strategic business leader. Her cross-functional company building, drug hunting, and business experience will accelerate our vision of leveraging machine learning to more effectively bring medicines to patients in need.”

During her tenure at Biogen, Dr. Rhodes’ notable achievements include founding the Value Based Medicine (VBM) Innovation Hub. As Senior Director of New Initiatives, Dr. Rhodes led efforts to develop digital assessment tools that are now used as standard of care in neurology clinics across the US and Europe. This work prompted Dr. Rhodes to co-found Qr8 Health, a software development company pioneering the development of patient assessment tools for the measurement of neurological and motor function.

“Having witnessed the challenges of CNS drug development first-hand, I believe that the next breakthrough requires a truly bold approach,” said Dr. Rhodes. “As our understanding of both human genomics and neurobiology continue to advance, we have a remarkable opportunity to change the way we discover and develop new drugs. Verge has the right people, the right science, and the right culture to shift the paradigm to deliver treatments faster to patients that need them now. I am thrilled to be working with Alice and her exceptional team to help realize the transformative potential of Verge’s platform.”

Dr. Rhodes holds a doctorate in neuropharmacology from the University of Manchester and an M.B.A. from Babson College. In addition to these credentials, she is a sponsor and advocate at the Arlington Academy of Hope, which partners with communities in rural Uganda.

Dr. Rhodes joins Verge Genomics during a period of significant productivity having progressed the lead program from target ID to lead optimization in less than 18 months, and built a robust pipeline in multiple diseases. The company aims to expand its preclinical pipeline and to pursue strategic partnerships towards its goal of developing new medicines for patients in need.

About Verge Genomics:

Verge Genomics is a next-generation biopharmaceutical company that uses machine learning algorithms on patient data to develop new drugs for CNS diseases. Instead of focusing on one gene, their platform surveys hundreds of genes to find new, better intervention points. Their vision is to build an “all-in-human” therapeutics engine that will deliver treatments for neurological diseases with high unmet needs including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and ALS. Verge Genomics was launched in 2018 with a Series A of $32M funded by DFJ, WuXi AppTec, ALS Investment Fund, and Agent Capital.

Verge Genomics is headquartered in South San Francisco. Learn more at vergegenomics.com or connect on Twitter or LinkedIn.

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