Pass on the salt if you worry about diabetes, researchers say - Yahoo News Canada

A new study suggests that salt could play a big role in the development of Type 2 diabetes. File Photo by Bru-nO/Pixabay

Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Researchers said in a new study involving 400,000 people that salt may be a big culprit in developing Type 2 diabetes.

Details of the study completed by authors from Tulane University were published Wednesday in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

The authors examined the results of 400,000 people registered in the British Biobank who were surveyed about their salt intake and then followed for nearly 12 years. Among that group, 13,000 developed Type 2 diabetes.

When probing deeper into the participants who did develop Type 2 diabetes, authors found those who said they "usually" or "always" used salt were at 20% and 39% higher risk, respectively, of developing diabetes than those who never used salt. Those who had that they "sometimes" used salt were at 13% higher risk.

"We already know that limiting salt can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, but this study shows for the first time that taking the saltshaker off the table can help prevent Type 2diabetes as well," said lead author Lu Qi, a professor at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

Qi said researchers believe salt encourages people to eat larger portions, increasing the chances of developing risk factors such as obesity and inflammation. The study also discovered a link between routine consumption of salt and higher BMI and waist-to-hip ratio.

He said to confirm the findings, a clinical trial should be conducted, controlling the amount of salt participants consume and observing the effects. He said in the meantime, the public should consider low-sodium alternatives for their favorite foods.

"It's not a difficult change to make, but it could have a tremendous impact on your health," Qi said.

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Thousands of new COVID-19 vaccination appointments to be offered at Toronto clinics starting Friday - CP24

Toronto Public Health will be releasing another round of appointments for the updated COVID-19 shot at its fixed-site vaccination clinics on Friday as city officials urge residents to “do the double jab.”

As part of the city’s ‘Fight the Flu & COVID-19’ vaccination campaign, residents can get both the flu shot and updated COVID-19 vaccine during one appointment at Toronto’s four fixed-site vaccination clinics. Appointments opened for all Toronto residents on Oct. 30.

“It is essential thing that I do every year,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said at Metro Hall before receiving the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday afternoon.

“I’m looking forward to spending some time with my grandkids and sometimes they have a lot of germs picked up from school and child-care centres.”

She said all people should “do the double jab” to protect loved ones, friends, neighbours, and coworkers.

“Already our hospitals, our health-care system is stressed,” she said. “We don’t need to add a lot more stress into the system.”

Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa told reporters that the city has administered nearly 27,000 COVID-19 and flu shots since Oct. 11.

“We are encouraged by the number of people who are rolling up their sleeve to get vaccinated and to fight the flu and COVID-19,” de Villa said.

“It is a simple and highly effective way to protect yourself and those around you.”

Appointments can be booked at one of the city’s four fixed-site vaccination clinics, including Metro Hall, Cloverdale Mall, the North York Civic Centre, and 410 Progress Avenue (near Scarborough Town Centre), through the province’s provincial booking system.

Torontonians can also now book both the flu shot and updated COVID-19 vaccine at hundreds of participating pharmacies around the city.

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Sudden increase in the number of suspected opioid poisoning events on Nov. 1, 2023 - Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Nov. 2, 2023 – Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has been alerted to a sudden increase in the number of suspected opioid related poisonings that took place in Belleville on November 1.

Hastings Quinte Paramedic Services reported more than 20 opioid-related calls for service in Belleville yesterday. Belleville Police Services are aware of at least 10 suspected opioid-related poisonings that took place in a two-hour period yesterday afternoon. HPEPH has received confirmation from other community partners with similar reports. This represents a sudden and unexpected increase in the number of drug poisonings in our region. For more information about historical opioid data in our region, see our dashboard.

“Local reports of suspected drug poisonings are significantly higher than usual in our region,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, Medical Officer of Health at HPEPH. “While we do not have confirmation on the substances contributing to these drug poisonings, it’s important that people who use drugs take steps to reduce their risk. If you use drugs, don’t use alone and have at least one naloxone kit on hand. To reduce your risk of drug poisoning, avoid mixing drugs, and try a small amount first.”

While HPEPH is continuing to investigate and monitor this increase, early anecdotal data indicates that the sudden increases in drug poisoning may be linked to a reported brown fentanyl.

HPEPH is asking people who use drugs to take extra precaution with harm reduction measures by not mixing drugs, do test amounts first, always have at least one naloxone kit on hand, and to never use alone. Ensure someone is present who can administer naloxone and call 9-1-1 in case of an overdose. If you are alone, you can connect with the National Overdose Response Service 24 hours seven days a week, by calling 1-888-688-6677 and someone will stay on the line with you. HPEPH is encouraging community partners who work with people who use drugs to advise all clients to be diligent with these precautions.

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For more information contact:

Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca

Jessica Klein, Communications Specialist
jklein@hpeph.ca

About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

We invite community partners and residents to share this Media Release with their respective networks.

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Feinstein Institutes' Dr. Kevin J. Tracey receives 2023 Hans Wigzell Research Foundation's Science P - PharmiWeb.com

Kevin J. Tracey, MD, earns the award as recognition for his groundbreaking discoveries in vagus nerve stimulation, the inflammatory reflex and bioelectronic medicine

MANHASSET, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hans Wigzell Research Foundation today announced that Kevin J. Tracey, MD, president and CEO of Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, is the recipient of the 2023 Hans Wigzell Research Foundation’s Science Prize in recognition of his significant contributions to the fields of neuroscience and neuroimmunology. Dr. Tracey will travel to Stockholm, Sweden, to receive the prize, which includes $100,000, and deliver a lecture on December 1.

One of Dr. Tracey’s most notable achievements is his discovery of the body’s “inflammatory reflex,” which is a neural circuit that regulates the body’s inflammatory response. This seminal finding led to the field of bioelectronic medicine. This relatively new and innovative approach combines principles of neuroscience, immunology and electrical engineering to develop novel therapies and medical devices to modulate this reflex to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and even potentially life-threatening infections.

“The prize is given to Dr. Tracey for his innovative discoveries of the mechanisms of how nerves transmit signals to stop inflammatory diseases,” said Hans Wigzell, MD, PhD, on behalf of the Hans Wigzell Research Foundation. “Dr. Tracey’s research is a surprising new inroad to treat inflammation using computer chips targeting nerves instead of drugs.”

Dr. Hans Wigzell is a former president of the Karolinska Institute and former chairman of the Nobel Prize Committee of the Institute. He also is a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences and Finnish Science Society. The Foundation promotes its support of scientific research and education in the medical field, particularly through scholarships and other grants. It will also organize and support seminars and conferences.

“I am honored and sincerely grateful to Professor Wigzell and the Foundation,” said Dr. Tracey, executive vice president of research and Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research at Northwell Health, New York's largest health system. “This prize celebrates the work of outstanding teams of brilliant colleagues who dedicated years of research in the shared hope of making discoveries that improve the lives of patients needing better therapies for inflammation. Having met some of the first patients who benefited from this work, we now in turn, dedicate this prize to them.”

Dr. Tracey is among one of the most cited scientists in the world. For four decades, his research, which has been published with more than 1,000 co-authors, collaborators, post-docs, and students, has provided novel, basic discoveries about biological mechanisms underlying inflammation that have been translated into clinical development and practice. This work includes targeting cytokines using biological agents and developing vagus nerve stimulators to harness evolutionarily conserved reflex circuits to suppress inflammation in animal models and in humans with rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

“This new concept of neuroimmunology to treat inflammation using vagus nerve stimulation has revolutionized how we think about therapy for autoimmune diseases and other conditions,” Dr. Wigzell said. “His research has positioned medical devices treating inflammation to potentially disrupt the standard medical treatment of inflammation with expensive biologics.”

Dr. Tracey and collaborators, including Sangeeta Chavan, PhD, professor in the Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institutes, have also uncovered substantial evidence that damage to the vagus nerve and the inflammatory reflex may underlie the progression and severity of inflammation, an insight that has launched new companies and clinical trials using devices to stimulate nerves to suppress inflammation. Several successful clinical trials have already been published, and the United States Food and Drug Administration has awarded a breakthrough designation to the ongoing clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis, which are nearing completion.

“Kevin Tracey created a new category of medicine and gives our patients hope for future cures,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “The 85,000 employees of Northwell Health are proud of Dr. Tracey’s accomplishments and join the scientific community in celebrating this honor.”

Dr. Tracey decided to dedicate his career to medicine at the age of 5 after his mother passed away from an inoperable brain tumor. This profound event sparked his desire to go into medicine, particularly neurosurgery. He pursued his medical education and eventually became a neurosurgery resident at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center.

In 1985, he found himself tending to an 11-month-old girl named Janice whose grandmother accidentally spilled boiling water on her granddaughter. The situation appeared dire, and the medical team had little hope for her survival. Miraculously, Janice defied the odds and survived for a month, tragically slipping into unexplained shock and passing away in Dr. Tracey’s arms. This devastating loss haunted him deeply, as Janice’s life was claimed by septic shock. From that moment forward, Dr. Tracey sought to understand better what caused her death and how to prevent that from ever happening again.

Dr. Tracey received his BS in chemistry, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Boston College in 1979, and his MD from Boston University in 1983. He trained in neurosurgery from 1983 to 1992 at the New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center and was a guest investigator at the Rockefeller University before moving in 1992 to the Feinstein Institutes. He directs the Laboratory of Biomedical Science and was appointed president and CEO there in 2005.

An inventor of more than 120 United States patents and author of more than 400 scientific publications, Dr. Tracey co-founded the Global Sepsis Alliance, a non-profit organization supporting the efforts of more than 1 million sepsis caregivers in over 70 countries. Dr. Tracey is the author of Fatal Sequence (Dana Press) and delivers lectures nationally and internationally on inflammation, sepsis, the neuroscience of immunity, and bioelectronic medicine.

About the Feinstein Institutes

The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research is the home of the research institutes of Northwell Health, the largest health care provider and private employer in New York State. Encompassing 50 research labs, 3,000 clinical research studies and 5,000 researchers and staff, the Feinstein Institutes raises the standard of medical innovation through its five institutes of behavioral science, bioelectronic medicine, cancer, health system science, and molecular medicine. We make breakthroughs in genetics, oncology, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity, and are the global scientific leader in bioelectronic medicine – a new field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. For more information about how we produce knowledge to cure disease, visit http://feinstein.northwell.edu and follow us on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Matthew Libassi
631-793-5325
mlibassi@northwell.edu

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Research hub for vision health receives prestigious Brockhouse Canada Prize - Brighter World

An interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team of researchers led by chemical engineering professor Heather Sheardown has been awarded the Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering.

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BY Daniella Fiorentino, Office of the VP Research

November 1, 2023

Health & Medicine Biomedical Engineering

An interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers and clinicians dedicated to developing new biomaterials and therapies for vision disorders has been awarded the Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering.

The C20/20 Innovation Hub — led by Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and chemical engineering professor, Heather Sheardown — was created to advance ophthalmic research and improve vision for people who experience eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. The Prize recognizes C20/20’s interdisciplinary research excellence and outstanding contributions to ophthalmic discovery.

“Ocular disorders impact millions of lives across Canada and the world, especially in aging populations,” says Sheardown, who also holds the Canada Research Chair in Ophthalmic Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems.

“C20/20 brings together experts in research and industry to develop and commercialize new ophthalmic materials and drug delivery devices that can help us better treat these conditions.”

Todd Hoare

The C20/20 team also includes Todd Hoare from Chemical Engineering, Judith West-Mays from Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Varun Chaudhary, Chief of Ophthalmology at St. Joseph’s Healthcare from McMaster; as well as Lyndon Jones from the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Waterloo; Frank Gu from Nanoengineering at the University of Toronto; and David Wong, Ophthalmologist in Chief at St. Michael’s Hospital at the University of Toronto and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster.

Judith West-Mays

Their combined expertise in science, biomaterials and applied manufacturing will allow them to address complex ophthalmic problems and improve the lives of the nearly five million Canadians who suffer from impaired vision health.

While the current standard of care for conditions like dry eye disease and glaucoma involves a twice-daily dosage of eye drops, C20/20’s eye drop product — which incorporates mucoadhesive polymers to improve uptake of the drug on eye tissue — requires dosing only twice per week and delivers faster clinical results, reducing the burden for both patients and healthcare providers.

“Our mission is to make eye therapies safer, more effective and more comfortable for patients, so that they don’t avoid seeking and administering potentially life-changing treatments,” says Sheardown.

David Wong

The team is also developing an improved delivery system for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy that will reduce the need for injections to twice a year. Typically, these conditions are treated with monthly eye injections, which patients often choose to forgo due to the painful process of administration.

Varun Chaudhary

“C20/20’s wide-ranging expertise has made them an internationally recognized innovation centre for ophthalmic research, innovation and commercialization,” says Andy Knights, McMaster’s acting vice-president, Research.

“Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition of your impactful work, which has the potential to transform the lives of millions of Canadians suffering from ocular diseases and vision impairment.”

The Brockhouse Prize, which comes with a $250,000 grant, is one of six national prizes presented by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).

It is named after Bertram Brockhouse, the McMaster physicist who earned the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1994.

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Influenza, COVID-19 vaccines available for all Hamilton residents aged 6 months and up - CBC.ca

All Hamilton residents six months of age and over can now access flu and COVID-19 vaccines through participating local pharmacies, primary care and community partners and city run vaccine clinics, Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) says.

HPHS and local health-care partners are recommending both vaccines for members of the general public, with the respiratory virus season underway.

"Getting your fall influenza and COVID-19 vaccine is important to ensure that you have the most up to date protection for this respiratory virus season," associate medical officer of health Dr. Brendan Lew said in a news release Tuesday.

"We encourage Hamiltonians to make a plan to get vaccinated, and to ensure that loved ones who are older, immunocompromised or have medical conditions are supported to get vaccinated. Vaccination is key to keep our community healthy, reduce the health impacts of influenza and COVID-19, and reduce strain on our community's health-care system."

The latest version of the COVID-19 vaccine was previously only available for "high-risk" Hamiltonians.

'Everybody needs this'

Dawn Bowdish, an immunologist and Canada research chair in aging and immunity at McMaster University, said it is important that residents get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

"I think the most important message to get out there is that everybody needs this as an update," Bowdish said Wednesday on CBC Radio's Ontario Today.

"The vaccines that we had, in some cases a couple years ago, are not particularly effective against the current circulating variants. And so even if you got your vaccines in the early roll out and you felt that you were protected, you need to know that that protection is waning, especially if you're older, if you have chronic health conditions.

"This new vaccine is a much better target to the circulating variants, [it] will do a much better job of protecting you from both infections and also the serious consequences of these infections," Bowdish added.

On Monday, the province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said it's safe and convenient to get both the new COVID-19 shot and the flu shot at the same time.

"If you want to separate them, that's fine, [but I] wouldn't let it go much longer," Moore said.

"Given that we anticipate influenza season starting in the coming weeks, it's really best to get both of those vaccines as soon as possible if we want the safest and healthiest winter and holiday season going forward."

HPHS said vaccination is an important protective measure in both the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 and influenza and in reducing the risk of the serious complications of these respiratory infections.

Meanwhile, HPHS  continues to urge Hamiltonians to remain vigilant and take a multi-layered approach — including wearing a mask and washing hands — to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Mayor Andrea Horwath is also encouraging people to get the vaccines.

"Flu shots and COVID boosters are now open to everyone! Book an appointment and let's keep Hamilton healthy this winter," she said.

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COVID-19 vaccines, flu shots available for Grey-Bruce residents - Shoreline Beacon

A health worker administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic. (file photo)

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The most recent COVID-19 vaccine and this year’s flu shot are now available to the public in Grey-Bruce.

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Grey Bruce Public Health has announced that as of Monday the general public can receive the most recent XBB-containing COVID-19 vaccine and this year’s influenza vaccine from their primary care provider or at a participating pharmacy. The health unit is encouraging residents to get the vaccines as soon as possible.

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“Staying up to date on vaccinations remains the best defence against both COVID-19 and the flu,” GBPH Physician Consultant Dr. Rim Zayed said in a news release. “Both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines have been shown to be safe as well as effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

“Vaccination is particularly important for individuals considered high-risk for developing serious complications from the flu or COVID-19, including adults aged 65 and up, residents of long-term care homes, people with underlying medical conditions , and First Nations residents.”

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Those facing barriers to getting vaccinated can book an appointment to receive the vaccines at a Grey Bruce Public Health clinic, the release said.

The health unit has been working to make it as convenient as possible to receive both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Residents with a primary care provider like a family physician can book their appointment with their doctor’s office. The health unit has created an online map of pharmacies, family health teams and other health-care organizations that are providing the vaccines to the public.

Regular COVID-19 and flu vaccines clinics are planned by the health unit in Owen Sound and other communities through November and December. The clinics will prioritize vaccinating children 12 and under, those without a primary care provider and those considered high-risk.

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A schedule of clinics is available at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca/About-Us/Event-Calendar , while appointments can be booked by going to Ontario.ca/book-vaccine

Those six months and older are considered up to date on COVID-19 vaccines if they received a dose this fall. The Ministry of Health recommends that those who have been previously vaccinated against COVID-19 receive a dose of the XBB.1.5-containing COVID-19 mRNA vaccine if it has been six months since their previous COVID vaccine dose or known infection. Those who have not been previously vaccinated may also receive the vaccine to initiate the series, the health unit said.

The flu vaccine is also recommended for those six months and older, and they can receive the COVID and flu shots at the same time.

Along with the vaccines, residents can protect themselves, their families and community from respiratory illness by staying home when sick, cleaning hands and disinfecting high-touch surfaces frequently and practicing coughing and sneezing etiquette, the health unit said.

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