Paratriathlon

Academics with disabilities: South African universities need an overhaul to make them genuinely inclusive

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Very little research has been conducted about academics with disabilities working in South African universities. This means their stories, and the challenges they face in the daily demands of their jobs, are not often told. Sibonokuhle Ndlovu, who holds a PhD in education and lectures on the subject, explains what her study of academics with disabilities revealed. How many academics with disabilities are working in South Africa’s universities?There’s also not been much research about academics with disabilities in the country.

Key Points:

Very little research has been conducted about academics with disabilities working in South African universities. This means their stories, and the challenges they face in the daily demands of their jobs, are not often told. Sibonokuhle Ndlovu, who holds a PhD in education and lectures on the subject, explains what her study of academics with disabilities revealed.

How many academics with disabilities are working in South Africa’s universities?

There’s also not been much research about academics with disabilities in the country.
And we do know that students with disabilities enrolled in South Africa’s institutions of higher education make up less than 1% of the student population.
In short, there are relatively few academics with disabilities.

What was the purpose of your study?

Most institutions’ lecture halls, toilets and libraries are not easily used by academics with disabilities.
Read more:
Six challenges that impede entrepreneurs with disabilities in South Africa
The second challenge relates to research.
Like all other academics in higher education, academics with disabilities are expected to conduct research as part of their work.
An academic who cannot see when required to use a small needle on a patient, for instance, will struggle to complete the task.
Higher education institutions should consider how to support academics in these areas, perhaps by providing research assistants.

Aren’t there policies to support academics with disabilities?

But there’s a big gap in the policy: it doesn’t consider different categories of disabilities.
Some universities have their own institutional disability policies, but I found over and over again in my research that students and academics with disabilities weren’t often invited to contribute.
The policies were made for them rather than with them, which resulted in policies that simply didn’t work.

Sibonokuhle Ndlovu previously received funding from the National Research Foundation, to conduct research in the disability field from 2020-2022..

She is currently affiliated to the University of Johannesburg, Ali Mazrui Centre

Type 2 diabetes is not one-size-fits-all: Subtypes affect complications and treatment options

Retrieved on:

Friday, April 19, 2024

You may have heard of Ozempic, the “miracle drug” for weight loss, but did you know that it was actually designed as a new treatment to manage diabetes?

Key Points:

You may have heard of Ozempic, the “miracle drug” for weight loss, but did you know that it was actually designed as a new treatment to manage diabetes?
In Canada, diabetes affects approximately 10 per cent of the general population.

Locks and keys

Every cell in the body needs sugar as an energy source, but too much sugar can be toxic to cells.
This equilibrium needs to be tightly controlled and is regulated by a lock and key system.
Cells cover themselves with locks that respond perfectly to insulin keys to facilitate the entry of sugar into cells.
The body can encounter difficulties producing an adequate number of insulin keys, and/or the locks can become stubborn and unresponsive to insulin.

Severe insulin-deficient diabetes: We’re missing keys!

In the severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD) subtype, the key factories — the beta cells — are on strike.
Why the beta cells go on strike remains largely unknown, but since there is an insulin deficiency, treatment often involves insulin injections.

Severe insulin-resistant diabetes: But it’s always locked!

In the severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) subtype, the locks are overstimulated and start ignoring the keys.
There are many treatment avenues for these patients but no consensus about the optimal approach; patients often require high doses of insulin.

Mild obesity-related diabetes: The locks are sticky!

Mild obesity-related (MOD) diabetes represents a nuanced aspect of Type 2 diabetes, often observed in individuals with higher body weight.
The locks are “sticky,” so it is challenging for the key to click in place and open the lock.

Mild age-related diabetes: I’m tired of controlling blood sugar!

Mild age-related diabetes (MARD) happens more often in older people and typically starts later in life. With time, the key factory is not as productive, and the locks become stubborn. People with MARD find it tricky to manage their blood sugar, but it usually doesn’t lead to severe complications. Among the different subtypes of diabetes, MARD is the most common.

Unique locks, varied keys

In Canada, unique cases of Type 2 diabetes were identified in Indigenous children from Northern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario by Dr. Heather Dean and colleagues in the 1980s and 90s.
Read more:
Indigenous community research partnerships can help address health inequities
Childhood-onset Type 2 diabetes is on the rise across Canada, but disproportionately affects Indigenous youth.
Acknowledging this distinct subtype of Type 2 diabetes in First Nations communities has led to the implementation of a community-based health action plan aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples.

A mosaic of conditions

Type 2 diabetes is not uniform; it’s a mosaic of conditions, each with its own characteristics.
Since diabetes presents so uniquely in every patient, even categorizing into subtypes does not guarantee how the disease will evolve.

Lili Grieco-St-Pierre receives funding from Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS). Jennifer Bruin receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), JDRF, Diabetes Canada.

London Marathon: how visually impaired people run

Retrieved on:

Thursday, April 18, 2024

London Marathon, Database, Environment, Paratriathlon, Partnership, British Blind Sport, Smell, Research, Running, Elbow, Run, UK Coaching, Dog, System, Achilles International, England Athletics, Hearing, Injection moulding

For the visually impaired (VI) runners on the start line, their approach to this famous route will differ from their sighted counterparts.

Key Points:

For the visually impaired (VI) runners on the start line, their approach to this famous route will differ from their sighted counterparts.
Just as there are misconceptions about blindness itself, many people are confused about how VI people run.
The reality is that, like all runners, VI runners have diverse experiences, preferences and needs.
Through touch, hearing, smell and usable vision, VI runners actively develop unique relationships with the routes they run.

Barriers to running

With VI people being one of the most inactive minority groups, running can be inclusive, empowering and provide a range of social and physical benefits.
But there are a number of societal barriers to VI people getting and staying involved in running.
In the US, an innovative project using guide dogs trained for running has led to positive outcomes for both runners and dogs.
For VI runners who prefer running indoors, the treadmills used in many gyms are inaccessible.

How you can get involved

The event’s inclusive ethos and specific efforts to encourage VI runners have created a welcoming and accessible environment.
Prospective runners and guides can also connect informally through parkruns, running clubs, local VI organisations or running organisations like Achilles International.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Orphan designation: Sodium (4-{(E)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(3-morpholin-4-yl-prop1ynyl)phenyl]allyloxy}-2-methylphenoxy)acetate Treatment of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes, 21/08/2020 Withdrawn

Retrieved on:

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Orphan designation: Sodium (4-{(E)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(3-morpholin-4-yl-prop1ynyl)phenyl]allyloxy}-2-methylphenoxy)acetate Treatment of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes, 21/08/2020 Withdrawn

Key Points:

Orphan designation: Sodium (4-{(E)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(3-morpholin-4-yl-prop1ynyl)phenyl]allyloxy}-2-methylphenoxy)acetate Treatment of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes, 21/08/2020 Withdrawn

Airdoc Technology (02251.HK) achieved remarkable success in 2023, accelerating its commercialization in an unparalleled way

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

In 2023, Airdoc Technology significantly accelerated its commercialization，while most of its peers were still in the experimental stage or early stages of commercialization.

Key Points:

In 2023, Airdoc Technology significantly accelerated its commercialization，while most of its peers were still in the experimental stage or early stages of commercialization.
2) health risk assessment solutions, covering 55 types of lesions, providing chronic disease management and health assessments for healthcare industry.
Airdoc Technology practices the use of AI technology to assist in the prevention and control of myopia among teenagers and the development of eye health.
In July 2023, Airdoc Technology participated in the formulation of the "Expert Consensus on Assessing the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases Using Artificial Intelligence Technology Based on Fundus Images."

Roivant Announces Positive NEPTUNE Study Results for Brepocitinib in NIU, as well as Board Authorization for up to $1.5 Billion Share Repurchase Program, Including Repurchase of Entire Sumitomo Pharma Stake for $648 Million

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

We are also pleased to announce our authorized share repurchase program, and our agreed repurchase of all shares owned by Sumitomo Pharma.

Key Points:

We are also pleased to announce our authorized share repurchase program, and our agreed repurchase of all shares owned by Sumitomo Pharma.
The NEPTUNE study enrolled 26 subjects with active NIU who were randomized 2:1 to brepocitinib 45 mg once daily or brepocitinib 15 mg once daily.
All week 24 secondary efficacy endpoints, including haze grades, visual acuity, and macular thickness, were also positive and dose responsive.
The presentation and webcast details are also available under “Events & Presentations” in the Investors section of the Roivant website at https://investor.roivant.com/news-events/events.

KALA BIO Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update

Retrieved on:

Friday, March 29, 2024

ARLINGTON, Mass., March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KALA BIO, Inc. (NASDAQ:KALA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative therapies for rare and severe diseases of the eye, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023 and provided a corporate update.

Key Points:

“In 2023, we focused on clinical execution, advancing our Phase 2b CHASE trial of KPI-012 for the treatment of PCED.
In December 2023 and March 2024, KALA announced private placement financings with an institutional investor, priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules.
Cash Position: As of December 31, 2023, KALA had cash and cash equivalents of $50.9 million, compared to $56.1 million as of September 30, 2023.
Operating Loss: For the quarter ended December 31, 2023, loss from operations was $9.6 million, compared to $10.3 million for the same period in 2022.

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals Announces Exclusive Worldwide License Agreement with University of Miami for Photodynamic Antimicrobial Treatment of Different Eye Infections with Rose Bengal Sodium

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Opacity (optics), Risk, Patient, RBS, University, PDAT, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Rose bengal, Eye, Infection, Keratitis, Safety, Paratriathlon, Ophthalmology, OBC, Pharmaceutical industry

Provectus would contribute the license to the new entity and have an exclusive RBS supply arrangement with it.

Key Points:

Provectus would contribute the license to the new entity and have an exclusive RBS supply arrangement with it.
Rose bengal PDAT emerged under the leadership of Jean-Marie Parel, IngETS-G, Ph.D., FARVO, Director of the Ophthalmic Biophysics Center (“OBC”) at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (“BPEI”) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The OBC team and Dr. Parel have spent many years advancing their PDAT technology using rose bengal against different types of treatment-naïve and -resistant keratitis.
Dr. Parel said, “Rose bengal PDAT is the result of a lot of hard work by cross-disciplinary contributors at the University of Miami.

Annexon Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2023 Financial Results and Key Anticipated Milestones

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

BRISBANE, Calif., March 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Annexon, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANNX), a biopharmaceutical company advancing a late-stage clinical platform of novel therapies for people living with devastating classical complement-mediated neuroinflammatory diseases of the body, brain, and eye, today highlighted portfolio progress and reported fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results.

Key Points:

Finally, we anticipate clinical proof-of-concept data from our novel oral inhibitor ANX1502 later in the year.
ANX005 in GBS: First-in-class monoclonal antibody designed to block C1q and the entire classical complement pathway in both the body and the brain.
ANX005 in GBS: Topline data from pivotal, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial expected in the second quarter of 2024.
Cash and operating runway: Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $259.7 million as of December 31, 2023.

Charles River Announces Rare Disease Gene Therapy Collaboration with Axovia Therapeutics

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today announced a plasmid DNA contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) collaboration with Axovia Therapeutics Ltd .

Key Points:

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today announced a plasmid DNA contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) collaboration with Axovia Therapeutics Ltd .
Charles River will manufacture High Quality (HQ) gene of interest plasmid to support the development of Axovia’s gene therapies for ciliopathies, including Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS), a condition with limited treatment options and no cure.
Dysfunctional cilia can cause blindness, deafness, chronic respiratory infections, kidney disease, heart disease, infertility, obesity and diabetes.
In recent years, Charles River has significantly broadened its cell and gene therapy portfolio to simplify complex supply chains and meet the growing demand for plasmid DNA, viral vector, and cell therapy services.