Biosimilars Market to reach a size of US$ 100.5 Bn by the end of 2032 – GlobeNewswire

New York, Sept. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rapid growth of the pharmaceutical realm and higher prices of existing biological drugs are likely to foster attractive growth avenues in the biosimilars market. Biosimilars market is expected to reach US$ 100.5 Bn by the year 2032 as compared to the value of US$ 30.1 Bn at present. The market is slated to witness a CAGR of 14.1% between 2022 and 2032

Biosimilars are known for various economic and clinical benefits, which are poised to take the entire healthcare vertical by storm in the near future. RND Corporation has also certified that increasing frequency of these drugs worldwide is likely of increasing direct spending regarding biologics by close to US$ 54 Bn by the year 2026.

At the same time, easy availability of generic drugs is likely to restrain the biosimilars market in the forecast period.

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Key Takeaways from Biosimilars Market

Biosimilars cost-effectiveness renders them one of the preferred choices to treat several rare and chronic diseases at the global level. says an analyst belonging to Persistence Market Research

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Market Competition

Persistence Market Research has mentioned about the key developments in biosimilars market. They include partnerships, agreements, collaborations, and likewise.

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What does the Report Cover?

Persistence Market Research offers a unique perspective and actionable insights on the biosimilars market in its latest study, presenting historical demand assessment of 2016 2021 and projections for 2022 2032.

The research study is based on the type of product (recombinant glycosylated proteins and recombinant non-glycosylated proteins), by application (hematology, growth hormone deficiency, oncology, diabetes autoimmune, disease, and likewise), and distribution channel (online pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and retail pharmacies).

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Rapid growth of the pharmaceutical realm and higher prices of existing biological drugs are likely to foster attractive growth avenues in the biosimilars market.

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Biosimilars Market to reach a size of US$ 100.5 Bn by the end of 2032 - GlobeNewswire

Patents to biological medicines in combination: is two really better than one? – Lexology

New medicines are usually protected by a patent covering the active molecule. These basic or primary patents usually provide robust protection for the relevant product, provided that the compound is genuinely new and inventive. Developers may be able to extend patent protection by patenting other technological advances related to the drug such as new formulations, dosage forms or regimens, and new combinations with other pharmaceuticals. These secondary patents can provide a significantly extended period of patent protection for the drug, provided of course that they are valid.

The same principles apply to the patenting of biological drugs (biologics). Biologics include large peptides and recombinant proteins such as insulin and growth hormone, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant DNA, antibody-drug conjugates, fusion proteins and synthetic vaccines. In contrast, small molecule drugs are usually chemically and thermally stable with low molecular weights.

Given the often significantly greater expense involved in the development of biologics (compared to small molecule drugs), and originator companies need to recoup that cost, it is unsurprising that secondary patents often play a key role in the lifecycles of biologics. As the basic patents on blockbuster biologics expire, there will be increasing interest in testing the strength of secondary patents, particularly from companies that produce biosimilars.

Patents for biologic and small molecule combinations

Secondary patents for drug therapy combinations can cover co-formulations (where the active ingredients are combined in a single product), combination products (such as dual-barrel syringes) and co-administration of different products simultaneously. For the purpose of this article, drug combinations are considered in their broadest sense, that of co-administration.

It is now common medical practice to use biologics in combination therapy, usually with a small molecule drug. But are the secondary patents to this kind of drug combination worthy of patent protection?

One reason why patents for biologic and small molecule combinations may not always be robust is because the co-administration of two or more medicines to treat disease is often a routine medical practice. In some fields, notably HIV medicine and oncology, monotherapy is unusual. This practice has transformed the efficacy of treatment of many diseases. As such, drug combinations which include at least one routinely used drug (often a small-molecule compound) are likely to be considered obvious from a patentability perspective, particularly where that drug is used in other combinations.

The approach of the European Patent Office (EPO)

Inventions are only entitled to patent protection if they are new and not obvious to a skilled person working in the relevant technical field. However, the approach of the EPO to the assessment of whether an invention for a combination of drugs is obvious tends to favour patent applicants. This is because the EPO does not, as a matter of routine, consider evidence on this question from relevant experts (although such evidence may be submitted by third parties opposing the grant of a patent). Rather, the EPOs analysis centres on whether the disclosure of earlier prior art documents would make the invention obvious. If an applicant is able to provide data to the EPO which demonstrates that a combination of drugs is particularly efficacious, a patent is often granted. This can be the case even if one of the drugs is already in routine use for the claimed medical indication. This is because, if one of the claimed drugs is relatively new, there are unlikely to be any prior art publications which disclose that the particular combination works.

Whether a combination is considered obvious may also depend on the medical field in which the compounds are used. In some specialities, routinely-used combinations tend to contain the same backbone drug, with variation only in the remainder of the combination.

As an example, combination therapies for rheumatoid arthritis commonly contain the antifolate drug methotrexate (MTX). Although biologics may only be prescribed when conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have not worked, they are often administered in combination with MTX. Some, such as adalimumab and certolizumab pegol, are primarily licensed for combination use and only used alone in cases of intolerance to MTX.

In cancer care, combination chemotherapy is the gold-standard for many malignancies. This includes regimens using biologicals such as obinutuzumab (Gazyvaro) which is only licensed in the UK for combination chemotherapy, although it may be given on its own for subsequent maintenance therapy.

Similarly, pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is licensed for use with a number of longstanding chemotherapy drugs and, for some indications, with newer classes of chemotherapeutic agents such as the multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (for example, lenvatinib).

Obvious drug combinations: examples

Some major biologics have had secondary patents to combinations with small molecule drugs revoked in opposition proceedings before the EPO. One example is rituximab, a chimeric mouse/human monoclonal antibody for the CD20 protein found on the surface of B-lymphocytes that is marketed by Roche in Europe as MabThera and by Genentech in the US as Rituxan.

Rituximab was the first therapeutic antibody approved for oncology patients. It was first authorised in the US in November 1997 and in the EU in 1998 for a particular form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (a type of blood cancer). Further approvals followed for other medical indications unrelated to cancer, as well as different treatment regimens and drug combinations.

Rituximab is now licensed to treat several autoimmune diseases and was approved in Europe in 2008 in combination with MTX to treat rheumatoid arthritis. A European patent granted to Genentech covering this indication was subsequently revoked in opposition proceedings after an appeal to the Technical Board of Appeal (TBA) of the EPO.

The TBA considered that the patent (EP1176981) was obvious because medical practice at the relevant time was to combine virtually all new agents with MTX. It therefore would have been obvious to combine a new biological agent such as rituximab with MTX. There was also an incentive for this to happen, given the urgent need for improved treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. As a result, the patent was not inventive and was revoked.

Another example is the combination of trastuzumab (the originator product Herceptin) and a taxoid to treat malignant HER2-positive breast cancer. Genentechs EP1037926, covering this indication, was revoked during opposition proceedings in the EPO on the basis that the invention was obvious. In those proceedings, the TBA summarised the approach of the EPO in considering obviousness as follows: a course of action can be considered obvious if the skilled person would have carried it out in expectation of some improvement or advantage. Thus, obviousness is not only present when results are clearly predictable but also when there is a reasonable expectation of success In the case of the trastuzumab combination, because monotherapy with the taxoid drug paclitaxel was a well-known treatment for breast cancer and the two drugs are directed at different molecular targets, the TBA considered that it would be obvious to combine them.

The approach of the UK courts

Despite these examples, it is likely that EPO will grant many more combination patents for biologics and small molecules where the patentee is able to provide evidence of an unexpected treatment benefit. The UK courts usually do not take the same approach to obviousness as the EPO, so these patents may be vulnerable to attack. Of particular importance is the role which experts play in invalidity proceedings in the UK, where their opinion can provide valuable context about common clinical practices at the relevant priority date. This is in contrast to the more limited, document-based review performed by the EPO.

It is, of course, possible that in certain medical fields where monotherapy is standard or at least common, drug combinations may be more likely to be considered genuinely inventive. However, combination therapy is, in principle, nothing new in medicine, leaving open the prospect of invalidity challenges to granted patents to many biologic-small molecule combinations.

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Patents to biological medicines in combination: is two really better than one? - Lexology

PCOS awareness: Know how it is linked to diabetes and secondary infertility – Health shots

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of childbearing age. There are multiple side effects of PCOS. This disorder disturbs the bodys hormonal balance and results in irregular or extended menstrual cycles. PCOS causes follicles with immature eggs to form cysts which begin to grow inside the ovaries and not mature. The inability to develop mature eggs might interfere with ovulation and result in issues such as infertility.

PCOS is closely associated with insulin resistance and higher levels of the hormone testosterone. Numerous factors, including family history, insulin resistance, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, etc., have an impact on PCOS.

PCOS may cause several problems such as fertility issues, infrequent or prolonged periods, weight gain, depression, excess body hair growth and acne, hair loss, hypertension and diabetes. With lifestyle changes and additional stressors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, India has seen a spike in PCOS cases in recent times.

One in every sixth diabetic person over the world is an Indian. India is one of the top 10 countries with the most diabetics, with over 77 million individuals living with the disease. While diabetes is affecting people world over, it is becoming a greater challenge for women suffering from PCOS.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and PCOS have long been believed to be related. As per a research by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one in four women suffer from PCOS and over one in 10 women between the age group of 35 to 49 suffer from diabetes.

A woman with PCOS experiences endocrine system disruption and an increase in androgen, often known as male hormone. It is also believed that high quantities insulin are produced by the pancreas as a result of insulin resistance by the insulin receptors, causing PCOS. Thus, women who develop PCOS as young adults are more likely to develop diabetes and, possibly heart problems in later life.

Womens capacity to conceive is negatively impacted by both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, which are both characterized by irregular or non-existent menstruation (oligomenorrhea) and/or secondary amenorrhea. These issues are all closely related to obesity.

Diabetes can also affect fertility in women by delaying the onset of menstruation (or menarche). This can lead to high sugar, causing rapid and early ovarian aging as evidenced by pre-mature menopause. Particularly in women of childbearing age, diabetes is linked to irregular menstrual cycles. Thus, diabetes can impact the biological clock and limit a females reproductive lifespan.

In simple words, Secondary Infertility is the inability to become pregnant for a second time. Secondary infertility is a serious issue that happens more frequently to couples than one may think.

Hormonal imbalances (whether too high or too low) can cause the brain-ovary relationship to be disrupted. The ovary doesnt get the word that its intended to release an egg every month if the brain doesnt provide the right signals. Some of these hormonal abnormalities may manifest themselves later in life. Thyroid, pituitary gland, or a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome are all examples of hormonal imbalances.

Secondary (and main) infertility is frequently brought on by PCOS, which can interfere with ovulation. One should consult their doctor to determine whether they have PCOS when their periods are erratic or non-existent.

To avoid the side effects of PCOS in the long run, women dealing with it should adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Regular exercise would aid in reducing insulin resistance in the body, fight obesity, and burn off extra sugar.

For the body and mind to remain in good shape, a well-balanced nutritional diet rich in proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats, as well as lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, is essential. Getting enough sleep is essential for hormone regulation and stress reduction.

Making such healthy lifestyle changes and choices can play key role in curbing hormonal imbalances in the body and reducing the risk of diabetes and or PCOS. It is also advised to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment plan, especially if one is planning to conceive a child.

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PCOS awareness: Know how it is linked to diabetes and secondary infertility - Health shots

Top 7 benefits of olive oil for hair growth and ways to use it – PINKVILLA

Touted to be one of the best in the food and skincare world, this oil has numerous health and beauty benefits to offer. Hair fall has become a common problem these days, but no one likes to lose their precious and beautiful tresses. No one wants to wake up and see hair on the pillow - but is there any solution for this? Yes, there is! First things first, it is important to follow a proper hair care routine to prevent hair fall and make your hair stronger. Olive oil for hair works as a boon, as it is laden with ingredients that improve hair texture, prevent split ends, and boost hair growth. There are many benefits of olive oil, and also many ways to use it to stimulate hair growth. From benefits to tips to use it for hair, we have covered it all here. Let us first take a look at the benefits of olive oil.

1. It boosts hair growth

A study conducted on mice showed that oleuropein, a compound in olives stimulates hair growth.

Apart from that, massaging the scalp with olive oil improves blood circulation, which makes hair grow faster.

2. Olive oil helps in reducing DHT production

One of the major factors contributing to hair fall is DHT production.Dihydrotestosterone, commonly known as DHT, is a hormone and a derivative of testosterone. When this hormone is excessively produced by the body, it causes hair fall. It interferes with the cycle of hair growth and makes it easier for hair to fall out in clumps.

Oleic acid present in olive oil inhibits 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT, which in turn reduces the production of DHT.

So, massage your hair with olive oil to block DHT production and make your hair shinier and stronger.

3. It provides great nourishment to hair

Massaging your scalp with olive oil not only improves blood circulation but also nourishes hair follicles. The nutrients and unsaturated fats present in olive oil prevent dryness by locking moisture in the hair shaft.

4. It prevents hair breakage

Olive oil soothes the scalp and prevents dryness, which in turn reduces hair breakage and makes hair appear voluminous. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that condition the hair and make them stronger.

5. Olive oil is great for scalp health

Dandruff is an irritating problem and can annoy anyone. Olive oil helps soothe irritated scalp and prevents problems like dryness, itchiness, dandruff, and so on.

6. It reduces split ends

Olive oil is not suitable to repair split ends, but as it has moisturizing properties, it helps in increasing hair elasticity and preventing split ends. So, if you want to keep your hair soft, healthy and prevent split ends, then use olive oil.

7. It keeps the scalp hydrated and nourished

Olive oil has emollient properties as it contains oleic acid that penetrates deep into the hair shaft to lock moisture and keep the scalp nourished.

These were the top 7 benefits of olive oil for scalp and hair. But, how to use olive oil for hair growth? Below are some DIY hair care tips that you should follow as a part of your regular hair care regimen.

1. Egg and olive oil for hair growth

Ingredients to be used:

Method

Take two eggs and whisk the egg whites along with olive oil in a bowl. Keep whisking till you get a smooth paste, and apply this pack to your hair and scalp. Wear a shower cap to avoid ruining your clothes, and keep the mixture on your scalp and hair for about 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it off properly with cool water and a gentle shampoo.

You can repeat the process once a week to get soft and shiny hair.

Benefits of egg white and olive oil hair pack

Eggs are a superfood and are loaded with biotin, vitamin A, vitamin E, healthy fats, and folate; all of which replenish moisture and make hair stronger. When combined with olive oil, this pack can do wonders to your hair.

2. Holy basil, neem, and olive oil

Ingredients to be used:

Method

Take a handful of neem leaves and holy basil leaves and grind them properly to turn them into powdered form. Add neem and tulsi powder to olive oil and mix well. Apply this paste to your hair and massage gently using your fingertips for 2 to 3 minutes. Let the neem-tulsi-olive oil pack stay on your hair for 30 minutes, and rinse it off using a mild shampoo.

You can try this recipe once a week for the best results.

Benefits of this hair pack

Neem leaves fight dandruff effectively, Holy basil leaves (Tulsi leaves) make hair roots healthy, and olive oil provides awesome nourishment to hair.

3. Olive oil and coconut oil for hair

Ingredients to be used:

Method

Take three tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil and heat it slightly in a bowl. Do not overheat. Mix it with olive oil and massage this gently from the root to the tips of your hair. You can keep it overnight and wash your hair the next day in the morning.

You can try this remedy once or twice a week to prevent itchiness, and stimulate hair growth.

Benefits of coconut oil and olive oil hair pack

Coconut oil for hair growth works as a boon as it keeps the scalp moisturized and hydrated. Olive oil prevents dryness and boosts hair growth.

4. Olive oil and banana for hair

Ingredients to be used:

Method

Take a ripe banana, peel it, chop it, and blend it to make a puree. Add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to banana puree and whisk well to form a smooth consistency. If your hair is extremely dry, you can also add 1/2 tablespoon of organic honey to it. Keep this on your hair for 20 minutes and wash it off properly using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo.

Use this hair pack once or twice a week to keep your scalp nourished and moisturized.

Benefits of banana and olive oil hair pack

Bananas have a host of benefits for hair- it adds luster to hair, eliminates dandruff from the scalp, promotes hair elasticity, protects hair against UV damage, and makes hair frizz-free. This hair pack solves various hair problems including dryness, itchiness, dandruff, hair fall, and so on.

5. Olive oil and rosemary oil for hair fall

Ingredients to be used:

Method

This is a simple hair pack to make, all you need to do is just combine the oils and heat the mixture for about 15 to 20 seconds. Massage the olive-rosemary oil blend into your scalp for 10 minutes. Wait for 30 to 40 minutes and let the oil do its magic. Use a gentle shampoo and lukewarm water to wash your hair.

You can follow this DIY recipe for hair two to three times a month.

Benefits of olive oil and rosemary oil for hair

Rosemary oil fights inflammation and improves circulation, thereby preventing various scalp problems. Olive oil and rosemary oil gives shine and strength to tresses.

6. Olive oil, honey, and cinnamon for hair loss

Ingredients to be used:

Method

Take all the ingredients and mix them properly in a bowl to get a smooth mixture. Apply the cinnamon-honey-olive oil mixture onto your hair and leave it on for 20 minutes. Wear a shower cap to avoid a mess. Rinse your hair properly with cool water and a mild shampoo.

Benefits of cinnamon, olive oil, and honey hair mask

Cinnamon stimulates hair growth, prevents hair fall, treats scalp acne, and reduces split ends. Honey keeps the scalp hydrated and makes hair soft and smooth. This hair pack works best for dry hair.

You can try this DIY hair care tip once a week for hair growth.

7. Avocado and olive oil for hair

Ingredients to be used:

Method

Take a ripe avocado and blend it to get its puree. Make sure to blend well so that there are no lumps. Mix it with two to three tablespoons of olive oil and apply this avocado-olive oil hair mask properly. If you want extra hydration, you can also add a tablespoon of honey to it.

Wash your hair thoroughly after half an hour.

Benefits of avocado and olive oil hair mask

Avocados are rich in biotin which helps hair grow faster. Apart from that, it also includes potassium and magnesium that seal cuticle cells and make hair shinier, and also prevent hair breakage.

8. Olive oil and fenugreek for hair

Method

Take a handful of fenugreek seeds and blend them to form a smooth powder. Add two tablespoons of olive oil in it, and massage this mixture onto your scalp and hair. Leave the olive oil-fenugreek pack on your hair for 40 to 45 minutes, and then wash it off using mild shampoo and lukewarm water.

You can repeat this once a week to get gorgeous tresses.

Benefits of olive oil and fenugreek hair pack

Fenugreek seeds are packed with protein and iron, two essential nutrients for hair growth. They also include saponins and flavonoids that prevent fungal problems and induce hair growth. This is a highly effective hair mask for hair growth, dryness problems, and itchiness.

Important things to keep in mind before you try these masks:

Olive oil works for all hair types, but people with fine hair should use only a few drops, and use the mask only once a week. People with thick hair can use more olive oil and consider using the masks two times a week.

Also, it is important to shampoo your hair thoroughly using mild shampoo to get rid of the hair mask.

There are so many brands of olive oil in the market that sometimes it becomes difficult to choose the best olive oil for hair.

You should always choose unrefined, cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil for your hair. Many people use olive oil used for cooking on their hair, but if you want to reap all the benefits of this hair-friendly oil, then you should opt for oil that is specifically formulated for hair and scalp problems.

Olive oil is a miracle cure for hair loss. Try olive oil for hair growth and make everyday 'happy hair day.'

Also Read:Top 10 benefits of using aloe vera gel for face

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Top 7 benefits of olive oil for hair growth and ways to use it - PINKVILLA

The Leg Press Vs. the Squat Who Wins the Battle for Leg Day? – BarBend

When youre serious about growing lower body strength, power, and muscle, you cannot go past the barbell squat and the leg press. These lifts are often the top two contenders in strength programs when it comes to lower body muscle and strength. But given a choice, should you do the leg press or the squat?

Youll see a lot of beginning lifters and advanced bodybuilders doing the leg press. Its a machine-based, accessible exercise for athletes at all levels to build serious strength and muscle mass. On the other hand, the squat is a free-weight move that forms the bedrock of most strength programs. Depending on your goals, your body, and your preferences, the leg press or squat may work better for you. Heres how to determine when its better to squat or to leg press. Lets dive in.

Though theyre both leg day staples, the leg press and squat are not the same beasts. Here are some of the principal differences between them.

Lets get the obvious over with first. The leg press is a machine-based, closed chain exercise meaning your feet are in a fixed position and your upper body is supported throughout the lift.

Conversely, the squat is a free weight, open-chain exercise. Because of these mechanical differences, both moves work your quads, but the squat trains more total body muscle mass. It also requires a tremendous amount of isometric strength and coordination.

While youre leg pressing, you dont need as much motor control because the movement is fixed. As a result, you dont have to worry about where your body is in space.

This is not the same with the squat. Some lifters spend their entire career trying to master squat technique to squeeze out every strength and muscle advantage. The squat requires more stability and coordination than the leg press.

Due to the upper body support and fixed movement, the leg press is more of an isolation move for your quadriceps. The squat trains more total body muscle mass because your core and upper body are heavily involved. However, if you are looking for that hamstring boost during your leg press, place your feet higher on the sled.

With the leg press, you dont need upper body and core stability, and there is less compressive stress on your lower back. On the other hand, a lot of squat variations involve a compressive load on your spine.

The leg press is a machine-based closed chain exercise where the movement is fixed its path is determined by the machine. Therefore, it takes less technical know-how to perform the leg press than the squat.

Some lifters spend years picking up nuances of the squat to keep building strength and size. It takes a lot longer to learn how to squat well than it takes to leg press well.

One of the biggest differences between the leg press and the squat is the positioning of the weights. In a loaded barbell squat, youll be holding the weight on your back, on your delts, or over your head. The leg press machine is an exercise that requires you to push the weights that are below your feet.

The leg press and the squat do not look the same and the setup is different. However, theyre both leg day staples for a reason. These lifts have still got some similarities, too.

When youre doing a squat variation or a leg press, the eccentric component of both exercises involves hip and knee flexion to lower the weight. During the concentric contraction of both exercises, the quad and the glutes extend to push the weight up. Both exercises train a similar movement pattern and joint function.

The leg press and squat both train your glutes and quads, but neither exercise specifically isolates your hamstrings. During both exercises, the hamstrings role is to stabilize your knee joints, with most of the hamstring action coming from the eccentric portions of both lifts.

Your hamstringshelp out with these lifts (especially the squat), but arent prime movers in either of them.

Both of these moves involve pushing through your feet to either squat up or press the platform up. Still, there are a few mechanical differences between the squat and the leg press.

During the eccentric portion of the squat, your back and core are responsible for keeping the weight stable either on your upper back, on your delts, or above your head. But due to the seated angle of the leg press machine, your upper body will be closer to the ground than your feet.

With the leg press machine, the angle and placement of the weight and the seat keeps your upper body in a fixed position. This makes it easier to get into position and puts less compressive force on your lower back, which is supported by the seat. With the squat, your lower back works hard to stay neutral during the eccentric portion while the barbell puts a compressive load on your spine.

The leg press will look different for different athletes, depending on body type and the type of leg press machine youre using. Before beginning, adjust the machine if possible to provide maximum safety and comfort for your body.

If you can, experiment with different angles without weight to ensure that the machines set-up is optimal for you.

* If needed, place your feet wider to give comfortable space to your chest and/or stomach at the bottom of the lift. Just spend some extra time warming up your inner thighs.

Like the leg press, the squat will look different depending on peoples bodies and limb length.

Check out these tips for performing a solid squat.

Note: This is a barbell back squat, and variations like the front squat and overhead squat have some set-up differences.

Both of these lifts deserve a spot in your programming, depending on body type and injury history. But if youre trying to figure out which one to choose to best fit your goals, check out the advice below.

When it comes to moving the most weight possible, you are likely going to move more weight with the leg press than with the squat. That said, the barbell squat plays a bigger role in building more total body strength.

Because of the involvement of your upper and lower back, quads, and glutes, the barbell squat will strengthen your entire body, giving you a distinct advantage in full-body strength development. So if youre looking to load on the most amount of weight plates, slip onto the leg press machine. But if you want to build as much full-body and functional leg strength as possible, opt for the barbell squat.

The leg press should be your go-to if youre looking to build bigger quads while taking stress off your back. When you want bigger quads, the stability provided by the leg press machine puts more emphasis on your legs and none on the upper body. The ability to perform simple and safe drop sets and burn out sets on the leg press machine is another reason its a great muscle-builder.

But for more total body muscle potential, squats are your best bet. When performing squats, the body releases more human growth hormone (HGH), which will increase your hypertrophy potential. (1)

But both are great choices for muscle because they work similar muscles hard and heavy. But since the leg press is easier on your lower back and more stable due to your upper body support, you may have an easier time recovering from more hypertrophy-focused sessions with the leg press.

Bodybuilders might be able to recover faster from the leg press because of the lack of compressive force on your lower back and the lack of involvement of your upper body. It also more specifically targets your quads, which can be a great advantage when youre looking to build out those teardrop quads and reach failure safely.

Barbell squats are important for bodybuilders who want to keep their overall fitness game in top form not to mention building full-body strength and muscle. But for those looking for specificity, the leg press might win out here.

Powerlifters certainly can supplement their routines with the leg press, but theres no getting around it the back squat is a competition lift for powerlifters and will therefore need to take precedence. If youre working in the offseason and want to build up your quads or just generally need to give your low back a break on leg day, you certainly can swap in the leg press.

But in general, for both powerlifters and functional fitness athletes CrossFitters need that powerful squatting ability the squat is a more functional and sports-specific movement.

Bodyweight squats are a great exercise for beginning lifters, as it is a fundamental movement pattern. But when it comes to lifting a load, starting with the leg press might help some lifters get stronger while still learning proper squat technique.

The fixed range of motion increases stability and less stress on your lower back compared to the back squat. This can let a beginning lifter build confidence while increasing their ability to move heavier weight.

Both the leg press and the squat can have a place in any well-designed strength program. When youre looking for a functional movement to boost full-body strength with a huge emphasis on leg strength, squats are your go-to. If youre a powerlifter or functional fitness athlete who needs to perform squats during competition, then these are definitely your proverbial bread and butter.

If youre a bodybuilder, suffer from lower back pain, or are just starting out on your lifting journey, you might find that the leg press is a better option. With less compressive force on your spine, more stability, and less technical expertise required, the leg press will allow you to go harder and heavier for longer.

Which one you choose is a matter of preference, body needs, and fitness goals. The choice is yours with such solid lifts, you cant really go wrong.

Featured Image: Alfa Photostudio / Shutterstock

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The Leg Press Vs. the Squat Who Wins the Battle for Leg Day? - BarBend

Growth hormone in IVF: the endometrial effect – ESHRE

A new meta-analysis finds that treatment with growth hormone in IVF is associated with improved reproductive outcomes largely mediated by an effect on endometrial function, especially in poor responders.

A multitude of studies have already examined the role of GH in its effect on oocyte quality, and thereby success rates, but without clear conclusions. A Cochrane review from 2021 described the result of adjuvant GH in normal IVF responders as very uncertain, both in terms of LBR and gonadotrophin dose.(2) The effect on LBR was similarly uncertain in poor responders, although the Cochrane reviewers did report a slight increase in the number of oocytes retrieved and in pregnancy rate. The improvement in oocyte yield seen in some of these studies has been one reason for proposing a beneficial effect of GH in IVF.

The more upbeat note in this latest meta-analysis depends less on the effect of GH on oocyte quality (and yield) and more on implantation failure, two-thirds of which, the authors estimate, may be attributed to inadequate uterine function. Indeed, they add, abnormal endometrial function is major challenge to fertility worldwide, with therapies which address endometrial function urgently needed. Thus, many of the trials investigating the effect of GH on IVF outcome have tended to concentrate on poor responder patients and oocyte quality and number, while the effects on the endometrium and in other [patient] populations are largely overlooked. Clinics are thus left in a cloud of uncertainty over GH dose and timing in IVF protocols or even an appropriate patient population who might benefit.

One recent trial in implantation failure patients treated with donor eggs found that those in the GH arm had significantly greater endometrial thickness (and LBR) than those not receiving GH prompting the authors to explain the improvement via beneficial actions on endometrial receptivity.(3) It was studies like this which were the basis of this latest Update analysis, which included a total of 25 trials, the majority in poor responders but all investigating the effect of GH on IVF outcome. The majority of these studies (n = 17) showed that GH administration significantly increased endometrial thickness (mean difference 0.38 mm), which contributed to an improved LBR (OR 1.67). It was further reported from the nine trials examining the effect of GH on endometrial thickness that GH given daily (<5 IU per day) in the follicular phase of the previous cycle or during GnRH agonist long protocols had a greater effect than did the other administration times or ovarian stimulation protocols.

The authors stress as do so many meta-analyses the heterogeneity and moderate quality of their source studies, but seem confident to state that, in poor responders at least, adjuvant GH not only increased the LBR and implantation rate, but also improved endometrial thickness, with the latter, rather than oocyte or embryo quality, explaining the overall benefit. Thus, a patient population of poor responders or with a thin endometrium might benefit from GH administration. However, they add, there was insufficient evidence to draw a conclusion for GH administration in normal responders.

In attempting to explain the biology of their findings, they reaffirm the positive association between endometrial thickness and IVF outcome: the thicker the endometrium on the day of trigger, the higher the pregnancy rate is.(4) And add that GH has been shown to modulate endometrial growth factors leading to modified cell proliferation and tissue vascularisation and thereby to improved endometrial receptivity.

However, while the conclusions of this review seem focused on the endometrial effects of GH, the authors acknowledge that LBR is the ultimate indicator of efficacy, and many questions remain unanswered not least about GH dose, timing and protocols, though suggesting that cotreatment with the GnRH agonist long protocol might provide even more benefits. However, while concluding that women with a thin endometrium might benefit from GH, they propose that GH treatment should be offered according to personal needs and patient conditions. The optimal GH protocols remain open to further study.

1. Shang Y, Wu M, He R, et al. Administration of growth hormone improves endometrial function in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2022; doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmac0282. Sood A, Mohiyiddeen G, Ahmad G, et al. Growth hormone for in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 11(11): CD000099. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000099.pub43. Altmae S, Mendoza-Tesarik R, Mendoza C. Effect of growth hormone on uterine receptivity in women with repeated implantation failure in an oocyte donationprogram: a randomized controlled trial. J Endocr Soc 2018; 2: 96105.doi.org/10.1210/js.2017-003594. Craciunas L, Gallos I, Chu J, et al. Conventional and modern markers of endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2019; 25: 202223.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmy044

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Growth hormone in IVF: the endometrial effect - ESHRE

Health Beat: NEC in preemies | Health Beat | wfmz.com – 69News WFMZ-TV

CHICAGO Two-year-old Sam Luce is right on target, which is amazing, considering he was born three months premature.

"Sam was born just under two and a half pounds," says his father, Ben Luce.

"It's hard to describe the size," said his mother, Maureen Luce.

"Day four was the first time we ever got to hold him," Ben added.

Sam was suffering from necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC. It causes intestinal tissue to die.

"They suddenly develop abdominal distention, feeding intolerance, bloody stool, and they may develop signs of shock," explained Dr. Isabelle De Plaen, a neonatologist and professor of pediatrics at the Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

Doctors are not sure what causes it, but neonatologists at Lurie Children's Hospital found that the decreased development of tiny blood vessels in the intestines could be caused by lower levels of a particular growth hormone. By injecting mice with this growth hormone, they were able to stop the infection.

"We could find and design therapy that could prevent NEC so babies would no longer need to suffer from this disease," De Plaen said.

Just five days after birth, Sam had two inches of his intestine removed. After 151 days in the NICU, he was finally well enough to go home. Now, he keeps his big brother Jack on the run.

"It just blows my mind," Maureen said. "He has met all of his milestones, developmentally. He's super social, a loving, fun, stubborn two-year-old."

Doctors hope these new insights will open the door to developing novel, new treatments that could promote healthy intestine development in premature babies.

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Health Beat: NEC in preemies | Health Beat | wfmz.com - 69News WFMZ-TV

7 Everyday Foods To Avoid For Healthy Skin – Evie Magazine

The foods you eat play a significant role in the health of your skin, so it's important to be aware of which foods can cause skin problems. While different foods affect everyone differently, there are some that are more likely to cause skin problems than others. So if you're struggling with skin problems such as frequent breakouts, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea, consider avoiding the following seven foods:

Sugar is one of the main reasons your skin starts showing premature signs of aging and develops inflammatory conditions such as acne. The effect of sugar on the skin was first observed when a group of researchers noticed that people with diabetes also tended to develop wrinkles and other age-related skin problems at an earlier age.

Sugar damages your skin through a natural process called glycation, which basically means that sugar molecules attach themselves to and damage proteins in your body, including collagen and elastin, which are the main skin-supporting components responsible for keeping your skin smooth, plump, and elastic.

Sugar doesn't stop there; it also increases the levels of inflammation in your body, which can further lead to skin problems such as acne. This is because insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels, also plays a role in regulating the levels of androgens, which are the hormones that can contribute to increased oil production, pore-clogging, and acne.

Therefore, if you want to keep your skin youthful and healthy and not have to deal with stubborn conditions such as acne, it's important to limit your sugar intake and be more mindful of the sweet foods you're consuming on a daily basis.

Well, its not technically food, but coffee is still a big part of what many of us consume daily and something that might not be the best for our skin health. For one, coffee is a mild diuretic, which means it makes the body excrete more fluid, which can, in some cases, lead to dehydration, and this can show on the skin by making it appear dull, dry, and sallow.

However, the more significant concern of consuming too much coffee is the part where it triggers our hormones to produce a stress reaction. Caffeine causes neural excitation in the brain, which the pituitary gland perceives as an emergency and stimulates the adrenal glands to release adrenaline, a stress hormone that makes us more awake, alert, and ready to fight or flee. Coffee actually stresses our body to give us a false sense of energy by stimulating our stress hormones, which can be a problem for the skin because these hormones influence the skin's inflammatory response.

Consuming too much coffee triggers our hormones to produce a stress reaction.

So, what does that mean? When our stress hormones are activated, they can cause inflammation in the skin, leading to inflammatory conditions such as breakouts, hives, rashes, eczema and psoriasis flare-ups, and even slowing down the skin's ability to heal itself after an injury. So if you're struggling with any inflammatory skin condition, it might be worth cutting back on coffee or at least trying to switch to healthier caffeine alternatives that will give you a similar effect of awakeness and alertness without the damage, such as green tea.

Dairy alone might not be the direct cause of skin problems, but it can contribute to a few of them in different ways. Dairy contains high levels of growth hormones and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), both of which can stimulate the skin's oil glands to produce more "unhealthy" oil that doesn't have a good balance of fatty acids, lipids, and antibacterial components, and can become hardened inside the pores, which can then lead to clogging and acne.

Additionally, dairy is often linked to intolerances and allergies, which can also cause skin problems such as hives, rashes, and allergic reactions. However, the research in this area is still far from conclusive, and while some people may have dramatic improvements in their skin after cutting out dairy, it all boils down to how our individual system reacts to dairy and how our body deals with potentially inflammatory compounds found in dairy.

While some professionals point out that the dairy we have access to today can be problematic because of the artificial hormones cows are being treated with that affect their milk supply, this can still be ruled out as a case-by-case issue. Therefore, if youre dealing with some skin conditions that might be triggered by dairy, consider experimenting with a dairy-free diet or switching to raw milk for a few weeks to see if there's any improvement.

Refined grains are a group of foods that have been stripped of their natural nutrients, fiber, and germs during the processing stage. They include white flour, white rice, pastries, cakes, and biscuits, and these can potentially lead to gut issues that can then transfer to the skin.

The main problem with refined grains is that they're high on the glycemic index, which means they raise our blood sugar levels quite rapidly. And as we already mentioned above, when our blood sugar levels spike, it causes a release of insulin, which is a hormone that helps regulate our blood sugar levels. When too much insulin is released too rapidly in our system, it can cause inflammation, which can then show up on our skin in the form of breakouts, eczema, psoriasis, and even accelerated aging.

So refined grains are another thing you might want to consider cutting back on, at least for some time, as this would give you an indication of whether or not your skin is reacting to them.

Seed oils have become quite a popular topic among nutritionists, health experts, and Twitter fitness connoisseurs over the past couple of years. And while there is a ridiculous number of opposing opinions on whether or not seed oils are good or bad for our health, the general consensus seems to be that they're not as healthy as we once thought they were.

Some of the most popular seed oils include canola oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil, and these are often used in processed foods as a cheap alternative to other oils. The main problem with seed oils is that they're high in omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for our health but only in the right balance. Our body needs a delicate balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to function optimally, and because the Western diet is not only deprived of omega-3 but also high in omega-6, it's not that hard to notice the culprit behind the increase in inflammatory conditions and diseases that show up on our skin in the form of breakouts, eczema, psoriasis, and even accelerated aging.

In fact, many people are convinced that seed oil consumption can actually make your skin more susceptible to sunburns, which hasn't been proven yet, but it's not a farfetched thought, considering that seed oils attack our immune cells, which are responsible for skin repair.

Our body needs a delicate balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to function optimally.

If you're struggling with some inflammatory skin conditions, it's a good idea to limit your seed oil intake and incorporate more omega-3-rich foods into your diet. A good place to start is a Mediterranean diet, as it generally has a healthier balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. And some studies show that people who follow a Mediterranean-style diet are less likely to develop heart disease and cognitive decline.

Much like dairy, spicy food can be considered a trigger food for some people, and it seems to be a largely case-by-case basis due to how our body digests capsaicin, which is the main compound that gives hot peppers that spicy kick. When capsaicin comes into contact with our gut, it activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1), which is a protein responsible for the sensation of heat, pain, and itchiness.

And while this might not seem like a big deal at first, it can actually lead to some gut issues, such as inflammation, which can then show up on our skin in the form of breakouts, eczema, psoriasis, and even more permanent conditions such as rosacea.

But despite this, not everyone who eats spicy food will experience gut issues, and it seems to be a largely individualized response. So the best way to figure out whether this might be the case with your skin is to monitor your skin conditions after eating spicy food and see if any flare-ups can help you conclude that this particular food group isn't suitable for you.

Predominantly found in margarine, fried fast-food, shop-bought baked goods, some microwave popcorn, packaged snacks, vegetable shortening, ready-to-use dough, and coffee creamers (both dairy and non-dairy), trans fats are one of the unhealthiest fats you can consume.

They're created when manufacturers treat vegetable oils with a process called hydrogenation, which gives the oils a longer shelf life and makes them more solid at room temperature. But this process also changes the chemical structure of the fats, and as a result, they become more difficult for our body to break down.

Trans fats have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, and they can also contribute to inflammation. And while the link between trans fats and inflammatory skin conditions like acne isn't as straightforward as with some other foods on this list, it's safe to say that they're not doing our skin any favors. So, if you want to keep your skin healthy, it's best to steer clear of foods that contain trans fats and instead focus on incorporating more healthy fats into your diet, such as mono and polyunsaturated fats from sources like olive oil, fish, meat, nuts, and seeds.

While there's no magic diet that will fix all your skin issues, making some simple tweaks by avoiding trigger foods can definitely help improve the overall health of your skin. Of course, everyone is different, so it's important to pay attention to how your skin reacts to certain foods and make adjustments accordingly. But in general, following a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and lean protein and avoiding processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of dairy and spice is a good place to start if you want clear and healthy skin.

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Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer – The Epoch Times

For some types of cancer, such as chronic myelogenous leukemia (also known as CML), most people with that cancer will have a target for a certain drug, so they can be treated with that drug. But most of the time, your tumor will need to be tested to see if it contains targets for which there is a drug.

Testing your cancer for targets that could help choose your treatment is called biomarker testing. SeeBiomarker Testing for Cancer Treatmentfor more information.

You may need to have a biopsy for biomarker testing. A biopsy is a procedure in which your doctor removes a piece of the tumor for testing. There are some risks to having a biopsy. These risks vary depending on the size of the tumor and where it is located. Your doctor will explain the risks of having a biopsy for your type of tumor.

Most types of targeted therapyhelp treat cancer by interfering with specific proteins that help tumors grow and spread throughout the body. This is different from chemotherapy, which often kills all cells that grow and divide quickly. The following explains the different ways that targeted therapy treats cancer.

One reason that cancer cells thrive is because they can hide from your immune system. Certain targeted therapies can mark cancer cells so it is easier for the immune system to find and destroy them. Other targeted therapies help boost your immune system to work better against cancer. Learn more aboutimmunotherapy to treat cancer.

Healthy cells in your body usually divide to make new cells only when they receive strong signals to do so. These signals bind to proteins on the cell surface, telling the cells to divide. This process helps new cells form only as your body needs them. But, some cancer cells have changes in the proteins on their surface that tell them to divide whether or not signals are present. Some targeted therapies interfere with these proteins, preventing them from telling the cells to divide. This process helps slow cancers uncontrolled growth.

To grow beyond a certain size, tumors need to form new blood vessels in a process calledangiogenesis. The tumor sends signals that start angiogenesis. Some targeted therapies calledangiogenesis inhibitorsinterfere with these signals to prevent a blood supply from forming. Without a blood supply, tumors stay small. Or, if a tumor already has a blood supply, these treatments can cause blood vessels to die, which causes the tumor to shrink. Learn more aboutangiogenesis inhibitors.

Some monoclonal antibodies are combined with cell-killing substances such astoxins,chemotherapydrugs, orradiation. Once these monoclonal antibodies attach to targets on the surface of cancer cells, the cells take up the cell-killing substances, causing them to die. Cells that dont have the target will not be harmed.

Healthy cells die in an orderly manner when they become damaged or are no longer needed. But, cancer cells have ways of avoiding this dying process. Some targeted therapies can cause cancer cells to go through this process of cell death, which is called apoptosis.

Some breast and prostate cancers require certain hormones to grow. Hormone therapies are a type of targeted therapy that can work in two ways. Some hormone therapies prevent your body from making specific hormones. Others prevent the hormones from acting on your cells, including cancer cells. Learn more abouthormone therapy for prostate cancerandhormone therapy for breast cancer.

Targeted therapydoes have some drawbacks.

When targeted therapy was first developed, scientists thought that it would be less toxic than chemotherapy. But they have learned that targeted therapy can also cause serious side effects. The side effects that you may have depends on the type of targeted therapy you receive and how your body reacts to it.

The most common side effects of targeted therapy includediarrheaand liver problems. Other side effects might include

Very rarely, a hole might form through the wall of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large bowel, rectum, or gallbladder.

There are medicines for many of these side effects. These medicines may prevent the side effects from happening or treat them once they occur.

Most side effects of targeted therapy go away after treatment ends.

Learn more aboutside effects caused by cancer treatmentand ways to manage them.

What can I expect when having targeted therapy?

Small-molecule drugs are pills or capsules that you can swallow.

Monoclonal antibodies are usually given through a needle in a blood vein.

Where you go for treatment depends on which drugs you are getting and how they are given. You may take targeted therapy at home. Or you may receive targeted therapy in a doctors office, clinic, or outpatient unit in a hospital. Outpatient means you do not spend the night in the hospital.

How often and how long you receive targeted therapy depends on

You may have treatment every day, every week, or every month. Some targeted therapies are given in cycles. A cycle is a period of treatment followed by a period of rest. The rest period gives your body a chance to recover and build new healthy cells.

While you are receiving targeted therapy, you will see your doctor often. He or she will give youphysical examsand ask you how you feel. You will have medical tests, such as blood tests,x-rays, and different types ofscans. These regular visits and tests will help the doctor know whether the treatment is working.

Clinical trials of targeted therapy and other cancer treatments take place in cities and towns across the United States and throughout the world. They take place in doctors offices, cancer centers, medical centers, community hospitals and clinics, and veteran and military hospitals.

Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancerwas originally published by the National Cancer Institute.

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Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer - The Epoch Times

Livestock bred with growth promoters unhealthy for consumption Prof Adetunji – Punch Newspapers

A professor of Veterinary Public Health at the University of Ibadan, Victoria Adetunji, speaks to OLUFEMI OLANIYI about her career, family and related issues

What other roles do you perform at the university apart from teaching?

I am currently the Chairperson of Animal Use and Care Ethics Committee and I also coordinate the University of Ibadan COVID-19 Emergency Response Committee. My current research activities on containment of antimicrobial resistance, a global public health problem, earned me the position of the Chairperson of Fleming Alumni Network, with the objective of creating further opportunities for fellows, supporting and sustaining the main Fleming objective of antimicrobial resistance containment in all participating regions/countries internationally.

Why did you study Veterinary Medicine knowing full well that many students prefer human medicine?

I grew up on a university campus in northern Nigeria where I was influenced by my fathers part-time livestock-keeping activities. We kept pigs and poultry in our compound at the university, and veterinary doctors used to come and treat the animals. This stimulated my interest and prompted me to study Veterinary Medicine.

Were there challenges on your way when you started as a vet student?

I had challenges especially at the 200 level. There seemed to be a very wide gap from 100 level to 200 level, having to tackle very voluminous courses like veterinary anatomy, physiology, biochemistry etc. I stabilised by the clinical year with consistency in reading. I remembered reading five hours daily.

Were you scared of touching or going close to any animal?

Not at all, mainly because I had experienced caring for animals from a very young age.

How are you coping with your job as a lecturer with family demands?

It was very demanding when my children were still young. However, what helped me was apportioning time and prioritising both my career and family activities. I keep a diary where I highlight my to-do list daily, so I dont lag behind on any. I attend to the most difficult issues first.

Do you think women are better managers?

I believe an emotionally stable woman will be a better manager, most especially with the added advantage of women being able to multitask in addition to their God-given ability for empathy.

As Chairperson of COVID-19 committee in UI, what were you able to achieve as a committee?

We raised support for the empowerment of the University Health Services (UHS, Jaja Clinic) by requesting aid from the Oyo State Government for vaccination of all willing individuals in the university community as well as providing access to testing and links to government task forces for COVID-19. Also, the committee facilitated the strengthening of the biosafety and biosecurity measures of UHS and the UI-COVID Task Force. Through the efforts of the committee, the Oyo State Government provided sanitisers, face masks, Personal Protective Equipment and thermometers.

Containment of the pandemic was achieved by issuing frequent communiqus to the university community and conducting on-site inspection of hotspots, such as churches, business centres, car packs, etc, for compliance monitoring. Additional measures were partial lockdown and social distancing at the zoological and botanical gardens, museums, sports and presentation venues, worship and commercial centres, in compliance with state, national and international directives; hand washing and sanitisation at the school gates and at the entrances to homes, offices and other public spaces within the university community. The committee also actively decontaminated high-risk areas and areas where positive COVID-19 cases had been detected. The committee was inspired to provide face masks to the low-income communities at the University of Ibadan and its immediate environs. This was executed with financial support from the university management.

To ensure a better coverage and impact of the committees activities, a GIS expert was invited to delineate the University of Ibadan and the University College using GIS mapping and also to create a GIS platform for real-time reporting by the task force supervisors.

The COVID-19 Task Force, an arm of the committee, was inaugurated on September 16, 2021. The task force supervisors were selected across the whole university with proper representation of all units for proper coverage. The COVID-19 Task Force Supervisors were saddled directly with monitoring and reporting of peoples compliance with COVID-19 preventive guidelines. This task force was trained and financially motivated for one month activities by the management at the critical stage of the pandemic to support data and mobility. The platform is accessible.

Many Nigerians are scared of taking COVID-19 vaccines. What do you think is the reason for this?

Myths about the vaccine are the major reasons. For example, one of the myths is that the natural immunity I get from being sick with COVID-19 is better than the immunity I get from COVID-19 vaccination. Also, there was speculation that the vaccine contained microchips for tracking people. These speculations/myths are not true. The fact remains that COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19. It has also been proven to reduce the impact of the disease in case of an infection.

COVID-19 infections recently increased; what do you think caused this?

The likely reasons behind the new surge could be due to a relaxation of the COVID-19 preventive protocols. We have had very low incidence rates due to herd immunity and vaccination uptake, which was the reason for the relaxation. However, I would emphasise the need for adhering to the COVID-19 protocols as a new normal.

Are there vaccines for monkeypox and marburg?

Monkeypox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus. Its milder, less serious, relative to the virus that causes smallpox. If youve been exposed to it, within three weeks youll notice flu-like symptoms along with a rash that might look like pimples or a blister.

Theres no specific treatment or cure for monkeypox. Some smallpox vaccines can prevent monkeypox, including the ACAM2000 and Jynneos vaccines. These vaccines can be used to prevent monkeypox because smallpox and monkeypox are caused by related viruses. Health care providers may suggest that people who have been exposed to monkeypox get vaccinated.

The filoviruses, Ebola virus and Marburg virus are among the most dangerous pathogens in the world. Both viruses cause viral haemorrhagic fever, with case fatality rates of up to 90 per cent. Historically, filovirus outbreaks has been relatively small, with only a few hundred cases reported. However, the recent West African Ebola virus outbreak underscored the threat that filoviruses pose. The three year-long outbreaks resulted in 28,646 Ebola virus infections and 11,323 deaths. The lack of food and drug administration-licensed vaccines and antiviral drugs hindered early efforts to contain the outbreak. In response, the global scientific community has spurred the advanced development of many filovirus vaccine candidates. Some vaccine candidates are under clinical trials

Sex with dogs and other animals appears to be on the increase. Can this also lead to increase in rate of diseases transmitted from animals to humans?

Animals incubate diseases which are zoonotic, transmissible to man. We have research evidence that also confirm transmission of some pathogens from humans to animals. Bestiality activities will definitely increase zoonotic diseases if not curbed.

Nigerians buy cows and other animals raised by herdsmen who are constantly on the move for parties and these animals are usually not certified fit for human consumption by experts. Do you think there is a danger in this?

Slaughtering of food animals is to be done at designated abattoirs and slaughter slabs all over the country. Veterinarians have, as their professional role, the responsibility of doing both ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections. Animals incubating some certain diseases like anthrax identified during ante-mortem should not even be slaughtered at all. Doing otherwise will contaminate the environment and expose more people to this pathogen. At post-mortem, judgment by the veterinarian is either partial condemnation or complete condemnation in case of a generalised tuberculous lesion, for instance. Uninspected and uncertified carcasses and tissue pose very grave public health consequence, with the unsuspecting consumers at risk.

Do you suggest ranching to open grazing and what are the health benefits especially to humans?

Of great benefit to humans is the production of healthier animals. The ranching system will enable the cattle to be well-fed and receive maximum health attention from veterinarians. The system also prevents, to a large extent hazards that could affect their health. Stress from continuous trekking is avoided, thereby affording the build-up of the mass of meat and more milk production. Opportunities for genetic modifications of local breeds to produce cows that will adapt to the Nigerian environment are also associated with ranching. On the other hand, the open grazing does not afford these opportunities. Furthermore, the animals are predisposed to respiratory tract infections like the Foot and Mouth Disease because of moisture and humidity in the South. Open grazing also exposes the animals to infection due to unguarded contacts between animals from different sources at watering and feeding points, thus potentiating disease transmission among the animals and to humans.

Although ranching system comes with the responsibility of provision of social amenities and support for herdsmen, it is the way to go.

There are injections given to livestock to make them bigger. What is the effect of this on human being who consume animals injected with this drug?

These injections are called growth promoters or hormones. Pituitary Growth Hormone has considerable potential as performance enhancing drug that increase muscle mass (an anabolic agent) in animal production. Animals treated with GH will grow faster (i.e. deposit protein), require less feed per unit of body weight gain, and will have less carcass fat than untreated animals. The hormone residues in meat results into adverse effect on human health, such as disrupt in human hormone balance, causing developmental problems, interfering with the reproductive system and can even lead to the development of breast, prostate or colon cancer. Antimicrobials are also used by farmers for growth promotion effects by adding them to feedstuffs at a dose lower than the therapeutic dose. Induction of resistant bacteria/microbes and the disruption of normal human intestinal flora are major concerns of human health from antimicrobial growth promoters. This practice is an abuse of drug and should be discouraged.

What are the roles of veterinary medicine in public health?

The aspect of Veterinary Medicine that addresses public health is Veterinary Public Health. The World Health Organisation defines VPH as the sum of all contributions to the physical, mental and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinary science. Thus, the veterinary profession contributes to the improvement of human and public health by improving agriculture and food systems, advancing biomedical and comparative medical research, preventing and addressing zoonotic diseases, enhancing environmental and ecosystem health, and helping to manage global public health challenges.

Veterinary Public Health experts are key competent stakeholders in preventive medicine, population health (both animal health and human health), parasitology, zoonoses, and epidemiology, among others. Tackling major zoonotic disease outbreaks and trending public health issues, including the current increasing trend in antimicrobial resistance, requires the One Health approach, which is multidisciplinary, involving the veterinarians and other related disciplines. Veterinary Public Health experts play a critical role in contributing to the budding public health programmes in government and private institutions bringing to the fore their expertise in epidemiology of zoonoses and interactions at the animal, human and environment interface. The history and tradition of the profession always have focused on protecting and improving both animal and human health.

Sexual harassment cases seem not to be common in UI. What is the university doing to achieve this?

The University of Ibadan has zero tolerance for sexual harassment; as such, cases are very rare. In line with UIs commitment to transformative processes in higher education, the university has produced a sexual harassment policy aimed at cultivating and maintaining a working and learning environment that reflects respect for the dignity of all members of our community, thereby stimulating and supporting an environment free of sexual harassment and gender-based violence. Although I did not face any related issue, speaking up to the designated committee while the system ensures there is no witch-hunting will go a long way to controlling this menace.

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Livestock bred with growth promoters unhealthy for consumption Prof Adetunji - Punch Newspapers