Latest news with #CAM
Medscape
3 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Can Mind-Body Therapies Improve GI Outcomes?
A growing body of research shows that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can help treat certain gastrointestinal disorders. With up to 44% of people with diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) disorders using CAM, chances are most gastroenterologists — whether they know it or not — are seeing patients who take products or engage in practices that fall under its umbrella. Gerard Mullin, MD Many gastroenterologists are unfamiliar with CAM because it isn't widely taught in medical school. 'Some doctors even discourage the use of CAM because they've never heard of a given intervention,' said Gerard Mullin, MD, associate professor of medicine and director of the Johns Hopkins GI Clinical Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Unfortunately, many patients aren't telling their doctors about their CAM use because they're afraid of being judged, Mullin said. Patients also may not disclose their CAM use because they don't realize it's important to share with their physician or their doctor simply hasn't asked them about it. But CAM's popularity makes it important for gastroenterologists to be educated about what their patients may be using, the risks and benefits of various CAM products and practices, and the evidence base that might or might not support their use. Gastroenterologists also may want to incorporate CAM into their practices to offer what's known as integrative gastroenterology. Many arguments support this approach, Mullin, editor of the book Integrative Gastroenterology , told Medscape Medical News . Digestive disease rates are very high and are increasing, he noted. 'The escalating prevalence of obesity, anxiety, depression, stress, consumption of ultraprocessed foods, and food-borne illnesses contribute to a digestive disease epidemic,' Mullin told Medscape Medical News . 'Adopting an integrative model can contribute to more effective prevention and treatment of these conditions.' CAM comprises an array of different modalities and approaches, from oral products to mind-body practices and alternative styles of medicine. This article cannot provide an exhaustive analysis of all CAM interventions for GI conditions, but it reviews several evidence-based approaches for common disorders. Why CAM? David Hass, MD, associate clinical professor with the Division of Digestive Diseases at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, became interested in integrative medicine because he treated many patients who came to him after consultations with other physicians for troublesome symptoms of disorders of the gut-brain interaction, also known as functional gastrointestinal disorders. David Hass, MD 'These patients can be difficult to treat,' he said. 'Many have undergone multiple studies and scans and tried multiple medications. I wanted to be helpful and explore what else might be out there for them that may not be traditional or mainstream but is evidence-based.' CAM is appealing to patients because these approaches often provide a sense of control of their bodies and health and because they offer an alternative when conventional approaches fail to alleviate symptoms or provide a cure, said Hass, a partner at the Physicians Alliance of Connecticut in Hamden and coauthor of a review article on CAM for functional GI disorders. Interventions once considered alternative have attracted more research attention and become more accepted in the conventional medical community, Nitin Ahuja, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine (gastroenterology) at Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, told Medscape Medical News . Nitin Ahuja, MD For example, L-glutamine therapy has been found to alleviate symptoms in postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea and intestinal hyperpermeability. Until relatively recently, the concept of intestinal permeability or 'leaky gut' had been 'discussed mostly in alternative health spaces.' But an increasing body of evidence now supports the legitimacy of the diagnosis in certain GI conditions. Similarly, mind-body medicine was once categorized as alternative medicine. But interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based approaches are gaining traction in conventional circles and amassing evidence of its efficacy. 'Additionally, while a substantial gap remains between anecdotal and empirical understandings of some of the approaches previous considered 'alternative,' they also raise thought-provoking mechanistic hypotheses and invitations for further research,' said Ahuja, who is also director of the Program in Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pennsylvania, and author of a review article critically appraising popular remedies for esophageal symptoms. Dietary Supplements Several herbal products have been shown as effective for GI conditions. For example, ginger has been found to be generally safe and useful in treating nausea and vomiting. However, it can inhibit platelet aggregation and potentially be mutagenic, so it should be used cautiously in patients already taking antiplatelet therapy and in pregnant women. Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) has been shown to be helpful with nausea during pregnancy. For functional dyspepsia, peppermint and caraway have been researched extensively. In a number of studies, both agents have yielded statistically significant improvements in bloating and epigastric pain compared to placebo. Several herbal products can protect the stomach and esophagus in the setting of gastritis and when a patient is transitioning off proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Zinc carnosine and glutamine can protect the gastrointestinal lining, repair damaged cells, stabilize gut mucosa, and decrease inflammation. Glutamine may play a role in supporting the gut microbiome and gut mucosal wall integrity and in modulating inflammatory responses. Steve Irsfeld, RPh Other nutrients that help decrease inflammation and restore the mucosal lining include apple pectin, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, licorice root, and okra, Steve Irsfeld, RPh, owner and pharmacist in charge at Irsfeld Pharmacy, Dickinson, North Dakota, told Medscape Medical News . Irsfeld recommends curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties in the gut, and bovine colostrum. He told Medscape Medical News that he believes histamine 2 blockers and PPIs are overprescribed for heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 'They're designed to suppress stomach acid, but they're being prescribed without verifying that hyperacidity is actually present,' he said. 'We wouldn't prescribe antihypertensives or statin drugs, for example, without checking the patient's blood pressure or cholesterol, but we administer PPIs without ascertaining stomach acid levels merely on the assumption that if the patient has symptoms or visible inflammation, the acid levels must be elevated.' Prolonged use of PPIs can have adverse effects, including infections, impaired nutrient absorption, dementia, kidney disease, hypergastrinemia, and a rebound effect upon discontinuation. Studies have found that the herbal preparation STW-5 (Iberogast) can improve symptoms of epigastric pain and GERD, Hass noted. The product contains bitter candytuft, chamomile, peppermint, caraway, licorice root, lemon balm leaves, celandine, angelica root, and milk thistle. To promote colon health, Irsfeld recommends probiotics. 'We're now able to recommend highly targeted probiotic strains,' he said. For example, Saccharomyces boulardii has been shown to be helpful in counterbalancing the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota during antibiotic therapy. After antibiotic discontinuation, the patient can transition to a different probiotic. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture, the application of small needles or pressure to specific points in the body, is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, in which health is regarded as stemming from the alignment of qi, or 'vital energy.' Its practitioners aim to remove blockages or reduce excesses in qi, which flows through specific channels in the body, known as meridians. Shi-Hong Loh, MD 'In acupuncture, there are meridians that govern the GI system,' Shi-Hong Loh, MD, of Dao Sheng Acupuncture, Hoboken and Hackensack, New Jersey, told Medscape Medical News . 'Meridians are typically not tied to Western concepts of anatomy or neurology. The points we use are often related to the parasympathetic nervous system, with nerve distribution from areas in the thoracic and lumbar spine. That type of nerve innervation is from the spinal area and controls abdominal and intestinal function.' Acupuncture is highly personalized, Loh said. 'Everything is specific to the condition and the individual, and the interpretation of each practitioner.' Manual and electroacupuncture have shown utility for patients with GI conditions, including functional GI disorders, constipation, GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, ileus, acute pancreatitis, and gastroparesis. A recent systematic review of 10 randomized controlled functional MRI trials comparing acupuncture to sham acupuncture, moxibustion, placement on a waiting list, or medication found that acupuncture improved GI symptoms and psychological status in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders and regulated functional connectivity and activity in brain regions associated with visceral sensation, pain regulation, and emotion. Loh said that in addition to acupuncture, he often recommends Chinese herbs and encourages patients to identify whether their eating patterns affect their conditions. 'When I see a patient with GI symptoms, such as IBS, I know the symptoms are often related to diet, so I don't depend on acupuncture alone. I look at the whole picture,' he said. Loh advises patients with upper GI symptoms to 'pay attention to their eating habits, daily behavior, and activities. Do they eat too much or too fast? Do they lie down soon after eating? Do they eat a lot of greasy foods? Are they taking in enough fiber?' Acupuncture can play an important role for patients who don't respond to conventional treatments, Loh said. 'It's reasonable for the gastroenterologist or internist to refer these patients to an experienced, knowledgeable, licensed acupuncturist,' he said. The Mind-Body Connection Stress is an established driver of many GI conditions. Loh described a patient with ulcerative colitis and an extremely high-stress job whose symptoms abated whenever he went on vacation. 'I've noticed the same pattern in other patients, too,' he said. Loh often targets acupuncture points that 'calm the spirit and ease anxiety, as well as those directly addressing the intestinal symptoms.' In addition, he often recommends psychotherapy — especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective for a number of GI conditions, such as IBS. A review of nine studies encompassing more than 600 patients with gastroduodenal disorders of the gut-brain interaction found that CBT effectively improved GI symptoms and psychological outcomes. 'There have been an impressive number of studies demonstrating that CBT is effective in improving symptoms of IBS when compared to usual medical care, antidepressants, placebo, antispasmodic agents, or support therapies,' Loh said. One meta-analysis found a number needed to treat of 3 for treatment with CBT, which is 'tremendously beneficial,' Hass noted. The placebo effect may play a role, he said, 'but if I can help people get better with a placebo, I have no problem with that.' Other evidence-based mind-body approaches include gut-directed hypnotherapy, meditation, mindfulness-based therapies, guided imagery, and yoga. A systematic review of six randomized controlled trials found evidence that in patients with IBS, yoga can decrease bowel symptoms, disease severity, and anxiety, as well as improve physical functioning and quality of life. Like CBT, hypnotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction 'aim to reduce overactivity to stressors and to improve maladaptive coping behaviors,' said Hass, who has been trained in hypnotherapy. 'Particularly for anxiety-provoked symptoms due to catastrophizing, CBT would be the modality of choice.' Hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation have been found effective in several GI cancers, as well as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Hass noted. Some research has shown that mind-body approaches can decrease tumor necrosis factor alpha — a cytokine involved in inflammatory bowel disease — and other inflammatory markers. Gastroenterologists may wish to consider incorporating these evidence-based therapies into their treatment regimens for GI disorders, especially functional bowel diseases, Hass said. Using these interventions in conjunction with standard medical therapies 'may alleviate symptoms more quickly than when medical therapies alone are used,' he added. Ahuja, Hass, Loh, and Mullin reported no relevant financial relationships. Irsfeld reported being an unpaid member of the scientific board for NutriDyn, which manufactures Dynamic GI Integrity.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SPEC Releases New SPECapc for SNX 2024 Benchmark
SPECapc for SNX 2024 Benchmark GAINESVILLE, Va., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC), the trusted global leader in computing benchmarks, today announced the availability of an all-new SPECapc for SNX 2024 benchmark, providing a completely new take on measuring Siemens NX CAD and CAM software performance. Siemens NX is award-winning, processor-intensive software that helps designers and manufacturers deliver better products faster through a powerful combination of CAD and CAM solutions. The new benchmark runs on the continuous release version of Siemens NX, which will enable SPEC to update the benchmark more frequently.* The SPECapc for SNX 2024 benchmark executes graphics tests that include rotation, pan, zoom and clipping for each model. Viewport tests within the benchmark measure performance for field of view and feature regeneration operations. Anti-aliasing can be enabled or disabled to allow users to assess performance differences between the two modes. With the SPECapc for SNX 2024 benchmark, the range of application users, including professionals, students, and artists, as well as hardware developers and vendors, can discover how different hardware configurations affect the performance of the application. 'SPEC is committed to providing the Siemens NX user and development communities with a fair and reliable benchmark for Siemens NX, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with Siemens to make this happen,' said SPECapc Chair Jessica Heerboth. 'We rigorously developed this benchmark according to our principles for creating a good benchmark, which include it being vendor agnostic, unbiased, use-case-dependent, scalable, extensible and more. These characteristics ensure the most accurate performance measurements, enabling the best possible decisions when making hardware purchases to run this processor-intensive design software.' Key features of the SPECapc for SNX 2024 benchmark Exporting models to different file formats – This test measures exports to STEP and IGES, the most frequently used file formats. Closest point calculations – This test measures a picked point in space for every surface / edge on a model and calculates which point on the model is closest. Mass property calculations – For every solid body in the model, this test calculates the vector of mass / inertia / movement, etc. The test calculates forces in physical simulations: volume, mass, center of mass, moments, moments of inertia, spherical moments of inertia, radii of gyration, etc. Model loading – This test measures the basic app function of opening and loading a model. Display mode – This test iterates through multiple modes. Cross section – This test cuts a model in half and rotates it around, providing a detailed look at the inside of a model – all the parts and details and how they fit together. Explosion – This test explodes out to show an inner view of a model. It is similar to the cross section test but provides a view of each part individually without the detail of how they fit together. Sync views – This test provides two different views of the model and rotates them in a synchronized fashion, providing a view of how things fit and potentially fuse together from different angles. Multiple viewports – This test provides six different views of a model from different perspectives. It continuously shows the model from all angles to increase awareness of how changes affect the model. Available for Immediate DownloadThe SPECapc for SNX 2024 benchmark is available for immediate download from SPEC under a two-tiered pricing structure: free for the user community and $2,500 for sellers of computer-related products and services. SPEC/GWPG members receive benchmark licenses as a membership benefit. About SPECSPEC is a non-profit organization that establishes, maintains and endorses standardized benchmarks and tools to evaluate performance for the newest generation of computing systems. Its membership comprises more than 120 leading computer hardware and software vendors, educational institutions, research organizations, and government agencies worldwide. *Please note: The SPECapc for SNX 2024 benchmark can run on the latest continuous release version of Siemens NX; however, since each new application build version can differ in terms of performance and output, please refer to the benchmark run rules for the exact Siemens NX build version officially supported. Media contact: Brigit Valencia360.597.4516brigit@ SPEC® and SPECapc® are trademarks of the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
7 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
CIBC Asset Management announces CIBC ETF cash distributions for May 2025 Français
TORONTO, May 26, 2025 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) – CIBC Asset Management Inc. today announced the May 2025 cash distributions for CIBC ETFs and ETF Series of the CIBC Fixed Income Pools, which distribute monthly. Unitholders of record on May 30, 2025, will receive cash distributions payable on June 4, 2025. Details of the final "per unit" distribution amounts are as follows: * Cash distribution per unit ($) amounts are USD for CTUC.U, CTUD.U, and CTUE.U CIBC ETFs are managed by CIBC Asset Management Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange traded funds (ETFs). Please read the CIBC ETFs prospectus or ETF Facts document before investing. To obtain a copy, call 1-888-888-3863, ask your advisor or visit ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. CIBC ETFs are offered by registered dealers. Morningstar® Canada Core Bond Index™, Morningstar Canada 1-5 Year Core Bond Index and Morningstar® Global ex-Canada Core Bond Hedged CAD Index™, are trademarks or service marks of Morningstar, Inc., and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by CIBC Asset Management. CIBC Canadian Bond Index ETF, CIBC Canadian Short-Term Bond Index ETF and CIBC Global Bond ex-Canada Index ETF (CAD Hedged), are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar, and Morningstar makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the CIBC Canadian Bond Index ETF, CIBC Canadian Short-Term Bond Index ETF and CIBC Global Bond ex-Canada Index ETF (CAD-Hedged). CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at About CIBC Asset Management CIBC Asset Management Inc. (CAM), the asset management subsidiary of CIBC, provides a range of high-quality investment management services and solutions to retail and institutional investors. CAM's offerings include: a comprehensive platform of mutual funds, strategic managed portfolio solutions, discretionary investment management services for high-net-worth individuals, and institutional portfolio management. CAM is one of Canada's largest asset management firms, with over $227 billion in assets under administration as of April 2025.
Cision Canada
21-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
CIBC Asset Management launches two CLO-based mutual funds Français
TORONTO, May 21, 2025 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) – CIBC Asset Management (CAM) today announced the launch of the new CIBC Income Advantage Fund and CIBC U.S. Dollar Income Advantage Fund (the "CIBC Income Advantage Funds"). The CIBC Income Advantage Funds give clients the opportunity to invest in high quality Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) — an income-generating asset class traditionally utilized by institutional investors. These Funds open the door for income-seeking investors to tap into a professionally managed CLO credit strategy through a familiar mutual fund structure — providing enhanced yield potential, meaningful diversification and a floating rate structure designed to navigate fluctuating interest rates. "The CIBC Income Advantage Funds reflect our commitment to innovation and access," notes Eric Belanger, President and Chief Executive Officer, CIBC Asset Management Inc. "These Funds bring the best of institutional investing to the clients our advisors serve every day and are designed for today's environment — when income is harder to find, interest rates are unpredictable, and portfolios need to do more." The CIBC Income Advantage Funds are actively managed by a seasoned investment team with deep experience in structured credit. An ETF Series is also available for the CIBC Income Advantage Fund (ticker: CCLO) that closed its initial offering of units and trades today on CBOE Canada. More details on the ETF Series and CAM's complete ETF line-up can be found on CIBC'S ETF website. The CIBC Income Advantage Funds, including the ETF Series for the CIBC Income Advantage Fund, are available for purchase today. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the simplified prospectus, Fund Facts or the ETF Facts documents before investing. To obtain a copy, call 1-888-888-FUND (3863). Alternatively, you may obtain a copy from your advisor. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. About CIBC CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at CIBC Asset Management Inc. (CAM), the asset management subsidiary of CIBC, provides a range of high-quality investment management services and solutions to retail and institutional investors. CAM's offerings include: a comprehensive platform of mutual funds, strategic managed portfolio solutions, discretionary investment management services for high-net-worth individuals, and institutional portfolio management. CAM is one of Canada's largest asset management firms, with over with over $227 billion in assets under administration as of March 2025.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CIBC Asset Management launches two CLO-based mutual funds
TORONTO, May 21, 2025 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) – CIBC Asset Management (CAM) today announced the launch of the new CIBC Income Advantage Fund and CIBC U.S. Dollar Income Advantage Fund (the "CIBC Income Advantage Funds"). The CIBC Income Advantage Funds give clients the opportunity to invest in high quality Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) — an income-generating asset class traditionally utilized by institutional investors. These Funds open the door for income-seeking investors to tap into a professionally managed CLO credit strategy through a familiar mutual fund structure — providing enhanced yield potential, meaningful diversification and a floating rate structure designed to navigate fluctuating interest rates. "The CIBC Income Advantage Funds reflect our commitment to innovation and access," notes Eric Belanger, President and Chief Executive Officer, CIBC Asset Management Inc. "These Funds bring the best of institutional investing to the clients our advisors serve every day and are designed for today's environment — when income is harder to find, interest rates are unpredictable, and portfolios need to do more." The CIBC Income Advantage Funds are actively managed by a seasoned investment team with deep experience in structured credit. An ETF Series is also available for the CIBC Income Advantage Fund (ticker: CCLO) that closed its initial offering of units and trades today on CBOE Canada. More details on the ETF Series and CAM's complete ETF line-up can be found on CIBC'S ETF website. The CIBC Income Advantage Funds, including the ETF Series for the CIBC Income Advantage Fund, are available for purchase today. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the simplified prospectus, Fund Facts or the ETF Facts documents before investing. To obtain a copy, call 1-888-888-FUND (3863). Alternatively, you may obtain a copy from your advisor. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. About CIBC CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at About CIBC Asset Management CIBC Asset Management Inc. (CAM), the asset management subsidiary of CIBC, provides a range of high-quality investment management services and solutions to retail and institutional investors. CAM's offerings include: a comprehensive platform of mutual funds, strategic managed portfolio solutions, discretionary investment management services for high-net-worth individuals, and institutional portfolio management. CAM is one of Canada's largest asset management firms, with over with over $227 billion in assets under administration as of March 2025. SOURCE CIBC View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
