Latest news with #UniversityHospitals
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Level 2 baby care status reinstated at Kettering General Hospital
A neonatal unit has regained approval to care for some of the region's most premature babies, following improvements in staffing and a downgrade in September 2023, the unit at Kettering General Hospital has now been fully reapproved to operate as a Level 2 Local Neonatal Unit. This meant staff can once again care for babies born after 27 weeks of gestation, or 28 weeks for multiple births, who weigh more than 800 Hogg, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire chief nurse, said: "We are committed to ensuring our neonatal unit delivers the best possible care to babies and families in our local community and ensuring that care is tailored to their needs." The unit was temporarily downgraded to Level 1 in 2023, which meant it could only care for babies born after 32 weeks. Babies born earlier or who were very sick had to be sent to specialist Level 3 decision was made after regular safety checks and staff feedback showed the unit needed more senior doctors and extra then, the hospital has made several important improvements, including hiring two neonatal consultants, a lead nurse for governance, a data analyst, and seven additional also took part in extra training sessions, including team-based practice for emergencies like resuscitation and managing breathing problems. 'Dedicated work' Leadership at the unit has also been strengthened, and links with regional neonatal care networks have been than 70% of the nurses were fully trained to care for very premature and unwell babies, meeting national standards set by the British Association of Perinatal Hogg added: "Once again, we are able to deliver intensive care, high dependency care, and special care to babies born after 27 weeks of gestation or 28 weeks if a multiple birth."I want to take this opportunity to thank our teams for all of the dedicated work and effort that has gone into achieving the improvements that have enabled us to start delivering level 2 care once again." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, Medical Leaders and Researchers from around the World Convene in Cleveland to Discuss Drug Development Progress
Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals Holds 12 th Annual Scientific Symposium CLEVELAND, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ -- Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals held its 12 th annual scientific symposium this week. Scientific researchers and leaders from across the globe gathered in Cleveland, Ohio to discuss progress being made in drug development for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer's and rare diseases. Symposium speakers included former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, who chairs the Advisory Council for the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre — a unique transatlantic partnership between the University of Oxford, UK, and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals in Cleveland, aimed at driving breakthrough treatments for rare diseases. These diseases typically lack commercial incentive for private companies to develop therapies and treatments. Researchers often find their work at a standstill in the so-called Valley of Death — the chasm between discoveries that could not be funded and the funding sources that would not fund them. The Advisory Council supports the OHC's mission to deliver new treatments for the estimated half a billion people affected by rare diseases worldwide. Council members are leaders of relevant industries and sectors from different regions of the world who bring expertise, resources and networks towards the initial goal of developing 40 new drugs for rare diseases in the next 10 years. Harrington scholars presented their latest discoveries throughout the two-day scientific symposium. Of the 8,000 physician-scientists in the US, nearly 50 percent have sought support from Harrington Discovery Institute. To date 150 of those Harrington Scholars have drugs-in-the-making, more than 30 have created new companies, and four are in Phase 3 clinical trials — for heart attacks, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, and a rare cancer syndrome. Another scholar's therapeutic for babies with spina bifida is in a potentially pivotal clinical trial. To achieve these results, Harrington Discovery Institute created an innovation pathway consisting of creative science, drug development assistance, business strategy support, and strong management. David Cameron, Chair of the OHC's Advisory Council, said: " T he work of Harrington Discovery Institute is second to none. It's rare to find an organization that not only funds but also surrounds researchers with a full infrastructure to move discoveries forward. To be truly transformational, genomics requires the best of academia, life sciences, pharmaceutical companies, philanthropy and venture capital from around the world to come together. That is what the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre sets out to do, convening those key players and uniting around a bold mission. I have long championed improvements in healthcare through research, and I am proud to be aligned with an organization that doesn't shy away from complex problems. Rare disease and Alzheimer's have been a focus personally and professionally and remain among my deepest commitments. Behind everyone is a family, a story, and a chance to change the future through science, and we owe it to patients and families to keep pushing the boundaries." Jonathan S. Stamler, MD, President and co-founder of Harrington Discovery Institute, commented: "At Harrington Discovery Institute, we've created a powerful mission — to accelerate promising discoveries into medicines for unmet needs. We've also created results. Most notably, we have put many new medicines into the drug development system. By the numbers, we now have 214 drugs in the making, 43 companies launched, 23 medicines in the clinic, and 15 licenses to pharma. These are quality metrics. Leaders in pharma, biotech, and academia have said that results like these at any organization would be exceptional, let alone one built from within an academic medical center." Cliff Megerian, University Hospitals CEO, added: "Harrington Discovery Institute is a shining example of what so many of us aspired to do when we became doctors — identify a problem, solve the problem, help others. Our mission at UH is: To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. We fulfill our commitment to the "Discover" part of our mission through Harrington Discovery — it's our mechanism for investing in our nation's best discoveries and brightest scholars to advance new cures. We're grateful to have attendees from across the US, the UK, and Canada — as well as those based right here in Cleveland at University Hospitals."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, Medical Leaders and Researchers from around the World Convene in Cleveland to Discuss Drug Development Progress
Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals Holds 12th Annual Scientific Symposium CLEVELAND, May 23, 2025 /CNW/ -- Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals held its 12th annual scientific symposium this week. Scientific researchers and leaders from across the globe gathered in Cleveland, Ohio to discuss progress being made in drug development for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer's and rare diseases. Symposium speakers included former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, who chairs the Advisory Council for the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre — a unique transatlantic partnership between the University of Oxford, UK, and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals in Cleveland, aimed at driving breakthrough treatments for rare diseases. These diseases typically lack commercial incentive for private companies to develop therapies and treatments. Researchers often find their work at a standstill in the so-called Valley of Death — the chasm between discoveries that could not be funded and the funding sources that would not fund them. The Advisory Council supports the OHC's mission to deliver new treatments for the estimated half a billion people affected by rare diseases worldwide. Council members are leaders of relevant industries and sectors from different regions of the world who bring expertise, resources and networks towards the initial goal of developing 40 new drugs for rare diseases in the next 10 years. Harrington scholars presented their latest discoveries throughout the two-day scientific symposium. Of the 8,000 physician-scientists in the US, nearly 50 percent have sought support from Harrington Discovery Institute. To date 150 of those Harrington Scholars have drugs-in-the-making, more than 30 have created new companies, and four are in Phase 3 clinical trials — for heart attacks, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's, and a rare cancer syndrome. Another scholar's therapeutic for babies with spina bifida is in a potentially pivotal clinical trial. To achieve these results, Harrington Discovery Institute created an innovation pathway consisting of creative science, drug development assistance, business strategy support, and strong management. David Cameron, Chair of the OHC's Advisory Council, said: "The work of Harrington Discovery Institute is second to none. It's rare to find an organization that not only funds but also surrounds researchers with a full infrastructure to move discoveries forward. To be truly transformational, genomics requires the best of academia, life sciences, pharmaceutical companies, philanthropy and venture capital from around the world to come together. That is what the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre sets out to do, convening those key players and uniting around a bold mission. I have long championed improvements in healthcare through research, and I am proud to be aligned with an organization that doesn't shy away from complex problems. Rare disease and Alzheimer's have been a focus personally and professionally and remain among my deepest commitments. Behind everyone is a family, a story, and a chance to change the future through science, and we owe it to patients and families to keep pushing the boundaries." Jonathan S. Stamler, MD, President and co-founder of Harrington Discovery Institute, commented: "At Harrington Discovery Institute, we've created a powerful mission — to accelerate promising discoveries into medicines for unmet needs. We've also created results. Most notably, we have put many new medicines into the drug development system. By the numbers, we now have 214 drugs in the making, 43 companies launched, 23 medicines in the clinic, and 15 licenses to pharma. These are quality metrics. Leaders in pharma, biotech, and academia have said that results like these at any organization would be exceptional, let alone one built from within an academic medical center." Cliff Megerian, University Hospitals CEO, added: "Harrington Discovery Institute is a shining example of what so many of us aspired to do when we became doctors — identify a problem, solve the problem, help others. Our mission at UH is: To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. We fulfill our commitment to the "Discover" part of our mission through Harrington Discovery — it's our mechanism for investing in our nation's best discoveries and brightest scholars to advance new cures. We're grateful to have attendees from across the US, the UK, and Canada — as well as those based right here in Cleveland at University Hospitals." View original content: SOURCE Harrington Discovery Institute View original content: 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
Medscape
16-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
New Weight-Loss Options Improve Cardiac Health
Weight gain can lead to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, a metabolic disorder of abnormal lipids. As the body gets bigger, cardiac changes occur and the left ventricle — the heart's main pumping chamber — enlarges too. The ventricle thickens and it can be more difficult to pump blood effectively, which increases the risk for heart failure. Research suggests that weight loss can sometimes reverse the cardiac remodeling that takes place after weight gain, improving heart structure and function. 'Evidence shows that lifestyle-mediated weight loss can improve cardiac risk factors, such as diabetes and dyslipidemia,' said Ian Neeland, MD, director of Cardiovascular Prevention and co-director of the Center for Integrated and Novel Approaches in Vascular-Metabolic Disease at University Hospitals Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute in Cleveland. However, he cautioned, 'no randomized controlled trials show that the lifestyle change approach to weight loss directly reduces cardiovascular events.' Neeland, associate professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, cited the Look AHEAD trial, which examined lifestyle changes to reduce cardiovascular events in about 5000 people who were overweight or obese and had diabetes. The intervention failed to meet its primary outcome — a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for angina during a 13.5-year follow-up. The trial was stopped early at 9.6 years on the basis of a futility analysis. Diet and Exercise Changes 'It's true that in a subanalysis, people who lost more than 10% of their body weight had an associated reduction in cardiovascular events. But that was post hoc, so it's observational data, and not really great evidence,' said Neeland, chair of the American Heart Association's Obesity Committee. It's 'very difficult in today's society to make the lifestyle changes necessary to maintain weight loss or get someone who's severely morbidly obese down to a healthy weight,' said Catherine Benziger, MD, MPH, director of Heart and Vascular Research, Essentia Health, and adjunct associate professor, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, Minnesota. Because lifestyle interventions aren't always effective and sustainable, 'we have and often need to utilize additional options, such as bariatric surgery or anti-obesity medication,' she said. 'Both have been shown to improve glucose management, diabetes, high blood pressure, lipids, and to reduce sleep apnea. Both improve cardiovascular risk factors. The question is which is most effective?' Bariatric Surgery Trusted and Tried The 2013 American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and The Obesity Society Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults recommends bariatric surgery for patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 or a BMI ≥ 35 plus two other cardiovascular risk factors. However, the 2022 guidelines issued by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders recommend metabolic and bariatric surgery for individuals with a BMI ≥ 35, 'regardless of presence, absence, or severity of obesity-related conditions.' It should be considered for people with a BMI of 30-34.9 and metabolic disease and those with a BMI ≥ 30 who don't achieve substantial or durable weight loss by nonsurgical approaches. 'Bariatric surgery has been around for a long time and current evidence shows that it has long-term benefits and leads to weight loss that can be sustained,' Benziger said. Several studies have found that bariatric surgery can successfully address cardiovascular risk factors. The GATEWAY trial compared medical therapy with antihypertensive agents to medical therapy plus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in 100 patients with a BMI of about 36.9. At 5 years, hypertension remission was 46.9% in the surgery group vs only 2.4% in the medical therapy group. A retrospective review of 475 patients with a preoperative BMI of 43.6 ± 7.0 who underwent bariatric surgery found that, at 12-month follow-up, their systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reduced by 11.4 mm Hg and 4.4 mm Hg. There were 4-year absolute and relative risk reductions of 20.1% and 63.7% ( P < .01 for both), based on the Framingham Hypertension Risk Score. A meta-analysis of 80 studies — encompassing about 3300 patients — found that bariatric surgery led to reverse cardiac remodeling and improvements in cardiac geometry and function. A Canadian study compared 1319 patients with cardiovascular disease or heart failure who had bariatric surgery to a matched cohort who did not have surgery. After a median follow-up of 4.6 years, close to one fifth of those who didn't have surgery experienced a major adverse cardiac event — myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, or mortality — compared with 12% who had surgery, which translated into a 42% reduction in cardiac risk in those who had surgery. Can Glucagon-Like Peptide 1s (GLP-1s) Beat Bariatric Surgery? The GLP-1 receptor agonists seem to be catching up to bariatric surgery in reducing risks for cardiovascular events. In March 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved semaglutide for reducing the risk for cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight. 'The GLP-1s aren't the only medications that are FDA-approved for weight loss,' Neeland pointed out. 'Other weight-loss medications have also been tested for cardiovascular benefits. Lorcaserin was found to be neutral, but that's no longer relevant to prescribers because it's off the market now for other reasons.' Naltrexone-bupropion, and phentermine-topiramate likewise showed no cardiovascular benefits. 'The GLP-1s are the only agents in the medical obesity space that have clearly shown cardiovascular benefits.' Benziger said she agrees. 'In my experience, I've seen that most people would rather take a pill than have an injection, because it's less invasive. But the oral medications haven't been as effective as the GLP-1 drugs, which have transformed the medical management of weight loss.' Several trials highlight these promising results, Neeland said. For example, compared with placebo, taking semaglutide led to greater relief of symptoms, physical limitations, and exercise function and reduced inflammation and body weight in the STEP-HFpEF trial. These improvements were seen across all categories of heart failure, regardless of left ventricular ejection fraction status. The SELECT trial randomized 17,604 patients (mean age, 61.6 years, mean BMI, 33.4) to receive either semaglutide or placebo. Of these, roughly a quarter had a history of heart failure at enrollment. All patients had overweight or obesity and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Treatment with semaglutide reduced major adverse cardiovascular events and composite heart failure endpoints compared with placebo, regardless of heart failure subtype. And the SUMMIT trial randomized 731 patients with heart failure and obesity to receive either tirzepatide or placebo, with a median follow-up time of 104 weeks. The two primary endpoints were composite of adjudicated death from cardiovascular causes or a worsening heart failure event and the change from baseline to 52 weeks on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Clinical Summary Score. Treatment with tirzepatide resulted in a lower risk for the primary outcome compared with treatment with placebo and also led to improved health status. Which Strategy Is Best? Many clinicians wonder what strategy to choose for their patients as both bariatric surgery and medication can lead to improvement in cardiovascular symptoms. Neeland said the treatment approach for each individual patient should 'take into account the degree of weight loss desired, patient factors such as comorbidities and risk for individual treatments, patient preferences, cost, and long-term durability.' Ultimately, he added, 'the best treatment is the one that works, that the patient can sustain, and that doesn't increase risk for harm or adverse effects.' Several studies investigating both approaches might help inform the decision. An observational study of Medicare-enrolled patients with heart failure and obesity examined associations between bariatric surgery and all-cause mortality, hospitalizations for heart failure and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with a BMI ≥ 35. Secondary analyses examined the association of anti-obesity medications including semaglutide, liraglutide, naltrexone-bupropion, and orlistat with these outcomes. Bariatric surgery was significantly associated with reduction in all three outcomes. Anti-obesity medications were associated with improvement in two of the three outcomes — decreased all-cause mortality and decreased hospitalization — but not with decreased incidence of AF. The findings both regarding bariatric surgery and regarding pharmacotherapy were consistent, regardless of the ejection fraction of the patients (preserved vs reduced). Some research suggests that bariatric surgery may have longer-term, sustainable benefits compared with GLP-1 drugs, Benziger said. A matched cohort study of patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes compared both strategies and found that surgery was associated with a lower risk for major adverse cardiovascular effects or all-cause mortality compared with medical treatment, during an 8-year period. And a meta-analysis encompassing 427 patients including randomized controlled trials that followed patients for 5-10 years found surgery superior to medical weight loss for several cardiac parameters, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular risk. Cost is a major factor to consider when deciding which approach to choose. The study of Medicare-enrolled patients with heart failure and obesity found that initiation of both types of anti-obesity treatment following the index heart failure hospitalization was substantially delayed. Many who qualified for bariatric surgery or treatment with GLP-1 drugs didn't receive them due to a variety of systemic barriers, including socioeconomic factors. The role of treatment cost is important because once people discontinue GLP-1s, they tend to regain the weight. To maintain the benefits, patients may have to take these drugs on a chronic basis, Benziger said. And as they can be expensive, long-term treatment might be out of reach for many. They might discontinue use and regain the weight and any cardiovascular benefits they had accrued might dissipate. Neeland said he agrees that cost is an obstacle to treatment with GLP-1 drugs. 'There are many patients I'd like to start on a GLP-1, but their insurance doesn't cover these medications and they can't afford the out-of-pocket costs.' There are also barriers to receiving bariatric surgery, Benziger pointed out. 'One big issue with weight-loss surgery has been the strict criteria surrounding who does and doesn't qualify. Nowadays, it's easier to walk into a doctor's office and say, my sister lost weight on Wegovy and the doctor can prescribe it.' Back to Diet and Exercise Neeland and Benzinger said they agree that, while lifestyle interventions may not be sufficient to fully confer lasting weight loss with cardiovascular benefits, they're necessary components of any weight-loss strategy. The standard American diet, which is high in sugar, saturated fat, ultra-processed foods, and animal products promotes weight gain, metabolic dysregulation, and systemic inflammation. Caloric reduction and moderate to vigorous physical activity (≥ 150 minutes/wk of aerobic exercise and 2 days/wk of muscle strengthening activity) are important components of an overall program to improve cardiovascular health and reduce risk. 'With either approach — whether bariatric surgery or GLP-1 — it's important to keep working on diet, lifestyle, and physical activity,' Benziger said. 'But some people need that extra 'boost' to get to that 10%-30% weight loss.' Neeland said he prefers to recommend treatment with GLP-1s before suggesting bariatric surgery when lifestyle interventions aren't sufficient. 'I recommend bariatric surgery in settings in which the patient isn't responsive to the combination of lifestyle changes plus medication, or the patient cannot tolerate medication, or the other categories for which the guidelines recommend it,' he said. Benziger added that it's difficult to be physically active with morbid obesity because of the mechanical strain of the weight on the joints and other effects, such as shortness of breath. 'But once a patient has started losing weight by medication or bariatric surgery, it becomes easier to have a healthy lifestyle and maintain the weight loss,' she said.
Medscape
16-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
‘Allergen Free' Sunscreen? Take a Closer Look
SAN DIEGO — More than half of popular sunscreens advertised as 'hypoallergenic,' 'allergen free,' and 'allergy free' contain at least one allergen that could trigger allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a new study reported. 'We discovered an exorbitant amount of sunscreens with marketing claims that were not accurate,' said University Hospitals, Cleveland, dermatologist Chandler Rundle, MD, co-author of the report, which was presented here at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigative Dermatology. 'While the most reliable claim was 'sensitive skin,'' he told Medscape Medical News , 'more than a quarter of products [with that label] still had a relevant allergen.' Sensitivity to sunscreen is common, but actual allergy to ingredients appears to be quite rare. A 2013 study reported that only 0.9% of 23,908 patch-tested patients had sunscreen coded as an allergen. Still, 'ACD on the face, eyelids, ears, or other sensitive areas can be deeply concerning to patients and negatively impact their mental wellness,' Rundle said. 'ACD can go undiagnosed or undertreated for months and even years.' For the new study, he and his coauthors looked for North American Contact Dermatitis Society Core Allergens in the ingredients of 200 sunscreens. All the products were among the 40 sunscreens listed first — either by popularity or 'relevance' — when searches were performed on the websites of Amazon, CVS, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart. Of the 200 sunscreens, 88.5% had at least one allergen, 35.5% had at least two, 18.5% had at least three, and 2.0% had at least five. The top five most commonly identified allergens were fragrance (53.5%), phenoxyethanol (44.5%), ethylhexylglycerin (29.5%), propylene glycol (18%), and methacrylate (17.0%). Allergens were more commonly found in non-tinted (64.6%) vs tinted (35.3%) products and in chemical (64.5%) and physical (65.9%) vs combination (26.7%) products. Products with lower sun protection factor (SPF) levels (< 30 SPF, 45.5%; SPF 30-60, 62.2%) were less likely to contain allergens than products with the highest levels (> 60 SPF, 76.9%). Also, products labeled as 'gentle' were more likely to contain allergens (66.7%) than those with 'dermatologist recommended' (55.9%), 'hypoallergenic,' 'allergen free, 'allergy tested' (52.9%), and 'sensitive skin' (26.2%) claims on their labels. Study lead author Andrew B. Fay, a student at Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, noted that 'companies can legally label products as 'fragrance-free' even if they contain fragrance chemicals as long as those ingredients serve another purpose, like moisturizing or preserving, and are not used 'solely to impart an odor to a product.'' Fay told Medscape Medical News that the US Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate claims like 'allergen-free,' 'hypoallergenic,' and 'dermatologist recommended.' Other studies have reached similar conclusions about allergens in sunscreens. A 2011 study examined 201 sunscreens and found that a high proportion contained the allergens oxybenzone (68%), fragrance (63%), and vitamin E (53%). The new study reported that 7.5% of products analyzed contained oxybenzone, and vitamin E was not listed. Walter Liszewski, MD, assistant professor of dermatology and preventive medicine at Northwestern University, Chicago, who was not involved in the study, told Medscape Medical News that there are common misconceptions about skin reactions to allergens. Patients may think they are allergic because they develop rashes after exposure, he said. 'The reality is that most rashes people get from sunscreens aren't due to an allergy. Rather, it's because the sunscreens are so irritating. They're just inherently irritating on the skin.' Sunscreens with higher SPFs are especially irritating, said Liszewski, who specializes in ACD. 'Many patients who complain of having sunscreen allergies are just using sunscreens with too high of an SPF.' He advised dermatologists to 'not be afraid to encourage [sensitive] patients to use a lower SPF like SPF 30, SPF 20, or even SPF 15. If a patient can tolerate a low SPF sunscreen, it suggests that their sensitivities to the sunscreen are due to irritancy and not an allergy. But if they continue to develop rash with a lower SPF, then that patient should be referred to a patch test expert to undergo allergy testing.' Mineral-based sunscreens such as those with titanium or zinc are other options for sensitive patients, Liszewski said, although they can leave a white residue on the skin and sometimes sting or burn. Fragrance-free products can also be helpful, he said, although he agreed with Fay that this phrasing is a sticky area on the marketing front. A sunscreen may include a claim that it's fragrance-free, he said, when it contains an ingredient such as lavender oil for a purpose other than odor, such as serving as a moisturizer. While the lavender oil 'is not intentionally being used as a fragrance, [the sunscreen] is going to have a strong lavender scent,' Liszewski said.
