In the News

UCI Receives $200M Gift to Launch New Health School

The Prostate Cancer Foundation, in Collaboration With World's Leading Researchers, Publish Standard Setting Comprehensive Patient Guide

2017 Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Complementary and Alternative Medicine awarded to Dr. Dugald Seely, ND, M.Sc.

Bio-Techne Releases A Highly Sensitive and Specific Serological Assay to Detect Zika Virus Infections

AAOMS issues opioid prescribing recommendations

New Review: Roles of Vitamins K2 & D for Children’s Bone Health

UCI Receives $200M Gift to Launch New Health School

The University of California–Irvine announced Monday it will launch a new College of Health Sciences to teach interdisciplinary integrative health, thanks to a $200 million donation from philanthropists Susan and Henry Samueli.

"The Samuelis have been amazing supporters of the promotion of health in general for a very long time," UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman told U.S. News. "We have big ambitions. We think that moving from just a focus on disease to a focus on wellness broadly defined is the right strategy."

The new college will encompass the existing University of California–Irvine School of Medicine and the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, as well as two other programs – pharmaceutical sciences and public health – that will be expanded into formal schools of pharmacy and population health. The existing Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine – an academic center and clinic focused on research, education and the practice of complementary and alternative medicine such as acupuncture, naturopathy, Chinese herbal medicine and lifestyle programs – will become the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and will support multidisciplinary research.

"Not only is the public demanding it, the medical students are demanding it," Susan Samueli says of merging conventional health care with alternative modalities. Health and wellness, she points out, are not just for the wealthy. "We want everybody to be able to experience this. Which means that every clinic and every physician needs to be educated."

"The goal is to make integrative health the standard of care," says Henry Samueli. "That they look at lifestyle, the holistic view of your health, in addition to the standard medical treatments you would normally use as well. It's the whole picture that we're looking at."

In spite of major medical advances like sequencing genomes and molecular medicine, problems persist when it comes to U.S. population health – and medical costs in the country have risen.

"Conventional medicine has proven that there needs to be other components added to it in order for it to deliver on the promise of personalizing care so we can improve population health," says Dr. Howard Federoff, vice chancellor for health affairs at UCI.

Integrative health is holistic, he explains. "It embodies the molecule, the cell, the organ, the patient, their family and their community. And so it's across those axes that we actually understand more about what puts people at risk for disease, how to find them early, how to intervene earlier in a preventive way, how to stabilize and promote well-being."

Addressing mental health, emotional health and social indicators of health are important parts of having a holistic approach to health care, but alternative health needs to become more accessible before the public – and health insurance companies – see the benefit, explains Dr. Shaista Malik, a cardiologist and the director of the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine.

"Up to now, this kind of care has only been available to a select few," she says. "We have to show that there's evidence in improving outcomes, in decreasing costs, in improving quality, hitting the tripartite mission. Only then will insurance companies start to reimburse for it, because they'll see a cost savings."

Henry Samueli, an engineer who co-founded Broadcom Corp. and is a professor of electrical engineering at the University of California–Los Angeles, and Susan Samueli, who holds a Ph.D. in nutrition from the American Holistic College of Nutrition and has worked in alternative health care, have a long history of supporting health care research and STEM education.

Besides the $5.7 million gift they gave UCI in 2000 to establish the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, which also hosts integrative medical practices in cities throughout Orange County, California, the couple has helped found a public charter school for science, technology, engineering and math in Santa Ana, and are affiliated with the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at the UCLA, the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library at Chapman University and The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at UCI. Their foundation is focused on STEM education, youth services, fighting anti-Semitism and promoting integrative health.

Of this most recent gift to UCI, $50 million will go to constructing a building to house the new college, and $5 million is earmarked for state-of-the-art technology and labs. The remaining $145 million will be used to endow up to 15 faculty chairs across the medicine, nursing, pharmacy and population health disciplines; clinical services, research and education in the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute; and cross-departmental research as well as scholarships and grants. The gift is the largest in the school's history, and the seventh-largest gift to a single public university.

Just as an overuse of antibiotics has led to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, an overreliance on medication has led to drug-resistant pain and the rise of the opioid epidemic in the U.S. Mind-body practices and alternative modalities like acupuncture can help patients deal with pain in a non-pharmaceutical way, Susan Samueli points out. But integrative health goes far beyond simply adding alternative therapies.

"Computer science and big data and analytics, artificial intelligence," says Henry Samueli. "We're collecting all this data about people, their genetics, so if you can use advanced analytical techniques to extract some useful information out of it, I can see lots of collaborative research projects to come from this gift."

"I think integrative medicine is a perfect name for it," Susan Samueli adds. "Because it means you can bring anything that works into the fold to solve your problems."

The Prostate Cancer Foundation, in Collaboration With World's Leading Researchers, Publish Standard Setting Comprehensive Patient Guide

The Prostate Cancer Foundation, in honor of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month this September, today released the Prostate Cancer Patient Guide, a new, comprehensive health guide for prostate cancer patients, of whom there are estimated to be three million in the United States. The 36-page patient guide, available for download at http://www.pcf.org/2017patient/, was compiled using the expertise from doctors and researchers from leading cancer institutes around the United States including: University of Michigan, Duke University, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of California Los Angeles, New York University, Northwestern University, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School.

Unlike previous patient resources, the Prostate Cancer Patient Guide is geared not just towards patients and caregivers, but the whole family. It provides helpful in-depth information for navigating a prostate cancer, offering details on the most up-to-date life-extending treatments for men with metastatic prostate cancer. The guide also introduces precision medicine as a tool for curing patients and families across all cancer types.

"PCF research is increasingly revealing the genetic underpinnings of cancer across cancer types," said Prostate Cancer Foundation President & CEO Jonathan Simons, M.D. "Family members must take the time to understand how genes that run in families can affect their health.  This is not just for men - and not just for prostate cancer - but for all men and women and sons and daughters and grandchildren in the family. And it goes across all cancer types."

The guide is provided for free in both digital and printed copy. Prostate cancer patient and former Washington Postreporter Bill Curry said, "Today's cancer decision making is an obstacle course. I wish there had been something like this 10 years ago when I was diagnosed: a one-place go-to to foster a meaningful discussion with a doctor. Thanks to the PCF, there's so much more knowledge out there today to factor in and absorb."

2017 Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Complementary and Alternative Medicine awarded to Dr. Dugald Seely, ND, M.Sc.

The 2017 Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Complementary and Alternative Medicinewas awarded to Dr. Dugald Seely of the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre (OICC) at a gala award dinner held on September 14th in Vancouver, BC.

Dr. Seely is a leader in the development of the field of integrative and naturopathic oncology. He is the founder and executive director of the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre (OICC) and the executive director of research at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. As a clinician and researcher, Dr. Seely believes strongly in the ability of evidence-based medicine to effect positive change in the health-care system and is actively building credibility and appeal for integrative oncology in Canada and internationally.

As a researcher, Dr. Seely has led numerous clinical studies and recently launched the largest integrative naturopathic cancer care clinical trial ever conducted in North America. The $3.85 million Thoracic POISE evaluation is an eleven year study that will explore the impact of integrative cancer care for patients with lung and gastroesophageal cancers in conjunction with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. Dr. Seely's randomized clinical trial for cardiovascular disease prevention through naturopathic medicine was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) in 2013 – the first and only example of a clinical trial on naturopathy being published by a high impact medical journal.

With the establishment of the first integrative cancer care and research centre in Eastern Canada, Dr. Seely and his team are providing whole-person integrative care to people living with cancer and addressing research gaps in whole-systems of cancer care. In addition to his roles in research administration and outreach, Dr. Seely maintains a healthy clinical practice, drives innovative programming and has made a profound impact in the area of integrative medical practice and research in Canada.

Founded in 2007, the $250,000 Dr. Rogers Prize for Excellence in Complementary and Alternative Medicine highlights the important contributions of complementary and alternative medicine to health care. Funded by Vancouver's Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, the Prize is awarded every two years and is the largest of its kind.

The Dr. Rogers Prize recognizes those who embody the same level of vision, leadership, and integrity as that of the late Dr. Roger Hayward Rogers. Among the first physicians to provide non-traditional therapies for cancer patients, Dr. Rogers was appointed to the Order of British Columbia in 2001 in recognition of his ground-breaking work.

Bio-Techne Releases A Highly Sensitive and Specific Serological Assay to Detect Zika Virus Infections

R&D Systems®, a Bio-Techne brand, announced today the release of a new rapid, solid phase, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed to measure anti-Zika virus immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in human serum. A unique feature of this assay is that, prior to performing the test, samples are pre-treated with a proprietary reagent designed to minimize any interfering proteins present in the serum which could produce a false positive result. In-house testing demonstrates that this kit is highly sensitive to anti-Zika virus IgG and displays minimal cross-reactivity with dengue virus IgG antibodies.

R&D Systems® Anti-Zika Virus IgG ELISA Kit will benefit researchers that need an accurate serological method of detecting Zika virus infection in samples collected five or more days following the onset of symptoms. It will be particularly useful for researchers that are testing samples collected from areas where Zika virus and Dengue virus co-circulate since it is specifically designed to minimize interfering proteins that may be present in the serum. This ensures that the assay will clearly distinguish between Zika virus and Dengue virus and eliminates the likelihood of a false positive result due to a previous flavivirus infection or vaccination. Furthermore, since approximately 80% of the individuals infected with the Zika virus don't realize that they are infected and IgG antibodies persist for such a long time following infection, this kit can be used to detect prior infections and determine whether the Zika virus may be linked to subsequent neurological disorders or fetal abnormalities. 

To enable researchers to learn more about this new test, R&D Systems will be hosting an educational webinar describing how the test was developed, how it compares to other Zika virus tests, and best practices for its use in the laboratory setting. To learn more and to register for this webinar, please go to https://www.rndsystems.com/blog/emergence-zika-virus-and-methods-detection

Dave Eansor, Senior Vice President of Bio-Techne's Biotechnology Division, commented, "With the recent Zika virus outbreak, we recognize the need for more research dedicated to understanding the biology of emerging viruses. We are excited to contribute to this field by focusing on the development of new reagents for detecting viral infections and monitoring anti-viral immune responses." 

This assay is Bio-Techne's second innovative tool for Zika research, as it complements the RNAscope® assay for Zika virus detection available from Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD), a Bio-Techne brand.  This product also provides a robust and accurate method to detect low levels of viral RNA in virtually any tissue sample.  The ACD RNAscope® in situ hybridization technology preserves the morphology of infected tissues, enabling the detection of viral RNA in a morphological context.

For more information on Bio-Techne and its brands, please visit www.bio-techne.com. 

AAOMS issues opioid prescribing recommendations

In response to the nationwide opioid epidemic, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) released prescribing recommendations today that urge ibuprofen – rather than opioids – to be used as a first-line therapy to manage a patient's acute and post-surgical pain.

Recognizing the value and importance of the doctor-patient relationship, the AAOMS White Paper "Opioid Prescribing: Acute and Postoperative Pain Management" stresses that practitioners should be allowed to make individualized pain management decisions for their patients – including drug types, dosages and treatment durations.

If opioids are considered, AAOMS recommends doctors begin with the lowest possible effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Long-acting or extended-release opioids should be avoided as a starting treatment, the document advises. As an alternative, doctors are reminded that ibuprofen and acetaminophen – taken simultaneously – can rival opioids in their analgesic effect.

"Patient safety is the top priority of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons," said AAOMS President Douglas W. Fain, DDS, MD, FACS. "Therefore, AAOMS has taken a leadership role in combatting the opioid epidemic afflicting this country. It is crucial for our doctors to responsibly prescribe based on individual patient needs and to use non-opioids when appropriate."

When using opioids to manage acute and post-surgical pain, it is recommended that doctors prescribe them safely and expertly, use the state's prescription-drug monitoring program, and inform patients and their families about opioids' potential risks as well as safe use, storage and disposal. Doctors also should remain aware of the most recent public health trends, including potential alternatives to opioids, the document advises.

The white paper recommendations are the work of a Special Committee on Opioid Prescribing appointed by the AAOMS Board of Trustees this spring.

"While oral and maxillofacial surgeons should ultimately make all final prescribing decisions, the recommendations in this AAOMS White Paper are intended to provide direction and serve as a supportive resource," the document states.

Among recommendations:

• Prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, generically known as ibuprofen) as first-line pain-relief therapy, unless they are harmful to the patient. In that case, providers should prescribe acetaminophen.
• Document dosage levels and times of administration of ibuprofen and acetaminophen taken simultaneously to prevent overdosage.
• Inform patients not to exceed 3,200 milligrams of ibuprofen per day. In addition, the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen is 3,000 milligrams.
• Access the state's prescription drug-monitoring program or other resources if patient drug misuse is suspected.
• Document all instructions for each patient's pain relief and prescriptions.
• Document reasoning for not following these recommendations or those required by state laws or institutions. 
• Consider using a corticosteroid during surgery to limit swelling and lower post-surgical discomfort after wisdom teeth removal.
• Consider using a long-acting local anesthetic to postpone the onset and severity of post-surgical pain.

According to a 2017 AAOMS survey of its fellows and members, nearly 50 percent of respondents have decreased the number of narcotics they have prescribed for wisdom teeth extraction cases in the last two years. In addition, nearly 72 percent of respondents said they would refill a narcotic pain prescription only if they see the patient first.

The AAOMS white paper is available online at http://www.aaoms.org/docs/govt_affairs/advocacy_white_papers/opioid_prescribing.pdf.

New Review: Roles of Vitamins K2 & D for Children’s Bone Health

Evidence shows correcting deficiencies, specifically Vitamin K2, leads to stronger skeletal systems

OSLO, NORWAY and METUCHEN, NJ (September 7, 2017) – The Journal of the American College of Nutrition has published an important review paper that highlights the impact correcting nutritional insufficiencies, most importantly Vitamin K2 in combination with vitamin D and calcium, leading to a significantly less incidence of low-energy bone fractures in children and young adults.

According to Dr. Vladimir Badmaev, author of the paper and principal and founder of American Medical Holdings, Inc., “The epidemiological evidence indicates a disturbing growth in the number of cases of low-energy fractures in healthy children and adolescents. There are multiple risk factors that may contribute to this growing health concern, and deficient or insufficient nutrition and nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K are among leading considerations.”

Dr. Badmaev led an international research consortium with representatives in the United States and Poland to review the expansive body of research (epidemiological and human clinical) that shows environmental and nutritional factors that contribute to children’s bone health, the mechanisms and biological roles by which nutrients contribute to bone health in children and young adults, and the status of nutrient insufficiency and deficiency of these nutrients.

Badmaev explains that the the particular role of vitamin K2, especially menaquinone-7 (MK-7), has been highlighted in the literature recently and distinguished from vitamin K1 in maintaining calcium homeostasis and healthy skeletal system. “The epidemiological and clinical research provides a new nutritional paradigm for efficient and safe delivery of calcium that requires co-supplementation with both fat-soluble vitamins D and K.”

“This review is so very significant, providing supporting evidence to the clinical research NattoPharma has already spearheaded,” says Dr. Hogne Vik, chief medical officer with NattoPharma ASA, world leaders in vitamin K2 reseaerch and development. “Not only has our research identified children as a group most deficient in Vitamin K2, but that just 45mcg of K2 (as NattoPharma’s MenaQ7®) daily improves K status and increases the activation of osteocalcin, the K-dependent protein responsible for binding calcium to the bone mineral matrix, therefore improving bone health.”

Badmaev concludes, “The new proposed nutritional regimen may not only prevent low-energy fractures among children and young adults, but will also contribute to building the ‘bone bank’, therefore helping to prevent development of osteoporosis later in life and prevent untoward cardiovascular risk.”

Reference:

Karpinski M, Popko J, Maresz K, Badmaev V, Stohs SJ. Roles of Vitamins D and K, Nutrition, and Lifestyle

in Low-Energy Bone Fractures in Children and Young Adults. J Am Coll Nutr. 017 Jul;36(5):399-4012. Doi: 10.1080/07315724.2017.1307791.

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About NattoPharma and MenaQ7®

NattoPharma ASA, based in Norway, is the world’s leader in vitamin K2 research and development. NattoPharma is the exclusive international supplier of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7, the best documented, vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) with guaranteed actives and stability, clinical substantiation, and

international patents granted and pending. The company has a multi-year research and development program to substantiate and discover the health benefits of vitamin K2 for applications in the marketplace for functional food and dietary supplements. With a global presence, the company established its North American subsidiary, NattoPharma USA, Inc., in Metuchen, NJ, and NattoPharma R&D Ltd. in Cyprus. For more information, visit www.nattopharma.com or www.menaq7.com.