Treatment of pregnant patients with bone and joint injuries ... Science Daily Nearly one in 1000 pregnant women in the United States suffer bone and joint injuries due to car crashes, domestic violence, drug or alcohol use, ... and more »

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Treatment of pregnant patients with bone and joint injuries ... - Science Daily

Single gene encourages growth of intestinal stem cells, supporting 'niche' cells, and cancer Science Daily A gene previously identified as critical for tumor growth in many human cancers also maintains intestinal stem cells and encourages the growth of cells that support them, according to results of a study led by Johns Hopkins researchers. The finding ... and more »

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Single gene encourages growth of intestinal stem cells, supporting 'niche' cells, and cancer - Science Daily

Lynda McKenzie was in her early 30s when she started noticing some odd physical symptoms. She was a single mother of two who owned a small crafts shop in Milton, Ontario, and everyday tasks at home and work were becoming more challenging. My right leg was dragging, I had a slight tremor and my voice was getting softer, says McKenzie. Also, my writing was getting smaller it seemed like messages werent going from my brain to my hands.

Dr. Claire Henchcliffe

As time went on, her symptoms became more intense, and in 1987 McKenzie went to a doctor who diagnosed her with Parkinsons disease. At age 34, the news came as a shock, but it was helpful because she could finally seek treatments that might help. One included a double-blind placebo surgical study led by Dr. Curt Freed of the University of Colorado. Half the patients enrolled in the study received a transplantation of fetal brain tissue cells meant to change the brains chemistry and alleviate Parkinsons symptoms. One of those patients was McKenzie.Two decades later, Weill Cornell Medicine physician-scientist Dr. Claire Henchcliffe, decided to revisit Dr. Freeds study which, at the time it was conducted, was considered groundbreaking and potentially game-changing. As a clinician-scientist focused on studying the pathology of Parkinsons disease for decades, she wondered how the surviving patients were doing today, and what implications that might have for contemporary research into stem cell-based transplants for Parkinsons patients. No one had systematically gone back to see how effective the tissue injections had been over the long term, says Dr. Henchcliffe, an associate professor in the Department of Neurology and the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute. Knowing how these patients are doing could provide insight and direction for future research.

BRAIN SCANS: PET images of a healthy volunteer (box A) and of a man whos had Parkinsons for eight years (box B). Photo Provided.

During the transplant study, which ran from May 1995 to January 1998, Dr. Freed and his colleagues surgically implanted fetal brain tissue into patients brains in the hope of replenishing their levels of dopamine a chemical that helps coordinate the bodys movements, but which is depleted by Parkinsons. Overall, within a year of the procedure, the patients dopamine levels did increase. Unfortunately, though, the transplants didnt offer the cure that McKenzie and her fellow patients had wished for: their symptoms relented for a while, but ultimately returned. Their disease continued to progress, albeit more slowly than it might have otherwise.

The patients Dr. Henchcliffe met with had been diagnosed at an early age and had been living with Parkinsons for a long time at least 28 years and as long as 36 which is unusual among patients with early Parkinsons diagnoses, who usually have a decreased life expectancy compared to those diagnosed later in life. In the three who received PET scans, her team found that the implanted fetal tissue had survived in its intended location in the brain. Whats more, she says, the patients levels of dopamine were a lot more robust than what youd expect at this late stage of Parkinsons disease. That increased dopamine had had a generally helpful effect: their symptoms, while serious, were markedly less severe than what doctors would have anticipatedinthe normal course of Parkinsons. They were functioning at a higher-than- expected level, Dr. Henchcliffe says, which was a big surprise. They took comparatively few medications, and two were walking without walkers and living independently.

While Dr. Freeds study did not ultimately revolutionize Parkinsons treatment, Dr. Henchcliffe says, it offers valuable insights into how todays neuroscientists may design cell transplant therapies, and suggests that tissue transplants that deliver dopamine into the brain could provide a durable, long-lasting treatment for Parkinsons disease. Building on the promise of the long-term results of Dr. Freeds study, Dr. Henchcliffe is eager to explore with a team of collaborators at Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center how human embryonic stem cells could improve the lives of Parkinsons patients: Dr. Henchcliffe believes that dopamine neurons derived from the stem cells would more accurately and effectively promote the brains production of dopamine. Pharmaceutical treatments can add dopamine to the brain, but they arent perfect: they require people to take medication for life, and they have limitations over the long term, says Dr. Henchcliffe. A transplant approach, on the other hand, could get to the root of the problem.The added dopamine did not appear to help alleviate all symptoms of Parkinsons, however, just some of the lost motor skills; some patients still experienced the depression, dizziness on standing and drooling commonly seen in the disease. And Dr. Henchcliffe also found that the added tissue had caused some adverse effects normally only associated with very late stages of Parkinsons and with overdoses of some Parkinsons medications. Three patients were suffering from involuntary jerking movements, called dyskinesia, and one developed oral-facial dystonia a lack of control over the mouth, tongue and jaw muscles that caused grimacing.

- Erica Cirino

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Back to the Future - Cornell Chronicle

Stem Cell Therapy

We were recently featured in an interview with KING-5 news on stem cell therapy. If you would like to see that interview, please click here.

*Please note this page is currently under editing*

Regenerative cells promote healing and regeneration of injured ordamaged tissue. Stem cells are regenerative cells that can differentiateinto multiple cell types to form new functional tissue. Regenerative cells may also secrete factors that reduce autoimmune responses and inflammation, promote cell survival, and stimulate tissue regeneration. Researchdone over the last decade has shown remarkable results with the use of stemcell therapy in treatingosteoarthritis, as well as aiding in the recovery of dogs that have undergone an orthopedic surgical procedure. The procedure is completed same-day, and is performed using a small sample of your dog's abdominal adipose (fat) tissue.

The Adipose Stem Cell procedure has been used successfully on many Dogs, Cats and Horses for the treatment of osteoarthritis and bone and ligament injuries both here in the United States and overseas.

This procedure is now available here in Seattle by Mayo Veterinary Services. In fact, we arethe only mobile veterinary practice in Seattle to offer this groundbreaking, totally "in house" therapy.

Stem Cell Procedure can be an alternative to:

Frequently Asked Questions

First of all you'll need to understand what stem cells are and what they actually do. Stem cells are special in that they can differentiate into many different types of tissue including muscle, nerve, cartilage, bone,fat, liver, and so on. They occur naturally in the body and are drawn to areas which are damaged. They then quickly act to repair the damaged tissue. Studies have shown that these stem cells help repair damaged cartilage and bone tissue, decrease inflammation (and pain), heal damaged cells, prevent further cell deterioration, and promote active tissue regeneration.

Unlike the stem cell therapy that has been used in human medicine for many years - this new technology uses only adult stem cells harvested from the pet's own body. This means no fetal cells are involved so no ethical or moral values are at stake.

It's a completely natural therapy - just the body healing itself with a little help from modern technology.

It has been discovered that "dormant" stem cells are found in large quantities in body fat.

First, we harvest these "dormant" stem cells by removing around 10 grams of fat from your pet's body through a small incision in the abdomen. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes around 15 minutes. We also take a sample of your pet's blood to harvest the platelet rich plasma, which is then added to the stem cell sample. For more information on platelet rich plasma, seethe tab labeled Platelet Enhanced Therapy. This sample then undergoes a series of patented processing steps in our "in house" laboratory until a final concentrated suspension of of activated stem cells is obtained. Portions of this final suspension are then injected back into your pets' painful joints or bloodstream to ensure maximum potency. This final step is performed under sedation or short general anesthesia, depending on the individual case. Because the whole laboratory process is performed in house, the whole procedure is completed in just one day.

So far, many thousands of dogs, cats and horses worldwide have received the Adipose Stem Cell treatment and studies have shown that 80% of dogs showed an improved quality of life. Some dogs treated in the clinical trials were able to completely give up their daily non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID)medications, and many others were able to reduce their daily dose just 90 days after treatment:

Owners have reported:

At the moment, Stem Cell Therapy is limited to arthritis and damage to orthopedic soft tissue damage (joints, ligaments, cartilage, tendons) and fractures. We are using it for other purposes on a limited basis, to include urinary incontinence, allergies, kidney failure, and some liver disease. We are also treating Degenerative Myelopathy in some dogs.

Stem cell therapy is not suitable for cancer patients or patients with active infections.

No. All patients must undergo a thorough screening process for suitability. This generally involves X-Rays of the affected joints, abdominal and chest area (to rule out tumors) as well as blood tests (to rule out any other underlying disease).

No. Stem Cell therapy is not a"cure-all" for all bone and soft tissue damage. Results between individual cases will vary. Its effectiveness as a therapy has only been highlighted through thousands of reports on pets having undergone the procedure.

We can only rely on the data obtained through documented case studies to support the procedure. An old dog with arthritis can't become a puppy again, but we hope to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by the disease,thereby providing better quality of life. We also expect greater mobility and less reliance on medications after the procedure.

There are risks involved with any anesthetic procedure, and it is important to talk with your veterinarian about theseprior toscheduling any surgery. Beyond the potential anesthetic risk, there is very minimal risk involved in this procedure. First of all, the surgery and all laboratory processing is performed under strict aseptic conditions so there's little risk of infection. Secondly, all injected cells come from your own pet so there is no rejection by the body. Finally - the stem cells harvested from your pet are not modified in any way. They are simply activated so that they can do the job nature has intended for them.

Rest is important for 30 days following the procedure, combined with limited exercise and some physical therapy which you can easily do at home. Your vet will explain details of the aftercare, includingthe necessary progress checks. Stem cell treatment is an exciting technological breakthrough for humans and animals alike, and we are just now beginning to discover its many benefits.

If you believe your pet may be a candidate for Stem Cell treatment, please contact us to arrange an initial consultation to discuss your pets' suitability and for us to answer any further questions you may have.

Stem cell preparation requires a short surgical procedure in which Dr. Mayo will harvest a small amount of fat from your dog's abdomen. Then, in about 90 minutes,he will prepare the stem cells for injection into the proposed treatment area. The costs are much cheaper than they havehistorically been, and the procedure is performed in one visit to the doctor's office.

For more information on stem cell therapy, please call Dr. Mayo at 425-967-7999.

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Stem Cell Therapy - Mayo Veterinary Services

For immediate release

The Morehead-Cain Foundation announces its Class of 2021

Sixty-six new Morehead-Cain Scholars from across North Carolina, the US and the world will matriculate at UNC-Chapel Hill this fall

(Chapel Hill, N.C. April 28, 2017) The Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the U.S. and founded at the first public university in the country, is proud to announce its class of 2021.

This fall, Morehead-Cain will welcome to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 66 new Morehead-Cain Scholars from across North Carolina, the U.S. and the world. The class of 2021 includes:

The Morehead-Cain Scholarship covers all expenses for four years of undergraduate study at UNC-Chapel Hill. It also features a distinctive program of summer enrichment experiences designed to support students as they learn and grow. During the course of four summers, scholars will have opportunities to complete an outdoor leadership course, commit themselves to public service in the U.S. or abroad, conduct research at sites around the world and gain experience in private enterprise.

The Summer Enrichment Program is complemented by the Morehead-Cain Discovery Fund. Scholars are encouraged and receive financial support to more deeply explore their interests, whether those involve studying under celebrated artists, attending leadership retreats or obtaining wilderness first responder certification. From researching food and agriculture industries in Iceland to examining the impact of innovation and entrepreneurship in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans, Morehead-Cain Scholars have the resources to pursue educational opportunities wherever they may find them.

As set out in the programs founding documents, selection criteria for the Morehead-Cain are leadership, moral force of character, academic achievement and physical vigor. Morehead-Cain recipients are chosen solely on the basis of merit and accomplishment.

More than 200 Morehead-Cain Scholars study on campus, making outstanding contributions across the full range of University life. From student government to community service to the performing arts, Morehead-Cain Scholars play a prominent role in Carolinas vibrant student community. For example, during the past ten years, six student body presidents, four student attorneys general and four honor court chairs have all been Morehead-Cains.

Since 2000, 14 Morehead-Cain Scholars have won Rhodes Scholarships to Englands Oxford University, one of the worlds most competitive and prestigious awards for graduate study. Since the first Morehead Scholars graduated from Carolina in 1957, 31 of UNCs 34 Rhodes Scholars have been Morehead-Cain Scholars.

Morehead-Cains have accounted for 25 of the Universitys 38 Luce Scholars and 19 of Carolinas 30 Truman Scholars, among the nations most generous and distinguished awards for graduate study. Twenty-seven Morehead-Cain Scholars have won Fulbright Fellowships, three have won Gates Cambridge Scholarships for graduate study at the University of Cambridge in England and two Morehead-Cains were among the inaugural class of Schwarzman Scholars, an elite China-based graduate scholarship that enrolled its first students in 2016.

Like the scholars, the 3,000 Morehead-Cain Alumni across the world are a diverse and distinguished group. They include:

Founded in 1945, the Morehead-Cain has been a model for countless merit awards throughout the United States. These include the University of Virginias Jefferson Scholars Program, Duke Universitys Benjamin N. Duke Scholars Program and Emory Universitys Woodruff Scholars Program.

For more information, visit http://www.moreheadcain.org/ or call the Foundation at (919) 962-1201. Portraits of scholarship recipients can be downloaded at http://unc.photoshelter.com.

Class of 2021

New Morehead-Cain Scholars are listed below alphabetically by North Carolina county, state and country. Students noted with an asterisk (*) are listed in more than one location.

NORTH CAROLINA

AlamanceLauren Emily Gornto will graduate this spring from Western Alamance High School in Elon, where she is director of WA Cappella, her schools co-ed a cappella group. She arranges music, creates rehearsal and meeting agendas and helps lead the award-winning group. Lauren also sits on Alamance Childrens Theatre Board of Directors, has served as her classs president each year since her first in high school, and formed an after-school tutoring program at her former middle school. She is interested in exploring law and chemistry. Lauren is the daughter of Meredith and John Gornto Jr. of Burlington.

BertieJason Ray Cowan will graduate this spring from Bertie Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics High School in Windsor, where he is president of the STEM Senior Beta Club, vice president of the Student Government Association and a defense attorney for teen court. Jason has helped several teens avoid criminal punishments in exchange for performing community service. He also enjoys running and has served as captain of the distance team. Jason is excited to study English, business and law. He is the son of Robbie and Tonya Cowan of Lewiston.

BuncombeWilliam Grant Everist (Grant) will graduate this spring from Asheville High School in Asheville, where he is very involved with student government, serving for all four years and focusing on projects such as making prom and homecoming more affordable, teacher and staff appreciation breakfasts and leadership training. Grant is also president of the Spanish Club, runs his own business selling bracelets and has served as captain of his schools soccer, baseball, tennis and Frisbee teams. He is interested in studying international relations and economics. Grant is the son of William and Mary Everist of Asheville.

Sophia Wessels Swift (Sophie) will graduate this spring from North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, where her love of dance has led her to choreograph her schools productions of Legally Blonde and Footloose. Sophie also serves as student body vice president and co-captain of the girls varsity tennis team and is a member of the Kai Orbus robotics team. She is interested in studying math and physics and may pursue a career in biomedical engineering or teaching. She is the daughter of Todd and Tami Swift of Weaverville.

BurkeAndrew Philip McRacken (Drew) will graduate this spring from Freedom High School in Morganton, where he started Bulldogs in the Lab, an interactive program that teaches elementary school students about science. He also serves as drum captain in his schools award-winning marching band, is a leader in his churchs youth group and co-founded his schools first 3D printing club. Drew is interested in learning about biomedical engineering and biochemistry and is thinking about careers in medicine. He is the son of Mark McRacken and Lisa Moses of Mooresville.

CabarrusKelsie Naomi King will graduate this spring from Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg, where she is student body president, an officer in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club, and captain of youth ushers at The Park Church. Kelsie also built the volunteer relationship between her school and Carillon Assisted Living Center, as well as coordinated her schools first annual Jingle Bell Run. Kelsie is interested in studying biology and biochemistry. She is the daughter of Kelsey and Michelle King of Harrisburg.

CumberlandNathan John Pait will graduate this spring from Village Christian Academy in Fayetteville, where he is student body president, organizing fundraisers, community-service events and student experiences, such as Homecoming Week. He is also a member of the Mock Trial team and editor-in-chief of the yearbook, and he loves to act in school shows and community theater. Nathan is interested in studying biology and chemistry. He is the son of Kevin and Janna Pait of Fayetteville.

DuplinRichard Foster Livingston will graduate this spring from Wallace-Rose Hill High School in Teachey, where he is co-president of his schools chapter of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and treasurer of Student Government. Richard is also an Eagle Scout, founded his schools first Quiz Bowl team and serves as volunteer coordinator for the Carolina Strawberry Festival. Richard is interested in studying biology and Spanish and wants to explore careers in health care. He is the son of Matthew Livingston of Wallace and Manya Kline of Wake Forest.

Durham*Amruthansh Swamy Sriperumbudur (Amruth) will graduate this spring from the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics in Durham, where he is senior senator and head of the Outreach Committee. It is his job to help facilitate interactions between the student body, faculty and staff. Amruth is also a student researcher, captain of the Mock Trial team and plays on his schools two-time state championship-winning tennis team. He is interested in studying mathematics and business. Amruth is the son of Chakradhar and Srilaxmi Sriperumbudur of Cary.

GuilfordGrace Lane Fulton Henley (Laney) will graduate this spring from High Point Central High School in High Point, where she is president of the Rotary Interact Club, helping lead large events such as the Ending Hunger Games festival. She is also captain of the Mock Debate and Quiz Bowl teams and takes part in competitive saddlebred horse showing, placing second at the National Championships in 2015. Laney is interested in studying business and mathematics. She is the daughter of Grace and Arthur Henley III of High Point.

Pearce Armstrong Landry II will graduate this spring from Greensboro Day School in Greensboro, where he is the two-year captain of the nationally ranked boys varsity basketball team. Pearce also started the Service Through Sports club to give athletes a meaningful way to serve their community, founded Hoops for the Hungry and serves on Student Council. He is interested in studying finance and chemistry and is thinking about careers in business and finance. Pearce is the son of Pearce and Anne Landry of Greensboro.

Ashley Chandler Simpson (Chandler) will graduate this spring from Walter Hines Page High School in Greensboro, where she is an active volunteer with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has helped raise more than $100,000. She is also co-chair of the Youth Leadership of Greensboro, a program designed to teach students about Greensboros communities and issues, and serves as co-president of the Page High School Principals Council. Chandler is interested in studying journalism and art history and may pursue a career as a journalist. She is the daughter of Ashley and Evander Simpson IV of Greensboro.

HarnettMadison Grace Tart will graduate this spring from Triton High School in Erwin, where she volunteers and writes for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline blog. She is also student leader of the Triton High School Choral Ensemble, co-founder of the Creative Writing Club and co-founder of Project Unifya program designed to teach youth about current social issues. Madison is interested in studying psychology and chemistry. She is the daughter of Allen and Rani Tart of Erwin.

HaywoodLevi Thomas McCracken will graduate this spring from Haywood Early College High School in Clyde, where he is the Haywood Community College Student Government president, coordinating service projects, school events, and serving on the colleges board of trustees. He also is president of his schools peer mentor program, worked as a page in the North Carolina House of Representatives and volunteers at the Canton Central United Methodist Church. Levi is interested in studying political science and economics. He is the son of Mark and Crystal McCracken of Clyde.

IredellMarcella Francesca Pansini will graduate this spring from South Iredell High School in Statesville, where she is the president of Aprendemos Como Uno. ACU is a program that works with the Exceptional Childrens program to implement a Spanish curriculum and tutoring system. She also directed her schools production of the play Terra Nova and coaches for Kidzz Du Tri, an organization that teaches children how to improve their biking, swimming and running skills. Marcella is interested in studying international business and Spanish. She is the daughter of Abigayl and Michael Pansini Jr. of Mooresville.

LenoirAngel Rodolfo Gaona (Angel) will graduate this spring from North Lenoir High School in La Grange, where he is president of his schools chapter of the National Honor Society. He also volunteers at the Neuseway Nature Park Planetarium and the Down East ALS Walk, and is captain of the boys varsity soccer team. Angel also loves working under the hood of a car; he removed and replaced his first engine when he was only 15 years old. He is interested in studying mathematics, chemistry, and biology, and is thinking about a career as a surgeon. Angel is the son of Gregorio and Paula Gaona of La Grange.

MecklenburgLeslie Ruby Acosta Padilla will graduate this spring from Harding University High School in Charlotte, where she volunteers at Carolinas Medical Center, mentors middle school students who are making the leap to high school and leads the tutoring program Somos Unidos. Leslie is also the vice president of the Cultural and Leadership Club and captain of the girls varsity soccer team. She is interested in studying biology and public health and wants to explore a career in medicine. Leslie is the daughter Tesla Acosta of Charlotte.

Patrick Anderson Bradey will graduate this spring from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, where he is president of the Student Government Association, president of the Teen Democrats club and co-captain of the Academic World Quest team. He also serves on Myers Parks first Honor Council and is a Mustang Ambassador, leading tours for new students. Patrick is interested in studying foreign language and history and is considering a career in politics. He is the son of Christopher and Tracy Bradey of Charlotte.

Dennis Montgomery Cmiel (Denny) will graduate this spring from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, where he is an active member of the Christ Church Youth Group and a member of the churchs Youth Council. He has helped plan weekly meetings, dances, fundraisers and trips to Europe. Denny also loves basketball; he serves as captain of the boys varsity basketball team and coaches a girls recreational basketball team. Denny is interested in learning about business and theology and is thinking about a career in business management, ministry or coaching. He is the son of Craig and Joyce Cmiel of Charlotte.

Sara Rose Holley will graduate this spring from East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, where she created TEDxEastMecklenburgHighSchool. The event showcases student ideas and requires Sara to manage the speaker application process, coordinate the organizing team and raise money to pay for it. She also founded the Speech and Debate Club at her school, leads tours as an East Mecklenburg High School Ambassador and is ranked in the National Blackbelt League (Taekwondo). Sara is interested in studying social psychology, writing, and entrepreneurship. She is the daughter of John and Young Holley of Charlotte.

Sarah Dudley Sasz (Sally) will graduate this spring from Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte, where she is president of her schools chapter of the National Art Honor Society, working on projects such as bringing art and creativity to children in area hospitals and schools. She is also art editor of her schools art and literary magazine OPUS, mentors a student through Big Brothers Big Sisters and plays girls varsity tennis and basketball. Sally is interested in learning more about literature and writing. She is the daughter of Steven and Nancy Sasz of Charlotte.

New HanoverCamryn Gerard Kellogg will graduate this spring from Cape Fear Academy in Wilmington, where he has performed in more than a dozen theater productions since middle school. He has performed at the North Carolina Theater Conference three times. He is also an accomplished musician, playing the alto saxophone and performing at events nationwide. Camryn also found the A-Team, an asthma awareness club. He is interested in studying biology and math and may pursue a career in medicine or music. He is the son of Robert and Laura Kellogg of Wilmington.

Mina Yakubu will graduate this spring from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, where she created the International Club to create opportunities for students to learn about their classmates and cultures. She also serves as senior class president, takes part in the judicial process as a member of New Hanover Teen Court, and is captain of the color guard and girls varsity lacrosse. Mina is interested in studying African, African American, and Diaspora studies and political science. She is the daughter of Awudu Yakubu and Grace Abrokwah of Wilmington.

OnslowAlexandria Leigh Chadwick will graduate this spring from Swansboro High School in Swansboro, where she is president of the Swansboro Area Youth Development Foundation. She has helped lead efforts that raised thousands of dollars for local schools, animal shelters and parks. Alexandria also serves as senior class president, is secretary of the group Student to Student and is captain of the girls varsity golf team. She is interested in studying mathematics and English. Alexandria is the daughter of John and Donna Chadwick of Swansboro.

OrangeLucas Cole Risinger will graduate this spring from East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, where he is an active volunteer with El Centro Hispano, tutoring and helping run summer camps. He also serves on the Superintendents Student Advisory Council, is co-president of his schools Model U.N. club and plays on a nationally ranked Ultimate Frisbee team. Lucas is interested in studying applied mathematics and economics. He is the son of Bradley Risinger and Carolyn Landever of Chapel Hill.

PittOlivia Leigh Hoynes will graduate this spring from Junius H. Rose High School in Greenville, where she is a member of student government, serving as co-chair of the Exceptional Childrens Activities Cabinet. She also volunteers at the Pitt County Animal Shelter and founded the Pitt Animal Welfare Society (PAWS); the club has raised more than $1,600 and 1,130 pounds of pet food for animals in need. Olivia is interested in studying biology and religious studies and wants to explore careers in medicine or research. She is the daughter of Matthew Hoynes and Wendy Creasey of Greenville.

Jordyn Marie Williams will graduate this spring from Junius H. Rose High School in Greenville, where she helped restart the History Day program at her school. In addition to helping many students with their projects, she herself won the grand prize at the national level of History Day. Jordyn is also an active member of the volunteer social group Life Teen, a senior editor for the opinion section of the school paper Rampant Lines and a member of the varsity track and cross country teams. Jordyn is interested in studying biology and psychology. She is the daughter of Marvin and Kimberly Williams of Winterville.

RobesonTaner Kylan Jacobs will graduate this spring from Lumberton Senior High School in Lumberton, where he co-founded Treasured Gems, a club dedicated to involving disabled students in school events and activities. He is also an active member of the Native American Student Association and has represented his chapter at conferences and programs, serves as senior class president, and he is an enthusiastic member of the school spirit team the Maroon Typhoon. Taner is interested in studying biology and business. He is the son of Aubrey and Anita Jacobs of Lumberton.

Stanly*Taya Sherie Joseph will graduate this spring from Albemarle Senior High School in Albemarle, where she organized a successful fundraiser for Sickle Cell Disease Research; she found sponsors, managed the sign-up process and hosted the event. Taya also interned at Albemarle Pediatrics to work closely with doctors and nurses, serves as president of her schools chapter of the National Honor Society and has twice been named captain of the girls varsity basketball team. She is interested in studying biology and Spanish and is considering a career in medicine. Taya is the daughter of Kenry Joseph of New York, New York, and Jay and Christie Biles of Albemarle.

SurryAnna Andreevna Ilyasova will graduate this spring from Mount Airy High School in Mount Airy, where she is part of the Middle School Mentorship Program, tutoring and supporting younger students. She is also president of her schools Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter, president of the Interact Club and an accomplished piano player. Anna is interested in learning about biology and international relations and is considering a career in medicine. She is the daughter of Andrey and Irina Ilyasova of Mount Airy.

UnionKayley Elizabeth Carpenter will graduate this spring from Piedmont High School in Monroe, where she is pit captain of her schools award winning marching band, has performed in more than a dozen plays and musicals and is an active member of the Girl Scouts. She also co-founded Project Unify, a club at her school that works with developmentally disabled teens and adults in her community. Kayley has many interests and is looking forward to studying everything from theater to biology. She is the daughter of Mark and Karen Carpenter of Indian Trail.

WakeLucas Saunders Buxton (Luke) will graduate this spring from Enloe Magnet High School in Raleigh, where he is president of Student Athletic Activities, organizing events that energize students in support of his schools sports teams. He also started the Cinematography Club, produces segments for his schools student-run video network, The Loedown, and serves as captain of the boys varsity soccer team. Luke is interested in learning more about television production, sports journalism and communications. He is the son of J.B. and Hunter Buxton of Raleigh.

Mackenzie Elizabeth Dion will graduate this spring from Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, where she is founder and president of the Broughton Food Ark, a nonprofit that fights food insecurity through volunteering and community engagement. She also founded the Walk for Water, leads the CAM Raleigh Young Artists Advisory Board, and volunteers at the Camden Street Learning Garden. Mackenzie is interested in studying public policy and environmental studies. She is the daughter of John and Lisa Dion of Raleigh.

Jacquelyn Claire Hedrick will graduate this spring from Jesse O. Sanderson High School in Raleigh, where she is president of the PALS Club. The club is built to foster relationships between students with and without disabilities; Jacquelyn spearheads fundraising efforts, organizes field trips and more. She also works on social justice issues at Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!), leads a Project UNIFY team, and organizes an annual Halloween party for Wake County high school students with moderate to severe disabilities. Jacquelyn is interested in studying special education and occupational therapy. She is the daughter of John and Tammy Hedrick of Raleigh.

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The Morehead-Cain Foundation announces its Class of 2021 - UNC News

The Food and Drug Administration ordered 14 companies to stop making bogus claims about cancer cures includingasparagus extract, exotic teas and topical creams for pets or face possible product seizures and criminal prosecution.

The letterscovered more than five-dozen unapproved products that the companies touted as preventing, treating or curing cancer, a violation of federal law, the agency said. The items includedpills, ointments, oils, drops, teas and diagnostic devices.

Consumers should not use these or similar unproven products because they may be unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking an appropriate and potentially lifesaving cancer diagnosis or treatment, said Douglas Stearn, director of the FDA's Office of Enforcement and Import Operations.

One of the companies, Sunstone, based in Pleasant Grove, Utah, sells a product called Essiac Tea. Its website said that cancer and AIDS sufferers or other ill people may wish to take 2 fluid ounces of the tea twice daily on an empty stomach, the FDA warning letter said. Eight ounces of the tea costs $11, according to the firm's website.

Another Sunstone product, Virxcan-X Salve, is marketed for liver congestion, arthritis, malignant growths, respiratory and urinary tract infection, according to the FDA. The price is $34 for one ounce.Asked to respond to the warning letter, a man at the company who identified himself as Eric declined to comment.

[FDA warns parents not to give children cough syrup containing codeine]

In a letter to Nature's Treasures, based in Glendale, Calif., the FDA noted that the company website made this claim about its topical cream KR22 Oxicell: If you (or your pet) are suffering from liver problems, cancer, arthritis, kidney disease or other inflammatory conditions, this product can really help. The agency said the product wasn't approved for either humans or animals.

Elsewhere on the company's website, the FDA noted, the firm is promoting thermography, which uses digital infrared thermal imaging, as an unapproved device to detect breast cancer. The company says, for example, that thermography is far more sensitive than mammography.

Company official Raya Shanazarian declined to comment.

BioStar Technology International in Los Angeles was cited by the FDA for saying that its Asparagus Extract should be taken by everyone for heart, cancer prevention. The company also claimed that its Revivin herbal blend attacks cancer at the DNA level. This results in a more comprehensive cancer inhibition therapy.

Ulysses Angulo, the owner of BioStar, said, The only thing we can do is comply and remove the verbiage. It removes information for the public to make informed decisions about products that could help them.

The agency gave the companies 15 days to correct the violations or provide a plan on how they will correct them. Since the violations pertain to marketing claims, the most likely fixes are removal of the offending language. If the firms do not respond to the agency, they face further action, including court injunctions on the sale of their products.

The agency said it has issued more than 90 warning letters in 10 years to companies marketing hundreds of fraudulent products making cancer claims on websites, on social media and in stores.But it acknowledged that while the warnings sometimes stopped the sales, the companies sometimes just moved the products to new websites.

In one disturbing trend, the agency is seeing a rise in phony cancer treatments for pets. Increasingly, bogus remedies claiming to cure cancer in cats and dogs are showing up online, said Nicole Kornspan, a consumer safety officer at the agency.

Read more:

Are right-to-try laws a last hope for dying patients or a false promise?

Three women blinded by unapproved stem-cell treatment at South Florida clinic

FDA bans common ingredients in antibacterial soaps and washes

Go here to read the rest:
FDA cracks down on companies pushing fraudulent cancer claims - Washington Post

Driving the Day

Good Sunday morning.

NEWS -- CBSS JOHN DICKERSON will interview President Donald Trump on his 100th day in office next Saturday. The interview will air the next day on Face the Nation and on CBS This Morning on Monday, May 1.

Story Continued Below

ABOUT LAST NIGHT -- President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump dined at BLT Prime at the Trump International Hotel. They were later joined by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Pic of Melania and POTUS with an iPhone http://bit.ly/2ohZeU0

THE STAKES -- Congress is coming back. The government shuts down on Friday, and the White House is signaling a hard line on including money to pay for a border wall as part of the government-funding bill. The White House wants a vote on a health-care replacement bill this week, and the House leadership is skeptical. Saturday is the 100th day of Donald Trumps presidency. The White House is releasing Trumps tax reform outline this week.

**SUBSCRIBE to Playbook: http://politi.co/2lQswbh

BRUTAL WAPO FRONT -- Lead story -- Trump polls at record lows LEAST POPULAR PRESIDENT IN MODERN TIMES Base still loyal; 73% approve of efforts to keep jobs here A1 PDF http://bit.ly/2p9s204

-- WAPOS DAN BALZ and SCOTT CLEMENT: Trumps first months in office have produced some tangible successes. Beyond the continued enthusiasm of his most loyal supporters, a small majority of Americans see him as a strong leader. A bigger majority approves of his efforts to pressure U.S. companies to keep jobs in this country. Those who say the economy is getting better outnumber those who say its getting worse by the biggest margin in 15 years in Post-ABC polling. But the presidents balance sheet overall tilts toward the negative. Majorities of Americans say Trump has not accomplished much during his first months as president. Meanwhile, he shows little improvement on his temperament and honesty, and while hes gained ground on empathy, over 6 in 10 still say he does not understand the problems of people like them. http://wapo.st/2p9z05o

THE PRESIDENTS WEEK -- THE 100-DAY PUSH -- The Trump administrations focus this week is the 100-day marker. Throughout this week President Trump will continue to deliver on his promises to the American people, from thinking big about exploration and discovery again, to protecting the farmers and ranchers that feed our country, to reasserting American power on the world stage. Members of his Cabinet will travel outside the beltway, spreading the Presidents message across the country, a White House aide told us.

ON MONDAY the president is speaking with NASA astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson about the importance of empowering women to pursue educations and careers in STEM fields as she sets the record for the most time spent in space of any American. Hell have lunch with ambassadors from countries that are on the U.N. Security Council. At night, he is hosting a reception with conservative media. He has dinner with Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY ELAINE CHAO is visiting the Ohio State Transportation Research Center.

ON TUESDAY, the president will speak at the National Holocaust Memorial Museums National Day of Remembrance. Hes hosting a roundtable with farmers and will sign an executive order to protect and provide relief for rural America. Sonny Perdue is expected to be sworn in as the secretary of Agriculture. Trump will have dinner with Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). SBA ADMINISTRATOR LINDA MCMAHON is in Orlando for a roundtable with Hispanic business owners.

ON WEDNESDAY, Trump will outline his tax reform plan and host a briefing for senators on North Korea with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, DNI Dan Coats, and Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Cabinet officials and senior staff will do interviews with regional media outlets. DHS is rolling out the Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office and HUD SECRETARY BEN CARSON will be in Columbus, Ohio, for a session on urban housing.

ON THURSDAY, the Argentinian president will be at the White House. Trump will also sign an executive order relating to veterans. In the evening, hes having dinner with the Supreme Court justices. EDUCATION SECRETARY BETSY DEVOS and INTERIOR SECRETARY RYAN ZINKE will be on the Hill, meeting with lawmakers.

ON FRIDAY, Trump is signing an executive order on energy -- his 32nd executive order since taking office. He goes to Atlanta to speak at the NRA Leadership Forum. TILLERSON is in New York chairing the U.N. Security Council. PERDUE will be wrapping up a trip in Wisconsin.

ON SATURDAY, Trump is rallying in Pennsylvania on the night of the White House Correspondents Dinner.

ON THE WORLD STAGE -- North Korea says ready to strike U.S. aircraft carrier, by Reuters James Pearson and Ju-min Park in Seoul: North Korea said on Sunday it was ready to sink a U.S. aircraft carrier to demonstrate its military might, as two Japanese navy ships joined a U.S. carrier group for exercises in the western Pacific. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group to sail to waters off the Korean peninsula in response to rising tension over the Norths nuclear and missile tests, and its threats to attack the United States and its Asian allies.

The United States has not specified where the carrier strike group is as it approaches the area. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Saturday it would arrive within days but gave no other details. North Korea remained defiant. Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with a single strike, the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the Norths ruling Workers Party, said in a commentary. http://reut.rs/2p5G7tB

TRUMP TO ISRAEL? -- Ariel Kahana (@arik3000) of Makor Rishon in Israel reports that President Trump, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are all going to Israel in the next few months. Makor Rishon is a right-leaning Israeli newspaper.

****** A message from JPMorgan Chase & Co.: The private sector has not only a moral obligation but a vested interest to deliver for the public good, notes JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon. Business plays an important role in developing solutions that spur economic growth and benefit every American. Read more in the Annual Shareholder Letter http://politi.co/2pLPbDG ******

SUNDAY BEST -- JOHN DICKERSON speaks to HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY JOHN KELLY on CBS FACE THE NATION -- DICKERSON: In the recent Paris attack, a policeman was killed. Is there anything in the Paris attack that sends any lessons about U.S. policy or policy that should be put in place? KELLY: There are so many aspects to this terrorist thing. Obviously you got the homegrown terrorists. I dont know how to stop that. I dont know how to detect that. You got other terrorist threats that come across the border. I believe in the case of the murder -- in the Paris shooting I believe he was homegrown. But, again, there are so many threats that come in from across border. And its essential absolutely to control ones border.

The other thing, John, that has me -- keeps me literally awake at nightis the threat against aviation. You know, we know that would be the Super Bowl for the terrorists, to knock down an airplane in flight, particularly if it was full of Americans. We have taken measures overseas to reduce that threat. But its something I watch every day, ask four or five times a day. Because there are a number of plots that were watching very, very closely. Theyre very sophisticated. Theyre very threatening. And the number one thing in my mind is to protect the American people. So well do that.

-- DICKERSON speaks with SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FLA.) -- DICKERSON: The fight from the White House perspective is over funding for the border wall. Is that an issue worth fighting over right now if a government shutdown is a possibility? RUBIO: Well, first, understand were just trying to finish out the current cycle, the current budget year. And so I think thats a fight worth having and a conversation and a debate worth having for 2018. And if we can do some of that now, thatd be great. But we cannot shut down the government right now. We have a potential crisis brewing with North Korea. Weve seen whats going on, the ongoing crisis in Syria. We dont know what the outcome of the French election is going to be, but that could potentially throw the European Union and the NATO alliance into some level of consternation.

The last thing we can afford is to send a message to the world that the United States government, by the way, is only partially functioning. I mean, that would just have catastrophic impact in my view or certainly very destabilizing I should say impact on global affairs. And so we should keep that in mind going into this week.

-- CHRIS WALLACE speaks with OMB DIRECTOR MICK MULVANEY on FOX NEWS FOX NEWS SUNDAY -- Patrick Temple-West: Asked if Trump will sign a government funding bill that does not include funding for the border, Mulvaney said: We dont know yet. We are asking for our priorities and, importantly, we are offering to give Democrats some of their priorities as well. He scolded Democrats for obstructionism by saying that in 2006, Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Chuck Schumer (now the Senate minority leader) voted for border security funding. Were trying to get a border wall to protect millions of low-income Americans, Mulvaney said, but added: Well negotiate with the Democrats. The negotiations are not finished yet. We think we have given them a reasonable set of choices that they want in exchange for what we want. I dont think anybody foresees or expects or wants a shutdown at the end of next week, he said. http://politi.co/2oz7aMJ

-- DANA BASH speaks with SENATE MINORITY WHIP DICK DURBIN (D-ILL.) on CNNs STATE OF THE UNION -- BASH: Lets start with the looming risk of a government shutdown. You just heard Secretary John Kelly say that President Trump is going to insist on funding for a border wall as part of a stopgap government funding measure that needs to pass by midnight on Friday in order to keep the government open.Are Senate Democrats prepared to shut down the government over this issue? DURBIN: Dana, the Democrats in the House and the Senate are ready to work and cooperate with Republicans to keep our government open. But we told the president and the Republicans weeks ago, dont try any political stunts. Dont put any poison pills into this process. Lets just do the -- our responsible, important work of funding this government. We know what this wall is all about. This was a promise made by the president during his campaign. And dont you remember, he said the Mexicans were going to pay for it? Now we know its going to cost $20 billion to $70 billion for this wall.

-- BASH: It should not shut down the government. Youre calling it a political stunt. The White House is calling it and the president is calling it something that has to be in this spending bill. So, what do you think happens at the end of the day? It sounds like a standoff that could end up in a potential government shutdown. DURBIN: I hope the president will back off. To think that he would consider shutting down the government of the United States of America over this outlandish proposal of a border wall, which we cant even pay for at this point, and is opposed by Democrats and Republicans all along the border, that would be the height of irresponsibility. He would not want that to define his first 100 days.

-- @CNNSotu at 9:49 a.m.: .@DanaBashCNN asks Rep. @DarrellIssa if he would like Trump to campaign for him in 2018: Issa refuses to directly answer. #CNNsotu

ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF SESSIONS talks about the border wall with GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS on ABCs THIS WEEK: Well, we're going to get paid for it one way or the other. I know theres $4 billion a year in excess payments, according to the Department of the Treasurys own inspector general several years ago that are going to payments to people -- tax credits that they shouldn't get. Now, these are mostly Mexicans. And those kind of things add up -- $4 billion a year for 10 years is $40 billion. There are a lot of ways we can find money to help pay for this.

THE PRESIDENTS CIRCLE -- The 20 People Trump Turns To Outside the White House, by NYTs Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush: Relationships have always been President Trumps currency and comfort, helping him talk his way into real estate deals over three decades in New York. Those who know him best say that his outer confidence has always belied an inner uncertainty, and that he needs to test ideas with a wide range of people. As Mr. Trumps White House advisers jostle for position, the president has turned to another group of advisers from family, real estate, media, finance and politics, and all outside the White House gates many of whom he consults at least once a week. List includes: Ike Perlmutter, Robert Kraft, Carl Icahn, Steve Roth, Steve Schwarzman, Rupert Murdoch, Phil Ruffin and Richard LeFrak http://nyti.ms/2ozglgk

PUSHBACK ON W.H. HEALTH CARE PLANS -- House GOP leaders wont rush health care vote, by Rachael Bade and Jen Haberkorn: House GOP leaders during a members-only conference call Saturday vowed to avoid a government shutdown and said theyre closer to a deal to repeal and replace Obamacare, according to members who participated on the call. But Speaker Paul Ryan also downplayed the possibility of a vote next week, the same sources said. The Wisconsin Republican said the chamber will vote on a conference-wide deal when GOP whips are confident they had the votes for passage but not until then.

The comment was a subtle retort to a narrative being pushed by top White House officials, who told reporters this week that the House would hold the health care vote on Wednesday, before the close of President Donald Trumps first 100 days in office. The public expectations-setting from the White House has created pressure for Ryan to move the bill swiftly and secure a win for the president. http://politi.co/2p5HJDq

THE OPPOSITION -- At a Unity Stop in Nebraska, Democrats Find Anything But, by NYTs JMart: Rarely has a municipal election in a midsize city ignited such a fierce national debate over what defines a Democrat. But the election this spring for mayor of Omaha is pitting abortion rights activists against economic populists and threatening the partys unity as it regroups to confront President Trump. Part of the twist: The populist sides standard-bearer, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, is not even a Democrat. This is very raw, said Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers, conceding that after the presidential election, there is still this ongoing debate about identity politics versus economic opportunity. http://nyti.ms/2oz2ExL

BUT, BUT, BUT -- House Democrats grow bullish after Trumps stumbles, by Heather Caygle: House Democrats are heading toward the 100th day of Donald Trumps presidency with the kind of feel-good unity they havent experienced since the election. Coming off a rowdy recess where Republicans continued to be skewered by constituents on everything from health care to Russia to Trumps tax returns, Democrats say walking through the political wilderness isnt so bad at least for now. Its a stunning reversal from the despair dominating the caucus just a few months ago when Trump entered the White House and Republicans seemed poised to wreak havoc on Democratic priorities.

House Democrats are ready to flex their muscles, providing a list of demands Republicans must meet if they want Democratic votes to keep the government running beyond Friday. And they could be key players on tax reform and infrastructure in the coming months, if Trump ends up needing bipartisan buy-in. http://politi.co/2oVhhOK

FOR YOUR RADAR -- France begins presidential vote in test for populism, by APs Thomas Adams in Paris: Amid heightened security, French voters began casting ballots for their next president Sunday in a first-round poll thats seen as a litmus test for the spread of populism around the world and a vote on the future of Europe. More than 50,000 police and gendarmes were deployed to the 66,000 polling stations for Sundays election, which comes after Thursdays deadly attack on the Champs-Elysees in which a police officer and a gunman were slain. The presidential poll is the first ever to be held during a state of emergency, put in place since the Paris attacks of November 2015. Voters are choosing between 11 candidates in the most unpredictable contest in decades. http://apne.ws/2oz3t9L

IF YOU READ ONE THING -- BEN SCHRECKINGER and HADAS GOLD in the May/June Politico Magazine, Trumps Fake War on the Fake News: The president puts on a big show of assaulting his opposition in the news media. But inside the White House, its a different story: We interviewed more than three dozen members of the White House press corps, along with White House staff and outside allies, about the first whirlwind weeks of Trumps presidency. Rather than a historically toxic relationship, they described a historic gap between the public perception and the private reality. When he is not fulminating on stage or on Twitter, the president himself has mustered a number of cordial interactions with reporters since taking office, often showing them more courtesy than he grants his own staff. When White House chief strategist Steve Bannon is not labeling the media the opposition party, he can be found sending crush notes to journalists to let them know theyve nailed a story.

And when Spicer is not popping off from his podium, he is often busy maintaining old relationships with journalists and building new ones. ... The great secret of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is that Trumps war on the media is a phony one, a reality show that keeps his supporters fired up and distracted while he woos the constituency that really matters to him: journalists. ... In one-on-one interactions, reporters from some of the administrations least-favored outlets have found Bannon shockingly friendly, cheerily offering his apocalyptic denunciations of the press as casual asides in the course of pleasant conversations.

According to one White House correspondent, communications staffers spend a good deal of their time puzzling over blind quotes in news reports, trying to identify the leakers by their grammar and syntax. ... White House officials have further damaged their credibility by decrying anonymous sources, as [Reince] Priebus did in February, when it is widely known that he and every other member of the senior staff speak regularly to reporters on background. One senior White House aide complained that in late March, Priebus worked furiously to spin how he would be portrayed in a New York Times article about Pence and then walked into a Thursday afternoon meeting and lectured his colleagues about the importance of avoiding reporters. http://politi.co/2pSmjtJ

THE JUICE

--FIRST IN PLAYBOOK -- TONIGHTS EPISODE OF THE CIRCUS -- The Circus tonight is about Democratic opposition to President Trump. This seasons sixth episode, The Resistance, features conversations with a number of influential anti-Trump voices in politics and popular culture, including co-host John Heilemanns talk with artist and activist Killer Mike of the hip hop duo Run The Jewels. Heilemann sits down with the Atlanta native inside the barbershop he owns, The Swag Shop, to discuss his support for Bernie Sanders, how the fight against Trump is going, and how the resistance is playing out in the realm of culture. 4-min. video http://bit.ly/2oi0MNR

-- THE NRCC disclosed a half-million in media buys against Democrats Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Rob Quist in Montana.

PHOTO DU JOUR: President Donald Trump awards a Purple Heart to U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Alvaro Barrientos, as his wife Tammy Barrientos watches at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on April 22 in Bethesda, Maryland. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo

MUST-READ -- Comey Tried to Shield the F.B.I. From Politics. Then He Shaped an Election, by NYTs Matt Apuzzo, Michael S. Schmidt, Adam Goldman and Eric Lichtblau: The day before he upended the 2016 election, James B. Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, summoned agents and lawyers to his conference room. They had been debating all day, and it was time for a decision. Mr. Comeys plan was to tell Congress that the F.B.I. had received new evidence and was reopening its investigation into Hillary Clinton, the presidential front-runner.

The move would violate the policies of an agency that does not reveal its investigations or do anything that may influence an election. But Mr. Comey had declared the case closed, and he believed he was obligated to tell Congress that had changed. Should you consider what youre about to do may help elect Donald Trump president? an adviser asked him, Mr. Comey recalled recently at a closed meeting with F.B.I. agents. He could not let politics affect his decision, he replied. If we ever start considering who might be affected, and in what way, by what we do, were done, he told the agents. http://nyti.ms/2ohJlNh

CABINET WATCH -- Carsons God-and-bootstraps message fails to hearten housing advocates, by Lorraine Woellert: God is Ben Carsons favorite subject. Brain surgery is a close second. Housing is somewhere further down the list. Less than two months into the job, Carson still holds forth on God and neurosurgery, but his views on housing policy remain largely a mystery. While hes making good on a promised listening tour to learn about the $48 billion agency he now leads, hes done little public speaking about the urgent issue at hand a lack of affordable housing.

Thats one reason why early excitement over his nomination has given way to bewilderment and now frustration. Every policy job at the agency remains vacant, and advocates who thought Carsons celebrity would raise awareness of affordable housing have been disappointed. President Donald Trump doused any remaining hope when he said he would slash HUD funding by 13.2 percent. http://politi.co/2p5wAm9

TRUMP INC. -- Trump sons take helm of company, eye domestic expansion, by APs Jonathan Lemire: Apprentices no more, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. are now at the helm of the Trump Organization and adjusting to the reality presented by their father's presidency. Theyre eyeing ways to use the new lease on the family fame by expanding the brand into parts of the United States that embrace him. Some business has slowed as a result of the pledge to stall international dealmaking while Trump is president. But a U.S. push is planned, and two new hotel chains are being considered a four-star brand and a less luxurious line possibly in states where Trump triumphed over Democrat Hillary Clinton last November. I think it makes it naturally easier if youre going into a place thats not adversarial to you, Donald Trump Jr. said in a recent interview. http://apne.ws/2oVD1tL

DAVID REMNICK has an extended Comment that takes up the entire Talk of the Town section in the forthcoming New Yorker, A Hundred Days of Trump: With his nativist and purely transactional view of politics, he threatens to be democracys most reckless caretaker: On April 29th, Donald Trump will have occupied the Oval Office for a hundred days. For most people, the luxury of living in a relatively stable democracy is the luxury of not following politics with a nerve-racked constancy. Trump does not afford this. The hundred-day marker is never an entirely reliable indicator of a four-year term, but its worth remembering that Franklin Roosevelt and Barack Obama were among those who came to office at a moment of national crisis and had the discipline, the preparation, and the rigor to set an entirely new course. Impulsive, egocentric, and mendacious, Trump has, in the same span, set fire to the integrity of his office. http://bit.ly/2p9ijag

FIRST LOOK -- Tomorrow, the Anti-Defamation League will release data showing that anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. grew more than 30 percent in 2016 surging after the election in November and December and jumping nearly 90 percent during the first three months of 2017. In its annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents (which ADL has been conducting since 1979), ADL reports that there has been a massive increase in the amount of harassment of American Jews, including a doubling of anti-Semitic bullying and vandalism at non-Jewish K-12 grade schools.

THOUGHT BUBBLE Is It Time to Break Up Google? by Jonathan Taplin, author of Move Fast and Break Things: How Facebook, Google, and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy, in the NYT: In just 10 years, the worlds five largest companies by market capitalization have all changed, save for one: Microsoft. Exxon Mobil, General Electric, Citigroup and Shell Oil are out and Apple, Alphabet (the parent company of Google), Amazon and Facebook have taken their place. Theyre all tech companies, and each dominates its corner of the industry: Google has an 88 percent market share in search advertising, Facebook (and its subsidiaries Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger) owns 77 percent of mobile social traffic and Amazon has a 74 percent share in the e-book market. http://nyti.ms/2q3TAkR $18.56 on Amazon http://amzn.to/2pSx1Ad

WHAT ROBB WATTERS IS READING -- Heres why Chinese money is pouring into Temeculas wine region, by L.A. Times David Pierson: http://lat.ms/2oBm6t7

****** A message from JPMorgan Chase & Co.: Helping people acquire the skills needed to compete in todays labor market is critical to lowering the unemployment rate. JPMorgan Chase is investing $325 million over five years to provide the training, education and support required to aid in closing the skills gap. Learn more in JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon's Annual Shareholder letter http://politi.co/2pmiHTz ******

MEDIAWATCH -- In House of Murdoch, Sons Set About an Elaborate Overhaul, by NYTs Brooks Barnes and Sydney Ember: With James and his elder brother, Lachlan, 45, who is the executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, firmly entrenched as their fathers successors, they are now forcibly exerting themselves. Their father remains very involved, but his sons seem determined to rid the company of its roguish, old-guard internal culture and tilt operations toward the digital future. They are working to make the family empire their own, not the one the elder Murdoch created to suit his sensibilities. ...

Employees at the Fox broadcast network said they were pleasantly surprised, for instance, to be summoned to a town-hall meeting something that had rarely if ever been done under the archly conservative Rupert Murdoch where the brothers espoused transparency, workplace diversity and greater cooperation between divisions. In the fall, James and Lachlan introduced additional benefits, including more paid vacation, vastly enhanced reproductive coverage for women and expanded coverage for our transgender colleagues. The brothers concluded the memo on a jaunty note: Enjoy! http://nyti.ms/2q3V26C

BONUS GREAT WEEKEND READS, curated by Daniel Lippman:

--Crimintern: How the Kremlin uses Russias criminal networks in Europe, by Mark Galeotti in the European Council on Foreign Relations: Many criminals feared that Putin was serious in his law-and-order rhetoric, but it soon became clear that he was offering a new social contract with the underworld. Gangsters could continue to be gangsters so long as they understood that the state was the biggest gang in town and did nothing to directly challenge it. http://bit.ly/2oy3DgS (h/t TheBrowser.com)

--Sin City Or Bust, by Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. in ESPN The Magazine: How Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis -- with a little luck, his own brand of genius and an assist from Jerry Jones -- outflanked power brokers to put the Raiders in Las Vegas. http://es.pn/2ouLkdk

--Frank and Stevens Excellent Corporate-Raiding Adventure, by Frank Partnoy and Steven Davidoff Solomon in Mays Atlantic: Two law professors tried to mimic big activist hedge funds, investing their retirement savings in a small, languishing public company and trying to shake it up. Heres what happened. http://theatln.tc/2oyhfc9

--How Liberals Fell In Love With The West Wing, by Luke Savage in Current Affairs: Aaron Sorkins political drama shows everything wrong with the Democratic worldview. http://bit.ly/2pMuxmU

--Trump and the Trumpists, by Wolfgang Streeck in Inference Review: Strange personalities arise in the cracks of disintegrating institutions. They are often marked by extravagant dress, inflated rhetoric, and a show of sexual power. The first Trumper of the postwar era was the Danish tax rebel, Mogens Glistrup, the founder of the nationalist Progress Party, who, having put his principles into practice, went to prison for tax evasion. Geert Wilders in the Netherlands and Boris Johnson in England are hairstyle Trumpers. Pim Fortuyn and Jrg Haider were both dandies. They died in their finery. Beppe Grillo, Nigel Farage, and Jean-Marie Le Pen, are each one third of a full Trump. http://bit.ly/2oyfagn

--The American Governments Secret Plan for Surviving the End of the World, by Marc Ambinder in Foreign Policy: If the Speaker of the House found himself the only surviving successor, he would acquire control of the government and its nuclear arsenal by offering the Pentagon a vocal verification of his identity using the term FLAG DAY. The president pro tempore of the Senate, next in line, was FOUR FINGER. The Secretary of State would authenticate his identity by calling himself FADE AWAY. http://atfp.co/2oy4k9Y

--The United States of Billy Joel, by Adam Chandler in The Atlantic: The Piano Man hasnt released a new pop album since 1993. How does he continue to sell out stadiums? http://theatln.tc/2pNBLKd

--Presidents and Public-Health Crises, by Tevi Troy in National Affairs: Of the three presidents who came to own the public-health crises in question, FDR is most closely associated with his, that of polio. This is, of course, because Roosevelt himself was a victim of the dread disease, coming down with it in 1921 at the age of 39 at his vacation home in Campobello. FDRs doctor, W. W. Keen, paid a house call and misdiagnosed the illness twice and then charged Roosevelt $8,000 for the misdiagnoses. http://bit.ly/2pNCiMd

--How New York City Is Rediscovering Its Maritime Spirit, by Tony Perrottet on the cover of Mays Smithsonian: The citys waterfront fell into dangerous decline, but now its on the rebound with a new wave of money and creativity. http://bit.ly/2oSeOEA ... The cover http://politi.co/2ohH30Q

--Can Democracy Survive the Internet? by Nathaniel Persily in Democracy Journal: One study found that between 16 September and 21 October 2016, bots produced about a fifth of all tweets related to the upcoming election. Across all three presidential debates, pro-Trump twitter bots generated about four times as many tweets as pro-Clinton bots. During the final debate in particular, that figure rose to seven times as many. http://bit.ly/2odgcmr

--The Arc of Her Survival, by Eric Hoover in the Chronicle of Higher Ed: On April 16, 2007, a troubled student armed with semi-automatic pistols killed 32 people and wounded 17 others at Virginia Tech. [Kristina] Anderson was one of them. ... Perpetrators of mass violence gash their names into history, fixing their crimes to a date, while the wounded often pass unrecognized into an aftermath with no sure end, no instructions. It gets lonely. So when Ms. Anderson isnt on a stage, she connects survivors to resources and to one another. http://bit.ly/2oSk1MA

--What Makes a Genius? by Claudia Kalb on the cover of Mays NatGeo: Some minds are so exceptional they change the world. We dont know exactly why these people soar above the rest of us, but science offers us clues. http://on.natgeo.com/2ouSs9q ... The cover http://politi.co/2ocXQ53

--Pat Buchanans White House Battles, by James Rosen in The National Interest, reviewing Nixons White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever, by Pat Buchanan: The parallels [from President Nixons ascendancy] with Donald Trumps upset victory in 2016 are beyond superficial. The name of the game is the white working class, Buchanan wrote the president in 1972, prophetically. Sean Spicer, Trumps embattled press secretary, could surely benefit from studying the Agnew playbook against the news media. http://bit.ly/2pSe68N ... $18.30 on Amazon http://amzn.to/2oBsY9D

--Thought Leaders and the Plutocrats Who Love Them, by Eric Alterman in The Nation per ALDailys description: Behold the Thought Leader, a thinker so deft and deluded he can flatter great wealth even as he pretends to challenge it. http://bit.ly/2pZRHFN

GREAT WEEKEND LISTEN, by Jake Sherman:

-- BOB WEIR and TREY ANASTASIO played an acoustic set together last night at the Wanee festival in Florida. Here is Friend of the Devil. http://bit.ly/2pTglvs

SPOTTED: Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) at DCA in the Delta terminal Sunday morning -- having trouble deciding whether to get something to eat from Cava (ultimately, no). former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) on Friday night at Hanks Oyster Bar on Q Street ... Former VP Joe Biden playing golf in the rain at Washington Golf & Country Club with former chief of staff Steve Ricchetti. Their game got cut short due to rain.

TRANSITIONS -- Nick Owens has partnered with Qorvis MSLGroup to provide strategic consulting and communications counsel. Owens was an advisor on Trumps transition team and was a major fundraiser for President Trump.

WEEKEND WEDDINGS SARA MURRAY, CNN White House correspondent, married GARRETT HAAKE, incoming Washington correspondent at MSNBC, on Saturday at Wild Onion Ranch in Manchaca, Texas. The couple met as embeds on the Romney 2012 campaign, Sara for the Wall Street Journal and Garrett for NBC. Wedding guests enjoyed a petting zoo with rabbits, chickens, ducks and goats. The wedding hashtag was #campaigntochampagne.

--PICS: http://bit.ly/2q3ywLs http://bit.ly/2oi9ETB ... http://bit.ly/2p9s7RL The couple holding animals at the petting zoo http://bit.ly/2oBiPK2 Michael Barbaro with a chicken http://bit.ly/2ppZzUV ... Ryan Williams holding a bunny http://bit.ly/2pSARt9

--SPOTTED: Evan Perez, Lauren Pratapas, Rachel Streitfeld, Maeve Reston, Katy Tur, Beth Myers, Will and Kelli Ritter, Ryan Williams, Derek Flowers, Matt Hoye, Phil Rucker, Ashley Parker, Reid Epstein, Holly Bailey, Michael Barbaro, Garrett Jackson, Alex Moe, Anthony Terrell, John Legittino.

--Chris Georgia, partner/digital of FP1 Strategies and a Jeb and NRCC alum, married Kelly Nallen, digital director and deputy political director at American Crossroads, yesterday at Holy Cross Church in New York City. The reception took place in the evening at Gotham Hall on Broadway and was attended by family and friends. They met while working in similar jobs for different organizations and Chris first asked Kelly out on a date in front of the Library of Congress. Pic of the bride and groom with most of his FP1 partners http://bit.ly/2oBoaky

--Lesley Young, Jonathan Chavkin N.Y. Times: The bride, 34, is a senior policy adviser at the Treasury Department in Washington, where she focuses on anti-money-laundering and counterterrorist financing. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington and received a masters degree in development economics and international security from Tufts University. ... The groom, 33, is a speechwriter in Washington, where he focuses on national security issues. He graduated with high honors from Princeton and earned a masters degree with distinction in historical studies and a doctorate in history from the University of Cambridge in England. With pic http://nyti.ms/2pSfSqs

-- Jade Floyd, VP of communications at the Case Foundation and Charles Small, associate director for federal policy for NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, wed last night at the Morrison-Clark Historic Inn and Restaurant in D.C. surrounded by lots of family and friends. Pic http://bit.ly/2q3EE6m

-- Alex Rogers, an associate at Triumph Capital Advisors, a credit-focused investment management firm, and Shelby Pearlman, assistant manager of special events at the Dallas Museum of Art, got married yesterday in Charleston, South Carolina. The couple, who live in Dallas, both graduated from SMU and met in art history class where they had assigned seats next to each. She graduated from Savannah Country Day School and Alex graduated from Hotchkiss. Pic http://bit.ly/2oVnryk

BIRTHDAYS: Tim Lim, president of Precision Network and partner and head of media at Bully Pulpit Interactive, is 32 (hat tip: Jen Nedeau) John Oliver is 4-0 ... Kal Penn is 4-0 (h/t Nick Troiano) ... filmmaker-author Michael Moore is 63 ... Hadar Susskind, VP of public policy at the Council on Foundations and a J Street and Tides alum Gideon Lett, the pride of Harriman, TN and of TechNet fame, celebrating his 37th birthday at The Guardsmen Presidio 10K in San Francisco (h/t Peter Cherukuri) Politico alum Daniel Eldredge, now at CEB ... Gus Portela, executive director of the College Republican National Committee ... Politicos Cory Bennett and Blend Qatipi ... Neil Strauss, digital director at Republican Jewish Coalition science policy guru Aaron Huertas Pili Tobar, Hispanic media director for Sen. Schumer ... Ted Trippi (h/t Jon Haber) ... Bridget Grace Matticola ... Gideon Bender of TargetSmart Communications and a Mary Landrieu alum ... Kegan Beran (h/t Dan Bayens) ... Kindred Motes, who leads social and digital media strategy at Vera Institute of Justice, is 27 (h/t Wei Soo) ... John Keener ... Alex Johnson, son of former Rep. Clete Johnson (D-Ga.), a Senate Small Business Committee and Landrieu alum, now an associate at Faulkner House Books in New Orleans (h/t Ted Greener) ... Darien Flowers of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck ... Clarine Nardi Riddle, No Labels co-founder and former COS and current law partner at Kasowitz to former Sen. Joe Lieberman (h/t Dennis Craig) Sarah Nielsen (h/t Alexandra De Luca) ...

... Alexis Kleinman, tech editor at Mic and a HuffPost alum ... Doug Brake, senior telecom policy analyst at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (h/t Samantha Greene) ... Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, billionaire heiress and businesswoman, daughter of Ronald Lauder, style and image director for the Este Lauder Companies, is 47 ... Alex Swieca, former UMich quarterback, now an investor, is 25 (h/ts Jewish Insider) ... Therese Smith Burch ... Tom Robinson is 31 ... James George Michel, senior director of Medicare reimbursement and policy at American Health Care Association and a Booz Allen alum Michael Celler, Christie alum now a business analyst at T-Mobile ... GOP political fundraiser Melissa Barnd, an RNC alum ... Paula Dwyer, editor at Bloomberg View ... Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.) is 52 ... Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is 64 ... Ohio State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger is 36 ... WNYCs Beth Fertig ... Josh Kriegman, an Anthony Weiner alum who co-directed the documentary Weiner! ... Bloomberg and Citi alum Andrew Brent, now head of comms at Brookfield Properties ... Justin White, finance assistant for Democratic fundraising firm Eckert and Associates ... Tanya Melich Tom Russell ... Richard Bender (h/ts Teresa Vilmain) Martha Laning ... Mitchell Whiteman ... Vactor Alan Oppenheimer is 87 ... Dev Patel is 27 ... Gigi Hadid is 22 (h/ts AP)

****** A message from JPMorgan Chase & Co.: Business not only has a responsibility and a vested interest in helping solve the challenges facing our communities but also a vital contribution to make. The private sectors capabilities, ingenuity and assets have time and again demonstrated their capacity to drive transformative change. Learn more in JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon's Annual Shareholder letter http://politi.co/2pmjXWX ******

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Originally posted here:
TRUMP'S BIG WEEK -- Trips to Atlanta for NRA, dinners w/ McCain and Graham and the Supreme Court -- ISRAELI ... - Politico

22 Apr 2017, 10 a.m.

Deaf and blind Timmy has passed away but not before his canine brain took researchers a step closer to a cure for dementia.

Deaf and blind Timmy has passed away but not before his canine brain took researchers a step closer to a cure for dementia. Picture: supplied

A deaf and blind Illawarra dog has died but not before he gifted to medical science valuable information that could lead to a dementia cure.

Timmy, who was 15, became the first dog in the world to survive a stem cell transplant into the brain in 2015 by researchers at the University of Sydneys Mind and Brain Centre in a bid to reverse his canine form of dementia.

Team leader, Professor Michael Valenzuela, only this month declared that after nearly two years Timmy was free of all symptoms.He described Timmys results as the first step in providing powerful evidence to support a human trial hopefully within three years.

We considered Timmy functionally cured we could not have wished for a better outcome, he added.

Timmy died peacefully of old age on Wednesday. On hearing the news, Professor Valenzuela declared Timmys brain was at this point the most important brain in veterinary history.

His owners, Tony and Michele Leeder-Smith from Horsley, were saddened but said they were happy to have had their mate back to his old self, even if only for a short time.

Michele and I dont have children together so Timmy was pretty much our boy, he said.We adopted him at four months when his owners couldnt cope with his congenital deafness and he proved to be a great dog.

Old mate: Tony and Michele Leeder-Smith from Horsley, were saddened but said they were happy to have had their mate Timmy back to his old self, even if only for a short time. Picture: Georgia Matts

They made the decision to include Timmy in the trial in 2014 when he grew distant and started to behave strangely.

He slept at the end of our bed but he was waking every hour on the hour barking at nothing, and sometimes he walked into the kitchen and just stared at the wall, Mr Leeder-Smith said.Our vet diagnosed him with Canine Cognitive Disorder that mirrors human dementia and she suggested we apply to have him included in the university trial rather than have him put to sleep.

We didnt know at that stage if it would be too invasive but we knew it was for something so important.

In 2015 Timmy was fitted with a collar to gather base-line information on activity, sleep and barking. Next the team transplanted stem cells grown from Timmys belly directly into the hippocampus using MRI guidance.

The team used a combination of scientific measurements over the past two years to determine success.Our main measure is the Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Scale, a clinical tool that we developed, in which owners rate the frequency and severity of abnormal behaviours, said Prof Valenzuela.Using this, Timmys score almost halved, from categorically demented to normal.

Timmy started to improve almost from the word go after the transplant, said Mr Leeder-Smith.

Read more:
Illawarra dog whose dementia was reversed with stem cell therapy dies - Illawarra Mercury

Steve Munt saves his cat, Zee, from unique and severe illness.

It's been three years, but Steve Munt can still feel the shock of the emergency veterinarian's news: His young cat, Zee, had a severe illness and a five percent chance of survival.

"They were recommending euthanize her," the Lake Oswego resident says.

The brown-and-white tabby his first cat had captured his heart on a routine pet food run just a few years before. Now she was sluggish, and the vet believed she had a blood-clotting problem known as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).

But Munt wasn't ready to let go of Zee without a fight. He took her to DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital in Portland for a second opinion.

Though he didn't know it at the time, that decision to fight for Zee would set Munt and his family on a journey to save the cat's life through innovative and even unconventional methods.

"I was all-in," he says. "I wanted to give her every chance."

During Zee's hospital stay at DoveLewis in June 2014, the staff put her on IV fluids and started conducting tests, ultimately determining that she didn't have DIC, but kidney disease.

While the incorrect diagnosis had likely been the result of a faulty blood test, Munt says the DoveLewis team discovered that Zee's red blood cell count was still dangerously low.

Zee's veterinarians were upfront with him about the cost of her care, Munt says; he knows not every pet owner could go to the same lengths he did.

"I'm thankful that I was able to (afford it)," he says.

Zee received a blood transfusion at DoveLewis, and then began seeing an internal medicine specialist at Cascade Veterinary Referral Center in Tigard, who diagnosed her with stage three chronic kidney disease. Tests showed that for her specific condition, the median survival time was nine months.

Munt set to work researching her options a surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania could perform a kidney transplant, using a homeless cat as a kidney donor, so long as Munt agreed to adopt the donor cat after the surgery. But as it turned out, Zee wasn't sick enough to warrant the procedure.

He also read about a vet at the University of Colorado who was researching stem cell therapy for cats. The treatment was still considered experimental for feline kidney disease, he says, but he was able to get a compassionate-use exception for Zee.

Munt worked with doctors at Cascade Veterinary Referral Center, who performed three stem cell infusions that fall and winter. By early 2015, Zee was more energetic and was gaining back weight.

He continued researching treatment options to keep Zee healthy, since her chronic kidney disease would continue to progress. He heard that acupuncture could be used to treat feline kidney disease.

"I'm a very skeptical person with stuff like this," he says. But he decided that it couldn't hurt to try.

After the first acupuncture treatment, Zee was visibly relaxed, her appetite improved dramatically and she went from anemic to non-anemic. She still receives the treatments every six weeks.

Today, Zee showing no signs of kidney disease, Munt says. Her kidney function has improved and she's enjoying life with the six other cats in her home. She even has her own Twitter account @growingupzee with more than 10,000 followers.

"Every day that I look at Zee, it just amazes me," he says. "I never expected to see Zee like this again."

Munt continues to monitor her health Zee may need more stem cell therapy or even a kidney transplant in the future.

He's also learned about feline nutrition, since many cat foods can actually increase the risk of kidney disease in cats, he says. Among the seven cats in his house, he serves five different diets.

Munt plans to share what he's learned over the past three years in a book one that would discuss how to advocate for a sick pet and how to work collaboratively with a vet. He says that for any treatment, it's important for pet owners to know their desired outcome and their budget and to make sure their vet is on the same page.

He says he hopes Zee's story can inspire others who are treating a sick pet.

"My focus was really on saving Zee and really giving her the best quality of life that I could," he says. "I never thought she would recover to this level."

Contact Lake Oswego Review/West Linn Tidings reporter Kelsey O'Halloran at 503-636-1281 ext. 101 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Here is the original post:
Saving Zee - Pamplin Media Group

The statistics are grim: About 60 to 70 percent of children who have glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, do not survive more than two years. This fast-growing cancer is resistant to traditional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy.

For dogs, cancer statistics are also grim. More than 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer every year, and one out of four dogs will get cancer during their lifetime. Its the leading cause of death for dogs after the age of two.

But there could be hope for both dogs and kids. A vaccine being developed that destroys cancer cells in dogs could also be successful in fighting glioblastoma in children.

Researchers at Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., have started a partnership with ELIAS Animal Health, a company thats testing treatments for osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and B cell lymphoma in dogs.

If we take advantage of the resources we have in this region and get behind those collaborations, this could be a mecca for advanced, exciting, innovative therapies for cancer and lots of other diseases, Dr. Doug Myers, an oncologist at Childrens Mercy, told the Kansas City Star.

ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI) uses the dogs own immune system to destroy the cancer. Research has shown that ex vivo activated T cells have the machinery to effectively kill cancer cells, including cancer stem cells, according to the companys website. ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy utilizes adoptive cell therapy to deliver an army of activated T cells.

The dog is vaccinated with his own cancer cells to produce an immune response, then the generated white blood cells destroy the cancer cells.

Personalized T cells are then safely obtained from the patient through apheresis [the removal of blood] and then super charged to produce a large population of killer T cells that are reinfused into the patient to kill the cancer, the company explains.

ELIAS Animal Health is currently conducting clinical trials of ECI at Kansas State University, the University of Missouri-Columbia and a few animal hospitals across the country. The success rates of using ECI along with surgery on dogs with cancer are being compared with those of patients that are treated with surgery alone.

Early clinical study results already show positive outcomes, Tammie Wahaus, CEO of ELIAS Animal Health, said in November 2016.

Among the ECI success stories is that of Dakota, a German shorthaired pointer who continues to survive a year after she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This is twice as long as her original prognosis. X-rays taken during a follow-up examination showed no signs of the cancer spreading.

Could ECI also successfully treat children with glioblastoma? Dr. Kevin Ginn, a pediatric oncologist at Childrens Mercy, and other researchers are currently developing protocols for trials. Theyre planning to apply for a Phase II clinical trial with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, using the results of ECIs studies on safety and effectiveness as far as dogs are concerned. The Phase II trial would give ECI to a large group of children to see if its effective and further evaluate its safety.

Animal health trials are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are less expensive and proceed faster than FDA-regulated human trials, the Kansas City Star reports, but successful human health treatments often bring a larger return on investment.

In this case, a larger return on investment could be a win-win for children as well as dogs with cancer.

Photo credit: cgordon8527

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Read more:
Could a Dog Vaccine Help Save Kids With Brain Cancer? - Care2.com