PHE - Resources

Mimi Guarneri on PBS!

"N-of-1 or single subject clinical trials consider an individual patient as the sole unit of observation in a study investigating the efficacy or side-effect profiles of different interventions. The ultimate goal of an n-of-1 trial is to determine the optimal or best intervention for an individual patient using objective data-driven criteria. Such trials can leverage study design and statistical techniques associated with standard population-based clinical trials, including randomization, washout and crossover periods, as well as placebo controls. Despite their obvious appeal and wide use in educational settings, n-of-1 trials have been used sparingly in medical and general clinical settings. We briefly review the history, motivation and design of n-of-1 trials and emphasize the great utility of modern wireless medical monitoring devices in their execution. We ultimately argue that n-of-1 trials demand serious attention among the health research and clinical care communities given the contemporary focus on individualized medicine. Keywords: clinical equipoise, early-phase trials, individualized medicine, n-of-1, remote phenotyping, single patient trial, treatment repositioning, wireless health"

I met Tahir Bhatti during my Ornish Lifestyle Medicine transformation at Jacobs Medical Center UCSD. Tahir would sub into our support group whenever Ozzie Gontang was traveling. He is a great teacher. "Holistic Healers, Wellness Coaches, and Life-partners, Tahir Bhatti & Ayesha Suneja  have spent the last 20 years researching, teaching and guiding others towards mind-body-spirit healing, transpersonal wellness and spiritual growth.   Originally from India and Pakistan, both Ayesha and Tahir were raised in cultures that naturally cultivated spirituality, meditation and holistic healing practices.   Their passion for integrating spirituality into their clinical work led them to further their studies in Eastern philosophy, meditation, soul consciousness and self-realization.   Due to their exposure to ancient Eastern philosophies at a young age and their extensive training in Western Medicine & Psychology, their eclectic studies are balanced in the Sciences and the Ancient Truths.     By integrating both philosophies Tahir and Ayesha have created a blend of Eastern and Western Coaching Practices that is truly unique."

"Meet Sharon Terry, a former college chaplain and stay-at-home mom who took the medical research world by storm when her two young children were diagnosed with a rare disease known as pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). In this knockout talk, Terry explains how she and her husband became citizen scientists, working midnight shifts at the lab to find the gene behind PXE and establishing mandates that require researchers to share biological samples and work together."

"Xconomy San Diego -  LunaDNA, a startup that is offering individuals company stock in exchange for personal genomic and health information in a bid to build a database that could help advance scientific research, is merging its research platform with the Genetic Alliance's Platform for Engaging Everyone Responsibly (PEER)."

"The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM) is a non-profit organization that focuses on the issue of diagnostic error. Misdiagnosis is quite common in Lyme disease and the consequences can be devastating. The SIDM website recently featured the personal story of LymeDisease.org's Lorraine Johnson, and the lessons learned from her own experience with diagnostic error. It is re-published here with SIDM's permission."

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Spasticity in chronic spinal cord injury is a condition that can have negative repercussions on the patient's quality of life. Its treatment is complex and sometimes the outcome is insufficient. Cannabinoids have recently been used in multiple sclerosis to successfully treat spasticity that is refractory to other therapies. AIM: To quantify the clinical response of a group of patients with spastic chronic spinal cord injury to the orally administered drug delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-cannabidiol (Sativex®) as medication for use in special situations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The research consists of a six-month observational study in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries with refractory spasticity. The variables collected were: modified Ashworth scale, Penn spasm frequency scale, Numeric Rating Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale for pain. Additionally, clinical variables and side effects of the treatment were also collected. RESULTS: Fifteen patients took part in this study. A significant improvement was observed on three of the scales recorded: modified Ashworth scale (z = -2.97; p = 0.003), Penn spasm frequency scale (z = -2.76; p = 0.006) and Numeric Rating Scale (z = -3.21; p = 0.001). The use of the drug was withdrawn in two patients due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Sativex can be considered an alternative in patients with spasticity associated with chronic spinal cord injury for whom other therapeutic measures have been insufficient. Further studies need to be conducted before the use of this drug can be recommended and so as to define a complete profile of its long-term side effects.

"Q. What are the consequences of taking antibiotics on your gut microbiome? Does the gut ever fully recover? A. Most gut bacteria recover quickly, but there can be long-lasting consequences from taking antibiotics. The changes, however, are not necessarily harmful. The gut microbiome, the roughly 10 trillion to 100 trillion bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, contributes to health by synthesizing vitamins, metabolizing drugs and fighting pathogens. Anything that disrupts the balance of microorganisms, such as antibiotics, which can kill both "good" and "bad" bacteria, has the potential to cause disease."

""The best technology conference in the world." - The Economist REGISTER NOWThe 17th annual Future in Review Conference Oct. 8-11, 2019 - The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA  A Strategic News Service Presentation "

James Walton Fund -- Rebranding

"Perhaps healthcare is now seeing the beginning of unbundling, catalyzed by the same use of technology which allows companies to focus solely on user experience in specific verticals. Some of the first pieces of unbundled healthcare to get venture momentum were direct-to-consumer brands such as Hims, Roman, Keeps, and Nurx. These are examples of companies using technology - such as telemedicine, asynchronous chats, and structured data - to lower costs and reduce friction in various niches of healthcare via a simple subscription business model."

"When asked simple questions about global trends―what percentage of the world's population live in poverty; why the world's population is increasing; how many girls finish school―we systematically get the answers wrong. So wrong that a chimpanzee choosing answers at random will consistently outguess teachers, journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers."

"I talk about the developed and developing world all the time, but I shouldn't. My late friend Hans Rosling called the labels "outdated" and "meaningless." Any categorization that lumps together China and the Democratic Republic of Congo is too broad to be useful. But I've continued to use "developed" and "developing" in public (and on this blog) because there wasn't a more accurate, easily understandable alternative-until now."

"You've never seen data presented like this. With the drama and urgency of a sportscaster, statistics guru Hans Rosling debunks myths about the so-called "developing world." Closing in on 13 million views -- 7 billion to go. This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page."

Rosling and Gapminder creating stunning dynamic data visualizations of WHO (World Heath Organization) statistics. They are dedicated to proving with data the FACTS about our world. This is a way to a global view point that will help us all see that life on our planet is far better than it has ever been. Ready to use data to challenge your assumptions and shed your misconceptions? Dive in!

"Remarks by Scott Gottlieb, M.D. Commissioner of Food and Drugs Friends of Cancer Research 7th Annual Blueprint for Breakthrough Forum Sept. 13, 2018 Washingon, DC "Blueprint for Breakthroughs - Charting the Course for Precision Medicin"

"Healing Intensive Retreats, led by Master Mingtong Gu, are the most immersive and focused Qigong trainings offered by The Chi Center.  Qigong is founded on the wisdom that the best medicine is within you ­- for you to discover, experience, and activate."

"Tired of marketing that doesn't work? The Big Brand Workshop empowers your senior executives to discover the strengths and weaknesses of your current positioning. Participants work together to distinguish your brand attributes and personality while creating your brand promise - the guide post to breakthrough success. "