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Governor Abbott Appoints Seven to Texas Radiation Advisory Board

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Governor Abbott Appoints Seven to Texas Radiation Advisory Board

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Roland Benke, Ph.D., and Lisa Masters, D.D.S. and reappointed Mark Harvey, Ph.D., Sanjay Narayan, Gerald Powell, and Simon Trubek, M.D. to the Texas Radiation Advisory Board for terms set to expire April 16, 2027. Additionally, he appointed Michael Britt for a term set to expire on April 16, 2025. The board advises the state on radiation issues and reviews the rules, policies and programs of state agencies that regulate radiation.

Roland Benke, Ph.D. of Austin is a Director of Renaissance Code Development and President of Tac-Alert. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Health Physics and a Radiological Operations Support Specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the revision of the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site-Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) through the Science Advisory Board and is a member of the Health Physics Society and American Nuclear Society. Benke received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Nuclear Engineering, a Master of Engineering in Radiological Health, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Lisa Masters, D.D.S. of San Antonio is a periodontist at Masters Dental Group. She is chair of the Anesthesia Advisory Committee of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners and a member of the Continuing Education Subcommittee of the American Dental Association. Masters received a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Texas A&M University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a Master of Science in Biomedical Science from the UT Health School of Dentistry.

Mark Harvey, Ph.D. of Houston is an associate professor of physics at Texas Southern University. He is a member of the Health Physics Society, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, the National Society of Black Physicists, and the American Physical Society. He also serves as a technical reviewer for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is a former volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Virginia. He mentors students on research involving computational modeling and measurement of stray radiation in both radiotherapy and applied research laboratory facilities.  He has held postdoctoral research positions at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY) in experimental high-energy nuclear physics and also at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) in medical physics. He has given numerous research presentations at national and international conferences and been awarded federally funded grants from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. Harvey received a Bachelor of Science in physics from Virginia State University and a Master of Science in physics and a Doctor of Philosophy in nuclear physics from Hampton University.

Sanjay Narayan of Dallas is a practicing attorney and litigator. He is a member of the Texas State Bar, New York State Bar, The Federalist Society, and the South Asian Lawyers Association. Additionally, he is a member of the Duke University Alumni Association and the University of Pennsylvania Law School Alumni Association and is a Pro Bono contributor to the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. Narayan received a Bachelor of Science in economics and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Duke University, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and a Certificate of Study in business economics and public policy from the Wharton School of Business. He is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) well versed in data privacy issues.

Gerald Powell of Bay City is President and Chief Executive Officer of the STP Nuclear Operating Company. He is a member of the American Nuclear Society and has served as chairman of the Nuclear Power Institute Advisory Council, Matagorda County United Way Board of Directors, Bay City Independent School District Board of Trustees, and the Bay City Country Club Board of Directors. He also volunteers for the Texas A&M Nuclear Engineering Advisory Council, EPRI Chemistry and Health Physics Committee, and the EPRI Nuclear Power Council. Powell received a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University.

Simon Trubek, M.D. is the Chief of the Molecular Radiology Section at ARA Diagnostic Imaging. He is a member of the American Board of Radiology and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. Trubek received a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Doctor of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine.

Michael Britt of New Braunfels is the owner of Britt Claims and Consulting Services and has spent over 20 years in the insurance industry. He serves as a board member of the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation. Additionally, he is a member of the New Braunfels Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Canyon Lake Lions Club.

Source: gov.texas.gov

Abril es el Mes Nacional de la Aceptación del Autismo

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Abril es el Mes Nacional de la Aceptación del Autismo

Según la Sociedad Americana del Autismo (Autism Society of America) (en inglés), la incidencia de este trastorno del desarrollo es la que más rápido crece en los Estados Unidos. A uno de cada 54 niños se le diagnostica un trastorno del espectro autista, lo que supone un total de más de 5 millones de jóvenes y adultos afectados.

Grace Kong, residente del condado de Fort Bend, explicó que su hijo, Bryan, tenía problemas de comportamiento en casa y en la escuela y ella estaba buscando apoyo para ayudarle a salir adelante.

A través del Programa de Autismo Infantil (CAP) de HHS, Kong fue remitida a los servicios de análisis conductual aplicado (ABA), y Bryan ha estado recibiendo tratamiento desde que tenía unos 11 años.

Kong dijo que los analistas conductuales que tratan a Bryan, que ahora tiene 15 años, la acompañaron a una reunión con los funcionarios de la escuela para elaborar un programa educativo individualizado que integrara las estrategias que utilizan para su hijo.

Desde 2013, el CAP ha proporcionado más de 600,000 horas de servicios de ABA en Texas a niños de entre 3 y 15 años diagnosticados con un trastorno del espectro autista. Estos servicios se prestan a través de contratos con agencias y organizaciones comunitarias locales. Los servicios se pueden prestar en el hogar, en una clínica o en entornos familiares de la comunidad.

El método ABA utiliza principios conductuales para evaluar y enseñar comportamientos socialmente útiles y nuevas habilidades, y al mismo tiempo motiva al niño a tener comportamientos deseables mediante un refuerzo positivo. ABA es el tratamiento basado en la evidencia más recomendado para el autismo, y los servicios se planean con cada familia en función de las necesidades del niño.

Para poder recibir servicios de ABA, el niño debe ser diagnosticado por un médico o psicólogo autorizado que tenga formación y experiencia en el tratamiento de trastornos del neurodesarrollo.

Para encontrar el proveedor del CAP más cercano, utilice el localizador de clínicas de la Oficina de Atención Primaria y Especializada (en inglés), llame al 512-776-3040 de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. hora del centro, de lunes a viernes, o envíe un correo electrónico a Debbie Bridge, coordinadora de políticas del CAP.

 

Source: hhs.texas.gov

Shell presents Energy Transition Strategy publication to shareholders for advisory vote

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Shell presents Energy Transition Strategy publication to shareholders for advisory vote

“As we transform our business, it is more important than ever for shareholders to understand and support our approach,” says Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Officer, Ben van Beurden, in his introduction to the publication. “We are asking our shareholders to vote for an energy transition strategy that is designed to bring our energy products, our services, and our investments in line with the goal of the Paris Agreement and the global drive to combat climate change.”

This publication sets out the company’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in step with society’s progress towards the goal of the Paris Agreement on climate change. It also describes Shell’s short- and medium-term climate targets, customer-focused decarbonization strategy, capital allocation, and approach to climate-related policy and advocacy.

The decision to seek an advisory vote was announced in February as part of Shell’s Powering Progress strategy, which aims to accelerate the transition of the company’s business to net-zero emissions, in step with society. It follows continuing engagement with shareholders, including with Climate Action 100+ which represents investors with assets of around $54 trillion.

The vote is purely advisory and will not be binding. Shell’s Board and Executive Committee remain responsible and accountable for setting and approving Shell’s energy transition strategy.

Shell will publish an update to its Energy Transition Strategy publication every three years until 2050. Every year, starting in 2022, it will also seek an advisory vote on its progress towards its plans and targets.

To read the Shell Energy Transition Strategy, go to www.shell.com/energytransitionstrategy

Source: www.shell.com

Governor Abbott Statement On Biden Administration Reversal Of 1115 Medicaid Waiver Extension

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Governor Abbott Statement On Biden Administration Reversal Of 1115 Medicaid Waiver Extension

Governor Greg Abbott today issued a statement after the Biden administration rescinded a 10-year 1115 Medicaid waiver extension that was granted by the previous administration. This extension, which was scheduled to run through 2030, would have provided critical healthcare funding, including funds for uncompensated care.

“By rescinding this waiver extension, the Biden administration is obstructing healthcare access for vulnerable Texans and taking away crucial resources for rural hospitals in Texas,” said Governor Abbott. “The State of Texas spent months negotiating this agreement with the federal government to ensure vital funds for hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health resources for Texans who are uninsured. With this action, the Biden administration is deliberately betraying Texans who depend on the resources made possible through this waiver.”

Source: gov.texas.gov

FEMA ha extendido la fecha límite de registro al 20 de mayo de 2021

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FEMA ha extendido la fecha límite de registro al 20 de mayo de 2021

 

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La Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés), ha extendido el plazo para que los residentes del Condado Harris soliciten asistencia por daños sufridos tras la tormenta invernal de febrero hasta el 20 de mayo de 2021.

 

Puede encontrar más información sobre la ayuda federal para este desastre en https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4586.

Como recordatorio, si sufrió daños en su residencia por la tormenta invernal y cuenta con seguro, comuníquese con su compañía de seguros antes de contactar a FEMA.

¡Solicitar la ayuda es fácil! Diríjase a www.disasterassistance.gov o comuníquese a la línea de ayuda de asistencia en caso de desastre de FEMA al 1-800-621-3362. Por ahora, no hay centros de recuperación de desastres en persona.

Para obtener más información sobre la ayuda por desastre tras tormentas invernales haga clic aquí para ir a la página de recursos de recuperación de ReadyHarris.

FEMA Registration Deadline Extended to May 20

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FEMA Registration Deadline Extended to May 20

 

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has extended the deadline for Harris County residents to apply for Individual Assistance for damage sustained from February’s winter storm until May 20, 2021.

More information about federal aid for this disaster can be found at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4586.

As a reminder, if you sustained damage to your residence from the winter storms and you have insurance, contact your insurance company and then FEMA.

Applying for help is easy! Go to www.disasterassistance.gov or you can call the FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. There are no in-person disaster recovery centers.

For more information on winter storm disaster aid, click here to go to the ReadyHarris recovery resource page.

National Selena Day: Celebrating the Queen of Tejano on what would have been her 50th birthday

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National Selena Day: Celebrating the Queen of Tejano on what would have been her 50th birthday

Today, April 16, is National Selena Day in the United States.

It is a day where fans will put on some Selena songs and remember the impact she had on Tejano music.

Selena Quintanilla was born on April 16, 1971, in Lake Jackson, Texas, just outside of Houston.

At just 10 years old, Selena became the lead singer of the group Selena y Los Dinos.

In 1987, at just 15 years old, Selena won the Tejano Music Award for Female Vocalist. She went on to win that award nine consecutive times, making waves in the male-dominated world of Tejano music.

In April of 1992, Selena married guitarist Chris Perez, continuing to perform and pursue a successful fashion venture.

Selena was just 23-years-old when she was killed by the president of her fan club at a Corpus Christi motel on March 31, 1995. The young star confronted the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar, and accused her of mishandling the club’s money. An argument ensued and ended with Selena being fatally shot.

Afterward, Saldívar held police at bay for hours. She was in her car threatening to take her own life. Ultimately she surrendered, was tried for murder, and sentenced to life in prison.

Her appeal is as big as ever among those who were fans before her death and even among those born long after. Somehow, in her own way, she managed to endear not only Latinos and Mexican Americans but generations around the world.

Source: www.kvue.com

Global shortage of innovative antibiotics fuels emergence and spread of drug-resistance

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Global shortage of innovative antibiotics fuels emergence and spread of drug-resistance

The world is still failing to develop desperately needed antibacterial treatments, despite growing awareness of the urgent threat of antibiotic resistance, according to a report by the World Health Organization. WHO reveals that none of the 43 antibiotics that are currently in clinical development sufficiently address the problem of drug resistance in the world’s most dangerous bacteria.

“The persistent failure to develop, manufacture, and distribute effective new antibiotics is further fueling the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and threatens our ability to successfully treat bacterial infections,” says Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Assistant Director-General on AMR.

Almost all the new antibiotics that have been brought to market in recent decades are variations of antibiotic drug classes that had been discovered by the 1980s.

The impact of AMR is most severe in resource-constrained settings and among vulnerable groups such as newborns and young children. Bacterial pneumonia and bloodstream infections are among the major causes of childhood mortality under the age of 5. Approximately 30% of neonates with sepsis die due to bacterial infections resistant to multiple first-line antibiotics.

Report findings:

WHO’s annual Antibacterial Pipeline Report, reviews antibiotics that are in the clinical stages of testing as well as those in early product development. The aim is to assess progress and identify gaps in relation to urgent threats of drug resistance, and to encourage action to fill those gaps.

The report evaluates the potential of the candidates to address the most threatening drug-resistant bacteria outlined in the WHO Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (WHO PPL). This list, which includes 13 priority drug-resistant bacteria, has informed and guided priority areas for research and development since its first publication in 2017.

The 2020 report reveals a near-static pipeline with only a few antibiotics being approved by regulatory agencies in recent years.  Most of these agents in development offer limited clinical benefit over existing treatments, with 82% of the recently approved antibiotics being derivatives of existing antibiotic classes with well-established drug resistance. Therefore, the rapid emergence of drug resistance to these new agents is expected.

The review concludes that “overall, the clinical pipeline and recently approved antibiotics are insufficient to tackle the challenge of increasing emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance”.

Novel solutions outside the traditional development pathway:

The lack of progress on antibiotic development highlights the need to explore innovative approaches to treat bacterial infections. 2020 WHO pipeline report for the first time includes a comprehensive overview of non-traditional antibacterial medicines.  It highlights 27 non-traditional antibacterial agents in the pipeline ranging from antibodies to bacteriophages and therapies that support the patient’s immune response and weaken the effect of the bacteria.

High failure rates and impact on market dynamics: 

The report notes that there are some promising products in different stages of development. However, only a fraction of these will ever make it to the market due to the economic and inherent scientific challenges in the drug development process. This, along with the small return on investment from successful antibiotic products, has limited the interest of major private investors and most large pharmaceutical companies.

The report confirms that the preclinical and clinical pipeline continues to be driven by small- and medium-sized companies. These enterprises often struggle to finance their products to the late stages of clinical development or until regulatory approval is obtained.

The COVID-19 opportunity:

The COVID-19 crisis has deepened the global understanding of the health and economic implications of an uncontrolled pandemic. It also accentuated the gaps in sustainable funding to address these risks, including investments in R&D of antimicrobial medicines and vaccines, whilst revealing what rapid progress can be made when there is enough political will and enterprise.

“Opportunities emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic must be seized to bring to the forefront the needs for sustainable investments in R&D of new and effective antibiotics,” said Haileyesus Getahun, Director of AMR Global Coordination at WHO.  “Antibiotics present the Achilles heel for universal health coverage and our global health security.  We need a global sustained effort including mechanisms for pooled funding and new and additional investments to meet the magnitude of the AMR threat.”

Global Initiatives:

To address gaps in funding and drive sustainable investments in antibiotics development, WHO and its partner Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative  (DNDi) have set up the Global Antibiotic R&D Partnership (GARDP) to develop some of the innovative treatments that are included in the report. In addition, the WHO has been working closely with other non-profit funding partners such as the CARB-X to “push” and accelerate antibacterial research.

Another important new initiative is the AMR Action Fund, a partnership that was set up by a coalition of pharmaceutical companies, philanthropies, the European Investment Bank, with the support of the WHO, that aims to strengthen and accelerate antibiotic development through global pooled funding. The Fund is expected to play an important role in ensuring that the most innovative and promising products receive the required funding.

Source: www.who.int/news

Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause could hurt underserved communities

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Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause could hurt underserved communities

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine pause caught many providers off guard. Now, many have thousands of doses sitting on shelves while they wait for health officials to announce the next steps.

“It’s been a challenging week because every vaccine provider was taken aback when the announcement came out about Johnson & Johnson,” said Dr. Yen-Chi Le, the director of Innovation & Evaluations for UT Physicians Healthcare Transformation Initiatives.

Le said the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been critical for immunizing underserved communities since it only requires one dose. This week, she said UT Physicians had to pivot last minute, offering the Pfizer vaccine at an outreach event instead of the J&J vaccine.

“Given that some people have to take off work to get vaccinated, using Johnson & Johnson would have only made them take off one day of work instead of two,” she said.

Even if the pause is temporary, some worry it will have lasting effects on people who are already hesitant about the shots.

“We’re reaching the point where many people who want to be vaccinated have been vaccinated. The ones who are less sure, less confident, are the ones we need to outreach to,” Le said.

Dr. Maria Rivera, with Harris County Public Health, said a small number of people canceled their vaccination appointments after federal health officials announced several cases of blood clots among women who got the J&J vaccine.

“We have seen a little bit of a drop-off, but I think this is something being seen across the country, not just in Harris County. I think there are some concerns in general about the vaccines. The message we’re trying to send is the vaccines are still very safe, they’re still effective,” Rivera said.

Rivera said the county has 55,000 doses of J&J on standby but they have enough Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses available. No appointments have been canceled.

“Even for our homebound programs, instead of doing one visit, we’re now going to do two visits. We’re still committed to our vulnerable populations, but now it’ll be a two-dose series,” Rivera said.

Several vaccine hubs said the Johnson & Johnson pause will not have a noticeable effect on vaccinations. Supply has gotten to the point where there’s almost no wait time for people who want shots.

Source: www.khou.com

Third dose of the Pfizer vaccine likely to protect against COVID variants

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Third dose of the Pfizer vaccine likely to protect against COVID variants

It is looking more likely that we will need a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine — at least when it comes to Pfizer’s vaccine.

Let’s connect the dots.

Pfizer’s CEO now says that people who received the Pfizer vaccine will likely need a third dose between six and 12 months after their initial vaccination.

That third shot is needed to fight against coronavirus variants that have developed. After that, he said getting your coronavirus vaccine would likely become an annual event — kinda like getting your flu shot every year.

But researchers still don’t know for sure how long protection against the virus will last. That’s because not all vaccines and not all viruses are the same.

Some, like the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, known as the MMR, give lifetime protection, while the flu is only seasonal.

So far both Pfizer and Moderna are reporting their vaccines offer protection through at least six months.

The problem right now is the variants, which continue to spread.

In fact, the more contagious UK variant is now the dominant version of coronavirus in the U.S.

While limited research shows both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines work against the variants, more research is needed and there is always a concern a new one will emerge.

Source: www.khou.com

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