Genetic changes linked to neurodevelopmental disabilities, cerebral palsy
Researchers have discovered a strong link between genetic changes known to cause neurodevelopmental disabilities and cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy affects movement and posture and often co-occurs with other neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability, epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Individual cases of cerebral palsy are often attributed to birth asphyxia, although recent studies indicate that asphyxia accounts for less than 10% of cases. A growing body of research indicates that cerebral palsy may be caused by genetic changes, as is the case in other neurodevelopmental disorders.
The research team, which included investigators from Geisinger and GeneDx Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BioReference Laboratories Inc., an OPKO Health company and global leader in genetic diagnostics, studied the DNA sequence of 1,526 children and adults with cerebral palsy.
Geisinger Health System provided COVID-19 vaccinations to nearly 350 school employees in the region prior to last weekâs expansion of the first priority group in Pennsylvania, Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 Executive Director Anthony Grieco said.
LIU18 was arranging vaccinations with Geisinger on behalf of area school districts and gathered names of interested school employees.
âThose vaccinated represent about 8% of school personnel that have expressed an interest in getting a shot among all school personnel in Luzerne and part of Wyoming counties,â Grieco said in an email.
Last week, the state expanded the 1A category for vaccines from just healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities to include all residents over 65 and other residents with serious underlying health issues. Residents in the 1B category, which includes teachers, are now facing delays in getting vaccines.
Distributing COVID vaccine proves difficult as state opens certain eligibilities
Healthcare workers tasked with giving shots say they don t have enough vaccines to meet the intense demand. Author: Carolyn Blackburne Updated: 9:29 PM EST January 20, 2021
DUNMORE, Pa. The phone has been ringing off the hook at DePietro s Pharmacy in Dunmore with people looking to get the coronavirus vaccine.
Pharmacists have had to tell people it s not here yet.
Richard Jones was one of many people hoping to get the shot now that the state has opened vaccine eligibility to people 65 and older and those with severe health conditions. There s supposed to be six or seven different sites in the greater Scranton area to get the shot. Nobody seems to have the shot, which is kind of disappointing, Jones said.
Sex disparity is not a risk factor for stroke mortality
An analysis of data collected from patients treated for ischemic stroke at Geisinger shows no disparity in outcomes based solely on sex.
Various studies have suggested that women are disproportionately affected by stroke and may have poorer stroke outcomes. Women have a longer life expectancy than men and, therefore, likely have an increased lifetime risk of stroke.
Women tend to be older than men at the time of stroke and have a higher pre-stroke degree of disability or dependence in their daily activities, which may contribute to worse outcomes. Rural populations may also have a higher risk of stroke based on a greater incidence of conditions like hypertension and poorly controlled diabetes.