Podcasts about nmj

The often challenging diagnosis of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) disorders can be explained by suspicious red flags for the key differential diagnoses (mimics) and atypical presentations (chameleons).  In the latest Editor's Choice paper podcast, PN's podcast editor Dr. Amy Ross Russell interviews Dr Stephen Reddel and Dr Shadi El-Wahsh, both from the Concord Hospital, New South Wales, Australia, and the authors of Neuromuscular junction disorders: mimics and chameleons. Please subscribe to the Practical Neurology podcast on your favourite platform to get the latest podcast every month. If you enjoy our podcast, you can leave us a review or a comment on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/3vVPClm) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4baxjsQ). We'd love to hear your feedback on social media - @PracticalNeurol. Production and editing by Letícia Amorim, Amy Ross Russell, and Brian O'Toole. Thank you for listening. 

Roger VanGorden joins Bill, Darin and Greg as a regular host on Meet, Act, and Part. We discuss the current initiatives of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ and what the future might hold.

Join Eric and Jayden as they discuss the high-yield neuromuscular junction. They explain the clinical applications of the NMJ they see everyday as doctors. Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at podcast@jackwestin.com!

Choline may affect muscle responses to RET through many potential mechanisms. Since choline is a precursor to a neurotransmitter, ACh, which relays a signal from motor neurons to skeletal muscle to contract and generate force, and of which synthesis is reported to be affected by availability of choline [36,37], insufficient choline consumption may limit the availability of ACh at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and, in turn, muscle contraction and force generation. #choline #strength #muscle Lee, C. W., Lee, T. V., Galvan, E., Chen, V. C., Bui, S., Crouse, S. F., Fluckey, J. D.,Smith, S. B., & Riechman, S. E. (2023). The Effect of Choline and Resistance Training on Strength and Lean Mass in Older Adults. Nutrients, 15(18), 3874. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183874 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ralph-turchiano/support

Choline may affect muscle responses to RET through many potential mechanisms. Since choline is a precursor to a neurotransmitter, ACh, which relays a signal from motor neurons to skeletal muscle to contract and generate force, and of which synthesis is reported to be affected by availability of choline [36,37], insufficient choline consumption may limit the availability of ACh at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and, in turn, muscle contraction and force generation. #choline #strength #muscle Lee, C. W., Lee, T. V., Galvan, E., Chen, V. C., Bui, S., Crouse, S. F., Fluckey, J. D., Smith, S. B., & Riechman, S. E. (2023). The Effect of Choline and Resistance Training on Strength and Lean Mass in Older Adults. Nutrients, 15(18), 3874. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183874 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ralph-turchiano/support

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.06.30.547304v1?rss=1 Authors: Mallik, B., Kushwaha, S., Bisht, A., MJ, H., Frank, C. A., Kumar, V. Abstract: Synaptic morphogenesis involves an interplay of multiple signaling pathways and requires membrane remodeling and cytoskeleton dynamics. We identified the BAR-domain protein dAsap (Arf GAP, SH3, Ankyrin repeat, and PH domain) as one of the regulators of synaptic morphogenesis. Loss of dAsap results in decreased bouton numbers, increased inter-bouton diameter, and disrupted microtubule organization at the nerve terminals. Electrophysiological analysis of the mutants revealed a gain in neurotransmission compared to control neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). dAsap mutant NMJs have increased evoked amplitude, increased spontaneous miniature frequency, and significantly fewer synaptic failures in low calcium. Consistent with these observations, dAsap mutants have increased active zone number. Additional pharmacological and genetic manipulations that are known to impair calcium release from stores suppress the dAsap phenotypes. Finally, we show that expressing a GDP-locked form of Arf6 in dAsap mutants restored the NMJ morphological defects, disrupted cytoskeleton, and aberrant neurotransmission. Thus, we propose a model in which dAsap regulates NMJ morphogenesis and synaptic calcium homeostasis through Arf6-dependent neuronal signaling. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Title:  Histological assessment of C1q expression and deposition at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in Tibialis Anterior (TA) Tissue of SOD1G93A Mouse Model   Authors: Joseph Vereen, MS, Annexon Biosciences, Brisbane, CA Alessia Tassoni, PhD, Annexon Biosciences, Brisbane, CA Larry Mattheakis, PhD, Annexon Biosciences, Brisbane, CA Ellen Cahir-McFarland ,PhD, Annexon Biosciences, Brisbane, CA Ted Yednock, PhD, Annexon Biosciences, Brisbane, CA Yaisa Andrews-Zwilling, PhD, Annexon Biosciences, Brisbane, CA  

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 5, entitled, “AAV1.NT-3 gene therapy prevents age-related sarcopenia.” Sarcopenia is progressive loss of muscle mass and strength occurring during normal aging with significant consequences on the quality of life for elderly. Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) is an important autocrine factor supporting Schwann cell survival and differentiation and stimulating axon regeneration and myelination. NT-3 is involved in the maintenance of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) integrity, restoration of impaired radial growth of muscle fibers through activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway. In this new study, researchers Burcak Ozes, Lingying Tong, Morgan Myers, Kyle Moss, Alicia Ridgley, and Zarife Sahenk from Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Ohio State University used a triple muscle-specific creatine kinase (tMCK) promoter to restrict NT-3 expression to the skeletal muscle and self-complimentary adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (scAAV1) as vector to assess the therapeutic efficacy of AAV1.NT-3 in wild type-aged C57BL/6J mice, a model for natural aging and sarcopenia. “Quantitative histopathologic parameters served to address age-related changes in muscle, peripheral nerve and NMJ.” The treatment efficacy was assessed at 6 months post-injection using run to exhaustion and rotarod tests, in vivo muscle contractility assay, and histopathological studies of the peripheral nervous system, including NMJ connectivity and muscle. AAV1.NT-3 gene therapy in WT-aged C57BL/6 mice resulted in functional and in vivo muscle physiology improvements, supported by quantitative histology from muscle, peripheral nerves and NMJ. Hindlimb and forelimb muscles in the untreated cohort showed the presence of a muscle- and sex-dependent remodeling and fiber size decrease with aging, which was normalized toward values obtained from 10 months old WT mice with treatment. The molecular studies assessing the NT-3 effect on the oxidative state of distal hindlimb muscles, accompanied by western blot analyses for mTORC1 activation were in accordance with the histological findings. “When considering the burden of sarcopenia on the lifestyle of elderly, and on the healthcare system, we believe this preclinical study is providing strong support for AAV.NT-3 gene therapy in the successful management of sarcopenia, as a serious and plausible option in the future.” DOI: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204577 Corresponding Author: Zarife Sahenk - zarife.sahenk@nationwidechildrens.org Keywords: sarcopenia, gene therapy, aging, NT-3, muscle remodeling Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article: https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.204577 About Aging-US Launched in 2009, Aging-US publishes papers of general interest and biological significance in all fields of aging research and age-related diseases, including cancer—and now, with a special focus on COVID-19 vulnerability as an age-dependent syndrome. Topics in Aging-US go beyond traditional gerontology, including, but not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, human age-related diseases, pathology in model organisms, signal transduction pathways (e.g., p53, sirtuins, and PI-3K/AKT/mTOR, among others), and approaches to modulating these signaling pathways. Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us: SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/Aging-Us Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ Media Contact 18009220957 MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.02.12.528218v1?rss=1 Authors: Li, A., Yi, J., Li, X., Dong, L., Ostrow, L. W., Ma, J., Zhou, J. Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease that affects all voluntary muscles in the body, leading to paralysis and respiratory failure, while the extraocular muscles (EOMs) are largely spared even at the end-stage of ALS. Through whole-mount muscle imaging, we detected severe denervation along with depletion of Pax7+ satellite cells (SCs) peri-neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in hindlimb and diaphragm muscles of end-stage SOD1G93A mice (a familial ALS mouse model), but not in EOMs. Upon isolating SCs from different muscles using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), the FACS profiles of hindlimb and diaphragm SCs of G93A mice exhibited activation and depletion phenotypes but not in wildtype controls. Importantly, both wildtype and G93A EOM SCs exhibited spontaneous activation behavior without significant differences in abundance. Examination of Pax7+ and Ki67+ cell ratios and RNA-Seq of SCs cultured in growth and differentiation medium revealed that EOM SCs maintained renewability and stemness better than diaphragm and hindlimb counterparts, especially in differentiation-favoring environments. Comparative functional annotation analyses indicate enrichment of axon guidance molecules, such as Cxcl12, in cultured EOM SCs. In neuromuscular coculture experiments, overexpressing Cxcl12 in G93A hindlimb SC-derived myotubes enhanced motor neuron axon extension and improved innervation, partially replicating the multi-innervation property of EOM SC-derived myotubes. The unique SC homeostasis regulation and the production of axon guidance molecules including Cxcl12 may explain the ALS resistant nature of EOMs. Intriguingly, feeding G93A mice with sodium butyrate extended the life span of G93A mice, alleviated NMJ denervation and SCs depletion. Butyrate treatment promoted renewability and stemness of cultured G93A hindlimb and diaphragm SCs, as well as Cxcl12 expression. Thus, butyrate-induced EOM SC-like transcriptomic patterns may contribute to its beneficiary effects observed in G93A mice. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.12.21.521505v1?rss=1 Authors: He, K., Han, Y., Li, X., Hernandez, R. X., Riboul, D. V., Feghhi, T., Justs, K. A., Mahneva, O., Perry, S., Macleod, G. T., Dickman, D. Abstract: Neurons exhibit a striking degree of functional diversity, each one tuned to the needs of the circuitry in which it is embedded. A fundamental functional dichotomy occurs in activity patterns, with some neurons firing at a relatively constant tonic rate, while others fire in bursts - a phasic pattern. Synapses formed by tonic vs phasic neurons are also functionally differentiated, yet the bases of their distinctive properties remain enigmatic. A major challenge towards illuminating the synaptic differences between tonic and phasic neurons is the difficulty in isolating their physiological properties. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), most muscle fibers are co-innervated by two motor neurons, the tonic MN-Ib and phasic MN-Is. Here, we employed selective expression of a newly developed botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT-C) transgene to silence tonic or phasic motor neurons. This approach revealed major differences in their neurotransmitter release properties, including probability, short-term plasticity, and vesicle pools. Furthermore, calcium imaging demonstrated ~two-fold greater calcium influx at phasic neuron release sites relative to tonic, along with enhanced synaptic vesicle coupling. Finally, confocal and super resolution imaging revealed that phasic neuron release sites are organized in a more compact arrangement, with enhanced stoichiometry of voltage-gated calcium channels relative to other active zone scaffolds. These data suggest that distinctions in active zone nano-architecture and calcium influx collaborate to differentially tune glutamate release at synapses of tonic vs phasic neuronal subtypes. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Sponsored by DaVinci Laboratories Millennials are now the nation's largest living adult generation, surpassing Baby Boomers in 2019. In the world of integrative medicine, this presents a significant opportunity to help a lot of patients achieve better health and protect themselves from common chronic illnesses. In this interview, Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, talks about practical, effective integrative health strategies that can reduce disease risk in millennials. In addition to being NMJ's editor-in-chief, Kaczor is the editor of the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology and host of the popular podcast The Cancer Pod (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cancer-pod-a-resource-for-cancer-patients/id1584013388). ----- "Simple and Relaxing Minimal Ambient" by Coma-Media and “Inspirational Background” by AudioCoffee via pixabay.com. About the Expert Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO, is editor in-chief of Natural Medicine Journal and the creator of Round Table Cancer Care. She is a naturopathic physician board certified in naturopathic oncology. Kaczor received her naturopathic doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine and completed her residency at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She is also the editor of the Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology and cofounder of The Cancer Pod, a podcast for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and everyone in between. About the Sponsor NEARLY 50 YEARS OF KNOWLEDGE We are a family-owned and managed company and are always willing to assist you in any way possible on matters relating to nutrition. Every day, we work hard to set new standards for quality and product innovation so we can keep you as healthy and informed as possible. Meet Our Family.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.11.03.515133v1?rss=1 Authors: Kauwe, G., Mori, M., Liao, E. H., Scott, G., Haghighi, P. Abstract: Neuronal response to nutrient availability plays an important role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and behavioral response to the environment in higher eukaryotes. However, we know little about how neuronal function is influenced by acute changes in nutrients at high resolution. Taking advantage of powerful fly genetics and the amenability of the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ), we have investigated the synaptic response to acute amino acid restriction. Our findings indicate that the presence of general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) and phosphorylation of its target eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2alpha) are essential for the ability of the NMJ to maintain normal neurotransmitter output when the larvae are deprived of amino acids. Surprisingly, activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), which normally acts downstream of GCN2/eIF2alpha, appears dispensable in this regulation. Furthermore, we show that GCN2/eIF2alpha dependent cascade acts retrogradely from muscle back to motoneuron to adjust synaptic release. These results provide a mechanistic insight into the intricate regulation of synaptic strength through the action of GCN2 when organisms are faced with amino acid scarcity. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.08.31.506100v1?rss=1 Authors: Armstrong, N. S., Frank, C. A. Abstract: The ability of synapses to maintain physiological levels of evoked neurotransmission is essential for neuronal stability. A variety of perturbations can disrupt neurotransmission, but synapses often compensate for disruptions and work to stabilize activity levels, using forms of homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP) is one such mechanism that is expressed at the model Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) synapse. In PHP, neurotransmitter release increases in response to challenges to the synapse, resulting in the maintenance of evoked neurotransmission. Prior work separated PHP into two temporal phases, acute and chronic. Those data suggested that cytoplasmic calcium signaling was important for a long-term maintenance of PHP. Here we used a combination of transgenic Drosophila RNA interference and overexpression lines, along with NMJ electrophysiology, synapse imaging, and pharmacology to test if regulators of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin are necessary for the normal expression of acute or chronic forms of PHP. We found that either pre- or postsynaptic dysregulation of a Drosophila gene regulating calcineurin, sarah (sra), blocks PHP. Examination of tissue-specific data showed that increases and decreases in sra expression are both detrimental to PHP. Additionally, the acute and chronic phases of PHP are functionally separable depending entirely upon which sra genetic manipulation is used. Surprisingly, concurrent pre- and postsynaptic sra knockdown or overexpression ameliorated PHP blocks revealed in single tissue experiments. Pharmacological inhibition of calcineurin corroborated this latter finding. Our results suggest that a discrete balance of calcineurin signaling is needed across multiple synapse tissue types and over different temporal phases to stabilize peripheral synaptic outputs. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by PaperPlayer

Integrative oncology has made great strides over the past decade, but does it help to increase 5-year survival odds? In this interview, NMJ founder Karolyn A. Gazella talks with integrative oncology researcher, patient advocate, and breast cancer survivor Terri Crudup. Crudup was a part of the research team that recently published a study on the efficacy of integrative oncology for breast cancer patients in the Journal of Oncology. About the Expert Terri Crudup is an integrative oncology researcher who is passionate about increasing education, support, and funding for integrative therapies. As a two-time cancer survivor, Terri learned the power of complementary and lifestyle therapies, integrating them with traditional treatments to maximize her outcomes. Terri's employer, IQVIA, sponsored her research study showing institutional involvement with integrative oncology increases the odds of five-year survival for breast cancer patients. Her work has been published through ASCO and in the Journal of Oncology. Terri has a Biology degree from SUNY Geneseo, an MBA from the University of Rochester Simon School, and 20 years' experience as a researcher and consultant to pharmaceutical companies.

Both sucrose and high fructose corn syrup linked to increased health risks University of California at Davis, August 31, 2021 Consuming sucrose, the more "natural form of sugar," may be as bad for your health as consuming high fructose corn syrup, according to a University of California, Davis, study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. "This is the first dietary intervention study to show that consumption of both sucrose- and high fructose corn-sweetened beverages increase liver fat and decrease insulin sensitivity," said Kimber Stanhope, a research nutrition biologist with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "People often have a skewed perspective of aspartame and give sucrose a pass, but this study suggests that consumers should be equally concerned about both major added sugars in our food supply." Participants (18 to 40 years old) were assigned to beverage groups matched for sex, body mass index, fasting triglyceride, lipoprotein and insulin concentrations. They drank three servings a day of either a sucrose-sweetened beverage, a high fructose corn-sweetened beverage, or an aspartame-sweetened beverage for 16 days. The double-blind study was unique in that the 187 subjects lived in a clinical unit for 3.5 days before beverage consumption and during the final days of beverage consumption. Thus, their diet and activity levels were controlled prior to the assessments of risk factors that occurred before and after beverage consumption. This control helped the researchers document how quickly the study subjects, even those who were very lean or normal weight, showed changes in liver fat, insulin sensitivity, and circulating lipids, lipoproteins and uric acid when they drank the added sugars. There were no significant differences between the effects of sucrose and those of high fructose corn syrup, and both the sugar-sweetened beverages increased risk factors compared with aspartame-sweetened beverages. "Within the span of two weeks, we observed a significant change in liver fat and insulin sensitivity in the two groups consuming sucrose- or high fructose corn syrup-sweetened beverages," Stanhope said. "That's concerning because the prevalence of fatty liver [nonalcoholic fatty liver disease] and Type 2 diabetes continues to increase globally." Decreased insulin sensitivity is an important risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, and seeing a clinically significant change within two weeks highlights the need for consumers to read labels carefully and be aware of the source of added sugars, she said. Sucrose may be labeled as sugar, cane sugar or evaporated cane juice among other names, but they're all sugar. Consumer misconception Stanhope said the study is important because many consumers consider high fructose corn syrup to be more detrimental to health than sucrose. Many consumers also believe consuming sucrose is safer than consuming aspartame. Previous human and animal studies have shown that sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with increased fat in the liver. This study further substantiates that those beverages can promote fat accumulation in the liver and lead to metabolic syndrome. "It's all physiologically connected, although we're not sure [in what] direction it goes," Stanhope said. "It's very likely that the mechanism by which we develop metabolic syndrome goes through liver fat and insulin resistance. An increase in liver fat can be benign for a certain amount of time and for certain people. But it can also progress to associated inflammation in liver cells that causes fibrosis and negatively impacts liver function, which can make an individual more prone to liver cancer."   Consuming a Mediterranean diet associated with lower risk of sudden cardiac death during 9.8-year period University of Alabama, August 31, 2021 The July issue of the Journal of the American Heart Association reported the finding of a trend toward a lower risk of sudden cardiac death in association with greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet during an average of 9.8 years of follow-up.* The study also uncovered a trend toward a higher risk of sudden cardiac death associated with greater intake of a Southern dietary pattern. Sudden cardiac death, as defined by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored expert panel is “an unexpected death without obvious extracardiac cause, occurring with a rapid witnessed collapse, or if unwitnessed, occurring within one hour after the onset of symptoms.” The current investigation included 21,069 participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, which included men and women aged 45 years and older, among whom 42% were black. A high proportion of study participants resided in a region of the U.S. often referred to as the “stroke belt”. In previous research, five dietary patterns were derived from responses to dietary questionnaires administered upon enrollment in REGARDS. These included a pattern observed in the Southeastern United States that is characterized by added fats, fried food, eggs, organ meat, processed meat and sugar‐sweetened beverages. All subjects' diets were subsequently scored for adherence to a Mediterranean diet, which included a high intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes, cereals and fish; a lower intake of meat and dairy products; a high ratio of monounsaturated fat to saturated fat consumption, and moderate alcohol intake. In-home examinations obtained physical measurements, information concerning medication use, a physical health summary, electrocardiographic evaluation, and blood and urine sample collection. Cardiovascular events and deaths were tracked via twice-yearly calls to participants or next of kin, and other methods.  During follow-up, 401 sudden cardiac deaths occurred. After adjustment for a number of factors, subjects whose Mediterranean diet scores placed them among the top one-third of participants had a risk of sudden cardiac death that was 26% lower than subjects whose scores were among the lowest third. The protective effect of the diet was limited to participants with no history of coronary heart disease at the beginning of the study. Among men and women whose adherence to the Southern dietary pattern was among the top quarter of participants, the risk of sudden cardiac death was 46% higher than those among the lowest quarter. “We know of no published studies investigating the possible associations of dietary patterns with risk of sudden cardiac death,” wrote authors James M. Shikany, DrPH, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues. However, they remarked that protective effects against the condition have been revealed in association with nuts and fish, which are Mediterranean diet components. They added that the omega 3 fatty acids in fatty fish have been proposed as responsible for the benefit observed in association with greater fish intake and may help protect against sudden cardiac death via their effects on resting heart rate, blood pressure, vascular endothelial function, triglyceride concentrations, inflammatory pathways and other factors. Furthermore, laboratory studies have revealed antiarrhythmic effects for omega 3s.  “Although observational in nature, these data suggest that diet may be a modifiable risk factor for sudden cardiac death and should be discussed with patients,” they wrote.         Aging-US: Dietary supplementation with green tea catechins and cocoa flavanols Cocoa, but not GTE, reduced aging-associated microgliosis and increased the proportion of neuroprotective microglial phenotypes Universitat de Lleida and Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (Spain), September 1, 2021 Aging-US published "Beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with green tea catechins and cocoa flavanols on aging-related regressive changes in the mouse neuromuscular system" which reported that green tea extract (GTE) and cocoa-supplemented diets significantly improved survival rate of mice. GTE increased density of VAChT and VGluT2 afferent synapses on neuromuscular junctions. Cocoa, but not GTE, reduced aging-associated microgliosis and increased the proportion of neuroprotective microglial phenotypes. Dr. Jordi Calderó from IRBLleida said, "Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age, is considered the main causative factor of the physical performance decline in the elderly." Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age, is considered the main causative factor of the physical performance decline in the elderly. The compromised muscular function associated to sarcopenia has a negative impact on the life quality of older adults and increases the risk for disability, fall-associated injuries, morbidity, and mortality. The authors have recently reported a marked increase in the microglial and astroglial pro-inflammatory phenotypes (M1 and A1, respectively) in the spinal cord of aged mice. This may be due to the presence of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective (M2 and A2) glial subpopulations. Caloric restriction, based on a diet low in calories, has been shown to attenuate aging sarcopenia in various species by acting at different levels of the skeletal muscle. Caloric restriction has also been reported to ameliorate age-related changes in rodent NMJs and to prevent MN and motor axon degeneration found to occur with aging [11, 21]. In a similar way, some dietary supplements have been shown to counteract age related changes that contribute to neuromuscular dysfunction (reviewed by [12) Plant flavonoids have gained particular attention as dietary compounds for keeping good health and preventing a number of diseases, particularly cardiac disorders and cancer. The Calderó Research Team concluded in their Aging-US Research Output that, green tea and cocoa flavonoids from GTE and cocoa significantly increased survival rate of aged mice. Both diets preserved NMJ innervation and maturity, delayed the senescence process of the skeletal muscle, and enhanced its regenerative capacity. Future research is needed to investigate whether higher doses of flavonoid are needed and/or longer-term interventions can help restore proper motor function.   How the mind sharpens the senses Ruhr University Bochum (Germany), August 27, 2021 A study conducted with experienced scholars of Zen-Meditation shows that mental focussing can induce learning mechanisms, similar to physical training. Researchers at the Ruhr-University Bochum and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University München discovered this phenomenon during a scientifically monitored meditation retreat. The journal Scientific Reports, from the makers of Nature, has now published their new findings on the plasticity of the brain. Participants of the study use a special meditation technique The participants were all Zen-scholars with many years of meditation practice. They were scientifically escorted during a four-day Zen-retreat in the spiritual center "Benediktushof", Germany. The retreat was held in complete silence, with at least eight hours of meditation per day. All participants practiced their familiar meditation, which is characterized by a non-specific monitoring of thoughts and surroundings. Additionally, some participants applied a special finger-meditation for two hours per day, during which they were asked to specifically focus on their right index finger and become aware of spontaneously arising sensory percepts in this finger. Subsequent assessment of the group that practiced finger-meditation showed a significant improvement in the tactile acuity of the right index and middle finger. A control group that had maintained their familiar meditation practice for the whole time, showed no changes in tactile acuity. Data show significant improvement of the sense of touch In order to assess the sense of touch quantitatively, researchers measured the so-called "two-point discrimination threshold". This marker indicates how far apart two stimuli need to be, in order to be discriminated as two separate sensations. After the finger meditation, the performance improved on average by 17 percent. By comparison, tactile acuity of the visually impaired is 15 to 25 percent above that of typical sighted individuals, because their sense of touch is used so intensively to make up for the reduced visual information. Hence, the changes induced by meditation are comparable to those achieved by intense long-term training. Meditation induces plasticity and learning processes as active training or physical stimulation It is known for long that extensive training induces neuroplasticity, which denotes the ability of the brain to adapt and restructure itself, thereby improving perception and behavior. Recently, the group of neuroscientists of the Neural Plasticity Lab headed by Hubert Dinse has shown that these processes can be initiated even without training by mere exposure to passive stimulation, which was translated only recently into a stimulating glove, which is used as therapeutical intervention in stroke patients. The fact that merely mental states without any physical stimulation can improve perception has now been shown for the first time. "The results of our study challenge what we know about learning mechanisms in the brain. Our concept of neuroplasticity must be extended, because mental activity seems to induce learning effects similar to active stimulation and physical training," Dinse suggests.      Antibiotics increase the risk of colon cancer Umea University (Sweden), September 1, 2021 There is a clear link between taking antibiotics and an increased risk of developing colon cancer within the next five to ten years. This has been confirmed by researchers at Umeå University, Sweden, after a study of 40,000 cancer cases. The impact of antibiotics on the intestinal microbiome is thought to lie behind the increased risk of cancer. “The results underline the fact that there are many reasons to be restrictive with antibiotics. While in many cases antibiotic therapy is necessary and saves lives, in the event of less serious ailments that can be expected to heal anyway, caution should be exercised. Above all to prevent bacteria from developing resistance but, as this study shows, also because antibiotics may increase the risk of future colon cancer,” explains Sophia Harlid, cancer researcher at Umeå University. Researchers found that both women and men who took antibiotics for over six months ran a 17 per cent greater risk of developing cancer in the ascending colon, the first part of the colon to be reached by food after the small intestine, than those who were not prescribed any antibiotics. However, no increased risk was found for cancer in the descending colon. Nor was there an increased risk of rectal cancer in men taking antibiotics, while women taking antibiotics had a slightly reduced incidence of rectal cancer. The increased risk of colon cancer was visible already five to ten years after taking antibiotics. Although the increase in risk was greatest for those taking most antibiotics, it was also possible to observe an admittedly small, but statistically significant, increase in the risk of cancer after a single course of antibiotics. The present study uses data on 40,000 patients from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry from the period 2010–2016. These have been compared to a matched control group of 200,000 cancer-free individuals drawn from the Swedish population at large. Data on the individuals' antibiotic use was collected from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register for the period 2005–2016. The Swedish study broadly confirms the results of an earlier, somewhat smaller British study. In order to understand how antibiotics increase the risk, the researchers also studied a non-antibiotic bactericidal drug used against urinary infections that does not affect the microbiome. There was no difference in the frequency of colon cancer in those who used this drug, suggesting that it is the impact of antibiotics on the microbiome that increases the risk of cancer. While the study only covers orally administered antibiotics, even intravenous antibiotics may affect the gut microbiota in the intestinal system. “There is absolutely no cause for alarm simply because you have taken antibiotics. The increase in risk is moderate and the affect on the absolute risk to the individual is fairly small. Sweden is also in the process of introducing routine screening for colorectal cancer. Like any other screening programme, it is important to take part so that any cancer can be detected early or even prevented, as cancer precursors can sometimes be removed,” says Sophia Harlid.      High dose vitamin C may stop the progression of leukemia, study reveals Perlmutter Cancer Center at New York University August 28, 2021 Exciting new research shows that a six-month regimen of high-dose intravenous vitamin C slowed the progression of leukemia by stopping leukemic cells from multiplying. The study builds upon other research that demonstrates vitamin C's potential to inhibit and even kill cancer cells – without harming healthy tissue. Let's take a closer look at how vitamin C is demonstrating its amazing potential to fight cancer. Vitamin C stimulates a vital cancer-fighting enzyme In leukemia, white blood cells fail to mature, so they regenerate themselves and multiply uncontrollably – a process that stops the body from producing the mature white blood cells needed by the immune system to fight infections. Researchers have discovered that a gene mutation plays a major role in the development of many cases of leukemia. 50 percent of patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, 30 percent of patients with pre-leukemia and 10 percent of acute myeloid leukemia patients have a genetic disorder that decreases amounts of TET2 – a vital enzyme that helps undifferentiated cells mature into normal blood cells. This TET2 gene mutation accounts for 42,500 cancers yearly in the United States. The new study, conducted at Perlmutter Cancer Center at New York University Langone Health and published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cell, examined vitamin C's potential to stimulate TET2 – and the results were encouraging. Genetically restoring TET2 blocks replication of cancer cells and safely kills them The researchers found that intravenous high-dose vitamin C helps restore TET2 function, causing “faulty” stem cells in bone marrow to die off. Vitamin C produced results when it was used on human leukemia cells carrying the TET2 mutation – and it also stopped the growth of transplanted leukemia cancer stem cells in mice that had been genetically engineered to lack TET2. The vitamin achieved this effect by promoting DNA demethylation in the cancerous cells. Researchers also found that combining vitamin C with PARP inhibitors – drugs which cause cancer cell death – improved its effectiveness even more. In fact, vitamin C seemed to have a potentiating effect, making the leukemic cells more vulnerable to the PARP inhibitors. Study author Benjamin Neel, Ph.D., noted that the team was excited by the prospect that high-dose vitamin C might become a “safe treatment for blood diseases caused by TET2-deficient leukemia stem cells, most likely in combination with other targeted therapies.” Neel called for preclinical and clinical trials to test high-dose intravenous vitamin C in human patients – and for further research to identify other substances that might help to potentiate the vitamin C treatment. Researchers are particularly hopeful that using vitamin C with cancer drugs could provide an alternative to toxic chemotherapy – which can be dangerous and even fatal to patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Note: The researchers used extremely high dosages of intravenous vitamin C in the study – amounts that would be impossible to obtain by oral ingestion alone. Amazing NEWS: Vitamin C has outperformed approved clinical and experimental drugs Other recent, peer-reviewed research is blazing exciting new inroads into the area of potential uses of this powerful vitamin to stop cancer. In a study newly published in Oncotarget, researcher found that high-dose vitamin C stopped tumors cold by impairing cancer stem cell metabolism and interfering with their ability to grow and spread. Researchers noted that the nutrient worked as a pro-oxidant in cancer cells – stripping them of the antioxidant glutathione and producing oxidative stress and apoptosis, or cell death. In addition, vitamin C interfered with glycolysis, the process that creates energy in cell mitochondria. And, while lethal to cancer cells, it left healthy cells unaffected. The researchers concluded that vitamin C was a “promising new agent,” and called for more study to explore its use in preventing and slowing tumors. The team also reported that vitamin C outperformed seven different substances, including stiripinol – an FDA-approved clinical drug – and various experimental medications. Researchers noted that vitamin C was 1,000 times – that's right, 1,000 times – more effective in combating cancer stem cells than 2-DG, an experimental pharmaceutical drug. (It is hard to understand why these eye-opening results have received so little attention from mainstream medicine. Especially in light of the fact that – unlike toxic chemotherapy drugs – this essential vitamin has caused few side effects in clinical studies.) But, I think we can quickly see how this news might be threatening to the profits of the pharmaceutical industry. The fact is: conventional medicine has long downplayed or ignored promising vitamin C research. But, as forward-thinking, innovative researchers continue to examine vitamin C's many benefits, its potential to combat cancer may yet be recognized.

Aging-US published "Beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with green tea catechins and cocoa flavanols on aging-related regressive changes in the mouse neuromuscular system" which reported that green tea extract (GTE) and cocoa-supplemented diets significantly improved survival rate of mice. GTE increased density of VAChT and VGluT2 afferent synapses on neuromuscular junctions. Cocoa, but not GTE, reduced aging-associated microgliosis and increased the proportion of neuroprotective microglial phenotypes. Dr. Jordi Calderó from IRBLleida said, "Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age, is considered the main causative factor of the physical performance decline in the elderly." Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age, is considered the main causative factor of the physical performance decline in the elderly. The compromised muscular function associated to sarcopenia has a negative impact on the life quality of older adults and increases the risk for disability, fall-associated injuries, morbidity, and mortality. The authors have recently reported a marked increase in the microglial and astroglial pro-inflammatory phenotypes (M1 and A1, respectively) in the spinal cord of aged mice. This may be due to the presence of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective (M2 and A2) glial subpopulations. Caloric restriction, based on a diet low in calories, has been shown to attenuate aging sarcopenia in various species by acting at different levels of the skeletal muscle. Caloric restriction has also been reported to ameliorate age-related changes in rodent NMJs and to prevent MN and motor axon degeneration found to occur with aging [11, 21]. In a similar way, some dietary supplements have been shown to counteract age related changes that contribute to neuromuscular dysfunction (reviewed by [12) Plant flavonoids have gained particular attention as dietary compounds for keeping good health and preventing a number of diseases, particularly cardiac disorders and cancer. The Calderó Research Team concluded in their Aging-US Research Output that, green tea and cocoa flavonoids from GTE and cocoa significantly increased survival rate of aged mice. Both diets preserved NMJ innervation and maturity, delayed the senescence process of the skeletal muscle, and enhanced its regenerative capacity. Future research is needed to investigate whether higher doses of flavonoid are needed and/or longer-term interventions can help restore proper motor function. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.203336 Full Text - https://www.aging-us.com/article/203336/text Correspondence to: Jordi Calderó email: jordi.caldero@udl.cat Keywords: sarcopenia, green tea, neuromuscular system, neural stem cells, aging, cocoa About Aging-US Launched in 2009, Aging-US publishes papers of general interest and biological significance in all fields of aging research as well as topics beyond traditional gerontology, including, but not limited to, cellular and molecular biology, human age-related diseases, pathology in model organisms, cancer, signal transduction pathways (e.g., p53, sirtuins, and PI-3K/AKT/mTOR among others), and approaches to modulating these signaling pathways. To learn more about Aging-US, please visit http://www.Aging-US.com or connect with @AgingJrnl Aging-US is published by Impact Journals, LLC please visit http://www.ImpactJournals.com or connect with @ImpactJrnls Media Contact 18009220957x105 MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

As George Schatz, MD, helps create the Covid Clinic at Banner - University Medical Center and wraps up his Covid-19 long hauler research grant from the National Institutes of Health, he takes time out of his busy schedule to talk about this complex issue with NMJ publisher Karolyn Gazella. Schatz describes an integrative and functional medicine approach to treating post-Covid symptoms and how this treatment approach can help heal long-hauler syndrome. Before joining the University of Arizona, Schatz was a functional medicine physician with the Cleveland Clinic.  About the Expert George Schatz, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician working at the Banner - University Medicine Family Medicine Clinic in Tucson, Arizona. He is certified in functional medicine by the Institute for Functional Medicine and has completed a residential fellowship in integrative medicine through the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. He also has specialized training in functional medicine earned first-hand at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. He earned his medical doctorate from Stony Brook University.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.11.18.387720v1?rss=1 Authors: Restrepo, L., DePew, A., Moese, E., Tymanskyj, S., Parisi, M., Aimino, M., Duhart, J. C., Fei, H., Mosca, T. J. Abstract: An emerging feature of neurodegenerative disease is synaptic dysfunction and loss, leading to the suggestion that mechanisms required for synaptic maturation may be linked to disease. Synaptic maturation requires the transmission of signals between nascent synaptic sites and the nucleus, but how these signals are generated is not well understood. We posit that proteolytic cleavage of receptors, which enables their translocation to the nucleus, may be a shared molecular mechanism between the events that promote synaptic maturation and those linked to later-onset disorders of the nervous system, including neurodegenerative disease. Here we show during synaptic development, that cleavage of synaptic maturation molecules requires {gamma}-secretase, a protein complex linked to Alzheimer's Disease, a devastating neurodegenerative condition, is required for postsynaptic maturation. In the absence of {gamma}-secretase, Drosophila neuromuscular synapses fail to appropriately recruit postsynaptic scaffolding and cytoskeletal proteins, and mutant larvae display behavioral deficits. At the NMJ, {gamma}-secretase promotes synaptic maturation through the cleavage of the Wnt receptor Fz2, and the subsequent entry of its C-terminus into the nucleus. A developmental synaptic role for {gamma}-secretase is also conserved in both the Drosophila central nervous system and mammalian cortical neuron dendrites. Finally, we found that similar maturation defects are evident in fly models for ALS, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's Diseases. The previously unknown, but conserved, role for {gamma}-secretase coupled with its well-known role in neurodegenerative disease suggest that neurodevelopmental defects may be common to diverse neurodegenerative disease models. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.21.346874v1?rss=1 Authors: Stoklund Dittlau, K., Krasnow, E. N., Fumagalli, L., Vandoorne, T., Baatsen, P., Kerstens, A., Giacomazzi, G., Pavie, B., Sampaolesi, M., Van Damme, P., Van Den Bosch, L. Abstract: Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) ensure proper communication between motor neurons and muscle through the release of neurotransmitters. In motor neuron disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), NMJs degenerate resulting in muscle atrophy, paralysis and respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to establish a versatile and reproducible in vitro model of a human motor unit to study the effect of ALS-causing mutations. Therefore, we generated a co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons and human primary mesoangioblast-derived myotubes in microfluidic devices. A chemotactic and volumetric gradient facilitated the growth of motor neuron neurites through microgrooves resulting in the interaction with myotubes and the formation of NMJs. We observed that ALS-causing FUS mutations resulted in a reduced neurite outgrowth and in a decreased NMJ number. Interestingly, the selective HDAC6 inhibitor, Tubastatin A, improved the neurite outgrowth and the NMJ morphology of FUS-ALS co-cultures, further prompting HDAC6 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.12.336883v1?rss=1 Authors: Yeates, C. J., Frank, C. A. Abstract: Synapses and circuits rely on homeostatic forms of regulation in order to transmit meaningful information. The Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a well-studied synapse that shows robust homeostatic control of function. Most prior studies of homeostatic plasticity at the NMJ have centered on presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP). PHP happens when postsynaptic muscle neurotransmitter receptors are impaired, triggering retrograde signaling that causes an increase in presynaptic neurotransmitter release. As a result, normal levels of evoked excitation are maintained. The counterpart to PHP at the NMJ is presynaptic homeostatic depression (PHD). Overexpression of the Drosophila vesicular glutamate transporter (VGlut) causes an increase in the amplitude of spontaneous events. PHD happens when the synapse responds to the challenge by decreasing quantal content during evoked neurotransmission, again, resulting in normal levels of postsynaptic excitation. We hypothesized that there may exist a class of molecules that affects both PHP and PHD. Impairment of any such molecule could hurt the ability of a synapse to respond to any significant homeostatic challenge. We conducted an electrophysiology-based screen for blocks of PHD. While we did not observe a block of PHD in the genetic conditions screened, we instead found loss-of-function conditions that led to excess depression, i.e., a substantial deficit in evoked amplitude when combined with VGlut overexpression. The conditions causing this phenotype included a double heterozygous loss-of-function condition for genes encoding the inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R, itpr) and ryanodine receptor (RyR). IP3Rs and RyRs gate calcium release from intracellular stores. Pharmacological agents targeting IP3R and RyR recapitulated the genetic losses of these factors, as did lowering calcium levels from other sources. Our data are consistent with the idea that some factors required for homeostatic potentiation are also required for the synapse to achieve appropriate levels of homeostatic depression. Loss of such factors may disorient compensatory plasticity signals. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.12.335711v1?rss=1 Authors: Secombe, J., Belalcazar, H. M., Hicks, E. L., Zamurrad, S., Liebl, F. L. W. Abstract: Mutations in the genes encoding the KDM5 family of histone demethylases are observed in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Despite clear evidence linking KDM5 function to neurodevelopmental pathways, how this family of proteins impacts transcriptional programs to mediate synaptic structure and activity remains unclear. Using the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ), we show that KDM5 is required for neuroanatomical development and synaptic function. The JmjC-domain encoded histone demethylase activity of KDM5, which is expected to be diminished by many ID-associated alleles and required for appropriate synaptic morphology and neurotransmission. The C5HC2 zinc finger of KDM5 is also involved, as an ID-associated mutation in this motif reduces NMJ bouton number but increases bouton size. KDM5 therefore uses demethylase-dependent and independent mechanisms to regulate NMJ structure and activity, highlighting the complex nature by which this chromatin modifier carries out its neuronal gene regulatory programs. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.10.01.322396v1?rss=1 Authors: Canciani, A., Capitanio, C., Stanga, S., Faravelli, S., Kienlen-Campard, P., Forneris, F. Abstract: Neurotrypsin (NT) is a highly specific nervous system multi-domain serine-protease best known for its selective processing of the potent synaptic organiser agrin. Its enzymatic activity is thought to influence processes of synaptic plasticity, with its deregulation causing accelerated neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration or contributing to forms of mental retardation. Something which, based on the available literature, likely stems from NT-based regulation of agrin signalling. However, dissecting the exact biological implications of NT-agrin interplay is difficult, owing to the scarce molecular detail regarding NT activity and NT-agrin interactions. The difficult recombinant production of NT in its catalytically competent form is at the base of these limitations, and is currently constraining a more detailed molecular, biochemical and structural characterisation of the NT-agrin system. We have developed a novel strategy to reliably produce and purify a truncated but catalytically competent variant of NT called NT-mini. The characterisation of our construct highlighted almost wild type-like behaviour with comparable specificity, and conservation of modulation by calcium and heparin despite the lack of several accessory domains. With the data obtained from NT-mini it was then possible to identify NT's heparin-binding domain, and discover a novel putative Zinc-based modulation of NT. Additionally, NT-mini allowed us to investigate the effect of NT activity on myotube formation in controlled cell-based experiments, evidencing a negative impact on myoblast fusion dependant on enzymatic activity. Collectively, this shows the viability of NT-mini as a model to study NT functionality, allowing to expand both in-vitro and "in-cellulo" investigations and providing a foundation to unravel the molecular underpinnings and biological significance of NT-agrin interactions. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.09.24.293886v1?rss=1 Authors: Mejia Maza, A., Jarvis, S., Lee, W. C., Cunningham, T. J., Schiavo, G., Secrier, M., Fratta, P., Sleigh, J. N., Sudre, C. H., Fisher, E. M. C. Abstract: The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the peripheral synapse formed between a motor neuron axon terminal and a muscle fibre. NMJs are thought to be the primary site of peripheral pathology in many neuromuscular diseases, but innervation/denervation status is often assessed qualitatively with poor systematic criteria across studies, and separately from 3D morphological structure. Here, we describe the development of NMJ-Analyser, to comprehensively screen the morphology of NMJs and their corresponding innervation status automatically. NMJ-Analyser generates 29 biologically relevant features to quantitatively define healthy and aberrant neuromuscular synapses and applies machine learning to diagnose NMJ degeneration. We validated this framework in longitudinal analyses of wildtype mice, as well as in four different neuromuscular disease models: three for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and one for peripheral neuropathy. We showed that structural changes at the NMJ initially occur in the nerve terminal of mutant TDP43 and FUS ALS models. Using a machine learning algorithm, healthy and aberrant neuromuscular synapses are identified with 95% accuracy, with 88% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Our results validate NMJ-Analyser as a robust platform for systematic and structural screening of NMJs, and pave the way for transferrable, and cross-comparison and high-throughput studies in neuromuscular diseases. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

  This week we’re diving into the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. We asked the contributors to the show what they wanted to hear about in the future. This week, we’re delivering the first in a series of requested shows. We’ll talk about the differences between the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the Southern Jurisdiction, their education schemes, degree structures, and even how they tease each other. Don’t miss this edifying episode! Stay tuned.  Links Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction https://scottishrite.org Master Craftsman Program - (SJ Edu.) https://scottishrite.org/members/general-membership-information/masonic-education/srmc/ Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction https://scottishritenmj.org Haute Grade Academy - (NMJ Edu.) https://scottishritenmj.org/hauts-grades-academy Hodapp's Blog on the Differences https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-two-us-scottish-rite-jurisdictions.html?fbclid=IwAR1t-xCPvC4wHt7R__ydU2GbbzQax1WLc1R1Fh2dBVyJFmUu7ISk52gfij4 A Division of Empires - RJ's blog http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2016/05/the-divisions-of-empires-scottish-rite.html The Archived Book of Trexler on the NMJ degrees and their changes. I alluded to some egregious statements regarding men and their attention spans in this book.  https://web.archive.org/web/20131102002313/http://www.scottishritenmj.org/Portals/1/images/Pubications/eDegreeRituals.pdf Our Patreon www.patreon.com/wcypodcast Support the show on Paypal https://wcypodcast.com/support-the-show Get some swag! https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop Intellectual Linear Progression https://wcypodcast.com/the-great-books-program Get the book! http://a.co/5rtYr2r Masonic Con Chicago http://www.masonicconchicago.com

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.06.05.136226v1?rss=1 Authors: Martineau, E., Arbour, D., Vallee, J., Robitaille, R. Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting motoneurons in a motor-unit (MU) dependent manner. Glial dysfunction contributes to numerous aspects of the disease. At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), early alterations in perisynaptic Schwann cell (PSC), glial cells at this synapse, may impact their ability to regulate NMJ stability and repair. Indeed, muscarinic receptors (mAChR) regulate the repair phenotype of PSCs and are overactivated at disease-resistant NMJs (Soleus muscle) in SOD1G37R mice. However, it remains unknown whether this is the case at disease-vulnerable NMJs and whether it translates into an impairment of PSC-dependent repair mechanisms. We used Soleus and Sternomastoid muscles from SOD1G37R mice and performed Ca2+-imaging to monitor PSC activity and used immunohistochemistry to analyze their repair and phagocytic properties. We show that PSC mAChR-dependent activity was transiently increased at disease-vulnerable NMJs (Sternomastoid muscle). Furthermore, PSCs from both muscles extended disorganized processes from denervated NMJs and failed to initiate or guide nerve terminal sprouts at disease-vulnerable NMJs, a phenomenon essential for compensatory reinnervation. This was accompanied by a failure of numerous PSCs to upregulate Galectin-3 (MAC-2), a marker of glial axonal debris phagocytosis, upon NMJ denervation in SOD1 mice. Finally, differences in these PSC-dependent NMJ repair mechanisms were MU-type dependent, thus reflecting MU vulnerability in ALS. Together, these results reveal that neuron-glia communication is ubiquitously altered at the NMJ in ALS. This appears to prevent PSCs from adopting a repair phenotype, resulting in a maladapted response to denervation at the NMJ in ALS. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.21.106252v1?rss=1 Authors: Sleigh, J. N., Mech, A. M., Schiavo, G. Abstract: Dominantly inherited, missense mutations in the widely expressed housekeeping gene, GARS1, cause Charcot-Marie- Tooth type 2D (CMT2D), a peripheral neuropathy characterised by muscle weakness and wasting in limb extremities. Mice modelling CMT2D display early and selective neuromuscular junction (NMJ) pathology, epitomised by disturbed maturation and neurotransmission, leading to denervation. Indeed, the NMJ disruption has been reported in several different muscles; however, a systematic comparison of neuromuscular synapses from distinct body locations has yet to be performed. We therefore analysed NMJ development and degeneration across five different wholemount muscles to identify key synaptic features contributing to the distinct pattern of neurodegeneration in CMT2D mice. Denervation was found to occur along a distal-to-proximal gradient, providing a cellular explanation for the greater weakness observed in mutant Gars hindlimbs compared to forelimbs. Nonetheless, muscles from similar locations and innervated by axons of equivalent length showed significant differences in neuropathology, suggestive of additional factors impacting on site- specific neuromuscular degeneration. Defective NMJ development preceded and associated with degeneration, but was not linked to a delay of wild-type NMJ maturation processes. Correlation analyses indicate that muscle fibre type nor synaptic architecture explain the differential denervation of CMT2D NMJs, rather it is the extent of post-natal synaptic growth that predisposes to neurodegeneration. Together, this work improves our understanding of the mechanisms driving synaptic vulnerability in CMT2D and hints at pertinent pathogenic pathways. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Conclusion of the pediatric chapter, reviewing neuromuscular diseases in children, including muscular dystrophy, NMJ diseases, and spinal muscular atrophy.

Anybody here game? We sure do, and so do special guests Colin, Sarah, and producer Elliott, who have joined us live in our Virginia Beach studio after the famously 4-star (out of 10) anime convention Nekocon! GM Colin takes us through the "cool n fun" wuxia TTRPG Hearts of Wulin, while Roy, Fallon, and Sarah hop out of their Jin Guangyao, Nie Mingjue, and Wei Wuxian cosplay respectively and right into the spirits of the boys themselves. Wifi makes an enemy of the entire cultivation world (as he tends to), Jiggy passes on the hot chip but lies nonetheless, and NMJ comes face-to-face with Qinghe's greatest enemy. SPOILER ALERT: We did get a little bit caught up in the shit of it and forgot about a certain detail being kind of a big spoiler, and it accidentally became kind of a plot point in this oneshot. Forgive us. We be'd drankin Intro: Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee - Despacito, arr. & perf. by Eelin Lim Outro:

The mission of the Climate Collaborative is to leverage the power of the natural product industry to positively impact climate change. Their goal is to bring the industry together in an effort to reverse climate change. In this interview, the organization's director, Erin Callahan, describes how they intend to achieve this lofty goal. Here's more NMJ coverage on how climate change will impact our food supply: Climate Change and Food Quality More Anticipated Damage to Food Quality from Global Warming About the Expert Erin Callahan is the director of the Climate Collaborative, responsible for management and execution of the Collaborative’s work, including all programming, communications, and outreach. Erin has a range of corporate campaigning and sustainability experience. She previously worked for CDP, managing corporate engagement for the We Mean Business coalition’s commitments campaign. In that role, Erin worked with hundreds of the world’s largest companies, industry groups, and investors, supporting them in making leadership commitments on climate change. She has also worked in public relations and international development and earned a master’s degree in international relations and economics from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. She is based in Oakland, CA. Transcript Karolyn Gazella: Hello. I'm Karolyn Gazella, the publisher of the Natural Medicine Journal. Today we are tackling the big topic of reversing climate change. My guest is Erin Callahan, who is the director of Climate Collaborative. Erin, thanks so much for joining me. Erin Callahan: Thanks for having me. Gazella: Well, first let's have you tell us a little bit about the history of the Climate Collaborative. Callahan: Yeah. I'd love to. Well, thank you again for having me, I'm really excited to talk about some of our work. So the first thing to note is that we're a relatively new organization. We launched about 2 and a half years ago, just over that, at Natural Products Expo West, which is the largest food show in the US. And we launched because it did become really clear that within the natural product space, which is the fastest growing part of the food and ag sector and full of innovative companies, who are really helping define their mission and work via social impact and issues related to it, there wasn't yet a convening space for companies to come together on climate change. And we in fact did this study that showed that around 97% of the companies we surveyed really understood the urgency to be doing something on climate change, but almost 80% of them didn't know how to translate that understanding into action. There was a big gap between knowing that they wanted to do something and having the capacity to tackle it within their businesses. And so we launched to kind of address that gap. We really wanted to create a community of companies within the industry who could learn from each other, move forward together and get the rest of the industry really excited about climate change. And so that's what we've been trying to do for the past 2 and a half years. And I can certainly talk about the ways in which we do that, if that would be useful. Gazella: Yeah. Let's start with what you've been focusing on since 2017 when you started. So what's been the focus over the last couple of years? Callahan: Yeah. Well, you know, when Jessica Roth, the founder of Happy Family Organics the baby food company, and Lara Dickinson, the founder of OSC2, they were the cofounders of the Climate Collaborative and they really wanted to launch it as an industry collaboration. So we're a project of 2 organizations, SFTA and OSC2, and have collaboration deeply built into our model. And so over the past year we've really been working to try and extend that, kind of, baseline of collaboration and understanding that to tackle a problem as big as climate change, we can't act alone. No one in the industry can think that they're going to solve it on their own in a silo, so we've really been trying to build robust industry collaboration. And we've done that by creating this roadmap of nine commitment areas that represent the key emissions drivers for most companies in the sector. So it's packaging, food waste, agricultural practices, transportation, policy engagement, and we ask companies to make commitments, public commitments, in one or all of those areas. And that sends a message out to the industry that, "Hey. We are taking this seriously, we're setting public goals, and we are working as part of a bigger movement within the industry to do this." And so we asked companies to make commitments and then we help them on the implementation side. So we host webinars, we connect companies to partners and solutions providers, we try to connect companies to case studies and representations of what best practice looks like within the industry and work really closely with a really wide range of partners. And, crucially, we do this all for free. We're a nonprofit, so it's really important to us to not have cost, or any other issue, be a barrier to entry for companies. We work mostly with small and medium-sized companies who otherwise might not have the resources to start tackling this stuff. And so we really want to enable companies, regardless of where they're getting started, to be able to get on a pathway to action. And to do so as part of a really whole of industry movement. So we have everything from farmers and producers, to distributors and food retailers and brands, all working together collectively across the supply chain. Recognizing you need every link to really make change. And so that's been the baseline for the past 2 and a half years has really been building a strong base of companies who are committed to action. Kind of building this movement within the industry, and then starting to go down the road of providing really robust programming that can help them on the implementation side. You know, our theory of change is commit, act, impact, and we're kind of trying, you know, over the course of years of being around, to move companies from making these public commitments toward acting on them and then ultimately seeing real impact in the industry. And that's been the journey so far. Gazella: Yeah. I think it's brilliant. I mean, that's really why I was drawn to your organization, because you have this holistic collaborative from start to finish and you're getting commitments from organizations. So how many organizations have made this commitment that you're talking about? You know, you have 9 commitment areas, and they need to commit to 1 or all, how many organizations have done so? Callahan: Yeah. It's really incredible. We've got over 400. We've got nearly 450 companies signed up. We're at about 440 companies who've made over 1,600 commitments. And that's, I think, over 2 a day. I did the math recently, since we launched, commitments coming in. And, in fact, our busiest single month ever was this past August 2 and a half years in. And so I think what that shows is that the energy and momentum and sense of importance and value of what we're doing is only picking up as companies see climate change impacting their supply chains more and more and hear their customers talking about it and inherit it becoming a policy issue ahead of the 2020 elections. It's only becoming more important and central to what companies are doing, and that is incredibly heartening to see. We are so happy to see that progress. And so, yeah, we've got about 440 companies committed. They've made... You know, those represent General Mills and Dannon, really large food companies that everyone here has heard of and probably have their products in the pantry, but also really small startups and everything in between. So we're really happy to work with kind of a really wide range of companies who are at every stage of the sustainability journey and kind of going really deeply on things. Like packaging, in some cases, and, in some cases, trying to tackle everything. And, you know, so we really do have the full spread represented. Gazella: That's great. Well, congratulations on that progress so far. Now, obviously, your organization feels climate change is a big problem and we here at The Natural Medicine Journal are trying to cover this as well, so how concerned should we be about climate change? You know, what damage can and will occur with climate change if we don't act together, as you're talking about? Callahan: Yeah. Well, a lot is the short answer. And I think... I feel like everyone, this year especially, something's changed and we're all kind of scared of looking around and seeing... You know, this August, for example, all of us were watching sort of helplessly as the Amazon burned, and Hurricane Dorian just hovered as this slow-moving, giant storm over The Bahamas, and just these great tragedies affecting millions of lives and livelihoods and communities and just not being able to do anything. And, you know, that's a trend that's only worsening. I'm from the Mississippi/Gulf Coast and grew up watching hurricanes get worse throughout my childhood. And Katrina destroyed my hometown. And so these are very visceral things that I think we're starting to see and not be able to not connect... We can no longer avoid connecting it to climate change, and so I think everyone's sort of feeling it very viscerally. And then, you know, on the data side, we've got a huge amount of evidence to back up the fact that climate change is happening. It's getting worse. We're already seeing the impacts, and if we don't act quickly and at scale, the problems are going to be tremendous. You know, when we look at UNFCCC Reports, and even an EPA report that came out in November 2018, that showed that absent action, this could slash 1/10 of the US economy by 2100. You know, the UN has showed us that we have about 10 years to act to avoid catastrophic damage. We're on a road to exceed 1.5 degree increase in global temperatures, and we have to stop that. We have to take action to reverse it. And, you know, I moved to California year ago and within a couple of months was wearing a mask to avoid the smoke and fires, and saw my friends have to pull their kids out of school, and so I... It's a very emotional thing and it's a very practical thing that we have a lot of evidence backing up the risk of inaction. And getting into the health a little bit, it's very clear that climate change is absolutely a public health issue, in addition to an environmental issue and so many other types of issues. And so I think part of the conversation is how do we break this scary complex issue out of a silo of just being isolated to kind of environmentalism? And really focus on how is this having an impact on generations? How is it impacting the lives and livelihoods of the poorest people who are the most vulnerable to climate impacts? The youngest people who are going to bear the brunt of the problems that we see now? So, you know, I think that that's all becoming increasingly clear and hard to ignore, which is, you know, both heartening and terrifying. It's been really great to see the type of action that happened last week at the climate strikes in New York, right? I think they had to shut down Battery Park because there were so many people gathered. And this is all because of 16-year-old climate activists, Greta Thundberg, who, I think, is just been one person who has created this giant, global movement that gives me real hope. But it also just shows the energy and strength behind how many young people are recognizing the threat to their future that they see. Gazella: Yeah. I would agree. Well said. And before we get into the practical information, you know in the description of this an interview, I called your goal to reverse climate change lofty. I was actually surprised when I read on your website that the goal was to reverse climate change. What do you think? Is this a pretty lofty goal? And, even more important, is that a realistic goal? Callahan: Well, yes, it is a very lofty goal. And I think we absolutely can't do it single-handedly, so I don't have any illusions. As much as it would be wonderful if I could work with these 450 companies to single-handedly reverse climate change, I don't think that's possible. I think what we're trying to do at the Climate Collaborative is highly ambitious, and, essentially, what we're trying to do is create a new model of doing business within the natural product space that is replicable and scalable. And that shows that there is a way that companies can take advantage of the tremendous opportunity that responding to climate change represents. Be first movers on creating new systems and ways of doing business that are an inevitability, I really believe. In terms of new ways of doing agriculture that helps restore carbon in the soil, new types of packaging, reductions in food waste. The shift toward these types of practices is inevitable, and why not have this innovative industry be at the helm of creating those shifts? And so, you know, that is really... We want to create a model that then cascades across the food sector. And I think... So when you ask, are we looking to really reverse climate change? I think that when you look at the fact that the food and agricultural system accounts for about 23% of global emissions, it's going to be absolutely key to solving climate change and have this huge kind of double-edged sword of being a huge potential opportunity as a solution, through carbon soil sequestration and other mechanisms, but also is a tremendous risk factor if we don't take action. And so I really look towards the types and group of companies that we work with as leaders in creating those new systems. And so maybe not reversing all of the climate change, but maybe reversing how the food sector responds to climate change. And any company with an agricultural supply chain, how they can shift their practices to really create a new model for the food system. And so I hope we can do at least that much. I still believe that is an incredibly lofty goal, in that there are a lot of structural barriers to getting there. When you look at certain policies that disincentivize the types of practices that our companies are looking to start making or already making, and then the absence of things like a price on carbon and absence of policy and incentives rather than disincentives for farmers to be changing their practices to help restore carbon in the soil and all of that. So that's why policy is such a crucial piece of what we do as one of our 9 commitment areas. And it's potentially the most important, because every company in our network could get to net zero emissions and it would be the drop in the bucket, when you look at global emissions. So policy has to go alongside whatever action that companies take, and my hope is you can then create a virtuous circle where you have companies acting and proving policy mechanisms can support these actions at scale, and then wider set of businesses taking up these policies and then you kind of create that virtuous circle. So, that's my hope. But I completely agree, it is still really lofty. But I think we don't have really any other choice but to be ambitious and lofty in our goal setting these days. So, I am hopeful. Gazella: Well, I agree. And I was going to ask you, "Why the natural health industry?" But you bring up such a good point, if you can create this new model that can then be replicated, you could have that ripple effect and have that, as you mentioned, cascade into the food sector. So to me that makes sense, so now I'm feeling better about my term lofty. Because I think- Callahan: Oh. Good. Gazella: Yeah. That makes total sense to me now. So let's get to the heart of the matter. So exactly how is your organization going to reverse climate change? Or, you know, if we put this into more digestible pieces, how is your organization going to create this new model of doing business that can then be replicated? Callahan: Yeah. Well, the first thing is getting companies to make public events. And I think that... You know, I mentioned before, and kind of getting to your point around why the natural health and products industry, and I think that is because it's almost a quarter of global emissions when you look at the food and land system. There was just a Land Use Report that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change put out that just showed how critical the sector is in responding to climate change, and that kind of double-edged sword of it being a solution and a problem. So that's why these companies. And, you know, I think that within the food sector, our companies already have a status of first movers. When you look at issues like organic and non-GMO, fair trade, the natural products space, they've been first movers on those. And then have then become standards that we all know, we all shop and look for those labels, and we're all kind of very aware and it's cascaded across the food sectors. So we have model of what it could be and how that scale could work and look, and now we need to make climate that issue. And that's part of the type of model we've tried to adopt here at the Climate Collaborative. In terms of how we do that on climate, it is predominantly through our commitment areas. So we have these 9 commitment areas. They're focused around carbon farming and regenerative agricultural practices. So it's changing on-farm practices so that you're pulling carbon into the soil and keeping it there, and that things like compost applications and cover crops. Intensive rotational grazing, when you're looking at pastures with animals. So changing your on-farm practices to really help draw down carbon, and that's a huge opportunity. If, you know, you're familiar with Paul Hawken's Project Drawdown, which is this giant list of climate solutions, that's number 11 on the list. Another one that we work on, number 3 of his solutions, is food waste. And that is, you know, about a third of food is wasted and so we're trying to help at least the corporate part of that, so companies and their supply chains, to reduce food waste. And at source. So not just looking at waste diversion and donations, but really looking at how can we reduce the waste that's produced in the first place and make a more efficient supply chain from producers to grocers selling it to consumers? So we had a big project this year where we did intensive consultations with retailers in the US on reducing their food waste in store. Packaging is another really big issue that we look at. It's the single biggest challenge for companies, you know? Everyone, I think, has paid attention to the plastic straw bans, and plastic in the oceans, and been very aware... It's a very visceral thing because you hold it in your hands and you see it, and then you throw it in the trash or the recycling and... It was just a very visceral way to be aware of your footprint, I think. And so that has been the single biggest issue and challenge area for the companies we work with and we do a lot to try and help them reduce their packaging impact. And, you know, there's policy, energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy, so we're looking at very concrete practical solutions that are very action-focused. You know, I would say that for companies it's also really important to take a look at your footprint and say, you know, "Where are my emissions concentrated?" Start measuring and setting goals, and so we do encourage that. And, above all, we want companies to just say, "Okay. Let's start taking action. Let's start doing something and be part of, kind of, a larger community of companies within the industry doing that." So we do that through working groups. We have one on regenerative ag, we have on consumer engagement, one just for retailers and we really try to just kind of get companies able to talk to each other a little bit more about their efforts. So that's a little bit. I'm happy to go into more detail, but those are a few of our projects. Gazella: No. I think that's great because what we're going to do is we're going to put a link to the Climate Collaborative website, and I know that you list these 9 commitments. And you have a ton of information on your website, videos and such, so I highly recommend that any manufacturers who are listening, you know, or anybody really, click over to the Climate Collaborative to learn more. Now, technically our journal is a part of the integrative health community and not necessarily the natural health community, per se, with a lot of retailers and manufacturers and such, but I'm wondering how our readers, are individual doctors, can help with this effort. So what advice do you have for the individual? And, in particular, I mean, our doctors are seeing patients and they're influential, you know? So what advice do you have for them to make an impact in this area of climate change? Callahan: Yeah. Well, a couple of things come to mind there. Firstly, we host one day of the year called Climate Day, which is my favorite day of the year. It's where we bring the whole industry together and get a set of thought leadership speakers, and everyone in the room just talking about the biggest issues that we need to tackle on climate change over the next year. And last year one of our keynotes with Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, which, I think, if there's a company who's doing just fantastic work on climate change and making their whole mission focused around reversing, it's Patagonia. They've just been real leaders. And he was interviewed by Dr. Zach Bush who some of your listeners might be familiar with. I actually wasn't too familiar with him, but it might be an interesting conversation to reference in this because his whole talk was really around the relationship between the microbiome in all of us and climate, our biome. And what are those connecting, and how does one impact the other, and how does how we manage the climate then filter down to the nutrition and the food that we eat? And, overall, the microbiome and health of our bodies? And so I just want to reference that, because I think that there's a lot of interesting stuff happening. A lot of interesting research happening there right now that I'm fascinated by and there's a lot to mine there. So, that is one thing. The other thing is, I think when it comes to doctors, or really anyone as an educated, active citizen, 1) voting and advocacy matters. And then, 2) being a really conscious consumer. And asking the businesses that you're purchasing from and working with what their practices are, and asking them questions about their packaging, asking them questions about their footprint. And business is new because of stakeholder action and requests and consumers are such a crucial stakeholder. It's why we're launching this consumer aspect of the product this year. But I think creating an aware base of people who are talking to these companies, and working with them, in some cases, and shopping for... You know, with their products. Make smart choices but with your dollars. We have a group of fantastic companies that are really piloting new work and it's really important that we acknowledge that through engagement with those companies, through dialoguing. By pushing them farther and getting engaged in their mission, but also just generally when shopping by making really informed choices about the company that you're looking at. And that's a very hard thing to do. I mean, I'm a consumer and it's really hard to hold the fact that I need something in a certain price point, I need it to be really good, I need it to be exactly for what I'm doing, I need to get it pretty conveniently. And then also, on top of that, I need to care about what's its footprint? Where did they source the ingredients? You know? And then also is it fair trade? Is it... You know, are they using renewable energy? What's the packaging? It's a lot to hold, but I think the more you can be okay and accept that complexity and really try to make informed purchasing decisions, the farther where we're going to go. And, luckily, we're already seeing real movement. You know, I think 70% of Americans are looking to see more from the companies they're doing from a study that came out last year. I mean, you look at the younger demographics, those numbers get even higher and they really are making their purchasing decisions based on the footprint and choices of the companies they purchase from. So I think the more we can all lean into that, the better. Gazella: Yeah. I would agree. And I think that's great advice. So, in closing, why don't you go ahead and describe some of your short-term goals moving forward. Say, within the next year or 2, what is your organization want to accomplish in the near term? Callahan: Yeah. Well, firstly, on the outreach side, we've got an incredible base of companies committed. We're at about 440, like I mentioned, I want us to get to 500 by March of 2020. That is my goal. It really matters to keep that energy and momentum up, and so I'm looking to bring on new companies. We're really looking to actually move in to a lot of health and nutrition companies and we're going to be at a conference in a couple of weeks talking to them. And, you know, that's kind of a subsector of the industry that we really want more actively engaged, so that's the one thing. And then on the programming side and the work of it side, we're just over a year away from the 2020 elections. Giving our companies pathways toward active engagement on policy issues ahead of that election and getting them informed on what they can be seeking out on and supporting, is a real, real priority of mine. We're working with a great set of policy partners on that front to do that and that's something that we're going to really try to be doing a lot of over the next year. Outside of that, I mentioned consumer engagement. We are launching a consumer engagement part of the project over the next year, where we're trying to actually create a common set of messages that companies are using to engage in dialogues with consumers. And also to raise awareness on specific issues. Like soil health, like food waste, packaging, and really try to create dynamic, fun, engaging conversations with consumers that are action-focused as well. So we're hoping to really get that off the ground in the next year as well. And then our rooted community, the regenerative agriculture community that we have, we meet 4 to 6 times a year right now and going to be doing our first on-farm site visit over the next year as well. And I really hope we can be doing more of that, and constantly just trying to roadmap the business case for action. I think a lot of companies understand the altruistic and moral reasons to act, but when you back that up with saying that there are real business cases to be doing certain things like this, especially when you're working upstream in your supply chain with farmers who have very small margins and also really know... They know how best to manage their farms, and so when you have these conversations, what are the incentives we can provide and what data do we have to back that up? So we're constantly looking to increase the amount of data that we have on that and to connect your companies to it to really help promote these practices within the industry. So, those are a few key priorities. I think, overall, we're also just trying to keep the energy and momentum up in the industry. Climate is a really complex issue with a lot of nuances and not a lot of clear black and white solutions that we can just easily adopt, and so the more we can get companies excited and motivated and willing to work together, which I think they increasingly are, the more opportunity we have to really see transformative change in how the industry at scale is really attacking some of these issues. So that's my biggest hope. Is that we just keep the energy up, from as wide a group of stakeholders as possible, around focusing on climate and moving forward with real action. Gazella: Well, those sound like some great goals and it sounds like you're going to be very busy in the coming couple of years. Callahan: I think so. Yeah. Gazella: Yeah. Well, I just want to congratulate you on creating the... Well, your founders creating he Climate Collaborative and your work as the director. I really applaud you. I think it's great work. It is lofty and it's huge, but it's so important. So thank you so much for joining me today and telling us about your work. And I encourage our listeners to go and check out the Climate Collaborative, and thank you, Erin, for joining me today. Callahan: Thank you so much. Gazella: Have a great day. Callahan: You too.

As PG&E disenfranchises California residents because of poor planing Adam Schiff proves - once again - hat he is constitutionally illiterate. Then there is the question of whether the US troop redeployment to the south of Syria isn't a stroke of pure genius...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As the US lets an increasingly Islamofascist Turkey encroach on Syria to the point of handing over ISIS prisoners, the American media is still trying to confuse the electorate by portraying politics as government with the purely political move that is the fake impeachment scandal...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

One of the Progressive tactics that Matt Bruce and I have been talking about since 2001 is their penchant for telegraphing their nefarious actions onto their opponents and opposition. The Ukraine scandal involving the Bidens is a perfect example...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As the circus sideshow that is the Ukrainian-Trump "scandal" whirls up, it appears that the Progressive penchant for rewriting history is in real-time full-swing...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As the President appears to be assembling a "coalition of the willing" to confront Iran the question of whether the US should continue fighting Saudi Arabia's battles becomes a topic...that and why Joe Biden isn't wearing orange for his facilitation of a corrupt contract between his son and Ukrainian profiteers...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As the Iranian saber-rattling continues in the pre-cursory to the Sunni-Shiite confrontation we need to be very careful about not being distracted from the security of our country. Luckily we have Elizabeth Warren (eye-roll)...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As the Iranians saber-rattle by proxy in Saudi Arabia, threatening to upend the world's oil markets, Democrats are debilitatingly obsessed with impeachment of any kind, be it the President or Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As we approach the 18th anniversary of the al Qaeda terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, some of our young people know little about the event but to say that we, the United States, had it coming. Thus is the state of our world under the ever-advancing dictates of Progressive Multiculturalism...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

In the wake of the El Paso and Dayton shootings, CNN (as well as the rest of the alphabet media) has targeted the subject of mass shootings in their quest to push the subject of "gun control." But are they actually facilitating a venue for the troubled to acquire their "15 minutes of fame"?...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

The circumstances surrounding the death of billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein are too suspicious and/or coincidental to take a face value. What he knew about the high-profile individuals with which he associated and the abnormalities in how he was detained leads to only one common sense conclusion...and some serious questions for every American.This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As the mainstream media fixates on the mass shootings - shootings coming at the hands of self-declared Leftists, Jerry Nadler says that "impeachment proceedings are already under way." But there is one thing wrong with that: there hasn't been even a committee vote to do so...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to 3 million daily listeners in over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

In the aftermath of the El Paso and Dayton mass shootings, the mainstream media and the Progressive-Fascist Left has taken great liberties with the truth even as they commit extreme acts of omission in telling the full story of the events. The Underground's Frank Salvato examines this with Matt Bruce...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

In a wide-ranging assembly of topics, Matt and Frank talk about the weekend shootings, a changing of the guard at the DNI Office, and the impeachment insanity that Progressives are desperately trying to keep alive...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

After touching on lightening safety, Iran and Venezuela, and the usual suspects, I and Matt discuss one of the murkiest parts of the Washington DC swamp and what must happen before the elitist bureaucracy can die,,, This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

With the message House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent to illegal immigrants regarding th so-called "ICE raids" we should all be asking why she is aiding and abetting fugitives from justice. Why is she not being charged?This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

As Tropical Storm/Hurricane Barry beads down on the Central Gulf Coast, President Trump finds a way to include the citizenship question into the 2020 Census, even as AOC and "The Squad" continue their disinformation campaign about the border...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

Going into the 2020 General Election cycle President Trump has incredibly high approval ratings for a first term president, both by population and specifically within the GOP. You wouldn't know this listening to the MSM...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, APPLE PODCASTS, GOOGLE PODCASTS, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, CASTBOX, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

Explosions rock Kabul, Afghanistan at the hand of the Taliban and Joe Biden blows himself up with yet another in a long line of flip-flops and incredibly telling gaffes...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, iTUNES, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

After months and months saying there was no crisis on the border, now Democrats and Progressives are now screaming we have a crisis. So, was it a lie then, or are they lying now??This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, iTUNES, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

One thing is for sure, Lenin and Marx would have a tough time keeping up with the Democrat and Socialist candidates vying for the DNC Nomination for President. If you amassed an all-star team of Socialist, Communist, Fascist, and Progressive icons, it would be hard for them to think of some of the ways these spendthrifts can conceive of spending other peoples; money...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, iTUNES, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!

After a strategy briefing at the White House both Sens. Mitch "Mumbles" McConnell (R-KY) and Lindsay Graham (R-SC), blabbed to the media that the US would be executing a "measured response" against Iran for their downing of a US Navy drone in the Persian Gulf. Stupid has some new poster children...This is a rebroadcast of the NMJ segment on The Captain's America: Third Watch with Matt Bruce, syndicated nationally to over 179 markets on the GCN Satellite on the Westwood One Radio System out of the flagship station AM860 WGUL in Tampa Florida.PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST AT iHEART RADIO, iTUNES, GOOGLE PLAY, TUNEIN, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, SOUNDCLOUD, SPREAKER, AND/OR THE HIMALAYA PODCAST APP!