Latest news with #DavidJenkins
Medscape
16-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
2 New Studies Show CVD Benefit of Portfolio Diet
Two new Canadian studies suggest that the plant-based Portfolio Diet, which features cholesterol-lowering food choices, can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality across diverse groups. The diet previously had been evaluated mostly among older, White participants. The first study found an association between the diet, which was developed in 2003 by David J.A. Jenkins, MD, PhD, DSc, a researcher at the University of Toronto, Toronto, and a lower risk for CVD mortality and all-cause mortality. It was published last month in BMC Medicine . Researchers analyzed data of 14,835 US adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) and found that adhering to the Portfolio Diet was associated with a significant reduction in the risk for death from CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), and all causes. Points for Foods Participants' diets were evaluated by 24-hour dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at baseline using the Portfolio Diet Score (PDS). Patients were assigned positive points for the four focus groups of the diet: Nuts, plant protein (eg, beans or tofu), viscous fiber (eg, apples, oatmeal, and eggplant), and phytosterols and plant monounsaturated fatty acid sources (eg, enriched margarine or oils). Patients received negative points for foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The primary outcome was CVD mortality. For all participants, an 8-point increase in PDS was associated with a 12% lower risk for CVD mortality. Other mortality outcomes included CHD, stroke, and all-cause mortality. Examining 22 years of follow-up, the researchers found that higher adherence to the diet was associated with lower risk factors, including blood lipids, glycemia, and inflammation. An increase in PDS of 8 points was associated with a 12% lower risk, 14% lower risk, and 12% lower risk for CVD, CHD, and all-cause mortality, respectively, after adjustments for known CVD risk factors. 'We know that it works,' study author Meaghan E. Kavanagh, PhD, of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, told Medscape Medical News . It has been clear since early clinical trials that the diet can lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol substantially, she said. 'It's the same effect as a first-generation statin.' The current research is the next step, she explained, and the studies demonstrate that the diet can reduce people's risk for dying from these factors. They also broaden the diversity of the cohort. Younger, Diverse Group The focus of the related trial, which was published last month in BMC Public Health and written by many of the same researchers, 'was to look at [the diet] in a younger population to see if we could find associations with LDL cholesterol in such a healthy, young population. We're trying to show it works in all groups,' Kavanaugh said. The trial, led by Victoria Chen, a student at the University of Toronto, included 1507 ethnoculturally diverse people in their 20s using data from the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study. In that study, diet was assessed by a validated Toronto-modified Harvard 196-item FFQ. Participants were instructed on how to complete the FFQ using visual aids of portion sizes. Adherence to the Portfolio Diet was measured using the PDS, and data analysis was adjusted for potential confounders. Researchers studied the association of the PDS with LDL and other established CV risk factors in young people. In this group, 'an 8-point higher PDS was associated with 3% lower LDL-C, the primary outcome,' the authors wrote. 'Our findings are also in agreement with cross-sectional analyses of other dietary patterns that share some similar components (legumes, whole grains, nuts, plant oils, fruits, and vegetables) to the Portfolio Diet, including the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Mediterranean diets, which have been associated with more favorable lipid, blood pressure, and/or adiposity markers in young adults who are predominantly university students.' According to the study, 50% adherence to the Portfolio Diet beginning in young adulthood may delay increases in CVD risk later in life by about 6 years. Strict adherence could delay it by up to 13 years. 'This diet reinforces that patterns of eating are important over and above any one nutrient or food group,' said Jodi Heshka, MD, director of the Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy Clinic at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa. 'These new data show the Portfolio Diet also works in a variety of patients, ages, different backgrounds.' Heshka did not participate in the study. Low Adherence Beneficial Heshka, who recommends the diet to her patients, said another benefit is that even low adherence improves outcomes. 'You don't have to go crazy following the Portfolio Diet to a tee,' she pointed out. 'Simply by incorporating more of these foods and by default reducing other foods — even that alone can add benefit.' Michele Blanchet, RD, a registered dietitian with Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, told Medscape Medical News that she's been recommending the Portfolio Diet to patients since she started specializing in CV health 14 years ago. 'It's been the crux of me helping individuals lower cholesterol,' she said, but she also combines it with parts of the Mediterranean diet, particularly the visual representations of proportions of food groups. She said she was particularly glad to see the finding that the diet can reduce the risk even in young, healthy people. 'We're seeing in our cardiac rehab program younger and younger individuals coming in needing bypass surgeries, having heart attacks,' Blanchet said. To work with young adults to follow the diet, she takes a diet history and looks at where they can make small changes: Adding vegetables and legumes and sprinkling flaxseed on foods, for instance. 'By making small changes throughout the day, they can have this synergistic effect of lowering their cholesterol and seeing the heart health benefits of this diet,' she said. The study led by Kavanaugh was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The study led by Chen was funded by a Toronto 3D Research Fellowship Award, CIHR, and a University of Toronto fellowship. Kavanaugh, Chen, Heshka, and Blanchet reported having no relevant financial relationships.
CBC
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Review of how school and education officials handle sex-related complaints is now underway
Former P.E.I. Chief Justice David Jenkins has just started a new temporary job. He talks to Louise Martin of CBC News: Compass about the scope of his third-party review into how Public Schools Branch practices and policies played into the Matthew Craswell case.
Associated Press
12-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Catheter Precision (VTAK) Reports Key Progress for the LockeT Product
FORT MILL, S.C., June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Catheter Precision, Inc. (VTAK - NYSE/American), a US based medical device company focused on developing technologically advanced products for the cardiac electrophysiology market announced that LockeT sales for Q2 2025 are on track to be the highest to date. Second quarter 2025 LockeT sales are already outpacing Q2 2024 sales with a 200% increase. Catheter Precision now has several US hospitals that are on track to issue more than $100,000 in purchase orders each for LockeT by the end of 2025. These hospitals include Montefiore (Bronx, NY), Eisenhower Health (Rancho Mirage, CA), and Overland Park Regional Medical Center (Overland Park, KS). As previously announced, LockeT received the CE Mark enabling sales in Europe. Catheter Precision has secured a new distributor in Italy and anticipates additional distributors in the coming days for Spain, Portugal and the UK and is actively searching for the right partner is other EU countries. David Jenkins, CEO of Catheter Precision said, 'We are excited about the upcoming activities, sales pipeline and expanded use by existing customer to increase revenue generated by LockeT. At this time, there is a live case scheduled on Monday, Juen 16 with a key opinion leader where he will demonstrate LockeT during an Italian symposium, increasing its awareness to the new market. As a company, we continue to focus on improving product awareness, increasing product usage and expanding our footprint into Europe.' About LockeT Catheter Precision's LockeT is a suture retention device intended to assist in wound closure after percutaneous venous punctures. LockeT is a Class 1 device registered with the FDA and has received CE Mark approval. About Catheter Precision Catheter Precision is an innovative U.S.-based medical device company bringing new solutions to market to improve the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. It is focused on developing groundbreaking technology for electrophysiology procedures by collaborating with physicians and continuously advancing its products. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this press release may contain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to substantial risk and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as 'believe,' 'anticipate,' 'may,' 'might,' 'can,' 'could,' 'continue,' 'depends,' 'expect,' 'expand,' 'forecast,' 'intend,' 'predict,' 'plan,' 'rely,' 'should,' 'will,' 'may,' 'seek,' or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding product evaluations at the hospital, and that the purchase order indicates that the hospital and its staff see the value and benefits that LockeT can bring and expectations regarding LockeT evaluations in the coming weeks. The Company's expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties included under the caption 'Risk Factors' in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. CONTACTS: At the Company David Jenkins 973-691-2000 [email protected] # # #
Business Insider
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Catheter Precision Stock (VTAK) Rockets 170% on a Delayed Investor Reaction
Catheter Precision (VTAK) stock surged on Wednesday after the medical device company announced the first purchase order for its VIVO product. This is a non-invasive 3D imaging system to identify the origin of ventricular arrhythmias pre-procedure. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Catheter Precision reached an agreement with Sahlgrenska University Hospital for its VIVO devices. That's a major win for the company as this is Sweden's largest hospital with over 350,000 patients per year. It also has the largest ventricular ablation program in the region. David Jenkins, CEO of Catheter Precision, said, 'Creating strong partnerships with teaching hospitals enables new physicians to be trained with our products and creating a new opportunity for future sales when that physician leaves the teaching institution.' VTAK Stock Movement Today While the VIVO sales agreement was announced on Monday, investors only recently took notice of it. This delayed reaction resulted in a 170.1% rally in pre-market trading on Wednesday. This easily erases the stock's 49.69% drop year-to-date, but still leaves it well below its 52-week high of $6.40. Is Catheter Precision Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold? Wall Street's coverage of Catheter Precision is lacking, but TipRanks' AI analyst, Spark, fills in that gap. Spark rates VTAK stock a Neutral (41) with no price target, citing 'significant financial challenges with persistent losses and negative cash flows' as reasons for this stance.
CBC
05-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
David Jenkins speaks to P.E.I. MLAs as 3rd-party review into school safety begins
It's been a month since David Jenkins was appointed to head up a third-party review into the handling of sexual misconduct allegations in Island schools. His work began this week, and one of his first stops was to speak to MLAs. CBC's Nicola MacLeod was there.
