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Gene therapy eyedrops restored a boy’s sight. Similar treatments could help millions

MIAMI (AP) — Dr. Alfonso Sabater pulled up two photos of Antonio Vento Carvajal’s eyes. One showed cloudy scars covering both eyeballs. The other, taken after months of gene therapy given through eyedrops, revealed no scarring on either eye. Antonio, who’s been legally blind for much of his 14 years, can see again. The teen was born with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a rare genetic condition that causes blisters all over his body and in his eyes. But his skin improved when he joined a clinical trial to test the world’s first topical gene therapy. That gave Sabater an ...

We’ve got your back

Back pain isn’t just uncomfortable – it can impact your productivity and keep you from doing things you enjoy. As of 2019, 39 percent of adults have reported back pain, which is most commonly located in the lower back area. When you lift, reach or twist, it is possible to hurt anywhere ...

Matisko joins Mt. Nittany Health

STATE COLLEGE — Mount Nittany Health is pleased to announce that Elaine Matisko has joined Mount Nittany Health Internal Medicine at our Park Avenue location. “Mount Nittany Health has been a pillar of healthcare in Happy Valley since before I was born in Philipsburg,” said Elaine. ...

Geisinger at Home receives grant

DANVILLE — Geisinger Health Foundation has been granted $50,000 to support the Geisinger at Home program from the Ralph and Josephine Smith Fund of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP). “We’re grateful to the FCFP’s Ralph and Josephine Smith Fund for this generous grant, which will bolster our Geisinger at Home program as we continue to help patients manage their conditions in the comfort of their own homes,” said Nancy Lawton-Kluck, Geisinger Health Foundation’s chief philanthropy officer. Geisinger at Home brings health care to eligible ...

UPMC Rehabilitation Institute in Williamsport earns reaccreditation

WILLIAMSPORT — UPMC Williamsport has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Rehabilitation Services for Stroke, Spinal Cord and Brain Injury by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care. “We are thrilled that our department has once again been reaccredited by The Joint Commission for our specialty rehabilitation services focusing on stroke recovery and spinal cord and brain injuries,” said Thomas Hoy, ...

Second Alzheimer’s drug in pipeline can slow the disease by a few months but with safety risk

WASHINGTON (AP) — Another experimental Alzheimer’s drug can modestly slow patients’ inevitable worsening — by about four to seven months, researchers reported Monday. Eli Lilly and Co. is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval of donanemab. If cleared, it would be only the second Alzheimer’s treatment convincingly shown to delay the mind-robbing disease — after the recently approved Leqembi from Japanese drugmaker Eisai. “Finally there’s some hope, right, that we can talk about,” Lilly’s Dr. John Sims told reporters Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association ...