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Globe and Mail
12 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
AstraZeneca's AZD3427 Study: A Potential Game-Changer for Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension
AstraZeneca ((AZN)), Parexel International ((PRXL)), AstraZeneca plc ((GB:AZN)), AstraZeneca ((DE:ZEGA)), AstraZeneca plc US ((AZNCF)) announced an update on their ongoing clinical study. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. AstraZeneca, in collaboration with Parexel International, is conducting a Phase IIb study titled A Phase IIb Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multi-centre, Dose-ranging Study of AZD3427 in Participants With Heart Failure and Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease (WHO Group 2). The study aims to assess the efficacy of AZD3427 in reducing pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension over 24 weeks, highlighting its potential significance in treating these conditions. The intervention being tested is AZD3427, administered as a subcutaneous injection. It is designed to target pulmonary hypertension by reducing vascular resistance, with the study evaluating three different dose levels of the drug. The study follows a randomized, parallel assignment model with triple masking, involving participants, care providers, and investigators. Its primary purpose is treatment-focused, aiming to determine the optimal dosing strategy for AZD3427. The study began on April 24, 2023, with an estimated completion date in July 2025. These timelines are crucial for tracking the progress and potential market introduction of AZD3427. The outcome of this study could significantly impact AstraZeneca's market position, potentially boosting its stock performance if results are positive. Investors will be keenly watching for updates, especially in the context of competitive treatments for heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. The study is ongoing, with further details available on the ClinicalTrials portal.
Toronto Sun
42 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Canada has its 1st case of West Nile this year. Here's what to know about the virus
Published Aug 02, 2025 • 3 minute read Mosquito sucking blood, little insect on skin. Photo by Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Confirmation of the first human case of West Nile virus acquired in Canada this year arrived just in time for the August long weekend. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Public Health Agency of Canada said Thursday that an adult in Toronto with no travel history has been infected with the mosquito-borne virus. There had previously been two people with West Nile virus in Canada, but they were infected while travelling outside the country. Here's what you need to know about West Nile virus as you head outdoors this weekend. WHAT IS WEST NILE VIRUS? The first human case of West Nile virus appeared in Canada in 2002. The virus was originally identified in the West Nile region of Uganda, said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at the University Health Network in Toronto, but was carried to many places around the world by migratory birds. When mosquitoes bite infected birds, they in turn become infected and then can pass on the virus to humans and other animals when they bite them. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The type of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus usually bite around dusk and at night, Bogoch said. Human infections usually occur in mid to late summer, petering out as the temperature cools down. The Public Health Agency of Canada says humans don't spread the virus to other humans, except for very rare cases including blood transfusions, organ or tissue transplants, mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? 'The vast majority of people who are bitten by a mosquito harbouring West Nile virus will have no symptoms whatsoever,' said Bogoch. For the 20 to 30 per cent of people who get sick, most will have a few days of symptoms that resolve on their own. Symptoms usually begin between two and 14 days after the mosquito bite. They can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, swollen lymph glands and a stiff neck. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The concerning part of West Nile virus is that up to two per cent of people infected will get neuroinvasive disease, including encephalitis or meningitis, Bogoch said. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain and meningitis is inflammation of the area around the brain and spinal cord. In 'very rare' cases, people can also develop paralysis, he said. Although anyone can get these severe West Nile virus infections, they tend to happen more in older adults, Bogoch said. HOW IS WEST NILE VIRUS TREATED? There is no antiviral medication to treat West Nile virus. Most people won't need medical attention and can manage aches and pains with over-the-counter acetaminophen, rest and fluids. For the rare cases of neuroinvasive diseases, hospitals provide supportive care, including fluids and electrolytes, and provide rehabilitation if needed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There is no vaccine for West Nile virus. HOW CAN I PREVENT WEST NILE VIRUS? The best way to prevent West Nile virus is to avoid being bitten by a mosquito in the first place. Using insect repellent is 'very effective,' Bogoch said. Both Bogoch and the Public Health Agency of Canada recommend using bug sprays and lotions containing the chemicals DEET or Icaridine. Health Canada says those products should not be used on infants under six months old and parents can use mosquito nets over cribs or strollers when babies are outside instead. Wearing long sleeves and long pants, socks and a hat can also protect against mosquito bites. People can also wear mosquito nets over their hats. Choose light-coloured clothing, because mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Making sure all open windows have screens to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out is important. Getting rid of any standing water around your home or cottage also helps because that's where mosquitoes lay eggs. Drain buckets, planters, old tires, pool covers, wading pools and other objects where water accumulates. HOW COMMON IS IT? The number of reported cases annually varies greatly since PHAC started tracking domestic infections in 2003, ranging from a handful of cases per year to a peak of 2,401 cases in 2007. In 2024, there were 166 reported cases, according to PHAC's preliminary data. 'For most Canadians, the risk of getting infected is low because relatively few mosquitoes in Canada are infected with West Nile virus,' said Mark Johnson, a spokesperson for PHAC, in an email Friday. For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to – a member of the Postmedia Network. Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Columnists Homes Canada
Toronto Sun
4 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Picking up the pace on your walk helps, even for older adults
Published Aug 02, 2025 • Last updated 7 minutes ago • 5 minute read Photo by Getty Images Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Any amount of walking is good for your health but picking up the pace has significant benefits – and it's never too late for someone to train to walk faster. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In an analysis published in PLOS One earlier this month, researchers found that frail older adults who deliberately walked faster saw a meaningful improvement in the distance they could travel when instructed to walk for six minutes straight. (Frailty is an age-related syndrome that affects 5 to 17 percent of older adults and is characterized by fatigue, a loss of strength and unexplained weight loss.) The results show that regardless of your age, the intensity of your workout can lead to greater improvements in physical function, said Daniel Rubin, the lead author of the analysis and an associate professor of anesthesia and critical care at the University of Chicago. 'It's okay to sweat a little bit, to have your heart racing a little bit, to breathe a little heavier,' Rubin said. 'Even as a 79-year-old.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Researchers wanted to understand if walking faster could help older adults stave off signs of frailty – feeling fatigued, slow and weak. And 'walking is such a low-cost, easy, accessible activity,' Rubin said. When the older adults in the study walked 14 additional steps per minute, compared with their casual pace, they were more likely to benefit from the regular exercise. 'It's a small amount but you're just pushing yourself a little bit more to walk faster,' Margaret Danilovich, the senior author of the study and director of clinical strategy at TailorCare. 'That's where you're going to reap those health benefits.' Measure your walking cadence to assess your effort For the analysis, researchers evaluated the walking pace of 102 older adults, median age 79, who lived in retirement communities around Chicago. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Walking cadence, or steps taken per minute, can be a simple way to measure the intensity of the exercise, Rubin said. And, other measurements such as heart rate monitors or the 'talk test' – whether a person can still talk while exercising – can be unreliable or too subjective for older adults. (Exactly when does it become too difficult for someone to talk during a workout?) The volunteers were frail – more than half used a cane or walker – and weren't particularly active, Rubin said. Before the study, the average participant took around 3,700 to 3,800 steps per day, Danilovich said. Each retirement community was randomly assigned to one of two groups – casual or high-intensity walking – and the participants walked three days a week for four months. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. All of them followed the same progressive training routine – a warmup, stair-stepping, walking with five-pound ankle weights, and walking in different directions. The only difference: The casual group walked at a comfortable pace, and the other group walked as fast as they safely could. On average, the high-intensity walking group logged 100 steps per minute, and the casual walking group took 77 steps per minute. After four months, participants in the high-intensity group were more likely to have a meaningful improvement in their physical function, as measured by the distance covered in a six-minute walking test. 'Every step you take is going to be better for your health,' said Danilovich, who was the principal investigator of the trial when she was an assistant professor of physical therapy at Northwestern University. But, 'if you really want to maximize the treatment effects, go for intensity.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. To conduct the study, research assistants walked one-on-one with the participants. It's not clear if the older adults would've achieved the same benefits if they trained unsupervised. The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging. 'Any exercise is better than no exercise' Roger Fielding, a senior scientist at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, said the study demonstrates cadence is a useful way for older adults to measure and modify their effort while walking. But, whether you're going fast or slow, 'any exercise is better than no exercise.' 'Even if you're walking at a comfortable pace, there are going to be some meaningful benefits,' said Fielding, who was not involved with the study. And 'if you walk at a little faster pace, the benefits are going to be greater,' he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With any exercise, whether it's walking, swimming or running, frequency, intensity and duration matters, Fielding said. People should aim to walk 7,000 to 8,000 steps per day, said John Schuna, an associate professor of kinesiology at Oregon State University, who was not involved with the study. There's no evidence to say 10,000 steps a day is the magic number. Last week, a peer-reviewed meta-analysis of 57 studies found that around 5,000 to 7,000 steps a day is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality, dementia and cardiovascular disease. If your daily total is far below the recommended target, try to incrementally add 500 steps every week to your step count, experts said. How to speed up on your walks Map your route. If you have a typical walking route, drive and measure the distance, said Jennifer Schrack, director of the Center on Aging and Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Then time your next walk to understand how fast you're completing your circuit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Use a metronome to determine your walking pace. Rubin said his some of patients use a metronome on their smartphone to measure the cadence of their walk and push their pace. Find your casual walking pace by matching your steps with a beat on the metronome, he said. Then, speed it up by five beats per minute and try to match that pace. Most people of average height tend to walk between 1.1 and 1.3 meters (about 3.6 and 4.3 feet) per second, Schrack said. A slower speed is an indicator of decline in older adults, she said. 'Oftentimes, when there is a slowing with aging, it's related to some underlying condition,' said Jennifer Brach, a professor of physical therapy at the University of Pittsburgh, who's a co-author of the study. 'So, slowing down is not normal, and we should expect and try to keep our older adults walking at a good pace.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Add in short bursts of high-intensity walking. One version of interval training is known as 'Japanese walking,' where people switch between three-minute sets of a fast and a casual pace for 30 minutes. If you're going around a track, walk at a normal pace on the curves and pick up the pace on the straightaways, Brach said. 'I walk every day for exercise. And it's very easy to get into a habit of maybe going more of a stroll and not really picking up the pace,' Brach said. 'But by picking up the cadence, you are increasing the intensity, which has been linked to better outcomes.' For more health news and content around diseases, conditions, wellness, healthy living, drugs, treatments and more, head to – a member of the Postmedia Network. Toronto Blue Jays Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Canada Toronto & GTA
