Category Archives: AFTNews

PRNews

The Chicago School Earns 10 Years Accreditation

LOS ANGELES, July 3, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP), a nonprofit, private university devoted exclusively to psychology, and behavioral health services, has been granted reaffirmation of accreditation for 10 years by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accrediting agency serving higher education institutions.

WSCUC determines accreditation through a rigorous process that “assesses the academic quality and educational effectiveness of institutions.” WSCUC  Focusing on student success, institutional structure, processes and resources, the WSCUC Standards of Accreditation consists of four standards of which institutions must be able to demonstrate they are in substantial compliance:

  • Defining institutional purposes and ensuring educational objectives
  • Achieving educational objectives through core functions
  • Developing and applying resources and organizational structures to ensure quality and sustainability
  • Creating an organization committed to quality assurance, institutional learning and improvement

“This achievement is a testament to the excellence of our programs and how our graduates are uniquely positioned to enact positive change in the world,” said President Michele Nealon, Psy.D. “The accreditation process is a comprehensive one, made even more rigorous by the application of it on all of our campuses. The diligent dedication of our staff, faculty and students to our mission and vision has made this possible.”

The Chicago School has been regionally accredited by WSCUC since 2011. The institution’s doctorate in clinical psychology programs at its Chicago and Washington, D.C. campuses are programmatically accredited by the American Psychological Association.

About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private university devoted exclusively to psychology, and behavioral health services. The Chicago School is an affiliate of TCS Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. The university serves nearly 4,300 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego); and Washington, D.C., as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral programs in Chicago and Washington, D.C. are accredited by the American Psychological Association. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is the leader in professional psychology education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu

MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Riley
312.410.8963
lriley@thechicagoschool.edu

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-chicago-school-earns-10-years-accreditation-300483097.html

SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Related Links

http://www.thechicagoschool.edu

PRNews

Endo Completes Divestiture of Litha Healthcare Group

DUBLIN, July 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Endo International plc (NASDAQ: ENDP) today announced that it has completed the previously announced divestiture of its South African based operations, Litha Healthcare Group, to Acino Pharma AG. In February 2017, Endo announced that, following a comprehensive strategic assessment and asset review, the Company determined that Litha no longer aligned with its strategy and was not considered a core asset. 

At closing, Endo received approximately $100 million in cash (after giving effect to cash and net working capital purchase price adjustments) and may receive up to an additional $11 million in contingent consideration. During the fourth quarter of 2016, Endo recorded pre-tax impairment charges of approximately $150 million in order to write-down Litha’s net assets to their estimated fair value less cost to sell.

“Litha has a talented team and we appreciate all the contributions they have made to our Company,” said Paul Campanelli, President and CEO of Endo. “We believe that Acino’s presence in emerging markets makes Litha a good addition to their organization and we wish them both continued success.” 

About Endo International plc
Endo International plc (NASDAQ: ENDP) is a highly focused generics and specialty branded pharmaceutical company delivering quality medicines to patients in need through excellence in development, manufacturing and commercialization. Endo has global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and U.S. headquarters in Malvern, PA. Learn more at www.endo.com.

About Acino Pharma AG
Acino develops, manufactures and markets high-quality pharmaceuticals for the benefit of patients in over 85 high potential emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, the CIS region, and Latin America.  Acino is headquartered in Zurich Switzerland.  For additional information go to www.acino.swiss.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” including, but not limited to, statements by Mr. Campanelli, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements including words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “plan,” “will,” “may,” “look forward,” “intend,” “guidance,” “future” or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Because these statements reflect our current views, expectations and beliefs concerning future events, these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Investors should note that many factors, as more fully described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Endo’s Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as otherwise enumerated herein or therein, could affect Endo’s future financial results and could cause Endo’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified by these risk factors. These are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. Endo assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE Endo International plc

AFTNews

What’s in Phyto EFA?

Unlike other omega supplements, Phyto EFA is a blend of Ahiflower® seed oil and algal oil, making it plant-based, non-GMO, and vegan. The Ahiflower® seed oil comes from the Buglossoides arvensis plant, a traditional wildflower in the borage family commonly known as stoneseed. This oil was chosen because it contains the highest amount of stearidonic acid (SDA) of any plant source. It is this unique blend of Ahiflower® seed oil and algal oil that allows Phyto EFA to provide these five forms of EFAs: alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), stearidonic acid (SDA), gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Together, these forms help maintain normal function of the brain, heart, reproductive organs, immune system, and inflammatory response.

Daily Digest

Everyone has to start somewhere

“Got an idea to start”, “Thinking to start” and “Making a commitment to start” is one aspect of life. Actually “Starting” what you truly want to do in life, is a completely different ball game.” ― Manoj Arora, From the Rat Race to Financial Freedom

“You can’t put a limit on anything… the more you dream, the further you get,” – Michael Phelps, Australian Olympian Swimmer

Have a Fitness Motivational Quote to share? Leave a comment below…

AFTNews, Fitness at Work, Home Gym

Standing and exercise linked to lower odds of obesity

1 Comment

Standing for at least one-quarter of the day has been linked to lower odds of obesity in a new study led by the American Cancer Society in collaboration with The Cooper Institute, the University of Texas, and the University of Georgia. The study appears inMayo Clinic Proceedings.

While sedentary behavior (such as watching TV and commuting time) has been linked to negative health effects, it is unclear whether more time spent standing has protective health benefits. To investigate further, a research team led by Dr. Kerem Shuval, Director of Physical Activity & Nutrition Research at the American Cancer Society, examined reported standing habits in relation to objectively measured obesity and metabolic risk among more than 7000 adult patients attending the Cooper Clinic (Dallas, Texas) for preventive medicine visits from 2010 to 2015. Specifically, the association between standing time and obesity was determined through three measures: body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and waist circumference. The association between standing and metabolic risk was assessed via metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors that increase the risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

The study found that among men, standing a quarter of the time was linked to a 32% reduced likelihood of obesity (body fat percentage). Standing half the time was associated with a 59% reduced likelihood of obesity. But standing more than three-quarters of the time was not associated with a lower risk of obesity.

In women, standing a quarter, half, and three quarters of the time was associated with 35%, 47%, and 57% respective reductions in the likelihood of abdominal obesity (waist circumference). No relationship between standing and metabolic syndrome was found among women or men.

Researchers also investigated whether physical activity in conjunction with standing provided additional reduction in risk. They found that among those meeting physical activity guidelines (150 minutes of moderate activity and/or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per day) the addition of standing time was associated with incremental drops in the likelihood of all obesity measures and metabolic syndrome in both women and men. For example, men meeting physical activity guidelines and standing a quarter to half of the time had a 57% reduced likelihood for abdominal obesity, whereas those meeting guidelines and standing three quarters of the time or more had a 64% lower odds for abdominal obesity.

While the findings provide initial and important evidence on the potential protective benefits of standing, the study team cautions that their findings should be interpreted in the context of the study’s limitations. These findings are cross-sectional, meaning they capture a ‘snapshot’ in time, so it is unclear whether less standing leads to more obesity or whether in fact obese individuals stand less. Additional prospective studies are needed to determine whether standing has protective health benefits.

Moreover, while obesity and metabolic syndrome were objectively measured, standing and physical activity were not; they were based on self-report which may lead to over estimation of these behaviors. Further, due to the survey measure used in the study, it is unclear whether study participants were standing still or standing and moving. While standing and moving provides extra energy expenditure, standing still is similar to sitting with regards to energy expenditure.

Finally, it should be noted that some studies have found adverse health effects to prolonged standing, such as increased risk for varicose veins. Therefore, additional research into the effects of standing on health is definitely suggested.

Date: November 3, 2015

Source: University of Kent

University of Kent. “Endurance expert: Drugs could help ‘lazy’ people exercise: In what has been described as ‘doping for lazy people’ an endurance expert advocates psychoactive drugs to encourage sedentary people to exercise.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 November 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151103140442.htm>.

AFTNews, Fitness

Endurance expert: Drugs could help ‘lazy’ people exercise

Endurance expert suggests drugs could help ‘lazy people’ exercise In what has been described as ‘doping for lazy people’ a University of Kent endurance expert has advocated the use of psychoactive drugs to encourage sedentary people to exercise.

Together with lack of time, physical exertion is one of the main perceived barriers to exercise. This is not surprising because humans evolved to be ‘lazy’, i.e. to conserve energy. Professor Samuele Marcora suggests that reducing perception of effort during exercise using caffeine or other psychoactive drugs (e.g. methylphenidate and modafinil) could help many people stick to their fitness plans.

Whilst acknowledging that such an intervention is both drastic and controversial, Professor Marcora points out that perception of effort is one of the main reasons why most people choose sedentary activities for their leisure time. Compared to watching television (zero effort), even moderate-intensity physical activities like walking require considerable effort. He says finding a way that makes people with very low motivation to do even moderate exercise, like walking, could be particularly useful.

Similarly, a reduction in perception of effort would be very helpful to the many people who find exercise difficult because they are overweight and/or exercise after work in a state of mental fatigue.

Professor Marcora also states that whilst there is no strong ethical opposition to the use of psychoactive drugs to help quit smoking (nicotine) or treat obesity (appetite suppressants), the negative perception of doping in sport may prevent the use of stimulants and other psychoactive drugs to treat physical inactivity.

Given that physical inactivity is responsible for twice as many deaths as obesity, he hopes that psychopharmacological treatment for physical inactivity will be considered fairly and seriously rather than immediately rejected on the basis of unrelated ethical considerations about doping in sport.

Professor Samuele Marcora is Director of Research at the University of Kent’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. His paper Can Doping be a Good Thing? Using Psychoactive Drugs to Facilitate Physical Activity Behaviour has been published in the journal Sports Medicine.

Source: University of Kent article, “Endurance expert: Drugs could help ‘lazy’ people exercise: In what has been described as ‘doping for lazy people’ an endurance expert advocates psychoactive drugs to encourage sedentary people to exercise.” Science Daily, 3 November 2015.

AFTNews, Diet & Nutrition

Low energy sweeteners help reduce energy intake and body weight, evidence shows

Source: University of Bristol

Summary: Use of low energy sweeteners (LES) in place of sugar, in children and adults, leads to reduced calorie intake and body weight – and possibly also when comparing LES beverages to water — according to a new review.

Use of low energy sweeteners (LES) in place of sugar, in children and adults, leads to reduced calorie intake and body weight — and possibly also when comparing LES beverages to water — according to a review led by researchers at the University of Bristol published in the International Journal of Obesity.

For the first time, all available science was integrated into a single review to evaluate the real impact of LES, such as saccharin, aspartame, sucralose and stevia, on energy intake (EI) and body weight (BW) over the short- and long-term. A considerable weight of evidence confirmed that consuming LES instead of sugar helps reduce relative energy intake and body weight.

Lead author Professor Peter Rogers from the University of Bristol said: “We believe that we should shift the question from whether LES are ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ and rather focus on how they should be best used in practice to help in the achievement of specific public health goals, such as the reduction of intakes of free sugars and energy.”

The authors conducted systematic reviews of relevant studies in animals and humans consuming LES in a non-restricted diet. In total, 12 human prospective cohort studies, 228 comparisons in human intervention studies (short and long-term) and 90 animal studies were examined.

Managing energy balance (that is, energy intake vs. energy expenditure) well results in a steady body weight. On the contrary, eating an excessive amount of food causes an increase in body weight as this extra energy is stored in the body as adipose tissue (fat). Low energy sweeteners were developed for consumers looking for ways to reduce their sugar and energy intake.

The comparison between LES beverages and water is important because it shows that LES do not increase appetite. If anything, the evidence suggests that LES beverages reduced weight more than water. One reason for this may be that switching from sugar-sweetened drinks to those with LES may be an easier and more acceptable dietary change to make than switching to water.