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On Sept 1, 2023, Partners in Digital Health, publisher of Blockchain in Healthcare Today (BHTY,) conducted the 4th Annual ConVerge2Xcelerate (ConV2X) Ignition Pitch Competition. The competition was recorded for journal and On Demand broadcast viewing. Seven competitors in the digital health and DLT markets presented to eight decerning judges. Entrants were asked to demonstrate how products and services directly impact the telehealth and blockchain in healthcare technology fields from around the globe. Product solution catgories included, but were not limited to: AI & Tech in Telehealth and Medicine • Smart home care design, AI, sensors, robotics, chronic care condition(s) using RPM, reducing cost for health systems or patients, enhancing the physician-patient relationship, mixed reality to enhance outcomes in patient care, etc. Advancing the Business of Health with Blockchain Technology • Monetization of data, interoperability, improving population health, precision medicine, public health & equity, digital twins, secure identity, DeFi, medical metaverse, supply chain, clinical trials, etc. Scores were rated from 1-5, with 5 being the highest/best. Criteria appears below. Scores were taillied, and winners selected for each category. • Impact: • How likely is the solution to improve outcomes for the problem identified? • Innovation: • Does the team provide a convincing rationale for why their solution may work? • Does the solution provide a creative approach and address specific user needs? • Scalability: • How easy would it be to develop and implement this solution? • Could this solution scale across different markets and therapeutic areas? • Presentation: • How effective was the presentation overall? • Was the solution they are proposing convincingly articulated, presented or visualized?

Abstract Background The identification of endogenous signals that lead to microglial activation is a key step in understanding neuroinflammatory cascades. As ATP release accompanies mechanical strain to neural tissue, and as the P2X7 receptor for ATP is expressed on microglial cells, we examined the morphological and molecular consequences of P2X7 receptor stimulation in vivo and in vitro and investigated the contribution of the P2X7 receptor in a model of increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods In vivo experiments involved intravitreal injections and both transient and sustained elevation of IOP. In vitro experiments were performed on isolated mouse retinal and brain microglial cells. Morphological changes were quantified in vivo using Sholl analysis. Expression of mRNA for M1- and M2-like genes was determined with qPCR. The luciferin/luciferase assay quantified retinal ATP release while fura-2 indicated cytoplasmic calcium. Microglial migration was monitored with a Boyden chamber. Results Sholl analysis of Iba1-stained cells showed retraction of microglial ramifications 1 day after injection of P2X7 receptor agonist BzATP into mouse retinae. Mean branch length of ramifications also decreased, while cell body size and expression of Nos2, Tnfa, Arg1, and Chil3 mRNA increased. BzATP induced similar morphological changes in ex vivo tissue isolated from Cx3CR1+/GFP mice, suggesting recruitment of external cells was unnecessary. Immunohistochemistry suggested primary microglial cultures expressed the P2X7 receptor, while functional expression was demonstrated with Ca2+ elevation by BzATP and block by specific antagonist A839977. BzATP induced process retraction and cell body enlargement within minutes in isolated microglial cells and increased Nos2 and Arg1. While ATP increased microglial migration, this required the P2Y12 receptor and not P2X7 receptor. Transient elevation of IOP led to microglial process retraction, cell body enlargement, and gene upregulation paralleling changes observed with BzATP injection, in addition to retinal ATP release. Pressure-dependent changes were reduced in P2X7−/− mice. Death of retinal ganglion cells accompanied increased IOP in C57Bl/6J, but not P2X7−/− mice, and neuronal loss showed some association with microglial activation. Conclusions P2X7 receptor stimulation induced rapid morphological activation of microglial cells, including process retraction and cell body enlargement, and upregulation of markers linked to both M1- and M2-type activation. Parallel responses accompanied IOP elevation, suggesting ATP release and P2X7 receptor stimulation influence the early microglial response to increased pressure.

Odise Cenaj et al. find that the fibrous interstitial spaces within and around organs may in fact be continuous networks throughout the human body. Using traceable particles injected into colon and skin interstitial spaces in human tissue samples, they demonstrate the interconnectedness of these fluid-filled spaces.

Journal publisher and ConV2X curator shares vision and insights for scientific communications and scholarly publishing along with market predictions for the digital health and blockchain in healthcare emeging markets and research fields. Biography Tory Cenaj is the Founder and Publisher of Partners in Digital Health (PDH), a forward reaching publishing and communications company. PDH publishes Blockchain in Healthcare Today, the world’s first open access peer reviewed journal disseminating distributed ledger technology research and innovations in healthcare, and Telehealth and Medicine Today, the international open access peer reviewed journal examining the value of telehealth and clinical automation. The portfolio includes the companion Converge2Xcelerate (ConV2X) annual symposium, pitch competition, and PDH Institute. Her leadership experience reflects all facets of healthcare publishing and communications heading a premier MM dollar multispecialty portfolio including digital and international licensing across five continenets. Her industry experience includes leading publication planning, P&L, medical education and clinical trials management. She currently serves as executive advisor to the IEEE SA in telehealth and DCT verticals in addition to her role as publisher.

The award was announced during the ConV2X 2021 conference, themed “Blueprint for a New Digital Health Era,” broadcast November 9-11, 2021. The winning article is titled: "The Last Mile: DSCSA Solution Through Blockchain Technology: Drug Tracking, Tracing, and Verification at the Last Mile of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain with BRUINchain," by lead author William Chien (PharmD, MBA) and fellow authors from UCLA Health and LedgerDomain. The article is located at https://doi.org/10.30953/bhty.v3.134. The groundbreaking article was part of the FDA’s Pilot Project Program for the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), and centered on a healthcare center pharmacy operating solely on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology. It presented the highest number of BHTY 2020 reader engagements, with the most downloads and views. The study demonstrated a 100% success rate across scanning, expiration detection, and counterfeit detection; and paperwork reduction from approximately 1 hour to less than a minute. Projecting out to 4.2 billion prescriptions being dispensed each year in the United States, the study found that distributed ledger technologies (such as blockchain) would not only save $183 million in annual labor costs, but also avert bad or fraudulent transactions, reduce the need for safety stock, and enhance the detection and removal of potentially dangerous drugs from the drug supply chain to protect U.S. consumers.

The editorial is taken from commentary presented at the ConVerge2Xcelerate (#ConV2X) 2021 Symposium entitled "Blueprint for a New Digital Health Era." Tory Cenaj is the Owner and Publisher of Partners in Digital Health (PDH). The views expressed are solely her own and do not reflect those of the editorial board, reviewers, ambassadors, licensees or staff members affiliated with PDH.

During our 2019 ConVerge2Xcelerate (ConV2X) conference in Boston, we focused on the theme "Proving Market Value with Pragmatic Innovation in Healthcare" (see https://conv2x-2019.eventcreate.com/). This year, along with BHTY editorial board members, conference speakers were invited to join with Tory Cenaj, Publisher of BHTY, to contribute their expertise and share insights for the near-term landscape of blockchain in healthcare.

In 2020, Blockchain in Healthcare Today (BHTY) begins its third year of publication. We thank our global community of passionate leaders and early adopters for their support and diligence in making technology innovation in healthcare attainable for both the healthcare consumers who are the key stakeholders in patient-centered care and the broader healthcare system.

Many people in the healthcare industry mistake the turbulent cryptocurrency market for a technology that offers significant benefits to healthcare administration, including improved interoperability, revenue recapture, and enhanced security and patient safety. Recently, these subjects were explored during the ConVerge2Xcelerate (ConV2X) 2023 Symposium held at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Who benefits most from this discussion - service providers, those seeking to transform outdated business models, or both? The mention of blockchain technology often discourages conversation, causing those who have sound success solutions to approach the topic from alternate perspectives. In the Blockchain in Healthcare Platform Approaches Special Issue, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2024, we share valuable insights based on specific use cases to provide healthcare executives with a nuanced understanding. Several open-access recordings are available, providing a glimpse into the wealth of knowledge and insights shared to advance the business of health with blockchain technology. Recognizing the need for a paradigm shift, we explore topical subjects and cases with various thought leaders in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills are the hallmarks of people with intellectual disabilities. Many studies indicate that compare to typically developing people; persons with intellectual disabilities have more challenges in daily life activities. The aim of this study is to access the triceps, shoulder strength and flexibility also scapula mobility in intelectual disable children. A total of 33 (23 boys and 10 girls, mean age 13.5 years old) children with intellectual disabilities (ID), randomly selected from a special education school in Shkodra (a city in Albania), were enrolled in this study. To access the triceps and shoulder muscles strength, the "Seated Push-Up Test" was used and for the shoulder flexibility and rotation/mobility, the modified "Apely" test was used. Children with intellectual disabilities showed differences in flexibility between the left and right arms, specifically flexibility of the right arm reaching up was weaker than that of the left arm reaching up. Girls had a negative flexibility score comparing to boys especially in the right arm up and left arm down. Both genders have lower flexibility in left arm up and right arm down. Boys also showed a higher strength in upper body compared to girls, as reflected in performing time in the push-up test. The data show a strong positive correlation between the two measurements of flexibility (flexibility left arm up and right arm down and flexibility right up left down). However, there is no significant correlation between flexibility and push-up performance. It suggests that flexibility and thrust performance may not be strongly correlated in this particular sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To review blockchain lessons learned in 2018 and near-future predictions for blockchain in healthcare, Blockchain in Healthcare Today (BHTY) asked the world's blockchain in healthcare experts to share their insights. Here, our internationally-renowned BHTY peer-review board discusses their major predictions. Based on their responses, presented in detail below, ten major themes (Table ) for the future of blockchain in healthcare will emerge over the 12 months. CORRIGENDUM: This following paragraph has been corrected (page 3, first paragraph) from: "Fourth, with over 1000 insurance companies in the country, filling out paperwork to document provider training and licensure is a nightmare. The Synaptic Health Alliance aims to simplify this process by putting all credentialing information on a distributed public ledger for all stakeholders to access.1" To: "Fourth, keeping health care provider directories maintained by health plans up-to-date is a critical, complex issue facing organizations across the health care system. The first project of the Synaptic Health Alliance aims to simplify this process by putting provider demographic information on a permissioned blockchain for Alliance members to access and maintain.1"

Thank you for taking the time to Converge2Xcelerate today. We thank you all and hope the experience you take away is one of value, and one you will share with others, in moving planning and initiatives forward. The topics covered today spanned an array of themes. Moving forward, let us consider the following to delve deeper to understand: • Disintermediation – the effect on clinical trials, the drug supply chain, and moving information thru a multi-stake holder processes, in real-time, to reduce costs • Concepts such as universal basic income, a one party payer system, and how the world can truly transform toward unity and equity • Keeping value and benefit to patients at the core of policy and systems initiatives • How will we educate patients to be better purveyors of their own health data, and partake in a new ecosystem where they become shareholders and owners We congratulate the 2nd Annual Innovation Ignition Competition Winners: • 1st Place: Happify Health • 2nd Place: BitMED • Honorable Mention: WillChain Thanks to: William Baker, debate moderator, from NYU Global Debate. Thanks too, student volunteers from Columbia, New York, and Tulane Universities. Special Thanks to: Platinum and Blockchain Track Sponsor, Consensys Health Bronze Sponsor, Boehringer Ingelhiem Sponsors: HealthVerity, Izzy, Cadent,Burst IQ, Nonnatech, 1800PR Partners: Healthcare Informatics, Health Data Management, Pharmacy Podcast, and all our friends In addition, thanks to: • John Halamka • Frank Ricotta, CEO BurstIQ, • Matt Bird and Stella, at 1800PR • Tiffany Delorenzo, Conference Director, calm, cool, and perpetually “on it” • The Charles Group • John Russo, BHTY Managing Editor, who could not join us today • Board members, moderators, volunteers, Columbia staff, and most all – panelists and participants with an eye on the future of better health and equity, for all citizens Join us and become part of the dialog. To subscribe to BHTY, submit a manuscript, or commentary/opinion article, go to https://blockchainhealthcaretoday.com/index.php/journal/user/register Blockchain in Healthcare Today Peer Review Journal Building Trust Through Truth...

Session Description: Significant portions of usable, and funded research never make it through the data funnel, getting lost as "dark knowledge." Blockchain technology offers new ways to bring this dark knowledge to light. The panel will discuss how blockchain technology impacts research and scholarly outputs including attribution, reproducibility, immutibility and peer review. Discussions will include how the technology can promote more knowledge, abbreviating time to market. Emerging use cases will be highlighted to demonstrate how the technology has dislodged traditional academic publishing practices including the ability to mine dark knowledge for potential scientific break throughs.

No abstract available.

The hand strength test can be used to indicate problems of general health. Different studies have investigated the maximum hand grip strength in different groups of individuals such as adults, adolescents and children with and without disabilities. Moreover, the hand grip test has been shown to be a valid tool for measuring muscle strength in persons with some diseases and disabilities. The aim of this study was to compare the actual level of strength of upper limbs in children with intellectual disabilities. In this study participated 33 children from different schools in Albania. Children were selected in city of Tirana, Shkoder, Përmet and Roskovec after having the approval of the local authorities and the consent of their parents conforming survey ethics of anonymity. The instrument used to measure strength of upper limbs in children with intellectual disabilities is the handgrip test. Handgrip test used in this study is part of fitness battery 'FUN Fitness' which is validated and used internationally. The statistical analyses are performed via "IBM Statistics 22". The statistical analyses include descriptive analyses through statistical descriptive indicators, as well as the Independent Samples Test. Descriptive statistics shows comparison between the two genders for both left and right handgrip strength: i.e. right handgrip strength in boys = 13.1 N and in girls = 9.8 N, and left handgrip strength in boys= 13.8 N and in girls = 8.6 N. Final results using Independent Samples Test show no statistical significance for the current level of upper limb strength (handgrip right F= 0.909, Sig =0.348 and handgrip left F=1.169, Sig= 0.288). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The richness of the Albanian culture, its traditions, and customs easily fascinate any researcher. Amidst the diversity of these traditions and customs, certain elements have played a role in reinforcing gender role divisions and strengthening patriarchal mentalities. Through this article, it is intended to explore customary laws that have nurtured and strengthened gender role divisions, by exploring the customary rights in the Kanun of Leke Dukagjini and Kanun of Luma, which have been implemented in the northern and northeastern part of Albania. The Kanuns, as customary rights, and codes of laws, have served as a legal basis for a long time in the Albanian society, and they are an important part of the cultural tradition of Albania. This article highlights elements that have influenced the strengthening of patriarchal mindsets, which contributed to the unequal position of women in family and society. Although nowadays the customary rights in the Kanuns are considered obsolete, the Kanun norms have often served as the opposite of the current legal regulations and continue to do so. In many cases, the rules of the Kanuns have been followed by the people in different areas of life, often conflicting with the law in force. The customary rights of the Kanuns and the mindset created by them have contributed to the strengthening of the patriarchal mentality and the division of gender roles. Gender roles perpetuate inequalities between females and males, where there are clear divisions inside the Kanun regulations, which are still strong and influential on gender-related issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]