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SIGMA Announces 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary, the 7th and Widest Lens in the All-Metal I series of Premium Compact Primes

SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary lens, part of SIGMA's I series. This new lens is the widest in the I series released to date. Equipped with a metal, knurled, petal-type lens hood, this ultra-wide prime is compatible with 62mm threaded front filters. It is also an addition to the fast F2 aperture group of I series lenses alongside the 24mm F2 DG DN | C, 35mm F2 DG DN | C, and 65mm F2 DG DN | C. All F2 I series lenses feature a distinctive arc-type AF/MF switch and stylized barrel design near the "Made in Japan" marking. The fast F2 maximum aperture and total optical performance makes this a natural choice for astrophotography, along with landscapes, cityscapes, street photography, low-light interiors, and other nighttime situations. Due to its wide focal length and compact size, this 20mm lens is also an ideal choice for handheld vlogging and video streaming. And the ability to mount front filters, such as neutral density filters, for video and long-exposure landscapes on such a fast-aperture ultra-wide will be appreciated by many content creators. The SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary lens will be available in the U.S. at SIGMA Authorized Dealers for a retail price of $699 on February 25, 2022. Learn more about the SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/20mm-f2-dg-dn-c Exclusively for mirrorless cameras | Compatible with full-frame cameras C | Contemporary SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN Dynamism in the palm of your hand I series | Premium Compact Primes for mirrorless users New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor Supplied accessories: Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF62-01M), Petal-type lens hood (LH656-03), Front Cap (LCF-62III), Rear Cap (LCRII) Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount * The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change. * This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation. * L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG. #SIGMA #SIGMA20mmF2Contemporary #SIGMAContemporary #SIGMAContemporaryPrime #SIGMADGDN #Iseries #SIGMAIseries Exceptional optical performance and superb build quality give photographers the joy of creating images – introducing the new ultra-wide SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary This all-new full-frame premium compact prime for mirrorless systems is the latest addition to SIGMA's I series lineup, combining a bright maximum aperture of F2, an ultra-wide 20mm focal length and stunning optical performance. The lens boasts an exceptionally small form factor, weighing in at just 370g and measuring just 72.4mm in length*, which makes it a highly practical optic that is portable enough for everyday shooting. It's ideal for landscapes, wide-angle portraits, weddings and interiors, and is particularly well-suited to astrophotography owing to its very well-controlled sagittal coma flare. It is the fourth I series lens with an F2 aperture, joining a 24mm, 35mm and 65mm, which together make a well-matched lens set for L-Mount and Sony E-mount users. *Figures are for L-Mount Remarkably, the 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary is almost identical in size and weight to the very compact SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary. A sleek, all-metal design, with a signature I series magnetic lens cap, a manual aperture ring and exceptional production quality means using this lens is a highly intuitive and satisfying experience, making the photo-taking process even more enjoyable. This sharp and beautifully built I series prime, the SIGMA 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary captures the essence of the I series, bringing a new level of user experience―the pleasure of owning and using a lens. [Key Features] 1. I series | "Premium Compact Primes" for mirrorless users The SIGMA I series features full-frame compatible lenses that offer new value to mirrorless systems. The combination of superb optical performance with a level of compactness that is perfectly suited to smaller and lighter modern mirrorless cameras will bring you new opportunities for a perfect shot. SIGMA is aware that in today's world we have a wide range of camera choices, especially with the increase in mobile phone ownership. But with many photographers looking for something more than something that simply captures images when they choose to own a camera and lens, I series lenses offer the ultimate combination of superb optical performance, outstanding usability and compact form-factor. SIGMA's excellence in development and production technologies has been built up since our founding in 1961 and became increasingly sophisticated with the introduction of the SIGMA Global Vision brand in 2012. With this as a base, SIGMA has given careful thought to the quality of the products, the feeling of using it and the pleasure of owning it. This is how the I series was born. 2. New standards of optical performance for the Contemporary line The 20mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary achieves the highest level of optical performance even at the widest aperture setting of F2 from the center of the image to the periphery. Based on the latest optical design technology, the lens construction includes three high-precision glass-molded aspherical lens elements, one SLD element, and one FLD element to suppress a range of optical aberrations. The result is clear and sharp images even in the extreme corners of the frame. By focusing on the suppression of sagittal coma flare, which is difficult to correct in post-processing, accurate reproduction of very bright points of light has been achieved. This also provides extremely detailed results across the entire image, especially important for night sky photography. The lens' optical design, as well as its Super Multi-Layer Coating and Nano Porous Coating (NPC), ensures very minimal flare and ghosting even when shooting into bright light sources. This makes it much easier to photograph backlit subjects and still achieve punchy, high contrast results. 3. Exceptional I series build quality with a compact form-factor All I series lenses have an all-metal construction. The precision-cut aluminum parts not only give the barrel a sleek, stylish finish, but provide superb durability that improves the quality of the entire product. Metal materials are also used in internal structures that slide with the operation ring for added robustness. These high-precision components crafted with SIGMA's cutting-edge metalworking technology are also used in SIGMA's CINE LENS lineup for professional cinematographers and provide a tactile, ergonomic feel that make the lens a pleasure to use. The cover ring between the focus ring and the aperture ring has hairline processing that is also used for the rear cylinder of the Art line. This covering functions as a finger hold when attaching or detaching the lens. [Additional Features] Lens construction: 13 elements in 11 groups, with 1 FLD, 1 SLD and 3 aspherical lens elements Inner focus system Compatible with high-speed autofocus Stepping motor Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction *Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections may vary depending on the camera model. Supports DMF and AF+MF Nano Porous Coating Super Multi-Layer Coating Aperture ring Focus mode switch Petal-type lens hood (LH656-03) Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF62-01M) Mount with dust and splash resistant structure Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only) Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only) Designed to minimize flare and ghosting Every single lens undergoes SIGMA's proprietary MTF measuring system 9-blade rounded diaphragm High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount "Made in Japan" craftsmanship Learn more about SIGMA's craftsmanship here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/ [Key Specifications] [Product Barcode] [Accessories: Supplied] [Accessories: Optional] [Contact] For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/ [Information] SIGMA Corporation: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/ Product information: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/c022_20_2/ SIGMA I series special page: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/special/i-series/ About SIGMA Corporation Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan. In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production. Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with nearly 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA's continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA's renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease. ### For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products. Follow SIGMA America on social media! SIGMA Photo: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram SIGMA Cine: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Contact Details SIGMA +1 631-585-1144 SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com

February 09, 2022 07:30 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Pickswise Curates the “Top 10 Super Bowl Betting Moments & Controversies” List

Pickswise

Pickswise, the fastest growing independent sports betting content provider in North America, today announced the creation of the “Pickswise Top 10 Super Bowl Betting Moments and Controversies” ahead of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. The list takes a deep dive into some of the most notable betting events of the past 20 years, exploring everything from spectacular plays that drastically swung the balance of the game to wholly unique Super Bowl situations, including Gatorade confusion and national anthem controversies. The Top 10 Super Bowl betting moments and controversies 10. Patrick Mahomes’ victory kneel down chaos (Super Bowl LIV) 9. Philly Special - Foles & Eagles trick Pats (Super Bowl LII) 8. Controversial Gatorade bath (Super Bowl XLVI) 7. Malcolm Butler goal line interception - Patriots vs Seahawks (Super Bowl XLIX) 6. Devin Hester opening kickoff touchdown return (Super Bowl XLI) 5. Christina Aguilera and Gladys Knight National Anthem controversies (Super Bowl XLV) & (Super Bowl LIII) 4. Steelers come back to beat Cardinals (Super Bowl XLIII) 3. Kurt Warner leads the longshot Rams (Super Bowl XXXIV) 2. Underdog Giants ruin Patriots perfection (Super Bowl XLII) 1. Patriots 28-3 comeback, win in OT vs Falcons (Super Bowl LI) “The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of sports betting since almost every aspect of the event can be bet on, from the coin toss to the final score. All these moments are then amplified as an estimated 24 million Americans will bet nearly $5 billion on the game,” said Jared Smith, lead betting analyst at Pickswise. “It was important for us to develop an inclusive list showcasing how fortunes have swung on everything from the Patriots historic comeback in Super Bowl LI to Gladys Knight causing a stir by hitting some extra notes in Super Bowl LIII. Anything and everything can happen during the Super Bowl, which makes it so compelling and exciting.” In addition to the list of memorable betting moments, Smith and Pickswise host Lauren Jbara have provided key analysis to this year’s most popular Super Bowl betting markets, found on Pickswise’s Super Bowl Hub. “Our Super Bowl Hub serves as a one-stop destination for all those looking to make a more informed decision come Super Bowl Sunday,” said Jbara. “With breakdowns on everything from sides and totals to key props and betting trends, we have been able to put all a bettor needs ahead of the big game in one place.” Pickswise is owned by Spotlight Sports Group, a world-leading technology, content and media company specializing in sports betting and fantasy sports. ABOUT PICKSWISE Pickswise is a digital platform that provides free wagering research, insights and analysis from experts in every major sport. Based in New York and part of Spotlight Sports Group, Pickswise is one of the fastest-growing publishers of sports betting content in the U.S. For more information, visit Pickswise.com. ABOUT SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP Spotlight Sports Group (owned by Exponent Private Equity) is a leading technology, content and media business specializing in sports betting. Evolved from the Racing Post Group, Spotlight Sports Group engages millions of people directly through Racing Post, Pickswise, Free Super Tips, Fantasy Alarm and myracing. The company also has decades of experience in powering growth and conversion for the world’s biggest sportsbooks and media companies, delivering best-in-class technology and expert scalable content experiences in more than 70 languages. Contact Details Hot Paper Lantern Michael Adorno +1 212-931-6143 madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.pickswise.com/

February 08, 2022 08:31 AM Eastern Standard Time

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How The US is Leading the World to End COVID

YourUpdateTV

After two years of dealing with COVID issues, everyone is sick of arguing about masks and wants the supply chain fixed, the economy to rebound and kids to stay in school. The United States has been the global leader in the fight donating more than a half a billion vaccine doses and hundreds of millions of dollars. More needs to be done, and it’s in the hands of Congress to pass an emergency plan to End COVID Now. YourUpdateTV spoke to Michelle Nunn, President & CEO of CARE USA and Dr. Angela Wakhweya, CARE USA Senior Director, Health Equity and Rights Team to discuss how the US is leading the world to end COVID. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/vbbO4zX15Qw An emergency plan being considered by Congress will put billions of dollars into vaccines that could help reduce the risk of new variants developing that could threaten the United States and finally allow us to get back to normal. END COVID NOW is up with new advertisements across the country starting today, Lead The World and Variants are running nationwide on TV and cable as well as digital and streaming platforms. The Campaign to End COVID Now says This pandemic isn’t going away. Instead, it is a chronic disaster for everyone – families, communities, the whole country. The solution is straightforward and staring us in the face – we must achieve global immunity through ensuring everyone in the world has access to vaccines as quickly as possible. If not, we will continue to see variant after variant spread through our neighborhoods, disrupting and threatening our lives and our children’s lives. To learn more, visit EndCovidNow.com About the Campaign to End Covid: The End Covid Now campaign was formed by public health experts, scientists, and other concerned Americans to pressure our nation’s leaders and pharmaceutical companies to ensure future variants don’t shut down America. The plan to end COVID-19 consists of investing more money in vaccine manufacturing, sharing the vaccine formula so other countries can manufacture and distribute them, and working with allied countries to get more people vaccinated so Americans are safe from future variants. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 07, 2022 12:03 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Loveland, Colorado's Sweetheart Festival Brings Free Family Fun Valentine’s Day Weekend Feb. 11-12

Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Spend Valentine’s Day weekend in the nation’s Sweetheart City at the Loveland Sweetheart Festival from 5-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, and 1-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. Downtown’s Foundry Plaza will come alive with a special effects light show, live entertainment, the Palace of Sweets, kids zone, Tunnel of Love, interactive art projects, Loveland Pub and Beer Hall, Sweetheart Classic 4-miler race, and the Little Miss Valentine and Little Mr. Cupid contest. The festival, an extension of Loveland’s 76-year history of celebrating love through its internationally-recognized Valentine Re-Mailing Program, features something for everyone – families, couples, beer, and chocolate lovers, running lovers, art lovers, and forever loves. Things to See and Do Travel through the Tunnel of Love Interact with performers including a stilt walker, LED hula hoopers, and fire show Watch live music and entertainment Enjoy the light show and pyrotechnics See heart-shaped ice sculptures and giant inflatable heart Explore history through the Loveland Museum Valentine history pop-up exhibit Purchase delectable eats at the Palace of Sweets from “B” Sweet Cupcakes, Cupcake Gypsies, Loveland Chocolate, and Red Branch Bakery Enjoy the Loveland Pub Beer Garden featuring Grimm Brothers, Loveland Aleworks, Crow Hop, Sweetheart Winery, and the OBC Wine Project Sign the graffiti ice wall Pose at the neon photo-op stations Cheer on the Little Miss Valentine and Mr. Cupid Contest Participate in the Loveland Sweetheart Classic 4 Miler race Purchase and engrave love locks at the Visitors Center Shop Enjoy vendors and food trucks Enter to win Avelo Airlines tickets to Burbank, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada Bring the kids for fun and games including: Meet and greets with a princess and other characters Face painting Colorado Eagles shoot booth hockey games Ice penguin ring toss Loveland Parks & Recreation brick creation station The full schedule of events is available at visitlovelandco.org/sweetheartfestival/. Follow the event on Facebook at Facebook.com/LovelandSweetheartFestival. About Visit Loveland The mission of Visit Loveland is to enthusiastically promote, market, and sell Loveland, Colorado as a destination for meetings, conventions, and individual travelers, fostering economic development and benefiting and supporting members and the overall business community. It is Visit Loveland’s goal to promote tourism, conventions, and related activities within the city by marketing the city and sponsoring destination and community events. Learn more at VisitLovelandCO.com. About the Loveland Chamber of Commerce Founded in 1902, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce is northern Colorado’s “driving force for business.” Comprised of more than 750 local companies, the chamber offers a vast array of educational and networking programs to help its investors, both large and small, gain the skills and resources necessary to thrive and prosper in today's economy. As a founding member of the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance (NCLA), the chamber also serves as an advocate for business, working on behalf of entrepreneurs to lead and influence local, state, and federal policy on issues affecting the unique interests of business in northern Colorado. For more information on the Loveland Chamber, please call 970-667-6311 or visit loveland.org. Contact Details Visit Loveland Colorado Cindy Mackin +1 970-290-8810 Cindy.Mackin@CityofLoveland.org Company Website https://visitlovelandco.org

February 07, 2022 08:10 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New Research Finds the Collaborative Care Model is Associated with Reductions in Racial Disparities in Mental Health Care for Pregnant People

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The collaborative care model, an evidence-based health intervention that is often used in primary care, has been shown to improve health outcomes for people with depression. It is a team-based approach where a physician collaborates with other professionals, including mental health practitioners, to proactively manage a patient’s mental health. The collaborative care model is not commonly used in obstetrics despite the fact that mental health conditions are one of the leading contributors to poor pregnancy outcomes. In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, which is being held virtually, researchers will unveil findings that suggest that implementing the collaborative care model during pregnancy not only is associated with improvements in the screening and treatment of depression in pregnancy, but is also associated with reductions in racial disparities in these important steps in mental health care. Researchers analyzed data from 4,710 pregnant and postpartum people who self-identified as either Black or White. Individuals were divided into two groups (before and after implementation of the collaborative care model) and results were analyzed by race. The primary goal of the research was to evaluate how often pregnant people were screened for depression. When a pregnant person screened positive for depression, the researchers also looked at how often treatment was recommended. In the first group, researchers examined data from August 2015 to September 2016 before the collaborative care model was implemented. In the second group, researchers looked at data from September 2017 to February 2019 after the collaborative care model was implemented. The study found that before the collaborative care model was implemented, there were significant disparities between Black and White pregnant people on screening for depression. After collaborative care was implemented, results showed the disparities between the two groups were eliminated. Similarly, for pregnant people who screened positive, implementation of the collaborative care model was associated with elimination of racial disparities in the recommendation for treatment. “In primary care, the collaborative care model allows mental health care to be seamlessly integrated into physical health care,” says one of the study’s authors Emily S. Miller, MD, MPH, a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist and assistant professor at Northwestern University in Chicago. “In the field obstetrics, however, this model is not often utilized. What’s exciting about our research is that it demonstrates that we can implement a model — collaborative care — that has been used in primary care for years and apply it to the field of obstetrics to not only improve screening and treatment for depression, but also to promote equity.” The next step, say researchers, is to implement the collaborative care model in obstetrics care across the United States to help improve health outcomes for pregnant people with depression. The abstract has been published in the January 2022 supplement of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG ) and can be accessed at no cost on the AJOG website. To view the presentation of this abstract or other Pregnancy Meeting™ abstracts and events, visit the SMFM website or contact Karen Addis at karen@addispr.com or 301-787-2394. ### Contact Details Karen Addis +1 301-787-2394 KAREN@ADDISPR.COM Company Website https://www.smfm.org/

February 05, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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The Importance of Indoor Air Quality

YourUpdateTV

Aire Serv®, a Neighborly® company, is a global franchise providing installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and indoor air quality systems. Aire Serv® franchisees provide services to residential and commercial customers from more than 200 locations worldwide. Established in 1992, Aire Serv® is part of Neighborly®, is the world’s largest home services franchisor of 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving 10 million+ customers in nine countries, focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing homes and businesses, united under one platform serving 10 million+ customers in nine countries. Neighborly® brands are found at Neighborly.com and through the Neighborly App. For more information about Aire Serv®, visit AireServ.com. The quality of the air we breathe has a direct effect on our health and comfort. You may notice some of the more prominent side effects of indoor air pollution, like an unpleasant odor, but many others go undetected. These include headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, and other serious, long-term conditions. Recently, Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, teamed up with Aire Serv, a Neighborly company, on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss the importance of indoor air quality, especially when it comes to how pollution can impact workouts. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/moFVmGsuRK0 Jerome was diagnosed with asthma at the age of 14 and as an avid athlete, making sure he wasn’t aggravating that condition was critical to his performance level. As a result, he started learning about different air pollutants and discovered that many are actually found within the home. When you’re constantly breathing in air pollutants, it can take a toll on your breathing over time and especially make it difficult to breathe deeply while exercising. When you don’t get enough oxygen, your energy level decreases, which directly impacts the intensity and performance of your workouts. The cleaner the air you breathe, the better you’re setting up your body for a successful training session. Something as simple as changing the air filters quarterly can have a great impact on indoor air quality. Also, being more mindful of the items in your household will help, such as opting for real plants that will help purify the air indoors, buying beeswax or organic candles, and even swapping out dryer sheets and fabric softeners for more natural alternatives. The experts at Aire Serv recommend making sure you have proper ventilation and filtration throughout the home, as well as air treatments to get rid of any bacteria or viruses. To determine what’s best for your home, call a service professional from Aire Serv to test for you, as this will eliminate a lot of the guesswork. Aire Serv service professionals will go through a discovery stage that discusses issues in the home such as dry throat, allergies, asthma, headaches, and fatigue before analyzing the air quality inside of the home. Once the analysis is complete, the service professionals can recommend additional measures to improve the quality of air in the home, including air and duct cleaning, duct sealing, UVC protection, and ionization. For more information, you can visit AireServ.com, or Neighborly.com to learn more about their other home service brands. About Jerome “The Bus” Bettis: The former Pittsburgh Steelers Running Back is one of the best all-time running backs in the NFL (6th overall in rushing). Jerome Bettis was also the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2001. “The Bus” finished his NFL career in January 2006 after 13 seasons, retiring immediately following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 21-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in his hometown of Detroit. Diagnosed with asthma at age 14, Bettis is a tireless advocate for asthma education and awareness. Bettis founded and establish “The Bus Stops Here Foundation” in 1996 to help improve the quality of life for disadvantaged and underprivileged children. About Aire Serv ®: Aire Serv®, a Neighborly® company, is a global franchise providing installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and indoor air quality systems. Aire Serv® franchisees provide services to residential and commercial customers from more than 200 locations worldwide. Established in 1992, Aire Serv® is part of Neighborly®, is the world’s largest home services franchisor of 29 brands and nearly 5,000 franchises collectively serving 10 million+ customers in nine countries, focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing homes and businesses, united under one platform serving 10 million+ customers in nine countries. Neighborly® brands are found at Neighborly.com and through the Neighborly App. For more information about Aire Serv®, visit AireServ.com. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

February 04, 2022 02:54 PM Eastern Standard Time

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New Research Finds that Having a Care Manager During Pregnancy Reduces Likelihood of Delivering a Baby Prematurely for Individuals Most at Risk

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Research shows that pregnant people on Medicaid are more likely to have worse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth, compared to those who have private insurance. When a baby is born too early — or prematurely — it puts the infant at greater risk of health complications and death. In 2011, North Carolina implemented the Pregnancy Medical Home (PMH) program, an initiative designed to improve outcomes for pregnant people on Medicaid by providing them with comprehensive care from a team of professionals. In addition to medical providers, the team includes individuals who can help pregnant people address various social and economic factors that put them at greater risk of having a poor pregnancy outcome. In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, which is being held virtually, researchers will unveil findings that suggest that providing intensive pregnancy care management — defined as having more than five face-to-face visits with a care manager during pregnancy — reduces preterm birth rates for both Black and white people. Researchers analyzed data from January 2016 to December 2017. The study included 3,565 pregnant people in North Carolina on Medicaid. Individuals were categorized as either high-risk or low-risk using a screening assessment tool, the Maternal-Infant Impactability Score (MIIS). Those classified as high-risk had at least three of the following risk factors: a prior preterm birth, high blood pressure, smoked, used recreational drugs or alcohol, had a mental health condition, experienced domestic violence, had housing instability, or suffered from food insecurity. High-risk pregnant people were then assigned a care manager who provided a range of support during their pregnancy, including calling the pregnant person to check in, accompanying the individual to medical appointments, and helping to address the social and economic factors that put someone at a greater risk of delivering a baby prematurely. Out of study’s 3,565 pregnant people, the overall preterm birth rate was 18.3 percent. Researchers also looked at how effective the screening tool was for pregnant people who were in the highest risk category. Results revealed that when the screening tool was used and assuming pregnant people received subsequent care management, the preterm birth rates for Black and White people decreased. However, the preterm birth rate for Black people decreased significantly from 24.4 percent to 20.1 percent, while the rate decreased only slightly for White people from 15.6 percent to 15.5. When looking simply at the receipt of intensive care management, findings showed that preterm birth rates decreased for both Black and White people, regardless of their risk stratification. For Black people who received intensive care management during pregnancy, the preterm birth rate was 16.9 percent vs. 26.0 percent for Black people who did not receive intensive care management during pregnancy. For White people who received intensive care management during pregnancy, the preterm birth rate was 12.3 percent vs. 17.8 percent for White people who did not receive intensive care management during pregnancy. “Regardless of your risk factors, what this research shows is that if you have intensive care management while you’re pregnant — someone who’s really there for you throughout your pregnancy — it helps lower your risk of delivering your baby prematurely,” says the study’s lead author Divya Mallampati, MD, MPH, a maternal-fetal medicine fellow at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “The research also reveals that people who are at the highest risk benefit the most from having intensive care management during pregnancy.” The next step, say researchers, is to analyze whether the PMH model helps to improve other health outcomes in pregnancy. The abstract has been published in the January 2022 supplement of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG ) and can be accessed at no cost on the AJOG website. To view the presentation of this abstract or other Pregnancy Meeting™ abstracts and events, visit the SMFM website or contact Karen Addis at karen@addispr.com or 301-787-2394. About the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), founded in 1977, is the medical professional society for obstetricians who have additional training in high-risk, complicated pregnancies. SMFM represents more than 5,000 members who care for high-risk pregnant people and provides education, promotes research, and engages in advocacy to reduce disparities and optimize the health of high-risk pregnant people and their families. SMFM and its members are dedicated to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes and assuring medically appropriate treatment options are available to all patients. For more information, visit SMFM.org and connect with the organization on Facebook and Twitter. For the latest 2022 Annual Meeting news and updates, follow the hashtag #smfm22. EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Feb. 3, 2022 2:00 p.m. EST Contact Details Karen Addis +1 301-787-2394 KAREN@ADDISPR.COM Company Website https://www.smfm.org/

February 03, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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New Research Finds Chewing Sugar-Free Gum Reduced Preterm Births

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born prematurely or preterm (defined as delivery before the 37 th week of pregnancy), and this number is rising, according to the World Health Organization. Preterm babies are at greater risk of experiencing serious health problems. Over the last several decades, multiple studies have shown a link between poor oral health and increased occurrence of preterm birth. Researchers have looked at various ways to improve dental health during pregnancy, including doing a “deep-teeth cleaning,” (also called ‘scaling and planing’) which involves removing plaque and tarter on the teeth and below the gum line. However, despite improving periodontitis, deep teeth cleaning approaches have not proven to be effective in the prevention of preterm birth. But now researchers have discovered an easy and inexpensive way to improve oral health and reduce preterm births. In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, which is being held virtually, researchers will unveil findings that suggest that daily use of xylitol chewing gum starting pre- or early pregnancy significantly reduced the number of preterm births. Xylitol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in fruits and vegetables and is commonly used as a sugar substitute in chewing gum. The study, the largest of its kind, was conducted over 10 years and included 10,069 women in the South-Central African country of Malawi, which has the highest number of preterm births in the world. Most Malawians live in rural locations, making it especially difficult to conduct of study of this magnitude. The cluster randomized trial enrolled participants from eight health centers in Malawi and was approved by the Malawi Ministry of Health. Participants enrolled voluntarily and consented to participation before they became pregnant or within 20 weeks of becoming pregnant. All of the eight health centers provided health care messages promoting oral health care and preterm birth prevention and care, while half of the eight centers were randomized to also provide xylitol chewing gum to enrolled research participants. In the four health centers that served as the control group, 5,520 participants received basic perinatal and oral health education, including things they could do to help lower the chance of delivering a baby prematurely. In the other four centers, the 4,549 enrolled participants also received this same health education. In addition, they were given xylitol chewing gum and instructed to chew the gum for 10 minutes once a day, ideally twice a day, throughout pregnancy. Out of the 9,670 participants who were available for contact during the up to six years of follow-up, results showed a significant reduction in preterm birth among those who chewed the xylitol containing gum (12.6 percent vs. 16.5 percent) and fewer low birth weight babies, those weighing 5.5 pounds or less (8.9 percent vs. 12.9 percent). Participants also saw an improvement in their oral health. “Using xylitol chewing gum as an intervention prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy reduced preterm births, and specifically late preterm births between 34 to 37 weeks,” says the study’s lead author Kjersti Aagaard, MD, PhD, a Professor in Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Vice Chair of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “When we analyzed by birth weight, instead of estimated gestational age at delivery, we similarly showed a significant improvement in the birth weight with one-third fewer low birth weight babies being born.” Adds Aagaard, “What’s unique about our study is that we used a readily available, inexpensive, and palatable means to reduce the risk of a baby being born too soon or too small. There is some real science behind the choice of xylitol chewing gum to improve oral health, and our novel application to improving birth outcomes is exciting. This has been a labor of love with our colleagues in Malawi, and we were honored to work side-by-side to demonstrate that xylitol chewing gum in early or pre-pregnancy improved oral health by reducing periodontal disease in pregnancy, which was strongly associated with our observed reduction of preterm and low birthweight birth in Malawi. This fits with longstanding evidence linking oral health with preterm births.” The next step, say researchers, is to conduct studies in other parts of the world, including in the U.S., to determine whether this invention will be effective in settings where there may be a lower burden of preterm birth tied to oral health. The abstract has been published in the January 2022 supplement of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG ) and can be accessed at no cost on the AJOG website. To view the presentation of this abstract or other Pregnancy Meeting™ abstracts and events, visit the SMFM website or contact Karen Addis at karen@addispr.com or 301-787-2394. ### About the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), founded in 1977, is the medical professional society for obstetricians who have additional training in high-risk, complicated pregnancies. SMFM represents more than 5,000 members who care for high-risk pregnant people and provides education, promotes research, and engages in advocacy to reduce disparities and optimize the health of high-risk pregnant people and their families. SMFM and its members are dedicated to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes and assuring medically appropriate treatment options are available to all patients. For more information, visit SMFM.org and connect with the organization on Facebook and Twitter. For the latest 2022 Annual Meeting news and updates, follow the hashtag #smfm22. EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Feb. 3, 2022 10:15 a.m. EST Contact Details Karen Addis +1 301-787-2394 KAREN@ADDISPR.COM Company Website https://www.smfm.org/

February 03, 2022 10:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New Research Finds Severity of COVID-19 Does Not Differ According to Trimester

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Research shows that pregnant people who contract COVID-19 are at increased risk of severe complications, including hospitalization, ventilation, and death, compared to pregnant people without COVID-19. However, little is known about how the timing of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy might impact a pregnant person’s risk of developing severe symptoms. In a new study to be presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, which is being held virtually, researchers will unveil findings that suggest that the severity of COVID-19 does not differ by trimester. “Regardless of what trimester they are in, pregnant people are at risk of developing severe COVID illness,” said one of the study’s authors, Rachel Schell, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine fellow at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Researchers identified a group of pregnant people at a single urban hospital in Dallas, Parkland Hospital, and followed the progression of their COVID-19 symptoms. From March 18, 2020 to May 31, 2021, 1,092 pregnant people were diagnosed with COVID-19. Sixty-seven people (6 percent) were diagnosed in the first trimester, 309 (28 percent) in the second trimester, and 716 (66 percent) in the third trimester. There were no significant demographic differences between the groups. Across all trimesters, 993 out of 1092 people (90.9 percent) were either asymptomatic or had mild COVID-19 symptoms, and 35 out of 345 people (10.1 percent) who were initially asymptomatic developed moderate, severe, or critical symptoms. Among pregnant patients who were initially asymptomatic or had mild symptoms in any trimester, 5 percent developed moderate, severe, or critical illness. “This research is helpful for us in counseling patients who test positive for COVID,” said another one of the study’s authors, Emily Adhikari, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine subspecialist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and medical director of perinatal infectious diseases at Parkland Hospital. “There is no reason to be hesitant to get vaccinated because you are early in your pregnancy. You’re still at risk of getting really sick from COVID in your first trimester.” Researchers are in the process of expanding their research to look at whether there are significant differences or changes in COVID severity by trimester due to the Delta variant. SMFM, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend all pregnant people get vaccinated against COVID-19, noting that the vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccination rates among pregnant people continue to remain low despite evidence showing vaccines can help to prevent severe illness during pregnancy. The latest figures from the CDC show that fewer than 36 percent of pregnant people are vaccinated; vaccination rates are even lower among pregnant people who are Black and Hispanic. The abstract has been published in the January 2022 supplement of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG ) and can be accessed at no cost on the AJOG website. To view the presentation of this abstract or other Pregnancy Meeting™ abstracts and events, visit the SMFM website or contact Karen Addis at karen@addispr.com or 301-787-2394. ### The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), founded in 1977, is the medical professional society for obstetricians who have additional training in high-risk, complicated pregnancies. SMFM represents more than 5,000 members who care for high-risk pregnant people and provides education, promotes research, and engages in advocacy to reduce disparities and optimize the health of high-risk pregnant people and their families. SMFM and its members are dedicated to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes and assuring medically appropriate treatment options are available to all patients. For more information, visit SMFM.org and connect with the organization on Facebook and Twitter. For the latest 2022 Annual Meeting news and updates, follow the hashtag #smfm22. EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: Feb. 3, 2022 9:00 a.m. EST Contact Details Karen Addis +1 301-787-2394 KAREN@ADDISPR.COM Company Website https://www.smfm.org/

February 03, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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