4 Things to Do During Your Morocco Private Holiday

So you have planned your next vacation to Morocco and wondering what you should be doing while visiting to this amazing desert land? Let me guide you through what you should be doing during your Morocco private holidays.

Amble through the splendid Blue Streets of Chefchaouen :

Placed in the heart of Morocco’s Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is actually quite wonderful to look at. The avenues & most of the constructions in the medina are painted in brilliant sky blue color. The mountains that you can witness at the end of each paved avenue are rugged & imperial. The crystal-clear mountain light adds an enthralling touch to this place. It could be your favorite place to amble, shop as well as sip in the Moroccan mint tea.

Learn how to cook classic Moroccan foods:

The Moroccan cuisines have been influenced by Arabic Andalusian cuisine, native Berber cuisine, Middle Eastern cuisine and Turkish cuisine brought by the Arabs. French influence came afterward and the infusion between classical French and Moroccan cuisines is at the heart of the several of the fine dining experiences in Morocco nowadays. Many Riads provide cooking classes in Fes, Marrakech and Essaouira. Usually a half day cookery workshop will provide you the opportunity to buy fresh ingredients from the bazaar, and then produce a classical tagine & a couscous dish. It is a wonderful way to soak yourself in Morocco’s culture.

Steam in a classical Hammam:

In Morocco the hammam is an open steam bath. Hammams happen to be the only place in Morocco where people could come to take bathe, since a private bathroom in an apartment or home was a luxury that many couldn’t pay for. Nonetheless, getting a fine scrub at any local hammam is an excellent cultural experience that you shouldn’t miss if you are after luxury Morocco holidays. It provides female tourists in particular an excellent opportunity to meet & chat with local women. There’re high-end hammams in Riads & luxury lodges that provide western-style massages & scrubs, whilst still employing local stuffs.

Spend a night in the Sahara Desert:

The Sahara desert of Morocco is an enthralling place to spend a night or two. The most renowned region to discover is the awe-inspiring Saharan sandscape in Merzouga. The Erg Chebbi dune may seem familiar if you have watched Hollywood movies like The Mummy or SATC2. The best way to explore the sands of Sahara is through camel, though 4×4′s are renowned if you consider yourself a professional driver.

Last but not the least, private tours to Morocco is the best way to explore what this land has to offer. So, look for a tour operator that is specialized in scheduling private tour.

10 antibody drugs that will receive regulatory approval in the US and Europe by 2020 (II)

Narsoplimab
Narsoplimab is a fully human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that targets mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) and was developed to treat thrombotic microangiopathy (HSCT-TMA) related to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. MASP-2 is an effector enzyme of the lectin pathway of the complement system. The lectin pathway is activated primarily by tissue damage or microbial infection. Importantly, unlike other complement-targeted drugs on the market or under development, the inhibitory effect of narsoplimab on MASP-2 does not interfere with the classical complement pathway, which is a key component of the immune response to acquired infections. The role of narsoplimab is to prevent complement-mediated inflammation and endothelial damage without affecting the function of other innate immune pathways.

Developed by Omeros, narsoplimab has been granted breakthrough drug status in the United States for the treatment of high-risk HSCT-TMA patients. Currently, narsoplimab is also in phase III clinical development and is being developed for the treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Previously, it was also granted orphan drugs and breakthrough drugs for IgAN in the United States, fast-track qualification for aHUS, and orphan drugs for IgAN in the European Union.

REGN-EB3
REGN-EB3 is a mixture of three fully human IgG1 mAbs, and is used for the treatment of Ebola virus infection. Ebola virus is the culprit causing Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), an acute viral infectious disease with symptoms including fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite and abnormal bleeding. In the United States and the European Union, REGN-EB3 has been granted orphan drug status and has been awarded Breakthrough Drug Status (BTD) in the United States. In addition to REGN-EB3, a therapeutic mAb -mAb114- has also been awarded orphan drug status and BTD.

Isatuximab
Isatuximab is an anti-CD38 IgG1 chimeric monoclonal antibody developed for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). The drug targets specific epitopes of CD38 receptors in plasma cells and can trigger a variety of unique mechanisms of action, including promoting programmed tumor cell death (apoptosis) and immunomodulatory activity. CD38 is expressed at high levels on MM cells and is a target for cell surface receptors for antibody therapy in MM and other malignancies.

Isatuximab was developed by Sanofi, and its applications for marketing for relapsed or refractory MM are under review by the US FDA and EU EMA. In the United States and the European Union, the drug is licensed as an orphan drug for relapsed or refractory MM. In a pivotal phase III ICARIA-MM study, isatuximab combined with pom-dex (pomalidomide + dexamethasone) significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 40% and improved overall response compared to standard care. Currently, Sanofi is also evaluating the potential of isatuximab to treat other hematological malignancies and solid tumors.

Sacituzumab govitecan
Sacituzumab govitecan is a novel, first-in-class antibody drug conjugate (ADC) that combines the humanized IgG1 antibody targeting the TROP-2 antigen with SN-38, the metabolic activity of the chemotherapeutic drug irinotecan (a topoisomerase I inhibitor). It is currently being developed for the treatment of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC). TNBC is a type of breast cancer with very limited treatment options. TROP-2 is a cell surface glycoprotein that is expressed in more than 90% of TNBC.

Developed by Immunomedics, Sacituzumab govitecan was submitted to the FDA in May 2018 for accelerated approval for mTNBC patients who have previously received at least 2 therapies for metastatic disease. However, it was rejected by the FDA in January 2019 because of manufacturing-related issues and no new clinical or preclinical data was required. At the beginning of December 2019, the company re-submitted BLA to the FDA. The last updated Phase II clinical data of the month showed that the total response rate of mTNBC treated by the drug was 34% and the median response duration was 9 months. Currently, the company is conducting a confirmatory phase III study. If approved, the drug will be the first ADC to treat mTNBC.

Tafasitamab
Tafasitamab is a novel humanized Fc domain-targeted CD19-optimized immune-enhancing IgG1 monoclonal antibody developed for the treatment of two types of B-cell malignancies: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CD19 is a clear biomarker for a variety of B-cell malignancies. The drug’s Fc domain has been optimized to improve its affinity for activated FcγRIIIa on effector cells, significantly enhance antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cell phagocytosis (ADCP), thereby improving the key mechanism of tumor cell killing. In preclinical model studies, tafasitamab has been shown to induce direct apoptosis of cancer cells by binding to CD19.

The drug was developed by MorphoSys. At the end of last month, the company announced that it had completed its BLA submission and approved the application of tafasitamab in combination with lenalidomide in the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL. In the United States and the European Union, the drug has been granted orphan drug status for the treatment of DLBCL, and in the United States has also been granted fast-track status and breakthrough drug status for DLBCL. In a phase III clinical study, the total response rate of the drug combined with lenalidomide reached 60%, the complete response rate reached 43%, and the median progression-free survival was 12.1 months. Remissions are persistent with a median duration of 21.7 months. If approved, the drug will pose serious challenges to two CAR-T cell therapies on the market for relapsed or refractory DLBCL, including Novartis’ Kymriah and Gilead’s Yescarta.

Herbal Remedies To Treat Acne And Skin Disorders In A Safe Manner

As the skin is the largest organ in the human body and as it covers the entire body and protects the internal organs, it is the first and foremost organ to get affected by the environmental factors. Skin plays a crucial role in protecting the body against harmful pathogens and it also safeguards against excessive water loss happening at times in the body. The other functions of skin include synthesis of vitamin D, storing of the vitamin, sensation, regulation of temperature and insulation. It also helps with water resistance, absorption of oxygen and medicines and vitamin B folates.

When the skin gets severely damage, it will try to heal itself by forming scar tissue. This is often denoted as de-pigmented or discolored skin. Among the many problems faced by the skin, acne is an important problem that is known to affect children at their puberty period in common. But, adults can also get this issue. To treat skin disorders in an effective manner, herbal remedies can be the safe alternatives as they do not cause any side effects.

Herbs that will help skin: There are certain herbs and spices that will help human skin in a number of ways. There are herbal remedies to treat acne in an effective manner. Let us gather some details about such herbs and their role in skin care:

Kesar: This herb that is popularly called as Saffron will help with getting rid of acne and it can also tone the skin in an effective manner. It can be used for removing skin tan and also for skin brightening. This is why kesar forms an important part of effective herbal remedies to treat skin disorders.

Mulethi: It can play a crucial role in blocking the production of melanin in such a way that hyper-pigmentation can be eliminated. It can leave the skin hydrated, clearer and brighter. It can effectively help with getting rid of problems in the skin caused due to the damage caused by the Sun. It has a mild smoothening and brightening action on the skin. It is identified as one of the best herbal remedies to treat acne.

Manjistha: This herb is identified as effective against skin pigmentation. It will help with effective detoxification of blood and so it will treat skin disorders in an effective manner. It can address skin allergies, scabies, acne, and eczema.

Chobchini: Generally, impurities in the blood can lead to skin problems like acne. So, chobchini is highly recommended as one of the effective herbal remedies to treat acne as it is an efficient blood purifier.

Jaypatri: This herb is effective in improving the glow of skin by improving complexion and by getting rid of different skin disorders.

All these herbs apart from many other skin-beneficial herbs are part of Golden Glow capsules. So, to treat skin disorders and also to improve the healthy glow of skin, these capsules can be used as effective herbal remedies to treat acne and other skin problems.