Monthly Archives: March 2012

Research and Markets: Progenitor and Stem Cell Technologies and Therapies Reviews the Range Of Progenitor and Stem …

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Dublin - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2fee68d4/progenitor_and_ste) has announced the addition of Woodhead Publishing Ltd's new book "Progenitor and Stem Cell Technologies and Therapies" to their offering.

Progenitor and stem cells have the ability to renew themselves and change into a variety of specialised types, making them ideal materials for therapy and regenerative medicine. "Progenitor and stem cell technologies and therapies" reviews the range of progenitor and stem cells available and their therapeutic application.

Part one reviews basic principles for the culture of stem cells before discussing technologies for particular cell types. These include human embryonic, induced pluripotent, amniotic and placental, cord and multipotent stem cells. Part two discusses wider issues such as intellectual property, regulation and commercialisation of stem cell technologies and therapies. The final part of the book considers the therapeutic use of stem and progenitor cells. Chapters review the use of adipose tissue-derived stem cells, umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells, bone marrow, auditory and oral cavity stem cells. Other chapters cover the use of stem cells in therapies in various clinical areas, including lung, cartilage, urologic, nerve and cardiac repair.

With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, "Progenitor and stem cell technologies and therapies" is a standard reference for both those researching in cell and tissue biology and engineering as well as medical practitioners investigating the therapeutic use of this important technology.

Key Features:

- Reviews the range of progenitor and stem cells available and outlines their therapeutic application

- Examines the basic principles for the culture of stem cells before discussing technologies for particular cell types, including human embryonic, induced pluripotent, amniotic and placental, cord and multipotent stem cells

- Includes a discussion of wider issues such as intellectual property, regulation and commercialisation of stem cell technologies and therapies

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2fee68d4/progenitor_and_ste

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Research and Markets: Progenitor and Stem Cell Technologies and Therapies Reviews the Range Of Progenitor and Stem ...

Bioheart Labs and Stemlogix Veterinary Products Featured in Media

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SUNRISE, Fla., March 22, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bioheart, Inc. (OTCBB:BHRT.OB - News), a company focused on developing stem cell therapies for heart disease, previously announced that they entered into an agreement with Stemlogix, LLC, a veterinary regenerative medicine company, to provide additional cellular products and services to the veterinary market. Under this agreement, the companies are offering stem cell banking for veterinary patients (pets). WPLG, channel 10 featured this exciting technology in a news segment which aired in the South Florida area. A small sample of tissue can be obtained from the animals during a routine procedure such as a spay or neuter. The stem cells are isolated and cryopreserved for future use as needed.

"We are excited to bring our expertise in stem cell therapy to the veterinary community," said Mike Tomas, Bioheart's President and CEO. "Stem cell therapies represent new opportunities for various types of patients and the ability to bank a pet's cells when they are young and healthy could be very valuable for future use."

WPLG, Channel 10 in Miami/South Florida featured this new technology in a news segment which aired March 15, 2012. Please see the link below:

http://www.local10.com/thats-life/health/Pet-stem-cells-frozen-banked-for-future-use/-/1717022/9285894/-/apcx9rz/-/index.html

About Bioheart, Inc.

Bioheart is committed to maintaining its leading position within the cardiovascular sector of the cell technology industry delivering cell therapies and biologics that help address congestive heart failure, lower limb ischemia, chronic heart ischemia, acute myocardial infarctions and other issues. Bioheart's goals are to cause damaged tissue to be regenerated, when possible, and to improve a patient's quality of life and reduce health care costs and hospitalizations.

Specific to biotechnology, Bioheart is focused on the discovery, development and, subject to regulatory approval, commercialization of autologous cell therapies for the treatment of chronic and acute heart damage and peripheral vascular disease. Its leading product, MyoCell, is a clinical muscle-derived cell therapy designed to populate regions of scar tissue within a patient's heart with new living cells for the purpose of improving cardiac function in chronic heart failure patients. For more information on Bioheart, visit http://www.bioheartinc.com.

About Stemlogix, LLC

Stemlogix is an innovative veterinary regenerative medicine company committed to providing veterinarians with the ability to deliver the best possible stem cell therapy to dogs, cats and horses at the point-of-care. Stemlogix provides veterinarians with the ability to isolate regenerative stem cells from a patient's own adipose (fat) tissue directly on-site within their own clinic or where a patient is located. Regenerative stem cells isolated from adipose tissue have been shown in studies to be effective in treating animal's suffering from osteoarthritis, joint diseases, tendon injuries, heart disorders, among other conditions. Stemlogix has a highly experienced management team with experience in setting up full scale cGMP stem cell manufacturing facilities, stem cell product development & enhancement, developing point-of-care cell production systems, developing culture expanded stem cell production systems, FDA compliance, directing clinical & preclinical studies with multiple cell types for multiple indications, and more. For more information about veterinary regenerative medicine please visit http://www.stemlogix.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: Except for historical matters contained herein, statements made in this press release are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "to," "plan," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "would," "estimate," or "continue" or the negative other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

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Bioheart Labs and Stemlogix Veterinary Products Featured in Media

Vet-Stem Announces StemInsure(R): A Small Fat Sample Now, a Lifetime of Stem Cells Later

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POWAY, CA--(Marketwire -03/22/12)- Vet-Stem announced today the introduction of StemInsure. The StemInsure service provides banked stem cells that can be grown to supply a lifetime of stem cell therapy for dogs. One fat collection, in conjunction with another anesthetized procedure, gives access to a lifetime of stem cells.

Vet-Stem has trained over 3,500 veterinarians, provided stem cells for over 8,000 animals in the US and Canada and currently banks more than 25,000 doses for future therapeutic use. Many veterinarians and their clients have requested a method to collect and store stem cells when a dog is young, before it needs the regenerative cells for therapy. StemInsure was designed to meet this need.

A Vet-Stem credentialed veterinarian can collect as little as 5 grams of fat (about the size of a grape) from a dog or puppy during an anesthetized procedure. Many veterinarians and owners are electing to do this fat collection in conjunction with a spay or neuter. This small amount of fat is processed and stem cells are cryopreserved in Vet-Stem's state-of-the-art facility. The cells can be cultured in the future to provide enough stem cells to last for the lifetime of the dog. More information can be found at http://www.vet-stem.com/steminsure.php.

"Vet-Stem is pleased to provide StemInsure as a solution to the thousands of veterinarians and dog owners who recognize the value of Vet-Stem cell therapy. The ability to store the cells in conjunction with another procedure is a great way to ensure that the dog will have access to a lifetime of cell therapy while reducing the number of anesthetic events," said Dr. Bob Harman, DVM, MPVM, and CEO of Vet-Stem. Dr. Harman continued, "Currently, Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell Therapy is widely used to treat osteoarthritis, and tendon/ligament injuries. It is our expectation that the therapeutic use of adipose derived stem cells will continue to expand and add to the value of a lifetime supply of stem cells for dogs."

About Vet-Stem:In January of 2004, Vet-Stem introduced the first veterinary stem cell service in the United States. Since that time there has been rapid adoption of this technology for treatment of tendon, ligament, and joint injuries by the veterinary community. Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells can dramatically improve the healing of injuries and diseases that have had very few treatment options in the past.

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Vet-Stem Announces StemInsure(R): A Small Fat Sample Now, a Lifetime of Stem Cells Later

AMP applauds Supreme Court ruling: Sees win for patients and personalized medicine

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Public release date: 21-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Mary Steele Williams mwilliams@amp.org 301-634-7321 Association for Molecular Pathology

Bethesda, MD, March 21, 2012: "The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) applauds the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling today in the case of Mayo Collaborative Services v. Prometheus Laboratories as a victory for patients and for the advancement of personalized medicine," stated Iris Schrijver, MD, the Organization's President. AMP, an international professional society representing more than 2000 physicians, doctoral scientists, and medical technologists, joined 10 other medical and healthcare organizations in filing an amicus brief with the Court in support of Mayo Clinic. AMP is also the lead plaintiff in Association for Molecular Pathology v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that challenges the validity of patents on two human genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and is currently under review by the High Court.

"Prometheus acknowledged that physicians can infringe the patent by merely thinking about the relationship between drug metabolite levels and patient response," asserted Dr. Schrijver. "It is encouraging that the Court recognized that the Prometheus patents neither promote the advancement of medical practice, nor benefit patient care".

"In Prometheus, the Court wisely recognized that overly broad patents can inhibit innovation," stated Jennifer Hunt, MD, MEd, the Organization's President-Elect. "Establishing a drug reference range is important, but standard work for laboratory physicians. Awarding monopolies over the medical use of natural, biological relationships stifles innovation in true diagnostic test methods and obstructs improvements for patient care."

AMP believes the Supreme Court's reasoning in Mayo v. Prometheus extends to patents that claim ownership over another type of natural phenomenon, the biological relationships between genetic variants and clinical disease. Such relationships are at the heart of personalized medicine. "Patients are increasingly being disadvantaged by gene correlation patents," stated Roger D. Klein, MD, JD, Chair of AMP's Professional Relations Committee. As an example, Dr. Klein cited a method patent relating to a variation in a gene known as FLT3 that is used to qualify some leukemia patients for bone marrow transplant.

Enforcement of the FLT3 patent by a private company has been forcing physicians and laboratories to split and geographically distribute irreplaceable bone marrow specimens. "Splitting samples creates an additional risk of specimen loss and delays the receipt of patient results" stated Dr. Klein. "In addition, it interferes with the ability of pathologists to provide synoptic interpretations involving multiple tests, and prevents them from implementing cost saving algorithms that limit unnecessary testing. The Supreme Court's ruling is clearly a win both for our patients and for personalized healthcare."

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ABOUT AMP:

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) is an international medical professional association dedicated to the advancement, practice, and science of clinical molecular laboratory medicine and translational research based on the applications of molecular biology, genetics, and genomics. For more information, please visit http://www.amp.org.

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AMP applauds Supreme Court ruling: Sees win for patients and personalized medicine

Celebrating 40 Years of Senior Nutrition Programs

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Thu 3/22/12 10:47AM

Area senior centers will be marking the 40th anniversary of the Older American Act Nutrition Programs with cake and ice cream from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.

The celebration will take place at senior centers in Escanaba, Gladstone, Hermansville, Daggett, Menominee and Manistique.

The nutrition programs were made part of the Older Americans Act March 22, 1972.

According to a press release from the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, few if any federal programs in history have performed as effectively for the people it serves than the nutrition programs.

Assistant Secretary for Aging, Kathy Greenlee, reports that, since 1972, eight billion meals have been served to older Americans. Every day an older adult participates in either the congregate or home-delivered meals programs means they are able to remain in their communities and homes, maintain their independence and not face the prospect of hospital or nursing home placement due to malnutrition or hunger.

The future of the nutrition programs may rest on demonstrating the return on investment it provides each and every year and allowing it to expand and become a more integral part of our home and community-based long-term care strategy as well as our health, prevention and wellness strategies for older adults. Dollars invested in the Older Americans Act especially its largest program, the nutrition programs will more than be offset by savings that will be achieved to both Medicaid and Medicare in terms of costs associated with hospital and nursing home care.

The Congregate Nutrition Services and HomeDelivered Nutrition Services provide food and socialization for older adults in their own homes or in the community, for about $1,300 per year. This $1,300 per year is the same as the cost of six days in a nursing home or one day of hospitalization.

We salute the visionaries in the White House and Congress who in 1972 saw the need for this program. We thank those in succeeding Administrations and Congresses who have continued their support of the programs and are addressing its future. We pay tribute to our members and all those dedicated men and women in the national aging network who by their daily work have contributed to the success story of these programs and of course we salute the older adults who participate and benefit from these programs each and every day. They are older adults who are committed to better nutrition being the key to better health.

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Celebrating 40 Years of Senior Nutrition Programs

Schiff Nutrition posts higher 3Q revenue, earnings

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Utahs Schiff Nutrition International said its sales for the third quarter of its 2012 fiscal year grew 25 percent, the result of a strong marketing campaign and the introduction of a number of new products.

The Salt Lake City-based company, whose third quarter ended Feb. 29, 2012, said revenue for the period reached $72.2 million, up from $57.7 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Those revenue helped Schiff post net income of $4.6 million for the quarter, or 16 cents per share, compared with the net income of $4 million, or 14 cents per share, for the same period in fiscal 2011.

"We are positioning Schiff for long-term growth," Tarang Amin, president and CEO, said in a statement announcing the companys latest financial results. "Our sales and gross margins continue to benefit from our investments in brand building."

Schiff market nutritional supplements under a variety of different brands.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2012, sales reached $191.5 million compared with $161.8 million for the same period in the previous fiscal year, Amin said.

Net income for the first nine months of the year was $11.8 million, or 40 cents per share, compared to net income of $9.6 million, or 33 cents per share, for the comparable period in fiscal 2011.

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Schiff Nutrition posts higher 3Q revenue, earnings

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Results

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SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc., (NYSE:WNI - News), announced results for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 29, 2012.

We are pleased with our third quarter performance, stated Tarang Amin, president and chief executive officer. Net sales grew 25%, which was driven by a 53% increase in our branded business. These results reflect successful execution against Schiffs growth strategy as we invest to build premium brands and lead innovation in our categories. Our core brands Schiff Move Free and Schiff MegaRed, in particular, benefited from strong marketing and sales execution as well as traction from new items.

Three Months Results Ended February 29, 2012

For the fiscal 2012 third quarter ended February 29, 2012, net sales were $72.2 million, compared to $57.7 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. The 25% increase reflects growth in key brands, new product introductions and a full quarters contribution from the probiotics acquisition. Branded sales results were partially offset by an expected decline in private label business. Selling and marketing expenses were $17.8 million, or 25% of revenue, compared to $7.9 million, or 14% of revenue. Net income for the fiscal 2012 third quarter was $4.6 million, compared to net income of $4.0 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. Earnings per diluted share were $0.16 for the fiscal 2012 third quarter, compared to $0.14 for the same period in fiscal 2011. Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as income from operations before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation, was $9.3 million for the fiscal 2012 third quarter, compared to $7.4 million for the same period in fiscal 2011.

Nine Months Results Ended February 29, 2012

For the first nine months of fiscal 2012, net sales were $191.5 million, compared to $161.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. Selling and marketing expenses were $45.0 million, or 24% of revenue, compared to $26.2 million, or 16% of revenue. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 was $11.8 million, compared to net income of $9.6 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. Earnings per diluted share were $0.40 for the first nine months of fiscal 2012, compared to $0.33 for the same period in fiscal 2011. Adjusted EBITDA was $25.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012, compared to $21.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2011.

We are positioning Schiff for long-term growth. Our sales and gross margins continue to benefit from our investments in brand building. It is gratifying the business has responded to these efforts so positively in fiscal 2012, concluded Amin.

Company Outlook

The company adjusted its fiscal year 2012 expectations. Net sales are expected to grow 16% to 19% as compared to fiscal year 2011 net sales of $213.6 million. Gross profit percentage is expected to be in the range of 44% to 46%. Selling and marketing expenses, as a percentage of net sales, are estimated to be in the range of 23.0% to 24.5%. Other operating expenses are estimated at approximately $27.5 million to $29.0 million. The company continues to anticipate a very high single-digit operating margin for fiscal 2012.

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Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Results

Nicki Minaj Dreams Up Rap Game Longevity Scheme, "I Would Enjoy A Career Like Jay-Z's"

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News: Nicki Minaj Dreams Up Rap Game Longevity Scheme, "I Would Enjoy A Career Like Jay-Z's"

Thursday, Mar 22, 2012 9:19AM

Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Young Money star Nicki Minaj gives her take on rap longevity and why she would not mind following in rap mogul Jay-Z's footsteps in the new issue of Complex magazine.

According to Minaj, the ability to make a diverse range of music could extend her hip-hop career.

She also likened her potential career longevity to 42 year-old music mogul Jay-Z.

Back in 2010, Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden offered his take on sustaining an extensive rap career.

Outside of hip-hop, Nicki recently sealed a deal with mega soda company Pepsi.

Check out some recent Nicki Minaj footage below:

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Nicki Minaj Dreams Up Rap Game Longevity Scheme, "I Would Enjoy A Career Like Jay-Z's"

Autism risk gene linked to differences in brain structure

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Public release date: 21-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 x2156 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, March 21, 2012Healthy individuals who carry a gene variation linked to an increased risk of autism have structural differences in their brains that may help explain how the gene affects brain function and increases vulnerability for autism. The results of this innovative brain imaging study are described in an article in the groundbreaking neuroscience journal Brain Connectivity, a bimonthly peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc (http://wwwliebertpub.com). The article is available free online at the Brain Connectivity (http://www.liebertpub.com/brain) website.

"This is one of the first papers demonstrating a linkage between a particular gene variant and changes in brain structure and connectivity in carriers of that gene," says Christopher Pawela, PhD, Co-Editor-in-Chief and Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin. "This work could lead to the creation of an exciting new line of research investigating the impact of genetics on communication between brain regions."

Although carriers of the common gene variant CNTNAP2identified as an autism risk genemay not develop autism, there is evidence of differences in brain structure that may affect connections and signaling between brain regions. These disruptions in brain connectivity can give rise to functional abnormalities characteristic of neuropsychological disorders such as autism.

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Emily Dennis and coauthors from UCLA School of Medicine and UCLA (Los Angeles, CA) and University of Queensland and Queensland Institute of Medical Research (Brisbane, Australia), used a sophisticated imaging technique to study the brains of healthy young adults who are carriers of CNTNAP2. They report their findings in "Altered Structural Brain Connectivity in Healthy Carriers of the Autism Risk Gene, CNTNAP2." (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/brain.2011.0064)

About the Journal

Brain Connectivity (http://www.liebertpub.com/brain) is the journal of record for researchers and clinicians interested in all aspects of brain connectivity. The Journal is under the leadership of Founding and Co-Editors-in-Chief Christopher Pawela, PhD and Bharat Biswal, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. It includes original peer-reviewed papers, review articles, point-counterpoint discussions on controversies in the field, and a product/technology review section. To ensure that scientific findings are rapidly disseminated, articles are published Instant Online within 72 hours of acceptance, with fully typeset, fast-track publication within 4 weeks. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed online at the Brain Connectivity (http://www.liebertpub.com/brain) website.

About the Company

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Autism risk gene linked to differences in brain structure

Marker of DNA damage could predict response to platinum chemotherapy

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Public release date: 22-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jeremy Moore jeremy.moore@aacr.org 215-446-7109 American Association for Cancer Research

PHILADELPHIA Scientists have uncovered a marker of DNA damage that could predict who will respond to platinum-based chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin or carboplatin.

These drugs are widely used for ovarian cancer, but as with most cancer drugs, it can be difficult to predict who will respond to therapy.

A team of researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that this marker, telomeric allelic imbalance or tAI, could predict sensitivity to therapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

The results are published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

"We currently do not have any targeted therapies for patients with triple-negative breast cancer, so if these laboratory findings are confirmed and an assay is created to predict sensitivity to drugs that target defective DNA repair, it would be a major step forward," said lead pathologist Andrea Richardson, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Scientists have long known that DNA repair status is a predictor of sensitivity to therapy and thus prognosis. However, measurements of DNA repair status have been slow to arrive.

Richardson and colleagues looked for genomic signatures in cell lines and tumors and correlated them to platinum sensitivity.

In patients with triple-negative breast cancer, they found that a high level of subchromosomal regions with allelic imbalance extended to the telomere predicted response to cisplatin treatment. The same was true for serous ovarian cancer.

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Marker of DNA damage could predict response to platinum chemotherapy

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DNA confirms identity of Houston boy

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Published: March. 21, 2012 at 3:34 PM

HOUSTON, March 21 (UPI) -- A DNA test revealed Wednesday an 8-year-old Houston boy is the same child allegedly kidnapped by his godmother when he was a baby.

A judge announced Wednesday the test had confirmed Fernando Morin is the biological father of Miguel Morin, who had been living with Aubion Champion-Morin and Fernando Morin when he disappeared. Test results from Champion-Morin had not yet come back.

KHOU-TV, Houston, said the couple would be seeking visitation rights with the boy once the maternal DNA test results are released.

Miguel was in a foster home Wednesday and will remain there pending a March 28 hearing, KHOU said.

Child Protective Services said Miguel believes his name is Jaquan, and his godmother, Krystal Tanner, who is currently in jail, is his mom. A CPS psychologist warned the judge Wednesday Miguel has development issues and his life could be thrown into turmoil if he is reintroduced to his biological family.

KHOU said Miguel's four siblings all live with yet another couple who have said Champion-Morin had turned the children over to them to raise because she could not handle the responsibility. They have also said they doubted Tanner had kidnapped the boy.

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DNA confirms identity of Houston boy

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DNA Marker Predicts Platinum Drug Response in Breast, Ovarian Cancer

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Marker identifies tumors unable to repair DNA damage by platinum agents

Newswise BOSTONScientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and their colleagues have found a genetic marker that predicts which aggressive "triple negative" breast cancers and certain ovarian cancers will likely respond to platinum-based chemotherapies.

The marker, found on chromosomes within the cancer cells, could lead to a test for identifying patients whose cancers could be effectively treated by a single platinum-based drug, "and avoid the toxicities of other chemotherapy combinations," says Andrea Richardson, MD, PhD, co senior author of the study and a surgical pathologist at Brigham and Women's and Dana-Farber.

The report is being published in the April issue of Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Many cancer treatments work by damaging DNA within tumor cells, rendering the cells unable to grow and divide. While some cancer cells can readily repair broken DNA molecules, allowing them to survive drug or radiation therapy, others have lost this repair capacity, making them vulnerable to DNA-damaging agents.

The new marker, Richardson says, flags breast and ovarian cancer cells that can't repair the type of DNA damage caused by treatment with platinum drugs, including cisplatin and carboplatin. A clinical test for the marker could be particularly valuable in treating triple-negative breast cancers, which are resistant to anti-hormonal therapies or targeted drugs like Herceptin.

"We currently do not have any targeted therapies for patients with triple-negative breast cancer, so if these laboratory findings are confirmed and an assay is created to predict sensitivity to drugs that target defective DNA repair, it would be a major step forward," says Richardson, the primary pathologist for the study. However, she adds, such an assay isn't likely to be developed soon.

The new genetic marker was discovered when Richardson and others studied tumor tissue collected from triple negative breast cancer patients who participated in two clinical trials of platinum drug therapy. Triple-negative tumors develop in about 80 percent of women who carry mutated breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. These tumors are characterized by a lack of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, which makes them unresponsive to targeted treatments that block those receptors.

The two clinical trials, led by Judy Garber, MD, MPH, of Dana-Farber, were investigating whether platinum drugs would also be effective in so-called "sporadic" triple negative tumors -- those that develop in the absence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations. Overall, about 20 percent of breast cancers are triple negative. Some of these cancers respond to standard chemotherapy drugs, while others don't. The patients whose triple negative tumors do not go away after chemotherapy have a particularly poor prognosis.

A total of 79 patients in the two trials received cisplatin alone or in combination with bevacizumab (Avastin) to shrink their tumors prior to removing them surgically. In both trials, approximately 40 percent of patients had a complete or near-complete disappearance of the cancer after the cisplatin therapy.

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DNA Marker Predicts Platinum Drug Response in Breast, Ovarian Cancer

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DNA confirms Houston man is missing child's father

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HOUSTON (AP) DNA test results disclosed Wednesday confirmed a Houston man is the father of a boy found in East Texas last week after he and his wife said they reported him missing eight years ago when he was an infant.

Fernando Morin and Auboni Champion-Morin are seeking to regain custody of the child, Miguel, who's been in foster care since last week. The wife's results were not yet complete, child welfare officials said.

A woman described by officials as the child's godmother and former neighbor is jailed in San Augustine in East Texas. Krystle Tanner faces a kidnapping charge related to the child's disappearance in late 2004, when he was 8 months old.

State District Judge Mike Schneider, who ordered the DNA testing at an emergency custody hearing last week, is set to hold another hearing in the case next week.

Child welfare officials last week said Morin and Champion-Morin, both 29, were uncooperative with investigators when the boy initially was reported missing. The parents deny the allegations.

Another couple told Houston television station KHOU on Tuesday that they've been caring for the four other Morin children, who are between the ages of 7 and 14. They said Champion-Morin gave the children to them years ago and that they are the legal guardians.

Champion-Morin, emerging from a courtroom Wednesday, wouldn't discuss the TV station report.

"Right now, everything's a private matter," she said. "I'm not going there right now with any of the news."

Child Protective Services spokeswoman Gwen Carter said the situation involving the other children is part of the child welfare agency's investigation into the outcome of Miguel's custody.

"In regard to the other children, there's no current concern about their safety and well-being," Carter said. "But in the normal course of investigating, we talk to siblings to find out what may be going on."

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DNA confirms Houston man is missing child's father

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Alligator cells prevail possible human medicine

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Mark Merchant, biochemistry professor at McNeese State University, spoke with Leesville High School students Tuesday to discuss his ongoing research project investigating naturally occurring antibacterial peptides in alligators to uncover a new class of antibiotics. Merchant said he was first interested in this research when he noticed alligators who sustained serious injuries, such as a missing limb or tail, would not only heal rapidly, but also without any infections. So he set out to investigate in marshes to collect blood samples from crocodilians, which includes all alligator, crocodile and caiman species, to study their tissue and immune systems. After extracting the white blood cells, Merchant infused them with bacteria and discovered holes where it did not grow, proving there is something inside their white blood cells that kill bacteria. Merchant derived the term Zone of Inhibition to explain the area where bacteria cannot grow as well as measure the zone towards a variety of bacteria. After experimenting with different bacteria such as pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterial found in soil, and citrobacter freundii and escherichia coli, bacteria found in humans, the white blood cells attacked and killed both. The reason he found this interesting he said, was because alligators' immune systems fought off bacteria, viruses and fungi they had never been exposed to. Another remarkable discovery he said, was that the cells also killed bacteria called candida albicans, yeast infections, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), staff infections, which claim numerous lives every year. He stated since humans are dying from these infections and alligator white blood cells are killing them, then they might be able to develop antibacterial, anti-viral or anti-fungal drugs for human medicine. "The way we think it works is that the outer coat of bacteria gives off a negative charge and the white blood cells give off a positive charge," he said. "So when opposites attract, the cells tear a hole in the membrane and therefore kills the bacteria." Merchant said his is really excited now that his research team has isolated these proteins and have determined their structure and now are trying to synthesize them. Students at LHS were surprised by a certain visitor Merchant brought with him; a four-year-old alligator. As the students exited the auditorium, they had the opportunity to touch and feel the texture of the alligator. Donell Evans, head of science department at LHS, said by having Merchant speak with the students, they hope to help them understand what's being offered outside of high school in terms of science related jobs and careers. Also, they are trying to bring more awareness to the Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics (STEM) programs that were recently introduced to Vernon Parish. The students in her AP biology class were so captivated with Merchant's research that they asked to discuss it more in depth during Friday's class. "I just think having a Louisiana college like McNeese State University being on the forefront with new antibiotics is amazing," Evans said. Merchant's researched has been funded by several grants including a four-year Research Competitiveness Subprogram grant from the Louisiana Board of Regents, EPSCoR travel grants to speak at five national and international conferences, EPSCoR Links with Industry and National Labs (LINK) grant to travel to Argentina as well as most recently, a grant from National Geographic.

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Alligator cells prevail possible human medicine

UTHealth, St. Joseph Open Holistic Women's Behavioral Program

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Newswise HOUSTON (March 21, 2012) The Womens Behavioral Program at the Center for Behavioral Health, which offers specialized care for women with emotional challenges, has opened at St. Joseph Medical Center in partnership with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

The program is directed by Marketa Wills, M.D., M.B.A., assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UTHealth Medical School.

The program offers holistic care combined with cutting-edge behavioral treatment, said Wills, who specializes in the treatment of women across a broad range of diagnoses. We offer group, dance and music therapy in a spa-like setting designed to help women relax. Comfortable furnishings, signature robes and slippers, flat-screen TVs, computers and other amenities are included.

The program treats women within the broad spectrum of mental illness, including substance abuse, trauma, bipolar disorder, mild psychosis, personality disorder and depression.

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 20 million Americans have depression and women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with it. Biological, life cycle, hormonal and psychosocial factors may be linked to the higher rates of depression in women, the NIH says. After experiencing hormonal and physical changes after giving birth, for example, women may develop postpartum depression.

But some women may also experience depression during pregnancy, Wills said. Ten to 20 percent of pregnant women may suffer from depression, Wills said. Signs include crying, tearfulness, lack of self care, lack of attention to obstetric care, concern they wont attach to the baby or they dont want the baby. The program has been developed to accept pregnant women and allow visitation by children.

Other signs of depression in women may include feelings of sadness, emptiness, irritability, guilt, hopelessness and fatigue. A woman also might be experiencing depression if she has lost interest in favorite activities, is unable to concentrate and not sleeping or sleeping too much. Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts are important symptoms. Overeating or not wanting to eat are also signs.

Wills also has clinical expertise in treating women with eating disorders. Often people think that a person with an eating disorder such as anorexia is doing it on purpose or its just a matter of eating, she said. Whats really going on is people are restricting their food intake as a form of control and power because they feel out of control in other areas. By not eating, they see themselves doing something other people cant do.

Wills said signs of an eating disorder include a body weight less than 85 percent of ideal body weight and the cessation of the menstrual cycle. Thats where theyve reached the level of needing immediate physiological help. Once they are stable medically, they can come here to continue their treatment.

The new program is a collaboration among the employees and staff of St. Joseph Medical Center and UT Physicians, the medical practice of the UTHealth Medical School.

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UTHealth, St. Joseph Open Holistic Women's Behavioral Program

FCX-DNA – New DNA Specific Cosmetic Line Targets the Unique 1% of DNA. FCX-DNA to Announce the Forthcoming Diet …

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FCX-DNA New DNA Specific Cosmetic Line Targets the Unique 1% of DNA. FCX-DNA to Announce the Forthcoming Diet Products. Your Skin Your Body Your Genes

FCX-DNA anti aging Cosmetics and Diet Products target that 1% uniqueness of the Human DNA. Your Skin Your Body Your Genes.

FCX-DNA has the exclusive marketing rights to market and sell the products.

Creating the vision of FCX-DNA is the newly appointed CEO, Founder and President Sandra Harshman.

Ms. Harshman, one of the first female accountants in Idaho has worked as a tax accountant and comptroller for companies such as Touche Ross & Company and Pepsi Cola Corporation. Ms. Harshman was an MSP (merchant service provider) and Credit Card Issuer for 17 years. Ms. Harshman is the recipient of the National Business Women of the Year Award in 2003 as well as a publisher and author.

These DNA products offer potent nutrient blends of vitamins, minerals and other natural extracts to delay skin aging, protect skin from DNA damage caused by UV radiation and environmental pollutants, prevent premature skin aging, stimulate skin cell regeneration, and provide optimal skin nourishing and moisturizing.

FCX designed DNA testing called Anti-Aging DNA to detect gene mutations affecting skin aging, nutrient metabolism, and susceptibility to disease which affects both the appearance of skin and general health status. FCX learns about each persons genetic profile and can recommend appropriate preventive measures to delay the onset of aging and the formation of wrinkles. Genes tested are related to dermagenomics, collagen synthesis, skin anti-oxidation and replenishment, early hair loss, and skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

FCXs skin and body care is a regiment consisting of shampoo, conditioner, soaps and cleansers, as well as products for detoxifying, cell renewal and anti-aging.

The science behind these remarkable new products, developed by Burstein Ecological Laboratories - a leading research laboratory in natural cosmetics - is Bio Anti-Aging Technology. This progressive technology is the micronized process of ingredients, breaking them down to their smallest living particle for ultimate delivery allowing for the best results in skin care, hair care, and nutrition.

After years of study, research and data collection, Dr. Burstein developed a process to extract the essence from organically grown fruits and vegetables without harming its texture or genetics.

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FCX-DNA – New DNA Specific Cosmetic Line Targets the Unique 1% of DNA. FCX-DNA to Announce the Forthcoming Diet ...

Body parts on TV: Anatomy of a trend

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In case you hadn't noticed, there are an awful lot of lady parts being discussed on broadcast TV these days. And they aren't the only ones exposed the male anatomy is explicitly mentioned on prime time as well, markedly more than even a few years ago.

So says a new study from the conservative watchdog group the Parents Television Council that tracks the number of times the words "vagina" and "penis" are spoken in dramas, comedies, TV movies and reality shows.

The research found that in just nine fall episodes of CBS' hit sitcom "2 Broke Girls," characters said the word "vagina" more times than anyone did on broadcast TV across all networks in an entire season a decade ago.

In fact, the anatomical term gets tossed around eight times more frequently on TV now than it did during the 2001-2002 season, which served as a benchmark. The word "penis" was used nearly four times as often in a recent season as it was in the relatively tame early 2000s.

With tallies for individual series, the study cites CBS' "2 Broke Girls" and "Two and a Half Men," NBC's "The Office" and "30 Rock," Fox's "American Dad" and "Family Guy," and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" as those that invoke the words most frequently.

"It's a broader reflection of the progression of raunch," said Tim Winter, president of the PTC, which took up the study after TV critics and industry watchers noticed the trend. "So many shows and networks seem to think they need it to be funny or successful."

Although the mini-study wasn't timed to the current U.S. Supreme Court deliberations about broadcast standards, it may add fuel to the fire for those arguing against relaxing the existing rules about profanity, sex and nudity on TV.

The Supreme Court, which started debating the issue early this year, has regularly ruled in favor of free speech claims. But justices have spoken publicly about the need to retain Federal Communications Commission guidelines about what can be aired on NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and the CW.

At the heart of the court case is "fleeting profanity" that was uttered during live awards shows on Fox and a partially visible bare bum shown on an ABC drama. There's no firm date on when the court will issue a judgment, but it's expected within the next month or two.

"Broadcast networks say they have to compete against cable and that's why they're pushing the envelope like this," Winter said. "They're forgetting that they're broadcast networks that use public airwaves and go out to every single person who has a TV."

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Body parts on TV: Anatomy of a trend

Quest Launches MDx that May Predict Kidney Transplant Rejection Earlier than Current Methods

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By Turna Ray

Quest Diagnostics has launched a renal transplant rejection test that the company claims can help doctors figure out if their patients are rejecting their new kidneys "weeks before" clinical symptoms or other standard tests can detect such events.

Kidney transplant rejection is a costly and common occurrence. Quest believes that its blood-based, non-invasive Renal Transplant Monitoring test, if widely adopted, can save the healthcare system money by obviating the need for the more expensive tests currently in use.

Quest developed the laboratory test in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical College. The company claims that it is the first commercial molecular diagnostic for kidney transplant rejection.

The real-time PCR-based test gauges several RNA markers, including FoxP3, GZMB, and PRF1, which Quest exclusively licensed from Beth Israel and Weill.

Terry Strom, co-director of The Transplant Institute at Beth Israel, along with Manikkam Suthanthiran, chairman of the Department of Transplantation Medicine at Weill, have published data showing that biomarkers such as FoxP3 and others are useful in detecting acute cellular rejection of renal transplants.

Researchers from Weill Cornell and elsewhere have published studies in several peer-reviewed journals demonstrating an association between the RNA markers in Quest's panel and renal transplant rejection. Rises in blood RNA levels "often occur before a rise in blood levels of serum creatinine," Quest said in a statement. As such, the Renal Transplant Monitoring test may allow doctors to predict earlier that their patients are at risk of transplant rejection and take action to prevent this from happening.

Wendy Bost, director of media relations at Quest, told PGx Reporter that the company "validated the test in the performing laboratory prior to release."

In 2009, there were nearly 17,000 renal transplant procedures performed, making the kidney the most routinely transplanted organ. However, based on 2010 figures from the US Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, 70 percent of kidney transplants from a deceased donor fail within five years.

Current standard procedures for assessing whether a patient is rejecting a kidney transplant involve checking serum creatinine levels to gauge renal function and performing biopsies of the kidney, which can result in bleeding, graft injury, or loss.

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Quest Launches MDx that May Predict Kidney Transplant Rejection Earlier than Current Methods

Research and Markets: Bioinformatics Market Outlook to 2015

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/132bc6/bioinformatics_mar) has announced the addition of the "Bioinformatics Market Outlook to 2015" report to their offering.

During the past decade, the bioinformatics market has significantly evolved across the globe on back of rising genomics industry. The increasing application of genomics in biotech and pharmaceutical research and development has created a huge commercial market for bioinformatics worldwide. As per our latest research report's estimation, the global bioinformatics market, which reached the mark of around US$ 3 Billion in 2010, will expand at a CAGR of around 25% during 2012-2015 as the declining cost of human genome sequencing and increasing public and private sector investment will give a significant boost to the industry.

According to Bioinformatics Market Outlook to 2015, the content market that includes specialized and generalized databases was the biggest segment of the global bioinformatics industry in 2010, followed by analysis software & services and IT infrastructure. As per our analysis, the software segment is likely to exhibit strong performance in future, improving its share in the overall market. On the other hand, content/database market will suffer the downturn due to the increasing popularity of innovative analysis software. We have also discussed in the report how the free databases would impact the sales of the paid ones. Our report analyzed the wide application of bioinformatics in genomics, proteomics and pharmacogenomics. A further in-depth study of the market revealed that genome studies have completely transformed cancer research in the past few years and oncology has become the leading therapeutic area supported by bioinformatics. We also observed that small firms in the field are opting for outsourcing route to expand their presence. The other key trends and drivers pushing the market have also been elaborated in the comprehensive research study.

Read more inside Bioinformatics Market Outlook to 2015

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For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/132bc6/bioinformatics_mar

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Research and Markets: Bioinformatics Market Outlook to 2015

Clinical trial fails to find antioxidant Alzheimer’s benefit

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Supplementation with an antioxidant-rich combination of vitamin E, vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is not associated with changes in important markers for Alzheimers disease, finds new research.

The randomized controlled trial published in JAMAs Archives of Neurology reports thatthe vitamin E, C and ALA combination had no significant effect on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers related to Alzheimer disease.

Led by Dr Douglas Galasko, of the University of California, San Diego, USA, the research team examined changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers related to Alzheimer disease and oxidative stress, cognition and function finding that the combination of the omega-3 fatty acid ALA and vitamins C and E did not affects key biomarkers for Alzheimers disease.

They added that the combination resulted in a lowering of CSF F2-isoprostane levels suggesting a reduction of oxidative stress in the brain. However, Galasko and his colleagues said supplementation also led to faster cognitive declines as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

"It is unclear whether the relatively small reduction in CSF F2-isoprostane level seen in this study may lead to clinical benefits in Alzheimers disease, commented Galasko and his colleagues.

The more rapid MMSE score decline raises a caution and indicates that cognitive performance would need to be assessed if a longer-term clinical trial of this antioxidant combination is considered," they concluded.

Commenting on the study, Dr Harry Rice, vp regulatory & scientific affairs for the omega-3 trade group GOED, told NutraIngredients that he contended such conclusions.

Rice argued that the absence of any cognitive benefits in the current study does not exclude the possibility that supplementation with antioxidants prior to the onset of Alzheimer Disease could provide a neuroprotective benefit such as delaying the onset of symptoms, or slowing the progression of the disease.

Study details

The researchers studied the effects of the combined supplements in 78 patients from the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) Antioxidant Biomarker study. The participants were divided into one of three groups: 800 IU/per day of vitamin E (-tocopherol) plus 500 mg/per day of vitamin C plus 900 mg/per day of -lipoic acid (E/C/ALA); 400 mg of coenzyme Q (CoQ) three times a day; or placebo.

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Clinical trial fails to find antioxidant Alzheimer’s benefit