Monthly Archives: March 2012

Research and Markets: Progress in Inorganic Chemistry, Volume 57

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/310b7f/progress_in_inorga) has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new book "Progress in Inorganic Chemistry, Volume 57" to their offering.

PROGRESS in Inorganic Chemistry

The cutting edge of scientific reporting

Nowhere is creative scientific talent busier than in the world of inorganic chemistry experimentation. Progress in Inorganic Chemistry continues in its tradition of being the most respected avenue for exchanging innovative research. This series provides inorganic chemists and materials scientists with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in every area of the discipline. With contributions from internationally renowned chemists, this latest volume offers an in-depth, far-ranging examination of the changing face of the field, providing a tantalizing glimpse of the emerging state of the science. "This series is distinguished not only by its scope and breadth, but also by the depth and quality of the reviews." Journal of the American Chemical Society

"[This series] has won a deservedly honored place on the bookshelf of the chemist attempting to keep afloat in the torrent of original papers on inorganic chemistry." Chemistry in Britain

CONTENTS OF VOLUME 57

Author:

Kenneth D. Karlin, PhD, is Ira Remsen Chair in Chemistry and Professor of Chemistry at Johns Hopkins University. He received his PhD from Columbia University.

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Research and Markets: Progress in Inorganic Chemistry, Volume 57

Immersed in Chemistry

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John White in a safety inspection of the drained swimming pool of the nuclear reactor at Institut Laue Langevin in Grenoble, France, 1978. Photo courtesy Prof White

By Peter Pockley

Arguably Australias most internationally experienced and prominent chemistry researcher, Professor John White continues to produce original research long after normal retirement age, and he is, unshakeably, a committed Christian.

John White had chemistry in his brain from age 8, and his enthusiasm for this fundamental science has never waned throughout his 71 years. His engineer father, George, had given him a chemistry textbook that he kept by his bed in Newcastle, NSW, while he set up a private lab in his grandmothers house to investigate the properties of a new chemical he bought every week from the local pharmacist. He recalls: Basically, my family was tremendously supportive and fed my interest in the subject.

He taught himself how to identify the presence of metals in substances, and guided by Sherwood Taylors book I never had an explosion or fire. But, I once sucked up in a pipette mercury nitrate, which is highly poisonous. Taylor told me to swallow the yolk of an egg [as antidote] and, though a revolting experience, I escaped unharmed.

He did not understand about atoms and molecules being the basis of chemicals and their reactions until he was taught about them at Newcastle High, a selective school with science masters who were good, and even built their own equipment. He reflects: I do tremendously regret that children at school today dont do interesting experiments [like I did] at school any more. Whites abiding philosophy of education in science is learning by doing. As for priorities, he says: Im a teacher and fascinated by research, but I would never do it without teaching.

Taking a science course at Sydney University he learned: Chemistry is a subject which allows you to make things and understand how they are made. That combination of skill and understanding is very creative.

He decided to specialise in physical chemistry which, he says, is different to physics because there is a qualitative as well as a quantitative aspect. Physical chemistry is concerned with how reactions go and uses instruments to measure whats going on. It requires some mathematics. All this attracted me.

Oxford Beckons and Captures White won the Dixon Prize for topping his year in chemistry, and moved to an Honours year for his first taste of research. While he expected to progress to a PhD in Sydney, his supervisor, Prof Laurie Lyons, pushed him to go overseas instead. This was an era when PhDs in Australia were few and far between and a stint of overseas training was almost mandatory for an academic posting in Australia. He won an 1851 Scholarship, which took him to Oxford University in 1959 to learn under Dr Rex Richards about the new technique of nuclear magnetic resonance being pioneered for chemistry there.

He made his mark with papers published by The Royal Society of London, and, even before finishing his DPhil, he was elected an ICI Fellow in Lincoln College and President of the Middle Common Room (catering for postgraduate students). The privileges of Oxford had begun to capture the young Australian. Soon he was elected a Fellow of St Johns College in 1963 and remained in Oxford for 26 years.

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Immersed in Chemistry

FAST Act Would Provide Patients with Accelerated Access to Innovative Therapies

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood issued the following statement of support for the Faster Access to Specialized Treatments (FAST) Act, H.R. 4132, which was introduced yesterday:

BIO thanks Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and Ed Towns (D-NY) for their leadership in introducing the FAST Act to speed access to innovative new therapies and cures to patients living with debilitating and life-threatening diseases such asParkinsons, Alzheimer's, diabetes and numerous rare diseases for which there is currently no treatment or cure.

The legislation will modernize the Accelerated Approval pathway to expedite the development of modern, targeted, and personalized therapies for patients suffering from serious and life-threatening diseases, while preserving the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) robust standards for safety and effectiveness.

Like the Transforming the Regulatory Environment to Accelerate Access to Treatments (TREAT) Act, S. 2113, which was introduced by Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC), the FAST Act will update the Accelerated Approval process at the FDA so that it works in a transparent, predictable way for all therapies intended to treat debilitating conditions for which there is an unmet medical need. Making this change will better enable biotechnology companies to bring new, safe and effective treatments and cures to patients in need at the earliest point in time.

We look forward to working with Representatives Stearns and Towns, Senator Hagan, and their colleagues to ensure that this critical legislation is enacted.

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the worlds largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling innovations transforming our world. Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

For more information: Visit http://www.bio.org Follow us on Twitter @IAmBiotech Join us on LinkedIn/MyBio Become a fan at facebook.com/IAmBiotech

Upcoming BIO Events

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FAST Act Would Provide Patients with Accelerated Access to Innovative Therapies

Research and Markets: Biotechnology – Global Outlook

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c4ea42/biotechnology_gl) has announced the addition of the "Biotechnology - Global Outlook" report to their offering.

The global outlook series on Biotechnology provides a collection of statistical anecdotes, market briefs, and concise summaries of research findings. The report offers a bird's eye view of the Biotechnology industry. Annotated with 21 fact, and data rich tables the report offers a sneak peek into major end-use industries. Also included is a compilation of all recent mergers, acquisitions, and strategic corporate developments. A regional-level of discussion mirrors the prevalent scenario in key regional markets such as the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, France, Germany, Poland, UK, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, India, Malaysia, and Brazil, among few others.

Companies mentioned include Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biogen Idec, Elan, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Lexicon Genetics, MedImmune, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, and many others.

Key Topics Covered:

For more information, including full table of contents, please visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c4ea42/biotechnology_gl

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Research and Markets: Biotechnology - Global Outlook

KU expects to ask Kansas Bioscience Authority to fund new chemotherapy drug delivery research

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Kansas University leaders are looking for financial support for its initiatives in bioengineering, which could lead to new chemotherapy drug delivery mechanisms that would fight cancer, among other new research opportunities.

In the future, KU told the Kansas Bioscience Authoritys Board of Directors, KU would like to request funding from the authority for six new faculty members working in the area.

The presentation didnt include an immediate request for the faculty members, or a specific dollar amount, but university officials indicated they would likely be back to request the money.

David Vranicar, interim president and CEO of the KBA, told KU officials that it would be helpful for the KBA if KU would prioritize its requests.

The university has presented several projects to the KBA and has received money in several different areas, including in its biorefining efforts, expansion requests for its Bioscience and Technology Business Center incubator facility, biomedical initiatives and requests in support of the KU Cancer Center.

"In the end, I suspect the KBA will have to make judgments on that," Vranicar said, adding that he would look to KU to help make those judgments. "We probably aren't nearly as smart about KU as you guys are."

Two KU professors helped describe the bioengineering initiative for the KBA.

Paulette Spencer, distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, told board members that the job market in the biomedical engineering field is expected to grow by 72 percent by 2018.

Parvesh Kumar, associate director of clinical research at the KU Cancer Center, described how a "smart nanoparticle" could carry a chemotherapy drug directly to cancerous cells and inject the drug directly into the cell itself. Today, chemotherapy is administered intravenously, he said, and kills a million normal cells for every cancer cell it kills, leading to significant side effects.

KU officials said they would like to request funds for four new professors on the Lawrence campus and two new professors at KU Medical Center, in addition to funds for construction or renovation of existing spaces to help with the initiative.

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KU expects to ask Kansas Bioscience Authority to fund new chemotherapy drug delivery research

Renowned Scientist receives IRL Industry and Outreach Fellow

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Renowned Scientist receives IRL Industry and Outreach Fellowship

IRL has appointed Professor Juliet Gerrard, a biochemist and leader in the industrial application of biochemistry in New Zealand as its second Industry and Outreach Fellow.

IRLs Industry and Outreach Fellowships have been established as part of IRLs drive to strengthen links between the research and high-value manufacturing organisations.

New Zealands economic success depends on our ability to get greater coordination and alignment across our research and industry sectors. One area of significant potential is through greater mobility of highly talented people, says Shaun Coffey, IRL Chief Executive.

The Industry and Outreach Fellowships attract leaders from the research sector into IRL to develop areas of scientific research and assist with their application to industry.

Professor Gerrard, who runs the Biomolecular Interaction Centre at the University of Canterbury, has held a number of significant positions in recognition of her scientific work and has recently been appointed Chair of the Marsden Council.

Professor Gerrard sees the overall strategic aim of the Industry and Outreach Fellowship programme as boosting collaboration.

"There is a lot of research being done in both universities and industry and Id like to bridge that gap between fundamental and applied work," she says. "By collaborating with IRL I believe that we will be able to achieve this."

Professor Gerards track record includes stints working for Crop and Food Research Ltd, and conducting research for the likes of Fonterra. She is also a principal investigator at the MacDiarmid Institute and Riddet Institute and has been on a number of editorial boards for scientific journals. She has written over 100 journal articles.

IRL Industry and Outreach Fellows are initially appointed for a five-year term and are mandated to resolve industry-related problems while building links between research institutions and business.

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Renowned Scientist receives IRL Industry and Outreach Fellow

Semi-automated 'pathwalking' to build a protein model

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In a report that appears online in the journal Structure, the BCM team describes the development of the semi-automated protocol that enables researchers to "rapidly generate an ensemble of initial models for individual proteins, which can later be optimized to produce full atomic models."

Taking the 3-D images generated through the process of electron cryo-microscopy and X-ray crystallography, the team developed this computational approach to produce these first-generation models of the proteins' structure or fold without prior knowledge of the protein's sequence or other information.

"This is important in working with big complexes made up of 10 to 30 proteins," said Dr. Matthew Baker, instructor in biochemistry and molecular biology at BCM and the paper's corresponding author. "You might know the structure of one or two proteins, but you want to know how all of those proteins interact with each other. As long as you can separate one protein from another, you can use this technique to make a model of each of the proteins in the complex."

"We borrowed from a classic computer science problem called the 'traveling salesman problem,'" said Dr. Mariah Baker, the paper's first author and a postdoctoral fellow at BCM. "It is in effect a connect-the-dots puzzle without the numbers."

In the traveling salesman problem, computer programmers are asked to figure the best route for a salesman who wants to visits all the cities where he sells just once while minimizing the distance traveled. Pathwalking solves a similar problem for proteins by looking for the optimal path through a 3-D image that connects C-alpha atoms, rather than cities, to form the protein's structure.

The tool is the answer to the dilemma presented by the near-atomic structures that are in the "middle" not of the highest resolution or the lowest resolution, said Matthew Baker.

As many as 25 percent of all structures imaged by electron cryo-microscopy and one-third of large protein complexes solved by X-ray crystallography are in the 3 to 10 angstroms range, said Matthew Baker.

Until now, the methodology used to annotate or trace the structure of protein from these density maps was usually tailored to specific cases, said Mariah Baker.

"They involved a lot of user intervention and the possibility to include bias," she said. That sparked a determination to automate the process with better routines that required less specific information.

"The question we asked was, can we trace a protein fold in a density map without a priori knowledge," she said. "The answer is that we can."

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Semi-automated 'pathwalking' to build a protein model

Grey's Grey's Anatomy Cast To Stage Musical

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The cast of Grey's Anatomy is set to hit the stage for a one-off musical performance of the medical TV drama.

After the success of an all-singing, all-dancing episode last year (11), executive producer Shonda Rhimes is putting on a special live show featuring Grey's Anatomy stars Eric Dane, Sarah Drew, James Pickins Jr., Kim Raver and Chandra Wilson.

Rhimes tells The Hollywood Reporter, "The biggest thing we took away from doing that episode was how much fun everyone had - the actors, the crew, the writers... it was fun and inspiring to step out of our comfort zones. So we're just going to try to have fun with this benefit concert and give the audience a good time."

Rhimes also reveals actress Sara Ramirez, who plays Dr. Callie Torres on the series, is spearheading the project using the experience she gained in Broadway's Spamalot.

The producer adds, "She has an amazing voice and an incredible confidence that comes with that level of talent. She's been instrumental in the planning of this event."

The performance will be held on 18 March (12) at the University of California, Los Angeles campus to benefit The Actors Fund, a non-profit charity providing care for professionals in the entertainment industry.

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Grey's Grey's Anatomy Cast To Stage Musical

Grey's Anatomy cast to stage musical

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Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:34p.m.

The cast of Grey's Anatomy is set to hit the stage for a one-off musical performance of the medical TV drama.

After the success of an all-singing, all-dancing episode last year, executive producer Shonda Rhimes is putting on a special live show featuring Grey's Anatomy stars Eric Dane, Sarah Drew, James Pickins Jr., Kim Raver and Chandra Wilson.

Rhimes tells The Hollywood Reporter, "The biggest thing we took away from doing that episode was how much fun everyone had - the actors, the crew, the writers... it was fun and inspiring to step out of our comfort zones. So we're just going to try to have fun with this benefit concert and give the audience a good time."

Rhimes also reveals actress Sara Ramirez, who plays Dr. Callie Torres on the series, is spearheading the project using the experience she gained in Broadway's Spamalot.

The producer adds, "She has an amazing voice and an incredible confidence that comes with that level of talent. She's been instrumental in the planning of this event."

The performance will be held on 18 March at the University of California, Los Angeles campus to benefit The Actors Fund, a non-profit charity providing care for professionals in the entertainment industry.

WENN.com

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Grey's Anatomy cast to stage musical

Bruker High-Field NMR and Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico City Will …

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MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A high-performance package of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF-MS) systems from Bruker will further strengthen the role of the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) as a center of excellence for Nanoscience and Micro-Nanotechnology research in Mexico. Four Bruker high-end research instruments comprise this package, namely AVANCE III 750 and AVANCE III 400 NMR spectrometers , as well as MicrOTOF-QII ESI-QTOF and Autoflex Speed MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometers. All instruments will be located in the Institutes new Center for Nanoscience and Micro- and Nanotechnology (CNMN). With the AVANCE III 750, the Institute will host the highest field NMR spectrometer in Mexico.

The NMR and MS spectrometers will promote the Centers mission in supporting scientific research and knowledge with core competencies in nanosciences and nanotechnology, for eventual transfer of high-impact technical developments to the private and public sectors in Mexico and abroad.

The AVANCE III 750 includes a 750 MHz (17.6 Tesla) magnet based on Brukers latest Ascend magnet technology. Ascend magnets feature advanced superconductors and proprietary magnet technology resulting in smaller physical size and lower weight for easier installation in customer laboratories. The AVANCE III 750 includes Bruker CryoProbe technology, enabling IPN researchers to benefit from the increased sensitivity of this cryogenically cooled probe, ideal for detecting small amounts of sample. Combining the CryoProbe with the AVANCE IIIs unprecedented level of digital control, speed, flexibility and exceptionally pure NMR frequency generation provides IPN an NMR platform perfectly suited to many of IPNs research strengths, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, medicine and materials.

The micrOTOF-Q II ESI-Qq-TOF mass spectrometer features the latest technology to provide confidence for small molecule identification, metabolomics and proteomics. Easy molecular sum formula determination of small molecules, metabolic studies, analysis of complex mixtures, protein digests and intact proteins are key applications.

The Autoflex Speed MALDI TOF/TOF incorporates Bruker's proprietary smartbeam-II laser technology for uncompromised laser performance to combine the advantages of both the proven analytical performance of nitrogen lasers and all-solid-state laser reliability. The Autoflex Speed is optimized to be a robust system for applications such as detailed protein/peptide characterization, synthetic polymer analysis, high resolution MALDI imaging and glycan analysis.

Dr. Gerardo Cabaas Moreno, Director of the CNMN of IPN, stated: We are very pleased with our decision to select Brukers NMR and mass spectrometry instrumentation to equip our new Center. These advanced, new platforms will have an immediate and significant impact in a broad range of experiments, focused on nanotechnology, biotechnology, life sciences and several engineering fields. This shows again the clear commitment from IPNs General Director, Dr. Yoloxchitl Bustamante Dez, to improve the standing of our Institution at the national and international level.

Dr. Werner Maas, President of Bruker BioSpin, added: Bruker is honored to support the growing science community in Mexico. The establishment of the CNMN exemplifies the commitment of the Instituto Politcnico Nacional to increasing the quality of research and establishing an international presence with the addition of these state-of-the-art NMR and MS instruments.

About Bruker Corporation

Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR - News) is a leading provider of high performance scientific instruments and solutions for molecular and materials research, as well as industrial and applied analysis. For more information, please visit http://www.bruker.com.

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Bruker High-Field NMR and Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation at the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico City Will ...

GRAY MATTERS: National Nutrition Month

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March is National Nutrition Month -- a nutrition information and education campaign sponsored each year by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

For some older adults, food choices sometimes are not an option, with low-income seniors having to make painful decisions, such as spending money on medications instead of food.

No senior citizen should go hungry in our community, however, hunger among our elderly population is a growing crisis; hunger rates have more than doubled for low-income seniors in the United States in the last few years.

In the U.S., there are over 5 million seniors who grapple with hunger issues, almost 3 million seniors who are at risk of not having enough to eat, and nearly 1 million seniors who go hungry because they cannot afford to buy food. Ongoing hunger and malnutrition can cause chronic diseases that result in expensive hospitalizations and nursing home or other long-term care placements.

Thirty eight percent of seniors dealing with inadequate food and nutrition have incomes below the federal poverty level ($10,890 in 2011).

In addition to the impact of poverty on hunger, several other factors come in to play, such as renting versus homeownership, age, living alone, and raising a grandchild. Studies reveal that households supporting a grandchild are about two-and-a-half

In these challenging economic times, it is no surprise that there are increasing numbers of older Americans who do not have enough to eat. Baby Boomers began turning 65 last year, and those between the ages of 60 to 69 have the highest risk of hunger.

Lack of proper nutrients significantly increases the chances of poor health, which not only diminishes the quality of life, but also increases utilization of health care services, early long-term care placements, and an increased risk of death.

The Area 1 Agency on Aging supports local home-delivered meals programs in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, serving nearly 300 meals five days per week. Home-delivered meals are taken, often by volunteers, directly to an older adult's residence.

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GRAY MATTERS: National Nutrition Month

Heigl unlikely to return to TV show

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Katherine Heigl will likely not be returning to Greys Anatomy.

The actress portrayed Dr. Izzie Stevens on the popular ABC show, which she starred in from 2005 to 2010. She left to focus on her family, but also made some seemingly controversial comments about the programme such as that the material she had to work with was not worthy of an Emmy Award.

Katherine recently said she would love to go back and see where Izzie is now, but show creator Shonda Rhimes has appeared to disregard that idea.

I think it was really nice to hear her appreciating the show. We are on a track we have been planning, and the idea of changing that track is not something we are interested in right now, she told TV Guide, when asked if Katherine would be welcomed back.

Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey also appear in Greys Anatomy. Patrick caused a storm last year when he said the current eighth series would be his last comments he later claimed were taken out of context.

Shonda is refusing to discuss which stars will be returning for the next season.

I have no idea. I have my fingers crossed, she replied, when asked if Ellen and Patrick would be back. What I think is really lovely is that everybody wants to come back. There's [money] stuff happening. I am [confident], but I have a plan in place for the finale that can occur regardless of who is staying. Our goal is to have Derek and Meredith move in to the completed dream house. [The home the pairs characters have been building through the show]. And our residents will be interviewing for jobs all around the country.

Appearing on a US talk show in January, Katherine explained how much her time on Greys Anatomy meant to her. She also revealed she misses the show, which helped launch her movie career.

Oh yeah, sometimes [I regret leaving]. You miss it... I miss it. I miss my friends. It was a great work environment in that we all got along really well, and it becomes a family. I spent six years with these people every day We grew up in a way, she said.

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Heigl unlikely to return to TV show

MDPrevent Launches First Weight Loss Program for Seniors, Paid for by Medicare, to Rave Reviews

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With an investment of millions of dollars, MDPrevent, led by Steven Charlap, MD, MBA, custom develops and launches an innovative approach to lifestyle modification and weight loss. The LEAN (Lifestyle Education And Nutrition) Weight Loss Program, using a team of medical and educational professionals, combines private consultations with group sessions to achieve sustainable lifestyle modification and weight loss results. For eligible seniors, Medicare covers the entire cost of the program.

Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 06, 2012

Working within Medicares guidelines for IBTO, in 2012, MDPrevent, a preventive medicine, primary care, and education center launched its custom-developed and innovative LEAN (Lifestyle Education And Nutrition) Weight Loss Program. The LEAN program does not include pills, injections, or surgery. It is a medically supervised lifestyle modification program that includes private consultations with primary care practitioners combined with group sessions with dietitians, psychologists, fitness and yoga instructors, and health educators. The program aims for slow, but steady and sustainable weight loss. Most importantly, it focuses on healthy living and improved well-being. Participating patients are already losing weight in a sustainable manner by changing their relationships with food, their patterns of physical activity, their handling of stress, and how they sleep. The best part of the program is that it is free to eligible seniors. MDPrevent knows of no other program, locally or nationally, offering such a comprehensive weight loss program subject to Medicares new guidelines.

MDPrevent is led by Steven Charlap, a pioneering physician with an MD from NYU Medical School, an MBA from Harvard, and surgical residency training. In 1989, he founded HealthDrive and then grew it to be the largest U.S. medical and dental practice serving the extended care industry. Over twenty years, HealthDrive cared for over 5 million seniors and Dr. Charlap witnessed first-hand what happens to people who dont take adequate care of their health, end up being institutionalized and dependent on the kindness of strangers. According to Dr. Charlap, It is really sad to see people end their lives in a nursing home. What was disappointing was coming to the realization that there may be very little one could do about improving health and longevity at that stage in a persons life. Even more frustrating was that I couldnt even try because Medicare and Medicaid basically shunned preventive services. Dr. Charlap sold HealthDrive and essentially retired in 2008.

In 2010, Dr. Charlap became euphoric when he discovered that in 2011, Medicare was ready to invest in prevention, finally recognizing that a focus on primary prevention was necessary to save the Medicare Trust Fund, which was already beginning to absorb the tens of millions of baby boomers joining Medicares rolls. In response, Dr. Charlap and Michael Rose, a close friend, invested millions of dollars into MDPrevent, an innovative preventive medicine, primary care, and education center to provide these critical preventive services and change the course of the next generations lives by focusing on longevity. Dr. Charlap states, The scientific evidence supports that the longer you live, the healthier youve been. After much research and consultations with the experts in the field of prevention, Dr. Charlap assembled a dream team of Preventioneers including doctors, nurse practitioners, psychologists, nutritionists, fitness experts, and health educators.

The Preventioneerss first goal was to develop a new lifestyle modification program to tackle chronic disease prevention. Starting in 2010, they began studying many of the existing clinical and commercial models and theories of lifestyle modification and weight loss. In 2012, the first product of those efforts, LEAN Weight Loss, was implemented. The most important aspect of LEAN is that it focuses on healthy living and improved well-being.

Since Medicare initiated coverage for IBTO, MDPrevent has enrolled about 70 patients in its LEAN program and initial weight loss results are very promising. According to Dr. Charlap, I see the smiles on peoples faces when they complete a class for the day. They feel empowered and for the first time in a long time, in control of their health and their weight. I think we are really on to something that can change the future of healthcare.

About MDPrevent

MDPrevent is a new concept in primary care that seamlessly integrates primary care, preventive medicine, and education. The healthcare practice helps Americans prevent problems before they happen, reduce healthcare costs, stay healthy, and enjoy a life well lived through free Annual Wellness Visits (paid 100% by Medicare and most major insurances) The Annual Wellness Visit includes a comprehensive health risk assessment, biometric measurements, review and analysis of prescription, supplement and vitamin use, and development of a five- to 10-year prevention plan.

MDPrevents Preventioneers, so called because they are pioneering new approaches to prevention, include MDs, nurse practitioners, health psychologists, registered dietitians and nutritionists, exercise physiologists, fitness and yoga instructors and health educators, in addition to private consultations also provide interactive group courses, medically supervised weight loss (with no pills, injections or surgery - paid 100% by most insurances if you qualify) and other classes on health, diet and nutrition, fitness and exercise, stress management, relationship and social network building, and other key elements of a healthy life. The goal: to improve life and smooth out the effects of aging by identifying, preventing, delaying or mitigating the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia and some forms of cancer. Learn more at http://www.MDPrevent.net.

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MDPrevent Launches First Weight Loss Program for Seniors, Paid for by Medicare, to Rave Reviews

Cuba to test new AIDS vaccine on humans

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Cuba's top biotech teams have successfully tested a new AIDS vaccine on mice, and are ready to soon begin human testing, a leading researcher told a biotechnology conference in Havana on Monday.

"The new AIDS trial vaccine already was tested successfully (on mice) and now we are preparing a very small, tightly controlled phase one clinical trial" with HIV-positive patients who are not in the advanced stages of disease, researcher Enrique Iglesias said.

Iglesias, who heads up the vaccine development team at the Biotech and Genetic Engineering Center (CIGB) here, was speaking at the International Biotech Conference-Havana 2012, which started Monday in Cuba's capital.

He told the crowd at the convention center that the vaccine TERAVAC-HIV-1 was made from recombinant proteins aiming "to cause a cellular response against the (HIV) virus."

While upbeat, the Cuban expert was quick to downplay high hopes for a long-awaited successful AIDS vaccine.

"So far, there have been more than 100 clinical tests (on humans) with HIV" in Cuba and other countries, "and all of them have failed," he stressed.

Cuba, the Americas' only one-party Communist-ruled state, spends more than $200 million a year on its AIDS prevention and care programs, including free care with antiretrovirals, some of them Cuban-made.

The CIGB, which groups about 20 research units on Havana's leafy western end, is the engine behind a major Cuban export: biotech products including vaccines and other drugs.

The Caribbean country exports $400 million a year in these products, making them its official number-two export after nickel.

Some 600 scientists from about 38 countries are taking part in the event including Nobel-winning US chemist Peter Agre, also a medical doctor and molecular biologist.

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Cuba to test new AIDS vaccine on humans

GSW’s Iordanova earns prestigious chemistry award at Sanibel Symposium

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March 5, 2012 GSWs Iordanova earns prestigious chemistry award at Sanibel Symposium

Anonymous The Americus Times-Recorder The Times-Recorder Mon Mar 05, 2012, 08:32 PM EST

AMERICUS Nedialka I. Iordanova, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, and student, Jonathon Deriso, attended the 52nd Sanibel Symposium on St. Simons Island earlier this month. Representing Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), they presented a poster titled Theoretical Characterization of Low-energy Particle Deposition on PMMA Surfaces.

The Sanibel Symposium attracts 250-300 scientists every year from over 30 different nations. During the symposium, Iordanova was awarded the Wiley-International Journal of Quantum Chemistry Young Investigator Award in computational and theoretical chemistry.

This is a very competitive award, said Iordanova. Many young scientists that attend the symposium apply and only two receive the honor.

Iordanova has been on the Department of Chemistry faculty since 2005, when she and her husband, Tzvetelin Iordanov, Ph.D., arrived at GSW. She worked as a post-doctoral research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington from 2003 to 2005. She earned her doctorate in chemistry from The Pennsylvania State University in 2003. Prior to that, Iordanova earned bachelors and masters level degrees in her native Bulgaria.

Nedialka and Tzvetelin reside in Americus and have two children.

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GSW’s Iordanova earns prestigious chemistry award at Sanibel Symposium

University associate research scientist arrested with root beer flavored vodka in front seat (w/Documents)

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A University associate research scientist in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was arrested Saturday night and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to maintain lane and open container, according to an Athens-Clarke County police report.

Irina Kataeva, 55, was pulled over by an officer on West Broad Street after he noticed her vehicle cross into the left lane and go across the fog line, according to the report.

Kataeva reportedly told the officer she had difficulty seeing at night, and the officer then noticed her eyes were extremely red and watery and there was the smell of alcohol on her breath.

The officer then asked her how much she had to drink, and she said she had one beer, according to the report.

While the officer was speaking to Kataeva, another officer noticed an open container of alcohol in the passenger seat.

When she exited the car, the officer noticed she was swaying when she walked and asked her if she had any alcohol in the car.

Kataeva reportedly said she did not have any alcohol in the vehicle. But when the officer asked to search her car, she said she did mind and had a bottle of liquor in the front seat.

An officer recovered an opened bottle of root beer flavored vodka from the car, according to the report.

Kataeva declined to perform field sobriety tests, and she reportedly asked the officer to just let her go and told him she was not far away from her house.

Her breath tested positive for alcohol, and she was placed under arrest and taken to the ACC Police Substation on Baxter Street, according to the report.

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University associate research scientist arrested with root beer flavored vodka in front seat (w/Documents)

Heigl unlikely to return to TV show

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Katherine Heigl will likely not be returning to Greys Anatomy.

The actress portrayed Dr. Izzie Stevens on the popular ABC show, which she starred in from 2005 to 2010. She left to focus on her family, but also made some seemingly controversial comments about the programme such as that the material she had to work with was not worthy of an Emmy Award.

Katherine recently said she would love to go back and see where Izzie is now, but show creator Shonda Rhimes has appeared to disregard that idea.

I think it was really nice to hear her appreciating the show. We are on a track we have been planning, and the idea of changing that track is not something we are interested in right now, she told TV Guide, when asked if Katherine would be welcomed back.

Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey also appear in Greys Anatomy. Patrick caused a storm last year when he said the current eighth series would be his last comments he later claimed were taken out of context.

Shonda is refusing to discuss which stars will be returning for the next season.

I have no idea. I have my fingers crossed, she replied, when asked if Ellen and Patrick would be back. What I think is really lovely is that everybody wants to come back. There's [money] stuff happening. I am [confident], but I have a plan in place for the finale that can occur regardless of who is staying. Our goal is to have Derek and Meredith move in to the completed dream house. [The home the pairs characters have been building through the show]. And our residents will be interviewing for jobs all around the country.

Appearing on a US talk show in January, Katherine explained how much her time on Greys Anatomy meant to her. She also revealed she misses the show, which helped launch her movie career.

Oh yeah, sometimes [I regret leaving]. You miss it... I miss it. I miss my friends. It was a great work environment in that we all got along really well, and it becomes a family. I spent six years with these people every day We grew up in a way, she said.

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Heigl unlikely to return to TV show

New H5N1 viruses: How to balance risk of escape with benefits of research?

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Public release date: 6-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Sliwa jsliwa@asmusa.org 202-942-9297 American Society for Microbiology

In the controversy surrounding the newly developed strains of avian H5N1 flu viruses, scientists and policy makers are struggling with one question in particular: what level of biosafety is best for studying these potentially lethal strains of influenza? In a pair of commentaries, researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and the University of Michigan argue their different views of how to safely handle H5N1 flu viruses. The commentaries will be published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, on Tuesday, March 6.

This fall, the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) set off a debate when it asked the authors of two recent H5N1 research studies and the scientific journals that planned to publish them to withhold crucial details of the research in the interest of biosecurity. The researchers had taken H5N1, a virus that cannot easily transmit from human to human, and developed strains of the virus that can transmit easily between ferrets, which are a common model for human influenza.

These H5N1 strains and others like them that might be developed in the future could pose a grave threat to human life, but researchers and others argue that studying these H5N1 strains could help bolster preparedness efforts and vaccine development to help fend off a potential H5N1 pandemic. How can we balance the need to protect human life from the accidental escape of an H5N1 strain with the need to continue research that might prevent a naturally occurring outbreak? Which biosafety level (BSL) is right for the H5N1 virus?

In the commentaries appearing in mBio, two experts offer opposing views of the appropriate level of security for dealing with H5N1 viruses. The authors agree that, with a reported case fatality rate that could be as high as 50% or more, H5N1 could create a pandemic of disastrous proportions, but they differ in their opinions of how to strike a balance between biosecurity and potentially life-saving research.

"The existence of mammalian transmissible H5N1 immediately poses the question of whether the current biosafety level of containment is adequate," writes mBio Editor in Chief Arturo Casadevall in an accompanying editorial. "It is important to understand that the choice of BSL level has profound implications for society."

Under current U.S. guidelines H5N1 is classified as a select agent and must be worked with under BSL-3 with enhancements. The BSL-3 designation is given to pathogens that can be transmitted through the air and can cause serious or fatal disease but for which treatment exists. Most facilities in the United States with infectious disease research programs have BSL-3 laboratories. In addition, many hospitals have areas that can be operated at this level; these areas are used for isolating patients with highly contagious diseases. In contrast, BSL-4 is reserved for pathogens for which there is no known treatment and BSL-4 laboratory requirements are such that there are only four working BSL-4 laboratories in the United States.

Adolfo Garca-Sastre of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine argues that the H5N1 viruses in question may well be less pathogenic than they were before passage through ferrets, but they could still be quite dangerous, so preventing human exposure is crucial. However, he says, the ultimate level of biosecurity, BSL-4, is excessive in this case and would stifle the pace of discovery. There are both therapeutics and vaccines available for H5N1, says Garca-Sastre, so he advocates for conducting the research in enhanced BSL-3 facilities, which he says offer the necessary security measures, including interlocked rooms with negative pressure, HEPA-filtered air circulation, and appropriate decontamination and/or sterilization practices for material leaving the facility.

Michael Imperiale and Michael Hanna of the University of Michigan, on the other hand, make their case that the H5N1 viruses merit BSL-4 containment. Although H5N1 that cannot be transmitted from human to human would normally be handled in a BSL-3 facility, researchers changed the virus' biosafety profile when they enhanced its ability to transmit between mammals. According to Imperiale and Hanna, the vaccine for H5N1 is not widely available, and drug resistance and a slow distribution system for antiviral drugs mean a small outbreak could never be contained.

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New H5N1 viruses: How to balance risk of escape with benefits of research?