Monthly Archives: March 2012

Virtual Chemistry, Inc. Announces the Integration of Mosaic Vivarium With Allentown, Inc.’s Wi-Com Sensus

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REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today, as part of its continuing commitment to work with best-of-breed solutions for laboratory animal resources management, Virtual Chemistry, Inc. announced support for reading cage census data from Allentowns Wi-Com Sensus system. Utilizing the same RFID technology employed in other industries that manage high volume inventory, such as retail warehouses, Wi-Com Sensus reads an entire room of cages at once, eliminating time-consuming paper or barcode scans of individual cage locations. Now, high-volume RFID cage census data flows seamlessly into Mosaic Vivariums powerful, web-based laboratory animal resources (LAR) management software. The combination advances Virtual Chemistrys vision of the data-driven LAR facility.

Laboratory animal resources are a scientifically critical, financially expensive, and ethically sensitive tool for advancing medical knowledge. Mosaic Vivarium empowers organizations to utilize these resources as efficiently as possible. As part of our strategy to openly partner with proven hardware vendors, were extremely excited to integrate with Allentowns Wi-Com Sensus to provide our customers with the means to drastically reduce the labor costs of LAR management, said Terry R. Coley, CEO of Virtual Chemistry Inc.

About Virtual Chemistry Inc.

Founded in 1995, Virtual Chemistry, Inc. (VCI) creates solutions to help make life science research more efficient. The Mosaic platform captures over a decade of experience in LAR management and scientific data collection and puts these best practices in the hands of our customers.

About Allentown, Inc.

Allentown, Inc. is the global leader in research animal housing solutions with over 600 customers and more than 20,000 installations worldwide. For more than 40 years, Allentown has provided quality products and services to the biomedical research community. For more information, please visit http://www.allentowninc.com.

Mosaic Vivarium are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Virtual Chemistry Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Wi-Com Sensus are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Allentown, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

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Virtual Chemistry, Inc. Announces the Integration of Mosaic Vivarium With Allentown, Inc.’s Wi-Com Sensus

Pfenex Inc. and DNA2.0 Collaborate on Protein Expression Technology

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Pfenex Inc. and DNA2.0 to develop an optimized design and synthesis process for genes expressed in Pfnex Expression Technology

San Diego, Calif. and Menlo Park, Calif. (PRWEB) March 01, 2012

Pfenex Inc. is dedicated to the rapid and reliable production of high quality recombinant proteins for our partners, said Dr Bertrand Liang, CEO of Pfenex Inc. Through this collaboration, two industry leaders will leverage their respective capabilities to advance the Pfnex Expression Technology platform. We are very excited about this project with our long-standing gene synthesis partner, DNA2.0, because it allows us to enhance the capabilities of our technology which will enable us to increase the overall value proposition to our partners.

DNA2.0 is the industry leader in gene design and expression optimization, said Jeremy Minshull, PhD., cofounder and CEO of DNA2.0. "Our patented GeneGPS technology is based on experiment data from over-expressed synthetic genes, resulting in up to a 100-fold increase in protein expression. We have successfully optimized expression for a variety of hosts, including bacteria, yeast, fungus, plant and mammalian, and we are excited to work with Pfenex to extend our expertise to the P. fluorescens system.

About Pfenex Inc.

Pfenex Inc. is a protein production company leveraging the unique and powerful Pfnex Expression Technology platform based on the microorganism, Pseudomonas fluorescens, for the production of research proteins, reagent proteins, biosimilars and innovator biopharmaceuticals. For more information please visit http://www.pfenex.com

About DNA2.0

DNA2.0 is the leading bioengineering solutions provider. Founded in 2003, DNA2.0 offers an integrated pipeline of solutions for the research community, including gene design, optimization, synthesis and cloning, as well as platforms for protein and strain engineering. It is the fastest provider of synthetic genesbased in the US with a global customer base encompassing academia, government and the pharmaceutical, chemical, agricultural and biotechnology industries. DNA2.0 is by far the most published synthetic gene vendor, providing expert support to and collaboration with scientists. DNA2.0 explores novel applications for synthetic genes and is exploiting the synergy between highly efficient gene design and synthesis processes and new protein optimization technologies. DNA2.0s tools and solutions are fueling the transformation of biology from a discovery science to an engineering discipline. The company is privately held and is headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif. For more information, please visit http://www.DNA20.com.

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Eric Schubert DNA 2.0 415-939-4366 Email Information

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Pfenex Inc. and DNA2.0 Collaborate on Protein Expression Technology

Anatomy of a coverup

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The special investigative squad of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office is investigating the alleged coverup of massive investment losses by Olympus Corp. following the arrests in mid-February of three of its former executives and four former securities firms employees.

It is hoped that investigators will put together a total picture of the scandal by going beyond what the third-party investigatory committee commissioned by Olympus uncovered.

In its report made public in early December, the third-party committee said Olympus began making speculative investments with financial assets in 1985 and that unrealized losses reached nearly 100 billion in the last part of the 1990s.

As of 2003, it had hidden 117.7 billion in losses by employing an elaborate loss separation scheme. The panel said that if the costs paid by Olympus to manage the schemes are taken into account, losses would amount to 134.8 billion.

The former Olympus executives taken into custody are former Chairman and President Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, former auditor Hideo Yamada and former Executive Vice President Hisashi Mori. The four former securities firms employees are suspected of having advised the Olympus management on the loss coverup scheme.

Olympus enjoys a 70 percent share of the global market for endoscopes and can be proud of its technological prowess. Despite the scandal, it managed to maintain its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. But because it is a famous Japanese manufacturer, its responsibility is all the more greater. It should realize that the scandal has not only tarnished its image but also caused suspicion over Japan's corporate governance.

The public prosecutors office decided to place criminal responsibility not only on the former executives but also on the company itself. Olympus is facing a potential fine of up to 700 million. It is also facing shareholder lawsuits.

The company's wrongdoing came to light on Oct. 14 after it abruptly fired then President and CEO Michael C. Woodford, who is reported to have pointed out highly unusual advisory fees the company paid in acquiring a British medical equipment maker. It is suspected that Olympus inflated costs for the acquisition of the British firm and three other Japanese companies to mask its investment losses.

It is hoped that investigators will trace in detail the methods Olympus employed to hide its losses and falsify its financial reports.

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Anatomy of a coverup

Snooki & Jionni: Anatomy of a Jersey Shore Romance…and Pregnancy!

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In the first season of the hit MTV show back in 2009, we saw her hit on The Situation and Ronnie. She also had a nice beach makeout session with Russ, a guy she met at a bar who turned out to be a spy for JWoww's boyfriend.

With that in mind, let's take a little trip down memory lane...

April 2010: Snooki calls it quits with boyfriend Emillio Masella just two months after meeting on Facebook.

August 2010: A romance with Jeff Miranda doesn't last long, but he tries winning her back by asking her to marry him on the cover of a magazine. She rejects him by tweeting that she's single.

September 2010: TMI! Snookers reveals on the show that she and Vinny hooked up, gushing that he was so well-endowed, it was like "putting a watermelon in a pinhole."

October 2010: Snooki and Jionni start dating. She tweets a pic of breakfast Jionni made for herpickle pancakes! No wonder she tweeted that she will "marry him" one day.

January 2011: During an appearance on The Tonight Show, Snook reveals Jionni coaches youth wrestling and is in school to become a gym teacher.

August 4, 2011: Season four of Jersey Shore kicks off with The Situation claiming he and Snookers hooked up when they were shooting in Italy. She insists "nothing happened."

PHOTOS: Remember when Jersey Shore first hit Hollywood?

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Snooki & Jionni: Anatomy of a Jersey Shore Romance...and Pregnancy!

Clinical Study Confirms the Effectiveness and Safety of Pollogen’s TriLipo Anti-Aging Solution in Reducing Abdominal …

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Dr. Manuskiatti, M.D. will present results from his TriLipo clinical trial at the upcoming Meeting of The Dermatological Society of Thailand which reveal an average of 2.52 cm reduction in circumference and marked cellulite improvement.

(PRWEB) March 01, 2012

Reducing cellulite and abdominal fat are key concerns addressed by aesthetic professionals around the world. Body conscious patients are increasingly demanding non-invasive and pain free alternatives that improve their body shape. Dr. Manuskiattis findings confirm that the TriLipo treatment safely and effectively reduces body fat and cellulite in a quick, non-invasive and pain free treatment.

The clinical trial involved 25 women aged 24-54 who underwent 6 weekly treatments. Each treatment lasted only 30 minutes. While the weight of the patients remained constant and did not decrease, there was an average reduction of 2.52 cm body circumference. The fat reduction was confirmed via circumference measurements and ultrasound measurements. There was a marked improvement in cellulite. The vast majority of patients (84%) stated that they were satisfied with the procedure. The final measurement was taken a month after the last treatment and reaffirmed that the body contouring and cellulite reduction results of the TriLipo treatment are long-lasting.

I am delighted by the results of the study which confirm that the TriLipo treatment is a safe, effective and painless solution for reducing abdominal fat and cellulite said Dr. Manuskiatti. Patients are very satisfied with the results which are achieved in short lunchtime sessions that doesnt interrupt their daily routine. I highly recommend the treatment for anyone searching for targeted fat and cellulite reduction

TriLipo technology is a non-invasive solution for localized body contouring and cellulite improvement. Using triple action for superior fat reduction, TriLipo thermal radio-frequency (RF) energy releases liquid fat from the subcutaneous tissue and then removes it using TriLipo muscle energy- an advanced proprietary lymphatic drainage mechanism. In parallel, TriLipo RF technology tightens the skin yielding a smoother and more defined silhouette. TriLipo technology has been clinically proven to effectively reduce localized fat and contour the body, tighten the skin, reduce cellulite and improve the appearance of stretch marks. Results are visible after the first treatment and long-term results are achieved by undergoing a series of non-invasive treatments.

Mr. Amichai Bar Nir, Pollogens CEO stated: Clinical trials that support Pollogens anti-aging claims are a priority to the Company. We are delighted that Dr. Woraphongs study confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the TriLipo treatment in reducing abdominal fat and circumference. The TriLipo treatment is available globally and body conscious patients are increasingly opting for the convenient and effective treatment that the TriLipo offers.

About Pollogen

Pollogen Ltd. is a global leader in the medical aesthetics market providing innovative, safe and effective solutions for women and men that enhance and expand the practice of medical aesthetic professionals. The company offers products to address a range of skin treatments under the industrys three premier brands: TriPollar, TriLipo and TriFractional.

Pollogen offers a full line of clinically-proven, non-invasive anti-aging facial and body contouring treatment platforms for circumference reduction, cellulite reduction and skin tightening. The companys medical aesthetic devices, Maximus, Apollo, and Regen XL offer customers clinically-proven, safe and effective anti-aging lunchtime beauty treatments that deliver immediate and long-lasting results. With a distribution network in over 60 countries, Pollogen is providing innovative solutions to medical professionals globally.

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Clinical Study Confirms the Effectiveness and Safety of Pollogen’s TriLipo Anti-Aging Solution in Reducing Abdominal ...

Factbox: Neurotechnologies in spotlight of UK ethics review

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LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which examines ethical issues raised by new developments in biology and medicine, launched a consultation on Thursday on the ethics of new technologies and devices that intervene in the human brain.

The three main areas of the group's focus are brain-computer interfaces, neurostimulation and neural stem cell therapy.

Here are some details about each area of research and how it is being explored.

* Brain computer interfaces (BCIs)

BCIs measure and analyze a person's brain signals and convert them into an output such as movement.

A paralyzed person, for example, could use a BCI to operate a wheelchair, or someone who has extreme difficulty speaking could use a BCI to communicate via a computer voice.

These sorts of applications have been shown to be successful in a few reported cases, but the technology has not yet been developed for regular clinical use and there are questions over whether these technologies are reliable enough for use in everyday life.

Military applications, such as remote control of vehicles and machinery are not yet in wide use but are being researched and tested, mainly in the United States.

Some commercial BCI developments are already on the market in the gaming sector. Gamers can buy a wireless headset that aims to replace a joystick by controlling game play through brain signals.

The use of BCIs sometimes require surgery to implant electrodes into a person's brain, although the most successful current developments are less invasive ones That detect brain signals from the scalp.

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Factbox: Neurotechnologies in spotlight of UK ethics review

QF honours stem cell researchers

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Research on preventing breast cancer recurrence, using organ regeneration to combat obesity-related diseases, and enabling vascular repair for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease has received awards at the ongoing Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy 2012. The award ceremony hosted by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development at Qatar National Convention Centre recognised two professional researchers and one student researcher for excellence in stem cell research, with the research exhibited through poster presentations during the conference. Leaders from QF and top figures in the stem cell science and ethics field congratulated the award recipients. Dr Abdelali Haoudi, vice president for research at QF, said: We are truly impressed with the research presented this year in poster presentations, as well as in the oral presentations and panel discussions taking place throughout the conference. He added: Through this conference, we hope to drive further exploration in this field that will lead to even greater progress in applying stem cell science to prevent and treat diseases afflicting communities both in Qatar and around the world. The three posters were selected for recognition by a review committee, comprised of academics, researchers and scientists, including Nobel Laureates and international experts. Pegah Ghiabi, a researcher at the Stem Cell & Microenvironment Laboratory at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, received an award for her poster presentation on research into therapy to inhibit the cancer stem cell population to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. Research by Lara Bou-Khzam of the McGill University Health Centre Research Institute in Montreal, Canada, also received recognition. The poster focused on her stem cell research towards vascular repair for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease, one of the worlds leading causes of mortality. The final award was presented to Dr Heba al-Siddiqui for her research at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute on preventing chronic obesity-related diseases through tissue engineering and organ regeneration. Dr al-Siddiqui is a trainee in the Qatar Science Leadership Programme, a QF initiative aimed at equipping rising Qatari generations for leading roles in the countrys scientific and research endeavours. The Qatar International Conference on Stem Cell Science and Policy, organised through a partnership between QF and the James A. Baker III Institute of Public Policy at Rice University, will conclude today. The four-day conference, which featured expert panels and presentations on the latest opportunities and challenges in stem cell research, was attended by top figures in the fields of science, ethics and policy of stem cell research from across the Middle East region and around the world.

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QF honours stem cell researchers

Nuvilex Reveals Goldman Small Cap Research Cites Groundbreaking Cancer Therapy in Updating Buy Recommendation

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SILVER SPRING, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Nuvilex, Inc. (OTCQB:NVLX), an emerging biotechnology provider of cell and gene therapy solutions, announced today Goldman Small Cap Research has reissued its buy recommendation on Nuvilex with a short term price target of $0.50 per share.

According to the research report prepared by Goldman, The current share price represents but a fraction of its true value, in our view. With recently increased interest and valuation in the pancreatic cancer treatment arena, we believe that Nuvilex is worth $0.20 just on the oncology therapies alone and that the shares will reach $0.50 in the next six months. Looking ahead, as milestone events occur, $1.00 per share is within reach over the next 12-18 months.

Goldman bases this value projection, in part, on the pending acquisition of SG Austria assets, and with it complete control over the cell encapsulation technology that forms the backbone of Nuvilexs planned biotechnology development. The report states in part the following:

Following execution of the SG Austria asset acquisition, we expect to see a flurry of events and progress on the development side which will serve as catalysts, including when management submits its protocol for the next stage pancreatic cancer trial. We would not be surprised to see the stock break through the $0.50 price on such news as well as progress on the next stage of trials for other therapies.

One reason we are so convinced of the great buying opportunity is the fact that pancreatic cancer treatments are currently at the forefront of the biotech space and are enjoying very high valuations. Although Nuvilex is a not a drug producer, but an existing therapy enhancer through the use of its live cell encapsulation enhancement platform, the timing of these milestone events could not be better for Nuvilex and a re-valuation of its offering.

The Goldman report also compares alternative oncology therapies, including Gemzar from Threshold Pharmaceuticals and Merrimack Pharmaceuticals drug encapsulation technology, noting that, contrary to these treatments, the Nuvilex live-cell encapsulation technology is not limited to one specific use, but can be adapted to use for a host of cell types. The report states, Its difficult to compare apples-to-apples in this space as Nuvilex is the only firm utilizing live-cell encapsulation therapy for cancer, while all the other treatments are based upon a particular drug usage. Contrasting the results of different Phase II clinical trials, the Goldman report comments that the pancreatic cancer therapy, based on completed Phase 1/2 data, appears to have yielded statistically greater results than competing technologies.

Commenting on The Goldman Report, Nuvilex Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Robert Ryan, stated, The report did an excellent job highlighting the value and capabilities of our cell encapsulation technology, not just for cancer therapy, but also for the vast array of treatments where live-cell encapsulation can aid multiple diseases. In the case of the completed cancer trials, it generated superior results with lower drug dosages, and reduced chemotherapeutic side effects. As we move forward with diabetes and stem cell therapy treatments, we are confident our success will, as Goldman predicts prompt leaders in multiple treatment segments to partner with Nuvilex in order to maintain their respective market shares.

Investors are recommended to study the Goldman Research Report for a detailed review and valuation methodology regarding Nuvilex.

About Nuvilex

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Nuvilex Reveals Goldman Small Cap Research Cites Groundbreaking Cancer Therapy in Updating Buy Recommendation

Stem-Cell Therapy Takes Off in Texas

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By David Cyranoski of Nature magazine

With Texas pouring millions of dollars into developing adult stem-cell treatments, doctors there are already injecting paying customers with unproven preparations, supplied by an ambitious new company.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any such stem-cell treatment for routine clinical use, although it does sanction them for patients enrolled in registered clinical trials. Some advocates of the treatments argue, however, that preparations based on a patient's own cells should not be classed as drugs, and should not therefore fall under the FDA's jurisdiction.

There are certainly plenty of people eager to have the treatments. Texas governor Rick Perry, for instance, has had stem-cell injections to treat a back complaint, and has supported legislation to help create banks to store patients' harvested stem cells.

One company that has benefited from this buoyant climate is Celltex Therapeutics, which "multiplies and banks" stem cells derived from people's abdominal fat, according to chairman and chief executive David Eller. Its facility in Sugar Land, just outside Houston, opened in December 2011 and houses the largest stem-cell bank in the United States.

Celltex was founded by Eller and Stanley Jones, the orthopaedic surgeon who performed Perry's procedure, and it uses technology licensed from RNL Bio in Seoul. Because clinical use of adult-stem-cell treatments are illegal in South Korea, RNL has since 2006 sent more than 10,000 patients to clinics in Japan and China to receive injections.

Celltex says that although it processes and banks cells, it does not carry out stem-cell injections. It declined to answer Nature's questions about whether its cells have been used in patients. But there is evidence that the company is involved in the clinical use of the cells on US soil, which the FDA has viewed as illegal in other cases.

Public hype

In addition to the publicity surrounding Perry's treatment, a woman named Debbie Bertrand has been blogging about her experiences during a five-injection treatment with cells prepared at Celltex. Her blog (http://debbiebertrand.blogspot.com) hosts photographs of herself alongside Jones; Jennifer Novak, a Celltex nurse; Jeong Chan Ra, chief executive of RNL Bio; and her doctor, Jamshid Lotfi, a neurologist who works for the United Neurology clinic in Houston. Another photo is captioned: "My cells are being processed in here for my next infusion!!!" A third shows Bertrand, Lotfi and a physician called Matthew Daneshmand, who is, according to the caption, injecting Bertrand's stem cells into an intravenous drip, ready for the infusion. Nature has been unable to contact Bertrand.

Lotfi says that he has administered cells processed by Celltex to more than 20 people. "Five or six" -- including Bertrand -- have multiple sclerosis and "four or five" have Parkinson's disease, he says. Lotfi explains that patients sign up for treatment by contacting Novak, and that cells are prepared by removing about five grams of fat -- containing roughly 100,000 mesenchymal stem cells -- from the patient's abdomen. Over a three-week period, the cells are cultured until they reach about 800 million cells. Lotfi says that patients get at least three injections of 200 million cells each, and that the cells do not take effect for a few months. According to Lotfi, Celltex charges US$7,000 per 200 million cells, and pays Lotfi $500 per injection.

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BIONOVA about BIONOVA Skincare

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NEW YORK, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Beautiful skin was always a privilege of family genes.

But even the flawless skin appearance had limited time: aging processes would start taking a toll sometime after 40th of age and that was a status quo. Everybody accepted the law of human physiology.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120229/NY59364LOGO )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110207/NY43170-b )

The picture has changed when BIONOVA Skincare arrived on the scene. Equipped with the last findings in human physiology and biochemistry, utilizing a proprietary technology based on Life Science Nanotechnology this brand radically changed the total approach to the skin in a Beauty industry.

By treating the skin as the largest and one of the most important organs of a human body, BIONOVA created customized lines, using identical bioactive ingredients naturally produced within the body in the same ratio and quantities. This approach helps the skin to self-restore andself-heal, enhancing the skin function as a bodyguard.

The approach towards enhancing and restoring the skin function gives HEALTHY, FLAWLESS skin to everyone. The family genes privilege became a myth faded by offering customized processes that take into consideration all skin types and all skin concerns.

Names of BIONOVA products are very straightforward and say exactly what they do. No ambiguity in understanding and reading labels.

BIONOVA Skincare believes that Human physiology does not change depending on the day time. There are no Day and Night creams. Only one Treatment product Day and Night! What can be done is a rotation of two different Treatment products covering two major concerns but it is optional.

The Customization process is a very serious matter and requires knowledge of following skin conditions when purchasing any of BIONOVA products:

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BIONOVA about BIONOVA Skincare

Flavanol rich chocolate could boost brain performance, say researchers

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Regular consumption of high-flavanol chocolate, could help to promote brain performance by boosting the efficiency of certain brain functions, suggests new research supported by Barry Callebaut.

The study funded by Barry Callebaut and published in Physiology and Behavior investigated the effects of flavonol-rich on the functioning of spatial working memory. The research team, from Swinburne University, Australia, reported that 30 days supplementation with a high-flavanol chocolate drink did not affect behavioural measures of accuracy and reaction time; however, a number of brain areas were found to be significantly improved in terms of memory encoding, working memory hold period, and retrieval.

In the absence of significant behavioural effects, these differences in brain activation can be interpreted as evidence of increased neural efficiency in spatial working memory function associated with chronic cocoa flavanol consumption, said the research team, led by David Camfield of Swinburne.

"This is the first time that science has positively linked consumption of high flavanol cocoa and chocolate products from Barry Callebaut to improved brain performance, said Hans Vriens, chief innovation officer at Barry Callebaut.

When consumed regularly, the brain is able to complete memory tasks with less effort," he added.

Study details

Sixty-three volunteers aged between 40 and 65 given a daily chocolate drink over the 30 period of the randomised, controlled, double-blind trial.

Participants were divided up into three test groups, with each group consuming a chocolate drink containing a different amount cocoa flavanols the first group received a drink containing 10 grams of dark high-flavanol chocolate (corresponding to 500 mg cocoa flavanols), the second group received a drink which contained 10 grams of conventional dark chocolate (250 mg of cocoa flavanols), whilst the third group received 10 grams of dark chocolate that contained only a few cocoa flavanols.

Camfield and his team used tasks that assess spatial working memory to measure human brain activity. In addition, and in order to compare brain activities, on the first and on the 30th day computer-tomography (CT) brain scans of the test subjects were made while participants solved the special memory tasks.

Camfield and his colleagues found no differences between the various groups in the accuracy or the reaction times of the test subjects in solving the task.

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Flavanol rich chocolate could boost brain performance, say researchers

Getting ready for Experimental Biology 2012 and our new contest! [Life Lines]

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I am getting very excited about the upcoming Experimental Biology conference especially since this year marks the 125th anniversary of The American Physiological Society for which there are many planned celebrations. Not to mention, the programming for comparative physiology at this year's meeting is really exciting:

Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology Section

Distinguished Lecture: Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 8:00-10:00 AM James Hicks August Krogh Distinguished Lectureship of the APS Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology Section

Symposia: Monday, April 23, 2012, 3:30-5:30 PM Nina Stachenfeld and Bernard B. Rees Impact of Environmental Estrogens and Androgens on Human and Animal Health and Reproductive Function

Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 3:30-5:30 PM Kenneth R. Olson Hydrogen Sulfide: Ecology, Physiology, and Clinical Applications

Featured Topics: Monday, April 23, 2012, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM Martin Jastroch Future Directions of Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Integrative Physiology

Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM Theodore Garland, Jr. and Thomas H. Meek Understanding the Evolution of Physiology: Insights from Selection Experiments in Rodent Models

To help celebrate the anniversary, try your chance at winning a FREE Dr. Dolittle "What's New in Comparative Physiology" t-shirt (image below)! To enter please write to Dr. Dolittle (drdlttl01@gmail.com) and explain why you are attending the meeting, what excites you about comparative physiology, and what you most look forward to at the meeting. Be sure to include proof of registration. A new winner will be chosen every week prior to EB and we will send you the t-shirt in time for you to wear it in San Diego.

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Getting ready for Experimental Biology 2012 and our new contest! [Life Lines]

ARUP Laboratories Announces Creation of Business Innovations Division

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SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ARUP Laboratories, a leading national clinical and anatomic pathology reference laboratory and a leader in innovative laboratory research and development, announced the establishment of a Business Innovations Division.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110915/SF69370LOGO)

The new division is designed to align ARUP's business innovations in a manner that will enhance our ability to diversify into new market segments. This division will drive ARUP's continued growth by identifying and developing new and diversified business ventures, including the development of new market initiatives; identification and implementation of new business units; and exploration and establishment of potential joint venture strategic alliances.

"ARUP Laboratories has positioned itself as a major innovator in the field of laboratory medicine. Our mission is to improve healthcare and advance the science of laboratory medicine through the development of new laboratory testing and technology. With the introduction of our new division, we are simply expanding our expertise into the business operation side of laboratory medicine," said Edward Ashwood, MD, president and CEO of ARUP.

The division will be led by Khosrow Shotorbani, currently the senior vice president and director of Sales.

"Khosrow is a proven leader at ARUP with a strong track record of driving growth and innovation. Under his direction, I see tremendous potential for ARUP to help healthcare professionals provide improved patient care at reduced costs," said Ashwood.

"ARUP is uniquely positioned within the market to provide our clients with the value proposition necessary to reach their full potential. No other company in the healthcare industry has positioned itself as the knowledge and thought leader that assists physicians in ordering the right test at the right time," said Shotorbani.

About ARUP Laboratories Founded in 1984, ARUP Laboratories is a leading national reference laboratory and a nonprofit enterprise of the University of Utah and its Department of Pathology. ARUP offers more than 3,000 tests and test combinations, ranging from routine screening tests to esoteric molecular and genetic assays. ARUP serves clients across the United States, including many of the nation's top university teaching hospitals and children's hospitals, as well as multihospital groups, major commercial laboratories, group purchasing organizations, military and other government facilities, and major clinics. In addition, ARUP is a worldwide leader in innovative laboratory research and development, led by the efforts of the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology.

Media Contacts Cyndee Holden, (801) 583-2787, ext. 3318 (wk)/(801) 386-6637 (cell) cynthia.holden@aruplab.com

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ARUP Laboratories Announces Creation of Business Innovations Division

Digital Pathology Association Welcomes Distinguished New Board Member

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The Digital Pathology Association (DPA), a non-profit organization that promotes education and awareness of digital pathology applications, is welcoming Lewis Hassell, M.D., a distinguished educational leader in the field of pathology, to the Board of Directors.

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

We are honored and excited to have Dr. Hassell joining our board of directors. His involvement in the clinical and research aspect of digital pathology will bring a diversity of knowledge and skills to the board, said Michael F. Ward, CEA, Executive Director of the DPA.

Dr. Hassell is a board certified Cytopathology and Anatomic and Clinical Pathologist. He currently acts as the director of Anatomic Pathology at the University of Oklahoma, as well as the associate professor of Pathology and professor of excellence in Anatomic Pathology. His program served eighteen hospitals and a variety of other labs. Having a platform outside of the university to present and publish his findings in his areas of expertise is one of the reasons Dr. Hassell was initially drawn to the DPA.

The networking, educational aspect, and thought stimulation is the biggest benefit. It is a great venue for bouncing ideas around and conversing with people who are having the same problems as you, said Dr. Hassell. There is a whole spectrum of users which is refreshing. Its more than just swapping business cards, its an intellectual exchange.

Prior to his work at the University of Oklahoma and his involvement with the DPA, Dr. Hassell was a resident in Clinical and Anatomic Pathology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, holding the position of Chief Resident in 1984. After that he participated in a visiting fellowship in nuclear medicine at the University of California, then went on to work in private practices in San Francisco and Maine. He earned his initial B.S. from Brigham Young University in 1978 and graduated summa cum laude.

About the Digital Pathology Association

The Digital Pathology Association, located in Indianapolis, IN, was founded in 2009. Its mission is to facilitate education and awareness of digital pathology applications in healthcare and life sciences. Members will be encouraged to share best practices and promote the use of technology among colleagues in order to demonstrate efficiencies, awareness, and its ultimate benefits to patient care.

Please stay involved with the Digital Pathology Association by joining the discussion on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter. To join the DPA or to learn more about the DPA and its members and membership opportunities, please visit our website.

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Digital Pathology Association Welcomes Distinguished New Board Member

Nutrition Labeling for Meats Becomes Mandatory

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The next time you shop at the grocery store, you may see something new nutrition labels on meat. The same types of labels you already find on other foods.

In 1993, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made nutrition labeling voluntary for many types of raw meats. The labeling becomes mandatory on Thursday.

The new rule affects all ground meat and poultry and 40 of the most popular cuts of meat in the United States such as chicken breasts, steaks, pork chops, roasts, lamb and veal. If the nutrition facts are not on the package, as in the case of some larger cuts of meat, look for posters or signs at the meat counter for this information.

Its the kind of information that consumers are asking for and we just think its about helping people make their own best choices by having the information that they need, says Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, Undersecretary for Food Safety at the USDA.

These labels or posters include listings of total calories, calories from fat, levels of saturated fat, protein, cholesterol, sodium and iron. In addition to showing the lean content for a particular meat, such as 90% lean, labels must now also include the fat percentage, in this example 10% fat.

The information can also be used to comparison shop among products. If a consumer is concerned about total calories or saturated fat, for example, they can compare and contrast products and possibly make a selection based on the nutrient content of the food, says Registered Dietitian Heather Mangieri, spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

And she adds that the best cuts of meat are those that provide the best nutrient bang for our calorie buck,.

When it comes to beef, those cuts that include the word round are the lowest in fat, with loin being a close second. In poultry, dark meat has more fat than white meat, Mangieri says.

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Nutrition Labeling for Meats Becomes Mandatory

Cenergy Nutrition Appoints COO for Production and Branding of Supplement Line

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NEW YORK, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc. ("Cenergy"), the operating subsidiary of Laufer Bridge Enterprises, Inc. (OTC:LBGE.PK - News), announced the appointment of Mr. Bill Chaaban as the new ChiefOperating Officer (COO), and to the Board of Directors of Cenergy Nutrition.

Bill Chaaban, B.Comm., JD, LL.B., LL.M.is a licensed attorney in theUSA and Canada, and will advise themanagement teamregarding daily operational and regulatory affairs ashe hasintimate knowledgeregarding the manufacture, wholesale and retail distribution of nutritional supplements.He operates one of the few privately owned companies that is vertically integrated from the manufacturing to retail consumer level.Mr. Chaaban hastwenty five years of industry experience, and will oversee the manufacturing and branding of the Cenergy supplement product lines.

Mr. Chaaban is also the founder of http://www.Fitnessone.com, which is a leading online retailer, and will be involved in the day to day operations, as Mr. Chaaban's strategic and industry insightwill benefit in the development of the Cenergy brand.

International Distribution

Mr. Chaabanwill also aid in developing the distribution of our brand in foreign markets as hisknowledgeof foreign laws and regulations pertaining to sales and marketing of nutritional supplementswill befundamental to the growth of Cenergy Nutrition'sbusiness abroad.

Keith Thomas, the CEO of Cenergy Nutrition commented, "The appointment of Mr. Chaaban to the position of COO now positions Cenergy Nutrition to prepare for its upcoming launch and distribution of its nutritional supplement lines. We are very excited as the company is now putting together a team with a wealth of experience in the marketing and branding of nutritional supplements, and now sets the stage for Cenergy Nutrition to embark on its long awaited world-wide launch."

In addition, the Company has retained the New York based public relations firm South Street Media, Inc (www.southstreetmedia.com) to assist the company in shareholder and media communications as the company enters the production and distribution phase of its business model.

About Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc.

Laufer Bridge Enterprises, Inc., through its operating wholly subsidiary Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc., is a nutrition company engaged in the development of nutracueticals. They will offer a broad spectrum of capsules, tablets, and powders, as well as science based products in three principal categories. These categories are weight management, nutrition challenges, energy and fitness. The Company's objective is to successfully market, distribute nutritional products, and continue to develop innovative supplements. http://www.CenergyNutrition.com

To request an investor packet onCenergy Nutritionregister online at http://www.wallstreetnewscast.com/request/lbge.html

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Cenergy Nutrition Appoints COO for Production and Branding of Supplement Line

New treatment using inhaled interferon may improve lung function in pulmonary fibrosis

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Public release date: 29-Feb-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Cathia Falvey cfalvey@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle -- Inhaled interferon-gamma may be an effective treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and progressive form of lung disease caused by excessive formation of fibrotic, or scar tissue, in the lungs, according to an article published in Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery (http://www.liebertpub.com/jamp), a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (http://www.liebertpub.com) The article on inhaled interferon-gamma (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jamp.2011.0919) is available free online at the Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery website.

Normally, systemic delivery of interferon-gamma can cause substantial side effects; however, delivery of aerosolized interferon-gamma directly into the lungs was shown to be safe and was associated with significantly reduced levels of profibrotic regulatory proteins. Keith Diaz, MD, Shibu Skaria, MD, Keith Harris, MD, Mario Solomita, DO, Stephanie Lau, MD, Kristy Bauer, MD, Gerald Smaldone, MD, PhD, and Rany Condos, MD, State University of New York, Stony Brook and New York University School of Medicine, NYC, show that inhalation of interferon-gamma in aerosol form three times a week for at least 80 weeks was well-tolerated by patients, with no systemic side effects.

The authors verified the presence of the drug in the material collected on lung washes and documented no change in the level of interferon-gamma in the blood during the treatment period. The report shows the results of pulmonary function tests, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and total lung capacity (TLC), and the effects of treatment on a six-minute walk test in the article entitled "Delivery and Safety of Inhaled Interferon-gamma in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis." (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jamp.2011.0919)

"There is no treatment for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a disease usually fatal within 3-5 years," says Gerald C. Smaldone, MD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal and a coauthor of this article, and Professor and Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at SUNY-Stony Brook. "The scientific community expected the injected form of interferon-gamma to help, but those studies failed. We have shown that inhaled interferon is safe with very high levels in the lungs. Now is the time to repeat the clinical trials with the inhaled form of this therapy."

###

About the Journal

Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery (http://www.liebertpub.com/jamp) is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online. It is the Official Publication of the International Society for Aerosols in Medicine (www.isam.org). The Journal is the only authoritative publication delivering innovative articles on the health effects of inhaled aerosols and delivery of drugs through the pulmonary system. Topics covered include airway reactivity and asthma treatment, inhalation of particles and gases in the respiratory tract, toxic effects of inhaled agents, and aerosols as tools for studying basic physiologic phenomena. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Journal of Aerosol Medicine and Pulmonary Drug Delivery (http://www.liebertpub.com/jamp) website.

About the Company

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New treatment using inhaled interferon may improve lung function in pulmonary fibrosis

NIH Launches Genetic Testing Registry

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By a GenomeWeb staff reporter

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) The National Institutes of Health has launched a new web resource aimed at providing consumers and healthcare providers with information about all of the genetic tests that are currently on the market.

The Genetic Testing Registry, unveiled today international Rare Disease Day was developed to serve as an encyclopedia of the genetic tests that currently exist for around 2,500 genetic diseases, one which will be updated as new tests and applications come on the market.

The goal was to create a resource that would help healthcare providers and consumers sort through information about the available tests, because most do not require premarket review by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The GTR entries will cover information on the purpose of the test, its limitations, the name and location of the providers, whether it is for clinical or research use, what methods are used, and how the results are measured. NIH will not verify the content of the entries provided by the testing providers, but it will require that they agree to a code of conduct for accuracy that will enable NIH to require submitters to correct inaccuracies or to remove such information from the resource.

On top of the basic information, the voluntary GTR will provide details about a test's analytic validity, clinical validity, and clinical utility.

"I'm delighted that NIH has created this powerful, new tool. It is a tremendous resource for all who are struggling to make sense of the complex world of genetic testing," NIH Director Francis Collins said in a statement.

"This registry will help a lot of people from healthcare professionals looking for answers to their patients' diseases to researchers seeking to identify gaps in scientific knowledge."

"Our new registry features a versatile search interface that allows users to search by tests, conditions, genes, genetic mutations, and laboratories," said GTR Director Wendy Rubinstein. "What's more, we designed this tool to serve as a portal to other medical genetics information, with context-specific links to practice guidelines and a variety of genetic, scientific and literature resources available through the National Library of Medicine at NIH."

The registry was developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, with input from a range of stakeholders, including testing labs, healthcare providers, patients, and researchers, through a public comment period and public meetings.

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NIH Launches Genetic Testing Registry

Lafayette’s ‘R.U.R’ deals with robots, role of technology

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Lafayette College theater director Michael O'Neill has never seen the classic Czech play "R.U.R," but after teaching it in his theater classes for years, he became intrigued by the relevance of its premise.

So after reading many translations of the play about robots and a mechanized world where people show no emotions, O'Neill decided to write his own translation and produce it at the college. The play opened Wednesday and continues through Saturday at the Williams arts center.

"I made a lot of cuts," O'Neill says. "In those days, they tended to be awfully talky."

"R.U.R." or "Rossum's Universal Robots" was written in 1920 by Karel Capek. It was a response to the death and destruction he had witnessed during World War I and the emotional dislocation and upheavals of the 1917 Communist revolution in Russia.

The play was written as an expressionistic journey into genetic engineering on a mass scale, O'Neill says. It predicted a mechanized world where people have no emotional connections and where workers have lost their human rights. The play takes place in a factory that makes Robots that can think for themselves and can be mistaken for humans.

"I thought that the play had a lot to say about today and our interest in human cloning and our dependence on technology," O'Neill says. "I was concerned about our growing dependence on our cell phones and our computers and the increasing mechanization of everyday life. I also thought that that this play was particularly relevant to Lafayette, which has such a big engineering program."

The play was the first to introduce the word robot to the English language.

"Actually the word robot means 'worker' in Czech, and the Robots in our production look less like Hollywood robots than Soviet workers from the 1920s," O'Neill says. Costume designer Locklyn Brooks has created gray and monochrome outfits that make the Robots look less like machines and more like people, he says.

O'Neill says the play is not so much science fiction as a social satire with a utopian vision.

"This is actually a very traditional play, and despite the presence of the Robots, its main theme is that the human race needs love to be able to survive," he says.

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Lafayette's 'R.U.R' deals with robots, role of technology

Roche´s MagNA Pure LC 2.0 System for Monitoring DNA in Therapeutic Proteins and Monoclonal Antibody Drugs

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PENZBERG, Germany, February 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

To ensure product safety, clearance of host-cell DNA is essential when manufacturing therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibody (mAB) drugs. Using the MagNA Pure LC 2.0 System from Roche, scientists have developed and validated an automated process for monitoring clearance of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell DNA during the capture and polishing steps when processing therapeutic proteins and mAB drugs (1).

Automated DNA monitoring during manufacturing eliminates the need to perform manual DNA extraction that can create analytics bottlenecks during process development and routine testing. Automated DNA isolation using Roche's MagNA Pure LC 2.0 System results in high DNA recovery rates and subsequent highly sensitive qPCR with the LightCycler 480 Real-Time PCR Instrument. MagNA Pure LC DNA purification eliminates: (a) Manual dilution of high-protein and high-DNA loads; (b) Manual acidic sample neutralization; and (c) Manual carrier RNA addition.

Roche has produced validation data comparing DNA extraction of manufacturing samples spiked with CHO DNA using Roche's MagNA Pure LC 2.0 System and competitive instrumentation. In contrast to the other instrumentation, the MagNA Pure LC 2.0 System did not require manual sample preprocessing, additional proteinase K pretreatment, sample neutralization and dilution, or carrier RNA. The MagNA Pure LC DNA System isolation was shown to require less hands-on time for higher performance than the competitive instrumentation. These findings indicate that MagNA Pure LC 2.0 System automated sample preparation can be productively used to reduce analytics bottlenecks during in-process development and quality control of therapeutic proteins and mAB drugs.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche's personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2011, Roche had over 80,000 employees worldwide and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 42.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: http://www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

MAGNA PURE und LIGHTCYCLER are trademarks of Roche.

All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information please contact:

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Roche´s MagNA Pure LC 2.0 System for Monitoring DNA in Therapeutic Proteins and Monoclonal Antibody Drugs

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