Monthly Archives: April 2013

Mead Johnson Nutrition Beats on Revenue, Matches Expectations on EPS

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Mead Johnson Nutrition (NYSE: MJN) reported earnings on April 25. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Mead Johnson Nutrition beat slightly on revenues and met expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue grew. GAAP earnings per share grew.

Gross margins increased, operating margins dropped, net margins were steady.

Revenue details Mead Johnson Nutrition reported revenue of $1.04 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated sales of $1.02 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 5.2% higher than the prior-year quarter's $986.6 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details EPS came in at $0.85. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.85 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.85 for Q1 were 6.3% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.80 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details For the quarter, gross margin was 62.3%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 24.0%, 200 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 16.6%, much about the same as the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1.04 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.83.

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Mead Johnson Nutrition Beats on Revenue, Matches Expectations on EPS

Bharat Book Presents : 2013 Analysis of the Spanish Microbiology Testing Market – Video

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Bharat Book Presents : 2013 Analysis of the Spanish Microbiology Testing Market
For More Information Kindly Visit On : http://www.bharatbook.com/market-research-reports/healthcare-market-research-report/2013-analysis-of-the-spanish-micro...

By: Deepa Kamath

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Bharat Book Presents : 2013 Analysis of the Spanish Microbiology Testing Market - Video

Largest EU Prevalence Study of Clostridium Difficile Infection Reveals That More Than One Fifth of Patients May …

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infections in hospitals[2],[3]

First results from EUCLID, the largest ever prevalence study of CDI across Europe, were presented today at the 23rd European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease (ECCMID). Data reveal that an incorrect diagnosis may be made for more than one in five hospitalised patients with diarrhoea, who could have CDI.[4] This potentially may lead to inappropriate or inadequate treatment.[4] CDI can be severe and hospital patients with CDI are up to three times more likely to die in hospital (or within a month of infection) than those without CDI.[5],[6]

The EUropean multi-centre, prospective bi-annual point prevalence study of CLostridium difficile Infection in hospitalised patients with Diarrhoea (EUCLID) involved 482 hospitals from 20 European countries. In total 3,920 faecal samples were submitted by participating hospitals to the EUCLID National Coordinating laboratory (NCLs). Nearly one in four (24.6%) samples found to be positive for C. difficile at the NCL had not been tested at the local hospital level and 47 (2.3%) patients found to be positive for C. difficile at the NCL were tested at the hospital but received an incorrect negative result. Notably, only 10.6% of hospitals tested all diarrhoeal faecal in-patient samples, and only 27.4% used an optimised CDI algorithm for routine testing.[4]

"In this study we saw that on one day alone, 82 patients with CDI were not diagnosed due to a lack of laboratory testing or clinical suspicion, and in total 246 patients received an incorrect result", said Professor Mark Wilcox, Professor of Medical Microbiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals & University of Leeds. "These results show that there is still more to be done to improve the way CDI is currently being tested in hospitals across Europe."

The EUCLID study is being coordinated out of the University of Leeds, UK, by Professor Mark Wilcox's research group, with support from the EUCLID Core Group. The study is funded by Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd. Participating hospitals submitted samples of all un-formed faeces received on a single day to the NCL regardless of whether they had been tested within the hospital. Each NCL then tested all samples using a 2-stage CDI algorithm, with the results from the hospital and NCL then compared for each sample.[4]

In this study, the average incidence rate of CDI across Europe was 6.6 per 10,000 patient bed days.[4] This is substantially higher than a previous pan-European surveillance study, the European Clostridium Infection Survey (ECDIS) performed in 2008-2009 which found an average incidence rate of 4.1 per 10,000 patient bed days.[7] There were also wide discrepancies between the numbers of samples tested for C. difficile within hospitals; the highest rate of 97% of samples tested was found in the Czech Republic with the lowest of 0% in Bulgaria.[4] Surprisingly hospitals in the UK only tested 75% of samples despite national guidance to test all unformed stools from inpatients.[4]

"CDI is an important patient safety issue and also creates a significant economic burden for hospitals and health systems", comments Professor Mark Wilcox. "It is important that optimal methods of diagnosis are in place, as errors may lead to inappropriate or inadequate treatment of patients and inadequate infection control measures."

A second sampling and testing wave will take place during the Summer of 2013 with the full results and analysis expected to be available in 2014.

About Clostridium difficile Infection

CDI is a serious illness resulting from infection of the internal lining of the colon by C. difficile bacteria. The bacteria produce toxins that cause inflammation of the colon, diarrhoea and, in some cases, death.[8] Patients typically develop CDI after the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that disrupt normal bowel flora, allowing C. difficile bacteria to flourish.[8],[9] CDI is the leading cause of hospital acquired (nosocomial) diarrhoea in industrialised countries[10] and the risk of CDI and disease recurrence is particularly high in patients aged 65 years and older.[11]Recurrence of CDI occurs in up to 25% of patients within 30 days of initial treatment with current therapies.[12],[13],[ 14] The ESCMID has identified recurrence as being the most important problem in the treatment of CDI.[15]

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Largest EU Prevalence Study of Clostridium Difficile Infection Reveals That More Than One Fifth of Patients May ...

BD Diagnostics Advances Commitment to a Fully Integrated Microbiology Solution with New Agreement

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SPARKS, Md., April 27, 2013 /CNW/ - BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), announced today an international distributor agreement with Bruker Daltonics Inc. to sell and provide front-line technical support for the co-labeled BD Bruker MALDI Biotyper System.

Microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing is the end-point of the majority of work a microbiology lab performs on a daily basis and is very time consuming. The BD Bruker MALDI Biotyper System combined with automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing on the BD Phoenix Microbiology System and the BD EpiCenter Microbiology Data Management System, will facilitate a fully integrated, optimized approach for laboratory workflow.

"BD believes mass spectrometry technologies are the future of microbial identification," said Jamie Condie , Vice President and General Manager, BD Diagnostics Diagnostic Systems, Infectious Disease. "Combining Bruker's expertise in this area with our advanced lab automation experience, the BD Bruker MALDI Biotyper System will enhance our customers' clinical decision making and laboratory workflow."

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is conducted via traditional automated systems such as the BD Phoenix System. The combination of these two proven technologies, the BD Phoenix System and the Bruker MALDI Biotyper, and data management through the BD EpiCenter System, will provide laboratorians with a new approach to identification and susceptibility testing, which is expected to reduce the turnaround time for critical diagnostic results, while also improving laboratory efficiency and costs. Identification of pathogens will occur in minutes versus hours directly impacting patient management.

The Bruker MALDI Biotyper is currently not available in the United States for in vitro diagnostic use.

This announcement is an update to the joint collaboration, co-marketing, and co-selling agreement with Bruker Daltonics Inc. in 2010.

About the BD Bruker MALDI Biotyper SystemThe dedicated MALDI Biotyper solution enables molecular identification, and taxonomical classification or dereplication of microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts and fungi. Classification and identification of microorganisms is achieved reliably and quickly using proteomic fingerprinting by high-throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Applications include clinical routine microbial identification, environmental and pharmaceutical analysis, taxonomical research, food and consumer product safety and quality control, as well as marine microbiology. The robust MALDI Biotyper method requires minimal sample preparation and offers low consumables cost. The MALDI Biotyper is available in a research-use-only version, or in an IVD-CE version according to EU directive EC/98/79 in various European countries. In the United States of America the MALDI Biotyper is available for research use only, and not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About BDBD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes , New Jersey, BD employs nearly 30,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit http://www.bd.com.

Contact: Jamie Yacco Public Relations +1 (201) 847-4796 Email: Jamie_Yacco@bd.com

SOURCE: BD-Becton Dickinson

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BD Diagnostics Advances Commitment to a Fully Integrated Microbiology Solution with New Agreement

Innate immunity system of sheep and goat herds against viral infections clarified

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Public release date: 26-Apr-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Oihane Lakar Iraizoz o.lakar@elhuyar.com 34-943-363-040 Elhuyar Fundazioa

Biology and Biochemistry graduate, Paula Juregui Onieva, has undertaken research for her PhD thesis on the factors of restriction of innate immunity present in sheep and goats. In concrete, she investigated if these factors had antiviral activity so that, pending further studies, they could be used in preventing certain diseases of these animals, such as mastitis, arthritis, pneumonia and/or encephalitis. The thesis is titled Inmunidad innata frente a lentivirus de pequeos rumiantes (SRLV): Papel de TRIM5 (Innate immunity against small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV): the role of TRIM5).

The PhD thesis deals with innate immunity against lentivirus in small ruminants. Lentivirus is a genus of viruses that produces slow infections, deteriorates the immune system and causes various pathologies. For example, in sheep, the Visna Maedi virus gives rise to nervous and brain diseases while the Maedi virus causes respiratory problems. Lentivirus in small ruminants makes up a highly heterogeneous, including also the caprine arthritis/encephalitis virus.

According to Ms Juregui, "currently there do not exist vaccinations or efficacious treatment for these types of infections, and so the study on the factors of restriction of innate immunity could be an effective alternative for treating or preventing these infections". The factors of restriction studied involve antiviral proteins present in certain cells which inhibit the viral cycle. The research focused on the factor known as TRIM5 which, apparently, prevents the virus managing to incorporate itself into the genome of the cell, thus impeding infection.

With the aim of finding out how this factor of restriction functions, the researcher had a four-fold objective for her PhD thesis: identifying and characterising TRIM5 in sheep and goat species; determining a possible restrictive role played by the lentivirus infection; exploring the restriction of the infection by heterologous retrovirus; and investigating, through phylogenetic analysis, the on-going trends and a possible co-evolution between lentivirus and TRIM5 in domestic and wild ruminants.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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Innate immunity system of sheep and goat herds against viral infections clarified

Picking your nose and eating it may be good for you

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Despite everything you may have heard from your mom, picking your nose and eating what you find may have some health benefits, according to a biochemistry professor at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.

"By consuming those pathogens caught within the mucus, could that be a way to teach your immune system about what it's surrounded with?" is the hypothesis Scott Napper posed to his students.

Napper noted that snot has a sugary taste and that may be a signal to the body to consume it and derive information for the immune system.

"I've got two beautiful daughters and they spend an amazing amount of time with their fingers up their nose," he said. "And without fail, it goes right into their mouth afterwards. Could they just be fulfilling what we're truly meant to do?"

Napper said his hypothesis also fits into other theories that examine the link between improved hygiene and an increase in allergies and auto-immune disorders.

"From an evolutionary perspective, we evolved under very dirty conditions and maybe this desire to keep our environment and our behaviours sterile isn't actually working to our advantage," he said.

Napper added he likes to talk about nose picking and science to teach students how seemingly simple questions can lead to valuable scientific discoveries.

He noted his posting about boogers would need to be tested.

"All you would need is a group of volunteers. You would put some sort of molecule in all their noses, and for half of the group they would go about their normal business and for the other half of the group, they would pick their nose and eat it," he said. "Then you could look for immune responses against that molecule and if they're higher in the booger-eaters, then that would validate the idea."

Napper added, with a chuckle, that he has already been approached by people keen to participate in a study.

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Picking your nose and eating it may be good for you

Nikita Review: Return of Team Nikita

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Ryan woke up from his coma to an entirely differently reality on Nikita.

In "Self Destruct," Alex set out to complete her mission of saving people in response to Sean's death. Meanwhile, at Division, Ryan came up with a plan to protect everyone, while sacrificing himself and destroying the institution. Even though, they always planned on shutting down Division, this definitely was not an ideal situation for them to be in.

Hiding the Devastation

Alex's journey post-South Ossetia has been tragic. Amanda really messed up Alex's mind and was responsible for the devastation at Division and ultimately Sean's death. Even though he tried to get through to Alex with his dying words, Alex was still under her Larissa-induced mind frame. 

With nothing left at Division for her, she took off and tried to save more people. She was risking her life and everything to make a difference and fulfill the destiny that Amanda gave her. It only made sense that it would be Nikita that would bring the old Alex back. Even through their fights and differences, they have a bond unlike any other. Alex trusted Nikita enough to see through to the truth.

Despite Amanda's role in Alex's actions, it will take time for Alex to come to terms with what she was manipulated into doing. She made a strong start by agreeing to return to Division even though it meant facing Ryan again. His hesitation to trust her was understandable, but as Nikita said they needed all of them to succeed.

Ryan's decision to destroy Division and take the fall was noble, but unnecessary. It's something that Nikita would never allow her friend to do, as long as, there was any other option available. Ryan finally realized how close he came to falling into the Division trap. He grew to like the power of the institution and his role, but he didn't cross the line in any way that justified the sacrifice he was willing to make.

Nikita made a good point that their small group took out Percy without Division resources, while actually having to defeat them. Amanda doesn't have nearly the backing of Division and not even the decimated Division. They should be able to use the Black Box to track and destroy her. It will be sad to see the evil one taken out, but it's necessary for their protection and the security of the country.

The idea of the New Division was a good one, but it was built upon taken lives. Some of the ex-Division agents will certainly acclimate themselves back into the real world without problems, but others are bad people who will definitely go rogue. It's unfortunate, but true and they will need to be handled by someone.

Even though the New Division was a bust, Team Nikita remains strong. Perhaps a small knit group of black operatives is better suited to bringing in the Dirty Thirty and any other new rogue agents. Though, it's still unclear what, if anything, Amanda planted into Nikita's mind. Was Nikita's reflection on her suicide mission quest after Daniel's death prompted by something Amanda did to her? Or, just memories brought to the forefront by Alex's actions.

Either way, it's sure to be a wild ride to the end of Nikita season 3. They not only have to protect the secret of Division's implosion, but track down Amanda, Owen and the black box. 

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/04/nikita-review-self-destruct/

The CW Picks Up The Originals for Series, Renews Hart of Dixie and Beauty and the Beast

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The CW made a trio of major programming announcements this afternoon:

  1. It has ordered The Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals to series.
  2. It has renewed Hart of Dixie for Season 3.
  3. And Beauty and the Beast for Season 2.

The Originals PosterHart of Dixie Valentine's Day CardCat's Unromantic Valentine's

These shows join Arrow, The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural, which were also renewed for the 2013-2014 season.

It's worth noting that these pick-ups do NOT mean all hope is lost for The Carrie Diaries and Nikita. But it should be diminished a bit.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/04/the-cw-picks-up-the-originals-for-series-renews-hart-of-dixie-an/

Grey’s Anatomy Promo: Unfaithful. Unfulfilled. Unbearable.

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Unfaithful, Unfulfilled. Unbearable.

These three words flash prominently during ABC's promo for next week's Grey's Anatomy, "Do You Believe in Magic?" As we head down the home stretch of Grey's Anatomy Season 9, tensions are rising.

A new craniofacial specialist (Hilarie Burton) comes to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital to work on a young patient, but it looks like she could have an impact on the staff far beyond practicing medicine.

Meanwhile, the doctors reach out to Bailey, who continues to shut everyone out, Owen fears for Ethan's future, and a magician's assistant is rushed into the ER after a magic trick goes terribly wrong.

Read our Grey's Anatomy review for our take on last night's "Sleeping Monster," then check out the teaser for next week's episode and share your predictions and comments with TV Fanatic:

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2013/04/greys-anatomy-promo-unfaithful-unfulfilled-unbearable/

I’m a scientist – Get me out of here

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I’ve recently heard of a competition called I’m a scientist – Get me out of here and I must say that I love the concept. Basically, it is a free online event a little bit like an X Factor-style (yes, I know, shameful but I do watch it) competition for scientists, where students are the judges. 

How does it work? Scientists put up a profile on the I’m a Scientist website where students then ask questions and challenge them over fast-paced online live chats.  Overall, over a two week-period (17–28 June), there will be around an hour of live text chats  and an hour answering questions each day so it is a fun way of developing communication skills, gaining a fresh perspective on your research, and finding out what young people think about science and the role of scientists.

The objective is to get school students to meet and interact with scientists and it works very well. Plus everything happens on the web, so participants can join in without leaving their desk. In addition, students have the option to vote and the winning scientist gets £500 to spend on science communication. Not bad!

 A number of Societies and professional bodies are supporting the competition and the Royal Society of Chemistry, for example, is sponsoring the Energy Zone, which will cover the science of and issues relating to maintaining a supply of affordable, secure energy. 

Scientists who want to take part need to apply before 6 May 2013.

Students who want to take part need to get their teacher to sign up asap.

Good luck and happy chatting to all!

Bibiana Campos Seijo

 

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http://prospect.rsc.org/blogs/cw/2013/04/26/im-a-scientist-get-me-out-of-here/

Hawke’s Bay Showcased to World Travel Industry

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Media Release 26th April 2013

Hawkes Bay Showcased to World Travel Industry

Hawkes Bay has been showcased to the international travel industry at TRENZ (Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand) held in Auckland earlier this week (21st-24th April)

Managed by the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand (TIANZ) TRENZ brings together approx 900 International Travel and Tourism Buyers from 31 countries representing traditional and emerging visitor markets, New Zealand tourism operators (Exhibitors) and domestic and international media.

Hawkes Bay Tourism led the regions representation at this event alongside local tourism operators exhibiting at TRENZ with Hawkes Bay Tourism included Gannet Safaris Overland, Art Deco Trust, The Crown Hotel, Mangapapa Petit Hotel and Glen Aros Country Estate. All Hawkes Bay exhibitor stands were branded with banners displaying iconic Hawkes Bay images with the Hawkes Bay brand and Get me to Hawkes Bay tagline. Fresh Hawkes Bay Queen apples from Apollo were given out to give TRENZ delegates a taste of Hawkes Bay.

Hawkes Bay Tourism General Manager Annie Dundas said TRENZ is a key business opportunity to showcase Hawkes Bay tourism product and services to targeted travel buyers to negotiate contracts for the coming seasons. Hawkes Bay was also successful in hosting international travel buyers and media in the region prior to the event which is invaluable as it allows them to experience all the wonderful things Hawkes Bay has to offer first hand. Media results have already been published as a result of the pre TRENZ hosting and we have also secured a cover story for Travel Agent Central Magazine which is a fantastic result

Sally Jackson from Art Deco Trust said We had a steady stream of quality appointments which we are confident will lead to increased business for Art Deco Trust and the overall Hawkes Bay tourism industry

ENDS

Scoop Media

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Hawke’s Bay Showcased to World Travel Industry