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Letter To Shareholders from Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc.

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MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc. (FITX), a nutritional supplement company focusing on active lifestyles.

We are at the dawn of exciting times for Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc. (FITX). Since I was appointed as CEO of the Company on April 6, 2012, our Board of Directors had a clear vision and strategy in mind: build a vertically integrated nutrition company that can conceptualize, create and sell direct to the consumer while leveraging strategic distribution partners globally. The foundation towards achieving this goal has been built and we are hard at work daily to execute to this vision. As recently announced, we had sales of $1,541,206, in the second quarter of this year and were profitable.

We will leverage our acquisitions and strategic partners to enable continued organic and inorganic growth to support our goal of creating long-term shareholder value. To support such value growth we also intend to become fully reporting under the requirements of OTC QB to enable FITX to move off the pink sheets by the end of this year.

We will be exhibiting at the Mr. Olympia Show in Las Vegas September 27-30 in booth numbers 281,282,381,382 island booth 20'x20', showcasing many of our new products to current and perspective customers distribution channels. Please stop by our booth if you are attending this event, we would love to meet you. We will also use this show to launch our newly formulated CENERGY brand line of products. http://fp37.a2zinc.net/clients/fpweiderpub/mrolympia12/public/eventmap.aspx?ver=html&shmode=E

I am very proud of our distinctive, innovative and hard working company and the many keen insights we have developed that have guided our bold moves over the past year. More important, I am profoundly excited about continuing to execute the vision of FITX.

Best regards, Bill Chaaban Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

About Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc.Creative Edge Nutrition is a holding company and a Nutritional Supplement Company focused on developing innovative, high quality supplements. The company offers a broad spectrum of capsules, tablets, and powders, as well as science based products in the principal categories of weight management, nutrition challenges, energy and fitness. The Company manufactures under strict GMP guidelines at GMP Certified and/or FDA registered facilities. http://www.CenergyNutrition.com and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Edge-Nutrition-Inc/115224738609211

Safe Harbor Notice This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business and finances in general, including the ability to continue and manage its growth, competition, global economic conditions and other factors discussed in detail in the Company's periodic filings with the Security and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact: Paul Thomas (313) 655-1669 Email: Info@cenergynutrition.com

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Letter To Shareholders from Creative Edge Nutrition, Inc.

Red wine may reduce men's blood pressure – but only if it's non-alcoholic

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(CBS News) Many have been touting the benefits of red wine, but a new study shows that non-alcoholic red wine may be best for men's cardiovascular health.

Large amounts of red wine compound resveratrol may help with balance in elderly people Study examines red wine's anti-aging ingredient, resveratrol

According to researchers at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, drinking moderate amounts of non-alcoholic red wine for four weeks was able to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Drinking alcoholic red wine, however, did not lead to any significant changes.

The study was published online on Sept. 6 in Circulation Research.

For the study, researchers asked 67 men with diabetes or three or more cardiovascular risk factors - including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight or obese, smoking or a family history of coronary heart disease - to spend four weeks drinking either 10 ounces of red wine, 10 ounces of non-alcoholic red wine or 3 ounces of gin daily. After the four week period, they switched to a different beverage and then switched again until they consumed all three beverages.

Men who drank the non-alcoholic red wine had an average deduction of 6mmHg in systolic and 2mmHg diastolic blood pressure, equaling a reduction of heart disease risk by 14 percent and stroke by as much as 20 percent.

The alcoholic and non-alcoholic red wine had the same amounts of polyphenols, an antioxidant that decreases blood pressure. This lead researchers to believe the alcohol in the red wine may be lowering the substance's effect to lower blood pressure.

"The non-alcoholic part of the wine -- namely polyphenols -- exert a protective effect on the cardiovascular system," researcher Dr. Ramon Estruch, senior consultant at the internal medicine department of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, said to WebMD. "Polyphenols also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may be useful to prevent other disease such as diabetes."

Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, attending cardiologist and the Director of Women and Heart Disease of the Heart and Vascular Institute of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told WebMD that she thinks the research will be welcome news to people who can't or don't want to consume alcohol. She was not involved in the study.

"Certain people don't want to drink alcohol, so here we have an alternative way for them to get the heart health benefits," she said. "It's not so much the alcohol as it is the polyphenols in red wine."

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Red wine may reduce men's blood pressure - but only if it's non-alcoholic

Houdini gives Hammond-Oliver students hands-on experience

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AP photoHammond-Oliver High School veterinary tech students (from left) Rachel Miller and Gretchen Vilas try to entice Houdini into eating some feed at the school on Wednesday. The calf recently underwent emergency surgery and is being cared for by the students.

A group of Bryan seniors spent Wednesday morning caring and tending to a 150-pound calf named Houdini while learning about the physiology of cattle.

Whenever we take his bottle away after hes finished he gets a little cranky, said 17-year-old Johanna Krauter with a smile, after helping feed the four-week-old.

The Hammond-Oliver High School for Human Sciences students began transitioning the calf from its bottle to solid food as another student took its temperature 101.2 degrees and the rest examined its recent 10 inches of sutures to ensure there was no infection.

The veterinary medical assisting class covers large animal topics, including the anatomy and physiology of different livestock, and offers the students time to take internships. Teacher Sue Elliott, whos overseeing the care of Houdini, said the school encourages the students to put in 500 hours at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter to work toward becoming a certified veterinary assistant.

Elliott, who has been teaching the course for four years and has 36 years of classroom experience, said the timing of Houdinis birth couldnt have been more perfect. The calf was born right before school returned to session from the summer months, and Elliott has been able to load up and bring Houdini with her to work each day from Wellborn and take him home again after school.

I love animals so if I can just pass that on a little bit then thats good enough for me, she said. A lot of kids dont realize where their food comes from, so we can talk about how this is what hes raised for and compare that to dairy cattle and the different characteristics theyre bred for.

The students take turns haltering the calf and unloading him from the trailer to bring into a pin that was retrofitted for him behind the campus. Elliott said theres a lot of science in agriculture and shes able to cover a vast array of topics with the students just by having the Brahman available to the class.

When a Brahman is not happy or doesnt want to do anything, they are worse than a spoiled child, she said with a laugh.

Hes had an already challenging life, she said. When he was born, the veterinarian and technicians believed him dead until he wrinkled up his nose, she said.

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Houdini gives Hammond-Oliver students hands-on experience

Research and Markets: Fish Physiology: Zebrafish, Vol 29 Part No. 29

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/3mmw2x/fish_physiology_z) has announced the addition of Elsevier Science and Technology's new report "Fish Physiology: Zebrafish, Vol 29 Part No. 29" to their offering.

This cutting-edge resource includes up-to-date information on zebrafish physiology and the tools used to study it, not only as a model species for studies of other vertebrates but with application for studies of human disease and aquatic toxicology.

The utility of zebrafish for physiological research is based on several key features including:

i) a "fully" sequenced genome

ii) rapid (-3 month) generation times)

iii) their capacity to produce large numbers of externally fertilized eggs

iv) optical transparency of embryos and larvae

v) the applicability of reverse and forward genetics to assess gene function.

Gene knockdown in embryos and the production of transgenic strains are now standard techniques being used to assess physiology. This book will be of keen interest not only to the typical readers of Fish Physiology but also to biomedical researchers, toxicologists and developmental biologists.

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Research and Markets: Fish Physiology: Zebrafish, Vol 29 Part No. 29

No apology over surgery botch-up

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At least one woman who was wrongly operated on after a botch-up in reporting pathology results has not received an apology, and others were told of the mistake over the phone "quite some time" later, a panel of experts looking into the mix-ups has found.

In June the Ministry of Health convened a panel of experts to look into five cases where woman had unnecessary surgery because of mistakes in reporting pathology results.

One of the cases involved a woman having part of her jaw cut away after being wrongly diagnosed with cancer of the mouth.

Another woman had a mastectomy by mistake after her breast biopsy was swapped with another.

A Herald on Sunday investigation found six woman had been affected by errors made in pathology laboratories.

The panel of experts yesterday reported back that there was five incidents over a two-year period.

Four incidents involved breast biopsy tissue and the fifth involved oral tissue.

Four of the errors resulted from transposition of specimens with those of other patients during the laboratory process. The fifth error resulted from a misinterpretation of the specimen, it reported.

In compiling the report panel representatives met with four of the woman who reported on their experiences during and after the case.

The response from health providers once the mix-up was realised "generally was short in duration and largely unsatisfactory", it said.

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No apology over surgery botch-up

Public school nutrition forum Sept. 15

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San Marcos With the beginning of school in the San Marcos CISD, its time to talk about healthy food choices again.

School nutrition will be the subject of at public forum hosted by the San Marcos Area League of Women Voters at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 at San Marcos High School.

The free event will be held in the cafeteria right inside the front entrance. Parents of school-aged children and other interested community residents are invited to attend.

School nutrition was adopted as a study topic by the local league at its annual meeting in May of 2010.

The School Nutrition Study Committee, chaired by Jeannie Lewis, has met monthly for about a year and a half, and, according to Lewis, has learned much in the course of its research.

Lewis says the School Nutrition Study Committee has not yet completed its study so it has taken no public position regarding school nutrition.

She said the purpose of the Sept. 15 meeting is to introduce league members and the public to the new regulations and practices that have been put in place in the local school district.

Local league members will hold a formal consensus meeting on school nutrition next spring.

At the Sept. 15 meeting, Mike Boone, associate director of child nutrition for the SMCISD, will talk about the new nutrition regulations handed down by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last year and on the district's efforts to meet those guidelines.

At the end of his presentation, there will be a question and answer session, followed by samples of school breakfast and lunch items.

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Public school nutrition forum Sept. 15

Mead Johnson to Present at 19th CLSA Investors Forum 2012

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GLENVIEW, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN) announced today that it will present at the 19th CLSA Investors Forum 2012 in Hong Kong on September 11, 2012. The presentation by Peter Kasper Jakobsen, executive vice president and COO and Peter G. Leemputte, executive vice president and CFO will begin at 10:30 a.m. HKT and will be webcast live on the Internet. To access the webcast go to meadjohnson.com and click first on the Investors tab, then the Events and Presentations tab. A replay will be available for one month after the presentation at meadjohnson.com under the Investors tab, Events and Presentations.

About Mead Johnson

Mead Johnson, a global leader in pediatric nutrition, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes more than 70 products in over 50 countries worldwide. The company's mission is to nourish the worlds children for the best start in life. The Mead Johnson name has been associated with science-based pediatric nutrition products for over 100 years. The company's "Enfa" family of brands, including Enfamil infant formula, is the world's leading brand franchise in pediatric nutrition. For more information, go to http://www.meadjohnson.com.

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Mead Johnson to Present at 19th CLSA Investors Forum 2012

Inc. Magazine Names Complete Nutrition Fastest-Growing Private Nebraska Company

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Omaha, Neb., Sept. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. magazine recently ranked Complete Nutrition No. 332 on its 31st annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The high-end nutritional supplement retailer is the fastest-growing private company from Nebraska on the list.

"Being named to the Inc. 500 list is a great honor," said Ryan Zink, president of Complete Nutrition. "It validates the hard work of our entire staff and reaffirms our commitment to helping people make positive life changes with best-in-class products combined with a consultative approach to health and fitness."

The 2012 Inc. 500, unveiled in the September issue of the magazine, is the most competitive crop in the list's history. To make the cut, companies had to have achieved a staggering minimum of 770 percent in sales growth. Complete Nutrition's three-year sales growth was 1,145 percent.

"Now, more than ever, we depend on Inc. 500/5000 companies to spur innovation, provide jobs, and drive the economy forward. Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is," says Inc. magazine Editor Eric Schurenberg.

Complete Nutrition currently has 160 stores throughout the country and plans to add approximately 150 locations throughout the next three years through franchising.

Complete Nutrition offers more than 200 exclusive general health, sports nutrition and weight-loss supplements. Employing certified personal trainers, former strength coaches and others experienced in health and fitness, Complete Nutrition differentiates itself from competitors through its consultative approach to nutritional supplements.

About Complete Nutrition

Complete Nutrition is a network of high quality nutritional supplement retail stores whose mission is to create a safe and effective weight management, sports nutrition, and healthy aging program to help customers look better, feel better, and perform better. Since 2005, Complete Nutrition has been helping people achieve their health and wellness goals by offering exclusive supplements at affordable prices. Staff members are athletes, certified personal trainers, nutritionists, and other people with experience in the health and fitness supplement retail industry. Founder Cory Wiedel and President Ryan Zink were named finalists of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year(R) 2012 Central Midwest award. Complete Nutrition recently earned the following top honors from Entrepreneur Magazine in 2012: Franchise 500 award recipient, No. 2 Top New Franchise, No. 36 Fastest-Growing Franchise. Additionally, Complete Nutrition was named to the 2011 Allbusiness.com AllStar Franchises Top 300 list and ranked No. 332 on the 2012 Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies. For more information about Complete Nutrition, call 866-366-5766 or visit http://www.CompleteNutrition.com

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Inc. Magazine Names Complete Nutrition Fastest-Growing Private Nebraska Company

BioMed’s InTray™ GC Diagnostic Device Helps Health Providers Comply With New Federal Guidelines to Slow Rise of Drug …

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WHITE CITY, Ore., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --BioMed Diagnostics, Inc., an innovative manufacturer of microbiology devices that facilitate and enhance infectious disease diagnosis, today reported that the unique design of its InTray GC device can help healthcare providers implement new federal guidelines for the treatment of gonorrhea, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs.)

The changes announced last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were prompted by evidence that the bacterium that causes gonorrhea is developing resistance to currently-used oral antibiotics. The new guidelines recommend therapy with a more powerful injectible antibiotic and a second antibiotic, along with culture-based retesting to monitor antimicrobial resistance and ensure that the gonorrhea has been cured. Patients whose infections are not fully eradicated are at risk of serious complications and they can continue to spread the disease to others. They may also contribute to development of drug resistance.

BioMed's InTray GC uniquely combines sample collection, transport and culture in a single read-out ready platform, enabling simultaneous detection and observation of the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea. InTray GC reduces handling, increases productivity, improves throughput and reduces the risk of sample exposure and contamination.

The InTray GC system is equipped with an integrated carbon dioxide tablet contained in a sealed inner chamber to prevent degradation during storage. Once the chamber is punctured and the InTray device sealed, the tablet generates the anaerobic atmosphere needed to detect gonorrhea, eliminating the need for costly carbon dioxide incubators.

"The CDC's new guidelines reflect the urgency of ensuring that we track resistance trends so that we continue to have effective treatments for gonorrhea, and infected patients are actually cured," said Jim Self, Chief Executive Officer of BioMed Diagnostics. "Our one-step InTray GC device has demonstrated its utility in everyday clinical use, making it easier and more economical to detect whether a patient is infected and whether the bacterial strain shows resistance. We look forward to working with healthcare providers to demonstrate how InTray GC can help them implement the new diagnostic guidelines efficiently and cost effectively."

Gonorrhea is among the most common STDs, with the CDC estimating that more than 700,000 people in the US acquire new infections each year. If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to long-term health consequences, including chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. It can also increase the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV.

BioMed devices are listed with the US Food and Drug Administration for in vitro diagnostic use in human clinical laboratories. For more information on InTray GC, visit http://www.biomeddiagnostics.com/ivd-intray-gc/

For information on BioMed Diagnostics' other InTray and InPouch infectious disease devices, visit http://www.biomeddiagnostics.com/clinical.

About BioMed Diagnostics BioMed Diagnostics, Inc. is a manufacturer of in vitro clinical diagnostic, veterinary, environmental and research-only microbiology testing devices that save time and money, improve workflow and throughput, and reduce sample exposure and contamination. By combining sample collection, transport and culture in a single read-out ready platform, BioMed's InPouch and InTray devices help medical professionals, veterinarians, researchers and environmental and industry scientists accurately detect and enumerate a variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens. The devices' unique sealed design reduces the risk of pathogen exposure, and they have a long shelf life. InTray products featuring Colorex technology enable easy-to-interpret visual results from a simple color change. To learn more about BioMed Diagnostics products and services, visit:www.biomeddiagnostics.com.

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BioMed's InTray™ GC Diagnostic Device Helps Health Providers Comply With New Federal Guidelines to Slow Rise of Drug ...

Longevity linked to good genes, good diet

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Published: Sept. 6, 2012 at 5:12 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Researchers in Sardinia say the longevity of the world's oldest siblings -- nine brothers and sisters ages 105-78 -- was due to good genes and a good diet.

"Italian newspapers reported that the Melis family had been recognized by [Guinness World Records] as officially being the world's oldest siblings," Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, trend watcher and creator of supermarketguru.com, said in a statement.

"Residing on the island of Sardinia the nine brothers and sisters total 818 years between them. Consolata, the oldest, just turned 105, followed by Claudia 99, Maria 97, Antonio 93, Concetta 91, Adolfo 89, Vitalio 86, Vitalia 81, and Mafalda 78. Consolata has nine children, 24 grand children and 25 great-grand children."

Researchers at the University of Sassari in Sardinia said the family's longevity might be due to genetics, strong family traditions and the seasonal fruits and vegetables -- particularly pears, prunes, or plums -- that they consumed as part of their Mediterranean diet.

For example, pears are high in flavonoids when eaten with the skin, which contains about half of the fruit's dietary fiber -- beneficial in preventing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. The pears are also high in phytonutrients as well carotenoids -- providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection, Lempert said.

"The high antioxidant content, combined with carotenoids in plums and prunes has been found to ward off macular degeneration, as well as being another good source of fiber," Lempert said.

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Longevity linked to good genes, good diet

'Junk' DNA: Not So Useless After All

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Don Bishop / Getty Images

Junk. Barren. Non-functioning. Dark matter. Thats how scientists had described the 98% of human genome that lies between our 21,000 genes, ever since our DNA was first sequenced about a decade ago. The disappointment in those descriptors was intentional and palpable.

It had been believed that the human genome the underpinnings of the blueprint for the talking, empire-building, socially evolved species that we are would be stuffed with sophisticated genes, coding for critical proteins of unparalleled complexity. But when all was said and done, and the Human Genome Project finally determined the entire sequence of our DNA in 2001, researchers found that the 3 billion base pairs that comprised our mere 21,000 genes made up a paltry 2% of the entire genome. The rest, geneticists acknowledged with unconcealed embarrassment, was an apparent biological wasteland.

But it turns out they were wrong. In an impressive series of more than 30 papers published in several journals, including Nature, Genome Research, Genome Biology, Science and Cell, scientists now report that these vast stretches of seeming junk DNA are actually the seat of crucial gene-controlling activity changes that contribute to hundreds of common diseases. The new data come from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements project, or ENCODE, a $123 million endeavor begun by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in 2003, which includes 442 scientists in 32 labs around the world.

(MORE: Decoding Cancer: Scientists Release 520 Tumor Genomes from Pediatric Patients)

ENCODE has revealed that some 80% of the human genome is biochemically active. What is remarkable is how much of [the genome] is doing at least something. It has changed my perception of the genome, says Ewan Birney, ENCODEs lead analysis coordinator from the European Bioinformatics Institute.

Rather than being inert, the portions of DNA that do not code for genes contain about 4 million so-called gene switches, transcription factors that control when our genes turn on and off and how much protein they make, not only affecting all the cells and organs in our body, but doing so at different points in our lifetime. Somewhere amidst that 80% of DNA, for example, lie the instructions that coax an uncommitted cell in a growing embryo to form a brain neuron, or direct a cell in the pancreas to churn out insulin after a meal, or guide a skin cell to bud off and replace a predecessor that has sloughed off.

What we learned from ENCODE is how complicated the human genome is, and the incredible choreography that is going on with the immense number of switches that are choreographing how genes are used, Eric Green, director of NHGRI, told reporters during a teleconference discussing the findings. We are starting to answer fundamental questions like what are the working parts of the human genome, the parts list of the human genome and what those parts do.

(MORE: Why Genetic Tests Dont Help Doctors Predict Your Risk of Disease)

If the Human Genome Project established the letters of the human genome, ENCODE is providing the narrative of the genetic novel by fashioning strings of DNA into meaningful molecular words that together tell the story not just of how we become who we are, but how we get sick as well.

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'Junk' DNA: Not So Useless After All

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New book reviews the biology of synapses

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

Contact: Elizabeth Powers powerse@cshl.edu 516-422-4101 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Synapses are bulbous structures where two neurons communicate. Neurotransmitter molecules released from the presynaptic terminal of one neuron diffuse to the postsynaptic terminal on the other, binding to receptors that lead to propagation or modulation of the signal.

Written and edited by experts in the field, The Synapse from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press examines the highly complex structures of the pre- and postsynaptic regions, as well as the trafficking mechanisms that transport vesicles containing neurotransmitters. The contributors discuss how long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission form the basis of learning and memory. The roles of calcium signaling in regulating synaptic and cell function and techniques to study such signaling events are also covered.

This volume also includes discussions of synaptic dysfunction in disorders such as autism and Alzheimer's disease. It is an indispensable reference for neurobiologists, cell and developmental biologists, and anyone wishing to understand how the basic building blocks of the brain are put together and communicate.

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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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New book reviews the biology of synapses

San Diego Dermatologist to Host 90 Day Challenge for Face and Body

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DEL MAR, CA--(Marketwire -09/06/12)- On Thursday, September 20th, Deborah H. Atkin, MD of Dermatology & Laser of Del Mar, is hosting a 90 Day Challenge for Face and Body event to give participants beautiful, younger skin and a more sculpted body in a matter of days. For this unique event, Dermatology & Laser of Del Mar will partner with SkinMedica and Zeltiq, the company behind the minimally invasive body contouring treatment known as Coolsculpting, to offer a special skin care program and body sculpting package.

From chemical peels to anti-aging serum, SkinMedica creates products designed to help people achieve healthy, vibrant skin. Dr. Atkin says she has trusted these products for years, which is why hosting an event like this is important to her and her practice. Each patient who participates in the event will receive a 90-day SkinMedica skin care package, as well as access to the resident SkinMedica-trained esthetician for a series of in-office Vitalize Peels. The peels are designed to combat sun damage, fine lines, and wrinkles, and can help restore vibrancy and balance to a patient's aesthetic appearance. The package is valued at nearly $1300; however, participants in the 90-day challenge will have access to the package for $795. After the 90-day challenge, the patient with the most visible results will receive another of the same package and regimen of skin treatment free of charge. "This is a great opportunity for existing patients and those who are new to our practice to participate in a jumpstart program to achieve healthier, better looking skin, and sculpt their way to the body they want."

The San Diego dermatologist says she is excited to share the effective developments in skin care, fat reduction, and body sculpting that are now available through these advanced procedures at Dermatology & Laser of Del Mar: She adds that the challenge will also include a "Treat to Complete" Coolsculpting package, which will utilize the new handpiece designed to treat two and a half times the area in half the time as the original procedure. "Coolsculpting provides a safe and effective method of fat reduction with minimal discomfort and no downtime. This is the answer to those unwanted bulges that never seem to budge with diet and exercise."

As a San Diego dermatology practice, Dr. Atkin focuses on a wide range of skin and body procedures designed to help increase her patients' aesthetic appearance and treat uncomfortable conditions that may affect confidence and daily routines. Through procedures such as CoolSculpting, she says patients have the opportunity to make a positive change in their lives by improving their self-esteem and revealing their natural beauty. Dr. Atkin says events like the one on September 20th provide an excellent chance for her to share the benefits of dermatological procedures, an experience she says is both rewarding and inspiring. She says she hopes to increase patient awareness and education about the advantages of minimally-invasive procedures in achieving successful results.

Dr. Atkin says she is looking forward to the challenge and hopes patients gain a unique understanding of the state-of-the-art technologies available in the field of dermatology. She says experiencing techniques like CoolSculpting offers patients the chance to gain invaluable knowledge in their pursuit of a younger, more vibrant appearance. As with any medical procedure, Dr. Atkin recommends her patients consult with a board-certified and qualified dermatologist before undergoing any treatment so as to ensure they receive the highest quality results possible.

This event will be held on September 20, 2012 from 5:30pm-7pm at Dermatology & Laser of Del Mar. The CoolSculpting presentation will be performed by Kaci K. Orosco, a board-certified Physician Assistant with five years of experience in the field. Kaci has performed hundreds of treatments on patients under the direct supervision of Dr. Atkin.

About Deborah H. Atkin, MD

Dr. Deborah Atkin earned her medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles with honors in surgery, receiving the UCLA School of Medicine Outstanding Community Service award. She completed her dermatology specialty training at the University of Arizona, Tucson after training during an internship in Internal Medicine at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation. Dr. Atkin is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. She is an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society and the American Liver Foundation, receiving the 2004 Combined Health Agencies San Diego Volunteer of the Year Award.

Located at 12865 Pointe Del Mar Way Suite 160 in Del Mar, CA, Dermatology & Laser of Del Mar can be reached at (858) 350-7546. Dr. Atkin and her team can also be contacted online via the website dermdelmar.com or facebook.com/dermdelmar.

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San Diego Dermatologist to Host 90 Day Challenge for Face and Body

Aperio ePathology NETWORK to Improve Communication among Pathologists, Pathology Sub-Specialists and Other Physicians

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VISTA, Calif. & OXFORD, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Aperio, the global leader in ePathology solutions, bringing digital pathology into standard practice, is showcasing their intuitive, easy-to-use solution that connects pathologists across geographical boundaries and enables enhanced communication across the patient care team. Whether at the office or on the go, the Aperio ePathology NETWORK provides the access pathologists need to stay connected and supports applications for intraoperative consultation, as well as internal and external consultation. The unveiling of the Aperio ePathology NETWORK, is taking place at the European Congress of Pathology on September 8-11 in Prague, and at CAP 12The Pathologists Meetingin San Diego, September 9-12, 2012. Aperio expects to begin shipment of the new software to customers before the end of October.

Healthcare organizations are embracing ePathology, taking digital images into clinical use, said Jared N. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., F.C.A.P., Aperios chief medical officer. The Aperio ePathology NETWORK delivers a software solution that makes it easy to adopt ePathology into routine patient care by effectively connecting the care team across disparate hospital locations.

The Aperio ePathology NETWORK raises the bar in patient care by enabling very quick access to sub-specialty expertise for difficult cases. The patient has access to the right sub-specialist and the pathologist has peace of mind, said Dr. Olga Ioffe, professor of pathology at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine. An additional benefit of the NETWORK is that those pathologists covering surgery centers can interpret intraoperative consultations remotely, reducing or eliminating travel.

Aperio will also launch its newest ePathViewer, an easy-to-use application for viewing eSlide images anywhere, at any time, via an iPAD or iPhone. The Aperio ePathViewer will connect to the NETWORK and also supports several pre-configured websites including the Rosai Collection, Aperio eSlide Hosting and Aperio eSlideShare. The Aperio ePathViewer will be available in mid-September for download at the App Store.

We invite you to view the new Aperio ePathology NETWORK at ECP 12 booth #39 and CAP 12 booth #211.

About Aperio

For over a decade, Aperio has advanced the technology that enables glass slides to be digitized and securely shared with others. Aperio products are transforming the practice of pathology in hospitals, reference labs, and pharmaceutical and research institutions around the world. Aperio products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and educational use for other applications. They are not approved by the FDA for primary diagnosis. The Aperio IOC solution should not be used when permanent sections on glass slides are not going to be available for a primary diagnosis. For clearance updates, specific product indications, and more information, please visit http://www.aperio.com.

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Aperio ePathology NETWORK to Improve Communication among Pathologists, Pathology Sub-Specialists and Other Physicians

After-school program highlights cooking, nutrition

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Tuesday August 28, 2012

PITTSFIELD

Dr. Jacqueline Jones of Berkshire Pediatric Associates is partnering with The Nutrition Center to launch a new after-school kids cooking and nutrition education program in Pittsfield this school year.

The partners are acting under a $12,000 pediatric grant it received from CATCH (Community Access to Child Health), a national program of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Body Mass Index (BMI) screening data, 34 percent, or 2,559 children in the Pittsfield public school district are considered overweight or obese.

BMI is calculated by using a formula that compares a person's height and weight with a set of BMI standards by gender. If a person's BMI number is above the 85 percentile, they are considered to be at risk of obesity; a BMI above the 95th percentile is an indicator of obesity.

"Learning basic cooking skills during childhood has been shown to lead to life-long behavior changes for better health," said Peter Stanton, director of The Nutrition Center. He holds a master of science degree as a registered dietitian and is a state-licensed dietitian/nutritionist.

The nonprofit Nutrition Center provides community-based-nutrition education, cooking classes and clinical nutrition counseling for better health and disease prevention. This summer, it opened a new office and moved its administrative headquarters from Great Barrington to Pittsfield.

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"[Obesity is] such a huge problem in our population. We want to give parents and kids tools to be healthy," said Jones.

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After-school program highlights cooking, nutrition

Mt. Lebanon district recognized for student nutrition

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A top Agriculture Department official will visit Mt. Lebanon on Friday to honor the school district for its commitment to student nutrition.

Janey Thornton, USDA deputy undersecretary, will meet with parents and school officials, dine with students and present the HealthierUS Schools Challenge award, a program started in 2004 to promote improved nutrition and healthier school environments.

The honor, shared with about 4,000 schools nationwide, covers a variety of criteria, Ms. Thornton said. Schools must show that a certain percentage of their students participate in school meals; that they've established a wellness policy with food guidelines; and that they offer nutrition education.

"It is more of a comprehensive approach to good nutrition and wellness throughout the school as opposed to just what's on the school menu that particular day," she said.

Mt. Lebanon has offered elementary students unlimited fruits and vegetables since the lunch program's inception. Before it started three years ago, elementary students either went home for lunch or brought food to school.

The district established the program to ensure students eligible for free or reduced-price meals were eating lunch, said Tazeen Chowdhury, district food service director.

Much of the produce served at the elementary schools is grown on local farms and arrives via a distributor. The district started a "farm of the month" program last year, and this month features fruits and vegetables from Laurel Vista Farms in Somerset.

The HealthierUS Schools Challenge application took about six months to compile. And in July, new national regulations took effect, requiring more fruits and vegetables for student lunches, among other changes.

The district's foresight, Ms. Chowdhury said, made the transition easier.

"We knew we were already on the ball with it," she said. "We were way ahead of the curve knowing that this is the direction we want to go."

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Mt. Lebanon district recognized for student nutrition

Obesity, nutrition may up kidney stones

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Published: Sept. 5, 2012 at 9:50 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Increased obesity and poor nutrition may be fueling the increase in kidney stones in U.S. adults, a food expert says.

"It is possible that better reporting and treatment options for kidney stones may have contributed to the numbers, there are other factors that might lend themselves to the development of kidney stones in children and adults -- the increase in obesity and poor nutrition," Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, trend watcher and creator of supermarketguru.com, said in a statement. "Low fluid intake and high intakes of sodium as well as animal fat and proteins can contribute to kidney stones as well."

A study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Rand Corp. found the number of U.S. adults getting kidney stones nearly doubled since 1994.

"Hydration and a proper diet are the best ways to prevent stone formation. Drinking fresh lemon in water may help reduce the risk of kidney stone formation," Lempert said in a statement. "Lemon juice increases the level of citrate in the urine, which in turn may prevent the formation of kidney stones."

For some, avoiding certain high-oxalate foods may aid in preventing kidney stones including: Swiss chard, rhubarb, spinach, beets, wheat germ, soybean crackers, peanuts, okra, chocolate and sweet potatoes. Medium-oxalate foods include grits, grapes, celery, green pepper, red raspberries, fruitcake, strawberries, marmalade and liver, the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation said.

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Q&A: U of Cambridge’s Sharon Peacock on Next-Gen Sequencing for Public Health Surveillance

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Name: Sharon Peacock Title: Professor of clinical microbiology, Departments of Medicine and Pathology at the University of Cambridge; Honorary consultant microbiologist at the Health Protection Agency and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust; Honorary faculty at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Education: BS in medicine, University of Southampton; MRCP, Royal College of Physicians, London; MS in medical microbiology, University of London; PhD, Oxford University and Open University Whole-genome sequencing has recently made strides as a tool that can be used in public health surveillance. Most recently, the National Institutes of Health published a study in which they used sequencing in real time during an outbreak to track transmission and make decisions about how to manage the outbreak (CSN 8/20/2012).

Earlier this summer, groups from the UK published studies in the New England Journal of Medicine and BMJ Open, demonstrating the ability of sequencing retrospectively to track MRSA outbreaks in hospitals (CSN 6/20/2012).

Sharon Peacock, an author of the NEJM study, has been making significant gains in bringing whole-genome sequencing into a public health setting.

Under grants from the UK Clinical Research Collaboration and the UK's Health Protection Agency she has been working alongside collaborators, such as Julian Parkhill's team at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and David Aanensen at Imperial College, to develop tools that will enable public health organizations to adopt sequencing for surveillance and diagnostics.

Peacock also published an editorial recently in PLoS Pathogens on the use of sequencing in public health microbiology.

She is currently working within the Cambridge UKCRC consortium to develop databases of pathogen genomes and create interpretation tools for public health organizations, diagnostic laboratories, and health care workers.

Recently, Peacock spoke with Clinical Sequencing News about her work in bringing whole-genome sequencing into clinical microbiology for public health surveillance.

What is the goal of the Cambridge UKCRC consortium?

Our objective is to try and translate whole-genome sequencing into diagnostic and public health microbiology where it's been shown to make a difference either to individual patient care or public health surveillance. At the moment, we're working particularly on [methicillin-resistant Streptococcus aureus], but we're just in the process of expanding this out to a range of other pathogens that are important for human infection.

Can you describe the work that you're doing with MRSA?

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Q&A: U of Cambridge's Sharon Peacock on Next-Gen Sequencing for Public Health Surveillance

UF to offer STEM degrees in Miami

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Community college students in Miami have a chance to earn microbiology degrees from UF without the six-hour drive.

The National Science Foundations undergraduate education division awarded to UF and Miami Dade College last month a $1.7 million grant to increase the number of students graduating with degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

The foundation is looking for innovative ways to bring community college students, particularly minorities, to bigger universities for life science degrees, said grant writer Eric Triplett, chairman of the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences microbiology and cell science department.

[The foundation is] willing for people to take risks, he said.

The grant will expand the distance-learning program UF and Miami Dade faculty launched last Fall. Miami Dade is a full partner in the program, Triplett said.

Miami Dade students who earn an associate of arts degree there and get minimum grades in certain prerequisite courses are eligible for the program.

Almost all the microbiology courses are available online, Triplett said. Miami Dade students can also attend shortened lab sessions on UFs campus.

The five-year grant will fund 20 $1,250 scholarships each semester for students at Miami Dade, Triplett said. About 10 research stipends at UF labs throughout South Florida will also be available.

The grant will also provide career workshops to educate students about job options after graduating with a microbiology degree.

Theres more to life than medical school, Triplett said.

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UF to offer STEM degrees in Miami

Lost decades — Longevity gains decline for Blacks, Latinos and less educated

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5th September 2012 0 Comments

By Paul Kleyman Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Special from New America Media) The longevity gap between two Americas has widened since 1990, says a new study. One America is mostly white and well educated, and the other is ethnic or undereducated and dying about decade sooner than their more affluent counterparts.

The gap between college-educated whites and African Americans who did not complete high school is simply unbelievable, stated S. Jay Olshansky, lead author of the extensive new analysis published in the August issue of the prestigious health policy journal Health Affairs.

Former nurse Ollie Burton, shown last year at age 103 at the Kissito Healthcare's nursing home in Midland, Tex., represents the longevity exception.

The researchers, who crunched mortality numbers in key databases from 1990-2008, found that white men in the United States with 16 years or more of schooling had life expectancy at birth 14.2 years longer than African American males with fewer than 12 years of education. The gulf between well-educated white women and black women with low educational levels was 10.3 years.

The research study is published with the stark title, Differences in Life Expectancy Due to Race and Educational Differences Are Widening, and Many May Not Catch Up. It is the latest publication by a the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on an Aging Society, a roster of 15 leading academic experts in aging and longevity.

Low Education Shortens Life for All Groups

The report shows that lower educational levels marked declining life expectancy within every demographic group examined.

The gap between black women of high versus low educational levels was 6.5 years, and for Latinas the difference was 2.9 years. For males the longevity gaps were 12.9 years among whites, 9.7 years among blacks and 5.5 years for Hispanics.

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Lost decades — Longevity gains decline for Blacks, Latinos and less educated