Premier issue of BioResearch Open Access launched by Mary Ann Liebert Inc. publishers

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Public release date: 16-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

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

New Rochelle, NY, May 16, 2012The inaugural issue of BioResearch Open Access, a new bimonthly peer-reviewed open access journal, was released today by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The Journal provides a new rapid-publication forum for a broad range of scientific topics including but not limited to molecular and cellular biology, tissue engineering and biomaterials, regenerative medicine, stem cells, gene therapy, systems biology, genetics, biochemistry, virology, microbiology, and neuroscience. The first issue is available on the BioResearch Open Access website at http://www.liebertpub.com/biores.

The premier issue includes research papers and a brief report from the U.S., U.K., Germany, and Korea on diverse topics such as tissue engineering, stem cells, HIV, and genetics. Forthcoming papers for the second issue include genetics, xenotransplantation, nuclear transfer, and cardiac research.

The Journal is under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Jane Taylor, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, and seasoned journal editors as Section Editors, including James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania; Antonios G. Mikos, PhD, Rice University; Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, OBE FRS FRSE, University of Edinburgh; Peter C. Johnson, MD, Scintellix, LLC, Raleigh, NC; Aubrey D.N.J. de Grey, PhD, SENS Foundation, Cambridge, UK; Alan J. Russell, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University; Thomas Hope, PhD, Northwestern University; Ganes C. Sen, PhD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Bruce A. Sullenger, PhD, Duke University Medical Center; Graham C. Parker, PhD, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Carol Shoshkes Reiss, PhD, New York University; Stephen C. Ekker, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; John B. West, MD, PhD, University of California, San Diego; David L. Woodland, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology; Stephen Higgs, PhD, Kansas State University; Eugene Kolker, PhD, Seattle Children's Hospital; and Domenico Grasso, PhD, PE, DEE, University of Vermont.

The Journal welcomes basic science and translational research in the form of original research articles, comprehensive review articles, mini-reviews, rapid communications, brief reports, technical reports, hypothesis articles, perspectives, and letters to the editor. All articles in BioResearch Open Access will be published online within 4 weeks of acceptance. Articles will be fully open access and posted on PubMedCentral. All articles submitted through July 15, 2012 will be made open access without article processing charges. BioResearch Open Access is fully NIH-, HHMI-, and Wellcome Trust compliant.

"BioResearch Open Access is a fully refereed multidisciplinary journal and provides all the checks and balances that rigorous peer review ensures," says Mary Ann Liebert, president of Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. "An outstanding editorial team comprised of experienced journal editors guarantees the integrity of the Journal."

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About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Tissue Engineering, Human Gene Therapy, Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Stem Cells and Development, Viral Immunology, DNA and Cell Biology, and Antioxidants & Redox Signaling. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 70 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. website at http://www.liebertpub.com.

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Premier issue of BioResearch Open Access launched by Mary Ann Liebert Inc. publishers

Children with rare, incurable brain disease improve after gene therapy

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Contact: John Pastor jdpastor@ufl.edu 352-273-5815 University of Florida

Using gene transfer techniques pioneered by University of Florida faculty, Taiwanese doctors have restored some movement in four children bedridden with a rare, life-threatening neurological disease.

The first-in-humans achievement may also be helpful for more common diseases such as Parkinson's that involve nerve cell damage caused by lack of a crucial molecule in brain tissue. The results are reported today (May 16) in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The children in the study, who ranged in age from 4 to 6, inherited a rare disease known as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, or AADC. Patients with AADC are born without an enzyme that enables the brain to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. They generally die in early childhood.

In a phase 1 clinical trial led by Paul Wuh-Liang Hwu, M.D., of the National Taiwan University Hospital, surgeons used a delivery vehicle called an adeno-associated virus type 2 vector to transport the AADC gene into localized areas of the brains of three girls and a boy.

Before therapy, the children showed practically no spontaneous movement and their upper eyelids continually drooped. After receiving the corrective gene, the children gradually gained some head movement. Sixteen months afterward, the children's weight had increased, one patient was able to stand and the other three were able to sit up without support.

The study shows gene therapy that targets AADC deficiency is well-tolerated and leads to improved motor development and function, according to co-authors Barry Byrne, M.D., Ph.D., director of UF's Powell Gene Therapy Center, and Richard O. Snyder, Ph.D., director of UF's Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology. Both are members of the UF Genetics Institute.

"The children in this study have the most severe form of inherited movement disorder known, and the only treatments so far have been supportive ones," said Byrne, a pediatric cardiologist and associate chairman of the department of pediatrics in the College of Medicine. "It is gratifying to see it is possible to do something to help them, other than providing feeding tubes and keeping them safe. This absolutely opens the door to the possibility of even earlier treatment of neurological diseases by direct gene transfer, and has implications for Parkinson's disease, ALS and even cognitive diseases such as dementia when caused by gene defects."

The Powell Gene Therapy Center provided expertise to the Taiwanese physicians on treating the patients and engineering the corrective gene that spurs production of the absent AADC enzyme. UF's Center of Excellence for Regenerative Health Biotechnology manufactured the vector, packaging genetic material it received from Taiwan into virus particles that were purified, characterized and tested for sterility and stability before being shipped to the clinic for use in patients.

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Children with rare, incurable brain disease improve after gene therapy

Gene Therapy for Brain Disease

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Delivering a missing enzyme to the brains of paralyzed children with a rare, life-threatening neurological disease restores movement and builds muscle mass.

An inherited disorder known as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency, or AADC, leaves patients unable to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, leaving them nearly paralyzed until they die in early childhood. But a new gene therapy, which involves the delivery of the missing L-amino acid decarboxylase enzyme that converts the chemical precursor L-DOPA to dopamine, helped four Taiwanese children, aged 4 to 6 years, move their heads and sit up on their own, according to a study published today (May 16) in Science Translational Medicine.

The children in this study have the most severe form of inherited movement disorder known, and the only treatments so far have been supportive ones, pediatric cardiologist Barry Byrne, director of the University of Floridas Powell Gene Therapy Center, said in a press release. It is gratifying to see it is possible to do something to help them, other than providing feeding tubes and keeping them safe. This absolutely opens the door to the possibility of even earlier treatment of neurological diseases by direct gene transfer, and has implications for Parkinsons disease, ALS, and even cognitive diseases such as dementia when caused by gene defects.

In the phase I trial led by Wuh-Liang Hwu of the National Taiwan University Hospital, doctors injected an adeno-associated virus loaded up with a good copy of the AADC gene into the childrens putamen, a part of the brain where the enzyme works to make dopamine. Within 16 months of the surgery, all the patients showed increased head movements, higher weight, and were able to sit up without assistance. One patient was even able to stand. In the months that followed, the patients continued to gain weight, and scored higher on cognition and motor development tests. Their parents also said that the children slept better and had improved eye coordination and emotional stability.

Given the positive results, the doctors plan to treat eight more childrenfour in Taiwan and four in the United States, Byrne said.

AADC is not the only disease currently being targeted with gene therapy. Recent successes in treating hemophilia B, numerous cancers, and a variety of blindness disorders are stirring excitement around this once-embattled field. Look out for the feature story, Targeting DNA, in the June issue of The Scientist to learn more about the ways that gene therapy could change the face of medicine.

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Gene Therapy for Brain Disease

Justin Pickard's Gonzo Futurist Manifesto

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*If I didnt blog this, Id have to be put out to pasture and shot as a mercy.

http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=14041

http://justinpickard.net/gonzo-futurist-manifesto.pdf

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The gonzo futurist is a super-empowered hopeful individual. She may have been a graduate with no future (Mason, 2011), or the victim of public sector cuts, but has since grieved and moved on. She plays, tests, and play tests; making the best of the tools and technologies at her disposal. Comfortable calling on (and being called on by) her friends, peers, and tribe, her sense-making skills are social and connected. Her thinking may, occasionally, be located inside the brains of other people. (Wheeler, 2011)

The gonzo futurist is a deep generalist (Cascio, 2011) and analytical polyglot (Smith, 2011). She has an almost supernatural awareness of impacts and implications [is] ready to adapt when necessary, building long-lasting systems when possible. (Cascio, 2011) Like Cayce Pollard, she is a woman of affect, not of feeling () [an] empress of the amygdala. (Berlant)

The gonzo futurist is resilient. She works smart, not hard. She has one eye on the adjacent possible, switches codes, and contributes to the commons. She may be privileged, but has no time for competition, alpha male dick-waving, or beggar-thy-neighbour. Her success does not come at your expense.

Bombarded by stimuli, the gonzo futurist is an OODA cyborg. Observe, orient, decide, act.

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Justin Pickard's Gonzo Futurist Manifesto

Pep Squad: 'Get Outrageous'

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Overdosed on retro-futurism? Pep Squad is not for you. But thats what makes this debut so interesting. Theres no shortage of local dance rock groups (ugh) incorporating emotive synths and super syncopated rhythms, but no Saytown resident achieves the seamless pastiche Carlos Herrera does. Get Outrageousis radio-ready, yet maintains just enough self-awareness to lure in mainstream-panning snobs. Opener F.U.L.A. charts Herreras acute emotional ambivalence towards the state of pop. The coked-out chorus condemns Los Angeles culture of excess while an army of synths run a train on the breaks. Appropriately, Herrera later sneers, I send you mixed signals because it gives me the giggles on What Are Friends For? His commentary ends with those songs and its not clear whether its for better or worse. Whats crystal is Herreras ability to doppelgang. Strung Out could be an A-side on Twin Shadows recent masterwork Forget. On Boom Boom Boom, Herrera channels 3OH!3 sonically as much as James Murphy lyrically (If you snort that Lindsey Lohan just to dance Diana Ross). Ultimately, Get Outrageous is equally exciting for what it is (stellar party pop) and what it promises to incorporate (a conscience).

(out of 5 stars)

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Pep Squad: 'Get Outrageous'

Florence Freedom prepares for opening night

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FLORENCE, Ky. - Twenty four baseball players with big league dreams are stepping out on the field for the first time Thursday night at the home of the Florence Freedom.

The Florence Freedom are preparing for opening night Thursday and many players are hoping the independent league team will help them hit it big. The players only make $600 to $1,600 a month, but many play for the exposure.

"All these guys are very fresh, very hungry to get to the affiliate level to make their major league debut," said General Manager Josh Anderson.

Anderson says at any given game, there could be a few major league scouts looking for the next big player.

He says there's more than just baseball action kicking off at the ball park Thursday.

"There's so much else going on besides the game itself. Kind of a circus breaks out in a baseball game, so to speak," said Anderson.

On Thursdays, the team is offering dollar beers, dollar hot dogs, and dollar sodas.

On Fridays, expect a free fireworks show.

And after every Saturday game this summer, a live local band will entertain you. The concert is free with regular admission to the game.

Anderson says the team also has a new program for families. On Saturdays, parents can enjoy some alone time listening to a live band while the Florence Freedom entertains your kids on the baseball field for free.

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Florence Freedom prepares for opening night

Yes, yes, to compensating N.C. sterilization victims

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Were glad to see that N.C. lawmakers, back for their short session, got to work immediately on righting a wrong done to thousands of North Carolinians with the states eugenics program the longest-running such program in the nation. A bipartisan group in the N.C. House filed a bill Wednesday to compensate victims. Primary sponsors included Rep. Larry Womble, D-Forsyth, Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, Rep. Earline Parmon, D-Forsyth, and House Majority Leader, Rep. Skip Stam, R-Wake. Rep. Martha Alexander, D-Mecklenburg, was a co-sponsor.

This action is long past due. It was shameful that the state conducted such a program. There were more than 7,600 victims of the program that ran from 1929 to 1974, including adults and children. Many were lied to about the operations; others were given explanations they were unable to understand. Currently, 132 individuals have been verified by the N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation, of which 118 (about 90 percent) are living.

The bill reflects the recommendations of the Governors Eugenics Compensation Task Force, which filed its final report in January. It establishes a $10 million fund and a lump-sum, tax-free payment of $50,000 for all eligible recipients. Claims would have to be filed by Dec. 31, 2015.

Additionally, the bill provides continued funding for the Sterilization Victims Foundation, which serves as a clearinghouse for verification requests and will be empowered to advocate on behalf of verified victims. If the bill is signed into law, the state would become the first in the country to give money to living victims of sterilization.

We commend Rep. Womble, who was an early and persistent supporter of compensation legislation. There are some folks who doubted that this day would finally come, he said. Its taken too long, but we now stand ready to open the door and financially acknowledge the suffering the state brought to so many.

Hes right. Wednesdays bill is a first step. By the end of this session this bill should be law, and sterilization victims will be on the way to getting their justified compensation.

Fannie Flono

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Yes, yes, to compensating N.C. sterilization victims

NC bill supports compensation for eugenics victims

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Victims of North Carolina's decades-long forced sterilization program would receive $50,000 each under a bill filed Wednesday that would make the state the first to compensate people who lost their child-bearing abilities under the once-common practice.

"I am very elated at this milestone because it is a milestone," said Rep. Larry Womble, D-Forsyth, who has led the fight for compensation for more than 10 years. "All the eyes of the world are on North Carolina as to what we're going to do, finally. I feel very confident; I feel very hopeful; and I feel very positive that the legislators are going to do the right thing."

Womble wasn't at the Legislature Wednesday when the bill was filed because he's at home in Winston-Salem, where he's recovering from injuries suffered in a car wreck in December that killed another man. He said in a telephone interview that he's especially pleased that the bill's sponsors include Democrats, Republicans, blacks, white, men and women.

The bill's House sponsors include Speaker Thom Tillis, which is unusual because the leader of the chamber doesn't typically sponsor bills. The Republican said he would consider it a personal failure if eugenics compensation legislation didn't pass this year. He said he's wanted to do something for the victims of forced sterilization ever since he was first briefed on the issue four years ago.

"I'm somebody who likes to stake myself out and I want folks to know I have a personal interest in seeing us move forward," Tillis said, adding the bill is "the right thing to do."

The bill has bipartisan support. In addition to Tillis and Womble, sponsors include Democratic Rep. Earline Parmon of Forsyth and Rep. Paul Stam, R-Wake. Tillis said he believes there is consensus with the Republican-led Senate, where a bill hasn't been filed yet. House members filed the bill on the first day of the session.

" ... the General Assembly wishes to make restitution for injustices suffered and unreasonable hardships endured by the asexualization or sterilization of individuals at the direction of the state between 1933 and 1974 ...," the bill reads.

Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget proposal last week included more than $10 million to give $50,000 in tax-free compensation to each living victim. Some of the funds would support other services of the North Carolina Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation.

"I am encouraged that legislators are working together in the best interests of citizens who were affected by this repugnant program," Perdue said in a statement. "We owe it to those who were harmed so many years ago that we take action now, during this session, and provide compensation and services to eligible recipients."

A friend of one victim said some of them think the compensation should higher.

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NC bill supports compensation for eugenics victims

Tillis sponsoring eugenics payout bill

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Mecklenburg County state representative and House Speaker Thom Tillis is sponsoring a new bill to help people who were sterilized against their will. State legislators files the measure Wednesday which recommends eugenics program victims should get $50,000 each. If the bill becomes law, North Carolina will be the first state to compensate thousands of victims of the program.

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Tillis sponsoring eugenics payout bill

House eugenics bill gives $50,000 to victims

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srocco@newsobserver.com

Elaine Riddick, 57, right, hugs Australia Clay after the Eugenics Compensation Task Force announced their recommendation during a meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 in Raleigh, that people sterilized under a discredited state program should each receive $50,000. Riddick, and Clay's mother were both victims. The legislature must still approve any payments but this is the first time the state would compensate surviving victims of its eugenics program. Around 7,600 people were sterilized by choice, force, or coercion between 1929 and 1974.

A House bill introduced Wednesday would offer $50,000 to people ordered sterilized under the authority of the state Eugenics Board.

The board authorized thousands of sterilizations from 1933 to 1974. Rep. Larry Womble, a Winston-Salem Democrat, has been working for years for victim compensation. House Speaker Thom Tillis took up the cause last year.

Under the bill, the state Industrial Commission would determine individuals' eligibilty. Eligible people would receive the $50,000 tax free.

An initial committee meeting on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday.

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House eugenics bill gives $50,000 to victims

Republican Supported Bill Would Pay Eugenics Victims

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Raleigh, NC-- State legislators have filed a bill recommending that people forcibly sterilized decades ago in North Carolina get $50,000 each.

If the legislation becomes law, North Carolina will become the first state to compensate victims of eugenics programs that ended the child-bearing abilities of people deemed undesirable.

In an unusual move, the House sponsors of the bill filed Wednesday include Speaker Thom Tillis. The Republican has said a compensation plan would show state officials are serious about trying to redeem a dark chapter in North Carolina history.

Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget proposal last week included more than $10 million to give $50,000 in tax-free compensation to each living victim. Some of the funds would support other services of the North Carolina Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation.

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Republican Supported Bill Would Pay Eugenics Victims

Eugenics compensation bill filed in NC legislature

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RALEIGH, N.C. -

The legislator who led the fight to get compensation for victims of North Carolina's sterilization program says he can't describe how he feels now that a bill has been filed in the state House to provide those benefits.

Rep. Larry Womble says he's elated that legislators filed a bill Wednesday recommending that victims receive $50,000 in compensation. Womble is a Forsyth County Democrat who has led the fight for compensation for more than 10 years.

But he's not at the Legislature to see the bill filed. Instead, he's at home in Winston-Salem, where he's recovering from injuries suffered in a car wreck in December that killed another man. Womble hopes to return this session.

Womble signed the bill electronically from home.

Womble says he's pleased the bill's sponsors include Democrats, Republicans, blacks, whites, men and women.

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Eugenics compensation bill filed in NC legislature

GTC Products Meet Green Cleaning Standards Set by Industry Leader Whole Foods Market

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GTC Greening the Cleaning is excited to announce that its green cleaning products meet all of the conditions outlined in the top category of the Whole Foods Eco-Scale Rating System for Household Cleaners, the highest standards set by any green cleaning group.New York, NY (PRWEB) May 16, 2012 GTC Greening the Cleaning is excited to announce that its product line meets all of the conditions ...

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GTC Products Meet Green Cleaning Standards Set by Industry Leader Whole Foods Market

Pupils learn hands-on about river eco-system

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SALCON Berhad has once again collaborated with two well-known NGOs Water Watch Penang (WWP) and Malaysian Water Partnership (MyWP) in bringing 30 primary pupils and four teachers from SJK (C) Puay Chai 2 to the Lembah Kiara Recreation Park, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur in a mission to discover and learn about the main water resource.

The excited pupils, aged between 10 and 12, trudged along the banks of the Penchala River that morning as they were taught how to conduct water samplings and carry out checks on micro-organisms found in the river.

They also learnt to appreciate its eco-system by carrying out a river clean-up at the end of the programme.

The outing gives the pupils an understanding of the source of their drinking water. Their enthusiasm has given us the passion to continue our mission to cultivate and teach the youths the importance of river and water conservation through the River Water Awareness programme, said Salcon Berhad senior manager (corporate) Chern Meng Gaik.

The main objective of the river water awareness programme is to help pupils increase their understanding of river systems and the reckless human behaviour that could contribute to unhealthy water quality.

Beh Yen Cheng, a teacher from SJK (C) Puay Chai 2 said: The programme provides a very good opportunity for our pupils to have hands-on experience of river water monitoring and to distinguish the various micro-organisms that exists in this riverbank.

As is normal human behaviour, the lesser one understands, the lesser one will be concerned.

Therefore we are honoured to have a corporate entity such as Salcon to nurture and promote the idea of conserving and sustaining our river to young generations as it can help minimise our environmental footprint, said a representative of WWP, Hong Chern Wern.

This is the fourth time Salcon is conducting such programmes in collaboration with WWP and MyWP. The last one was successfully held earlier this year for SK TTDI 2.

The programme is conducted as part of Salcons corporate responsibility programme to raise awareness of river water protection and conservation among school-going children in the Klang Valley.

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Pupils learn hands-on about river eco-system

Eco-Safe Begins Distribution to International Markets

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LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire -05/16/12)- Eco-Safe Systems USA, Inc. (ESFS.PK) is pleased to announce the beginning of the international sales, marketing, and distribution of its products.

Michael Elliot, CEO, said, "We are very pleased to announce that Eco-Safe has signed a distribution agreement with Olfati Environmental Consultations to represent our company's complete product line in six foreign countries. As our customers expand abroad, it is important that we are there to support them with authorized and trained distributors. Olfati's management learned about Eco-Safe and its technology several years ago and contacted us after completing extensive due diligence as to Eco-Safe's best-in-class aqueous ozone system. Because of our extensive NSF Registered product line, training, and technical support, they selected Eco-Safe and recently completed extensive training during a visit to Eco-Safe Headquarters in Los Angeles."

Elliot continued, "There isn't a country in the world that doesn't need Eco-Safe technology to improve the safety and profitability of its food industry. Food safety and profit are universally understood and we anticipate that our connections with the food industry in international markets will afford a profitable venture for Eco-Safe."

About Eco-Safe Systems:

Eco-Safe Systems, based in Los Angeles, is the manufacturer of patent pending water treatment and water reclamation systems. Our technologies produce ozonated water for food disinfection and water purification at significantly less maintenance cost and greater energy savings than our competitors in a completely green and organic manner. We currently offer supermarkets and restaurants a cost-effective way to safely extend the shelf life of meat, poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables. All Food Industry products are National Sanitation Foundation, International (NSF) Registered. Please visit us at http://www.ecosafeusa.com for more information.

The foregoing contains forward-looking information within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. The actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results (expressed or implied) will not be realized.

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Eco-Safe Begins Distribution to International Markets

Three Tendring beaches keep their Blue Flag status

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Three Tendring beaches keep their Blue Flag status

12:40pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in News By James Dwan

THREE beaches on Tendrings Sunshine Coast have retained their prestigious Blue Flags.

The awards, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, are made for offering visitors top-quality facilities, litter-free beaches and a safe environment.

Tendring Council said the accolades for Brightlingsea, Dovercourt and Clactons Martello Bay beaches offer a boost for the districts tourist trade before the summer season starts.

Tendrings beaches also held on to their six Quality Coast Awards for Martello Bay and West Beach, Clacton, Frinton Beach, Harwich Beach, Albion Beach, Walton, and the Naze, at Walton.

Stephen Mayzes, cabinet member for tourism, said: We already set very high standards for our holiday beaches, which are a vital part of the tourist offer in the district. We work hard to make sure our golden sands will attract people year after year and ensure they are also an important amenity where our residents can relax and improve their well-being. He added: While we know we have some of the best beaches and will strive to keep them that way it is great, and a real bonus to have this recognised by others .

Mr Mayzes said guidelines for water quality will be changing in 2015, which will make it more difficult for beaches to retain the honours.

He added: We are already holding talks with Anglian Water, who are responsible for water quality along the coastline, about this and what can be done in the future.

The Blue Flag scheme, launched by the Foundation for Environmental Education in 1987, recognises high standards in a number of criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

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Three Tendring beaches keep their Blue Flag status

Smoking ban plan for beaches

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Angela Burden, of Grange, with Alexander, 4 and Jamie, 8 months, at Henley Beach. Mrs Burden supports a proposal to ban smoking at the beach. Picture: Ian Roddie Source: AdelaideNow

WESTERN beaches could have "no smoking" sections under a proposal to be considered by Charles Sturt and Port-Enfield councils.

Charles Sturt Council will develop a policy on smoking, following concerns raised by some elected members about people lighting up in public outdoor areas, such as playgrounds and public open spaces, the Weekly Times Messenger reports.

Mayor Gary Johanson was also keen to apply for a ban on beaches in Port-Enfield, and said the council would consult the community before any changes were made.

The bans would be the first of their kind in SA, although there are already smoking restrictions in place at beaches in most Australian states.

>>For the full story, and to leave a comment, visit the Weekly Times Messenger website.

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Smoking ban plan for beaches

Beaches, the most favoured holiday destinations: Survey

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Mumbai, May 16:

Beaches seem to be the most favoured holiday destinations by travellers.

A survey conducted by online travel agency Expedia highlighted that 80 per cent of Indian travellers are already planning to go for a beach vacation in the next 12 months.

About 53 per cent Indians went to a domestic beach on their most recent trip while 47 per cent opted for an international beach, the survey said.

The survey reveals that as opposed to the general perception of high price sensitivity, the most important criteria for Indians to decide on a beach vacation is food and beverage reputation as well as the novelty of the destination, said Mr Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia India.

This survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of Expedia.com among 8,599 adults across 21 countries, including India.

Indians place new experiences over relaxation, with over 60 per cent travelling for the experience of another culture alongside being on the beach.

Amongst different criteria for beach preference, 76 per cent of Indians prefer to go to a beach with tourist attractions near the beach or surrounding area, followed by water and sand quality, weather predictability and secluded beach environment.

When it comes to travelling, Indian women look for a secluded beach environment, the survey said.

Mumbai took the highest share of domestic vacations at 60 per cent while Delhi led the international destination vacation segment at 47 per cent.

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Beaches, the most favoured holiday destinations: Survey