Aerospace sector faces supply chain challenges, experts say

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By Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.com Published May 1, 2012

The aerospace industry faces major shortages in the supply chain and labor force, said Jason Premo, co-founder and co-owner of ADEX Machining Technologies LLC.

Our customers need more of us to step up the plate, Premo said during an aerospace forum Tuesday at Embassy Suites in Greenville.

Industry leaders and company owners spoke about the growing aerospace industry in South Carolina following Boeings decision to put a facility in North Charleston, creating opportunities for suppliers throughout the state.

The manufacturing hub and engineering base in the Upstate could capitalize on the growing sector.

The aerospace industry has a very complex supply chain, said Sherry Pittinger, a government procurement specialist with the S.C. Business Development Center. We saw it with BMW and now were seeing it with Boeing. Tier one and two suppliers are moving to South Carolina.

As baby boomers prepare to retire, some S.C. aerospace suppliers put an emphasis on in-house training. ADEX, an AS9100 certified supplier that produces components for the Boeing 747 and 777 commercial passenger jet lines, already implements a training program for employees.

Lean manufacturing continues to become increasingly important in the aerospace industry as well, speakers agreed.

Spain-based Carbures plans to create a training center to offer a lean manufacturing system to the Southeast supply chain, said Ivan Contreras of Carbures USA.

Carbures moved its R&D, innovation, engineering and manufacturing services into its first North American facility at the S.C. Technology and Aviation Center in Greenville last year to supply for its customer Airbus.

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Aerospace sector faces supply chain challenges, experts say

Two aerospace sites adding workers under jobs program

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CSI, which employs 80 people at its 20,000-square-foot facilities, will add 75 jobs as part of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce's Quality Jobs Program, state and company officials said.

Meanwhile, Fayetteville, Ark-based capSpire Inc., which aims to add 30 jobs over the next three years in Oklahoma, has joined the 21st Century Quality Jobs Program, the Commerce Department announced.

Ron Feeley, president of CSI Aerospace, said the company is experiencing "fairly significant" growth in demand from its domestic and international airline and military customers.

"We're presently looking into some additional facilities or going to a second shift," he said. "Our preference would be finding a suitable facility close by ... and move some of our operations out of our core building to another facility."

Founded in 1993, CSI has developed repair processes for instruments previously considered unrepairable, company executives said.

The company repairs, maintains and overhauls pitot probes, pitot-static probes and total air temperature sensors. Pitot tubes are metal tubes on aircraft fuselages that point into the air flow to measure air pressure and the air speed of the aircraft.

The Commerce Department said CSI is one of three companies accepted into the Quality Jobs Program in April.

In addition to CSI, J.A. Oil Field Manufacturing Inc. and Grocery Supply Acquisition Corp. are the new program entrants, state officials said.

J.A. Oil Field Manufacturing fabricates, rents, leases and repairs stabilizers, roller reamers, shock absorbers and jars. Company executives said they will add 70 jobs under the program.

Grocery Supply provides distribution of grocery products to military base commissaries in Oklahoma and nationwide. It plans to add 180 jobs under the state program, officials said.

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Two aerospace sites adding workers under jobs program

Here's Why BE Aerospace Should Be in Your Portfolio

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A one-stop shop for all of your aircraft cabin interior component needs, BE Aerospace (Nasdaq: BEAV) seems to be cashing in on the higher demand for air travel. The company posted robust first-quarter numbers, beating Street expectations.

Let's take a look at its growth story.

In its first quarter, the company generated record high revenues of $747.3 million, a significant 25% surge over the previous year. Barring the effect of special one-time items, BE reported earnings of $0.70 per share, an impressive 43% increase over last year, comfortably beating analyst estimates of $0.62 per share and marking the company's seventh straight quarter of double-digit earnings-per-share growth.

HighflierThe reason behind these robust numbers was a 21% increase in the sales of BE's commercial aircraft business, which, incidentally, accounts for around half of its total revenue.

The company caters to several airline companies that include two of the world's biggest carriers: United Continental and Delta Air Lines. With the increase in global air passenger traffic, more and more airline companies are investing in commercial jets to meet the growing demand. At the same time, several airlines are buying new fuel-efficient planes as they continue to bear the brunt of soaring jet-fuel costs. All this translates to new orders for BE Aerospace. As a result, even though the airline industry is struggling with low profitability in general, it seems to be having no impact on this company.

BE has more ways than one to make itself indispensable, too. The company's broad product offerings and customization make it attractive to airline companies such as United Continental and Delta Air Lines, both of which are planning to position themselves better for higher pricing and increased fares, as demand for air travel increases during the summer.

A trend that's here to stay A comparison can be drawn between aircraft manufacturer Boeing's (NYSE: BA) constant efforts to increase production and BE's revenue prospects. During the first quarter, Boeing was applauded for significantly increasing its production capacity, reflecting the growing market demand for commercial aircraft.

And it seems companies such as BE Aerospace are also reaping the benefits of this trend. In fact, after a stellar performance by BE all through 2011, analysts seem to have pinned their hopes on this company. BE expects to earn $2.75 per share this year, as compared to of $2.79 per share expected by analysts.

Sometime in the very near future, manufacturing companies like BE Aerospace will be able to revolutionize the way they produce aerospace equipment. You can get in on the ground floor by reading more about the companies poised to profit from this changing landscape in our free report, "The Future is Made in America." Download this exclusive copy for a limited time only.

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Dr. Aaron Schimmer Receives the Till and McCulloch Award – Award Lecture to be Presented Today on Drug Screening with …

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MONTRAL, April 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's most coveted stem cell prize will be awarded to a Stem Cell Network researcher who has used drug screening to find a potential new treatment for a deadly form of cancer.

Dr. Aaron Schimmer, associate professor in the University of Toronto's Department of Medical Biophysics and a clinician-scientist in the Princess Margaret Cancer Program/Ontario Cancer Institute at University Health Network, has received the 2012 Till & McCulloch Award, presented each year by the Stem Cell Network in recognition of the year's most influential peer-reviewed article by a researcher in Canada. Dr. Schimmer will accept the award and present a lecture entitled "Novel therapeutic strategies to target leukemia stem cells" as part of the Till and McCulloch Meetings in Montral at 2 p.m. this afternoon.

In an advance interview, Dr. Schimmer described his findings and their potential as a new drug therapy in the treatment of leukemia.

"When you treat patients with leukemia, you can kill off 99 per cent of their leukemic cells with just about anything, and yet, 80 per cent or more of patients relapse," Schimmer explained. "When we examined this in a really objective way, the question was not how to kill off those bulk cells - we already knew how to do that - but are we really missing a critical component of what we should be targeting?"

Dr. Schimmer and his team eventually found that cutting off the energy production capacity of bulk leukemia cells and leukemia stem cells was a way of treating the disease, and that the compound tigecyclinean FDA-approved antibiotic sometimes used to treat skin and abdominal infectionswas up to the task.

"Tigecycline appeared to work by essentially shutting down the energy supply of the leukemia cells and stem cells," said Dr. Schimmer. "Essentially it is like producing a selective power outage in leukemia cells but not normal cells."

By focusing on FDA-approved drugs, Dr. Schimmer was able to produce results that were quickly translated into clinical trials. Less than two years passed between his initial findings and the commencement of a phase-one clinical triala process that can otherwise take three or four times that long.

"It is incredibly impressive how much progress Dr. Schimmer has made in such a short period of time by using these stem cell screening techniques," said Stem Cell Network Scientific Director Michael Rudnicki. "By identifying drugs which are already approved for human therapies and testing their efficacy in treating diseases such as leukemia, Dr. Schimmer has shaved years off of the clinical trial process. It is likely that his discovery will improve the outcomes for many patients in the near future."

In 2005, the Stem Cell Network established the Till & McCulloch Award in honour of Canadians Drs. James Till and Ernest McCulloch, whose pioneering work established the field of stem cell research. The Award had been granted at the Stem Cell Network's Annual Scientific Meeting, but became part of the Till & McCulloch Meetings this year.

The previous winner was Timothy Caulfield, who was recognized for his global leadership in the field of stem cell ethics.

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Dr. Aaron Schimmer Receives the Till and McCulloch Award - Award Lecture to be Presented Today on Drug Screening with ...

American CryoStem Announces ACS Laboratories Adipose Tissue and Adult Stem Cell Testing Services

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RED BANK, NJ--(Marketwire -04/30/12)- American CryoStem Corporation (CRYO.PK - News) announced the launch of its new adipose tissue and adult stem cell testing services to assist physicians involved in tissue engraftment, regenerative medicine procedures and cellular therapies utilizing adult adipose derived stem cells. The new testing services provide physicians an affordable method for self assessment of their procedures and methods to better understand the relationship between tissue quality and engraftment success.

American CryoStem recognizes the need for independent testing services as reinforced by the increasing focus and scrutiny of physician office based tissue laboratories by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The menu of testing services includes full 14 day sterility testing, viability testing, growth assay and additional tests for each selected service. The tests can be ordered individually or in multiples over time and are designed to allow physicians to self evaluate their current methods and performance, or to assess new methods or devices designed to improve procedure and tissue quality. Long term and customized programs are available upon request. Physicians enrolled as a provider of the Company's stem cell storage services can obtain discounts for individual and multi test programs.

"We are very excited about rolling these new services out to our existing providers and all participants in the tissue engraftment, regenerative medicine and cellular therapy markets. We believe that this is the first such program offered commercially and meets a critical need for the advancement of the regenerative and cellular therapy markets," said Anthony Dudzinski, the Company's COO. "Now there is a way for physicians to assess their own performance without the need to overcome the significant costs of purchasing and maintaining their own testing facilities."

The new testing services are offered by ACS Laboratories reflects the Company's increasing branding and commercialization of products and services developed around its proprietary clinical tissue processing and storage methodologies. ACS Laboratory incorporates its proprietary cGMP/cGTP aseptic methods and FDA guidance's into these services to ensure the highest quality and most useful information for physicians.

About American CryoStem: American CryoStem Corporation (CRYO.PK - News) markets clinical processing services and patented products for Adipose (fat) Tissue and Adipose Derived Adult Stem Cells. The Company's clinical processing, patented cell culture media products and cellular preservation platform supports the science and regenerative medicine applications being developed globally. The Company provides the highest quality, clinically processed cells assuring their purity, viability and growth capabilities, while at the same time developing cutting edge applications, therapies and patented laboratory products and services for consumer and commercial applications.

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American CryoStem Announces ACS Laboratories Adipose Tissue and Adult Stem Cell Testing Services

Stem Cell Treatment Helps Pets with Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia

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Sanford, FL (PRWEB) May 01, 2012

Veterinarians at Val-U-Vet are performing adipose stem cell therapy on dogs and cats suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia and more. After treatment, severely arthritic pets experience substantial decrease in pain, and have significantly increased mobility.

These are not the controversial embryonic stem cells of the past. Adipose stem cells are harvested from a pets own fat tissue. According to MediVet, the patented technology provider, adipose stem cell treatment can actually reverse some degenerative diseases previously thought to be incurable. The documented before and after video footage of the patients is quite compelling.

All animals have billions of dormant stem cells in their bodies. Adipose tissue (fat) has the highest concentration of dormant stem cells. The treatment begins with the vet surgically removing a small amount of fat from the patient. The fat is then processed on-site with MediVets LED technology to awaken the hibernating stem cells.

The activated stem cells are injected back into the patient by the millions, where they go to work like heat-seeking missiles, repairing tissue. The stem cells also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which reduces the pets pain almost immediately stated Brandon Godwin, Marketing Director for Val-U-Vet.

Within 30 days of the procedure, the patients have significantly increased mobility and little or no pain in their knee and hip joints. In many cases the benefits remain throughout the rest of the pets life, but occasionally more injections are beneficial. Since the procedure is all natural and uses the pets own cells, there is no chance of bodily rejection.

Val-U-Vet has performed over 60 stem cell procedures in Central Florida. About 95% of our cases have shown lasting improvement and no longer need to take their daily pain medication. Our goal is to fix the problem, not mask the symptoms, said Godwin.

The results of the procedure are partially determined by the age and overall health of the pet. Stem cells taken from a young and healthy pet will typically be the most effective. The doctors at Val-U-Vet recommend banking a young pets potent stem cells in combination with their routine spay or neuter. The stem cells can be stored at sub-zero temperatures until they are needed.

There are two important tests that a pet must pass to qualify for the procedure. The pet is screened with blood work and full body x-rays to assure there is no cancer or active infections and that the pet is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia. Val-U-Vet offers a free consultation for any pet suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia or ligament/cartilage damage. The all-inclusive cost of the same-day procedure is $1800, and they do offer payment plans.

For more information about the procedure, visit: http://www.valuvet.com/stem_cell_therapy.html

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Important mechanism that affects the aging process identified

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ScienceDaily (May 1, 2012) Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a key mechanism of action for the TOR (target of rapamycin) protein kinase, a critical regulator of cell growth which plays a major role in illness and aging. This finding not only illuminates the physiology of aging but could lead to new treatments to increase lifespan and control age-related conditions, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegeneration.

Over the past decade, studies have shown that inhibiting TOR activity, which promotes cell growth by regulating protein synthesis, increases lifespan in a variety of species including flies and mice; in recent years research has focused on uncovering the precise mechanisms underlying this effect. The Joslin study, published in the May 2 issue of Cell Metabolism, reports that TOR has a direct impact on two master gene regulator proteins -- SKN-1 and DAF-16 -which control genes that protect against environmental, metabolic and proteotoxic stress. The TOR kinase acts in two signaling pathways, TORC1 and TORC2. When TORC1 is inhibited, SKN-1 and DAF-16 are mobilized, leading to activation of protective genes that increase stress resistance and longevity. This new finding was demonstrated in experiments with C. elegans, a microscopic worm used as a model organism, but activation of protective genes was also observed in mice. Most findings in C. elegans have turned out to be applicable to mice and humans.

"We uncovered a critical mechanism in the relationship between TOR and aging and disease. There is a homeostatic relationship between protein synthesis and stress defenses: when protein synthesis is reduced, stress defenses increase," says lead author T. Keith Blackwell, MD, PhD, co-head of the Joslin Islet Cell & Regenerative Biology Section and Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School. The Blackwell lab studies the aging process and how it is influenced by insulin and other metabolic regulatory mechanisms.

TOR activity, which is essential for early development but can lead to age-related decline, is implicated in a variety of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In diabetes, TOR has both positive and negative effects: It promotes beta cell growth and insulin production but inappropriate TORC1 activity leads to insulin resistance and beta cell demise, as well as fat accumulation. At the same time, insufficient TORC2 activity can lead to insulin resistance.

The new results on TOR and SKN-1 suggest that SKN-1 might have a positive effects in Type 2 diabetes: "Turning on this pathway could be important in defending against the effects of high glucose, and promoting beta cell health" says Blackwell.

In the study, TOR activity was inhibited by genetic interference and the TOR-inhibitor rapamycin, a naturally occurring compound which is used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplants, and has been shown to increase lifespan in mice. Using rapamycin or related drugs to treat diseases affected by TOR has been a subject of intense interest among scientists and clinicians. The study found that rapamycin inhibits both TORC1 and TORC2, which will interest scientists investigating rapamycin as a pharmaceutical. "We need to increase understanding of rapamycin and its effects on TOR activity to determine how targeting TOR or processes it controls can help treat diseases that involve TOR and derangement of metabolism. We also need to look at therapies that work on TORC1 and TORC2 independently," said Blackwell. However, one caveat with TOR inhibition is that the kinase plays such a central role in the basic physiology of growing and dividing cells. The new results suggest that in some situations we might want to bypass TOR itself, and directly harness beneficial processes that are controlled by SKN-1 or DAF-16.

Future research will focus on gaining a deeper understanding of how TOR acts on beneficial defense pathways and affects aging and disease. "In science, we are always looking for ways to interfere with mechanisms that promote aging and disease in ways that are beneficial to people," says Blackwell.

The study was supported by supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of General Medical Sciences) and the Ellison Medical Foundation.

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Neuro Researchers Sharpen Our Understanding of Memories

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Newswise Scientists now have a better understanding of how precise memories are formed thanks to research led by Prof. Jean-Claude Lacaille of the University of Montreals Department of Physiology. In terms of human applications, these findings could help us to better understand memory impairments in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Lacaille said. The study looks at the cells in our brains, or neurons, and how they work together as a group to form memories. Chemical receptors at neuron interconnections called synapses enable these cells to form electrical networks that encode memories, and neurons are classified into two groups according to the type of chemical they produce: excitatory, who produce chemicals that increase communication between neurons, and inhibitory, who have the opposite effect, decreasing communication. Scientists knew that inhibitory cells enable us to refine our memories, to make them specific to a precise set of information, Lacaille explained. Our findings explain for the first time how this happens at the molecular and cell levels.

Many studies have been undertaken on excitatory neurons, but very little research has been done on inhibitory neurons, partly because they are very difficult to study. The scientists found that a factor called CREB plays a key role in adjusting gene expression and the strength of synapses in inhibitory neurons. Proteins are biochemical compounds encoded in our genes that enable cells to perform their various functions, and new proteins are necessary for memory formation. We were able to study how synapses of inhibitory neurons taken from rats are modified in the 24 hours following the formation of a memory, Lacaille said. In the laboratory, we simulated the formation of a new memory by using chemicals. We then measured the electrical activity within the network of cells. In cells where we had removed CREB, we saw that the strength of the electrical connections was much weaker. Conversely, when we increased the presence of CREB, the connections were stronger.

This new understanding of the chemical functioning of the brain may one day lead to new treatments for disorders like Alzheimers, as researchers will be able to look at these synaptic mechanisms and design drugs that target the chemicals involved. We knew that problems with synapse modifications are amongst the roots of the cognitive symptoms suffered by the victims of neurodegenerative diseases, Lacaille said. These findings shine light on the neurobiological basis of their memory problems. However, we are unfortunately many years away from developing new treatments from this information.

The findings were published in the Journal of Neuroscience on May 2, 2012. The researchers received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Fonds de recherche du Qubec Sant. Jean-Claude Lacaille is the Canada Research Chair in Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology. Israeli Ran, recipient of a Fellowship of the Savoy Foundation, and Isabel Laplante contributed to this research. All three researchers were affiliated with the Department of Physiology and the Groupe de Recherche sur le Systme Nerveux Central of the University of Montreal when the research was undertaken. The University of Montreal is officially known as Universit de Montral.

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Mayo Clinic completes implementation of new SCC Soft Computer laboratory information system

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Public release date: 27-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Ginger Plumbo plumbo.ginger@mayo.edu 507-266-0517 Mayo Clinic

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic today announced that it has completed a multiyear implementation of a new laboratory information system for the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Mayo Medical Laboratories. The new system, which connects Mayo laboratories in Arizona, Minnesota and New England, was developed in collaboration with SCC Soft Computer of Clearwater, Fla.

Mayo Medical Laboratories, Mayo Clinic's reference laboratory, now has the most advanced laboratory information system in the market. The single system allows Mayo to manage testing in multiple locations, provides real-time location of a specimen, and enables continuous improvement in turnaround times and processes. The new laboratory information system helps Mayo Medical Laboratories to offer its clients broader ordering and resulting configurations (e.g., partial results, flagging, and richer test result details). Additionally, the system has helped Mayo Medical Laboratories process client specimens more efficiently to further improve turnaround times.

"We are excited to take yet another forward step in the pathway of clinical excellence," says Franklin R. Cockerill, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and president and CEO of Mayo Medical Laboratories. "Mayo is delivering on its commitment to provide the highest-quality, patient-focused laboratory medicine and pathology in the world. Our hospital and medical center lab clients, as well as patients worldwide, will benefit directly from the successful replacement of our entire laboratory information system." The SCC Soft Computer laboratory information system now manages all inpatient and outpatient collections in Minnesota and Arizona as well as the majority of laboratory testing in Arizona, Minnesota and Mayo Medical Laboratories New England.

"SCC is proud to lead the modernization of the laboratory information systems at Mayo Clinic," says Gilbert Hakim, chief executive officer of SCC Soft Computer. "By putting forth continuous effort to stay ahead of trends in the health care field, SCC focuses not only on the improvement of existing software suites, but the development of new and advanced products as well. This works perfectly with an innovative partner like Mayo."

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About Mayo Clinic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology/Mayo Medical Laboratories

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic maintains an active diagnostic test development program. This program incorporates Mayo Clinic discoveries and expertise with discoveries from other diagnostic and biotechnology companies and leading academic and research organizations. Mayo uses these proven diagnostic technologies to care for its own patients and offers them to more than 5,000 health care institutions around the world through Mayo Medical Laboratories. Revenue from testing is used to support medical education and research at Mayo Clinic.

About SCC Soft Computer

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Mayo Clinic completes implementation of new SCC Soft Computer laboratory information system

Laboratory analyzes shrapnel to look for uranium

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Military doctors at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland are examining shrapnel taken from service members and veterans, looking for depleted uranium and other metals.

The Joint Pathology Center's Biophysical Toxicology and Depleted Uranium/Embedded Metal Fragment Laboratories branch is analyzing the embedded fragments and providing second opinions at military and Veterans Affairs medical centers to treat those who had retained shrapnel.

Our goal is to improve the care of wounded warriors, said Army Col. (Dr.) Thomas Baker, interim director of the Joint Pathology Center, the umbrella organization for the lab.

We advise [doctors] how to follow up and what treatment is needed to mitigate the potential effects of uranium and other metals, he said.

The lab analyzes all combat-associated metal fragments taken from DOD personnel that might pose a long-term health risk, such as depleted uranium, which can contribute to kidney damage over time, Baker explained. The lab also develops laboratory capabilities in metal toxicology to support the Defense Department, The Pathology Center and VA and Army programs that require exposure assessment to depleted uranium, embedded fragment analysis and analysis of certain metal alloys, officials said.

The only one of its kind in the United States, Baker said, the lab keeps a registry of the fragments for future re-evaluation. The register now includes 600 specimens.

The lab also has the only diagnostic equipment in the nation that can detect where the uranium originates in the body, noted Dr. Jose Centeno, the lab's director.

A wide range of materials are packed in improvised explosive devices, the doctors said.

The metal fragments and alloys the labs analyze comprise common metals and alloys of steel, aluminum, copper and brass. Depleted uranium is contained in some fragments, the doctors said, noting that shrapnel specimens are tested in triplicate for accuracy.

Concerns about tainted fragments began in 1993 following the Gulf War, when evidence arose of kidney damage from uranium, the doctors said.

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Laboratory analyzes shrapnel to look for uranium

Dr. Frank Basile Joins Miraca Life Sciences as President and Chief Executive Officer

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DALLAS, May 1, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Miraca Life Sciences, Inc. ("MLS"), a specialist in the development and commercialization of the highest quality anatomic pathology services, today announced that Dr. Frank Basile will join the company as President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Basile brings more than 15 years of highly successful senior executive leadership experience in the healthcare and medical industry.

Most recently, Dr. Basile served as President and CEO of JDC Healthcare Management, a dental management company based in Dallas, Texas. While there, he was responsible for expanding the Company's business footprint and entering new markets, resulting in significant growth. Related executive experience includes serving as CEO and President of Diabetes America, an early stage company that operated first-ever health centers built expressly to fulfill the needs of diabetes patients.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Basile to Miraca Life Sciences, our new group company, at this time," said Dr. Hiromasa Suzuki, President and CEO of Miraca Holdings, Inc. "Since MLS became a group company of Miraca Holdings in November 2011, we have formulated a new growth strategy and are confident that Dr. Basile's leadership and intimate knowledge and understanding of the business environment will enable MLS to achieve its strategic objectives."

In addition to his executive leadership experience, Dr. Basile previously worked at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, where he led extensive strategy, marketing and operations improvement projects for healthcare and biotechnology companies.

Dr. Basile is originally from Australia and received his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, MB, BS (MD equivalent) from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. He also graduated with distinction with a Master of Business Administration degree from the Melbourne Graduate School of Management, also at the University of Melbourne.

About Miraca Life Sciences

Miraca Life Sciences specializes in the development and commercialization of the highest quality anatomic pathology services, primarily in the fields of dermatopathology, hematopathology, gastrointestinal pathology and urologic pathology. The company's core team of more than 70 world-leading, academic-caliber specialists utilize state of the art pathology laboratories currently headquartered in Irving, TX and throughout the United States to serve more than 3,000 patients every day. Through rigorous quality assurance, daily and monthly conferences, and close relationships with clinical partners, Miraca Life Sciences continuously improves diagnostic precision.

About Miraca Holdings

With group net sales of JPY165.7 billion (FYE 3/2011), Miraca Holdings, a Japan-based holding company in the healthcare sector listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, is engaged in the business consisting of three segments: (i) development, manufacture, and commercialization of in vitro diagnostics, (ii) clinical laboratory testing, and (iii) other healthcare related businesses, which are conducted by its subsidiaries and affiliates including Fujirebio, Inc., a leading supplier of in vitro diagnostics in Japan, and SRL, Inc. ("SRL"), Japan's largest commercial laboratory. SRL offers comprehensive clinical laboratory testing services to medical institutes throughout the nation, ranging from general testing to esoteric testing, including gene-based tests.

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Anlit to Present New Dietary Supplements for Children at Vitafoods Europe 2012

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GENEVA, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Anlit Advanced Nutrition Supplements, an innovative developer of quality consumer vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements for children, will present new and innovative products at Vitafoods Europe 2012, which will take place May 22-24, 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Anlit will showcase new and existing products at the FPE Finished Products Expo at Stand 3500. The company will present, among others, two new products aimed at improving children's well being:

Anlit will also present its other leading products, including Omega 3 (fish oil) and probiotic and prebiotic fibers, as well as a complete line of products to meet the following condition-specific categories: immune system supporters, brain and cognitive development, healthy bones, general well being, and anemia.

"Vitafoods Europe presents an excellent opportunity for Anlit to present its innovative products to European distributors who wish to sell unique products under their own brand name," said Shai Karlinski, VP marketing at Anlit.

"Drug store chains, drug and dietary supplements manufacturers and distributors are invited to get a first-hand impression of our condition-specific tasty dietary supplements which can be specifically tailored to their local needs," he added.

Anlit's products can also be tasted at the FPE tasting bar, at which the company's "Sweet Dreams" dairy-based supplement with lactium last year won the award for best-tasting finished product.

About Anlit advanced nutrition supplements

Anlit is an innovative developer and producer of quality consumer vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements for children. Since 1990, Anlit has been dedicated to developing, manufacturing and marketing high-quality products to ensure the health and nutrition of children worldwide.

Anlit manufactures to the highest international standards, including GMP, ISO and HACCP, and are kosher and halal certified.

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Bruin Run/Walk cause inspires avid Bruin runner to participate in 5K event

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As the sun rose over Janss Steps early Sunday, Jeffrey Lin ran past the line framed by two Finish flags in Wilson Plaza and, in the process, crossed an item off his UCLA bucket list.

While Lin did not come in first place at the 13th annual Bruin Run/Walk, the number 1 pinned across his UCLA Quidditch shirt showed his enthusiasm for the event he was the first of more than 900 participants to sign up for the 5K benefiting the Chase Child Life Program at UCLAs Mattel Childrens Hospital.

One of the few runs held at UCLA throughout the year, the Run/Walk has always been on his list of things to do during his time at college, said Lin, a third-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student.

This year, he found the time to take part. His girlfriend, Tiffany Chow, is the participants coordinator for the event, which also encouraged him to run in the race.

Given the choice, he would rather run or bike anywhere, Chow, a third-year biochemistry and microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student, said with a laugh.

After registering, Lin encouraged his Quidditch teammates to form a team, said Alex Browne, Lins friend, teammate and a third-year mechnical engineering student.

At times, (Lin) can be a pretty calm guy, but when you see him stepping up and getting a lot of people to join with him on this cause, you cant help but get excited too, Browne said.

Coming in 45 seconds off his personal record of 18 minutes and 20 seconds for a 5K race, a sweaty Lin said he was a little disappointed in his time, but was glad he participated because he likes running to support a cause.

As a group of kids participating in the Kids Race ran by, Lin broke off the conversation and looked toward the children.

So cute, he said, gazing at them with a fond smile. Theyre all so sweet.

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The Dart: Starting early on living longer

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STAMFORD -- At the Longevity LLC gym on Research Drive last week, Christian Tapia held up boxing mitts and let 9-year-old Daniel Sweeney swing away.

Tapia, a certified personal trainer, corrected Daniel for dropping his arms between punches, which reduces healthy cardiopulmonary exertion.

"There you go," Tapia said. "Your big brothers will have to watch out."

The workout alternated periods of cardiopulmonary exercises such as boxing, which are more strenuous, with less taxing exercise using nylon traps to build upper body strength.

"I feel stronger," Daniel said.

After spending a little more than a decade building a client base for his personal training and massage therapy services, Tapia reached his long-held goal last year of opening his own office and workout facility at 100 Research Drive along a strip of road dominated by home improvement and other service businesses.

"This has always been the light at the end of the tunnel," Tapia said. "I still visit clients in their homes but I've always wanted to have my own location."

Tapia said his clients start with all levels of fitness and include all ages, but a significant group of customers are adolescents.

Tapia said that better performance and resistance to injury for all athletes is strongly linked to proper strength and flexibility among the correct muscle groups.

"I see a lot of student-athletes who are multi-sport athletes who come to me and are not training their muscle groups in the right way," Tapia said. "There is a proper way to train from sport to sport."

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The Dart: Starting early on living longer

More evidence for longevity pathway

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Public release date: 1-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Valerie Wencis valerie_wencis@hms.harvard.edu 617-432-8024 Harvard Medical School

New research reinforces the claim that resveratrola compound found in plants and food groups, notably red wineprolongs lifespan and health-span by boosting the activity of mitochondria, the cell's energy supplier.

"The results were surprisingly clear," said David Sinclair, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and the study's senior author. "Without the mitochondria-boosting gene SIRT1, resveratrol does not work."

The findings are to be published May 1 in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Over the last decade, Sinclair and colleagues including Leonard Guarente at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have published a body of research describing how resveratrol improves energy production and overall health in cells by activating a class of genes called sirtuins that are integral to mitochondrial function. The cell's power supplier, mitochondria are essential not just for longevity but for overall health.

Sinclair and colleagues had studied sirtuins in a variety of model organisms: yeast, worms, flies and mice. For the first three organisms they were able to thoroughly knock out SIRT1 and show that cells lacking the gene don't respond to resveratrol. But no one had been able to demonstrate the effect in mice, which die at birth without the SIRT1 gene.

In order to solve this obstacle, Nathan Price and Ana Gomes, graduate students in the Sinclair lab, spent three years engineering a new mouse model. These mice, seemingly normal in every way, were designed so that SIRT1 would systemically switch off when the mice were given the drug Tamoxifen.

"This is a drug inducible, whole body deletion of a gene," said Sinclair. "This is something that's rarely been done so efficiently. Moving forward, this mouse model will be valuable to many different labs for other areas of research."

The results were plain: when mice were given low doses of resveratrol after SIRT1 was disabled, the researchers found no discernable improvement in mitochondrial function. In contrast, the mice with normal SIRT1 function given resveratrol showed dramatic increases in energy.

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More evidence for longevity pathway

U.S. Dept. of Justice may sue city

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May 1, 2012

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PLYMOUTH The United States Department of Justice may sue the city of Plymouth on behalf of a military reserve officer and city employees claims for longevity pay. A news release from City Attorney Sean Surrisi Monday states that there is a question as to whether a city ordinance in effect since 1989 differs from a federal law enacted in 1994 protecting civilian job rights and benefits for veterans and reserve troops who may be absent from their jobs during military service. The employee, who was not named by Surrisi, did receive prorated longevity pay from the city for time actually worked. However, the employee also claims entitlement to longevity pay for the entire year of 2010-11 under terms of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). This Act applies to both governmental and private employers, and supersedes any conflicting local law that reduces, limits, or eliminates any rights or benefits of a service member. The release from the city stated that The U.S. Department of Labor has its own rules and regulations interpreting USERRA, which provide, in part, that an employee who is absent from a position of employment by reason of service is not entitled to greater benefits than would be generally provided to a similarly situated employee on non-military furlough or leave of absence. Surrisi said Monday that the city had been in discussion with the branch of reserves that the employee serves under and also with the U.S. Department of Labor over the past year about the issue. The city maintains that its ordinance does not conflict with USERRA and that the employee in question was treated no better or no worse than any non-military employee on a leave of absence. The city complies with all federal, state, and local laws when figuring payroll, said Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Toni Hutchings. Our ordinance states that the proration of longevity pay is in the interest of fiscal responsibility and fairness. City officials also brought up Indianas Ghost Employment statute. This statute prohibits a governmental entity from paying an employee for work that has not been performed. Officials question whether making the employees requested longevity payment would violate that statute. Plymouth mayor Mark Senter said that he is proud of Plymouth employees who serve in the military, but that he must support city ordinances. As mayor, the people of Plymouth have given me a trust to enforce their ordinances and my administration must prove faithful in serving as well, said Senter. Surrisi further stated in the news release that the USERRA allows for enforcement actions to be brought on the service members behalf by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Department of Justice has been in contact with the city for some time and may file suit in the near future. In this case, a court will determine whether the longevity pay is due in light of differing local, state, and federal laws.

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The Key To Longevity: Eat Mediterranean-Style

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It all started circa 1960 in several areas of the Mediterranean region, specifically the Greek island of Crete, other areas of Greece and southern Italy. Researchers were drawn to these areas because the adults living there had very low rates of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, as well as very long life expectancy. For examples, the natives of Greece had a rate of heart disease that was 90 percent lower than that of Americans at the time. (Mind you, heart disease and cancer are still currently two of the top killers of Americans.)

In addition to a physically active lifestyle, these Mediterranean natives consumed a diet that was rich in grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. In fact, more than 60 percent of the calories in their diets in the 1960s were supplied by these high-fiber, nutritionally-dense plant foods. The majority of the fat in the diet was provided by olives and olive oil, and fish and seafood was enjoyed at least twice a week. (Note: the latest recommendation from the USDA is to consume at least two fish meals, especially fatty fish such as salmon, weekly to increase longevity.)

Following this traditional 1960s Mediterranean Diet, foods from animal sources were limited as well as sweets. Water was abundantly consumed throughout the day and low to moderate amounts of wine were enjoyed, typically only with meals. Equally important, meals were enjoyed with friends and family.

Fast forward to the present, ongoing research continues to support the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find a study that found that this type of eating style was unhealthy.

With the warmer weather and budding of plants around us, May is the perfect month to start enjoying more of a plant-based, Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. Here's some tips:

Cheers!

Follow Joan on Twitter at: joansalgeblake

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The Key To Longevity: Eat Mediterranean-Style

How will the US biotechnology industry benefit from new patent laws?

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Public release date: 1-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, May 1, 2012Passage of the America Invents Act into law led to the most dramatic changes in the U.S. patent system in 60 years. These reforms will have a significant impact on technology innovators such as biotechnology-based businesses, as detailed in two articles in Industrial Biotechnology, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The articles are available free online on the Industrial Biotechnology website.

"Industrial biotechnology companies rely heavily on their patents to attract investment to fund the research and development necessary to bring innovative products to consumers. Strong intellectual property protection is critical for these companies," says Brent Erickson, Consulting Editor of Industrial Biotechnology and Executive Vice President, Industrial & Environmental Section, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Washington, DC. "The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act will strengthen America's patent system and drive job growth throughout our economy. The improvements made by the bill will benefit all sectors of the national economy by enhancing patent quality and the efficiency, objectivity, predictability and transparency of the U.S. patent system. Companies will benefit from the improvements to our nation's patent system made by this legislation."

One of the most critical and far-reaching features of the America Invents Act (AIA) that will affect all U.S. patent applications filed on or after March 16, 2013 is the change from a "first-to-invent" to a "first-inventor-to-file" system. Technology specialists Tiffany Reiter, PhD and Erin Baker, PhD, and principal patent attorney J. Peter Fasse, Fish & Richardson (Boston, MA), provide a comprehensive review of the new system, describing its implications and exceptions. The authors clearly illustrate how pending and future patent applications will be affected by the new law in the article "The America Invents Act and Its Importance to Patent Prosecution in the Biotech Sector."

Sandra Thompson, JD, PhD, a specialist in intellectual property law at Buchalter Nemer (Irvine, CA), clarifies some common misunderstandings related to the new first-to-file system as well as other aspects of the AIA. In the article "The America Invents Act and Your Biotech-Based Business," Dr. Thompson explains which aspects of the AIA went into effect immediately and which will be put into practice gradually over an 18-month period, and why this knowledge is crucial for companies developing novel products and technologies.

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About the Journal

Industrial Biotechnology, led by Co-Editors-in-Chief Larry Walker, PhD, and Glenn Nedwin, PhD, MBA, is an authoritative journal focused on biobased industrial and environmental products and processes, published bimonthly in print and online. The Journal reports on the science, business, and policy developments of the emerging global bioeconomy, including biobased production of energy and fuels, chemicals, materials, and consumer goods. The articles published include critically reviewed original research in all related sciences (biology, biochemistry, chemical and process engineering, agriculture), in addition to expert commentary on current policy, funding, markets, business, legal issues, and science trends. Industrial Biotechnology offers the premier forum bridging basic research and R&D with later-stage commercialization for sustainable biobased industrial and environmental applications.

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How will the US biotechnology industry benefit from new patent laws?

Risks of mixing drugs and herbal supplements: What doctors and patients need to know

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Public release date: 1-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, May 1, 2012Herbal, dietary, and energy or nutritional supplements may offer specific health benefits, but they can also have harmful and even life-threatening effects when combined with commonly used medications. Clinicians need to be aware of and educate their patients about the potential risks of mixing supplements and therapeutic agents, since their interaction can diminish or increase drug levels. This timely topic is explored in a provocative article in Alternative and Complementary Therapies, published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The article is available free on the Alternative and Complementary Therapies website at http://www.liebertpub.com/act.

"'Natural' does not equal 'safe,'" and the effects and interactions of herbal or dietary supplements and functional foods such as energy drinks or nutritional bars can be difficult to predict, says Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD, co-founder of Natural Standard Research Collaboration and Senior Attending Pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA). "If something has a therapeutic action in a human body, this substance can also cause a reaction or an interaction."

The risk for interactions is greatest in younger and older people and in individuals with multiple health conditions or who take multiple medications, explains Dr. Ulbricht in the article "What Every Clinician Should Know About HerbSupplementDrug Interactions." She describes in detail some of the most common side effects that result from interactions between herbal supplements and therapeutic drugs, and provides guidance to clinicians on how to decrease the risk of harmful interactions in their patients and what resources are available for obtaining accurate information and reporting patient reactions.

Common examples include an increased risk of significant bleeding associated with garlic, ginkgo, ginger, and saw palmetto supplements; decreased blood sugar as a result of chromium, cinnamon, whey protein, and others; hormonal effects of dong quai, black cohosh, kudzu, and saw palmetto; and elevated blood pressure caused by bloodroot, green tea, hawthorn, and mat.

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About the Journal

Alternative and Complementary Therapies is a bimonthly journal that publishes original articles, reviews, and commentaries evaluating alternative therapies and how they can be integrated into clinical practice. Topics include botanical medicine, vitamins and supplements, nutrition and diet, mind-body medicine, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, ayurveda, indigenous medicine systems, homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga and meditation, manual therapies, energy medicine, and spirituality and health. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Alternative and Complementary Therapies website at http://www.liebertpub.com/act.

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Risks of mixing drugs and herbal supplements: What doctors and patients need to know

DNA: Man freed after 16 years in rape case

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., April 30 (UPI) -- A Colorado man wrongly convicted of a 1994 murder walked free after almost 16 years in prison because of new DNA evidence police say points to a new suspect.

Judge Brian Flynn signed a motion Monday, filed jointly by the Mesa County District Attorney's Office and attorney Danyel Joffee, to vacate the 1996 conviction of Joffee's client, Robert Dewey.

"He was unjustly imprisoned for a hideous crime he did not commit. I believe he has the courage and the stamina to put these dark days behind him and get on with his life. He was always optimistic that he was going to be released," Joffe said.

Dewey, 55, was found guilty in 1996 of the rape and murder of 19-year-old Jacie Taylor. He was released Monday after DNA found at the crime scene, not available in Mesa County when Dewey was convicted, determined Dewey was innocent -- and led police to a suspect who already was in custody.

Douglas Thames -- who has been charged with first degree sexual assault and first degree murder -- is serving a life sentence for a 1989 murder in Ft. Collins, KUSA-TV, Denver, reported.

During Dewey's trial, forensics experts testified Dewey's shirt showed a stain containing both his blood and Taylor's DNA. Dewey's defense argued the combination could have come from many sources, and tried to convince the jury investigators didn't do a good job and had overlooked other suspects, KUSA said.

The case was reviewed in 2010 by the DNA Justice Review Project, which operates under the auspices of the Denver District Attorney Colorado Attorney General's office through a grant of more than $1.2 million.

Asked about his plans, Dewey said he would "take it a day at a time and a step at a time," KKCO-TV, Grand Junction, Colo., reported.

"I'm not going to Disneyland ... Gonna get a bite to eat; get some real food a steak or something."

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DNA: Man freed after 16 years in rape case

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