'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Days of Change

Like all those kids over on Fox's increasingly sagging dramedy Glee, the future of the residents at Seattle Grace-Mercy West is currently in limbo. Why? Lets let voice-over master Meredith Grey explain -- simply because she does it so well -- as she did in last nights new episode, The Girl With No Name.

When youre a kid you always want things to stay the samethe same teacher, the same house, the same friends, the ever-wise narrator told us at the outset of the hour. Being a surgeon is no different. You get used to the same attendings, the same scrub nurses, the same hospital. Of course, that all changes the minute fifth year comes around. And you have to find a new job.

Thats right! The Seattle Grace kids are looking for new jobs. We knew this was coming. Of course, we dont know the future of any of the characters on the show just yet, but all of residents -- Grey, Yang, Karev, Kepner, and Avery -- spent last night going through the motions of trying to figure out where they might land next season, by prepping resumes, asking their attendings to score them interviews, and flying around the country to complete said interviews.

Cristina, as you might just imagine, was the most in-demand, with a running gag during the episode being that every cardio-minded hospital in the country sending over-sized fruit baskets to her at Seattle Grace. And also, as you might imagine, Cristina wasnt showing her cards at all, displaying a certain ambivalence to all the overtures coming at her, including a representative from Columbia who flew to Seattle (apparently, thats sort of unheard of in this kind of situation) to convince her to come to come to New York City.

Cristinas attending, Altman, however, wasnt going to let her go that easily. As far as teachers, Im a catch, she told Yang. And Im groveling. Teddy -- who hasnt been on speaking terms with Yangs estranged husband since her husband Henry died -- even appealed to Chief Hunt, to help her try and keep Cristina in Seattle. But he balked. If she wants to go, he told her, its her decision. (Not shocking, considering the situation between he and his wife.) Her response: Just fix it, and make her stay. To which he heatedly replied: Im Chief, not your friend -- youve made that very clear. Despite her not saying where she wanted to go, Cristina did make it clear -- to her person, Meredith, at least -- that she intends to leave Seattle Grace. (Although, we'll just see about that.) Weve been preparing for this for the past five years, she told Meredith, as she waltzed off to catch a flight to New York City and Columbia for another round of interviews with them, of course I want to leave. You should, too.

Yang added that last comment, of course, because Meredith seemed to be having second thoughts about stepping out of the Seattle Grace womb. And, honestly, rightly so -- she's got both a baby and a husband to consider in her equation. (Yang just has a husband, but even that doesnt seem to be factoring in, although its unclear whether it would, even if they were getting along.) Derek, however, scolded Meredith for canceling her interview with Brigham Young in Boston, and Meredith -- at the very end of the episode -- was shown interviewing there. And, surprisingly, telling the lady from the hospital that she was very serious about the program and that it was her top choice. Interesting? Interesting. I certainly didn't see that one coming. I thought she might botch the interview just so she could stick around Seattle.

NEXT: More fifth-year decisions!

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'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Days of Change

Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

By Sen McCrthaigh

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Ireland is seriously lagging behind most other countries in offering live-saving treatments provided by the use of adult stem cells, a leading international medical expert has warned.

Colin McGuckin called on the Government and health authorities to facilitate the wider collection and storage of stem cells from umbilical cord blood in Ireland.

Prof McGuckin who is advisor to the Vatican on stem cells and a director of the Cell Therapy Research Institute in Lyon, France is director of the Adult Stem Cell Foundation of Ireland, which was formally launched yesterday.

"Treatments which are available in other countries must come to Ireland," said Mr McGuckin. He also expressed fears the lack of stem cell therapies here could force people to seek unregulated care abroad.

Presently, none of Irelands three main maternity hospitals allow for the collection of adult stem cells from umbilical cords except in high-risk cases.

The only facility which allows the practice is Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin. All adult stem cells collected are sent abroad for storage.

Mr McGuckin said adult stem cells could be used in the treatment of over 70 diseases including leukaemia and heart disease. Advances are also being made in their use for neurological diseases such as Alzheimers.

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Lifesaving stem cell treatments must be offered in Ireland, says expert

Baldness Cure: Japanese Study Finds Stem Cells Induce Hair Regrowth for Bald Heads on Mouse [PHOTO & VIDEO]

From Rogaine to hair plugs, there have been many strides made to induce hair regrowth for bald or balding heads, but a new Japanese study found a possible cure to baldness by using stem cells.

Using stem cell therapy, scientists at the Tokyo University of Science in Japan led by Takashi Tsuki gave a hairless mouse a Mohawk by regenerating hair follicles.

Researchers used follicles from a normal mouse, namely adult epithelial stem cells and dermal papilla cell found in the skin, to create a "seed" of a hair follicle. Then, they implanted the newly-created "seed" using intracutaneous transplantation into the hairless mouse and -- Voila! -- hair.

According to the research published in Nature Communications, functional hair follicles grew on the hairless mouse properly on the skin in the epidermis, arrector pili muscle and nerve fibers. The newly regrown hair also went through a standard hair cycle of shedding and regrowth.

"Our current study thus demonstrates the potential for not only hair regeneration therapy but also the realisation of bioengineered organ replacement using adult somatic stem cells," the report said.

The baldness cure that worked on the hairless mice, however, has not yet been tested on humans, but the researchers hope to introduce the idea soon.

"We would like to start clinical research within three to five years, so that an actual treatment to general patients can start within a decade," researcher Koh-ei Toyoshima said in a statement.

However, even if it does work on people, the issue is raised about the cost, as stem cell therapy practices can be quite costly.

View the video of the hairless mouse with hair regrowth below.

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Baldness Cure: Japanese Study Finds Stem Cells Induce Hair Regrowth for Bald Heads on Mouse [PHOTO & VIDEO]

State: Grekos extracted tissue from stem cell patient who died, damaged patient’s abdomen

Photo by Allie Garza

Dr. Zannos Grekos, a cardiologist whose practice is in Bonita Springs, speaks with a seminar attendant after one of his educational seminars about stem cell treatment, using one's own stem cells, for treating heart disease and other medical conditions, on Monday, March 14, 2011, at the Collier County Library. Allie Garza/Staff

K.K.Yankopolus

In a case involving a criminal investigation into the recent death of a 77-year-old man after stem cell treatment, state health authorities say Dr. Zannos Grekos extracted tissue from the patient while a second doctor later injected the patient with his own concentrated stem cells.

But when Grekos, a Bonita Springs cardiologist, initially harvested fatty tissue from Richard Poling's stomach on March 2, he unknowingly damaged the patient's abdomen which led to bleeding, according to a state Department of Health complaint.

New documents obtained by the Daily News shed more light on the case of Grekos and Dr. Konstantine Yankopolus, a Fort Myers obstetrician who assisted Grekos. They face potential disciplinary action from the state Board of Medicine for doing a stem cell treatment that the state says was experimental and dangerous.

The state issued separate administrative complaints against them in late March and early April, a few weeks after Poling died the same day of the treatment. He suffered a cardiac arrest in Grekos' practice on Bonita Beach Road and was pronounced dead at NCH North Naples Hospital.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office launched a criminal investigation in early March and it is ongoing, agency spokesman Larry King said.

Grekos also faces potential discipline when the state restricted his license in February, 2011 in connection to the death of a 69-year-old woman who went to him in 2010 for stem cell therapy.

She sought a remedy for neurological damage after chemotherapy for breast cancer. She fell in her home after the treatment, suffered a brain injury and later was taken off life support.

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State: Grekos extracted tissue from stem cell patient who died, damaged patient's abdomen

Stemlogix Selects Butler Schein Animal Health to Distribute Versatile In-Clinic Stem Cell Therapy System to …

WESTON, Fla., April 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stemlogix, a regenerative medicine company offering premier in-clinic stem cell therapy solutions to veterinarians, announced today that it has selected Butler Schein Animal Health(TM) to distribute its regenerative medicine system, stem cell therapy kits and other biological therapies. Butler Schein Animal Health(TM) - a Henry Schein Company - is the largest companion animal health distribution company in the U.S.

Based in the U.S., Stemlogix is an innovative leader in the rapidly emerging field of veterinary regenerative medicine. The Company develops and manufactures stem cell therapy kits and platelet rich plasma kits domestically according to FDA cGMP regulations. Stemlogix offers scientifically validated technologies and protocols that will enable veterinarians to provide their patients with affordable, versatile regenerative medicine solutions including adipose (fat) and bone marrow derived stem cells, platelet rich plasma (PRP) and cytokine therapies at the point-of-care, all in less than 90 minutes. The Company also offers stem cell banking and stem cell expansion services to veterinarians around the country.

Butler Schein Animal Health(TM) will now offer the Stemlogix regenerative medicine system to its network of over 26,000 veterinary clinics in the U.S., helping Stemlogix to expand its market presence across North America. "We are excited to be working with Butler Schein to offer the Stemlogix in-clinic regenerative medicine system to their vast network of veterinarians," said Kristin Comella, CEO of Stemlogix. "This partnership will enable Stemlogix to help standardize and advance the field of regenerative medicine."

Clinical research has shown that regenerative stem cell therapies have been safely and effectively used to treat degenerative diseases and acute tissue injuries including arthritis, laminitis, tendon injuries and ligament injuries. Stemlogix has developed an array of convenient, affordable, same-day regenerative therapies designed to achieve reproducible and superior clinical outcomes. Stemlogix also has developed an innovative technique to remove stem cell rich fat tissue from horses in a minimally invasive, scar-free method, called Equine VetLipo(TM).

About Stemlogix, LLC

Stemlogix is an innovative veterinary regenerative medicine company committed to providing veterinarians with the ability to deliver the best possible stem cell therapy to dogs, cats and horses at the point-of-care. Stemlogix provides veterinarians the ability to produce PRP and isolate regenerative stem cells from a patient's own fat tissue or bone marrow in their own clinic. Stemlogix is the first company to provide veterinarians with the ability to produce multiple cellular therapies using the same system and the company offers the most versatile regenerative medicine system available. Stemlogix has a full scale cGMP stem cell manufacturing facility and a scientific team with expertise in developing stem cell products, FDA compliance and clinical research. For more information about veterinary regenerative medicine please visit http://www.stemlogix.com.

About Butler Schein Animal Health(TM)

Butler Schein Animal Health (Butler Schein) -- the veterinary division of Henry Schein (Nasdaq: HSIC - News) is the leading companion animal health distribution company in the United States headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. Butler Schein employs approximately 900 team members including 300 field sales representatives and 200 telesales and customer support representatives. With 15 strategically positioned, state-of-the-art distribution facilities and 10 inside sales centers nationwide, we maintain 98%+ order-fill ratio, accomplishing our mission of providing the right product at the right place and at the right time.

Partnering with over 400 leading animal health manufacturers in the world, Butler Schein is positioned to bring the broadest selection of veterinary products and strategic solutions to veterinary professionals nationwide, including:

1.

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Stemlogix Selects Butler Schein Animal Health to Distribute Versatile In-Clinic Stem Cell Therapy System to ...

Clock Evolution

This post, originally published on January 16, 2005, was modified from one of my written prelims questions from early 2000.

EVOLUTIONARY PHYSIOLOGY OF BIOLOGICAL CLOCKS

Circadian clocks allow organisms to predict, instead of merely react to, cyclic (predictable) changes in the environment. A sentence similar to this one is the opening phrase of many a paper in the field of chronobiology. Besides becoming a truth by virtue of frequent repetition, such a statement appeals to common sense. It is difficult to imagine a universe in which it was not true. Yet, the data supporting the above statement are few and far-between. Believe it or not, the data are not always supporting it either.

This post will attempt to briefly review the literature on evolutionary and adaptive aspects of biological rhythmicity. Also, using the perspectives and the methodology of evolutionary physiology, I will try to suggest some ways to test the hypothesis stated in the first sentence above.

REASONING BEHIND THE ARGUMENT FROM COMMON SENSE

For outside observers of the field of chronobiology and its recent successes in molecular, neural and medical aspects of biological rhythmicity, it may come as a surprise that the field was founded by ecologists, ethologists and evolutionary biologists. When the statements about adaptive function of clocks were initially made, the authors were much more careful than is usually seen today. It was meant as a hypothesis to be tested, and elaborate reasoning was often offered to persuade the reader why it might be true (Daan 1981, Pittendrigh 1967,1993, Enright 1970).

One of the most common arguments that a clock must be adaptive (for one reason or another) was its ubiquity all plants, fungi, protista, invertebrates and vertebrates (more recently cyanobacteria, too) tested by the pioneers in the field showed circadian rhythmicity. The way those rhythms behaved in the laboratory in various experimental treatments was surprisingly similar over all species. Thus, the reasoning goes, if a physiological mechanism is found in every living thing, and it seems to work in the same way in all of them, then it must have originated early due to natural selection and was preserved over eons due to natural selection.

Some of the earliest experimental work was designed to test the genetic basis of biological rhythmicity. Many generations of laboratory organisms were raised and spent all their lives in aperiodic environments, yet the rhythms persist (Sheeba et al. 1999). Period of the rhythm was species -specific, highly heritable, and very amenable to artificial selection. So, if it is in the genes, the clock must have evolved due to some kind of selective pressure.

When reviewing evolutionary literature on biological rhythms, it is often difficult to distinguish between hypotheses of current utility from hypotheses of origin. It was often assumed that same selective pressures which keep the clocks ticking all over biosphere today, are the pressures responsible for the initial discovery of timing mechanisms by early forms of life.

The current adaptive functions of biological rhythms are often divided into two, mutually not exclusive categories. The Internal Synchronization hypothesis stresses the need for temporal separation of incompatible biochemical and physiological processes within a body (or cell), and for temporal synchronization of processes which need to coincide. An example of the former would be temporal separation of photosynthesis from nitrogen fixation. For the latter, surge of a hormone and availability of its receptor need to be synchronized for the generation of the endocrine effect. Evolution of such timing control mechanisms would presumably alleviate energetic costs of constant production of enzymes and their substrates.

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Clock Evolution

UPDATE: Five college students hospitalized after science experiment

STORM LAKE, Iowa (KTIV) -

Officials say five students from a Buena Vista University physiology class ingested caffeine as part of a student-led experiment. That experiment, however, went terribly wrong. Officials say the students ended up in the hospital after an overdose of caffeine.

BVU's Dean of Students, says students are a priority, and she's very concerned about their safety. That's why they are taking the precautions that they are.

"We don't want to interrupt the student's learning and educational experience. We just want to ensure that we are taking the proper steps to let them go forward and complete their semester," said McKeon.

Randy Hummel was in that physiology class. He says the students had separated into groups to do their experiments. He wasn't in the same group as the students who overdosed. Hummel says the objective was to see how the body reacts to different levels of substances.

"When we first heard about it, we didn't think it was that big of a deal, but then we heard about the dosage and it was extreme and we don't know how it got there," said Hummel.

Officials say students took high levels of caffeine orally, mixed with a liquid. While moderate levels of caffeine are okay, high doses can make you sick.

"School officials say the students' symptoms included nausea, dizziness, and jitters. Those are all consistent with the effects of caffeine.

"We're very grateful that the students are all healthy and appear to be doing well and that the situation will be corrected," said McKeon.

Those students will be in the hospital through Wednesday. McKeon says their fellow students are sticking together.

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UPDATE: Five college students hospitalized after science experiment

Final Winner of the “What’s New in Comparative Physiology” t-shirt contest! [Life Lines]

Congratulations to Patricia Villalta, a graduate student at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, our final winner of the "What's New in Comparative Physiology?" t-shirt contest! Here are her reasons for being excited about going to this year's Experimental Biology meeting:

"Dear Dr. Dolittle,

Every year, I get excited about the Experimental Biology meeting because unexpected opportunities are bound to happen. For example, this past year, I attended for the first time the Science Policy Committee's Symposium "How to Become An Advocate: A Workshop for Scientists", where I discovered that there were many opportunities for people of all levels of science to get involved in science advocacy. I now advocate for science every chance I get and write to my senators and representatives on a consistent basis. In addition to being exposed to a new interest, I was also able to meet and interact with the Chair of the APS Public Affairs Committee, and we have maintained correspondence after the EB meeting. Also, I took full advantage of my time with members of the APS Respiration Section throughout the meeting and offered help at the different society functions. This allowed me to network with everyone from the APS President to corporate sponsors. I was asked by the incoming Chair of the Respiration Section to become Chair of the Trainee Subcommittee. I also attended "Meet the Editors" of the APS journals, volunteered to serve as a guide for high school students and teachers attending EB, and visited the NIH for a campus tour and seminars. By the end of the meeting, I had seized every unexpected opportunity, and for a fledgling like me, that makes EB a whirlwind experience.

Similarly, the EB experience allows me the chance to talk about comparative physiology with the greats in the field. I like to spark conversations about my favorite topic- how comparative physiology is making a comeback in the field after years of thinking that other routes, such as DNA and signaling pathways, were the key to solving the unknowns in the basic medical sciences. It is exciting to be part of the next generation of scientists who are being trained to think about the physiology of a problem and to be able to paint a clear, overview picture of what may have gone wrong. For example, my work focuses on mechanisms of edema formation in the lung. Our understanding of edema progression in the lung, as put forth by Dr. Nathan Staub, was that fluid accumulation started in the interstitium around larger vessels, and once the lymphatic removal of this fluid was overwhelmed, alveolar flooding ensued. We now appreciate that activation of certain calcium channels can cause direct alveolar flooding without any evidence of peribrochovascular interstitial edema. Our understanding of the physiology has been turned on its head, and its now up to us future scientists to truly understand how this may occur, and that in itself is tremendously exciting.

I hope I get to meet you this year at Experimental Biology!

Respectfully yours,

Patricia Villalta"

Thank you Patricia for your letter. Don't forget to wear your t-shirt at the meeting for a chance to win free coffee!

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Final Winner of the "What's New in Comparative Physiology" t-shirt contest! [Life Lines]

Intraoperative Histological Evaluation of Tissue Could Prevent Poor Surgical Outcome

Pediatric and Developmental Pathology

Newswise Hirschsprung disease occurs when nerve cells in the colon do not develop normally before birth and the bowel is unable to move its contents along. Severe bowel obstruction and even perforation can then occur. The condition is usually diagnosed within the first months of life, but can be found in older children as well.

Hirschsprung disease affects most frequently the distal bowel propulsive function, and it occurs in about 1 in 5,000 live births. The condition is treated surgically, and poor outcomes can sometimes require further surgery. A new study recommends an intraoperative histological evaluation that could offer a better assessment of the bowel nervous system, leading to more successful procedures.

Bowel function is restored by surgically removing the nonfunctioning segment of the bowel, then using a pull-through procedure that repairs the colon by telescoping functional bowel down into the anus. Normally innervated bowel tissue is needed for a successful outcome. A common reason for a poor postoperative outcome is the use of bowel for the pull-through that has abnormal innervation. A transition zone, consisting of a segment of bowel between the normal and abnormal sections of the bowel that can give the appearance of normal functioning, must also be removed.

The current issue of the journal Pediatric and Developmental Pathology reports on a study of 30 patients at the Colorectal Center for Children at the Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center. These patients underwent reoperation and removal of the bowel segment used unsuccessfully during the initial surgery. Researchers examined records and slides from the primary operations and fresh tissues from the secondary surgeries.

To determine the suitability of bowel to be used, the authors of this study recommend histological confirmation of the presence of both ganglion cells and normal-caliber nerves circumferentially. This research found 16 cases in which abnormalities were found microscopically; in these cases, the patients improved following reoperations. The use of intraoperative consultation during the primary procedure should include frozen section evaluation of the entire circumference of the bowel at the point to be used to connect the pulled-through bowel down to the anus.

Full text of the article, Reoperation for Hirschsprung Disease: Pathology of the Resected Problematic Distal Pull-Through, Pediatric and Developmental Pathology, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2012, is available at http://www.pedpath.org/toc/pdpa/15/1.

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Intraoperative Histological Evaluation of Tissue Could Prevent Poor Surgical Outcome

XIFIN to Present at 17th Annual Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

XIFIN Inc., the company revolutionizing revenue cycle management for diagnostic service providers, today announced that Rina Wolf, VP of Commercialization Strategies, Consulting and Industry Affairs, has been selected to speak at the 17th annual Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management, May 1-2, 2012 in New Orleans, LA.

The Executive War College is the premier conference of its kind, providing access to more than 80 laboratory and pathology experts presenting sessions on laboratory innovations, strategy and profitability.

Rina Wolf will be presenting the extended program, Evaluating Opportunities for Investment in Genetic Testing: Turning Good Science into Good Business, on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 from 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM. The session will highlight the best opportunities for new molecular diagnostic tests, barriers to commercialization and reimbursement, and how to ensure commercialization success.

One big challenge for any laboratory or company developing a molecular or genetic test is to obtain favorable coverage decisions and adequate reimbursement from Medicare and private health insurers, stated Robert L. Michel, Editor-In-Chief of The Dark Report and founder of the Executive War College. Rina Wolf is one of just a handful of experts in the lab testing industry with a demonstrated track record in successfully launching new molecular and genetic assays. Her presentation will be highly useful for anyone preparing to bring proprietary lab tests to the clinical marketplace, particularly since Rina will not only identify the essential steps that need to be taken, but will also share some of the overlooked pitfalls. Her presentation will be chock-full of practical knowledge.

Rina will also be participating as a panelist in the post-conference workshop, Getting Paid for Molecular and Genetic Tests: Latest Changes in How Government and Private Payers Want to Reimburse Labs, on Thursday, May 3. The panel will provide insights on the many changes taking place in how government and private payers want to develop coverage guidelines and establish reimbursement for molecular diagnostic assays and genetic tests. Attendees can expect some interesting predictions about future payer revisions to coverage and reimbursement guidelines.

XIFIN delivers SaaS revenue cycle management systems that enable labs to improve cash collections and gain efficiencies that substantially improve profitability. More than 50 percent of the industrys largest labs currently use XIFINs automated, end-to-end interoperable platform to capture revenue faster and better manage claims processing for maximum productivity and profitability.

XIFIN processes more than 100 million claims per year across a wide variety of healthcare segments including clinical, hospital outreach, anatomic pathology, molecular diagnostics, toxicology, radiology and more. Customers see a 50-100% improvement in profitability by using the XIFIN system, and have realized cumulative gains of $1 billion in net cash collection, adjusted for growth.

For additional information about the Executive War College, or to register, visit http://www.executivewarcollege.com.

About XIFIN

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XIFIN to Present at 17th Annual Executive War College on Laboratory and Pathology Management

USC Department of Pathology Selects PathCentral’s Web-Based Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Information System

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

PathCentral, Inc. (www.pathcentral.net), the first and only company focused exclusively on the success of the community pathologist, announced today it has entered into an agreement to provide its web-based anatomic pathology laboratory information system (APLIS) to the Keck School of Medicine of USCs Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

USCs Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is one of the largest and most prestigious in the country, with several nationally and internationally renowned physicians on its staff, including several who have been named to the list of Americas Top Doctors.

PathCentrals web-based APLIS represents a fully integrated end-to-end workflow solution for our pathology laboratory, said Michael Selsted, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Keck School of Medicine of USCs Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The systems connectivity features enable us to interface electronically with our clients EMR systems, key instrumentation within our laboratory, and, ultimately, with other facilities using digital imaging technology to access USCs professional consultation services.

As with most healthcare providers today, pathologists are under continuous pressure to become more productive while improving the quality of patient care, and IT automation is seen by many in the field as a key to achieving these goals.

PathCentral is honored that our web-based APLIS has been chosen by such a prestigious institution as its core laboratory workflow solution, said Matt Watson, PathCentrals CEO. The Keck Schools Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is world renowned for its medical and scientific expertise and quality of patient care, and were excited to be able to assist them in optimizing their laboratory testing processes.

About the USC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine

With 92 full-time primary faculty, 30 dual-appointment faculty, 75 voluntary faculty and 41 residents and fellows in training, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Keck School is one of the largest pathology departments in the United States. The faculty of the Department provide diagnostic laboratory services for the LAC+USC Medical Center, the Keck Medical Center of USC and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, and the Doheny Eye Institute.

About PathCentral

Irvine, Calif.-based PathCentral, Inc. provides a range of technology-based solutions and services specifically focused on meeting the needs of community pathologists. PathCentrals solutions assist pathologists in building their practices while improving efficiencies and increasing revenue. At the core of PathCentrals services is a proprietary web-based Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Information System (APLIS), an integrated CLIA-certified esoteric diagnostics laboratory, a full-service outreach assistance program, and a range of complementary ancillary services. Please visit http://www.pathcentral.net for more information.

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USC Department of Pathology Selects PathCentral’s Web-Based Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Information System

NMSU Extension teaches nutrition program to entire school

Click photo to enlarge

An elementary school student looks at the USDA dietary guideline MyPyramid while NMSU Extension nutrition educators talk about the foods in each category and the importance of healthy eating habits.

ALBUQUERQUE Every student at Chaparral Elementary School in Albuquerque proudly received a certificate from the kIdsCAN program this year. They are among the 2,000 students in Albuquerque and 15,200 students across the state this year who have completed the nutrition program from New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service nutrition educators.

"Usually only one or two teachers in a school will invite us to teach the Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition (ICAN) program in their classrooms," said Donna Sauter, NMSU Extension home economist and Bernalillo County ICAN coordinator. "It was a real treat for the teachers and administration at Chaparral Elementary to see the value of teaching this program to all of the 731 students."

The school's principal was pleased with the program and has invited the nutrition educators back next school year to again teach the program to the entire student body.

The kIdsCAN program is the youth component of the ICAN program, which provides hands-on, needs-based education in the areas of healthy food choices, food preparation, food safety and food resource management to people with limited-incomes and resources. The youth curriculum is designed to meet educational benchmarks set by the New Mexico Public Education Department.

During four one-hour classes, the children learn about the USDA dietary guidelines MyPyramid and Choose MyPlate, the importance of hand-washing, how to read the nutritional fact chart on food

"The classes are taught primarily by paraprofessional educators, who are hired from the communities served by the program," Sauter said of the 11 nutrition educators working in Bernalillo County. "These educators have similar backgrounds to program participants and thus serve as peer role models."

Being able to work with the community is the driving force for the nutrition educator.

"I was a single mother for quite a few years," said Geraldine Herrera, one of the nutrition educators working with the Chaparral Elementary students. "I didn't know about any of these programs that I work with now that I'm with the Cooperative Extension Service. People with limited means and resources don't know of all these resources and beneficial programs that are out there, and are free."

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NMSU Extension teaches nutrition program to entire school

Nutrition Counseling Deemed Critical for Weight Loss and Back Pain Relief

FENTON, MO--(Marketwire -04/17/12)- Fenton chiropractor Dr. Margaret Freihaut, who owns and operates Fenton Family Chiropractic, reports there is a strong link between nutrition counseling for weight loss and reduced back pain. Freihaut designs nutritionally-based weight loss plans for many overweight patients. She explains that while some patients need to lose weight to fine-tune their overall wellness situation, she also helps patients struggling with severe obesity. She often recommends the hCG weight loss program for these patients. She says that the vast majority of patients who lose weight on her nutritional plans report improved health and pain relief for many of the conditions they previously suffered.

According to Dr. Freihaut, nutrition is critical for wellness and weight loss. "Combating obesity is one of the most critical health goals for doctors and patients today, and nutritional counseling and exercise counseling are central to that goal. We've known for a long time that being overweight exacerbates conditions like heart disease, diabetes, headaches, arthritis, back pain, and other illnesses, most of which are preventable." Dr. Freihaut provides personalized nutritional counseling along with chiropractic care to patients throughout Fenton, High Ridge, Valley Park, House Springs, Sunset Hills, Cedar Hill, and Arnold.

Dr. Freihaut cites a recent study by the Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York, which established a strong link between obesity and pain. While the exact mechanisms causing increased pain in obese people are still under investigation, the relationship between increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and pain were clear: People with BMIs from 30 to 34 reported 68 percent more pain than people with a normal BMI; people with BMIs from 35 to 39 reported 136 percent more pain; those struggling with a BMI over 40 complained of 245 percent more pain. Dr. Freihaut says that medical science shows that excess weight leads to poor posture, which pulls the musculoskeletal system out of alignment. This leads to pinched nerves, which can lead to more pain throughout the body.

According to Dr. Freihaut people lose weight better when they follow an individualized plan because not everybody responds well to the same type of nutritional program. She provides each patient a thorough exam first and then designs a plan specifically for them. She frequently recommends the hCG weight loss plan for severely obese patients because it takes weight off quickly through the use of low-dose pregnancy hormones and a low-calorie diet. Dr. Freihaut says the goal with all of her nutritional plans, including the hCG weight loss plan, is to help patients achieve a healthy weight and maintain it long term for optimal wellness.

Dr. Freihaut stresses how important it is to achieve a healthy weight: "Weight loss isn't just about looking good anymore; it's about staying alive and achieving a healthy quality of life that feels great."

Dr. Margaret Freihaut has been practicing in Fenton, MO since 1984 and has twice won the Doctor of the Year for Missouri Chiropractic Association Award. Her website is located at http://drfreihaut.com.

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Nutrition Counseling Deemed Critical for Weight Loss and Back Pain Relief

Pfizer Nears Sale of Infant Nutrition Unit

Pfizer is nearing a deal to sell its infant nutrition business, with a winning buyer that could be picked as soon as next week, people briefed on the matter said Tuesday.

Nestl appears to be in the leading bidder for the business, these people said, cautioning that the sales process was ongoing and still could fall apart.

Should a deal be reached, it would be the latest move by Pfizer to reshuffle its business mix and focus on its core business of developing new medicines. Last spring, the company sold a division that makes capsule coatings for drugs to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for about $2.4 billion.

Pfizer announced last summer that it would explore a sale of the infant nutrition business, kicking off an auction that has drawn interest from a number of corporate buyers and private equity firms.

The unit, which reported about $2.1 billion in revenue last year, manufactures infant formula products around the world and is considered to be among Pfizer's faster-growing businesses.

While it trails Nestl in market share, the nutrition unit is big enough that a deal may still present some antitrust hurdles for the Swiss company. That may mean that Nestl may need to make some divestitures to win regulatory approval.

Among the other bidders for the business are Danone and Mead Johnson, the people briefed on the matter said.

Also last summer, Pfizer said that it was exploring strategic options for its animal health business, a larger unit that generated more than $4 billion in revenue last year. The drugmaker has picked three banks - JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley - to lead the stock sale of the division, the people briefed on that process said.

Representatives for Pfizer and Nestl were not immediately available for comment.

News of Pfizer's plans was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal online.

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Pfizer Nears Sale of Infant Nutrition Unit

Pathway Genomics Adds World-Renowned Obesity and Nutrition Experts to Scientific Advisory Board

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Pathway Genomics Corporation, a genetic testing laboratory specializing in nutrition and exercise response, inherited disease, prescription drug response and health condition risks, has established a world-leading scientific advisory board.

Among the board members are Arne Astrup, M.D., Ph.D., head of the department of human nutrition at the University of Copenhagen, Claude Bouchard, Ph.D., executive director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and Ken Fujioka, M.D., director of the Scripps Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center all known for their breakthrough discoveries in obesity research, nutrition and weight management clinical trials.

Collaborating with outside experts of this caliber is vital for Pathway to bring the latest scientific and technological advancements and methods in genomic and translational medicine to health care providers and their patients, said Michael Nova, M.D., Pathway Genomics chief medical officer. Pathways mission is to educate and empower people by providing actionable genetic information our scientific advisory board is an essential part of that effort.

Pathways scientific advisory board consists of 10 leaders in various fields including behavioral genetics, bioinformatics, biostatistics, endocrinology, human epigenetics, metabolism, nutrigenomics, nutrition, obesity and exercise genetics, oncology, and weight management. To view the companys full scientific advisory board, visit http://www.pathway.com/sab.

About Pathway Genomics

Pathway Genomics owns and operates an on-site genetic testing laboratory that is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), accredited in accordance with the U.S. Health and Human Services Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988, and licensed by the state of California. The company uses customized and scientifically validated technologies to generate personalized reports, which address a variety of medical issues, including an individuals carrier status for recessive genetic conditions, food metabolism and exercise response, prescription drug response, and propensity to develop certain diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. For more information about Pathway Genomics, visit http://www.pathway.com.

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Pathway Genomics Adds World-Renowned Obesity and Nutrition Experts to Scientific Advisory Board

Intestinal flora of cockroaches and termites reflects these insects’ family relationships, and divergent diets

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany, have compared the microbial ecosystems in the intestines termites and cockroaches, with fascinating results. The research is published in the April Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

It may be hard for people outside of certain scientific domains to muster anything but disgust for termites and cockroaches. Cockroaches, after all, infest our homes, and termites eat them. But despite their different life strategiestermites feed exclusively on wood, while cockroaches are the epitome of omnivorythese two culturally stigmatized insects are closest relatives. The microbial denizens of the termite gut have been the objects of intense study by microbiologists, with the goal of greatly boosting the conversion efficiency of cellulosic materials to biofuels, but cockroaches intestinal inhabitants have gone ignored, despite suspicions that pathogens are among them.

We wanted to determine to what extent, despite striking differences in diet, the gut community of cockroaches resembles that of their closest relatives, the termites, says coauthor Claire L. Thompson. We found that termites and cockroaches contain many gut bacteria of the same families, which indicates that the evolutionary history of the host is an important factor determining the structure of the gut microbial community. However, we found also that the abundance of these different lineages differs fundamentally between termites and cockroaches, which we ascribe to their different diets. In fact, she says, the relative abundance of different bacterial groups in the cockroach gut more closely resembles that of other omnivores, such as humans and mice.

Our research suggests that the gut microbiota of termites and cockroaches reflects both their common evolutionary origin and their different feeding habits, says Thompson. Many bacterial lineages seem to have been associated with the cockroaches already when the termites split off more than 130 million years ago. Additionally, the researchers showed that the bacterial community of the cockroach intestine is much more complex than it appeared from previous cultivation-based studies, and disease causing microorganisms therein are actually quite rare.

In the paper, the researchers note that termites fall within the radiation of cockroaches, and that they should be considered merely a family of social cockroaches. But current taxonomy has yet to catch up with these relatively recent findings.

More information: C. Schauer, et al, 2012. The bacterial community in the gut of the cockroach Shelfordella lateralis reflects the close evolutionary relatedness of cockroaches and termites. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 78:2758-2767. doi:10.1128/AEM.07788-11

Provided by American Society for Microbiology

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Intestinal flora of cockroaches and termites reflects these insects' family relationships, and divergent diets

Oregon State chooses microbiology researcher as new dean of College of Agricultural Sciences

Dan Arp, a microbiology researcher and professor, is the new dean of Oregon State Universitys College of Agricultural Sciences.

Arp has headed OSUs Honors College program since 2008 and previously chaired the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at OSU. Hes among a handful of faculty members designated a distinguished professor and is affiliated with the Center for Genome Research and Bio-computing on campus. His expertise is in agricultural microorganisms, nitrification and the biology of bacteria and bio-remediation.

Arp replaces Sonny Ramaswamy, who in March was chosen by President Obama to lead the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

Oregon State Provost Sabah Randhawa said Arp will position the college as a transformative agriculture and natural resources enterprise.

The College of Agricultural Sciences includes 15 academic departments, an agricultural experiment station with 11 branch research stations around the state. More than 1,600 students are enrolled.

--Eric Mortenson

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Oregon State chooses microbiology researcher as new dean of College of Agricultural Sciences

Hot new manufacturing tool: A temperature-controlled microbe

Public release date: 17-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Sliwa jsliwa@asmusa.org 202-942-9297 American Society for Microbiology

Many manufacturing processes rely on microorganisms to perform tricky chemical transformations or make substances from simple starting materials. The authors of a study appearing in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, on April 17 have found a way to control a heat-loving microbe with a temperature switch: it makes a product at low temperatures but not at high temperatures. The innovation could make it easier to use microorganisms as miniature factories for the production of needed materials like biofuels.

This is the first time a targeted modification of a hyperthermophile (heat-loving microorganism) has been accomplished, say the authors, providing a new perspective on engineering microorganisms for bioproduct and biofuel formation.

Originally isolated from hot marine sediments, the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus grows best at temperatures around 100C (212F). P. furiosus is an archaeon, single-celled organisms that bear a resemblance to bacteria, but they excel at carrying out many processes that bacteria cannot accomplish. Like other hyperthermophiles, P. furiosus' enzymes are stable at the high temperatures that facilitate many industrial processes, making it a well-used tool in biotechnology and manufacturing. But not all products can be made at high heat. Some enzymes will only work at lower temperatures.

In the study in mBio, the authors inserted a gene from another organism into P. furiosus and coaxed it to use that gene to make a new product by simply lowering the temperature. The donor organism, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, prefers to grow at a relatively cool 78C, so the protein product of its gene, lactate dehydrogenase, is most stable at that comparatively low temperature.

The authors of the study inserted the lactate dehyrogenase gene into a strategic spot, right next to a cold shock promoter that "turns on" the genes around it when P. furiosus is out in the cold at 72C. This essentially gives scientists a switch for controlling lactate production: put the organism at 72C to turn on lactate production, restore it to 100C to turn it off, thus preventing the need for chemical inducers. What's more, since P. furiosus is mostly shut down at these lower temperatures, making the new product doesn't interfere with its metabolism, or vice-versa.

The lead author on the study, Michael Adams of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia, explains that this is the key benefit of this system: although P. furiosus now makes the enzyme that carries out the process, at these lower temperatures the organism's other metabolic processes don't get in the way.

"The hyperthermophile is essentially the bioreactor that contains the foreign enzymes," says Adams. P. furiosus just supplies cofactors and a cytoplasmic environment for the highly active foreign enzymes, according to Adams. This makes for a cleaner, more controllable reaction.

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Hot new manufacturing tool: A temperature-controlled microbe

Senior grows his talent in microbiology

MICHIGAN CITY Teachers often refer to a light bulb moment when students finally understand the lesson. Two science teachers at Michigan City High School had their own light bulb moments, courtesy of senior Matthew Bietry who has taken his studies of microbiology to new levels.

Bietry, a three-year participant on the Science Olympiad team, developed an interest in microbiology in his sophomore year. Spurred by success at his first Science Olympiad competition, Bietry unleashed his passion delving into college-level textbooks to become an expert in his field. The result was several gold medals to add to his achievements, as well as the unwavering admiration of his teacher Andrew Jasicki and Science Olympiad coach Bob Gray.

I first met Matt when he came to my classroom to convince me to take a risk and allow him to take my class, Jasicki recalled. He wanted to enter an advanced biology course but his chemistry grade didnt fulfill the requirement. He assured me that he could do all of the work in my course so I said okay. He didnt disappoint me.

Bietry recalled the same story, and offers his own praise of his teacher, whom he calls a role model. He spent a lot of time out of his busy schedule to teach me things about microbiology, Bietry said.

Bietry said working in the lab for the Science Olympiad is what hooked his passion for microbiology. During that first year, he rode the microbiology competition on the coat tails of a more experienced member, part of the team that won a gold medal that year.

I felt guilty about that, Bietry said.

To compensate, he began reading all he could about microbiology, visiting college courses, buying college text books and searching for knowledge. He compiled a thick notebook of handwritten notes chronicling his research. This handwritten research volume is being left behind at MCHS when Bietry graduates for the Science Olympiad team his legacy to an activity that he says changed his life.

Gray watched Bietrys metamorphosis that began with his first Science Olympiad competition. One medal that first year of competition was the spark, but Bietrys own drive for knowledge was the fuel that propelled Bietry to continue collecting medals in both his junior and senior year. He even placed eighth in the state. And that one gold medal has turned into three golds and one bronze overall.

To be truthful, I didnt recognize his ability until after his success at the first Olympiad, Jasicki said. After that, I just became his assistant in the lab. He asked for materials and I would supply them. If he had a question, I would try to supply the answer he needed. I have never seen a student so interested in bacteriology. Matt really did a lot of research outside of school. What he liked most about my class is that it had a laboratory where he could work on his techniques.

Gray also faced a barrage of questions from Bietry, who served as Science Olympiad team captain in his junior and senior years. He asks questions just about non-stop, Gray said. These are good questions, not designed to waste time.

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Senior grows his talent in microbiology